Sunshine and Shadows

Sunshine and Shadows- Chapter 6

This chapter is dedicated to Oihane () who has gone back are re-read each chapter and so that she can atone for not reviewing sooner.

Thank Yous to fallenwitch for her beta help. Her encouragement and ideas have been above valuable. The Comma Queen! Glad you still like my Severus. Have you managed to read Dark Coil? I am sure The Master can whip up a little something for that ‘bike-butt’ problem. He might even be persuaded to apply it for you. IF you ask nicely. Huggs to you, fallen!


Simple Knots ~+~


He kept a steadying palm pressed against her skull as they Apparated into a small, secluded glade situated somewhere in the middle of Ireland. Ginny’s nose instantly filled with the rich smells of wet trees and loam. A whispered spell, and the pair vanished with a pop, to reappear beside a pair of rubbish bins located in the alley between two of London’s most famous nightclubs. Another whisper took them away and planted them near a rocky outcropping overlooking a raging sea. Three more times the couple blinked into new locations before disappearing once more, as if they were simply the product of someone’s fevered dreaming.

With a final, exhausted pop, the wizard and the witch, who cowered at his feet, arrived at their final destination.

The late summer wind snorted with chilling distain, snatching rudely at the rich fabric of Draco’s cloak. Overhead the sky glowed with the clear, silver light of the waning moon, the few tattered clouds that could be seen were fast loosing their struggle against the fierce currents that gnawed along their edges. Ginny, still crouching at his feet, moaned and wearily surveyed the gloomy ‘scape until her gaze fell on the well clad leg of her captor. With a snarl, she sank her teeth into Draco’s calf.

His howl of surprised pain ended in a huff as the wizard tumbled backwards, landing flat on the cold ground. Ginny wasted no time. Swift as a cat she was on her feet, making to dart into the concealing shadows of the nearby trees. Her flight was short lived, however, for her curls were still clutched tightly in Malfoy’s hand. Wrapping desperate fingers about the slender tether, digging furrows along the back of Draco’s hand, she pulled with all of her ebbing strength.

Draco’s fingers stung from the raking they received, the digits nearly ripped from his hand by Ginny’s fearsome struggle. “Merde, woman!” He snapped, attempting to free him self from the snarling woman and her tangle of hair

“Let go, bastard!” The witch screamed as she dug in her heels.

“No! Will you just calm down?” The pain in his fingers increased as Ginny sank her fangs into his abused flesh. She found his howl of anguish to be quite rewarding and so buried her teeth deeper, the taste of his blood feeding her attack.

“You are amputating my fingers, you bitch!” With his free hand, Draco seized Ginny’s nose and clamped down hard. He twisted the sharp, little feature viciously, pulling his bloody fingers free as Ginny squealed in pain. Uttering a disgusted curse, he flung her from him.

Ginny landed heavily on her side, the breath leaving her lungs in a rush. Dizzily, she straightened her elbows, levering her upper body from the ground. Panic returned full blown when she glanced over her shoulder. Draco was on her in an instant, the fingers of his uninjured hand gouging into her wrist as he pulled her to her feet. The moonlight lay over his angry features in harsh lines of blue and gray. Even in the gloom, Ginny could make out the fresh wounds she had inflicted on his cheeks, and she cringed inwardly imagining his wrath. A fury she had seen only once before in another’s eyes burned now in Draco’s, scalding her senses and making her knees even weaker. Tiny sparks of black exploded before her vision, and with a whimper, she shrank from the expected blow.

Draco ground his teeth in frustration at her display of unadulterated fear and released his hold upon her wrist. Lifting his damaged hand, he examined it in the moonlight. “That bloody well hurt, you know?” He grumbled, regarding his shredded fingers. “Thought you would have them off me in a bit.”

Ginny swayed dangerously when Draco released her from his hold, the ground tilting upwards beneath her bare feet. The horrific events of the evening and the multiple apparations caused her head to spin alarmingly and with a groan, she crumpled to her hands and knees and began to violently dry-heave.

He sucked at the oozing wounds along his fingers as he observed the cowering witch. The young woman appeared to be shrinking into herself, drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her dirt smeared arms about them tightly. Over the rattling of the dying grass and the whistling wind, the wizard could detect her frantic whimpers.

“I can’t believe you bit me.” Draco forced brightness into his voice that he did not, at this moment, feel but not wanting to increase her anxiety, settled on the one area he knew they could both agree upon - to disagree. “Can’t rightly decide on which set of fangs are worse, yours or those damn Bat-Bogies. I still have scars, you know?” Stepping cautiously, as if her were approaching some wild creature, he continued. “Of course these bites have likely been infected by Weasley spit. I will be breaking out in spots soon. Can you picture me with ginger hair?” He snatched a handkerchief from one of the many pockets of his robes and wrapped the mangled appendage. He would have to see to his healing later. For now, he had to get them both inside the manor. Only then would Ginny truly be safe.


Ginny was silent, save for the panted whimpers. She now gently rocked her clenched body back and forth, her face paler than the moon that hovered coldly over their heads. Draco felt his stomach clench at the sight.

Removing his cloak, Draco squatted in front of the quaking, rocking witch, studying her intently. Ginny’s brown eyes were wide and glassy, empty and doll-like. Her lips were drawn in a tight grimace of terror, moving soundlessly, though tiny, childish whimpers rose wraith-like into the night air. The sight set Draco’s throat to aching with an emotion he could not readily identify. The memory of their encounter in the alleyway was foremost in his head.

“Gin?” He whispered soothingly, inching nearer to her huddled frame. “You are freezing, aren’t you? I am going to cover you up.” Draco dragged the voluminous length behind Ginny and with tender caution, pulled the collar snug about her ears, his gray eyes never leaving her face. His actions brought about no change in her mien for she appeared oblivious to her surroundings, ignoring even the slight improvement to her comfort. Her wide, wet gaze was fixed on a horror only she could perceive.

Unwilling to further alarm the traumatized witch, Draco slowly lifted a cautious hand to her face. He removed a coil of copper hair from where it was laying along her cheek and lips. His fingertip lightly grazed her skin and Draco sucked in a startled breath. It was as if she were made of ice! A harsh claxon sounded in the wizard’s head.

“We need to get inside.” He stated in a firm but controlled tone. Ginny gave no indication she had heard him and continued to stare blindly into night. Draco leaned closer until his face was directly aligned with hers. “Weasley!” He barked. There was no response. She didn’t even flinch.

He tapped a slim, tanned finger against his pursed lips as he considered their current situation and possible options. While the multiple Apparations would have shaken any save the more talented of the partygoers who may have attempted to tail them, Draco knew they would remain in danger until they were within the protective wards that guarded their destination. He could, of course, cast a few warming and Ignore Me charms and wait patiently for Ginny to drift back to reality, or he could...

A furtive rustling and the loud snap of a fallen branch from the nearby wood decided the wizard. The shadowed forest was home to more than squirrels and Draco had no desire to make their acquaintance. Gripping Ginny firmly by the shoulders, he stood, intending to bring the witch up with him.

“Noooooooooooo!” Ginny wailed as she lashed out at Draco with both fists. One blow impacted his cheek with a fury that brought tears to his eyes. Fighting to maintain a hold on his hysterical companion, Draco attempted to elude the hail of unrestrained madness currently pelting his head and upper body.

“Dammit, Ginny.” He grunted as she thrust both balled fists into his solar plexus, pushing against him with all her might.

“Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzz!” The struggling woman pleaded in an earsplitting yell before panting, “Don’t-don’t-don’t-don’t...”

Bracing his legs firmly, Draco whirled Ginny about and pinned her arms securely to her sides with his own. Her back was now pressed against Draco’s chest, and while her thrashing head did not quite reach his chin, he was wise enough to keep his face pulled well away from her.

“It’s ok. You are safe now, baby.” Draco crooned in a calming voice. “Hush now. Hush, Ginny-girl.”

He instantly cursed his stupidity as Ginny released a piercing screech that rattled in her throat and increased her desperate fighting. “Nooooooooooooooo!” Choking on spittle and tears, her struggles were no longer aimed at damaging her captor but in gaining her freedom. Draco was convinced she would have chewed off her own appendages to be shed of him.

Or the monster that lurked in her memory.

With her arms clamped to her sides, Ginny made use of her feet, bashing Draco’s shins repeatedly as she bucked and lunged against his greater strength.

“Ginny,” Draco puffed as another sharp ankle contacted his shin. “You are going to hurt yourself. Relax. It’s ok, it’s ok. Ginny, don’t make me stun you!” His eyes traveled to the forest edge, fearful of any creatures that may have been attracted by Ginny’s screams as he dragged his contorting, sobbing burden backwards towards a dark pair of towering stones. Get to the gates, he chanted internally. Don’t look at the forest, get to the gates.

Ginny continued her maniacal howling, tears pouring down her contorted features as the muscles in Draco’s arms and chest burned from the effort of holding on. His litany of reassurances departed his lips as so much vain air as she seemed to spiral deeper into delirium.

“Mummy-mummy-mummy-mummy.” She panted in desperation. Suddenly, as if drawn by a giant’s hand, her body arched, horribly bow-like, away from Draco’s. She hung suspended for an eternal second before falling still and lifeless in his embrace. Draco could hear a last, faint zephyr pass her lips as Ginny’s weight pulled him to the ground.

Wrestling her now unresisting body across his lap, Draco lifted her face up to his. “Ginny?” He inquired in a strangled whisper that sounded oddly loud in the sudden calm. His skin stung with a million needles of fear as he took in her slack features. “Gin, baby? Don’t do this, woman!” He stroked tangles of hair from her face and inspected her carefully in the silver moonlight.

The skin on her face and throat was a road map drawn with dirt and tears. Her lips were slightly parted, revealing the gleaming teeth that had shredded his hide just moments earlier. The eyes that had stared, blinded by terror, were now closed, the lashes spiky with tears. Draco ran his fingers along her jaw and down to the soft hollow at the base of her throat. His heart hammered painfully in his chest as he waited for some sign that the witch yet lived. Beneath his hopeful fingers he felt a tiny tic-tic-tic, like the pulse of a mouse, and when he brushed his lips tenderly over hers, a faint exhale entered past his lips, the taste of her breath like candy on his tongue. To his delight, she shivered.

Sliding one arm about her shoulders and another beneath her knees, Draco stood, holding her limp weight against his firm chest. He could feel her slender body trembling with cold as he strode quickly to a massive wrought iron gate supported between a pair of stone pillars. A thick, scrolled serpent of iron formed the letter S in the space where the two gates met.

“Dark Lords suck!” Draco growled out the ward releasing charm and watched as the black metal turned a smoky gray. His body cleaved the misty rods, and he grimly made his way up the long gravel walk. The manor house was as dark and chilling as the night surrounding him but Draco knew it to be occupied. He climbed the stairs to the front door and gave the heavy barrier a few hard kicks. Ginny shifted in his embrace, and Draco pressed his lips to the top of her head where it lay against his shoulder.

“Shh, baby. You are safe now. Relax.”

Impatiently, the wizard battered the door once more and shortly was rewarded by a click of the lock. The portal opened to the barest crack and one bulging yellow eye peered up at him through the slit.

“Quickly Leo!” Draco commanded.

With a squeak, the House Elf leaped back, pulling the door wider, allowing the tall wizard to enter.

“Master Draco, we is not expecting you! We is hearing all sorts of terrible screams. We is all being afraid and is hiding in the cellar.” The tiny creature explained as he closed and re-warded the door.

Draco was already making his way up the curving staircase, calling back over his shoulder. “I need a room prepared, now! See that a fire is laid as well.”

“At once, Master Draco!” Leo piped before vanishing with an alarmed pop...

...only to reappear before Draco as the wizard reached the upper landing. “This way, Sir.” The House Elf said before scampering down the long carpeted gallery. He came to a stop before a thick oaken door, turned the knob and disappeared inside.

Draco entered the chamber to find several elves scurrying about. A fire crackled lustily in the huge fireplace and he could feel the presence of several warming charms within the room. Leo had pulled the bed curtains from around the heavy four-poster that occupied the center of the room and was darting about over the mattress arranging the moss green duvet and fluffing the pillows. Draco moved swiftly to the bed and gently laid the young witch on the sheets. Leaving her cocooned within his cloak, he tucked the thick covers around her quaking body before smoothing a snarl of red hair from her white cheeks. To his surprise, her eyes were open slightly. Several small pops told him the elves had completed their tasks and taken their leave. Leo, alone, remained, his round, yellow eyes fixed intently on the trembling girl.

“Malfoy.” Ginny’s voice quivered with the tremors moving through her frame and the sound came out in a broken whisper. “So c-c-cold. Hurts.” Her brown eyes, the pupils hugely dilated, wobbled as she attempted to focus and Draco watched in horror as her lips turned blue. Beads of sweat broke out on her too pale face and rolled down her skin like tears.

Sweating? Why would she sweat so if she were cold? Draco’s brain stumbled about looking for answers as he stretched out beside the shivering woman and wrapping his arms about her, pulled her firmly against his body. This is not right! She should be railing at me, snarling like a cornered kitten, not laying here...like THIS!

Leo crept up from where he had been crouching at the foot of the bed and placed a twig like finger to the side of Ginny’s neck. A faint, thin thread pulsed beneath the questing digit. Shaking his bald head with gloomy slowness, the elf leaned closer, sniffing the girl, taking in her quick, shallow breaths, before lifting his troubled gaze. “Young Miss is not good, Master Sir. The body, it be shutting down. Must warm her quickly.” This said, the creature jumped from the bed. Draco heard the sound of running water and understood Leo’s intent. Rising, he pulled the comforter from around Ginny, his gut twisting as she mewled weakly. “Hang on, Gin.” He told the suffering witch, once more scooping her limp weight to his chest. A few quick strides brought them to the bathroom, which was rapidly filling with steam. Draco shifted Ginny in his arms as Leo dragged the heavy cloak from her body. He caught sight of the collar, and his anger burned anew.

“Stupid, sodding bastards!” Draco roared. Sitting down upon the closed toilet lid, he secured Ginny in his lap with one arm. Pulling her flowing mass of curls to the side, he searched the collar with angry fingers locating the hasp. Snatching the offensive piece from her, he hurled it across the room, where it slammed against the wall with a bell-like ring. The shimmering belt soon followed. Then Draco, more tenderly this time, pealed the gossamer thin material from Ginny’s too white body. He could feel the ice radiating from her, penetrating the layers of his robes. He forced his eyes to her face, refusing to rape her with his gaze.

“Water is being hot, but not too hot.” The elf informed the wizard, gesturing towards the large sunken tub. Carefully, Draco kneeled and eased Ginny’s unresisting frame into the water only to curse him self roundly when her face slid below the surface. Pulling the witch upright, he growled, “Hold her!” and Leo hastened to comply as Draco stripped down to his shirtsleeves and trousers. Kicking off his shoes, he climbed into the tub and took up a position behind the witch, allowing her back to press against his chest while her head fell loosely upon his shoulder. Copper coils of hair floated out into the rippling water, fanning around their bodies. He hissed in pain as the water soaked through his makeshift bandage to his torn fingers. Shrugging off the discomfort, he settled her more securely against his body.

“Ginny?” He called anxiously, turning her face up to his. “Ginny Weasley, look at me!”

The pain that filled her chest moved out to invade Ginny’s extremities as her body came into contact with the warm water, and she felt the muscles of her abdomen contract sharply. Disoriented, her eyelids fluttered weakly as she struggled to obey his strident command, but the effort left her nauseous. Draco’s urgent voice sounded too loud to her ears. She groaned in tired protest.

“Ginny, you must stay awake for now. I have to know what they gave you? Was it a potion?”

“C-calm-ming potion.” She breathed out painfully.

“That’s all?” Draco demanded incredulously, his concern for her worsening condition sharpening his tone. No Calming Draught, no matter how poorly constructed, would bring about this type of reaction, for despite the warm water, Ginny’s lips remained as bruised looking as before while she continued to shiver in his arms. Even now, her skin felt sickeningly chill against his. He scooped water over her exposed shoulders and throat as his agile mind sifted through all Severus Snape had taught him concerning potions, hexes, curses... other physical injuries.

And then he struck pay dirt, nearly jumping from the tub in agitation.

“You are going into shock, baby. We have to get you warmed up on the inside. Leo!”

“Yes, Master Draco?” The House Elf responded from where he stood at a polite distance near the door.

“Fetch a bottle of Oro Pilla.”

“At once, Master Draco.”

Draco toed the faucet, bringing forth a spill of fresh hot water then shifted Ginny around in his lap until the witch straddled his thighs, her face resting on his chest. He needed her to be more alert. “Sit up, Ginny.” He said, cupping her shoulders and pushing her slightly away. “Sit up and yell at me.” Slowly, she forced her hands up from her sides and braced her forearms on Draco’s upper body. Swaying slightly, Ginny struggled to raise her head.

The blond wizard heaved a sigh of relief when Ginny opened her eyes; the enlarged pupils making them appear almost totally black, and stared at him owlishly.

“ “m naked.” She creaked out.

“Yes, gloriously so.” Her hips were pressed tightly to his and his groin tightened with appreciation. Draco smirked, scooping a handful of water and then allowing it to pour down her back. He repeated the action as he continued. “I did not even have the opportunity to shuck my own clothes before you pulled me in with you. This linen is imported, Ginny-girl. You owe me big.”

“Ass-‘ole. T-told you n-n-not to call me th-that.” She whispered breathlessly.

He applied more water to her back and shoulders, cursing his eyes that refused to leave the crystal rivers that were flowing between her small ohmygodthey’reperfect breasts.

“You know, one day you will have to tell me about your aversion to that particular nickname.”

“N-no. I could never t-tell you, or anyone.” Ginny gave an emphatic shake of her head. “Never.”

Draco regarded her, his expression as sober as her own. “That bad?” He asked after a moment.

“Horrible.” She whispered, her eyes not wavering from his. Draco slowly poured more liquid warmth over her shoulders. Ginny shivered, pushing away from him and trying to cover her breast with her arms. “Get out now. Please... d-d-don’t touch me anymore.”

”Is that any way to speak to the wizard that just saved you from a night of shameful exploitation at the hands of a pack of drunken swots?” He asked, the petulant tone of his voice pairing nicely with the frown of feigned hurt that curdled his brow. “And allowed you to use his fingers as chew toys?”

Ginny’s eyes closed and she turned her face away from him. Draco frowned.

Leo popped into sight an opened bottle of brandy in one hand, and a heavy balloon goblet in the other.

“By the fire, if you please, Leo.” Draco commanded. Leo left by the door this time, gently shutting the wooden panel behind him.

“I wanna go home.” Ginny managed to slur as she weakly attempted to remove herself from his lap.

Draco flinched but managed to keep his voice calm. He captured her hand lightly with his own, not pulling yet preventing any further movement on her part.

“I can’t take you home just yet.”

“Why?” Ginny peered at him from over her shoulder. A thick rope of dripping hair covered one eye giving her an oddly coquettish appearance.

“Think Weasley.” Draco replied, fighting to keep his eyes above her neck where they belonged.

Her fingers trembled as they joined more tightly about his, and Draco froze. Tears pooled her eyes as she glanced up and then quickly away. “You are s-supposed to be raping m-me.”

“Yes.”

“Will you?” The words were barely breathed, yet he caught them.

With a snort he pulled her back into his arms. She weakly resisted his embrace, protesting in broken whispers. He pushed her head to his shoulder and informed her gruffly, “I told you before, I am not a rapist. You will simply hide out here for a few days, enjoy the amenities that are normally out of the reach of one such as yourself, and then I will ‘allow’ you to escape. After altering your memory, of course.”

“Of course.” Ginny echoed then added. “We shouldn’t be sitting here...you know, ah...”

“Ginny, you are suffering from a terrible blow. You have been kidnapped, drugged, terrorized and dragged over half of Great Britain. You were going into shock.” He paused, but when she remained silent, he continued. “I could have left you in your party dress, but it was more fog than fabric.” He stroked her arm where it lay across his chest. “I figured you wanted to be rid of the thing anyway. The fact you are now nude and we are sharing a tub of warm water has not escaped my notice, of course, but I have no intention of forcing myself on you.”

“B-b-but I have never...I don’t do things....”

Draco’s finger pressed to her lips effectively silencing her. “Ginny,” He paused, sighed heavily then continued. “I never thought you did. You have been hurt, Ginny. Let me take care of you. Can you trust me?”

Trust Draco!

Professor Snape’s whispered command rose in Ginny’s brain. She had trusted the dark professor for years; trusted him with things she never shared with another soul. Tonight she had feared her faith misplaced, but her secret confessor had proved her wrong. When I get out of this, Ginny silently promised, I will apologize. Big time.

“I trust you, Draco.”

She felt him relax, his hand pausing for a moment before once more gliding gently along her arm.

“Thank you, Ginny.”

Ginny watched his fingers trail along her skin, finding strange comfort in Draco’s words and the steady beating of his heart under her cheek. The shame that had poured over her like the water from Draco’s hand had evaporated, leaving her feeling strangely protected.

They soaked in steamy silence for several minutes, and Draco was admiring the gleaming curve of her thigh when she startled him by speaking.

“Where are we?”

“The one place on earth Father will not approach without written invitation.” He left her to ponder his words, in no rush to shatter the interlude or lose the delightful weight of the woman on his lap. Another minute passed.

“Well?” She managed to sound snappy which caused Draco to chuckle before giving into her curiosity.

“We are in the home of Professor Severus Snape. Somewhere in Northumberland, I believe.” He waved one dripping hand dismissively.

He felt Ginny tense slightly then relax. “When I saw him tonight I thought...” Her voice faded.

“You thought he had betrayed you?”

She nodded against his chest, and to his delight, snuggled closer.

He toed the faucet once more, and the rushing sound of water filled the room. When he closed the tap, he placed the knuckles of one hand under her chin. Lifting her face up he craned his head back awkwardly to take in her appearance.

To his relief, her lips were no longer a death-like shade of blue. The pink was returning to her flesh, though just slightly. “Do you still hurt anywhere?”

Ginny barely comprehended the question, so diverted was she by the honest concern in his gray eyes. Since when do Malfoy and Worry get together over Weasley? She licked her lips, her tongue feeling heavy and dry. “No. No pain, but my mouth is dry.”

“Can you sit on your own?” Draco inquired.

“Yes, I think so.” Ginny responded, already backing from the shelter of his arms and sinking lower into to the water until it was level with her chin.

Draco gave the witch a nasty leer and bracing his palms on the edge of the tub, pushed himself upright. Water poured from his body and clothing, splashing Ginny’s face. She could have closed her eyes, but the sight was too beautiful to shut away.

Draco’s saturated garments clung tightly to his skin, outlining each curve, dip and rise with amazing clarity. His white shirt had been rendered nearly transparent by the soaking, and Ginny could easily see the deeper tan of his nipples standing out prominently on either side of his well-muscled chest. The black linen slacks were glued to the curves of his buttocks and the hard lines of his thighs. When he turned to face her, Ginny felt her skin tighten for the fore view of the young wizard was just as finely displayed as the rear. With a gentle gasp, she averted her eyes, cursing her chaste upbringing.


Draco, unaware of Ginny’s visual feasting, bent to retrieve his cloak, tossing the garment over his chilled body. He summoned an empty tumbler and quickly filled it from the sink tap. Turning, he crouched by the pool’s edge and offered the cup to Ginny.

When she had murmured her thanks and drunk her fill, he banished the glass and said, “I need to get out of these wet clothes. I would prefer to leave you by the fire.” He summoned a massive towel, which he tossed over his shoulder. Extending his hand, he quirked a silver brow, inviting her to rise.

“I...uh, well. If you could just close your eyes.”

“Really Weasley. I have seen you starkers already.”

“Yes, but that was different.” Ginny responded with some heat.

“And how is now differ...Oh for crying out loud!” Draco snapped the towel from his shoulder, held it by the edges and stretched to it fullest. With a final huff, he sealed his eyes. “All better?” He inquired snidely.

There was a rushing of water, a squeak and the towel was plucked from his fingertips. “Is it safe to open my eyes now?” Draco asked in a slightly irritated tone, though he was secretly pleased that Ginny’s condition was indeed improving.

“Yes, thank you.” The witch sniffed from behind an edge of the length of terry cloth, which she was using to wipe her face. The two stood frozen for a moment, each pair of eyes bound to the other. Ginny watched several droplets travel the length of Draco’s cheek, slowed in their progress by the road bump of scratches she had delivered. Draco was equally focused on the dusting of freckles that danced along Ginny’s cheeks and across the bridge of her perky nose. The nose he had tweaked in self-defense only a short time ago. Silence hung over them as thick as the steam that swirled around their bodies.

Ginny was the first to look away. Pointing back at his face with a limp hand she muttered, “You will want to do a healing charm on that.”
Draco put questing fingers to his cheek. “Oh yes. When I get changed.”

The pair continued to stand in awkward silence, Ginny memorizing the design of the marble flooring, and Draco studying the intricate scrollwork of the wallpaper.

“Ah, bugger this!” Draco exclaimed, fiercely opening the bathroom door. Ginny stood in alarmed shock and nearly jumped from her skin when his fist re-entered the chamber carrying a green velvet dressing gown. She heard him growl from the other side of the open panel. “Put this on. I am going to go change clothes. If that snifter of brandy is not empty by the time I get back, I am going to kick your butt!”

Ginny heard him sloshing across the chamber and the sound of the door being firmly shut in his wake.

Ok, this is running way to long and I figure this is as good place as any to stop. I don’t want to keep you all waiting for too long. You have been so sweet in your reviews. Thanks loads. I had a great time at the beach. Got a lot of writing done so the next up date should be done quicker. I think I could have handled the situation a bit fast here, but I dunno. What do you guys think? I am always willing to do a re-write. Give me your feed back.