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 romance story.
Updated:
www.lorddave.com/evenbetter
Yet another oddly titled chapter. My apologies!
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Chapter 11: Yellow
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The rustle of paper and the excited giggles of her roommates brought her to consciousness. Ginny sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes, regaining her senses. She smiled, shoving aside the curtains around her bed. Christmas morning! She grinned, feeling excited.
A small pile of presents was arranged at the foot of her bed. Her roommates smiled, showing her their opened presents and thanking her for the small gifts she got each of them. They put on their dressing gowns and started down to the Common Room, their arms laden with their new things, to show off to the others.
Ginny shuffled down to the end of her bed, picking through the boxes. One from her parents. A poorly wrapped one from Ron. A little something from Hermione. A few small gifts from her roommates. A few small gifts from her brothers. Another from Hagrid. One from Colin. And one from Neville.
The last box made her eyes grow wide. It was huge. And it was beautifully wrapped in flashing silver paper. Her heart fluttered, as she hoped it was from who she thought it was.
She set it on her bed, carefully, while she turned her attention to the other boxes, opening each one. Her parents sent her 2 galleons, along with a batch of baked goods and a scarlet G sweater from her mum, and a muggle torch from her father.
Ron had gotten her a small Sneak-o-scope for, as his card read, times when she was in dubious company. In other words, for when she was with Draco. She rolled her eyes.
Hermione, being the eternal bookworm, bought her a large tome titled "Famous Red-Heads in the Wizarding World" with a note included to check page 242. When Ginny flipped to that page, she was surprised to see a picture of Percy! The page described his achievements in the field of cauldron efficiency.
Her roommates had gotten her various items, like Honeyduke's sweets and Zonko's treats.
Hagrid included fine samples of his cooking, as well as a small necklace with a silver locket. His card mentioned that he'd never known a sweeter girl. Ginny blushed, and put the locket on.
She reached for Colin's present, and unwrapped it to find an amazing photo album of their years in Hogwarts thus far. It included pictures of Hogsmeade trips, and dinners in the Great Hall, and Quidditch games, and even the Yule Ball from years back. She paused, halfway through the book, looking at a picture of Harry sitting with Ron. Both of them were staring at people on the dance floor, both looking rather steamed.
Harry hadn't remembered her. He hadn't sent her anything. She shook her head, not dwelling on the fact, and closed the book.
Finally, she opened Neville's present. It was a Think-Ov-Yoos, made by the same company that made the Remembralls. He explained in his card that the small clear ball filled with a golden smoke whenever someone else thought of you. She thought it was a rather cheesy gift, but very sweet nonetheless.
She read through the all of the cards once more, and arranged them on her nightstand. She certainly had more friends than she had thought. This was the time of year when you knew who really, truly remembered you. She sighed, reminding herself Harry didn't even send a card.
She piled the presents on her bed, and turned her attention to the enormous box. It was about the size of her trunk, and it was covered in fine silver wrapping paper. With swirls and stars. She thought she recognized the pattern. She removed the letter that was attached with thick silver ribbons. She swallowed and opened it.
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Dear Virginia –
Happy Christmas. Thank you for opening my eyes. Thank you for your compassion and patience. I only wish I could have given you as much.
Wishing you the best in life –
Draco Malfoy
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Her breath caught in her throat. She didn't think he'd ever acknowledge her existence again. When they had walked back to the castle, he had remained completely silent, not responding to anything she said. They had reached the doors, and as before, he walked away, without even a look back. It had nearly broken her heart, but she gathered her strength and walked the other way.
And now, in front of her was basically his final good-bye. She felt tears form in her eyes as she started to tear at the paper. The stars and swirls. She revealed a large silvery chest. Ginny opened it, her chest feeling oddly tight.
The chest was already fairly large, but inside it seemed limitless in space. She reached in and began to pull out small boxes. One contained a beautiful green cape, with golden clasps. Another box had a thick gray coat, fitted to her size. Another box had the most gorgeous satiny dress robes that Ginny had ever seen. Box after box. The chest was filled with boxes. And each one held a treasure.
A stationary set of the finest quality. A pair of silver earrings. A ladies pocketwatch. A new bookbag. A pair of new shoes. There were still a dozen boxes in the chest. She struggled for her breath.
Ginny clutched the shoes to her chest and sank to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't keep any of these things. She knew that. But her heart ached.
She scrambled for the Neville's box. She pulled out the Think-Ov-Yoos. It was completely clouded with golden smoke. He remembered her. He was remembering her even now. She knew it in her heart. It was him.
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He sat on his bed, in his green pajamas, wrapped in his dressing gown. His gifts were still piled at the foot on his bed. He didn't move for a long time, though. He waited for all of his roommates to leave the room. He wanted to be alone before he opened any present.
Finally, when Crabbe and Goyle shuffled out of the room in search of something to eat, he slid down to the end of the bed. He lifted a box. It was the same green and silver package he got every year. He opened it. He read the loving note from his mother, wishing him a happy Christmas and sending her love. Then he read his father's note. It told him to be ready for Friday. He swallowed.
He looked in the box. It was empty, except for one thing. He pulled out a small, but very heavy, pouch. The small tag attached to the string that held the pouch shut read "10,000".
Ten thousand galleons. Happy Christmas, Draco, he told himself. He smiled, despite himself.
He threw the box aside, arranging the small notes and the pouch beside him.
The next box he grabbed was also one he received every year. It was wrapped in black and silver, as always. He read the attached card:
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My dear Draco –
Happy Christmas. For times when you find yourself immersed in darkness and cannot get out. For times when you feel the need to escape or at least to hide. For times when you wish to be anywhere else or somewhere in particular. Enclosed were gifted to me from my father when I was your age. I trust you to use them wisely.
With great love—
Severus
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The box contained three things, along with a note that described each object.
A bottle containing a rare potion called captivus astrum. The potion shined brightly, filling the room with ample light. Liquid illumination. Immersed in darkness.
An invisibility cloak. He grinned, feeling like a small child. He'd always wanted one ever since he had found out that Potter had one. Need to hide.
A transPort Key. An old form of the Port Key that was no longer available. It was shaped like an oversized skeleton key and it allowed travel from any location, to any other location. Just needed a charm and some concentration. To be anywhere else.
Draco was overwhelmed. Severus always gave him the best presents. Always.
He knelt down to his trunk. He rummaged around, trying several different keys, opening several different compartments in the trunk. Finally, he found what he wanted. It was his personal chest. It opened only to him, made special by Borgin & Burkes. It was empty.
He set the bottle and key inside and neatly folded the cloak on top. Remembering the galleons, he leaned over and grabbed the sack on the bed. He set it inside, on top of his new cloak. He closed it, and stashed the chest away in the trunk, making sure to remember exactly which compartment and which key he used.
Draco stood, and dusted himself off. Walking lazily back to the bed, he realized he had one more box. He almost shrugged it off as a present from Pansy. But, unable to resist his curiosity, he sat on the bed and began to tear open the blue wrapping paper.
Inside was a fairly tattered cardboard box. His first clue that this was not from Pansy. He opened the box, and inside was a neatly folded sweater. He frowned. A sweater? For Christmas? How trite.
He pulled it out, letting the box fall to the floor. A small card fell out as well. He bent to pick it up.
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Draco –
Happy Christmas. I know you don't want to see me or talk to me. But I could not resist sending you a "Weasley Christmas present". I'm sending you a sweater that I've knit myself. My mother always said that there's no way to share the love and warmth of a holiday than with a sweater. It'll keep you warm when you need it, and remind you that you're loved when you need that, too. I hope you like it. You can write to me and say so, if you want. I hope you do.
Wishing I could see you again –
Ginny
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He stood and tucked the card away into his sketchbook. Then he held up the sweater, at arm's length, to look it over. It was a thick cable-knit sweater, with a v-neck. It was green. And on the front, there was a golden snitch.
He smiled. Virginia made it herself. A sweater for Christmas. Had it been from anyone else, he would have scoffed.
But instead, Draco was smiling.
He sat on his bed, holding the sweater to his chest, thinking about Virginia. He wondered if she liked her presents. He really wished he could have been there with her when she opened the boxes.
He lay back in bed, the sweater across his chest, staring up at the intertwining snakes. He stayed there for almost an hour, picking out the word "Gin" amongst the pattern of snakes.
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She wandered down to breakfast, making sure not to wear anything new. Except the shoes. She couldn't help it. They were the nicest pair she'd ever owned. They were the nicest pair she'd ever seen. She was keeping the shoes. If she had to, she'd pay him back for the shoes. But everything else would have to be returned.
Her roommates and fellow classmates had already rushed down to breakfast. Hermione and Ron had left for the Great Hall earlier as well. So, she wandered the hall alone. She checked her wristwatch. No wonder the halls were empty. Breakfast was nearly over!
She started to hurry, nearly jogging. When she reached the Entrance Hall, she ran head-on into someone.
"Oof!"
She caught her balance and looked up to see it was Harry!
"Harry!" She yelped. "What…what are you doing here?"
He was dusting himself off, smiling at her.
"I'm here for Christmas, Ginny."
"Oh…" She didn't know what to say. She noticed that, for the first time in her life, she wasn't feeling terribly clumsy in front of Harry Potter!
He pressed his lips together, looking uncomfortable himself. She flashed him a big smile.
"Happy Christmas, Harry!" She said it cheerily, and a bit loud. She was glad she hadn't said "Harry Christmas, Happy!" like she had last year. She turned on her heels and walked through the doors into the Great Hall, not caring to see if he was joining her. When she reached the Gryffindor table, she sat down with Colin, thanking him for the photobook.
She helped herself to some eggs, as she watched Harry walk past her, on the other side of the table. He eyed her nervously, as though she were just released from St. Mungo's or something. She rolled her eyes and reached for some potatoes.
"Harry!" Ron's cry echoed in the Hall. When everyone turned to look at him, Ginny noticed that his ears turned pink. He shrugged and stood up to hug Harry. Hermione hugged him next. The three sat down and started talking about their holidays. Ginny had never felt so…"unfriended" before. She had Colin. But he wouldn't stand up to hug her for any reason. And there was Neville. But she just thought it was some sort of odd crush.
She turned and looked over at Neville. He was talking to Lavender Brown. And she was giggling at whatever he was saying. Ginny's eyes grew wide as she watched him put his hand over hers on the table. They both smiled at each other. Alright, she thought, cross out the odd crush idea.
When she turned back to Colin, he was having an excited conversation with his brother and Natalie McDonald.
Ginny pushed her plate away, not feeling so hungry. She looked over at Ron, watching him smile and gesticulate as he told Harry about the things he missed at school. Nothing even happened while he was gone, Ginny thought. She watched Harry for a moment, and looked away quickly when she noticed him look in her direction.
She looked down at her plate, and licked her lips. She wasn't part of any conversation. And if she were, what would she have to say? Not much. She looked up at the Head Table and saw Hagrid sitting at the end.
Ginny stood up and marched up to talk to him. He looked up from his eggs to smile at her.
"Ginny! Happy Christmas!"
She grinned, walking around to give him a hug. He enveloped her in his arms, and Ginny inhaled the earthy smell of his coat.
"You, too, Hagrid. I wanted to thank you for the necklace." She pulled it out from under her shirt. Hagrid admired it on her and winked.
"I'm glad ya like it!"
"But I didn't get you anything, Hagrid!" She looked at him, feeling slightly upset and mostly guilty. She had spent all of her money, nearly her entire savings, on a single present. Hagrid tilted his bushy-bearded head and looked at her carefully. She swallowed, trying not to look too pathetic.
"Aww, Ginny, yeh know I don't want anythin' in return. Just yer friendship." His eyes twinkled and Ginny couldn't help but smile. She embraced him again, wishing him Happy Christmas once more, and turned to leave the Hall.
She wasn't sure where she wanted to go or what she wanted to do with the rest of her day. Slowly, and completely unintentionally, she wandered up to the Owlery.
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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
Madonna – Don't Tell Me
Foo Fighters – Walking After You
Smashing Pumpkins – 1979
Oasis – Wonderwall
Foo Fighters – Everlong
The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony
Coldplay – Yellow
www.lorddave.com/evenbetter/readerrec.htm
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More to come very soon. My apologies for being so late with these additions. I really wanted something great to post. Like Draco's journey home or Ginny having a conversation with Snape. These are a few ideas I have for upcoming chapters. Once again, I think we'll be here (in Hogwarts) a while longer. I'm liking it, are you? Let me know what you think of all of this. I'm very interested in seeing your responses.
Also check out the website. I have tons of additions. I updated Draco and Ginny and Lyrics mostly. Also check out Misc for some fun new stuff pertaining to the story!
Don't forget to review! Thanks!
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Latin:
Captivus astrum – captured star
Hagrid's lack of accent:
It's rather hard. I'm not even going to try too hard, I'm sure you can imagine it just fine. ;-)