Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah… I don't own anything.

A/N: Well, here it is. The much awaited 14th chapter. I'm sorry for the holdup but I had a minor case of writer's block that I had to break through. If it weren't for my friend at work, this chapter probably would have never been completed. (She nagged and nagged and nagged… LOL)

A/N 2: Thank you soooo much to everyone who reviewed. I loved them all.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

What's the Meaning of This?

All through Christmas break, Ginny met with Draco several times. Sometimes up in the Astronomy Tower and sometimes in his private room. He had given her the password so that when school started, she'd be able to escape any questioning Gryffindors. Finally, the night before classes resumed, everyone had returned. Harry and Ron had given Ginny a tiny Romanian Longhorn dragon replica as a gift but the darn thing kept burning her fingers. She had to use spellotape to keep its mouth shut. Hermione had given her a book on Magical Theory, which was currently sitting on her bedside table… unread. Before her friends came back, she had used an invisibility charm on the ring Draco gave her so they wouldn't see it. But, she wore Draco's ring on a chain that was currently tucked safely away in her shirt.

Everyone was lounging around in the Common Room either doing last minute homework or striking up conversations about their break. Ginny was so bored that all she wanted was to just sneak away and see Draco. She looked around and noticed that her friends were busy so she decided to take that chance. She got up and was just about to head for the portrait hole when Harry called to her.

"Hey, Gin, where are you going?"

Ginny turned around and put on her most charming smile. "Just thought I'd take a walk and stretch my legs," she lied.

"Why don't you take Hermione? She needs to get her nose out of those books and I would feel safer if you weren't alone."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm a big girl now, Harry. I don't need a babysitter." Why was he being so annoyingly overprotective?

"Not a babysitter," her brother chimed in. "Just get the know-it-all out of here. Then she won't have to nag us about not getting our homework done." She saw her brother give her puppy dog eyes… the same ones that she could never say no to.

"Fine," she sighed, throwing her arms up in defeat. "Where is she?" The two boys pointed up to the girls' dorm. She stormed up the stairs and knocked, rather loudly, on the 7th year door. "Hermione? You awake?"

"Yes," came Hermione's voice as the door opened.

Ginny stepped in and saw Hermione sitting on her bed with books littering the covers. "Don't you ever get tired of reading?" she joked.

Hermione laughed. "I live for reading. Please… sit down," she stated as she cleared away part of the bed for Ginny.

"Thanks. The boys seem to think that you need a break so they asked me to ask you if you'd like to go for a walk… to stretch your legs and to keep from nagging them."

"I have given up on 'nagging' them about their homework. If they want to slack off and fail… that will be on their heads. But… you don't really want me to go with you on a walk, do you?" Hermione looked at the other girl… her eyes narrowing.

Ginny looked down and fumbled with the corner of a faded book. She couldn't bring herself to look into the older girl's eyes. "I just wanted to get away by myself but Harry is insisting that I take you… for safety."

"Ginny, what is going on? I know that I said, while you were in the hospital wing, that I'd leave you to tell me when you felt the time was right… but I can't seem to shake this feeling."

"What feeling?" Ginny asked sheepishly.

"It has to do with that ring I found under your bed a few weeks ago."

Ginny's hand instinctively went to her neck and Hermione noticed the small gesture. "I don't know what you're talking about," Ginny stammered.

Hermione took Ginny's hand away and reached for the chain… pulling out the ring. "This ring," she said. "Whom does it belong to?"

"Oh… um…" she began.

"Ginny, you don't have to play dumb with me. I'm your friend. I know the ring belongs to Malfoy. I just don't understand why you have it?"

Ginny fidgeted on the bed. How could she explain to Hermione what had been going on since October? She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. "Yes, it's Draco's ring."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione asked.

"I wanted to," Ginny practically yelled but she regained her composure. "But, how can one tell something like this to someone who hates… no, loathes… the person involved?"

Hermione took Ginny's hand. "Why don't you start from the beginning."

Ginny nodded and prepared herself for the story. "Well, it started the day I missed the potions test. I was so upset and then Draco found me in the hallway. He just seemed… different. I was ready for him to just throw open the door and push me into the classroom but he let me go. Then he became my potions tutor. During this time, he kept hinting that I might not be interested in Harry anymore. I started to really think about my relationship and the more I thought about it the more I realized that maybe it wasn't what I really wanted."

"So, how does Malfoy fit in to all of this?"

"Well, one day, he sent Crabbe and Goyle to find me. I was taken to Draco's personal room and it was then that he told me that he couldn't get me off his mind. He almost had sex with me but he stopped when he found out that I was a virgin."

"He what?" Hermione questioned… she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You have to understand, Hermione. I wanted him to, but he wouldn't. But… he did give me a mind-blowing orgasm. Something that Harry never attempted the whole summer while we were dating. The next day, Draco invited me into the locker room after the Slytherin's had one of their trainings. It was nice but afterwards… well… I didn't think it would work out. I ran out on him and then Harry and I became friends again. After my accident at the Quidditch game, he came to see me. He was the one that saved me from that fall." Hermione nodded her head to say that she knew it was Draco. "Well, he asked me to meet him in the Astronomy Tower on Christmas Eve. He was so romantic that night and I knew he was the one that I wanted to be my first."

"You mean…" Hermione began but Ginny cut her off.

"Yes. I lost my virginity that night and I wanted to do it. And if I were given the chance again, I would. He was so gentle and caring… it felt like heaven."

"Gin, do you understand what you are saying?"

"I know that he's been horrible in the past but, Hermione…"

The brown-haired girl put up her hand. "No, Gin, what I'm trying to say is that you are in love."

Ginny blushed and looked down at her hands that were playing with a thread on the bed cover. "I guess I am."

"So, is this why you are here? You want to go and see him but Harry won't let you out by yourself?" Ginny shook her head. "Well, I can't say that I completely understand what you see in Mal… I mean, Draco but he seems to make you happy."

"Oh, he does," Ginny said, grinning.

"So, I guess I can walk out of here with you and just go to the library for a while." Ginny jumped up and hugged Hermione. Hermione pried loose. "But, you have to meet me back in front of the portrait at 11pm sharp. That's all the time I can give you without raising suspicion."

"I promise. And, if there is ever anything you need from me… just let me know. I owe you big time for this," Ginny answered.

"Just be careful. I don't fully trust him yet."

"He's changed. I guarantee it."

"Whatever… I'll believe it when I see it." Hermione grabbed her bag, some books, and her wand. She stood up and together, they walked to the door. Hermione told Harry, and Ron, that they were going to the library for a little while and would be back around 11pm. Harry nodded and went back to the game of Wizard's Chess he had been playing. The girls left the common room and walked down the hall a little ways. Then, Hermione turned to Ginny. "Remember, 11pm. Don't be late."

"I won't," Ginny replied, turned, and raced down towards the dungeon area before Hermione could change her mind. She looked at her watch and noticed it was already 9:30. She didn't have much time to spend with him but anything was better than nothing.

As she turned the corner, she made her feet slow to a walk. She didn't want to seem desperate but at the same time, she felt like a little girl on Christmas morning… just waiting for the family to wake up so she could start opening her presents. She stood in front of the door to Draco's private room, whispered the password, and stepped inside. What she didn't know was that someone was hiding just behind a suit of armor. Pansy stepped out of the shadows with a confused look on her face. She decided to wait around to see if the little Gryffindor brat would reemerge or if her mind was just playing tricks on her.

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Ginny stepped into the room and candles suddenly burst into flame, casting the place into frightening shadows. She visibly shivered and ran her hands up and down her arms. She pulled out her wand and, with a flick of her wrist, brought the fire up and roaring. Draco wasn't there but she didn't know where else to look. She sat down on the couch and picked up a book that was on the table. She noticed that it was his 7th year Potions text and was just getting into it when the door opened. She froze. What if it wasn't Draco? What if his friends from Slytherin knew his password as well? What would they do if they found her in here?

"Ginny?" It was Draco's voice.

Ginny visibly relaxed and smiled up at him. "I… uh…" she stuttered, not sure what she was going to say.

"Miss me already?" he asked with a smirk. "We've only parted company a few hours ago."

Ginny stood up and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. "I was just so bored in my common room."

Draco embraced her and rested his chin on the top of her head. "So, what… you figured you'd come here and get a little excitement?"

Ginny rolled her eyes as she felt the smile form on his lips. "Well… that wouldn't be such a bad thing… would it?"

Draco pushed her back, a little, and looked into her eyes. She saw the lust form in his expression as he leaned forward and captured her lips in a searing kiss. She felt all thought leave her mind as their tongues explored each other. She never wanted the kiss to end but sadly, even she needed to breathe. She smiled up at him but noticed something flicker in his eyes. "Draco?" she asked.

"Are you sure you're all right?" he asked, searching her eyes.

"Yes," she answered a little too quickly.

Draco took her hand and led her to the couch. She sat down as he brought over two glasses of water. She gratefully took the glass and downed half of its contents before he spoke. "Ginevra, something is bothering you. Please, tell me?"

Ginny looked into Draco's gray eyes and sighed. "Well, what if it wasn't you that entered just a few minutes ago? What if someone else had walked in and seen me? And, now that Harry's back, what if I never get a chance to sneak away to see you?" It was everything that she had on her mind and now felt a little better that she had said something. Draco put his glass down on the table before them and sighed. Ginny thought he would be mad but he looked up and smiled… actually more like smirked. "What's so funny, Mr. Malfoy?" she demanded… taken aback at his response to her fears.

"Well, Miss Weasley," he mocked. "Firstly, the only other people who know the password to my room are Crabbe and Goyle. They don't come here unless I've asked for them. Secondly, you're safe here. Thirdly, you'll just have to be a little sneakier in order to see me. So what if Potter is back. He can't stop you from walking around the castle. He's not your father."

It was Ginny's turn to sigh. "He almost did tonight. I had to get Hermione to help me leave the common room."

"Granger?" Draco asked, surprise in his voice. Ginny nodded. "Does… does she know?"

"About us?" Ginny asks and Draco nods his head. "Yes. I had to tell her. She knew that this was your ring." Ginny takes out the ring from inside her shirt.

Draco smiled at her. "You wear it?"

"All the time."

Draco placed his palm on Ginny's cheek and she leaned into his embrace. "You are one spirited lady."

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Hermione paced back and forth in front of the entrance to Gryffindor for around 15 minutes. Ginny was nowhere in sight and it was making the older girl nervous. She couldn't just walk into the common room and hope that the boys had already retired for the night. I am going to kill Ginny for this, she thought to herself. Before she could think of an excuse, the portrait opened and in the dim light, she saw Harry's profile.

"Hermione?" he asked… he sounded sleepy.

"Oh, Harry… um…"

Harry looked around. "Where's Ginny?"

"Well… you see…" Hermione was stumbling over her words in a vain attempt to come up with something.

Harry stepped out into the hallway, his eyes wide in fear. "Something's happened to her," he stated, not a question.

"Harry, listen…" Hermione began but she was cut off when he sprinted back into the tower. Hermione followed him up the stairs and into his room. He pulled out an old folded piece of parchment and Hermione's eyes widened in fear. It was the Marauder's Map. "Harry…"

But it was too late. Harry had already spoken the words and was clearly looking over the map to find Ginny's dot. Hermione knew when he found it because his eyes became huge. "What is Malfoy doing with her? And where the fuck is this room?"

Hermione winced when she heard her best friend curse. "Harry, I'm sure there's an explanation." Without another word, Harry stormed out of his room and by the time she reached the common room, he was already out the door. Ginny, I hope you leave Malfoy's presence before Harry finds you, she thought.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Harry wandered the halls, following the route on the map. He could see that he was getting closer to whatever room this was and that Ginny was still there. He rounded a corner and smacked right into something… sending him sprawling to the ground. He drew his wand and noticed a startled Parkinson holding her wand on him. "What is your problem?" he asked.

"I could ask the same about you," she sneered back.

"Why are you here?"

"Not that it's any of your business, Potter, but I'm waiting to speak to Draco."

"Isn't he in your common room?"

"Draco's father gave him his own room. Do you really think that the heir to the Malfoy fortune would spend his time in the drafty dungeons?"

Harry stood up and looked at the door to his right. "This is Malfoy's room?" he asked.

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Yes. Why do you care?"

"I… I was looking for Ginny." He didn't know why he needed to tell her this… he just did.

"Well, I did see her go in there earlier but I thought my eyes were deceiving me. I was waiting here for the door to open to see if I was right."

During their conversation, they had both lowered their wands. An uncomfortable silence fell between the two enemies and Harry lifted his hand to scratch the back of his neck. "So," he started, breaking the silence. "What now?"

Pansy flipped her hair behind her shoulders. "I don't care what you do. I plan on staying right here until I find out what's going on behind that door."

"Then… so am I."

"Whatever… Just leave me alone."

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ginny, after having fulfilled her desire for excitement (at the skilled hands of Draco Malfoy), exited his room. Once the door closed, she was met by two blinding wand lights. "Ginny…" "Weasley…" Two voices could be heard and Ginny blinked through the light. Much to her dismay, she saw both Harry and Pansy standing before her.

She sighed and bowed her head. This is not going to bode well, she mused. Instead of addressing either person, she turned on her heel and took off towards Gryffindor. She ran as fast as she could… Harry's cries didn't even stop her. Once she climbed through the portrait hole, she ran right up to Hermione's door and started pounding. "Hermione!" she yelled.

The door opened and a groggy looking Hermione greeted her. "What on earth…" she started as she rubbed sleep from her eyes.

"What did you say?" Ginny demanded.

Hermione looked behind her, stepped out into the hallway, and quietly closed the door. "I didn't say anything," she stated. "You were late."

Ginny looked down at her watch and it finally dawned on her. "Shit," she mumbled.

Hermione put her hand on the other girl's shoulder. "What happened?"

"Ginny?" Harry's voice shouted from the common room. "Ginny, get your arse down here now!"

Hermione could see Ginny visibly shake. She didn't like the fact that she was falling for Malfoy but he did seem to make her happy. She hadn't seen Ginny happy in a very long time. She turned to Ginny. "Go and wait for me in your room."

"What are you going to do?" Ginny asked.

"I'm going to go down and talk to Harry." She turned towards the stairs and left Ginny alone. When she reached the bottom, she saw Harry pacing the floor like a wild animal. "Harry?" she spoke softly.

Harry stopped pacing and looked up. "Where is she?" he demanded.

"You know, I've had enough of people demanding things from me," she stated. "Now, you will sit down and listen to what I have to say. And… you will NOT interrupt until I have finished."

Resignedly, Harry sat in one of the couches and waited for Hermione to continue.

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Ginny waited in her room for what felt like hours when Hermione finally entered. Ginny made to stand up but Hermione shook her head and walked over to her. She sat down next to the redhead. "Ginny, I've told Harry everything."

"What?" Ginny nearly shouted but kept her cool.

"Well, almost everything. I left out the part about you and Draco… you know…"

Ginny nodded. She knew that Hermione wouldn't tell Harry that her and Draco were shagging. "So, how did he take it?"

"I made him promise me that he wouldn't do anything. He looked like he was going to go back to Draco and hex him but I told him to just go to his room and go to sleep. I doubt very much that he will be sleeping tonight."

Ginny sighed in defeat. "This doesn't sound good. Now I'll never be able to see Draco again."

Hermione took Ginny's hand in her own. "I think that it may be a good idea to let things cool down."

"Are you suggesting that I stay away from him? Just… pretend that I don't have feelings for Draco?"

"Ginny, Harry may not have done anything now but that doesn't mean he likes it. Just let him get through this. Remember, Harry did love you."

"Yeah… or so he thought." Then another thought occurred to Ginny. "You don't think he'll tell Ron, do you?"

Hermione let go of her hand. "I made him promise me that he would leave your brother out of this." She saw Ginny exhale slowly. "Please, just lay low for a while. I'll send a note to Draco to let him know that Harry has been informed. I'm sure he'll think this is for the best. If you two truly love one another, you will be able to wait."

Ginny could only nod her head. She knew that Hermione was right, but she could help but feel her heart break a little. All she wanted to do was run to Draco and here it was that she had to leave him for a while. She watched as Hermione left her room and waited until the door closed. She fell back and cried into her pillow. She stayed this way well into the wee hours of the morning, when she was woken up by someone's hand on her arm.

"Ginny?" came April's voice.

Ginny looked up at her friend. "April?"

"Ginny, are you ok? You look like hell."

Ginny sat up and ran a hand down her face. "No. Harry knows about me and Draco."

"You and Draco? So, it's true?" Ginny nodded her head. "I heard Lavender telling Patil who told Hannah who heard from a friend that Pansy was raving like a lunatic about finding you in Draco's private room. I mean, I didn't even know that Draco HAD a private room, but now it all makes complete sense."

Ginny's head was spinning from her friend's ramblings. She took hold of April's arm. "What are you babbling about?"

"Hmm? Oh, sorry. Its just… wow. You and Draco?"

Ginny smiled a little. "Yeah. Happened after the Halloween dance. But, now Harry knows and Hermione thinks that I should stay away from Draco… at least until things calm down a little."

"It's sound advice. Of course, knowing Draco, I doubt you'll have to wait long."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Why don't we go down to the Great Hall and get some breakfast. The two of you might just find a cozy little alcove nearby." April winked at her friend. Ginny smiled and got ready. It only took a few minutes and she was heading down to the Great Hall. What met her at the door made her freeze in her tracks.

She saw Draco standing in the hallway with Pansy. She was nuzzling his neck and his eyes were closed. Ginny tried to breathe but stood there like a fish out of water. April tried to lead Ginny into the Great Hall, fearing that her friend might make a scene. She couldn't help but stare and it was then that Pansy looked up at her and winked. Ginny went for her wand but April grabbed her hand. "Not here," she whispered.

Draco must have heard April, because he turned his head and his eyes widened when he saw Ginny. He pushed Pansy away. "Ginny…" he started but she merely let April lead her away. Once inside the Great Hall, Draco pulled Ginny around. "What is wrong with you?"

"Me?" she screamed. Everyone turned to look. "Me? What in the name of Merlin is wrong with you?"

"Ginny, quiet. You're making a scene?"

"I'm making a scene?" she yelled. "I'm not the one who was snogging an ex in front of the whole fucking school!"

"Ginny," April started. "Come on, let's go."

April led Ginny to a nearby bathroom where she promptly fell to the floor and wailed. April had no clue how to comfort her but was relieved when Hermione came in. The older girl knealt down in front of her and took Ginny into her arms. Ginny cried even harder, her body shaking. Hermione comforted her and stroked her hair. She wanted to cry along with her friend but knew she had to remain strong. She was hoping that Draco had a good excuse for his behavior. And… it better be a damn good excuse.

A/N: Well, another chapter down. I hope you all aren't mad at me for making you wait so long. I'm trying to get my friend to finish her chapter for our other story (Snake Charmers… shameless plug…) and it seems as though that chapter will be around 20 pages long. I hated leaving on this note, but I know how the story's going to end… I just don't want it to end too soon. Of course, there will be a sequel and it's already being written. Just have to get this one done first. Thanks again, and please… leave a review. If you do, I'll personally send you a thank you.