It wasn't long before Ginny's stomach rumbled and they decided it was time to go to dinner. They were halfway to the Great Hall when Ginny stopped.
When Draco turned to face her, she said, "Um, house tables…"
His look of curiosity turned to a frown. "I hadn't thought of that. I guess we don't have to eat together." He didn't look like he enjoyed the prospect.
Ginny didn't either. She didn't mind eating with her house mates, but she didn't have any real friends among them, and she knew he didn't have any friends at the Slytherin table. She thought for a moment. "You know, I'm not sure how you'd feel about it, but the teachers table is set up on a dais and, well, I wouldn't mind eating on the steps over in one of the corners." When she saw the look on his face, she added, "Or we could grab something from the kitchens and eat anywhere we want."
He thought for a moment. Closing his eyes, he made his decision, "Screw them all, right?" He opened his eyes, "Let's eat on the steps. Everyone will figure out we don't hate each other eventually so there's no point in avoiding it." He shrugged.
She looked worried about something.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Draco…you do realize that everyone will skip 'friends,' right? They'll assume something quite a bit more." She spoke softly and as though she was afraid of his reaction.
He clenched his jaw. "I know," he said slowly. "Look," his countenance changed and he seemed determined about something, "the only reaction I'm actually worried about is Lucius' and his will be murder no matter how far I turn against him. Since I have no intention of becoming a death eater, I suppose it doesn't really matter what he hears, as long as you understand that by associating with me you increase the threat to your own life."
She smiled a little and cocked her head with a shrug. "He wants me dead anyway, so, like you said, who cares how bad he wants it?"
He looked relieved. "So, you ready to go start up the rumour mill?" He offered her his arm.
She grinned mischievously as she took it, "You have no idea."
She had dropped his arm before the reached the Great Hall due to the rather unnatural feel walking like that produces, but the absence of such a connection in no way lessened the impact of their entrance. As they walked through the doors, talking and smiling, every head turned their way and silenced filled the hall.
They paused in their conversation and surveyed their fellow students, looked at each other, shrugged, and went to their respective tables. Most of the hall eagerly turned back to their friends to talk about what had just happened, but their housemates with whom they usually ate continued to stare. They had not taken seats, but rather were preparing plates while still standing.
Ron was so red Ginny was surprised he hadn't burst a blood vessel and Harry was so white he looked like he should faint. Hermione just looked confused. Everyone was too surprised to say anything as she took her plate and a glass of pumpkin juice and headed for the steps.
Malfoy's classmates were trying to ask questions or talk him out of whatever it was he was doing. He ignored them all and joined Ginny.
About fifteen minutes later, Ron recovered the power of thought, or at least muscle movement. He got up and stormed over to his sister. Grabbing her wrist, he struggled to say "Come on, we need to talk."
She looked at his hand on her wrist and up at his face. "I don't think so. I'm not done eating yet. We can 'talk' later, although I'm sure it will be more like you yelling at me than a two-way conversation. Right now, though, I'd appreciate it if you let go of my wrist, I think you're starting to bruise it." Her words were perfectly calm, but her eyes were flashing dangerously.
Draco had been watching Ron's face placidly, but at her last statement he sought her eyes. When she refused to take her eyes off her brother's, he looked down at her hand. Ron's knuckles were white he was gripping her wrist so hard. Draco's hand shot out on its own accord and grabbed Ron's wrist in a similar manner. Squeezing as hard as he could, till his knuckles were white, he looked up and found Ron looking at him. He growled, "How does it feel?"
Ron immediately released Ginny's wrist and Draco released his. Both Weasley's started rubbing their bruised flesh. Ron looked back at his sister and bit out, "We'll talk later!" and stalked off.
Draco turned to Ginny and asked, "Are you all right?"
She was watching her brother walk away, still rubbing her wrist. "Yeah, I'll be all right."
He gently reached for her arm so he could examine the already appearing bruises. Taking his wand, he touched its tip to the bruises, healing them.
She finally turned to look at him, "Thanks."
He looked at her softly, "Are you sure about this? I mean, I don't care if I lose my father, I'll be glad about it, but your family means a lot to you."
She smiled weakly. "I'm sure. I'll deal with them."
He nodded.
They continued their meal, eating in silence for a while. By the time they were done, she was relating stories about the twins and they were laughing as they left the hall, gaining them even more shocked stares.