Matters of Blood and Connection

Chapter 8 - On the Edge

She caught up with him halfway down the corridor, and with her hand on his arm she looked at him with hesitant eyes. "Where are you going?" she asked worriedly.

He ignored the sensation of wanting to kiss her again and said, "I have some business to take care of."

With her wand, Ginny conjured up her robes and put them on, glaring at Draco. "There, now you have no distractions. Wait it out. Don't go after him because he kissed me."

Draco smiled faintly. Damn, she was going to make him reconsider.

"What did you do after he kissed you?"

"I hit him," confessed the redhead.

Ginny watched him eye her and he reached a hand out to snake it around her waist, pulling her close, his lips inches from hers.

"I wonder," he said with a whisper, "did he kiss you like this?"

Draco bent his head slowly and caught her lips faintly with his. He brushed his lower lip across hers and his tongue followed, and he vaguely tasted strawberry on her lips as he shut his eyes. Easing his tongue into Ginny's mouth was difficult, because what she was wearing underneath her robes made him want to kiss her viciously, to bruise her lips with his own. He felt her tongue hit the tip of his and heard her moan as her arms came around his waist.

Ginny felt dizzy, like she had been drugged, and her eyes fluttered as she heard him groan into her mouth and she nearly pulled away. When he touched the base of her neck and let his fingers crawl under her robes to discard them at her shoulders she didn't stop him. Her heart seemed to skip a beat as she felt his cool hands on her now bare skin. His hands skimmed down her arms that were around his waist, and then against her stomach.

He pressed his lips against her collarbone and was satisfied to hear her gasp as her hands tangled in his hair, gently tugging the strands until he made a noise. He brushed his tongue across her neck and she squirmed against him, making him very aware that they were alone in the hallway on this late night where anyone could happen to find them.

Draco pulled away from her suddenly and stared into her face. "I'm so-"

Ginny brushed her lips against his ear and whispered, "Can we go somewhere?"

"Are you sure?"

The kiss she gave him was answer enough.

* * *

His eyes held hers for a moment before he kissed a trail from her shoulder to her neck. Ginny's eyes fluttered briefly before she closed them entirely, her arms wrapped around his back, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on his bare flesh. She heard him growl softly as she dragged her nails up his back, and she smirked.

Draco attached his mouth firmly to Ginny's earlobe and started to play with the skin there. He felt her hands stop moving on his back and wondered if he had startled her. As he picked his head up to glance at her, he felt her hand move again, toward his belt buckle. He could hear the jingle of the buckle and the leather strap being slid away. With the belt gone, it was easier to get at his trousers, which Ginny was taking her time doing.

"You're going to make me regret bringing you here, Red," he said softly.

Ginny smiled at him and continued at the task at hand. When she finally managed to get his pants to his ankles, she muttered, "What if someone decides they need to talk to you?"

He blinked at her and chuckled softly. "Gin, this is a private dorm. No one is allowed in here without a password. Plus, it had better important if anyone disturbs me at this hour."

Ginny giggled and put a hand over her mouth. "What if I wanted to come in here in the middle of the night?"

Draco looked at her and pretended to consider this before he smiled. "I'm sure that could be arranged."

Ginny grinned and kissed him again, wiggling slightly underneath him, her mouth warm as it slid across his neck. He tasted like cologne and soap. They pulled the blankets around their bodies, her head on his chest, and his fingers stroking her hair. She listened to his heartbeat for a few moments before speaking again.

"This is comfortable," she muttered against his skin. "You're so warm."

He chuckled as her fingers swept against his cheek, and he felt an unfamiliar sensation in his stomach as her fingers tangled in his shaggy, blond hair once more. Draco felt her shift against him, and he reached a hand down to her chin and turned her head, his eyes soft as he kissed her gently.

"Should we go further?" he asked as he pulled her to rest on top of him.

She rested her head on his shoulder and ran a finger slowly up and down his arm.

"Honestly, I'm quite content in this position," he added.

Ginny yawned and slid away from him, curling up against his side, her arm stretched across his chest. She looked at him suddenly and said, "Do you think this will work?"

"I hope so," Draco muttered as he kissed her forehead.

* * *

It wasn't until Ginny woke up the next morning did she realize what had happened. Looking around the unfamiliar room, she gasped, pressing her hand tightly against her mouth. Startled suddenly by the sound of a door being opened, she looked in front of her; he was standing with a towel wrapped around his waist, his shaggy hair still dripping with water.

"You look shocked, Red," he said softly.

Ginny was frantic as Draco watched her scurry around his room for some of her clothes. When she found her top and robes, she slipped them on, charmed her hair, and turned around. "I fell asleep!"

The horrified look on her face caused Draco to chuckle.

He had removed the towel and watched her eyes widen slightly, her cheeks flushing pink as she stared at him. "This is my private room, Red, so don't look so stunned about me walking around with nothing on, would you?"

Ginny looked at the floor suddenly, muttering that she had dropped her wand. Draco found this statement particularly amusing, because he could see that her wand was sitting on his writing desk.

"Now, what were you saying?" Draco asked as he slipped on a pair of boxers. "You can look," he assured her with a grin.

Ginny turned her head slightly, so that she came to rest her brown eyes on his thigh. When she lifted her head more, she saw in fact that he had on a pair of gray boxers and was now proceeding to slip on his black trousers. He eyed her calmly and stifled a snicker.

"What?"

"You're blushing," he said with a lopsided smile. He took a few steps forward, knelt down and lifted her chin so that their eyes met. "Do I make you that uncomfortable?"

"No," muttered the redhead. She sucked in a slow breath and glanced at him. "W-what are you doing?"

Draco's lips twitched slightly as he smiled at her - really smiled - and it made her heart flutter. She liked it when he smiled like that. He brushed his mouth against hers and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her body to his.

"I was hoping we could do something before we go down to breakfast." He pressed his lips against her neck, feeling her squirm.

Ginny's eyes widened and her cheeks went pink. "I don't know. I mean I like you and everything, but-"

Draco smirked at her. "As nice as that sounds that's not what I meant." He stood and offered his hand to her. "Would you like to go for a walk on the grounds? It's such a nice day."

Confused, she glanced at him, and then burst out laughing. "You can't possibly be serious." But the look on his face told her differently - he looked hurt. "Oh," she said softly, her eyes shutting briefly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

Draco's eyes looked hooded as he stared at her, then turned to rummage through his dresser, pulling out a white oxford shirt. He slipped it on and buttoned it, slipped on his tie and turned to face her again. She wondered if he noticed how his hair looked yet. Surely he would grumble about it if he had.

"Now you're looking at me funny," he said, frowning. "You've insulted me enough today, I think."

Ginny smiled softly and stepped forward, reaching a hand out to tentatively fix his hair. "I'm sure you don't want to go out there looking like a mess, do you?"

He did exactly what she had thought. When the bathroom door shut she could hear him muttering to himself. Ginny had taken this opportunity to look around his room, because she hadn't gotten a chance to last night, and she wanted to know more about him. She knew Draco would never openly talk about his life.

The writing desk was shattered with papers, several of them Daily Prophet news clippings. Her eyes skimmed over the articles and fell on one in particular - it was about his father holding a banquet over the winter break. It was taking place at Malfoy Manor. What if he asked her to accompany him?

"I see you've done some snooping," said a mildly irritated voice from behind her.

Ginny turned to see him staring at her from a few feet away.

"Well, I was going to ask you if you wanted to go, but I see the answer."

"No-" she said, reaching out to touch his arm. "That thought is very nice - but what about your family?"

"What about them?" Draco asked as he touched her cheek.

Her stomach fluttered.

"They hate-"

"You're with me," he said reassuringly. "There's no reason for anyone to hate you." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "Now how about that walk?"

* * *

It turned out to be a warmer day than Ginny had anticipated. With her robes being carried in her bag, she held Draco's hand and walked onto the grass. She glanced around at the students looking at them, and she watched them whisper to each other. Some Slytherins even shot nasty glares to their housemate.

Ginny stopped suddenly, and Draco nearly tripped over his own feet. He turned back to her, and she looked very nervous about something. He went to open his mouth to ask what was wrong when the problem presented itself in the form of a boy. He stood in front of them for a few minutes, just looking between them, his lip curling disdainfully.

Theodore Nott reached a hand out and gripped Ginny's arm painfully. She winced and glared at him. "You played me, you bitch," he snarled viciously.

Draco stepped forward and Nott glared at him.

"You could have been with me, Weasley," he muttered, his lips close to hers. "I would have given you everything you wanted. Instead, you were forcing me to tell the Headmaster what I thought I saw by the lake that afternoon. What will you do when Draco's gone? You won't have anyone else left to fuck."

Ginny's eyes narrowed at him and she tried to pull away, but he held her, digging into her skin with his nails. "Let go!" she cried. "I did what I had to, so I could protect him.

"So screwing with someone's emotions is fine by you?" He growled, refusing to let her go.

"No, I-" Her sentence was cut off as she watched her arm grow hazy. She glanced at Nott's angry face, which was swimming with haziness in front of her. He was going to break her arm and cut off the circulation throughout the rest of her body. She let out a cry and felt her knees get weak suddenly.

"Stupefy!"

It was fast and harsh, and the spell hit Nott, causing him to let go of her and fall onto the grass. Ginny's knees gave in and she slowly sank onto the ground, her eyes stinging from the tears that poured out of her. She could hear footsteps and someone touch her back as they reached her.

"Are you all right, Miss Weasley?"

It was a familiar voice that she couldn't place. Keeping her eyes shut, Ginny turned into the stranger and clung to them, shaking badly. She suddenly felt tired.

"You can take her now, Draco. Straight to the infirmary."

"Yes, sir."

She heard his voice before his warm hands gripped her firmly and hoisted her up. Her head fell against his chest and she could hear his heart beating fast. She didn't dare open her eyes until she felt the change in the atmosphere, which signaled their return into the castle.

Opening her eyes, she looked at Draco, and felt a surge of warmth spread through her at the expression on his face. He looked completely afraid. Gently, she reached a hand up and moved a stray strand of blond hair from his eyes.

"You're scared," she whispered.

"I was," he said as they stopped at the doors of the infirmary. He stared down at her. "I felt like I couldn't do anything but watch him hurt you."

"You went and got someone though," she said weakly.

"Snape."

"Professor Snape? He hexed one of his own students?"

"He saw you were in danger," Draco said as he placed Ginny on the bed closest to the window, so that the sunlight warmed her. "He's not a complete bastard, Gin."

"Step away from my patient this instant, Mr. Malfoy!" shrieked Madam Pomfrey as she came into the room.

"Relax, you old cow," Draco sneered. " I was instructed to bring her here."

Ginny placed a hand on his arm, her eyes hesitant.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. He rubbed the back on his neck and looked at the nurse. "I'm stressed."

When the doors to the infirmary opened again, Ginny craned her neck to see Professor Snape and the Headmaster walk in, both looking grim. They were carrying Theodore Nott almost carelessly as they placed him several beds away from her.

"Are you all right, Miss Weasley?" Professor Dumbledore asked as he stepped beside Draco. "It's okay - you can go now, Draco."

"No," the blond said shortly. "I want to stay with her."

Dumbledore smiled slightly. "I won't ask what happened. Not yet. But I do expect an explanation from everyone involved." His blue eyes fell on the unconscious form of Nott and he frowned. "He could have seriously injured you, Ginny."

Ginny nodded and shifted her arm.

"Mother fu-" she hissed, glancing around. "Sorry."

Draco grinned at her and her stomach erupted with butterflies.