Chapter 4
Draco looked up from potting a large Muggle plant called a cactus to see a blur o of red hair go skipping by. She looked oddly happy. Suddenly Draco felt a harsh prick on his forearm and tore his eyes away from Ginny. Seeing a ruby drop of blood well up on his near paper-white skin was rather unnerving for Professor Sprout, who mumbled a spell and hurried off, glancing nervously back at him from time to time. Draco quickly shoveled some sandy potting mixture into the adobe pot, then rushed off to find Ginny. Time to put his plan into action.
Pulling on his cloak, his feet shuffled through the green grass. Dew drops clung to the black hems of his robes, weighing them down- not that Draco noticed. He was intent on reaching his target, who was now sitting, once again, on a rock by the lake.
Talk about deja vu. There she was again, staring into the icy depths of the murky water, her silky red hair blowing around her head, revealing the creamy white skin of her neck and framing her cute features. She looked so peaceful, like the figurehead of a ship jutting bravely through fog and guiding the ship safely to land. But she was getting up- Draco practically raced to where she was sitting, managing to look nonchalant and cool (attribute it to the Malfoy charm many girls had fallen for in the past) with his hands dug deep in his pockets.
Hey Weasley, she looked up questioningly, meeting his gaze with her dark eyes and pausing in her path back to the castle.
Oh, it's you, she muttered. Probably wants to talk about his immense wealth, and my lack of it, or about whatever part he'll pay his way into for the Muggle Studies play. The annoying thing was that Malfoy seemed to be good at everything, so he'd probably get whatever part he wished.
I'm wounded. Truly I am, Draco mumbled, stopped mid-sneer when his eyes met hers and held them. How does she do that? Obviously Draco, resident Hogwarts heartthrob, could have his pick of almost any girl in the school, but he'd (unknowingly) fallen for the one whose personality, not looks, he was attracted to. Of course, he hadn't figured that out yet. As far as he knew, he was absolutely in control of his feelings. Relax he told himself. You can easily charm her- then, she's yours to dispose of. Why was he having second thoughts? Why couldn't he say something? Why didn't she say something? Ginny's soft voice broke through his frustrating tangle of thoughts.
So...have you read Romeo & Juliet before?
Of course. It's only one of the world's most acclaimed tales. Two star-crossed lovers, desiring to be together but kept apart by the confines of society and family, he scoffed. Then he realized how close the play was to the story of his relationship with Ginny. Woah! What relationship?! His heart was racing, so he turned away for a minute to collect himself, not realizing how stricken he'd looked.
Draco? Are you okay? Do you- Ginny asked worriedly, cut off by his sudden turn back towards her.
Draco had to work his hardest to keep a wolfish smile off his face. The relationship' we'll have once she falls infatuated with me. That should come around soon. he thought, cruelly discarding whatever was left of his conscience.
I'm fine...though I could be better... he trailed off suggestively, sidling up to her, the top of her head dangerously close to his, red hair almost tickling his nose. Again their eyes locked, hers dark and questioning, his pale and mesmerizing. His gaze seductively pulled her toward him, his hand snaking out from his side to hers and encircling her waist. And how are you, Virginia? he asked charmingly, his voice sliding chillingly through her mind and darkly caressing its depths.
I think I could be better too, she murmured, her senses overwhelmed by what she was feeling, her mind tingling too much to register shock at her brazen statement. Her thin arm moved, as if by its own accord, to the back of his neck. He smiled dangerously down at her as she peered at him from under her eyelashes. They stood like that for a minute, each wondering what the other would do. This time, it was an unwilling Ginny who broke their gaze. Her eyes traveled above his head to settle on the castle. What am I doing? she thought, holding back a sigh. She lightly removed her hand from his neck and gently took his hand off her waist.
she whispered, pulling her cloak tightly around her and hurrying back to the castle. Draco watched her go with impassive eyes, his feet remaining rooted in the ground, unable to follow her except with his piercing gaze.
%~%~% That Evening %~%~%
The Great Hall was alive and bursting with activity. It was a crisp, chilly November night, and the students were able to look up and admire the velvety black sky, speckled with twinkling stars, as they gorged on rich desserts. All of the food was delicious, as always, and the Hogwarts population was as rambunctious and talkative as ever. Ginny chattered distractedly with Colin Creevey and Eliara, a fifth year Gryffindor with a great ear for gossip. She was one of Ginny's roommates, but they didn't have much of a chance to talk because they were taking different elective courses.
Draco was scheming at the Slytherin table, where his friends and his were buzzing with conversation. Blaise had finally stopped mooning over Ari (Draco suspected it had something to do with Riraynea, a fellow seventh year Slytherin, who Blaise had his eye on), and Ari was animatedly jabbering about some band called Linkin Park (Muggle, he assumed) with Millicent Bullstrode, who Ari insisted was nice underneath her unattractive exterior. Pansy kept trying to plant herself in Draco's lap and spoon feed him raw oysters (Oh come on Drakie, I hear they're an aphrodisiac! I'd need a helluva lot more than an aphrodisiac to even consider you, Parkinson, you know, maybe being knocked unconscious and bound to a Chinese Fireball.) and he couldn't take his eyes off a certain auburn haired gal at the Gryffindor table.
Ginny kept sneaking peeks at Draco as well, and blushed whenever she caught his eye. She wasn't sure exactly what had happened earlier, and wanted to talk about it with someone. She would talk with Elle, but she wasn't sure if she'd be able to keep it quiet. Maybe she could find Hermione later? Though she'd probably flip out and tell everyone...okay, maybe I'll just have to keep this to myself for a bit. Finishing her cheesecake, Ginny backed away from the table and excused herself, much to Colin and Elle's dismay.
I'm kinda tired you guys. Talk to you tomorrow,okay? she fibbed. Really, she just wanted to get back to her dorm and think before her room mates returned from dinner to jabber on about their latest crushes and who was wearing what while making out with whatever boy wasn't their boyfriend. Ginny listened only to her feet hitting the stone stairs as she jogged up the spiraling staircase, eventually giving the Fat Lady the password and trotting up to her dorm, where she fell on the bed and pondered over her afternoon.
Eh. I don't know how much I like the end of this chapter, but I like the little bit o' D/G goodness haha. Anyway, I really want to thank all my reviewers, you guys are so sweet and make writing even more enjoyable!
Maddy- You'll be in it soon, I promise! I just have to find a good place to put you. *frown*
Nyah- Yey! Thank you! =)
Clare- I have forgiven you...it's not a contest man!
Snolive- Ya, I suppose that was a bit OOC. But is his demonic thinking in this chapter somewhat better? Kokowam...sounds like some kind of Indian drug.
Cheater531- Oh I will! Hopefully. That is the plan.
Anyaka- I know! Don't you just love the way those little creative cogs in my head turn?
Lady Megan- I am SO borrowing you muse! And I'm going to lend her to my friend Olivia, who NEEDS TO START ON HER SWEET POISON OF MISUSED WINE FIC! Heh...anyway, thank you for your generosity in lending her to me!
PhoenixRae- I'm so glad you read it, everyone needs to go read Defense Against You it is an awesome fic and she updates much more often than I do.
Magic Girl2- I put you in! Hopefully you'll get a bigger part later, I'm kind of rushed in writing this chapter.
Kiwi- I don't let Draco watch Arthur when I let him out of my closet, where he's usually locked...no I don't....*shifty glances* Wait- I mean, Draco isn't locked in my closet! How dare you accuse me or such things?
polar-zephyr- Ahh! Your reviews are so sweet! And I really like your fics! =) Update update! *does update dance*
Roxy- Yey! Thank you so much. =)
Anyway, I love you all. Again, if you want to be in it leave a description!
Alli
