Heya guys!!! I can only apologize again for the last chapter. I hope this
one makes up for it.!!! Tehe!! Hope everyone is well. Thank you SO much for
all the reviews. You guys should all be given presents.!!!! Tehe!!! Well
have this chapter on behalf of me!! I dedicate it to you all!!! Haha!!
Erm...I'm afraid I have some bad news regarding this story....DON'T WORRY...its
not TOO bad but you'll have to wait until the end of this chapter to find
out what it is.....NO DON'T SCROLL DOWN!!! Ne ways folks!!!! I best be off!!!
I'm going to make lunch/... a tuna and ketchup sandwich me thinks!!! Haha!!!
Ok well ...luv you all my pretties!!! Take care!!! bixxxx
Hermione arrived at her second lesson of the day- Potions. She sat at the front of the class having just left Ancient Runes- Fascinating subject. While she awaited the arrival of Ron and Harry from Divinations, she took out her notes- Snape was giving them a test today on the correct way to brew a Polly juice potion.- Easy!
She sat on her own in the empty classroom for several minutes, having arrived a few minutes early. She was looking over how long the Polly juice potion should be left to simmer, when she heard some people enter the classroom from behind. She turned around to see Tanya, her usual blond hair pulled back in a tight pony, and Pansy, who was modeling plats, followed closely behind.
Hermione decided to not pay them any attention, and went back to her notes. This became hard to do however, when the two girls sat directly behind her and began to talk about something; Something that Hermione would soon find, very interesting.
()
Pansy hastily entered the classroom after Tanya. She had been pestering her to spill what had happened with Draco all through breakfast, and all through Divinations, to no avail. It was now starting to get to her, and she knew she didn't stand a chance getting the information out of Draco, so Tanya was her only hope. She plonked down on the bench behind that Mudblood girl, and didn't even wait for Tanya to take her seat before asking her ...again.
"Come on Tanya, just tell me!"
Tanya huffed. "Alright. Look, it's not that interesting. In fact, it's slightly embarrassing."
She paused to look at Pansy, who wasn't faised by this at all, so she carried on. "Ok, well last night I was up in the North Tower with....well some Hufflepuff...." Pansy arched an eyebrow at her. "Yeah I know. BIG mistake. Any way, I didn't see him at first but Draco was already in there. He came out of no where and threw this Hufflepuff person out of the room, so it was just, me and him in there, alone."
As Tanya was saying this, people began to file into the classroom. Even Scar head and the Weasley took up their places next to the Mudblood.
"Any way, he stood there staring at me for a good while, I thought he was going to yell at me or something for bringing a Hufflepuff up there, but he didn't. Before I knew it he had me pinned to the wall and was kissing me all over. Then he got as far as my underwear and that didn't stand a chance with his raging fingers....."
But before pansy got the chance to finish, because Snape entered the class room and called for silence, before he started handing out test papers. Tanya whispered a quick "I'll finish it later" at Pansy, before she got out her ink and quill to write.
()
In the row infront, Hermione sat with her mouth agape and her ears strained to hear the conversation. She was horrified. She knew Draco was bad news, right from the start. Why oh why had she not tried to put a stop to Ginny's relationship with him.
"Herm...you ok?" Ron muttered from next to her. He noticed the sheer look of horror on her face and was slightly worried.
Hermione snapped out of her thoughts to look at him.
"Huh, oh yeah....fine"
And with that, she took out her quill and began to write.
Ron shot a worried glance at Harry, but he was looking else where. At the row behind him. Where Pansy sat.
Ron clicked his fingers to catch his attention and shot him a confused stare. Harry just ignored him and he too began to write.
Through out the test, Hermione couldn't pay her full attention to it, so when Snape went around collecting the papers, she was sure she had failed.
Ron seemed to catch on that she was worried about something, but she passed it off. Instead, she had a look around the classroom.
There was Blaise, sitting next to Crabbe and Goyle, talking merrily to them, and then there was Draco, sitting at the end of the row, not talking. He was simply hiding his face away, as if he had a guilty conscience.
Hermione was ready to spit flames, as she stood and marched over to him. However she didn't get that far as Ron grabbed her and hissed in her ear: "What are you doing. What's gotten in to you?"
Hermione thought quickly for a good enough lie, but couldn't think of one, there fore when Snape dismissed the class a few moments later, she wrenched her self out of Rons grip and fled the class room.
()
Pansy and Tanya were the last to leave the class. Pansy took the opportunity while Draco wasn't around to talk to Tanya again.
"So..then what happened?" She hissed.
Tanya looked at her as if to say 'drop it' but she knew this would only make Pansy more determined.
"Ok....well as quickly as he had me pinned to the wall, he was suddenly backing away as if he'd been bitten. Before I could ask what was wrong he was fleeing down the stairs at top speed, and I haven't spoken to him since. Stupid Wanker. I mean who does he think he is...using me-"
"So nothing happened?" Pansy asked a little to quickly, ignoring Tanya's last remark.
"You mean did we have sex?"
Pansy nodded glumly.
"No, we didn't."
Pansy sighed in relief.
()
Hermione was storming through the corridors, pushing people out of the way. Ron was running after her, trying to catch her, he too was barging past people. Harry was somewhere behind, but was struggling against his brain. He didn't know weather he should run after Ron and Hermione, or stay in his current position where he had a great view of the back of Pansy's head.
Hermione was pushing people out of her way, left right and center, when she saw him. His blond hair stood out a mile away. He was standing by the great oak doors that lead to the grounds,
She puffed herself up, ready to go over there and break his nose several times over, when someone suddenly stepped infront of her, blocking her way.
"Hey Hermione. What's up?"
"Oh, hey Ginny." Hermione instantly calmed at seeing her friend, yet she was still a little flushed.
"What's wrong. Are you ok?" Ginny asked, with a worried look.
"Huh..oh yeah I-"
"There you are!" Ron puffed as he almost bumped into the back of her. "Hermione what's going on? Why were you running?"
Both red heads looked at Hermione, awaiting an answer. Hermione felt he pressure. What she really wanted to do was march over to Draco and break his pretty little face. But that would have been a little too dangerous.
"I erm.....well I ...... its just....."
"Yes?" Ron and Ginny said in unison.
Hermione suddenly caught a glimpse of Draco disappear out side onto the grounds with his cloneys and she huffed in defeat.
"Its nothing. Come on lets go somewhere!" And she disappeared into the crowd.
Ginny gave Ron a look that simply said: 'What's wrong with her?' however Rons answer was: "Just don't ask!"
As Ron strolled off to catch up with Hermione, Ginny turned around to look out over the grounds, where she caught a glimpse of blond hair. She smiled and made her way out side.
Once outside, she spotted Luna sat down by the lake under a tree, so she walked over to her, casually glancing at the group of Slytherins on her way.
"Hey Luna" she said as she sat down on the ground next to Luna. The sun was shining bright on this particular day so it was warm enough to sit out side despite the fact it was still winter. put inside her bag. She looked at Ginny, who, she noticed, seemed to be rather intrigued by something over in the Slytherin crowd.
"Erm....Gin....Ginny....GINNY!" Luna yelled. Ginny nearly jumped out of skin at the yell. She turned to look at Luna, and slightly blushed, knowing that she had been caught looking.
"Y-yes?" She replied.
"What were you looking at?"
"Huh?" Ginny played dumb.
"Ginny, you were looking at something over..there" she pointed at the group of Slytherins!!
"N-no I wasn't I was.....looking at ...erm..... that....er tree..." Ginny smacked herself in the head and Luna laughed.
"Its ok Gin" she rubbed her knee. "You fancy one of the Slytherins...its ok.....we've all been guilty of that"
"Yeah...yeah that's it..."Ginny smiled.
Luna packed her back and stood to leave. She the reached out a hand to help Ginny up. "You coming. We have History of Magic next"
Ginny took the hand and stood up herself. "Yeah...sure.... Don't wanna miss that right"
Luna laughed and the pair headed back to the castle.
()
Draco watched as Ginny headed back to the castle. He hadn't had the chance to see her since being back at school and it was like a breath of fresh air. He was just thankful that what happened last night didn't go any further than just a few kisses. He no knew that he couldn't get rid of her. He didn't want Ginny out of his life. Last night had made him realize that.
"Hey Drake?" Draco jumped when he heard the voice but calmed when he realized it was just Blaise.
"Yeah?"
"Are you coming, we have Charms now"
Draco blushed when he noticed that almost the entire group of Slytherins were watching him.
"Oh yeah....sure."
()
The rest of the day went by quite smoothly. Ron kept a close eye on his girlfriend, but Hermione was aware of this so tried to act as normal as possible. Harry had every lesson that day with Pansy there fore found it very hard to concentrate on ANY thing, resulting in him getting detention from McGonagal for turning Neville into a mouse and turning Ron's owl into a cat which chased Neville around the class for a full 20 minutes. Neville had been sent straight to the infirmary having been traumatized, and McGonagal had to deal with the rest of the class who was in hysterics laughing.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened until that evening, when Hermione was on her way to the Library with Harry to help him with Flitwicks essay.
The pair were happily chatting away when they turned a corner to the Library and bumped into both Pansy and Draco.
Harry blushed but couldn't stop staring at Pansy, who just smiled at him.
Hermione on the other hand, was spitting fire. Draco could sense something had jumped up her arse, therefore asked her just what that thing was.
"Alright Granger, what's your problem NOW?" he sighed.
"YOU!" Hermione pointed at him. "You are my problem!"
Harry and Pansy stopped staring at each other and looked horrified at Draco and Hermione.
"Oh....and what have I don to upset you this time"
Hermione was beyond caring that they were with company, so just came out and said it.
"You're cheating on Ginny!"
Silence.
Harry nearly dropped dead. Pansy opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water, and Draco looked like her wanted to kill someone. Hermione.
"I'm sorry?" He asked once he had recovered.
"You. Are CHEATING on one of BEST friends"
"Draco..." Pansy whispered.
"Stay out of this Pansy." He hushed with a wave of his hand. He then turned back to Hermione. "I dunno what you are talking abo-"
"Don't give me that Crap Malfoy. You are SUPPOSED to be dating Ginny yet you still find the time to play around behind her back fucking some common SLAPPER!"
Draco was fuming. Harry however, was still trying to put two and two together.
"Wait a sec. Ginny and.....Malfoy?? MALFOY! No way. Since when. How. WHY?"
"Oh shut UP you stupid Fuckwik!" Draco drawled in an extremely bored tone.
"Draco..you and.......and a WEASLEY!" Pansy screeched.
Draco just bowed his head so Hermione answered for him.
"Yes....Your precious Malfoy here has been dating Ginny ever since the Yule Ball. AND, for some unbeknown reason, he makes her really happy." Hermione grabbed Malfoy by the chin and made him look her in the eye. "Ginny loves you. She LOVES you. And you go and do this"
Draco yanked his face away and glared at her. "This. THIS? What exactly is THIS? You have NO idea what you are talking about!"
"Oh I think I do Malfoy. You see while I was sitting in Potions this morning before class I had the unlucky fortune of hearing about one of Tanya McGrandals late night rendezvous.....it just so HAPPENED to be with YOU! My best friends boyfriend."
Harry, who had now grasped the situation, lunged forward to hit Draco, but Pansy intervened. "No Harry. I mean Potter. There are still a few things I don't get." She pushed Harry back, away from Draco and shot him a glare that said 'Not now'. She then turned back to Draco.
"So this whole time. When you have been sneaking off. You have been with her" Draco didn't say anything. Pansy suddenly laughed. "So that's why you saved her. That time in Hogsmeade. You FANCIED her!"
"NO!" Draco now paid her his full attention. "I didn't KNOW how I felt back then. That was just the start of it. For some reason I thought it was the right thing to do. There was nothing going on between us then. It was just Ginny....she saw me in a new light after that.... And we started spending time together..... we became close..... and we soon began to like each other..... this thing has only been going on since the Yule Ball....and it just HAPPENED......believe me I would never have willingly chosen to go out with a Weasley...but like I said...it just happened."
"And what EXACTLY is wrong with the Weasleys?" Harry was fuming as he said this.
"Oh come on Potter. You know as well as I do that a Malfoy is not meant to have any thing to do with a Weasley. Its like A Potter is not meant to have anything to do with a Parkinson....it just doesn't happen."
Both Harry and Pansy blushed, but neither Hermione nor Draco noticed this.
Hermione suddenly spoke. "We are getting off the subject. The point is YOU cheated-"
"No I didn't Granger!"
"Yes you did!"
"No! just LISTEN to be you rampaging bitch-"Harry lunged forward again but Pansy grabbed him. "Nothing happened. Yes Tanya and I were up in the North Tower and I was tempted, but NOTHING. HAPPENED!"
"You expect me to believe that" Hermione folded her arms over her chest.
"No. I don't expect that you will. But it's the truth weather you like it or not and we are NOT going to let this get out to ANY one, is that quite understood."
Both Harry and Hermione snorted laughter.
"Just wait till Ron finds out about this" Harry growled.
This time, Hermione's eyes went comically wide and she rounded on Harry.
"No Harry. As much as I hate Malfoy and what he has going with Ginny, it is not our place to say. Let Ginny do that"
"But Hermione......Wait......" Something suddenly clicked in Harry's head. "You knew..... you've know all this time and you never told. You put Ron through hell thinking that you were cheating on him and what ever but REALLY it's his baby sister that has the secret. Hermione you were there. You saw his face. You know how he reacted when he thought you were seeing someone else; he's still worried about you! You have to put him out of his misery."
"I know" Hermione sighed. "Believe me I want to tell him. But it's just not my place to say"
"Who GIVES a fuck. This is MALFOY we are talking about. When did we ever care weather it was the wrong thing to do by him"
"No Harry. Its not JUST Malfoy we are talking about here. Its Ginny too. Remember her. Rons baby sister. He will be crushed."
"Yeah, and he'll be even more hurt the more this carries on. The longer you wait, the more its hurting him."
"Harry do you think I don't know this. I go to sleep every night worrying about that boys sanity. I know that when he finds out about this he will FLIP. But what can I do. Its not for me to say!"
"Then I'll fucking tell him" Harry yelled as he began to march off down the corridor.
However, when he felt a hand grab his arm, he prepared himself to turn around and tell Hermione to let him go, but he found him self face to face with Malfoy.
"Let. Me. Go!" He growled through gritted teeth.
Draco simply matched his glare. "No Potter. I can't let you tell him. I love Ginny too. I won't see her hurt."
"Well you should have thought about that before you got involved. Did you REALLY think that things could work out for the best?" Harry almost laughed. If looks could kill, Draco would be dead and buried, and Harry would probably be dancing on his grave.
Draco bowed his head. He wanted to say no. He knew that was the right answer. But he wouldn't let Potter get the better of him. "I knew it was going to be hard. And believe me it has been. But like Granger said. When Weasley finds out about this he is going to Flip. He would have done that to begin with, even if we had have been straight with him then."
Harry glared. "Then tell him now. Get it over with"
"I can't do that Potter"
"Then I WILL!"
Harry began to march off again but fell the moment he felt a great weight on his back.
Draco jumped on top of Harry and wrestled him to the ground.
"Get off me you dip shit!" Harry yelled.
"NO! Not till you promise that you wont tell"
"No way in hell Malfoy"
Draco sat on top of Harry, preventing him getting up. Hermione and Pansy just sighed.
It was Pansy who spoke first. "So tell me Granger. How is it that you know?"
Hermione turned to her and smirked. "Well unlike you Pansy, my friends trust me. They know I would not tell."
"Yeah..like you did just now" Draco gasped from the floor, where he was trying to keep a struggling Harry still.
"That's different. You provoked me"
Draco stopped in his attempts and glared at her, shocked. "I never" But while he was distracted, Harry managed to wallop him in the side of the head, knocking him of balance. Harry then got to his feet and ran at top speed down the corridor, in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
"Harry NO!" Hermione yelled as she jumped over Draco and ran after the boy who lived.
Harry, being much bigger and stronger than Hermione, reached the common room first and said the password and ran in.
He grabbed a hold of one of the chairs to catch his breath.
"Harry. Are you ok?"
Harry looked up. There on the sofa was Ginny sitting next to Ron. Seamus was on the floor playing a game of chess with Dean and Lavender and Pavati were talking to Neville about his traumatic day. Neville slightly flinched when he saw Harry.
"I...uh.....I erm...." Harry wanted to say it. The words 'Ginny is dating Malfoy' were right on the end of his tongue, but he couldn't do it. He didn't want to hurt Ron.
"Yes?" Ron asked.
"It's....nothing..." He said, as he flopped down on the chair in defeat.
Hermione suddenly ran into the room, tripping over her own feet as she came to a stop infront of every one.
She took in the sight before her. Ron was looking at her oddly, but no different to how he had been all day. Ginny was smiling at her and there were no sighs of a fight going on.
She leaned down to whisper in Harry's ear. "What did you do?"
He looked at her and whispered back "Nothing. I couldn't do it"
Hermione let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. 'Oh thank god' she thought. Before she did anything else, she ventured over to the portrait hole. She stepped out side, where she saw Malfoy and Pansy running towards her.
"Well?" Draco said, as he came to a stop infront of her.
"He didn't tell" She watched as Draco's shoulder slightly slouched as if a great weight was lifted off his shoulders.
Pansy came up behind Draco. "So...what now?" She asked.
"Now.." Hermione began. "We talk to Ginny. We have to convince her to tell Ron"
"No!" Draco almost yelled. It was clear that he was very worried. "I don't want him to know"
"Well..." said Hermione. "I don't think you have much choice. You're lucky Harry didn't say anything just now. I think the balls in our court. We could tell Ron at any time we choose to. So get used to it sweet heart" And she smirked. She patted Draco's cheek in a patronizing manor and disappeared inside the common room.
()
The next morning everything was back to normal. Well, almost.
During breakfast, Harry kept looking from Ginny, to Malfoy. He was still flabbergasted as to just HOW the most unlikely pair in Hogwarts could have ended up together.
Draco tried to hide his face from view. He knew Potter was staring at him. He could feel it. He didn't feel hungry at all. He just pushed his food around his plate with his fork. He hated to admit it, but the Gryffindors had finally got one over on him.
The previous night, he had told Pansy everything. She was very persistent and wouldn't let it lie. But it was ok. He was pretty sure he could trust her. The only problem was, she was still a little mad with him. It wasn't so much the fact that it was a WEASLEY, who was she to judge when she was being friendly with Potter. It was more the fact that he had kept it a secret from her.
As the bell rang to signal classes, Draco tried to hurry out of the great hall before any one else. The one thing he hadn't managed to miss while he was eating breakfast, was the fact that Ginny had left early. There fore once he was out of the room, he wasn't surprised to feel a hand grab him and pull him into an empty classroom.
He heard the door slam and he turned around to see Ginny, or a mass of red hair as she threw herself at Draco
"I missed you" she said into his neck in a voice that sounded like she was crying.
"I missed you too" he said as he rubbed he back soothingly and kissed the top of her head that was nestled under his chin.
They stood in each others embrace for a while before Draco spoke up.
"Gin...don't you think we should....ya know....get to class?"
"Just one more minute" She said, as her grip around his neck tightened.
As Ginny pulled away, Draco looked her in the eyes. He wondered if Granger had had the opportunity to talk to her yet.
"Ginny?" he asked as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah?"
"Have you....spoken to Granger yet today?"
Ginny laughed, "Ha....well yes...I mean I speak to her most days....as ya do when you're in the same house together."
"No. I mean...has she said anything to you... a-about us...?"
"Oh..well...no...why would she...?
"Oh its just....nothing..." he quickly said.
Ginny pulled away completely. "Tell me...."
Draco sighed and sat down on a desk. "It's just...last night.....I bumped into her. I was with Pansy and she was with Potter..."
Ginny sat down next to him..... "And.."
"And.... We had an argument... about..." Draco paused to think just what the argument WAS about, and thought it would be safer- for him- if he didn't say. "Well any way things got out of hand and she blurted out that you and I are going out!"
Ginny was on her feet. "WHAT!"
"Ginny..." Draco stood up to try and calm her. "It's ok...its-"
"No it's NOT! I have enough trouble trying to convince Hermione to keep it a secret and she is a Ron's girlfriend.... But Harry, they are best friends...he'll tell-"
"No he wont" Draco urged. Well he didn't know that. Potter could tell if he wanted to. So could Granger. He was sure they would both do it in spite of him, but he had to do something to calm Ginny. "He won't
"Are you sure?" Ginny asked I a small voice.
"Yeah" Draco nodded and pulled her into his embrace. "Positive" He hoped.
()
The rest of the week went by quite smoothly, apart from the odd turmoil's! Now that Ginny was aware of Harry also knowing about her and Draco, she tried to avoid him as much as possible, and if she was put in a situation where it was just her and him together for company, she would make her excuses and try and make herself scarce. However this was made difficult when she was stuck in the common room late on Thursday night, doing er Charms homework, and Harry came and sat down next to her, reading the daily prophet.
It was just the two of them, and Ginny hadn't finished her essay, which was due in the next day, therefore she had to grit her teeth, and ignore him.
After an hour of sitting in silence, Ginny suddenly became very agitated by his presence, and accidentally lashed out on him.
"What do you want Harry?!" She yelled, making him jump as this was the last thing he was expecting from her.
He closed paper and lay it on the armrest of the sofa. He then turned to her and asked: "Sorry? I don't know what you are talking about"
Ginny just growled in frustration. "You...sitting here......are you DELIBERATELY trying to annoy me"
Harry was taken slightly off guard but passed it off and instead just smiled at her sweetly. "No actually. I just came here to read. Am I making you nervous?" He provoked.
"Yes!" She almost yelled back at him.
Harry decided not to push her any further. He sighed heavily and turned in his seat so now is whole body was facing her. "Look Ginny. I know about you and Draco. I know you're aware of this. So if this is why you have been avoiding me all week-"
"I'm NOT avoiding you" Ginny yelled frustrated.
"I'm sorry Ginny, but I think fleeing the room everytime I enter does count as avoiding me. Look that's not the point. The thing is, Ron is my best friend, and I don't want to tell your secret, but I will not see him hurt, therefore if you don't do it soon...I will"
Ginny slouched her shoulders in defeat. She expected that much. Hermione was beginning to rub off on him. And not in a good way. She simply nodded her head. She then heard Harry sigh next to her. She looked up at him and he had his head hanging, as if guilty of something. "Harry?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"You ok?"
Harry just nodded. "Yeah. I just.... It still baffles me as to how..I mean....WHY.... why Malfoy...of all people. I mean there's Seamus....he likes you!"
Ginny laughed. "Yeah....but the object of a relationship is that both parties have to like EACH OTHER"
Harry looked shocked. "You don't like Seamus?:"
"Oh no.....I do.....just...not like that" Ginny laughed, trying to lighten the mood, but Harry was still glum. "Look Harry..." Ginny placed a hand on his knee. "We can't help the people we fall in love with. I know you guys hate him, and Ron is going to do his nut when he finds out. But if I did everything right by you guys my life would be boring. I'd be dating some well to do Auror or something and live in a normal middle class house, bringing up several middle class children." Harry laughed at this. "Draco is different. Sure you guys don't like, but you guys don't know him. He's good to me. He excites me. I feel happy when I'm around him, and I WANT to be around him. I know that makes you sad. It makes Hermione sad and no doubt it makes Pansy Parkinson sad, but I like him, and that's all there is to it."
Harry nodded. He couldn't argue with those sentiments. Ginny was besotted. There was nothing more Harry could do, other than be there for Ron when the news hit home. He stood to leave, not before turning to Ginny and saying:
"I admire your loyalty to him Ginny. You're right. I don't like him. And neither does Ron. That's why when the news does come out, as his friend, I'll be there for Ron. You are my friend too Ginny but in this situation, I have to stick by him. I'm sorry"
He turned to leave, not giving Ginny the chance to answer. He was too scared of what she would have to say.
When he was out of sight and earshot, Ginny broke down into silent sobs. Was there no one who was on her side? All she was trying to do was be happy, and her friends, the people whom she most trusted in the world didn't want to let her.
Silently, she picked up her books, and packed them into her school bag. She then slung it over her shoulder and walked the distance to her dorm. She essay wasn't finished. She would just have to do that in detention.
()
The days after were stressful to say the least. Draco made the effort to see Ginny as often as he could, but it was never for long. Ginny always wanted to spend more time together, but Draco was worried that if their kissing sessions got any further than just...kissing, Ginny would find what Draco was hiding under his sleeve. He had yet to tell her about his mark. He wanted to. He SO wanted to, but he was worried about how she would react.
Harry, too his joy, spent more time with Pansy. On the following weekend, he ended up going down to Hogsmeade on his own. It was a wet miserable day; there fore most people had decided to stay at the castle. Harry was not one of these people. And neither, incidentally, was Pansy.
Pansy had a few errands to run for her father. She managed to get most of them done by mid- day, therefore stopped off for lunch at a small café in the middle of town.
Harry was window-shopping, and had to do a double take when he saw a pretty brunette sitting in the window of the café. He quickly checked his hair in the café window- a mess, as usual, and he stepped inside.
Pansy looked up when she heard the door open and she smiled as Harry took up the empty seat next to her,
So Harry and Pansy spent the afternoon in Hogsmeade, generally chatting and getting to know each other better. However, back at the castle things were a little different.
()
Draco was sitting up in the Astronomy tower, with Ginny in his arms. They were comfortably snuggled into the sofa, pillows, blankets and all to keep them warm from the chilly wind out side.
Draco had his arms wrapped around Ginnys waist and clasped at the hands. Ginny was half-asleep, making subconscious patterns on Draco's arms with her fingers. Draco was too half-asleep, there fore didn't notice what she was doing. However, he did wake up from his slumber when he felt her fingers ever so slightly brush against his mark. It was still a little sensitive and sore.
He jumped ever so slightly, waking Ginny. He unclasped his hand and moved his right arm away form her nimble fingers. Ginny swiveled around so that she could see his face as she asked: "Are you o k?"
Draco was trying to avoid looking at her, but her eyes were boring into the side of his face so he had to move. He tried to stand but she just held him down. She then noticed that he was subconsciously holding his right arm with his left hand, just below the elbow.
She reached out to touch it but Draco caught her just in time. He quickly shot out from under her, making her almost fall off the sofa. She was now getting worried. He was hiding something for sure now, and she was sure it was under his hand, on his right arm.
"Draco..... are you gonna tell me what you are hiding?"
Draco wasn't looking at her, and pretended to be confused. "Huh?"
Ginny moved closer to him. He was now standing by the open window. Every step she took in his direction, he took a step beck, until he could move no further, as the wall behind him suddenly became an issue.
Ginny stopped when she was directly in front of him. She didn't say anything- he wasn't looking at her any way. In stead, she reached out and grabbed a hold of his wrist.
Draco however, had other ideas. The moment he felt a hand on his wrist, he sprung backwards as if being hit by some curse.
Ginny was shocked by this. She tried to touch him again but he only moved further away from her. It was almost as if he was afraid to be touched by her.
Ginny let out a strangled sob. She rushed to the sofa, sat down, and began to cry.
Draco, who was now stood in the far corner of the room, felt a pang of guilt rush through him, knowing it was he who did that. He had made Ginny cry. He suddenly put all his issues aside and rounded the sofa. He sat down next to Ginny and took her in his embrace.
However Ginny pulled away, and scooted over to the other side of the sofa, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
Draco just watched her do it. He didn't try and get any closer. He watched as her shoulders shook with silent sobs. He wanted to hug her. Tell her it was ok. But he had to wait. He just watched as the tears flowed, trying to ignore how bad he felt.
When Ginny had cried herself out, she turned to face him. He saw her red swollen eyes and only felt even worse.
Ginny then spoke up, although her voice was hushed.
"Why..." she paused to catch his eye. "Why wont you ever tell me what is wrong? We go through this almost every time we meet. We kiss and cuddle; yet you never let it go any further. The moment it starts to get too intense you break away and tell me we should get back to bed, or lessons, or what ever else we should be doing. I've never said any thing before because I just thought it was you being too careful, but after....that.... what ever that was.... Draco have I done something.... Why wont you let me touch you?"
A surge of guilt rushed thought his veins and he tried to stop himself from breaking. Malfoy's are not weak. Instead, he took a large breath, and spoke.
"Ginny, its not you, and its nothing you've done....its me-"
He heard Ginny gasp and he looked up to see new tears in her eyes. "Oh my god. You're breaking up with me aren't you? This is what its all been about. You breaking up with me!" Ginny was now on her feet and scrambling around for her cloak. She tripped over several things on her way to the door, but as she reached for the handle, Draco grabbed her.
Ginny struggled, fighting against the tears that wouldn't go away when she told them to, and fighting against Draco, who was trying to lead her back to the sofa.
"Ginny STOP!" He yelled when it all became too much. Ginny suddenly stilled, looking up into his blue eyes. They had a small amount of silver in them. Ginny noticed that the silver was clearer to see when he was angry or upset for some reason.
Draco didn't waist any time in small talk. He got straight to the point. "Listen to me. I am NOT breaking up with you." He stopped so he could lead Ginny back to the sofa. He figured she'd probably rather be sitting when he told her the next part.
As Ginny sat, Draco sat next to her, close. He didn't want to give her the chance to run away. He spoke again. "The reason why I have been preventing us going any further than kissing, is not because I don't want you to touch me......" Ginny looked worried. "Its because of this..." He then lifted up the sleeve of his jumped and revealed his mark.
He closed his eyes, waiting for the news to sink in. He suddenly heard a small gasp and, opening his eyes, he looked up to see Ginny was....crying.
She was staring at his arm, at the dark mark, and was crying.
Draco was about to ask her why SHE was crying, but she silenced him with her lips.
Draco lay back against the arm of the sofa, bringing Ginny with him so she lay on top of him.
When they finally broke apart, a little out of breath, Ginny spoke: "So this is why you were hiding over Christmas.." Draco nodded. "From the Dark Lord?" Draco nodded again. Ginny let out another strangled sob and forced her lips onto his again, a little harsher this time.
"Did you think you couldn't tell me?" Ginny spoke against his lips, as tears ran down her cheeks. "Did you think you couldn't trust me?"
This time Draco broke away. He took her face in his hands and spoke to her, as a father would speak to his small child. "No Ginny Weasley. I KNEW I could trust you. I just didn't want to scare you. This thing shows who I really am... who my family REALLY are.... I didn't want you to be frightened of the person I really am"
Ginny shook her head, still more tears came. "Draco Malfoy you stupid stupid fool. I'm not scared of you, or your father, or that stupid dark mark. That doesn't show who you really are. I know who you really are. I worked that out for myself weeks ago. You are a kind, sweet-hearted man, however much you hate to be told that. And I love you for it. And NO-ONE is going to convince me other wise. Ok?!"
Draco just nodded. He then kissed her again. It was a passionate kiss, and Draco poured his heart and soul into it, as did Ginny.
"I love you too" He said against her lips.
As the kiss got more and more intense, the need for more contact became imperative. Hands reached to every crevice possible. Ginny thread her hands under Draco's shirt and pulled it over his head, while Draco began to undo her white blouse.
Soon, the majority of their clothing was discarded and spewn all over the floor, save their underwear. Draco reached for a blanket and wrapped it around them. They then continued their kissing, as hands began to touch, and get used to the feel of skin. Draco could only marvel at Ginny's body. She was beautiful. The same could be said for Draco. Ginny couldn't help but smile at his perfectly toned body.
Draco felt a surge of bravery wash over him. He reached down to the brim of Ginnys underwear. He smiled encouragingly at her, and she gave him a nod as he reached two fingers under the elastic.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and in fell a very disheveled looking Pansy and Harry, who were clinging to each other. Harry had red lipstick all over his cheeks, and lips, and Pansy's hair was falling put of its pretty bun.
Pansy and Harry suddenly pulled apart and and made their way over to the sofa. However the stopped when they noticed it was already occupied.
Suddenly, four voices chorused at once:
"OH MY GOD!"
TBC
OK guys... here's the bad news....... I'm going away to !!!!FLORIDA!!! for two weeks this Friday...which means I wont be able to post any more chapters until I get back.!!!! IM SO SORRY!!!! I'm gonna miss writing but what can I do!!!! If I find a cyber comp or summit in America then I may try and get on!!!! Ok well, see it wasn't that bad!!!! Take care all and I'll see you Americans this Friday!!!! Bi all xxxxx kissing noises!!
Hermione arrived at her second lesson of the day- Potions. She sat at the front of the class having just left Ancient Runes- Fascinating subject. While she awaited the arrival of Ron and Harry from Divinations, she took out her notes- Snape was giving them a test today on the correct way to brew a Polly juice potion.- Easy!
She sat on her own in the empty classroom for several minutes, having arrived a few minutes early. She was looking over how long the Polly juice potion should be left to simmer, when she heard some people enter the classroom from behind. She turned around to see Tanya, her usual blond hair pulled back in a tight pony, and Pansy, who was modeling plats, followed closely behind.
Hermione decided to not pay them any attention, and went back to her notes. This became hard to do however, when the two girls sat directly behind her and began to talk about something; Something that Hermione would soon find, very interesting.
()
Pansy hastily entered the classroom after Tanya. She had been pestering her to spill what had happened with Draco all through breakfast, and all through Divinations, to no avail. It was now starting to get to her, and she knew she didn't stand a chance getting the information out of Draco, so Tanya was her only hope. She plonked down on the bench behind that Mudblood girl, and didn't even wait for Tanya to take her seat before asking her ...again.
"Come on Tanya, just tell me!"
Tanya huffed. "Alright. Look, it's not that interesting. In fact, it's slightly embarrassing."
She paused to look at Pansy, who wasn't faised by this at all, so she carried on. "Ok, well last night I was up in the North Tower with....well some Hufflepuff...." Pansy arched an eyebrow at her. "Yeah I know. BIG mistake. Any way, I didn't see him at first but Draco was already in there. He came out of no where and threw this Hufflepuff person out of the room, so it was just, me and him in there, alone."
As Tanya was saying this, people began to file into the classroom. Even Scar head and the Weasley took up their places next to the Mudblood.
"Any way, he stood there staring at me for a good while, I thought he was going to yell at me or something for bringing a Hufflepuff up there, but he didn't. Before I knew it he had me pinned to the wall and was kissing me all over. Then he got as far as my underwear and that didn't stand a chance with his raging fingers....."
But before pansy got the chance to finish, because Snape entered the class room and called for silence, before he started handing out test papers. Tanya whispered a quick "I'll finish it later" at Pansy, before she got out her ink and quill to write.
()
In the row infront, Hermione sat with her mouth agape and her ears strained to hear the conversation. She was horrified. She knew Draco was bad news, right from the start. Why oh why had she not tried to put a stop to Ginny's relationship with him.
"Herm...you ok?" Ron muttered from next to her. He noticed the sheer look of horror on her face and was slightly worried.
Hermione snapped out of her thoughts to look at him.
"Huh, oh yeah....fine"
And with that, she took out her quill and began to write.
Ron shot a worried glance at Harry, but he was looking else where. At the row behind him. Where Pansy sat.
Ron clicked his fingers to catch his attention and shot him a confused stare. Harry just ignored him and he too began to write.
Through out the test, Hermione couldn't pay her full attention to it, so when Snape went around collecting the papers, she was sure she had failed.
Ron seemed to catch on that she was worried about something, but she passed it off. Instead, she had a look around the classroom.
There was Blaise, sitting next to Crabbe and Goyle, talking merrily to them, and then there was Draco, sitting at the end of the row, not talking. He was simply hiding his face away, as if he had a guilty conscience.
Hermione was ready to spit flames, as she stood and marched over to him. However she didn't get that far as Ron grabbed her and hissed in her ear: "What are you doing. What's gotten in to you?"
Hermione thought quickly for a good enough lie, but couldn't think of one, there fore when Snape dismissed the class a few moments later, she wrenched her self out of Rons grip and fled the class room.
()
Pansy and Tanya were the last to leave the class. Pansy took the opportunity while Draco wasn't around to talk to Tanya again.
"So..then what happened?" She hissed.
Tanya looked at her as if to say 'drop it' but she knew this would only make Pansy more determined.
"Ok....well as quickly as he had me pinned to the wall, he was suddenly backing away as if he'd been bitten. Before I could ask what was wrong he was fleeing down the stairs at top speed, and I haven't spoken to him since. Stupid Wanker. I mean who does he think he is...using me-"
"So nothing happened?" Pansy asked a little to quickly, ignoring Tanya's last remark.
"You mean did we have sex?"
Pansy nodded glumly.
"No, we didn't."
Pansy sighed in relief.
()
Hermione was storming through the corridors, pushing people out of the way. Ron was running after her, trying to catch her, he too was barging past people. Harry was somewhere behind, but was struggling against his brain. He didn't know weather he should run after Ron and Hermione, or stay in his current position where he had a great view of the back of Pansy's head.
Hermione was pushing people out of her way, left right and center, when she saw him. His blond hair stood out a mile away. He was standing by the great oak doors that lead to the grounds,
She puffed herself up, ready to go over there and break his nose several times over, when someone suddenly stepped infront of her, blocking her way.
"Hey Hermione. What's up?"
"Oh, hey Ginny." Hermione instantly calmed at seeing her friend, yet she was still a little flushed.
"What's wrong. Are you ok?" Ginny asked, with a worried look.
"Huh..oh yeah I-"
"There you are!" Ron puffed as he almost bumped into the back of her. "Hermione what's going on? Why were you running?"
Both red heads looked at Hermione, awaiting an answer. Hermione felt he pressure. What she really wanted to do was march over to Draco and break his pretty little face. But that would have been a little too dangerous.
"I erm.....well I ...... its just....."
"Yes?" Ron and Ginny said in unison.
Hermione suddenly caught a glimpse of Draco disappear out side onto the grounds with his cloneys and she huffed in defeat.
"Its nothing. Come on lets go somewhere!" And she disappeared into the crowd.
Ginny gave Ron a look that simply said: 'What's wrong with her?' however Rons answer was: "Just don't ask!"
As Ron strolled off to catch up with Hermione, Ginny turned around to look out over the grounds, where she caught a glimpse of blond hair. She smiled and made her way out side.
Once outside, she spotted Luna sat down by the lake under a tree, so she walked over to her, casually glancing at the group of Slytherins on her way.
"Hey Luna" she said as she sat down on the ground next to Luna. The sun was shining bright on this particular day so it was warm enough to sit out side despite the fact it was still winter. put inside her bag. She looked at Ginny, who, she noticed, seemed to be rather intrigued by something over in the Slytherin crowd.
"Erm....Gin....Ginny....GINNY!" Luna yelled. Ginny nearly jumped out of skin at the yell. She turned to look at Luna, and slightly blushed, knowing that she had been caught looking.
"Y-yes?" She replied.
"What were you looking at?"
"Huh?" Ginny played dumb.
"Ginny, you were looking at something over..there" she pointed at the group of Slytherins!!
"N-no I wasn't I was.....looking at ...erm..... that....er tree..." Ginny smacked herself in the head and Luna laughed.
"Its ok Gin" she rubbed her knee. "You fancy one of the Slytherins...its ok.....we've all been guilty of that"
"Yeah...yeah that's it..."Ginny smiled.
Luna packed her back and stood to leave. She the reached out a hand to help Ginny up. "You coming. We have History of Magic next"
Ginny took the hand and stood up herself. "Yeah...sure.... Don't wanna miss that right"
Luna laughed and the pair headed back to the castle.
()
Draco watched as Ginny headed back to the castle. He hadn't had the chance to see her since being back at school and it was like a breath of fresh air. He was just thankful that what happened last night didn't go any further than just a few kisses. He no knew that he couldn't get rid of her. He didn't want Ginny out of his life. Last night had made him realize that.
"Hey Drake?" Draco jumped when he heard the voice but calmed when he realized it was just Blaise.
"Yeah?"
"Are you coming, we have Charms now"
Draco blushed when he noticed that almost the entire group of Slytherins were watching him.
"Oh yeah....sure."
()
The rest of the day went by quite smoothly. Ron kept a close eye on his girlfriend, but Hermione was aware of this so tried to act as normal as possible. Harry had every lesson that day with Pansy there fore found it very hard to concentrate on ANY thing, resulting in him getting detention from McGonagal for turning Neville into a mouse and turning Ron's owl into a cat which chased Neville around the class for a full 20 minutes. Neville had been sent straight to the infirmary having been traumatized, and McGonagal had to deal with the rest of the class who was in hysterics laughing.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened until that evening, when Hermione was on her way to the Library with Harry to help him with Flitwicks essay.
The pair were happily chatting away when they turned a corner to the Library and bumped into both Pansy and Draco.
Harry blushed but couldn't stop staring at Pansy, who just smiled at him.
Hermione on the other hand, was spitting fire. Draco could sense something had jumped up her arse, therefore asked her just what that thing was.
"Alright Granger, what's your problem NOW?" he sighed.
"YOU!" Hermione pointed at him. "You are my problem!"
Harry and Pansy stopped staring at each other and looked horrified at Draco and Hermione.
"Oh....and what have I don to upset you this time"
Hermione was beyond caring that they were with company, so just came out and said it.
"You're cheating on Ginny!"
Silence.
Harry nearly dropped dead. Pansy opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water, and Draco looked like her wanted to kill someone. Hermione.
"I'm sorry?" He asked once he had recovered.
"You. Are CHEATING on one of BEST friends"
"Draco..." Pansy whispered.
"Stay out of this Pansy." He hushed with a wave of his hand. He then turned back to Hermione. "I dunno what you are talking abo-"
"Don't give me that Crap Malfoy. You are SUPPOSED to be dating Ginny yet you still find the time to play around behind her back fucking some common SLAPPER!"
Draco was fuming. Harry however, was still trying to put two and two together.
"Wait a sec. Ginny and.....Malfoy?? MALFOY! No way. Since when. How. WHY?"
"Oh shut UP you stupid Fuckwik!" Draco drawled in an extremely bored tone.
"Draco..you and.......and a WEASLEY!" Pansy screeched.
Draco just bowed his head so Hermione answered for him.
"Yes....Your precious Malfoy here has been dating Ginny ever since the Yule Ball. AND, for some unbeknown reason, he makes her really happy." Hermione grabbed Malfoy by the chin and made him look her in the eye. "Ginny loves you. She LOVES you. And you go and do this"
Draco yanked his face away and glared at her. "This. THIS? What exactly is THIS? You have NO idea what you are talking about!"
"Oh I think I do Malfoy. You see while I was sitting in Potions this morning before class I had the unlucky fortune of hearing about one of Tanya McGrandals late night rendezvous.....it just so HAPPENED to be with YOU! My best friends boyfriend."
Harry, who had now grasped the situation, lunged forward to hit Draco, but Pansy intervened. "No Harry. I mean Potter. There are still a few things I don't get." She pushed Harry back, away from Draco and shot him a glare that said 'Not now'. She then turned back to Draco.
"So this whole time. When you have been sneaking off. You have been with her" Draco didn't say anything. Pansy suddenly laughed. "So that's why you saved her. That time in Hogsmeade. You FANCIED her!"
"NO!" Draco now paid her his full attention. "I didn't KNOW how I felt back then. That was just the start of it. For some reason I thought it was the right thing to do. There was nothing going on between us then. It was just Ginny....she saw me in a new light after that.... And we started spending time together..... we became close..... and we soon began to like each other..... this thing has only been going on since the Yule Ball....and it just HAPPENED......believe me I would never have willingly chosen to go out with a Weasley...but like I said...it just happened."
"And what EXACTLY is wrong with the Weasleys?" Harry was fuming as he said this.
"Oh come on Potter. You know as well as I do that a Malfoy is not meant to have any thing to do with a Weasley. Its like A Potter is not meant to have anything to do with a Parkinson....it just doesn't happen."
Both Harry and Pansy blushed, but neither Hermione nor Draco noticed this.
Hermione suddenly spoke. "We are getting off the subject. The point is YOU cheated-"
"No I didn't Granger!"
"Yes you did!"
"No! just LISTEN to be you rampaging bitch-"Harry lunged forward again but Pansy grabbed him. "Nothing happened. Yes Tanya and I were up in the North Tower and I was tempted, but NOTHING. HAPPENED!"
"You expect me to believe that" Hermione folded her arms over her chest.
"No. I don't expect that you will. But it's the truth weather you like it or not and we are NOT going to let this get out to ANY one, is that quite understood."
Both Harry and Hermione snorted laughter.
"Just wait till Ron finds out about this" Harry growled.
This time, Hermione's eyes went comically wide and she rounded on Harry.
"No Harry. As much as I hate Malfoy and what he has going with Ginny, it is not our place to say. Let Ginny do that"
"But Hermione......Wait......" Something suddenly clicked in Harry's head. "You knew..... you've know all this time and you never told. You put Ron through hell thinking that you were cheating on him and what ever but REALLY it's his baby sister that has the secret. Hermione you were there. You saw his face. You know how he reacted when he thought you were seeing someone else; he's still worried about you! You have to put him out of his misery."
"I know" Hermione sighed. "Believe me I want to tell him. But it's just not my place to say"
"Who GIVES a fuck. This is MALFOY we are talking about. When did we ever care weather it was the wrong thing to do by him"
"No Harry. Its not JUST Malfoy we are talking about here. Its Ginny too. Remember her. Rons baby sister. He will be crushed."
"Yeah, and he'll be even more hurt the more this carries on. The longer you wait, the more its hurting him."
"Harry do you think I don't know this. I go to sleep every night worrying about that boys sanity. I know that when he finds out about this he will FLIP. But what can I do. Its not for me to say!"
"Then I'll fucking tell him" Harry yelled as he began to march off down the corridor.
However, when he felt a hand grab his arm, he prepared himself to turn around and tell Hermione to let him go, but he found him self face to face with Malfoy.
"Let. Me. Go!" He growled through gritted teeth.
Draco simply matched his glare. "No Potter. I can't let you tell him. I love Ginny too. I won't see her hurt."
"Well you should have thought about that before you got involved. Did you REALLY think that things could work out for the best?" Harry almost laughed. If looks could kill, Draco would be dead and buried, and Harry would probably be dancing on his grave.
Draco bowed his head. He wanted to say no. He knew that was the right answer. But he wouldn't let Potter get the better of him. "I knew it was going to be hard. And believe me it has been. But like Granger said. When Weasley finds out about this he is going to Flip. He would have done that to begin with, even if we had have been straight with him then."
Harry glared. "Then tell him now. Get it over with"
"I can't do that Potter"
"Then I WILL!"
Harry began to march off again but fell the moment he felt a great weight on his back.
Draco jumped on top of Harry and wrestled him to the ground.
"Get off me you dip shit!" Harry yelled.
"NO! Not till you promise that you wont tell"
"No way in hell Malfoy"
Draco sat on top of Harry, preventing him getting up. Hermione and Pansy just sighed.
It was Pansy who spoke first. "So tell me Granger. How is it that you know?"
Hermione turned to her and smirked. "Well unlike you Pansy, my friends trust me. They know I would not tell."
"Yeah..like you did just now" Draco gasped from the floor, where he was trying to keep a struggling Harry still.
"That's different. You provoked me"
Draco stopped in his attempts and glared at her, shocked. "I never" But while he was distracted, Harry managed to wallop him in the side of the head, knocking him of balance. Harry then got to his feet and ran at top speed down the corridor, in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
"Harry NO!" Hermione yelled as she jumped over Draco and ran after the boy who lived.
Harry, being much bigger and stronger than Hermione, reached the common room first and said the password and ran in.
He grabbed a hold of one of the chairs to catch his breath.
"Harry. Are you ok?"
Harry looked up. There on the sofa was Ginny sitting next to Ron. Seamus was on the floor playing a game of chess with Dean and Lavender and Pavati were talking to Neville about his traumatic day. Neville slightly flinched when he saw Harry.
"I...uh.....I erm...." Harry wanted to say it. The words 'Ginny is dating Malfoy' were right on the end of his tongue, but he couldn't do it. He didn't want to hurt Ron.
"Yes?" Ron asked.
"It's....nothing..." He said, as he flopped down on the chair in defeat.
Hermione suddenly ran into the room, tripping over her own feet as she came to a stop infront of every one.
She took in the sight before her. Ron was looking at her oddly, but no different to how he had been all day. Ginny was smiling at her and there were no sighs of a fight going on.
She leaned down to whisper in Harry's ear. "What did you do?"
He looked at her and whispered back "Nothing. I couldn't do it"
Hermione let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. 'Oh thank god' she thought. Before she did anything else, she ventured over to the portrait hole. She stepped out side, where she saw Malfoy and Pansy running towards her.
"Well?" Draco said, as he came to a stop infront of her.
"He didn't tell" She watched as Draco's shoulder slightly slouched as if a great weight was lifted off his shoulders.
Pansy came up behind Draco. "So...what now?" She asked.
"Now.." Hermione began. "We talk to Ginny. We have to convince her to tell Ron"
"No!" Draco almost yelled. It was clear that he was very worried. "I don't want him to know"
"Well..." said Hermione. "I don't think you have much choice. You're lucky Harry didn't say anything just now. I think the balls in our court. We could tell Ron at any time we choose to. So get used to it sweet heart" And she smirked. She patted Draco's cheek in a patronizing manor and disappeared inside the common room.
()
The next morning everything was back to normal. Well, almost.
During breakfast, Harry kept looking from Ginny, to Malfoy. He was still flabbergasted as to just HOW the most unlikely pair in Hogwarts could have ended up together.
Draco tried to hide his face from view. He knew Potter was staring at him. He could feel it. He didn't feel hungry at all. He just pushed his food around his plate with his fork. He hated to admit it, but the Gryffindors had finally got one over on him.
The previous night, he had told Pansy everything. She was very persistent and wouldn't let it lie. But it was ok. He was pretty sure he could trust her. The only problem was, she was still a little mad with him. It wasn't so much the fact that it was a WEASLEY, who was she to judge when she was being friendly with Potter. It was more the fact that he had kept it a secret from her.
As the bell rang to signal classes, Draco tried to hurry out of the great hall before any one else. The one thing he hadn't managed to miss while he was eating breakfast, was the fact that Ginny had left early. There fore once he was out of the room, he wasn't surprised to feel a hand grab him and pull him into an empty classroom.
He heard the door slam and he turned around to see Ginny, or a mass of red hair as she threw herself at Draco
"I missed you" she said into his neck in a voice that sounded like she was crying.
"I missed you too" he said as he rubbed he back soothingly and kissed the top of her head that was nestled under his chin.
They stood in each others embrace for a while before Draco spoke up.
"Gin...don't you think we should....ya know....get to class?"
"Just one more minute" She said, as her grip around his neck tightened.
As Ginny pulled away, Draco looked her in the eyes. He wondered if Granger had had the opportunity to talk to her yet.
"Ginny?" he asked as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah?"
"Have you....spoken to Granger yet today?"
Ginny laughed, "Ha....well yes...I mean I speak to her most days....as ya do when you're in the same house together."
"No. I mean...has she said anything to you... a-about us...?"
"Oh..well...no...why would she...?
"Oh its just....nothing..." he quickly said.
Ginny pulled away completely. "Tell me...."
Draco sighed and sat down on a desk. "It's just...last night.....I bumped into her. I was with Pansy and she was with Potter..."
Ginny sat down next to him..... "And.."
"And.... We had an argument... about..." Draco paused to think just what the argument WAS about, and thought it would be safer- for him- if he didn't say. "Well any way things got out of hand and she blurted out that you and I are going out!"
Ginny was on her feet. "WHAT!"
"Ginny..." Draco stood up to try and calm her. "It's ok...its-"
"No it's NOT! I have enough trouble trying to convince Hermione to keep it a secret and she is a Ron's girlfriend.... But Harry, they are best friends...he'll tell-"
"No he wont" Draco urged. Well he didn't know that. Potter could tell if he wanted to. So could Granger. He was sure they would both do it in spite of him, but he had to do something to calm Ginny. "He won't
"Are you sure?" Ginny asked I a small voice.
"Yeah" Draco nodded and pulled her into his embrace. "Positive" He hoped.
()
The rest of the week went by quite smoothly, apart from the odd turmoil's! Now that Ginny was aware of Harry also knowing about her and Draco, she tried to avoid him as much as possible, and if she was put in a situation where it was just her and him together for company, she would make her excuses and try and make herself scarce. However this was made difficult when she was stuck in the common room late on Thursday night, doing er Charms homework, and Harry came and sat down next to her, reading the daily prophet.
It was just the two of them, and Ginny hadn't finished her essay, which was due in the next day, therefore she had to grit her teeth, and ignore him.
After an hour of sitting in silence, Ginny suddenly became very agitated by his presence, and accidentally lashed out on him.
"What do you want Harry?!" She yelled, making him jump as this was the last thing he was expecting from her.
He closed paper and lay it on the armrest of the sofa. He then turned to her and asked: "Sorry? I don't know what you are talking about"
Ginny just growled in frustration. "You...sitting here......are you DELIBERATELY trying to annoy me"
Harry was taken slightly off guard but passed it off and instead just smiled at her sweetly. "No actually. I just came here to read. Am I making you nervous?" He provoked.
"Yes!" She almost yelled back at him.
Harry decided not to push her any further. He sighed heavily and turned in his seat so now is whole body was facing her. "Look Ginny. I know about you and Draco. I know you're aware of this. So if this is why you have been avoiding me all week-"
"I'm NOT avoiding you" Ginny yelled frustrated.
"I'm sorry Ginny, but I think fleeing the room everytime I enter does count as avoiding me. Look that's not the point. The thing is, Ron is my best friend, and I don't want to tell your secret, but I will not see him hurt, therefore if you don't do it soon...I will"
Ginny slouched her shoulders in defeat. She expected that much. Hermione was beginning to rub off on him. And not in a good way. She simply nodded her head. She then heard Harry sigh next to her. She looked up at him and he had his head hanging, as if guilty of something. "Harry?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"You ok?"
Harry just nodded. "Yeah. I just.... It still baffles me as to how..I mean....WHY.... why Malfoy...of all people. I mean there's Seamus....he likes you!"
Ginny laughed. "Yeah....but the object of a relationship is that both parties have to like EACH OTHER"
Harry looked shocked. "You don't like Seamus?:"
"Oh no.....I do.....just...not like that" Ginny laughed, trying to lighten the mood, but Harry was still glum. "Look Harry..." Ginny placed a hand on his knee. "We can't help the people we fall in love with. I know you guys hate him, and Ron is going to do his nut when he finds out. But if I did everything right by you guys my life would be boring. I'd be dating some well to do Auror or something and live in a normal middle class house, bringing up several middle class children." Harry laughed at this. "Draco is different. Sure you guys don't like, but you guys don't know him. He's good to me. He excites me. I feel happy when I'm around him, and I WANT to be around him. I know that makes you sad. It makes Hermione sad and no doubt it makes Pansy Parkinson sad, but I like him, and that's all there is to it."
Harry nodded. He couldn't argue with those sentiments. Ginny was besotted. There was nothing more Harry could do, other than be there for Ron when the news hit home. He stood to leave, not before turning to Ginny and saying:
"I admire your loyalty to him Ginny. You're right. I don't like him. And neither does Ron. That's why when the news does come out, as his friend, I'll be there for Ron. You are my friend too Ginny but in this situation, I have to stick by him. I'm sorry"
He turned to leave, not giving Ginny the chance to answer. He was too scared of what she would have to say.
When he was out of sight and earshot, Ginny broke down into silent sobs. Was there no one who was on her side? All she was trying to do was be happy, and her friends, the people whom she most trusted in the world didn't want to let her.
Silently, she picked up her books, and packed them into her school bag. She then slung it over her shoulder and walked the distance to her dorm. She essay wasn't finished. She would just have to do that in detention.
()
The days after were stressful to say the least. Draco made the effort to see Ginny as often as he could, but it was never for long. Ginny always wanted to spend more time together, but Draco was worried that if their kissing sessions got any further than just...kissing, Ginny would find what Draco was hiding under his sleeve. He had yet to tell her about his mark. He wanted to. He SO wanted to, but he was worried about how she would react.
Harry, too his joy, spent more time with Pansy. On the following weekend, he ended up going down to Hogsmeade on his own. It was a wet miserable day; there fore most people had decided to stay at the castle. Harry was not one of these people. And neither, incidentally, was Pansy.
Pansy had a few errands to run for her father. She managed to get most of them done by mid- day, therefore stopped off for lunch at a small café in the middle of town.
Harry was window-shopping, and had to do a double take when he saw a pretty brunette sitting in the window of the café. He quickly checked his hair in the café window- a mess, as usual, and he stepped inside.
Pansy looked up when she heard the door open and she smiled as Harry took up the empty seat next to her,
So Harry and Pansy spent the afternoon in Hogsmeade, generally chatting and getting to know each other better. However, back at the castle things were a little different.
()
Draco was sitting up in the Astronomy tower, with Ginny in his arms. They were comfortably snuggled into the sofa, pillows, blankets and all to keep them warm from the chilly wind out side.
Draco had his arms wrapped around Ginnys waist and clasped at the hands. Ginny was half-asleep, making subconscious patterns on Draco's arms with her fingers. Draco was too half-asleep, there fore didn't notice what she was doing. However, he did wake up from his slumber when he felt her fingers ever so slightly brush against his mark. It was still a little sensitive and sore.
He jumped ever so slightly, waking Ginny. He unclasped his hand and moved his right arm away form her nimble fingers. Ginny swiveled around so that she could see his face as she asked: "Are you o k?"
Draco was trying to avoid looking at her, but her eyes were boring into the side of his face so he had to move. He tried to stand but she just held him down. She then noticed that he was subconsciously holding his right arm with his left hand, just below the elbow.
She reached out to touch it but Draco caught her just in time. He quickly shot out from under her, making her almost fall off the sofa. She was now getting worried. He was hiding something for sure now, and she was sure it was under his hand, on his right arm.
"Draco..... are you gonna tell me what you are hiding?"
Draco wasn't looking at her, and pretended to be confused. "Huh?"
Ginny moved closer to him. He was now standing by the open window. Every step she took in his direction, he took a step beck, until he could move no further, as the wall behind him suddenly became an issue.
Ginny stopped when she was directly in front of him. She didn't say anything- he wasn't looking at her any way. In stead, she reached out and grabbed a hold of his wrist.
Draco however, had other ideas. The moment he felt a hand on his wrist, he sprung backwards as if being hit by some curse.
Ginny was shocked by this. She tried to touch him again but he only moved further away from her. It was almost as if he was afraid to be touched by her.
Ginny let out a strangled sob. She rushed to the sofa, sat down, and began to cry.
Draco, who was now stood in the far corner of the room, felt a pang of guilt rush through him, knowing it was he who did that. He had made Ginny cry. He suddenly put all his issues aside and rounded the sofa. He sat down next to Ginny and took her in his embrace.
However Ginny pulled away, and scooted over to the other side of the sofa, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
Draco just watched her do it. He didn't try and get any closer. He watched as her shoulders shook with silent sobs. He wanted to hug her. Tell her it was ok. But he had to wait. He just watched as the tears flowed, trying to ignore how bad he felt.
When Ginny had cried herself out, she turned to face him. He saw her red swollen eyes and only felt even worse.
Ginny then spoke up, although her voice was hushed.
"Why..." she paused to catch his eye. "Why wont you ever tell me what is wrong? We go through this almost every time we meet. We kiss and cuddle; yet you never let it go any further. The moment it starts to get too intense you break away and tell me we should get back to bed, or lessons, or what ever else we should be doing. I've never said any thing before because I just thought it was you being too careful, but after....that.... what ever that was.... Draco have I done something.... Why wont you let me touch you?"
A surge of guilt rushed thought his veins and he tried to stop himself from breaking. Malfoy's are not weak. Instead, he took a large breath, and spoke.
"Ginny, its not you, and its nothing you've done....its me-"
He heard Ginny gasp and he looked up to see new tears in her eyes. "Oh my god. You're breaking up with me aren't you? This is what its all been about. You breaking up with me!" Ginny was now on her feet and scrambling around for her cloak. She tripped over several things on her way to the door, but as she reached for the handle, Draco grabbed her.
Ginny struggled, fighting against the tears that wouldn't go away when she told them to, and fighting against Draco, who was trying to lead her back to the sofa.
"Ginny STOP!" He yelled when it all became too much. Ginny suddenly stilled, looking up into his blue eyes. They had a small amount of silver in them. Ginny noticed that the silver was clearer to see when he was angry or upset for some reason.
Draco didn't waist any time in small talk. He got straight to the point. "Listen to me. I am NOT breaking up with you." He stopped so he could lead Ginny back to the sofa. He figured she'd probably rather be sitting when he told her the next part.
As Ginny sat, Draco sat next to her, close. He didn't want to give her the chance to run away. He spoke again. "The reason why I have been preventing us going any further than kissing, is not because I don't want you to touch me......" Ginny looked worried. "Its because of this..." He then lifted up the sleeve of his jumped and revealed his mark.
He closed his eyes, waiting for the news to sink in. He suddenly heard a small gasp and, opening his eyes, he looked up to see Ginny was....crying.
She was staring at his arm, at the dark mark, and was crying.
Draco was about to ask her why SHE was crying, but she silenced him with her lips.
Draco lay back against the arm of the sofa, bringing Ginny with him so she lay on top of him.
When they finally broke apart, a little out of breath, Ginny spoke: "So this is why you were hiding over Christmas.." Draco nodded. "From the Dark Lord?" Draco nodded again. Ginny let out another strangled sob and forced her lips onto his again, a little harsher this time.
"Did you think you couldn't tell me?" Ginny spoke against his lips, as tears ran down her cheeks. "Did you think you couldn't trust me?"
This time Draco broke away. He took her face in his hands and spoke to her, as a father would speak to his small child. "No Ginny Weasley. I KNEW I could trust you. I just didn't want to scare you. This thing shows who I really am... who my family REALLY are.... I didn't want you to be frightened of the person I really am"
Ginny shook her head, still more tears came. "Draco Malfoy you stupid stupid fool. I'm not scared of you, or your father, or that stupid dark mark. That doesn't show who you really are. I know who you really are. I worked that out for myself weeks ago. You are a kind, sweet-hearted man, however much you hate to be told that. And I love you for it. And NO-ONE is going to convince me other wise. Ok?!"
Draco just nodded. He then kissed her again. It was a passionate kiss, and Draco poured his heart and soul into it, as did Ginny.
"I love you too" He said against her lips.
As the kiss got more and more intense, the need for more contact became imperative. Hands reached to every crevice possible. Ginny thread her hands under Draco's shirt and pulled it over his head, while Draco began to undo her white blouse.
Soon, the majority of their clothing was discarded and spewn all over the floor, save their underwear. Draco reached for a blanket and wrapped it around them. They then continued their kissing, as hands began to touch, and get used to the feel of skin. Draco could only marvel at Ginny's body. She was beautiful. The same could be said for Draco. Ginny couldn't help but smile at his perfectly toned body.
Draco felt a surge of bravery wash over him. He reached down to the brim of Ginnys underwear. He smiled encouragingly at her, and she gave him a nod as he reached two fingers under the elastic.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and in fell a very disheveled looking Pansy and Harry, who were clinging to each other. Harry had red lipstick all over his cheeks, and lips, and Pansy's hair was falling put of its pretty bun.
Pansy and Harry suddenly pulled apart and and made their way over to the sofa. However the stopped when they noticed it was already occupied.
Suddenly, four voices chorused at once:
"OH MY GOD!"
TBC
OK guys... here's the bad news....... I'm going away to !!!!FLORIDA!!! for two weeks this Friday...which means I wont be able to post any more chapters until I get back.!!!! IM SO SORRY!!!! I'm gonna miss writing but what can I do!!!! If I find a cyber comp or summit in America then I may try and get on!!!! Ok well, see it wasn't that bad!!!! Take care all and I'll see you Americans this Friday!!!! Bi all xxxxx kissing noises!!
