More Than This

‘Doubt thou the stars are fire,

Doubt that the sun doth move,

Doubt that the truth be liar,

But never doubt I love.’

-William Shakespeare-

            Ginny rushed out of Transfiguration the next day, running to get to Divination on time. Trelawney had a tendency to predict the deaths of tardy students. She was rummaging in her bag as she walked, trying to locate her quill, when she felt a tug on her arm. She stumbled into a dark closet, which someone closed behind her. Her abductor gripped her shoulders in a way that was oddly familiar. She caught a glimpse of platinum blond in the dim light.

“What do you want?” she asked.

He stepped closer to her. She began to feel dizzy.

“What are you doing with Potter?”

“Why do you care?” she shot back.

“You know why I care.” His voice held no hint of sarcasm. In fact, he sounded almost sad.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just moody. I’m beneath you. Don’t you remember?” Her voice was dripping with disdain.

“Ginny, listen,” he began.

“No, you listen Malfoy. You were right. I was stupid. I thought that maybe you had some shred of decency in you. But I was wrong.”

“Oh, and Potter’s perfect?”

“No. He’s not. But he is brave, sweet, caring, honest . . .”

“You didn’t think so before.”

She acted as if she hadn’t heard him. “And I love him.”

Draco felt his heart plummet. He raked a hand through his hair.

“What? Is that not what you wanted to hear?” she asked sarcastically.

He stammered, struggling to find the right words. He took her hand in his, trying not to think about how many times Potter had done the same.

 

“Ginny,” he said finally. “Potter is an idiot. You’re so much better than him. You deserve so much better than him.”

 

“Oh, like you?” she spat. “You are the idiot, Malfoy. And you have to face the consequences alone.” She jerked her hand from him. “Now, I have to go. Harry is waiting for me.”

 

He watched her walk away, her fiery hair floating behind her. The space between them grew, bringing with it immeasurable pain. Soon, she was out of his line of vision, and he sank to the floor, placing his hands over his eyes. Who does she think she is? She is nothing, he tried to convince himself. But it was no use.

 

                                                                        *

 

 

 

            Ginny ran up the steps to the North Tower. Her face was as red as her hair. She couldn’t overcome the emotions that had surfaced when she had talked to Draco. Malfoy, she reminded herself. The trap door opened, and she climbed into the Divination room. The air was thick with perfume, and it made her head ache. She was relieved to see that Trelawney hadn’t arrived yet. She pulled her copy of Unfogging the Future out of her bag. From across the table, Colin raised his eyebrows and grinned at her.

 

“Busy with Harry?” he teased.

 

“What?”

 

He gave her a puzzled look, and she regained her senses.

 

“Oh, um, yeah,” she stammered, blushing furiously. She had actually forgotten all about Harry when she stormed out on Malfoy. She bit her lip. I’d better think of a damn good cover story. At that moment, Professor Trelawney swept into the room, gazing at them from behind thick glasses.

 

“Today, we shall continue to explore the complicated art of the Tarot,” she said dramatically.

 

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Colin, do you want to read them or have yours read?”

 

“I’ll read yours for a change, ok?” he said, laughing.

 

Ginny shrugged and he began arranging the cards on the table in front of her. When he had finished, he looked at her expectantly. She hesitated, then pointed to the middle pile. Colin flipped the top card over. It revealed a picture of a man and woman embracing. Ginny felt her heart race.

 

“Ah, the lover. Well, it’s obvious what this card means,” Colin said.

 

“What?” she blurted, her mind whirling with images of her and Malfoy together.

 

Colin looked at her as if she were crazy. “It’s obviously talking about Harry. Dang, Gin, what’s gotten into you today?”

 

“N-nothing. Just . . . a bit tired is all,” she said, brushing her hair out of her eyes. She pointed to another card. It was a picture of a woman with long, flowing crimson hair, her skirts billowing in the breeze, smiling wickedly. Colin raised his hand, and Trelawney was beside them in seconds.

 

“Professor, what does this card mean?” Colin asked.

 

“Oh, dear. That is the card of the Temptress.” She looked at Ginny. “It says you are being untruthful with someone, my dear.”

 

Ginny felt a knot form in her stomach. She laughed nervously. “That’s ridiculous. I would never do that.”

 

“Well, I have to admit, the woman on that card even looks like you,” Colin said. He leaned over the table, his eyes twinkling. “So tell me, Gin. What is your big secret.”

 

She felt th heat rise to her face. “Nothing, Colin. I don’t keep secrets.”

 

“Ok, I was only joking.”

 

“Professor, I’m not feeling well. Can I go see Madame Pomfrey?”

 

“Yes, yes,” came Trelawney’s airy reply.

 

Ginny shoved her book into her bag and rushed out the door, ignoring Colin’s curious gaze.

 

            It was just a coincidence, Ginny. Nothing more. No one knows. She inhaled deeply, sitting down. How did Malfoy do this to her? Why did he, of all people, have the power to break her wall down? For months, she had lived in her sorrow, making sarcastic remarks to anyone who dared try to speak to her. And after only two kisses, he had broken through it. And she hated him for it. So why did she miss him?

 

                                                                        *

 

            He watched her. He knew he should be in class, but still he was standing here, not able to take his eyes off of her. She was on the floor, her head in her hands, and even from where he was he could see her trembling. Why? Had he done this? No, a vicious voice whispered. You didn’t do it. To her, you’re nothing. She loves him. He sighed. Her words still rang in his mind. He looked at her once more, then forced himself to walk away.