*A/N: Long time no update. Times are tough, but I will try to update ATLEAST once or twice a week from now on. Well now I have updated, and I hope you like!
This is like two different chapters put together in the length of one chapter. This chappy is mostly dialogue, so be prepared.
Oh, and thank you guys so much for reviewing, you're so great! I'm so happy!
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Chapter Seven: A Late Night Talk
He wore a smile in his eyes as their lips finally parted. He looked at her affectionately.
"You're not going to run away again are you?" he asked Ginny playfully. She shook her head and smiled.
"Who are you, Draco? You used to be so cold and mean to me. Why the sudden change? You're totally different from what I thought," she said with a tone of curiosity. For a while Malfoy seemed lost in thought about her questions. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke.
"I know that I've always been a rather unpleasant person, but that's what gains my respect and I have to take care of my reputation, I am a Malfoy after all. But lately I've just… I don't know,… I've been so bored with the usual scowling and sneering, taunting and teasing. It had gotten tedious and so I really wanted a change. I began to notice you, always laughing or smiling,- being yourself and never hiding what you really think or feel. I admire you for your ability to do that."
Ginny blushed as she turned this over in her mind. She looked up at him and kissed him again very quickly, and then she smiled. He put an arm around her and brought her closer to him.
"Ginny," he said quietly.
"Yes?"
"You know that even though I really do like you, I can't afford to let anyone know about this."
Ginny nodded. "Everyone in Slytherin and Gryffindor would go mad."
"Exactly. In the halls I'll probably seem to be just as much of a pain-in-the-ass as usual. But whatever hurtful things I may say to you, just remember that I won't mean it."
Ginny nodded, knowing that this was the truth. She wondered whether she would be able to tell Colin or Hermione, and whether they would understand. She decided that eventually she would tell them, but that first she would wait a while. Her thoughts were interrupted as Draco decided to change the subject.
"You know, I didn't expect you to actually follow me out into the hall…"
"Well, I just thought you were planning on explaining the whole Pansy thing,- which you did."
"Oh, yeah, the Pansy thing. I forgot about that," he said laughing, "I hope she doesn't try anything when I get back to the common room. Speaking of which, we'll have to be going back soon. I wonder what time it is…"
Ginny glanced down at her watch and sighed.
"It's getting late," she said.
"I thought so," Said Draco. He slid off the desk, and turned to her. "We've really got to get going…" he said rather reluctantly.
She sighed, biting her lip. "I guess so. Besides, the others will begin to wonder where I am."
Draco frowned. 'The Others,' as in the Dream Team: Potter, Granger and Weasley. His face flickered with disgust. 'How could this girl be associated with those three?' He thought.
Seeing the look on his face, Ginny began to worry. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"Oh no, nothing," he lied, "I was just thinking about how much I don't want to go right now"
This answer seemed to please Ginny, and she admitted that she felt the same way. The two of them devised a plan to meet again somewhere soon. Draco gave Ginny a quick kiss, and bid her goodnight. He left the room and closed the door. Moments later, she poked her head out into the hall. The coast was clear.
**-***-**
She walked to her common room, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Finally she arrived in front of the portrait of the fat lady. She took a moment to gather herself and then uttered the password.
The common room was full of its usual warmth and noise. Colin was sitting on a couch in front of the fire. She sat down across from him and saw the he was fast asleep, clutching his camera like a teddy bear. She chuckled and went to sit by Ron and Hermione, who were playing another game of wizard chess. Yet again Hermione was losing. 'Doesn't she ever learn?' thought Ginny. She watched as Hermione sat, thinking excruciatingly hard. Hermione moved one of her knights forward and it was promptly smashed by Ron's bishop. Hermione cursed under her breath and then looked up at Ginny.
"Oh, hello Gin. Got a lot of research done at the library?"
Ginny was puzzled for a moment and then she remembered. "Yes, yes I did."
"It's your turn, Herms," said Ron, interrupting for a moment. Hermione pondered, and moved a piece. Ron smiled, snickered, and moved his queen.
"Checkmate," he said with a smirk. He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the table, looking quite cozy. He loved chess, especially against Hermione. It seemed to boost his confidence.
"I win again, of course," he said.
Ginny laughed and Hermione scowled. She admitted defeat, and said "You'll see Ron. One day I'll beat you. We'll have a Battle of Chess- To the Death!' she said jokingly, yet with a small bit of seriousness in her voice.
"Anyway, Gin, what was it that you so eager to research?" Hermione said, facing Ginny.
"Nothing really, just something I was curious about in Potions. Professor Bluebottle has gotten me very interested in the class," Ginny said very convincingly. Hermione nodded in approval.
"It's really wonderful that you are getting into your school work Ginny" she said happily.
Ron leaned forward to join the conversation. "Potion's must be so much nicer without Snape. The only problem is that now Defense Against the Dark Arts has become a nightmare."
"I haven't had DADA with Snape yet, but I think I have it on Wednesday," said Ginny with a touch of worry.
"It's not really that bad Ginny. Snape really does know a great deal about the subject," said Hermione.
Ron's only reply to this was to shake his head gravely and say "Good luck, Gin."
Ginny smiled. "I think I'll go up to bed now, I'm getting a bit sleepy." Ginny got up, ruffled Hermione's hair, and hugged her brother goodnight. She woke Colin, and then went upstairs to the fifth year girls' dormitory to bed.
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Ginny lay awake thinking. It was very late when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She peeked out of the door to see Hermione climbing the stairs on tiptoe. She opened the door, walked into the hall, and eased it closed behind her.
"What are you doing out of bed so late Hermione?" Ginny whispered.
Hermione looked shocked at being caught awake. "Studying," she answered.
"With Ron?" said Ginny with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, so?" said Hermione haughtily.
Ginny laughed, and then paused, listening. The steps creaked and Parvati approached the top of the steps. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and giggled. Parvati blushed.
"What are the two of you doing up?" asked Parvati.
"I heard a noise and then caught Hermione out here on the stairs. She was with Ron," said Ginny.
"We were studying!" insisted Hermione.
"Is that was you call it?" whispered Parvati.
"Just what are you insinuating, Miss Parvati Patil??" asked Hermione furiously.
"Come on Hermione, I know you like my brother," said Ginny.
"We were only studying!"
"Hush Herms, people are trying to sleep!" said Ginny, and then she added "Ok, maybe you two really were studying… but admit it, you do have a thing for Ron, don't you?"
Ginny and Parvati waited expectantly for Hermione to answer. Finally she blushed and nodded slowly. "Tell anyone and die," she then said out of nowhere. The girls agreed and were sworn to secrecy. They all sat down on the steps and decided to stay and talk for a bit.
"So, when are you going to tell Ron that you fancy him?" asked Parvati.
"Never."
"Come on," exclaimed Ginny, "He obviously likes you back!"
"You think so?" asked Hermione hopefully.
"We know so" They answered confidently. Hermione beamed. After a moment, she shifted the attention away from herself and turned to Parvati.
"So, Parvati," said Hermione, shifting the attention away from herself, "Why are you still up? Were you with Harry?"
Parvati giggled and then stopped, looking worriedly at Ginny.
"Ginny, I'm so sorry. I should have asked if you were ok with all of this. I know that you really like Harry," she said sincerely.
"It's ok, really. I'm over him," said Ginny honestly. Parvati smiled appreciatively. Then she got what she thought was a marvelous idea.
"Ginny, we should find you a guy! I've got Harry, and Hermione likes Ron, what about you? Who do you like?" said Parvati.
"Ginny's eyes widened for a moment and she quickly said, "No one right now, and I kind of like it that way, thank you very much." She shook her head nervously.
"Suit yourself," said Parvati. Satisfied with Ginny's answer, she yawned and left to bed. Hermione stayed behind though, looking intensely at Ginny with her head cocked to the side.
"I saw that look on your face Ginny,… you've already found someone haven't you?" said Hermione.
Ginny denied this fervently, but Hermione was not convinced. "Don't lie to me," she said, "I can tell something's up,… Wait! You weren't really at the library today, were you? You were with him!"
"With who? Who's him?" Ginny gasped.
"You tell me," Hermione said stoutly, but Ginny remained silent.
"I'll find out," said Hermione with an impish smile, "But right now I ought to get to bed, we have school tomorrow. Goodnight Gin." She left and Ginny turned around and went back into her dormitory. She quietly closed the door behind her and lay awake in bed for a minute or two.
'Damn Hermione and her cleverness.' She thought.
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*A/N: Whew, that took a lot out of me. Thank goodness writing is just a hobby for me.
I really do respect and support all of you aspiring writers. It's a tough business, so kudos and more power to you.
I can feel myself growing weak! I need strength and motivation to write, so review and I shall grow stronger!
Next chapter should be up within a couple of days or so.