Disclaimer: I don't own the characters…actually I own Emma :) yay! I wasn't planning on any original characters but she just popped into my head while writing the last chapter and there you go. Too bad I don't own any of the good characters…
AN: Well, here it is people…the final chapter. Thank you to all the reviewers who put up with me sluggish writing habits all the way to the end. Your patience will finally be rewarded. LOL, and to think I had planned to have this done by Christmas…I was a little late but what are you going to do? This fic actually turned out way longer than I anticipated. It was just supposed to be a little mushy Christmas thing to help me get through the writers block in my other stories. Well, I'm not complaining because I'm extremely happy with the feedback I've gotten so far, omg!, I'm over 100 reviews! I can't believe it! It's like a dream come true Well, I'll shut up and we can get on to the conclusion.
THE TWELVETH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Or
(THE REVEAL)
Ginny watched as Hermione approached the school ahead of her. They had just come from the Pixie circle, the sun peeking at them from the other side of the lake. Ginny, having not bothered to ever wake up at dawn to watch the sun rise into the sky started to lag behind.
Hermione, noticing this turned to Ginny in question. "Aren't you coming?" She asked, though her voice still sounded a little dazed.
"I think I'll stay out here for a bit longer." Ginny replied. To her surprise, Hermione just nodded.
"Do you want the cloak?"
"No," Ginny said without hesitation. Hermione would need it more than her if she was planning on sneaking through the castle now. Later, when it was closer to breakfast, Ginny was unlikely to be given detention for waking up early. (At least that is what the teachers would most likely assume)
"Alright, but be careful." Hermione warned, and then vanished from sight under the cloak. The door to the castle opened and shut with a gentle click and Hermione was gone.
Ginny made her way down to the lake, picking a great oak tree to sit under. In the summer it would be flooded with green leaves, making it the perfect spot to sit in the shade. It was of little use in the winter, but Ginny still went to it out of habit. A cushioning and warming charm kept her bottom from freezing off, and any one looking would see a person sitting just inches above the snow. Remembering something, Ginny darted a glance in every direction to make sure she had built her snowman far enough away from where she sitting to remain in peace.
She sighed in relief when she resting far in the distance. Now she wouldn't have to move.
Ginny just sat, not moving a muscle, completely at ease. The sunset was beautiful; she berated herself for never bothering to watch one before.
I probably wouldn't have seen it the same way as I do now. That thought struck Ginny as odd, but she knew it was true.
Her emotions were running high lately; in the past she had kept them well in check.
Who is this boy who can make me all mushy inside without even showing me his face?
But that wasn't completely true, chances were, she had seen his face…she was just unaware at the time.
As if he had heard her silent question, a figure emerged from behind the oak. He stood quietly behind Ginny, not knowing what to say.
Ginny heard the snow crunching behind her and tensed imperceptivity. Her first thought being, oh my god, I'm about to be attacked. But when no curse was bellowed, and her body stayed miraculously intact, her mind began to get other ideas.
Maybe Hermione changed her mind and came back…but she would have said something…
Maybe it's Snape waiting for me to turn around so he can deduct 50 house points to my face…
Just stop being a chicken and TURN AROUND.
Ginny however chose to ignore the insistent voice in her head, if the person behind her had something to say to her, they could do it to her back…or walk around her and say it to her face.
Hours (which were really only seconds), later Ginny got fed up with the tension and whipped her head around to glare at the person disturbing her peace and quiet.
She wouldn't even acknowledge the voice in her head that was hoping to find her Prince Charming standing there with a rose held delicately in his hands (a white rose so it wouldn't clash with her hair) just for her.
Let's just say that's not what she found.
Quite the opposite actually.
Instead of the messy black hair she had been picturing there was sleek blond, so blond it was almost silver.
Instead of the piercing green eyes, filled with emotion, there were flat expressionless gray ones.
Instead of a white rose, he held…
an envelope, the same envelope that had carried the last eleven messages.
Which could only mean one thing…
Draco Malfoy was her Secret Santa.
All thoughts were banished from her mind except one, holy shit.
(AN: I was going to leave it here and make one more chapter but thought that would be too short and too cruel…)
"Holy shit," Ginny gasped, unable to contain that thought from making it to her lips.
Malfoy chuckled, not knowing weather to be amused or worried about her reaction. He had actually expected a lot worse.
"Language Ginny," he drawled, enjoying the rush of colour that tinted her cheeks at his words.
Ginny stood, completely shocked, listening to the odd way her first name sounded coming off his tongue. No one else had ever made her name sound anything but dull and stupid.
"How…why would you…?" Ginny began, not sure what to do. Her mind was extremely conflicted; on the one hand, she had been born and raised to hate Malfoy's. On the other, he had spent so much time and money on all her gifts, how could someone who did all that be as bad as everyone led her to believe?
Get a hold of your self Ginny, he's a future Death Eater. Ginny told herself sternly.
This is all probably just part of an evil scheme…
But if he wanted me hurt, or even captured there had been so many other chances… Another part of Ginny's brain reasoned.
Like when I had been in the forest…or one of the gifts could have been made a port key. Ginny visibly shuddered at how venerable she had been. You would think she would have learned to be more cautious, what with the Dark Lord running around.
That's when another thought invaded her mind.
Ginny looked up at Malfoy startled. "In the classroom…that was you?" Ginny asked cautiously, instinctively already knowing the answer.
"Yes." Draco replied without embarrassment, making Ginny's cheeks go even redder.
A faint smile touched his lips at the memory of them snogging in the dark. He silently hoped it wouldn't be the only time.
"Why?" Ginny finally choked out. "Why would you do all this?"
"Because I wanted to," Draco said truthfully, not knowing what else to say. Despite all the gifts and letters, Draco Malfoy was not an emotional person. He was brought up to be cold and calculating, nothing more than an emotionless servant to Voldemort. However somewhere along the line, Draco had realized how much he despised his father. He had spent years striving for his father's approval (what boy wouldn't?) before it finally sunk in that he would never get it. His father didn't love him. His father didn't give a damn about anything other than Voldemort and himself.
Isn't that what he had been trying to teach his son? Showing emotions is showing weakness. Some how Draco had always figured he had been an exception to his fathers rule. Surely he would care if I lived or died? Draco had asked himself many nights back at the Manor. I'm not asking for unconditional love, I just want my father to care a little bit, just enough to be upset if I was to vanish off the face of the earth.
He should have known better.
The only reason Lucius had ever bothered with him was to criticize, or prepare him for his initiation to the Death Eaters.
That's why, when term started again at Hogwarts Draco extracted a handsome sum of money out of the family vault and made a new one only he could access (he had always had a way with those goblins). He had then approached Dumbledore and informed the headmaster he wouldn't be going back to Malfoy Manor in the summer.
Dumbledore had of course helped him in any way he could. Draco was now staying with Snape, the last place his father would look for him seeing as Lucius didn't suspect Snape as a double agent.
No one knew of Draco's decision, his father wouldn't dare make it public due to the embarrassment it would cause him.
Every one still looked at him as the same evil git…not that he had chosen to act any differently. There was no way he would stop humiliating the Dream Team…it was just to damn amusing.
"Because you wanted to…" Ginny repeated disbelievingly, anger flaring in her eyes. "Why don't you tell me what's really going on?" She demanded, her Weasley temper finally going off. There was no way she was going to be made a fool of by a Malfoy. "Why would a Malfoy possibly want to send a Weasley ridiculously expensive gifts?" He was about to say something else, but Ginny wouldn't let him get a word in at all. "Was this all some sort of sick joke? Have the Slytherins been laughing at me through this whole thing? Look at the stupid little Weasley, thinking someone actually likes her!" Ginny mocked, furious that tears were prickling at the back of her eyes. Only her determination kept them from falling.
"Ginny wait-," Malfoy began but was cut off by Ginny's furious rant.
"I bet you thought it was hilarious, didn't you? Can't wait for the rest of your filthy Slytherins to come back from holiday's so you can tell them what a fool you made of stupid little Ginny-," This time Ginny was cut off, but not by Malfoys voice. Rather his lips meeting hers in a furious kiss.
That ought to shut her up. Malfoy thought triumphantly, but that thought fled his mind when he felt Ginny's warm lips pressing against his.
Dropping the envelope, Malfoy brought his arms tightly around her waist, desperate for the same warmth she had given him selflessly in the Charms classroom.
Ginny's first reaction was complete and utter shock.
Next came the outrage. How dare he presume he could just take advantage of me this way…
The next, to Ginny's total dismay, was pleasure. She felt her body melt into his when he wrapped his arms around her waist, her lips responding to his hungry demands.
Her mind, however disapproving of her body's traitorous actions was soon nothing but an unheard voice at the back of Ginny's head.
Ginny was completely wrapped up in how good Malfoy felt this close to her. He was surprisingly warm, being a Malfoy one would usually assume he was cold as ice. His body was hard and masculine, with a faint smell of wizard's cologne that suited him perfectly.
Ginny made a faint sound of protest when Draco finally broke the kiss; this was soon replaced by a moan of pleasure when his lips trailed down her neck. She was actually shivering with pleasure.
"Cold?" Draco asked, and Ginny could have sworn she heard real concern in his voice. In a flash, his cloak was wrapped around her smugly; her hands covered by much too long sleeves.
Usually, at a time like this Draco would be smug and smirking. She was evidently attracted to him, if grudgingly. But that kiss had undone him as much as it had her, he couldn't muster up the arrogance to keep up his 'I'm better-than-you' attitude.
Draco sat down where she had put her cushioning charm, bringing Ginny with him so she rested on his lap.
Ginny looked like she wanted desperately to protest, but that would have proved to him how much being near him was effecting her. Draco smiled, she's going to fight this tooth and nail, he thought grimly. Wasn't that one of the things he had liked about her? She was so different from the pliant swooning females that had been thrown at him all his life.
"What are you thinking?" He finally asked, breaking the tense silence.
"I'm confused as hell." Ginny answered truthfully, a slight quaver in her voice.
"You mean your attracted to me against your will, but you mind has it so lodged in there that Malfoys are evil, you don't know which to go with?"
Ginny looked up at him surprised, but nodded none the less.
"Well than, we'll just have to work through that then won't we?" Malfoy asked, dryly, as if beginning a lesson.
"Malfoy, what-?" but Draco cut her off with a brief kiss on the mouth.
"The name's Draco, love." He corrected her, smiling at her shocked/outraged/pleased expression.
"Malfoy-" Ginny started to warn, her voice getting steadily louder. I can't let him get to me like this…
But Draco's mouth came down on hers before she could finish.
"Draco." He corrected again. His voice getting husky.
"Fine." Ginny reluctantly gave in, not wanting to be distracted by any more of his kisses. She needed to think through this clearly. Not that being on his lap was leaving her with a clear head. He's not holding me down…just get up and get some distance. But Ginny found she really didn't want to move. "Draco." She said, testing his name on her tongue. It felt surprisingly good there.
"Now that's a fine start." Draco commented, trying to fight the urge to kiss her again. She needs to understand first. Draco told himself firmly. She still thinks you're a Death Eater in waiting.
Before he could lose his nerve, he dove headlong into his story. Never had he told this to anyone before, other than the headmaster. Why would he risk letting this little Weasley in on the secret? How did he know she wouldn't go back to the dream team and act like it was a big joke? Draco Malfoy could stand being loathed, feared, and talked about in whispers, but he could not tolerate being laughed at. To him, that was the biggest shame of all. But he was pouring it all out to this fiery little red head, and there was no turning back now.
Ginny listened to Draco tell her all about his non-existent relation with his father. How he wasn't going to join the Death Eaters, and how he had basically been quietly disowned. The bit of Gryffindor hardheadedness in her wanted to laugh and throw some cheap shots at his expense. That way she could go back to the common room, have a few laughs about it with Hermione and forget it ever happened. It's not like he wouldn't deserve it! Draco Malfoy had been torturing her family since he stepped foot on Hogwarts grounds.
But what had he ever done to you? A voice in her head perked up. Ginny mentally scowled at it. It was a few minutes before Draco had finished talking and was looking at her expectantly, his face startlingly close.
Damn, he looks good when he's not smirking, and even when he is… Ginny's cheeks burned at that wayward observation.
"Well?" He asked, a tad bit impatient. It wasn't everyday a Malfoy would open up to anyone, when they did it was important for the other person to act accordingly.
"I…" Ginny began. What the hell was she supposed to say? "Why are you telling me all this?" She finally asked, but her voice wasn't at hard and accusing as she'd meant it to be.
Draco sighed, and Ginny watched as his lips pressed together in a thin line.
"I don't really know…" He said, furious with himself for putting himself in such a venerable position. "I just wanted you to know I wasn't waiting in line to get an evil tattoo burned on my arm."
"O Kay…and based on past experience, I'm very curious to know why I should believe you."
Was that a glimmer of hurt I just saw in his eyes?
Nah, just my imagination…
"I'm telling the truth, I've got Dumbledore to back me up." Draco replied, careful not to let any emotion show on his face.
If only he knew that showing his emotions would be the way to get into her heart…
"Yeah…alright, so you're not becoming a death eater. Now what?" Ginny asked, covering her confusion with a touch of anger.
A rush of cold air hit both of them as Draco pushed her to her feet and stood, putting about a foot of distance between them.
"I'm really sorry I've wasted so much of your time Ginny." Draco began, coming to a quick decision. He would not stay here and make any more of a fool of himself. He still had a good portion of pride, and it was obvious that Ginny really wanted nothing to do with him. "It's obvious you want nothing to do with me, and that's perfectly understandable. It probably wouldn't have worked out anyway."
Ginny was staring at him with wide eyes…letting the meaning of his words slowly sink in. He wanted to date her! For some reason, the shock of the situation had prevented Ginny from fully comprehending the thought until now. Why else would he send you all those gifts, idiot? She scolded herself. She really could be dense sometimes.
"Just…promise me you won't mention what I told you tonight to anyone…" Draco said worriedly. He hadn't thought of what would happen to him if she really rejected him. He knew it was a strong possibility…but hadn't wanted to dwell on it.
Draco took one more look into her spectacular brown eyes, seeing a pool of conflicting emotions and confusion.
"Do you really actually like me?" Ginny blurted out quickly, covering her mouth as if to stop anymore hasty words from falling out of it.
Draco looked at her surprised, hadn't he made that blatantly obvious? "Yeah." He replied stiffly, his heart melting when he saw warmth enter her chocolate orbs.
Her mouth opened and shut a few times, totally at a loss as to what to say. She had almost been hoping he would deny it, so she could go on hating him properly.
"So…you like me…and you're not the evil miniature dark lord my brother makes you out to be…" Ginny muttered, hardly believing where her thoughts were taking her. In her head she silently added and sexy as hell.
Draco took a step closer to her, hardly daring to believe she might be wavering.
"But my family will kill you…and me." Ginny moaned, worry filling her eyes.
"Hey, listen to me; you can't always live to please other people." Draco began. He knew he had to tread lightly here, seeing as how she actually liked her family, where as he hated his. "I'm sure your family loves you, and I don't doubt the fact that they'll try to kill me." Draco shuddered as he remembered her six older brothers. He could handle Ron and the skinny pompous guy…but the two oldest ones were a lot bigger than him, and he had already been on the bad end of a few of Fred and George's jokes. He would probably be another Mad Eye Moody within the first month, always looking over his shoulder, only drinking from a hip flask. "But you," Here Draco reached up to stroke her cheek. "They love you, I bet they'll support you in whatever you want to do."
Now it was her turn. Draco had said his part, now it was for Ginny to decide weather or not to risk the anger of her family for Draco Malfoy.
He's right. Ginny thought glumly. She had always given things up to please her family. She hadn't even tried out for the Quidditch team, knowing how her brothers would have disapproved.
Will they really support a relationship with me and a Malfoy? She asked herself doubtfully. Does it matter if that's what I really want?
Do I really want him? That was the big question.
Ginny looked into his gray eyes, the same ones she usually dismissed as flat and lifeless. This time she looked deeper, past his defenses, and saw the emotions he was always trying to hide. She saw the speck of hope in their depths, waiting for her to say something. Most girls would need more than that tiny speck of feeling…but it warmed Ginny from head to tow just to know it was there. There wasn't even a doubt in her mind what she wanted.
Leaning in, her body swaying towards him as if on it's own accord, Ginny felt his arms wrap around her, his hands moving up her back to tangle in her hair. Looking directly in each others eyes they moved in for a kiss.
Draco had seen everything he needed to know in her expression before their lips met. Now that they both knew where the other stood, they didn't hold back at all. Of course it couldn't go too far seeing as how they were in view of anyone coming out of the castle.
When Draco finally pulled back, he looked at Ginny's dazed expression and smiled.
"Happy Christmas, Gin." He whispered in her ear, moaning as she joined their lips for more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Happy Christmas indeed…I wish I could have such a Christmas myself. ;)
Well???? Don't keep me in suspense! It sucked didn't it??? I've seriously never written an ending before…that's why it took so long…I was a coward and kept making excuses to do it later...i know I'm such a procrastinator. You might also be wondering what happened to all the little loose ends I didn't tie up…like the fallen envelope…or what Colin found out during his investigations…ya I'm sorry I didn't put all that stuff in here…I might whip up an epilogue…but if I don't I think that was solid enough of an ending to keep people satisfied…don't you? Please tell me what you thought of this chapter…and the story over all : ) Thanks to everyone who reviewed. (I still can't believe how many reviews I've gotten…it's like 110 not *faints*)
*cheers