Draco rested his head on his hand and with a pale finger, traced tiny circles on Ginny's warm abdomen. Ginny was in a soft slumber, her soft facial features at ease as she napped on his chest. He chuckled lightly as he look down at her, hardly blaming her for her weariness. During the course of the night, they had engaged in several more sessions of the aforementioned "vigorous activity". She has a bit of an endurance to build yet, he thought lightly. His gaze was diverted to the clock at his side and with a sigh he was reminded of their plans. With regret, he gently eased her fiery head from his chest and sat up. She stirred and mumbled something unintelligible.
"Gin, it's time to wake up," he told her softly, kissing her plump lips, as he stood.
She cracked her eyes open against the weak sunlight slowly invading the room. "Why?" came the muffled sound of Ginny's question as she dug her face in the nearest pillow.
"We agreed to meet the others for breakfast. Remember?" He questioned with a smile, heading over to stand at the end of the bed.
"Let's just not," she groaned and threw the covers over her head as Draco smiled at her bundled form in clear amusement. He waited for a couple of minutes and when he saw no indication of her rising, he yanked back the covers.
"Draco!" She cried out at him.
"You're not a morning person then," he said with a chuckle. She rolled her eyes and tried to grab the covers out of his hands to no avail. "Well, I should go shower before breakfast so I don't reek. Of course, if you would drag your lazy arse out of bed, you could join me…"
Ginny stopped struggling, raised an eyebrow, and sat up. He smirked, wrapped his arms around her waist, and carried her into the bathroom.
Draco and Ginny stepped into the Great Hall, somehow more tired than before the shower. Snow had once again been dumped upon Hogwarts overnight, this time depositing enough to bring the grand total to almost two feet, Filch could be seen everywhere around the school, cursing silently under his breath as he scrubbed the sloppy tread marks about the castle.
Draco and Ginny seated themselves in their usual spots, exchanging quick greetings with Madison, Pansy, and Blaise who sat at the table. As the food appeared, the boys began an unofficial Quidditch meeting. Ginny looked over to Madison and Pansy, both whose eyes shone with excitement. She looked astoundedly at them as she managed though a helping of egg whites to question, "What?"
"What do you mean 'what'? You know perfectly well.." Madison said with a none-too-subtle glance towards Draco. Ginny's cheeks colored as she looked down at her plate.
"Ginny, come on!" Pansy pressed, every single one of her perfect teeth showing in her wide smile. Ginny cocked an eyebrow in their direction, looking at them equally.
"Come on guys, you don't have to know anything…" she told them, trying to sound assertive. They just gave her a knowing look and turned back to their meals, their smiles and smirks still in place. After about ten minutes of this, Ginny looked up with an irritated expression.
"Alright, well, it was…" She struggled to tell them. Then a fresh wave of memory crossed her thoughts and her cheeks darkened. She gave a giddy smile as she looked at them. "Amazing."
They shrieked, but luckily Ginny was saved from further question as the boys ended their discussion. Madison and Pansy simply looked over at her, winking suggestively as Ginny fought to keep her blush under control.
Breakfast led quickly to an impromptu, and rather unwelcome as far as the girls were concerned, snowball fight. Andre showed up just in time, and Blaise, in all his genius, suggested girls versus boys.
The girls trudged wearily up the snowy bank to where the boys had made camp, completely and utterly defeated. Their hair was soaked with melted snow, their jackets almost nonexistent under the layers of snow, and their noses cherry red and lips blue.
The boys grinned guiltily and took ahold of their respective partners.
Draco chuckled guiltily as he collected his freezing Ginny into his arms, where she just stood stiffly, waiting for the blood to thaw and run through her veins again. He continued chuckling as he ran his arms up and down her back in an effort to warm her up.
"Sorry, love," he said with a smile. She still just stood in his arms, completely frozen. "Gin, you look like a frozen rat." He joked lightly. At first, she glared at his head but eventually laughed. He took out his wand, casting a warming spell on her and conjuring up a couple of thermos full of hot chocolate, handing one to her as they went on a walk around the grounds. "I must say, you have me completely addicted to this. I have a cup everyday."
Ginny grinned and he wrapped an arm around her waist. Around them, people frolicked in the snow, engaged in their own snowball fights and races. Ginny chuckled as she spotted Neville running wildly across the frozen lake, an enchanted snowball close on his tail. They sat underneath the Whomping Willow, who branches had, thankfully, frozen. Draco nuzzled his nose down into her neck as she shrieked and pulled away.
"It's freezing!" She told him with a grin as sat up and kissed the tip quite firmly.
"Careful, we can't let other see you kissing my nose. I have an image to keep up," he told her with a smirk as he took ahold of her gloved hand. She shook her head in amusement and leaned into his chest. He kissed the top of her head and she leaned her head back and kissed his lips soundly. They remained under the Whomping Willow, content in each other arms and satisfied with just one another's presence.
It was a while later that they heard the soft crunch of footsteps coming in their directions. Professor McGonagall stepped up to them, furiously rubbing her gloved hands together in an effort to keep warm. The stern woman had eventually warmed up to Ginny again, even after her switch. Ginny was glad; that was ONE professor that she wanted on her side.
"Afternoon, Miss Weasley, Mr. Malfoy," her lips pursed a little as she acknowledged him. She looked over to Ginny. "The Headmaster wishes to speak with you, Miss Weasley. Mr. Malfoy, you may as well come along too."
Furrowing her brow in interest, she looked over at her, and then rose with Draco, lightly brushing the snow off of them. She looked over at Draco with a questioning gaze and began to follow the Deputy Headmistress towards the castle, Draco right at her side.
They stepped up the revolving staircase and arrived at Dumbledore's office door. Minerva knocked firmly and almost instantly, a soft voice beckoned them inside.
Dumbledore smiled as they walked in, pulling his eyes away from the book he was reading. Ginny smiled at this.
"Yes, Miss Weasley, even professors get holidays sometimes," he said, his eyes twinkling. She grinned. "Please, sit students."
They took seats in the chairs before his desk as Minerva went to stand by his hand. He folded his hand neatly in front of him.
"Thank you for taking time of out of your snow activities for this old man," he said with a warm smile. "Now, not to worry. You aren't in trouble, as far as I know. The reason for our little meeting is on pleasanter terms."
"Now, unfortunately, Miss Granger has suddenly transferred to Beauxbatons, for unexplained reasons for an undetermined period of time," he said, as he peered through the sheet of paper in his hands. Ginny fought back a smirk as she thought of the possible reasoning behind that. She dared a quick glance at Draco, who she could see was hiding his smirk behind his hand. Dumbledore looked up at her through his spectacles, his eyes glittering furiously. Ginny could have sworn she also saw a smile on his face before he turned his attention back the task at hand. "Well, this means that we suddenly have the spot of Head Girl vacated."
Ginny lifted an eyebrow in interest. Dumbledore continued on, "Now, naturally, with you being so exceptional in your studies and so… persuasive," Dumbledore fought back a grin, "you would be the best person to fulfill this position. Would you accept?"
Ginny smiled and look over at Draco, who nodded his head in sure encouragement. "Of course Headmaster. I would be glad to."
"Excellent, well normally, now I would place you in the Head Quarters with Mr. Malfoy, but it seems things have worked themselves out," he said with a soft smile, his eyes twinkling again with amusement. "I will owl you later with a list of your duties, as well as your badge. I'm sure Molly will be ecstatic."
Ginny grinned. Too true. Mum will freak out, she thought with delight.
"I can start you on one thing though. We have been trying to plan a Masquerade for the end of the year. About June. We'll put you and Draco in charge of that. The prefects are at your disposal," Dumbledore said lightly. Draco smirked, thinking of the prospects of his reign over the sniveling fifth and sixth years. Dumbledore sensed and smiled wanly. "Do try and be nice, Mr. Malfoy."
"I'll watch over him," Ginny assured the professors with a smile. Dumbledore smiled back and stood. Draco and Ginny stood as well. "Thank you very much, Professors," she replied, shaking them each on the hand. They nodded at her.
"Good luck," Dumbledore told them as they walked out of his office.
Draco and Ginny spent the rest of the evening inside their rooms, trying to organize plans for the Masquerade. Dinner time rolled around and they requested food from the kitchen. No planning came thereafter, instead turning into a snogging session.
Eventually, they made it to the bedroom and after some more "vigorous activity", they both lie asleep. Alas, one's sleep was plagued.
Her small bare feet stepped carefully on the cold stone ground, the cold seeping up into her foot and chilling her whole body. Her nightgown was too flimsy for the chill that seemed to be in every corner. She walked along, her breath short and nervous. Where was she? She looked down the hallway, seeing a light from a doorway. Approaching the door, she took in a harsh breath as she what was inside.
"Ah, perfect. Ginevra, do come in from the cold…"A cold voice invited. She felt her breath catch in her throat and she struggled to breath. She backed away from the door, horrified as the voice of Tom Riddle let out a laugh.
Ginny shot up from the bed, her forehead lined with cold sweat and her lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. She raised a trembling hand to her forehead and sank back into the bed.