The Devils Triangle
Chapter 10: We're Just Trying to Get Ginny a Decent Snog! (Part 2)
Harry was only at breakfast, but it felt as though he were in hell.
His friends surrounded him in silence, glaring at one another. The only reason that they were sitting together was that no one was angry with Harry. He was the only person that anyone would talk to, although he was rather wishing that they wouldn't.
Ron was stoically eating his breakfast, but if you knew him, you could still see the rage simmering. Harry had been unable to stop Ron from invading Head Boy-git Marshall's room; he nearly broke through the Head Boy's portrait hole before it was opened for him. Once inside, he carried Hermione bodily from the room. From what Harry could see, it seemed as though they'd only been studying together, but Ron didn't care about details. Harry had hoped, at least, that Ron would take this opportunity to tell Hermione how he honestly felt, but he didn't, he just forbade her from seeing him. Hermione didn't respond well to this edict.
Hermione wouldn't talk, or even look at, Ron. She'd said her fill the previous night, shockingly using language that made Seamus Finnegan blush. Harry gave her high marks for creativity and resourcefulness in telling Ron where he could go, what he could shove, and how he should rotate it. Harry could only attribute her using such language to her watching too much Muggle television over holiday. Hermione was also not speaking to Ginny, blaming her for the Ferret being within provoking distance of Ron.
Ginny was only momentarily silent, she'd spent the morning badgering Ron, trying to discover what he'd said to Malfoy the previous evening to set Draco off. Ron had refused to talk about it.
The only thing that kept Harry in his seat was the fact that his first class was double Potions, in which he was sitting next to Malfoy; therefore, was in no hurry to get there. Harry kept his head down and concentrated on chewing his sausages.
After breakfast, Ginny attacked Ron again.
"Ron, tell me what you told Draco," she pestered him.
"Gin, go to class and leave me alone," Ron said, walking away from her quickly. Ginny stopped him by jumping in his path and brandishing her wand. Harry rolled eyes, there was a Bat-Bogey coming, he could feel it.
"I only stated the obvious Ginny, and he seems to have agreed with me, if that's what made him leave. I'm not sorry for doing it. I'm glad he's gone!" Ron was speaking inches away from Ginny's face, daring her to hex him. Harry was backing away slowly, getting out of range.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, I swear I'll get you for this," Ginny seethed, her anger barely contained. "It's not enough for you to destroy your own chance at happiness; you have to destroy mine too!" Before Ron could despute, Ginny stormed off alone.
Harry was now furious with Ron. "Good job, Ron! Before she only had a crush, NOW Malfoy's her 'only chance at happiness'; you've just made her want him more!" Harry punched Ron on the arm, hard, and then ran after Ginny.
"Ouch! You bruised me!" Ron called after him.
"Gin! Gin…wait up. Are you alright?"
"Harry, I'll be fine. It's not like anything actually happened between us. I don't want to talk about it."
Harry honestly wanted to dance for joy that Malfoy was gone, but Ginny was in pain and he wanted to help.
"Alright then, we won't talk about it. What about Hermione? It's her birthday tomorrow."
Ginny was pensive suddenly. "Hmm…we can't let Ron-the-git ruin her sixteenth birthday."
"I think that Ron's just upset because he was planning something for her birthday. He mentioned getting her something special."
"Probably too little, too late, now. But still, we should do something for Hermione. How about a party tomorrow evening?"
Harry nodded. "Sounds good, maybe Ron will come around by then and patch things up."
Ginny looked at Harry skeptically. She knew first hand how fiercely an indignant Weasley could hold a position. "Harry, why don't you ask Dobby for snacks for the party? He'd do anything for you and Hermione. I'll tell Lavender and Pavarti, they're the surest way to make sure all of Gryffindor knows about it. Then I'll see to the decorations. How's that sound?"
Harry gave Ginny a tight squeeze. "Good, thanks for all your help Gin."
"We'll I'm off, see you later, Harry." Ginny shouted as she ran off, towards the greenhouses.
As Harry took his seat next to Malfoy in their Potions class. He felt the need to punch Draco hard, on the upper arm. Harry resolved that he would be hitting those who deserved it more often, it was a great way to relieve his tension and it felt good.
"Ahh! Bugger Potter! What's that for?" Draco hissed.
"That's for the fact that all of my friends are miserable and not speaking to one another and it's entirely your fault!"
"It's not my fault! I only told the truth. I thought you Gryffs respected veracity, or is that only when it's convenient for you?" Draco taunted.
"Shut up, Malfoy, and chop the thistle," Harry whispered as he noticed Snape glaring at them.
Draco chuckled as he observed Ron and Hermione diligently ignoring one another.
Hermione had convinced Dean to work with her, leaving Ron and Seamus as partners.
"So those two are on the outs, eh?" he chuckled.
"You think it's funny? I suppose you think it's funny that you hurt Ginny too?"
Harry said viciously.
Draco's expression went solemn suddenly. "The Weaslette's angry with me?"
"She's hurt. She won't talk about it."
"Potter, you're doing that wrong! You stir three times clockwise, four times counter clockwise. Bloody hell! You can memorize the directions in one pass, but you're still incapable of following them! What's the Power Position?"
"What?" Harry asked, wondering how Draco knew about that.
"Last night you said something about it while you were trying to quell the Weasel's temper. What is it?"
"Just a theory of Ron's, which it appears he's incapable of following himself."
"Well, what is it?" Draco hissed impatiently.
Harry glared at him. "No! Malfoy, Don't yell at me about not following directions! First you add the ground Dragon's Tooth, then the Toad Bile.
It's about friendship being stronger than romantic attachment. You have more influence as a friend."
"Oh. You can stop stirring now; it needs to simmer over night. Is that why you haven't made a move on the Weaslette," Draco continued cautiously, "you think it'll be easier to influence her against me as a friend?"
Harry laughed at him. "You seem quite capable of destroying any chance you have with her all by yourself. You don't need my help. You've very generously accused me of being arrogant and self-centered at every turn, but your arrogance beats mine any day. What Ginny and I have is ours alone, and the status of our relationship has nothing to do with you."
"You can't tell me you don't have feelings for her."
"I don't plan to tell you much one way or the other. It's complicated."
It was Draco's turn to laugh. "Yeah, I've worked that bit out for myself, thanks."
Harry stumbled numbly through the remainder of his day. He ate his meals with his friends in silence, preferring not to be used as the mediator; he just didn't have the energy.
After dinner he begged out of his date with Daphne Greengrass, saying he didn't feel well. It wasn't really a lie, all he wanted to do was go to bed and end this miserable day.
Harry faded into sleep slowly that night. His head was swimming in visions of his friends fighting, and his problems, and their problems. He really shouldn't have been surprised when he awoke screaming in the wee hours of the morning, his scar burning like never before.
"Harry! Harry!" Ron was frantically shaking him awake. "Harry, are you alright?"
"I'm awake now. I'm alright," he said groggily. "Bugger, that hurt!"
Ron sat on Harry's bed, brow furrowed in concern. "What was that Harry? Was it him? Was he in your head?"
Harry shook his head, still shaking visibly. "It was different. It felt different. I think I was in his head. I think I saw what he was seeing. Ron, he was surrounded by Death Eaters; Death Eaters who should be in Azkaban right now. I saw the Lestranges, and Nott and Dolohov, they were all kneeling before him as if apologizing for something. He was furious, I can still feel it."
"That doesn't make sense," Ron whispered cautiously, "if there was a prison break he'd be ecstatic, wouldn't he? And Harry, are you saying that he didn't know that you were there?"
"I don't know Ron, I don't know anything. I don't even know if what I saw was real. I should go to Dumbledore about this," he said albeit reluctantly.
"Want me to go with you, mate?"
"No, you go back to sleep, this shouldn't cause both of us to lose a nights sleep."
The next morning Harry arrived late to breakfast. He'd spent an hour in Dumbledore's office, while the Headmaster tried to gather information to corroborate Harry's vision. Dumbledore finally sent Harry to bed, saying that he'd update him, in the morning.
Harry didn't need an update from the Headmaster in the morning; by the time Harry arrived to breakfast, the Great Hall was abuzz. Hermione held up her copy of The Daily Prophet as Harry read the headline: 'BREAK OUT AT AZKABAN- 10 Dead.'
"What's it say Hermione?" he asked, as he took his seat.
"Well the people who were killed were all Aurors. They'd been acting as guards since the Dementors abandoned the prison," Hermione summarized.
"Who were the Aurors? Do we know them?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, their names haven't been released yet. The article only lists the names and pictures of the Death Eaters who escaped: The Lestranges- Bellatrix and Rodolphus as well as his brother Rabastan, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, Dolohov, Macnair, Jugson, Avery, Rookwood, and Mulciber."
Harry looked at Hermione curiously. "Isn't there someone missing from that list?"
"That's the strange part Harry, when the reinforcements arrived at the prison they found Lucius Malfoy sitting in his open cell, calmly as you please. The paper says that all Malfoy would say was that he was in the middle of a particularly good book, when the attack occurred, and he couldn't be bothered to leave."
Ginny burst into giggles, and then quickly suppressed them when the others stared at her.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly, "I've a weakness for the Malfoy wit, apparently."
"I wonder what that means. Why wouldn't he leave? I'll have to ask the Headmaster later."
"Dumbledore's gone to the Ministry, Harry. It'll have to wait.
Harry stumbled through another miserable day. Draco didn't show up in any of his classes or meals. Many students were huddled in groups here and there whispering and gossiping.
The only bright spot on the horizon was Hermione's birthday party that evening. At least Harry hoped it was a bright spot; Ron and Hermione still weren't speaking, but Harry was hopeful that Ron would come around before the party.
By all outward indications Hermione's birthday celebration was a great success. Almost everyone in Gryffindor house was there to celebrate her important day. Harry thought that both Dobby and Ginny had done a wonderful job. Dobby provided enough cake, ice cream and Butterbeer for a small army. Ginny had received a supply of party favors from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. That included a large banner stretching the length of the common room blinking 'Happy Birthday Hermione'. The banner was charmed to sing a happy birthday limerick to her, which in the beginning of the evening was quite funny, but as the evening was progressing the limerick became quite funny and quite naughty. Harry was surprised by how many naughty things rhymed with Hermione. A shocked and horrified Hermione insisted that Ginny remove the spell from the banner. A very apologetic Ginny complied, insisting that she didn't know that the banner would behave in such a wanton manner. Harry, of course, knew better than to believe her.
The colourful party favors charmed to fly about the room and explode over their victims head. Harry enjoyed these in particular; laughting as they would, for some reason seek out Neville often.
The only thing marring this evening was the conspicuous absence of Ron. Hermione's eyes would flicker to the door whenever anyone entered, seeing it was never Ron. She put on a brave face and tried to have fun.
"Harry, it's lovely," Hermione exclaimed, when she saw the bookcase he'd given her. "You shouldn't have given me anything. I already have all the books you gave me from Grimmauld Place."
"Well, now you have someplace to keep them all. I didn't buy it or anything; I nicked it from an abandoned classroom. I found it while I was…exploring the castle."
"Translation," Ginny interrupted, "he found it while looking for a quiet place to snog a girl senseless."
"Something like that," Harry blushed.
"Honestly, Harry," Hermione admonished. "You're getting quite the reputation, you know, the idea is choose one girl and stick with her for a while."
Harry sighed and shrugged. "I can't choose; I've been spoilt, I can't find anyone who compares to you two lovely ladies," Harry said blandly, barely maintaining a straight face.
Ginny and Hermione looked at one another in horror, and then burst out laughing.
"Oh Merlin, help us!" Ginny laughed. "He's turning into a smooth-talker. Here, Hermione, open mine, you'll like it."
"Thanks Ginny," she said, taking the package from Ginny. "Tell me Harry, how do you go about choosing the girls you spend time with?"
"Huh?" Harry looked befuddled.
"Well, you said you're having trouble finding a girl that you particularly like, maybe we can help."
"Uh-oh. I mean, OK," Harry said with trepidation. "What do you want to know?"
"Well, do you kiss every girl you go out with?" she asked succinctly.
"Hermione!" Harry shrieked, the colour rising on his face. "Of course not."
Ginny was snickering helplessly into her palm; nobody could make Harry squirm like Hermione.
"Well," Hermione continued, "how do you determine which ones to kiss and which ones not to kiss?"
"I don't know, Hermione," he said desperately, vowing to kill Ron for leaving him alone with both Hermione and Ginny. "I suppose…I suppose I kiss them when things become quiet; when I can't think of anything to say."
"Harry, are you saying that you kiss a girl to cover an awkward pause in conversation?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"No! Well…maybe a little," he admitted.
Ginny was now dying in fits of giggles.
"We may have found your problem Harry," Hermione laughed, "try kissing the girls that you can chat happily with all evening, or, even better, the ones that you can be quiet with, and still be perfectly comfortable."
Harry's gazed rested on Ginny for a brief moment, before moving away.
"That doesn't happen very often, does it?" he asked.
"No," Hermione said quietly. "That's why you need to act when it does, or you may lose it." Hermione had finished opening Ginny's gift. "Ginny, thank you, what is it, a puzzle?"
"Yes, I love these types of puzzles. It's called a Portrait Puzzle, it's like a Muggle Jigsaw puzzle, but the picture moves."
"The picture moves? How can you make a picture if it moves?"
"Well, that's the challenge isn't it?" Ginny giggled, "I started you with an easy one, it's just a landscape, so the seasons change slowly, but that's all. It's the puzzles that have people in them that make you go spare."
"Thank you Ginny, we'll have fun with this."
Once the party had started winding down, Harry escaped to the dormitory, desperately needing a good nights sleep.
The curtains on Ron's bed were drawn. Harry parted them to find Ron, still fully clothed, staring at the ceiling, looking miserable.
"You're an idiot, you know that don't you?"
"Thanks, mate." Ron moped.
"It's not too late, she's still down there, people are clearing out, and you could talk to her privately."
"I'd just ruin her birthday more," he sulked.
"Don't piss her off, and you won't," Harry teased.
"That's what I do, Harry, I can't help it."
"Ron, please, just go talk to her, even a fight would be better than the deafening silence. At least we're all comfortable with the fighting."
"Ok and I'll try not to fight. If she hexes me to bits, you'll pick up the pieces?"
"I promise, I'll put them in a bucket and take them to the hospital wing myself."
Ron reluctantly made his way to the common room. Ginny and Hermione were still there, working on the puzzle Ginny had given her.
Ron couldn't help but to smirk to himself as he saw students flee the room the second they saw him approach Hermione.
"Hi," he said as he reached the table. Ginny and Hermione looked up abruptly.
"Hi," Hermione responded cautiously.
Ginny yawned and stretched dramatically. "Well, I'm really tired, I'm going to bed, I'll help you with this tomorrow Hermione."
"Ok, thanks, Ginny. Good night." When Ginny was gone Ron sat stiffly in the seat that Ginny had abandoned.
"You're making a puzzle, Ginny likes these," he said while staring at a puzzle piece that he was fingering. He could feel Hermione's eyes on him, waiting.
"She's the one who gave it to me."
"Oh." Ron was beginning to curse Harry for this; he had no idea what to say.
"Was there something you wanted Ron? Because I need to go to bed myself." Hermione stood to leave.
"Don't go," he blurted, closing his eyes for a moment.
"Why not?"
"Cause, I need to fix this."
"Ok…fix it." Hermione sat back down and continued staring at him.
"I'm sorry," he said, peeking at her from the corner of his eye.
"For what?"
"You know, for the other night."
"No, Ron, I don't know. Are you sorry for humiliating me? For manhandling me? For treating me like a child? For invading my privacy? For interfering in my love life? Which is it? I can keep lengthening the list if you like."
"No! Please don't." Ron burst out of the chair and strode several paces away. Then, he turned to face Hermione for the first time. He was ashamed of himself when he saw the pain in her eyes. "I'm sorry for all of it, I had no right. You can snog whomever you like, I won't interfere. I just want my mate back." Ron flashed her, his special grin.
Then Ron added, "Just don't snog Malfoy, alright? I couldn't handle you liking him, too."
Hermione laughed gently, wiping away a tear. "No fear there. I wasn't snogging anyone Ron, we were just studying."
Ron walked to the window and looked out into the black night. "But you want to, right? You like him?"
"He likes me. I guess I like him a little. I don't think I like him enough to kiss him though."
"Oh. That's good. He's a git anyway." Ron was still staring out the window. Hermione had risen to stand next to him, also staring into the blackness. Ron hesitantly asked, "Is there someone else? Someone you would like to kiss?"
"Yes."
"Oh," Ron said defeatedly. "Who would that be?"
"Why do you want to know Ron?"
"I'm not gonna kill him or anything. Not unless he hurts you. I'm just curious about what type of bloke you like."
"Oh. Is that the only reason?"
"No."
"What else?"
"Nothing really."
Hermione reached for Ron's hand, and turned him to look at her. "Ron, what else?"
There was something about the urgency in her tone and the sparkle in her eyes that gave Ron the courage he needed.
"I was wondering… I know I'm stupid, and you're so smart and beautiful you could have anyone."
"You're not stupid, Ron, you're wonderful."
"Oh…thanks…I was wondering…if you wouldn't mind kissing me?"
"I don't think I'd mind that."
"Really?"
"Really." Hermione said, breathlessly while stepping closer to Ron.
"You mean, like now?" Ron gulped.
"No time like the present."
"Ok." Ron couldn't help thinking that he was less terrified at the battle at the Department of Mysteries than he was at this moment. Luckily, Hermione didn't seem as nervous; she gently wrapped her hand around Ron's neck and tugged him down to her level. Ron was just growing accustomed to the shocks traveling down his spine from her touch, when he felt the warmth of her lips on his. Suddenly everything was perfect; her lips molded themselves to his as if they were made for one another. Ron's hands went to her face, one stroking her cheek gently, the other entwining itself in her hair; that beautiful hair that he had spent endless hours staring at, counting the curls, wondering how she ever got a comb through it. Instinct took over for Ron; he had to know how she tasted. He ran his tongue over her lips and was pleasantly surprised when they parted for him. His tongue danced playfully with hers as he explored her mouth. He reveled in the taste of her, and the smell of her, and the feel of her.
"Merlin, Hermione, you taste like Chocolate Frogs, that's brilliant," he said, once he no choice but to come up for air. "Happy Birthday Hermione. Does this mean that perhaps I'm forgiven?"
"Yes. For the moment," she said snuggling into his arms burying her nose in his neck.
"Good, then. I take it back. You're not allowed to kiss anyone you want anymore. Only me from now on. Ok?"
"You're the only one I want to kiss, Ron. So, that's fine with me."
"Brilliant," Ron smiled, as his lips caught hers once again.
The next morning, Harry and Ginny were following Ron and Hermione by about fifteen paces as they were all walking to breakfast. They were close enough to keep an eye on them, but far enough away so that Ron and Hermione couldn't hear the running commentary that was being created to entertain themselves.
"This'll be worse than I ever imagined," Harry groaned. "They're going to be one of those googley-eyed couples, that can't keep their hands to themselves and makes everyone around them want to vomit."
"Did Ron say anything about what happened last night?"
"No. He came back really late. When I asked him how it went, he just gave me a grin that was quite scary. I think I'm better off not knowing what those two got up to."
"Harry! Did you just see that? He touched her bum! He's gotten quite cheeky overnight, hadn't he?"
"Literally!" Harry laughed. "Gin, you coming to DA tonight?"
"Course."
"Would you come early, help me set-up?"
"Ok. Harry, did you see Draco at all yesterday?"
"No. He wasn't in any of the classes we have together."
"Do you think he's alright?"
"I really don't care, Gin."
"He's not that bad, you know. Actually, I think you two are a lot alike."
"Take that back! You don't need to get mean!"
"Oh bugger! Now she's touching his bum. You're right Harry, this is going to be ugly."
That evening Ginny had finished dining in the Great Hall. Draco hadn't come to dinner, she hadn't seen him since Monday evening; she hoped that he was alright.
Ginny and Harry getting up to leave to go prepare for the first DA meeting when they heard.
"Weasley!" a voice called after her.
Ginny turned to see Parkinson, Millie and the usual crew of stroppy cows flagging her down. Oh Gods! Dealing with them is the last thing I need today! The Slytherin girls had not bothered Ginny at all this term, Ginny suspected it was due to Draco's influence, however they certainly hadn't deigned to address her directly either.
"Hi," Ginny said giving them a cautious smile. "Draco's not at dinner, is he alright?"
"I don't think so. We don't know. He won't come out of the dormitory. He's been in there for two days. He won't talk to anyone, not even me. I thought maybe you'd have more luck with him. Would you try?"
Ginny's stance softened immediately; she knew it wasn't easy for Pansy to ask for her help.
"Sure, I'll try," Ginny agreed.
Pansy smiled wanly. "The password's Jelly Slugs. I'll keep the other blokes away for a little while."
Millie and the other girls were busy building Draco a huge plate of roast beef and potatoes. "Here," Millie said, "bring this to him as well, and this chocolate cake. Chocolate usually does wonders with Draco."
"I'll give it to him. Harry, I'll have to skip DA tonight. I'm sorry."
Harry's expression was unreadable as he replied, "That's alright, Gin. I'll get Ron to help, see you later then." Harry immediately turned and left.
Ginny nodded to Pansy and began to make her way to leave, when Pansy grabbed her arm.
"Weasley wait." Ginny stopped, and turned back. Pansy seemed unsure of what she wanted to say and took a moment to gather her thoughts. "He's a spoilt, arrogant pain in the arse, and a prize bastard quite often. I'm sure he's only shown you the tip of it. But, he's worth it. I just thought you should know that." With that said, Pansy returned to her friends at the Slytherin table.
Ginny made her way to the Slytherin dungeon. She knocked lightly on the door of the boy's dormitory and proceeded in without waiting for a response.
"Pans, I told you to leave me alone," a pissy voice snarled from the corner.
"She heard you," Ginny said as she entered the room.
"Ginny."
Draco jumped off his bed and quickly put his pajama top on; he'd been wearing only the bottoms hanging very low around his hips. Ginny found herself rendered quite speechless at the site of his pale, well defined chest and abdomen.
"Weasley, you should go, I'm really not in the mood to be nice." He spat the word as though it pained him.
"Good," Ginny said, "I was wondering when I'd meet the real you."
Ginny handed him the plates of food she was carrying. "Millie and the stroppy cows sent this; they're an alright lot, I guess."
"Hmm." Draco took the plates and Ginny smirked when he settled back onto his bed and began to eat the chocolate cake. "Yeah, they're alright."
"They like you. I always thought girls fawned all over you because of your money, but I guess you must have some other charms."
Draco raised one eyebrow, and Ginny thought she saw the spark of a Draco witticism on the tip of his tongue, but then it was gone and the dark glower returned to his face.
"Your theory will be tested soon enough," he said darkly.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.
"Nothing," he paused for a moment, "I like girls. Girls are easy."
It was Ginny's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Not like that," Draco grinned slightly, "with a bloke, it's always about power and status; about getting it and keeping it. It's generally not like that with a girl, it's easier."
"It doesn't have to be like that with a bloke either. You don't always have to be alpha dog Draco."
Draco looked at her as though she had sprouted a second head; the glare in his eyes was positively chilling. Draco spoke very slowly. "Yes. I do. If you don't understand that, you don't understand me at all. Go away, Weasley," he said harshly.
"No." Ginny removed her school robe and shoes and got onto the bed with Draco, she plumped a pillow and made herself comfortable sitting against the headrest, and then she helped herself to a fingerful of frosting."
"Don't touch the chocolate!" he snarled, while slapping her hand away.
Ginny giggled. "Just three days ago, you were holding my hand, and looking at me like you wanted to kiss me. Now, I'm Weasley again, and you won't even share your sweets."
"I don't share. I won't share my chocolate and I won't share my girl."
"What does that mean? Is this about Harry again?"
"Doesn't matter," he pouted
"You are such a bloody brat! Will you talk to me?"
"No! I thought I'd made it clear that I wouldn't, when I told you to go away, twice.
"Fine!" Ginny huffed, but she didn't get up, she just proceeded to lay down turning her back to him.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm waiting for you to grow up! Git! I won't leave until you talk to me."
Draco laughed outright. "You think that's a threat? I'd gladly never speak to you again if it meant you'd live in my bed!"
"Spoilt Ferret!" she grumbled.
"Fine, have it your way." Draco finished his chocolate cake and started eating his dinner. He kept eyeing Ginny, who didn't move and didn't say a word. When Draco had finished his dinner, he turned to lie on his side, watching Ginny's back. The way her bright hair fanned over his pillow made him ache inside, causing him long to touch it. He'd never told her, but he thought her garish Weasley red hair was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen; it looked much better on her than it did on her brothers. She wasn't his, and truth be told, he wasn't hers; that didn't stop him from wanting her. He couldn't resist her; he was helpless.
"Ginny, this is silly." Draco finally couldn't stand the silence any longer. He reached out touched her back gently, and then he allowed his hand to explore the curves of her waist and hip. "Alright, you win. Ginny, look at me, please." Ginny rolled over to face him, but still remained silent. Draco was silent for a long while, looking at her, stroking her hair. "I've lost everything, and I have to get it back."
"What do you mean?"
"My father failed in the thing that he's always said was most important. He's always said that our first priority was to protect the Malfoy estate and name, and I've always agreed with him, I still do. But he let his loyalties distract him."
Draco continued, "I had been so sure he'd escape. I wanted him to escape. He had his chance, and he didn't, and now everything will be lost. He'll go on trial, and be convicted.
Do you know what happens to convicted Death Eaters? Their property is confiscated by the Ministry, broken-up and sold to the highest bidder."
"Oh, I didn't realize," Ginny whispered.
"You won't believe me, but it's not about being rich or poor. It's about preserving what's been ours and in our family for over one thousand years. I've been lying here trying to figure out a way to get everything back. I can only think of one."
"Draco, are you telling me that you think by becoming a Death Eater, and helping Voldemort rise, you'll somehow save your heritage?"
"It's the only way to protect what's ours."
"No! You can't! It's suicide. He won't win Draco, you have to believe me. I'm positive that he won't win. You just have to find another way."
"This has something to do with Potter doesn't it? And why you're researching Carina de Florette."
Ginny didn't answer him, but he was positive that he was right.
"I could kill Potter first, I suppose, that would please the Dark Lord, and neaten things up for me quite nicely."
Ginny looked at him sternly, but snuggled in closer to him. "You don't mean that, if you did you certainly wouldn't tell me about it. You're not a murderer, Draco. You're not your father."
"I can dream, can't I?" Draco chuckled softly. Suddenly he pulled away slightly, to look Ginny in the eyes. "You're so sure I won't kill Potter, does that mean you trust me?" he asked cautiously.
"I think I'm beginning to," Ginny whispered, silently hoping that she'd never regret her words.
Draco smiled while wrapping his arms around Ginny, pulling her close to him. Somehow, just having Ginny there, had released a knot of tension within him and he soon fell asleep, Ginny finging her own sleep not long afterward.
Snuggled tightly together, sound asleep, was how the sixth year Slytherin boys found Draco and Ginny a short time later. Draco had his arms wrapped around Ginny as though she was his life-raft and maybe she was. They chuckled as they gathered around Draco's bed, looking down at them, trying to determine how to best take advantage of the situation.
"Come on blokes, leave them be. We'll have our chance for fun in the morning," Blaise whispered, chuckling.
"If I had something like that in my bed, I'd be hanging on for dear life, too!" Goyle grumbled.
Ginny woke slowly, she was warm and comfortable, but she wasn't in her own bed. She felt Draco's arm wrapped around her tightly and his warm breath on the back of her neck as he spooned up against her. Draco's hand had found its way under her blouse and was resting over her breast while he slept. Ginny rolled gently onto her back, Draco's body adjusted immediately without waking. He released her so she could move, then he repositioned himself against her; his leg resting over her hips, his face nestling back into her neck, and that wayward hand moving back to her breast. Ginny chuckled silently. Draco Malfoy is a cuddler and a breast man. Who knew?
Ginny watched Draco, he looked so peaceful and innocent as he slept; when he didn't control every emotion, and you couldn't see the gears turning in his head, behind his eyes. Gods I want him to kiss me. Ginny gently caressed his face, running her fingers over his forehead and the bridge of his nose down to his lips, oddly full lips for a boy. Draco's eyes popped open.
"Ginny," he said as though he was surprised to see her. His mouth twitched into a soft smile as he rubbed his nose against Ginny's. "I've had dreams like this," he whispered.
"What happens next in your dreams?" Ginny whispered back.
"Mostly, I get kicked in the balls and Bat-Bogeyed," he chuckled, "but sometimes….sometimes…" Draco's lips were on Ginny's, and Ginny welcomed them. Draco immediately intensified the kiss eliciting a soft moan from Ginny.
"Shhh, we're not alone." Draco had finally noticed that it was quite late; his dorm mates had all returned and were in their own beds, he doubted that they were sleeping. Damn, they're gonna take the mickey out of me for this!
"If you don't want me to moan you're going to have to stop making those little circles on my breast." Ginny giggled softly. Draco realized where his hand was and removed it, with a self-satisfied smirk.
"Sorry."
"I wasn't complaining."
"I need to get you back to your tower, princess."
Draco threw a school robe over his pajamas and helped Ginny gather her belongs and they quietly slipped from the dormitory. As they exited there was the unmistakable sound of chuckling, kissing sounds and several high-pitched moans of 'Oh Draco!' emanating from the room.
"Sorry 'bout that," Draco said not bothering to hide his amusement. Ginny just snickered.
Once they'd arrived in the deserted Slytherin common room Draco stopped and pulled Ginny to him.
"Time to do this properly," he said as his lips descended onto hers again. Draco's kiss was hard and demanding, Ginny gave back everything that Draco's lips and tongue were asking of her. Ginny had never felt a kiss so intensely, even when she kissed Harry, her feelings for him were bound so tightly they were repressed. Ginny's feelings for Draco were new and completely unencumbered; they were free to flow through every cell of her body, every cell in her body crying for more.
Draco demanded more and Ginny gave it, then Draco would intensify again; it was endless. Ginny realized that this wasn't just a kiss to Draco, it was a battle; the goal of the battle was to purge from Ginny's mind every other kiss she'd ever received. Damn if it wasn't working. Ginny finally had to pull away with a whimper or risk losing consciousness; fainting at Draco Malfoy's kiss would be too embarrassing to bear, the bastard was smug enough as it was.
"What's the matter Weasley? Never been kissed before?" he taunted lightly with the expected smirk across his face.
"Not as though I was about to be eaten alive, no," she said breathlessly.
"You'll get used to it," he teased, as his lips captured her again, this time tenderly as he explored her jaw line and neck.
The journey back to the Gryffindor common room was a long and happy one as they paused to snog in every secluded alcove they found along the way.
"Ginny….Ginny….wait a minute," Draco said as he pried Ginny's mouth from his neck reluctantly.
"Ohhhhh," Ginny protested, "what's wrong?"
"Before this goes any further we have to admit it to each other."
"Admit what?" Ginny said as she moved back in to nuzzle his bare chest; she had already unfastened his robes and pajama top in previous snog stops. The feeling of Ginny's mouth on his bare nipple was driving him beyond distraction. Draco braced both hands on Ginny's shoulders and pried her away again.
"Admit that we both have unfinished business elsewhere. This could be….."
"complicated," Ginny finished for him. "We like complicated," Ginny said as she shook free of his hands and attacked his chest again.
"Woman, have you no self control?" Draco yelped desperately as his own self control weakened by the second.
"You'll get used to it," Ginny teased as she worked her way up Draco's chest to his neck, while further tormenting him by grinding her hips into his. No one had ever ignited this level of lust in Ginny and she wasn't willing to let it go until she had explored this new feeling further. "Tomorrow…I'll admit anything you want tomorrow, as long as you shut it and kiss me now."
"Ok," Draco gave in to the inevitable.
Once they finally arrived at the portrait of the fat lady Draco gave Ginny one last deep kiss.
"Good night, Ginny," he whispered.
"No, no, no, come inside, just for a few minutes," Ginny pleaded.
Draco chuckled. I've created a monster! "Ginny, we can't. We'll be caught. I'm surprised we haven't already been caught."
Ginny's eyes darkened at the threat of not getting what she wanted. "Are you afraid, Malfoy? Are you afraid of what Ron would do if he caught you?" It was cruel, she knew that, but a girl must do, what girl must do.
"Certainly not!"
Ginny had opened the portrait hole and was backing through it very slowly with a wicked grin. "Then I dare you to snog me in enemy territory."
Draco began stalking towards her, through the portrait hole, with a feral gleam in his eyes. "Young lady, have you no idea who you're toying with?"
"No, I don't. I think you'll have to show me." Ginny turned and ran just as Draco pounced, Draco ran after her and grabbed her easily, and Ginny squealed, forcing Draco to cover her mouth,or else bring all of Gryffindor down on their heads.
"Shhh! Are you trying to get me killed?" Draco hissed as he picked Ginny up and deposited her unceremoniously on the sofa, squelching her giggles with a burning kiss.
Ginny immediately laid back pulling Draco down with her, her hands exploring freely over him. It wasn't until Ginny felt Draco's mouth and hands on her bare breasts that she realized that he had unbuttoned her blouse and somehow removed her bra! Oh My! He just ripped my bra right off of me! How'd he do that?
"Oh Draco!" Ginny said in surprise.
"That should teach you not to taunt a Malfoy, young lady," Draco said, then his attention returned to Ginny's breasts gently nipping and tugging; making Ginny purr with pleasure.
"On the contrary, I think I'll be taunting a Malfoy far more often. Oh Draco, more of that, please!"
"Mr. Malfoy! Stop this instant!" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed above them.
Draco froze. Ginny froze. Ginny's breast was released from Draco's mouth with a soft pop. They both turned their heads slowly to see the enraged Head of Gryffindor House in her night clothes standing over them.
"Mr. Malfoy, get off of Miss Weasley. Now!"
Draco rose slowly; giving Ginny time to cover herself and giving himself time to hide the obvious signs of his arousal.
"Good evening, Professor," he said casually, as though he were passing her in the corridor.
"There will be lengthy and unpleasant detentions in this for both of you. Separate detentions. Your parents will be notified. We'll talk about it further in the morning, 8am in Professor Snape's office. Is that clear?"
"Yes professor," they said in unison.
"Miss Weasley, go to bed immediately. And Mr. Malfoy, I strongly suggest that you return to your own house immediately."
'Night Gin." Draco caught Ginny in one last kiss.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Professor McGonagall shrieked.
"'Night Draco." Ginny watched as Draco calmly left Gryffindor House.
"Miss Weasley, bed!"
Professor McGonagall's lips twitched involuntarily as she returned to her quarters. A Weasley and a Malfoy, interesting.
Early the next morning, Ginny stretched in bed as she was awakening, she felt wonderful.
Then she remembered why; she remembered kissing Draco. She remembered the way he made her feel. She remembered taunting and teasing him. She remembered nearly mauling him! She remembered being completely out of control! She remembered having no intention of stopping him, or letting him stop! She remembered that if Professor McGonagall hadn't stopped them she would have…she would have…she would have insisted on it! "Oh No! I'm a shlag!"
Authors Notes:
Thank you, Blondhunter for the edit! Lord knows I need it!
Yay! Exciting news! We have a Fan artist who has begun work illustrating this story.
Her name is nikotuesday.
She has begun posting pictures at:
www (dot)side7(dot)com/cgi-bin/S7SDB/Display(dot)pl?actgalleryaid16948
Go check out the drawings and tell her which scenes you'd like illustrated. She's taking requests. Weee!
I couldn't have written about the Death Eaters escaping Azkaban without help from the HP-Lexicon. We really don't pay those folks enough. I certainly have no clue what happened in the DoM in OOTP.
I'd like also like to thank Cloz for reinventing the word slag for me, she prefers to say shlag, and I like it better too. She's British, she's a teenager, that's makes her expert enough for me!
It's time for me to give the most important credit of this piece. In Annibug's wonderful story Send Fudge, Draco has a line "I don't share". That innocent little line stuck with me, made me think "What would happen if Draco were forced to share? With Harry. How badly would he muck up? Could he get over it?" That's how my little obsession was born. If you haven't read Send Fudge do so, it's the best D/G I've ever read.