A/N: Sorry for the disappearance. The internet's been getting on my nerves lately.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Eight

Ginny couldn't help but stare in awe at the huge guest bedroom Draco had provided for her. Her small bedroom at the Burrow-- no that couldn't compare. Her whole, new apartment--there we go-- looked like a cardboard box in contrast to this. She circled the room a few times, unable to believe it-- not that this was the first time she'd been here. Amazingly enough, it had been a week already, and Ginny was just starting to get used to the idea of living with Draco.

A week. A week with no interruptions, no bad disasters. Draco had checked in with her assigned Healer to discuss the health of Ginny and the baby, and after the assurance of everything being fine, had finally relaxed. He, too, seemed to be starting to grow more comfortable with another person in the house.

Ginny had been wearing long sleeved shirts and long legged pants to sleep at night for the past five nights, since her trust for Malfoy was still unstable and years of schooling with him-- well, her instincts told her better. When Draco had first seen her chosen attire, he had merely smirked and said nothing. Today, however, was different. It was unusally hot today, and Ginny could simply not stand it.

She stood in front of the full length mirror in her room, observing her outfit. Turtleneck and tights clung to her body, beads of moisture forming and rapidly increasing as another blast of heat hit Ginny. Another minute and she'd be baking. Making a quick decision, she slipped out of the stifling clothes and breathed a sigh of relief when a light, rare breeze from the open window hit her heated back.

She contemplated the idea of just walking around in her underwear just out of amusement, but decided against it. She slipped on her short shorts that she hadn't worn since last summer. Suprisingly they still fit; She adjusted the elastic as to not squeeze her stomach, then giving it a pat. Pulling on a white tank, she walked out of the room, feeling the tug of hunger at her stomach. As each day passed, the side effects associated with pregnancy affected her more and more. She ate more often, and sometimes would wake in the middle of the night with the oddest cravings... like chocolate rasberry icecream, for instance..

Draco POV

After a shower, I walked into my room, pulling on a pair of jeans and a gray tee-shirt. Even that was too much for me to wear in this heat, but since there was a woman in this house, I always had to be decent. Any other day, I'd just walk around shirtless.

Today, suprisingly, my schedule was fairly blank. It was rare days like these that I usually called up Blaise to have a drink and catch up, but today I was unsure. Was I allowed to leave Ginny here by herself? What if something happened to her?

Whoa. Since when did I start to care about the redhead? I shook my head at myself and walked out, then stopped. The familiar, natural scent of her body wafted through the hallway, and I could tell she had just walked past my door. I turned left and sure enough, she was headed towards the kitchen.

I grinned. It had been a hectic week. She would demand I order all these crazy foods for her, at the most random and unexpected time, always pulling the baby excuse on me. Sad to say, it worked every time though. I had house elves conjured up with a crack to come and fulfill and satisfy her cravings.

Then I did a double-take. Literally.

Another thing this week was that she had taken to wear clothes that covered up her entire body. I didn't take much notice to it. It never occured to me that Ginny Weasley had worn anything else. I thought it was an outfit she wore all the time. Now, I realized, it was because of me. However, today... she was something else. Her long, tan legs were revealed, the thick, long sweat pants gone to be replaced by very short baby blue shorts. Her thin white tank made no effort to cover her cleavage, and with her thick, dark red hair in a ponytail, revealing her neck, anyone could conclude that she was showing too much skin.

I had no problem with it though. I allowed myself another grin, before pulling on my mask of innocent politeness.

"Anything to eat today?", I called to her, smirking as she jumped. Clearly I had caught her off-guard. She must not have realized I was there.

Ginny/Regular POV

Ginny headed down the hallway and towards the kitchen, when she noticed an open door to the left of her. She peeked in, curiosity engulfing her. Her jaw dropped. It was a shirtless Malfoy, rummaging through his closet for a shirt. Her eyes traveled down his toned muscles, and she couldn't help but stare. The last time she had seen him bare-chested... well, she hadn't really been into details that night. But today, with the sun hitting every curve of a muscle--

Draco found a shirt, and pulled it on. Ginny's heart almost ached at the sight of his muscles and abs being hidden by that thin, gray fabric. Coming to her senses, she brushed away her childish impulse of swooping into the room and claiming Draco for her own, she continued to her original mission: food. Her feet continued to shuffle toward her goal, hoping that he hadn't noticed her there. She cringed and nearly screamed with shock.

"Anything to eat today?", he said in an innocent, polite tone. Had he really seen her? Oh, crap!

"Umm, yes, actually. But I can manage." She turned around to give him the I'm-okay smile, expecting to see him halfway down the hallway, still at his room door. Instead, she was face to face with him. She felt his cool breath breeze past her face, and closed her eyes for a brief moment, then opened them again. His silver eyes bore down into hers, and she tried to hold his gaze, but the old, shy Ginny returned and she dropped her head. His hand reached to cup her chin and pull her head back up so he could look her in the eye. His other hand extended a finger to trail down her warm face. She shivered slightly at the contact.

"You sure?", he whispered at her. She couldn't help but notice the huskiness in his voice. What was wrong with him?

"Yes. Very." She tried to step back, but her feet wouldn't move, her eyes couldn't break the connection to his.

"Alright.", he dropped his hand, and Ginny stood there for a second too long, before turning around again. He grabbed her hand, and Ginny could feel her back grazing his chest. He was much too close.

"By the way, you look really pretty today." he breathed, his breath blowing gently across the skin of her neck.

Ginny fidgeted. "Umm.. thanks." Her first year actions came back to her now, as she blushed when she realized just exactly how close he was to her. She eased away from him, trying to steady the beating of her heart. She managed to even her breathing, as his face splashed across her mind, making her heart flutter. This feeling was familiar, no doubt. The last time she had to steady her pulse was back in first year, when she caught her first glimpse of Harry. But no, this could not be. This was Draco Malfoy. The way she had felt about Harry-- how could she share that same feeling for Draco?

Suddenly she winced, as she realized her past tense. The way she had felt about Harry. It really was over, even if she had been the one to end it.

Draco POV

Draco stood there, watching her walk away, his hand still poised where she had let go. He really hadn't meant to come in contact with her. He hadn't so much as brushed her shoulder since that night, when so many things had changed. Now, he had held her, she was in his arms, and she was gone. Well technically, she was a few feet away in the kitchen, but still... Suddenly he craved more. He realized how much he adored the feeling of her skin against his.

He tried to remember a time he had ever felt like this... feelings? For Weasley? If anyone had told him that two weeks ago, he would have laughed in their face and told them to fuck off. But now... this was certainly going to make things interesting...

A/N: Okay, I have my plot figured out. I finally got it straight. Surely, Draco doesn't mind a little competition? -wink- Sorry for the long wait. I apologize, but I was in a huge writer's block... I still am, actually. Please review, that would really help lift my spirits and motivate me. Thanks!

xoxo,

laffytaffy