'What a girl wants, what a girl needs,
Whatever makes me happy and sets you free.
What a girl wants, what a girl needs,
Whatever keeps me in your arms.
And I'm thanking you for being there for me.

Like a rock you waited so patiently, while I got it together.
While I figured it out, I only looked but I never touched,
'Cause in my heart was a picture of us:
Holding hands, making plans,
And it's lucky for me, you understand.

A weaker man might have walked away, but you had faith
Strong enough to move over and understand, while I got it together.
While I figured it out, they say, "If you love something let it go.
If it comes back it's yours, and that's how you know.
It's for keeps, yeah, it's for sure."
And you're ready and willing to give me more

Somebody sensitive and tough;
Somebody there when the going gets rough;
Every night, he'll be giving his love
To just one girl... one girl... one.
Somebody cool but real tender too;
Somebody, baby, just like you
Can keep me hangin' around with the one who always knew.
I'm thankin' you for being there for me.'

-"What a Girl Wants" by Christina Aguilera

Chapter 7

            "So it's true? Little Weasel and Pothead are official snogging partners?" Draco's arrogant voice sounded in Ginny's ear as he sat down next to her and Harry at breakfast the following morning.

            "Yes, as a matter-of-fact, Draco." Ginny replied, not looking at him. "Oh, but unlike you, we do more than just 'snog'. But I guess you wouldn't know the difference between an actual relationship and a physical one because to you their one in the same."

            Draco glared at Ginny.

            "What, Malfoy? You act as if Ginny in a new relationship bothers you?" Harry looked at him in a smart-ass way before continuing, "But yet you had no problem screwing other girls while you had the best looking girl all to yourself."

            Draco's gaze fell on Harry and he smirked evilly.

            "Oh, funny, Potter. At least I can get some," Draco said ignorantly and began to stand up.

            "Oh, is that what I was for?!" Ginny screamed, standing up also, and blocking Draco's way out of the hall.

            "As a matter-of-fact…" Draco's voice trailed off.

            Ginny decided to skip the slapping and go straight for the real fighting. She wasn't going to run away like last time. This time she was going to stand up for herself.

            She felt her right hand ball into a fist and she swung swiftly making direct contact with her target, Draco's nose.

            Draco stumbled back clutching his injured nose as he cursed at Ginny.

            Harry was now standing behind Ginny, ready to take Draco on anytime now.

            Ginny went back once more, this time kicking Draco right in the… yeah, you got the picture. Draco gasped and crumpled in pain. Ginny smiled, pleased at her accomplishment.

            Draco's muffled sobs were barely audible as Ginny stood over him.

            "Who's the cry baby now, huh?" Ginny laughed and turned around to face Harry.

            Harry stood there, shocked.

            "Did my girlfriend, Virginia Weasley, just kick the shit out of Draco Malfoy?" Harry's facial expression showed he was impressed and surprised.

            "I believe I did." Ginny replied calmly as she picked up her books from the table, as did Harry, and they walked out of the hall in silence, headed for their first class of the day.

~*~

            With all the commotion earlier that morning, Harry and Ginny had completely forgotten about the Yule Ball which was to be held that night.

            "Ginny, you know as my girlfriend, you're obliged to accompany me to the Yule Ball this evening, correct?" Harry smiled at the love of his life as he continued eating his lunch.

            "Oh, Harry, if you seriously think I'd go with someone else… you've always been the funny one," Ginny laughed as she ate and she began looking with deep interest at her boyfriend.

            "Don't look now…" Harry's head nodded towards the other end of the table where Ron and Hermione sat. Hermione's head was in her hands and Ron was lightly playing with the hair that had fallen around her face.

            Harry rolled his eyes.

            "Please! I don't want to see my two best friends with their tongues down each other's throats!" Harry smiled mischievously at Ginny.

            "Want to head back to the common room?" Ginny replied shortly, already gathering her books and stuff. She knew what Harry's answer would be. Of course they would go back to the common room, since everyone was in here eating lunch they'd finally get some alone time… even without Moaning Myrtle.

~*~

            "Ginny, did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" Harry smiled down at Ginny in a benign fashion as he had her in a gentle embrace, his hands around her waist and her hands around his neck.

            "No…" Ginny grinned evilly.

            "Well, I can't say it in words." Harry said. Ginny looked confused.

            "What's that supposed to mean?"

            "No matter how many words I would try to use to describe you, none of them would even come close," Harry smiled at her. She was now beaming from ear to ear, the widest smile Harry had ever seen.

            "Harry, you're the ideal guy. Why have you put up with me?" Ginny was curious. She'd wanted to know for awhile.

            "I don't know, Gin. I guess it just felt… right." Harry sighed, stilling staring into her beautiful brown eyes.

            "But, Harry. So many times I denied my feelings for you… I mean and you were right there. All along, right in front of my very eyes." Ginny leaned in and placed her head on Harry's broad shoulder. Harry, in response, buried his head in her sea of red waves.

            "Ginny…" Harry muttered as he took in the sweet aroma of her that he loved so much.

            "Yes, Harry?" Harry could feel Ginny's hot breath on his chest.

            "I love you so much…" He began.

            "You have no idea, Harry," Ginny started, interrupting him, "I've loved you since your first year here. It's been seven years… seven years. Of devotion to you… not a minute's gone by that I haven't thought of you. And all I can say is… it was worth it."

            Ginny pulled away from him and he leaned down to kiss her.

~*~

            Ginny closed her eyes on command.

            "Ginny, don't flinch!" Hermione screamed as she applied a greenish shade that matched Ginny's robes for the Yule Ball. Not even Ginny ever thought Hermione Granger would be doing her make-up and hair, but I guess anything is possible.

            "Done!" Hermione squealed, sounding very satisfied.

            Ginny's eyes fluttered open and stared into the mirror. She looked absolutely stunning. Her red hair was pulled back into a bun with lose ringlets, for once, not waves, falling out of it and ringlets framed her delicate face.

            Not only was her perfect, but the make-up seemed to add that light that Ginny had always wanted in her appearance. The green eye shadow and black eyeliner made her eyes appear to be even larger than normal, which Ginny was sure Harry would love. Her usually-pale cheeks now had a splash of pink to them and her pinkish lips were now a dark red, similar to her hair.

            "Hermione! You life saver! I love you!' Ginny exclaimed, jumping from her seat and enveloping Hermione in a tight hug.

            "Now go get changed!" Hermione said sternly, yet still smiling.

            Ginny waltzed into her dorm room oblivious to the world around her. She was finally getting to go to the Yule Ball! She opened the doors to her wardrobe, and searched through it until she spotted the emerald green dress robes she was to wear. Her mother had bought her this for her sixteenth birthday. For once, it hadn't been second-hand or anything and by the looks of it, it cost quite a bit of money.

            Ginny admired herself in the mirror. The dress was not only wonderfully contrasting to her ginger hair, but it made her figure look absolutely stunning. The square neck was lined in a gold dashed line, the sleeves elbow-down trailed out making them flow when she moved her arms, and from the waist down the dress robe flowed out, which made her look like she was floating on a cloud as she gracefully moved from one side of the room to another, practicing her movements.

            Ginny could see it now:

            Harry and she dancing slowly and closely under the moonlight pouring down into the great hall. It felt wonderful to be held by him, to be close to him, to feel his hot breath in her hair.

            Barging in on her thoughts, there was a curt knock at the door.

            "Yes?" Ginny sounded giddy and she smiled.

            "Harry's waiting!" Hermione's voice floated under the door that parted Ginny from everyone else.

            "I'm coming!" Ginny exclaimed.

            She took one last look in the mirror, readjusted her bra and headed for the door.

            This was going to be a great night, Ginny could feel it.

~*~

[Author's Note~~~ OMG I'm sorry this is so short!!! I just have to end it here… The next song will be 'Stripped' by CA… hope you like it so far, please R&R! –Hannah]