A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all the great responses!!! I got a lot of reviews and that made me so happy that I wrote up the next chapter for you guys super quick! I hope you enjoy it as much as the previous, although it has a slightly different feel to it. (We're back in Draco's point of view, by the way).


When Draco woke up the next morning all the thoughts from last night rushed in and flooded his mind. He groaned and fell back down on his bed. How could he do that? He had worked so hard in keeping his feelings to himself and now he had ruined it all. How could they possibly continue to be friends after that? How could he look at her after what had happened?

What had happened, anyways?

Well, they had been lying on the grass quietly, as usual. It was their way of spending time together and enjoying it. They both needed some time with someone that understood the need for being alone mentally, but not physically. And then what? Right; Ginny had gone for his hand. He remembered when her fingers first touched his, the surge of electricity that he had felt scared him, so he pulled away- but Ginny didn't give in. She reached for him one more time, and he had no idea why. All he knew was that he had held her hand and he had been happy but so confused. And then? She had pressed herself against him, the best feeling in the world. But he couldn't hold her like he wanted to. He couldn't bring himself to do that. It was too much for him to handle. He could either have her as a friend, or more- but not something strange in between. Yet, he hadn't been able to control himself and he had draped his arm around her and snuggled her closer.

Why?

Why had he gone and ruined the good relationship they had going? The only thing he could think of now was what Ginny would be like when they met today. Finally, with that in mind, he got up off his bed and put on a shirt. He went to the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. He felt horrible. How could he hold a girl like that when she already had a boyfriend? How could he show his feelings and be so vulnerable? How could he lead Ginny on? Yes, he wanted her to know, and he wanted her to feel the same thing, but he wasn't immoral either. He had certain values. Plus the fact that Potter had threatened to kill him if he ever saw him with his girlfriend wasn't too good either.

Draco shook his hair and put on his Hogwarts robes, heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast. When he got there people were already swarming around and buzzing in their seats. Sighing, he took his regular place at the edge of the Slytherin table and served himself some toast and eggs.

Almost instinctively, he looked up at the Gryffindor table. His heart nearly stopped when he saw that Ginny was looking at him.

"Draco," she mouthed silently, and then turned around when Harry put his arm around her protectively. Almost as if he knew.

He stabbed at his eggs angrily. That's what bothered him the most. After yesterday he had this feeling that Ginny felt the same way about him. How could she not after willingly taking his hand and digging her face into his shoulder? He felt goosebumps at the memory. But still, they couldn't be together. All because of Potter. He was the only thing standing in their way. They wouldn't have to hide their feelings from everyone, if only he'd back off.

But he couldn't force him to. Ginny would hate him. It was obvious she still loved the git; why, he didn't know. But he couldn't deny it. She still looked at him lovingly when he kissed her and she still held his hand when they walked down the hallways. What girl wouldn't love the Boy Who Lived?

Draco's hands were clenched into fists and for once he wished he could've been Harry Potter.

--

At dinnertime, Draco made his way to the library, hoping that Ginny would come too. He sat down in an empty chair in the back of the library and instantly felt tired. Tired of hiding, tired of lying, tired of the insults, tired of the biased people, tired of trying to be someone he wasn't.

He put his face in his hands, his temples were throbbing and his head hurt. This whole day had been consumed with thoughts of Ginny. He couldn't get her out of his mind, no matter how hard he tried. And now, he thought, if she came, what would he say to her?

Right on cue, he heard footsteps coming his way.

"Draco, are you alright?"

He looked up and his spirits were lifted by the mere presence of her. "Yes, I'm better."

Ginny smiled, "Good," and sat down. Draco was surprised, to say the least. She seemed completely unfazed. Had the feelings she'd shown, or the ones he thought she had shown, been false or exaggerated?

"How are you?" Draco asked warily, his voice raspy and low.

Ginny looked concerned, "I'm doing well, but you honestly don't look so good."

Ginny put a hand to his forehead, but Draco moved back quickly. Ginny's eyes looked sad, but only for a moment. Then, she looked normal again, or at least he thought.

"I'm just tired," he said, avoiding her eyes even though it hurt to do so.

"Are you sure? You don't seem to be yourself."

Draco shrugged, his heart paining him. "I'm fine."

"Well then why aren't you talking to me?" she asked, almost desperately.

"I don't know, Ginny. Maybe I just don't want to," he said more harshly than he intended.

Ginny got up looking dejected; "Fine."

Draco looked after her as she left, the pain in his heart unbearable. But she hadn't cared. She had come here like nothing, and it was better that way. He didn't deserve her- she should stay with Potter, even though it killed him to see them kissing every day. But he had to let her go. She had already gotten too close and he couldn't let that happen anymore.

Plus, he thought again, she didn't seem to care. She hadn't thought twice about last night.

But Draco never saw the silent tears pouring from her eyes as she walked out of the library.

--

The next morning Draco woke up feeling terribly sick. His head was throbbing, his eyes were watery, and he was paler than ever- if that was even possible. Lethargically, he put on his robes and headed downstairs, where everything was spinning slightly.

He sat dizzily down on the table, not even bothering to search for Ginny. Those hazel eyes would just make him feel worse. He reached for a muffin when an old school owl landed next to him and poked him in the arm. This hurt more than it normally did so Draco shoved him off, earning rude stares from everyone else in the table. Ripping the letter of its leg as it flew off, Draco continued eating. Eventually, though, he had to open it.

It was from his mother:

Dear Draco,

I think you'll be happy to hear that I've convinced Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass to let their wonderful daughter Astoria transfer to Hogwarts for her last year. Do you remember her? We met the family last summer for tea. I think she's a sweet girl- a very good candidate. Think about it, darling.

Love, Your Mother

Draco's heart sunk and he felt even worse.

Oh, he remembered her alright.