Disclaimer: these characters are in no way mine. I have not made any up
right now, and am not planning to. So all them belong to J. K. Rowling.
Big Thanks: Oh yea and I'd also like to give a great big THANK YOU to my most dedicated beta reader Ash! When you get your story done I'm sure it'll be great! ^-^
Quick Question: two questions, really: firstly, I'd like anyone willing to allow me to mail them the sex-scenes for preview reading to please post it their review. I need to know whether to put it as an NC-17 and mail it to my mailing list only, or to just leave it under the 'R' rating. And the other thing was a thing I was wondering about fanfiction.net that I need people to email me a reply too. Please, anyone who knows how the chapter thing works, email me! I cannot for the life of me figure out if I have to write my whole story before I can post it up here, or. what, exactly. PLEASE HELP! Thanks everyone, and now, enjoy the show!
READ THIS! IMPORTANT! If you see a line break at any point in the story, it means it is changing viewpoints (ex: going from Draco to Ginny, etc.)
THE CHANCE ENCOUNTER
I stroked my chin thoughtfully as I gazed out the train window. I suppose that if I had a goatee I would look quite sinister. Although, I suspect, it would quite ruin my face. Luckily, I had rid myself of Crabbe and Goyle a little earlier, by telling them to go look for Potter while I attended to some prefect business. Of course I was doing nothing of the sort, and I really couldn't see why they believed my lies. They were such blockheads, the two of them. I really didn't see why I even bothered with them. If it weren't for father. I scowled as my thoughts returned to the man. Just who I was trying to forget, too.
I sneered as I returned to my brooding about last night. Couldn't I think of anything else? "Pretty pathetic, for a Malfoy." I said, shaking my head. Then I frowned, for that was almost exactly what my father had said last night, after the ceremony had finished, and we had returned home. My mind drifted back to the scene.
[Flashback]
"You are the most pathetic Malfoy yet!" I could remember my father shouting furiously. "Well, except for Cousin Charles." he trailed off, and I wished I could get away. Unfortunately, I wasn't to be that lucky. "Yes, you should be bowing to me now, pleading for my forgiveness. I really don't know why Vol - why He was so pleased with you. Nevertheless. He seemed to be impressed. So, he says, you shall soon get the branding. That should seal your loyalty to our side. Or so he said." My father laughed, a rather sinister sound, and I braced myself as he leaned down into my face. "Well, I really don't see why he was so impressed. You useless pile of rubbish. You can't even manage to beat Potter, and if you don't get those grades up soon you will be ineligible for quidditch. Granger doesn't seem to have any problems with HER grades!" I flinched at his harsh words, and before I could make any sort of protest he'd swept out of the room.
[End Flashback]
Though it was rumored that father had used the Cruciatus Curse on me many times, and taught me to use it as well, the truth of the matter was that he just didn't need to. Oh, he'd certainly used it on me enough for me to know it's terrible pain, but he knew how much more it hurt to know that no matter how hard I tried I never could win. Defeated by that dirty mudblood Granger in my schoolwork, and when I went out on the Quidditch Pitch I was always bested by Potter. Hell, I couldn't even figure out how the Chamber of Secrets had been opened, or to what purpose, and what had caused it again! I was a failure all around, and my father adored rubbing it in my face. I couldn't even protest it anymore. How could I? What reason could I give him for a mudblood to score higher than me on a test? Or a wizard who, despite having spent his first 11 years living with muggles, had managed to overthrow Voldemort not once, or even twice, but 5 times just in his years at Hogwarts? Even Weasley had managed better than I. Potter had rejected my friendship, and accepted HIS! Father shoved it in my face, again and again, and it was as if he were throwing salt on my raw wounds. No wonder I despised that trio with such a vengeance.
As my thoughts turned from my father to Him, I was plunged back into the ceremony. I had begun to remember snatches on the ride to the station, which, I now knew, I really could have done without. Last night I really had been too tired to think much on it, and this morning I had been so busy packing that I hadn't had the time. But now. oh yes, plenty of time now. I stifled a laugh. Imagine, Draco Malfoy having to pack his own things! Yet that was the way I'd done it since my third year, and the. Pajama incident.
[Flashback]
"WHAT?!?" I growled, pawing through my bags one more time. "Aaah!" I practically yelled, throwing up my hands in frustration. "What's up, Drake?" Goyle asked me. I frowned at that nickname, and paused, trying to think of an artful way to say it. "Well, I, err, that is." I stomped my foot then, and then quickly spat it out. "The servants didn't pack me any pajamas!" Well, kind and caring wretches they are, they immediately burst out laughing. "Shut it, you imbeciles." Goyle, knowing he'd pushed me too far, immediately handed me a pair of his pajamas, contrite. I glared, and got in to bed, shutting the drapes around me. What I had neglected to tell them was that the servants hadn't packed something else. Either it was out of some misguided attempt to help me grow up or they simply forgot to pack him, but whatever the reason, my dragon stuffy was missing. I'd had him since a young age, and I never slept without him. He was a sort of a symbol of my namesake, and my mother had said, when she'd given him to me, "That is what you will one day grow up to be, Draco." Now, of course, he was simply a comforting remnant of my childhood, but I still enjoyed his presence. Though it was childish, he was one of the possessions purely mine. I didn't even know if father knew I still had him. It was pure torture until he arrived, and since then I began packing my important things.
[End Flashback]
I was jolted out of my thoughts by the train's shrill shriek, the warning whistle for everyone remaining to board the train. I scowled. The whole time I'd been thinking the train had just been sitting there. And to think, I was hoping we'd be there soon! I frowned, and raised a hand to massage my temples. I had a headache, what with the ceremony from last night and early morning packing, not to mention this irritating whistle. It blew one last time, and then we began to move. I leaned back into my seat and closed my eyes, allowing myself to relax, with my head resting against the cool glass of the window and my body cushioned by the comfortable seats. I allowed myself to doze off, taking advantage of the peace and quiet while the bozos were gone to catch up on the sleep I lost last night. After all, I couldn't show up at Hogwarts looking as if a hippogriff had trampled me. Just what would the ladies do?
I shut the train door behind me, and sighed. "Only one more year." I said, with a sigh and shut my eyes wearily. I massaged my aching temples. Damn that headache - and it was all the fault of my brother and Harry. I grimaced at the thought of him. Boy, was he starting to get on my nerves. Last summer he'd asked me out, and as I'd already been dating a Hufflepuff boy, I turned him down. Politely, of course. But now he would not stop pestering me for an answer. I had at first liked the attention - and it was from Harry Potter, none other! Soon, though, I realized he really wasn't doing it out of any love for me. He simply wanted to be a part of our family, and was doing it because most of us expected it. It was irritating, and it ruffled my feathers. I had refused to take part in any relationship based on those reasons. But Harry kept on, wearing away at my patience, and I knew there would come a time when I would explode in exasperation. But for now, I hadn't cracked. But boy was my temper hard to restrain sometimes.
I straightened up, ran a hand through my hair and sighed. I had finally broken down and got it cut, as mother had been bothering me about for so long. And, though everyone insisted it looked wonderful, I still missed it being longer. Although it was rather nice to not have to use numerous charms to dry it and style it after swimming, or to swelter in the heat because I had a mane of hair, I still did miss the appreciative glances my locks had garnered in public. I pushed the thought away, and began walking down to aisle, looking for Colin. I'd just walked away from the 4th compartment, when I frowned and backtracked. Had that really been shadows, or was that a person back in the corner there?
I peered into the compartment, then stepped inside cautiously. There was somebody in here, but the more I observed, the less I thought it was Colin. After all, wouldn't he be with Luna and our other year-mates? Still. perhaps he'd fallen asleep before finding the others. I took another slow step into the enclosed area, looking at the figure. A cloak covered his body and hid it rather effectively. It concealed everything - from the color of his hair down to the tip of his boots. It didn't do much to conceal his gender though, as I could still make out a nicely muscled body underneath that cloak. He was leaning against the glass of the window, and looked rather depressed. It didn't seem like Colin, but maybe something had happened to him over the summer. Finally, I spoke. "Colin?" I asked, a little apprehensive at what I might find. Hopefully, if it really wasn't Colin, the worst would be an irate Ravenclaw.
Suddenly the figure sat bolt upright. He, definitely a he, I could see now, was staring right at me. His eyes were pure silver, and they reminded me of a child's eyes. I stared into those depths, and I could see terror and helplessness, all his current feelings and emotions, in his eyes. "Weasel." He said, contemptuously, and after that brief glimpse of his inward turmoil, that window to his soul shut, just like that. Then I realized who I had just spoken to - it was Malfoy! Had I just left Harry to be faced with the greater evil? "M - Malfoy." I stammered, backing up a step. Suddenly, it hit me, and I frowned. What was he doing in here? This was the last place I'd expect him to be! I was sure he was going to be showing up to bother the Gryffindors soon, which was part of the reason why I left. At the least, shouldn't he be with the other Prefects in their exclusive compartment? Why, of all places, was he here - alone in an empty compartment? Really, his bodyguards weren't even here with him!
He stood up in one fluid motion, and in the corner of my mind I envied his grace. He was just as elegant as a cat. He took a step towards me, and I backed up, feeling my eyes widen. What if he'd purposefully hid in here, waiting for someone to fall for his trap? What if he'd had it all planned? What if he was going to take advantage of a young innocent when he was alone in here? What if.? I let out a small squeak and continued backwards as he paced forward, almost lazily, like a large cat stalking his prey. A grin flitted across his face, as if this were some new game he was having fun with. I just hoped he would discard me as "boring" before anything worse could happen. "I'll, err, just be leaving now." I finally managed to say, wanting desperately to be anywhere else.
I reached behind me, trying to feel for the doorknob, when I encountered something totally unexpected. It was warm, squishy, and fleshy - not at all the door I'd been hoping for! I leapt around, and nearly fainted on the spot, after finding what I'd touched. Goyle stood in the doorway, scratching his head, with Crabbe right behind him. "Dear Merlin." I whispered, jumping backwards as he stepped into the compartment. "Draco, why is she in here?" the oaf asked, slapping at a flea he'd found in his hair. I backed up another few steps, as Crabbe joined his counterpart in the compartment, and I felt quite closed in.
I nearly screamed when I felt Malfoy, after hearing him take a step forward, clap one hand over my mouth, and enclose both my wrists in his large hands. Now, I didn't think of myself as petite, but with him clasping both my hands easily in one of his, I felt tiny. "She just had a little accident. She made a wrong turn, then tripped," He replied, in a voice like spun sugar candy, all the while leading me out of the compartment. "Didn't you?" he asked, his mouth next to my ear, his warm breath ticklish on my neck. He sounded villainous and evil, but despite that I could feel my body reacting. It was erotic, really. "Like Tom." I heard, the thought coming unbidden to my mind, but I quickly thrust it away.
And really, now that I thought about it, the situation was beginning to resemble that of mine had been with Tom. Albeit, we weren't friends, Draco and I, and Tom hadn't seemed evil at the time. But again, once I did find out who he was I couldn't stop the dreams about him, and I could never get him out of my thoughts, probably the reason I felt all boys fell short of his standards. There was something doubly repulsive and yet attractive in the evil of Tom. And now Draco was doing the same thing to me, and I just stood here letting him do it! I growled, frustrated. I may not have been able to do anything about Tom, but now I just wasn't about to let Draco run over me like that.
I could feel his warm body, pressed close to me, as he led me out of the enclosed area, and all I wanted to do was lean back against him and let him hold me. as soon as I finished that thought, I tossed it away. Hadn't I just told myself I wouldn't let him do that? And here I was a moment later, wishing he'd just cuddle up with me. After all, wasn't he a death eater, or soon to be? It was madness, as if I LIKED courting the evil, first of Tom and now of Draco! I felt my anger growing. What did he want with me - and why did I react so? I couldn't even control myself! He released my mouth, then, as he shut the door to his compartment and stood in the hallway, and turned me to face him. "What are you doing? Get off me, you pervert!" I yelled, lashing out at him, releasing all my bottled up tensions, fears, and anger. "Don't you ever put those filthy paws of yours on me again!"
He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes as if he was tired of all this nonsense. Then he smirked, and continued to speak in that deep, sultry voice of his, as if nothing I had just said made any sort of impression on him. "Now, now dear. I know you liked it. After all, how often is it that a Malfoy actually touches a Weasley? Well, besides punching them." He said, shrugging. He opened one eye then, looking at me, and his posture was lazy, as if this was the most boring thing ever. However, I could tell he felt otherwise by the malevolence showing in his eye. I could see so much bottled up hatred that I shivered, and it made me want to go hide beneath my bed. I stood up straighter, with a new resolve, determined not to let his hatred get to me. My hands were balled up in fists at my side, and I could hardly restrain their shaking. "No, Malfoy, you're nothing but a dirty git. And once I'm done with you there'll be nothing left for your friends to clean up!" I spat, eyes cold. "In fact, I'd be surprised if you even have a friend!" I glared at him, and continued. "At least I do, and they'll get back at you for this! In fact, when Harry finds out about what you did, he'll -" I wasn't allowed to finish, as he waved his hand and cut me off. He stood up, and laughed. "Oh yes, little one, go and tell your little boyfriend. Oooooh, scary." He pretended to be scared, then shook his head again. "Honestly, can't you do anything for yourself?" he shook his head, and chuckled. I glared daggers at him. Harry wasn't my boyfriend, and I wasn't about to let him have that wish of his, either. With Draco implying that he was, that I was his slut even. that would've made me madder then heck, no matter who said it, and with it coming from him it only fueled my anger. That particular comment got me more enraged than any other insult he could ever think up.
"Harry is NOT my boyfriend!" I spat out angrily. "In fact." I continued, even as I reached for my wand, when I was saved from disaster. "Erm, Ginny, c'mon!" I heard Colin yell, from down the corridor. I found out later he'd heard our voices and when he saw me reaching for my wand he tried to stop me. Good old Colin, keeping me from getting into trouble on my first day back. I gave one last look at Malfoy, before turning away in disgust, and a small bit of regret as well. I really had wanted to jump him and get him with some sort of jinx. Still, better off to stay out of trouble for awhile. And wasn't that more Ron's area of expertise more than mine, fighting with Malfoy? I began down the aisle to go join Colin when I tripped and fell - hard. I looked up and saw Malfoy, laughing, and returning to his compartment. "Bastard." I said, for his ears alone, as he shut the door.
I stood up and brushed off my robes, flashing an appreciative smile at Colin, who had come over to help me pick up my stuff, which had spilled all over the place when Draco tripped me. Then I kneeled down, and began gathering my things and roughly stuffing them into my bag. Once everything was picked up, I sighed and straightened back up. "Aw, don't worry Gin." He said, obviously mistaking my sigh for one of irritation and anger. "Malfoy's just a git anyway. You shouldn't worry about him - he deserves worse than what you gave him. And he'll get it, one of these days. You'll see, he'll get his own. Don't worry about it!" He patted my back comfortingly, and guided me back to the compartment where the rest of our little group of friends waited. I looked back one over my shoulder, and shrugged. Well, at least there was only one year left to bear with all of it - Malfoy's insults, Ron's protectiveness, but worst of all, at least in my eyes, was Harry's constant badgering and fondling. Yes, one more year, and then they'll all be gone, and I'll be free.
I raised my head off the cool glass of the window, and rolled my eyes. Those two bumbling idiots seemed to be at it again. How frustrating! I was used to it by now, but you'd think that maybe, perhaps for once, they might be considerate of me. Did the fact that my headache was about to split my head in two mean anything to them? No, I suppose It seems I wasn't to be THAT fortunate. I turned to them and snapped, "Shut up you two." Peering out the window once more, I noticed that the train had begun to slow. So now, finally, I could be rid of those idiots once again. Ah yes, blessed peace and quiet - for a short break, anyway. Without even turning back to them, I waved my arm at them and said, in a bored voice, "Go on, get out. Go find a carriage. I will be out shortly."
I heard them exit, and I exhaled loudly, a woosh of relief. I leaned my head back on the chair and shut my eyes. I really didn't know why I put up with them. If father didn't insist on it. I frowned as my thoughts returned, unbidden, to the man I was trying my hardest to forget. He had been delighted, last night, as my performance had obviously returned father to his Lord's good graces. The Dark Lord was obviously pleased that he might have some sort of spy who, if not in Potter's inner circle, was not hated as the rest of us were. I had left Potter alone mostly, since the 5th year, although it was only upon father's orders, and he didn't really bother with me either. There was a sort of an uneasy truce going on between us two - I avoided him and he tried his hardest to get Weasley to leave me alone. Although his friend Weaselhead was still spoiling for a fight, and sometimes I couldn't help but insult them, I mostly kept to myself. Though his futile efforts didn't accomplish much (his friends wouldn't hear a word he said about me giving up my bullying ways and becoming nice) I did have to give him credit for trying.
I shook off my trail of thought, as I noticed the train had come to a complete stop, and I stood, briskly wiping off my cloak then sweeping out of the compartment without a backwards glance. As I walked down the aisle to exit the train I passed the Little Weasel again. I laughed in her face, before sweeping away in a passable imitation of Snape. She growled, and I knew she would've tried to jump me, if not for her friends, who were just as pathetic as she was. "Leave him alone." Whispered the boy to her, and the other girl just gazed dreamily after me. Oh no, not another adoring fan.
I joined Crabbe and Goyle in their carriage, and smirked as I noticed little Weasley looking around, like a lost little kitten, for a place to sit. It seems her friends weren't really all she'd cracked them up to be. The girl had gone to sit with a group of other Ravenclaw, and the boy had run off to take pictures of something or other. I didn't even know if he ever made it onto a carriage, or if he had to walk. Finally, she hurried over to our cozy carriage, and opened the door. "May I have- " she swallowed hard, after seeing who was revealed to be in here, and backs away. "Oh, no, sorry." She said hurriedly, looking around nervously. "What, little Weasel too GOOD for us?" I asked, enjoying the opportunity to taunt her. "What, is she too SCARED to ride in a carriage full of big, bad Slytherin boys?" I looked around at Crabbe and Goyle, who laughed along with me.
Then the wench did something completely unexpected. I could see her jaws stiffen, and her spine straightened. "No, I think I will ride with you." She said firmly, and I could see determination written across her face. Literally. Someone must've performed some sort of triggered curse on her - probably her brothers, the troublemakers - which hadn't come into effect until now. I laughed, until she took the only remaining seat - the one that happened to be next to mine. Immediately, I stopped laughing, and gave her a long, cold look as she arranged her shoulder-bag on the seat beside her. Then she turned to me, and raised one eyebrow. I really don't know how people manage to lift only one eyebrow. "You know Malfoy, I know you want to look at me and all that, but really, staring isn't polite." She said, her mouth twitching. I could tell she was holding back a grin. I raised my eyebrows, until what she'd said had really sunk it. Then I felt myself turning a lovely shade of scarlet. "Why you - what do you - I mean I wasn't -" I spluttered, at a loss for words. Hmph, as if I'd look at her like that!
I growled, and inched away from her on the bench, giving her a deeply disgusted look. She flipped her hair, then winked - imagine, she had the gall to wink at me! - then went back to reading her book. I snorted and rolled my eyes, looking at the other two boys in the carriage with an expression of exasperation. I shook my head, but they were too busy making faces at each other to notice it. Honestly, it was as if I was expected to baby-sit! I turned away from them all, and looked out the window. And though it was quite dark outside, anything was better than the inside of our merry little wagon.
The carriage finally came to a stop and I stood up, immediately bumping my head on it's roof. That girl, Weasley, stood up, eyes twinkling merrily as I cursed and held my head. "Ladies first." She said, nodding slightly at me before brushing past, and exiting. I stared after her, with a slightly suspicious look on my face, before hurrying out after her, leaving my bodyguards gaping in my wake.
I had stopped, and was staring at the doors she had disappeared into, when Crabbe and Goyle caught up, red faced and breathing hard. "Wow Malfoy, you really took us by surprise." Chuckled Goyle, looking nervously at me. "Of course." I replied absently, deep in thought. When that girl had left, she had brushed against my hand - and it was really nothing, just a small touch, but I couldn't forget the fire I had felt that had instantly flared up in my body at that small sensation. I shook my head. She was a Weasley, I shouldn't forget. And besides, knowing her brothers, she had probably cursed me on my way out. I thrust the thoughts away as Crabbe entered the Great Hall through the double doors. Goyle shrugged nervously, glancing at me before following his comrade inside. I hurried to catch up. The sooner this gig got started, the sooner it would be over.
Big Thanks: Oh yea and I'd also like to give a great big THANK YOU to my most dedicated beta reader Ash! When you get your story done I'm sure it'll be great! ^-^
Quick Question: two questions, really: firstly, I'd like anyone willing to allow me to mail them the sex-scenes for preview reading to please post it their review. I need to know whether to put it as an NC-17 and mail it to my mailing list only, or to just leave it under the 'R' rating. And the other thing was a thing I was wondering about fanfiction.net that I need people to email me a reply too. Please, anyone who knows how the chapter thing works, email me! I cannot for the life of me figure out if I have to write my whole story before I can post it up here, or. what, exactly. PLEASE HELP! Thanks everyone, and now, enjoy the show!
READ THIS! IMPORTANT! If you see a line break at any point in the story, it means it is changing viewpoints (ex: going from Draco to Ginny, etc.)
THE CHANCE ENCOUNTER
I stroked my chin thoughtfully as I gazed out the train window. I suppose that if I had a goatee I would look quite sinister. Although, I suspect, it would quite ruin my face. Luckily, I had rid myself of Crabbe and Goyle a little earlier, by telling them to go look for Potter while I attended to some prefect business. Of course I was doing nothing of the sort, and I really couldn't see why they believed my lies. They were such blockheads, the two of them. I really didn't see why I even bothered with them. If it weren't for father. I scowled as my thoughts returned to the man. Just who I was trying to forget, too.
I sneered as I returned to my brooding about last night. Couldn't I think of anything else? "Pretty pathetic, for a Malfoy." I said, shaking my head. Then I frowned, for that was almost exactly what my father had said last night, after the ceremony had finished, and we had returned home. My mind drifted back to the scene.
[Flashback]
"You are the most pathetic Malfoy yet!" I could remember my father shouting furiously. "Well, except for Cousin Charles." he trailed off, and I wished I could get away. Unfortunately, I wasn't to be that lucky. "Yes, you should be bowing to me now, pleading for my forgiveness. I really don't know why Vol - why He was so pleased with you. Nevertheless. He seemed to be impressed. So, he says, you shall soon get the branding. That should seal your loyalty to our side. Or so he said." My father laughed, a rather sinister sound, and I braced myself as he leaned down into my face. "Well, I really don't see why he was so impressed. You useless pile of rubbish. You can't even manage to beat Potter, and if you don't get those grades up soon you will be ineligible for quidditch. Granger doesn't seem to have any problems with HER grades!" I flinched at his harsh words, and before I could make any sort of protest he'd swept out of the room.
[End Flashback]
Though it was rumored that father had used the Cruciatus Curse on me many times, and taught me to use it as well, the truth of the matter was that he just didn't need to. Oh, he'd certainly used it on me enough for me to know it's terrible pain, but he knew how much more it hurt to know that no matter how hard I tried I never could win. Defeated by that dirty mudblood Granger in my schoolwork, and when I went out on the Quidditch Pitch I was always bested by Potter. Hell, I couldn't even figure out how the Chamber of Secrets had been opened, or to what purpose, and what had caused it again! I was a failure all around, and my father adored rubbing it in my face. I couldn't even protest it anymore. How could I? What reason could I give him for a mudblood to score higher than me on a test? Or a wizard who, despite having spent his first 11 years living with muggles, had managed to overthrow Voldemort not once, or even twice, but 5 times just in his years at Hogwarts? Even Weasley had managed better than I. Potter had rejected my friendship, and accepted HIS! Father shoved it in my face, again and again, and it was as if he were throwing salt on my raw wounds. No wonder I despised that trio with such a vengeance.
As my thoughts turned from my father to Him, I was plunged back into the ceremony. I had begun to remember snatches on the ride to the station, which, I now knew, I really could have done without. Last night I really had been too tired to think much on it, and this morning I had been so busy packing that I hadn't had the time. But now. oh yes, plenty of time now. I stifled a laugh. Imagine, Draco Malfoy having to pack his own things! Yet that was the way I'd done it since my third year, and the. Pajama incident.
[Flashback]
"WHAT?!?" I growled, pawing through my bags one more time. "Aaah!" I practically yelled, throwing up my hands in frustration. "What's up, Drake?" Goyle asked me. I frowned at that nickname, and paused, trying to think of an artful way to say it. "Well, I, err, that is." I stomped my foot then, and then quickly spat it out. "The servants didn't pack me any pajamas!" Well, kind and caring wretches they are, they immediately burst out laughing. "Shut it, you imbeciles." Goyle, knowing he'd pushed me too far, immediately handed me a pair of his pajamas, contrite. I glared, and got in to bed, shutting the drapes around me. What I had neglected to tell them was that the servants hadn't packed something else. Either it was out of some misguided attempt to help me grow up or they simply forgot to pack him, but whatever the reason, my dragon stuffy was missing. I'd had him since a young age, and I never slept without him. He was a sort of a symbol of my namesake, and my mother had said, when she'd given him to me, "That is what you will one day grow up to be, Draco." Now, of course, he was simply a comforting remnant of my childhood, but I still enjoyed his presence. Though it was childish, he was one of the possessions purely mine. I didn't even know if father knew I still had him. It was pure torture until he arrived, and since then I began packing my important things.
[End Flashback]
I was jolted out of my thoughts by the train's shrill shriek, the warning whistle for everyone remaining to board the train. I scowled. The whole time I'd been thinking the train had just been sitting there. And to think, I was hoping we'd be there soon! I frowned, and raised a hand to massage my temples. I had a headache, what with the ceremony from last night and early morning packing, not to mention this irritating whistle. It blew one last time, and then we began to move. I leaned back into my seat and closed my eyes, allowing myself to relax, with my head resting against the cool glass of the window and my body cushioned by the comfortable seats. I allowed myself to doze off, taking advantage of the peace and quiet while the bozos were gone to catch up on the sleep I lost last night. After all, I couldn't show up at Hogwarts looking as if a hippogriff had trampled me. Just what would the ladies do?
I shut the train door behind me, and sighed. "Only one more year." I said, with a sigh and shut my eyes wearily. I massaged my aching temples. Damn that headache - and it was all the fault of my brother and Harry. I grimaced at the thought of him. Boy, was he starting to get on my nerves. Last summer he'd asked me out, and as I'd already been dating a Hufflepuff boy, I turned him down. Politely, of course. But now he would not stop pestering me for an answer. I had at first liked the attention - and it was from Harry Potter, none other! Soon, though, I realized he really wasn't doing it out of any love for me. He simply wanted to be a part of our family, and was doing it because most of us expected it. It was irritating, and it ruffled my feathers. I had refused to take part in any relationship based on those reasons. But Harry kept on, wearing away at my patience, and I knew there would come a time when I would explode in exasperation. But for now, I hadn't cracked. But boy was my temper hard to restrain sometimes.
I straightened up, ran a hand through my hair and sighed. I had finally broken down and got it cut, as mother had been bothering me about for so long. And, though everyone insisted it looked wonderful, I still missed it being longer. Although it was rather nice to not have to use numerous charms to dry it and style it after swimming, or to swelter in the heat because I had a mane of hair, I still did miss the appreciative glances my locks had garnered in public. I pushed the thought away, and began walking down to aisle, looking for Colin. I'd just walked away from the 4th compartment, when I frowned and backtracked. Had that really been shadows, or was that a person back in the corner there?
I peered into the compartment, then stepped inside cautiously. There was somebody in here, but the more I observed, the less I thought it was Colin. After all, wouldn't he be with Luna and our other year-mates? Still. perhaps he'd fallen asleep before finding the others. I took another slow step into the enclosed area, looking at the figure. A cloak covered his body and hid it rather effectively. It concealed everything - from the color of his hair down to the tip of his boots. It didn't do much to conceal his gender though, as I could still make out a nicely muscled body underneath that cloak. He was leaning against the glass of the window, and looked rather depressed. It didn't seem like Colin, but maybe something had happened to him over the summer. Finally, I spoke. "Colin?" I asked, a little apprehensive at what I might find. Hopefully, if it really wasn't Colin, the worst would be an irate Ravenclaw.
Suddenly the figure sat bolt upright. He, definitely a he, I could see now, was staring right at me. His eyes were pure silver, and they reminded me of a child's eyes. I stared into those depths, and I could see terror and helplessness, all his current feelings and emotions, in his eyes. "Weasel." He said, contemptuously, and after that brief glimpse of his inward turmoil, that window to his soul shut, just like that. Then I realized who I had just spoken to - it was Malfoy! Had I just left Harry to be faced with the greater evil? "M - Malfoy." I stammered, backing up a step. Suddenly, it hit me, and I frowned. What was he doing in here? This was the last place I'd expect him to be! I was sure he was going to be showing up to bother the Gryffindors soon, which was part of the reason why I left. At the least, shouldn't he be with the other Prefects in their exclusive compartment? Why, of all places, was he here - alone in an empty compartment? Really, his bodyguards weren't even here with him!
He stood up in one fluid motion, and in the corner of my mind I envied his grace. He was just as elegant as a cat. He took a step towards me, and I backed up, feeling my eyes widen. What if he'd purposefully hid in here, waiting for someone to fall for his trap? What if he'd had it all planned? What if he was going to take advantage of a young innocent when he was alone in here? What if.? I let out a small squeak and continued backwards as he paced forward, almost lazily, like a large cat stalking his prey. A grin flitted across his face, as if this were some new game he was having fun with. I just hoped he would discard me as "boring" before anything worse could happen. "I'll, err, just be leaving now." I finally managed to say, wanting desperately to be anywhere else.
I reached behind me, trying to feel for the doorknob, when I encountered something totally unexpected. It was warm, squishy, and fleshy - not at all the door I'd been hoping for! I leapt around, and nearly fainted on the spot, after finding what I'd touched. Goyle stood in the doorway, scratching his head, with Crabbe right behind him. "Dear Merlin." I whispered, jumping backwards as he stepped into the compartment. "Draco, why is she in here?" the oaf asked, slapping at a flea he'd found in his hair. I backed up another few steps, as Crabbe joined his counterpart in the compartment, and I felt quite closed in.
I nearly screamed when I felt Malfoy, after hearing him take a step forward, clap one hand over my mouth, and enclose both my wrists in his large hands. Now, I didn't think of myself as petite, but with him clasping both my hands easily in one of his, I felt tiny. "She just had a little accident. She made a wrong turn, then tripped," He replied, in a voice like spun sugar candy, all the while leading me out of the compartment. "Didn't you?" he asked, his mouth next to my ear, his warm breath ticklish on my neck. He sounded villainous and evil, but despite that I could feel my body reacting. It was erotic, really. "Like Tom." I heard, the thought coming unbidden to my mind, but I quickly thrust it away.
And really, now that I thought about it, the situation was beginning to resemble that of mine had been with Tom. Albeit, we weren't friends, Draco and I, and Tom hadn't seemed evil at the time. But again, once I did find out who he was I couldn't stop the dreams about him, and I could never get him out of my thoughts, probably the reason I felt all boys fell short of his standards. There was something doubly repulsive and yet attractive in the evil of Tom. And now Draco was doing the same thing to me, and I just stood here letting him do it! I growled, frustrated. I may not have been able to do anything about Tom, but now I just wasn't about to let Draco run over me like that.
I could feel his warm body, pressed close to me, as he led me out of the enclosed area, and all I wanted to do was lean back against him and let him hold me. as soon as I finished that thought, I tossed it away. Hadn't I just told myself I wouldn't let him do that? And here I was a moment later, wishing he'd just cuddle up with me. After all, wasn't he a death eater, or soon to be? It was madness, as if I LIKED courting the evil, first of Tom and now of Draco! I felt my anger growing. What did he want with me - and why did I react so? I couldn't even control myself! He released my mouth, then, as he shut the door to his compartment and stood in the hallway, and turned me to face him. "What are you doing? Get off me, you pervert!" I yelled, lashing out at him, releasing all my bottled up tensions, fears, and anger. "Don't you ever put those filthy paws of yours on me again!"
He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes as if he was tired of all this nonsense. Then he smirked, and continued to speak in that deep, sultry voice of his, as if nothing I had just said made any sort of impression on him. "Now, now dear. I know you liked it. After all, how often is it that a Malfoy actually touches a Weasley? Well, besides punching them." He said, shrugging. He opened one eye then, looking at me, and his posture was lazy, as if this was the most boring thing ever. However, I could tell he felt otherwise by the malevolence showing in his eye. I could see so much bottled up hatred that I shivered, and it made me want to go hide beneath my bed. I stood up straighter, with a new resolve, determined not to let his hatred get to me. My hands were balled up in fists at my side, and I could hardly restrain their shaking. "No, Malfoy, you're nothing but a dirty git. And once I'm done with you there'll be nothing left for your friends to clean up!" I spat, eyes cold. "In fact, I'd be surprised if you even have a friend!" I glared at him, and continued. "At least I do, and they'll get back at you for this! In fact, when Harry finds out about what you did, he'll -" I wasn't allowed to finish, as he waved his hand and cut me off. He stood up, and laughed. "Oh yes, little one, go and tell your little boyfriend. Oooooh, scary." He pretended to be scared, then shook his head again. "Honestly, can't you do anything for yourself?" he shook his head, and chuckled. I glared daggers at him. Harry wasn't my boyfriend, and I wasn't about to let him have that wish of his, either. With Draco implying that he was, that I was his slut even. that would've made me madder then heck, no matter who said it, and with it coming from him it only fueled my anger. That particular comment got me more enraged than any other insult he could ever think up.
"Harry is NOT my boyfriend!" I spat out angrily. "In fact." I continued, even as I reached for my wand, when I was saved from disaster. "Erm, Ginny, c'mon!" I heard Colin yell, from down the corridor. I found out later he'd heard our voices and when he saw me reaching for my wand he tried to stop me. Good old Colin, keeping me from getting into trouble on my first day back. I gave one last look at Malfoy, before turning away in disgust, and a small bit of regret as well. I really had wanted to jump him and get him with some sort of jinx. Still, better off to stay out of trouble for awhile. And wasn't that more Ron's area of expertise more than mine, fighting with Malfoy? I began down the aisle to go join Colin when I tripped and fell - hard. I looked up and saw Malfoy, laughing, and returning to his compartment. "Bastard." I said, for his ears alone, as he shut the door.
I stood up and brushed off my robes, flashing an appreciative smile at Colin, who had come over to help me pick up my stuff, which had spilled all over the place when Draco tripped me. Then I kneeled down, and began gathering my things and roughly stuffing them into my bag. Once everything was picked up, I sighed and straightened back up. "Aw, don't worry Gin." He said, obviously mistaking my sigh for one of irritation and anger. "Malfoy's just a git anyway. You shouldn't worry about him - he deserves worse than what you gave him. And he'll get it, one of these days. You'll see, he'll get his own. Don't worry about it!" He patted my back comfortingly, and guided me back to the compartment where the rest of our little group of friends waited. I looked back one over my shoulder, and shrugged. Well, at least there was only one year left to bear with all of it - Malfoy's insults, Ron's protectiveness, but worst of all, at least in my eyes, was Harry's constant badgering and fondling. Yes, one more year, and then they'll all be gone, and I'll be free.
I raised my head off the cool glass of the window, and rolled my eyes. Those two bumbling idiots seemed to be at it again. How frustrating! I was used to it by now, but you'd think that maybe, perhaps for once, they might be considerate of me. Did the fact that my headache was about to split my head in two mean anything to them? No, I suppose It seems I wasn't to be THAT fortunate. I turned to them and snapped, "Shut up you two." Peering out the window once more, I noticed that the train had begun to slow. So now, finally, I could be rid of those idiots once again. Ah yes, blessed peace and quiet - for a short break, anyway. Without even turning back to them, I waved my arm at them and said, in a bored voice, "Go on, get out. Go find a carriage. I will be out shortly."
I heard them exit, and I exhaled loudly, a woosh of relief. I leaned my head back on the chair and shut my eyes. I really didn't know why I put up with them. If father didn't insist on it. I frowned as my thoughts returned, unbidden, to the man I was trying my hardest to forget. He had been delighted, last night, as my performance had obviously returned father to his Lord's good graces. The Dark Lord was obviously pleased that he might have some sort of spy who, if not in Potter's inner circle, was not hated as the rest of us were. I had left Potter alone mostly, since the 5th year, although it was only upon father's orders, and he didn't really bother with me either. There was a sort of an uneasy truce going on between us two - I avoided him and he tried his hardest to get Weasley to leave me alone. Although his friend Weaselhead was still spoiling for a fight, and sometimes I couldn't help but insult them, I mostly kept to myself. Though his futile efforts didn't accomplish much (his friends wouldn't hear a word he said about me giving up my bullying ways and becoming nice) I did have to give him credit for trying.
I shook off my trail of thought, as I noticed the train had come to a complete stop, and I stood, briskly wiping off my cloak then sweeping out of the compartment without a backwards glance. As I walked down the aisle to exit the train I passed the Little Weasel again. I laughed in her face, before sweeping away in a passable imitation of Snape. She growled, and I knew she would've tried to jump me, if not for her friends, who were just as pathetic as she was. "Leave him alone." Whispered the boy to her, and the other girl just gazed dreamily after me. Oh no, not another adoring fan.
I joined Crabbe and Goyle in their carriage, and smirked as I noticed little Weasley looking around, like a lost little kitten, for a place to sit. It seems her friends weren't really all she'd cracked them up to be. The girl had gone to sit with a group of other Ravenclaw, and the boy had run off to take pictures of something or other. I didn't even know if he ever made it onto a carriage, or if he had to walk. Finally, she hurried over to our cozy carriage, and opened the door. "May I have- " she swallowed hard, after seeing who was revealed to be in here, and backs away. "Oh, no, sorry." She said hurriedly, looking around nervously. "What, little Weasel too GOOD for us?" I asked, enjoying the opportunity to taunt her. "What, is she too SCARED to ride in a carriage full of big, bad Slytherin boys?" I looked around at Crabbe and Goyle, who laughed along with me.
Then the wench did something completely unexpected. I could see her jaws stiffen, and her spine straightened. "No, I think I will ride with you." She said firmly, and I could see determination written across her face. Literally. Someone must've performed some sort of triggered curse on her - probably her brothers, the troublemakers - which hadn't come into effect until now. I laughed, until she took the only remaining seat - the one that happened to be next to mine. Immediately, I stopped laughing, and gave her a long, cold look as she arranged her shoulder-bag on the seat beside her. Then she turned to me, and raised one eyebrow. I really don't know how people manage to lift only one eyebrow. "You know Malfoy, I know you want to look at me and all that, but really, staring isn't polite." She said, her mouth twitching. I could tell she was holding back a grin. I raised my eyebrows, until what she'd said had really sunk it. Then I felt myself turning a lovely shade of scarlet. "Why you - what do you - I mean I wasn't -" I spluttered, at a loss for words. Hmph, as if I'd look at her like that!
I growled, and inched away from her on the bench, giving her a deeply disgusted look. She flipped her hair, then winked - imagine, she had the gall to wink at me! - then went back to reading her book. I snorted and rolled my eyes, looking at the other two boys in the carriage with an expression of exasperation. I shook my head, but they were too busy making faces at each other to notice it. Honestly, it was as if I was expected to baby-sit! I turned away from them all, and looked out the window. And though it was quite dark outside, anything was better than the inside of our merry little wagon.
The carriage finally came to a stop and I stood up, immediately bumping my head on it's roof. That girl, Weasley, stood up, eyes twinkling merrily as I cursed and held my head. "Ladies first." She said, nodding slightly at me before brushing past, and exiting. I stared after her, with a slightly suspicious look on my face, before hurrying out after her, leaving my bodyguards gaping in my wake.
I had stopped, and was staring at the doors she had disappeared into, when Crabbe and Goyle caught up, red faced and breathing hard. "Wow Malfoy, you really took us by surprise." Chuckled Goyle, looking nervously at me. "Of course." I replied absently, deep in thought. When that girl had left, she had brushed against my hand - and it was really nothing, just a small touch, but I couldn't forget the fire I had felt that had instantly flared up in my body at that small sensation. I shook my head. She was a Weasley, I shouldn't forget. And besides, knowing her brothers, she had probably cursed me on my way out. I thrust the thoughts away as Crabbe entered the Great Hall through the double doors. Goyle shrugged nervously, glancing at me before following his comrade inside. I hurried to catch up. The sooner this gig got started, the sooner it would be over.