Good Day All! It's time for another installment of the great works of moi!
(Well maybe not THAT great.) Anyways, I've been procrastinating to get this
chapter out, but not any more! My creation is right here for you to enjoy.
And thank you ALL who reviewed. I REALLY appreciate the reviews. Now scroll
down and read chapter 9!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Peter Pan, or any other famous miscellaneous that I put in my story. Thanks!
Where we last left off.
"You know the note you got in your journal?"
"Yeah. What about it?" Ginny looked at him curiously now.
"Well I know who gave it to you."
"Really? Who" he saw the surprise in her features.
He took a deep breath ~Come on Draco! Just tell her~
"It was."
At that precise moment, everything went suddenly pitch black, and Ginny's face was plunged into darkness.
Chapter Nine - The Dress Rehearsal
As soon as the world became dark, Ginny couldn't see Draco anymore, and the thought alone scared her. ~What if he abandoned me?~ She thought frantically.
"Draco?" she called out hesitantly, hoping she'd receive an answer.
Suddenly, she could feel his warm hand still in her own.
"Ginny?"
Hearing his voice made Ginny's heart leap. Her eyes were slowing adjusting to the darkness, and she could soon see the faint blonde outline of his hair. Ginny was so happy, she could scarcely breathe.
"I'm here" she finally said, squeezing his hand.
His eyes now saw hers in the dark, and he reached out and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank god you're alright!" he cried.
"What happened?" she asked, trying to appear nonchalant, but inside, she was doing back flips and cartwheels.
"I think there was a blackout."
"But why?" she asked
"Who knows?" in the darkness, Ginny thought she saw him shrug.
"How long do you think the power will be out?" she asked.
"I don't know. but I am sure of one thing." He said, his voice suddenly serious.
"What's that?"
His whipped out his wand, whispering "Lumos". Now Ginny could see the worried look on his face.
"Since it's the middle of winter, we need to keep warm."
Ginny didn't hear the last part of his sentence, for she suddenly stood up, walking towards the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked
"I'm trying to see if the door will open." She called over her shoulder.
The door was heavier than Ginny remembered it being, and she called Draco over to help her open it. Even with the two of them pulling with all their might, the door remained closed.
"What's going on?" Ginny was exasperated.
"I don't know." Draco looked down, and saw the chink of light that was coming in beneath the door.
"Hey!" he exclaimed in both anger and surprise.
"What?" she asked, wondering what he had seen.
"I don't think there is a blackout Gin. We're the only ones who don't have light or heat."
Suddenly they heard the thunder of footsteps, and realized that dinner was about to start.
"What are we going to do?" Ginny cried. "We can't stay here forever!"
Draco was examining the door. Something looked awfully suspicious about it.
"I think someone has charmed the door shut." He said now, a grim look on his face. ~And I think I know who.~ He told himself that when he got out of here, he would hex Pansy to oblivion.
"Why would someone do something like that?" Ginny asked, confused.
"Revenge. Hatred. Cleverness." Draco said bitterly.
"It sounds like you know who locked us in here."
He remained silent for a moment, contemplating whether or not to tell her. Finally, he consented. Ginny was looking at him, worry written all over her face.
"Pansy did." He replied
"Pansy!? Are you sure?" Ginny was shocked. ~What does Pansy have against Draco?~ she thought to herself.
"Almost certain."
"And just WHAT does Pansy have against us?"
"Well I don't know if she knows that you're in here, and at any rate, she's jealous that you got to play Wendy." ~And because you're so much more beautiful than her~ he thought.
"And what about you?"
"Well I think she's just mad at me because I told her off a few times.." He trailed off.
Ginny looked angry, and Draco couldn't help but give a small smile. ~She looks like a smoldering temptress when she's angry.~
"She has no right to lock us in here!" she cried "We could die in here!"
"She'll let us out before we die Gin. Pansy may be a prat, but she's not a murderer."
Just then, a blast of cold wind rushed past them, and Ginny sank into the floor, already starting to shiver.
"It's going to get colder." She said, rubbing her hands together to keep warm.
"It's going to be ok Gin." Draco said, sitting down next to her.
"But it's so cold." her teeth were beginning to chatter, as another gust of wind blew in from the windows.
"Don't think about the cold." Draco said, trying to comfort her. "Think about those long, sunny days in June, sitting out by the lake . . . not a care in the world."
Ginny managed a small smile, and closed her eyes.
"It sounds heavenly."
Draco stared at her. She looked so peaceful all the sudden. Peaceful. And . . . safe.
~When did it come to be that Ginny Weasely would ever be so safe and contented around me, Draco Malfoy? Things certainly have changed. And her beauty captivates me~ he thought.
" . . . and my arms wrap around you, holding you close. You feel so safe and warm, and you never want to let go."
Suddenly Ginny's eyes snapped open, and Draco realized what he'd just said.
"Draco?" she whispered hesitantly.
Even if he tried to deny what'd he said, he couldn't. Ginny had heard him speak with her own two ears. For the first time in his life, Draco knew the shame of embarrassment. He tried to cover it up.
"What do you want?" he snapped.
He saw her eyes fill with tears, and felt instantly remorseful.
"I'm sorry Gin." He said awkwardly. "It's just."
She looked at him, and he could see the coldness that lurked in her normally warm brown eyes.
"Just what Draco? That you're ashamed because I'm a Weasley, and I don't have as much money as you, and that I'm just a stupid girl who can't POSSIBLY know what love feels like?" she turned her cold gaze away from him.
"Gin-" he tried to talk, but was cut off.
"Well I've got news for you Draco. I DO know what love feels like, and for your information, I'm in love right now!"
Ginny gasped at her sudden admission, and Draco stared at her, astonished. In the dim light of his wand, he saw her face redden.
"Ginny-" he began.
"Forget about it." She mumbled.
"No. No, I WON'T forget about it. Now give me a chance to talk."
He saw her relax ever-so-slightly, and took it as a good sign.
"This isn't easy for me to say. . . " he paused, trying to think of exactly what to say.
"I can understand what you're going through-"
Now Ginny whirled around to face him.
"But how can you? You've never been in love, and you probably never will!"
He heard the fierceness in her voice, and it made him respect her all the more.
"You assume many things Gin. And my being in love is one of them." Draco said.
"Meaning.."
"That maybe you're not the only one in love around here."
At this, Ginny slumped back against the wall, utterly shocked.
"and who is this 'mystery woman'?" she asked when the initial shock had worn off.
"is it Blaise?" Ginny named the first Slytherin girl she could think of.
"No. it's-"
"Is it Millcent?" her voice held an edge of sadness to it, that she wasn't doing anything to conceal, and Draco heard it loud and clear.
"No." he said again. "It's-" "Is it Pansy?" she asked.
"Good grief no!" he said "and please don't ask anymore. It's no one in Slytherin!"
Ginny stared at him, bewildered.
"well then, which house is she in?"
"Can we just leave it Gin? I . . . don't want to talk about it right now" he near growled at her. She shied away.
"I'm sorry." She said at last. "It's just that . . . well, you were the last person I expected to fall in love with someone."
He said nothing. Instead, he stared up at the ceiling. The minutes ticked by, and the pair remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. It was getting colder. Ginny was beginning to shiver violently.
"It's s-so c-col-ld." Ginny said through chattering teeth, She curled up into a ball in her robes. It nearly broke Draco's heart to see her like that.
"Come here Gin." He said, holding his arms out. She moved into them, and settled her back against his chest. Even through their layers of clothing, Draco could feel how cold she was.
"Better?" he asked, securely wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Yes." Her teeth had stopped chattering, for the most part.
~He smells so good!~ she thought, inhaling his intoxicating scent. And he was so warm, and comfortable . . . Ginny could have spent forever in Draco's arms. She was vaguely aware of her surroundings. All that mattered was that the person she loved was holding her, and keeping her warm and safe.
"Gin?" Draco whispered between her fiery red hair. He was stroking it, reveling in it's softness, and making Ginny go crazy with wanting for him.
"Draco?" she turned to face him, and was suddenly aware of how close his face was to hers . . . and it was slowly coming closer. She could feel his hot, sweet breath on her face, and closed her eyes in bliss.
His lips gently brushed hers in a kiss that was so velvety soft, that it left her aching for more, but he reluctantly pulled apart, and as he did so, the light suddenly turned on, and the door opened a crack.
"We're free!" Draco cried, standing up. He pulled a dazed Ginny to her feet, and hugged her fiercely.
"I . . . um . . . have to go . . . " she finally managed, and took off like a shot out of the open door.
Draco watched her lightning quick departure, and smiled to himself. ~Tomorrow shall be a most interesting day . . . ~ he thought, before exiting the room himself, heading towards the Great Hall for a late dinner . . . and to see if Pansy was still there.
He had to thank her.
* * * *
"All right everyone! It's time for the dress rehearsal. Now this is also the time to make sure you're costumes fit right, and that the makeup isn't too gaudy. Stage Cues in five minutes, and everyone . . . " the Professor paused. "Good luck out there!"
Professor McGonagall grinned at Ginny, who was looking very beautiful in a blue nightgown with sequins sewn on the chest. Ginny smiled back, and went back to talking to Neville and Seamus. She was trying to do something, ANYTHING, to get her mind off of Draco. And that nerve-wracking kiss.
When she'd fled the room last night, the first thing she did was run straight up to her dorm, and collapse on her bed. When she'd caught her breath, she'd pulled out her journal, and began to write about the newest turn of events.
~So Draco loves someone who isn't even in Slytherin! I wonder who it is?~ she wondered. It couldn't be her, of course. ~There is NO WAY he could love me . . . ~ and yet that kiss . . . ~Don't harp on it Gin. ~ she berated herself. ~After all, it was ONLY a kiss.~ and yet, in her heart she knew that it had been more than just a friendly peck. She sighed, and shut the journal, and stared at the ceiling for hours, until sleep overcame her.
The next day, Ginny was shy and awkward around Draco. She could hardly look him in the eye. But as the day went on, she knew she had to swallow her pride when dress rehearsal came. She was, after all, the leading female role. But she hadn't seen Draco since after school, and had no idea what his costume looked like, and it made her curious. ~Well I'll find out soon enough . . . ~ she thought.
"It's starting! Places everyone!" Professor McGonagall called out.
Ginny snapped out of her thoughts, and took her place in one of the 'beds' that adjourned the scene. She exchanged smiles with Neville and Seamus, and watched the curtain go up.
The play began.
The first scene went very well. Everyone was in character, and even Neville knew all of his cues and lines. But when 'Peter Pan' came on stage for the first time, Ginny's breath caught in her throat, and had she not been playing Wendy, she would have been completely out-of-character. As it was, she was staring far too long to deem 'normal.'
Draco was dressed all in green. His blonde hair wasn't slicked back like it normally was, but wild and loose. It made him look different. His lean, muscular frame was enclosed in tights which hugged his legs like a glove. Ginny could have sworn she starting drooling when she saw him emerge, but her acting instincts kicked in, and she continued the play with success.
As the end of the play was approaching, Draco was finding it hard refrain from grabbing her, and kissing her right then and there. Her costume was absolute stunning, and it almost blinded him for a moment when he first emerged. But he managed to keep his cool. When the conclusion of the play was winding down, and he claimed his love for 'Wendy', it all felt so real to him, he wanted to shout "I love you Ginny Weasley!".
But of course he didn't.
And when the kiss came, Ginny was the one to kiss him, and it was merely on the cheek. But his cheek burned for hours afterwards with the touch of her lips lingering on them.
The claps resounded in their ears for what seemed like forever. They received a standing ovation, and Draco and Ginny took three curtain calls. When the curtain finally closed at last, the cast all let out cries of joy.
"That was excellent! Well done!" Professor McGonagall beamed at them.
"If it goes this well tomorrow, this will go down as a 'Hogwarts Legend'"
Everyone shrieked with happiness, and giddiness. A few minutes later, when it had calmed down somewhat, everyone went off to go change. Ginny was one of the last girls done, and when she emerged, she saw that everyone had left the hall. Everyone, that is, except Draco, who was waiting for her. Her heart leapt in her throat.
"You looked beautiful out there." He said when she approached him.
"Thanks" she squeaked out. She could feel herself blushing, and mentally cursed herself. Draco offered her his arm, and she took it, relishing how her fingers felt on his arm.
"Listen Gin-" he began. "About last night-"
She couldn't bear to meet his eyes. ~I knew it! He's regretting the kiss!~ She wanted to cry, but instead clenched her teeth.
"Yes?" she asked, hoping to sound nonchalant.
"I was thinking about what you said. About how you loved someone?"
She relaxed slightly.
"I said I loved someone. What's the big deal?" she asked.
She noticed that Draco was fiddling with a loose thread on her robe.
"I'm just curious to know who exactly." He said finally.
"Why?"
The question caught him off guard.
"What?" he asked.
"Why do you want to know?" Ginny's tone was accusing.
"Because?" he said half-heartedly.
"What makes you think I'm going to tell you, when you won't tell ME who YOU love?"
Ginny let go of his arm, and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Ok, ok" Draco said, knowing that he'd probably regret this later.
"I'll tell who I like, if you tell me who you like."
Even though he knew that she liked him, he wanted to hear it for himself. Ginny grew quiet, and brooding. Draco waited patiently for her answer.
"Alright" she agreed a few minutes later.
"So. who is it?" he stared into her chocolate brown eyes, drowning himself in the liquid depths of them. She bit her lip until she felt pain, and a sticky wetness on her lower lip.
"It's . . . " she took a deep breath ~Come on Ginny! Tell him!~
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"It's you ok?" she shouted. "Are you happy now? I said it. I'm IN LOVE WITH YOU, DRACO MALFOY!"
Tears burned the edge of her vision, as she turned and fled towards Gryffindor Tower.
"Ginny! Wait!" Draco called, but she was long gone.
An empty silence filled the corridor now.
"Guess now I know for sure." He muttered to himself.
But the question was . . . what was he going to do about it?
A/N: hee hee. Mush. I LOVE mush. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter, and there are only two more left, so stay tuned! Thank you all again for your wonderful reviews! I know I've been horrible about updating, but I'm trying my hardest! Catch you in chappie 10! Ja ne! Bandana Gurl ~_^
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Peter Pan, or any other famous miscellaneous that I put in my story. Thanks!
Where we last left off.
"You know the note you got in your journal?"
"Yeah. What about it?" Ginny looked at him curiously now.
"Well I know who gave it to you."
"Really? Who" he saw the surprise in her features.
He took a deep breath ~Come on Draco! Just tell her~
"It was."
At that precise moment, everything went suddenly pitch black, and Ginny's face was plunged into darkness.
Chapter Nine - The Dress Rehearsal
As soon as the world became dark, Ginny couldn't see Draco anymore, and the thought alone scared her. ~What if he abandoned me?~ She thought frantically.
"Draco?" she called out hesitantly, hoping she'd receive an answer.
Suddenly, she could feel his warm hand still in her own.
"Ginny?"
Hearing his voice made Ginny's heart leap. Her eyes were slowing adjusting to the darkness, and she could soon see the faint blonde outline of his hair. Ginny was so happy, she could scarcely breathe.
"I'm here" she finally said, squeezing his hand.
His eyes now saw hers in the dark, and he reached out and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank god you're alright!" he cried.
"What happened?" she asked, trying to appear nonchalant, but inside, she was doing back flips and cartwheels.
"I think there was a blackout."
"But why?" she asked
"Who knows?" in the darkness, Ginny thought she saw him shrug.
"How long do you think the power will be out?" she asked.
"I don't know. but I am sure of one thing." He said, his voice suddenly serious.
"What's that?"
His whipped out his wand, whispering "Lumos". Now Ginny could see the worried look on his face.
"Since it's the middle of winter, we need to keep warm."
Ginny didn't hear the last part of his sentence, for she suddenly stood up, walking towards the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked
"I'm trying to see if the door will open." She called over her shoulder.
The door was heavier than Ginny remembered it being, and she called Draco over to help her open it. Even with the two of them pulling with all their might, the door remained closed.
"What's going on?" Ginny was exasperated.
"I don't know." Draco looked down, and saw the chink of light that was coming in beneath the door.
"Hey!" he exclaimed in both anger and surprise.
"What?" she asked, wondering what he had seen.
"I don't think there is a blackout Gin. We're the only ones who don't have light or heat."
Suddenly they heard the thunder of footsteps, and realized that dinner was about to start.
"What are we going to do?" Ginny cried. "We can't stay here forever!"
Draco was examining the door. Something looked awfully suspicious about it.
"I think someone has charmed the door shut." He said now, a grim look on his face. ~And I think I know who.~ He told himself that when he got out of here, he would hex Pansy to oblivion.
"Why would someone do something like that?" Ginny asked, confused.
"Revenge. Hatred. Cleverness." Draco said bitterly.
"It sounds like you know who locked us in here."
He remained silent for a moment, contemplating whether or not to tell her. Finally, he consented. Ginny was looking at him, worry written all over her face.
"Pansy did." He replied
"Pansy!? Are you sure?" Ginny was shocked. ~What does Pansy have against Draco?~ she thought to herself.
"Almost certain."
"And just WHAT does Pansy have against us?"
"Well I don't know if she knows that you're in here, and at any rate, she's jealous that you got to play Wendy." ~And because you're so much more beautiful than her~ he thought.
"And what about you?"
"Well I think she's just mad at me because I told her off a few times.." He trailed off.
Ginny looked angry, and Draco couldn't help but give a small smile. ~She looks like a smoldering temptress when she's angry.~
"She has no right to lock us in here!" she cried "We could die in here!"
"She'll let us out before we die Gin. Pansy may be a prat, but she's not a murderer."
Just then, a blast of cold wind rushed past them, and Ginny sank into the floor, already starting to shiver.
"It's going to get colder." She said, rubbing her hands together to keep warm.
"It's going to be ok Gin." Draco said, sitting down next to her.
"But it's so cold." her teeth were beginning to chatter, as another gust of wind blew in from the windows.
"Don't think about the cold." Draco said, trying to comfort her. "Think about those long, sunny days in June, sitting out by the lake . . . not a care in the world."
Ginny managed a small smile, and closed her eyes.
"It sounds heavenly."
Draco stared at her. She looked so peaceful all the sudden. Peaceful. And . . . safe.
~When did it come to be that Ginny Weasely would ever be so safe and contented around me, Draco Malfoy? Things certainly have changed. And her beauty captivates me~ he thought.
" . . . and my arms wrap around you, holding you close. You feel so safe and warm, and you never want to let go."
Suddenly Ginny's eyes snapped open, and Draco realized what he'd just said.
"Draco?" she whispered hesitantly.
Even if he tried to deny what'd he said, he couldn't. Ginny had heard him speak with her own two ears. For the first time in his life, Draco knew the shame of embarrassment. He tried to cover it up.
"What do you want?" he snapped.
He saw her eyes fill with tears, and felt instantly remorseful.
"I'm sorry Gin." He said awkwardly. "It's just."
She looked at him, and he could see the coldness that lurked in her normally warm brown eyes.
"Just what Draco? That you're ashamed because I'm a Weasley, and I don't have as much money as you, and that I'm just a stupid girl who can't POSSIBLY know what love feels like?" she turned her cold gaze away from him.
"Gin-" he tried to talk, but was cut off.
"Well I've got news for you Draco. I DO know what love feels like, and for your information, I'm in love right now!"
Ginny gasped at her sudden admission, and Draco stared at her, astonished. In the dim light of his wand, he saw her face redden.
"Ginny-" he began.
"Forget about it." She mumbled.
"No. No, I WON'T forget about it. Now give me a chance to talk."
He saw her relax ever-so-slightly, and took it as a good sign.
"This isn't easy for me to say. . . " he paused, trying to think of exactly what to say.
"I can understand what you're going through-"
Now Ginny whirled around to face him.
"But how can you? You've never been in love, and you probably never will!"
He heard the fierceness in her voice, and it made him respect her all the more.
"You assume many things Gin. And my being in love is one of them." Draco said.
"Meaning.."
"That maybe you're not the only one in love around here."
At this, Ginny slumped back against the wall, utterly shocked.
"and who is this 'mystery woman'?" she asked when the initial shock had worn off.
"is it Blaise?" Ginny named the first Slytherin girl she could think of.
"No. it's-"
"Is it Millcent?" her voice held an edge of sadness to it, that she wasn't doing anything to conceal, and Draco heard it loud and clear.
"No." he said again. "It's-" "Is it Pansy?" she asked.
"Good grief no!" he said "and please don't ask anymore. It's no one in Slytherin!"
Ginny stared at him, bewildered.
"well then, which house is she in?"
"Can we just leave it Gin? I . . . don't want to talk about it right now" he near growled at her. She shied away.
"I'm sorry." She said at last. "It's just that . . . well, you were the last person I expected to fall in love with someone."
He said nothing. Instead, he stared up at the ceiling. The minutes ticked by, and the pair remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. It was getting colder. Ginny was beginning to shiver violently.
"It's s-so c-col-ld." Ginny said through chattering teeth, She curled up into a ball in her robes. It nearly broke Draco's heart to see her like that.
"Come here Gin." He said, holding his arms out. She moved into them, and settled her back against his chest. Even through their layers of clothing, Draco could feel how cold she was.
"Better?" he asked, securely wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Yes." Her teeth had stopped chattering, for the most part.
~He smells so good!~ she thought, inhaling his intoxicating scent. And he was so warm, and comfortable . . . Ginny could have spent forever in Draco's arms. She was vaguely aware of her surroundings. All that mattered was that the person she loved was holding her, and keeping her warm and safe.
"Gin?" Draco whispered between her fiery red hair. He was stroking it, reveling in it's softness, and making Ginny go crazy with wanting for him.
"Draco?" she turned to face him, and was suddenly aware of how close his face was to hers . . . and it was slowly coming closer. She could feel his hot, sweet breath on her face, and closed her eyes in bliss.
His lips gently brushed hers in a kiss that was so velvety soft, that it left her aching for more, but he reluctantly pulled apart, and as he did so, the light suddenly turned on, and the door opened a crack.
"We're free!" Draco cried, standing up. He pulled a dazed Ginny to her feet, and hugged her fiercely.
"I . . . um . . . have to go . . . " she finally managed, and took off like a shot out of the open door.
Draco watched her lightning quick departure, and smiled to himself. ~Tomorrow shall be a most interesting day . . . ~ he thought, before exiting the room himself, heading towards the Great Hall for a late dinner . . . and to see if Pansy was still there.
He had to thank her.
* * * *
"All right everyone! It's time for the dress rehearsal. Now this is also the time to make sure you're costumes fit right, and that the makeup isn't too gaudy. Stage Cues in five minutes, and everyone . . . " the Professor paused. "Good luck out there!"
Professor McGonagall grinned at Ginny, who was looking very beautiful in a blue nightgown with sequins sewn on the chest. Ginny smiled back, and went back to talking to Neville and Seamus. She was trying to do something, ANYTHING, to get her mind off of Draco. And that nerve-wracking kiss.
When she'd fled the room last night, the first thing she did was run straight up to her dorm, and collapse on her bed. When she'd caught her breath, she'd pulled out her journal, and began to write about the newest turn of events.
~So Draco loves someone who isn't even in Slytherin! I wonder who it is?~ she wondered. It couldn't be her, of course. ~There is NO WAY he could love me . . . ~ and yet that kiss . . . ~Don't harp on it Gin. ~ she berated herself. ~After all, it was ONLY a kiss.~ and yet, in her heart she knew that it had been more than just a friendly peck. She sighed, and shut the journal, and stared at the ceiling for hours, until sleep overcame her.
The next day, Ginny was shy and awkward around Draco. She could hardly look him in the eye. But as the day went on, she knew she had to swallow her pride when dress rehearsal came. She was, after all, the leading female role. But she hadn't seen Draco since after school, and had no idea what his costume looked like, and it made her curious. ~Well I'll find out soon enough . . . ~ she thought.
"It's starting! Places everyone!" Professor McGonagall called out.
Ginny snapped out of her thoughts, and took her place in one of the 'beds' that adjourned the scene. She exchanged smiles with Neville and Seamus, and watched the curtain go up.
The play began.
The first scene went very well. Everyone was in character, and even Neville knew all of his cues and lines. But when 'Peter Pan' came on stage for the first time, Ginny's breath caught in her throat, and had she not been playing Wendy, she would have been completely out-of-character. As it was, she was staring far too long to deem 'normal.'
Draco was dressed all in green. His blonde hair wasn't slicked back like it normally was, but wild and loose. It made him look different. His lean, muscular frame was enclosed in tights which hugged his legs like a glove. Ginny could have sworn she starting drooling when she saw him emerge, but her acting instincts kicked in, and she continued the play with success.
As the end of the play was approaching, Draco was finding it hard refrain from grabbing her, and kissing her right then and there. Her costume was absolute stunning, and it almost blinded him for a moment when he first emerged. But he managed to keep his cool. When the conclusion of the play was winding down, and he claimed his love for 'Wendy', it all felt so real to him, he wanted to shout "I love you Ginny Weasley!".
But of course he didn't.
And when the kiss came, Ginny was the one to kiss him, and it was merely on the cheek. But his cheek burned for hours afterwards with the touch of her lips lingering on them.
The claps resounded in their ears for what seemed like forever. They received a standing ovation, and Draco and Ginny took three curtain calls. When the curtain finally closed at last, the cast all let out cries of joy.
"That was excellent! Well done!" Professor McGonagall beamed at them.
"If it goes this well tomorrow, this will go down as a 'Hogwarts Legend'"
Everyone shrieked with happiness, and giddiness. A few minutes later, when it had calmed down somewhat, everyone went off to go change. Ginny was one of the last girls done, and when she emerged, she saw that everyone had left the hall. Everyone, that is, except Draco, who was waiting for her. Her heart leapt in her throat.
"You looked beautiful out there." He said when she approached him.
"Thanks" she squeaked out. She could feel herself blushing, and mentally cursed herself. Draco offered her his arm, and she took it, relishing how her fingers felt on his arm.
"Listen Gin-" he began. "About last night-"
She couldn't bear to meet his eyes. ~I knew it! He's regretting the kiss!~ She wanted to cry, but instead clenched her teeth.
"Yes?" she asked, hoping to sound nonchalant.
"I was thinking about what you said. About how you loved someone?"
She relaxed slightly.
"I said I loved someone. What's the big deal?" she asked.
She noticed that Draco was fiddling with a loose thread on her robe.
"I'm just curious to know who exactly." He said finally.
"Why?"
The question caught him off guard.
"What?" he asked.
"Why do you want to know?" Ginny's tone was accusing.
"Because?" he said half-heartedly.
"What makes you think I'm going to tell you, when you won't tell ME who YOU love?"
Ginny let go of his arm, and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Ok, ok" Draco said, knowing that he'd probably regret this later.
"I'll tell who I like, if you tell me who you like."
Even though he knew that she liked him, he wanted to hear it for himself. Ginny grew quiet, and brooding. Draco waited patiently for her answer.
"Alright" she agreed a few minutes later.
"So. who is it?" he stared into her chocolate brown eyes, drowning himself in the liquid depths of them. She bit her lip until she felt pain, and a sticky wetness on her lower lip.
"It's . . . " she took a deep breath ~Come on Ginny! Tell him!~
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"It's you ok?" she shouted. "Are you happy now? I said it. I'm IN LOVE WITH YOU, DRACO MALFOY!"
Tears burned the edge of her vision, as she turned and fled towards Gryffindor Tower.
"Ginny! Wait!" Draco called, but she was long gone.
An empty silence filled the corridor now.
"Guess now I know for sure." He muttered to himself.
But the question was . . . what was he going to do about it?
A/N: hee hee. Mush. I LOVE mush. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter, and there are only two more left, so stay tuned! Thank you all again for your wonderful reviews! I know I've been horrible about updating, but I'm trying my hardest! Catch you in chappie 10! Ja ne! Bandana Gurl ~_^
