An Apology is Just Words

An Apology is Just Words

Chapter 7: All the Things You Said

Harry was sitting on the steps of Hogwarts the night of the ball. Ginny Weasley had shot him down. Well, it wasn't exactly getting shot down, but it felt like it. Her words haunt him. An apology is just words. Harry didn't understand a word of it. He buried his head in his hands.

"Tired Harry?" someone asked behind him. Harry turned around to see Ron and Hermione standing in back of him.

"Oh, no, just thinking," he said. Ron nodded and took a seat next to Harry. Hermione sat next to Ron and smiled at Harry.

"Let me guess, girl troubles?" Hermione asked. Ron glanced at her.

"Yeah, you could say that. What are you two doing out here anyways?" Harry asked, trying to push the thoughts out of his mind.

"Well, we saw our best friend walk out and we wanted to know why," Ron said with a smile.

"No reason."

"Yeah, bull," Hermione said with a sneer. Ron and Harry exchanged glances.

"It is not bull. I could sit outside if I wanted to."

"Yeah, when there are millions of girls in there, screaming your name. Sure, I believe you."

"Ron, help me out here."

"No can do," Ron said with a smile. Hermione moved closer to Ron, nestling her head on his shoulder.

"Where were you two during the dance anyways?"

"No where in particular. A broom closet or two," Ron said with a wink. Hermione slapped him.

"I thought we weren't going to tell anyone!" she said, making Harry laugh for the first time.

"Sure Hermione. Well, Harry, which girl is bothering you and why?"

"You sound like Oprah," Harry said, snorting.

"Who's Oprah?"

"Never mind. Well, the girl I like is in there dancing with a guy I hate. I don't know why I feel this way for her. I lost her a long time ago."

"It better not be Blaise." Harry glanced at Ron, who didn't seem to like Blaise one bit. Neither did Harry, but who could blame them?

"It's not Blaise. It's someone I care a lot for, but never show it."

"Well, you got it bad. Who is the guy she's dancing with?" Hermione asked, suddenly interested.

"Malfoy," Harry said, almost spitting. His teeth were clenched when he said it. Hermione and Ron exchanged glances.

"Well, if she is dancing with Malfoy, she isn't worth it," Ron said, trying to cheer him up. Harry looked at Ron, with a frown on his face.

"I wouldn't say that if I were you."

"Why not? She isn't worth a Potter, only a Malfoy."

"Because she is your sister."

*~*

Ginny was walking back up to her dorm when someone put their hand on her shoulder. "Harry, leave me alone," she said, turning around. But it wasn't Harry.

It was Draco. "I am guessing you don't want to talk to me," he said, frowning. Ginny never seen him frown, especially to her. Draco usually smirked at her, but never frown.

"No it's okay. I just had a long night," she said. Then she wished she could take those words back. She had a great night, minus Harry.

"Oh, I see. I guess I should leave then, huh?"

"No, you could stay. Actually, I want you to stay."

"Why?"

"I want to know why you asked me to dance." Draco shifted left and right, and then he shrugged.

"I wanted to."

"You wanted to?" Ginny was shocked by what he just said. No way would Draco want to dance with her, a lowly Weasley. Draco was better than her, or so she thought.

"Yes. I wanted to. Is there a problem with that?"

"Actually, yes, there is. You are a Malfoy. I am a Weasley. You never paid attention to me your whole life until this year, when we were suddenly pushed into each other's lives. We kept our distance, knowing that we should never cross paths. You tease my family, my hand-me-down robes, and me. You never liked me before, and suddenly you want to dance with me? Have you gone crazy or did you feel sorry for me?"

Before Ginny could go on, Draco put his hand on her mouth. "Listen, Ginny. There is a lot about me you don't know. I never knew that you would get all worked up because of some dance. Yeah, so what, I'm a Malfoy. Sue me. I don't care if you are a Weasley or if you are a Potter. I don't care about that. I never did! I only cared about you, only you." Ginny's eyes stared deep into his gray eyes. They seemed alive and all she wants to do was stand here all night looking into them.

Draco released his hand and held her by the shoulders. His free hand traced her hair. Then, he kissed her.

*~*

The next few hours went by so fast. Draco led Ginny up to his room, where they talked all night and laughed and had a great time. Ron and Hermione slow danced once and Harry went up to the dorms. Hermione finally walked Ron up to the dorms and they shared a good night kiss. Ron got into bed, smiling, while Harry was in his, frowning.

Harry didn't want to check if Ginny was in the room, because he knew that she would be angry. He didn't fall asleep until three o'clock in the morning.

Ginny finally got back to the dorm, escorted by Draco at four o'clock in the morning. He kissed her swiftly and waited until she got into the dorm safely. He then walked to his dorm, whistling.

No one talked during breakfast that morning. Ron and Hermione were just smiling at each other. Harry was picking at his food absentmindedly. Ginny ate and glanced up to the Slytherin table once in a while.

"What looking at Malfoy?" Ron asked coldly. Hermione slapped him. Ron glared at her and whispered something.

"What does it matter to you?" she asked. Harry suddenly was interested in the conversation, but he didn't make it obvious.

"It matters that you are my sister. I don't want you to be dating a Malfoy. Especially that one."

"Ron, why are you acting so overprotected?"

Ron rubbed his temples. "I am not. I am just making sure this guy doesn't hurt you!" Ginny snorted.

"Whatever. You never cared about what I did before! Why are you so suddenly interested in what I am doing or whom I am talking to? I have to work with Malfoy so you can't keep me away from him. He's a person just like you and he doesn't care if I am a Weasley!" she yelled, before she picked up her bag. She swung her book bag over her shoulder and walked quickly out of the Great Hall. She didn't understand why Ron was acting like that. He wasn't even there at the Ball to see her dance with Malfoy.

Not unless...

'No, Harry wouldn't have told him. Harry is much more smarter than that,' Ginny thought. She walked to her first class, which happened to be Potions. She knew that she would be the first one there, since everyone loathes Professor Snape. She walked in and took her seat. She looked up to see Draco standing in front of her.

"Morning," he said. Ginny smiled. He took a seat next to her.

"Hi Draco."

"What are you doing here? I thought that all you Gryffindors hated Snape."

"Nah, well, some of us do, but not all of us. I just came here because it seemed better than being harassed by my brother." Ginny grinned and stared at Draco.

"Betting it's my fault." Draco brushed away some of her hair and kissed her.

"No, it's not."

"Then why would he get mad?"

"He is just like that. I don't understand him sometimes." Ginny turned her head for a second and noticed someone at the door.

It was Harry.