The venturers set off the next evening, a tense silence hovering between them. Ginny let Malfoy lead, allowing him to burn off his frustration at their predicament and extra energy with a trying pace. Of course this didn't trouble Ginny; she had a wolf's stamina.
She waited until noonday to suggest a slower pace, receiving only a cold look in return. She shrugged with an inward grin, he could tire himself out if he wanted, they had many days ahead of them, he would learn.
She set up camp a few hours before dusk, letting the winded boy recover before assigning him the chore of clearing rocks away for a sleeping place and fire pit.
Ginny herself cautiously slipped away with the intention of finding edible plants. He had a roaring fire by the time she was back and sitting on a substantial hoard of fire wood, head in his hands.
She frowned and then grinned, heading over to a large tree with her knife, asking politely for a few small branches. She then walked over to the fire tossing a green branch in.
"What are you doing?! That's rank!" Malfoy hissed, jumping up from his perch to confront her.
Ginny, on the other hand, grinned and stated, "A green branch makes a smoky fire; I think you can live with the smell hmmm?" She smirked and raised an eyebrow.
She locked eyes with her and then gave a slight shake of his head. "Fine."
Ginny nodded her head, leaning over to grasp a long stick and prodding a couple hot stones from the fire to her bed area.
Malfoy watched her mutely, curious.
Ginny then turned away from the fire, leaving the scene to relieve herself.
She returned, laying on the rocks and spreading her cloak over her.
"What are you doing Weasley?" She grunted and turned to face him.
"Aren't those rocks hot?"
"That's the point Malfoy. They'll keep me warm for a while yet. It's an old form of keeping yourself warm, dating back at least to the medieval period." He nodded and gazed reflectively into the flames.
Malfoy was almost impressed at the extent of her knowledge, it was certainly useful. He watched her drift to sleep, watching her eyes flutter closed.
She was...different. He would say no more on that count. Her eyes seemed to pierce into his mind like a sudden stab of a hunter's knife, yet containing an almost draconic, certainly feral protectiveness, a likeness he could only think of would be a mother dragon and her eggs. He face was pointy, high cheek bones, sharp chin, and dark eyebrows. Her face cast him into an almost...primitive state of mind, it awoke deep stirrings and reminded him of the necessities of life: a warm belly, a knife in his hand, a loving mate, a young pup to provide for...
Malfoy growled and followed Ginny's suit, nudging a few rocks from the pit and laying down. His thoughts however, were thrown into turmoil...
Review Response:
NOTE! I'm really sorry about this chapter, but I'll try to post soon. Thank you all for your patience!
Alrighty...
JessicaDracoMalfoy: Thanks!
Hoppers- Thnaks, it's good to know. :D
3roken5oul- Me too! Goodness, it's really annoying when not written properly. Thanks, that's always how I had imagined him. Sorry about the change in penname, it's just that some people who I didn't want to get a hold of my penname did, I hope it didn't confuse you!
Dranius- Hi! Okay, well that's a great idea, and it'd fit well with the story. I'm going to rewrite some of it I think and I'll try to incorperate that. Thank you!
kia- Hi! Oh! I'm really sorry, but, alas, time is in short supply for me. Don't worry, I do do my best to update at least once a week.
