.:. Secrets Between Friends .:.
Chapter Two - Close Call
Ginny felt a sudden welling of pride while the crowd cheered as Ron made another save for Gryffindor keeping the tie that Slytherin was desperately trying to break. She managed to only miss the first twenty minutes of the match. As Quidditch games go, this was an intense one. What she did see, made up for whatever she missed.
Draco lead the Slytherin team as they scowled at Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor players. Even from this far below, the pale boy's sneer was visible. He shouted something as he zipped past Harry. Harry, who was searching for the Golden Snitch, merely glanced back at Malfoy. For a moment that brought Harry's intense gaze right upon Ginny.
It was at that very moment the Golden Snitch popped into sight – merely two feet from Ginny's face.
Instantly, Harry sped towards her. Draco pursued automatically. The crowd burst into a thunderous chorus. Ginny gasped for air. They were racing towards her!
The snitch was within her reach. She watched it hover there, it's wings a mesmerizing golden blur. Behind the blur the two boys were closing fast; Draco just ahead of Harry. Ginny's heart was beating so rapidly that she didn't hear the spectators around her shuffle out of the way. Colin calling out to her had no effect either.
Ginny watched Harry's expression change from excitement to frustration, and then to worry. The look on Draco's face frightened her. His eyes were cold gray orbs, and his mouth was twisted into a horrid contortion of a sneer. His face wore a grimace that spoke of his lust for victory. His only concern was the snitch.
She could tell that Harry was on the verge of pulling back. She wasn't sure why, but she knew. She also knew that Draco wasn't going to slow down for anything.
The shape of the two boys in her vision was quickly growing. They were so close! Then Ginny suddenly did something that evoked gasps from all around her.
She stood up.
Calmly she stood, and the snitch barely wavered from its position. Harry yelled at her to get down, but he didn't slow his chase. Draco, on the other hand, continued to watch the snitch intently. She closed her eyes, then she held her breath. Ginny felt a rush of air, nearly knocking her over.
She opened her eyes and saw the snitch. In a blink, the thing was snatched out of her vision by the swift blur of Harry's hand.
With her heart still racing the redheaded girl weakened at the knees and fell back into her seat. There was a commotion to either side of her. To her right, Draco was sprawled out on the stands beside her completely dazed. His broom was a splintered arrow imbedded into the audience seating between his legs. Harry, to her left, who had a better broom and a teensy bit more reaction time, was panting heavily. Although, his landing was less damaging, his right arm was cradling his other arm as well as the snitch. He rolled onto his back facing the sky and looked over towards Ginny.
"Thanks." He managed a smile. She smiled back.
"I've never seen anything like it!" A voice exclaimed beside her. "I should have gotten a shot of that but Ginny, that was enough to scare the warts off a toad!" Colin stared at her in amazement. His eyes flickered, focusing just behind her. "Uh oh, the ferret boy stirs."
Ginny turned to see Draco getting up to his feet. At the sight of his broom, he whipped around to face Ginny. His attempt to march over in his typical superior manner, failed. His right knee gave out and nearly sent him tumbling into the crowd. He regained his footing and stood in front of her. His seething grimace pinned her to where she sat. Stooping over her, his body was shaking with fury.
Ginny couldn't stand. Colin stood up beside her nervously, trying to take some of the heat from Malfoy. Harry had gotten to his feet and now stood on her other side. Draco reacted by groping for his wand.
"That's quite enough Draco." Dumbledore emerged from the crowd. "Besides, you seem to have dropped you're wand during your rushed landing." With a flick of the wrist and a quiet word, the boy's wand deftly jumped from the rumble of the broom and into the old man's hand.
"Congratulations to Gryffindor on today's win!" Dumbledore patted Harry on the shoulder lightly, smiling at the crowd. He nodded to Ginny and Colin, and then turned back to Draco offering the wand back to its owner. The boy grabbed at his wand, but it didn't budge from Dumbledore's hand. He bent closer to the blonde boy still smiling.
"I think," The Headmaster began sagely, "it was long overdue for the time to come, impeccable timing it seems, that someone actually stood up to you, my dear Draco." Although, Dumblore's calm and even tone stilled the boy for the moment, the twinkle in his eyes seemed to fuel Malfoy anger.
"I'd rather have her on her back." He muttered spitefully.
Ginny shot up back to her feet and glared right at it him. Harry and Colin both opened their mouths to reply angrily.
"Shall I take twenty points from Slytherin?"
Draco fumbled for words, like a fish out of water. He stared at Dumbledore, who returned a stern look. Then he turned back to Ginny. Why did I go and say that? She's not even pretty. He continued to glare at her. Well… not that pretty…
The Headmaster cleared his throat. Draco figured the old goat wanted an apology out of him. So, he gave one.
"I'm sorry for saying that Ginny." A malicious grin spread over his face. "I wouldn't want you at all."
In a flash, Ginny's hand swung out and slapped Draco's left cheek. The boy's reflexes were sharp and caught her wrist just as it made contact. Dumbledore cleared his throat, and everything was silent.
Draco's breath was quicker now. Her arm was still tense, just as his grip remained firm. For a moment, her hand hovered less than an inch away from his skin. Then he gave way to her pull, but never letting go.
This is so fun! And she looks better when she's angry.
His cheek was hot from the strike, and her hand could feel the warmth of it. She tried as hard as she could to pull her hand away from him. Slowly he relented, but never releasing his grip.
Dumbledore cleared his throat once again before speaking.
"Twenty points it is then." He raised his hand halting the objection from Draco. "Fifteen from Slytherin, and five from Gryffindor."
June-21-2005: first posted
June-22-2005: made minor changes to spelling/grammar and formatting
Justn-27-2006: minor edit - also named chapter
Read on to Chapter Three!