The Claiming

Chapter Cover Art; by Akiko Meigetsu

Chapter Three - Getting Noticed

"You can get that broom off the ground, can't you?" Malfoy asked skeptically.

Ginny rolled her eyes. They had been dating for over a month now, with Malfoy dropping by every few days to 'spend quality time' with her. Ginny enjoyed their verbal sparring and they really did have a good time together, but all the same, the regular condescension and mocking could get a bit tiresome. "Yes, I can fly! For Merlin's sake, I am the youngest sister of six older brothers, a member of one of the oldest wizarding families in Britain, and on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, you snob," she said, annoyed. She continued, her rant heavy with sarcasm, "Yes, somewhere along the line, I learned to fly, astonish you though it might."

Malfoy regarded her dispassionately. "I only meant I was surprised you could get that particular broom to fly. If all you've got is the oldest of the Weasleys' dodgy old brooms, I'm surprised you bothered to learn."

In response to this, Ginny hopped nimbly aboard the Weasleys' battered old Shooting Star and kicked off solidly, rising as gracefully into the air as the old model would allow. She zoomed around the open area behind the Burrow twice and pulled off an impressive twenty-five foot dive for good measure, pulling up just short of a collision with the grass before leveling off and returning to hover eight feet above the ground.

Malfoy grinned appreciatively as he mounted his own brand-new Lighting Strike and, Quaffle tucked under his left arm, rose to hover facing her. "I do so enjoy getting you riled up," he remarked conversationally, "Anger drives you to the most lovely excesses."

"Can we start practicing sometime today, Malfoy?" Ginny asked coldly.

"Yes, of course," Malfoy began in a conciliatory tone, then he swiftly hurled the Quaffle at Ginny, which hit her soundly in the stomach and nearly knocked her off her broom. "Lesson one," he shouted back gleefully as he zoomed up on his broom, "Always be prepared for anything!"

With that, Ginny took off in hot pursuit, not entirely sure what she would do to him if she actually caught him. However, with the limited capabilities of her Shooting Star, she wasn't destined to find out. When he had gotten enough of showboating on his broom, Malfoy returned to Ginny's level and grinned.

"Right. Shall we, then?"

"It's about time," Ginny replied sulkily. She tossed Malfoy the Quaffle and they spent the better part of the next half hour zooming around behind the Burrow, tossing the Quaffle back and forth and practicing their passes, dives, and fakes.

Finally they tired, and breathlessly returned to hovering facing each other, eight feet above the ground.

"Good practice, Malfoy," Ginny panted, quite out of breath. "We'll have to do that more often. I can use the workout."

"There are other ways we could work out," Malfoy pointed out, but Ginny just glared at him and he laughed. "Okay, maybe not right now. I'm a bit knackered myself. I have to say though, you do fly quite nicely, particularly given the handicap of that dilapidated twig you call a broom."

Ginny was about to retort sharply, defending the honour of the Weasley broom, when she saw Harry emerging from the Burrow behind Malfoy's back. He must have just arrived by Floo powder, she thought. Should I say hello? No, play it cool. Let him see what a great relationship I have with Malfoy. She simpered sickeningly at Malfoy, exaggerating for Harry's benefit. "Well, thank you. And I have to say that you kiss very nicely, particularly given the handicap of being a Malfoy."

Malfoy grinned. "And I have to say that your legs poke out very nicely from under your robes when you're on a broomstick and I would like to remove the handicap the robes represent," he rejoined, getting into the spirit of the thing.

"And I have to say that I'm going to be sick if you two don't knock it off," came Harry's voice from behind Malfoy. Malfoy spun around on his broom in surprise. Harry nodded at Ginny. "Hello, Gin."

"'Lo Harry," she replied weakly and settled on the ground. She hadn't seen him in weeks. She imagined she could see the suffering he must have undergone while at his uncle's house stamped on his face, and it gave him a look of sweet nobility and heroism, and -

"Quit gawking at my girl, Potter," Malfoy was using his most obnoxious drawl and it snapped Ginny out of her reverie.

"What would I want with anything that was yours, Malfoy?" Harry replied evenly. "I simply came out to say hello to my friend Ginny and to let her know that her mum wants her in the house." Ginny noticed the slight emphasis he put on the word "my" and it sent tingles up her spine until she realized that Harry had said it to annoy Malfoy, not because he actually cared about her. Her heart sank.

"Right. Fine. Let's go inside," she said and stomped off toward the house, dragging her broom behind her and not looking back.

***

"It's so good to have you here again, Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley said as she bustled around the kitchen the next morning. Harry, Ron, and Ginny were doing credit to the excellent breakfast Mrs. Weasley had prepared. Everyone else had left hours ago; Mr. Weasley and Percy were at work and the twins had disappeared to work out an agreement to let a storefront they were eyeing for their joke shop. "You know," Mrs. Weasley continued, "it's likely to be another beautiful day and I do believe Ginny's little friend is coming over to see her." (Ginny groaned inwardly to hear Malfoy described as her 'little friend'; she suspected it would have amused him greatly had he been there.) "You four ought to get out. Go down to the lake and enjoy the day."

Ginny was sure Harry would have liked to point out that spending the day with Malfoy was not his idea of enjoying it, but he was too polite to say so.

"Aww, mum, we don't want to ruin a perfectly good day with ruddy Malfoy," Ron complained, but Mrs. Weasley brushed his objections aside.

"Nonsense. Your sister is going away to France in just a couple more weeks, Ron, and you won't see her for several months. How many sisters do you think you have? Go spend the day together and enjoy her company while you can."

Before Ron could reply, there was a knock on the kitchen door and Malfoy appeared, looking smug as always and smiling obsequiously at Mrs. Weasley. "Morning, ma'am," he cooed, "I've come to whisk the lovely Miss Ginny off for another day of jolly larks and twittering birdsong - that is, if you can spare her?"

Ginny almost choked on her pumpkin juice. "Honestly, Malfoy," she sputtered, "nobody talks like that - including you!"

Mrs. Weasley just laughed. "It's all right, Ginny dear, I know when I'm being teased," she said. "As a matter of fact, Draco, we were just making plans for Ginny and Ron and Harry to join you on a walk to the lake."

Malfoy winked at Ginny. "Brilliant," he said cheerily. He sidled up to Ginny and whispered in a bad imitation of a stage villain (if he had had a moustache, he would have twirled it), "This will give us the perfect chance to display our passion, my sweet." Ginny snorted and kicked him in the shin while her mother's back was turned.

***

They stood upon the crest of the small hill overlooking the lake from the east. It was the selfsame lake Ginny and Malfoy had visited on their first date. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. After several minutes of this, Ginny broke the uncomfortable silence. "Right. We're meant to go have fun at the lake so...let's ruddy well go have fun." She headed down towards the large tree providing shade near the southern edge of the lake and the others followed.

Ron grinned as they neared the tree. "You know," he told Harry, "I've always heard this tree is where people in the area come to snog and such. George used to tell me stories about it all the time."

Ginny tripped. Malfoy caught her eye and winked, then wiggled his eyebrows in a ridiculous and suggestive manner. Blushing furiously and trying to sound nonchalant, Ginny said, "Really, Ron? I don't think I ever knew that."

"Really?" Malfoy echoed. "Because I did. Say, do you remember the time - oof!" Ginny had thrown the load of beach towels she was carrying straight at his head, effectively stuffing his mouth. She smiled at him sweetly.

"Oh, did I get you?" she asked with wide-eyed innocence. "Be a love and spread those out for us, would you?" And with that, she discarded her sundress and hat and walked demurely out into the lake, swimming in her favourite white bikini with the scarlet pimpernels.

Minutes later, Harry and Ron joined her. Malfoy was sitting in the shade, sulking.

"So, uh, Ginny -" Harry began hesitantly.

Ginny began to tread water so she could easily hold a conversation. "Yes?"

"I hear you're going to spend this year at Beauxbatons."

"Yes, that's right - why? Are you going to miss me?" she teased.

"Um, sure, right, of course I will. But, um -"

"Oh, I know! Did you want me to take a message to Fleur for you?" she smiled helpfully, enjoying his discomfort.

"Um, sure. Tell her I said 'hello'. But that's not what I - dammit! What I was wondering was -" he broke off and looked as though he'd be squirming if he was on dry land. "Oh, hang it all, Ginny. What are you doing with Malfoy? I know we're supposed to be supportive and not fight with you about it and all that, but honestly, why? You know what he's like...what were you thinking?" He was obviously relieved to have gotten it out; he was flushed and breathing heavily and appeared to be having some trouble keeping afloat.

Ginny was stunned. Where had that come from? Did Harry Potter finally care about her? Had her ruse actually succeeded? Or was his hatred of Malfoy just so deep that he was upset to see anyone with him? She didn't know if she should come clean, tell him that she never loved Malfoy and that she only loved him, or if she should defend Malfoy. After all, who was he to criticise her choice of boyfriend? She couldn't bring herself to ask him how he felt outright; she just couldn't. So she resorted to the only weapon she could think of - teasing.

She smiled at him and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "I know, dreadfully shocking, isn't it?" Then she grinned impishly and said, "Really, Harry, I didn't figure you for the jealous type. I never knew you cared!" With that, she turned around and swam to the shore, leaving Harry and Ron with their mouths hanging open.

Giggling, she made her way to the large beach towel where Malfoy was lying down sunning himself. "Oh, Draco!" she exclaimed happily, "I think it's actually working!" She collapsed in a heap on the towel next to him and started rearranging her limbs to best catch the sun's rays.

Draco sat up on his elbows and looked at her. "You dripped on me, " he said in injured tones. "What's working?" Suddenly he sat up straight and his eyes came into focus. "You mean Potter's got jealous? What did he say?" he asked nervously.

Ginny repeated her conversation in the lake.

"Hmph. Hardly flattering, was it? And you didn't even try to defend me!" he complained.

Ginny crossed her arms and pouted. "Really, Draco, half the time I don't know if you want him to be jealous of me or of you."

"Now what's that supposed to mean?" Draco demanded.

"I don't know. It's just - you seem so eager to make sure he's noticing us all the time. And you always want to know what he's saying about you. And you dress so well..." her voice trailed off.

"What are you suggesting?" Draco glared at her.

"Nothing! It's just - well - it looks a little - I mean - are you gay, Draco?" the last words came out in a rush.

To her surprise, Draco started laughing. "Gay? Me? You think I'm gay? A Malfoy? Gay? Are you serious? Oh, that's rich, that is!"

"Well," Ginny said defensively, "you have to admit it does seem a bit odd the way you carry on about him all the time."

Draco nodded as his laughter subsided. "I can see why you thought it - it's just too funny. No, my sweet, I am decidedly not gay. I would have thought my earlier demonstrations would have made that clear." Ginny blushed. "But you're right. I do have an interest in Potter's reactions to us. I don't think you would understand it."

Ginny looked at him earnestly. "Try me," she said simply, "I've told you all my deep dark secrets."

"Well, it's like this," Draco began hesitantly, "I hate Potter. I really do."

Ginny nodded. "With you so far. Go on."

"And it's as though I hate him so much, I can't stop thinking about him. It's not that I want him. I just want him to want me. Does that make any sense?"

Ginny looked baffled. "No, not really. Are you sure you're not gay?"

Draco sighed in exasperation. "No. I'm really not gay. Just listen. Potter has this stupid charmed life with all these docile little idiots worshipping him. Potter is perfect," he mocked. "Potter can do no wrong." He made a gesture of futile frustration. "I must be the only person in the wizarding world who sees through bloody Potter. But the thing is, with all that super-supportive We Love Harry group running around, well, I'm at a distinct disadvantage. I meet him in the halls, we swap a few insults, some crazy git of a professor turns me into a ferret."

Ginny giggled.

Draco glared at her. "If you don't mind? I'm pouring my heart out here."

Ginny nodded soberly, heroically holding in her mirth at the mental image of Draco the Amazing Bouncing Ferret.

"This is how it always goes," he continued. "We argue, someone backs Potter up, he trots off with his cozy little friends and I'm left alone. Left with no proper friends and no proper allies and feeling less like I've made a point and more like a useless bully. Well, I'm sick of it! For once, I'd like to feel that I'm in control of the situation. I'm the one who has something he wants and I have the power to make him miserable. So...sex is power. If I could make him want me - be jealous of you being with me, then maybe I begin to control the situation, you see?"

Ginny nodded slowly. "I think I see your point," she said. "There have been times when I thought I loved Harry so much that I hated him. I wanted to hurt him for not noticing me and not caring. I think what you feel might be kind of the opposite of that. You hate him so much, you want him to love you."

Draco nodded. "You do understand..."

Ginny smiled sympathetically. "Oh, but Draco, you're going about it all wrong. Harry is not going to be jealous of you, because he too is not gay. You think he's going to see you with me and all of a sudden realize that his loins are burning for you? You're good-looking, but let's be realistic here. The best you can hope for is pissing him off because you're dating his best friend's sister. Got it?" She reached up and brushed his cheek tenderly with her hand.

Draco caught her hand and held it against his cheek. "Why have you been calling me Draco?"

"Hmmm?"

"Today. You've been calling me Draco all day - not Malfoy - Draco. Why?"

Ginny's forehead puckered up cutely. "You know, I didn't realise I had done. I guess...you're just 'Draco' to me now. I think we've gotten beyond the whole 'Malfoy' thing. I don't see you as a Malfoy anymore. You're just Draco - and I like you that way."

Draco kissed the palm of her hand, then slowly released it. "Thank you," he said simply. He leaned forward slowly. "You know, they're still out there...watching..."

Ginny smiled invitingly. "You don't have to bribe me to kiss you, Draco," she whispered. "After all, I am your girlfriend and - well -" she began to blush, "well, you are rather skilled in that particular exercise..." Draco's mouth covered her own and she leaned into him, feeling his arms slip around her back and pull her closer.

***

Ginny closed the kitchen door behind her and started towards the living room and the stairs. She had just kissed Draco good-bye outside and was on her way upstairs for a shower before supper. Suddenly, she froze. She heard Harry's voice speaking her name in the living room. She knew she shouldn't listen, but -

"-see in that git?"

"I don't know. I've tried to talk to her about it. She's totally unreasonable and mum's forbidden me to 'vex her about it,' as she calls it."

"Well, someone should have been watching out for her, dammit. I mean, she's grown up. Did you see her in that bikini today? She was barely in it! She's all grown up and her body is fabulous and she's become completely beautiful...why are you looking at me like that?"

"Do you want me to hit you? That's my baby sister you're talking about!"

"Oh, but that's just the point, Ron! She's not your 'baby' anything anymore! Someone's got to make sure she doesn't fall into the wrong hands. You obviously haven't been paying any more attention than I have."

"Why are you so concerned anyway?" Ron demanded sulkily, not liking to think he had been a neglectful brother. "Oh my God! Wait a minute! You're not jealous are you? Are you in love with my little sister?"

Ginny's heart skipped a beat.

"No, no! Don't be daft! And also - that's so wrong! It would be like kissing my sister."

Ginny had to lean against the wall to keep from falling over. She fought back tears while wondering inconsequentially how they could fail to hear the sound of her heart breaking.

"She's not your sister, Harry. She's mine," Ron pointed out reasonably.

"Well, I know that, of course. But she feels almost like a sister..."

Ginny cleared her throat as she entered the room. "Hi guys."

They exchanged guilty looks and Ron blushed crimson. "Hi Ginny. When did you - I mean, what are you up to?" He looked to Harry for help, but Harry just shrugged.

"Oh, I'm just on my way to my room. You know, getting showered before supper." She indicated her still-wet curls, clinging to her neck in damp ringlets.

"Oh. Right. Well, see you at supper then," Ron babbled disjointedly.

She smiled sadly. "Yes. See you at supper. See you, Harry." She passed through the living room and up the stairs to her bedroom.

***

Ginny stood in front of the mirror, combing out her curls and examining her face. Was she beautiful? Both Harry and Draco had said she was. Draco would say anything if it suited his purpose, but Harry - why would Harry lie? Harry - her heart contracted at the thought of him - clearly it wasn't enough. He said she was beautiful, but he didn't want her. He was angry that she was with Draco, but not because he was jealous - because he thought of her as his own little sister. What was the point of finally getting noticed if it was just by one more person who wanted a say in controlling your life? Not only was he not interested in her, he didn't want to be interested in her. The thought repelled him. He had made that eminently clear. There was no hope. Maybe it was time she grew up and moved on.

***

Coming Soon

Chapter Four - An End and A Beginning: In which Draco gets wet and Ginny goes underwater, but stays dry.