Chapter 11: A Party (con't), A Nightcap, A Broken Boundary

Ginny's eyes kept finding Draco's from across the room. It was exhausting really to have to keep up with his whereabouts. It was as if they silently agreed to keep their distance now that the rest of the team had arrived. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her. All thoughts of Harry were gone from her mind. The guilt hadn't settled yet. There was still a charge between her and Draco that only their distance from each other could keep at bay. Perhaps it had been his vulnerability, the way he assured her he was fine when he wasn't. Merlin knew his attire when she'd arrived hadn't helped matters. What started as something innocent—simply her checking on a friend—had turned into something else.

She busied herself at the bar cart, making herself something strong. Draco was conversing with Gwen and her girlfriend, talking animatedly. Idly, she wondered if their kiss had revived him.

Much of the party was spent with Ginny wishing it was just her and Draco and more mistletoe. She played Charades with Katie and her boyfriend but because she arrived solo, the teams were never split evenly no matter what game she played. And although Ginny enjoyed winning, she also didn't trust herself to team up with Draco without giving herself away.

At eight o'clock Draco gathered everyone around the tree for an announcement. Ginny stood as far away as she could muster.

"I'd like to congratulate you all on a very successful season so far," he said. "And Happy Christmas." With a flick of his wand, presents appeared under the tree. The team collectively oohed and ahhed appreciatively. "I figured it was time for another upgrade," Draco continued, catching Ginny's eye.

Despite everyone else opening their presents immediately, Ginny only had eyes for Draco. When he handed her own gift to her, she sensed him linger. Rooted to the spot, she barely registered what everyone else was opening, unable to look away from Draco.

"New uniforms!" exclaimed their seeker, as she pulled out the green and yellow material and shook it excitedly.

"New uniforms," Ginny whispered to Draco. She knew she was looking at him for too long. He bobbed his head slightly.

"There's also a bottle of mead. You know, for the new year," said Draco. He moved a little closer to Ginny, and she sucked in a breath.

"Thank you," she said, feeling oddly emotional. It was just a new uniform and some bloody alcohol, for Merlin's sake. She wasn't sure what was tugging at her heartstrings so much. "Excuse me," she added unceremoniously, and then darted toward the bathroom.

In all honesty, their second kiss had not helped matters. If anything, it only proved there was more to their friendship than necessary. The passion had been intoxicating, and Ginny still felt foggy from it. Add the new uniforms and she was reeling. Draco was nice. He was thoughtful. He was really showing his care and commitment to the Harpies. To her. She studied her reflection in the mirror. She imagined her lips swollen from their snog session just hours ago. She wanted him desperately.

The party was back in full swing when she emerged from the bathroom. She placed her unopened present near her things so she wouldn't forget it, then made her way into the kitchen to help tidy up.

"That was very sweet of Malfoy, wasn't it?" said Gwen causing Ginny to jump. "You know when he approached to become our sponsor, I told him you were on the team. I didn't think it was going to last long." She chuckled to herself. "But it's nice to see him fit in with us. Who woulda thought?" She slapped Ginny on the back.

"He's been good for morale," agreed Ginny, keeping her face passive, "especially since the sport department has been fairly neglected since the war."

"I'm sure Harry will turn that around soon."

Ginny's stomach dropped. Harry. Oh, she had completely forgotten about him. How could she have let that happen?

"With all the extra hours he's been putting in, I'd expect sooner rather than later," she finally said.

Music started playing from the drawing room next door, and both Ginny and Gwen reentered. Draco sat playing piano, the rest of the Harpies singing God Rest Ye, Merry Hippogriffs. She caught Draco's eye and had to suppress a laugh, any thoughts of Harry and her guilt disappearing without a trace.

At nine-thirty, only Draco and Ginny remained at the party. After the match this morning, the team was beat. Even Ginny was stifling a yawn every now and again. Quietly, she helped Draco clean up.

"Leave it," said Draco adamantly.

Ginny backed away, raising her hands in surrender. "Fine, nightcap?"

"Sure."

Ginny made her way to the bar cart and poured whatever was left into two glasses. As she handed him his drink, their fingers touched and lingered.

"You never opened your present," he said matter-of-factly.

"There's still time," she replied. She took a seat on the couch. Draco followed suit; her body tingled in his closeness. They sat like that in silence for what felt like a long time. Though Ginny was having a hard time keeping her eyes open, she didn't want to leave. She set her drink on the table before them and curled her legs up underneath her.

Without saying a word, Draco rose, depositing his glass as well. He gracefully made his way toward to lone mistletoe still hanging from the ceiling.

"No one even noticed it was there," he said, retrieving it with his wand. He stood there holding it for a long time.

Ginny, though, had gotten to her feet, once again closing the distance between them. She stood before him and placed her hands in his. She simply could not keep up pretenses. No longer could she suppress her feelings. She took the mistletoe from him grasp and tossed it away, not bothering to look where it landed. With one last charged look at each other, their lips collided once again.

It was impossible to determine who initiated this third kiss between them, seeming to Ginny that it was mutual. She suddenly felt more awake, as if his lips gave her life. He used her waist to pull her in closer, then began exploring the rest of her body with his hands.

Ginny was feeling dizzy. She wasn't sure if it was from the late hour or the fact that Draco was quite good at taking her breath away. She supposed it was from both. Her hands travelled up his neck where she made a mess of his hair.

"I don't want you to stop," she said breathlessly as they broke away momentarily.

"I don't plan on it," he assured her.

His lips came crashing down on hers once again, and Ginny felt herself go weak in the knees. He trailed wet kisses down her neck. She was sure he could sense her pulse. Her hands trembled as she pushed off the forest green blazer from his shoulders, and she looked up at him in question with big, round eyes. His own hand traveled to the hem of her jumper where he lifted it slightly to gain access. She gasped at the skin-to-skin contact, closing her eyes, and tilting her head back to expose her neck. He playfully bit at her collarbone.

"Should we—?" Draco's voice was husky and he nodded toward the stairs leading up to his bedroom.

"Yes," said Ginny urgently, but since Draco did not let her go, she simply wrapped her legs around his waist, eliciting a groan from him. She kissed his throat before returning to his lips and nipping him softly.

It took them a while to make it to his bedroom, but when they did, Draco deposited her on the emerald sheets delicately, as if she were made of glass. The anticipation was growing so wholly inside her that she bucked her hips toward his just as he appeared over her. His eyes darkened but there was a mischievous look about him. He pulled his jumper over his head with one hand, and this time Ginny explored his chest freely.

She traced the pink scar left from Snape's spell with a finger as he held himself above her. Not once did she think of Harry as she did so. She felt fully consumed from Draco, the heat coming from both their cores enough to drive her mad. She took a moment to remove her jumper as well.

Ginny could see both the lust and delight in his eyes. He cupped her breasts with both hands as he once again kissed her fully on the mouth, before shifting to remove her jeans. She watched him intently as he also removed his own trousers, then resumed his position over her, chest to chest.

Ginny giggled softly.

"What?" he said thickly, pulling away slightly.

Ginny bucked her hips again.

"Nothing," she said. "Keep going."

And he did.

Ginny woke in the middle of the night. It took a moment for her to remember where she was, and what she'd done to get there. Beside her, Draco slept, snoring slightly. His pale skin shined in the moonlight that poured in from the window.

Immediately, she was itching to leave. Her wand lay on the beside table. She retrieved it as quietly as possible, then summoned her clothes. She dressed quickly, trying not to stir Draco. She wanted to make a clean escape. She wasn't ready to face her actions just yet.

She had made it halfway down the stairs before she heard a voice call after her.

"Leaving so soon? And without saying goodbye?"

Ginny froze in her tracks. Bullocks, she thought to herself.

"You weren't supposed to wake up," replied Ginny, lamely.

"I'm a light sleeper," said Draco.

Ginny finally turned around.

Draco had put on a pair of silk pajama bottoms, but his bare chest was distracting to Ginny. It made her think of what had transpired in his bedroom. He stayed at the top of the stairs and Ginny was grateful. She didn't think she could handle him coming any closer.

"Bye, Draco. I'll...see you."

"When?"

Ginny frowned.

"Not like this. This was a one-time thing." Her speech was rushed. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to say it at a normal pace. Everything she did felt far-away and foggy, like she'd somehow lost control of herself.

Draco only nodded his understanding. Though he kept his face passive, Ginny imagined he was rather hurt by the finality of her words. Her gaze fell to the scar of his Dark Mark. He had been so ashamed of it the very first night he had kissed her and yet he wasn't covering it up in her presence. How could he, now?

"Good night, Ginny."

"Draco?" she said before he could turn away completely. She saw his shoulders tighten in anticipation. He looked at her head on, his eyes full of hope and longing.

Slowly, Ginny brought her finger to her lips to signal discretion, and she watched his eyes turn cold.

"That goes without saying," said Draco, nodding his final farewell before turning away.

Ginny was doing everything in her power to avoid Draco at all costs. Not because she wanted to, but because her moral compass told her it was the right thing to do. Her lack of focus had just cost her a match, and though it was the last match before the new year, Ginny was furious with herself. Draco hadn't been to a Harpies practice since the night of the Christmas party, and while he had yet to miss a match, Ginny willed herself not to spot him in the crowd, for she knew if she had, all bets were off.

Harry was still spending just as much time at work as before, despite the closeness to the holidays. Ginny had a hard time being around him, fearing that this distance would never go away now. Perhaps that was where the lapse in judgment had come from with the mistletoe. It was childish of her to dangle herself in front of Draco like that while Harry had been sleeping soundly in their shared bed, waiting for her.

The night she had spent with Draco was a memory that was colored with many emotions. Pure bliss, lust, want, need, guilt, self-hate, shame, embarrassment. Though she wondered what he had thought of it, she knew she would be unable to have a mature conversation about the matter. Why she had thought sleeping with him would erase the tension that had pent up between them was beyond her. It was nothing more than a petty excuse and a means to let them both off the hook.

But Ginny was hooked. When her guilt subsided every now and again, her thoughts travelled back to his chiseled features and the way he looked at her with hungry eyes. She knew it was going to be difficult to resist any temptation when their paths inevitably crossed again.

So far, Ginny was doing a pretty good job at staying inside Grimmauld Place, only leaving for practice and matches. Today's match had been particularly difficult, and Ginny felt worn out. Her lack of focus was evident. Even her teammates were frustrated with her, as she had dropped the Quaffle on several occasions. She had left the match without showering or even saying goodbye to anyone.

Once home, she did shower. It was odd to feel herself touch where Draco's fingers had thoroughly explored. That was one habit she couldn't help forming. In the moments her guilt wanned just enough for her to daydream about her sex with Draco Malfoy, she did. It had been a while since someone had explored her body as if it were new terrain. Every inch of her had heated up wherever he touched her, setting her ablaze. Sometimes, it felt like she was still burning.

Ginny spent too long in the shower due to her thoughts spiraling out of control about Draco Malfoy. She still couldn't believe it. Him? Of all people? Her fingertips were pruned when she finally left the bathroom. She dressed casually and comfortably and didn't even bother with drying her hair. Harry wasn't due home for hours, and all she wanted to do was crawl under the covers and get some sleep.

She dreamt of mistletoe and lips she shouldn't be longing for.