Ginger Chap 10
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: I'm kicking up the updates, You'll be getting two chaps a week for the next two weeks, we'll be done by chapter 14. fizzyglitter, check the first published dates of the two fics, all right? Clavel, don't worry about it, you made me smile^_^ Demeter, great to see ya! I'm glad you like, I aim to please^_^ Noodlejelly, I positively agree with you, and if it Draco does join the *Cough* Slightly Shady side, you have my permission to go after him. Now kick back, relax, my friends, and we shall get the angsty part over as quickly as possible. Drop a note on ur way out!
Chapter 10: Bloody Sunday
I spent an entire evening with Draco Malfoy... And I enjoyed it. I think they should have taken me to see Pomfrey, after all. I think I'm insane. Ginny Weasley rolled over in her bed, staring at the pillow that had betrayed her. Or maybe I... No, I love Harry, right? He saved my life, defeated Voldermort, all those heroic things... But...
She punched the pillow, trying to force her eyes shut. But... Draco... He's AN ARSE! He does it on purpose, teasing, tormenting those weaker than himself... not that Harry's weaker, and he has laid off Longbottom... And he only went after Creevey because... WHY am I trying to justify his actions? Because... I... This is stupid, I know exactly how to fix it. Tomorrow.
With that the little redhead turned over, falling sound asleep within mere seconds.
**********
I can't let her get hurt, I don't know why I should care, but the thought of her winding up like mother... No... best to stop this now, before Father turns me... Draco rolled over, staring up at the ceiling. It doesn't matter, she's just a Weasley. She'll go back to chasing Potter and I'll... I'll... Just live without a heart, it isn't as though I knew I had one in the first place.
He scowled covering his eyes with a silk clad sleeve. I'll just... go back to treating her like I do Harry's Dream Team. Maybe she'll catch on that I don't... can't... deal with her anymore.
He rolled over, burying his face against his pillow and staring into the darkness for the rest of the night.
***********
The morning came slowly, but not slowly enough. Draco got rid of the dark circles under his eyes with a slight flick of his wand, snarling at the cheerful mirror. He reluctantly followed his classmates up to the dining hall, all but hiding behind his goons' bulk. The last thing he wanted to hear was...
"Draco! Malfoy!! I need to talk to you." Yes, that was what he LEAST wanted to hear. Ginny grabbed him by his arm, earning a scowl from Pansy, the only one of the group who had looked back. Ginny unconsciously smiled slightly at the sight of Vodka waving his tail right above the place her hand rested.
"What is it, Weasel? I have things to do." Draco drawled out, seeing that she was resolute about something.
"I... Would you just come with me? I promise you'll be back in time to watch your goons fighting over the pancakes." She dragged him up a few flights of stairs, pulling him into one of the empty classrooms. "I... All right, I'll just go for it. Draco, I think I love you." She glared at him, as though daring him to laugh. Just get on with it, you prat! Reject me like the Arse you are so I can go about getting over you!
Draco was staggered, barely restraining from falling back with his mouth gaping wide. "Blunt, aren't we, Weasley?" He drawled, his sarcasm kicking in as always when he was lost. "But as... sweet... as that is, I can't-" He stopped as Ginny slapped him across the face as hard as she could. If he didn't know better he would have thought that was what she was looking for.
"Fine! Reject me! It's your loss you arrogant arse!! Just don't ever, EVER try talking to me again!" Ginny turned, the sheen of tears glinting slightly as she ran out of the room as fast as possible. Draco ran his hand through his blonde hair, staring at the door she had just slammed in his face. Now he knew how it felt to have his heart ripped out. It wasn't too pleasant.
*A/N: Fast, I know, but hey, that's why this even had to happen. It was going way too fast for both of them.*
***********
Draco was feeling savage. Very, very, very savage. In fact when he walked into the dining hall every single Slytherin took one look at him, grabbed their plates, and walked over to the other three tables, shoving the first years out of their places. Not surprisingly the Hufflepuff table cleared out quickly, the Ravenclaw table passed the butter, and the Gryffindors broke out in numerous fistfights.
Draco sat alone, glowering at anyone that tried to approach him, even the teachers. Ginny refused to look at him, and Ron (After knocking out several Slytherins, and getting a few detentions) sat glaring at the blonde. His eyes practically screamed murderous intentions for making his little sister cry.
*A/N: by now everyone knows that I LOVE Ron, not as much as Charlie, but all Weasleys are just... awesome.*
Draco snarled back, not even up to pulling his special smirk. Ron blinked. He... Well, bloody hell, he knows... Draco growled at the sight of Ron's almost compassionate look as the redhead glanced over at his sister and back.
Harry was more startled to see this look than Draco. "Ron, what are you doing? You still haven't told me why you haven't tried to kill Malfoy yet! It's making me... worried. Perhaps we should visit Madam P's."
Hermione looked over, cocking her head slightly as she took in the situation. A slight smile tugged at her lips as she pulled out her dog-eared copy of Hogwarts, A History. She still hadn't forgiven Ron, but he was starting to approach her good graces. He was starting to grow up... Finally.
"It's nothing, Harry... Just... misplaced understand- I mean, nothing."
"Oh."
And it was left at that, Hermione smiling at the blushing Ron, Harry looking confused, and Ginny, well... Ginny was busy working up curses for the off chance Draco actually cared to try to talk to her again. Note for all males: there is Nothing more dangerous than a woman scorned.
**********
When the rest of the Slytherins, including Crabbe and Goyle, went to Snape complaining that they couldn't get into their dorm room because HE was there, Snape knew he had to interfere. It rather irritated him that his house was so cowardly, but this was a little out of character for Draco. He obviously wasn't taking Snape's well-meant advice... well.
Plus the fact that Albus was frowning reproachfully at him, as though the entire situation was entirely HIS fault, didn't help. Of course, it might very well have been, but he had only the child's well being in mind.
And this is what was going through the dangerous looking professor's mind as he stormed into the Slytherin dorm room yet again. He was the only one who couldn't be intimidated by Draco's moods, having perfected the routine before the child had been born.
*A/N: Yet another character I have come to adore. (Flashes badge saying Snape Appeal) And I'm supposed to be a Gryffindor... Go figure.*
"Go away, I'm doing as you told me to do... so I don't need any more of your... help." The blonde never even looked up, knowing exactly to whom he was speaking. He sat curled in one of the large leather chairs, cupping his cheek with his hand. There appeared to be a bruise forming.
"I had no idea you were such a... martyr, Mr. Malfoy." Snape drawled, watching as the blonde blushed bright red, at least it might have been a blush, the face had been rather red from his cheek in the first place. "I suppose you are willing to give up everything in order to please your... father." The last word came out as a curse.
"I won't let him find out. She doesn't deserve that and there's nothing I can do to stop from..."
"From being forced to become a death eater?"
"..."
"I suppose it's all well and good, you forcing away love to play the hero. I had thought you were smarter than that. Perhaps you were placed wrong." Snape hid a slight smirk at the horrified look on Draco's face as he implied he was no better than a Gryffindor.
"What do you expect me to do? GINNY WILL NOT END UP LIKE MOTHER! I'll die before I let that happen." Draco bellowed, panting slightly as the rage pushed through his veins.
"And you need not end up like your father, either." Snape stepped forward, lying one hand on the younger male's shoulder. "You always have a choice, Draco. And you are in the perfect position to make it." With that, Snape slipped a small note from the headmaster into his hand and walked away with a dramatic flourish.
Come to my office, two o'clock this afternoon.
Headmaster Dumbledore
Draco tucked the letter in his pocket silently, turning toward the fire with no expression whatsoever.
*************
Ginny was busy avoiding all the males that wanted to 'Console' her after her breakup with Draco. She tried telling them that they had never been going out, so the term 'Breakup' was completely wrong, but nobody was listening. They were trying to make her cry on their shoulder. It was really beginning to get irritating, and Ron hadn't once threatened to kill the bastard. That was the one consistent thing missing that threw her over the edge.
With a muffled sob the little redhead ran up to her bed and closed the drapes around herself. She stayed there until a hesitant Hermione told her that lunch was about to be served, and she would bring a plate if Ginny wanted.
"There is no way I'll let that prat think he got the best of me! I'm going, and he can just... eat his bloody heart out, cuz it's his loss!"
Hermione smiled, grateful that she was beginning to respond once again. With a half hug she led the younger girl down to the dining hall, giving out threatening glares to any that dared try to approach, outside of family and best friends.
"Ginny! Oh, hon, it'll work out just fine, I know it will." Megan said softly, as she reached the two other girls. "He wasn't worthy enough in the first place. It's his loss."
And thus the females way of getting over heartache started in, full affect. Even those that secretly lusted after the blonde turned away from him whenever he was in the same hallway. House loyalties outweighed nice butts... just not enough to keep them from watching after he walked past.
This was the reason they didn't notice that he was acting strange, himself. There was a resolute emptiness about the blonde that had Longbottom and the Hufflepuffs cocking their heads in wonder. Draco never even noticed all the reactions he was getting, he was too confused.
I don't know what they want me to do... If father even questioned my loyalty...
......
Where have you two been?
.....
Anthony? Antonia? Where are you?
.... You don't want us. You made mum go away...
I was doing it for her! Bloody hell, she has no chance if she gets involved-
We... If you and mum don't... We...
Shut it! Just go away already!! Everyone's left me, you two might as well get to it as well!
... Goodbye da, we love you.
Wait... I... Goodbye.
He walked into the dining hall at lunchtime, his eyes almost completely soulless, making those brave enough to approach quickly back off. Not even Vodka came out from hiding under his robes. He was alone, completely and utterly alone, and it was no one's fault but his own.
And he sat there, staring at the little redhead surrounded by glaring females.
***********
The two hours until he was supposed to go to Dumbledore's office dragged in silence, he spent the time alone on the pitch, focusing on the last thing he had-Quidditch. His flying was wild, reckless, as though he were tempting fate to bring him down. It was horrifyingly beautiful to watch. Soon he had a crowd, including a reluctant Potter and Company watching from the stands, but he could have cared less.
When the clock hit ten till he dropped to the ground, walking past the hoard without a single look. Ginny wasn't there, therefore they didn't matter. He never even noticed as the Dream Team followed him, until Harry said his name.
"What?" He snarled, turning towards them.
"What's wrong with you, Malfoy? Did your mirror break?" Potter asked, smirking at his small attempt at humor. Draco merely looked at him, his dead eyes gazing at what had been his driving force for years, seeing what he hadn't allowed himself to notice before. Potter was just a boy, nothing more, just a kid forced into his role, like Draco had been, himself.
He turned without a word, walking away from years of wrath and jealousy. He hadn't enough heart to hate anymore.
"Stop right there, Malfoy! The man asked you a question." The redhead was in front of him, glaring down at him with a mixed look of hate and concern.
"Your... man... can take his bloody questions and shove them where even Voldermort fears to go. Now of you don't mind, I have a meeting with the Headmaster." And Draco walked away, leaving the confused trio behind him without another thought.
**********
Both Dumbledore and Snape were waiting for him, standing in their places, as though about to grill him on where he had been on the night of so and so. It wasn't that pleasant of a sight, but Draco was too gone to care. He never even noticed how Snape visibly flinched at the sight of him. It was that bad... plus he was wearing that awful shiny red T-shirt again, having grabbed the first thing he found that morning. It was no wonder Snape looked ever paler than usual.
Dumbledore sighed, young love was always too quick to take itself seriously. He smiled compassionately, motioning for the classically tragic blonde to have a seat, then assumed his chair behind the desk. "Mr. Malfoy, Draco if I may, I have waited for this day since the moment you first came, my child. And now you have begun to show signs of the greatness I knew to be in you."
Draco blinked, not saying a word.
"You see, you have shown great integrity in your actions. Severus, himself has told me of your willingness to protect those dear to you, even at your own cost. What I'm trying to say, Draco, is that we need your help."
Snape cleared his throat, stepping forward. "We are asking that you make your choice, Draco. I know that you have not received the black mark yet, but the time is fast approaching. Will you join with us to stop Voldermort?"
"I... My father..." Draco stuttered, his eyes loosing their coldness in a wave of anxiety.
"We understand what your situation is, and feel, if you're willing, that we could use it to our benefit. I am led to believe that you shall not receive the mark until after graduation in order to remain as an outlet into Hogwarts." Snape stated, watching as Draco nodded silently in agreement. "This would be a great opportunity for our forces. But it is up to you. As I have told you before, you always have choices."
"I'll... think about it, sirs."
"That's all we can ask of you, dear child." Dumbledore smiled softly, silently telling him he was dismissed.
Draco took one last look at the two older males, thoughts of what could be filling his head. It was no wonder that he was feeling confused.
"Sirs, before I leave, might I have a moment with-"
Dumbledore nodded, motioning towards the small room containing Draco's pensieve. Snape scowled slightly with his own thoughts, and there was a general feeling of things left unsaid among all of them. Dumbledore was the only one that acknowledged that that might be for the best.
***********
For a while Draco merely watched all the thoughts he had placed into the silver bowl, smiling despite himself at the faces of the twins cracking jokes, gazing at all the pictures of Ginny that flashed before him. Then the moments with his father showed up, the one that had happened so many years ago. Unconsciously his hand once more followed the scar's trail on his cheek.
The difference between the two so-called families was startling. It was as though he hadn't even noticed what was wrong until the dreams of what could be had started. He hadn't asked for his life to be that way, no one asked for a life like that, but the thought he could change it... that he might help someone... That he might have a chance at gaining the one thing he had lacked was enough to take his breath away.
But... He had already thrown that chance away. He touched his wand to his head, pulling out one last memory, one that would be implanted in his mind for a very long time.
SLAP!!
'Fine! Reject me! It's your loss you arrogant arse!! Just don't ever, EVER try talking to me again!' He watched as the silver tears fell through the sky, one hand unconsciously reaching to catch it, only to watch as it broke into millions of pieces as it hit the ground.
And yet, even harsher in it's own way...
'Draco, I think I love you...'
With that the young blonde sealed the small container, vowing to himself he would never watch it again. And with a heavy, yet unconsciously hopeful, heart the young Slytherin walked out of the room.
**************