It gets harder everyday but I can't seem to shake the pain.
I'm trying to find the words to say, please stay.
It's written all over my face.
That I can't function the same when you're not here.
I'm calling your name and no one's there.
And I hope one day you'll see nobody has it easy.
I still can't believe you found somebody new.
But I wish you the best, I guess.
John Legend -Everybody Knows
Chapter Seventeen: Not What It Seems
Draco and Romilda was in a heated but fun musical debate as they waited for Blaise and Ginny to finish getting ready to join them on a Hogsmeade dress robes shopping trip for the Ministry Ball that was being held in a couple of days. Draco found that while Romilda squealed and giggled too much and she was extremely clingy, she really want as annoying as he thought she would be. She was smarter than he though, she had a sense of humor, she loved Quidditch, and she wasn't a boring person to be around. He figured he could probably really get into her.
That was if he didn't feel for Ginny as strongly as he still did.
Ginny and Draco had gotten back on speaking terms and had somewhat restored their friendship. Even though he was happy that she was talking and interacting with him, it still wasn't what he fully wanted.
He wanted Luka out of the picture and to go home. Thankfully his wish would be granted in three more days. Which is why he wasn't too pressed about the fact that Luka would be going on this outing with them as well.
Romilda was a good person, but deep down he knew that he couldn't see the two of them being with each other past Hogwarts.
"Okay Draco. I know you hate The Weird Sisters, although I have no idea why." said Romilda. "But the Hinky Punks and Bloodrage? They are nothing but screaming and drums, it's unbearable."
"Bloodrage I will give you. The Hinky Punks only recently got like that because of that band Nirvana. And they don't even scream that much."
"What do you know about Nirvana? That's a muggle band." said Romilda.
"Not true. Kurt Cobain was a half blood. The rest were Muggleborns. Their song Smells Like Teen Spirit used to come on the radio all the time. Especially when Cobain offed himself, the wanker. Now music sounds horrible now and we have pansies like The Weird Sisters and Fairy Dust." he said smirking at Romilda, knowing that talking about her favorite bands annoyed her."
"You're such a git, you're lucky I like you." said Romilda, kissing him on the cheek.
Unbeknownst to the two of them, Blaise and Ginny had been eavesdropping on their interlude the entire time from the cracked door of Ginny's room, both with disgust.
"I think I'm going to sit this out Blaise." said Ginny, revolted at the pair they were spying on."
"And leave me with those two all day? Are you mental?" asked Blaise.
"I don't want to be around them doing all of that fake lovey dovey shit. I know he's just trying to make me jealous."
"Actually..." mumbled Blaise as he pretended to pull a string from his immaculately tailored shirt.
Ginny groaned. "Wait. I know you're not about to sit here and tell me that he fancies her."
Blaise looked everywhere but in Ginny's eyes.
"What do you know Blaise?"
"He said he genuinely liked her Gin. He says she isn't really that bad of a girl." said Blaise shrugging. "Kind of makes me wish I would have actually seen what she was like outside of a quick shag."
Ginny felt crushed. As if someone had launched a bludger to her heart. He actually fancied her? Genuine feelings and everything?
"This can't be happening." sighed Ginny.
"What do you mean? Isn't this what you wanted Ginny? To have him move on and not pine after you so you could do the same?" asked Blaise, confused.
"Yes. I mean, I thought I did. I thought I was doing the right thing."
"Do you even give a damn about Krum?"
"I do actually. I like him a lot. A whole lot. It's just that-"
"Oh fuck." interrupted Blaise. "You bloody love him."
Ginny smacked Blaise's arm. "Take that back!" she shouted.
Blaise let out a pity filled laugh. "You're in fucking love with him Gin. You fucked yourself, you know that right?"
"Thanks for rubbing it in Zabini." said Ginny crossing her arms and giving Blaise a mean side eye.
"Well you did. So what are you going to do?"
"What can I do really? I mean if he's happy with...her... then who am I to mess that up?"
"You should at least talk to him about it though Gin." said Blaise. "At least see where his head's at."
"Maybe later. Right now you guys have Hogsmeade to get to. I'll see you later." said Ginny, taking off her shoes.
"You sure? I don't want you starting here dwelling on this."
"Since when did you become this romantic? What happened to my smooth, one night lover of a brother?" laughed Ginny.
Blaise stood and thought for a second. "Hmm, you're right. Maybe it because I haven't gotten any action for awhile. Might have to dust off my prowling shoes when I get back." smirked Blaise.
"Heartbreaker." said Ginny pushing him out of her door.
She closed it after him and rested against it, trying hard not to let her emotions get to her. If she shed one tear, she would probably be on Draco so fast it would be as if she was flying and that was the last thing she needed.
She heard the muffled talking to Blaise to the pair outside, then footsteps coming towards the door.
"Ginny, you sue you're not coming? I'd hate to be the only girl on this outing." said Romilda kindly through the door.
"I'm fine, Ro. I'll go later today. Might run into you." said Ginny.
"Okay Gin. See ya later." said Romilda walking away.
A few seconds later she heard a funny knock. Draco's knock. "We'll talk later." he said and then walked away, not giving Ginny a chance to answer.
Ginny sighed. She wasn't looking forward to that. She walked over to her bed and plopped down. This day had already went to the dogs and she was completely over it, and it wasn't even noon yet.
She must have dozed off because she was awakened by a knock on the door. She opened it to reveal Luka standing there with a giant daisy in his hand.
"For you Ginni-vera!" he said happily holding out the daisy. Ginny smiled as she took it, daisies were one of her favorite flowers.
"Aren't you sweet? Thank you! What brings you by?" asked Ginny.
"Well we were supposed to be going to that little village wasn't we? But your Blaising friend, he had told me you weren't feeling well. So I thought I would bring you something to cheer you up. And also the flower." said Luka confidently.
Ginny couldn't help but grin at Luka's little joke. It reminded her of something Draco would have said.
"Well thank you." she said giving him a sweet peck on the cheek. "This is really nice."
"Do you feel any better? You still want to go shopping?"
"Not really. I mean I feel better, I just don't want to go." said Ginny walking out of her room.
"But you won't have a dress for the Ministry Ball of yours."
"I'm not obligated to go like Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They are guests of honor along with my mum. And Draco."
Luka scrunched up his nose at the mention of Draco's name. "He is being honored? For what? Wasn't his family with Voldemort?"
"They were. But Narcissa saved Harry and Draco did his part too by giving Harry his wand." said Ginny walking over to one of the sofas in the common room.
"You must know that I don't like Malfoy that much." said Luka following Ginny over to the sofa, sitting down beside her.
Ginny felt herself getting a bit annoyed but knowing she couldn't do anything about that. They haven't got on since Draco laid eyes on Luka. "I know, but Draco isn't that bad of a person."
"Not that bad of a person? He's a Death Eater. He is an arrogant prick." said Luka sternly.
Ginny felt herself getting more irritated by the second. "He is not. He never took the mark! And yes he may be that but you are arrogant too."
"I am not. You're confusing that with confidence sweetheart."
"You are forgetting that Draco is my friend and you will not speak on him like that Luka." said Ginny standing up.
"Are you friends? Or is it something more? Because every time Malfoy confronts me, he makes it seem like you and him are seeing each other."
"Don't be stupid. I'm dating you! And Draco is with Romilda Vane! Why are you acting like this?" yelled Ginny.
Luka decided to pull back and change tactics. "Okay okay, I'm sorry. Look, I'm just worried okay?"
"Worried?"
Luka got up from the sofa and put his arms around Ginny. She softened as she felt the warmth from his body comfort her.
"Yeah. I really like you a lot Ginni-vera. And I'm not blind, he does too. And I just don't want to lose you to him, that's all. Especially since I'll be leaving three days from now. I want to continue seeing you. That is, if that's what you wish." he said gently caressing her cheek.
Ginny all of a sudden felt very venerable and she didn't like it. She couldn't help but melt at Luka's words. She hadn't been sweet talked like that in a long time and it felt good.
"I really like you too." said Ginny blushing at the feel of Luka's hand.
"Good, because I lied." smiled Luka.
"I'm sorry?"
"I'm not leaving at all. I asked my parents if I could continue my education here. You learn a lot more here than Durmstrang. They agreed and spoke to your headmistress and I'm to be sorted when the holidays are over!" said Luka enthusiastically.
Ginny's eyes grew big, but she found that she was actually excited about Luka staying. Maybe moving on with Luka on a bigger scale would be best for the both of them.
"That's great! Welcome to Hogwarts. Officially." smiled Ginny hugging Luka tight.
Her smile quickly faded after she thought of one thing.
Draco was really, really not going to like this.
