Draco didn't like Ginny getting friendly with Potter. They had dated last year, and that made it possible for old feelings to come up. Despite her protestations that she was over Harry and Potter's reluctance to get involved with anyone until the Dark Lord's demise, Draco still couldn't help feeling that way. He'd gone on that one date with Ginny, and had started to get to know her better on their guard shifts, but even now it felt awkward. He liked her but…how much did he like her? Was this for real?

As soon as Goyle and Ginny were out of the room Draco looked at Pansy and then at the dragon. "Don't tell me Potter got you to take the winged rat off his hands." Herby growled and tried to spit fire at Draco, but as he was still clasped in pansy's hands, it was mite difficult. Draco laughed at it and then looked at Pansy more seriously. "I need some advice...care to try and be friendly?"

Pansy watched with fascination as the little dragon buzzed playfully around her head, only to land back in her palm for a belly rub. She was fascinated by it, entranced even. She didn't even notice Draco was staring at her until he started being nasty. "It's practice. That way, when the baby is born, I won't be in the dark on how to care for another living being. I wouldn't expect you to understand." But at the moody expression playing on his face, she softened her tone, "Draco, I'm always friendly. What do you want of me this time?"

Draco watched Pansy for a second and nodded in concession to what she said. She had always been nice and eager to please him. He had been the one who was always nasty and mean. He didn't really want to be but he couldn't let people know there was a softer side to him. He had his reputation to uphold, after all. He looked back over his shoulder at the door, and then back to Pansy. "It's Ginny. I don't know what to do really. You're not a dumb girl, so I know you've at least gotten the impression that I like her." He watched Pansy for a moment to gauge her reaction to this and then continued on. "I know she borrowed some dress robes from you for our date and I think it went well…but I don't know what to do. You were the only real girlfriend I had, and I never had to worry about you. We were betrothed and it was a given that we would stay together, so I didn't think about wooing you. It's different with Ginny."

"Every girl is different, Draco." Maybe to some people, that would've been common sense; but for Draco Malfoy, she knew it would unnerve him that she could read him so well. He shouldn't have been so shocked; after all, they had been together for almost six year. She knew him almost as well as he knew himself, sometimes even better. Meeting his eyes, she smiled, "I know that Ginny was very excited to be going on a date with you, Draco. In fact, if you care to take her out again, I've given her several sets that I'm know I won't be fitting into soon." She had no delusions that one day she'd fit in an extra-small ever again; slinging her arm over her abdomen, she gave him a knowing look, "You really like her, huh?

Draco watched Pansy; he'd known Ginny borrowed at least one set from Pansy. He didn't know she'd given her several sets; that was awfully nice of her. He'd probably have made some rude comment about her weight… except he was glad he'd be able to take Ginny out again. "Yeah, I guess I do like her. She's not like other girls. She doesn't get upset when I act like I always do. She doesn't cower away when I get in one of my moods." He threw a look saying she knew what moods he meant. "She runs her own mouth off at me half the time just to show me how much of a git I'm being. She's got a spine on her, that's for sure." He looked down at his shoes for a moment before looking back up at Pansy. "I just don't what to do next. I suppose another date is in order...but the more we go on, the more likely Potter and Ron are going to find out. I doubt either of them will be excited that I'm seeing Ginny. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if I had to start dodging hexes."

Pansy knew exactly how awful and cruel he could be and she was damn glad that Ginny wasn't taking it from him. She'd taken it for so long, hoping and praying he'd come around. She had hoped that by being the kind of wife the Malfoys expected, she could get past the stony exterior and into his heart. Thank Merlin for Goyle and his love...he had saved her from herself and from Malfoy. Now, he was the one feeling like she once did: lovesick. "There's always been something about her, Draco. Remember in fifth year when she hexed you?" A short chortle was quickly covered by a cough, "You didn't stop talking about her for two months! She's good for you; she makes you see what kind of a person you really are." She'd let it go from there, she didn't need to condemn him for being the villain all these years. "And if she likes you and you like her...why do Ron and Harry even get a vote? Don't tell me you suddenly care what they think."

Draco sputtered for a second, his face turning three shades of red. He cared what Ron and Harry thought? Of course not…right? "Of course I don't care what Saint Potty or ickle Ronny-kins think. I was just saying that if they don't like it they'll probably try and do something. While I'm certain I could take Ron blindfolded with both arms tied behind my back, Potter is a whole other story. He's no older than us, and yet he's taken on the Dark Lord about several times now. And each time he comes out hardly worse for wear. I just don't like the idea of being more on his bad side than I already am."

"Draco," She answered with a heavy sigh, "You and I both know the pressure that pureblooded families put on their children. I know that it must be difficult putting aside every prejudice you've ever grown up with for this girl. It's not easy; I know that better than anyone." How many prejudices had she had to overlook to fall in love with Goyle? He wasn't the stupid, clumsy brute people thought he was...he was a beautiful man, a powerful lover and, best of all, the father of her unborn child. "I believe more than anyone that if it's meant to be, it will. Not even the great Harry Potter can stop love."

Draco watched her for a moment before commenting on her thoughts. "Potter always says love is his greatest power against the Dark Lord. But that's just the thing; Potter has known me for seven years. He saw what I did to you, despite my reasons. I don't think he'd ever entertain he thought that love has anything to do with it. He'd probably chalk it up to me playing games and trying to get at the Weasleys, or even retaliating against him since he dated her." He frowned, "And don't try to deny it either."

Maybe it was paranoia talking, but Draco was making it sound like this was the end for him. "Do you see yourself being with her, Draco? Do you see yourself marrying her, having her bear your heirs, and waking up next to her every morning?" She let her ice blue eyes run over his face, desperate for any indication that he was thinking about this. "Because if she's the one for you, are you really going to let anyone take that away from you? I know you, Draco, if you want something—and I think you want Ginny Weasley—you'll have it." She didn't want Ginny to be hurt either. "But you have to decide how far you're willing to go."

Draco jumped out of his seat and looked at Pansy opened mouthed. "I think it's a bit too soon to tell, Pansy. I've only been on one date with her and I've only been civil with her for two weeks, if that!" Yes, it was far too soon to tell if he was in love with her and wanted to tack Malfoy on to the end of her name. But the thought wasn't all that ridiculous to him; Draco liked to move faster than others to secure what he wanted, to make sure no one got it first. After a moment he deflated a bit and sat back down. "I don't know. She might be perfect for me but… damn!" Draco reared back and punched a pillow that was next to him on the chair. "Stupid Potter making me second guess myself. I swear this has never happened before."

Pansy jumped as he made a fuss, slamming a pillow and stalking around the room. Herby did a little flip as well; he was looking slightly perturbed by all the sudden movements. Draco was flustered; that a first for him, Pansy thought, at least when it came to girls. Usually girls and women alike fell all over him and wanted to be his. Ginny didn't want to be owned by anyone, she was her own woman. "That's another thing to keep in mind, you've only just begun a relationship...it's not time to start picking out wedding robes and baby names." Giving him a soft smile, she patted his hand gently, "Just remember that what will be, will be, Draco. If Ginny is meant to be your one and only then it will work out for the best. I believe that."

Draco looked at Pansy like she had a puffskein for a head. "What do you mean it's too soon? You were the one that started out assuming it was love." He folded his arms over his chest and flopped down into the chair he'd been in. He'd said he was going to be friendly, and here he was starting to be an ass again. "Thanks, Pansy. I'm…I'm sorry I got mad at you." It wasn't very often that Draco Malfoy apologized to anyone. He looked around for a moment and then back at Pansy. "Let's just forget the whole conversation. I need time to think."

Pansy almost choked. Had Draco Malfoy actually apologized to her? Sitting down in her favorite chair, she stared at him, "She's good for you. Maybe she can be everything that I wasn't." It wasn't only his fault that the relationship failed...although most of the blame lay with him. Deciding to change the subject, she sighed, "What have people been saying...about my disappearance, I mean?"

Draco shrugged. "McGonagall and Potter have both been keeping up the appearance that you got spirited away for some super top secret internship program at the Ministry. It's not unheard of so, as far as I can tell people believe it. All I've ever heard is people complaining about," His voice changed to a mock high-pitched girl's voice, "What makes that Pansy Parkinson think she's so great to get an internship? Didn't she used to date Draco and wasn't she supposed to be pregnant with Goyle's baby?" He smirked. "Mostly we just reaffirm— in our own ways, mind you—that you're off for an internship. Also, it makes it so if any Death Eaters want to find you and ask their children what they've heard; they get that story as well. It'll divert them to the Ministry which not too many of them are stupid enough to try and breach."

"An internship, well...I could've done worse." She smirked, letting her hand run absently over her belly. "It seems that the initial rumors have come true. I was afraid that people were going to assume that I really had been hiding a pregnancy and the Death Eaters would be even more anxious to find me." Sure, Goyle Senior had seen that she wasn't pregnant at the time...but that didn't mean he wasn't going to lie to spare his life. Looking over at Draco, she gave a soft smile, "By the way, I'm having a girl." She didn't know why she was telling him, she knew he wouldn't care. But still, she wanted to share her happy news with everyone. Before she could stop it, tears welled up in her eyes again, "I'm going to have a daughter. I'm going to be someone's mum!" Major mother meltdown...

Draco watched Pansy for a moment and then pulled out his wand. With a wave, flick a mumbled incantation a small pink cupcake appeared in front of her. "Congratulations, Pansy. Here, a pink cupcake for a little girl." He smirked and then eyed the dragon resting on her shoulder. With a flick of his wand a small pink bow appeared tied around its head. This served to upset Herby to the point he was rolling around trying to get the bow off and making awful hissing noises. After he managed to shred it enough to break free, he glared at Draco before leaping into the air. He circled a few times, and then dived at Draco, alternating between trying to bite, claw, and burn him.

Pansy was almost shocked that he remembered...it was something of a tradition in her family that new babies were celebrated with some sort of cake, mostly because the Parkinson women were so frightfully thin that they needed the extra weight. Unlike most families, the Parkinsons were just as happy with female children as male...her mother had been presented with two lavish parties for bearing two children. Her sister, Daisy, was born when Pansy was in her fourth year. Draco had, of course, been forced to attend the ceremony with his mother and obviously he had picked up on the tradition. Wiping her face, she set the cupcake down on the table and stood, "Herby," She called gently, her tone slightly stern. Stepping forward, she looked Draco in the eye, "I'm going to hug you now and if you push me away, my baby for a day will chew your bits off." She chuckled wearily and wrapped her arms around him, still sniffling, "Thank you...you don't know what that means to me."

Draco was suddenly uncomfortable. She was hugging him, a tiny dragon was trying to kill him for a harmless little joke, and he hoped to Merlin that Goyle didn't walk through that door right then. He'd probably think Draco was trying something and beat him to a pulp. He slowly placed his hands on Pansy's back, returning the hug. Truth was, he'd never actually hugged her before. It was always sex when they were together, and then later on it was him trying to push her away. He'd never really been affectionate with her; this was new territory for him. "Don't mention it, Pansy." He nervously eyed the little dragon that had called off its attack to avoid hurting Pansy. He wondered if Potter would be mad at him if he killed the little thing for trying to hurt him. Potter would probably make him wish he was dead. Not to mention what Pansy would do to him for killing her 'baby for a day'.

Wiping her eyes, she smiled and stepped back. "You're not the big bad man that you want everyone to think you are." She believed that now. Yes, he'd hurt her very deeply, but he'd also driven her into the arms of a man she loved more than life itself. Running her fingers through her dark hair, she moved to the sink and poured herself a glass of water. It was getting close to being the time that her body normally rebelled against food and she could already feel the nausea welling within her. The stirrings of sickness hit and she moaned, "Bloody hell," She whispered, trying to breathe deeply. "You may as well make yourself comfortable..." Gagging, she dashed for the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.

Draco watched Pansy run from the room ready to spill the day's meals. He briefly wondered if there was anything he could do to help her. Of course that thought was quickly derailed by the sound of a hissing near his right ear. He stiffened up and slowly turned to see Herby sitting on the back of the chair, right by his ear, and looking very much like he thought said ear was an appetizer. Draco raised his hands in submission, "Come on now, it was a harmless joke." He attempted to get out of the chair but Herby lunged at him, hooked its claws into his hair and bit deep into his ear. Draco yelped and grabbed the side of his head. Herby flew away before the hand could snag him, and sat himself on the mantle of the fireplace and started to lick his claws contently. Damn dragon, it even looked smug about biting him.

Meanwhile, Ginny was staring down at the parchment in her hand. "You mean to tell me that Slughorn actually assigned us an essay on potions ingredients that are INACTIVE!" She snapped, anger spreading over her features, "Why that blubbering bloody bastard! How is this going to help is when we go to brew a healing draught?" Slamming the book, she folded her arms, "And here I was, thinking I was the daft one for not understanding the assignment."

Gregory smiled and patted Ginny comfortingly on the shoulder. "Well think about it, Ginny. The healing potions do a lot of things all at once like reducing pain and healing a laceration. Obviously, healing the wound is the active effect, and therefore the active ingredients are those that aid the healing. But what about the pain dulling? That's a passive effect since it's not the main purpose of the potion. It's added, so you need to know which ingredients are inactive that help with those types of things. Am I making any sense?" He knew he wasn't as good a teacher as Pansy or Hermione; he was just trying to help out a little. Truth was, he barely understood it himself. "The point is, even inactive ingredients have something they contribute to the potion. So, you still need to know about them."

Ginny frowned, "I think you're making things up to make me feel better Goyle." She chuckled and gave him a small smile. "Thanks for helping me though. I know its tough leaving her." They couldn't very well discuss Pansy in the middle of the library without a silencing charm, it was too dangerous. Raising her wand, she said the simple incantation, adding it to the concealment charm she'd already done on the two of them. "How's she doing, though? Madame Pomfrey didn't tell me much besides that she's been doing better with the morning sickness."

Once he was satisfied that no one could hear then, he leaned in, "Well, she's doing better. Managed to get the sickness down to once a day, usually about this time thanks in no small part to you, I might add." He placed a hand on her arm and gave a warm squeeze. "Thanks for that, by the way." He smiled at her then looked around again. "Did we forget to tell you? Madam Pomfrey told us the sex of the baby..." He was already starting to beam with pride. "We're having a girl."

Ginny clasped her hands together in delight and then grasped Goyle's hand, shaking it firmly, "Congratulations! Goyle, it's wonderful to have a little girl...nice job!" Laughing, she couldn't help but blush as he thanked her. "Come now, it's the least I can do. I don't like her seeing her sick either; the poor girl has enough to deal with." Laughing, she grabbed a piece of parchment, "I'm going to knit her a blanket! Mum has been teaching me for a while now and what better way to practice than to make something useful!"

Gregory smiled and nodded. "I'm sure Pansy would like that." His face grew serious then and he leaned in closer. "Ginny, there's something Pansy and I have wanted to ask you. You helped her out so much with the morning sickness, and making sure she's eating and all that when I'm in classes. I don't think she'd be doing as well as she is now if it hadn't been for you. We wanted to know, would you like to be our baby's godmother?"

Ginny's dark eyes widened, "I-I'd be so honored, Goyle. Are you sure I'm the right girl for the job, though? I mean, Pansy and I have never been the best of friends...I just want to make sure that you're making the right decision." Still, she couldn't help but smile broadly, "Oh a little girl, I can barely contain myself." Laughing, she gave him a nod, "If you're sure, then of course I will!"

Gregory nodded to her. "We were thinking it over for the past week actually. Harry's already agreed to be the godfather. I mean, without his help we'd probably up a certain creek without paddles right now. And you've been just as helpful and as tolerant. All of Pansy's friends turned on her when she and Draco split up; you're one of the only friends she's got now and you've been more than helpful."

Nodding, Ginny looked down at the table again. "Goyle...about Draco," She let her voice trail off. She'd been itching to pick Goyle's brain ever since she knew he had one. "What's he really like? I mean, I've seen the Draco that he shares with me but I want to know what he's like with his friends, what he's like away from me."

Gregory sobered instantly. She'd brought up Draco...and friends? He almost laughed. "Draco doesn't have friends Ginny. He's the little heir of Malfoy; he's been raised to think he's better than everyone. He doesn't have friends, he has lackeys...servants. Even Crabbe and I were no more than pawns in his game of power. And with Pansy, well, he never really cared much about her. It was all business; he did what was expected of him, and tried to push her away when he thought she was in trouble. And that just shows how much he's in trouble. If he'd ever learned to be friendly, to truly care, he'd have just told her what was going on and she'd have left. But instead he pushed her away and was nasty and spiteful." He sighed and looked up, meeting her eyes again, "Why do you ask?"

Blushing, she ran her fingers over the cover of the book, "Well Draco and I...we've been...well, dating for lack of a better word. We went to dinner and we've been spending more time together. I just...I know what everyone says about him. I even know everything he did to Pansy and I still like him and want to be with him." Picking at a nonexistent string on her clothes she sighed, "I don't know what I'm thinking. This goes against every good sense that I have and everything my family has ever told me. I must be batty!"

Gregory laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Ginny, that's exactly what everyone said about me and Pansy. My dad thought she was just bait for the Dark Lord, everyone made fun of the rumors. But you know what? It's okay. I've noticed a change in Draco lately. Like he's finally breaking out of that cold Malfoy shell he's had around himself all this time. He's no different than any of us would be had we had to grow up in his shoes. I think you're good for him. I've seen rows with him, you don't let him push you around or badmouth you. You give it right back to him. He needs that, to know he's not better than everyone else."

"The git just needs to be put in his place sometimes," She said with a slight smirk playing on her face. "But he's not the bastard that everyone thinks he is. Sometimes I think he acts like that so people don't get too close and hurt him. I'm sure you understand." Goyle, more than anyone else, knew what being the child of a Death Eater was like and the horrors that it could inflict on a person. Lucius Malfoy was almost as bad as Voldemort himself, so Draco got it double.

Gregory nodded. "It is hard growing up the way we both have. And I wouldn't doubt if your reasoning was correct. After all, I played the dumb brute for a long time for similar reasons. It only makes sense. Just...keep up the good work. He'll come around eventually and then you'll know what to do from there. I think you're exactly what he needs right now. He needs to be shown that he can open up to others...you'll see. Just give it time."

Time was something she wasn't sure they'd have with the war looming overhead. Still, she merely nodded, "I'll give him everything I have. He just has to show me that he wants it." Draco Malfoy, what a strange fellow he was...but she liked the way he made her feel beautiful, the way he touched her, the way he infuriated her like no one else. "Speaking of Malfoy, do you think we should've left him and Pansy alone for so long?"

Gregory laughed and shook his head. "Draco's as harmless around her as a house elf. He knows that if he did anything to her, not only would I go after him but Potter would too; I think he's the one wizard besides the Dark Lord that Draco's afraid of. Besides," He smiled mischievously, "she's got Herby with her. He seemed to take a liking to her and I don't think he'd let anything happen to her. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he was busy attacking Draco right now. He is Potter's dragon, after all; he probably dislikes him as much as Potter does."

Ginny chuckled. She had always been fond of Harry's little dragon Herby. Although, one time he had chewed a hole in her favorite set of robes. Apparently she had left a cookie in there and he decided fabric was not an issue. Oh well, he had never bothered her. "Come, let's go back. Even if Draco is harmless to Pansy, I can't say that the girl doesn't have every right to want to chop his bits off." Smirking, she picked up her book and led the way back to the dorm.

You know what to do! I hope you liked it Nameless Freak ;). We finally gave you some of that Pansy/Draco action!

Have a good weekend everyone. Don't forget to read and review!

Marina & James