I don't know how I feel about this chapter.
I've redone this chapter so many times, it's not even funny. I'm having serious issues. Weezer's not even helping, if you can imagine that. But I finished it eventually. I took the expert advice of slybabe and threw a little crap together. My words, not slybabe's. And surprisingly, this is the longest chapter I've done. How 'bout them apples?
4AnJ
Chapter 6: Shock
I've got a Dungeon Master's GuideI've got a twelve-sided die
I've got Kitty Pryde
And Nightcrawler too
Waiting there for me, yes I do
I do
I've got posters on the wall
My favorite rock group Kiss
I've got Ace Frehley
I've got Peter Criss
Waiting there for me, yes I do
I do
In the garage
I feel safe
No one cares about my ways
In the garage
Where I belong
No one hears me sing this song
In the garage
Weezer – In the Garage
September 1 – Hogwarts Express
Ginny Weasley stared out the train window, sighing as she forced a smile and waved goodbye to her Mum, Fred, and George. The train pulled slowly from King's Cross Station and she let the smile slip from her lips as the platform disappeared from view. Finally able to drop the façade she'd been holding up the past few days, she slumped down in her seat, rubbing her temples lightly. She hated having to see Harry every day after they broke up in August, wanting to cry every time he gave her that look. The look that said she was making a mistake. The look that told her that he still loved her.
She just didn't feel the same.
The sound of the door sliding open caught her attention and she groaned, crossing her fingers that it wasn't Harry. Crossing her fingers seemed to work, because it wasn't Harry standing there. In fact, it was his exact opposite. Draco Malfoy eyed Ginny silently, then stepped into the compartment and slid the door closed. Without a word, he sat across from her, turning his eyes to glare moodily out the window. Ginny arched an eyebrow, watching him for a moment. She tilted her head when she finally spoke, actually trying to keep her words polite.
"Why are you sitting with me?" Draco dragged his gaze away from the passing scenery and looked her up and down, sneering mildly.
"You're in my compartment."
"Oh, my deepest apologies. I must have missed your name on it." So much for being polite. Draco stared at her blankly, his usual malice gone. The more Ginny looked at him, the more tired he seemed to be. There were dark smudges under his eyes, like he hadn't slept for nights. His hair hung limply in front of his eyes, which had lost their biting hatred for anyone and everyone. "…What happened to you?" Ginny found herself asking softly, genuine concern showing on her face. Draco seemed surprised by the question, blinking at her.
"…Nothing. Nothing anyone needs to know, that is." He gave her a pointed glare, but she didn't give up, a frown adorning her lips.
"Something happened."
"What the fuck do you care?" he snapped, glaring harshly as he could muster. Ginny eyed him warily, and then returned to her slumped position while she stared out the window.
"I don't know. Forget it." The rest of the train ride was in silence, both students ignoring the other. Even as they got off the train, they didn't acknowledge the other's presence, which showed when Ginny slammed the door closed in Draco's face. When he exited the compartment, he watched the youngest Weasley saunter off the train and make her way towards the carriages. He watched how she ignored the 'Dream Team' completely, and how Harry shot her a pained look, a smirk finding it's way onto his lips. So the Weasley girl broke Potty's heart, eh? Who'd have thought she had it in her?
Snubbing his supposed 'friends,' Draco ducked into a carriage with some second year Slytherins, successfully frightening them enough to have a silent trip to the castle. Perhaps this year would actually be interesting.
September 3 – Library
Ginny sniffled and hiccupped as she ran her fingers over her Potions book, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. Tears streaked her face as she tried to keep from bursting out in hysteric sobs, because she'd probably get kicked out of the library, and she had to finish her essay for Snape. The greasy bastard. He was the reason she was about the bawl in the first place. Honestly, singling her out and insulting her intelligence and her family like that. Oh, how she wished that cauldron had spilled on him instead of all over the floor. She was so absorbed in her essay and seeking revenge on the Potion's Master, that she didn't notice Draco Malfoy slinking up to the table.
"Well, well. Working hard, I see." Ginny jumped, a spot of ink spreading across her parchment. She sent a glare in Draco's direction as she tried to wipe away the smear, turning back to her book.
"What do you want?" she asked, not even looking up when he sat next to her. But she didn't when he answered.
"You." Brown eyes jerked up to meet silver-gray, and Ginny arched an eyebrow as she peered at the older boy.
"…Whatever. Go fuck around with someone else so I can finish my essay in peace." Draco only smirked, scooting his chair closer to he could peer over her shoulder.
"What sort of essay?"
"The kind I don't need your help with," she ground out, attempting to ignore the shivers that were running down her spine every time he exhaled. A strand of his hair brushed across her cheek as he leaned in even more, reaching forward to motion to some text in the book. Her breath caught in her throat, her brain going curiously numb as he pointed out a few things that might be helpful in her essay. Much too close. He was much too close.
"Weasley, are you even listening?" Ginny jerked out of her trance, blinking at Draco.
"Yes. What?" The blonde shook his head, leaning back in his chair haughtily.
"If you want to get good marks on this essay, you're going to need my help. Despite popular opinion, I actually work for my Potions grade. I know how Professor Snape's mind works. I can get you top marks. …For a price, though."
"…Like what?" Ginny gave him a skeptical look, squirming in her seat. He smirked at her, shrugging.
"Meet me in the Astronomy Tower tonight after supper. I'm sure we can work something out." He lazily looked her up and down, shooting her one of his half grins as he pushed himself up and made his way out of the library. This would be almost too easy.
September 12 – Transfiguration Hallway
"I thought you wouldn't come," Ginny mumbled before Draco tugged her into a kiss, hands resting recklessly low on her wait. Her arms moved up to wrap around his shoulders as the kiss deepened, her fingers threading gently into his hair. When they finally separated for air, he rested his forehead against hers, very nearly pinning her up against the wall.
"I can't stay. I have an essay for Defense Against the Dark Arts due tomorrow, and I've barely started. No thanks to you." Ginny soon found herself crushed in another kiss, one of Draco's hands moving up to cradle her head softly while the other stayed on her waist, holding her close. It seemed as if the kiss had barely started when it was over, and Draco was starting down the hallway towards the dungeons. Ginny moaned, grabbing for his hand and tugging him back.
"Don't go yet… You just got here. We haven't been together since two nights ago," she whined mildly, twirling a strand of his hair around her index finger. He gave her a pained look, gently pushing her hand back.
"I have to finish this essay. We've had a week to do it and if it isn't good, Lupin will probably have me shot." Ginny rolled her eyes, dropping the hair to intertwine their fingers.
"Please stay? Just for a few minutes more?" Draco shook his head, trying to pull away.
"I can't. I'm sorry. We'll go down to the lake tomorrow after breakfast or something," he promised, kissing her cheek and starting off again. In a final attempt to keep him there, Ginny grabbed for his wrist, freezing when she managed to latch onto one. Draco mimicked her movements, turning around slowly after a moment. She stared at him, then lowered her gaze to his wrist, chewing her lower lip.
"Draco… When…?" Her brow crinkled, giving him a questioning look. He tried to avoid her eyes, staring down at the scar adorning his wrist. "…When did you do this?"
"…Summer. August something. 20th." The DADA essay was forgotten. Ginny ran her fingers softly over the scar, then reached up to touch Draco's cheek, cupping his chin and forcing him to look at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Unable to take the intensity of her gaze, he jerked away, stepping out of reach.
"It's in the past. Doesn't matter. …I'll see you after breakfast tomorrow." Before Ginny could object, he started off down the hall, disappearing into the shadows. She stared at the place he had gone out of sight for an extended moment, and then sighed, turning and heading towards the common room.
October 27 – Lake
The wind blew across the grounds, causing little ripples and waves across the surface of the lake. Draco shoved his hands into the pockets of his robes as he stared across the water, for once not caring what the wind was doing to his hair. The sound of someone approaching dragged him from his thoughts, and he glanced up, nodding a greeting to Ginny. She halted at his side, slipping her hand into his as he turned back to the lake.
"Something bothering you?" she asked quietly, peering up at him. "You've been so…quiet." He'd been moody and depressed, actually. And rude, blatantly ignoring anyone who tried to talk to him, including Ginny.
"…It's complicated," he replied, refusing to look at her. If he looked at her, she'd give him that look and he'd spill everything. And he couldn't do that just yet. But Ginny wasn't going to give up.
"Explain it." Draco sighed, shaking his head.
"I can't. I will. But not now. When it's safe." Ginny fell quiet at his reply, gaze dropping to her feet. It was only when Draco was sure she wouldn't push the subject that he looked down at her, using a finger to tilt her chin up. He kissed her softly, nuzzling against her cheek when they separated. "Don't worry." She nodded slightly, tugging him into a sitting position.
"…I know you said you didn't want me to get you anything for your birthday, but I ignored you." Draco smirked as Ginny pulled a battered box from her pocket, a smile on her lips as she handed it to him. "Happy birthday, then." Draco opened it, examining the contents quietly. A dragon pendent with sparkling red eyes stared up at him, twisted around a black silk thread. "…Do you like it?" He jerked, realizing he hadn't said anything since she handed him the box. Glancing over at her, he nodded, leaning in to kiss her before fastening the pendant around his neck.
"It's perfect. Thank you." He drew her into another kiss, his problems slowly melting away as Ginny returned his embrace, and they sat together by the edge of the lake until nightfall.
November 3 – Divination Tower
Ginny let her attention drift, which wasn't too difficult considering what class she was in. She was most definitely following her brother's footsteps when it came to Divination, leaving her homework off to the last possible minute, and writing up whatever lies sounded devastating enough to be accepted. Her gaze locked blankly on her crystal ball, and she found herself drifting off, eyes glazing over as she stared at the smoke swirling inside the ball.
Ruddy bitch, that Pansy. Who does she think she is, owling my parents like that. Like it's any of her business anyways. It's my fucking pendant and my fucking life. Damn right it was none of her business. She gave him that pendant and it was nobody's business but their own. I could wring her little neck for doing that. Mother won't care… Shit, Father will probably have a field day. Another excuse to give me a beating. A beating? Fuck. I can't believe this is happening. Son of a bitch. Calm down… Deep breaths, now. Shit.
Pain shot through Ginny's fist, and she jerked awake, letting out a yell and nearly tipping backwards in her chair. Professor Trelawney looked up, a surprised look on her face.
"Miss Weasley, what seems to be the problem?" she asked, eyes fixed in a glare as big as one could expect from the Divination professor. Ginny gave a gasp of pain as she held her hand against her chest, shaking her head. It felt like she'd punched a brick wall, but she'd been sitting at the desk the entire time.
"…I need to… Madame Pomfrey… hand…" Professor Trelawney gave an absent wave, and Ginny stumbled to the trapdoor, somehow making her way down the ladder. But halfway to the infirmary, the pain disappeared, replaced with the tingling feeling of a healing spell. She moved her fingers experimentally, and then returned to her trek to the infirmary in case the pain returned.
Draco nodded a farewell to Madame Pomfrey, rubbing his fist slightly as he stepped out of the infirmary. The sight of him stopped Ginny in her tracks, and she offered a half smile as he looked up, locking eyes with her.
"Ginny. What are you doing here?" Ginny scrambled for an answer, waving absently towards her head.
"…Headache. But it's gotten better. Maybe I just needed to get out of the Divination Tower." Draco nodded, glancing down the hallway as students began pouring out of their classrooms. He motioned in the direction of her next class, offering his hand.
"I'll walk you to Transfiguration." Ginny smiled, taking his hand and letting him lead her through the crowd. It was strange, though. She'd have to talk to him about his hand when they snuck off after supper that night.
Present – The Burrow
Letting out a growl of frustration, Draco whirled on an innocent tree, ramming his fist into the trunk until pain shot up his arms when he tried to move his fingers. With a small noise that could only be described as a howl, he collapsed against the tree, sliding to the ground.
Inside, Ginny sat up straight in her bed. As pain flowed through both of her arms, she let out a scream, instantly curling the limbs against her chest and holding them there tightly. Her head spun as she tried to fight the pain, not even hearing Hermione call her name. After a moment, she gained control of her legs and practically flew out of bed, staggering towards Ron's bedroom. Without knocking, she threw open the door, Hermione close behind.
"Where's…Draco?" she demanded, biting down another scream as the pain worsened. Ron and Harry exchanged glances.
"…He ran off. We don't know where. Outside." Harry squirmed, looking quite ashamed. Ginny groaned, whipping around and pushing past Hermione, who stared after her with a bewildered look on her face as the younger girl raced down the stairs and out the door. She would have followed her, too, if Ron hadn't stopped her. Apparently he realized that Draco and Ginny needed to be alone for the moment. They would find them if they didn't come back in an hour.
Ginny found herself heading towards the lake, not knowing what she would find when she got there. But she knew Draco was hurting, and the only thing that mattered was getting there to be by his side. So when she spotted him under a tree, shaking in silent sobs, she stumbled to his side and collapsed next to him. Silver-gray eyes found hers, and he stared at her for a moment, as if he didn't quite recognize her.
"…Gin?" She reached up to touch his cheek, letting out a cry of pain when she tried to straighten her fingers. She doubled over and Draco's eyes widened into an almost panicked expression, ready to freak out again. "Ginny, what's wrong? What happened?"
"Healing spell. Please," she gasped out, and Draco scrambled for his wand, wincing as his fingers closed around it. He pointed it at Ginny's hand and she shook her head, nodding towards him. "On you." He stared blankly before remembering to cast the spell, a sigh of relief coming from the redhead as the pain dissolved.
"…What the hell is going on?" Draco asked, setting his wand aside. Ginny dragged herself into a sitting position, slumping against his side. One hand fumbled blindly around his neck and grasped the dragon pendant carefully.
"I don't know… But I could feel you. Your pain. I could hear your thoughts. It hurt so much, Draco," she whimpered, burrowing close as he wrapped his arms around her. He held her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder.
"I don't understand. How could you feel me? Why now?"
"…It's happened before," she admitted wearily, feeling exhausted now that the pain had disappeared.
"What? When?" Draco, on the other hand, felt more awake with this news, staring down at the girl in his arms. She just shook her head, nuzzling against his cheek softly.
"Later. Tomorrow. Right now, just hold me, okay?" Draco obliged, grip tightening. Even without her request, he wouldn't be letting her go any time soon.