Who Followed Who?

Ron pulled his threadbare cloak tighter around his shoulders, shivering as a particularly biting gust of wind hit him. He was still fuming - Harry and Hermione had just as good as turned their backs on him when they had turned their backs on his sister. They knew how important Ginny was to him!

He ignored the passerby on the crowded streets of Hogsmeade as he walked. The streets were littered with happy families; people smiling and discussing what sort of gifts to buy for each of their relatives. Ron grimaced. Christmas was fast approaching, and he wasn't looking forward to it. For that matter, Thanksgiving was just around the corner, being only days away, and he didn't want to think about that, either.

Percy had deserted the family long ago, choosing to lose himself in his work. Charlie was still in Romania, but he had his new wife to keep him company. Bill was busy raising his son alone, since his girlfriend had run off with another man after deciding she didn't want children after all. Fred and George had moved to America to establish a chain of Wizarding joke shops there. Essentially, all Ron had left of his family were his parents and Ginny. For Harry and Hermione to just let her go like that... he shook his head and bit his bottom lip hard.

It was his fault, somehow. He just knew it was. He'd been overly preoccupied with Hermione and their wedding these last few weeks, when he should have been paying attention to his sister and spending time with her. How isolated she must feel now that Harry had Padma and he had Hermione. Who did she have? No one. The thought made him frown.

She might have Malfoy, for all I know.

He stopped stared ahead with empty eyes. Malfoy! Why hadn't they thought to go to the Malfoy home, and look for her there? She hadn't been in any of her usual haunts (her flat, the Burrow, the Three Broomsticks, Quality Quidditch Supplies), so why hadn't they checked unusual places? His heart began pounding wildly, and he changed direction, walking with more purpose now.

Would he be allowed into the Manor? Would she even want to see him? His mind raced and he quickened his steps. He just had to see her, he had to! He couldn't stand losing another sibling, especially not since he and Ginny had been so close.

He would do whatever it took to convince her that he still cared about her.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Draco was contemplating his next move when the door to the library opened and Pansy entered. He smiled vaguely at her, then turned his attention back to the chess board. Pansy shot a brilliant smile at Ginny as she pulled a chair up to the small table they were playing on.

"Kicking his ass?" Pansy asked, winking at Ginny. Ginny smiled.

"Worse than he'll admit." Draco looked up and scowled at the women.

"You don't even know each other, and already you're ganging up on me. I don't think I like you two talking. Pansy, leave." Pansy stuck her tongue out at him and Ginny caught her lip between her teeth to keep from smiling.

"You owe me," Pansy said, leaning back in her chair.

"For what?" he murmured, eyeing his pieces.

"For disposing of Daphne." He looked up, the game temporarily forgotten.

"What did you do to her?"

"I don't mean disposing of her like that," she laughed, rolling her eyes at him. "I meant, you owe me for even getting her out of here. She was very... put out, shall we say? After we left here."

"So? You know what happened yesterday, and you brought her here anyway."

"I didn't bring her here willingly!" she said defensively. "She followed me when she found out where I was going!"

"I don't know why she's even bothering to pretend interest in me anymore," he said, closing his eyes and reclining in his chair. Pansy stared at him.

"Oh, would you listen to yourself? Don't sound so pathetic and uninteresting. You know very well how much of a catch you are, Draco Malfoy!" He opened his eyes and smirked at her, then looked at Ginny, who was staring at the chess board with red cheeks.

"You're ignoring Ginny," he pointed out. "Don't be so rude."

"I don't mean to ignore you," Pansy said apologetically. "I just think our friend is being melodramatic. I mean, you can see why she'd be interested in him, right?" Ginny flushed a deeper shade of red.

"Yes," was all she said. Draco leaned forward.

"Well then, out with it, Pans. Why is she so interested in me all of a bloody sudden, when she wasn't when I would have liked her to be?"

"Marcus screwed her in the divorce."

"What? Do go on," he said, his raised eyebrows showing his interest.

"He cut her off without a cent. Apparently when she was signing all of the necessary papers to get their marriage license, she also signed a prenuptial agreement that he'd slipped into the stack of papers." Draco snorted with laughter.

"Didn't anyone ever tell her never to sign anything without reading it first?"

"Apparently she thought Marcus would never do anything like that to her, and she didn't bother reading anything she signed. The prenup stated that all possessions that they acquired during the marriage, including wedding gifts, would revert to him if she was ever unfaithful to him."

"Was she?" Ginny asked, getting caught up in the gossip. Pansy nodded mutely.

"With whom?" Draco asked curiously. Pansy arched an eyebrow.

"Marcus' uncle." Draco's face contorted in disgust.

"Please tell me you're taking the mickey out of me."

"I only wish I were," Pansy lamented, shaking her head. "It's too gruesome, isn't it? And the sad thing is that he's not the only one she cheated with."

"She cheated more than once?" Ginny asked, appalled. Pansy nodded.

"From the way I understand things, she'd been sneaking around on him since late July." Draco snorted again and shook his head.

"I'm beginning to think that Marcus did me a favor by giving me the little 'gift' he did. Apparently I got the best of her, without having to marry the stupid bint. Once a cheater, always a cheater." He glanced up quickly to make sure Ginny wasn't watching, and despite the Rook's protests, grabbed the game piece and hid it under the table. Pansy saw him and faked a sudden coughing spell in order to prevent her laughter from being heard. Ginny slapped her back and looked concerned, and Pansy bit the inside of her cheek as Draco held a finger to his lips to silence her.

"Well," Pansy said, regaining her composure. "I suppose she thought that it was allowed after the stunt they pulled with you. He gave her permission for that, remember?"

"How did he find out she was cheating?" Ginny asked. The Rook was struggling in Draco's hand, and he was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

"Marcus' uncle told him in September. At first Marcus didn't believe him, but when he confronted Daphne, she confessed. He didn't waste any time and left immediately to go and file for divorce."

"Where's she been living, then?" Draco asked, relenting and putting the Rook back in his spot on the board. Pansy shook her head at him as she smiled.

"With her parents. They're fed up with her, though. She's gone all the time, except for the nights when she brings her current lover home. That's why she came to see my mother and I - she wanted to ask if she could stay with us."

"You know, it should make me sad that a former flame of mine has been reduced to the social equivalent of a whore, shouldn't it?" Draco mused. A wicked smirk appeared on his face. "Oh well."

"So why did she wait so long to come and see Draco?" Ginny asked.

"I think she probably believed that when he heard that she was available again, he'd come seek her out and propose to her himself. It's too bad for her that she didn't realize that Draco doesn't listen to the Wireless or read the Prophet anymore." Draco waved a hand dismissively.

"It's all rubbish, anyway." Ginny sat back in her chair and looked thoughtful, chewing on her bottom lip as she stared at the chess board.

"You're not a very good cheater, Draco," she said, eyeing her misplaced Rook. Draco looked surprised, and Pansy chortled with laughter.

"You're accusing me of cheating?" he pretended to look offended. She arched an eyebrow at him.

"My Rook has been moved. Besides, I saw you out of the corner of my eye. You've been watching my Rook for three moves now." Pansy's laughter filled the room, and Ginny giggled. Draco's face turned pink, but he smiled.

"I don't know what you're laughing at, Parkinson," he sniffed. "You can't win unless you cheat."

"Please," she said, still shaking from laughter. "Where in the world have you been hiding, Ginny Weasley? You and I should have become friends a long time ago!" Ginny smiled.

"Hey!" Draco protested. "You haven't become friends now. I won't allow it. Morgaine only knows what trouble I'd be in if my best friend and my girlfriend decided to put their brains together against me!" Pansy giggled again, but Ginny's jaw dropped and she stared at him in wonder. Before she could ask him if he meant it, a house elf appeared by the table. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Merlin's beard, what the devil is it now?"

"I is sorry to be interrupting you, Master," the creature stuttered. "But there is a visitor here to see your guest." Draco turned to Pansy, who shook her head.

"I didn't tell anyone I was coming over here," she said, confused. Draco's heart began to speed up as he glanced at Ginny. She was sitting absolutely still, her eyes fixed on the house elf.

"Is it a man or a woman?"

"The visitor is a man, Master." Draco's heart jumped into his throat.

"What does he look like? Did he tell you his name?"

"No, Sir, Master. He didn't give a name, just said he wanted to see Master's lady guest. He has red hair, Master Sir."

"Oh no," Ginny said, squeezing her eyes shut. "Oh, Gods, no." She stood quickly and walked out of the room, heading towards the parlor. Pansy turned her eyes back to Draco, who was unusually pale.

"Her brother, I'm guessing?"

"Must be. He must have finally put two and two together and figured out where she was. She can't leave, Pans. I don't want her to." Pansy looked sympathetic.

"She doesn't strike me as the type of girl to let her brother bully her around. If she wants to stay, she'll stay."

"How do I know if she wants to stay?" he asked, his eyes darkening.

"I don't think she'll leave, Draco," she said softly. "I saw the way she looks at you."

"The way she looks at me?" he asked, a strange feeling washing over him. "How does she look at me?"

Pansy didn't hesitate before answering, "The way your mother looks at your father." Draco stared at her, his eyes wide. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again and stared down at his hands. She watched him as he contemplated what she'd said. When he finally looked up, she was surprised at the raw emotion that was displayed on his face.

"She's so different from the other girls I've wanted, I'm not sure what to do."

"What do you mean?" Pansy asked, confusion etched on her face. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as he thought.

"She likes the same things I do. She's smart. She's nice. She's-" he paused. "She's all the things that Daphne could never have been to me."

"That's a lot, though, Draco," Pansy said, patting his knee comfortingly. "I know you were terribly upset when Daphne did what she did, but she would never have made you happy, no matter how much you thought you loved her. She would have cheated on you, and she would have made you look the fool for it, too."

"You're right, I know."

"Besides, don't your parents already like Ginny? They never really cared for Daphne, did they?"

"No, especially Father. He told me repeatedly that she was a money-grubbing harlot, and that's harsh coming from him."

"Well, I happen to believe that everything happens for a reason, you know that. I've always thought so. Maybe the powers that be saw what Daphne really was, and decided that you deserved something better. Ginny is that something better, isn't she?" He gave her a weak smile.

"Must be," he murmured. "Isn't it funny, Pans, that I loathed her in school because she was always fawning over Potter, when Potter is essentially the reason she's here now?"

"How so?"

"It's a long story."

"I've got time enough," she said, crossing her legs and folding her hands in her lap. "And it's been a while since my best friend felt like opening up to me. Lay it on me."

Chapter Twenty One

Ginny hurried through the corridors of the Manor towards the parlor, hoping against hope that the house elf had been mistaken, and that her brother really wasn't there after all. Her feeble hopes dissipated when she opened the door and saw Ron sitting on the same opulent sofa that Daphne and Pansy had been on that morning. He stood when she entered, and watched her close the door.

"Great Gods, Ron, what in the bloody hell are you doing here?" she asked angrily. He ran his fingers through his hair, then sighed as he sat back down.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he said, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

"I'm fine, I assure you. You can see for yourself exactly how well I am," she said, holding her arms out and twirling in a slow circle. He blanched at the sight of her new clothes.

"You're not... doing anything... to get the clothes, are you?" he asked haltingly. Her jaw dropped and her face turned crimson with rage.

"How dare you!" she hissed.

"I just wanted to make sure that my baby sister isn't being taken advantage of, is all," he said quickly, holding up his hands in surrender. She closed her mouth and sat down in the armchair, her back stiff. She folded her hands in her lap.

"I'm not. Was that all you wanted?"

"Damn it, Ginny!" he exclaimed, slapping his knee for emphasis. "I came here because I was worried about you! No one has seen you for days, and I was starting to be afraid that something bad had happened!" Her expression softened slightly.

"I'm fine, Ron. Thank you for your concern, though. Everything is fine, and I'm not being taken advantage of at all." They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a moment.

"Are you happy?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, I am."

"I don't understand why you're here," he said, looking around the room. "I just don't get it."

"I'm here because Draco is my friend, and his parents invited me to stay. I wanted to, so I did."

"Oh." More silence. Ginny sighed, frustrated.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to give me the bit about Malfoy being a pillock and tell me that I should stay away from him and his evil family?"

"No," he said, looking down at his feet again. "I reckon you already got enough of that from Harry."

"Really?" her voice reflected her startled expression.

"Really. Look, Gin, I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you lately. I know I was wrapped up in the wedding, but I promise you, that's over. It won't happen again."

"What do you mean, that's over?" she asked cautiously. His ears turned scarlet as he withdrew the engagement ring from his pocket and held it out to her. Her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. "Oh, Ron! What have you done?"

"I've done what needed to be done," he said, returning the ring to his pocket. His expression was closed off. Ron was calm, which was unnerving in and of itself; but now he was looking at her with a stony expression, and that frightened her. Ron was never this calm. He had always worn his heart on his sleeve and let everyone see how he was feeling.

"Why was it necessary?"

"It's not something that I'd like to go into with you, Gin, for my own personal reasons. Just know that I don't intend on marrying Hermione now."

"I hope you didn't do that just because you couldn't find me."

"No, that wasn't the only reason, but it was the thing that helped me see what kind of person Hermione really is."

"Which is?"

"Selfish."

"And Harry? Does he know about this?" Ron nodded mutely. "Was he there?" Again, Ron nodded. She chewed on her thumbnail.

"Gods, Ron. What are Mum and Dad going to say when they find out? Harry and Hermione are practically part of the family already."

"Practically doesn't cut it," he said coldly. She blinked. "They're not part of the family, and never will be."

"Ron, what's the matter with you? Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, Ginny. For the first time in my life, it's like I'm seeing clearly. My family is what's important to me, and I've been neglecting them. I've been neglecting you. I came here tonight because I thought I'd lost you, and it would kill me if I did. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Ron," she said softly, giving him a tiny smile. "I'm fine. Draco's parents are lovely, and Draco is..." her voice trailed off, and Ron looked pained. "Draco is lovely, too. There's really nothing to worry about."

"I'm just happy that you're all right," he said, standing. "Thanks for not kicking me out, anyway." She smiled and stood to embrace him.

"I've missed you too, big brother. You're right; our family is falling apart. We need to stick together. Come and visit me again." His pained expression lifted and he grinned at her.

"I will." She walked him out of the parlor and to the great oak doors that led outside, giving him a final hug.

"I love you, Ron. Take care of yourself."

"You, too." She watched his retreating back until he was out of sight, then headed back towards the library to continue her chess game. When she got there, the door was closed, and she could hear muffled voices inside. She was sorely tempted to stand there and listen, but knowing it would be rude, she began to make her way down the corridor. Just then, the door opened, and Pansy emerged.

"Ginny!" She called. Ginny turned and stopped walking when Pansy motioned to her. She walked back to the library and went inside, and Pansy shut the door behind them. Draco's face was paler than usual, and as soon as Ginny entered the room, his eyes became locked on her. Pansy sat back down in her seat, and Ginny lowered herself slowly into her own seat.

"Why didn't you come back in here?" Pansy asked curiously.

"I heard voices and the door was closed, so I thought maybe you two didn't want to be disturbed." Draco's eyes flickered towards Pansy once, then focused back on Ginny.

"Oh, pish tush," Pansy said, waving her hand dismissively. "We were only discussing my nonexistent love life. How did your visit go?" Ginny sighed.

"It was fine," she said quietly. Draco frowned.

"Just fine?" She lifted her eyes to meet his.

"Just fine," she repeated. "Ron just wanted to check on me and make sure that I was doing all right."

"He didn't try to convince you to leave?" Pansy blurted. Draco shot her an angry glare, and she shrugged apologetically at Ginny. "I'm sorry to be so blunt, but with the history between Draco's family and yours... well, I just thought that perhaps he'd come here with that as his sole directive." Ginny offered her a weak smile.

"I don't think he's happy about me being here of all places, but he didn't try to get me to leave. He just wanted to check up on me." The wrinkles caused by Draco's frown disappeared as he relaxed.

"I'm surprised he didn't try and storm the library in an effort to hex me into oblivion," he mused, eyeing her thoughtfully. It was her turn to frown.

"Did you want me to leave?" she asked. Draco's face reflected his surprise.

"What? Where did you get that ludicrous idea from?"

"You just seem awfully surprised that I stayed. Did you want him to come and take me away?"

"I think perhaps it's time for me to be going," Pansy said, rising to her feet. Draco stood and started to escort her out, as was his habit to do in the past, but she shook her head. "You stay here. I know my way out well enough. I'll talk to you tomorrow." She squeezed his arm gently, then smiled at Ginny. "It was nice talking to you, Ginny. I hope to see more of you in the future." She turned and walked out of the library, making sure she closed the door behind her.

Draco turned back to Ginny, whose cheeks were pink. He sat back down slowly and met her gaze.

"Did you want me to leave?" she repeated. He rolled his eyes.

"Really, of all of the stupid things that I've ever heard you say, that has to be the stupidest." She glared at him for a moment, then rose to her feet. She had just touched her hand to the doorknob when he grabbed her arm. She spun around and looked at him angrily.

"If you think I'm just going to sit here and let you insult me, Draco Malfoy, then you've got one hell of a surprise coming to you." To her surprise, he chuckled.

"I wasn't trying to insult you. Honestly," he said, letting go of her arm. He shook his head and grinned at her. "I was just trying to say that it was a stupid thing to think." She folded her arms across her chest.

"And that's not insulting, to call me stupid?" she asked, her lips pursed. He rolled his eyes again.

"I wasn't calling you stupid! Damn it, I was trying to tell you that I didn't want you to leave."

"Then why didn't you just say that, instead of throwing a veiled statement at me?" she asked exasperatedly. He sighed.

"I don't know." She looked away, letting her eyes focus on anything in the room except him. "I suppose it was just difficult for me to believe that as much as your brother hates me, he would let you continue to stay here."

"Let me stay?" Her eyes flashed. "No one tells me where I can and can't go! He didn't let me stay, I chose to stay!"

"I didn't mean it that way," he said, sounding frustrated. "I just meant-" The words died on his lips as he realized how close they were standing to each other. He closed his eyes and sniffed gingerly, inhaling her clean scent. She smelled like a field of wildflowers. When he opened his eyes, she was looking at him breathlessly. Her lips were parted, and he could hear her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.

He leaned closer. When their mouths were so close that their breathing was intermingled, he said, "I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay." His lips brushed lightly against hers as he spoke. She shivered from the contact.

"Then I'll stay," she whispered.

"Good." His whisper was barely audible before his lips touched hers. He rested his hands on her hips, sending waves of warmth cascading through her body. Her pulse was pounding wildly in her ears as his tongue touched her lips, seeking entrance. She opened herself to him and felt her knees becoming weak as his hands slid from her hips to her back, pulling her closer to him.

Her back was pressed against the door as he kissed her. The longer he kissed her, the more intense the contact became. His lips left hers, grazing her jawline, then coming to rest on her neck. She tilted her head back to allow him better access, and he groaned softly. He kissed down her neck, stopping when he reached the hollow at the base of her neck. When she moaned, he pulled away slightly and looked at her, taking in the deliciousness of her swollen lips and the flush of her cheeks. When she opened her eyes, they were glassy and unfocused.

"We should probably stop," he said, struggling to regain his composure. She blinked in surprise, then nodded and watched as he stepped backward and began smoothing out the front of his clothes. She looked down at her own rumpled clothes and struggled not to cry. Was she so undesirable that he had decided he didn't want to kiss her anymore?

Shame made her face burn as she realized that she probably would have let him do whatever he wanted to do, with little or no protesting. Had he stopped because she had been behaving too wantonly? She could feel her head beginning to throb painfully from the force of her confusion.

Draco looked up from his clothes just in time to see her press her hand to her forehead. Her eyes were closed and her cheeks were flushed. He frowned.

"Are you feeling all right?" he asked. She opened her eyes and forced a weak smile.

"Actually, I'm not. I've got a terrible headache. Would you mind terribly if I went to lie down for a while?"

"Of course not," he said. He watched as she turned and left the room without even another glance at him. When she was gone, he slumped down in a chair and covered his face with his hands, wondering if he'd scared her with his intense touches.