Chapter 1
So you sailed away
Into a grey sky morning
Now I'm here to stay
Love can be so boring
Nothing's quite the same now
I just say your name now
- Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)', Vertical Horizon
Draco dashed off to the castle, his pricey robes swishing irritatingly against the familiar green grass. What the hell had he done? He wasn't attracted to Ginny...right? And even if he was, he knew better than that. Malfoys couldn't associate with low-born, Muggle-loving Weasleys. He had just been hallucinating. That kiss didn't happen. Any minute now, I'll wake up in my own bed in the Slytherin dungeon and be all alone with no memory of this rubbish, he thought, pinching himself. He yelped as he confirmed his fear that he wasn't dreaming, though his pale skin turned red and felt sore for a bit after that.
Back in his dorm, he ran his hand through his hair. Why did I kiss her? he reasoned. Okay. I'll keep my cool. We'll make a list. This way I can prove to myself that I don't have feelings for Ginny Weasley. Finding a pad of thick, creamy paper and a quill, he settled down on top of his large bed. Okay. first.
1. She's pretty, even if she is a Weasley.
2. She was crying. I felt bad. I pitied her and her pathetic existence. That's better. Felt bad? he smirked, Gimme a break.
3. I could use her to make Scarhead jealous, and to piss off her idiotic brother. That's perfect! That's why I kissed her! I'm such a genius. he thought smugly, rubbing his hands together. After this, he didn't need any more reasons. He quashed the nagging voice in the back on his head that was telling him to look deeper, for there was more, and discarded the list on the floor.
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Ginny let her eyes follow Draco's increasingly smaller form as he headed up the slope and back to the castle, his robes billowing around him and his blonde hair shining against the jade of the grass and the fabric of his robes. What had just happened? She thought she liked Harry, but being with Draco was different- and not in an entirely bad way. Harry was like a brother to her...an attractive, sweet brother whose hugs were definitely memorable. But being with Draco was invigorating, a heady rush of conflicting emotions that she couldn't even attempt to decipher. Why was it so different now? Back in her first year, his vile excuse for a father had slipped her Tom Riddle's diary, and throughout Ron's days at school Draco had tormented him and his friends without remorse, but he'd never done anything to Ginny, with the exception of ignoring her (which was hard to discern, considering she never approached him either.)
A week or so into this school year (her sixth, Draco's seventh), Draco had bumped into her in the hall, sending her papers flying in a shower of quills and parchment. Expecting him to torment her for her clumsiness, she had almost passed out in shock when she spotted a pale hand sweeping together several of her quills and holding them out. Ginny had reached out a trembling hand to take them, almost dropping them again in the process.
Ginny whispered, blushing.
Not a problem, he had stated crisply before heading off in the direction of the dungeons, leaving her very confused and apprehensive. Hopefully the Slytherins weren't plotting anything- though it would do them good to see one of their own being charitable' to a Weasley, hopefully set an example and such. But Ginny shook her head, playfully tossing the thought out of her mind. What's the likelihood that that would ever happen?
Snippets of conversations in the next few weeks had caused even more confusion on her part. Draco was being...nice, which was amazing unto itself, but even more astounding was that he was being nice to her. For years, all she had known about Draco was that he was the school bully and that he found immense pleasure in torturing Ron and his mates. She had mused about him occasionally, wondering what he was really like, but had never been brave enough to take initiative and speak to him, with the exception of a quiet, now and then.
Why did he kiss me? Am I hallucinating? she puzzled, knowing deep down she wasn't dreaming. Ginny couldn't think of any reason for Draco Malfoy to kiss her, unless he was using her as a pawn in something. She didn't want him to be using her though. Something, not her mind, but her...heart? was telling her that she had enjoyed that kiss. A lot. And that's truly unfortunate, she thought, because it was just a dare or something, and it'll never happen again. I like Harry. Even if he doesn't like me, she told herself, shaking her head firmly. I do not like Draco Malfoy. That's absurd. And with that, she wiped dried tear tracks from her face and strode towards the castle, not realizing that she was still wearing his sweater.
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Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update. And ew, was this chapter any good? I kinda squeezed it out in various little bursts when I could find time and some speck of my writing ability. Writer's block is EVIL! *whacks Writer's Block on the head' with a copy of Hogwarts, A History* I'm so happy with my reviews! I got a seven- two from Clare, computer error I suppose. Yey! Drop me a line with your email if you want to be on an update list, I'm hoping to update at least once or twice a week, maybe more, if Writer's Block stops stalking me. Thanks again for reviewing it means bunches to me!
Snolive- My co-conspirator! The sun. *glower* We'll extinguish that big light someday. *shakes fist menacingly* You have to post your fics! NOW, FOOL!
Kiwi- I'm so glad you like it! I love Vertical Horizon too and am thinking of starting another fic based on Everything You Want and/or You're a God when I'm done with this one. But you'll just have to wait and see now won't ya? I haven't read Catcher in the Rye but now I'll have to. :oP
Duo's Kitty- Thank you so much for the sweet review! *blush*
jane-valar- I love this song too! If only I could de-attach my headphones from my ears, maybe then I'd be more in tune with my real life LOL.
Clare- BE A MAN, YOU MUST BE SWIFT AS A COURSING RIVER! *bellows Disney songs at the top of her lungs* Thou must post your fic.
Maddy- *gasp* I'm gonna tell Goku, and Cleon, and *lists Maddy's many other lovers* on you!
PhoenixRae- You rock my socks! Everyone needs to go read her story, it's called Defense Against You' and it's so awesome! Plus she updates like every day, which is SO AMAZING!! So yeah. Go read it. :oP
3 Alli
