86Author: RavenEcho
Summary: Ginny hurts. And no one knows. It's not easy being a number. Her number is zero, because that's how many people understand her…probably a Draco/Ginny waiting to happen. Some Ginny/Remus.
Disclaimer: If I owned this stuff, would I really be on this computer typing away right now? No… I would be eating some rich-people-food in my gigantic English manor…
EDIT: Had this ready sooner, but was being a farteater…
Touch Me
Chapter 18: Cherry Pie
Ginny awoke in the astronomy tower with the first streams of sunlight illuminating her pale face. She was on the floor of the tower- that was odd- she last remembered straddling the wall. After a short moment of disorientation, she spotted Draco, leaning against a wall, seeming to be lost in slumber. Until his eyes snapped open.
The redhead jumped in reaction and Draco immediately made to apologize. "Sorry- I shouldn't have stayed," he said, standing at once, ready to leave. "It's just, I found you asleep and I was worried and," he died off, halfway to the exit.
Ginny sighed. "Don't just leave. My Gryffindor conscience will plague it for me later." She chuckled weakly, and Draco allowed a small grin.
"You don't have to let me stay," he protested half-heartedly. "I don't mind really," he lied.
"Oh shove it," Ginny scowled. "Summon a house-elf, why don't you? Make yourself useful for once."
Draco mock bowed. "My wish is your command," he said playfully. "Dippy," he snapped, a house-elf immediately appearing before him with a pop. "Breakfast for two, please."
"Of course, sir, miss," the elf squeaked, vanishing with a crack and returning a moment later with a massive platter of food.
Ginny groaned. "Oh, gods, I'm never going to be able to eat all of this," she said once Dippy left, not wanting to insult the little elf. She nudged a sausage without enthusiasm. "Or any of it," she added, eyeing the plate, clearly doubtful.
Draco didn't say anything, but his mouth tightened so that Ginny knew exactly how he felt on the matter. When she pushed her bacon to his side of the plate, he scowled darkly at her. She ignored him and moved her sausage over too. Her quiche met the same fate.
"What are you going to eat?" he asked finally, trying not to get angrier than he already was.
Ginny speared a piece of honeydew melon on the end of her fork. "Probably all I can stomach is some fruit," she explained.
Draco frowned. "Not one piece of bacon?" he tried.
Ginny hesitated before shaking her head. "No. I've been on a very basic and minimal diet the past few weeks. With no meat or fat or anything. I'm still working up to eating at all without puking, Draco. Even without any meat, I'll probably be retching by about four this afternoon."
"I'm just worried about you, Ginny," he said. He stared pointedly at the fresh cuts he could see on her legs. "Can't you see why?"
Ginny was up in a flash, legs again concealed by her robes. "Draco, I'm not your thing to check up on every once in a while when you get a conscience. Just leave it, Draco. Okay? Just leave it." And she bolted from the room.
Draco immediately jumped up from where he'd been sitting on the floor, leaving the food behind without a second thought. He had to follow Ginny. Hell, he'd already put his finger in the pie, why not at least take a piece?
He finally caught up with Ginny, sobbing in the second floor girls bathroom. She was curled up under one of the sinks, clutching the pipes on the bottom of the porcelain sink basin. Moaning Myrtle, whom he knew for certain dwelt in this bathroom, was either absent or miraculously silent.
Draco sank down beside Ginny, gently pulling her into his lap. "I'm sorry Ginny. I really am. I'm just not an expert at this, okay?" She didn't reply, so he continued. "Look, Ginny, I know all these things. Your anorexia, the bulimia, the cutting, the burning. I know it all," he faltered and swallowed before continuing, "and I haven't been run off yet. So a little bit of yelling isn't about to get rid of me. Okay?" He wiped a tear off her face and looked into her eyes.
"You know how much shit I have," she said almost silently a few minutes later. "Are you really sure you don't want to walk out while you can?"
Draco nodded solemnly. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Ginny kissed him as soon as the words were out of his mouth. It was still a little shy, a little hesitant, but Draco didn't mind. She tasted like cherry pie.
THE END
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yup, I know it's kind of sudden, but this story's over. I'm planning on writing an epilogue, and I'm not sure when that'll be out. I'm sorry ya'll have had to wait for forever again… as I said in the last chapter, I've been dealing with depression, and I also had finals this week. Plus, I've been dealing with some computer problems. I'll get the epilogue up as soon as I can, hopefully before I leave to begin my travels this summer.
REVIEW RESPONSES: I'm not gonna get all elaborate here, cause I usually do that in the epilogue. So just my simple thanks!
THANKS to: diamondgurl, EternalEcho, moonlightwitch, MiniMichelle2, Medicated Drama Queen (yes, writing helps sometimes), Yohmanta, dakangl