Surprised By Love

Chapter Seven

~Draco's POV~

I've never really wanted to beat Potter to a pulp. Until now. Ginny was looking none too happy either.

I stole a glance at Potter. He was looking like someone had just taken away his favorite candy. Good.

"Gin, you're kissing Malfoy," he sputtered out.

I raised an eyebrow in mock amusement. "Did you figure that out all by yourself, Potter?"

Ginny turned to face him, but didn't leave the circle of my arms. My heart was singing at that. Well, if a heart can do that.

"What do you want, Harry?" she asked, sighing.

Potter's cheeks went a little red and he pushed his glasses up his nose before answering. "I was looking for you because I needed to ask you something. And here you are in the hall, snogging bloody Malfoy."

She nodded. "Yes, I know who I was kissing, Harry," she said slowly as if she was talking to a small child. "Now what do you need to ask me?"

"Later," he said shortly. He glared at me as I ran my mouth over Ginny's neck. I felt her shiver in my arms and I knew I had to go. Or else the littlest Weasley would end up in my bed before too long.

"You better go, or Potter might tell big brother," I said softly in her ear. "Besides I have to get to Quidditch practice."

Ginny turned to me and smiled brightly. "I'll see you later then?"

I nodded and tossed a devilish smirk at Potter. "All right." I pulled her close for another mind numbing kiss.

She looked a little dazed as she followed Potter down the hall. I could only guess just what he was telling her right now.

~*~

Practice did not go well at all. Instead of keeping an eye for the snitch, I kept picturing Ginny's bright eyes. And irresistible mouth. And gorgeous face. And wonderful hands. Well, you get the picture.

I almost got knocked off my broom three times by a bloody bludger. I ignored the yells I received after practice about my lack of concentration. I had to get Ginny Weasley off my mind.

Yes, I love her. But my father would never allow any kind of relationship between us. He 'd forbid me to see or worse do something to hurt her. Nothing's supposed to stand in my way of following in his footsteps. Even though he doesn't know I won't be anything like him.

I'll admit it. There was a time a few years ago I would have gladly become a Death Eater. Even after I met Ginny Weasley. But then in fourth year, when Cedric Diggory was killed I realized it wasn't' so great. I hadn't realised until then how many innocents Voldemort killed and it just didn't seem right. Yes, I turned all Harry Potter on everyone.

And now I had another innocent's life in my hands. Feeling guilt was over me, I came to a conclusion. I had to get Ginny away from me.

~*~

I avoided her for the next two days. She'd try to get my attention during meals, but my food suddenly seemed much more interesting. I kept telling myself it's for the best. I know what you're thinking, and I agree. I'm full of it. But do you really want her to die?

She managed to corner me in the hall the morning of the first Quidditch game of the season: Slytherin versus Gryffindor.

"What's going on, Malfoy? Why are acting as if I have the plague?" she inquired softly.

I wouldn't have had problem just ending what hadn't even started if she didn't look at me through those big brown eyes. Her eyes alone are my undoing. But I knew what I had to do.

I just couldn't look her in the eye while doing it. "Just stay away from me, Ginny. I'm no good for you." I moved around her to get to the locker rooms.

She grabbed my robes and spun me around. God, I love it when she's forceful. "Don't you think I should be the judge of that?"

I closed my eyes. "We can't be together. It would never work. There are just too many issues. Your family and mine. They'd never let us be happy."

I could smell her perfume as she leaned in close. It was intoxicating and made me feel lightheaded. "So you don't even want to try?"

I opened my eyes and looked straight into her deep brown ones. I put no emotion into the one word that would ruin any chance I had with Virginia Weasley. "No."

I could see the hurt in her eyes as she nodded slowly, letting it sink in. And then she pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

It was full of pain and such tenderness it left my heart aching. I wanted to sweep down and just take her in my arms, telling her I didn't mean any of it. But I didn't.

Ginny pulled away roughly. "All right. I'll leave you alone then." A lone tear fell down her cheek as she turned away. "But I want you to know, I think I love you, Draco."

And with those three little words she left me standing alone in the hall, my heart in a million pieces. I had just blown the one thing that had ever really mattered in my life.