Why Me?

The next morning Ginny, Draco, Tonks and Mad-Eye Flooed to Hogwarts right after breakfast. Draco was silent the whole time. Ginny watched him, in what she hoped was a sly manner, the whole time. Neither wanted to let on what they were really thinking. It was an odd enough situation without adding anything more to it just yet. Ginny was just happy she wasn't having to listen to his whining; even if she found his behavior odd. McGonagall met them in her office and led them directly to their new quarters. Tonks and Mad-Eye immediately Flooed back to Grimmauld Place. Minerva wished she could go with them.

"This used to be the Head Boy and Girl quarters. With the current situation, we thought it perfect."

The portrait swung open as they approached.

Ginny wondered exactly why it had been chosen for them. She didn't have long to wait for the answer.

"The portrait will only allow certain people entrance. It is set to allow the two of you, the Weasley family, myself and Mad- Eye."

Ginny pondered the wisdom of the choice. Did they really trust them not to kill each other? Did she really want to be in this close of quarters with Malfoy? He had been acting oddly since his arrival at Headquarters after all. Had he gone round the twist?

"Go on," McGonagall said. "Investigate your private areas. Ginny yours are up to the left and Draco to the right."

Ginny hurried to climb the circular staircase. She definitely would be spending time in her 'private' area. The less to do with him, the better, in her opinion. She gasped in pleasure at the sight of her room. There was an enormous four poster bed with a deep green coverlet centered in the room. There seemed to be a dozen pillows scattered on it as well. There were two bookshelves and a writing desk. She ran to the windows and grinned as she realized she had a perfect view of the Quidditch Pitch. There was also a window seat that she could stretch out comfortably on. She grinned wildly and raced down the stairs; totally forgetting that Malfoy might see her happiness. The room was more that she could ever have hoped for.

"Thank you for the beautiful room, Professor!" She couldn't help but sound giddy.

Luck was with her, Malfoy was no where to be seen...yet.

"You're welcome, Ginny."

They both turned at the sound of footsteps. Draco entered the room. His face was a mask; the same mask he had been wearing since his arrival at Grimmauld Place.

"Thank you, Professor."

It didn't go unnoticed that his voice and mannerisms were abnormally quiet and mild mannered compared to his usual. But neither Ginny nor Professor McGonagall said anything about it.

McGonagall instead explained that they had everything they needed inside the quarters, to include a house-elf to serve them. "It will be up to you if you want to eat in the Great Hall or in your rooms. Just let the house-elf know your decision. You have the rest of today and tomorrow to settle in."

Ginny was hoping to scoot McGonagall along so that she could investigate the rooms further. There had to be more goodies awaiting them. There was the added benefit of not having to be in the same room as Malfoy, which couldn't be discounted.

"Thank you," Draco murmured.

Nodding at both of them McGonagall left quickly. Privately she wondered how long it would take for them to end up in Poppy's care. There was no way this would actually work. She could only hope that one of them could keep their temper in check. Otherwise the Order would have to come up with another place for him. The trouble with that was that there was no other place for him.

Draco turned to Ginny. But before he could say a word, she turned and walked away. Well, maybe this would be easier than I ever imagined, he thought. Not wanting to unpack just yet, he sat down heavily on the couch. It was going to be a long war.

~

Ginny found him there an hour later.

"What are you doing Malfoy? I meant what I said. I won't be waiting on you." She crossed her arms over her chest as she went on. "And you won't be using the house-elf like a slave either."

Draco merely nodded. Oh how he wanted to snarl at her. But, it wouldn't do him any good. Sev's death had brought home the reality of the tenuous hold he had on life. He had realized that petty school time grudges really didn't matter when your life was on the line and you had been betrayed by everyone you trusted.

Ginny was disappointed by his reaction. She had wanted to rip into him. It was abnormal that he wouldn't rise to her baiting. Hadn't she searched him out at school for just that reason? Her temper was fraying and she really wanted to take it out on him. It had always worked before and she had counted on it working now.

"Kneazle got your tongue?"

This time Draco did sneer. "No but unlike you Weasley, I have manners. Go away."

"Manners? What manners? I have never seen you actually pleasant to someone before. Sorry if I wonder what you're up to."

"Stuff it!"

Ginny smirked. She was definatly getting to him. She reveled in the fact that they would scream and rage at one another. She had found that there was nothing like a good row with him to drain her anger.

"Fine, suit yourself."

She dropped into the armchair. It was purely out of spite. Her mere presence was annoying the hell out of him. Sooner or later he would crack. The thought comforted her immensely.

Draco couldn't help it. "Why are you still here?"

"Because it's my room too," she snapped.

It was going to be a long day if they couldn't stand to be in the same room, he thought. Added to that, no one had any clue how long they would be in this situation.

"Look let's just call a truce. We have to put up with each other. Why don't we try and make it as pleasant as possible?"

Ginny was shocked. "Who the bloody hell are you and what have you done with the REAL Draco Malfoy?"

"Funny Ginevra. Really funny. Do you hear me laughing?"

"Don't call me Ginevra. I hate it."

Ginny could feel the chance at siphoning off her anger passing by swiftly. She was trying her best to get a row started and he wasn't cooperating for once.

"Fine!" He stood up. "I was trying to make this as pleasant as possible. You must like being miserable. Does it remind you of being ignored by Potter all those years? I'm going to my room. You can go to hell for all I care."

Draco stormed over to the staircase. He had fucking tried to be reasonable. He should have known the bint didn't have it in her to return the favor. He hadn't meant to lose his temper. Many years of control had been shattered within an hour of being with Ginny Weasley. It was definitely going to be a long war.