A/N: millions of apologies for the delay! I've just finished my exams, I'm
damn exhausted. On top of everything, I failed in two exams, plus I had
some horrible writer's block, and I post this even if I'm not satisfied
with it..... Thanks everybody for reviewing!!!!!!
Oh yeah, I'm probably gonna change my pen name, coz we're at least five
Cinnamons and I hate being in the norm.... I've thought of Cinnamon Angel
coz I want to keep the cinnamon part, and have again a name with Angel in
it, so, well, I'll see... REVIEW!!!!!!!!
OH! And I advise you to read "Dying Inside" by B.RabbitsGurl if you like D/Hr it's angst and romance, it's really quite good!
CarminaBurana: What???? You want to steal Arthur? That's really low, you know....Draco needs it. 14 chappies? *jittery dance* YEAH! Post them, please please please! Glad you still reviewed this!
Sabriel4: Ginny's and Draco's vignettes in the hospital wing is my favourite part of the chappie too. Let's say his father gave it to her and she wanted to call it Arthur. After all, she was little! I have to admit that my teddy is called Arthur...King Arthur's stories were my fav when I was little, and they're still. A lot of Ginny is in fact me. Like tapping her quill on her nose, for example. It's easier to catch her character that way. Aren't I lame?????
Rubberduckie713: Ok, I'll think of something crazy I've done too, but my insanity shows more verbally and such...Ahem, I promise I'll try to incorporate something with ducks or magenta, I've written it down on my pad so I don't forget... Oh.you should have written a longer review, I don't give a damn if it's just rambling, I love to read rambling!
Carshaa: glad to see you're reviewing again! I hope you like your name, or I would think you're totally insane...
Bob: Hey, sorry about the update, I thought it would help you improve your patience skills muahahaha...sorry....overcafeinated today.
Miriam G: Ok, this time, I want 500 words, he he he... your requests will be taken care of, don't worry...we start this chappie with Snape, and he will be more present in the future. Voldie will not appear till Christmas I think, a chappie that will be truly angsty and horrible...you're gonna like it, considering your strange taste for well.. Tom.I must admit that I'm quite fascinated with him, but not in the weird way you are, lol. Well, I hope I'm invited to the marriage, along with my dear Baby Norbert. You can eat my socks, I don't care. And I don't have a hamster, nor do I eat cereals in the morning, muahahahaha.
Fire'N'Ice: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Well, I don't know when you're gonna read that, but still, I wanted to say it...he he he. I hope you received my ecard with the dragon! I thought it was cute... I was in uni when doing it and I was wondering if I chose the frog or the dragon and asked the guy next to me ( I don't know him at all): Frog or Dragon? He was just like, "huh?" he he he, I repeated the question, and he answered dragon, so voila, this was my ranting for the day... Ok, I stop there, so I can continue my replies, then answer your mail, and finally work on the Alithea story! And this evening, I have a party! I still don't know where I'm gonna sleep, but well...
Fantine: thanks for making the effort of writing it in French, it was really appreciated! I love your story and I hope you update soon!!!!! He he he, I say amen dictionaries and thesauruses have been created! And thanks to my beta for correcting my blatant mistakes..He he he...
Sunne: sorry for not replying in last chappie, but I received your review just after posting the chappie! I hope you'll continue to read this!!!!!
Disclaimer: If JKR wrote as lamely as me, she wouldn't probably have had so much success...
Chapter 11:
*Albus' POV*
Molly has been sitting in front of my desk for at least ten minutes without saying a word. In fact, we don't have anything to say on the subject, we failed. We knew Lucius would be coming today. We knew Draco had problems, and we did nothing to prevent this.
I can hear someone coming up to the office, and I recognize the footsteps as Severus'. He has a very decided way of walking, charged with impatience. I know he is here to ask me about Draco, and of course, about the fact that nobody told him... I assume he is really furious. I don't have even the time to share that thought with Molly and he's there, stomping in my office. He has a look of murder on his face.
"Albus, I want explanations right now!" he yells, his voice strong and scared at the same time.
"Sit and calm down, please Severus. Anger leads nowhere."
"You want me to cool down? To CALM down? You want me to calm down after what happened this morning? You both knew something, I'm sure of that! But you've done nothing, right? Or this wouldn't have happened! Like always, your over-optimistic vision of the problems paralysed you!"
His face who's usually twitching into a smirk and as pale as a vampire is red and his lips are thin. His fists are clenched and his whole body stiffened. I must be careful with how I explain him the situation.
"You're blinded with worry and anger, Sev. I don't take this lightly, contrary to your belief. And Molly neither. We take very seriously, but we have other ways of action. We stay in the background, letting somebody closer act."
"And who's this superhero? Draco was beaten nearly to death! And where was his saviour during that time, huh? Do tell me, I crave for an answer." His sarcastic tone hurts me, but I know that the only way to deal with him is not to let him touch me, so I reply as softly as I can.
"Draco was able to go through this. According to my sources, he's gone through worse. Just let the person I mentioned work this out."
"He's alone, and you know that! He's always been! I know you've seen the truth about that a long time ago! You-"
"Severus, you calm down immediately!" Molly's voice is commanding, yet calm.
***************************************************** *Molly's POV*
Severus turns to face me. I don't think he really appreciate the fact that I've commanded him, but at least, he's shut up.
This morning's events were quite stressful, but everything is in quite order now. I felt on the edge of throwing up when I bumped into Severus carrying Draco. And on top of everything, Ginny collapsed in her dormitory, and Poppy wasn't able to tell me anything. Albus was here too, and I swear I saw a twinkle in his eye, but with him, you never know. He can't be happy because my daughter just collapsed, can he?
My thoughts come back to Severus. The look on his face when I bumped into him was showing bewilderment, as well as anger and worry. Didn't he know about Draco's situation? He's Lucius' *best friend* after all. I really admire this man, even if we're not exactly getting along with each other. He has such a weight on his shoulders, being a spy and all. Poor man.
"Albus is right, I trust him."
"Would you please stop playing the asinine woman!" His voice is hedgy, I guess I'm getting on his nerves, like always, "You knew. And you played along with Albus' game. And Draco nearly got killed!"
"I know. And I didn't follow Albus' advice, if you ask me. And I failed miserably. Things are taken care of, so keep quiet, please."
"I won't take the keep quiet speech anymore! Either you tell me what the *plan* is, or I don't give a damn about Albus' plots!"
"Ginny." Says Albus slowly and softly.
"What with this stupid little girl?"
"How dare you insult my daughter? She's better than you think, but then again, you think low of everybody, huh?" I'm completely irate. Nobody insults my kids, nobody! He dodges the comment and continue to speak with Albus.
"So what with her?"
"She's helping Draco. She's gone closer than any of us till now. I know, Molly has seen them together this morning in the hospital wing. She is really getting somewhere with him, so please, trust her."
"You want me to trust a teenage girl, and her daughter, no less! The foolish little girl of the Chamber of Secrets business!"
"You're not exactly very well placed to speak about foolishness, considering your former life." I drawl.
With that, he just sinks into a chair. I can understand his worry, I was quite concerned myself, but with what I saw this morning, my faith in Ginny has raised a lot. One could tell I'm spying on my daughter, even following her around, considering the fact that I always manage to know everything, but honestly, I know the burden she is taking, I have the right to worry about her!
I wonder how she will deal without Arthur; I know that this teddy has no price to her. She cherishes him as much as I love my children. And she gave it to Draco Malfoy, the boy loathed by nearly everybody that knows his family and him.
*******************************************
*Draco's POV*
The sun pours through the windows and light flows in the room. For once, it matches my mood. I want light to overwhelm me, I want to feel the sun on my skin. I wish I was outside, but when I made a single move to get up, Mrs Pomfrey shot me her murderous glare so I just keep quiet now.
I'm bored. I'm really damn bored. I can't even move without pain shooting through my body, but I don't care, I want to get out of here. I look around and see a pile of clothes next to my bed. Thank God, somebody thought about that; my t-shirt has been thrown away, considering its pitiful state, and I don't exactly need the whole school to see my bruises and cuts.
When dressed, I retrieve Arthur from under the covers and hide it under my cloak. This bear is quite small, so nobody will know it's there. I tip-toe to the door and peek in Mrs Pomfrey's office; her back is turned to me, it's time to escape.I pass slowly in front of her door and break into a run till I'm far enough.
I make a quick stop in my dorm to hide Arthur under my pillow and take my books, and head to the library. Some people look at me strangely while in the halls, but I don't understand why and it's only when I cross a mirror's path that I see my hair is all tousled and messy, even more than Potter's. Well, another thing to deeply annoy Father.
The library is crowded with students, the quidditch match must have ended by now. There aren't any Hufflepuff students, so I guess they've won and are celebrating in their common room. As for myself, I haven't trained yet. Flint planned a training for Monday, but I'm not sure I'll be able to fly in this state...
I heavily drop my books on the table in the Alchemy section. Damn, I'm getting so feeble that I can't even carry my books from my common room to the library. I collapse on a chair, exhausted and in pain. Maybe I should have stayed in Hospital wing, I'm really weak. I put my head in my arms and nearly fall asleep on the table.
Somebody drops their books next to me. Damn, why is this section suddenly popular when it hasn't been for years?
"So, how did you escape Mrs Pomfrey?"
Ginny. She really has guts to come and speak to me while the library is so crowded. I thought she would ignore me most of the time.
"Knocked her out, of course." And here I start again with the sarcastic teasing.
"Yeah, whatever." I look up at her, she's grinning and shaking her head.
"So, what have you done with Arthur?"
"I poked his eyes out, then picked him on a fork and burnt him, what were you expecting?"
"Something more creative, maybe? Is he a good friend?" she says while sitting down next to me.
"Not very talkative, if you ask me. But well, as you speak all the time, how could he ever had a chance to learn how to speak?"
She slaps me gently on the arm, as if scared to hurt me. She's damn right, it hurts because she hit a bruise, but I'm too confused and cheery to pay attention. She flips her transfiguration book open and starts to work. I pull out my potions essay, always start with the most difficult and annoying...
**************************************************
*Ginny's POV*
We've been working silently for two hours, only interrupting for lunch, but it's hard to concentrate. I'm sitting in this crowded library with a boy I hated three weeks ago, who's my brother's arch nemesis, and who was found this very morning nearly dead.
His reactions are unexplainable. It's just like this morning's events have slid on him and he doesn't care at all. Somehow, I know that deep inside, he can't forget about this, and that he suffers, but he's got damn good self-control.
I'm gazing in the space in front of me, tapping my quill on my nose, like I always do when I think, when something appears in front of me. It's a girl, well, the ghost of a girl. It's not Moaning Myrtle, so I assume it's Hannah Abbott. I elbow Draco and he smiles when he sees her. I've never seen him smile like that, and it turns my stomach upside-down.
Hannah turns to me and smiles. She winks at me and suddenly disappears.
I turn to Draco, but he's gazing absently at the spot where Hannah was standing previously. Why did she wink at me? Does she know about the strange friendship I'm developing with Draco? It seems so, but I'm not sure I'm very good at reading ghosts' expressions...
Draco starts tapping his quill on his nose and it makes me laugh. He looks cute like that, with his messy hair. He stares at me quizzically and I try to explain we have exactly the same habit, but I giggle too much. I suddenly hear footsteps coming our direction, so I try to regain composture.
****************************************************
*Hermione's POV*
Well, here I have finished all my homework. I start to put the books I used back in place, and finally head to the Alchemy section, because I've seen Ginny going there earlier. I need to have a little chat with her, about that boy she is concerned about. I haven't seen her smile in days, it worries me.
However, when I arrive near the Alchemy section I hear a fit of laughter, and I recognize it as Ginny's. And there I turn the corner, to see her trying to stop laughing, sitting Indian style on her chair a big mess of books and papers on the table. This girl is the messiest I know, but she is really funny. Well, this is not the cause of my shock. The cause is sitting next to Ginny, staring quizzically at her, eyebrow raised, hair tousled and a small smile playing on his lips.
Draco Malfoy.
I pinch myself, I must be dreaming. Malfoy, sitting next to a Weasley without annoying her, and even smiling... I don't remember having waken up in an alternate reality this morning. She turns to face me and smiles. Malfoy, on the other hand, goes back to his work. What? No mudblood or any other insult today? Ok, I must admit he hasn't insulted me yet this year, a thing I would have thought highly improbable.
"Hey Hermione!"
"Hey. May I speak to you?" my eyes fix Malfoy.
She seems to understand and stands up to follow me. We go outside the library, walk for a bit, and eventually sit on the floor. She stares at me, waiting.
"Well, I was quite worried about you, not smiling, being quite in withdrawal, not really talking to any of us and such. I was wondering if it was about this mysterious boy."
I feel quite stupid, considering the fact that I've just heard her laugh, but well, too late.
"I'm well Hermione, I promise. Things are better now. And you heard me laugh, so you see, I'm not depressed, nor on the edge of suicide."
"Speaking of that, what was this?"
"What?" she looks at me with an eyebrow raised, just like Malfoy earlier.
"Malfoy. And don't play dumb. What with him? Since when Malfoys and Weasleys associate?" It strikes me then. The pieces take place: a boy she doesn't have contacts with, who's not going to let her help him etc...
"Isn't he that mysterious boy, by any chance?" I know I've hit the jackpot...
"Ahem..." she finally lets slip, trying to avoid my gaze.
I smile... Like always, I was right. What is the problem with Malfoy that could retain Dumbledore's attention. What would drive Ginny to worry that much about a boy everybody hates in our house? And what am I going to tell to Ron?
*************************************************
*Ginny's POV*
Hermione knows now. I've always thought she would work out the truth, but now that she has, I don't know what to do. Do I tell her the whole story or do I just tell her that I can't spill some secrets like that?
She doesn't interrogate me, but stares at the floor instead. I know she's waiting for me to sort things out in my head.
"Listen Hermione. I do trust you, and you're my best friend, but it's his life and his problems, and I'm not sure I can tell you about it. I don't know everything myself."
"I understand, but if you need me, you know where to find me."
We both smile and stand up. I head back to the library while she takes the common room's path. When I arrive at my place, Draco has left, but I spot a crumbled paper under my battered transfiguration book. There's just a word on it. Six letters, but it makes my hands shake.
Thanks.
I look through the as ever dirty window. The sun is high in the sky. I'm happy.
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Fire'N'Ice again..Really, you could have chosen a less difficult name to type!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry you have to deal with her, but hey, she's been reducing her rambling a lot! Lol.
~~ahhh, happiness, finally!!! Hehe, yes yes, I know this is angst but we all needed a scene like the one between Draco and Ginny this chapter. LoL!! Love the line about Draco tapping his quill against his nose, it's so cute to imagine!!! Also his sarcastic answers, I love sarcasm :) All in all, this chapter was brillant, as always!!!!!!! Great job :-D
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::
If you liked this, REVIEW! Even if it's to ramble! I love when people ramble! I'm a great rambler myself, so I really don't mind. And if you have requests, don't hesitate! I've written down Rubberduckie's and Miriam G's, so if you have an idea or a wish, TELL ME!!! Now, press the blue button, I'm sure you want to!
OH! And I advise you to read "Dying Inside" by B.RabbitsGurl if you like D/Hr it's angst and romance, it's really quite good!
CarminaBurana: What???? You want to steal Arthur? That's really low, you know....Draco needs it. 14 chappies? *jittery dance* YEAH! Post them, please please please! Glad you still reviewed this!
Sabriel4: Ginny's and Draco's vignettes in the hospital wing is my favourite part of the chappie too. Let's say his father gave it to her and she wanted to call it Arthur. After all, she was little! I have to admit that my teddy is called Arthur...King Arthur's stories were my fav when I was little, and they're still. A lot of Ginny is in fact me. Like tapping her quill on her nose, for example. It's easier to catch her character that way. Aren't I lame?????
Rubberduckie713: Ok, I'll think of something crazy I've done too, but my insanity shows more verbally and such...Ahem, I promise I'll try to incorporate something with ducks or magenta, I've written it down on my pad so I don't forget... Oh.you should have written a longer review, I don't give a damn if it's just rambling, I love to read rambling!
Carshaa: glad to see you're reviewing again! I hope you like your name, or I would think you're totally insane...
Bob: Hey, sorry about the update, I thought it would help you improve your patience skills muahahaha...sorry....overcafeinated today.
Miriam G: Ok, this time, I want 500 words, he he he... your requests will be taken care of, don't worry...we start this chappie with Snape, and he will be more present in the future. Voldie will not appear till Christmas I think, a chappie that will be truly angsty and horrible...you're gonna like it, considering your strange taste for well.. Tom.I must admit that I'm quite fascinated with him, but not in the weird way you are, lol. Well, I hope I'm invited to the marriage, along with my dear Baby Norbert. You can eat my socks, I don't care. And I don't have a hamster, nor do I eat cereals in the morning, muahahahaha.
Fire'N'Ice: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Well, I don't know when you're gonna read that, but still, I wanted to say it...he he he. I hope you received my ecard with the dragon! I thought it was cute... I was in uni when doing it and I was wondering if I chose the frog or the dragon and asked the guy next to me ( I don't know him at all): Frog or Dragon? He was just like, "huh?" he he he, I repeated the question, and he answered dragon, so voila, this was my ranting for the day... Ok, I stop there, so I can continue my replies, then answer your mail, and finally work on the Alithea story! And this evening, I have a party! I still don't know where I'm gonna sleep, but well...
Fantine: thanks for making the effort of writing it in French, it was really appreciated! I love your story and I hope you update soon!!!!! He he he, I say amen dictionaries and thesauruses have been created! And thanks to my beta for correcting my blatant mistakes..He he he...
Sunne: sorry for not replying in last chappie, but I received your review just after posting the chappie! I hope you'll continue to read this!!!!!
Disclaimer: If JKR wrote as lamely as me, she wouldn't probably have had so much success...
Chapter 11:
*Albus' POV*
Molly has been sitting in front of my desk for at least ten minutes without saying a word. In fact, we don't have anything to say on the subject, we failed. We knew Lucius would be coming today. We knew Draco had problems, and we did nothing to prevent this.
I can hear someone coming up to the office, and I recognize the footsteps as Severus'. He has a very decided way of walking, charged with impatience. I know he is here to ask me about Draco, and of course, about the fact that nobody told him... I assume he is really furious. I don't have even the time to share that thought with Molly and he's there, stomping in my office. He has a look of murder on his face.
"Albus, I want explanations right now!" he yells, his voice strong and scared at the same time.
"Sit and calm down, please Severus. Anger leads nowhere."
"You want me to cool down? To CALM down? You want me to calm down after what happened this morning? You both knew something, I'm sure of that! But you've done nothing, right? Or this wouldn't have happened! Like always, your over-optimistic vision of the problems paralysed you!"
His face who's usually twitching into a smirk and as pale as a vampire is red and his lips are thin. His fists are clenched and his whole body stiffened. I must be careful with how I explain him the situation.
"You're blinded with worry and anger, Sev. I don't take this lightly, contrary to your belief. And Molly neither. We take very seriously, but we have other ways of action. We stay in the background, letting somebody closer act."
"And who's this superhero? Draco was beaten nearly to death! And where was his saviour during that time, huh? Do tell me, I crave for an answer." His sarcastic tone hurts me, but I know that the only way to deal with him is not to let him touch me, so I reply as softly as I can.
"Draco was able to go through this. According to my sources, he's gone through worse. Just let the person I mentioned work this out."
"He's alone, and you know that! He's always been! I know you've seen the truth about that a long time ago! You-"
"Severus, you calm down immediately!" Molly's voice is commanding, yet calm.
***************************************************** *Molly's POV*
Severus turns to face me. I don't think he really appreciate the fact that I've commanded him, but at least, he's shut up.
This morning's events were quite stressful, but everything is in quite order now. I felt on the edge of throwing up when I bumped into Severus carrying Draco. And on top of everything, Ginny collapsed in her dormitory, and Poppy wasn't able to tell me anything. Albus was here too, and I swear I saw a twinkle in his eye, but with him, you never know. He can't be happy because my daughter just collapsed, can he?
My thoughts come back to Severus. The look on his face when I bumped into him was showing bewilderment, as well as anger and worry. Didn't he know about Draco's situation? He's Lucius' *best friend* after all. I really admire this man, even if we're not exactly getting along with each other. He has such a weight on his shoulders, being a spy and all. Poor man.
"Albus is right, I trust him."
"Would you please stop playing the asinine woman!" His voice is hedgy, I guess I'm getting on his nerves, like always, "You knew. And you played along with Albus' game. And Draco nearly got killed!"
"I know. And I didn't follow Albus' advice, if you ask me. And I failed miserably. Things are taken care of, so keep quiet, please."
"I won't take the keep quiet speech anymore! Either you tell me what the *plan* is, or I don't give a damn about Albus' plots!"
"Ginny." Says Albus slowly and softly.
"What with this stupid little girl?"
"How dare you insult my daughter? She's better than you think, but then again, you think low of everybody, huh?" I'm completely irate. Nobody insults my kids, nobody! He dodges the comment and continue to speak with Albus.
"So what with her?"
"She's helping Draco. She's gone closer than any of us till now. I know, Molly has seen them together this morning in the hospital wing. She is really getting somewhere with him, so please, trust her."
"You want me to trust a teenage girl, and her daughter, no less! The foolish little girl of the Chamber of Secrets business!"
"You're not exactly very well placed to speak about foolishness, considering your former life." I drawl.
With that, he just sinks into a chair. I can understand his worry, I was quite concerned myself, but with what I saw this morning, my faith in Ginny has raised a lot. One could tell I'm spying on my daughter, even following her around, considering the fact that I always manage to know everything, but honestly, I know the burden she is taking, I have the right to worry about her!
I wonder how she will deal without Arthur; I know that this teddy has no price to her. She cherishes him as much as I love my children. And she gave it to Draco Malfoy, the boy loathed by nearly everybody that knows his family and him.
*******************************************
*Draco's POV*
The sun pours through the windows and light flows in the room. For once, it matches my mood. I want light to overwhelm me, I want to feel the sun on my skin. I wish I was outside, but when I made a single move to get up, Mrs Pomfrey shot me her murderous glare so I just keep quiet now.
I'm bored. I'm really damn bored. I can't even move without pain shooting through my body, but I don't care, I want to get out of here. I look around and see a pile of clothes next to my bed. Thank God, somebody thought about that; my t-shirt has been thrown away, considering its pitiful state, and I don't exactly need the whole school to see my bruises and cuts.
When dressed, I retrieve Arthur from under the covers and hide it under my cloak. This bear is quite small, so nobody will know it's there. I tip-toe to the door and peek in Mrs Pomfrey's office; her back is turned to me, it's time to escape.I pass slowly in front of her door and break into a run till I'm far enough.
I make a quick stop in my dorm to hide Arthur under my pillow and take my books, and head to the library. Some people look at me strangely while in the halls, but I don't understand why and it's only when I cross a mirror's path that I see my hair is all tousled and messy, even more than Potter's. Well, another thing to deeply annoy Father.
The library is crowded with students, the quidditch match must have ended by now. There aren't any Hufflepuff students, so I guess they've won and are celebrating in their common room. As for myself, I haven't trained yet. Flint planned a training for Monday, but I'm not sure I'll be able to fly in this state...
I heavily drop my books on the table in the Alchemy section. Damn, I'm getting so feeble that I can't even carry my books from my common room to the library. I collapse on a chair, exhausted and in pain. Maybe I should have stayed in Hospital wing, I'm really weak. I put my head in my arms and nearly fall asleep on the table.
Somebody drops their books next to me. Damn, why is this section suddenly popular when it hasn't been for years?
"So, how did you escape Mrs Pomfrey?"
Ginny. She really has guts to come and speak to me while the library is so crowded. I thought she would ignore me most of the time.
"Knocked her out, of course." And here I start again with the sarcastic teasing.
"Yeah, whatever." I look up at her, she's grinning and shaking her head.
"So, what have you done with Arthur?"
"I poked his eyes out, then picked him on a fork and burnt him, what were you expecting?"
"Something more creative, maybe? Is he a good friend?" she says while sitting down next to me.
"Not very talkative, if you ask me. But well, as you speak all the time, how could he ever had a chance to learn how to speak?"
She slaps me gently on the arm, as if scared to hurt me. She's damn right, it hurts because she hit a bruise, but I'm too confused and cheery to pay attention. She flips her transfiguration book open and starts to work. I pull out my potions essay, always start with the most difficult and annoying...
**************************************************
*Ginny's POV*
We've been working silently for two hours, only interrupting for lunch, but it's hard to concentrate. I'm sitting in this crowded library with a boy I hated three weeks ago, who's my brother's arch nemesis, and who was found this very morning nearly dead.
His reactions are unexplainable. It's just like this morning's events have slid on him and he doesn't care at all. Somehow, I know that deep inside, he can't forget about this, and that he suffers, but he's got damn good self-control.
I'm gazing in the space in front of me, tapping my quill on my nose, like I always do when I think, when something appears in front of me. It's a girl, well, the ghost of a girl. It's not Moaning Myrtle, so I assume it's Hannah Abbott. I elbow Draco and he smiles when he sees her. I've never seen him smile like that, and it turns my stomach upside-down.
Hannah turns to me and smiles. She winks at me and suddenly disappears.
I turn to Draco, but he's gazing absently at the spot where Hannah was standing previously. Why did she wink at me? Does she know about the strange friendship I'm developing with Draco? It seems so, but I'm not sure I'm very good at reading ghosts' expressions...
Draco starts tapping his quill on his nose and it makes me laugh. He looks cute like that, with his messy hair. He stares at me quizzically and I try to explain we have exactly the same habit, but I giggle too much. I suddenly hear footsteps coming our direction, so I try to regain composture.
****************************************************
*Hermione's POV*
Well, here I have finished all my homework. I start to put the books I used back in place, and finally head to the Alchemy section, because I've seen Ginny going there earlier. I need to have a little chat with her, about that boy she is concerned about. I haven't seen her smile in days, it worries me.
However, when I arrive near the Alchemy section I hear a fit of laughter, and I recognize it as Ginny's. And there I turn the corner, to see her trying to stop laughing, sitting Indian style on her chair a big mess of books and papers on the table. This girl is the messiest I know, but she is really funny. Well, this is not the cause of my shock. The cause is sitting next to Ginny, staring quizzically at her, eyebrow raised, hair tousled and a small smile playing on his lips.
Draco Malfoy.
I pinch myself, I must be dreaming. Malfoy, sitting next to a Weasley without annoying her, and even smiling... I don't remember having waken up in an alternate reality this morning. She turns to face me and smiles. Malfoy, on the other hand, goes back to his work. What? No mudblood or any other insult today? Ok, I must admit he hasn't insulted me yet this year, a thing I would have thought highly improbable.
"Hey Hermione!"
"Hey. May I speak to you?" my eyes fix Malfoy.
She seems to understand and stands up to follow me. We go outside the library, walk for a bit, and eventually sit on the floor. She stares at me, waiting.
"Well, I was quite worried about you, not smiling, being quite in withdrawal, not really talking to any of us and such. I was wondering if it was about this mysterious boy."
I feel quite stupid, considering the fact that I've just heard her laugh, but well, too late.
"I'm well Hermione, I promise. Things are better now. And you heard me laugh, so you see, I'm not depressed, nor on the edge of suicide."
"Speaking of that, what was this?"
"What?" she looks at me with an eyebrow raised, just like Malfoy earlier.
"Malfoy. And don't play dumb. What with him? Since when Malfoys and Weasleys associate?" It strikes me then. The pieces take place: a boy she doesn't have contacts with, who's not going to let her help him etc...
"Isn't he that mysterious boy, by any chance?" I know I've hit the jackpot...
"Ahem..." she finally lets slip, trying to avoid my gaze.
I smile... Like always, I was right. What is the problem with Malfoy that could retain Dumbledore's attention. What would drive Ginny to worry that much about a boy everybody hates in our house? And what am I going to tell to Ron?
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*Ginny's POV*
Hermione knows now. I've always thought she would work out the truth, but now that she has, I don't know what to do. Do I tell her the whole story or do I just tell her that I can't spill some secrets like that?
She doesn't interrogate me, but stares at the floor instead. I know she's waiting for me to sort things out in my head.
"Listen Hermione. I do trust you, and you're my best friend, but it's his life and his problems, and I'm not sure I can tell you about it. I don't know everything myself."
"I understand, but if you need me, you know where to find me."
We both smile and stand up. I head back to the library while she takes the common room's path. When I arrive at my place, Draco has left, but I spot a crumbled paper under my battered transfiguration book. There's just a word on it. Six letters, but it makes my hands shake.
Thanks.
I look through the as ever dirty window. The sun is high in the sky. I'm happy.
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Fire'N'Ice again..Really, you could have chosen a less difficult name to type!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry you have to deal with her, but hey, she's been reducing her rambling a lot! Lol.
~~ahhh, happiness, finally!!! Hehe, yes yes, I know this is angst but we all needed a scene like the one between Draco and Ginny this chapter. LoL!! Love the line about Draco tapping his quill against his nose, it's so cute to imagine!!! Also his sarcastic answers, I love sarcasm :) All in all, this chapter was brillant, as always!!!!!!! Great job :-D
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If you liked this, REVIEW! Even if it's to ramble! I love when people ramble! I'm a great rambler myself, so I really don't mind. And if you have requests, don't hesitate! I've written down Rubberduckie's and Miriam G's, so if you have an idea or a wish, TELL ME!!! Now, press the blue button, I'm sure you want to!