CHAPTER 20- He Deserves It
"Do we make it clear Mr. Zabini?"
"Yes Professor"
Ginny stayed silent on the whole way to Hogsmeade. She might act like she's oblivious with how Blaise is currently acting, but the truth is, it was eating her alive. She tried to ignore thinking about it but at some point, her mind immediately suggested negative reasons. The top reason in her long list implemented that he probably doesn't really like her that much, and her company may be causing him extreme pain.
She furrowed her eyebrows, thinking of what was going inside his head. Unlike her bestfriend, she was never good and insightful with reading people. Probably it was because she happened to grow up with her brothers- who were mostly open and strong willed with their feelings. Frank and all around open, that's what she is.
"Hey" she nudged him with her shoulder, hitting his arm just so she could grab his attention. Somehow, thankfully, she did. He tilted his head at her, and she in return, rolled her eyes and smirked "What has gotten into you? It's so weird to see you all serious over something" She joked, hoping to earn that sarcastic Blaise back. She whole heartedly expect him to roll his eyes and comment some witty response. Like how they would always roll.
"There's always a first time, Gin" Instead, he was noticeably sad
She pouted inwardly. Sure, she likes to make fun of him, and so does him to her, but looking at him so troubled and not like himself makes her have this weird need in her system. Somehow, she felt as if she needed to cheer him up, to lift that frowning lips to his usual smirk "You know-" she grabbed his wrist gently, flashing him the most gentle smile she could ever wear- she decided all her pent up confusion and uncharacteristic shyness should be pushed temporarily aside.
"No matter what happens, things would get brighter in the end. Atleast that's what Luna would say, and she is always right" Ginny reassured the troubled boy, nodding her head as if she was the one deciding for him.
For a moment, Blaise only stared at her. He was unready and full on scared. He was afraid that she might hate him for what he was going to do, but he has no other choice but to do the right thing. Of course he declined the offer repeatedly, he even tried to sneer at the thought time and time again, but then he knew too well their Professor meant well, he was a nice man beneath his boring 'I don't care' look. Professor Snape was only concerned about Luna and of course, Draco.
"I need to tell you something"
The girl nodded, her eyebrow raising, some creases appearing on her forehead. Without another word and a second wasted, he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close to him as if he wants to memorize her and draw her a permanent memory in his mind. He nuzzled his nose to her scalp, inhaling her scent, closing his eyes as he savor the moment.
Ginny stiffened out of sheer bewilderment, but had let go of the confusion and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Cinnamon, sun, sweat.
It hurted him.
It hurts him to acknowledge the fact that that would be the first and last time he would ever feel her so close to him.
After that little scene he would cause later, he would lose Draco and even Ginny.
'It is for the best, isn't it?'
"It's about Draco and Luna"
His eyes were wandering inside hers, waiting for her response. As if he was asking for her to understand. Ginny's lips twitched slightly but she nodded, gesturing him to continue.
"They're not going to spend this Hogsmeade trip together right? You'll be with Luna and Draco and I will be in Leaky Cauldron. Well, let me show you something" he decided that it was now the time. That final act he would partake without Draco's approval. That scene where it could arise conflict, or would end one's story.
"I need you to find Luna and meet me there. Don't ask any further question. I want you to trust me in this. Please Gin." Ginny nodded quite reluctantly.
Blaise exhaled, trying to pull himself together as he felt he could collapse with all the complications.
"Blaise?" Ginny tiptoed and tilted her head, inching her face to his jaw, placing a soft kiss on his cold skin.
"Just go" he pleaded, lingering his eyes to her for a moment and walked away. She didn't say a word, instead, she nodded defeatedly. Her head was ringing with questions she find herself trying to shush.
Blaise rested his hands at the top of the warm table, readying himself to the confrontation that would kill a lingering fire. Draco was coming further and closer, his steps were too fast- everything was running way too fast.
"Zabini"
"Malfoy"
Draco sat to the chair opposite from him, his smirk real and mocking. He smirked back at the blond Slytherin, hoping that it did not show the nerves that were begging to be seen. There was a pregnant pause between the two of them, both looking at each other as if they were calculating the other's moves. Or so that is what Blaise was feeling.
"How are things with- you know, Luna?" he asked, his eyebrows raising just to tease.
For a moment, Draco stared suspiciously, completely thrown aback with the sudden confrontation. But as soon as it appeared, it quickly vanished, the suspicious look softened and the boy smirked goofily as if he had won a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's factory- yes, it was a muggle movie Blaise once saw and he thought it was bloody fantastic.
"She's bloody fantastic " Draco replied with such ease. He raised one questioning eyebrow, surprised with the positive comeback. Of course, she is indeed fantastic. He had never seen Draco so- caring with somebody else's life. It was just he wasn't used to this open Draco who basically just confessed his attraction to the bizarre Ravenclaw. He was more of the business, formal, private type of person.
Immediately, Draco's eyes went wide and his cheeks blushed in pure red. "Well, I didn't expect much of her since she's wearing baggy clothes all the time" Draco added in defense, the fake sneer that he experted was on his face, the old private individual was back in place.
Blaise gulped.
Everything's happening way too fast.
On the corner of his eyes, standing on the doorframe were Luna with Ginny. The redhead waved at him and he let out a cold sweat in response "Merlin's beard Draco, what is it with her then?"
His hands were shaking. He has this knowledge that it would infact, end as badly as Professor Snape said it would
Draco opened his mouth but closed it as if lost in thought. For a moment, Blaise saw the lost Draco who doesn't know what to do, if he should be answered correctly and what is supposed to be the right response. It was a fragile moment for the both of them. They were clinging to such decision that could change them drastically. They were lost, scared, and possibly, pained. It was a moment of weakness and he wasn't sure if he likes the plan anymore.
'Think about Luna, think about Ginny, think about Draco.'
He was in the whirlwind of thoughts. He wants to run away, choke or knock Draco out until he'll get to the hospital wing, be alone with Luna and let him accept that he loves her. He wants to dodge, avoid the problem, avoid everything that was currently happening. He told himself that he was stuck in the dead end and in order to cross is the way down. If he didn't do what he was told to do, sooner or later it will hurt more than it should. But why? Upon every single person in school, why was he given the task to destroy what is finally making Malfoy realize he's also human?
"Bullocks Zabini, it was nothing" It felt as if the world tore itself to million pieces. He swore he could feel Luna's heart shatter inside Draco's hands. "Are you s-sure?" He furrowed his eyebrows together, his hands squeezing together to prevent them from shaking any further. He wanted Malfoy to disengage, to finally strip that lousy act and just admit every single damn thing.
"Come on, told you I would never lose a bet" There was a faint uncertain tone inside Draco's voice. But he was too shocked to even register it.
"You're with him all along" Ginny was thick with fighting back tears. She taught herself not to cry for people who angers her. Because that would mean she's hurt, that would mean she cares. And she couldn't- Oh for the life of her, she knows he planned for them to know, but still, the accusing tone inside her head dominates her understanding trait. She was no Luna-
She turned her eyes to Luna, the tears that were held back bursted when she saw the frigid girl. Luna was standing stiff with her gentle face blank and unreadable. She can feel Luna's heart breaking, she can feel Luna's thoughts muddling into one mess, going overdrive and eventually and violently stop.
"Luna-" Draco had also stood, somehow the raging red headed was out from his focus but he was only looking at the girl who for once, had forgotten to display the galaxy in her eyes. He can feel his nerves erupting inside the pit of his stomach, his eyes looking pleadingly to the pitch black she wore. His pride slipped away from him, no longer caring about what he tried so desperately to maintain.
Slowly, his feet dragged him to the girl who was frozen on her spot. Upon feeling his radiating heat, Luna's body pumped shivers all across her body. She lets out a huge exhale, daring her eyes to look at him. Grey eyes met blue ones and Draco feels momentarily numb. His eyes saw deep, shallow ocean in her once so warm and inviting eyes. He felt himself choke, sink deep into those eyes that makes him question every single motive.
He lifted his hand to touch her cheek. To beg, to do something. Luna furrowed, her eyebrows quivering as an unwanted tear roll down the corner of her eye. "Please don't" She held onto his hand, closing her eyes as she allowed herself to act as if he really, possibly, returned her feelings back. She bit her lip to restrain herself from clinging to him. Maybe she read him wrong. Maybe she really did just fooled herself from ever thinking that he might possibly love her back. He needed her for something and she gave him so much more. She readily gave herself for him.
She pushed his hand away weakly, her hands quivering and her heart physically hurting.
Dear Merlin's beard, it was all so honest, so pure for her. How could she ever love somebody just as how she loves Draco Malfoy?
"Draco-" Her melodic voice turned into a whisper. She choked back a sob, her lips quivering but she still lifted them to show him a broken smile.
She wasn't angry, she was hurt and mostly, drained. She knew she was doomed to a life that no matter how hard she would try, there will be no other just like him. How could she face every single day if he would touch her without any meaning while she would look at him as if she is so certain he could be anything- any single thing he could ever want in her eyes.
How would she revert back and ignore the Slytherin boy who roams around with so many heartaches? How could she be the same Luna who would acknowledge him without thinking about his fingers upon her skin and the way his body fills the gap she always knew was empty?
She was never a hypocrite. No, she cannot go on and pretend she's fine, that she never loved him. She was never selfish either. She cannot deepen this, she cannot make it worse. Draco has alot on his plate, it would be better if she could finally finish his bet.
Perhaps, it was her role in his life all along. As painful as it was for her. Maybe, she was meant to stop by and eventually leave.
"I guess you won" She whispered again, her smile was painful and loose. Tears were apparent and so was her ache.
Without another word, Ginny pulled her best friend away with tears falling helplessly on her own brown ones.
Then, just like that Draco watched as Luna walked away and there's nothing he can do but to let her leave with all the words left unsaid.
"Draco I'm-"
"Just fuckin' stay away from me Zabini"
And a small part of him said that assholes like him deserves to feel heartbroken.
What do you think? :)
PLEASE REVIEW, IT WOULD MEAN ALOT.
Tomorrow would be the last day of our exams :) Looking forward for the sembreak :)