Title: The Truth About Trees

Author: Tiny Q

E-Mail: one_legged_lesbian_seagull@hotmail.com

A/N: Well here it is.  The beginning of the fluff.  And there is more to come I assure you.  ~nods~  But just to warn you all, from here on in the corniness factor has shot straight up.  It's really rather sad but apparently unavoidable.  But yes, nothing really happens in this chapter, but it's an important chapter to the plot I guess.  Anyhoo, I am dedicating this chapter to my sister, who somehow managed to get a phone caught in her long hair and while screaming to her friends for help, her fingers somehow managed to dial 911 and sent two police cars roaring up the driveway five minutes later.  Ah, she's so blonde.

Disclaimer: I own nothing!  ~sings~ Nothing!  Nothing!  Nothing! ~gets hit in the head by a rubber chicken~  Ow.

The Truth About Trees

Chapter 12

Revelations Without Trees

~*~

            It didn't take the matron very long to realize that we were injured.  Actually, it was quite a fast reaction considering, of course, that we were covered in blood from our run ins with the trees and other pointy objects that reside in forests.  Not to mention that we were all shivering as the entire ordeal began to sink in.  Ginny worst of all.  Guess she's Ginny again.  Her first name and last name seem to be blinking in my head.

            We were ushered into the hospital wing, where she had us all sit down on separate beds.  Camera Boy's was beside the window and Ginny was on the one between us.  Not that I would have minded her in mine.  I did not just think that willingly.  I did not just think that!

            It seemed that none of us had enough energy to talk though or even nod.  All we really seemed able to do was stare at one another, and I wasn't about to participate in that spectator's sport, thank you very much.

            Madame Pomfrey returned a few minutes later clutching three steaming goblets in her hands.  Great.  Potions.  But I couldn't even find enough energy to speculate as to what it was.  It could have been kneazle piss for all I cared.  Well, perhaps I would have cared, but that's beside the point. 

            I didn't even protest at how foul it tasted.  I actually would have complimented it, if I had been a touch further gone.  As soon as it spilled into my mouth, I felt warmth radiate through me.  Not the kind of warmth that Ginny sent though, 'cause that's a special kind.  I still can't believe I actually kissed her.  That I had willingly dipped my head and kissed her.  Sure, I'd been wanting to for so long, but to actually do it?  Especially after all that she had gone through?  Wasn't that like taking advantage of someone? 

            Yet she had just looked so pathetic, so run down, so in need of being held.  So I found myself holding her, no thought involved.  It was almost like an instinct.  An instinct that is completely against everything I have ever been taught.  After the age of four I was never coddled or any such thing when I was upset.  It was just assumed that I would get better.  That I didn't need to be held.  So it's a little surprising that I actually knew what to do.  How to hold someone when they need it. 

            But that kiss.  I just can't stop thinking about it.  I still can't believe it happened.  I never thought a kiss like that could actually exist.  A kiss that could contain so much emotion, so much caring and so many feelings all in one.  I suppose that is another fault in my upbringing: I was always told that a kiss was nothing more than something a man does to get what he wants from a woman.  Or at least that was what my father always said.  I never believed it.  Never.  And I am glad that what I didn't believe wasn't right.  That there was so much more to it that just taking. 

            I was interrupted from further thoughts as the matron returned closing the curtains around each of our beds.  She entered my closed off cubical and carefully placed a set of pajamas next to me.  I stared at her.  She gave me a slight smile, taking the empty goblet from my hand then disappeared through the curtains once more.  Was I imagining things?  Did that horrid woman actually smile at me?  I really have gone insane.

            I stared at the clothes for a moment then realized that I was going to have to stay here for a night.  Goody.  At least I wouldn't be alone though.  So I tugged off my once expensive looking clothes and dropped them to the floor like the rags they now were.  Like I would ever be able to wear something so torn and tattered ever again.  I looked down at myself, and took a double take.  All the little scratches that had covered my body were gone.  I raised an eyebrow.  Perhaps that woman wasn't so terrible after all.  A cure for tree attacks.  How poetic. 

            I pulled the dull green striped pajamas on and crawled under the white sheets on the bed.  They were pleasantly warm and the pillow was very soft.  Softer than my own.  I will have to get a pillow like this. 

            My curtains were pulled back by Professor Dumbledore however.  I would have to enjoy the sinfully soft pillow later.  I looked at the headmaster in curiosity, but he only smiled then proceeded to pull Ginny's and Colin's curtains back as well so I could see them all.  Dumbledore then summoned a chair and settled himself down between myself and Ginny.

            "So," he said pleasantly enough, looking at each of us in turn.  "Do you three want to tell me what happened tonight?" 

            I glanced at Ginny.  She looked a little white, but opened her mouth.  "Well, Professor," she began, her voice cracking slightly.  "I was stupidly outside last night, sitting in a tree..."

            It didn't take very long for the entire story to come out.  With the exception of Ginny and I snogging at the end.  When she couldn't continue or had forgotten bits, Camera Boy or I would fill in.  The Headmaster remained quiet the entire time, nodding or say "ah" a few times.  When we were finished we all sat there silently, waiting.

            "Well, I must say first that it was very foolish of you, Miss Weasley, to be sitting out alone by the forest near dark."  Ginny hung her head and that pesky feeling in my chest returned as I stared at her.  "And I must also say that it was very foolish of the two of you to go in after her without telling anyone."  I felt the need to hang my head as well, but resisted the urge.  I didn't feel that what I had done was wrong in any way.  Perhaps he was right on the foolishness bit, but I wasn't about to feel guilty about it.

            "However, you both did an outstanding job dealing with Joe," he said, his eyes twinkling.  Ginny's head shot up.

            "You know him?" she asked, seeming to not quite believe it.

            "Of course I do, Miss. Weasley," Dumbledore said, eyes still twinkling.  "I have been trying to get him out of the forest for months but as he probably gloated to you about it, I have no power over him." 

            Ginny's eyes widened.  "But then, what about the shield thingy that knocked him out?  If you have no power over him, how did you stop him?"  I found myself nodding in agreement.  It made little sense to me either.  This Joe should have gotten us in his rage.

            "That wasn't my magic," Dumbledore said patiently.  "That is an entirely different type.  A universal type of magic that has power over all on this planet."  He paused for a moment, surveying us.  "It was a simple charm that was put around the forest when this school was first built that keeps all creatures with angry and violent intentions inside the forest.  I've found it quite handy on a few occasions."

            I stared at him.  Well that seemed simple in an oddly clichéd way.  But leave it to the old loon to tell it to us in such a simple way.  A shield against violence.  Why didn't they just give it to everyone?  We could all walk around in happy little bubbles and never feel worry or distress again.  But then knowing humans we would find some other way to hurt each other.  It just seems that's how the world works.  Or at least the Wizarding one, can't say much for the Muggles.

            "But he said he was plotting to keep me as a pet all year," Ginny suddenly uttered, frowning at the headmaster.  "And what about the Hufflepuffs?  He said that he had gotten them too.  How did he get them?  How did he get me?"

            "Alas," the old man said tiredly.  "The problem with a charm that has existed for such a long period of time is that the people it affects eventually figure out how to get around it."  Well, that sort of defeats the point then, doesn't it?  "All Joe had to do to get past it was to mind what types of thoughts were in his head."

            "Oh," Ginny said flatly, looking slightly disappointed.  Though as to why is beyond me. 

            We all lapsed into silence.  I found myself looking over to Camera Boy who hadn't asked any questions of his own.  He seemed to be nodding off against his hand.  What a strange child.

            "Well, I suppose that I should let you sleep.  You have been through a lot."  The old man stood up, banishing the chair back to where he had summoned it from.  He took a few steps away from our beds then stopped.  "Oh," he said, reaching into his robes.  He turned back around to face Ginny, a wand in his hands.  "I believe this is yours Miss. Weasley."

            Ginny reached out and took the proffered wand, looking at it as if she hadn't seen it in years.  Now it made sense as to why she had been captured.  She had had no way to defend herself.  But then, she had dealt me a good blow without magic a few months ago.  Which I suppose means that Joe had caught her unawares.  I'm sure it would have been another story if the girl had been able to elbow the git.

            "Now if there is anything else," the headmaster said, leaving the question hanging.

            "Uh, well, there sort of is," I said before I could stop myself.  The white bearded man looked at me questioningly.  Guess I will just have to continue then.  "Do I still have to serve detention?"

            He smiled at me.  "Yes, Mr. Malfoy, you do."  With that, he turned and disappeared into Madame Pomfrey's office.

            "You always will be a Slytherin," Camera Boy sneered at me, his head still on his hand. 

            "Well it's better than being a Gryffindor," I drawled back, smirking at both him and Ginny.  Yet neither had a chance to reply as the matron had made her return.  She closed our curtains without a word and I heard her shoes click their way back to the office. 

            I reclined back into my bed, staring up at the ceiling figuring that there really wasn't anything better to do than to try and sleep.  A few minutes later the lights in the wing went out, plunging me into semidarkness.  Or however dark they ever make it in a place like this.  Wouldn't want to go walking into a bedpan or something daft like that. 

            I rolled my head to the side, but the pillow just didn't seem as soft as it had before.  Stupid thing.  It figures though, doesn't it?  So of course I began to think.  As usual.  You know who it was about.  Ginny. 

            It was actually kind of exhilarating to save her.  To have to sneak about like a spy to get to her.  To face all those challenges.  Now I think I know why the Dream Team is always getting themselves mixed up into things like that.  It feels great.  Even better than saving that piece of soap.  Which I suppose, technically, that was what Ginny had been, the little piece of soap that just held on.  Now that is an interesting way to see things I suppose.

            "Draco?" I heard the exact girl on my mind whisper quietly from behind the curtain to my right.  "Draco are you asleep?"

            I still can't really get overt the fact that she's calling me "Draco" now.  I've been so used to Malfoy rolling off her tongue, sometimes being spat, that it just seems too odd.  No to mention a little exciting.  She likes my name enough to use it. 

            "How could I answer that if I really was?" I drawled.  It really was a stupid question.  How could anyone answer that?

            "I don't know, maybe you talk in your sleep..." her voice trailed off. 

            Before I really knew what I was doing, I had pulled back the sheets on my bed and had let my feet land on the floor.  I felt a thrill as the cool tiles greeted my bare feet, but I ignored it and made my way towards the curtain. 

            Pulling it back, I poked my head in.  Weasley was lying on the bed, the blankets pulled up to her chin, yet her eyes seemed active enough that she could have been on a chocolate high.  Something on the floor caught my eye and I looked down to see the nightgown she had worn discarded on the ground in a similar fashion as my own clothes had been.  Though it seemed she had taken it a step further and stomped on it a few times, for there were bloody smudges on it. 

            "And why aren't you asleep?" I asked, my mouth seeming to take over before I could even think about asking anything.  I really think I need a new mouth.  Anyone wan to buy a slightly used mouth that seems to have a mind of its own?

            "I don't want to," she said softly, her eyes stopping their activities and resting on me.  "I've been asleep enough lately." 

            I looked at her.  The tracks under her eyes screamed for sleep, so did the red veins in the whites of her eyes.  Even her posture was that of an extremely tired person. 

            "That wasn't sleep," I replied softly.  I didn't know I could make my voice sound that soft.  She seemed quite surprised as well.  "Well, not proper sleep anyways."

            "But what if I don't wake up?" she asked.  I opened my mouth to say something but she continued before I could say anything:  "I know it sounds stupid, but what if I don't?"

            "Well," I said, giving up the fight with my mouth.  If it wanted to speak, let it.  I give up.  "You will wake up.  I'll make sure of it."

            She stared at me for a long moment, seeming to try and decide something.  Something difficult.  But whatever it was, she never did tell me.  She just smiled slightly.  There was that feeling again.

            "Fine," she sighed, pulling the sheets up even closer to her chin.  "I trust you.  But if I never wake up, you'll pay."

            "And how will I?" I drawled, walking towards her.  "If you are still asleep, you won't be able to do anything to me.  Not that you could anyway."

            She frowned.  "Well, there are six ways you will pay really," she said, her voice becoming a touch harsher than before, but not by much.  "I call them brothers.  You might have a different name for them though.  I hope it's something that strikes fear into your heart."

            I laughed softly at that.  Well, it was rather funny.  But the name I had didn't really work.  Perhaps I would need a new one. 

            "Goodnight," I said in this new soft voice that I apparently own.  Then I leant down, no thought put in this action either, and kissed her forehead. 

            I turned quickly away then, so I didn't have to see the surprised look on her face or to let her see the mirror version on my own.  Since when do I kiss people on the forehead?  I never even did that to my mother!  I am now certifiably insane.

            I made my way to my bed, leaving the curtains open, so I could see her if need be.  Then I quickly got into bed, dropping my head onto the pillow and rolling over so my back was to her.  I didn't want her to see my face.  I didn't want her to see the ridiculous red on my cheeks.  Malfoys do not blush.  I do not blush.

            "Draco?" her voice called almost nervously. 

            "What?" I mumbled, refusing to turn over and look at her. 

            "Goodnight."

            That one word said by her voice alone was enough to ease my mind to sleep.

~*~

            You know, I really don't now what is wrong with me.  I have been sitting in this seat, staring at the front of the class with my head resting on my hand for the last twenty minutes.  But the odd thing is that I am not really staring at anything at all.  And I must have the dopiest face on, perhaps even with a touch of adoration on it.  But seriously, what is wrong with me?  How can I be sitting here, not taking in a word of what the Auror training professor has to say?  It just doesn't make sense.  One would think that I was sent off to Never Never land by some guy.

            And you know, I think they might be right.  I am sitting here all gaga eyed over a Malfoy.  And not just any Malfoy.  Nope.  It had to be the mortal enemy of my brother, the son of the man who once indirectly left me to die and the boy who somehow wormed his way into my heart.  Did you know that he actually made sure that I was awake before he left for afternoon classes this morning?  Well he did.  I still can't believe that I had even said any of that.  Too scared to go to sleep.  What rubbish.  And that kiss on the forehead?  What was with that?  Is it even possible for a Malfoy to do that?  Apparently so.

            But not only that, he saved me.  With Colin's help of course, but he saved me.  I still can't quite get my mind around being captured by a Tree Daemon.  Not to mention one named Joe.  I still don't think I will ever get over that name, nor will I ever be able to have a friend named Joe, let alone a child with that name.  Merlin forbid if my child was a Joe.  But yes besides all that, he saved me.  Like a princess in a story that gets saved by Prince Charming from an evil dragon or wicked witch or something.  Ok, that was a little extreme, wasn't it? 

            I idly began to use my other hand to twirl the long hair that was falling around me.  Somehow I can't bring myself to cut it just yet.  It's just so bizarre to see and I kind of enjoy the looks I am getting from people.  Madame Pomfrey told me that the spell that had been used on it had simply accelerated the growth and if I took care of it, it would stay like this for however long I wanted.  Or I could even grow it longer. 

            But I don't think I will.  I am already having a lot of problems with it.  While trying to get my skirt on, my hair got caught in the zipper, much to my own embarrassment as people began to ask what was wrong when I yelped in pain.  A little bit later I was stooping to get a book, and this stupid hair caught under my foot and I went crashing to the ground.  Much to the amusement of the people in the Common Room, I can assure you.  But I think the real reason I would lop it off was because it seemed to be a beacon to people that something had happened to me.  And they kept asking questions.

            I guess that the story had gotten out that what ever had happened to the Hufflepuffs had happened to me as well.  That I had somehow wandered into the forest and ran into something evil and that somehow Malfoy was involved in my injuries.  Totally ridiculous if you ask me.  So that's why when ever someone asked me what had happened I would reply that I was still too "traumatized" to speak about it.  And when they spoke about the "evil creature" as they put it, I would simply imply that what kind of creature would make my hair grow if it was really evil.  The last thing I wanted was for people to know that I had been a pet, even if it had only been for a day.  That would just be awkward.

            But all this is still no real reason to be all wide eyed in love.  Ok, so I had been rescued.  Harry had rescued me from the clutches of Riddle.  So Draco saved me from the clutches of Joe.  But Draco had kissed me.  Harry never kissed me.  Now that I think about it, he seemed to have saved me simply because he felt it was his duty, that he was the only one who could have done it.  If there had been some other girl in that chamber I don't doubt for an instant that he would have done the same thing.  Yet with Draco it was different.  If I had been some other girl he never would have gone in there himself.  He would have let someone else do the dirty work.  I suppose that's where the driftingness came from: he chose me to rescue.  He saved me because he wanted to, not because he felt obligated to do so.  It was simply because of me.

            Now, I would think that I was reading into all of this a little too much, but you have to admit, the kiss and the hospital wing stuff are pretty good indications.  And you know what?  The idea really isn't all that terrible.  I rather like it really.  That someone outside of my family could care that much about me. 

            It's funny how you can find something wonderful in such a roughly polished person.  Sort of like how you can pan for gold at the town fairs and things.  First you have to toss all the large rocks out, or in Draco's case, get past his harsh and impersonal personality.  Then you begin to work on medium sized rocks, which would be getting past the way he acts towards you, sarcasm included.  All the while you see the fine sand in the center of the pan, which would be the personality that he tries and hides so well.  Then you work down to smaller rocks, needling past his harsher comments to more impassive ones, all the while getting further glimpses at the sand like decent personality.  When you finally have all the rocks out and all you are left with is sand, which is where I was before Joe took me. 

            I had almost complete access to whole he was, who he really was, not just that facade that he portrayed.  I realize this now.  Now, it at this time that the panner will often find their golden "nugget" which if often nothing more than a little sliver.  Sometimes they will be lucky and the people in charge might have slipped up and put another piece or two in there with it.  But I think I was beyond lucky.  I found a real nugget.  I found the good in Malfoy.  And it is better than any amount of slivers could ever be.

~*~

            Since we got to sleep in, I didn't see her in potions class.  I am still dreading our next one.  What would it be like?  To have to sit by her and pretend that nothing has happened?  Those other students are such gossips that it's disgusting.  Well, actually it's rather entertaining to listen to when there is nothing better to do.  I think that even Snape might enjoy listening to it as well because he rarely ever tells them to stop.  That's a rather disturbing thought though: Snape listening to gossip.

            But I see her now.  She's at the Gryffindor table, seemingly listening to Camera Boy and a few other students in her year.  But she keeps glancing over here.  I hope no one notices.  I really should stop looking over at her.  It's like I'm encouraging her.

            "So Draco," Goyle's voice distracted me from the red head.  I turned and stared at his oh-so-pleasant looking face.  "How did you do it?"

            "How did I do what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.  What was the oaf going on about now?

            "The rumor going around lately is that you had something to do with Weasley going into the forest," he explained, raising his own bushy eyebrows.  That guy should really pluck that uni-brow.  It's down right disgusting.  "How did you do it?"

            "It's already going around?" I asked, containing my surprise with a drawl.  I hadn't actually expected people to figure it out.  I thought it would be like with the Hufflepuffs, where they were just anonymous students.  But then, Weasley's hair and me being absent from the dorm room last night and Weasley for two, probably makes it quite simple to figure out for the persons of average intelligence.  But then how did Goyle figure it out?

            Goyle nodded, reminding me of one of those daft bobble head things they sell at the really cheap Wizarding shops.  "Uh-huh."  He nodded some more.  "So, how did you persuade her?"

            "I didn't persuade her," I spat, suddenly feeling rage at his impersonal implications.  She had been kidnapped!  She wasn't that retarded that she would just walk into the arms of that stupid tree thing.  But then, as far as he was concerned she was just a Gryffindor.  The enemy.  Someone to torment.  And that was the way I was supposed to see her as well.  "I didn't need to."

            "Are you telling me that you just told her to go in the forest and she obeyed?" Goyle asked in utter disbelief.

            "I'm not saying anything, Goyle," I sneered slightly, restraining the urge to strangle the git.  "But it's amazing what a little of the Malfoy charm can do."  I cocked an eyebrow as if to prove a point.  How could I have said that?

            Goyle stared at me blankly for a moment, a long drawn out moment, and then realization seemed to hit him.  "Ooooh," he said in what seemed to me to be stupidity.  "I get ya."

            "I doubt you do," I said simply.  Goyle frowned.  "But keep whatever you think you get to yourself.  I'm working on something here and the last thing I need you to do is to go and spoil it."

            Goyle frowned at me for a moment longer.  "I won't," he said simply, seeming to gather some intelligence.  He paused.  "Can I tell Crabbe?"

            "If you must," I sighed.  "But if anyone else finds out, I will be coming after the two of you, weather it was you or not."  I let the rumor hanging in the air.

            The huge lug nodded then turned back to his food, which he began to make disappear at an exponential rate.  Why did I ever bother with these garberators?  I don't think I have ever met someone so stupid, let alone a set of them.  But I suppose they would serve a purpose for the time being.  If they don't want me to get them while they sleep they will keep the rumors down.  Or at least I hope they will, but I don't think I have to worry just yet. 

            I glanced over at the Gryffindor table only to have to take a second one.  Weasley was gone.  Her plate was empty.  Apparently she had finished dinner and left.  Well, isn't that what anyone would do if they were done?  Especially with the company she keeps?  I glanced down at my own plate of little leftovers and didn't feel like finishing them.  So I excused myself from Goyle and left the Great Hall in search of Weasley.

            I walked straight, heading towards the library.  It seemed like a place to start.  I don't think that she would be by trees willingly if she didn't need to be.  Yet my quest was short lived.  I rounded a corner that led to the rather empty staircase that I usually take to get to the library and there she was.  She was sitting cross-legged on the bottom step, holding onto her ankles. 

            As soon as she saw me she blushed slightly and smiled nervously.  I felt that feeling in my stomach again.  But I don't see why it would be there.  How could this be any different than it's been lately? 

            "Hi," she said as I came to a stop in front of her.  "I thought you might be coming this way."

            "And why would you think that?" I asked, frowning down on her slightly.  No really, how could she have known?

            "Because where else would you go?" she asked simply.  "Certainly not to your dorm, not at this time anyway.  And I was betting that you wouldn't go outside, so I suspected the library was the next best place."

            I stared at her.  Well, that's a little creepy.  At least she didn't base it off a routine that she has discovered by stalking me all the time.  I don't think I would like it if anyone would do that.  Not even her.

            "So?" she asked, looking at me expectantly.  The nervous expression had left and instead had been replaced by a slightly mischievous grin.  I frowned.

            "So what?" I asked, frowning yet harder.

            "Never mind," she sighed.  "Just keep standing there like some freakish statue and see if I care."

            I stared at her for a moment.  Freakish statue?  Why would I look like that?  Realization suddenly hitting me, I sat down.

            "OW!" she cried from beside me.  "You're on my hair!"

            "Oh!" I let out, and quickly removed my ass from her hair.  "Sorry."  I looked at her in concern.  She was pulling the excessively long hair away from me and tossing it to the other side of her body. 

            "It's ok," she grumbled, massaging her head.  "It's been happening all day."

            "Why did you leave it?" I asked before I could stop myself.  Seems my mouth has once again taken over.  How splendid.

            She stopped her massage and stared at me.  It was a funny look and I was beginning to get the feeling that I had said something wrong.  And for some reason this really bothered me.  I suppose the last thing I want is to turn into her brother.

            "I don't know," she said finally, looking away from me, and twirling some of the hair in question around her finger tips.  "I just don't think I should just yet."  She looked at me again, this time a twinkle in her eye.  "Why?  Don't you like it?" 

            Before I could say another word, she had brought the hand and the hair towards my face and began to tickle my nose with it.

            "Gah," I sputtered, leaning back.  "Ginny!  That's disgusting!"

            She laughed at me then cooed: "Aww, poor Drackypoo is scared of a few dead cells.  Where's his savior?"

            "There aren't just a few dead cells," I found myself sneering, stopping my retreat as she continued to wave the hair at me.  "There's more hair than is natural."

            "That's the best part of it though," she said, sounding more serious than before.  "I didn't have to wait twenty years to grow it."  She stopped waving it then, but didn't move from her position facing me. 

            Having nothing better to say, I simply found myself staring at her.  But she wasn't quite staring at me.  Oh, she was staring at my face, but it seemed more like she was staring through it.  I frowned at her, not for the first time in the last few minutes.  This only seemed to make her smirk.  Great, that smirking thing again.

            "You know what was one of the first things I thought about you this year was?" she said suddenly, bringing her eyes back to focus.  She smirked a bit wider.  I raised an eyebrow in silent question.  "That if you kept frowning that line in-between your eyebrows would become permanent."

            "What?" I asked, my face dropping into a look of utter surprise before I had a chance to compose myself.  Honestly, showing surprise to a Weasley.  But what a Weasley to show it to.  No, I did not just think that.  "I do not have any lines on my face!"

            "Oh, but you do," she said softly, narrowing her eyes.  "And they're going to get deep and make you ugly and unsightly and no one will ever want to be around you, let alone be with you."

            "So are you saying I had better bag one now before I get too ugly?" I drawled, narrowing my eyes slightly. 

            She smirked at me.  "I suppose," she said slowly, smirking a bit more.  "But I don't know anyone who would be stupid-"

            I didn't think.  Again.  I've really got to stop doing this.  One minute I was staring at her the next I was kissing her.  It wasn't as deep a kiss as the other one.  Actually, most would simply call it a peck, but it was enough to send that fuzzy warm feeling through out my body.  Who would have know a Weasley could give me warm fuzzies.  That sounds wrong.

            "Are you saying that you don't know yourself?" I said softly, pulling back. 

            She stared at me for a moment seeming to try and process what had just happened.  Yet after a moment she frowned.  Much faster reaction time than Goyle.  Good.  I'd be worried if she didn't. 

            "You are such an ass," she hissed at me.  Only thing I could do was smirk because her lips were on mine before I could say anything in my defense.

            Without a second's thought I was kissing her back, my eyes closed.  I rather like it when I lose control of these actions.  The way my arms can wrap around her and pull her closer without me even having to think about it.  I suppose it can get us into trouble somewhere along the line.  A lot of trouble now that I think about it.  But it won't get that far.  At least, not on this step.

            It's funny though.  When she's in my arms I suddenly don't want to be who I am anymore.  I want to be someone different. Someone better.  For her.  It's ridiculous.  Why would she be around me if she didn't like who I was?  Yet, somewhere inside me I just feel that that is not a good enough reason.  Who ever knew I could care so much?  That I was even capable of feeling that much?  I know I must sound like a broken radio, but I still don't get it. 

            She pulled away from me after a moment, and I felt disappointment course through me.  I growled at it as she rested her head against my shoulder. 

            Her hair really was too long though.  I could feel it fall against me like a blanket as her body settled.  A very smelly blankets.  If blankets smelt like fruits I mean. 

            Stooping my head, I stuck my face into her hair, bringing my mouth close to her ear.

            "Meet me at the lake after classes," I heard myself whispering into her ear.  Well, I suppose I should really just give up the battle with my mouth.  There seems to be no controlling the bloody thing. 

            She sat back slightly, looking rather perturbed.  "As what?" she asked.

            I stared at her.  As what?  What did he mean?  Oh.  That.  Well mouth, give an answer, will you?  But none came.  Bloody thing only seems to want to speak for itself when I don't want it to.  How quaint. 

            "Well, what do you want it to be as?" I asked, resisting the sudden urge to bang my head against the step above us.  That tactic never works, Draco.  And we don't want to go proving to her that we really are an idiot.  What you said was bad enough.

            She stared for a moment longer then grinned suddenly.  "You're blushing," she giggled. 

            I once again felt surprise wash over me, and sat back.  "Malfoys do not blush," I said firmly, repeating to her what I had repeated to myself.  It sounded weak even to me. 

            "What ever you say, Draco," she said in a long and drawn out voice, as though trying to impersonate my drawl.  Terribly I might add.  At least I still have that where as my ego is slipping through my fingers like a very slippery, stinky fish.  Ich.

            She suddenly stood up, leaving me alone, and suddenly feeling chilled on the step.  I looked up at her, keeping yet another disappointed feeling from showing on my face.  She smiled down on me, brushing out her skirt and cloak. 

            "I'll see you tomorrow then," she said, then turned on her heel and walked quickly away and out of sight. 

            I stared after her.  How the hell did I ever manage to get myself into this?  How the hell did I ever manage to find someone like her?

~*~

            I felt like I was gliding as I went back to the Common Room.  I knew that dreamy look was back on my face, but I didn't really care.  I was going to look dreamy and there was no one who was going to stop me.

            I had a boyfriend.  A real, genuine boyfriend.  One I could kiss and cling to when ever I wanted, and one whom could do the same in return.  I still can't quite believe it.  It makes me want to run.  And skip.  And maybe sing a few songs on the tops of my lungs.  Not that this would do me much good.  Well, it would for a time, but people would begin to wonder if perhaps I had received more than long hair.  Perhaps a few whacks on the head had been in the roster as well.

            Students had already begun to slug their ways around the school by the time I had gotten to the Fat Lady.  I cheerfully said the password.  Fairy turds.  Don't ask.  Crawling through the portrait hole, the daft look still on my face, I looked around.  There was no one in the Common Room.  I had this sinking feeling that perhaps someone was going to manage to destroy my dreamy happy feeling.

            "Ginny," I heard someone call from the corner that had once belonged to the twins.  It was Harry.  "Could I speak to you for a moment?"  Yup, knew it.

            Without replying, I moved towards him, taking the only chair available which was conveniently placed directly across from him.  I was beginning to get this wonderful feeling of deja-vu.  And I was also getting the sinking suspicion that this time wouldn't be as friendly.

            "So," I said slowly, leaning back in the squashy armchair.  "What would you like to talk to me about, Harry?"  I was trying to sound neutral but I know I must have sounded rather daft.  I haven't really had a chance to think about Harry, well at least what has recently happened to him, in a while.  Actually, it was only a day and a half but it feels like so much longer. 

            "I think you know exactly what I want to talk to you about."  I stared at him in confusion.  Play dumb. Let him explain.  Never presume anything.  That way you end up revealing things you shouldn't.  "I has to do with what we talked about last time we sat alone in here."

            "I don't really remember what we talked about," I said innocently.  Bull.  I knew exactly what we talked about: that I should be careful around Draco.  Well, I suppose I had been.  But now what?

            "Ginny, don't play stupid," he growled at me suddenly.  Apparently he had a short temper today.  I looked at him in mild surprise.  "I saw you kiss him!"

            Shit.

            I stared at him for a moment.  "Yeah, so?" I asked as impassively as I could.  Maybe he thought I kissed someone else.  Maybe he didn't really know.  Oh who am I kidding?  Of course he knows.  He's Harry bloody Potter.  What doesn't he know?  What isn't he able to figure out?  In due time of course. 

            "So?  So!" he said angrily, his voice suddenly rising.  "It's one thing to be friends with Malfoy, but to kiss him?!  Are you out of your mind?!"

            Most likely.  "I don't think who I kiss is any of your business, Harry," I said curtly, glaring at him.  It really wasn't.  That was entirely my business.  "And besides, I thought you were mad at me."

            "I was- I am-" he stuttered, seeming to instantly deflate.  I felt a sudden pang of guilt.  I had been screwing around with him so much lately.  Everyone had.  It just wasn't fair.  The kid doesn't have any luck.  Oh, he had luck but not the kind when it comes to happiness.  It seems to always be so short lived. 

            So instead of saying anything I simply raised an eyebrow and waited for him to sort himself out. 

            "It's funny you know," he finally said, dropping his head down.  It's odd how he can go from angry to depressed so fast.

            "What is?" I asked him, leaning forward slightly.  What was wrong now?  What had I done?

            "You were always chasing after me," he said rather flatly.  I felt a pang.  This isn't going the way I think it is.  It can't be going the way I think it is.  "And now that you've moved on, I don't think that I would ignore you anymore."

            "Harry," I said slowly.  I can't believe this is happening.  What are the chances?  It's like something out of a corny novel.  This stuff isn't really supposed to happen.  He's not supposed to fall for the old fan club.  "You're just confused."

            "How?" he demanded.  "How can I be confused?  Feelings like these are not easy to be confused over."

            "But they are," I said earnestly, hoping to Merlin that they could be.  "Things just aren't going well for you this year, Harry.  And I sympathize, I really do.  But falling for me will do you absolutely no good."  I reached out and took his hand.  It seemed the thing to do really.  I probably should have done this when he and Hermione broke up.  "We won't work.  We never would.  I figured that out a long time ago.  Please don't waste as long as I did figuring that out.  You're too good to do that to yourself."  I grinned slightly.  "Besides, you are more like a brother to me than anything else these days.  And it would just be gross."

            He stared at my hand clasped around his for a moment, seeming ton try and prove to himself that it was real.  Then he squeezed it and looked up at me.  "I don't think I have ever heard you talk like that," he said slowly, his green eyes staring into mine.  "It's not just some thing, is it?"

            I stared back at him for a moment.  "No," I said softly.  "I don't think it is."  Then something occurred to me.  "Ron doesn't know, does he?"

            Harry grinned suddenly.  "Well, I had to tell someone," he said slowly.  "You know me, I can't keep a secret if my life depended on it.  He's probably on his way to kill the git now."

            I looked at him.  That would be bad.

            "If you ever tell, I will kill you, Harry," I growled. 

            "No need to get aggressive," he said lightly, smiling at me.  "I would have to tell someone else to tell Ron.  He has that kill the messenger policy you know.  It's probably all around the school now."

            It was odd.  I ended up sitting there with Harry for almost two hours.  We talked about all sorts of stuff and it was rather refreshing.  I hadn't really had a chance to sit with him like this for a long time.  Ever, now that I think about it.  It was just like hanging out with Charlie or Bill or even Percy if you get him on an interesting enough topic.  And I hope that it killed off whatever he was feeling.  That would just be awkward if I was with Draco and his enemy was pinning after me.  I have had enough of the love triangles from afar.  I do not want to participate.

            I ended up going to bed rather late.  I would have stayed up longer actually, that was how good our conversation was going, but Ron decided he would interfere.  He didn't want Harry to keep his distraught sister up any longer for I apparently need sleep to get over what ever it was he thought I had problems with.  But I think talking helps a lot more.  I didn't think once about Joe. 

            But then Ron doesn't quite know what he is talking about really.  He hasn't said much to me since he gave me that hug, well, other than sorry.  I am assuming that it was for him being such an ass.  I never asked.  But I can't really make myself care that much that he isn't talking to me.  Not for the moment anyway.  I just don't think his voice will stop echoing for a while.

~*~

A/N: Well, that was all rather stupid really.  And pointless.  And corny.  Beyond corny.  A magical barrier?  I really am terrible at coming up with crap like that.  I should stop trying to write suspense action crap.  Anyhoo, next chapter is the last fluffy chapter.  Then we move into some good old angst.  And a bit more than simple angst, but you will just have to wait and see.

Many thanks to: o0true0o, Lallie(Well, Ron is apparently oblivious. And maybe Gin will end up wearing a bucket in the end. Or it could be another fic entirely. Damn another idea. ~sob~ Thank you ever so much), Annie Maria, jennis(They were pulled into the forest?), Lady Laughs-A-Lot(Well, it won't really be that. Maybe a little but I have to solve Draco's issues. It can't all be about Gin even though it is...), Hplova4eva, samijo, Goddess(Yay! You're the only one who found it! Kudos to you and a gold star * ~hoping you pretend it's gold cause Tiny Q is a cheap bum~), Spreet(Oh, there will be an epilogue, but it's not time yet), Isadora(Perhaps I will have to solve his loneliness, someday...), Monique(I leave stories too, but I am glad that you came back and liked it), dracoscutie, azalai(~laughs at tree part~ But no, that quote was all my own), SkysTheLimit, Darcel(Hey, he might make a return and gobble her up!), Kryssaean(But of course, got to stay true to the books in some way ;p), cactuskitty(Well, I do have a stick in my bedroom. His name is Stick), tulzdavampslayer(I'm sorry to hear that. I really am. And you are definitely not pathetic. Far from), Laiannon-fae-elf, SteelAzalea(Nope, that one was from Might Mouse. Or Man on the Moon, but that was him quoting Mighty Mouse as well), oliverwoodsgirl and Tessa1(I love Draco too. If only he was mine... ~ponders cloning~).