Sunshine and Shadows

The Sawtooth Edge

Waves of pewter, pink and deep coral licked and lapped
at the glistening skin of the shore, causing it to sigh in sensual pleasure. 
The figure emerging from the French doors, dressing gown loosely belted
about his waist, gazed upon the surf as it stroked its way along the whispering
beach line.  He sipped appreciatively at a scalding cup of Black Rhino,
the coffee's heady aroma tickling his brain in preparation for the vascular
assault of barely legal levels of caffeine.  The stuff in his mug
would have kicked Earl Grey's ass up and down the beach, the platinum haired
wizard reflected with a grin.  It had been his morning ritual ever
since Severus Snape had turned him on to the beverage the morning following
Slytherin House's spectacular graduation celebration.  Two sips and
Draco's hangover had fled in terror.  He could almost hear the potent
brew growling as it careened through his system, seeking out unwary blood
cells.

Images from the previous evening paraded before Draco's
eyes as he took another jarring mouthful of liquid life.  That Ginny
Weasley had been subjected to some type of sexual trauma was evident. 
It was the degree of lingering damage that concerned the aristocratic young
wizard at present.  When he had approached the woman in the darkness
of the alley, she had flown at him like a wild bird, desperately beating
her wings against his greater strength in her desire to flee.  He
had thrust her from him and watched, at first in disgusted alarm, then
in growing concern, as Ginny sank to the filthy cement.  For a moment,
Draco feared the hhe had caused the witch some damage, then he heard her
terrified, child-like whisper.

"Mummy."

Draco had crouched before the trembling figure, leaning
to the side to allow a sliver of light from the street to illuminate her
features.  Emerald eyes wide, Ginny had made no response when Draco
hesitantly pushed a strand of hair from her tear streaked cheek. 
Her lips had worked soundlessly, her body curling in tightly its itself,
while her gaze remained fixed on a terror only she could view.  She
had offered no resistance when he had scooped her into his arms and disapparated
to his flat along the shore.

The next hours had passed in waking nightmare as he alternated
between restraining and comforting the traumatized young witch.  She
had fought him with the strength of a lioness, but it had been her keening
sobs that had wounded Draco to his soul.  What had happened to the
fiery Gryffindor cub that he had once delighted in hexing at the drop of
a pointed hat?  Who could have taken the light from her snapping,
green eyes and replaced it with the glow of madness?  Damnit, the
girl had five older brothers!  Where were they while their sister
was being ravaged and brutalized?  They should have protected her
better, Draco raged. He would have protected Ginny, kept her safe. 
Damn them all for failing in their duty.

And damn the bastard that had taken advantage of their
lassitude.

A sharp POP snatched Draco from his ruminations. 
An elderly house elf dressed in an immaculate black tea towel was placing
a covered silver tray on a nearby table.  The creature's expression
was one of strict decorum from the hooded, bulging eyes to the iron hard
upper lip but the over all effect was marred by the pair of child's briefs
adorning
his fleshy head,  floppy ears poking through the frayed leg openings.

"I is bringing you a bit of breakfast, Master Draco, sir." 
The elf said in a clipped, precise voice.

Hiding a fond smile behind his cup, Draco acknowledged
the elf with the briefest of nods.

"Is you be wanting a bath, Master?"  The wrinkled
creature inquired, unfolding a pristinpkinpkin with a practiced snap. 
He waited patiently as Draco took his seat, before laying the cloth on
the wizard's lap.

"A shower, Fetcher."  Draco answered.  The house
elf proceeded to load a plate with sausages and yellow clouds of fluffy
scrambled eggs.  "I haven't the time to linger this morning."

"Is the Master to be dressing for business or pleasure?" 
Fetcher asked, slowly blinking his hureenreen eyes.

"Neither."  The young master snapped, and the elf
retreated slightly.  "Miss Parkinson will be joining me for lunch
and then we are scheduled to sit for the wedding portrait."  Draco's
throat spasmed as he tried to force the food into his stomach.  Just
one more prick of the tormentor's blade, he thought, before the actual
sacrifice is performed.

"Ah, the cream linen for lunch then, master?"  When
Draco nodded, Fetcher continued. "Is Master Draco wanting Fetcher to send
the wedding robes on to the studio?"  Wrinkles of sadness were sneaking
from under the waist band about the creature's forehead.

"You can burn them, for all I bloody care!"  The
young wizard growled only to present a halting hand to the suddenly giddy
elf.  "No, no, Fetcher!  We can't destroy the damned things.
I shall be needing my burial shroud for the big day!"  He concluded
bitterly.

The house elf's ears sagged once more.

Draco wiped his mouth wite nae napkin and then tossed
it to his plate.  "I don't know why you should be so gloomy. 
You are my servant and Pansy will think twice before ordering you about."

The house elf laid the fingers of one hand timidly upon
one of his master's silk covered knees.  "Fetcher is not wanting Master
Draco to be unhappy. Fetcher is thinking this marriage is bad for my young
master."

"Well,"  Draco began gruffly, his silver eyes peering
out at the waves.  "It is not your place to think."  The words
were balanced in their sting by the touch of his palm over the elf's cotton
covered pate. "It will just get you into all sorts of trouble."

Sighing heavily, Fetcher nodded.  The two were immobile
for a long moment, the laughing of the ocean and the singing of the salt
breeze, the only sounds.

Suddenly rapping his knuckles upon Fetcher's skull, Draco
snorted.  "It is too fine a morning to be wasted on dread!  Have
there been any owls?"

Struggling against his natural inclination to scamper,
Fetcher went to the owl slot.  Draco was helping himself to another
cup when his major domo returned, a scroll covered tray balanced on one
leathery palm.  Gesturing to the tottering pile of parchment, the
wizard asked, "Is there anything of import?"

Speaking through his long nose, Fetcher intoned formally,
"A missive from your lady mother, a note each from Miss Parkinson and young
Master Goyle, four scrolls from your cousins in France and a card from
Madam Pooph reminding the young master of his appointment to select a china
pattern.  The remainder is junk owls, Master.  Is you wanting
Fetcher to deal with the rubbish in the usual manner?"

"Please."

Fetcher scooped up the majority of the scrolls and vanished
with a POP, leaving Draco with his mail.  He easily identified
Pansy's correspondence by the sheer, tasteless quality of the heavy parchment
and gaudy ribbon.  The newly rich can be so tacky, Draco sneered as
he pushed the roll aside.  It was bad enough that he had to share
his afternoon with the chit!  He refused to allow Pansy to plague
him at his breakfast table!  He pulled his mother's familiar stationary
from the pile, broke the delicate wax seal and settled back to read.

My Dearest Draco,  *Hello,
Mum!*

From the moment of your birth, you have been my pride,
my angel. Even enduring twenty-six, bone crushing hours of labor could
not dim my joy!  Knowing that such a son as you was delivered of my
body is the greatest reward of my life.   When I first beheld
your perfect face, I swore to employ myself in giving you every happiness. 
Even at this time, the bleak dusk of your youth, I have come  with
a glimmer of sunshine, my darling.

*Draco quirked a brow and smiled. Mother, what have you
done?*

Having learned through house elf gossip (Yes Draco,
I  still attend to house elf gossip!) that you are to be burdened
with Miss Parkinson's presence this afternoon, I have put the Malfoy name
to some good use and have procurred a spot for your intended at  The
Madam Boule' Salon in Paris. You realize that only the very creme' of wizarding
families are welcome in Madam's establishment and without my sponsorship,
Miss Parkinson and her mother would have not even been asked to make soap
deliveries!  A few well placed words and four thousand galleons...
viola!  You have a Parkinson free day.

*Draco's face cracked in a massive smile*

Upon being informed of this exclusive and EXPENSIVE
opportunity, Miss Parkinson dissolved into paroxysm of blubbering, gushing
appreciation, delivered in very poor French.  Where did the tart pick
up such a disagreeable accent?  It is simply horrid!

As I write, Miss Parkinson and her massive cow of a
mother are preparing themselves for the journey.  You should be receiving owl owl from the giggling twit breaking your lunch engagement (were it the
marriage engagement, my precious!) close upon the heels of this happy missive. 
The studio has been informed of the change in plans as well and has re-scheduled
your sitting.

*Oh Mummy, how I love you!*

And there you have it, my son.  Your mother has
once again taken on the agonizing task of providing you life, even if it
is just for one more day.  As I must accompany the Parkinson's to
secure their admittance into Madam's presence, I beg of you, do NOT waste
this gift!

Should I not survive the experience, have me laid out
in the blue taffeta with the cream and gold lace.  It brings out the
gold in my hair.

I love you,

MUMMY

" I love you, too."  Draco murmured, kissing the
parchment.  "Fetcher!"  He bellowed, feeling as if a massive
weight had been lifted from his chest.

"Yes, Master Draco?"  Fetcher appeared, bowing.

" We have been granted a reprieve.  I think I will
take you up on that bath, and then I will be spending the day at the beach." 
Draco grinned.

" Very good, sir.  Then you is going to be wanting
the coconut scented water."  Fetcher stated formally.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^^**^

Ginny growled low in her throat, but continued with her
work.  The line at the snack cantina had dwindled down to a remaining
few customers, but it was not the queue of patiently waiting beach goers
that caused her anger. She stewed over the pair of burly idiots that lingered
under one of the umbrella covered tables.  Crabbe and Goyle had put
in an appearance shortly after Ginny had opened for business.  They
had lingered for hours, harassing her with their mindless insults and tossing
trash about  on the cobbly sand.  Her attempts at driving them
off had been rewarded by barking laughter and increased rubbish. 
Now, she was reduced to ignoring them as she prepared the last of her orders.

She slid a cardboard tray loaded with dogs and chips to
the last wizard at the counter and rang up his purchase.  Wishing
him a good day, Ginny grabbed a cleaning rag and busied herself with cleaning
up.  With the increased volume of beach visitors, her lunchtime rush
was the most hectic part of her day.  If everything ran as usual,
she would have about two hours of infrequent customers before the second
wave around two o'clock.  That would give her time to pack in some
studying.

That is, if she could rid herself of the idiots in the
shade.

Sigh!  There was nothing for it save continued
ignoring.  The louts bought the occasional soda, and had the sense
to remain quite when other, more civilized customers were present, so Ginny
figured she could endure their being around, unless they became too rowdy.

Or their presence conjured up a third, more threatening,
person.

Draco!

Draco-effing-Malfoy!

She was still simmering over the events of the previous
evening.  Because of his high-handedness, Ginny had not only missed
class, but had been subjected to hours of shrill monologue from her mother,
delivered with a side order of disgusted glares from her father and brothers. 
Molly had gone on and on about how Ginny's tardiness had upset the family; 
how they had searched the beach resort for hours, even calling in wizard
law enforcers to search for the missing girl.  Mrs. Weasley had harangued
the young red-head about her lack of consideration, when Ginny had muttered
something about going off with some friends after work and loosing track
of time.  The tirade came to an end only when Ginny stomped from the
room, screaming, "Put it in a Howler, Mum!"

Breakfast at the Burrow had been a silent, chilly affair
and Ginny had disapparated with Molly's disapproving glower as a farewell.

=+1>If she ever laid eyes on that silver haired shit again...

" 'Afternoon, Weasley."

SLAP!

The wet towel wrapped itself around Draco's head, filling
his nostrils with the odor of old grease.  He peeled the disgusting
rag from his face, staring angrily at the mulish red head behind the counter.

"What the hell is this all about?"  He demanded,
tossing the oily rag aside.

Ginny refused to grant him a reply and instead occupied
herself with re-stocking the cup dispensers.

Draco leaned one elbow on the stainless steel surface
and grinned evilly.  " This would not happen to be about last night,
would it?"

Again, the stony silence save for the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzziiiiiiiiiiiiiiP!
of cups being forcefully shoved into their metal prison.

" What happened last night, Draco?"  Goyle inquired
and the blond Slyin cin cursed himself for speaking so loudly.  Best
to just play it out.

Smirking over his shoulder at the hulking pair, Draco
drawled.   " Let's just say that Weasley here has a soft spot
for snakes.  Cannot afford to be seen with a Weasel in public, however." 
He gave his brows a suggestive wiggle that sent Crabbe and Goyle into fits
of brainless laughter.

Turning once more to the fuming young witch in the cantina,
Draco intoned teasingly, " So, have you written that letter yet?"

Ginny gave him the full  blast of her icy green eyes
before hurling the grease coated fry baskets into a sink of soapy water.

Draco leaned further over the counter and whispered, "
Ginny-girl."

"I told you not to call me that!"  The young witch
hissed, scrubbing the wire baskets with a metal brush, dearly wishing it
were Malfoy's face she was pressing into the murky water.

The wizard trailed one finger along the scratched counter
top.  " Come on, Weasley.  Shut this hell-hole down for the day
and we can go to my house and play."

"Sod off, Malfoy!"

" I will let you use my wand."  More brainless snickers
from the umbrella.

Ginny slammed the brush into the suds, her shoulders slumped.
" You don't get it, do you?  You just don't FREAKING get it!" 
She whirled on Malfoy, her eyes brimming with angry tears.  " I NEED
this job, you rich ass-hole!  Do you realize how hard it is to find
good paying, summer work?"  Mockingly, she slapped a palm on her forehead. 
" Oh, that's right!  You're a gentleman of leisure!"  She sneered
out the word, 'gentleman' like a curse.

Draco forced himself not to recoil from the rage and pain
on Ginny's face.  Obviously NOT in a teasing mood.  Ooooooooooooooooooo-kay. 
Time to try a new game plan.  Reaching into the pocket of his
low slung trunks, he pulled out his wallet.  Draco figured he would
purchase a drink, saunter off with Dim and Wit in tow, give the witch a
while to cool off and come back alone.  He refused to waste the opportunity
his mother had provided.  He would speak with Weasley!  He would
make her listen.

" Well, this gentleman wants a soda.sp; sp; Draco
hummed, tossing the required coin upon the counter.

"No!"

" What?"

" Clueless, lazy and deaf.  You never cease
to amaze me, Malfoy."

" I demand you provide me with a large cherry coke!"

" I'm closed!"

"You are not!"  Draco planted both palms flat on
the counter.

" Yes, I am!"  Ginny screamed.

" Not!"  Draco responded with equal heat, suddenly
enjoying himself.

" AM!"  Ginny reached out and flipped the release
on the roll-up security panel.  With a shuddering clang, the door
descended.  Draco's scream of pain brought the day's first smile to
Ginny's lips.

On the other side of the partition, Draco sucked the blood
from his pinched and rapidly bruising fingers.  Grabbe and Goyle rushed
to his side.

" Draco, man, you can't let the bitch get away with that!" 
Goyle insisted, pulling his wand.

" Yea!"  Crabbe agreed.  " You want us to rough
her up for you?"

Through the throbbing of his abused hands, Draco recoiled
at the prospect of the two goons taking on the tiny woman.  He also
realized that he could not appear to let this incident slide.  That
would be too out of character.

" No!"  He barked, snatching his own wand free. 
" I want to handle this alone."  His cold, hard tone promised much
suffering for the uppity chit and Crabbe and Goyle beamed at the prospect.

Storming around to the side of the metal unit, the wizards
found the door locked and warded from within.  " Keep a lookout!" 
Draco snapped and focused his will upon breaking Weasley's spells.

It took him several tries, but finally the shiny panel
exploded inward.  All three wizards hit the dirt as hexes flew from
the dark interior.

" Cover me, then keep outside!"  Draco declared before
making a rush for the open doorway, spells and curses sizzling over his
shoulders to vanish in the gloom of the small trailer.  Diving inside,
he kicked the door shut, at the same time, blasting the cramped space with
a strobe spell.  He closed his eyes against the brilliant blast of
light, hoping that he had temporally blinded the witch.  She could
make short work of him in such a tiny cell.

" Accio wand! "  Draco called, then cursed
roundly when Ginny's wand smacked him hard in the nose.  Grabbing
the offending baton from the air, he lurched to his feet, eyes darting
about the shadowy clusters of stainless steel.  With the security
panel down, the heat from the grill and fry pots was oppressive and the
only light was that which managed to creep in from under the closed shield.

Where could the girl be hiding, Draco wondered. 
The place is not THAT large.  Unless....  This was a wizarding
building, and looks could be deceiving.  There could possible be several
chambers on the other side of the unit.  Cautiously, he made his way
along the serving line to peek around the corner.

With a warrior cry, Ginny hurled herself up at Draco from
where she had crouched behind the ice bin.  She caught the hand holding
her wand in a furious grip and brought it down to her mouth.  Her
teeth sank into his wrist with satisfying results.  Draco howled in
rage and her wand flew from his grasp.

Only to land with a sizzling plop in the fry pot.

With a strangled cry, Ginny lunged forward, her hand instinctively
reaching out.=+1>

Draco caught her in a hard embrace.  " Have you lost
all reason?"  He yelled.

Ginny struggles increased as she kicked back hard against
his naked shins, her nails gouging into his sweating arms.  Grunting
against the pain, Draco wrestled with the thrashing female until he managed
to force her face down upon the counter, his chest pressed into her heaving
back.  Her hands were as slippery and dangerous as snakes as he fought
to bring them from under her body and pin them behind her bucking hips. 
At last, he had her captured, imprisoned beneath him.  Under his cheek,
Draco heard  her labored breathing and the rapid pace of her heart. 
The copper tangle of her hair stuck to the sweat on Draco's face and lips,
causing him to puff and spit at the clinging strands.

" Get off me!"  Ginny growled and Draco had to chuckle
at her tenacity.

" I don't know, Ginny-girl.  I am actually quite
comfortable."=+1>

" You bastard!"  She attempted to rear up, but his
superior weight kept her pinned.

" I could lay like this all day."  Draco spoke teasingly,
but in truth, their position brought to mind several delightful pictures. 
He wiggled his pelvis and heard the woman beneath him gasp.  Too late,
he remembered her trauma and regretted his action.  Easing up on his
weight, Draco inquired, " If I let you up, will you promise to behave?"

Ginny was silent for a long moment, then responded in
a mud vod voice. " Only if you will."

" Look, as a show of my good will, I will retrieve your
french fried wand."

Ginny thought for a moment and then Draco felt her shrug. 
" 'K."

" On three then.  One, two."  On three, he leaped
clear as Ginny whirled, glaring at him through the tangle of her hair.

Holding up a placating hand, Draco spoke.  " I am
now going to rescue you wand from it's fiery bath.  Where should I
place it?"

Scraping her face free of hair, Ginny pointed.  "
The dishwater, I suppose.  It will be wicked hot."

Draco nodded.  " Righen.hen."  And pointing
his wand towards the popping grease, said, " Wingardium Leviosa " 
Ginny's wand rose slowly into the air, sizzling, hot oil gliding along
its length.  Draco guided the piece towards the sink and released
the spell.  The wand vanished below the suds.

" Think the heat will have damaged it any?"  Ginny
asked in a horrified whisper.

" It is a Ollivander piece?"  The blond wizard inquired.

Ginny nodded, her eyes still on the bubbles.
" Well, he is known for making superb wands."  Draco
responded conversationally.  He ran a tooth marked hand through his
hair and glanced at his companion questionably.  " Do you think you
should give it a go.  You know, see if it is ok?"

Ginny shot him a sideways glare.  "You're not afraid
I will hex your balls into the shake blender?"

Draco shuddered, but grinned.  "You promised to behave. 
I hold you to that promise."

" Damn fool!"  The witch muttered and reached into
the water.  She fished about for a second then pulled the dripping
wand into view.  Turning on the tap, Ginny rinsed the wood  and
then dried it on the tail of her shirt.  She eyed the gleamiod
od
carefully, then peered at Malfoy with verdigris caution.

"Looks all right."

" Well,"  the wizard responded coolly.  " Have
a go at it.  Something simple, just in case."  He advised.

Ginny pointed the wand at a soaking fry basket. 
" Wingardium Leviosa! "  The basket obediently rose into the
air. ny sny sagged in relief.

Then whirled with her wand leading, pinning Draco between
the eyes with the still warm tip.  " How DARE you attack me like that,
you... you... MALFOY, you!"  Ginny hissed.

Draco's eyes crossed as he glared down the umber rod at
the twin barrels of green fire perched over a ridge of freckles.

" You promised!"  He snarled, raising his palms in
surrender.

" I haven't done anything."  Ginny replied. 
" Yet."  She studied the handsome wizard on the end of her wand. 
" Why won't you just leave me alone, Draco?  Please.  Do you
know how much trouble you caused for me last night?  My folks actually
called in the Ministry, for crying out loud!"

Dra>Draco slid his silver eyes shut and sighed heavily. 
"Look, Weasley.  Can we discuss this without wands?"

Slowly Ginny lowered her arm, ready to leap back into
the defense if Draco showed the slightest sigh of attacking.  Their
eyes locked, one on the other, they each placed their wands upon the counter,
fingers hovering for a brief second before pulling away.

" Can you do me one small favor?"  Draco asked.

" Depends."  Ginny evaded.

" Would you give a few good screams?"  Draco jerked
his platinum head to the door. " Crabbe and Goyle are outside, and you
know..."

"Oh, yea, sure."  She agreed.  Getting a lung
full of air, Ginny roared as Draco slapped his hands on the metal door the the ice bin.

" That's right, wench!"  Draco called above the scream.
" Take me all the way!"

There were appreciative cheers from behind the door and
Ginny cocked a brow at Draco.  "Wench?"  She growled.

He merely shrugged, his grin making her heart do funny
things within the cage of her ribs.<

"Look, Ginny-girl,"  Draco began, ignoring her sudden
frown.  " I am sorry about last night.  How was I to know you
would collapse into a gibbering heap when I tried to talk to you? 
And that is all I had in mind, Ginny.  Just talking."

When the woman remained silent, he continued.  "
I couldn't leave you sitting in the alley like that.  I had no other
choice, but to take you home with me.  I was concerned for you."

Ginny looked down at her sandled feet, crossing her arms
over her chest in a defensive posture.  "What did you want to talk
about?"

Feeling more confident, Draco erased some of the distance
between them, closer, yet not touching.

" Nothing important.  Everything important." 
He traced a line down her arm with one finger.  "I was telling the
truth last night, Ginny.  I have been sentenced to a living death. 
I wanted to spend my last days of freedom with someone I think of as special."

That brought her eyes up from their study of her footwear. 
Her brow puckered in vexation.  " Don't have me on, Malfoy. 
The only 'special' person in this trailer is you."

"Why are you so damned defensive?"  Draco asked,
leaning closer.  " What is so hard about believing that I find you
alluring, interesting.  Why should I not want to spend a bit of time
with you?"

Ginny poked a slender finger into his chest. "Because
I'm a Weasley and you're a Malfoy!"

Draco rubbed his eyes with one hand before pinching the
bridge of his nose.  " I know.  I have been telling myself the
same thing for years, yet I remained unconvinced.  Would you mind
yelling again?"

Ginny complied with his request.  " Get off me you
Slytherin bastard!"  She was rewarded with hoots and whistles.

"Thank you."

" 'Welcome. So..."

"Yes," Draco replied. "So..."

" If I accept your apology, will you go away?"  Ginny
asked in a small voice.

"Will you go out with me?  Tonight?"

"No!"

"Ginny-girl, I promise I..."

SLAP!

"I told you not to call me that!"

His cheek burned from her blow and Draco backed away in
defeat.  Picking up his wand, he thrust the piece into his back pocket. 
He let his gaze rest on her for a long moment, drinking in the sight of
her tiny face with its big green eyes, the whirl of red hair spinning out
from the band she had used to subdue the mass, the way her small round
breast heaved under the ugly, stained shirt that looked so beautiful on
her. With a nod, he turned to go.  Then he spied the coins he had
placed on the counter earlier.  He glanced back at Ginny.

"I paid for a soda."  When she made no move, he carried
on.  " No worry, I can get it myself."

Reaching across the narrow span, Draco snatched a large
Styrofoam cup from the holder.  Throwing open the ice bin, he packed
the container with the shimmering crystals before reaching into the small
fridge for the squeeze bottle of cherry flavoring.  Wrapping his long
fingers around the plastic, he directed a long streamred red juice into
the ice, all the while feeling Ginny's gaze following his every move. 
He gave himself an extra shot of flavoring because he liked it oh, so much
and returned the bottle to the cooler.  He turned and strode to the
soda dispenser, his forehead wrinkled in mock deliberation.  Pushing
the cup below the appropriate nozzle, Draco pressed the lever, releasing
a hissing spill of caramel and carbonized water.  With military precision,
Draco wheeled to the condiment rack.  He snapped the lid from the
cherry bin and flashing Ginny a roguish grin, plucked up one of the dripping,
ruby fruits, dropping into the cup with a flourish of his wrist.

"You've been paying attention."  Ginny complimented
him.

Draco shrugged.  "It was always part of the treat. 
Watching you.  My god, I love these things."  Tipping the cup,
he took a long pull.  Ginny watched his adam's apple bobbing in the
tanned column of his throat.  Some of the soda spilled from the sides
of the upturned cup and trickled down to darken the material of the sleeveless
T he woresp; sp; Suddenly, her mouth felt very dry.

Ginny gazing at him with a rapt expression.  Reaching into the container,
Draco retrieved the cherry, holding it by its scarlet stem.  Keeping
jealous possession of the red haired witch's eyes, Draco slowly approached,
the dripping fruit dangling from his fingers.

"Open your mouth, Ginny."  He whispered when his
toes made contact with her own.  He was so close, he could see how
his breath ruffled the wisps of hair near her ear.  He felt a slight
tremble on the air between their bodies, but he pressed his luck and leaned
in closer.  "Open you lips."

Without blinking, Ginny slowly obeyed.  She was mesmerized
by his stare.  It was like looking at twin stars.  His breath
on her cheek was hot and she could smell the healthy sweat on his skin. 
A small place deep in her belly squeezed around itself, and Ginny quivered
with the sensation.  She felt the icy skin of the suspended cherry
against her lips and she gently sucked the fruit, flicking at it with the
tip of her tongue.

Draco moaned,  "Take it between your teeth. 
Yes, like that.  Now, hold it."

Ginny felt  a sharp tug as Draco pulled the stem
free, leaving the cherry clamped between her white teeth.  Their breaths
were coming in short pants as Draco moved closer, amazed when Ginny brought
her hands up to fluttered gently at his waist line. ir eir eyes held
on to one another as he whispered once more, "Bite."

Her teeth pierced the tight, red skin, sending juice spilling
over her lips and down her chin.  Her eye lids drooped as Draco breathed
her name, "Ginny!" before claiming his half of the severed fruit. 
Pushing it to the back of his mouth, Draco grazed Ginny's sweet lips with
his own, ready to spring away should she attempt to bolt.  She swayed
against him and he placed his hands on the counter behind her hips. 
Ginny's fingers trembled as she allowed them to finally touch the hard
muscles overlaying Draco's ribs and she sighed against his mouth.

Draco kept the kiss light, tender.  Now that he had
her in his embrace, he dared risk nothing that would cause her to flee. 
"Ginny."  He murmured along her lips.  "So sweet.  I knew
you would be.  You just had to be.  My sweet Ginn/FON/FONT>

Her hands pressed more firmly against his sides and curled
around to his back, fingers spreading wide to increase the points of contact. 
Carefully, Draco let her pull him closer, until their breasts were touching. 
His lips danced over her chin and along her jaw to place a kiss on the
delicate shell of her ear. " Ginny."  He sighed over and over along
her skin.  She moaned and Draco could not hold back a smile as he
returned to her mouth, sucking her lower lip tenderly.

Cautiously wrapping his arms arounr inr in a loose hug,
Draco put his lips against her gleaming forehead.  "I will never,
ever hurt you, Ginny."  He sealed his pledge with another kiss. 
"I promise you that."

Ginny let her head fall to his chest, hardly believing
that she was being held, kissed by Draco Malfoy.  She, who for years
had spurned even the touch of her own mother, was hanging on to the tall
Slytherin as if he were a life preserver in rough seas.

And it felt right.

It felt so right.

So it was nearly painful when Draco disengaged himself
from her arms and backed away.  Looking into her eyes, he whispered
sharply.  " I mean it.  I will never, ever hurt you."  He
swallowed hard.  "And if you will let me,  I will hunt down the
son of a bitch that did and I would kill him just for you.  I will
put the bastard at your feet and kill him.  Just for you."

Picking up his cup, he shook the contents before finishing
the drink off.  He tossed the cup into the dust bin and moved over
to the door where he paused.  Without looking back he hissed, "Take
care of your self, Weasley.  And don't pay any attention to anything
you hear me say to those two jackals."  With a snick of the lock,
he was gone, leaving Ginny to stand panting, her arms wrapped tight about
her middle.

"So, Draco, man, how'd it go?  Did you give it to
her?"  Goyle asked with a leer.

The blonde gloated.

"Way to go, Draco!"  Crabbe cheered with a laugh. 
"Was it good?"
<>

Draco shot him a disbelieving glare.  "Are you stupid
or what.  She is a red head."

"Yea, right."

"It sure would be nice to have some of that sitting
on the side for Pansy's off night, you know what I mean, fellas?" 
Draco replied with a smirk, arching back and scratching at his belly in
a satisfied manner.  "I have worked up a sizable appetite.  What
say I treat us all to some supper?"  Without waiting for an answer,
Draco sauntered off along the beach.  The two burly wizards stared
at his retreating form and then at one another.

"Did you hear that?"  Goyle asked.

"Sure, Draco's popping for supper."

"Not that part, you arse-hole!  The parout out having
Weasley on the side?"  He rocked his single brow.  "I think I
know what we can get Draco for a wedding present.  And it ain't gonna
cost us a knut."

"Oh man!" Crabbe chortled.  "This is great."

"Yea, but we're gonna need some help.  Let's go see
Draco's old man.  He's always up for some good fun.  And besides,
he's always hated the Weasleys."

Grinning cruelly, they followed Draco across the sand.

 

************************************************************************************

I know, it has been a loooooooooooooooong time in coming,
but hopefully, it was worth the wait.  I promise that I won't make
you wait so long next time.

Please feed my need and tell me what you think.

gotsnape