AN: Good heavens you lot! Pretty much every review I've received alternates
between scolding me for not having snogging and begging me to have it in
this chapter. As promised there are fireworks, and Dumbledore does
announce. I just felt like writing this little contemplative sketch before
the actual story begins, its instrumental in showing the reader that I'm
trying really hard to make Ginny three dimensional. Pls don't think she's
some sort of angsty freak who doesn't know how she feels, the fact is that
if I was in her shoes I'd be going through major confusion and denial right
now, so that's what I'm trying to get across. Don't worry, this chapter
DEFINITELY has "happy bits"..Enjoy!
The common room fire crackled and Ginny wrapped her dressing gown a little tighter around her as she gazed into its depths. She wasn't even cold, but the sensations and feelings running through her were so flurried that she needed some time to understand them. It was past midnight and only a few people were in the common room, working on late homework or cramming for tests.
Hermione was sitting on Ron's lap and going over a list of particularly complicated ingredients for a Potions test that they had tomorrow. They weren't getting too far due to their lack of sleep and Hermione's eyes were drooping so much that she leaned back, rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep.
Harry Potter, who was buried in a chair near the fireplace found himself unable to study because of the distracting sight he was presented with. He gazed at the youngest of the Weasley's, again wondering at how she had grown up. The firelight glowed against Ginny's face, changing her skin to gold and making her hair come alive. Her eyes were clouded over with the various thoughts that were flitting through her head and she paid no heed to those around her.
Colin too watched his best friend with a careful eye while playing a chess game with Seamus. He could see all the boys in the room, even the ones who were taken, eyeing the redhead with avid curiosity and approval. Colin himself was concerned about Ginny's state. When she had come in after her detention her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were dark and confused. She hadn't said a word to anyone, just changed and quietly sat before the fire. He was dying to know what exactly had happened and what she was thinking.
Ginny was pondering her feelings for Draco. His explanation about his previous actions was sinking in only now and she questioned herself agitatedly as to why she was so happy over it. Her mind replayed that brief kiss he had given her hand over and over again and it sent a shiver down her back each time. What confused Ginny the most however; was that impulsive desire she had felt to kiss him. Now she was starting to wonder about her earlier proclamations.
WAS it truly "just physical" or was there something more to it? She began to ruminate over the fact that perhaps Draco's real personality was also endearing itself to her; whether his caustic comments, witty replies and intelligence were starting to mean just as much to her as his appearance did.
What captivated her most were the unexpected moments where he revealed the thoughtful and chivalrous side of him, like when he presented her with that rose, or when he came to her defense. Ginny looked at her hand, which had been entwined with his several hours ago. She remembered subconsciously reflecting that her hand looked so much better clasped in Draco's than on its own.
With all this reflection Ginny still wasn't sure what exactly she felt for Draco. She knew that there were traits about him that she admired, and she was well aware that she was attracted to him. But what was the feeling she had when she was around him? It didn't resemble anything that she had experienced before. She remembered that when she liked Harry she used to get shy and tongue tied whenever she was around him, spending her later years wondering what it would be like to run her hands through his thick locks and see him without his glasses. In due time most of this had worn off and Ginny was able to look back and laugh at her childish fantasies.
Draco's case was entirely different. He brought out different sides of her. She pondered as to why this was so. He may have been a different person, but he was, after all a Malfoy. Still arrogant, still cynical and still as stubborn as herself. Did she really want to let herself fall for someone like that? She mused these questions as she slid between the bed sheets and shut her eyes. Ginny didn't realize that she already had.
As usual Draco was thinking about the same things, and yet again, his reflections were far more to the point.
" Alright, you definitely know that it's not about her looks anymore.
It's not lust, its..." he stopped then, pondering as to what exactly it
was.
Did he love her? Surely not! He was a Malfoy, she was a Weasley, polar opposites was the term that came to mind when people attempted to describe them. In other words, they weren't supposed to love. Attracted to her? Yes, but he had been attracted to a lot of people hadn't he? What fascinated and confused him was this additional feeling he experienced. It was all very well to feel a tremendous urge to snog her senseless when Ginny's eyes flashed at him just so, but was it normal for a strange warmth to descend on him whenever he heard her voice?
Draco was reciting all this out loud as he changed into his black silk pants, rifling through his wardrobe for a comfortable night shirt (NOTE: AN has currently passed out due to mental picture presented by above sentence) when he couldn't find one, he simply put on a pair of socks and flopped onto his bed, still talking out loud. His debate was interrupted by a dark and tousled head lifting itself from a nearby bed and its owner shaking his fist at him.
" Drake, we all know that you fantasize about Mcgonagall, but can you
please do it quietly?" Blaise implored sleepily, as he turned over and
pulled his sheets over his head, more a defense mechanism than a method
of comfort.
The brunette had been right to do this as he soon found himself smothered by the stack of pillows Draco hurled at him in response. However this humorous interlude ended Draco's period of contemplation, he stretched, turned on his side and was immediately asleep, despite the disturbing realization that Ginny was the first thing he saw when he closed his eyes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The sunlight that filtered through the Hogwarts windows was greeted in different ways by its recipients. Most of them simply grunted and pushed themselves out of bed, however there were two individuals who reacted to it in distinctive fashion. One was a redhead in the Gryffindor tower who realized that another day had dawned, another day of facing someone she was unsure about and resisting Harry's increasing advances.
Ginny gave a nervous giggle that burst into hysterical laughter. Her roommates simply looked at her and shook their heads. After rooming with her for four years(1 taken out to exclude the war) they were used to it by now.
Thankfully these fits didn't come over Ginny often, but when they did, they could successfully assume that their peace would be ruthlessly disrupted. So now when they knew they were having a particularly trying round of tests the next day, most of the girls in the dorm took the precaution of plugging their ears in advance. They weren't warned this morning and Lavender Brown wondered while wincing, what exactly it was that caused Ginny to behave in the high strung fashion she usually reserved for Potions pop quizzes.
Colin who had stepped out into the common room could also hear her. He knew then that it was not a test, but Draco that was on her mind. Slumping back in a chair he waited for Ginny to show up so that he could demand an explanation.
Meanwhile on the other side of the castle, a certain Slytherin was rolling around in his bed, uttering creative combinations of swear words. They were mostly directed at blinds, curtains and the "stupid arses" that actually opened the windows. He too realized that he would have to bear the results of last night's confession, as well as restrain himself from not grabbing hold of the weasel in a lonely corridor and kissing her like his life depended on it.
Breakfast was a boring affair. Colin tried to position himself between Ginny and Harry, but the latter beat him to it yet again. However both parties were too tired to resist and make moves (respectively) this morning. This was because Harry had sat up most of the previous night jamming his memory with Potions ingredients and wistfully looking at his parent's wedding photos, while Ginny's thoughts had been full of white roses and shield spells.
Colin didn't say very much to her, he contented himself with observing that a certain light seemed to enter her eyes the moment a tired looking blonde floundered into the hall and plonked himself at his table.
At the other end, Blaise Zabini also noticed that although his friend looked like " walking hell", his tired eyes immediately grew alert and wide when his gaze fell upon Ron Weasley's youngest sister. Blaise started! Weasley's sister? So that's who Malfoy had been losing sleep over last night.
No wonder too, she was a real looker, but hadn't Malfoy said it went beyond looks? Now Draco's friend's curiosity was well and truly stoked and he decided to watch his friend very carefully. To his amusement, he saw that Creevey was doing the very same to the redhead.
" You know if the subtle attempt is what you're aiming at, its not
really a good job. Anyone with half a brain can see you ogling him!"
Colin whispered to Ginny who turned around, her face sheepish.
" Is it really that obvious?"
" Quite. But it seems as though no one but myself and that Zabini chap
over there have noticed. Not to worry though Gin, he's not doing the
most adequate job of hiding his stares either."
" He's, He's looking?"
" My goodness Ginny Weasley, I think that you would have noticed in
the process of gazing at him that he's gazing right back at you!"
" He is?"
" Oh you silly girl, just look at him! He's buttered both sides of his
toast and has yet to notice that Goyle's eaten all his eggs because
he's so busy glancing in your direction! Honestly, I'm tired of this
dallying around. Why don't the two of you just act on your feelings
already?"
Ginny was about to respond when a booming voice rang throughout the hall. Several students winced. Last night had been a Friday and more than a few of them had spent quality time in a Hogsmeade pub, or with a bottle of Ogden's. Now they were suffering the effects and Dumbledore's vociferous tone was doing little for their already aching heads.
" I have an announcement to make."
An announcement in the middle of the year? What was so important?
A whisper flew around that perhaps Voldemort had risen again. When Harry heard this his face turned ashen. However Hermione leaned over and whispered
" It can't be. Why is Hagrid grinning like that?"
Ginny looked at Hagrid, he really was beaming! Then Dumbledore proceeded to talk, describing an upcoming event called the "Flobberworm Fest." Ginny's head snapped up. Had Dumbledore just said Flobberworms? Judging by the chorus of groans that seemed to emanate from her table, he had. Apparently Hagrid was having some sort of large lecture on them and he wanted to teach the students even more about their care.
There were to be different sections and each teacher was in charge of a different section. Ginny noted that the teachers weren't looking too pleased about it either. It was only when Dumbledore mentioned that there was a dance to be held prior to this event that others took notice. Unfortunately Harry was one of them and his eyes immediately snapped in her direction, along with several others. Colin smiled grimly, he could already tell that his friend was going to be besieged by offers and he would have to whisk her out of the way as soon as Dumbledore was done.
Draco was having his fair share of qualms. He didn't mind the dance, but he did have his issues about having to look at that oaf's Flobberworms. Suddenly he noticed that Pansy was staring at him and realized with growing horror that she probably meant to ask him to the dance. He quickly whispered this to Blaise who patted his back and guaranteed that he would be able to cover for him as he made his escape.
When Dumbledore finished Colin began to tug on Ginny's arm as he saw several male students rise out of their chairs and slowly make their way to the Gryffindor table.
" Come on Gin, lets get out of here."
Ginny was just about to leave when Harry caught her arm.
" Ginny!"
"Yes?"
" Will you umm, go to the dance with me?" when he said this, a
collective growl of disappointment rose through the male wave that was
near Ginny and most of them made their way out of the hall.
Ginny was trapped. She didn't want to go with Harry, but if she said no, she would have to go with someone else instead. When she thought of the other boys she decided that she didn't want to go with any of them. Unwittingly a picture of Draco rose in her mind, but she immediately quelled it insisting that he wouldn't think to ask her. So she looked at Harry, wondering what exactly she should say.
" Can I have some time to think about it?"
Harry smiled, letting go of her hand.
"Sure, just tell me when you've decided."
Draco, who had been watching this exchange, cornered a Gryffindor first year in the hall. Ignoring the shaking of the boy's knees, Draco addressed him evenly and slightly threateningly.
" Is Ginny Weasley going with Harry Potter to the Ball?"
" I don't see how it's any of your business." Squeaked the Gryffindor.
Draco's eyes narrowed and he knelt down so he was eye level with the
boy, who was now cowering in fear. To his surprise, Draco spoke in a
reasonably friendly tone.
" Look, I really want to know alright. I don't mean any harm."
The bell rang, and the first year decided that he was late to class anyway so he might as well tell him.
" She said that she would think about it." He said and trotted off to
his next class, leaving Draco with a pensive expression on his face.
Later on in Potions Draco and Blaise were partnered together and he seized this opportunity to get clarification.
" Blaise, when you ask a girl out or something, what does it mean
when she says she'll think about it?"
Blaise stifled a laugh. He knew just why Draco was asking him this question, but pretended not to.
" Well its either because she's so proud that she thinks your below
her or she's wondering about whether she'll get a better offer."
" What do you mean, a better offer?"
" I mean that maybe she's ok about going with you, but she'd rather go
with someone she really likes."
" Oh."
" Why Draco? Pansy turn you down for a change?"
Draco ignored this. His attention was caught by something else. Potter and Weasley were working opposite him and he noticed something very familiar about Ron's hand. His gaze shifted to his little finger, and there they were! That same row of three freckles, in the exact same spot as Ginny's! But the middle freckle on Ron's finger was rather faded. Infact it was so light that you could barely see it was there, while all three of Ginny's freckles stood out against her skin.
Suddenly a memory flashed back in Draco's head. He was lying on the ground, unable to get up due to the painful spell that had been cast on him during the fight. Bill Weasley ran by him and extended his hand out to Draco, who caught it and pulled himself up. He remembered that Bill had also had the three freckles, but the middle one on his had vanished completely.
"Draco! Draco!" Blaise's voice jolted him back to his senses.
" Class has ended, lets go."
In a daze Draco picked up his things and walked out of the classroom, wondering what it all meant. He only brightened up when he remembered that tomorrow was a Monday. Draco loved Mondays.
" Malfoy loves Mondays!" Snape huffed as he burst into the staffroom,
eliciting disapproving stares from the other team and a glare from
Mcgonagall who didn't want their strategy to be revealed.
" Typical Slytherin characteristic, liking the gloomiest and most
troublesome days of the week." Mcgonagall observed gloomily as Snape
took his seat and glowered at her.
" Why exactly does he like Mondays?" Lupin questioned mildly.
Snape winced and then shook his head.
" Maybe I shouldn't tell you. It might just ruin his image."
" Why? As long as he's not a closet drag queen nothing would ruin his
image." Mcgonagall replied.
" My, my, why the snappy mood Minerva?"
Mcgonagall sighed.
" I just want to bring those two together. This process is far harder
than we had thought and so far none of the things we've done have
worked. Sure they understand each other, but have they snogged?"
Unfortunately this was said rather loudly and drew quizzical gazes from the others in the room. Mcgonagall turned red and subsided into silence.
" Look, this is our last chance. From what I understand Flitwick has
been wracking his brains trying to bring Abbot and Terry Boot together.
Lets just give this a try shall we? We'll start with Severus telling us
just why Malfoy likes Mondays," said Lupin in a low voice.
Snape shifted uneasily in his chair.
" Malfoy is ermmm fond of only three subjects. Potions, Defense
Against Dark Arts and...Astronomy."
" So what about it?"
" Ahem. Well, the thing is, you see, what I mean is that..."
" Severus, just get to the point!"
" Fine! Malfoy spends his Monday evenings star gazing in the Astronomy
tower."
Mcgonagall and Lupin were dumbstruck for a minute, and then burst into hoots of laughter.
" Malfoy? Draco Malfoy! Slytherin's ideal student, secretly star
gazes! So they do have a sensitive side after all Is there anything
else you want to tell us Severus? Such as how you secretly send
flowers to Madam Rosmerta every Sunday?" Lupin guffawed, rolling in
his chair and holding his stomach.
Snape shook his head frustratedly.
" See, this is why I didn't want to tell you. Anyway I don't see how
it's going to be of use to us in any way."
At this Mcgonagall sat up straight, wiping her eyes.
" No I think it will be. Because Monday happens to be an important
night for Ms.Weasley as well."
" Why?"
Mcgonagall smiled slyly,
" Prefect Patrol."
Ginny tuned out the chatter around her, which mainly consisted of dresses and dance partners. She was anxiously reading the note Professor Mcgonagall had just sent her.
" Ms. Weasley,
As you know, tonight is your night for patrol. The faculty has decided
that an exceptional amount of trouble is caused by students sneaking
to the Astronomy tower (which is out of bounds) for various
activities. This will be the area you need to monitor tonight and
please issue detention to whoever you catch.
Professor Mcgonagall."
Ginny flinched. Why did it have to be Astronomy Tower? She knew very well about the "activities" that went on there and she would have to interrupt and even witness them! Blanching, Ginny decided to take Harry's cloak so that she could have some discretion; therefore saving herself from going blind and acquiring the status of "most hated Prefect" in the matter of one night.
As she made her way down the halls she couldn't help but wonder what she should say to Harry. The weekend had quickly passed by and the dance was tomorrow! She knew that she'd have to give Harry a definite answer by then. He'd been asking her about it everyday but she somehow managed to avoid him. Ginny wondered just why she hadn't said yes yet, could it be that she was holding out in hopes of "someone else" asking her? This was exactly what Colin thought, but Ginny wasn't completely sure.
" Pansy's probably bagged him already, that pug!" she muttered to
herself, feeling a bit surprised at her own jealousy and emotion.
When she snuck into the Astronomy tower she was relieved to see that no one was doing anything in there. Ginny was about to leave when she noticed that someone was sitting right in front of the window. She crept up behind them and attempted to see their face, and suddenly the person turned around, causing Ginny to catch her breath sharply. It was none other than Draco! He'd been haunting her thoughts lately and for a split second she wondered if she was hallucinating, but no, he was right there in front of her. She sighed softly with relief when she realized that he couldn't see her and he turned back and resumed gazing in front of him.
Ginny quietly sat by his side and watched him. Never had she felt more for him than she did now. Draco was almost godly looking, the moonlight filtering in through the windows giving his hair and skin an ethereal glow. The expression on his face only complimented him further; with a hint of a thoughtful frown on his brow and the whimsical upward curve of his mouth. He was clearly lost in thought, focusing intensely on the constellations in front of him.
Wondering whether his eyes had changed color again, Ginny was craning her neck to see what they looked like now when he suddenly turned around and their eyes met. Ginny bit back a gasp when she observed that his eyes weren't their usual shade of gray-blue, instead a hazy silver green. She held his gaze, transfixed, not pausing to wonder just why he should be staring so hard at what appeared to be "thin air."
The fact is, Draco had felt someone's presence around him the moment Ginny entered the room. He had given up on observing constellations for the night because his thoughts were full of the redhead and he couldn't stop wondering about whether she'd consented to Potter. When he heard the slight noise behind him, he'd turned around, not seeing anyone there. Draco turned back and resumed his thought process when he felt something brush against him, he turned sharply and there in front of him was the very girl he was brooding about.
At first, Draco, like Ginny had previously, wondered if he was hallucinating. But he soon realized that he wasn't, and that she was staring right back at him. He wondered just why she was here and he realized that it was probably her night for Patrol. But why was she staring at him like that? It was almost as if she thought he couldn't see her he thought idly, enraptured by the slight half smile that played on her lips.
Draco realized with a start that she did think that! He looked below her face and realized that her body was invisible from the shoulders down. Her cloak must have fallen off and she didn't realize it.
Ginny had been staring at him and felt as though she was drowning in the depths of his eyes. She desperately wanted to kiss him, to feel his skin against hers again. She argued with herself that he wouldn't notice, he would just feel a light brush against his lips, but since he couldn't see her, nothing much would result from it. With this resolve, she leaned towards him and lightly brushed her lips with his.
When Draco mentally pinched himself to ascertain that he was indeed kissing the girl he had been pining for, he quickly began to kiss her back. When Ginny tried to pull away, she experienced a jolt of shock as Draco brought his hands up and gently cupped her face towards him, kissing her back.
Many realizations were hitting her at once. He had seen her! He could see her! What was he going to think! However most of these thoughts petered out of her head once she felt the smooth warmth of Draco's lips against hers, and the touch of his hands against her cheeks. It was oh so sweet and surreal, the fact that she was finally kissing the person she had been dreaming about for most of the year. The sensations coursing through her defied description or explanation- all she knew was that this kiss put most of her dreams to shame and at no cost should Draco's lips be separated from hers.
Ginny leaned into the kiss, slowly wrapping her arms about his firm shoulders , when Draco pulled away. His breath was ragged and he looked into her dark eyes and realized that she had wanted this as much as he did and perhaps felt the same way. He allowed a slight smirk to form on his face as he slid his hands down her neck and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her much closer to him, inhaling that beloved, familiar scent.
" You know that your cloak fell off a while ago right?" He murmured
while kissing her gently on her cheeks, her eyes and her lower lip,
observing that her skin was as soft as he had imagined it to be.
" Now I do" was all Ginny managed to mutter hoarsely before pulling his
lips back to hers and they kissed again, bathed in the shimmering glow
of the moonlight, relishing the feeling of finally being with each other
the way they wanted to be.
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AN: Ta daaaaaaa! Now you got your kissing scene. Don't worry, it doesn't end here, its going to be continued in the next chapter. But don't make the assumption that it goes any further, I'm just not comfortable writing smut stuff I guess. The intense kissing might come later, I wanted their first kiss to be " sweet and surreal" just like I said. Preparations for the ball are up next and there will be some stuff with the teachers. REVIEWWWWW, please take the number up to 200, I promise to update soon and please do tell me what you thought about the "romance scene" -its my very first and if I could use some feedback. Till next time!
The common room fire crackled and Ginny wrapped her dressing gown a little tighter around her as she gazed into its depths. She wasn't even cold, but the sensations and feelings running through her were so flurried that she needed some time to understand them. It was past midnight and only a few people were in the common room, working on late homework or cramming for tests.
Hermione was sitting on Ron's lap and going over a list of particularly complicated ingredients for a Potions test that they had tomorrow. They weren't getting too far due to their lack of sleep and Hermione's eyes were drooping so much that she leaned back, rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep.
Harry Potter, who was buried in a chair near the fireplace found himself unable to study because of the distracting sight he was presented with. He gazed at the youngest of the Weasley's, again wondering at how she had grown up. The firelight glowed against Ginny's face, changing her skin to gold and making her hair come alive. Her eyes were clouded over with the various thoughts that were flitting through her head and she paid no heed to those around her.
Colin too watched his best friend with a careful eye while playing a chess game with Seamus. He could see all the boys in the room, even the ones who were taken, eyeing the redhead with avid curiosity and approval. Colin himself was concerned about Ginny's state. When she had come in after her detention her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were dark and confused. She hadn't said a word to anyone, just changed and quietly sat before the fire. He was dying to know what exactly had happened and what she was thinking.
Ginny was pondering her feelings for Draco. His explanation about his previous actions was sinking in only now and she questioned herself agitatedly as to why she was so happy over it. Her mind replayed that brief kiss he had given her hand over and over again and it sent a shiver down her back each time. What confused Ginny the most however; was that impulsive desire she had felt to kiss him. Now she was starting to wonder about her earlier proclamations.
WAS it truly "just physical" or was there something more to it? She began to ruminate over the fact that perhaps Draco's real personality was also endearing itself to her; whether his caustic comments, witty replies and intelligence were starting to mean just as much to her as his appearance did.
What captivated her most were the unexpected moments where he revealed the thoughtful and chivalrous side of him, like when he presented her with that rose, or when he came to her defense. Ginny looked at her hand, which had been entwined with his several hours ago. She remembered subconsciously reflecting that her hand looked so much better clasped in Draco's than on its own.
With all this reflection Ginny still wasn't sure what exactly she felt for Draco. She knew that there were traits about him that she admired, and she was well aware that she was attracted to him. But what was the feeling she had when she was around him? It didn't resemble anything that she had experienced before. She remembered that when she liked Harry she used to get shy and tongue tied whenever she was around him, spending her later years wondering what it would be like to run her hands through his thick locks and see him without his glasses. In due time most of this had worn off and Ginny was able to look back and laugh at her childish fantasies.
Draco's case was entirely different. He brought out different sides of her. She pondered as to why this was so. He may have been a different person, but he was, after all a Malfoy. Still arrogant, still cynical and still as stubborn as herself. Did she really want to let herself fall for someone like that? She mused these questions as she slid between the bed sheets and shut her eyes. Ginny didn't realize that she already had.
As usual Draco was thinking about the same things, and yet again, his reflections were far more to the point.
" Alright, you definitely know that it's not about her looks anymore.
It's not lust, its..." he stopped then, pondering as to what exactly it
was.
Did he love her? Surely not! He was a Malfoy, she was a Weasley, polar opposites was the term that came to mind when people attempted to describe them. In other words, they weren't supposed to love. Attracted to her? Yes, but he had been attracted to a lot of people hadn't he? What fascinated and confused him was this additional feeling he experienced. It was all very well to feel a tremendous urge to snog her senseless when Ginny's eyes flashed at him just so, but was it normal for a strange warmth to descend on him whenever he heard her voice?
Draco was reciting all this out loud as he changed into his black silk pants, rifling through his wardrobe for a comfortable night shirt (NOTE: AN has currently passed out due to mental picture presented by above sentence) when he couldn't find one, he simply put on a pair of socks and flopped onto his bed, still talking out loud. His debate was interrupted by a dark and tousled head lifting itself from a nearby bed and its owner shaking his fist at him.
" Drake, we all know that you fantasize about Mcgonagall, but can you
please do it quietly?" Blaise implored sleepily, as he turned over and
pulled his sheets over his head, more a defense mechanism than a method
of comfort.
The brunette had been right to do this as he soon found himself smothered by the stack of pillows Draco hurled at him in response. However this humorous interlude ended Draco's period of contemplation, he stretched, turned on his side and was immediately asleep, despite the disturbing realization that Ginny was the first thing he saw when he closed his eyes.
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The sunlight that filtered through the Hogwarts windows was greeted in different ways by its recipients. Most of them simply grunted and pushed themselves out of bed, however there were two individuals who reacted to it in distinctive fashion. One was a redhead in the Gryffindor tower who realized that another day had dawned, another day of facing someone she was unsure about and resisting Harry's increasing advances.
Ginny gave a nervous giggle that burst into hysterical laughter. Her roommates simply looked at her and shook their heads. After rooming with her for four years(1 taken out to exclude the war) they were used to it by now.
Thankfully these fits didn't come over Ginny often, but when they did, they could successfully assume that their peace would be ruthlessly disrupted. So now when they knew they were having a particularly trying round of tests the next day, most of the girls in the dorm took the precaution of plugging their ears in advance. They weren't warned this morning and Lavender Brown wondered while wincing, what exactly it was that caused Ginny to behave in the high strung fashion she usually reserved for Potions pop quizzes.
Colin who had stepped out into the common room could also hear her. He knew then that it was not a test, but Draco that was on her mind. Slumping back in a chair he waited for Ginny to show up so that he could demand an explanation.
Meanwhile on the other side of the castle, a certain Slytherin was rolling around in his bed, uttering creative combinations of swear words. They were mostly directed at blinds, curtains and the "stupid arses" that actually opened the windows. He too realized that he would have to bear the results of last night's confession, as well as restrain himself from not grabbing hold of the weasel in a lonely corridor and kissing her like his life depended on it.
Breakfast was a boring affair. Colin tried to position himself between Ginny and Harry, but the latter beat him to it yet again. However both parties were too tired to resist and make moves (respectively) this morning. This was because Harry had sat up most of the previous night jamming his memory with Potions ingredients and wistfully looking at his parent's wedding photos, while Ginny's thoughts had been full of white roses and shield spells.
Colin didn't say very much to her, he contented himself with observing that a certain light seemed to enter her eyes the moment a tired looking blonde floundered into the hall and plonked himself at his table.
At the other end, Blaise Zabini also noticed that although his friend looked like " walking hell", his tired eyes immediately grew alert and wide when his gaze fell upon Ron Weasley's youngest sister. Blaise started! Weasley's sister? So that's who Malfoy had been losing sleep over last night.
No wonder too, she was a real looker, but hadn't Malfoy said it went beyond looks? Now Draco's friend's curiosity was well and truly stoked and he decided to watch his friend very carefully. To his amusement, he saw that Creevey was doing the very same to the redhead.
" You know if the subtle attempt is what you're aiming at, its not
really a good job. Anyone with half a brain can see you ogling him!"
Colin whispered to Ginny who turned around, her face sheepish.
" Is it really that obvious?"
" Quite. But it seems as though no one but myself and that Zabini chap
over there have noticed. Not to worry though Gin, he's not doing the
most adequate job of hiding his stares either."
" He's, He's looking?"
" My goodness Ginny Weasley, I think that you would have noticed in
the process of gazing at him that he's gazing right back at you!"
" He is?"
" Oh you silly girl, just look at him! He's buttered both sides of his
toast and has yet to notice that Goyle's eaten all his eggs because
he's so busy glancing in your direction! Honestly, I'm tired of this
dallying around. Why don't the two of you just act on your feelings
already?"
Ginny was about to respond when a booming voice rang throughout the hall. Several students winced. Last night had been a Friday and more than a few of them had spent quality time in a Hogsmeade pub, or with a bottle of Ogden's. Now they were suffering the effects and Dumbledore's vociferous tone was doing little for their already aching heads.
" I have an announcement to make."
An announcement in the middle of the year? What was so important?
A whisper flew around that perhaps Voldemort had risen again. When Harry heard this his face turned ashen. However Hermione leaned over and whispered
" It can't be. Why is Hagrid grinning like that?"
Ginny looked at Hagrid, he really was beaming! Then Dumbledore proceeded to talk, describing an upcoming event called the "Flobberworm Fest." Ginny's head snapped up. Had Dumbledore just said Flobberworms? Judging by the chorus of groans that seemed to emanate from her table, he had. Apparently Hagrid was having some sort of large lecture on them and he wanted to teach the students even more about their care.
There were to be different sections and each teacher was in charge of a different section. Ginny noted that the teachers weren't looking too pleased about it either. It was only when Dumbledore mentioned that there was a dance to be held prior to this event that others took notice. Unfortunately Harry was one of them and his eyes immediately snapped in her direction, along with several others. Colin smiled grimly, he could already tell that his friend was going to be besieged by offers and he would have to whisk her out of the way as soon as Dumbledore was done.
Draco was having his fair share of qualms. He didn't mind the dance, but he did have his issues about having to look at that oaf's Flobberworms. Suddenly he noticed that Pansy was staring at him and realized with growing horror that she probably meant to ask him to the dance. He quickly whispered this to Blaise who patted his back and guaranteed that he would be able to cover for him as he made his escape.
When Dumbledore finished Colin began to tug on Ginny's arm as he saw several male students rise out of their chairs and slowly make their way to the Gryffindor table.
" Come on Gin, lets get out of here."
Ginny was just about to leave when Harry caught her arm.
" Ginny!"
"Yes?"
" Will you umm, go to the dance with me?" when he said this, a
collective growl of disappointment rose through the male wave that was
near Ginny and most of them made their way out of the hall.
Ginny was trapped. She didn't want to go with Harry, but if she said no, she would have to go with someone else instead. When she thought of the other boys she decided that she didn't want to go with any of them. Unwittingly a picture of Draco rose in her mind, but she immediately quelled it insisting that he wouldn't think to ask her. So she looked at Harry, wondering what exactly she should say.
" Can I have some time to think about it?"
Harry smiled, letting go of her hand.
"Sure, just tell me when you've decided."
Draco, who had been watching this exchange, cornered a Gryffindor first year in the hall. Ignoring the shaking of the boy's knees, Draco addressed him evenly and slightly threateningly.
" Is Ginny Weasley going with Harry Potter to the Ball?"
" I don't see how it's any of your business." Squeaked the Gryffindor.
Draco's eyes narrowed and he knelt down so he was eye level with the
boy, who was now cowering in fear. To his surprise, Draco spoke in a
reasonably friendly tone.
" Look, I really want to know alright. I don't mean any harm."
The bell rang, and the first year decided that he was late to class anyway so he might as well tell him.
" She said that she would think about it." He said and trotted off to
his next class, leaving Draco with a pensive expression on his face.
Later on in Potions Draco and Blaise were partnered together and he seized this opportunity to get clarification.
" Blaise, when you ask a girl out or something, what does it mean
when she says she'll think about it?"
Blaise stifled a laugh. He knew just why Draco was asking him this question, but pretended not to.
" Well its either because she's so proud that she thinks your below
her or she's wondering about whether she'll get a better offer."
" What do you mean, a better offer?"
" I mean that maybe she's ok about going with you, but she'd rather go
with someone she really likes."
" Oh."
" Why Draco? Pansy turn you down for a change?"
Draco ignored this. His attention was caught by something else. Potter and Weasley were working opposite him and he noticed something very familiar about Ron's hand. His gaze shifted to his little finger, and there they were! That same row of three freckles, in the exact same spot as Ginny's! But the middle freckle on Ron's finger was rather faded. Infact it was so light that you could barely see it was there, while all three of Ginny's freckles stood out against her skin.
Suddenly a memory flashed back in Draco's head. He was lying on the ground, unable to get up due to the painful spell that had been cast on him during the fight. Bill Weasley ran by him and extended his hand out to Draco, who caught it and pulled himself up. He remembered that Bill had also had the three freckles, but the middle one on his had vanished completely.
"Draco! Draco!" Blaise's voice jolted him back to his senses.
" Class has ended, lets go."
In a daze Draco picked up his things and walked out of the classroom, wondering what it all meant. He only brightened up when he remembered that tomorrow was a Monday. Draco loved Mondays.
" Malfoy loves Mondays!" Snape huffed as he burst into the staffroom,
eliciting disapproving stares from the other team and a glare from
Mcgonagall who didn't want their strategy to be revealed.
" Typical Slytherin characteristic, liking the gloomiest and most
troublesome days of the week." Mcgonagall observed gloomily as Snape
took his seat and glowered at her.
" Why exactly does he like Mondays?" Lupin questioned mildly.
Snape winced and then shook his head.
" Maybe I shouldn't tell you. It might just ruin his image."
" Why? As long as he's not a closet drag queen nothing would ruin his
image." Mcgonagall replied.
" My, my, why the snappy mood Minerva?"
Mcgonagall sighed.
" I just want to bring those two together. This process is far harder
than we had thought and so far none of the things we've done have
worked. Sure they understand each other, but have they snogged?"
Unfortunately this was said rather loudly and drew quizzical gazes from the others in the room. Mcgonagall turned red and subsided into silence.
" Look, this is our last chance. From what I understand Flitwick has
been wracking his brains trying to bring Abbot and Terry Boot together.
Lets just give this a try shall we? We'll start with Severus telling us
just why Malfoy likes Mondays," said Lupin in a low voice.
Snape shifted uneasily in his chair.
" Malfoy is ermmm fond of only three subjects. Potions, Defense
Against Dark Arts and...Astronomy."
" So what about it?"
" Ahem. Well, the thing is, you see, what I mean is that..."
" Severus, just get to the point!"
" Fine! Malfoy spends his Monday evenings star gazing in the Astronomy
tower."
Mcgonagall and Lupin were dumbstruck for a minute, and then burst into hoots of laughter.
" Malfoy? Draco Malfoy! Slytherin's ideal student, secretly star
gazes! So they do have a sensitive side after all Is there anything
else you want to tell us Severus? Such as how you secretly send
flowers to Madam Rosmerta every Sunday?" Lupin guffawed, rolling in
his chair and holding his stomach.
Snape shook his head frustratedly.
" See, this is why I didn't want to tell you. Anyway I don't see how
it's going to be of use to us in any way."
At this Mcgonagall sat up straight, wiping her eyes.
" No I think it will be. Because Monday happens to be an important
night for Ms.Weasley as well."
" Why?"
Mcgonagall smiled slyly,
" Prefect Patrol."
Ginny tuned out the chatter around her, which mainly consisted of dresses and dance partners. She was anxiously reading the note Professor Mcgonagall had just sent her.
" Ms. Weasley,
As you know, tonight is your night for patrol. The faculty has decided
that an exceptional amount of trouble is caused by students sneaking
to the Astronomy tower (which is out of bounds) for various
activities. This will be the area you need to monitor tonight and
please issue detention to whoever you catch.
Professor Mcgonagall."
Ginny flinched. Why did it have to be Astronomy Tower? She knew very well about the "activities" that went on there and she would have to interrupt and even witness them! Blanching, Ginny decided to take Harry's cloak so that she could have some discretion; therefore saving herself from going blind and acquiring the status of "most hated Prefect" in the matter of one night.
As she made her way down the halls she couldn't help but wonder what she should say to Harry. The weekend had quickly passed by and the dance was tomorrow! She knew that she'd have to give Harry a definite answer by then. He'd been asking her about it everyday but she somehow managed to avoid him. Ginny wondered just why she hadn't said yes yet, could it be that she was holding out in hopes of "someone else" asking her? This was exactly what Colin thought, but Ginny wasn't completely sure.
" Pansy's probably bagged him already, that pug!" she muttered to
herself, feeling a bit surprised at her own jealousy and emotion.
When she snuck into the Astronomy tower she was relieved to see that no one was doing anything in there. Ginny was about to leave when she noticed that someone was sitting right in front of the window. She crept up behind them and attempted to see their face, and suddenly the person turned around, causing Ginny to catch her breath sharply. It was none other than Draco! He'd been haunting her thoughts lately and for a split second she wondered if she was hallucinating, but no, he was right there in front of her. She sighed softly with relief when she realized that he couldn't see her and he turned back and resumed gazing in front of him.
Ginny quietly sat by his side and watched him. Never had she felt more for him than she did now. Draco was almost godly looking, the moonlight filtering in through the windows giving his hair and skin an ethereal glow. The expression on his face only complimented him further; with a hint of a thoughtful frown on his brow and the whimsical upward curve of his mouth. He was clearly lost in thought, focusing intensely on the constellations in front of him.
Wondering whether his eyes had changed color again, Ginny was craning her neck to see what they looked like now when he suddenly turned around and their eyes met. Ginny bit back a gasp when she observed that his eyes weren't their usual shade of gray-blue, instead a hazy silver green. She held his gaze, transfixed, not pausing to wonder just why he should be staring so hard at what appeared to be "thin air."
The fact is, Draco had felt someone's presence around him the moment Ginny entered the room. He had given up on observing constellations for the night because his thoughts were full of the redhead and he couldn't stop wondering about whether she'd consented to Potter. When he heard the slight noise behind him, he'd turned around, not seeing anyone there. Draco turned back and resumed his thought process when he felt something brush against him, he turned sharply and there in front of him was the very girl he was brooding about.
At first, Draco, like Ginny had previously, wondered if he was hallucinating. But he soon realized that he wasn't, and that she was staring right back at him. He wondered just why she was here and he realized that it was probably her night for Patrol. But why was she staring at him like that? It was almost as if she thought he couldn't see her he thought idly, enraptured by the slight half smile that played on her lips.
Draco realized with a start that she did think that! He looked below her face and realized that her body was invisible from the shoulders down. Her cloak must have fallen off and she didn't realize it.
Ginny had been staring at him and felt as though she was drowning in the depths of his eyes. She desperately wanted to kiss him, to feel his skin against hers again. She argued with herself that he wouldn't notice, he would just feel a light brush against his lips, but since he couldn't see her, nothing much would result from it. With this resolve, she leaned towards him and lightly brushed her lips with his.
When Draco mentally pinched himself to ascertain that he was indeed kissing the girl he had been pining for, he quickly began to kiss her back. When Ginny tried to pull away, she experienced a jolt of shock as Draco brought his hands up and gently cupped her face towards him, kissing her back.
Many realizations were hitting her at once. He had seen her! He could see her! What was he going to think! However most of these thoughts petered out of her head once she felt the smooth warmth of Draco's lips against hers, and the touch of his hands against her cheeks. It was oh so sweet and surreal, the fact that she was finally kissing the person she had been dreaming about for most of the year. The sensations coursing through her defied description or explanation- all she knew was that this kiss put most of her dreams to shame and at no cost should Draco's lips be separated from hers.
Ginny leaned into the kiss, slowly wrapping her arms about his firm shoulders , when Draco pulled away. His breath was ragged and he looked into her dark eyes and realized that she had wanted this as much as he did and perhaps felt the same way. He allowed a slight smirk to form on his face as he slid his hands down her neck and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her much closer to him, inhaling that beloved, familiar scent.
" You know that your cloak fell off a while ago right?" He murmured
while kissing her gently on her cheeks, her eyes and her lower lip,
observing that her skin was as soft as he had imagined it to be.
" Now I do" was all Ginny managed to mutter hoarsely before pulling his
lips back to hers and they kissed again, bathed in the shimmering glow
of the moonlight, relishing the feeling of finally being with each other
the way they wanted to be.
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AN: Ta daaaaaaa! Now you got your kissing scene. Don't worry, it doesn't end here, its going to be continued in the next chapter. But don't make the assumption that it goes any further, I'm just not comfortable writing smut stuff I guess. The intense kissing might come later, I wanted their first kiss to be " sweet and surreal" just like I said. Preparations for the ball are up next and there will be some stuff with the teachers. REVIEWWWWW, please take the number up to 200, I promise to update soon and please do tell me what you thought about the "romance scene" -its my very first and if I could use some feedback. Till next time!