Story of He and I

I'd like to think that I, Virginia Weasley, was a good student and Hogwarts. Though I did do my share of point deducting and detention, I was a rather successful student. I'm an auror for the Ministry of Magic in London. My partner and love of my life is Draco Malfoy.

Yeah you're probably thinking, Draco Malfoy?! You probably know that the Weasley and Malfoy families have been feuding since the time of creation, so it would be almost impossible for a Weasley to be in love with a Malfoy. Well, it was nearly impossible until my sixth year at Hogwarts when I first noticed him.......

It all began when I woke up one morning, finding that I was not excited to see my long time crush, Harry Potter. I was confused on why I didn't feel that pounding in my heart when I heard his voice that morning. It was an odd sensation, being that I thought I had loved him since I laid eyes on him.

His voice had bellowed from the kitchen, "Ron!!! I'm here!" And then a loud bounding down the stairs by Ronald Weasley, my brother. He was still, after six years of being Harry's best friend, excited to see him. At that time, Harry had only came for summer vacations after his regular school in the muggle world was over. Being the Boy who Lived, Harry had a lot of responsibilities and expectations to put up with, but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, I think he enjoyed the attention.

Ten minutes later, I heard the hollering of my mother calling me for breakfast. I had groaned as I got out of bed. Slowly I made my way toward the kitchen where the bustling morning businesses of my family plus Harry were going on. Fred and George had started their second shop of Weasley's Wacky Woodles and were getting ready to start their third. It was a huge success being that my brothers' joke shop had been unpopular with the kids in his day. Percy was the relief Ministry of Magic, next to Dad of course. Bill and Charlie were off to their normal businesses, living in Romania and hunting dragons. Harry was Head Boy for Gryffindor and Ron was still a prefect. I myself was a prefect too, I had been very proud when I received the letter from Professor McGonagall.

"Pass the hotcakes," Ron said as he poured himself some juice.

"Oh hey, Gin," Harry said when he noticed me sit down on the table. I smiled at him slightly and poked the last remaining hotcakes onto my plate.

"Hey, those are mine," Ron complained.

"Too bad. Besides, you probably already had three anyway," I said taking a bite out of one.

Ron scowled. I stuck my tongue out at him. It was then that I noticed Harry staring at me. "What?" I asked, with my mouth full of food. If I had still liked him at the time, I probably would have fainted, Harry, the guy of my dreams, staring at me. But at that moment, I didn't really give a damn about what he thought of my bad manners.

"Nothing," he said, then turned away. I shrugged.

"What's with her?" I heard him ask Ron as they went up the stairs.

"I don't know, she seems like the regular Ginny to me. Oh that....I don't know. Maybe she got over the crush..." Ron's voice became hushed as they moved more away from hearing distance.

That same day I was flipping through my latest copy of Teen Witch Weekly. There on the front cover was Draco Malfoy. The caption read: "Top-notch wizard of the twenty-first century. Read in to find out more." Curious to see why that jerk was a top- notch wizard (and not Harry Potter), I flipped to page forty-two indicated in the table of contents. There were six whole pages on him. After a, I have to admit, rather gorgeous picture of him there were some comments on what some teenage witch celebrities had to say.

"What do I think of Draco Malfoy?" said Selena Stone, a cover witch for the Sexy Mysterious Wear, a major swimsuit designer brand. It went on to say, "Let me see, he's one of those 'dream' hunks. What's not to like? He's rich, handsome, tall, charming, not to mention powerful...who wouldn't like a man such as he, other than the fact that he's still in school. I don't think I'd ever have a chance with someone like him. I know he's going to be a successful wizard some day, with his training at the famous Hogwarts. Sad to say, but I myself didn't finish Wizarding School. With his good looks, I'd say he wouldn't have to finish--he'd get just about anything he wanted. Draco is one of those lucky few who come around once in a while that has everything going for them. If I was him, I'd never wish to be someone else."

I had snorted after reading the sappy probably read out type of answers. I thought that she was probably paid to say those type of things about Malfoy....we all called him Malfoy at the time. I didn't think very highly of him at the time. Come to think of it, he didn't either--he called me Weasel, the most insulting name ever, and my brother Weasley, since it is our last name. But that was before I knew him...but we'll get into that later. Now where was I...oh yeah. I continued to read until I got to a part where Draco himself was interviewed. I had thought, 'this ought to be good. Let's see how he bull shits his way out of these questions.'

His first question: "How is life living as the richest, most well off teens ever?"

His answer: "It isn't at all pleasant as everyone thinks it is. It's brutal around here. I never find time to do what I like to do. I always have constant pressure from my father about doing well in school and representing the family name in school, social gatherings, and such."

His second question: "What do you like most about life now?"

His answer: "That's a hard one. My whole life was decided for me the day I was born. My whole life is centered on my father's goals. I guess spending time by myself or with someone of enjoyable company is the best part of life right now--even though it's only once in a great while.

His life couldn't be that bad...How can someone so rich and good looking be so miserable? I couldn't understand it, but he had so much going for him... He could have been making all that up to get pity from people, but somehow I felt this poking that said that he was telling the truth. I had pushed that feeling away.

His third question: "I think I speak for every female on this question, are you single? If so, what kind of woman are you looking for in a relationship?"

I had snorted on that question. 'Yeah right, speak for yourself,' I had thought. 'If you knew the Malfoy I know at school, you'd probably take the question back.'

His answer: "My parents have my marriage already planned for me. But if I were to choose my own bride, she'd be beautiful. Not in the way you're thinking I assure you. She'd be beautiful because she would be kind and sweet on the inside. Sure looks count a lot, but when settling for someone, I want someone who is going to care for me not just because I have money and not just because I'm good looking. I want my woman to love me for me."

He had an arranged marriage? No one could lie about that. I felt somewhat sorry for the prat at that time. It was the first time I ever felt sorry for him. I was glad that I could choose whom I was to marry. I guessed that was the price you had to pay for being well bred.

His fourth question: "What are your plans for the future?"

'Probably to follow in his father's footprints and become a death eater,' I had thought.

His answer: "If I wasn't to follow my father's plans for me, I would want to go around the world. I actually want to get married to a woman with the same profession as me so we can go traveling together doing whatever our occupation sends us on. You probably want to know how many kids I want. I want about two kids, a boy and a girl--one that looked like me, and the other resembling my wife. Of course, they'd go to Hogwarts and have a promising future."

Wow. It was exactly how I wanted married life for me to be. But then again, I had thought that everyone wanted a family like that. And then there was a closing caption from the interviewer.

"And there you have it--the most popular wizard in our world today and his comments on his goals and life expectations. He certainly wasn't the way I expected him to be. We had lunch together and I found him quite refreshing and intelligent, full of promise and hope for the future. Just one thing to say to all you ladies interested, he is defiantly the man you all have been waiting for."

I sighed. This was not the Malfoy I knew. He was defiantly fooling that woman. He certainly had the ability to fool someone. I had seen it at Hogwarts my whole life. I think this was when I had started thinking the Malfoy couldn't be so bad. I mean, I didn't realize it then, but now I know that this was the moment that my feelings toward Draco could lean either way or stay the same.

Then the day arrived when we had to get onto the train and head towards Hogwarts. It was a long ride. I hadn't thought of Draco since that time of the magazine, but now since I was headed back to where I would see him, I started thinking if he would be different. The dream team was chatting away about the latest, when they suddenly got serious. The three of them looked around then to me and then excused themselves from the compartment. Once again, I was being left out. I would never be really included in their group. They were probably off to talk about plans and Voldemort.

I was feeling pretty mad and insulted. You'd think that I would have gotten used to that by now, but I hadn't. If anything, it hurt more than normal. You probably could have seen the fumes coming out of my head. I was sick and tired of being treated like some baby. I thought that I had the right to know about Voldemort, after all, I was involved with the chamber of secret. I, besides Harry, probably had the most experience with him. They should have been asking me for advice. But no...the three confided in each other with Harry as the guide to the Dark Lord. 'Humph,' I had thought, 'They don't know that Tom Riddle told me things....and taught me things...'

I impatiently tapped my wand on the window when someone came into the compartment. I could tell it was a he form his masculine smelling cologne. Slowly I turned my head to see Draco Malfoy towering over me. I mean, I was tall for a female, about 5'7", but he was like 6'2". His presence seemed to fill the room.

"What do you want?" I asked. I couldn't help myself, but I did a quick once over. Man was the magazine correct. He was a hottie. In fact, I thought he was the best-looking male I had ever seen. Funny how I had never noticed him before.

He smirked. I guess he caught me giving him the look over. "What? Too much for your standards?"

"No," I said. I gulped then pulled my nerves together, "I was just surprised to see how much your rat-face improved over the vacation."

He sneered at me, "I see. Back then I would have been a perfect match for you."

I literally snarled at his comment. "Well at least I don't have a rich snotty person for my marriage partner. But then again, rich and snotty did always go best with rich and snotty."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Weasel. I know two rich people combining together would be too much for you to handle. All that gold and all."

I opened my mouth to say something back when the chatter of the fabulous three came back. I don't know if he noticed, but I scowled. Ron appeared first, with slow reaction, and then Harry and Hermione.

"What the hell are you doing in here with my little sister?!" Ron shouted from the door, ready to attack.

My eye twitched. I hated that. I hate it still. Ron was always being overly protective. I clenched my fist in order to control my raging anger that had piled to an almost max. First there was the dream team ignoring me, then Malfoy, and finally him. There were just some things that pushed me over my rocker.

"Like you have any say in the matter. My business here has to do with Weasel, not you. So sod off," Malfoy said. It was practically what I was thinking.

"Anything to do with my little sister concerns me. Anyone who wants to talk to my sister, especially a Slytherin, has to go through me first. And I don't give you the right to talk to my sister. So you sod off."

Now that was the last straw. "Ronald Bartholomew Weasely! You are the one who should sod off! I can't stand you anymore. This is MY life and I can talk to whomever I wish and whatever about. I don't tell you who to talk to and I don't force you to include me in your conversations. ('Hint hint...I want in.') And right now I say I want to talk to Malfoy. So if you won't get out, I will."

Ron stood open mouth at me. I had never lost my temper to him. He was my closest brother and the most loving. I had never shouted at him or told him to get lost. It hurt him, and I knew it. But at that particular time, I really didn't care. I was sick and tired of him drawing my life. I wasn't going to stand for it any longer. And it wasn't like he ever considered my feelings whenever he went off with Hermione and Harry.

"Come on, Malfoy. Let's get out of here," I stalked out with Draco following close behind. I was glad that he went along with what I was saying.

I walked to the nearest empty car and sat down to cool off. All that time I kept wondering if Malfoy was going to say anything about what happened. He didn't. He kept silent until I was ready to speak. He seemed to be waiting, not for an explanation really, just waiting patiently. He didn't appear the type for explanations. Nothing ever surprised him; he always had complete control of the situation at hand. I had smiled after thinking that.

I looked up into his sleet gray eyes and said nothing. When the train stopped that indicated that we had arrived at Hogwarts, I gave him a slight smile of appreciation then left. I thought I saw him smile back but I wasn't sure. The evening went by fast with me eating fast and then walking myself to the Gryffindor tower. After taking a quick look around the girl's prefect dormitory, I lay down and went to bed.

The next morning I decided that this would be a year that I would never forget. I made a goal, never to let anyone make me do something I didn't want to do. I was going to independent. You'd think, knowing me, that I would fail, but I didn't.

At breakfast that day, I noticed the dream team eating and looking very serious. Knowing that they wouldn't tell me whatever they were talking about, I sat with a bunch of first years. It wasn't at all as bad as I thought it would be. I got to know their names and what they had planned for the year and the years to come. I think, from that point--because I made the effort to talk to them, I became their role model. It was funny really since I wasn't into that type of thing.

One of them, Danny, had blond hair that reminded me of Draco. In fact, they could have almost been brothers. Danny noticed me staring at him and stared at me confused.

I smiled and decided to explain myself. "You look like someone. Do you know Draco Malfoy?" I had asked him.

For a brief moment, his eyes darted toward the Slytherin table. It was then that I knew he knew Malfoy. The curious thing was that Danny shook his head.

Surprised, I asked, "Really? Then how did you know he's in Slytherin?"

"I-I didn't," he said then looked down. He was lying, but why, I wanted to know. Could Danny be Malfoy's brother or relative? If so, why didn't he have the last name Malfoy? And why was he in Gryffindor? I eyed him, but then got distracted by Harry coming towards me.

"Look, it's Harry Potter," the first years mumbled together in hushed tones. I had smiled because I had been like that when I first met Harry. Everyone is.

"Ahh...Gin, can we talk?" Harry asked.

Why would Harry want to talk to me? I wondered. I glanced at the first years, all of whom were staring at Harry as if he were a ghost, and then nodded. But before I turned my attention to Harry, I noticed Malfoy looking in our direction. I smiled slightly at him, but when he noticed that I had noticed him, he turned away.

Harry and I walked toward Gryffindor common room. It was a while before Harry said anything. I was wondering what was going on. Why did he have a particular interest in me now?

"Um, Gin?" Harry asked, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"What's up, Harry?" I glanced up at his green eyes still framed in the glasses.

He ran a hand through his messy black hair. I was already irritated. "Why are you acting so weird?" I asked him.

"Wha-what? Oh um...what do you mean?"

"Well, for starters, we've never talked alone together. And you're acting nervous like you don't know how to tell me whatever it is you want to ask," I said. I had just spoken to him two whole sentences without blushing. I was still somewhat surprised on how I wasn't in love with him anymore. At last I could act normally toward him.

"Oh. Well..um...Ron.." his voice trailed off.

At the mention of Ron's name I stopped. I turned at placed my hands on my hips. "So you're Ron's messenger? Tell Ron to talk to me himself. If he can't talk to me on his own about his family problems with his own sister, I don't want to hear it." With that, I left a stunned Harry in the cold halls. Being shy around him all his time knowing me, I had never spoken so broadly to him. He must have been shocked. Heh. Too much for Ron's plans about Harry cornering me.

Happy about my victory, I went to my first class, Potions with Professor Snape. I didn't particularly like Snape at the time, but who would? He was an unjust greasy ass who only cared about the well-being of his house, Slytherin. When I entered the cold dungeons, Snape looked up from his desk.

"Ah..Miss Weasley. You want detention already?" Snape asked in a cold tone.

"No, Professor Snape. I just was happy about something and just headed in the direction of my first class. It just so happened that this was it," I had said in a conversational tone.

He looked taken aback. I was always timid with him. But I was a different Ginny Weasley this year. I was going to be on Snape's good side this year. I figured that if Draco wasn't so bad, Snape shouldn't be either.

"I see." That was all he said. I had mentally congratulated myself on having a decent conversation with the snake himself.

Then the door slid open. "Draco, come in," Snape said at the sight of his number one pupil.

I looked up to see the gorgeous guy who made me want to be a different person. I wanted to confident like Draco Malfoy, as arrogant as he was. He nodded curtly to me and then proceeded to talk to Snape in a hushed tone. It seemed to me that the two were close, probably the father he never really had. At that moment, I found that I wanted to know Malfoy--no not Malfoy, Draco--more than anything.

My thoughts were interrupted when a loud chattering sounded. Why they came in, I don't know, but they looked awfully upset to see me in Snape's office with both Snape and his prized pupil there. Harry, Ron, and Hermione's chattering stopped immediately when they noticed all three of us were staring at them.

Finally, I had decided to break the silence, "What are you three doing here?" I asked. I hadn't meant for it to sound as if I didn't want them there, but it did. It gave the impression that I was there conversing with the two Slytherins.

"The question is, what are YOU doing here," Ron asked angrily.

"What do you mean? Potions is my first period. I'm expected to be here. You're the ones not expected to be here," I said levelly. My facial expression stayed the same, somewhat bored.

"Ahh..well...we have a ques--" Harry began, but Hermione and Ron, who were on either sides of him, jabbed him with their elbows.

"What he meant to say was that we were just leaving," Hermione said leading both boys out of the room.

I could make out Ron's objections, "But that's my sister in there..."

After a brief silence, I turned to the two and smiled slowly. "You'd better be off to class, Malfoy. The bell's going to ring any time," I said conversationally.

"Not like I'm going to be late. It's only the first bell anyways," he said. "So what was with them?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't have treated them like that, would I? I would have been with them, or some other place," I said as a matter of factly.

"Really?" he was amusing me.

"Really. Besides, you shouldn't ask me anything that has to do with their plans. They don't tell me jack," I said, remembering the hurt.

"I see."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'I see'?" I asked. "You say it as if it means something. Or like you're thinking of a plan."

"What if I am?" he asked mysteriously.

Just then the bell rang. "Looks like I better be going," he glanced at the observing Snape, "bye professor. See you at Potions."

My eyes followed the interesting boy out the door. What made me so attracted to him wasn't his looks. It was more the way he carried himself. I could never be the way he was, not in a million years.

"He's out of reach, Miss Weasley," I heard Professor Snape's voice crack through my thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"You have to be more than you are to hold his attention," Snape said. "You may have been able to catch his attention, but can you hold it?" As the students began to enter he added, "See me after class."

I was surprised that thought the whole Potions class I was never picked on once. Not once! This had to be recorded down. A Weasley never being picked on in Snape's class. I couldn't believe it.

Remembering Snape's words before class began, I silently waited in my seat for him to address me.

"What are you waiting for, Miss Weasley? Come up to my desk, or do I have to wait for you all day?" the professor asked impatiently.

"Yes, Professor Snape."

I silently collected my books and walked up to his desk where he sat waiting. I stared at him expectantly.

"I noticed that Mr. Malfoy has taken an interest in you, Miss Weasley," I stared at him in complete shock, "now don't look so surprised. There's a lot about Mr. Malfoy that you do not know."

"I know. There's more to him that meets the eye. I know he's more than a rich, confident, arrogant, good-looking snob," I said emphasizing everything I knew was true.

He raised an eyebrow at my last sentence. "I see you're interested in him as well." He placed his chin on his hand with a thoughtful expression. "It's been decades since a Gryffindor and a Slytherin ever dated--"

"Now who said I wanted to date Malfoy?" I demanded. "I never said anything of the kind."

"Oh but you implied. Besides, I know you're lying. I was young once too. I just wanted you to know that I don't care what you do. I'm not against Slytherin-Gryffindor friendships, although I may seem to treat the Gryffindors less than fair," he said.

I stared at him, shocked. Professor Snape, Gryffindor torcher maker, was giving me, a Weasley, permission to go after his prized student. I was completely out of words.

"Don't look so shocked, Ms. Weasley. Mr. Malfoy needs some caring in his life. He doesn't get much of that at home, if you knew him well. I suggest you take the time to get to know him before you go after him," Snape said.

I could tell the professor cared for Malfoy a whole lot. Snape must have been the father Draco never had. I had thought at that moment, as I excused myself from Snape's office, that Draco must have had a terrible life. My heart ached for him, no wonder he acted the way he did. No wonder he made the comments in the magazine. They were all true; he wasn't making pity statements. The poor thing.

At supper that day, I was still thinking about Draco. He was the most interesting guy in the whole school. Absently poking at my food, I didn't notice our Owl Erol fly, rather, drop in. I only noticed when my plate flew to the opposite end of the table sending food everywhere. He had a rolled up parchment tied to his feet. I untied it gently and gave Erol a snack. Unwrapping the brown paper, I found my weekly issue of Teen Witch Weekly. I had been wondering when that would get in.

To achieve privacy, I said my good-byes and went to the library for peace and quiet. On the front cover was a question mark figure with caption: "Teen Witch Weekly's 10 most charming smiles." 'This should be interesting,' I thought. In the back of my mind, I wondered if Draco would be there.

Harry had a cute smile. He had the kind that curved higher on one side, making a lopsided grin. When Harry was really happy, the sides of his eyes crinkled and his green eyes sparkled. It made everyone feel the warmth. I paused as I wondered who would get number one, if not Harry. And there it was, the name I had secretly been waiting for.

1. Draco Malfoy, son of rich and powerful Lucius Malfoy, owner of Slytherin's Estates (hidden from the wizarding world, Slazar Slytherin's secret lands), Slytherin's seeker at Hogwarts, and winner of Teen Witch Weekly's Top Notch Wizard of the Twenty-first Century Award

Then I snorted. How could Draco win the most charming smile? He rarely smiled. His smile was a smirk. I laughed out loud. This magazine had their sources mixed up. But then I flipped to the next page and there he was, Mr. Award Winning Smile himself, in an expensive robe smiling at an event. The caption read: "Draco Malfoy poses as he wins his fifth consecutive horse race in the Junior Division."

'So this is what Malfoy looks like when he had real smile on his face,' I had thought. His smiled made me want to smile and share in his happiness. More than anything, it was this moment that made me want to know him, to be his friend, or even more.

I stared at the picture for what seemed like an hour. Who could look at a picture for hours? Well, me of course. I used to dream of Harry rescuing me in the Chamber of Secrets, and of Harry asking me out, of Harry in general. I had created a fantasy of Harry, of the Harry I never knew. That was a mistake. I had made myself believe that he was the greatest person in the world, when he wasn't. There were more important people, like Draco, who needed me more than anything. I decided that since I already had the goal that I wasn't going to do everything people told me to do, I was going to try my best to get to know Draco.

Luck must have been working for me at that moment because a shadow feel over me, and I knew immediately by the scent of him that it was the man of my affections. "What do you want?" I asked in a casual tone.

"Just nothing. Just sit with me, and maybe I'll decide to tell you more," he said in his usual arrogant drawl. He moved to sit across me on the small round table.

"What if I don't want to know anything?" I asked, but I really did want to know more about him. But I couldn't let my reputation for being a Weasley fade.

"You do, trust me."

"Trust you?" I asked in disbelief. Why would I trust a death eater, if he was a death eater (I wasn't sure then)?

"I want you to know something about me, Weasel. If there's anyone you can trust, it's me. I don't lie, I don't break promises, and I certainly don't do things for no reason," he said sounding offended.

Then I remembered that Professor Snape said that I should get to know him, and that he needed someone to be there for him. 'Screw the Weasley pride,' I thought. 'I'm not like my brothers. Even Malfoy's deserve to be understood, deserved to be cared for.'

"I believe you," I said, trying to gain his trust. After all, I did get him to come to me, just by yelling at my brother.

He looked at me, second of shock crossing his face. But it immediately returned to his masked face. He studied my face for a second; I was feeling uncomfortable under his steely gaze. But finally he spoke, "I talked to Professor Snape." Why did I have to know that? "About you." Oh.

"What about me?" I asked curiously. Why would Draco talk to Snape about me? Or did Snape tell him I was inquiring about him? Oh I hoped it wasn't that. I prayed it wasn't that.

He didn't answer, but stared at me seriously, the arrogance wiped away. I stared back at him with the same serious expression. He was about to tell me something important, I could feel it, it was like he let his guard down and I could feel his thoughts and emotions. He was such a sensuous guy, beneath his outer mask of perfection.

"Draco?" I asked breaking the silence. "What is it about me that you want to know?" I touched his hand lightly.

He blinked as if coming back to reality. "Snape is like a father to me..."

"I know," I said. "I noticed when you came in today to talk to him."

"Yes. And he said that if I ever needed anyone to talk to, besides him, it would be you. I was curious to find out why he would tell me to talk to you about my problems, but now I know."

"I don't understand." And I really hadn't. I was confused myself of why Snape would tell him to talk to me. I was the last person I'd go looking for advice from, so why would anyone want advice from me?

"I can feel your thoughts," he said. "I felt like I could let my guard down with you, be myself, show you myself. I felt like I could tell you anything, and you wouldn't laugh, and you would understand. Do you get it? It's hard for me to explain..." he trailed off. He, being known as perfect and to be feared, didn't know how to explain to me his deep feelings.

I smiled warmly. "You don't need to try to explain. I already know. In that moment earlier, I could feel something about you that was different. You weren't like your self that I was accustomed to. So much deeper."

He smiled. And I smiled. Not so much because I smiled back, but because it was like the smile of happiness he showed in the picture.

"Did you want to talk about anything?" I asked, wanting to more about him. He was turning out to be so much better than anyone I knew. He was so much more in tune with himself, so much more powerful in everyway, emotionally, physically, mentally...

"No, not really. I just wanted to talk with you," he said.

I nodded. He turned to walk away, the barrier was up again, and he was Malfoy once more. I remember watching his lone dark figure float away from me, and remember feeling sad. I should have felt happy that I got to talk to him, but I didn't. His presence was so powerful, that when he left the room, I felt alone.