Happy Christmas
Chapter 3: Kissing Ball
LunarianPrincess
Holiday traditions become challenges and your partner is your worst enemy, what's a girl to do? Win, of course! Ginny and Draco are competing in the holiday challenge Dumbledore comes up with to promote unity among the houses.
Each chapter will be named for a different tradition, or a different holiday song. Suggest a favorite tradition of yours or a favorite holiday song and I may use it! But please send lyrics as I will use each in the chapter named for it.
SDA: I own Sam and Claud, thanks for reading!
Then
"Teams, there will be a ornament ceremony where each pair will decorate their tree and place their winning ornament on their tree, it will begin at 7 pm sharp, please wear your costumes, I would advise you and your partner discussing what you want the tree to look like before you decorate, that is all, you are dismissed, it is 4 o'clock so you have time to meet with your partner if you decide to do so," Dumbledore announced when all the groups had congregated in the great hall again. Ginny made a move to leave when somebody grabbed her arm and spun her around, she looked at the person in surprise.
Now
"I need to talk to you, would you mind coming to the library with me," the soft spoken brunette asked. Ginny, her mind teeming with odd speculations about why this girl had asked to talk to her, nodded hesitantly.
"Sure Samantha, but I want to ask someone something first, could you wait a minute?" she asked. The brunette nodded before turning away, after a second she turned back.
"How about we meet in a half an hour, that will give us time to change and things," the intelligent girl suggested. Ginny nodded and smiled at her as she looked around for the subject of her search. She saw a flicker of silver and green in the stairway leading down to the dungeons. She picked up her skirts in her right hand and raced after him.
"Malfoy, Malfoy, MALFOY!" she finally called exasperatedly. Her left hand slid down the banister as she descended the stairs. He turned and examined her leisurely, his lips curling in that familiar, heart stopping smirk.
"Well, Weasley what do you want?" he drawled. She took a deep breath, this dress was heavy and not exactly easy to move in, what with the stays and everything.
"Well, I though we could discuss our tree, I want to decorate it nicely but we have to do it later, I'm meeting someone, so meet me in the library in an hour," with that she hurried up the stairs. She pulled the mask off on her way up, worried that her footing would be unsure and she might fall.
She threw her mask onto the bed and stood before the mirror as she struggled to undo the lacing in the back of the dress. She peeled it off and laid it on her bed gingerly, and then she took off the jewelry. She pulled the combs from her hair, allowing the heavy curls to cascade down her back. She stepped to her wardrobe and grabbed the clothes she would wear to the library. She slipped her jeans on before pulling a green sweater on, the low v-neck showed a large expanse of creamy skin so she grabbed a white chenille scarf to wind around her exposed throat. Satisfied with her altered appearance she shoved a headband with snowflakes on it into her hair and slipped on her shoes. She grabbed her bag and headed to the library. She smiled at the people she passed, the triumph of winning the first challenge evident.
She entered the library and walked through the front, surprised when she didn't see Samantha. Normally the girl was punctual, a trait that was always lauded among the professors and complained about by the students. She wandered towards the back of the library where the rigid seats and tables gave way to comfy armchairs and window seats, a fact few students realized since they were in the very back past the books that students ever cared about.
There in a deep scarlet armchair curled up over a large tome was the sable haired scholar. Ginny surveyed her appearance while she approached, her hair was pulled into a ponytail and trailed over her shoulder as she was hunched over her book, the light blue turtleneck she wore accented her deep navy eyes and her jeans fit her trim body to perfection. Ginny surveyed her in harmless envy, Ginny always wished she had a trim body instead of the abundant curves nature had cursed/blessed her with. Samantha looked up in surprise when Ginny sat in the hunter green armchair.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was so late, I lost track of time," she exclaimed.
"No problem, what's up?" Ginny asked her interestedly.
"Well, umm, uh, I was wondering about that boy from Gryffindor, Claudius, what do you umm, know about him," she stuttered while a blush covered her pale skin. Ginny almost giggle at the covetous expression on her face.
"Well, Samantha, what do you want to know?" she responded, curbing her impulse to laugh.
"Call me Sam, well, I don't know, favorite things, hobbies, likes dislikes, normal things I guess," she answered embarrassed.
"Well, I think his favorite color, aside from red and gold, is dark blue, I know he likes chess and music, he hates hypocrisy and other than that I don't really know, but he seems to like you so why don't you ask him?" she returned. When she revealed that Sam's cheeks flushed and she gave a small smile.
"Really?" she asked breathlessly.
"Sure, I think you should see if he wants to work on the tree with you and then try to get to know him and see what could happen between you, I'm sure you two are perfect for each other," she stated confidently. The other girl nodded decisively and stood.
"I'll do that, thank you, I'll tell you how it goes," she promised as she hurried to put the suggestion into action. Ginny watched the eager girl go with a smile.
"So that's your plan is it, luring me into the library and having your way with me," a silken voice purred in her ear. She gasped and shivered at the raw sensuality and suggestion in that voice. He laughed as she started and turned quickly. He sank into the seat recently deserted by Sam and watched her catch her breath. She watched him silently, his moves as lithe as a cat's. He was wearing a dark blood red sweater and black pants, a negligent attitude making them stylish and attractive.
"I had no such plans, I wanted to undress… I mean discuss the tree," she shook her head and blushed deep red at the slip of her tongue. Draco just chuckled at her discomfort. She scowled at him, which made him smirk at her, which caused her heartbeat to speed up a few notches. "Well, I have some ideas about the tree, do you have any input?" she asked, leaning forward as she scooted closer to the table that lay between the two seats.
"I think before we discuss the tree we should agree on a color scheme," he told her, lounging negligently in the chair.
"I was thinking the same thing, if we do red and green it would be one of each of our house colors, but also others will be doing those colors because of Christmas, what about green and gold," she suggested.
"Well, I like silver and red better," he told her.
"Well, green and gold are my favorite colors," she argued
"So, silver and red are my favorite colors." He stated with finality, a gleam in his eyes daring her to disagree more.
"Does that look always make people agree with you," she stated in a mocking voice, at his affronted nod she cut off a short laugh and offered a compromise. "Well since we have our favorite colors in our house colors we can use all four colors to decorate, you can use red and silver ornaments and things and I'll use green and gold ones, now what kind of decorations do you want, I was thinking we could use our alias' for inspiration, we can use holly and ivy decals on everything, maybe even have an ivy garland with holly strung on it, what do you think," her eyes became distant as she imagined their tree. Her chocolate colored eyes grew distant and her hand began to play with the edge of her scarf, Draco become uncomfortably aware of what was hiding under the scarf. He brushed her hands away and grabbed one end of the scarf and tugging lightly pulled the scarf from around her in one smooth movement. She gasped as the soft fabric caressed her neck and left it exposed to the cool air.
"Well, if you're back on earth now, I agree I think that's a good idea but I think I should show you something back here on Christmas traditions, it was over here, I checked it out once, I think its right here," Ginny followed dreamily, her mind still on the sensations he had caused not two minutes ago. They stood side by side in the narrow aisles that lined the back of the library, and Ginny realized that the book he was talking about was the one she herself had checked out.
"Malfoy, I know which book you're talking about, I already checked it out, it's in my room," she told him, laying a hand on his arm. He turned and looked at her, nodding absently, his eyes were an intense silver and made her shiver in anticipation. He slid his hand up her arm and over her shoulder, till it cupped her neck and his thumb rested against the pulse at her jaw. Her eyes drifted shut as her lips parted in a sigh. He tilted her neck, placing his lips on the exposed flesh. She gasped at the sensation of his sensuous lips against her skin. He seemed to come back to himself when the noise shattered the silence. He quickly stalked away, gone before Ginny opened her eyes.
Draco stormed down the stairs towards the Slytherin dungeons. He frowned at the portrait as he stalked into the common room, luckily it was deserted. He began pacing, a habit he hadn't indulged in since third year. He silently cursed himself for losing control of himself like that. Though he enjoyed making the youngest Weasley flush with anger, he was just discovering the allure of making her flush with passion.
He shook his head, frustrated with himself. He looked at the clock balefully, only an hour and a half until dinner, he may as well get ready. He headed to the private bathrooms that occupied his prefect's chambers. Along the way he discovered that still clutched in his hand was her white scarf. White, he scoffed all that pointless purity. He placed it upon his pillow before grabbing his clothes and heading into the spacious bathroom. He emerged from the bathroom freshly showered and clad in the ridiculous costume. Frowning he closed the door to his chambers, taking the private route rather than the one that led to the common room.
He walked down the silent stairs, his thoughts consuming his concentration. He saw Ginny waiting just outside the Great Hall, for him? She seemed to be the only person in the hall, since she hadn't noticed him yet he took a moment to study her. Her burnished copper hair was pulled up into a coil on top of her head, the holly combs gleaming against the silken mass. Her smooth, pale throat was exposed and made him think of the spotless white scarf he currently had on his pillow. Her body was shown off to perfection in the dated style of the gown, the square neckline enhanced her chest and the corseted bodice showed her trim waist against her bountiful curves, the color enhancing her natural complexion. She must have felt his eyes upon her for she turned slowly and met his gaze. His silver eyes locked upon her enchanting hazel orbs, he couldn't help but notice even though her gaze was wary and guarded her eyes lit and her lips quirked in response to his appearance, a fact which made him puff up with pleasure.
He slowly descended the stairs and she waited for him. He stepped in front of her and offered his arm. She beamed cautiously at him and placed her hand upon his arm. He led her to the great hall, where they would be able to finish their discussion when he belatedly realized that they were standing beneath a kissing ball. The small sphere of pine was interspersed with mistletoe and had a very important purpose, for each berry a mistletoe contained that was the lifespan of its potency, as soon as the white berries were gone, none were forced to kiss beneath it. Draco noticed that there was only one snow white berry left in the sphere, a bit odd since it hadn't been there that morning. They stopped and faced each other, Draco eyed her with a bit of fear and speculation and she returned his questioning look with something he never expected.
She reached up and dragged his head down to hers. The kiss she placed on his lips was gentle, surprising since the force she put in to place it there was considerable. He let himself appreciate the taste of her lips, wrapping a hand around her waist and stroking the velvet that was there. A second later they broke apart to the sound of a clearing throat.
"Well, thank you for that interesting display," a wry voice brought them back to earth. Ginny and Draco stared into each others eyes with dread and shock. They turned slowly to face Professor Snape.
Could you imagine, how horrifying, or is it? Well I know it was a rather long chapter, but it was kind of necessary, I couldn't find a good stopping point until that moment. So what did you think? The reference to Holly and Ivy, it was from the song, its an old Celtic song actually! Ten points to those who told me
Robiningodspell: I've only sung it as part of a medley in my choir, I'm glad you like the story, hope this chapter meets the standard, thanks for reviewing.
Ehlonna: I'm glad, I had fun writing it! Sorry I made you wait so long to read more!
Felton118: well, here it is, though you probably had to wait an interminable amount of time for it, sorry!