Trouble

Part Two

“Potter, how are you?”

“Fine, Malfoy, yourself?”

“Fine.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. Boys could be so dumb sometimes. It was obvious that both boys had things on their minds; why else would they be talking to Snape this early in the morning. They both were obviously candidates for the “not fine” category, but they would NEVER share their feelings. Boys!

Draco glanced in Ginny’s direction. “Well, I’ll be going now. Maybe catch breakfast before Goyle eats all of the good muffins…” Snape looked as if he were about to protest, but Draco went on, “Goodbye, Professor Snape, Potter, Miss Weasley.” With that he hurried from the rooms.

Ginny looked back down at her sketch. She had been sketching the Quidditch Pitch from memory. She was starting to shade in the way the grass looks from the stands. She would add some players in later. But first she decided she needed to see if she had the angle of the goals were right. She packed up her materials and walked over to Harry who was staring at the door with which Draco had made his hasty retreat. Snape was staring quizzically at Harry.

“Harry I am gonna go sketch at the pitch, unless you want me to stay?”

“No, Gin. You go, have fun, okay?” He pulled his gaze from the door; he looked downright perplexed to Ginny.

“Okay, Bye, Harry, Professor Snape.”

“Goodbye, Ginny. I will see you in class later.” Professor Snape walked her to the door, opening it for her. She stole one last glance at Harry, he had gone back to stare into the fire. She gave a questioning smile to Snape as she left.

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Draco hurried to his dorm and changed into his normal school robes. The Slytherins were still slumbering peacefully. They would likely not start to stumble around for another hour or so.

On his way back out of the common room, he grabbed his broomstick and left for the pitch.

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Ginny sat in the Gryffindor stands. She was fascinated with the way the pitch looked in the early morning light. There was such a stillness you could never see during a game. The stands would be full of cheering and jeering fans. But when she was alone, she could feel power here.

Taking her pencil in hand she began to work on more detail to her sketch. So engrossed in her sketch she failed to notice the lone figure now making lazy circles around the goal posts.

She glanced up and saw him. Draco. She watched as he dove at breakneck speed toward the ground. She held her breath until she saw him pull up at the last minute.

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Draco swiftly rose once more, sweeping by the stands. He glanced into the stands and saw her. Ginny.

Ginny smiled and waved at him. He slowed and came to the edge of the stands.

“Miss Weasley, are you following me? I’m flattered.” He said this without malice, merely as a joke. She smiled at him once more. “Really you seem to be showing up everywhere this morning.” Draco hovered slowly to the stands and stepped into off his broom. He took a seat next to Ginny.

“What if someone sees you sitting in the Gryffindor stands, your reputation will be ruined.” Ginny lightly jabbed. Draco smirked.

“My reputation is fine. Now, what are you doing up here? I thought you went down to talk Sev… errr… Professor Snape.”

“You can call him Sev. I do, so does Harry, unless we are in class of course.”

“Well you are full of surprises today. Are you sketching up here? Could I see?” Ginny hesitated. What if he laughed at her? With some resolve he handed him the sketchbook.

Draco gently flipped through the pages. “These are quite good.” She had several sketches of her brothers; she must go through a lot of red colored pencils with that many red-headed brothers. There was one showing Ron and Hermione gazing at each other. But soon he came to a sketch that made him pause. It was of Harry. It showed him starring wistfully out of a tower window. He looked so lost Draco felt he could almost feel his pain.

He looked up at Ginny.

“He was very tired that day. He asked if we could just go somewhere quiet. So we found this room in the astronomy tower. We stayed there all afternoon, we even missed classes, but I didn’t think Harry was up to class, and I didn’t want to leave him so we stayed.” She studied Draco’s features, he was very striking all right angles, she knew she would have to sketch him later. He had a very classical look about him, that is until you reached his eyes. They were so blue they were grey. They looked like if you stared into them for long enough you could see his soul.

He gently closed the book, handing it back to her. “Those are very good. I never knew you could sketch.” Draco starred off into the distance. Ginny looked out over the pitch as well, but whatever fascinated him wad something only he could see.

“Why were you at Sev’s this morning, Draco?” Draco started at the use of his first name.

“Well I needed his help with something, but I am not sure he can do anything, except try to make me feel better.”

“Would you like to talk about it? I am a very good listener.” Ginny marveled at her courage, maybe she really was a brave Gryffindor.

Draco thought on that, did he want to talk about it, he barely knew her, she was a year his junior, so he hadn’t had many dealings with her.

With a sigh, he decided he felt like talking. “Well, Ginny… that is going to take some getting used to… My father sent me a letter, he has decided it is time for me to be…well… initiated.” Ginny said nothing. Silent tears had instantly sprung to her eyes. She was shocked, especially when she a stray tear run down Draco’s angular cheek.

She felt there was only one thing to do. She leaned over and took him into a hug. She caught him by surprise. But slowly he put his arms around her. He closed his eyes and just let go. This girl who he had never been nice to was so upset for him she was crying. Did he deserve it? He wasn’t sure. But to feel her in his arms he felt there may just be hope for him yet.

End Part Two

To be continued...