Chapter 11 – Phase

Ginny was startled to discover a box left near her bed when she awoke. Looking at it thoroughly, she detected no sign of a card, or even familiar penmanship. It was a thin box wrapped in silver and tied with a matching bow. Excitement ran through Ginny with the anticipation of what was inside, and very carefully she opened it. Her brown eyes widened and her mouth curved into a delicate smile as she collected the object in her hand and pulled it out; it was a silver bracelet.

"I hope you like it," he muttered as she wandered into the common room. "It's sort of an apology."

Ginny stared at Harry, a mixture of surprise and disappointment on her face. Hermione studied her expression from behind Ron, her eyes full of understanding – she wanted it to be from Draco. "It's really nice," Ginny said with a sigh. "But I can't accept it."

"Why not?" Harry asked.

Because you're not him, Ginny thought to say aloud. "It's too extravagant."

"But…"

"I'm sorry, Harry," said Ginny softly as she placed the bracelet in his hand.

As she swept past Harry and the others to leave, she heard him say, "Because I'm not him, isn't that right?" Ginny stopped and turned her head, a slow smirk on her lips.

"That's right," she whispered as she went into the corridor. "You scared the shit out of me!" she said and narrowed her eyes as he seemed to appear from out of nowhere.

He smiled warmly and pulled her closer. "It's nice to see you too, love."

"Sorry," she muttered and kissed him softly. "It's just Harry bought me this really expensive bracelet as an apology and…"

Draco's eyes flashed with anger suddenly and he stepped away from her. He shoved a hand through his hair and bite back a snarl before saying calmly, "Why aren't you wearing it?"

Ginny stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"The bracelet," Draco said. "Obviously it means so much to you since Harry Potter was the one to give it to you. So you should be wearing it all the time."

"Wait a minute," Ginny muttered just as angry. "What's your problem?"

Draco sneered coldly. "How could you accept something from someone else on Valentine's Day?" he asked incredulously.

Ginny's eyes widened. "Bloody hell, I forgot!"

Draco simply nodded. "I was going to give you your present tonight but," his eyes strayed to her hand and he glared. "You won't wear the ring I gave you but you'll be all ecstatic for a dumb bracelet."

"I gave him back the bracelet!" she shot back.

"So where's my ring?"

"I took it off."

"You took it off?"

"Did I stutter?"

Draco was furious now; his fingers trembled inside his pocket, which were wrapped tightly around his wand. He stared at Ginny, her brown eyes fierce and her jaw set. She looked ready to fight him if he said one more snappish remark, and he was sure that she would win, she usually did. He bit his lip to stop from shouting at her that she betrayed him. She's mine, he thought nastily as he continued to glare at her.

"Why?" he asked leaning against the wall. "Why did you remove it?"

Ginny pushed a hand through her long, fiery hair and flicked her wand suddenly. Out of the portrait behind her came her books, her cloak, a quill, parchment, and the ring. She stuck it on her finger and smirked. "Happy now?"

"No."

"You rarely are," Ginny mumbled under her breath.

"What did you say?"

Ginny blinked at him. "You're hearing things."

"I most certain am not," he replied, his tone hard.

Ginny glared at him, her eyes tearing away from him to gaze down the hallway, and as she went to just walk away, someone bumped into her backside. "Sorry Gin," was all that was said because at that precise moment Ginny raised her eyes and saw the horrible look in Draco's. She stepped aside at once.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to escort my girlfriend to class, Potter. Why is it any concern of yours?" Draco smirked, reaching to pull her closer. He kissed her cheek, his malicious eyes locked onto Harry as he did so. He watched the other boy squirm.

"Doesn't look like she wants you to," Harry said snidely. "Do you?" he asked Ginny.

"It's Valentine's Day, Harry; shouldn't you be shagging your girlfriend?" Ginny said with a horrible smile.

Harry just looked at her, his eyes wide. "You're turning into a real bitch Gin," he said coolly.

"Am I?" she smiled, her eyes gleaming. "I hadn't noticed."

With one last, bitter look to Harry, Draco snatched her hand and they walked down the hall.

The library was quiet as they sat in it later that afternoon when the sun was slowly dying. Ginny was leaning against Draco, neither of them said much of this morning, and she was playing with his hair. He smiled contentedly as he felt her fingers brushing the back on his neck, giving him a chill.

"Harry doesn't mean anything to me anymore," Ginny said softly, suddenly.

"I liked how you handled yourself with him." Draco said, running his nails up and down her arm, knowing certain spots made her moan.

"He was being a prick," Ginny said. "He deserved it."

Draco nodded. "He did." Ginny curled closer to him as he took something from his robes and handed it to her. "Happy Valentine's Day."

Ginny only managed to squeak when she opened the box lying on her lap. It was a beautiful necklace with a silver rose on it, outlined in green. Her eyes lit up slowly as she put it on. "Thank you," she whispered. "I'm sorry I didn't get you anything."

"It's okay," he muttered and he kissed the back of her neck. He felt her shudder and he smiled appreciatively. "You can just give me something else in return.

He stood and brought her with him. He touched her cheek, feeling her skin against his fingertips, and with deliberate slowness, his lips grazed hers. She exhaled as he pressed his mouth against hers again, his hands sliding down every contour of her curves as he pulled her flush against his body. He let his tongue wander carelessly into her mouth, and felt her moan sharply as his hands came to tangle in her hair, letting his fingers twist and tug at the strands of fiery red. His hands slid down to lock behind her back and he felt her hiss into his mouth. He brushed some of his own hair away from his face and reached down to grab both of her hands and lace them with his.

Then he whispered something that made her knees weak.