(A/N: Oh I could SO have a classic "Draco Catches Ginny" scene in this one but I won't. J Also, a note: this chapter has a lot more information to…well, just to everything. Since I was, once again, banned from my computer (this time for a month and a half) I had time to develop it. So it's longer and more in detail, less dialogue, more thinking, etc. Oh, and the song later on is NOT a song you've heard, aka this is NOT NOT NOT a song fiction, because I wrote that verse myself. Also, the italic underlined text will be explained…just not now.
After typing it all out, I realized that another regular chapter, at Hogwarts, would ruin it. This is the last regular chapter: the final Sin, Gluttony, will be my epilogue. Oh my God, this is nearly over! *shocked* Big thank you's in order next chapter…)
SLOTH
"MEMORIES"
(Draco's POV)
I had her right where I needed her; helpless, completely under my control. I raised my wand arm and opened my mouth to curse her into a thousand little bits…and I saw the terrified look in her eyes grow ten times larger than before. Her face was even paler than usual making her freckles stand out, her lip quivering, backed up into the trophy case behind her. I recognized that look of fear, the situation of being cornered and alone…trapped. I wore it myself, at home.
"God damn you boy! Upstaged again by Potter, and you can't even be bothered to care!" My father spits at me, his eyes flashing menacingly. My mind panics, it searches everywhere for an answer to this statement, but I find nothing. "Answer me!" I shake my head quickly. "Oh?" I nod.
"Lucius get away from him now!" My mother's voice. It's never sounded more like an angel than now.
"Stay out of this Narcissa, he needs to learn discipline! He needs to learn dignity! He needs to learn who he is; a Malfoy! Right now he's just a lazy excuse for a Mudblood…leave us." He looks at her in disgust. Her eyes fill with tears and my eyes narrow, but I'm silent.
He never beat me. Never. Said that the marks would show and everyone would know what happened. Instead, he lashed out at me with his words. I heard them directed at other people, Arthur Weasley for instance, but I only knew how horrible they were when directed at me. So I'm arrogant; we all knew that.
Looking down on the girl I was now going to curse, I couldn't do it. That is I couldn't get the words out; maybe it was more, but I don't expect I'll ever know what stopped me.
I stopped dead and let my wand arm fall to my side, breathing in slowly.
"Go."
She looked at me with astonishment reflected in her huge brown eyes. "But-"
"So help me God Ginny, go before I do something I'll regret." I watched her back as she ran out, her Mary Janes tapping the ground in a frantic escape. Who knew that I, Draco Malfoy, would be having mercy on a girl who wore Mary Janes? I don't think I had ever talked to one of "the innocents" (as we labeled them at Hogwarts) before her besides insulting them (which I don't think really counts). I flung myself into a chair and started massaging my temples in order to get rid of the pounding headache I was sure was coming. A headache was always in order after a trying day. Every question that flew around my brain started with the same word: why?
I won't bother/annoy you with the actual questions as they're insignificant, below my usual brain content, and undoubtedly very boring. Therefore, I'll just skip to the part where I walked up to my dorm and fell asleep on my bed fully clothed and (surprise surprise) with a pounding headache.
(Ginny's Second Year)
I'm back Tom! Wow, it's been so long, it's January now… Did you miss me?
Of course I missed you. When someone else started writing in me I was terribly worried. Are you all right?
Oh yes, perfectly fine. Did you…did you tell him anything?
Who, Harry?
Yes.
I'm insulted you think I'd tell anyone your secrets Ginny.
I didn't mean to offend! I'm just curious is all.
Well I didn't.
Oh thank God I was so worried; I thought I'd go out of my mind!
He seems like a nice boy.
He is! So noble and brave and modest and –I'm sorry this must be so boring.
Not at all. Do go on.
Oh all right. Umm…well, I just can't see how he can be so...perfect. He doesn't even seem to care about the attention he gets, he's so humble. It must be nice though, to be so well loved and recognized I'd love that…
Does it hurt you to see him and not be able to talk to him?
My goodness Tom whatever do you mean?
I'm sorry, I'm much too curious for my own good…
No no, you're my diary I should tell you.
It's been a few minutes since your last writings Ginny, are you all right?
Thinking mostly. I suppose that's what it is, that funny shaking my heart seems to do whenever I see him and Ron and Hermione in the hallways, talking away…and the horrible thing is Tom-
Yes?
Oh I hate it. I hate it so much I could…I could just rip out my heart and throw it off the Astronomy Tower because he knows how much I like him, no love him, and he doesn't do a thing about it. He just goes off with his friends and saves the bloody world and leaves me behind in the dust. I'm just Ron's little sister, admiring fan and with red hair that looks like straw on fire. I wouldn't be surprised if he never says another word to me, I'd be so boring to talk to I think that he'd faint from boredom.
This is a powerful feeling.
What is?
Love.
Do you really think its love Tom?
Only love could hurt you that badly Virginia. Only love is that confusing that you don't know what to do or what to say, and you wish you could just end the pain of it all. That's what love is all about.
I've never thought about it that way…but I suppose you're right. Love hurts.
(Ginny's POV)
I looked up at him, shaking like mad. His eyes were glazed over, either he was thinking about something or he was just possessed. I'm guessing the latter. It was one of the scariest things I have ever, ever seen; his face just morphing into an expression I couldn't decipher.
"Go."
To say in the least, I was shocked. He could've burst me into ten thousand little freckly pieces! "But-"
"So help me God Ginny, go before I do something I'll regret." He was really serious. His wand arm was at his side, and the fingers were slack on the polished wood. Without another word I turned and ran.
I ran out of the trophy room, grabbing my Cloak as I sprinted. I ran through the hallways, past the inquisitive eyes of the paintings on the walls. I ran with my hair all around my face, gasping for breath. I ran, and I could feel the sweat on the back of my neck, sticky and uncomfortable. Tap, tap, tap, click, tap, tap, tap, click…my shoes seemed louder than a Quidditch crowd in the drained hallways. I ran, bursting into the Common Room with a mixture of sweat and tears on my face…and smack dab into Harry Potter.
"Ginny?" Without thinking, I flung myself onto him sobbing, and we were both knocked onto the floor. "Whoa!" I lay on top of his chest heaving with sobs and after a hesitant pause, he brought his hand on my head and started to stroke my hair soothingly.
"What're you doing here?" I asked sniffing. He shrugged.
"I couldn't sleep…what are you doing here?" he asked curiously, looking truly concerned.
"I-I had to go meet someone," I said sitting down on one of the plushy couches, wondering exactly how red my eyes must be.
"Malfoy." I looked up in utter surprise. Now, the smart thing to do in this situation would have been to roll my eyes and make some comment about how he'd be the last person I'd ever, EVER meet late at night but instead what came out of my mouth was-
"How did you know?" I clapped my hand over my mouth and he laughed, sitting down next to me.
"Doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice the way he's been looking at you –mind you though, he's very lucky Ron doesn't have sharp observational skills." I smiled slightly, but still very perplexed at his displayed knowledge.
"The way he's been looking at me?" I asked curiously despite myself and reaching in between the cushions. I produced a Chocolate Frogs from its depths, popping it in my mouth.
He nodded, looking very serious now, the most serious I had seen him in a very long time. "Yeah –Gin, be careful."
I sighed. "I will I will, but he's perfectly nice sometimes I –" I stopped and narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "Since when have you cared about my safety?" His face fell.
"Look I –" he ran his hands through his hair in frustration and my heart flipped over. "-I had no excuse. I've had no excuse to be acting like I have I guess I just...dammit Ginny, the attention is exciting. I never used to be useful, the Dursleys hated me, and when I came here I was some sort of hero without even trying! And then when I did try –" He laughed shortly. "-it was incredible. I started to love, crave, whichever word you like best, the attention I was getting, and I couldn't stop hamming it up for all it was worth." I looked at him carefully, and then I extended a shaking finger (I hadn't talked to him this directly/friendly-like in ages) and lifted up his chin so I could see his eyes. Full of sorrow, regret…the green pools were swimming with guilt. I nodded.
"I believe you."
(Draco's POV)
I knew something odd was going on the minute she and Potter walked into the Great Hall talking and laughing together. Very odd. I narrowed my eyes as they neared their table and shoved some waffles in my mouth in a bad temper. Blaise raised her eyebrows from across me.
"What's up with you? It looks like you're having a face spasm or something." She smirked at her own joke and I rolled my eyes.
"Far from it Zabini, I'm just tired," I said as nonchalantly as I could, talking through a mouthful of waffles and syrup. She made a face.
"Gross Draco that's just…erg, here's a napkin." She handed me a linen napkin and turned away, repulsed. I smirked and grabbed it. Score one for me! I wiped roughly at my mouth and then leaned back on the wall, hands behind my head comfortably. Blaise still looked disgusted; I patted myself on the back and then turned to look at the other tables. Chattering obliviously away; I even heard one girl shriek in happiness when she got an owl. What I wouldn't have given to have been doing the same thing…not shrieking you idiot, being oblivious! I'm not that soft for cripes' sakes!
Anyway, as I said, I was eating breakfast when I suddenly decided that Transfiguration wasn't really at the top of my list of priorities at that particular moment. I got up and left.
"Draco, where're you going?' Blaise called from behind me. I kept on walking.
"Back to the dorms. See you later."
(Ginny's POV)
"Oh my God are you kidding me?" I squealed after Harry finished telling me a story about his summer hols. He grinned.
"No dead serious, they really did send him to fat camp! Oh look, everyone's staring at us." I looked around and blushed; he was right. He gave them a sarcastic wave and I started giggling shrilly. Oh, the agony in remembering me sounding like a Patil! I watched as the expressions on everyone's face went from questioning to thoroughly confused. We sat down across from Hermione and Ron and they smiled at me.
"Hi Ginny," Hermione said kindly. I was about to burst into a huge smile and a cheery "Good morning!!" when a horrifying thought struck me. Did those smiles…pity? Did they pity me?!? I wheeled around to face Harry and he tilted his head.
"You ok Ginny? You look funny." I clenched my teeth in a smile and shook my head. Oh well. If they pitied me, I figured I might as well enjoy it while I had it. I carefully spread a minimal amount of butter on my burnt toast and winced as I bit into the blackened surface. The house elves must not have been too chipper that morning I guess. Ron was then telling Harry and Hermione about how we were going to flatten Slytherin in the Quidditch game on Friday.
I spit out the bit of toast I was chewing. They all laughed as I embarrassedly cleaned up the mess and Ron helped me with his own napkin. "What's wrong with our crushing Slytherin, eh?" I shook my head.
"Nothing! It's great, our side will be…fantastic. What with all of those practices…" I trailed off. Our team hadn't had a practice in donkey's years. Harry pushed up his glasses grinning sheepishly.
"Yeah sorry, I was busy with N.E.W.T.s and all that, you know." I didn't say anything, but I knew that N.E.W.T.s were in May, and it was only December.
I had finally made the Quidditch team that year, hoping it boost my nonentity amongst the brilliant students at Hogwarts. Even though my popularity was still just about rock bottom after a few games, I found that my inherited talent for the game was accompanied by a deep love for flying. When you're flying, it's like there's nothing you can't do. The skies are yours, even if only briefly, and the clouds are mere objects that can be flown through if you so desire it (even though every good broom flyer knows it's practically impossible). That year I had finally figured out why my brothers worshipped the game of Quidditch; it's the most stimulating experience ever. Being a chaser, I have to be swift and nimble on my broomstick. I loved practicing outside in all conditions but recently Harry (our Captain) had stopped calling practices. God knows why.
The more pressing issue: I'll be seeing Draco on the Quidditch pitch! What on earth will I do?!?
"Gin? Hellooo?" Ron waved his wand in front of my face and I jumped.
"Jesus Ron, don't do that!" I said clutching my heart. He chuckled.
"I've only been doing it for what, the past ten minutes? Wake up! The day's only just begun!"
Yes it has, I thought bitterly as I saw out of the corner of my eye a tall blond figure getting up and striding out of the Hall. I felt my heart clench up painfully as I watched him go. My gaze shifted once he had disappeared from view and it landed on Blaise Zabini. She was looking straight at me. She had on an all-knowing look that made me shift nervously in my seat.
I eyed my plate, piled high with pancakes, critically. More syrup I think, I thought, pouring syrup all over my pancakes.
(Draco's POV)
I delicately stepped over the shocked and now mercifully still figure of Malcolm Creevey, holding a camera at his side. That Total Body Bind was very helpful in my school days. After a couple years I found that the Leg-Locker curse wasn't going to cut it, especially when I was frustrated. And that was my most frustrating year ever, no question.
"Sucks to be you Creevey," I sneered as I strode away smiling grimly to myself as I pocketed my wand. Some people just don't get the hint that you don't enjoy their company!
By now breakfast was finished. Everyone had already jostled each other to get out of the Great Hall and to their next classes. I walked right by the Transfiguration classroom and smirked as the curious eyes watched me pass. Thankfully, Professor McGonagall was in the back reprimanding Longbottom for yet another mess he had made and didn't see me. I didn't need another detention thank you very much. My smirk was widened when I noted that the female eyes were the lingering ones, especially from the Patil girl, the Ravenclaw one, and of course Blaise and Pansy. I've never had much respect for either Pansy or Padma because there is absolutely nothing in those heads besides for gossip, but Blaise…Blaise is an entirely different matter. She knows what she wants and goes after it. Unfortunately for me though, that was me, and I sure as hell didn't want her.
But I'm rambling. Let's continue shall we?
Passing by all of the classes, I realized how saintly that school was. No rebellious people, people who would just skip class for the heck of it like I was. The horrified stares as I walked by…you'd think that at least one person would have cut class before! I mean, you had your social groups of course; private schools have them too, although in public schools they are more definite and important.
In Hogwarts, you had several classes. There were the Swots, people who spent all of their time in the library discussing the twelve uses for dragon blood and why Fergus the Fierce took over Zambia at the turn of the 16th century. Most of them are Ravenclaws, only a couple are Slytherins. I have no doubt in my mind that Hermione Granger would have been one had she not become friends with Potter and Weasley. They loved her anyways of course; she used to study with them. Everyone went to either the Swots or Granger for homework help.
Then you had your basic bullies. No Gryffindor has ever been one of those I don't think, or Hufflepuffs. You know, Ravenclaw and Slytherin have more in common than people think, it's just that the cunning plans Ravenclaws are capable of coming up with they don't want to carry out. So, those that are sluggish in mind and movement in that house sometimes resort to bullying those less fortunate. If you're reading this you probably know that I was one of those, but I didn't actually do the beating up. I was much too scrawny for that when physical bullying was my extra curricular activity. Then I discovered that emotional damage was far more effective in that your victim is more traumatized, they can't go to the teacher with visible proof of my guilt and most importantly, it was far more fun.
Every school also has their sports stars; I think Americans call them jocks? Anyway, I had made the transition from a Bully to a Sports Star ever since I really started kicking arse as a Seeker. They can be found on the Quidditch pitch, recapping matches in their Common Rooms, you name it. They have heated discussions over broom models. They're everywhere. They also don't need much more of an explanation.
Mystics are the ones who actually believe what the old quack Trelawny has to say about all of our impending dooms. After having Divination with the Gryffindors last year (a horrifying experience), I can give you a couple examples you might be familiar with: Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil now have their own crystal ball after Trelawny presented them with one when they received top marks on the Divination O.W.L.s. I'm told that they used to give readings in their dorm room for ten Sickles a customer.
You'll find Quiet People, or the Innocents, in the Great Hall getting a cup of cocoa or something while reading a book. They don't say much to people so people don't say much to them, and they try and blend in with the background as much as possible. Although it was a shocker when Beatrice Quimble charmed her hair bright pink…not the point. Sorry, I'm getting off track. Anyway, they don't have many friends, maybe one or two really good ones, and their marks are generally good. People don't know much about them and they don't know much about people. She was one of those.
I thought it over in my head. No rebels, no people who sneak off the balconies for a smoke or blare loud music from rooms, no one who defies the authority around here at all. Pathetic.
"If I smoked I'd need a fag right now," I muttered, pushing the double doors open with a BANG and walking out onto the soft grass. It was cloudy and there was a heavy fog settling in, but what I needed most at the moment was to fly.
Bad-temperedly I thrust the broom shed Hagrid had made the year earlier open and grabbed a broom. " 'Comet Two Sixty'," I read off of the broom handle in disgust throwing it back in and hearing a small avalanche of brooms result. I sifted through the rubble and pulled out my Firebolt muttering darkly to myself. "Lazy bums…"
Zooming up into the air I couldn't care less if anyone saw me. Free at last.
(Ginny's POV)
Forcing myself to eat those last pancakes while pretending to laugh at my brother's hopelessly mundane knock-knock jokes was one of the least enjoyable experiences of my life. Feeling sluggish and stuffed to the brim with what should have been an excellent breakfast, I left right after the bell rang and it was time to go to class. I walked very quickly through the halls, shoes clicking in feeble protest at the activity. I wanted nothing more than to sit somewhere, anywhere, just for a minute…
"Oof," I sighed as I sank into the scarlet couch in the Common Room. I reached for my book in between the cushions once more but it was gone. I frowned and rolled over curling up into a tiny ball. Charms class was going on at that exact moment but I couldn't be bothered. Too many pancakes.
Yes, I know, "that doesn't sound like Ginny Weasley!" Well it wasn't. The goody good innocent little girl had some thinking to do.
All of a sudden I sat upright. I had a Quidditch match that weekend and I was sitting in the Common Room doing nothing?!? I grabbed my warmest cloak and rushed out the Portrait Hole. If I wasn't going to go to class I figured I might as well get some practice in. Discreetly of course, I didn't want any teacher to see and report me; maybe I'd practice behind Hagrid's house…?
I hadn't realized how empty the hallways seemed when I was alone. Everyone had nestled happily into their routine of opening books and resigned to learn from them. I had this huge grin on my face as I realized I'd be outside flying while everyone else would be studying. I was sure I could brush off any inquiry about where I was by saying I had "female problems". Teachers get horrified and awkward when that's brought up, it never fails. Of course I had never used it before, I was quiet and good. I'd seen Hermione tut at Lavender and Parvati for saying that to Hagrid once and I couldn't stop giggling.
I stopped for breath at a large bay window and saw a small figure out on a broom in the middle of the pitch. Squinting my eyes curiously, I couldn't make out who it was. Probably Madam Hooch, I thought as I continued on my way. Now I wonder what would have happened if I really had seen who was on that broomstick. Would I have turned around?
I reached the broom shed soon enough, shading my eyes against the blinding winter sun that limited my vision to three feet in front of me. The inside of the shed was a complete disaster, with brooms all askew and unorganized. It made me smile slightly to think of Hermione's face if she had seen it. I groped through the mess to find my Comet Two Sixty lying on the very top of the pile. Feeling very stupid to have not seen it before, I walked out holding it tightly in my hands and then searched with my hand over my eyes for a suitable place to practice. There had to be somewhere inconspicuous where I could fly a few laps…
I decided to fly low over the pitch where no one could tell it was me if they decided to look on the pitch floor. I hopped onto my broom and skimmed over the grass with glee, letting my feet trail ever so slightly just to get the gist of how fast I was going. I turned sharply to avoid a rogue cabbage patch and went round in tight circles getting dizzier and dizzier with all of the thoughts buzzing around in my head like fat wasps; slow but stinging.
First of all, I thought of Draco. The unexplainable thrill I got from him that Harry never supplied, the way there seemed to be some sort of a block that stopped us from doing what instinct told us…or at least me. All I knew was that when I caught a glimpse of pale blond in the hallways I found myself hoping it was him, coming up the stairs to see me. Which will never happen of course, and why would you want it? I reminded myself sternly, but not being able to ignore that little voice that was saying you prat, just get your lazy arse up and snog the bloke already! I'm getting jolly tired of your complaining! I don't like that voice even now, it always irritated me.
What on earth was Draco thinking about when he dropped his wand? It scared me to imagine our next meeting; the awkwardness of it would probably send me running away again. I hate confrontation!
My circles got tighter and tighter until I was doing a rapid spiral. I heard a muffled sound, as if coming from far away in mass proportions, but I ignored it as I flew. I was going so fast that the trees around me blurred into a huge green stripe that circled around me like a snake waiting to squeeze me to death. My breathing got heavier and heavier until I stopped dead and tried to steady myself. I was too lightheaded from my flying, and as a result, fell off of my broom onto the spongy grass.
(Draco's POV)
The closest I've ever had to a true blue heart attack was when Ginny Weasley came sauntering out onto the pitch looking for her broomstick. I couldn't move. I was literally astounded; what was she doing out here when class was going on inside? I watched, a silent spectator, as she struggled to find her broom in the shed. Smirking slightly as she pulled out the Comet Two Sixty I had thrown on the pile just minutes before, I swooped and hovered near the top of a tree. She turned and I took in a sharp breath as I prayed she wouldn't see me. The intelligent eyes scanned for a brief second before she hopped on her broom and started skimming the grass with her toes.
As she flew, she got me thinking. An enormous feat, I'm sure, but really in all seriousness…was what I was feeling pure animal attraction? No, I decided as she started to fly in small circles, then I'd be hankering after Blaise or Padma or someone, not this skinny little redheaded creature…so what the bloody hell am I thinking then?? I gazed down rather fondly as she started making her circles tighter and tighter: the girl's an amazing flyer. But no one's probably ever noticed it, I thought suddenly, her brothers take it all away.
I don't know what happened at that moment, but it was electric. I've always been an only child, spoiled rotten of course, and I didn't know what it meant to have older siblings to take the glory away. Of course, I had Potter to do that for me, but let's not get into that. The point is, all of a sudden, I felt every ounce of pain that had ever shot through her freckled limbs at that precise moment: I knew what she felt. I gave myself a little shake before I heard a 'thud' and I looked down to see her lying calmly on the grass looking up.
(Ginny's POV)
Face up, eyes fixed on the gray sky. It seemed to close in, bear down upon me, enveloping me like someone had thrown a gray blanket over my head. I closed my eyes quickly and breathed in deeply counting backwards from five hundred. I was on three hundred and seven when I felt someone land on the grass nimbly and then sit down next to me quietly. I counted faster: three hundred and six, three hundred and five, three hundred and four, three hundred and three…
In my mind I played a mental picture of a silhouette leaning over me with a wicked grin and a knife, aiming for my heart. I could feel the person leaning over me and I jumped and then shivered as a hand brushed away my hair from my face. I was counting so fast now that the numbers were getting muddled up and somehow I ended up on sixteen when I was supposed to be in the two hundreds still. I shut eyes tightly, not daring to open them for fear that what I'd see would be too horrific to comprehend. The hand brushed past me as it went back to its owner and I relaxed slightly. At least the thing isn't going to molest me or anything, I thought to myself almost laughing. As quickly as I thought that I heard a 'thump' as the figure sat down next to me and placed its broomstick next to it. So it's going to stay; never mind then.
I folded my hands on my stomach and began to hum a Weird Sister's tune idly, trying to put the mysterious stranger out of my head and tried to concentrate on anything else besides. My humming grew slower and lower as the song went on playing in my head, flashbacks from the Yule Ball when they performed at Hogwarts playing rapidly in my head.
Suddenly I heard a low voice join me, only actually singing the words softly. What surprised me was that this person was good, and there were only three people in Hogwarts who were known for singing (everyone knows everyone's talents/secrets at that school!): Terry Boot (Ravenclaw Seventh Year), Blaise Zabini (you know who she is) and Hermione (if you don't know who she is I'll be very surprised). Blaise is an alto and has a beautiful rich sound that I envy highly and Hermione has a lilting soprano that she unleashed on us last year at the Talent Show. I can still remember the adorable expression of pride my brother wore as she sang. Lying there on the field, I felt sure that it was neither of them as this voice was decidedly masculine –but Terry's voice is a high tenor. This person was a bass, and frighteningly good. I didn't stop humming though, just in case he'd think I was surprised by his interruption; when attackers think they have the element of surprise they think they've got you!
When I tell you that I love you
It's not lust because it's true.
No matter how hard we deny it,
Both our hearts are in it,
So let's just give them what they long for,
'Cause we've waited out this out and I want more.
After hearing one verse of the smooth, anonymous voice I couldn't take it any longer. I opened my eyes, but a hand came swiftly down on them again before I could even catch a glimpse of the person. My fist clenched up in frustration.
"What do you want from me?!?" I said in exasperation, trying in vain to get the strong hand off of me and putting my hand down in aggravation. The person said nothing but took its hand off of my eyes gently and when he did I couldn't speak.
(Draco's POV)
I raised my eyebrow but didn't rush down like my instincts were telling me too. She looked perfectly angelic, hair fanned out and hands folded neatly. Ginny looked…serene. I didn't want to bother her. I watched silently as she closed her eyes tightly as though a sudden thought had struck her and it terrified her. Although I had vowed when she fell not to interfere, I found myself landing neatly next to her. I laid my broom down gently next to her and I watched her tense up as she realized there was someone else present. Sitting down I continued to be a silent stalker; Ist have been quite scary now that I think of it.
The pain. The pain I had felt that I was sure was hers was tremendous. I never really thought about it, but to be possessed by the Dark Lord's younger self? That must have been horrifying. I looked down on her with so much compassion it scared me to the very depths of my previously stone cold heart. Who knew that this redheaded, meek girl would transform me so much without even knowing it? I reached out and brushed a piece of hair off of her face and she jumped out of surprise. Or maybe disgust. I'd really rather not know which. So it's true what they say: Opposites really do attract. Fate has that way of twisting it so ironically that you can't believe its true, if that makes any sense at all. Oh well, I tried.
I almost jumped out of my skin when she started humming to herself. When that kind of an awkward silence is broken it's possibly one of the most frightening/surprising things ever. Her hum was slightly vibrato like, most likely out of nerves. Granted, she doesn't have the best voice ever, but it wasn't horrible. I remember distinctly liking that particular Weird Sister's tune, just because the electric guitar solo was "so cool". But of course when you hum such a song there is no electric guitar solo, so you're forced to actually sing/listen to the words. And I began to sing, subconsciously I think.
I never sang for anyone. Not even Mother. When you're a teenager, singing is considered a very girly thing to do: Terry Boot came out with his singing for a good reason you know. No guy who wanted to retain his "manhood" would admit to liking singing, however stupid that may sound. Being a guy with a very firm reputation, I couldn't afford one chink in the metal armor I constantly had on. I sang only occasionally, when I was angry or sad or sometimes incredibly happy; but only rarely would that be an occasion. And when I did sing, it'd be while I was flying through the Manor's forest or in the Prefect's Bathroom when I was sure I was alone. Besides, that blonde mermaid didn't seem to mind me much, and she was only a painting after all. So when I sang to Ginny, I was surprised but I kept my cool. There should be a Malfoy patent to keeping one's cool, or at least for our trademark smirk. I'm sure you agree. Anyway, that's not even the point! I don't know where my mind is…well that's a lie. But bear with me while I finish.
Ginny looked puzzled, even with her eyes closed, probably trying to figure out who the singer was. IT was very amusing to watch really; the facial expressions were hilarious. A furrowed brow, chewing her bottom lip…suddenly her eyes flashed open and my hand reached out instinctively to cover it. Not yet. To my astonishment, I saw her small white fist clench up and despite myself was impressed at the show of hostility. Who knew that Ginny Weasley would turn out to be so…well, not Weasley-like? "What do you want from me?!?" she said, gritting her teeth in frustration. That question caught me off guard. What do I want? Well I certainly didn't want to fall for anyone with red hair lest they be related in any way shape or form to Ron Weasley and here I am singing to his little sister. Well the world obviously doesn't care what I want! All I know is that somehow, we've been shoved together and it looks like we'll have to face up to it Ginny; you and me against the masses. What a jolly party that'll be.
I don't know why I still remember that. I never said it though and it's a shame as it was a bloody good speech. All I did was take my hands off of her eyes and sat back smirking slightly at the mental image of Ron Weasley in St. Mungo's for extensive shock treatment due to…well, shock. I was jerked out of that very pleasant daydream when I decided to break the ice and say something.
(Ginny's POV)
"Why didn't you tell me you could sing like that?" I asked.
"Why didn't you tell me you could fly like that?" he said simultaneously.
"Because you didn't ask," we said at the same time. I grinned and he smirked.
"Fair enough. But that was 'Jinx' so you owe me now," I said, playing with a grass blade absently. He raised his eyebrow.
"I owe you?" he asked sounding slightly indignant. I nodded.
"Yes."
"I distinctly remember saying that first."
"Nope, I don't think so mister."
"What, do you have evidence against me or something?"
"I don't need to to know that I said it before you!"
"Oh, getting touchy now are we?"
"Maybe. What's it to you?"
"Too much."
I paused, surprised. "Excuse me?"
Draco shrugged, trying to look indifferent. "I'm not supposed to care." Despite myself I smiled again, amused.
"Oh, but you do huh?" I crossed my legs at the ankles and leaned back on my elbows trying to appear casual, which was far from the truth.
He grinned. "Shut up Weasel." If he had said that to me a year before I might have burst into tears, but the joking tone he said it with brought a broader smile to my face.
"I caught you red-handed Draco Malfoy, you care for something!" I feigned shock.
"Or someone," he replied quietly. I looked up and he brought his hand to my cheek. I didn't jump this time.
"Draco what are you doing?" I asked just as softly, but I didn't pull away.
"What's it to you?" He countered in mock indignation, brushing my hair away from my face gently.
It only took one second for me to decide to kiss Draco Malfoy on the Quidditch pitch for all of Hogwarts to see.
(Draco's POV)
That kiss was unlike any kiss I'd ever shared with a girl. Those kisses weren't even interesting, they just bored me: full of lust and no recognizable emotion present whatsoever. But when this little redheaded girl, one whose family mine has plagued for literally decades, kissed me…it was if someone lit a match in my head and suddenly there was light. I don't really know how else to describe it. Out of the blue, there was a passionate flame burning brightly in my heart and it was surreal to me. I had never felt anything in there besides the occasional guilt, but now my heart was brimmed with joy. Just...pure elation. I don't think even heroin would give me better results than a kiss from Ginny.
We broke off and I saw her eyes go wide with shock but those brown eyes that had plagued me for so long were sparkling with delight. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out and I smiled because I understood. I made such a bad job of describing it in that first paragraph up there that I think you know there were no words for it. It was like when Father went around on New Years two years before, yelling right before it was midnight, "GET OUT THE BLOODY CHAMPAGNE IT'S TIME TO PARTY CISSY!" We were literally speechless. I mean, he wasn't even smashed! That would have explained it. I was thinking "This is my father? Lucius Malfoy??"
Well, on the Quidditch Pitch I was thinking "This is a Weasley? Ginny Weasley??"
I grabbed her hand and helped her up as she was really quite shaky. I slid my arm around her waist and she beamed up at me.
"That was amazing wasn't it?" she said looking up into my eyes.
"Understatement of the century Ginny." We both grinned feeling rather silly as we were sixteen and seventeen after all: you're not supposed to feel anything that profound when you're a teen; it's too strange to take in…especially if you were previously worst enemies. Talk about your confused hormones.
I looked up at the castle and my jaw dropped. "What is it?" Ginny asked looking where my gaze was. Her jaw dropped too.
I believe my initial mental response was Holy bloody hell!
Everyone was hanging out of the windows, gaping stupidly. I could see two people dragging a certain furiously out of control redhead back into the classroom while Potter was laughing heartily. I saw a brown haired girl, no doubt Granger, looking on in utter disbelief and shock. They were all clapping, like we all had when Ginny let Potter have it that fateful day after breakfast. I could see Pansy, Padma, and a bunch of the usual bawling/glaring murderously, and Blaise looking annoyingly smug. The teachers had all abandoned their teachings in favor of our…err…little show we were putting on. The sight of all three Creevey brothers practically salivating with delight at the photo opportunity made me sick so I looked to the right of them. I caught a glimpse of Crabbe and Goyle scratching their heads in puzzlement and then I saw a long shining silver beard and I raised my eyebrow. Dumbledore was smiling at us.
Suddenly I heard a laugh from my right and I looked down. "What?" I asked, still a little bemused at everyone up at the castle. She gave me a huge hug which almost knocked me off of my feet.
"You are so stupid Draco Malfoy!" she said laughing in my chest. I awkwardly patted her hair thinking, well this is new. No girl besides for Blaise has ever called me stupid, and that was when I forgot how to spell 'Snape'!
"And why, pray tell, is that?" I asked as soon as she got off.
"Too lazy and proud to even come crawling on your knees like you should jolly well be doing right now instead of snogging me, you're lucky you get me at all!" she replied smiling mischievously. I smirked.
"So I have you then?" She grinned.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."