Ginger Chap 6
By Ice Queen (ice_queen_5@hotmail.com)
Category: Romance/humor
Keywords: Draco, Ginny, Weasley,
Rating: G
Spoilers: All four Books, but not really.
Summary: Draco keeps having these dreams, and they're throwing off his bad boy groove. But they aren't scary... Cept for him, that is. D/G
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: There's gonna be a little touch of... *Looks around cautiously* Angst... from here on. Forgive me, I try to balance that... What was that P word again? Plot?? This has one?? It's great to see all the old faces, the new ones, everybody! Hey, Noodlejelly, she's working on it, really... sometime Draco's gonna get the point. I think... Well, either way, enjoy!
Chapter 6: Jimmy Buffet Babies
"Why, Mr. Malfoy, I had expected you to be back sooner." Dumbledore gave Draco his knowing smile, the twinkle in his eye rather pronounced. "I even set up a small room where you can be alone with... your thoughts."
All of Draco's rationalized complaints flew out of his head, leaving his mouth gaping open and shut somewhat like a landed mackerel. He didn't even think as Dumbledore led him to a seat, placing the small black bowl beside him, he merely sat down, pulling out his wand. Dumbledore left him there, staring into the swirling depths of his mind.
Who am I? What is my future supposed to be? Are those dreams premonitions or are they just lies from my subconscious? I always figured that Father would tell me what I would do... But I guess... Hell, I don't know. Maybe the thought of being a death eater gets to me sometimes. I'm not perfect, I'm not even good. I just...
Draco reached up, touching his temple with his wand tip gently and just let images, sounds, stray thoughts, flow out of his head. Then he poured them into the liquid, unconsciously smiling as the silver waves took a variety of colors.
That's the Weasley girl... Ginny. She looks so happy. It must be because of something Potter said. There's Potter... laughing at something stupid, no doubt. Why are they so in my thoughts? Why don't I see... There... Me. Not as tall as I would like, somewhere around five ten right now, almost five in the cauldron... pale, smirking arrogant little git... but it's me.
I'm standing somewhere cold, dark... it's the dark forest. I must have only been eleven that year, slinking through the forbidden forest with that annoying git Potter. I came face to face with the one Father wants me to call 'Lord.' And I ran screaming like a little girl.
How does that make me death eater material? How long would I last? Really, I would only be kept until my use had worn out, then I would be tossed aside. Replaced like a burnt out wand, and the 'Lord' wouldn't even give a bloody second thought to having me disposed of. Like a bad house elf, or a faulty cauldron.
He who must not be named would use me, just as I've been using people all my life, just like my father uses me. Except father isn't bright enough to recognize that fact, he's too hyped up on the rush of being the right hand man.
I'm a coward, I don't want to die for Vo-Him. He wouldn't die even if they caught him, so what's the use in throwing away my life for a bastard that will never die? I like my life! ... Don't I? I guess that's where it comes back to Ginny. I must be using her as a shield from reality. It's gotten out of control, that's all. I've even started imagining discussions with children from my fantasy life.
I think. They seem so real, though. So... full of something that I've never had. Well, something that I'm full of, as well, but innocent. As though they were never brought up like I was. As though they had their own ideas of what they were, and what they would end up as, unlike me. And they can't be older than eight. There, that's them, little Anthony and Antonia. Obviously Weasel named them.
A small green dragon took shape in the center of the cauldron, knocking Draco out of his trance to glance down at the small dragon sleeping on the backside of his left hand. His wand hand... somehow that seemed fitting. How could he kill with the hand that was the sleeping spot of a two-inch long dragon? A snoring dragon that danced when it thought no one was looking.
At least I still have all of next year to decide. They haven't finished using me as their tool. If they made me take the dark mark now they know Dumbledore wouldn't allow me to stay here. I'm too useful to risk as of now. Father, Volderm-you... may you both rot in the hell you've placed me in. And choke on the knowledge that your greed has given me time to grow... Perhaps one day this... pet... will turn on you, you self-serving bastards.
*************
Somewhere, far away, and far into the future two small faces peered into a small pool of silver.
"Daddy think's we j'st in his im-mag-in-ation."
"Yeah, Anton'a. That's 'xactly what he thinks." And the mirrored faces both shone with a look of pure wickedness. "Ain't it great?!"
***********
Ginny didn't go to lunch that day, for that matter... a lot of people didn't. But she had something that needed to be done, and had barely gotten through her morning classes without breaking down.
"Ginny, I'm sure he... well, no, I'm not, seeing as this is Malfoy we're talking about... But... Don't you think you're taking this a little too... far?" Hermione was really trying hard not to wince as she saw Ginny's fiery locks hit the floor one by one. The young girl was 'cutting' her hair into a shaggy pageboy style, which, though startling, was beginning to look extremely good on her. Still, it was rather hard to watch.
"This isn't about that prat, this is about men in general! I eat my heart out over Harry for five bloody years and he still doesn't recognize I'm alive! And Dra-Malfoy, well... It's just over, all right? I'm never going to have a boyfriend! Men are all PIGS!!" She waved her wand wildly, clearly distraught. Not surprisingly, Hermione ducked. "I can't believe I spent four hours trying to make something for that... unappreciative loser!"
"But... he was wearing it.... Maybe you were a little too sens-"
"He called it stupid! And ugly! And he's never had anything good to say about anyone since the day he said his first word! He's just a conceited, no good... Malfoy." She put down her wand, leaving half of her hair long and the other half short, and dropped down on the bed beside Hermione. "You should *sniff* understand where... *sniff* I'm coming from. You know, with Ron." Ginny said, trying (and failing) to hold back her sobs. Hermione sighed, pulling the younger girl to her in a half armed hug.
"Yeah... Here, let me fix your hair for you."
Ginny looked up with a watery smile. "Thanks, 'Mione. You're going to be a wonderful sister-in-law, you know?"
"I know."
***************
"She could have given it to ANYONE other than Malfoy and I would have been happy. Why are girls so stupid?"
"What about Crabbe?"
"Well, maybe not him... but still! Malfoy doesn't deserve anything from anyone that isn't the bloody killing curse!" Ron stormed back and forth in the common room, impatiently waiting for his sister and other best friend to come down. He kept running his hand through his hair, trying to get his brain around the fact his sister had done something nice for a Malfoy. *He would have hated to know he had the same bad habit Draco had.*
"Maybe... Malfoy has changed..." Harry tried hesitantly. That got him the evil eye from the irate redhead. "Look, he did help us out at the Quidditch World Cup, even though he was an arrogant little arse. He didn't shove Hermione out into the middle of death eaters."
"Yeah, well, he's prob'ly waiting for the time he can kill us himself!"
"....."
"He's just using her to get to you, you know. Had you asked her out earlier we wouldn't have this bloomin' problem!" Ron turned, glaring at the befuddled looking Harry.
"But... I don't like Ginny that way. If anything it would be like dating my little sister!"
A new voice came from the stairs. "That's nice to know, Harry, but it doesn't matter anymore. From here on out, I'm swearing off men and devoting my life to Quidditch." The two boys gaped up at her, lost for words. Her big brown eyes looked even larger, and the haircut emphasized her high cheekbones and slender neck.
"I... I..." Were the only words the males could seem to say.
"Quidditch, Ginny? I knew it was bad, but how can anything be that bad?" Hermione stepped out from behind the young redhead, almost snickering at the stupidified looks on both boys faces.
"You ARE my sister, aren't you?" Ron finally got out. "Cuz I need to be able to point out to mum who to kill." Ginny glared at him, shoving past the two as quickly as possible and heading for the door.
That left only Hermione looking death threats at the tall redhead. "You are such an idiot sometimes, Ron." She stated then stormed out after the other girl. She didn't follow though, right now Ginny needed some time alone.
*************
Ginny was alone on the pitch, soaring above it like the owl she had wanted since first year. Her broom was a Nimbus 2000, but she was happy. She dipped, barrel rolling so that her short hair stuck up straight. It was like dancing with the wind.
I don't need either of them, really. Just my broom and the sky. It's all... I... really need.
Now there is one thing that Ginny has yet to discover. It seems that whenever someone has given up on boys, well... that's like waving a red flag at a herd of bulls. And now that Ginny looked even cuter than they had thought possible, for she had been very cute in the first place, well... you'll see.
When Ginny landed she found herself surrounded. And it wasn't merely the Gryffindor guys, either. Several Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws stood there, their mouths gaping, their eyes huge.
"Wow! Ruddy good flying there, Ginny! Can you show us that last trick again? It was awesome!"
"Can you help me with my flying?"
"I need to be a better chaser!!"
"Are you doing anything this weekend?"
"Love the hair!! You look just smashing!!"
All of them began talking, mostly about Quidditch (Since someone had passed on her declaration) but others flat out hitting on her. Ginny didn't know quite what to do.
"I... I... Uh..."
"Have a meeting with me." The strong drawl was enough to send most of the Hufflepuff males running, the Ravenclaws stepping back, and the Gryffindors lunging forward. Draco ignored them all, sauntering through the masses as though he owned the school. When he reached her he scowled, tugging slightly at one of her short locks. "What in the bloody hell have you done to your hair?"
When the other males saw she didn't flinch from his blatantly possessive act (Females don't allow just anyone to touch their hair) they left, muttering threats under their breaths, not to mention cursing Slytherins in general.
"Why in the bloody hell should you care?" Ginny spat, trying to affect the same sarcastic drawl and failing. He flinched slightly, letting go.
"Tsk, tsk! Such language!"
"Shut up Malfoy, I'm not going to help you any more. You can just… deal with the dreams, like I did." She turned away, picking up her broom and walking towards the castle.
"What's your problem all of a sudden? You start walking out in the middle of a conversation, you BUTCHER your hair, and I hear you've sworn off men! Now if it was just Potter you had sworn off I might understand… but this is just stupid!" It was enough to make her turn back, storming up to him with her brown eyes blazing.
"There you go again! Calling me stupid! Well if you're so big on brains why don't you go after Hermione? Oh wait, she's smart enough to tell you to SOD OFF!!" She stomped her foot, barely restraining herself from hitting him over the head with her broom. The only thing that kept her from it was fear of breaking her broom.
"When did I call you stupid?" He called, a blank look on his face.
"When have you NOT called me stupid? I'm stupid for being a Weasley, stupid for being a Gryffindor, stupid for making that dragon… But you know what? The only reason I'm really stupid was for falling for an egotistical bastard LIKE YOU!!" She ran, leaving a stunned Draco staring after her mutely.
**********
*A/N: Ano... Forgive me, but the characters are not doing as I tell them to anymore. (Won't mention the fact that happened a long time before this note) So... from here on out it seems that we're all in for a few surprises. Good ones, I hope^_^&*
Daddy! Daddy! Since we're figments of your im-maggi-whatever, that means we don't get in trouble for this, right?
Yay! This is a good thing, Anton'y! Da won't punish us, cuz he don't think we... real!
She... fall... wha...
I don't think he's list'nin, Anton'a. I think mum messed with 'im. Kinda like she did the 'fridge, 'member?
And it started dancin! It even sang that muggle song that we like!
She... thinks she's... in love with me?
Right! It was the one 'bout the cheeseburger! I like mine wif lettuce and 'matas! 'einz fifyeven and french fried 'taters!
I love 'at song.
She... loves... me?
Well, duh! How else do you think we got here? When a mommy and a daddy love each other-
He knows that all ready, Anton'a. He's j'st... actin silly.
A Weasley in love with a Malfoy... Father's going to kill us all.
....
*A/N: song doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Jimmy Buffet, thank you.*
**************
Ginny was almost to the front door when she was pulled back by her arm. "This isn't about Vodka, is it, Weasel?"
"Vodka? What are you talking about, Malfoy, or am I too stupid to understand?"
"Vodka! You know, that... thing! Here, I'll show you!" He ripped back his robes showing... nothing. "Bloody... Vodka! Where'd you go?"
"As much as I know the first year girls are admiring the strip show, I suggest you put your clothes back on. Then get out of my face, cuz I never want to see you again!" Ginny turned, leaving Draco looking up at a half dozen first year flying students and an oddly amused Madam Hooch.
"I... uh... I..."
"Never mind, Mr. Malfoy, you've cleared up a slight problem for the teaching staff with your outburst." The first years giggled at her words, making Draco wrap his robes around him tightly, trying to regain his dignity. "You may leave, now. I do have a class to run after all. Poppy shall be pleased."
Draco nodded mutely, racing up the steps and through the front door. He never even knew one of his on-going problems had just been solved.
**********