Love Behind the Shadows

Chapter Fourteen: Unhappy Holidays

Hermione sat comfortably in a leather chair, her nose dipped down deep into the pages of Hogwarts a History, as usual. She had suffered a sleepless night, and after many failed attempts to drift off in bed, she had given up and retreated to the common room. As the flames from the fire place, danced heavenly, Hermione noticed a small shadow out of the corner of her eye. Frowning she turned slightly, and her hazel orbs grew wide.

Ginny? She thought, as a speck of flaming hair fled her vision quickly. Sinking lower into the chair, Hermione shifted uncomfortably. She didn't have any desire to be seen, after all she wasn't sure it actually was Ginny, and even if it was, she wasn't in for a dose of the infamous Weasley temper. Staying stone still, she continued to listen, suddenly the small click of the portrait swinging shut rang throughout the room, and Hermione let out a well needed breath.

That couldn't have been her. What could have possessed Ginny to come here, especially at this time of night. But, then again … she has been acting strangely lately. Maybe … no, no it can't be. The brunette shook her head in denial. I'm just imagining things, that wasn't Ginny … it-it was probably just a trick of light. Hermione sighed, and turned back to the text of her book. Ruddy thoughts …

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Ginny slipped through the portrait door, being sure not to step on the retched floor board that would let out a brain rattling shriek should she step on it. Once inside, she fell back onto the plush maroon couch, and pulling a pillow to her chest, she hugged it tightly. What a night. She thought with a dreamy sigh. She loved her nights with Draco, probably more than any other thing she did on a daily basis. Soon enough she began loosing herself in recalling her previous moments with him, and within in minutes she fell into a deep state of sleep.

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As morning dawned on the castle, the echoing sound of students bustling about there dorms continued to ring in the air; as it was the first day of Christmas Vacation. Ginny lay on the couch, tossing and turning, desperately wishing for the ringing in her ears to cease. Suddenly, a group of girls came giggling down the stairs, and she couldn't take it any longer. Abruptly she sat up, a loose curl swaying in her line of vision.

Ginny let out a groan of annoyance before blowing the stray lock from her eyes. Bloody hell. She thought, as another hoard of students came hurrying down the steps, all dragging along a large trunk.

"Oi Gin!"

She jumped slightly, "Bloody hell Ron! How many times do I have to tell you, I-"

"Hate it when you scare me like that." Ron answered, mimicking Ginny's girly voice. "I know Gin, I know."

The red head scowled, "Well … what do you want?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Nothing?" Ginny snorted. "You don't need anything?"

Ron shook his head, "Nope. Why would you think I needed something?"

"Well, considering we hardly talk anymore due to your new hobby-"

"Hobby? What hobby?" Ron frowned, truly confused.

Ginny smirked. "Why are you asking me? You're the one who's acquired this new hobby." She teased.

Ron's frown deepened. "Ginny, what are you trying to say?"

"Oh just that you've taken up sharing spit with Hermione very frequently, haven't you?"

A sudden burst of warmth rushed into Ron's cheeks, as he glared at his younger sibling. "You-you have no business in my love life!" he snarled.

Ginny raised an eyebrow, "I should say the same thing of you."

"But-but, you're my little sister! It is my business what you're doing with boys, or who your doing those things with!" he hissed.

Ginny continued to smirk, while rising slowly from the couch. "Well, if I can't discuss your love life then you can't discuss mine." She stated flatly. Then spinning on heel, she began climbing the stairs towards her dorm.

"Ginny! Ginny, you come here!" Ron hissed, scrambling up the small flight of steps.

Ginny laughed, "I'm not a dog Ron."

"Ugh! Ginny, stop it!" he shrieked, his hands balled into fists.

She turned, and with a small flash of a smile, she slammed the girl's dorm door on his face. Bloody pain in the arse brothers. She thought annoyed, as she strode over to her trunk full of various items. Always thinking they can control me, have some sort of place in my business. Ginny turned towards her dresser, and snatched up a few shirts, tossing them into the bowels of her trunk. I mean, who does he think he is! Mum! She huffed angrily, and continued the pattern, only with different items each time.

Soon enough, everything worthy of being taken home for vacation had been stowed away within the safety of her trunk, and was locked deep within it. Ginny sighed, planting her hands upon her hips, as she gave the room a once over. Hmmm … I might actually miss this ruddy room. Wait-what am I saying? I'm coming back in a week! She laughed to herself, then picking up her wand, she began levitating her trunk down the stairs.

"Ginny!" Hermione screeched, launching herself at the red head, as she stepped down the stairs. "Oh Ginny, I'm going to miss you so much!" she breathed.

Ginny smiled, "Thanks Mione, I'm going to miss you to!"

The two girls embraced for a moment, before turning back around towards the boys.

"Well, I suppose I'm off!" stated Hermione.

"Bye Harry." She said smiling, and giving him one last hug.

Then she turned towards Ron, and as if no one was around, she kissed him hard on the lips. "Bye Ron." She said, her voice a low seductive whisper.

"By-bye Hermione." Ron stuttered out, his cheeks a bright shade of crimson.

Ginny held back the laugh tickling at her throat, and pulled off a spectacular smile.

"Well, you boys ready to go?" she asked, glancing in both Harry and Ron's direction.

The two nodded.

"Alright! Good, let's go then shall we?"

But though Ginny appeared to be anxious to get home, and visit with her family, she longed to be else where. Her heart was set on staying with Draco, and the thought of being miles away from him brought a horrible aching to her heart. But, being the strong willed girl that she was, she would not let it break her … would she?

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The train ride home had been long and drawn out, much longer than expected due to a certain prank pulled, causing the trains fuel to run extremely low. Ginny pondered why anyone would want to put a stop to getting home, especially considering the circumstances. But, then she realized that if she hadn't been too worried of being caught, she would have pulled the same prank; just to be able to go back to Hogwarts and see Draco.

Now in the humble abode of the Weasley's, Ginny found her room a rather peaceful, and welcoming space; taking into consideration she wished to speak to no one. Heaving a sigh, she flopped back onto her bed, and closed her eyes. Merlin I miss him. Taking yet another long willful breath, she shifted uncomfortably. Why did Christmas come so soon? And why couldn't I have just stayed home for break?

Suddenly a loud, firm knock echoed throughout the room, and she sprang up.

"Yes?" she almost screamed.

"Hey Gin, it's Harry. Do you mind if I come in?" He asked, sounding slightly timid.

Ginny rolled her eyes, bracing herself for the near future. "Sure, come in Harry."

Slowly the door opened, and Harry peaked around it, before stepping fully into the room.

"Gin, are you alright? You seem-well that is, your acting very strange." He asked, closing the door behind him, and finding a comfortable seat beside Ginny.

"Uhhhh … no nothings wrong. Why would you think something's wrong?" She asked hastily.

Harry raised an eyebrow before continuing. "Well, you've been jumpy lately, and I haven't seen too much of you. It's just like you disappear right after dinner. I-is something going on?"

Ginny shook her head, a fake smile playing across her lips. "Harry, nothing is going on. I've just had a lot of studying to do lately, and you know me, I'm not the one who takes a liking to spending there day in the dark halls of the library." She laughed lightly.

Harry frowned. "Are you sure?"

Ginny gulped, "Positive." She answered, sounding completely realistic.

Harry smiled, and coiled an arm around her waist. "Good." Then giving her a light peck on the cheek, he rose from the bed. "Well, your mum told me to inform you that dinner will be ready in about 15 minutes."

Ginny smiled, "Okay, would you mind telling her I'll be down in about 5 minutes or so?"

He grinned, nodding. "Nope, of course not. See you in a bit." And with that he strode from the room.

As soon as the door, creaked shut, Ginny let out a groan and fell back onto the sheets once more. "Bloody hell …" she murmured to the thick silence around her.

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A/N: Well, this was an oddly hard chapter to write. For some reason, I kept getting held up on certain parts. But, oh well … at least it's finished. Now, I know you all hate me for skipping ahead, with my large time gaps, but the next chapter is going to begin on Christmas Eve. PLEASE forgive me! cringes, hoping you all don't throw rocks Well, anyway that's enough information for you all! Hope to have the next chapter up soon!