Back To School
Chapter 8
Dinner and a Discovery
A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to update, yay for no internet connections!! Thanks for reading. I do not own any of the Harry Potter stuff… that would be J.K. Rowling. I hope ya'll are enjoying it so far. Please review and PM me!! And enjoy the next chapter!
It was oddly comforting to sit in Draco's arms. I took a deep breath and looked up at Draco. He had a strange look on his face. He spoke after a moment. "You're eyes are really blue when you cry." As if that is what I wanted to hear when I'm so upset.
"Neat." I answered unenthusiastically. I didn't want to be hit on while I was in such a state. I gently pushed away from him and walked over to the edge of the tower and looked down. The ground was so far away, it made me feel small. How was I going to control this monstrous disease and how was Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts' biggest prick going to help? So many questions were whirring through my head, it made me feel dizzy and I suppose I faltered a bit. Draco came to the rescue and put an arm around my waist.
"I can feel your ribs…" he said quietly looking at me as if he were horrified. "When was the last time you ate?" That was a difficult question to answer… because in truth I had forgotten the last time I ate, I had gotten past that hungry stage and so I'd not realized that I hadn't eaten. I looked at him, lost for words.
"Uh, I… I don't remember." I stuttered after he gave me no reprieve. "I just haven't been hungry lately, that's all." I finished softly looking at him hard, trying not to show my embarrassment.
"Ginny, that's not good." He said, not letting go of my waist, he was using my first name and it was strange. I didn't really know if I liked it or not. I realized he was still holding on to me and I broke away and walked toward the door.
"I'm just not hungry okay, and I don't really think it is any of your concern whether I eat or not." I replied haughtily. I turned slightly to see his reaction. So I was playing a bit of cat and mouse, do you blame me? I hadn't had anyone concerned for my well being in so long that it was a good feeling to just see how far it would go.
"Of course it is my concern." He replied but had a strange look in his face as if he didn't know he was going to speak. "I just want to help you." He finished trying to cover up the fact that he showed himself as a true human. I rolled my eyes for show; I couldn't give in that easily, right? "Come on, let's go to the kitchens, I know some of the elves." With that he took my by the wrist, he seemed to like to do that, and led me toward the basement where the kitchen was.
Once down there, we stopped at the door and Draco turned to me. "The ceilings are low and it's a bit warm in there, don't touch anything and… just don't touch anything." I hid a smile when he stumbled over his words, he sounded like my father and it made me miss home a bit.
"Yes sir." I said, saluting him. I had to give him a hard time, I couldn't go willing with Draco anywhere. He simply rolled his eyes and tapped three times on the doorframe before entering the kitchen. He was right, the ceiling was low, Draco bent a bit so not to drag his head along the rough ceiling, still not letting go of my wrist. It was getting a bit annoying but at the same time, I oddly felt a relief that he could just lead me around without having me make decisions. It seemed as though the kitchen stopped and everyone looked at us when we stepped through the door. Draco cleared his throat in his rather condescending manner and a couple of house elves stepped up to us.
Draco spoke, "I need a dinner for Ginny here." He spoke down his nose and I couldn't stand that. I nudged him in the ribs and looked at the elf he was directly talking to.
"Please." I added gently. The house elf smiled wearily at me and turned away from us. "You heard them!!" he squeaked out. "Please, please sit down." He pulled out a chair that would have passed for a foot stool at home and I sat gently afraid of breaking the spindly legs. Draco pulled out another chair and we sat in silence at the miniature table. The house elves worked quickly and before I knew it a plate of pork roast, rice, gravy, grilled artichoke hearts, and a salad where laid before me. I didn't know I was hungry until I put a bite into my mouth. It tasted like heaven and I quickly devoured the rest of the dish. The small house elf watched me, smiling the entire time. Draco was watching too. I didn't feel self conscious until I was finished and looked up.
"Was it good Weaslette?" Draco smirked and looked down his nose at me. He was back to being his prick-ish self again.
"It was wonderful, thank you." I said politely to the elf standing next to me, the tips of his ears were level with the top of my head now that I was sitting. I stood slowly, suddenly feeling thing weight of the large dinner I had just eaten. I thanked the elves once more and stepped carefully towards the door so not to bump my head. Once again a hand was clasp tightly around my wrist. I rolled my eyes and turned once out the door, "Am I your pet now? Should I get you a leash?" I said, the harshness creeping into my voice.
"Not even a nice word for me?" he asked roughly, tightening his grip on my wrist. I winced, he was on one of my fresher wounds and it stung to put pressure on it.
"You were being so sweet up until you had to watch me eat." I replied bitterly. I wrenched my hand away and looked down at where blood was seeping through the green sleeve of my sweater. Draco's eyes followed my own and then they widened when they caught the blood.
"I didn't do that." He said immediately backing away a step.
"No you didn't, I did." I replied calmly and pulled back the sleeve to reveal the art created by lines of red, pink, and white. "You just helped me to remember." With that I turned away not even worrying about what he was thinking or feeling. I didn't care, I had felt so good for a while, thinking someone actually cared and having food once more. I should have known something would ruin it. As I walked down the hall I felt Draco's eyes on my back, but he said nothing, my eyes began to tear up, but it didn't matter who saw me cry now.
A/N: I hoped you all liked that chapter. I'm sorry it took so long again. Umm, rate, review, whatever, and tell your friends to read!! I want your feedback and I'll try to get the next one up soon!!