A/N Sorry if I'm making the characters seem older than they are. They are being extremely uncooperative again. You know, those raging teenage hormones.
Chapter 10
When Ginny woke in the morning, the sun was streaming through the high
windows in the hospital wing and Madame Pomfrey's office door was open. Ginny
lay with her eyes closed, listening to the sound of Madame Pomfrey moving about
her office. Finally, Ginny sat up and stretched.
She heard Madame Pomfrey
bustle out of the office.
"Finally up, Miss Weasley? I didn't really expect you to sleep this long. Miss Granger came by with some clothing for you." The healer indicated the neatly folded pile of clothes on the chair beside the bed. The bag with hairbrush, shampoo and other hygiene items was stuffed under the chair, out of the way.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Madame Pomfrey approached and began to do a cursory examination.
"I feel wonderful," Ginny answered. She smiled, remembering that tonight she would be meeting Draco and going with him to the Astronomy tower. She again felt that odd mix of excitement and apprehension. She'd never really kissed anyone except Neville after the Yule Ball, and Harry, and that was a disaster. She just hadn't really been interested, or the boys hadn't been interested. She was interested now, though. Practically tingling with anticipation.
"My, you ARE in good spirits, today, aren't you?" Madame Pomfrey observed, taking in the flushed cheeks, bright eyes and huge smile. "I'm glad you woke, I was just about to wake you myself. I do have classes today, after all." The witch smiled to take the sting out of her words.
"Unless you want to parade around in your gown in front of them, I suggest you go clean up and change. I've already excused you from morning classes."
Madame Pomfrey bustled away again and Ginny hopped out of bed. It was still a little cold, so she gathered her things and hurried to shower and change. Ginny was just finishing when she heard the class of fifth year students coming in for their Magical Healing classes. Today was Tuesday, so it would be Ravenclaw. Ginny slipped as unobtrusively as possible back to her bed, retrieved her wand and the other items that had been in her pockets yesterday and headed for Gryffindor tower.
As she entered the Common Room, she turned for the dorms. She had expected the room to be deserted as most students were in class. She jumped when Hermione spoke to her from one of the deep, comfortable chairs by the fireplace.
"So, you're finally back? How do you feel?" Hermione had books strewn across the low table in front of her, and quill and parchment close to hand. Didn't she ever relax? Ginny sat in the chair opposite her and dropped her bag on the ground.
"I feel great. Thanks, Hermione, for bringing my stuff again."
Hermione nodded and sat back. She gave Ginny that speculative look that made Ginny nervous.
"You look great, too. Amazing what a good night's sleep will do for you, don't you think?"
Ginny stammered a bit, then agreed. She didn't like the triumphant smile that now covered Hermione's face.
"And how would you know since you certainly didn't get one last night? Maybe something else is making you glow? Maybe a certain someone is the cause for this sudden change?"
Ginny just stared at Hermione, unable to think of a decent answer. Hermione clicked her tongue and sat forward again.
"Come on, Ginny. Give. What's going on with Malfoy. Why is Mr Personality suddenly all smiles. Except when you didn't show for breakfast. He looked a bit unhappy then. And he surprised us all by coming over and asking Ron to let you know he hoped you were feeling well. Ron was speechless! Malfoy had been gone a full minute before he finally said, 'stupid git,'. He mumbled someting else, but I didn't catch it. But that was all." She paused, watching for reaction but Ginny, too, was too stunned to say anything. "And Pansy! That bitch, excuse my language, was looking very humble this morning. Malfoy walked past her and she jumped, I mean just jumped! He must have given her a piece of his mind yesterday."
Hermione went on to say that even though Professor McGonnogal had recommended one hundred points from Slytherin, Professor Dumbledor had awarded Malfoy fifty for defending a fellow student against his own house. Professor Snape had both Pansy and Goyle on cauldron scrubbing duty until the Christmas holidays. Not only that, but Pansy and Goyle were restricted from Hogsmeade for the rest of the school year. They were also restricted from any special events, such as dances (if there were any) and Quidditch games.
Ginny's eyes were wide. "Oh, that's a bit harsh," she said sympathetically. "Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person," she added.
Hermione laughed. "I agree. They'll think twice before setting on other students again, I hope." She eyed Ginny again. "Now, what about Malfoy. I know he's been mooning after you for months. Has he finally done something about it? What on earth did you two find to talk about for two and a half hours last night?"
Ginny looked narrowly at Hermione. "My, you're certainly well informed, aren't you? Were you spying on me?"
Hermione laughed again. "Of course I wasn't spying on you. If I had been, I'd know what you two were talking about. And, you're right, I'm well informed. For some reason the house elves seem to think they owe me for getting them better working conditions. Not that their previous conditions weren't great, but now they have vacations, pay and clothes. Anyway, they tell me things they wouldn't tell others. Like when one of my friends has late night visitors in her hospital room."
"We were only talking!" Ginny said hotly, knowing her face was bright red.
"Ginny," Hermione said seriously, "I'd be greatly disappointed in you and Malfoy if ALL you were doing was talking. But I think you both know what far enough is, and I trust you. I just want to make sure you're happy and he's not just using you."
"Well," Ginny admitted, "maybe it wasn't ALL talking, but it wasn't a whole lot more than that. He kissed my cheek." She sounded so disgusted that Hermione chuckled.
"Malfoy knows what far enough is, that's certain," she laughed. "Imagine how tempted he must have been with you there in your pajamas, in bed, probably looking adorable. I'm impressed!"
"It wouldn't be impressive if he just didn't find me attractive," Ginny muttered, voicing one of her own secret fears.
"That, love, is not possible. I've seen how he watches you, even if you haven't. Even before the skirts and sweaters. I thought he was going to have a fit yesterday morning when he saw the way you were dressed. I'd say he doesn't want anyone else looking at you the way he does."
Ginny brightened a bit. "You think so?" She hoped so, but wanted to maintain some objectivity.
"I know so," Hermione said firmly. "It's the same way Ron looked at me when he finally realized I was a girl."
Hermione stood and gathered her things. "Now go put your things away. We can go to lunch and talk some more. But hurry, 'cause I'm starving!"
As Ginny and Hermione entered the Great Hall, Ron was immediately at
their side. "Are you okay, Ginny? I visited you last night but you were sound
asleep. That git Malfoy was there and had the bloody cheek to tell me not to
wake you. He asked after you, this morning, by the way. So, did that Pansy bitch
really set Goyle on you? I'll beat the crap out of them both if she
did."
Ron looked so worried that Ginny surprised them both by giving him a big hug. "Christ, Gin, twice in one week! What was that for?" He looked embarrassed and pleased.
"For being a worried big brother, that's all. I'm fine, I had a sleeping draught, so I wouldn't have woke anyway, and yes, Pansy set Goyle on me, but you won't beat the crap out of either. Pansy's a girl and if anyone beats the crap out of her it should be me. But, neither one is worth getting in trouble over, especially with the punishment they already got."
Ron didn't look satisfied, but he nodded. They had arrived at the Gryffindor table and sat down. Natalie gave Ginny a big hug then sat next to Dean. "We were worried about you," she said. Dean nodded and Nat punched him in the shoulder.
"Yeah, Dean was worried, all right. He kept saying, 'Oh, she's gonna miss even more practice now!'" Dean grinned sheepishly as they laughed.
Hermione broke the mood by pulling some books from her bag. "I got some of your homework for you this morning. If you eat quickly you can go to the library and get some of it done. Then you won't get behind."
Ron groaned for Hermione to 'give it a rest', but since Draco hadn't shown up for lunch, Ginny decided she might as well. She finished her lunch quickly and thanked Hermione only a little sarcastically. Then she headed for the library.
Ginny settled into a chair near the rear of the library with her back to the door. She found facing the door distracting, as she would watch the other students instead of doing her work. She pulled the books from her bag, along with quill and parchment and opened the book to the page carefully marked by Hermione. She stared at the writing, but didn't seem to be able to read any of it. She just kept thinking about last night and the upcoming Astronomy class and what would happen after. She finally diagnosed the anxiety she had been feeling.
Ginny didn't really have what could be called extensive romantic experience with boys. There were probably some third years (Natalie, for example) who had more experience than she did. But Malfoy was undoubtedly very experienced. He might expect a lot more than Ginny was willing to give right now. And what would he do if she refused him? Walk away in disgust? Be understanding and patient? She didn't know. She wasn't sure if this had been a good idea after all. But she couldn't, wouldn't back out now. She wanted to be with him. It surprised her a little to find that she trusted him. And there was always the possibility she was putting the cart before the horse and he really only wanted to help her with Astronomy, though she did doubt that.
Disturbed, Ginny focused on last night. Not a single cross word, no arguements, just talking and flirting, and holding hands. He had to like her a little. As Hermione had pointed out, if he didn't care, he probably would have tried to take advantage of her. She smiled, not even realizing she was doodling hearts and stars all over her parchment.
"So what's making you all starry-eyed?" Ginny jumped as Harry sat down across from her. She glanced down at her parchment, then quickly turned it over. Harry laughed.
"Too late, I saw. The only thing missing is a name in all those hearts. I wonder who's it would be? That Chaser on Ravenclaw? The one who seems to be hovering over our table all the time lately?" He shook his head and made a motion like scratching a name off a list. "Let's see, Justin? No, not him. Seamus might be a likely candidate, but I don't think so." Harry made a few more invisible scratch offs. "I think that only leaves one person."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ginny said, embarrassed at having been found daydreaming about a boy.
"Come on, Ginny, I'm not blind, you know."
Ginny cast a significant glance at his glasses and he smiled. "All right, I'm not COMPLETELY blind. Neither is Ron, you know. He finally sees what has been obvious to me and Hermione for weeks. When Malfoy came to the table this morning, Ron barely grumbled. All he said was, 'stupid git. He can tell her himself.' I was shocked. So was Hermione."
Harry adjusted his glasses. "The question is, how do you feel? I think I know the answer, but does he?"
Ginny looked down at her folded hands. "I think so, but he hasn't really SAID anything. And," she paused and looked at him almost sadly. Suddenly it burst out. "Oh, Harry, I'm such a tom-boy, not at all feminine or pretty, and he's so much more experienced and I'm just a complete idiot about, about, you know!" She looked ready to cry and Harry glanced around uncomfortably. He wished Hermione was here because he was probably the last person to comfort Ginny on this matter. Since Hermione wasn't here, he did his best.
"Ginny, first of all you're not the least bit tom-boyish. Well, maybe a bit. But you're also very pretty. I thought you knew that. Especially lately. And about the other, well, I'm not really that far ahead of you." He broke off, embarrassed.
"Look, Ginny," he said, suddenly very serious. "It didn't work out with us, probably because I stupidly waited too long. But that doesn't mean I don't realize how great you are. Any guy here would be lucky to have you for a girlfriend, and if they're smart enough to figure that out, they're smart enough to know you're worth waiting for. And I'm really making a mess of this, aren't I?"
Ginny had kept her head down, but now she raised it. And she was smiling. "Not at all. You've made me feel much better." The smile faltered. "But what about the family? What about..."
Harry cut her off. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. Ron hates his guts, probably always will, but who knows? Anyway, he's half convinced that Malfoy is serious about you and isn't going to hurt you. Once he's convinced, who else is there to object? The guy doesn't live with those lunatics he calls parents anymore. He hasn't bothered us in over a year.
"Did you know Neville accidently ruined one of Malfoy's potions a few weeks ago and other than cursing and swearing, Malfoy didn't do anything? Poor Nev crept around for a week waiting for Malfoy to do something nasty. Instead, Malfoy saved him from ruining his own potion the next week. Just a quick, 'I wouldn't add that, Longbottom', but it was enough to get Nev back on track. We all saw it and heard it, but it's still hard to believe."
Ginny looked hopefully at Harry. "I thought it was just me making excuses because I like him, but do you really think he's changed?"
"Well, if not, he's a really good actor. But, yeah, I think he has. Maybe not a lot, but enough. And I think he's really crazy about you. Try not to worry about Ron. As long as Malfoy treats you right, Ron will be okay. He won't like your choice. I don't either, but it's not our business unless you're unhappy." Harry looked at his watch. "Yikes, we're going to be late!"
He jumped up, but Ginny took his hand before he could leave. She held it to her cheek for a moment. "Thank you, Harry. For everything."
Harry smiled and nodded. Then he left. Ginny gathered her things, smiling at the parchment. If only Draco knew how close his words had been a few nights ago. She'd have to tell him tonight. She held the parchment to her heart for a moment, then stuck it into her bag and hurried to class.
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Draco and Ginny belong to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury, Scholastic, Warner Bros and various other corporations. They are being used here without permission and/or affiliation with the above. None of the authors listed here make any profit from these stories.