Trademark smirks and Temperamental redheads

Chapter 12 - Trust me (Fifth Year)

"Ginny?" Sara whispered quietly into the dark dorm room. She heard a grunt in reply, and went over to Ginny's bed, sitting down.

"Sara? What's up?" Ginny asked her sleepily.

"Melissa told me what happened," Sara began, "I've been thinking about it for days, and I decided that I should do my duty as a friend and warn you. Do you remember before the Christmas break? You told me to be careful of Malfoy, and I ignored you."

"Sara." Ginny sat up on the bed and looked at her friend's face in the moonlight. "I remember."

"Do you really? Because I hope for your sake that you do," Sara told her seriously. "Every girl thinks she is the special one, that Malfoy is only serious with them. That's what Malfoy is good at Ginny, letting the girls believe his lies, when he says 'I like you' or 'I love you'."

"Sara-"

"I just thought I should warn you, like you did for me," Sara said, quickly getting up and going to her own bed without another word.

Ginny had been thinking about what Malfoy had said for a couple of days now. She could feel herself wanting to believe him, but at the same time she knew there was no reason for him to be telling the truth. After all, he was a Malfoy and she was a Weasley, there was no way he could possibly like her. Nevertheless, she found herself blushing whenever she passed him in the corridors, and she had caught him staring at her across the Hall during meal times frequently.

His absurd jealousy of Harry also amused Ginny to no end, even as she chided herself for leading him to believe she was in love with Harry. Suddenly, a tapping on the windowpane disturbed the peace of the night. Ginny walked over to the window when she realized it was her owl.

It swooped in and dropped a letter in her hand, nipping her finger gently before gliding out the window.

Virginia,

Can I talk to you now? I'm waiting at our oak.

D.M.

"I suppose its time to get this all sorted out," she muttered to herself, as she slipped on her cloak and made her way out of the castle. He was sitting on a low branch; jumping down when he saw her approaching.

"It couldn't wait for morning?" she asked.

"I missed you," he replied instead.

"I'm sure," she scoffed.

"I asked Potter today," he told her, she looked up in interest. "He had no idea he was going out with you. Obviously, somebody was lying to me." His face looked sinister in the pale moonlight.

"Of course I was," she replied airily, "I was just joking with you, and you go storming off like a little child."

"Good," he said, moving toward her.

"Good?" she repeated, raising her eyebrow.

"Since you're not Potter's girlfriend, you can be mine," he said, advancing on her until her back was up against the trunk of the oak.

Ginny could feel her heart racing as her cheeks burned. "Tell me that after you break up with all your other girlfriends," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I have," he answered simply. She looked up at him; his face was serious with no hint of his usual smirk. "Be mine," he whispered, as he leaned toward her, eyes on her lips.

Ginny began to raise her head to meet his lips when Sara's words crossed her mind. That's what Malfoy is good at... letting the girls believe his lies. She shook herself, pushing Malfoy away from her.

"Nice try Malfoy," she spat out disgustedly.

Draco cursed loudly, startling her. "What is it with you woman? Is it really that hard to understand I like you?" he scowled, and landed his fist in the trunk of the oak. Ginny winced as she saw the bloodied knuckles.

"When will you give up with your lies?" she demanded just as furious. "I've seen enough of your dealings with women to know the truth, as if I would be stupid enough to fall for your tricks!"

"What tricks?" he asked her harshly. "When have I lied to you? As far back as I remember, you've been the only one lying here Weasley. Even that night, did I force you to sleep with me? I was drunk okay? Besides, you did it because you chose to, why are you so stubborn? If I seriously wanted you for the sex would I have picked you, you stupid Weasel? There's girls lined up for me day and night, like I need to go out of my way to try and please you!"

He turned to face her; his face was set into an angry frown, his eyes shining dangerously in the moonlight. She wanted to say something, but nothing would come into her mind, she only stared at him speechless.

He prodded his finger against the tree, looking somewhat sulky. "I did break up with all those girls," he whispered, half to himself. "You're special to me," he continued.

She walked over to him slowly, taking his bleeding hand in hers. She quickly muttered a healing spell, looking over her work in the pale moonlight.

"Does it hurt?" she asked him.

"Yeah," he replied, staring out at the lake. She blew gently on his knuckles, the way her mother used to do for her whenever she'd graze her knee. "Not there. Here," he said, taking her hand and pressing it to his chest, she could faintly feel his heartbeat against her palm. Ginny felt herself blush at his gesture, she removed her hand and turned away.

"You seem fine to me," she said, trying to sound casual. "It's late, I have to go."

Before she could move though, he walked over to her, embracing her tightly. "Just trust me, Virginia," he said to her, eyes pleading.

She turned around to face him, placing her head against his chest. She let out a long tired sigh, putting her arms around his waist.

"I shouldn't. But, I trust you," she whispered.

~~~

Ginny walked back to Gryffindor Tower, hand in hand with Malfoy. When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, he bent down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before wishing her good night.

She was in a slightly dazed state of mind when she stepped into the common room, but quickly sobered up as she saw the people who were crowded in front of the fireplace. She did a quick head count - Harry, Ron, Hermione, Sara and Melissa.

"Er, hi guys," she greeted them uncertainly. "Isn't it a bit late for a gathering?"

"I saw the note Malfoy sent you," Sara said as she walked toward Ginny. "I'm sorry Ginny, I couldn't let you make the same mistakes I did."

"You did the right thing Sara," Ron assured her. "Ginny, you and Malfoy have been acting really strange lately. At first I thought his outburst in the Hall was a joke, that he was taunting you. But now I'm not so sure. Ginny-"

"I know what I'm doing Ron," Ginny interrupted. "I know you guys are worried about me, but I assure you all, there's nothing to worry about. Malfoy and I, we're just...friends." Ron turned red at this, and Harry and Hermione both made disgusted faces.

"Friends?" Ron exclaimed. "Ginny have you lost your mind? He's a Malfoy! And even if he wasn't a Malfoy, what could you possibly like about that idiot? He's an arrogant, self-righteous prick!"

Ginny closed her eyes, trying to relax. She did not want to be having this fight with her friends and her brother.

"Ginny, we're just trying to help, you can tell us anything you know?" Hermione tried, as Harry wrestled Ron into a seat.

"Yeah Ginny, just say you don't like him and that you'll never talk to him again. Then we can all go to sleep," Melissa added, yawning loudly as she said this.

"Look, I know that no matter what I say, you won't believe that Malfoy won't hurt me," Ginny began, as an idea entered her mind. "Give me ... a month! Just like a trial period! And in this period you have to promise me that you will not go punching the daylights out of Malfoy and in return he won't go around insulting you. Ron?" Ginny pleaded.

"Trial period? Ginny, we're not buying groceries here! Why does Malfoy need a trial period? He's had five years to prove himself, and I'm sure we can all come to the conclusion that he is a pointy-faced git. End of discussion," Ron finished angrily. Ginny could feel her own temper rising, but she was determined to sort this out civilly.

"Ron, I'm going to keep being friends with Malfoy whether you like it or not. Now I'd appreciate it if he didn't get beaten to a pulp every time we turn a corner and meet a member of the Weasley clan! You are agreeing to this trial period Ron Weasley," Ginny said firmly, she continued as Ron opened his mouth to protest. "I have been very forgiving for your Valentine's act Ron, I haven't even told Mum about it yet. Don't push your luck," she said dangerously, Ron stared at her.

"OK Ginny, we'll agree to the trial period," Hermione agreed. Ron turned on her, his face still furiously red. "But. If after the month is over, we still conclude that Malfoy is a slimy git, then what?"

"You won't. Trust me, he'll behave if he knows what's good for him. But I guess if he is still a slimy git by the end of the month, then Ron gets to write home to Mum about this. How's that?" Ginny asked.

Ron stared at her for a few moments, before giving a tired sigh and nodding his head. Ginny smiled and went to hug her brother, he growled in reply.

"OK everyone, back to bed!" Hermione herded the boys up to their dormitory, as the fourth years made their way to their own dorm.

"I'm sorry Ginny," Sara said quietly, once they had reached their room. Melissa had flopped onto her bed, oblivious to the world around her.

"I know you're just worried for me. Don't worry, I'll be fine," Ginny assured her, giving her a quick hug before going to bed.

~~~

"What!" Draco exclaimed angrily. "And what about my say in this?" he ground out icily.

"Don't be silly Malfoy, you don't have a say in the matter," Ginny replied airily.

Draco stared at her with disbelief written across his features, coming out as an odd sort of grimace. "Virginia, just because I like you, doesn't mean I'm willing to accept your bunch of Gryffindor friends with loving arms," he said dangerously.

"Then what are you willing to do? Should I leave my family and friends behind and go join the Death Eaters with you? Or should we run away together, to the ends of the world where nobody will find us?" Ginny said sarcastically. Draco scowled. "Admit it Malfoy, I have a point. If we are going to be together, then you have to win the acceptance, if not love of my family and friends. It has to happen sooner or later."

"Yeah, well I choose later," Draco replied defiantly, but jumped back hastily as he saw Ginny's hand tighten around her school bag. The last thing he needed was another blow to the head.

Seeing that he was out of reach, Ginny let out a loud sigh and opted to kick him in the shin instead. She felt distinctly better as she watched him hop around, hand on shin, looking murderous.

"If You Ever do that again Weasley - " Draco began.

"If you behave, then I won't need to do that," Ginny replied quite reasonably.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," he said, seemingly quite disgusted with himself. "Fine, so I have to be civil toward your Gryffindor friends, anything else Princess pain-in-the-rear?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes, you have to write a letter to my parents," she replied.

"What for?" he exclaimed, feeling the beginnings of a headache.

"To ask for permission of course," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing.

"Permission? For what! Hold your hand? Kiss you? To be seen in public with you? Do you realize who I am? I Do Not write home to Mummy and Daddy every time I get a new girlfriend Virginia," he said coldly.

"Well if you want me, then you have to. Look, Ron will write to my mum soon and tell her all about us. No doubt he'll make it sound like you are the most evil wizard alive-"

"That's perfectly fine with me," he cut in stubbornly, Ginny glared at him.

"So the only chance you'll have is if you write to my mother first! Before Ron gets his say," she concluded.

"I don't believe this," he muttered, his headache growing worse. "Even when my parents were dating, they didn't have to go through this."

"Oh of course not, I expect your father paid for the marriage, otherwise who'd be able to stand the prospect of living with him for the rest of their lives," Ginny replied with disdain.

"Can we leave my family out of this?" Draco ground out. Ginny gave a nonchalant shrug. He stared at her for a moment, contemplating.

"Why do I have this sinking feeling that I've gotten more than I bargained for?" he sighed. "Are you bullying me?" he asked suspiciously, feigning a pout as Ginny smirked at him.

"You'll be compensated soon enough," she said, putting her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her.

"Oh I'm not so sure, there's a lot to be compensated for," he replied with a smirk, before leaning down and kissing her softly. "It could take a long, long time. Quite possibly forever."

Ginny laughed at his trademark smirk. "Yes Mr Malfoy, but that will have to wait till after you finish writing the letter," she told him firmly, pulling away from his arms. It felt so strange to be away from his arms, that she had the urge to run back towards him. But the letter was the most important issue right now. "Now go!"