A Living Nightmare or a Sweet Dream

The party was tonight. Ginny didn't feel like going but Hermione insisted. She said that it would do Ginny some good to leave the castle for one night and have some fun. Ginny knew she was right but she felt miserable. This was the second time Draco blew her off. First in Diagon Alley and last night. Even after what happened last night, Ginny still liked him. There has to be something wrong with her. She was going to put all that aside and go to the dance tonight. She needed to get her mind off things.

She didn't want to wear the outfit Draco chose, but that one was her favorite. She also got Hermione to wear the devil costume. 'It's Halloween so you are allowed to dress as something you are not,' Ginny argued. Reluctantly, Hermione agreed.

Hermione and Ginny went to the dance together. They were planning on meeting Ron, Harry and unfortunately Luna there.

"Hey everyone!" Ginny greeted as the found the group.

"Wow Ginny, you look great!" Harry said with a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Thank you Harry." Luna looked upset that Harry wasn't paying any attention to her so she went to get everyone drinks.

Just when Ginny was starting to have a good time, Draco showed up. 'Oh great!' Ginny thought. 'This will ruin my night.'

He was with Pansy. Ginny hated that girl and not because she was with Draco. She was always trying to attach herself to Draco, plus she was the reason they broke up. Ginny sighed loudly at the thought of her and Draco.

"What's wrong, Ginny?" Ron asked.

"Nothing, everything is just great," She rolled her eyes. A boy from Slytherin in her year came up and asked her to dance. He was cute but he didn't compare to Draco in the looks department. She said yes only to get her mind off of things.

She was actually having a great time. They were really close to Draco and when Ginny looked up at him he looked jealous so Ginny pulled the boy closer to her. If Draco wasn't mad before, he was mad now. He left Pansy and stormed outside. After the song was done, Ginny thanked the boy and followed after him. He was out by the Shrieking Shack, deep in thought. "Can I join you?" Ginny asked timidly.

He looked up and was a bit shocked. "Yah, I guess you can. Where'd that guy you were with go?"

"I don't know. I was just dancing with him. I don't even know his name."

"How'd things end up like this?" Draco looked up at Ginny with a sad look in his eyes.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like this! I mean you and me. A year ago if someone said I'd be falling for a Weasley I would have told them they were mad. If someone told me that now, I wouldn't be sure. Well actually I know it's true. But you know what?"

"What?" she asked softly as she put an arm on his shoulder.

"I don't deserve you."

"That's not..." she started.

"Just wait. Yes it is. I don't deserve someone as special as you. When you come into a room you light up the place with your smile. When I come into a room people cringe. If I wasn't as rich and powerful as I am then no one who talk to me. They wouldn't pretend to even like me."

"I would. I don't like you because of your name but because of you. I've seen that you have a heart. Maybe a small heart, but it's still there. I don't care what anyone thinks, but if you do then we could keep our relationship a secret. I just don't want any regrets. I don't want to think what we could have had if we tried. It may not work out but can't we see?"

"I think we can do that," he put his arms around her small waist and pulled her into a kiss. They were so wrapped up in the kiss they didn't notice someone walking up behind them. "Ginny?" The person asked.

Ginny turned around. It was Harry. "Oh, hi Harry."

"What the hell is wrong with you? You are kissing Malfoy."

Draco wrapped his arm around Ginny's waist. He wanted to provoke Harry and make him mad. "Ginny, let's go inside, it's getting chilly out here." Ginny looked up at him with confusion. 'I thought he wanted to keep it a secret.' Ginny was confused but didn't want to ruin things. She liked the idea of getting Harry mad.

"Oh, and Potter don't mention this to anyone or you will truly regret it," Draco said as he left with Ginny. She turned around to see the hurt expression on Harry's face. "Don't look so sad. Go inside and find Luna. That will cheer you up."

Draco went inside with his arm wrapped around Ginny. They didn't feel like making a scene so they left right away. Hermione noticed this and grinned at Ginny. She knew something must have gone right with them. Then she saw Harry enter. He looked furious.

"Ron, where's Ginny?" Harry spat.

"I have no idea. Why, do you need her for something?" Ron asked with concern

"No, I saw her with Malfoy."

"WHAT? She's with that stupid git again. Where are they?"

"Ron calm down or else I'm leaving. I don't want to be here if you are planning on making a scene. They left already. I thought we talked about this. You said you were fine with them. It's really Ginny's choice so you are going to leave it alone and come dance with me. If you choose not to do what I say then I won't be speaking to you for a week. And that means no studying," Hermione said with a smile.

"But Hermione..."

"No buts. This is Ginny's life and if you want to be a part of it then you shouldn't interfere with her love life. Got it?" Hermione replied sternly.

"Yah, I guess. It's just I don't know why Malfoy."

"We talked about this already."

*Flashback*

After what happened on the Hogwarts Express and Ron's talk with Ginny, Ron still wasn't sure what was going on. He figured that maybe Hermione would being as she's so smart.

"Hermione, do you know what's going on between Ginny and Malfoy?"

"You talked to Ginny last night. Didn't you clear everything up?"

"Well sort of. I still don't like it. She can't actually like him. He's a stupid ferret boy. He'll just hurt her."

"So, I'm a bookworm Mudblood."

"Hermione! Don't talk about yourself that!"

"I'm trying to make a point. I don't normally use language like that but I need to get through to you. People could think you are crazy for liking me. People could think Ginny is perfectly normal for liking Malfoy. It all depends. Ginny has a choice which you shouldn't try and affect. If she wants to be with Malfoy then it's her own decision. Not yours. Got it?"

"But why his? She could want Harry."

"She did but after awhile don't you think it's stupid. Why would you want your sister to like someone who's taken or someone who doesn't even notice she exists? Malfoy noticed her. I see him look at her and it's not the same look he gives you. I almost think it looks like he cares for her. Maybe I'm looking into it too much but I truly think he could cares for her. You should be happy if he does. You should be happy that she has found someone who will love her back."

"But Malfoy? I mean come on. The only thing Malfoy cares about is money and power. He doesn't care about living things. It's not like him at all."

"People change Ron. I changed from being a uptight bookworm to someone a little more relaxed. Harry changed, Ginny changed and even you changed over time. It's not normal if you don't change. Ginny thinks he has a heart and I believe her. If you don't then that's alright but don't interfere with her and Malfoy. Do you understand?"

"I guess so. It'll take some getting used to, though."

"As long as you understand."

*Flashback*

"I know we talked about this Hermione but it still drives me insane."

"Talked about?" Harry asked.

"About Ginny and Draco's relationship"

"You are calling him Draco now?" both of them asked.

"Yes. Both of you let Ginny handle things or you will regret it. Ginny or I, maybe even Draco, will make sure of it." Hermione took Ron's arm and pulled him towards the dance floor. She wanted to have fun tonight.