As Thou Being Mine
Chapter 7: Understanding
Author's jibberish: Sorry it took so long! Anyway, I have more of my stupid babbling at the end…
Christmas was smooth as silk. I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to get everyone a present because this year I added someone on my list: Draco Malfoy.
Yes, I got him a Christmas gift. The whole thought was absurd: me giving Draco Malfoy a present. What do you give to a wizard who could afford anything? But I did get him a little something, just to show my gratitude. I didn't dare to send it! Not while he's still at home! Who knows what complications will turn up if my present was to be seen by his parents? In any case, the train will be returning students today; class will begin tomorrow.
I'm actually looking forward to seeing him…
Ginny's eyes filtered through the crowd, looking for a certain Slytherin blond. He stood out like a sore thumb…whatever that meant.
And speak of the wizard, Draco walked through the door with his lips tight. He sat next to Crabbe, who stayed home for the holidays. They began a conversation, most likely about what each was up to. Then, Pansy Parkinson took her seat next to Draco. Ginny observed Draco tilt his body away from Pansy so he faced Crabbe more. Pansy continuously tried to get his attention but then Draco snapped at her, which caused Pansy to back off. What on earth did he say?
Then, Draco peered up from his food. Did Ginny just imagine it or did he narrow his eyes at her? It was the strangest look. He quickly returned to talking with Crabbe.
Ginny decided to visit him that night.
Draco stared at the small box sitting on his bed. It was in brown wrapping with triple twine to finish it.
He had just returned from his meal in the Great Hall. He saw Ginny and quickly looked away. He couldn't look at her in the eye: By New Years, his death count was 7: a couple that worked for Ministry Intelligence.
He pulled off the card attached to the box and read it:
To Draco,
I hope you can catch up on lost hours with this. Happy Holiday!—Ginny
Draco ripped open the wrapping. It was a box: "Snore tea!—Guaranteed to give you a full 9-hour sleep!"
So, she knew he stayed up to study for his NEWTs. And she probably figured that he had a lack of sleep all holiday due to his…"on-call duties." It was one of the few 'thoughtful' gifts he's ever received…besides the books from his mother. Damn, she got him something…
A knock came to the door. Draco placed his gift on the bed and headed to the door. Was it a student or a teacher? "Yes?" in case it was the latter. He opened it.
"I can't believe you!" Pansy stormed in, right passed Draco. "How dare you treat me like that! I am not dirt under your feet!"
"My feet aren't dirty," he rolled his eyes.
But she ignored his comment. "I greet you 'hello' and you tell me to 'shove it'! What is your problem!?"
"You are," he tossed the door close. "A little advice, Parkinson. If you're going to write an anonymous letter, disguise your writing."
It took a few moments before she spoke. "What are you talking about?"
"I saw the 'advice' you wrote to my father," he growled. "Yes, so glad you care."
"Well I do," Pansy huffed. "And I didn't write the--."
"Come off it! Even a Weasley is smart enough to disguise their writing. I know that sissy little cursive of yours anywhere!"
She sneered. "Figures you would mention a Weasley. I never knew she would be so important to you. You're a fool."
"And you're a numb, brainless idiot," Draco insulted. "That's nothing new. Now get out before it spreads."
"Why? Don't want me around by the time Raggedy-Ann comes?"
A knock came to the door. Draco grabbed Pansy by the forearm and pulled her behind the door. "If you even breathe," he growled, pushing her against the wall, "I'll rip your lungs out through your mouth."
Pansy bit her lip and Draco proceeded to open the door.
Just his luck, Ginny was standing at his door. A soft smile was on her face. Oh god, don't give me that look… he silently pleaded.
" 'Lo Draco," she greeted.
He remained stationary, holding the door only ½ open.
She cleared her throat. "Don't worry, I wasn't followed. I just want to see how you're doing." He remained silent, so she continued. "How was your vacation?" Ginny could feel the tension between them and it made her shift slightly.
Draco analyzed the situation. Ginny wanted to spend time with him but Pansy was right there in his room. He knew he had to shut Pansy up for good. Maybe if he told Ginny he'd see her later…That wouldn't stop Pansy from running her mouth. Then he'd be in it for sure, as well as Ginny. He squeezed the doorknob harder. It had to be this way.
"Are you trying to create small-talk?"
"Um…in a
way," Ginny stammered. "Do you remember what we discussed before you left--?"
Everyday.
"Not really. It must have slipped my mind. Unimportant things do that to me."
Ginny swallowed. "Are you alright?"
"I'm perfect. Which is more than I can say about you," he chuckled.
Ginny narrowed her eyes at him. Was this the same guy who gently touched her cheek, brushing the snowflakes away? "What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing," and Draco gave his signature smirk. "You know, Weasel, it was fun but did you honestly think I would seriously want your company?" He laughed. "You did, didn't you? That sweet…"
Ginny's jaw slightly dropped. "I…sorry I disturbed you."
"Right. Now go and never bother to come 20 feet of me. You're a waste of perfectly clean air," and he slammed the door shut.
Ginny stood, shocked. What had just happened? Two weeks ago, they were friendly. Now, she was vapor to him. Did something happen during his vacation? Why was he such a prick? Did she do anything? Why did he have such animosity towards her?
Ginny realized she wandered through the portrait hole. The tears were already rolling down her face, staining her freckles.
Ron, who was sitting on the common room couch, greeted her. "Hi, Gin--." He stopped the moment he saw her face. "What hap--!?"
"Stop!" she exclaimed. "Stop Ron! Don't ask me what happened."
"But--!"
"Don't ask me how my day went, or where I was," she pleaded. "Don't ask me anything. Just sit there."
Unsure of what to do, Ron just nodded. Ginny took the liberty of sitting next to him, and buried her face in his shoulder. Then she began to cry harder; all Ron could do was place a comforting arm around her.
You set yourself up, her mind scolded. You have no one to blame but yourself.
There were no obligations. She told him that. If he didn't want to continue talking to her, she told him to say so…and he did just that. There were no hidden agendas, no personal feelings involved. But she couldn't help feeling the emotions she got when he touched her cheek. It was electrical magic…it replayed in her mind every spare second since he left. No blackmail, bargains, or obligations…
Ginny continued to cry. She had no idea it would hurt so much.
She remained in bed, the covers up to her nose. Ginny did not want to go to school today. She didn't want to go to the breakfast table. She would just stay in her bed and not talk to anyone!
Ginny frowned. She knew she had to get out of bed. If she didn't, Ron would beg her about what happened. Hermione would nag to her that school work would take her mind off things. Harry would probably go to her parents, telling them that their little girl had become a sobbing emotional wreck. What was the matter with her? Why was she moping about? It's not like they were lovers or anything! She was stronger than this!
At the breakfast table in the Great Hall, Ginny took a seat next to Hermione, her back to the Slytherin table. Her eyes were puffy pink and her skin was pale.
"You alright now, Gin?" Ron asked.
Ginny just smiled. She didn't want to say a word about it. It wasn't as if Malfoy was important. That's right, Malfoy. He called her Weasel…so, make that Ferret-Breath. Ferret-Breath wasn't important.
A tawny owl swooped down over the Gryffindor table. In a quick flight, it dropped a parcel right in front of Ginny.
"Strange…it's a bit late for presents," Hermione stated.
Ginny nodded in agreement and pulled out the card. She opened it and her eyes widened:
To Red.
Quickly, she stood and walked away, heading out to the statue of Godric Gryffindor. She took a seat right behind it and opened the card.
To Red,
I know it's late for the holidays. Just try to understand.
Ginny took a deep breath. Draco sent her a present for Christmas? What was the matter with him? Didn't he just completely shun her? She took a deep breath and pulled the paper off.
It was the most exquisite book she ever saw. It was a red leather book with ivory framework on the cover. In gold writing, it read in old English calligraphy: "Shakespeare's Sonnets." She noticed a bulk in the book, as if something was wedged in the pages. When she opened it, she found a black faded hair tie. It took a few moments before she realized that was the one she lost in the snowball fight with Draco. Meaning he held onto it this whole time?
Ginny read the sonnet to where it was opened at.
Let me confess that we two must be twain
Although our undivided loves are one:
So shall those blots that do with me remain,
Without thy help, by me be borne alone.
In our two loves there is but one respect,
Though in our lives a separable spite,
Which, though it alter not love's sole effect.
Yet doth it steal sweet hours from love's delight.
I may not evermore acknowledge thee,
Lest my bewailed guilt should do thee shame,
Nor thou with public kindness honour me,
Unless thou take that honour from thy name:
But do not so; I love thee in such sort
As thou being mine, mine is thy good report.
After finishing those 14 lines, she took a deep breath. If the poem conveyed his feelings…
She had to see him, no question. She wished she could. But she knew it would get more complicated if she did. Even thought he didn't speak a word, or explained anything, the poem seemed to tell her everything: he cared for her, but… However, it still hurt. Ginny couldn't ignore the slight pain in her chest.
Ginny was running. She woke up late and was hustling her way to transfiguration.
As she turned a corner into an empty hall, her bag ripped through the bottom. She muttered a curse under her breath and then got on her knees to collect her books.
Suddenly, Ginny looked up and saw those too familiar grey eyes looking at her. Draco was crouched beside her, picking up a small book. Ginny cradled the remaining books in her arms as she stood up. "Dra…Malfoy."
Draco stood, looking at the book, then at her. He examined the red leather book. "Shakespeare's Sonnets," he said. "Are you reading this for Muggle History?"
Ginny shook her head. "No. I carry it everywhere with me." She gave him a soft smile. "It's special to me."
Draco raised an eyebrow, as if surprised slightly. He then smirked at her, placed the book on the pile towering in her arms and walked away.
~*Part One: As Thou Being Mine: Fin*~
Author's jibberish (again, because she just doesn't know when to shut the hell up): First order of business, that sonnet was #36…love that one!
Second, I'd like to thank all the readers! I really enjoyed writing this fic. It was my first D/G chapter story, so I hope I delivered well enough and it was deemed as fair and honorable to the characters. After I finished this story, I felt kinda sad because it was the end of this story and I couldn't bring myself to let go of Drakey and Gin-Gin.
Ginny's head shot up. A tall, lean man, with silvery blond slicked back hair, stood. Loud wall-shaking cheers came from the Slytherin table while murmurs came from the other three.
"The hell…?" Colin gasped. "I don't believe it… It's Draco Malfoy."
Something went a-flutter in Ginny's chest. Something swelled in anticipation as she set her eyes on her new teacher. But the light feeling turned into confusion because as he took a seat, his eyes turned to her. In his gaze was an unreadable expression.
~*Segment of Part Two: Undivided*~
So…problem solved.
And so ends GirlquinndreameR's shameless plug…-_-
But please, tell me what you think of 'As thou…' I'd appreciate it very much!