CHAPTER 6 – COINCIDENCE

Ginny couldn't sleep, couldn't get the guilt of her chest. She sat on her bed in her pyjamas, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. She let out a sigh, lying back down again. It was six in the morning, she had only had three hours sleep. She sat back up again, swinging her legs over the side of her bed, running a hand through her long, red hair.

She stood up and walked over to her wardrobe, picking out some simple jeans, a tank top and a thin lilac jumper to go over the top. She had three free periods this morning then Potions and Defence against the Dark Arts in the afternoon, then of course her detention with Professor McGonagall for - she stopped mid-thought, not wanting to remind herself of that again, she had just momentarily forgotten about the guilt she was feeling. Not allowing herself to think of it again, she contemplated walking around the grounds.

Ginny walked silently downstairs, not expecting anyone to be up this time in the morning. She frowned in surprise as she saw her brother sitting in a chair by the fireplace. She walked over to him, sitting on the chair next to his.

"What are you doing up this early?" She asked him, he jumped at the sound of her voice, until now he hadn't noticed anyone had joined him. He shrugged, a limited response; typical Ron.

She rolled her eyes and made her way to the hallways outside. Ginny stuffed her hands in her pockets, looking to the ground as she strolled around the school. Occasionally she saw people she would know but she didn't really acknowledge them, she just kept walking.

A frown graced her features as she saw another pair of feet coming closer to her, she looked up and saw the last face she wanted to see. Harry Potter was standing in front of her, smiling like a blind man who had just seen light for the first time; he was beaming. "Hey Ginny! I was looking for you last night but I couldn't find you, what time did you get in?" He asked, his voice full of kindness and enthusiasm. Ginny cursed under her breath, wishing she took another route.

Now she had to make a snap decision. Would she follow this path with Harry and forget all about the boy who intrigued her so in Slytherin? Or continue trying to find out the mystery of Draco Malfoy and hurt Harry? Of course, she didn't want to hurt him, but to lead him on would surely hurt him much more than letting him know the truth.

She bit her lip, still deliberating. Ginny shifted her feet uncomfortably. "Not sure, no one was up so probably quite late." She told him, he took a step closer to her, maybe hoping she didn't notice, trying to pass if off as something that occurs naturally during conversation.

He nodded, his smile faltering a little, shifting his eyes nervously. "I kinda wanted to talk to you about what happened yesterday," Harry started off, Ginny avoided his gaze. "Maybe we could walk?" He asked, Harry held his hand out to her, she looked at it and her eyes widened, her decision randomly picking an option.

"Actually, I really have to be somewhere." Naturally, she chickened out. Mentally kicking herself, Ginny rushed off, leaving Harry there, not even able to answer her. She walked as fast as her legs could carry her until she was in the prefects bathroom. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as the guilt sunk in. This was so unfair on Harry but Ginny knew in the back of her mind that she would accept his pain for him. She shook her head, as if shaking the thought away. Her selfishness was almost unbelievable, how could she even think that way? She felt sick to the core even contemplating her own selfishness. Ginny leant against the wall, resting her forehead against it. She closed her eyes, knowing she needed to think this through clearly. On one hand, Harry was truly a great person, though always unintentionally in the spotlight, he was an amazing person. Ginny knew she was capable of being happy with him, she knew she could be very happy with him. Then, on the other hand, there was him. Who ever thought she would be thinking this way about a Slytherin? What was in Draco Malfoy that was not in Harry Potter? Nothing came to mind, then why was she choosing Draco over Harry? She stood up straight, standing here was not going to help anything, she turned for the door, Ginny needed some air.

After a couple of minutes of strolling through the halls, the cool air hit her, refreshing against her skin. Ginny walked along the grassy banks, the smell of summer surrounding her. She knelt down under the nearest shade, leaning against a tree.

Her stomach jumped slightly, realising this was the exact place she had been with Draco last night. Don't even consider getting up, just because you were here with him, that doesn't mean anything! A voice in the back of her head told her, she nodded in agreement with herself. Just because they were here, doesn't mean this place had any significance.

"What a coincidence." A smooth voice murmured silkily from beside her, Ginny jumped a little before staring up into his grey eyes. Draco Malfoy stood towering over her, his face utterly emotionless, she scrambled to her feet, trying to keep hold of the little dignity she had.

She swallowed, Draco did not miss this, his eyes drifted down to her throat then back up to her eyes, just gazing into them, did he have no idea what effect he had over her? Her stomach seemed to whirl even looking at his face though she could not tear her eyes away. "Draco, I'm-" Her voice cracked as she looked down, wondering in the back of her mind how she had found the strength to do so. "I'll go," She whispered, turning around towards the direction of the castle.

Then he was standing directly in front of her, their faces inches apart. "Don't.. leave," It seemed he struggled to get out the words he wished to say. Ginny's breath stopped, he did not want her to go. He wanted her to stay,he wanted them to be together. She didn't think she could find the strength to move, or the strength to stop staring into his eyes; searching for answers within their depth.

Draco stepped back from her, finally breaking their gaze, he sat himself down gracefully. She followed his lead and placed herself beside him, not daring to sneak a glance in his direction, Ginny simply stared at the lake. The sun shined off the gentle rippling of the water, sending streaks of rainbow coloured gleams in every direction. Then Ginny could no longer resist, her eyes followed the beams of light to look directly at Draco, the bright light seeming to make him more beautiful.

Beautiful? That was surely never a word she thought she would to describe the Slytherin boy sitting beside her.

He looked back at her, it was intensifying, staring into his eyes, a strange emotion twisted in the pit of her stomach. She ignored the funny feeling and continued gazing, not sure if she was even able to look away. He broke their gaze once again, looking back out to the lake, he placed his hands on the grass behind him and lye back, he folded his arms at the back of his head. Once again, Ginny copied his actions, using just one arm to support her own head.

The bright sun was no problem to them, they were safe under the cool shade. Then Draco made a noise, a gentle sigh leaving his lips, his perfect lips.

"I don't know if I prefer to be here in the day or at night. For example, now the sun can shine off the water but at night you can see the reflection of the moon," Draco rambled on in his silk smooth voice. "What do you prefer?" He looked over to her as a dozen different emotions flashed in his eyes but before Ginny could properly understand them they were gone.

Only now did she remember she was staring at him, adoringly almost, in awe. Her mouth was open by a fraction, she shut it quickly and looked back up to the sky to avoid the embarrassment. "Uhm, Night?" She mumbled nervously, her words slurred together to form one.

A gentle breeze swept across them and Ginny shivered involuntarily, soon distracted by the sweet scent of him that was flowing her way.

Then Ginny caught his eye and he was staring at her like a blind man who had seen the sun for the first time. She couldn't help the blood rush to her cheeks as she looked down, sitting up just for something to do.

He copied her, his stare practically burning a hole write through her.

Her heart almost stopped beating when a soft hand covered her own. Ginny's breathing hitched, she turned to look at him and his expression portrayed he was concentrating on a very hard maths equation.

Then Ginny wished she could read his mind, what could he possibly be thinking? His face was a clear mask of confusion, conflict. About what? What was bothering him? Was it Ginny herself? Had she done something wrong. She wanted to look away but she couldn't find the strength. Ginny let out a breath she hadn't realised she had been holding in and continued to look into his mysterious eyes, trying to figure him out.

"I-" He started to say but his voice broke on the one syllable word as he continued looking at her, a strange look, intensifying. Draco couldn't finish his sentence, he moved, almost unnoticeable, closer to her as if he was doing it without thinking.

His eyes drifted to her hand as Draco interlaced their fingers, Ginny's stomach was performing uncontrollable somersaults. His eyes seemed to followed from her hand, up her arm, her jawline and finally to her eyes.

"I'm sorry," He said in a mere whisper, like a breath. Draco leaned closer to Ginny, his eyes closed.
Then silently, he gently pressed his lips against hers.