Forbidden Fruit

Chapter 4

A couple of hours later, Ginny entered the Gryffindor common room. After her little encounter with Malfoy, she had gone outside to walk around the grounds, hoping to clear her mind and hoping to come to some kind of decision, but of course, it hadn't worked at all.

Hermione and Ron were the only ones in the common room when Ginny walked in. Hermione took one look at her. "Is everything ok?"

Ginny shot a look at Ron, hoping Hermione would get the hint.

"I'm fine," she said.

She saw Hermione nudge Ron in the ribs with her elbow, obviously getting Ginny's hint.

"Hey! That hurt!" Ron said as he stood up.

Hermione kicked him.

"'Mione, what was that for?" Ron asked.

Hermione looked at Ginny.

"Oh. I guess I'm going to bed then," Ron said, not trying to hide his disappointment.

After Ron left, Ginny sat down next to Hermione.

"Well, something is obviously wrong so, spill," Hermione said.

"It's nothing, but thanks anyway, Hermione," Ginny said.

"Come on Ginny, maybe I can help," Hermione said.

"Alright." Ginny sighed. Hermione waited patiently while Ginny searched for the right way to tell her what had happened. When Ginny finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I met Draco after dinner. We were just going to talk but then he kissed me,"

Hermione sat there for a moment, shocked. When she composed herself she said, "What did you do?"

Ginny's voice was a little stronger this time, "At first I kissed him back but then I realized what I was doing and I ran."

"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked.

"I wish I knew. I mean it's not as if anything could really happen between us. For starters his dad tried to kill me, besides I couldn't do that to you, Harry and Ron," Ginny said.

"I can't believe I am saying this, but his dad is pretty much out of the picture; there is no way he's getting out of Azkaban anytime soon. As for Harry, Ron and I, well Harry and I are your friends, we only want you to be happy. Ron is your brother and he loves you, I'm sure it will come as a shock at first but he'll get over it no matter what you decide," Hermione said.

"How can you be so sure?" Ginny asked.

"If he doesn't I'll be there to give him a good kick in the arse!" Hermione laughed.

Ginny managed a weak smile. "I'm going up to bed."

"I should too, night, Ginny," Hermione said.

"Night."

Ginny walked upstairs and into her dormitory. She quickly undressed and got into her pajamas. She was lying in bed about an hour later when she heard something at the window. Ginny rolled her eyes and climbed out of bed, knowing exactly what she'd find at the window. She wasn't sure she wanted to know what the owl had brought her this time. Ginny opened the window and let the owl in. The small bird held out its leg so she could untie the letter fastened there. She opened the letter and read:

Ginny,

I just wanted to say that I am sorry about what happened, though you probably won't believe me. Judging from your reaction you need some time to think so I decided that I would leave you alone for a few days. Let me know when you are ready to talk.

Draco

Ginny read the letter at least three times before sending the owl off, without replying. Time alone was exactly what she needed. Ginny laid back down feeling much better and in a few minutes she was asleep.

Almost a week later, Ginny cornered Draco in front of the Great Hall before lunch.

"We should talk," Ginny said.

"Ok, how about after dinner tonight? Meet me here and we can go back to the dungeon room," Draco said.

"No. This time I get to pick the place. After dinner then?" Ginny said. Before Draco could respond, she brushed past him and into the Great Hall, knowing without a doubt that he would be there.

Several hours later Ginny and Draco were sitting in the Room of Requirement. As Ginny had wanted, the room had filled with two comfortable chairs, a huge fireplace with a roaring fire and a table filled with snacks and pumpkin juice.

"Look, Ginny, I'm sorry," Draco said.

"Shut up, Malfoy, I'll do the talking," Ginny said.

Draco glared at her, looking desperately like he wanted to say something nasty but stopped himself. If Ginny was reading him correctly there was also a look of admiration there too, he was impressed with her forceful new attitude.

"I'm sorry too, Draco, I shouldn't have run," Ginny said.

"Then why did you?" Draco asked.

"I was just scared. We both know this could never work," Ginny said.

"Why not?" Draco asked.

"Be serious, Draco, our families would never allow it, not to mention the fact that your father tried to kill me," Ginny said.

Draco winced at the mention of his father, but could not deny that what she said was true.

"Forget about all that for now. What do you want?" Draco asked.

"Isn't that what I have been trying to tell you? If you need me to spell it out for you, I will. I don't want to be with you," Ginny lied.

"If that's true, Ginny, then why are you still here?" Draco asked.

Ginny sat there not sure of how to respond. Draco used that moment of hesitation to his advantage. He walked over to Ginny and kissed her again.