Disclaimer: You all know who the characters belong to . . . if you don't, then why are you on this site and reading this?

A/N: Remember, my threat remains – if I'm not satisfied with the reviews I get, I'll STOP! *cackles* Seriously, though. I'll finish it, I just won't post it. So Puh-LEEEEZE review. Thank ya to those who do!!!!

Chapter Seven

Torn

As soon as they landed in the London airport, Harry went off to exchange their remaining Muggle American dollars for Muggle British pounds. (A/N: no clue how much five dollars equals in pounds) They got in another taxi and took it as close to Kings Cross station as they could with their money, which got them about fifteen blocks away.

They walked the rest of the way. It was nearly midnight when they got there, and there was barely anyone around.

"This is ridiculous," Draco announced as they stood in the empty station. "The Hogwarts Express runs twice a year – in September, and in June. There's no way it'll come now."

"It's still September," Ginny pointed out.

"We can at least see, can't we?" Harry said, and they walked into the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Like the rest of the station, where the Hogwarts Express normally was waiting, it was deserted.

"I guess we'll stay here for the night," Ginny grumbled, dropping onto one of the benches. "Tomorrow we'll be able to ask someone."

Draco, once again, was not sure. They were in a Muggle station – the only thing close to magic was the platform they were standing on. Anyone they could ask wouldn't have a clue what the Hogwarts Express was.

"There are only three benches," Ron said, sounding angry. Draco tried to suppress a grin. He knew that Weasley was still fuming from him nearly kissing his sister. As embarrassing as the entire situation had been, just seeing Ron pissed was enough to almost make it all right.

"They're big," Draco said, half-smirking, half-grinning at him. "Ginny can share one with me."

Draco was not expecting Ron to become physical. So he wasn't prepared when the taller, skinnier boy covered the distance between them and punched him right in the nose. Unfortunately, before he could recover and hit Ron back, Harry came and dragged him away and Ginny pushed herself in front of Draco. He tried to get by her, feeling blood trickle down his upper lip. It made him angry that Weasley had made him bleed, and he hadn't even had a chance to hit him back. Glaring heatedly at Ron, he started to push past Ginny. But she put her hands firmly on his chest and didn't let him get by.

"Draco," she said firmly, "stop it."

Harry held Ron's arm, but Ron still turned to sneer at Draco, "What do you know? It bleeds."

"Shut up, Ron," Ginny snapped without turning her head, pulling her wand out and whispering, "Fixiledius."

Draco felt the blood disappear and the throbbing in his nose vanish. He tore his eyes off of Ron, forcing himself to calm down. Ginny actually took my side over her brother's, he thought, but he wasn't surprised. Of course, he deserves whatever treatment she gives him.

"I'll sleep on the ground," Ginny said loudly, her eyes fixed on Draco's face. "I'm so tired I could sleep on nails."

Draco stared back at her, and she stepped away and broke their gaze. He dropped down on his back on the nearest bench, turning his head away so he wouldn't have to see anything but the back of the seat. The benches were long enough for about three, maybe four, people to sit on and they were wide. But Draco's feet hung off, the edge digging into the backs of his ankles uncomfortably.

Surprisingly, he fell asleep almost instantly.

Ginny woke up to someone shaking her. She felt as if she'd just fallen asleep. Moaning, she rolled over onto her back and saw that Ron had woken her and that the sun was up.

Her brother actually looked something besides angry for a change.

"Look," he said with a grin, pointing behind her. She sat up and twisted her head around and saw the scarlet engine of the Hogwarts Express. She'd never been so happy to see it in her life.

"The conductor said Dumbledore's been making him come every morning, just in case we ever came back," Ron said as he grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her to her feet.

The train ride to Hogwarts seemed to take a lot longer than it usually did. Ginny fell asleep again, woke up when they got into horseless carriages, and fell asleep again in that short distance.

Out of everything that excited her about being back, the biggest thing was the food.

Three days after getting back, Ginny was starting to get back in the cycle of school. The excitement of her disappearing had died down and her parents had come to visit her. A few teachers were sympathetic and didn't make her do the schoolwork she'd missed. Strict professors like McGonagall and just plain cruel professors like Snape gave her work to make up.

Ginny had to pretend like nothing had happened between her and Draco, but it was hard. Whenever they passed in the hallways, she always stared at him, hoping he would glance back at her. But he didn't – he just walked by, his head held high again, as if he thought he was superior to everyone, and never gave her even one quick look.

She began to wonder if maybe Draco didn't like her. But she had to know for sure. So she wrote him a quick note, telling him to meet her at nine that night near the lake. She dropped it in his bag when she walked by his table at lunch, hoping he would find it.

At eight fifty, she made some lame excuse about going to library. Her friends, who were so wrapped up in Laura's story of how she once got lost in the woods (like that's as bad as getting Portkeyed to a city you don't know, Ginny thought angrily), barely heard her.

She had a half an hour to get back without arousing anyone's suspicion. Hoping that Draco had gotten her note, she pushed a tapestry aside and descended a narrow staircase that would take her near the front doors of the school.

That was when she heard footsteps behind her.

In the middle of the stairs, she stopped and spun around. And saw Harry about ten steps above her.

"What are you doing?" she hissed at him, relieved that she'd seen him before she'd met Draco.

"Following you," Harry replied smoothly, bouncing down to the step above her. "Ron wanted me to make sure you weren't going to meet Malfoy."

"I was going to the library," she mumbled, turning so he wouldn't see her face blush.

"Sure you were. That's why you were heading in the entirely wrong direction, right?"

"So what if I wanted to get some fresh air?" she snapped, crossing her arms.

"Is 'Fresh Air' your pet name for Malfoy?"

When did Harry get so sarcastic? she wondered furiously, burning even redder.

"Come on, Gin," Harry said suddenly, sounding gentle. "Ron and I have been talking about this and we realize that you're making a big mistake with Malfoy –"

"Ron, huh? Why didn't he come, then?"

"Because." Harry blinked in surprise at the question. "He just didn't want to. I reckon he was afraid of what he would see."

Ginny knew that she was going to be late. She didn't have time to stand there and chat with Harry. She turned to go, but he grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Do you know how badly the things Malfoy says to Ron effects him?" Harry demanded lightly. "He doesn't like to show it, but I know he always feels terrible after Malfoy insults him. And most of those things he said should insult you, too."

"What is the point of this, Harry?" Ginny asked, getting wary.

"I guess I really don't see what you want in him."

It's not what I want, it's what I need, she thought, remembering how miserable she'd felt the past few days not being near him. Instead, she heard herself blurt something much worse, not answering his question. "Isn't it funny how the only way I can get you to notice me is by being interested in Draco Malfoy?"

Harry stared at her, his expression blank, but his green eyes looking amazed. Ginny blushed again and started to turn away once more. And once more Harry grabbed her wrist to prevent her from leaving. She turned to tell him to leave her alone when he placed his hands on the sides of her face and kissed her softly on the lips.

Her heart dipped. The moment she'd been imagining for more than six years was actually happening. Harry Potter was kissing her. Her. Ginny Weasely.

And it was everything Ginny had expected it to be. It was gentle, with their lips only partly open, and not much tongue. It made her feel very fuzzy inside, and her knees actually felt a little weak. She'd read about weak knees before, but had never experienced it. And now she was.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds, and when Harry pulled away he took a step back. "All right, Ginny?" he asked.

His sentence spoiled it all. He only kissed me because he doesn't want me going off with Draco, she thought, the warmth evacuating her body and leaving her chilled. He only did it for Ron, so Ron won't be so mad and angry anymore.

Ginny turned and hurried the rest of the way down the stairs. Harry called her name, but she ignored him. As soon as she reached the bottom, she ran all the way outside and to the lake.

She saw Draco's silver hair before she saw the rest of him. Of course, he was wearing all black, and it was dark. He was standing at the shore of the lake, skipping rocks across the surface.

"You're late," he said without turning around.

"I – ran into a little trouble," she admitted.

"Hmm." He slowly turned to face her. "So why did you want me to meet you here?"

"To talk," she said slowly, stepping up beside him and fixing her eyes on the lake. Could he tell that she'd just been kissed? Of course not, she thought. That's ridiculous.

"About what?"

"About us."

"There isn't a lot to talk about on that subject," Draco answered breezily.

She felt a little angry and turned on him. "There is, too, and you know it. I know you felt something that night in the alley." What a cheesy line that was, she thought, blushing and looking away.

When she had the courage to look at him again, he was half-smirking, half-grinning at her.

"What?" she asked.

"Has anyone told you you're cute when your face is the same color as your hair?"

"No." And you're the last person I expected to hear it from.

"Then I guess it isn't true," he added, looking back out across the lake.

She fumed. This is so frustrating! she thought angrily. Why am I even bothering? He obviously isn't interested in me . . . why would he be? Our families hate each other, I'm poorer than he can even imagine, and I'm a year younger than him.

She started back towards the castle and stopped in her tracks when she heard Draco laughing.

"Don't be a baby, Ginny," he said. "Stay here and talk with me some more."

She hesitated. He'd called her Ginny instead of Weasley. That was an accomplishment, wasn't it? And he had invited her to talk with him a little longer. Maybe he wasn't a complete waste of time.

"I take it no one knows you're out here?" Draco said when she stepped wordlessly beside him once again.

"I don't think so," she replied sulkily.

"Quit pouting," he ordered. "You invited me out here."

"Yeah, but I didn't know you were going to be such an egotistical bastard!" she shouted.

"Oh, so you do swear," Draco said, grinning at her. How can he make a grin look so much like a smirk? "Besides, I haven't said anything egotistical. The correct term would be annoying bastard. Or handsome bastard. Or perfect-in-every-way bastard –"

"Like I said, egotistical . . . bastard," she repeated, mumbling the last word. She didn't like swearing very much.

"You're just upset because Slytherins have all the charm," Draco said, his expression blank.

"Oh yeah, I find Crabbe and Goyle very sexy," Ginny said sarcastically, crossing her arms.

"Do you now? They would be very interested in hearing that. . . ."

She spun and pointed her finger in his face. "If you dare tell them –" she started to fume.

He grabbed the hand that she was pointing with, meaning to shove it away. Instead, he lowered it and held on to it. "Don't worry," he said, smirking. "Your secret is safe with me."

Ginny's anger faded, looking down at their joined hands. Her expression softened, and she raised her eyes to meet Draco's.

"You know I was just kidding," she said faintly.

"I guess you'll have to prove it," he replied with an unreadable face.

"How?" For some reason, she lowered her voice to a whisper.

Even though they were standing a bit apart, he still leaned over and kissed her. For a moment, Ginny thought, I've been kissed by two different boys in less than an hour.

But then all thoughts faded from her mind. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Draco's kiss was different than Harry's – he wasn't as gentle. His was hungrier, as if he wanted as much as he could get. Surprisingly, Ginny didn't feel overwhelmed or suffocated as she sometimes did when guy's kissed her hard. It felt right, as if being pressed against Draco's body and kissing him was something she'd been born to do.

They kissed for what seemed like hours. Ginny was surprised that when they pulled apart the sun hadn't come up yet. She didn't want to stop kissing Draco – her lips felt cold without his . . . but he only moved to kiss her cheek, and then her neck. She closed her eyes, savoring all the wonderful feelings that were going through her.

Draco finally moved his head up to look her in the eyes. She was surprised at his expression . . . she'd never seen him looking so gentle before. Just the way looked sent pleasant shivers up her spine.

But then he glanced beyond her, and his expression turned hard and cold. She studied him for a bit, then realized something – or someone – was behind her.

She turned, and saw someone standing about ten yards behind her. The person had silver hair identical to Draco's.

"Father," Draco said icily.

A/N: Hee hee, nice place to stop, huh? I might just stop for tonight . . . though it's only about eleven thirty PM. I don't think I'll have much time to write in a few days, because my cousin is coming and I won't be able to get much time on the computer without him reading over my shoulder! :( But don't worry, I'll try to get as much out as I can. All right, thank you time! The list won't be as long this time. Thank you to: Lady Ev (thanx 4 reviewin' so much), Jenaque, me (please review some more!), w&m_law, Ni ( I care that you put it in your favorites – it makes me feel good about my story!), doesn'tmattter, and Leela (don't worry, I'll try to make this as long as I can. If it isn't long enough, I'll probably write a sequel – I have a pretty good idea for one, too.)

This isn't the end either, obviously. REVIEW, YOU EVIL ONES WHO DON'T! Just kidding, of course. Toodles!