-Chapter Nine-

Ginny awoke to a stiff mattress, pale filtering light, the soft coaxing voice of Madam Pomfrey in some distant corner and Draco's nice smelling scratchy neck.

Groaning, Ginny stretched as much as possible without disturbing Draco. Glancing at her watch, her brain registered it was 10 o'clock. Ginny laid her head back on the pillow, but shot up again in panic, thinking it was Friday.

But it was Saturday. 'No wonder Pomfrey didn't wake me up.'

Knowing she would be unable to fall asleep again after that internal time shock, Ginny leaned on her arm and took a better look at Draco.

His platinum yet golden blonde hair was extremely mussed up, but in an endearing way that softened his looks completely. His eyes were closed for an extended period of time for once. To Ginny, he looked like an angel had dropped from the sky.

However, a purpling bruise blossoming on his temple with a cut amidst it marred Draco's beauty, only slightly though. As Ginny's eyes slid further down his face, she thanked Merlin nothing happened to Draco's fine nose.

Ginny's eyes then made the short journey from his nose to his lips, which were still stained a bit red from the previous bleeding. Ginny got the inexplicable urge to lick, no to kiss the blood from those soft lips.

But she shook herself out of it, telling her self in two exaggerated syllables, "kink-y."

Unbeknownst to Ginny, her softly uttered word woke Draco, but he remained still for he could feel Ginny's eyes on him.

Ginny continued her critical examination of Draco, and her eyes searched even further south.

Though since she more horizontal on the bed, she searched in more of a south-westerly direction.

The morning was slightly warm, and Draco and Ginny had managed to kick their blanket to the foot of the bed. It was then Ginny realized Draco had pajama pants on, no doubt loaned from the hospital wing.

This left Ginny with an interesting notion.

Deftly but cautiously, she inched her hands towards Draco's over gown and began undoing the buttons tentatively with her pale slender fingers.

Eventually, Ginny reached the last button, and she slowly withdraw the pieces of material outward, revealing Draco's hard, rippled yet bruised chest and torso.

A slight smile played on Ginny's lips and likewise on Draco's. Shyly, Ginny reached out and placed her finger on Draco's collar-bone. She then proceeded to slide her finger downwards, past his pale nipples and over the hard, compacted muscles.

Her finger increased to three fingers now as they bumped over his six pack. They finally slowed around the navel when she finally noticed his muscles were clenched.

It was too late, she had been found. Draco himself was found to be chuckling in his deep rumbling voice. "Like what you see?" smirked Draco in a suggestive way.

Ginny blushed redder than she thought she ever could. Draco's laughter dissolved as he admired Ginny's unusual skin tone.

"Merlin, I'm so sorry, that was so embarrassing," mumbled Ginny looking down at her sheets with the likes of such mutterings.

"Hey," said Draco in a gentle tone, "don't be embarrassed. I appreciate it. It'd just be better if there were no dodgey bruises and sore ribs." He then proceeded to hold Ginny close to him, just to let her know it was okay.

"Merlin… that Ron. I really really must apologize about what he did. He's so overprotective of me. You know, Harry said something about me behind my back to Ron. Ron cleaned his clock out. Again. Poor Harry, he's got a really clean clock."

This only made Draco chuckle, though with pain, again. It prompted Ginny to look up at his face concernedly, adoringly and in admiration. Laughing really did chase away any hostility or sadness that could be on Draco's face. His eyes seemed to sparkle, and laugh lines would crack his baby smooth skin.

"How are you feeling though? Seriously?" asked Ginny sincerely, moving closer to Draco's face.

Draco paused and looked intently at Ginny. "I've been better. My whole body aches, my rib especially. But it's nothing unbearable. I had a headache, but waking up to you made it piss off," he replied honestly. He felt compelled to tell the truth, as if lying would shatter the fragile angel he held in his arms.

"Oh. I want you to get better soon. It'd be rather tragic if I hugged you hard and made you feel pain," pouted Ginny. He only made Draco laugh softly again.

"Merlin, why is it you that makes me laugh only when my whole chest throbs? Not that that's a bad thing. It's a good thing actually, takes away the pain," he added quickly.

"Um, it's a Weasley thing?" Ginny tried pathetically, bursting into unexplainable giggles.

"Well," sighed Draco, rolling his eyes up in an contemplative movement, "if only it's a Ginny Weasley thing. Ron? Making me laugh? I think not."

Ginny sighed as well. "Fucking Ron, he only makes me laugh when I see his expression when he couldn't defend a goal I got past him."

For what seemed like the fourth time or so, Draco laughed. He laughed so hard the bed shook, but suddenly there was a brutal gasp of pain and Draco stopped breathing for a few seconds and clutched at his rib.

"Draco!" exclaimed Ginny, clutching his shoulders anxiously. "Are you okay?"

"Just.. fine.." wheezed Draco. "No seriously, I'm okay. What you said about Ron was just so funny though. But I'm okay, relax. I'm okay, don't worry," continued Draco in a more eased voice.

"Mmm, you sure?" asked Ginny skeptically, still eyeing Draco's rib with worry.

"Ginny," said Draco in a suddenly serious voice. It made Ginny's eyes snap up with immediate attention. "I've been through much, much worse. Don't trouble yourself with my slight, such slight discomfort."

Questions suddenly burned through Ginny's mind, but she kept her lips sealed because the tone of Draco's voice invited no questions. Draco sighed again and pulled Ginny in close to his body.

With their cheeks touching, Draco asked "I hope you don't mind my beard. I usually shave it in the morning."

Draco felt Ginny smile. "No it's okay, I like it. It just makes things… feel more grown up. It's funny, because Ron's only got one or two hairs and he hates it."

Draco only just managed to suppress a laugh. "You are going to be the end of me woman. You're just too perfect for your own good," murmured Draco in Ginny's ear, sending pleasant tingles down her spine.

"Ever looked in the mirror and tried telling yourself that?" retorted Ginny after a moment of pleasant indulgence in her newly received compliment.

"Why yes actually." Ginny could just feel the smirk on Draco's face.

"You're impossible. But I still love you anyways," murmured Ginny finally.

"Feel the same way about you, Ginger," mumbled Draco, wrapping his arms tighter around her waist.

"Ginger?" queried Ginny in a curious voice.

"Mmm, yeah. You remind me of Ginger. You are so spicy, in what you say. You have some kind of spunk. Yet you're still so innocently sweet in your own way. To me, you're the perfect herb. Sorry about the crazy metaphor."

"Ginger," repeated Ginny, a bit dazed. "I like it, for some crazy reason. I think it's because you said it." Draco simply responded by kissing Ginny at the base of her neck, sending even stronger pleasant tingles down her spine.

The couple said nothing more for a few minutes, both lost in the world of their own mind. But quick approaching footsteps shook them out of their reverie. Madam Pomfrey suddenly appeared from behind the screen that shielded the bed from prying eyes.

"Miss Weasley," said Poppy in a attempt of a reproachful tone. But all that was apparent was her evident surprise.

"Um, Madam Pomfrey," replied Ginny shakily, quickly slipping from Draco's embrace and the bed. The three people within that screen were locked in one of those uncomfortable silences.

"Miss Weasley," repeated Poppy, this time regaining some control in her voice. "How very kind of you to spend the night with… Mr Malfoy. But he needs some more rest and another check up. How about you go back to your dorm room and come visit him later?"

"Um, yeah, sure. I'll see you later on Draco," stammered Ginny embarrassedly. Draco's eyes sought out Ginny's, and held their transfixing gaze to them. Ginny just found she couldn't leave Draco without giving him one last kiss.

So bravely pretending that Madam Pomfrey wasn't in the room, Ginny darted forward and gave Draco a short but meaningful kiss. She then broke away, blushed and walked quickly away from the pair.

After Ginny had departed, Draco and Poppy stared at each other. Well, more like Draco smirked smugly and Poppy stood dumbstruck and wide-eyed.

She thought she saw the pair kissing the previous night, but now it was confirmed.

"Check up? Madam Pomfrey," enquired Draco in a smug voice this time. Madam Pomfrey shook herself out of her slight trance, and frowned at Draco's usual frankness and rudeness.

She gave him a reproachful glance, and began checking Draco's injuries. Draco could tell Madam Pomfrey was absolutely dying of curiosity about his relationship with Ginny.

"I know you want to know about my, partiality towards the youngest Weasley," said Draco in an even voice. "And I want you to know, before you begin to form accusations in your head that I love Ginerva Stephanie Weasley. I'd die for her. I'd do nothing to hurt her, kill myself before I would. I also hold her in my absolute respect. So please, don't say, do or think anything rash."

Poppy's mind was suddenly reeling from Draco's bluntness. "Well, y-yes, Mr. Malfoy," stammered Poppy.

"Good," smiled Draco suddenly, just like an angel. For all of Poppy's older age and experience, she still couldn't help but notice the beauty that radiated from Draco when he smiled. "When may I leave?" prompted Draco.

"This evening, if you're feeling up to it. Your rib has healed nicely and I think your bruises will too. Just don't strain yourself," replied Poppy automatically.

"Thankyou," replied Draco in a softer voice, immediately losing interest in the woman standing next to his bed. He turned to his side and thought about his homework, studying and above all… Ginny.


Ginny mumbled the password and entered the empty Gryffindor common room. It was a sunny autumn day, and everyone was outdoors enjoying the rare rays of pure sunshine.

Ginny quickly dumped her gear and grabbed some fresh clothing. Something non-wizarding. Something that was definitely muggle.

Pawing through her trunk, Ginny discovered her old short-shorts she used to wear all the time when she was younger. Digging even deeper, she discovered a light green singlet that was lightly embroidered with silk and beads.

It had been a Christmas gift from the twins the previous year. Every time Ginny looked at it, she couldn't help but be astounded at how Fred and George could have such good taste for clothing.

Ginny then proceeded to take a cold shower. Dropping her underwear and now dry but dirty singlet and skirt into the dirty washing basket, she stepped into a freezing cold shower.

The cold shower was exactly what Ginny needed to clear her mind. To feel refreshed, to relax. She thought about school work. She thought about Colin and Luna. She thought about Ron and Hermione.

She thought about the grueling quidditch training Ron would put them through later on in the evening, and finally, Ginny thought about Draco and herself. Just thinking about Draco made her heart swell with emotion, because so many happy memories would envelope her.

Thinking about Draco reminded how Ginny how odd her relationship was. Thinking about Draco reminded Ginny of how painfully in love she was with him. And how he loved her back.

Again, stupid, uncontrollable tears began to fall, mixing in the with the chilly shower water. Too many emotions. It meant an emotional overload.

'What about Ron?' was the question that kept bugging Ginny.

The water pounded Ginny's head and shoulders when she decided that this was the last time she was going to cry. She strove to be a stronger person, and crying continuously would not help in her goal.

'No more crying,' thought Ginny sternly to herself. After a few more minutes of letting the water cleanse her, Ginny stepped out of the shower feeling good.

After dressing, Ginny returned to her dorm, sighing with boredom. And then, she remembered the amount of homework she had. Sighing, she stared at her watch to gauge the time.

12:30 PM, it said. "Yes, I've got the last half hour of lunch," said Ginny to herself, ignoring her homework for the time being.


Colin bid his goodbye to Luna with a kiss. She was going to visit some of her Ravenclaw friends. No doubt to talk about the Quibbler. Colin would have gone with her, but he hadn't spoken to Ginny for a while, and wanted to catch up.

As he tucked into another bowl of salad, a redhead slid beside him and stole a cherry tomato off his fork.

"Hey!" exclaimed Colin indignantly, glaring at Ginny with a semi-cross expression.

"Yes?" replied Ginny sweetly, turning on her 'innocent little girl' charm.

"I was just about to look for you. But you just came along. It's creepy, we've been best friends for too long."

Ginny only quirked her eyebrow and stole another tomato. "Ginny! Will you stop doing that!" said Colin exasperatedly, shoving the next tomato in his mouth so Ginny couldn't get to it. "Well anyway, what's up?"

Ginny gave a morose sigh. It immediately made Colin pay more attention. "Gin?" he asked in a softer voice.

"I met Draco in the field last night, in the rain. Ron found us out, and he… beat Draco. Even though Draco was tired from quidditch training," muttered Ginny, rubbing her temples.

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah. He's okay. I don't know what came over Ron. I mean, what the hell is everyone's problem? I'm just so sick of it. And it kills me, that just a few days ago, I was exactly the same."

"Oh Ginny," mumbled Colin through a mouthful of salad. He gave her an awkward one armed hug, which did comfort Ginny. "You've just got to consistently prove to Ron, Draco's okay. Ron just feels so much responsibility because he's the only one who can look after you at school now. Even though we all know you don't need to be baby-sat continuously."

"Argh," was all Ginny replied.

"I know," said Colin empathetically.

There was a pause when Ginny herself got herself a large bowl of salad. Laying the dressing on thick, she munched slowly and contemplatively.

"I have training tonight," said Ginny, staring straight ahead.

"Want me to come and watch you?" asked Colin dutifully. He only made Ginny smile with gratitude.

"Thanks for the thought, but aren't you lover-boy for Luna? Trust me, it'll be a lot of Ron babbling on, us dying of earache and him sucking as keeper."

This made Colin laugh, as it always did. There was something extremely amusing about Ron's skillfulness… in the keeper department.

"If you're sure!" laughed Colin still. "I just thought that we hadn't seen each other for a while. I always seem to be with Luna, and you. Well. You know where you are."

Ginny only replied with, "fuck off, you random. I don't want to be friends with you anymore," and that was accompanied by a rough bump on the shoulder.

"Fine," retorted Colin, trying to hide a smile. Ginny had just initiated a game they often played.

It was the "lets insult each other like crazy but not really mean it," game. The two friends loved it.

"I don't want to be friends with a bitchy redhead anyway," continued Colin.

"Bitchy redhead is better than deranged camera fetish."

And thus continued the conversation for the remaining lunch time slot.


Draco picked at his shepherds pie which was for lunch. It was incredibly boring, sitting by himself in the hospital room, with only Madam Pomfrey's conspicuous stares for company.

He already asked the matron to leave early, but she shot him down with such fierceness he was taken aback momentarily. Then he only proceeded to stare stonily at her.

It was getting to about quarter past one when Draco decided if nothing happened soon, he would leave. Pomfrey or no Pomfrey.

As if Ginny could read Draco's mind, she floated in the hospital wing with a silly grin on her face. "Ginny," said Draco with enthusiasm, and the tone was louder than he planned it to be.

"Hey handicap. Bored yet?" replied Ginny with a smile, sliding onto the bed.

"Not anymore," said Draco with a smile. "You look nice. Seeing anyone in particular today?" he asked casually, although the tone in his voice was obviously teasing.

"I might go hook up with Potter again. I heard he's been working out ever since he got punched twice."

"Well, you better get there before he gets punched for the third time," replied Draco seriously. Ginny simply giggled and went forward to give Draco a hug.

"You know how I have training tonight, so maybe we could catch up on some studying? I would have gotten your stuff, but like, I don't now how to get into the Slytherin common room and I don't want to."

"It's okay. I'll just help you," said Draco with one of his rare smiles, which melted Ginny from the outside in and reverse.

So for the next three hours Ginny completed the majority of her homework for the week with much help from hers truly.

Whenever Ginny was absorbed with a question and Draco wasn't needed, he would gaze appreciatively at Ginny. He just so happened to get the bed which was next to the window, so he had continuous sunlight streaming onto Ginny, which illuminated her thick red hair and her pale skin.

The short-shorts revealed Ginny's flawless and shapely legs, and the singlet top revealed enough skin to be attractive but not slutty.

The green of the top contrasted so brilliantly with Ginny's loose red hair that Draco couldn't help but stare. He was so distracted by Ginny's appearance that he didn't notice her actions. It was only after he felt a scratching behind his ear he reacted.

His eyes focused onto Ginny's symmetric face which was mere centimeters away from his own. Unable to stop himself, he began leaning forwards and before he closed his eyes he saw Ginny lean forward as well.

But before the two lips came in contact, Ginny flicked her head away and brushed Draco's face with sweet-smelling hair.

"Help me with this final question first before you get any ideas," said Ginny primly, staring in the opposite direction, pretending to act elusive and sophisticated. Draco only suppressed a smile, (he couldn't be smiling all the time! It would make him go soft!) and wrapped his arms around Ginny possessively.

"What is it?" whispered Draco huskily into Ginny's ear. He was satisfied when he felt a slight shiver go down Ginny.

"Um," ummed Ginny, slightly dazed. "What's the pronunciation of that transfiguration spell again? Draco only sighed and told her, for the fifth time in that short period of time.

Eventually, the pair were done with work and lay contentedly in each other's arms, soaking up the waning sunlight.

"I'll walk you back to your common room," said Draco, breaking the silence. "It's almost dinner now and I am free to go."

Ginny waited outside the screen for Draco to change, and left the hospital wing hand in hand. As they reached the busier part of the school, Ginny dropped Draco's hand, giving Draco a look. He understood her completely. She still wasn't comfortable with public displays of affection still.

"Come see me at training tonight?" softly demanded more than asked Ginny.

"Sure. I'll be discrete about it. Don't worry," accepted Draco. He then departed without another word when they got close to the Gryffindor common room. Even though Ginny knew he didn't say anything or kiss her because he didn't want to draw any attention, she wished he did.


Ginny scooped up her thick hair into a messy but tight pony tail and proceeded to slip into her red team robes. She noticed the area around the chest was tighter, and Ginny smiled with involuntary happiness. "Bloody hormones are starting to kick in," muttered Ginny to herself.

Then she picked up her Comet 360, exited the change rooms and walked onto the pitch.

Ron was in full quidditch mode, and soon everyone was up in the air, flying around, getting used to being in the air again. During this time, Ginny wondered about Draco, and where he was. Despite all her self-questioning, she knew he was there.

She felt watched too, though not in the threatening way.

Eventually her concentration got used up by trying to score goals with the quaffle, and thoughts of Draco flew out of her head as fast as she was hurling the red flying ball.


Draco shifted his weight on the highest seat in the whole stadium. It was far away, but Draco's excellent sight picked out Ginny and the rest of the team. Now that he was alone, he just couldn't keep the smile off his face.

Ginny was the most bloody brilliant chaser he had ever witnessed. And he still would have thought that even if he didn't like Ginny.

The evening soon fell in the now cooler autumn air, and Draco saw black robed figures glide onto the pitch. One removed his hood and Draco immediately recognized the sandy haired youth.

Franko.

He watched the heated confrontation, but soon it was over before it began.

Gryffindor team began packing up shortly afterwards. He quickly got down the stairs and hid behind a large pillar for a while, waiting for Ginny who would eventually come out of the change rooms.

His plan worked. Ginny saw him and began walking towards him when suddenly a deep voice called out, "Ginny! Come on! I need you to help discuss game plans! Bastard Slytherins, how dare they come out on our training session."

The fuming voice belonged Ron. Ginny could only walk back in the other direction, giving Draco the most longing gaze he had ever seen her give.


Hi guys, another chap. I think it's long.

I have one question for you guys, which you can answer in reviews.

.is there too much fluff!

I can't believe how much fluff I managed to type up!

Anyway, I hope to hear from you guys soon,

Much love…

-Jessica