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SAVING THE DRAGON by LunaMagic
Chapter Three: Things Best Hidden
Draco woke up, snugly wrapped in a thick fur-lined blanket. The sun was shining brightly through the window and he could hear birds chirping and shouts and laughter from the students playing outside in Hogwarts grounds.
Weaselette. Draco looked around but Ginny was nowhere to be found. She must have brought me here... I didn't know she could be this clever. I wonder how she got me here… oh, right, the cloak.
Draco looked around the room. It wasn't exactly Hotel Le Grande, but it was usable. On the side table he could see a bottle of brownish green liquid, a spoon and half a glass of water. Yuck, looks nasty. I couldn't have taken that, could I?
He lifted himself up from the bed and felt his blood drain from his face. The world was spinning again. But at least this time, he could take it. Slowly, he sat up and put his legs down on the floor. The prickling sensation of having the blood run down to his legs made him wince a bit.
After a while, he stood up, stretched, and then rubbed his stomach. He was surprised to feel the soft, smooth surface of cotton shirt in the color… PINK! And not just any pink… it was a very girly kind of pink. Very funny, Weasel! Down to the bunny icon on the chest.
He was about to take it off but changed his mind when a cold gust of wind blew through the open window. It was so cold, he immediately took the blanket from the bed and wrapped himself in it. Feeling warm again, he walked up to the mirror at the far end of the room and looked at himself.
Hmmm… a little too pale, hair needs gel… heck, I need a bath. Draco rubbed his chin. I need a shave too... I wonder if Weaselette likes beards? At that thought, he stopped. Oh shit, Draco. Get over it. It won't ever happen. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
It had been a long two years.
The only door to the room creaked slowly open. Draco froze. Somebody might have gotten into the room by accident. He looked at his wand on the table. He could reach it in a few moments. Draco readied himself.
Ginny walked into the room completely oblivious to Draco. She was searching for something inside her backpack.
"Well, well… if it isn't the littlest Weasley," Draco crossed his arms and smirked.
Ginny jumped back, startled. She angrily looked up at Draco's face. "If you haven't noticed it yet, FERRET, this Weasley's all grown up."
Draco's eyes roamed appreciatively over Ginny's softly curved body before going back to her face. "You're right, Weaselette, " Draco sauntered slowly towards Ginny, "you're very, very much grown up."
Ginny's heart rate went a little faster at the look Draco gave her. She whipped out her wand before her brain could stop functioning. "Stay right where you are Draco Malfoy! Unless you want to lose important body parts, I suggest you stop moving!"
Draco stopped when the wand reached his chest. He snorted and held the wand pointed at him. "You know, Weaselette, I would have believed you if your hand wasn't shaking." Silver gray eyes bored into her chocolate brown ones and made her catch her breath. Winter moonlight…
Draco broke the contact, turning around and walking towards the bed.
"In your dreams, Weasley."
Ginny jaw dropped and she sucked in her breath. "You're soooo going to get it, Malfoy…"
Draco lounged comfortably on the bed. "Ginny, Ginny, Ginny… Weasley, can't you take a hint?"
It's okay, Ginny. Count to ten… Ginny glared at Draco. She wished that she could wipe the smirk off his annoying face. Instead, she reached for something in her bag and threw it at him.
"Here's your shirt, you stupid prat! To think I stayed up late just to repair it!" She pulled at her hair, "Aaarrggghhh. Why in the world did I do that?" She pointed a threatening finger at him. "YOU are going to drive me crazy! Why didn't you just send that message to somebody else?"
Draco caught his shirt in mid-air. And seeing Ginny's histrionics, a laugh bubbled up inside of him and got out before he could stop it. When it did get out, he didn't know if he wanted to stop.
"What the hell are you laughing at, you ferret! You…" Ginny's eyes went wide, "Oh, my God! You're laughing. It's the end of the world."
"Hahahahaha. You're so funny when you're angry, Weasley. Hahahahaha. Driving you crazy…hahaha."
"Oh sure, ferret. You'll just love that wouldn't you? I bet you sent ME the message just to drive me crazy. Just like a Malfoy."
Draco was laughing so hard his insides hurt and he was beating the bed. It felt like he was letting all his emotions go in one fell swoop. It felt so good to laugh again.
"Oh, stop it you stupid prat! I'll make you pay for that." Ginny bared her teeth at him.
An idea suddenly came into her head and she looked slyly at the medicine bottle on top of the table. "Oh, and didn't I tell you I was here to give you your medicine…" her voice was so syrupy, Draco stopped in mid-laugh. He followed her gaze to the bottle with the brown liquid and looked back coolly at her.
"I don't need it anymore, Weasel. As you can see, I'm perfectly fine."
He would have gotten away with his cool act, if he didn't lick his lips nervously.
"What is it, Draco whacko?" Ginny pouted and grabbed his chin with her right hand, "Is the little Drakey wakey scared of a wittle medicine?" She put her thumb and index fingers together in front of his face to make a point.
She was so near him, he could smell her light floral cologne. He could also see the tiny golden flecks in her eyes. He frowned. This wasn't good. He swatted her hands away and looked somewhere else.
"I aced my potions exams, remember? I know what goes into those things."
"So you know you have to take them, right?" Ginny crossed her arms and looked quizzically at him. Is he avoiding looking at me?
Draco didn't answer. He kept looking at the door, as if hoping somebody else would walk through.
Ginny sighed then grabbed the medicine bottle. She poured a bit into the spoon and held it in front of him. "C'mon, Draco. You need this." She turned his head gently with her other hand. "I promise you won't gag, even if you do deserve it."
Why do you care? He could not bring the question to his lips. Instead, he looked into her earnest eyes and opened his mouth slowly.
Ginny smiled, a soft smile. She inserted the spoon into his mouth and pulled it out slowly when he closed his lips around the spoon. Her smile widened as he flashed her an incredulous expression.
"Like it?"
"Strawberry. How… this is medicine, right?"
Now it was Ginny's turn to laugh. "You see, Malfoy? Acing the exam doesn't mean you know everything."
"How did you…"
"Uh uh, Malfoy, you won't get my secrets from me. I plan to open an apothecary sometime and this will be really helpful with the sales."
"I love strawberries."
"I don't want anyone to steal… huh?"
"I said, I love strawberries."
Ginny looked puzzled. And he's telling me this, because…?
"Oh. Okay. That's good to know," Ginny said guardedly. A long uncomfortable silence ensued.
Sounds of footsteps approaching brought them back to reality.
"Someone's coming," Draco grabbed his wand.
Ginny stood up and began walking towards the door. "Let's just close the door. It's probably just somebody who lost his way." Ginny was jerked away from the door and into Draco's arms.
"Malfoy, I'm not a rag doll."
Draco ignored her. "Stay behind me," he pushed her body behind him and closed the door with a little crack showing.
"Malfo…" Draco's glare silenced her. Damn it. How can I let him affect me like this? Nevertheless, she clung to his arm and bit her lower lip.
The footsteps stopped outside of the door. There was silence for a few seconds, just before the door was kicked in.
~ ~ ~
"Stupefy!"
"Stupefy!"
"Noooo!"
Draco's body was flung to the floor, as was the visitor's form. Draco was already struggling to get up and cast another spell. Suddenly, Ginny was straddling him, and then hugging him, preventing him from effectively moving his arms. "What the…? Weasley, what the hell…?" He couldn't get a clear aim at the stranger, plus having Ginny on top of him was scrambling his brains.
"Stop it! Both of you stop it!"
Draco swept Ginny's hair away from his eyes and looked at the figure at the other side of the room. He was trying to stand up but didn't look as if he was going to attack again. Finally, the stranger faced him fully. It was no other than Severus Snape, potions master of Hogwarts… and known Death Eater.
Draco struggled from Ginny's grasp. Damn, she's strong. "Ginny, let go! We can't let him escape!"
"NO!"
Snape brushed imaginary dirt away from his sleeve and stood in front of the struggling couple. "Thank you, Miss Weasley… a very unorthodox yet very effective move."
Draco glared at his former potions professor.
"Let me go, Ginny."
"No."
"Please."
"No," she wiggled and held him tighter.
Draco sighed resignedly and whispered into her ear. "Do you want to feel me go hard on you?"
"Hard? What do you mean…?" She sucked in her breath and let go immediately. She scrambled hurriedly to her feet, her face burning. She glared at Draco. Pervert. I knew he was a big f..ng perv!
Draco stood up slowly and faced Snape squarely. They were about the same height and saw eye to eye.
"So,what now, professor? Are you telling on me?"
"If you mean me telling the Death Eaters where you are, I'd say hardly, Mister Malfoy. I came here to check on your condition. Apparently, you're strong enough to fight."
"Malfoy," Ginny touched Draco's shoulder, "he helped me bring you here."
Draco transferred his glare to Ginny. "I told you not to tell anyone."
"We already knew, Malfoy." Snape said drily.
"We? There's more than one?"
"Surely you didn't expect Hogwarts to be without its defenses?"
"I didn't expect to be here, professor. Who else knows?"
"Dumbledore, naturally, McGonagall, and Lupin."
"What?! That makes five of you!"
"If you weren't sloppy with your spells, it could have been cut down to one…" Snape looked pointedly at Ginny, "… or two."
"I was hoping for a quiet escape." Draco massaged his nose bridge with his hand. When he looked up, he brought his wand to Snape's chest. "I don't trust you, any of you."
Snape looked coldly at the wand on his chest and waved it away. "Tut, tut, my FORMER favorite student. I don't trust you either… not completely."
"Why?" Ginny piped in.
Both men turned to her. "Why what?"
"Why did you want to escape?" Ginny looked thoughtful. "I thought it was what you wanted, being a Death Eater, I mean."
Snape and Draco looked at each other. "Yes, Draco, why don't you tell us your story?"
Draco's eyes moved from Snape to Ginny and back. "If I'm going to tell you, I might as well tell Dumbledore. I hate to repeat myself."
"Suit yourself. I have to bring you to him in a few moments, anyway. Meanwhile, I have to examine you." Snape looked at Ginny. "That will be all, Miss Weasley. You have to attend to your other duties."
"Well, I…" Snape's eyebrow rose at her words, "I need my night shirt…" she glanced at the white bunny on Draco's chest. "You got your own back, so…"
Draco smirked and took off the shirt slowly, just so Ginny could have a good long look at his body. Damn, it's cold.
"I don't think that will be necessary, Draco. We wouldn't want you catch a cold. Weasley, I will return it later, after the meeting with Dumbledore. You may go."
Ginny wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything. So she just closed her mouth and turned to leave.
A hand closed on her wrist. "No, she won't," Draco's calm voice stated.
"I beg your pardon," Snape asked incredulously.
"She's coming with me."
"What?" Ginny almost choked.
"You're coming with me," he said with finality.
Snape closed his hand on her other wrist. "If you're thinking of disapparating, think again."
"But I… first years… prefect…"
Draco rolled his eyes. "I'm not kidnapping her. I meant she's coming to the meeting. I want her to be there."
Snape's eyes narrowed, trying to detect any falsehood. "She has duties."
"I'm sure you can find a way."
"This is ridiculous, Malfoy. As Snape says,… " There he goes, glaring at me again. She glared back.
"Very well, come back after an hour, Weasley. And don't be late. Well, what are your waiting for?"
Ginny held up both her wrists. Both Snape and Draco were still holding on to her.
Draco reluctantly let go. "One hour, okay," he looked pleadingly at her.
"Sure, whatever."
Seeing Draco let go, Snape immediately relaxed his fingers and let go of Ginny too.
"Go on, Weasley."
"Yes, professor."
~ ~ ~
"You like her."
"Irrelevant, Draco. Let us focus at the task on hand," Snape peered into Draco's irises using a sort of miniature telescope.
"You like her," Draco repeated.
"Don't you?" Snape transferred to the next eye.
Draco had no response to that.
"She's a Weasley," Draco declared.
"No doubt," Snape tapped something on Draco's joints.
"She's a mudblood lover."
"Love doesn't choose sides."
"She's not really beautiful."
"Not really."
"But she's cute."
"Very."
"She hates me."
"There's a possibility."
"She doesn't hate you."
A long silence ensued as Snape refused to answer Draco.
"Well, you seem to be recovering pretty well. I'll be leaving you now, but I'll be back on the next hour. I suggest you get yourself ready… and take off that shirt."
"I need to bathe," Draco whined.
"I'll send the elves to get you whatever you need." Snape headed out the door.
"Thank you, professor."
Snape looked back. "You're welcome, Draco," he said, and closed the door quietly.
~ ~ ~
"Ginny, is something wrong?" Hazel asked with concern.
"Huh? Oh, no, I'm just a little distracted that's all. Something really weird happened today."
"Care to tell me? Can I help?"
Ginny thought for a moment. "I don't think so, at least, not now." Ginny held her best friend's hands, "I'm sorry, I really can't tell you right now. But I promise everything is okay."
"Is it about Malfoy?"
Ginny was surprised. "What makes you think that?"
"Well, he's like your family's archenemy, and suddenly he disappears from the face of the earth for months on end. Some say he's that Lord Voldemort's heir apparent. Are you afraid he'd come here or have you killed?"
"Um, yeah, I… guess."
Hazel hugged her. "Don't worry about it! As long as you're in Hogwarts, I'm sure Dumbledore will protect you."
Ginny hugged her back. "Yeah, that's right. As long as I'm in Hogwarts…"
They both laughed and went back to doing their Herbology assignments.
~ ~ ~
Dear Diary,
I must resist. I mustn't fall for his charms. I know Draco is trouble, but he pleaded with me. If you could only see his eyes… I will do it, but only because he truly needs me. Ron will be so mad. Sorry, brother. You were right, my soft heart always gets me into trouble.
G
P.S. I don't think professor Snape holds a grudge with us Weasleys anymore, as he tried to protect me from Draco today. If only the other Death Eaters were as forgiving.
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Oh my GOD! Does Snape have feelings for Ginny? Was that what he meant when he said he wasn't looking for pity? I don't know! Even I don't know how this story will end… Will Draco ever confess to Ginny? Whatever… As for me, it's always:
Ginny and Draco FOREVER!!!!
Please write loooooooooooong reviews. Add a bit of comments like "Wouldn't it be great if Draco…" or "could you get Snape somebody else to snog with…" that sort of thing.
^_^ Love and Light and Blessed Be,
LunaMagic