*Gryffindor Common Room*

Ginny was sitting in one of the armchairs by the fire when Harry returned to the Common Room; she had been slightly surprised to see the two of them leave together. But Hermione had always hated fighting with her two best friends, so it was inevitable that she would have been the one to start the talk. She was more surprised by the fact that Harry came over and sat down in the chair next to her, her temper was still flared, did he want to go another round? Ginny sat in silence, waiting for him to say something, maybe if she was lucky he'd have his head on straighter than Ron.

It was a few minutes before Harry finally felt brave enough to speak, "Hi, Ginny. I was hoping we could, um, talk… about everything."

To show that she was listening, Ginny closed her book, gripping it tightly in her hands, just in case she needed to throw it at him.

"I, I wanted to ask about what really upset you the other day, because I want to know what it was that got you mad. That way, I can try to not do it again, I don't like fighting. I honestly feel like by the end of the row the other night, we were both just mad and not really listening to each other. Do you want to tell me?" he asked, nervously clasping his hands together.

In the other chair, Ginny regarded him, clearly the conversation with Hermione went well if he was also trying to mend this bridge. "Are you actually going to listen?"

"Yes, and I promise not to start yelling if you don't," he told her, chuckling lightly.

Ginny gave him the smallest of smiles, knowing that she was more than capable of out-yelling any of her brothers. She was definitely her mother's daughter. "Well, what started everything was when you bombarded me in the library the other night. No, that's not right… what started it was that night we all studied together... When you refused to sit at the same table as Draco, you and Ron moved tables and then you told me to move.

"At first I had been excited, I thought you really wanted to help me study, but then when I saw the look on your face, I realized that I was wrong. You were just trying to pull me away from 'the enemy' because you think you have to protect me! I already have 6 older brothers, I really don't need another one," Ginny said rapidly. But she paused, realizing that she was getting mad again, so she took a few breaths, calming herself down before she continued.

"I was so mad at that, I'm very capable of handling myself, you should know that by now, especially after last year! But I was capable before that, I've gotten really good at Jinxes you know. But to you, I am still Ron's little sister, the one everyone has to look after. What makes it so much worse, is that you've never realized how much that hurts me. I've been waiting for years for you to see me as my own person Harry. So that was the last straw. Now I'll admit, that I did purposefully try and make you mad, because I wanted to upset you. I do apologize for that, it really only made things worse."

"I knew it! I just didn't know why," Harry commented "Although, I can understand why you got so mad now. You're right, I haven't seen you as your own person, I've been afraid to, we grew up together, you are supposed to be like a sister to me. Honestly, I've been fighting with my feelings this whole year, especially after I saw you with Dean; up until then, I didn't really know what true jealous felt like. By the time I recognized it, I was afraid to admit the truth, I felt like I'd be betraying Ron somehow. If that makes any sense," Harry trailed off, feeling like a weight just flew off of his shoulders. He hadn't realized how much he had needed to talk about this, how good it would be to finally sort out his feelings.

Ginny smiled at him, amazed that he really did feel something for her, "So all this time we could have been dating, but you've just been so confused that you didn't say anything about it?"

"Uh, well when you put it that way…"

Ginny leaned forward and kissed him, arms wrapping around his neck. Harry jumped, surprised by her sudden movement, but he smiled in the kiss, his chest exploding. When Ginny felt him smiling, she pulled away, giggling uncontrollably. She had kissed Harry Potter, the guy of her dreams, it had really happened. She giggled even more when she saw his red face and beaming smile, clearly he was just as happy about it.

"I'm still mad at you ya know," Ginny tried to confess through her giggles. "It was rather rude the way you verbally accosted me in the library."

Harry looked down, "That wasn't my brightest moment. I really felt like you were just pretending to be nice to him to get to me. But after I talked with Hermione, I realize that both of you really get along with him. For some unknown reason, honestly, it's weird for me. I'm sorry for that too, for thinking that you would fake a friendship with someone, even a Slytherin. You see the good in people, if they have any, you have so many friends, in all of the Houses because of that. I just didn't understand how someone like Malfoy could be deserving of your friendship.

"Plus I was horribly jealous that he got to spend more time with you than I did, my judgment was really clouded. That was not the way to approach you. But I am glad that we finally had this talk, now I can really see just how much you value your friendships. Because if you didn't really like Malfoy, you would never have gotten so mad about it, now that I'm calmer, I can see that. I'm glad that you're my friend Ginny," Harry finished, looking into her eyes, hoping that she knew he was truly sorry.

"Damn straight I was mad! I can befriend whomever I wish, it's my trust to give, and you and Ron are horrible at seeing that. Ron especially! But I'm glad that you've pulled your head out of your arse. I'm not going to apologize for sticking up for my new friendship, although I will apologize for all the harsh things that I said to you when I got mad. But I hope after all of this, I'm more than just a friend Harry Potter," Ginny countered, smiling slyly at the older boy.

Harry returned the smile, nodding his head, "Definitely more than friends. Will you be my girlfriend Ginny?"

In response, Ginny leaned forward again, giving him another kiss. Their celebration was cut short when Ron came down from the Dorms, seeing them kissing.

"Oi, when did this happen? I came down here wondering if you got back after talking with Hermione and what do I find?" he asked, almost dropping his chess set on his foot.

Ginny just laughed at her brother's expression, leaving Harry to tell him, "Um, just now? We talked everything out and well, now we're dating?"

"It's not a question Harry, we don't need Ron's approval! You can't be mad Ron," Ginny looked at her older brother, daring him to spoil her happiness.

"It's just… surprising is all. But Harry's my best mate, and you're my sister, I kinda have to be happy about it right?" Ron shrugged, trying to get over it.

Ginny got up and hugged him, happy that he wasn't blowing it all out of proportion; then she pulled him down into the last open chair, letting the two friends play chess together. She spent the rest of the night grinning, unable to believe that things were finally balancing out; she'd have to thank Hermione for getting the ball rolling. If she had waited any longer to apologize, Ginny might have started going crazy.

None of them noticed the smirks and gossip going around the Common Room, some students even exchanging money; it was about time those two got their heads on straight. Ron and Harry only played a few games before both of them started to yawn; Ginny suggested they all head to bed. Ron smartly excused himself first, looking away as the couple smiled at each other.

"Are we going to tell everyone?" Harry asked, reaching forward to hold her hand.

"Well, I'm sure by tomorrow, all the students will know, but if it's alright with you, I would like to write a letter to Mum. She's only kinda known about my crush on you for years, I think she'll be happy to have you come over as my boyfriend now."

"Okay, I'll be expecting a letter in the mail, telling me that under no circumstances am I spending the night as your boyfriend! Only as Ron's friend. That might get a little complicated," Harry mused.

"Good night Harry," Ginny laughed, agreeing with his statement.

"Night Ginny," he returned, leaning down to kiss her goodnight.

Both of them had huge smiles on their faces as they went up to their beds, Ginny writing a quick note to put on Hermione's pillow. Then she spent the next few hours smiling into her pillow, trying not to squeal like a five year old.

*Portrait*

As the pair reached The Fat Lady, Draco pulled Hermione into a soft hug, holding her close- the night had been rather draining for him. He knew he didn't have to say anything to Hermione about it either, all he needed was to have her in his arms and the stress melted away. Draco was started to feel like he could fall asleep standing, right in the hallway, when Hermione's voice reached his ears.

"I didn't tell you the good news did I? Before I went on patrol, Harry and I finally discussed everything. And there was no real yelling or disagreeing, just civilized talking. And I also told him that he needed to talk with Gin too, she was really upset with him. I hope it worked out for them too, I know she can be a bit of a hothead."

Draco couldn't hold back a snort of laughter, "Red, a hothead? That almost seems like an understatement. She's a firecracker through and through, bringing excitement with her everywhere. But she's the pretty kind, the one you like to watch… as long as she's not thrown at you."

"Draco! I'm going to tell her you said that!"

"Go ahead, I know she won't mind, she'll take it as a compliment. Just as long as her brother doesn't hear me say it there is nothing to worry about."

Hermione sighed at his words, "Speaking of Ron, I'm sure he's still very upset with me."

"Hey Princess, don't sweat it, he's a close friend of yours, as much as I'm loathe to admit it at times. He's always come around before. I mean there hasn't been a year that's gone by that I haven't seen the three of you sit in the same train compartment. Potter won't let him stay mad at you, and I'm sorry that I'm to blame for all of this."

Hermione sniffled and pulled her boyfriend closer, "It's not really fair for you to blame yourself like that, I know Ron doesn't like you, and you two have been nasty to each other, but we should be able to overcome our differences and see people for who they really are. I know you've been trying your hardest to be polite and he hasn't been making it easy. Harry said that he'd talk to Ron for me, so I just have to wait and see what happens."

"Don't stress about it Hermione, I'm here for you, Red is here for you, and everyone else too. Even Blaise is, just don't spread that around."

Draco's heart lifted when he heard her give a light chuckle, apparently he wasn't completely useless when a girl was upset. Truthfully, that had been one of his biggest fears when he started to realize how strong his feelings for Hermione were; he'd seen her upset time and again (and only some times because of himself) and had wanted to console her, but had no idea how to. He didn't grow up in a very warm household, loving sure, but not by any means warm. Draco only knew how to comfort himself, how to look out for his own well being. Every time he saw Hermione crying, he felt a knot in his stomach because he knew he'd never really be worthy of her, of being the right person to dry her tears.

"Draco, what's on your mind?"

"Wha- oh, sorry, I guess I spaced out," Draco stammered.

He bit his lip, not really wanting to talk about what he had just been thinking, but Hermione looked up at him with earnest eyes and he knew he couldn't keep it a secret.

"I was just thinking about how bad I am at crying, like dealing with it. Over the years, when I'd see you in tears, I'd always want to try and help, but I realized that I had no words of comfort. I had absolutely no idea how I could soothe you, I've never had any practice at it. So hearing you laugh just now at something I said really feels good."

"You shouldn't have worried, consoling isn't really something you practice at, I mean you can but, there are just some people you connect with and know what to do or say. And others that no matter what you do, you aren't going to help them so it's best to just leave them be. I'm one of the few people that can sit with Ginny when she's mad or upset, she just tolerates me best. Anyone else might get hexed so they know to stay away. Look at our first real moment together, back in the bathroom, we were both upset and had no idea what was going on but somehow, our real emotions shone through and we realized something about each other."

Draco was looking down at Hermione, fingertips brushing across her cheeks, "See, you're great with explaining stuff and knowing what to say. You didn't have to try and tell me I'm good at it already, or that Draco Malfoy could never be bad at anything, like Pansy would have said. I love that you are just honest with me, that you know the truth is better than just placating me."

"Plus, all that matters is that you do cheer me up, without even trying to, just by being yourself and I think that's the best part. When all it takes is just you to make me happy again, I think that means a lot for our relationship, don't you?"

Draco paused and thought about what she said, a large grin coming over his face, "You're absolutely right, I never really thought about that before. I mean, relationships are always cold and stoic, meant for pride and power, emotions be damned. But, with you, it is all natural and supportive, I can't believe I've missed out on this for so long."

Hermione beamed as she saw the raw emotion in his eyes, realizing that this was probably the first time Draco was ever experiencing something like this. And it made her happy that she was the one that was able to share this with him. She threw her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to get close to him, kissing his neck.

"I could stay out here all night with you Draco, just being happy and forgetting about all the troubles in the world. How can I be so happy with you when there is also so much turmoil going on around us?"

"Because in order to stay hopeful, we look for the light, it's what keeps us going strong. And now we can be strong for each other. I could stay here all night as well, but we both need rest, so I'm going to have to be the bad guy here, as usual, and be the one to say goodnight."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh as he said that, "Thank you, with me being such the goody-two-shoes, there is no way I can be the bad one in the relationship."

They stayed close for another moment before pulling away, Hermione blowing him a kiss and sending a rather saucy wink his way before quickly turning to the portrait. Draco stood still for a moment, rather shocked, but then he remembered her brazen kiss from the other night and flushes. Goody-two-shoes, yea right! But he knew he was the only one that got to see that side of her and it made him glow with emotion. His mind wandered to rather dirty places as he went back to the Dungeons get to some rest.

In the Common Room, Hermione took a moment to realize that the place wasn't in shambles, so that meant Ginny and Harry must have talked things out peacefully. With a satisfied nod, she went upstairs and into her Dormitory, changing into her pajamas and flopping onto her bed. She groaned when she felt a crunch under her head, it had sounded like paper and that meant someone needed her attention. She reached under her mass of curls and fumbled until she had the paper in her hands. She lit her wand and glanced at the note, smile suddenly pulling at her cheeks.

Hermione,
I know you won't be back until late, and I hope your patrolling went well-
but I have some awesome news! Harry and I did finally talk everything out and
we totally kissed. We're officially dating now! I can't wait to tell you about it in the morning,
so prepare yourself for an early wakeup call!
-Gin

"Thank God! It's about time," Hermione whispered to herself, smiling uncontrollably. She was sad that she had missed it, surely Ginny had been ready to explode from happiness. But they'd have all morning to gush about it and she was sure that nothing could bring down a happy mood like that! She tucked the note in her desk drawer and extinguished her wand, her mind wandering to Draco as she drifted off to sleep.

A/N: Finally, it's here! I can't believe how much trouble this section was giving me D: I did take a total break from both of my Dramione stories for a long time, hoping it would help, and it did. But the second half of this was just being a pain in the butt! I have no idea why, but I kept wanting to throw my computer through the window... so I wrote on my other stories and just left this one alone. But I did it, it's here! I wrote it in a rush, since I finally got the urge to write it, and my Beta/proof reader is asleep right now so pleeeeeease excuse any mistakes. I did my best to reread through this but I almost always miss something. Hope you enjoy this long awaited update and thank you everyone that has continued to read and enjoy this story!