Chapter 27 The Supposed Star Crossed Lovers Make a Promise

Disclaimer: I own the plot and the few characters that you don't recognize as someone else's.

IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ THIS: I was looking over the reviews that I had received while I was away and I was soooooo pleased! I didn't know I would get that many and I would like to thank you! However - I did find a few people thought that I was dragging this out. In my and the story's defense I would like to point out that you cannot fall in love with a snap of the fingers. Draco and Ginny did try this the first time but it failed. They failed because they made that videotape of their confessions. They made the tape far too early on in their relationship having only stars in their eyes. They were too blinded by their "love" to see that they should have taken it slow and then Colin Creevy would have had no proof and they may have thrown him in St. Mungo's or something. I do appreciate that you brought this up with me so I could explain myself!

ATrueSlytherin: I thank you for telling me this before I read it. I have no problem with having some of the same ideas; of course if it turns out to be an almost exact replica then I might get a little concerned! ;) LOL! Anyways, I might just have to check it out, thanks for telling me!

Okay, next on the list of things to say: So thank you everyone who reviewed for the good and the bad I am enjoying reading them and I will, as I have mentioned before, have a chapter dedicated to you guys! With thank-yous and a summary (maybe!) for a sequel. Yes, it's true there will be a sequel more than likely. I must warn you all that if you intend to read the sequel, then I must tell you that the sequel will not be up for a while, due to the fifth book coming out and the fact that I would like to write the whole thing before posting it! Anyways! So thank you to everyone! I hope you enjoy this 27th chapter and please review!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Chapter 27 The Supposed Star Crossed Lovers Make A Promise ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco was sure that he had impressed Ginny at the dance. Well, at least towards the end he had - he was fairly sure that the whole jealousy bit hadn't been all too remarkable; but hey, it showed that he cared, right?

Draco flopped down on his large, fluffy bed, hanging his feet over the edge to continue to think.

The dance had certainly not been the time to share his feelings with her - that was for sure. They were having such a shaky time with the friendship they were sharing at this point, what would become of them if there were something more involved?

What if in fact they were just destined to be star crossed lovers and nothing more? Too infatuated with each other to see the mistakes they were making?

Draco knew they could not be like that, he felt love when he looked other. Pure love; something he hadn't felt before. Not something that would be gone in the blink of an eye. He hoped Ginny hadn't felt it before either. Butt then, if she hadn't, that would make them first loves and you know that everyone says first loves rarely last a lifetime. But what if they could be the exception? There were exceptions, right?

The Slytherin shook his blonde hair out of his eyes. Who was he kidding? Whoever said Ginny really did like him anyway? He was only going off of her song. He was getting ahead of himself.

Draco leaned back slightly, lifting his eyes from the floor momentarily. His hair fell back into his stormy eyes. He had no idea what had possessed him to cut his hair a little shorter and gel it slightly spiky? What had happened to being evil when it came to the look of your hair, too? All he knew know was that the hair that fell into his eyes may look appealing to the ladies but it was aggravating HIM.

He turned on some music to find a song that was by some Muggle boy band that annoyed Draco greatly, of course they all annoyed him to a great extent. But this time instead of changing the station, he listened and found that it said something to him. What was it with him and song lyrics these days? He just hoped that no one found out how sappy and musically inclined he was or his days would be over.

"I been sittin here; can't get you off my mind. Tried my best to be a man and be strong. I drove myself insane wishin I could touch your face, but the truth remains you're gone."

All of that was true for Draco and Ginny. All he wanted to do right now was touch her soft face. True, she wasn't exactly gone; but she would be if he waited too long. That Jackson git would probably be all over her. He needed to do something one way or the other.

* * *

As Ginny slipped into her pajamas she reflected on the night that she had just experienced. Draco had been acting so oddly. His mood swings were almost unreal. Friendship, jealousy and love all in one night. Which one did he most fell? She thought she felt love, but what did she know? After all, love is a two way street. She thought he was in love with her too, but he never said anything to her that night as she had hoped, so what if she was wrong?

When she thought about the whole jealousy aspect, she knew that she had definitely provoked that. She also knew that it was a stupid thing to do - well now she knew anyway. But at least that emotion motivated him to feel love. If he didn't already, which was quite possible, when she remembered the look on his face as he was walking towards her.

The redhead walked back into the main part of the dormitory where she found Chloe wearing matching pajamas of course, just like everything else she ever wore.

"Hey, Gin." Chloe said pulling of her black rectangular rimmed glasses she wore for reading at night. The blonde put away her Transfiguration essay and faced Ginny. "So, what's up?"

"Hey, Chloe." Ginny greeted, sitting on her friend's bed. "Is there something wrong with having so many doubts?" She asked.

"About Todd you mean?" Chloe asked knowledgeably. She had made up the codename for Draco partly because she didn't think everyone could handle it if they found out whom they were talking about and partly because she loved the drama of being sneaky.

"Yeah." Ginny answered, quietly. "I just keep thinking it may not work out like I want it to. Or, if it does, something will happen to us to pull us apart."

"Gin, love comes with many doubts, assuming you are in love." Chloe paused as though she were almost awaiting an answer. But upon not getting one, she went on. "For this advice, we'll just say you are." Chloe said. Ginny was thankful she wasn't obliged to say anything yet. Chloe continued. "You can't ever be completely sure of course, not at first anyway.

At least if you're having doubts that means you're just thinking about it and not just rushing into it so blindly that things are bound not to work out." Chloe was being so great about the whole falling-in-love-with-the- enemy thing, especially since Draco had tortured Chloe at one point too. Of course the blonde girl was probably not the best person to ask for advice about love, but she was at least consoling and logical.

Chloe pulled out her book once more after brushing some crumbs off her orange and black plaid pants (which was worn with a black spaghetti strap that had orange stitching.). Ginny assumed this meant that she was done giving advice' but after a few seconds when Ginny had crawled into her own bed and snuggled down into the blankets, she was proven wrong. Chloe peered over the top of her glasses, setting down her book once more.

"Gin, just don't' rush anything. Wait for him." She said in a soft, serious voice.

"What if he never comes around to it though, Chloe?" Ginny asked, wide eyed. Didn't Chloe realize that Ginny did NOT want to, nor did she have the patience to, wait for HIM? It may never come.

"Oh he will, Gin. Don't you worry. I was watching him at the dance. He was thinking the same things you were. That you just 'fit' together. I saw his cold eyes soften when he looked at you or talked about you." Chloe said. "You're his one clearly visible soft spot."

"Soft spot?" Ginny questioned slowly.

"Yeah, his weakness. The one person at this school he cares about." Chloe explained rationally.

"What are you saying Chloe?" Ginny asked, willing her to say what she wanted to heat. If she did say it, then it was true; Chloe wouldn't lie.

"I saw it in the way he held you like nothing lese mattered. Like he wouldn't ever let anyone hurt you again." Chloe said, her eyes shining.

"He loves you."

Bingo.

* * *

The next day, Draco got up in a great mood, such a great mood that he almost wanted to wear a very bright yellow shirt that Pansy had gotten him years ago. Almost.

Since it was a weekend, he knew he would have plenty of time to talk to Ginny alone. He decided to owl her straight away. He sat down with a quill and parchment and began to write.

Dear Virginia,

I think we should talk. Alone. Bring the present I got you to our room and I may let you open it. MAYBE!

Draco Malfoy.

'Good enough.' He thought, reading his very prompt letter once more before trudging up to the Owlery and sending it off with his owl, Anessa.

* * *

Ginny hear a tapping on her window and awoke from her deep sleep.

The redhead sat up in her large bed, looking towards the window. There sat a beautiful black owl with a letter.

'Probably for Chloe.' Ginny grumbled, gingerly getting up out of her bed and walking to the sunny window.

Anessa flew in and dropped the letter on Ginny's pillow. She then sat on her bed and stared at Ginny, almost as is she were inspecting her or measuring her up. Finally the owl nipped Ginny's finger affectionately, almost as though in approval, and flew off through the open window.

'That was odd.' Ginny though, eyeing the letter that bared her name in slightly untidy scrawl. She sat down on her bed and pick up the folded sheet of parchment.

Ginny unfolded it and read it through once.

"Draco." Ginny whispered to herself as she read his name. What was with the formal signature? There was only one Draco and only one Malfoy that she knew of.

To her, this could mean one of two things. One - he wanted to tell her he wants to be with her; or two - he wanted to tell her that he never wished to see her again.

The only way to find out was to go.

Ginny changed out of her pajamas and into jeans and a hooded blue sweatshirt. She magicked her hair curly and slipped on some old tennis shoes before she was ready.

"Be back, Chloe." Ginny whispered in her roommate's ear, slipping the present in her pocket.

"It's in my closet, Gin." Chloe said, rolling over.

Ginny giggled and headed out or the tower. It was go time.

* * *

Draco waited as patiently as he could for the familiar mass of red hear outside the door. Hen he finally spotter he bouncing down the hallway he felt nervous like he wished he had never had this idea. What if she didn't react how he had hoped? There go those mindless questions again.

'Be cool, Malfoy. Act natural.' He reminded himself, relaxing just a little bit.

Ginny walked in with a huge smile on her face, it was just what Draco needed to feel at ease.

"Hey, Draco!" She said as she closed the door behind her.

"Hey, Gin." He greeted her, motioning for her to take a place next to him on the large overstuffed couch.

"So what's up?' She asked jovially, plopping down next to him.

"Well. I - um - I was wanting to talk to you about some things." Draco said. He knew that was a fairly redundant comment as that's what his letter had informed her.

"Yeah, I hear. What about?" Ginny urged.

"Us."

"Oh, so there's an 'us' now?" Ginny asked, wiggling her eyebrows slightly, making Draco laugh a little.

"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." Draco explained.

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked obviously not completely following what Draco was trying to say in a roundabout way.

"What I was wondering was well, could there be an 'us'?" He asked sheepishly.

Ginny's doe eyes lit up.

"I'd love that Draco." She exclaimed softly.

"But we'd you know, have to take it a lot slower this time." Draco added.

"I agree." Ginny said, scooting slightly closer to him. She could feel the warmth radiating for their bodies. "Last time we rushed so much that things were just destined not to work out. Colin just helped it along a bit."

Draco nodded, glad that he could now sit next to Ginny once again and not feel the awkward silence that seemed to engulf them. He didn't have to harbor or even pretend to harbor any animosity towards her. He could even call her his own. But on thought still lingered on.

"Gin?' He asked. "What did Colin do to threaten you into dumping me?"

"Well, you know that tape we made with Hermione's video camera?" Ginny asked him, cautiously, not knowing how he was going to react.

"Of course." Draco said. "Where is that now?" He asked out of pure curiosity.

"Colin has it."

"What!?" Draco exclaimed, incredulously. "How did HE get that tape?"

"We were stupid, Draco. We forgot it here in this room. We didn't even know that anyone else knew about our little room. He took and threatened to show it to the whole school, unless I dated him." She explained, pulling at her loose hair.

"So? Why didn't you just let him have it? Say 'to heck with you' and come to me?" The blonde boy asked his redheaded girlfriend.

"Your reputation. You'd be ruined forever. Your father would have killed you. Or me. I just couldn't let any of that happen. Our relationship was worth a lot to me. It was worth enough to me that I new I wanted you to be happy, even if it couldn't be with me."

Draco stared open mouthed at her. Unable to fathom Ginny's actions and thoughts, he just stared until words found their way to his lips once more.

"Me. You did all that for me? For MY reputations? Why? None of that should have even crossed your mind when you were asked to make that decision! You knew how dangerous he was!" He scolded.

"My reputation meant nothing to me compared to you, but you sacrificed your life and your health for that? Colin tried to kill you. You starved yourself and almost killed yourself. Without even consulting me?" Draco erupted.

"Al I thought about was you. I did what I felt was best fore everyone." Ginny defended softly.

"Ginny! You needed to think more about yourself. I can't believe this!" Draco could only think of how Ginny looked lying in a bed of her own blood that night. How helpless she was when he took her into his arms. All of that was because of him. He couldn't deal with that.

"Draco?" Ginny asked. She was astonished at how he had taken it.

"Listen, Gin. I'll owl you tonight, okay?' He told her blankly.

Ginny knew that he was not mad, just confused and hurt that she had not told him the truth.

"Are you okay, Draco?"

"Gin, I just blame myself for everything that's happened to you." Draco said with a blank look on his face.

"Don't." She told him fiercely.

"How can I not?"

"It was my decision; my choice. I made that stupid mistake, not you. You don't have ESP or any other special powers. How were you supposed to know that? I didn't tell you and it's my fault. I'm sorry." She said, the words just spilling out before her. A tear rolled down her cheek and she looked at the floor.

Draco's anger evaporated. The anger had never been towards her, just towards himself. But she was right, he couldn't have known if she didn't tell him. It was no use taking the burden and punishing their relationship because he was over reacting.

"Gin. Please don't cry. It was a mistake that a lot of people would have made. Please stop crying and sit down." He said. She sat back down and so did he but she didn't stop crying.

"Ginny! Don't cry! Why are you crying?" He asked her, frantically.

"You're mad Draco. I did make a stupid mistake, if it wasn't for me we could have been together a long time ago."

"Gin, what's it matter? We're together now! And I'm not mad!"

"You're not?" She asked, looking up at him.

"No. I think it's time that you opened the present that I gave you on Christmas." He said comfortingly.

"Okay." She agreed, pulling the small box out of her pocket.

Draco whispered a spell and the box began to glow.

"What's it doing Draco?" She asked him curiously.

"I unlocked it so you could open it." He explained patiently.

"Oh, okay." She said.

Ginny turned the box so it faced her. She was unsure of what would be waiting for her inside. Butterflies were flitting around in her stomach, she was way to nervous. Better to just get it over with. She pried it open with her small fingers and gasped in surprise.

It was a small silver ring. She took it out of the box and gazed at it. Inscribed on the inside of the ring it read "A PROMISE IS A PROMISE. TO VIRGINIA WEASLEY LOVE DRACO MALFOY".

"Oh Draco, It's beautiful! I love it!" She said, throwing her arms around his neck.

"It's a promise ring." Draco said as she pulled away from him.

"A what?"

"A promise ring. It means that I promise we'll be together. We'll have our ups and downs of course but it we just promise to stick together then I promise that we'll end up together." He told her.

"I love it." She said grinning.

Draco was truly happy. The girl that meant everything to him was genuinely happy and it made everything in the world seem perfect.

"Good." He said, taking the ring from her and sliding it onto her finger.

"I promise too." Ginny said, honestly before closing her eyes and leaning against Draco. She was glad everything was back to normal.

~*~*~*~

Okay, so this chapter has a happy ending but what about the ball? You'll just have to find out because that's the next chapter! Anyways! Please tell me what you think and I'll try to get the next one up as soon as possible!!

Thanks so much!!