Cold

Chapter Fifteen

(Ginny Weasley)

Draco turned and smiled down at me from a higher step on the giant staircase. One thing I had begun to notice was that everything in the Malfoy Manor was HUGE. I didn't mind it or anything-it was just a large change from the cramped spaces of the Burrow. I was lucky to have my own room at home. Here, I could have TWELVE if I wanted to.

"Come on! I have to show you your room so we can get to the rest of the house."

I nodded and raced up the rest of the steps to the long, spacious rooms on the second level of the castle. Draco grabbed my hand and led me to the right, and I couldn't help but giggle at how happy we all seemed. It was so strange, but refreshing. Draco suddenly halted and moved around behind me, putting his hands over my eyes. I heard a snicker come from his throat as my eyelashes ticked his palms.

"You have very long eyelashes, don't you?" Draco replied, grinning.

"Are you flirting with me, Mr. Malfoy?" I laughed.

"I'll leave that to you," Draco replied in the same tone, leading me through a doorway. "Okay... take a look!"

He moved his hands from my eyes in one swift motion, and I was immediately floored. There before me, was a large room-probably as large as my house. There was a large canopy bed with a large, white curtain and matching bed sheets. There were navy draperies, matching the edges of the sheets. The carpet was fluffy and pure white. The room held a large vanity, a picture mirror over a large closet, and a door leading off into a humongous bathroom with a Jacuzzi bathtub and so much more. My hand moved to my mouth as I gazed around the room.

"What do you think?" Draco asked, smiling.

"I... I... I don't know," I whispered, "I've never..."

"Don't dare start crying," Draco said, "There is so much more to show you. My mum already put your clothes away and such, so don't worry about unpacking. C'mon!"

He began to lead me back down the stairs. "Well, you've already seen the kitchen. Anything you really want to see?"

"What all do you have here?" I asked in amazement.

"Oh, let's see... well, we have a Quidditch field-not as good as the one at Hogwarts of course, but it's nice-we have an auditorium, we have a fencing room, a ballroom--"

"A ballroom!" I exclaimed, "Like... like in Cinderella?"

"Of course," Draco said, "Though it's much more extravagant."

He opened two large double doors, much like the ones to the kitchen to reveal a large marble floor, surrounded by luxuriant walls and statues and such.

"Can you dance?" Draco asked, his voice echoing slightly on the walls.

"Oh, no, I can't--" but by the time I had said this, he had turned on music-Phantom of the Opera, I believe, and grasped my hand, pulling me close.

I flushed furiously as his hand slipped around my waist. "There, now put your hand on my shoulder."

I did so and linked hands as well.

"Follow my feet," he said, "It's very simple once you get it."

My eyes caught sight of Narcissa, leaning against the doorway, smiling softly, holding a piece of parchment in her hand. It seemed she was willing to wait, so I began to follow Draco's directions. Soon enough, we were waltzing! I couldn't believe it. I was already excited about the masquerade ball, knowing I would most certainly get to show off my new skill. Draco spun me on the final part of the song, then slowly dipped me back at the end, his face mere centimeters from mine.

"Love me, that's all I ask of you..."

"Beautiful song, is it not?" he said, as if it was nothing that we were so close.

He pulled me back up and I had to blink a few times to get rid of that strange spinning feeling I felt. My heart finally stopped slamming against my chest and I turned to acknowledge Narcissa.

"You'll be even better when we get you some good shoes," Narcissa giggled, "Draco, you've improved."

Draco scratched the back of his head and stared down at his feet. He obviously had not noticed that she had been watching us until now.

"Who's the letter from?" I asked.

"It's from Severus, actually," Narcissa replied, "He's going to come teach you guys some magic."

"Cool. When?" Draco asked.

"It'll start the day after tomorrow, which is good, because otherwise we'll never get our shopping done."

"Where are we going?" I asked, "Diagon Alley?"

It was the only shopping place I had ever been to, but I was in for a surprise.

"No, no!" Narcissa replied.

"Then where--"

"Paris of course," the Malfoys answered in unison.

"Di-did I just hear you right?" I asked, aghast, "You just said we're going shopping in PARIS. TOMORROW?!"

"Yeah, we do every year! We even have a Portkey to get there," Narcissa said.

"Oh--my--GOD! REALLY?!" I squealed.

Suddenly, I couldn't stay still. I was jumping around like a lunatic, laughing and smiling.

"Woah! WOAH!" Draco yelped as I pounced on him in a hug.

"ParisparisPARIS!" I yelled, "WE'RE GOING TO PARIS!"

Draco rose up quickly. "Let's invite Snape to come with us!"

"Yeah!" I agreed.

"Well, I'll Floo him, then," Narcissa said, "But I doubt he'll come."

We both smiled at her, then at each other.

"Think of it, Snape in a Parisian outfit."

I bit my lip, choking on laughter. Draco muffled his laughs in my shoulder. Normally, we'd probably laugh out loud, but with Snape, there was no telling if he was skulking around a corner or not. I muffled my laughs in his shoulder now, but I caught his scent and took a short whiff. He smelled like roses and grass and cologne.

"Think of it, ME in a Parisian outfit. It's... absolutely amazing for someone like me to experience this..."

"I'm glad you enjoy it so much," Draco said.

"Oh, I love it. I... I never thought I'd amount to much, since my family is so poor. This is... this is Heaven for someone like me," I said, feeling tears well in my eyes.

Draco wrapped his arms around me and smiled into my hair. "An intriguing and fun girl like you will most definitely have a bright future."

"If I have one at all," I thought sadly, embracing him back.

"Draco, you have all these wonderful things. Why don't you share them with less fortunate people like me?" I asked, sitting up, staring around the room on my knees.

Draco sat up as well. "Because of my father, of course. He crammed the impression that we were selfish, foolish pricks so far down their throats that even if we invited them, they wouldn't come."

"I see what you mean," I said, feeling humbled, "I didn't think about that."

"You would have last year," he said, "When I was selfish, foolish prick."

-

"I can't believe he came with us," Draco said, "Wait-well, I can."

"Well, we did beg him to come. I think your mum wanted him to come too."

Narcissa had given me an outfit to wear in Paris, a large red coat, lined in black with matching buttons, a red shirt and a black skirt that held at my knees, with matching boots and beret. Draco had on a black sweater and trench coat with khaki pants and black shoes. He had a scarf thrown around his neck as well.

Narcissa had on a lovely blue dress on with a large hat that complimented her face very well and brought out her eyes. She and I had become very close in the small amount of time we had been together. She came up to my room before I had gone to bed the night before and we had actually had a small girl talk. Narcissa spoke of her heartbreak of Lucius and how much everything Snape and I had meant to her. She also told me that she had begun to fancy someone, but didn't let on who. I had a pretty good idea though.

"Hey, Snape, walk with us, not ahead!" I yelled after him.

Snape had on a large black overcoat, so it wasn't very easy to see his outfit, but he also had on a red scarf that made his charcoal eyes blaze for some reason. A few snow flurries fell on us as we walked down the large sidewalk and over the brick streets. Everything was so large and confusing, but so beautiful at the same time. Snape shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to wait on us. He was naturally a faster walker.

"Draco, look!" I exclaimed, grabbing Draco's arm and pointing at the Eiffel Tower, "It's beautiful!"

"You like that, huh?" Draco asked, "You should see it from the top."

"OOH! Can we go?!"

"Calm down, sweetheart," Narcissa laughed, "We must go shopping first."

"We? But I don't have any mon--" I started.

"Nonsense," Narcissa said, "I will be buying you some clothes. You MUST have some if you go to Paris! And Severus, don't think you're getting out of this either."

Snape raised an eyebrow, scratching the back of his head at Narcissa's cheerful smile. I smiled at them. Him being so dark and her being so light, they almost complimented each other perfectly. Narcissa laughed and Snape stared at her awkwardly. I looked at Draco. We exchanged mischievous glances.

"Uh, Mum, why don't you and Snape go and shop and we'll meet you here in fifteen minutes? That way, I can take Ginny to the top of the Eiffel Tower," Draco suggested.

"Well, alright then," Narcissa said, eyeing us hesitantly.

Draco grabbed my hand and we both ran towards the large tower.

"Ooh, you're good," I said, grinning.

"I know, I know," Draco laughed.

(Severus Snape)

"Hm..." I murmured, "I wonder what they're up to..."

"Oh, they probably ran off for a good snog," Narcissa replied, strangely bright about the whole situation.

"Wh-what?!" I felt my face blush slightly, "You really think they are--"

"Well, I have a feeling they fancy each other, if anything," Narcissa replied, grabbing my arm and dragging me down the street, "Don't you think so?"

"I- I guess-God, woman, you don't have to drag me. I can walk."

Narcissa glanced back at me, beaming, and let go.

"Do you know where you are going, because I have never been here," I said, changing the subject, staring around.

"Of course. Come with me-we'll find you some great outfits."

"But--"

"No buts! We only have fifteen minutes before we have to be back here! Let's go!"

"What have I gotten myself into?" I groaned, but smiled.

(Draco Malfoy)

Ginny's eyes almost twinkled as we boarded the elevator. I had never seen anyone so elated to be in a place like this. I supposed that it was different for her, being that she wasn't from the same social background. She was squeezing my arm as the doors closed and we climbed higher and higher and higher. I loved that look in her eyes-it made me have a strange feeling of hope.

"So," she said, "Do you think your mum fancies Snape?"

"Eh? What kind of question is that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She told me that she fancies someone, but did not mention who. I think it's Snape!"

"Hm... well, maybe. He's come by often, and he and my mum write letters to each other a lot, mostly about my well being, but letters none the less. Ya' know, now that you mention it, they would look good together."

Actually, I would be ecstatic if they ended up together. My mum and what I considered to be my dad... together? It would be... perfect, as long as I could throw Ginny into the mix.

"I love them both," Ginny said softly.

"Yeah," I whispered, "Me too."