I got up at 6:00 this morning just to write chapter 21 O.o Let's just say that this is not normal for me lol. Well, my only defense is that when the words start coming, then you gotta start writing. Well, hope yall like it! *passes out on floor*
Ginny shifted in the hard, uncomfortable chair beside Malfoy's bed in the infirmary. What am I doing here? She asked herself silently. After all, he had made it clear to her what he thought of her. But, then again, did he really?
She had seen his arm drop and the regret in his eyes before Ron pointed his wand at him. When her idiotic brother did that, a flash of horror and pain was reflected deep within his silver eyes before the walls came crashing down around his heart once again.
Did Malfoy truly mean what he said? Or was it all an act to protect himself? It must have been terrible growing up with parents who talked so casually about the Dark Arts, as if talking about the weather. Then, to have the Dark Lord himself live with you in your own house?
It was unimaginable for Ginny. At least she knew her parents loved her and would fight to the death for her. But then again, didn't his own parents do the same for him near the end of the war? His mother had lied to Voldemort himself just to learn whether her son was alive or not. Whenever anyone insulted his family, Malfoy would grow just as angry as she herself would if it was her family people were talking about.
Perhaps there was more to the Malfoys than many people thought. Ginny knew there was another side to Draco because she had seen it herself a few times. It was hard to bring out, but it was there. It was merely buried beneath layer upon layer of bitterness, anger, loneness, and perhaps even insecurity. A thought occurred to Ginny at that moment that made her blood freeze in her veins.
What if she had been the one born to the Malfoys? How would she have turned out? Would she have been stronger and resisted her parent's ambitions? Or would they have molded her into a female Draco from the start? Was it his fault that he was a Malfoy? Or was it just fate that made him who he was with or without the Malfoy name to back him up? So many questions, yet so little answers.
Malfoy groaned as the pain in his body became known to his newly conscious mind, and blinked his silver eyes open to find himself staring into the bright light of the school infirmary. Ugh, what happened? I feel like I've been run over by a few trolls, or at least by that oaf of a gamekeeper, he thought with a low chuckle that immediately sent another wave of pain vibrating through his chest.
Actually, he didn't mind the large man; it was simply expected of him to insult anyone of less than pure-blood. He made a terrible professor, but that didn't mean that Malfoy hated him. To be honest, he had never really thought of the older man as anything other than a target for insults. It wasn't his fault that he had been raised to belittle anyone who didn't fit into his parent's high standards.
A glance around revealed that he was the only one in the room, at least until he caught sight of Ginny sitting in the chair to the left of his bed. When she realized that he knew she was there, a blush worked its way up her neck, and she averted her eyes in silence.
Malfoy's mouth opened and then shut again as his brain went into overload trying to form understandable sentences. "What are you doing here?" he finally managed to ask, more harshly than he meant to. Hiding a wince, he stared at her and waited for an answer.
Ginny's eyes flew back to his before hardening. Lifting her chin in determination, she took a deep, calming breath. "I wanted to see if you were alright," she stated firmly, her brow furrowed in badly hidden concern. She was startled by his answering laugh that ended in a wheeze.
After he finally got his breath back, he raised a shaky eyebrow at her and smirked that annoying smirk of his. "You were worried about me? Hah! I find that a little hard to believe," he remarked with a sneer.
Ginny rolled her eyes at his unconvincing display of coldness. Now that she understood him a little better, she knew when he was trying to put up that protective wall of indifference and scorn.
"Yes your royal, cold-hearted Highness. Some people actually care about you, so shut up and rest some more before I cast a knock out spell on you," she replied with a smug smile. Malfoy scowled at her before turning over on his right side so that his back was facing her. Ginny laughed out loud at his childish actions and settled more comfortably into the hard chair.
"Blasted chair. . . ." she muttered after a few more seconds of shifting around. Malfoy snickered just loud enough for her to hear, and then it was her turn to scowl at his back.
*wakes up and rubs sleep out of eyes* So? How was it? Did it help you understand both of their points of view better? Or did it just confuse you? All feedback greatly appreciated! :) Thanks! *goes back to bed now for some much needed sleep* heh