Love Behind the Shadows

Chapter Eight: Hidden Beneath the Pages

"Draco Malfoy?" Hermione questioned

Ginny plopped down rather viciously, and proceeded to answer Hermione's question. "Yes, Draco Malfoy."

A frown married Hermione's brows, as she set down her book; directing her full attention towards the distressed red head. "Well, what happened? Explain …"

"Well we-I … ummmm" Ginny's mind raced at lightening speed. She had to be careful in her wording, for if she said the wrong thing, the couple's secret would be revealed. 'Our secret …' Ginny thought, taking a new liking the title.

"Yes, go on …"

"I just well, I … I ran into him at the quidditch pitch" she sighed relieved

Hermione eyed her suspiciously. "And, what happened?"

Ginny huffed angrily, running a stressful hand through her hair aggravated. "He was just the usual self-absorbed Draco, and I guess it just got to me …"

"Enough to cause you to scream into a pillow?" Hermione inquired, a small smile playing across her lips

Ginny's eyes cast downwards, "I-I suppose. Look Hermione, I'm sorry for … well, screaming like I did. He just-"

"I know the feeling," Hermione smiled. "Why do you think I'm never in the head's room? It's because he literally drives me insane!"

Ginny laughed at this, 'Merlin, he seems to drive everyone to there dreaded point. It's just odd he seems to do that and make me weak at the knees at the same time.' Her eyes flew wide. 'I did not just think that! I did not just think that!'

Suddenly the portrait door flew open, revealing a very irritated Harry. Ginny barely even noticed his presence, as she was off in a world of her own. That was until Ginny felt his soft lips brush her cheek; she jumped slightly, looking up.

"Oh, Harry … merlin you scared me!" Ginny snapped

Hermione frowned, and picked up her book, turning to the appropriate page once more.

"I'm sorry Gin, I thought you heard me come in" Harry replied, completely oblivious to the annoyed tone in her voice

"Well, it-it's alright …" she stuttered out, observing him closely.

His black messy hair appeared even messier than when she had last seen him, and a certain fire danced in his eyes. He looked stressed, the way he kept running a hand through his hair, and sighing just so. Ginny frowned, 'What did I ever see in him? He's-woah, wait just one minute you! Who was the one, head over heels in love with him just last week?' Ginny's frown deepened. 'But, that was before Draco came into the picture'

"Ginny, did you hear me?"

Ginny glanced up, a confused look adorning her features. "No, what did you say?"

Harry sighed, clearly annoyed. "I was telling you about Dumbledore's lesson. Remember I told you yesterday, there was one scheduled"

"Oh," Ginny thought for a moment. "Yes, I remember"

Harry frowned but, continued on ignoring Ginny's odd actions. "Merlin Ginny, it was horrible. I hated every second of it! I really don't understand why he's insisting on me learning these spells, there bloody impossible! I can't seem to get any of them!" And then Harry began rambling on, and on about his failure.

Although Ginny appeared to be listening, she was far from it. Her mind had drifted off almost the moment he had mentioned Dumbledore and lessons. Now, it was focused on a certain platinum haired boy. Ginny smiled dreamily, twirling a fiery curl around her index finger as she continued to think of him. Then the annoying voice in the back of her head began screaming, and in the process broke her trance. 'How can you think of him after what just happened? The bloody git, made fun of you! He's not worth your desire, not worth it one bit' Slowly Ginny's smile turned sour. 'He is too worth my desire, every ounce of it!'

Unexpectedly a group of fourth years came pouncing into the room, as they had just returned from a special trip to Hogsmeade. Ginny immediately came too, her thoughts dimming to only small whispers within her head.

"Ummm Harry …"

Harry couldn't hear her over the rambling of other students, and continued to mutter about 'Bloody spells'.

"Harry …" Ginny said, her voice slightly escalading.

Still he couldn't hear her. 'Merlin is this boy deaf?'

"HARRY!" Ginny shrieked

Harry looked up, looking at her innocently. "Yeah?"

Ginny sighed, "I'm going to the library"

Harry frowned.

"I have a potions essay due tomorrow, and I've barely written one page. Can't this wait?" She explained

Harry nodded, leaning back in the chair. "Yeah, sure …"

A smile crept onto her lips. "Alright, see you later"

Ginny snatched up her knapsack, and with a quick wave, left the common room. Once outside, in the safety of the halls, she sighed relieved. Was it just her, or was Harry becoming more and more annoying. 'NO! You love him, he's your boyfriend. You L-O-V-E him!' her mind screamed. Ignoring her contradicting thoughts, she headed off down the corridor towards the library.

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Ginny had been in the library for nearly an hour, and she still hadn't managed to finish one page. Her thoughts had continued to contradict themselves. One side, her logical side, continued to tell her that Draco Malfoy was a bad egg, and to avoid him completely. While the other side, mainly her heart, told her to follow her desire, let it lead her to what she truly wanted. It was becoming rather annoying.

Ginny tossed the quill down, burying her head in her hands, as she sighed stressfully. 'Merlin, this is hard! My ruddy emotions keep getting in the way!' Heaving a well needed breath, she attempted to gather her thoughts and concentrate on what truly needed to be done. Looking up from her hands, her eyes widened, and before she could think to do otherwise she opened her mouth ready to let out a brain rattling scream. She would have been successful if a pale hand hadn't shot out, smothering the sound.

"Merlin weaslette, It's only me" Draco smirked as he spoke in referral to himself.

Ginny senses whirled as his hand brushed over her lips but, quickly she scowled; covering up her inner feelings. "What do you want Malfoy?" she demanded

"I-"

"Shush, the both of you! You're in a library!" a harsh voice whispered

Draco sighed, annoyed. "I just came to grace you with my presence," he spoke softly, his trademark smirk adorning his lips as he slid into the chair across from her. "That isn't a problem, is it?" he questioned, hovering over the chair.

Ginny smiled scornfully, "Oh no Malfoy, I don't mind at all. Be my guest" she stated, sarcasm dripping from each syllable.

Draco smirked, satisfied. "I knew you wouldn't mind"

Ginny rolled her eyes, her temper beginning to rise. "I was being sarcastic. Ever experience it, rather than dish it out?" she snarled

Draco ignored her comment, and reached out, gripping her parchment in his hands.

Ginny's eyes widened, aggravated. "Malfoy! Give it back!" she hissed, attempting to snatch it from his hands

Draco's eyes scanned the text, before looking up at the annoyed red head. "I thought you were ranked highest in your class, concerning Potions" he stated. "I suppose that was a load of rubbish"

Ginny's blood boiled. "I am good in Potions. I just-" Her voice fell to a dead silence, as her mind spun, dreadfully trying to find an acceptable excuse. "I-I … ummmm"

Draco continued to smirk, he loved toying with her, it was just so pleasantly fun. His eyes fixed themselves on her stuttering lips, and a new desire began to overwhelm him. 'Merlin … I never knew how lush her lips are' He thought mindlessly, as his icy orbs took in her breathtaking features. Suddenly, through everything, a searing pain shot through his arm, and he cringed in distress.

"I just-It's …"

Draco's browns knitted themselves together, as he dropped Ginny's parchment, gripping his arm tightly. 'Please don't let her notice' He thought to himself as he hurriedly shoved both arms under the desk.

Ginny's eyes widened, as his hand brushed her knee. She glanced up, and saw how distorted Draco's appearance had become.

"Merlin, what is wrong with you?" she questioned

Draco's gaze shifted in her direction. "I-I have to go …" he quickly snatched up his book

Ginny frowned, watching him intently.

"Listen weaslette, I need you to meet me by the-" he cringed, stifling a whimper. Taking a deep breath he continued. "Meet me by the Black lake tonight, after curfew. Got it?"

Ginny's frown deepened. "What? Why?"

But, no reply came, and much to Ginny's surprise, he had disappeared. She blinked, trying desperately to make sure she wasn't just seeing things. "But, I-I could have sworn …"

She got up, peering around the corner of the book shelve.

No Draco.

Letting out a sigh, Ginny slid back into her chair, still confused as ever. 'Why are you doing this to me Draco, more importantly how?' she thought.

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Ginny walked down the corridor, towards Gryffindor tower. She had long ago forgotten about the mind boggling essay, as all her thoughts seemed to revolve around only Draco. He had acted so strangely back in the library, as if a thousand knives were being stabbed into his arm. It was just … odd. Finally Ginny caught site of the portrait, and muttering the password she passed through entering the common room.

Flopping down onto the soft cushions of the couch, she laid back, and closed her eyes. Her thoughts continued to spin like mad; everything was but a blur of memories or thoughts. 'I've got to sort this out … or else I'm going to loose it' Ginny thought to herself. And so began the long process of sorting out her whirling mass of thoughts.

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A/N: Well, one more chapter checked off the list! I hoped you enjoyed it … even though you hate me for leaving you hanging once more. But, hey … you'll get over it once you read the next chapter! Hehe Please review, and thanks for reading!