Chapter 17

Draco wondered through the woods alone for what seemed like ages. He called out often at first, but no one ever heard him, and his voice was beginning to go hoarse. Where could they have disappeared to like that? And why hadn't he been paying attention?

No, scratch that last question, he knew exactly why he hadn't been paying attention. She'd been on his mind.

He wished whole-heartedly that he could stop thinking about her. It was going to drive him insane. She was going to drive him insane if she didn't give him a chance to talk to her and have her actually listen. Couldn't she tell how much he liked her?

Apparently not. The girl was completely clueless.

But he'd make sure she wasn't the next time he saw her. He didn't care what happened, he was going to say how he felt, and know that she felt the same way. He had to.

It was at that moment that a voice reached his ears, calling for someone. A very familiar voice.

Ginny?

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Ginny thought for a moment. She didn't have a map, but she did have…a wand. Of course! Why hadn't she thought of it sooner?

Pulling it from her pocket, she whispered the words of a spell. "Point me."

The wand spun in the palm of her hand, stopping only when it faced the direction to her right. Great! So that way was north.

Ginny was quite pleased with herself, until she remembered that she didn't know which way they had come from to begin with. Knowing which direction North was made no difference!

"Arrgh!" She stamped her foot in frustration. Her wand was practically useless.

"Now that," came a drawling voice from behind her, "was bloody brilliant."

She didn't even bother to turn around. Partly because she didn't need to to know who it was, and partly because she didn't want him to see the relief on her face. She wasn't lost anymore!

So Draco approached her instead. "You're lost, aren't you?"

Ginny glanced over at him scathingly. "You're pretty genius yourself. Of course I'm lost, why else would I be out here alone, trying to find my way back to the campsite? You think I do this stuff for fun?!!"

Draco crossed his arms, and looked at her, a hint of a smile crossing his face. "Touché."

Ginny simply glared. There it was again, she kept completely contradicting herself. One moment she thought she was in love with the boy, the next she was ready to pull his hair out and wipe that smirk of his face.

"So how did you end up lost, anyway?" Draco asked casually, as if they were just out for a stroll in the park.

"I just did."

"Oh, that's a good answer. Very explanatory, that one."

Ginny felt her anger rising again. Taking a deep breath of air, she tried to control herself. It wouldn't do any good to stand around arguing all day.

"Look, Draco, if you can't say something nice or helpful, just shut up." Wait, now he would have to be silent for the rest of his life…

But he surprised her. "Okay."

She jerked her head around towards him, surprised. "Wha-what?"

"I said, okay. Are you having a hear-" he stopped. "Oops, that wasn't nice."

Ginny was practically speechless. What was he doing?

Suddenly another thought dawned in her mind. Yes, just what was he doing? He was out here all alone too. He couldn't be…

"You're lost too, aren't you Mr. Brilliant?"

She was gratified to see a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.

Then he shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "So?"

"So?!!" Ginny burst out. "So it's not like you're a big help. Now instead of being lost separately, we're lost together. And believe me, it's not much of an improvement, if any."

"I think it is," Draco said matter-of-factly.

What did that mean? Ginny's curiosity got the better of her.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged again. "Just that I'd rather be lost with someone than without them, particularly if that someone is you."

How…sweet. And uncharacteristic. Ginny's eyes narrowed, but before she could get anything out, Draco held up a hand.

"There you go, you're doing it again."

"Doing what?" Ginny replied, affronted.

Draco gritted his teeth. "Barging in again to accuse me of something and make a completely harmless statement seem like the worst insult on earth!" He was getting really worked up now, and Ginny tried to back away, but his hand on her wrist stopped her. "For once in your life, O Ye of Little Faith, can't you take a complement when you hear one and not try to find some selfish motive or evil dealings behind it?"

Ginny was stumped. She didn't know whether to burst into tears or bust out laughing at the fierce look in his eyes. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hex the crap out of him or throw her arms around his neck.

Draco decided for her. Without a word, he took her in his arms and pulled her close. His hands were around her waist, and without any conscious effort, Ginny found her own arms encircling his neck. But he didn't kiss her. Not yet.

He simply held her, stroking her hair gently as she buried her face in his chest. "You're afraid, aren't you, Ginny?"

Ginny found she couldn't speak; her throat had closed up as tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. She never wanted to let him go. All the arguing, all the fighting, it was just a ruse, wasn't it? She'd always felt something for him, she just hadn't had the guts to admit it. And…from the way he was holding her…so gently, and tenderly, she could almost imagine he felt the same way about her. Almost. But she had to know for sure.

"Are you?" she whispered back, her words muffled.

She'd expected him to say no, to deny it and act like this was nothing. Then she would have her answer. But when he finally answered, minutes later, his voice was shaky.

"Yes."

One little word. So much meaning.

Ginny felt like jumping up and down for joy. He liked her. He REALLY liked her!

She pulled away, grinning up at him. "Are you going to kiss me now?"

Draco smiled down at her, his face paler than normal, but brightening considerably at her words.

Then, suddenly, it fell. "Unfortunately, no."

Ginny frowned in surprise, pushing away from him angrily. "Why in Merlin's name not?" He sure as hell better not have been messing around with her again…

Draco grinned. "Just kidding. Of course I am."

And with that, he took her by the hand, pulled her close again, and kissed her.

A/N: Okay, so it wasn't my longest chapter, but it was sweet, no? But don't be fooled, we're not to the end yet. For one thing, they're still lost, remember? And there are still a few grievances to be worked out between them. And Cupid's off today, so their's isn't going to be a picture-perfect-kiss-and-suddenly-it's-true-love thing. It will take a little more time, and a little more arguing, before we reach that stage yet. Oh, and one of the most exciting events of the story (at least for me; this was the one idea the whole story revolved around when I was planning it in my head) is coming up in the next few chapters. So we'll see what happens, no?

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I don't have time to thank you all individually, we have to leave soon, but I'm going to try to answer anyone who gave a specific question or comment:

Marybecca: Okay, good. Maybe I'll be able to fit it in…

Dragonsprincess: How do you download songs? I've never been able to figure that one out…

Meadow A: Wow, that's sounds awful. I don't think I'd trust the water either.

Angl: LOL

Allie: Actually, in a way it kind of did. I've always loved that name, and writing to you made me think of it awhile ago as possibly a good name for a character. I just changed the "ie" to "y". *grins* Hope to get the email from you soon.

toast snatcher: Hmmm, I might have to do that, but I guess we'll just see how many people respond to the idea first.

Loony-luna32: Thanks. I've got another race coming up this weekend too, so I'm hoping to do well at it. John Force is supposed to be there! (For anyone who isn't as insanely hooked to drag racing as I am, John Force is a professional funny car driver. The best! At least I think so.)

And the vote's in; looks like the choose-your-own-adventure idea was a shoe-in, so I'll start working on it right away. I warn you though, it will be awhile before I'm ready with that one. In the meantime, any of you who like my work should check out my other chaptered fic, The Soul Keeper, if you haven't already. It's finally completed, after months of hard work, and most people seem to think it's worth the read. Thanks again!