Disclaimer: I own the plot, and any characters I decide to add in.
Chapter 4
Letting It Out
Ginny was back in happy spirits the next week, leaving everyone to wonder what exactly had happened. The contrast between her then and now was so incredible that they knew something bad had happened. Ron especially was thankful for the change, and spent more time just talking and paying attention to her.
As for Ginny, she was anxious for her meeting with Draco the next day. The time went by incredibly slow as she thought about what he might have to say to her. After what seemed like an eternity, dinnertime on Friday finally came. She quickly told Ron she had something important to attend to and not to miss her, and rushed out to meet Draco in the Astronomy Tower. She nimbly rushed up the steps, but stopped at the door and soundlessly pushed it open.
Draco was pacing the floor back and forth, talking to himself. "That won't work... you idiot, why'd you tell her to... maybe the truth-no the truth sucks-"
"The truth would do for me," Ginny said and stepped in. "Honesty is the best policy, you know."
"Right."
They stood still and looked at each other. "Um... sit down," he told her. She obeyed. Draco started pacing again. "Ginny, I have to tell you. I couldn't stand you not coming to dinner, not laughing or even talking at all."
Ginny's mouth was open, wordlessly moving up and down, and her eyes never left his face.
"I knew you liked me- heck, maybe even loved me, and I was your problem. I had to send you the note."
"Why?" Ginny whispered. It sounded as though she didn't seem to have mastered the use of her voice.
Draco took a deep breath. "It- it doesn't matter. But know I don't hate you."
He looked her in the eye for the first time. Ginny just sat there, unable to speak. "Uh... Ginny? Now would be the time to say something."
"You knew I loved you, you knew and you still put my through hell?" She had started out in a whisper, but her voice was rapidly growing louder. "Damn it Draco, I did love you! And I know you felt something for me too- so why did you do it?"
He didn't answer.
"TELL ME NOW, DRACO!" Ginny yelled. She was furious beyond belief. "TELL ME WHY YOU TURNED ME AWAY WHEN YOU LOVE ME!"
"Jeez Gin, I said I didn't hate you, not that I loved you!"
"Fine," she replied calmly, and walked over to him in the same state. To his enormous surprise, she kissed him full on the mouth. And then neither of them were able to think of anything else. Ginny finally pulled away and said, "Now look me in the eye and tell me you don't care about me deeply."
He couldn't. Not after that- no girl he'd kissed before had made him feel so complete, so happy, so...incredible.
Ginny smiled triumphantly, but then turned serious again. "Tell me now, or I'm walking away from you forever."
Damn this girl was good. All Draco had planned to do was tell her part of the truth, get her in good spirits, and get her OUT. Now she had him trapped and bound.
"Fine," he sighed. "Sit." She sat across from him and held his hands. Draco tried to concentrate, wondering at the same time what was wrong with him. "Well- Voldemort will use any link to get to Harry that he can. If he'd found out about you- which he did, as you know- he would use you to get to Harry. Not that I care a whole lot about Harry," he added quickly as Ginny started to smile. "I just wouldn't want to see you tortured."
"So you pushed me away and made me torture myself? For some crazy reason I think that's worse."
"I'm sorry!" Draco said exasperatedly. "I didn't know what to do. Gin- you make me want to be... better, and it scared me."
"I know," Ginny giggled and snuggled into him. "I forgive you. Just don't do it again," she added.
"I won't."
Ginny sat up and looked him in the eye. "Promise me," she demanded.
"What?" Draco laughed. "Why?"
"Because it means you will never intentionally hurt me again. Promise me. Don't look at me like that, just do it!"
"Fine." Draco turned and looked her in the eye. "I promise you Ginny, I will never hurt you again."
Ginny sent him a dreamy smile. "That's all I needed to know."
Ginny and Draco had been meeting in secret for two weeks in between classes whenever they could. Ginny learned so much about Draco, but she there were barriers there that frustrated her.
"Draco," she said one afternoon in the Charms classroom. "Why don't you want to follow in your father's footsteps?"
Draco's eyes turned stony, and Ginny quickly put her hand on his arm. "You don't have to tell me, I just-"
"No, I'll tell you," Draco replied. Ginny felt a thrill rush inside her from Draco finally opening himself up to her. Draco started explaining. "When I was younger, everything I did was to try and please my dad. He was a person who demanded respect from every being, and I desired that. Now, my father wasn't bad to me- quite the opposite, in fact, as Voldemort was gone. He treated me to anything I wanted, though he did insult me quite often. I had heard stories of him torturing muggles, and was repeatedly told that if he came back into power I was to follow in his footsteps. I was excited at the time; in fact, it was last summer that everything changed.
"He brought me down to the chambers one afternoon, and I was met with the most degrading sight of my life. A man- a muggle man had been tortured for weeks by my father. There wasn't one place of his body that I didn't see blood. He was so devoid of strength that he couldn't even pick himself up off the ground. My father turned to me and said, 'Finish him off.' I was guaranteed a going to heaven or hell in a matter of seconds. I couldn't answer him; I just stood there. How could my father, my formidable, respectful father do something like this? I had no answer; I was just disgusted. He gave that sort of sigh to me and said, 'I suppose that this time I'll finish him off for you. But next time you'll have to- for the sake of Voldemort.' Then he turned to the man and killed him. Just like that. As though his life were no more valuable than an ant's. It was in that moment that I knew I was not- and would never be- like my father."
The room was silent. Ginny whispered, "Oh, Draco," and hugged him tight. She buried her face into his chest. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
"It's fine," Draco sighed, and he looked years older. "He doesn't know yet- I'm due to get it over the summer, so I've time to figure out what to do. Dumbledore's helping me, while I give him inside information."
"What does he have in mind for you?"
"I might get 'caught' and put into the new prison their building."
"No!" Ginny shouted, then blushed and mumbled something. Draco smiled cockily. "What was that? Didn't catch it."
"I said, I wanted you to be near me."
"I think it would be a little too obvious, Gin..." She glared at him, eyes a little glazed over, and started to move away. "Hey- I didn't say I wouldn't suggest it." He tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes deeply. "I want to be near you, too."
He bent forward to catch her mouth with his, and suddenly everything was right again.
Ginny was supposed to be doing her homework that afternoon, but for some strange reason her mind kept on wandering. She sat in front of the fire and looked outside as the snowflakes fell. She smiled. That's what she and Draco were- fire and ice.
"... he's been acting strange lately, it's not like him to walk away from a challenge," she heard Ron say.
Harry snorted. "Yeah, especially from you."
"You're right though, Ron," Hermione said thoughtfully. "He hasn't said one nasty thing to you for ages."
"You think-" Harry stopped, and Ginny felt three glances fall on her back.
"Nah, Ginny's smarter than to hang with that prick. But I say we use your cloak, Harry, and try to find out."
"Yeah, sure, we can use the map, too," Harry added. "Let's start now."
"No!" Hermione interjected. "We have to finish the Herbology assignment, then we can follow Malfoy.
The boys groaned, but followed obligingly.
Crap! Ginny thought, and waited until the three left. She ran out sprinted the long way to the library- Draco had said he'd had to finish some homework. She looked glanced over her shoulder as she entered the library and saw the three turning the corner behind her. Ginny quickly ducked behind a far bookcase and tried to catch Draco's eye. He looked up in surprise, but closed his book and walked toward her. Before he could get a word out she started. "Harry, Ron, and Hermione know you're not being yourself. You've got to start insulting them again or something!" Ginny panted.
Draco raised his eyebrows. "Wait- so you're saying you want me to tease your friends? Well, if you insist..."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "They're going to follow you tonight- they have a map that shows where anybody is at any time, and an invisibility cloak."
Draco whistled. "How on Earth did Potter get a hold of those?"
"His father."
He looked at her suspiciously. "And how do you know all of this."
Ginny got an unusual glint in her eye and gave a sly smile. "Draco, I make it my business to know everything."
He sniggered. "Alright- meet me in McGonagall's room in five minutes to figure something out- God knows I can't have those three on my back or I won't get a second alone with you." He grinned evilly at her. "You know, you might take me up on my offer..."
"No," Ginny said vehemently. "And I'd appreciate it if you'd stop asking."
"Whoa, chill. Just checking. But just to warn you- I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep my hands- wait, no my hands have definitely been-"
"Oh, shut it," Ginny snapped and turned to go. But Draco held her back, and she saw that he had that rare, meaningful look in his eye.
"You know I only stopped harassing them for you."
Later that night at dinner, Draco and Ginny exchanged numerous glances. Ginny waited anxiously for Harry, Hermione, and Ron to finish eating.
"Ginny, you're not going to go on starving yourself again, are you? Honestly, I don't understand what is with girls these days."
"No, I snuck some food from the kitchens earlier," Ginny answered quickly. The last thing she needed was for Ron to get on her back again.
"Oh, well then, I think we-" he glanced at Hermione and Harry- "have to- er- do something in the, er, library, so let's go."
Ginny sent one last glance towards Draco, only to see he was already out of his chair. She waited a moment, then got up and silently followed.
Ginny exited the hall just in time to see Draco knock Harry over, and the contents of his bag came spilling out. She ducked quickly behind a statue and said, "Accio Parchment!" The parchment flew into her hand, unnoticed by each, save one.
"Long time, hasn't it Weasel?" Draco drawled. Ginny could have laughed. He really did get a joy from tormenting them. "And you too, Potty. Was it my imagination, or did I see you and Granger over here "entwined", as I like to call it, in the Charms classroom?"
Harry's mouth fell open and he shouted, " That's a lie, Malfoy!"
"Oh really? Seems like your buddy over here may not believe that." Sure enough, Ron had forgotten about Draco and was looking flabberghastedly at Harry.
"Nice to talk to you again." Draco shot them one last trademark smirk before heading on his way. The three were silent.
"I can't believe this," Ron said quietly.
"Ron, you know I would never- we would never-" Hermione tried.
"Save it," Ron cut in before walking away. "Seems I've fallen for enough of your excuses already."
Hermione and Harry silently left too after picking Harry's stuff. Ginny felt horrible. She knew that Draco had made that up, but she still felt guilty for causing a fight between them. Oh well, she told herself as she tried to shake the feeling off. They'll be back holding hands in the next couple of hours- a fight will only give them a few hours of breathing time away from each other. She suddenly felt a hand grasp her arm, and knowing who it was, she turned to speak to him.
"You're terrible!" She said, shaking her head and smiling in spite of herself.
"I know."
That's it for now... please, please review!! Thanks to all those who did review, btw! I hope you this chapter was up to standards.
Next chapter will be up SOON so be sure to look for it!
Chapter 4
Letting It Out
Ginny was back in happy spirits the next week, leaving everyone to wonder what exactly had happened. The contrast between her then and now was so incredible that they knew something bad had happened. Ron especially was thankful for the change, and spent more time just talking and paying attention to her.
As for Ginny, she was anxious for her meeting with Draco the next day. The time went by incredibly slow as she thought about what he might have to say to her. After what seemed like an eternity, dinnertime on Friday finally came. She quickly told Ron she had something important to attend to and not to miss her, and rushed out to meet Draco in the Astronomy Tower. She nimbly rushed up the steps, but stopped at the door and soundlessly pushed it open.
Draco was pacing the floor back and forth, talking to himself. "That won't work... you idiot, why'd you tell her to... maybe the truth-no the truth sucks-"
"The truth would do for me," Ginny said and stepped in. "Honesty is the best policy, you know."
"Right."
They stood still and looked at each other. "Um... sit down," he told her. She obeyed. Draco started pacing again. "Ginny, I have to tell you. I couldn't stand you not coming to dinner, not laughing or even talking at all."
Ginny's mouth was open, wordlessly moving up and down, and her eyes never left his face.
"I knew you liked me- heck, maybe even loved me, and I was your problem. I had to send you the note."
"Why?" Ginny whispered. It sounded as though she didn't seem to have mastered the use of her voice.
Draco took a deep breath. "It- it doesn't matter. But know I don't hate you."
He looked her in the eye for the first time. Ginny just sat there, unable to speak. "Uh... Ginny? Now would be the time to say something."
"You knew I loved you, you knew and you still put my through hell?" She had started out in a whisper, but her voice was rapidly growing louder. "Damn it Draco, I did love you! And I know you felt something for me too- so why did you do it?"
He didn't answer.
"TELL ME NOW, DRACO!" Ginny yelled. She was furious beyond belief. "TELL ME WHY YOU TURNED ME AWAY WHEN YOU LOVE ME!"
"Jeez Gin, I said I didn't hate you, not that I loved you!"
"Fine," she replied calmly, and walked over to him in the same state. To his enormous surprise, she kissed him full on the mouth. And then neither of them were able to think of anything else. Ginny finally pulled away and said, "Now look me in the eye and tell me you don't care about me deeply."
He couldn't. Not after that- no girl he'd kissed before had made him feel so complete, so happy, so...incredible.
Ginny smiled triumphantly, but then turned serious again. "Tell me now, or I'm walking away from you forever."
Damn this girl was good. All Draco had planned to do was tell her part of the truth, get her in good spirits, and get her OUT. Now she had him trapped and bound.
"Fine," he sighed. "Sit." She sat across from him and held his hands. Draco tried to concentrate, wondering at the same time what was wrong with him. "Well- Voldemort will use any link to get to Harry that he can. If he'd found out about you- which he did, as you know- he would use you to get to Harry. Not that I care a whole lot about Harry," he added quickly as Ginny started to smile. "I just wouldn't want to see you tortured."
"So you pushed me away and made me torture myself? For some crazy reason I think that's worse."
"I'm sorry!" Draco said exasperatedly. "I didn't know what to do. Gin- you make me want to be... better, and it scared me."
"I know," Ginny giggled and snuggled into him. "I forgive you. Just don't do it again," she added.
"I won't."
Ginny sat up and looked him in the eye. "Promise me," she demanded.
"What?" Draco laughed. "Why?"
"Because it means you will never intentionally hurt me again. Promise me. Don't look at me like that, just do it!"
"Fine." Draco turned and looked her in the eye. "I promise you Ginny, I will never hurt you again."
Ginny sent him a dreamy smile. "That's all I needed to know."
Ginny and Draco had been meeting in secret for two weeks in between classes whenever they could. Ginny learned so much about Draco, but she there were barriers there that frustrated her.
"Draco," she said one afternoon in the Charms classroom. "Why don't you want to follow in your father's footsteps?"
Draco's eyes turned stony, and Ginny quickly put her hand on his arm. "You don't have to tell me, I just-"
"No, I'll tell you," Draco replied. Ginny felt a thrill rush inside her from Draco finally opening himself up to her. Draco started explaining. "When I was younger, everything I did was to try and please my dad. He was a person who demanded respect from every being, and I desired that. Now, my father wasn't bad to me- quite the opposite, in fact, as Voldemort was gone. He treated me to anything I wanted, though he did insult me quite often. I had heard stories of him torturing muggles, and was repeatedly told that if he came back into power I was to follow in his footsteps. I was excited at the time; in fact, it was last summer that everything changed.
"He brought me down to the chambers one afternoon, and I was met with the most degrading sight of my life. A man- a muggle man had been tortured for weeks by my father. There wasn't one place of his body that I didn't see blood. He was so devoid of strength that he couldn't even pick himself up off the ground. My father turned to me and said, 'Finish him off.' I was guaranteed a going to heaven or hell in a matter of seconds. I couldn't answer him; I just stood there. How could my father, my formidable, respectful father do something like this? I had no answer; I was just disgusted. He gave that sort of sigh to me and said, 'I suppose that this time I'll finish him off for you. But next time you'll have to- for the sake of Voldemort.' Then he turned to the man and killed him. Just like that. As though his life were no more valuable than an ant's. It was in that moment that I knew I was not- and would never be- like my father."
The room was silent. Ginny whispered, "Oh, Draco," and hugged him tight. She buried her face into his chest. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
"It's fine," Draco sighed, and he looked years older. "He doesn't know yet- I'm due to get it over the summer, so I've time to figure out what to do. Dumbledore's helping me, while I give him inside information."
"What does he have in mind for you?"
"I might get 'caught' and put into the new prison their building."
"No!" Ginny shouted, then blushed and mumbled something. Draco smiled cockily. "What was that? Didn't catch it."
"I said, I wanted you to be near me."
"I think it would be a little too obvious, Gin..." She glared at him, eyes a little glazed over, and started to move away. "Hey- I didn't say I wouldn't suggest it." He tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes deeply. "I want to be near you, too."
He bent forward to catch her mouth with his, and suddenly everything was right again.
Ginny was supposed to be doing her homework that afternoon, but for some strange reason her mind kept on wandering. She sat in front of the fire and looked outside as the snowflakes fell. She smiled. That's what she and Draco were- fire and ice.
"... he's been acting strange lately, it's not like him to walk away from a challenge," she heard Ron say.
Harry snorted. "Yeah, especially from you."
"You're right though, Ron," Hermione said thoughtfully. "He hasn't said one nasty thing to you for ages."
"You think-" Harry stopped, and Ginny felt three glances fall on her back.
"Nah, Ginny's smarter than to hang with that prick. But I say we use your cloak, Harry, and try to find out."
"Yeah, sure, we can use the map, too," Harry added. "Let's start now."
"No!" Hermione interjected. "We have to finish the Herbology assignment, then we can follow Malfoy.
The boys groaned, but followed obligingly.
Crap! Ginny thought, and waited until the three left. She ran out sprinted the long way to the library- Draco had said he'd had to finish some homework. She looked glanced over her shoulder as she entered the library and saw the three turning the corner behind her. Ginny quickly ducked behind a far bookcase and tried to catch Draco's eye. He looked up in surprise, but closed his book and walked toward her. Before he could get a word out she started. "Harry, Ron, and Hermione know you're not being yourself. You've got to start insulting them again or something!" Ginny panted.
Draco raised his eyebrows. "Wait- so you're saying you want me to tease your friends? Well, if you insist..."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "They're going to follow you tonight- they have a map that shows where anybody is at any time, and an invisibility cloak."
Draco whistled. "How on Earth did Potter get a hold of those?"
"His father."
He looked at her suspiciously. "And how do you know all of this."
Ginny got an unusual glint in her eye and gave a sly smile. "Draco, I make it my business to know everything."
He sniggered. "Alright- meet me in McGonagall's room in five minutes to figure something out- God knows I can't have those three on my back or I won't get a second alone with you." He grinned evilly at her. "You know, you might take me up on my offer..."
"No," Ginny said vehemently. "And I'd appreciate it if you'd stop asking."
"Whoa, chill. Just checking. But just to warn you- I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep my hands- wait, no my hands have definitely been-"
"Oh, shut it," Ginny snapped and turned to go. But Draco held her back, and she saw that he had that rare, meaningful look in his eye.
"You know I only stopped harassing them for you."
Later that night at dinner, Draco and Ginny exchanged numerous glances. Ginny waited anxiously for Harry, Hermione, and Ron to finish eating.
"Ginny, you're not going to go on starving yourself again, are you? Honestly, I don't understand what is with girls these days."
"No, I snuck some food from the kitchens earlier," Ginny answered quickly. The last thing she needed was for Ron to get on her back again.
"Oh, well then, I think we-" he glanced at Hermione and Harry- "have to- er- do something in the, er, library, so let's go."
Ginny sent one last glance towards Draco, only to see he was already out of his chair. She waited a moment, then got up and silently followed.
Ginny exited the hall just in time to see Draco knock Harry over, and the contents of his bag came spilling out. She ducked quickly behind a statue and said, "Accio Parchment!" The parchment flew into her hand, unnoticed by each, save one.
"Long time, hasn't it Weasel?" Draco drawled. Ginny could have laughed. He really did get a joy from tormenting them. "And you too, Potty. Was it my imagination, or did I see you and Granger over here "entwined", as I like to call it, in the Charms classroom?"
Harry's mouth fell open and he shouted, " That's a lie, Malfoy!"
"Oh really? Seems like your buddy over here may not believe that." Sure enough, Ron had forgotten about Draco and was looking flabberghastedly at Harry.
"Nice to talk to you again." Draco shot them one last trademark smirk before heading on his way. The three were silent.
"I can't believe this," Ron said quietly.
"Ron, you know I would never- we would never-" Hermione tried.
"Save it," Ron cut in before walking away. "Seems I've fallen for enough of your excuses already."
Hermione and Harry silently left too after picking Harry's stuff. Ginny felt horrible. She knew that Draco had made that up, but she still felt guilty for causing a fight between them. Oh well, she told herself as she tried to shake the feeling off. They'll be back holding hands in the next couple of hours- a fight will only give them a few hours of breathing time away from each other. She suddenly felt a hand grasp her arm, and knowing who it was, she turned to speak to him.
"You're terrible!" She said, shaking her head and smiling in spite of herself.
"I know."
That's it for now... please, please review!! Thanks to all those who did review, btw! I hope you this chapter was up to standards.
Next chapter will be up SOON so be sure to look for it!