Allstar

Draco paced through the empty corridors and allowed himself to simply enjoy the feeling of his cloak swirling around his shoulders. He often skipped breakfast for just this reason: he loved imagining that he was the only person in the castle, invisible servants at his beck and call alone. It reminded him of home, a bit. Home, but with a softer edge. Home with people in it, he thought irritably as he rounded a corner and nearly stumbled upon a form huddled against the wall. Draco began to frown his annoyance, but froze when he recognised the other student. Sighing to himself, he sat down next to her.

Ginny sat with her head tucked into her knees and didn't move. Well, she shook a little. But she didn't seem to realise that Draco was there at all. Given her usual violent reactions to his presence, he found this rather puzzling. "Ginny?" he said softly, then paused. What was he doing there anyhow? He certainly wasn't feeling sympathy for her. Draco remembered that his initial intention had been to tell her off for sitting where anyone could trip over her. That must be why he was still there, then.

Ginny looked up at the sound of her name. Her eyes were rimmed in red, but her face remained expressionless as she took in the fact that Draco was sitting next to her. Slowly, she shook her head and resumed her original position.

Draco was taken aback. For one thing, that was the quietest thing he'd even seen her do. More importantly, though, how could she just ignore him like that? Malfoys were not to be overlooked, let alone deliberately disregarded. "Hey, Weasley," he tried again, "isn't there someplace more out of the way where you could sit?" Draco paused, mouth still open. That hadn't been precisely what he'd meant to say. Still, it achieved the desired effect; Ginny raised her head again.

"Oh," she said, her voice flat. "Still you." She began to lay her head back down. Draco grabbed her elbow.

"Aren't you going to answer me, Weasley?" She stared at him for a moment, but finally responded.

"You're sitting here too."

"What?"

"You said I should sit somewhere more out of the way, but you're sitting here too." She dropped her head again; apparently, that was all she intended to say. Draco peered at her and belatedly let go of her elbow.

"Well--what are you doing here, then?" She didn't move. "Weasley," Draco persisted, "what are you doing in the middle of the hallway?"

"'M not in the middle," she muttered. "Anyway, ev'ryone came back t'the dormit'ry." Draco paused for a moment.

"So...you were in your dormitory, but then the other girls came back and you wanted to be alone, so you left?" Ginny mumbled something. Draco decided to take it for a yes. "Right. Then you came here and sat down in the middle of the hallway until I practically tripped over you." Ginny, evidently out of patience, raised her head once more.

"I'm not in the middle of the hallway," she stated clearly. "And what are you doing here anyway?"

"Just walking," he answered defensively. "I like to be by myself sometimes too, you know." Ginny's forehead creased.

"What are you doing talking to me, then?" Draco considered the question.

"Telling you not to sit in the middle of the hallway," he said, with a little nod to himself. "And--were you crying?" This seemed to be the wrong thing to say, as Ginny buried her face in her arms again.

"That's none of your business," he thought she muttered. Well, she was right. But still...a thought struck him.

"Did he make you cry?" Draco paused, then added "Potter, I mean." Ginny buried her head even farther, but he thought he made out an answer.

"No. Yes. I broke up with him." Draco yelped.

"What?" Ginny glared at him.

"Do I have to repeat everything for you? I broke up with Harry, allright?"

"I...Why?"

"Look, Malfoy, I'm really not in the mood for this. Why don't you go be alone somewhere else?" Draco rummaged through his pockets, and came up with a slightly rumpled package.

"Chocolate Frog?" Ginny laughed, but it had a desperate note to it. She unwrapped the candy and paused, staring at the card. "What is it?" Draco asked. She looked up.

"I just didn't know Harry had a card, that's all." Draco yelped again.

"Let me see that!" He grabbed the card. Orgeyna the Cranky glared back at him. "That's--that's not Potter!" Ginny snickered.

"I didn't say it was." Draco gawked at her. Ginny stood gracefully and studied him for a moment. "I should get to class. Thanks for the chocolate." She started to turn away, then pivoted back. "Oh, and Draco...you might want to close your mouth." Draco watched her walk away and was finally left staring at an empty hallway. When he was certain she was gone, he allowed himself a small smile. She called me Draco.