Author's Note: So this idea popped in my head the other day and since 5 Easy Steps sorta flopped I thought I would give this a try. It's another Draco/Ginny story but what I hope isn't the same old thing. Anyway, this is just a tester chapter so tell me what you think and if you like it I'll keep writing and if not I'll ditch it. Anyways, here it goes...

Make-Believe and Reality

Summary: Ginny's sick and tired of pining after the boy-who-doesn't-notice-her. So she decides to take matters into her own hands. She starts to date the one boy she knows Harry will never approve of, but only pretend of course. But what happens when she can't separate make believe from reality anymore?

Chapter 1

I stood in the middle of the hallway trying to gain some strength. I was determined to ask Harry to the Halloween Ball today. I took a few breaths counting them as I went.

In through nose, out through mouth, in through nose, out through mouth…

After I had done 8 I decided it was time. I rolled back my shoulders, flipped my hair back and started to walk down the hall towards Harry. He was standing with all of the other Gryffindor sixth years, which made me slightly nervous, but I had a plan. I would just ask Harry if I could talk to him alone for a second. That would be ok, right?

"Oh, Ginny, hi!" said Hermione as I approached the group.

"Hey guys. Um, Harry could I talk to you for a sec.?" I asked hesitantly. I started to think that maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

"Sure Gin," said Harry with a smile. Of course, this nearly made me faint. I love it when he smiles that I'm-so-hot-yet-modest smile. He walked with me down the hall a bit until we were out of the earshot of the group.

"So, what's up?" he asked kindly. He's always so nice and friendly.

"Well…err…umm…I just….I wanted to ask…umm….will you…will you…will you be at dinner?" I asked chickening out.

He looked at me strange but answered. "Course Gin, where else would I be?"

"Oh, umm, well, actually…" I take a deep breath. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Halloween Ball with me, like a date you know?"

Instantly Harry's face changed. It got harder, he looked uncomfortable and I knew his answer before he gave it.

"Ginny, you know I like you, you're one of my best mates, but I don't like you like that. I'm really sorry. Um, I've got to get to Transfiguration. You should ask someone else; there are tons of guys who would love to go with you." He finished with a pitying smile on his face. He then turned and nearly ran to his class.

I felt like a statue. I knew that I should probably go somewhere but I couldn't find the will to leave. I stood their trying to figure out what had happened. It just didn't make sense. Over the summer Harry had been talking to me so much and it seemed like he finally liked me back.

As the news sunk in I felt hot tears rush to my eyes as a large lump formed in my throat. I didn't even try to resist. Who would see me cry? Who would care? I didn't remember getting on the ground but the next thing I knew I was sitting on the floor with my head against my knees crying out the fragments of my heart.

I probably sat there for a good fifteen minutes before a sharp pain interrupted me. I looked up to see someone tripping over my foot, which had been stuck out ahead of me.

"Hey! Watch it!" yelled a male voice as the boy picked himself up off the ground. He turned around to probably yell some more but stopped, shocked, when he saw me on the ground.

I was pretty shocked too, but I was shocked at my horrible luck. Today had to be the worst day I had ever experienced because the boy who had tripped over me was Draco Malfoy.

It took a second before the shocked look on his face disappeared behind his cool façade. He was now smirking down at me like a predator who had cornered his prey.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the weaslette." he said. "What's wrong weaslette, just realized that your family's poor?"

I got to my feet, wanting to get away as quickly as possible. "Shut up Malfoy!" I said with as much hate as I can muster at the moment.

"Oh, is something wrong?" he asked in a mock baby voice. "Did the boy-wonder dump you or something?" he asked mockingly not realizing how close he had come to the truth.

I turned my head to give him what was suppose to be a loathing glare but must have been more of a pathetic grimace instead before I ran away, crying again.

The day that was suppose to be my happiest had turned into my saddest. I knew I was acting pathetic but I couldn't stop thinking about how I had already imagined what would have happened once he said yes.

In my fantasy, we would go to the ball and everyone would think that we were the cutest couple. He would dance with me and only me the whole night and then he would kiss me goodnight. After that, we would continue to be boyfriend and girlfriend for many years, until he destroyed You-Know-Who. Then we would get married and we would live happily-ever-after.

But what was it now that he had said no? Just a silly little girl's dream that would never come true.

I wasn't even sure where I was going but I kept running until I found myself outside at the Quidditch pitch. I went into the Gryffindor locker room and grabbed out my Cleansweep 8. It wasn't that great but it had worked for me.

I was off the ground the second I was outside again. I loved the feel of the wind as it pulled my hair up and off my shoulders. Normally I would have flown around to get used to flying but today I needed an escape so I started to go up as high as I dared and started flying as fast as my broom would allow. It felt nice to leave all my thoughts behind and just concentrate on the weightlessness of flying.

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I watched her as she ran away only seeing that sad look she had given me before she left. I figured I must have struck a nerve with something I said but normally she got mad but she was just in agony. For a split second I felt the need to find out what was wrong, to protect her. But then I realized whom I was thinking about and the thought left as quickly as it came.

She was a Weasley, for God's sake. And Malfoys never did anything for Weasleys. Even if the said Weasley was very attractive. Even while crying she looked pretty. Her brown eyes only seemed bigger and more beautiful when they were filled with tears. And her cheeks got all red like she had been having a serious make out session. I stopped myself before I could get any further. It wouldn't ever happen, not that I would ever want it to.

I shook my head before turning back around. Obviously, I need a good shag. And I know just where to find it, I thought to myself as I started on my search for Pansy Parkinson. Because, even if she was annoying, she was a good shag.

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The doors to the Great Hall loomed before me. I had finally stopped crying and gotten control of myself. My heart still felt like it had been broken into a million pieces but unfortunately, my stomach betrayed me and made me so hungry that I couldn't ignore it anymore. I would just have to suck it up and deal with it.

I pushed open the door as quietly as I could but still a few people glanced in my direction before turning back to their dinner. I put my head down and nearly sprinted to the Gryffindor table. I took the first open seat I could find without looking up, however, I didn't realize until I had sat down that Harry was only a few seats down from me and across the table. I tried to sneak a peek without him noticing, only to find that he was already looking at me. He had a look of pity that made me feel both sad and angry.

I guess I would always just be that little girl who hero-worshiped him. I was mostly angry at myself for even believing that he would like me; for thinking that we would have a happy ending like the ones I read about in books; for thinking that I deserved a great guy like Harry.

My vision turned red and blurry as I just grabbed the first food that I could find and started to eat as quickly as I could. I didn't look up or talk to anyone until I felt someone tap my shoulder.

"Hey Ginny," said a cheerful voice. I looked up to see Seamus standing next to me. I looked around and saw that most of the table was deserted by now, as most had finished their dinner. Luckily Harry was also gone.

"Hi Seamus," I said with as much enthusiasm as I could. I shouldn't take my bad day out on him. He'd always been nice to me and friendly even though he was a year ahead.

"So are you going to the Halloween Ball on Friday? Because I was wondering if you would go with me?" he asked with a cocky smile. He seemed confident that he already knew what the answer was.

"Actually I'm not sure if I'm going to go." I said miserably.

"Oh, come on Gin, you know we'll have fun. I realize that not all of us can be as great as Harry but…"

"Wait! Did Harry put you up to this?!" I screech.

"Well, I mean he did tell me that you were looking for someone to go with but he didn't pay me or anything. I'm doing this out of the kindness of my own heart." He said looking a little offended.

"Oh, well, I suppose I should thank you for being kind enough to want to take me to the Ball with you. It's so generous after all. I mean who would want to go with me right?!" I yelled at him. Before, I may have felt sorry for him, but now I just want to rip him to shreds.

"Now Ginny, hold on. I didn't mean it like that…" he began.

"Save it Seamus. You boys are all the same! I don't want to deal with you anymore. Go find another girl!" I said hatefully as I get up and walk out of the room.

I storm up to the tower, the entire way thinking about how mad I am at Seamus, Harry, and myself. How could boys hurt girls like that without even giving it a second thought? That was just embarrassing! It's not enough that I was rejected by a boy who I've loved since I first met him; no; now the boy who rejected me is just trying to find me a date out of pity. Or maybe it's not even pity; maybe he just wants me with someone else so that he doesn't have to deal with my feelings for him anymore.

At the portrait I say the password and walk into the common room just wanting to get upstairs and get out some chocolate before crying myself to sleep. However, before I've gone more than two feet I hear my name.

"Ginny are you ok?" questioned Hermione as she walks over to me. I look around and don't see Harry or Ron anywhere so they must have already gone upstairs and she waited for me.

"I'm fine Hermione." I said, though not convincingly.

"Harry's really sorry Gin but he doesn't like you like that. I thought you had gotten over him anyway. You went out with Micheal Corner last year and I thought you might have had a thing for Seamus now. I think he was even going to ask you to the Ball," she said almost to herself.

"Oh, yea, he asked me, after Harry practically begged him to so that he wouldn't have to deal with me anymore." I ranted.

"Gin, I hardly think that Harry begged Seamus to ask you out. Maybe he just encouraged him but…"

"So you knew about it too huh? I guess you were all just having a big laugh about me, the girl who can't get a date. Bet that's why Harry doesn't like me too, because he thinks I'm a pathetic loser!"

"No, he doesn't. He just, well, he…he…"

"What Hermione?! Spit it out!"

"Well, honestly Gin, he said that he thinks you're too young for him. He said that you're too young and innocent to be dealing with him and all of the drama in his life. I kind of agree with him. He lives each day with the thought that it's a day closer to the end. You don't want to have to live like that. And he's gone a lot further with girls than you know. I don't think he wants to take away your virginity, you know." She said in a whisper.

"Oh, so it's not that he doesn't think we're combatable or that he doesn't like my personality; he just thinks I'm too sweet and innocent! Well, I'll show him and you and anyone else who thinks that! I'm not the little girl who was taken advantage of and I'll prove it!" I screamed at her though she's only a foot from me. She visibly flinches back and looks a little lost.

"Gin, I didn't mean it like that…" she implored.

"You know I've heard that so much and I just don't believe it anymore. You meant what you said so just take responsibility for it. Oh, and one more thing, I've always hated the name Gin, I'm not an alcoholic drink, and you would know that if any of you took a second to really notice me as something more than Ron's little sister!" I screamed before turning around and stamping off to my dormitory with everyone watching. I don't even care or notice as I'm deep in thought planning my next move. Harry would soon see that I'm not a little girl anymore.

Author's Note: Well, review and tell me what you think. Also, if you want to check out another Draco story go to my page and check out The Diamond in the Rough. It's got quite a few chapters so if it's something you're interested in and you're bored check it out. Luv Ya!

XOXOX Jessica XOXOX