A/N: Finally, the next chapter. I know it took ages, I'm so sorry, but life has been a real bitch. Here it is, however, hope you all like it. Oh, and please review!!!
Chapter 8:
Merry ChristmasI kissed Draco Malfoy; Draco Malfoy kissed me. Sweet Merlin I want to do it again and again and again.
But the shot of that happening again is what, naught? He did, after all, run away when I stopped him from going too far, which only serves to prove that he wanted me for nothing more than a one-night fuck. Not that I'm surprised, it is a Death-Eater-in-the-making we are talking about here.
If only I don't want to jump him every time he passes.
And the memory of the way he touched me makes my stomach clench in what can only be described as animal lust. Argh! Can't I just forget about the ferret-face?
He certainly seems to have forgotten me. He doesn't even do as much as glance my way anymore. When he sees me approaching, he doesn't even to bother avoiding me, noooo, that would imply that I'm actually alive. Can't have that now, can we? All I want is for him to bend me over something sturdy…forget I said that.
Would it really hurt to just look my way? Even just a sneer would make me feel better. I'm starting to worry whether I am still visible. But then, no-one else seems to have a problem seeing me.
A lot of people greeted me when they went home for the Christmas holidays yesterday, so they had to be able to see me, don't they? He can't even claim distraction. I just passed him this morning, and the only people in the corridor were me, him and professor Flitwick. And Flitwick was walking away from us; he wouldn't even have seen if we started shagging right there and then. Hmmm, interesting thought. No! Must. Not. Think. Of. Malfoy.
I have enough trouble on my hands as it is.
Christmas morning dawned bright and clear as the Golden Trio and Ginny met in the common room to exchange and open presents. Ron and Harry were still uncomfortable in each other's company, and the tension was brewing between the two of them as they waited for Hermione to open their respective presents. She took her time about it, opening her parent's and Ginny's gifts first.
When she came to Harry's gift, however, she gasped in surprise and delight. Ginny had helped Harry to pick out a beautiful muggle-style red-and-gold fountain pen with Hermione's initials engraved on it.
"Oh Harry, it's beautiful!" Hermione threw her arms around Harry's neck, hugging him tightly. She clearly had no idea what it was doing to the poor boy. "Thank you so much."
Harry looked liked it had just been announced that Christmas would be happening every month. He flashed Hermione a smile and shrugged.
"I wanted to get you something special, 'Mione."
Ron rolled his eyes and made gagging motions where only Ginny and Harry could see it. Ginny muttered something and leaned her head on her left palm.
Ron's gift turned out to be a beautiful photo-frame with a picture of him and Hermione in it. Hermione was just as delighted about this, and it was Harry's turn to pull faces. Ginny started beating her head against the armrest of the couch she was sitting on.
The Golden Trio turned as one man to stare at the red-head, but her self-mutilation was interrupted by a large snowy owl tapping on one of the windows.
Hermione let it in and accepted the parcel it was carrying. The big bird did not do much more than nibble at a biscuit Hermione proffered it before flying out the window again.
"'Ose it for?" Ron asked, eagerly leaning forward to get a better look at the satin-wrapped box.
"Me." Hermione said in a quiet voice, pulling a small Christmas card out of its envelope. All it said was: Merry Christmas in a bold, looping hand.
Both Ron and Harry looked extremely put out, but Ginny exchanged a knowing look with Hermione. Slowly she pulled off the wrapping to reveal a beautifully carved jewellery box, and inside it a necklace of white gold and rubies.
"Wow." Ginny breathed, unable to say anything else. She reached for it and unclasped it before hanging it around Hermione's throat. Hermione jumped up with a silly smile on her face and ran up the stairs to go admire the necklace in her bedroom mirror.
"Who the hell was that from?" Harry appeared livid as he swivelled around to face Ginny. Ron was not far behind.
"Yeah," he said. "Who was that from?"
Ginny rolled her eyes and shrugged. "How should I know? There wasn't a name in the card. It could be Malfoy for all I know or care."
The instant she said it, Ginny regretted it.
"Is that…ferret trying to get Hermione?" Harry's voice was dangerously low.
"Merlin." Ginny shook her head and got to her feet. "It's not bloody Malfoy, ok? Get the hell over yourselves. Hermione has a right to receive presents from other people, you know. She doesn't belong to you guys!" She stomped her foot, glared at her brother and his best friend, and stormed out the common room, slamming the portrait closed behind her.
I leave the common room with a disgusted look on my face. Harry and Ron are both getting seriously out of line. What also pisses me off is the fact that Hermione is blissfully unaware of anything and I always end up having to clean up their messes.
As if I don't have enough to occupy my mind.
I decide to go for a walk through the castle, and someone help Filch if he tries to get me in trouble for it. Draco is still not acknowledging that I exist, and I must admit that it hurts, as stupid and naïve as that might be. I really have fallen for him, and I guess I expected him to feel the same way after what happened that night in the Astronomy Tower, haha, what a laugh.
I look up as I hear footsteps coming towards me; great, just what I need. Someone to intrude upon my thoughts. My heart skips a beat as the owner of the footsteps rounds a bend in the corridor and makes himself known as none other than Draco Malfoy. But this time, instead of ignoring me, he walks straight towards me, grabs my one arm and steers me firmly into the nearest classroom.
"What are you doing?" I demand, shaking my arm loose from his grip once the door slams shut behind us. "If you think that you'll get a repeat of the other night after ignoring me for the past weeks, you're making a big mistake Draco Malfoy!"
I'm really angry; I can feel my whole body shaking. I push away the part of my mind that reminds me it isn't just my anger that makes me shiver. It's not fair that Malfoy can have such an effect on me.
He doesn't say anything, just thrusts a wrapped package at me. I didn't even notice that he was carrying it.
It is square-shaped and has a comfortable weight in my hands. I stand for a moment, merely staring at the stately wrapped parcel. Am I sure it won't bite?
"Open it." Draco catches my gaze, his hands locked behind his back. He looks so damn cute in that emerald green sweater. His hair falls loosely down around his face, not slicked back as is his custom during school.
"What is it?" I still only stare at the package, somewhat dazed.
"Your Christmas present." He gives me a wry smile, and my stomach starts to flip-flop on its own account.
I blink at him stupidly but slowly start to pull off the wrapping. What I reveal is a cherry-wood bound book, the name Ginny engraved on the front cover in graceful silver letters. The pages are creamy white and have a luxurious feel to them.
"It's beautiful." I say, looking up from the book in my hands. "Thank you."
He smiles at me, a charming smile, and withdraws his one hand from behind his back, proffering me a beautiful, single red rose. I could feel my jaw hit the ground.
"Draco…" I put the book down on the professor's desk, and take the rose from him. I can't help but flash his an excited, surprised smile. I press the rose against my nose, inhaling its sweet scent. "Why…?"
He shrugs, and on any other person I would have called that expression on his face bashful. Not that a Malfoy could ever be bashful.
"I wanted to give you something. Do you like it?"
I laugh. "Of course I like it. I'm just a tad surprised at all this." Ok, understatement of the century. I'm still angry with him, really, I am. He shouldn't think that these gifts are going to get him off from the tongue lashing he deserves. Then the thought strikes me. Malfoy and I are having a relatively decent conversation. We're not insulting each other at all!
He looks at me quizzically, drawing one of those slender hands through his hair. It makes him look so rakish that I have to keep myself from swooning. It should be a crime to look that good.
"I mean, you ignore me for weeks, and now you do something so…sweet. It's quite unnerving."
He draws himself up, all Malfoy now. I've never quite noted the breadth of his shoulders before; I bite my lip to help me keep control over my body. I clutch at the rose to keep me from reaching out to caress his cheek.
"It's Christmas, Ginny." He drawls, like that explains everything.
I feel something in me snap. "Oh, so now you need an excuse like Christmas to talk to me? I'm not your bloody toy Malfoy, you can't use me and then discard me as you wish. Merlin, you're so arrogant!"
"And you are so beautiful when you're angry." His hands are on my hips, pushing me backward until my bottom hits the desk. He kisses me hungrily, and I drop the rose beside the book so as to better utilize my hands.
Our kiss is not nearly as ravishing as it was the first time. Rather it is more sensual, if not any less passionate, and I feel myself melting, my anger leeching away. He pulls away from me, and for a moment we are both silent, breathing heavily, heat blazing from both our bodies.
He flashes me a smirk. "Are you still angry?"
I take a moment to consider, frowning in mock concentration. "A bit. You have a lot to make up for."
He laughs a throaty laugh and bends down to kiss me again. "Fiery wench." He murmurs just before his lips touch mine.
A/N: As most of you might have noticed, I have shifted away from making the Harry/Hermione/Ron love thing the main plot to making Ginny/Draco the main focus. I just have so much fun writing their interactions that I can't stop. I am considering changing the rating in later chapters, as things will really start to get raunchy. Let me know what you think!
Ta,
Katyla