Dealing With It
by x0firefly0x (Amanda)
Summary: Sequel to How To Be Bad. After their lessons, Draco and Ginny are now together. But can they deal with the school's hatred of their relationship? D/G, slight R/Hr.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Harry Potter. That honour belongs solely to J.K. Rowling herself. And that honour is great...sighs I WANT THE NEXT BOOK ALREADY! Gah.
Author's Note: Sorry it took sooo long for me to update. I'm really, really, really sorry! So, to make it up to you, I've decided to update all of my previously thought-to-be abandoned fics. Love you all, and once again, I'm sorry this chapter sucks badly! -Amanda
Chapter Six: Love & Hate
"Pansy," Draco asked in a suave voice that made girls regularly swoon, "May I speak to you?"
"Of course, Draco darling," Pansy simpered, adjusting her already short skirt to show a little thigh. Draco nearly threw up. He offered his arm, trying not to wince. He pulled her into an empty corridor.
"Pansy? Will you go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"
"I dunno," Pansy said teasingly, "I think I'm going with Blaise..."
"No, you're not. Blaise is going with a Ravenclaw. Don't give me that crap. Fuck hard to get, we all know you're not," Draco snapped, losing his temper entirely. Pansy's face darkened.
"Fine. Hogsmeade," she snarled, "And you better not be late, you git."
---THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND---
"I can't believe you're making me do this!" Draco said snidely, looking disgusted, "A whole afternoon with Pansy."
Ginny comforted him. "I know, Draco, but it'll all be worth it," she said soothingly.
"Ten minutes 'til I should be down there," Draco said angrily.
"Aren't you excited?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
"Oh, yeah, you know I am," Draco replied in the same sarcastic tone, running a hand through his blond hair. Ginny's doe-brown eyes sparkled.
"Well," Ginny said more seriously, pushing him down the corridor into the crowded hallway, "It's time..."
"Do I get anything after this?" Draco asked, mock-pouting.
"You get the satisfaction of a job well-done."
"How comforting," Draco said, with a sigh. Ginny leant over to plant a quick kiss on his pale cheek.
"Go get 'em, tiger!" she said with a giggle, playfully punching Draco on the arm. Draco threw a dark look at her and stalked off, looking as if he was on a death march.
Ginny ran up to the common room, her sneakers plodding against the floor. Ginny stopped, panting, in the common room entrance. Hermione and Ron rushed up to her.
"Oh, Ginny, I'm sorry, I'm sure you'll find another boyfriend," Hermione said comfortingly.
"I'm not sorry at all!" Ron said happily, "Thank Merlin you've finally come to your senses! I could dance!"
"Now you dance," Hermione snapped, "Where were you at the last ball?"
"I was playing Quidditch, if you must know. It was a lot more fun that I would have had at the ball anyway," Ron shot back. Several girls at a corner table who had been working busily, sighed wearily and got up, going to the girls' dorms. Ron and Hermione kept bickering. Ginny rolled her eyes and grinned at Harry, who was sitting on a nearby couch and looked resigned to the whole thing. Harry grinned back, then averted his eyes. She sighed, and hurried out of the common room, past the bickering Ron and Hermione, and headed towards the carriages waiting outside to take them to Hogsmeade. She slipped into a carriage, and found it occupied already.
"Hi, Ginny," Neville said sweetly, his chubby round face pink with glee. He looked over her shoulder.
"Nobody's coming with you?" he asked curiously, and looked surprised when she nodded.
"I'm alone too. Want to get a butterbeer together?" Neville asked, his face tinged red.
"Um...sure," Ginny answered, thinking it wouldn't be too bad. The swaying carriage finally stopped, and as they departed, Neville fondly patted the air in front of the carriage. 'A thestral, no doubt', Ginny thought, 'Thank Merlin I can't see them. Poor Neville.'
They headed towards the Three Broomsticks. When Ginny passed by the window to open the door, she saw Draco looking bored. Their eyes locked, and while Pansy was looking down at the menu, he mouthed, 'Help me'. Ginny surpressed a giggle, then, with a start, she saw Pansy look up and say something to Draco. Ginny quickly steered Neville away.
"Wha-" he began, but Ginny cut him off, "Let's go to my brother's new shop!"
"They opened another Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?" Neville asked excitedly.
Ginny smiled. The twins had been extremely profitable and new chains of their joke shop were opening everywhere. Ginny and Neville headed over, chatting amicably, feeling at ease. When they stopped in front of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, they looked up together to see the flaming orange signs and banners...obviously in honor of their Weasley hair. They walked in.
"Ginbug!" Fred yelled, smothering her in a hug. Actually, Ginny was one of the only people who could tell them apart. Fred had a few more freckles, which Ginny knew about from the numerous staring contests they had had over the years. "George! Get over here! It's Ginny!" Fred called, grinning happily, an arm around her thin shoulders. George Apparated with a loud Pop! He hugged her as well, ruffling her hair fondly.
"We knew you'd visit us today, Gin," Fred said, beaming, "You wouldn't miss a chance to see your dear older brothers." Ginny smiled lovingly.
"Hullo, Neville," Fred said politely.
"Hey," Neville replied, a friendly open smile on his round face.
"Guess what?" George said excitedly, turning around to talk to Ginny.
"What?" Ginny said blandly. She was sure it'd be something stupid; it was in their joking nature.
"Malfoy's getting married to the Parkinson girl; the announcement was in the papers!" Ginny bristled.
"Hmph, interesting..." Ginny answered, trying to sound nonchalant, stalking away, then turning to say, "Restroom?"
"Over there," Fred said, still grinning, and pointed to a sign that read "Men's" on a blue door. Ginny arched an eyebrow.
"Everything here is like that," George explained, "Go with it." He then turned to help a customer that had just walked in. Ginny stalked off to the mens'--er, ladies'--room, and shut herself into the small, luridly pink bathroom. She surveyed herself in the pink boa and lace-trimmed mirror.
"What's the matter, dearie?" asked the mirror fondly.
"Nothing," Ginny snapped, turning away, but she couldn't help turning back towards it. She placed a red fingernail unto it, and stared at her reflection. Her eyes were weary and bloodshot, with dark under-eye circles underneath. Her face was blotched, and her flaming scarlet hair was disheveled from Fred's ruffling.
"What a sight I am," she mumbled, feeling as if she'd cry, "Pathetic." She spun around and slumped out out of the bathroom.
"Hey, Ginbug, what's up?" George remarked worriedly, running a hand through his short-cropped red hair, "You look a bit peaky." Ginny just shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, maybe you should head back up to Hogwarts for some rest," Fred said, looking equally concerned.
"I'll take her," Neville piped up, grabbing her wrist clumsily, "C'mon, Ginny."
Ginny gently removed her wrist, and swept back to her brothers and gave them each a huge hug. "I'm sorry I can't stay longer," she said apolegetically.
They shuffled out of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Ginny looking rather forlorn, Neville worried.
"Neville," Ginny said hopefully, "Is it all right if I just walk back to Hogwarts myself? I wouldn't want to ruin the day for you, and besides, some fresh air and quiet might be good for me." She would really rather be by herself.
"Well...I dunno," Neville asked, worry etched on his plump, round face, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Ginny said firmly, putting on her best persuading face and gently pushing him towards the nearest quill shop. She then dashed off, as soon as she was sure that he wouldn't be looking. She slowly walked up the hill leading to the castle. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief as she got to the top. She headed to the castle, lonelier than ever. It was slightly funny, she thought, that if she spent time away from Draco, she felt as if she was alone and depressed. She needed her love by her side. Her wish was granted.
"I am mad at you, Virginia Weasley," he said stoutly, his grey-blue eyes angry beneath clouds of white-blond hair.
"Oh, Draco, I'm so sorry," Ginny gasped, standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Mph," he mumbled, but she could see his eyes soften.
"What happened?" Ginny asked nervously, taking his Quidditch-hardened hand with her petite, silky one, and leading him to the library. They sat down at one of the tables in the very back of the library. Draco avoided her steady gaze with steely determination.
"She kissed me," Draco said in a hollow voice.
Author's Note: Gah, that was hard. I cut a TON of things out... sorry about that, maybe I'll type those up eventually...(yeah, and maybe Draco will turn to the side of good...dammit, now I'm gonna get e-mails saying that he will...well, bring 'em on!). Well, I hope you liked that, I sure as hell hated to type it out...see how I love you guys ;)
bigreader: Enough insults for you, eh? Hehe.
Toby Keith Fanatic: I'm so glad you loved it, and that you took the time to read the first one! grins happily Well, I don't live in England, so I wouldn't know, lol. Sorry that wasn't much help, lol.
Karamel06: I missed talking to you, Jenni! How'd you do on our Regents, btw?
Trio Wing: I bet you'll hate this cliffie, hehe. Sorry!
XxRakellyxX: Our "bonding experience" was fun, eh? Anywhoo, I hope you liked this chappie.
Destiny Amberly Weasley: Hehe, I like your name! I updated...but not soon...sorry!
And a huge thanks to Jayy, Jayce, and 7jbaranowski! Thanks for being faithful reviewers, and I'm glad you liked the story!
Reviews welcome, and flames will be used to toast marshmallows! Both are welcome! XD
Love,
Amanda/Firefly
