Chapter 9: Full of Surprises

Weeks past and Ginny was still being tutored by Malfoy. She didn't expect to improve in just days, but honestly, weeks? It didn't take weeks.

"No! That's wrong! How many times are we going to have to go through this..." Malfoy yelled, an echo ringing through the empty classroom. He grabbed her arms as he stood behind her. "Like this. The way you do it, you're crushing the roots and they won't react."

Ginny shuddered slightly as he continued to stand behind her. She didn't like it when people got too close. It was invading your personal bubble space. Plus it was so damn cold in the dungeons! Who ever thought this was a primo location for a classroom was dead wrong.

Malfoy looked at her for a second. She was still shuddering. He sighed and dropped her arms. Ginny looked over her shoulder to see what he was doing. To her surprise, he was removing his cloak.

"It's freezing cold in here and you're undressing?" Ginny snapped as she continued to cut... or crush her roots.

Malfoy shot her a look and walked up to her again. "If you're going to continue to ignore my directions, I'm going to have to tell Professor Snape that you are a hopeless case. And don't worry, I won't feel bad or anything, Weasleyette." As he let go of her arms for the second time, he pinned his cloak on her. He saw her slightly color.

Ginny looked over her shoulder again, first at the cloak then his face. She seemed to study him for a second. He hated looking into her eyes. There was something about the way she looked at you, like she could see what you were thinking. She started to unpin the cloak. "I don't need your charity, Malfoy. Thanks for the gesture and all, very gentleman like I have to admit, but I don't need your help." He stepped up and grabbed her hand.

"On the contrary. You do need my help. What do you think we're here for? A tea party? And you're freezing. Keep the cloak on. Next time remember to bring your own."

"Well now you're making me feel bad because you'll be cold."

"Get real, Weasley. Do you think if I was going to be cold, I'd give you the cloak? Fat chance! Plus, I'm used to the cold. Slytherin Common room down here and all..."

"I'm going to have to take back the gentleman comment at this point then. Though it was an almost nice gesture I guess."

They both looked at each other, and Ginny gave him a sly smirk. Draco shook his head. "Get back to work. I don't want to be here for the rest of my life."

This time Ginny made sure she didn't crush her roots.

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"So... are we going to wander around the school in silence or would you be open to conversation?" Ginny asked casually as they passed some empty classrooms. The grounds were visible from the windows they passed. Dark, cold, empty except for the occasional owl. There was something about the way the night looked that drew Ginny to it. For something so dark and cold, it was very magical and inviting. Ginny looked at Malfoy. He still hadn't answered her.

"Should I think your silence is affirming that you want to wander in silence?" Ginny asked, cocking her head to the side. Draco Malfoy was strangely similar to the grounds. Cold, silent, except for the occasional complaint or small sentences. But just like the grounds, he came alive at certain times. He was bright and energetic even in his smirking, strutting way.

"Why is it, Weasley, that every time we have to patrol together you're prodding me for conversation, but when we're locked up in the dungeons you don't say a word?" Draco asked, though he wasn't annoyed. Over the weeks Ginny had picked up on his odd quirks. When you're sort of alone and ignored for most of your life, you pick these things up quickly.

"There's something about the night, I think. It wakes me up." Ginny replied, mirroring the smirk on Malfoy's face.

"Slightly odd how something so cold and quiet can be inviting?" He asked, knowing what she meant. He had to admit, for a Weasley, she had interesting opinions.

"Exactly! You're like that sometimes you know. You come off as cold and mean, glaring at people in silence, but, I don't know... there's something about you, it's interesting and you want to know what it is."

Draco looked over at her. What was she saying? That she found him interesting? Didn't mind his company? Was she making a pass at him? Whatever it was... it was weird. Not Luna weird, just... oh forget it, he didn't know!

"Are you making a pass at me, Weasleyette? Because I'm not the type of girl that goes for that. I want flowers."

Ginny laughed like she had never laughed before. Or at least the best she's laughed since... a long time. Her laugh filled even the long silent halls and her smile lit the darkness.

"I was NOT making a pass at you. I don't make passes. They're cheesy. I was simply telling you my observations that I have collected about you." She was still smiling. Draco liked her smile. What? There's nothing wrong with liking someone's smile.

"Are you calling me cheesy then? Because I make passes."

"I don't doubt that for a minute. You seem like the cheesy pass making kind of guy. Flowers, huh? Is that how one wins you over? You're pretty easy Malfoy." Ginny questioned, eyebrow raised.

This time it was Malfoy laughing. Not a sneer or one of those laughs he has when he just pushed someone down some stairs, an almost real laugh.

"You know, you're surprisingly entertaining, Weasley. It's a bit of a shocker after listening to your brother and Potty. I would have thought their lameness would have rubbed off on you."

"It can't really rub off on you when you're constantly being pushed out or ignored." Ginny simply said, dropping her gaze to the floor.

"Either the shadows are interesting to you, or you're uncomfortable with the topic of conversation. Is that why you were sitting alone that day?" Malfoy asked. He wasn't someone that beats around the bush.

Ginny looked up and into his eyes. Behind the cold stare, behind the almost emotionless darkness, there was a glimmer of comfort. The way he stood there by the window, the moon cast and eerie glow on him. Ginny rubbed her eyes and looked down at her watch.

"Our shift is up. Where are we anyway?" she said informingly, looking around the corridor.

"Looks like you're going to avoid the question. I'm not surprised. You Weasley's always avoid things." Malfoy flatly responded. He was a bit disappointed. He thought she was different. He thought she wasn't scared of anything.

"Oh yeah, smartass? I can ask uncomfortable questions too. Tell me, why were YOU walking around that day ALONE? No friends around, no family. Why's that?" The fiery impression on Ginny's face matched the fire of her hair.

"I think we're a bit west of the front entrance."

"Looks like I'm not the only one avoiding questions here..." Ginny spoke in a sing song voice as she walked off in the direction of the entrance hall, flaming red hair whipping behind her, threatening to burn anything in its radius.

Again, Malfoy was surprised. He didn't think she had it in her to verbally stab at someone. There seems to be more than just alluring hair to her, Draco thought.

(a/n): No one's reviewing. I don't know what to think of it. I'm hoping that'll change soon. But yes, this is when the story starts turning around. I'm going to start grouping the Chapters into larger sections so that I can start thinking of new things to write.