Broken

Chapter 2: Watching

"So how is it going?" he asks.

"Better than I could ever have imagined," she replies, her dark eyes gleaming. Full of pride. But beneath that lay the questions he always sees when their eyes meet.

She is trying to figure him out. He hates it. He tears his gaze away, letting it roam over her body. He smirks to himself as she crosses her arms over her chest. Keep trying to fight it, Red. Sooner or later you'll give in. But does he want her to? He shakes his head slightly, burying that thought. That is absurd. He arches an eyebrow in a signal for her to continue.

"He's making a complete prat of himself! He tripped yesterday, Malfoy. Tripped! All because I winked at him. He's trying to fight the potion. He won't even look at me directly. But it's working." She said all of this very fast and broke into a grin.

"Don't get too cocky, Red. You still don't know if things will go according to plan."

"Of course it will, Malfoy. Haven't you ever heard of karma?"

"Yes, I have. But it also ensures that you will get some karmic return of your own."

Her face turns to stone, her eyes shooting daggers at him. "I am just doing what I have to," she says in a slow, calm voice. "Speaking of which, aren't you due for some payback as well?"

He doesn't respond. Something inside of him snaps at her comment. He wants to tell her everything. She would understand, this he knows.

She yawns, then says, "I'm tired Malfoy. I'll see you tomorrow."

In a flash of black and red, she is gone.

                                                                        *

            He watches the Gryffindor table. She is right, he admits to himself. Potter is all but stumbling over himself as she laughs and tosses her hair. So far, his elbow has found the gravy bowl three times. His fork keeps missing his mouth, as Ginny turns and smiles at him just as he prepares to take a bite. The whole of Slytherin house is taking in the show. The Weasel and Granger are gaping at their friend, their expression mixed with shock, amusement, and concern.

"What is he doing?" Pansy exclaims from his left.

"Always knew he was an idiot. This just proves it," another voice says.

Even the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs are whispering amongst themselves, casting scrutinizing glances in Harry's direction. Amidst the chaos, Ginny's eyes meet his. They share a knowing smile before turning their attention back to their own tables. Damn she's good.

*

She bounds down the winding staircase, humming softly to herself. He sees her and his eyes widen behind his glasses. She smiles sweetly in his direction, appearing completely oblivious to his astonished stare. Ron rushes over to her, his cheeks aflame.

"Ginny, you had better go put on your robes this instant," he demands in a low voice, anxiously looking around the common room.

Seamus Finnigan abruptly redirects his stare to the table in front of him.

She puts her hands on her hips. "Why, oh brother of mine?" she retorts, her voice dripping with disdain.

He narrows his brown eyes, a shade lighter than hers. "Because, you look like a – a scarlet woman!"

She laughs bitterly. "Oh, Ron, grow up."

With that, she pushes past him and makes her way to the table Harry is sharing with Hermione.

She sits down beside Harry, letting her hair fall onto his shoulder. He glances her way, and she can swear she hears his heart pounding. The, hesitantly, he reaches out and pushes it away, letting his fingers get momentarily tangled in the ruby waves. She nearly shudders at his touch. What had she ever found attractive about him? He looks amazed at his own actions, staring at his hand as if it is a stranger. She stretches her legs under the table, then pulls them back in close to her. Her right foot ‘accidentally' brushes against his ankle. She laughs nervously and mumbles a weak apology. He is frozen, his hand tightly gripping his quill, until Hermione taps him on the shoulder.

"Harry, we have to get to work."

He nods emphatically, putting as much distance as he can between himself and Ginny.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll just be going then."

She swiftly walks away, her hands flying to her hair. She must get it washed, and quickly.