Of Water and Blood

After they finished lunch, they went their separate ways. Ginny went to her room to finish up an essay for Charms, and Harry went to go hang out with Ron.

Ginny pulled out her essay and realized that she needed to go do some research in the library. She grabbed her book bag and headed to the library.

When she got there, there was only one empty seat: right next to Draco Malfoy. Ginny didn't want to cause any trouble, so she approached the table and politely asked, "Is it alright if I sit here?"

"Well, if it isn't the blood traitors' daughter. You cannot sit here. Go jump off the bridge or something. You have no right sitting next to me."

All of Draco's friends laughed.

Ginny turned around and ran out of the library extremely quick, her face bright red.

****

"Why the hell did you talk to him, Ginny??? You know better than that?" yelled Harry.

"I needed to do my essay, and that seat was the only one open," sobbed Ginny.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell. I was just worried about you."

"It's...it's...it's okay. I just hate making you upset, Harry."

"Oh, Gin. I'm sorry. I'm not upset. I just care about you so much."

"I'm going to go to bed...okay, Harry?"

"Alright Gin, I'll see you in the morning."

****

Later that night Ginny woke up suddenly. It took her a minute to figure out why she had woken up. She had heard someone screaming, and it was coming from the common room. She grabbed her robe, tied it around her, and ran to the common room.

When she got there, she watched in horror as Hermione was naked riding on top of Harry. She yelled at them both, and ran out of the portrait hole crying.

Ginny didn't stop running until she was in the Room of Requirement.

"Who's there?" a voice called out.

"Who are you?" Ginny asked.

"And the blood traitor returns for round two. What? You didn't get enough of my yelling this afternoon?" replied Malfoy.

"I'll just be leaving now."

"No, please stay. I want to know why you're crying."

"Go to hell Malfoy!"

"Ouch. Such foul language from such a proper girl. I wonder what you're parents would say."

"Just leave me alone!"

"Come here Ginny. Please. Tell me what's wrong."

"What did you just say to me?" Ginny snapped at Malfoy.

"You heard what I said, Ginny."

"Why should I tell you what's going on with me?"

"I'm concerned about you. Really, Ginny. I am," Draco said as Ginny gave him a weird look.

"It's about Harry. He was...he was...he...he..."

"Oh boy. Who was it?"

"Her...Her...Hermione."

"That Mudblood isn't good for anything."

"I agree. Wait, not with the name calling, but with the rest of it."

"I'm sorry. Why don't we go for a walk and talk a little bit?"

"Why are you being so nice to me Malfoy?"

"Because I like you. I've liked you ever since I first laid eyes on you in the bookstore so many years ago. It was that day when Lockhart was doing his book signing. I remember that day extremely well."

"Yeah. I do too. Your lovely father slipped that diary to me. How could I forget that day?" Ginny said sarcastically.

"I am sorry that happened to you. I've never forgiven my father for doing that."

"Why now? Why have you waited so long to tell me your feelings? I'm really interested in knowing this."

"Well, you were always around Potter. You know he and I don't get along very well or at all, really. Besides, your brother would kill me if I ever came near you."

Ginny laughed.

"I didn't know you could be so afraid of my brother."

"Oh hush. He almost hexed me once, but since his wand backfired, he got the mouthful of slugs. Now that he has a proper wand, I think he'll be able to do worse. I've seen him alone, off practicing, with Hermione."

"When have you seen those two together? They're never together alone. Unless..." Ginny broke off.

"Unless what?"

"Unless they're together. That would not be good. Hermione and Harry were just...you know."

"I see what you mean."

"I need to go talk to Ron."

Ginny turned to leave.

"Wait." Draco grabbed her arm, turned her around, and leaned down to kiss her. He stopped just short of his lips touching hers, and he pulled back.

"I don't want to do this while you're vulnerable. I'm sorry." And with that, Draco turned and disappeared out of the room.

Ginny stood there stunned.

It took her a moment or two to figure out what had just happened. When she did, she returned to her dorm.

********