Chapter 12
Ginny could have stayed like that forever, leaning against Draco's strong, warm body. He had his arms wrapped protectively around her, rocking her gently to some rhythm only he could hear. Even Labelle seemed content to remain quietly where she was, perched on the professor's desk, carefully grooming her fur. Ginny had no idea how much time had passed, and she didn't care at the moment. Snape, McGonagall, her friends, even the detention assignment seemed pretty unimportant at the moment. The peaceful interlude was shattered, however, when Draco murmured, "Tell me about the Chamber?"
Ginny froze. It had been five years ago, but she hated, no, she dreaded talking about it. And she especially dreaded trying to explain to this young man that she suspected it was his father who had made the entire episode, the worst episode in her life, possible.
"What?" he demanded, turning her around so he could see her face. "Why won't you trust me?"
Meeting his angry gaze, Ginny said haltingly, "I already told you—it hasn't anything to do with trust. I do trust you. But I don't want to talk about it."
"And why is that? Because I'm an 'evil' Slytherin? You don't want to let me know how to get into the Chamber? Maybe I'll find a way to resurrect whatever was down there that Saint Potter destroyed?"
Ginny backed away, confused at his sudden anger. Her confusion and a little fear must have shown on her face, because Draco stopped in the middle of his tirade. He looked from her to his hands, which he'd clenched into fists, then back again.
"Angel," he whispered, all anger now gone. "I'm—I didn't mean to—," he stammered, then stopped. "I don't know what came over me."
"I think I already said that I would never believe you're evil," Ginny commented quietly. She was trembling on the inside, but she hoped she looked composed. "What's down there has been dead for a long time, and I don't think anyone could revive it, but I never," she said with emphasis, "ever, suspected that you would try. If I don't want to talk about it, it's not because I don't trust you, but because it hurts me and it would hurt you. If you can't accept that, then you'd better go."
He had reached for her, but now he pulled his hands back. "Is that what you want?"
His face was suddenly devoid of expression, his voice tight and hard.
"What do you want?" Ginny said. "It's your call now. I don't want to argue, but there are some things I can't discuss with you right now."
He seemed to consider this. "Will you ever be able to?"
She gave him a tiny smile. "I think if we can make it past the Flint thing and the Death Eater thing, this will be a piece of cake."
His eyebrows twitched up for a second. "Are you saying that it's just going to take some time?"
Smiling more broadly, Ginny said, "Like you said once, 'I always knew you were a sharp one!'"
Returning her smile, Draco wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Hopefully not too much time," he replied. "You can't believe how curious I am about that."
He lifted her chin. "If you say wait, I'll wait. But if you change your mind, I'm always here."
Ginny's eyelids fluttered down and she closed the short distance between their lips, sighing as his lips parted hers. Before things could progress any further, though, the classroom door opened.
"Am I interrupting again?" Colin asked, grinning as he eased into the classroom. "I seem to be doing that a lot lately."
Draco released Ginny, but he kept his hands on her waist. "You have a lousy sense of timing, Creevey. Anyone ever tell you that?"
Colin gave him an unrepentant smirk. "No one important. Besides, I didn't expect to see you here, Malfoy, and I'd bet Snape's detention for Ginny didn't include snogging. What's up?"
Ginny grinned as Draco gave the younger boy a glare, but she had to admit that she was a little relieved. Despite their apparent agreement, she had a feeling Draco would continue to try to coax the story of the Chamber from her. She didn't want that. It would mean reliving those horrid hours, and worse, would probably result in another argument, one that wouldn't be so easy to kiss and make up after. Besides, from what Snape had said, it probably didn't involve what Ron and his friends had been discussing, and it definitely didn't have anything to do with Marcus Flint and what was going on with him right now.
She was sure Draco wouldn't be pleased with her suspicions about his father, and making things between them work was going to be hard enough without looking for more problems. It was certainly a hurdle they could overcome later rather than sooner
"What are you doing here, Creevey?" Draco asked with an unpleasant snarl in his voice. "Lost? Or just sniffing round the little weasel again?"
Ginny gave Draco a surprised look. It wasn't just the words, which were already unfriendly, but mild enough. His tone, however, was inexplicably hard and angry. It wasn't as though Colin had really interrupted anything. They'd been about to kiss, but it wasn't like they'd been ready to start tearing off clothing. Just then, Draco looked her way, the glare still present. She recoiled a little at the venom in his expression, and, seeing it, he wiped the look from his face immediately.
Labelle, who had been casually lounging on Snape's desk, now meowed loudly and jumped down, hurrying over to Ginny's side.
"Sorry, little weasel," Draco mumbled gruffly. Ginny bent down to stroke Labelle's back, soothing the suddenly agitated feline. Growing a bit angry herself, she wondered what had caused his sudden anger. Colin was only here to help protect her. As she tried to decide what to say to him, he spoke again. "Look, Weasley, I--it's just that we get so little time to ourselves."
"That's no excuse to snap at my friends, especially when Colin's just trying to help out!" Ginny said quickly, upset that he would treat her friends, Colin in particular, so badly. "I thought you were worried about my well-being!"
She straightened and walked over to where Snape stored large cauldrons, Labelle right beside her. "I'm sorry, Colin, I'm not ready yet. I still have to make a few batches of some 'Pepper-upper' potion. I'll start straight away."
Giving Draco a glare, Ginny turned her back on both boys. "Colin, would you help me get these cauldrons down?" Ginny asked, pointedly ignoring the Slytherin boy. She didn't see the look that passed between Draco and Colin. Colin gave Draco a questioning look, but the blond boy only glared at him in return. Then he cut the Gryffindor off and moved to Ginny. She was reaching for one of the large cauldrons on the top shelf, when Colin spoke.
"Sorry if you don't like it, Malfoy, but I told Ginny I'd see she got back to Gryffindor safely when she was done with her detention. Growl as much as you want, but until you can do it yourself, you'll have to put up with it."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it, Creevey," Draco returned, making Ginny jump. He was right behind her. "Damn it, Weasley, I'll get those!"
Ginny turned to him and crossed her arms, stubbornly blocking his reach. "I don't need your help," she declared, still angry. "I already asked my friend to help."
He narrowed his eyes at her and Ginny had to fight not to back off at his look. A really poisonous snake and a really short stick, she thought, wondering if Su knew how dead on her assessment was. But she stood her ground and returned his glare.
"Look, little weasel, if you think I won't just shove you out of the way…" he said dangerously.
"Go ahead, Malfoy," she said. "You don't mind insulting Colin, even though he rushed to help you in the middle night when he could have just stayed in bed. Why should you mind shoving me around when I haven't done anything nearly so heroic?"
"Here, both of you! You're acting--," Colin began, taking a step toward the couple.
"Stay out of it, Colin," Ginny snapped as Draco muttered, "Butt out, Creevey!"
Colin stopped in his tracks and watched them, bewildered.
"Well?" Ginny said challengingly, placing her hands on her hips as though daring the tall Slytherin. "I'm smaller than you. I can't really fight back. Go ahead and push me aside!"
She could see his body tense, and for a second she thought he was actually going to do it. He clenched his fists and his jaw tightened. "Fine, little weasel!" he gritted out. "Obviously I'm not wanted!" Swinging away from her, he stalked toward the door, purposely shouldering Colin aside. Yanking the door open, he strode through and slammed it behind him.
In the silence that followed, Ginny could only stare at the door in disbelief. Labelle mewled quietly and butted at Ginny's legs. Tears stung the girl's eyes as she tried to figure out exactly what had happened and how things had gone so horribly bad so quickly. Oh, lord, would things always be like this between them? She hadn't realized that the young man had such a volatile temper, and it seemed to take very little to set him off. It was like an emotional tug of war. She was being pulled back and forth between elation and dejection and it was miserable. Miserable and exhausting. Ginny's shoulders slumped as she realized that Draco wasn't going to rush back in to try to make everything right again. Colin hurried to her, murmuring soothing words, but Ginny brushed him aside.
"It's all right, Colin. I'm not going to cry. I just—it's just that that happened so fast. I don't understand why he got so angry."
Colin gave her a long look. "Ginny, luv, I think you're a little blind where your Adonis is concerned. And I think you're forgetting that most Slytherins don't play well with others; your Adonis in particular."
"What do you mean?" she demanded. "I know Draco is still—well—Draco. But he didn't have any reason to be hostile and insulting, especially to you!"
Shaking his head, Colin smiled at her. "Lord, Ginny, when did Malfoy need a 'reason' to be hostile and insulting? It's so obvious that you care for him that he can't help see it. He knows how you feel for him, but you keep forgetting who he is. Do you think Malfoy ever shared anything in his life? Do you think he told himself, 'Right, Ginny has lots of friends and I'll just have to stand on line for her attention'? It must kill him that he has to share you with anyone else, including your friends." Colin took her hand, making her look at him. "I'll bet he's wishing you were a Slytherin so he could have your every spare minute."
Ginny snatched her hand back and said acidly, "Be in Slytherin? What a revolting thought! And I'm not some thing that he can own; he can't expect me to ignore everyone else just because I happen to be mad about him! He'd better learn that straight away or this is never going to work! I do have a life of my own, you know! So he'd better stop thinking he can control me, and he'd better stop insulting my friends, too!"
Colin laughed. "Better tell him that, Gin, not me. And anyway, I'm not insulted, okay? Just like you weren't insulted when Blaise did that jealous-possessive thing the other night. I think you can bet Malfoy is learning that he can't act like a gold-plated prat with you. At least, he can't if he expects to hang on to you. He's always seemed pretty much a controller, and it must drive him mad that he can't control the person he cares for most. Don't worry, luv, I'll bet Malfoy's cursing himself right now for handling things so badly." He paused, as though gauging her reaction. She didn't reply and she had that angry expression on her face, so after a moment he changed the subject. "So, anyway, what about this potion?"
Ginny was still silently fuming twenty minutes later when she was ready to begin brewing 'Pepper-upper' potion. Labelle was laying on the table, amid the various ingredients, napping. Colin sat at a desk with his nose buried in one of the many reference texts that Professor Snape kept on the shelves, oblivious to her agitation, or possibly ignoring it. Ginny threw him a disgusted look and continued her mental tirade. What right did Draco have to act like he owned her, anyway, she demanded to herself? Just because they'd kissed (well, she amended, they'd practically dragged the others' clothes off, actually) didn't mean he could insult and browbeat her friends. He couldn't monopolize all of her time, either, just because he wanted to!
Stopping to take a deep breath, Ginny tried to calm herself. Her stomach was in knots at the moment. She hated feeling like this. She wasn't very good at arguing and despite how it might look she disliked confrontation. Ginny would stand up for herself, but she preferred no conflict at all. What she really wanted, her fuming and fretting aside, was to talk to Draco and get past this latest fight. Labelle was suddenly there, rubbing against her and sending her loving images. It helped enormously. When she'd calmed enough that her hands weren't trembling, Ginny began measuring ingredients into the cauldrons.
They'd already decided that Colin would not help Ginny in case the professor returned. They didn't need him flying off in one of his temper fits because Ginny was being helped in her detention assignment, even if the detention had been an excuse for the professor to talk to her. Thank goodness Colin hadn't known that, though. She hadn't told Colin of their conversation because he might decide that she needed even more protection than she already had and get Ron and his friends involved, as well. She was also afraid that he, too, might want more information about the Chamber, and when Ginny had opened it. As she'd told Draco, it wasn't something she wanted to discuss.
As she was adding the final ingredient to the potions, Ginny heard the classroom door open. She expected to see Professor Snape when she looked up. It wasn't Snape, though. The tall, dark-haired boy who entered caused a chill to slither down her spine before she reminded herself that it was Blaise Zabini and not Tom Riddle. She also firmly reminded herself that he was one of the good guys. She managed a small smile. He gave her a pleasant nod and glanced around the room.
Colin hadn't looked up; he seemed to be immersed in his reading. Ginny watched Zabini's eyes move around the room until they came to Colin. She couldn't help a smile at the way Zabini's expression softened as he gazed at the younger boy. Colin turned a page, still unaware of the attention he was getting.
"A-hem," Ginny said, exaggeratedly clearing her throat. "Um, Colin, I think it's for you."
Colin looked up. "Huh?"
Grinning more broadly, Ginny indicated the doorway. Colin followed her nod and flushed, slamming the book closed and standing awkwardly. Zabini smiled and Ginny noted it was that same smile he'd used the other night; the one that would have sent her running for the hills. It seemed to have the opposite effect on her friend, though. Colin stood rooted to the spot for only a moment, his pale cheeks flushed, a small, almost shy smile on his face. Then he walked toward Zabini, casting a flustered look in Ginny's direction.
"Blaise, come in," Colin said, his voice steady, but a bit nervous. "Uh, Professor Snape is gone, though, if you were looking for him."
Ginny finished what she was doing quickly, wanting to watch their encounter. She set the flames below the cauldrons and leaned back against a desk, trying to observe them without being obvious about it.
"I never look for that one unless it is absolutely necessary," she heard Zabini answer. "I actually had two reasons for coming here."
Ginny frowned as she noticed that Zabini was still standing in the doorway, half in and half out of the room.
"The first was to see you," he told Colin bluntly, causing the other boy's flush to deepen. "I had heard you were here, and thought it would be an excellent opportunity to spend time with you."
Wow, Ginny thought, that's pretty plain and to the point. The intense gaze swung to Ginny, startling a tiny gasp from her. She'd been caught staring and immediately looked away. "The other reason, though, involves something Ginny seems to have misplaced," he said.
Ginny's eyes snapped back to him as he pushed the door open completely. He practically dragged Draco into the room, shutting the door behind them. "I found this pathetic git storming about our common room in a filthy temper. It seems he just had a falling out with the only person in the school who has the ability to make him behave like a somewhat normal human being and drive him to lunatic behavior at the same time." Zabini paused to see what Ginny's reaction would be, but she was too busy trying not to stare at the irate blond Slytherin. Despite the angry expression, Draco's gaze softened perceptibly when he looked at her. Blaise gave him a small tug in her direction as he continued lazily. "Please, Ginny, do something with him, before he drives the rest of us mad."
Draco shrugged off the hand that had been gripping his robes, angrily smoothing the wrinkles. "If you ever try that again, Zabini…" he began but got no further.
"Save it for someone who didn't have to listen to your maundering on about how you'd ruined everything. After, of course," he added maliciously, "you dragged me from the common room so you could disclose, rather theatrically, these revelations to me in private."
Ginny could only continue to stare as Zabini once again put Draco in his place. "I suggest, Malfoy, that you begin making amends before the little weasel decides she's got better things to do than waste her time on you."
"That's it!" Draco said, grabbing the front of Zabini's robes and shoving him against the door. Ginny rushed forward, but Colin was already there, ready to drag Draco from Zabini if necessary. But Draco released the prefect almost immediately and stepped back, giving him a long, hard look. Ginny stopped a few steps away, shocked into immobility as Draco declared, "You can use 'Ginny' or 'Miss Weasley', but you don't ever call her 'little weasel' again, understand?"
Zabini smirked, completely unflustered. "Perfectly, Malfoy. The question is, do you?" Turning away from his livid housemate, Zabini lifted one brow at Colin. "I suggest we take ourselves somewhere more quiet so these two lovebirds can talk privately."
Colin nodded quickly, but said, "All right, Gin?"
Ginny glanced at Draco and was surprised to see that the anger seemed to have drained away. He was staring down at the large Kneazle who was rubbing affectionately at his legs, begging attention. As he stooped to lift the kitten into his arms, Ginny saw that his expression was miserable. And even though she knew it was ridiculous, her heart went out to him. Maybe Colin was right and he was just jealous. Or maybe, a more cautious part of her whispered, he was trying to make up to her so he could find out more about the Chamber. Oh, come on now, she told herself firmly, the Chamber was years ago! Why would he care, other than curiosity? Besides, Labelle would know if he were just leading me on, wouldn't she? Finally, she said, "Go on, Colin, we'll be fine."
Draco looked up hopefully but Ginny turned away from him. She moved back to the cauldrons and checked the contents, picking up a heavy wooden spoon and stirring the thickening liquid. Keeping her back to him, she began to gather the ingredients she'd used and put them away. He stepped to her side, trying to get her attention, but she continued what she was doing, ignoring him. Ignoring a rampaging elephant would have been simpler. She refused to look at him, but when he stood his six-foot, twelve stone, dead sexy self straight in her path, she nearly crashed into him. It didn't help that Labelle was now sending her plaintive images of a very lost and forlorn looking Draco. Mentally telling the kitten to stop it, she was able to side step him as she took her utensils and bowls to the sink to wash them. With a whispered curse, Draco gently placed the Kneazle on Snape's desk and moved beside her again.
"Right, then, little weasel, how long am I going to get the silent treatment?" he demanded.
Ginny sighed. "I'm not trying to give you the silent treatment. I just don't know what to say. I knew you had a filthy temper but I don't appreciate you acting like you own me and treating my friends like the dirt beneath your feet. There are a lot of things I can accept and get used to. That's just not one of them."
"Look, Weasley, I know I don't own you. And I wasn't trying to insult Creevey. I just wasn't thinking."
She remained silent as she continued to wash up the utensils and tools she'd used. Draco automatically turned on the taps and after carefully folding back the sleeves of his robe and rolling up his shirtsleeves, he began rinsing. Ginny's eyes were riveted to the dark ugly mark on his left forearm. He noticed.
"No use hiding it, right? I mean, everyone in this room knows now, so what's the point?"
There was no anger remaining in his voice; instead, he sounded bleak and hopeless.
Ginny glanced up to his face, at the almost aristocratic profile, but only noticed the lost expression. Her heart constricted as she remembered what he'd been through and how he'd been raised to hurt and hate without thinking. Ginny realized that this must be as new and difficult for him as it was for her. She couldn't help herself. She reached for his hand, saying, "Truce?"
For a moment he stared at her hand, his face blank. Then, with a deep sigh, he took her hand and pulled her to him, gathering her in his arms and holding tightly. Ginny had to choke back a sudden sob as she felt him trembling. "God, angel, I—didn't mean—I was just so--." He stopped, apparently at a loss.
Ginny hugged him back fiercely. "I know," she said simply. Even though she didn't know exactly what had set him off or what he was trying to tell her, she did know that he cared about her, and for now that was enough.
He pushed her a few inches away and looked into her eyes, the corner of his mouth curving up slightly, almost imperceptibly. "Do you realize just how amazing you are?" he asked. "A lot of people would tell you that you were insane. That you're too trusting, too forgiving."
Ginny tilted her head, uninterested in anything but how breathless he made her feel when he held her close like this. "Would they?" she whispered.
"Actually, you are," he said. "And thank God for that, or Zabini would still be getting an earful!"
Ginny grinned as relief flooded over her. If Draco were making jokes, things were looking up. They both looked unconsciously toward where Colin and Zabini were sitting, near the back of the classroom, heads bent together as they talked. Zabini reached out at that moment to push a strand of hair back from Colin's brow. Ginny froze, though, as Colin lifted his face just a fraction. It was just enough for Zabini to cradle the back of Colin's head and cover the younger boy's lips with his own. That was all, a simple brush of the lips. Then it was over, as quickly as that and as soft as a summer breeze, but Ginny was shocked, just the same. Shocked and a little flustered.
"A bit much to take in reality, isn't it?" Draco whispered in her ear. She looked up into his face, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. She knew he'd seen, too, but he seemed to be taking the sight of two boys kissing much better than she. A surge of shame washed over her, because she'd thought she was so unprejudiced! "Don't worry, angel, it is rather shocking the first time."
Oh, lord, was it that obvious? "I just—wasn't really prepared," she whispered back lamely. "I mean, I approve, but—,"
"I know," he murmured, suddenly much more interested in the smooth skin at the juncture of her jaw than the sight of his prefect kissing her best friend.
"But, how—why—I mean, I always thought I was much more open-minded than you! But you seem to be taking this rather well."
The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked at her. "Is that a compliment or an insult, I wonder? I just have the advantage of having seen them together already. After lunch today they were talking on the stairs to the dungeons." He shrugged. "Then they kissed. The initial shock is over. Now, can we talk about us, instead?"
"So that's where he disappeared to after he dumped me in the common room," Ginny said, glancing quickly at the other couple, then away again. Looking up into his eyes, she felt as though her breath was caught in her chest. The gray eyes gazing back at her were so soft and so full of feeling that Ginny thought she might just melt on the spot. "What did you want to talk about?" she breathed, leaning toward him, and even rising onto her toes before he stopped her.
"Hold on, angel," he said, his voice low. "Let me turn the water off, first. I don't want a repeat of the first time I tried to kiss you!"
"The potion's almost ready," Ginny said some time later. "I wonder if the professor will think it's enough?"
"I sort of got the impression that the potion assignment was more for his amusement than because he really needed it," Draco commented, pushing away from the sink where the last of the slime- and goo- encrusted cauldrons had been cleaned and were now neatly stacked.
Ginny gave him a narrow look as he approached her. "I can't help agree with you. But I distinctly remember him telling you 'no magic' with those cauldrons."
Draco shrugged and wrapped his hands around her waist. "He did, but that was weeks ago. I don't remember him telling me that today. Besides, since you wouldn't help, I had to finish as soon as possible. No telling when he's coming back, so I'd better take advantage of having you all to myself."
He pulled her closer and covered her lips with his. Ginny parted her own eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck. They stayed like that for only a few moments, though, before he groaned and pulled away, as he had at the sink.
"This just isn't the same with a damned audience," he said sourly, glancing toward the back of the classroom. Colin and Blaise were much too intent on one another to be paying any attention to them, but Ginny knew what he meant. It was a little uncomfortable, having them in the room, too.
She almost giggled, nodding agreement. "There's always that little music room," she whispered suggestively.
"Evil! You're the most evil girl I ever met!"
"Wicked! I told you! There's--,"
"A difference," he finished for her with a wicked smile of his own. "Yeah, you told me. And I told you we can't go back there, because it's just too tempting."
Ginny bit her lip and stared at his chest, her fingers idly plucking at the top fastening of his robe. "You know, Draco, that isn't necessarily a bad thing," she said in a small voice. "I mean…"
Draco's grip tightened as he whispered, "I know what you mean, little weasel. Don't you think that's occurred to me, too? If you weren't a virgin, Flint might lose interest, right?" He gave her a shake. Her face flamed as she looked at him. "He won't, though," Draco continued. "He's obsessed, and it wouldn't matter if you wore a sign that said 'open for business' at this point!" He stopped at her shocked look, grimacing. "You know what I mean, angel. The point is, he means to have you, and I'm damned well not letting him!"
Ginny sighed. "I know. I mean, I know what you're saying about Flint is true and you and Blaise and Colin and a lot of other people are trying to protect me. But that's not the only reason I wanted to--you know, go back there."
She tried to look away but he caught her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. "You don't know how much that means to me. But think, angel! Is that how you want your first time? On a floor? Rushed and worried that someone might catch us? Because to be honest, if you really want to, I'll drag you off straight away and hell with my good intentions! So think about it carefully, angel. I-I care about you. And I do want you, but, like I said before, I can wait."
Ginny could barely see him through the sudden mistiness in her eyes. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him into a tight hug. "I know this is going to make you want to spew, but you're the sweetest boy I ever met!" she declared.
"Don't ever call me 'sweet' again, little weasel!" he growled fiercely. He didn't, however, pull away. "I'm evil, Weasley, and don't forget it!"
Ginny's giggle turned into a breathy gasp as he gripped her hips and lifted her from her feet. Depositing her on a nearby table, Draco nudged her knees apart and pushed in as close as he could get. His hands remained on her hips, holding her there on the edge of the table and preventing her from scooting away.
"Draco…" Ginny whispered, her eyes half closed and her cheeks flushed. And even though this position was so intimate, so suggestive, she had no intention of trying to scoot away. Her hands came up and splayed across his chest, her fingers skating lightly over the firm muscles jumping and bunching under her touch. Evil, yes, she thought. Evilly sexy!
"Oh, God, angel," he groaned into her hair, pulling her even more tightly against him. "I—lord!" The last came with a sudden gust of breath as one of her fingers brushed lightly across the hard nub of his nipple. He tangled a hand in her hair and pulled her mouth to his, kissing her hard.
Oh, heavens, Ginny thought incoherently. Who cares if it's a floor? As long as it's with Draco! He deepened the kiss and Ginny felt as though she were drowning in heat and sensation. Then she gave up thinking altogether as her hands moved from his chest to the fastenings of his robe. As her fingers brushed across the top one, a loud cough brought her back to the present.
The couple jumped, both panting and flushed.
"Damn!" Draco muttered as he pulled back and spun around, careful to keep Ginny shielded with his body.
"What the hell was that for, Zabini?" he demanded, finding the Slytherin prefect standing only a few feet away.
Ginny straightened her skirt, which had ridden high up her legs, and quickly fastened her robe, wondering when exactly Draco had unfastened the garment. Peeking around Draco's shoulder, she saw Zabini smirking at his housemate. "I did call, rather loudly, but you two seemed a bit preoccupied."
Colin was putting away the textbook he'd been studying, careful not to look Ginny's way. Feeling embarrassed, but determined not to let the smug prefect fluster her, Ginny pushed at Draco's back and hopped down from the table.
"We were preoccupied, Blaise," Ginny said quickly, taking Draco's hand and giving it a tiny squeeze. "But you now have our complete attention, so what's up?"
Zabini gazed at her for a moment before a real smile spread across his face. "I expected stammering confusion, not daring and amusement. Full points for having a lot of nerve." His eyes lifted to Draco's. "Tread carefully with this one, Malfoy," he advised. "She's worth the effort."
"If you're done stating the obvious, Zabini," Draco said, pulling Ginny's arm around his waist and wrapping his own protectively around her shoulders, "maybe you'll tell us what the interruption was about?"
Colin had now returned to Zabini's side. "It's already five-thirty," he said. "Snape's not going to be gone forever, so if you two are finished here, it's probably more than time to leave."
Ginny gave a little squeak and pulled her arm from around Draco's waist. She looked at her watch and gasped. "Oh, no! I've got to go!"
She spun toward the cooling potions, then stared at the cauldrons in indecision. What did Snape want her to do with the stuff, anyway? She had no idea where he would keep enough bottles to transfer all this potion into. She nervously began rummaging through cupboard and drawers she normally wouldn't have dared open. Draco wrapped his arm around her again, pulling her away from the cabinets and shelves she was rifling.
"What are you on about, little weasel?" he asked. "What are you looking for, anyway?"
"Bottles!" she answered, trying to squirm away from him. "I've got all this potion and I don't know what to do with it. Snape never said!"
A smirk formed on Draco's thin lips. "Honestly, I think he'll chuck the lot down the drain, but it's not your problem. Did you forget that 'Pepper-upper' potion has to sit for several hours before it's bottled? Just cover the cauldrons and leave them. Right?"
Ginny grimaced. She had forgotten. She was just so distracted that she was fluttering about like an idiot. She gave him a sheepish smile.
"Sorry," she said. "I'll just cover these and Colin and I can be off."
The smirk disappeared as Draco followed her to the cauldrons again. While she penned a quick note to Professor Snape, he placed the covers over the cooling potions. Ginny re-read the note explaining why she hadn't bottled any of the liquid, and then glanced at Draco. He was now sitting at one of the desks, idly playing with Labelle, but his expression was unreadable. He almost looked hurt, though Ginny couldn't imagine why he would be.
She gathered her own things and moved to his side. Labelle meowed and jumped down from the desk as Draco stood.
"Ready, then?" he asked, avoiding her eyes.
"Uh, yeah, I guess."
Draco took her arm gently and led her to the door where Zabini and Colin were waiting. Ginny glanced up at Draco's face, wondering what had changed suddenly. She hoped they weren't headed for another row.
"Draco," she said quietly. "Is something wrong?"
He stopped. "Nothing's wrong, little weasel," he said, his face a mask. "What makes you think that?"
Ginny decided to be direct. "Well, because you won't look at me, you're giving me the silent treatment now, and Labelle's upset. Did I do something wrong? Are you angry at me?"
Now he did look at her and Ginny almost wished he hadn't. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowed. As she watched, his lip curled into his signature smirk.
"Now why would I be upset, little weasel?" he asked in a low voice. "The girl I'm mad about, the one who'll probably get me disowned if not worse, jumps at the chance to get out of my company as fast as possible. And that straight after she tries to seduce me with words." One eyebrow twitched up quickly. "What's to be upset about?"
"What?" Ginny was astounded. "Are you insane? You must be! I nearly jumped up and hugged Professor Snape when he told me I couldn't go to Hogsmeade because it meant I could spend the day with you. I didn't even start on my potions until you'd stormed out because I didn't want to move from your arms! If I wasn't afraid Ron might take it into his head to worry about me and actually come looking for me, I'd still be sitting on that table wrapped around you like some cheap robe! Now you're angry with me because I have to go back to my room and do homework and eat supper and all the other normal things I've been doing for the last four months. You are impossible!"
Ginny tugged her arm from his and stalked toward the door. Colin and Zabini had very wisely exited already. She was almost there when he caught up with her.
"Weasley," he said, touching her arm.
She stopped, but refused to look at him. His hand slid up her arm to wrap around the back of her neck.
"Angel," he whispered, pulling her closer.
Ginny let him, moving stiffly into his embrace. "I'm not angry with you, angel," he told her. "I just want to be with you. I—" He stopped.
Ginny looked up. "You?" she prompted.
He didn't answer. Instead, he lowered his mouth to hers. With a deep sigh, Ginny leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He teased her lips open and slid his tongue softly into her mouth, dancing it over her own tongue before he pulled away. He nipped at her bottom lip before straightening.
"I just wanted to say good-bye properly, that's all," he finally answered. "I'll walk with you to the stairs."
As the four teens and the Kneazle approached the stairs, Draco said, "I'll see you later."
Ginny nodded, giving him a tentative smile. He smirked and added quietly, so only she could hear, "I may not own you, Weasley, but like I told you the other night, you own me, filthy temper and all."
With that, he turned and hurried back down the hall toward Slytherin.
"Snape's been on a rampage, lately, stupid git."
Harry, Ron and Dean were sitting by the fire, discussing their disastrous Potions class. Ginny and Colin, along with Su and Daisy were sitting near by, close enough to listen without being obvious about it. Dean had been sitting with Su until Ron and Harry had arrived. Then, as they'd planned, he had moved over to sit with the older boys while Ginny, Colin and Daisy joined Su. It had been well orchestrated, and had looked completely unrehearsed. Now Colin and Ginny had their backs to the three older boys, looking studious and innocent.
"Yeah, can you believe he took off ten points just because Neville dropped a jar! And an empty jar at that! It didn't even break!"
Harry shook his head at the injustice of the world in general.
"You know, Su said the prat was just as bad in their class. Did you know he even gave Ginny detention?"
Ginny's shoulders hunched. She knew why Snape had given her detention, but she hadn't shared the information with anyone, not even Colin. But Ron would be sure to question her, especially since he often called her 'Snape's pet'. He hated the exacting Potions master and couldn't understand that some of the students, the ones not generally prone to excessive rule-breaking, might actually admire the man's skill. And Ron certainly couldn't understand how Ginny could like the man since he seemed to delight in picking on Ron and his friends.
Sure enough, Ginny heard the leather chair creak and Ron approach.
"So, Snape's pet got in trouble today?" he teased. "What did ickle Ginny-kins do to make her favorite teacher mad?"
Giving her brother a look that was a mixture of disgust, irritation, and resignation, Ginny sighed. "I messed up the ingredients to a restorative potion. And don't call me 'ickle Ginny-kins'! You know I hate it."
Grinning, Ron nodded. "Yeah, and that's why I do it! So, how's it feel to be part of the common rabble now? I'm so going to enjoy writing Mum and telling her you got detention."
Ginny gaped at him. "Ron! You wouldn't! I never tell Mum the things you get in trouble for! You're—you're…"
"Just kidding!" he said, holding his hands up. "Jeez, Gin, what's your problem lately? Can't even take a joke?" He looked injured as he drew himself up straighter. "Have I ever done something like that?"
Her cheeks flushed as Ginny realized she'd not only taken the bait Ron had been so obviously dangling, but she'd overreacted. Normally she would have just laughed at him and told him to 'go ahead and tell Mum', which she really did know he wouldn't do. But this time, she'd just gone and acted like a silly twit. It was probably just leftover stress from her earlier conversation with Snape, along with much frustration (emotional and sexual) and worry.
"I'm sorry, Ron," she said, standing and wrapping her brother in a tight hug. "I know you wouldn't have said anything."
Ron looked around uncomfortably, hoping no one noticed his sister hugging him. Of course, Dean and Harry were watching, but they didn't count. Ginny noticed, and decided to torture him a bit. "You're the best big brother in the world, you know," she gushed loudly. "Even if you have 'I love Snape' posters all over your bedroom walls at home!"
"Ginny!" he said, prying her arms off him. "I don't! Harry can vouch for that! He knows I wouldn't have anything like that!"
Ginny, along with Dean, Harry and Colin began to chuckle. Su and Daisy looked ready to die from suppressed laughter. No one else seemed to have noticed, though, so Ron gave Ginny a sheepish look.
"Even?" he said, holding out his hand.
Ginny took it quickly. "Even!"
"Did I miss something?"
Hermione was just walking up to them, her arms full of books and Crookshanks at her heels. She looked around interestedly.
"Ron was threatening to tell Mum I got detention, and I was telling everyone how Ron has 'I love Snape' posters on his wall," Ginny replied with a smile.
Hermione's mouth skewed to the side in a gesture of annoyance. "Sounds like a normal day for the Weasley family," she commented. "But if you did get detention, Ginny, you should tell your mother. It's only proper." Placing her books on the table in front of the fire, Hermione glanced up at the other students. "What?" she demanded.
Ginny and Ron had rolled their eyes at her, while Dean shook his head. Harry looked resigned at his friend's attitude and Colin, Su and Daisy grinned.
"I mean it!" Hermione insisted. "If I got detention, I'd owl my parents straight away."
"If you got detention, sweetheart," Ron said, moving to her side, "they might have to declare it a national day of mourning. Now what have you got?"
That seemed to be the signal to break up the small group of students. Ron, Harry and Hermione moved back to the fire, Harry casting occasional glances at Ginny and her friends. Dean took Su's arm and mentioned something about studying together, and the couple left. Colin, Ginny and Daisy took up their places at the nearby table again, trying to appear inconspicuous.
Unnoticed by any of them except Ginny, Labelle and Crookshanks seemed to be facing off. Labelle cautiously moved forward, barely touching her nose to Crookshanks'. The older feline's ears flattened for a moment, but only a moment. It looked to Ginny as though they were having a conversation, but not something any human would understand. Labelle made a soft meowing noise and looked up to Ginny. She blinked and looked back to Crookshanks. Ginny felt the hair at the back of her neck prickle and stand on end when Crookshanks repeated the movement, right down to the blink. And then, as though coming to an agreement, Crookshanks shook his heavy body, turned away and casually strode over to Hermione.
Ginny continued to watch as the large marmalade cat sprang lightly onto the couch beside the head girl and insinuated himself onto her lap.
Stifling a giggle, Ginny turned away.
"Crookshanks! How am I supposed to move when you're laying on my lap?"
Labelle hopped onto the table and butted Ginny with her large head. "Was that your doing, love?" Ginny whispered quietly. "You're the smarted person I know!"
Labelle purred contentedly, and if she seemed to be wearing a smug smile, well, she deserved it.
"Can you hear anything?" Daisy asked some time later.
They had been pretending to do homework for almost an hour and Ginny hadn't heard anything that sounded suspicious. Colin shook his head.
"Whatever they're talking about, they're keeping it pretty close," he muttered. "I think we'll have to take more drastic measures."
"Like what?" Daisy asked, concerned.
"Like breaking in to Hermione's room and taking a look at what she's researching," said Ginny.
"But, that would be…breaking in!" Daisy said, horrified. "And besides, why do we need to know what they're up to? They seem to do all right on their own. We might just mess things up!"
Colin glanced at the distraught girl with an almost annoyed expression. "You know, Daisy, there are other things happening at the castle that might have something to do with what those three are discussing. Do you want to just stand back and let something bad happen? Or do you want to try to help prevent it?"
Daisy bit her lip. "But how could anything about," she lowered her voice nervously. "'You-know-who's chosen' have anything to do with Flint?"
"It probably doesn't," Ginny said honestly. "But we don't know, right? Don't worry, Daisy, if it comes to that, I'll be the one to do it. I've been in Hermione's room before, and I could probably come up with a good reason—"
She stopped as Colin gripped her arm. She glanced at him and saw that he was looking over her shoulder.
"Ginny, got a minute?" Harry said as he stopped beside her.
"Uh, sure, Harry. What's up?"
The green eyes flicked over her companions before resting on her face. "It's private. Can we go over there?"
He motioned toward an empty corner of the common room and Ginny's eyebrows shot up. Private? What could he want to say to her that was private? She looked at Colin, but he seemed as bewildered as she was.
"I guess," she finally answered. She rose and followed Harry to the corner, wondering what he would say.
When they got there, Harry maneuvered himself so that his back was to the room and his body hid Ginny. She looked up at him.
"What's up, Harry? It sounds important."
"I think it is," he admitted. "But you didn't seem very enthusiastic. I sort of thought…well, never mind. I just wanted to ask you something."
Ginny waited, but he didn't speak. In fact, he seemed to be studying her intently, which caused her to frown. "Harry? Are you all right?"
"You know, I was about to ask you the same thing," he said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face.
Ginny flinched from the touch, surprised. "Why?"
Harry's face screwed up into a sort of grimace before he sighed. "Because you're not nervous around me anymore. You always used to be nervous with me."
"I—uh, hmm." Ginny was at a loss. He was right, of course. She'd always been nervous with him, even when she'd been going out with other boys. Because she'd still liked him. Now, however, she didn't have any interest in him, so she could treat him as a regular friend.
"Is that what you wanted to say to me?" she asked, more confused than ever.
He shook his head. "I'm not sure asking you is such a good idea any more," he said with another sigh. "I was going to ask you to go to Hogsmeade with me for this next trip, but I have a feeling I know what the answer will be. I guess I waited too long. Our little Ginny isn't so little anymore, and someone else noticed before I did. My bad luck, I guess," he said with a resigned smile. "I just wish I knew who he was, because it's not Colin, and I know it's not Dean."
He gave her a questioning look, but she ignored it. "You're right, Harry, I'm not going into Hogsmeade with you. But I'm actually not going with anyone. I'm staying in the castle for the day."
Harry gave her a long look. His stance changed subtly. Where he'd been the slightest bit nervous before, now he seemed almost menacing. "Does he have detention that day? Is that why you're not going?"
Ginny clicked her tongue, temper overriding the vague feeling of unease. "Even if I do have someone I'd rather go with, do you really think it's any of your business, Harry Potter? I was mad about you for four years, but it took you this long to notice me? You're a great guy, Harry, but you're not the only guy in the world."
She would have stormed away, but he grabbed her arm. "Look, Ginny, I'm sorry," he said insincerely. "I'm an idiot, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? I'll admit it. I should have noticed you a long time ago. But I notice now, so you can stop playing coy and pretending that you're not interested. Just say yes!"
"You know, you're too much," she told him. "I had no idea what a huge ego you had! As though all you have to do is apologize and I'll come running when you crook your finger. Understand this, Harry! I'm not interested, right? Not now and not ever."
She tried to tug her arm away, but he tightened his grip. "Oh, come on, Gin, you know you're mine. You've always been mine." He brought his face very close to hers and smirked. Just as quickly, the hateful expression disappeared, and he gave her what would have been an endearing smile, had she not been so bewildered by his actions. "Just tell me what it's going to take. Chocolates? Flowers? A public declaration?"
For one frightening moment, Ginny thought Harry would actually go down on his knees and make some revolting avowal of devotion. In fact, his knees were bending when Ron hurried over.
"Good God! What is going on here?" he demanded.
Harry straightened abruptly, glaring at his best friend. He still hadn't released Ginny's arm and his grip was growing painful. Ginny was actually trying to pry his fingers off when Ron noticed.
"Harry, what are you doing to my sister?"
Harry also noticed, snatching his hand away and looking aghast. "Ginny, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!"
Ginny was confused. She wanted to cry, but that wouldn't help anything, and it might make things worse. She looked at Ron, her heart swelling with gratitude that he'd stepped in right then. Things had been getting ugly, and she had no idea what had come over Harry to make him act so strangely.
"What the hell was going on?" Ron demanded again, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Honestly, Ron," Ginny said, taking his arm and leading him away. "Nothing happened. Harry asked me to go to Hogsmeade but I told him no. That's all."
Ron resisted for a second, then gave in, allowing the small girl to direct him back to Hermione's side.
"If that's all, why was he so angry? And why was he grabbing you like that?"
Ginny looked back to see Harry still standing in the corner, looking confused and upset. She was confused and upset, too, and she didn't like how his personality had changed like that. One moment he'd been almost joking with her about having a boyfriend, the next he'd been in a jealous rage, and then he'd gone all weird with the candy and flowers bit. It wasn't normal! Hermione, Colin and Daisy were watching her, concern obvious on all of their faces.
"I—I don't know, Ron," Ginny admitted. "He was—it was like he wasn't himself all of a sudden." Ginny shook her head. "I can't explain it, but I think he's all right now."
Ron placed an awkward arm around Ginny's shoulder and gave her a squeeze. "Are you sure? Because if he's hurt you—"
"I'm fine!" Ginny said, pushing off his arm. "I think Harry's the one who needs you right now. I think he's more confused than I am!"
Brother and sister looked at the dark haired boy who was still standing where they'd left him. He seemed to be mumbling to himself, perhaps replaying the strange encounter and trying to figure out what had happened. He looked up at them, his face bleak.
"Bugger," Ron hissed. "Looks like someone killed his puppy."
"Crookshanks, off!" they heard Hermione say. A feline yowl was followed by a loud thump. Crookshanks darted off, looking outraged with his fur on end. The head girl was beside them a few seconds later, and she took Ron's arm gently.
"I think Ginny's right," she said. "I think Harry needs us right now. You'll be all right, Ginny?"
She nodded, relieved when Ron and Hermione moved off. Turning back to Colin and Daisy, she sighed.
"That was just strange," she said, slumping into her chair. "Really strange."
"What happened?" Colin asked in a low voice. "I mean, I thought he was going to take a swing at you or something. I was ready to run over there, but Ron beat me to it."
Daisy put a reassuring arm around Ginny's shoulders, hugging her tightly. "You okay, Gin? Labelle was frantic! She jumped up and tried to go to you. I thought she was going to rip my arm off when I grabbed her."
Ginny looked at the Kneazle who was now trying to squirm her way onto Ginny's lap. Chuckling, Ginny scooted back. Labelle was in her lap in a second, purring loudly while pressing as close to Ginny as she could get. Glancing at Colin and Daisy, Ginny saw that they were still concerned. She grimaced and shrugged.
"I really don't know what that was all about. It was like Harry was suddenly possessed, or something. It was eerie!"
They watched as Ron and Hermione led a very bemused looking Harry to the common room exit. Hermione hurried back to the table and gathered the books she'd brought, then followed the boys out of the common room.
"Damn," Colin said. "I hoped they'd forget the books!"