Don't let him sing you a sad song

Waiting for love like this too long

All that you need I can give you

I do, satisfy you

-Puff Daddy Satisfy You

Chapter 4: A Change Of Pace

Ginny woke up the next morning with the thought in her head that she would not let any idiotic thing that Harry would do today get to her. She would grin and bare it because the more he did, the more reason she would have to leave him when the time was right. She truly hated to have to think that way, but what else could she do? Ginny was no one's doormat, and just because he was the Chosen One, didn't mean he could treat her any kind of way.

She decided instead of waiting on Ron and Harry like she would usually do, she would just go to the kitchens and get a quick breakfast to take with her and avoid the rush. Besides, she had to talk to Professor Snape about something important.

She went to the kitchens, where Dobby and the others were happy to send her off with pastries and hot chocolate, and then headed down to Potions.

Now the trio and pretty much all of Gryffindor may have hated Snape with a passion, but Ginny found that he was one of her favorite teachers. She excelled in Potions, and he couldn't help but notice her drive and determination. Ginny was by far one of Snape's favorite students outside of Slytherin. She didn't complain, she stayed on task, she was smart, and she always completed her assignments on time and near perfection. Plus she had a wit about her that was more endearing than annoying.

"Professor, you wanted to see me?" asked Ginny when she walked into the classroom.

"Ah Miss Weasley, sit. I have a proposition for you." said Snape in his monotone voice. "As you know, your knack for potions is impeccable. As I am no longer the DADA teacher, I have decided to teach potions again along with Slughorn. I will be taking over the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th year classes. I would like very much for you to attend the 7th year classes, starting tomorrow."

Ginny was excited. She had the opportunity to skip 6th year Potions entirely. Not even Hermione was given the opportunity to skip to a higher class in a subject. " I'm honored Professor, but why can't I start today?"

"Today your class will be learning about Amortentia and that's a very important milestone to cross in 6th year. I thought you would want to get that out of your way seeing as I will not be brewing such a silly potion."

"Don't wanna smell hair gel and snake venom professor?" joked Ginny, knowing she would get away with it.

Snape gave a rare smile. "I will enjoy having your cheek in my class again Miss Weasley. Although I will expect nothing but the best from you. This is a N.E.W.T. level class."

"Yes sir, I understand. Thanks for the opportunity."

"See your HOH for your new timetable. Now run along. I'll see you in the morning." said Snape, waving her off.

Ginny left the classroom with a huge smile on her face. Good breakfast, the opportunity to take an advanced class for her grade, nothing could bring her happiness down.

"Did you see how good he looked today? He's almost a Beetle!" Ginny overheard a girl's voice say.

"A beetle? Like the bugs? Heather that's gross." said another girl's voice.

"Ugh I forget. You're a pureblood Susan. You don't know about the Muggle band The Beatles."

"No I don't. But I'll take your word for it. If you're comparing them to Harry Potter then they must be hot!" said Susan.

Ginny stopped and rounded a corner eager to hear what the girls were saying.

Susan Bones and her Hufflepuff friend Heather Watson walked past, not even noticing Ginny, and sat down on a bench outside of a classroom as they continued their conversation.

"So, did you meet up with Harry last night?" asked Heather.

"No. I only spoke to him for about a minute. He was mad at his friends and girlfriend about something." said Susan as if the situation was nothing.

"Harry has a girlfriend? I didn't know that."

"Yeah, he's been dating Ron Weasley's little sister since 6th year I'm afraid." said Sudan, as if she was disappointed.

"That gorgeous redhead that is always with Harry?" said Heather enthusiastically.

"I wouldn't go there Heather. That's Granger's man. Everybody knows that." warned Susan.

"Yeah you're right. How do all these plain Janes get such wonderful men?" said Heather with a sigh.

"I wouldn't call Ginny Weasley a plain Jane now. She is actually very pretty. But I think Harry could do so much better." said Susan.

'You mean better as in yourself, right?" asked Heather.

"Well, he did call me beautiful last night so maybe." Susan said giggling.

Ginny didn't want to hear anything else. She turned around to walk away and bumped into none other than Draco Malfoy.

She glanced up at him then looked back down quickly, as she tried to hide her emotions.

"We have to stop meeting so violently, Ginger. First you throw candy at me and now you almost mow me down." said Draco, trying to joke with her.

Ginny didn't say anything. She couldn't. All she could think about is how Harry called Susan Bones beautiful, and apparently they were supposed to meet up last night. The hell was that about?

Draco had overheard the conversation as well so he knew exactly what was wrong with Ginny. He found himself feeling very bad for her.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked.

"What's to talk about? I'm a foolish girl who dates a boy that meets up with other girls behind my back." said Ginny leaning against the wall trying desperately not to cry.

Before he knew what he was doing, Draco pulled Ginny into his arms and rested his head on top of hers. "No you're not. You're a smart, beautiful woman that dates a prat that doesn't appreciate you. You're not the fool, he is."

Ginny looked up at Draco. 'Why is he being so nice to me?' she thought.

"Thanks...I think" she said.

"You'll see. One day a bloke will come along that will treat you like the queen that you are. And when that day comes Saint Potter will be the one to look like a fool." he said letting go of her.

Ginny gave him a weak smile and a nod.

"I've got to go to class. I have Charms." said Ginny, suddenly feeling nervous.

"I got transfiguration. I'll walk you." said Draco.

"Awh. The big bad Slytherin Prince can't slither there on his own?" she asked.

"You've got me. I need a lion cub to protect me. How ever would I make it through this life without a Gryffindor by my side?"

"Maybe by your sparkling personality?"

"True. I am rather irresistible." bragged Draco playfully.

"Oh yes, yes you are. I myself cannot help but fall for your polished aristocratic good looks and your charming demeanor" said Ginny pretending to faint.

"A sense of humor. I like that in a woman." said Draco looping his arm into hers as they walked.

"You wouldn't know what to do with me, Malfoy." said Ginny, not trying to insinuate innuendo.

"And Potter does?" asked Draco seriously.

Ginny rolled her eyes and the conversion seemed to stop from there. When they reached Charms Draco kissed Ginny's hand and walked off.

Ginny watched as he walked away. She was shocked at how easy it was to talk to him. To make fun of him in a playful way. And to even flirt with him a little.

As she sat in Charms class her mind was going a mile a minute. She couldn't help thinking about Draco, and she didn't know how to feel about it. Here she was with a boyfriend, but she found herself thinking about the fact that she seemed to fit in Draco's arms. The smell of him made her feel dizzy. His warmth made her feel safe. Things that she hadn't felt with Harry for a long time.

She pondered at the thought of Draco actually liking her. 'Yeah right. A Malfoy liking a Weasley. That'll be the day' she thought to herself. But then again he really didn't have any reason to say what he said and do what he did. He didn't have to be nice to her. He could have twisted everything around and been nasty and mean. But instead, he was kind and gentle to her. And even called her smart. Beautiful. A queen.

Ginny shook her head as an attempt to clear her mind. She had more important things to concentrate on than boys and their games.