A Pianist, a Lover, a Friend

A Pianist, A Lover, A Friend

Draco Malfoy quietly shut the door to the vacant third story classroom behind him. He shut his eyes and leaned against the door. Finally he was away from everyone. If he heard one more person say they were sorry about his parents' death, he would have to shoot someone with fire from the tip of his wand.

Draco's eyes flashed open and he instantly pulled his wand from his deep robe pocket. He lazily flicked his wand at the closest student desk to him and it transformed into a baby grand piano. He strode swiftly to the a chair and pulled it up to it the piano and sat down. He laid his fingers gently onto the ivory keys and glanced self-consciously behind him, even though he knew no one was there. For once, Draco was happy not to have Crabbe or Goyle around anymore. It would have been too difficult to explain or lie about where he was going.

Draco began to play a gorgeous, baleful piece that sounded old and strained... much like he felt now, even though he was only sixteen years old. Lost in his therapy, he didn't notice the door click open behind him and then shut again. Draco flinched when he felt a hand on his shoulder after he had finished playing his song.

"Beautiful," a voice from behind him sighed. He recognized the voice and was immediately embarrassed. It was the most beautiful pure-blood he knew.

"Ginny Weasley," Draco drawled as he slowly turned on his chair to face her. "What are you doing here?" He tried to sound annoyed and unwelcoming but somehow knew that she could see through his attempts.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing..." Ginny began. She walked away from him and sat down at a desk, laying down a book all the while.

"Would you mind leaving? I was here first," Draco tried.

"I would mind. I enjoy your playing, your silensium charm didn't work very well by the way. I could hear you from the corridor," Ginny said, opening her book. Draco inwardly scolded himself for not thinking of this charm. If he had used it, no one would have heard his music but him. He would remember it for next time.

"Just because you heard me playing doesn't mean you're invited to come in," Draco attempted once again to fight. She simply wouldn't fight back.

"Oh well, I'm here now. Play something else. It helps me study," Ginny said simply. There were a few moments of silence and then Draco began to play one of the more difficult pieces he had learned. After he finished, he waited for Ginny's comment.

"You cheat," she said.

"What are you talking about, Weasley?" Draco snapped.

"You used a charm to make your hands play it for you. I know that charm..." Ginny contemplated for a moment, searching through her brain for the word, "Porte Mainsus." Draco only eyed her. He had never heard of this charm before. Beautiful and knowledgeable was rather intimidating to him; after all, he was used to the likes of Pansy Parkinson, who had never attained either.

"I didn't..." Draco started. But then, he realized he was about to say he played the way muggles play. He really didn't have anything against muggles, but he wasn't about to let anyone know this. So, he stopped himself.

"You didn't what? Use the charm?" Ginny waited expectantly for an answer. Draco wouldn't answer though.

"Well, silence is consent, right? And you're embarrassed! How..." Ginny laughed.

"Why are you still here?" Draco stood in front of the piano.

"I need a quiet place to study," Ginny said innocently.

"So you go to the first classroom where you hear music playing. Makes perfect sense," Draco said exasperatedly.

"You know what I mean." Ginny waved her hand in the air at him. Draco was so annoyed with her by now, he couldn't stand it anymore. He strode over to the desk she was sitting at and took her book from her hand and slammed it shut. He then planned to show her to the door, but he couldn't move. They had locked eyes and she wouldn't look away.

"If you're using another charm that I don't know about on me..." he began. This wasn't the first time they held each other's gaze. This was just the first time they happened to be talking while it happened.

"No, no charm..." she said, standing while still holding his gaze. What they didn't know was that this was ancient magic; neither of them could work this spell: it only happened naturally.

"What are you doing here?" Draco persisted, this time much more delicately.

"I think I love you," Ginny explained. She finally broke their gaze and looked down at the desk before her. When she did, her fire-red hair fell softly across her face, making Draco's heart leap.

"I love you, too," Draco whispered. He couldn't believe he said it. This was the sister of his enemy's best friend. But yet, Harry wasn't really his enemy anymore. So did that little detail make this all okay? How could he possibly have told Ginny Weasley that he loved her, anyway? Yes, he loved her, but she's a Weasley. Ron Weasley's sister. It was too late now though. Without thinking about it any further, he brushed her hair out her face, leaned over and kissed her. She tasted faintly of pumpkin juice.

The next thing Draco knew, he was on the floor, but not with Ginny Weasley: with Ron Weasley, who had started punching him.

"Ron! Ron! Stop it!" Draco heard Ginny's voice. Before Draco had the chance to fight back, who else but Harry Potter had pulled Ron off.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Ron shouted, struggling against Harry. Draco noticed a smirk on Harry's face but ignored it.

"I was just..." Ginny began. Draco cut her off.

"I was molesting your sister, Ron. Have a problem with that, do you?" The words were out of Draco's mouth before he could stop himself. He glanced at Ginny, whose mouth was now hanging open in astonishment.

"Merlin, Draco," Harry rolled his eyes. Draco was grinding his teeth by now in embarrassment. Why can't I just keep my mouth shut? Draco yelled in his mind.

"Look, Ron, calm down. It's my fault," Ginny said as she put her hand on Ron shoulder. Ron relaxed enough so that Harry thought it was safe to let him go.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked. Draco was confused slightly by this. Harry and Ron seemed pretty keen to listen to what she had to say as well. The three boys watched Ginny intently.

"I came here looking for him... I've had a crush on him for awhile now... It was bound to happen," Ginny said quickly, trying not to look at Draco. Draco cut her off again.

"Look, I don't want to fight anymore... There's something I haven't told anyone yet, but I think now you should know. Professor Snape offered me to join The Order of the Phoenix last week after my parents died, and I accepted. We're on the same side, Weasley..." Draco explained. Ron stared at Draco, not knowing what to say. Suddenly, Ginny threw her arms around Draco's neck.

"This is so great! I'm so happy!" Ginny exclaimed. Then, she kissed him on the cheek and let go. Ron was still staring at Draco

"Well," Harry finally said, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't already know you joined The Order."

"Doesn't surprise me," Draco said. Harry held his hand out to Draco and Draco shook it without hesitation. Harry smiled at Draco.

"Right," Ron uttered, "I guess we'll be mates now as well since we'll be spending so much time together." Draco looked at Ron and grinned slightly.

"Yeah, I guess so..." Draco drawled. Then, Draco held his hand out to Ron. Ron looked at Ginny, who was still smiling broadly. He looked back to Draco and shook Draco's hand.