The Devils Triangle

Chapter 12: Halloween

Ginny was miserable. It was Halloween, the first Hogsmeade visit of the term; she'd been looking forward to this day for weeks. She'd been planning to spend the day with Draco, but he was nowhere in sight.

Instead of roaming the romantic village hand-in-hand with her boyfriend, snogging in alleyways and sharing chocolate frogs, she was sitting in a booth in The Three Broomsticks with a gargantuan pout of her face. She was watching Ron and Hermione nauseatingly nuzzle, and Harry feed Daphne chips. She didn't want to know what Daphne's hand was doing under the table; but the cross-eyed smirk on Harry's face gave her a pretty good clue as to what was going on.

Ginny missed Harry; he was always sweet to her and they spent almost as much time together as they used to, but something had changed. There were things that he did, that she would rather not know about, and Harry had no patience for any topic related to Draco.

Draco. Where was Draco? He was over two hours late! She knew he'd be here if he could. They were going to celebrate the fact that their detention was finally lifted. Professors Snape and McGonagall had used techniques that Draco referred to as brilliantly evil to keep them apart over the past six weeks. The professors coordinated their detentions in such a way that they were never available on the same night. The only night that they could spend together was their Friday rounds, and Professor Snape had developed a nasty habit of checking-up on them at the most inconvenient times. This resulted in embarrassment all around, and two weeks being added to their detention.

Draco became an expert at catching Ginny in-between classes for a thirty second hit-and-run snog, but it wasn't enough. Midnight rendezvous always took their toll the next day. He had snuck her into his dormitory twice, but his roommates had no sympathy, and took pleasure in interrupting them. Mostly they settled for studying in the library on weekends, Ginny's grades had never been better.

They were so desperate to spend time together that Draco began showing up at Harry's DA meetings. The DA was fabulous this year! Harry had expanded it to two hours, the first hour was much like last year learning and reviewing defensive charms. But in the second hour they began dueling, with Dumbledore teaching them himself!

Harry always picked Draco as a dueling partner. Ginny didn't deceive herself into believing that Harry did this to keep Draco away from her. It was obvious that the two boys enjoyed hexing the crap out of one another, that's all there was to it. Their duels were always lively and often vicious. Everyone's skills were quickly improving.

Professor Dumbledore soon expanded the lessons to concentrate on fending off multiple attackers. This was where Harry excelled far beyond the others, after just an introductory lesson from Dumbledore; Harry had been able to fend off Draco, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

Draco had even managed to disarm Harry with an Expelliarmus charm; Harry, however, was still able to repel hexes from the four of them without his wand.

This revelation sent Hermione off into a quite conference with Professor Dumbledore. The two of them whispered together and shot furtive glances at both Harry and Ginny. Harry gave Ginny a weary and withered look, causing Ginny to giggle, but she had to agree with him; Hermione and Professor Dumbledore with their heads together was a terrifying sight.

"Is anyone ever going to tell me what happened at the last DA? Why was Harry so bruised and bloody afterwards?"

Ginny had missed the last DA meeting; Professor McGonagall had insisted that she spend her final detention with her on Wednesday evening.

"It was nothing, Gin," Harry grumbled, taking a swig of his Butterbeer.

"Harry just got the stuffing hexed out of him, that's all," Ron teased, "I think our hero's getting a bit overconfident."

"I was just having a bad night!" he growled. "There were FOUR of you attacking me!"

"But there were four attacking you last week. What happened Harry?"

"I don't know Ginny; my concentration was off or something. Ask Hermione, she and Dumbledore were whispering madly together, again," he added dryly.

"Hermione?" Ginny queried.

Hermione lifted her head from her lunch with a quick and guilty grin. "No solid answers yet, just theories. Ginny, where do you think Draco is?"

"Since when do you give a flying fig where Draco is? You're just trying to change the subject. What's going on, Hermione?" Ginny insisted adamantly.

"I really can't say yet. Sorry."

"It's no use Gin," Harry sighed, "I've been trying to get it out of her since Wednesday, she won't crack. But really Gin, where is Malfoy? It's not like him to miss an opportunity to maul you."

"He doesn't maul me, Potter," Ginny sneered. "I don't know where he is, he said he had some unexpected business and he'd be an hour. That was three hours ago. He's been a bit odd since his father's conviction."

"Well yeah, he's facing poverty!" Ron laughed, "I can't wait to see him in second hand robes! It'll be a dream come true!"

"Ron! Must you always be such a git! That's just cruel!"

"Oh, Ginny! Like he's never been cruel to us?"

"He's at least making an effort to put it in the past!"

"Bollocks, Ginny! He's putting in an effort to get into your knickers! That's all! He hasn't changed a bit!"

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Calm down! Both of you!" Hermione commanded. "Ron, you're out of line."

"He's not like that," Ginny said quietly.

"Actually, he's really not," Daphne agreed, she'd been quiet until now. "He's really rather a prude, no girl's ever been good enough for him before. And many have tried!"

Ginny gave Daphne a grateful grin, while Harry scowled at her.

"I agree," Hermione chimed in, giving Ron a stern glare. "I still don't like him, but I don't think he'd have done what he did at the trial if he didn't care for you, Ginny."

Ginny smile broadened. "That's true, Hermione. Thank you."

Draco had attended his father's trial, the previous week. He had watched stoically as each witness has been called, describing the events of the previous spring in detail. Ginny had been called as a witness on the first day, but on the second day she joined Draco in the gallery. Lucius had not missed the sight of his son keeping company with a Weasley in the gallery. Draco had merely held his fathers glare, while bringing Ginny's hand to his lips.

Although Ginny had thought it a rather inappropriate time for Draco to be baiting his father, she was very touched by his gesture. Draco had only said it had to be done.

"What is it with girls and Malfoy?" Ron exploded again. "Even Hermione's going soft on him now."

Daphne shrugged, "He's dead sexy," she said matter-of-factly and then laughed at Ron and Harry's dramatic groans.

"I think I'll go get us another round of Butterbeer," Ginny smothered a giggle as she left the booth.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

"Here's the last parchment Mr. Malfoy. Do you have any questions?"

Draco laughed incredulously "I'm sure I will…I'm just a bit numb at the moment."

"That's fine. Take your time, it's a lot to absorb in one go."

"I do have a question." Draco said slowly, "Is this permanent? Is there any way this can be reversed?"

"Mr. Malfoy, you're of age today. As I've said before, two years ago your father transferred all the holdings of the Malfoy estate into a trust with you as the sole beneficiary. The trust is irrevocable. You are one of the ten wealthiest wizards in the world. Not your father, you.

Of course, when the Ministry moves to seize your father's assets and discovers that he's a virtual pauper, there will be lawsuits. We're prepared for them, I assure you everything was done quite thoroughly and was completed long before your father's current troubles.

Mr. Malfoy, are you alright?"

Draco snapped out of his daze, "Why did he do this? Never mind…I know why. That's why he stayed in prison. Why didn't I know about it? What about my mother?"

"There was no need for you to know, your father was the trustee, until he faced his current…inconvenience, then the trusteeship passed to me until you came of age. Your fathers conviction activated the final codicil of the trust; removing him from authority completely. Your mother knows nothing about this. She, of course, still retains her own assets; the villa in Tuscany, vineyards in France and Germany. Your mother's a wealthy woman in her own right. Malfoy Manor, however, is yours."

Draco nodded numbly.

"Mr. Malfoy, there's one last thing. I have a letter here from your father, I suggest you read it later, when you have privacy."

Draco nodded, and tucked the parchment into his robes.

"Thank you, Mr…I'm sorry…I've forgotten your name."

"Quigley, Sir, Maximilion Quigley."

"Thank you, Mr. Quigley. And do you work for me?"

"Yes. I'm your solicitor, sir. I have extensive knowledge of all Malfoy holdings and their management."

Draco felt lost and found all at once, his mind was reeling. He didn't know where to begin. He needed help.

"Mr. Quigley, do you share my father's political beliefs?"

Mr. Quigley paused, and regarded Draco for a moment before answering. "I have great respect for your father's business acumen. I, however, have a rather broader view of the world, to a point of course."

"Of course," Draco said, as he and Quigley exchanged warm grins, and a bond was formed.

"I'll need help. Will you teach me?" And then, almost under his breath, "This means I can walk my own path."

"Yes Sir, it does. We'll begin right away."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Over an hour later, Draco was running towards The Three Broomsticks. Scarhead and Githead were talking about having lunch there, perhaps Ginny was with them. He couldn't wait to tell her the news.

He saw the Weasel's garish head in a booth by the window and he went in looking for Ginny.

"Where is she? Is she here?" Draco demanded, when he arrived at the booth to discover that Ginny wasn't sitting there.

"Good day to you too, Malfoy," Hermione said dryly. Draco scowled at her and she scowled back.

Ron, however, was smirking at him mischievously.

"Malfoy, I think we may have forgotten to tell you something about Ginny," Ron said ominously.

Draco rolled his eyes and played along; it was the only way he would get the information he wanted.

"What would that be Weasel?"

"Well, once you reach a certain comfort level with Ginny, you must NEVER, NEVER, leave her alone with your clothes."

"What are you on about?"

"Have a look." Ron pointed behind Draco.

Draco turned and caught sight of Ginny talking with the barkeep.

Draco's mind went blank, as his blood ran from his head, to other, more excitable regions.

Ginny was wearing his Quidditch shirt; she had MALFOY emblazoned across her back in bold Slytherin green. He was at her side in an instant. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her to him, not bothering to hide his excitement from her.

"This has to be the sexiest thing I've ever seen. My name stamped across your back, as though you're my property. I like it," he whispered into her ear and then kissed her neck.

Ginny moved her head to give him more access and sighed.

"I thought you'd never get here." She turned in his arms and kissed him. "Before you get too…possessive…you should know, I have one that says POTTER on it too. I wear that one to bed.

"Not anymore you don't," he growled, kissing her until the barkeep was clearing his throat to interrupt them.

Ginny pulled away from him and gathered the Butterbeer from the bar.

Ginny delivered the bottles back to the booth and then she allowed Draco to drag her away without another word. He pulled her into the cloakroom and pinned her to the wall.

"Ginny, I've had a brilliant idea. All the blokes are in town today, if we went back to the castle, we'd have time alone, three hours maybe."

"Is this a ploy to get your shirt back?" Ginny asked coyly.

"It's a ploy to get my shirt off of you, but you can keep it," he smirked, with a naughty twinkle in his eyes.

"What took you so long, anyway?"

"I forgot," Draco said honestly, while nuzzling her neck. "Nothing's more important than getting you alone."

"Buy me some Chocolate Frogs and you have a deal, Malfoy."

"Let's go," he said leading her out the door.

Ginny hesitated. "But what about Astrid? She'll be there, she wants me dead."

Draco laughed. "She doesn't want you dead, just maimed and disfigured."

"It's not funny! I just got my hair back to normal, yesterday." Draco burst into laughter again. "How can you think everything she does is hilarious? She's a monster!"

"I believe I'm the one who told you that! I know she's a monster. It's just she's a damn good monster!"

"The most humiliating part is that she's using my own brothers' products against me! I swear I'll kill those two."

"I think she's their best customer," Draco chuckled. "Don't worry Snape and I raided her room and confiscated her supplies yesterday. She hasn't had time to restock yet."

"Alright, but it will be on your head if I end up toothless and covered in warts, and I'm going to expect you to kiss me anyway."

"I could live with that," he snickered. "I kissed you when you had snakes growing out of your head, didn't I?"

"Yes, but you're a Slytherin, you probably found that sexy!"

"No, it was quite scary…but funny!"

"You know, if she was able to give you breasts, then she'd be able to take mine away," Ginny threatened.

"Oh, wow! I see your point now. That would be horrible! Not funny at all."

"I thought that might get your attention."

They got their Chocolate Frogs, and as they walked back past The Three Broomsticks on the way back to the castle Ginny didn't notice Harry's gaze following them as they walked away. Draco, however, did notice and he let his hand travel down to Ginny's arse to give it a squeeze. Draco could never resist flaunting his intimacy with Ginny when Harry was watching, which was often. Somewhere in the back of his mind Draco knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't stop himself.

As Draco expected, the dormitory was empty, Draco put several locking charms on the door and they were alone at last.

Ginny was suddenly shy, and embarrassed, she knew she was blushing horribly.

Draco smirked; he loved how she could go from painfully shy, to devilishly wanton in a split second. He hadn't quite figured out what triggered that reaction, it usually took him by surprise. He was determined to learn all of Ginny's triggers.

"Have I told you you're beautiful?" Draco removed the ribbon at the end of Ginny's long plait and carefully loosening the braid, spreading her hair over her shoulders.

"Yes. You tell me quite often, thank you," Ginny whispered, still crippled by shyness because of the intensity of Draco's attention.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"Not really, no."

"You're exquisite. I'm going to make you believe it."

Draco kissed her gently, as though she would break, his kisses traveled along her jaw line to her neck. Ginny couldn't suppress the trembling that traveled up her spine, to the tips of her limbs and she gasped. The power he had over her was intoxicating.

Draco read Ginny's gasp as permission to proceed and he intensified his kisses, bringing his hands under her shirt and running them over her smooth back.

Ginny loved the way Draco undressed her. She didn't have any other experience at being undressed by a boy, but she was fairly certain that Draco was good at this.

He always unwrapped her like she was a cherished Christmas present, savoring every glimpse of what was revealed under the wrapping and making the process last as long as possible.

He always stopped with her top, and never asked for more. Ginny was grateful that he always stopped on his own, because he worked her into such a state that she would deny him nothing. Sometimes Ginny felt quite guilty about the condition he was left in when they parted company, but he never complained.

Ginny sighed as he traced a pattern on her shoulder blade.

"Are you ever going to tell me what's back there?"

"It's Draco," he said softly, while leading her to his bed and sitting her down, he then sat behind her.

"Hmmm?"

"You have some freckles that are much darker than the others. There are two quite large ones here side-by-side," he said, kissing a spot on the lower end of her left shoulder blade. "Those are the eyes, then there are several more which form a backwards 'S'," he said as he ran his lips gently over her shoulder blade and then circling back to the center of her back. "That's the body. Then there's a line of progressively smaller freckles leading to the back of your neck. That's the tail," he whispered in her ear as he nuzzled his way through her hair until he reached the sensitive skin of her neck.

Ginny swiveled around on the bed to face him, as she couldn't keep her hands off of him for another second. She ran her hands over his bare chest and through his soft, pale hair, losing herself in the feel of him.

"So I have a dragon on my back?'

"Yes, you do."

"I like that. I've always loved your name, even when I hated you, I loved your name; it suits you."

"So you like having a dragon on your back? You fancy dragons?"

"Yes, I'd like to have one on my front too," she said slyly, lying back while pulling him on top of her. She kissed him with all the passion in her and he returned it enthusiastically.

After a long while Draco pulled away from her, breathing deeply, his eyes closed in concentration.

"What's your name?" he asked suddenly.

"Ginny Weasley, nice to meet you," she said incredulously.

"You know what I mean, your real name, it can't be Ginny, not even Weasley's would be that prosaic."

"Draco!" she gasped at his insult.

"No offense," he smirked. "Is it Virginia?"

"No, too obvious."

"Is it Ginger?"

"Now that would be a prosaic name for someone with my hair color. No, it's not Ginger."

"Is it…Georgina?

"Oh, Merlin, no!"

"What's wrong with Georgina?"

"That's a name for one of those horsey girls, with a long face and big teeth!"

"I think it's a lovely name."

"You would," she huffed.

"What's your name, Weasley?" he repeated rolling back onto her again, and resuming his passionate attentions.

"It's Ginevra," she admitted.

"Ginevra," he repeated in her ear. "Very nice."

"I like it when you say it, you make it sound sexy and exotic," she said dreamily falling under his spell again.

Ginny ran her hands over him and reveled in the feel of his soft skin covering hard muscle, he made her burn like she'd never experienced before. She let her hand wander to the part of his trousers that she usually tried to avoid and she grasped his hardness gently.

"Ginny," Draco hissed suddenly, pulling away slightly. Ginny didn't let him go far.

"Draco…would you…would you like me to help you with that?"

Draco was silent for a beat or two, staring at her.

"Really? Would you?" he said calmly and dryly, but the joy in his eyes was barely contained.

Ginny smiled and nodded. "I'd like to."

Draco was off the bed and his remaining clothes were gone in a millisecond. Ginny couldn't help but laugh at the abruptness of it all.

Draco's joy, however, had disappeared, replaced by a concerned pout.

"What's so funny?" he asked testily.

"I've just never seen anyone move that fast. If you were that quick on the Quidditch pitch you'd beat Harry to the Snitch occasionally."

Draco was trembling with suppressed frustration.

"Ok… I have three points to make," he growled as he crawled back onto the bed and trapped Ginny under him.

"First," he said while kissing her neck and moving his focus down to her breasts. "When a bloke takes off his trousers, it's generally best if your first reaction isn't laughter. We're a bit sensitive about certain things."

"Oh. So sorry!" Ginny suppressed another giggle.

"Shhh. I'm not done yet. Second, never mention that git's name when you're in my bed."

"Oops…"

"And third," he interrupted her from saying anything further. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

Ginny looked at him questioningly. "May I speak now?" she asked tartly. Draco nodded.

"No, I have no idea what I'm doing, but how difficult can it be?"

She bruskly rolled Draco off of her and onto his back.

Draco looked a bit concerned and opened his mouth to speak.

"One word and I stop," she threatened, pleased that she had finally found a way to effectively silence him.

Ginny explored Draco with her hands, trying to be as attentive to his every detail as he was to hers. She made note of which motions made him sigh and which made him groan. He occasionally adjusted her hands showing her what he liked, but mostly he let her explore. When his eyes rolled back in his head and he groaned her name she figured that she was doing something right.

Ginny suddenly had an overwhelming urge; the rest of him tasted so good, she had to taste him.

"Oh! …... Merlin, Ginny! Thank you." Draco's eyes popped open in surprise.

After that it was only a few minutes before she had him shouting her name, and then it was over.

Ginny peeked up at him from under her hair; Draco looked quite dead, except for the smile on his face. He grabbed her and pulled her up on top of him, holding her tightly.

"Just give me a minute," he whispered faintly.

Once Draco had recovered a bit, he lifted Ginny's chin and kissed her deeply. He tasted himself on her lips and his passion ignited again.

"Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed that," he chuckled.

"I was alright then?" she asked shyly.

"You were brilliant," he smiled, "absolutely perfect."

Ginny tucked her head into his shoulder and they lay together quietly for a long time.

"Gin, it's my birthday today. Did I tell you that?"

"It is? Happy birthday! You should have told me."

"I'm having a really good day," he chuckled.

"Gin, I want to do the same for you, I want to make love to you."

Ginny's eyes went wide, but before she could speak Draco continued.

"Let me explain what I mean. I know you're not ready. I've been thinking about this for a while. I want to take you somewhere where we can be alone and no one can interrupt us. I want to hold you all night and wakeup with you in my arms. I want to kiss you everywhere and make you scream my name, like I screamed yours. I want to make you beg me to finish it, but I promise, no matter how much you beg I won't let you steal my virtue."

"Oh," Ginny gulped, "that sounds nice. But there is no place like that."

"Not in the castle, no."

"You're thinking of sneaking us out of the castle?"

Draco nodded. "I'm thinking of dress robes, and a fine meal, maybe some dancing and just the two of us all night at The Three Broomsticks."

"Oh, that sounds nice," Ginny repeated, in a daze.

"Will you let me arrange everything?"

Ginny nodded. "When?"

"Next Saturday."

"Ok."

"Could you nick Potter's map? We'll need it to get out of the castle."

"Sure…" Ginny began to kiss her way down Draco's chest. "Draco?"

"Hmmm?"

"I think I'm going to need some more practice before next week."

"Oh, well, feel free to use me for your studies. I won't be offended at all."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

"What the bloody hell is up with Malfoy?" Ron grumbled from the Gryffindor table at dinner that evening.

Draco was currently having a rather loud and rowdy birthday celebration with his house mates at the Slytherin table. This would have seemed normal enough if it hadn't been for Draco's demeanor. He was far too happy and gregarious and he wore a huge grin plastered on his face, not Malfoy-like at all.

"It's his birthday; he's having a good day. Leave him alone, Ron," Ginny snickered into her pudding. Ginny refused to meet the suspicious glares that Harry was sending her from across the table.

"I'm out of here." Ron growled. "We have a Quidditch strategy meeting in fifteen minutes, don't be late. We have to pummel those gits next Sunday."

"See you there Ron, I'm just going to finish my pudding." Ginny sent Ron on his way and hoped that Harry would follow him. But Harry didn't follow him, he just continued to sit and stare at Ginny.

"So where did you two disappear to all day? We didn't see you roaming about town."

"No, we didn't roam about town," Ginny rose quickly, and started for the exit, with Harry following closely.

"Where'd you go?" he persisted.

Ginny didn't understand what Harry was on about. He never asked questions about what she and Draco got up to, and he most definitely would not want to hear about today's activities.

"Really, Harry, it's not your business."

As Ginny and Harry exited the Great Hall, Draco burst in between them.

"Bugger off, Potter!" he growled as he pulled Ginny around the corner into an alcove.

"I just wanted to say thank you. Have I thanked you yet?"

"Yes! About a hundred times, it's getting embarrassing! And wipe that grin off your face!" Ginny laughed, trying to wiggle out of his tight grasp.

"Gin! We have a meeting!" Harry's annoyed voice came from around the corner. He'd learned not to look when Draco spirited Ginny into a shadow.

"I said bugger off!"

"Fine, I'll just tell Ron that you can't attend because you're busy snogging the opposing team's captain. He'll understand."

"Draco, I have to go! I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Night, Gin." He let her go reluctantly.

Draco leaned against the wall as he watched Ginny walk away. He felt a crunch in his robe pocket; he pulled out the parchment from his father that Mr. Quigley had given him that morning. The events of this afternoon had completely pushed the events of this morning out of his mind, but they all came rushing back now.

Draco read his father's letter.

"Fuck."

Draco saw Professor Dumbledore was still dining at the head table.

"Professor Dumbledore, a moment please?"

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco handed the Head Master his letter and he read it.

"It's from my father. Ginny Weasley's in danger."

"Let's go to my office, Draco."

Authors Notes:

Blondhunter, thanks again for the edit.

I find it highly amusing that when Harry is tortured with jealousy everyone is all "Poor Harry!" But when Draco is tortured with jealousy everyone is all "Torture him more! Torture him more!" (Even the Draco girls!)

I must apologize to any of my readers who may be named Georgina. I didn't say it, Ginny did. I just take dictation!

The next chapter isn't started yet, but it will be called 'Combustion' and it'll be a good one!