So for no apparent reason, when I got bored of studying French I decided to check my ff.net account since I hadn't done that in ages. So I saw that TSOG had over 600 reviews, and realizing that that was a new development I began to read them all. That's when I came across the reviews reminding me it had been almost a YEAR since I last updated! (honestly, in my head, I kept thinking that I had updated 'just a few months' ago!)
Anyways, so in a state of total shock I continued to read my reviews and much to my amazement I found myself beginning to be inspired to write some more of TSOG (that hasn't happened in OVER a year). Thus, clicking as fast as I could I opened the barely started chapter 10 I had saved on my compy, and now, two hours of straight writing and pulling-out-of-hair later, I am proud to present chapter 10 of Twin Shades of Grey!!!
Enjoy.
Draco looked to see what his mother was staring at and felt his mind jolt. At the top of the stairs stood Ginny in all her radiance, coppery hair swept off her shoulders with flame like tendril left down to lick her face. An elegant gown swirled around her petite figure. Added with the aura created from the glowing candles behind her Draco wasn't at all positive she wasn't an angel.
Before he even realized he had moved, Draco found himself standing on the stairs in front of his beauty, eyes locked with hers. "You came." He heard himself whisper, not aware he had spoken.
"I said I would."
He felt a smile budding on his lips, "I was afraid you were just pacifying me."
Her eyes flashed and then the corner of her rose lips quirked upwards. "You're more likely to do that than me."
The smile on his lips blossomed into a full-fledged grin. "Yes, I am."
Grasping the hand she offered almost shyly, Draco took great delight in pulling her into his arm and leading her down to the swirl of people below them. "Welcome, Miss Virginia," he paused wanting to say more but something inside him clamped his mouth shut. Slowly, he reminded himself, they had to take things slowly, no rushing. "Welcome," he repeated and then smiled happily down at her upturned face.
***
Narcissa smiled into her glass of wine as she watched her son stroll around the room with the young Miss Weasley on his arm. The two really did make a striking couple; an intoxicating blend of fire and ice. Of course, fire and ice had an unruly habit of consuming and destroying each other. But if they were careful, if they talked not yelled, their story might get the fairytale ending it deserved, and Jewel and Aquilus would finally get the family they deserved.
It really was too bad that Virginia was from a muggle loving family. Though the Weasley were pure blood it would have been much easier for the couple if Virginia's family hadn't been opposed to Voldemort. Still, the war was over now, Voldemort had been defeated and muggles still walked the earth. Hopefully past transgressions wouldn't cause the pair any more trouble than they already had.
***
"Hey, 'Quill, wake up!"
"Mrhm."
Jewel frowned, "Get up or I'll tell Dad what really happened to his old wand."
"You're evil."
"Yes, meet me downstairs in two minutes."
***
Jewel looked up expectantly as her twin entered the common room. He was still dressed in his pyjamas and looked as though he could barely keep his eyes open. "I just realized something," he said as he sat down. "You were in the boys dorm."
"Well how else was I supposed to get you up?"
Aquilus yawned, "and just why is it that you did feel the urge to get me up at…" he glanced at the clock over the main fireplace, "3 am?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"Oh?"
"I had a nightmare."
Aquilus woke up a bit more. "About Mum?"
Jewel shook her head, "It was about Dad." She stared down at her hands, "I was tied up and someone was taking me away, and Dad was trying to stop them but he couldn't." Tears began to run down her face, "And you were screaming and clawing at someone who was holding you back and there was someone else screaming my name… and Dad wouldn't give up. He kept fighting and yelling until they hit him over the head, and he fell, and he was bleeding, and I couldn't get to him. They kept dragging me away, and then I couldn't see you anymore but I could still hear you screaming, and then you stopped all of the sudden. And no one was coming after me. I was…" She broke down sobbing.
Aquilus was wide-awake now.
"I was all alone, 'Quill."
***
Ginny ran her tongue nervously across her teeth. It was intoxicating being in his presence. Already she felt hot and flushed, the contact of his hand on the small of her back burning through her dress. At this rate she would be forced to ravage him in a matter of minutes to relieve some of the tension building in her body!
Realizing Draco was speaking to her Ginny pulled herself away from her thoughts to find him looking at her quizzically. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
"I asked if you wanted to go onto the patio for a few minutes. You're very flushed."
"Oh," Ginny felt her face turning even redder, "no, I'm okay."
"You sure?"
"Yes, really, I'm fine."
"Alright."
Ginny turned her attention away from him again, trying to calm her raging hormones, and thus completely missed the knowing smirk that settled on Draco's lips.
***
Aquilus stared down at his twin's sleeping face. She looked peaceful but very vulnerable, lying there with her head on his chest, tear stains still visible on her cheeks.
He was glad he'd finally managed to calm her down enough to get to sleep, but now he found himself unable to join her in that wonderful escape of oblivion. His head was buzzing with thoughts of her nightmare. Why? He wasn't really sure, but something about it struck him as very important.
He sighed and closed his eyes, mentally beginning to count sheep.
***
Draco turned his face towards the wind, taking a deep breath before starting to talk. "I'm going to be gone next week. I have to make a trip to Egypt concerning a problem with one of my businesses."
"Oh."
"Yes. I just thought I should tell you."
"Thank you."
Ginny nervously fiddled with the edge of her bodice, trying to figure out what else she could say. Draco was standing with his back to her, eyes closed, facing the wind as though he hadn't a care in the world. He was beautiful.
"I can hear that."
"What?"
Draco looked over his shoulder, smirking, "You think I'm sexy."
Ginny's mouth dropped. "How?"
Draco laughed and turned around completely, leaning back against the terrace railing. "I didn't, it's just that all women find me sexy."
"Why you!" Ginny laughed and whacked him with her handbag.
"Hey!"
Still laughing Ginny hit him again, "that's what you get for being smug!"
"I'm not smug," Draco ducked under her third swing. "I can't help it if I'm irresistible to women!"
***
Professor Snape watched Jewel and Aquilus out the corner of his eye while they set up their equipment to begin the potion he had just assigned. Was it just him, or were they both moving rather sluggishly? Perhaps they were having trouble adjusting to living away from Draco? They hadn't ever been separated from him this long before, what with Draco being paranoid about their safety and they're paranoia that Draco might not come back if ever he left.
Should he write to Draco? No, not yet. If they didn't seem to be improving in a few days he'd talk to them to see if it was anything easily fixable. Draco would just become unbearably protective if he mentioned anything. Frankly, Snape was amazed he hadn't insisted on accompanying them to Hogwarts himself. And so, why tempt fate over something that could turn out to be nothing more than a bit of homesickness? He'd just keep an eye on the twins.
Mentally giving himself a shake about becoming soft, Snape began to walk around the room, occasionally growling at some rather nervous looking little first-year.
***
"Master?"
"Yes, Timmikilies?"
"The mail has arrived. Shall Timmikilies leave it on the desk?"
"No, give it here."
"Yes, Master, sir. Is there anything else Timmikilies can do while he's here?"
"No, you may go back to your usually chores."
"Very good. Timmikilies will come back in an hour."
…
"Timmikilies, wait!"
"Yes, Master?"
"I need you to tell the Mistress that I would like to see her. Tell her that I've just received some interesting news."
MWAH HA HA HA! Finally, the plot is truly starting to develop. What? Don't tell me you really thought this was just going to be a romance between Draco and Ginny?
Anyways, I promise that the next chapter really won't take me almost a year to get out. But it won't be for a couple weeks, since I have lots to do this week and I'm going away all of next week. But I'll try to get the next chapter out after that! And I think it will bring back some fond memories for all of us!
Voice 17: Well, it's been awhile….
Voice 18: I thought we would never get to see the readers again!
Voice 17: No kidding! I'm surprised anyone is even reading this now, who would've believed that some people would wait almost a whole year for a new chapter!
Voice 18: Yeah, Dazma better be grateful for their loyalty… and that they never tracked her down and chained her to a keyboard!
Voice 13: That would've been rather unlucky on her part.
It begins to rain on everything but Voice 13Voice 17: Well, I guess that's our cue to shut up. Later kids!
Voice 18: What? Aren't you going to make some comment about stealing cars?
Voice 17: Nope. A lot has happened over the course of the past year. I a reformed voice. (Besides, now that Dazma has her license, who needs to go to the trouble of stealing a car?!!!!)
Voice 18: But she doesn't own a car yet…
Voice 17: It's not stealing when it's your parents' car.
::Dazma's imaginary lawyer walks in:: It is still theft even if it is your parents' car. Dazma does not promote the stealing of your parents' car. ::Dazma's imaginary lawyer walks out::