Chapter Three: Aoria
Professor McGonagall was waiting for them when they arrived back at the room. She looked as though she were studying the position of the beds Ginny and Draco had arranged earlier. She turned quickly when the door closed behind them, and withdrew from her robe pocket a rolled up piece of parchment.
"We just received a letter from Hagrid's friend. The owner of Aoria." McGonagall said, beginning to unroll it.
"Do you think-" Ginny cut herself off, mentally telling herself to forget about asking whether a counter curse was possible.
"It reads," McGonagall began, "'Hagrid, I'm very shocked that Aoria would do such a thing, especially to young teenagers at this time. I can offer a weak excuse for her actions, which is, Aoria has been very bored and has had no reason to use her powers for many years. The situation between the two children you told me of is very similar to the work she did when she was more used in the past. At this time, I know nothing of a counter curse, but I will be sure to let you know if I hear anything helpful.'"
"So your basically telling us there's no hope." Draco said dully.
"You'll have to endure the spell," McGonagall said, "Dumbledore wished for me to read that to you. He would like you both to be informed on everything we're doing with this situation."
"Thank you, Professor." Ginny said, she glanced over at Draco, who was looking increasingly restless. "We came up here to go to sleep. Are the beds in a suitable sleeping arrangement?"
"It's not what your mother expected, but it's the best I can do at this time. I tried to use a separator charm and it wouldn't stick, only the spells that Aoria gives you seem to work." McGonagall said, sticking the parchment back into her robe pocket.
"Oh yes, and the spell for your fifteen minute break is just a wave of your wand and the incantation 'pausa'." the Professor said before leaving them in an uncomfortable silence.
"I suppose I'll use the bathroom first," Ginny said after Draco made no move to say anything. At Draco's slight nod she pulled out her wand and swished it through the air "Pausa." she said. Draco didn't move, just looked at her when she checked to see if anything had happened.
"Walk to the bathroom," Draco told her.
Ginny shot him a look but did as he said, bracing herself to be either dragged back or Draco pulled into the back of her.
Nothing happened.
"It works," Ginny cheered, opening the bathroom door and walking in. It was a rather plain one, with a toilet, sink, a mirror, and a bathtub. Ginny's heart leapt to her throat when she at first couldn't see the showerhead, but after a minute of frantic searching, she spotted it. Pleased with what she saw, she ran out and got her toiletries then ran back into the bathroom, shutting the door after her.
Draco didn't even watch her inspect the bathroom. As soon as they'd made sure the spell worked her walked over to his bed, deciding to lie down while he waited for Ginny to finish. He cried out loud in surprise when he almost stepped on Aoria, who lay to the side of his bed.
"Ugh, what are you doing in here?" Draco grumbled, stepping over the cat and climbing into his bed. He lay on his back for a moment, before turning to face Ginny's bed. His gray eyes swept the distance between his bed and Ginny's it wasn't much. Sitting up he looked down at Aoria, who hadn't moved from where she laid. "We need a spell to be sure we don't roll over the top of each other in the middle of the night."
Aoria looked up at him, not saying anything.
Draco waited, then not receiving a response repeated what he said, pointing to the lack of space in between them. "Her mum wouldn't be happy if she knew it would be that easy for her to get in my bed,"
"What makes you think I'd climb into your bed, Draco?" Ginny asked, walking out of the bathroom suddenly.
Draco smirked, "You think I'd let you get in my bed, Weasley?"
"Its, Ginny. I swear if you call me Weasley one more time I'll curse you." Ginny snapped, wrapping a towel around her hair.
"You're done in there then?" Draco asked, just as he felt himself being pulled off the bed and towards her.
"Yes, now do the spell and go away," Ginny said, walking toward her trunk, pulling Draco along for the ride as he pulled out his wand.
"Pausa," Draco twirled his wand. "Give me some time to do it,"
"You're slow," Ginny said simply, not looking up from what she was doing. She could practically see his sneer even with her back turned from him as he turned away from her and went into the bathroom.
After changing into her nightclothes and brushing her hair, she made her way to the bed. The sound of Aoria's purring made her stop. Backing away from the two beds, she looked over them carefully. Draco was right, she decided finally. Unless we held real still we'd roll all over each other during the night.
"Aoria," Ginny started, walking over to Draco's side. The black cat looked up at her, blinking slowly. "We need a spell for the beds, I do think Draco's actually right about something. That and my mum would be furious if she saw this."
Ginny swear she saw the cat smile, or maybe it was yawning, because it stood up and stretched elegantly before looking Ginny straight in the eye.
"It could ruin the spell," Aoria's voice echoed in her mind.
"How?" Ginny asked out loud.
"Touch is a powerful thing, are you so sure that you can become friends with this young man without touch?"
"I don't have to touch him by sleeping on him!" Ginny cried.
"How do you plan on touching me, Ginny?" Draco asked, he was wearing his nightclothes. Ginny flushed at his question and shook her head.
"Aoria says we cannot become friends without touch," Ginny explained, though her face was still heated.
"This includes sleeping all over one another?" Draco asked, directing the question to the cat.
"Touch is a very powerful thing, but since you both insist so, I will give you a spell." Aoria's voice said. Ginny could only hear it in her mind; she glanced over at Draco, wondering if he heard.
"I'd prefer the wall over having to deal with this girls mother," she heard him mutter.
"Draco!"
"It's the truth," Draco said, looking somewhat serious. His gray eyes settled back on the cat. "What's the spell then?"
"Every night, before you go to bed, you must each tap the edge of each other's beds with your wands and a wall will prevent you from contact. It will disappear whenever any light touches it, so be careful with how you handle the lights after dark," Aoria said, then she padded away to the darkest corner in the room.
"Seems simple enough," Ginny said going over to her trunk where she put her wand.
Draco always kept his wand with him at all times, so he got into his bed and tapped the edge. Ginny hurried onto hers then tapped the edge of hers quickly.
Nothing happened.
"Great wall," Draco said dryly.
"We might not be able to see it," Ginny said, raising her hands and feeling the air for any sort of invisible wall. She frowned after a moment of this, "Nothing, are you sure the spell works, Aoria?"
Both of the teenagers looked over to the cat, but neither could see it, and the sound of its even breathing told them it was asleep.
"Okay," Draco said slowly. "Maybe we'll have to sleep without a wall after all."
"Wait!" Ginny cried, "Let's try touching the edges together, at the same time. Ready?"
Draco nodded, and in synch they tapped the edges of their beds. Ginny could feel the air rush up in between them, but again there was nothing in between them to see.
Looking at Draco with a slight grin, she raised her hands and pushed them slowly foreword. They stopped midway, and wouldn't move. The spell had worked.
"Now that we're separated can we sleep?" Draco asked putting his wand under his pillow.
"Of course," Ginny said, getting out of the bed to turn off the lights.
Draco could hear her make her way slowly back to the bed, and crawl under the covers. The only sound was the Aoria's and their breathing, and faintly, the sound of some night bug.
"Goodnight Draco," Ginny said hesitantly.
There was a surprised silence.
"Goodnight...Ginny." Draco said, a bit harshly, before closing his eyes and ears.
~
Ginny woke up as a habit around six o'clock the next day. At first, when she opened her eyes, she couldn't figure out where she was. Sitting up quickly she looked around, and spotting Draco it all rushed back to her. I thought it was all a dream, Ginny thought, running her hand through her messy hair. She crawled out from her covers and moved quickly to her trunk.
It squeaked loudly when she opened it, making her grimace and glance over at Draco. He appeared to be asleep on his back, breathing deeply. Relieved she pulled out her robes, and began to undress.
"You really should get those oiled," Draco said suddenly making her head snap up to look at him. He had one eye open, his hands tucked behind his head, and a mischievous grin on his face.
"Draco!" was all Ginny could manage. She felt her face begin to heat up. "I'm undressing!"
"I gathered," Draco chuckled.
Ginny let out a noise that sounded strangely like a frightened mouse. "Well don't look at me you...you peeping tom!" she cried, covering herself with the robes she clutched in her hands.
"Peeping tom?" Draco shouted with laughter, but he turned to his side facing away from her.
Ginny hurriedly finished dressing, her face still aflame. When she finished she saw Draco was facing her again, revealing nothing on his face.
"How long have you been turned around?" Ginny asked angrily.
"Not long," Draco said, but Ginny could swear she saw his lip twitch into a smile. "Would you like you or I to use the spell?"
"You can, since you were watching me." Ginny said, crossing her arms.
Draco shrugged, and performed the spell before disappearing into the bathroom with his robes.
Ginny jumped when Aoria rubbed up against her legs, which almost knocked her over since Aoria was a big cat.
"He was looking at me when I wasn't paying attention wasn't he?" Ginny asked Aoria.
Aoria just grinned in her cat-like way.
Rolling her eyes Ginny began to gather her things for her classes, when Draco came out, clothed. He looked at her briefly before doing the same as she.
"Do we just leave her in here?" Ginny asked waiting for him to finish.
"Aoria?" Draco asked. "I don't know, ask her."
"What do we do with you?" Ginny asked the black cat.
"Let me out with you. If you ever need me, call." Aoria said.
Ginny nodded, "Are you ready, Draco?" she inwardly winced. It would be hard to get used to calling Malfoy, Draco. Especially since they had to go down in front of all her peers.
"Let's go," he said, opening the door.
As they walked down to the Great Hall, Ginny kept giving him sidelong glances, wondering what he was thinking. I wonder how hard it will be for him to act civil to me around other Slytherin's, Ginny thought. Again as they moved through the doors of the Hall, the chatter rose to a frenzied buzz. Both of them halted and looked to each other at the same time.
"Er..." Ginny started, she looked over at her table. "Do you want to sit at your table?"
"I suppose," Draco said non-chalantly and started for the Slytherin's. Ginny followed after him, looking over again at the Gryffindor's who were watching her with a look of pity.
"Ugh, Draco." Pansy sighed scornfully when they sat down. "I'm so sorry you have to be stuck with her. I'd absolutely kill myself if I had to be."
"Shut up, Pansy." Draco responded, not looking at her. Ginny tried her best not to blush, and to not look miserable, but it was very hard when everyone at the table seemed intent on staring at her rudely.
Draco wasn't even looking at the food in front of him. As soon as he had sat down at the table and Pansy had spoken, his hunger vanished. He didn't even look over at Ginny to check if she was eating, he just sighed and asked, "Are you finished yet Ginny?"
"Ginny?" Pansy's voice asked, making Draco inwardly cringe.
"That's my name you dolt," Ginny hissed from where she sat.
Pansy sneered at her, "People who don't mean anything, have no names." she said simply.
Draco could feel Ginny beside her stiffen, "You better shut your trap, Pansy." Ginny said.
"Or you'll what, Weasley?" Pansy asked drawing out the name.
With a rattle of plates Ginny's wand was out and pressing against Pansy's forehead. "Give me reason," Ginny said in an amazing calm voice. Draco looked over at her in surprise. "Say anything, Pansy, I'll do it."
"You'll get in trouble," Pansy said, but her voice quivered.
"It'll be worth it," Ginny snapped.
"Miss Weasley!" Snape's voice rang out. Ginny didn't even flinch; her wand remained pressed against Pansy's forehead.
"Yes Professor Snape?" Ginny asked, her eyes never leaving her target.
"Remove your wand this instant!" Snape shouted, his voice was getting closer.
Ginny opened her mouth to respond when she felt a hand on her wrist, pulling it away. She turned quickly to see who it was, and went face to face with Draco.
"Don't," Draco said, letting go of her.
Ginny stared at him in shock, her mouth open and her wand handing falling to her side.
"Weasley!" Snape thundered when he reached him, many other Professor's following after him.
~
Ginny didn't even look at Draco throughout the rest of the day. They went to their classes in a different schedule, all of them Draco's level. They alternated classes, Transfiguration with Gryffindor, Herbology with Slytherin, Care of Magical Creatures with Gryffindor, Divination with Slytherin, and so on. Slytherin's were with the Gryffindor's in Potions so Ginny forced Draco to sit besides her brother and his friends. Snape looked at her with an almost identical look he usually reserved for Harry.
Draco was also now upset over Quidditch, being that he had to be kept at Ginny's side and she at his; he couldn't be the Seeker for the Slytherins. Neither had looked at one another the entire day and both had almost gotten a detention from Snape from Ginny's actions earlier today if it hadn't been for Draco. He'd told Snape that Pansy had provoked her, and he knew that the Professor wouldn't give Ginny a detention. Then he'd be giving Draco a detention as well.
Along with that, Professor McGonagall had banned them from eating down in the Great Hall until the spell was broken. The dining wear up in their room was enchanted to be served on time with the rest of the school. After the Potion's class, Ron, Hermione, and Harry had raced over to Ginny to speak with her about that morning.
"You should've cursed her," Ron said, after hearing their punishment. "You wouldn't have gotten a detention, not with Malfoy attached to you."
Ginny didn't say anything.
"It's great now that your in some of our classes with us though, Ginny." Harry said. Ginny smiled slightly at him, and Draco sighed.
"Can we go now?" Draco rolled his eyes.
Ron glared at him; "We're not done,"
"But I am," Draco snapped and began to walk away quickly. Ginny shot Draco a dark look to his back, then an apologetic one to her friends as she was dragged after him.
"You are such a jerk!" she cried when they reached their room.
Draco didn't even look at her, he kept his back turned to her and moved towards the window.
"Draco,"
He didn't move.
"Draco, look at me."
When he didn't respond she strode over to him and pushed him roughly so he faced her. His normally light gray eyes were dark, like angry storm clouds. They reflected the mood he was in.
"Is it even important?" Draco asked rudely.
"What is your problem?" Ginny asked, placing her hands on her hips.
"What?" Draco raised his eyebrows.
"You have a problem with me?"
"Ginny..."
"Do you? Cause I'm fed up with this crap your putting me through! You treat me like...a nobody in front of your Slytherin...friends, and then you pull me away from mine! Why can't you just be civil and try to get along with me? I don't want this to go on anymore than you do, but you're not solving the situation with your attitude,"
"I didn't have anything to do on what happened this morning," Draco snapped.
"Exactly! Do you think friends just sit around and let other people push them around and be rude to them? Is that your idea of friendship? Because if it is it's pretty warped." Ginny cried.
"I stopped you before things got out of hand. You were handling everything pretty well before that,"
"What, pulling my wand on Pansy wasn't out of hand?"
"I was actually hoping you would curse her, turn her into a toad or something. It would be an improvement." Draco said, a small grin on his lips.
"That's not funny," Ginny said, but her look softened and she smiled.
"I stopped you only because Dumbledore was there, otherwise I would've let you do whatever you'd like to her. She's a real wimp when confronted, if you've asked, she'd apologized on her knee's for you." Draco told her.
Ginny nodded, suddenly deep in thought. Draco turned back to the window, and looked out at the darkening sky. "What was wrong back outside the dungeon?"
"What?"
"Why did you walk away from them like that?" Ginny asked, studying the side of his face turned to her.
"Potter?" Draco snorted, "Do you really even need to ask that?"
"My brother was the only one being really rude, but you have to understand he's a bit over protective. It's very annoying sometimes, but Hermione and Harry..." Ginny stopped, and looked to the window suddenly. "Do you hate my family because we're not as wealthy as you?"
"Huh..." was all he could get out.
"You tease my family about having no money, and not jokingly. You're father always makes rude comments to my dad whenever they meet. What is it with that, Draco? Why?" Ginny faced him, a look of true hurt on her face.
Draco was floored at the question. Why indeed? Draco could only stare at her as his mind raced for an excuse to his actions and words he's said through the years. In truth, there was nothing to say that would comfort her. He'd said those things, just to hurt them, for the pleasure to see the anger and the pain that would show, naked, on their faces. His dad was always that way; even to him he was always criticizing Draco on how everyone and everything seemed to be better than him.
"I don't know," Draco said lamely, and he looked away. There was a long pause.
"I understand," Ginny said softly.
"No you don't," Draco said suddenly, his jumbled feelings turning to anger. "You don't understand anything about me."
"Not always," Ginny said, looking to him. Her brown eye's no longer held confusion or hurt, just understanding and compassion.
Draco looked away, he'd never seen anyone look at him like that, and in truth it almost frightened him. "I'm going to bed," he said coldly.
He could make out Ginny's nod, and her doing the spell before going to her trunk to get her night things.
~
Aoria was wriggling on her back with happiness after watching the confrontation between the two moments before. Having the ability to go invisible at will had its advantages. Aoria straightened when the girl crawled into her bed and pulled the covers to her chin stiffly. The boy wasn't even looking at her, he just pulled his robes over his head, undid the tie and the shirt before crawling into the bed. She almost laughed when she saw the blush on the girl's face from him undressing in front of her.
They both did the wall spell before they magiked the lights out, and turned away from one another. Oh this was about as good as the last couple of teenagers she did catenatus too. Aoria moved silently over to her corner. A bit more dramatic, she had to admit, but still very good.
~
He wears boxers! Were Ginny's thoughts, much to her embarrassment. Don't all boys? Well except for the ones who wear regular underwear but, oh, he wears boxers... Ginny let a muffled groan into her pillow, and turned to face the wall. Draco's back was facing her, and she could tell he was still awake. Why is it so difficult for him to answer simple questions? She asked herself, staring at his naked back. There's always a reason for someone to be so horrible. I mean, he is actually human, he can smile, and he can even joke around...
Ginny closed her eyes quickly when she saw Draco move. When she didn't hear him moving around anymore she peeked through her eyelashes. He was now on his back; his eyes open, staring at the ceiling, arms behind his head. He didn't look as though he could sleep either.
Now he's going to be all pissed about me asking about what's wrong with his attitude, Ginny thought scornfully, still watching him. His best answer was 'I don't know,' what kind of answer is that? But of course no one could answer her, except maybe herself and Draco if she ever thought of asking again. When she had spoken of her brother the thought of how he was always spiteful to her family had intruded her thoughts, and somehow the question that had always nagged her popped out. She could tell by the shocked look on his face when he'd looked at her she'd surprised him by asking that. There must have been an excuse for his actions and his words.
And when he had answered 'I don't know,' somehow she had a feeling of understanding. He was confused and had no answers; he had never ever been questioned on his actions. Then he had turned on her, being cold, the old Malfoy she remembered from the first day she was bound to him.
"Draco," Ginny started before she could stop herself.
"Ginny," Draco said at the same time. They both glanced over at each other and gave each other a nervous smile.
"Go ahead," Ginny said.
"We have to get along for this spell to be done with, and well, I'm...sorry about earlier. Yelling at you and pulling you away from your brother, and not being the...friend you expected me to be." Draco said quickly.
There was a long pause between this, causing Draco to regret saying anything.
"Thank you," Ginny said suddenly. She looked over at him, his body having an almost white outline in the darkness. "And I didn't mean to bring anything up that upsetted you, sometimes I say things or ask things I shouldn't. And I'm sorry about Quidditch."
Draco nodded relieved. And as they said goodnight to each other and closed their eyes to go to sleep, the doubts that had been nagging him on what his father asked, increased. Draco sighed loudly, and turned away from Ginny. He didn't know what to do.
A/N: Thank you all for the reviews, we were all very pleased with them. Spending the time in our private chat trying to figure out ways Draco and Ginny could drive each other nuts was great fun!
Hermione Gulliver: Thanks for reviewing both of our chapters!
C.B.: I know isn't it great? I love the idea myself, hehe, so I guess that'd explain why I'm helping out with the writing ^_^
Crunk-Angel07: Thanks for the review!
Princess of Mordor: Thank you!
Megan: I'm glad you like it
JK: Thank you for both of the reviews, our BETA reader is on vacation and any suggestions you give us are a great help!
Kristen of Mistallia: Mmm catching one another in the shower? Ooh, think I'll mention that at the next meeting.
Segev: Thank you for your comments! Poor Draco doesn't know what's wrong with him…I think he's actually feeling human for the first time
MochaButterfly: Glad you enjoyed it! I'll only write more if you write more of your sequel! No kidding thanks for the reviews girl!
Again thank you from everyone, we're having a great time with this story!
