More Than This

˜I would give everything that I own,
I'd give you my heart and this skin and these bones,
The sun, the moon, the earth, the sky,
and never even stop to wonder why.'
-Stereofuse-

"Hey, Gin," Harry said. He kissed her and smiled happily.

"Hi."

"So, how was your day?"

"Oh, um, it was crazy." Understatement of the century, she thought.

He tucked her hair behind her ears and gazed at her. "Why is that, love?"

She felt her stomach turn. He was looking at her as if she was the only person in the world. How many nights had she dreamed of this? I could love him.

"Um, I didn't feel well. I spent most of the day in the hospital wing."

"Oh," he said, frowning. "I'm sorry." He ran an hand along her cheek. She jerked away. The sensation was too familiar. He looked confused.

"Um, I'm going to go lie down for a bit, I'm still quite dizzy," she said, and she was dizzy. She had been ever since her encounter with Malfoy that afternoon.

"Ok. Hope you feel better."

She hugged him and retreated to the dorm, where she cast a silencing spell on her bed. She sank onto it and screamed at the top of her lungs.

*
(A/N: this section takes place about a week later)

She woke up with a start. She looked around her. Her roommates were all asleep. The moon shone brightly in the sky. How long did I sleep? She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was a quarter till midnight. She sighed softly. She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. As quietly as possible, she threw on her robe and crept down the winding staircase. The common room was deserted. Harry must have called it an early night. She tightened her robe around her, contemplating what to do. She decided to take a walk to clear her mind. She climbed through the portrait hole, letting it swing closed behind her, and started walking.

About fifteen minutes later, she found herself in the library. She walked down the rows of books, brushing her fingers over their spines. I wonder if there is a book that can tell me what I should do. She was brought back from her thoughts when she heard someone talking.

"Is there someone down here, my sweet?"

Filch! Damn it! She looked all around her for a place to hide, but found none. Suddenly, she felt someone jerk her backward, through an open door.

"Concealium," someone behind her whispered. The door closed, then disappeared before her eyes. The room she was in was completely dark.

"Who is in here?" she asked. She was getting suspicious.

"Lumos Mobilius."

A candle appeared, hovering in the air. By the dim light of the flame, she made out a pair of steely grey eyes.

"Let me out," she demanded.

"Ginny, don't be stupid. If you go out there, you'll get caught." Malfoy's voice was low and soft.

She sighed. "You're right. But why were you down here anyway?"

"Couldn't sleep. You?"

"Same." she exhaled loudly. " Your habit of pulling me into dark rooms is getting really annoying."

"Sorry, but I had to talk to you. Not that it did much good." his voice was taking on its old edge. "I see you've become quite popular."

"Yeah, well, that's what happens when you're Harry Potter's girlfriend. I'm just lucky, I guess."

"Funny, you sound like you're trying to convince yourself."

"What do you know?"

"I don't."

"I am happy. I am," she said. Her words sounded choked. "Harry's everything I always wanted. He's sweet. Brave. Trustworthy. Friendly. He loves me. I would be stupid not to be happy."

"So, you are happy?"

"Yes," she sighed, then whispered, "I want to be."

He sat down beside her. She was wringing her hands. He put his hand over hers to stop her, and she froze. She looked at him, but didn't say a word.

"Why aren't you?" he asked gently.

She shook her head. "I don't know. Nothing makes sense anymore. I've wanted this for years, and now I have it. I should be happy. But, things have changed."

"How?"

"This summer . . ." she inhaled deeply. "No one wants to talk about it. They want to forget, but I can't."

He rubbed the back of her hand.

"Ron and I came home, and it was there, in the sky. Lit up like a firework."

She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. He felt a stabbing pain in his heart as he realized what she meant.

"Th-they came . . . Harry and Hermione. As soon as they knew. But no one talked about it . . .No one wanted to remember. But I see it every time I close my eyes . . .Every time."

She closed her eyes and a single tear escaped.

"I resented them after that."

"Who?" he whispered.

"The Dream Team," she said, her tone bitter.

He slid his hand through hers. She opened her eyes, a puzzled expression on her face, but didn't pull away. He gazed down at her, wanting nothing more than to hold her. God, how does she do this to me?

Why is he looking at me like that?, Ginny thought. His silver eyes were burning into hers. She felt the last of her resolve melt away. He reached out and pushed her hair back, sending a shiver through her. The moment their lips met, she felt electricity course through her. His hands were on either side of her face, his thumb brushing across her cheek. It lasted for what seemed like an eternity. When she pulled away, he looked at her uncertainly. She was silent under his gaze. Finally she tore her eyes from his and whispered one word.

"Harry."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "What about him?"

"He's my boyfriend."

Draco's face fell. "But you don't want to be with him."

"I never said that."

"Then why the hell did you kiss me? Not only once, but 3 times!"

"I don't know."

"Well, I know why.", he said, leaning in toward her. He held up their hands, still laced together. "You want to be with me."

"No," she whispered. "I love Harry." Liar!

He pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her desperately. She gave in at first, letting him kiss her. What the hell am I doing? Angry at herself, she pushed him away, tears in her eyes.

"I have to go," she said quickly, pulling her hand from his. "Let me out."

"Revelium," he whispered. The door reappeared, and Ginny swung it open, sweeping out of the room, and he let out a string of curses that would have made his father proud.