A/N: Ack! Did I really say 'maked' at the end of the last chapter!? Spell check didn't even catch it and neither did I! Oh, well, sorry about that.

Chapter Seventeen

Ginny woke feeling deliciously warm and lazy, and just a little sore. She stretched and thought how good it felt to be so warm and snug, even though she wasn't wearing anything but her socks. Her SOCKS? Her eyes opened quickly and she found herself staring into amused gray eyes. Oh, Gods, she had just made love with Draco and had fallen asleep? Ginny felt her face turning red as she tried to sit up, but he chuckled and placed his hand on her shoulder, holding her down.

"Don't you know it's the man who is supposed to roll over and fall asleep after lovemaking?" he said with a grin. "I guess I still have a lot to teach you."

Ginny closed her eyes and groaned. "Please tell me I didn't actually FALL ASLEEP!"

She covered her face, but he pulled her hands away and placed a kiss on her nose.

"Sound asleep," he smiled. "Did you know you snore? A delicate, feminine little snore, but a snore nonetheless."

Ginny tried to cover her face again, but he prevented her. "Don't worry. You were smiling the whole time, so I must have done something right!"

Ginny gave him a mock glare. "You mean you watched me sleep?"

Draco laughed and nudged her onto her side, then nestled himself against her back. He wrapped an arm around her waist and said, "Oh, only about fifteen minutes. Just enough time for me to want to start over!"

He moved his hand up to cup her breast, delighting in the way she arched her back and pushed against his hand. It didn't hurt that her bottom was pressing against his groin, either. He knew he would be sore and that his stomach wound would ache later, but he didn't care. All he cared about was this soft, luscious woman who seemed to want him as much as he wanted her. He was very surprised, then, when she wriggled out of his grasp.

"Where are you going?" he asked, pushing himself to a sitting position next to her.

This was so embarrassing, she thought. She hadn't given any thought to contraceptive potions or spells. Well, she hadn't really expected to walk in and jump on Draco either, had she? But she was thinking about it now. If she could just get her wand, then slip around the corner to where the sinks were hidden from view, she could easily cast a spell. But did one do that in front of her lover? She didn't know and wasn't about to ask.

"I, er," she said lamely, casting about for an excuse to leave for a moment. "The DOOR!" she cried, moving toward where Draco had carelessly dropped her robe on the floor.

He leaned forward and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back to the bench. With a negligent movement of his free hand, he waved toward the door. Ginny heard the unmistakable snick of the lock engaging.

"It's locked," he said in a carefully neutral voice. "Was that all?"

Draco was near panic, but tried not to show it. Virginia was up to something. She was trying to get away from him. Was she having second thoughts? He'd tried to be gentle and consider her needs first, but he really didn't have that much more experience than she did. He'd only begun having sexual relations in his sixth year. Always with the older, more experienced girls, but still, in a setting like Hogwarts, there wasn't much time or privacy. Then, in his seventh year, he'd become obsessed with this beautiful woman he was holding next to him right now, and there hadn't been anyone since! Had he hurt her somehow, without even knowing it?

If Draco was ready to panic, Ginny was on the verge of bolting! What if she got pregnant and Draco thought she was trying to trap him into a relationship? She had to get at her wand! But she couldn't just blurt out something like, 'Right, then, think I'll just go zap my womb so no little nippers come along.'

Shuddering at the thought of trying to explain, she tried a different tack.

"Well, er, I'd like to slip round the corner and, um, you know, clean up a bit?"

It sounded lame even to her. They had a lovely shower right in front of them, and he'd already seen her naked (except the socks, of course). It did seem a bit late for modesty.

Draco knew she was trying to get away from him now. But he'd be damned if he'd let her go without a fight. Slipping to his knees, he moved in front of her, pushing between her knees. Then he rested one hand on her thigh and stared into her eyes. Ginny gasped as the hand on her leg began to move slowly upward. Gods, that felt so wonderful, she thought with a shiver.

With his other hand, Draco motioned slightly, and Ginny watched, still amazed at how he performed magic without a wand. That was powerful magic, indeed. When he beckoned, the washcloth he'd discarded floated off the ground. It hung in mid air as the water taps turned and hot water began to spray from the showerhead. The washcloth was saturated, then the water was turned off. Finally, the cloth floated gently over to Draco's waiting hand. He squeezed the excess water out, and neatly folded the cloth in half. His eyes never left her face, and the intent look he was giving her left her almost breathless.

"Let me," he said hoarsely, finally looking away from her face.

His gaze softened as he ran the cloth lovingly up the inside of one slim thigh. Ginny sighed and leaned back, eyes closed and lips parted, as he ran the cloth over the exquisitely sensitive flesh of her inner thighs. All thoughts of wands and spells flew completely out of her mind. He continued to tease, stroking up to just below the juncture of her legs, then he stroked back down again.

"Is this what you wanted?" he asked softly.

Ginny's eyes opened and she saw that he was staring at her face again, his expression one of pain and sorrow. She opened her eyes wider. Why did he look so sad?

"Draco, what is it?" she asked, reaching down to stop his teasing hand.

"I just want to know what's wrong? Why are you trying to leave me? Did I hurt you? Or…"

He wanted to ask if she wanted to leave because she couldn't face being the lover of an 'evil Malfoy', but he found he didn't want an answer to that question.

Ginny's hand tightened on his. She looked down, face flaming.

"I wanted to, er, use a spell. That's all. I just didn't know how to tell you."

"A spell," he repeated blankly. He had no idea what she was talking about.

"A contraceptive, you know, to prevent pregnancy." Now Ginny's face was burning. She'd never been so embarrassed!

Draco's reply was totally unexpected. His hands tightened on her thighs and he said in a leaden voice, "You wouldn't want my child?"

Ginny's head snapped up. His face looked frozen in a mask of anger and hurt. Then she understood that he thought she was rejecting him! She leaned forward to cradled his head in her arms. He resisted at first, but she wouldn't let go and he finally allowed her to pull him to her breast.

"I would love to have your baby, Draco. I just don't think this is the right time. And I didn't know if you'd even want to have a baby with me. It's not like we've discussed it, you know."

Draco pulled back and looked up, his expression still wary.

"If you don't want a child right now, that's fine. But please understand this," he told her seriously. "I want you. Always. I don't have anything to offer you right now, and I might never have much. But I will always love you and try to make you happy. If you'll give me the chance."

Ginny stared into his stormy eyes. He loved her? He wanted to make a life with her? She hadn't realized the extent of his feelings for her. It might seem hard to believe, given their unusual relationship. But Ginny discovered that her feelings were just as deep, odd as it might seem. She took his face in her hands and stared into his eyes.

"I love you, too, Draco," she whispered.

Draco gave her a small smile.

"I guess we went about things a bit backward, didn't we?" he asked quietly.

Ginny laughed and leaned forward to press a light kiss on his lips.

"I'm not complaining," she answered playfully. "But I still need to, er, clean up?"

Draco grinned at her words, especially as she had given the hand holding the washcloth an encouraging squeeze.

"First things first," he said, laying one lean, strong hand on her belly.

His eyes burned into hers as he whispered a spell to prevent pregnancy. Ginny didn't feel the spell, but the feeling of power flowing from Draco's hand was astonishing. And exciting. She felt herself tingling all over, but especially where he had been caressing her earlier. She closed her eyes slowly as he moved forward to press his lips against the smooth area between her breasts. Then he moved his mouth to one hard peak and took it between his lips. Ginny caught her breath as he tugged gently, feeling the pull all the way down her belly to her very center. Waves of desire washed over her, and she brought her hands up to tangle restless fingers in his hair.

Draco moved to the other breast and let one hand begin moving up her thigh again. He gently wiped away the last traces of their previous lovemaking, then brought his thumb up to brush the small bud of flesh hidden between her soft folds of skin. Ginny gasped again, her fingers tightening in his hair. Then his mouth left her breast. Ginny made a small, protesting sound that turned into a moan of pleasure when his mouth moved to where his hand had just been.



They left the shower facilities some time later, with Draco leaning on Ginny's shoulder for support. As he'd suspected, his stomach was beginning to ache. But he needed the support more because, after three bouts of very satisfying lovemaking, he was exhausted. Ginny wasn't in much better shape, but at least she wasn't wounded. She grinned at nothing, knowing that if any of the staff were watching out for them, it would be obvious what had kept them. Fortunately, none of the staff seemed to be about. At least, none of them were standing about, gawking. They were almost to the hospital tent when Ginny felt Draco's arm stiffen around her shoulder. Concerned, she looked up at him, but he was looking over her head, toward the clearing. Before she could see what he was looking at, though, his eyes met hers.

"I love you," he said quietly.

Ginny smiled. It was the second time he'd come out and said it, and she found she loved hearing it.

"I—I love you, too," she answered shakily.

He leaned over and kissed her. It wasn't a hungry, possessive kiss, but it was so sweet and tender, it almost broke her heart. Then she heard a loud whooping shout and someone calling her name.

"Oi, Ginny! Go find a hotel!"

Ginny broke away and turned to see her brother Bill walking quickly toward her, carrying his broom. He had a huge grin on his face. This was surprising enough, but then she saw Eric Timmons following closely behind him. And if Bill's face was a mirror of happiness, Eric's was hate personified.

"See?" she heard Eric saying. "What did I tell you? Put some sort of spell on her!"

Draco's arm tightened a bit more, then relaxed. But he kept it securely around her shoulders.

"Bill!" Ginny called, waving to her brother. What was going on? What was Bill doing here, especially with Eric?

Bill finally reached her and dragged her away from Draco. He wrapped his arm around her and lifted her in a huge bear hug. Ginny hugged him back, laughing when he settled her back on the ground next to Draco.

"Malfoy," Bill said with a grin, nodding at him.

"Weasley," Draco nodded back and put his arm around Ginny's shoulders again.

Everyone seemed to be making a point of ignoring the irate medic, which seemed to enrage him further.

"Well, Weasley, aren't you going to do anything?" he demanded.

Bill turned and gave him a dark look.

"As a matter of fact, Timmons, I'm going to do something right now."

He turned back to Ginny and Draco and stuck his hand out.

"Congratulations, Malfoy. Take good care of my sister."

Bill ignored the disbelieving squawking sounds Timmons was making and added, "Sorry to keep you out here like this. Ginny, why don't you get Malfoy back into bed? Poor man looks dead on his feet!"

Ginny flushed slightly, but nodded. But Draco pulled back.

"Thanks, Weasley, I'll do my best. But what ARE you doing here?"

"Are the family all right?" Ginny asked, concerned. "The twins okay?"

Bill waved their questions away. "Everyone is fine. I just came because Medic Timmons here seemed to thing Malfoy put some sort of Imperius curse on you. Said you weren't being yourself. You seem just fine to me, though."

Timmons jumped in at that moment.

"Fine? FINE!? How can you say that when she's with that piece of filth!?"

Timmons was waving his arms in agitation as he continued.

"And look at them! Can't you see he's been at her? That he's f—,"

The rest was cut off as Ginny's hand connected resoundingly with his cheek. Timmons' head snapped back and he stumbled a few steps backward.

Bill and Draco looked on, astonished at the speed and ferocity of her attack.

"Well done, sis," Bill said with a whistle of admiration.

"Get out of my camp," Ginny hissed at Timmons. "If I ever see you here again, if you ever talk to me again, I'll tear your heart out! Do you understand?"

Timmons was holding the side of his face, as astonished as the others. But her words brought him out of his daze.

"I understand," he answered harshly. "But what you don't understand is that you already have!"

He abruptly turned away and left. Ginny looked with wide eyes at Draco. He felt a moment of pity for the medic. If he'd been in the same position, he would have tried anything to get this woman back. Hell, he had been ready to try anything an hour ago, when he thought she didn't want him. Pulling her into his arms, he stroked her short hair and murmured softly to her.

Bill watched Timmons leave, then turned back to his sister.

"About damned time, you know."

"What?" Draco demanded. Bill only shook his head.

"Let's get you inside first. Then we'll talk."

Once Draco was comfortably settled, Bill sat on the chair while Ginny perched on the edge of the bed.

"Okay, Bill, give. What are you doing here, and what did you mean?"

Bill stretched his legs out and clasped his hands behind his head. Smiling, he glanced over at the bedside table, where Draco's clothing, now washed, mended and folded, had been placed.

"Still have that, do you?" he asked, lifting one of the items that had been laid on top of the clothing.

It appeared to be a square of parchment wrapped round with a tattered green ribbon. Ginny's eyes widened when she saw it.

"Here, that's mine," Draco declared, trying to grab it back. Ginny got to it first and snatched it from Bill's hand.

She turned wide eyes toward Draco again, silently asking the question. Draco didn't answer, he merely looked awkwardly at his hands. Ginny untied the ribbon and unfolded the parchment. She read the words again, blushing at how mean it had been. But she noticed that the words were very blurry, as though they'd been rubbed at quite a bit. She turned to Draco again, and he took the scrap from her hand. He carefully began to trace the letters with his finger.

"It was all I had of you," he said quietly, looking at the writing. "You wrote this with your strong, clever hands. Just touching it made me feel like I was touching you again."

"Then, why didn't you ever write me?"

When Draco didn't answer, Bill cut in.

"Probably because he didn't think he had enough to offer you. Stupid git didn't realize you didn't want anything but him."

Ginny's eyes were filling with tears, but She had to giggle at Bill's pronouncement. He was probably right. Even Draco smiled.

"Well, I didn't—don't have anything. But I'll be damned if I'll wait any longer. You're stuck with me now, Virginia, for better or worse."

Bill let out a hoot of laughter. "Well, that was a damned sorry proposal, if ever I heard one!"

Two pairs of eyes turned to glare at him, but he just shrugged and grinned. "Well, it was," he declared.

Then he sat up straighter. "And I never got an answer from either of you. I'm getting my team together for Gringotts as soon as possible, and I need to know if you're going to be joining me?"

Ginny looked at Draco, surprised. "You asked Draco?" she said at almost the same time he asked, "You want Virginia?"

"I want you both!" Bill told them, exasperated. "And I was getting bloody tired of watching you both ruining your lives by trying to ignore the other. Just as well you got together now, instead of me having to watch it on location somewhere. Bloody sick making!"

Bill rolled his eyes dramatically and Ginny laughed. Draco smiled weakly, thinking that in spite of himself, these Weasleys were getting under his skin. He already had a soft spot in his heart for Mrs. Weasley after his mother had told him about how she'd really helped her. And the twins, George and Fred, too. He sighed. Five down, four to go. He had a feeling that it wouldn't really be that long before he could actually tolerate that prat, Ron, too.

"So, anyway, I still need another wizard and a healer. I know you're a Master Healer, Gin, and you wouldn't be paid what you're worth. At least not at first. But the perks are great, housing is free, and the work is exciting. What do you say?"

Ginny looked at Draco. He held out his hand and she took it.

"As long as we're a team. Virginia and I stay together, right?"

Bill nodded and Ginny thought her heart would burst. Draco was with her. He loved her and wanted to make a life together. Looking into his pale gray eyes she said, "Let's do it."

Draco smiled. It was the most beautiful smile Ginny had ever seen and it completely melted her heart.

"All right, love," he agreed. "Let's do it."