Disclaimer: OWN NOTHING!! Only the plot...
A/N: Sorry for the delay but a friend needed help. Tuxita had a knee surgery and I was there to help her through it. School started yesterday and I already have two tests on for next week! C'mon! I'm still in the relax modus…
Diger Thank you, please keep reading and reviewing it means a lot to me…
padfootedmoony: Thank you, please continue reading and reviewin
aimslee91 Thank you, no Harry and Ginny aren't going to be together! But that doesn't mean he is going to let her be, right? SO please, be patient and enjoy the bickering between Ginny and everyone else… she'll have her moment with Harry in this chapter…
Itty Bitty Me: Thank you, I will try to do longo or medium size chapters, sometimes it will seem confusing and resumed (like this next one) but I think you'll like it…
lovehearti Thanks, I will keep writing. It's really good to know your work is enjoyed and it makes me keep going!
dracoginnyshipper : Thanks for your review, well, the end is quite enjoyable… but there will be some twists and difficulties along the way…
summerlandlover : Thanks for your review. Yes, Draco is jealous and is that feeling that'll make him think of Ginny in a more real way. Hope you like this chapter. :)
Okey, back to the story.
-----
Remembering:
'We are more alike than you think, Virginia' he said in a calm voice. Ginny looked at him; she liked the way he said Virginia…
Was he trying to befriend her? 'Why?'
'Why, what?'
'Why are being nice to me?' she asked in a shaking voice.
----
Last chapter:
'I miss you so much, Harry!' she said kissing him in the cheek.
In the Professors' table a blond wizard assisted this display in a very green temper.
--
Chapter 5 – Winning, losing and keep going
What is this feeling I have inside me? This burning inside that does not rest that keeps haunting me to no end…
--
Malfoy sneered at their antics after the meeting. He watched as Harry and Ginny walked away from the room laughing and talking like there was no one there beside them. Daniella and Luna disappeared before Ginny and Harry. He watched as they gave hands and laughed like two children. That made him feel something for Ginny he didn't know the name. A strange feeling…maybe jealousy but he could not be jealous of Potter, could he? Was he?
He only had a lust feeling for the Ginger Angel. He couldn't be jealous of her and Potter…right?!
Draco was so deep in thought he did not realise that Severus Snape had approached him and was observing him as he watched Ginny and Harry walking away in their juvenile antics.
'I still can't believe he's back!' he groaned. Harry Potter was, for Snape, as bad as his father and godfather. Harry was hated by the Potions Master as much as James and Sirius.
Malfoy looked confused at his godfather but he realised he was talking of Potter.
'I know what you mean!' he replied walking beside Snape to his office.
'And the Weasley girl, she gives me headaches.' Snape complained 'Always so impertinent and obstinate. She pranks me every week but I can't get her…She's always protected by everyone!'
'She's nothing like her brothers.' Malfoy replied inexcusably.
'She's worse!' Snape replied watching his through the corner of his eyes. Snape continued to talk and swearing against the Weasleys and Potters but Malfoy only heard half of it as his eyes were staring the back of a very handsome red-haired witch that was walking beside a raven haired man in front of them. They were just standing away enough for a normal person not to hear anything that those two were saying or rather what Snape was saying.
Malfoy remained silent. She was growing on him. She was so much more that Weaslette; she was Virginia, a woman. But Snape could not know his feelings about such a woman.
As they reached his office, Draco noticed Snape was waiting for a reply.
'She's-' he started but trailed off as he noticed that two bright eyes were staring at him at the end of the hall, a tall man with his back turned on their left.
Snape was still observing him but Draco is a great at Occlumency (sp?).
'She's impossible to be with. She's worse than Granger in every annoying habit' he replied.
At the end of the hall the girl who kept her eyes in him remained still. One of her best friends continued to talk to her about his achievements but her heart was not there to follow the conversation.
Severus Snape looked pleased with his godson reply.
'And now the two together! Our lives couldn't get any worse, could they Draco?' he remarked eyeing him still.
'No, they couldn't. Two spoiled brats instead of one! Well, only if the Weasley clan returned to Hogwarts tomorrow to see the tournament….or the finals!'
'Merlin help us if that happens!'
'It would ruin the tournament with their second-hand clothes and shiny red hairs.'
'I heard the girl left your classes, true?' Malfoy nodded 'You don't know how lucky you are, dear boy! I've been trying for years to make her quit!'
'Yeah, lucky me!' he said in a good fake cheer. 'Couldn't be around her for another week' He looked at his pocket watch and he sighed.
'It's late' he informed.
'Draco, take care. I'll see you tomorrow at the tournament.' Snape groaned and walked away sneering to the two figures at the end of the medium sized hall.
Draco remained at his office door thinking about everything that had changed in his life since he returned to Hogwarts.
He looked up and saw Potter leaning in and hugging Ginny. Somehow he got himself just beside them.
'It's after curfew, Miss Weasley.' He said in a bored tone.
Ginny unlocked her arms from Harry and looked at Draco with her hands on her hips.
'Oh, is that so?'
'I advise you to go to your dorm, Miss Weasley.' He replied. Harry walked behind Ginny protectively, glaring Malfoy. A hand still holding his calmed him down as to say to let the things be handled by another person this time.
'And if I don't?'
'Detention, tomorrow after the tournament' he said without loosing her gaze.
She laughed.
'I'm Head-Girl, sir. I don't have a normal curfew.'
Malfoy cursed to himself.
'But as a Professor I'm sending you to your dorm.' He sneered.
Harry struggled behind Ginny. He didn't like the tone Malfoy was using with his Ginny.
'Malfoy-' he started but Ginny cut him off.
'Don't Harry. Professor Malfoy is right. I'm sleepy anyway.'
'But Ginny, he's –'
'Leave it, Harry!' she ordered. Harry shut his mouth and said no more.
'I see you're whipped and by a Weasel' Malfoy laugh at him.
Harry smirked.
'It's the best feeling Malfoy.' He said putting his arms around and kissing Ginny's cheek 'To be whipped by a wonderful woman like Gin.'
Malfoy's face blacked out. Jealousy running in his veins like poison. Hurt pride hurting in his heart.
'I would never understand how a Weasel is wonderful, Potter, and how anyone likes to be around you is even more beyond me. It must be your money for it ain't for your looks.' he sneered.
He saw Ginny's eyes turning a bit watery and Harry struggling under her hold but it was Ginny who replied.
'You must be confusing Harry with yourself, Malfoy.' She snapped 'Let's go, Harry'
'Disappear from my sight, Weaslette.' He turned away without knowing what to do or say.
At the end of the hall the two figures walked away, Potter's voice echoing in the hall, 'I take you to your dorm, Gin' and her positive reply in his jealous thoughts.
That night he took long than usual to fall asleep. Doubts haunting his so unused heart.
--
I can't believe Harry is here! I'm so happy to see he is here as one of the men in charge for the tournament. Tonight we were told the rules and presented to the judges which are the following: Snape, Lily, Remus, Malfoy and four impartial judges from the National Association and the Ministry.
Each duel will have at least five judges and the final twelve duels will be one at a time with the ten judges assisting and grading from 0 to 10.
I'm looking forward for this.
More things trouble me tonight. While taking a walk with Harry I saw Malfoy talking to Snape that was, as usual, speaking awful things about me and Harry and my family.
Malfoy was listening quietly as he didn't know I could listen to them. In my condition I can hear more that common humans.
I know he was staring at me…I could feel his stare on my back.
What troubles me more is that he was staring at my eyes when he told Snape what he thought of me.
Was he lying to Snape or is he just using me to get some satisfaction?
His tone when he demanded me to go to my dorm and his face…and his comments after Harry's replies…they were not the usual ones that he has when we are together but near others.
I'm confused and hurt. I know this thing we have must remain in the dark and perhaps it's nothing important… I just… I think I don't hate him as much as I did…And now it hurts what he says about me as it never did! What am I to do?
--
(Tournament's day)
'Virginia Weasley and Lavender Flint' Harry called from the front. 'Carla Saint-Claire and Xavier Grim'
Ginny spun her magic ring to sustain her power and walked to the duel circle.
She bowed and one second later Lavender Flint was disarmed and defeated. She bowed again and went to sit near Luna.
'So, how where things, yesterday with Harry?' she asked.
'Normal. We talked about his work and school, stuff like that.'
'Seriously?'
'Yeah, why?' Ginny arched her eyebrow at Luna.
Luna sighed and replied 'He still cares for you'
Ginny laughed.
'No, he doesn't!'
Luna glared at her.
'If so, why is he glancing at you from time to time? Why was he so happy to walk you to your dorm yesterday?'
Ginny glanced at Harry and their eyes met. He blushed but it went almost unnoticeable.
'You're imagining things, Loony Lovegood!' she replied trying to deny such evidence to her. She could see he still had feelings for her.
'I pity him…' Daniella joined them after winning another duel.
'Why?' Ginny groaned knowing that Daniella had a theory about Harry and her.
Daniella glanced around them to see if anyone was paying them any attention. As the coast was clear she continued.
'I pity him as you don't love him. There's nothing worse than love and not be loved in return.'
Luna sighed sadly and knowingly.
Ginny snorted.
'C'mon, say it. I know you fancy someone else' Daniella dared her.
'No, I don't.'
'Yes, you do, Virginia Weasley-'
'No, I do not Daniella –
'Golias Zabini and Daniella Salvador' James's voice echoed through the Hall 'Please follow Mister Potter.'
Daniella stood up and followed Harry.
'Luna Loovegood and Virginia Weasley, Follow Professor Malfoy; Carla Saint-Claire and Philip Deline, follow me'.
Luna winked at Ginny.
--
'You know the rules-' Professor Malfoy's voice filled both Luna and Ginny's ears as they got prepared to duel.
As they bowed, Ginny whispered 'Don't go easy on me now, Luna'.
Luna chuckled.
'One, Two, Three!'
'Experdi-' Luna tried but her wand was already in Ginny's hand 'I quit' she said smiling to Ginny.
'Winner: Virginia Weasley. Follow me; you're in the finals'
--
Ginny lost Luna and Daniella during the Tournament and to speak truth, she was glad she did. She was a finalist and she had some thinking to do without them around.
She was wandering around the castle when a soft cough interrupted her thoughts.
She turned around to see who it was that was trying to catch her attention.
'Hello, my darling.' said Albus.
A soft shade of red invaded Ginny's face. She made her best to concentrate in non-Draco memories so Dumbledore couldn't tell she was being unfaithful to her promise.
'Albus!' she exclaimed.
'I come to talk to you about a certain someone'
'I don't see – who?' she asked trying to hide her embarrassment. Dumbledore could always see through her like no other. He had a way to figure everything that went around him. He was impossible to trick or almost impossible to.
Albus smiled.
'Don't try to hide it, Ginny. You are a bad liar, Ginny'
'Okey, talk about Professor Malfoy' she said sitting in a bench.
'What you're doing, Ginny, is wrong. You know that don't you?'
'Doing what, Albus?' she asked innocently.
'Fraternizing with him-'
'Fraternizing!' she replied.
'-Draco Malfoy, can lead to disaster.'
'I'm just exploring ground, Albus. Seriously, I'm trying to figure him out by being his buddy. It won't lead to anyone's harm'
Albus gave a sad chuckle.
'Do you know why Harry agreed on this tournament?'
'Not really-'
'He is here to try winning you back. I don't want to see you both getting hurt because of something that is not yet concrete. You should find out what it is first…'
'Not you too!' she yelped.
Ginny walked away from Albus. After a while she started running. Why was everyone so worried about Harry? It wasn't like she was his only possible choice.
--
'Harry!' Daniella called from behind him. 'I must talk to you'
The man turned to face his friend.
'Go on…' he said when he saw her deadly serious face.
'It's about Ginny' she started 'You should talk to her…'
'I intent to, as matter of fact, I was on my way to see her.'
'It's not that is my business but-' she stopped to see if anyone was around.
'You're right. It's none of your business.'
He turned around and continued his search for Ginny. Daniella stayed behind sadly thinking 'You have no idea of what you're getting yourself into, my love..'
--
He found her near the lake. Her head on her knees contemplating the lake as the night approached. She was so beautiful and wonderful. He had been so blind to be afraid of such girl. She was the one for him, just as his mother was for his father.
He had come to Hogwarts to see and win her back and he was trying that.
'Ginny' he called as he sat beside her.
'Harry' she replied absently.
'I need to ask you something before my departure tomorrow' he sputtered.
That caught her attention. She turned her head to see him better.
'Are you happy, Gin?' he asked.
She sighed relieved 'Yes, very, Harry'
'Do you miss our adventures from last years?'
'A bit but I got my own now' she chuckled remembering.
'I miss you everyday Ginny…' he whispered but Ginny caught it.
He was nervous, too nervous for her own good.
Oh my!, she thought.
'Harry-'she said in a tiny voice; he ignored her.
'I made a mistake by fearing you, Ginny. I understand if you won't forgive me but I'll make it up for you.-'
'Please, Harry' she pleaded knowing too well where that was going to end. There was no possible denial for that fact. 'I forgave you long ago. You don't need to saw anything more' she smiled.
He took it as a sign.
'I love you, Ginny. Please, give me another chance' he ended.
Ginny froze. He had said it.
'Harry, I …' she stood up shocking her head. 'I'm sorry.'
Harry got it. She didn't love him.
'Can you give me another try, Ginny? I'll make you love me' he pleaded.
'I'm sorry'
'Is there someone else?' he asked calmly on the exterior though he was crying inside. He had got dumped…and Daniella had tried to warn him of it…
'What?' she exclaimed surprised.
'Is someone I know?'
'Harry, there's no one' she lied but her heart was beating faster than ever. She realised something and that made her cry.
'You promise?'
She frowned again at his irrational behaviour. That was so not Harry!
'Yes' she lied once again.
I've got to go Harry, please, forgive me as I can never love you as you do.
She ran away for the second time that day but this time she knew where she had to go.
--
'Malfoy, can we talk?' he turned to see Virginia Weasley standing in his office door way. After a whole day in the Room of Requirement he was really tired, so Ginny caught him almost sleeping against his chair.
'Sure, come in.' he waved his hand and Ginny entered and closed the door behind her.
She stared at him for a while and then sighed.
'So, what did you want to talk about?' he asked.
Ginny looked at him and she remained shut. She could not go through this. How could she question him about it? She couldn't do it. Her blood shot eyes blinked twice before she answered him.
'Nothing, forget it.' She replied standing up.
A hand in her wrist stopped her.
'You know you can tell me everything, don't you?' he said worried. She had not spoken to him since their last encounter with Potter. He knew she was hurt and somehow he wanted to kick himself for that.
'Really?' she joked.
'Really.' he said dead serious. She looked surprised at him, a small smile playing in her lips.
'I need to know what we are.'
There was a pregnant silence where the two gazed each others eyes.
'Why?' he asked.
'Because today I had to lie to my best friend'. She stated.
'Is this because of yesterday? Because I didn't mean any of it' he stated leaning against his desk.
She sighed.
'Yes and no' she answered.
'I was tired and I had to play a role around Potter and you. Severus was watching us'
'So, you don't think I'm a money digger?'
'Are you?' he joked raising his eyebrows. She slapped him jokingly in the arm.
'NO'
'I still can't see how you hang around Potter!' he stated seriously.
Ginny dropped herself on one of the chairs.
'He said he loved me.'
Malfoy spun around and looked paled (even more than usual).
'He said that?'
'Just now…'
'And what did you say?'
Ginny looked up at him and she felt another chill through her body.
'As he said that I realised that – I could never give him my heart. So, before doing any decision or talk with him again I need to know what we are.'
Malfoy remained silent.
'Is this more than lust or desire for you? Could it change into something more? ' she continued.
Their gaze remained still in each other; locked trying to read each others thoughts.
Finally, he spoke.
'Malfoys don't love, Virginia. I care for you as I never cared before for anyone but myself.' His voice was not shaky but firm and strong 'I never knew love, so I don't know what it is. I can't give you anything more than we already have. I'm not nice as Potter, I'm a bastard, I know it perfectly well.'
Ginny breathed. Malfoy stood up from his desk and paced around.
'I understand you want more than a superficial relationship and I would gladly try a more steady relationship with you.' Ginny stood from her seat.
' I won't promise you that I'll love you or anything but strangely as it may seem I'm feeling for you unknown feelings and they feel great.' He finished. Ginny walked up to him and cupped his face in hers.
'I accept what you're willing to give me right now.' She answered before kissing him passionately.
He responded by kissing back in the same passionately way as she kissed him. He pinned her up and sat her in his desk preparing to take another step on their relationship but a knock on the office's door interrupted their session.
Ginny cast a spell on herself to clean any evidence of their actions and sat at a small table doing lines.
Malfoy did the same spell and sat at his chair ordering the person to come in.
Harry Potter passed through the door and both Malfoy and Ginny jumped to their feet.
'What-'
'What are you doing here, Harry?' Ginny interrupted Draco.
Harry flashed a glare at Malfoy and looked dearly at Ginny.
He dropped to one knee and took a box from his pocket.
'Harry, don't.' she pleaded.
'I know you said you don't love me but I need you. I can't think of nothing but you. You can love me again, Gin, I can offer you everything you want. No one else can do that.' He said.
'Yes, you could give me everything but happiness and my love for you.' She replied. Malfoy was staring at the two in shock. In that moment, he had two reactions to Harry's actions. The first was respect and the second mock. He must be deep in love to make such a move after a refusal from the woman he loved and stupid too. But what else did love to those who have it obsessively in their heart.
'You would love me in time. Give me a chance'
'No' she replied breaking contact with the emerald earrings hold in Harry's hand.
'I'm not asking you to marry me but open your heart to me again'
'For what, Harry? You can't be inside it like that.'
'Why not?'
'You're just a friend'
Harry stood from the ground and grabbed Ginny by the shoulders against the wall.
'Why?'
'Because I love you as a friend, as a brother, nothing more' she whispered frightened. She could see Draco pulling his wand and walking behind Harry. She shock her head to him. He could not jeopardize their relationship like that. She had to handle with it by herself. She could easily broke away from Harry's hands but that would hurt him more and she could not have that.
'Let me go, Harry. You're hurting me' she whimpered as he leaned against her hardening his hold.
'More than you already hurt me?' he whispered.
'No'
'Be true to me for once.'
'I shall'
'Did you lie to me when you said there was no one else in your heart?'
Ginny closed her eyes and se could still see the look on Draco's face right in front of her. Expectant, hurt, doubts… Her eyes opened as she heard her name.
'I'm expecting your answer, Ginny' Harry said loosening his hold.
She looked at him and then at Draco. She couldn't lose him by giving a positive answer.
'No'
'Then why are you denying me?' he burst 'If your heart is free why not give it to me who love you?'
She couldn't take it no more!
She burst too.
'Because I'm in love, Harry!'
He became quiet.
'Who is the bastard I have to kill?'
'I'm not telling you, Harry. Not after everything and if you even try to follow me or know who my heart belongs to, I'll make the Incident look like a happy family moment' she warned.
Harry looked frightened as Ginny's aura became brighter and darker.
He had lost it. He had gone too far.
'I'm sorry, Ginny. I went too far but I love you. I can't live with out you'
'Well you'll have to' she snapped.
'Sorry' he apologised truly sorry of his demented behaviour.
Ginny calmed. She knew him too well to be angry with him.
She hugged him as he sobbed, forgetting the Slytherin presence in the room.
'Well, it was a lovely and desperate performance, Potter but now beat it. Out of my office, I'm holding a detention. Oh, and twenty points from Gryffindor for such irregular behaviour in a detention, Miss Weasley.
They broke apart and Harry left without reply, he was too emotionally tired to give one to Draco Malfoy.
--
'Do you love me, Ginny?' he asked as Harry was far away from the office.
She looked up, blushed, but did not reply.
'If you don't, maybe you could reconsider Potter's proposal.' He said with a bit of jealousy in his voice which Ginny noticed and smiled at that.
'Is Mister Malfoy jealous?'
'Me, jealous! Ha! Malfoys aren't jealous of Potters or Weasels!'
Ginny smiled and hugged him. He sighed.
'You're impossible to lie to. You know it, don't you, Virginia Weasley?!' he moaned.
'You're jealous, aren't you!' she kissed him softly 'Don't worry, I still hate you more than I hate Harry'
He smiled 'That's a relief then!'.
--
(Next day-Final)
Ginny put some robes on and spun her magic ring around her finger.
Today was the finals.
If she won, she would have to fight one of the judges for the higher title.
'Gin, c'mon, you're late' Daniella was calling her from outside the door.
'Tell me what else is new!' a second female voice replied.
Luna was there with her. Both had seen Harry leave Malfoy's office and where dying to know what happened.
But Ginny did not tell them anything.
'Virginia Weasley and Tobias Sacour' James Potter called to the front.
'You know the rules, this is the final duel. There'll be no disarming spells and illegal curses. Play fair. On the third.'
Ginny bowed and so did Tobias.
'One, Two, Three'
'Higjious' Tobias yelled but Ginny easily ducked. The ring was flashing red, she couldn't do handless magic during the duel, well, not easily at least.
'Flamingus' she whispered but her opponent made a shield around him.
'Bogious!'
'Protego' Ginny whispered 'Incarcerous!'
Tobias dropped on the floor, ropes around him holding him still.
' Petrificus Totalus'
And it ended.
She won.
Somehow it didn't feel right. She was not happy with it. Maybe it was because of the sad man staring at her or the fact that she was stronger even with the ring…
Everyone applauded even Tobias after being released.
'Now, Miss Weasley, take a name from this bag if you are willing to try and win the higher competition' said Serious.
She automatically took a ball and gave it to James.
James grabbed it and peak at the name. The room went quiet as James raised his arm.
'And now Miss Weasley is going to fight a first grade duellist from the judges. This judge happens to be a Professor here and his name is….. Professor Malfoy.'
Malfoy rose from his seat and went to the duel table.
'You can give up and win the third grade mark, Miss Weasley' he whispered while bowing.
She smirked.
'Not in a life time'
'One, Two…Three'
'Peskipiksi Pesternomi' he cast with a non-verbal spell.
Ginny smirked and did the same casting a Protego. Draco cast another spell and a snake came striking at her.
'Expecto Patronum' she cast as her ring turned blue and fell a part.
The snake was vanished by her angel warrior patronus.
They battled for a while but as Malfoy got tired, Ginny's powers got stronger and she was enjoying it more.
At last she saw her opportunity when Malfoy got distracted by a metal sound at his feet. A chain he had around his neck broke and he looked panicked so he did not protect himself against Ginny's spell.
He fell on the floor without being able to move. It was better this way.
'And Virginia Weasley is now officially a first graded duellist!' Sirius Black yelled in the middle of the room.
Ginny walked to Draco and took her spell from him. She smiled at him and mouthed 'this was my best duel. Thank you'.
Not soon after, Ginny was being dragged to a dark corner were she kissed her Professor passionately as to give him a reward for a wonderful duel.
'Don't get used to winning, Miss Weasley'
'I could beat you anytime' she mocked kissing him again.
'I think we would keep on fighting if I hadn't had my chain and you, your ring' he replied.
'What do you mean?'
'Sometimes wizards are born with more power than usual and it must be controlled as to not hurt any one' he explained showing his broken chain.
She smiled. That's why he was not afraid of her. They were equals!
She kissed him again.
'Virginia Weasley! What do you think you're doing?' a female voice shouted from behind them.
'Aunt Lily!' she whimpered.
--
A/N: I know I told you this chapt was going to have the Ball but I could make it. I promise I'll try and make my updates sooner.
I hope you enjoyed.
Kisses and love for everyone that is reading and reviewing my fanfic and putting it on their alert.
Evelyn!!