Even Better Than the Real Thing
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Please note, that I do not own the characters Draco Malfoy or Ginny Weasley, or any other magical lingo.
This is a Draco/Ginny story.
Review some more!
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Chapter 4: We Are All Made of Stars
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Ginny's fingers trembled as she refolded the parchment. Her head nearly spun. She swallowed, as she tucked the letter back between the pages. She was starting to feel sick. She heard the door to her dormitory open and the soft giggles of her roommates as they entered. Ginny hurriedly shoved the book back under her pillows. She tore the curtains aside and flew off her bed.
She stood there, unsure what to do. Her roommates, startled by her sudden movements, stopped talking and stared at her. Ginny felt weak and pale. She shouldn't have even touched his book. That was reason enough for Draco Malfoy to kill her. But, no, she went well beyond that. She read that letter. She stood there trembling, frantically trying to think of what to do.
"Ginny, what's the matter?"
"What happened?"
Her roommates were starting to become alarmed. They gathered around her. Ginny opened her mouth to say something.
"Er…" Before she could manage a word, she fainted.
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Draco tore off to the Owlery. He didn't care that it was after hours and that he could get a detention for being in the halls. He had to get send that Weasley a message. He had to tell her not to touch the book. The damn girl didn't know what was inside.
His heart was pounding by the time he reached the large room that housed all of the owls. His face was flushed and his breathing heavy. He stepped into the room, pulling the note he constructed from his pocket.
He unfolded it and read it over:
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Weasley—
Do NOT open the sketch book. You will seriously regret it. No, I'm not threatening you, I'm warning you. For your own good, do not open that book!
See me tomorrow before breakfast in the Owlery. I'll collect it from you then. Tomorrow morning. Eight o'clock.
—Draco Malfoy
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He refolded the note, hoping she'd mind his words. His eyes roamed the room, searching for his eagle owl, Vector. He spotted the bird, resting aloof up high on the rafters. He whistled softly, the call he always used to call Vector.
The large regal bird swooped down, landing gently on Draco's shoulder. He tied the scroll to her leg with a green ribbon, whispering a name: Ginny Weasley.
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She felt a something heavy land on her chest. She opened her eyes lazily. The light was streaming in on her face. She noted that this was unusual, since she normally closed the curtains around her bed.
It wasn't until she was sitting fully upright that she realized what was happening. She wasn't in her bed. She wasn't even in her room.
She was in the Hospital Wing. And the "something heavy" on her chest was a large, gray owl.
The owl stood perfectly still, her foot extended offering the letter. Ginny swallowed, seeing the green ribbon. She took the note, and before she could even pet the bird, it flew away. Ginny wondered how the owl even managed to get into the Hospital Wing. She opened the note. She read it.
Ginny immediately shot out of bed, racing towards the doors of the Wing. She nearly reached the door when she looked down at herself, and saw that she was still dressed in a hospital robe.
"Just a minute, dear!" Ginny turned around to see Madam Pomfrey swiftly approaching her. Eight o'clock, she reminded herself, as the nurse stood in front of her.
"You can't be off so soon! You gave us quite a scare last night," she put a hand to Ginny's forehead.
Ginny hid the note in her left hand behind her back. Madam Pomfrey looked at her apprehensively. The nurse lowered her hand and beckoned Ginny to follow her.
They walked back into the room, and to a cupboard near the beds. Madam Pomfrey shifted around a few bottles of potions, reading the labels, looking for something.
"You seem to be better. You were pale and shaking when your roommates brought you in last night. I'm not sure what happened. Do you want to tell me?"
Ginny thought about it and slowly shook her head.
"Well, take this," the nurse offered her a small bottle. "If you feel weak again, drink this. The entire bottle. And then come straight here."
Ginny took the bottle, keeping her left hand behind her back. She nodded, indicating she understood the instructions. Ginny didn't trust her voice to work.
Madam Pomfrey told her that her clothes were on the chair by her bed, and left Ginny to dress. Ginny relaxed a little. She went to her bed, setting the potion and the note down.
When she was dressed back in her school uniform, the same one she had been wearing the night before, she grabbed the note, shoving it in her shirt pocket, under her sweater. She gingerly picked up the potion and bolted out the door.
She was running straight to the Gryffindor dormitory. She needed to get the book.
Ginny ran into the Common Room. It was empty. What time was it?
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Draco checked his pocket watch. Where the hell was she?! He was starting to panic. It was almost nine o'clock. His mind reeled. How could he have been so damn careless?
He slumped down to the ground, unwilling to leave. He would wait here forever. She'd come. He hoped.
It wasn't really the book, he thought. He really doesn't care if she sees his sketches. He'll give her the sketches, if she wants them. And the book doesn't matter all that much. His mother can get him a new one.
It was that damn letter. Him and his habits. Why does he always stash his secret stuff in that book? He probably should have burned the letter.
Second day of the holidays, and he's in frenzy. He rested his head on his knees. He realized he was ruining his fine clothes. He didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore.
He heard the door slam open. He shot up. A wild haired girl stood in the door, clutching a green dragon-hide book in her hand.
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"Where in the hell have you been?!"
Ginny winced. She swallowed back tears. She was frightened out of her mind. When she'd reached the Common Room, it was nearly 8:30. Most people were still asleep, and those awake had gone down to breakfast. Ginny felt sick to her stomach.
She held out his book. He eyed her suspiciously and snatched it.
He opened it, his hands shaking. She watched him flip through the pages, until he came to the piece of parchment that was tucked inside. He quickly grabbed the letter and stuffed it into his shirt pocket.
Ginny averted her eyes, not wanting to meet his. His cold gray stare made her body quake. What if he found out she read the letter? She swallowed again.
"You read it?" Ginny's head shot up, searching Draco's face.
"What?"
"Did you read it?" Draco's voice sounded strained and very…shaky.
"Read…read what?"
Draco closed his eyes in frustration. Ginny's knees went weak. She put a hand on the wall behind her for support.
For a few minutes, Draco stood staring at her. He was breathing heavily and had a hard look in his eyes. Ginny shrank into the wall. He held up the book.
"Did you open this book?" Ginny's eyes darted from the book to his face.
"Um…I…well, yes. I did, but—"
Before she could finish, he threw the book at the wall by her ear. The loud thud completely startled her. She bent down and picked up the book and looked to Draco. He stood a few feet in front of her, his head hanging very low.
For a moment, Ginny thought he was crying.
Then she realized he was probably trying to control his anger. When he looked up at her, his face was strangely blank. He eyed the book in her hand.
"Ginny, just tell me. Did you see the letter?"
Ginny stood frozen. Did he use her name? Her first name? Finally she nodded her head, a really small gesture. He saw it. He dropped his head back down and closed his eyes.
"Draco," Ginny started, not sure what she wanted to say. The contents of the letter flooded her mind. She wanted to ask him what it all meant. "I…just…Draco, why?"
Draco slowly turned for the door, and Ginny stepped forward quickly to grab his sleeve. She held up his book. He looked at it lazily. Then he took it.
"Draco? Why?" Ginny tried again. He stood in front of the door, his hand resting on the handle.
"Weasley, stay out of this." He over his shoulder at her, "You don't want to get hurt."
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"I'll tell the Headmaster."
That froze him in his tracks. He was nearly out of the door when he heard her soft voice echo in the large room.
He immediately turned back into the room. Draco slammed shut the door, just to see the little girl jump.
"Tell the Headmaster?"
"Draco, you don't have to—"
"Weasley, please be kind enough to stay out of MY business!"
"No!"
Draco stood there a moment. He felt the urge to throw that damn book at her again, this time not missing.
He walked up to her, and grabbed her arm. He didn't want to hurt her. He was trying to warn her.
"Please. Just leave it be. I won't let anything bad happen. I promise."
She didn't look like she believed him. She was wincing at his strong grip. She looked him in the eyes.
"You don't have to do this, Draco. You can stop them." Her eyes were filling with tears. Her bottom lip started to quiver. Draco slackened his hold on her thin arm. He sighed.
"Weasley, you have no idea what you are suggesting." He'd already considered that. He'd already considered disobeying his father. Or going to Dumbledore. It wasn't as easy as it all sounded. He knew what the right thing to do was, but he also considered what would happen to him after he did that.
"Draco," her voice was soft and tender, on the verge of tears. "Draco, I'll help you. You don't have to do this."
She'd help him? He snickered. Right, like a Malfoy would use her help. He let go of her arm. He didn't want to be touching her.
"Get out."
"But, Draco—"
"GET OUT!"
The girl ran from the room, bursting into tears. He had yelled. He hardly ever raised his voice. And he yelled at the one girl who refused to defend herself.
Dear Merlin, she wanted to help him. Stupid foolish girl.
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She was running blindly through the halls. She had no idea where she was heading, or what she should do.
She ran to the Great Hall. Ginny stopped in the doorway, standing there puffing. There were a few lingering students still eating their breakfasts. Noting that Ron and Hermione were not at the Gryffindor table, she steadied herself and walked up to the Head Table.
Her eyes were focused on the Headmaster. He watched her approach. He stood before she was halfway across the length of the room. He rounded the table and met her in the middle.
"Headmaster…er, sir, I…" Ginny looked around self-consciously. The Headmaster evidently noticed her discomfort and suggested they talk in his office. He led the way, and Ginny followed, with her head slightly hanging.
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Draco sat on the floor of the Owlery. The book was on the floor a few feet from him. It didn't matter right now. He pulled the letter out of his shirt pocket. He unfolded it and read it for the thousandth time:
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My dear boy,
With each passing year, I have noticed your character develop. I am proud of your exceptional grades. I expect no less. This December 26th you turn 16 years of age. Welcome to your manhood, my son. I want you to know that I am here to encourage you in whatever you wish to do. I am also here to help guide you through life.
With that, I have requested from the Dark Lord permission for you to join the ranks of the Death Eaters. His conditions are few. He insists that first you prove your loyalty and abilities. So here is your task:
Stay at Hogwarts for the holidays. I understand that your mother will miss you, but this is important. Stay at Hogwarts during the holidays and observe your Potions Master.
The Dark Lord has reason to believe there is a traitor in our midst. Each of his followers will be observed, so that he can deduce who is the spy. Severus Snape is my closest friend and I'm certain he is loyal, so this will be an easy assignment for you.
Report to me anything unusual. Regardless, I expect your owl before Christmas Day. Congratulations, my dear son. I am very proud of you. You'll be a Death Eater before the year is out.
Your loving father
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Ginny's words echoed in his head. You don't have to do this, Draco. You can stop them.
He could stop them. He doesn't have to do this.
Draco knew right from wrong. He knew which path was easy and which was hard. He also knew the consequences of each. He sat a few more minutes, lost in deep introspection.
Draco stood up, his mind made up. He wasn't sure what it was exactly that helped him decide, though the echo of Ginny's words resonated into his very core.
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Ginny felt guilty. Here she was, in the Headmaster's office. He was hugging her, patting her gently on the back, while she cried. This really had nothing to do with her. But she was feeling pain. Intense pain. For Draco Malfoy.
Dumbledore let her go and thanked her for having the courage to come tell him. He gestured for her to return to her seat. He started to go back around the table, when there was a knock at his door.
The door flew open before the Headmaster could respond. Professor Snape walked in, looking very…red. The Headmaster looked surprised to see him.
"Why, Severus, what is it?" Snape pointed to the doorway.
In the entryway stood a tall, slender, and extremely blond young man.
Draco.
Ginny swallowed. She was caught. He walked in, his eyes first on Snape, then on the Headmaster, and finally resting on Ginny. She was startled by the calm behind his gray eyes. She looked away.
Professor Snape led the Headmaster into the corner, whispering to him softly. Draco sat down in a chair next to Ginny. He turned his head and looked at her. She felt her face flush with embarrassment. She swiped hurriedly at the tears on her cheeks.
After a moment, Ginny risked a look up. He was still staring. He wasn't just staring, he was measuring. Like he was trying to decide something. Ginny decided he was trying to decide how he'd kill her. She looked down at the folded hands in her lap.
"Well, I believe that there is much to discuss, Mr. Malfoy." The Headmaster sat down behind his enormous oak desk. Professor Snape hovered near the fireplace. Ginny awkwardly shifted in her seat. And Draco sat perfectly still.
"The girl doesn't need to be here." Snape's voice was cold but soft. He wanted to spare her. Ginny turned to the Headmaster.
"Yes, my little one, you can be off now. And thank you, Ginny." His blue eyes were deep in sincerity. She felt her heart warm a little. She stood slowly, and walked toward the door. She looked over her shoulder at Draco. He was staring straight ahead, perfectly still.
She shut the door behind her and went down the stairs that led back to the hallway. When she was safely outside, she felt disoriented. She felt sick. She was worried about Draco. She started walking toward Gryffindor Tower.
It suddenly hit her. She stopped in her tracks. He went to Dumbledore on his own. Well, he went to Snape, but he was doing it on his own. Her heart jumped. She felt her tears start up again. She was so incredibly happy and worried at the same time.
What would this mean for Draco? What would his father say? What made him decide to do the right thing?
It didn't matter. He was saved. Draco Malfoy was saved.
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U2 – Even Better Than the Real Thing
The Strokes – Hard to Explain
Weezer – Island in the Sun
Cake – Hem of your Garment
Moby – We Are All Made of Stars
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The end!
Just kidding! Just kidding. Please review, let me know if I'm heading the right way, or if you're interested in more. I've got a few ideas up my sleeve for the next chapter. And also for future chapters.
As a heads up, this story will jump a few years into the future, continuing with Draco and Ginny in their post-Hogwarts lives.
Anyway, go ahead and review!!
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