Gambit by Lilosan

Chapter 3: Writings on the wall

I am on my knees, apologizing for the late update, if anybody still cares that is. Its been a few very hard weeks for me. Planning and executing a party for about 350 people, falling in love and getting my heart broken, constantly on the move across all of Europe without my laptop. Again Im deeply sorry. Please enjoy and tell me what you think about it. But first thank you to:

Allychick6 (Yes Harry is an all around arsehole.For some reason I never liked him. Just dont judge him so quickly. Who knows what the story will bring forth.), jjp91 and TheItalianBanjoist (Hope this will give you back your sanity ... um ... insanity)

After the incident in class, Draco decided it would be best, if he avoided people altogether for a while. The Great Hall, the common room and the library were out of question. He wanted to be completely alone. And the only places one could be remotely undisturbed, were the four towers. The North Tower was the highest one and would now be occupied by students learning how to chart the sky with some teacher or the other. The South Tower was off limits even for the Head Boy (the reasons were a bit vague, something about another weapon against the "Enemy"). And the West Tower was the official home of the weirdest teacher at Hogwarts, Professor Trelawney.

All of this didn't bother Draco. He was only interested in the East Tower. He made his way eastwards through the castle until he reached the end of a very long corridor. Taking out his wand, Draco scribbled something on the wall, leaving a thin trail of fire in its wake. The fiery traces were fading quickly. When they disappeared completely, he took two steps back.

"Draco Malfoy, House of Salazar Slytherin" There was a flash of green light, once faded, revealing a small stairwell. Draco climbed up, until he reached a trapdoor right above his head. He opened it and a sharp, cold wind welcomed him to the rooftop of the East Tower.

It was February and still cold. The view was splendid. The winter sun was shining, illuminating the snow. Melt water was flowing in thin rivulets into the lake. Draco stood still for a few minutes absorbing everything. He had always liked winter.

He was about to sit down on his favorite spot, when he noticed that he was not alone. Someone was sitting on the battlements, appreciating the same view he had appreciated seconds ago. That someone hadn't noticed him and was still sitting there cross-legged, perilously close to the chasm. Draco recognized Ginny easily. He took a few steps closer, standing now directly behind her, ready to grab her, if she fell over.

"I thought I was the only one who knew how to get up here", Draco said. Ginny didn't seem surprised at all. She turned around so that she was facing him.

"I'm Fred and George Weasley's little sister. I know every pathway in this school. They used to hide here, when Filtch was chasing them. I use this place to calm down."

"I don't think this is the appropriate time for you to 'calm down'. You should be in class. Don't forget, I can give you detention, especially if you are skipping." He was looking down at her. His expression was still grave, not once betraying the emotions that were boiling up in him.

Draco had no idea what was happening to him. This may sound like the sort of phrase a cheap novelist would use, when describing one of his characters falling in love, but it was not love. Draco was a hundred percent sure. He was no child anymore. He had enough experience to know the difference between love and the feeling he was getting when he was around Ginny. This was indeed different. He was still not sure, if it was good different or bad different, but being around her somehow relieved him.

A man can't see for himself if he is walking the right path. Only the result in itself or some higher judgment will prove him wrong or right. Another one of his father's sayings. I'll just have to wait for thunder to strike me then, Draco thought, far too absorbed in the person facing him, to give a damn about his father for once.

"I'm not skipping. Dennis Creevey sliced of Miranda Bleak's arm and now we have two free lessons." Draco wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying. He was still observing her while she was talking, his expression unreadable.

"Malfoy? Are you listening? I asked you a question." Ginny said, irritation making her voice sharp. This brought Draco back to reality.

"Huh… Sorry?" He obviously hadn't been listening to what she was saying and had lost track of the conversation.

"I asked you, what you were doing here. Taking a day off or just enjoying the view." She didn't like repeating herself. Probably because she has been ignored so thoroughly by her brothers.

"I just walked out of the classroom. I didn't like the atmosphere."

"What subject fucked you off so badly?" she said, sounding honestly curious.

"Advanced DADA with Professor Narva." Draco didn't find it necessary to lie to her.

"Why? I thought you liked that subject. You are supposed to be her top student. Even better then Hermione." Ginny looked up at him, with a curious expression "Unless… it was not the subject, but one of your fellow classmates that hacked you off so badly. If I may venture a guess, then I would say it had something to do with Harry."

"An accurate guess, but then when does the world not revolve around Potter. He thought badmouthing my father and his colleagues, may they rest in peace, would encourage everybody to try harder at school. He must have forgotten that I was listening. This pissed me off quite badly. You might be aware of the fact, that it was Potter, who killed my father." Draco's gaze had shifted. His eyes were now fixed on some distant point, but Ginny could still see the rage burning, darkening his light eyes.

"I'm sorry." She didn't know why she was apologizing, but it just seemed important to her. "It's just like Harry to do something as stupid as that. He rarely thinks his actions through. That's one reason, why he ends up in bad situations most of the time. Same goes for what he says. He just can't keep his mouth shut."

Eager to change the subject, Draco asked Ginny a question she knew he had to ask her sooner or later: "What actually happened between you and Harry?"

"Can I trust you not to tell anyone?" She was obviously still uncomfortable talking about what had happened.

"Might I remind you that I kept my mouth shut after I witnessed first hand what had happened on Friday, when I could have written it in flashy pink letters on the wall of the Great Hall? Therefore I am definitely entitled to know.", a smirk was tugging at the corner of his mouth

"Why flashy pink?" An amused expression had replaced the serious one she had been supporting up till now.

"Not that this is the point, but I have always hated pink with a passion. So it is logical, that should something mean be written, it should be in pink."

Ginny laughed out. "Undeniable logic. All right. I'll tell you, but you'll have to answer me one question in return."

"Fine." He held out his hand, ready to seal their bargain. She laughed out again at the sight of his mockingly serious expression, but none the less shook the proffered hand.

"Harry and Hermione's relationship started about a year ago. Well,it didn't have an actual start; it more or less flowed from their friendship. She had always loved him. But he thought it was more an obligation then anything else. He still doesn't love her, but respects her greatly, as I found out on Friday. He came up to me and told me, how bad he was feeling in their relationship and that he actually loved me. He also pointed out, that he couldn't leave her, because he didn't want to upset her… To make a long story short, I believed him and gave him what he wanted." Her voice had grown fainter with every word she had said. In the end it was barely even a whisper.

"So, he fucked you when he needed it and then left you when you became too bothersome. He probably didn't even shag his girlfriend up till now. She is far too good to be playing those kind of kinky games with." She flinched at his words, the directness making her feel, how badly she had been used.

"Well… yes. And then, last Friday I confronted him about the situation. I wanted him to leave Hermione." Ginny's shoulders slumped, comprehending how stupid she had been to make such a claim. Suddenly she heard Draco chuckle and looked up, surprised.

"Sorry, but this is so clichéd, that it's hardly gullible." He looked amused, his infamous smirk gracing his face.

"So what! Maybe I'm just a naïve little child, falling for that horny bastard. But I guess one never gets over childhood crushes." She snapped, angry at him for making her feel even worse then before. She averted her head and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You're wrong you know." The tone of his voice made her look up. He had taken two steps and was now standing right in front of her. "Technically you're not a child anymore."

The battlement, on which Ginny was sitting, was about one meter high. And now that Draco was standing so close to her, he registered the fact that they were about eyelevel. Still he was a bit taller then her, which didn't bother him overmuch, quite on the contrary: he liked being in above everybody else, in control. And superior height was a crucial aspect of that aim. She lifted her face to him, her eyes searching his for a decent explanation, about what was going to happen now.

Draco's left hand reached up and tangled in her hair. Drawing his hand slowly down, her head was forced back. Her face was now completely open to him, her expression serene, as if she was ready to be sacrificed to some idol god. His right hand slid along her jaw line, holding her there, giving him total control over her head.

Draco felt an uncontrollable desire in his gut as he touched her. Some kind of burning acid had replaced the blood in his veins. Ginny slowly closed her eyes and her lips parted automatically to him. He softly put him lips to hers. Ginny relaxed completely into his embrace, a deep and satisfied sigh escaping her.

Feeling Ginny's fragile form tremble under his touch made Draco feel strong. The corners of his lips curved up, satisfaction washing over him like a tidal wave. He bit into her lip, shocking her, making her gasp. He forced her even closer to him, deepening the kiss. The hand that was still tangled in her hair gripped forcefully ripping out a few strands in the process.

Suddenly Draco broke the kiss and stepped back. Asmirk again gracing his face, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Later." Was the only thing he said, as he grabbed his book bag and left the tower without as much as a glance back.

His mind was reeling and he felt as if he owned millions of galleons. Which he actually did.

I solemly swear that ... Im up to no good ... and that I will write the chapters way faster from now on. As Im now back in Moscow (Hooray!) I have the means and the time to continue writing and actually posting my work.