Love Behind the Shadows
Chapter Twelve: Harsh Reality
A/N: So sorry for the wait everyone! Well here it is, a tad bit short but very informational! LBTS Chapter Twelve!
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With wide eyes, Ginny stumbled backwards, her body numb with disbelief. This can't be happening, no not now. Not when everything seemed so perfect. Ginny thought, as tears welled in the outskirts of her eyes. The horrid image of the mark flashed before her eyes, it's dark rigid edges embedded into Draco's pale skin. Hurriedly Ginny spun around, and began snatching up the cloths that had been tossed to the floor carelessly only moments ago. Unexpectedly, as she bent down to retrieve her shirt, a hand coiled its way around her waist.
As Draco's pale hands clutched her tightly, her vision became blurry with tears. No, no, no! She thought miserably, as tears began running down her cheeks freely. Her body shook helplessly, as she sobbed into his chest; the wet droplets falling from her eyes, soaking his bare skin.
"Ho-how could you?" she murmured from his chest.
"Ginny I-"
"Just when everything seemed so bloody perfect … I suppose not everything lasts." She stated, cutting him off.
"Gin-"
She looked up, her chocolate brown orbs glazed with disappointment and betrayal. "I trusted you Draco, I-"
Suddenly Draco's hands wrapped around Ginny's wrists and giving them a tight squeeze, he pushed her back gently. "That's enough, Ginny." He said his voice rich with emotion. "Once again you're messing in places you shouldn't be. It's truly none of your business."
Ginny's eyes widened, her mouth falling slightly a gap. "No-none of my business? You've got to be joking!"
Draco looked at her, anger dancing in his eyes. "Ginny-"
"No, Draco you're wrong. It is my business! After all we've been through you still doubt my loyalty?" she questioned, tears of aggravation continuously streaming down her cheeks.
"It's not that I don't trust you Gin, it's just that I don't want you getting hurt." He whispered softly, and for a moment Ginny could have sworn she sensed a slight weakness in the platinum haired boy.
"H-hurt? How could I get hurt?" she questioned, her tone surprisingly gentle for the previous harshness she had shown towards him.
Draco sighed, turning his back towards her. "All sorts of ways! Voldemort doesn't take to kindly to emotions. Like my father he believes in only one emotion, and that's fear. They say it's the key to success." He explained.
Ginny frowned, then slowly reaching out, her fingers ran over his shoulders. "Draco I-"
"Look, Ginny I never wanted this, never. It was forced onto me. With my father being a loyal servant of the Dark Lord," his face became suddenly stricken with hatred. "I was promised to him." A stress filled sigh passed through his lips, and his shoulders dipped down low.
Ginny stood stone still, paralyzed with shock.
"I know it seems hard to believe. Draco Malfoy, the most evil git to walk the planet, not a death eater or at least longing to be one of his followers but, it's the truth. I have never wanted to be like my father …" his voice trailed off, his words melting in the air around them.
"Draco, I-I believe you." Ginny stated, her body shaking with emotion as the tears of frustration and shock poured out of her brown eyes.
Slowly Draco turned to face her, his cool eyes studying her intently.
"I do, I really do believe you." She whispered, truly meaning every word she spoke.
As Draco continued to stand, studying the broken red head before him, he couldn't help the anger boiling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like her crying, especially when he was the cause of her tears. Suddenly the growing urge to take her in his arms became overwhelming and he leaned forward, capturing her in his arms.
Ginny's heart lifted slightly as his arms coiled around her, hugging her tight, and almost instantly she buried her face in his chest letting all her emotions take over. With each new tear that fell, she felt that in some way she was washing herself clean of that emotion; the hurt, aggravation, and betrayal falling from her eyes. And soon enough Ginny had cried her last tear, leaving her fragile and asleep in Draco's arms.
Draco's icy blue eyes watched her carefully, and the longer he gazed the more in love he fell. She was the only person he could open up to, reveal his true emotions, and trust to keep his darkest secrets. It was almost a shock to him that she was once the girl he would throw insults at almost daily. Slowly, he slid an arm beneath her legs, and scooped her up. Then walking across the room, he laid her gently on his overly large bed.
As the bed dipped due to his figure crawling beneath its sheets, he couldn't seem to pull his gaze away from her; even as the lights dimmed he found his eyes drawn to her slim figure buried within the shadows. Draco watched her for hours, until finally he himself drifted off into a light state of sleep.
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The next morning Ginny awoke to the suns warm rays beating down on her cheeks and a pair of muscular arms wrapped tightly around her. A small groggy smile played across her lips, as she began to snuggle up to him but, then suddenly she froze, as images of the previous night flooded her mind. Her gaze flickered down in the direction of his arm, and she cringed. There embedded into his soft and pale skin was the mark. A look of disgust pulled at her features, and she shifted awkwardly. She never had thought she would see it, that hideous image so many branded themselves with.
Yet there she was, lying in the arms of someone she loved dearly but, who was also a follower of the Dark Lord himself. But, he doesn't want to be Gin. You have to remember that, this was forced onto him. A sigh escaped her lips as a wave of contradicting thoughts crashed down on her. Hurriedly she thought of something to sooth her nerves before she broke down again, Ah! The shower, that should do the trick! Quickly she slipped from Draco's grasp, and tip toed towards the bathroom.
Once within its tiled walls, she turned the knob on the shower, and prayed that Draco wouldn't wake. After waiting a minute or two with no sign of any activity in the other room, she stripped herself clean of cloths, and hopped into the steaming water. Almost instantly her eyes fluttered closed, and she hummed pleasantly. Thank merlin for bloody showers. She thought, giggling to herself at the thought. Continuing to soak up the water droplets, Ginny gradually ridded herself of any chance of contradicting thoughts, and eventually left the shower completely.
Throwing on her cloths, she gave Draco one last longing look before swiftly hurrying from the room.
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As Ginny passed through the portrait of the Fat Lady she felt a wave of relief wash over her, No ruddy confusing thoughts and better yet, the common room is empty! Plopping down on the couch she closed her eyes, smiling as she took in her peaceful surroundings. This is nice.
"Ginny?"
Ginny's eyes flew open, and she frowned inwardly. So much for bloody peace and quiet.
"Ginny what are you doing up this early?" Harry questioned, genuinely puzzled.
"Oh I … errrr … couldn't sleep." She quickly lied.
"Oh, bad dream?" He asked, sitting comfortably next to her.
"No just, couldn't sleep … that's all."
Harry frowned but, dropped the subject completely.
"So, why are you up this early?" Ginny asked
"Can't sleep, too much to think about." Harry answered simply.
"Like …?" she inquired.
"Well, these lessons with Dumbledore … there becoming more frequent, I'm afraid the final battle is closer than expected."
Ginny's eyes widened, and worry flooded her body.
"I'm just not ready Gin, not even close!" Harry laughed emotionlessly. "And for some bloody reason, Dumbledore believes I am! Merlin, sometimes I wonder-" He stopped suddenly, noticing the horrified look on Ginny's face.
"Gi-Ginny, are you alright?"
Ginny looked up, tears brimming in her eyes. "Uhhh … ummmm …" she stuttered out, unable to speak.
"Oh Ginny, it's alright." Harry murmured comfortingly, scooting closer to her. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure-well I'm not really sure but," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Ginny trust me, I won't let him beat me. He won't get away with what he's done to all these innocent people." He stated bravely.
Ginny gave him a small smile, glancing down at her shaking hands.
"Gin, Ginny look at me." Harry commanded, his finger slipping beneath her chin.
Harry's emerald green eyes gazed into her chocolate orbs, lovingly. "I promise you, I will never let anything come between us. Okay?"
Ginny nodded slightly, her body still numb.
Harry smiled, and leaned in to kiss her. Ginny's eyes widened, as she dreaded the upcoming moment. No, oh gods … please don't make me go through with this! Her thoughts screamed. She couldn't bare to think of any one else kissing her after what she and Draco had shared. It was only his lips she desired now, no one else's, and she was sure that was never going to change. Closer, and closer his lips came. Please no! No, no, no!
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A/N: I would like to thank Kaci's 'I Will Learn To Love Again' for helping me complete this chapter! Lol. I finally got it done after constantly listening to the song! For some strange reason, it just kept me going! I LOVE YOU KACI! Hehe. Anyway, what did you think? A little short but, certainly interesting! Please review with your thoughts! Thanks!
