A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for all the feedback on the last chapter. I know this one is shorter, but I'm undecided what to do next and still wanted to post. I love you all and hope you guys are enjoying the season. If you haven't, feel free to tide yourself over in between my posts by reading some of my other fics.
********************************************************************************Ginny had never been embarassed by her family's lack of wealth. She might not have had everthing she had ever wanted, and she might not have had everything she had new, but her family made up for that with an abundance of love. She never knew a time (until just recently) when her house had not been overflowing with laughter and yelling and noise, and it was something she was unapologetic about. But for the first time, she found herself slightly uncomfortable about the apperance of her home and activity it bustled with as she regarded it through Draco's eyes. She had always known that he was very rich, but had never truly realized the extent of his wealth until she had spent the month at Malfoy Manor. It had been lavish, but sometimes is was like a tomb. And while she was aware his parents had very likely had people over often, she couldn't help but get the sense that Draco had grown up a very lonely person. These were the thoughts that she was having when she suddenly found herself kissing him in her bedroom.
Surprised, she quickly made an excuse for them to go downstairs. Her feelings for Draco were complicated and confusing, and all she could think about was how nice the kiss had been, and how the last time she had kissed someone in that room, it had been Harry. As they walked downstairs, she took a breath to steady herself. She led him outside, wanting to take his hand but knowing they should probably take it slow in front of her family. Ginny had always loved her backyard. It was large and the property went far beyond the fence in the back, but that alone included a massive, gnome infested garden and a small pond. Her brothers had set up tables in the back, seeing as the kitchen was too small to seat everyone. In addition to her parents, her brothers, their wives, and Teddy, Hagrid, Minnerva, and Kingsley were already seated. As she and Draco walked towards them, she could feel every pair of eyes on her. She wondered if she would ever be able to breath with so many people watching her. She couldn't imagine what they were thinking. Her ring felt heavy on her hand.
Draco's head was still spinning as they walked down the stairs. It was all he could do to stop himself from bringing his hand to his lips. He could still feel her lips on his. He followed her back through the house and to what he guessed was the back yard. It was large and overgrown and full of people that didn't like him. He knew somewhere in another part of his mind that they were staring at him, but all he could focus on was the girl gliding beside him. She moved like her feet barely touched the ground. He shook his head the tiniest fraction of an inch and pulled himself back into reality.
Dinner went relativley well. George made jokes all through dinner, which was the only thing that distracted Molly from asking constant questions. Bill tried making casual conversation, and Hermione tried making tentative conversation, but for the most part he was ignored. The food was fantastic, which was something he hadn't expected. He couldn't ever remember a time when he had eaten a meal not cooked by a house elf. Ginny was seated next to him, and the whole meal all he could think about was how close she was to him, and how he couldn't touch her.
After dinner everyone split off. Minerva and Molly took tea in the living room while the boys did dishes. Hagrid left soon after, saying he had to get back to Buckbeak, while Arthur and Kingsley had a conversation in private. This left Ginny and Draco alone together in the backyard. It was hard for her to be alone with him, becuase between the things she couldn't say to him, and the things she didn't want her family to hear her say, there just wasn't a whole lot left to be said.
Draco had a difficult time finding something to say as well. He didn't want to say anything to offend her, or to upset her, and even though they had been on such great terms by the end of her visit to the mansion, the interum was long enough that doubts and insecurities had begun to sink in. He worried about doing or saying something that would make this family grieve for those they had lost, and he worried that these people who loved Potter would bring him up, damaging the progress he had made with Ginny. And, for the first time in his life, he was worried that his past offenses would mar his future.
While they pondered these thoughts in silence, they walked around the small lake. Ginny loved her backyard, and most nature for that matter. She had always taken for granted the wonders, even while admiring the beauty. But Harry and Hermione had told her that in mostly muggle-filled areas, many of the creatures and plants abscented themselves, and after that, she never took them for granted again.
Once they had circled the lake, Ginny asked him if he wanted to see more of the property. When he agreed she showed him the broom shed and took him past the fence, out of the yard and down through the orchard. The orchard turned to woods after a stretch. Once they were out of sight, Draco took Ginny's hand.
"You're wearing your ring," he commented.
"I haven't taken it off," she replied.
As they walked further through the woods, they became more and more relaxed with each other and began talking about friends and quidditch and anything and everything that came to mind. Eventually they found a small clearing in a grove and sat to talk. The day had been warm, and the sun was starting to set, making the air cooler. Ginny drew nearer to Draco to garner some warmth, wishing she had brought her jumper, but glad she left it all the same.
Draco felt Ginny's warm little body shift closer, could smell her flowery scent. His voice was quieter now, husky in her ear, her own voice now a little more than a murmur. He realized what a stressful day it had been, how tired he actually was, as he heard Ginny's breathing slow into sleep. His last thoughts before he drifted off to sleep was that soon, he would sleep beside her every night.