Chapter 5
Disclaimer: Me no own. You no sue.
A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed. Sorry it took so long to update, I've been with my dad for the past week and he doesn't exactly like me reading or writing these things. Plus I've been busy at Bush Gardens, so I've been all over the place. Check out ATaintedStarsNightmare's story, Musical Undertones.
Ginny couldn't believe her eyes. She just stood there, gawking at them. She never in a million years would have thought she'd see two of Hogwarts sexiest, most definitely masculine students making out. She didn't even know what to think. A hundred different thoughts were bombarding around through her head.
I thought they were straight!…. They didn't act…fruity. Great word, fruity…. I knew they were too close to begin with…. Those books look really uncomfortable and are digging right into Draco's back. He doesn't seem to notice though, or mind. I never thought Blaise would be the one in control…. How long have they been together? Are they even together? Is this the first time it's happened? They are really getting into it…. This is just weird!
Amongst all of her thoughts, there was one that kept drifting through her head, popping up amongst her various questions and statements, all jumbled as she watched the two continue their constant onslaught of battling tongues. And that thought was the only one that was continually bouncing around her mind, and the only one that really mattered to her. That is hot!
She stood there, watching intently as Draco flipped their positions, now pinning Blaise against the bookshelves. The blond ground his hips forward, causing Blaise to cry out in pleasure. Merlin, that sound! She finally shook her head, closing her mouth that had been hanging open since she stumbled upon them.
She longed to speak up, cough, anything to get their attention, for them to know that she'd seen them, but she didn't want them to stop. She felt wrong just standing there, watching them when they didn't know she was there. She felt like she was intruding, invading a very private moment. She decided to back up, to leave before they noticed she was there. She spun around fast to turn and ran straight into one of the many towering bookshelves, jolting it. Most of the books toppled over and out, hitting Ginny and knocking her down. The noise was loud enough to send even Madame Pince, who was on the other side of the library, running towards them. She squeezed her eyes shut, cursing under her breath. Smooth move, Gin. There was no way she was going to open her eyes. She'd rather stay crushed under the books piled on top of her than get up and receive the humiliation coming from both being crushed and from witnessing that wonderful sight.
She felt someone removing the books from on top of her, and she felt a strong grip around her arm, hauling her to her feet. She very slowly cracked one eye open to peer at the person holding her. Draco's mercury eyes stared at her somewhat in amusement, and partially in shock. Well I'd be shocked too if I had my snogging session interrupted by some pea brain, hormonal chick ramming herself face first into a bloody bookshelf.
She balanced herself, now opening both eyes and blushing brightly, but he didn't let go of her arm. She saw Madame Pince come around the corner, her eyes going wide as she saw the huge mess that Ginny had made, shrieking in outrage. She glared hatred at the three, bending down and started picking up the books with care, placing them back on the bookshelves in the order they were originally in. Ginny didn't know why she cared so much, they were just books. If anything she should be worried about the students. They could've been crushed under the huge tomes. Well, she had been, but that's not the point. She should've cared more for their safety than some daft books.
Her, Blaise, and Draco stood and watched as she continued putting them away, not offering to help in the slightest, just watching her huff and puff, straining herself by putting the heavy books on the highest shelf. Once they were all put away, she turned, whispering a spell at the bookshelf in which a thin protective barrier blocked them from reaching it. Figures. Then she turned around and left, going back to the front of the library and busying herself by sorting books and putting them in their proper places.
Ginny coughed a little, hesitantly turning towards Draco, who still had a hand on her arm, and Blaise who had positioned himself behind him. They both had their eyebrows raised and their signature smirks in place. Her cheeks tinged pink again, remembering how she had found them, backed against the bookshelves. That had momentarily slipped her mind when the books crushed her. No big deal, though.
She turned and pointed a finger at the exit, "I'll just be-," but was cut off when Draco and Blaise simultaneously shook their heads.
"You're not going anywhere. We've got to teach you a thing or two for potions remember?" Draco slowly, albeit reluctantly, released her arm, a smile on his lips. He pulled out the chair of a nearby table and gently shoved her into it.
"Yea, plus I think we need to discuss…something," Blaise agreed before he and Draco took the seats opposite her.
The boys exchanged glances, and Draco nodded at Blaise for him to continue. He coughed a little, looking more than a little nervous and awkward. "Uhm, how much exactly did you see?" He raised an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to answer. Ginny thought that over. Well, she could just pretend she didn't see anything, and deny all accusations, or she could be open and honest and admit she'd seen quite a lot and had stood there gawking at them while they were completely oblivious to her presence. She wanted to go with the former, but didn't want to lie either.
"Enough," She admitted. Blaise looked about to speak again, but she beat him to it. "You don't have to explain anything, you know. It really doesn't matter. I wont tell anyone about what I saw. Honest." She wished he would have just went with that, giving up any awkwardness at having an explanation, and that they could continue on with their tutoring, but he seemed not to be deterred.
"I know I don't, but I want to. You should know."
"There's not much to explain! You snogged. You're pixies. End of story. What else could there be to tell me?" It made all logical sense to her really. I mean, it's not as if it was some complicated concept.
"I'm insulted!" Draco turned towards her. "I am not a pixie! Just because I snog a guy doesn't mean I'm gay, or any of that rot. I happen to like girls very much, thank you!"
Ginny didn't know what to think. For the second time that day they had rendered her speechless, which was not an easy feat. So they make out, but they're not gay? What type of sense did that make? None at all, that's what! Were they just randy and looked for a bit of attention? Because if that was the case, she would have gladly offered herself up as bait. Hell, there were tons of girls at Hogwarts that would. So were they lying to her when they said they weren't…fruity, or were they telling the truth?
She didn't know what to say, so she followed her train of thought into her sentence. "Is that even possible? I mean, you definitely looked as if you were enjoying it, and no straight guy would enjoy that, would they? This doesn't make any sense what-so-ever." She sighed in exasperation, rubbing her hands over her eyes in an attempt to rub the weariness away, and the problem away with it. "Why, in Merlin's name, would you kiss a guy if you're not gay?" She slapped the table in confusion. The more burning question on her mind was why had they kissed her if they had each other? Was she always going to be just some plaything? Would she ever mean anything more to people? Where did she come into play in all this?
Now it was Blaise's turn to sigh in exasperation. "Ever heard of bisexuals?"
"Of course I have! But you guys just seem so…so…manly." Great way of putting that, Gin.
"Are you questioning my masculinity, Red?" Draco growled out in playful anger. Ugh, this was just getting out of hand. How could they expect her to understand everything when everything was just so bloody confusing? They kissed her, they kissed each other, and they claim they're bisexual. So where did this put Ginny? Did they honestly like her, or were they just using her for their own satisfaction? "If I remember correctly, you weren't questioning it last week during your detention when I had you down on the ground, moaning like Myrtle." He chucked when she turned red to the tips of her ears. Why did they always have that affect on her?
"Oh, so you remember that pleasant run in, do you? Then why the bloody hell were you kissing him?" She asked, her voice rising. He quirked an eyebrow at her.
"We've always been together, Blaise and I. We're like brothers, but closer. We've been best mates since we were really young. I've been there for him when times have been hardest, like when his dad died. And vise versa, he's been here for me when I need him for my-" He stopped, seemingly remembering who he was talking to. Ginny wondered what that was about, but figured she'd wait to ask. He slyly covered it, continuing on as if nothing happened. "I also kissed him and you the same reason you kissed both of us; because I like you both." He answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She didn't know how he knew about her and Zabini, and quite frankly, she didn't really care. All she knew was that all of this was too bloody confusing and she didn't know how she felt about all this, or even how she should react to that. She turned to look at Blaise, eyebrows raised, silently asking him the same question.
He nodded to Draco. "What he said."
"Great, so we all like each other, but what does that all mean? What are we, just one great big threesome or something?" She said the last bit sarcastically, but saw their eyes flash in approval and smirks adorned their features.
"Sounds good to me." Blaise smirked, leaning over the table and brushing a loose strand of her red hair behind her ear, winking at her. She was terribly confused by all this information that had attacked her in such a short amount of time, but didn't exactly find it unpleasant. I mean, come on; if she wanted, she could have two of the best looking guys in school, which every girl, including herself, longed after. Not only that, but she could have them both at the same time. God really did love her!
She blushed when she noticed that they were both starring at her, waiting for her to do or say something in reply. Ginny didn't really need to think it over. She nodded in approval and Draco chuckled his assent. This was really turning out to be and amazing day.
"Time to study!" Blaise cried happily. And the moment is ruined. Ginny groaned and laid her head in her hands.
"But I hate potions! Cant we just wait till tomorrow or some other time?" She begged, jutting out her lip a little into a pout and widening her eyes. "Pwease?"
They both sighed and she smiled secretly in triumph, knowing they would give in. Draco pushed out his chair, pulling Blaise up with him and pulling him into a rough, quick kiss. He pulled away after a second and grinned ruggedly at him before moving to Ginny's side. She extended her hand and he bowed above it, bringing his lips down on her hand to caress it with his soft mouth, before pulling her up as well. "Well, come on, let's go," He said, directing them towards the door.
Ginny's pout turned real this time, and pulled back from him. "What, no kiss for me?" But she didn't give him time to reply, because as he turned back to her she lightly pushed him against a bookshelf, standing on her tip-toes and closing the distance between them. She shivered as he brought his hands down to her hips to hold her in place. He always had that affect on her, leaving cold trails behind everywhere he touched her.
"We'll have enough time for that later, but we've got to be at our next class in ten minutes, so let's go," Blaise said, interrupting their kiss and dragging them apart. If he hadn't done that, Ginny wasn't so sure they would've made it to their next class on time. All three of them walked out of the library, Ginny in the middle with both boys' arms around he waist, looking completely content.
--
Ginny was in a great mood that whole week. She spent most of her time with Blaise and Draco, and when they were together in front of people, she often caught the envious glares from the female occupants of the school with glee. She ate with them, usually in the kitchen, often studying and doing homework with them in Blaise's head boy rooms, and tutoring with them four times a week. All in all, she would say she was pretty happy. Their relationship wasn't really out in the open, or she knew she would be receiving more glances, not to mention the Gryffindor's would go absolutely mad. No, they tended to stay away from crowds, except for in the halls between classes when they would walk together, but no one noticed the hidden kisses and looks they gave each other.
Not only did she have the good aspects of a relationship, but they were also becoming close friends too. It seemed as if through that one week, they had gotten closer than ever. They were hardly ever apart, and normally, where she would have usually gotten annoyed at all the attention, she was rejoicing in it. Besides, she didn't have anyone else to talk to or hang out with. They were her only friends here.
Plus, they had just asked her to come with them to Hogsmeade on the upcoming trip this weekend. She was excited to finally be able to spend time with them out side of school.
Ginny also rejoiced in it being Friday. No more school work for the weekend. No more endless studying. Just her and her nice comfortable bed for the whole night. She had promised to meet the boys at the Entrance Hall around noon. She was definitely taking advantage of the weekend.
Ginny had just walked through the portrait hole to her common room after finishing her later dinner with Draco and Blaise in the kitchen, and she was happy to just plop down in a comfy chair in front of the fire. She was happy to just sit back, relax, and stare into the flames, letting her thoughts take control of her for once.
For the first time in days she thought of her friends off looking for horcruxes. She desperately wanted to know if they had found anything, got any clues or were having any success at all. She hadn't heard a single word about them, not anything but the rumors in the paper. It seemed as if they had vanished off the face of the Earth. All she knew was that Harry wasn't dead. If he were, there would be no hope at all. She didn't feel for Harry in a romantic light anymore, but he had always been there for her. She felt bad, dating his enemies, but wouldn't stop either way. She just hopped that if her, Draco, and Blaise actually lasted that long, that he, Ron, and Hermione wouldn't hate her for it.
Doubt it. Knowing them, they and her whole family would probably disown her before she could even blink. They never associated with Malfoy's or Zabini's. Hell, her father and Draco's were like arch enemies or something. Things would never blow over well.
She hated to think about it, but once Harry had found the last of the horcruxes, the finally battle would be on them in a heartbeat. She couldn't even fathom what would happen. The Dark Lord was strong, and Harry was still just a boy. The only reason he had really stayed alive this long was luck, and when it came down to it, it would take a lot more than luck to defeat Voldemort. But at least Draco and Blaise would be on their side…or would they? Sure they were Slytherins, but they weren't evil by any means…or so she liked to think. Maybe she'd bring the prospect of war up to them sometime.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Neville, who sat down in a chair beside her. She hadn't spoken to hardly anyone in her house since she'd arrived, which made her feel terrible. Neville, and admittedly many others had been quite nice to Ginny, and even if they were never really close, they always accepted her. That may have been because her and Boy Wonder were together, but still.
She noticed Neville looking at her from the corner of her eye, but when she turned to him, he quickly looked away. She turned back to the fire, and felt his eyes on her once more. Sighing, she turned to him, and when he tried to turn away, she called out his name.
"Neville? Is there something you wanted?" He turned scarlet and began stammering incoherent words under his breath. "Uhm, Neville? I can't hear you. Speak up." She was beginning to get irritated by the boy. Maybe she had been spending too much time with the Slytherins after all.
"I-I was wondering if you would l-like to go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow, Gin." He flushed but didn't look away from her this time.
Great. Blubbering Buffoon Boy likes me. Ginny felt immediately bad about thinking that. He was just trying to be nice.
"Sorry, Neville, but I already promised some friends I'd go with them. Maybe another time?" She didn't actually mean to fulfill the last bit, but hoped it would make him feel better anyway.
"Yea, another time. But what friends, Gin? You haven't spoken to anyone in ages. Nobody's seen you with anyone." His doubt was clearly evident in his voice.
"Oh, they're from another house. I've been hanging with them lately." Well, she wasn't exactly lying.
"Oh, alright." He sighed, but didn't ask what house they were in, probably already figuring they were in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Go figure. "Well I'm going to bed. Maybe I'll see you there tomorrow." He threw her a small smile and she nodded, and he then climbed up the stairs to the seventh year boy dormitories and out of sight.
Well that hadn't been exactly terrible, at least.
Ginny began to feel her weariness kicking in and, letting out a huge yawn, decided it was about time to go to sleep herself. She climbed to her dorm, changed into a large shirt and crawled into bed, anticipating the day to come.
--
Ginny woke up with a groan, rolling over and trying to shut the annoying buzzing sound out of her head. She rolled over, squeezing her eyes shut and pulling her pillow over her face, getting as much between her and the constant ringing as possible. She sighed into the pillow at the muffled sound, and started to doze off back to sleep when one of her room mates pulled back her hangings and shoved Ginny roughly awake.
Groggily she sat up, wincing at that terrible sound. "What d'you want? And what the bloody hell is that sound?" She asked a little too harshly to the obvious bedraggled girl.
"It's called your alarm clock. And its been going off for ages!" The pointed over her shoulder and, leaving Ginny's curtains open, crawled back into her own bed.
She rose her eyebrows to no one in particular, looking at where the girl had indicated. She rolled out of bed, slamming her fist down on her alarm clock, shutting it off and promising to discard the thing as soon as she could. Well at least she was up bright and…late? Late!
The clock read five past twelve. Shit! I must've set it for twelve instead of eleven! Whereas she would normally just run down there as fast as she could, she couldn't go without taking a shower and getting dressed. She wanted to look good for Draco and Blaise while they were in Hogsmeade.
Hogsmeade! The thought made Ginny's stomach do a flip. Not only could she finally get away from these claustrophobic walls, but she got to spend the time with the two people she wanted to see most. Smiling at the thought, she hurriedly climbed into the shower. Scrubbing furiously to get herself clean, she rushed through the rest of her shower, which she usually took her time in.
One she was sure she was nice and clean, Ginny reluctantly got out of the shower with a sad sigh. She really did love showers, especially during times like these when she woke up in a huff. She was not a morning person. She never had been and highly doubted she ever would be. Her fellow Gryffindors usually knew to stay away from her when she just woke up, or they might find a very nasty hex sent their way (as had happened on a few occasions).
Ginny bent down beside her trunk, still in her towel, and began looking for something suitable to wear. She didn't want to look like a wreck in front of them, but the more that she searched, the more she found it was utterly hopeless. There was nothing spectacularly eye-catching. She rummaged through the various clothing until she gave up on anything really remotely decent and put on some tight-fitting, worn jeans that rested low on her hips, and pulled on a dark green sweater, which her mum had made for her. It was actually kind of small; she hadn't noticed how much she had grown in certain areas. The sweater, which usually ended where her jeans began, now stopped an inch or so above them, showing her midriff.
She sighed, looking at herself in the mirror, but decided it was the best she could do for now. She quickly dried her hair and left it to tumble down her back in loose curls. She was already way late, so she quickly brushed her teeth and hastened herself out of the dormitory and made her way down to the Entrance Hall.
She slowed her pace as she rounded the corner, the great double doors in sight, and leaning against the wall beside the doors stood two very handsome Slytherins. They were both wearing plain jeans and close fitting black tees. Aww! Their matching! She couldn't help but grin at that, but refrained from saying it in front of the two; wouldn't want to bruise their extremely large egos.
Draco was tapping his foot impatiently, Blaise looking thoroughly amused at him, before spotting Ginny walking towards them. "Ah, so Red finally decided to join us then?" He smiled, not seeming irritated at all. Well that's Blaise for ya. He rarely got mad, which was a good change from Draco.
Rolling her eyes, Ginny grabbed both of their arms and lugged them out the door. She didn't offer up any information as to why she was late, and they didn't ask. That's one quality of their relationship she loved; they never crowded her and never pestered her for information. If she wanted to talk, they were all ears, but they didn't nag her for explanations about everything like Harry and Ron did.
Their walk fell into a comfortable silence, Ginny in the lead and the two boys walking infuriatingly slow. They had plenty of time, and no reason to rush, but she was looking forward to all the wonderful stores and smells of Hogsmeade. And their food. Lord their food! She was on the right side of starving by now.
She quickened her pace as she saw the start of the stores just around the bend. She jogged to the beginning street of Hogsmeade, her eyes glinting. Merlin, she had missed this place so much. She turned around, her smile dropping from her face and turning to a scowl as she saw how far back they both were. Gits. Think they're all royalty and can take however long they want. They were still pulchritudinous though. That she could never deny.
"Come on, slow pokes!" This earned her two pairs of raised eyebrows and a scoff from Draco for using the muggle term. She saw Blaise hurry his pace, but Draco, if possible, slowed his down even more.
When Blaise reached her, he apologized for "his tardiness" in a very un-sorry tone.
"Oh, I'll make you sorry," she promised, raising a threatening finger at him and poking him in the chest. "You just wait. I'll remember this forever."
"How 'bout I make it up to you? Lunch?" Ginny turned her head away from him playfully, harrumphing and turning her nose up at him, but at her growling stomach he laughed. "Lunch it is."
Draco finally made it to them and Ginny got on him. "And what took you so long, Master Ferret? Couldn't get your scrawny legs to move quicker?" He scowled at the name and flicked his long, platinum bangs out of his eyes
"What, and mess up my hair? I think not!" Ginny snorted.
"Well we're going to eat," She indicated to herself and Blaise, "You may choose to join us if your little ferret legs can carry you faster." And with that, Ginny grabbed hold of Blaise and, head held high, marched into Hogsmeade.
The corner of Draco's mouth twitched as he tried not to smile. Man, she could be insufferable sometimes. But at an alluring glance over her shoulder back at him he shrugged and hurried his pace to match hers.
They walked through Hogsmeade, passing stores and random shops, Ginny sometimes pressing her face up against the glass at some item or another that was particularly enticing. They marched through street after street until Blaise and Draco both stopped outside of a French restaurant. Glancing at them, Ginny continued on.
"What, Red? Not even coming to your own special treat?" Blaise smirked at her, pointing at the building.
"Are you kidding me? That place is way too expensive. I was just planning on going to the Three Broomsticks or something."
Draco snorted. "When a man likes a woman very much, he takes her out to eat someplace expensive," He said very slowly, as if talking to a particularly dense person.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. You want to spend loads of money on me for lunch, be my guest." She walked by them and to the doors, stopping to look back at them when they didn't immediately follow. "What? Not even coming to your own special treat to me?" She mimicked from earlier, and walked through the doors, hips swinging.
Once they were all seated and given refreshments, Ginny browsed the menu. Everything, everything, was expensive. Even just buying some fish and chips or hamburger was ridiculously overpriced. Of course, those were the cheapest things on the menu. Ginny didn't want to be too picky and try some of the pricier, elegant, for-the-rich, foods. Most of them she could hardly pronounce and she didn't have a clue what they were. That's why, when the server came around for their orders, Ginny ordered a plain hamburger, the cheapest thing on the menu.
Draco and Blaise looked at her as if Voldemort himself was standing right behind her, making kissy faces and…smiling. "You're kidding right? Well I'm insulted. I take you to a perfectly nice restaurant and you cant even order something decent?" At that, Ginny instead searched the menu and ordered the most expensive thing there was.
Smiling an innocent smile, Ginny bashed her eyelashes at him. Hell, she didn't even know what she'd ordered! Everything here was written in French, and although she knew a few things in that language, she definitely wasnt fluent in it, as she was sure these two were.
While they were waiting for their food, Ginny decided to strike up the lacking conversation. "So, how can you even afford all of this? I knew that the Zabini's and Malfoy's were pretty well off, but I didn't know they were that wealthy!"
"My dad died a couple years ago, and most of the money was passed to me as I'm the only male heir. And "pretty well off" is a definite understatement. I could buy this whole restaurant, Hell this whole street, if I wanted to and it wouldn't even put a scratch in my bank account."
Ginny decided to skip the money part. "Your dad died? I'm so sorry. I don't think I could ever stand it if my dad died. Were you two close?" She yearned to find out more about this mysterious boy. They talked and all, but nothing really of their pasts. That was more of a private matter that they didn't delve into often.
"Don't be, we've never been close. He was always a supporter of Voldemort, and pressured me into it. I don't care much for Voldemort, to me he's just some deranged snake man that likes to go around having fun with offing people. Not really my idea of an interest. I didn't mind that he died, I saw it coming anyway. Anyone who joins him puts their life in the hands of some lunatic, which is just daft." He glanced meaningfully at Draco for a moment, who rolled his eyes and stared boringly at his elegant hands.
Ginny would've asked what that look was for, but just then something hit her. "So you mean to say your on Dumbledore's side?" She was happy at the prospect. She wasn't really close to anyone else that was at Hogwarts…. That may have been because these two boys were the only two she was close to….
He laughed at that. "I'm no more fonder of that old bat than Voldemort. I don't choose a side but my own. I could really care less who wins this damned war. Just call me neutral." Ginny's hopes died in her stomach, but at least he wasn't for her enemy. She'd rather him be neutral than that.
They stopped talking when their meals magically appeared on their plates in front of them. She definitely wasn't expecting that. Her plate was full of what looked like…snails?!
She nearly gagged when she saw that, just staring at her plate in awe with her mouth hanging wide open as both Slytherins laughed their arses off. No wonder they didn't say anything when I ordered.
"I didn't know you like Escargot, Weaselette." Draco said with contempt.
Ginny closed her mouth as the odd smell hit her nose. Crinkling it she looked up to see both Draco's and Blaise's plates had large well done, mouth watering steaks on them. She scowled.
"Just a joke, Red." Blaise laughed and waved his wand at the plate, which instantly reappeared to be what they had ordered. Ginny had almost lost her appetite. Almost.
So after they ate, Zabini making Ginny and Draco give him a kiss for thanks, they headed out along the long street of shops. They went into HuneyDuke's, grabbing some assorted chocolates and fudges that they began to chew on as they made their way in Hogsmeade (Draco telling them to save them for some fun later). They continued to weave between shops with little incident, until Ginny let out a giant gasp and pushed herself up flat against the nearest shop's window.
The boys exchanged glances before walking to her. Prying Ginny away from the poor window, Draco finally saw what she was looking at. In the window, on top of a magical manikin (which winked at Draco and Blaise suggestively) was wearing a cute low cut, low resting black school skirt with golden thread weaved throughout it, and a V cut, tight school blouse. A beautiful robe flowed down the manikins body, clinging and showing off her curves instead of drowning her in it like most school robes. Its color, where usually black, was a swirling mix of green so dark you could hardly distinguish it from the black. Like the skirt, golden thread was inlaid in the sleeves and hem of it.
Draco and Blaise escorted her into the shop, a locally well known designer shop. Ginny had always adored their stuff, but she hardly dared to glance at it, knowing she could never afford anything from there. Her eyes widened as Draco and Blaise yanked her through the doors.
"Wha-what?" She questioned. Her eyes went wide as she saw Draco reach for a store worker and motion to Ginny and the outfit in the window. "No! That's way too much!" She started to turn around and leave the shop, but Blaise kept a hold of her arm, refraining her from leaving.
Draco came back over to them, waiting as the lady went to retrieve the outfit. He saw Blaise restraining Ginny and rolled his eyes.
"Stop trying to be modest, Weaselette. We all know you want it, and we all know you need it." He indicated to the clothes she was wearing. He let out a sigh and when he saw her eyes narrow and the hurt look on her face. "Just let me get them for you. You could use them. In fact, get whatever you want from here." She knew this was his way of apologizing, but she didn't want to take his charity.
Draco turned to the lady who had just returned. "Get her fitted. Give her any-" Ginny watched as he stopped in the middle of his sentence, grimacing and grabbing his left forearm. She raised her eyebrows at his obvious pain, and bit her lip in worry.
As soon as it had come, it passed. He carefully schooled his expression into one of blank boredom.
"Give her anything from here that she wants. She needs a whole new wardrobe. Put it all on my tab." He turned away from the woman and looked at Ginny and Blaise. "Make sure she gets that wardrobe. She needs one," He instructed Blaise, who eyed him but nodded. "I just remembered I've got to go get some things for a friend. I'll meet you back at Hogwarts tonight."
He pulled Ginny into a brief abrupt kiss, his hand falling to the small of her back. When he pulled away he turned to Blaise, giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek and a heart melting smile before walking out the door and down the street with purpose in his stride.
--
Ginny had been dumbfounded when he left, but quickly forgot all about the little incident when the lady had drawn her aside and measured her. The woman brought out robe after robe after robe, along with many dresses and casual wear. She didn't listen to Ginny's protests, and even seemed to take pleasure in forcing her into clothes like a child.
Even so, Ginny had relented to the clerks and Blaise's persuasion and loosened up a bit to enjoy herself.
The rest of the day at Hogsmeade was quite delightful. Once she had her new wardrobe sent to her dorm room at Hogwarts, she stopped by a store to get her seventh year materials that she had to go without. And after a quick butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, her and Blaise had made their way back up to the castle in time for dinner. She hadn't spoken to Draco since he left the shop. She saw him during Dinner, but didn't want to go over the Slytherin table and attract attention.
It was the next morning, and Ginny was making her way down the almost empty halls to breakfast. She was fully attired in one of her several new outfits, head held high as she opened the double doors to the Great Hall. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the platinum blond hair of Draco, and without thought, she made her way across to the Slytherin table and plopped herself down in-between him and Blaise. She grabbed a plate and began to fill it up with food, not noticing the odd stares people were throwing her way and the whispers that had now filled the Great Hall.
"Well yesterday was nice," She said, smiling over at Draco. At least she was in a good mood. "It would've been better if you hadn't have run off like that. Did you get everything you needed?"
"Yea, and I would've come back but I had to send something to that friend of mine." Ginny nodded in understanding, not bothering to ask why he left in such a hurry and what that pain was. He probably wouldn't tell her anyway.
Their conversation was interrupted by a screeching Pansy Parkinson, who appeared across the table from her, Draco, and Blaise. Her pug nose was flaring and Ginny couldn't really make out what she was saying with that annoyingly high pitched voice. She cocked her head to the side and vaguely heard "I don't know who you think you are, messing with my men" before she saw Pansy fling her cup of pumpkin juice at her. She couldn't react fast enough, and she turned her face away just in time to feel the cold splash of liquid descend on her…and her new robes.
She heard a group of collective gasps radiate throughout the hall before quickly using her wand to mop up her clothes. She turned to face Pansy with fury in her eyes, and just about flung herself over the table to reach her, leaning far over. She grabbed the Slytherin girl by her collar and dragged her across the table, shoving her wand to her throat.
Before she could do anything more than spit in her face, she felt Draco pull Pansy from her grasp and shove the pug-nosed freak onto the floor, glaring daggers at her. "I don't know who you think you are, Parkinson, but you better not mess with our girl," He all but snarled at her. Pansy's eyes widened in shock and what looked like a hurt gaze. She kept looking from Ginny to Draco to Blaise, going back and forth between all three of them with outrage.
Ginny was shocked! Sure her and Draco had their good times, but he had never so blatantly showed that he cared…especially not in front of everyone. She felt Blaise walk over to stand behind her, taking out his wand and cleaning the remaining pumpkin juice off the floor and from her hair.
She saw Pansy snarl, but before she could reply they saw Snape come over and stand before them all. "What is the meaning of this?" He asked coolly, looking to Draco in askance.
Draco put on his best innocent face (which was rather amusing to Ginny who had to try and cover her snort with a cough), and gestured to Pansy with a disgusted look on his face.
"We were merely trying to eat our breakfast when this…this…thing," he looked at Pansy, "decided to be an arse about things and attack a student."
Snape looked at Pansy on the floor and nodded in a bored motion. "Detention, Ms. Parkinson, with Filch."
Blaise nodded his head vigorously in agreement, adding, "For a week."
Snape looked over at Blaise in amusement, but Blaise just flashed a grin and leaned forward over a protesting Pansy, showing off his Head Boy badge.
"For a week," Snape repeated before strolling back up to the Head Table and continuing his meal. The three sat back down at the now disastrous looking table as if nothing had happened, and the Pug-nose princess harrumphed back to her seat at the other end of the table.
"Now where were we?" Draco asked in a casual tone, placing his arm around her protectively and ignoring the stares from not only his housemates but everyone in the Great Hall. They seemed to all be thinking the same thing.
A Malfoy and a Weasely?!
Right when they were about to strike up normal conversation, Ginny saw McGonagall rush up to Dumbledore and whisper something in his ear urgently. A surprised look crossed his face, and he stood rather quickly to make an announcement. Everyone in the Great Hall became hushed as he stood and cleared his throat.
"It seems seventh year, Gryffindor, Neville Longbottom, never turned in and came back from Hogsmeade yesterday evening. No one has seen him since midday at the trip. I have had the Hogsmeade residents search for him, but the search came up empty. If anyone has seen him since yesterday or has any information as to the whereabouts of Mr. Longbottom, please inform your Head of House or myself. Keep your eyes open. I hope to believe that he is either still on Hogwarts or Hogsmeade grounds." And with that he sat down, and the tables erupted with talk.
Missing? Hardly ever had a student gone missing within Hogwarts. It was the safest place to be, after all. I mean, sure Neville wasn't the brightest of people, and Hogwarts was a definite maze to get through, but missing? Ginny just couldn't get over it.
She stood from the table and turned toward the boys. "I've got to go. I'll talk to you guys later." And with a distracted look on her face, she left the two. Once out of the Great Hall she ran the rest of the way to her dorm.
Harry had left her the Marauders Map, knowing that he wouldn't be needing it when he was far away from Hogwarts. It would show anyone on Hogwarts and Hogsmeade grounds. She would find him herself.
She ran up the spiral staircase and banged open the door, crouching by her suitcase and rummaging in it to find the packet of parchment. Once it was out, she whispered a fast "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" before it opened. She searched throughout all the folds, checking and double-checking.
But Neville was no where in sight.
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