Chapter three

Ginny walked back into the manor through the French doors unable to locate Draco. Feeling guilt for insulting him she thought it was best that she just leave. She walked up the stairs and grabbed her things. On her way down she noticed Draco's bedroom door was now closed and considered saying goodbye but thought they had said enough or too much to each other. She walked up to the front door and turned the lock and handle. It opened slightly then slammed quickly relocking. A low and scary voice said to her right. "Don't even think about it." An evil white haired looking man was addressing her in a full length portrait on the wall. He like all the other paintings, resembled Draco and wore emerald green robes.

Ginny pretended as if to not hear him, unlocked, and opened the door again only to have it slammed in her face. "You won't be able to leave." Draco said as he stood at the top of the stairs. He began to descend slowly with a look of disappointment on his face.

"How dare you! You can't just keep me here! I can leave if I want to!" Ginny said as she started to panic more as he got closer with every step. She began to tug and pull at he handle violently frightened that Draco was going to hurt her. Ginny's heart began to pound. There was no way out. Draco was going to attack her just like the man in Knock Turn Alley had. She turned around to face him. She was terrified and began to sob uncontrollably in her hands. Draco leaned forward and reached out as she froze, closed her eyes, and waited for him to hit her.

Ginny heard the lock click and the door opened. Draco had reached behind and opened the door for her. "If you would have let me finish…You won't be able to leave unless I escort you out. The house knows I don't want you to leave and therefore it will prevent you until I permit it." Draco said this calmly but then realized she had been truly frightened. He once again pulled her into his strong arms and held her tightly to his chest. "Shh. It's okay. I would never hurt you. You can trust me." Draco whispered and began stroking her long red hair.

"I thought you were going to attack me! I'm so stupid. I'm sorry. It just scared me feeling like I couldn't get away. Like last night." Ginny began to cry so loud that some of the house elves walked in and asked if they could be of assistance.

Draco was still holding Ginny close to him shooing the elves away. "Do you want to stay a little longer? We don't start school for another week. I'm sure your family must be worried though. I could send them an owl. Or would you prefer to go home?" Draco said with hope that she might stay.

"Oh my God! My parents are probably worried sick about me! They didn't know I snuck out last night to buy the book. Hopefully they think I just woke early to buy it." Ginny said worriedly.

"Well than, I will send them an owl to tell them that you're staying here?" Draco's words trailed off as he realized how ridiculous that would sound.

"NoMalfoy. My mum and dad may feel a little uncomfortable with their only daughter staying at Malfoy Manor. I just can't face them! I am so ashamed! How could I have been so stupid as to go to Diagon Alley so late? It's all my fault!" Ginny yelled and turned her back on Draco.

"It's not your fault. You were just excited about your book. If you thought even for a second you were in danger, you wouldn't have gone." Draco said as he turned her to him and looked in to her eyes. "You have no reason to be ashamed. He was a worthless predator that only took a mere inch of your innocence. You can't let him get away with more by putting yourself through this. If you continue to blame yourself than he wins and got all that he wanted. It wasn't your fault." Ginny looked down feeling shame again. Draco raised her head with his hand and softly kissed her on her forehead.

Ginny's legs felt like they were on fire. Sure she had been kissed on her forehead before but this was Draco Malfoy kissing her. The cruel Slytherin who thought her family was a bunch of blood traitors. Draco Malfoy who insulted her every chance he got. But, he wasn't being cruel or calling her a blood traitor, he was consoling her, hugging her, kissing her (even if it was only on her forehead).

"If it is truly okay with you Malfoy, I would like to stay a little longer. I will send an owl to my parents that I met up with Luna and will be staying at her house for a few days. Oh and I should probably send one to Luna as well….Just in case." Ginny said hoping he would agree.

"Excellent. Now you need to relax. I will draw you a bath and you are not permitted to get out for at least an hour. Do you understand?" Draco commanded forcefully as usual but with a smile.

"My my Mr. Malfoy. Quite bossy aren't we? Oh I suppose I'll comply seeing how I'm a prisoner in your home." Ginny said with a laugh. Although Draco was very domineering with her she actually loved it. She wanted him to take charge so she wouldn't have to think. If she did think, the attack would fill her head again.

"I will call you when it's ready. There is parchment and quills on the veranda. Summon Pablum when your letter is ready. She will then fetch one of our owls." Draco said and ran up the stairs two at a time. Now that was boyish, she thought to herself.

Ginny walked out onto the veranda, sat at the table, and wrote a few lines of lies to her parents without an inch of guilt. She didn't want to tell them what had happened and put them through that. It would probably kill them. She called for Pablum who was there in an instant. Pablum took the two letters and bowed as she walked away. A tremendous weight was lifted off of Ginny's shoulders. Her family would know she was safe and she could try to begin the healing process.

"Are you ready to relax?" Draco said as he walked out.

"Yes I am!" Ginny yelled as she jumped up. Draco took her hand and led her up the stairs. This time they walked down a hallway in the opposite direction of her room. It was long and dark with only one door at the very end. Draco opened the door into what Ginny assumed to be another guest room.

"This is one of my mother's favorite rooms. It has the largest tub in the entire house." Draco said arrogantly.

"Yep. That's enough for me. I think I'll just stick with my shower." Ginny said backing out of the room. She knew very well that Narcissa Malfoy would perform the killing curse on Ginny if she found a 'blood traitor' like her in her room.Draco turned and hurried behind her.

"Now, now. You don't have to worry. Trust me. Come and see." Draco said in a playful manor tugging her into the bathroom. The bathroom was as large as the burrow. It was surrounded with silvery marble walls and tiles. There were green curtains spilling over the large windows and every fixture was silver. Draco had lit at least fifty green candles that bordered the sinks, window sills, and bath tub. Oh, the bath tub was the size of a small swimming pool with jets every where. The water was an emerald green and was covered in hundreds of red rose petals. The water was reeling Ginny closer to it.

"Malfoy, it's beautiful. I don't know what to say." Ginny couldn't wait to get in.

"Don't say anything. Just get in, relax, and clear your mind. I'll be back in an hour." Draco said as he closed the bathroom door behind her. Ginny smiled and undressed. She stepped in and immediately felt just right. The temperature was right, the aroma was right, and the feeling was just right. She wasn't sure if she could ever get out. Ginny began moving from jet to jet feeling and comparing the different strengths and motions of each one. She couldn't pin point one she liked the best. They were all so wonderful. She could barely recall the attack and could only think of Draco. He had changed so much but how or why? What had happened to him in these short months over the summer to make him into such a caring and considerate person? Ginny couldn't figure it out and after a short time in the emerald water, didn't care. He had changed and was helping her deal with a tragic event. She closed her eyes and dozed off.

"It's me, there's a robe on the sink if you're ready to come out." Draco said with a soft knock. Ginny awoke and got out of the bath tub wrapping herself in the white and silver robe. She opened the door where Draco stood smiling. "Now how do you feel?"

"Completely relaxed. Thank you." Ginny said very gratefully.

"I went out and got you a few things since you'll be staying a while. I hope you don't mind." Draco said with his smirk and his hands behind his back.

"Oh please! Like I would mind. No really, you didn't have to. But since you did, what did you get me?" Ginny said clapping her hands together and trying to look behind him.

"Well you're not too shy to accept gifts now are you?" Draco said in a teasing manner and trying not to let her see what he had.

"Oh stop! I didn't mean it like that." Ginny said embarrassed.

Draco pulled out two brown bags from behind his back and handed them to her. One was large and one was small. Ginny sat down on the bed being careful to cover herself properly with the robe. She pulled a pair of soft flannel green pants and a green thermal shirt. They were exactly like the ones she had worn the previous night but in her size. "What you're so selfish that I can't keep yours?" Ginny said laughing.

"Hey those are my favorite! I could tell you really liked them but they were too big for you. So I got you your own. Now were both happy aren't we? (A/N- Okay, I know matching pajamas is a little corny but unfortunately that's exactly my personality so please excuse me and read on!)

"Thank you Malfoy. That was sweet of you." Ginny said turning red. She dove back in the bag and pulled out a couple of outfits. There were a couple of pairs of Jeans one light blue and one dark. A few tank tops, cotton shirts, and socks. "I can't believe you did this. You're so generous and have quite a fashion sense. Now I'm worried!" Ginny teased eyeing him up and down.

"Don't get any ideas there Red!" Draco said in a defensive way. "One bag left."

Ginny pulled out a small black and green box from the bag that had the word Forbidden written across it. "What's this?…Forbidden?"

Draco cleared his throat and set next to her on the bed. He looked deep into her eyes and spoke in a serious and strong manner. "It's a reminder to us both to remember who we are and that our friendship is forbidden. I doubt we would get much applause if we walked through the great hall together announcing our new found friendship. It's best to keep it quiet. Mostly for your safety. My family would kill you the second they caught wind of this."

"I know they would. I've given it some thought and agree. So what's inside anyway?" Ginny said opening the black and green box. "OOOhhh perfume. Wow, it smells incredible."

"I thought it smelled like you. Every time you where this, it will remind us both of the time we shared here at my manor but will also remind us to never let anyone else know. There's also this inside." Draco pulled out a silver necklace with a snake and lion intertwined charm.

"Malfoy! This is so wonderful. Thank you." Ginny said and wrapped her arms around his neck. Realizing she was only wearing a robe, she thought it best to change and stood. "I'm going to get changed. We're not going anywhere are we?"

"Not unless you want to? I was thinking we could just lounge around and talk. I'm going to change into MY pajamas. Be back in a sec." Draco said and left the room.

Ginny went back into the bathroom and put on her new pajamas. They fit perfectly. She then dabbed a little of the perfume on her neck and wrists and put on the chain but hid it under her shirt. She didn't want to look too obviously excited about her gifts. Draco seemed to be taking forever so she walked into his room, grabbed a Quidditch magazine from his night stand, and lay on his bed. He walked out of his bathroom and saw her lying on his bed. She's a Weasley Draco! Bad thoughts, bad thoughts, get out. She's your new friend and has been through something terrible. Don't even think about it! Draco thought to himself. "Well you look comfortable! I'm not going to have to buy an exact replica of my bed in your size now am I?" Draco said as he jumped and landed next to her.

"Well Mr. Malfoy, do what you feel is right. Just kidding. Don't you dare. I was just waiting for you. Cool magazine." Ginny said continuing to read as she lay on her side and began twirling a piece of her long red hair through her fingers. Draco just stared at her and smiled as he also lay on his side facing her. She was beautiful and in his bed. His thoughts seemed to overcome him so he turned and lay on his back as to stop staring at her. He let out a big sigh. "Are you alright?" Ginny said leaning a little closer to him.

"I'm fine. Just thinking. Maybe we should get off the be- I mean get out of here." Draco was trying to not sound too obvious that he was fighting every urge not to pull her to him and kiss her.

"OH! But, I'm so comfy! Do we have to? I thought you wanted to talk anyway." Ginny said stretching out and yawning. As she did her shirt crept up a bit and exposed her belly button.

Draco looked at her stomach and jumped up in a hurry. "Okay! Yes. Let's talk shall we? So, who's your favorite Quidditch team?" Draco yelled as he started pacing the room.

"You're talking a bit loud don't you think. Are you sure you're alright?" Ginny said trying not to laugh.

"I'M FINE! I JUST THINK IT'S BEST THAT I UH WALK AROUND FOR A BIT YOU KNOW. KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING!" Draco yelled as he was trying not to look at the gorgeous red head lying on his bed looking so inviting. Ginny finally caught on to what was happening and smiled while she stood.

"I think a walk is a good idea Draco." She said and scooped her arm around his as they walked out.