You Live, You Learn

Chapter 4: Confrontation

Ginny sat near the lake. She could no longer feel her nose, no longer being able to feel her nose. She had the urge to go up to the library right now and talk to Draco and to demand to know what was going on, but she stayed outside.

"Hello Ginny," said a voice from behind her. She looked around. It was the other Slytherin who had stayed at Hogwarts during the Christmas holidays. He had short, light brown hair, perfectly white teeth, and flashing blue eyes.

"Hi. We haven't really meet."

"Well then I am Paul Smite," he replied.

"I am Ginny-"

"I know who you are," Ginny blush furiously. He continued. "Would you like to walk with me?"

"Sure."

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Ginny and Paul were walking around the Hogwarts' ground for the second time. They found a lot to talk about, Paul was also the youngest of many of brothers and a sisters, as Ginny was. Ginny felt she could just talk to Paul forever; she could very easily have a conversation with him, as she could not with Draco. They reached the entry doors to Hogwarts.

"I suppose I have to go now."

"Okay," Ginny said very quietly. "I think I will go inside also." The two walked through the main doors.

"It was nice walking with you Ginny," Paul smiled, yet again, at Ginny.

"It was nice having someone to walk with," Ginny smiled back again. Paul then leaned in and kissed her. Ginny savored the kiss, for it did not last long. The kiss was tender and soft. It was not rough, he acted as if Ginny were fragile and could break easily. Paul pulled away slowly.

"See you later?" he said more as a question than a statement.

"Sure."

Paul smiled once more and then walked off. Ginny stood there for a moment thinking over what had just happened. She could feel her heart fluttering. She turned around to walk back to the Gryffindor common room to tell Hermione when she saw Draco Malfoy.

Draco had two or three books in his hand. His expression was emotionless. Ginny could not tell if he was upset or in some kind of shock.

"I see you've met Paul," he said dryly.

"Yes, I did." Draco nodded his head and walked off.

"Draco wait," Ginny said. He paused and then turned around. Ginny looked at his eyes. They did not seem as they normally were; they seemed tired, and suddenly Draco looked much older.

"Sorry, I can't really talk to you. I have a lot to do," Draco said softly and without waiting for a reply from Ginny, he walked away.

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Ginny walked into the library quietly, scanning for Draco. She and figured he would be here. She walked over to the Potions sections. There he was.

"Hey."

"What do you want now Weasley? Come to break my heart, again?" Draco said without looking up from the book he was reading.

"Draco I just wanted to talk to you," Ginny said.

"Ginny I think we have talked enough. I do not want to seem like I am 'bugging' you at all." Draco looked up.

"Draco, you aren't the only one who got hurt!" Ginny cried. "And at least you can blame everything on the potion, but me I can't! I can't hide from what I feel!"

"And what do you feel Ginny?" Draco sneered.

"I FEEL NOTHING!" Ginny screamed, tears streaming down her face. "YOU AND I HAVE NOTHING! MY BROTHER LOATHES YOU AND YOU LOATHE HIM! Nothing." Ginny did not yell the last part. Draco just stood there.

"I'm going," he said.

"Good," Ginny said rather rudely. Ginny did not wait for him to leave. She walked up to the common room.

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Ginny told the Fat Lady the password. She swung open. No one was in the common room, so she was all alone. She collapsed in a chair by the window and fell asleep.

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"GINNY!" Ginny was being shaken awake. She opened one eye and saw Hermione.

"Hermione," she groaned. "Just let me sleep."

"You have an owl and it is time for dinner," Hermione said. "I will see you there." Ginny got up out of the chair she was sitting in and picked up a letter.

She heard Hermione leave.

Ginny,

I really enjoyed our walk yesterday and I was wondering if you would like to do it again, tonight around 9:00? Do not reply I will be waiting for you right outside the entrance hall.

Paul

Ginny smiled at the thought that Paul enjoyed spending time with her, but her heart cringed as she thought about Draco. Ginny stuck the letter in her pocket and headed off towards dinner.