Faint

Chapter 6: Whispers In The Night

"Mrs. Weasley!"

Professor McGonagall’s disapproving voice cuts through Ginny’s thoughts. She lifts her head from her folded arms.

"Yes, Professor?" she answers.

"You will please refrain from sleeping in my class," the woman says calmly, casting another scrutinizing glance at her.

Ginny wants to explain that she wasn’t sleeping, merely lost in thought, and that if McGonagall were in her situation she would be, too. But she knows that this would only end in her being assigned a detention, and besides, she is too tired to manage an eloquent response. So she simply nods her head and the Professor returns to the topic of animagi.

She suddenly wishes that Colin were here, if for no other reason than to provide some sort of distraction. But this is the one class that she does not share with him, as he finds the idea of Advanced Transfiguration most intimidating. So Ginny ended up in a class full of older Ravenclaws, all of whom are now giving her cold looks, as though not paying attention were a crime. Then again, to them it probably is. She attempts to focus on the lesson, dipping her quill in the ink pot at the front of her desk and drawing out a piece of blank parchment for notes.

*

She is walking to Gryffindor tower when she feels someone grab her arm. She tenses at the familiar touch, then , slowly, turns around.

"Hello, Virginia," Draco says, smirking at her.

The classic Malfoy smirk. Sometimes, she finds it sexy. Now she just finds it to be bloody annoying.

He lets go of her and she folds her arms over her chest. "Yes, Draco? Is there something you needed?"

"Just wanted to say hello."

‘Well, you’ve said it. Twice, in fact. So I’ll just be on my way."

She takes two steps before his voice stops her.

"I’m beginning to think that you’re avoiding me, Virginia."

Her pulse quickens ever so slightly. "Of course I’m not. I’m just... busy."

"Right," he drawls. "What was I thinking?"

Relief floods through her. There is a moment of silence.

"I really should be getting back to my tower," she says finally.

"Of course," is his cool reply. He steps up behind her and places a kiss below her earlobe. "Until tonight," he says, his breath tickling her skin. And then he is gone, his footsteps fading down the corridor. She lets out her breath in a low hiss and continues walking in the opposite direction.

Neither are aware of the figure just a few feet away, taking in the scene with wide green eyes.

*

He paces the floor of his dormitory, raking his hands through his jet black hair.

"Harry, mate, calm down," Ron says from behind him. "You’re making me dizzy."

He stops and gives Ron an apologetic glance before groaning in frustration.

"What’s got you so worked up anyhow?"

Harry contemplates telling him what he saw. Yes, Ron was his best friend. But this would make him furious. He would confront Ginny, and Harry wasn’t even sure what he saw, or what it meant.

"Just... a bad day."

Ron looks skeptical. "You sure that’s it?"

"Yeah. I didn’t get much sleep last night."

Ron’s eyes widen in understanding. "Oh... Alright, then. As long as you’re ok."

He sinks down onto his four poster bed and sighs. "Yeah, I’ll be fine."

*

She stops outside the portrait of the Fat Lady, who is sleeping soundly, and casts the Invisibility Charm. Then, with a sigh, she begins the long journey across the castle. Tonight, the empty halls seem lonelier than usual. Her footsteps are loud to her ears, making her heart pound just a bit faster. When she finally reaches the entrance to the Slytherin common room, she has the urge to turn around and run back to her tower. Swallowing hard, she mutters the password, barely even aware of what she is saying.

 The portrait swings back and she steps through, into an emerald paradise. She crosses the room, her arms wrapped around herself. Up the stairs and down the hall, stopping at the all too familiar door, open just a crack. She pushes it gently and enters, whispering, "Finite incantatum" and watching her body become visible again. He is playing the usual game tonight, waiting for her with closed eyes and baited breath. And she plays along, sliding between the satin sheets and brushing her lips across his. Immediately his hands are on her waist and he is kissing her. Hard. Hard enough to leave bruises on her rose petal lips. She is laying under him. His tongue slides over her lips, coaxing them open, then teases her own. His hands are roaming over her body, making her melt.

*

"I love you," she whispers as they lay next to each other, his back to her. As soon as the words escape her mouth, she wishes she could take them back. He jerks upright, then slowly turns to face her. His eyes are even colder than usual.

"What did you say?" he grinds out.

"N-nothing."

"Get the hell out of my room."

"NOW!"