“Stalking?” Ginny laughed loudly, attracting the attention of the tables around them.
Draco looked less than pleased but Ginny hardly minded, far too used to the eyes of the public on her. She settled in the seat across from him and noted that a scowl marred his face at her arrival. But he didn’t ask her to leave or begin to berate her like he had the last time she had done this. This time he just eyed her warily. Then he spoke again, his voice light and emotionless.
“Following me around,” he elaborated. “Showering me with unwanted and obsessive attention.”
She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her coffee that she had brought in with her.
“Don’t count yourself so lucky, Malfoy,” Ginny replied, grinning.
When he continued to stare at her blankly, Ginny stood abruptly from her seat.
“Do you think I’m weird? That you’re too good to spend time with me?” she asked.
“Yes.” He paused. “And yes.”
A smile broke out across her face and she stood tall. Then she placed her coffee cup on her head and tried to balance it without holding onto it. Ginny knew she looked goofy and could tell from the panic that entered his eyes that he didn’t appreciate what she was doing.
“Do you think I’ll drop it?” Ginny questioned seriously. “Would you be very embarrassed? Me spilling coffee all over myself in public? The Daily Prophet would surely write an article about it, and include you.”
“Why are you bothering me?” Draco’s voice pitched high with annoyance.
Because you look lonely every time I see you.
Ginny raised her eyebrows, ignoring her thoughts.
“My camera is in my bag, Malfoy, if you’d like to take a picture.”
“I’ll pass, I’m afraid,” he hissed.
Ginny shrugged and the cup wobbled dangerously on her head. She laughed when Draco pointedly looked away from her. Taking the cup off her head, Ginny sat across from Draco again.
She wanted to ask him if he was as lonely as he looked but she held back. Now wasn’t the time, she supposed. And Ginny knew it was likely going to make him shut down more than he already was. Instead, she stared at him until he met her eyes again.
“Yes?” he asked suspiciously.
“Would you like a scone? This one is on me. And, before you ask, yes, I can afford to buy us both scones.”
Ginny had never been more surprised than when she saw the corner of his lip curl up, if only for a second. Then he sighed dramatically and the moment was lost.
In which Draco Malfoy finds himself on dates with Ginny Weasley, whether he likes it or not: date two.
Date One, date three, date four, date five, date six
