Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, I would go to one of those café/bookstores, buy a book, and sit and read while drinking a white mocha. Every day, for the rest of my life.
Sorry it took so long to update. Thanks to:
FroggHopper: I loved the jealous Ginny too, thanks for reviewing
Padfootedmoony: this chapter is chalkful of D/G goodness, enjoy
Louey31: ah, yes, the sick and mean Draco, but that is what Blaise is therefore
Ghettoxlilazngrl: hey, wow, thanks for the update, and I don't review things as often as I should either, glad you like the story, and as for updating, this one was late, oops, thanks for the review though
GoldenFawkes: here is 24 and there is more, lots, lots more
GPGA: I hope your finals went well, and here is the next chapter, thanks for taking the time to drop a line
Chaney: all in on sitting? Wow, and thanks for the review and compliments, sorry this chapter is a little late, but I hope you like it
Alexandria J. Malfoy: I love your constant reviews, and I feel loved, here's another chapter
QuinkyDink: thank you for the reviews, and this chapter was kinda late, as for the number of chapters, I don't know, I know that it has an end, but ummm…yeah, dunno yet
Guineviere: wow, you'd read a real book by me? Cool, and Merry Christmas back atcha
Ladyerudite: hey, you sound sorta Slytherin there, Draco would be proud, thanks for the review
Flipinpenname: first of all, love the pen name, secondly, I'm sorry about the long update, if I were a house elf, I'd bang myself on the head. But I'm not, so I guess I'll just apologise
Dracosbaby7: hey, thanks for the review telling me to update, I was sorta moping around the house with writes blockand just gave up for a few days, and then I got your review and was like, 'oops, maybe I should write that' so here it is, thanks again
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Draco found that it is impossible to be pleasant while being forced to lie in bed all day, especially when he had just spent all of yesterday in said bed as well. He was restless, irritable and was sick of everyone hovering around him and mothering him. Unfortunately, the only thing he had the energy to do was lie in bed all day and sleep, and that made him even more frustrated. However, Mrs. Weasley and the other women who would check on him seemed to find his snide comments and glares 'cute' rather than offensive. Draco figured that it had to do with the fact that they would have to wake him up to give him potions and who could really take anyone seriously when they are half awake with their hair all mussed?
Wednesday could not go any slower in Draco's opinion, and because he had been sleeping all day, Mrs. Weasley had slipped him another sleeping draught so he wouldn't keep waking up all night.
On Thursday morning Draco was ready to get up.
"No way," said Mrs. Weasley flatly, putting the breakfast tray on his lap.
"But I'm fine," Draco protested. "You said the fever was gone."
"But that does not mean you are healthy," said Mrs. Weasley firmly. "I want you to rest another day."
"No," said Draco, folding his arms across his chest. "I am not spending another day in bed. I am getting up and I am getting my laptop and I am working and there is nothing you can do to stop me."
"Wow, really mature, Draco," said Harry from the doorway in his Quidditch robes. The entire family had been sleeping over at Rolly's insistence and Harry was no doubt off to practice for the World Cup.
"Didn't ask you," Draco shot back, proving the Seeker's point. Harry laughed; Draco scowled.
"Come on now," said Mrs. Weasley coaxingly. "Eat your breakfast."
A side effect of being ill must be that age decreases fifteen years because Draco looked up at her and said stubbornly "No". Harry laughed all the harder. Draco glared.
"Shut it, Potter," he growled.
"Make me," Potter taunted, just as childishly. Draco shoved the tray off his lap and started to jump out of bed, but Mrs. Weasley stopped him.
"Oh, no you don't," she said. "You will stay right there in that bed until I say you are getting up and Harry, shame on you, antagonizing the poor boy when he's still sick. Now off to practice with you and Draco, you have a nice, warm breakfast to eat."
"If I eat it, can I get up?" Draco asked, ever the Slytherin.
"Absolutely not," said Mrs. Weasley. "But if you don't eat it voluntarily, I will force you to eat it. I know quite a few charms that will do the trick."
Draco scowled but pulled the breakfast tray back on his lap again; he did not doubt that the woman would do as she had threatened. Potter gave him one last jeering look and then turned to run down the hall, but Draco sent his spoon hurtling at the Seeker and it struck him on the head.
"Ow!" Harry exclaimed.
"Really, Draco," scolded Mrs. Weasley. "You could have seriously injured him."
"That's why I didn't throw the knife," said Draco darkly. Harry looked at him dubiously and then decided to leave before he actually threw the knife. Draco snorted at his hasty departure. As if he would really throw a knife when Harry had to win the World Cup on Saturday, Slytherins were extremely misunderstood.
He ate the breakfast with no further complaints or cutlery-hurling incidents just to appease Mrs. Weasley, but she still wouldn't let him up. Draco considered calling for Rolly and having the house elf evict everyone from his house so that he could do whatever he damn well pleased, but he knew that he would never do something like that, no matter how satisfying the hypothetical situation was; he simply liked them too much.
Blaise and Pansy visited after breakfast, bringing Dragon and Zak with them. Between the boys jumping on his bed and then forcing him to play a kiddie version of exploding snap while trying to hold a conversation with Blaise and Pansy, Draco fell asleep a little before lunch time, which he figured later was the whole purpose of bringing the boys up. He had forgotten that they too were in Slytherin.
When he woke up for a late lunch he was in a bad mood. He hated doing nothing, he hated lying in bed for two days straight, and he hated everyone fussing over him.
He tried to be nice, he sincerely did, but after lunch, which he ate with Mrs. Weasley, Sev, and Blaise, he snapped.
Mrs. Weasley had cleared the tray and was gently tucking the blankets around him.
"How about you close your eyes and take another nap," she said.
Draco stared at her. Was she freaking serious? "No," he said, sitting up straighter and pushing away her hands. "I am not going back to sleep. I am getting up."
"Now, Draco," said Mrs. Weasley in placating tones, "you're sicker than you realize-,"
"No," said Draco firmly. "I have been lying in this bed for two days now, and that is long enough. I don't care what you say about it."
"Draco, you need to take a nap," tried Mrs. Weasley again.
"That's it," said Draco. "Rolly, come here now."
The house elf appeared with crack. "Yes, Master Draco?"
"Rolly, no person, who is in this house right now, except me, is allowed in my rooms. In fact, they're not even allowed on this floor." He thought for a minute. "Not until dinner," he added.
"Drake," said Blaise. "Come on. We're just worried-,"
Draco raised his eyebrow at Rolly who snapped his fingers. There was another crack, and everyone disappeared, including the lunch trays. Draco smiled; he really did have good house elf service. He slipped out of bed and stood, frowning when he realized that he really must be sicker than he thought because he was trembling slightly, but he chalked it up to lying in bed for who knows how long. The incident with Ginny didn't really count because he had only walked across the hall.
Draco carefully made his way to his bathroom. He hadn't showered in a week and he didn't trust hospital cleaning charms. His bathroom was a large, marble-floored room with a toilet, sink, shower, and large, circular tub. Draco looked at the bathtub enviously, but he did want to get work done today so he stripped off the hospital pajamas and stepped into the shower. He turned the water a little too hot, but stood under the spray anyway. The heat felt good, working loose muscles knotted tight from lying in the same position for a week straight. He scrubbed his hair and then his body, turning off the water when he was certain he was perfectly clean again. He grabbed a large white towel and dried off, then wrapped it around his waist as he went back into his room, noticing with disgust that he was still trembling slightly.
He had just opened the door to his closet when the door burst open.
"Draco Malf-," Ginny started, but than upon catching sight of him, blushed scarlet, clamped a hand over her eyes, and whirled around so that she was facing the opposite direction.
"Yes?" Draco asked calmly, as if she had just not walked in on him half naked.
"Mum called me at work. She said you were being difficult," said Ginny, staring at his bed, which the house elves had made up neatly while he was in the shower.
"Stay turned around," said Draco. "I'm getting dressed." He could see the tops of Ginny's ears turned red and he knew the rest of her face must be positively fuchsia. He pulled on a pair of boxers and then some well-worn, soft khaki's. "Alright I'm decent," he told her. She slowly turned around, blushing even further, if it was at all possible, when she saw his bare chest and wet hair.
"So, you were here for…?" Draco asked again, though he had heard her the first time.
"I was at work," said Ginny, attempting to regain her normal skin color, "and my mother told me about a certain someone who was throwing a childish fit and pretty much locked the door on his room."
Draco hid his own flush by pulling a white t-shirt over his head, then reaching for a button-up black one.
"You're not seriously thinking about going into work, are you?" asked Ginny.
"Uh, yeah," said Draco, as if this were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Draco, you were practically comatose four days ago."
"I'm not staying in this room another minute!" said Draco, more heatedly than he needed to. He was getting a headache from everyone fussing over him. He pulled on the shirt and then pulled on a pair of socks, which was hard to do because his balance was slightly off because of the slight tremors.
"You won't make it past your door," said Ginny, studying him.
"What?" asked Draco, not really paying attention as he shoved his feet into his shoes. Why wouldn't she shut up? His head was killing him.
"You won't make it past your door," Ginny repeated.
He looked up at her and blinked. "Are you going to stop me?" he asked.
"No," said Ginny. "I won't have to."
Her implications were clear, and it made him angry.
"Let's see about that," he sneered, grabbing his wand and then searching for his cell phone. He finally spotted it on his bedside table and strode over to get it, trying to prove to Ginny that he was fine. Unfortunately striding over to the table left him slightly nauseas and his head began shooting fire through his temples.
"Draco, don't act all tough," said Ginny. "You really are sick."
"I'm not sick anymore," said Draco, shaking his head in an attempt to shake off the headache. He only succeeded in making himself dizzy. He made his way to the door, and pulled it open. He smirked at Ginny as he stepped past the door and started down the long hall.
"Alright Draco," said Ginny, as if she were reprimanding a schoolboy. "You're past the door, you proved your point, let's go back now."
"I'm going to work," said Draco.
It was amazing how long the hall way was, Draco realized. Why did it have to be so long? His steps began to waver slightly, but he pushed himself on. He was fine. He stumbled slightly, nausea making him wrap his arms around his stomach. His vision was weaving back and forth and sometimes it would spin around. Draco shook his head again, but that was a mistake as the dizziness spiked and he had to clench his mouth shut to stop from throwing up his lunch.
"Draco?" asked a soft voice behind him.
"Okay," said Draco tiredly. "I'm not going into work today."
He turned around and slid down the wall, Ginny guiding him to the floor.
"You okay?" she asked.
He didn't answer. If he opened his mouth he was afraid that he would lose the contents of his stomach and he had learned that shaking his head wasn't the best of ideas. Ginny sat down beside him.
"Put your head between your knees," she said. "It will help the nausea go away."
He did as he was told, too sick to do anything else. Ginny rubbed soothingly at his shoulders and he felt his stomach slowly settle and closed his eyes, reveling in Ginny's comforting touch.
"Now how about we go back to your room, and you can work there," Ginny said after a little while.
Draco smiled. "Sounds good."
The trip back to his bed wasn't as bad, and in a few moments he was reclining back on the pillows with his laptop on his knees and holding his cell phone to his ear as he typed with one hand.
"Yes, I am alive," he said, for what must be the sixteenth time. "Shells, seriously, I-yes, it's good to hear your voice too."
Ginny was beside him, as the bed was large enough for five people. She smiled at the eye roll he sent in her direction as she typed on her own computer.
"Just send me the reports. I want to look over the finances and make sure Ginny isn't embezzling any funds." A pillow hit him in the head, making him give a surprised grunt. He turned wide eyes on her. "I'm an invalid here," he said in mock shock.
"I thought you were fine," said Ginny sweetly.
He threw the pillow back at her; she stuck out her tongue at him.
"Yes, by email," said Draco into the phone. "Thanks, Shells. Yes, damn it, I am alive and I am perfectly fine."
Ginny snorted; he shot her a look.
"Yes, thank you Shells. Good bye."
Draco went to his email page and waited for the budget report to be sent, then he began double checking the figures. Because he had been out for so long, Draco contented himself with merely tallying up the sums and not looking at what was bought or deposited. He had almost finished when Ginny spoke up.
"Are you feeling up to having a press conference any time soon?" Ginny asked, reading over an email from a news channel. "Where you can explain in your own words what you did after the hurricane?"
"I gave Padma the scoop on that," said Draco. "Maybe after her documentary comes out."
"It did come out," said Ginny. "Early this morning on TV. Didn't she tell you?"
"No," said Draco.
"Well, I can't blame her," said Ginny. "You'll probably hate it."
"Why?" asked Draco.
"I'll just show it to you," said Ginny. "I have it on my computer."
She shifted so that she and Draco were lying side by side on the bed, their shoulders pressed up against each other. Draco moved his laptop to the side and moved in closer so that he could see the screen.
The movie started with snapshots of the damage from the earthquake as the credits scrolled across the screen, finally ending with the title 'The Last Work of Draco Malfoy?'
Draco groaned at the over dramatic title; Ginny elbowed him in the ribs to keep quiet.
Padma began narrating as the screen went dark and then appeared at the Ministry building. "On Wednesday, August 5th, the Wizarding World was literally rocked as a freak earthquake occurred; its epicenter was in the middle of Diagon Alley. Due to the economy, many felt that this would be the finally, crippling blow for the English Wizarding Community, but some refused to give up. Minister Lupin pulled a highly criticized move by handing over complete power to Draco Malfoy, son of the late Death Eater Lucius Malfoy, owner of Malfoy Enterprises, and founder of many wizarding businesses in England. Draco Malfoy had already pulled the English economy out of its two year depression and the Minister believed that he was the only one qualified for the job."
Lupin's face appeared on the screen. "Why Draco Malfoy?" he asked. "I thought it would be obvious. He's a genius when it comes to anything business or financially related. I took over the position as Minister when the Ministry was in fierce debt to many other countries, and the Ministry simply did not have the funds to oversee this mission. Draco had already brought about the recovery of the economy and I have complete faith in him that he will do it again."
Draco raised his eyebrows; he had no idea Lupin had been interviewed, much less had spoken so highly of him.
Padma's voice continued. "With the daunting task of pulling the economy out of depression yet again, Malfoy pulled together a group of experts to accompanying him. They included Simon Crow of…"
Ginny shifted slightly, resting her head lightly on his shoulder. Draco wondered if she realized what exactly she was doing, but didn't mention it. He didn't want her to move.
His own voice on the computer distracted him. He was giving the speech he had first given the Op. E team. He watched his taped self. "Good morning and congratulations."
"I liked that speech," said Ginny. "Did you just give it off the top of your head?"
"I'm always good at spilling a bunch of bullshit," said Draco, causing her to laugh.
He had to admit that Padma had done a pretty good job with the documentary as the movie continued. She didn't focus on him all of the time, but the others on the team, showing clearly exactly what was happening. She did do a lot of candid shots, including a bunch of arguments that most people would have left out of a documentary, but that was how Padma did things. She caught real life, and she didn't taint it any. She even got the part of Reynolds and Crow's argument, and his own reaction, which had been the fist smashing on the table and his oh-so grown up yell of 'Shut up!'.
He actually flushed when the rest of the argument was shown, with Lisa's report that the people were getting restless and relating him to Lord Voldemort because he was going to take all of their money and then his own response. 'You can tell the public that, if I was the next Dark Lord, I would kill them off right now while their sitting helplessly in their tents, which isn't sounding like a bad idea at the moment.' And then Padma had taped everyone leaving, and caught his small groan and slump, while he tugged on his hair, looking tired and much older that twenty-three.
But Padma had also recorded the good times too, such as Ginny and Jon's impromptu food fights, Shelia's random singing moments, and Mr. and Mrs. Rook's secret little kisses and hand holding.
Then Padma had recorded that Wednesday when it looked like they wouldn't get everyone in their houses and Draco and Ginny's fight, where Draco admitted that he didn't know if he was going to be able to pull this off, and that he was facing bankruptcy and spending a bunch of his own personal money on the relief efforts.
"The public absolutely loved that part," said Ginny. "I think they finally realize how much you put into helping them, oh, they like that part too," she added as Draco chucked a pillow at Ginny, and then saw Padma, saying 'You had better not have gotten that on tape.'
The movie went on to show the Op. E team hauling furniture in the rain, and then the celebration that followed when they found out that they had made their deadline. Padma had even included shots of families coming back into their homes, with looks of amazement and tearful happiness on their faces.
"Ooo, my favorite part is coming up," said Ginny, smiling wickedly.
Draco groaned when he saw what it was. Padma had filmed him passed out on the Minister's couch, and then filmed him waking up with his hair hopelessly tousled and looking strangely Potter-like and his grey eyes completely unguarded with a look of confusion that made him look like a teenager.
"Remind me to kill Padma," Draco told Ginny as Padma also caught the look of shock on his face when he entered the room for his birthday party.
"I think it's cute," said Ginny, smiling up at him. He scowled to cover up the fact he nearly smiled back.
Padma's documentary went on to record the rest of the renovations and then finally his illness, starting with the sneeze at his birthday party, to how haggard and pale he looked at work (which made Draco wince, he really didn't look good) to Mrs. Weasley fussing over him at the family dinner. Draco frowned at that. Then she had recorded last Wednesday, and Draco's coughing fits, and then finally his collapse.
It was weird, watching himself gathering up his things with a rough statement that he was sick and going home. He watched himself stand and turn around to face Ginny, and coincidentally the camera, and then his face went sheet white and he toppled. Ginny ran to his fallen form, as did Shelia, while Samantha screamed. Ginny's face was as white as his, but she was calm, calling for Samantha to Floo St. Mungo's and levitating his body up, and then the screen went dark.
Ginny's hand found his arm and she held onto him. "I thought you were dead," she admitted as the screen flickered back on to reveal his form lying still on a hospital bed. Draco looked down at her as she watched the computer. She was in a long pale green skirt with a sleeveless multi-colored tight top. It seemed a little hippy like and Draco wondered if Shells was rubbing off on her, but he didn't mention it. He thought she looked beautiful. He breathed in her scent, noticing the steady rise and fall of her chest. It was soothing, hearing the sound of relaxed breathing next to him, and he stifled a yawn trying to pay attention to the movie.
It was no use. He vaguely noted that Padma had recorded bits of his recovery at home; he hadn't even noticed her camera, but then again, he had been pretty out of it. His eyes slowly closed, only to open as Ginny nudged him slightly.
"Draco, the movie's over," she whispered.
"S'nice," he muttered.
She pushed the computer off her lap and then started to move from his side, but he latched onto her arm.
"M'cold," he said, keeping her leaning against his side.
"Get a blanket," she said.
"You're warmer."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment to get me to stay? Because if so, you need to do better than that."
"You're beautiful," said Draco truthfully, wanting her to stay, if only for a while.
She hesitated, her amber eyes reflecting her inner battle.
"Please?" asked Draco. She sighed, but leaned against him again, her head resting against the top of his shoulder and her red hair spilling over him. He could feel her body gradually relax and slowly he drifted to sleep, her deep breaths soon matching his.
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"I got a picture of it," said a loud whisper that sounded a lot like Blaise.
"I want one," said a voice that sounded like it would be laughing soon.
"Most definitely," said another.
"I wonder if he'll let me publish it?" one mused.
He opened his eyes to find Blaise, Pansy, Harry, Padma, Snape, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, and Mrs. Weasley staring down at him. He frowned. What were they looking at?
Something shifted against his side and he looked down to see Ginevra Weasley lying with her head pillowed on his chest and his arm around her. She was pressed up against his side and her long hair was spread over his torso. He looked back up at the spectators and raised an eyebrow. "Well?" he drawled.
Blaise, Pansy, Harry, Padma, and Hermione all looked delighted. Ron looked murderous, Fred and George looked as if they wanted to laugh, Mrs. Weasley looked sternly disapproving and Snape's face was blank, though his eyebrow was also raised.
"Exactly what were you doing?" asked Blaise with the tone of a disappointed mother. Fred and George finally burst into the laughter they had been suppressing.
"We were working," said Draco. "We fell asleep." He shrugged as if it were no big deal, causing Ginny to shift again, but closer to him as she wrapped one arm over his chest.
"Working," said Harry, nodding sagely. "Ah, yes. If only we could all work as Malfoy does."
"What are all of you doing?" asked Draco. "I thought I threw you out."
"It's dinner time," said Pansy. "We came to wake you up."
"Dinner already?" asked Draco. He really must have been tired.
"Time flies when your having fun, doesn't it?" asked Harry, causing most of the group to snicker.
Ginny mumbled something intelligible in her sleep and Draco gently touched her shoulder. "Ginevra," he said. "Time to wake up."
Ginny woke up very cutely. Her face scrunched up slightly, causing her freckled nose to wrinkle, and she arched her back slightly stretching, and then her eyes flickered open, before fastening on his face. "Hi," she whispered.
He jerked his head in the direction of the others and she turned her head, looking at the faces grinning at her. "Oh shit," she breathed so only Draco could hear, but she only flushed slightly and she crossed her arms, staring right back at them. "Ronald, why are you glaring so?" she asked.
Ron gaped at her. "Why-? Because you're sleeping with Malfoy!"
Ginny turned her head to look at Draco and then back at Ron. "Oh, it is Malfoy. Darn, and here I was thinking it was Snape. What can I say? I love a Slytherin."
Ron spluttered, Harry and Blaise burst into laughter along with Fred and George who were wiping at the tears filling their eyes, the girls giggled, Snape's gaze darkened, and Mrs. Weasley smiled slightly.
"Do you mind leaving now?" asked Ginny. "We'll be down for dinner in a few minutes."
"Absolutely not!" said Ron.
"I'm sure Draco can have Rolly remove you all again," said Ginny, shrugging.
The group grudgingly obliged with many backwards glances, but the door finally shut behind them and only then did Ginny's cheeks flame red.
"Oh, Merlin," she said. "That was embarrassing."
"Was a little awkward," Draco agreed, not moving and hoping she wouldn't either but she finally sat up.
"Well, if all other qualities fail you, you make a good pillow," said Ginny, straightening out her clothes.
"I'll remember that," said Draco. "And as embarrassing as this was for you, thanks."
"For what?" asked Ginny suspiciously.
"Well, I think your mother was so shocked, she forgot to tell me to stay in bed and that she'll bring dinner up because I'm still recovering."
He shouldn't have spoken. The door opened and Mrs. Weasley came back in carrying a tray of food.
"Don't even think about it, young man. You are still too sick to go down to dinner."
Ginny laughed as she slipped her sandals back on and headed out into the hall. She paused by the doorway, glancing back over her shoulder. The firelight made her hair shine with golden highlights and her eyes seemed to sparkle.
"You really did jinx yourself there Malfoy."
He had a retort on the tip of his tongue, but his mouth wasn't working properly, so he just smiled at her. She really was beautiful.
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On Friday Draco was able to get up after breakfast and go downstairs to visit the rest of the family who celebrated his liberation by providing him ample amounts of entertainment, which he could have really used for the days when he was imprisoned in his own bed.
His only source of frustration was that he had to be helped down the stairs and into the large parlor where the family was gathered as long exertions still made him slightly dizzy. Still, he couldn't complain because he wasn't fighting back nausea or collapsing as he had last time.
Draco stayed in one of the large, ivory suede armchairs for practically the whole day with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders because if he wanted to go to the Quidditch World Cup, Mrs. Weasley didn't want him to get chilled. She did allow him to do some work, which he was both surprised and grateful for, but other than that, Draco merely watched the kids play and talked with Blaise, Pansy, and Ginny.
Saturday he woke up early so that they could get ready for the game. As Draco practically owned the Canons, he had booked a rather expensive portkey that left in the early afternoon and the game was scheduled to start at eight that night. Mrs. Weasley was refusing to let him stay in the tents, and was forcing him to go home after the game, telling him he could come back if the game took a few more nights.
It was a surprisingly cold day for August, but then again it was nearer to September. Draco was wearing a t-shirt shirt and khaki's, but Mrs. Weasley made him put on a coat instead of the sweater he was hoping to get by in. She also had the doctor come over to examine him because his cough had come back. The doctor said that it was actually a good thing he was coughing because it meant that the mucus in his lungs was finally clearing out and that it was the last stage in his recovery.
Draco later figured that perhaps his expression was a little too triumphant because Mrs. Weasley made him go change into warmer clothes. By the time she was convinced he wasn't going to get chilled in the colder weather he had on a pair of thick socks and sneakers, jeans, the long sleeved orange shirt Ginny had bought him, his black leather jacket, a black knit hat, and black leather gloves. She was also bringing a blanket along for him.
They arrived at the large field at exactly 2:14 pm and were hustled out of the way for a group arriving at 2:16. The younger children were left at home, being babysat by Rolly, and the only ones who came were Gavin, Gabriella, Michael, and Emeric. The dark haired boy was much less angry, now that they had figured out what was going on with him, and his surly mood had disappeared shortly after his first vision of the earthquake. Right now Fred and George had him in stitches trying to get the young Seer to tell them who was going to win the Quidditch game so they could place a bet.
Zak had come as well, but only because there was no way they could leave him at home. The little boy was so excited that he was running back and forth from person to person, jumping around as he did so, pretending that he was flying. Sev finally scooped him up as they reached the field of tents so he wouldn't get lost among the crowds and crowds of people.
"I think this is even larger than the last one that was held in England," said Ron as they pushed their way through a gaggle of fifty people or so who were all talking loudly in French and seemed to think it polite to stay gathered in the middle of the pathway.
There were quite a few French speakers, but even more German ones as the German team Berlin Blitz were the Cannons opponents for the World Cup.
"It's because Harry's playing," said Ginny. "Of course most of England is coming to see the game, but for those people who don't like Quidditch, mainly blonde teenaged girls, they're coming to see Harry."
As soon as she spoke a flock of giggling teenaged girls in tight robes and make up pushed past them, squealing and hugging as they met up with another girl. Shrieks of "Oh my gosh, you look so good!" caused the men to wince and the women to shake their heads remembering the days when they did the same.
They reached their allotted plot, which was a large piece of land as there were so many of them, and the tents were quickly set up with a bit of magic. Mrs. Weasley was immediately ushering Draco in to sit down and have a cup of warm tea and Draco didn't protest. It had been a long walk and although he did get dizzy, he was rather tired.
Once he had finished his tea, he went out to sit with the others and watched the goings on of thousands of other witches and wizards. Zak had found a couple of friends to play with around his age. The other children had a few kiddie brooms, the ones that only went a few feet in the air, and they all took turns riding them. Zak was a good flyer for one so young, doing miniature dives and swoops that made the other kids cheer. He spent the whole afternoon flying, and pretended not to hear Hermione when she called him back for dinner.
"I'll get him," said Draco, getting to his feet. He walked over to the unsuspecting child and snatched him neatly off the broom, and then returned it to the young mother who had come out to call her own children is as well.
"Thank you," she said.
"Thanks for letting him play," said Draco. "I suppose I'll have to get him his own broom now."
"Broom!" sang Zak happily. "Broom for me!" He pulled off Draco's hat and stuck it over his wild curls.
"Oh!" the woman exclaimed. "You're Draco Malfoy!"
Draco inwardly sighed; he had been hoping to avoid any of these sorts of situations. The woman's cry had attracted the attention of several other tents, and before long there was a crowd of wizards and witches around him, though none of them were approaching.
"Yes," he said simply to the woman and holding out his hand. "And you are?"
"Lynn," she said, taking his hand and blushing. "Lynn Aires."
"It was nice to meet you, and thank you again for letting Zak play, though I have to take him back for dinner now."
"Oh, of course," said the woman. "Have a nice evening."
"You too," said Draco, and he returned to the campsite with a horde of eyes watching him as he did.
"You just can't go anywhere without making a scene, can you?" asked Ginny, shaking her head at him.
"I can't help it," said Draco, shrugging. "It's not my fault I'm so incredibly handsome."
Ginny just shook her head and handed him a plate of dinner.
At seven o'clock the entire field of wizards and witched made their way to the large stadium that rose towering into the air. The noise was incredible with everyone shouting to each other in hopes to be heard. Draco had bought a private box again for them to stay in, right under the top box, but this one was large enough to hold them all.
The kids were jumping with excitement and Zak was staring down at the crowd with large eyes from the safety of Sev's arms. Draco had forgotten how intense the pre-game jitters were, and he wasn't even the one playing. He felt a moment's stab of pity for Harry before calming himself and taking a seat next to Ginny.
At twenty of the pre-game show with the team's "mascots" appearing. The Berlin Blitz had thirty or so blonde witches dressed in toga's that threw lightning bolts as they danced, and the Cannons had a group of acrobats being shot out of cannons in pleasing showers of orange sparks.
By the time eight o'clock drew near the cheering and screaming had reached a max and the entire audience shouted out the last ten seconds, letting loose sparks and sirens as the announcer called out the names of the players on the team as seven orange blurs raced along after seven white ones. Harry's name was followed with a roar so loud Draco doubted he'd be hearing much after the night.
The referee came out in a blue uniform, and after pausing just to build up the suspense, kicked open the box and rose into the air with the balls.
The first hour of the game was surprisingly boring. The Chasers of a team would race down to the other end and try to get the Quaffle in, but it would be blocked by the Keeper. Then the other Chasers would get control and try to sink it in the hoops of the other team, but it too would be blocked. By two hours, the score was 40 Cannons, 50 Blitz.
There was one almost exciting moment when the Blitz Seeker, Leon Koch went into a steep dive, but Harry recognized it for what it was, a Wronski feint, and ignored it. At the top of the third hour, Harry spotted the snitch and took off after it cutting dangerously close to a Blitz Chaser and drawing the attention of the entire crowd. Koch was right on Harry's tail as the two weaved in and out of players, Harry getting a slight graze on the arm from a bludger, but continuing in the pursuit. By now everyone was on their feet as they watched the two Seekers progress through the air, but finally they were both cut off from the Snitch when they had to pull up sharply to avoid running into the goal posts.
There was a collective groan from the crowd, but the spectacular chase caused the players to find new energy. The Blitz Chasers pulled a fast switch and sent the Quaffle hurtling towards the hoop, but Oliver made an astounding save, and sent the Quaffle to Marks. The Cannon Chasers then raced towards the goal, passing the Quaffle so quickly between the three of them that the announcer had a hard time keeping up with who was who, and this time when they threw it at the hoops, it went in.
The Cannon fans went wild and the next hour of the game was the most exciting that Draco could remember watching. The Chasers fought over the Quaffle, nearly coming to blows with the Blitz team, and the Cannons pulled ahead, 90 to 70. The Beaters were murder, whacking bludgers that didn't intentionally go after the players, but would somehow wind up directly in the Chasers path. The Seekers were at it as well. Koch went into another Wronski, and this time Harry followed him, but Draco had a feeling it was because Harry was more bored than anything. And then, when the third hour was coming to a close, Harry spotted the Snitch right by the Blitz hoops.
Harry took after it like a shot, Koch following on his heels. The Snitch led them in a merry chase, in and out of the goalposts. Koch was pulling equal to Harry, Harry swerved wide around a hoop, causing Koch to go wide as well, but the German Seeker was forced too far right, and smacked into the middle hoop. Draco was both impressed and a little afraid that he had been rubbing off on Harry a little too much. Without Koch interfering, Harry quickly caught up to the Snitch and grasped it firmly in his hand.
Pandemonium broke out. It was the first time the Cannons had ever won the World Cup, and because the Boy-Who-Lived had caught it, even the Blitz supporters were cheering. Draco's own box was full of tears and laughter as Draco's back was thumped a good many times and his head was tousled so that his hat came off and his hair was hopelessly tangled.
The group headed down to the field where the Cannons had landed, and because Draco was the sponsor for the team, they were let on to go great the players with hugs and cheers. The team greeted Draco by hoisting him onto their shoulders along with Harry, and parading around the field. Draco was breathless from laughter by the time he was finally set back on the ground and he pounded Harry on the back.
"That was no dumb luck, Potter," he shouted to be heard over the ruckus. "That was practically Slytherin the way you forced him to go too wide, and I must say I have never been prouder!"
"It was easy!" Harry shouted back. "I felt no pressure at all, because I knew that if I failed, you really would go and buy the Cup."
"Well, you saved me seven million galleons, then, so thank you."
"I expect a nice Christmas bonus then," Harry yelled back.
"Don't count on it Potter!"
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Draco and Ginny portkeyed back to the quiet of Malfoy Estate late that night, or rather, early morning. They were both still high off of all the excitement, and none of them felt like going to bed just then.
"Butterbeer?" asked Draco
"Sure," said Ginny.
They wandered down to the kitchens where the house elves immediately supplied them with two bottles and tried to press biscuits and fruit on them as well, but they declined and then escaped to the library where they sat in companionable silence, drinking the warm liquid.
"That was a great game," said Draco, shaking his head, and downing another gulp.
Ginny yawned, but nodded. "My ears are still ringing," she said.
"Mine too," said Draco. "And thanks for coming back with me. I figure you probably wanted to stay to celebrate with the rest."
"I did," said Ginny, "but they all probably wanted to celebrate with their spouses, and since Mum sent you back, I figured I may as well go along so I'm not stuck as a third wheel."
"I know what you mean," said Draco. "There are times with Pansy and Blaise that I feel like an intruder, and it's my own bloody house."
Ginny laughed, then yawned again. "Well, I should probably go to bed," she said.
"Back home?" asked Draco.
"No, I've been camping out in the room across yours," said Ginny
"Well, then, since it's on the way, I'll escort you there," said Draco, holding out his elbow. She linked her arm through his and they made their way through the large house to their rooms.
"Here we are, milady," said Draco, releasing her hand and giving her a bow. "And here I must bid you adieu."
Ginny laughed lightly, but looked at him with an unreadable expression in her eyes. Draco found himself diving into those depths, wondering what she was thinking. He barely noticed her whispered "Draco?"
He raised an eyebrow in response not wanting to break the silence. She continued in a whisper, very hesitantly. "You know, I came back with you for another reason."
"That was?" Draco asked even softer, his heart clenching tightly.
"Well, I wanted to," she said. "To be with you, that is. I guess what I'm trying to say is, is that…," she trailed off. "Do you really think I'm beautiful?" she asked in a rush.
"More than anything," said Draco, stepping closer. She did as well, staring up at him, her eyes sweeping over his face.
"Good," she said, then reached up and pulled his head to hers. His arms instinctively wrapped themselves around her, closing the remaining distance so that he could feel her body pressed burningly hot to his. Her lips were parted, and this time she sought entrance to his mouth. He gave it to her without hesitation and she was the one to deepen the kiss, exploring his mouth as if charting and claiming some new, untamed land and all he could do was marvel in her beauty as one hand reached up to knot itself in her hair. They pulled away slightly for air, and this time his mouth pressed light, little kisses all over her lips, marking them as his own.
"Merlin, Draco," she gasped, her breath hot on his cheeks as he grew slightly heady with her saying his name in that gasping voice. "I think I'm falling in love with you."
It was as if cold water had just been thrown in his face. He staggered back, his hands not pushing her away, but rather keeping her from following him. He stared at her, dread seeping into his mind. What had he been doing? What had he-
"Draco?" she asked, eyes still bright and voice still slightly breathless. "What's wrong?"
He stared at her, knowing that his eyes must be reflecting his panic because he could not for the life of him find that mask he so wanted to put on right now.
"No," he managed, shocked at the raggedness of the word that left his mouth. "I can't, we can't do this."
She blinked. "What do you mean?" she asked, her own voice confused.
"This," said Draco, gesturing at the two of them. "It just can't!"
"What's wrong with it?" asked Ginny.
Draco cast around helplessly for a reason to tell her. "You said it was a mistake," he said, remembering her words from their last kiss. "You didn't want it, we're in a business relationship and this is a mistake."
"I was afraid," Ginny admitted quietly. Draco had not been expecting that answer and he looked at her completely confused. She continued. "I was afraid of getting into a relationship, especially because we were working together, and because I had never felt like that before."
"Like what?" asked Draco, not being able to stop himself.
She smiled up at him gently. "I didn't want to admit to myself that I cared about you more than I should have. I've never really been in love before, besides stupid childhood crushes and I was afraid, but I'm not afraid anymore."
Draco swore under his breath. This was bad, very,very bad. "You-you love me?" he asked.
She nodded and smiled again, the brilliant, reassuring smile that made him want to collapse in her arms and have her run her fingers through his hair and tell him that everything was going to be alright.
"It's okay," she said, reaching out to him, but he backed away.
"No, it isn't," he said. "Oh Merlin, it's not okay."
She withdrew her hand. "What's not okay about it?" she asked, with a flash in her eyes and a bit of Weasley temper showing through.
"Everything!" Draco yelled, running his hands agitatedly through his hair and turning around to rest his forehead on the cool surface of the wall.
"Tell me what's wrong then," said Ginny.
"I can't!" said Draco, pounding a fist on the wall, then pushing off to turn around again.
"Why can't you?" she asked.
"Because I can't!" he said, his voice raw with emotion.
"That's not a reason!" she yelled at him, getting angry.
"It's the only one I can give you," he shouted back. "Just mind your own business!"
"This is my business! Now you tell me what is going on, right this instant!"
"I already told you. I can't!"
"Yes, you can. You want this as badly as I do, don't you try to tell me otherwise. Now you tell me what it is right now, or I will walk through this door and never talk to you again!"
He stared at her, wanting her so badly, but at the same time, he couldn't. It would be easier if she just left, left him angry so that she would start to hate him so that when he-, he stopped his thoughts right there, staring into her amber eyes.
"I can't," he whispered, brokenly.
She looked at him, tears filling her eyes as she struggled to decide whether to be angry or sad and deciding on angry.
"Fine!" she hissed, whirling around.
He couldn't take that; he wanted to pull her back and kiss her again, and then do a bunch of other things to her until she gasped his name in that voice of hers, and then do a few more things until she screamed his name with burning desire in those amber eyes. Mostly he just wanted to hold her, and to know that she loved him.
"Ginny," he called, his voice cracking with his desperation. She paused and Draco waited with baited breath. It was the first time he had ever called her Ginny, would she turn around? She did.
"Tell me, Draco," she said in a cool, commanding voice. "I want to know that it isn't me. I want to know this it isn't because you don't love me."
He took a breath, swallowing hard. "Gin," he started, then stopped to lick his lips, nervously. "Ginny," he tried again. "I'm dying."
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Ohhhhh, I am evil. I am so completely evil, it's not cool. Actually it is, isn't it? (scratches head wondering if I should be proud of this fact) Anyway, this is my evil cliff hanger, but because it is so evil, I will try to get the next chapter up within five days. Reviews help, it's a fact.
And I'm sorry this chapter took so long getting up, writers block is a terrible thing, plus I had the rest of finals along with moving back home (I'm here til February) and then holidays and shopping and the like. But now that I'm home I should get the chapters up quicker, should being the operative word there.
So yes, review and wait for the next chapter.