Chapter 3 - I hope you like it! Very fluffy and cute, I think. I wish I had a Draco to take care of me while I was sick! Read and Review so I can post some more. Constructive Criticism is strongly encouraged!
Disclaimer: ALLLLLL JK Rowling's!
The long nights had taken their toll on Ginny. It had been a week since her first encounter with Draco in the library, and every night that week they had been meeting secretly in the library to kiss, or talk, or even just be together. Neither Ron, Hermione, or Harry knew about Ginny's nighttime escapades, but they were quite aware of her different demeanor. To everyone around her, Ginny seemed to be in a state of constant euphoria. She smiled at everyone, she hummed while she did homework, and she even appeared to enjoy potions, her least favorite class.
Now, however, after a week of happy, but sleepless nights, Ginny was exhausted. She could barely drag herself out of bed, and even the thought of Draco waiting for her in the Great Hall was uninspiring. The poor girl had a splitting headache, her throat burned, and she was freezing despite her many heavy blankets. She only wanted to sleep for a couple more hours.
"Girl, if you don't wake up right now you are gonna miss breakfast." Melinda's voice shot into Ginny's sleepy thoughts like a knife. She rolled over and sat up, rubbing her temples.
"I feel like shit." Ginny said to her friend.
"Honey, I'm not gonna lie, you don't look so hot." Mel's brutal honesty was sometimes too much in the morning. Instead of getting up, Ginny flopped back on her bed and pulled her covers over her head.
"Do you want Madam Pomfrey?" One of Ginny's roommates, Marcia, asked, walking briskly into the room after spending 5 million hours fixing her hair.
"I can't. I have too much to do." Ginny replied with only a slight whine, thinking of the 3 essays she had due the next day. Not to mention the fact that mid-term exams were scheduled to start any second.
The tired redhead forced herself to stand up. She swayed for a second upon contact with the cold floor, but then began to get ready for school.
After throwing on the first robes she laid eyes on and pulling her hair back into a hurried ponytail, Ginny grabbed her book bag and headed off down to the Great Hall, accompanied by Melinda.
It seemed like hours to Ginny before they reached the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. The walk across the school had never seemed so long and exhausting. When Mel left her with a quick sympathetic pat on the shoulder to go talk to Marc Telchek, a Hufflepuff 6th year, Ginny pulled a cup of tea toward her and slowly drank. The hot liquid soothed her sore throat and acted as a wonderful calming potion. Ginny no longer cared that she looked like hell, nor that she was sure to have a huge amount of homework that night. All she wanted to do was sleep.
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"Hey GIN. Wake up!" Ron's voice jerked Ginny out of her small nap at the breakfast table. "Wow, you need to get some more sleep." He told her concernedly.
"Thank you Dr. Weasley." Ginny snapped, annoyed at being woken up, and annoyed by her brother's constant nosing into her life. Jesus, she could take care of herself! How many times did she have to tell him that?
Ginny stood up and started walking out of the Great Hall. She only wanted to go to class and get the rest of the day over with so she could take a quick nap before Quidditch and homework.
She was so busy getting to class, that Ginny didn't realize it when Peeves popped up right in front of her.
"Running to class now are we, littlest Weasley?" Peeves cackled infuriatingly.
"Peeves just leave me alone." Ginny sighed, determined not to lose her temper, as it would only encourage the naughty poltergeist.
"Oh HO! The Weaslette is snippy today! The Weasel-baby doesn't want to talk to Peevsie today! The Mini-Weasel is full of rage as red as her hair today!" Peeves was laughing and flying around in front of Ginny so she couldn't get past. It made her woozier than before to watch him swoop around like that, so she just looked at the ground in front of her.
"I believe the Bloody Baron is just around the corner, Peeves." Ginny lied while forcing down a wave of nausea at the dizzying sound of swishing air.
"Oh lighten up!" Peeves yelled, finally flying away after launching a big water balloon at poor Ginny. The balloon splashed at her feet, sending a wave of freezing cold water all over her small frame.
"Bloody fucking hell. This day just keeps getting better." Ginny said out loud. She gathered up her sopping books and began to shiver visibly.
"What happened here?" A smooth and familiar voice asked. Ginny knew the voice. It was the only one in the world she wanted to hear. The voice was warm and comforting and had a hint of a smile in it.
"Oh Draco!" Ginny exclaimed, resisting throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing for days. "Draco, this is already a horrible day."
"Well, it certainly looks exciting." He replied, letting a hand rest tentatively on her dripping sleeve. "Let me help dry you off."
"I can do it." Ginny said halfheartedly, knowing he was much quicker and more adept at this sort of spell. He lifted his wand with a smirk and murmured "Sandiserta". Within seconds Ginny's robes were completely dry.
"That's better." Draco said, pulling her closer to him. Despite her dry clothes, Ginny continued to tremble. The boy was surprised at how warm she felt. Though she was usually a comfortably warm temperature, this was absolutely hot.
She leaned her head against his shoulder for a brief second, glad for a small moment to rest her aching, spinning head. She didn't want to worry Draco with her small discomforts, but for now he just felt so good to pause upon.
"He pulled her back gently and rested a cool hand on her forehead. "Gin, you're burning up." He told her, looking into her fever-glazed eyes with worry. She pulled away and shook her head.
"I'm fine." Ginny insisted, trying to make herself believe it. Draco slid his smooth cool hand down to rest on her cheek, pulling her close to him once more. He could feel heat radiating off her face and onto his.
"Ginny, you have a fever. I know it. You should go see Madam Pomfrey, and then take a rest."
"I cant!" Ginny exclaimed, upset that Draco too was turning on her. Didn't anyone think she could take care of herself? She tried to pull out of his grasp, but was too tired to really make her way out of his firm grip.
"Just let me go to Potions, Draco." She pleaded, giving him her best puppy dog eyes, and knowing he couldn't resist.
After a few seconds, Draco let go of the stubborn redhead, wishing she would let him take care of her. Ginny smiled at the boy, He was so cute when he looked at her with his head tilted in that way, blond hair falling into his eyes, lips slightly apart.
She reached up to push the hair out of his eyes, but was overwhelmed with a cough attack. Coughs ripped from her sore throat, making her eyes water and her lungs burn. Draco watched her concernedly, patting her gently on the back as she coughed into her sleeve.
"Jesus, Gin, you sure you can make it through Potions?" Draco asked, very unsure at what to do with the situation. When he had been sick as a young child, his parents had just locked him in his room, leaving him to fend for himself. He had no idea how to properly comfort this obviously ill girl. All he knew was that he wanted to hold her until she fell asleep and be with her until she was better.
When she finally stopped coughing, Ginny grabbed her book bag and started for the dungeons, not waiting for Draco to say any sort of goodbye. He had a weird sort of look in his eye, and she didn't want any more mothering out of him. She was perfectly capable of looking after herself.
But he was so sweet, patting her back and holding her close. She loved the way his strong hands held her against him, keeping her warm and safe, close to him. She never felt so wonderful as she did when she was with him. Even through the sick, fogged up corners of her mind, he was a bright spot.
It was hard to believe only a week before the two had been enemies. Ginny could no longer imagine life without him. Without his gentle touch, his sexy smirk, the way he laughed at her jokes, his tone of voice, the way he looked into her eyes and made her feel like the most important person in the world.
Ginny stepped into the Potion's dungeon. She was the only one there, having left the Great Hall early. The cool, damp air made her sneeze several times.
"Are you going to be alright, Miss Weasley?" A cold, sullen voice asked. The penetratingly indifferent voice was one Ginny had always feared.
"I'm fine, Professor Snape." Ginny answered with all the dignity she could muster while wiping her nose on her sleeve.
"I do not tolerate germs." Snape added menacingly, stepping closer and wearing a look of disgust that clearly stated he himself never felt the least bit ill.
"I'm sure you don't, Professor" Ginny replied, emphasizing the last word with a hint of sarcasm and itching to whip out her wand and hex the overbearing bat away.
"Detention, Miss Weasley," Snape hissed at her, "for insolence and disheveled appearance. I will see you tonight at 9:00."
The son of a bitch! What right did he have to say she looked disheveled? Look in a fucking mirror Mr. I-think-showers-are-only-an-annual-holiday! Jesus, she would never be able to get any work done tonight, let alone see Draco.
"Yes, sir." Ginny finally managed to say through clenched teeth. Every fiber of her being wanted Snape to just fall over dead. She glared into his menacing eyes, refusing to show her feelings to the idiotic man.
After a death stare match between the young redhead and the greasy haired professor, other students finally began to stream in. Ginny sat down next to Melinda and Jane, still fuming at the confrontation, and still sneezing every few minutes.
Double potions dragged on for what seemed like infinity. Ginny's potion was too runny and purple when it should have been a thick green paste.
Ginny never had understood why Snape was so unpleasant to her. She had come into his potions class as a shy, uncertain first year, and been nothing but nice to him. She answered his rude questions politely and smiled when he sneered at her second hand robes and books. Being poor had never bothered Ginny the way it irked Ron, or Fred and George. Instead, she was proud that her family was built on trust and love, rather than money.
She couldn't see how people could hold grudges against one another just because of where they came from, or what they looked like. Didn't her and Draco's relationship prove that first impressions and outward appearances were sometimes completely wrong?
Ginny remembered when she had thought Draco an arrogant prick, only interested in himself and his wealth. Now she knew him to be a sensitive and caring boy. Why could no one else look past the stereotypes of family and see into each other's souls?
Hadn't she only been a destitute, filthy, Muggle-lover to him? Didn't her association with Harry Potter represent everything the Malfoy family stood against? They had overcome though. How could no one else see it? Clearly in this time of danger, everyone could and should unite against the truly horrible Lord Voldemort.
Suddenly Ginny had a thought. Could that be the key to dethroning the most evil man in the wizarding world? Maybe all You-Know-Who needed was love and understanding. He was once a normal human boy after all. Ginny had even known and trusted Tom Riddle when he was 17. How was Voldemort really different from his 17-year-old self? Perhaps some compassion could reverse 50 years of evil.
Ginny's deep thoughts were interrupted by Snape's looming face. "Nine o'clock then, Miss Weasley." He said, giving her a look of utmost dislike. She looked around to find the classroom deserted. She had been so lost in thought she had missed the end of class bell.
Then she looked back into Snape's eyes. In the depths of his hard, dark pupils, Ginny thought she saw something more. Something no one had ever taken the time to notice. They were the eyes of a little boy, only looking for comfort and appreciation. Eyes that had seen much to harden them against the world, but still eyes that needed something, or perhaps someone to understand.
"I take it you have lost your ability to walk, Weasley, or I would not find you staring into my eyes like a dumb animal." Snape quickly said in a rather frightened way. No student had ever dared to look so carefully at him. He hated being close to these young people. Only Dumbledore had ever looked at his face with such an air of understanding, and was it … pity? The dark haired professor swept away, leaving his student to sort out her own problems, while he sorted out his.
Alone in the classroom, Ginny's thoughts were jerked away from philosophy and back to her present state, which was discomfort. Her head began to pound again and it was all she could do to hold it up. Ginny decided she would skip lunch and take a quick nap. She didn't think she could force anything down anyway.
Walking up from the dungeons all the way to Gryffindor common room was a task. Ginny found herself wanting to take breaks on the way, but forced herself to continue, sure it would seem suspicious to find a girl just leaning against a suit of armor.
Finally she reached the Fat Lady's portrait. "Pensieve" she told the Fat Lady, and walked through the portrait hole as it swung forward, ignoring the call of "You don't look well, dearie." That issued from the paintings mouth.
Ginny flopped down into a big poofy armchair, and within seconds was fast asleep.
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A hand on her forehead woke her. "Ugh." Ginny said aloud. Instead of feeling refreshed after her nap she only felt worse. It hurt her head and throat to swallow, and her nose was too stuffed up to breathe out of.
"How do you feel, Ginny?" The hand on her forehead belonged to Hermione. Ron's face peered concernedly over his girlfriend's shoulder.
"I've been better." Ginny croaked, deciding it best not to argue any longer. "What time is it?"
"You slept through all the afternoon classes." Ron told her, worry in his eyes. "Quidditch practice starts in 10 minutes."
"Bloody Hell." Ginny cried, making an effort to get up. She couldn't miss practice - they had a match in 4 days.
"Where do you think you're going?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Quidditch." Ginny said weakly before beginning to cough uncontrollably.
"I don't think so, Gin." Hermione said, pushing the small girl back into the chair and offering her a glass of water. "Practice would probably kill you tonight."
Ginny took a couple sips of the water, trying to regain use of her vocal chords. "Harry will hate me for not going." She finally managed to say, rubbing her throbbing head.
"Its ok, Ginny." Harry's voice came from around Hermione's other shoulder. He too wore a worried expression. "You just concentrate on getting better before the next game." He smiled briefly and clapped Ron on the back. The two of them left for practice, leaving Hermione and Ginny alone.
"You really should go see Madam Pomfrey, you know." Hermione said with a small grimace.
"Oh, Hermione, you know I hate her just as much as you. After what she accidentally did to Eloise Midgen, with her ears and everything – I'd rather just suffer."
Hermione sighed, "I thought so." Well get some rest. Without a note from her you'll have to go to classes tomorrow."
"Oh shit!" Ginny exclaimed. "I have detention with Snape tonight at 9:00." How was she going to make it through an hour with the man bearing down on her like some fastidious snake?
"Well, you have an hour until nine." Hermione answered, looking very sorry for the younger girl. "I don't think you're going to be able to get out of it. You should have been more careful today, Ginny. Getting detention when you're ill, I mean, come on."
"Its not like I ever try to get detention, Hermione." Ginny told her brother's girlfriend with a slight tone of annoyance. "He gave it to me for looking disheveled."
Hermione shrugged and began fishing through her books in order to get a start on her homework. Ginny made to get out of her chair, which proved much harder to do than she thought it would. She was shaky, like she had just spent a week pulling out of the Wronski Feint, and every few seconds she would begin coughing again.
Hermione gave her a stern look when she started out of the common room, but Ginny ignored her. She knew someone who would make her feel better now. The redhead was trying to decide whether she should look in the library or around the Slytherin common room for Draco when she felt hands around her waist.
"Hello sleepyhead." Draco's voice murmured into her ear. She turned around to lean into his body, pressing against his muscular chest.
"Will you just hold me?" Ginny sniffed, trying to hold back another stream of coughs. He rubbed her back and pulled her closer, loving the way her head fit just under his chin.
Gently he led her into a nearby deserted classroom and sat her down on a desk. She looked up at him with loving eyes, wanting him to touch her. Draco brushed a cool finger down the side of her neck, relishing in the way it made her squirm. He leaned in to kiss her, needing to feel her body against his again.
"No, Draco." She rasped, "You'll get sick too."
"Aha, so she finally admits to being sick." Draco said gleefully, kissing her again and not caring in the least about such a pesky thing as germs.
"Come on." Ginny insisted, pushing him away gently, but smiling into his kiss. He finally broke away when she began to cough again.
"You really are sick, Gin." He told her, resting a hand on her burning forehead.
"I know." Ginny said, finally accepting the fact. "Can I just be with you?"
Draco smiled and pulled her into his lap, wishing he could stay like this forever. If that wasn't love, what was? He wanted to be able to take care of her forever. He wanted to be able to hold her like this every time she was sick. Feeling her burning body in his arms gave him a sense of responsibility that he had never felt toward anyone else.
She looked so beautiful, her eyes closed, her lips parted, her wild hair spread out all over his shoulder. He couldn't resist brushing her cheek with his lips. She smiled slightly and reached out to caress his neck.
They lay together for a long while before Ginny remembered her scheduled detention. Slowly she sat up, holding her head in her hands for a couple seconds, while Draco rubbed her back.
"I have detention," she told him, "with Snape."
He lifted her up with his strong arms. "I'll walk you there." He told her, giving her a look of sympathy. They walked together, hand in hand, to the dungeons. Ginny sneezed a couple times as they reached the damp air, but Draco was there to pat her on the back.
She loved that. She loved thinking that he could be there to make her feel better when she felt near to death's doorstep. She liked even more to think that she could be there to comfort him, were he ever to get sick. Before going into Snape's classroom, Ginny turned to Draco.
She put her arms around his waist and pulled him close to her. He looked down into her hazel eyes and she kissed him as hard as she could. He leaned into the kiss, pushing to feel more of her. They had done nothing else but kiss since that first night in the Restricted Section, and Draco's body was beginning to beg desperately for more.
Ginny rocked slowly back and forth, pushing closer and closer against Draco's hips, feeling his body scream for hers. He moved his hands to the buttons of her robes and moaned quietly into her mouth, begging to touch her.
Suddenly she got hold of herself. They were standing outside of Snape's classroom, and she was burning with a fever! Here they were, hooking up!
Ginny broke the kiss, smiling at the horribly disappointed look on Draco's face.
"Please." He mumbled into her neck, "I owe you, remember?"
"Not now." She answered. "I'll go see Madam Pomfrey tomorrow morning and then I promise you can make it up to me." She smiled and gave him one last, lingering kiss before trudging determinedly into Snape's room.
Oh the things I will do for that boy. Ginny thought to herself. Risking my body parts with Madam Pomfrey just to be able to snog him without giving him whatever horrible disease I have. Honestly, the woman is practically senile!
"It's worth it." Ginny decided out loud, preparing herself for whatever long, excruciating task Snape had prepared for her. Whatever it was, Ginny would deal with it.
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Ginny spent the next hour pickling Niffler eggs, pleasant thoughts of Draco running through her mind, and a handkerchief in her hand. The day had started out horribly, but despite her runny nose and aching head and throat, it had ended quite pleasantly.
There you go, another chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks to all of you who reviewed, it makes me so happy!
To: Dani – I think I'll put a lot more of Melinda in the next chapter, she's my favorite character too… other than Draco.
To: Kaitie – yeah, it got heavy a lot quicker than I expected too. Those characters just ran away with themselves and I couldn't stop anything. Sexually active teenagers these day… honestly!
Thanks to Aquarius21, Draco-Ginny-Lover, and Fuzzy Bunny From Hell for your reviews too!
I'll post soon, who knows where the next chapter will go ...
PEACELOVE - wallawalla
