Chapter 15

Ginny was leaving the potions classroom when a hand closed around her arm, pulling her into a small room.

"Must you keep doing that?" She asked. "What if someone sees you?"

"Nobody's going to see, Ginevra. As if I'd be so careless." Draco answered, pushing her against the closed door. His mouth came down on hers, ending any chance she had of speaking.

His hands slid to her arms and he grasped them, digging his nails into her flesh. She moaned into his mouth and his tongue slid into hers. She made a move to lift her arms but he stopped her, his nails pressing further into her.

"I didn't say you could move," he growled.

"I have to get to class, Malfoy." She began struggling. "I'll be late if you don't let me go."

Draco released her, but didn't step back. "Alright, I'll let you go. But before you leave," he added, as she reached for the door. "Tonight at seven. I'll be waiting for you."

Ginny didn't answer. She simply turned and left the room.

Draco walked back to the Slytherin common room. He could hear the overbearingly annoying chortles of Crabbe and Goyle as the door opened.

"Where have you been, Malfoy?" Goyle demanded when he saw him.

"None of your damn business!" he sneered.

"Maybe you forget," Crabbe said, stepping forward. "But you aren't in charge anymore."

"And you presume that you are?" Draco laughed harshly at the two bulking boys. "Don't make me laugh! I may not be in charge, but the day I answer to the like of you two will be the day the we are slaves to the Muggles."

The boys stepped closer. "Say that again, Draco."

Draco drew his wand. He pointed it from Crabbe to Goyle. "I do not answer to the likes of you!" Draco snarled. "Understand? Or do I need to remind you exactly what I am capable of?"

Crabbe stepped back first. Goyle lingered, staring at Draco before stepping back, obviously deciding it wasn't worth the risk.

Pansy, who had been seated on the couch, walked over to the two oafish boys. "Back off boys." she said, turning to look at Draco. "After all, he's probably just soiling the Malfoy name further by running around with some Mudblood bitch."

"The name Malfoy is one you often used to covet Parkinson." Draco sneered. "Thank Merlin you will never bear it."

"Yes," she agreed. "It was only too right of Daddy to call off the engagement. Imagine, tarnishing our noble family with a marriage to the Malfoys!"

Crabbe and Goyle laughed until they caught the murderous glance Draco had given them. The look, along with the knowledge that his wand was still firm in his hand, made any noise from the two die.

"Watch yourself, Parkinson." Draco said, venom dripping from his words. "I'm not above hexing a girl."

Her eyes narrowed and she turned, leading the two other Slytherins away.

Draco sighed and headed to the dorm to retrieve his books for Dark Arts. He had nearly reached the door when a hand came down on his shoulder.

"So," Blaise Zabini said from behind him. "That was an interesting site."

The blonde turned, looking at his fellow housemate. "Saw that, did you?" Blaise nodded. "And you didn't think to jump in?"

"Nah," Blaise replied, shaking his head. "What fun would that have been for me?"

"You're a true Slytherin, Zabini. Slick and sneaky to the end."

"There was a time when you were the same way, Malfoy."

"Yes," Draco conceded, thinking back on his previous years. "I suppose there was."

"So what happened? Gone soft?" Zabini jeered him.

"Not on your life."

"Then where were you just now?"

"Out in the dungeons. Not that it's any of your business, Zabini."

Zabini held up his hands in a mocking surrendered gesture. "No need to get snippy Malfoy. I don't care all that much anyhow. Just enjoy the discomfort you show."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Shove off, Zabini. I've got books to collect."

Ginny sat on her bed, the curtains pulled shut around her. She eased her arms out of her robe and slowly rolled up the sleeve of her light sweater. The marks from Draco's nails were deep in her skin. Gently, she ran her fingers over them, wincing at the slight shot of pain she felt.

Ginny looked at her arm, remembering how the marks got there. Her mind drifted to the brief, rough kisses she had shared with Malfoy.

What am I going to do? She asked herself. Can I really let this happen when I know that Harry is out there, fighting to save us all?

'He could have taken you with him.'

I'd only have gotten in the way.

'You're just as good a fighter as Ron and Hermione. He took them.'

But-

'Beside, Draco makes you feel free. Don't you want to be free?'

I do. She thought. I want to be free.

Ginny pulled her sleeves down and fell back on her bed. She was going through with this. It's not like anyone is going to find out. It will be our secret.

She closed her eyes and let her mind wonder about the possibilities of her meeting with Draco.

Ginny forced herself to get up. She shoved some books into her bag and left the comfort of her bed. The common room wasn't over-crowded but it was full enough that she could use it as an excuse to leave.

"Hey, Gin." Neville called from where he sat with Seamus. "Where are you off to?"

"Just going to study a while. I'll be back after bit." She said and waved as she headed for the door.

Out in the hall, Ginny crept slowly around the corners, making her way to the Room of Requirements. The door appeared as she crept closer and she slipped inside.

"So you came." Draco stated when she closed the door.

She nodded.

"Where you followed?"

"Give me some credit, Malfoy. I'm not so naïve as to be followed." She scoffed.

This time it was Draco who nodded. "What's with the bag?" he asked, noticing the brown pack with her books in it.

"I had to tell the others that I was studying." she answered, letting the bag slid to the floor.

A comfortable silence followed her reply. It stretched out between them until Ginny took a step forward. Then they were together, Draco's arms wrapped around her as their mouths met. Ginny's hands were in his hair, mussing up the perfectly kept blonde mass atop his head. Draco's hands were on her back, holding her close to him.

This kiss wasn't rough and harsh, nor was it soft and gently. It was something of both. It spoke their unvoiced desires, the things they so desperately wanted, needed.

Draco pulled her back with him, to a couch sitting further in the room. He pulled her down with him, unwilling to end their passion filled kiss.

"What is this, Malfoy?" Ginny asked as they sat on the couch.

"Why do you call me that?" He asked, ignoring her question. "You used my name last year."

"Does it bother you that I call you 'Malfoy'?"

Draco didn't answer. He chose instead to return to her first question. "I don't know what this is, Ginevra."

"Me either."

He looked at her. "What do you want it to be?"

"I don't know." she said, looking back at him. "All I know is that I want you."

Draco reached for her, pulling her close. His mouth came down on hers again.

Ginny put her hand on his chest and gently pushed him away. "I want you. But I need time to adjust to this."

"Why? We've been meeting like this for a year. What is there to adjust to?" he growled.

"This- us." She said. "We've never done this when we met all those times before."

"You aren't going to change your mind about this, are you?"

"No, I'm not. I want you. That much I know. Just give me some time to adjust, okay?" she asked.

Draco groaned. "Fine. But don't take too long adjusting. Or I'll have to force you to adjust."

"Thanks."

He nodded. "You'd better get going. Your friends are probably going to start looking for you."

Ginny nodded and retrieved her bag. She smiled and kissed him quickly before leaving the room and sneaking back up to Gryffindor tower.