Sunsets
Draco went to the first place he suspected she would be; the library. Since that was his place of sanctuary, with its silent mysteries and warmly carressing disinterest as to why you were there in the first place--apart from the obvious, studying--it seemed the ideal place for any distraught student to retire to, where you could hide among the dusty volumes and not be found for hours on end. Draco knew from personal experience that it had always helped him recover his nerves; not necessarily making him feel any better, but when the sunset wasn't available to soothe him, old paper sure gave him enough refuge until it was.
He searched what seemed to be the whole library, the smell of roasted chicken wafting about the place as the scent was billowed through the air by Draco's weaving among the bookcases--nothing, she wasn't there.
An unbearable frustration seemed to sink itself into Draco's stomach, and--before he could do something drastic--he bolted from the library, running long and hard up to the Astronomy Tower. It was his automatic reaction to turn to this place; it seemed, the only sensible place in the whole of Hogwarts where you could get a complete view of the sun as it made its graceful descent into daily oblivion--to his surprise, as he arrived, he realized he hadn't been there once since school had started.
Ginny Weasley had had him a slight too preoccupied with her, it seemed, overly frequent theatrics, to be truly miserable enough to brood over his own misfortunes.
...speaking of Ginny Weasley...
Draco punched the wall hard, his arm jolting as it connected with the concrete. He moaned, slamming his back to the same wall and sliding dejectedly down its stony length. His back pack was abandonned, and he stared longingly out the large window that occupied most of the right wall of the tower. He was too late to see anything but a slight mirage of colors splayed along the horizon, quickly sinking to night; but whatever beauty it held, he took it into himself and attempted to relax.
He hadn't even realized the fact that he was crying; silently, like a beaten child, until he became distinctly aware of a wetness of his cheeks. 'How many times have I been beaten...' he mused, 'And in the end I find myself crying only for Ginny Weasley...?' He brushed the tears away, trying to ignore the feelings like he normally would; like the times Lucius would beat him and he wouldn't even whimper in pain, because he knew in his heart that he was emotionless and unfeeling.
It was a futile effort, and no matter how much he crushed his eyes together, the tears still slipped out to replace the ones that soaked his sleeve.
"Ah Weasley," he said outloud, "What is this you've done to me?"
Draco sat there for a long while, calmly, but with the diamond dart tears still flowing, before finally aching to a stop. He looked up, then out; the night was so dark and quiet, he felt so insignificant.
He only wished his insignificance would wear off long enough for him to find Ginny Weasley in this big, big world.
The next Potions class was on the Friday before their trip to Hogsmeade, which she had been informed about by an excessively enthusiastic Helen, and Ginny made careful sure to come in extra early and take a seat directly up front, where she knew Malfoy would not resort to. She was sitting, patiently awaiting her peers to file in, facing the door and watching them do so, when he made his entrance. He stood stock still at the door for a few seconds, watching her with a deep frown on his face, though his expression itself was unreadable. Then, he sauntered quietly over to his usual desk, and had to bear Millicent Bulstrode as a table partner for the rest of class.
That evening, Ginny was greeted by an excited Pigwidgeon, the eccentric Weasley family owl, who continuously--showing a considerable amount of endurance--rammed his tiny frame into her Dorm window, vouching for her attention. Letting the bird in, Ginny took the cream colored enveloped from the bird's nipping beak and set him on a stand near the desk that the room's inhabitants shared, giving him a treat to stop his annoying hoot from invading her mind. With a smile, she opened the letter and read,
Dear Gin,
Seems like my own daughter has forgotten about me! Unbelievable. Since you've reached Hogwarts, you've not written your dear old mother one letter! I'm very disappointed Miss Weasley, or has homework had you so busy that you couldn't have even given your mother a small thought and scribbled down a hello? I hope you'd been deathly ill to ignore me for so long, but nonetheless, as your mother I find it in myself to forgive you your numerous flaws.
Ginny smiled at her mother's exaggerations.
Well, it's been announced, my first son is to be married. Didn't I tell you you'd all leave me? Anyways, Bill owled me the knews yesterday; he'd proposed to Miss Delacour--that dreadful Veela girl, if you remember her--and she'd agreed. I suppose now I'll have to get used to her, and possibly like her a bit, but the effort can wait till later. The wedding's in June, if you were curious, and I expect you to have a sensible date to bring to it.
Ginny rolled her eyes, not entirely surprised at Bill's proposal. She remembered his letters about Fleur, how it seemed that was all he would ever write about. Then her mother's interest in her getting a, 'sensible date'...well, that could be skipped around when the time came.
Also, I'd be quite pleased with you if you could save me the energy of having to write another letter to Ron; just tell him for me, will you?
Thanks, and by the way, how's your search for Prince Charming? I expect a full page of detailed occurences and descriptions of any boy you may have your eye on, as well as another full page briefing to me your past few weeks at Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
Your eagerly awaiting and much deprived mother.
Ginny laughed in exasperation, her mother's dramatic letter considerably brightening her mood. She stroked Pigwidgeon absently, before pulling out a piece of parchment and a quille from her nearby back pack. She wrote,
Dear Mum,
Sorry for not having owled you, I've been honestly preoccupied with school and everything. Well, things up here are good; Ron's being a ponce, as usual, Harry is lovely and Hermione is still top of the class.
As for this Prince Charming you ask about, he's non-existent...
Ginny paused, her mind suddenly flitting, unsettlingly off its own accord, to Malfoy.
Though, I do have my eye on some one.
Ginny finished the sentence with a flourish, frowning as she looked at it, but finding it strangely fitting.
As for descriptions, I'm not giving anything away, but...
She paused again, unsure.
He's a sixth year, and we sometimes sit together in Potions.
She looked that sentence over, then crossed it out.
As for descriptions, I'm not giving anything away, but I can tell you he's not Prince Charming and I'm not getting together with him anytime soon. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have any date for Bill's wedding (and since when does the sister of the groom need a date to her brother's wedding?). Besides, I'm much to busy with schoolwork to look out for boys! Anyways, mum, everythings good and I'll owl you again before Christmas.
Love, hugs and kisses,
Gin
Content, she slipped the letter into an envelope and fastened it to Pigwidgeon's small pink foot. She gave the bird one more treat, before ushering the tiny creature outside. She watched him go, that pang of immense sadness briefly settling itself in her stomach as the creature flapped off in the direction of the Burrow. Her mother and father, her sweet parents who loved and adored her so much...What was she going to do without them?
"Ginevra Molly Weasley!" Helen's voice floated into the room, and Ginny turned around to face her friend, "Dinner's in a few, wanna go waste time watching Harry get owned in chess?"
Ginny smiled at her long-time friend, "Sure."
Together the two girls clattered downstairs, giggling in unison as Helen briefed Ginny on the newest boy she had her eye on. When finally they reached the Common Room, they both took seats adjacant to where a seemingly intense chess match was taking place, Ron with his brows furrowed deeply and Harry with a bead of sweat inching down his forehead. A few other Gryffindors were present, as well, but most of them had better things to do than watch the Boy-Who-Lived get beaten at yet another game of chess by his long-time sidekick.
Ginny and Helen believed likewise, but the two boys' chess matches had always been an old excuse to talk openly about certain things, without the worry of too many overhearing--let alone bothering to pay attention.
"So," Helen started, as she wiggled her rear into the comfy armchair, the fire crackling contentedly across the room, "tomorrow's Hogsmeade..."
Ginny nodded, "Yeah, you told me already."
"I know...but, you see..."
Ginny looked at her friend questioningly, "Is something wrong?"
"Well, I know that usually the two of us would go together...it's been kind of a tradition for the first Hogsmeade trip of the year after all...but see...that boy I was telling you about--"
"Oh. My. God," Ginny breathed, a smile pushing at her lips, "You two are going out?"
Helen blushed, "He asked me this evening if I'd fancy having some Butterbeer with him at The Three Broomsticks...I agreed."
"Oh, that's great!"
"I thought you'd be angry, though!"
Ginny shook her head, smiling, "Of course not, Helen--I'm so happy for you. But I can only let you go on one condition..."
Helen looked startled, "What's that..?"
"That you give me all the juicy details afterwards!"
The two friends proceeded to burst into random fits of giggles, to Ron and Harry's displeasure. "Will you two shut up!" Ron snarled, his ears red as Harry took down his bishop, "You're going to make me lose!" They continued, and before dinner Helen made Ginny promise to come up to her Dorm room to help her choose what to wear.
That evening, Hermione eyed Ginny worriedly; the red head seemed distracted, not her usual bubbly self. "I heard about Helen going off with that boy from Hufflepuff--are you sure you're going to be okay tomorrow?" she asked, the bushy haired girl idly munching on a half-eaten kabbab, almost knocking over her pumpkin juice with a stray elbow. Her honey brown eyes relfected concern as she watched the youngest Weasley.
Hermione's words knocked Ginny unpleasantly out of her reverie--she had been glancing restlessly around the Great Hall, trying to avoid the eyes of one Draco Malfoy. The boy had been glaring at her, intently, for the longest while, unconsciously eating brussel sprouts, but most of the time just chewing on his fork. His eyes, a molten silver, seemed to bore into her, willing her to look his way. It took all Ginny could muster to keep her gaze from flying to him and absorbing his guilt-ridden and worry-washed appearance. "I'll be fine," Ginny replied, absently, "I have plans, as well." Ginny didn't even flinch at the last sentence, one she knew instantly was a lie. Ginny Weasley had no idea what she was going to do at Hogsmeade tomorrow.
Hermione didn't buy Ginny's brief answer, but she thought better than to pry, instead turning away and proceeding to join Parvati and Lavendar's conversation about Lavendar's newest beau.
Ginny watched, amused, as Helen just about sorted through her whole wardrobe in search of something to wear.
"What do you think of this?" she questioned, holding up a black camisole, a brown, flowing skirt and a knit sweater, "Do you think it'll give the impression I need?"
Ginny chuckled at Helen's desperation. "And what impression is that?"
"A I'm-A-Good-Girl-But-Don't-Hesitate-To-Kiss-My-Brains-Out-Because-I've-Been-Having-Dirty-Dreams-About-You-From-The-Second-I-Knew-You-Existed sort of thing..."
Ginny was, by this time rolling about on the bed laughing, clutching at her stomach as she saw Helen's bewildered face. "Are-are you serious?" Ginny choked.
Helen rolled her eyes, "Of course!"
The two proceed into another half hour of exasperation on Helen's behalf, and hysterics on Ginny's. By the time they were finished, the decision had been made on the same black camisole, alongside a pair of denim jeans and a light brown, button-up sweater. "It's perfect," Helen sighed, sitting exhaustedly down next to Ginny, "I'll have him snogging my brains out in no time!"
The two chuckled, laying back onto the bed and staring quietly up at the ceiling, Ginny's mind traveling instantly to Malfoy. She sighed.
"You okay, Gin?" Helen asked, turning to face her friend, "You haven't been yourself lately."
"I'm fine, really. Just stressed out with all the homework and stuff."
"Is it really hard for you?" said Helen, "I mean, taking sixth year classes and all that?"
"It's not too bad," Ginny replied, "Difficult at times, exhausting for sure...but not really hard hard."
"I see," Helen said, eyeing the ceiling thoughtfully, "Have you been...attracting any unwanted attention?"
Ginny jerked upright, very suddenly, her first instinct racing to Malfoy. Unwanted attention, indeed...but then, she was the one who had been giving the attention. "Ehm...not really, why?"
"I just noticed today that Malfoy has been...staring at you, sort of."
Ginny's heart skipped a beat, blood rushing to her cheeks. "Oh really?"
"Yup, he has been staring over at the Gryffindor table for a while now, looking at you; and that day you skipped dinner, he looked almost frantic. Do you two...have something going on?"
Ginny laughed, harshly. "Me and Malfoy--are you kidding? No chance in hell."
Helen laughed, though a little nervously. "It's just, you know, that day you were crying and you said it was because of him, and then he keeps looking at you, and you two were sitting together in Potions for a while...all of that, it sort of arises suspicion on my part, you know?"
Ginny tried to sound light-hearted, but all that happened was a little squeeky sound from the bottom of her throat. "Oh Helen," she forced, "You know I would tell you if me and Malfoy were having a fling or something. It's just one of those things I would tell you." She stuck her tongue out, trying to look playful.
Helen giggled. "I know! If you do, you have to share, though. He's damn hot!" Helen laughed.
Ginny choked, suddenly the idea of sharing Malfoy making a bit of jealousy arise in her stomach. 'What the hell?' she swore, 'He's not even mine to share!'
"Yes Gin, you have to admit; he's hot! He's so tall and slender, and strong; have you seen those thighs clenched around a broom...damn! His hands are so big and his fingers are so mischeviously long..." Ginny's eyes were beginning to widen in a sort of silent terror, to Helen's amusement, "His hair, oh god, ever since he stopped slicking it back like his father--"
"Eeew! Helen stop!" Ginny screeled desperately.
"...And those blue, blue eyes..."
Ginny froze, Helen freezing, too, as she saw her friend's face change. "No," Ginny murmured quietly, "His eyes aren't blue." She looked Helen earnestly in the eyes, "They're grey."
"Gin--"
"Helen, it's about time I leave now. You know, it's getting late." Ginny started, arising from the bed and making her way towards the door.
"Wait!" Ginny paused, Helen taking a deep breathe. The red-head turned slowly, almost afraid when she saw the look of revelation and knowledge in her friend's eyes. "Look Gin, I don't know what's been going on between you two, and frankly, I'm not about to ask. All I know, and all I want to tell you, is that you should always listen to your heart. Never let your mind control you too far, because the heart is the center of all that is good. And, Gin, when you get the chance to love, always always jump at it. It's better to have loved and lost, to have never loved at all."
Ginny felt the tears prick at her eyes as she walked the way back down to her room. Helen knew her too well; better than she knew herself, probably. And Malfoy...In Ginny's mind, she saw Malfoy, sad and down-trodden being dragged along by his cruel-eyed father; she saw him tensed in the corner of his cabin on the Hogwarts Express with a bloody bandage around his hand; she saw him deathly thin and hungry and she saw him with his bleeding finger out-stretched, a look of innocent expectance in his haunted eyes...she saw a Malfoy she had hoped didn't exist--she saw the Malfoy who was vulnerable to the harsh ways of the world just as much as she was.
She saw this Malfoy, and had no idea what to do.
Author's Note: Next chappy Hogsmeade trip; review and tell me what you think :-)