Chapter 3

Over the next few weeks the taunts from Malfoy towards the Gryffindors were drastically reduced. Ginny knew it was because of her and she gave Draco a small smile when they passed in the halls and he returned it. The other Gryffindors, namely Harry, Ron and Hermione, didn't notice, or they didn't want to accept that Malfoy wasn't that bad. Luckily, they mostly ignored Ginny so they also didn't notice that she had stopped making fun of Malfoy too.

For once, Ginny was glad that she was largely ignored, and invisible to most of the Gryffindors. At least that meant they didn't notice the shy smiles and the lack of comments exchanged between the two. Ginny had never had many friends. She sometimes followed her brother and Harry about but she could tell they and Hermione didn't really want her around.

She still had nightmares about her first year at Hogwarts when she had opened the Chamber of Secrets and let out the basilisk. She would wake up in the middle of the night terrified after hearing Tom's voice and seeing his face. The nightmares not only made her feel exteremly tired, but also ashamed, even though it wasn't her fault, and she slowly become more reclusive as the years passed.

On Halloween night, Ginny made her excuses and escaped to the Gryffindor dormitories. She didn't want to watch everyone having a good time at the party. She went into the common room and sat doing some Charms homework while the fire crackled in the grate. After a while, she decided to take a walk around the castle, as the empty common room made her loneliness stifling. She walked for half an hour before coming across an open door leading into a dark, empty room on the top floor. She had never been in there before so she cautiously pushed the door further open and entered the room. Ginny went over to the other side of the room and sat on the comfortable seat under the window. She looked outside at the imposing view of the school grounds and sighed as she thought about her life and how much she wanted to change it. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice that someone else had entered the room, until they were right behind her. Ginny turned around and let out a frightened gasp as she saw Malfoy towering over her. He smirked as he saw her wide eyes and heard her gasp.

"Don't do that!"

"I didn't do anything. You should pay more attention. This place can be dangerous at night."

"I can take care of myself. Anyway, why aren't you at the Halloween ball?"

"Didn't feel like going. What about you?"

"Same."

Draco sat down next to Ginny and she felt a spark of electricity pass through her as he touched her arm. Draco felt it too but kept his face impassive. They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, gazing out of the window and contemplating their own thoughts.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Ginny looked at Draco open-mouthed. She knew he wasn't completely evil but she never thought he would show concern, especially for her. Draco continued, ignoring Ginny's amazed expression.

"You already know my secrets so I can't tell anybody yours. I know something's bothering you. It's written all over your face."

Ginny's expression softened at Draco's words. There was something bothering her but it was funny how Draco, of all people, was the only one who had noticed. Ginny had never told anyone what had happened in her first year or how she felt about it. No one had ever asked. With this thought, she decided she would tell Draco. She was pretty sure he wouldn't make fun of her, especially as she knew a lot about him. Ginny took a deep breath and began to tell Draco about everything that happened in her first year at Hogwarts. About finding the diary, thinking she had a true friend who would listen to her, how she became terrified and ashamed when she realised what was happening and then betrayal and sadness when she lost him. It took an hour for Ginny to let it all out and by the end she was crying softly. To her surprise Draco took her hand and gently rubbed it soothingly, until she raised her head to look in his eyes that were telling her silently that everything would be ok. He didn't need to say anything; just being there comforted her. They went back to gazing out of the window; Ginny feeling like a great weight had been lifted. They remained like that until noises could be heard from downstairs, and they realised the ball must be over. Draco stood up, still holding Ginny's hand and gently pulled her to her feet. She looked into his stormy grey eyes and smiled.

"Thankyou."

"Your welcome."

Draco bent and kissed her hand lightly and left. Both returned to their dormitories with a strange happiness settled in the stomachs.

I just want to say thank you to my reviewers. This is my first story ever so your comments have been very useful. To Keita, I don't understand what you mean about elipses or spaces. Could you explain that a bit better or show me? Thanks. To McKenzie, you made my day, thank you very much for reviewing. Thanks everybody!