Stepping back he looked at her, all the while, her words replaying over in his mind. He grew disheartened, standing there in the dark, looking at her. He turned out the lights and walked downstairs.
Draco crept silently across the wooden floor when a voice called out to him, "Do you always creep around your house at night?" Draco turned to see Ginny, standing, arms crossed.
"Ughhh. What do you want?" Draco rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall.
"To help you." Ginny shrugged, almost expecting praise.
"With what?" Draco asked taken aback.
"With your calculus homework," Ginny rolled her eyes, and looked at Draco as if he was deficient, "Hermione of course." Ginny smiled, expecting him to realize what good fortune she was doing him.
"Look i dont need your help." Draco turned to walk away.
"Show her how you truly feel Draco. Stop hiding the fact that you love her." Ginny called after him, dropping the "high and mighty" act.
"I dont love her Ginny." Draco turned to confront her. "And besides, we've managed to clarify that she's ashamed be with me in any way. So i dont think you can help me." Draco again turned away and walked into the room closest to him.
Ginny followed him, not giving up on the discussion, "Draco i know you, better than you think i do. You're a man of knowledge. I know you have a passion for reading, though you're embarassed by it. And i see the way you look at Hermione." Ginny paused and saw that, though he tried to hide it, she was getting to him. " But what's more, i see how she looks at you, and believe me, it's in no way a look of shame." Ginny sat in the chair nearest the door, as he leaned onto the desk, processing everything Ginny had said.
Stepping out of character Draco turned to her with a look of dispair, "What do i do?" His eyes lingered on the persian rug.
"Take her to Tellson's Book Store. I know you know where it is. Treat her like she's more than just your betrothed. Treat her like she's your wife." Ginny's tone was sympathetic and helpful, and Draco for once appreciated Ginny.
"Well i'm tired, and i've done my job here. So i'm going to bed." Ginny got up and began to leave when Draco called to her.
"Why are you helping me?" Draco asked curiously.
"Because she's my friend. And well, you two just work." Ginny smiled softly and paused in the door frame for a minute. Then slowly, she turned from Draco and left the room. "And i still love you." She whispered to herself on the way up the stairs.
"Ginny, you've returned." Harry propped himself up on his pillow, as she walked in. "Since we're both up, and its christmas eve, why dont i silence the room and..."
"Not tonight Harry." Ginny muttered, as she locked herself in the bathroom. Harry heard stiffled sobs moments later, and wondered what was wrong.
"Gin, are you okay?" Harry asked with compassion, knocking softly on the door.
"I'm fine." Ginny's muffled voice sobbed.
Everyone awoke at 6 a.m. the next day, and gathered around the Christmas tree. Narcissa took the role of handing out gifts to their prospective owners. Everyone went one at a time, showing off the gift they had just received. By noon, they had finished, and everyone, yet again dispersed. Harry and Ron went out onto the front porch to play chess, while Ginny and Tre walked to the back of the house, laughing about something. As for Vilda, Herald, and Narcissa, they went into the kitchen to begin the evening's dinner.
Draco found Hermione in the bedroom, admiring the newdress Ginny hadgiven her. He cleared his throat, announcing his presence in the room. "Get dressed." Draco demanded, though his tone was soft and hopeful.
"What?" Hermione looked at him bewildered.
"Just hurry up and get dressed, i want to show you something." Draco seemed almost excited as Hermione slipped into the sun dress she was holding.
"Is this okay?" Hermione queried.
"Perfect." Draco grabbed her hand and literally dragged her down the stairs. "We'll be back." He called as they rushed out the door.
"Draco where are you taking me?" Hermione couldnt help but laugh at his erractic behavior.
"You'll see. Close your eyes, we're going to apparate and i want it to be a surprise." Draco pulled her close as they apparated.
"Do you remember the time... someone hexed Snape causing some invisible force to knock him... straight into his... cauldron," Ginny was laughing so hard she could barely speak, "and it was full of a toad potion." Tre began to laugh as well.
"Well i should hope so. I was the culprit." He smiled through the laughter as Ginny looked at him in awe, then the two began to laugh together. "How about the person who wrote scroll for a good time, under professor Umbrigde's name, in the boys bathroom." Tre was now rolling.
"That one was tricky, i had to sneak in after hours, so i wouldn't run into any guys, then to make matters worse, in walks Ramone. I thought i was a goner for sure. She was such a hard ass." Ginny stopped laughing to ponder the prank.
"That was you? Everyone thought it was some first year, trying to prove himself. Guys would whistle at the professor, just to confuseher and make her mad. It was hilarious." Tre looked at Ginny with amazement, then the two broke out into laughter again.
"We caused a lot of trouble didn't we?" Ginny finally subdued her laughter and laid back on the steps.
"Yeah we did." Tre glanced at her with a mysterious look in his eye. He took one last drag of his cigarette, before snubbing it out on the stairs and flicking it aside.
"Hey Ginny, come help me set the table." Vilda appeared at the door, smiling at the two.
Ginny got up and followed closely behind Vilda, she glanced back at Tre who rested a hand where she had just been sitting.
"Can i look now?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"Yes, now you may look." Draco stepped back allowing her to take the bookstore in. Hermione uncovered her eyes and let out a loud gasp. "Well? What do you think?" Draco smiled, and for once it was genuine, not cocky. He had taken her to a beautiful old Victorian style library, reaching three floors, the first one being a lounge area.
"This is the most wonderful bookstore i've ever seen. I could stay here forever." Hermione looked around in complete bliss.
"I love this place." Draco looked around taking in the familiar surroundings.
"Hello Draco. It's been awhile. Shall i bring you your usual? I've reserved your couch for the past few months." A cute blonde had strode over, carrying a tray. She had on a peppy smile and her voice seemed to sing as she talked. "And who is this lovely lady?" The blonde turned to Hermione and offered a wide toothy smile, while Hermione could only muster a faint one.
"This is my wife, Hermione." Draco placed a hand on the small of Hermione's back, and she couldn't help but feel safe, though from what, she was unsure.
"Wife? You never told us you were married. Oh well, i'll bring your frappacino to your sofa, anything for you Hermione?" The blonde's expressions were very animated.
"Umm i'll have some tea, thanks." Hermione managed to smile, then turned to Draco, "Well you seem to be very popular here. Since you're an expert... where do i start?" Hermione asked politely, feeling lucky that he had let her in on a big secret of his life.
"Hmmm. The third floor is my personal favorite, that's where all the classics are." Draco offered Hermione his hand, and she more than willingly took it.
"So what is your favorite?" Hermione asked as they walked up the staircase.
"I have two actually. The Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and A Tale of Two cities." Draco began their climb.
"A Tale of Two Cities? That's my favorite. The primest example of duality and..." Draco laughed at how excited Hermione became.
"I just like to read the book, not disect it." Draco laughed and showed Hermione around.
A/N: This is sort of an interlude. The story will be taking lots of turns from here on out. Obviously you found out a little about Ginny, and Hermione and Draco are speaking again. But we all know they cant get along... it would ruin all my fun.
