Author's Note: HAHAHAHAHAHA. Don't you just hate parents? But they rock, they really do. Aside from the whole I'm-going-to-set-out-to-make-you-life-miserable thing. Yeah, they're great fun. But, here it is, Chapter 18. Working diligently on chapter 19, but no promises. I love all you reviewers. Chapter 19 should be the last or second to last chapter if I don't do an epilogue, and the nex chapter should be on the dance, FINALLY! And yeah, the title for the last chapter was very sarcastic. Sorry, I just cannot control myself. Neither can the men in white coats who keep pestering me and my red-headed Muse friend who keeps spouting off Monty Python and Blackadder. Yeah, Protector of Meladon, that's you. But, with out further delay, I give you...The Creature...read and ejoy, please!
Disclaimer: See the last million chapters. (Groans and stabs self viciously with a daisy.) Feeling better...
Dancing Life
Chapter 18: Associations and Conspiracies
Shit shit shit shit shit. Ginny thought wildly.
"YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, ALL BECAUSE OF YOUR RELATIONS WITH THAT-THAT-THAT MALFOY!" Her mother's voice trembled. Her father's voice, however, continued, unwavering and strong. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, RUNNING OFF TO THE FORBIDDEN FOREST LIKE THAT? YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVEN'T BEEN USING YOUR HEAD, OR ELSE YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER GONE NEAR THAT FOREST OR THE MALFOY BOY! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU'RE EVEN ALLOWED TO DATE ANYONE, MUCH LESS A MALFOY? WE HAD TO HEAR ABOUT IT FROM RON! I'M ABSOLUTELY DISGRACED. MY OWN DAUGHTER!" Ginny's father's voice boomed over the now-silent Great Hall. The Gryffindors were looking rightfully astounded, though some of them had guessed what was going on between Ginny and Draco. The Slytherins were laughing hysterically. Heather and Blaise were staring at the letter with wide eyes.
"I WANT YOU TO BREAK OFF WHATEVER IS GOING ON BETWEEN YOU TWO IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T EVEN WANT YOU NEAR HIM, LET ALONE DATING HIM. AS OF THIS MOMENT, YOU ARE GROUNDED UNTIL YOU'RE EIGHTEEN, AND YOU WON'T BE DATING ANYONE UNTIL YOU'VE MOVED OUT OF THIS HOUSE, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? I'M IMMENSELY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU! DON'T BOTHER COMING HOME UNTIL SUMMER. AND THEN, YOU ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!" Ginny's mother ended, and the Great Hall rung with the heavy silence.
"Ginny?" Heather asked softly. The red-haired girl glanced up, her face drained, and tears in her eyes; though she looked more angry than sad.
The silence was broken by the thick laughter of the Slytherins from down the table.
Pansy Parkinson was laughing hysterically, as was her friend. "You're grounded 'til you're 18 Weasley! And you can't date 'til you're out of your house. Guess that means you'll never date." She paused to sneer meanly between Draco and Ginny. "It's not like you could ever afford another house."
Before anyone knew what had happened, Ginny was up out of her seat and down the table. Before anyone could react, there was a loud SLAP-ing sound and Pansy was doubled over her plate, clutching her cheek, where a hand-shaped spot was turning red.
Ginny looked dangerous. Very dangerous. Like a lioness defending her cubs. She looked pissed and dangerous. She was practically shaking as she held up her hand again, ready to slap the hell out of Pansy, who had chosen the wrong moment to bring herself to Ginny's attention.
"MISS WEASLEY!" a silky voice boomed over her shoulder. She whirled around, her face still a mask of anger and hate. Snape stood just behind her, looking for once, ruffled.
"That will do, Miss Weasley. Fifty points from Gryffindor for an unwarranted attack on another student, and detention with me this evening!" he snarled. Something snapped in Ginny. She shook her head. "By all means, Professor Snape, take points off, give me detention; I deserve it."
She narrowed her eyes, the cold, hard glint coming back into them. When she spoke, it was icy cold and dripping with anger. "But don't you dare say it was unwarranted. That was justice, pure and sweet. My actions were justified because of what dear Miss Parkinson said. I understand you taking off points for what I did, but don't you dare stand here with the audacity to tell me that I was in the wrong; that I began this. I'm finishing this, and I accept my punishment."
Snape was staring at her as if she's just burst out singing "I'm a prostitute." His gaze was shocked and unbelieving, as though it wasn't possible that Ginny Weasley was standing here, telling him what to do.
"Please, sir," Draco cut in, tapping Snape's shoulder. "Gi-eh, Weasley has a point; Pansy did start this. Perhaps her punishment doesn't have to be so strict?" He asked. Snape glanced from the unlikely advocate for Ginny to Blaise, who was nodding in affirmation, to Ginny, who was gritting her teeth at him.
He shook his head slightly. Perhaps he was getting to old for this; nothing was making sense. Why the hell was Draco Malfoy dating a Gryffindor sixth year? And she was a Weasley, too. And why the hell was Blaise Zabini sticking up for her? And…ah!...why the hell was Blaise Zabini's arm around the waist of a half-blood fifth year Gryffindor? Ahh!
He shook his head more vigorously, realizing they were waiting for him to say or do something. "Errr…well, yes. Fine, then, Mr. Malfoy. I suppose…well, yes. But I'm afraid that Miss Weasley will still have to attend detention, and I will take…ten points from Gryffindor." He debated.
Pansy Parkinson, who had been whimpering quietly (well, perhaps not too quietly) for the past few moments, now stood angrily, eyes flashing.
"Ten points?! Professor Snape, she hit me! Look, I'll have a bruise! Look what she's done to my face!" she pointed to the red mark on her cheek. Snape examined the pink spot with little interest or compassion.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Please, if anything I did her a favor. There's no way a face like that could get any worse, especially not from the little tap I gave her." Ginny said, under her breath.
Snape had no time to reprimand the still-fuming red-head; he had his hands full with trying to restrain Pansy, who had lunged for Ginny, pug face contorted in rage. "You little bitch! I'll rip your fucking head off! You skinny little slut!"
"Parkinson, language!" Snape snapped, pulling back the enraged girl who was clawing at the air in front of her wildly.
Draco was frowning darkly. Pansy stopped struggling in mid-air, breathing heavily. "You'll regret ever touching me…" Ginny rolled her eyes "Too late." She muttered, only making Pansy more livid. "…you fucking little slut. Why hit me? Jealous because Draco doesn't like fucking you as much as he does me? A little twig like you has got to be the worst lay ever."
Snape's eyes flashed dangerously as Ginny and Heather blanched. "That will do, Miss Parkinson! Ten points from Slytherin, and it'll be more if you do not desist with this mortifying display of vulgarity!" Snape fumed. Pansy went quiet, but her eyes were glittering with triumph.
Snape let her go, and she sauntered back to her seat. Snape smoothed his greasy hair back and sighed. "In light of certain…recent…new…" he sighed angrily again "…due to that scene with Miss Parkinson, I will lift the detention, but there's still ten points from Gryffindor." He turned on heel angrily.
Draco stared at Ginny in disbelief. "Wow. I cannot believe you got away with that." He gaped. Heather was suppressing extreme laughter, looking very much in agony, and Blaise was just watching the proceedings looking vastly amused.
Ginny shook her head, also looking somewhat stunned. "Yeah…that was odd." She didn't smile however, and that was bothering Draco. Whenever something went wrong, Ginny would smile and make a joke to try and make herself feel better. But now she was just standing there, her face blank.
Blaise and Heather passed a glance. Heather frowned and Blaise winced. Ginny turned suddenly. "Excuse me…I've got to go. I'll see you later." She said hollowly, not looking at anyone, staring blankly off into space. She walked off before anyone could say or do anything, not too quickly, not too slowly. She just walked away.
Draco arched an eyebrow and turned back to Blaise and Heather. "Was it something I said?" He asked. Heather frowned at him and Blaise tightened his grip on her shoulder.
"Um…it wasn't what you said, so much as what Pansy said." Blaise explained.
Draco cocked his head to the side. "What did she say? Was it that whole slut thing? If so, I swear, I'll-" Heather cut in. "It wasn't that." She looked up to Blaise, who nodded in ascension. "Um…remember what Pansy said? About the reason Ginny hit her? That she was jealous because…" Heather blushed and Blaise suppressed a grin, finishing for her. "…because Pansy was a better lay than Ginny was." Blaise bit his lip. "Although, you've never slept with Ginny, so…" he arched an eyebrow. "you haven't slept with Ginny, have you?"
Draco rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Of course not." He scoffed, then frowned, his brow furrowing. "But what did she get so upset over?'
Heather refrained from banging her head repeatedly on the table, though she contented herself by rolling her eyes. "C'mon Draco. Just the idea of you sleeping with Parkinson is enough to make anyone want to get away, plus the fact that Gin's head over heels for you." She arched an eyebrow, mimicking him. "I don't suppose you told her you and Parkinson had sex…ual relations?" she caught herself, flaming again.
"Again, of course not. It's not like it comes up in everyday conversation." It was Draco's turn to roll his eyes.
Heather pulled a face at him and Blaise smiled. "Either way, that's why Ginny ran off."
Draco turned to where Ginny had left, starting to leave. A hand on his arm stopped him. He whirled around. Heather let go of his arm, her eyes pleading with her. "Just…give her a little time to herself. I'll go up and talk to her in a little while." She assured him.
Draco frowned, but sat back down anyway. Blaise noticed his discomfort and preoccupation. "Well," he said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them "who's up for a little game of Quidditch?"
Ginny walked around the halls in a daze. She was tired, and hearing that her boyfriend slept with Pansy Parkinson (aside from making her want to divest her stomach of all contents) didn't do much for her mood.
She just needed some sleep, that was all. A little sleep, and a talk to Draco later. It wasn't that she was jealous or anything, but she was a little hurt that Draco hadn't mentioned it. But then again, how odd would it have been if he had mentioned it?
Ginny shuddered. Eeewwww. Pansy Parkinson? Draco had to have been either really desperate, really drunk, or taken some potion he really shouldn't have. Mental note to self, she thought...never drink any potions unless I know exactly what it is. Shuddering again, Ginny headed up to Gryffindor common room.
For some reason, even though it was practically the afternoon, she just wanted to go to sleep. The whole Howler thing from her parents had frightfully drained her. Her eyes flashed, opening wide with realization.
Wait…how in hell did her parents even find out that she and Draco were together? It wasn't even official yet; no one in school knew they were an 'item'. So how did her parents find out and owl her? What was it the Howler had said?
"WE HAD TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT FROM RON!..." Oh yes, dear brother Ron.
Stepping up to the portrait of the Fat Lady, she stopped, scuffing her foot on the floor, deep in thought. "Impedit Slitonus." She murmured as the Fat Lady cleared her throat, waiting for the password.
Inside the common room was exactly the freckled, red-headed someone she wanted to talk to. Well, not necessarily talk to, more like pound his face into the ground with her fists. Or even better, his Beater's club.
Ron glanced up from where he was reclining in a comfortable armchair. Seeing Ginny, his eyes went wide and he stood, abruptly cutting off the conversation he'd been holding with Parvati Patil. He began backing away from Ginny, confusing everyone because…well, it was Ginny. Good-girl Ginny who never did anything bad and was staring innocently at Ron, who by the way was not fooled as his housemates were.
"Er…hey Gins…" he trailed off awkwardly, still edging away from his sister.
Well, good news travels fast, it seems. Ginny thought ruefully to herself, still smiling sweetly at her terrified brother.
Ron knew better than to be taken in by the whole wide-eyed, I'm-an-innocent-little-girl act. After sixteen years with her, he knew how her twisted mind operated. This was the calm before the storm, so to speak, and Ginny Weasley was one hell of a hurricane.
Ginny took a step closer to her brother, taking a faint sense of delight in the way his eyes widened comically and he stumbled backwards. "Ron, it seems that you've been keeping up communications with mum." She said sweetly, the fake smile still plastered to her face.
Ron nodded dumbly, glancing around the room as if to look for help. Ginny frowned slightly and Ron winced. This was it; he steeled himself for her explosion. Oh, why had he written to mum in the first place?!
"Mind telling me why exactly you did trust me enough so that you had to go running off to mum?" She asked, voice low and stingingly bitter and harsh. Ron flinched internally, but managed to get his externals back from 'Cringing' position to 'Neutral'.
"I was worried about you, Gins. I mean…c'mon it was Malfoy! You wouldn't listen to me, so I had to get your attention somehow."
Ginny scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Did it ever occur to you that I might actually care for him? You know me, even when I was dating other guys, I never said I was in love." I might have thought it at the time…but he doesn't need to know that. She mused.
Ron restrained from rolling his eyes, though the effort was strenuous. "Even if you were worried about me (which I vaguely appreciate), you still had no right to tell mum. This is my life, and I would have told mum if and when I was ready. When we were ready. Did you ever stop to think that perhaps, just perhaps, we knew the risks and the improbabilities and took the plunge anyway? I'm committed, and Draco…you know Draco….he never does anything unless he really wants to. It was none of your business, older brother or not. Now I've got mum and dad breathing down my neck, trying to end my life as I know it now. They don't want me o see Draco, they don't want to see me, I'm not allowed to have a life anymore (like I had on before…), and it's all thanks to you. Cheers, Ron; thanks for being such a great older brother."
Tears were welling up in her eyes as she turned to storm off. However, Ron reached out and caught her. She refused to look up at him, instead staring bodily at the floor, watching her vision swell with tears and release as the silvery pearls fell to the floor at her feet.
"Gins, I'm so sorry." Ron said huskily, and then did something that surprised them both very much. He pulled her into a tight hug. "I sent that letter to mum because I was scared that he was hurting you. I saw bruises on your arms, and he said you two had an argument. I couldn't stand the thought that he was touching you. I was wrong, Gins; I know that now. I've seen how he looks at you; he's completely devoted to you. I just wish I'd seen it earlier." He muttered into her head as he hugged her tighter.
Sighing, Ginny felt her anger melting away. She reached up and hugged Ron back, resting her head on his shoulder like she had when they were kids.
"I know Ron. I know." She said soothingly. And in that short exchange, an understanding passed between the two teens. After that, there were very few Weasley Wars in the Gryffindor common room. Until Ron stole Ginny's favorite pair of socks a week later. But very little drama ensued between brother and sister (aside from the occasional 'friendly' banter…that was always fun).
"So…what were you two fighting about, anyway?"
Ron and Ginny were sitting by the fire, talking after their little spat. Which was a rare thing indeed; Ron was usually too occupied with Harry and Hermione to bother with more than the odd ''lo' to his sister when they passed. Ginny, in turn spent too much time in the library and with Heather. But it was nice to curl up by the fire, as they had done when they were kids, and just laugh and talk.
Ginny bit her lip, turning to face her brother. "You know…I'm not entirely sure about that myself. From what I gathered, Draco thought Harry and I were going together to the dance; you know the one after break?" she laughed and shrugged her shoulders, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'men'.
Ron cocked his head to the side, eying his sister warily. "What do you mean? Gins, you said you'd go with Harry! I asked you and you said 'fine'." He looked very puzzled and very 'Ron'.
It was Ginny's turn to cock her head in confusion. "When? I don't remember you asking, and I certainly wouldn't have said 'yes'. I'm with Draco now. Harry and I are just friends."
"Gins, don't you remember? It was right in here in the common room. I told you Harry wanted to take you to the dance…remember? When I was first talking to you about Draco, after that…kiss…in Hogsmeade?"
Ginny's eyes widened. "Damn!" she hissed. So that's what he'd been saying while she was listening to the PBE boxes. Damn those things anyhow!
Ron was staring at her as if she was off her rocker. Which was probable. "Nice language. Care to explain?" He grinned, looking more and more like her goofy older brother.
Ginny flamed. How was the best way to go about this? 'Erm, yeah…sorry Ron, but I wasn't really listening to you because you were being a prat?' yeah, that would go over well.
"Er…I was a bit…preoccupied at the time. I didn't really hear you." She flamed. Not one of her better or more believable lies.
Ron seemed to swallow it, though. "Yeah, you were looking rather odd. So…I guess this means you won't want to be going to the dance with Harry?"
Ginny winced. "Er…not really, no." She frowned apologetically.
Ron smiled. "Great! Well," he amended "not great…but…see, Harry's been after this Ravenclaw girl for a while, but that was after he'd asked you, and he was kind of sore about it." His smile split wider. "This works out perfectly!"
"Except that I'm going with Draco, right?" Ginny teased. Ron shrugged, grinning. "Can't have everything, can you?" Ginny grinned along with her brother. "No, you can't." She agreed.
Blaise was zipping across the Quidditch field, oblivious to the cold wind rushing around him. Draco was still on the ground, buttoning up the black jacket that Heather had made him for Christmas. It was quite chilly out. Heather was standing on the pitch, her arms wrapped around herself; cold despite the long suede, black-fur trimmed coat she was wearing.
"Is he insane? It's freezing down here, it must be icicles up there." She said, her breath catching in the air as she gazed up at where Blaise was doing loops and whirls in mid-air.
Draco grinned. "Quite possibly. It happens when you take too many Bludgers to the head." He smirked, eyes glinting evilly. "Or if you spend too much time around Gryffindors."
Heather merely laughed. "Don't go trying to blame us Gryffs for your mental instability." She poked, grinning with a gleam in her eyes rendering her very much like a cat stalking up behind a bird.
"Glad to know someone was keeping you in your place while I was gone."
Draco spun around. "Ginny!" he breathed.
Ginny was walking onto the pitch, her jacket pulled tightly around her against the cold and her broom slung over her shoulder. She was smiling, though, and it was that facial expression that made Draco practically stumble over to her, pulling her into a tight hug.
Ginny dropped her broom, reaching up to pull him closer, glad to be back in his arms. Yeah, brothers were alright for hugging, but nothing beat hugging your boyfriend. Except perhaps snogging the life out of him…
"Goodness; first Ron, now you…going to break my ribs, you are." She quirked, not loosening her hold on him. Draco managed to pull away slightly; not an easy task when Ginny Weasley is wrapped around you like a python.
"Why'd you storm off, Ginny?" he asked softly, planting a kiss on her forehead. Ginny smiled and flushed. "Um…just that whole Pansy thing was a little uncomfortable." She admitted. Draco laughed and pulled her head up to look at him.
"You know…she didn't mean anything to me." He said, suddenly serious. Ginny's face became serious as well, her smile dropping off. Draco resolved to do something very soon to bring that smile back…
"It was a few years back, when I was still with my parents. They encouraged that kind of thing; they wanted Pansy and I to get married once we were out of Hogwarts." He shuddered. "Luckily, things change, and I met you." He grinned, pulling her face closer to his. "And you're better than she ever was."
Ginny's eyes opened. "Didn't you sleep with her?" she asked, perplexed. Draco grinned; a smooth, sexy grin that made chills chase waves of heat down her spine. "Yeah…but you're still better." He whispered, before closing the distance between their lips.
Okay, so it wasn't poetry or anything of the sort. But the kiss he gave her was more than enough to make up for it. It was like falling in love with him all over again.
His lips coaxed hers open; after many, many, many kisses they knew exactly what to do, but it still felt like an adventure every time; still new and exciting. His tongue traced patterns on her lips and she sighed, peacefully.
They were just getting into the kiss when a loud and unbelievable cough brought them back to reality. Heather and Blaise were standing a few feet away, and Heather's cheeks were going a brilliant shade of red, most likely having nothing to do with the cold.
Draco groaned in disappointment, feeling the same in Ginny. "Yes? Is there any good reason we just stopped…what we were doing?" Draco asked turning so he was standing behind Ginny and wrapping his arms around her waist.
Blaise rolled his eyes. "Besides the fact that snogging in front of us is disgusting…I thought we were going to play Quidditch." He practically pouted. Ginny laughed, Heather rolled her eyes, and Draco threw the Snitch (from his pocket) at Blaise.
Several hours later, VERY cold and tired, the four students re-entered the castle, all except Heather (who had remained firmly on the ground while the others flew) trudging along wearily.
"Ow." Commented Blaise lightly. They had all decided it was too dark to play when Blaise mistook a Bludger for the Quaffle and caught it painfully in his arms.
"No kidding." Draco laughed, breaking into near-silent chuckles; he'd been unable to stop laughing since that little incident, which he found to be terribly funny.
Ginny groaned and tugged on Heather's robes. "I'm so tired. I'm hopping straight into the shower and then right in bed!" she mumbled, rubbing her sore backside.
Heather laughed and silently agreed. They said their good-byes (each giving their boys a sound kiss to last to the next day) and headed up the steps to the Gryffindor common room.
After that, the remaining days of the holidays went by rather quickly, and before any of them knew it, it was time to go back to school. Time to see how everyone would take the relationships the two unlikely couples had formed over the break.