Chapter 13: Blood-stained Innocence
Thanks for the reviews! To answer stuff: if Draco had told Hermione who he really was, there'd be no fun in that, besides, she hates his guts none of the good stuff would've happened if it was Draco…or would it..? and … Yes I know it was weird that he was practically naked, but he's hotter naked and you know it! Well, he did realize his situation so all good.
Lucky chapter 13...Actually..I like the number 13 ... go figure
Enjoy!
Something has been taken from deep inside of me
The secret I've kept locked away no one can ever see
Wounds so deep they never show they never go away
Like moving pictures in my head for years and years they've played
"And what's next?"
Chewing her bottom lip nervously (an annoying habit she'd picked up from Hermione), the little red head glanced up at her tutor for a hint of some sort; but the moment she did she regretted it instantly. Her heart fluttered wildly and her mind went suddenly blank.
Stupid Stupid Stupid
But ohhh if you look closer you can see his eyelashes…so long…and gorgeous…and...
"Well, Weasley? Come on! You know this!" the older Slytherin pressed eagerly.
Ginny dug deep into her memory, racking her brain. She wanted so desperately to please him.
I know this!
"Boomslang Skin!" she cried victoriously.
Blaise patted her on the back in congratulations, probably harder than he had meant to but Ginny appreciated it all the same.
"I knew you knew it! Great work so far! I'm impressed" he praised.
Ginny beamed and flushed at the same time. She'd impressed Blaise Zabini!
"Here, I think this deserves a little something…hang on…" said Blaise reaching into his book bag.
Curious, Ginny watched as he fished out a bag of what appeared to be levitating sherbet balls.
"Sweets?" she asked inquired observing the multi-coloured spheres.
"No just any sweet!" he said dropping a pink ball into her hand, "Emo-bubble Balls!"
Ginny squished the spongy-feeling sweet between her thumb and index finger and looked up at him skeptically.
"Try it! They're delicious!" Blaise urged popping a purple coloured on into his own mouth.
Squishing the ball one last time, she popped the sweet into her mouth. A tart, yet sweet raspberry flavour filled her mouth.
"Mmm…you're right. So what does it do?" she asked as the ball slowly dissolved leaving a bubbly foam behind.
"Bubbles! Blow out, and certain coloured bubbles should appear. The colour supposedly reflects your emotions" he explained. "Comes with a list of what the colours mean." Passing the chart over to Ginny, he began to blow out orange coloured bubbles.
"Orange….means….excited!" she told him after checking the chart.
"Quidditch game tomorrow" he confessed sheepishly. "Your turn!"
Ginny quickly handed him back the sheet and began to blow her own bubbles.
"Pink. A very bright pink too if I may say so myself." Blaise observed.
Grinning, she gave him a playful poke in the arm. "What's my hot pink mean?"
"Umm…" he ran his finger down the list, searching for the matching colour. "Ah! Oooh! Infatuation!"
The Gryffindor's eyes widened in horror.
Oh Gods oh Gods…
"So," said Blaise raising his eyebrows suggestively. "Lil Weasley's got a crush. May I ask who on?"
Her cheeks flashed several shades darker than her bubbles.
"Uh…haha…I am not infatuated!" She laughed nervously. "That can't be right!"
"Oh come on! You can trust me! Albeit I am a Slytherin, but I promise not to tell. And Slytherins always keep their word!" he said placing a hand over his heart.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm sure they do! And I'm also sure Professor Snape sleeps with pink silk Niffler pyjamas!"
Blaise feigned a look of shock. "Well! That's news to me! Last time I checked it was little yellow Puffskeins!"
Giggling, she placed her hands on either side of her face, imitating his look of surprise. "What do you mean last time you checked Mr. Zabini? Are you hiding something from me?"
"Merlin forbid!" he exclaimed with a look of sheer disgust.
"And here I thought all Slytherins liked dear old Snape!" cried Ginny in mock astonishment.
"Ah, but we do. Just not in the way your dirty little mind thinks! Well, at least most of us don't." he added.
Ginny doubled over in laughter and nausea. "Oh that was not what I was implying you nasty, nasty Slytherin!"
"Sure, sure" laughed Blaise, "now, come on, let's finish this potion before time's up! Oh, here you can have this bag. I have loads more."
Nodding, she complied and began to add the pickled bat wings. Ginny sighed contentedly as she stirred the potion. Her eyes drifted magnetically to the raven-haired Slytherin. A lingering smile was still upon his lips and his eyes seemed to twinkle even without the aid of lighting.
Turning, he dug into his bag once more she spotted remnants of the numerous air-memos she'd sent him throughout the week. This time, instead of candy, he brought out a single enchanted rose. Her eye's lit up. She'd read about them in Herbology months ago. The rose's petals changed colours depending on the feelings of the sender. A soft yellow colour meant friendship, a light pink meant lust, an ocean blue was for when the recipient was being greatly missed by the sender and a blood red, like the one Blaise held in his hand meant love. The only time the rose would die was when all feelings for the recipient turned to hate and despise. Her heart stopped as he neared her. Gently, he placed the rose within her hand and drew her near. She inhaled his mesmerizing, zesty scent. He looked deep into her eyes, and leaned in close to her.
"I love you, GINNY!"
The red head yelped as he cried her name. She was jerked from her daydream and back to reality only to find that her cauldron was bubbling violently. Blaise rushed over to her hurriedly and examined the gushing potion.
"What did you do?!" he asked frantically.
Ginny was speechless, she had absolutely no idea!
"I-I don't know! I was just stirring it! That's all I swear!"
Running a hand through his now tousled black hair, he began to observe the potion as he began to change colour from a murky brown to a violent shade of green. Then, without warning, the potion erupted, sending a wave of the green concoction onto the two unsuspecting students.
Ginny shrieked as the potion consumed her and a certain someone came tumbling down dragging her with them. Somehow she'd managed to fall squarely on top of him. Horridly embarrassed, she hurriedly righted herself.
"B-Blaise? Are you okay?" she asked tentatively. His whole body was soaked in the potion; not much different from herself.
He groaned loudly and rubbed his head. "I think I hit my head on the way down" he mumbled numbly.
Ginny began chewing her lip again, "I'm so sorry. Do you want me to go get Madame Pomfrey?"
"What? Oh, no, no. it was just a little bump. Nothing to worry about!" he insisted.
"Need a hand?" she said offering her hand to him. Nodding, he took her hand and she pulled him up with great effort. After all, he was a teenage boy and they tended to weigh an obscene amount without looking it.
"Thanks" he grunted, rubbing his head again.
"I'm so sorry." She apologized feeling dreadful, "This was all my fault I should have been paying attention I-"
"THE POTION!" he cried suddenly.
"Yes…I know it was a potion…" she said slowly as if speaking with a four year old.
"It's a permanent dye potion!" exclaimed Blaise groping blindly for a napkin.
"So?" said Ginny not making the connection.
"SO?! Look at us! We're GREEN!" he hollered manically as he scrubbed roughly at his face.
"Eep!" she squeaked and followed Blaise's actions.
After about 10 excruciating minutes had passed, they'd managed to wash off the main of the potion leaving a bare green tinge to their complexions and heads of bright emerald comparable to Harry's eyes.
"How long does this stuff last?" Ginny asked miserably. She already felt like a freak around the school with her fiery red hair and freckles, but now that she had green hair too she'd never live it down.
"A few days depending on how much Gilly weed you added." He replied peeling off his robe. "Scourgify!" the spell merely bounced off the robes and evanesced. "Damnit" he cursed.
Ginny looked up at him fearfully, "I'm sorry" she whispered.
Blaise looked down at her sympathetically, "Don't worry; it wasn't your fault I was supposed to be keeping an eye on you anyway! So no biggie!" he smiled softly, "You've still got some on your nose" he pointed out and gently wiped it off with his thumb.
Blushing, she stared down at her feet, avoiding his eyes. "Thanks" she mumbled.
"No problem!" he said cupping her face with his hands and lifting her chin up. "You keep working on it okay? Don't let this get you down!"
Ginny looked up at him adoringly. Her heart pounded within her chest and she smiled at him meekly.
"Knock knock!"
Dropping his hands, the two turned to the door.
"Pansy! What are you doing here?" asked Blaise sounding surprised.
"Nice hair." she giggled. Ginny blushed furiously and turned away to gather her books.
"I asked you what you were doing here" he repeated sternly.
Pansy frowned, but skipped over to Blaise; completely ignoring Ginny's presence. "Madame Pomfrey ordered me to gather some friends of Draco's so we can go talk to him."
"Isn't he still asleep?" asked Blaise mildly confused.
"He is. But she said if we talk to him it'll supposedly help him wake faster…or something like that" she explained, twirling a lock of copper on her finger, still trying to recall the woman's words.
"Oh, okay. Wait for me outside then. I'll be out as soon as we finish cleaning up" he replied.
"Fine, but hurry. I don't want to have to run into any of those bloody Gryffindors" she spat.
Blaise rolled his eyes, "Get out!" he ordered pointing to the exit.
Pansy huffed and pecked him quickly on the cheek before leaving. Ginny flinched the slightest bit as she did so.
"Alright, lesson's over, Weasley, I can clean up the rest of this mess. See you later" said Blaise, whipping out his wand.
Nodding silently she sensed he wasn't in the best of moods and exited.
She sighed softly as she slung her bag over her shoulder, wishing it could've been her that kissed Blaise goodbye. As she rounded the corner, a hand darted out and pulled her aside.
Terrified, Ginny fumble about, feeling for her wand.
"Relax, Weasley" a voice hissed.
Ginny whipped around as her arm was freed.
"Pansy?! What do you want?" she asked feeling both confused and frightened.
The Slytherin hastily shoved the younger girl deeper into the corner. "You like him don't you?"
Ginny stared at Pansy. "What are you talking about?" she asked confusedly although she had a pretty good idea of whom and what she was referring to.
Pansy glared at her. "Don't play dumb with me, Weasley; you know what I'm talking about! Blaise!"
Her eyes widened. What now?!
"What makes you think that?" she asked fighting her trembling limbs.
The bronze-haired girl smirked, reminding Ginny vividly of Malfoy. "I saw the way you looked at him."
Nervous, Ginny stared down at her feet; something she found herself often doing.
"Well?" she prompted tapping her foot restlessly.
"Why do you care?" asked the Gryffindor shuffling her feet.
"Because I do" she said simply. "I can help you out you know."
Ginny stared at her suspiciously, why would Pansy Parkinson want to help her!?
She raised her eyebrow at the girl. "I'm sure you're just dying to help me Parkinson" she said sarcastically.
"Don't get snippy with me, Weasley" Pansy said warningly, "I'm just trying to help you out here."
"Sure you are. What's in it for you?" asked Ginny.
"Nothing" she said innocently. Ginny shot her a look that said sure! of course nothing's in it for you! Why would I ever doubt your unfailing kindness for others?
"Except…"
AH HA! I knew this was coming!
"That you maybe you could ah….hint to a certain Harry Potter that I'm ah….free tonight?" she said not so subtly. "I mean I would do it myself, but coming from you I'm sure it'd sound better."
Ginny's jaw dropped and she pulled a face of disgust. "He has a girlfriend!" she cried indignantly.
"So?" said Pansy shrugging. "Not like occupied guys are any different than single ones."
"Absolutely not! You sicken me!" Ginny spat and turned to leave.
"Hold it there Weasley." Pansy grabbed her arm again. "I can help you with Blaise remember."
Ginny glared at the Slytherin girl. "Firstly, I do not like Blaise that way. Secondly, I would not accept your help even if I did like him. And lastly, you sicken me Parkinson. Don't you dare touch Harry."
Pansy released her arm, but looked unaffected otherwise. "Don't forget, the offer's still open" she said sweetly.
"What offer?"
The two girls turned around to find Blaise standing behind them.
"Nothing. Pansy was just offering to sell me her potions text book." Ginny cut in as Pansy opened her mouth.
Blaise stared at the two suspiciously. "Pansy doesn't have a year 5 potions text any more. Draco and I used it as a Quaffle at the end of last year."
"Er." Ginny was stuck. "Exactly!" and with that, she shot out of the secluded corner and down the hall.
The Slytherin's watched as the little red head almost sprinted down the hall.
"Gryffindor's are so weird" said Blaise.
"You have no idea" Pansy murmured.
.:.
Collapsing onto her four poster bed, Ginny began to strip off her outer most layers of now-green clothing. Tossing her discarded robes to the side, she picked up a fresh set of clothes and headed to the showers. Just as she was about to leave, a vibrant blue air-memo came whizzing in and crashed into her midsection.
She would have felt annoyed but since she knew the plane was from Blaise, she eagerly picked it up and read it.
Dear Igneus Amor
Bloody crazy day today. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Literally.
Ended up smacking to the wall since my bed is right against the wall. I must sound
pretty stupid eh? Just now, I had a tutoring lesson with this 5th year
Her heart skipped a beat as he mentioned her. Sort of.
It was all fine at first until the potion exploded so now I'm a few shades greener than
I really should be.
Anyway, I still have no clue who you are. Think you could drop me a couple more
hints?
Sincerely, Blaise
Ginny sighed happily and reached into her trunk for a silver box. Carefully, she flicked open the lock and placed the letter carefully into her chest along with the others he'd written. As she finished putting back the box, she reached beneath her mattress and pulled out a photograph of a dark haired boy. She hugged it tightly to her chest and then put it back safely into her hiding place before dashing off to the showers with her newly acquired, emerald hair.
.:.
"Just…go. I'll catch up."
Prometheus and Phaeton nodded curtly and followed the Granger sisters Invidia and Erida back into the castle.
Draco turned his back and began to walk through the gardens alone doing something he wouldn't usually be caught doing; admiring the flowers. Sure he'd been sick of if the first time he'd been here but that was just because he'd had to stare at them all night. Now that he had the choice to go see what he pleased, he really didn't mind all that much. Pacing himself, he strolled past the lilies first and knelt down to observe it. It was colourless and rather plain. Not something he liked in particular. But despite that, he reached in and plucked the flower out. Leisurely, he stood back up and his thoughts along with his feet began to wander aimlessly.
Why the bloody hell did I save her…
Well, was it really saving? Or was it just that you couldn't stand to see her with another man?
No…she isn't that great. I don't really care who she's with. Oh Merlin, maybe it was out of decency!
Oh God forbid! YOU? DECENT?
I can be decent. When there's something in it for me.
So what was in it for you that time?
Getting to scare the living shit out of that bastard of course
That was rather amusing; despite the fact that you acted like a complete Dumbass of course.
This place isn't doing me good. It's making me soft…
Bloody hell it is. You better get your head on right or there'll be consequences to pay.
I know…
Draco paced around endlessly finally stopping abruptly at a rather large rosebush. It somehow caught his attention, unlike the other flowers. They not only held a strong, sweet scent, but the colours were vivid and beautiful at the same time. Despite the daylight, they seemed to glow on their own with an eerie yet enchanting luminescence. He tenderly ran a finger along the flower.
"Shit" he cursed as the thorn drove its way into his finger. Drawing his hand back, he brought it up to his face for a closer examination. Upon his pale-pink finger was an outstanding, single spot of crimson. A flicker of light reflected from the drop of blood making it gleam. He smirked inwardly at himself. It was ironic how a thing of such beauty and innocence could hurt him…
Ridiculous
Holding his finger out steadily, he turned his attention to a pure white rose and carefully let the drop of blood slide off his finger onto its virgin white petals. He watched fascinated as the single drop of blood spread across the flower staining it's pureness with a dark cherry colour. After the redness had consumed the topmost of the rose, he turned his attention back to the single red rose that had pricked him. Even though the flower had injured him, he was determined to have it. Reaching carefully into the bush, he placed his hand upon the stem, and snapped it. He pulled out the rose and held it up to the light in triumph. The sun glinted off the numerous blood filled gashes that he'd received in his attempt to get hold of the rose. Without thinking, he wiped his hand off on his pants and began to observe the flower. It was truly a thing of beauty. The velvety blood-red petals, the slender, jade coloured, thorn covered stem and the sweet, tantalizing, aroma. Was it really worth all the cuts and scrapes for such a silly little thing? Just then, he heard footsteps coming up from behind him. Quickly, he hid the rose inside his inner pocket; opposite of the one he'd placed the lily in and turned to face approaching person.
She stopped just meters away from him.
Draco stared at her, "Thaleia" he greeted her with a nod.
"Adonis" she said in reply to him.
They stood in silence, staring at one another for moments until Draco finally broke the silence.
"Can I help you?"
The dark-haired maiden looked thoughtful for a moment before she shook her head. "No…but would you like to come in now? King Titan has ordered a jester to come today and…he has arrived. Would you like to join us?"
Rubbing his wounded hand, he slowly shook his head, "No, I'd like to stay out here for a while."
Thaleia stepped closer to him, "Would you like some company?" she asked as she neared him and fingered his collar.
"No thank you" he replied sharply.
As if oblivious to his tone of voice, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his briefly before pulling back.
"Suit yourself. If you change your mind, you know where to find me…us." And with those words said, she turned around and strolled back up to the castle.
Draco ran his tongue across his lips, tasting nothing.
Just as he had expected.
Oh and last time it was Good Charlotte! It's from their first cd self titled.
Anyways, this time it was Linkin Park –Easier to Run Not that perfect of a song for this chapter, but I had a hard time finding one to fit. If anyone else finds a better fitting song by all means tell me and I'll consider changing it!
And what I always ask for…FEEDBACK! REVIEW!
