A/N-WOW! I gotlike 22 of reviews. I guess you guys liked it! This one's kind of long. Sorry! I'm on a roll here!
Chapter 14
Ginny and Draco stayed in the kitchens talking until three in the morning. They walked back to his dormitory and continued to talk on the bed about nothing in particular. Ginny finally dozed off as he held her close and stroked her hair. Draco whispered something that made her wake up. "What did you say?" Ginny asked while yawning.
"Oh nothing. Good night." Draco smiled, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep. Ginny awoke at seven o'clock frantically. She quickly removed Draco's clothes and put her own back on. Draco awoke to her cursing her blouse as she was having trouble buttoning it. "Are you okay?" Draco whispered and rubbed his eyes.
"No of course not! Everyone in my dormitory will know I didn't sleep there last night and it will only be a matter of time before Ron finds out! What should I do? What if he asks me?" Ginny's voice started to crack.
Draco slid off the bed and grabbed her hand. "It's simple. Just tell him you were shagging thePrince of Slytherin all night."
Ginny laughed but then shoved him away. "Draco! It's not funny. I need to think of something to say. What would have kept me out all night?"
Draco scratched his head as he thought. "Just tell him you were on the pitch practicing and then fell asleep in the changing room while taking a break."
"That's wonderful!" Ginny said as she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him all over his face. "I've been saying that I need to work on my accuracy! You're so smart. I'll see you later." Ginny quickly disappeared behind the painting.
Not having anyone to answer to, Draco plopped on the bed and went to sleep. It was Sunday and he had nothing planned for the day. At about eleven o'clock there was a knock at the door. He opened it and to his dismay it was Pansy. "What in the hell do you want Parkinson?"
"Oh please! Don't flatter yourself Draco. I'm simply delivering an owl so get over yourself. I've moved on already." Pansy said hoping to get a rise out him.
Draco snatched the parchment out of her hand. "I bet that took all of ten seconds didn't it? Good luck to the bloke you're shagging now. I hope he can handle a stalker." He slammed the door in her face and sat at his desk opening the parchment.
Mr. Malfoy,
I have informed Mr. Potter of your assignment to assist the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Please attend their practice today at one o'clock. I await your notification that you have sent your apology to Mr. McLaggen.
Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore
P.S.-Please ensure Miss Weasley returns to her dormitory at a more reasonable hour next time.
Blood began to rise into Draco's head. The thought that Dumbledore knew he had kept Ginny out all night utterly embarrassed him. "What doesn't that man know?" Draco said to himself as he chuckled. He took a quick shower and headed for the Great Hall for a quick lunch. He immediately spotted Ginny talking to Hermione and Luna. He scanned the table for Harry who he found to be thinking hard about something. Ron was stuffing his face as usual and spitting food as he said something to Hermione. Draco looked back over at Harry who looked agitated about something. Of course Draco knew what it was. He would be upset as well if Harry was instructed to assist in the Slytherin practices.
Draco thought it best to wait until he saw the Gryffindor team leave the Great Hall before heading to the pitch. If there was going to be a conflict, he preferred to settle it on the pitch and not in front of the entire school again. As Draco walked out onto the grounds he felt a gentle wind blow through his hair. He walked slowly trying to give Harry enough time to inform his team about their upcoming visitor. Unfortunately he arrived too soon.
Ron caught sight of him and walked towards him. "We've got the pitch today Malfoy."
"I know you do Weasley. I'm not here by choice. Dumbledore has sent me to assist in your practices as part of my punishment for injuring McLaggen. I see he hasn't made it out of the hospital wing yet. Too bad for him. Where's Potter?" Draco said scanning the pitch.
"You can't be serious! Dumbledore has gone mental!" Ron yelled and walked over to the rest of the team to inform them. Draco finally spotted Harry at the far end of the pitch laughing with Ginny. He walked towards them trying to pretend Ginny wasn't there.
"Potter."
"Malfoy." Harry sighed deeply. "I was only informed about your assignment this morning so I'm not sure what you're going to be doing yet. Why don't you observe from the stands and then we can debrief after practice."
Draco nodded and walked toward the closest stands. He climbed to the top and walked down the stairs noticing Hermione sitting alone. She turned his way. "Malfoy? What are you doing here? Spying for the next match are you?" Hermione said in an accusatory tone. Draco explained how Dumbledore had assigned this to him and she blushed. "Oh. Sorry about that. Would you like some?" Hermione offered him some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
Draco eyed her suspiciously as he sat down next to her reclining back and resting his elbows on the stands behind her. Hermione laughed. "Oh come off it Malfoy! I haven't poisoned them. I wasn't prepared to meet you up here."
Draco laughed and grabbed a handful from her. The practice began and Hermione started in on her questions. "You know I've read a few books on Quidditch but there's still something I don't understand. How can you call a foul on someone when there allowed to smash a bludger at your head?"
Draco laughed and gave her the quickest response possible as he was watching Ginny fly around. Hermione continued the conversation knowing that Draco wasn't really in the mood to talk. "So, are you going to critique them? How are you planning to help? Don't you think this will give you a leg up on our team?"
"Good God you ask a lot of questions Granger! Look, Potter asked me to observe and that's what I'm trying to do. Look at him." Draco said as he pointed in Harry's direction. "His strategy is flawless. He knows exactly when to dive for the snitch and when to bluff the other seeker out. His only problem is he is too concerned with what's going on with the rest of his team. He needs to block out everything else and find the snitch." Draco said as he tossed a few more beans into his mouth.
Hermione looked at him and smiled. He gave her a confused look and yelled. "What Granger?"
"I've never heard you say anything nice about Harry before. It's just a bit shocking." Hermione replied innocently.
"Nice? I wasn't saying anything nice! I just stated a simple fact. It doesn't matter how much someone hates Potter. The fact is he is a skilled seeker. That's all." Draco realized that she wasn't convinced so he thought it best to move on.
"Now look at your precious Weasley. I don't think he even has a strategy. He just gets lucky sometimes. He needs to hold his position until the moment the quaffle comes his way. Then he can defend the hoop properly. He's trying to read the chaser and guesses which way they are going to shoot. Most of the time, he's wrong. He's just too anxious which is causing him to let numerous quaffles through." Draco grabbed another handful of beans from her hand.
"So how is Ginny's strategy?" Hermione said with a large grin.
"Oh, the other Weasley? Um, she's alright I guess. Never really watched her you know." Draco said now looking everywhere but in her direction. It was a down right lie. He lost count of how many times he had watched Ginny play. He loved to see her on a broom and shoot quaffles at the hoop. He could watch her for days.
Hermione was very pleased to see him now fidgeting and staring at the beans in his hand. "So you've never watched her play? That's too bad because she needs a lot of work. I've been told that she's not a very good chaser."
Draco sat up quickly. "Are you out of your mind Granger? She's the best chaser in the school. She knows exactly when to shoot and when not to. Her instincts are incredible. She can sense a bludger coming her way in a second. I don't think any chaser in Hogwart's history has scored as many goals as her. She doesn't need any work! Her strategy and form are perfect. Who told you she isn't a very good chaser?"
Hermione smiled again. "Goodness! That's a lot of information about a player you've never really watched before. Silly me. Maybe they said she was good and I'm just confused."
"I'll say you are." Draco said as he reclined back again.
Hermione was unable to hold it in any longer and spoke so quickly with a mouthful of beans it was barely audible. "Yolkhr!"
Draco choked on one of the beans and grabbed at his throat. Hermione hit him on the back trying to help. He continued to cough and then squinted up at her. "I don't know what I thought you just said but….Just forget about it."
Hermione smiled with satisfaction and reclined back as well. They continued to watch the practice as Hermione asked questions about the game. She never had anyone to watch with her before and was delighted at his willingness to explain some of the rules. He spoke to her respectfully and after a while didn't seem to mind all the questions. He had never had someone, even Ginny make him talk so much. He wasn't sure if he liked it or not. As the practice began to wear down, Draco and Hermione walked down the stairs to meet with the team.
Ron saw them walking together, talking and just about fell off his broom. He flew to Hermione's side and tugged at her robes gesturing for her to follow him. Draco knew that Ron was jealous and that made him laugh inside. Harry began to address the team. "That was a great practice and you guys gave it your all. I'm sure you've noticed that we had Malfoy observing the practice. He has been instructed by Professor Dumbledore to assist us for the remainder of the year as we see fit." With the exception of Ginny and Ron, the rest of the team sighed and gasped. "That's enough! Dumbledore makes the rules around here and we are going to follow them! Malfoy and I will discuss our weaknesses in which we will address at the next practice in two days. That's it. See you in the Great Hall."
Ron and Hermione walked back to the castle with the rest of the Gryffindor team. Ginny and Draco helped Harry secure the balls and put away the equipment. Harry stretched and turned towards Malfoy. "Well, what did you think Malfoy?"
"The only weakness I saw was in your keeper. He needs a lot of work. But, I've told you that before…..In so many words." Draco reiterated all the things he had mentioned to Hermione but then trailed off not wanting to sound too arrogant.
Harry smiled. "Yeah I know. As uncomfortable as that will be, maybe we can focus on it next practice. I'll be the chaser and you could be keeper. We'll show him how we think it should go."
"You know he'll have a problem with it but I'm here to help so I'll do it. Just keep him under control. I'm trying to prevent missing any more matches you know." Draco said honestly.
Ginny spoke up suddenly. "Oh he'll get over it. You've just got to know how to talk to him. Ron doesn't like when people beat around the bush. He likes to be told things directly. I'm sure you of all people know how to do that don't you Malfoy?"
Harry wasn't sure if she was insulting him or flirting with him. He was feeling a little uncomfortable with the way Ginny and Draco were smiling at each other and thought it best to leave. "Um right. So like I said practice is this Tuesday at seven o'clock. See you then." Harry walked quickly back to the castle leaving Ginny and Draco behind. For some reason he felt that she wouldn't be in harm's way while with Draco which completely contradicted his feelings from the day before.
Ginny and Draco walked back to the castle together slowly. Draco offered her his robes and then agreed with her that people may notice the Slytherin crest to be a bit odd on a Gryffindor. "You looked great out there you know. Well at least from what I could see."
Ginny stopped and looked up at him. "What does that mean?"
Draco smiled and held her hand. "Well if it wasn't for Granger and all her silly questions needing answers at that very moment I might have been able to watch a little more."
Ginny laughed in agreement. "Hermione does like her questions. So you sat with her and just talked?"
Draco's smiled faded and he stepped back a bit letting go of her hand. "Don't tell me you're jealous too!"
Ginny let out a loud chuckle. "You're joking right? Hermione wouldn't touch you with a ten foot wand! You haven't given me any reason not to trust you Draco, so no I am not jealous. What I meant was, you sat up in the stands with Hermione Granger and discussed Quidditch? Like normal people? You didn't insult her even once?"
Draco looked up at the black sky. "I don't think I made one cruel remark to her come to think of it. Not that she gave me the chance. That girl can talk and she had me talking like there was no tomorrow." He grabbed her hand again which made her feel warm everywhere.
"That is wonderful! But wait. Who else was jealous?" Ginny wondered.
"Are you telling me you didn't see your brother's face as I walked onto the pitch with her? He just about fell off his broom. I had a hard time not laughing at him." Draco said with a smirk.
"Ron's just Ron. Even though he won't admit it, he cares deeply for Hermione. He is very protective over the people he cares for." Ginny said as she got up on her tippy toes to run a hand through his hair.
"So am I if you haven't noticed." Draco said now acting jealous.
"How could I not notice? If anyone breaths the same air as me you break their nose. You're quite frightening at times." Ginny said honestly.
"The last thing I want is for you to fear me. I'm really going to work on being calmer. If not, Dumbledore will expel me. Just be patient. It's a lot for someone to change so drastically. It will definitely take some time." Draco said as he put his arm around her and then quickly removed it forgetting himself. "I'll see you later." He said as they both entered the great hall walking to their respective tables.
Ron eyed Ginny suspiciously as she sat down next to Hermione. Harry rolled his eyes as he had just heard an earful from Ron about leaving them alone on the pitch. Hermione was determined to get things out in the open if it killed her. "So, I watched your practice with Malfoy and he had nothing but nice things to say about everyone. Especially you Ginny."
Ron dropped his fork onto his plate and glared at Hermione. "What did he say exactly?" Ron asked as he picked up his fork and squeezed it hard.
"Well let me think….He said so much I just hope I can remember it all. Something about her being the highest scoring chaser in Hogwart's history. Her form and strategy is perfect, her instincts are incredible, she can sense a bludger any second, and so on." Hermione said nonchalantly. Ginny blushed and turned around to look at him.
Draco saw her and the trio staring at him and he automatically looked behind him. Ginny and Hermione were smiling. Harry looked confused and Ron looked like he was about to vomit. Draco couldn't ignore Ginny and Hermione's smiling any longer and chuckled wondering why they were all staring at him. For some reason, it didn't make him uncomfortable. He just wished he knew what they were talking about. Ginny turned back around with a look of satisfaction on her face and began to eat quickly. Hermione also turned around and looked at Ron.
"What is it Ronald?" Hermione said in that familiar condescending tone.
"I don't know what the bloody hell is going on but I'm going to get to the bottom of it right now." Ron stood and gestured for Draco to follow him. Draco also stood and without any thought walked out of the Great Hall behind Ron. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny sat in shock.
Hermione broke the silence. "Don't you think we should follow Harry? Just to be sure they don't fight?"
Harry stood and walked towards the door with the girls following closely behind him.
They could hear Ron's voice bellowing in the corridor. He was an inch from Draco's face. "I don't know what your planning Malfoy but I'm on to you."
They heard Draco scoff. "On to me? What do you think I'm trying to do exactly?" Harry, Hermione, and Ginny crept a little closer and peered over the banister of the staircase now able to see the confrontation.
"I have no idea but if it involves Ginny and you harm her in any way so help me!" Ron suddenly stopped and Draco interrupted.
"I'm not planning anything other than to get on with my life. If you must know, that may involve your sister. It's not necessary for you to know how but she and I have got to know each other and are friends. That's it! That's the big mystery. We just didn't want to tell anyone because we knew they would react just like you are right now." Draco said and waited for a response.
Ron stepped back, began pacing and yelling. "What do you mean you are friends? Have you forgotten all the years our families have hated each other? You expect me to believe you've just turned over a new leaf? I know that no one can trust a Malfoy! I'm not as gullible as Ginny!"
Draco looked enraged at that comment and stepped closer to Ron. He spoke in a dangerously evil tone. "Because she's your sister, I'll let that slide. She's not gullible. Far from it actually. Your sister is probably one of the most intelligent witches I know. Next to Granger of course."
Ron was having a hard time showing his confusion. "Don't you dare bring Hermione into this."
"Listen Weasley. I know you're just trying to protect her from me but you don't have to. She's not in any danger….Well not exactly." Draco said with hesitation.
"What is that supposed to mean. Is she or isn't she?" Ron demanded and throwing his arms into the air.
"Well the other reason we have kept our friendship secret is because if anyone in my family, namely my mother found out they would probably kill her. And then I'd have to kill them and it would just be this unending battle that I really don't want to get into you know?" Draco said casually.
"So let me get this straight. You and Ginny are only friends. You have no intention of taking it further? Do you really expect me to believe that?" Ron asked.
"I'd rather not discuss that with you. She and I haven't really talked about it much." Draco said calmly.
Ron began to massage his temples. "When have you found all this time to become friends anyway?"
"Uh…She should probably…You know I told you that it wasn't necessary for you to know that. If she wants to tell you that's her choice. It's not my place to say." Draco said cautiously.
Ron sighed deeply and gave in. "Well obviously it will continue whether I like it or not. If you hurt her Malfoy….I'll kill you."
Draco smiled and extended his hand. "You have my permission Weasley." Ron shook it and walked away shaking his head. Draco called after him. "Oh Weasley do me a favor. Make sure you never discuss this in Parkinson's presence. She would love to send my mother an owl about it you know?"
Ron didn't turn around but waved his hand in acknowledgement. He headed for the Gryffindor common room and flung himself on the couch.
Harry and Hermione turned towards Ginny as soon as they saw Draco head for the Dungeons. Harry spoke first. "What is going on Ginny? How did this all come about?"
"Why didn't you just tell me? Of course I figured it out on my own but it would have been much easier if you had just told me." Hermione said smiling. "Okay now spill it. When did this start?"
Ginny thought back to that night and her eyes filled with tears. "I can't talk about it. Not yet anyway. Please understand."
Hermione nodded but Harry did not. He gently grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Ginny, what happened that was so bad to make you cry? You haven't been the same this year. Something happened to make you change. If it's Malfoy, than your friendship with him is already off to a bad start. You need to confide in someone."
Ginny wiped away a tear from her cheek and whispered. "I already have confided in someone….Draco. Please don't make talk about it now Harry. I'm not ready. But, please believe me when I say that Draco has been nothing but a gentleman towards me and he had nothing to do with what happened. He was just there at the right time to save me."
Harry tightened his grip on her. "So something did happen Ginny? Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine. And I promise I will tell you both. But, I don't think I will tell Ron because I know he can't handle it." Ginny felt Hermione remove Harry's hands from her shoulders. She had been so unusually quiet, Ginny almost forgot she was there.
"Ginny don't worry. You can tell us when you're ready. But please be careful. Malfoy said that if his family finds out they would kill you. You need to be smart about this and keep it quiet. Who knows how many spies they have in the school?" Hermione said as she hugged her gently. "We're here for you whenever you need us. Let's get to bed."
Ginny and Harry nodded in agreement and headed for the common room. The three of them walked through the portrait finding Ron on the couch staring into the fire. Harry and Hermione swapped looks and went to their separate dormitory leaving the Weasley's alone to hash it out.