A/N: Yay! I finally got it up! Y'all would not believe how stuck I was on this chapter. I just sat here and hit my head against things, then last night I had a weird inspiration and wrote for about 3 hours straight. And this is all I have to show for it! Woo! Well, I'm a complete lunatic, and I REALLY wanted to use the term 'the coolest thing since sliced bread' in this chapter, but my mom wouldn't let me. So I had to change it to something that you will find out later. You'll most likely be able to spot where it was. So yea. Trigun rocks! And IRS updated! Woo! So yea. I'm off!
Disclaimer: I own nadda. Got it? Only the sick and twisted story that comes outta my head.
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Under the Moonlit Sky: Chapter Four; Another Game Ends
Draco was in a rather good mood, considering where he was going. He, Crabbe, and Goyle were going to visit Pansy in the hospital wing. Draco didn't want to go, but was told to or otherwise face a severe penalty from Snape. Why he was told to go in the first place was still unclear, but he didn't want detention every night for the next month.
As they headed down the corridor towards the infirmary, Draco had his mind on other things. He was thinking about someone else. He knew he was visiting Pansy, but why couldn't he get this girl out of his head? What was wrong with him? 'Why would I all of a sudden just start liking her? What is with this infatuation?' he thought. He would have been fine if it were any other girl, but this was expressly forbidden. 'What is wrong with me?'
At that moment though, the three Slytherins reached the doors to the infirmary. They walked in, Draco in the lead, and Madam Pomfrey spotted them instantly. "May I help you boys?" She walked over, and looked at Draco very impatiently.
"Yes, we're here to see Pansy Parkinson," Draco replied. He was annoyed at this woman, but, he was also a Malfoy, and kept up a respectable presence.
"Yes, yes, she's right over here." At that Pomfrey bustled off towards the end of the ward, where there was a section closed off from the rest. Draco followed, slightly irritated at being led back like a first year. At the far end of the curtain, she told them to go in, but be quiet for the other girl may be sleeping. She then headed up to the other end of the ward, checking over a younger year, whom was just dragged in by two comrades.
Draco took the incentive to go in, and pulled back the curtain. He saw another curtain covering a bed in front of him, about 2/3 the way around. To his left there was another bed, past a couple empty ones, with no curtains around at all, except for a little bit covering the head of the bed. That little bit of curtain was also covering the torso and head that belonged to a pair of very long, lean, luscious looking legs. The sight of those beauties was almost driving him insane just sitting there, and he was nearly salivating at the thoughts of what those things could do.
He was snapped back to reality by the curtain in front of him being drawn back. Peeking precariously from behind the curtain was a very disheveled version of Pansy. All thoughts of the set of limbs on the other bed were driven out of his head the moment he saw Pansy pull back a little more of the curtain, allowing him to view the odd wings that were in her hair, the boils on her face, and what seemed to be –wait, hold on, they were suckers- on her arms. He could feel the slightly appalled look trying to creep up his features, but pushed it back immediately, considering that this was not the time to be rude.
"Hi Draco." The softness of her voice made him jump, since he had prepared for a joyous screech, not a delicate hello. Crabbe and Goyle emerged from the curtain behind him, only to nearly fall over in shock from sight of Pansy. Their dumbstruck looks just made Pansy blush horribly and fall back behind the curtain again. Draco poked his head around the curtain, and saw Pansy sitting on the edge of her bed. "I want you out," she said, without much conviction. Draco knew if that's what she wanted though, he better leave. But he couldn't help noticing her face. It looked the same, but it had a certain quality about it, something he couldn't place.
"Alright, Pansy. I could come back tomorrow if you want, though." He offered before he even realized what he was doing. If she said yes, he'd be screwed. What a way to spend a Sunday.
"Thanks, but I don't know," 'Phew,' "If you want to, just don't bring the two idiots." 'Damn it, now I have to come back,' he thought.
"Well, okay, I'll see you tomorrow then." And he left, Crabbe and Goyle following him, after prying their jaws off the ground and eyes off the curtain. 'What am I going to do? Why did I ask her if she wanted me back? Damn me, what's wrong with me? But, hey, those legs. I can find out who they belong too. So, okay, I guess this won't be so bad after all.' His mind wandered around after that, as his feet took him back to his common room. Every once in a while he would notice something, but he generally stayed quiet, and in his own head.
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After Draco left, Pansy just sat at the end of her bed, wondering if he would actually come back. She didn't really enjoy his company that much. He was quite the prick. But if he did come back, what did that prove? That he wanted to get a nice long look at her, and then tell the whole school about it? Or that he actually cares about someone other than himself? 'The latter can't be possible, come on, it's Draco Malfoy we're talking about. But what if he does care, but doesn't know how to show it in any way? And why do I pretend like he is the coolest thing since Fizzing Whizbees anyway? Oh, yea, because of my father, and all his Death Eater friends. 'Have to keep the purebloods pure, now' like he always says. I don't care about blood pasts, so why do I create the façade? Why don't I just be who I want to be?' Her self-confliction was interrupted by a noise to her right, which sounded like feet. Then Ginny pulled back the curtains a little bit and looked at Pansy with a genuine sweetness.
"Was that Draco Malfoy I heard?" She seemed a bit intrigued by the fact that Draco, heartless bastard, would come and visit Pansy, obsessive groupie. Pansy just nodded a yes, and Ginny gave a small nod of acceptance. "I thought so. So, why do you think he would show up here? The almighty thinking to grace us with his presence?" By this time, Ginny had moved all the way around the curtain, sitting by her. Pansy just gave a small laugh at her comment, knowing that it was kind of true.
"You know, I was just thinking that myself. I do wonder why he would come. And also, why he would come back." Ginny nodded. Pansy knew she would have been listening to the whole thing; it was just what they did. They had talked of it briefly, that whenever someone came in, they could here what was said anyway, so why try and hide it. Ginny opened her mouth as if to say something, shut it again and dropped her head back, looking at the ceiling. Pansy joined her in the ceiling-gazing, but she laid back. It was more comfortable to lay and look up than to sit.
Pansy could see Ginny propping herself up on her arms, which were slightly behind her. She seemed focused on the ceiling, but there was something else in her head. The ceiling was just a point to stare at when one wanted to concentrate. Pansy gave herself up to random thoughts that came passing through her head. 'The ceiling is pretty interesting. It would be even more interesting were it enchanted like the Great Hall's. I wonder what Ginny's thinking about. Huh. It seems funny that, in less than a week, we just became comfortable in each other's company. Rather interesting, I suppose. I guess we would have been bound to talk to each other sometime, since who knows how long we can live with only a sparse few people coming to visit, even if they did everyday. It's odd, I've never noticed the way her hair falls across her shoulders like that. And the way it curls just slightly. I bet with the right charm, it would curl up just enough to make cute little ringlets. That would be nice. I wish my hair would do that.' Her thoughts wandered on, until she heard Ginny make a noise.
"Umph. You think he actually cares? I mean, Draco, you think he's not as self-centered as he appears?" She seemed to lose herself in thought again, but that question made Pansy think too. After a minute or so, Pansy spoke up.
"I don't know, but I definitely know that there's more to him than he lets on. I mean, come on, when you follow someone like a dog for five and a half years, you notice things others don't. I've seen him slip up before, and I think he's doing it again. He might also just be trying to change rumors that he actually has no heart at all. I dunno. He's an odd man."
"Yea, that sounds right. He's letting his guard down. I was thinking, and I'm starting to believe that social standings are just a big game. Everyone plays, but not everyone knows it. And the way you keep a rank, or get a higher one, is by having a good defense. If you show what you're really like, or don't have good defense, you're dropped from where you were. The whole pureblood Slytherin pride thing is just that, a defense mechanism. Without it, you lose power, and therefore don't have much social standing. I dunno, I could just be a rambling lunatic for all I know, but I like my theory." Ginny finished, and heaved a heavy sigh. All Pansy could do was mull the whole thing over, which took a bit, since there was a lot to think about there.
"I guess you could be insane, but I like that too. It's how I've lived my life, but I never knew it. But I know now that I don't want to play the game. It's so childish. It all seemed so important as a first, second and third year. But as I grew up, it grew old. I think it might just be me, but I'm sick of the social game. I just want to be. But as soon as we're out of here, we have to play the game again. Slytherins versus Gryffindors, Malfoy versus Potter, pureblood versus mixed. And our parents play too. Wouldn't you think that they would realize that it's just a stupid game too?" Pansy finished her say on it, and waited for Ginny to reply. All she got back for a little bit was light breathing, and the sounds of someone else in the hospital wing being healed.
"To never play again, would be bliss. But society has already reined us in, and all we can do is take a few breaks. A game where no one wins, no one loses; you just play until you die." Pansy nodded, and sat back up to look at Ginny, who turned her head. The eye contact they had was something unbelievable. It was as if they could sense each other inside their head. It was suddenly broken by a large crash from the other end of the room that had made both girls jump and snap their heads towards the source. Pansy felt for a moment as though she had just lost something, but then turned back towards Ginny, who was still staring out towards the curtains.
"I wonder what time it is. Colin was supposed to bring my transfiguration work to me at 3, and I think it's passed that. Oh well, he probably forgot, knowing him. I'll just ask Hermione to get it next time I see her." Ginny looked back at Pansy who was now also thinking about homework. "Who's been bringing by your work? I've seen you doing it, but I never see anyone come in." Pansy thought for a second about it.
"I'm not sure, really. I just know that Pomfrey will give it to me, and she never says who brought it. I guess it might be the teachers, or maybe someone who was appointed by Snape. Who knows." Ginny giggled a bit, and Pansy looked incredulously at her.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking how funny it would be if you had a secret admirer that volunteered to bring it, but doesn't want you to know," Ginny rattled off. Pansy couldn't help but giggle too, since the idea was pretty funny. Anyone liking her? Come on, get real. "Well, I have an essay I want to finish by tomorrow, cause I think it's due Monday, and whoever is picking it up tomorrow has to turn it in. Well, talk to you later." Ginny got up and started heading back towards her bed when Pansy caught her arm real fast. "Hey, what's it on? Maybe I could help. I'm done with all of mine," Pansy offered.
"Really? Thanks. It's something to do with Venus and Saturn. I still haven't quite figured out what happens when they align." Ginny looked up, thinking about what the planets had to do with each other. "Do you know anything about it?"
"Sure, I know a bit. Why don't we get out all the stuff we need and put those two other beds together to make a bigger working space? Just one bed and a chair is not going to work." Ginny nodded the affirmative, and bounced over to her area, while Pansy started rearranging the furniture. 'This, for sure, is a lot better than just sitting by myself.' As Ginny came out with all her stuff, she spread it across the newly joined beds, and they got to work.
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Ginny rather enjoyed working with Pansy, and they ended up trading all their weekend homework for the other to check through. Ginny had a harder time than Pansy, because she was still a year behind her, but did a pretty good job nonetheless. Pomfrey finally ruined the fun when she came in and had them each take several different potions that were supposed to help. They seemed to work only a little bit, but Ginny's whiskers had gotten shorter and were disappearing. And Pansy's arms were getting better, and the boils on her face seemed a lot smaller. After all the potions were drunk, Pomfrey came in with a plate full of various sandwiches. The girls were highly surprised at how fast the time went, as it was already dinnertime. They discussed everything from dinner to people over the sandwiches.
"I wonder why she gets lazy about our food. I mean, every other night it seems like we just get some stupid sandwiches, but then the other nights we actually get food, like what the rest of the school is having," Ginny babbled through a bacon and lettuce sandwich.
"I know, it's as if she just doesn't care. Or she just puts in half effort. Or maybe it has something to do with how many people there are in the ward. I mean, if there are more people, sandwiches are easier, right? Either that or she hates us secretly." Pansy started going on about conspiring teachers who secretly wanted all the kids to fail horribly and be expelled, while she picked apart a sandwich that looked like it contained turkey and some form a cheese. Both girls were giggling like maniacs, and when they noticed that they had gotten sandwich bits all over their homework they started laughing even harder. After Ginny finally gave up trying to stay upright she leaned against the head of the bed, probably crumpling an essay under her.
Pulling herself up slightly to grab whatever she was sitting on, Ginny started to think out loud. "You know, it's weird. A week ago, we could have passed each other, and instead of just not giving each other the time of day, we would throw insults like it was going out of style. And now look at us, we're sitting near each other in close proximity. Not just sitting, but helping each other with homework, laughing, and enjoying ourselves. How strange is that?" She started to gather up her random scrolls of work, and her books, and piled them all into a chair right next to the bed. Pansy too was collecting her things that were scattered about.
"It is odd. I know that I've said some nasty things too. But it was all part of the game. Now that I think about it, I didn't really mean any of it. Except for in my first or second years, because after that I really started knowing people and noticing some really good things about people I was supposed to hate. Like your family for instance. I was taught to not look past the red hair, freckles, and finances, but once I did, I found some pretty honorable traits. Like you're all pretty brave, and you stick up for one another. And you have the ability to always make the best of a bad situation. It's something that I don't have, and I kind of admire you for it." Pansy finished talking, and quietly finished gathering her things.
"That's really nice of you. I've never really seen the good part of you, because you have such a high defense that not many get around it. But from what you just told me, I'm sure there's something really special inside you, hiding behind the façade of the game. Something really kind, nice, caring, loving, special and beautiful. You know, we could stop playing the game. But we couldn't tell all the other players. It would have to be our secret. But we wouldn't be playing." Pansy seemed to perk up at this last comment recovering from the slight blush of Ginny's compliment.
"Really? How do we stop?" It obviously intrigued her, and she wanted to know more.
"You know how when you're around friends, your guard goes down, because you have nothing to worry about. When we're around each other, we can let our guard down, but not around other people. So we in the game, but we're not, get it?" Ginny cocked an eyebrow to look mischievous, but it didn't seem to work to well.
"So, what you're saying is, when we aren't with anyone else, we can be friends?" Ginny looked shocked at this take on her words, but settled down once she realized that's what she meant anyway, but it's never inopportune for a witty retort.
"Oh, you're saying we aren't friends now? Because it sure seemed like it, with the way we were just carrying on." Ginny tried to look very smug, and Pansy just about fell over from laughter.
"I have never heard a better come-back from you. That was the funniest thing." Pansy calmed herself to see a very confused looking Ginny. "But I'll admit it needs some work," Pansy added to make Ginny even more confused.
"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Ginny crossed her arms and looked expectantly at Pansy, waiting for her reply.
"It means that you need help with your come-backs. But that one was pretty funny." Pansy just looked at Ginny innocently, and went back to sorting out her papers.
"In what way was that funny? It was never meant to be funny. Only to me." Ginny looked slightly peeved now, but Pansy just kept sorting, humming a slight tune. "Oh c'mon, answer me."
"Okay, I'm just saying it was funny. I thought it was a rather hilarious comment. Satisfied?" Pansy started humming again and shuffling through a stack of parchment.
"No, but it'll do, I guess." Ginny tried to sound disgruntled, but Pansy just suppressed a small laugh. "Now what's so funny?"
"Oh, just you. You get kind of funny when you try to sound angry. I find it quite amusing." Pansy continued humming and apparently found what she was looking for, pulled it out, and put it between the pages of one of her books. After a couple minutes of silent Ginny, Pansy looked up at her to see her arms still crossed and a rather pouty look on her face. "Aww, what's the matter? Ginny not happy about something?" Pansy said in an odd mocking fake-motherly voice. All Ginny could do was laugh while trying to keep her face straight and throw the pillow that was next to her at Pansy, who ducked it just in time. "What do you think is so funny, eh?"
"Oh, just you. You get kind of funny when you try to sound concerned," Ginny repeated to Pansy. "I find it quite amusing." Pansy got a not-to-amused look on her face.
"Ha ha, real hilarious. Now come on, we gotta get to bed before Pomfrey jumps down our throats." She picked up her books and moved them over to her space before coming back for her parchment. Ginny got off the bed, albeit very woefully, and thought about how to pick up her stuff.
"How do you think I should do this to get it all in one go?" Pansy looked at the pile, looked at Ginny, looked back at the pile, and back to Ginny.
"You can't." And walked back to her space with an armful of parchment.
"I bet you I can," Ginny fought back.
"No, you can't," Pansy sounded very final about it.
"Yes, I know I can. Just watch me." With that Pansy finally came back out from behind the curtain, and said, "Fine, try."
"Yes, watch this," and Ginny grabbed the back of the chair, and swiveled it around so the back faced her. She then turned around, leaned it back and dragged it to where her bed was, putting it down and triumphantly coming back out to face Pansy. "Problem solved." She grinned immensely and just looked at Pansy, who gave her an expression of 'what in the-?'
"That is absolutely cheating. No fair at all," Pansy tried to argue with it.
"No, that was perfectly fair. No one ever said I couldn't take the chair, or had to pick it up." Ginny just smiled more, pleased at how she had astounded the Slytherin.
"Nope, not fair at all, and I would so totally have won if we had bet." Pansy crossed her arms in her own little victory, and tried to stare Ginny down.
"No, I would have won, because no one set up any rules towards it, meaning all was fair." Ginny now knew she had it.
"Whatever, I won and you know it." Pansy stomped off behind her curtain.
"Shya. Whatever," Ginny said to herself. She'd drop it for now, since she was pretty tired. Ginny wandered back to her bed and sat down. She did all of the necessary things you do before you go to bed, and settled down underneath her blankets. She could still hear Pansy milling about her area of the ward. "Night Pansy," she called over to her. She heard Pansy pause for a moment, then heard "G'night Ginny," back.
Ginny lay back against the pillow with her arms crossed above her head. The day perplexed her, and she couldn't leave it alone. 'It was unusual today, wasn't it? We were laughing like old friends together. And she offered to help me with homework. That one was a bit peculiar in itself. Well, all good things must come to an end I suppose. But when is this good thing going to end? When we leave the hospital wing? After the end of the year? After Hogwarts? There's just so much to think about. I guess it will have to wait another day, because I'm sleepy.' She rolled onto her side and put her hand under her cheek. 'Maybe tomorrow I can think.' But all ideas and thoughts of the next day were wiped clean, as she fell gently into a peaceful slumber, where dreams of tomorrow await.
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Time for some Thanx's:
cjflutterbye: Mom, I did the dishes, I swear. Okay not really, but I want to sound responsible.
Wonderland's Greatest Fan: I know it was sweet, wasn't it? And yes, your circles will spin. So yea, keep working on your own!
Hacen: taunting I'm not gonna tell you! You'll have to see who pairs up when it happens in the story. And yes, I think this one is crap also. But that's just me. And I like how it turned out in that 'aww that's sweet' thing. I didn't plan it, but it worked. I wait for your review.
Yay! So, I'm off to read the new chapter in Rise of the Silver Stars by IRS. So, later all!