See the prologue for the Disclaimer.
Dementor's Kiss
It had been a wonderful summer full of laughing and playing. This summer she had not felt left out, she was always included by the Famous Trio and had loved it. She had loved every moment of it. At least she had that to think about once she had found her exclusion again upon her return to Hogwarts.
She thought he had changed, from the way he joked with her and teased her, from the little pieces of Chocolate Frog and Bert Bott's Every Flavor Bean he had offered and she had accepted, from the way he offered to carry her bag in Diagon Alley. She followed his gaze to his Raven-haired Ravenclaw beauty. It was lies, all lies. He didn't love her, at least not the way she loved him. He didn't worship her. She was just a substitute for family, just like all the other Weasleys, she came along with the package, stamped and labeled "happy little family" and it must have been so hard for him to be peaceful with her while she practically hung all over his words. Cho returned Harry's stare with a perfectly gorgeous smile. Ginny felt sick.
"This is the last time that I'll let him toy with me," Ginny thought as she stormed out of the Great hall. Harry Potter was just too much, one time nice and sweet, the next fawning over Cho Chang, the next stuffing his face full of food, the next talking to Ron about Quidditch, the next…augh! Now was the time to get him back for…everything. She had a plan and all she needed was, well the person she walked into in the next moment.
"As bright as your hair is, you really must learn that looking before you leap is a good idea."
"Oh, sorry." She looked up at Malfoy standing over her and a smile spread across her face.
"I knew I pleased girls but I didn't know all I had to do was get run over by one."
"That's not why I'm smiling." He arched a blond eyebrow.
"I have a proposal for you," Ginny said. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
"I'm listening."
"Not here," she said, "Follow me." She lead him to Myrtle's bathroom (luckily Myrtle wasn't there) before she spoke again.
"I want Potter to notice me." He snorted. "And I need you to do it. You're the last person he wants to see me with. And you have a…reputation with the ladies."
"Oh?" He feigned surprise. "What have you heard?"
"That you've fucked your way through all the houses including Gryffindor." He smiled weakly.
"Let me correct you, only the purebloods in the houses." He paused.
"Well?" Ginny interpolated.
"A good start, but a plan that is far from complete." She tilted her head.
"I don't understand."
"That won't be the only way to win Potter's heart you realize."
"Pardon?"
"Surely a Weasley should understand. He won't like us together, yes, but after I'm gone he won't have any interest in you, will he?"
"I-"
"You've got to have something that he wants. Not an object, but he has to desire you." He saw the confusion melt to understanding. "You've mentioned my reputation, or rather my fucking through the houses. I could give you a few pointers. But I have one question: what do I get out of this?"
"Of course, always so self-centered. You would get the pleasure of watching Harry squirm."
"It's more likely that I will be attacked by a mob of Weasleys and Potter. I will also seem like the bad wizard, trying to pervert an innocent girl while Potter plays the Hero and rescues you from evil. No, I think I prefer to break your heart and have you devout to me a couple weeks before moving on to Potter who will in the end be the hero but with a girl who is nothing more than my castoff."
"Castoff!"
"It's better than being soft, quiet, innocent, doe-eyed Ginny, is it not? Together we will rule the school and you will be a queen. Everyone will know who you are. They will see you as the one who has captured the heart of the sex god, if only for a moment. Your past will be forgotten and your future will lay before you. It's time you stopped being Ginny Weasley and started being Virginia."
"What if I like Ginny Weasley?" she asked quietly.
"If you liked Ginny Weasley you wouldn't be asking for my help." He waited for her to respond. "Therefore, I agree to help you conquer Potter, and you agree to submit yourself to my guidance." She nodded. "Now, how should we seal this pact?"
"I think I handshake will be fine." He smirked.
"I hardly think it will. I much prefer a kiss."
"A kiss?"
"Yes, a kiss."
"But I've never-"
"Just follow my lead." He tilted her chin up with his finger and looked into her eyes as he lowered his mouth. She could feel her heart pounding. Her first kiss. She felt like it was being given by a Dementer. His finger was cold and she closed her eyes tightly expecting his mouth to be the same. Her hands balled into fists as she waited, feeling his warm breath on her face. And then his mouth touched hers and she was surprised, his lips were warm, and soft. He inched away a little, then pressed his mouth on hers again. She could feel something wet pressing against her lips and she opened her mouth, letting it in. It wasn't the slimy snake she expected but something warm that was stroking her tongue and exploring her mouth. She felt his finger trace along her jaw and bury within her hair. She heard him inhale when she allowed her tongue to explore his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck. She lifted her hand to touch his hair in response, but just as her fingers were about to touch him he pulled away.
"So I'll see you at lunch? Try to sit far enough from the Dream Team so that I won't be mauled, but close enough so that they will see us," he said and turned.
"You'll be sitting with me?" she asked, but it was too late because he was gone.
Ginny sat down at the Gryffindor House Table, helped herself to some breaded and fried chicken, and looked around for Draco. He was seated at the Slytherin table and feeling her gaze looked back. He nodded in acknowledgement and then returned to his meal and his friends and she to hers. Not feeling very talkative, she concentrated on her food, taking small bites to make it last.
"Ginny? Are you wearing perfume?" Hermione asked after sitting down beside her. Ginny blushed and looked down at her plate.
"Maybe…" Ginny replied.
"If this is for Harry," Ron said, sitting down across and two down the table, and Harry next her.
"Sod off, Ron," Harry defended, helping himself to some chicken. The trio became interested in their food and each other and she also returned to her miniature bites.
"Hello," Ginny heard a deep voice mumble in her ear and she jumped. She felt Draco gently kiss her cheek. "Mmm. You smell good. Vanilla?" She nodded and looked up at him.
"I bought it in Hogsmeade last time."
"What class do you have next?" She checked her schedule.
"Potions."
"Do you mind if I walk you?" She smiled.
"Not at all." He offered his hand to her which she accepted. He placed his hand on the small of her back as the walked out the Great Hall. She looked over her shoulder just in time to see Ron's face contorting with his ears turning pink, Hermione with surprise written all over her face and Harry stunned.
"Congratulations Miss Weasley," Draco said once they had exited the Great Hall, "You are now publicly my girlfriend." She wasn't sure whether she was going to wretch or be satisfied knowing the damage she would cause to Harry's ego, so she smiled and leaned on him affectionately. "You're going to push me over."
"Am I?" She leaned harder.
"Yes," he said leaning back.
"Ok," Ginny said as she stepped away, and away he fell. He grimaced as he lifted himself and for a second she was afraid that he was going to be angry and lash out. Instead, he smiled, showing his teeth and she smiled back. And then, with a small chuckle he got off the floor and began to escort her once more to potions. I'll have to be more careful around this Weasley, she's sharp.
