Chapter 26- Lovers
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Ginny left the Great Hall after breakfast Saturday filled with anticipation.
The January day was bright and cold. Harry and company were going to sneak into Hogsmeade to play pranks. As appealing as the thought of managing mischief was, she had other plans that were even more thrilling.
As she neared the staircase down to the lower levels, the girl looked both ways to make sure no one was approaching before taking the steps down to the dungeon corridor. At the bottom of the stairs, she turned and gave a muffled shriek when a warm hand covered her mouth and pulled her back against a masculine chest.
"Well, well, what have we here? A sacrificial maiden for a dragon to devour? Ow!"
Ginny pivoted and took the hand of the boy whose palm she had nipped. She kissed his boo-boo and slid her arms around his waist. "No, I'm a dragon tamer."
Draco's grin brightened the dim corridor. He looked so bloody gorgeous, his pale, classic features framed by a black jumper and dark shadows. When he noticed her gaze focusing on his mouth, he winked. "Tame me all you want once we get inside, Red."
At the door to dungeon five, he used his wand to counter the wards. "My house-elf Slinky is incredibly clever at finding out all sorts of useful things."
Ginny entered Lorelei's classroom, marvelling again how bright and cheerful it was compared to Snape's. The enchanted windows made all the difference. The lack of specimen jars floating about helped too.
Draco looked smug. It was so cute. "Slinky told me the professor has gone to nurse her ailing father and isn't expected back for a week."
Her heart began to pound. The 'dragon' was giving her a look that sent shivers up and down her spine; it was that steamy.
His rain cloud coloured eyes became hooded. "That means no one will hear you...scream..."
Ginny felt as if she was on one of those Muggle carnival rides that made your stomach flip over and over. She swallowed hard and tried to sound challenging, instead of breathy. "What makes you think you could make me scream, dragon?" She had to remind herself that Weasleys never retreated when he stood so close his body brushed hers.
"This."
In a flash, 'claws' tickled her sides ruthlessly. Within moments, the maiden was screaming with laughter and begging, "Stop, please, oh gods, why do I have to be so damn ticklish? Baby, stop!" Her tormentor ceased and looked at her with an odd expression on his face. She giggled. "I wish I'd known that calling you baby would make you freeze earlier. Maybe my side wouldn't hurt now." She kissed him softly. "Sorry, I know it reminds you of your mother calling you Baby Boy."
The hands gently stroking her sides under her jumper made her forget everything except how good he made her feel. His lips kissing hers caused any slight regret at not going pranking to disappear.
Dreamily, Ginny wondered how the brush of his lips, the slide of his tongue could feel better and better as time went by. Usually, the better she knew a boy, the less she liked him or wanted to kiss him. With Draco, the more they were together, the harder it became to control herself, keep her hands from being naughty and restrain her body from moving in ways that made him break away and recite Arithmancy equations to calm down.
The answer to her internal question gave her a warm glow that suffused her entire being as she whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too."
She had just reached round and grasped hold of her boyfriend's incredibly fine arse when a noise in the outer corridor made the two spring apart and look around wildly for a hiding place.
Draco nodded to a back worktable covered in a cloth that hung to the floor. They quickly concealed themselves and sat hugging each other while trying not to laugh as the door opened. Curiosity made Ginny lean over to peek around the side edge of the tablecloth.
She put her lips directly to Draco's ear and breathed, "It's that new sixth year I told you about last night, who got sorted into Gryffindor while her brother's in Slytherin. Lorelei's sister."
After another peek, Ginny whispered, "She went into the storeroom...probably to get stuff for the...er...things the gang is doing today." Even in the gloom, a white-blond brow rising was a sexy sight. Her boyfriend knew what kind of things his least favourite fellow students were planning
They listened to the humming girl return from her supply gathering. Ginny jumped when a sardonic voice asked, "What's in the rucksack?"
The girl replied, "Top secret, professor. I could tell you, but then I'd have to convince you to let me go off with the Gryffindors anyway, and unfortunately I don't have time right now. How about we have this conversation later?"
In the dim light beneath the table, Ginny shared a 'what the hell?' look of amazement with Draco. She covertly looked out again and saw Snape's mouth curve into something scary--a smile! After a stomach churning moment, the man's lips curved down into a more natural grimace. "You would not have to go off with Potter and his little friends if you hadn't had that so-called accident with the Anti-Aging Solution." Crossly, the Potions Master added, "I begin to think you enjoy acting sixteen again, Lorelei."
Ginny looked at Draco. His mouth was hanging open. It was so unfair that he could even do that attractively. Platinum hair shook, indicating that he couldn't believe his ears either.
An amused feminine voice, which sounded more youthful and slightly higher-pitched than that of the woman they knew said, "Remember, it's Ronan for the next week, Severus, and can't I have a bit of fun? I'm doing my best trying to live the cliché I've been forced into--the new girl with a twin brother who comes to school and immediately becomes a source of juicy gossip." She paused and then laughed. "Just think what the students would say if they knew I was having it off with my professor."
The sound of kissing was heard.
Ginny and Draco both grimaced.
The 'girl' Lorelei had become said smilingly, "I've got to go, love. You can discipline me later."
"Are you going to be naughty?"
The insinuation in that dark, silky voice made Ginny press her hands against her queasy stomach. The thought of those having...erm...intimate moments...was just as nauseating as when she'd seen Mr. and Mrs. Zabini get affectionate, and almost as much as the mere thought of her parents ever talking like this to one another. Older people should knit and smoke pipes, not be sexy. It was gross.
She could see Draco's white teeth gleaming in the near darkness...thought her squeamishness funny, did he? His smile faded when they heard, "Oh yes, this week your good woman is going to be a bad girl that a nice boy like Harry Potter won't like at all. And in your class, Professor, I'm going to be very naughty."
Once the pair had left the classroom, the couple hidden beneath the table waited for several minutes before scooting out from under the cloth. Ginny was kind enough to rub the kinks out of Draco's lower back. Her hands slid lower.
He said dryly, "My arse feels fine."
"Yes, I know." The slight blush on his high cheekbones made her grin. He kissed it off. She sighed happily when his lips eventually left hers and Draco held her in his arms, caressing her back.
The floating-on-air feeling popped like a soap bubble when he observed with pitying amusement, "If Lorelei...Ronan...whoever...thinks that being a bad girl will turn Perfect Potty off, she's delusional. Ickle good boys always go for bad girls, just like bad boys go for..." He broke off with a nervous laugh at the sight of her raised eyebrows.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Think I'm an ickle good girl, do you, bad boy? Maybe you don't know me as well as you think."
A calculating smile crossed his face before Draco said with false casualness, "Oh, really...well, if you'd like to show me what you mean, I suppose I'd be agreeable."
Her mouth stopped the transparent attempt at Slytherin cunning with a bold Gryffindor kiss. Sliding her fingers into silken hair positioned his lips just where she wanted them. Her tongue, given permission to be as wicked as it wanted, did things she'd only thought of before, until his lips and body hardened and the embrace became something her mother would decry as 'bad', but felt so deliciously good.
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She was walking on the beach with Harry, holding his hand and enjoying the way the balmy wind gently blew her long hair. The boy beside her picked up a shell and showed it to her. Luna smiled, and then frowned. A melody carried to them upon the breeze, haunting and disturbingly alluring. Harry dropped her hand and started walking toward the music. She had to hurry to catch up.
Around the curve, they both stopped and stared.
Upon one of the rocks jutting from the ocean, a mermaid with pearly white skin and shimmering scales was combing her hair. She was singing a song without words that managed to convey a sensual promise that captivated the male listener.
The siren pushed her long, black wavy locks behind her shoulders. Luna gasped. Her blue gaze darted to her companion's face. His glazed emerald eyes, and open mouth told her he appreciated the impressive view.
His sigh caught the attention of the enchantress. Lush red lips parted in invitation. The mermaid slid off the rock and into the water, diving down with a swish of an iridescent tail. She reappeared in the water close by the couple. Wet, her hair was transformed into long spirals. Eyes the colour of black pearls entreated as she held out her arms and beckoned seductively, "Harry."
In a daze, the boy started removing his clothing. Luna gaped in disbelief when Harry walked into the waves. Her stunned look moved from the pile of clothes in her arms to the cute white backside diving into the water. Numbly, she watched the boy remain afloat in the siren's embrace, witnessed them kissing passionately.
The sound of hoof beats drew her gaze to where a rider on a white stallion was galloping down the beach toward her. The man dressed in black slowed and then stopped beside her. Mind whirling, all Luna could think to say was, "Why are you wearing a mask?"
The rider's golden-blond hair was uncovered when he took off the scarf-like mask and tucked the black silk into a pocket. He said, "They're very comfortable, and quite handy for disguising identity. Pirates whose features are known soon find themselves taking a long drop with a short stop."
Bright blue eyes twinkled, while a white smile framed by dimples flashed. Luna saw that he was a teenager like herself and was even more drawn to the pirate.
He bent down and pulled her up before him on his horse. His lips quirked while he tossed the clothes and glasses down upon the sand and told her in a pleasant voice filled with mirth, "Your companion...probably won't be wearing those again. The lovely siren is married to a Kraken. The moment she finds a...friend...the fish swim to tell the monster and, well..." He shrugged and kicked the stallion into motion.
In the distance, she could see a ship. Luna glanced over to where Harry was floating. Perplexed and distressed, the girl asked the boy who looked ready to burst into laughter, "Well, what? What does the Kraken do?"
The droll voice that made her smile spoke by her ear, "If lover boys don't get to shore fast enough, he eats them. I've lost two of the crew that way this voyage." At her gasp of horror, the chuckling pirate snapped the reigns and urged the stallion into a full gallop.
A horrible roar echoed behind, followed by silence, then a mermaid's singing, and a sea monster's growling, followed by silence once more. Straining her ears, the girl heard a faint, "Luna!" travel down the beach.
Simultaneously amused and relieved, she looked up into merry blue eyes and smiled. "Where are we going?" A golden brow lifted. It was incredibly dashing.
The appealing lips that were so close to hers parted, bent close, and murmured, "To my ship. I'm a pirate. You're my plunder, any objections?"
She shook her head yes, then no. She wondered aloud, "What's the name of your ship? The only one I've ever heard of is 'The Revenge'."
Pulling up next to a rowboat on the beach, the Pirate dismounted and swung her down to join him on the sand. He gave her a smilingly chiding look. "Revenge? What good is that? No, Luna, my ship's the 'True Love'."
It was hard to think when he pulled her close and a warm palm caressed her cheek, but she made the effort and asked, "Why name a pirate ship 'True Love'?"
"Because nothing can stop true love...the most anything can do is delay it awhile."
Her heart turned over. Pulling his head down to hers, Luna kissed him. His lips stilled in surprise and then moved in a way that made her fingers tighten in his hair. How nice plundering was.
After he put his mask back on, the boy pulled another one out of a saddlebag. "Ever think of being a pirate? You'd look lovely in black."
She laughed and allowed him to tie on the mask of silk. It was very comfortable. She put a hand up to his face and said wonderingly, "What's your name?"
He grinned engagingly. "Don't you know?"
The sound of giggling woke Luna from her dream. The Dread Pirate Roberts had just helped her out of her corset so she could change into 'something more comfortable'. She'd been eyeing the black silk sheets on a bunk big enough for two when the Captain's cabin had dissolved into a boring four poster bed.
"Are you awake, Lindy?"
Cindy's cheerful voice was grating today. Trying not to sound irritable, Luna replied, "I am now."
Silence greeted her response. Hmmm, maybe she had not done such a good job at hiding her resentment. Amused at her unaccustomed grouchiness, Luna stuck her head out of her bed curtains and asked, "Did you fix Sunday brunch, Cindy? It's the only thing I'll be happy to have a dream disturbed for."
Cindy giggled. "Oh yes, Lindy, we wouldn't have...uh...interrupted otherwise."
The three witches broke into cackles. Bindy put a hand to her forehead and imitated, "Oh Wesley!"
Luna's gaze slanted to Mindy, who seemed to be laughing half-heartedly at best. Luna frowned. Mindy had turned Wesley down, so if she wanted him at this late date it was too bad.
Slightly alarmed at the possessive feelings she had for a boy she didn't even call her boyfriend, Luna made an effort to take the teasing cheerfully.
They sat down at the table in the centre of the room and began to eat. Tearing off a bite of croissant, Luna turned the conversation to Bindy's new romance with her Gryffindor.
"Oh, Neville's the sweetest." The pleasantly rounded face glowed happily as Bindy gushed, "We have so much in common, and he's the best kisser."
The smile on Luna's face froze when Mindy challenged, "So how good a kisser is Roberts, Lindy, or do we even have to ask with you sighing 'Oh Wesley' in your sleep."
Luna thought how washed-out strawberry blonde hair looked when compared to Ginny's vibrant red. "No, you shouldn't have to ask. You could know, but instead you chose to run after someone who already has a girlfriend."
Mindy said, "Rumour has it Terry doesn't have a girlfriend anymore. No one's seen Zabini in the Hall, and he spends every night either with the Quidditch team or up in his room, so if I choose to run after him, he's fair game."
Luna's fingers twisted her linen napkin. "I was in the train compartment when Terry said he needed some time to think about things. He didn't break up with Blaise, so he's not fair game."
Mindy tossed her hair. "I know you've been hanging around that Slytherin, so I understand your loyalty, but really, did you see that picture in your father's paper? There's no way Terry is going to take that girl back, so when he officially dumps her, I plan on giving him some comfort, and if you don't like it--sorry."
The singsong way Mindy said sorry was so infuriating, Luna was glad she didn't have her wand handy. The witch might not have any hair to flip with attitude if she did. Before she could do something rash like toss her juice into the other girl's face, her other friends intervened.
"Do you like my Eggs Benedict? I don't know if the sauce came out right. Some of the spells in that Stewart woman's 'Meals in minutes- It's magic!' cookery book don't turn out well."
Bindy nodded at Cindy's comment. "I know. I thought maybe it was because she's a Yank, and some of the words are spelt a bit differently, but I dunno...I heard her Muggle cookery books are wonky too."
The girls talked conjuring cooking and agreed that Oliver, the Magically Naked Chef was the best. Luna didn't know if it was because his spells came out perfectly, or because the photograph on the cover would lose its clothing whenever a buyer said a specific charm. Whichever, the ploy to distract Mindy from her bad mood didn't work. She just came at Luna from a different direction.
"Did everyone hear about Harry Potter and the new girl? One of our seventh years heard from a fifth year whose cousin is a sixth year Gryffindor that the two were shouting yesterday morning in their common room and awoke the whole House. Everyone heard the girl screaming that Potter was obsessed and he shouted back..." Stopping abruptly, the falsely contrite girl simpered, "Hearing this doesn't upset you, does it Lindy?"
Cindy shook her head at Mindy. "What's your problem today? You know Luna had a crush on Potter forever. It's not nice to rub it in her face if he's going with someone else."
Bindy said, "I think that cousin doesn't know what they're talking about. Neville told me the new girl Ronan is very nice. Anyway, how could Harry be so crazy about a girl he's only known through..." Distressed, she halted, and bit her lip.
"Through what?" All three of the other girls asked.
Reluctantly, Bindy finished in a low, sad voice, "Through her sister, Professor Lorelei, and letters. It seems they've been pen-friends for ages. Or so Harry said to Neville...yesterday."
Luna thanked Cindy for brunch and silently gathered her clothing. In the shower, she tried to let her tears flow with the water, but couldn't cry. It hurt too badly to think of Harry feeling for someone else what she had wanted him to feel for her.
Maybe her dream had been a premonition of things to come. If that girl had long black hair, she would know for sure. Wouldn't it be funny if some of that Divination mumbo-jumbo turned out to be true? Not funny ha-ha, but it would definitely be funny peculiar.
Luna disregarded the stares of her roommates as she hooked silver radish earrings into her lobes and tucked long strands behind her ears so they were displayed for the world to see.
Downstairs, Terry and Wesley were sitting on a sofa. She went over and sat down beside the boy whose face lit up when he saw her. Lifting her hand to his lips, her 'friend' said, "Ready to go to the library?"
Luna nodded. She asked Terry, "Have you seen Blaise?"
He shook his head and said that Morrigan told him last night that Blaise had been sleeping on and off since Friday afternoon, but was sure to come to the Hall today for lunch. Terry looked edgy and excited. He jumped up and announced that he was going to go take another shower and find something better to wear.
Watching his mate rush up the boys' staircase, Wesley smiled and extended a hand to Luna. When they reached the library, he asked, "Any book you need in particular?"
"A History of Magic text."
Back near the Restricted Section, their steps halted when they heard a girl say, "Stop crowding me, Harry. I can't breathe."
Luna drew in a sharp breath as Harry said, "I can't help it. I want to be close to you."
Taking a step forward, Luna angled her head to see a boy with unruly hair pressing a girl with long, black, wavy locks against the bookshelf. He bent his head and tried to kiss her. Turning her face away, the girl said, "Oh, Harry."
Backing up rapidly, Luna felt the other girl's words said it all. Oh, Harry.
Wesley looked grimly in the direction of the other couple before meeting her sad gaze and winking. Grasping her by the shoulders, bright blue eyes twinkled into hers as he said thrillingly, "My gods, Luna, you're driving me insane. I've got to kiss you, right here and now--and I don't give a damn who sees us!"
The boy waggled his brows roguishly and lowered his mouth to hers. Thanking Merlin for gorgeous pirates who saved maidens from having to watch supposed white knights run after sirens, Luna threw her arms around Wesley's neck and kissed him back with everything she had. The appreciative growl he gave as his tongue swirled with hers told her what she had was what he wanted.
She continued to kiss him, even after hearing a soft feminine, "Oh!"
A curt male voice said, "Excuse us."
Harry's elbow jabbed Wesley as he passed, and he muttered to the girl that maybe he should tell Pince students were having it off near the Restricted Section. His companion told him he was a hypocritical arse and flounced away. He hurried after her calling, "Ronan!"
Wondering how she could feel so gutted and happy at the same time, Luna stared into Wesley's understanding eyes. She reached up to caress his cheek. "Thanks."
"Kissing you is all the thanks I need." Dimples appeared. "Actually, I should be thanking Potter for being the 'hypocritical arse' he is." Chuckling, he asked humorously, "Was there something we came to the library for? I can't remember now.
Luna pulled Wesley by the hand between the stacks. "Snogging."
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Early Sunday morning, Blaise was determined to gather her courage and talk to Terry. Yesterday, she'd spent most of her time sleeping or lounging in bed, except twice when commotions in the common room had interested her enough to drag on a robe and stumble downstairs.
The first time, students had screeched while loud bangs echoed outside. Morrigan and Fiona filled her in--someone, probably Gryffindors, had sprinkled a kind of powder all down the corridor that sparked and made loud snaps when people walked on it. No one had been hurt, but a first year boy had wet his pants. Blaise had privately admired that prank, not that she'd ever tell anyone...except maybe Ginny.
Blaise rolled out of bed and quickly made it with her wand. Deciding to take a shower after she came back, she grabbed the black leather outfit that Draco had called 'Vampire chic' when her mother had given it to her for her birthday. She dressed, pulled on her leather boots, and left the room after picking up her matching leather coat.
Downstairs, the lone boy sitting on a sofa, looked up, and asked smilingly, "Where are you going?"
She smiled back at him, wondering how she could have been indifferent to his offer of friendship. Drugs...they were just as bad as people said they were. Her smile brought an answering one to his face.
He said in a tone that reminded her of music and magic, for some odd reason, "You are going to greet the day again. May I come with you?"
Was there a female who had ever told him no? Oh, right, she had. Blaise said, "Yes."
Kieran shook his long fringe out of his eyes. "I dressed in a black to be appropriately attired, just in case." He offered his arm in an old-fashioned gesture.
They walked together in comfortable silence, as if they were old friends. Outside, Cassandra's group sat staring incredulously before handing Cass sickles.
Kieran told her roommate disapprovingly, "You should not take money from your friends. They cannot help being unbelievers."
Pale skin became pink as the girl who wasn't wearing black eyeliner or black lipstick today rolled her eyes. She gave the other four back their sickles. Blaise repressed a chuckle when Cassandra told them to sit down and shut up.
Kieran sat beside the girl and told her warmly, "You look much prettier without the blackness on your face."
"Wow. What a compliment. I'm under-whelmed." The bright pink blush on Cass's cheeks belied the words. She scowled at her gawking friends and told Lexx to play the damn guitar.
He grinned. "Sure thing."
Pulling out a pair of sunglasses and placing them on her face, Blaise listened to the boy sing a melancholy song as the sun's rays washed over their faces. Blaise's stomach started knotting. That would be how she'd feel if Terry didn't love her anymore.
"Stop." Kieran hugged her and glared at Lexx. "Your song is making Blaise sad." Inclining his head toward the girl on the other side of Cassandra, he said, "It makes Scarlett sad, too. She thinks you will never ask her to go with you."
Lexx's head turned so fast his spiky hair looked alive. "What? Scarlett...you never said anything."
Tossing her long reddish-black hair, the girl stood, throwing over her shoulder, "You never said anything either."
Lexx got up and followed her inside. Those left on the stairs sat in awkward silence.
Cassandra said, "Well, this has been fun." Her tone sharpened as she watched Kieran lean toward Blaise. "What do you think you're doing?"
Mesmerised by the bewitching teen's fathomless eyes, Blaise had sat entranced until he touched his lips to hers. Pulling back, she echoed the other girl's question.
Ruefully, he admitted, "I sensed you wanted a kiss...but...I did not know it was another's kiss you wanted until... I am sorry. Will you forgive me, be my friend?"
Blaise rose, patting the boy's arm. She couldn't be mad at Kieran. He was well intentioned, but still... She told Cassandra, "You'd better keep an eye on our empathy-boy. If he goes around trying to kiss all the girls and make them happy, he won't last a week. You claim to have the Sight. Use it to keep him out of trouble."
The boy's pout that was even more--no, she refused to admit anyone could pout more adorably than Draco could. Blaise told the group she'd see them later. Cassandra matter-of-factly informed her she would come to the Hall for lunch, but wouldn't be eating anything. Hiding her scepticism, Blaise said, "Okay, thanks," and left to go have breakfast with her other friends.
When it came time to enter the Hall for lunch, she froze, the same way she had in her dream.
"Are we gonna stand here all day, or are you gonna stop being chicken-shit and open the door?"
"What Morrigan is trying to say," Fiona said with a glare at the blunt girl, "Is things will work out so open the door, all right?"
Taking a deep breath, Blaise put out her hand, and then paused. Morrigan brushed past her muttering, "For crying out loud, follow us in, chickie."
Blaise glanced down at her jumper and short skirt. "Sure I look okay?"
"You look tan and sexy...I hate you...shut up and get your arse in gear."
Morrigan's joking words made Blaise relax. Trying to appear casual, as if she hadn't gone mental and avoided the Hall for a week, she sauntered into the chamber behind her friends. A glance over at the Gryffindor Table showed that Ginny, Ron, and Colin appeared happy to see her. She smiled.
Relieved that not all conversation in the place halted while students stared, her steps slowed and stopped when she looked for the one person she really wanted to see. He wasn't there. She asked Wesley, "Where's...?" He looked past her shoulder.
Blaise turned to see Terry striding down the aisle toward her. His hands lifted to frame her face. His eyes searched hers. She slowly returned his smile.
After kissing her softly, he grinned and placed an arm under her knees and one around her shoulders to lift her up and carry her back down the aisle. Girlish sighs echoed behind them as he kicked open the door and swept her out of the Hall. Once outside, Terry put her down. "We'd better run before prefects come after us."
Together they dashed up to the seventh floor. Terry went through the motions before the Room of Requirement and opened the door for her when it appeared. When they went inside, long brown hair swung as he looked around in disbelief. Except for a few magicked torches on the walls, the room was bare stone.
Terry took her hands in his. "I don't understand. I concentrated on making the room just the way you needed it to be. What went wrong?"
"Nothing. I don't need anything but you."
His handsome face twisted with regret. He held her close and whispered roughly, "Gods Blaise, I've been such a jealous bastard. I know you love me...and I love you...more than anything, or anyone. I don't want to live without you anymore. Tell me you forgive me."
She pulled back. His eyes looked misty too. She couldn't speak, so she nodded and pressed her lips to his. Terry kissed her hungrily and she eagerly returned every caress, so happy to be in his arms again. Blaise didn't notice the contours of the room shifting and changing until she was gently lowered onto a soft surface. She opened her eyes in confusion that swiftly turned into delight. They were in their tree house, on the cushioned area they hadn't had a chance to try before.
Lying in Terry's arms, Blaise told him how she'd tried to cope with unhappiness with a potion and how her friends--one in particular--had gotten her off it. He shared how he'd found out who his true friends were.
Surprisingly, his Quidditch mates made him realise that if they could dislike his girlfriend and still tell him they would support his decision to be with her, then he could put up with Draco, even though he thought her best friend was a snake. He might never want to be mates with the guy, but he wouldn't fight him anymore.
She tried to tell him how much she loved him and how different that feeling was from any other, but he shook his head. "You don't have to explain." Sombre blue eyes gazed into hers. "I've been jealous of Malfoy because he knows you better than I do, he spends more time with you than I do, and has you defending him against the world. I was afraid that you'd wake up one day and decide he loves you more than I do, too…and decide you love him more than me."
"Oh, Terry, no."
He smiled crookedly. "I've been reading Shakespeare since I've had so much time on my hands. Othello...another jealous bastard like me, not seeing the green-eyed monster. I don't want to be like him."
Stroking his cheek, smoothing back his hair, she tried to reassure, "You're not, and you would never hurt me."
"I already have. I'll do my best not to anymore." He smiled briefly. "I even memorised a line in case you ever let me close enough to say it. Want to hear it?"
"Yes."
Terry said, "Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy, to follow still the changes of the moon with fresh suspicions? No!" His fingers sifted through her curls, travelled across her features. "I'll try my hardest not to be jealous. We'll talk things over, work things out, okay?"
Against his mouth she smiled, "Okay" and then kissed him while running her hands over his soft jumper and then slipping underneath it to touch the firm, warm skin she'd missed so much. Wanting to feel his body against hers, she tugged the fabric up. He pulled the jumper off to give her full access to every inch of smooth muscle.
After she'd trailed her hands and lips across his torso, Terry lifted an eyebrow along with the hem of her jumper. Giggling, she peeled the garment off and threw it across the tree house. Gazing down at the fuchsia bra that matched her skirt, he said, "Must confess, me like your dress."
She smiled wickedly. "Me like your undress."
Terry played Tarzan once more. Intense blue eyes obscured by the long strands of brown hair that fell across his handsome face stared down into hers as his mouth twitched at the corner, but otherwise maintained his Ape-Man image. "No more talk...more kissing."
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Draco sat on a stool in the dungeon classroom Monday evening, drumming his fingers on the table. A glance at Snape stilled his impatient motion.
A giggle was heard outside the door before it opened and Blaise practically skipped inside, followed by her swaggering Ape-Man. Tarzan and Jane had obviously been making up some more.
Draco curled his lip at the girl wagging an impertinent finger and admonishing them to be 'good boys.' He sneered full out when she smiled shyly at the Potions Master and placed a shiny red apple on his desk before whispering, 'Thanks' and rushing out of the chamber.
The silence in the classroom was uncomfortable as the three males were left trying not to catch each other's eyes. Finally, Professor Snape cleared his throat. His tone was chilly. "You have been given detention due to your inability to control yourselves. I find it fitting that you test Mentitiri potions."
He rose from his chair. "The Ministry has placed Veritaserum under strict regulation, but other elixirs can be used to determine truth by other means. The name might cause some to believe the solution causes lying, but instead it proves truth because to tell a lie after taking a dropper full of this potion causes the user to blush bright red. After testing the flagons and recording the results, you may leave."
Snape gave them each a stern, piercing look. "I will be in my office, and I warn you now, if I am disturbed for any reason, another week will be added to your detention. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, sir."
Draco knew Boot didn't want to be forced to spend extra time together any more than he did. Snape did too. The man's sallow face wore an expression of satisfaction that would curdle milk. The professor exited the chamber in a swish of black robes.
After lining up the flagons for testing and choosing a quill and parchment to record their findings on, Boot picked up a potion. He read the name while extending the flagon and a dropper. "Hermione Madison"
In order to keep peace, Draco took the potion and drank a dropper full.
"That picture of you and Blaise dancing. Were you trying to seduce her?"
"No." Immediately, Draco felt his face heat. Defensively, he qualified his answer. "At that moment, I was, but I'm glad the picture was taken, glad I didn't go through with it." His skin felt normal again. A white-blond eyebrow lifted as he nodded to the other potions after Boot had recorded the positive reaction.
The muscles in the Ravenclaw's face tightened as he took a dose after reading, "Kate Aelys."
"Did you ask because you're jealous of me?"
"No."
Boot's face turned red. It only confirmed what Draco already knew, but it was amusing to have it out in the open.
When another dropper was administered, Boot asked, "If I was your girlfriend's best mate, would you be jealous of me?"
"Of course not." Touching his hot face in disbelief, Draco said, "Iliana Moranar's potion worked."
"So I see. Ask a question so we can tell if Julia Nazgul brewed her potion correctly."
Tarzan was looking a bit too complacent. Draco drawled, "Have you had it off with Blaise?"
"No."
He rephrased the question. "Have you thought about it?"
"Never."
My, how bright that blush was. Something in Boot's expression made Draco nervous to swallow the next dropper's liquid.
"You sneak around to see your girlfriend. Is it because you like lying and deceiving?"
"Yes." Damn. Now Tarzan knew he disliked sneaking around. Glancing away, he waited for the blush to subside and the other boy to rub it in.
Boot said, "Becky-Sue Kitsune's test was positive. I'll try Jenny Roses."
Draco asked, "Would you sneak around to be with Blaise if you had to?"
"No."
The flush on Boot's face made Draco feel slightly better as he waited to test a dropper of solution.
"Would you give up Blaise if Ginny got jealous and didn't want you to be friends anymore?"
"Yes." Feeling like his face was on fire, Draco grabbed a potion, uncorked it with a terse, 'Mina Richie's' and handed a dropper to the other boy to drink. The Ape-Man looked uneasy now. Good. He demanded, "Did you ask Blaise to stop being my friend?"
"No."
Huh, no reaction. Try again. "Did you think about it?"
"No...and my face should be red, so Richie's potion was unsuccessful."
At least the jealous, possessive bastard admitted that he'd thought about it. Probably knew she wouldn't give her best mate up so he caved...like the cave man he was. A little voice inside that sounded eerily like Lucius, drawled, Look who's talking...the Amazing Ferret who caved to a Weasel because she can't bear to upset her ickle friends and family with the likes of you. You're just as scared of losing your girl as he is, love god.
Draco accepted the dose of 'Lenora Ayse's' potion and quietly answered 'no' to the question of did he force the former Slytherin Captain to resign.
Surprisingly, Boot saw his flush and said, "Good. Montague's a worse bastard than you'll ever be. He's got a nasty habit of picking on any bloke he thinks is 'pretty.' Fourth year, during the Yule Ball, he came up to me in the lavatory, sneered at my 'beautiful hair' and asked if I was a 'Nancy.'"
"What did you do?"
"I told him to get the hell away from me…and if I ever heard he'd bothered anyone else, everyone in school would hear about his interest in Nancy-boys. As far as I know, he's behaved himself since then."
Draco felt a disquieting twinge of something that felt disturbingly like respect. He quickly picked up 'Holly Lunarian's' flagon and passed it over, determined to ignore the uncomfortable feeling until it went away.
After the potions were all tested and duly recorded, the two boys cleaned the flagons and returned them to the storage cupboard. Placing the parchment on Snape's desk, Boot said offhandedly, "See you later."
Even more casually, Draco replied, "Yeah, right, whatever. See you."
Tarzan bounded up the dungeon stairway, eager to find his woman, sling her over his shoulder and go 'make up' some more, no doubt.
Draco made his way upstairs to where Ginny was waiting at a more dignified pace. The sight of her standing at the bottom of the steps to the seventh floor, pausing for him to join her, caused his civilized mind to be taken over by a primitive urge.
Stalking over to her, he swept her up into his arms. Her hands slid around his neck while she stared at his implacable face and asked, "Why?"
He remembered how much she'd once liked his playful threat to carry her out of the Broomsticks. His gaze flickered for an instant to her face before he said, "You hesitated."
Draco was relieved that he'd reached the top stair with his captive, because something she saw in his eyes made Ginny go limp in his arms, head falling back and hair spilling over his arm like a red waterfall. A swift glance revealed that her eyes were closed and a smile curved her lips. He smiled in male satisfaction and walked by the stretch of wall concealing the Room of Requirement three times.
He had to ask his girlfriend twice to open the door for them. The first time she'd dreamily murmured, "Hmmm?"
Inside the room, a grin flashed across the face of the boy now dressed in chain mail and boots with spurs. His hand tightened on the hilt of his sword when the fair maiden looked down at her green velvet dress. She rubbed the material of the full skirt, lifted it to see the pearls sewn on her shoes, and smiled as she looked around the medieval chamber.
It was filled with tapestries, an enormous fireplace, and clean rushes upon the floor. Draco led Ginny to the cushioned window seat, where he threw a lyre, an embroidery hoop, and a Psalter off the bench so his love could sit. Bending on one knee before her, he thought fleetingly that he was fortunate not to be rigged out in bloody armour.
Ginny removed the circlet keeping a length of gauzy material covering her hair and tossed it onto the pile of unwanted items. She asked simply, "Why?"
Drawing a sword out of its scabbard, Draco lifted it before allowing it to drop to the floor. It was heavier than it looked. "Sometimes, I wish I was a Black Knight. Then at least I could fight for you, and if your family refused to accept me, I'd steal you away and marry you--force them to acknowledge that we belong together. I watched Boot carry off Blaise yesterday and I envied him. I wanted to carry you off too. But I couldn't. So I did this."
Soft hands caressed his face. "I'm sorry I'm so selfish...wanting to be with you...and wanting to find a way to make everyone okay with it. I wish it didn't have to be this way. I promise it won't be forever."
He kissed her tears away and held her close until she murmured, "Could the mail come off? It's not very comfortable."
It was also heavy and a pain in the arse to remove. By the time Ginny helped him drag the cumbersome garment of linked chains over his head, they were both panting with effort. Giggling, his girlfriend ran a hand over the dragon embroidered in red on the chest of his black velvet tunic. Sitting on the window seat and pulling her onto his lap, he growled, "Got a thing for a dragon, do you?"
"I love him."
The tight, burning sensation that had been hurting Draco's chest ever since the inner voice had sneered at him eased. He showed his gratitude to his fair maiden with tender kisses that turned devouring as his fingertips smoothed over the skin exposed by the low, round neck of her dress, and the medieval lack of undergarments.
He whispered hotly, "I love you, Ginny. You're my treasure, and you know what a dragon does with his treasure, don't you?"
Dazed brown eyes blinked. "Melts it?"
A rumble of laughter escaped. "Definitely something to consider." His face became serious as he looked into her eyes and promised, "He clutches it tight and never lets it go."
Her lips trembled and then pressed against his until he felt they both melted.
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A/N: Yes, I love my reviewers so much I even mosh their names together for the students whose potions got tested. Ah-eee-ah, I'm so relieved Tarzan and Jane are back together! The 'must confess, me like your dress' is based on a line from a fave book of Piers Anthony, Ogre, Ogre. I felt bad wrenching them apart, but it was for a good cause, and I'll make it up to them. Not a speck of trouble until after Spring Break when...oh naughty me, getting ahead of the story...they've all got so much to do before then!