Tel' Qualohtarie

Chapter Two

When she awoke, she was in her bed in Gryffindor Tower and tears came into her eyes. Her beautiful grey robes were gone and she was in her pyjamas. It was all a dream, she thought despairingly. She flopped her head back down on the bed and felt something poking into her cheek. It was the pendant; she grasped it and quickly unbuttoned her shirt. There it was, the burn had already scarred, leaving a small, shiny star whitely contrasting with the peachy-pink of her skin. She traced it with her finger, this morning's events slowly coming back to her and flooding her brain and she felt herself transformed in the simple act. She laughed and threw herself back on the bed. Sighing contentedly, she quickly fell asleep.

Luna woke her for breakfast a couple of hours later and she walked down to the Great Hall by herself. Ginny was not a morning person, but today she felt that nothing could be wrong. She had found the clothes and her Book in her trunk when she went to get dressed. The whole experience had been awfully strange and she wanted it to be real so badly. Well, most of it. She would be just fine if it really hadn't been Malfoy that kidnapped her and that was going to be her mentor. In fact, she almost hoped he would refuse to work with her, but then decided that it was mean of her to think such things. If the rumours were true, he had just lost his parents and she wouldn't wish that on anyone, not even Malfoy. If everything that had happened last night were true, she had to work with him. Right then, she resolved that she would make an effort to get along with him and she would be the bigger person, no matter how he acted. Besides, she had promised Tonks she would give him a chance.

Feeling quite satisfied with herself, she entered and sat with Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Charlie, already eating breakfast. Ron and Harry were arguing with Charlie over the newest Chaser for the Cannons and Hermione's nose was buried in a book, though they all did wish her a 'Happy Birthday'. Even with the boys' arguing, the Great Hall was mostly silent and seemed empty. The big house tables had been removed and smaller tables set up near the entrance. A kind of tense stillness had settled over the castle and everyone was quieter and more obedient. Most days, Ginny couldn't enter the girls' lavatory without finding at least one person crying and it wasn't always a student.

The world had been turned upside down and no one really knew how to cope. There was a constant nagging fear in the back of her head that something would happen to one of her brothers or her parents, but so far they had been lucky. She had mostly learned to ignore the fear, but every once in a while, it would take over and she would be the one crying in the loo, especially the past couple of months. That's why I have to do this and get along with Malfoy. Once I'm properly trained, I know Tonks will convince the Order to let me help, she thought resolutely. She glanced up from her breakfast to find Luna and Zacharias at the next table whispering and looking at her. Luna smiled and Zacharias blew her a kiss, making sure that Ron was watching. Ginny giggled, she seemed to have a penchant for choosing boyfriends that were sure to make her brother angry and Zacharias wasn't even her boyfriend yet, he just enjoyed riling Ron as much as she did. Ron seemed to want her to date Harry, though for the life of her she couldn't figure out why. Since her crush had ended, she thought of Harry as another brother more than anything else.

When she finished eating, the boys were still talking and none of them noticed when she got up. Maybe it would be easier than she thought to sneak away, though she couldn't even begin to comprehend that she would be going to Malfoy Manor. She left the Great Hall and headed to her dormitory to get the Book. When she reached the Gryffindor common room, two owls were waiting for her. A big brown eagle owl flew over and she untied its letters and it flew away before she could give it anything. The letter she unfolded first read-

~ Welcome to our circle, Ginny. If you need us, you know how to reach us. ~

It was signed by Tonks and Kingsley and brought a smile to her face. She stuck it in her pocket and unfolded the other one and read-

~ Well done.

DM ~

That was it. It wasn't really signed, but she knew who it was from anyway. She was still staring at the letter in shock when Hermione came in and took the letter from her. Ginny was sure that Hermione had asked her first, but couldn't remember. "Who sent this to you? What does it say?"

"What do you mean what does it say?" she asked, taking the letter back and ignoring the first question.

"Well, it's some strange word 'ummae'."

Ginny looked at the letter again, properly this time. It was in a different language. Then, she gave it a quick glance and read the words 'well done'. She knew the language it was written in was Elven and she knew how to read and speak it. How she was able to do this, she didn't know, but she suspected it had something to do with the magic she had received earlier in the morning. She tucked the letter into her pocket with the other and stood, "I'm sorry, but I really need to go lie down." Hermione nodded with a curious expression on her face and Ginny went upstairs to get some much-needed rest.

~&~

When she awoke, it was dark outside and Ginny figured she had missed dinner. She found her Book and crept quietly down to the common room. A few people were playing games or talking, but she discreetly slipped out the portrait hole when she thought no one was looking. She headed to the library, she knew nobody would be there now, not even Hermione. Ginny padded softly through the rows upon rows of books, revelling in the smell and feel of the library. If only she loved her schoolbooks the way she loved everything else she wouldn't get such mediocre grades. She had already read most of the fiction that the school possessed. Fantasy, horror, romance, Muggle, wizard, it didn't matter to her, she loved them all. It irked her to no end the way Ron scribbled in his books. As she usually used them after him, she got to see all his little vulgar pictures and notes. She went to one particular window in the back. It had a large, purple velvet-covered sofa with lots of cushions positioned directly beneath it and was absolutely perfect for reading. Since it was toward the back, no one ever bothered her here and just now the moonlight shining in gave her plenty of light.

She fluffed and rearranged the pillows and settled herself to begin reading. Some of the handwriting was difficult, but it soon became clear this was a guidebook of sorts. The code and heritage of the Grey Knights was woven together by several different writers and the Book was very intriguing. There was even space for her to write. But, Ginny's stomach would not let her concentrate on anything. Finally, she gave up and closed the Book. She decided she would go to the kitchens to get something to eat and then begin reading again. It would be much more productive on a full stomach. She didn't want to take the Book with her in case someone else was there, but she also didn't know how to make the words disappear, and she didn't relish the thought of pouring her blood into a book. Ginny could feel herself beginning to panic just thinking about it. Finally, she tucked it into her waistband and couldn't take it digging into her back for more than two seconds. She hastily stuffed it underneath one of the cushions, hoping that no one would come in here. She realised how paranoid she was being, it was after nine o'clock and it was the back of the library where hardly anyone ever came in the day, much less the night.

She left the library and was soon inside the warm kitchens. A few of the house-elves were sitting near the fire and one jumped up as soon as she entered. "What can Blinky gets the miss?" he asked, bowing.

"I'd like a turkey sandwich and a glass of milk, if it's not too much trouble, please," she responded. The house-elf looked rather shocked, but sped away to do as she had requested. He was back in a flash with her sandwich and milk and a plate of cookies. She thanked him and he bowed again and returned to his chair near the hearth. She settled herself at one of the long tables and began eating. She was about halfway through her sandwich when someone else came into the kitchen. Draco Malfoy, unfortunately, was hungry. She couldn't hear what he asked for and then asked herself why she cared. As far as she knew, he wasn't staying here so what in the world was he doing here, especially in the middle of the night?

She returned to her sandwich as he sat down at the opposite table, facing her. He had an old, massive book with him and he propped it up on the table and began reading. Feeling curious, she leaned forward a bit to try and see the title. In fading gold leaf it read, A Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry. Ginny thought it sounded like something Hermione would read. The house-elf brought him his food and Draco continued reading, seemingly ignoring everyone. She took this quick opportunity to study him, he confused her. In the soft firelight he seemed much less threatening than he had on the rooftop the other night. His usually neat hair was all rumpled again and he wore a black sweatshirt over his pyjamas, and Ginny was wondering why he didn't fix his hair. It was a well-known fact that Draco Malfoy was about the vainest person alive. It almost bothered her. She searched his face for any sign of what might be the matter. It was almost disconcerting to find nothing there. Too many things were changing right now and she was all mixed up. Was it possible that he was still missing his parents? Is that why he was here? He didn't want to be alone?

Then she decided that no one could miss Lucius Malfoy, maybe he missed his mother. But is he even human enough for that? No, he isn't. This is Malfoy, Death Eater-in-training. But then why was he acting so strange? Merlin, this was complex. And why did she care in the first place? Ginny worked up her courage and said, "Malfoy." He didn't respond so she shouted, "Malfoy!" He still didn't acknowledge her, so she threw a biscuit at him, hitting him in the head and asked, "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

"Reading," was the curt reply.

"Yes, I can see that," she said. "But that doesn't answer my question."

He looked up at her, clearly expressing his annoyance. "I couldn't find this book anywhere else and Dumbledore gave me permission to use the library. Now will you leave me alone?" She nodded and washed down her sandwich with the milk. Ginny was leaving the kitchen to return to the library when she felt something hit her back and crumble. She turned and looked at Draco incredulously, but he had already returned to his book a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

~&~

Unfortunately for her, Madam Pince didn't appreciate dedicated students who fell asleep in the library. She felt someone shaking her awake and realised she was still on the purple sofa, her book tucked under one arm. "Oh! Oh, no. Madam Pince, I'm sorry," she said, scrambling off and ducking away.

"Don't let it happen again, Ms. Weasley!" the librarian called after her, shaking her head. Ginny just nodded as she ran out of the library, right into Hermione. She fell to the floor and smacked her head on the hard stone. She groaned and sat up to find Hermione kneeling next to her.

"Ginny! Are you okay?" she asked, worry etched all over her face.

Ginny rubbed her head and smiled, "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it." She got up and brushed herself off.

"What were you doing in the library so early?" Hermione questioned, still looking concerned.

"Getting thrown out by Madam Pince," Ginny picked up her Book and caught Hermione's glance. She decided not to mention it because then it would be even more conspicuous. "I'm really hungry, so I'm going down to breakfast." She left quickly, leaving Hermione standing there in confusion. Weasleys were the only people that could successfully confuse Hermione. Even without trying.

As soon as she rounded the corner, she leaned against the wall with a sigh of relief. "Merlin, that was painful," she said, rubbing the back of her head once more as she passed the Great Hall and went outside, settling herself in a large willow near the lake. Finally comfortable, she began reading, picking up at the last piece she could remember reading. The Book immediately captured her attention again. There was such knowledge and history here. Ginny discovered that the Grey Knights had been founded long before Hogwarts, long before the separation of magic and non-magic people. That the Grey Elves of the Mist had eventually died out, leaving behind only half-elf/half-humans to continue their legacy. Eventually, only humans were left and the order of the Grey Knights became one of the few remaining pieces of the Elven history. Some of the other groups of the Grey Elves remained, like the Knights, in secret and only the Master of the Grey held the knowledge and magic of all. She learnt that each Grey Knight was born into the circle many times, not always in the same order but in a different life, though always a magical one.

That explained why everything had seemed so strange and so right all at the same time. She had done this before, many times, since the beginning. She was a part of the energy and magic of the Grey and she always had been and always would be.

Without knowing it, she had stopped reading and was just staring into space, contemplating this new and startling train of thought. She didn't even notice when Harry and Ron flew low into the branches in front of her. Ron waved his hand in front of her face and it wasn't until she heard her name that she knew what he was doing. "Ginny. Oi. Ginny," Ron said. "Hello, Ginny."

She shook herself to attention and replied like everything was normal, "Yes? What are you doing?"

"Are you alright?"

"Absolutely," she smiled and sat up a little straighter. "Never been better. But you still didn't tell me what you're doing on those brooms."

"We were just getting in a little Quidditch practice," Harry replied.

"You'd better get back to it, don't you think?"

"Trying to get rid of us? Or trying to tell us we're rubbish at Quidditch?"

"Both," she smiled.

"Oh, well, when you put it that way," Harry said sarcastically, pushing his glasses up on his nose as Ron laughed.

"We wanted to know if you wanted to get some lunch with us," Ron explained.

"Is it time for lunch already?" she wondered absently, tucking the Book inside her pocket. "That sounds good. Wait just a moment and I'll be down."

"No need," Harry jerked a thumb behind him. "Climb on." Obligingly, she carefully positioned herself behind him on the broom and wrapped her arms around his waist. The three sped off towards the castle, talking and enjoying the warm July sunshine.

~&~

The Book was really quite fascinating and it so commanded Ginny's attention that she became completely absorbed in it rather quickly. It took her nearly three days of continuous reading to get through the entire Book and she only had a couple of questions. Most of that time she had spent in the library, Madam Pince kept glancing at her suspiciously, Hermione would come in and sit with her, studying her curiously when she thought Ginny wouldn't notice, and it was beginning to make her more than a little nervous. Finally, on Tuesday evening, she finished. She gathered her things and gave the librarian a tentative smile on her way out.

It was kind of late, but she knew she could get to the Owlery without being caught. But she could just as easily do it in the morning and she was tired. She reached the Gryffindor Tower and threw her things in her trunk, carefully locking it. In her first year, the one she was unsuccessfully trying to forget, Tom had taught her quite a few useful spells, like the unbreakable, undetectable locking one she had just used on her trunk. Ginny didn't trust her roommates or her brother further than she could throw them. In the summer after her second year, she had actually discovered Ron and Hermione snooping through her things one day. He had said that they were concerned about her, but she didn't believe that for a minute. Her brain was on maximum overload from the reading and all she wanted right now was a warm shower and her bed.

When she woke, it was only half-six, but Ginny knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. She lay there for a few minutes before she decided now would be the perfect time to send that owl without any questions. She got out of bed and dressed hastily. She spent quite awhile brushing her hair; it was the one feature she truly liked about herself. It was cut in layers to rest just on her shoulders and the ends flipped out like wings. It was fine and fluffy and she thanked Merlin that she hadn't inherited curly hair. She took a moment to study the rest of her reflection, liking the way the silver pendant shimmered and hung about her neck. Her eyes were all right, but brown was such a boring colour, even if it was kind of amber. And fortunately, her nose was small and pert, despite the detested freckles that danced across it. She decided that her smile was too big for her face and her bottom row of teeth was crooked. She was about 5'6", though slender. She didn't consider herself pretty or ugly. She was average. Average, old Ginny Weasley. She finished brushing her hair and tucked it behind her ears only to burst out laughing. Her ears were not overly large and they didn't stick out too much, but she noticed that the tips were just the slightest bit pointy, like pixie or elf ears. Were they like that before and I just never noticed? She couldn't help herself and only managed to control her laughter after Lavender tossed a pillow at her. As she left, Ginny tossed the pillow back, still chuckling a little, and grabbed the parchment she needed to send before more items could be launched at her.

The corridors in this part of the castle were always cold and draughty in the morning, even now in summer, and her breath hung in the air as Ginny made her way to the Owlery. She reached the Owlery only to find it wasn't empty. Malfoy was there, coaxing his owl down from one of the rafters. Is it just me, or do I keep running into him in the oddest places? Was he there before and I just didn't pay attention? How does he get here with all the transport wards up? And what is he doing here in the first place?

She remembered her resolution and forced herself to say cheerfully, "Good morning. Sending a letter?" After she said it, she realised how silly she sounded. Of course he was here sending a letter.

He turned in surprise and looked at her dubiously as he sneered, "No, I just like the smell of owl droppings." Well, that didn't help her self-image any.

"Oh."

He snorted, "I sent a letter to my mother and Nibs got lost on his way back. He's so used to coming here that summer confuses him. I think he's got a crush on that big white Snowy owl too."

She flushed with embarrassment. "Of course. Well, I came here to send this to you. And since you're here, I suppose I'll just give it to you." She reached out to hand him the folded parchment and he took it, one eyebrow raised. She stood there, awkwardly, not quite certain of herself. He didn't say anything, just continued with what he had been doing before. Ginny wasn't sure if she should stay or go, so she broke the silence by saying, "I wasn't aware your mother was still alive. The rumours..."

"You don't seem to be aware of a lot of things," he replied casually, as a big brown eagle owl landed on his shoulder and nipped at his hair.

"Are you trying to insult me again by saying I can't afford to pay attention? Because it's getting-," she began, feeling indignant.

"The thought hadn't even crossed my mind. No, Weasley, I'm saying you're a bit daft," he interrupted rather nastily and stalked out of the Owlery, leaving her gaping after him.

~&~

She was just about to head to the Great Hall for lunch when she spotted Malfoy coming down the corridor. She groaned inwardly and turned to go the other way when he called, "Oi! Weasley, I need to talk to you!"

She turned to face him rather reluctantly and said, "What do you want Malfoy? And why do you keep coming here? Do you even have permission to be here?"

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, Weaslette," replied Draco with an annoying mock smile. "We have to set a time for our lessons and I have to take you to the Manor. The only way you can get there is if I take you there first."

"Oh, alright. Well, how about Tuesday and Thursday after lunch?"

He shrugged, "I don't care. Come on." He led her to the grey window that he had used when he kidnapped her. They stepped on the bench again and he pulled the curtains saying, "Lema ed' templa Malfoy!"

They landed on a long, curving drive in front of a beautiful white stone mansion slowly being covered in ivy with tall, graceful pillars and big shiny windows. Ginny looked out over the grounds and took in, not too far off, the low stone walls of the gardens and a large stone building she guessed to be some sort of carriage house. They climbed the few steps onto the veranda and Draco opened the big wooden doors and led her in the entrance foyer to Malfoy Manor. It was beautiful and ethereal, certainly not what she had expected. The room was massive with rich cream coloured panelling and there were carpeted staircases curving up both sides. Directly across the main doors there was another set of large wooden doors and the floor was highly polished dark wood reflecting the dimly lit chandelier. "Now that I've let you inside, the spell should bring you directly here. Do you think you'll be able to remember how to get here?"

Ginny nodded quietly. "Good," he said, whistling. Two house-elves appeared from a small door under the stairway, both looking very clean and funnily enough seeming happy to see their master as they curtsied and smiled. Ginny quickly recognised Winky with her big brown eyes and tomato-like nose and smiled tentatively at her. The other house-elf resembled Winky a little though that may have been due to their matching pillowcases and Ginny smiled at her too.

"This is Winky and Neesa. Iane is the name of the other house-elf. He can usually be found outside, tending the grounds. Unless you wish to die a rather painful and prolonged death or be lost forever, DO NOT go anywhere inside or outside of the Manor without me or one of them until I say it's alright."

She nodded again, but he seemed to be waiting for her to reply. "I won't."

He said, "Alright," and turned to the house-elves. "You may go." They went silently, Winky shyly waving to Ginny. The elf looked much happier than she had at Hogwarts and Ginny found this highly unusual but refrained from saying anything. Draco walked to the entrance doors and said, "Take hold of my arm."

Ginny complied nervously and Draco opened the doors while saying, "Lema ed' templa Hogwarts!" They landed hard on the grey window bench and Ginny fell to the floor. "Tomorrow after lunch, Weasley," he reminded her and disappeared with a small pop.

~&~

When Ginny woke the next day, she wished she could go back to bed. Simply the thought of spending the day in the same room as Malfoy made her ill. Slowly, she got dressed and gathered her things. Slowly, she walked down to lunch and ate. Slowly, she climbed the stairs to the grey window. She quickly said the spell after checking to make sure no one was around and found herself staring at the front doors of Malfoy Manor.

She knocked and it was answered almost immediately. Winky stood there wearing a clean monogrammed pillowcase and a bright smile. "Come in, miss. The master wishes you to be shown to the room he has set up for your training."

Ginny followed the tiny elf, full of curiosity. The house was positively huge, more like a museum than a house really. It reminded her of Hogwarts with its many painting lined passages and massive rooms. "Uh, Winky? What are you doing here? Why did you leave Hogwarts?"

"Winky was not happy at Hogwarts, miss. Winky and Neesa is cousins and Neesa asked the Master if Winky could come to live with her. Master Malfoy has restored Winky's dignity by giving her a family again," the elf replied. "Master Draco is very good to Winky and Neesa and Iane. Winky is happy at Malfoy Manor."

"I see," Ginny said, contemplating this. "Well, I'm very glad you're happy." The house elf had led her through a maze of rooms and hallways and finally came to a stop in front of a tapestry of two knights fencing. Winky swept the tapestry aside to reveal a high archway and motioned for Ginny to enter. She did and turned to thank the elf, but she was already gone. She surveyed the room. There were beautiful tapestries of people engaging in all sorts of exercise covering the walls and a wooden cabinet in one corner. Statues and a suit of armour adorned the other corners and the areas near the doorways. The doorway she was next to had no actual door, but the one on the left wall was closed and Ginny wondered absently where it led. A large carpet had been placed in the centre of the room and she assumed it had some sort of cushioning spell on it. Draco was perched on one of the windowsills and he stood as she entered. Ginny was completely surprised to see him wearing khaki trousers with his shirt untucked and his sleeves rolled up to expose his Dark Mark free forearms. She was more shocked by his casual Muggle-like clothing than the absence of the Mark and that disturbed her slightly. This was supposed to be Draco Malfoy, right?

"Well, Weasley, let's get started," Draco said, pulling out his wand and pointing it at her. She immediately ducked as he shouted, "Furnunculus!"

Fortunately the curse missed her and she shrieked, "What in the bloody hell are you doing?!"

He didn't reply, just shouted, "Demo Crinis!" She ducked behind a suit of armour near the doorway, thinking quickly. She quietly muttered an Invisibility Spell- another useful spell Tom had taught her- hoping against hope that the Ministry couldn't monitor the Manor. She stuck her head from behind the armour, but no curses were thrown. Good.

"Coming out to play soon, Weasley?"

She began to stealthily move around the room. "Be with you in a minute, Malfoy," she called, trying not to betray her location with her voice. Apparently it didn't work, as he sent a Stupefying Charm in her general direction. It barely missed her and she cursed under her breath. She turned around to go the other way as quietly as she could.

She pointed her wand at her throat and said, "Sonorus!" Ginny threw herself flat and just missed another hex. It amazed her that she didn't receive top marks in her classes considering she probably knew more advanced magic than anyone else in her year.

She smiled to herself and continued with trying to get behind him. He couldn't find her even if she replied now. "Where are you, Weasley? Don't think you can hide from me."

She peeked out between two curtains to see him searching in her direction and barely contained her giggles. She stepped closer to him, once again lying flat on the floor as he heard the noise and sent a Jelly-legs Jinx her way. Damn, he's too good at this.

She very quietly stood and pointed her wand at him. It was pushed from her hands just as she cast the spell and Ginny stared at her hand in shock as a burst of light shot from her palm straight at Draco. She felt that powerful magical energy coursing through her and somehow knew that it was because of the Grey Knights that she could do this. It had been passed on to her just like the Elven language. This was what Tonks had meant about them sharing the same energy and wielding the power responsibly.

Because of the Sonorus Spell, her voice was deafening as she shouted, "Lietha guldur!" Even if his wand hadn't flown from his hand, Draco would have dropped it to cover his ears. The sound was still echoing off the high ceiling as she performed the Quietus Spell and made herself visible again. He was finally able to stand and uncover his ears as she handed him back his wand, "Sorry about that, I didn't know I was going to do that."

"Don't be, you did what you had to do. Do what needs to be done and don't apologise. That's the first lesson," he replied, giving her a nearly approving look. She turned away quickly after recovering her own wand and went back to her position near the door. "Though I'm loath to do it, I have to admit I'm surprised. You did all right. I'm not going to lie to you, most people wouldn't have had the presence of mind to do the things you did in that situation." She blushed rather prettily and scolded herself because of it. She looked up to find that damned smirk plastered on his face, though his eyes danced with genuine amusement. He was studying her carefully, a question written all over his face.

"What?"

"Where did you learn that?"

She rolled her eyes. "You're looking at the person who became best friends with Tom Riddle when she was eleven and who has six brothers, two of who happen to be Fred and George Weasley."

He hmhed noncommittally, "Well, do you know how to fight?"

"Of course."

"Alright," he walked to the empty space in the middle of the room. "Come here." She hesitated, and he rolled his eyes, "Come on, I don't have the time or the patience for you to be timid." She went and stood in front of him and he stuck his right hand out. "Take my right hand with your right hand." She nervously stepped closer and grasped his hand like she was getting ready to arm wrestle with him, surprised to find he was warm. For some unknown reason, she had expected him to be cold.

"Alright, now I want you to say 'Atost en' entula orme' with me. Can you remember that?" She nodded and they chorused the spell. There was a momentary glow of their joined palms and she could feel a sheet of magic beginning to cover her. It felt odd, like cold water was spreading over her skin.

Malfoy broke contact and stepped back a pace. "What does that do?" she asked, trying to take her mind from the sensation of her body.

"It's a spell that enables us to fight without hurting each other, a personal shield spell. And now that you've discovered your Elven magic, you'll know how to erase the book and get around," he replied. "You'll start to remember a lot of things you didn't before, but we'll be getting to that later."

The feeling of water ceased and she shivered, "Okay. But why would you do that? You hate me, I would think you'd enjoy putting me in the hospital wing."

"Contrary to popular belief, I don't hit girls. And quite honestly, I don't hate you," he replied uncaring. "You aren't that important to me."

"Oh," she said, trying not to let him know that she was offended and wondering why she was in the first place. "So now what?"

"Attack me."

"What?" she asked in disbelief.

"Are you going to be like this all day?" he asked, rolling his eyes again. "Just attack me."

She took a deep breath and said, "No, you attack me."

He shrugged, "Have it your way." He ran straight for her, sidestepping her at the last moment to throw out his arm and clothesline her. As she felt herself falling backwards, she grabbed his arm with both hands, stuck her leg in between both of his and turned, throwing all her weight the other way, causing him to fall to the floor with her on top of him. He lay there panting, for her weight had knocked the breath out of him.

"Good show, Weaslette," he groaned, rather roughly shoving her off of him, but not before she had time to notice that he smelled nice. Like soap and toffees. Good god, Ginny! Have you lost it? This is Malfoy! He stood and helped pull her to her feet and they continued.

They spent the rest of the afternoon sparring, verbally and physically. After he learned that she really could fight, he pushed harder, challenging her. He even showed her some new moves that were pretty impressive. After a while, the initial awkwardness wore off and they were really having a wonderful time beating each other up. There was nothing like a good human punching bag to get rid of some frustration. Ginny practically forgot that this was Draco Malfoy, evil git extraordinaire. She actually enjoyed exchanging insults with him, he was good at it, challenging her to come up with something better, and feelings didn't get hurt like they would've if it had been anyone else. It was soon too warm and they each began to shed clothing in between rounds until both were down to undershirts, trousers, and no shoes.

She liked the way his steely grey eyes would flicker with amusement and malice all at the same time when they were arguing and she could tell he was enjoying this just as much as she was, in his own weird way. Then, she would catch and mentally berate herself for thinking things like that. Finally, just before dinner, Tonks came in to find Draco's arms wrapped around her waist and Ginny's arms wrapped around his neck in a headlock, both of them panting, sweating, and cursing the other. Because she was a good half-foot shorter than him, he was having difficulty taking her down from that position, but he was doing his best and she could tell by the pain his fingers were causing to her ribcage despite the protective spell.

"Alright, you two, break it up," she smiled at them. Ginny looked up in surprise and Draco took advantage of the opportunity to break free of her arms and throw her down to the ground. She landed hard on her bottom and glared up at him, though he only smirked and turned to gather her clothing.

"Didn't want anyone to miss you at dinner and thought I'd see if you'd killed each other yet," Tonks explained. "Are you ready to go?"

"The house-elves are cooking roast lamb for dinner," he said rather nonchalantly to Tonks as he tossed Ginny her clothes and headed out the door. "See you later, Weasley." Ginny just stared after him, every thought inside her head conflicting and confusing her until she couldn't even keep track of what she was thinking.