Chapter 13

Ginny felt like crying inside. She didn't know why she was so disappointed, she hadn't really expected him to apologize. It was just that, some small, stupid part of her had kind of hoped he would.

This whole was fighting thing was getting ridiculous. Sure, they fought at school, but that had been nothing compared to the all out battle that had started raging between them the moment they left school. It was beginning to tire her out.

If only there was some way she could get him off her mind, some way to make him just go away, so every time she closed her eyes she didn't have to remember the way it had felt when he had put his arms around her, or the feel of his lips on hers as he'd kissed her. She tried to remind herself that that hadn't been a real kiss, he hadn't meant it. It did little good.

She'd meant it.

Ally watched her friend from across the room, her sharp eyes taking in everything.

"You poor, poor thing," she said, shaking her head sadly.

Ginny snapped out of her reverie. "What?"

"You're in love with him."

"Wha-No I'm- I can't possibly- It isn't true," she ended defiantly.

"No?"

"No."

"Okay then." Ally started to unpack her things, falling silent.

"Is that it, just 'okay'?" Ginny asked, irate.

"Well, you said it wasn't true."

"It's not."

"Then there's nothing to discuss, is there?"

"Okay, okay," Ginny groaned as she sat down on her bed. So much for forgetting about him. "I prefer to call it 'like' for now, not love. Though for all the money in the world I couldn't tell you why I'd even go that far."

Ally grinned impishly. "Well, he is devilishly attractive."

Ginny glared at her.

"Ooh, jealously. Now that's all the proof I need."

"What, you didn't believe me before?" Ginny asked a little incredulously.

"Oh no, I believed you alright. I just wanted to make sure before I told you something else." Ally raised her eyebrows mysteriously.

"Like what?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

"Like the little bitty insignificant fact that he likes you too. He just doesn't know it yet."

Ginny blinked stupidly. "He what?"

Ally rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, is it really so hard to believe? He's displaying all the classic symptoms, just like you."

"He is?"

Ally sighed and shook her head in mock exasperation. "I can see this is going to take awhile. Okay, here we go. Number one: he's always, and I mean always, looking at you when he gets the chance. Number two: he's constantly seeking you out for something or other, when he needs help, or even when he doesn't," she added quickly, remembering the incident a minute ago. "Number three: well, the boy likes to argue with you. A lot. And that," she finished with a flourish, "is definitely a case of 'like'. Usually, of course, it's only the younger kids that use it, but for someone who's never learned how to say what he's feeling…" she trailed off.

Ginny found herself gaping. "What are you, a SHRINK?"

Ally sniffed. "Of course not. It's called the power of perception."

"Uh hu," Ginny remarked, completely unconvinced.

"There is just one thing missing though…" Ally started.

"What?"

"Well, it's just that, so far, I haven't seen him exhibit one sign of jealousy. Which is very unusual. Now, you've proven yourself already of course, but he hasn't. Not yet."

Ginny eyed her over-zealous friend warily. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Ally said, "that it's time to go to war."

"We're already doing that," Ginny pointed out.

Ally rolled her eyes again. "Not that kind of war. The other kind. You know."

Ginny stared at her blankly.

"Oh come on, even you can't be that innocent."

Ginny still said nothing.

Ally shook her head in disbelief. "What I'm saying, Gin, is that it's time to make the boy jealous."

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Draco closed the door to his room and locked it, thankful that it actually had a lock, considering he didn't have his wand there to place one on it.

Laying down on the small, but surprisingly comfortable bed, he sighed. Finally, he could sit back and just think for a while.

Immediately, the pretty, slightly freckle-coated face of a certain girl sprang to mind and floated across his vision, no matter how hard he tried to suppress the image.

The last words she'd said haunted him.

Your loss…

Draco shuddered. How could two little words have such an effect on him? He felt like he had lost something, something dear to him that he'd always wanted, and that he was never going to get it back. It was a horrible feeling.

But…he couldn't just forget about what had happened. She'd been playing him! HIM!

There was that voice inside though, nagging him. Hadn't he been playing her first?

He tried to deny it, to shove it aside, but it didn't work. The voice was right. And for once, he was going to listen to it.

He'd been playing her, so he'd told himself, but the truth has a way of making itself known when a person really wants it to, and right then, Draco recognized it for what it really was.

It hadn't been just a game. It had never been just a game.

He wanted her back, and what Draco Malfoy wanted, Draco Malfoy got. She was his; he'd decided that long ago, that first day in the corridor at school. Or maybe even before that…He'd just never consciously acknowledged the fact.

Well, now he had, and Draco wasn't one to sit around and wait for things to happen when he could have a say in it.

No, he was going to get her back, even if he didn't know how.

And this time, there would be no games.

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A/N: Yes! Draco's finally had enough and it's time to go get his girl! But what about the new and altogether different war Ginny's going to rage? How will Draco react when he sees her with another boy? Find out in the next chapter. And remember to REVIEW everyone!

Thanks to my past reviewers:

Alixis1: Thanks. Um, what do you mean? Are you asking do I make it up as I go along or do I plan it out in the beginning? If you are, the answer is yes and no. I start out with a basic plot in mind, start writing, and put down whatever comes naturally, or whatever crazy idea enters my head first, lol.

FEEdLestEEx: *grins* Okay. And yes, he should have apologized! I don't know what's wrong with him…

Flav0ftheweek: Yeah, sometimes I wish Draco had a wand too, but it really sets the story up for what's going to happen later. As in several chapters (at least) later.

bob kitten: Thank you! I've never considered myself "gifted" exactly before, but I'm flattered that you think so.

Marybecca: Yes, has it killed you yet? I hope not, I don't want to lose a good fan…

Meadow A: Yeah, I understand what you're saying. The trip seems odd, but then again, odd is something Hogwarts does really well. Lol. And though at the end of this chapter it might seem like the end is near, we're just getting started.

Libby: Of course I thanked you! I like doing these things, it gives me a chance to connect with the readers and gives all of you the chance to ask questions that will actually get answered! As for when they kiss and make up…well, we'll see.

Emerald Storm1: Ooh, tension, suspense…I love those words. And Draco will stay a bad boy for a little longer… (you'll see what I mean in the next chapter or two)

toastsnatcher: Thank you, thank you. *bows*

Anime Ambreen and Poke' Manic: Good!

Loony-luna32: Lol.

Swaummyjs06: You know, you're really the first one that's mentioned that. Yes, Ginny will get her wand back (as soon as I decide how best to fit it in, lol) and no, I don't plan on making Pansy a really big character in the fic. She's more just for background, and maybe to get in the way a little. Nothing major. I don't really like writing her. *grins*

dragonsprincess: Oops, maybe I got ahead of myself again. Moves were kind of made in this chapter, but not really those kind of moves. It's coming though.

Forbidden: I'm glad I could help. And of course I didn't forget about you guys. How could I when reviews keep pouring in my email! You MAKE me remember you, lol. Oh, and if you have any more questions about writing styles or stuff that you'd like to discuss, feel free to email me. I'd love to help.

LiBlackDragon: Thanks.

Kneh13: Yeah, he was just cranky. But that ego of his does get in the way, doesn't it?

Stubbornarse: Glad I can make someone happy enough to dance. :::winks:::

Hallee87: You're right. As of now, he doesn't have it in him to apologize. But we'll get to that.

The Totally Sarcastic Sprite: Not insane huh? Could have fooled me, lol. Oh, and better watch out, those elephants might step on you next!

Aidenfire: Maybe, maybe not. It leads up to more exciting things, as you can probably tell by now!