Thank you to all that reviewed. It inspired me to go on. It's a little late so forgive me for any mistakes.
Chapter Four
Ginny and Draco walked out back onto the grounds of Malfoy Manor. The sun was starting to set and it was beginning to get a little chilly. Draco put his arm around Ginny when he saw her teeth chattering. "Let's start a fire and have some butterbeer shall we?" Ginny agreed and they walked over to a large sunken fire pit and sat in two cozy lounge chairs that were the usual Malfoy green with silver snakes. Draco started the fire with a red light that shot from his wand and lit the large pieces of wood from the pit. "I'll be back." Draco said and set off back to the house.
Ginny laid her head back and stared up at the stars. It had been so long since she had truly star gazed and was taken aback by the beauty in the sky. She could hear the rustling of the trees and the dripping water of the fountain. Draco returned shortly with butterbeer and blankets. He handed Ginny her mug and set his down on the ledge of a wall that surrounded them in the pit. The only visible light was that of the crackling fire and the stars. He unfolded a fluffy green and silver blanket and covered Ginny. They talked about everything from Quidditch, to the upcoming year, and the craziness of their forbidden friendship.
"I can just see Granger's face. 'I just knew this would happen! I read it in a book once that your personality's would eventually lead to a secret friendship." Draco said mocking Hermione and sipping his butter beer.
Ginny laughed but then reminded him "Malfoy, she is one of my best friends. You better lay off her this year. And not just her, everyone I know or things will get really weird."
Draco sat up quickly. "I can't lay off anyone. People will know something's up. I have…We have to go on like everything's the same. You have to hate me at school and I have to call you a filthy little blood traitor." Draco said with an evil grin. "Or maybe I'll just call you my naughty little Gryffindor."
"Malfoy!" Ginny got up and smacked him on the arm. "Now every time you say it I'm going to think you mean the other thing and how will I keep a straight face while hating you?" Ginny continued to smack him playfully as Draco blocked the blows with his hands over his head.
"Hey I'm just kidding! Quit it!" He yelled and pulled her on top of him and began to tickle her.
"Noooo sssstop! I can't ttttake it!" Ginny couldn't stop laughing. She was very ticklish and that fact that it was Draco Malfoy as the perpetrator, it made her giggle even more. Ginny began to wiggle her way free which caused them both to fall to the ground with Draco landing on top of her. He tried to break her fall before they landed but was only successful in grasping her hand and catching her head from hitting the ground instead.
The tickling and laughing stopped and they just stared at each other panting heavily. "I didn't hurt you did I?" Draco said with his hair falling into his face. He had no intention of moving. The fire flickered red and yellow flames which sent smoldering red smoke all around them. The crackling of the fire was the only noise they could hear.
"No. It's okay." Ginny whispered as she used her free hand to brush his soft blonde hair away from his face.
"Is it?" Draco said as he leaned in slowly and kissed her softly. Ginny felt her entire body turn warm in a split second and felt soft shocks in her lower back and thighs. Draco's heart was pounding and his lips began to tingle. He continued to kiss her and had no intention of stopping until she asked him to. Ginny didn't want him to stop kissing her. He was so gentle in how he kissed and held her. Soon the kissing became more passionate and Draco began squeezing the hand he held powerfully. Ginny knew he wanted more but it wasn't right. Not there. Not then. She slowly pulled away and began to stroke his hair which was continually falling back into his face.
Draco smiled and gave her another short kiss then stood and helped her up. She didn't know what to say or do and began to feel uncomfortable fiddling with her blanket. Draco on the other hand, felt like he could run a marathon (if they had existed in the wizarding world). He scooped her up into his arms and swung her around in circles. "I've been waiting to do that forever!" He said as he put her down slowly.
His wild behavior began to put Ginny at ease. "How long is forever?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Like I'm going to tell you! Long enough okay. Long enough." Draco said as he took her hand. "You tired?"
"A little. Why?" Ginny said as they walked inside the manor.
"We could go to my room and talk a bit?" Draco said heading towards the stairs.
"No I don't think we should. I'm not ready for that." Ginny said as the uncomfortable feeling returned and lowered her eyes to the ground. But, why should she wait? It's not like she had anything special to wait for anymore. Draco realized where her thoughts were headed and quickly turned her to him.
"When I said go to my room and talk, that's exactly what I meant. I know you're not like that." He said sincerely and raised her head to look at him. "You're saving that for someone special and I'm not about to try and take that from you. I can't promise that I won't kiss you again but I can promise that that's as far as it will go. You can trust me. So please, trust me."
Ginny felt a stream of giddiness with those words. Although she felt like damaged goods, Draco wouldn't hear of it. He insisted that what happened in Knock Turn Alley was over and she was still an innocent girl that was saving herself for the right time.
They entered his room and plopped down on the bed. Draco quickly put his arm around her waist and slid her closer snuggling his face into her neck. He started to stroke her long red hair as he stared into her gleaming green eyes. "By the way, you smell incredible. I'm sorry to say that the perfume isn't doing a very good job of reminding me that you're forbidden to me. It just makes me want to attack -uh kiss you…..Sorry." Draco wished he could have picked a better choice of words.
"It's okay. Maybe I shouldn't wear it then?" Ginny said grinning.
"No please wear it. I'll learn to control myself somehow." Draco said thinking about how hard that would be now that they had finally kissed. They continued to talk throughout the night until they fell asleep. Ginny awoke at around 3:00am realizing she was at the other side of the bed far away from him. She considered going to her room but decided against it remembering how he had asked her to trust him. She scooted towards him and nuzzled her body into his. He moaned softly then pulled her even closer wrapping his arms and legs around her. She felt so safe in his strong arms and it felt so right. She kissed his lips and he moaned again in agreement. They continued to kiss until they dozed off to sleep for the remainder of the night.
Ginny awoke to Draco staring at her and stroking her hair. "Good Morning. Hungry?"
But, before Ginny could answer, the front door opened and shut quickly. Draco leapt from his bed and peered out his bedroom door. "It's my mother. You've got to be kidding me! After a whole year she decides to return today!"
"Malfoy. What should I do?" Ginny whispered in fear.
"Don't worry. She probably won't recognize you. You're one of my new girlfriends okay? I'll do the talking." Draco whispered back quickly.
"What do you mean one of your new girlfr-." Ginny shut her mouth as Narcissa walked into the room with a suspicious look on her face.
"Mum! You're finally home! How was your holiday?" Draco said sounding a little too excited to see her.
"I wouldn't exactly call it a holiday Draco. Who's this?" Narcissa said looking Ginny up and down with disgust.
"Oh….This is my uh. Uh." Draco just froze and didn't continue. Ginny waited only a second and stepped in front of him extending her hand.
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy. I'm Rose Parkinson. Draco's new girlfriend?" Ginny said uneasily and glanced over at Draco who was giving her a look of 'That's the best you could come up with?'. She returned a glare of 'That's better than you did!'
"Are you sure about that? You do realize my son has so many girls in and out of this room that it's hard for me to keep track of you all. You resemble someone I've seen before. Rose Parkinson did you say? Any relation to Pansy?" Narcissa said coldly attempting to put Ginny in her place.
"Yes. She's my cousin." Ginny said still stumbling over her words and looking at Draco for assistance.
Narcissa let a loud laugh and looked over at Draco. "Cousin! I wish you would choose your play toys a little more carefully dear. Try not to choose two from the same family in the future, it can be quite a mess to clean up. What's with the matching outfits anyway?"
"Oh she and I-" Draco stopped suddenly.
Narcissa raised her hand to refrain him from finishing and began to massage her temples. "You know what? I'd rather you not answer that please. I'm here to pick up a few things and will be off. Nice to have met you Rose now please excuse me." Narcissa left the room and walked down the hallway. A few moments later they heard Narcissa leave the manor.
Draco and Ginny let out a loud sigh in unison. "Rose Parkinson?" Draco whispered.
"What did you expect? I had to think quickly. You just froze and I'd rather not die today!" Ginny said and crossed her arms. She sat back down on his bed and began to mumble to herself. "One of my new girlfriends….my son has so many in and out of this room…Uh!….Two from the same family….You stupid git!" Ginny said and stormed out of the room.
"Wait! What's wrong?" Draco said as he ran after her. She tried to lock the door behind her but when he approached it, it unlocked for him and he opened the door.
"Oh this stupid house! Following your every command. You always get what you want Malfoy! I can't believe I turned into one of your play toys. How could I have been so stupid? I'm shocked that at least one of your many girlfriends hasn't stopped by to join in the festivities!" Ginny screamed.
"Me too." Draco said trying to joke realizing that she wasn't in a playful mood a bit too late. She slapped him across the face and stormed out again this time grabbing her things and wand. He followed her down the stairs. "Please let me explain. That was stupid of me to say. My mother was just trying to hurt you. I promise I haven't had girls in my room since last year." Ginny's jaw dropped.
"If this is your way of trying to make me feel better, it's not working!"
"No! I'm trying to be honest with you. I won't deny that what she said was true last year. But it's not anymore! Many things have changed about me and having several girlfriends is just one of them." Draco said hoping she wouldn't leave.
"Listen Malfoy, I've just realized what a mistake I've made. I think I should go. I will see you at school." Ginny said refusing to look him in the eye afraid he may be able to convince her to stay.
"But…I….Please stay?" Draco clasped his hands together begging her not to leave. Ginny didn't budge and simply stared at the door waiting for him to unlock it. With a great feeling of loss, Draco opened the door and escorted her out. "I'm not sure what I've done but I am truly sorry. See you at school." He leaned in and kissed her softly. She kissed back only for a moment and then pushed him away. She began to cry and ran down the drive quickly apparating to the Burrow.