-Chapter Six-
"Okay Gin, seriously, how should I ask Luna out?" implored Colin desperately during dessert at dinner time.
Ginny licked chocolate sauce off her spoon and thought about it for a moment. "Okay, how's this? Luna, will you go out with me?"
Colin only stared blankly at Ginny, whilst Ginny giggled and went for more pudding.
"Seriously Gin! I really like Luna and I don't want to sound dumb, or boring, because Luna is always so much more interesting than me… and… and she's so pretty, and, yeah… you know how I feel about her," complained Colin to Ginny.
"Oh, I know," said Ginny, suddenly thinking about the rose she had received from Draco that morning. "Get the most perfect rose you can find, though I doubt it will be as perfect as mine, get down to your knee, ask her out and hand her the rose," she finished with a brilliant smile, with a corny thumbs up too.
"Hahaha, thanks Gin! I think I will. Now… what was it you said about me not getting a better rose than yours?" asked Colin curiously.
"Oh, um," Ginny stuttered. "Yeah some stuff has happened and I've been meaning to tell you but yeah, just so busy, y'know?"
"Fuck… I know what you mean. It's always homework assignment there, essay here, house points off for not doing homework, but anyway, spill."
Ginny took a deep breath and blurted "I've got a crush on Draco Malfoy."
Colin only stared at Ginny in shock and then concern. Putting his hand on Ginny's forehead, he asked if she was feeling under the weather.
"Colin you tool! I'm fine! I… actually do have feelings for Malfoy," replied Ginny in a more resigned tone.
"…I seriously don't understand how this happened Gin, I mean, didn't you just have feelings for Harry a few days ago? I know you punched his lights out, but you never got round to telling me why."
"Colin, to tell you the truth, I don't know what happened either. Second day back, you know how we were bombarded with homework? I decided to go to the library, since there was more room. I don't know how I could have been more wrong, there were a lot of people, and Draco was the only person with a free seat next to him…"
Colin intercepted with "and… somehow Malfoy was kind to you, you guys had a moment and voila, here you are a few days later?"
"I couldn't have said it better myself," replied Ginny with a soft smile. "And I don't like Harry anymore. I've suddenly realized how… selfish he was. He only dumped me because he knew he wouldn't be able to deal with the guilt he would feel if I died. Even though he knew how strongly I felt about him. I'm just so sick, of feeling like the protected one, the youngest one."
"Yeah, I know what you're talking about." Colin then looked seriously at Ginny. "Have you guys done anything?"
"Nothing like that! He's just kissed me, a few times… and gave me a rose this morning when he walked me to class. That's why I was late for charms."
"So you're going out with him?" inquired Colin, still with a deadly serious face.
"I suppose so, yes," replied Ginny. "I don't know what happened Colin! All I know is he's suddenly changed, he's nice to me, and now he has feelings for me. And I can't help but be attracted to him. You know, one day maybe he'll break my heart, but this just feels way too good."
"Mmm… Ginny, I don't know. It sounds really dodgey. But you don't seem like the one to be tricked… you know. After the whole Tom thing. But if you're happy, I'm happy," said Colin, smiling assuredly at Ginny.
Ginny could only smile back at Colin with relief. She could always count on her best friend to be open minded about things. "I was thinking about asking him to the next Hogsmeade trip, but I'm worried about what Ron will do…" and so trailed Ginny, describing her feelings and problems to Colin.
Meanwhile, Draco was sitting on the other side of the room, glaring daggers at Colin. He was happily staring at Ginny eat when this guy suddenly sat down beside her and started talking.
Half an hour later that guy was still talking to Ginny! Draco could finally take a breath when the guy left the room.
Ginny helped herself to a second serving of chocolate pudding, satisfied with her conversation with Colin. She had decided to keep their relationship as private as possible, but telling Ron. Ginny knew Ron would blow his top off, but after consistently showing him how Draco could be a decent person, Ginny knew Ron would break down.
After scraping her plate clean and taking a gulp of pumpkin juice, Ginny's eyes searched for Draco's. Eventually they found his, and she was surprised at the amount of coldness that were suddenly spilling from the grey-blue orbs.
Ginny was suddenly reminded of Draco's old self, and she had to really think about the past few days.
'Was it just a dream?'
'It couldn't have been a dream, I've still got the rose in my pocket.' Ginny chanced another look at Draco, but this time his face was pointed down, looking into his goblet. Still feeling shaken, Ginny gingerly got up and exited the Great Hall, heading for the library. All the while feeling Draco's eyes on her.
Ginny reached the library and walked through the large doors, fully knowing Draco was a few steps behind her. Soon she reached their usual table, and she sat down gingerly. Looking up, she saw Draco with his cold eyes again.
It reminded Ginny so much of the old and cruel Draco, she couldn't help but start to let the tears fall.
For Draco, he could immediately feel his heart clench at the sad soft sobbing noises emitted from Ginny. He berated himself silently for glaring at Ginny and took two steps forward to envelope Ginny in a hug.
Suddenly, all the warmth and security Ginny felt with Draco came rushing back with this simple gesture. Pushing herself upright, Ginny wiped her eyes and giggled pathetically. She couldn't see Draco's eyes too well through her tear-misted ones, but they seemed friendly again.
"Ginny, I'm sorry. I made you cry," whispered Draco, cradling Ginny's head close to his chest. Ginny snuffled in reply, now going into the hiccup stage. "Look, do you want to go somewhere more private?" he inquired, taking a look around at the filling library.
"The lake?" whispered Ginny back through her hiccups.
"Sure, I'll go first." And with that, Draco departed Ginny with a slight squeeze to her hands. Ginny gave Draco a lee-way of ten minutes before she herself packed up her belongings and followed the same route as Draco.
As she reached one edge of the lake, she looked across the other. Draco's silhouette was splashed against the edge of the other side, and Ginny really had to convince herself that he was there.
Suddenly, an uncontrollable feeling of lust overcame Ginny, and she had to sheer self control to contain it.
She neared Draco, trying to be as quiet as possible. He was hunched over edge of the lake, his features locked in a thoughtful frown. Suddenly he looked up right at Ginny, and startled her.
"Are you okay?" asked Draco with tenderness in his voice. This only started Ginny on a roll of tears again. "Ginny, why do I make you cry? Please tell me! It's hurting… me…" Ginny saw Draco look dejected and depressed.
"Draco," Ginny choked out, "it's because my feelings for you are so strong… I just don't know how to deal with them. And today at dinner, you glared at me… it just reminded me of the old you and I just couldn't handle it, not when I've fallen for the new you."
"Oh Ginny," said Draco, getting up and wrapping his strong arms around Ginny. "It was just weird, seeing you talk to that other guy."
"Who? Colin?" Ginny received a nod in response. Unable to help herself, Ginny began giggling hysterically. "Colin?" she managed to gasp out after a bout of laughter.
"What?" asked Draco, slightly peeved, but heady with happiness that he had a giggly Ginny enveloped within his arms. "I'm trying to get my feelings across here and all you can do is laugh at me?" cajoled Draco, smiling, just to let Ginny know he wasn't really angry with her.
"It's just that… there's no way Colin would have feelings for me. We've been best friends since our second year. And, he's got this biggest thing for Luna Lovegood, you know the Ravenclaw?"
"Ahh I see… the one they call Loony Lovegood?"
Ginny glared at him a bit and answered in affirmative. "Well, he's crazy about her, not about me," said Ginny. "Though, I am glad you cared," she added, her tone getting softer whilst she tightened her hold on Draco.
Draco took this as an incentive to kiss Ginny. The slow sweet kiss soon developed into heavier pashing, but Draco suddenly stopped, leaving Ginny breathless.
"I don't want to push you," said Draco, his voice husky.
"Goodness! No! I actually wanted you to keep…" but then Ginny trailed off, erupting into a magnificent blush. This made Draco smile with such amusement and love he picked Ginny up and swirled her around with him, making Ginny giggle with happiness all the while.
Putting her down, Draco rested his forehead on Ginny's. His blonde hair tickled Ginny's nose which brought a smile to her face.
"What are you smiling about?" whispered Draco, beginning to smile himself. Merlin this girl was infectious.
"Your hair," replied Ginny simply, leaning up towards Draco's lips for another kiss. Soon, Draco regrettably broke away but held Ginny close.
"Come on, homework. I know you're still having problems with that transfiguration incantation," said Draco.
Ginny sighed long-sufferingly and trailed after Draco like a disappointed puppy to where their bags lay.
Four hours had passed and Ginny and Draco were still out by the lake. Draco was satisfied Ginny was ready for an in-class assessment of the furniture transfiguring spell.
Ginny was held by Draco who was leaning on the tree, the very tree they were with when they both shared their first kiss. They had conversed softly about life in general, and how Ginny was pissed with Harry for treating her like a kid.
Eventually, Ginny fell asleep on Draco's chest. Draco gazed at the soft, red-haired girl he had in his arms, and he felt a sudden surge of protectiveness. He just couldn't fathom why he was head over heals for this girl! All he knew was that, she was his, and as long as she was still interested in him, he wouldn't let her go.
He was surprised that she had even paid any attention to him. Draco knew himself that he had changed, that he no longer supported the dark side and had done some things he regretted, but never, in his dreams did he think the youngest Weasley would show any interest in him.
Most of all, Draco had this burning desire to make Ginny understand that he himself had changed. He didn't particularly care what other people thought about him…it was only Ginny.
The hooting of a late-night hunting owl shook Draco out of his reverie. He was surprised at the time his watch showed. It was already past midnight. Draco gently shook Ginny awake. "Gin, it's past midnight, I better get you back to your tower."
Ginny only mumbled and clutched on to Draco, unwilling to let go. Draco only sighed, and chanted a charm that would make water sprinkle lightly from his wand onto Ginny's face.
Needless to say this worked effectively in getting Ginny up.
"I hate you," said Ginny half-heartedly.
"I'm going to go jump into the lake now," said Draco looking down in a teasing tone. This only made Ginny smile, and she gave Draco one of her loveable hugs which made feel so… loved.
The pair shouldered their bags and walked towards the castle in a comfortable silence hand in hand. As they neared Gryffindor tower, Draco gently pushed Ginny to the side of the corridor.
"Are you going to be okay when you get back in? Won't somebody notice your absence?"
"Draco, I'll be fine. It's sixth year, nobody gives a damn anymore."
"Hmm, well, I give a damn about you," replied Draco, giving Ginny a kiss on the temple. "Come on, I'll walk you to the portrait then I better go."
And so they did. Ginny bid her adieu to Draco and sealed it with a kiss.
However, as Ginny entered the common room, she was surprised to see Ron sitting in the comfy, squishy armchair in front of the fire.
"Ron!" exclaimed Ginny, who was severely shocked to find him sitting there so late at night.
"Have you any idea what time it is young lady?" said Ron in a dangerously quiet and calm voice.
"Uhh…"
Normally Ginny bossed Ron around, but the way Ron sounded so angry, and the way he looked at her made her feel so bad.
"You've been seeing Malfoy haven't you?" Ron's blue eyes pierced straight into Ginny's hazel ones.
Ginny found herself unable to lie, so she managed a croaky "yes." Ron closed his eyes and faced the fire again, almost as if he was trying to compose himself after discovering dreadful news.
"Ron, please, understand, he's not that bad anymore! He's actually rea…" but Ginny got cut off.
"I can't believe my own sister would date such filth," spat Ron venomously. Ginny gasped in shock and hurt.
"Ron…" Ginny pleaded through the tears that started to fall.
"Go to bed Ginerva, it's late," was all Ron's reply was. Ginny hated it when Ron was seriously angry with her. He never wanted anything to do with her, and that hurt more than his over-protective brotherly rants.
Ginny exited the common room via the staircase with quiet but heart-wrenching sobs that sliced right through Ron.