Disclaimer: Well gosh, I have no idea what to say here. Usually I have some "funny" little ditty, not in song form, about how I don't own anything in this story. But my brain is fried I think. Whatever shall I do?!?! I guess I'll just say it in a boring simple way. I don't own Harry Potter or anything related to it, J.K. has it all. ::sigh::
Who Opened the Dragon's Heart
Chapter 16
"Draco, where in heavens are you going?" Narcissa called out as Draco entered the sitting area, fully dressed, early the next morning.
"I have some errands to run in Diagon Ally, and I was just coming to tell you," Draco replied as he approached his mother. "I'm not exactly sure how long I'll be gone, but I'll try to be back for dinner."
"All right, Draco. Have fun. Make sure you buy your lady love a nice gift," Narcissa spoke as Draco turned to leave. "Ta."
"Good bye, Mother." Why is the first thing that comes to her mind is a girl? Draco thought to himself. Draco reached his study and walked to his fireplace. He reached for the china jar on the mantel and pulled out a bit of floo powder. "Diagon Ally," Draco said after he stepped into the fireplace.
After a quick stop at Gringott's Draco was able to go wherever he wished. Where should I go first? Draco wondered. I have no idea what I should get. Intent on finding the perfect item, Draco settled with going through every shop. Later, after going into many different shops, Draco was sure he'd found the perfect one when he stepped into Lester Lennard's Shop of all Oddities. On the shelves were all sorts of unique items. But as Draco browsed the shelves he was disappointed to see that none of the choices were just right. Sullenly Draco walked back to the front of the store.
"Young Mister Malfoy," a voice called out as Draco approached the door. Draco turned to the voice to discover an old rigidity man behind the counter. "Lester Lennard, sir," the old man spoke, "I was wondering if you found anything to your liking."
"Unfortunately, no," Draco replied. "I had hoped...but nothing seemed just right."
"I understand," Lester nodded. "Perhaps you should try again, perchance you might find what it is you're searching for in the back left corner, I think you would like the copy of Treasure Island that I have," Lester suggested mischievously.
Unable to resist the curiousness of the situation Draco headed for the back corner. He saw the shelves of books that he had viewed a few minutes before. This time he searched for Treasure Island. The book had seemed hidden and was covered with dust, but the old man had said Draco would like, might as well give it a shot. As Draco pulled on the book a loud clicking began and slowly the shelf began to move. Draco stared perplexedly at the opening in the wall. A dark corridor, lit only by a few sconces, appeared where the shelf had been. Draco's curiosity was too great and he began to walk slowly down the dark pathway. After a few minutes, and a few twists and turns in the corridor, a door appeared and Draco reached for the handle. As the door swung open, Draco was filled with shock, behind the door was another room, filled with eccentric items. Draco staggered into the room and stared at all of the items, quickly he started looking at them all, hoping to find just the right thing. As he approached the back corner, he saw a piece of silvery cloth laying on the table. Excitedly he hurried to it and picked of the cloth. "Absolutely amazing," Draco exclaimed as he held up the invisibility cloak to the light. "This is positively perfect." Draco draped the cloak on his arm, ready to purchase the cloak when a glint of light caught his eye. He looked down at the ground to see a sort of necklace laying on the ground. "I must have knocked that on the ground when I grabbed the cloak," Draco spoke aloud. He bent down to pick it up and place it back on the table. As Draco scooped up the necklace he studied it closely. It was a silver filigree chain and on it was a pendant. The pendant was of a silver dragon with emerald stones for its eyes. It was mesmerizing, the way the sunlight hit the emeralds made the eyes light up and sparkle. "This is even more perfect," Draco murmured as he gazed at the necklace. Draco closed the door to the secret room and pushed the shelf back in place and headed for the counter. "I want this," Draco announced as he set the cloak and the necklace on the counter.
"Excellent choices, Mister Malfoy. I see that Treasure Island was a great benefit to you," Lester agreed as he saw what Draco wanted. "But are you sure it's not too expensive?"
"Absolutely not, I'm a Malfoy, just ring it up," Draco replied.
"All right then," Lester responded. "That will be 98 galleons, 9 sickles, and 23 knuts."
"Real emeralds I take it?" Draco asked, a little shocked by the amount. The price exceeded even that of the new Firebolts, not to mention his Nimbus Extreme.
"Actually, those aren't emeralds," Lester informed Draco. "They are in fact Tzavorite Garnets. It has the look of emeralds, but the majesty of the garnets. It is a quite rare stone, and very beautiful. These are the best specimens that money can buy."
"Excellent," Draco answered as he pulled out his money. "Here it is," Draco handed Lester 99 galleons. "You can keep the 6 knuts."
"Thank you Mister Malfoy," Lester replied as he finished wrapping up the purchases.
"No, Mr. Lennard. Thank you," Draco spoke as he grabbed his bag and left the store, in a very happy mood.
ruff ruff ruff :)
"Thank you, Mister Malfoy, and have a nice day," the waitress spoke as she received the money that Draco held extended to her.
"It was a wonderful meal," Draco replied as he rose from his table. "You wouldn't happen to know of a gift-wrapping boutique in Diagon Ally, would you?"
"Well yes sir, there is a place just a few minute's walk from here. It's right next to the owlery. Wondrous Wrappings I think it's called," the waitress informed him.
"All right then, thank you," Draco answered as he grabbed his bag and left the restaurant. Draco next headed for the owlery, as he neared the shop he saw the sign for the boutique, he went straight for it.
"Be with you in a second," a voice called out as Draco stepped into the shop, a bell had rung as Draco had entered, alerting the attendant to Draco's presence.
Draco looked around the shop covering the walls were gift boxes display all sorts of gift wrappings. Some of the wrapping paper had even been bewitched to move, such as the paper that had snitches zooming around the paper.
"Now, how may I help you?" A woman asked as she walked through the beaded curtain in the doorway and up to the counter.
"I was just wondering," Draco began, "if you'd be able to gift wrap a few items that I bought today." Draco spread out the two items on the counter.
"Oh my!" The lady exclaimed as she saw the gifts. "These are absolutely amazing, and that necklace! Your lady friend must be very special indeed."
"Why would you think they're for a lady?" Draco asked.
"Why else would you be so considered with the presentation of your gift?" The woman explained. "If it was for no special person in particular then you would have wrapped it yourself, I'm sure. But men know they're not adept at gift wrapping so when they need it to look nice they go to a professional. How else do you think I've stayed in business?"
"Well, I must say you're very astute," Draco answered. "So tell me, if I wanted the appearance of the gifts to look very nice but not overdone, how would you accomplish that?"
"Quite easily," she replied. She began to get out her supplies. "Now," she began as she set out her scissors and tape, "it seems that there are only two colors used for the gifts, silver and an emerald green. So I think we should traipse away from the traditional Holiday wrapping paper, since that is what this is for," the woman added knowingly, "and use silver wrapping paper with a very nice dark green ribbon." Draco nodded his approval and the lady began to work her magic with the gifts. "3 galleons," the witch announced when her task was complete.
"Your work is exquisite," Draco declared as he stared at the new packages. She had wrapped each gift separately and they shone in their excellence. Draco became worried, "But by the time it gets to her the beauty will be gone."
"It'll be sent by owl then?" the woman asked. Draco nodded. "No problem there, our wrapping paper is designed to withstand water damage and tearing. It can only be opened where there is tape. We have an extra service if you'd be interested."
"What would it be?" Draco asked curious.
"I could place a spell on the package so that only who it is intended for is able to open it."
"Brilliant!" Draco exclaimed. "I'll take it."
"Just a galleon extra," the woman conveyed. "Now who is this wonderful bounty for?"
"Virginia Jacqueline Weasley," Draco announced proudly. (A/N: I'll take a quick break for all of you who didn't see that coming. Lol.)
"What a special lady. Now I am to say the incantation and when I finish you are to speak her name in your mind," the witch replied. "Ready? Intego ab malus acies,." Virginia Jacqueline Weasley. My Ginny, Draco thought. A green mist began to settle around the package and then dissipated. "There, now the presents are complete. I hope she enjoys them immensely. Only 10 more days til she gets to open them."
"So do I," Draco said as he handed her 4 galleons. "Thank you." Draco headed out the door and into the shiny, yet rather chilly, December day.
arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf arf
Ginny woke up Sunday morning to discover Malfoy's bird resting on the foot of her bed. "How on earth did you get in here, again?" Ginny asked the ebony bird. "So, Draco sent another letter, did he?" The owl bobbed its head up and down. "Well, let me see it." The bird waddled up to Ginny and dropped the letter in her lap. Ginny began to open the lengthy letter and read with trepidation. Emotions ran freely across Ginny's face as she read the letter, the most common feeling was that of intense shock. He cares for me? Ginny thought, unable to move or blink. She read again what he had written. He dreamt about me. He doesn't regret kissing. Oh, Lord! This is really happening! A Malfoy cares for a Weasley.
Someone knocked on Ginny's door. "Ginny," Ron spoke, "breakfast is ready, are you going to join us now?"
"Uh," Ginny answered, "I need to put something on first."
"All right, see you in a few."
"He wants me to write back to him, doesn't he?" Ginny asked the owl. The owl nodded in response. "What should I say?" Quickly she grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled a reply on it and handed it to the bird. As the bird flew out her bedroom window, she grabbed her robe, pulled it on and hurried downstairs for breakfast.
"Good morning, honey," Molly Weasley spoke as Ginny entered the kitchen and sat down at the table.
"Morning, Mother," Ginny replied, still dazed by the occurrence upstairs. She began to heap on some scrambled eggs, along with some bacon and a bit of toast to go with it.
"You ok, Gin?" Bill asked as Ginny poured her orange juice.
"Yeah, Bill," Ginny responded slowly. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Well you seem a little out of it," Bill noticed. "Like you're in la la land or something."
"Really, Bill," Ginny replied, desperately afraid everyone could read her mind. "I'm perfectly fine. I'm just a little out of it because I just woke up."
"All right, Gin," Bill answered, letting Ginny eat her breakfast, still a little skeptical over her actions. Bill took occasional looks at her and Ginny would be eating her breakfast all normal like when she'd all of a sudden start smiling for absolutely no reason, then she would get a sad mien on her face like her puppy just died and go back to eating downcastly.
"May I be excused?" Ginny asked after she had finished her breakfast. She added, "It was very good."
"Of course, love," Molly replied as her daughter left the table. "My, she's acting peculiar," she added a bit after Ginny had left.
Ginny had not been gone for more than 10 minutes when she appeared again in the kitchen, dressed in winter wear. "Mum, I'm going to go for a walk outside, is that all right?" Ginny asked her mother.
"A walk outside?" Molly asked, rather shocked. "Dear, it's only 18 degrees outside, surely you must not mean to take a leisurely walk in that weather."
"It's all right, Mum. I took one of the twins' Heat Me Up pills."
"You took the correct dosage, right Gin?" George asked from the table.
"Ha ha," Ginny laughed. "I'll be back in 30 minutes max."
"All right then, dear. Enjoy yourself," Molly answered.
Ginny was welcomed as she stepped outside by the chilliness of the weather, the chill did not last long as the Heat Me Up pill began to work its magic. The sun was shining down on newly fallen snow, making the area around the Burrow look enchanted. This is winter, Ginny thought to herself as she stepped blissfully out into beautiful surroundings. For a few minutes Ginny just walked around, enjoying the allurement of area. Needing a rest, she headed for rocks that she had often played on as a child, the rocks that she sat on whenever a problem arose. Here was where she sat when she came home after her first year at Hogwarts and was still confused about Tom Riddle and the Chamber.
"Draco Malfoy," Ginny spoke aloud, though barely audible, "enjoys kissing me." Ginny began grinning like a fool. "Draco Malfoy kissed me, and enjoyed it," she spoke a little louder. "Draco Malfoy enjoyed kissing me!" Ginny said, almost shouting. She rose from the rock, stood on the tip of the rock and shouted, "DRACO ANDRE MALFOY ENJOYED KISSING ME!" Thankfully her rock was ways away from the Burrow and no one in her family was able to hear her promulgation. Slowly she sat back down on the rock and gazed down at the stream that flowed beside it. "Does he want to be in a relationship with me?" Ginny wondered. "Does he want to kiss me again? Over and over?" Ginny put her hand to her lips, remembering the way that Draco made her feel when his lips were against hers. Sadness crept over her face, "But how can we have a relationship? He may not care that he's a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor, and I may not care that he's a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor, but the whole school certainly will. Our family and friends especially. How would we ever accomplish this?" Ginny sat on her rock and pondered deeply over the situation. After much debate in her mind she rose from the rocky area and headed back for the Burrow.
bark bark bark
The next few days passed by easily for Ginny. The days were filled with hours spent outside in the feathery snow, each morning Ginny would wake up to find a new layer of snow on top of the old snow. Ginny's favorite part of the winter was the new snow. This morning, however, snow was not the only delivery that Ginny woke up too. "Oh dear Lord," Ginny whispered as she saw the presents resting at the foot of her bed. She crawled to the edge and gazed at the shiny paper. On one of the packages rested a piece of paper. Do not open until Christmas. The inscription read. "Who on earth.." Ginny whispered. "Draco! It must have been he, but oh my goodness." Ginny continued to admire the presents. A knock rapped on her door and slowly the door opened.
"Ginny, I just wanted to tell you that breakfast was ready," Molly said as she stepped into Ginny's room. Molly saw the presents that Ginny was gazing at. "Oh my. Who sent you those, Ginny dear?"
"Uh," Ginny spoke. Shit! Who are they from?? "There from, uh. Colin. Colin sent them to me. And he even had the nerve to tell me not to open them til Christmas. You'd think that he'd know that I would open them before Christmas since he sent them early," Ginny rushed out.
"They're absolutely gorgeous, Ginny. He must have spent a fortune getting them personally wrapped. And I see one of them is in a rather small, discreet box," Molly pointed out with a smile. "I wonder what could be inside it." She left Ginny's room with a smile.
"Draco Malfoy you little dragon," Ginny whispered as she wondered what was in the little box. Although the anticipation would probably kill her, Ginny refused to even think about opening Draco's presents before Christmas. Hurriedly she grabbed her robe and headed down for breakfast.
After all of the Weasley's had finished they're breakfast, Charlie had arrived the night before, they began to decorate the house for the Holidays. The house was filled with the delightful feeling of Christmas, except during the times when Ron would open a box from the attic and start screaming about the hairy spider that tried to crawl up his arm. By the end of the day the entire Weasley family was tired and they all settled down to admire the decorated Christmas tree in its glory. One by one each Weasley left to go to bed, until finally Ginny was the only one left sitting on the couch, gazing at the tree.
Ginny hadn't thought to think that what she had told her mother was true, and now she was thinking about it heavily. The idea that it was Colin who had sent the gifts instead of Draco troubled her and left her feeling rather sad. "I'll find out in 3 days who they're from," Ginny reminded herself. "And I'm sure I'll enjoy the gifts no matter who they're from." But Ginny knew that if they were from Draco she would be much more excited then if they were from Colin.
A/N: There, a new chapter up in record time. You should all be happy and proud of me. :) The next chapter will include: Christmas Eve and Christmas at the Burrow, Christmas at Malfoy Manor and maybe a few Christmas parties that the Malfoy's attend, ooooo. What did you guys think of Ginny's time at the rock? Kind of weird, but interesting I'm sure. And Draco's presents, aren't they absolutely awesome? Originally the dragon's eyes were going to be emeralds and then I find out about this rare garnet that is a green color and I knew that would be perfect. Maybe it even has some hidden magical properties, ::wink, wink::
The theme of this chapter's break was the sounds of a dog. Wasn't that cute? What should the next theme be? Suggestions needed and wanted.
Now, last time I updated I asked you all to tell me how far you wanted them to go and how detailed, which you can still tell me. But let me say that I hope you won't be horribly disappointed if how far they go is more of what I think will fit with the story then how far you want them too. I'm not saying they won't, but I'm not saying they will. Understand? Good. Please don't get mad.
New Question: A singing Draco? Yes or No? Tell me, I must know.
I realized earlier today that I had actually started this story a little over a year ago and I just wanted to say thank you to those readers who have been reading since I first started this. It makes me feel so happy and special. On to the personal thanks.
Thank you's:
Dree: I'm glad you liked the moos. Did you like the doggie sounds too? I hope so. So did you like Draco's reply? Not too bad? Don't worry, I highly doubt I'm going to stop writing. I enjoy the compliments too much. :) (hint: the more compliments and reviews the lesser the chance of stopping, JK) thank you for reviewing, enjoy the new chapter
Emo-Kitty: I'll keep in mind how far you want them to go. I'm really glad you liked the chapter, hopefully you like this one too. Hehe.
KuTiExAzNxAnGeL: I hope you noticed how quickly I updated this chapter, think of it as just for you. Lol, I hope you liked this new chapter. I worked really hard at it.
Kawaii Tropical Oasis: It's ok that you haven't reviewed much, remember, I love my silent readers just as much as my reviewers. Really glad you liked the moos, and the dog sounds? Did you like them? Lol. Keep on reading!!
Iced Faerie: I know he's sweet. Hmm, I think you might be psychic. What do you think Draco might do to be unsweet? Now I'm not saying he's going to start being mean, but the relationship, if there is one, may not be the smoothest in the world. Keep reading to find out. Muah hehe
padfootedmoony: Ok, she receive the letter. Didn't you like her reaction? Yes, No? I really hope so. You liked this chapter though, right?
Ohepelss Oramtnci: Chopin is awesome. Should Draco play a bit of Chopin in front of Ginny? I'm glad you're liking the story.
Kali Lestrange: Your little brother is still alive right?? Cause I would really hate it if you had to stop reading my story because you killed your brother and had to go to jail. That would absolutely break my heart. I know he's annoying, but he's got to be better than being someone's bitch in jail, right? lol, keep reading
bigreader: NC-17? Are you crazy, I don't think I'd be able to write that stuff, I'm all for reading it, but writing it? Wow. Lol, I'm sure my boyfriend would love reading it, eww, but I dunno. I'll think about. I updated soon though, cookies for me, right? Read!
GDF: you really think I'm that good of a writer? I'm really flattered. I hope you enjoyed this chapter a lot and all the future chapters.
Krystal1989: Ok, I updated, now where is my name? Hmm, tell me it. Orlando is such a cutie. And if you liked him in Pirates you're gonna be happy to hear that they're making a Pirates 2. You're happy again though, right? Good :)
Calla-ForEvEa: You didn't catch where I used your word? I'm insulted, absolutely hurt, especially since you couldn't remember the word. You had says frocks instead of rocks, so I used frock instead of cloak. You know what, I'm going to go cry now, all right? Good. I hope you liked this new chapter.