Chapter 6 - Of Draco and Hogsmeade
I woke up the next morning feeling as though I had butterflies in my stomach and found myself looking forward to my day in Hogsmeade with Drac- Malfoy. I was unusually happy that morning, and when Celine woke up, she noticed immediately.
"Ginny, you look awfully happy today."
"Do I really? I haven't noticed," I replied nonchalantly, stooping down to get clothes out of my trunks so that she wouldn't see the huge smile plastered on my face. I randomly pulled out a navy blue plaited skirt and a long sleeve white blouse. I laid them out on my bed and stared down at them. Something was missing. Celine turned around and reached into her trunk to get something.
"Celine, d'you remember that vest-?" I turned to see her holding up a dark blue v-neck vest that matched my skirt.
"Way ahead of you Gin," she said grinning.
"Thanks," I told her gratefully.
I changed quickly and looked at my watch. It was five till nine; I wouldn't have time to eat breakfast. I shrugged. It wasn't like I would be able to eat anything if I had the time; I was too jittery.
I practically skipped down the stairs into the common room, where Harry was seemingly waiting for someone.
"So Ginny, have you thought about- "
"Excuse me Harry, you're blocking my way. I have to get down to the Entrance Hall. I wouldn't want to keep Draco waiting for me."
I left Harry with his mouth open and flew down the halls and stairs. When I got to the Entrance Hall, it was exactly one minute to nine on my watch and there was no one there. I was flushed from running so hard and I felt myself flush even more when I began to think about why Malfoy might not be there. As my head cleared, I could not believe my stupidity. How could I have taken him seriously? The note had probably all been a set up and he and his friends were probably hidden in a corner laughing their heads off at me. I was furious with Malfoy, but I was even more furious with myself. I was so stupid to think that he really did have a heart, I should have expected it, but-
"Well, well, well, the Weasel has arrived," a voice drawled behind me.
"You really shouldn't insult yourself that way, Malfoy," I told him, putting on a mock serious air as I faced him. "That could really lower your self-esteem. Not that it couldn't use a good lowering right about now. Besides, if I remember correctly, you were turned into a ferret, weren't you?"
I noticed he was wearing loose black pants, a long-sleeve white blouse, and a silver and green tie. He also carried in his arms a thick, black cloak.
He grimaced at the reminder, but quickly turned his face into a scowl.
"Look Weasley, if we're going to do this, you're going to have to stop that. Got it?"
"Look who's playing the part of mediator now," I said feigning surprise.
He looked at me boredly.
"All right, all right. Agreed. But you've gotta cut the Weasley's down to a minimum as well."
I stared hard at him.
"Agreed," he said reluctantly.
"All right then. So are we going or what?"
By now the halls were beginning to fill with students talking excitedly about what they were going to do at Hogsmeade that day.
Malfoy nodded and offered me his arm, not really out of politeness or kindness but out of sophisticated breeding having taught him to do so. Just then, Hermione passed by us. She looked back in utter amazement and doubled back, muttering something about having left her money in the common room. We both knew that she was going off to tell Harry and Ron that I had not been joking.
Malfoy led me towards the Entrance Hall where Filch checked us off his list, looking at us suspiciously, and we headed in the direction of Hogsmeade. It was a really beautiful day outside. The sky was blue-grey and there was a soft breeze that rustled the leaves. As we walked on, I stayed as far away from his as I could while still holding onto his arm. He didn't seem to mind however, why should he? It wasn't as if he liked me or anything, I reminded myself somewhat painfully. Wait, painfully?
"Where do you want to go first?" he asked me as we stepped through the arches, interrupting my train of thought.
"I dunno, wherever you like, I guess," I told him, glad for once that he had done so and not allowed me elaborate on what I had meant.
"All right then, I've been dying to go to Honeyduke's since I got here, so I guess we shall proceed there first."
His voice had held an almost childlike quality. It seemed as if he had been asking for a long expected treat. I grinned inwardly; maybe this wouldn't be too bad. As we entered the shop, the sweet aroma of chocolate, and candy in general, wafted up to greet us. I smiled innocently as we walked slowly along each aisle examining the intriguing candy. We'd stop every once in a while to check out, perhaps, a very vile looking piece of candy, or one that just caught our attention. Just as we turned away from the cockroach cocktail mix, we heard the bell ding as the store door opened and happened to see the immaculate trio walk in. I groaned in disdain, and Malfoy, hearing me, pulled me closer to his side and wrapped his arm around me.
Following his lead, I pretended to snuggle up to him, much to his discomfort as well as mine. Okay, not really mine, but whatever. I gave the trio a flippant look and allowed Malfoy to steer me along to the next aisle, which happened to have row upon row of rich chocolates. He picked up a chocolate diamond and offered it to me.
"My lady," he said.
Following his lead once again, I opened my mouth and allowed him to pop it in. I moaned as the delicious diamond melted in my mouth, savoring the sweet and almost sensual taste.
He smirked and we continued walking down the aisle. We stopped about five more times, each time to taste a different piece of chocolate that either of us found intriguing. We took turns feeding each other the sweets, enjoying every malicious glare the trio shot at us. When we had finally finished, we decided to head to The Three Broomsticks to grab some butterbeer.
Dra- Malfoy went to order the drinks while I found us a table in an isolated little portion of the pub. I made myself comfortable and soon Malfoy was headed our way balancing two butterbeers on a tray.
"Care to help Weasel?" he asked condescendingly.
"Not really, no," I replied nonchalantly.
"Just wondering, because you made me walk halfway across this pub looking like a barman."
"And wouldn't you just make the handsomest barman ever?" I asked him sarcastically attempting to pinch his cheek.
"I'm glad you've finally decided to admit your passion for me," he said, pulling his face clear away from my grasp. "You know, I've heard denial is the first step in the emotional process."
I rolled my eyes, remembering Hermione's attempt at 'opening me up' and grabbed my butterbeer. To Malfoy's horror, I must assume, I tipped it up and chugged half of it down in one gulp. I almost choked on the drink when he pulled it down to the table. I spluttered and spilled some down my shirt as I banged on my chest heavily with my fist.
Finally having recovered my breath, I shot Malfoy an evil glare.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"Oh nothing, Malfoy, nothing at all. Except for the fact that I almost died because of that," I told him exaggeratedly, waving my arms around to create a more dramatic effect.
"Well, if you hadn't been chugging like a pig, Weasley, then maybe I wouldn't have had to do that," he replied looking around the pub.
"First of all pigs don't chug, they- they- well they do that thing they do. Secondly, I told you to cut the Weasely's to a min," I protested.
"Fine, Virginia then. That is your name, isn't it?"
I took a swing at him, but he pulled back and smirked.
"Anyway, Virginia," he began, putting special emphasis on my name, "here come our favorite threesome now."
He smirked as he nodded toward the door. And sure enough, there appeared Hermione, Ron, and Harry, striding, almost purposefully, towards the door. They came in and pretended to look around for an empty table, seeming not to notice that there was one right in front of them. Having, finally spotted us (a.k.a. the table) they walked over to a it, which happened to be two tables away from us, and plopped themselves down. After having ordered their butterbeers, they began to... "converse", which mostly consisted of sneaking sly glances at us when they thought we weren't looking.
Turning to Malfoy, I leaned over and looked deeply into his eyes, which was somewhat difficult since he kept looking over at the trio, then at Madame Rosemerta, then the trio, then something or someone else, and never at me.
I cleared my throat and he turned to look at me. His eyes widened as he found me right in his face and he pushed himself away from the table, which was somewhat difficult as we were sitting in a booth.
"What the hell are you doing?" he whispered, putting his mug down in front of him before he spilled it all over himself.
"If we're going to look like we're on a date, we've got to act as if we're on one too," I reasoned out loud for him.
"You're not serious are you, Wea - Virginia?" He looked at me, knowing the answer but hoping against all odds that I would say what he wanted to.
"No, you're right, Malfoy, we shouldn't do this. It's only a supposed date. Most people don't even kiss on their first dates. Not until it's over at least."
"Fine, I'll do - What?"
"It's okay. You don't have to do it. I understand. It's no biggie."
Surprise showed in his eyes. Surprise and suspicion.
"Where are you going with this Virginia?"
"Nowhere. I'm saying that you're right. You are correct. We don't have to do it at all."
"However, you are thinking that they will be quite relieved that we haven't actually had any contact other than hands and arms and whatnot..." he concluded.
I looked at him innocently.
"All right Weasley, do your thing. Virginia," he corrected as I shot him a glare.
I leaned over to him once more, a triumphant look plastered on my now smug features.
"Draco, have I ever told how much I love your eyes?" I began, noting, out of the corner of my eye, that Ron and Hermione had looked up at us.
"Perhaps," he replied smugly. "Why don't you enlighten me?"
"Your eyes, Draco, they remind me of the sky when a storm is in the air. They hold all the power of thunder when I look into them, and they are as hard and cold as ice, except when they look at me, of course."
His eyes widened as he took in the last words I had said. Had I really seen his soften a moment ago, or was it just me again? No it was just me, and what I had said hadn't been true. No, definitely not true, just the first thing that came to my mind is all. Yeah, that's it.
"Not to mention those wonderfully inviting lips."
I looked down at his mouth and then back into his eyes.
"You don't know how many times I've thought of kissing those lips, Draco," I told him, reaching out and tracing their outlines.
Okay, so I had thought about it a couple of times, but I really didn't mean to, the thoughts just came.
As I ran my finger along his lower lip, I felt him stiffen slightly, but only for a moment. Soon he relaxed and gave me a rare, soft look.
By now, all three of them were staring at us, not even trying to hide the fact that they were doing so. Hermione's face was a mix of suspense and foreboding; Ron's was clearly lined with anger; and Harry's, Harry's was pure disgust and disbelief. Disbelief, obviously, that I would choose this git over him. I smirked.
"How many?" Draco prodded me.
"Oh... I would be lying if I told you I knew," I saved suavely.
"Is that so?"
By now, our noses were only centimeters apart and his voice was barely above a whisper.
"Mhmmmmmm..." I allowed my voice to trail off as I closed my eyes and leaned in for the kill.
Our lips had barely brushed when Dra - Malfoy was rudely pulled off the seat... by my brother.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Malfoy?" he asked savagely.
I noted that Hermione was barely restraining Harry from jumping off his seat and clobbering my date. My date? Malfoy for heaven's sake.
"Well, I was about to have a nice little snog with W - Virginia. Before you pulled me away, of course."
He shrugged innocently.
"You filthy, little ferret. I ought to beat you so bad, not even your deatheater daddy will be able to help you recover," Ron spat, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
Draco tensed at the mention of his father. He stepped forward. That is when decided to take matters into my own hands.
I got in front of Draco and put a hand to his chest, looking firmly and resolutely into his icy eyes. He loosened a little and stepped back. I felt a stab of pain at my wrist before I was yanked back brusquely.
"Ginny, are you all right?" Ron had me by the wrist and was unmercifully tugging at me towards him. Harry had managed to push Hermione off him and appeared ready to receive me.
"I was all right until now. Ron let go, you're cutting off my circulation!" I exclaimed, glad that this was not happening in the middle of the pub where everyone could see us.
Not paying attention to what I had said, he turned to Harry and said, "Hold her, will ya? I don't want her to get hurt."
Impulsively, and without realizing what I was doing, I swung my free had and made contact with Ron's face. Ron stopped dead and turned to me dazedly, moving his mouth in futile attempts to talk. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and then back at me astoundedly. Draco just stood there looking like Christmas had come early.
I managed to take my hand out of Ron's death grip, which had slackened slightly, and stepped back.
"What the hell has gotten into you, Ginny?" he finally asked me, touching his stinging face. It had a huge red handprint that seemed to stand out from the rest of his darkening face.
"What the hell has gotten into me? Ron, what the hell has gotten into you?" I turned the question on him.
"Where are you trying to get with that?" he asked cautiously.
"It's my life, okay Ron? So why don't you make like an arse and butt out?"
"Ginny, what the hell -?"
"Don't what the hell me, big bro. Just leave me alone."
"I'm going to write to mum about this. Trust me, when she hears about this, she won't be happy. Not happy at all," he muttered.
"Go ahead. Write to her. And send her my love. Even if she doesn't like it, there's nothing she can do about it, and you know it."
Ron stared at me as though I had slapped him in the face. Well, I actually had, but... well, you get it.
"Ginny," Hermione began quietly.
I held up my hand and looked away.
I felt an arm slink around my waist and a warm body press up to my back.
"Come on, Virginia, let's go."
I nodded and took Draco's hand.
"You're just a coward, Malfoy," Harry blurted out spasmodically. "I'll take you on any time to prove it to Ginny."
"I believe that won't be necessary, Potter," Dra - Malfoy retorted.
He proved his point by pulling me close to him. I didn't resist. Shooting one last contemptuous glare at the three, we sauntered out.
As we stepped out, a chill wind swept through us. It was darker than it had been when we had entered, and upon examination of the time, I noted that we had spent a good forty-five minutes to an hour in The Three Broomsticks.
I shivered slightly and rubbed my arms with my hands as another gust of wind careened into me.
"Allow me," Draco offered, taking off his cloak and wrapping it around my shivering body. It was big and heavy, and quite expensive I could tell. He pulled me closer to him and wound his arm around my shoulder once more, making me feel as warm inside as I was now on the outside. I halted and pulled away gently.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, his cold eyes boring into mine.
I didn't know what to say. Of course I was afraid of him, although as previously stated, not in the sense most people were. I felt that I had slowly started falling for this devil of a boy, and I knew I wouldn't be able to pull myself out as easily as I had fallen in. Why did these things happen to me?
"No, it's just- " I didn't know what to say.
"It's just what?" he asked after a short pause.
"Nothing," I told him, nuzzling up to him to prove that I was not afraid, or even remotely moved for that matter.
"Well, where to next?"
"I - I don't know. Somewhere warm, I guess." I began.
"Well, in that case, we could go to my room, and..."
"Draco!"
"What?" he asked innocently. "I was going to say we could have some hot cocoa."
"Sure you were. You know that wasn't an option. What you were going to say first," I told him stopping and looking up at him.
"You hoped it would be though, didn't you, Virginia?" he asked, turning to look at me. He took a step towards me and I took a step away from him. This continued for all of thirty seconds, until I found myself pressed up against a firm brick wall. He leaned in towards me. I shivered.
"Still cold, Virginia?" he asked, lifting his eyebrow.
"Hopefully not for long," I told him, toying with his tie.
"So... tell me about these thoughts of yours, Virginia. Am I as stunning in them as I am in real life?" he asked as he pressed his body up against mine.
"I wouldn't know," I told him, loosening his tie. "I don't concentrate on your countenance. I tend to keep myself - busy, shall I say - with other aspects of you."
I unbuttoned his top two buttons and regarded him. Or well, I looked at what I could of him, which wasn't very much, per se.
When I lifted my head, I saw him looking down at me, not expectantly, more fondly, actually, than anything else. His face and mine were practically touching and I could feel his hot, minty breath on my face.
"I think I still owe you this one, Virginia, seeing as your brother ruined our first one."
He covered the short distance left between our faces and placed his lips gently on mine. I felt a surge of adrenaline flow through me and realized that this was the first time I was feeling this in a kiss. All the others I'd had had merely stimulated the butterflies and in my stomach, and nothing else. He pressed me up against the wall and slinked his arms under mine. He took hold of my arms and guided them to his head. I eagerly complied and pulled him down to me. He traced my arms all the way down to waist, making me shiver.
His kiss was sweet and gentle, but passionate. He knew what I wanted, and he knew he could give it. When I pulled him down, his kiss grew stronger. And so did mine. I could feel my head scraping the brick wall, but I didn't care. I felt hot all over, and tried to shrug off the heavy cloak.
Draco, sensing what I was trying to do, leaned back and stripped the cloak off me with his hands in one swift movement. I felt the cold October wind brush against my body, but I paid it no heed. Draco grabbed me and pressed me against himself again.
Finally, I felt as if my lungs would burst from lack of breath if I didn't stop. I gingerly stepped back and reluctantly detached my mouth from his. He grinned wickedly at me. We were both breathing hard.
"Well, Virginia, how does that compare?"
"Compare? Compare to what?" I blurted out dreamily.
Regaining my senses I looked up at him once more.
"Draco," I began, but he silenced me with his finger and kissed me softly underneath my earlobe. I felt a chill pass down my spine as he made his way down my neck with his mouth, and I shivered. But then I realized that Draco's kisses were not the only thing that made me shiver. I was suddenly aware of my damp clothes, of the snow falling on me, of my bare legs, almost completely numb.
"Draco, " I said again, not wanting him to stop, "I'm cold." My teeth started to chatter.
"Come on," he said stopping abruptly and taking me by the hand.
He picked up his cloak, which was now all wet, from the snow on the floor and led me up the walk to the castle, all the while holding me tight against him. I could feel him shivering too, but I just snuggled up closer to him, no longer pretending to want him. He opened the door to the Entrance Hall for me and I stepped through, feeling the heat of the castle burn through my flesh. I felt warm and tingly, but I was still wet.
Draco took my hand and led me down one passage and then another. Soon I realized that I had no idea where the hell we were, and also that it was getting relatively colder as we progressed.
"Draco, where are we going?" I asked quietly.
"To the dungeons," he replied coolly.
"But isn't it colder down there?"
"Not where I'm taking you."
I was about to ask where exactly he was taking me, but he stopped abruptly in front of a tapestry of Salazar Slytherin and muttered something under his breath.
Where the tip of the wizard's wand was, a doorknob sprang up and Draco pulled the tapestry open. Inside was a stone room with silver and green banners hanging up all over the place. There was a fireplace at the far end, crackling invitingly and silver and green poufs were littered all over the place. In fact, I thought it looked exactly like the Gryffindor common room, except it had different coloured decorations and was made of stone.
"Draco, won't someone find it odd that you're bringing a Gryff in here?"
"Keep your head down, and those little turds will be none the wiser."
I nodded and we stepped in. Some of the underclassmen looked up from what they were doing to see who had walked in, but as soon as they saw Draco's face, they turned back to their tasks hurriedly.
Draco led me to some stairs on my right.
"Go on up. My room's all the way at the top," he told me.
I looked at him questioningly, but nodded all the same. I began climbing up when I heard Draco's voice below me.
"If anyone comes in here looking for me, I am up in my room and not to be disturbed. Is that understood?"
There was a pause, in which, I'm sure, all the little heads nodded.
"If anyone so much as comes near my room, you will all be held accountable. Is that understood?"
Another pause.
"Good."
I heard Draco's ascending footsteps and rushed all the way up to the last landing. There was a single wood door there, with no label at all.
"The door's open, you know." A soft drawl whispered in my ear.
I jumped and turned, clutching at my heart.
"You scare too easy, Virginia."
"Oh, do I?" I asked, slightly frightened by his tone of voice. "Try me."
"Okay. I have you trapped between myself and a door," he began, stepping menacingly towards me, "in the highest room of the Slytherin dorms, with no way out. Below us, are a group of dunderheads, whom I happen to have under my command, and who, even if they heard you scream, would be too scared of me to come and try to save you. No one that might care about you knows the password to the dorms, and the three that one would expect to come looking for you, are probably too mad at you to care anyway. You could try beating the crap out of me, but I do think that it would be quite difficult, especially since I am paying attention to your every move. What do you say to that, Virginia?"
He took another step towards me and pinned me against the door.
'I say, please spare me oh mighty Draco. I am scared. I don't want to die yet,' I thought. And I was on the verge of saying just that when a voice popped into my head.
'The door's open you know,' it drawled in my mind.
"Draco, I - I, um , I," I stuttered, reaching for the handle.
"See what I mean?" he told me, leaning on the door.
Bingo!
I grabbed the handle and jerked the door open, following it's swift motion. Draco however, ended up on the floor.
"I wish I had Colin's camera with me right now," I said laughing.
Draco threw daggers at me with his eyes.
"Awwww, come on, Draco. Don't tell me you're going to get mad at me now."
"Oh no, not at all. Why should I?"
"Draco..."
"I must say Weasley," he smirked as he got up, "I was definitely not expecting that one."
He laughed, genuinely outright laughed, and kissed me on the forehead. I almost fell over in shock.
"Now, the real reason we came here."
He pulled out his wand and aimed it the fireplace. A blazing fire lit up the room and spread its warmth. I quickly shut the door and threw myself down in front of the fire. Draco went over to his drawers and began rummaging around, muttering.
"Ah, here we go."
He tossed me a white quidditch shirt and some plaid green and silver pajama pants.
"What if I need another bra?" I asked spontaneously.
"Why do you think I gave you a white shirt?"
I threw my shoe at him.
"Would you mind turning around so that I can change?" I asked politely.
"Not at all," he told me. "Whether I will not or not is a different matter altogether."
I threw my other shoe at him, but he ducked it.
"Oh well," I sighed. "No matter."
I got up and tugged Celine's pullover off over my head. I then began to unbutton my damp, white blouse. I was looking at Draco the whole time. He lifted his eyebrows, somewhat boredly when I took off my pullover, however when started unbuttoning my blouse, he turned a slight shade of pink.
"All right, all right, Weasley, I'll turn around."
"You scare too easy, Draco," I teased as I pulled his shirt over my head. "And what's with all the Weasley's all of a sudden?"
I pulled my skirt down and moaned delightedly as I felt the warmth of the pants on my frozen legs.
"What's it to you if I want to call you Weasely, Weasley?"
"What the hell is wrong with you, Malfoy? Why the hell are you acting like such an arsehole all of a sudden?"
He turned and looked at the pained expression on my face.
"For no reason," he told me, looking down at the ground. "I was just being stupid and childish. I'm sorry."
"All right."
He pulled me close to him and said, "So you forgive me, Virginia?"
"Only if you'll stop wetting my nice dry clothes, I will," I joked.
He smiled.
"All right, but now it's your turn to turn around."
"Oh, and why should I?"
"Because I scare too easy."
"Oh, okay then."
I turned and waited.
"Hey, Draco," I began.
"Hmmm?"
"What if someone comes in here and finds us. Surely your roommates will be coming back soon."
"I don't have any roommates. I got Lucius to convince Dumbledore to give me a room by myself during my third year."
"Oh."
A short pause.
"I'm done. You know what would be perfect right about now?" Draco asked me.
"No, what?" I replied, turning and finding him in pajama pants sort of like the ones I was wearing and no shirt on.
"Hot cocoa."
I nodded, not really paying attention to what he was saying. I was more interested in his six pack.
"See something you like, Virginia?" he asked smugly.
"No, not at all," I told him in a somewhat high-pitched voice, turning and reluctantly tearing my eyes away from him.
I bent over and began to pick up my wet things. I noticed Malfoy staring and coloured.
"See something you like, Malfoy?"
"Oh you know it. And what's with the Malfoy there?"
"It seemed appropriate at that moment. Where can I put these please?"
"I'll take them."
He went into the bathroom and hung up all our clothes on the shower rack. Then he came back in, still with no shirt on.
"You, know, if you want hot cocoa, I know where to get some, however, you will have to do something for me in return."
"Anything for you my lady," he intoned.
"Put on a shirt, I'm going to get distracted."
I felt myself colour as he laughed again and slipped on a shirt.
"Now how about that hot cocoa?"
I woke up the next morning feeling as though I had butterflies in my stomach and found myself looking forward to my day in Hogsmeade with Drac- Malfoy. I was unusually happy that morning, and when Celine woke up, she noticed immediately.
"Ginny, you look awfully happy today."
"Do I really? I haven't noticed," I replied nonchalantly, stooping down to get clothes out of my trunks so that she wouldn't see the huge smile plastered on my face. I randomly pulled out a navy blue plaited skirt and a long sleeve white blouse. I laid them out on my bed and stared down at them. Something was missing. Celine turned around and reached into her trunk to get something.
"Celine, d'you remember that vest-?" I turned to see her holding up a dark blue v-neck vest that matched my skirt.
"Way ahead of you Gin," she said grinning.
"Thanks," I told her gratefully.
I changed quickly and looked at my watch. It was five till nine; I wouldn't have time to eat breakfast. I shrugged. It wasn't like I would be able to eat anything if I had the time; I was too jittery.
I practically skipped down the stairs into the common room, where Harry was seemingly waiting for someone.
"So Ginny, have you thought about- "
"Excuse me Harry, you're blocking my way. I have to get down to the Entrance Hall. I wouldn't want to keep Draco waiting for me."
I left Harry with his mouth open and flew down the halls and stairs. When I got to the Entrance Hall, it was exactly one minute to nine on my watch and there was no one there. I was flushed from running so hard and I felt myself flush even more when I began to think about why Malfoy might not be there. As my head cleared, I could not believe my stupidity. How could I have taken him seriously? The note had probably all been a set up and he and his friends were probably hidden in a corner laughing their heads off at me. I was furious with Malfoy, but I was even more furious with myself. I was so stupid to think that he really did have a heart, I should have expected it, but-
"Well, well, well, the Weasel has arrived," a voice drawled behind me.
"You really shouldn't insult yourself that way, Malfoy," I told him, putting on a mock serious air as I faced him. "That could really lower your self-esteem. Not that it couldn't use a good lowering right about now. Besides, if I remember correctly, you were turned into a ferret, weren't you?"
I noticed he was wearing loose black pants, a long-sleeve white blouse, and a silver and green tie. He also carried in his arms a thick, black cloak.
He grimaced at the reminder, but quickly turned his face into a scowl.
"Look Weasley, if we're going to do this, you're going to have to stop that. Got it?"
"Look who's playing the part of mediator now," I said feigning surprise.
He looked at me boredly.
"All right, all right. Agreed. But you've gotta cut the Weasley's down to a minimum as well."
I stared hard at him.
"Agreed," he said reluctantly.
"All right then. So are we going or what?"
By now the halls were beginning to fill with students talking excitedly about what they were going to do at Hogsmeade that day.
Malfoy nodded and offered me his arm, not really out of politeness or kindness but out of sophisticated breeding having taught him to do so. Just then, Hermione passed by us. She looked back in utter amazement and doubled back, muttering something about having left her money in the common room. We both knew that she was going off to tell Harry and Ron that I had not been joking.
Malfoy led me towards the Entrance Hall where Filch checked us off his list, looking at us suspiciously, and we headed in the direction of Hogsmeade. It was a really beautiful day outside. The sky was blue-grey and there was a soft breeze that rustled the leaves. As we walked on, I stayed as far away from his as I could while still holding onto his arm. He didn't seem to mind however, why should he? It wasn't as if he liked me or anything, I reminded myself somewhat painfully. Wait, painfully?
"Where do you want to go first?" he asked me as we stepped through the arches, interrupting my train of thought.
"I dunno, wherever you like, I guess," I told him, glad for once that he had done so and not allowed me elaborate on what I had meant.
"All right then, I've been dying to go to Honeyduke's since I got here, so I guess we shall proceed there first."
His voice had held an almost childlike quality. It seemed as if he had been asking for a long expected treat. I grinned inwardly; maybe this wouldn't be too bad. As we entered the shop, the sweet aroma of chocolate, and candy in general, wafted up to greet us. I smiled innocently as we walked slowly along each aisle examining the intriguing candy. We'd stop every once in a while to check out, perhaps, a very vile looking piece of candy, or one that just caught our attention. Just as we turned away from the cockroach cocktail mix, we heard the bell ding as the store door opened and happened to see the immaculate trio walk in. I groaned in disdain, and Malfoy, hearing me, pulled me closer to his side and wrapped his arm around me.
Following his lead, I pretended to snuggle up to him, much to his discomfort as well as mine. Okay, not really mine, but whatever. I gave the trio a flippant look and allowed Malfoy to steer me along to the next aisle, which happened to have row upon row of rich chocolates. He picked up a chocolate diamond and offered it to me.
"My lady," he said.
Following his lead once again, I opened my mouth and allowed him to pop it in. I moaned as the delicious diamond melted in my mouth, savoring the sweet and almost sensual taste.
He smirked and we continued walking down the aisle. We stopped about five more times, each time to taste a different piece of chocolate that either of us found intriguing. We took turns feeding each other the sweets, enjoying every malicious glare the trio shot at us. When we had finally finished, we decided to head to The Three Broomsticks to grab some butterbeer.
Dra- Malfoy went to order the drinks while I found us a table in an isolated little portion of the pub. I made myself comfortable and soon Malfoy was headed our way balancing two butterbeers on a tray.
"Care to help Weasel?" he asked condescendingly.
"Not really, no," I replied nonchalantly.
"Just wondering, because you made me walk halfway across this pub looking like a barman."
"And wouldn't you just make the handsomest barman ever?" I asked him sarcastically attempting to pinch his cheek.
"I'm glad you've finally decided to admit your passion for me," he said, pulling his face clear away from my grasp. "You know, I've heard denial is the first step in the emotional process."
I rolled my eyes, remembering Hermione's attempt at 'opening me up' and grabbed my butterbeer. To Malfoy's horror, I must assume, I tipped it up and chugged half of it down in one gulp. I almost choked on the drink when he pulled it down to the table. I spluttered and spilled some down my shirt as I banged on my chest heavily with my fist.
Finally having recovered my breath, I shot Malfoy an evil glare.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"Oh nothing, Malfoy, nothing at all. Except for the fact that I almost died because of that," I told him exaggeratedly, waving my arms around to create a more dramatic effect.
"Well, if you hadn't been chugging like a pig, Weasley, then maybe I wouldn't have had to do that," he replied looking around the pub.
"First of all pigs don't chug, they- they- well they do that thing they do. Secondly, I told you to cut the Weasely's to a min," I protested.
"Fine, Virginia then. That is your name, isn't it?"
I took a swing at him, but he pulled back and smirked.
"Anyway, Virginia," he began, putting special emphasis on my name, "here come our favorite threesome now."
He smirked as he nodded toward the door. And sure enough, there appeared Hermione, Ron, and Harry, striding, almost purposefully, towards the door. They came in and pretended to look around for an empty table, seeming not to notice that there was one right in front of them. Having, finally spotted us (a.k.a. the table) they walked over to a it, which happened to be two tables away from us, and plopped themselves down. After having ordered their butterbeers, they began to... "converse", which mostly consisted of sneaking sly glances at us when they thought we weren't looking.
Turning to Malfoy, I leaned over and looked deeply into his eyes, which was somewhat difficult since he kept looking over at the trio, then at Madame Rosemerta, then the trio, then something or someone else, and never at me.
I cleared my throat and he turned to look at me. His eyes widened as he found me right in his face and he pushed himself away from the table, which was somewhat difficult as we were sitting in a booth.
"What the hell are you doing?" he whispered, putting his mug down in front of him before he spilled it all over himself.
"If we're going to look like we're on a date, we've got to act as if we're on one too," I reasoned out loud for him.
"You're not serious are you, Wea - Virginia?" He looked at me, knowing the answer but hoping against all odds that I would say what he wanted to.
"No, you're right, Malfoy, we shouldn't do this. It's only a supposed date. Most people don't even kiss on their first dates. Not until it's over at least."
"Fine, I'll do - What?"
"It's okay. You don't have to do it. I understand. It's no biggie."
Surprise showed in his eyes. Surprise and suspicion.
"Where are you going with this Virginia?"
"Nowhere. I'm saying that you're right. You are correct. We don't have to do it at all."
"However, you are thinking that they will be quite relieved that we haven't actually had any contact other than hands and arms and whatnot..." he concluded.
I looked at him innocently.
"All right Weasley, do your thing. Virginia," he corrected as I shot him a glare.
I leaned over to him once more, a triumphant look plastered on my now smug features.
"Draco, have I ever told how much I love your eyes?" I began, noting, out of the corner of my eye, that Ron and Hermione had looked up at us.
"Perhaps," he replied smugly. "Why don't you enlighten me?"
"Your eyes, Draco, they remind me of the sky when a storm is in the air. They hold all the power of thunder when I look into them, and they are as hard and cold as ice, except when they look at me, of course."
His eyes widened as he took in the last words I had said. Had I really seen his soften a moment ago, or was it just me again? No it was just me, and what I had said hadn't been true. No, definitely not true, just the first thing that came to my mind is all. Yeah, that's it.
"Not to mention those wonderfully inviting lips."
I looked down at his mouth and then back into his eyes.
"You don't know how many times I've thought of kissing those lips, Draco," I told him, reaching out and tracing their outlines.
Okay, so I had thought about it a couple of times, but I really didn't mean to, the thoughts just came.
As I ran my finger along his lower lip, I felt him stiffen slightly, but only for a moment. Soon he relaxed and gave me a rare, soft look.
By now, all three of them were staring at us, not even trying to hide the fact that they were doing so. Hermione's face was a mix of suspense and foreboding; Ron's was clearly lined with anger; and Harry's, Harry's was pure disgust and disbelief. Disbelief, obviously, that I would choose this git over him. I smirked.
"How many?" Draco prodded me.
"Oh... I would be lying if I told you I knew," I saved suavely.
"Is that so?"
By now, our noses were only centimeters apart and his voice was barely above a whisper.
"Mhmmmmmm..." I allowed my voice to trail off as I closed my eyes and leaned in for the kill.
Our lips had barely brushed when Dra - Malfoy was rudely pulled off the seat... by my brother.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Malfoy?" he asked savagely.
I noted that Hermione was barely restraining Harry from jumping off his seat and clobbering my date. My date? Malfoy for heaven's sake.
"Well, I was about to have a nice little snog with W - Virginia. Before you pulled me away, of course."
He shrugged innocently.
"You filthy, little ferret. I ought to beat you so bad, not even your deatheater daddy will be able to help you recover," Ron spat, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
Draco tensed at the mention of his father. He stepped forward. That is when decided to take matters into my own hands.
I got in front of Draco and put a hand to his chest, looking firmly and resolutely into his icy eyes. He loosened a little and stepped back. I felt a stab of pain at my wrist before I was yanked back brusquely.
"Ginny, are you all right?" Ron had me by the wrist and was unmercifully tugging at me towards him. Harry had managed to push Hermione off him and appeared ready to receive me.
"I was all right until now. Ron let go, you're cutting off my circulation!" I exclaimed, glad that this was not happening in the middle of the pub where everyone could see us.
Not paying attention to what I had said, he turned to Harry and said, "Hold her, will ya? I don't want her to get hurt."
Impulsively, and without realizing what I was doing, I swung my free had and made contact with Ron's face. Ron stopped dead and turned to me dazedly, moving his mouth in futile attempts to talk. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and then back at me astoundedly. Draco just stood there looking like Christmas had come early.
I managed to take my hand out of Ron's death grip, which had slackened slightly, and stepped back.
"What the hell has gotten into you, Ginny?" he finally asked me, touching his stinging face. It had a huge red handprint that seemed to stand out from the rest of his darkening face.
"What the hell has gotten into me? Ron, what the hell has gotten into you?" I turned the question on him.
"Where are you trying to get with that?" he asked cautiously.
"It's my life, okay Ron? So why don't you make like an arse and butt out?"
"Ginny, what the hell -?"
"Don't what the hell me, big bro. Just leave me alone."
"I'm going to write to mum about this. Trust me, when she hears about this, she won't be happy. Not happy at all," he muttered.
"Go ahead. Write to her. And send her my love. Even if she doesn't like it, there's nothing she can do about it, and you know it."
Ron stared at me as though I had slapped him in the face. Well, I actually had, but... well, you get it.
"Ginny," Hermione began quietly.
I held up my hand and looked away.
I felt an arm slink around my waist and a warm body press up to my back.
"Come on, Virginia, let's go."
I nodded and took Draco's hand.
"You're just a coward, Malfoy," Harry blurted out spasmodically. "I'll take you on any time to prove it to Ginny."
"I believe that won't be necessary, Potter," Dra - Malfoy retorted.
He proved his point by pulling me close to him. I didn't resist. Shooting one last contemptuous glare at the three, we sauntered out.
As we stepped out, a chill wind swept through us. It was darker than it had been when we had entered, and upon examination of the time, I noted that we had spent a good forty-five minutes to an hour in The Three Broomsticks.
I shivered slightly and rubbed my arms with my hands as another gust of wind careened into me.
"Allow me," Draco offered, taking off his cloak and wrapping it around my shivering body. It was big and heavy, and quite expensive I could tell. He pulled me closer to him and wound his arm around my shoulder once more, making me feel as warm inside as I was now on the outside. I halted and pulled away gently.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, his cold eyes boring into mine.
I didn't know what to say. Of course I was afraid of him, although as previously stated, not in the sense most people were. I felt that I had slowly started falling for this devil of a boy, and I knew I wouldn't be able to pull myself out as easily as I had fallen in. Why did these things happen to me?
"No, it's just- " I didn't know what to say.
"It's just what?" he asked after a short pause.
"Nothing," I told him, nuzzling up to him to prove that I was not afraid, or even remotely moved for that matter.
"Well, where to next?"
"I - I don't know. Somewhere warm, I guess." I began.
"Well, in that case, we could go to my room, and..."
"Draco!"
"What?" he asked innocently. "I was going to say we could have some hot cocoa."
"Sure you were. You know that wasn't an option. What you were going to say first," I told him stopping and looking up at him.
"You hoped it would be though, didn't you, Virginia?" he asked, turning to look at me. He took a step towards me and I took a step away from him. This continued for all of thirty seconds, until I found myself pressed up against a firm brick wall. He leaned in towards me. I shivered.
"Still cold, Virginia?" he asked, lifting his eyebrow.
"Hopefully not for long," I told him, toying with his tie.
"So... tell me about these thoughts of yours, Virginia. Am I as stunning in them as I am in real life?" he asked as he pressed his body up against mine.
"I wouldn't know," I told him, loosening his tie. "I don't concentrate on your countenance. I tend to keep myself - busy, shall I say - with other aspects of you."
I unbuttoned his top two buttons and regarded him. Or well, I looked at what I could of him, which wasn't very much, per se.
When I lifted my head, I saw him looking down at me, not expectantly, more fondly, actually, than anything else. His face and mine were practically touching and I could feel his hot, minty breath on my face.
"I think I still owe you this one, Virginia, seeing as your brother ruined our first one."
He covered the short distance left between our faces and placed his lips gently on mine. I felt a surge of adrenaline flow through me and realized that this was the first time I was feeling this in a kiss. All the others I'd had had merely stimulated the butterflies and in my stomach, and nothing else. He pressed me up against the wall and slinked his arms under mine. He took hold of my arms and guided them to his head. I eagerly complied and pulled him down to me. He traced my arms all the way down to waist, making me shiver.
His kiss was sweet and gentle, but passionate. He knew what I wanted, and he knew he could give it. When I pulled him down, his kiss grew stronger. And so did mine. I could feel my head scraping the brick wall, but I didn't care. I felt hot all over, and tried to shrug off the heavy cloak.
Draco, sensing what I was trying to do, leaned back and stripped the cloak off me with his hands in one swift movement. I felt the cold October wind brush against my body, but I paid it no heed. Draco grabbed me and pressed me against himself again.
Finally, I felt as if my lungs would burst from lack of breath if I didn't stop. I gingerly stepped back and reluctantly detached my mouth from his. He grinned wickedly at me. We were both breathing hard.
"Well, Virginia, how does that compare?"
"Compare? Compare to what?" I blurted out dreamily.
Regaining my senses I looked up at him once more.
"Draco," I began, but he silenced me with his finger and kissed me softly underneath my earlobe. I felt a chill pass down my spine as he made his way down my neck with his mouth, and I shivered. But then I realized that Draco's kisses were not the only thing that made me shiver. I was suddenly aware of my damp clothes, of the snow falling on me, of my bare legs, almost completely numb.
"Draco, " I said again, not wanting him to stop, "I'm cold." My teeth started to chatter.
"Come on," he said stopping abruptly and taking me by the hand.
He picked up his cloak, which was now all wet, from the snow on the floor and led me up the walk to the castle, all the while holding me tight against him. I could feel him shivering too, but I just snuggled up closer to him, no longer pretending to want him. He opened the door to the Entrance Hall for me and I stepped through, feeling the heat of the castle burn through my flesh. I felt warm and tingly, but I was still wet.
Draco took my hand and led me down one passage and then another. Soon I realized that I had no idea where the hell we were, and also that it was getting relatively colder as we progressed.
"Draco, where are we going?" I asked quietly.
"To the dungeons," he replied coolly.
"But isn't it colder down there?"
"Not where I'm taking you."
I was about to ask where exactly he was taking me, but he stopped abruptly in front of a tapestry of Salazar Slytherin and muttered something under his breath.
Where the tip of the wizard's wand was, a doorknob sprang up and Draco pulled the tapestry open. Inside was a stone room with silver and green banners hanging up all over the place. There was a fireplace at the far end, crackling invitingly and silver and green poufs were littered all over the place. In fact, I thought it looked exactly like the Gryffindor common room, except it had different coloured decorations and was made of stone.
"Draco, won't someone find it odd that you're bringing a Gryff in here?"
"Keep your head down, and those little turds will be none the wiser."
I nodded and we stepped in. Some of the underclassmen looked up from what they were doing to see who had walked in, but as soon as they saw Draco's face, they turned back to their tasks hurriedly.
Draco led me to some stairs on my right.
"Go on up. My room's all the way at the top," he told me.
I looked at him questioningly, but nodded all the same. I began climbing up when I heard Draco's voice below me.
"If anyone comes in here looking for me, I am up in my room and not to be disturbed. Is that understood?"
There was a pause, in which, I'm sure, all the little heads nodded.
"If anyone so much as comes near my room, you will all be held accountable. Is that understood?"
Another pause.
"Good."
I heard Draco's ascending footsteps and rushed all the way up to the last landing. There was a single wood door there, with no label at all.
"The door's open, you know." A soft drawl whispered in my ear.
I jumped and turned, clutching at my heart.
"You scare too easy, Virginia."
"Oh, do I?" I asked, slightly frightened by his tone of voice. "Try me."
"Okay. I have you trapped between myself and a door," he began, stepping menacingly towards me, "in the highest room of the Slytherin dorms, with no way out. Below us, are a group of dunderheads, whom I happen to have under my command, and who, even if they heard you scream, would be too scared of me to come and try to save you. No one that might care about you knows the password to the dorms, and the three that one would expect to come looking for you, are probably too mad at you to care anyway. You could try beating the crap out of me, but I do think that it would be quite difficult, especially since I am paying attention to your every move. What do you say to that, Virginia?"
He took another step towards me and pinned me against the door.
'I say, please spare me oh mighty Draco. I am scared. I don't want to die yet,' I thought. And I was on the verge of saying just that when a voice popped into my head.
'The door's open you know,' it drawled in my mind.
"Draco, I - I, um , I," I stuttered, reaching for the handle.
"See what I mean?" he told me, leaning on the door.
Bingo!
I grabbed the handle and jerked the door open, following it's swift motion. Draco however, ended up on the floor.
"I wish I had Colin's camera with me right now," I said laughing.
Draco threw daggers at me with his eyes.
"Awwww, come on, Draco. Don't tell me you're going to get mad at me now."
"Oh no, not at all. Why should I?"
"Draco..."
"I must say Weasley," he smirked as he got up, "I was definitely not expecting that one."
He laughed, genuinely outright laughed, and kissed me on the forehead. I almost fell over in shock.
"Now, the real reason we came here."
He pulled out his wand and aimed it the fireplace. A blazing fire lit up the room and spread its warmth. I quickly shut the door and threw myself down in front of the fire. Draco went over to his drawers and began rummaging around, muttering.
"Ah, here we go."
He tossed me a white quidditch shirt and some plaid green and silver pajama pants.
"What if I need another bra?" I asked spontaneously.
"Why do you think I gave you a white shirt?"
I threw my shoe at him.
"Would you mind turning around so that I can change?" I asked politely.
"Not at all," he told me. "Whether I will not or not is a different matter altogether."
I threw my other shoe at him, but he ducked it.
"Oh well," I sighed. "No matter."
I got up and tugged Celine's pullover off over my head. I then began to unbutton my damp, white blouse. I was looking at Draco the whole time. He lifted his eyebrows, somewhat boredly when I took off my pullover, however when started unbuttoning my blouse, he turned a slight shade of pink.
"All right, all right, Weasley, I'll turn around."
"You scare too easy, Draco," I teased as I pulled his shirt over my head. "And what's with all the Weasley's all of a sudden?"
I pulled my skirt down and moaned delightedly as I felt the warmth of the pants on my frozen legs.
"What's it to you if I want to call you Weasely, Weasley?"
"What the hell is wrong with you, Malfoy? Why the hell are you acting like such an arsehole all of a sudden?"
He turned and looked at the pained expression on my face.
"For no reason," he told me, looking down at the ground. "I was just being stupid and childish. I'm sorry."
"All right."
He pulled me close to him and said, "So you forgive me, Virginia?"
"Only if you'll stop wetting my nice dry clothes, I will," I joked.
He smiled.
"All right, but now it's your turn to turn around."
"Oh, and why should I?"
"Because I scare too easy."
"Oh, okay then."
I turned and waited.
"Hey, Draco," I began.
"Hmmm?"
"What if someone comes in here and finds us. Surely your roommates will be coming back soon."
"I don't have any roommates. I got Lucius to convince Dumbledore to give me a room by myself during my third year."
"Oh."
A short pause.
"I'm done. You know what would be perfect right about now?" Draco asked me.
"No, what?" I replied, turning and finding him in pajama pants sort of like the ones I was wearing and no shirt on.
"Hot cocoa."
I nodded, not really paying attention to what he was saying. I was more interested in his six pack.
"See something you like, Virginia?" he asked smugly.
"No, not at all," I told him in a somewhat high-pitched voice, turning and reluctantly tearing my eyes away from him.
I bent over and began to pick up my wet things. I noticed Malfoy staring and coloured.
"See something you like, Malfoy?"
"Oh you know it. And what's with the Malfoy there?"
"It seemed appropriate at that moment. Where can I put these please?"
"I'll take them."
He went into the bathroom and hung up all our clothes on the shower rack. Then he came back in, still with no shirt on.
"You, know, if you want hot cocoa, I know where to get some, however, you will have to do something for me in return."
"Anything for you my lady," he intoned.
"Put on a shirt, I'm going to get distracted."
I felt myself colour as he laughed again and slipped on a shirt.
"Now how about that hot cocoa?"