Undivided
Chapter 1: Welcome him back
Author's jibberish: Happy Holidays everyone! I know, I'm so late…Well, I hope everyone had a cool Christmas and New Years. Here is the first chapter.
Ginny Weasley sat on the high back seats of the compartment. She sat alone in the Prefect cart, since her brother had left. Ron was, by far, her true best friend. She did have some other friends, like Colin Creevey, but no one she could cry to.
Laid open on her lap was a small red leather bound book. She had kept it in perfect condition after these couple of months. She had read all of the 152 sonnets in that book but Sonnet XXXVI was the most special.
"Drac…er, Malfoy."
"Weasley, you know you shouldn't--."
"I just want to say congratulations."
"Oh. Alright then."
"Do you think I'll see you after this?"
Ginny sighed. She remembered last June's graduation as if it were yesterday. He shook his head at her. She guessed that already. Their lives could not co-exist; disaster would ensue. He was rich, powerful and a reluctant servant for the darkest wizard this century has seen. She was of a good-hearted lower class family who had been subject to his father's ridicule. It was for a brief time, but they shared quiet content moments. But it was better this way. If she didn't see him, the better. It was like the saying "Out of sight, out of mind…"
…Which could also be countered with "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." It was not like they were in love, heavens no! They were, in her words, friendly. In all honesty, she didn't know what to call it. Mutual respect was too formal. She would call it that if he didn't give her the poem.
Let me confess that we two must be twain
Although our undivided loves are one:
So shall those blots that do with me remain,
Without thy help, by me be borne alone.
In our two loves there is but one respect,
Though in our lives a separable spite,
Which, though it alter not love's sole effect.
Yet doth it steal sweet hours from love's delight.
I may not evermore acknowledge thee,
Lest my bewailed guilt should do thee shame,
Nor thou with public kindness honour me,
Unless thou take that honour from thy name:
But do not so; I love thee in such sort
As thou being mine, mine is thy good report.
Draco Malfoy revealed to her that he didn't want to be a Deatheater. She used this information to her advantage; she blackmailed him to help her understand Romeo and Juliet. It turned out that they enjoyed each other's company. Usually, she would sit near the fireplace, reading, while he would lounge in his bed, studying. They would meet in secret in his Head Boy Quarters and there was once a time they fell asleep in each other's presence. One night, she found the Dark Mark on his arm. He explained that he was a Deatheater and during his initiation, he was thrilled. Soon the poison of the green light caused him to regret; he murdered and tortured in the name of the Dark Lord. However, he couldn't run away; strangers' lives were not worth his own. He rejected contact with her, for reasons unknown to her, and sent her that book of Shakespeare's Sonnets, with Sonnet XXXVI bookmarked. They never met after that; just occasional passing in the halls. He left Hogwarts without any special words to her, just Shakespeare's sonnet to convey his feelings. She did miss him.
"Damn…" Ginny sighed.
"Damn what?" came a voice. She turned to the door and saw fellow Gryffindor and Prefect, Colin Creevey, standing there.
"Oh nothing."
"It's that book again," he said, sitting across from her. "You brought that everywhere with you last term and you still refuse to tell me who gave it to you."
"Someone--," she smiled.
"Special, yes, I've heard that," he interrupted. "Honestly, Ginny, you refuse to let me know the scum who keeps you hanging."
"Colin," Ginny said warningly.
He knew that tone. He was near 'that line'. "Sorry, Ginny. You know how I feel, don't you?"
"I do."
"It's just…I don't want you throwing your time away."
"Colin, it's just a book of poetry. And besides, the odds of me seeing him again are 1 to 1 billion."
Colin smiled. "That bad, huh? Do I have a chance?"
"Colin," she used that tone again.
"Well, it was worth a shot…"
"All this?" Colin asked.
Three cards were lying beside her on her seat. Each card had a message in identical script.
Do not come back to Hogwarts.
Do not come back to school.
For your safety, do not return to Hogwarts.
"I received one about early July, then mid-July, then right before I left for London."
"Sounds serious. Did you tell your mother?"
"And worry her? Heavens no! It's probably a prank. I bet it's from Denise Cobbs. Still sour about me becoming a prefect and not her," Ginny shook her head. "God knows why she's so jealous."
Colin shrugged. "Don't take any Slytherin's messages lightly. There's always something behind it."
"Slytherin's messages…" Ginny quoted slightly amused. The cards were soon forgotten and all she could think of was of those certain steel eyes…
"Ravenclaw!" the Hat sorted Agnes White.
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was packed. Ginny loved the welcome feasts; it reminded her of her first emotions staring at the wide-eye first-years. The noise of the room elevated as Agnes took a seat.
Then, Headmaster Dumbledore stood and all was quiet. "Before the feast, I have a few words to say."
Ginny's stomach started growling. "Oh, come on, please make it quick," she muttered. Colin, who sat beside her, snickered. She completely drowned out the announcement of the Dark Forest. And then she heard,
"Let me introduce to you this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher--."
"Who's this year's model?" Colin muttered.
"He graduated from here last year. I'm sure many of you remember him. He was an excellent student, graduating 2nd in his year. He has an extensive knowledge on the subject and after some intense summer learning, he will have much to share with you. I am pleased to welcome him back," Dumbledore gestured to a young man, seated to the right of Professor Snape. "Professor Malfoy, will you please stand?"
Ginny's head shot up. A tall, lean man, with silvery blond slicked back hair, stood. Loud wall-shaking cheers came from the Slytherin table while murmurs came from the other three.
"The hell…?" Colin gasped. "I don't believe it… It's Draco Malfoy."
Something went a-flutter in Ginny's chest. Something swelled in anticipation as she set her eyes on her new teacher. But the light feeling turned into confusion because as he took a seat, his eyes turned to her. In his gaze was an unreadable expression.
~*to be continued*~
Author's jibberish: And Draco finally decides to grace us with his presence…=)