Disclaimer: J.K Rowling rocks! I'm just a stupid dork hoping to get a few
reviews using her characters. Yup.
Facing Fear
Chapter 10 Grief
~*~
I've put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
And for all this
There's only one thing you should know
I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
~*~
~*~*~*~*~
Ginny lay on her bed that night in a state of confusion and uncertainty.
What had Draco and Cain been doing, associating like old friends in a dark alley? What was Draco hiding? And why did she ever agree to have dinner with him?
Finally she drifted off into a restless sleep, vampires haunting her dreams.
The next morning she just moped around her dorm, skipping all meals. It was Saturday. The big date was tonight.
Finally she took a long shower and then tried reading a book for a while, something she hadn't done in a long time.
Then she changed into the dress she had bought yesterday, and fixed her unmanageable curly hair up into an elegant fixture, with only a little help from her wand.
She checked herself one last time in the mirror, and then threw a cloak on over her dress. Why was she trying so hard for Malfoy?
~*~*~*~*~
Knocking lightly on the door to the room where she spent so much of her life now, Ginny waited for it to open and then stepped uncertainly inside.
At first glance, Ginny thought that she was in the wrong room. All her training equipment, the bookshelves, the table, everything was gone. In their place was a beautifully laid out table in the center of the room, candles throwing shadows across the walls and making the china sparkle innocently.
There was a large roaring fire in the fireplace, and the couch remained in front of it.
Draco stood up from his seat on the couch, and stepped forward to take her cloak.
"Good evening." His smile almost frightened her, but she shrugged her cloak off her shoulders anyway.
Ginny could feel the heat rise in her face as Draco surveyed her attire. She fidgeted with her hands uncomfortably, waiting for his sign of approval.
He smirked at her timidity. "You look lovely."
Ginny sighed, and he offered her his hand. He was dressed all in black, making his pale skin delicate looking and his gray eyes dance in the light.
He led her to the table and Ginny sat down after he pulled out her chair. It was just like a romantic scene from a novel, Ginny realized. Since when did Malfoy become romantic?
He walked to a small cart near the edge of the room and turned his back to her as he poured the drinks. She couldn't tell if it was wine or some kind of sparkling water.
He placed a glass in front of her plate first, then went around and did the same for himself, and finally settled into his seat.
"So," He began.
"So." Ginny repeated.
They had never been that good at conversation. It always seemed to lead to arguing.
"I guess we should eat then." He took out his wand and waved it, and food of every delicacy imaginable appeared before them.
She took her fork and began eating, taking small bites and glancing up at Draco every now and then. He did the same.
When they finally locked eyes, Ginny decided to break the silence.
"What is all this about?" Ginny asked seriously. "It's not like you at all. . .being kind to such a low Weasley."
"I know." He replied without hesitancy and taking her remark as honesty. "You're intriguing, that's all."
"Intriguing?" Ginny questioned unbelievingly. "You know everything about me Draco. I'm a simple girl, youngest of seven brothers, and destined to save the world from demons. I've kept nothing but small family secrets from you. I've held nothing big back, unlike you who keeps secrets of every kind."
There was a dazed silence after her rambling.
"What are you talking about?" Draco asked, his words even and suspecting.
Ginny faltered for a moment.
"Uh, I don't know. . . there's just things you are keeping from me." She avoided his eyes. "I thought the Watcher was supposed to teach the Slayer, share everything he knows with her."
"I have." He stated deliberately.
"No you haven't!" Ginny exclaimed a little more firmly than intended. "All this is nice, but I want answers, not bribes and questions left hanging."
"You haven't had any of your drink. I made it especially for you." The subject was abruptly changed. "It's my specialty."
"See!" Ginny argued. "You're avoiding the questions again!"
"What questions?" A flash of anger clouded his features. "What do you want to know!?"
Ginny stopped at his outburst. "I want to know what you're hiding from me."
"I'm not hiding anything."
"Don't lie to me."
He sighed and lifted his glass to his lips, taking a long, slow sip. He stared pointedly at her.
She reached for her glass as well, and brought it to her lips, aware of the strange way he was gazing at her.
Ginny took a small sip and realized that the drink tasted and smelled like nothing she had ever come across before. Her enhanced sense of smell caught a whiff of something deadly, and she hesitated. Warnings were going off in her head; pieces were falling into the puzzle.
She set her drink back down deliberately, watching Draco's expression. His face fell, and she saw the flash of rage in his eyes again.
"Why?" Ginny said, her voice low and hurt. She stood up slowly.
"Sit down Ginny." His voice was firm and commanding.
Ginny knew now. The body language, the anger, the blank confusion in his eyes. He was lost. Lost to the world, lost to himself, lost to everything good.
The sleeping potion she had found that day was for her.
He had drugged her drink.
He and Cain were on speaking terms. They had probably been conspiring against here since the beginning.
She stood her ground and Malfoy knew. She had figured it out.
She turned her back on him and reached for the door. With a magical force she was pulled away from it.
"I said, sit!"
She was thrown into her chair, and Malfoy sat across from her, wand in hand. He hadn't taught her much about fighting magic, seeing as how Vampires couldn't use wands. What good was a Slayer against magic?
"This would be so much easier if you would just take the drink Ginny."
"So that you can just hand me over to Cain? Just like that?" Ginny accused. "You aren't even going to give me a small chance to fight? What happened to you Draco? What happened to the faithful Watcher I first met?"
"I was a Watcher." Draco stated, the fire casting flickering shadows across his face. "I watched you, and saw the way you defended yourself against those demons without fear. But you were the one with that power, not me. I want that power Ginny. I'm tire of being scared, of fearing the dark side of the world, of reliving the night a vampire killed my mother."
Ginny felt a small shed of pity for him, but it was quickly pushed aside.
"So, you're handing me to Cain right?"
He nodded without any trace of a guilty conscience.
"What for? What do you get in return? What good will my life bring you?"
"Immortality." He stated simply. "I become one of them."
Ginny sat stunned for a moment. "A demon!" She shrieked. "Draco, there are other ways to overcome fear! But turning yourself into an ugly blood- sucking vampire isn't one of them!"
"Yes it is!" The rage and lust in his face reminded Ginny of her face-to- face experience with Tom Riddle. "I've tried everything! I'm a Malfoy. I'm supposed to be fearless, on Voldemort's side. True, I'm not scared of Voldemort, but I am of vampires. Ever since my mother was killed I've lived my life afraid that some vampire is going to crawl into my bedroom at night and finish me off."
"And then it came to me!" He continued. "I would become a Watcher and face my fear, by fighting for the good side, turning away from all my father had taught me. And hopefully I would sleep in peace again. But nothing changed, except that you came into my life. You had what I wanted: strength against the unknown."
Ginny couldn't believe what she was hearing.
He continued, "So, I got up enough courage to approach Cain. I knew that you could defeat him, even if you didn't believe it yourself. He knew it too. And so I offered a trade. You for my immortality, and the end of fear."
"So that's all I am to you?" Ginny asked, tears threatening to spill. "An object for your own well-being, so that you can overcome this fear of vampires?"
"Don't make this hard Ginny."
"Answer the question! You never actually felt anything for me? It was all just this plan to end your own grief? Well what about mine!? It's not like I haven't ever been afraid of something."
He acted as if he couldn't hear her pleading.
"Please drink this."
He lifted the glass for her again. Calmly she took it out of his hand. Then she wrapped her own hand around it, and bracing herself applied pressure. The glass exploded, it's contents spilling all over the table, along with the blood that dripped from her hand.
Draco leaped up and threw her into the couch. She lost her balance and tumbled back onto it. He was on her in a matter of seconds. She scooted back, trying to get away from him as he towered over her in fury. He took her by the shoulders and pressed her into the cushions.
Ginny braced her hands against his chest, and threw him to the floor. He cried out in pain as he hit the floor.
"Is this what you want?" She asked, pulling out a stake and pressing it to his heart. The light of the fire reflected Draco's angry expression. "Waste your life as a demon, hiding from the Slayer for the rest of your demonic life, until finally one of these cuts right through your heart, and all that remains is a small pile of dust?"
She had him pinned to the floor, and he was struggling hard against her strength.
"I can't let you do that Draco. You know I would have to kill you. It's my duty."
Suddenly he flung his body upward, and Ginny tumbled on top of him, as they rolled in a frenzy of vigorous struggle closer and closer to the fire.
She freed herself from his grasp, and stood up, throwing him against the wall. He stumbled backward, and turned to look at her. She was surprised to find her eyes becoming heavy. All at once everything started to become blurry. She had to prop herself against Draco's chair.
"You took a sip of it." Draco said, laughing coldly. "I didn't think the stuff was that powerful, but I guess one sip was enough."
"I'm going to kill you." Ginny spoke in a slurred voice. She could feel the strength leaving her body, and the sleeping potion taking over.
She slipped out of consciousness.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Thanks to all my reviewers!
Facing Fear
Chapter 10 Grief
~*~
I've put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
And for all this
There's only one thing you should know
I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
~*~
~*~*~*~*~
Ginny lay on her bed that night in a state of confusion and uncertainty.
What had Draco and Cain been doing, associating like old friends in a dark alley? What was Draco hiding? And why did she ever agree to have dinner with him?
Finally she drifted off into a restless sleep, vampires haunting her dreams.
The next morning she just moped around her dorm, skipping all meals. It was Saturday. The big date was tonight.
Finally she took a long shower and then tried reading a book for a while, something she hadn't done in a long time.
Then she changed into the dress she had bought yesterday, and fixed her unmanageable curly hair up into an elegant fixture, with only a little help from her wand.
She checked herself one last time in the mirror, and then threw a cloak on over her dress. Why was she trying so hard for Malfoy?
~*~*~*~*~
Knocking lightly on the door to the room where she spent so much of her life now, Ginny waited for it to open and then stepped uncertainly inside.
At first glance, Ginny thought that she was in the wrong room. All her training equipment, the bookshelves, the table, everything was gone. In their place was a beautifully laid out table in the center of the room, candles throwing shadows across the walls and making the china sparkle innocently.
There was a large roaring fire in the fireplace, and the couch remained in front of it.
Draco stood up from his seat on the couch, and stepped forward to take her cloak.
"Good evening." His smile almost frightened her, but she shrugged her cloak off her shoulders anyway.
Ginny could feel the heat rise in her face as Draco surveyed her attire. She fidgeted with her hands uncomfortably, waiting for his sign of approval.
He smirked at her timidity. "You look lovely."
Ginny sighed, and he offered her his hand. He was dressed all in black, making his pale skin delicate looking and his gray eyes dance in the light.
He led her to the table and Ginny sat down after he pulled out her chair. It was just like a romantic scene from a novel, Ginny realized. Since when did Malfoy become romantic?
He walked to a small cart near the edge of the room and turned his back to her as he poured the drinks. She couldn't tell if it was wine or some kind of sparkling water.
He placed a glass in front of her plate first, then went around and did the same for himself, and finally settled into his seat.
"So," He began.
"So." Ginny repeated.
They had never been that good at conversation. It always seemed to lead to arguing.
"I guess we should eat then." He took out his wand and waved it, and food of every delicacy imaginable appeared before them.
She took her fork and began eating, taking small bites and glancing up at Draco every now and then. He did the same.
When they finally locked eyes, Ginny decided to break the silence.
"What is all this about?" Ginny asked seriously. "It's not like you at all. . .being kind to such a low Weasley."
"I know." He replied without hesitancy and taking her remark as honesty. "You're intriguing, that's all."
"Intriguing?" Ginny questioned unbelievingly. "You know everything about me Draco. I'm a simple girl, youngest of seven brothers, and destined to save the world from demons. I've kept nothing but small family secrets from you. I've held nothing big back, unlike you who keeps secrets of every kind."
There was a dazed silence after her rambling.
"What are you talking about?" Draco asked, his words even and suspecting.
Ginny faltered for a moment.
"Uh, I don't know. . . there's just things you are keeping from me." She avoided his eyes. "I thought the Watcher was supposed to teach the Slayer, share everything he knows with her."
"I have." He stated deliberately.
"No you haven't!" Ginny exclaimed a little more firmly than intended. "All this is nice, but I want answers, not bribes and questions left hanging."
"You haven't had any of your drink. I made it especially for you." The subject was abruptly changed. "It's my specialty."
"See!" Ginny argued. "You're avoiding the questions again!"
"What questions?" A flash of anger clouded his features. "What do you want to know!?"
Ginny stopped at his outburst. "I want to know what you're hiding from me."
"I'm not hiding anything."
"Don't lie to me."
He sighed and lifted his glass to his lips, taking a long, slow sip. He stared pointedly at her.
She reached for her glass as well, and brought it to her lips, aware of the strange way he was gazing at her.
Ginny took a small sip and realized that the drink tasted and smelled like nothing she had ever come across before. Her enhanced sense of smell caught a whiff of something deadly, and she hesitated. Warnings were going off in her head; pieces were falling into the puzzle.
She set her drink back down deliberately, watching Draco's expression. His face fell, and she saw the flash of rage in his eyes again.
"Why?" Ginny said, her voice low and hurt. She stood up slowly.
"Sit down Ginny." His voice was firm and commanding.
Ginny knew now. The body language, the anger, the blank confusion in his eyes. He was lost. Lost to the world, lost to himself, lost to everything good.
The sleeping potion she had found that day was for her.
He had drugged her drink.
He and Cain were on speaking terms. They had probably been conspiring against here since the beginning.
She stood her ground and Malfoy knew. She had figured it out.
She turned her back on him and reached for the door. With a magical force she was pulled away from it.
"I said, sit!"
She was thrown into her chair, and Malfoy sat across from her, wand in hand. He hadn't taught her much about fighting magic, seeing as how Vampires couldn't use wands. What good was a Slayer against magic?
"This would be so much easier if you would just take the drink Ginny."
"So that you can just hand me over to Cain? Just like that?" Ginny accused. "You aren't even going to give me a small chance to fight? What happened to you Draco? What happened to the faithful Watcher I first met?"
"I was a Watcher." Draco stated, the fire casting flickering shadows across his face. "I watched you, and saw the way you defended yourself against those demons without fear. But you were the one with that power, not me. I want that power Ginny. I'm tire of being scared, of fearing the dark side of the world, of reliving the night a vampire killed my mother."
Ginny felt a small shed of pity for him, but it was quickly pushed aside.
"So, you're handing me to Cain right?"
He nodded without any trace of a guilty conscience.
"What for? What do you get in return? What good will my life bring you?"
"Immortality." He stated simply. "I become one of them."
Ginny sat stunned for a moment. "A demon!" She shrieked. "Draco, there are other ways to overcome fear! But turning yourself into an ugly blood- sucking vampire isn't one of them!"
"Yes it is!" The rage and lust in his face reminded Ginny of her face-to- face experience with Tom Riddle. "I've tried everything! I'm a Malfoy. I'm supposed to be fearless, on Voldemort's side. True, I'm not scared of Voldemort, but I am of vampires. Ever since my mother was killed I've lived my life afraid that some vampire is going to crawl into my bedroom at night and finish me off."
"And then it came to me!" He continued. "I would become a Watcher and face my fear, by fighting for the good side, turning away from all my father had taught me. And hopefully I would sleep in peace again. But nothing changed, except that you came into my life. You had what I wanted: strength against the unknown."
Ginny couldn't believe what she was hearing.
He continued, "So, I got up enough courage to approach Cain. I knew that you could defeat him, even if you didn't believe it yourself. He knew it too. And so I offered a trade. You for my immortality, and the end of fear."
"So that's all I am to you?" Ginny asked, tears threatening to spill. "An object for your own well-being, so that you can overcome this fear of vampires?"
"Don't make this hard Ginny."
"Answer the question! You never actually felt anything for me? It was all just this plan to end your own grief? Well what about mine!? It's not like I haven't ever been afraid of something."
He acted as if he couldn't hear her pleading.
"Please drink this."
He lifted the glass for her again. Calmly she took it out of his hand. Then she wrapped her own hand around it, and bracing herself applied pressure. The glass exploded, it's contents spilling all over the table, along with the blood that dripped from her hand.
Draco leaped up and threw her into the couch. She lost her balance and tumbled back onto it. He was on her in a matter of seconds. She scooted back, trying to get away from him as he towered over her in fury. He took her by the shoulders and pressed her into the cushions.
Ginny braced her hands against his chest, and threw him to the floor. He cried out in pain as he hit the floor.
"Is this what you want?" She asked, pulling out a stake and pressing it to his heart. The light of the fire reflected Draco's angry expression. "Waste your life as a demon, hiding from the Slayer for the rest of your demonic life, until finally one of these cuts right through your heart, and all that remains is a small pile of dust?"
She had him pinned to the floor, and he was struggling hard against her strength.
"I can't let you do that Draco. You know I would have to kill you. It's my duty."
Suddenly he flung his body upward, and Ginny tumbled on top of him, as they rolled in a frenzy of vigorous struggle closer and closer to the fire.
She freed herself from his grasp, and stood up, throwing him against the wall. He stumbled backward, and turned to look at her. She was surprised to find her eyes becoming heavy. All at once everything started to become blurry. She had to prop herself against Draco's chair.
"You took a sip of it." Draco said, laughing coldly. "I didn't think the stuff was that powerful, but I guess one sip was enough."
"I'm going to kill you." Ginny spoke in a slurred voice. She could feel the strength leaving her body, and the sleeping potion taking over.
She slipped out of consciousness.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Thanks to all my reviewers!