Why Me?

Ginny watched him go. He hadn't reacted as she expected.

What happened to the snarky bastard that would trade insults with her easily? Was he really making an attempt to get along with her? If so, then why? What in Merlin's name could have happened in the two weeks since he fled Hogwart's to change him this much? Should she give him the benefit of the doubt?

With a sigh, Ginny crossed their common area and slunk up to her room to think about all of this. Maybe, just maybe Draco Malfoy wasn't the same snarky bastard he had been mere weeks ago. It was worth considering.

Maybe she should also consider what she had overheard in Myrtle's bathroom. It had been her sanctuary until this past year. He had intruded. At first she had thought he was deliberately telling lies to Myrtle, in the hopes she would pass them on. But what if he had meant every word?

~

Draco threw himself onto the bed. What the fuck was he doing? He was trying to compromise with a Weasley? He threw a pillow in hopes of tamping down his temper. The last year had been pure unadulterated hell for him. He had confided in a Hufflepuff ghost for Merlin's sake! It was as if his brain had been scrambled when the Mark was burned into his arm. None of his actions were normal. He couldn't pin down exactly when the changes had occurred. Maybe it had started during Umbridge's reign? It was possible; he had overheard a telling conversation. That one conversation was the reason he had nipped into Myrtle's bathroom in the first place. He decided to give this compromise one last chance. If Weasley didn't go for it, all bets were off. He had too much to think about. He didn't need to worry about her.

~

The first week proceeded much as the first day, but without as many insults being thrown. Draco and Ginny were wary of one another and did their best to give each other space. McGonagall assigned them to help whatever Professor needed assistance preparing for the upcoming school term. The catch had been that they would work together. They had tried to keep the rows at a manageable level. Somehow, it didn't work as well as one could hope. All inhabitants of the castle, Peeves included, were fed up. But it took the normally mild mannered Professor Sprout threatening to put silencing charms on the both of them until they could learn to get along, to make them both realize something had to be done.

That was why they were currently staring at one another in their common area.

Ginny was well acquainted with compromise. Growing up with six brothers had made it a necessity. But in this situation, she was at a loss. She had been doing her level best to irritate him the past week. How do you go back and say sorry? All she knew was that a compromise was necessary.

Draco fought the urge to scream. He had been trying, but she wouldn't give up on the insults. All he wanted was to go about his 'new life' with as little problem as possible. If that meant calling a truce with Ginny Weasley, then he would do it. He hadn't a clue how to go about it though.

They sat staring for the longest time before Draco finally broke the silence.

"My offer of a truce is still open."

Ginny gaped. Really, who could blame her? Draco Malfoy offering a truce for the second time in a week? What the hell was going on? Was he truly nutters? Myrtle had come to her and asked that she give him a chance; maybe this time Myrtle was right.

Draco sighed and tried once more. "Why don't we go out to the Quidditch Pitch?"

Ginny's eyes lit up. Instead of responding she raced up the stairs to get her broom. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as she thought. He was as mad about Quidditch as she was.

Draco smiled; maybe they could find some common ground after all. He pulled out his wand.

"Accio brooms."

Draco snickered as he heard her screech of outrage. He neatly caught both brooms. Just because he was trying to compromise didn't mean he wouldn't take this opportunity to harass her, just a little bit. He was waiting by the portrait hole when she raced down the stairs, a look of outrage on her face.

Draco struggled not to smirk. "Now Ginny, I was just trying to be helpful."

"Sure you were. Can I have my broom now?" She said in a lighter, friendlier tone.

She was willing to try damn it all! Now he had to go and do this. What was his game?

"Ah, this is where those manners of mine kick in. It would be ungentlemanly for me not to carry your broom for you."

"You do realize that I can carry my broom don't you?"

She was frustrated by this strange new conduct from him. This wasn't the Draco Malfoy she knew. Was he truly trying? He was seriously confusing her with his behavior.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to insult you by implying that you couldn't. It's a matter of manners."

She narrowed her eyes, she hated to be coddled. She still didn't trust him but she was willing to reserve judgment...for now. She wasn't going to be embarrassed by another speech on 'proper behavior' from anyone. The last had been quite enough. She decided to let him carry the bloody broom. Maybe, just maybe they could stand one another long enough to fly. If they didn't do something soon, she feared they would have a visit from her Mum. That would defiantly not be a good thing.

Draco carried her broom down to the pitch where they spent at least two hours simply flying. Not trying to unseat each other, just flying about. They didn't talk, or even look at one another. In fact, they stayed at separate ends of the pitch.

~

McGonagall watched them from her office. She smiled softly, hoping that they had finally come to an agreement. Both of them needed someone; even if they would never admit it to anyone but Myrtle. She shook her head sadly at the memory of the story Myrtle had confided earlier in the week. Both Ginny and Draco were far more...affected by the recent events than anyone had guessed. She turned from the window to find Myrtle grinning. Maybe this all would work out.

~

They retired to their separate rooms after dinner.

As Ginny readied for bed she wondered if this new Draco would stay or how long it would take for him to revert to his old self. Maybe this was the true Draco, she thought suddenly. Was it possible? It was almost too much to fathom.

Draco was wondering if Ginny would ever trust him; he needed someone on his side. He needed a friend. Sighing, he tried to sleep wondering what the next few weeks would hold.