Sticks and Stones

"Stupid," she muttered. The girl grabbed a smooth stone and skipped it across the lake.

"I hate 'im," she said. Another rock fell into the depths with a plop. At the snap of a twig she turned, red faced and glaring.

"What? What do you want? Never mind, just get out of here!" By the end of the sentence, she realized how loud she was yelling. She also realized she didn't care. 'He deserves it' she thought.

The black cloaked figure stepped closer, despite the yells to stay away. He dodged a stunning spell with expertise. As his steps became more cautious, he spoke.

"Ginny. Ginny, please. Hunny--" He whipped out his wand, performing a banishing spell as a skipping stone was flung at his head. The rock disappeared into a cluster of bushes. Her aim was good. Must be growing up with six older brothers. He calmly banished another stone. She got angry that he was such a good wizard.

"Merlin damn you, Malfoy! Get out of my sight you--you--death eater!" She spat the name out with distaste.

He flinched, yet recited a small poem he'd grown up with. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."

With a last burst of energy, Ginny whipped another stone. It was banished, but only in the nick of time. With a cry of defeat, she dropped a last rock. She threw herself onto a log, sobbing. Her words were muffled. The blond walked over and settled down next to her, setting a hand on her shoulder. She pushed it away with a sigh of disgust.

He leaned forward; her words were understandable now. They were harsh, and directed towards him.

"You're wrong. Words hurt worse. Sticks and stones leave bruises, but words can never be forgotten. I hate you Draco." With her last words, she turned her back on him. As she did so, Draco had a mental battle with himself to try and control his anger.

"What was I to do Gin? It was a forced! She's a dog. An absolute dog! I hate her, Ginny. You know that! I would marry Potter before I married her! You know it's you I love. You know that, don't you?" He was afraid to hear her response.

He watched the tears fall silently down her cheeks. Her hand trembled as it pushed copper hair out of her eyes; eyes that were full of sadness and confusion. Eyes that no longer held twinkles. He loved those eyes.

"Why say yes? What possessed you to say, 'Pansy, I want to marry you.'? What brought that on?" When he hesitated, she attacked.

"Answer me!" She was shouting again. She glared when he didn't do as she asked.

"When I saw that ring, MY ring, on her ugly hand, you don't know what went through my head. You don't know at all. And speaking of so, you owe Harry Potter."

Draco stared, trying to form an answer that wouldn't upset her. He had to answer all her questions. He gathered his thoughts and concentrated on Ginny's tear-streaked face. She noticed his intense gaze, and turned away. He reached over, and cupped her chin in his hand, forcing her to look into his silver orbs.

"Gin, listen. You asked what possessed me. You hit the nail on the head. Voldemort WAS possessing me. You know how difficult it is to fight Imperius! I'm not that strong, emotionally or physically. He forced me to. That ring, Ginny, that ring was never for you--"

"Why you little--"

"Ginny! Listen! THIS was your ring," He pulled a velvet box out of his cloak pocket. "I would get down on one knee, but these are new trousers and if you decide to leap on me, in anger or happiness, I don't want to fall into the lake." He smirked. "Without further adu and I am in my own mind, will you marry me Ginny Weasley?"

Ginny's eyes got big. "Draco! Oh yes! You knew I would say yes! But... we haven't settled this...Oh Draco!"

She leaned forward and hugged him. He stepped back, sweeping her into a huge hug and pulling her closer for a kiss.

"Find a room! Leaky Cauldron should have some..."

Ginny and Draco blushed and turned to face the speaker. Harry grinned beneath his untidy raven locks. Ginny plowed into him, showing him the ring.

"Oh yea. Apparently I owe you Potter. Remind me why?" Draco feigned attention.

If Harry noticed, he didn't say.

"Malfoy, er... Draco. Well, I saved Ginny's life. I summoned her wand as 'Avada' was spoken. The curse was finished without a wand, but it still blasted, breaking a vase in the common room. I convinced her to stay alive...I saw the glassy look in your eyes. I knew you weren't yourself. A Malfoy doesn't make such a commotion in the middle of the Great Hall. I figured that it was a ploy and had to convince her. Seems you did well on your own though..."

Draco was in shock. He pulled Ginny close, kissing away the tears the memory had brought back. He didn't know what to say. Surely that had been Voldemort's plan. He must have known all about Ginny. His face must have shown his concern.

"Draco. My Dragon, don't worry. We'll--we'll--we'll run away!"

The blond considered the possibilities.

"I'm not going home again. I'm never risking him controlling me again. He could hurt you again. Never again. I'll stay somewhere else. I'll--I'll ask Dumbledore if I can stay until after you graduate. I'll come up with something. I'm helping you Potter. I owe you my life after what you did for Ginny. I'll help you defeat him."

Ginny was overjoyed. She gave Draco an enthusiastic hug, causing them to tip into the lake. When they came up for air, a splashing riot occurred. Harry rolled his eyes, then bounded in, taking sides with Ginny. As students emerged from the castle, they saw the riot and the houses declared a water war on everyone. Everyone began to splash and laugh. Draco shook wet hair from his eyes.

"Draco, you look like a rabid dog." Draco growled and charged, catching Ginny in a huge kiss.

"For the last time," Harry shouted, "Get a room!"

Ginny and Draco just laughed. Ginny grinned.

"Harry. I would go without everything for Draco. Even a room." She winked.

Draco was appalled. "Ginny! You're so dirty!"

Ginny grinned again. "Throw some sticks or stones at me Draco, because those words aren't hurting me!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Needless to say, no house won the war. But it will forever be known as the War of Sticks and Stones, as the truth of the night leaked out. To top it all off, Molly decided that it was fine for Draco to spend the next year at the Burrow, much to Draco's displeasure. As the end of the year train pulled into the station and Ginny relayed her mother's messages, all anyone for miles around could hear was "I HAVE TO CLEAN?"

Ginny ended it all in a kiss. "Watch out Draco. Mum will have to throw some sticks your way. *wink*