Pride and Honor

The weekend fell bright and full of excitement on Hogwarts on Saturday morning. The previous night, Professor Dumbledore had announced an unofficial Hogsmeade trip for all students third year and up. It was meant to be a reward for successfully getting through the chaotic week of the Pageant and as a way to give students a little break before studies were commenced in earnest. The majority of the students who were going planned on spending their time at The Three Broomsticks drinking as much butterbeer as possible. However, Ginny decided to use that time to purchase some new clothes at Gladrags Wizardwear with some of her Pageant winnings.

Ginny stepped over the threshold of Hogwarts and out into the sun to begin the trek over the school grounds to the adjoining town. She tilted her chin up and let her eyes fall closed as she let the warmth of the sun envelope her. All the bitterness that had been growing inside of her over the last few days melted away, leaving her feeling carefree and joyous. When her eyes reopened, a smile covered her face and there was a slight bounce in her step as she walked away from the castle. She hadn't gone very far when she heard her name being called out from behind.

"Oi, Ginny! Wait for me!"

Ginny stopped and turned, brushing back the red tendrils that fell into her eyes as she did so. Trotting as gracefully as one could, fellow sixth year and Ravenclaw Lady Sandra Savoy hurried near, her raven colored hair flying out behind her in the light breeze. When she finally reached Ginny, she grasped the other girl's hand and squeezed it excitedly, her hazel eyes beaming.

"It's been ages since I last spoke with you, Ginny," Sandra began, leading the Gryffindor to Hogsmeade as she chatted. "Professor Snape's class is hardly one to catch up with one another in, and I am never able to catch you outside of class either. How was your summer? Were you able to visit Charlie in Romania like you talked about before term ended? Oh, and congratulations on winning the Pageant!"

Ginny laughed out loud at her friend's continuous chatter. It had been forever since she last spoke with Sandra, and she didn't realize until then how much she really missed the Ravenclaw royalty. "Professor Snape does get a bit irritated when students talk in his class."

"A bit? More like a lot!" Sandra giggled and tugged on Ginny's arm. "Now, what about your summer?"

Ginny shrugged a shoulder. "It was all right. I wasn't able to visit Charlie because money was tighter than usual, but he stopped by for a couple of days to make up for it."

"And the Pageant?"

The Gryffindor Prefect was unsure of how to respond. What exactly did Sandra want to know? Why she entered, how she felt about winning the Pageant? Ginny was at a loss. "Thank you?"

"Rumor has it that you told no one of your entering, not even Ron or Harry."

A scowl covered Ginny's features and she averted her gaze from her friend's penetrating glances to stare into the Hogsmeade shop windows. Harry was definitely not a topic she wanted to discuss with anybody today. "Why would I tell Harry?"

"You are his girlfriend, aren't you?"

Ginny lurched at the statement, her eyes going wide as she stared at the girl in front of her. "His girlfriend?"

Sandra nodded and gestured across the street. There Harry stood at the entrance of Honeyduke's, his green eyes bright and locked on Ginny. "Well, if you're not his girlfriend, he sure looks as if he wants to make you one."

Ginny raised her chin and glared at Harry before turning on her heel and walking further down the street pulling Sandra behind her. Fury coursed through her, not for the girl next to her, but for the boy she left behind on the street. Even after the conversation they had at midday break yesterday; Harry was still determined to get back on her good side.

"That insufferable little git." Ginny hissed out. "The prat!"

Sandra pulled free of her friend's grasp. "I take it this means that the honeymoon period is over?"

Ginny whirled onto the Ravenclaw prepared to lash out for that comment, but her anger faded as she saw the royal smoothing down her skirt and coyly glancing at her with a smile tugging at her lips. A smile of her own briefly touched her mouth before it faded with a sigh.

"Sandra, I don't know what to do! Harry never gave me the time of day when he was with Hermione and Ron, but when they weren't around I always had his complete attention. Now that I have it, I don't want it because it isn't from the heart. This isn't the Harry that I wanted."

Concern covered the Ravenclaw's features. "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? I mean that I finally realized that Harry Potter isn't the man I thought he was. He doesn't want me; he wants the fame that I received. He wants the attention that he could get from that, and he would use me to get it."

"Maybe some of his intentions are good?" Sandra suggested.

Ginny scornfully laughed. "I hardly think so."

Sandra placed her hand softly on Ginny's forearm. "Gin, maybe you're not seeing it from his perspective." She held up her other hand to silence the protest that formed on the Gryffindor's lips. "Now wait and hear me out before you go ballistic on me for saying that. What I meant was Harry was thrown into this world not knowing who he or his parents truly were. He received so much attention because he was known as the Boy Who Lived, and now that attention is dying out. There is no one else to give him the attention that he really yearns for, which is that of a mother and father. So he goes about searching for it in all the wrong ways and you just happened to get caught up in it. It's not really his fault because he can't control that urge inside of him."

Ginny was silent for a moment as her friend's words soaked in. Sandra had a point in her perception; Harry had been thrust unprepared into the Wizarding world, and it took someone who wasn't as close to the situation to realize that that might actually be a valid reason for Harry's past actions. But that didn't change the fact that he had still hurt Ginny, and she wouldn't soon be forgetting how he'd made her feel. "I understand what you are saying Sandra, I honestly do, but Harry hurt me. I was his friend who he tossed aside and picked back up whenever he felt the whim to do so. Do you know how much it hurts to know that I was a friend of convenience? When no one else was around, I was his best friend, but if someone else came along I was back to being the girl in the shadow. Back to being ignored.

"Want to know the sad part about it all? I was okay with being ignored when Harry paid more attention to my brother or Hermione. Then I realized that Harry never completely ignored me. He knew that I was there at all times, knew how I felt or what I was thinking, yet he never commented on anything. He let me think that I was alone and ignored when I truly wasn't. How much would that hurt you to know that someone cares so little of you to not include you into a conversation, yet always knows where you are?"

Ginny's voice softened and tears began to well in her eyes. "It hurts, Sandra. It hurts so much inside that when I think about it I can hardly breathe."

Sandra pulled the other girl into a hug. "There, there. Go ahead and cry, get it all out."

Ginny shook her head and pulled away while her hands reached up to wipe the tears from her eyes. "No. I will not give him the satisfaction of my tears." She turned her head to glance down the practically empty street, her eyes passing over a familiar blond head and ice grey eyes as she did so, never stopping, never truly seeing, just continuing so that she stared off into the distance. "No one is worth my tears," she whispered.

Sandra studied her friend for a moment. In the six years that she had been friends with Ginny she could not recall one instance where she was so distraught. Not even in their first year together when Ginny had opened the Chamber of Secrets was she this troubled. Worry etched itself deep into Sandra's face. There was nothing that she could do to erase the hurt she was feeling, but she could make her temporarily forget it.

Sandra grasped Ginny's hand, pulling her out of her thoughts, and began leading her across the street to Gladrags. "Do you want to know what always makes me feel a bit better about things?" Ginny shook her head, but she continued. "I always feel better about my problems if I have an outfit to match it." Sandra grinned. "You wouldn't happen to have some of that Pageant prize money on you?"

"There is no way that I am going to use my money to buy you a new outfit!"

Sandra laughed. "My father is a Duke, silly. I don't need you to buy me clothes! Although, I wouldn't say no to a new skirt if you feel up to it." She winked, and held open the door to the shop.

A slight laugh escaped Ginny's lips as she stepped into Gladrags, her head shaking in amazement at her friend. Without fail, Sandra always knew what to say to brighten up her day. It made her wonder why she spent so much time running after the elusive friendship of the Trio when she already had such an amazing friend.

The inside of Gladrags was practically bursting with clothes for all occasions, and cloths in all colors. While Ginny had been inside of the shop previously, it had never been to purchase anything. The amount of clothes began to overwhelm her now; she didn't know where to start first.

From the back of the shop, an elder witch dressed in all maroon approached the two girls. "Good morning Lady Sandra, Miss Weasley. How may I help you today?"

Sandra walked around the Gryffindor and further into the store, gesturing towards Ginny as she spoke. "She would like a whole new wardrobe."

Ginny's mouth dropped open at the comment. "I do not need a whole new wardrobe!"

Sandra and the shopkeeper glanced at each other with knowing smiles on their faces. Ginny shook her head furiously as the two began discussing colors and textures. She only needed a few more skirts, a school robe that was the correct length, a cloak or two, and a dress robe for the International Pageant. A whole new wardrobe was something that she definitely did not need.

"Excuse, me, but I do not need that many clothes," Ginny interrupted.

The elder witch glanced questioningly at Sandra. Ginny followed her gaze and glared at her friend.

"Sandra!"

A nervous grin appeared on her lips. "Well, it doesn't hurt to try things on," Sandra began. "After all, you might find something that you like. Besides, the winner of the Bicentennial Pageant of Witchcraft and Wizardry must have options!"

The shopkeeper turned towards Ginny. "You were the winner of the Pageant?"

"Along with Draco Malfoy."

The older woman grasped Ginny's hands, squeezing them pleadingly. "Then you must let me outfit you with a new wardrobe. Free of charge."

Ginny pulled her hands free. Free of charge? She had never had anything offered to her free of charge. It unsettled her that the witch was begging to make her clothes.

"Thank you for the offer, but I have to decline. I don't feel right not paying for my clothes."

The shopkeeper nodded. "I understand. I apologize for my behavior." She turned and started for the back of the shop. "If you would follow me, we can get started on your fittings for the clothing you do want."

In no time, Ginny was fitted for new skirts and school robes. Modest cloaks were purchased as well and everything was packaged neatly and resting on the counter to be owled over later. The only thing left now was to be fitted for a dress robe for the Pageant.

The elder witch left Ginny standing on the stool in only a camisole and knickers as she bustled off to find what she called the perfect dress robe for her. Sandra sat in a chair off to her right glancing through the newest issue of Teen Witch Weekly to catch up on the current heartthrobs of the Wizard world. From her position on the stool Ginny was able to see a picture of a dark haired wizard with piercing green eyes and a caption above that read, "Harry Potter voted number one again!" She sighed and turned her gaze to her reflection in the mirror.

She was such an ordinary girl living in a pretty much penniless family. She was the youngest and most forgotten out of all her siblings, and really out of everyone. So many Weasley children had passed through the halls of Hogwarts that by the time she made it through everyone was tired of seeing the flaming red hair. Here she was now, though, not so penniless and forgotten anymore.

The witch returned with a gown of iridescent silver. It winked and sparkled as she held up the dress robe for inspection. Ginny just stared at it with her lips parted in shock while Sandra set down her magazine and straightened in interest.

"It's just a little something that I have been working on in my free time," the shopkeeper said, moving closer and gesturing for Ginny to put it on.

With the witch's help, Ginny was able to slide the dress over her head and remove her camisole without exposing any unnecessary skin. The dress was sleeveless and form fitting until her hips where it flared out to showcase the glory of the color. A few adjustments were made to the bodice to make it tighter, and then she was twirled around to face the mirror.

If she was shocked at the color of the dress, she was downright stunned when it was on.

Ginny's hand shook slightly as she raised it to her breast, hiding the swell that the tightness of the bodice made. No longer was she just an ordinary girl. In this dress she was truly the winner of the Pageant, and definitely more woman than she ever considered herself to be. The bell above the threshold of the shop chimed as the door opened, but it went unheard by the three women.

Sandra was the first to move, jumping out of her chair and circling her friend. "You look stunning!"

"It's beautiful," Ginny finally whispered to the witch.

The shopkeeper beamed. "Thank you, Miss Weasley."

Ginny's hand fell to her side as she examined herself fully in the mirror. The image that reflected back could not be her, but the red hair and freckles told otherwise. It stunned her to think that a dress robe was capable of making this image.

"You truly have grown up, Little Weasley," a voice drawled from behind her.

Ginny's eyes rose and met Draco's familiar ice grey ones in the mirror. There was no teasing harshness shining from them, but an unexplainable softness hidden in their depths. His face was passive, but from experience that could only mean that he was planning his next move. Her back straightened and her chin tilted in preparation.

"Is that a compliment?" She asked stiffly, not quite raising her defenses, but unwilling to leave herself so completely bare to him.

"Take it as you will," Draco replied, his eyes intensely staring into hers before breaking away and turning onto the shopkeeper. "I came to check the status of my order."

"It's almost done, Mr. Malfoy," the witch replied. "You shall receive it in the next few days."

Draco nodded his response, and then turned to head out of the shop, his black school robes billowing out behind him. Before he opened the door he paused for a moment. Ginny's eyes widened and she pivoted on the stool so that she could look over her shoulder as he turned around. His eyes locked on hers and a faint smile touched his lips.

"It was a compliment, by the way," he said, and then he was gone.

A faint blush rose in Ginny's cheeks. She bent her head into her shoulder to hide the smile that crept onto her lips. It was an exceptionally nice feeling, knowing that someone noticed her like that, especially when that someone was a person she hadn't gotten along with before. But she had grown up, in more ways than the physical way. She had become a different person since school had started, a person who would rather be true to herself than follow around Harry Potter like a salivating fan. Draco noticed this and instead of teasing her because of it, he complimented her. It made her feel...special.

Sandra slyly glanced at her friend. "You know," she began, pausing until she had Ginny's complete attention. "You're not the only one who has grown up nicely. That Malfoy really has become a mouthful." She winked at her before turning to the shopkeeper. "She's taking this dress robe as well. You wouldn't happen to have a matching cloak would you?"

"It can be arranged," the witch replied, reaching forward to help Ginny out of the dress. "I would like to put some finishing touches on the dress robe as well, and both should be ready in a few days' time."

"Thank you so much for your time," Ginny said once she was fully dressed in her second hand clothing. They felt thin and worn to the touch making her yearn to wear the new clothes she had just purchased.

"It was my pleasure." The shopkeeper escorted the girls out of the shop and waved goodbye at the door. "Do come again."

Once outside the shop, Sandra took the lead down the street towards the Three Broomsticks. Nice refreshments were just what she needed after shopping, and she was sure that once Ginny returned from her thoughts she would enjoy a butterbeer as well. She wasn't too sure what her Gryffindor friend was thinking about, but if she had to guess it wouldn't be about Harry Potter.

As they neared the pub Ginny still remained silent. Sandra stared at her over her shoulder, her top teeth gnawing on her bottom lip as she debated whether or not to interrupt her friend's concentration. Patience was never a strong virtue of hers though, so it wasn't long before she spoke.

"All right, spill it. Now." Sandra demanded, stopping right outside the doorway to the Three Broomsticks.

Ginny looked up with confusion shining in her eyes. "Spill what?"

"Whatever you were thinking about, tell it to me now. Share with the group."

"I wasn't thinking about anything."

"Be honest Ginny. Tell me you were thinking about those intense grey eyes of Draco Malfoy's, and how you wish that with one gaze they really could strip the clothes off of your body. Rawr."

Ginny frowned at the Ravenclaw. "Honestly, Sandra, I wasn't thinking about that. I was thinking about..." She paused as commotion from inside the pub drew her attention. Her eyes widened as the door flew open and someone was shoved out into the middle of the street. Ginny grabbed her friend and pulled her out of the way as another boy came barreling through the doors, green eyes burning with hatred. "Harry!"

Sandra slapped her forehead. "And I thought we went over this already!"

Ginny shook her head and stomped a foot. "No you dimwit, it's Harry! Harry who almost ran you over. Harry who is out in the middle of the street right this second fighting with some boy." Ginny grabbed Sandra's hand and pulled her closer towards the circle that had quickly formed around the two boys. "Come on!"

Ginny lead the way through the crowd towards the center of the circle, occasionally elbowing another student or stomping on their foot when they wouldn't move. Angry voices rose from inside of the circle only to fall silent in an instant. She walked faster, pulling Sandra behind with all her strength until finally she reached the center and abruptly stopped as her eyes took in the scene before her.

Sandra bumped into Ginny's back at the sudden stop, pushing the Gryffindor further inside of the circle. "What's going on?"

Harry was standing nose to nose with Draco Malfoy, each boy angrily glaring into the other's eyes almost daring him to make the first move. Chests rose and fell in furious breaths, and fists clenched and unclenched in a matching pace.

"You'll pay Malfoy. Whatever you said to her, you'll pay for it," Harry bit out, his voice so harsh that not even Ginny recognized it.

A sarcastic smile lit Draco's features. "Tell me, Potter, do you believe that a little conversation was the only thing we shared?"

Harry's hand clenched into a fist at his side. "You told her lies."

"I told her nothing."

Before Draco could even think about reacting, Harry's fist rose and landed solidly against his face. The impact of the punch sent him staggering a few steps back, but he remained upright. Gently he touched the tender skin on his cheek and worked his jaw to make sure nothing was broken. When he raised his eyes back Harry's angry green orbs he was surprised to see him holding his wand tightly in his hand, the tip pointed straight towards him.

"You mean nothing to her now, Potter," Draco taunted. "Sad isn't it, how you lost her long before you ever truly had her?"

"Pull out your wand!" Harry demanded.

Draco straightened to his full height and held out his arms. "Go ahead Potter, hex me. It won't change the fact that what I say is the truth. You lost her, and you're never going to get her back."

Harry raised his wand higher and began muttering a curse under his breath. Before she could even think about what she was doing, Ginny jumped in front of Draco, her arms outstretched and her eyes burning. Harry faltered for a minute, but did not lower his wand.

"Stop, Harry. Just stop," she demanded.

"Get out of the way, Ginny. This is between Malfoy and me."

"Lower your wand now!"

"Ginny, move or else I cannot be held accountable for what happens," Harry replied.

Ginny swallowed at the threat. For as long as she had known Harry Potter, when he made a threat he went through with it. His anger towards Draco was so strong right now that even if Hermione was the one standing in front of Draco, he still would've made the threat. He wouldn't follow through with it, though. Still, she was Ginny, not Hermione. She could not stop Harry alone.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor," her voice wavered as she spoke. "Now lower your wand or it'll be more."

"You're sticking up for Malfoy?" Harry questioned in disbelief.

"Five more points from Gryffindor."

"This is between me and Malfoy."

"Well, now it's between me and you. Lower your wand."

Harry stared at Ginny. She stood in front of Malfoy, literally protecting him with her own body. Malfoy.

When had things become so twisted that she was standing on the other side?

Malfoy. He was behind everything. Since day one he had loved to make his life hell, and he was doing it now by feeding Ginny lies about him.

"No," Harry replied.

"Five more points from Gryffindor." Ginny's eyes lost the hardness to them as she gazed at Harry beseechingly. "Put down your wand Harry, please."

The two Gryffindors stared at one another for a long and stressful minute. Finally, Harry lowered his wand. Ginny released the breath of air she didn't realize she was holding, and took another breath to calm herself.

Harry glared at Draco. "If you think this is over, it's not Malfoy. You will pay. I promise you that."

Harry paused for a moment letting his words sink in before he turned and stormed through the parting crowd. Ginny watched him leave, a sigh escaping her lips. When had Harry become such an awful person? Had he always been like that and she had never noticed before? She closed her eyes in shame for the boy she once thought she knew and turned around. Instead of an open street like she thought she had, a body stood in her way, so close to her that even when she raised her hands to stop the collision she still bumped into him.

Ginny rubbed the tip of her nose gently as her other hand rested against the chest in front of her to help stabilize herself until she got her bearings together. Slowly she became aware of his chest rising and falling with each breath he took. Her eyes opened and focused on the cloth beneath her hand. His heart beat steadily against her fingers, which she moved slightly to see the patch underneath. A silver serpent winked slyly up at her.

Ginny quickly stepped back, her eyes wildly darting around the street before finally rising to meet his. The corner of Draco's lips tilted up into a small smile as her face darkened in a blush.

"Like I said, you truly have grown up, Little Weasley." Draco murmured in her ear.

Ginny shoved away from him, her eyes blazing with irritation. "Oh, sod off, Malfoy!"

*

Draco stood in front of his mirror that evening, his fingers busy working the rich fabric of his tie into a knot. Tonight, instead of attending dinner with the rest of the school, there would be a private reception for the winners of the Pageant and their families. His parents would be present out of obligation, not because they were proud of him. As his father so kindly pointed out, he had yet to prove his worth and exist as a true Malfoy. However, for his parents to not attend the dinner tonight would reflect poorly on them, and that was one thing that they would not tolerate.

Once his tie was tight, Draco lowered his hands and stared at his reflection. The bruise on his cheek was slowly reappearing, although he had magicked it away earlier. He had all the reasons in the world to wear that bruise proudly, but he didn't. Granted, what he wanted more than anything was to see Potter get into trouble for hitting another student, especially the Head Boy, but he wanted others who were closer to Harry to punish him instead. And there was only one person who could punish him to the degree he could only dream about, and that was Ginny. The horror Harry must've felt to see Ginny taking points off of Gryffindor in defense of Draco, to know that she would risk her life for him.

Draco paused at the thought. When Harry had muttered the beginning of a hex he had been far too shocked at the fact that Harry Potter was unfairly hexing another wizard to raise his wand and defend himself. The world slowed down, making each second seem like a minute, and still as he watched Harry's lips moving he could not raise his arms from his side. Only when Ginny jumped in front of him a second before Harry finished did time come crashing back to normality, making his head spin.

Ginny Weasley had put her life on the line to protect him, Draco Malfoy. Why had she done it, though? Had she honestly want to protect him, or did she not want Harry to make a mistake? From her reaction to the fight itself, Draco would've bet everything he had going for him that she hadn't known that it was over her. Not that he would really fight over a Weasley anyway, no matter that her eyes shone with such honest intensity when she looked at him that she made him feel human.

Ginny understood him like no other had been able to before. Words didn't have to pass between them for her to know the deepest desires inside of him, likewise for him. Of course, Draco had always had the ability to see past exteriors to the part of person that was never shared.

Draco now turned that ability onto his reflection in the mirror, his grey eyes shimmering ice silver briefly before snapping back to their original color at a soft knock on his door. He turned from the mirror as the door opened, and Marcel the fifth year Prefect poked his head in.

"It's time," he said.

Draco nodded and started for the door, picking up his cloak from the back of an overstuffed chair on his way. Marcel backed away from the door as Draco walked out, swinging the cloak over his shoulders and fastening the silver clasp under his throat. No good byes or good lucks were said as Draco made his way out of the Slytherin Common Room and up to the room designated for the private reception. For one, all the Slytherins thought him to be a fearless leader who could handle anything thrown at him. The only person who knew different was Ginny Weasley, and Heaven would accept him before she ever said good luck to him.

As Draco turned a corner of the corridor leading to the reception he noticed Ginny coming from the opposite direction. Her steps slowed as she caught sight of him as well, but then continued to their normal pace. He continued his slow stroll, only stopping when he reached the door just as she did.

Ginny looked up at Draco, her eyes widening at his overwhelming presence. He had definitely gone all out tonight, and the result practically left her breathless. She opened her mouth to speak but faltered as she caught a trace of his scent. Her knees weakened at the smell and she could have sworn that her heart was beating so loudly that he would have no trouble hearing it.

"Evening," she finally managed to squeak out.

Draco slightly bowed, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips as if he knew what she was thinking. "Good evening. New dress?"

Ginny looked down at the pale yellow dress robe she had borrowed from Sandra earlier that day. It was less revealing than the silver dress robe she had tried on at the shop that morning, but still made her feel as if she deserved everything she was receiving.

"In a way," she replied, raising her eyes back to his face. It was then she noticed the bruise. Her hands rose on their own to his face. Concern shone in her eyes as her fingers gently brushed against his cheek. "That looks horrible!"

"It hurts a hell of a lot more than it looks like," Draco said, not moving out of her caresses. It was bizarre that he was standing there allowing a Weasley to touch his face and he wasn't pulling away. It was almost as if was enjoying it. "I put a glamour on it to make it vanish, but it obviously is wearing off and I didn't have the time to do another one."

"Here, let me fix it," Ginny offered, pulling her wand out of a hidden pocket in the folds of her dress robe and quickly murmuring a charm before he protested. When she was done, she replaced her wand and looked into his eyes. "Why did you let him hit you?"

Draco shrugged and turned from her. "Fighting is against school rules," he lamely replied.

"None of the Professors know what happened at Hogsmeade. I would think as Head Boy that you would've been the first to-"

"To what?" Draco interrupted. "To tell on Potter? It's a bit more complicated than that."

"He could've seriously injured you!"

Draco whipped around, his eyes blazing an icy chill. "I don't need you to defend me, Weasley!"

Ginny straightened and met his glare with one of her one. "Well, someone has to," she evenly said. "Since you obviously don't care to do it yourself anymore."

He leaned closer to her. "Since when did you begin to care about me?"

She froze as his words processed inside of her mind. When had she begun to care? She knew she must to have stepped in front of Harry as he was in the process of hexing Draco. What an idiot she must have been to have risked her life like that!

When had it all changed?

Ginny tore her eyes from his and reached for the doorknob. "Don't be an idiot, Malfoy. I care about you as much as you care about me."

Further conversation was ended the moment Ginny opened the door and walked inside. Immediately she spotted her parents and ran over to them. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley enveloped their only daughter in the tightest hug ever, each proclaiming how proud they were of her. Tears threatened to spill out of Ginny's eyes as she pulled out of their embraces.

"Mum, Dad, I'm so glad that you're here!"

"How about me, little sis?"

Ginny glanced behind her father and saw her older brother Bill, long hair and all, standing next to Ron and flashing a smile. "Bill!" The elder Weasleys parted to let Bill pass through to give her a hug as well.

"Congrats, kiddo! Who knew that mousy little girl I knew back when would become such a woman?"

Ginny laughed and punched her brother lightly in the arm. "I missed you too, Bill."

She hugged him again, only this time digging her face into his shoulder. Ginny truly did love her older brother, even if he overshadowed her at times. She missed him more than she ever thought she would, so having him here celebrating with her was definitely a special occasion.

A chill swept through Ginny, causing her to open her eyes. She didn't have to look for the source of the coldness because he was staring directly at her, a lost, yearning look shining in his eyes. Even as she pulled from Bill's embrace, Draco's eyes never left. Hunger rose inside of his eyes, not for her, but for the family he never had.

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy conversed quietly with a few of the judges, completely ignoring their son standing stoically next to them. As one of the judges spoke to Draco, he turned his attention away from the Weasleys, but Ginny never broke her gaze. It saddened her to see such a distant relationship between parents and a child, especially between one where the child yearned for acceptance from the parents. Not that Draco had ever mentioned anything like that to her because he never would, but she saw it deep in his eyes. A place so deep that it hides beneath the layers of such a complicated man, and only she seemed to be able to see it.

"Ginny." Bill touched her shoulder to bring her out of her thoughts. When she tore her gaze from Draco and looked up into his eyes, he smiled. "I brought something for you. It's just a little something, but it goes well with what Mum and Dad got you." He handed her a small bundle of Egyptian silk. "Unwrap it."

Ginny's fingers unfolded the luxurious fabric, revealing a necklace in its center. Set in tear shaped mounting, a scarlet stone winked up at her. Transfixed, she touched the stone softly, her breathing shallow. "It's beautiful."

"It's an Alexandrite stone. It's believed to be a good luck stone as well as having regenerative power, enhancing the rebirth of both the inner and the outer self, providing motivation to accelerate the changing of your world while promoting creativity and awareness. When worn around the neck it helps balance one's emotional states, helping whoever wears it to operate in a calm and neutral manner. I figured with the International Pageant coming up that this could be of some help."

Ginny smiled softly. "Thank you, Bill. It is wonderful."

Arthur Weasley slipped an arm around his daughter's shoulders. "And of course, we have something for you as well. It's been in the family for a long time, and it's only right that you receive it now."

Molly Weasley walked forward and pulled a small bundle from the depths of her robes. As she handed it to her daughter she pressed a kiss against her temple. "We're so proud of you, sweetie."

Ginny kissed her mother's cheek then unwrapped her second gift. Resting inside was a ring clearly made for a man with the same stone as the charm on her necklace. Still, it was as undeniably beautiful set in a ring as it was set in a charm.

"You could wear it around your neck," Bill suggested. "If you wore it on your left hand it would help inhibit undesirable energies from other people's emotions, but it's too big."

"We could always resize it, dear," Mrs. Weasley replied. "Just one tap of the wand."

Ginny shook her head firmly. "No, I like it the way that it is." She took the ring from the wrapping, unclasped the necklace to slip it on the chain, and then secured it around her neck. "I love it. Thank you Mum, Dad and Bill."

The three beamed with pride, but their smiles faded when a familiar sneering voice spoke.

"Well, well, well. It looks as if the Weasleys can finally afford to pay their one and only daughter worth something of value," Lucius Malfoy spoke, a smirk resting on his features. "What did you have to sell this time to afford something like that? Your house?"

Arthur Weasley turned towards Lucius. "You will not ruin this day for my family."

Lucius shrugged. "This day has been ruined long before you ever showed up, hasn't it little Ginny? The embarrassment of your family has finally gotten to you." He sarcastically pouted as he looked at her.

Ginny flushed under his gaze, but held her ground. She was not going to cower under any of his taunts. "My day's been ruined the moment you breathed word of it," she murmured.

Lucius's eyes widened at her response, as well as her parents' as they both turned towards her, preparing to scold her. Lucius held up a hand though, stopping them. "It's all right, Arthur and Molly. It's refreshing to see that at least one of you has the backbone to stick up for yourselves." His eyes turned to slits as he glared at her and his voice lowered threateningly. "A mouth like that, however, will only bring you down. If I were you, I would be more careful who I talk back to."

Silence fell across the group; only breaking with dinner was announced. Lucius met each Weasleys' eyes in turn before turning and escorting his wife to the table. Slowly the Weasleys followed suit, Molly softly scolding Ginny for speaking out as they approached the table.

Once Ginny reached her chair, Ron slipped past her and slid it out for her. She smiled her thanks at her older brother as she began to sit down. She was not even firmly sitting before Ron touched her arm and leaned closer to her ear.

"We need to talk. Harry told me what happened."

Ginny shrugged his arm off and sat down. "Not right now. Maybe later."

"Ginny, this is important."

She turned to him as he sat next to her, her eyes firm in her gaze. "This is more important than whatever Harry Potter told you to tell me."

She raised her eyebrows, waiting for her brother to reply, his lips parting and closing as he worked out what he wanted to say. Finally, his lips stopped moving and he just stared at her resignation shining in his eyes.

"Fine, Ginny," he sighed. "We'll talk later, I promise you."

Credits: The information about the stone, Alexandrite, I found at State House Girls as well as Gemstones.com. HUGE, HUGE, HUGE thanks go out to Sandra for helping me with this chapter (I bow down to your greatness).