Chapter 9- Getting Closer
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"Love gives you wings...with a little help from Faery Dust."
Walking back to the castle, Blaise's sickeningly sweet answer to his question of why she and Boot had floated higher than the other couples echoed in Draco's head.
Love...Zabini's in love... A few weeks ago she barely knew Terry-Boy was alive, and now she's in bloody love. Gobshite! Faery Dust and vows of eternal devotion have melted your mind, woman.
"Jealous that Zabini has a new boyfriend?"
Scowling, Draco looked back to where stolen kisses and gooey looks were being exchanged by the couple in question. Meeting Ginny's level gaze, the boy surprised himself by asking honestly, "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"Sure. The French call it Coup de Foudre. All it takes is two willing hearts."
He scoffed, "Well, I'm not willing to be struck by idiocy; even if Blaise seems to be enjoying it immensely...and no, I'm not jealous...she's free to see any pretty-boy she likes."
"How generous of you."
Ignoring the impertinent tone, he drawled, "I think so. I could break them up, if I wanted to. Smirking, he added, "Hope Boot doesn't mind Blaise running whenever I call."
"Maybe he won't- if you stop running your hands all over his girlfriend."
"Jealous I run my hands over somebody other than you?" His lips curved upwards in satisfaction when she couldn't choke out a coherent reply to that. The reaction was quite amusing and intriguing. He disregarded the thought that he was more comfortable analysing her motivations than thinking about his own. Freckles looked very fetching in the moonlight, and they had ascended higher than almost everyone else around the faery ring. That was all the proof Draco needed to confirm Ginny had a massive crush on him.
He decided provoking her into admitting her feelings would be a welcome distraction from the stomach turning love-birds cooing behind them. Since she was so easy to bait, he started by raising an insolent brow and matching it with a stare that coolly raked its way up and down Ginny's body. When he smiled suggestively, the redhead's temper ignited. "You're disgusting, Malfoy! I wouldn't want your filthy hands on me if you were the last boy at Hogwarts, in the universe...if the choice was you or a flesh eating slug!"
Suppressed laughter brought Draco's attention to the group around them. They'd reached the side entrance but he and Red had been bickering too intensely to notice. He saw the Headmaster smile in an irritatingly knowing way and scowled. To think he'd begun to doubt Father's claim that Dumbledore was the worst thing to happen to Hogwarts!
"Sorry, Ginny, but Hagrid's just got rid of the flesh eating slugs. They were ruining the castle gardens, so you're left with Malfoy, I'm afraid."
Loony Luna didn't sound afraid. She sounded amused in that distant way of hers. He considered the Ravenclaw. She always looked remote and otherworldly, but he'd ask Blaise what she thought of girl. They had Moronic Muggles together. Loony might be someone who needed watching, especially if she was getting close to Potty.
Draco pretended not to notice Ginny glaring at him when he readily agreed to Lorelei's request that they keep the details of this night's events to themselves. He smiled charmingly at the professor just to hear the girl's teeth grind. Dumbledore directed the students to disperse to their separate common rooms before following the professor and seconding her cheerful goodnight.
"Terry's going to...uh...walk me back to Slytherin. See you, Draco."
He couldn't let the starry-eyed couple off that easily. "Our common room's the other way, Blaise."
The silly girl accepted a flower Boot plucked out of her short curls and presented like a bouquet of bloody roses with a smile, murmuring, "We're taking the long way."
Terry-Boy threw a smug look over his shoulder before carrying Blaise off for some snogging and groping along deserted corridors. Draco almost hoped Filch or his cat Mrs. Norris caught the pair making out...almost. He still wanted help manoeuvring Ginny into declaring her hopeless affection over Hogsmeade Weekend. After that, however, he'd suggest the trophy room as an excellent place to rendezvous.
"Poor Malfoy. Girlfriend's thrown him over and now he's left all alone."
Weasley's taunt would've been much more effective if Potter had hung around to escort her safely back to Gryffindor. As it was, whilst she'd been watching the scene with Blaise unfold, Not-So-Perfect Potter had allowed Lovegood to finesse him into accompanying her back to Ravenclaw house.
So, here they were, a hungry snake alone with a little red birdie. Whatever should he do? Draco's eyes became hooded as he smiled in a way that brought an alarmed expression to a pretty face. Lowering his voice, he insinuated darkly, "All alone except for you, Red. What are you going to do now?"
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"Run."
Malfoy laughed as she fled, calling, "Running only makes the predator that much more intent on bringing down his prey, little bird." Heart pounding, she ran faster, listening to the footsteps whose echoes travelled up the corridor to reach her frantic ears. He said, "Slow down. You know you want to. Turn around and look me in the eye, little bird. Just stand there and wait for the big, bad snake to get you."
Merlin, he even sounded sibilant! "Never!" she shouted, reaching within for a burst of speed.
As though he were through playing, Malfoy's steps quickened from a lazy jog to a run. Ginny's mind raced. How would she get away, even if she wanted to? A small inner voice coaxed her to give up, give in, and let him devour her. Denying the traitorous impulse, the breathless girl came to the main corridor and contemplated her three options.
She could run up the stairs and assuredly be caught. She could run down the steps leading to the dungeons and hope that one was unlocked so she could hide there...all night if she had to. Hair fanning out wildly, Ginny shook her head against the image of being trapped at the end of a dungeon corridor with Draco coming toward her. Electrified into action, she chose option three- running through the entry and hiding in the Great Hall. Eventually, she could work her way to a staff entrance and escape back to her house.
Slipping into the Hall, Ginny carefully closed the door and tiptoed inside. The magicked candles were doused, but the enchanted ceiling lit the chamber with a dim, celestial light. Sliding under the Slytherin table, the last one Malfoy would expect her to choose, she began to crawl from one end to the other. On hands and knees, she gave silent thanks to whichever elves had cleared away all the debris from dinner. Hearing the door creak open, she froze. Soft footsteps reverberated in the silent chamber. Her pursuer had sauntered inside. An ominous click echoed in the shadow filled room.
"Hear that, little bird? I just shut the doors and they won't open without my specific counter spell. So you may as well come out, come out, from wherever you are."
Without the distraction of Draco's masculine beauty, Ginny was hit with the full force of his mesmerising voice. It wrapped itself around her like black silk, smoothly stroking her senses until the girl clasped a hand over her mouth to keep from breathing audibly. Pressing her lips together, she forced herself to continue crawling toward the end of the table. Her tormentor spoke again, "Really worked up a sweat running up and down those stairs. Think I'll take off these robes and cool off."
The whisper of fabric brought incredibly disturbing mental images. What did his body look like? Was he wearing black...perhaps a black silk shirt to match his voice, contrast with his porcelain skin and white blond hair? Ginny had noticed Draco's resemblance to that Faery, Puck. Floating in his arms, she had almost moved to touch his lips with hers. Only indignation over his roving hands had prevented her from making the mistake. Trying to scrape up some of that former anger, she found just enough to propel her into movement once more.
"Not wanting to talk yet? Well, that's alright, birdie, think I like slithering around in the dark, trying to hear you breathe, feel the heat radiating off your skin. Is it as exciting for you as it is for me?"
Ginny had to stop and cover her face again. Damn that Malfoy and his tempting voice. Trying to lure her out so he could... She resolutely ignored her insides' treacherous melting and the beguiling image of what would happen if she'd just slip out and place herself into Draco's clever hands. Midway down the table, she halted when his drawl sounded closer than ever.
"Not under the Hufflepuff table. I've walked the length and no little bird was flushed from cover. Will you be under Gryffindor? No. You're a bold one, aren't you Red? No hiding behind your house for you. Which table did you choose, then? Ravenclaw? Probably wiser, but I think I know you...know you'd think Slytherin would be the last table I'd check. Lumos!"
Like the bird he'd called her, Ginny had been paralysed by the sound of that silken voice drawing ever closer. By the time he said 'Lumos' and the wand illuminated his captivating face, she was ready to end the suspense, relieve the tension.
"Shhh," Draco murmured urgently, surprising her by sliding under the table, pulling in the bench and using his wand to perform a charm. "I've put an Obfuscation charm on us. Someone's coming. I didn't really put a spell on the doors and we don't want to be found like this, do we?"
They were lying on their sides under the table. Ginny's back was cradled against Draco's chest. Instinctively, her fingers had automatically clutched his sleeve when he whispered in her ear.
Oh gods, it is black silk...
A voice echoing from the entrance said, "Professor Snape, Mrs. Norris heard somebody in here."
Snape! Oh Merlin, does he mind Slytherins going at it under the table? Not that we're doing any such thing, but if caught, everyone will say that's what we were up to, won't they? Thank the stars Draco's covering my mouth with his hand. I think I would be whimpering now that I hear Snape prowling around. Hmmm, Malfoy's skin smells good. How does it taste? Mmm, salty...
Ginny's impulsive decision was answered by a promise breathed so faintly she had to strain to hear, "Two can play that game, Red."
Restlessly moving in helpless response to the exploration of her ear and neck by Draco's lips and tongue, she barely heard Snape tell Filch at the door, "I found a male student's robes. I'll take them into custody until I discover the owner- whom I am positive left this room as soon as he heard our voices."
"Sure he's gone, are you, and not hiding with some girly?"
"Are you implying my inspection of the chamber was not thorough? Perhaps you could do it better? No? Then I suggest you search the dungeons, in case some misguided youth and his girly are hiding there."
Snape's sardonic voice drifted away with Filch's abject apologies following. Draco rolled onto his back and draped a forearm across his eyes. Ginny rolled over on her stomach beside him, propping herself up to ask, "Do you think he knows?"
"He knows. Didn't you hear those emphasised words of his and Filch being banished to the dungeons? My initials are monogrammed on the inside of my collar, Ginny. He doesn't know who I'm in here with, but he knows it's me alright." She grimaced in sympathy. Lowering his arm, Draco saw her expression and said ruefully, "Merlin, our little game got out of hand, didn't it? I just wanted to give you a bit of a jolt, not scare you to death or get us expelled, Weaselette."
"I prefer to be called Ginny, Draco."
His smile flickered briefly. "I can try, but I'm not promising. It'll seem bizarre after calling you everything except that, Red." She moved closer. His eyes widened. "Hold on, what do you think you're doing?"
Ginny leaned over him, sliding her fingers through platinum strands to position his mouth for her kiss. The feel of his lips was just as tantalising as she had hoped and feared. Smiling into shocked gray eyes, she jibed, "I just wanted to give you a bit of a jolt, Ferret, not scare you to death." Attempting to move away, she gasped when he stopped her. His hand reached up to play with her hair, and then cupped her face. Draco's wicked smile was one she looked forward to seeing in her dreams.
"Give us another jolt, Ginny"
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Boy-Who-Lived Dances with Faeries...wouldn't Daddy sell papers like Fizzing-Whizzbies with that Headline? Not that I'll ever tell him... Some things Daddy just doesn't need to know.
Walking beside the Famous Harry Potter, Luna decided that he was even more interesting than she had previously thought. Although he faced danger bravely, Harry was very nervous around girls. He was constantly trying to smooth down his hair and barely able to keep eye contact for more than a few moments at a time. Knowing how awkward it was to feel out-of-place, she would never force the bashful boy to take her to a tea shop like that mis-sorted Cho had. She'd suggest the Bludger. Make him comfortable and make him hers. The phrase sounded like an advert for some product in the Quibbler, but it made perfect sense to Luna.
Harry wasn't one of those self-assured types like Draco. He didn't look in the mirror and say, 'I am a love god'. To be fair, she didn't think Malfoy did either, but he did look as though he would, and if he had a talking mirror it would constantly tell him how gorgeous he was. Smiling at the thought, the girl wondered if she'd like an enchanted mirror to talk to, or if it would make her roommates think she was even loonier. A brief touch on her arm made Luna realise Harry had been speaking whilst she was thinking and staring at his lips again. Thankfully, he was kind enough to repeat the question. "Do you know why everyone floated at different heights, Luna?"
She began to twine a long strand of hair around her finger. "Why do you think, Harry?"
"Well, Perhaps the Faeries sprinkled more dust on some people."
"Faeries can play favourites, everybody knows that," she agreed. "Any other ideas?"
He frowned thoughtfully. It was cute. "Maybe...maybe the more romantic a couple was the higher...but then, why would Ginny and Malfoy levitate more than us? I like you, but they can't stand each other."
Hearing Harry say that made her brain go fuzzy. "They can't?"
"Luna, it's Malfoy we're talking about here. Ginny would never like that slimy git!"
She was still dazed over hearing him say he liked her. "She wouldn't?"
No! I mean, she has been acting a little mental, talking to herself, and she does glare at Malfoy, but that's 'cause she doesn't like him, right?"
"You like me, Harry?" Luna knew she should probably try and convince him that Ginny and Draco were meant to be, but somehow everyone else's romantic dramas didn't seem near as important as hearing Harry say he liked her.
"Yeah, sure, you're easy to talk to. I like you."
The most interesting boy with the most beautiful green eyes in the school ran his hand over his hair before meeting Luna's misty gaze. Make him comfortable... "Do you have any plans for lunch Hogsmeade Weekend?"
He answered warily, "Probably go to the Three Broomsticks with Ron and Hermione like usual, why?"
"Oh, I was just wondering if you...and Ron and Hermione, of course...would like to try a new restaurant with me. It's called the Bludger and its all Quidditch."
His frown smoothed out. "Ron was talking about it at dinner. We could do that, I suppose...meet you there at noon?"
Harry was backing away. Why hadn't she mentioned the latest conspiracy Daddy had uncovered or walked a little slower? Ah, well, she had Saturday to look forward to, didn't she? Raising the hand that had a finger wrapped in hair, she waved. "Noon...yes...see you, Harry."
Admiring the deep shade of purple that reminded her of one of her jumpers, Luna freed her tingling digit and thought of another headline.
Gorgeous Teenaged Survivor of You-Know-Who's Attack Makes Casual Date with Luna Lovegood.
Returning to her dorm, she quietly sang,
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts...
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Lounging on a wide hammock, Blaise watched the setting sun paint the sky with breathtaking pastels. Sliding a long, bare leg down to the white sand, she lazily nudged the hammock into motion. Gently swaying, her gaze was drawn to a swimmer making his way to shore. Terry stood in the azure shallows, raising his hands to slick back long wet hair. Admiring the lean, muscular body walking towards her, Blaise breathed in the scent of exotic flowers and the enchanted ocean. When he reached the hammock, she pulled her lover down to lie beside her. Lightly tanned masculine hands stroked soft curves while slender golden fingers caressed firm, paler flesh. The hammock rocked as mouths and hearts merged. "Oh, Terry," she sighed. "Blaise," he answered softly, before the hammock began to rock violently.
"Blaise Zabini! Wake up this bloody minute or you're going to miss your first class!"
The rocking hammock of her dream dissolved into the reality of Fiona Flint and Morrigan MacDuff standing on each side of her four-poster bed, shaking the mattress. Bolting upright, Blaise threw a pillow at Fiona's auburn head and groused, "Couldn't you give me five more minutes, you heartless witches! I was having the best dream." Catching the pillow her friend tossed back to her, the girl hugged it and said dreamily, "Terry and I were together...on a hammock...on the Enchanted Isle of the Faeries..."
"We heard...Oh, Terry...Oooohhhh," teased the black haired Morrigan.
"All alone on an Enchanted Isle. Were you two being naughty?" asked Fiona. Seeing Blaise's blush, she crowed, "Oh Merlin, you were!" Doing her best McGonagall impersonation, she said severely, "Come along, Ms. MacDuff, delicate ears should not be sullied with the sordid details of lurid dreams."
"I want to be sullied! I demand to be sullied. What is sullied, exactly?" Morrigan laughed.
"I'll tell you while we pick out her clothing. She needs to get her arse in gear and take a shower."
Dashing for the loo on the way to the shower, Blaise grinned. She'd be more than happy to have that dream every night for the rest of her life.
All during the day, she looked forward to being with Terry and sharing her dream. To her intense dismay, the Ravenclaw and Slytherin sixth years didn't have any combined classes scheduled. Blaise's eyes automatically scanned the corridors between every class, but she never caught a glimpse of her long legged, long haired, gorgeous guy. Lunch was frustrating. She'd been running late due to being waylaid by her partner in matchmaking. Luna had dragged her off to the newly moustachioed statue of Gregory the Smarmy to share her thoughts and plans about Harry Potter, of all people. Refraining from grimacing or making one of the many sarcastic comments that came to mind, Blaise had agreed that asking Potty...erm...Potter...to lunch at the Bludger was indeed inspired.
Rushing into the Hall, she'd met Terry, who was just on his way out with the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. "Hi Blaise. The guys want me to explain a new strategy I've developed for the next game." He smiled regretfully.
"Boot here's brilliant at tactics," one of the Quidditch players boasted.
"Terry's brilliant at lots of things," she drawled, reaching out to smooth a strand away from her boyfriend's face. Smiling, she waved farewell, leaving a stunned group of athletes behind her.
Dropping onto the bench beside Draco, she ate a sandwich without enthusiasm, ignoring his amused scrutiny.
"For someone who floated high last night, you sure look low now."
"Yeah, I'm so low I should be under the table."
Draco sprayed a mouthful of pumpkin juice directly into Parkinson's pug face. He started to cough. Pounding her watery-eyed mate's back, Blaise regained her humour and her appetite.
That evening, she picked at her dinner, frustrated at not being able to connect with Terry all bloody damn day. What did she have to do to get a moment alone with her boyfriend? The sight of pale, elegant fingers reaching for a bowl of chocolate mousse gave her a mouth-wateringly wicked idea. "Aut inveniam viam aut faciam."
"What's that you're blathering, Blaise?"
"Zabini family motto- I will either find a way or make one. I'm about to live it." Returning Draco's smirk, the girl went over to the Ravenclaw table and slid into the vacant spot beside Terry. He smiled bemusedly, as if wondering what she was up to. Winking, she said playfully, "I've come to get what I want for dessert."
Terry silently offered his dish of mousse. Reaching out a slender hand, Blaise wiped a speck of chocolate from his lips and brought the finger to her mouth. Blue eyes darkened when she slowly sucked the mousse off while making a 'Mmmm' sound.
"Want some more?"
His husky voice carried. The students around the couple hushed, agog at the spectacle before them. Undoubtedly, the shock would soon wear off and word would travel up and down the table before spreading to every house. Blaise couldn't have cared less. She rose and gave Terry a look heavy with promise. "Bring the bowl...forget the spoon."
The personification of 'lean and hungry' lunged off the bench. Snatching his neighbour's uneaten dessert, Terry encircled Blaise's wrist with eager fingers and dragged her swiftly from the Hall.
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A/N: The 'lean and hungry' description is from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar...had to get the bard in somewhere this chap and I don't think Blaise minds that 'such men are dangerous', do you? lol How lovely to be Dangerously In Love...