Author: Lee Velviet
E-Mail: Vampslay@Bellsouth.net
Disclaimer: You know who this stuff belongs to-J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., etc-I own absolutely nothing! ::Sob::
Summary: This is a loooong one boys and girls! Ginny is in her fifth year at Hogwarts-lets just say it includes Draco, Harry, secret meetings, Playwizards, and Quidditch-can never have enough of that, in my opinion! Hope you like!
(A/N: Reviews would rock, flames are welcome, but constructive criticism would be better! As always, please let me know if I get facts wrong! Thanks for reading!)
3.Rude Awakenings
Ginny found herself to be quite popular that evening at dinner, and she found herself taking a seat next to Ron and Hermione rather than across from them. Just to get a look at Draco during dinner-ugh, she was already thinking of him as Draco.
Harry kept leaning forward to talk to her across Hermione and Ron-she thought it rather sweet, but it was deflating. Here she'd gone through all of this stuff, just to fall for another guy who'd never look her way except to maybe spit on her, and Harry was finally beginning to look at her like a girl! It was here that Ginny gave up all pretenses and let her forehead fall onto the table with a rather loud bang.
Hermione looked down at her, a look of concern on her pretty face. "Ginny? Are you all right?"
Ginny rolled her head back and forth miserably. "No. I think I'm going to be sick."
"Oh, my. Professor McGonagall! Ginny's feeling ill!"
Ginny rolled her eyes before squeezing them shut. "Could you shout a little louder, Hermione? I don't think the people in London heard you!"
Harry was standing next to her in an instant, she could feel his familiar presence and hear his breathing, not to mention smell his oh-so- tasty cologne. Cologne! 'Oh, Draco, what did you do to me?' Ginny thought wretchedly. This is so unfair. She knew she was just feeling sorry for herself, and making a scene-but she was so tire she just didn't care anymore.
"Ginny?" Harry's voice was so low and gentle it made her start crying.
"Miss Weasley?" Professor McGonagall's stern voice was softer than usual, and her gentleness made her cry even harder. Ginny felt Harry slide his arms around her, and he lifted her from the bench. "I'll take her to Madam Pomfrey, Professor," Harry was saying low in his husky voice, making her heart ache in its confusion.
"Yes, do that, Mr. Potter." Ginny was dimly aware of Professor McGonagall clearing her throat and clapping her hands. "Back to dinner, everyone-you there, Mr. Malfoy, sit down! Back to what you were doing everyone."
Ron was walking beside them, and Ginny looked through her lashes at him, seeing his face, pale and worried.
Harry continued carrying her as if she didn't weigh a thing, and she rolled her head to rest against his hard chest, hearing his precious heart beating so valiantly inside. After they were well out of the great hall, however, Ginny opened her burning eyes and looked up him, tracing the hardening line of his jaw, the soft, clear skin that would start to bristle in a few years time, the subtle point of his Adams apple as he reflexively swallowed, the way his soft, messy black hair curled longish against his nape and over his ears.
She blushed, and made a slight movement-Harry looked down at from under the edge of his glasses and she noticed how much greener his eyes really were without the glasses shielding them. They were almost unnatural in their intensity. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and felt tears burn at the corners of her eyes again. She made a movement, embarrassed, and murmured croakily, "I can walk, really, Harry."
He looked down at her for a long moment and the whispered so softly she barely caught it- "I don't mind."
After receiving a pepper-up potion, a large bar of chocolate, and a stern admonition from Madame Pomfrey about getting more sleep and eating more chocolate, Ginny walked out of the infirmary to meet Ron and Harry.
"Ginny? You all right?" Ron came forward, concern in his voice. "You feeling any better?"
"Yes, Madame Pomfrey said I was just tired out." She smiled at him wanly and looked over at Harry nervously. There was a pounding ache in her chest where her heart had been before Draco Malfoy had unknowingly ripped it out, taking her hopes for Harry along with it.
Harry stood with his hands tucked into his pockets, leaning against the stone hallway. A torch in a nearby bracket guttered in a cold draft, it's fire throwing golden light across his dark hair and reflecting flames off his glasses.
"Thanks for helping me," she said, eyeing him sadly.
"I'm just glad you're all right, Ginny." His voice was quiet, almost as if he'd realized he'd just lost something he'd never even known he had, and was mourning it.
Her heart.
Fawkes bent his noble head under Ginny's hand, sensing her unhappiness. She touched him fondly, ignoring the antics of several Slytherins nearby. She didn't want to even think the word Slytherin.
"Hey, Ginny, yer got a note-yer S'posed to go ter see Professor McGonagall," Hagrid handed her a folded piece of parchment, and then caught sight of what the Slytherin boys were up to. "'Ere now, break it up boys!" He lumbered off, and Ginny smiled at Fawkes before gathering up her tattered book bag and moving off towards the castle. She unfolded the paper, noting the broken red seal on the back, and wondered what McGonagall would want with her-it must have something to do with the Quidditch game coming up-
"Weasley!"
She jumped, startled as a tall bush near the main entrance shook and hissed her name. She looked at it, wide eyed, before a large hand came out and dragged her behind it.
"Malfoy!" Ginny felt her breath catch in her throat as she backed up against the castle wall, suddenly panicked that she might say or do something to give her feelings away.
"Now that we've established who we are-" he looked at her, a spark of humor in his pale eyes.
"What do you want?"
"My, aren't we touchy today." He leaned against the wall next to her, crossing his arms lazily. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your showboating yesterday-tell me, when you made the team, did Potter drop to his knee and propose then and there, or did he wait until he carried you off to the infirmary?"
Ginny sighed, feeling dreaded, frustrated tears gather behind her eyes. "Leave me alone, Malfoy," she bit out. "McGonagall is expecting me, and-"
The wicked gleam in his eyes made her groan. "You didn't!"
"I didn't what?" He seemed the picture of innocence.
"You sent that letter to Hagrid-and if I hear one word about his intelligence, I'm going to strangle you!" Ginny clenched her jaw and took a deep breath, praying silently for patience. After a moment she stared at her feet and said quietly, "Anyway…now that I'm here, I wanted to tell you, thank you."
She heard him sigh. "Thank me for what? The only reason I taught you about Quidditch was because you were bloody blackmailing me, you evil little witch." His voice was teasing.
"No, I mean-for the Firebolt. I was so stupid, not thinking about that. You should have seen me-I was a sight, I'm sure, looking all panicked and anxious. I don't know what I would have done without you-
"Weasley, I didn't send you any Firebolt."
Ginny's eyes snapped up to his. "W-what?"
Malfoy sighed, looking almost regretful. "I was wondering if you had figured it out yet. Guess you aren't as smart as I thought you were."
Head spinning, Ginny gaped at him. Finally she grabbed his robes and yanked him down, pressing her lips against his feverishly. Roaring heat did indeed curl through her, altogether too pleasant and too warming, but-
"I don't love you!" Ginny murmured to herself desperately as she pulled back from him. "I can't!"
Malfoy looked at her dazedly. "What?"
"Nothing. So-do you know who sent me the Firebolt?" Her heart almost hammered through her ribs.
He shook his head, eyes still clouded, breath coming fast. "I- er, Weasley, I can't believe you. Who is the only other person in this school who has ever owned a bloody Firebolt?" With that he rolled his eyes and stalked off, muttering beneath his breath about Gryffindor's and their stupid teen angst.
Ginny slid down against the wall to sit on the grass, her mind whirling crazily. "Harry…"
Harry closed his Divination book with a frustrated sigh-he wasn't getting anywhere with it tonight. He looked across the common room, eyes picking out Ginny easily where she sat. She was on the rug before the fire, chatting about something very seriously with a fiercely frowning Hermione.
He looked back at Ginny, and saw how the flames picked out the fiery glints in her hair, how soft and intelligent her brandy colored eyes. A now familiar ache began somewhere in his chest, and he set his jaw against it, looking back down at the parchment next to his book. He had homework…Trelawney was expecting two rolls on his predictions for his own life for the next two months. Usually he just made up some god-awful, dreary happenstances about some misfortune he'd be going through-it actually seemed to make her happy, the mad old cow.
His creative well had run dry that evening though, and he rested his head on his hand, tapping his quill impatiently. He supposed he could go bother Ron about it-he always had some pretty disturbing ideas running amuck in his head-but he didn't seem to want to move.
He thought back to that day three weeks ago when he'd rounded a corner coming out of the Kitchens and saw Ginny and Malfoy talking in heated voices. He'd been surprised to see Ginny out of bed after hours- she certainly didn't seem the sort-and why the hell was she talking to Malfoy?
He'd been hidden under the safety of his invisibility cloak, and had stepped closer, trying to hear what was being said. He'd actually had to stop himself laughing when he realized Ginny had Malfoy in a very interesting position-and Ginny was the one who actually has permission from McGonagall to be in the halls this late.
And then he'd heard it, the one little comment that had changed his life forever- "I want you to teach me how to play Quidditch."
He'd blinked, eyeing Ginny oddly. What?
Malfoy had been cracking up. "You? Play Quidditch? You're a girl!"
Ginny had sounded very indignant. "Millicent plays Quidditch."
"Yes, but she doesn't play like a girl."
Ginny had said something about Draco's ability as a Seeker, he hadn't quite caught it and was sorry he hadn't, and then…
"Why would you want me to teach you how to play, anyway? Why not ask Potter or that brother of yours? If I'm so bloody rotten at it, why force me into it?"
She'd paused. "They won't-they'll say they don't have time, or laugh-like you-or tell me they don't want me to get hurt. All excuses my brothers used when we were growing up and nobody wanted sweet little Ginny getting hurt." Her eyes narrowed.
"I have to do this-it's the only way I-
She'd stopped then, wide eyes shooting up to Malfoy's.
Harry had gasped, but they'd been too busy sniping at each other to pay attention.
He'd known Ginny had always had some silly little crush on him-but he had thought she'd finally grown out of it. It had been years…
When Ginny had moved away at last, he'd removed the cloak and stepped up to a startled Malfoy. "You are not teaching her anything, Malfoy."
Malfoy had recovered, and smirked at him. "Why not? I don't want to get into trouble, now do I?"
Harry had glared at him. "She's just a kid-she'll get hurt."
"She seems to have grown up quite a bit when you weren't looking, Potter," the blond boy had murmured thoughtfully.
"No."
"Oh, come on, Potter. She loves you," he snorted at the 'l' word. "You don't want to crush her delicate heart do you?"
"No…and don't pretend you give a crap, Malfoy-I know you're just doing this to save your own ass." Harry thought for a moment and then sighed. "Fine. If she gets hurt though, I'm turning you into a bloody toad, permanently."
Harry was dragged out of his thoughts by Neville Longbottom, who was digging around frantically under the table. Harry ducked his head down. "What is it, Neville? Lose Trevor again?"
"Yes! But I saw him, he was just here-Trevor wait!" He upset the table as he dashed off after the toad. Harry's homework and books slid into a mess on the floor, and Harry rolled his eyes, bending down to pick his things up.
"Let me help you,"
He looked up into Ginny's eyes as they both reached for his Divination book at the same time. She pulled her hand back as if it had been scalded. She looked away and piled his parchment neatly, sliding it back onto the table. Harry closed his eyes momentarily as her warm breath brushed his cheek.
"There, all done." They stayed that way, facing each other on their knees behind the table.
Harry looked at her steadily, suddenly tiring of denying what he'd come to feel for her. He knew she was over him-she'd been staring at Malfoy almost mooningly at dinner the other night, and he'd known he'd missed his chance. Why hadn't he seen her for the beautiful young woman she'd grown into before the damned Quidditch try-outs? Maybe he shouldn't have sent her his old Firebolt-maybe things would have been different. Maybe he should have paid her more attention…if only… he closed his eyes and stood abruptly, helping her up.
"Thanks," they both said at the same time. Harry released her hand reluctantly, and picked up his books from the table. "I think I need to go to the Library. There's too much going on here to think," he said, looking after Neville still rushing after his forever-truant frog.
Ginny looked at him sadly, and then she seemed to sturdy herself. "You know what? I think I'll come with."
Before he could say a word, she'd grabbed his elbow and her bag and they were crawling out of the portrait entrance into the silent hall.
"Don't be out too long, dears, it's almost curfew," the fat lady said kindly with a twinkle in her eye.
"Right," Ginny grinned, pulling Harry off with her in the direction of the Library.
Harry walked with Ginny, frowning. What was going on?
Ginny tried to stop her heart's painful race, but it was impossible. She couldn't believe she was doing what she was doing. But she'd lost her patience-her feelings couldn't be hid any longer. Harry was going to listen to her, and that was that. No matter if she was horrifically, cripplingly embarrassed on the morrow. No matter that she hadn't sorted her feelings out for Draco-what was she thinking? This wasn't fair to Harry! But she was desperate to prove her heart wrong-She grimaced as they arrived at the Library Tapestry. Instead of going in, she grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him further down the hall to a small curtained alcove.
"Ginny, what-
"Quiet, Harry." She threw her bag down and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him.
Harry stiffened, and brought his hands up to her wrists, and for a moment she thought he was about to push her away. But then he slid his hands down over and around her shoulders, and kissed her back, his body relaxing.
After several minutes, Ginny pushed away and sat on a small stone bench against the wall, trying to catch her breath.
Harry's glasses were askew, his green eyes glazed over, his chest moving rapidly. He ran trembling hands through his hair and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Ginny-
"No, I'm going to talk, and you are going to listen, Harry Potter, or I'm going to –to-oh I don't know, but it'll be something bad." She smiled slightly when he rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall.
Taking a deep breath, she stood and began, "I Love You, Harry. I always have-yes, it may had been a little girl's crush when I was ten, but-" she bit her lip, pausing. "I know this is just another thing you don't need to worry over, but I wanted you to know, I had to tell you. And thank you."
He looked up at her startled.
"Yes, I know about the Firebolt-Malfoy told me. I don't know why, but he did." She took a cautious step forward. "You knew I was going to try out all along, didn't you?"
Harry nodded reluctantly.
"You…knew why?"
He stared at her, eyes piercing. "Yes."
"Oh."
It was quiet for a long moment before she sighed. "You must think I'm a complete git."
"Ginny, no." Stepping away from the wall, he took her hands in his. "I admit, I was completely and utterly blind to you-you've just always been Ron's little sister-wait," he said softly when she tried to pull away. "But that day of the try-outs, when I saw how confident you were, how excited and nervous and…knowing all you had gone through just for me…you looked so beautiful that day. It was like I had woken up from a dream. I think I fell in love with you though when I saw you knock that Quaffle past Malfoy's head."
Ginny looked at him, horrified. "Y-you saw that? You watched me practice! Oh god!" She turned from him and sat down on the bench, white faced. "I think I'm going to throw up."
Harry sat next to her, tilting her head up. "Ginny, look at me. I just came because I didn't trust Malfoy to not let you get hurt."
"I looked like a total nutter that first day! Oh, and you saw it!" She covered her eyes and groaned, cheeks burning with humiliation. "I wish I could disappear!"
Harry tugged her hands from her face and smiled at her. "Ginny, please don't be upset. It wasn't that bad," he lied.
She chanced a glance at him. "Really?"
"Really. Besides, who cares? You took right to it the next day. I was very proud of you."
Ginny laughed. "Wait…did you just say you loved me?"
Harry nodded solemnly. "I did."
She smiled at him beautifically, and it was like the gates of heaven opened up on him. She threw herself into his arms and he rested his chin on her head, thanking whoever had seen fit to at last send him someone who truly loved him.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for this," Ginny was whispering against his chest.
"I think I do," he whispered back, closing his eyes. "I really think I do."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Finally," Ginny thought to herself, "Harry loves me."
The atmosphere was odd, fuzzy. She thought everything looked soft, and moved slow…
She sighed guiltily against Harry's neck, her lips brushing his skin. "I-I have something to tell you, though." She pulled back from his arms; unbelieving that she was about to say what she was about to say, screaming at herself inside to stop before she ruined everything.
"No, Ginny, please don't-
"I have to tell you-
"No, Ginny don't say it, don't tell me-" Harry's warm green eyes suddenly went silvery gray, flashing coldly as he pleaded with her, "Please-
"I have to tell you…I think I may be in Love with Draco Malfoy.'
"No, Ginny…" Harry looked at her sadly, and she had the feeling she'd just lost him. The world around them went dark, and Ginny gasped as Harry changed into Draco, and he was laughing, gripping her upper arms, leaning close, the orange and purple fire in his opal eyes flashing triumphantly as he captured her lips harshly with his. "You're mine, Ginny…Potter will never touch you again…"
Ginny fell helplessly against him, though her heart felt ripped out by the knowledge she'd just lost Harry…
Ginny woke up with a gasp in her bed, eyes watering, a sob in her throat, chest aching. "Harry."
(A/N: This is getting to even me-does anyone else's chest hurt unbearably? ::Sniffles:: I think I'm torn between Harry and Draco, too. Oh well-I'll keep on writing-I needed to buy tissues anyways…Let me know if this is getting super lame! Thanks to all of you who reviewed-you guys so rock!)
E-Mail: Vampslay@Bellsouth.net
Disclaimer: You know who this stuff belongs to-J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., etc-I own absolutely nothing! ::Sob::
Summary: This is a loooong one boys and girls! Ginny is in her fifth year at Hogwarts-lets just say it includes Draco, Harry, secret meetings, Playwizards, and Quidditch-can never have enough of that, in my opinion! Hope you like!
(A/N: Reviews would rock, flames are welcome, but constructive criticism would be better! As always, please let me know if I get facts wrong! Thanks for reading!)
3.Rude Awakenings
Ginny found herself to be quite popular that evening at dinner, and she found herself taking a seat next to Ron and Hermione rather than across from them. Just to get a look at Draco during dinner-ugh, she was already thinking of him as Draco.
Harry kept leaning forward to talk to her across Hermione and Ron-she thought it rather sweet, but it was deflating. Here she'd gone through all of this stuff, just to fall for another guy who'd never look her way except to maybe spit on her, and Harry was finally beginning to look at her like a girl! It was here that Ginny gave up all pretenses and let her forehead fall onto the table with a rather loud bang.
Hermione looked down at her, a look of concern on her pretty face. "Ginny? Are you all right?"
Ginny rolled her head back and forth miserably. "No. I think I'm going to be sick."
"Oh, my. Professor McGonagall! Ginny's feeling ill!"
Ginny rolled her eyes before squeezing them shut. "Could you shout a little louder, Hermione? I don't think the people in London heard you!"
Harry was standing next to her in an instant, she could feel his familiar presence and hear his breathing, not to mention smell his oh-so- tasty cologne. Cologne! 'Oh, Draco, what did you do to me?' Ginny thought wretchedly. This is so unfair. She knew she was just feeling sorry for herself, and making a scene-but she was so tire she just didn't care anymore.
"Ginny?" Harry's voice was so low and gentle it made her start crying.
"Miss Weasley?" Professor McGonagall's stern voice was softer than usual, and her gentleness made her cry even harder. Ginny felt Harry slide his arms around her, and he lifted her from the bench. "I'll take her to Madam Pomfrey, Professor," Harry was saying low in his husky voice, making her heart ache in its confusion.
"Yes, do that, Mr. Potter." Ginny was dimly aware of Professor McGonagall clearing her throat and clapping her hands. "Back to dinner, everyone-you there, Mr. Malfoy, sit down! Back to what you were doing everyone."
Ron was walking beside them, and Ginny looked through her lashes at him, seeing his face, pale and worried.
Harry continued carrying her as if she didn't weigh a thing, and she rolled her head to rest against his hard chest, hearing his precious heart beating so valiantly inside. After they were well out of the great hall, however, Ginny opened her burning eyes and looked up him, tracing the hardening line of his jaw, the soft, clear skin that would start to bristle in a few years time, the subtle point of his Adams apple as he reflexively swallowed, the way his soft, messy black hair curled longish against his nape and over his ears.
She blushed, and made a slight movement-Harry looked down at from under the edge of his glasses and she noticed how much greener his eyes really were without the glasses shielding them. They were almost unnatural in their intensity. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and felt tears burn at the corners of her eyes again. She made a movement, embarrassed, and murmured croakily, "I can walk, really, Harry."
He looked down at her for a long moment and the whispered so softly she barely caught it- "I don't mind."
After receiving a pepper-up potion, a large bar of chocolate, and a stern admonition from Madame Pomfrey about getting more sleep and eating more chocolate, Ginny walked out of the infirmary to meet Ron and Harry.
"Ginny? You all right?" Ron came forward, concern in his voice. "You feeling any better?"
"Yes, Madame Pomfrey said I was just tired out." She smiled at him wanly and looked over at Harry nervously. There was a pounding ache in her chest where her heart had been before Draco Malfoy had unknowingly ripped it out, taking her hopes for Harry along with it.
Harry stood with his hands tucked into his pockets, leaning against the stone hallway. A torch in a nearby bracket guttered in a cold draft, it's fire throwing golden light across his dark hair and reflecting flames off his glasses.
"Thanks for helping me," she said, eyeing him sadly.
"I'm just glad you're all right, Ginny." His voice was quiet, almost as if he'd realized he'd just lost something he'd never even known he had, and was mourning it.
Her heart.
Fawkes bent his noble head under Ginny's hand, sensing her unhappiness. She touched him fondly, ignoring the antics of several Slytherins nearby. She didn't want to even think the word Slytherin.
"Hey, Ginny, yer got a note-yer S'posed to go ter see Professor McGonagall," Hagrid handed her a folded piece of parchment, and then caught sight of what the Slytherin boys were up to. "'Ere now, break it up boys!" He lumbered off, and Ginny smiled at Fawkes before gathering up her tattered book bag and moving off towards the castle. She unfolded the paper, noting the broken red seal on the back, and wondered what McGonagall would want with her-it must have something to do with the Quidditch game coming up-
"Weasley!"
She jumped, startled as a tall bush near the main entrance shook and hissed her name. She looked at it, wide eyed, before a large hand came out and dragged her behind it.
"Malfoy!" Ginny felt her breath catch in her throat as she backed up against the castle wall, suddenly panicked that she might say or do something to give her feelings away.
"Now that we've established who we are-" he looked at her, a spark of humor in his pale eyes.
"What do you want?"
"My, aren't we touchy today." He leaned against the wall next to her, crossing his arms lazily. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your showboating yesterday-tell me, when you made the team, did Potter drop to his knee and propose then and there, or did he wait until he carried you off to the infirmary?"
Ginny sighed, feeling dreaded, frustrated tears gather behind her eyes. "Leave me alone, Malfoy," she bit out. "McGonagall is expecting me, and-"
The wicked gleam in his eyes made her groan. "You didn't!"
"I didn't what?" He seemed the picture of innocence.
"You sent that letter to Hagrid-and if I hear one word about his intelligence, I'm going to strangle you!" Ginny clenched her jaw and took a deep breath, praying silently for patience. After a moment she stared at her feet and said quietly, "Anyway…now that I'm here, I wanted to tell you, thank you."
She heard him sigh. "Thank me for what? The only reason I taught you about Quidditch was because you were bloody blackmailing me, you evil little witch." His voice was teasing.
"No, I mean-for the Firebolt. I was so stupid, not thinking about that. You should have seen me-I was a sight, I'm sure, looking all panicked and anxious. I don't know what I would have done without you-
"Weasley, I didn't send you any Firebolt."
Ginny's eyes snapped up to his. "W-what?"
Malfoy sighed, looking almost regretful. "I was wondering if you had figured it out yet. Guess you aren't as smart as I thought you were."
Head spinning, Ginny gaped at him. Finally she grabbed his robes and yanked him down, pressing her lips against his feverishly. Roaring heat did indeed curl through her, altogether too pleasant and too warming, but-
"I don't love you!" Ginny murmured to herself desperately as she pulled back from him. "I can't!"
Malfoy looked at her dazedly. "What?"
"Nothing. So-do you know who sent me the Firebolt?" Her heart almost hammered through her ribs.
He shook his head, eyes still clouded, breath coming fast. "I- er, Weasley, I can't believe you. Who is the only other person in this school who has ever owned a bloody Firebolt?" With that he rolled his eyes and stalked off, muttering beneath his breath about Gryffindor's and their stupid teen angst.
Ginny slid down against the wall to sit on the grass, her mind whirling crazily. "Harry…"
Harry closed his Divination book with a frustrated sigh-he wasn't getting anywhere with it tonight. He looked across the common room, eyes picking out Ginny easily where she sat. She was on the rug before the fire, chatting about something very seriously with a fiercely frowning Hermione.
He looked back at Ginny, and saw how the flames picked out the fiery glints in her hair, how soft and intelligent her brandy colored eyes. A now familiar ache began somewhere in his chest, and he set his jaw against it, looking back down at the parchment next to his book. He had homework…Trelawney was expecting two rolls on his predictions for his own life for the next two months. Usually he just made up some god-awful, dreary happenstances about some misfortune he'd be going through-it actually seemed to make her happy, the mad old cow.
His creative well had run dry that evening though, and he rested his head on his hand, tapping his quill impatiently. He supposed he could go bother Ron about it-he always had some pretty disturbing ideas running amuck in his head-but he didn't seem to want to move.
He thought back to that day three weeks ago when he'd rounded a corner coming out of the Kitchens and saw Ginny and Malfoy talking in heated voices. He'd been surprised to see Ginny out of bed after hours- she certainly didn't seem the sort-and why the hell was she talking to Malfoy?
He'd been hidden under the safety of his invisibility cloak, and had stepped closer, trying to hear what was being said. He'd actually had to stop himself laughing when he realized Ginny had Malfoy in a very interesting position-and Ginny was the one who actually has permission from McGonagall to be in the halls this late.
And then he'd heard it, the one little comment that had changed his life forever- "I want you to teach me how to play Quidditch."
He'd blinked, eyeing Ginny oddly. What?
Malfoy had been cracking up. "You? Play Quidditch? You're a girl!"
Ginny had sounded very indignant. "Millicent plays Quidditch."
"Yes, but she doesn't play like a girl."
Ginny had said something about Draco's ability as a Seeker, he hadn't quite caught it and was sorry he hadn't, and then…
"Why would you want me to teach you how to play, anyway? Why not ask Potter or that brother of yours? If I'm so bloody rotten at it, why force me into it?"
She'd paused. "They won't-they'll say they don't have time, or laugh-like you-or tell me they don't want me to get hurt. All excuses my brothers used when we were growing up and nobody wanted sweet little Ginny getting hurt." Her eyes narrowed.
"I have to do this-it's the only way I-
She'd stopped then, wide eyes shooting up to Malfoy's.
Harry had gasped, but they'd been too busy sniping at each other to pay attention.
He'd known Ginny had always had some silly little crush on him-but he had thought she'd finally grown out of it. It had been years…
When Ginny had moved away at last, he'd removed the cloak and stepped up to a startled Malfoy. "You are not teaching her anything, Malfoy."
Malfoy had recovered, and smirked at him. "Why not? I don't want to get into trouble, now do I?"
Harry had glared at him. "She's just a kid-she'll get hurt."
"She seems to have grown up quite a bit when you weren't looking, Potter," the blond boy had murmured thoughtfully.
"No."
"Oh, come on, Potter. She loves you," he snorted at the 'l' word. "You don't want to crush her delicate heart do you?"
"No…and don't pretend you give a crap, Malfoy-I know you're just doing this to save your own ass." Harry thought for a moment and then sighed. "Fine. If she gets hurt though, I'm turning you into a bloody toad, permanently."
Harry was dragged out of his thoughts by Neville Longbottom, who was digging around frantically under the table. Harry ducked his head down. "What is it, Neville? Lose Trevor again?"
"Yes! But I saw him, he was just here-Trevor wait!" He upset the table as he dashed off after the toad. Harry's homework and books slid into a mess on the floor, and Harry rolled his eyes, bending down to pick his things up.
"Let me help you,"
He looked up into Ginny's eyes as they both reached for his Divination book at the same time. She pulled her hand back as if it had been scalded. She looked away and piled his parchment neatly, sliding it back onto the table. Harry closed his eyes momentarily as her warm breath brushed his cheek.
"There, all done." They stayed that way, facing each other on their knees behind the table.
Harry looked at her steadily, suddenly tiring of denying what he'd come to feel for her. He knew she was over him-she'd been staring at Malfoy almost mooningly at dinner the other night, and he'd known he'd missed his chance. Why hadn't he seen her for the beautiful young woman she'd grown into before the damned Quidditch try-outs? Maybe he shouldn't have sent her his old Firebolt-maybe things would have been different. Maybe he should have paid her more attention…if only… he closed his eyes and stood abruptly, helping her up.
"Thanks," they both said at the same time. Harry released her hand reluctantly, and picked up his books from the table. "I think I need to go to the Library. There's too much going on here to think," he said, looking after Neville still rushing after his forever-truant frog.
Ginny looked at him sadly, and then she seemed to sturdy herself. "You know what? I think I'll come with."
Before he could say a word, she'd grabbed his elbow and her bag and they were crawling out of the portrait entrance into the silent hall.
"Don't be out too long, dears, it's almost curfew," the fat lady said kindly with a twinkle in her eye.
"Right," Ginny grinned, pulling Harry off with her in the direction of the Library.
Harry walked with Ginny, frowning. What was going on?
Ginny tried to stop her heart's painful race, but it was impossible. She couldn't believe she was doing what she was doing. But she'd lost her patience-her feelings couldn't be hid any longer. Harry was going to listen to her, and that was that. No matter if she was horrifically, cripplingly embarrassed on the morrow. No matter that she hadn't sorted her feelings out for Draco-what was she thinking? This wasn't fair to Harry! But she was desperate to prove her heart wrong-She grimaced as they arrived at the Library Tapestry. Instead of going in, she grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him further down the hall to a small curtained alcove.
"Ginny, what-
"Quiet, Harry." She threw her bag down and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him.
Harry stiffened, and brought his hands up to her wrists, and for a moment she thought he was about to push her away. But then he slid his hands down over and around her shoulders, and kissed her back, his body relaxing.
After several minutes, Ginny pushed away and sat on a small stone bench against the wall, trying to catch her breath.
Harry's glasses were askew, his green eyes glazed over, his chest moving rapidly. He ran trembling hands through his hair and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Ginny-
"No, I'm going to talk, and you are going to listen, Harry Potter, or I'm going to –to-oh I don't know, but it'll be something bad." She smiled slightly when he rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall.
Taking a deep breath, she stood and began, "I Love You, Harry. I always have-yes, it may had been a little girl's crush when I was ten, but-" she bit her lip, pausing. "I know this is just another thing you don't need to worry over, but I wanted you to know, I had to tell you. And thank you."
He looked up at her startled.
"Yes, I know about the Firebolt-Malfoy told me. I don't know why, but he did." She took a cautious step forward. "You knew I was going to try out all along, didn't you?"
Harry nodded reluctantly.
"You…knew why?"
He stared at her, eyes piercing. "Yes."
"Oh."
It was quiet for a long moment before she sighed. "You must think I'm a complete git."
"Ginny, no." Stepping away from the wall, he took her hands in his. "I admit, I was completely and utterly blind to you-you've just always been Ron's little sister-wait," he said softly when she tried to pull away. "But that day of the try-outs, when I saw how confident you were, how excited and nervous and…knowing all you had gone through just for me…you looked so beautiful that day. It was like I had woken up from a dream. I think I fell in love with you though when I saw you knock that Quaffle past Malfoy's head."
Ginny looked at him, horrified. "Y-you saw that? You watched me practice! Oh god!" She turned from him and sat down on the bench, white faced. "I think I'm going to throw up."
Harry sat next to her, tilting her head up. "Ginny, look at me. I just came because I didn't trust Malfoy to not let you get hurt."
"I looked like a total nutter that first day! Oh, and you saw it!" She covered her eyes and groaned, cheeks burning with humiliation. "I wish I could disappear!"
Harry tugged her hands from her face and smiled at her. "Ginny, please don't be upset. It wasn't that bad," he lied.
She chanced a glance at him. "Really?"
"Really. Besides, who cares? You took right to it the next day. I was very proud of you."
Ginny laughed. "Wait…did you just say you loved me?"
Harry nodded solemnly. "I did."
She smiled at him beautifically, and it was like the gates of heaven opened up on him. She threw herself into his arms and he rested his chin on her head, thanking whoever had seen fit to at last send him someone who truly loved him.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for this," Ginny was whispering against his chest.
"I think I do," he whispered back, closing his eyes. "I really think I do."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Finally," Ginny thought to herself, "Harry loves me."
The atmosphere was odd, fuzzy. She thought everything looked soft, and moved slow…
She sighed guiltily against Harry's neck, her lips brushing his skin. "I-I have something to tell you, though." She pulled back from his arms; unbelieving that she was about to say what she was about to say, screaming at herself inside to stop before she ruined everything.
"No, Ginny, please don't-
"I have to tell you-
"No, Ginny don't say it, don't tell me-" Harry's warm green eyes suddenly went silvery gray, flashing coldly as he pleaded with her, "Please-
"I have to tell you…I think I may be in Love with Draco Malfoy.'
"No, Ginny…" Harry looked at her sadly, and she had the feeling she'd just lost him. The world around them went dark, and Ginny gasped as Harry changed into Draco, and he was laughing, gripping her upper arms, leaning close, the orange and purple fire in his opal eyes flashing triumphantly as he captured her lips harshly with his. "You're mine, Ginny…Potter will never touch you again…"
Ginny fell helplessly against him, though her heart felt ripped out by the knowledge she'd just lost Harry…
Ginny woke up with a gasp in her bed, eyes watering, a sob in her throat, chest aching. "Harry."
(A/N: This is getting to even me-does anyone else's chest hurt unbearably? ::Sniffles:: I think I'm torn between Harry and Draco, too. Oh well-I'll keep on writing-I needed to buy tissues anyways…Let me know if this is getting super lame! Thanks to all of you who reviewed-you guys so rock!)