For once Ginny Weasley was lost. She was completely baffled by the hustle and bustle all over Durmstrang. No doubt it was approaching 14th of February, the infamous Saint Valentine's Day, the excitement was completely unexplainable, especially in an all boys school.
"I don't see the point of you guys getting all excited over Valentine's, really. Who are you going to give your chocolates and presents to anyway? We're all of the same gender over here in Durmstrang" Ginny had complained during one of the meal times, barely a week from Valentine's Day.
"Don't be daft, Xav. Being in an all boys school doesn't mean we can't have crushes" Harry chuckled.
"I don't see how unless…"Ginny grinned mischievously.
"Merlin, you're not suggesting that we're gays, no way. There are girls in Beauxbaton and Hogwarts aren't there? Man, you are daft" Bill Cravens sighed, earning multiple nods from the other boys.
"Oh, stop being so hard on him, he's just too protected, by his brothers" Harry said in attempt to rescue the little red head.
"Who says I'm daft? I've all my presents ready" thought Ginny as she grinned to herself.
"What's with that smile? Are you plotting something against someone?" Draco muttered as he ruffled her fiery red hair.
"No. Why would I do anything like that anyway?" Ginny replied as she grinned at the blonde.
"Right. Let's get started or we'll never be able to finish all these work" Draco said as he eyed the stack of homework set by their teachers.
"K" Ginny nodded as she proceeded to work on her pile of work.
"Watch it, the post is coming in" Someone yelled as flocks of birds flew into the great hall.
"Let's see. Owls, Eagles, Cockatoos, Pigeons, Large Tropical Birds and…a swan? My, my, aren't the girls of the wizarding world getting weirder by the years. Last year someone sent dear Keitaro a sparrow and the poor little bird had to carry a parcel which was at least 5 times it's own weight" Harry announced.
"Look out, the swan's coming this way. Everybody duck" Thanos yelled as the huge bird landed hard on the Pegasus table. Ginny stared in disbelieve as the swan sauntered gracefully towards Draco and dropped a huge, red, heart-shaped box in front of the blond.
"Looks like Pansy's outdone herself again. Last year, it was a dove, this year, a swan? What's she going send next year? A Pterodactyl?" " Harry teased, prompting the blond to glare at him. Reluctantly, Draco reached out to open the box and it began to sing in Pansy's shrilly voice.
"Roses are Red, Violets are blue, and my love for you is everlasting, like the sun that shines"
"Shut that thing up, mate. I'm losing my ears" Harry yelled as he covered his ears with his hands, attempting to block out the offending sound.
"Yuck. How uncouth?" Ginny said as she released her grip on her ears when Draco had shut the box.
"You think that's uncouth? You should have heard the rap she sent him last year" Harry smirked, "It went like this, 'I love your…'"
"Shut it, mate. I'm throwing this away," Draco said as he tossed the box aside.
"Well, judging from that reaction of his, I still stand a chance," thought Ginny as she grinned at the blond.
"Draco, I've got something for you" Ginny said as they stepped into their room. Then running over to her trunk, she took out a little pink bag and handed it to him.
"Just a little present to thank you for taking care of me" Ginny grinned as she handed him the bag. Opening the bag, the blond realized that it contained chocolates.
"I made them. Try it" Ginny said.
Draco stared at her in disbelief, then grabbing Ginny by the wrist, he blurted out, "Can I interpret this in my own way?"
"What are you talking about? What's wrong? You're scaring me" Ginny squeaked as a result of the shock.
"For Merlin's sake, it's Valentine's Day. Giving me this could only mean one thing," Draco muttered as he released his grip and took off into the bathroom, leaving an utterly stunned and confused Ginny crumbling to the floor.
"What's going on? Is he angry with me? What did I do?" thought Ginny as she crawled into her bed in confusion, waiting for sleep to overcome her.
"What was I trying to do? I must have scared her real bad. But I would be torturing myself if I didn't tell her anything. She'd better get what I'm trying to say" thought Draco as showers of water poured over him (Ooh…Draco in the bath)
"Xav, you're doing it again," Harry muttered.
"Huh…what?" Ginny snapped out of her daze to look at her friend.
"You're staring into space again. What did he do this time?" Harry asked matter-of-factly.
"Shh, not so loud. It's nothing much really," Ginny stammered.
"If you're not going to tell me, I'll just have to ask him myself" Harry humphed.
"Ask who about what?" Draco crept up from behind the bespectacled boy, causing Ginny to jump a little.
"I need to finish up some assignments, I'll be off first. See you in class" Ginny squeaked and scurried off. Draco stared at her in bewilderment before registering the cause of her reaction. Frowning a little, he told his best friend, "I'm going after him"
"Draco," Harry said in an unusually serious tone, "Don't hurt him"
Draco knew that his best friend would not have taken that tone with him if the latter didn't mean it. He could tell that Harry was determined enough to wring his neck and skin him alive if he'd ever made Ginny cry again. Nodding in response, he ran out of the great hall to search for Ginny.
"I can't believe myself, just can't believe it. I ran away. Like a silly little girl, what is he going to think of me?" Ginny thought to herself as she slumped herself down on one of the swaying benches in the garden that Lucius has recently decided to build to "make Durmstrang a more lively place".
"Xav, Xav where are you?" Draco's familiar voice sounded across the garden.
"Hide. I've got to hide," thought Ginny as she headed for a huge tree and attempted to hide behind it. But she was too late. He'd seen her. Walking swiftly towards the tree, Draco caught her by the upper arms.
"Why? Why are you hiding from me? Am I that detestable?" yelled the blond.
"No, no. It's just…I got scared. I didn't know how I've offended you. If you really hated chocolates, I could always take it back," Ginny whispered timidly.
"No, I won't give it back. You don't take back things that you've already given to others." Draco yelled.
"But…but I really don't know what I've done wrong? I don't know anything…"Ginny said softly.
"You want to know what's wrong? I'll tell you what's wrong. I'll tell you. I like you, that's what it is. I LIKE YOU. And I don't want have you running away every time I'm around" Draco yelled out before turning around and walking back into the school, leaving a completely speechless Ginny sitting under the tree to ponder about what had happened.
"And then, he said he likes me. And now, I'm all confused. What should I do? He still thinks I'm a guy…or does he really like guys???" thought Ginny as she took her bath. Draco had apparently decided to stay out late that night so Ginny took the opportunity to hog the bathroom.
"I need to talk to Aunt Narcissa, and fast. I really hate to run away from him all the time, and I'm getting tired as well…" thought Ginny as she stepped out of the bathroom. However, she was so deep in thought she did not notice the blond standing in front of her and to her utter surprise, she walked straight into Draco.
"I…I…I'm sorry" Ginny stuttered as she tried to step away from him, but she was trapped by his arms which were now embracing her. Looking up at him in confusion, Ginny saw that the blond had hung his head low so as to hide his face from her with his long fringe.
"Please…let me go…" Ginny whimpered. No response.
"Draco…please…I need to…" Ginny asked again but was interrupted.
"No. I'll not let you go. Never" Draco said before capturing her lips with his in a swift motion. Shocked by his actions, Ginny attempted to pull away from him, but the more she tried to move away, the tighter he held her to him.
Draco caressed her lips with his own and then his tongue. The unbearably sweet sensation caused Ginny to gasp and Draco seized the chance to slip his tongue into her mouth. Teasing her, taunting her and playing with her until Ginny felt so weak in the knees that she had to lean on Draco for support. Her hands, on their own volition, moved to wrap themselves around his neck. It seemed like hours before they finally broke off to catch their breathes.
"I…I…" Ginny began to speak but was interrupted by Draco again. (Seems like Draco likes to interrupt…hmm…)
"I like you, I will never let you go and I hope that sinks into your head." Draco said as he looked at Ginny with intensity she has never seen before. Quietly, but not reluctantly, she nodded. Catching the tiny but visible nod, Draco smiled at her before drawing her into his embrace.
"Morning mates, how was your Valentine's?" Harry asked as he draped each of his arms over the shoulders of Draco and Ginny.
"It's just another passing day," remarked Draco, not wishing to look at either of the two.
Ginny blushed furiously and nodded, as she recalled the memories of the previous night. The kiss they shared, the burning sensation that coursed through her when Draco teased her tongue with his own.
"Well, I gather that you two have sorted out your differences, or should I say, similarities. Good for you then, and for me as well, cause I never have to put up with your cold wars ever again" grinned Harry as he pushed Ginny towards Draco and moved aside so that Ginny now stood between him and Draco.
Hey everyone,
Finally, the long awaited chappie is here. Enjoy and keep the reviews coming in.
Hugz,
tgimd