Chapter 4
By Crystal
*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*
~*~ Ginny ~*~
It was Christmas morning already. All five of us were staying here, meaning the 'Dream Team', Draco and I. Not a lot were staying here, but Draco signed up to stay for whatever reason. I smiled happily and looked out the window. It was snowing and everything was coated in snow. For the first time, I wasn't going to spend a lonely Christmas. Well, I was rarely lonely, but what I meant was someone to understand me, and that someone was Draco. I slipped on a crimson turtleneck, my warmest one and a pair of jeans and carried my presents to the common room, like every year. And the three of them were already opening their presents. Not surprising, really, they forgot about me, again.
Ron wasn't happy about the Ball, still, but Hermione convinced him that it was my life. Thank Hermione for that. She must've been really shocked at what I said to convince the both of them. Although things returned to normal, I was in the shadows again, except when Draco's name came up. Then I was in the spotlight. "Merry Christmas, Ginny!" Hermione said, smiling.
I smiled back, "Merry Christmas, everyone." I said down and began opening my presents. From Hermione, I got a journal and a quill to match it. Gold and crimson, Gryffindor colours. A scarf from Harry, sweater from Ron and they matched. Mum sent me another hand-knitted jumper and some fudges. Fred and George gave me a box that I did not dare open yet, Charlie gave me a journal, Bill gave me a book and Percy gave me another book. What was with me, journal and books?! Everyone seemed to think I liked them. Ugh. Then I opened the last package. I didn't need a tag to tell who it was from, but there was a tag nonetheless.
Virginia,
Merry Christmas.
-Draco.
I smiled and opened the package. There was a small and big one. Inside the small one was a silver heart pendant with a necklace and a bracelet that matched the necklace and inside the big one was a beautiful cloak. A green one with silver fastenings. The cloak was forest green and it was made of velvet. It was... breath-taking. I never owned something so beautiful in my life, and expensive. I draped the cloak around my shoulder and a book fell out of it. I read the title, Ludwig van Beethoven's Best and Others. I grinned, Draco sure knew what I wanted.
At that moment, Hermione looked up, "Ginny, who's the cloak from? It's beautiful."
I smiled, "Draco." Ron made a disgusted noise and obviously still fuming about the Ball. I shot a glare at him, otherwise, I ignored him. I hated Ron for hating Draco. He never knows anything about me or anyone but his two best buddies. But I decided to have fun, "Let's go have some breakfast!" Without waiting for their reply, I put all my stuff and folded my new cloak neatly and rushed down the stairs. I wonder how Draco will like the present I gave him?
When I reached the Great Hall, Draco was already there, playing with a puppy. A golden retriever. I smiled and sat down next to him. "Merry Christmas, Draco."
"Merry Christmas, did you like the presents?" I nodded my head up and down and patted the puppy on the head with my left hand while my right hand was tracing the necklace he gave me.
"Liked mine?"
"Yeah. Why'd you give me a puppy?" I gave him a look that said 'I'll tell you later'. Satisfied, we started eating breakfast and chatting, oblivious to the whole school looking at us, but I did catch Professor Dumbledore's amused and twinkling eyes more than once when they were looking at the both of us. And I did see Professor Snape's mouth almost curve upwards, but caught himself in time. I smiled a bit while looking at Draco with the corner of my eyes looking at him, but he knew I was smiling at him. Draco knew too and gave me his trademark smirk. "You look beautiful with the necklace." He pointed at my neck and I blushed, slightly. "What do you want to name him?" He said, holding up the puppy.
"Her... It's up to you, I guess. After all, it is your puppy." I scratched the back of her ears and the puppy closed its eyes. Not only did I give him a puppy, but I also gave him a novel about Titanic.
Draco smiled, and then grinned immediately, "I thought dogs weren't allowed in the school."
I shrugged, "Since cats, owls and toads were allowed, I figured, why not dogs? I even asked Professor Dumbledore if it's all right with him. He said yes."
After breakfast, we went our separate ways, saying we'll meet by the lake in half an hour. I had to go up and get my new cloak and he had to get his. You might think I'm awfully cheap to give him a puppy, but everything I've done so far has a significance. I know my time in life is short, and I'm planning to make everything as perfect for everyone as it can be, including mine. The 'Dream Team' was already there and they asked if I wanted to participate in a snowball fight, and I said if Draco could play with us too. After a bit of convincing, Ron agreed. Harry wasn't that hard to agree with, since he never really liked me and only asked me to the Ball cause he was alone. Never the one to hold a grudge either.
We were walking down the halls to the entrance when we met Professor Snape. "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. It's such a beautiful day outside. Wouldn't it be a pity to waste it inside? Now go out before I take points from the three of you!" Then he looked at me, "Why, hello there Ms. Weasley. Have a great day and Merry Christmas."
I grinned, I swear, Draco is rubbing off on me, "Bye Professor Snape. Have a great day and Merry Christmas to you too!" I shouted after him. As I turned around, I was met with three shocked Gryffindors.
"I swear, that bloody Snape..." Ron said before I put my fingers on his lips.
"You wouldn't want to do that, Ronald Weasley." I said, grinning. I was having fun and even Professor Snape wasn't mean to me, and I think I was the only Gryffindor he was nice to. "Wouldn't want me to tell on you, now would you?" I grinned again. Okay, maybe I said I wanted to make it as perfect for everyone as it can be... But there are some exceptions... Like people who have been making my life hell.
We met Draco and his puppy, or 'our' puppy at the lake and began our snowball fight and was later joined by Hannah Abbott who was also staying for Christmas. A Hufflepuff. Draco even said that I looked like a Christmas tree. Not my fault, I just wore my favourite turtle neck and he gave me a green cloak... Anyways, it was decided that it was a girl against boy snowball fight and the puppy (We still haven't named her yet) was running around like he had no care in the world. Everything went fine... And it was fun. I was just getting a bit wet, until...
"DRACONIS LUCIUS MALFOY!" I screamed my head off. I saw him wince visibly at my tone and gave myself two thumbs up inwardly. He hit me on the back of the head with a snowball! I chased him stand around while the others watched, clearly amused at little innocent Ginny chasing after big bad evil Draco. I grinned triumphantly as I got his head.
Everything was fine until my chest started hurting again. Another coughing fit, and right before the 'Dream Team' too. Draco must've seen how I tried to stop my coughing, and told them he wanted to talk to me privately and leaded me away from the group.
"Are you all right?" I nodded, and once again, coughed out blood. I knew it was getting worst, and I knew Draco knew too... But... I was too scared to let anyone else know. Too scared. Because if I let them know, I'm afraid they'll lock me inside and then I won't be able to go out to the lake when I have to think, they won't let me go to the piano room anymore. They'll think I'm weak and look after me and be over-protective like my family. Once again, after coughing, Draco wiped away the blood from my mouth then hugged me again. I loved him so much... "You should really go to Madam Pomfrey." He said quietly.
Wanting to change the conversation, I asked, "So what did you decide to name her?" I asked, pointing to the dog.
"Don't try to change the conversation, Virginia..." I shrugged, clearly showing I was not going to go to Madam Pomfrey's and there was not a thing in the world that would change my mind. "Aurora... After my sister."
My eyebrows went up, "You have a sister?"
As soon as the question was answered, his eyes hardened like they were, the familiar eyes I had seen for the past few years... "Had." He said quietly. I frowned in confusion. "My father killed her." A gasped escaped from my lips. "Don't worry about it, it was years and years ago..." I knew he was just shitting... By the looks of it, he still hated his father of what he did to her sister.
Once again, trying to changed the conversation, I pulled the puppy on my lap and whispered to her ears, "Your name's Aurora now. Aurora Malfoy." I said, grinning and looked up at Draco. Surprisingly, he was looking at me with cold eyes. Those cold eyes that could made my whole body shiver with fear. Those darn emotionless eyes that I hated.
"Why'd you give me the puppy?"
I looked up at him, then looked away again. I sighed. "Just in case... you know..." I trailed on, not knowing what I should be saying.
"Just in case you die." He finished for me. I nodded slowly. Yes, that was the reason. I wanted him to remember me after my death, and I knew it was coming. I could feel it. I wasn't going to graduate from Hogwarts, that much I knew. "You're not going to die, Virginia."
At his warm voice filled with sadness, I choked a sob and answered, "You don't know, Draco... You never know."
He tilted my head up again like he had done for so many times, "Listen to me, Virginia. You won't die, and that's final. I've been living a lie for all these years. Until I met you. Lucius said Malfoys don't believe in love, that was a lie. Everything he told me was a lie, and I believed him, until I met you." He took a breath of fresh air, "I don't know why I'm even telling you this, Virginia. I've never told anyone my feelings. But I do believe in one thing. You are the only thing in my life that's worth for me to live for. Nothing else is, you know that? Rory and you are the only thing I have left in my life. And if you die, then there's no point in having Rory either."
I believed all of this, but the only thing I did not believe was that I was going to live. I felt death coming and I was afraid of it. Months ago, I wouldn't have been afraid because I was nothing but a shadow, but now, there was Draco. And he needed me, and in return, I needed him. "I love you, Draco. Just wanted you to know that, just in case anything happens..."
"Nothing's going to happen, Virginia. If you die, I'm following you to." He said. I thought he was joking, but at the look of his eyes, it was serious. He really would die if I died.
"Draco... I..." Yet, I didn't get to finish my sentence, I never did, because the next second I knew, Draco had already crushed his mouth to mine supporting my back while he kissed me. And I kissed him back with all the passion I could muster. I loved him and for once, someone loved me back just as much... For once, it wasn't a lonely Christmas.
Chocolate Muse – Sorry for not replying your last review since you reviewed after I added my 3rd chapter. Anyways, yeah, it gives him more of a character and somehow makes him less mean, but that's my opinion.
some dude – I heard the movie was good, but I never did read the novel or watch the movie, I might someday though. When I'm free, I'll do that.
Baby_Sakura – I despise make up too! Makes me disgusted. I was having second thoughts on Ginny having make up, but I decided to have a bit, since it wouldn't be too good without any at a ball! The heavy blush is disgusting, no offence to the people that wear it. I'm just not your typical kind of girl. I hate shopping, I hate make up, heck, I hate girl stuff. I like guy stuff better. Tomboy, yes ^^. And 100% damn proud of it! My friends say I'm special *grins*
Draco-lover – A Christmas present? I guess... Look at the end of the this thanking reviewer thing!
Dracel Lucia – lol, thanks.
Nayanya – Yay! I'm on a favourite's list! *cheers* Maybe Ginny's going to die, I'm having second thoughts about the ending... ^^ But then, one of my friends said, ...Actually, I won't tell you what she said, or it'll completely ruin it! Sorry. But you'll see soon. I said it won't be longer than 10 chapters, but I'm thinking of making around 15... I don't know, but since I'm uploading this story more than any other of my story, you'll find out soon. Thanks for putting me on favourites! Love ya!
Tree Climber – Rambling... ^^ I do that all the time, kinda. Anyways, thanks for putting me on your favourites! I love ya too! LoL. Actually, I love everyone of my reviewers ^^.
Black Sakura – Same, same... But I'm the one making them miserable, aren't I? *Whacks self on head*
(no name) - *grins* Thanks for the review!
torlin kerru – I'll take you suggestion, since it's a good once, but it's not going to exactly end like that... Since I have two endings in mind. My friend says they're good and I'm deciding which one to use. But it won't be another month... so around a few more chapters. Good to hear that you're hooked ^^
Cici – Hey, I don't watch tv! And you know that, lol. There is an illness like that.
Now for the Christmas Presents... To all my reviewers, of course ^^ (Don't blame me, I have completely no idea what you want, lol.)
*Gives Chocolate Muse, Annie, (no name), BleedingQueen, Pseudonym Sylphmuse, SquirrelAnnie, GoldenRed Phoenixia, some dude, Nayanya, Darcel Lucia, Baby_Sakura, Jin, Draco-lover, Tree-climber, torlin kerru, Cici and everyone that want it, a Draco Malfoy plushie along with a Virginia Weasley plushie!* Enjoy people! Sorry for anyone that I missed!
~Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Happy Belated Hanukah!~
Author's Notes: I'm pretty sure I'm going to make a New Year chapter, since I did a Christmas one, might as well do a New Year one. Have a great holiday for those of you that are Jewish and I hope I didn't offend you with Merry Christmas! So have a break and I'll see you in a few days! Love you, all my reviewers! *huggles and kisses on cheek* Oh right, I might be doing two Christmas chapters. The second one probably takes place right after this one, so at around night... Although it won't be updated on Christmas. Thanks to all my reviewers, this is my most successful story so far ^^ Maybe I should write more angst fics... lol.