I am special

Part II - Getting close

"Did you get into much trouble because of me?"

The next day, Ginny stood in Draco's chamber, eyeing him nervously.

Draco himself sat on the windowsill, his injured leg outstretched on a chair.

"Had better days" he answered grumpily. Snape had lectured him hard, but spared him punishment, except for the fact that, for the next two weeks, he had to stand the weaselette's visits.

"I can imagine you're not very thrilled about my company," she said, embarrassed.

"You bet."

"Really, I'm sorry."

He snorted at that comment.

An embarrassing silence hung in the room.

This is gonna be SO fun, both thought at the same moment.

Ginny took one of the books Snape had lent Draco.

"Arithmancy? I never knew you took this class."

"You too?"

She nodded.

"Then we'll see each other after Christmas in class," he said dryly.

She looked at him.

"Um...did you forget you're a year higher than me?"

"I was," he corrected. "I have to repeat the sixth year."

"Oh."

"Hells, what a intelligent comment, Weasel," he snarled.

"Listen, can we just pretend to treat each other in a friendly way?" Ginny's voice was also irritated.

"It's not my fault we're sitting here now!" Draco hissed.

"You know what? I'm just going to leave! Snape can give me detention until I'm old and grey, because trying to have a conversation with you is a thousand times worse!" Ginny stomped her foot.

"Do what you want! I don't need you! I don't need anybody!" The Slytherin yelled.

"Fine! Pity yourself, you bastard! No wonder you have no real friends!"

"Oh, it's self-pity now! Miss Genius must know exactly for herself! Who ran up to the Astronomy Tower because St. Potter decided to snog with Cho instead of you ..."

Smack!

In three long strides, Ginny had reached him and punched him in the nose. He lost his balance and fell off the windowsill, directly onto his left leg.

"How can you even DARE ..." Ginny hissed, but she stopped immediately when she saw his face. His eyes had become blurry because of the pain, and he whimpered softly.

"Draco! Is everything okay? Draco, speak to me!" Her voice now held a shrill edge.

His right hand, with the missing fingers, clenched painfully around her shoulder.

"Vial," he whispered and moaned.

"What?"

"Vial. Under the bed ..."

Ginny glanced around in full panic mode, crawled under the bed and found the vial, which contained a milky liquid.

"How much?" she asked him fearfully.

"Two." He wasn't able to speak anymore.

Ginny poured carefully two droplets on a spoon and gave it to him.

Draco closed his eyes. The potion took effect almost immediately, and the pain vanished. At the same time, he became numb and tired.

"Please don't pass out." Ginny was frantic.

"Normal," he murmured. "Way better then ... sleeping potion." Then the world got dark around him.

***

As Draco awakened, he had trouble remembering where he was. He way lying on the floor; a blanket tightly wound around his body.

"Draco?" came a female voice from far away, in a worried tone. He wrinkled his forehead and tried to think. Who was it?

As if reading his mind, she said, "Draco, are you okay? It's Ginny!"

Ginny? Ginny Weasley? What the hell was she doing in his room?

"What happened?" His voice sounded weak in his own ears.

"You fell on your injured leg, and then the potion ..."

His memory came back.

"I'm fine. Help me up."

"Really?"

"Hell, yes. The floor isn't that comfortable."

He lifted his body into a sitting position and clenched his teeth. The room was spinning around him. With Ginny's help, he rose to his feet, and, with her as his crutch, limped to the bed.

"I am so sorry." Ginny was near tears now.

"You know what? We should stop apologizing every time we meet," Draco stated dryly. "I should've shut my big gob."

Ginny stared on the floor.

"But you were right," she murmured then. "I just wasn't able to see it that way."

"Don't, Weasley. Potter isn't worth that."

"Can we NOT talk about this anymore? I don't want to fight again with you."

"Please! Once a day is enough!"

Ginny had to grin.

"Yeah, and we managed to survive the first day of the detention - without killing each other."

Draco smirked. "It was close call."

Ginny punched him lightly in the shoulder.

"Ouch."

"Don't be a baby, that wasn't that hard."

"I am sick!" he protested, but his eyes had an amused glimmer. "You don't treat a sick person like this!"

"Oh, really?" She punched him again.

"Planning a career as master of torture, are we, Weasley?"

"I would be very much obliged to exchange more of these niceties with you, but I am hungry and it's dinner time," she retorted and stood up.

"Is it that late?" Draco was baffled.

"You slept like the dead, while I was worrying my head off!"

Draco considered this. "Wait a minute, Virginia Weasley, you don't mean that you were really worried about me?"

Ginny preferred not to answer this. "See you tomorrow."

"I thought you didn't wanted to come back?"

"Looking for a fight again?" Ginny lifted one eyebrow.

"For once, I am being honest."

"I changed my mind. Night, Malfoy."

"Night." Draco stared after her retreating form.

***

"Will you celebrate tomorrow?"

Both of them sat leaned over Drano's chessboard. They were more talking than playing, but carefully avoiding topics like Voldemort, Harry or the idea of a Gryffindor and Slytherin sitting that peacefully together.

"Celebrate? Why?"

Draco shrugged. "Today's the last day of the detention. You don't have to come back."

"So? Am I that annoying?"

He murmured something, but it was too low to understand.

"Answer my question, Malfoy."

He thought it over. The last two weeks had been surprisingly peaceful, and - not that he would tell her that - he was glad not to be alone anymore. Even it was a Gryffindor he was talking to.

"Earth to Malfoy. Hey, are you still with us?"

"Just thinking. No, you're not annoying. For a Gryff and a Weasel, you're quite okay."

"Well, thank you!!" Ginny sounded angry.

He looked at her irritated. "What did I say now?"

"If that's all I am, I should stay away!" She was fuming.

"Sorry, but I don't get it."

"If you don't know, who would?" She tried to stand up but Draco seized her wrist.

She looked down on her arm. "Let go of me immediately," she said in a dangerous low tone.

"Or what? I don't know what's your problem, Weasley, I just said ... oh." Realization dawned on him.

"Yeah, 'oh'! You haven't changed one bit, Malfoy, have you?"

He stared at her. Then he lowered his gaze and began to collect the chessmen, which protested energetically.

"I think you should go now," he said shortly, without lifting his head.

Ginny let out a frustrated sound, but left the room, though not without slamming the door.

***

"Are you okay, Ginny?" Hermione eyed her friend worriedly.

Ginny looked depressed and just pushed her food around the plate.

"Yeah," Ron joined the conversation. "You're acting strange these days. What is it? Harry?"

He could speak openly, because Harry was still in the library.

"No. It's nothing."

Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance.

"You're acting very strange for 'nothing'," Ron stated.

Ginny stomped angrily with her foot, and got up.

"Have you finished already?"

"Yes. I'm going to bed." She left the Great Hall without a second glance.

Hermione looked after her with a thoughtful expression on her face. "I think she's hiding something."

"Hope it isn't another basilisk," Ron joked.

"RON!!! This isn't funny!!"

***

Ginny was lying on the bed, kicking her pillow mercilessly. She wished it was Draco Malfoy's head.

She had to admit, she started to like the 'new' Draco. He was calmer, not by any means as sarcastic and evil like before, and sometimes even funny. Ginny was disappointed to realize that he didn't change much.

Be honest, Weasley, you DIDN'T want to realize she thought bitterly. He hasn't learned a bit, he is the same insufferable git as he has always been.

But a thought was nagging deep inside her. Was she too oversensitive about the whole incident? The snide comment he made had been annoying her endlessly. Still, it was easy to forget that she had been sitting right in front of Draco Malfoy...that same Draco Malfoy who was the mortal enemy of Potter and the whole Weasley family, constantly smirking and snarling...

Think realistically, Weasley. His own world came crashing down, and, by the way, he isn't as bad as he was.

She sighed.

You're an idiot, Virginia.

A soft knock on the door to her dorm startled her.

"Come in!" she shouted curiously, and her eyes widened as she recognised the small house elf. "Dobby! What are you doing in here?"

"Excuse Dobby, Miss Ginny Weasley," he said embarrassed. "Dobby has something for you. He had to swear young Master Malfoy to give it Miss Weasley personally."

"Wait a minute ... from Draco?"

Dobby nodded.

"Yes, young Master Malfoy was not in a happy mood this evening, and Dobby wanted to do him a favour."

"Strange. I heard it was the Malfoys who treated you so bad."

"Dobby was treated very, very bad by Lucius Malfoy, Ginny Weasley. But never by Mistress Narcissa Malfoy or her son, no. Dobby even had to promise Mistress Malfoy to keep an eye on the young Master if she died, and Dobby is doing that now." He looked at her nervously. "But do not tell him, Miss Ginny Weasley. Dobby would have to punish himself, he was not allowed to tell you that."

"I won't tell anybody, you can be sure."

"Dobby should have known that Harry Potter's Wheezy's sister is to be trusted. Here you have what young Master Malfoy sends to you. Sleep well." He gave her a thin roll of parchment and vanished soundlessly.

Ginny looked after him, quite confused, and shook her head. Then she opened the letter. It was a short one, and after reading it, she realized that her mouth was hanging open.

Ginny,

Sorry for being an ass. (What was the deal? Something about not apologizing again?)

You were right; I wasn't thinking how arrogant it must have sounded. But sometimes I think there are now two Malfoys in my head, the old one and the new one, and they are fighting all the time with each other. Scary, huh?

Okay, I just congratulated myself; perfect, Draco, now she thinks you're insane too, with little men in your head.

But anyway, thanks for keeping me company the last two weeks.

Draco

Ginny was sitting on her bed, thinking. She left the dorm after some minutes and went down to the common room.

"Harry?" she asked nervously.

"What is it, Gin?" He smiled at her, and again she felt a sharp pang in her heart. If only the smile wasn't just a friendly one ...

"Can you borrow me your cloak? Just for this evening?"

He shrugged. "Sure. What are you up to?"

"Um ... it's a secret. Is that okay?"

"No problem. You aren't going to meet someone, are you?" He blinked at her, and she blushed. Then he got up, and after two minutes, he was back and passed her the Invisibility Cloak.

"Be careful, whatever you want to do, okay?"

"Of course. Thank you, Harry."

"Nonsense. Happy to help you."

Yeah? Bet you would grab it back in a half second if you would know WHOM I want to meet.

But she was quiet, nodded and vanished through the portrait hole.

"I don't like it," stated Hermione, furrowing her brows. She had overheard the whole conversation.

Harry regarded her with a surprised glance. "Why? What do you think she wants to do?"

"I don't know. But there's something wrong here."

***

Ginny breathed a sigh of relief as she reached the door in front of Draco's chamber. She pushed the cloak off her head, hesitated a second or two, and knocked.

"Who's there?" came a suspicious voice from inside.

She opened the door quickly and went inside.

"Ginny?" Draco said unbelievingly.

He sat over a mass of paper and was apparently studying. Truth be told, he hadn't studied a bit this evening, and instead was trying to think of the best swear words he could call himself.

"I ... I got the letter."

"So?" he asked after a while, because she didn't go any further.

"You shouldn't have apologize," Ginny blurted out. "I simply overreacted."

"You didn't. It was the truth ... more or less."

"No, it wasn't. I would deny it, if you told anybody, but I honestly admire the way you manage to get along."

He opened his mouth, and closed it immediately without a word.

"There's nothing to admire," he murmured after some time. "It's what I have to do."

Ginny hesitated, and then passed him her hand. "Peace?"

"Okay, peace."

***

The next weeks passed calmly.

After the lessons and her homework, Ginny often found herself in the Astronomy Tower. The former enemies became closer and closer. Ginny was surprised how much she could tell him; things she wasn't even able to discuss with Hermione. Draco himself opened up more and more, much more she ever believed he could.

Ginny knew now what happened with Voldemort, and she was still fuming about Lucius Malfoy's treason. Both of them were trying to understand Voldemort's interest in Draco.

Draco's leg was healing better now. Madam Pomfrey and Snape together found a way to partly neutralize Nagini's venom, but he still limped very badly.

"I can still go back to a normal life after Christmas," Draco told her one evening. He was obviously relieved about the news, and Ginny knew he was sick of being trapped in this room. It reminded him more and more of the cell in which Voldemort had imprisoned him, he had casually told her once.

"Are you going back to Slytherin?"

"Um ... not in a normal dorm, if you meant it that way. People like Goyle or Parkinson would make me regret that very fast. I'll get an extra room near Severus' office."

Ginny thought that over for a moment, and suddenly started to grin.

"Bet there are a few people who will faint when you just saunter into the Great Hall after Christmas!"

"Yeah? I know I'm curious to see the look on your brother's face. Especially when he gets to know that we're friends," he grimaced.

"You'd really do that?"

"Excuse me?"

"Um ... I thought ... if you go back to your normal life ... and have your own friends again ..."

"What friends?" He snorted. "You thought I would just kick you out of my life when I go back?"

She looked uncomfortable. "Sort of."

"Wrong, Weasley. I would have thought it would be the other way around. You can get into much more trouble than me."

Ginny shrugged. "So? I don't care about the others talking, and Ron will calm down eventually."

"I didn't mean it that way. It could be dangerous for you," he stated. "I am not Voldemort's first choice - that position is shared by Potter and Dumbledore - but I bet I am in the top ten. Damned if I know why."

"I never thought about it that way," Ginny answered thoughtfully. "But ... everything is risky, right? Honestly though, I would miss our conversations. And I think you'll need all the friends you can get."

"Bet there aren't many," he answered darkly. Then he shook his head, as if to clear it.

"What's happening at Halloween this year?"

"Oh, a great deal," Ginny said sarcastically. "Sometimes Professor Dumbledore has the strangest ideas. There will be a Halloween ball, and we have to wear a disguise. You should hear all the others, they're bursting with excitement."

Draco couldn't hide a grin.

"And you don't?"

"Not particularly. I hate wearing disguises."

"Because you don't know what to wear?"

"Hm."

"How about a witch costume?" Draco asked harmlessly, and the sentence gained him punch in the ribs.

Ginny flipped him off, and Draco grinned again.

"Who is your partner?" he asked casually.

"I'm going alone."

He blinked surprised, and she shrugged again.

"Neville had asked me, and two other guys from my year, but I don't need a partner."

"Weasley, no offence, but are you still pining over Potter? That's ridiculous."

Ginny began to fume.

"It's none of your business."

"How much longer long you want to run after him? He's just a jerk."

"You should know," she answered snidely. "Your ex-girlfriend declared in public how glad she is that you are dead."

"Who, Parkinson? She never was my 'girlfriend' as you so nicely put it. Our fathers wanted us together. I mean, come on, Weasley! Hagrid's flobberworms are more attractive!"

Ginny was still a little bit miffed, but her face became friendlier. But Draco hadn't finished yet.

"Potter won't ask you, not now or never. Why do you play the untouchable? You think he cares?"

"Stop that immediately!" Ginny hissed, but tears dwelled up unwantingly in her eyes. "And which person would YOU take to the ball, Mr-Know-it-All?"

Draco looked at her.

"Maybe I have an idea," he answered finally, but his voice was flat.

Then, in one swift move, he grabbed her hands, pulled her over and pressed his mouth on her lips.

At first, Ginny was too surprised to react. She felt his warm mouth, and his tongue stroking over her lips. Then she pushed him abruptly away and ran out of the room.

Draco looked after her, his gaze unreadable.

Bravo, Malfoy, you did it. You lost the only friend you ever had in this life. Congratulations.

***

The following weeks passed slowly for the Slytherin.

Ginny didn't came back. Neither did she react after he sent her a letter again; she even refused to accept it.

Draco was royally pissed off. He was angry with himself, Ginny and the whole world. At the same time, though, he was also depressed and disappointed. Before the kiss, he didn't even realize how special she was to him.

He even dreamt of her.

She had gone to the Halloween Ball with Justin Finch-Fletchley, and had obviously had very much fun, or so Dobby told him. The small house-elf had watched him pitifully as he had told him, and he couldn't stand that one bit.

Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape were at a loss. The constant healing of his leg had almost stopped. Draco left his bed only for short moments, and declared he was tired much more often.

Snape guessed there had been a fight with the Weasley girl again. Ginny had constantly been visiting Draco in the last few weeks, and she never showed up now. But there was nothing he could do about it. He even tried to tell the blonde Slytherin that it was better this way, but the boy absolutely refused to listen to him.

Professor Dumbledore and even Professor McGonagall had tried, but no one could break the walls Draco had built around himself.

***

It was a clear and sunny November afternoon.

Draco sat at the window and watched a Quidditch match again, Gryffindor versus Slytherin.

It was a rough game, he could see. Harry Potter got a quaffle right in the face - Draco grinned, some things would never change - and Ron Weasley, now chaser of the Gryffindor team, fell off his broom while he tried to escape a bludger. Lucky for him, he had been near the ground.

Millicent Bulstrode, who had received Draco's position as seeker, saw the snitch first. But Harry managed to push her aside, and the snitch disappeared again.

"St. Potter in action," Draco murmured with menace in his voice. Even from this distance, he could see the admiring glance Ginny threw at Harry. Then his eyes widened.

"Ginny! WATCH OUT!" he yelled, and although it was impossible for her to have heard him, her head spun around.

But it was far too late.

A bludger struck by Stebbins hit her head, and, like her brother, she fell off her broom. But she was about twenty metres away from the ground, and crashed down at full force. There she remained motionless.

Forgetting his injured leg, the last few weeks, and his promise, Draco seized his crutch and limped as fast as he could out of his room.

He reached the hospital wing shortly before the others.

Madam Pomfrey was already waiting for the injured Weasley, and looked at him angrily.

"Mr Malfoy, I hope you have a good explanation ..."

"I have to know how she is," Draco interrupted. He gasped, and sweat ran over his forehead.

"In there!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the next room. "Be quiet, and don't you dare move before I tell you to!"

"But..." he tried to protest, but she cut him off.

"No buts! Or Professor Dumbledore will find out how frivolously you treated your own life!"

Draco grumbled something, but gave up.

Madam Pomfrey closed the door energetically after herself. It was just in time, too; the Gryffindor team came in, between them the hovering stretcher with a still unconscious Ginny.

Harry Potter had a black eye where the quaffle had hit him, Hermione was sobbing softly, and Ron was as white as snow.

"I'll kill Stebbins," Draco snarled, but remained silent and strained his ears.

"Okay, you all, leave us alone," ordered Madame Pomfrey. "I will take care of Miss Weasley."

"She won't ... die, Madam Pomfrey, will she?" asked Harry frantically. Behind the door, Draco ground his teeth.

"She won't, Mr Potter. I will inform you when she wakes up, but she needs some silence right now."

The Gryffindor team and Hermione left the hospital wing, not without throwing worried glances at Ginny's direction.

Poppy Pomfrey murmured something about dangerous sports and people who shouldn't play and started to examine Ginny.

Draco stared at the empty space in front of him. Finally, he began to calm down and realized how fast his heartbeat still was, and that his leg was screaming because he had run the stairs in record speed, even for his injures. He, too, began to realize that he maybe had gone too far, running around Hogwarts, where everyone could have seen him. True, nobody had, but how easily it could have happened!

Madam Pomfrey finished her examination, and opened the door to the other room silently. With blazing eyes, she regarded him.

"Mr Malfoy, how dare you ..."

Draco interrupted her again.

"Please, give me detention for the rest of my life, but first tell me how she is."

"She'll live. She has a concussion and a broken arm, but Miss Weasley will be okay again tomorrow."

"Well," he murmured, feeling foolish. "I'll return to the Astronomy Tower. Don't tell her I was here."

"I'll accompany you, to make sure that nobody sees you. But there will be consequences, believe me!"

"I don't care."

***

Hours later, Draco had returned to his recent new hobby, calling himself all swearwords he could imagine.

He had been a fool. Snape was fuming; Madam Pomfrey had given him a half hour lecture, and what for? He hadn't even gotten to see Ginny.

Another thing was nagging on him. He would have to stop behaving like a wounded martyr - or, better said, like an offended child. The short walk through Hogwarts had almost cost him his entire strength. He definitely wanted to join the rest of the students next semester, so he would have to get it back. Otherwise, the other Slytherins would easily bring him down.

Outside a thunderstorm was starting.

***

Ginny awoke as the first bolt of lightning hit the sky. She felt a little dizzy.

"You are awake, finally?" came Madam Pomfrey soothing voice from the left side.

"What happened, Madam Pomfrey?"

"You were struck by a bludger, and fell off your broom. You have a concussion, and a broken arm, nothing too serious."

Ginny tried to remember. She had watched after Harry while he was chasing Bulstrode. And then ... the voice ... Ginny, watch out ...

Everything else was dark. Strangely enough, the voice had been a familiar one, but she just couldn't put a finger on it.

"You made sure that everyone was in a sheer uproar. I heard your brother is responsible for Jason Stebbin's black eye."

"Just one? My, he must have really controlled himself."

Madam Pomfrey laughed.

"You seem to be recovering very fast. May I inform the rest of the Gryffindor team? They are quite anxious to see you."

Ginny nodded, and flinched then.

"Ouch."

"Please, Miss Weasley. Why don't you young people care more about your health? It's already enough that Mr Malfoy ..." she silenced abruptly.

"Draco? What about Draco?"

Madam Pomfrey smiled again, but it looked fake, and she turned her face away from Ginny's.

"Nothing ... never mind. Shall I call the others now?"

"Madam Pomfrey, please."

The nurse reluctantly turned her head in Ginny's direction again.

"Mr Malfoy obviously watched the game; he was here even before yourself. He was very worried and refused to go before he knew how you were faring. I had to promise him not to tell you that he was here."

Ginny looked at her with wide eyes, and her brain was working very hard.

Suddenly she was ashamed of her behaviour over the past weeks. Despite all the things she had done, he hadn't hesitated a second to make sure she was okay. She didn't even want to imagine how Dumbledore or Snape would have reacted.

She didn't love him - she was sure - but hadn't she told him something about staying his friend?

She had made sure that he had found out she had attended the ball with Justin, simply to pay him back for causing her so much confusion and anger. She hoped that this information would be a slap in his face, because she thought he might have real feelings for her...

To sum it up in one short sentence, Ginny felt like a lousy traitor.

"Miss Weasley? Is everything alright?"

"Not quite. Could you please tell the others that I am very tired and want to sleep?" She smiled weakly. "I can see them tomorrow anyway."

"Of course, my child."

Pomfrey went to her own room, leaving Ginny in deep thoughts.

I owe him an apology, at the very least. Sometimes I wish I NEVER went to that damned Astronomy Tower.

***

It was two weeks after the Quidditch incident. Ginny was still pushing the thought of visiting Draco Malfoy back and forth in her head. She had to apologise, but what if he didn't want to accept?

Since the first time she had refused his letter, there had been no further attempts.

Ginny was scarcely able to sleep anymore at night, and during the daytime, she was quiet and rarely smiled.

The sudden change of behaviour was also clearly noticeable to the others. They all tried to find out what was bothering the youngest Weasley, but seeing as every attempt failed, they came to a silent understanding and left her alone. Not that they worried less.

Harry was especially remorseful. His own relationship with Cho grew stronger every day, and the first time of his life, he was just happy. He had known about Ginny's crush on him since the beginning; perhaps he had been too hard to her?

Hermione and Ron were having similar problems.

Nobody even suspected there was something - somebody - else in the game.

After two weeks in a living hell, Ginny couldn't stand it anymore. Apologizing to Draco was still out of the question. She decided to send her mother a letter to pour her heart out and beg her for advice.

She knew that her mother wouldn't tell anybody if she insisted, and her parents were also aware about Draco's situation through the ministry.

They wouldn't be thrilled about the news.

Ginny wrote down the entire complicated situation. As she came to the decisive factor, namely the kiss, she frowned. Involuntarily she saw Draco's face in front of her and felt his lips on her mouth again. She almost fell out of her chair, but took the quill again and went on.

You know what, mum? I think someone just slapped me upside the head. Why was I so angry? Because I should have told him at the get-go that all I wanted was his friendship. Sorry, Draco, but I want us to be friends, and that's all. Please don't faint, and PLEASE PLEASE don't send a howler, but I think I fell in love with him instead.

Ginny gaped at her own handwriting.

"Damn."

Mum, I know it's a shock for you and Dad, but believe me, it was the same here. Draco changed, really. I don't mean that he's a saint now, but ... Oh, Mum, tell me, what should I do now? What if he doesn't want to talk to me anymore? Okay, so he was at the hospital wing, but that was two weeks ago.

I know... I sound insane, but Mum, please help me!

Love, Ginny.

***

Molly Weasley was breathing heavily. She had just finished reading Ginny's letter, and for he first time in her life, she had the strong urge for a shot ... or two ... or three of Ogden's Firewhisky.

Draco Malfoy. Her little Ginny and Draco Malfoy!

It pained her to the heart to see her little girl suffering. Yet it was strange to see her in this new light. She knew Ginny had harboured a not-so-secret crush on Harry for a long time. Truth be told, she would have loved the idea of them being a pair, and she had been full of pity for her daughter when Harry had gently told her the truth.

But - Draco Malfoy?

Otherwise, she trusted Ginny, and her apparent good judging of character. If she was convinced about the boy's change ...

But what about the others? If Ginny was right, and if the two of them could find some way to be together, how would the others around them react? Ron, Hermione and Harry would flip. The twins, Bill and Charlie, they all would certainly want to rip Draco's head off, Percy would be frantic about the news because the ministry distrusted the Slytherin ... and her own husband ...

But what if Ginny would be happy with him? What if? Could she deny her only daughter anything, while life could be so short, especially in these times?

She decided to talk with Arthur first.

***

Three days later, Ginny was sitting in the Great Hall, eating breakfast. Suddenly a small energetic owl was flying down the table and stopped almost inside her plate. It was Pigwidgeon, and a letter was tightly to his leg.

She looked around furtively. Ron, Harry and Hermione were sitting at the other end of the table today, so she was safe from that side. Neville, sitting in front of her, was nose-deep in a book, and the girls on her left were giggling about something.

She turned the letter distrustfully in her hands. At least it was no howler...thank Merlin for simple things.

"What is it, Ginny? You think it will explode?" Colin Creevy, sitting on her right side, asked amusedly.

"Maybe." But when she made no attempt to open it, he shrugged and went back to his conversation with Dennis.

Ginny let out a deep breath, and ripped the envelope open.

Dear Ginny,

Admittedly, it was no small shock you gave us.

Nevertheless we know we can trust your judgement. But your father wants to have a look at this "new" Draco, so we decided to invite him for Christmas.

As you certainly know, Harry, Hermione and Ron are going to Romania to visit Charlie, along with Sirius Black. Bill will meet them there, too, and Percy is visiting Penelope's parents, so nobody will be at the Burrow except us.

About your question, Ginny, I think you know the answer. Even if you don't want to hear it. But I am sure everything will be okay. Be brave, darling, just go and apologize. If he has indeed changed as you said, he will accept it. Go on, and see what happens next.

Good luck

Mum

P.S. And do write soon! We want to know about Christmas!

Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. Her Mum had decided to believe and trust her!

Meanwhile, Hermione's sharp eyes had discovered the piece of paper in Ginny's hands, and the small smile on her face. She pushed Ron lightly and pointed inconspicuously at his sister.

"What is that?" he asked his girlfriend softly.

"Don't know. But I plan to find out."

***

Ginny was standing in front of the door to Draco's chamber, and was having a heated discussion with herself. Three times before, she had raised her fist to knock, and three times she had decided against it. So she was still standing here, just about to run down the stairs again.

Are you a Gryffindor or not, Weasley?

She knocked, but nobody answered. Ginny tried again.

"Draco?"

"Right behind you", said a quite familiar voice over her shoulder.

With a surprised yelp, she spun around, stumbled, and would have fallen if it hadn't been for Draco, who caught her arm.

"Whoa, Weasley, calm down. You don't want to break anymore bones, do you?"

"What the hell are you doing here?" she gasped and freed her arm.

"What does it look like? Picking up flowers?" was the sarcastic answer.

Ginny's face was fiery red, and she tried to make her heart beat again.

"Anyway, what are you doing here, Weasley?" he countered, opening the door. Ginny could see that he had improved by the barely noticeable limping. He winked at her to come in, and she followed hesitantly. Then her eyes widened.

The room was a mess. Parchment and books were lying everywhere, on the floor, his desk, even on the bed. Apparently, he had spent the last weeks studying heavily. But her surprise was heightened as she realised that some of the parchments were filled with pictures.

"You paint?"

"I try." He shrugged. "Answer my question, Weasley, or would you prefer me to die unknowing?"

"What question?" Ginny wasn't concentrating, as she had discovered a painting that looked suspiciously like her own face.

He smirked.

"What are you doing here?" he repeated. "Thought you didn't talk to me anymore."

Ginny swallowed audibly, searching despairingly for an answer that wouldn't let her leave like an idiot.

"Actually I thought ... Mum ... I mean ..." she stuttered, and her cheeks began to redden again. She took a deep breath, and burst out. "I'm sorry. Like always. I was just too stubborn to realize that ... that ..."

"That ...?"

"That you're special to me, too!" Ginny was almost screaming now. Simultaneously she felt relieved and deadly embarrassed. She wished the floor would open and swallow her before he had the chance to answer.

Draco stared at her. It was the first time in his life he hadn't a smart answer in return.

"You ... really?"

Ginny just nodded, her throat too tight to say something. "I am so sorry", she whispered finally. "For everything. For Halloween, especially. I wanted to make you feel bad, as bad as you made me feel." She silenced.

He was still speechless.

"I should go," she murmured, turning around.

But once again, Draco was faster, coming from behind and seizing her shoulders softly.

"Nonsense, Weasley. Come on, look at me."

She refused, still staring at the floor.

"Ginny, please."

Ginny couldn't resist the pleading in his voice and lifted her head.

The grey eyes had darkened and were less ice than storm clouds. He leaned forward and touched her lips with his own.

This time, Ginny didn't back away, instead she pushed against his pressure. As he licked her lips softly, she opened her mouth, and the kiss became wet and hungry.

Draco's hand travelled down her neck to the small of her back, squeezing lightly. Her own fingers automatically found her way to his left thigh and further.

He gasped in her mouth as she stroked the hard length through his pants. Suddenly he took her hand in a soft but firm grip and took it away.

"Stop that," he whispered in her ear.

She giggled, unable to help it.

"Why?"

"If you go any further, I'll embarrass myself," he answered dryly.

Ginny didn't wanted to, but she began to laugh. Hard.

"Draco Malfoy, a romantic," she gasped between laughter. "Who would have thought?"

He scowled, but his eyes were twinkling with amusement.

"So, Miss Weasley," he teased, taking a fiery lock of hair in his hand and pulling her into his arms again, "you're my girl now, right?"

She looked in his eyes, her laughter dying. Without a word she kissed him again. This time neither was able to stop, and they simultaneously moved back onto his bed.

They kissed and stroked each other with hunger, but at the same time slowly and passionately.

They stopped eventually, still touching, staring at each other.

"We really should stop," whispered Ginny.

"Yeah," he answered, but his gaze was still locked with hers. "You're a class of it's own, Weasley, you know that?"

Something struck in her mind.

"Oh - my - god!"

"Excuse me?!"

"Class! I have potions in the afternoon!" She hastily began to untangle from him.

He began to chuckle. Now it was his turn to burst out in laughter.

"That's priceless!" he gasped. "I imagine the look on Severus' face, you coming down the stairs - late, I might add - with that red face of yours ... ooof!"

Ginny had kicked Draco in the ribs immediately and was threatening him with a fist.

"You'd better go, Weasley," he said, rubbing his ribs.

"Want to get rid of me?" she asked mockingly.

"Hell, no." He kissed her again. "But I don't want my girlfriend getting detention on my account. I couldn't forgive myself." That sentence was followed by his traditional smirk.

Ginny straightened her clothes, and went to the door. Instead of going, she turned around again and opened her mouth.

"Don't get melodramatic, Weasley. You have two minutes left."

'You know, I take all the things back! You are a jerk!" She shut the door behind her with a bang.

He grinned. Sometimes the world wasn't bad at all.