A/N: Hallo! Sorry for the long delay! Really, I am! I have had so much
crap going on lately! I probably wont be done with the next chapter for a
while. Definitly not by next weekend. Sorry in advance.
This chapter is dedicated to all of my pals on Team 60! Good luck this weekend and I hope we win Phoenix!
Everyone review to show your support! Say go Bionic Bulldogs!! Yay!
Really. Do it. I dare you! (hint hint)
FreeCell: Chapter 7
Draco and Ginny sat calmly side by side next to each other on the Hogwarts Express. It was the day after they had won their contest and revolutionized the Wizarding World. In a few days, they would have their potion out for the public market. They had struck gold. Ginny couldn't help but be happy. She had made enough money to last a lifetime and help her family.
Professor Snape had dozed off in the bench opposite them. Draco grabbed Ginny's hand and squeezed it. She looked to him. He jerked her into the hallway. There were only a few people on the train, mostly residents and visitors of Hogsmeade, and they had no problem finding an empty compartment.
"Gin. We need to talk. We'll be at Hogwarts soon, and I want to get this all worked out," he said earnestly.
"Draco? Are you being sensible? Oh my goodness, I feel faint!" Ginny giggled and held her hand to her forehead in mock drama.
"I'm serious." He said, tapping his foot on the floor. This only made Ginny laugh even more, "What's gotten into you, anyhow?"
"We just won the largest potions contest in Europe! I'm going to be rich! There won't be any more werewolves, and I've got you! What could be better? Everything's going perfectly!" she sighed in contentment.
"I'm still engaged."
"Oh, a minor detail," she said with a wave of her hand. Draco sighed and rubbed his head with his hands. This was going to be difficult.
"Listen. I cannot get out of this engagement, Ginny. If I do, then my father will disown me. Lucius is ruthless."
"Draco, you have just made enough money to last a lifetime! We will both get the patent, and there will be millions of galleons to split between us! Why do you need more money? Are you that greedy?"
"Yes, Ginny, I am. What do you think everyone will say? 'Oh, there goes Draco Malfoy. His father left him in the cold. To think, a Malfoy, thrown out on the streets!'" Draco growled and then stomped away. Ginny sat there, helpless. Her good mood was squashed.
* * * * * * * * *
"Gin!" Three happy voices came from the stairs of Hogwarts Castle. Ginny rolled her eyes, always unable to get away from Ron's friends. She had to smile, though. They were all so proud of her. She got out of the carriage and ran to meet them. They all caught her in a huge hug.
"We're so proud of you, Gin! You did great!" Hermione said. Ron and Harry quickly agreed. Draco came up from behind them and scoffed.
"Oh look! It's the Dream Team! Let's get all lovey-dovey because they're around!" He glared at Ginny before stalking off angrily. She turned red in the face and began stalking after him.
"Draco Malfoy!" she screamed. They were in the Entrance Hall, and there were many people around. Most of them chose this time to scatter, but some thought the prospect of a bloodbath was all too exciting, and they stayed to watch the show.
"What do you want, Virginia?" He yelled back at her.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I don't think this is the time or the place to discuss this, Weasley!" Ginny's face went bright red. She stomped over to Draco and stood close to him, her eyes penetrating his.
"Don't you dare get moody on me Malfoy! You act like a fucking girl sometimes with your mood swings! Now, if you'll get your pansy ass over here, we'll go somewhere and have a private conversation," she glared at the crowd surrounding them, "away from prying eyes." She turned quickly, her robes fanning out behind her. Draco followed behind her with his arms folded across his chest, glaring at her the entire way.
She led him through the dungeons, and into Professor Snape's classroom. Then, she opened up the door for him to enter. He led the way into the small classroom, and Ginny sat down on a chair, her legs propped up on the table.
"Talk, Draco, if that's what interests you," she said, and then began examining her fingernails.
"Ginny, I have to tell you something, okay? Listen to me, and don't think that this is a waste of time. This is important, and I need to get this out into the open." He sat down in the chair next to Ginny's, trying earnestly to get her to drop her bad girl persona, "Ever since the Yule Ball in my fourth year, I have been engaged to Pansy Parkinson. It is stated in my father's will, that I may not break this engagement, or the entire fortune will be forfeited. Understand, Gin, that since I was old enough to walk, my father has been drilling the fact that I will be his heir into my head. When I was eight years old, I was taught to manage his bank accounts. I can't just walk out on this. It has been my life since I was born."
"Draco, change isn't all bad. This money will double the money in your father's bank. You are too full of foolish pride to be yourself," Ginny said, sitting up and talking straight to his face.
"I like you, Gin. You make me feel like myself. I don't want to end this, not when it's so new."
"Then don't."
"What? I told you that I can't get out of this engagement-"
"Then don't," Ginny put a sly smile onto her face. She got up and walked to the far wall. She gazed up and down the odds and ends. The ingredients were always interesting to look at, especially, when you were trying to act mysterious, as Ginny was.
"What are you proposing, Miss Weasley?" Draco said. He, too, was wearing that creepy smile, and it made Ginny laugh.
"I'm sure going to miss this place... I wonder if Snape will let us do some independent research here for the rest of the year," Ginny winked at him. His smile grew broader.
"I think that you might have something there, Virginia."
"How many times have I told you, Draco? Don't call me - " she was interrupted. His lips had softly brushed hers.
"Shut up, Weasley. You talk too much," Ginny laughed before pulling him to her.
* * * * * * *
Ginny was heading for her potions class. It was the first day of class for her since the competition, and she was the talk of the school. Her parents had congratulated her, along with her brothers, and the students merely looked on her with respect.
As usual, she sat in the front, so she didn't miss any of Snape's lecture. She got there first, however, and Snape was alone. Ginny looked around, confused.
"Ah, Miss Weasley. Right on time. Unfortunately, I have cancelled class for today. I have a visitor coming, from France, and I do not wish to be disturbed." Ginny smiled at him. Of course, his wife was coming into town today. How could she have forgotten?
"Right! Sorry, Professor! I'll just be going, then!"
"Ginny! I received this in the mail today. I thought you might be interested in reading it. Off I go, then! You and Draco are invited to come and dine with my wife and I tonight if you wish," Ginny accepted the letter and his invitation. He left the room with a flourish.
Carefully, she opened the envelope. Her eyes grew wide in her head, and she couldn't conceal her smile. This, she had to tell Draco.
* * * * * * * *
Draco Malfoy was sitting at the Slytherin table calmly eating his lunch. Or, at least he would have been if he hadn't suddenly sprouted two more arms, legs, and another head. You see, Pansy Parkinson had decided it was time for her to 'claim her man' and keep Draco to herself. Draco was doing his best to look composed, and calm.
Ginny Weasley entered the Great Hall with determination. She had a quick stride in her step as she headed toward the Slytherin table. She scoped out her target and sat across from the four-armed, four-legged, two-headed Draco Malfoy. It took all of her determination to keep from laughing at the atrocity that had fastened itself to him. Her eyes gleamed maliciously and Draco scowled at her.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice full of malice. Ginny smirked and looked at the rest of the students at the table. They were all staring at her with the same malevolence. She turned a glare of her own on them and they went back to their food. Not even Slytherins could stand up to Ginny Weasley.
"Well, Malfoy, I've just been to Professor Snape's office. I think you should read this," Ginny said, winking. She handed the parchment to him and he smirked, "Oh, Parkinson? You shouldn't cling to people like that. It makes you look even more like the dog you are," Ginny smiled and walked away. She had a small amount of time, so she went out to the lake to relax and think over the day.
Okay, so the day wasn't bad, it was actually pretty good. She and Draco would be eating with Professor Snape and his wife tonight, and they would finally get to celebrate their victory the way that she wanted to: away from noise. It would probably be the Three Broomsticks, but hey! That's better than a noisy Hall.
There was the sound of crunching snow behind her. Ginny mentally groaned. Who could that be? Why did they insist on ruining her thinking? A pair of warm arms encircled her and she laughed.
Draco pulled Ginny into his invisibility cloak. She turned around and fell into his arms, "Did you read it?" She asked.
"Yes! Can you believe it? Hawaii in the summer! Sand, sun, surfer babes..." Draco stopped at Ginny's light smack.
"We're going to the World-Wide competition! That's so exciting! I can't wait!" Ginny was smiling broadly, and Draco couldn't laugh at how juvenile she was when she was in this mood. He gathered her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.
"I take it from what you wrote on the bottom of your letter that we are eating with Snape tonight?" Draco asked. Ginny nodded, "Leave it to you to commit me to things!" Ginny pulled back from him and into his eyes.
"What else would you have me for? Well, Draco, I have to get to Care of Magical Creatures. I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at seven!" he nodded and reluctantly let her go. She winked at him and ran off to Hagrid's hut.
* * * * * * * * *
Draco walked through the dungeons toward the Slytherin Common Room. He found the statue and entered. Inside there were many people from his year. It was their turn for Potions, and Professor Snape had taken the day off, so they were all relaxing in front of the fire or in dark corners. He sat down in one of the dark green chairs, and tried to sleep.
"Draco, dear, what are you doing over there all by your lonesome?" a sickeningly sweet voice rang unpleasantly in Draco's ears.
"Sleeping, Parkinson. You should try the same thing. Maybe with some beauty sleep, your pug face would contort into something worth looking at." Pansy chuckled and climbed onto his lap.
"So, Draco, what are we going to do tonight? Maybe we could sneak up to the Astronomy Tower..." her voice had dropped low and husky. Draco suppressed a groan.
"Actually, I was going to go and celebrate with Professor Snape and his wife."
"That Weasley girl will be there, won't she?" Pansy said. Her voice was growing darker and darker. Draco nodded, "Well, her family's full of trash. I don't know why you even bother. She better not touch you, or I'll... I'll..."
"You're afraid of her. You won't do anything," Draco said, standing up. Pansy fell to the floor in a heap. He stalked out of the common room. It felt too cramped in there.
* * * * * * * *
Ginny was sitting in Selene's Grotto. Her Care of Magical Creatures class had ended early, all of her classes for the day were finished, she had nothing better to do, and she didn't feel like going to Gryffindor Tower. The unicorns were grazing on the flowers today. She sat quietly on the stone platform, watching them. They were so beautiful. Their manes flowed out behind them, blowing in the slight wind.
Draco walked up behind her. She was watching some unicorns. He slowly reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. Ginny turned around and smiled. Draco sat next to her in a comfortable silence. Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Why did you come here for, Draco?" She asked him.
"Common Room was too boring. I've never seen this place in the daytime. It's actually quite pretty."
"Yeah. See those unicorns over there? I've been watching them grow up since they were first born. They're so graceful," Draco nodded his agreement and smiled down at Ginny. She was even more graceful than the most beautiful unicorn. She looked up at him and smiled in turn.
For a while, everything was perfect. But, not all things can last forever.
This chapter is dedicated to all of my pals on Team 60! Good luck this weekend and I hope we win Phoenix!
Everyone review to show your support! Say go Bionic Bulldogs!! Yay!
Really. Do it. I dare you! (hint hint)
FreeCell: Chapter 7
Draco and Ginny sat calmly side by side next to each other on the Hogwarts Express. It was the day after they had won their contest and revolutionized the Wizarding World. In a few days, they would have their potion out for the public market. They had struck gold. Ginny couldn't help but be happy. She had made enough money to last a lifetime and help her family.
Professor Snape had dozed off in the bench opposite them. Draco grabbed Ginny's hand and squeezed it. She looked to him. He jerked her into the hallway. There were only a few people on the train, mostly residents and visitors of Hogsmeade, and they had no problem finding an empty compartment.
"Gin. We need to talk. We'll be at Hogwarts soon, and I want to get this all worked out," he said earnestly.
"Draco? Are you being sensible? Oh my goodness, I feel faint!" Ginny giggled and held her hand to her forehead in mock drama.
"I'm serious." He said, tapping his foot on the floor. This only made Ginny laugh even more, "What's gotten into you, anyhow?"
"We just won the largest potions contest in Europe! I'm going to be rich! There won't be any more werewolves, and I've got you! What could be better? Everything's going perfectly!" she sighed in contentment.
"I'm still engaged."
"Oh, a minor detail," she said with a wave of her hand. Draco sighed and rubbed his head with his hands. This was going to be difficult.
"Listen. I cannot get out of this engagement, Ginny. If I do, then my father will disown me. Lucius is ruthless."
"Draco, you have just made enough money to last a lifetime! We will both get the patent, and there will be millions of galleons to split between us! Why do you need more money? Are you that greedy?"
"Yes, Ginny, I am. What do you think everyone will say? 'Oh, there goes Draco Malfoy. His father left him in the cold. To think, a Malfoy, thrown out on the streets!'" Draco growled and then stomped away. Ginny sat there, helpless. Her good mood was squashed.
* * * * * * * * *
"Gin!" Three happy voices came from the stairs of Hogwarts Castle. Ginny rolled her eyes, always unable to get away from Ron's friends. She had to smile, though. They were all so proud of her. She got out of the carriage and ran to meet them. They all caught her in a huge hug.
"We're so proud of you, Gin! You did great!" Hermione said. Ron and Harry quickly agreed. Draco came up from behind them and scoffed.
"Oh look! It's the Dream Team! Let's get all lovey-dovey because they're around!" He glared at Ginny before stalking off angrily. She turned red in the face and began stalking after him.
"Draco Malfoy!" she screamed. They were in the Entrance Hall, and there were many people around. Most of them chose this time to scatter, but some thought the prospect of a bloodbath was all too exciting, and they stayed to watch the show.
"What do you want, Virginia?" He yelled back at her.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I don't think this is the time or the place to discuss this, Weasley!" Ginny's face went bright red. She stomped over to Draco and stood close to him, her eyes penetrating his.
"Don't you dare get moody on me Malfoy! You act like a fucking girl sometimes with your mood swings! Now, if you'll get your pansy ass over here, we'll go somewhere and have a private conversation," she glared at the crowd surrounding them, "away from prying eyes." She turned quickly, her robes fanning out behind her. Draco followed behind her with his arms folded across his chest, glaring at her the entire way.
She led him through the dungeons, and into Professor Snape's classroom. Then, she opened up the door for him to enter. He led the way into the small classroom, and Ginny sat down on a chair, her legs propped up on the table.
"Talk, Draco, if that's what interests you," she said, and then began examining her fingernails.
"Ginny, I have to tell you something, okay? Listen to me, and don't think that this is a waste of time. This is important, and I need to get this out into the open." He sat down in the chair next to Ginny's, trying earnestly to get her to drop her bad girl persona, "Ever since the Yule Ball in my fourth year, I have been engaged to Pansy Parkinson. It is stated in my father's will, that I may not break this engagement, or the entire fortune will be forfeited. Understand, Gin, that since I was old enough to walk, my father has been drilling the fact that I will be his heir into my head. When I was eight years old, I was taught to manage his bank accounts. I can't just walk out on this. It has been my life since I was born."
"Draco, change isn't all bad. This money will double the money in your father's bank. You are too full of foolish pride to be yourself," Ginny said, sitting up and talking straight to his face.
"I like you, Gin. You make me feel like myself. I don't want to end this, not when it's so new."
"Then don't."
"What? I told you that I can't get out of this engagement-"
"Then don't," Ginny put a sly smile onto her face. She got up and walked to the far wall. She gazed up and down the odds and ends. The ingredients were always interesting to look at, especially, when you were trying to act mysterious, as Ginny was.
"What are you proposing, Miss Weasley?" Draco said. He, too, was wearing that creepy smile, and it made Ginny laugh.
"I'm sure going to miss this place... I wonder if Snape will let us do some independent research here for the rest of the year," Ginny winked at him. His smile grew broader.
"I think that you might have something there, Virginia."
"How many times have I told you, Draco? Don't call me - " she was interrupted. His lips had softly brushed hers.
"Shut up, Weasley. You talk too much," Ginny laughed before pulling him to her.
* * * * * * *
Ginny was heading for her potions class. It was the first day of class for her since the competition, and she was the talk of the school. Her parents had congratulated her, along with her brothers, and the students merely looked on her with respect.
As usual, she sat in the front, so she didn't miss any of Snape's lecture. She got there first, however, and Snape was alone. Ginny looked around, confused.
"Ah, Miss Weasley. Right on time. Unfortunately, I have cancelled class for today. I have a visitor coming, from France, and I do not wish to be disturbed." Ginny smiled at him. Of course, his wife was coming into town today. How could she have forgotten?
"Right! Sorry, Professor! I'll just be going, then!"
"Ginny! I received this in the mail today. I thought you might be interested in reading it. Off I go, then! You and Draco are invited to come and dine with my wife and I tonight if you wish," Ginny accepted the letter and his invitation. He left the room with a flourish.
Carefully, she opened the envelope. Her eyes grew wide in her head, and she couldn't conceal her smile. This, she had to tell Draco.
* * * * * * * *
Draco Malfoy was sitting at the Slytherin table calmly eating his lunch. Or, at least he would have been if he hadn't suddenly sprouted two more arms, legs, and another head. You see, Pansy Parkinson had decided it was time for her to 'claim her man' and keep Draco to herself. Draco was doing his best to look composed, and calm.
Ginny Weasley entered the Great Hall with determination. She had a quick stride in her step as she headed toward the Slytherin table. She scoped out her target and sat across from the four-armed, four-legged, two-headed Draco Malfoy. It took all of her determination to keep from laughing at the atrocity that had fastened itself to him. Her eyes gleamed maliciously and Draco scowled at her.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice full of malice. Ginny smirked and looked at the rest of the students at the table. They were all staring at her with the same malevolence. She turned a glare of her own on them and they went back to their food. Not even Slytherins could stand up to Ginny Weasley.
"Well, Malfoy, I've just been to Professor Snape's office. I think you should read this," Ginny said, winking. She handed the parchment to him and he smirked, "Oh, Parkinson? You shouldn't cling to people like that. It makes you look even more like the dog you are," Ginny smiled and walked away. She had a small amount of time, so she went out to the lake to relax and think over the day.
Okay, so the day wasn't bad, it was actually pretty good. She and Draco would be eating with Professor Snape and his wife tonight, and they would finally get to celebrate their victory the way that she wanted to: away from noise. It would probably be the Three Broomsticks, but hey! That's better than a noisy Hall.
There was the sound of crunching snow behind her. Ginny mentally groaned. Who could that be? Why did they insist on ruining her thinking? A pair of warm arms encircled her and she laughed.
Draco pulled Ginny into his invisibility cloak. She turned around and fell into his arms, "Did you read it?" She asked.
"Yes! Can you believe it? Hawaii in the summer! Sand, sun, surfer babes..." Draco stopped at Ginny's light smack.
"We're going to the World-Wide competition! That's so exciting! I can't wait!" Ginny was smiling broadly, and Draco couldn't laugh at how juvenile she was when she was in this mood. He gathered her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.
"I take it from what you wrote on the bottom of your letter that we are eating with Snape tonight?" Draco asked. Ginny nodded, "Leave it to you to commit me to things!" Ginny pulled back from him and into his eyes.
"What else would you have me for? Well, Draco, I have to get to Care of Magical Creatures. I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at seven!" he nodded and reluctantly let her go. She winked at him and ran off to Hagrid's hut.
* * * * * * * * *
Draco walked through the dungeons toward the Slytherin Common Room. He found the statue and entered. Inside there were many people from his year. It was their turn for Potions, and Professor Snape had taken the day off, so they were all relaxing in front of the fire or in dark corners. He sat down in one of the dark green chairs, and tried to sleep.
"Draco, dear, what are you doing over there all by your lonesome?" a sickeningly sweet voice rang unpleasantly in Draco's ears.
"Sleeping, Parkinson. You should try the same thing. Maybe with some beauty sleep, your pug face would contort into something worth looking at." Pansy chuckled and climbed onto his lap.
"So, Draco, what are we going to do tonight? Maybe we could sneak up to the Astronomy Tower..." her voice had dropped low and husky. Draco suppressed a groan.
"Actually, I was going to go and celebrate with Professor Snape and his wife."
"That Weasley girl will be there, won't she?" Pansy said. Her voice was growing darker and darker. Draco nodded, "Well, her family's full of trash. I don't know why you even bother. She better not touch you, or I'll... I'll..."
"You're afraid of her. You won't do anything," Draco said, standing up. Pansy fell to the floor in a heap. He stalked out of the common room. It felt too cramped in there.
* * * * * * * *
Ginny was sitting in Selene's Grotto. Her Care of Magical Creatures class had ended early, all of her classes for the day were finished, she had nothing better to do, and she didn't feel like going to Gryffindor Tower. The unicorns were grazing on the flowers today. She sat quietly on the stone platform, watching them. They were so beautiful. Their manes flowed out behind them, blowing in the slight wind.
Draco walked up behind her. She was watching some unicorns. He slowly reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. Ginny turned around and smiled. Draco sat next to her in a comfortable silence. Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Why did you come here for, Draco?" She asked him.
"Common Room was too boring. I've never seen this place in the daytime. It's actually quite pretty."
"Yeah. See those unicorns over there? I've been watching them grow up since they were first born. They're so graceful," Draco nodded his agreement and smiled down at Ginny. She was even more graceful than the most beautiful unicorn. She looked up at him and smiled in turn.
For a while, everything was perfect. But, not all things can last forever.