Pride and Honor

Dusk settled over Hogwarts, casting the school in beams of orange and pink. There was a chill to the air, growing ever colder as the sun nestled beneath the never-ending horizon. Ginny snuggled deeper within her sweater as the cold penetrated through the warmth of the small room. A fire blazed steadily in the grate of the fireplace, its flames illuminating the room with its fiery color. It wasn't much of a room, just filled with a table and a couch. Paintings hung on the wall, but only of landscapes. The room was truly secluded, and that fact comforted her.

Ginny turned her eyes back to the opened window, a sigh passing her lips as she took in the beauty of the sunset. The pinks and yellows of the dying sun mixed with the blues of the growing night, turning the horizon into a pastel painting of wonder, stealing her breath at its magnificence. In the grand scheme of life, moments like these made any problem seem insignificant. The fact that her life had been steadily changing for the past month, and would change even more the next day when she left for the International Pageant, was lost to her in this moment. The twilight had entranced her with its appearing stars and dying light. Only when the had sun finally disappeared behind the horizon and night had cast its dark veil over the school did the trance break, leaving her sitting in the window shivering in the growing cold, mourning the death of the sun for another night.

Laughter drew her attention to the ground where her eyes locked on familiar figures dressed in their scarlet Gryffindor Quidditch robes emerging from the Quidditch pitch. Even from a distance, Ginny could still make out Harry, Ron and Hermione. The boys, with their brooms slung over their shoulders, talked animatedly with Hermione, who, like every time she was seen, had a book in her arms. Parts of their conversation had drifted up towards her as they neared the castle, but they did not hold her interest. At this point, she was tired of trying to figure out how their friendship worked, and wanted very little, if not nothing, to do with it at all.

Ginny turned her gaze back up to the dark night, the only light that of the stars for the moon had yet to rise. Her thoughts began to run now that there was no sunset to occupy her mind. The day at Hogsmeade frequently crashed down upon her, demanding to be picked apart by her brain, but she was able to brush it off and forget about it. Tonight, however, would not be one of those nights. Her thoughts were too powerful to be denied, the night too seducing to stop the onslaught of images.

Something major had changed that day, starting from the moment in the dress shop. Even if Ginny closed her eyes now she could still see the grey of Malfoy's eyes staring intently at her, not as cold as his eyes usually were, a warmth reflecting from deep inside. He had complimented her, and while he had used the statement in jest later, truth had still rung in his voice and shone in his eyes. Never had he looked at her the way he had inside of the shop, almost as if she were something precious and deserved to be shown the proper admiration.

Draco Malfoy had indeed changed since the beginning of the school year. He was still the same old Malfoy in all his nastiness, but there was tenderness to him now. She saw it in the way he'd looked at her at the shop, and in his voice when he spoke to her. In fact, ever since the last night of the Pageant he had been acting differently towards her. There was no explanation as to why he had come out to the lake during dinner other than to make sure she was all right. Sure, he'd taunted her with knowledge of the International Pageant, but something was different in his demeanor as he had done so, almost as if he was searching deep inside of her to know her thoughts. And when his family owl had swooped down from the sky scaring her, he'd turned far too fast to make sure she was all right. The Malfoy he had been before this year never would've even batted an eye to her distress.

What had made him change? Not that she was complaining, but Ginny needed to know why he was different, what it all meant. Was she reading into this more than she should?

Ginny sighed as her eyes closed. The palms of her hands dug into her eyes as the urge to cry from the growing frustration and nervousness began to consume her. So much had changed since the beginning of the term, not just her bond with Malfoy. She had changed as well. No longer was she satisfied with the relationship she shared with Harry and company. She wanted more, needed more than what they could ever offer to her. She wanted to stop living to please others, and just live to please herself.

Ginny wiped at her dry eyes with her hands before raising her head with resolve. Dwelling on the past does not help the change the future. Tomorrow would be the start of her new life. No one at the International Pageant would know of her family or the status of her friendships. No one but Draco, and the likelihood of him telling someone would be slim.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she glanced down at the school grounds. By the sounds of laughter and the chatter coming from below, dinner would be starting soon. Ginny unfolded her legs and leaned forward to close the window. Tonight would be her last night eating at Hogwarts for a while, and she hoped that the house elves had prepared something good.

Ginny rose and looked about her secret room. It had become her sanctuary over the last few weeks, away from prying eyes and ever more meddlesome questions. Her fingers trailed across the soft fabric of the couch as she walked towards the door. She definitely was going to miss it, but what lay ahead of her was more important. With a softly muttered charm and a point of her wand, the fire went out, casting the room into darkness.

The walk to the Great Hall wasn't far at all. She had just turned the last corner of a corridor leading towards the stairs when she smacked into another body coming from the opposite direction. Hands rested on her shoulders to help steady her as she turned her face to see who she'd run into. Ron stared back down at her, brotherly concern shining in his eyes.

"I've been looking all over for you, Gin," he said. "You've been avoiding me like a plague for the last couple of weeks."

Ginny dropped her head and stared at the ground. "I know."

Ron gently tugged on a curl before pushing it behind her ear. "Come, let's take a walk."

"I was just about to head on down for dinner," she softly protested as he began to lead her down the stairs to the entry way of the school.

"There'll still be food by the time we get back, I promise."

Ginny stopped right before the double doors leading outside. "It's too cold to go outside without my cloak."

Ron smiled as he lifted her cloak from his arm and placed it about her shoulders. "No more excuses, Ginny," he said as he fastened the cloak beneath her throat. He adjusted it so it fit her completely before pulling his own on and opening the door.

They walked in silence outside the castle with Ron gently leading her towards the garden. Ginny allowed herself to be lead along the path, her eyes closing in a thoughtless peace. For once she was not worrying about where she was going, but just knowing that wherever she was lead she would be watched over. A slight breeze blew by causing the leaves of a nearby bush to quiver. The rustling grew a bit louder until suddenly the plant reached out and caressed her cheek as she walked by. Ginny took in a deep breath of the crisp autumn air as she opened her eyes from the touch. Ron glanced at her inquiringly, but said nothing.

When the two Weasleys finally came to a bench deep in the garden, Ron touched his sister's arm lightly to halt her. He stood chivalrously until Ginny sat down, then he took his place next to her. He continued to remain silent which frustrated her because she knew he wanted to say something to her. Instead, he just looked at her with eyes so blank for him that worry began to replace the frustration inside of her.

Ginny turned her face from him and picked at a loose thread in her sweater. She had to admit, she had been dreading this conversation for the last couple of weeks, constantly avoiding him at all opportunities. But the moment came; there was no more time for hiding.

"So..." Ron spoke finally.

Ginny tore her eyes from her hands and straightened. "So..." she repeated.

Ron placed a hand over her own, his thumb lightly stroking the top of her wrist before pausing. "I know you don't want to talk about this, Gin. I completely understand, but do you see where I'm coming from?"

She nodded slightly. No doubt Boy Wonder had talked her brother's ear off about the situation. "I do."

He sighed lightly as he removed his hand to run his fingers through his hair as he searched for the words to say. But the words would not come to lighten this situation; there was no other way to say what he had to say. So, he just jumped into the conversation and prayed that it went well. "Harry told me what happened outside of the Three Broomsticks," he said in a rush.

Ginny visibly stiffened at his words, but if he noticed, he did not comment on it. Instead, he continued on. This was not the conversation she'd expected to hear from her brother. Why she wasn't getting along with Harry anymore and why she seemed so cold to his friends were the questions she was prepared for. Not this.

"About how you went and defended Malfoy. Jumped right in front of him and protected him." Ron turned to face her. "Why, Gin? Why did you do that? Why did you take points from Gryffindor because of it?"

Shock dissolved into checked anger as her brother fired questions off at her. She slowly faced him, her eyes blank and a chill to her voice. "Is that all he told you, Ron?" At his nod, her resolve broke. All her pent up frustration over Harry escaped as she scathingly spoke. "That spineless git! He sent you to drill me, didn't he? He wasn't happy over the little attention that I gave him, so he had to enlist you to help. Well, let's give Harry a cookie for being so amazingly intelligent!"

Confusion masked Ron's features. "Ginny, what are you talking about?"

She glared at her brother. "What I'm talking about, Ron, is the fact that I'm tired of Harry always thinking that he can toy with me. I am not a plaything for his amusement, I am my own person. I'm tired of the crap he pulls, but most of all I'm tired of him!"

"I don't understand, Gin. This isn't the Harry we know."

"You're right, Ron. You wouldn't understand. You haven't understood for the last six years, so why should I expect you to understand now?"

Ginny rose from the bench and started to storm off, but Ron was too quick for her. He was on his feet and blocking her way before she knew it, forcing her to stop. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and angrily looked to the side. He tilted to get into her field of vision, but all she did was turn the other way.

"Look at me," he demanded.

With a sigh, she raised her eyes to his. His own searched hers for a moment before giving up when he couldn't find the answer to his question inside of them. She was making this harder than it ought to be, and probably for a very good reason.

With all the authority only a big brother could have, Ron straightened and stared hard at his sister. "Explain."

Ginny huffed, turning from him. "Explain what?"

"Everything! Starting with what you just said about me not understanding for the last six years."

"You haven't!" she burst out unwillingly. She didn't particularly want to share her feelings over the past six years with her brother, but there was something inside of her that wouldn't keep silent any longer. She angrily turned back to him, all the frustration over the past years rising and rejoicing in finally being heard.

"It's always been about you, Harry and Hermione. 'Oh look, there's Ginny following us around! Pat, pat, pat on the head; let's move on to something else. Blimey, she's still here, wonder what's up with her? Why doesn't she have any friends?' What you failed to realize, dear brother, is that while I may have had friends, I wanted something far greater. I wanted your friendship, and the friendship shared between the three of you. Unfortunately, the fact that I can never have that friendship was nailed home to me not too long ago. And you can thank Harry Potter for that."

"Harry? What did Harry do?"

"It's what he also didn't do, Ron. I've been ignored by you three for a long time now. It's all right, though, I don't mind it too much. I understood that I was the little sister and that pushing my way into your friendship was uncalled for. What I didn't like, and still do not like, is that fact that when you and Hermione weren't around, I actually became a person in Harry's eyes. It gave me hope, Ron. Hope. To have that hope ripped away from me each time he was with you two became too much."

Ginny's breath caught in her throat, causing her chest to hitch. Tears already threatened to form as she spoke, half in relief that it was being said, the other half distressed that she had to relive all the pain from it as she retold her tale. "It became far too much, so I broke away. The moment I broke away, however, just happened to be the moment when Harry realized that he was losing me. Losing my friendship, losing whatever we shared. He wanted me back, but not for the right reasons. Nothing was ever for the right reasons."

Ron hesitantly placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace, one arm tight around her shoulders while the other was secured around her waist. He knew that there was nothing that he could do to make up for all the pain he had caused his little sister, but he needed to express how sorry he was to have put her through that. The only way he could think of doing that was through his hug.

"I'm sorry, Ginny, so very, very sorry," he whispered against the top of her head. "I'm a prat for not realizing what was going on sooner, and I can only beg for your forgiveness."

Her voice was muffled from his cloak as she spoke. "It's all right, Ron. I'm not really angry at you and Hermione about this. It's Harry I'm angry with."

Ron pulled back slightly so he could see his sister's face. Tears were evident in her eyes, but they refused to fall. "Is that why you stepped in front of Malfoy at Hogsmeade?"

Ginny pulled herself out of his embrace and walked a few paces away. "I don't really know why I jumped in front of Malfoy that day. I just...I couldn't let Harry hurt him like that. I know he was very angry with Malfoy and I don't know the reasons why, but Malfoy wasn't fighting back. It was almost as if he believed on some level he deserved what Harry was doing to him. And no one deserves that. No one." She turned back towards her brother. "Harry's changed, Ron. He's fighting for something, and only he knows what it is. This fight is hurting other people. It's hurting me."

"I don't think Harry means to do so, though," Ron said, stepping closer to his sister. "I know Harry, and what you're telling me doesn't match up with the guy I know. He's different around you, Gin, I know that much. Maybe the reason is good, not bad like you think."

"He only wants me to boost his popularity," she muttered.

"That's not true."

"It is! You really don't understand, Ron. When I won the Pageant, Harry was angry that I had entered myself in it. He refused to say anything civil to me. Then he does a complete one-eighty and I find myself practically being seduced in all this charm that I only see him use around wizards in higher status. What could that mean other than he wanted to use me for his gain?"

"Maybe it's you who doesn't understand," Ron answered softly.

"Of course, you would side with him!"

"I'm not siding with anyone, Ginny. I'm not, and I won't. I just think that you're reading Harry wrong. I won't tell you how he feels because it isn't the conversation that I should be having with you. All I can say is to go and talk to him, work things out with him. Then you'll see."

Ginny crossed her arms. "I refuse to speak with him."

Ron shrugged. "Then you'll never understand." He stepped forward and grabbed his sister's hand. "Come, let's go and get something to eat. I don't want my little sister to leave for the Pageant without one last Hogwarts dinner."

A slight smile covered her lips. "Thank you, Ron," she murmured.

"For what?" he asked as he pulled her along the path.

"For listening and being a friend."

Ron smiled down at Ginny. "Anytime."

*

Morning sunlight filtered through the Forbidden Forest, slowing burning away the fog as the light steadily became stronger as the sun rose higher. There was a nip to the air that penetrated through Ginny's new cloak. She pulled it tighter around her and sat down heavily on the top of her trunk.

The grounds of Hogwarts were surprisingly empty for a Saturday morning. Not even a Quidditch team was up and practicing. Ginny stretched out her legs and sighed as she looked around the front steps. Professor McGonagall had yet to show up, and no doubt that Draco would be running fashionably late. It was almost as if he didn't care about the International Pageant, but she knew differently. He cared far too much about this and that made him feel vulnerable, so he put up a front of indifference to mask his weakness.

"What are you thinking about?" a voice asked.

Ginny looked behind her and saw Sandra walking closer to her. She scooted over to make room for Sandra to sit down on her trunk and answered, "Not much."

"I see," Sandra replied. "No Harry Potter on the mind for once?"

"Well, now that you mention his name he is!"

Sandra shifted to a more comfortable position on the trunk. "Have you talked since Hogsmeade?"

Ginny shook her head in response. "There is nothing to say between us. Besides, I'm sure Ron filled him in if he asked about me."

Silence fell between them. Sandra didn't know how to respond to that, and she was pretty sure that even if she came up with a response, Ginny's answer wouldn't be satisfactory. There was still too much bitterness to her that Sandra didn't like. She knew it came from the hurt the Gryffindor was feeling, but there could only be so much healthy dislike she could feel for Harry before it turned disastrous.

"Are you ever going to forgive him?" Sandra softly asked.

Before Ginny could even think to form her response, the front door banged open. Ron and Hermione tumbled out, their cloaks billowing out behind them as they ran. Both caught sight of the two girls sitting on the trunk staring wide-eyed at them, and each took a deep breath of gratitude.

"See," Hermione panted, leaning against the wall of the school as she fought for breath. "I told you, Ron! We're not too late, Ginny is still here."

Ron frowned at Hermione before turning his attention to his sister. She looked so grown up sitting on the edge of her trunk with the morning sun turning her curls into a reddish gold, and her fingers lightly playing with the edge of her new cloak. As he walked closer he barely noticed the Ravenclaw royalty rise and move towards the edge of the steps. He took her seat on the edge of the trunk and took in a deep breath. He didn't know what to say.

Minutes passed, and Ginny's fingers continued to fumble around with her cloak. She sighed and glanced around her before dropping her gaze back to her hands. A slight smile covered Ron's lips as he leaned closer to her and bumped his shoulder against her. When she turned to look up at him, his smile widened.

"Hey, good luck. You know, with this Pageant thing, and having to spend all that time with Malfoy."

Ginny's smile matched her brother's. "Thank you, Ron. I'm sure I'll manage on both accounts."

"We all know how big of a prat Malfoy is, I'm sure you'll have a hard time. And having to wear all those nice dress robes, I don't envy you at all."

Hermione moved closer to the Weasley siblings to join in on their banter. "I can vouch for that. Ron was never much for wearing a frilly dress robe." She winked at her friend as he blushed, remembering his first dress robe which was currently stuffed in the bottom of his trunk under a dirty pair of socks. The only use for it now since he had outgrown them was to throw it over Pig's cage when he traveled.

Ron slung an arm around his sister's shoulder and pulled her tight against him. "I can bet you ten galleons that Ginny looks far better in a dress robe than I ever will!"

As everyone on the front steps laughed, the front door slammed for the second time that morning, tearing Ginny from Ron's embrace as she jumped in surprise. With her heart rapidly pumping, eyes wide and lips parted, she turned towards the noise and saw Draco scowling in her direction. His arms were crossed in front of his chest and a bitter expression shone in his eyes.

"I do hope I'm not interrupting."

While the statement was a polite one, there was nothing resembling polite in his voice, nor in his expression. Ginny slowly rose and moved away from her brother under Draco's watchful eyes. The memory of the way his chest had felt under her fingers back at Hogsmeade rushed into her brain. If she closed her eyes she knew her mind would replay the events of that day, drawing out the moment when he had whispered into her ear. The rise of emotions that she felt for him was odd, and something she definitely did not want to think about at this moment.

Besides, something other than that day at Hogsmeade played through Draco's mind. She saw the resentment in his eyes when she was near Ron. The resentment and longing. For a family, she supposed. Or quite possibly someone to love him.

"Professor McGonagall went to fetch the coach," Draco continued, his arms uncrossing as he walked closer to the steps. "She should be around momentarily."

Sandra moved towards Ginny, and touched her lightly on her elbow. "I should be heading inside. There's this study group I have to attend," Sandra spoke. She pulled her friend into a fierce hug. "Good luck, Gin. Owl me everyday!"

Ginny smiled at her as she pulled out of the hug. "I'll try, but I'll definitely promise to owl you whenever I get the chance. I'm going to miss you, Sandra."

Sandra pulled her cloak tighter around her. "I'll miss you too. Bye, Ginny!" She waved, then turned and fled inside of the castle.

Silence fell upon the group once the door to the castle firmly shut behind the Ravenclaw. It hardly lasted a minute before a carriage rolled up in front of the castle and Professor McGonagall stepped out. She did not need to speak for everyone there knew it was time to leave. Ginny turned and threw her arms around her brother.

"Good bye, Ron. Stay out of trouble."

Ron gently tugged on a curl as they parted from their hug. Draco huffed and angrily entered the carriage. "It should be easy enough considering Malfoy won't be here."

"Oh hush, Ron," Hermione lightly scolded, moving closer to give Ginny her good bye. "Take care. If you have any questions you know you can owl me."

Ginny lightly laughed. "I don't think we're allowed outside help."

"Just in case. You know I'm here for you."

Ginny nodded, fearing that if she spoke her voice would go out on her. Ron and Hermione said their good byes one last time before she turned and climbed into the carriage. Draco sent her a scalding glare as she sat across from him.

"Not going to cry are you? I don't see why you would want to considering that they aren't your friends," he smirked as she flinched.

"At least I have someone to see me off," Ginny quietly retaliated, for Professor McGonagall was sliding into the carriage. From inside the castle, a pair of brilliant green eyes stared out of a window, slowly closing in a pang of regret as the coach door slammed shut.

With a lurch, the carriage was off towards Hogsmeade. On the way, the Professor gently lectured on Hogwarts etiquette, reminding them that not only would they be representing the school, but all of Britain as well. Whatever animosity they shared for the other must be buried or at least a truce must be reached. Warily, Ginny glanced at Draco.

"Whether you like it or not, the two of you won this competition for the same reasons. The other competitors at the International Pageant won't care who your fathers are, or where your family stands. I suggest that you do the same." Professor McGonagall firmly gazed at the two students. Grudgingly, they nodded. "Good," she replied.

The coach slowed to a stop, and Professor McGonagall opened the door and stepped out. Draco and Ginny followed, and were remotely surprised when flashes of light went off as they did so. Photographers from every paper in Britain were standing outside the Three Broomsticks intent on getting pictures of the two winners. The Professor deftly parted the crowd and escorted her two charges into the building. Inside a small room in the back, the Minister of Magic held out an opened box. Inside lay a gold ball.

"Here is your port key to the Pageant. Your belongings will be Apparated by a Pageant official, so do not worry about them. Congratulations on such an honor, and make Britain proud!" Cornelius Fudge grinned, and then settled down. "If you two would please place your hand on the port key."

Ginny's eyes shifted and met with Draco's as both of their hands reached out and touched the ball. Instantly she felt herself drowning in his eyes, emotions rising and falling so intensely within each of them. Faintly, she heard Mr. Fudge counting down the seconds. Right as he reached "one," she felt a sharp tug at her naval and her feet left the ground. In a howl of wind and brilliant color she was pulled forward with Draco at her side, their eyes still locked.

They seemed to travel forever, the wind and colors so intense that a pounding began to form in her head. As it escalated to a point where it almost became unbearable, her feet slammed into the ground. Disoriented and caught off guard at such an abrupt stop after so long a trip, Ginny lost her balance and went crashing forward. Arms slid around her body, stopping her fall. As the cloud of confusion rose, she became aware of how tightly she was wrapped in his arms.

Ginny slowly raised her forehead from his shoulder, his hand sliding down from the back of her head to the nape of her neck as she did so. For the first time, nothing shone in his eyes as he met her gaze. Her head tilted at that knowledge, and she slowly backed out of his arms. Considering the firm grip he had on her she was prepared to struggle, but was surprised as she slid out of his arms easily.

The second she was out of his arms, sound rushed her senses. Laughter and shouts surrounded her, causing her eyes to leave Draco's and look around. Students of all nationalities mingled with one another as a train behind them blew its whistle. A man, no bigger than a goblin, hurried towards them, a clip board in his hands.

"Britain? Malfoy and Weasley?" At their nod, he checked off their names and handed them each a black velvet bag. "Here is your Pageant information. Your compartment number is 53. I suggest boarding the train now as it will be leaving within a quarter of an hour."

Their "thank you" was barely finished before the man rushed off as another pair of contestants arrived via port key as well. Silence fell between them, and Ginny looked up at Draco hoping that he would say anything to break it. The impassiveness vibrating off of him unsettled her. Why it was suddenly there, she could not begin to guess.

Ginny finally broke the silence, gesturing slightly towards the train. "Maybe we should get on?"

Draco curtly nodded, then led the way towards the train. Contestants shouted their hellos as they passed, but there was no time for introductions, his pace saw to that. Three feet from the train, he abruptly stopped as someone stepped into his path. Ginny stopped a second too late, bumping into his back and sending him another step forward.

The contestant in front of Draco looked distastefully down at her, before raising his eyes to the blond-haired Slytherin. The contrast between the two males was extreme. While Draco had the light hair and eyes, the boy in front of him had dark hair and even darker eyes, almost, if not, black.

"Sebastian Theron, Desdemona School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Greece" he introduced himself, not even bothering to hold out his hand to shake. He turned his condescending eyes to Draco and smirked, a smirk that Ginny found extremely familiar. It spoke of wealth and arrogance, with a touch of haughty pride. "I was under the impression that Hogwarts would send two of its finest students to the Pageant."

Draco's eyes flickered at the familiar superiority inside of Theron that he and his family shared. Instinctively, he held an arm out and pulled Ginny closer behind him. "Draco Malfoy," he put unnecessary emphasis on his last name, but for whatever reason he did so, he definitely got the reaction he was looking for. Interest shone in the other boy's eyes at his last name, and he held out his hand for Draco to shake.

"Your name is legendary," he said.

Draco ignored Theron's offer and turned the Malfoy contempt on full throttle. "My father's name is legendary."

Sebastian Theron silently sized up Draco. He would need more time to be able to successfully match wits with the fair headed boy, and beat him in his own game. With that conclusion in mind, he turned his gaze over Draco's shoulder to the petite red head behind him. "Cowering behind a Malfoy is typical of the fairer sex, wouldn't you say?" He asked Draco, keeping his eyes on Ginny, drilling home the fact that while his question wasn't said to her, it was surely aimed at her.

Ginny straightened and stepped out from behind Draco. She mimicked the famous Malfoy scorn, intent on making him realize that she was far from his perception of the typical female. "If one was to cower it would be best to do it behind someone's back instead of in their face, wouldn't you agree, Theron?"

The Greek slightly jerked back at her sudden offensive words. He was unprepared for her response, and she sweetly smiled at him when he realized that she knew that. "May I have your name, mouthy spitfire?"

"Ginny Weasley."

He lightly smiled. "You should meet my partner. I'm sure the two of you would be the best of friends."

Fearing the swift change of direction and tone, Ginny's eyes flickered to Draco's for reassurance before she replied. "I'm sure we could be," she answered evenly.

His smile widened as he looked over her shoulder. "Here she comes now. Shall I introduce you?" He held out his hand to a raven-haired beauty. Her complexion matched that of his, but while he looked ruggedly handsome, she was downright beautiful. "Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley, this is my partner, Melania Keres."

Ginny opened her mouth to reply with a "nice to meet you," but Draco sent her a hard look as he grasped her elbow tightly in his hand. The strength of his grip almost made her cry out, but she refrained. Obviously there was something about the two of them that he did not like, and considering that she was on unfamiliar grounds she did her best to stay silent and follow his lead.

"If you would excuse us," he nodded politely at the two Greeks before leading her away.

Draco continued to be forceful, pushing her to walk faster inside of the train, until they came to their compartment. He lightly pushed her inside before turning and locking the door behind him. He remained facing the door leaving Ginny to stare at his tense back, waiting for him to explain. Finally he turned and faced her.

"If I were you, I would stay far away from the two of them."

"What? Why?"

"They're fiends," he replied as he sat down.

Ginny followed his lead, sitting across from him. "Some could say the same about you."

Draco glared at her. "There is a difference between them and me. They observe their victims carefully, learning their faults and feeding off of their emotions. Then they use it to their advantage, breaking them down until they're mere pieces of what they were."

"Again, I don't..."

Draco cut her off sharply. "You don't understand. You're too caught up in what you believe to listen to what you know."

Ginny evenly stared at him. "What I know is what I believe, Malfoy."

Draco's demeanor completely changed at the use of his last name. In a last attempt to make her listen to him, his voice had a tint of pleading to it. "Just please trust me on this. That is all I'm asking of you."

Ginny regarded Draco carefully. Never in all the time she had known him, in all the conversations she had witnessed from him, had his voice ever taken on a pleading tone. Pleading came from desperation, and that was one emotion that no Malfoy was ever allowed to show. It was also one that, until today, no Malfoy ever had.

"All right, I'll trust you."

Draco was bored. It had been at least an hour since the train had begun to move and their destination was still not reached. He was tired of looking out the window at the passing scenery, so he turned his focus to the inside of the compartment. Across from him, Ginny shifted restlessly in her seat, trying to get as comfortable as possible. She had tried just about every position in the last five minutes to no avail; sleep would not come in an uncomfortable spot.

"You know, Little Weasley," he slowly drawled. "You can always sit next to me and prop your feet up on the bench across from this. I'll even let you use my shoulder as a pillow."

Ginny warily glanced at him, but did not respond.

"I promise not to bite..." a tiny smile touched his lips before escalating to a full out grin. "Hard."

She paused from lying down to glance at him and roll her eyes. He softly chuckled at her response as she curled into a ball with her back pressed up against the wall and her knees pressed against her chest. His eyes darkened at the simplistic move of her fingers brushing back the tendrils at her temple, and her tongue sneaking out to wet her lips.

These feelings that she roused in him were unexplainable. Normally, he would've chalked it up to pure male lust, but there was something different this time. Besides the fact that he was actually attracted to a Weasley, something was off. Never had he felt the urge to just look at someone before. It was almost insatiable, and quite the weakness as well.

A half sigh of welcomed sleep filled the small compartment, drawing Draco's attention out from his thoughts. Ginny was blissfully asleep, her crimson hair curling about her face in tendrils. She was naïve in so many ways, looking every bit the angel he had no doubt she was. There were cruel people in this world willing to take advantage of the angelic quality she possessed. He knew that his own attitude gave those a close chase, but he would never be like them. From years of experience he knew that to break someone you had to get into their thoughts and crack them from the inside. However, he had learned that it was a lot more entertaining toying with a person before you finally broke them. A bit more satisfactory with the ending result.

He had toyed with Weasley from the moment he had laid eyes on her. It was almost too easy, and he had often brought her to the breaking point over the years. Something had changed within her over the summer, though. Instead of getting into her mind, he found that she frequently got into his. It disturbed him to be on the receiving end of a tactic that was like second nature to him. Had she become stronger, or he weaker? Weakness was a trait that he was taught to despise in others, and in himself. He could almost bring himself to hate Weasley for making him be that way, but he found it far too enjoyable not to hate her.

Draco sobered at the thought. Never had he preferred to like someone than to hate them. His feelings towards the Little Weasley were drastically changing in a direction he was not familiar with. It put him slightly off balance and forever in a state of confusion. The Greek champion had gotten a whiff of it on the platform, as any predator would. Luckily for Draco, he had not realize who it was coming from. He would soon enough if Draco didn't get his emotions under control. Determined to do so, Draco turned his gaze away from the sleeping beauty to stare out the window.

*

The halls of Hogwarts were silent except for the light footsteps that trod as silently as possible towards the Library. Outside the door, the footsteps paused as the owner peaked inside of the room, only to move on when her quarry was not found. There was only one more place to be checked, and if he was not there then the mission was a failure. It did not take long to get from the Library to the Owlery, the number of stairs taken and the numerous hallways had long begun to run together in her mind.

At the top of the West Tower, she pulled her cloak tighter around her as the chill autumn draft blew through the glassless windows. She entered the room, watchful of her footsteps on the straw and owl droppings. In the center of the room she found him, his glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead against a snowy owl. The owl hooted softly in response. She moved closer to him, not as careful as before. A loud crack echoed throughout the room as she stepped down onto the skeleton of a mouse, causing her to wince and him to raise his eyes towards the door. Regret shone through them as he lifted his head and patted the owl gently.

He waited, his hand continually petting the owl.

"Harry," she started, and then faltered as his eyes focused on her. "I know we aren't the best of friends, but Ginny is my friend. It's in her best interest that I am here now."

Sandra waited for Harry to respond. Even after a full minute he made no move to.

"You're hurting her, Harry. You're also hurting yourself. Now, I don't know why you've decided to be a pigheaded git, but it has to stop. She needs you, probably not in the way that she once did, but still she needs you."

"I know I'm hurting her," his voice was so soft that at first she didn't even know that he had spoken. "I try to make it better, but I only screw things up more." With one last pet, he moved away from Hedwig and closer to the Ravenclaw royalty. "She's right, you know. I did ignore her and use her when it benefited me. I thought, 'Why the hell not? I'm bloody Harry Potter; I can do anything I want.'"

He caressed the edge of her cloak, the way someone might touch a loved antique or a priceless piece of art. Without warning, his fingers tightened in the cloth, pulling her closer towards him. "I still think like that. Right now I'm thinking about how easy it would be to charm you and then use you to benefit me. The Wizarding world would be giddy that I found myself a proper young woman who not only is outstanding in school, but who also is revered in the Muggle world."

Unwillingly, her breath caught in her throat as he pulled her flush against him. He stood there smirking down at her, his glasses perching on his nose again making him seem not so little anymore. He eluded this sense of danger that she had never recognized in him before.

Sandra tilted her head back. "Tell me, Harry; is this part of your charm?" She roughly pushed away from him. "You know, I thought I understood you, Harry. I thought I knew what it felt like to be idolized and set upon this pedestal that you don't want to be on. I was wrong, though. You want to be on that pedestal, and you'll use anyone you come across to keep you up there.

"You won't use me, Harry Potter, just as surely as you will not use Ginny."

He cocked his head with that smirk still on his lips. "Just who will stop me?"

Sandra slowly stepped away. "Listen to yourself! You're no better than He Who Must Not Be Named. You're slime, Harry Potter. No better than the owl droppings on the bottom of my boot."

"Do you think I don't already know this?" Harry ground out, his hands clenching into fists.

"No, you knew this. Just what you don't know is what your friends are going to think if you continue to be this way. You may be eager to toss away someone who is of no worth to you, but are you willing to have that done to you by Ron and Hermione? Because that will happen if you continue this. You'll lose everything good that you've ever gained. Is that something to be proud about?"

Sandra waited for what she said to sink in before she turned and left the Owlery leaving Harry alone. He watched her go, feeling the loneliness sink even deeper as she did so. By all accounts she was right. There was nothing in the way he was acting to be proud about. He just couldn't help himself. After all these years how could someone expect him not to be immune to the attention? It was the only real thing he had besides his friendship with Hermione and Ron, and even then he yearned for something more.

What that something more was, he did not know.

*

The first thing that Ginny noticed when she woke was the chill that had settled inside of the compartment and a pair of ice grey eyes hovering over her. Startled at the proximity of the eyes, she pushed herself into sitting position. Unable to judge distance in her sleep clouded eyes, she banged her head against another's as she rose, a solid thump echoing throughout the small room.

Ginny's hands rose to hold her head as she glared at Draco from the corner of her eyes. "What do you think you were doing, Malfoy? Practically hovering over me like that while I'm sleeping!"

Draco massaged his temple as he took his seat across from her. "You're welcome, by the way."

"Why would I thank you?"

His hand fell from his head as he settled even deeper into his seat. The familiar smirk of disdain filled his features as he looked at her. "It's not all that often when a Malfoy does something nice, such as waking someone up when they have arrived at the International Pageant. When we do, we fully expect a thank you in return."

Ginny glanced out the window and noticed that the train was indeed slowing down and pulling into a platform. Banners flapped in wind and there was a procession of people waiting for the train to arrive. Snow covered the ground for all the eye could see, which explained the chill in the compartment.

She turned back towards Draco, a sheepish smile on her lips. "Thank you," she murmured.

He nodded his response, turning his gaze out the window. Nothing more was said between the two as the train came to a complete stop and they rose to join the throng of competitors to exit the train. Ginny stayed close to Draco as he walked, her hand grazing his back when the crowd opened and he lengthened his steps, or when she almost found herself cut off by other participants.

Once outside of the station, she halted, her fingers brushing down Draco's back as he continued on his path toward the carriages. Mountains rose in the distance, far more imposing than the ones at home and far more breathtaking. Wind blew snow off of the peaks to rest on the trees below, bringing biting gusts of air down into the valley where they were. Ginny pulled her cloak tighter around herself as she realized just how far away from home she was, and how very much alone she felt.

"Afraid, Little Weasley?" Draco's cool voice interrupted her thoughts. Her eyes raised to his as his hand slid down her arm to grasp her wrist gently. "Weakness is not something to be proud about."

"Weakness is what makes us human, Malfoy," she haughtily replied back, pulling her wrist out of his grip and holding it tight against her chest. "Unlike you cold, blood sucking Malfoys, I prefer to feel human and have emotions."

He waved a gloved finger in her face. "Naughty, naughty, Little Weasley. Remember what McGonagall said? Play nice."

"Play with yourself, Malfoy. I won't lower myself to your play your game," she raised her chin and stormed off.

Draco followed her, a smile tugging at his lips. Still to this day, Ginny Weasley failed to notice that she had been playing his game for a long time now. However, this game was different from others. This one he actually enjoyed. She made him feel emotions he had never felt before, and it exhilarated him when he felt them. Strengthening her when she failed to notice the lack of strength inside of herself intrigued him. It was a different sort of power, and he found himself more addicted to it as each day passed.

"What are you smirking about?" Ginny demanded, catching sight of the slight smile as he matched paces with her.

"Nothing of consequence," he replied.

Draco and Ginny stood in line with the rest of the International Pageant contenders for the carriages that would take them to their last destination. Languages flowed around them, mingling together in a song of imperfect, yet strong melodies. Ginny looked around hoping to join in on a conversation when Draco placed a hand at the small of her back and bent close to her ear.

"Sebastian and Melania are to your left. I suggest we get on this carriage or else face another unpleasant encounter."

From the corner of her eye she could see that Draco was indeed right, the Greeks were to her left and making their way closer to them. With a fake sunny smile directed towards him, she bypassed a couple of Brazilians, murmured her excuses, and climbed up onto the first step of the carriage. She met the gazes of the Greeks before lowering her eyes to Draco's.

"Any encounter I have with you always turns out unpleasant. Why would they be any different?" She raised an eyebrow before sliding inside the carriage.

Draco frowned, careless of watchful eyes, and followed her inside. He took his seat next to Ginny, careful not to touch her, and slammed the door shut. As he settled inside he noticed three pairs of wide eyes staring at him.

"The wind caught the door," he explained in a voice that would've made his father proud.

The girl across from him nodded in response. "Alison Shoemaker," she introduced herself. "My partner here is Jonathan Wilson. We're from America; Fremont School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Fitting," Draco murmured. "Fremont meaning freedom in Latin."

Ginny glared at him before turning her attention to their carriage mates. "I'm Ginny Weasley. That foul mouth next to me is Draco Malfoy. We're Bri-"

"British," Jonathan interrupted. "Your accents amaze me."

Ginny grinned and batted her eyelashes. "I could say the same about yours."

Draco snorted. "Always trying to raise your standings by using the status of people around you," he said softly, only for her ears to hear.

She ignored his taunt and fell into an easy conversation with the Americans all the way to their destination. When the carriage rolled to a stop, the group eagerly departed and found themselves standing on the front steps of a castle so huge that it made Hogwarts look like a hut. Snow covered each turret and rooftop casting the castle in a fairytale setting.

"Mind-blowing, isn't it?" Alison asked.

Ginny nodded and started up the stairs, Draco on her heels. He remained in a bitter silence that was far more comfortable than anything he could've contributed to the conversation. At the door, Ginny bid the Americans good bye as each group were led in opposite directions by dwarfish women. After a maze of corridors and stairways, Draco and Ginny were deposited inside a small room with two adjoining bedrooms.

"This will be your suite; your keys are inside of the bag you received at the platform. There is a Welcoming Ball that will be held at sunset. Please wear your finest dress robes. I bid you a good day." The dwarf bowed and exited the room, leaving the two Brits alone.

Ginny stared at the closed door, her fingers playing with the cords of her Pageant bag in front of her. The rich fabric did little to soothe the growing tension as silence pressed heavily against her. Draco did not move from his position near the door. It was almost as if he too felt the same way. But then he moved, his footsteps drawing further away from her and closer to the fireplace. Only when they stopped did she dare turn from the door to glance at him.

His hands rested against the mantle of the fireplace, his fingers digging into the marble. He was troubled, an emotion she frequently recognized from him lately. She stepped closer to him, wanting to ask him what was the matter, but faltered. Draco would not welcome her questions. He would mock her for prying into his life, and she would lower herself and insult him back. Defense mechanisms, they were. Something they each eagerly fell back upon the more time they spent together.

Instead, she opened her bag and pulled out the key to her room. "I'm going to get dressed for the Welcoming Ball," she informed him, walking towards her room. "I'll meet you here in an hour."

She tried not to look over her shoulder as she entered her room, to stop her eyes from searching his fire lit profile in hopes of a response. But she did, and all she saw were those icy orbs being covered by eyelashes and his chin falling to his chest in a motion remarkably like defeat. Then the door was closed and she saw nothing more. Yet that look stayed with her, haunting her, taunting her, bringing her to levels she had never thought she'd be.

Draco Malfoy was the source of all her present confusion. Their roles as a Malfoy and a Weasley had blurred since they had won the Pageant at Hogwarts. At times, he could seem like someone she would call a friend. It was as if he forgot his role in the world and all the constraints put on him, and was just Draco. Then, it was as if the switch was turned back on instantaneously, he would go back to being a bitter Malfoy constantly digging at her.

She couldn't give him all the credit for their fights, however. Ginny knew she had started a few unfair ones as well, especially the ones on this trip. She was unfair, but it wasn't entirely her fault. Something had changed between them, something she couldn't identify. It made her look at Draco differently, as a person rather than a name. What she found was that the person was far more desirable than the name ever could be.

"Desirable?" she whispered, her fingers rising to her mouth in shock.

Ginny shook her head forcefully. Desirable was not something she wanted to Draco Malfoy to be, not to her. Not ever. But her mind (or was it her heart?) latched onto that thought and held it tight. The best she could do now was to push it aside, bury it deep under her pain from Harry and pray that it never surfaced when she was face to face with Draco. If it did, she did not know what would happen.

*

The sun began to set as Draco clasped his cloak over his shoulder and took in his final appearance in the mirror in front of him. He had to admit, he hadn't looked this good in a long time. Of course, the occasion to prove himself by using only his talents had never arisen before. Thick, richly black pants and jacket covered his lean body. All the buckles were made from the finest silver, shined until they sparkled, everything down to his boots. The old witch in Hogsmeade had done her job well, even lining the inside of his cloak with the darkest piece of satin that made the night sky look bright.

With a satisfied smile, he turned from the mirror and left his room. Waiting for Ginny Weasley did not cross his mind as he opened the door and walked into the hallway. Only when he reached the stairs did he remember, but by then it was too late to turn around and go back for her. Already the ball below him was in full force and a young wizard called his name for his entrance.

Draco forced the unfamiliar sense of guilt down as he made his way along the stairs. Malfoys did not feel guilty in any of their choices, especially those concerning Weasleys. Yet, something inanely un-Malfoy made him pause at the bottom of the steps. He would wait for her there.

*

The sun had already set and Ginny was tired of waiting for Draco to appear in their suite. She had already knocked on his door numerous times, and still he did not show. As the fire in the grate dimmed, she did not want to admit it, but she had to. He had left her. Not that she should expect anything less of him, especially when she thought him human. It was a flaw in his character, as well as hers, that she would be sure not to forget.

Ginny rose from her seat on the couch and glared at Draco's closed bedroom door. Even though he wasn't in it, and even though the door wasn't him, it made her feel slightly better. He should've been here to escort her to the ball, as all the other male Pageant competitors had done with their dates.

Not that this could be considered a date, she reasoned as she slipped on her matching cloak and headed towards the ball. For one, Draco hadn't asked her; and two it was something that they were required to do. She shook her head in disbelief. Now she was talking about dates!

At the top of the stairs, a young wizard took her cloak before announcing her name. Ginny took in a deep breath and nervously ran her hands down her gown of iridescent silver. The bodice was tighter than it had been inside of the shop, causing her breasts to swell even more. There wasn't anything she could do about it now except hold her chin up and forget about it as much as possible.

Ginny descended the stairs slowly, her hand grasping the soft material of her dress and holding it an inch or so above the floor so she wouldn't trip over it with her matching strappy heels. As she walked, her eyes moved around the room, searching for the insufferable man who had left her in her room. She found him at the bottom of the stairs talking with the Americans they met earlier as well as some other competitors.

As he chatted, his eyes leapt to the stairs of their own accord and he found his voice failing as he spotted Ginny coming towards him. His mouth continued to move slowly, but no words came out as he took in her appearance. The dress looked familiar, but altogether different with her hair pulled up into a loose French twist and curls framing her face and nape of her neck. No makeup adorned her face except for the slight flush that was all natural, and all her own. She was quite stunning.

"Good evening," she greeted softly to the group as she came to a halt next to him. "Draco, I'm hurt that you didn't wait for me."

He heard the gentle reprimand in her voice, but couldn't find it inside of him to be angry at her for doing so. He was captured once again in the beauty that had held him in thralled at the Presentation part of the competition at Hogwarts.

"Ginny, you remember Alison and Jonathan from the carriage. The couple next to them is Jose Rodriguez and Lolita Lopez, from Mexico. This is my partner, Ginny Weasley."

The group said their hellos and continued the conversation that they had been sharing before Ginny arrived. It was a light conversation, nothing that she would remember come morning. Ginny found herself far more interested in taking peeks at Draco, burning the image of a dashing prince into her mind.

The night wore on and the two Brits found themselves in more conversations than they could keep up with. Many couples left to go dance for a bit, or get a bit of fresh air on the balcony that lined one whole wall. Draco and Ginny did not move, content in their amicable surroundings.

From across the room, Sebastian Theron's eyes turned to slits. Since the moment he'd first met the British champions, he had kept a watchful eye on them. He knew that there was something beneath the friendly exterior that they shared. The jesting remarks that they made to one another were often filled with malice, and they would rather bicker than talk civilly. Still, there were times when they would look at each other and you would wonder how they could ever not get along.

When their eyes met, he became a midnight prince accompanied by the goddess of dawn. Each unaware of their own striking beauty together, and their ability to draw the breath of any person near them. Was it the untouchable airs they shared that made bystanders worship them or the unbound chemistry that sizzled when they accidentally touched? Both first thought to be unfitting for the other, but when put together it was a match that only that stars could've made.

There was nothing on the earth that could ever take a prince of the night away from his goddess of dawn. Not when he knew who he was. No, to weaken either of them he had to take one out of the equation. The victory of that would be that much sweeter if it was a choice made by one of them. With a nod towards Melania, Sebastian headed across the ballroom floor and stopped in front of the couple.

"Good evening, Draco, Ginny." He nodded to each. Melania slid next to him, coolly gazing at the competitors surrounding them until they left, leaving it just the four of them. "You remember my partner, Melania, of course?"

Sebastian smiled as Draco visibly tensed. Ginny noticed it as well and sent a curious glance his way, but Draco did not respond to her. Instead, he filled his stance with every haughty Malfoy fiber inside of him.

Melania ran a painted fingernail down Draco's chest, acting out the untold command by Sebastian. "Are you having fun, Draco dear?"

Draco caught her hand in his and firmly drew it away from his chest. "I'm fine, thank you."

Using his grasp on her hand to her advantage, Melania pulled herself closer to him. "Maybe if we had a little dance, you could feel even better."

"No, thank you."

She pressed herself closer, tugging on her blood-red bottom lip with her teeth. "I promise to make you feel real good."

Ginny watched the scene unfold, determined not to get into it. Draco knew what he was doing, and she had promised to trust him. However, her fiery Weasley ways could not be held in check as she watched Melania rub herself all over Draco like a two-sickle whore. "He said no, you slimy piece of trash."

The second the words were out of her mouth, she knew that it was the wrong thing to say. All three swiftly turned on her. Ginny refused to meet either Melania's or Sebastian's gazes, but found herself caught in Draco's. She felt as if she were back in her first year, young and naïve, and foolishly broken down by the Malfoy tongue in front of Harry.

Melania pushed herself away from Draco, causing Ginny to break eye contact with him to watch her. "Well, if you think you're better than me, then why don't you go and dance with him?"

Ginny grabbed a hold of Draco's hand. "Fine, I shall," she replied, pulling him onto the dance floor.

Once they reached the middle of the floor, Draco pulled back on his arm, effectively stopping Ginny and causing her to turn into his awaiting arms. He pulled her hands to his shoulders, released them, and then rested his own on her slim hips, the fabric of her dress silky beneath his fingers. As they settled into a slow rhythm to match that of the music, he bent his head down to her ear and whispered to her.

"That wasn't very smart, Little Weasley. She was taunting you."

Ginny frowned at his shoulder. "She was taunting you, was more like it."

"You let her get the best of you," he continued. "She knows your weakness now."

She pulled back to glance into his eyes. Such cold, grey eyes. "I apologize for what I said, but I don't see-"

"No, you don't see. Not yet," he interrupted smoothly. "Think, Little Weasley, about how I would react to knowing that about you. Because I can guarantee whatever they have up their sleeve would be far worse than what I would ever put you through."

Ginny grew silent. She tried not to think of what he would've done with that information, but she stop her mind from wandering trying to come up with possible situations. Yet, even as her mind wandered, it could not concentrate. Something kept her from focusing, whether it was the soft tone of voice he used on her, the exhilarating smell of his cologne, or the texture of the jacket underneath her fingers.

The jacket was rather rich, she mused; yet unusually soft beneath her fingers. Expensive as well, she had no doubt. It also hung rather nicely on him. She looked up into his eyes with a smile on her face, the smile slowly fading as she took in the new warmth inside of the icy grey eyes.

"You're rather beautiful tonight, did you know, Little Weasley?" Draco asked softly, his eyes skimming over the softness of her features before meeting her eyes. "Like dawn herself, still icy grey from the night, fiery red for the morning."

They stilled on the dance floor, quickly oblivious to all around them. His hand rose to cup her cheek gently, his thumb caressing the skin. She watched with wide eyes as his head tilted closer to hers, his eyelids lowering so the warmth was now half-hooded beneath them.

Draco raised his other hand so that now he cupped her face. Through hooded eyes he stared into hers, so warm, so trusting. He bent his head closer to hers, tilting it to the side but still keeping eye contact; his right hand falling to cup her neck. She leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed.

He moved in even closer, his nose gently brushing up against her cheek, his breath warm against her mouth. Her eyes opened at the contact of his nose, her lips parted at the feel of his breath. Her chest hitched as her breathing deepened, pressing herself even closer to him.

"What are you doing?" Ginny whispered, afraid that if she spoke any louder that the moment would be broken and lost forever.

Draco's eyes fell to her lips. He could almost kiss her now if he wanted to. Her breath was hot on his mouth, and he could practically feel the moistness from her tongue as she wet her lips. She was intoxicating, and he found himself drowning in the onslaught of new emotions she raised inside of him.

"I'm not quite sure," he replied honestly, his head lowering the last few centimeters between them.

He could practically feel her lips under his when he paused. A mere centimeter kept them apart now, yet he dared not move to close it. To kiss her would change the status of their relationship. These feelings inside of him would have to be pulled out and dissected, for he knew that any kiss that he would share with her would not be a mindless one.

For that reason alone, he would not kiss her.

Draco closed his eyes at the thought, and his head lowered as he let out the breath of air he was desperately holding in. As he did so, his lips faintly brushed against hers. He did not even realize what he was doing until it was too late. He pulled back as quickly as she did, each of their eyes wide from the contact.

Ginny's hand flew to her mouth as she stared at him. Thoughts flew through her mind but she couldn't grasp a hold of a single one. The only thing her mind focused on was the feel of his lips, ever so slightly against hers. Her eyes darted between his, searching for an answer that was not there.

Why, why, why?

Ginny slowly stepped out of his embrace. Seeing the urgency to flee in her eyes, he followed, his hand gently grasping her upper arm to stop her. But the panic had already settled in, so she wrenched herself from his grasp and ran out of the room.

Draco had no choice but to let her go.