Hello again guys! Sorry its been a while but this chapter is
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!!!! Any ways! I hopes you like it!
It does start a bit slow I grant you but I think it gets better and it
explains a bit of what is going to happen with in the next few chappy's!!!
Ok well I hope you enjoy and take care all....... bixxxxx
The sun began to rise over the snow-covered castle earlier than usual on Monday morning! All that could be heard, was the sound of the wind blowing and the occasional bird chirping as they awoke from their slumber. Although there was movement going on outside the castle, there was very little going on inside!
Every corridor was empty; every classroom was empty. The only sounds that could be heard, came form Filch, as he bussled around the Great Hall, picking up rubbish from the night before, and muttering curse words to himself.
Way up high, in Gryffindor Tower, all was silent. The common room was littered with the odd group of people who had made their way up to their dorms after the long night before but in actuality they had only gotten this far. Colin lay on the sofa, with Luna in his arms, while a few slight snores could be heard coming from people who lay scattered around them on the floor!
In the 7th year boys dorm, it was much the same. Ron lay under the covers of his bed, Hermione in his arms, a slight smile playing on her lips as she slept.
In the next bed, Harry lay sprawled on top of the covers, fully clothed, mouth wide open and snoring. On top of him, was another body. Hannah Abot lay half on, half off of Harry as she slept, and she was using Harry arm as a pillow.
The night before had been great, and it was the 7th years who had made it to bed last after having been brutally shoved out of the Great Hall by none other than Snape and Hagrid, at well past mid night.
Further down in the depths of the castle, the Slytherins were in pretty much the same state as the Gryffindors!
Blaise Zabini was to be found lying on sofa with Tanya in his arms, while Crabbe was lying half on, half off one of the armchairs. Goyle had however made it as far as the boys dorm and was lying fast asleep on his bed, with ......Millicent asleep next to him.
As for Pansy, she had taken to searching for Draco before she went to bed and ended up blacking out after too much alcohol in the corridor just by the entrance to the Slytherin common room.
Outside, in the small courtyard to one side of the castle, lay two bodies. One, a platinum Blond haired man who had his arm draped around the others waist. A pretty young girl with hair the colour of flames.
Draco lay on a bench just next to the fountain, spooned around Ginny keeping her warm. The night before Draco had cast a drying spell to dry them after their 'water fight' and summoned up a fire- which had burnt out by now, and only mere sparks could be seen coming from it. He had also transfigured his jacket into a blanket and draped it over the pair of them as they slept to give them more warmth.
Ginny stirred but didn't wake. It did however wake Draco up, and when he caught a glimpse of the sleeping form infront of him, he smiled. Ginny was beautiful when she slept. Her hair was blowing in the breeze, and some of it had blown into her face. A stray bit of her hair was tickling her nose and she sneezed. Draco laughed lightly at the picture before him. He leaned over and gave her a slight peck on the nose.
Ginny lazily opened her eyes and adjusted to the light. The first thing she saw was the fountain, and she was instantly reminded of the night before. She smiled.
Draco leaned over and looked at Ginny. She looked up and saw his smiling face peering down at her.
"Morning" He smiled.
"Morning" She replied sleepily.
They stayed like that for a while, just taking in the sight of each other. Ginny was about to ask weather or not this should be kept a secret....when something caught her eye.
She looked down at the hand that was draped over her waist, and saw something glinting as it was caught by the sunlight.
There on Draco's hand, was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. The blue Diamond sparkled and it reminded her of Draco's eyes.
She moved her hand and began to touch the beautiful ring with her own fingers.
"It was my mothers" Draco surprised her by speaking.
Ginny looked up at the face above her. Draco wasn't smiling. He wasn't frowning. In fact his face was very hard to read.
"...its beautiful....."
Draco looked at her and finally smiled. "Yeah.....that would be my families good taste." He joked.
Ginny playfully smacked his hand. "Carry on...." She urged.
"Well.....it belonged to my mother...it was passed down to her through her family.....it belonged to her mother.....and her grandmother......it was a birthday present."
"You're lucky......my family could never afford anything like that my birthday." Ginny looked sad. "As you well know"
Draco looked at her sad face. "Well I'll just have to buy you one then wont I?" He smiled.
Ginny's face shot up and she beamed at him. She then leaned up to meet his face. She kissed him. It was not a forceful kiss; It was sweet, gentle, and showed so much emotion. It was odd just how much emotion could be shown through such a simple gesture.
When they parted, they were both smiling. Again they stayed that was. Drinking in the sight of each other. They were set on staying this way until they heard a noise.
"What was that?" Draco almost shouted...surprised.
Ginny laughed and Draco looked at her as if he were mad. "Shh....its ok.....its only Hagrid"
It was Hagrid. He was on his way up to the castle for breakfast.
"Hmmm.....maybe we should head in side before we are missed." Draco voiced.
Ginny heart sank. She wanted this moment to last forever. And here it was coming to an end. However, she nodded reluctantly and they both moved to stand. Draco got rid of any signs that they had been there. He transfigured the blanket back into a jacket and put it on. Ginny was brushing the creases out of her dress when Draco came up from behind and wrapped his hand around her waist. He rested his head on her shoulder.
"I'm gonna miss you" He said...sweetly. Ginny smiled.
"Ditto" Draco laughed.
"Draco...." Ginny whispered innocently.
"Yes?" Draco replied cautiously, as he quirked an eyebrow at her.
"I was thinking...maybe its best if we.....don't speak of this to any one.....just yet...."
Ginny began to fiddle with he hands before Draco took them in his own. "Virginia Weasley.....do you think I have a death wish.....I know full well that you have.....how many is it now......SIX brothers......I'm not going to give them an excuse to beat the living shit out of me......we'll tell them when we are both ready....and maybe when if had a chance to lock Ronald up in a cage where I'm safe from getting pulverized."
Ginny laughed and nodded.
"Come on...let's get inside" Draco smiled sweetly.
They walked around the side of the castle together, holding hands. When they emerged into the sunlight, they immediately dropped each other's hands, and moved inside.
Everything was pretty much as it was the night before. Fortunately there was no one around, so Draco gave Ginny a quick kiss on the lips, and fled down to the dungeons. Ginny made her way up to the tower.
Once outside the portrait of the fat lady, Ginny noticed hat she was fast asleep, and covered in what looked like silly string.....of the wizarding kind. She also noticed that the portrait was slightly open, so there was no need to try and get the fat lady to wake up. Ginny walked inside, and once she was sure the portrait was closed behind her, she walked further into the commonroom.
The sight that met her made her laugh. Students everywhere. Scattered all over the floor and on the furniture. She had to carefully step over them as she made her way to the staircases.
She tried in vain to be as quiet as she could, but upon reaching the bottom step of the girls' staircase, she trod on a hand that belonged to a first year, who howled in pain. Ginny winced and looked around her to see if anyone had woken up. Fortunately, people only stirred, but never woke. Even the first year, to whom she'd trodden on hadn't woken, however, they did mutter something about wanting to buy themselves a new Speedo before the summer.
Ginny laughed and made her way up the stairs.
Upon entering her dorm, she noticed that it was completely empty. 'I guess everyone stayed out last night' Ginny mused.
She took advantage of having the dorm to her self, and flopped down on her bed. She kicked her shoes off and pulled her dress over her head. She replaced it with an old tattered shirt that used to belong to one of her brothers, and was far too big for her, so she just used it as a form of night clothing. She then pulled back the covers, and tucked her self up, pulling the duvet right up under her chin. She then set about getting a few more hours sleep before she had to rouse her self for breakfast.
In the Slytherin common room, Draco had taken in the sight of Goyle asleep in bed with Millicent, and decided that he really didn't want to stay in here if he had to look at that. He grabbed a clean set of clothes, and left the common room, making sure not to wake anyone, and headed off to the Prefects bathroom, stepping over Pansy, who was still fast asleep out side the entrance to the common room. Along the way, he had come across a grand father clock, and realized that it was only 6:45, and that no one would be awake at this hour if the party last night was anything to go by.
He entered the Prefects bathroom and was relieved to find it empty. He ran a bath of steaming hot water, complete with bubbles, and jumped in. He had not been in there for more than 10 minutes when he was joined by another form.
"Oh look who it is.....Prince of Slytherin.....suck up to Father.......worships none other than-"
"Ok shut it Peeves I get the point." Draco drawled in a tired tone as he watched peeves the poltergeist hover around the room, and doing the occasional summersault.
"Was'matter? Don't wanna play with me" Peeves whined. He then began to howl noisily and let his ghost form fall to the floor, or in this case, it to the bubbles.
Draco rolled his eyes. "For god sake you annoying ....dead...thing......" Draco watched as Peeves emerged from the bubbles. "Can't you go and annoy someone else?"
Peeves smirked. "Yes...I could" He then began to summersault around the room.
Draco chose to ignore him and carried on with his bath. This worked fine until Peeves decided to mutter things about Draco under his breath.
Draco growled in frustration. "Grr.....you little.....FINE stay here then...I'm off....." Draco dragged him self out of the water and grabbed his towel. He dried him self off while Peeves began to shout insults at the portrait of the mermaid. He then dressed him self and fled the room while Peeves was occupied.
Upon entering the common room for the second time that morning, he was welcomed by a lot more movement. Blaise was sitting up on the sofa, and nursing what Draco assumed, a rather bad head ache, while Tanya was drinking a rather large cup of water and trying to gain a little more colour to her face. Pansy had obviously woken up and found her self OUTSIDE the common room, rather than IN it, and was sitting on the fluffy rug by the fire, head in hands and on the verge of dropping off to sleep again at any moment.
Unlike his housemates, Draco hadn't drunken a lot last night, and actually felt rather good after his bath. He walked over to the group on the sofas and yelled:
"Morning all!"
"Arghh Draco shut your trap!" Blaise bellowed. He soon regretted it as his head began to pound. Tanya sat up straight to look at the offending blond, but upon moving, began to feel a surge of something jolt from her stomach, and she gagged. She pushed past Draco and headed to the girls toilets, where Draco heard an ear piercing retching sound and assumed Tanya was throwing up all of last nights drinks....
Blaise looked at him. "Why are you in such a good mood?" Blaise actually looked disgusted. Draco assumed it was either to do with the fact that Draco was so happy.....or merely because he had had too much to drink and was only now feeling the effects.
"Oh.....I'm just enjoying seeing you in so much agony." He teased as he strolled over to one off the chairs- the chair Crabbe happened to be lying half on, half off. Draco picked up Crabbe's legs, and hauled them onto the floor with the rest of him, and Draco sat down.
"So...any of you fancy getting breakfast?" He laughed as about half a dozen pillows attacked him from all directions.
"Ill take that as a 'no' then"
In Gryffindor Tower, there was a little more movement. Luna had woken up in the arms of Colin and almost fell off the sofa in fright. She jumped out of his arms before he awoke, and fled to her own dorm.
Colin later woke up alone, and sauntered up to his common room to get into the warmth of his bed.
In the 7th Year boys' dorm, Dean had awoken and was trying, and failing to get himself dressed. He had only put one leg in the hole of his jeans before he tripped and hit his head on the corner of his bed. He moaned out loud but instead of getting up, he stayed put and fell asleep again on the floor. However, his moans had woken Hermione, and she roused Ron, who was snoring slightly next to her. The pair sat up and engaged them self in a kissing marathon, before they heard a loud snort coming form the bed next to them.
They turned towards Harry's bed, and scrunched their noses up at the sight.
Harry had turned over so now his face was half hidden in his pillow, and he was dribbling, and Hannah Abot was spooned around him and her nose was squished against his back, which resulted in her having to breath out of her mouth, and she was letting out the occasional snort.
"Ewww...that's disgusting...." Hermione gasped.
Ron however laughed at the sight of his best friend. However he stopped laughing when he saw Harry open his eyes and look up at his two friends.
"Morning" Ron smirked. Harry sat up and looked at them. He was confused. They both laughed.
"Whas matter?" He asked sleepily as he rubbed his eyes, which was harder than one would think, as he still had his glasses on.
Ron nodded his head in the direction of Hannah. Harry looked at her and yelled.
"Whas she doin' 'ere?" He jumped off the bed and Hannah began to feel around for the warmth of his body.
"Awww don't just leave her like that..." Hermione snapped. "She misses you..." Hermione pushed him back onto the bed, where Hannah's arms wound around his waist and pulled him back down.
Ron and Hermione laughed. "Awww bless. Look at the happy couple" Ron laughed, as he watched Hannah snuggle closer to a disgusted Harry.
"Shut it Ron or I'll throw you out of that bloody window over there" Harry shot back.
Hermione looked at the clock at the side of Ron's bed and jumped.
"My gosh its nearly half past nine" She got out of Rons bed, much to his disgust and ran to the door.
"But 'mione.....its Christmas holidays...its not like we have to get up for lessons..." Ron whined, and he crawled out of bed and began to grope for her.
Hermione only swatted his hands away. "No but you know how I like to get up and have a wash before break fast, and if we don't hurry we'll miss it." And with one last hit to Ron's wondering hands, she fled.
"Damn" Ron huffed. Harry laughed.
"Shut it Harry.....or I'll throw YOU out of that window...." He mocked.
"Ooooo I'm really scared" Harry laughed. He was on the verge of hysterics before he felt Hannah's hands tighten around him and he stopped abruptly. This time, Ron burst into hysterics.
Hermione descended the stairs to the boys dorms, and ascended her own stairs. She entered her dorm and found it to be very silent. All the curtains were pulled around the other beds so she had reason to believe that they were occupied. She grabbed some clean clothes and went down to the bathroom to wash before breakfast.
Once she was done. She headed back to her dorm and decided to tidy up a bit. She pulled back the curtains by the windows, and around everyone's beds. She realized that half the beds were empty, despite the fact that the curtains had been pulled. She assumed it had something to do with wanting to make it LOOK like they were occupied. She reached Lavenders bed and after pulling back the curtains, and tying them securely with the drapes, she gasped. In the bed, was not only Lavender. But Neville. He was spooned behind her and a slight smile played on his lips. Lavender looked just as happy.
"Awww" Hermione cooed.
Once she had tidied up a bit, she left the two lovebirds alone, and wondered down the corridor until she came to the 6th years girls dorm. She knocked once but got no answer, so she quietly pushed the door open and walked in. The room was quite tidy. The curtains were open and the sun was streaming in. The only occupied bed, she noticed, was to her left. Who ever it was in the bed, was fast asleep. She steeped a little closer and noticed a large amount of messy red hair resting on the pillow.
She smiled and sat down on the bed. She then began to nudge Ginny awake.
"Gin....Ginny wake up...its time for breakfast"
Ginny merely mumbled something in her sleep and rolled over, so her back was facing Hermione. Hermione huffed and stood up. She walked to the end of Ginny's bed, grabbed the covers, and yanked them off.
"Arghhh!" Ginny screamed, as she pulled her legs up to her chest and hugged them close. She began to shiver. Ginny began to fumble around for the covers but to no avail. She sat bolt up right in bed and spotted Hermione.
"'Mione you twit....give them BACK!" She roared.
Hermione laughed. "Ha....no Gin......you have to get up...I know for a FACT that the moment I give these back you'll only go back to sleep.
Ginny gritted her teeth and refrained her self from launching herself at her friend. Instead she forced a smile, and reluctantly got out of bed.
15 minutes later, Ginny was washed and dressed and was waiting with Hermione for the boys to come down for breakfast. The stood outside the common room, Ginny leaning on the wall, trying to stifle a rather large yawn, and Hermione looking at her, slightly amused.
"So...had fun last night....?" Hermione asked as Ginny finished her yawn.
Ginny looked at her and nodded. A sudden dreamy look had come over her.
"That good huh?" Hermione laughed.
Ginny merely nodded again.
Hermione was about to ask what had happened to her last night after she had run out on harry, when the boys joined them and they made their way down to the great hall.
'I'll ask later' She thought to herself.
They soon found themselves outside the Great Hall. Ginny was a bit nervous. She wanted to see Draco again....o how she wanted to see him again.....his beautiful eyes.....his gorgeously soft hair...his-
"Ginny.....you ok?" It was Harry. Ginny hadn't realized she had stopped walking. All the other were already inside and seated at their table.
Ginny looked into Harry's worried face. "Yeah I'm fine" She smiled. Harry was just about to suggest they go inside for some food before it got cold, when they heard a knocking sound coming somewhere from their right.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other before they cautiously walked over to the small storage cupboard at the side of the Great Hall.
The knocking was defiantly coming from there. Harry moved closer to it so his ear was touching the door.
"H-hello?" He asked, a bit afraid of what might be making the noise. He got no reply so asked again. This time, he did get a reply. A loud banging noise. Harry jumped about 3ft in the air and landed on the floor in a heap.
Ginny helped him up and again, then approached the door. This time Ginny asked:
"Hello....is any one in there....?"
Silence.
"Hello"
"Harry...Ginny...?"
Harry looked towards Ginny. They both recognized that voice. Harry took out his wand and cast a few spells at the door. He then stepped forward and turned the handle. As soon as he did, out fell, a very tired, scared looking Seamus. He threw himself into Harry's arms, and Harry tumbled over at the weight.
"Seamus!" Ginny gasped. She ran to his side and helped Harry stand him up straight. "What happened to you?" She began to brush dust and spiders off of his clothes. He was still wearing what he wore last night.
"I-I don't know.....I think I was......heaven for bid....coming onto Malfoy.....yick - Seamus pulled a face- and then he threw me in here.....I've been here ALL BLOODY NIGHT!" He thundered.
Harry and Ginny had to suppress a laugh. The both helped to brush MORE spiders off of Seamus and then led him into the Great Hall for some well- earned food.
Harry sat Seamus down and he greedily gulped down at least 2 servings of EVERYTHING.
Ginny took up a seat in between Harry and Hermione. Harry began to talk to Ron about something, and by the sounds of their laughter, he was telling him about what had happened to Seamus last night. Ginny looked at Seamus, but he wasn't paying any attention, well, to any thing other then what he was shoveling into his mouth.
She began to daydream. It wasn't until she looked just to the right side of Seamus's head, that she saw a mass of blond hair on the opposite side of the Hall.
She snapped out of her thoughts, and looked over to the Slytherin table. There, staring right at her, was Draco.
Ginny looked around her to make sure that no one was looking at her, before she directed her attention back to Draco.
He flashed her his most beautiful smile and Ginny melted instantly. Draco then winked at her and she began to giggle. Hermione shot her a funny look but Ginny just smiled innocently at her until she carried on what she was doing. This time, when Ginny looked back at Draco, he was laughing.
'God. He is going to be the death of me' she thought, but she couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face as she saw Draco battle against the over grown bug that was Pansy.
Ginny watched as Pansy hauled her self onto Draco's lap. She immediately felt disgusted and turned back to her food.
Ginny tired not to look at Draco through out the rest of the meal, but it was far too hard, as almost every five minutes she found her eyes unconsciously drifting over to their table. She regretted it instantly as she saw that Draco was engrossed in conversation with Pansy.
She decided enough was enough. She looked towards Seamus and found him finishing off his second helping of toast covered in peanut butter, and started up a conversation with him.
Across the hall, Draco had managed to push Pansy off of him, and was helping himself to some toast, when he caught sight of Ginny's red hair. She was laughing her little head off at something that Seamus was saying, and he felt sick. He wanted to walk over to her, throw her over his shoulders and lock her away in his room so only HE could enjoy her.
Draco was finding it rather difficult sitting at breakfast and knowing that Ginny was ALL the way across the hall from him. It all became a bit too much when he noticed Seamus talking to her. He knew only too well that there was no attraction on her side, but none the less, Draco decided that he didn't want to sit here and watch it.
He let his knife and fork fall to his plate, and, making his excuses, he left the Great Hall. He managed to get a quick glimpse of Ginny before her left.
She had noticed that he was leaving and looked rather worried. He gave her an encouraging smile and she relaxed a little.
Draco turned back to the direction of the Entrance Hall when he bumped into someone.
"Dad!"
Draco looked at his father. Lucious. He was dressed in all black and had his Malfoy smirk on. Lucious was a little smaller than Draco in height, but not much- they were almost level, and could look each other in the eye with ease.
"Hello son" He drawled in the oh so familiar Malfoy way.
"W-what are you doing here?" Draco stuttered.
"Why....is a father not allowed to visit his own son?"
"Well..yes....but-"
"DRACO!" Draco looked to his left and saw his baby sister Sky running through the entrance hall, closely followed by his beautiful mother Narcissa.
"Sky!" Draco beamed, as he scooped her up in his arms and swung her around. He then rested her on his hip and looked at his mother.
"Mum! You look beautiful!" He beamed at her as she approached him and he kissed her cheek.
"Why thank you dear. How are you my precious boy? You look well!"
"Oh I'm fine." Draco turned his attention to Sky. "And YOU young lady look absolutely scrummy.....I could just eat you, you good looking little thing!" He placed wet kisses all over her little face and she laughed.
"Draco.....stop it" She squealed. He put her down on the floor where she promptly took out a little toy broomstick that she had hidden in her pocket. It had been charmed so it flew.
While Draco watched his sister play, he smiled. She was so innocent. It was hard to imagine that she could have been born into such a family.
Lucious cleared his throat and Draco looked at him.
"Son. I am here on business."
'Ut –oh. This can't be good' Draco thought.
"Your mother and I have been talking to our master-'always the suck up'- and we have decided...." Lucious pulled Draco into a cove in the wall where they couldn't be heard. "We have decided on a day for your initiation."
Draco's heart fell. Trust his father to spring this on him now. Now that everything was starting to go ok. He looked at his mother. Her face was saddened as if she had the worries of the world on her shoulders. 'And was this you AND mum or just you...' he thought.....
"Son?"
"Huh......o right....sure what ever....when is it...?"
"New Years Eve"
"WHAT!? You can't. That's too soon."
"Sorry.......I thought that was what you wanted."
"It is!" Draco lied quickly.
"Well then.....you will come home for Christmas and-"
"WHAT! I cant.....I mean.........I have to stay here and ...and.....do my homework" He quickly shot out.
"Oh don't be so foolish. I'll talk to Severus and-"
"No! Look.... I'll come home for New Years...but please let me stay here over Christmas."
Lucious looked at his son as if he had confessed that he was in love with the squid.
"FINE!" He snapped. He turned to his wife and began a conversation.
Draco turned to his sister.....but she was gone.
"Sky.....SKY!" He looked around frantically. She was no where to be seen.
Narcissa ran towards her son. "Where is she!" She panicked.
Draco took up his mothers hands.
"Its ok mother. Dad and I will find her."
Narcissa nodded and Draco fled the Entrance Hall. He looked around the grounds. The outskirts of the forbidden forest. The lake. She was no where.
He ran back into the Entrance Hall just as Lucious was descending the stairs with Snape.
"Have you found here?" He asked Draco.
Draco merely shook his head 'no'
Narcissa had been taken to Snapes office after she nearly had a breakdown. Lucious went to her.
Just as Draco was about to suggest looking for her around the Quidditch pitch...he heard a yell...
"Look what I found Draco....it's Harry Potter......" Draco turned to see Sky emerge from the Great Hall. She was holding her toy broomstick, as well as the sleeve of Harry's cloak. She was dragging him along behind her and was being followed by a group of Gryffindors, Ginny included.
Draco ran to her and scooped her up.
"Oh thank god....." He whispered into her hair, as he cradled her head in his hand and hugged her close. He then held her out infront of him so he could see her face. "Don't you EVER do that again ok!" he almost yelled at her.
"I'm sorry Draco..." She broke down in tears. Draco passed her to Snape and stormed towards Harry.
"If you so much as laid a FINGER on my sister I swear I will throttle you in your sleep." He yelled in Harry's face.
Harry winced and stepped backwards. "I didn't touch her. Can't you see she is fine! And any way...she's the one who came running to us....or Ginny actually..." Harry paused and Draco looked at Ginny....she looked scared.
"And WHY was that may I ask.....enjoy taking young children away from their families do you...?"
"It wasn't like that!" Hermione jumped in. "Your sister was lost and she asked Ginny to help her find her big brother that's all."
Draco's face softened slightly.
"And it was Ginny who managed to calm her down......we all tried but she wouldn't listen..."
Draco wanted to hug Ginny there and then....but restrained himself.
"Well....thanks..." Was all he said.....to Ginny more than the others.
"Anytime......you're lucky she's nothing like you.....she's very sweet....I'd never have guessed she was a Malfoy." Ginny replied, as she smirked at Draco.
"Well well well what have we got here?"
Draco shot around to see his parents ascend the stairs from the dungeons and join the group. Narcissa took Sky off of Snape and hugged her tight, while Lucious walked to Draco side.
"If it isn't Harry Potter" He drawled.
"Father leave them be...." Draco tried to look anywhere but at his father.
"What!"
"I said leave them. They are not doing any harm" Draco was now facing his father straight on and looking him sternly in the eye.
"Don't you dare tell me what to do"
"Look...they didn't do anything....now LEAVE THEM ALONE-"A hard flesh hitting flesh sound erupted through the Entrance Hall as Lucious's hand made contact with Draco's face. The Gryffindors gasped. Ginny felt tears well up in her eyes and Narcissa, throwing her son a sad look, took her daughter outside.
"Don't raise your voice at me you fool!" Lucious spat, as he pointed his wand at his son as if poised to attack.
Draco massaged his cheek and looked at his father through narrowed eyes. "Sorry father"
"So you damn well should be. I did NOT bring you up to back chat, me of all people." Lucious turned towards the door. "I'll be back to pick you up on New Years Eve...Understood?" Draco nodded. "Good" And Lucious left.
Every one was silent for a minute....before Snape broke it....
"Draco.....let me take you to Pomfrey" He put an arm around Draco's shoulders. "....I'm sure she will-"
"I don't WANT to see her"
"But-"
"Just leave me the hell alone!" He turned and stormed out of the great oak doors and toward the lake
Snape sighed and went to his office.
The entire Gryffindor group stood gaumless as they watched their potions master saunter back to his office.
Ron was the first to speak.
"I'm either going completely off my rocker or what I believe I just saw was ..........Malfoy standing up for us!"
"No.....you saw right Ron.." Hermione piped in, Ron noticed the sad, tired sort of tone n her voice.
"Blimey"
Ginny felt a tear in the corner of her eye. She was still watching the stair case in which Draco had just disappeared from.
"I don't like Malfoy .....but I'd never wish that upon him for sure." Harry muttered.
The others nodded glumly in agreement.
"Come on...lets go..." said Dean, as he silently hung his head and wondered over to the stair case.
Ginny wiped away the offending tear and followed as the others went up to the dorm to fetch their outdoor coats.
Draco walked around the lake atleast 5 times before he went back to his dorm. He literally himself threw down onto his bed when he entered. No one had yet returned from breakfast so he was alone. This gave him time to mull over in his head what he was about to partake in...or rather...what he planned to try and find a way out of.
New Years Eve. Not much longer than a week away. It was already the 23rd of December. That didn't give him long to come up with a plan.
"Damn....... That shitty excuse for a father...." He cursed out loud to the silent room around him. He tuned over on his bed and grabbed his pillow and held it to his face. He yelled with all his might and the sound, that normally could have rid the forest of all its monstrous creatures, was muffled by the pillow.
He stayed in the position, thinking that maybe he could suffocate himself....at least that way he would get out of becoming one of....THEM....
However his plan was foiled as the door to his dorm was thrown open, and Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise sauntered into the room.
Blaise saw the position Draco was in, and sat down next to him on the bed.
Draco felt a slight dip in the bed as Blaise sat, and he rolled over and looked into his friends worried face.
"You ok mate?" Blaise asked. Draco noticed the worry in his voice...and smirked.
"I didn't no you cared Zabini...."
"Oh...don't get me wrong....I don't.....but ya know....that doesn't mean I like to watch while you wallow in your own self pity...." Blaise smirked right back at him.
"Believe me man......I don't like it either......" Draco sat up and held his pillow tight to his chest as if it were his life support. Blaise eyed him wearily.
"Something you wanna talk about..?" He asked, as he quirked an eyebrow at his friend.
"Nah....don't worry about it....."
"Ok...." Blaise stood up and went to grab a towel from his trunk..... "I'm off to take a shower..." And he fled the room.
"Hey...Drake...." Crabbe asked wearily.....seeing that Draco was a bit off colour....
"hmmm...?"
"What happened to you last night........we didn't see you come back to the dorm....."
"That's coz I didn't..." Draco snapped.
"Oh......sorry....."
Draco waved him off.... "nah don't be......I was....shall we say....occupied with something else....or....someONE.." He smirked.
"Ah...I should have guessed....."
Draco jumped off the bed..... "Yeah but....brians wasn't something that you were blessed with when you were born were they....." He mocked, and left the room to find Snape.
The sun began to rise over the snow-covered castle earlier than usual on Monday morning! All that could be heard, was the sound of the wind blowing and the occasional bird chirping as they awoke from their slumber. Although there was movement going on outside the castle, there was very little going on inside!
Every corridor was empty; every classroom was empty. The only sounds that could be heard, came form Filch, as he bussled around the Great Hall, picking up rubbish from the night before, and muttering curse words to himself.
Way up high, in Gryffindor Tower, all was silent. The common room was littered with the odd group of people who had made their way up to their dorms after the long night before but in actuality they had only gotten this far. Colin lay on the sofa, with Luna in his arms, while a few slight snores could be heard coming from people who lay scattered around them on the floor!
In the 7th year boys dorm, it was much the same. Ron lay under the covers of his bed, Hermione in his arms, a slight smile playing on her lips as she slept.
In the next bed, Harry lay sprawled on top of the covers, fully clothed, mouth wide open and snoring. On top of him, was another body. Hannah Abot lay half on, half off of Harry as she slept, and she was using Harry arm as a pillow.
The night before had been great, and it was the 7th years who had made it to bed last after having been brutally shoved out of the Great Hall by none other than Snape and Hagrid, at well past mid night.
Further down in the depths of the castle, the Slytherins were in pretty much the same state as the Gryffindors!
Blaise Zabini was to be found lying on sofa with Tanya in his arms, while Crabbe was lying half on, half off one of the armchairs. Goyle had however made it as far as the boys dorm and was lying fast asleep on his bed, with ......Millicent asleep next to him.
As for Pansy, she had taken to searching for Draco before she went to bed and ended up blacking out after too much alcohol in the corridor just by the entrance to the Slytherin common room.
Outside, in the small courtyard to one side of the castle, lay two bodies. One, a platinum Blond haired man who had his arm draped around the others waist. A pretty young girl with hair the colour of flames.
Draco lay on a bench just next to the fountain, spooned around Ginny keeping her warm. The night before Draco had cast a drying spell to dry them after their 'water fight' and summoned up a fire- which had burnt out by now, and only mere sparks could be seen coming from it. He had also transfigured his jacket into a blanket and draped it over the pair of them as they slept to give them more warmth.
Ginny stirred but didn't wake. It did however wake Draco up, and when he caught a glimpse of the sleeping form infront of him, he smiled. Ginny was beautiful when she slept. Her hair was blowing in the breeze, and some of it had blown into her face. A stray bit of her hair was tickling her nose and she sneezed. Draco laughed lightly at the picture before him. He leaned over and gave her a slight peck on the nose.
Ginny lazily opened her eyes and adjusted to the light. The first thing she saw was the fountain, and she was instantly reminded of the night before. She smiled.
Draco leaned over and looked at Ginny. She looked up and saw his smiling face peering down at her.
"Morning" He smiled.
"Morning" She replied sleepily.
They stayed like that for a while, just taking in the sight of each other. Ginny was about to ask weather or not this should be kept a secret....when something caught her eye.
She looked down at the hand that was draped over her waist, and saw something glinting as it was caught by the sunlight.
There on Draco's hand, was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. The blue Diamond sparkled and it reminded her of Draco's eyes.
She moved her hand and began to touch the beautiful ring with her own fingers.
"It was my mothers" Draco surprised her by speaking.
Ginny looked up at the face above her. Draco wasn't smiling. He wasn't frowning. In fact his face was very hard to read.
"...its beautiful....."
Draco looked at her and finally smiled. "Yeah.....that would be my families good taste." He joked.
Ginny playfully smacked his hand. "Carry on...." She urged.
"Well.....it belonged to my mother...it was passed down to her through her family.....it belonged to her mother.....and her grandmother......it was a birthday present."
"You're lucky......my family could never afford anything like that my birthday." Ginny looked sad. "As you well know"
Draco looked at her sad face. "Well I'll just have to buy you one then wont I?" He smiled.
Ginny's face shot up and she beamed at him. She then leaned up to meet his face. She kissed him. It was not a forceful kiss; It was sweet, gentle, and showed so much emotion. It was odd just how much emotion could be shown through such a simple gesture.
When they parted, they were both smiling. Again they stayed that was. Drinking in the sight of each other. They were set on staying this way until they heard a noise.
"What was that?" Draco almost shouted...surprised.
Ginny laughed and Draco looked at her as if he were mad. "Shh....its ok.....its only Hagrid"
It was Hagrid. He was on his way up to the castle for breakfast.
"Hmmm.....maybe we should head in side before we are missed." Draco voiced.
Ginny heart sank. She wanted this moment to last forever. And here it was coming to an end. However, she nodded reluctantly and they both moved to stand. Draco got rid of any signs that they had been there. He transfigured the blanket back into a jacket and put it on. Ginny was brushing the creases out of her dress when Draco came up from behind and wrapped his hand around her waist. He rested his head on her shoulder.
"I'm gonna miss you" He said...sweetly. Ginny smiled.
"Ditto" Draco laughed.
"Draco...." Ginny whispered innocently.
"Yes?" Draco replied cautiously, as he quirked an eyebrow at her.
"I was thinking...maybe its best if we.....don't speak of this to any one.....just yet...."
Ginny began to fiddle with he hands before Draco took them in his own. "Virginia Weasley.....do you think I have a death wish.....I know full well that you have.....how many is it now......SIX brothers......I'm not going to give them an excuse to beat the living shit out of me......we'll tell them when we are both ready....and maybe when if had a chance to lock Ronald up in a cage where I'm safe from getting pulverized."
Ginny laughed and nodded.
"Come on...let's get inside" Draco smiled sweetly.
They walked around the side of the castle together, holding hands. When they emerged into the sunlight, they immediately dropped each other's hands, and moved inside.
Everything was pretty much as it was the night before. Fortunately there was no one around, so Draco gave Ginny a quick kiss on the lips, and fled down to the dungeons. Ginny made her way up to the tower.
Once outside the portrait of the fat lady, Ginny noticed hat she was fast asleep, and covered in what looked like silly string.....of the wizarding kind. She also noticed that the portrait was slightly open, so there was no need to try and get the fat lady to wake up. Ginny walked inside, and once she was sure the portrait was closed behind her, she walked further into the commonroom.
The sight that met her made her laugh. Students everywhere. Scattered all over the floor and on the furniture. She had to carefully step over them as she made her way to the staircases.
She tried in vain to be as quiet as she could, but upon reaching the bottom step of the girls' staircase, she trod on a hand that belonged to a first year, who howled in pain. Ginny winced and looked around her to see if anyone had woken up. Fortunately, people only stirred, but never woke. Even the first year, to whom she'd trodden on hadn't woken, however, they did mutter something about wanting to buy themselves a new Speedo before the summer.
Ginny laughed and made her way up the stairs.
Upon entering her dorm, she noticed that it was completely empty. 'I guess everyone stayed out last night' Ginny mused.
She took advantage of having the dorm to her self, and flopped down on her bed. She kicked her shoes off and pulled her dress over her head. She replaced it with an old tattered shirt that used to belong to one of her brothers, and was far too big for her, so she just used it as a form of night clothing. She then pulled back the covers, and tucked her self up, pulling the duvet right up under her chin. She then set about getting a few more hours sleep before she had to rouse her self for breakfast.
In the Slytherin common room, Draco had taken in the sight of Goyle asleep in bed with Millicent, and decided that he really didn't want to stay in here if he had to look at that. He grabbed a clean set of clothes, and left the common room, making sure not to wake anyone, and headed off to the Prefects bathroom, stepping over Pansy, who was still fast asleep out side the entrance to the common room. Along the way, he had come across a grand father clock, and realized that it was only 6:45, and that no one would be awake at this hour if the party last night was anything to go by.
He entered the Prefects bathroom and was relieved to find it empty. He ran a bath of steaming hot water, complete with bubbles, and jumped in. He had not been in there for more than 10 minutes when he was joined by another form.
"Oh look who it is.....Prince of Slytherin.....suck up to Father.......worships none other than-"
"Ok shut it Peeves I get the point." Draco drawled in a tired tone as he watched peeves the poltergeist hover around the room, and doing the occasional summersault.
"Was'matter? Don't wanna play with me" Peeves whined. He then began to howl noisily and let his ghost form fall to the floor, or in this case, it to the bubbles.
Draco rolled his eyes. "For god sake you annoying ....dead...thing......" Draco watched as Peeves emerged from the bubbles. "Can't you go and annoy someone else?"
Peeves smirked. "Yes...I could" He then began to summersault around the room.
Draco chose to ignore him and carried on with his bath. This worked fine until Peeves decided to mutter things about Draco under his breath.
Draco growled in frustration. "Grr.....you little.....FINE stay here then...I'm off....." Draco dragged him self out of the water and grabbed his towel. He dried him self off while Peeves began to shout insults at the portrait of the mermaid. He then dressed him self and fled the room while Peeves was occupied.
Upon entering the common room for the second time that morning, he was welcomed by a lot more movement. Blaise was sitting up on the sofa, and nursing what Draco assumed, a rather bad head ache, while Tanya was drinking a rather large cup of water and trying to gain a little more colour to her face. Pansy had obviously woken up and found her self OUTSIDE the common room, rather than IN it, and was sitting on the fluffy rug by the fire, head in hands and on the verge of dropping off to sleep again at any moment.
Unlike his housemates, Draco hadn't drunken a lot last night, and actually felt rather good after his bath. He walked over to the group on the sofas and yelled:
"Morning all!"
"Arghh Draco shut your trap!" Blaise bellowed. He soon regretted it as his head began to pound. Tanya sat up straight to look at the offending blond, but upon moving, began to feel a surge of something jolt from her stomach, and she gagged. She pushed past Draco and headed to the girls toilets, where Draco heard an ear piercing retching sound and assumed Tanya was throwing up all of last nights drinks....
Blaise looked at him. "Why are you in such a good mood?" Blaise actually looked disgusted. Draco assumed it was either to do with the fact that Draco was so happy.....or merely because he had had too much to drink and was only now feeling the effects.
"Oh.....I'm just enjoying seeing you in so much agony." He teased as he strolled over to one off the chairs- the chair Crabbe happened to be lying half on, half off. Draco picked up Crabbe's legs, and hauled them onto the floor with the rest of him, and Draco sat down.
"So...any of you fancy getting breakfast?" He laughed as about half a dozen pillows attacked him from all directions.
"Ill take that as a 'no' then"
In Gryffindor Tower, there was a little more movement. Luna had woken up in the arms of Colin and almost fell off the sofa in fright. She jumped out of his arms before he awoke, and fled to her own dorm.
Colin later woke up alone, and sauntered up to his common room to get into the warmth of his bed.
In the 7th Year boys' dorm, Dean had awoken and was trying, and failing to get himself dressed. He had only put one leg in the hole of his jeans before he tripped and hit his head on the corner of his bed. He moaned out loud but instead of getting up, he stayed put and fell asleep again on the floor. However, his moans had woken Hermione, and she roused Ron, who was snoring slightly next to her. The pair sat up and engaged them self in a kissing marathon, before they heard a loud snort coming form the bed next to them.
They turned towards Harry's bed, and scrunched their noses up at the sight.
Harry had turned over so now his face was half hidden in his pillow, and he was dribbling, and Hannah Abot was spooned around him and her nose was squished against his back, which resulted in her having to breath out of her mouth, and she was letting out the occasional snort.
"Ewww...that's disgusting...." Hermione gasped.
Ron however laughed at the sight of his best friend. However he stopped laughing when he saw Harry open his eyes and look up at his two friends.
"Morning" Ron smirked. Harry sat up and looked at them. He was confused. They both laughed.
"Whas matter?" He asked sleepily as he rubbed his eyes, which was harder than one would think, as he still had his glasses on.
Ron nodded his head in the direction of Hannah. Harry looked at her and yelled.
"Whas she doin' 'ere?" He jumped off the bed and Hannah began to feel around for the warmth of his body.
"Awww don't just leave her like that..." Hermione snapped. "She misses you..." Hermione pushed him back onto the bed, where Hannah's arms wound around his waist and pulled him back down.
Ron and Hermione laughed. "Awww bless. Look at the happy couple" Ron laughed, as he watched Hannah snuggle closer to a disgusted Harry.
"Shut it Ron or I'll throw you out of that bloody window over there" Harry shot back.
Hermione looked at the clock at the side of Ron's bed and jumped.
"My gosh its nearly half past nine" She got out of Rons bed, much to his disgust and ran to the door.
"But 'mione.....its Christmas holidays...its not like we have to get up for lessons..." Ron whined, and he crawled out of bed and began to grope for her.
Hermione only swatted his hands away. "No but you know how I like to get up and have a wash before break fast, and if we don't hurry we'll miss it." And with one last hit to Ron's wondering hands, she fled.
"Damn" Ron huffed. Harry laughed.
"Shut it Harry.....or I'll throw YOU out of that window...." He mocked.
"Ooooo I'm really scared" Harry laughed. He was on the verge of hysterics before he felt Hannah's hands tighten around him and he stopped abruptly. This time, Ron burst into hysterics.
Hermione descended the stairs to the boys dorms, and ascended her own stairs. She entered her dorm and found it to be very silent. All the curtains were pulled around the other beds so she had reason to believe that they were occupied. She grabbed some clean clothes and went down to the bathroom to wash before breakfast.
Once she was done. She headed back to her dorm and decided to tidy up a bit. She pulled back the curtains by the windows, and around everyone's beds. She realized that half the beds were empty, despite the fact that the curtains had been pulled. She assumed it had something to do with wanting to make it LOOK like they were occupied. She reached Lavenders bed and after pulling back the curtains, and tying them securely with the drapes, she gasped. In the bed, was not only Lavender. But Neville. He was spooned behind her and a slight smile played on his lips. Lavender looked just as happy.
"Awww" Hermione cooed.
Once she had tidied up a bit, she left the two lovebirds alone, and wondered down the corridor until she came to the 6th years girls dorm. She knocked once but got no answer, so she quietly pushed the door open and walked in. The room was quite tidy. The curtains were open and the sun was streaming in. The only occupied bed, she noticed, was to her left. Who ever it was in the bed, was fast asleep. She steeped a little closer and noticed a large amount of messy red hair resting on the pillow.
She smiled and sat down on the bed. She then began to nudge Ginny awake.
"Gin....Ginny wake up...its time for breakfast"
Ginny merely mumbled something in her sleep and rolled over, so her back was facing Hermione. Hermione huffed and stood up. She walked to the end of Ginny's bed, grabbed the covers, and yanked them off.
"Arghhh!" Ginny screamed, as she pulled her legs up to her chest and hugged them close. She began to shiver. Ginny began to fumble around for the covers but to no avail. She sat bolt up right in bed and spotted Hermione.
"'Mione you twit....give them BACK!" She roared.
Hermione laughed. "Ha....no Gin......you have to get up...I know for a FACT that the moment I give these back you'll only go back to sleep.
Ginny gritted her teeth and refrained her self from launching herself at her friend. Instead she forced a smile, and reluctantly got out of bed.
15 minutes later, Ginny was washed and dressed and was waiting with Hermione for the boys to come down for breakfast. The stood outside the common room, Ginny leaning on the wall, trying to stifle a rather large yawn, and Hermione looking at her, slightly amused.
"So...had fun last night....?" Hermione asked as Ginny finished her yawn.
Ginny looked at her and nodded. A sudden dreamy look had come over her.
"That good huh?" Hermione laughed.
Ginny merely nodded again.
Hermione was about to ask what had happened to her last night after she had run out on harry, when the boys joined them and they made their way down to the great hall.
'I'll ask later' She thought to herself.
They soon found themselves outside the Great Hall. Ginny was a bit nervous. She wanted to see Draco again....o how she wanted to see him again.....his beautiful eyes.....his gorgeously soft hair...his-
"Ginny.....you ok?" It was Harry. Ginny hadn't realized she had stopped walking. All the other were already inside and seated at their table.
Ginny looked into Harry's worried face. "Yeah I'm fine" She smiled. Harry was just about to suggest they go inside for some food before it got cold, when they heard a knocking sound coming somewhere from their right.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other before they cautiously walked over to the small storage cupboard at the side of the Great Hall.
The knocking was defiantly coming from there. Harry moved closer to it so his ear was touching the door.
"H-hello?" He asked, a bit afraid of what might be making the noise. He got no reply so asked again. This time, he did get a reply. A loud banging noise. Harry jumped about 3ft in the air and landed on the floor in a heap.
Ginny helped him up and again, then approached the door. This time Ginny asked:
"Hello....is any one in there....?"
Silence.
"Hello"
"Harry...Ginny...?"
Harry looked towards Ginny. They both recognized that voice. Harry took out his wand and cast a few spells at the door. He then stepped forward and turned the handle. As soon as he did, out fell, a very tired, scared looking Seamus. He threw himself into Harry's arms, and Harry tumbled over at the weight.
"Seamus!" Ginny gasped. She ran to his side and helped Harry stand him up straight. "What happened to you?" She began to brush dust and spiders off of his clothes. He was still wearing what he wore last night.
"I-I don't know.....I think I was......heaven for bid....coming onto Malfoy.....yick - Seamus pulled a face- and then he threw me in here.....I've been here ALL BLOODY NIGHT!" He thundered.
Harry and Ginny had to suppress a laugh. The both helped to brush MORE spiders off of Seamus and then led him into the Great Hall for some well- earned food.
Harry sat Seamus down and he greedily gulped down at least 2 servings of EVERYTHING.
Ginny took up a seat in between Harry and Hermione. Harry began to talk to Ron about something, and by the sounds of their laughter, he was telling him about what had happened to Seamus last night. Ginny looked at Seamus, but he wasn't paying any attention, well, to any thing other then what he was shoveling into his mouth.
She began to daydream. It wasn't until she looked just to the right side of Seamus's head, that she saw a mass of blond hair on the opposite side of the Hall.
She snapped out of her thoughts, and looked over to the Slytherin table. There, staring right at her, was Draco.
Ginny looked around her to make sure that no one was looking at her, before she directed her attention back to Draco.
He flashed her his most beautiful smile and Ginny melted instantly. Draco then winked at her and she began to giggle. Hermione shot her a funny look but Ginny just smiled innocently at her until she carried on what she was doing. This time, when Ginny looked back at Draco, he was laughing.
'God. He is going to be the death of me' she thought, but she couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face as she saw Draco battle against the over grown bug that was Pansy.
Ginny watched as Pansy hauled her self onto Draco's lap. She immediately felt disgusted and turned back to her food.
Ginny tired not to look at Draco through out the rest of the meal, but it was far too hard, as almost every five minutes she found her eyes unconsciously drifting over to their table. She regretted it instantly as she saw that Draco was engrossed in conversation with Pansy.
She decided enough was enough. She looked towards Seamus and found him finishing off his second helping of toast covered in peanut butter, and started up a conversation with him.
Across the hall, Draco had managed to push Pansy off of him, and was helping himself to some toast, when he caught sight of Ginny's red hair. She was laughing her little head off at something that Seamus was saying, and he felt sick. He wanted to walk over to her, throw her over his shoulders and lock her away in his room so only HE could enjoy her.
Draco was finding it rather difficult sitting at breakfast and knowing that Ginny was ALL the way across the hall from him. It all became a bit too much when he noticed Seamus talking to her. He knew only too well that there was no attraction on her side, but none the less, Draco decided that he didn't want to sit here and watch it.
He let his knife and fork fall to his plate, and, making his excuses, he left the Great Hall. He managed to get a quick glimpse of Ginny before her left.
She had noticed that he was leaving and looked rather worried. He gave her an encouraging smile and she relaxed a little.
Draco turned back to the direction of the Entrance Hall when he bumped into someone.
"Dad!"
Draco looked at his father. Lucious. He was dressed in all black and had his Malfoy smirk on. Lucious was a little smaller than Draco in height, but not much- they were almost level, and could look each other in the eye with ease.
"Hello son" He drawled in the oh so familiar Malfoy way.
"W-what are you doing here?" Draco stuttered.
"Why....is a father not allowed to visit his own son?"
"Well..yes....but-"
"DRACO!" Draco looked to his left and saw his baby sister Sky running through the entrance hall, closely followed by his beautiful mother Narcissa.
"Sky!" Draco beamed, as he scooped her up in his arms and swung her around. He then rested her on his hip and looked at his mother.
"Mum! You look beautiful!" He beamed at her as she approached him and he kissed her cheek.
"Why thank you dear. How are you my precious boy? You look well!"
"Oh I'm fine." Draco turned his attention to Sky. "And YOU young lady look absolutely scrummy.....I could just eat you, you good looking little thing!" He placed wet kisses all over her little face and she laughed.
"Draco.....stop it" She squealed. He put her down on the floor where she promptly took out a little toy broomstick that she had hidden in her pocket. It had been charmed so it flew.
While Draco watched his sister play, he smiled. She was so innocent. It was hard to imagine that she could have been born into such a family.
Lucious cleared his throat and Draco looked at him.
"Son. I am here on business."
'Ut –oh. This can't be good' Draco thought.
"Your mother and I have been talking to our master-'always the suck up'- and we have decided...." Lucious pulled Draco into a cove in the wall where they couldn't be heard. "We have decided on a day for your initiation."
Draco's heart fell. Trust his father to spring this on him now. Now that everything was starting to go ok. He looked at his mother. Her face was saddened as if she had the worries of the world on her shoulders. 'And was this you AND mum or just you...' he thought.....
"Son?"
"Huh......o right....sure what ever....when is it...?"
"New Years Eve"
"WHAT!? You can't. That's too soon."
"Sorry.......I thought that was what you wanted."
"It is!" Draco lied quickly.
"Well then.....you will come home for Christmas and-"
"WHAT! I cant.....I mean.........I have to stay here and ...and.....do my homework" He quickly shot out.
"Oh don't be so foolish. I'll talk to Severus and-"
"No! Look.... I'll come home for New Years...but please let me stay here over Christmas."
Lucious looked at his son as if he had confessed that he was in love with the squid.
"FINE!" He snapped. He turned to his wife and began a conversation.
Draco turned to his sister.....but she was gone.
"Sky.....SKY!" He looked around frantically. She was no where to be seen.
Narcissa ran towards her son. "Where is she!" She panicked.
Draco took up his mothers hands.
"Its ok mother. Dad and I will find her."
Narcissa nodded and Draco fled the Entrance Hall. He looked around the grounds. The outskirts of the forbidden forest. The lake. She was no where.
He ran back into the Entrance Hall just as Lucious was descending the stairs with Snape.
"Have you found here?" He asked Draco.
Draco merely shook his head 'no'
Narcissa had been taken to Snapes office after she nearly had a breakdown. Lucious went to her.
Just as Draco was about to suggest looking for her around the Quidditch pitch...he heard a yell...
"Look what I found Draco....it's Harry Potter......" Draco turned to see Sky emerge from the Great Hall. She was holding her toy broomstick, as well as the sleeve of Harry's cloak. She was dragging him along behind her and was being followed by a group of Gryffindors, Ginny included.
Draco ran to her and scooped her up.
"Oh thank god....." He whispered into her hair, as he cradled her head in his hand and hugged her close. He then held her out infront of him so he could see her face. "Don't you EVER do that again ok!" he almost yelled at her.
"I'm sorry Draco..." She broke down in tears. Draco passed her to Snape and stormed towards Harry.
"If you so much as laid a FINGER on my sister I swear I will throttle you in your sleep." He yelled in Harry's face.
Harry winced and stepped backwards. "I didn't touch her. Can't you see she is fine! And any way...she's the one who came running to us....or Ginny actually..." Harry paused and Draco looked at Ginny....she looked scared.
"And WHY was that may I ask.....enjoy taking young children away from their families do you...?"
"It wasn't like that!" Hermione jumped in. "Your sister was lost and she asked Ginny to help her find her big brother that's all."
Draco's face softened slightly.
"And it was Ginny who managed to calm her down......we all tried but she wouldn't listen..."
Draco wanted to hug Ginny there and then....but restrained himself.
"Well....thanks..." Was all he said.....to Ginny more than the others.
"Anytime......you're lucky she's nothing like you.....she's very sweet....I'd never have guessed she was a Malfoy." Ginny replied, as she smirked at Draco.
"Well well well what have we got here?"
Draco shot around to see his parents ascend the stairs from the dungeons and join the group. Narcissa took Sky off of Snape and hugged her tight, while Lucious walked to Draco side.
"If it isn't Harry Potter" He drawled.
"Father leave them be...." Draco tried to look anywhere but at his father.
"What!"
"I said leave them. They are not doing any harm" Draco was now facing his father straight on and looking him sternly in the eye.
"Don't you dare tell me what to do"
"Look...they didn't do anything....now LEAVE THEM ALONE-"A hard flesh hitting flesh sound erupted through the Entrance Hall as Lucious's hand made contact with Draco's face. The Gryffindors gasped. Ginny felt tears well up in her eyes and Narcissa, throwing her son a sad look, took her daughter outside.
"Don't raise your voice at me you fool!" Lucious spat, as he pointed his wand at his son as if poised to attack.
Draco massaged his cheek and looked at his father through narrowed eyes. "Sorry father"
"So you damn well should be. I did NOT bring you up to back chat, me of all people." Lucious turned towards the door. "I'll be back to pick you up on New Years Eve...Understood?" Draco nodded. "Good" And Lucious left.
Every one was silent for a minute....before Snape broke it....
"Draco.....let me take you to Pomfrey" He put an arm around Draco's shoulders. "....I'm sure she will-"
"I don't WANT to see her"
"But-"
"Just leave me the hell alone!" He turned and stormed out of the great oak doors and toward the lake
Snape sighed and went to his office.
The entire Gryffindor group stood gaumless as they watched their potions master saunter back to his office.
Ron was the first to speak.
"I'm either going completely off my rocker or what I believe I just saw was ..........Malfoy standing up for us!"
"No.....you saw right Ron.." Hermione piped in, Ron noticed the sad, tired sort of tone n her voice.
"Blimey"
Ginny felt a tear in the corner of her eye. She was still watching the stair case in which Draco had just disappeared from.
"I don't like Malfoy .....but I'd never wish that upon him for sure." Harry muttered.
The others nodded glumly in agreement.
"Come on...lets go..." said Dean, as he silently hung his head and wondered over to the stair case.
Ginny wiped away the offending tear and followed as the others went up to the dorm to fetch their outdoor coats.
Draco walked around the lake atleast 5 times before he went back to his dorm. He literally himself threw down onto his bed when he entered. No one had yet returned from breakfast so he was alone. This gave him time to mull over in his head what he was about to partake in...or rather...what he planned to try and find a way out of.
New Years Eve. Not much longer than a week away. It was already the 23rd of December. That didn't give him long to come up with a plan.
"Damn....... That shitty excuse for a father...." He cursed out loud to the silent room around him. He tuned over on his bed and grabbed his pillow and held it to his face. He yelled with all his might and the sound, that normally could have rid the forest of all its monstrous creatures, was muffled by the pillow.
He stayed in the position, thinking that maybe he could suffocate himself....at least that way he would get out of becoming one of....THEM....
However his plan was foiled as the door to his dorm was thrown open, and Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise sauntered into the room.
Blaise saw the position Draco was in, and sat down next to him on the bed.
Draco felt a slight dip in the bed as Blaise sat, and he rolled over and looked into his friends worried face.
"You ok mate?" Blaise asked. Draco noticed the worry in his voice...and smirked.
"I didn't no you cared Zabini...."
"Oh...don't get me wrong....I don't.....but ya know....that doesn't mean I like to watch while you wallow in your own self pity...." Blaise smirked right back at him.
"Believe me man......I don't like it either......" Draco sat up and held his pillow tight to his chest as if it were his life support. Blaise eyed him wearily.
"Something you wanna talk about..?" He asked, as he quirked an eyebrow at his friend.
"Nah....don't worry about it....."
"Ok...." Blaise stood up and went to grab a towel from his trunk..... "I'm off to take a shower..." And he fled the room.
"Hey...Drake...." Crabbe asked wearily.....seeing that Draco was a bit off colour....
"hmmm...?"
"What happened to you last night........we didn't see you come back to the dorm....."
"That's coz I didn't..." Draco snapped.
"Oh......sorry....."
Draco waved him off.... "nah don't be......I was....shall we say....occupied with something else....or....someONE.." He smirked.
"Ah...I should have guessed....."
Draco jumped off the bed..... "Yeah but....brians wasn't something that you were blessed with when you were born were they....." He mocked, and left the room to find Snape.
