Author's Note: Personally, I think this is, yet again, a bad chapter. But hope you guys can review!

Nemo Autem Mei Amor
Chapter Four


"Will you tell me what's wrong or do I have to force it out of you?"

Ginny looked over her shoulder in utter horror, he hadn't expected him to come after her right after she left the dinner table. She had begun changing and now only stood with a shirt slightly raised to show her naval, while wearing her underwear; which wasn't exactly sexy, not that she wanted to look sexy in front of Malfoy.

"Get out!" she screamed, after her just stood there, his hands behind his back while smirking at her position. She pressed her clothes back down against her and scowled, "you ruddy wanker!"

"You should really expect me to see you naked one day," he mused, his hands still clasp behind his back while he feigned innocence, "you are going to be my wife. Nice underwear by the way--wait, is that snitches on them? Cute."

She felt her face burn incredibly and pulled her small shirt down as far as it could before sitting on the floor with her cloak wrapping around her legs. "Go 'way," she said, her eyes trained to the floor in her embarrassment; but what angered her more was the tears that threatened to fell. Even if she had an excuse, she did not want to cry in front of Malfoy who didn't seem on reacting on her request. How could she even think of not having to shag this guy when his acting like such a jerk? She pursed her lips from quivering and pulled her legs to her chest, she hated him, she hated him, she hated him, she hated him! And yet, when he bent over and placed his hand on her shoulder she was the one who moved against him, crying like an idiot.

What was wrong with her!

He seemed awkward with this, but placed his arm around her body and sat on the floor with her. She shivered, her sobs quiet as tears cascaded down her cheeks; soon enough, she ended up falling into a peaceful sleep. Rolling her eyes at her sleeping form her picked up her body, somewhat surprised at how light she was but knew not to say it out loud; she'd have my head for it, he thought wearily before placing her on the bed and going for a bath. Three days, he thought, it's only been three days and already it's hell…

Why me?

When Draco left the bathroom, in a new pair of shorts, he went to his desk and pulled out his ink and pull before grabbing a parchment from his stationary. He needed to begin his letter when Freckles- he smirked at the nickname -wasn't awake, because when she wasn't then he could write the letter without her breathing over his shoulder like a hawk. Not like she would, he thought, she wouldn't dare go near me if she had the choice.

With an agitated sigh, he began writing. Hoping, that his mother would get the small hints he'd place in there so that Filch, who checked the damn letters, wouldn't get suspicious about him.

Dear Mother,

Things are fine, I only hope that you are since father is still away. Have you visited him? I surely wouldn't mind seeing him, it's becoming colder over here and I don't find myself nearing he warmth any more. Did you say something to our black-haired friend, with the long nose? It's been pointing in my direction quite a bit. Tell our friend that I have no desire for seeing it or hearing it at all.

I must add, that I worry for the break that comes during Christmas; shall I stay in the hole with the weasel or go to the castle with the queen? I surely hope for the latter, mother. I have no desire in seeing the hole anytime soon. Now, has any news on the big day come? Do you know if I'm needed to help with the big day? I'd like to know mother, I'm tired of you sneaking around behind my back about the big day.

And about the wedding, I hope our dear friend can't join. Please tell father not to invite our dear friend. Ever day it's harder to actually befriend this girl- if that's what we must call her. I don't think she trusts me, or better yet likes me for that matter. I know I've given your word to be a complete gentlemen with her, but mother, it's not how father won you is it?

You're son,

Draco Malfoy

He stopped writing before re-reading the letter. He noted about the improvement with Freckles hadn't improved at all, then about Snape bothering him to do something before they told Freckles, then about how weather he will be following Freckles to the burrow or not, then he asked about the Dark Lord and wondering, since his father was still in Azkaban, would he still have to join? He also didn't want the Dark Lord coming and raiding the wedding when he was suppose to be happy and lovey-dovey. Last, he asked to break the promise he made with his mother about treating Freckles with gentlemen manners, that he didn't seem to be able to doing as if confused and angered her. He also reminded how his father said that he didn't take his mother by escorting her into his charm but by actually being best friends before becoming quiet lovers.

His father never planned on marrying her, but his own father had other news and as excited as Narcissa was Lucius didn't seem to share the same joy.

Did he want that? He shifted in his seat so he could gaze at the person he'd marry if he survived this. Even if he wanted to be like that, although in secret, he didn't have a choice or a word against it. For a moment he wanted to pick someone to blame, yell at someone to calm his spirit from being tortured by the red-head; but he knew, in the end there was no one to blame. Breathing in deeply, her folded the letter neatly in threes and set it on the desk table before making his way to her.

He didn't pull her close, it seemed he didn't have to. The curse probably makes them move on their own accord and he didn't sleep after she pressed her face into his chest and ran her hand lightly against his stomach causing his to wince. He hated being ticklish. It summoned to many painful memories; he moved his gaze away from the dark canopy top and looked down at the women who laid next to him. How was he going to fall in love with her? How could he even keep on trying when she tired him day after day with their bickering?

He was going to lose it soon.

Then she'll be more then angry. In fact, if he were pushed to the limit, she'd be frightened and he scowled at the thought and nearly pushed her away from him. He didn't like the thought of hurting her; maybe, Potter or her brother, but not her. He looked away from her and furrowed his brow. Maybe, it was because of his mother and his father that he suddenly felt this way towards her. Although, Lucius never dare touch or raise his voice to Narcissa, Draco found the childhood memories of her and her now completely different. She wasn't as poised as she was or stern looking, no, in fact if he could recall the Weasley's mother they would've looked alike when they he was younger.

His father didn't do anything. Maybe, his mother changed for him.

He sighed, and looked back down at her. Her hair looked soft, he thought vaguely not bothering to fight off these thoughts anymore, and her skin too…I wonder if they are, half the time I'm close to her like this I'm asleep. With his brief and subtle curiosity he lifted his arm gently from her. When she never moved her ran the hand through her hair; it was smooth, cold, and seemingly flawless-

Then he hit a tangle and jerked her hair.

She moaned.

Shit, he thought removing his hand and eyeing her wearily. Her brows buried foreword and she stretched, her hand bumping into his jaw for a moment which made him grunt, before blinking her eyes open. "Wha-" she began squinting up at him, before yawning, "is it morning yet?" she mumbled, pressing her face back into his chest which made him tense before noticing how stupid he was acting and relaxed.

"No, still night," he mumbled. Should he be worried that she was actually willing to be near him? Or should he just lie there and let her? Damn, he thought scratching his head and yawning, she's the most confusing--

What the hell? Was she…hell, she was…

He had to grab her hand from going down further in his chest, he looked down and closed his eyes in frustration. Of course she's asleep when she tries and gropes me, he thought drawing his gaze to the canopy, typical.

"You can go away now," Ginny snapped at Malfoy, who was still lounging at the table she had found when she needed a place to study in the living/common room.

He looked up, his expression boring no expression what so ever before a ghostly smile appeared on his lips. "I'm studying to and I'd it if you actually tried to be nice to me for once," he sighed dramatically and closed the book with a loud sound before throwing it on their table, "maybe we'd get somewhere. So, did you owl your parents yet?"

Her brows crept foreword slightly before she sighed and shook her head. "I don't know what to write," she mumbled, "how would you feel if you son or daughter gets thrown into a life with your enemies son or daughter? I don't know what I'd do if my child had to go through this."

He shrugged. "Then don't think about it. I'm sure your mother and father miss you…your brothers too. Just write them a hello or something, I don't know. I've already wrote to my mother," he said, his gaze had shifted to the window nearby where they sat and ended up looking at her. She looked up, surprised. No snappy comments? And he's…

Smiling…

"Right," she said, sitting straighter and staring down at her half-finished essay. Then she looked up and found his gaze back out the window, his brows were slightly foreword and his lips curved into a frown. "Malfoy?" she called out and he looked back at her, his expression blank now. "Is it different when your father got placed away? I mean…" What do I mean? she thought, frowning and blushing slightly, "er, are you…were you…um…"

"Upset?" he asked, his lip curved upwards and Ginny blushed as he smirked. Why do I even care? She thought, frowning. "Sort of, I guess. First thing I really wanted to do though is get back at Potter. Of course, he ended up on the better half and I would've gotten hurt if Snape hadn't come along."

"Oh," she whispered. What was she suppose to say? She looked at him again and found him, not smirking anymore, but giving a half-smile. This is weird, she thought as she looked away, he's being too nice. A letter, I should start writing it…but what do I say, she thought reaching for the parchment. "Ow!" she moaned, "blasted paper," she seethed sucking on the place where the paper gave her a cut. She was about to heal it but then-

He laughed. He was laughing at her.

So much for being nice, she thought bitterly as she healed it and shot him a glare. He stopped, but kept on smiling. Weird, she thought, too weird. "You're funny when you're mad," he said and Ginny flushed in anger. What did he say…she thought, opening her mouth to retort but he cut her off. "Cute even," he added, still smiling. He turned his head slightly and Ginny's jaw dropped.

Cute even, he had said.

He called her…cute? She closed her mouth and then another point hit her; when he turned his head, she thought giving him a side look, was he acting shy? Now, that is weird! She thought before closing her eyes and pursing her lips from reaching over and shaking him to tell her what the hell was going on. My life is getting too complicated, she thought placing the parchment in front of her she grabbed her quill, determined to ignore him. She pulled her quill out of the ink and paused. She still didn't know what to write to them. All right, she thought, if you wanted to hear from your daughter during disposition what would you like to hear? If she's fine…if she needs help…if there's any progress of her life being saved…if there was anyway to get out…if she could go back home…

She stopped thinking, that's what I want.

She sighed and dropped the quill back into the jar of ink. I'm sorry mum, she thought a lump forming in her throat, I just want to see you…I don't want to just write to you. I miss you, I miss daddy, and Charlie and Bill and Fred and George and Ron…even Percy, I miss Percy too. Lowering her head, she stared at her hands. What am I going to do? I can't exactly just sneak out, can I? Ron, I can see Ron right now! I could just go to Gryffindor tower! Why can't I go?

Because I don't know the blasted password, that why.

But then, she looked up at Malfoy who had continued doing his work, won't Malfoy know? Would he let her out? Of course! If he won't then she'd start another fight. Right, now to see Ron and Hermione and…Harry.

Breathing in deep, she crawled over to the other side of the floor table and sat next to Malfoy. Close, so that they were shoulder to shoulder. He looked up and stared at her. He blinked; once, twice, three times before she spoke.

"Do you have the password to Gryffindor Tower?" she blurted, "can you tell me, please? I need to see my friends, Malfoy, I need to see my brother. Please, just-Malfoy?" She stopped, somewhere during her speaking she had grabbed his arm in a desperate attempt and now he was clutching onto that hand. "What are you-"

"Shut up," he said, her eyes widened. What happened to Mr. Nice guy? She thought, even though she liked this guy a little better. "Look, I don't know. But I know where Granger's head place is, so stop looking like you're about to cry. It's aggravating."

She could've retorted, and snapped at him but then she just nodded while giving him an odd smile. "Thanks," she muttered, "but um, you can let go of my hand now."

He dropped it. "Come on, let's go," he said, standing up. Once at full height, he pulled her up by the yank of her arm. Ow, she thought wincing at the sudden pull but he didn't seem to notice. In fact, his face was becoming stony and his eyes flashing. Did I do something? She thought wearily as he pulled her to the entrance of their quarters.

Hermione curled her legs under her and sighed as she leaned onto the arm chair of her quarters, her eyes went to where Ron was playing chess with Harry. Harry moved his piece and frowned. "I won again," he said, "you're going too easy on me, mate."

Ron shrugged. "Guess I'm not really paying attention," he said, cracking a smile.

"I think I know why," Hermione said, butting in.

When Ron answered, he didn't even bother to look over at her. "That's not surprising," he muttered, flinching as if he felt the glare that Hermione sent him.

"As I was saying," Hermione said curtly, "Ginny's been off doing schoolwork and everything but every time we go near her-"

"Malfoy comes and cuts us off," Harry finished, glaring darkly at the chess board which went into a slight panicked fro the look and ran around trying to place themselves were they belonged. Hermione nodded, her eyes watching Ron carefully who lowered his head slightly in response. "What does he think he's doing anyway? If he keeps pushing us away from her then she won't like him."

"I know," Hermione said, her voice soft, "but, then again, how does Ginny know weather or not we're being forced away from her? Maybe, she doesn't even notice it."

"Ginny's not stupid, Hermione" Ron snapped.

"I know she's not! And I never said she was!" Hermione huffed, "I just…why do we even listen to Malfoy?"

"Because he thinks it's better to have her all to himself," Harry said, sneering, "he probably thinks that the more time he has with her the more chance of this working."

"You're right," Hermione said, resting her head on her curled arms, "maybe he is thinking that."

It was silent for a while and the chess pieces, who had come to position, looked up at the two men who hadn't bothered to move them. Harry's eyes were trained on them and them he muttered 'demo' and they began playing by themselves and explaining what they were doing. Ron had leaned back, his back to the couch, and stared at the fire. Hermione, who sat on the couch above Ron, clenched her fist from playing with Ron's hair. She kept on doing that when he was nearby, so to hide any suspicion she did it to Harry too. Closing her eyes she breathed in deeply, and wiggled her toes.

"Head girl!" a voice barked, causing them to jump. Hermione forced a smile to the over eager knight that was there to deliver messages back and forth from the head of house to her. "You have visitors!"

"Thank you, Sir Trent," Hermione said, getting up to the portrait.

"Visitors?" Harry asked.

"Who the hell would come this late?" Ron asked, eyeing the clock before looking at Harry who shrugged in response.

Hermione ignored the two of them and pushed open the portrait door; only after fully opening it, Hermione saw a blur of red and slight blonde before being jumped on. "Hermione!" a voice screamed against her ear, laughing. "I miss you so much!"

"Ginny?" Hermione said, before grinning, "Ron, Harry! Ginny's here! Not that I didn't miss you but, why are you here?"

Ginny pulled away, grinning still. "Malfoy brought me," she said, jabbing her thumb over her shoulder before standing up and running past Hermione.

Hermione eyed the Malfoy who was scowling at them. "I thought you didn't want us to see her?" Hermione whispered, her eyes staring at him wearily.

"I didn't," he snapped, his eyes passing Hermione. She looked behind her and saw Ginny hugging Harry now, who laughed, picked her up the ground, and twirled her. "Tell Potter to keep his hands to himself and off her," Malfoy sneered, bringing Hermione back to him, "I'll be waiting for her back in our room." With that he left, his robe fluttering behind him as he walked. Hermione stared at the spot at where he had been and back to Harry, Ron, and Ginny who were talking at a furious speed.

Tell Potter to keep his hands to himself and off her…

Did that mean…that he was, Hermione thought, gasping. Malfoy was jealous and he was…protecting her…guarding her…from…Harry…Why? And if he brought her here…then that means that Ginny asked and he followed the request or from the look of Ginny's eyes she was upset and he wanted to cheer her up…maybe, even both. He did say: I didn't. Does that mean he changes his mind now?

"Hermione!" Ginny called out, "come over here! I want to talk to you too!"

Hermione turned and smiled. I'll think about it later, she thought heading over to join them.