But that happiness was too good to last, as was everything. Ginny headed to her dormitory, dropping off her books, then headed back downstairs to the Great Hall. She glanced at Slytherin table, almost automatically, and saw Malfoy, Blaise, Emmy, and a few other Slytherins laughing jovially about something Blaise had said. Typical.
She dropped down, sitting next to Ron, who gave her a strange look. She had been avoiding the Trio lately, hadn't she? Well, it wasn't to be helped, now. At least Ron didn't kick her out, or start acting like mum.. She saw Harry and Hermione walk in, and since Harry looked happy enough, she stayed next to Ron, helping herself to some chicken.
"Hey, Ginny!" Hermione said brightly, sitting down next to the Weasley girl. She smiled, and Harry sat next to her, immediately digging in to the food around him. Ginny hid a smile at his sudden appetite; he's a growing boy, as Molly Weasley constantly said about her five sons, who had varying degrees of appetites. Ginny listened to the conversations, not really taking in anything. She kept watching the Slytherin table, as if she could, by sheer force of mind, make Draco turn around and look at her.
Slowly, people began to file out, the tables thinning. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still talking, but Ginny wasn't paying any attention. She had zoned out, watching Draco's back dreamily. So, midnight, is it? Rather romantic, if you ask me. But who's asking Ginny Weasley?
Ginny soon got up, excusing herself from Ron and Harry's violent argument about Quidditch, and went to the common room, pacing. Neville Longbottom was sitting in a chair, and she gave him a small smile before pacing again. Neville had always been nice to her.
What could Draco possibly want to talk to her about? If Blaise had told him about Harry, then Blaise would have had to mention that Ginny wouldn't talk about it. So it couldn't be anything like that. Maybe it was about Emmy? Or Blaise? The possibilities were endless, and Ginny found herself running through every possible scenario in her head.
As it grew later, Ginny grew more nervous, barely noticing as everyone slowly went to bed. She hadn't seen Harry, Hermione and Ron yet, though. They were probably off, getting themselves into trouble, as usual.
There was a low hoot, and a bell chimed softly somewhere, announcing it to be 11 o'clock. Ginny got up suddenly, walking to her dormitory. She walked into the room quietly, trying not to disturb anyone, and got into her bag, grabbing her wand. She wouldn't want to leave without that..
When she got back to the common room, it was completely empty. Ginny sat in a chair, thinking maybe she'd just close her eyes. Just for a bit..
She woke to the same soft bell, now chiming midnight.
No! I slept too long.. She hurried out of the common room, heading through the hallways and trying to remember the door that would get her out to the Quidditch stadium.
She got to a very still, quiet hallway, and she paused a moment to catch her breath, still checking around for any teachers. Not seeing anyone, she rushed forward again, only to smack into Harry.
He turned around, startled, then looked at Ginny in some form of amazement. Then something dawned on his face, and she saw that familiar dark look cross into his eyes..
"Ginny, what are you doing out?" He was advancing on her, and she stepped back, eyes darting around for an exit.
"N..no..nothing, Harry.. nothing.." He punched her, sending her to the ground.
"Don't lie to me! I know you were going to see Malfoy!" Ginny tried to suck in a breath, but Harry kicked her stomach, sending all of the air out in a whoosh.
His anger was darker, worse. Worse than she had ever seen. She tried to curl up, tried to shield herself from Harry, but he kept kicking her, punching her, immobilizing her. She could barely choke out a sob before he started to beat her mercilessly, cussing fluently, like he always did.
The world was slowly beginning to be hazy. Ginny could barely keep herself from slipping into unconsciously. She was sure Harry would kill her this time.
Suddenly, he stopped. Ginny could barely make it out.. there was someone.. someone whispering.
"Potter, what in the bloody… is that Ginny?" She recognized the voice, but couldn't place it. There was a sudden flash of blue light, and then Harry was lying on the ground next to Ginny, his whole body rigid. The figure came rushing over to Ginny, whispering gently to her. It was all too dark… too hard..
"Ginny.. Ginny! Ginny, stay with me. Please. It's Draco." Draco. Draco Malfoy…Oh, I'm sorry you had to see Harry like this… Please, just don't tell.. don't tell.. anyone.. Then Ginny finally relaxed, giving into the darkness that clouded her mind.
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"GINNY!" Draco hissed as the girl fainted in his arms. He picked her up gingerly, throwing Potter a sharp kick and disappearing through the hallways.
He had to get her somewhere.. anywhere. But where! His dormitory wasn't safe enough.. unless he could get Blaise's help. Turning around and heading back to his dormitory, Draco counted hundreds of thoughts running through his head. The one that was screaming at him.. HOW COULD POTTER DO THIS TO HER! Then millions of other questions. What a little.. there wasn't a word foul enough for Potter.
Draco started talking to himself, trying to both calm his nerves and quell the feeling that had embedded itself into the pit of his stomach.
Guilt. Fear. Ginny seemed so limp in his arms.. Maybe, if he hadn't told her to meet him.. No, if he hadn't talked to her at all, she would have been fine right now. She would never have been hurt in the first place! He should never have even looked at the girl who was now in his arms, hurt beyond belief, maybe even beyond repair.
He reached his dormitory, glad no one had decided to hold a party, and rushed upstairs to his dormitory, which he shared with Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini. Crabbe and Goyle would be easy to shut up; they weren't exactly the smartest of men. But now.. Zabini. No, Zabini wouldn't be a problem. He cared for Ginny almost as much as Draco did. Almost.
He pulled back the curtains to his bed, laying Ginny down delicately, giving her bruised face and arms a worried glance before drawing back Zabini's curtains, shaking the boy awake and shushing him to quiet, showing him Ginny's almost lifeless form in his bed.
"What happened, mate? It was Potter, wasn't it?" Blaise had a dark look of hatred cross his features when he mentioned Harry. Draco just nodded, turning back to Ginny.
She looked so pale, so small, surrounded by Draco's emerald green Slytherin sheets. And for what purpose? All because of Potter and his black heart. If he even had a heart. How could he do this? How many times had he done it? WHY?
He kissed her gently, looking up at Blaise, who had begun to pace. The two could come up with a plan to get Ginny out of this mess. They had to.
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It was dark. Ginny was running. Running from Harry. It looked faintly like the Hogwarts hallways, where she was running. But the girl couldn't be sure. Draco appeared out of the mist in front of her, sweeping her up into his arms and laying a soft, gentle kiss on her lips before disappearing.
Then there was pain, and darkness…
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