Title: The Truth About Trees

Author: Tiny Q

E-Mail: one_legged_lesbian_seagull@hotmail.com

A/N: Well, this is the last of the corny chapters.  I think I was too happy over the summer because it definitely put a downer on my angst output.  Oh well.  Not too happy with this chapter.  You will soon find out why.  It's just ick.  But I do find the duck part mildly amusing.  That's all.  Anyhoo, on with the corniness.  ~sings~ CORNINESS!!!!!

Disclaimer:  Nothing is mine.  Only the sad excuse for a plot.  And the corniness.  The cookie betting is all Lallie's, but I'll talk more about all that when you know a bit more about it...  Oh yes, and this chapter is titled after a wonderful little essay we had to read for the English Diploma called Going for a Walk.  It had me giggling during the exam.  And the chick behind me was giggling too...  It's by Max Beerbohm.  You should totally read it if you can find it.

The Truth About Trees

Chapter 13

Walkmongers

~*~

            You know, I am surprised I got any sleep last night.  I was forced to bed after Ron made his little display of affection, as I mentioned before, but as soon as I lay down Draco instantly leapt to my mind.  I was going to go on a date with Draco Mallory in less than twenty-four hours.  I probably could have counted the exact amount of minutes if I had wanted to.

            But then something else had occurred to me.  If I had been in this situation a few months ago, I don't think I would have been quite so optimistic about this whole situation.  I would have probably had a few bitter and cynical doubts over the fact that over seventy percent of school relationships don't work out.  I think I said that before, didn't I?  But you know, now that I am in a situation where I can experience it, I don't really care.  Fuck the odds; I'll give them a run for their money.

            I must have dozed off at some point along that tangent for the next thing I remember I was wandering through the halls of Hogwarts, opening random doors and looking into the rooms beyond them.  There were all sorts of weird things in there, but I can't really remember what exactly.  I suppose it couldn't have been that important then.

            Getting ready for classes didn't seem to take very long.  Neither did breakfast.  But it was when I went to classes that it all seemed to slow down to a crawl.  And I mean it was slower than a snail's crawl.  It was pathetic.  Every time I looked at the clock only ten seconds had crawled by.  Ten seconds!  Never ever was it fifteen, or eleven or anything else!  Well, except if I tried to ignore it, then I would make it to about thirty seconds.  I hate clocks.

            But time always passes, as my Technical Dueling professor always says.  Well then he always adds that we may not.  At first I found it funny, but by the tenth time it really wasn't.  Here we are, waiting to leave his class, and he's telling us that we might not pass.  How kind of him. 

            Anyway, as I was saying, time passes and eventually I was walking to my last class of the day: Care of Magical Creatures.  And somehow I had managed to run into Sara on the way down.  Apparently she had Herbology at this time.  I forgot about that... 

            "So," she asked, clutching her books and grinning at me.  "When are we going to cut your hair?  And can we dye it blonde this time?"

            I stared at her, then grabbed my hair.  "Uh, I think I'll keep it for now," I said slowly, trying to hide a grin of my own.  "It's kind of fun."

            "Oh, of course," the said waving her hand.  "Tripping over one's hair is always fun."

            "You've heard about that already?" I asked in disbelief.  I knew it wouldn't take long for my house to find out, but Sara as well?  News travels fast I suppose.  Well, not really.  It has been a while.

            "You wound me," she gasped in mock horror then frowned at me.  "And I also heard about Malfoy."

            "You did?" I asked, feeling stupider by the moment.  What's next?  A grunt?  "Who else knows?"

            "No one really," Sara replied, looking at me.  "And I can keep it that way if you want."

            "That would be nice," I said earnestly.  I wasn't quite sure if I wanted other people to know just yet.  It would be awkward. 

            "But I must say that I am impressed," she continued, getting a sort of dreamy look on her face.  She actually gets that a lot when she's thinking of something that amuses her.  "I never figured you as the bad boy type."

            "Well he's not that bad," I muttered, feeling my cheeks begin to burn.  Oh the humiliation.  And it's not like I blush that often anymore either!

            "Of course he's not," she cooed, patting my arm.  "He's just a misunderstood boy who only needs a hug to make everything all better."  Then she grinned wickedly.  "And you're just the girl to do it."

            "Shut up," I hissed, hitting her arm.  "You're just jealous."

            "Green with envy really," she replied and we both burst out into giggles. 

            Well that little incident made my so far long and drawn out day travel a touch faster.  But only just a touch.  Because here I am now.  Five minutes to go.  I never knew Care of Magical Creatures could be so boring.  Or move so slowly.  It was like Hagrid had somehow been slowed down and his speech was like listening to something drawn out for some stupid child.  I could swear that this watch is broken.

            "An' I want you all ter study extra hard tonight," he was saying.  I was barely listening.  I know I should have, he is a friend of mine and all, but I just can't.  Not when I'm so close.  "There's a pop quiz for yeh tomorrow."  The class groaned.  I turned my attention to what Hagrid was saying.  "I'll be lettin' yeh go early though," he continued, clasping his large hands and smiling as only Hagrid can.  "Off yer get."

            With a collective sigh the class began to leave, grabbing their stuff and beginning to gab as they headed back to the school.  I began to do the same, though my destination was the lake.  And I was early.

            "'Cept I'd like a word with yeh, Ginny," he called.  I turned around in utter surprise.  Why would Hagrid want to talk to me?  He had a rather worried expression on and I found myself frowning in curiosity.  After a moment I approached the large man and stared up at him in question.

            "How've you been?" he asked, twisting his massive hands about. 

            "Alright," I said slowly.  I don't know why, but this situation seemed so awkward.  "What's up Hagrid?"

            "Well," he began, wringing his hands harder.  "I jus' feel so terrible abou' Joe," he said in a rather rushed and depressed voice.  I opened my mouth to speak but never got the chance.  "I' was my job to keep him out of the forest but he still got in, the ruddy bastard.  An' then he got them Hufflepuffs an' I was so mad.  But then he got yeh, and I felt even worse."

            I stared at him.  Hagrid felt responsible?  It was my fault.  He didn't make me decide to sit by that tree.  Who knows, it could have been anything else that grabbed me from that forest.

            "Hagrid," I said softly, staring up at him in wonder.  I still find it hard to comprehend that he has such a huge heat when he is supposed to be something that is cruel and barbaric.  "It wasn't your fault.  I'm fine.  And I would never blame you for something like that.  It wasn't your fault."

            "Bu' I feel so awful," he said gruffly.  Without even thinking, I had my arms wrapped as far as they would go around the large man's waist and was giving him a hug.  A moment later he had his arms around me as well, giving me one of his near patented bone crushing hugs. 

            I was at the point where I didn't think I could breathe anymore when Hagrid finally let me go.  I stumbled slightly then stood straight, staring up at him with a smile. 

            "Well, I suppose you have places ter be, eh?" he asked, smiling himself.  I nodded and glanced down at my watch. Classes were over five minutes ago.  How does that work?  Time moved so slowly before and now it flies by?  What's with that?

            I said my goodbyes, and as I was leaving I heard Hagrid call for Fang.  I wonder if him and that other teacher from Baeuxbatons will ever hook up.  I don't know why that drifted into my mind.  Oh well.  I began to make my way towards the lake, but I could see no sign of blonde hair anywhere even though the wind had begun to pick up and was pulling at mine.  I must have resembled a large, red flag. 

            The walk towards the lake seemed to fly by, but I still could see no sign of the Slytherin I was supposed to meet.  Had he chickened out?  Was I going to end up standing here for hours by myself like some fool?  Why do I keep asking myself these questions?  Just stop it already.

            "I said to meet me by the lake, not by that big oaf," I heard someone sneer at me.  I turned about, but couldn't see anyone.  Then I looked up to see Draco frowning at me from a branch a few feet above my head.  I frowned back.

            "You better be careful," I sneered back up at him, squinting as the sunlight tried to hurt my eyes.  What ever happened to the gloom?  "I was in a tree when Joe got me.  What if he's taken a liking to blonde hair now?"

            "I highly doubt that," Draco drawled back, but it didn't take him too long to be beside me on the ground.  I couldn't help it, I just had to smirk.  "Shut up," he snapped.

            "Fine," I shrugged, and began to grin instead.  He glared at me.  "So," I finally said, interrupting our odd little glaring fight.  "Are we going to stand here all day and wait for something to happen?  'Cause I don't think anything will."  I hope.

            "No," he drawled, finally stopping his glaring.  "We are supposed to be walking that way towards the other side of the lake." 

            And so, we began to walk, side by side.  It actually wasn't that bad of a day.  There was a cool breeze coming off the lake and there were only a few vicious bugs.  Of course they went after Draco first.  It seemed that my newly elongated hair was a rather good bug repellent. 

            "So why were you talking to the oaf?" Draco asked, interrupting our silence.  Well, silence if you didn't include Draco's swearing at the bugs.  "Hagrid," he amended.

            I stared at him for a moment.  "He feels responsible," I replied, looking out at the lake.

            "Responsible for what?" he asked, frowning once again.  I swear that line is getting more defined lately. 

            "Are you that daft?" I sighed, trying to hold back a grin at his shocked face.  Well, as shocked as he could ever look, meaning his eyes seemed to get a touch wider than before.  "About the whole being kidnapped bit."

            "But he had nothing to do with that," Draco replied, still frowning.  He should really stop doing that.

            "That's what I told him," I said reasonably.  "Yet I have a feeling that he didn't quite believe me."

            "That is that guy's problem," he began, frowning at the trees now.  "He's too sensitive."

            "Well, I suppose that it's better than being too cold," I mused, not even really thinking about what I was saying.  Since when do I feel comfortable enough around him to do that?  I don't usually do that around anyone let alone him.  Must have been the rescue.

            "But at least when you're too cold you can stand up for yourself," Draco replied, his voice seeming to reveal that he was musing the same way I was.  And I would bet a hundred galleons, if I had that much money of course, that I knew exactly who he was thinking about.  And because of that I found that I could think of nothing better to say that wasn't stupid.  Once again we lapsed into silence.

            We continued to walk around the lake, getting further and further away from the school.  I am sure that if my brother could see us now, he would freak.  What was I thinking?  Allowing myself to be led into seclusion with the enemy?  But then, that's Ron for you.  Nothing but his own little world matters to him.  Has he ever actually considered what might be going through Draco's mind?  Has he ever-

            "Gah!" the guy I was thinking about interrupted the very thoughts that were defending him. 

            I turned to look at him, only to see that he was a few steps behind me.  Why you ask?  Because his fine, silver-blonde hair was caught in a tree.

            "I've been treeed," he said in a voice that I can't really define.  It was like a mixture of self-pity, embarrassment and perhaps a little resignation in there as well. 

            I stared at him and had to bite my lip not to grin, or laugh for that matter.  He looked rather pathetic really. 

            "Aren't I supposed to be the one who keeps getting my hair caught in things?" I asked, grinning just a touch as I reached up and tried to free his hair.  The tree really got him.

            "You do seem to be- OW!- doing that a lot," he said in a rather grudging tone as I pulled at the twig as gently as I could.  "You are almost coming off as a little ditzy."  Yank.  "Ow!  Ginny!" 

            "Opps," I said as innocently as I could.  He glared at me angrily.  "I got the twig out," I said shrugging, holding up the small hair grabbing culprit.  There were a few of his fine hairs hanging mournfully off of it, swinging in the breeze.  Grinning slightly, I reached up and smoothed his hair back into place.  I couldn't believe how soft it was.  It was like he had ripped it off of a baby's head and transplanted it onto his own.  "All better."

            "That wasn't nice," he said coldly, the pathetic look quite absent from his face.

            "I could put this back in there if you would like," I offered, holding up the branch once more and smiling.  It was a rather fake smile, but it worked nonetheless.  He narrowed his eyes.  "You know," I said thoughtfully, looking at his dangerous face.  Or at least that is what I was assuming it was supposed to look like.  He really isn't that intimidating anymore.  Well, he can be, but not right now anyway.  "You look like some kind of deranged bat when you do that."  This only made him narrow his eyes further.

            It was going to be an interesting afternoon.

~*~   

            I can't believe this!  I'm becoming a klutz!  Malfoy's aren't klutzes!  We aren't.  We don't trip, we don't stutter, we don't fall off broomsticks and we most definitely do not get our hair caught in trees.  I don't know what's gotten into me!  First I end up sitting on her hair, and then I actually walked right into my bed last night.  I have a nice large welt on my shin to prove it.  And now I'm getting my hair caught in low hanging tree branches?  What's wrong with me?!

            Not only that, oh no, there's more.  I seem to have lost the ability to speak properly.  It now sounds like I have some sort of deranged slur that causes all words to sound incoherent and, well, retarded.  Like the intelligence has been sapped right out of me.  And remember how I was constantly complaining about my tongue speaking for me?  Well, I wish it would take over again.  That bastard is now just sitting there, laughing at me.  Apparently he can get me to this point, but he refuses to help any longer.  Damn him.  Since when is a tongue a "he"?  I'm insane.

            But you know, I think I have honestly discovered what the catalyst is for this insanity.  It's her.  Ginny Weasley.  Whenever I'm around her lately it's like the rest of me chooses not to function.  I must seem like an utter fool to her.  I don't even know why she bothers staying.  Why is she even walking beside me?  Oh, right.  I invited her.  Another example of my lack of proper speech.  It can be whatever you want it to be.  Who says that? 

            "So you and Colin seem to get along," her voice interrupted my thoughts.  I turned to look at her and she was smirking again.  Merlin I wish I never ever smirked in my entire life!  Then maybe she never would have picked it up. 

            "Camera Boy?" I asked.  She frowned slightly.  Great.  Another wonderful phrase by the one and only Draco Malfoy. 

            "Colin Creevey," she said slowly, her smirk fading only to be replaced with a grin.  I raised an eyebrow.  "What is it with you and refusing to say people's first names?  It's rather childish."
            "Childish?" I found myself sputtering.  Since when do I sputter.  Control yourself man.  "It's a sophisticated way of addressing someone you don't know too well."

            "Camera Boy is sophisticated?" she asked incredulously.  Damn.  "Where did you grow up, Draco.  Or have you grown up at all?" 

            "So what are you saying?" I asked, frowning at her in my so called bat like way.  "That you would rather if I call him Colin?"

            "That would be nice," she said sweetly, beginning to grin again.  You know, if I'm going insane I think I actually caught it from her.  I don't think she's too stable herself.  But then, she's taken to being around me.  Nutters.

            "Fine," I said without thinking.  Hurray!  My tongue has made a comeback!  But wait, did I just agree to- I hate you tongue.

            We once again entered silence, but it wasn't awkward.  It was actually rather refreshing.  You know the kind of silence where whoever you're with feels the way you do and you can tell.  That doesn't happen a lot to me, but it usually seems to happen around her. 

            "You know, it's funny," her voice once again interrupted our silence. 

            "What is?" I asked, looking out at the lake.  We were almost out of sight of the school.

            "How different you are in private."

            "What?" I asked, whipping my head around to face her.  I wasn't expecting her to start a conversation like this. 

            She brushed the long hair that the wind had blown into her face out of the way.  "You're so different," she explained and I just stared at her.  "Usually you're this cold bastard that you would think had no soul."  I made to protest, but she simply continued: "But once you get to know you, once you get you to feel comfortable you're a whole different person."

            "And this is a problem?" I asked, beginning to feel slightly trapped, though as to why I wasn't sure.  I had never really thought about how different I really would seem to her if I stopped acting as my father's son.  But I must be different.  It's really rather scary. 

            "No," she said slowly, looking past me into the trees.  "No, it's just odd."  She went silent for a moment and I all I could do was stare at her.  I had yet to see a reappearance of the regal image she had appeared to be in that cave.  Perhaps I never would unless I got her back into that cage and unconscious once more.  "Why do you do it?" she finally asked.

            I frowned.  What a stupid question.  "Because my father would disown me, Weasley," I said a touch colder than I had intended.  It's not her fault that my father's an asshole.  "He wants an heir to replace him one day, not one that lives his own life.  If I radically change to show signs of wanting the latter life he would panic."  I paused.  "And it's no fun when Lucius Malfoy panics."  It was true, but I had only experienced it once when I had tried to run away.  But I don't think I could ever relive that memory to someone else.

            "It's not fair," she said quietly, not looking at me, instead turning her face away to look at the trodden trail that we were walking on.

            "The world isn't a fair place, Weasley," I said bitterly, glaring at the ground now myself.  "I thought you of all people should have realized that by now."

            "I have," she said softly.  "Doesn't mean I want to agree with it."

            "Denial of far worse than the truth," I replied, just as softly.  My father always said that.  He hates idealism.  He hates a lot of things.  I wonder if he hates himself.

            We walked on still, falling into our longest silence yet.  This was more of a reflective one.  The kind where you know that your company is thinking furiously about something, but they keep it all to themselves.  And I found myself wondering just what she was thinking, much to my own surprise.  Since when do I care what someone is thinking?  I don't think I ever really have.  Even when I was my father's little son, I never really bothered with wondering what he thought of me, I always simply knew that he wanted me to be like him.  How egotistical of me.  How of him.

            "Draco," Ginny's voice interrupted my thoughts once more.  "What is that?"

            I looked up to where she was pointing.  It was our destination.

            "What does it look like?" I sneered slightly, catching myself.  No point in being caustic to her.

            "A picnic basket?" she asked as though the world had turned itself upside-down and then tossed her aside as it did several more back flips without her. 

            "Very good," I drawled, resisting the urge to grin.  "I can see that your eye sight is better than I initially gave you credit for."  She hit me.

            "Yes, I can see it," she sneered.  "But why is it there?" 

            "Why else?" I asked, finally allowing a smirk. 

            She went silent for a moment, seeming to need more time than usual to put one and one together.  I waited patiently, or as patiently as I could be expected to be.  We came to a stop before the large wicker basket. 

            "Oh," she finally said.

            I rolled my eyes at her, making sure that she could see it.  Even if this is all going on now, I should still be able to tease her.  A little.  Maybe even a few insults here and there, but nothing too harsh. 

            A wave of my wand later there was a green checkered blanket on the ground beside the large basket.

            "It just has to be green," I heard her mutter as she plopped herself down on the blanket, adjusting her skirt. 

            "Is there another color you would prefer?" I asked, sitting down myself between her and the basket.

            "Yeah," she said after a moment.  "How about pink with purple polka dots?" 

            I stared at her.  "Right," I said slowly.  She stared at me seriously then broke into a grin.  Good.  I think polka dots would be a touch too far in the wrong direction.  I mean seriously now, polka dots? 

            Having nothing better to do, I began to pull food out of the basket, passing her a cup of pumpkin juice first.  She craned her head towards me, looking at the rather large stash of food.

            "Draco," she said suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.  "Where did you get all that food?"

            "From the kitchens of course," I replied, still going about my task. 

            "You didn't threaten any house elves to get it, did you?" she asked in a slightly concerned tone.  I frowned, but kept about my task.  What?  Was she taking a page out of Granger's book now?

            "If you mean threaten as in being evil and cruel then no, I didn't," I drawled, getting out the last of the food.  "I was as nice and polite as I could be."  It was true, I had been.  More so than I ever had in my life, much to my own surprise.  "But I think they thought my politeness was a threat and then I had to get angry so as not to disturb them.  They're more accustomed to that."

            "Draco!" Ginny said in a higher tone than usual.  "You can't say that about them!  They probably know more about you than you even know about yourself!"  She paused for a moment.  "They could even have an underground betting circle about what color underwear you are going to wear today!"

            Well that's new.  Imagine that.  Actually, I rather wouldn't. 

            "So what would they bet then?" I sneered.  "Cookies?"

            "You never know," she said in a slightly conspiratorial tone.  "Perhaps the meringue ones are the most treasured."

            "Why not gingersnap?" I asked.  There really wasn't any point in asking that.  But what if they were better viewed cookies than meringue?  Since when do I care about house elves and their tastes in cookies?

            "Because those are gross cookies," she replied off handedly.  "I don't even think that crazy one could like them."

            "Which crazy one?" I asked before I could help myself.  Crazy house elves?  They're all crazy as far as I'm concerned.

            "Dobby," she said simply, taking a sip of her drink.

            "Dobby?" I asked, chocking on my own.  I hadn't thought about that creature in ages.  Not since he was released from our family by Perfect Potter.  Not that I really minded.  I never liked that elf.  He smelt funny.

            "Yes, Dobby," she sneered, looking down at her cup.  "The same Dobby who helped Harry save my life."

            Well now.  That was out of the blue.  I guess they're right about a lot happening out of that place.  Funny that you can't see it though.  Who would have thought that the smelly creature could have had a part in saving Weasley's life though.  It's just bizarre.  Odd how the world brings everything together like that.  I suddenly have an odd urge to give that elf a hug, despite his peculiar scent.

            We lapsed into silence, again.  This one was a touch more strained, but not by much.  It seemed we were both content on just eating the food that was around us.  You know, I think it was a rather good thing that I mentioned that it was for Weasley and I, rather than just myself.  If their cries of: "Wheezy" were any indication, I would say that those creatures all like the Weasleys.  Merlin knows why.  But I think if they didn't there would be a funny taste to the food that would send me to the hospital wing or worse.  But let's not think about that, shall we?

            I think I was hungrier than I had expected to be, because there wasn't much left of the food.  It seemed that Ginny had eaten a fair bit as well.  Not quite enough to meet my standards, but it was better than that pitiful display at Christmas dinner.  But for the life of me I couldn't think of anything to say to get her to eat more.  My mother had always told my father when I was little that when I was hungry I would eat.  And hopefully that was true about her as well.  If I were to say anything though, I would most likely send her on the defensive and the whole afternoon would be ruined.

            But things were starting to get awkward.  I needed to say something that didn't have to do with food or with house elves or anything else I could make a fool of myself by saying it.  In other words I could think of nothing.  So I did the only thing I could do: I kept my mouth shut.  And it wasn't that difficult of a decision when I realized the girl beside me was staring off into space towards the lake.  With a shrug I leant back and stared up at the sky.  Oh look, an elephant.  And it seems like it's chasing someone who looks suspiciously like Dumbledore...

            My cloud musings were cut short though as I felt a head suddenly place itself on my ribs.  I lifted my head up a touch to see Weasley grinning at me slightly.  Well, who did you expect it to be?

            "I suppose I should thank that elf then?" I asked, resting my head back on my arm.  Thank Merlin, I can speak!

            "Naw," she said lazily, shifting slightly, causing her to fly up into the air with the breeze off the lake.  I used my free arm and smoothed it down, not even thinking about what I was doing.  I left my hand in her hair.  "He only did it to save Harry," she said with a slight shrug.  "I was just a bonus I suppose."  I no longer want to hug that elf.

            "So why all the huffiness?" I asked, instantly regretting it.  Good one, now she'll just go all quiet again.

            "I dunno," she said with another shrug.  "It just reminded me of something else."  She said no more and I knew better than to press it.  Some things you just have to wait for the person to explain in their own time when they feel they want to.  I know I wouldn't want to be demanded of things I didn't want to divulge.  I probably got that from my father.  He would never tell me anything he didn't want to. 

            A few minutes later Ginny spoke again: "I see walrus."

            I focused on the clouds myself.  "I see a squid."

            "How do you get a squid?" she asked, tilting her head further back.  It tickled slightly, but I refused to show it.  Malfoy's are not ticklish.  "Well, I suppose if I squint my eyes like this, and imagine real hard."

            I rolled my eyes.  "You know, we're going to have to try and keep this a secret," I said, sill looking up at my squid shaped cloud.  As to why I would say that right now, I'm not quite sure.

            "What?  The squid shaped cloud?" she asked in confusion.  I bit back a snort.

            "No," I said slowly.  "Us, Weasley."

            "Oh," she said softly, I raised my head and looked at her.  She seemed rather disappointed.  "More secrets."  What does she mean- oh.

            "But this one is for us," I said quickly, brushing my hand against her shoulder.  "Not for anyone else but us."

            "Well, I suppose I can handle that."  She smiled slightly.  "But it's not like most people haven't figured it out yet."

            "What do you mean?"  It hadn't occurred to me that anyone else, save the Dream Team and Camera Boy might know.

            "Well," Ginny began slowly.  "We have been talking to each other all year pretty much, Draco."

            "So," I said defensively.  "I talk to a lot of people, doesn't mean I'm snogging all of them as well."

            "I most certainly hope not," she said sharply, elbowing me in the ribs.  I winced.  "But seriously, people aren't that stupid.  They can put two and two together."  She paused.  "Or they will."

            "Let's just hope that they stay stupid long enough that my father never finds out," I said darkly.       

            "Would he be mad," she asked quietly, staring up at the clouded sky again.

            "Most likely," I replied, not really wanting to tell her the truth.  Actually, he would most likely disown me.  Or at least threaten me in some terrible way.  Malfoys are not supposed to date Weasleys, as I have been trying to tell myself all year.  But then I don't even listen to me, why should I listen to him?  "But we don't have to worry about that any time soon," I added soothingly.  Gah, me using a soothing voice?  Since when?  Well, a few nights ago, but still!  "We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it."

            She nodded against me then fell silent once more.  I craned my head up to see that her eyes had slid shut.  I felt my own grow heavy.  It's odd though.  I don't think I ever would have thought of myself sitting on a picnic blanket eating food.  Let alone letting myself be used as a pillow.  It just never occurred to me.  And yet, it works. 

            All had been silent for a while, and I was beginning to get the feeling that the red head had fallen asleep.  Or at least I did until she screamed.

            She sat up fast and I sat up as well, that quick movement of mine returning, trying to see what was going on and holding on to her instinctively at the same time.

            "What is it?" I demanded, peering around.  Yet despite all my apparent ease dropping abilities, I couldn't see danger staring at us in the face.  "What's wrong?"

            "Something sat on me!" she said in panic, looking around for the sitting culprit.  I began to look around as well.  Then I saw it.  And let me tell you this: it was not what I expected.

            "It was a duck," I said flatly, looking at a slightly put out and ruffled bird, waddling away in what seemed to be a hurry.  But then, I think I would hurry if I had just been flung off someone's stomach.

            "A duck?" she asked weakly, following my eyes.  "Why would a duck sit on me?"

            "Probably because he thinks you're quite a pretty sit-upon," I murmured, leaning my head into her neck.  Her pulse was pounding, was she really that scared?  I wrapped my arms around her tighter.  "And I must say he has good taste."

            She giggled, bring her hands up to clasp my arms and leaning further back against me.  "When did it all change?" she whispered.  "Why did it all change?"

            "What do you mean?" I asked, slightly puzzled as to what she was talking about.  Surely not the duck?  Which, by the way, had scurried its feathered self back to the water. 

            "Us, Draco," she said in a calm manner, squeezing my arm slightly.  I returned the gesture.  "You and I.  How did we go from constant bickering to calling each other by our first names?  To having picnics by the lake?"

            I stared at the top of her head for a moment.  She had really just voiced everything I had been keeping tucked away in my head, waiting for a more appropriate time to really thinking about.  I have a feeling it would have rotted there until it was too late.  But now that she mentioned it, I really wasn't sure.  Well, I was, but yet I wasn't.  We had been around each other so much, had certain things, important things, in common.  And yet it was still so odd.

            "I don't know," I finally replied truthfully.  "It just sort of happened."

            "Well that was the most unslytherin thing I think I have ever heard you say," she said coyly, drawing circles on my arm now.  It tickled and sent the hairs on them to stand on end.  This seemed to amuse her. 

            "Oh," I drawled, leaning my head so I could place my mouth by her ear.  "So I take it you have never heard me say Horsies then?  Cause that's what I call them, Horsies."

            "What?" she demanded, turning about in my arms to look at me.  "You're serious?"

            "Would I lie?" I asked as innocently as I could.  I actually don't much care for horses.  So you could ride them.  You can ride hippogriffs too, if you're willing to get your arm taken off in the process.  I still shudder at my stupidity back then.

            "Yes, I do believe you would," she said, narrowing her eyes in a rather cute way.  Well, I suppose there's no stopping these words then, is there?  Cute, adorable, lovely, sexy.  What's next I wonder?  Marry me?  Let's not think about that.

            "Then you apparently don't know me as well as you seem to think you do," I whispered in her ear, trailing kisses along her jaw line.  "I would never lie to you."

            It's amazing how things like that just manage to pop out of my mouth without out me even realizing they were true.  But I suppose it is.  I wouldn't lie to her.  I can't.  Not unless it was a life or death situation.  And knowing this world there might be a few.  But until then, I will stay true to my word.  What kind of Slytherin talk is that?

            Her arms were around my neck then, but we never got much further for there was a loud: "Quack!" to my right.  Stupid duck.

            Ginny pulled away and stared at it, not moving her arms from their rather comforting position. 

            "What's wrong with it?" she asked me.  All I could do was glare at the stupid bird.  Well, you would too if it had just interrupted you.  "Do you think it's hungry or something?"  Or it's just a perverted fowl.  Deranged bird.

            Ginny pulled away from me then, moving towards the basket.  I almost said something but restrained myself.  No point in it now.  The duck seemed more important.  Retarded thing.  She rummaged around in the basket for a bit then pulled out the remaining slice of bread.

            "Quack!" the bird said once more.  I glared at it.  Not very intelligent, are you?  Stupid thing.

            Ginny ripped off a small chunk of bread and offered it to the bird.  In my opinion the creature was far too eager to accept food from her.  If I didn't know better...

            "Do you want to try?" she asked me, smiling a dazzling smile and holding out half of the last slice of bread.

            "What?" I asked incredulously.  "Feed the duck?"

            "No, feed the grass," she sneered, giving the bird another chuck of bread.  "Of course the duck."

            "But you'll just get a fat bird," I said helplessly.  Well that was sad.

            "Better a fat duck than a skinny one," she said pleasantly enough.  Of, if only we weren't on such good terms.  That would have been such a good opening to nearly a dozen insults.  But alas.  "Come on, you're not scared it's going to bite you, are you?  Cause he won't, will ya little guy?"  She was talking to a duck.

            "Fine," I muttered, taking the proffered bread from her hands.  I watched as she broke off chunks and gave it to the seemingly starved bird.  But where were the other birds?  Don't ducks travel in flocks or something?  Where were the rest of them?  I glanced around looking for a hidden army, but I couldn't see any.  Finally I broke off a chunk and Weasley had done and offered it to the single duck.

            It moved swiftly and I would have been startled if I had been by myself.  But I can't look as if I am scared of a duck in front of her.  That would do me no good.  She needed someone solid. 

            I looked over at her and she was smiling at me with approval.  It was almost worth it, feeding the stupid bird, just to see that in her eyes.  I don't think I have seen that in such a long time, not from anyone.  It made me want to hold onto her and never let go.  Ever.

            Yet as all things do, the bread ran out.  Yet the duck still looked at us expectantly.  So I held out an empty hand as though there was something in it.  Don't really know why though.

            "Don't tease it," Ginny said in a sympathetic voice, staring from my hand to the duck.

            "Why?" I asked, still going on with my act.  "It's not like it's going to do anything."

            It lunged.

            "Ow!" I yelped, falling back onto my ass and staring at the duck wide eyed, my hair falling in my face and making the scene seem even less real.  "It bit me!"

            "Well, what were you expecting?" Ginny asked, shooing the duck away and back to the lake.  "A hug?"

            "Yes," I muttered, but decided against saying anything more.

~*~

            I know I should have felt sorry for him.  That I should have showed him more pity, but seriously now!  He was trying to feed a duck air.  I think if I was a duck I would have done the same thing.  Though perhaps I would have taken a finger as well.  Yum, finger.  Ugh.  You didn't just think that, you cannibal. 

            Sudden memories of Christmas dinner ran through my head at the thought of the human eating first year.  The one Draco had warned me about.  It's strange how stuff like that can just resurface for no apparent reason.  But it's amazing how far the two of us have come since then.  Draco and I.  Seriously now.  From fighting to, well, loving.  How corny.

            I wandered up to my common room, seeing no real point in eating dinner in the hall.  I had already eaten.  It was rather surprising to see a picnic basket sitting there.  I must have proved it to him too for I just couldn't make myself at least sound a little intelligent.  But that's alright.  The food had been good, so he mustn't have ticked off the house elves too too much.  Or at all for that matter.  But why would I think he would?  Because he's cruel to everyone but me it seems.  Or perhaps not Snape, but that's different.  I think he sees him as more of a mentor type figure, even if he will never admit it to himself.  Or anyone else for that matter.

            I entered the Common Room, glancing wearily around for Harry, ready to give me another lecture.  He wasn't there, but there was someone else there.  It was Hermione.  And she seemed to be waiting for someone.  Great.  Let's just slip past her, shall we.

            As I attempted to do just that, the older girl turned to me, a tentative smile in her face.  Uh oh.  This is not going to be pretty.  Not pretty at all...

~*~

            It was absurd how well it had all gone.  Well, with the exception of that stupid duck.  I think I will forever hate those creatures now.  Thinks he can bite me, I'll show him, one day...  Ok.  This is a duck I'm talking about.  There is no longer any question about it.  I am completely and utterly insane.  As if to prove this further a little song is playing through my head.  One I actually haven't heard in years.  And for good reason too I reckon.

            Draco and Ginny sitting in a tree!  K-I-S-S-I-N-G!  You know, now that I think about it, that song has a lot of irony to it now.  Not that I ever dreamed it would.  Well, I suppose I should be grateful that it was simply about trees rather than something else.  Something worse that would really have us in a pickle.  But still, it is a disturbing song.  It's almost as if they knew.

            I bypassed the Great Hall figuring there was no real reason to eat for a second time tonight.  That would just make me fat.  Not that that's really a concern, but still.  So I headed down to the Slytherin dorms.  As I suspected there wouldn't be, there was no one there.  Good.  I wasn't looking forward to listening to their stupidity and having to pretend I am on that level.  Such prats.

            It was this thought that sent me up to my dorm room a touch early.  I got ready for bed, planning to get some reading done or something equally dull.  It's the easiest way to make yourself fall asleep, save hitting yourself over the head with something blunt of course.  However, my plan was cut short as I padded silently towards my bed as there was something already in it.  Well on it more like, but it was still there.  On my bed. 

            My father's owl. 

            It had a rather sinister looking envelope in its beak, yet as to how an envelope can look sinister I am not quite sure.  It just did.  I approached the owl slowly, not letting my eyes leave the letter.  What could it possibly be this time?  Actually, my father hadn't sent anything my way in a while.  No questions, no demands, no simple "fatherly" advice.  Perhaps this was all it was.  Yet somehow I had this feeling that it was more.

            I reached the owl and it looked at me darkly.  Merlin how I hate that thing.  Always have.  It tried to attack me once, but I'm not going to get into that. 

            I snatched the letter from the owl, glaring at it angrily.  It gave me an equally angry hoot then flew an open window in my dorm.  It was between Crabbe and Goyle's beds.  Stupid idiots, who leaves a window open all day?  You never know what can get in.  I looked down at the letter.  Like this.  This could get in.

            I opened the letter, scanning over the contents. 

            I felt sick.

            I was.

~*~

A/N: Ha!  Double cliffy!  ~laughs evily~  Sorry.  I am also sorry that it was so short, but I needed to cut it off here or it would have been far too long.  On with business... Ok, that whole bit about the house elves betting cookies is from my friend Lallie(She's under my fav author's list)'s story 'Through the Eyes of an Elf'.  It's a totally awesome story that is not only hilariously funny, but it's original too!  It's told from the perspective of a house elf!  I totally recommend it!  Ok, back to my own story here...  Back to lovely old Angst next chapter.  ~Does a happy dance~  What?  You didn't think I was going to leave it "happy" forever, did you?  I'm aiming for two weeks from now.  I want to get this all over and done with by Christmas.  Then I might even post a little present, but we'll see...  Now, off to the dentist.  Yippie.

Many many thanks to: Darcel(What's not funny?), smprsgrrl(That's crazy. It takes me like a week to read this thing. Bah on all you fast readers. :D), Grumpy1(Ya, I had that in my head over the summer too. Which is why it landed in here. Bah. But why Q-Tips??), SkysTheLimit(Oh, I'm terribly clichéd I know), melshi(Uh, I don't know... you'll just have to wait and find out... but my car is safely parked outside my house, so don't worry about that. Ok, that was sad), Hplova4eve, tulzdavampslayer(Dear, you are starting to scare me...), Azalai(He wouldn't write Argh! He would just say it! Does your kitty have a name yet??), Dracoslover, pickel(I've imitated it several times. It's fun. Actually you would say Guten Nacht. It means goodnight. Sorry, German everyday is not good for the brain), Tessa1(Well, I have to stop sometime, so I can write new stuff...), Wow(Thank you soooo much for reviewing every chapter. I love when people do that because then I can hear how much stupider I got step by step. JK. And thanks for reviewing like everything else I got. You're great. :D), seekerpeeker(Sorry for making you late), Lallie(Popcorn? So that's two analogies now... But yes, I still claim that your happy place is a scary place. Oh yes, WRITE!!), Cactuskitty(...right... ~runs away~), Clair(Ya, it helps get rid of my loneliness too. If you can't have real friends, create them. JK), alenchic(Four smilies, I feel special. :D) and Kaelin.