Eighteen

Winter was starting to lose its battle with spring. After Draco's little 48- hour hiatus he backed off on the constant insults, not completely but better than what he was. Ginny would still notice him staring at her at times in the main hall at meals, but usually when she would catch his eye he'd scowl and abruptly turn his attention else where.

It was going to be a pleasant day for quidditch; the sun was shining brightly no breeze to be felt but still cool out. Most of the snow had since melted making way for grass to come alive again. Almost the entire school had turned out to watch the game. Ginny and Hermione were sitting beside each other on the bleachers waiting for it to begin. A few seats away she saw Ginger sitting with Brandy and Sage. Brandy was waving enthusiastically to Shane Lewis as he flew circles around the field warming up for Ravenclaw/ Gryffindor game. The Gryffindor team took to the field, an excited cheering crowd of supporters and fans greeting them. Ron, as captain and keeper, lead his team consisting of Dean and Seamus team beaters. Neville, Dennis Creevey and Jack Sloper team chasers and Harry team seeker. Ginny saw Colin mount his broom on the outskirts of the field with two cameras around his neck, as official photographer for the school he covered all the quidditch games from the outlines of the field looking for the best shots.

Ginny felt a hand on her shoulder, "Hi'ya Gin," George said, Fred was sitting down next to him. "Thought we'd come watch the game today." The Gryffindor team took flight and began practice maneuvers once Ravenclaw had finished their warm up and landed. Ginny saw Harry fly by catching her eye before soaring high doing a few loops. "Show off", she heard Fred mutter. Ron had flown to the goals getting into position; suddenly he shuddered, grabbing the broom handle with both hands almost loosing his balance. "What's that idiot doing?" said George, "Look at him, he can't even stay on the broom," laughed Fred. Ginny looked at Hermione who was fighting laughter, "Hermione!" said Ginny. "I couldn't help it," Hermione said laughing.

Madam Hooch blew the whistle and the game began. People were cheering waving banners in their house colors. Every so often Ginny would hear George and Fred shout out commands from behind her to the team, "Not in that direction! Hit the ruddy thing that way!" yelled Fred. "Get the bloody lead out of your ass and move!" yelled George. It was turning out to be an intense game runny high with excitement; both teams were in peek form and showed it. Hermione was on her feet cheering for Ron clapping when he would successfully block an oncoming quaffle. Ginny would watch the sky seeing Harry high up scanning for the elusive snitch. The Ravenclaw seeker was never far behind keeping one eye on Harry the other for the snitch. The score was close now, 40 to 30 Ravenclaw, as said by commentator Susan Bones from Hufflepuff. "I always thought Lee's commentary was much more colorful and entertaining," Fred shouted over the noise of the crowd. It happened fast, one moment Harry was flying around keeping the other seeker off guard next moment he was pulling out of a dive with the snitch held high above his head. Every Gryffindor was on their feet screaming and cheering, the bleachers quickly emptied every student walking into the game field. The team flew to meet each other before flying the entire length of the stadium in a victory lap.

Ginny approached the edge of the large crowd of students on the field when someone pulled roughly on her arm. Turning around she came face to face with Draco. He held her in an iron grip pulling her roughly close to him; his gray eyes were cold and held a glint of danger. "Did you enjoy it?" Draco said in a voice tinged with anger and arrogance. Ginny tried to pull out of his grasp, "Enjoy what?" she said. "Don't play stupid, Ginny, it doesn't suit you," Draco said looking into her eyes. "I have no clue what you're talking about, now let go of me", Ginny hissed at him struggling harder. "Come now kitten, you're trying to tell me you didn't enjoy what you did to me? The. . . effect. . . you have on me?" Draco said; a cocky grin appeared on his smug face. Ginny realized what he was talking about, "So we're even now for what you did to me during dueling practice," she growled trying once more to jerk free. "Not even close," Draco said before bending his head quickly taking over her lips with his own. His kiss was firm and commanding trying to force her will to do as he wanted. Ginny felt like she was drowning is a sea of frozen water, a lump of ice settled into the pit her stomach as her body racked with shivers; she struggled to free herself from him. Tearing away from his kiss she fought to get out of his grip. Draco let go roughly; Ginny screamed as she lost her balance falling on to the ground. Draco stood over her the same arrogant smile on his lips "Sweet, like I expected," he said chuckling.

The Gryffindor team had just turned heading back when Harry caught the scene below, He saw Malfoy grab Ginny, he saw her struggle and before Harry could react Draco had kissed her. Fire burned deadly inside Harry watching Ginny fight to get out of his grasp. Harry lost all his senses save blind fury as he tilted his broom into a dive seeing Ginny fall to the ground. Ron saw everything moments after Harry, "Effing Wanker!" Ron bellowed as he took off behind Harry.

Draco only had a moment to look up before Harry came diving off of his broom still in mid air knocking him to the ground. It was ciaos; the entire Gryffindor team had followed and was now landing on the ground. Fred and George ran up grabbing Ron by both arms holding him back as he screamed deadly threats to Malfoy. Hermione had made it through the crowd and was helping Ginny to her feet; she was unsteady getting up shivering violently. Harry obviously had the upper hand, and seemed to decide at that moment to take out almost seven years of frustration on Draco; it took Neville, Dean and Seamus to pull Harry off. The three men had even a harder time holding onto Harry as he fought to get free to attack Draco again. Crabbe and Goyle arrived a bit too late for the action, but helped Malfoy up from the ground. Standing Draco jerked his arms away from the two straitening his robes. "Don't you ever touch her again Malfoy," Harry said in a deadly tone. Draco reached up running the back of his finger over his bottom lip that was cut and bleeding. Looking at the blood on his finger Draco smiled darkly and began to laugh. Students standing near that witnessed the scene gave concerned looks to each other. Malfoy spun on his heals and stalked away, tweedle dee and tweedle dumber in tow.

By the time any Professors had arrived Malfoy had left and a group of students filled in the open space blocking their view of Harry and Ron. Not one student admitted knowledge of what had happened and the teachers were forced to walk on frustrated and confused. Harry jerked free from the men holding him walking over to Ginny. He pulled her into a fierce hug before stepping back running his hand down the side of her face searching her eyes, "Are you alright?" he asked gently. Ginny nodding biting her bottom lip, tears were threatening to spill forth and she did her most to hold them back. Ron and the twins rounded on her throwing questions at her from every direction, Hermione cut them off, "Perhaps we should wait before we attack her with questions?" she said firmly. "It's ok Hermione," Ginny said, "It was just Malfoy trying to invoke more trouble and seek a little vengeance for what we did to him." Hermione looked at Ginny as if she didn't buy what she just said but couldn't say another word with Fred and George demanding to know what she meant by that.

The crowd had thinned out greatly as the Weasley siblings, Hermione and Harry slowly made their way back to the castle. Ron told the twins an enthusiastic tale of what his sister and girlfriend had been up to lately; the end result had the twins supporting each other from falling over with laughter. Wiping tears from their eyes gasping for breath the men looked at their sister with pride and a new light of admiration. "Oh dear Ginnikins, to think we had to miss it," George said with a twinge of regret. "I must say I do believe you're taking a strong root from our twisted branch of the family tree," Fred smiled evilly. "Yes oh wise masters, you teach grasshopper well," Ginny said bowing to her older brothers. "Right then, we're off. See you next week when you come to visit Hogsmeade?" said Fred. "Wouldn't miss it, all the free joke materials a girl could ever need," Ginny said brightly. "Half off for you," George said. Ginny wrinkled her nose at him. The twins waved their goodbyes heading to town.

Approaching the castle entrance Harry held Ginny back; she still got those electrical shivers from his mere touch. Ron and Hermione glanced back and without saying anything continued on through the entrance. "Are you sure you're ok?" Harry said looking very serious. Ginny sighed; she was going to have to explain it all to him concerning Draco. She didn't very much enjoy keeping the information away from him to begin with but thought more harm than good would come. Ginny took Harry by the hand and led him to a bench outside the castle pulling him to sit down with her. "I think I should tell you the whole story," she began. Harry gave her a look of worry and uncertainty, it broke Ginny's heart what he must be thinking. She placed her hand on the side of his neck stroking his cheek with her thumb smiling, "It's not as bad as you could be thinking, Harry. You know most of it already; I just left out a few minor details." She could feel Harry's pulse quicken from her touch, but noticed his shoulders visibly relaxed.

Ginny told Harry every encounter she had with Malfoy, including the entrance hall before Christmas break and of what happened during the dueling practice. Ginny thought for sure Harry would soon burst the throbbing vein now sticking out on his temple. "I'm so very sorry Harry; please forgive me," Ginny was on the verge of tears again thinking for sure Harry was furious with her. Harry's head snapped up looking at her, Ginny cringed at the pure rage she saw in his eyes. Harry immediately softened gathering her into his arms holding her in a crushing embrace. "You have nothing to be sorry for and there is nothing to forgive." Ginny could feel Harry quivering with anger in her arms. "I have no idea what Malfoy's trying to play at, but I'll be damned if I'll ever let him anywhere close to you again," he said. "Please don't go looking for a confrontation Harry. I think that just encourages his behavior." Ginny begged, "And please for the love of everything that is holy, don't tell Ron." Harry actually smiled at her, "I guess your right, if we told Ron everything the next time we'd be seeing him would be at Azkaban." Ginny turned her head kissing Harry's cheek, "I do love you," she said. "I love you too my little trouble maker," Harry chuckled into her ear, "Why don't we head back and join in on the celebration I'm sure is going on in the common room right now." Ginny knew that Harry hadn't forgotten what she told him; she could still sense his anger deep down. She just hoped that he was able to keep it in check and that Malfoy stayed as far away from them as possible.