Wowza. I would like to give a shout out to our favorite reviewer, Dream-Siren. She's attacked our story with reviews, our AOL with messages, and our hearts with warm and fuzzy feelings. XP Thanks a bunch, love!
Anyway! On we go! :D
~Much Love from Texas... and Oklahoma~
Ron shoved his hands in his pockets as he scurried along the damp, cold corridors of Hogwarts. He hadn't slept well all night, worried about Ginny; and the way she stared at Malfoy. Why would she cling to the evil, greasy-haired bastard in the first place? The way she barely whispered his name, as if it were an endearment, plainly sent shivers of disgust throughout his body, causing him to shudder. The last thing he wanted was for his sister to be in the scrawny arms of that jerk. Sure, Ginny may be a pest, and an annoying one at that, especially when she continually droned on about Harry, however, that made him no less of a big brother.
He softly pushed open the infirmary door, careful not to wake any, as he stepped into the dimly lit room. He could faintly make out a figure lying in a bed, most likely Ginny, causing him to softly smile, relieved his sister was being well taken care of, however, why he would assume less in the hands of Pomfrey, was beyond him. He quietly closed the door behind him, and began approaching her bed, and as he did, a look of distress crossed his urgent brown eyes. By the time he reached the foot of her bed, which had only taken him a few lengthy steps for his lanky build, he spotted his innocent, baby sister, in the arms of that rat bastard, Draco Malfoy.
* * *
One might say Draco slept uncomfortably that afternoon. One might also say that he was a mudblood, had dyed his hair blue on his own accord, snogged Parkinson, and failed his potions exam. (In other words, they'd be lying through their teeth.) It had quite possibly been the most comfortable sleep he'd ever endured. Ginny's lovely body heat provided a wonderful source of warmth when mixed with his own. Her hair was bloody soft, so soft that he kept running his fingers through it unconsciously in his sleep. The bed was an incredible difference when compared with the uncomfortable chair he'd been sitting in all day, nice and soft, comfy and just right for someone who hadn't slept in at least twelve hours.
However, the dear boy's sleep was all too soon interrupted. He was pulled out of his heavy sleep by the loud footsteps of none other than Ronald Weasley, though he didn't realize this, and didn't care much for any visitors at the moment. Pompfry was the only person he thought of in his drowsy state that would enter. Surely she wouldn't do a thing about it. Perhaps she might coo and say how adorable or how unlikely, but such did not happen. He noticed this immediately and calmly opened his eyes to see a furious-looking older brother before him.
Oh bloody hell.
"Weasley..." he said calmly, tightening his grip slightly around Ginny. "Can I help you?"
* * *
Ginny was enthralled in her own peaceful slumber, what with Draco's blessed fingers raking continuously through her fire red locks, feeling his blissful body heat coursing with her own, it was all too heavenly to be true. And her graceful brother did just that.
She suddenly felt Draco's hands clamp tighter around her small waist, causing her chocolate eyes to open slowly, her lashes fluttering a few times as she mumbled coherently, something about him smashing her ribs. She pulled back from him, and slowly diverted her attention to where he was looking, only to spot the last person she would probably have liked to have seen at the moment. "R-r-ron, What are you doing here?" She managed to sputter out, pulling her covers up closer to her, why was unknown, for she wasn't nude, but just merely seemed like a correct action. She remained in Draco's arms, yet her frame became somewhat rigid, and lost its previous heat.
Ron stared down at the two, a look of pure disgust on his blushing face, embarrassed to see these two in such an intimate manner, yet his lip curled in disgust as he continued staring. "Yes, you can help me, Malfoy." He began, not tearing his cold stare from Ginny's small frame. "You can take your sniveling hands off of my sister."
"Ron, don't-" Ginny began, yet was cut off as she saw him extracting his wand from his coat pocket as he pointed it to Draco.
* * *
Mmm... wasn't this just touching? He was caught red-handed, cuddling dear Ginny Weasley by her older brother. Honestly, it could have been worse. He could've walked in on their snogging session, but he hadn't. Perhaps there really WAS a God out there. Well, if there was, obviously he felt as though he'd been gracious enough and was allowing the wrath of hell to descend upon the pair. How lovely.
"Weasley, I do believe you should point that thing elsewhere." He replied calmly, remembering not to be a total prat to him. He was Ginny's brother, and from what he'd seen, they were fairly close. The whole utter hate toward each other thing did have a mild effect on their relationship, didn't it? Darn it all.
"And you really do make it seem as though she's not happy to be here." She looked perfectly happy to Draco. Was it not obvious to her dear brother? Or perhaps he just didn't want to believe it. That was the most obvious choice. "Or WAS until her brother came into the room, storming about like a madman and ordering me to remove myself from her."
* * *
Ginny sat perfectly still for a moment, wincing slightly from the pain Draco caused onto her ribs as his grip didn't falter around her. Or was it from the tension she could have felt in the air, that was able to be cut and served with jam? Perhaps a bit of both.
"Ron, quit being a git, and lower your wand." She said, a bit annoyed, yet her brother obeyed, rarely did she use that tone. "What were you planning on doing, causing yourself to throw-up slugs for hours on end again?" She asked teasingly, attempting to make light in the situation. Yet she stopped as she saw the hurt expression on Ron's face. She bit her tongue and mentally kicked herself as she slowly slid from under the covers and Draco's iron-clad grasp around her waist. She sat on the edge of her bed, sitting up, softly clutching her side. Her ribs' aching pain had returned. Damn it all.
Ron stared at his sister, his jaw half-way hanging open as she openly insulted him in front of his arch-rival. For all he knew, merely hours ago, she was cursing him, herself. Now, she flew to his defense at the slightest whisper. Ron took a step closer to his sister, attempting to ignore the presence of the Malfoy boy as he stared down Ginny. "What were you doing here with him?"
"What does it look like I was doing?"
Ron dismissed her sarcastic tone, and continued with his third degree. "No, with HIM." He pointed dramatically at Draco.
"I believe HE has a name." She said pleasantly, appearing to somewhat enjoy the mocking.
Ron's nostrils flared as he narrowed his eyes at Ginny. "I don't want you to ever see him again."
"Ron!" she protested. Fully enraged at this command, she stood, which quite didn't help her small build much but made her look much more defiant. "I can't!"
"And why the hell not, Ginny?" He demanded, his eyes growing redder with the Weasley temper.
"Because..." She began, biting her lip, for she knew the answer, yet was afraid to admit it. "Because..."
"What, because what, Ginny?" Her brother was growing more demanding by the second, causing Ginny's nerves to go haywire.
"Because I love him!" She finally blurted out, clapping her hand over her mouth as soon as she had proclaimed the words. A lone tear found its path down her pale cheek as her pent-up frustration was relieved in these simple three words.
* * *
Draco was mildly surprised at the tone she used with her brother. He hadn't thought she'd actually LEAVE, but he most certainly hadn't expected her to tease him... not in front of him at least. Perhaps if he hadn't been in the room such would've seemed likely, but he, Draco Malfoy, was sitting right there, smack dab between the two, and Ginny was defending HIM. He was quite certain he'd never been happier in his entire lifetime.
He opened his mouth to speak a few times, but gave up as one of the fiery redheads interjected over and over again. Ginny's face had taken on one of frustration, and Ron's of utter anger. He looked as though he were going to pop, the way his ears continued to darken their shade of red as time went on. However when Ginny stopped in the middle of her explanation, his focus did not linger from her face, her chocolate eyes. ...She was hesitating. It wasn't that she didn't know why. No... she didn't want to say why...
'Because I love him!'
Draco's breath caught in his throat as he continued to stare at her, eyes not widened in surprise as one might suspect. Rather, they were calm, searching for something, though not sure of what across her distraught features. Quietly he rose to his feet and to her side. "Don't cry." He said softly, wiping her falling tear. The boy turned around to face Ron, fully prepared for whatever creative hex he could come up with. He stood silently, calmly, looking straight into Weasley's eyes with an unreadable expression.
* * *
Ron's jaw dropped at Ginny's confession, utterly baffled. How could she love him, of all people?! He would have preferred her to have fallen for that blubbering Goyle that had been so thick-headed to catapult her from her broom than... Malfoy. Just the mere name was like nails on a chalkboard to his ears. He opened his mouth to protest when he saw a movement from the corner of his eye. He didn't back up as Draco came between the two, brushing the tear from Ginny's cheek, he obviously cared for her. Even the stubborn Ron could see that.
Ron's face slowly turned from its previous crimson, to the usual pale color it harbored as he gazed down at his shoes, his wand hanging loosely from his fingers at his side. When he finally gazed up, he found himself locking his brown eyes with those of the conniving, evil Malfoy's gray pair. He tightened his grip on his wand momentarily, before finally succumbing, and sticking it in his back pocket. He teetered hesitantly on his shoes, as he peered around the room, finally landing on Malfoy's face uncomfortably. He looked over at his sister, it was apparent she was hopelessly in love with the boy. Damn.
"I want you to take care of her. She's the only sister I got." He shrugged his shoulders as he left the room, staring at his shoes the entire time, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
* * *
His face was starting to lose its reddened color... Draco noticed that right off. Either he had given up, or he had yet begun to fight. One could never tell with the unpredictable Weasleys... well... when they were unpredictable, which seemed to be no so frequent with Ronald. Ginny, on the other hand, she was completely unpredictable, which was one of things that attracted him to her. One moment she was innocent little Weaslette, and the next she was snogging him senseless. Ah yes, he liked that side of her... very much.
Ron gave in. He couldn't believe it had come so easily. They had been archrivals for God knows how long, and he was just going to let Ginny reside in the arms of someone he hated more than anyone in the entire universe. Perhaps Ron was a bit more unpredictable than he gave him credit for.
"Of course..." he replied as Ron left the room, looking rather defeated... so very defeated.
Draco then turned to Ginny. "Did you- What you said-"
* * *
Ginny watched her brother's face as he spoke to Draco, his words echoing in her ears like silent yells. Was he... was he honestly letting her do this? Surely not.. And yet, before she had time to think, she watched her brother's lanky build disappear down the corridor. And she remained silent, staring after him, until she heard the door swing shut, echoing throughout the high-ceilinged room, announcing his departure.
She only ripped her gaze from that damned door when Draco spoke to her. She turned around, softly blushing. She had said that in the randomness of the moment, not exactly thinking over her words, mulling them over in her mind, as she usually did. No, she had just blurted it out, not particularly caring or thinking of the repercussions her words would make. But, he certainly had.
"Yes, but.." She began, did he want her to mean them? He had made it clear he didn't need her, but, oh come on.. Was she still really believing that? Surely not. "I'm sorry.." She finally said, hoping that prevented any damage. She liked the way things were, and knew that he would leave in a heartbeat if any L-words were spoken. That's just the way he was.
* * *
Draco continued to watch her curiously as she stared back at him, looking as though she had no idea what to say. Was it really such a difficult question? Did she mean it or not? She either said to make Ron leave the two of them alone, or she really did. But which of these it was, he didn't know. She did, but contrary to popular belief, he was not a mind-reader, a Seer, or anything of the sort.
"Well?" he asked, a hint of impatience in his voice before she uneasily responded with yes.
He didn't know what to say. What did one say in a situation such a this. 'Oh, dear God get away from me!' wasn't an option. And neither was 'I love you too, Ginny!' He stared at her silently, hearing the words I'm sorry spill forth from her lips. Why was she always sorry? Sorry meant she wished she could take it back. Why? Why did she want to take it back?
"Don't be sorry. Ever." He said quietly, wrapping his muscular arms about her. "Please?"
* * *
Ginny raised her eyes to his as he spoke, then buried her face in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. This was they way she liked it. And this was where she felt safe. She felt as if she could travel to Merlin and back with those muscular arms around her, without even breaking a sweat. Invincible.
As he pleaded with her she simply nodded her head against his skin, unsure of what to say. So, now what? 'I love you..' and the correct response would be.. 'I love you, too..' Right? She was thankful her face was buried underneath his, hiding her face of disappointment he so hated to see.
Okay, so he didn't love her. She could live with that. It hurt like hell. But she could live with it.
She slowly glided her hands up his arms and onto the nape of his neck, taking in his scent of freshness.. And pine needles. How odd, yet refreshing, and caused her to burn for him. She sighed in contempt, allowing her eyelids to close softly, as she remained quiet, unwilling to break the mutual silence.
* * *
A nod. A nod was good, though he had a feeling she wasn't really listening. She'd probably say she was sorry the next day, or whenever she saw that blasted line across his chest. She'd probably say she was sorry for ever thinking of loving him soon enough. Oh, how he would dread such a day... but he knew it would... Ginny Weasley wasn't known as Draco's lover. She was known as his enemy, and eventually that would take effect... Eventually nothing would exist between the two of them but hatred... just as it had been before...
So why did he bother? Why did he lead himself into what could only become pain and loneliness worse than he'd ever experienced in his lifetime? He didn't know, but he didn't honestly care. Ginny, his Ginny, was residing in his arms. Ron had seen them and done nothing. Harry... Harry was still a problem as was the rest of the entirety of the school... But he could learn to deal with it... He thought...
He didn't know what to say to her. She was so... perfect... just standing there with her arms about his neck. It was an incredible feeling, to know that he, Draco Malfoy of all people, held this girl's heart in his hands... incredible and terrifying at that. "Ginny..." he said softly. "I need you to promise me something."
* * *
Did it have to end so soon? Not just the silence, but.. Everything. Them, this, her and Draco. Why did it all have to come to such an abrupt halt? She knew she could never feel whole again in anyone else's arms, and yet, she also knew, she would have to say good-bye sooner or later, and by his words, obviously sooner.
His words rounded in her ears as she braced herself for the inevitable. The curt good-bye, the final farewell, the 'see ya laters' that would unavoidably turn to harsh glares and uttered insults. That was how it was meant to be, wasn't it?
She pulled back from him hesitantly, willing herself to look him in the eyes as he told her to get lost. "Anything.." She softly replied, her voice inescapably crackling as she spoke, unwilling to allow him to see her cry. Again.
* * *
He smiled weakly at her as she agreed to promise him "anything" in a rather cracked voice. She trusted him that much? He was happy yet surprised and moderately confused all at the same time. It was unusual... for him to feel anything, let alone an assortment of things toward anyone. Ah, the things romance could do to a person!
"I know this is sort of... well... something you may not want to promise, but..." He sighed softly and took her hands in his.
"Ginny, I need you to promise me that you won't believe the things people start to say about me..." It was inevitable that the second word got around every living and breathing soul in Hogwarts would be attempting to separate the two, most of them for Ginny's sake, and a few of the Slytherins for the 'pride' of their house. "And... I know that's a hell of a lot to ask, but..."
Another sigh. This was beginning to get rather annoying, really. "And... there's one more thing." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't ever take back those words..."
* * *
That was definitely not what she had expected to here. Adios, Au Revoir, Don't let the door hit'cha where the good lord bit'cha, maybe ..but not this. Her brows furrowed together atop the bridge of her nose as he took her hands in his.
Don't believe what others say? What WOULD they tell her? That perhaps he'd given in and rushed off to sweep Pansy off her feet. Hah, fat chance. That maybe he didn't have feelings for her anymore? Well, she knew he didn't love her, but she knew the way his features tightened when she touched him, and she knew the tingle she sent down his spine, and that was good enough for her.
"I wouldn't want to." She gently responded as she glided the pad of her thumb affectionately over his bottom lip.
She may not have known him too long, but she knew the way his eyes heated up when she caressed his cheek. She knew that when she teased him he just craved more of her. She knew that when she clasped her arms around his neck he felt heavenly. She knew the gentle curve of his chin and the way his cheeks blushed when they kissed. She knew the silky patterns his strands took on. And she knew, that no matter what, they'd each have a place in each other's hearts forever and always.
~End Chappie~
Yes, we sadly realize that it's shorter than the previous chappie but it's DARN CUTE! :D
Anyway! On we go! :D
~Much Love from Texas... and Oklahoma~
Ron shoved his hands in his pockets as he scurried along the damp, cold corridors of Hogwarts. He hadn't slept well all night, worried about Ginny; and the way she stared at Malfoy. Why would she cling to the evil, greasy-haired bastard in the first place? The way she barely whispered his name, as if it were an endearment, plainly sent shivers of disgust throughout his body, causing him to shudder. The last thing he wanted was for his sister to be in the scrawny arms of that jerk. Sure, Ginny may be a pest, and an annoying one at that, especially when she continually droned on about Harry, however, that made him no less of a big brother.
He softly pushed open the infirmary door, careful not to wake any, as he stepped into the dimly lit room. He could faintly make out a figure lying in a bed, most likely Ginny, causing him to softly smile, relieved his sister was being well taken care of, however, why he would assume less in the hands of Pomfrey, was beyond him. He quietly closed the door behind him, and began approaching her bed, and as he did, a look of distress crossed his urgent brown eyes. By the time he reached the foot of her bed, which had only taken him a few lengthy steps for his lanky build, he spotted his innocent, baby sister, in the arms of that rat bastard, Draco Malfoy.
* * *
One might say Draco slept uncomfortably that afternoon. One might also say that he was a mudblood, had dyed his hair blue on his own accord, snogged Parkinson, and failed his potions exam. (In other words, they'd be lying through their teeth.) It had quite possibly been the most comfortable sleep he'd ever endured. Ginny's lovely body heat provided a wonderful source of warmth when mixed with his own. Her hair was bloody soft, so soft that he kept running his fingers through it unconsciously in his sleep. The bed was an incredible difference when compared with the uncomfortable chair he'd been sitting in all day, nice and soft, comfy and just right for someone who hadn't slept in at least twelve hours.
However, the dear boy's sleep was all too soon interrupted. He was pulled out of his heavy sleep by the loud footsteps of none other than Ronald Weasley, though he didn't realize this, and didn't care much for any visitors at the moment. Pompfry was the only person he thought of in his drowsy state that would enter. Surely she wouldn't do a thing about it. Perhaps she might coo and say how adorable or how unlikely, but such did not happen. He noticed this immediately and calmly opened his eyes to see a furious-looking older brother before him.
Oh bloody hell.
"Weasley..." he said calmly, tightening his grip slightly around Ginny. "Can I help you?"
* * *
Ginny was enthralled in her own peaceful slumber, what with Draco's blessed fingers raking continuously through her fire red locks, feeling his blissful body heat coursing with her own, it was all too heavenly to be true. And her graceful brother did just that.
She suddenly felt Draco's hands clamp tighter around her small waist, causing her chocolate eyes to open slowly, her lashes fluttering a few times as she mumbled coherently, something about him smashing her ribs. She pulled back from him, and slowly diverted her attention to where he was looking, only to spot the last person she would probably have liked to have seen at the moment. "R-r-ron, What are you doing here?" She managed to sputter out, pulling her covers up closer to her, why was unknown, for she wasn't nude, but just merely seemed like a correct action. She remained in Draco's arms, yet her frame became somewhat rigid, and lost its previous heat.
Ron stared down at the two, a look of pure disgust on his blushing face, embarrassed to see these two in such an intimate manner, yet his lip curled in disgust as he continued staring. "Yes, you can help me, Malfoy." He began, not tearing his cold stare from Ginny's small frame. "You can take your sniveling hands off of my sister."
"Ron, don't-" Ginny began, yet was cut off as she saw him extracting his wand from his coat pocket as he pointed it to Draco.
* * *
Mmm... wasn't this just touching? He was caught red-handed, cuddling dear Ginny Weasley by her older brother. Honestly, it could have been worse. He could've walked in on their snogging session, but he hadn't. Perhaps there really WAS a God out there. Well, if there was, obviously he felt as though he'd been gracious enough and was allowing the wrath of hell to descend upon the pair. How lovely.
"Weasley, I do believe you should point that thing elsewhere." He replied calmly, remembering not to be a total prat to him. He was Ginny's brother, and from what he'd seen, they were fairly close. The whole utter hate toward each other thing did have a mild effect on their relationship, didn't it? Darn it all.
"And you really do make it seem as though she's not happy to be here." She looked perfectly happy to Draco. Was it not obvious to her dear brother? Or perhaps he just didn't want to believe it. That was the most obvious choice. "Or WAS until her brother came into the room, storming about like a madman and ordering me to remove myself from her."
* * *
Ginny sat perfectly still for a moment, wincing slightly from the pain Draco caused onto her ribs as his grip didn't falter around her. Or was it from the tension she could have felt in the air, that was able to be cut and served with jam? Perhaps a bit of both.
"Ron, quit being a git, and lower your wand." She said, a bit annoyed, yet her brother obeyed, rarely did she use that tone. "What were you planning on doing, causing yourself to throw-up slugs for hours on end again?" She asked teasingly, attempting to make light in the situation. Yet she stopped as she saw the hurt expression on Ron's face. She bit her tongue and mentally kicked herself as she slowly slid from under the covers and Draco's iron-clad grasp around her waist. She sat on the edge of her bed, sitting up, softly clutching her side. Her ribs' aching pain had returned. Damn it all.
Ron stared at his sister, his jaw half-way hanging open as she openly insulted him in front of his arch-rival. For all he knew, merely hours ago, she was cursing him, herself. Now, she flew to his defense at the slightest whisper. Ron took a step closer to his sister, attempting to ignore the presence of the Malfoy boy as he stared down Ginny. "What were you doing here with him?"
"What does it look like I was doing?"
Ron dismissed her sarcastic tone, and continued with his third degree. "No, with HIM." He pointed dramatically at Draco.
"I believe HE has a name." She said pleasantly, appearing to somewhat enjoy the mocking.
Ron's nostrils flared as he narrowed his eyes at Ginny. "I don't want you to ever see him again."
"Ron!" she protested. Fully enraged at this command, she stood, which quite didn't help her small build much but made her look much more defiant. "I can't!"
"And why the hell not, Ginny?" He demanded, his eyes growing redder with the Weasley temper.
"Because..." She began, biting her lip, for she knew the answer, yet was afraid to admit it. "Because..."
"What, because what, Ginny?" Her brother was growing more demanding by the second, causing Ginny's nerves to go haywire.
"Because I love him!" She finally blurted out, clapping her hand over her mouth as soon as she had proclaimed the words. A lone tear found its path down her pale cheek as her pent-up frustration was relieved in these simple three words.
* * *
Draco was mildly surprised at the tone she used with her brother. He hadn't thought she'd actually LEAVE, but he most certainly hadn't expected her to tease him... not in front of him at least. Perhaps if he hadn't been in the room such would've seemed likely, but he, Draco Malfoy, was sitting right there, smack dab between the two, and Ginny was defending HIM. He was quite certain he'd never been happier in his entire lifetime.
He opened his mouth to speak a few times, but gave up as one of the fiery redheads interjected over and over again. Ginny's face had taken on one of frustration, and Ron's of utter anger. He looked as though he were going to pop, the way his ears continued to darken their shade of red as time went on. However when Ginny stopped in the middle of her explanation, his focus did not linger from her face, her chocolate eyes. ...She was hesitating. It wasn't that she didn't know why. No... she didn't want to say why...
'Because I love him!'
Draco's breath caught in his throat as he continued to stare at her, eyes not widened in surprise as one might suspect. Rather, they were calm, searching for something, though not sure of what across her distraught features. Quietly he rose to his feet and to her side. "Don't cry." He said softly, wiping her falling tear. The boy turned around to face Ron, fully prepared for whatever creative hex he could come up with. He stood silently, calmly, looking straight into Weasley's eyes with an unreadable expression.
* * *
Ron's jaw dropped at Ginny's confession, utterly baffled. How could she love him, of all people?! He would have preferred her to have fallen for that blubbering Goyle that had been so thick-headed to catapult her from her broom than... Malfoy. Just the mere name was like nails on a chalkboard to his ears. He opened his mouth to protest when he saw a movement from the corner of his eye. He didn't back up as Draco came between the two, brushing the tear from Ginny's cheek, he obviously cared for her. Even the stubborn Ron could see that.
Ron's face slowly turned from its previous crimson, to the usual pale color it harbored as he gazed down at his shoes, his wand hanging loosely from his fingers at his side. When he finally gazed up, he found himself locking his brown eyes with those of the conniving, evil Malfoy's gray pair. He tightened his grip on his wand momentarily, before finally succumbing, and sticking it in his back pocket. He teetered hesitantly on his shoes, as he peered around the room, finally landing on Malfoy's face uncomfortably. He looked over at his sister, it was apparent she was hopelessly in love with the boy. Damn.
"I want you to take care of her. She's the only sister I got." He shrugged his shoulders as he left the room, staring at his shoes the entire time, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
* * *
His face was starting to lose its reddened color... Draco noticed that right off. Either he had given up, or he had yet begun to fight. One could never tell with the unpredictable Weasleys... well... when they were unpredictable, which seemed to be no so frequent with Ronald. Ginny, on the other hand, she was completely unpredictable, which was one of things that attracted him to her. One moment she was innocent little Weaslette, and the next she was snogging him senseless. Ah yes, he liked that side of her... very much.
Ron gave in. He couldn't believe it had come so easily. They had been archrivals for God knows how long, and he was just going to let Ginny reside in the arms of someone he hated more than anyone in the entire universe. Perhaps Ron was a bit more unpredictable than he gave him credit for.
"Of course..." he replied as Ron left the room, looking rather defeated... so very defeated.
Draco then turned to Ginny. "Did you- What you said-"
* * *
Ginny watched her brother's face as he spoke to Draco, his words echoing in her ears like silent yells. Was he... was he honestly letting her do this? Surely not.. And yet, before she had time to think, she watched her brother's lanky build disappear down the corridor. And she remained silent, staring after him, until she heard the door swing shut, echoing throughout the high-ceilinged room, announcing his departure.
She only ripped her gaze from that damned door when Draco spoke to her. She turned around, softly blushing. She had said that in the randomness of the moment, not exactly thinking over her words, mulling them over in her mind, as she usually did. No, she had just blurted it out, not particularly caring or thinking of the repercussions her words would make. But, he certainly had.
"Yes, but.." She began, did he want her to mean them? He had made it clear he didn't need her, but, oh come on.. Was she still really believing that? Surely not. "I'm sorry.." She finally said, hoping that prevented any damage. She liked the way things were, and knew that he would leave in a heartbeat if any L-words were spoken. That's just the way he was.
* * *
Draco continued to watch her curiously as she stared back at him, looking as though she had no idea what to say. Was it really such a difficult question? Did she mean it or not? She either said to make Ron leave the two of them alone, or she really did. But which of these it was, he didn't know. She did, but contrary to popular belief, he was not a mind-reader, a Seer, or anything of the sort.
"Well?" he asked, a hint of impatience in his voice before she uneasily responded with yes.
He didn't know what to say. What did one say in a situation such a this. 'Oh, dear God get away from me!' wasn't an option. And neither was 'I love you too, Ginny!' He stared at her silently, hearing the words I'm sorry spill forth from her lips. Why was she always sorry? Sorry meant she wished she could take it back. Why? Why did she want to take it back?
"Don't be sorry. Ever." He said quietly, wrapping his muscular arms about her. "Please?"
* * *
Ginny raised her eyes to his as he spoke, then buried her face in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. This was they way she liked it. And this was where she felt safe. She felt as if she could travel to Merlin and back with those muscular arms around her, without even breaking a sweat. Invincible.
As he pleaded with her she simply nodded her head against his skin, unsure of what to say. So, now what? 'I love you..' and the correct response would be.. 'I love you, too..' Right? She was thankful her face was buried underneath his, hiding her face of disappointment he so hated to see.
Okay, so he didn't love her. She could live with that. It hurt like hell. But she could live with it.
She slowly glided her hands up his arms and onto the nape of his neck, taking in his scent of freshness.. And pine needles. How odd, yet refreshing, and caused her to burn for him. She sighed in contempt, allowing her eyelids to close softly, as she remained quiet, unwilling to break the mutual silence.
* * *
A nod. A nod was good, though he had a feeling she wasn't really listening. She'd probably say she was sorry the next day, or whenever she saw that blasted line across his chest. She'd probably say she was sorry for ever thinking of loving him soon enough. Oh, how he would dread such a day... but he knew it would... Ginny Weasley wasn't known as Draco's lover. She was known as his enemy, and eventually that would take effect... Eventually nothing would exist between the two of them but hatred... just as it had been before...
So why did he bother? Why did he lead himself into what could only become pain and loneliness worse than he'd ever experienced in his lifetime? He didn't know, but he didn't honestly care. Ginny, his Ginny, was residing in his arms. Ron had seen them and done nothing. Harry... Harry was still a problem as was the rest of the entirety of the school... But he could learn to deal with it... He thought...
He didn't know what to say to her. She was so... perfect... just standing there with her arms about his neck. It was an incredible feeling, to know that he, Draco Malfoy of all people, held this girl's heart in his hands... incredible and terrifying at that. "Ginny..." he said softly. "I need you to promise me something."
* * *
Did it have to end so soon? Not just the silence, but.. Everything. Them, this, her and Draco. Why did it all have to come to such an abrupt halt? She knew she could never feel whole again in anyone else's arms, and yet, she also knew, she would have to say good-bye sooner or later, and by his words, obviously sooner.
His words rounded in her ears as she braced herself for the inevitable. The curt good-bye, the final farewell, the 'see ya laters' that would unavoidably turn to harsh glares and uttered insults. That was how it was meant to be, wasn't it?
She pulled back from him hesitantly, willing herself to look him in the eyes as he told her to get lost. "Anything.." She softly replied, her voice inescapably crackling as she spoke, unwilling to allow him to see her cry. Again.
* * *
He smiled weakly at her as she agreed to promise him "anything" in a rather cracked voice. She trusted him that much? He was happy yet surprised and moderately confused all at the same time. It was unusual... for him to feel anything, let alone an assortment of things toward anyone. Ah, the things romance could do to a person!
"I know this is sort of... well... something you may not want to promise, but..." He sighed softly and took her hands in his.
"Ginny, I need you to promise me that you won't believe the things people start to say about me..." It was inevitable that the second word got around every living and breathing soul in Hogwarts would be attempting to separate the two, most of them for Ginny's sake, and a few of the Slytherins for the 'pride' of their house. "And... I know that's a hell of a lot to ask, but..."
Another sigh. This was beginning to get rather annoying, really. "And... there's one more thing." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't ever take back those words..."
* * *
That was definitely not what she had expected to here. Adios, Au Revoir, Don't let the door hit'cha where the good lord bit'cha, maybe ..but not this. Her brows furrowed together atop the bridge of her nose as he took her hands in his.
Don't believe what others say? What WOULD they tell her? That perhaps he'd given in and rushed off to sweep Pansy off her feet. Hah, fat chance. That maybe he didn't have feelings for her anymore? Well, she knew he didn't love her, but she knew the way his features tightened when she touched him, and she knew the tingle she sent down his spine, and that was good enough for her.
"I wouldn't want to." She gently responded as she glided the pad of her thumb affectionately over his bottom lip.
She may not have known him too long, but she knew the way his eyes heated up when she caressed his cheek. She knew that when she teased him he just craved more of her. She knew that when she clasped her arms around his neck he felt heavenly. She knew the gentle curve of his chin and the way his cheeks blushed when they kissed. She knew the silky patterns his strands took on. And she knew, that no matter what, they'd each have a place in each other's hearts forever and always.
~End Chappie~
Yes, we sadly realize that it's shorter than the previous chappie but it's DARN CUTE! :D