AN: Hi everyone! Wow, this is an awfully long chapter! Thanks for all the
great reviews; I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. As usual,
please please please review.
"Ginny seems happier," Hermione commented to Harry as they sat drinking their Butterbeer in The 3 Broomsticks.
"Yeah, I guess she got over whatever she was bothering her."
"What do you reckon it actually was?" she asked, lowering her voice as a group of inquisitive third years eyed them closely.
"I don't know," Harry replied frowning, "Probably just girl stuff."
"Girl stuff? And what would that be exactly?"
"You know what I mean," Harry said giving her one of his looks. Hermione ignored the comment, but still was puzzled over what had unbalanced Ginny so much. Whatever Draco has said to her that day Harry found her must have been serious to upset her that much, but now she seemed fine and happy again. Hermione had even seen her skipping along the corridor to her lessons.
"Well whatever it is that's making her happy let's hope it stays." Neither she, nor Harry could have guessed that the person in question was their deputy head and most feared Slytherin in the school.
"Hey guys!" Ron called as he made his way over to their table; Ginny was following behind, looking alertly about the room, as Hermione stood up to get more drinks.
"Looking for someone?" Harry teased as they sat down.
"Of course not!" Ginny replied in mock surprise. They'd guessed she was probably seeing someone, but she obviously wasn't letting on that it was none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Gin, I'm your brother, you should tell me who you're seeing so I can check he's suitable," Ron said looking sideways at her.
"Well I'm not going to, so there!" she replied sticking her tongue out childishly at her brother.
"Oh that's very mature," he replied, though doing exactly that same. The four friends sat together laughing and sharing jokes about the upcoming Halloween Ball. Ginny let it all wash over her as she sat thinking about what Draco had said to her last night when they'd met secretly after dinner.
She'd asked about the Ball and if he was planning on taking Pansy. She'd hated having to ask him, but when he'd said yes, she'd felt sick to her stomach. For the past two weeks her and Draco had been meeting in secret, whilst keeping up the pretence that he was with Pansy. He'd assured Ginny that they never did more than kiss, and he'd managed so far to avoid her taking it any further.
"Ginny, earth to Ginny," Harry said, waving his hand in front of her face. "I think she's gone," he laughed as Ron nudged her back to reality.
"Sorry, I zoned out there for a minute," Ginny told them smiling.
"Yeah, thinking about the Ball I expect," Ron said grinning, "At least we'll get to meet the mystery guy then."
"What?" Ginny asked.
"Why I assume he's taking you," Ron replied, "At least if he's a decent guy he will be." Ginny stared at him, taking in what Ron had said. They expected her and Draco to go together, or at least whomever they thought the guy was.
"Damn!" she exclaimed abruptly.
"What now?" Ron asked. Ginny didn't have time to reply, as Hermione re- joined them with fresh mugs of Butterbeer.
"Uh! It's disgusting when people act like that in public," she said in annoyance as she sat down.
"Like what?" Harry asked looking around.
"That," she replied pointing a finger towards a couple sat together at the bar. The sleeked back, blonde hair was all too recognisable as Ginny let out a small gasp. Draco and Pansy were sat at the bar; her hand was placed suggestively on his thigh, as she whispered something to him, her tongue flicking out to lick his ear.
"Uh! Get a room!" Ron yelled at them, turning back to see the expression on his sister's face.
"Ginny don't watch them," he said in repulsion, "and why look so surprised, you can't expect much more from a Malfoy." Draco, on hearing the comment from Ron turned to see the four Gryffindors sat together at the corner table. His eyes caught the flash of red hair, except Ron wasn't the only Weasley say at the table. He saw the horrified expression on Ginny's face and the smug expression on Pansy's face.
"Let's go," he mumbled, pulling Pansy up from the seat.
"Yeah, they're letting any trash in here nowadays," Pansy remarked, loud enough for people to hear as they walked out through the door. She threw a look at Ginny as they left, noting the look of dismay on her face.
"God, why's she so bothered," Pansy said looking curiously at Draco as they walked away to join a crowd of Slytherin's sitting outside a different bar. Draco ignored her, sitting purposely next to Robert Rafican and Simon Sneaker leaving no room for Pansy. Annoyed, she sat with her friends who looked on with interest at how blatantly Draco was avoiding her.
"So, got any further yet?" Robert smirked at Draco who was looking away back at the 3 Broomsticks.
"Like it's your business," he replied not bothering to face him.
"Oh yeah, well it becomes our business if you're not gonna bother with her," Robert replied grinning, "Coz one of us might wanna go!" he added exploding in a fit of laughter. Again Draco ignored him, still staring at the bar Ginny was still sat in. He couldn't stand the thought of her hurting because of him; he should never have started this thing with Pansy, it wasn't worth the pretence.
"What's your problem Malfoy?" Simon asked, drawing Draco's attention away for a minute, "Not getting any!" he added laughing again as Robert joined in the joke.
"Whatever," Draco replied getting up and walking towards Pansy.
"I need a word," he told her, as she sat there gossiping with her friends.
"Oh you have to hear this first!" she managed to say though shrieks of laughter.
"What?" he replied irritably.
"Its so funny it's not!"
"Hurry up and say it then." Pansy ignored the tone of his voice.
"Ginny Weasley's in love!" she shrieked as they rest of them collapsed in fits of giggles once more. Draco stared at her, not quite believing what he heard. "Imagine that; who'd look at her twice!" she continued, noticing with glee the look on Draco's face. "I feel sorry for whoever has to touch that kind of girl."
"You'd know wouldn't you Pansy?" Draco suddenly threw at her, "I mean most of the guys round here have seen more than that blabbering mouth of yours." Pansy stared at him in shock. 'Had he really just said that?' Draco couldn't believe either what he'd said.
"You bastard!" she screamed as her hand collided with his cheek, sending a cracking sound to the ears of anyone within a few yards of them. Draco put his hand to his burning cheek looking coldly at her. "How dare you say that to me!" she said with her hands on her hips. "It's not my fault you can't get it up, I tried more than once, but I suppose when you're thinking about someone else it must be pretty tricky," she concluded triumphantly, seeing the shocked expression on his face.
"What's she talking about?" Robert asked after joining the other onlookers.
Draco stared around at everyone, all eyes were on him and after hearing what Pansy had said he wasn't sure if he was more annoyed about she'd said about him not being able to get it up or, about her saying he was thinking about someone else.
"He knows what I'm talking about," Pansy said smirking, "Yes Draco, you didn't know that I'd guessed did you?" she said not even trying to hide the smile on her face.
"Malfoy! What is she talking about?" Robert asked again as the crowd looked on eagerly. Seeing Draco gob smacked was a rare event, as Draco continued to stare at Pansy. 'What should I say?' he thought desperately; 'I can't admit to seeing Ginny secretly because of what everyone will say.' He couldn't afford to be made a victim in his final year of school; he'd spent too many hours building up his reputation for it all to be lost in an instant.
"She doesn't know what she's talking about," he said eventually.
"Yes I do!" she shrieked again, "and everyone's gonna find out just how pathetic you are."
*************************************************************************** "What's going on over there?" Hermione asked as the four exited the bar to see the crowd of students further down the street.
"Looks like a fight!" Ron answered eagerly, making his way over to join them.
"Ron! Leave it, it's nothing to do with us," Hermione called after him, but he only grinned back at her.
"Come on," Harry said taking her hand, "We might be able to sort it out." Ginny followed them curiously, wondering what the fight could be about.
She couldn't get the image of Draco and Pansy out of her mind; he'd said they hadn't done more than kissing, but could she trust him? How could she know he was telling the truth? Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw who was at the centre of the commotion. Ron pushed through to see Draco and Pansy stood opposite each other. He burst out laughing at the sight of them.
"Can't even fight a girl Malfoy?" he mocked. Draco spun round to see Ron leering down at him.
"Why's it your business?" he snapped at him.
"Oh I think it is his business," Pansy put in nastily, "Since the girl you've been fooling around with happens to be his sister!"
The crowd fell silent as Ron took in what Pansy had just said. Draco merely stared at him, not knowing what to say. Pansy wore a look of triumph as she saw the trouble she'd caused. 'This should be interesting.'
"You shouldn't go about spreading filth like that," Ron spat at her, though never taking his eyes of Draco, "My sister wouldn't lower herself to scum like you," he said, his eyes fixed on Draco.
"Well I guess there's nothing to worry about then," Draco managed to reply, hoping Ron would leave it at that. He hadn't seen Ginny standing behind the crowd, looking at him with wide, frightened eyes. She saw how angry Ron was from what Pansy had said, and she hated to think what he'd do if he knew the truth.
"Why would you make this up?" Ron asked turning back to Pansy.
"I didn't, it's true," she replied, "Ask her yourself," she added pointing behind him at the crowd. She hadn't failed to notice Ginny standing amidst the spectators. Ron turned around to see his sister standing looking imploringly at him. Ginny didn't know if she'd be able to lie outright to her brother and the whole crowd of people.
"Well?" Ron asked looking at her.
"I.I," she tried to say, but Draco was looking at her with a stern expression.
"Don't look at him!" Ron shouted at her, "Tell me the truth, is this the guy you've been sneaking around with?"
All eyes were now on Ginny as she struggled to answer Ron's question.
"Ron I don't think." Hermione started to say but Ron cut her off.
"Stay out of this Hermione," he warned, still looking at his sister.
"Ginny, tell me."
"No," she answered almost inaudibly. It was the only thing she could say. Yes she wanted to be with Draco, but she couldn't risk he brother's friendship for him. She knew how appalled Ron would be if she admitted to have been seeing Draco, and so all she could do was lie; she just hoped he would believe her.
Draco stood there staring at Ginny, then Ron, then back to Ginny. He couldn't believe she'd lied for him, to protect him, or so he thought. He stood amazed, amazed that she hadn't broken down and confessed all. 'She surprises me every day,' he thought.
"What was that Ginny?" Ron asked, after not hearing her properly.
"I said no!" she suddenly shouted, "Of course I'm not seeing him, do you think I'd be that desperate?" Draco was slightly shocked at what she'd said, but put it down to her great acting skills. 'Everyone will be convinced now,' he thought in relief.
"Right, let's go then," Ron said taking Ginny's hand and pulling her back through the crowd. Pansy just stared at them, unable to believe her plan of humiliating Draco had backfired. The crowd gradually disappeared as Pansy stalked off with her friends, fuming that it had gone wrong, and already planning another way of getting them to confess. Draco went back to sit with Robert and Simon who merely grinned at him. ***************************************************************************
"Why would she make it up then?" Ron was saying as they walked back towards the school. Harry and Hermione were keeping their distance as they let brother and sister sort it out between them.
"I told you, I don't know!" Ginny replied in frustration. She wished he'd just drop questioning her about Draco, "She's a spiteful bitch, what do you expect?"
"Yeah I guess, just don't let me catch you around him ok?"
"God Ron you sound like Dad!"
"I do not!"
"Yes you do, you're turning into Dad!" she teased, attempting to lighten the conversation.
"You'll regret saying that," he yelled as he lunched at her and they fell about, Ron tickling her till she couldn't take anymore.
"Well I'm glad to see you've sorted things out," Hermione remarked with a smile as she and Harry caught up with them. Ron stopped and pulled Ginny to her feet.
"Yeah, she's still my little sister." Ginny looked at Ron and decided she'd definitely made the right decision. Nothing and no one was worse losing her brother over. ***************************************************************************
"Thought I'd find you here," Draco whispered as he discovered Ginny sitting on the wall outside the Prefect Tower. This was where they usually met, and usually where they engaged in serious making out sessions! "Are you ok?"
Ginny was determined not to cry as Draco joined her on the wall.
"Thanks for earlier," he told her quietly, "I really appreciate you lying for me like that."
"I didn't lie for you!" she replied angrily, "I lied to protect Ron not your precious reputation!"
"Fine, but you don't have to yell about it," Draco replied in annoyance. "Look, as long as we're ok." he began in a gentler tone.
"That's just it, we're not ok." Ginny looked at him with tears in her eyes as he stared back at her. "We can't do this anymore Draco, it's too difficult lying to everyone."
Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing. The one girl he'd really fallen for was rejecting him because of her brother! He didn't see the problem of keeping it secret, and now that Pansy was off the scene, it would be even easier for them to meet.
"Ginny."
"I have to go," she replied jumping down from the wall, "I'm sorry," she added before running off, leaving him staring after her, his face full of confusion and anger.
*************************************************************************** Ginny lay on her bed crying openly. Others had entered the dorm and left quickly on hearing her sobs. She kept telling herself she had made the most sensible and fairest decision for all, but she couldn't shift the emptiness sitting in her stomach. She ached for Draco and the thought of him hating her was almost as bad as the thought of Ron hating her. Turning on her side she stared at the picture of her family that was placed on her bedside table. Nine smiling faces waved at her out of the picture frame at her but not even that could bring a smile to her face. 'What if I've made the wrong decision?' she thought in desperation.
"Ginny? Are you in here?" Hermione's voice filtered through the heavy curtains surrounding Ginny's bed as she pulled them open to see Ginny lying on the bed, her pillow damp from tears.
"Oh Ginny, what's wrong?"
"Everything," she wailed as Hermione sat down on the bed next to her. "Everything's wrong."
"You are seeing Draco aren't you," Hermione stated quietly. She'd guessed from Ginny's behaviour over the past weeks the truth of the situation. Why else who Ginny be upset right now? Ginny could only nod as Hermione's arms went round her small frame. "Why did you lie?"
"I had to, you know Ron as well as I do, he'd go crazy!"
"Well that's may be, but we're not talking about Ron are we?" Ginny read what Hermione was saying, and realised she'd been thinking about everyone but herself and Draco. 'If we want to be together why shouldn't we be?' she thought to herself.
"But there's so much against us," Ginny moaned, continuing to sob. Hermione couldn't deny that, but she hated seeing Ginny so unhappy, and also over the past weeks Draco had been acting differently as well; almost being nice to people.
"Ginny, what do you want?"
"I want him," she replied simply.
"Well who is anyone to stand between love?"
"Love? I never said."
"I know you didn't, but, Ginny, it's pretty obvious from where I'm standing." Ginny stared back at her friend and couldn't help smiling. She was in love with Draco, and couldn't deny it any longer.
"Come with me," Hermione said taking Ginny's hand, and led her up to the Prefect Tower and into the section of the head's adjoining rooms. "Just don't tell Harry I did this ok, he thinks I'm the sensible one!" Hermione giggled as she showed Ginny which room was Draco's, although it wasn't difficult to tell since the door was covered by a green and silver hanging. Ginny stood staring at the door; unsure whether to knock or to just go in. Hermione had closed her own door behind her to give them some privacy.
With a deep breath Ginny knocked and entered without waiting for a reply.
"What are you doing here?" Draco asked in surprise. He had been lying on his bed staring up at the ceiling, trying to figure out how he was going to deal with all the emotions he was experiencing- loss, pain, anger, confusion, hurt, to name but a few. And on seeing the beautiful redheaded girl standing in front of him he knew which emotion was prevailing above the rest.
"I changed my mind," she said simply, walking over to the bed, "I sorry I."
"Shh," Draco said putting a finger to her lips, "It doesn't matter, I know why you did it." He pulled her onto the bed with him, laying her gently on the covers as he kissed her so softly on the lips that she barely felt them. She closed her eyes, taking in the reality of being there with him, as he kissed her again.
Her hands roamed over his back as he lay half across her, covering her with kisses and caresses. Through the thin t-shirt he was wearing, Ginny could feel the rippling muscles as her fingers sought his skin. Understanding her intentions, Draco paused to pull the shirt over his head as she gasped in shock at a silvery scar across his chest. "Just a birth mark I'm afraid," he whispered, "Nothing exciting like battle wounds." Ginny ran her fingers across the mark, wishing she could feel her skin next to her. As if reading her mind, Draco reached down to the lace tie up of her wrap over top; with one swift movement the bow was undone as he slipped the top down past her shoulders.
Lips connected with flesh as he kissed down her neck to the rise of her breasts. Her simple white cotton bra was almost bursting at the seams as Ginny willed it to disappear. Once more, reading her mind Draco reaching behind her back to undo the clasp, which readily gave way. Ginny's blush spread down to her nipples as Draco's hands massaged her breasts, kissing down her stomach to the waistband of her jeans. With a glance up at her, to which she nodded, Draco slowly undid the zip, pulling the jeans down past he ankles till they slid to the floor. He continued kissing her, tracing circles around her belly button as she sighed at his touch.
Draco knew Ginny hadn't had sex before, and he wanted to make her first time as memorable as possible. With his hands resting on her hips he kissed back up to her throat, and along her collarbone to her shoulders. Ginny looked along to where Draco's lips were grazing across her skin, and she couldn't believe it was happening. Her and Draco, together, on his bed, yet all she could think about was how perfect it felt to be with him. All thoughts of her brother and everyone else were banished as she drew his face up to her own. He turned toward her, holding her close to him, their lips barely inches apart. They stared at each other, memorizing each other's features and details, until Ginny couldn't stay silent any longer.
"I love you," she whispered quietly. Draco drew his face away a couple of inches, though never averting his eyes. He was shocked initially; no one had ever told him they loved him, not genuinely, and looking at her he knew it was real. And he also knew that his own love for her was real. "Draco, say something," Ginny whispered, with a trace of apprehension in her voice.
"I love you too."
Sorry it had to end there, but I'm having real trouble thinking of new ways to write about sex so that it's not corny or anything; I will be back with the next chapter soon though!
"Ginny seems happier," Hermione commented to Harry as they sat drinking their Butterbeer in The 3 Broomsticks.
"Yeah, I guess she got over whatever she was bothering her."
"What do you reckon it actually was?" she asked, lowering her voice as a group of inquisitive third years eyed them closely.
"I don't know," Harry replied frowning, "Probably just girl stuff."
"Girl stuff? And what would that be exactly?"
"You know what I mean," Harry said giving her one of his looks. Hermione ignored the comment, but still was puzzled over what had unbalanced Ginny so much. Whatever Draco has said to her that day Harry found her must have been serious to upset her that much, but now she seemed fine and happy again. Hermione had even seen her skipping along the corridor to her lessons.
"Well whatever it is that's making her happy let's hope it stays." Neither she, nor Harry could have guessed that the person in question was their deputy head and most feared Slytherin in the school.
"Hey guys!" Ron called as he made his way over to their table; Ginny was following behind, looking alertly about the room, as Hermione stood up to get more drinks.
"Looking for someone?" Harry teased as they sat down.
"Of course not!" Ginny replied in mock surprise. They'd guessed she was probably seeing someone, but she obviously wasn't letting on that it was none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Gin, I'm your brother, you should tell me who you're seeing so I can check he's suitable," Ron said looking sideways at her.
"Well I'm not going to, so there!" she replied sticking her tongue out childishly at her brother.
"Oh that's very mature," he replied, though doing exactly that same. The four friends sat together laughing and sharing jokes about the upcoming Halloween Ball. Ginny let it all wash over her as she sat thinking about what Draco had said to her last night when they'd met secretly after dinner.
She'd asked about the Ball and if he was planning on taking Pansy. She'd hated having to ask him, but when he'd said yes, she'd felt sick to her stomach. For the past two weeks her and Draco had been meeting in secret, whilst keeping up the pretence that he was with Pansy. He'd assured Ginny that they never did more than kiss, and he'd managed so far to avoid her taking it any further.
"Ginny, earth to Ginny," Harry said, waving his hand in front of her face. "I think she's gone," he laughed as Ron nudged her back to reality.
"Sorry, I zoned out there for a minute," Ginny told them smiling.
"Yeah, thinking about the Ball I expect," Ron said grinning, "At least we'll get to meet the mystery guy then."
"What?" Ginny asked.
"Why I assume he's taking you," Ron replied, "At least if he's a decent guy he will be." Ginny stared at him, taking in what Ron had said. They expected her and Draco to go together, or at least whomever they thought the guy was.
"Damn!" she exclaimed abruptly.
"What now?" Ron asked. Ginny didn't have time to reply, as Hermione re- joined them with fresh mugs of Butterbeer.
"Uh! It's disgusting when people act like that in public," she said in annoyance as she sat down.
"Like what?" Harry asked looking around.
"That," she replied pointing a finger towards a couple sat together at the bar. The sleeked back, blonde hair was all too recognisable as Ginny let out a small gasp. Draco and Pansy were sat at the bar; her hand was placed suggestively on his thigh, as she whispered something to him, her tongue flicking out to lick his ear.
"Uh! Get a room!" Ron yelled at them, turning back to see the expression on his sister's face.
"Ginny don't watch them," he said in repulsion, "and why look so surprised, you can't expect much more from a Malfoy." Draco, on hearing the comment from Ron turned to see the four Gryffindors sat together at the corner table. His eyes caught the flash of red hair, except Ron wasn't the only Weasley say at the table. He saw the horrified expression on Ginny's face and the smug expression on Pansy's face.
"Let's go," he mumbled, pulling Pansy up from the seat.
"Yeah, they're letting any trash in here nowadays," Pansy remarked, loud enough for people to hear as they walked out through the door. She threw a look at Ginny as they left, noting the look of dismay on her face.
"God, why's she so bothered," Pansy said looking curiously at Draco as they walked away to join a crowd of Slytherin's sitting outside a different bar. Draco ignored her, sitting purposely next to Robert Rafican and Simon Sneaker leaving no room for Pansy. Annoyed, she sat with her friends who looked on with interest at how blatantly Draco was avoiding her.
"So, got any further yet?" Robert smirked at Draco who was looking away back at the 3 Broomsticks.
"Like it's your business," he replied not bothering to face him.
"Oh yeah, well it becomes our business if you're not gonna bother with her," Robert replied grinning, "Coz one of us might wanna go!" he added exploding in a fit of laughter. Again Draco ignored him, still staring at the bar Ginny was still sat in. He couldn't stand the thought of her hurting because of him; he should never have started this thing with Pansy, it wasn't worth the pretence.
"What's your problem Malfoy?" Simon asked, drawing Draco's attention away for a minute, "Not getting any!" he added laughing again as Robert joined in the joke.
"Whatever," Draco replied getting up and walking towards Pansy.
"I need a word," he told her, as she sat there gossiping with her friends.
"Oh you have to hear this first!" she managed to say though shrieks of laughter.
"What?" he replied irritably.
"Its so funny it's not!"
"Hurry up and say it then." Pansy ignored the tone of his voice.
"Ginny Weasley's in love!" she shrieked as they rest of them collapsed in fits of giggles once more. Draco stared at her, not quite believing what he heard. "Imagine that; who'd look at her twice!" she continued, noticing with glee the look on Draco's face. "I feel sorry for whoever has to touch that kind of girl."
"You'd know wouldn't you Pansy?" Draco suddenly threw at her, "I mean most of the guys round here have seen more than that blabbering mouth of yours." Pansy stared at him in shock. 'Had he really just said that?' Draco couldn't believe either what he'd said.
"You bastard!" she screamed as her hand collided with his cheek, sending a cracking sound to the ears of anyone within a few yards of them. Draco put his hand to his burning cheek looking coldly at her. "How dare you say that to me!" she said with her hands on her hips. "It's not my fault you can't get it up, I tried more than once, but I suppose when you're thinking about someone else it must be pretty tricky," she concluded triumphantly, seeing the shocked expression on his face.
"What's she talking about?" Robert asked after joining the other onlookers.
Draco stared around at everyone, all eyes were on him and after hearing what Pansy had said he wasn't sure if he was more annoyed about she'd said about him not being able to get it up or, about her saying he was thinking about someone else.
"He knows what I'm talking about," Pansy said smirking, "Yes Draco, you didn't know that I'd guessed did you?" she said not even trying to hide the smile on her face.
"Malfoy! What is she talking about?" Robert asked again as the crowd looked on eagerly. Seeing Draco gob smacked was a rare event, as Draco continued to stare at Pansy. 'What should I say?' he thought desperately; 'I can't admit to seeing Ginny secretly because of what everyone will say.' He couldn't afford to be made a victim in his final year of school; he'd spent too many hours building up his reputation for it all to be lost in an instant.
"She doesn't know what she's talking about," he said eventually.
"Yes I do!" she shrieked again, "and everyone's gonna find out just how pathetic you are."
*************************************************************************** "What's going on over there?" Hermione asked as the four exited the bar to see the crowd of students further down the street.
"Looks like a fight!" Ron answered eagerly, making his way over to join them.
"Ron! Leave it, it's nothing to do with us," Hermione called after him, but he only grinned back at her.
"Come on," Harry said taking her hand, "We might be able to sort it out." Ginny followed them curiously, wondering what the fight could be about.
She couldn't get the image of Draco and Pansy out of her mind; he'd said they hadn't done more than kissing, but could she trust him? How could she know he was telling the truth? Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw who was at the centre of the commotion. Ron pushed through to see Draco and Pansy stood opposite each other. He burst out laughing at the sight of them.
"Can't even fight a girl Malfoy?" he mocked. Draco spun round to see Ron leering down at him.
"Why's it your business?" he snapped at him.
"Oh I think it is his business," Pansy put in nastily, "Since the girl you've been fooling around with happens to be his sister!"
The crowd fell silent as Ron took in what Pansy had just said. Draco merely stared at him, not knowing what to say. Pansy wore a look of triumph as she saw the trouble she'd caused. 'This should be interesting.'
"You shouldn't go about spreading filth like that," Ron spat at her, though never taking his eyes of Draco, "My sister wouldn't lower herself to scum like you," he said, his eyes fixed on Draco.
"Well I guess there's nothing to worry about then," Draco managed to reply, hoping Ron would leave it at that. He hadn't seen Ginny standing behind the crowd, looking at him with wide, frightened eyes. She saw how angry Ron was from what Pansy had said, and she hated to think what he'd do if he knew the truth.
"Why would you make this up?" Ron asked turning back to Pansy.
"I didn't, it's true," she replied, "Ask her yourself," she added pointing behind him at the crowd. She hadn't failed to notice Ginny standing amidst the spectators. Ron turned around to see his sister standing looking imploringly at him. Ginny didn't know if she'd be able to lie outright to her brother and the whole crowd of people.
"Well?" Ron asked looking at her.
"I.I," she tried to say, but Draco was looking at her with a stern expression.
"Don't look at him!" Ron shouted at her, "Tell me the truth, is this the guy you've been sneaking around with?"
All eyes were now on Ginny as she struggled to answer Ron's question.
"Ron I don't think." Hermione started to say but Ron cut her off.
"Stay out of this Hermione," he warned, still looking at his sister.
"Ginny, tell me."
"No," she answered almost inaudibly. It was the only thing she could say. Yes she wanted to be with Draco, but she couldn't risk he brother's friendship for him. She knew how appalled Ron would be if she admitted to have been seeing Draco, and so all she could do was lie; she just hoped he would believe her.
Draco stood there staring at Ginny, then Ron, then back to Ginny. He couldn't believe she'd lied for him, to protect him, or so he thought. He stood amazed, amazed that she hadn't broken down and confessed all. 'She surprises me every day,' he thought.
"What was that Ginny?" Ron asked, after not hearing her properly.
"I said no!" she suddenly shouted, "Of course I'm not seeing him, do you think I'd be that desperate?" Draco was slightly shocked at what she'd said, but put it down to her great acting skills. 'Everyone will be convinced now,' he thought in relief.
"Right, let's go then," Ron said taking Ginny's hand and pulling her back through the crowd. Pansy just stared at them, unable to believe her plan of humiliating Draco had backfired. The crowd gradually disappeared as Pansy stalked off with her friends, fuming that it had gone wrong, and already planning another way of getting them to confess. Draco went back to sit with Robert and Simon who merely grinned at him. ***************************************************************************
"Why would she make it up then?" Ron was saying as they walked back towards the school. Harry and Hermione were keeping their distance as they let brother and sister sort it out between them.
"I told you, I don't know!" Ginny replied in frustration. She wished he'd just drop questioning her about Draco, "She's a spiteful bitch, what do you expect?"
"Yeah I guess, just don't let me catch you around him ok?"
"God Ron you sound like Dad!"
"I do not!"
"Yes you do, you're turning into Dad!" she teased, attempting to lighten the conversation.
"You'll regret saying that," he yelled as he lunched at her and they fell about, Ron tickling her till she couldn't take anymore.
"Well I'm glad to see you've sorted things out," Hermione remarked with a smile as she and Harry caught up with them. Ron stopped and pulled Ginny to her feet.
"Yeah, she's still my little sister." Ginny looked at Ron and decided she'd definitely made the right decision. Nothing and no one was worse losing her brother over. ***************************************************************************
"Thought I'd find you here," Draco whispered as he discovered Ginny sitting on the wall outside the Prefect Tower. This was where they usually met, and usually where they engaged in serious making out sessions! "Are you ok?"
Ginny was determined not to cry as Draco joined her on the wall.
"Thanks for earlier," he told her quietly, "I really appreciate you lying for me like that."
"I didn't lie for you!" she replied angrily, "I lied to protect Ron not your precious reputation!"
"Fine, but you don't have to yell about it," Draco replied in annoyance. "Look, as long as we're ok." he began in a gentler tone.
"That's just it, we're not ok." Ginny looked at him with tears in her eyes as he stared back at her. "We can't do this anymore Draco, it's too difficult lying to everyone."
Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing. The one girl he'd really fallen for was rejecting him because of her brother! He didn't see the problem of keeping it secret, and now that Pansy was off the scene, it would be even easier for them to meet.
"Ginny."
"I have to go," she replied jumping down from the wall, "I'm sorry," she added before running off, leaving him staring after her, his face full of confusion and anger.
*************************************************************************** Ginny lay on her bed crying openly. Others had entered the dorm and left quickly on hearing her sobs. She kept telling herself she had made the most sensible and fairest decision for all, but she couldn't shift the emptiness sitting in her stomach. She ached for Draco and the thought of him hating her was almost as bad as the thought of Ron hating her. Turning on her side she stared at the picture of her family that was placed on her bedside table. Nine smiling faces waved at her out of the picture frame at her but not even that could bring a smile to her face. 'What if I've made the wrong decision?' she thought in desperation.
"Ginny? Are you in here?" Hermione's voice filtered through the heavy curtains surrounding Ginny's bed as she pulled them open to see Ginny lying on the bed, her pillow damp from tears.
"Oh Ginny, what's wrong?"
"Everything," she wailed as Hermione sat down on the bed next to her. "Everything's wrong."
"You are seeing Draco aren't you," Hermione stated quietly. She'd guessed from Ginny's behaviour over the past weeks the truth of the situation. Why else who Ginny be upset right now? Ginny could only nod as Hermione's arms went round her small frame. "Why did you lie?"
"I had to, you know Ron as well as I do, he'd go crazy!"
"Well that's may be, but we're not talking about Ron are we?" Ginny read what Hermione was saying, and realised she'd been thinking about everyone but herself and Draco. 'If we want to be together why shouldn't we be?' she thought to herself.
"But there's so much against us," Ginny moaned, continuing to sob. Hermione couldn't deny that, but she hated seeing Ginny so unhappy, and also over the past weeks Draco had been acting differently as well; almost being nice to people.
"Ginny, what do you want?"
"I want him," she replied simply.
"Well who is anyone to stand between love?"
"Love? I never said."
"I know you didn't, but, Ginny, it's pretty obvious from where I'm standing." Ginny stared back at her friend and couldn't help smiling. She was in love with Draco, and couldn't deny it any longer.
"Come with me," Hermione said taking Ginny's hand, and led her up to the Prefect Tower and into the section of the head's adjoining rooms. "Just don't tell Harry I did this ok, he thinks I'm the sensible one!" Hermione giggled as she showed Ginny which room was Draco's, although it wasn't difficult to tell since the door was covered by a green and silver hanging. Ginny stood staring at the door; unsure whether to knock or to just go in. Hermione had closed her own door behind her to give them some privacy.
With a deep breath Ginny knocked and entered without waiting for a reply.
"What are you doing here?" Draco asked in surprise. He had been lying on his bed staring up at the ceiling, trying to figure out how he was going to deal with all the emotions he was experiencing- loss, pain, anger, confusion, hurt, to name but a few. And on seeing the beautiful redheaded girl standing in front of him he knew which emotion was prevailing above the rest.
"I changed my mind," she said simply, walking over to the bed, "I sorry I."
"Shh," Draco said putting a finger to her lips, "It doesn't matter, I know why you did it." He pulled her onto the bed with him, laying her gently on the covers as he kissed her so softly on the lips that she barely felt them. She closed her eyes, taking in the reality of being there with him, as he kissed her again.
Her hands roamed over his back as he lay half across her, covering her with kisses and caresses. Through the thin t-shirt he was wearing, Ginny could feel the rippling muscles as her fingers sought his skin. Understanding her intentions, Draco paused to pull the shirt over his head as she gasped in shock at a silvery scar across his chest. "Just a birth mark I'm afraid," he whispered, "Nothing exciting like battle wounds." Ginny ran her fingers across the mark, wishing she could feel her skin next to her. As if reading her mind, Draco reached down to the lace tie up of her wrap over top; with one swift movement the bow was undone as he slipped the top down past her shoulders.
Lips connected with flesh as he kissed down her neck to the rise of her breasts. Her simple white cotton bra was almost bursting at the seams as Ginny willed it to disappear. Once more, reading her mind Draco reaching behind her back to undo the clasp, which readily gave way. Ginny's blush spread down to her nipples as Draco's hands massaged her breasts, kissing down her stomach to the waistband of her jeans. With a glance up at her, to which she nodded, Draco slowly undid the zip, pulling the jeans down past he ankles till they slid to the floor. He continued kissing her, tracing circles around her belly button as she sighed at his touch.
Draco knew Ginny hadn't had sex before, and he wanted to make her first time as memorable as possible. With his hands resting on her hips he kissed back up to her throat, and along her collarbone to her shoulders. Ginny looked along to where Draco's lips were grazing across her skin, and she couldn't believe it was happening. Her and Draco, together, on his bed, yet all she could think about was how perfect it felt to be with him. All thoughts of her brother and everyone else were banished as she drew his face up to her own. He turned toward her, holding her close to him, their lips barely inches apart. They stared at each other, memorizing each other's features and details, until Ginny couldn't stay silent any longer.
"I love you," she whispered quietly. Draco drew his face away a couple of inches, though never averting his eyes. He was shocked initially; no one had ever told him they loved him, not genuinely, and looking at her he knew it was real. And he also knew that his own love for her was real. "Draco, say something," Ginny whispered, with a trace of apprehension in her voice.
"I love you too."
Sorry it had to end there, but I'm having real trouble thinking of new ways to write about sex so that it's not corny or anything; I will be back with the next chapter soon though!