Scarlet Flames

Disclaimer: I do not own anything here besides the plot. Characters and names belong to J.K. Rowling and publishers.

Summary: It's been five long years since Ginny's first met Harry, yet he still doesn't seem to get it. Then, when Draco Malfoy comes into the picture, things change. Can Harry realize faith in time? How one girl falls so hard, she can't bear to fall any longer.

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Chapter 5

They say in this world, nothing lasts forever

But I don't believe that's true

Because the way I feel when we're together

That's the way I'll always feel for you

There'll come a day when the world stops turning

And stars will fall from the sky

But this feeling will last when the sun stops burning

All I want to do is love you till the end of time

From now, until forever

That's how long I'll be true

I'll make you this vow, and promise you now until forever

I'll never stop loving you

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"Draco Malfoy and -who-?!"

"They're an item now, yes, that's what I heard!"

"The redhead?"

"Harry Potter's best friend's younger sister?"

"But she's in Gryffindor!"

All week long, murmurs and whispers of an unknown rumor has been going through the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was said that Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley were now, indeed, an item.

It was a very surprising outcome, really. Draco Malfoy, most popular boy in Slytherin, actually fancies a Gryffindor? Even more, one who is Harry Potter's friend. It was rather like Romeo and Juliet.

Now, Ginny is no longer invisible. No longer is she Ron Weasley's little sister. Girls who she has never spoken to are running up to her in the corridors, asking her for advice on makeup, snogging, etc. Ginny didn't even -wear- makeup. It was obvious that these girls felt the need to be friends with her, for she has become very popular over the days.

Her brother, naturally, had been very angry to hear that she was going out with Draco Malfoy.

"WHAT? This is MALFOY we're talking about... MALFOY!!" he had yelled very loudly, causing a few people to glance over.

"Ron, he's changed! He's really very nice!" Ginny protested.

"What about all the horrible stuff he's done?"

"That was his father! Draco's a different person!"

Ron winced. "You're going on first name basis now?"

"Well, you don't expect us to call each other by our surnames, do you?" Ginny rolled her eyes.

After a pause, Ron said, "What about...what about Harry?"

There was a moment of silence as Ginny chose her words carefully. "What -about- Harry? He doesn't like me, he's got a girlfriend. He doesn't give a sodding care in the world about who I go out with."

Ron opened his mouth, and closed it. He really didn't have anything else to say against her. It was true, Harry never showed any kind of affection besides kindness and brotherly love towards Ginny. There was no reason for her to hang on.

So it was official. Ginny Weasley and Draco Malfoy.

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"So, I was talking to Professor McGonagall, and she was telling me about this extra credit project I will be able to do and...."

Harry nodded along as Cho continued to speak. He was sitting at breakfast with her at the Ravenclaw table. His eyes drifted off towards the entrance door, and just then, Ginny and Draco walked in. He noticed a few people staring at them.

Draco walked Ginny to the Gryffindor table, where he received resentful glares from the Gryffindors. He exchanged insults with Ron, and kissed Ginny on the cheek, so obviously so Ron could see. He smirked and returned to the Slytherin table.

Harry watched Ginny as she ate. He was mesmerized by her movements, the way her flaming red hair swung from side to side as she tilted her head, and how he never noticed the gracefulness of this before.

"... so I'm thinking of doing that, also that other report for Professor Flitwick, I think it's rather pointless. I think I'll use the information for that along with Professor McGonagall's extra credit project. Don't you think that would be nice? Harry? -HARRY?-"

Harry snapped his attention back to look at his girlfriend. "What?" he said distractedly.

"I said, don't you think that's a good idea?" Cho stared at him.

"Er, yes... definitely!" Harry said quickly, and flashed her his winning grin.

For a moment, he thought that she would snap at him to pay attention. But to his relief, a smile spread across her face.

"Isn't it wonderful? I know, I'm going to....." And she was off again.

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"You don't have to hold my books... really..." Ginny said blushing.

"But I want to." Draco grabbed her books from her.

He was walking her to Potions. And Draco walks extremely slow for a boy with long legs.

"Draco, do you think you can walk a bit more, faster? I'm going to be late. Professor Snape is going to have my head."

"Don't worry, I've got it together!" Draco insisted.

Finally, Ginny arrived at her class.

"Miss Weasley, you're late!" Snape sneered, ready to take 10 points off from Gryffindor.

"Actually Professor, it was my fault. I needed to have a word with her." Draco cut in.

"Ah, Mister Malfoy..." Snape started, unsure of what to say. "Well, just don't let it happen again." He said quickly and returned to lecturing about potions ingredients.

Ginny walked to her seat, in amazement.

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"The first wizard to perform this correctly was an old wizard from Germany, Alfredo Finnichiwakini when he had needed a specific hair for his potion but could not find any. Remember class, when you say the spell to perform this transfiguration of a human hair to any other, you must..."

Harry's eyes stared transfixed at Professor McGonagall, but his mind was elsewhere.

'Ginny and Malfoy... Hmm.. They looked very together-ish this morning. I wonder if they've snogged... not that I care... Don't know why she's even giving him a chance, he doesn't bloody well deserve her. Malfoy is such a jerk. Ginny, on the other hand is caring, sweet, nice, funny, smart, pretty ---'

"Ouch!" Harry exclaimed. Ron had just stepped on his foot rather hard, under the table.

He noticed that everyone was looking at him, specifically Professor McGonagall. She did not look very pleased.

"Well Mister Potter. We're waiting for your answer." She gave him a stern stare.

"Er, pardon me Professor, can you, er, repeat the question?" Harry stammered.

Professor McGonagall sighed, but said "Next time, you should pay more attention in class, but very well. What happened to Freedma Jillybamo when she tried to perform this spell without using the correct wand movement?"

'What spell?!' Harry thought wildly. He had no clue what they were doing at all.

"She..." He racked his brain. Then, he felt a nudge from his right, as Hermione came to the rescue. She had moved her parchment of notes slightly so that he could read what she had written out of the corner of his eye.

"She turned the hair into something else, and erm, when she made the potion with the wrong ingredient, it caused an explosion within the entire frown, er... town, I mean. Town." Harry said quickly.

Professor McGonagall peered at him behind her glasses, and looked at Hermione. He thought she would scold them both, but she then gave him a quick nod of approval, and continued lecturing the class.

Harry sank back into his seat.

"Close one..." Ron muttered.

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As Draco was walking out of Charms class, Blaise Zabini caught up with him.

"Draco.. -darling-.." She said, trying to keep up.

"What is it Blaise? I'm rather hungry, and would like to get to the Great Hall in time for lunch."

"Draco, do you think it's... -wise-, to be seen with that, " She made a face, "Gryffindor?"

Draco didn't say anything.

Blaise continued. "I mean, I know you aren't -serious- of course..." She laughed airily. "But if word gets out... your -father-..."

Draco stopped dead in his tracks. "What my father doesn't know won't hurt him." He said coldly.

"Well." Blaise huffed. "How long will this go on?"

Draco merely shrugged.

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Colin Creevey sat at the Gryffindor table during lunch. He saw Ginny smiling at Draco. He couldn't believe it, even after days. It was one thing for Ginny to have that major crush on Harry Potter, but Draco Malfoy?

He looked at Harry down the table, laughing along with his friends. He looked at Draco at the Slytherin table, sniggering at something with his cronies.

Harry and Draco must be two of the most handsomest boys at Hogwarts.

Harry, understandably has the whole package. Courage, loyalty, and kindness. Many girls were attracted to him, though he is already taken.

Draco, well, he has only the looks. Girls fall for him anyway. Maybe the way he was always so dark, and cruel seemed very attractive to some girls. He has that 'bad boy' image.

Colin frowned. What did -he- have?

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A/N: Ahh.. I don't know why I added that last Colin bit! This is definitely not going to be Colin/Ginny... I just feel a bit bad for him, so I just threw him in there. I dunno how I'm going to fit him into the rest of the fic though. Eh, well, comments?