Love Behind the Shadows
Chapter Six: Surpassing Truth
"Dra-Draco Malfoy?" Ginny squeaked, her eyes glazed with horror
Draco smirked, "In the flesh. Now, the question is who are you?"
Ginny's eyes darted, terror pulsing through her. "I-I," she gulped. "I can't tell you that …"
Draco frowned, "Why not?" he demanded, attempting to stay collected while he still could
"Because, I-I just can't …" Ginny whispered, slowly stumbling backwards, praying she was nearing the door
Draco's frown deepened, and he slowly reached out to the glittering white mask, only to have his hand swatted away by a freckled hand.
"Wha-"
"I can't show you who I am and … I never will be able to …" Ginny stated. Then suddenly she spun on heel, her intentions set on running with all her strength but, just as her feet began to carry her away, a hand shot out gripping her arm tightly. A loud 'click' split through the air, and glancing down Ginny's eyes widened, her mask had fallen off.
"Why can't I see you-" Malfoy's voice came to a halt. "Gin-Ginny Weasley?" he chocked out, his voice rich with shock, his hand fell weightlessly from her arm as he gazed at her astounded
Ginny glanced over her shoulder, a few loose curls falling loosely in her face. Her eyes mingled with his for a brief moment, chocolate brown and icy blue connecting as one. Then with a quick hand, Ginny snatched up her mask, and slowly began walking backwards. Gradually her pace quickened and she turned around, her feet carrying her back indoors. Draco stood stone still, watching Ginny's long fiery curls bounce behind her as she disappeared into the Great Hall quickly.
Had his eyes betrayed him? Had it really been Ginny Weasley he had been fawning over so dreadfully? His head spun with questions, and he suddenly became very dizzy. Stumbling back, he fell against the stone wall, and slid down to the floor.
"You sure dug yourself a deep grave mate" A familiar voice spoke out
Draco glanced up, to find Blaise leaning in the door frame watching him intently.
"You know, I'd suggest planning the funeral now rather than later. Seeing as if Pansy finds out-"
"She won't find out. Nobody will" Draco growled
"Oh really? And how do you plan on pulling that one off?" Blaise questioned, a dark brow raised skeptically
Draco pulled a hand through his hair stressfully, a few platinum locks falling into his eyes. "No one saw us, besides you, that is … right?"
Blaise shrugged, "How should I know mate"
Draco sighed, "Well … how long we're you here?" he questioned, gulping visibly.
"Hmmmm … well, I've been watching you two all night and it seems to me you're actually very fond of our little weaslette" He stated, with a smirk.
Draco glanced down at the ground, fire dancing in his eyes. "I swear … if I had known it was her-"
"You wouldn't have said she was, oh what did you say," he paused, thinking for a moment. "Gorgeous? Stunning? Beautiful?"
"Blaise …" Draco hissed, warningly
"But, seeing as you did, and it's already been said, I would suggest just giving it a rest already. So what, you had an enchanting night with weaslette, who cares! It'll all blow over soon, trust me" Blaise reassured him, a small smile playing across his lips.
"But, Blaise … I don't think it's all that simple now …"
Blaise eyed his friend in disbelief. He had never seen Draco act this way before, so confused, so utterly lost for words. Draco had always been the strong one, had never let his guard down … until now.
"And why is that?" Blaise asked slowly, a frown playing with his brows
Draco glanced up, his eyes pleadingly gazing at his friend. "I-I don't know … I just have a feeling it's not over … yet"
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Ginny ran, the continuous 'click' of her heels ringing in her ears. She had been running ever since she had been revealed, and still she had no idea where she was headed. It seemed as though her feet were controlling her, her pace a rhythmic sound of clicking as she ran through endless corridors. Suddenly a familiar item came into view, causing Ginny to push herself to the max, running as fast as she could. As she neared the portrait of the fat lady, she thought how crazy she was for running in heels, and how lucky she was that she hadn't tripped.
She flung herself at the portrait, swinging it open, and stumbling inside before slamming the door shut behind her. She immediately fell back against the portrait, her breathing long gasps for air. Ginny clenched her side as a lash of pain whipped through her. Suddenly, through it all, she heard a faint giggle, and looked up. Her eyes widened, for the umpteenth time that evening as a skeptical site painted itself before her.
There was Hermione, pushed up against the wall, her hands wrapped around none other than Ron. Ron had his own hands preoccupied on the small of Hermione's back, pulling her closer with every kiss. Without realizing it, Ginny raised a hand to her mouth in disbelief, as she raised an eye brow in confusion. 'Am I actually seeing this? I swear my bloody eyes need to be checked' She thought, as her breathing continued to rage on in hysterical gasps.
Unexpectedly Hermione pulled away, and her attention was immediately drawn towards Ginny. Ginny, now realizing she was being stared down by her brother, and his new snogging partner, made a dash for the stairs.
"Ginny! Wait! What happened?" Hermione called after her
Ginny ignored all calls of concern and continued to rush up the stairs; the tears that had been welling up in her eyes now fell freely. Once inside, she tossed her fragile body onto her bed, and cried into her pillow. 'This cannot be happening …' she thought miserably.
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Hermione sighed, looking at Ron with concern glazing her eyes.
"Hermione, I'm sure it's nothing. You know Gin, she can be a, what do the muggles call it? A-"
"Drama queen?" Hermione suggested
Ron grinned, "Yeah, that's it. A drama queen!"
Hermione shook her head, "Ronald, I know your sister better than you do" she sighed. "Something had to have happened. Ginny looked like an emotional wreck. Maybe I should-"
"No, stay … please" Ron said pleadingly, his hand giving Hermione's a light squeeze
Hermione smiled weakly, "Fine … I suppose I'll just ask her in the morning"
Ron smiled, "I'm sure everything will be fine by then … or at least I hope"
Just then the portrait swung open, and in stormed a very aggravated Harry.
"Harry wha-"
"Nothing I-I'm fine …" he muttered, cutting Hermione off almost instantly.
She frowned, "Harry, don't lie. Something is wrong, now what is it?" she questioned, her best friend side taking over immediately.
Harry sighed, and plopped down on the couch as he pulled a hand through his hair. "It's these bloody spells … they just frustrate me, that's all" he explained
Hermione's frown deepened and she took a seat beside Harry. "What do you mean?" she asked genuinely puzzled
"It just tires me out, makes me stressed" he replied, his head falling back against the cushions
"Oh …" Hermione whispered, glancing up at Ron for help
"Well, you suppose we could uhhh … do something that would help?" Ron questioned, raising a brow
Harry sighed, "No … but, there is someone that could …"
Hermione looked at him anxiously, "Who?" She was desperate to help Harry; he had enough stress weighing on his shoulders.
"Ginny" he answered a small smile playing across his lips as he sat up. "Do either of you know where she is?"
Ron and Hermione exchanged worried glances before one of them spoke.
"Well ummmm Harry you see," Ron began.
"She's up in her dorm. I think something's wrong Harry, she-she came in from the ball looking absolutely horrid" Hermione sighed. "I tried asking her what happened but, she just ignored me and continued on. Maybe you could get it out of her … I'm positive something had to have happened. The look in her eyes-"
But, before Hermione could utter another word, Harry was already working his way up the small set of stairs and setting off down the hall. Finally Ginny's dorm room door came into view, and he knocked on the door lightly.
No answer.
A frown played at his brows, and he knocked once more.
Still he got no reply.
Finally, the drawn out burden of worry caused him to slowly push the door aside.
"Gin?" he whispered, glancing around the room.
Then he saw her, sitting curled up in the window seat, gazing out at the night sky longingly. Slowly, he tip toed across the room, until he was a mere inch away from her back. A smile played across his lips as he gazed at her unnoticed. God, he loved her so much. He didn't know what he would do if he didn't have her. Gradually reaching out, his fingers slid over her shoulders, giving them a light squeeze.
"Hey" he whispered in her ear
Ginny jumped slightly, and turned looking over her shoulder.
Harry's eyes suddenly became stricken with worry and concern. "Ginny, wha-what happened?"
Ginny sighed and turned back towards the window, completely overlooking Harry's question.
"Ginny, look at me …" he pleaded.
Ginny's eyes remained fastened to the setting outside, the glistening stars blinking up in the heavens.
"Gin …" He urged, his thumb tracing small circles on her shoulder blade
Ginny took a deep breath, and closed her eyes, still not uttering a word.
"Ginny, what in merlins beard happened to you! I thought I told you to have a good time …" Harry stated
'I did have a good time … I was swept off my feet, my night was completely magical … all but the part where I found out it was Malfoy who I had been falling for' Ginny thought mindlessly as she sat still.
"Gin," Harry's fingers slid beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Is something wrong?"
Ginny gulped, she couldn't tell him … he would explode. So the only option was to lie …
"No, I'm fine" she forced a smile, as she lied through her teeth
Harry frowned, "Are you sure?"
"Yes …"
"Ok good, I was getting worried" He explained.
'Merlin, I never realized how completely oblivious he is!' Ginny thought as she eyed him skeptically.
"My night was bloody horrible, I hate these pointless meetings Dumbledore plans" Harry began to rant
Ginny sat, nodding at times, and humming in agreement at others until finally Harry had finished.
"I guess all I needed was to talk to you, or better yet" Harry's hand snaked its way around her waist, pulling her close to him. "This …"
Then before Ginny could manage to react, Harry's lips were on her own kissing them hungrily. Ginny frowned slightly, her body reacting in a whole new way than before. Something deep within her told her, that this was not meant to be. She shouldn't be in Harry's arms … she should be in someone else's. Unexpectedly her mind seemed to make an answer for her, flashing an image of Draco almost instantly. Harry's hand fell on the small of her back, as Ginny's eyes widened.
'Why can't I get him out of my mind!' Ginny thought, as she continued to kiss Harry, the awkwardness growing by the second. Another image flashed before her, of her laughing while Draco's arms were wrapped around her waist as the couple danced. Harry eased Ginny onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Yet another image flickered in her mind, her and Draco sharing punch, smiling like mad. 'What is wrong with me?' Ginny's thoughts continued to whirl.
Draco, Draco, Draco! That's all she could think of, imagine, or envision.
The next thing Ginny knew Harry was pulling away. "I'm going to go now, alright? See you in the morning" He gave her one last peck on the forehead before walking quietly from the room.
Ginny sighed, as the door clicked closed, and she leaned her head against the cool glass. "Why did you have to be so wonderful?" she thought aloud, as images of Draco flashed continuously in her mind.
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Draco lay in his private head quarters, lying on the overly large bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts had been a jumbled mess ever since he had found out the girl of his dreams had turned out to be a Weasley. 'Is it really that bad? I mean sure she's a Weasley but-wait what am I thinking? It's impossible! No, stop thinking stop' Draco's mind screamed.
He sighed annoyed and rolled over on his side, his face pressing into a plush pillow. "God weaslette, why did you do this to me?" he mumbled to the silence.
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A/N: Angry reviewers, eh? Well I'm sorry. Truly I am! But, you'll just have to wait and see where it all leads. Hehe I'm evil, truly evil! Please review, and thanks for reading!
