DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Some reference ha sbeen taken form the Witchs Gospel and DAULAIRES Book of Greek Myths.

Ginny riled herself up for her sixth year at Hogwarts. Nothing had much happened in her fifth year. The battle against Voldemort was still going strong and now the Ministry was taking part in the battle. However, they were yet to agree with some of Dumbledore's views and thus the Order of the Phoenix stayed a hidden society only for the trust worthiest of wizards. Percy was still on Fudges side. Ginny wondered angrily why he could not even swallow his pride for his family. Ginny put her shiny prefect badge into her Hogwarts robes pocket. She'd been made a prefect for the second time in a row. Last year and now sixth year.

She sucked in a breath wondering what this new year would have in hold for her.

Going downstairs she saw her family sitting around the table. Fred and George, her brothers - now the owners of a very successful business, Weasley Wizard Wheezes- had come over for dinner. They now owned a house in Hogsmeade. Bill and Charlie were also over, both talking animatedly about something with her father. Harry, Hermione and her brother Ron, were sitting in a secluded corner of the table talking about something. Then her mother came bustling in with trays full of food trailing behind her.

"Has everyone packed for tomorrow?" she asked putting a huge bowl of soup down in front of Harry.

"Oh I can't find my Head Girl badge." Said Hermione distressfully. "I was wondering if anyone had seen it."

"Well we haven't seen it." Said George and Fred innocently.

"Neither have I," said Ginny sitting down beside her two brothers and ladling soup into her bowl.

Hermione stared at the twins with pursed lips before heaving a sigh. "Give it back." She said holding her hand out.

"But-bu-"Fred sputtered. "We haven't-we-"

"Don't lie." Said Hermione through pursed lips.

Ginny snickered as George, defeated, handed Hermione her badge back.

"GEORGE!" she screamed shrilly staring at it. "What did you do to my badge?"

"Now-now Hermione-"said George cowering under her gaze. "We only made-ah-slight alterations."

"I would NOT call making my badge read BIGHeaded Girl with my head inflating and deflating a slight alteration!" she screamed.

Ginny had to stifle a laugh as she looked at Hermione's badge. It read Bigheaded girl and at the bottom it showed Hermione's head swelling and then deflating as she stared around proudly.

"Fix it!" she yelled.

"Well you uh-see-we-uh-well we can't." said Fred.

"What? What do you mean we can't?" asked Hermione in a deathly whisper.

"Well we decided to try our newest invention on your badge. And ah-we can remove the wording and put them straight, but your head is there to stay." Said Fred. "We haven't found a counter curse for that yet."

There was a stillness in the room for a second and then-

"WHAT?!" Hermione screamed shrilly. "DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU EXPERIMENTED ON MY BADGE?!"

"To put it lightly-yes." Said Fred cowering under her gaze.

Ginny had to suppress giggles as Hermione took her wand out to hex them. Using magic out of school had been allowed due to Voldemorts return.

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Draco Malfoy looked around amusedly as he entered platform nine and three quarters with his father and mother.

"Now do be careful at school Draco." Said his mother in an icy cool voice. "We can't afford for you to get into any trouble after..." she trailed off and raised an eyebrow at him. It had been a difficult task for his father to get out of Azkaban last year but of course Voldemort had come to free his faithful followers. However the Malfoy name was now tainted to say the least.

"Yes mother." He said in a bored voice.

"Ah there's Goyle." Said his father. "Must talk to him about important matters." He muttered and strode towards the Goyle family.

"God woman, do you always have to bicker?!" came a voice from behind them. Draco smirked as he saw the 'weasel' family and co. trudge in, creating a racket.

"Well if you had packed last night-!" came Hermione's shrill voice.

"Just do the world a favor and shut up." He snapped grumpily. Draco recognized this voice as Ron Weasley's.

"Hermione who's Head Boy if it's not Ron?" asked a familiar voice. Draco recognized her as the youngest Weasley sibling and Potters worshipper.

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know Ginny." She replied truthfully.

"You think it'll be someone cute?" asked Ginny giggling. Hermione stared at her abashed.

"Ginny!" she exclaimed.

"Well yeah, you have a point. Smart guys are never cute." Ginny said shrugging her shoulders.

"Ginny who have you been keeping as company these past few years?" Hermione demanded.

Draco smirked as he heard Ginny's statement 'smart guys are never cute.'

"I wouldn't quite agree with you there, weasel." He replied. Ginny and Hermione turned to stare at Malfoy

"What do you want Malfoy?" asked Hermione in a vicious voice.

"Oh just to clear up little weasel's misconception." He said smiling maliciously. He took something out of his pocket and pinned it onto his robes. Hermione and Ginny gaped when they saw that it read Head Boy. He stared at Ginny in a lazy sort of fashion with his blonde hair hanging in his eyes. He leered at her as he looked her up and down. Ginny felt the pit of her stomach drop oddly. She turned red and looked away. He made her shiver uncomfortably, as if he was undressing her with his eyes or something.

"Just like I said." Said Ginny matter of factly, quickly recovering. "Smart boys aren't cute."

"Your blush says more than your mouth." He drawled while smirking and then left.

Hermione stared at her aghast. "You know what? YOU ARE blushing." She said suddenly smirking.

"Shut up Hermione!" Ginny groaned. "He just looked at me in this odd sort of way-"

"Who did?" asked Ron coming up behind them.

"No one." Said Ginny rather quickly.

Ron stared at her suspiciously.

"Malfoys Head Boy." Said Hermione trying to distract Ron.

"That wanker?" asked Ron in disbelief. "How much did his father have to pay?"

Ginny snorted when she heard this remark. She flipped her hair behind her shoulders, as she boarded the train with Harry, Hermione and Ron.

"Oh no." groaned Hermione. "I have to go and check the prefects who that'll be reporting to me and-"she made a face."-Malfoy."

"If he bothers you at all-." Said Ron fiercely cracking his knuckles.

"Oh Ron." Said Hermione rolling her eyes. "He's not going to hex me in front of all the prefects. There's nothing to worry about. Come on Ginny."

Ginny followed.

Hermione opened the prefect's compartment to hear Malfoys voice.

"-and don't forget to bring some Bertie Botts every flavor beans, but make sure to exclude the brown colored ones." He drawled lazily.

A fifth year prefect nodded and passed Hermione.

"Malfoy!." Hermione hissed. "You're actually ordering Prefects around to do your bidding?"

He raised an elegant eyebrow. "Isn't that what they're for?"

"They are here to keep an eye on students." She hissed.

"The Head Boy and Girl are capable of that." He snapped. "No, you see Granger, prefects are actually supposed to help "he said decidedly. "-the Head Boy and Head Girl." He then eyed Hermione. "Although, why anyone would follow orders from a mudblood like you-"

Ginny suddenly lashed out at him. She made to lunge at him but Hermione put an arm in front of her.

"You take that back Malfoy." Hissed Ginny.

Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "You know? I don't think I will."

Ginny tried to move Hermione's arm out of the way but to no avail. "You take that back or else-or else-"

"Or else what? You'll tell your older brother, Weasel and your Hero Potty?" he asked smirking. "Scared to death I am, I assure you." He drawled.

Ginny took her wand out in her anger.

"Tell me Weasel have you been sending any valentine to Potty lately?" he asked maliciously. "Or has he broken your heart too many times?"

"Ginny put your wand away." Hermione whispered. Ginny stared defiantly at Hermione.

"That's right put it away." Said Malfoy carelessly. "I could take house points for that you know Weasley?" He said smirking.

Ginny, however let her temper get the best of her. Throwing her wand aside, she lunged herself at Malfoy and hit him square on the jaw.

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"SUCH IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR!" screamed McGonagoll. "AND FROM A PREFECT OF MY OWN HOUSE NO LESS!"

Ginny stared at the ground.

"He insulted Hermione Professor." Ginny said for the tenth time in a small voice.

"He could've insulted the whole of Gryffindor house for all I care!" she spat back, her nostrils flaring. "The point is you should not have resorted to violence!"

"Sorry Professor." Said Ginny in a small voice.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor and a months worth of detention" She snapped. Malfoy sporting a suspiciously broken jaw tried to visibly smirk at Ginny. "Two weeks worth of detention to you Mr. Malfoy for provoking Ms. Weasley." Said McGonagoll coolly. "Now go to madam Pomfrey and get your jaw fixed." She then went into the great hall.

Ginny stepped inside and went to sit beside Ron who was waving to her.

"You actually hit Malfoy?" asked Ron in disbelief.

"Punched him is more like it." Said Ginny in a small voice expecting Ron to upbraid her.

"Brilliant." He said, his face lighting up. "My baby sister actually hit Malfoy. Ha!"

"I'd like to see Malfoy make a big deal out of this." Said Harry giving a satisfied smile. "He won't even be able to tell his father because if he does, it'll mean admitting that he got hit and hurt badly by a GIRL! And a WEASLEY girl no less."

Ginny felt something flare up inside of her. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Just because I'm a girl he won't make a big deal out of it?"

Harry shrugged. "Pretty much." He replied.

Ginny opened her mouth angrily. She hated being treated differently just because she was a girl. She'd been brought up with six older brothers and she'd never been treated differently just because she'd been a girl. And then she'd come to Hogwarts...and she hated chauvinistic pigs that treated her differently just because she was a girl. Ginny suddenly WANTED Malfoy to make a big deal out of this. She shifted in her chair and caste a look at the slytherin table.

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The next morning when Ginny entered the great hall she caste a glance at the Slytherin table and was satisfied to see Malfoy sulking, while sitting there as everyone asked him what had happened to his jaw last night.

"I tripped." He said in a clipped voice.

"You tripped?" asked Pansy Parkinson disbelievingly. "Malfoys don't trip."

"Well this one did." He snapped and clutched his jaw. He had drunk healing potion last night but it still hurt slightly.

Ginny smirked as she went towards the Gryffindor table.

Still, that small feeling at the back of her mind would not go away.

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"You what?" asked Malfoy disbelievingly.

"You heard me." Said Ginny stoutly. She had caught him alone on his way to potions - which she congratulated herself on as it was an impossible feat because he was always followed everywhere by his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Weasley are you mad?" he asked lazily.

Ginny took in a deep breath. "I want you to tell your father that I hit you." She said simply. "I want a bloody case done on me or something. Isn't there some sort of rule in the Malfoy family? One who strikes a Malfoy shall be stunned or some sort of rubbish?"

Malfoy drawled. "Why, Weasley you've read our family book haven't you?"

"I'm serious Malfoy." She said.

"No, you're mad." He corrected. "Perfectly mad. I would never tell my father that a girl-least of all a WEASLEY girl hit me."

"I punched you." Ginny corrected.

"Listen as thrilling as this conversation is-"he said sarcastically. "-I have better things to do than converse with a Weasley."

Ginny stepped in front of him. "Is it JUST because I'm a girl?" she asked stonily.

He stared at her. "Yup, that just about sums it up." He said. He then sneered. "Move Weasley. I'm going to be late for potions."

"You didn't fight me either just because I was a girl." She said quietly.

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Wow, give the mudblood lover a prize, she actually guessed right."

Ginny stared at him. "Don't ever insult muggle-borns in front of me." Her eyes suddenly filled with fire.

"What you mean don't insult mudbloods?" he sneered.

Malfoy was seen entering the Potions room with a broken jaw again. He was then taken to the Hospital wing by Pansy Parkinson.

"Let me guess." She said coolly. "You tripped?"

"Right on target." Malfoy said witheringly on their way back from the infirmary. He touched his jaw gingerly.

"Draco." Said Pansy. "Tell me who is doing all this to you. Is it your father?" she asked suddenly.

"For once, no it isn't him." He snapped. "Now shut up."

Draco couldn't help but smile when he thought of what had happened. It actually seemed quite hilarious to him. The youngest Weasley actually coming up to him and demanding him to sue her, or get her expelled or something. When she'd punched him the first time he'd been angry and impressed at the same time. When she came to him demanding to be sued he'd thought her as courageously stupid as all other Gryffindor's and when she'd punched him the second time-he'd found himself wondering what type of complex character was she? A challenge....it'd been a long time since he'd had a real challenge..

He shook his head and a small smile escaped his lips. 'She's certainly a paradox.' He thought to himself.

Pansy stared at the small smile on his lips. It made him look ten times cuter.

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"H-hi Ginny." Said Colin Creevey in a small voice.

"Hi Colin." Said Ginny looking up from her charms work. "How are you?"

"Fine." He said grinning and plopping down in front of her. They were currently in the Gryffindor common room. His camera was hanging around his neck as usual.

"So um-what's that your studying?" he asked.

"Charms." Said Ginny holding her book up. "Have you written the charms essay yet?"

Colin shook his head. "What for? It's not due until the day after tomorrow."

Ginny shrugged. "Well actually, I'm free today so I decided to do the work today. Who knows how much homework we'll get tomorrow? Plus, I hate being swamped with homework."

Colin smiled. "Which is one of the reasons you're a prefect."

"I thought I was a prefect for my stunning beauty and brilliant brain." Said Ginny.

"Well that too-"he said smiling. Ron suddenly cut into their conversation.

"Hello Colin." He said gruffly.

"Hi Ron." Said Colin staring at him with wide eyes. "Anything the matter?"

"No." said Ron but still stared at Colin with fire in his eyes.

"Um-Ron, Colin and I were just-"Ginny began as she had recognized the look in his eyes.

"I bloody well know what you and Colin were discussing." Ron spat. He stared at Colin. "Stick to taking pictures." He said. Colin got up and left.

"RON!" Ginny yelled as soon as Colin left.

Ron looked at her guiltily. "Ginny he was-"

"He was just discussing charms with me you great oaf!" she yelled. "You always do this! You did the same thing with Dean in my fifth year!"

"Well why can't you pick someone safe?" Ron asked.

"What do you mean someone safe?" she asked.

"Well-well someone safe like-like Harry!" he said pointing at Harry who suddenly jumped. "I mean someone we know won't break your heart!"

Ginny stood up swiftly. "Who I choose is none of your business Ron." She Said coolly. "If I want I can start dating the Bloody Baron! It's none of your concern."

"It is, you're my little sister!" he snapped.

"WAKE UP RON!" Ginny yelled. "I'm not little anymore! I'm not even a virgin anymore! What's happened to you? You were never like this in your fourth or fifth year!"

Rons face paled and he seemd to be stuck on the first few words Ginny had said. "You're not a virgin anymore?" he squeaked.

This conversation was so not turning out how Ginny wanted. "Argh!" she yelled in frusteration.

She turned with her red hair whipping behind her and stomped out of the common room towards her detention.

She stomped into one of the dungeon rooms and slammed her books down. "The nerve of him!" she muttered taking ink out of her small bag. "Great big bloody senseless-"she slammed the inkbottle down on the desk. "-Most insensitive, selfish man I have ever-"she took her quills out and opened her textbook furiously. "-To think he actually had the guts!" she began writing furiously trying to let all her pent up frustration out into her homework.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that abusing your homework is bad?" drawled a voice from behind her.

"More than I can say for your mother." Ginny snapped not looking up from her work.

She suddenly found pale white long hands slamming down across from her. She heard his heavy breathing.

"Lets keep my mother out of this." He whispered in a restrained voice.

The tone of his voice made Ginny look up. She felt her breath catch in her throat. She'd never seen Malfoy so angry and it was...intimidating to say the least.

"What are you doing here anyway?" she asked suspiciously trying to change the subject.

"I have detention with you remember?" he drawled trying to keep his voice under control.

"Oh." Was all Ginny said and went back to her work. Professor Binns was going to be invigilating their detention tonight. He floated in and Draco went back to sit behind her in his previous seat. Soon enough Ginny heard a second quill scratching on parchment. Malfoy was doing his homework too. Ginny took a fleeting glance towards her potions work. She'd always heard that Malfoy was exceptionally bright in potions...she bit her lip and went back to work.

Detention ended at about eleven o clock and Binns floated out of the classroom.

Draco tried the door. He let out as frustrated sigh. "Stupid ghost." He muttered. "He forgot to unlock the door."

"Professor!" Ginny called.

Draco banged on the door hard. "Great just great!" he snarled. "What kind of school is this? What with irresponsible teachers not following school regulations, no respect for discipline or school rules or not considering the fact that STUDENTS CAN'T WALK THROUGH WALLS!" he yelled loudly. Binns suddenly came floating back.

"Quite forgot that there were students in this class." He mumbled as he opened the door with a swish of his hand. "Off to bed you two." He then went away.

Ginny let out a small huff of laughter.

"I don't see what's so funny." Draco sneered.

"The sad fact of life is that you never will." Ginny replied smirking and left.

"And proud of it." He sneered at her leaving figure. Ginny ignored him.

She reached the common room to find Ron, Hermione and Harry waiting up for her.

She pointedly ignored her brother, and greeted Hermione and Harry. "What are you two doing up? It's so late."

"Look Ginny-"Ron began standing up.

"Ron Weasley I have nothing to say to you." Said Ginny coldly. "I just had to spend a whole detention with Draco Malfoy-I'm not in the mood to put up with you too."

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry." He said defeatedly.

"After all the er-you're what?" Ginny asked disbelievingly.

"Yes." Said run gruffly. "I am sorry. Want me to write it in big red letters in the sky?"

"Not a bad idea." Replied Ginny. Ron looked at her exasperatedly.

Ginny giggled. "Well I forgive you but you have to promise NEVER EVER to do something like that AGAIN!!"

"On one condition." Said Ron grinning.

"What?" asked Ginny a smile playing on her lips. She had a feeling she knew what was coming next.

"Just tell me who it was." He replied.

"Who, who was?" asked Ginny pretending to be confused.

"Don't play games." Said Ron. He turned slightly red. "Who-you know-"

"Oh." Said Ginny feigning surprise. "You mean who took my virginity?"

Ron nodded.

"No one." Said Ginny smirking. "I only said that to get you angry."

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed abashed. "Ginny I never! I mean in MY sixth year I could never even dream of making such crude jokes."

"Oh Hermione stop acting like you're my mother." Said Ginny, lopping her hair behind her ears. "You're only a year older than me!"

"And even at THIS age I don't make such crude jokes. WHO DO you keep company with?" she asked.

"Oh the usual." Said Ginny smiling mischievously. "hookers, whores, vampires and the occasional cross dresser who's a deatheater in disguise. I also have tea with the Dark Lord on Saturdays." She said smiling brightly. before bounding up the stairs.

"Ron I'm worried about her." Hermione squeaked.

Ginny rolled her eyes as she lay back in bed. Honestly did they actually think she had company AT ALL, other than them and the people in their year? It did make her sort of popular, she guessed to have friends who were her seniors and the only real company she had in her own year were a few Gryffindor girls, who she made small talk with and either Luna Lovegood or Colin Creevey. Ginny couldn't help suppress a small giggle when she thought of how Colin had tried to ask her out. Her giggles were than followed by rage as she thought of how stupid Ron had acted.

She rolled over in bed and closed her eyes. Silver grey eyes stared back at her in her sleep but they quickly faded away as her dreams started to form.

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Ginny screamed at three people cowering under her gaze.

"STOP TRYING TO ACT LIKE MY PARENTS!" she screeched in the great hall. Everyone looked up at her. She was yelling (as usual) at Harry, Ron and Hermione. "You three are the most overprotective friends a person could ASK for!" she huffed and slammed her books angrily down on the Gryffindor table. "HERMIONE I THOUGHT YOU ATLEAST UNDERSTOOD ME!" Ginny choked out. She then stomped away out of the hall with tears prickling her eyes.

She cursed as she remembered that her books were still in the great hall. She bumped into a figure suddenly as she turned around. Pulling away she looked up. She grimaced as she realized was Malfoy.

"Don't you have anything better to do than follow me around?" Ginny snapped looking up at him irritated.

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Oh yes my only purpose in life. To stalk a Weasley."

"Well it seems like it." She snapped.

"May I remind you that you were the one who practically stalked me a few days after Hogwarts started because you wanted me to get you expelled." He smirked at her.

Ginny suddenly let her tears spill over. "Oh shut up will you?" she snapped.

"I didn't know that such a smart retort would send you to tears." He said holding his hands up and smirking. Ginny turned and ran. She ran as if her life depended on it and found herself outside, under the beach tree by the lake. She pounded the ground with her fist.

"I hate my life!" she exclaimed and pounded the ground. "And I hate Ron and Hermione and even Harry for not trying to reason with those two." She sat back and leaned against the tree.

Ever since she'd turned fourteen her life had become utterly complicated (at least from her point of view.) Different types of emotions had begun to run through her system and she'd suddenly realized how utterly stupid she was for having a crush on Harry for over three years. She'd thought herself a pathetic fool for mooning over him for so long. Then after her breakup with Michael she'd started going out with Dean, hoping maybe her roller coaster of emotions would calm down then. She, herself couldn't understand what was happening to her. Sometimes she was angry and then the next minute she was fine. The worst part was that she had no one at all whom she could talk to about such stuff. At first there had been Hermione but now Hermione, ever since she came into seventh year had become distant.... no not distant.... more-grownup-more something. Maybe she'd gotten past the confused stage Ginny was going through at the moment. Maybe Hermione had finally become self-composed, but that gave her no damn right to act like her mother.

But it wasn't just this growing apart that was making her so confused. Everyone even her dearest older brother Bill had become distant. They treated her as if she was walking on egg shells or something. Maybe it was because they wanted to give her, her own space or saomehtring.

Then there were certain times when she felt a feeling flair up inside of her. A feeling of anger, hurt and deceit. These bouts scared her half to death. To top it all off she had dreams. Weird dreams. Ever since the end of her third year they had started. Horrible dreams. She thought she'd gotten over the chamber of secrets but at the end of her third year she started having horrible dreams about her first year. She would dream about herself as she ordered the Basilisk to petrify Hermione. And how she'd smiled maliciously when Hermione and Penelope had fallen down petrified. She dreamt of herself throttling the roosters as they flapped their wings violently. How their eyes had bulged out when--she suddenly had the urge to throw up. She'd always wake up and feel queasy. And then there were the rare times when she actually had dreams about Voldemort torturing his followers.

She had even dreamt of Voldemort attacking certain muggles. She had a feeling she had these dreams the moment that they happened. She remembered her fourth year when Harry had sounded the alarm that their father was in trouble. She'd remembered waking up in a cold sweat that night and had dreamed of a cruel merciless laugh. How a voice had suddenly sounded in her head.

'My, my this isn't you Virginia-I think it's your Hero Mr. Potter.'

She'd never understood what that voice had meant until of course she'd listened in with Harry and co on what her parents were discussing with Moody in the hospital wing. That had been in her fourth year. She pushed those memories away and focused on the matter at hand.

Ginny had said yes to Colin Creevey. Ron unfortunately heard the news and scared Colin half to death with long lectures of how he better behave with her or else. Hermione had of course had a hand in this.

Ginny flipped her hair in front of her shoulders. It fell literally down to her stomach. She began to braid it while sniffing. She couldn't understand why at least HARRY didn't stop them. From what she could tell he was always disagreeing with Ron and telling him not to pry into her personal life. But the again, Ginny thought, Harry probably didn't think it was his place to tell Ron how to treat his younger sister.

She shook her head and heard a rustling sound behind her. Turning her head sharply she saw Malfoy retreating back to the castle slowly. Ginny's eyes widened.

'How embarrassing.' She thought to herself. She moaned. 'He actually saw me cry! Oh I'm never EVER going to hear the end of this! The whole of Slytherin will probably know by lunch'

She punched the ground softly and cursed.

"My life." She said decidedly to no one in particular. "Is one confusing tangled up HELLISH, crappy excuse of a life."

Ginny entered the Great Hall for lunch ready to hear jeering from the Slytherins. Oddly not one of them even glanced her way twice as she entered. She turned her head towards Malfoy to see him staring at her with anxious eyes. He suddenly looked down at his food when she met his eyes.

Ginny then plopped down in front of an empty plate and started putting food into her plate. When she was done she picked up her fork and realized that she wasn't hungry.

"Everything okay?" asked her quiet roommate Shelly. She was sweet, Ginny had decided and she kept mostly to herself. Ginny liked her better than her other three roommates Marie, Ashley and Dana. She had mouse brown hair down to her shoulders, which she kept in a braid. Her eyes were wide and brown with brown thick eyelashes framing her eyes. She had a small button nose and small pouted lips. She was usually seen with her head in some book or another. Ginny and her usually made small talk.

"I think you can judge for yourself after seeing this morning's fiasco." Replied Ginny wryly.

Shelly laughed a tinkle of a laugh. She looked, Ginny decided so small and petite. Everything about her was delicate and she looked as if she might fall over if the wind blew her hard enough. Ginny on the other hand, had the long elegant look to her. She was long and slim with bony type hands and a long slender neck. Her face was heart shaped and her long hair fell down to the small of her back. She reeked of innocence while Shelly gave off the more adult and composed, mature look. Ginny liked it that way. She knew that after the chamber of secrets incident she'd never be innocent but she LOOKED the part. And she liked everybody to think she was innocent. It was-it was her sign in a way. She couldn't live without innocence just as she couldn't live without air. It was as if she and innocence were two in one.

"Your older brother being his over protective self again?" she asked.

Ginny nodded forcing a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth. "To top it all off, we have that potions test today." She said bitterly. "I didn't even study for it."

"Oh which reminds me how did your detention with Malfoy go last night?" asked Shelly interestedly.

Ginny giggled. "Shut up! He' s MALFOY for heavens sake!"

"But that doesn't make him any less cuter." Said Shelly mischievously. "Oh look he's leaving. Check out his-"

Ginny clapped a hand over Shelly's mouth and exploded into giggles. Shelly soon joined in when Ginny dropped her hand from her mouth.

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At the end of the day Ginny forlornly headed towards the Gryffindor common room. She felt extremely sleepy. She reached the common room and flopped down on the first couch she saw not caring whom else was sitting on it. She groaned and rubbed her eyes.

"Rough day?" asked a small voice. Ginny turned her dropping eyelids towards Harry.

"You can say that again." She mumbled and shut her eyes. "I'm so tired. And I have detention tonight! Ugh." She brought a hand to her temple.

She felt Harry ruffle her head affectionately. "Listen-"he said suddenly dropping his hand and becoming serious. "-Don't mind Ron. I sort of cooled him off today and he feels like a complete git for acting the way he did. He says he promises he won't overreact anymore and that he'll let you have your own space."

Ginny sighed. "Harry you're a terrible liar."

Harry grinned ruefully. "I try." He said. "But I did manage to make him feel like a git."

"Yeah I'm truly thankful for that." Ginny mumbled as sleep washed over her. She rubbed her eyes. "You know he was never like this in his fourth or-or even fifth year. I mean in fourth year he laughed after he found out I was going with Neville to the yule ball and in my fifth year he never said anything to Micheal-did he?" she asked casting a suspicious look at harry.

Harry grinned. "No he didn't though he made it clear that he didn't like Micheal...but Ginny you have to understand. Now that Fred and George aren't at Hogwarts anymore he feels solely responsible for you." Harry said and then added queitly

"You know whatever he does-he does it because he loves you."

"mmhmm." Said Ginny not really listening.

"And he's only looking out for you." Said Harry.

"Hmm."

"He just doesn't want you to make any mistakes."

"Hmm."

"All older brothers are like that."

"Mmm."

"And especially since Fred and George aren't here he feels responsible for you." Said Harry and looked up at Ginny. She didn't reply. She'd drifted off completely. Harry just smiled at her as a lock of hair fell over her eye. He took his cloak and covered her with it from chin down. She turned to face the couch and curled her legs up under the cloak.

"She shouldn't have to go through all this." Harry whispered to Ron who had just emerged from behind the couch. "Look at her for Gods sake! She's so-so confused and especially with all that-stuff going on." Harry ended off with.

Ron brushed her hair away from her eyes when it fell in her face for the umpteenth time. "All I can do is protect her Harry." He said gravely.

"Yes, I wish boys were the ONLY thing you had to keep her away from. It would've been so much easier for her if she was- a normal witch." Said Harry.

"I wonder-do you think she'll-she'll give in?" he asked staring at Harry furtively. "I mean how much longer until she stops resisting. That's what I'm afraid of. And if she gets into the wrong type of company. It'll be even worse. We'll loose her."

"Which reminds me did you have to tell her to go out with me?" asked Harry giving him an odd smile.

Ron turned red. "Well it's true. You're the safest person I can think of for her to go out with. At least with you I'm positive you're not some deatheater in disguise who's trying to seduce her or something."

"What about Neville?" asked Harry mischievously.

"Even my sister has standards." Ron replied as they both got up and left chuckling.

Ginny opened one eye to watch them leave. 'What was that all about?' she asked herself as she turned over and snuggled into Harry's cloak. She fell asleep with the answer unfound.

Ginny awoke bleary eyed to see the sun setting into the hills. She suddenly stood up "I have detention!" She suddenly exclaimed. She had grabbed Harry's cloak before it fell to the ground. She stared at it and after a minutes hesitation she threw it over her shoulders and clasped the holder together. She then ran up the stairs collected quills and parchment, and ran back down. She picked up her bag in which her books were and left.

Ginny ran down the stairs with her cloak-or rather Harry's cloak-billowing out behind her. She in her haste suddenly bumped hard into someone. Hard pain coursed threw her right arm with which she had clutched her books under her chest. Falling back Ginny looked up to see a smirking Malfoy. She suddenly looked down ashamed of what he had seen earlier that day.

"Watch where you're going Weasley." He said.

"What are you doing here?" Ginny asked rubbing her arm as she squatted down to pick up her things. Malfoy 'conveniently' stood and watched her pick her things up.

"Professor Sprouts invigilating us. She wants us to come down to Greenhouse two and do some work for her." Draco said.

"WHAT?" asked Ginny dropping her quills and looking up at him with wide eyes. Draco suddenly sucked in a sharp breathe that Ginny just managed to notice. He reverted his gaze from her and replied.

"Yea. A student just came by and told me." He eyed the ground where he stood.

Ginny noticed a quill beside his boot. She reached out to take it but Draco had already bended to pick it up. Her hand landed atop his and an intoxicating sense of safeness filled her. It ran through her veins, through every cell within her. She looked up to make sure it was him and saw him staring back at her with was it shock or surprise? Ginny tried to read his eyes but he quickly looked back down at her hand atop his. She suddenly shivered in pleasure.

"Well?" asked Draco leaning forward.

"Well what?" Ginny breathed against his lips.

He moved closer and whispered into her ear. "Aren't you going to remove your hand from mine?"

Ginny's eyes snapped open. She snatched her hand away from atop his as if his hand was on fire. She suddenly felt...odd. It was as if she had been drowning and her breath of fresh air had been the safety she had just felt. She now felt as if she was back to drowning and her mind screamed for that feeling again. She sharply looked at Draco and glee was twinkling in his eyes. He stared at her quill.

"Ostrich feather quill." He muttered. "I hear they're very smooth for writing." He raised an eye at her.

"You should know you probably have a ton of them." Ginny snapped standing up. These quills were extremely expensive and the only reason Ginny had one was because it had belonged to her grandmother.

"Actually Ostrich quills are now illegal." He said staring at the quill. "Something about them being able to go undetected if they have a cheating spell on them."

"Well I only use mine for homework." Ginny replied brusquely.

"Oh?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh for heavens sake do I look like the type who'll cheat?" she asked coldly.

"No but-"he slipped the quill into his breast pocket. "-better safe than sorry."

"Augh!" Ginny turned and stomped up the stairs. Her cloak again billowed out behind her.

"Oh and how come you're wearing Potters cloak?" she heard the smirk in his voice all to clearly. It seemed as if he was trying to restrain something inside of him.

"SHUT UP!" she yelled down to him and stalked towards the entrance doors.

"Something fishy is going on. Potty's not the noble hero I thought he was." Snarled Draco from behind her. Ginny suddenly realized what he'd been holding back. The tone in his voice made her stop. Just a minute ago he had been playfully bugging her and now he seemed-angry.

"I fell asleep-"Ginny began calmly.

"-likely story." Said Draco cutting her off.

"Oh my God!" Ginny yelled. "I don't have to prove anything to you and I can NOT believe that I am having this conversation with YOU of all people!" she stalked out her cloak billowing behind her.

She heard Hogwarts doors closing behind her and looked to see Draco behind her. She ignored him and walked on. 'Of all the nerve.' She thought to herself. Reaching Greenhouse two she entered and saw Professor Sprout plucking silvery dry grass from a pot on the table. She looked up.

"Oh! I didn't notice you two come in." she smiled. "Well your task is simple. All you have to do is pick fluxweed from the flower bed tonight. It's a full moon you see." She said serenely. "And Professor Snape asked me to pick fluxweed as he uses it in potions.' She got up. "Best start now if you want to be done by midnight. I'll come and check up on you two after awhile." She then left and locked the door securely behind her.

"That hag!" Draco exclaimed aghast. "She just ordered us to do her work for HER. There must be some rule against this." He stated stoutly. He then eyed the flower bed which covered one third of the greenhouse. "Does she expect me to actually touch dirt?" he spat. "When my father hears about this-"

"Oh shut up." Snapped Ginny revolted. "All you know what to do is to go tattling to your father the minute something you don't want to happen happens. And then you end up getting the person fired, expelled and sometimes killed." She bent down to start picking. "You should learn to fight your own battles." She said. "You're not a child anymore who can go running to his father." She pulled a hand full out and put it in the same basket that Professor Sprout had been using.

"That's not entirely true." He said a vague smile on his lips. Ginny turned to stare at him.

"How so?" she asked mockingly

"I didn't ell him about you and your right hook." He said a smirk playing on his lips.

Ginny huffed and sat down on the floor. "Why didn't you?" she asked wearily.

"Maybe because I didn't want to." He replied.

"Or maybe it's because you're a pigheaded chauvinist who's ashamed of being hit by a girl." She replied smirking.

"You see Weasley-"he said sitting down beside her. "-it's a lose, lose situation for me here. If I let you hit me then everyone says Malfoys such a weak bloke, he actually got hit by a girl." Draco stared at her. "-and if I had tried to stop you everyone would've called me a mean bloke because I don't have anything better to do than bully little girls." He hesitatingly picked a strand of fluxweed.

"I'm not little." Ginny said. "And come to think of it. You ARE a bully."

"Maybe so but I would never hurt a woman." He said and plucked another piece of fluxweed.

"Hey Malfoy?" Ginny asked hesitatingly. 'Now or never.' She thought to herself.

"What?" he asked trying to find a fluxweed piece that wasn't submerged in dirt halfway.

"What were you doing watching me cry earlier today?" she asked putting a handful of fluxweed into the basket between them.

Malfoy looked at her sharply and something sparked in his eyes. Was it fear? Ginny thought to herself.

His eyes again suddenly became blank and he looked at her mischievously. Leaning forward he breathed against her lips.

Ginny shivered and waited for the safety of his touch.

"Blackmail." He replied his hot breath on her lips. Ginny stared at him sharply.

"Oh!" she angrily stood up and stared down at him. "You're-you're-"

"What handsome? Smart? Sexily evil?" he smirked.

"IMPOSSIBLE!' she exploded and walked away from him to sit on the far right. She huffed and bent down and began picking fluxweed viciously. 'I hate him.' She thought to herself.

She chanced a look at him. The full moon shone in through the glass roof of the greenhouse. 'I hate the way the moonlight strikes his blond hair giving it a silver effect.' She said decidedly. 'And I hate the way the moonlight strikes his profile giving him an odd mysteriously elegant look. And those eyes....oh I hate those blank silvery gray orbs that twinkle every now and then. And I hate his drawling voice and the way he always has these witty comebacks' She stared at his arms as they plucked fluxweed. Her eyes traveled to his chest and then to his face. His blonde hair fell in his eyes making him look even sexier. 'I hate him' she said decidedly.

"You know a picture lasts longer." He drawled off handedly..

Ginny was snapped out of her reverie.

"I would Malfoy but my cameras lens would probably crack." She replied.

"You know you think I'm cute." He smirked. "Accept it. Admit it. It's a universal fact of life."

"A sad fact at that." Ginny replied looking back down at the flower bed.

She heard Draco chuckle softly. She looked up and caught her breath. He was actually SMILING and mirth twinkled in his eyes. He looked irresistible with his elegant, aristocratic smile. It was a lazy smile and sort of lop sided but elegant just the same. Ginnys heartbeat quickened when she saw him walk over to her and squat down beside her.

He brought a hand to stroke her hair.

"Oh no you don't." said Ginny pulling back with a slight tremble in her voice. "I'm not falling for that again." A strand fell in her face and Draco looped it back behind her ear. And that feeling of incredible safeness filled her again. She felt as if her body could breathe when he touched her. She felt so.....safe. He leaned closer to her.

Ginny sucked in a breath but kept her eyes on his. He seemed as if he was in a trance. Ginny struggled to keep her senses. An owl suddenly screeched from outside bringing Ginny back to her senses. She put two hands on his chest partly to stop him and party so that she could feel that sense of security she got when she touched him. He enveloped his arms around her and she was completely encased in his smell, in his touch.

"Don't." whispered Ginny gently pushing him away. "It's not funny anymore." She whispered. "I don't quite fancy these stupid jokes of yours." She mumbled.

The sound of Professor Sprout whispering Alohamora made Draco suddenly leave her. Ginny fell back as his arms had been supporting her. She felt herself shaking as her body went back to drowning. She took in a deep shaky breathe before turning and plucking a handful of fluxweed.

"Well how much have you two done so far?" Professor Sprout asked coming in. She stared at Ginnys basket which was practically half full. "very good ms. Weasley." She stared at Dracos basket. It barely had a handful inside of it. "Mr. Malfoy." She said tightlipped. "The point of detention is to give you a punishment and I don't think sitting around is much of a punishment." She sighed. "Anyway-I'm invigilating your detention tomorrow night also." She smiled brightly. Ginny with much amusement noticed Dracos look of utter horror. "So we shall continue tomorrow."

"Thank you professor." Said Ginny still feeling light headed. She stood up and almost fell back down.

"Careful ms. Weasley." Said Professor Sprout kindly. "I think your legs must've fallen asleep."

"Yea." Ginny mumbled and gathered her things form the table. She then walked out with Draco behind her. She walked in silence with Draco trailing behind her silently. Opening the door she entered Hogwarts. She passed the stairs down to the dungeons.

"It wasn't a joke." Came a voice from behind her. Ginny turned to catch a glimpse of Dracos cloak before it too disappeared down the stairs.

OoOOoOooOoOOOOOoooOOOooOOOOoOOO

Ginny lay awake in bed that night. She couldn't get to sleep. Instead rather-vivid thoughts were coursing through her mind. How he'd touched her, how he'd enveloped her in his touch, how it would feel to have his lips on her, how-'stop it!' she ordered herself and turned over in bed. Ginny however was fighting an endless battle and she fell asleep trying to push the thoughts from her mind..

OoOOoOooOoOOOOOoooOOOooOOOOoOOO

"How was detention?" asked Harry coming to sit beside her in the Great Hall.

Ginny shrugged and yawned. "It was okay. Professor Sprout made us pick fluxweed." Ginny made a face. "I took a shower and STILL haven't rid myself of the feeling that I'm covered in dirt."

Harry laughed but then became serious. "But Ginny seriously did Malfoy give you any....trouble?" he ended hesitantly.

Ginny stared at him. "No." she said slowly. This was striking Ginny as odd. Number one Harry had never talked to her as if they were...friends. If they had wanted to know if Malfoy had given her trouble....why didn't Ron just ask? Or Hermione? Why was HARRY asking?

"Just wanted to make sure." He explained seeing the confused look on Ginnys face. "And on top of that I mean you're mad at Hermione and Ron so I thought that I'd y'know come over and find out..." he trialed off and looked towards the other end of the table where Ron and Hermione were watching them like hawks.

Ginny sighed and shook her head. She picked her small green book bag up and threw it over her shoulder. She then walked towards the two who suddenly began to busy themselves in their food.

"Still worried are you?" she asked staring Ron with a raised eyebrow. Ron gulped and didn't answer. Ginny sighed and hugged him.

"Thanks for caring." She whispered.

Ron seemed surprised. "You-you're not mad?" he asked incredulously.

Ginnys hook her head. "How could I ever stay mad at a brother who loves me so much?" she asked.

Ron grinned. Ginny then turned to Hermione. "Hermione you've been acting more like my mother than my friend but I guess that's your special way of showing you care." She hugged Hermione who returned the hug.

"Ginny I'm sorry...I haven't been very fair towards you have I?" Hermione asked. "It's just that well-oh Ginny I just felt as if I had to look out for you."

"I'm a big girl I can take care of myself." Ginny replied. She then turned to Harry and surprisingly hugged him to. "Thanks for...sympathizing with me.." She whispered. "And please try to make Ron see some reason. I'm not a little girl anymore."

Harry was surprised before he rather awkwardly patted her back. Ginny pulled away and Harry smiled reassuringly at her.

She smiled and left the Great hall. Somehow she had found herself becoming close to Harry and it felt good. She thanked the gods that she didn't turn red anymore when she was near him but she couldn't deny that her crush wasn't completely over.

After all who would harbor a crush for their whole life and expect to get over them in one day? Ginny had heard stories about Harry ever since she'd been young. Her heart had gone out to him. She had always dreamed of what it would be like to meet him. To talk to him about his experience....she shook her head. How naive she had been back then.

"So when are you and Potter announcing your wedding?" came a drawl from behind.

Ginny turned to see Malfoy.

"Oh shut up." She said giggling. "everyone knows I'm over him."

Draco walked over to her. "Everyone THINKS that except for me." He replied. "I KNOW you're not over him. Who could ever forget a three year crush so easily?"

"Ten years crush to be precise." She said reddening suddenly. "I'd always heard stories about him and-" she stopped abruptly.

"I see." Said Malfoy knowingly as he walked with her. "I think you're more awed with him than you are in love with him."

Ginny stopped walked and stared at him. "Oh Malfoy I'm not in LOVE with him."

He smirked. "That's what YOU think."

She shoved him slightly and let out a huff of laughter.

"Oh wow Weasley that really hurt." He replied mockingly.

"I have a name." said Ginny gently to him.

"And since when are we on first name basis?" he asked amusedly.

"Since now." Ginny replied and then added. "Draco."

Draco smiled down at her. "Well Ginny you seem to have reached your stop." He said motioning towards the charms classroom. "See tonight in detention."

"Which class do you have next?" Ginny called to his retreating back.

"Herbology." He replied with disgust in his voice without even turning around.

Ginny was suddenly struck with surprise. Herbology? But he'd have to go back towards the Great Hall! He'd walked her halfway across the school!

"Well Ms. Weasley?" asked Professor Flitwick who had just appeared in the doorframe. "Care to join us?"

"Sorry Professor." Ginny mumbled.

"Quite alright dear." He said and ushered her in.

The day flew by for Ginny and the next thing she knew was that she had to get ready for her detention. Ginny groaned. If Professor Sprout was going to keep giving them work she'd surely fall behind in her studies. She already had two unfinished essays that she had to give in the next day. Ginny hated pending work.

Reaching the Greenhouse she saw Sprout waiting for her. Sighing Ginny bent down and began to pluck ahspodels this time from another flowerbed.

The door opened again and shut. Ginny looked up to see Draco standing there.

"Well I'm off now. I'll come back in a little while." Said Sprout and left. She locked the door firmly behind her.

"How long is that hag going to make us do this?" asked Draco put off.

"As long as it takes to finish the job." Ginny mumbled.

Draco stared at her disdainfully. "How can you do that?" he asked staring as she picked up a fistful of ashpodel and dirt.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "It's simple. You see I take my hand and-"

"No not that." Said Draco. "How can you bring yourself to-to-"

Ginny smirked. "To touch dirt?"

"Frankly yes." He replied.

Ginnys grin widened.

Draco stared at her warily. "Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked suspiciously.

"Like what?" asked Ginny smiling like a Cheshire cat.

"Like tha-"

SPLAT! Draco suddenly felt dirt hit him squarely in the shoulder.

"Ginny!" he exclaimed. "Do you know how much these robes cost?"

Ginny just giggled and bent down to pick another handful of dirt. She suddenly felt something cold being shoved down the back of her robes. Looking up she saw Draco putting his wand away.

Ginny scooped another handful and threw it at him. It hit him smack in the face. She giggled uncontrollably and suddenly felt his hands grab her wrists. Dirt floated above her head and fell down on her.

She let out a shriek of laughter as Draco cried out. He had obviously not counted on the dirt falling onto him also. Ginny opened her eyes to take a look at Dracos state. He was covered in dirt making his hair look sandy brown. He held both her wrists to her sides with each hand. He was at the moment laughing uproariously with her and then caught her gaze.

Draco stared at Ginny. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were twinkling with delight. She looked so carefree and....simple. As if she hadn't a worry in the world. Her chest was heaving up and down as she tried to catch her breathe. Draco sucked in a small breath. But he'd decided last night...he couldn't, he just couldn't do that to her.....but for now he could revel in the feeling of finding a friend in her.

"What?" Ginny huffed out with a small grin on her face. "I can't look that bad even though I'm covered in dirt....can I?"

Draco looked at her with his twinkling gray eyes and smiled as he let go of her wrists.

'it's not fair.' Ginny thought. 'How come he looks all-elegant and noble while covered in dirt while I look like something the cat dragged in?'

A boyish smirk formed on his mouth as he shook his head. "Actually-"he drawled. "-the look is quite becoming on you. Better than those hand me down robes." He said smirking.

Ginny raised an eyebrow at him. "I don't think you'll ever get tired of those retorts about my familys' lack of money." She sighed. "What can I say? Some of us can never grow up."

"And some of us can never get rich." He replied. "It takes hard work-"

"Oh yea allot of hard work. Inheriting your families' fortune IS NOT hard work." Ginny scoffed.

Malfoy smirked. "Yes it is." He replied. "you have to make sure and stay on grandfathers good side or else he'll donate all the money to the ministry or give it to some long lost son."

Ginny rolled her eyes and suddenly heard Professor Sprout open the door.

"My GOODNESS!" she exclaimed staring at the two. "What happened in here?"

"Well you see one tends to become dirty while taking ashpodel out of DIRT." Said Draco pointedly.

"I'd understand that if you two HAD plucked ashpodel." Said professor Sprout. "I'd think you two would be too old for such childish games. Mr. Malfoy I expect better from Head Boy."

"A Head Boy who has detention might I add." Draco replied smoothly.

Professor Sprout pursed her lips and waved her wand at the two. Ginny found herself clean again with no traces of dirt on her. "You two will stay here and pluck ALL of the ashpodel as this is my last night invigilating you two. No more third chances." She replied and turned to leave.

"When did we even have a second chance?" Draco asked after the slamming door.

"Great." Ginny said bitterly. "And I have TWO unfinished essays due tomorrow."

Draco looked at Ginny lazily. He took his wand out and pointed at the flower bed. All of the asphodel emerged and floated into the basket beside Ginny.

"Why didn't you do that before?" Ginny demanded. "Now that old hag is going to come in after about THREE hours to let us out."

"If I had done that before-"Draco replied mischievously. "-I wouldn't get to spend extra time with you."

Ginnys cheeks suddenly became tinged with light pink.

"I can't believe this." Said Ginny sitting down on a stool.

"What?" asked Draco plopping down beside her.

"Well-you being nice." She said matter of factly.

"I am NOT being nice." Draco suddenly cut in. "I'm just being devilishly charming."

Ginny gave him a small smile.

"I use to hate your guts you know." She commented dryly.

"I thought you still did." He drawled.

Ginny stared at him. "You know you're not as bad as I thought you'd be."

"Wow what a compliment." Draco replied dryly. "And you're not the goody two shoes as I thought you to be."

"What made you change your mind about me?" she asked.

Draco looked at her thoughtfully. "Actually when I found out about your right hook." He admitted grinning boyishly. Ginny felt her heartbeat quicken. How she had started to pine for that grin of his.

"And what made you stop hating my guts?" he asked smirking.

"Well-"Ginny drawled smiling slyly at him. "-ever since I found out that you have the ability to feel." She said smirking.

"And just how did you find that out?" he asked sarcastically.

"When I realized how your eyes twinkle whenever you're happy." She replied giving him a dimple smile.

Draco stared at her for a minute stunned. "Just how long do you stare at me?" he asked covering up his surprise with coyness.

"Oh any blind man can notice how you're eyes twinkle when you smile." She said ruffling his hair lightly. "You look ten times better when you smile you know." She said.

Draco suddenly pulled back. "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you." He said looking at her strictly.

"Same here." Said Ginny. She then cursed. "I wish I'd brought my essays with me." She said after seeing his questioning glance. "I'll have to stay up all night to finish them now."

Draco's eyes suddenly lit up. He took his wand out. "Lets bunk detention." He said suddenly.

"Are you nuts?" asked Ginny.

"Probably." Draco drawled as he went over to unlock the door.

"You know we're not allowed to have wands during detention. They might have sensors or something around here to make sure-"

"If they did Professor Sprout would've come in when I'd been using my wand to throw dirt at you." He said smirking as the door opened. "She'll never know that we were gone." He said. "We'll come back in half an hour."

Ginny followed him hesitantly. "What are we going to do?" she asked.

Draco rolled his eyes. "We're going to dance naked in the moonlight." He replied testily.

Ginnys eyes widened.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Weasley I challenge you to a Quidditch match." He said smirking. "You played seeker year before last when Potter was banned from the Quidditch team." He took a small golden snitch out form his pocket.

"Where'd you get that?" asked Ginny.

Draco smirked. "I always kept it with me for practicing."

"Alright then first one to catch the snitch wins." Ginny concluded catching on. Draco stared at her for a minute.

"Hold on a minute-"he began.

"What are you afraid of being beaten by a girl?" Ginny asked smirking.

Draco looked at her. "Oh yes I'm absolutely positive that I'll be beaten by a girl whose only ridden a broom for one year whereas I've been riding practically since the day I was born."

"I have too." Ginny added. "As soon as I was old enough I would 'borrow' my older brothers brooms and ride them behind their backs."

Draco puffed out his chest. "Still I'm older so I've been riding longer than you-Hah." he concluded.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Real mature." She retorted and rolled her eyes as she followed Draco.

He got their brooms out and handed Ginny hers. Draco got out the schools snitch using his Team Captain keys.

"I'm not using my fifty galleon snitch." He explained locking the shed.

They mounted their brooms.

.Draco let go of the snitch..

"On three." He said. "one....two...thr-"

But Ginny had sped off.

"You little Gryffindor cheater!" he yelled and raced after her. He heard her shouts of glee as she raced ahead of him. Draco willed his broom to go forward and soon enough he was right behind her. "I must admit I thought you were too noble for such a stunt." He yelled from behind her.

In reply Ginny only sped up leaving Draco behind. He willed his broom to race forward.

He was suddenly behind her again. Ginny dived down with a look of concentration on her face. Draco assumed that she'd seen the snitch and followed hot on her trail. He even reached ahead of her only to find that the snitch was no where in sight. He suddenly realized the stunt she was pulling and pulled out of his dive.

Ginny swerved upward and stared at him questioningly. Her eyes suddenly widened as she looked at him and set off straight ahead towards him. Dracos eyes widened and ducked his broom downwards. He barely managed to miss crashing into her. Looking behind him, he saw Ginny with one hand outstretched.

Draco turned quickly and caught up with her. Just before her hand closed around the snitch he grabbed her from behind and pulled her onto his broom.

"Oh you cheater." She humphed and looked longingly at the snitch that had escaped her clutches..

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You should talk." He replied.

Ginny giggled as her hair flew around her and Dracos faces. She used one hand to pull it back and secure it inside a messy, windblown ponytail. She almost lost her balance but Draco grabbed her with a free arm to support her. His eyes suddenly sparked devilishly as he dived down at top speed on his broom. He doubted that Ginny had ever gone so fast on her broom. Then just as he was about to hit the ground he pulled up and into the air.

"Aren't you going to shriek and clutch at me out of terror?" he asked playfully.

"And why would I dot that?" asked Ginny.

"Well whenever I perform that little stunt most girls yell and clutch at me." He replied.

"Is that why you performed the Wronskei Feint with me on your broom?" she asked mischievously.

"Maybe." Said Draco his eyes glittering with mischief.

'His eyes' Ginny thought dreamily. 'Are like my window into his soul'

Ginny suddenly brought the fact that professor Sprout would be back soon to Dracos attention and they decided to head back.

OoOOoOooOoOOOOOoooOOOooOOOOoOOO

Draco and Ginny suddenly found themselves looking forward to their detentions. Ginny found herself finding a friend in Draco. A true friend. They laughed for hours on end together and Draco would sometimes playfully flirt with her. Ginny would laugh and smack his arm. She found herself feeling safe around him. She'd literally go mad if she wasn't close to him and would dream about when detention would begin.

Ginny regretfully admitted to herself that she was forming a small crush on Draco. "What is it with me and untouchable men?" she had asked Shelly mournfully when after a weeks goading and coaxing she had finally told Shelly about her detentions with Draco.

She had conveniently left out most parts and just said that he acted civil towards her and that she was developing a small crush on him. Shelly after all wasn't THAT good of a friend.

By the end of two weeks Ginny finally plucked up the courage to ask him to help her with Potions.

He stared at her. "You know I would but my detention punishment is up. It's my last night."

"And you're going to use it to help me with Potions." Said Ginny stoutly.

"I am?" he asked blankly.

"You are." She replied and took her potions work out.

"I might need some convincing." He said smirking as he whispered against her ear.

"Oh you'll get your reward. Trust me." said Ginny and pulled away. She brought her potions homework out and put it in front of him. "Explain to me how in the world asphodel mixes in with mandrake leaves to create a cheering potion." She said stoutly. "they're opposite elements! They should be creating a negative effect."

"But asphodel essence is a primary element." He added. "there are exceptions where primary elements are concerned."

"What?" asked Ginny confused.

Draco sighed. "You do know the primary elements right?"

Ginny nodded.

"Do you know their effects when mixed with subsidiary elements or even antithesis elements?" he asked.

Ginny shook her head and Draco began to give her a long lecture on the reactions of different potion elements and their effects when mixed with their previous or similar or opposite forms.

"You have to have your basics straight." He explained. "before you can actually learn anything else."

Ginny listened to him with rapt attention. After a tiresome two hours Ginny thought she had suddenly become a potions master. Draco felt as if his voice box was going to dry up and stop working.

"Remind me not to give you anymore lectures." He said in a hoarse yet elegant voice. "Which reminds me. My reward."

Ginny shook her head. "Isn't helping a friend enough of a reward for you?" asked Ginny.

Draco seemed to contemplate this for a moment before saying. "Come to think of it-no it's not." He replied drawling.

Ginny let out an exasperated sigh. Professor Flitwick then entered and allowed them out. Just as Ginny was about to part ways with Draco she felt him suddenly garb her arm she looked back at him questioningly.

"I'll hold you to that reward." He said playfully.

"Oh for heavens sake." Ginny said letting out a breath. She stared at him for a moment before leaning towards him. She gave him a quick peck on the check before leaving.

"Not good enough Weasley!" he called from behind her. Ginny just waved her hand at him and walked on. She didn't turn to face him because she was unable to keep the huge smile off her face.

Ginny shook her head. She couldn't believe that she had actually formed a friendship with Draco Malfoy.

She entered the common room to see Hermione sitting by the fire with crookshanks in her lap.

"How'd detention go Ginny?" asked Hermione looking up from her text book wearily.

Ginny shrugged. "It went O.K." she replied. Ginny had to admit that she was still angry at Hermione for being so distant with her. However she was extremely unsuccessful at keeping a huge smile off her face.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "A detention with Malfoy went O.K.? That's a first."

Ginny let out a small chuckle. "He's not half bad to look at during detention. Today was my last night of detention with him."

"Tell me about it." Said Hermione mischievously. "WE have to sit and sort out house points every Friday."

"Which reminds me when's the next prefect meeting?" asked Ginny suddenly.

Hermione shrugged. "We haven't had one yet because our Head Boy has such a busy schedule what with detention, quidditch and other Head Boy duties." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Most of his Head Boy duties include him, a girl and a closet."

"What?" asked Ginny her brows furrowing.

Hermione tsked at her. "It's common knowledge that Malfoy has well-"she shifted. "-become what one might call a player. He snogged Hannah Abbot in the broom cupboard yesterday. I caught them on my midnight patrols."

"But-but-" Ginny stuttered. "-he has detention with me!"

"until midnight." Hermione corrected gently. "After that he's free to go wherever he wants-although that's going against school rules." She added scowling.

"He always goes straight to his dorms." Ginny said feeling her knees become weak. She sat down in an armchair behind her.

Hermiones brows furrowed. "Everything OK?"

"Yea." Said Ginny breathlessly. "Just fine." She didn't know why she suddenly felt-crushed. She shook her head. 'Stop it Gin.' She commanded herself. 'Think rationally. It's not as if Draco Malfoy would ever like you.'

She groaned and put a hand to her face.

"Are you okay?" asked Hermione again standing up. Crookshanks jumped from his place in her lap and hissed at her before leaving.

"Yes." Said Ginny forcefully. "I'm just sleepy." She admitted. "I have detention and homework and then prefect duties." She rubbed her eyes. "it's all just finally getting to me I guess."

Hermione smiled sympathetically. "Well you only have about two more weeks."

"Yea." Said Ginny glumly and got up to go.

"Listen Gin." Hermione began nervously. Ginny looked at her. Hermione took a deep breath. "I know I haven't exactly been well-a good friend lately-"

"That's the understatement of the year." Ginny cut in dryly.

Hermione has the decency to look ashamed. "Well-you see-I sort of felt that I had to look after you from now on or something because well..." Hermione trailed off.

"Because what?" asked Ginny.

"Because well Ginny you've always been like a little sister to me. And-and I got worried especially since you were having all those bad dreams." She added quickly.

"you knew?" Ginny gaped.

"Of course I knew." Hermione said. "It's hard not to know that your roommate for a whole summer had been having nightmares."

"Oh." Was all Ginny said and she shifted her gaze towards the fire.

"Anyway Ginny I'm sorry for being-distant lately." Hermione ended. "And-I miss having a girl friend that I can talk to with frankness." Hermione rolled her eyes. "All Rona and Harry ever talk about these days is Quidditch tactics. That's the price I have to pay for both of them being on the team."

Ginny giggled.

"So tell me how'd Malfoy look tonight?" Hermione asked raising her eyebrow playfully.

Ginny laughed. "He looked like he wanted to throw me into the Great lake and feed me to the giant squid." Said Ginny.

Hermione laughed. "Doesn't he look like that to everyone?"

"I suppose he looks differently at Hannah Abbot." Ginny deadpanned.

This sent Hermione into peals of laughter.

"Hey Ginny have you heard about that dance party on Halloween?" Hermione asked suddenly staring at her.

Ginny shook her head no.

"It's at this shop called-"she scrunched up her face in thought. "-madam puffyskins or something."

Ginny laughed. "I think you mean Madam Puddifoots."

"Oh whatever her name is." Hermione said off handedly. "Why don't you go with Ron, Harry and me?"

Ginny shifted uncomfortably. "Are you sure? I mean maybe they don't want me to come."

"of course we want you to come." Said a voice behind Ginny. She turned to see Harry and Ron coming down the stairs. It was Ron who had spoken.

"There's just one problem." Said Harry. "You need a partner to get in."

"Well I could go with Hermione and Ginny, you and Harry can go together." Said Ron.

"Are you three sure?" asked Ginny. "I'm not going to interrupt you three and you're top secret stuff am i?" She added sarcastically.

Ron rolled his eyed. "Come off it Gin." He said. "The four of us are going together and that's that."

Ginny smiled.

Harry smiled wanly at Ginny.

Ginny suddenly felt herself turn a pleasant shade of red.

"So it's settled." Said Hermione. "I'm going to leave early for Hogsmeade though as I have some shopping to do. You three can come later on. Thank God it's a Hogsmeade day on Halloween."

Ginny stifled yawn. "Well I'm beat. I best go off to bed."

Ginny lay in bed and contemplated her feelings. She was finally going to go out with HARRY POTTER her lifetime crush. Oh sure it was just as friends and in reality it was actually a tactic for getting into the Halloween party but still! She should be elated....then why did the crushed feelings she had over Draco going out with Hannah Abbot dominate the feel of ecstasy she had at going out with Harry?

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