A/N: I was so happy to receive so many reviews for the last chapter so quickly, that I couldn't help myself and decided to post the next chapter right away! Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy this next chapter… I'm sorry if Draco, and even Harry, seems a bit OOC in a couple of parts, but alas it was necessary for my story. Again, I ask all who read this to remember that this is my first ever fanfic so please be kind! Read, review and most importantly… ENJOY!!
All things Harry Potter belong to the wonderful JK Rowling… :-)
Chapter 5: Trip to Hogsmeade?
Over the next few weeks, Ginny kept to herself. She even avoided Ron, Harry and Hermione. It was not too difficult to do. Their inquiry as to what happened was brief and they seemed to accept the lie she told them. Deep down, she knew that they cared, but she was so different from them it was hard to really relate and confide in them. Harry, however, still seemed to be paying extra attention to her.
~~~
Ginny was sitting alone in the library when she felt two strong hands grasp her shoulders from behind.
Instinctually, Ginny raked free from the grasp and quickly stood up, "Oh Harry… you startled me." The girl was slightly out of breath and a touch of fear could be seen in her brown eyes.
Harry smiled, "Sorry," he replied as he sat down next to her. "Potions homework?"
Ginny nodded, "I have to write a 4 foot long essay on the importance of the Night-Blooming Valerian in the potion used to cure vampire bites."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Oh that old thing."
Ginny ignored the messy-haired boy, her quill scratching rigorously against the parchment.
Harry leaned in closer to the girl and casually put his arm along the back of her chair. Ginny felt very uncomfortable, but she did not know what to say or do. She could feel her blood turning cold like ice.
"Ginny?" Harry began. "I was wondering…"
Ginny continued to stare at her parchment, but her scratching suddenly ceased. She felt a horrible knot form in the pit of her stomach… as if she would be sick.
"I was wondering if you'd go to Hogsmeade with me… on the upcoming trip, that is?"
Ginny slowly looked up at Harry, "I… I… that is to say, uh…"
"She's already going with me."
Ginny closed her eyes, her body relaxing instantly.
"Malfoy?" Harry muttered. He looked at Ginny with narrowed eyes, "You're going to Hogsmeade with Malfoy?" His voice sounded utterly disgusted.
Ginny sighed, "Yes Harry… I am going to Hogsmeade with Draco Malfoy," her voice echoed slightly of that confidence she held on the train when returning to Hogwarts just about a month ago.
Harry's expression was one of great confusion, "Ron's going to kill you… you know that?"
Draco just stood there smirking. Finally, Ginny responded, "No he's not… because number one, you're not going to tell him… and number two, you will make sure that Ron does not find out no matter what you have to do."
Harry tilted his head in bewilderment, "If I do this for you… do you promise to go with me on the trip after this one?" Now it was Harry who was smirking. He knew that if Ginny promised him that she would keep it. She was known for keeping every promise that she ever made… typical Gryffindor.
Ginny heaved a sigh, "Fine fine. I promise."
Draco suddenly stared daggers into Harry's bright cat-green eyes. Harry smiled at Ginny and then smirked at Draco, "Malfoy," he said as he left the library.
Ginny turned to Draco, "Thanks for trying. You don't have to go with me… I know that you were just trying to be helpful."
"On the contrary, Weasley. I'd like for you to accompany me. I'm tired of taking Pansy Parkinson all the time."
"Oh thanks. Was that supposed to be a compliment? If so, then it was absolutely horrible!"
"What I mean to say is that I find you interesting. There are things about you that intrigue me."
"I'm not a plaything, Malfoy."
Draco's expression hardened, "I never indicated that you were. Is it wrong of me to be interested in learning more about you?"
"I suppose not. I'm just so confused." The girl buried her face in her hands.
Draco sighed, "Well… I will meet you here in the library tomorrow before everyone leaves for Hogsmeade."
"All right."
***
The next morning, Ginny awoke very early. She took extra care in getting ready for the day. She put her hair up in a sloppy bun allowing tendrils to frame her delicate face. She wore a fitted cap-sleeved black shirt exposing her mid-drift and a long black skirt that came down to her ankles. On her feet she wore black combat boots.
Ginny headed down to the library assuming that she'd get some alone time and read for a bit before she met Draco. But to her surprise, Draco was already there waiting for her.
"You're already here?"
Draco smirked and shook his head, "Don't sound so surprised, Weasley." She looks gorgeous.
"It's just that I'm here almost 2 hours early."
"That's what makes this all the better," he gently took hold of her wrist and began to lead her through corridors she never knew existed.
Ginny followed Draco through the maze until they finally came upon a door deep in the dungeons of the castle. Ginny felt her insides turn cold like ice. "Why are we way down here?" she asked, fear in her voice.
"Look, I'm not going to try anything on you," his icy gray eyes locked with her cinnamony brown eyes. "I promise you."
He seemed to be staring deep into her soul… and his cool eyes seemed to be pleading with her to trust him.
Ginny could not help but feel totally at ease with his words… and that gaze… despite her own experiences with men earlier in the school year. He sounds so sincere… how can I not trust him?
Draco opened the door and gestured for Ginny to enter. Once inside, Ginny saw that the walls were beautifully decorated in combinations of green and silver as well as red and gold. She smiled in spite of herself.
"Did you do this?" she asked.
"Well what do you think? Of course, I did."
"It's wonderful."
"Blaise Zabini isn't the only Slytherin who thinks that we can get along with Gryffindors."
Ginny's face paled, "How do you know about… about that?"
"I know a great many things… It doesn't matter anyway. Now, it's my turn to ask you… Ginny Weasley… will you give another Slytherin a chance to prove himself to you?"
Ginny just gazed at the blond boy, it was all too much. First Blaise, now Draco… she felt as though she was attracting Slytherins from all around.
"I'm so confused!" she shouted suddenly.
"What's the matter?"
The girl sat down on the floor, knees to her chest. "I am so confused… I feel… I feel…"
Draco joined her on the floor, "What do you feel?"
"I can't explain."
Draco moved slightly closer to her and brushed her cheek with his hand, again she found herself pressing it firmly against her skin… drinking in the sensation of Draco's gentle touch.
"I should hate you… you tease me and you…" her voice trailed off.
"I'm sorry if I ever hurt you."
"And Blaise seems interested in me and Harry… and now you…? I don't understand…"
Draco sighed, "You do what you will… I just warn you to be wary of Blaise Zabini. He is not to be trusted no matter what he says. I know that deep down you know that I'm right."
Ginny just shrugged.
"I know you do. You don't even have to say anything… it's as plain as plain can be," he replied.
"But I promised him. I can't go back on my word. I promised Blaise that I'd give him a chance."
"And he's failed miserably," Draco interrupted.
"No he hasn't. In fact, he saved my life."
"He what?"
"He saved my life. He came by to visit me in the Hospital Wing early in the morning, just after you had gone. I was supposed to meet him in the dungeons that night, but I was attacked."
Draco sat in complete silence, his expression, unreadable.
"Anyway, at first I was apologizing to him for not meeting him as I had promised. I told him that I was attacked and then saved by someone before things got too out of hand and that the person who saved me brought me to the Hospital Wing."
Draco continued to sit in complete silence.
"Well, he seemed to know who attacked me and he then admitted to being the one who brought me to the Hospital Wing."
"He did, eh?" Draco finally spoke.
"Yes, why?"
"Why don't you ask him what really happened… why don't you ask him what Madame Pomfrey said about your 'bug bite condition…' I bet he'll have some really interesting answers."
"I don't understand?"
"Of course you don't… you know nothing!" At that, Draco stormed away leaving Ginny totally alone in the beautifully decorated room.
***
"Zabini!" Draco roared. "Zabini!"
The dark-haired boy casually walked down the stairs from his dorm room and into the Slytherin common room. "You yelled?"
"I'm on to you, Zabini. Let's just say that you do not want to cross me."
"Is that a threat? I thought we were friends," he feigned hurt.
"Give it a rest, Zabini. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"Do I?"
"Yes… and don't cross me."
"Tsk… tsk… I'm afraid that it is you who should not cross me. You see, I've been noticing this infatuation of yours with the Weasley girl. I'm afraid that you're becoming too attached, so I took it upon myself to owl your father about the situation."
Draco narrowed his icy eyes.
"And he was most displeased to know about your affections for the girl."
"I haven't displayed any affections for her."
Blaise arched an eyebrow, "Really? I think that you are most certainly wrong. You should be receiving an owl from your father any day now. If you are unable to sever all ties with her, he will kill her. You know that he'll do it too. I know that you do."
Draco scowled, "You think you're so clever… going to be a powerful Death-Eater… You don't even bear the mark."
"Oh. Like you do."
Draco rolled up the sleeve of his left arm. The black mark blazed with fury. Blaise gasped and then an evil smile crept onto his face.
"This is too perfect. Now, you not only have to deal with your father's punishments, but you'll have to deal with The Dark Lord's as well! And what's more… the Death-Eaters will have to kill Ginny eventually anyway! I've just sped up the whole process. Quite brilliant of me, don't you think? And I've been having some fun out of it as well. Couldn't ask for more, really."
"And why do they have to kill her?"
"Once she's dead, The Dark Lord can come to full power… a part of him still resides somewhere deep within her soul! Oh what a perfect ending!" the boy laughed madly. He is insane!!
"How can The Dark Lord be partially residing in the little weasel's soul?"
"You mean, your father never told you?"
"Told me what?"
"That she was the one who opened The Chamber of Secrets… your father set the whole thing up. It was a brilliant idea. Unfortunately scar-head had to ruin it."
Draco paled.
"They didn't tell you…"
Draco stormed out of the Slytherin common room and made his way back to where he had left Ginny. When he had gotten there, she was curled tightly up into a ball and crying. He ran over to her and hugged her, she responded to his touch immediately.
"Look, Ginny… we've got to get you out of here. There is more going on than you know… and I don't have time to explain it… not right now, anyway. Once we're out of here and somewhere safe, I'll tell you everything. I promise."
Tears just streamed down her face.
"Do you trust me?" he asked, determination set into his face.
Ginny looked into his eyes. He felt as though she was staring deep into his soul, learning all his darkest secrets.
Finally, she nodded, "Yes… I trust you…"
~*~*~*~*~*~
sweetstar3 ~ YAY… another sappy romantic that I can relate too! Continue to read and review!
fifi88 ~ You'll have to keep on reading to find out for sure as to whether it was Draco or Blaise that saved her… And as for Blaise's fate… hmmm…
piper-h-99 ~ This story is pretty much written (mainly just tweaking as I post… and trying my best to incorporate any suggestions from you reviewers that will fit into my story). Keep on reading and reviewing!
Lady Bug ~ Don't worry… the Draco and Ginny action will eventually heat up (heehee)… please be patient with me!!!
dramaqueen ~ How's this for fast posting…? More and longer reviews… faster posting!! :-)
stephanie ~ I hope that you liked this chapter and continue to enjoy my story! Keep on reading and reviewing!!!
mz-duCkiee ~ Yeah… those boys are pretty foul, aren't they… I'm so glad that you are enjoying my story. Please continue to read and review!
ESN ~ Hey Emily! I'm getting to the full explanation of things (relatively speaking, anyway) fairly soon… be patient!! Keep reading and reviewing!!
RubberDuckii ~ Thanks for the compliment! I tried my best to capture Ginny's reactions to such an ordeal… glad you liked! Keep on reading and reviewing!!
dragonsprincess ~ I'm so glad that you think that I did Ginny's reactions to the ordeal justice… that was a great suggestion (I was torn as to what I wanted her to do). As for whether it was Draco or Blaise who saved Ginny… well, you'll have to keep on reading to find out the true answer!! Be patient! Continue to read and review!
Aly ~ I'm glad you like… keep reading and reviewing!!
A special thanks is extended to Cassandra Aliene Felton for adding me to her "favorite authors" list (*many hugs*)!
Again I'd like to re-iterate… I hope that everyone will continue to enjoy what I write… Also remember that more and longer reviews means that I'll be more likely to post another chapter quickly!!! :-)