Chapter 19

A/N: This is just a quick one, there's more at the end of course. I just wanted to let you guys know that -obviously- I'm not going to be able to update daily like I used to. There are a number of reasons, school being the main one, plus my racing schedule and other things. I'm just getting too busy to update that often. I will, however, try to post more chapters as soon as possible, I just don't want anyone to get too upset if you don't see a new chapter everyday.

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Draco was awake at dawn. A stream of sunlight filtered down through the leaves, right into his face. It was impossible to get back to sleep.

He ached everywhere. Sleeping in a tree was so not as fun as it sounded in all the adventure novels he had read as a child. It was downright uncomfortable.

And it irritated him to no end to learn that Ginny wasn't having the same problem. She was sound asleep above him, her breath just a light whisper in the morning stillness. What did the girl do, sleep on rocks at home?

Carefully, he eased himself to his feet, holding on tightly to the tree trunk for balance. He wasn't scared of being up high. No, it was the falling from up high that scared him. But he wasn't about to let that get in his way.

He could see Ginny now, sleeping soundly with her face away from him.

Well not for long. He leaned forward, having every intention of waking her up with a brisk shake- but then she moved, shifting in her sleep so that her head turned to face him.

And Draco found himself mesmerized. Her cheeks were smooth, with a small sprinkling of freckles that stood out more in the soft light than at any other time, and a slight smile was on her lips. She looked peaceful, and unworried. She looked like an angel.

Draco found all thoughts of a rude awakening fleeing from his mind. Instead, he brushed his lips gently against her cheek. When she stirred, he whispered gently in her ear.

"Good morning, beautiful."

Ginny's eyes opened instantly, and her smile widened. "Good morning, Draco. That has to be the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," she laughed, sitting up.

"Yeah, well," Draco began with a shrug. "I try."

"Uh hu." Ginny dropped down on the bottom limb beside him. "So, are you ready to go? I want to reach camp today. They've got to be worried sick about us by now."

"I kiss your cheek, tell you good morning in the nicest way possible, and all I get is a 'are you ready to go' ?" Draco asked in mock disbelief.

Ginny grinned. "I said good morning, didn't I?"

"Yes, but you have yet to kiss me back." Draco leaned against the tree- wanting to cross his arms and deciding against it- and waited.

Ginny seemed to think for a moment. "Hmm…maybe later," she decided, swinging to the ground and leaving him standing there.

Draco rolled his eyes as he carefully followed her example. "Females," Ginny heard him mutter under his breath.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing," he covered cheerfully. "I didn't say anything."

"I'll bet," she replied unconvincingly as she started walking. She really was in a hurry to get back to "civilization". Even if civilization consisted only of one professor and six other students.

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Ginny lost track of how long they'd been walking. It had to have been hours. And they still hadn't come across any sign of a road or human habitation of any kind.

Beside her, Draco trudged along silently, his features a blank mask. No one even tried to keep a conversation going; it was hard enough just to keep up this endless walking, and the pace had taken it's toll on both of them.

It had been over a day since their last meal, and both of them were feeling it. They were tired, hungry, and miserable. So, they were also, of course, irritable.

"Well, Draco, looks like your idea didn't work after all. By my calculations we've been walking for at least ten hours, and we've yet to find a road." Ginny didn't mean to really sound accusing, but that's how it came out.

Draco contained himself rather well though. "Shut up, Weasel," were the only words he said in the next two hours.

It was then, with the afternoon sun waning and evening coming on, that they came across an old, ramshackle hut. Ginny was the first to spot it, and the first to approach, running, to see if anyone was there.

Draco followed, right on her heels, and together, they knocked on the door, calling loudly. No one answered, and they realized that it must be deserted, abandoned.

But…it was shelter, of a sort.

"Move," Draco ordered Ginny, preparing to kick the door in. His stomach was growling loudly, and if there was any chance they could find food in there…

"I hardly think so," Ginny retorted, pulling out her wand and waving it at him. "There's no need to break your leg you know."

Draco grimaced. He had forgotten she still had her wand. "Excuse me," he replied harshly. "I find that I've had to learn to think of other ways to accomplish things than with a wand, seeing as how I don't have mine anymore!"

"Aargh!" Ginny stamped her foot. "How many times do I have to apologize for that, hmm? I've already said I was sorry!"

"Well say it again!"

They were in each other's faces now, shouting at the top of their lungs. If they'd stopped to think, they would have realized they were attracting what would turn out to be very unwanted attention. But they were much too preoccupied.

"I will NOT say it again, Draco Malfoy, and if you don't shut up right now, I'm not going to be sorry anymore at all!"

"What do you want me to do, cry about that? I'd much rather just have my wand back. Or break yours one."

Ginny breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. By this time, she was holding her wand so tightly she thought she would break it herself. Obviously, yelling at each other wasn't going to accomplish anything. It was time that someone took a rational approach. "Draco, you know that breaking my wand will not help us at all. It won't make our situation any better, and it certainly won't get us out of it."

Draco seemed to be trying to regain his composure too, and he finally managed to reply calmly and coldly. "No, but it will sure as hell make me feel better."

They glared daggers at one another then, until Ginny's stomach rumbled loudly, and they were both reminded of how hungry they were.

Turning away haughtily, Ginny pointed her wand at the door.

"Alohomora."

The old wooden plank fell open, and Ginny entered cautiously. Now that the fight was over, for the moment, it was beginning to sink it just how much noise they had made. Enough to attract the attention of anything from here all the way back to Hogwarts she imagined. If only Draco didn't get on her nerves so much, she might be able to control herself.

And if only he wasn't a born and raised Malfoy, their "relationship" might actually stand a chance. As they explored the cabin, looking for anything edible, her mind was millions of miles away. She loved him, but how could it ever work? Did she really want it to?

Well, that was an easy one. She knew that she did, but did he see anything more in this than a little fling? Someone to have fun with for awhile, but not something that would last. He had yet to tell her how he really felt about her.

Shaking her head, she shoved the thoughts away. Right now was not a time to be worrying about "what ifs?" and " how comes?" Right now, it was time to find some food.

And after that, maybe they could get some sleep.

Looking around the little cabin, she realized with a start that there was only one bed. Aside from that there was no sofa, no chair, no where to sleep but the hard floor.

I guess Draco's going to be sleeping on the ground tonight.

A/N: Yes, so, what do you think Draco will have to say to that? This won't be pretty. I see another argument coming, don't you? *grins evilly* Ooh, only one bed. It's the oldest trick in the book, but it's still fun, isn't it?

Thanks to my loyal reviewers, who stick by me even when I don't update everyday (I hope. *cringes*).

Aidenfire: Thanks for the informative review, yet again, lol. And actually, I looked it up, there really are rhinos and things in the foothills of the mountains, but Draco and Ginny are a little higher up than that I think. But though she is using it to freak Draco out, she does think that their might be tigers prowling around…

Meadow A: *Grins* Yes, I'm an aunt. Thanks for the thought. And well, don't worry about being a good guesser, because it turns out I'm not much of one either, lol. Even though they did find a cabin, that really isn't the big thing that's going to happen, I just kind of got the idea for it all of a sudden and had to put it in.

Stubbornarse: Thank you.

Marybecca: Maybe she doesn't…

Dragonsprincess: Thanks. And yes, a sprained ankle would slow things down…but I don't know if that will happen. We'll have to see where the story goes. Right now, I'm thinking Ginny's going to need that ankle…

toastsnatcher: Yeah, stripped hats! That's it. JK.

Saintly Smile: Ooh, the whole group lost in the woods, that would be funny. But no, we'll assume that they all made it back to camp, lol. They were the ones with the maps after all!

Wow: Thanks for every single one of your reviews.

RubberDucki: I'm glad.

Forbidden: I would try to encourage you and tell you that high school's not so bad, but I'm home schooled, and really have no idea what the atmosphere is like. The actual work is about the same for me I guess, and it's hard enough. One piece of advice though: choose your classes wisely. Your future depends on this! Trust me.

Aradia2: No, no falling out of the tree. Though that would have been pretty funny. And I'm glad you like the arguments, you got a few more in this chapter, didn't you?

TRuth: Umm, thanks! I'm glad you like both of my stories. As for recommending stories…click on my name and check out my favorite stories. There are some good ones on there. If you want more, tell me, and I'll see if I can hunt some more down and send you the links. There are so many good ones out there!

Draco~Gin*gurl: Psst, it's my nephew, lol. But thanks for the congratulations.

Allie: Here's your note. Thanks for reviewing, of course. And yes, this does seem to attract a lot of reviews, thankfully! It's a pretty cool way to interact with people too, even if it does take some time. So that was your favorite chapter? Cool. Oh, what I wanted suggestions for was the way I'm planning to start a new story. It's sort of a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure thing. Just look at the end of the author's note in chapter 16.

Grover876: Thank you.

Little Nothing: lol

Hallee87: Well, she didn't play a trick on him…

Sailor Catastrophe: Thank you, and no problem.

Moonlight and Midnight: Good. And cool name, btw.