All characters belong to J

Ginny's Last Chance

Chapter One:  The Start of a New Year.

A/N:  Hi everyone.  This story takes place in Ginny's sixth year.  This story is rated R for language, violence, and adult situations, most of which will come in later chapters.  Please review and be kind, as this is my first fic.

Disclaimer:  Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling. 

As sunlight streamed through Ginny's window and across her bed, she stirred and covered her head with her blanket.  She wasn't what you would call a morning person.  A few moments later she was awoken again by the sound of her brother Ron banging on her door.  "Ginny, get up!  Breakfast is ready and we have to get to Diagon Alley." 

Ron stood outside the door waiting for some kind of response.  When he didn't get one, he went downstairs to the kitchen.  "Hey Harry.  Go upstairs and wake up Ginny.  She won't listen to me." 

Harry was hesitant at first because he knew how Ginny hated being woken up, but he decided that he would give it a try.  Harry walked up the stairs to Ginny's door and knocked softly.  "Ginny?  It's Harry.  Are you up?" 

Ginny didn't answer.  She lay in her bed and at the sound of Harry's voice her face broke into a smile.  Thoughts of how long she had had a crush on him filled her mind.  For the past 5 years she had always wanted to be more than his best friend's little sister.  She thought this year would be her last chance, considering this was Harry's seventh year at Hogwarts.  She sat up in her bed and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.  "I'm up.  I'll be down in a minute."  Harry smiled and made his way down to the kitchen. 

Ginny got out of her bed and went to take a shower.  The warm water felt good as it sprayed her face.  After her shower she got dressed and looked at herself in the mirror.  She wore a slinky little summer dress that she had bought at a muggle store in London.  She had really changed physically over the summer.  Her hair was her trademark Weasley red color with blond streaks and fell to the middle of her back.  Her body had just the right curves.  She didn't look like a little girl anymore.  She liked what she saw.  She thought that Harry would finally see her as a woman and not a child.  She smiled and said to herself, "This is the year Ginny." 

When she entered the kitchen she saw that everyone was eating and chatting away.  Her brothers Fred and George were raving about their new invention for their joke shop.  Her mother was looking at them in her normal disapproving way.  Ron was updating Harry about the summer's Quidditch World Cup and her father was reading the Daily Prophet. 

Her father had aged much over the years.  The fight against Voldemort last year had taken his toll on him.  The wizarding community was again feeling safe, but he knew that Voldemort was still out there somewhere, biding his time.

Ginny made her way to the table and sat directly across from Harry.  He didn't even realize that she came into the room.  She asked him to pass her the orange juice and he raised his head and looked at her.  His mouth fell open.  He couldn't believe this was the same Ginny from last year.  Her face and body were perfect.  He had a sudden urge to cross the table and pull her into his arms. 

Ginny smiled.  She thought, "That's it.  He noticed me!"  She shook herself mentally and said, "Harry, the juice please." 

"Oh.  Sorry, here you go." Harry said as his face began to turn red. 

Ron noticed instantly the way Harry was gawking at his sister.  He felt like hitting Harry in the ribs, but thought better of it.   

After breakfast they got their things together to go to Diagon Alley.  They were going to be travelling by Floo powder, the least of Harry's favorite ways to travel.   Ron went first and shouted "Diagon Alley!" and Harry followed. 

Ginny was about to go when Fred pulled her aside and handed her a little black satin bag.  "What's this?" Ginny asked. 

"It's just some extra money I had.  Go and buy yourself something nice.  You're going to need new robes and of course I don't know any girl that wouldn't like to get new dress robes." 

Ginny smiled and gave her brother a huge hug.  "Thank you.  I'll pay you back someday when I'm a world famous writer."  Ginny turned and went into the fireplace and winked at Fred just before shouting her destination.  Mrs. Weasley was not going, as she thought that they were well of age to go by themselves. 

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When Ginny came out of the fireplace she stumbled and was about to fall when Harry caught her.  She looked up at him, liking his arms around her.  Feeling her face turning red, she straightened and said "Thanks." 

Harry smiled and said, "No problem." as he too liked the feeling of her in his arms. 

Ron glared and pulled Harry's arm to head to the back of the bar and said,  "Come on.  We have to meet Hermione at Gringotts in ten minutes."   

When they reached Gringotts, Hermione was sitting on the steps.  She smiled and ran towards them.  She was about to give Harry a hug when she noticed Ginny.  She couldn't believe her eyes.  "Ginny?  Look at you.  You look wonderful!" 

Ginny smiled and said "Thanks Hermione.  So do you."  Hermione gave her a big hug and then Harry.  She hugged Ron last and this hug seemed to last longer than the previous two.  Ginny made a mental note of that. 

After the hellos, they made their way into the bank.  They first stopped at Harry's vault.  Ginny had been there before, but every time it shocked her to see how much money Harry had.  There were piles and piles everywhere.  Harry hurriedly grabbed some money and left the vault.  He was always embarrassed at how much money he had when the Weasleys' had so little. 

When they arrived at the Weasleys vault it was not so empty.  Fred and George had been keeping their money there and it filled the vault nicely.  Ron grabbed some money for him and Ginny and left.

When they left Gringotts Ron asked, "Where should we go first?" 

Ginny and Hermione shouted together "Madam Malkin's".  Harry and Ron rolled their eyes, and thought "Girls." 

When they arrived at the robe shop a short woman came up to them and said "Hogwarts?" 

They nodded their heads and made their way to the podium to get measured.  Ginny couldn't wait to try on new dress robes.  Harry and Ron picked out theirs very quickly.  Ron chose black and Harry chose emerald green.  They were getting frustrated waiting for the girls so they decided they would go and get everyone their books.  Ron took Ginny's and Hermione's list and told them that they would meet in a half hour at the ice cream shop. 

Ginny was having trouble finding anything that she liked when she came across a beautiful silver dress.  She hurriedly tried it on and stood in front of the mirror.  The dress was made of silk and fit to her body perfectly.  She liked it very much, but thought maybe it was cut too low in the chest and was too tight, but Hermione assured her it was not. 

"Ginny, you look beautiful.  You'd be an idiot for not buying it. I bet Harry would love it." Hermione said with a smile.  That was enough convincing Ginny needed.  She told the dress woman that she would take it. 

Hermione's dress was somewhat similar being the same style and fabric, but the colour was robin egg blue.  The colour suited her perfectly.

When the girls were paying for their purchases, the bell on the door chimed and Ginny looked up to see who was coming in the store.  He strode in with his usual smirk plastered across his face.  It was Draco Malfoy.  He walked up to the counter and said, "Excuse me.  I will be needing some school robes immediately." 

The dress woman stopped ringing up the girl's purchases and said "Of course Mr. Malfoy.  Anything you need." 

The girls couldn't believe it.  Hermione cleared her throat and said, "Miss, um do you think you could finish with our purchases before moving onto the next customer?"

Draco turned his head and just realized that Hermione and Ginny were there.  He looked at Hermione and was about to say something nasty when he saw a girl he didn't recognize.  He stared at her trying to figure out who she could be, when he noticed her trademark hair.  She had to be a Weasley, he thought.  But, he couldn't remember her being so beautiful.   

Ginny was staring right into his icy grey eyes, also trying to remember when Draco was so good looking.  He had broad shoulders and muscular arms.  His hair was pure blond and soft looking.  She shook herself to stop thinking this way. 

Draco did the same and said, "Sorry Miss, I didn't realize you had customers.  When you are finished would you be so kind as to help me?" 

Hermione and Ginny couldn't believe their ears.  Was Draco Malfoy actually being polite?  Ginny smiled at him and paid for the rest of her purchases.  As Ginny and Hermione were leaving, Ginny glanced back at Draco and found that he was looking her up and down.  She smiled and he smiled back.  She left the store thinking, "This is going to be an interesting year."

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Harry and Ron were eating their ice cream waiting for the girls.   Harry glanced at his watch and stated, "They're late." 

"What else is new?" Ron said.  And then about two seconds later they saw the girls walking towards them laughing.  "What's so funny?" asked Ron. 

"Oh nothing really.  We just ran into Malfoy at the dress shop." Hermione said still laughing. 

"Why is that funny?" asked Harry.  Ginny and Hermione filled them in on what had happened. 

Ron said "Are you sure that it was Malfoy?  I mean, being nice really isn't his style." 

"We're sure." the girls said in unison. 

Then Ginny said, "He's really not that bad.  He seemed nice enough."  They were looking at her like she was crazy. 

Ron yelled, "Ginny, you don't know him like we do.  You stay away from him.  Do you understand me?" 

Ginny was just about to say something to the effect of you're not my father and you can't tell me what to do, but saw the serious looks on her friends faces.  Instead, she decided upon,  "Okay Ron.  Whatever you say."

**************************************

When Ginny got into bed that night she was thinking over the days events.  The fact that Harry noticed her for the first time as a person and not Ron's little sister.  Her mind then started to think about Draco.  How gorgeous he was and how nice he seemed.  This last thought made her stomach twitch.  Why was she thinking about him anyway?  She should be happy that Harry might be interested in her.  But every time she tried to think about Harry her mind always went back to Draco.  How he looked when he smiled and how it made her feel when he looked at her.  She finally fell asleep with her last thoughts being; "I wonder what it would feel like to be kissed by Draco."

**************************************

The next morning was as hectic as it usually was on the first day back at school.  Ginny checked her trunk to make sure she didn't forget anything and was about to lug it down the stairs when Harry came into her room and said with a smile, "I'll take your trunk downstairs for you." 

Ginny smiled and said "Thank you" and passed Harry to get to the stairs.  As she walked passed she could feel Harry smelling her hair and smiled thinking, "He obviously is trying to get your attention.  Why is it that I can't ever say more than two words to him?"   

When they arrived at King's Cross Station, Harry, Ron and Hermione were becoming a little sad, as this would be their last time to leave from platform 9 ¾.  Ginny was also feeling a bit nervous because this time next year she would be taking this journey alone.          

All and all, they tried to make it the best trip ever.  They filled onto the train and found an empty compartment towards the back.  Ron sat next to Hermione and to Ginny's relief Harry sat next to her.  They played games and talked.  Eventually, Hermione, Harry and Ron had fallen asleep and Ginny began writing. 

Harry opened his eyes and turned to her and asked her what she was writing.  "Oh, um, it's just a story that I can't seem to stop writing." she said nervously. 

Harry smiled and asked, "Can I read it when it's done?" 

Ginny thought for a moment.  Horrified that if he did read it that he might realize that the hero in her story was based on him, she smiled and said "Sure, when its finished," hoping that he would probably forget about it. 

Harry was just about to ask Ginny how her summer was when the compartment door opened and Draco Malfoy walked in.  Draco was about to do his normal routine of pissing off the dream team, when he stopped suddenly and noticed Ginny.  "God she's beautiful." he thought. 

Ginny looked up and found herself getting lost in his icy grey eyes when suddenly Harry stood up.  Harry looked at Malfoy with pure hatred and told him to sod off.

Draco smiled and motioned to Crabbe and Goyle and said, "Lets go.  Maybe another time." 

Harry stared at him as he walked out of the compartment.  He sat down dumbfounded.  He thought, "Did Draco Malfoy actually just leave without one snide remark?"  Ron and Hermione stirred and sat up and saw the look on Harry's face and asked him what happened. 

As Harry was telling them, Ginny spoke up and said, "See.  I told you he's not that bad." 

At this, Ron got very angry and yelled, "I told you Ginny, you don't know him.  I know Malfoy and there is definitely something up his sleeve.  You just stay clear of him and you won't become one of his many victims." 

Ginny laughed and said under her breath, "Victims.  Aren't we being a little dramatic?" 

Harry turned to her and she realized he heard her.  The look on Harry's face was at first kind, but then it was like a light bulb went off in his head.  "It's because of you he didn't do anything." he said to Ginny. 

She looked at him very confused.  "Why would I make any difference?  It never stopped him before."   

Harry looked up at Ron who was getting red in the face.  Harry then tried to cover up what he said and stated, "You're right.  I don't know what I was thinking."

The rest of the trip was very uneventful.  Hermione and Ginny were talking about Hermione's trip to France, and Ron and Harry were again talking about Quidditch. 

Finally, the train started slowing down and had arrived at Hogwarts.  They started gathering up their things and Ron and Hermione left the compartment. 

As Ginny was walking out, Harry grabbed her arm, which made her jump, as being touched by Harry always did.  "Ginny, I saw the way Malfoy was looking at you.  You were the reason he left.  Please listen to Ron and stay away from him." 

Ginny looked up into his emerald green eyes, so much wanting to kiss him.  She leaned in close to him and said softly, "Harry, I doubt I have that effect on Malfoy.  Maybe he's just grown up." 

Harry wanted to grab her and pull her into his arms, but instead stated very softly, "I don't think so Ginny.  Just promise me you will try and stay away from him.  Don't give him any reason to start harassing you." 

Ginny smiled and shook her head, "Whatever you say Harry." and left the compartment.  As she climbed off the train, she thought to herself, "This is really getting annoying everyone telling me what to do."   

The night was beautifully warm.  Ginny and the rest of the gang climbed into a horseless carriage and were taken up to the castle.  Ginny walked into the Great Hall and felt like she was home again.  She sat with her back to the wall so she could look all around the room at the other students. 

Harry sat directly across from her.  He wanted to sit next to her, but Ron beat him to it.  Ron knew what was going on inside of Harry's head and no one was going to touch his baby sister, not even his best friend. 

As the sorting ceremony was being conducted, Ginny was looking around the room at the different tables.  She stopped when her eyes met the Slytherin table.  Her eyes scanned down the table until she was looking directly across from her.  He was staring at her.  She looked at Draco and was again thinking that he's not that bad.  He was certainly good looking enough.  She smiled thinking, "Maybe being with a bad boy would be kind of fun."

Draco was thinking about how much he wanted her.  She played off the sweet kind little Weasley, but Draco could see fire in her eyes.  She needed someone to bring it out of her.  Draco also noticed how much Harry was looking at her and figured if he got this girl, pissing off Harry would just be an extra bonus.  Then he thought about what the Slytherins would do.  They definitely wouldn't approve of him being with a Gryffindor, let alone a muggle loving Weasley.  "To hell with them." Draco thought.  As he was just about to think what his father would say, he noticed that Ginny was looking at him.  Not only looking, but smiling at him.  He smiled back and suddenly felt like crossing the Great Hall and kissing her passionately.  Then suddenly Dumbledore stood up and asked for quiet.  The sorting ceremony was over.

After the great feast, Ginny and the gang made their way up the common room.  Hermione, being a prefect, stated the password was pixie dust.  Ginny said good night to Ron and Harry and made her way to her room.  She changed into her nightgown and fell on her bed.  She was exhausted and fell asleep instantly.

Harry walked up his dorm stairs ready to pass out.  He was too tired to change into nightclothes so he just slept in his boxers.  Just about when he was falling asleep, Ron called his name, "Harry?  Are you asleep yet?" 

Harry groaned and irritably said, "Yes." 

Ron opened up Harry's curtains and said, "I only have one thing to say.  I want you to not think of my sister the way you have been for the past couple days." 

At this Harry sat up and said, "In what way?" 

"Come on Harry.", said Ron.  "I saw how you were looking at her.  She doesn't need someone like you complicating her life." 

Harry got very angry at this and said, "What do you mean, a guy like me?" 

Ron laughed and started to name off a long list of girls that Harry had been with over the years.  "… Cho Chang, Lavender, Parvati, etc.  Would you like me to continue?" asked Ron. 

Harry stared at Ron, not knowing what to say.  It was true that he did date a lot of girls over the years, but that didn't change the fact that he still wanted Ginny.  "Look Ron, I like your sister, and it's pretty obvious that she likes me, so whatever you say isn't going to make any difference." 

Ron got very red in the face, but them calmed himself.  He looked at Harry and pleaded, "Please Harry, do this for me.  Just stay friends with her." 

Harry sighed and thought that if he had to choose over his friendship with Ron and being with Ginny, he would have to choose Ron.  He was his best friend and didn't want to lose him.  "Fine Ron, I won't do anything with your sister.  Are you happy now?" 

Ron smiled and said very happily, "Yes.  I am.  Thanks Harry." and closed Harry's curtains. 

Harry turned over on his side and thought, "I just hope it's a promise I can keep."

**************************************

Ginny woke up the next day feeling well rested and ready to start tackling some classes.  She headed down to breakfast with Hermione.  On their way down she asked Hermione, "Is there something going on with you and Ron?" 

Hermione stopped suddenly at being asked such an abrupt question.  "No, of course not. Why do you ask?" she replied very quickly. 

Ginny smiled.  "Oh, no reason.  Just that you two seem very comfortable with each other lately, that's all." 

Hermione smiled and said "Ginny, I would love for there to be something or anything going on with me and your brother.  But, he just can't take a hint." 

Ginny laughed and nodded in agreement with her.  "I know how stupid my brother can be.  You just keep at him.  He'll come to his senses sooner than you think."  With that the girls laughed and entered the Great Hall for breakfast. 

Ginny sat down next to Hermione, wondering where the guys were.  Then, Harry and Ron entered the room.  Ginny was hoping that Harry would sit by her, but he deliberately went out of his way so that he wouldn't.  Ron sat by her instead.  She frowned a little, but figured it was nothing.  She started talking about her classes and asking them what she was in for.  Ron and Hermione were answering her but Harry was strangely quiet.  Finally, she said, "Harry?  Is there something wrong." 

Harry gave a nasty look at Ron and stood up.  "No.  Why would anything be wrong?" and at that he left the Great Hall. 

Hermione turned to Ron and asked, "What was that all about?"  Ginny too turned to him, waiting for an answer. 

Ron just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know.  Must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." 

Ginny knew better than to believe that, but figured that Ron and Harry must have gotten into a fight about something stupid and that it would all blow over.

Draco was staring across the Great Hall at her again.  He so much wanted to talk to her, but didn't have the faintest idea what to say.  He was also very interested in what had just happened between Harry and Ron.  He liked it when those two fought.  He could always manage to aggravate them even more.  He turned his attention back to Ginny.  She didn't even look at him once the whole morning.  As he was pondering this, Ginny got up from the table and made her way out of the Great Hall.  Draco quickly grabbed his book bag and followed her.  

He was thinking of what he was going to say to her when he bumped right into her.  She had stopped suddenly because her book bag just broke.  "Here, let me help you.", Draco said as he kneeled down to pick up her books. 

"Thanks, I can't believe it broke.  It's brand new", Ginny said without even looking up to see who was helping her.  When she did finally look up, she immediately got lost in his eyes.  He too stopped what he was doing and just stared back.  He was just about to introduce himself properly when Ron came running to Ginny. 

"Are you all right?  What did this jerk do to you?", asked Ron angrily. 

Ginny stood up and said, "Nothing Ron.  Calm down.  My bag ripped and Draco was just helping me."  Draco smiled at the fact that she didn't call him Malfoy. 

"Yeah right." Bellowed Ron. 

Draco just stood there, wanting so much to tell Ron off, when he just said, "See ya around Ginny," as he walked up the stairs. 

Ginny smiled and shook her head at Ron.  "Do you always have to act like a stupid git?" and spun on her heel and headed to her Charms class. 

Ron calmed himself, and thought, "This is going to be an awful year."

A/N:  I know this chapter is a little fluffy, but remember this was my first stab at writing.  It gets better - at least that's what I've been told. :)