Chapter 3 – Secretly Married
Ginny
I hate Voldemort with a passion.
I know that it’s probably the understatement of the year but I really do. I mean, what's so great about him, besides having no nose and still being able to breathe? I admit that’s a little unique on his part but I wouldn’t dream of having slits for nostrils, thank you very much. And then there’s this issue about his name, that’s been my pet peeve since first year. People are so afraid to say his name, elongating their sentences with "You-Know-Who" and the even longer "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". Duh? What’s the point? It's quite a mouthful, isn't it? You get out of breath just by saying that long phrase before you finish your sentences. I go crazy whenever people speak of him that way. My brothers and parents, on the other hand, go crazy whenever they hear me say his name.
The name's Voldemort, and that's that!
Maybe people should just call him Tom? It’s a pretty nice name, don’t you think? Tom Marvolo Riddle. It’s sounds powerful to me. But I don't think he'll be happy with me advertising that fact about him to other people. I don't want the prophesied war to come earlier just because of it. It would have been great though, to have others not fear his name like that.
I don't know why people are so scared to say his name. I think 'Voldemort' is funny. It rhymes with snort, for Merlin’s sake. Who, in their right mind, would give themselves a title like that? It's as bad as Hogwarts--and he expects people to fear him?
Oh, yeah. I forgot, Voldemort is never in his right mind. I've been in there because of the Diary that ugly Yaxley dropped into my cauldron, the day my Mum and I were shopping for school books during my first year. And let me tell you this: Tom Riddle isn't exactly de-nosed in his early years. He's kind of cute actually. But that was before he'd gone crazy, got de-nosed and called himself Voldemort.
So anyway, I hate him. If it weren't for him, I wouldn’t be worrying over my loved ones.
Ron, Harry and Hermione left last night, on the pretext of attending and representing Hogwarts in an inter-school dueling tournament. Could anyone have picked a lamer excuse? Nobody really believed that, except the first years. But nobody wanted to say anything about it.
Except me. And I do so only in the presence of Draco.
"Oh give the guy a break Gin," he says as I take my own break from ranting.
He gives me this placating look that would have silenced another woman but I just roll my eyes at him. "What was he supposed to say? That they're trying to get themselves killed to kill Voldemort?" he continues.
See how easy it is to say his name? That's how people should do it. Conserves time, breath and saliva. Draco shares my views on the subject. I don’t have to tell you how our mothers feel about it.
"Well, why not?" I ask stubbornly even if what he said is true. “Everyone could use a little honesty in this school.”
"Gin, don't be so difficult," he sighs and turns back to the book he was reading. We’re alone in our Common Room.
"Well, I'm sorry to whine, Malfoy. My brother’s just gone off on a dangerous camping trip you know!" I yell and stand up to leave the room. My eyes are already tearing up, and insensitive Draco doesn't need to see that.
I hear him sigh again and close his book.
"I know Gin. But it's their..." I knew he was struggling to find the words to substitute for 'destiny' and 'fate,' which were getting older by the minute. ". . . job to do. And we have our own here. You're not exactly helping Harry and the others by ranting like that."
I turn to pout at him and his eyes bore into mine, asking me to understand. Contrary to what you might hear from other people, I'm not really the boss of this friendship. My brother Bill always makes fun of how Draco is easy to bend. "Throw him a Ginny-look and watch him go," is what he always says. But let me tell you, the 'Draco-look' has the same effect on me as mine does on him. It's just that, for some unknown reason, he seldom uses it. He seems perfectly content to comply with my wishes, even if he usually doesn't like what I ask of him. But whenever he does use his look on me, I find myself obeying. I'm glad he uses that weapon on me only when I am being a danger to myself, or Merlin help me, I might find myself polishing his shoes.
Draco makes me crazy sometimes. No, not crazy as in a 'crazy-for-his-smile' kind of thing, if you know what I mean. He's my best friend for Merlin's sake! No, I mean the 'bang-your-head-on-the-wall-'till-it-bleeds' kind of crazy. Because he knows me too well, and I can't help but know that he knows exactly how I feel about things. Like now, he knows that while I'm really worried for my brother and our friends, I’m also more bummed out that I was left behind. Hence the need to shoot me that oh-so-powerful look of his. I'm ranting on more about being left behind, than being Ron's sister, and Draco can see right through me.
If we married each other, I would probably lock myself up in St. Mungo's for all eternity since I wouldn’t be able to hide a thing from him. Who doesn't like secrets and surprises? I do. I’ve heard it's a vital element in a marriage, to keep the spice and all that. He's got such a perfect reading on me, how would I get my spice? So that makes it...Wait, did I just say marry him?
Ewww...
I couldn't have just thought that! That's like incest.
It’s like marrying Ron; it’s disgusting. I shudder. Anyway, he knows me too well.
That's that!
He stands up and walks over me; it suddenly makes me feel nervous. Maybe he read what I was thinking. What would I do if he did? Admit it? But admit what exactly?
I have to crane my neck to get a look at this disgustingly tall guy in front of me, whom I’ve suddenly seen as a possible husband and I get more nervous.
Would you marry someone who's seen you buck-naked when you were just a roly-poly baby? A guy who's played in the mud with you and encouraged you to eat it? That's disgusting. Husbands aren't supposed to know you since you were born. They're supposed to meet you inside a cafeteria, or at the office, or some place when you're a nicely dressed young lady. Not in diapers!
So why was I even thinking about it?
"Come on Gin," he says, smiling at me...in his friendly manner. "Let's get you outside for a broom ride. Maybe the air will help you clear your mind."
I manage to roll my eyes at him. There's no maybe in that. He knows it'll definitely clear my mind.
I sure hope so. There's no use on dwelling with that 'marriage with Draco' thing right now. No, scratch that. There's no use dwelling on it ever. Because I simply refuse to think about it ever again.
oOoOoOo
The wind was cold tonight but I am feeling extremely hot.
I mean, because of flying and chasing Draco.
We developed a game of what we call broom tag during our younger years. It's much like that Muggle game tag, but broom tag is all about touching the broom, not the person. Draco does it to hone his Seeker skills. I do it to show off. We also do it for fun, but then again, nothing is more fun than being able to touch the broom of one of the fastest fliers in the school. And I don't intend to make him forget whenever I manage it.
Right now, the only reason I’m doing it is because the marriage thoughts are escalating into a full-blown fantasy about family life. Would you believe that I actually dared to daydream about redheaded babies with silver-grey eyes? And as I tried to chase after Draco, I was busy designing our house in my mind! Next thing I know, I’ll have a list of possible names for our babies.
Am I sick? Because my thoughts are sick. Really.
It's hard to concentrate now and even Draco is getting tired so we fly over the bleachers and land there. He slumps over one of the seats and laughs. "Pathetic, Red. You haven't even touched my broom once."
I frown at him, my thoughts taking a backseat as he teases. "I've got a lot on my mind," I snap.
"Aw, Gin," he says, frustration evident in his voice. "I thought we were here to get your mind off Ron and the others?"
Except I'm worrying about another thing now, you moron!
I cross my arms in front of my chest and stick out my lip like a child about to have a tantrum.
"What can I do, Gin?" he asks, scooting over to sit near me. I resist the urge to come closer as I would have done during a day without the Mrs. Ginny Malfoy thoughts. Hey that sounds ni...nasty!
I dare to look at him and manages to do so without flinching or blushing. "Nothing Drake," I smile at him. "You're right, I'm just bummed that I get to be left behind again, that's all."
A flash of something goes through his mercury eyes, but is gone before I realize what it was. Probably annoyance that I'm bringing this up again. Draco doesn't like me talking about joining the Order actively as he and the others did last year when the Death Eaters tried to take over Hogwarts. Would you believe that he actually kept me inside a broom closet half the time and when I got out, I found Crabbe and Goyle guarding the door? You'd think Draco would cut me some slack and let me be. I mean I can get the protectiveness from my brothers anytime I want, does he have to join my personal pack of bodyguards too?
Then again, when you think about it, I'm sure he just means well. And unlike my brothers, he's never tried to dismember a boy who expressed a liking for me.
"Why don't you think of it this way, Red," his voice floats towards me with the wind. "They're like those soldiers we read about in Aunt Lily’s history books, the ones who get to do all the fighting and we’re like the other soldiers who get to stay at camp and defend the city," and then he laughs and adds. "That's a very feeble attempt on my part, don't you think?"
I roll my eyes even though he can’t see through the dark. "Thank you for acknowledging that, White."
We stay silent for a while, consumed by our private thoughts. He's probably thinking nothing like what I’m thinking. No frilly white dresses, no exchange of personally written vows, no babies, no old age and sitting by the fire together. And I'm pretty certain that he's not trying to contradict himself whenever those thoughts present themselves in his brain.
Poor Ginny Weasley, married secretly to her best friend and he doesn't even know it.
I honestly do not know why these thoughts started parading around my head, and why they're still here. One moment I'm thinking of Voldemort and the next I'm marrying Draco. My best friend. The one I got to see poo, cry, laugh and scream whenever it was bath time.
I should stop. I will stop. Before these thoughts get more disturbing like kissing him...oh, there it is. Too late. Damn!
I want to bury my head on my hands but I know I can’t. If I did, Draco would be alarmed that something is wrong. He's not much of an asker. If he thinks something is bothering me, he seldom asks and just puts his arms around me...don't fantasize that Ginny!...and holds me until I'm all right. I certainly do not want that to happen. I do not need one more reason to think these horrible thoughts, and him touching me in the slightest way is sure to bring in a flood of unwanted fantasy.
I really have to stop this.
"There's got to be some way to distract you, Gin," Draco says at last. I keep my eyes focused on the field before us and don’t answer. I’m busy distracting myself already. "Do you want to raid Uncle Sev's Potion's cupboard and mix up the labels?" he offers.
We once did that. During fourth year, the year after Cedric died and the year the Magical World called Harry a lunatic for saying that Voldemort was back. I was so scared and sure that he’d come for me because he didn't finish me off when I was in my first year. I became paranoid, so Draco decided to help me get distracted. We raided Uncle Sev's classroom and decorated it with flowers, then we mixed up the labels of his potions in his personal storeroom. It was fun and very distracting at that time. Especially when Uncle Sev saw the flowers first thing in the morning. It was during my class and I think we were caught because I was laughing too much and Uncle Sev already suspected me.
Anyway, I doubt that anything, even painting the Potions classroom pink and purple, can distract me right now.
"Come on Gin," he speaks again, a hint of pleading in his voice. "A little help here?"
I finally look at him. He is smiling my favorite smile at me.
"I'm graduating and I do not want to have a roommate who's sulky. I've had too much of that with Blaise as my roommate before." I have to smile at that. Blaise, handsome as he is, tends to sulk. I think he thinks that it makes him look cuter to other people. You know, a handsome guy like Blaise Zabini pining for a girl is really sweet. Especially since he really was pining for Pansy then. But Draco and I both want to kick his gut whenever he sulks. He usually gives people no choice but to join him. To give him credit though, he’s really a jolly person when he’s not pining after Pansy.
I'll sorely miss him though, when he and Draco get out of Hogwarts next year.
Wait...
That's it!
The reason why I'm insane with insane thoughts!
My mind must have been nursing that thought of Draco graduating and being away and growing up subconsciously, that's why I've been thinking of any possible reason to stay with him. My mind isn't accustomed to a Draco-free place, so it creates a dream for me to settle my nerves and assure me that he’ll always be in my future. That makes total sense!
"What's it?" he asks. I blink several times. What?
Oh, I said 'That's it’ aloud didn't I?
"Uh...Blaise?" I start out. "Blaise would be the perfect solution!" I get that out more enthusiastically.
“What about Blaise?” he asks and I see his grey eyes tighten.
“Blaise,” I slowly say, a plan already formulating inside my head. “Is depressed right? And he needs to have someone to entertain him.”
“And you would?” his voice gets tighter too. I stop myself from rolling my eyes at his tone. He may not interfere with my love life but that does not mean he likes what I do about it.
“Technically, yes,” I answer.
“Gin, the boy’s on the rebound. It’s not the best idea to go and date him,” he tells me hurriedly.
“I’m not going to date him. Just set him up with a few girls, play matchmaker,” I shrug.
Draco suddenly laughs. Why does he suddenly sound so melodic and hot? I’ve heard him laugh a million times and I haven’t heard it like this before. I swear he has charmed it to sound like wind chimes tinkling as the wind blows gently through them.
Merlin! I’m beginning to be a poet too?
“Why are you laughing?” I ask, frowning up at him. He’ll have to stop and…Oh. Dear. Merlin.
He has turned to look at the field in front of us so the moon now lights one side of his face. His eyes are crinkly with humor, his hair glints as the silver light coming from the moon is mirrored on it. Suddenly everything about him seems highlighted and beautiful. He looks like an entirely different person and oddly enough, he is still Draco.
“I’m laughing because Blaise would never agree to that,” he turns towards me and I expect the beautiful image I saw earlier to vanish like the moon disappearing behind him now but it doesn’t. He remains beautiful in my eyes. The moonlight behind his head is like an angel’s halo.
When you start getting all poet-y and mushy describing someone like that, you know that it’s bad.
I stay silent, not knowing what to say. I can’t trust myself not to say “You’re beautiful.” That would suck big time. Because he is. He suddenly just became irresistible in front of me. It’s like he charmed himself to look like Cupid, my favorite Greek god.
But I am no Psyche. Of that I am fully aware.
oOoOoOoOo
Somehow we manage to get back to our rooms. I didn’t say anything after his last statement and he took it as a sign that I was seriously thinking about matchmaking Blaise and some of the girls I know. So he decided it was time for us to go back to the Head Rooms. I had quickly nodded and am now lying down on my bed and staring at the ceiling.
Honestly? I’m not thinking about Blaise at all. I’m thinking of this weird thing I’m feeling right now.
No, it’s not about the silly Mrs. Ginny Malfoy thing anymore. Rather, this thought hit me and left me hazy and more confused.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve imagined myself being ‘married’ to a guy I like. There’s Harry, who I imagined having little Henri and Henriette with; and then there’s Terry Boot and our house by a lake; Oliver Wood, Viktor Krum, River Atkins, Colin Creevey…you might as well say that I’ve been ‘married’ several times now and am the mother of many ‘kids’. And these thoughts originated from the fact that I liked these guys. Which has me thinking: Do I like Draco now too? Is that why I’m thinking about him that way?
I shiver on my bed and hold the blankets tighter around me. It’s not a shiver of disgust like I want it to be. It’s a shiver of something else; something I can’t give a name to.
I repeat my mantra over and over: he’s my best friend, he’s my best friend…but I don’t think it’s working right now.
Sitting up, I cradle my head with one hand and sighed. Why am I thinking this way? Why am I entertaining these thoughts? I’ve dated many boys before, but I must admit that I often did so to piss off my brothers. I liked them, really. But sometimes, I would look at them and get this sure feeling of not wanting to make something work out with them.
Is this the same with Draco?
If it is, then this is just a passing thing. That’s good. I’m friends with all the other guys I liked and dated. Maybe we can even joke about it. Draco never really cares about who has a crush on him. And he doesn’t have to worry about me sending him love letters like the other girls do, because I have never, ever composed a love letter before in my entire life and I have no pressing desire to start learning now.
So, yeah. If this is just like what I felt for the other boys I liked before, then I’m okay with it. Usually, after two weeks I move on. So that means after two weeks, everything will go back to normal.
But what if this isn’t like the others? Nah. What’s the difference? I doubt this is something other than a silly fancy for my best friend. I’ve seen some movies about it whenever we hang out at Hermione’s. It’s perfectly natural to have a crush on a long time friend. I’ve read about it in books, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one thinking about this issue.
However, in those movies, sometimes the best friends end up falling for each other. In the books, they do too. In addition, isn’t my brother a shining example of getting together with a friend? Last time I checked, Ron and Hermione are still together. That means there’s a chance that if this is more than a crush, Draco and I could work out right?
I remember Blaise and Pansy and the thoughts of Ron and Hermione vanish. There are of course those that don’t survive. Pansy hated Blaise for his announcement because before he had made it, something had happened to them. Pansy felt he was just after the sex and no matter how Blaise tried to convince her that he wasn’t, she would not listen. She once told me that she was scared to believe that it could lead to something more. Pansy said so many harsh things to Blaise but he never once got angry because of it. I’ve seen him cry over her a dozen times and it hurts to watch him pretend that everything’s all right.
The image of Blaise crying inside the prefect’s bathroom a year ago has caused a wave of fear and panic on my part. If what I feel for Draco, if I’m really feeling anything for him at all, is the same as what Blaise felt for Pansy, then I am really in big trouble. What if Draco acts like Pansy and rejects me? What if our friendship is shattered just like theirs? I can’t imagine myself without Draco. What will I do if that happens?
I throw myself on the bed and groan.
“You don’t like him, Ginny,” I say to myself. “You don’t like him like that so stop worrying.”
But somehow, I know there’s something going on inside me.
I’m not so sure I want to find out.
oOoOoOoOo
The next day I find myself standing inside the Slytherin Common Room, waiting for Blaise to get up. I’m alone, as it’s only seven in the morning. Draco is still sleeping. I left him a note to go ahead to breakfast and I’d see him there, but I doubt he’ll heed it. As I said, he’s very perceptive when it comes to me. And based on what we last talked about last night, he would know where to find me.
I hesitate in front of the door of Blaise’s dorm and then knock. No one answers, so I push the door open. There I find three beds which are just like mine in Gryffindor Tower. In one bed is Theo Nott, in another is someone I recognize as Felix Banks, and in the last is Blaise.
I stalk over to his bed and shake him awake.
“Bloody hell…” he murmurs and takes a pillow to cover his head with.
“Blaise!” I whisper urgently. “Blaise, get your sorry arse out of the bed right now!”
“Mmn…five minutes…” comes the answer.
“Damn it. I don’t have five minutes, Blaise!” I resort to hissing. “Get up right now.”
A soft snore answers me and I groan. Great.
What am I doing here anyway? Honestly? I don’t know anymore. It seemed like a good idea last night to get close to Blaise and maybe confide in him. I mean, if there’s one person who could probably sympathize with me, that’s got to be Blaise, right? He would understand what’s going on with me. In return, I’ll help him with any girl he chooses. I can be pretty persuasive and usually, girls come to me for advice and opinions since I’ve dated most of the boys in Hogwarts, so I can really help Blaise get over Pansy. But right now, I’m having second thoughts about the idea.
“That’s not the way to wake him,” a voice says and it had me jumping in surprise.
I turn around to see Theodore sitting up and eyeing me sleepily with a lopsided grin. His hair is sticking up in all directions but he still manages to look cute. Are all Slytherin boys like this?
“Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?” I ask, flashing him a sheepish smile.
He waves a hand at me and gets out of his bed. He opens his bedside drawer and takes out his wand. “Don’t worry about it, Ginny,” he says with another smile. “Move over. I’ll show you how to properly wake this git up.”
I move over to sit on Theo’s bed and my mouth falls open when he points his wand to Blaise’s sleeping form and calls, “Aguamenti.”
“What the—!” Blaise shouts as a jet of water hits him straight in the face. He struggles up, fighting off the water as I double up with laughter when I see his look.
Beside Theo’s bed, Felix sits up groggily and murmurs. “Where’s the fire?”
“Bloody hell Theo!” Blaise shouts angrily. “What in the world do you think you’re doing?”
Theo stops the spell and sneers at him. “Gin was having trouble waking you up. So I helped.”
“You helped? You bloody bastard, I’m soaked!” he shouts and jumps out of his bed and strips off his shirt. He throws it at Theo, who dodges it effortlessly.
I eye Blaise’s body for a while, bothered that, well-toned as it is, it’s not doing anything grand for me.
“Damn, Blaise, will you keep it down?” Felix throws his body on the bed again and pulls the covers up to his head.
“You try being Aguamenti-ed while you’re asleep and see if you can keep it down,” Blaise snarls at the blonde-haired boy. Then he turns to me and I smile brightly at him. “Don’t smile at me, brat. What do you want anyway?” he says, sleep gone from his voice and replaced by irritation.
I stand up and walk over to where Theo is. “Thanks Theo. I owe you one,” I tell him and he smiles.
“Oh, don’t mention it. It’s rewarding enough to see Blaise like that,” he laughs.
“Fuck off,” Blaise mutters.
“What’s happening here?”
We all turn to see Millie standing by the door, Pansy right behind her. When she catches my eye, she nods once and then leaves, but not without a glance in Blaise’s direction, who ignores her. Hmmn, interesting…
“Your boyfriend here was playing fireman, Mill,” Felix answers, getting his head out of the covers. “He woke Blaise with Aguamenti.”
“Really?” Millie smiles brightly at Theodore.
“You told him, didn’t you?” Blaise casts a look at his step-sister.
“I might have mentioned it sometime. Hi Ginny!” she says and walks over to Theo who is sitting on his bed. “Good morning, handsome.”
Blaise mutters something under his breath then turns to me again. “What do you want, Weasel?”
I roll my eyes at the name. “I want you to pick up your arse and get it into the shower. I need to speak with you about something.”
“About what?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re all dry and clean,” I smirk.
“Where’s your best friend anyway? Does he know you’re wreaking havoc in his House?” he glares at me.
I shrug. “He’s still sleeping.”
“He shouldn’t ever leave you alone, woman. You’re a danger to sleeping men,” he shakes his head.
“Hey, it was Theo who woke you up with the water spell, not me,” I argue, and turn to Theo. “Right The—,”
I break off when I see what Theo and Millie are doing and my mouth falls open. The two are kissing passionately as we stare.
“Oh, yuck!” Felix’s voice is muffled by the covers that are once again over his head. “I am marred for life. Can’t a guy get some decent sleep around here? I’m likely to be having dreams after this.”
Theo leans away from Millie’s lips to sneer at Felix. “Shall we turn the dreams into nightmares? Millie and I can oblige you.”
Millie blushes and elbows Theo.
“Theodore!” Blaise snarls and wrenches his step-sister from her boyfriend.
Millie turns to Blaise and rolls her eyes. “Oh sod off!” then she stalks away towards the door, stops and winks at Theo. Then she’s gone.
Felix and I groan. “I came here to wake Blaise up, not witness a snogging session,” I wail. This is almost as bad as seeing Bill and Fleur go at it back home.
“I’m gonna marry her,” Theo dreamily says from where he is sitting.
I look at him and I suddenly realize that Millie had probably not brushed her teeth, she was wearing her pajamas and her hair hadn’t seen a hairbrush since last night. And yet, here was Theo, declaring his intentions of marrying her with her step-brother present. I feel fuzzy all of a sudden.
“Over my well-toned body,” Blaise mutters.
Blaise’s Mum, Aunt Christina, has remarried Alexander Bulstrode, Millie’s dad. Ever since Blaise’s dad left her for another woman, Aunt Christina has married, divorced and married again. I personally used to think that she couldn’t find someone who made her forget her love for Blaise’s dad. I often used to tell Draco that Aunt Tina was still in love with Blaise’s dad, that’s why she couldn’t find the right guy. But that was before Alexander. They met at a gala that she attended with Mum, Aunt Cissa and Aunt Lily, and she was smitten by his looks. He was different from Blaise’s dad, who was dark and brooding. Alexander had this light aura around him and that seemed to attract Aunt Tina. A few months of courting and they married. We were all thrilled about it. Especially Blaise and Millie, who had become closer since the courtship. Everyone who knew them had high hopes that the marriage would work out. So far, it has. Two years and still going strong, as Alexander put it.
Aunt Tina was partly a Black, making Blaise a distant cousin of Draco. This was one of the reasons why she was with the Order. When he married her, Alexander decided to join in and became the resident Healer of the Order.
I turn to Blaise and grin. “Do you know how much you sound like Ron?”
“No, and I don’t think I do,” he answers curtly and stomps out of the room and into the bathroom.
“I’ll wait for you in the Common Room!” I shout with a grin. He answers me with a loud “Get lost!” and I laugh. Sulky Blaise indeed.
“What’d you do to him?” a voice I know so well says, and I turn to see Draco leaning on the door jamb, arms folded on his chest and staring at me with interest. I realized I’ve been waiting for him to show up.
Seriously, I had wished that whatever silly thing I was feeling for him would go away once I awoke this morning. I honestly believed that it was just a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing brought about by the moonlight last night. But as I stare at him right now, I realize that the feeling is still there. It makes my heart thump again.
“Hey Drake!” Theo cheerfully waves at him. “D’you send Ginny here to give Blaise hell?”
“I bet he did!” Blaise yells from the bathroom.
“No, I didn’t,” Draco shouts back. “What’s going on?” he turns to me. “Why are you here?”
“Oooh…hubby misses the wifey!” Blaise shouts again in a sing-song voice.
“Shut up!” Draco shoots back.
“Can’t anyone talk normally around here anymore?” Felix groans and slips out of the bed and out of the room.
Theodore laughs at this and walks over to us. He claps Draco at the back and says, “Welcome back to Slytherin, Drake!” then he goes out of the room.
Draco mutters something under his breath before looking at me again. “Well?”
“I came to talk to Blaise about my plan,” I whisper to him.
He looks at me with these grey eyes that seem to sparkle more today than any other day I’ve seen them. “You’re still doing that?”
I shrug. “I want to help. Are you in?”
“Draco and Ginny sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…” Blaise sings in the shower.
I blush and Draco stiffens. Then he bends down his head and whispers in my ear, his hot breath fanning my neck. “Do you promise to give him hell while we match him up?”
I can’t speak at all. My voice is either stuck in my throat or has entirely dissolved into nothingness. I nod.
“Good. Then I’m in.”
Ginny
I hate Voldemort with a passion.
I know that it’s probably the understatement of the year but I really do. I mean, what's so great about him, besides having no nose and still being able to breathe? I admit that’s a little unique on his part but I wouldn’t dream of having slits for nostrils, thank you very much. And then there’s this issue about his name, that’s been my pet peeve since first year. People are so afraid to say his name, elongating their sentences with "You-Know-Who" and the even longer "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". Duh? What’s the point? It's quite a mouthful, isn't it? You get out of breath just by saying that long phrase before you finish your sentences. I go crazy whenever people speak of him that way. My brothers and parents, on the other hand, go crazy whenever they hear me say his name.
The name's Voldemort, and that's that!
Maybe people should just call him Tom? It’s a pretty nice name, don’t you think? Tom Marvolo Riddle. It’s sounds powerful to me. But I don't think he'll be happy with me advertising that fact about him to other people. I don't want the prophesied war to come earlier just because of it. It would have been great though, to have others not fear his name like that.
I don't know why people are so scared to say his name. I think 'Voldemort' is funny. It rhymes with snort, for Merlin’s sake. Who, in their right mind, would give themselves a title like that? It's as bad as Hogwarts--and he expects people to fear him?
Oh, yeah. I forgot, Voldemort is never in his right mind. I've been in there because of the Diary that ugly Yaxley dropped into my cauldron, the day my Mum and I were shopping for school books during my first year. And let me tell you this: Tom Riddle isn't exactly de-nosed in his early years. He's kind of cute actually. But that was before he'd gone crazy, got de-nosed and called himself Voldemort.
So anyway, I hate him. If it weren't for him, I wouldn’t be worrying over my loved ones.
Ron, Harry and Hermione left last night, on the pretext of attending and representing Hogwarts in an inter-school dueling tournament. Could anyone have picked a lamer excuse? Nobody really believed that, except the first years. But nobody wanted to say anything about it.
Except me. And I do so only in the presence of Draco.
"Oh give the guy a break Gin," he says as I take my own break from ranting.
He gives me this placating look that would have silenced another woman but I just roll my eyes at him. "What was he supposed to say? That they're trying to get themselves killed to kill Voldemort?" he continues.
See how easy it is to say his name? That's how people should do it. Conserves time, breath and saliva. Draco shares my views on the subject. I don’t have to tell you how our mothers feel about it.
"Well, why not?" I ask stubbornly even if what he said is true. “Everyone could use a little honesty in this school.”
"Gin, don't be so difficult," he sighs and turns back to the book he was reading. We’re alone in our Common Room.
"Well, I'm sorry to whine, Malfoy. My brother’s just gone off on a dangerous camping trip you know!" I yell and stand up to leave the room. My eyes are already tearing up, and insensitive Draco doesn't need to see that.
I hear him sigh again and close his book.
"I know Gin. But it's their..." I knew he was struggling to find the words to substitute for 'destiny' and 'fate,' which were getting older by the minute. ". . . job to do. And we have our own here. You're not exactly helping Harry and the others by ranting like that."
I turn to pout at him and his eyes bore into mine, asking me to understand. Contrary to what you might hear from other people, I'm not really the boss of this friendship. My brother Bill always makes fun of how Draco is easy to bend. "Throw him a Ginny-look and watch him go," is what he always says. But let me tell you, the 'Draco-look' has the same effect on me as mine does on him. It's just that, for some unknown reason, he seldom uses it. He seems perfectly content to comply with my wishes, even if he usually doesn't like what I ask of him. But whenever he does use his look on me, I find myself obeying. I'm glad he uses that weapon on me only when I am being a danger to myself, or Merlin help me, I might find myself polishing his shoes.
Draco makes me crazy sometimes. No, not crazy as in a 'crazy-for-his-smile' kind of thing, if you know what I mean. He's my best friend for Merlin's sake! No, I mean the 'bang-your-head-on-the-wall-'till-it-bleeds' kind of crazy. Because he knows me too well, and I can't help but know that he knows exactly how I feel about things. Like now, he knows that while I'm really worried for my brother and our friends, I’m also more bummed out that I was left behind. Hence the need to shoot me that oh-so-powerful look of his. I'm ranting on more about being left behind, than being Ron's sister, and Draco can see right through me.
If we married each other, I would probably lock myself up in St. Mungo's for all eternity since I wouldn’t be able to hide a thing from him. Who doesn't like secrets and surprises? I do. I’ve heard it's a vital element in a marriage, to keep the spice and all that. He's got such a perfect reading on me, how would I get my spice? So that makes it...Wait, did I just say marry him?
Ewww...
I couldn't have just thought that! That's like incest.
It’s like marrying Ron; it’s disgusting. I shudder. Anyway, he knows me too well.
That's that!
He stands up and walks over me; it suddenly makes me feel nervous. Maybe he read what I was thinking. What would I do if he did? Admit it? But admit what exactly?
I have to crane my neck to get a look at this disgustingly tall guy in front of me, whom I’ve suddenly seen as a possible husband and I get more nervous.
Would you marry someone who's seen you buck-naked when you were just a roly-poly baby? A guy who's played in the mud with you and encouraged you to eat it? That's disgusting. Husbands aren't supposed to know you since you were born. They're supposed to meet you inside a cafeteria, or at the office, or some place when you're a nicely dressed young lady. Not in diapers!
So why was I even thinking about it?
"Come on Gin," he says, smiling at me...in his friendly manner. "Let's get you outside for a broom ride. Maybe the air will help you clear your mind."
I manage to roll my eyes at him. There's no maybe in that. He knows it'll definitely clear my mind.
I sure hope so. There's no use on dwelling with that 'marriage with Draco' thing right now. No, scratch that. There's no use dwelling on it ever. Because I simply refuse to think about it ever again.
oOoOoOo
The wind was cold tonight but I am feeling extremely hot.
I mean, because of flying and chasing Draco.
We developed a game of what we call broom tag during our younger years. It's much like that Muggle game tag, but broom tag is all about touching the broom, not the person. Draco does it to hone his Seeker skills. I do it to show off. We also do it for fun, but then again, nothing is more fun than being able to touch the broom of one of the fastest fliers in the school. And I don't intend to make him forget whenever I manage it.
Right now, the only reason I’m doing it is because the marriage thoughts are escalating into a full-blown fantasy about family life. Would you believe that I actually dared to daydream about redheaded babies with silver-grey eyes? And as I tried to chase after Draco, I was busy designing our house in my mind! Next thing I know, I’ll have a list of possible names for our babies.
Am I sick? Because my thoughts are sick. Really.
It's hard to concentrate now and even Draco is getting tired so we fly over the bleachers and land there. He slumps over one of the seats and laughs. "Pathetic, Red. You haven't even touched my broom once."
I frown at him, my thoughts taking a backseat as he teases. "I've got a lot on my mind," I snap.
"Aw, Gin," he says, frustration evident in his voice. "I thought we were here to get your mind off Ron and the others?"
Except I'm worrying about another thing now, you moron!
I cross my arms in front of my chest and stick out my lip like a child about to have a tantrum.
"What can I do, Gin?" he asks, scooting over to sit near me. I resist the urge to come closer as I would have done during a day without the Mrs. Ginny Malfoy thoughts. Hey that sounds ni...nasty!
I dare to look at him and manages to do so without flinching or blushing. "Nothing Drake," I smile at him. "You're right, I'm just bummed that I get to be left behind again, that's all."
A flash of something goes through his mercury eyes, but is gone before I realize what it was. Probably annoyance that I'm bringing this up again. Draco doesn't like me talking about joining the Order actively as he and the others did last year when the Death Eaters tried to take over Hogwarts. Would you believe that he actually kept me inside a broom closet half the time and when I got out, I found Crabbe and Goyle guarding the door? You'd think Draco would cut me some slack and let me be. I mean I can get the protectiveness from my brothers anytime I want, does he have to join my personal pack of bodyguards too?
Then again, when you think about it, I'm sure he just means well. And unlike my brothers, he's never tried to dismember a boy who expressed a liking for me.
"Why don't you think of it this way, Red," his voice floats towards me with the wind. "They're like those soldiers we read about in Aunt Lily’s history books, the ones who get to do all the fighting and we’re like the other soldiers who get to stay at camp and defend the city," and then he laughs and adds. "That's a very feeble attempt on my part, don't you think?"
I roll my eyes even though he can’t see through the dark. "Thank you for acknowledging that, White."
We stay silent for a while, consumed by our private thoughts. He's probably thinking nothing like what I’m thinking. No frilly white dresses, no exchange of personally written vows, no babies, no old age and sitting by the fire together. And I'm pretty certain that he's not trying to contradict himself whenever those thoughts present themselves in his brain.
Poor Ginny Weasley, married secretly to her best friend and he doesn't even know it.
I honestly do not know why these thoughts started parading around my head, and why they're still here. One moment I'm thinking of Voldemort and the next I'm marrying Draco. My best friend. The one I got to see poo, cry, laugh and scream whenever it was bath time.
I should stop. I will stop. Before these thoughts get more disturbing like kissing him...oh, there it is. Too late. Damn!
I want to bury my head on my hands but I know I can’t. If I did, Draco would be alarmed that something is wrong. He's not much of an asker. If he thinks something is bothering me, he seldom asks and just puts his arms around me...don't fantasize that Ginny!...and holds me until I'm all right. I certainly do not want that to happen. I do not need one more reason to think these horrible thoughts, and him touching me in the slightest way is sure to bring in a flood of unwanted fantasy.
I really have to stop this.
"There's got to be some way to distract you, Gin," Draco says at last. I keep my eyes focused on the field before us and don’t answer. I’m busy distracting myself already. "Do you want to raid Uncle Sev's Potion's cupboard and mix up the labels?" he offers.
We once did that. During fourth year, the year after Cedric died and the year the Magical World called Harry a lunatic for saying that Voldemort was back. I was so scared and sure that he’d come for me because he didn't finish me off when I was in my first year. I became paranoid, so Draco decided to help me get distracted. We raided Uncle Sev's classroom and decorated it with flowers, then we mixed up the labels of his potions in his personal storeroom. It was fun and very distracting at that time. Especially when Uncle Sev saw the flowers first thing in the morning. It was during my class and I think we were caught because I was laughing too much and Uncle Sev already suspected me.
Anyway, I doubt that anything, even painting the Potions classroom pink and purple, can distract me right now.
"Come on Gin," he speaks again, a hint of pleading in his voice. "A little help here?"
I finally look at him. He is smiling my favorite smile at me.
"I'm graduating and I do not want to have a roommate who's sulky. I've had too much of that with Blaise as my roommate before." I have to smile at that. Blaise, handsome as he is, tends to sulk. I think he thinks that it makes him look cuter to other people. You know, a handsome guy like Blaise Zabini pining for a girl is really sweet. Especially since he really was pining for Pansy then. But Draco and I both want to kick his gut whenever he sulks. He usually gives people no choice but to join him. To give him credit though, he’s really a jolly person when he’s not pining after Pansy.
I'll sorely miss him though, when he and Draco get out of Hogwarts next year.
Wait...
That's it!
The reason why I'm insane with insane thoughts!
My mind must have been nursing that thought of Draco graduating and being away and growing up subconsciously, that's why I've been thinking of any possible reason to stay with him. My mind isn't accustomed to a Draco-free place, so it creates a dream for me to settle my nerves and assure me that he’ll always be in my future. That makes total sense!
"What's it?" he asks. I blink several times. What?
Oh, I said 'That's it’ aloud didn't I?
"Uh...Blaise?" I start out. "Blaise would be the perfect solution!" I get that out more enthusiastically.
“What about Blaise?” he asks and I see his grey eyes tighten.
“Blaise,” I slowly say, a plan already formulating inside my head. “Is depressed right? And he needs to have someone to entertain him.”
“And you would?” his voice gets tighter too. I stop myself from rolling my eyes at his tone. He may not interfere with my love life but that does not mean he likes what I do about it.
“Technically, yes,” I answer.
“Gin, the boy’s on the rebound. It’s not the best idea to go and date him,” he tells me hurriedly.
“I’m not going to date him. Just set him up with a few girls, play matchmaker,” I shrug.
Draco suddenly laughs. Why does he suddenly sound so melodic and hot? I’ve heard him laugh a million times and I haven’t heard it like this before. I swear he has charmed it to sound like wind chimes tinkling as the wind blows gently through them.
Merlin! I’m beginning to be a poet too?
“Why are you laughing?” I ask, frowning up at him. He’ll have to stop and…Oh. Dear. Merlin.
He has turned to look at the field in front of us so the moon now lights one side of his face. His eyes are crinkly with humor, his hair glints as the silver light coming from the moon is mirrored on it. Suddenly everything about him seems highlighted and beautiful. He looks like an entirely different person and oddly enough, he is still Draco.
“I’m laughing because Blaise would never agree to that,” he turns towards me and I expect the beautiful image I saw earlier to vanish like the moon disappearing behind him now but it doesn’t. He remains beautiful in my eyes. The moonlight behind his head is like an angel’s halo.
When you start getting all poet-y and mushy describing someone like that, you know that it’s bad.
I stay silent, not knowing what to say. I can’t trust myself not to say “You’re beautiful.” That would suck big time. Because he is. He suddenly just became irresistible in front of me. It’s like he charmed himself to look like Cupid, my favorite Greek god.
But I am no Psyche. Of that I am fully aware.
oOoOoOoOo
Somehow we manage to get back to our rooms. I didn’t say anything after his last statement and he took it as a sign that I was seriously thinking about matchmaking Blaise and some of the girls I know. So he decided it was time for us to go back to the Head Rooms. I had quickly nodded and am now lying down on my bed and staring at the ceiling.
Honestly? I’m not thinking about Blaise at all. I’m thinking of this weird thing I’m feeling right now.
No, it’s not about the silly Mrs. Ginny Malfoy thing anymore. Rather, this thought hit me and left me hazy and more confused.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve imagined myself being ‘married’ to a guy I like. There’s Harry, who I imagined having little Henri and Henriette with; and then there’s Terry Boot and our house by a lake; Oliver Wood, Viktor Krum, River Atkins, Colin Creevey…you might as well say that I’ve been ‘married’ several times now and am the mother of many ‘kids’. And these thoughts originated from the fact that I liked these guys. Which has me thinking: Do I like Draco now too? Is that why I’m thinking about him that way?
I shiver on my bed and hold the blankets tighter around me. It’s not a shiver of disgust like I want it to be. It’s a shiver of something else; something I can’t give a name to.
I repeat my mantra over and over: he’s my best friend, he’s my best friend…but I don’t think it’s working right now.
Sitting up, I cradle my head with one hand and sighed. Why am I thinking this way? Why am I entertaining these thoughts? I’ve dated many boys before, but I must admit that I often did so to piss off my brothers. I liked them, really. But sometimes, I would look at them and get this sure feeling of not wanting to make something work out with them.
Is this the same with Draco?
If it is, then this is just a passing thing. That’s good. I’m friends with all the other guys I liked and dated. Maybe we can even joke about it. Draco never really cares about who has a crush on him. And he doesn’t have to worry about me sending him love letters like the other girls do, because I have never, ever composed a love letter before in my entire life and I have no pressing desire to start learning now.
So, yeah. If this is just like what I felt for the other boys I liked before, then I’m okay with it. Usually, after two weeks I move on. So that means after two weeks, everything will go back to normal.
But what if this isn’t like the others? Nah. What’s the difference? I doubt this is something other than a silly fancy for my best friend. I’ve seen some movies about it whenever we hang out at Hermione’s. It’s perfectly natural to have a crush on a long time friend. I’ve read about it in books, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one thinking about this issue.
However, in those movies, sometimes the best friends end up falling for each other. In the books, they do too. In addition, isn’t my brother a shining example of getting together with a friend? Last time I checked, Ron and Hermione are still together. That means there’s a chance that if this is more than a crush, Draco and I could work out right?
I remember Blaise and Pansy and the thoughts of Ron and Hermione vanish. There are of course those that don’t survive. Pansy hated Blaise for his announcement because before he had made it, something had happened to them. Pansy felt he was just after the sex and no matter how Blaise tried to convince her that he wasn’t, she would not listen. She once told me that she was scared to believe that it could lead to something more. Pansy said so many harsh things to Blaise but he never once got angry because of it. I’ve seen him cry over her a dozen times and it hurts to watch him pretend that everything’s all right.
The image of Blaise crying inside the prefect’s bathroom a year ago has caused a wave of fear and panic on my part. If what I feel for Draco, if I’m really feeling anything for him at all, is the same as what Blaise felt for Pansy, then I am really in big trouble. What if Draco acts like Pansy and rejects me? What if our friendship is shattered just like theirs? I can’t imagine myself without Draco. What will I do if that happens?
I throw myself on the bed and groan.
“You don’t like him, Ginny,” I say to myself. “You don’t like him like that so stop worrying.”
But somehow, I know there’s something going on inside me.
I’m not so sure I want to find out.
oOoOoOoOo
The next day I find myself standing inside the Slytherin Common Room, waiting for Blaise to get up. I’m alone, as it’s only seven in the morning. Draco is still sleeping. I left him a note to go ahead to breakfast and I’d see him there, but I doubt he’ll heed it. As I said, he’s very perceptive when it comes to me. And based on what we last talked about last night, he would know where to find me.
I hesitate in front of the door of Blaise’s dorm and then knock. No one answers, so I push the door open. There I find three beds which are just like mine in Gryffindor Tower. In one bed is Theo Nott, in another is someone I recognize as Felix Banks, and in the last is Blaise.
I stalk over to his bed and shake him awake.
“Bloody hell…” he murmurs and takes a pillow to cover his head with.
“Blaise!” I whisper urgently. “Blaise, get your sorry arse out of the bed right now!”
“Mmn…five minutes…” comes the answer.
“Damn it. I don’t have five minutes, Blaise!” I resort to hissing. “Get up right now.”
A soft snore answers me and I groan. Great.
What am I doing here anyway? Honestly? I don’t know anymore. It seemed like a good idea last night to get close to Blaise and maybe confide in him. I mean, if there’s one person who could probably sympathize with me, that’s got to be Blaise, right? He would understand what’s going on with me. In return, I’ll help him with any girl he chooses. I can be pretty persuasive and usually, girls come to me for advice and opinions since I’ve dated most of the boys in Hogwarts, so I can really help Blaise get over Pansy. But right now, I’m having second thoughts about the idea.
“That’s not the way to wake him,” a voice says and it had me jumping in surprise.
I turn around to see Theodore sitting up and eyeing me sleepily with a lopsided grin. His hair is sticking up in all directions but he still manages to look cute. Are all Slytherin boys like this?
“Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?” I ask, flashing him a sheepish smile.
He waves a hand at me and gets out of his bed. He opens his bedside drawer and takes out his wand. “Don’t worry about it, Ginny,” he says with another smile. “Move over. I’ll show you how to properly wake this git up.”
I move over to sit on Theo’s bed and my mouth falls open when he points his wand to Blaise’s sleeping form and calls, “Aguamenti.”
“What the—!” Blaise shouts as a jet of water hits him straight in the face. He struggles up, fighting off the water as I double up with laughter when I see his look.
Beside Theo’s bed, Felix sits up groggily and murmurs. “Where’s the fire?”
“Bloody hell Theo!” Blaise shouts angrily. “What in the world do you think you’re doing?”
Theo stops the spell and sneers at him. “Gin was having trouble waking you up. So I helped.”
“You helped? You bloody bastard, I’m soaked!” he shouts and jumps out of his bed and strips off his shirt. He throws it at Theo, who dodges it effortlessly.
I eye Blaise’s body for a while, bothered that, well-toned as it is, it’s not doing anything grand for me.
“Damn, Blaise, will you keep it down?” Felix throws his body on the bed again and pulls the covers up to his head.
“You try being Aguamenti-ed while you’re asleep and see if you can keep it down,” Blaise snarls at the blonde-haired boy. Then he turns to me and I smile brightly at him. “Don’t smile at me, brat. What do you want anyway?” he says, sleep gone from his voice and replaced by irritation.
I stand up and walk over to where Theo is. “Thanks Theo. I owe you one,” I tell him and he smiles.
“Oh, don’t mention it. It’s rewarding enough to see Blaise like that,” he laughs.
“Fuck off,” Blaise mutters.
“What’s happening here?”
We all turn to see Millie standing by the door, Pansy right behind her. When she catches my eye, she nods once and then leaves, but not without a glance in Blaise’s direction, who ignores her. Hmmn, interesting…
“Your boyfriend here was playing fireman, Mill,” Felix answers, getting his head out of the covers. “He woke Blaise with Aguamenti.”
“Really?” Millie smiles brightly at Theodore.
“You told him, didn’t you?” Blaise casts a look at his step-sister.
“I might have mentioned it sometime. Hi Ginny!” she says and walks over to Theo who is sitting on his bed. “Good morning, handsome.”
Blaise mutters something under his breath then turns to me again. “What do you want, Weasel?”
I roll my eyes at the name. “I want you to pick up your arse and get it into the shower. I need to speak with you about something.”
“About what?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re all dry and clean,” I smirk.
“Where’s your best friend anyway? Does he know you’re wreaking havoc in his House?” he glares at me.
I shrug. “He’s still sleeping.”
“He shouldn’t ever leave you alone, woman. You’re a danger to sleeping men,” he shakes his head.
“Hey, it was Theo who woke you up with the water spell, not me,” I argue, and turn to Theo. “Right The—,”
I break off when I see what Theo and Millie are doing and my mouth falls open. The two are kissing passionately as we stare.
“Oh, yuck!” Felix’s voice is muffled by the covers that are once again over his head. “I am marred for life. Can’t a guy get some decent sleep around here? I’m likely to be having dreams after this.”
Theo leans away from Millie’s lips to sneer at Felix. “Shall we turn the dreams into nightmares? Millie and I can oblige you.”
Millie blushes and elbows Theo.
“Theodore!” Blaise snarls and wrenches his step-sister from her boyfriend.
Millie turns to Blaise and rolls her eyes. “Oh sod off!” then she stalks away towards the door, stops and winks at Theo. Then she’s gone.
Felix and I groan. “I came here to wake Blaise up, not witness a snogging session,” I wail. This is almost as bad as seeing Bill and Fleur go at it back home.
“I’m gonna marry her,” Theo dreamily says from where he is sitting.
I look at him and I suddenly realize that Millie had probably not brushed her teeth, she was wearing her pajamas and her hair hadn’t seen a hairbrush since last night. And yet, here was Theo, declaring his intentions of marrying her with her step-brother present. I feel fuzzy all of a sudden.
“Over my well-toned body,” Blaise mutters.
Blaise’s Mum, Aunt Christina, has remarried Alexander Bulstrode, Millie’s dad. Ever since Blaise’s dad left her for another woman, Aunt Christina has married, divorced and married again. I personally used to think that she couldn’t find someone who made her forget her love for Blaise’s dad. I often used to tell Draco that Aunt Tina was still in love with Blaise’s dad, that’s why she couldn’t find the right guy. But that was before Alexander. They met at a gala that she attended with Mum, Aunt Cissa and Aunt Lily, and she was smitten by his looks. He was different from Blaise’s dad, who was dark and brooding. Alexander had this light aura around him and that seemed to attract Aunt Tina. A few months of courting and they married. We were all thrilled about it. Especially Blaise and Millie, who had become closer since the courtship. Everyone who knew them had high hopes that the marriage would work out. So far, it has. Two years and still going strong, as Alexander put it.
Aunt Tina was partly a Black, making Blaise a distant cousin of Draco. This was one of the reasons why she was with the Order. When he married her, Alexander decided to join in and became the resident Healer of the Order.
I turn to Blaise and grin. “Do you know how much you sound like Ron?”
“No, and I don’t think I do,” he answers curtly and stomps out of the room and into the bathroom.
“I’ll wait for you in the Common Room!” I shout with a grin. He answers me with a loud “Get lost!” and I laugh. Sulky Blaise indeed.
“What’d you do to him?” a voice I know so well says, and I turn to see Draco leaning on the door jamb, arms folded on his chest and staring at me with interest. I realized I’ve been waiting for him to show up.
Seriously, I had wished that whatever silly thing I was feeling for him would go away once I awoke this morning. I honestly believed that it was just a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing brought about by the moonlight last night. But as I stare at him right now, I realize that the feeling is still there. It makes my heart thump again.
“Hey Drake!” Theo cheerfully waves at him. “D’you send Ginny here to give Blaise hell?”
“I bet he did!” Blaise yells from the bathroom.
“No, I didn’t,” Draco shouts back. “What’s going on?” he turns to me. “Why are you here?”
“Oooh…hubby misses the wifey!” Blaise shouts again in a sing-song voice.
“Shut up!” Draco shoots back.
“Can’t anyone talk normally around here anymore?” Felix groans and slips out of the bed and out of the room.
Theodore laughs at this and walks over to us. He claps Draco at the back and says, “Welcome back to Slytherin, Drake!” then he goes out of the room.
Draco mutters something under his breath before looking at me again. “Well?”
“I came to talk to Blaise about my plan,” I whisper to him.
He looks at me with these grey eyes that seem to sparkle more today than any other day I’ve seen them. “You’re still doing that?”
I shrug. “I want to help. Are you in?”
“Draco and Ginny sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…” Blaise sings in the shower.
I blush and Draco stiffens. Then he bends down his head and whispers in my ear, his hot breath fanning my neck. “Do you promise to give him hell while we match him up?”
I can’t speak at all. My voice is either stuck in my throat or has entirely dissolved into nothingness. I nod.
“Good. Then I’m in.”
To Be Continued.
tisha yoon is the author of 1 other stories.
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