Who Followed Who?

Ginny was turning out to be more of a skilled chess player than Draco had originally taken her for. He'd beaten her in their first game with little effort. She claimed that it had been a warm-up game, and challenged him to a rematch. Three and a half hours later, they were still engrossed in the second game, and for the first time in his life, Draco was seriously considering cheating in order to win at chess.

"We've missed lunch," he said, in an attempt to distract Ginny. She nodded and kept her eyes locked on the game board.

"We have. Are you hungry?"

"No." It was at that moment that his stomach chose to become a Benedict Arnold and growl, eliciting a giggle from his opponent. He could feel his face growing hot.

"We can stop, if you want," she said, leaning back in her chair and relaxing. She moved her neck back and forth, trying to relieve some of the stiffness, but it wasn't working.

"I can keep going as long as you can," he said defensively. He wanted to stop, but he didn't want to give her the satisfaction of being able to say that he was the first one to give way.

She stretched and rubbed her eyes tiredly. Draco watched out of the corner of his eye as she stood and took several steps around the room, trying to relax her stiff muscles. When it became clear that she wasn't going to reclaim her seat, he stood as well.

"So you forfeit, then? I win twice." She gaped at him.

"Oh no, I never said anything about forfeiting, Draco Malfoy!"

"But you got up and never returned to your seat," he reasoned. "You've used up the time for your turn." She snorted.

"We never had a time limit on our turns," she said, laughing. "You're just looking for an easy out, I think." He pretended to look offended.

"Am I? And why would I do that, when I beat you so easily the first game, and am on my way to beating you this game as well?"

"I don't think you're so sure of yourself," she said, her voice thick with laughter. "It's taking you much longer this time to stave me off than it did the first game."

"Are you suggesting that I'm afraid to lose?" he asked.

"No, I'm not suggesting that," she said, shaking her head. "I'm saying it outright." He looked at her in surprise, and she poked her tongue out. Before she could move, he leapt forward and begun tickling her - something very uncharacteristic of him, and so unexpected that he managed to tumble the both of them to the floor. She was giggling so hard that she was having difficulty catching her breath.

"What were you saying, then?" he asked, a wicked gleam in his eyes. She was gasping for breath.

"Mercy! Uncle! I give! I didn't mean it," she managed. Satisfied, he halted his attack on her sides and stood, then reached a hand out to help her up. She eyed it suspiciously, and he rolled his eyes at her.

"A peace offering," he said. "I won't try anything, I swear." She nodded and slipped her hand into his, marveling at the tingling sensation the simple action caused. He tugged on her hand and helped haul her to her feet, where she froze. They were standing closer than they had since the kiss, and it was doing funny things to her. Her palms began to sweat and her knees felt weak, and he was only looking at her.

Draco's breath caught in his throat as she stood there and watched him, and he wondered if he should try kissing her again. He'd already resisted the urge to do it once today, and his will was weakened by it. Could he resist her now that the opportunity had presented itself so gloriously?

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes concentrated on her face as he did so. When she closed her eyes, he knew that she wanted him to kiss her as much as he wanted to do it, and his caution melted. Gently he pressed his lips to hers, savoring their softness. He raised his hands to cup her cheeks, and absentmindedly stroked her smooth cheeks with his thumbs.

He could feel the precise moment that she relaxed into the kiss, because suddenly she became soft and pliant under his touch. He closed the small gap between them and moved his hands away from her face to grip her slender waist and pull her body to his. He could feel her trembling as his tongue sought entrance to her mouth. She parted her lips and a tiny sigh escaped her, encouraging him.

For her part, Ginny felt as though she was being kissed into oblivion, and she didn't mind it one bit. She wasn't able to form a coherent thought while he was this close to her, anyway. Her stomach was full of the happy, nervous bubbles she'd felt earlier, and every part of her body that was in contact with his was burning madly. His kiss deepened, and his arms slid around her, tightening and crushing her against him.

Draco was just about to pull away and ask if she wanted to continue the kiss in his room when he heard the doorknob being turned. He let go of her and stepped away, giving her what he hoped was a promising look. He definitely wanted to continue this later, and he was overwhelmingly annoyed at whomever was at the door, interrupting what was possibly the best snogging he'd ever been party to in his life.

Ginny stared at him dazedly as he composed himself. She caught the look he gave her, which made her stomach lurch pleasantly. When she realized why he'd pulled away, she took a deep breath and tried to fight down the redness she felt rising to her cheeks.

Narcissa stepped into the room, and with one look at her son, realized that she should have knocked first. She pretended not to notice that both of the occupants of the room were flushed and that their eyes were both wide, and moved towards the bookshelf.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, darling," she murmured, scanning the rows intently. "Your Father needed a book, and I'm having trouble locating it. He said it would be in here."

Draco's annoyance faded, and his eyes darted towards Ginny, who was pressing her hands to her enflamed cheeks. He smirked to himself. Why had he been dithering earlier about kissing her? She was attracted to him; there was no denying it now.

"Aha!" his mother cried, pulling a book from the shelf. She moved towards the door, shooting Draco a smile as she did. "Dinner is going to be early tonight, since you and your father will be going out later, so don't be late." She smiled at Ginny, and then disappeared into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Draco frowned. He'd forgotten about the meetings almost completely, and he didn't want to leave now - especially not after they'd kissed like they had. He turned to look at her.

"I forgot that I was going out tonight," he said quietly. His mind was racing. What would happen if Potter and her brother came while he was gone to take her away? Would they convince her to leave with them, as he feared? He knew now that she was attracted to him, but was her attraction strong enough to keep her at the Manor until his return?

She shrugged. "It's not a big deal. I figured you'd be going sooner or later." Half of him was relieved that she wasn't upset, but the other half of him was angry that she was taking his absence so much in stride. Did she really care that little for him?

"I'd stay if I could," he said, an edge to his voice. She blinked.

"Really, it's not that big of a deal. I'm a big girl; I can entertain myself. Your mother is here to talk to if I need someone."

"I meant-" Ginny stared as Draco's expression changed from anger to pain, and he gripped his left forearm. When he met her eyes, she smiled sympathetically.

"It looks like we won't be having dinner together after all," she said quietly. His eyes widened slightly, and he waited for her to ask where he was going. When she didn't open her mouth again, he crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to him.

"I'll make it up to you when I get back," he promised softly. A tingle of anticipation went through her before his lips descended on hers. The kiss had lasted a mere second before he pulled away and disapparated. Ginny stared at the spot where he'd been standing and pressed her fingertips to her lips.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Draco looked over at his father, who smiled brightly before turning back to the front of the room. The tiny room was full to bursting of his fellow Death Eaters, all clad in the same thing- their black hooded robes. Draco waited impatiently for the meeting to begin- he wanted to get back to Ginny and finish what they'd started earlier. He turned when he felt someone's elbow in his ribs.

"Parkinson," he said cordially, giving her a curt nod. She smiled and cocked her head to one side.

"You look different," she said. "Has something happened?" His cheeks began to burn, and he hoped fervently that the lights were dim enough that she couldn't see his blush.

"No," he lied. She arched an eyebrow.

"I heard that Daphne Flint was planning on visiting you. Did she find you?"

"She did, indeed," he said, his voice turning hard. Pansy blinked.

"Well, apparently your romance wasn't rekindled, as she had hoped."

"She told you that was her intent?" he asked curiously, turning to face her. She nodded.

"She came to see me yesterday morning, and had tea with my mother and I. She told me all about her marriage to Marcus, and what they did to you," she blushed as she said this last part. He sighed.

"Must everyone know?" he murmured aloud. "What else did she tell you?"

"Sweet Circe, Draco, how much time do you have?" she asked, sounding exasperated. "She stayed for hours, talking only about you. I know you and I are close, but come on! I was so tired of hearing your name by the end of the day, it was pathetic!" Draco smirked.

"I remember a time when you would never have grown weary of hearing my name," he said teasingly. She blushed and shook her head.

"That time is long gone, my friend, as you well know. I have other things to occupy my mind."

"Like Zabini?" Pansy blushed deeper, and Draco bumped his shoulder against hers. She smiled.

"What about you? Who's occupying your mind?" she asked, her voice teasing. It was his turn to blush.

"No one of consequence."

"Draco, come on," she pleaded. "You know who I'm involved with, why can't you tell me who you're seeing?"

"Because I'm not seeing anyone."

"You're just using the poor girl for sex, then?" she laughed.

"I'm not having sex with her," he snapped. She blinked in surprise.

"I didn't mean anything by it, Draco. I was just teasing." His face softened.

"I know. I'm sorry. Daphne's visit just rubbed me the wrong way, I suppose."

"So who is she?"

"Who is who?"

"The girl you're not having sex with." He averted his eyes.

"No one."

"What? Draco, if you're interested in her, she has to be someone. Besides, I'd love to know who to thank for restoring you to your old self." He eyed her thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been an insufferable, antisocial git for the longest time, and now all of a sudden you're laughing and teasing the way you used to do. I think I owe this girl a debt of gratitude for returning my friend to me."

"I'll pass it on."

"Come on!" she begged, tugging at the sleeve of his robe. "Please? Pretty please? Draco, come on!" He rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Fine, but you won't believe me."

"Try me," she said, putting her hands on her hips. He met her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Ginny Weasley." Her mouth dropped open and her arms fell to her sides, limp. "See, I told you that you wouldn't believe me!"

"Draco, are you serious?"

"Deadly."

"Does she- I mean, is she-" she struggled to find the right words. He grinned.

"She's staying at the Manor for a month." Pansy's jaw dropped a bit more.

"How did you manage that? Didn't your parents get upset?"

"Mother adores her, and Father seems accepting of her. He's actually the one who asked her if she wanted to stay with us."

"And she accepted?"

"Yes," he said, conveniently omitting the part of the story where he'd told her that he wanted her to stay as well.

"Aren't you afraid Potter and his lackeys will come looking for her and find your father?" she asked, awe in her voice.

"Supposedly they are already looking for her," he said, shrugging. "But when they come, they will see that she's hardly being held against her will."

"And you're not suspicious that she's just doing it to get information out of you or your family?"

"I know she isn't. If she wanted to hurt us, she could have already told Potter about my father. She has actually given us information about him."

"Are you going to try and convert her to-" she gestured around the room at the other Death Eaters, and he shook his head vehemently.

"No," he said. "Originally, yes, but now - no. She can be useful to us without taking the Mark."

"Is she... snooty?" she asked cautiously. He could see the wheels turning in her head, and laughed.

"Why don't you come over tomorrow and find out?" he invited. She smiled.

"You know me too well." She paused thoughtfully for a moment, and then narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you have feelings for her?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I think I do. I mean, maybe." She laughed again.

"You do. You turned down Daphne for her," she cackled gleefully. "Oh, imagine what it would do to poor Daphne's ego to know she was thwarted for a Weasley!"