You Don't Even Know: You Don't Even Know

Ginny Weasley walked alongside Professor Sprout's gardens in thought. When Professor Snape announced the current assignment for the sixth years, she had initially felt discouraged, but now that she was out in the sunshine around Professor Sprouts magical plants, she felt oddly at ease. She had even forgotten the actual point of being in the gardens; to get an ingredient for some secret potion that Snape would reveal to the class tomorrow morning.

It was just a little while after the sun had fallen beneath the hills that Ginny noticed a figure sitting up alongside the greenhouse on a small wooden bench. When she crept closer, she realized that it was none other than Draco Malfoy, that slimy git that plagued Gryffindor's existence. But for some reason, as she stood there frozen to the ground, he didn't exude the same air that he usually walked around with. Instead, he looked thoughtful and quiet, and there was something about his expression that intrigued Ginny.

The second he noticed that she was watching them, he sent her an icy glare. "And just what is it that you think you're looking at, Weasley?" he demanded, his posture stiffening up.

"I'm just looking for-"

"It doesn't matter," he said, not letting her finish her sentence. "Just be on your way."

Ginny stared at him.

"What are you waiting for? Get the hell out of here!"

Ginny put her hands on her hips. "No," she said, glaring at him.

Malfoy stood up. "What did you say?"

"I said, no," Ginny told him again. She wasn't about to back down just because he tried to be a little intimidating. It might work on other people, but she wasn't going to let it work on her! "I came here to find something for Potions class, and I'm not leaving till I have it. So if my presence is bothering you, then you can be the one to leave."

Malfoy was silent for a moment, and he stood still in front of her. "Just who do you think you are?" he wanted to know.

Ginny stood her ground. "You heard me," she told him. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

She tried to walk off to the side where several of Professor Sprout's smaller plants were kept, but he grabbed her hard by the waist, jerking her back against his chest roughly.

"I asked you who you thought you were," he said into her ear, and she shivered. "Didn't you know it's rude to not answer a question when it's asked?"

Ginny kicked and punched until he no longer had a hold on her. "I could tell you about rudeness, Malfoy," she said, turning around to see him holding his stomach, where one of her harder punches had evidently landed. "But it would be lost on you."

"You little bitch," he spat, but didn't make another move.

"Not everyone bows before you," Ginny spat back at him. "Deal with it." And she spun around once more to find what she had came for originally. She gave a quiet sigh when it had been several moments, and he hadn't said another word. She didn't dare look over in his direction, so she wasn't even sure if he was still there, or if he was watching her.

"That plant is useless."

Ginny jumped, looking up from the greenery to see Malfoy's pale face on the other side of the row. "I didn't ask for your input," she said after her initial shock had worn off.

"Fine," he said, looking down his nose at her with narrow eyes. "You bring this to Snape and see what he says. I'm sure you don't care about your grade, anyway, you muggle lover."

Ginny glared back at him. "You don't even know what I'm looking for."

"Doesn't matter," he insisted. "This plant does nothing. Professor Sprout uses it to make little bouquets in the windows of the hospital wing."

"Whatever. I don't need your help," Ginny scoffed at him and turned around to look at the row behind herself. "Bugger off, Malfoy."

"Your grades, not mine," she heard him say, but she didn't turn to look at him.

Ginny held her breath as she listened to the sound of his shoes against the stones, getting quieter as he walked further and further away. When it became apparent that he was not coming back, she let out her breath.

But why was it that part of her wanted him to stay?