You Live, You Learn

Chapter 9: Heartbreaks

There was no time to think. There was no time to react. Eventually, reality hit her. She broke away from Draco, leaving the two of them staring at each other.

He looked as he always did. He wore the unreadable expression that he always had. His gray eyes stared back, also unreadable, and his hair was slightly frizzing. Ginny was sure that her face was completely red because she could feel the burning. Draco backed away a little, not breaking eye contact with her. He placed an ice-cold hand on her face momentarily, but then pulled away.

"I," Ginny said, her voice cracking slightly. "I...I..."

"Ginny?" a voice called from somewhere. "Is that you?" Ginny groaned. The voice sounded a lot like,

"Harry?" she asked aloud. Draco stared at her, and he started to get up to leave. Ginny shook her head and gestured for him to stay.

"Paul," the voice corrected her. Ginny choked on her spit and began to cough.

"Paul?" she repeated in between coughs. "What are you doing here?" Draco stood up and mouthed, "I have to go."

Before Ginny could stop him, he was gone, and Paul was now visible.

"Didn't you get my letter? I told you I was able to come back."

"Oh, I haven't gotten it yet," Ginny lied, making a mental note to always read Paul's letters from now on.

"I've missed you a lot Ginny," Paul said. Ginny stared blankly at him. She would have to lie again if she told him that she missed him as well. Since Paul left for home, Ginny had a change of heart. Suddenly, interrupting her thoughts, Draco came into her mind. When she thought about it, she would rather be with Draco than Paul.

"Ginny?"

"Hmm?"

"I have to go, but I'll see you later." Paul leaned in to peck her on the lips, but Ginny stuck out her hand suddenly. Paul stared at her hand.

"Well it was nice seeing you again."

Paul looked confused, but he shook Ginny's hand. Ginny left before any more words could be spoken.

****

Ginny had sat in the common room for only twenty minutes when an owl flew towards her.

I have no idea where to start. All I can say is: wow. I never thought I'd be feeling like this, especially with a Weasley. I mean you are a Weasley and I am a Malfoy. I say it again: wow. Wow, wow, wow. The truth is, you amaze me. You make me feel as if I am on top of the world. You make me yearn to be something better in life. You make me feel like doing things I never thought that I would do in a million years. Ginny Weasley, I do believe I love you. Ginny please write me back, I'll wait forever for you.

Draco

Ginny stared at the letter in her hand. She read it over. He loved her? He loved her! All sorts of emotions rushed inside of her.

Ginny please write me back,

She picked up a piece of clean parchment that was next to her and began to write. It took her a few drafts of the letter to get it sounding half like she wanted. In the end, she got this written:

Wow is right. That's all I can think now. Wow. I would have never guessed this, but I know you stated this in your letter, but: wow. That word is very appropriate for this situation. But, about this situation, I am, no matter how much I wish I wasn't, dating Paul. I am sorry, do not wait for me forever. Believe me, it isn't worth the wait.

I'm very sorry,

Ginny

Tears formed in her eyes, but she held back from crying. She didn't want others in the common room to see her. She drew a shaky breath, and tied the letter to the owl and watched it fly off.

She couldn't believe it, but she had just broken Draco Malfoy's heart.