Chapter 14

            Journal's Log

          The Strangest thin g happened to me yesterday. Either I was possessed or Merlin knows what! I happen to be in the same room as Virginia was and had a sudden impulse to kiss her. What was strange was I wasn't even thinking of kissing her…something was calling me to do it…I just don't know what.

            When I kissed her, everything felt so hot…then I don't remember much of what happened. Only thing I remembered was a fiery red light that was close to me. I awoke to find myself hugging her. She was snuggled up to me. I don't know how it happened but I wasn't one to stop it. Why would any man in their right mind let such an opportunity pass like that!

            Unfortunately, his mother had to call them in for dinner a mere two hours later. Two hours wasn't enough for him. He suspected that she agreed, though chose not to show it. If, she really had feelings for him and decided to show it…maybe he would abandon his plan after all.

            Dinner was unusually quiet. It still had that warmth that he knew but it was lacking chatter. Mainly because I didn't know how to proceed about this, it was hard to talk about what just happened with Virginia while she was asleep. My mother seemed far off that night. It wasn't right. She usually talked with Virginia a lot. When I asked her what was bothering her, she said that she was still thinking about what to do with the garden. I didn't question her anymore, though I knew that there was still something bothering her, I could tell by the dullness in her voice and eyes.

            Virginia also remained silent the entire dinner; she hardly touched her food. She kept moving her fork around to make it look like she was eating, but I knew better. She was thinking about what happened the last two hours ago. I was sure it wasn't even an intimate moment; nothing like the assaults I have done on her for the past days. I was glad that she didn't resist me. Maybe this was the type of affection she liked, not endangering her sanity.

            Though, I would rather she liked my style of aggression. She can't stick to hugs and chaste kisses forever. Eventually, if there is a chance that we might be lovers…which I really doubt, I would make sure to lavish her with the most intense ways of love making as possible…she would just have to get used to it and like it.

            After dinner and we were all rested, mother took Virginia with her to the garden so that she could show her what work was done already. I was left alone again. They invited me, but I really had no intention of going in that sickly, sweet smelling place. So, I was left to devise another plan to get her alone again, though I was going to make sure that this plan didn't drive her away. It wont be all sweet cuddling and such, those things would lead somewhere…

            I was in the very room where we were holding each other when the idea came to me. I was already staring at it; I couldn't believe how easy this was! I just had to lure her and then things would go smoothly from then on. I did say to Virginia to get a swimsuit, this was the only chance she would get to swim because tomorrow she had to go back to work. I was not looking forward to her leaving. It's all because of her annoying brother and Potter.

            Come to think of it, it would be unwise to leave Virginia alone with Potter. I was sure that Potter was thinking the same thing about me. He thought I was a menace to society, especially to the female population.  It made me boil just to think that Potter may have a higher advantage when it comes to her. After all, he was closer to her and practically lived like brother and sister. But I know that Potter wished their relation to be more than that. I also know for a fact that Virginia hadn't answered him yet, that time in her office when Harry boldly confessed his love for her. She had said she needed time. I often wonder if she was still thinking about it.

            Somehow, I'd have to make her see that I was more suited to her than Potter was. Potter already had his chance to be with her a long time ago, now is my chance to move in. Second chances were hard to come by because people nowadays were so untrusting, especially when they had their hearts broken once or twice.

            A female heart is such a fragile thing.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            That night, when Narcissa Malfoy had already gone to bed, Draco launched his plan into action. He made sure that Ginny was nowhere around him while he was setting up the atmosphere. He was sure that she wouldn't be able to refuse or resist him with this kind of offer. She was a guest and was somewhat obliged to comply with what his requests were. As he set up the place, he began thinking about tomorrow.

            She was going back to her office tomorrow; where would that leave him? He couldn't risk the chance that Potter would be hanging over her shoulder every second and somehow managed to snatch her away from him. He could just follow her around unseen. But what if Potter made a move o her? Surely he had to stop it somehow. Maybe it was best if he would just accompany her. He didn't even pay the bill yet for her services, so he could drop it off while he was with her. But what if she sends him away already? He didn't have the answer to that yet, it will come to him impromptu by tomorrow. Right now, he didn't want to worry about what tomorrow will bring, he preferred to focus his attention to what would happen tonight. Any minute now and it will all be prepared.

            Ginny Weasley faintly heard the movement of running water somewhere down below. She closed her eyes, as the whirring got stronger; it was soothing to her senses. She felt like drifting far away where no one could touch her, where no one knew who she was. Suddenly, the coming of footsteps and an all too familiar voice by the door broke her reverie. She waited for him to speak, but heard nothing.

            Draco's breath caught in his chest as he entered her room. She was perched by the window with her eyes closed. She looked so far away at the moment. He had to summon the strength to call to her again. He hoped his voice didn't crack when he did, it would be too embarrassing.

            "If you want to say something, then speak up." She said as she snapped her eyes open. She didn't look at him but chose to focus her eyes on the sky. Could she stand another moment with him? Though, the last time they were together wasn't so bad, in fact, she hated to admit that she wanted to repeat that experience again.

            Draco frowned slightly at her greeting towards him. "It seems that the lady is in some sort of mood. Pray tell, what ails you? Is it something that I may be able to assist you with?"

            "No, nothings the matter," she replied as she turned to look at him. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized what was before her. "What are you doing?" she fought to make her voice go back to normal. Damn!

            Draco smiled to himself. Now this was the greeting he was expecting. She didn't give the greeting at first because she refused to look at him a while ago. "Is it wrong to go around my house like this?" he gestured at himself.

            "Well---no, but I mean that---I well---!" Ginny stammered as she continued to stare at him. I hate him. I hate him for doing this to me. Draco was wearing nothing except for a very loose towel around his waist, it was slightly drooping, and good enough to give her a clear view of some skin…too much skin for her comfort. She felt her face burn as she continued to gape at him.

            Draco felt a touch of masculine pride swell inside him. "I was hoping that you would join me for a swim tonight. I would be graced with your presence."

            She realized that she was starting to look like a fish. "Swimming? Tonight? Isn't it rather cold to be doing that?" She wanted an excuse to get out of this predicament, though at the same time, a swim wouldn't her…

            "Not to worry, we have a heating system." He replied smoothly. "Come now, this is the only time you would be able to go swimming before you get back to your busy schedule. It wouldn't hurt to relax for a while." Draco reached out a hand to her.

            She hesitated. It seemed suspicious, but he was right. Once she got back to her routinely life at the office, there would be no relaxing for her for quite some time. Besides, if things get out of hand (which she hoped wouldn't happen) she would figure out something to do to get him to stop. Oh yeah right. Her voice spoke harshly in her brain. All those times when things got out of hand, never did you have the will to break free of him? What more of now? Now that both of you are scantily dressed?

            Despite the voice in her head, she said yes to him. It was wrong to refuse because she was a guest in their place. It was just right to accompany him for a swim. "I'll be with you shortly. I just have to get ready."

            "Alright, I'll be waiting," his voice low and silky as he left her room.

            Her knees trembled as she watched him go. She dragged herself to her closet with trembling knees and pulled out her swimsuit. Her heart thudded in her ears as she saw what kind of swimsuit she had ordered. Stupid! You forgot to specify what kind of design you wanted! Ginny stared at the thing in her hands as if it was a menacing thing that was going to kill her, which probably would be in a minute or so. She wasn't the one who would wear such things. She usually went for the tankinis, not bikinis. This was outrageous. When she put it on reluctantly, she had to admit she looked smashing in it. It wasn't to revealing, it looked like any ordinary bikini. Though she hated the style where it had no straps, just some string to tie around her neck and back. She sighed as she grabbed a towel and a bathrobe and went down to face her doom.

            Draco was still grinning to himself when he sensed that she was already in the Pillow Room. It was a good idea to come to her room dressed like that. He doubted that she would get in the pool if he were swimming in the nude. He hasn't seen her swimsuit yet on the count of she grabbed her clothes first thing when the seamstress came by to drop it off. He would be kind of disappointed if she showed up in a one-piece swimsuit, at least he had her for the night.

            The door slid open and she stepped out in a bathrobe. She closed the door behind her and made her way towards him on the pool chairs beside the Jacuzzi. She wrapped her arms around herself as she dropped her towel in a seat. Her hair was whipping around her face as she shivered.

            "I think you better get in the pool so you could get warm." He informed her. "Or the Jacuzzi would do a better job?" he flashed his teeth. "Either way, you're still going to get warm." With me, that is. No matter what you choose, Ill be there.

            "I think I'll wait for a while. You go on ahead." Ginny sat down and continued to shiver some more. "I'll be in a minute or so. Don't worry about me, I'll be perfectly fine" Perfectly miserable!

            Draco shrugged. "Suit yourself" He hooked his fingers in his towel and pulled them off.

            Ginny's eyes widened as she watched Draco undress. She really thought she had nothing underneath it because of what she saw a while ago upstairs. Draco was wearing swim shorts, just a little shorter and made of thinner material than that of the average. It was a dark green color with his initials embroidered in one side and a serpent on the other. Typical. What was also typical was the way she stared at his body.

            His body was a pale rich color. He was lithe and slender, not too muscular and not too thin. She had already seen him with his shirt off before, but this was something different. She couldn't explain why it was different…it was just different!

            Draco watched amused as her eyes were losing focus. He sauntered towards the pool and dove in.

            Ginny snapped out of her childish daydreams when she heard the splash, in turn, it wet her. Her nerves on her face were practically numb the cold, the water just made it worse. She resolved to finally joining him in the pool. She gingerly walked over to the pool's edge and tested the water with her feet. She sighed as the warmth of the water spread to her upper body, but the warmth wasn't enough. She had to submerge herself entirely.

            Draco watched her every move as she made tested the pool water. Cute, he thought. He planned to splash her so she would get colder and eventually have to come in. His eyes traced her to her seat where she turned her back to him. Her hands were unfastening the ties of her robe. His eyes grew dark as she pushed off the robe from her shoulders, sliding down her body to pool around her feet. She bent over to pick it up and dump it on the seat beside her towel. He felt his pulse quicken as she turned towards him.

            Absolutely gorgeous.

            Ginny shyly made her way to the pool. Draco swam up to face her. She sat on her feet and held her knees together to her chest. When Draco had surfaced, he couldn't help but stare at her some more. He didn't understand why he was staring so. He'd seen many women in her attire, even more naked, why was he acting this way around her? It's as if he's never seen a woman dressed like this!

            They continued to stare at each other. The only sound that could be heard was the lapping of water around the edges and the leaves gently rustling by the wind.

            Water was dripping down his face and chest.

            Wind was playing with her hair.

            Still they continued to stare.

A bird started chirping in the distance, which broke them from their trance.

Ginny shook her head as her eyes regained focus. "Uh-I guess I better get in the pool,

Before I catch a cold," she murmured.

            Draco held out a hand to steady her as she came in. "Feel better?"

            Ginny nodded as she stared up at the sky again. Then she looked at him and grinned. "For a moment we acted like we were in love or something. You know, one of those cheesy moments in those movies where the romantic couple stare into each other's eyes and forget everything?" she laughed at their silliness. She looked at Draco to see if he was laughing, but he wasn't.

            "What if we were in love and didn't know it? What if we really are the romantic couple just like in the movies? Would you deny it? Would you deny your feelings?" Draco said huskily.  "I wouldn't" I wouldn't? I wouldn't deny it? What am I saying?
            "Draco, we're not like that, not like that at all. We're just friends." Friends? Are we really just friends and business acquaintances? It seems it has gotten larger than that picture.

            "I see," he touched her arm. "But if we're just friends, why do I touch you so?" His hands traced up her arm. "Why do I lavish you with so much attention?" he began to caress the sensitive spot on her neck wherein the collar and the neck met. "Why do I look at you with so much emotion?" he took her face in his hands and stared into her eyes with such intensity. "Why do I feel so much things stirring inside of me? When I'm sure you're feeling the same way." He clasped her hand and put it to his chest where his heart was. He took her other hand and made her hold his as he positioned his hand against her heart. "Why must you deny it?"

            "I don't know," she said her voice cracking, pleading for him to stop. The emotion he was showing was scaring her. "How can you be so sure? We hardly know anything about each other."

            "If I wasn't sure, would I do this?" He whispered as brushed his lips softly against her in a feathery kiss.

            Ginny closed her eyes for a moment before opening them to look at him. His eyes were still dark and full of emotions running through them. She could feel his heart thudding painfully under her hand. She wanted to believe him, to trust him, but it was just too hard. She knew his reputation. She knew what kind of harm he could cause her. But she wanted to take a chance; however, she couldn't.

            "I don't know, I really don't know." She whispered at the brink of tears. "We hardly know each other, how can you call it love?" She desperately wanted the answer. 

            "People got married without knowing who their match was in the olden days, never knowing what the other was like, but sooner or later after marriage, they learned to love each other." Draco held her close to his chest, letting go of her hand.

            This time, her ear was pressed against his chest, she could hear his heartbeat clearly. She knew what he was saying was true. She wanted so much to believe…

            Draco knew another part of him was speaking, this wasn't him, the cold hearted man who did nothing but use girls as if they were playthings. Instead, she had stirred a fervent and passionate being in him that he never knew he had…or still had…

            "I'm scared…scared to believe what you're saying might be true…scared that it's all just a lie…" Ginny breathed raggedly against him.

            Draco's heart constricted. He couldn't say anymore. "Being scared is natural…but not for me…" he made her look at him. He brought his lips to her in another searing kiss that sent their world bursting into a multitude of colors…

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            We're here again. She thought, looking around at the infinite blackness.

            It's annoying how our physical selves are so stubborn…especially yours. He told her sarcastically. Can't you see I'm having one hell of a time submerging to his surface?

            Ah, so you're the one saying all those romantic things…not him! She poked him in the chest.

            But you liked it, didn't you? You were practically swooning in my arms already. He said triumphantly. If I didn't do what I did, then maybe it would take a longer time for our physical selves to be together.

            You're right, I wont question you anymore.

            It's amazing how you two came back here so quickly. The all-knowing voice chuckled out of nowhere. It seems that your reality it doing pretty well.

           

            They couldn't have done it without my help. He pointed out.

            By the way, what do you call you? She asked the all-knowing voice.

            You can call me Apollo; you can say I'm in charge here. Apollo said. I think I'll be seeing both of you a lot. I can tell by how your reality is working.

            But they're so annoying! She sighed. How can you say you'll be seeing us more often? It would only happen if something romantic happens, right?

            No, it can happen whenever strong emotions are surging between both of you. Apollo replied patiently.

            But it has to happen when we're together, right? He added hastily. Surely, that's the key to making us come here. Only when there is physical contact.

            Apollo laughed. It can happen even when you are apart, as long as you're thinking of each other constantly and with very much emotion, then its most likely you'll come back here again.

            The couple remained silent at this.

            Well, I best be getting on my way. Apollo said cheerfully and his presence was gone.

            So, it can happen anytime…She mused out loud. What joy…

            Isn't that just wonderful? He teased her. I'll see you all the time.

            She punched him lightly. Oh, go away.

            I can't we're Soulmates. He hugged her.

            Yeah, Soulmates.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Narcissa watched knowingly by the shadows of her balcony as her son and Ginny held each other in the pool.

            She went inside and sat down in front of her dresser and ran a brush through her wind-teased hair.

            Sooner or later it's bound to happen…just like before.

            Sooner or later, history will repeat itself, but this time, it would be different. There will be no more heartbreaks or tears of pain and loneliness. This time, it will work out.

            She couldn't bear it if Draco's heart was too be broken again, but she was sure that Draco would be finally set free of this restraint on his soul.

            Draco was never the same ever since that day when he found out. It was as if Draco's entire personality had changed. Draco was still the same as he was today, except that he showed more of his hidden personality more. The day that Draco found out, it was the day that marked the end of his old life and the beginning of his new chapter.

            Narcissa had learned to accept Draco for his new change. She couldn't stop loving her son just because of his change. For a while, Draco had refused to talk to her. He shut himself in his world for quite sometime. When he did finally start to get around, there was a charged aura around him. It was somewhat cold and malevolent. He didn't show that side to her, but treated her the same way as he always had.

            But it was different with other girls. He started preying on them. When he was mean before, it doubled this time. When he got out of school, he started playing with their hearts. When he was twenty-two, that's when he mixed in his sexuality along with it.

            It was a rapid change.

            It was sad how such an event could change his life. He was only fifteen when it happened.

            It was such a young age for his soul to die…

            She only hoped that Virginia could revive him from this darkness…

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Draco and Ginny were in their respected bedrooms when they thought about what had happened a while ago.

            They were really intimate, more intimate than the others combined.

            And that strange thing happened again. This time, they could hear a voice talking to them, but none of them could remember what the voice was saying. They could also see two lights.

            It was all so strange…

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Draco lay in his bed restless.

            He knew that there was a change going on inside of him, there was something struggling inside of him to get free. An old life, his old self, wanting to get out and live. He felt it when he was holding her. When he was talking to her, he had felt a new spirit do the talking for him and yet it felt as if it was still he talking.

            He was scared what it meant, because he somewhat knew what was happening.

            It was returning to him…he hated it.

            He didn't want to remember it.

            Callysta Veridienne Hope