Chapter 7: No Mistakes
The Slytherin common room was completely empty. Everyone was so used to losing to Gryffindor that they didn't even bother to blame him for the loss. Having no reason to celebrate, most had gone to bed early. Draco sat in front of the dying fire, his face in his hands, blonde hair tousled.
Her face would pop into his mind again and again. He shouldn't have done it; it obviously wasn't the right time. He could have ruined everything. The more he thought on it the more frustrated he became. They shouldn't have been alone together. That's what had caused it. He'd forgotten himself and his duties to the Dark Lord.
Her soft lips had looked so inviting though…
Draco shook his head sharply to clear it, so much for pushing thoughts like this to the back of his mind. They had all come flooding forward like a giant wave the moment his body had been inches from her own. It hadn't been the right time. If he had messed this up, then he and his family would die. It was as simple as that.
Ignoring the tightening in his chest, Draco sat up straight. He could make no further mistakes. It had just shocked him that was all. He had never expected to feel such a strong attraction to Ginny. In truth he hardly knew anything about her. To him she was just a mission, a job. A very attractive and opinionated job, but a job none the less.
Maybe he was attracted to her because of her opinions. All his life he had been surrounded by girls always willing to please. His mother was the perfect, obedient wife to his father and ever since he had started at Hogwarts Parkinson had followed like a loyal dog. Finding a girl who so straightly objected to authority made him curious. He'd never met anyone quite like her.
Draco shook his head harshly, once again attempting to push those thoughts to the back of his mind. But the barrier was weak and would probably fall at the lightest probing. He was content, however, as long as they were out of his head. His mind cleared, he was again able to concentrate on his task.
****
Monday brought with it the first snowfall of the year, though it was only mid October. By the time he had to go to study, the snow had all melted.
Draco arrived at class a good five minutes to early. Though he wouldn't admit it to himself, he was slightly nervous to face Ginny again. He had managed to avoid looking at her in the Great Hall all weekend and stayed clear of anywhere he knew she might be. Though he knew this wouldn't help him complete his assignment any sooner, it allowed him to prepare himself for this inevitable meeting.
He took out a roll of parchment and ink to start his transfiguration homework. He had only unscrewed the top off the ink bottle when Nott walked in. He took his usual seat and looked at Draco.
"Malfoy." He said shortly, inclining his head in greeting.
"Nott." Draco acknowledged him with a nod as well. Nott, uncharacteristically, continued to stare at Draco, almost as though scanning him.
"Yes?" He finally asked impatiently, his nerves already stressed to breaking point with thoughts of Ginny.
"Nothing Malfoy, I just happened to notice something that interested me."
"And it has to do with me?" Draco glanced toward the door only half interested in what Nott was saying.
"Yes it does. You're not the only one who went to congratulate Ginny after the match." Draco's head spun around to look at Nott so fast, he thought he might have pulled something. Rubbing his neck and glaring at Nott he said,
"I believe that has nothing at all to do with you." Nott shook his head once and spoke again.
"You're wrong then. Anything that has to do with Miss Weasley has to do with me also. I take it you understand we have become…friends, within the last few weeks. Not without major effort on my part I might add."
Draco waved his had as if this fact was of no importance.
"That doesn't mean that you can slink yourself into my business." Draco said carefully. He had never quite been able to order around Nott like he did the others. He lowered his voice so that Nott had to lean in to hear him. "You know who I'm reporting to. I know you've chosen not to follow the Dark Lord but that doesn't mean-"
"So it's for him then?" Nott interrupted his face calm and impassive. Draco stiffened.
"That is definitely none of your business, Nott." Nott continued to stare at him and Draco shifted slightly in his seat. "Everyone knows you chose not to serve like your father, but I know you do believe in his ideas."
"So it's relevant?" Nott asked
"Extremely." Draco answered as Blaise entered the class and started toward them.
"Good," Nott said simply leaning back in his seat and relaxing slightly, easing back into his normal self. "I just didn't want it to be another one of your stupid flings. I remember Daphne..."
Draco smirked at Nott as Blaise took his seat.
"No, Nott. It's definitely nothing like that." He answered turning to begin his transfiguration homework; half wondering if he spoke the truth. To be honest he wasn't sure if she was another Daphne. Something told him this feeling was different, stronger.
Frowning at his homework, Draco pushed the feeling once again to the back of his mind and set up his weak barrier. It was shattered instantly, though, when Ginny walked into the room. Her red hair was falling silkily onto her shoulders her brown eyes once again holding that strange, hard glint. She took her seat next to Nott, mumbling a greeting to him before making a show of searching through her bag. Nott glance slyly at Draco before answering her and beginning a conversation.
Ginny glanced at him several times during her discussion with Nott. Draco tried to ignore it and focus on his paper, transfiguration was his favorite class and he still hadn't managed more then a few sentences. He was thankful that it wasn't a double period and the bell finally rang.
Blaise left right away, no longer bothering to wait for Draco. Nott packed his things slowly so that Draco and Ginny would leave at the same time. Draco sighed and stepped forward, there was no time like the present.
Ginny looked at him once and then her head snapped forward ignoring him as if she had no idea he was there. Draco fell into step next to her and they headed toward the Great Hall in silence. Finally, unable to take it any longer, he chose to speak first.
"Ginny," He greeted soundly, using her name for the first time.
"Malfoy," She said stiffly next to him and he sighed again. This was going to take a lot of work but he was a Malfoy, he could be patient when he needed to be.
"How's your day been?" He asked cringing slightly, he was making small talk. He hated small talk. Apparently Ginny did to; she gave him a look that plainly said 'What the hell?'
"It was okay, Malfoy. Not that it's any of your concern." She answered laboriously looking forward again. Draco grimaced; at least she was still talking to him. He supposed it could be worse. Maybe he should apologize?
He laughed; just the thought of it was funny, apologizing to the Weaselette, like that would ever happen. Even though she was attractive, Draco Malfoy had never apologized for anything in his life and he wasn't going to start now. Ginny looked up at him her face vaguely curious.
"What's funny?" She asked boldly giving him another look. He couldn't help staring down into her chocolate eyes, noticing for the first time that he was at least a foot taller then her.
"You're short." Crap! He couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. He hadn't meant to say that, it had sort of just popped out. He realized Ginny had stopped walking and paused as well, turning slowly to face her, somewhat surprised to find he feared her reaction. She was gazing at him with a mingled look of shock and surprise. She recovered quickly though and laughed, stalking past him.
"I thought height wasn't supposed to matter, Draco." She said as she walked by, still smiling brightly.
Draco stood still, unable to move for a split second. Then before he could even consider what he was doing he ran off after her, catching her in the entrance hall.
"Height doesn't matter." He said a little out of breath, skidding to a halt in front of her, stopping her from entering the Great Hall. She smirked at him and he was surprised to find such a Malfoyish trait on her face.
"Then what did you mean by calling me short?" She asked frankly, her smirk stretching into a real smile. Draco found himself actually smiling back before he answered and was surprised. He had hardly smiled in a while and was amazed to find it came so easily around her.
"Absolutely nothing, you overreacted." He answered not removing his eyes from her face. She put a hand on her hip and eyed him strongly.
"I overreacted did I?" He supposed it was meant to be a rhetorical question but answered it anyway.
"Yes you did," Before he could lose his nerve he added, "I could have just been implying that I find you attractive."
Ginny paused, confused, her confidence faintly diminished.
"That made absolutely no sense." She said still looking at him, puzzled. Draco smirked down at her.
"I know." He said and stalked arrogantly past her into the Great Hall, the Malfoy part of his brain not allowing him to be nice to Weasley for more then a few minutes, the Draco part wondering why he was leaving her behind.