Taken

Chapter 3(4): Reason

I would swallow my pride

I would choke on the rhines

But the lack thereof

Would leave me empty inside

I would swallow my doubt

Turn it inside out

Find nothing but faith in nothing

Want to put my tender

Heart in a blender

Watch it spin around

To a beautiful oblivion

Rendezvous, then I'm through with you...

Eve 6 - Inside Out

Harry scowled as he watched Ginny across the common room. She was curled up in one of the armchairs by the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket that her mum had sent her for an early Christmas gift. Every so often, she'd shiver, staring blankly at the flames.

"Bastard... Look at her. She won't even talk to Colin, let alone us." Ron slumped onto the couch next to Harry, pulling Hermione down into his lap. Harry arched an eyebrow. Hermione usually hated public displays of affection, but she was snuggled up against his chest, paying special attention to his neck. Ron didn't seem to mind, though, running his fingers through her hair.

"...What happened to you two? You're all...touchy-feely." Hermione suddenly looked like a deer in the headlights, peering up at Ron. He shrugged, making a motion for her to go ahead.

"Well," she began, squirming. "Ron asked me to marry him."

"And she said yes," Ron put in, kissing her tenderly. Harry grinned, as Hermione turned pink and buried her face into Ron's shoulder.

"So it's finally official. We all knew it would happen one day, but now it's for real." If possible, Hermione turned redder, still hiding her face from view.

"Don't go blabbering off to everyone now, mate. If they want to know what's going on, they can ask themselves," Ron instructed Harry, looking rather fierce. Harry rolled his eyes.

"And I was going to post flyers all over the school."

"Post flyers for what?" A voice questioned from behind the couch. Harry glanced curiously over his shoulder, smiling when he saw who it was.

"Hullo, Ginny. I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information. You'll have to ask your brother, as I've been sworn to secrecy."

"Sod off, you prat," Ron muttered, the tips of his ears turning red. He turned to his sister, mumbling the answer under his breath.

"Hermione and I are engaged."

"To each other?" A new voice broke into the conversation. Connie, a fifth year in Hermione's OWLs study group, peered over at the group from her spot in an armchair a few feet away. Ron turned crimson.

"Yes. Yes, to each other." Ginny forced a smile, sitting at Harry's other side. As Connie continued interrogating Ron and Hermione, Harry turned towards Ginny, frowning slightly.

"How are you holding up? He asked softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she leaned against him. She shrugged, slouching down.

"Fine, I suppose... I'm sorry about yesterday. In the hallway?" Harry shook his head, running his fingers through her hair.

"Don't fret. I've already forgotten about it," he replied, watching Ginny nod softly and stand. She glanced over at Ron and Hermione, who were unsuccessfully trying to convince Connie not to tell anyone, before returning her gaze to Harry.

"...I'm going to the library." With that, she disappeared from the common room, leaving Harry alone, frowning after her.

********

"I can't believe you dragged me into this," Draco growled, following Blaise into one of the more dusty corners of the library.

"I wouldn't be much of a friend if I just let you waste away in the dorms, would I? Besides, I need to borrow your Potions skills for this." Draco went along with it, skulking after the boy until, by mere coincidence, he caught sight of a familiar red-haired figure at a near-by table, staring blankly at her book. Draco couldn't help but stare, leaning against one of the bookshelves. He wouldn't deny it, he wanted her back. He wanted to feel her in his arms, to kiss her senseless in the hallway off the Potions room.

Blaise finally noticed Draco wasn't behind him, and moved back to the blonde's side, glancing in the direction he was staring.

"...You should talk to her." Draco tensed, but didn't look away, a frown playing at his lips.

"What would I say? 'Sorry I ripped out your heart and stomped it into the ground. Hope we can still snog sometime.' Yeah. She'll go for that." Draco spun on his heel and stalked from the library. Blaise watched him go, and then turned back to Ginny, sauntering over to her table. She glanced up at the sound of footsteps, arching an eyebrow as he sat across from her. They didn't say a word, only regarding each other rather skeptically before Blaise reached out to rest a hand on Ginny's cheek. She immediately crumbled, a whimper escaping as she tried to control herself. Blaise moved from his chair to kneel by Ginny's, taking her hands.

"You really want to be with him?" he asked softly, wiping away her tears with his thumb. Ginny nodded, hiccupping quietly. "...Talk to him this weekend. I'll get him into the Three Broomsticks for lunch. Come then."

"...I can't," Ginny choked out, shaking her head sharply. "I can't talk to him. I won't." Softly pushing Blaise's hands away, she stood, gathering her books and heading towards the exit.

Blaise moved into Ginny's vacated chair, snorting as he watched her leave. This might prove to be a problem.

********

The weekend came without a hitch, and before too long, the students of Hogwarts found themselves in Hogsmeade, milling in the streets and wandering from shop to shop. Ron and Hermione had disappeared somewhere to be alone, so Harry and Ginny were walking together, the former almost consistently checking his watch. At noon, he was to send her over to the Three Broomsticks with instructions for her to get a booth in the back and wait for him while he bought her Christmas present. Then Blaise would coax Draco in, setting him at Ginny's table and disappearing so the two could hopefully make up.

"Harry, are you all right?" Ginny asked quietly, resting a hand gently on his arm. He jerked slightly, forcing a smile as he was shaken from his thoughts.

"Fine. Thinking about what to get you for Christmas." A pink tint appeared in Ginny's cheeks, and she ducked her head, letting her hand drop. Harry glanced at his watch. Three til noon. "I'm going to duck into a few shops and pick something out. How about you go save a table for us at the Three Broomsticks. In the back, so we can talk. All right?" Ginny nodded slightly, and he watched her head towards the building, sighing when he caught sight of Blaise and Draco down the street. The blonde was sullenly following him towards the Three Broomsticks, his hands in his pockets and his head low. ...Their reunion wouldn't be pretty...

********

"I don't want to go in there, Zabini," Draco growled, stopping outside the door and crossing his arms. Blaise rolled his eyes, frowning at him.

"And why? Because she's probably in there? Be a man, Malfoy. You have to face her eventually." Draco scowled, but followed Blaise inside. The dark-haired boy looked around, and then set off for one of the darker corners. Draco started after him cautiously, stopping when he saw who was seated there.

"...I'm leaving." Blaise narrowed his eyes, grabbing a fistful of Draco's robes.

"Don't be a puss, Malfoy. Be the bigger man, sit down, and fucking work this out. I'm sick of watching you sulk around." Draco attempted to rip away, but Blaise kept his grip, fixing him with a sharp glare. "Listen to me, Malfoy. I went to talk to her in the library that day. She wants to talk. She told me." Well, not in so many words... But it made Draco stop struggling, gazing over at her table in consideration.

"...If you're bullshitting me, I'll make you sorry." With that, he took a deep breath and stepped towards the girl. Blaise watched with a satisfied smirk as he spoke quietly and sat down across from her. Damn, he was good. Should start a business.

********

Draco swallowed hard as he stopped next to Ginny, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "May I sit?" She jerked slightly in surprise, eyes wide when she turned towards him. A small nod answered him and he slid into the chair across from her.

What was he supposed to say now? What he supposed to apologize? Pretend nothing happened? Ginny answered the question for him, the hurt in her eyes obvious.

"Why are you here?"

"...I don't know," he replied truthfully, eyes downcast. Ginny frowned at him, glancing towards the door.

"...They planned this. I'm going to kick Harry's arse. ...I can't believe this." She gave an exasperated sigh, gathering her things. As she got up to leave, Draco found himself reaching out to grab her arm.

"Don't. ...I'll go." Ginny paused, and then nodded slightly, sitting back down. Draco pushed himself up, leaning in before he left. "I want to talk to you. Meet me after supper?" Ginny inclined her head in agreement, and Draco nodded. Out of habit, he moved forward and kissed her cheek, heading towards the door before she could react. She watched him leave, fingers lingering over where his lips had touched her. When he disappeared from her sight, she turned her eyes down, frowning. How dare he make her want him!