AN - thanks for all the reviews and the uh not s nice ones! to be honest i was kind of expecting them! hope you like this chapter - its different to the others, so i don't know whther you will like it, i just felt like a change! hope you're all havinga nice summer - and those who aren't reviewing PLEASE do, i need to be loved!
PP Ruffie - glad you liked the twist - and i appreciate you not hating me and just going with the flow - you're the best type of reader! thanks for not complaining!
druccillamalfoyrox - well you probably won't get this chapter for a long time, but have a nice trip! Thanks for not minding Lucius - but hopefully you'll like this chapter, lucius was never permanent!
AnnaKranor - sorry about lucius - truth is in my twisted"friggin"mind i quite like him, but i can see that not many people do. Sorry about you getting lost with the thing in the hall between Draco andGinny, it was just hormonal overdrive on their parts!Think you'll like like this chapter as I take it you don't like my poor Blaise! Am overjoyed that you think this story is worthy of being read and is on your alert list - please continue doing so!
littleunlucky1391 - since you're an anon reviewer, i don't know whether you will be back to read this! Tanks for the review and thanks for the compliments, but I am really not that great!
Psychic Selina - thanks for the review, hope you like this chapter!
6th Year Gryffindor - do i spy a flame? kn wi would get one soon - but don't worry this chapter is probably more to your liking!
Laina3 - i'm not really sure what I'm up to either! but aw i feel your sympathy for Draco - however continue to read and it may not be incestuous feelings that are the problem...
Summary - when i get chapter updates i sometimes forget what just happened - so Lucius arrived in Ginevra's chamber and they sauntered off together leaving a fuming Blaise and Draco in the room. Ginevra shouted at Blaise about the whole marriage thing! - hope this helps!
Chapter 13 – Theodore Nott
Lessons flew by without Ginevra noticing them. She was too busy thinking about Draco and Blaise's expressions as she had left with Lucius Malfoy at her side. She almost wished Colin Creevey had been there to take a picture; it was such a precious moment! Sighing to herself she waited for the staircase to stop moving, she really had to stop daydreaming. Despite her earlier amusement she found herself in the worst predicament a girl could be in. The kiss with Draco had been completely different to what she had with Blaise and she preferred Draco, she always had. The problem was that Draco had made it clear that he didn't want her and now Blaise was spouting nonsense about getting married. As she turned into the passage leading to the Slytherin Common Room, she walked straight into a tall figure.
Shocked from her thoughts, she looked up to apologise. Ginevra had rather stupidly bumped into Lucius Malfoy, another problem in her complicated life.
"Lady Weasley, I apologise for my horrific clumsiness, I hope that you are not hurt." Lucius bowed his head slightly as he stood in front of Ginevra. He had found himself at a loss as to what to do, Ginevra Weasley's character seemed rather volatile and capricious. He had no idea what to expect next when he spoke to her.
"No worries Lucius, I was in a world of my own, and the name is Ginevra by the way. I'm afraid I can't stop and talk, I have things to do, good evening." With that, Ginevra side-stepped him and walked briskly down the dungeon and into the Common Room. There was no point in prolonging a discussion with Lucius Malfoy. She didn't trust herself around him, he was too handsome for his own good and he seemed to have a hidden agenda. Standing in the Common Room Ginevra resumed a cold expression, to be honest she was rather weary of being aloof all the time, she knew that she wasn't a complete Slytherin yet nor was she a Gryffindor. She had to pretend to fit in and she had had enough. Slytherins were the most comfortable to be around so maybe she could get them to change or accept her changes. She was going to be herself, whoever that was.
Grinning, Ginevra flung herself onto one of the sofas and watched a few of the first years playing exploding snap. They became aware of her presence, and muttered swiftly to each other and fled to the other side of the room. Swearing softly, Ginevra motioned for Theodore Nott. She had never actually spoken to him, but he hadn't objected to her house change yet he didn't approve of her either.
"What is it you want Weaselette?" Theodore drawled as he ran his fingers through his light brown hair which slightly fell in front of his eyes. Ginevra noticed for the first time that he was actually quite good-looking. He didn't have any ethereal qualities like Draco nor was he dark like Blaise. Maybe Theodore could be the answer to her problems, but first he needed to be put severely in his place.
"You know my name Theodore and I suggest you use it otherwise strange things could start to occur and I'm sure you are wise enough to know what caused them." Ginevra just looked at him, she didn't want to be rude to him she needed another ally if she were to change once again.
Theodore just stared at her with an infuriatingly smug look upon his face. "Yes Weasley I do know your name but I will not use it until I am convinced of your allegiance. Whatever you want to throw at me, please go ahead I think you'll find that I may just be able to combat you! Think of my rank in the house order." He laughed and sat in the armchair next to Ginevra. He could tell he had baffled her, he hadn't been there at the house order nor had they had another meeting, so she would have to think about his bloodlines. While she was trying to recall his nobility he allowed his eyes to wander over her body. Blaise was lucky to have her, but she seemed to be dissatisfied with him. Theodore had noticed her staring at Draco more that a couple of times now and wondered whether they had acted on it.
Ginevra was not entirely wrapped in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed Theodore's eyes wander. Smirking to herself at boys, she forced eye contact with him. "Well, I must admit that I have been put down, I'm sorry Theodore but I still will not hesitate to use my magic if you do not treat me with the respect I deserve."
Theodore just smiled, "you have no idea where I am in the hierarchy do you?" Ginevra grimaced, she had been caught out and the only thing to do was to acknowledge it gracefully.
"You're right, I have no idea where to place you but judging from your tone and your words you have to be quite high otherwise you would never have dared to challenge me. I can only track your bloodlines four generations back then it gets quite hazy, I know you are completely pure so why am I having a problem?" Ginevra was sitting up straight now, he had wetted her curiosity. It was a well known fact, that bloodlines could be sensed by the purebloods, that was how they knew each other and if one tried hard you could trace back to their ancestors. Yet she had found someone who was being blocked by something.
"It alright, I knew you wouldn't be able to find anything. I'm not a pureblood in the strictest sense of the word. I'm surprised Draco and Blaise haven't told you. The Nott bloodline is a combination of Wizarding blood and Werewolf blood. It was from a pact seven centuries ago that involved the blood of a werewolf to save the only heir of Adrian Nott, which means that we all carry it in our veins." Ginevra's eyes widened, she had met her superior. It was well known that magical darklings were the most powerful; she had always wanted to be one when she was younger. Judging by Theodore's look he had expected a different reaction. Sliding to her knees yet again, she took his hand and placed a soft kiss on his knuckles. She seemed to always be on her knees for the boys of Slytherin! Murmuring into his hand, "My Lord, I acquiesce to your authority and swear my allegiance to you and to Slytherin acknowledging your power as the bane of this house." Theodore pulled her up roughly; as she saw his eyes glow. "I thank you Ginevra for your pledge and will take you at your word. That was the first time anyone has ever done that without me having to explain. You are truly worthy of being the First Princess of Slytherin." Theodore had been shocked at her words. He had expected her to react with horror, the others had not known that magical creatures such as werewolves had elements in their blood that increased your own magic and that combinations were not thought of as impure. The combination of blood had long since been practised and had seemed to have died out along with all knowledge of it. The only thing left was a Ministry of Magic decree about its use.
Ginevra was struck with awe that she was in the presence of a darkling. They were so rare that they seemed almost part of ancient history. Now, she was talking to one and almost on the point of friendship with one. "Theodore, how come no-one knows, surely the school should have been told. Not that you're dangerous or anything its just that you have so much power at hand.."Ginevra faltered, she didn't really know what to say, all she wanted to know was why he had kept it a secret yet it seemed to be rather personal. Theodore just chuckled softly he knew what she was trying to ask him, Ginevra looked startled upon hearing him laugh, it was an odd sound to hear in the Slytherin Common Room. She found it peculiar that though the Slytherins were very close they never seemed to laugh together for the fun of it, it was always for some purpose or for humiliation's sake.
"We've all had some difficult times Ginevra, none of us feel that it is right to laugh with each other; there are other less guilty ways to amuse ourselves." Shock registered on Ginevra's face. "How did you do that, I didn't feel you enter my mind." Sighing to himself Theodore realised that he had trapped himself by allowing Ginevra to see some of his power.
"Its just part of my power Ginevra I can do things that people just don't suspect. That's part of the reason why I prefer not to tell the school of my bloodline, nobody will ever trust me."
"Is that what you want Theodore, trust? Slytherin trust you and it's unlike a Slytherin to care about what others think of him." Ginevra kept her voice blank, she had queried him casually but inside her pulse was going crazy. It seemed that there was at least another Slytherin that was as confused as she was.
Neither of them had noticed how close they were to each other. Both stared into each others eyes absorbing all the uncertainty the other felt. Their auras seemed to tingle, Theodore's more noticeably and the remaining Slytherins evacuated the Common Room. The tension could be felt throughout the walls of the dungeon. Unwisely one of the first years assuming the worst ran to get Blaise and Draco thinking there would be another duel. Unaware of the trouble they had caused, Theodore and Ginevra remained still under each others gazes.
"Slytherins are complicated Ginevra, isn't that why you changed from Gryffindor? Each one of us is surrounded with complex layers of emotions and experiences. They are what make us, they are what keep others away from us and they are what allow us to bond together. Being a Slytherin does not define you, it is we who make Slytherin. If I want trust I can seek it, the rest of the house may not follow but they do not shun me. If you are to be a Slytherin you must see past everything and go right to the core and understand us completely." Having broken the silence, Theodore waited for Ginevra to answer. He had somewhat startled her with his answer to a long-forgotten question between them. Seeing that she didn't know what to say, Theodore clasped her hands in his.
"Ginevra, why am I talking to you, what did you need? It has to be something you want, so just ask." Theodore felt an urge to protect the small red-head. She had just entered head first into Slytherin, been thrown to the top of the hierarchy and tasted her true power. He had seen right through her attitude, she could not have been that perfectly collected or calm. There was no doubt that that was her true self, but it wasn't the only side to her and she was trying to suppress them.
Trembling, Ginevra realised that she had to answer Theodore. There was no way she could put him off when he had just told her his past. Bravely raising her head she stared at the wall as she replied, if he laughed at her she would just bear it. "You are talking to me because I wanted a friend. I feel lost here, Draco and Blaise expect too much sometimes, and now there's Lucius and Severus, I just don't know what to do. It seems like I'm playing this huge game but I have no idea where to finish it. I need you as a friend, for some reason you understand me slightly and I think that I may be able to help you." Almost whispering Ginevra blushed faintly. She knew that he could make her look like a fool but she had to say the truth. Dry fingers brushed past her cheek and lightly forced her chin up to meet his eyes.
"Is that all you want Ginevra, a friend? I will not be played along or used." Theodore had felt his heart plummet at the obvious despair in her voice but he had some pride. He had been observing her antics since the house change.
"Get your hands off her Theodore! Bloody hell, since when did everybody decide to forget that Ginevra is my girlfriend." Blaise and Draco had barged onto them without having heard a single word. Blaise's angry stance ignited Ginevra's temper. Brushing away the tears that she had unknowingly shed, she turned to face Blaise.
"If you ever interrupt one of my conversations again Blaise I will personally see to it that you will never be able to speak again. Have I made myself clear? You would think that from what I said yesterday, that you would have got it through your thick head that you are not my boyfriend anymore!" Enunciating each word slowly as if Blaise were a five year old she started to walk towards him.
Theodore reached out and grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Blaise growled at the touch. Draco just stood there completely bewildered. "Little one, what are you talking about? Of course Blaise is your boyfriend, granted that he has a jealousy problem, but why else wouldn't he be? You know that this is what was going to happen. If you forget my father for a second, the plan was for you to become a Malfoy then a Zabini. Surely you want that too. All our power combined."
"Draco, that was what you wanted, I was never consulted with the plan. Being Blaise's girlfriend is different to being his fiancée. I have also told you that under no circumstances would I ever become your sister. I am just not interested in the transferral of blood-lines. Please, stop trying to take my family away from me; I need you here as my friends, please don't abandon me." Almost breaking down, Theodore tugged Ginevra into his arms, as she silently shook with tears. He could sense that they were getting to the heart of the matter.
The pain running through Draco was immense, he had made Ginevra cry. Striding forward, he pulled Ginevra out of Theodore's arms and she fell into his. Her hot tears scorched his neck, as she wept her heart out. Draco frowned as he saw Blaise just standing, rooted to the spot.
If you can't do anything Blaise, then I suggest you get out before Theodore or I decide you're just a waste of space.
Shut up Draco, don't get your anger out on me. We were all so close before this, and I refuse to be split up because of it.
Pulling out of his mind, Blaise spun around towards the stairs and paused before he was about to walk down them. "Ginevra, I'm sorry you don't want us to be together again, I had hoped that we'd be together in the future, but I don't think that this should ruin our friendship." Solemnly he left casting a silencing charm on the Common Room as he returned to his room. It was obvious that they needed their privacy, but what Nott had to do with it puzzled him.
In the Common Room Ginevra had heard Blaise's parting words and had felt somewhat reassured. At least he didn't despise her; she didn't know what she was feeling at the moment. Getting a hold of herself, she straightened and Draco released her. Seeing that she had stopped crying, he glanced at Theodore.
"I don't know what you're still doing here Nott, Blaise has gone you have no right to be here." To his dismay, Theodore just looked right through him while Ginevra stiffened. "Draco, I want him to be here, never dismiss anyone without consulting me." Hostility poured out of her, once again. Suddenly she shivered; it was like an invisible cold mist had settled upon her extinguishing all her wrath. Theodore just smiled at her and nodded his head just a little. Grateful, Ginevra moved to his side. Draco just stared.
"What are you doing Ginevra, you don't even know Theodore, and how can you side with him against me and Blaise. After all that we've done you have just left us for someone you know nothing about." He expressed the hurt he felt openly; Draco could sense Ginevra's betrayal deeply. "I am not siding with anyone, and I do know Theodore, maybe not as well as you do but I am allowed other friends Draco. Theodore helps me."
Theodore just smirked as he heard their exchange. He had been on the bad side of Draco and Blaise numerous times; they just couldn't cope with his feelings or emotions. Nothing had ever happened, but this time Ginevra was different, he knew none of them could do anything to him but it never stopped them from trying.
Draco, however, had been listening to Ginevra's words, and had picked up on her statement that she knew Theodore. Sneering now, he turned on her. "So you know about our Theodore here, I should have guessed. You weren't content with the power of us three as the royalty of Slytherin but you had to go after the one darkling we have in residence here. I applaud you for your cunning deceit and ambition." Draco spat out his words not really meaning anything he had just said. Unfortunately for him, he had not only infuriated Ginevra but Theodore too.
"For your information Draco Malfoy I tried to befriend Theodore before I knew about his blood. How dare you accuse me of looking for power? If I remember correctly it was you who wanted me to change houses, it was you who thought of Malfoy and Zabini bloodlines becoming stronger with me, it was you who made me reveal my power otherwise I wouldn't have known it was there and finally it was you who was deceitful as you tricked me into becoming a Slytherin by pretending that you actually cared for me!" Shrieking Ginevra had blown her cool, she was shaking with rage, and every part of her body was glowing. Her wand was out and pointed at Draco, but Theodore got to him first.
Draco was slammed by an invisible force against the stone wall of the Common Room and he started to feel something tighten around his neck. Gasping for breath, Draco clawed at his neck. Spluttering hoarsely he started to panic. Ginevra confused turned towards Theodore as did Draco's eyes. All that could be seen was a shimmering bright light. Theodore's aura was so powerful that it enveloped him and vibrated so strongly that it made him disappear to human eye. Amazed at his magic, Ginevra came to her senses and sent out strands of her green power to intercept his aura. She knew he would be too dangerous to touch but hopefully he would feel her power. She had guessed right, Theodore calmed down and his magic dissolved back into his skin. Draco was released and he fell to the stone floor panting. Taking deep breaths he muttered an apology.
Ginevra ran to where he was kneeling and stroked his back while she whispered soothing words into his ears. Theodore became interested in the scene before him. He now knew the reason behind Ginevra's objection to the blood transferral. He also realised that it was up to him to do something about it.
"I'm so sorry Draco; I didn't mean to say anything like that. You know I'm grateful to you don't you," Ginevra was softly murmuring her apologies whilst forcing water down Draco's throat. They only had eyes for each other.
"Hush, little one, it's me that should be apologising. Come here." Wrapping his arms around her, Ginevra was cradled by Draco as he sat leaning against the wall. Stroking her hair out of her face, he laid a cool kiss on her forehead, "I was just jealous, I knew you would never go after power it's just that I was hurt after you rejected my offer."
"Draco, please I can't accept your offer and it's not because of the Malfoy family or my family, I just have other problems." Ginevra hid her burning face into his shoulder; she knew the truth would come out soon. She couldn't face his reaction.
Confused Draco lifted her face gently, "and what problem may that be Ginevra, is it me?" Theodore just smiled at the innocence and blindness in front of him. Ginevra braced herself and nodded her head never breaking his stare. In a tiny voice, her eyes began to sparkle with unshed tears, "It's because of you that I can't say yes, it's because I lo-" Ginevra's sentence was cut off by a deep soul-searching kiss from Draco. Ginevra released a sob and passionately returned Draco's embrace. As they broke off rather guiltily they saw a grinning Theodore above them.
Sighing to himself, he pushed Ginevra off his lap. "What are we doing Ginevra? Twice we have gone behind Blaise's back, and now I'm supposed to take you after you have broken up with him. I can't do that to my best friend." Running his hands through his hair impatiently Draco paced the length of the Common Room. Ginevra's eyes narrowed, she could see his point but was furious that he was giving up so easily.
"Fine, Draco, I understand, we'll be strictly platonic from now on, in fact I'm glad I became friends with Theodore. He can distract me from both you and Blaise." Ginevra plastered a fake smile on her face and went to sit next to Theodore, who remained silent. Draco fumed as he saw that though they had just kissed she didn't care that much about him not to be upset that they couldn't be together, so he just shrugged with agreement. Leaving, he stopped and with a passing comment, "By the way, I prefer the real you than the Ice Princess." Ginevra smiled at his retreating back, she had been accepted.
Shifting so that she could face Theodore, Ginevra opened her mouth to speak. The words never came out of her mouth as Theodore swiftly interrupted. "There's no point hiding what you feel, I'm practically an empath with my powers. I suggest now that we are friends we come up with a plan for Draco to want to be with you without feeling any guilt or obligation for any other wizard." Raising an eyebrow, he passively watched Ginevra's countenance as she swallowed rather loudly at his comment. Then she smirked, "I knew I could count on you Theodore, but the plan would have to include Lucius, even though I love Draco I equally love irritating him!" Theodore sighed heavily and let out a short laugh. "Merlin, you are unbelievable Ginevra Weasley, Draco better know what he's up against..."
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