Chapter 5: Gentleman

Ginny liked to sit and think. There was something about it, that cleared your mind out afterwards. The process of sorting out one's feelings made her always feel better and refreshed. Currently while pretending to read, Ginny was pondering about Draco Malfoy. Sitting but 3 feet away from him, she had a direct view of him. The fact that they were stuck on a train for a few more hours, gave her ample time to ponder his character. He was extremely well known. Very popular amongst the girls. Tall and rather handsome. Everything most girls liked in a young man. And then he also seemed rather bright. Ginny didn't know if this was of his own doing or a result from his father pushing him to be the best, but he did rather well in school. That bit of pride he had and self importance got in the way of him being liked personality wise by those that could look past the money and looks. Had he not thought himself so much above others, so perfect and wonderful, and had he not insulted her family day in and day out, Ginny was sure she would have also fancied him. But this was not the case and so she could have an objective view of what he really was. Sure there was a bit of prejudice that made her be a lot more severe in observing him, but it did not usually get in the way. Under that tough exterior, Ginny was positive there was a gentile, good humored, likable young man. She could see it in his eyes. It was there everyday, trying to get out, but never being given a chance. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something to him, that made her feel like she could connect with Draco Malfoy, if given the chance. Ginny shook her head. She was going on a mental tangent. There was nothing to Draco Malfoy for her to like. There was nothing there but selfish pride and prejudice towards those different from himself. How could she even bother wasting brain cells thinking about him.

Draco Malfoy noticed young Weasley shake her head. Was she not satisfied with her book, or something she was thinking about. He stole a glance at her. She looked as if in deep concentration on some topic. He liked the way girls looked when they were thinking long and hard about something. They always dropped their acts and exposed their true self when they thought no one was looking. He wondered if she knew that she sort of bobbed her head from side to side when she was thinking. Or that she sort of frowned for no reason in particular at random times. He smiled slyly. Ginny Weasley had to be in deep thought not to notice him looking at her. He was but 3 feet away from her and she didn't notice his gaze. Or maybe she didn't want to pay attention to him… Well either way, Draco Malfoy was determined to break her concentration, out of pure boredom.

He sighed deeply, stretching out, placing his arms on the seats. Nothing. He cleared his throat loudly. Again, nothing. He tried various other tactics without actually saying a word, but young Weasley was still in deep thought. He decided to get up and walk about. After all, he was Head Boy and aught to stroll about the carts, patrolling or whatever it was Granger had said to do.

Upon his return, Draco Malfoy noticed that Ginny had fallen asleep. She had left her book open in her arms, so he took it away and closed it. "Persuasion" by Jane Austen. Indeed he had never heard of it. He placed it down quietly beside her seat and noticed she looked cold. Oh well, it was none of his business. Sitting in front of her in his seat he stared out at nothing. But he kept coming back to Ginny being cold. Why should he care? She was nothing to him. No relationship of any kind, be it family connection or just friendship. Why should he care? Because she had bothered to care that he might be hurt, he thought to himself. She loathed him, he knew it perfectly well. And yet she had offered to help. Sighing deeply, he opened her trunk and pulled out a deep blue blanket of hers and tossed it about her. There. Now he could forget about the red haired 5th year and go about his own business. He crossed his arms and sat quietly. But his gaze traveled to her ever so often. Damn. Why did he keep looking at her? Draco picked up the book she had been reading and flipped to the front. She wouldn't mind if he just took a look into what she enjoyed reading… why did he even care what she liked reading?

Thirty minutes or so passed. Ginny continued to sleep, and Draco continued to read. He was enjoying the book, even though it was a bit of a woman's old fashioned, courtship type of story. He hadn't even noticed that the trolley lady showed up.

"Anything of the trolley, my dear?" she asked very sweetly.

"Oh. Yes, thanks. Hold on a minute," Draco stumbled, putting the book aside and getting his money out. As he reached for his money bag, he thought, maybe she'd be hungry. Oh well. He paid for his food. But his stomach sort of fell. His mother would think it a very mean thing to just let the girl starve NO MATTER who is was. "A young man should always act like a gentleman no matter where he is or with whom…" He remember his mother say a while ago. Damn….

" Hold on a moment!" He called to the lady.

Ginny woke up from her long nap. She rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly. What time was it? She looked at her watch and saw she had been asleep for a little over an hour.

"Nice hair, Weasley," Malfoy laughed. She looked over at him and noticed he was reading her book.

"Enjoying yourself much?" Ginny asked, a little cross that he just took her things without asking, as she tried to straighten out her hair.

"Yes actually, not a bad book, Weasley." Was all he said. As she sat up properly she noticed the blanket. Her blanket.

"Did you get this out of my trunk?" Ginny asked, a bit curious why he even bothered.

"Yes." Was all he said. She sat silent for a while. Just as she was going to say something he added, "You looked cold. Sorry for touching your stuff. Refrain from killing me at the moment. I'm at a good part in your book and would like to finish. I'll make note not to bother next time."

She was a bit put out by this. "I was just going to say thank you. You didn't have to."

"Oh." Again only small sentences or words escaped his lips. Ginny got up to put away her blanket and noticed a pile of food on the seat next to her. She looked up at Malfoy.

"Help yourself. I've already eaten," He said, finally looking up from the book and acknowledging the pile.

For the rest of the train ride, they sat in silence. Ginny eating a little and staring out the window, and Malfoy occupied with her book.