Disclaimer : I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters in the books.

Oooohhh… but how I wish I owned Draco Malfoy… yum.

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SAVING THE DRAGON by LunaMagic

Chapter Four: The Kiss

Draco paced the room impatiently. Where's that Weasel?! She said she'd be back. It's been almost an hour. I've showered, I've dressed… maybe I shouldn't be pacing. I might sweat… oh, damnit. I shouldn't worry. Why should I worry… she's nothing to me.

Draco turned to face a wall and began pounding his head into it.

"I suppose you're trying to kill yourself so you wouldn't have to put up with me," Ginny's sarcastic tone cut through his self-absorption.

Draco turned to look at her small frame blocking the door. She looked flushed, as if she had been running. His breath caught at the sight of her pinkened cheeks and windblown hair. She had put her hand to her chest and was breathing in gulps of air.

"You…You're…"

"Late. I know." Ginny paused, trying to breathe. "Sorry there, Prince Charming-Not, but some people actually have lives to live." She took one long breath and finally straightened up. She put one hand up to feel her hair. "Oh, crap. I can't go like this."

Draco stood wordlessly for a few seconds as Ginny combed her fingers through her hair. Then he reached into his coat pocket and drew a small hair brush.

"Here," he offered, "don't do that. Your hair would break and you'd get split ends."

Ginny stopped what she was doing and looked at Draco incredulously. "I…" she slowly reached out to take the brush. "Thank you." She managed to give him a smile.

Draco blushed at her solemn regard. He turned his eyes away from her gaze. "Well, don't get used to it. You should carry your own, you know." Draco snapped. "I thought girls never forgot about that."

Ginny began to brush the tangles out of her hair. "And here I thought you were starting to reform," she said with a broad grin. "I don't suppose you have an elastic band to tie my hair up?"

Draco snorted. "Don't you ever bring anything, Weasley?"

"Well I don't usually run late for appointments. I like everything planned out. And this," she gestured around the room, "wasn't exactly in my plans till an hour ago."

"Turn around," Draco gestured with his hand turning clockwise.

"Huh?" What's he up to now? Ginny wondered.

"I said, turn around." Draco sounded exasperated. "Why do I always have to repeat myself around you, Weasley?" Draco grabbed her arms and turned her gently around.

Ginny felt Draco's fingers touch her neck and hair. She felt an oddly tingling sensation. "Well, maybe it's because you act so high and mighty, giving out orders here and there. It's like I'm your personal servant or something. Duh… I'm not, you know. You might be rich and all, but I'm still your equal. I did get to bat bogey hex you once, and it was really, really good. So you're a little better at Quidditch… what with your extra arm length and all… but I believe I'm more than a match to you with my flying skills. I also may not have aced a potions exam yet, but I certainly…"

Soft. So soft. Draco thought while deftly twisting his green kerchief into her hair, making intricate knots that would hold for a long while. He remembered his mother's hair, black as midnight. It made him think of nighttime, when the stars were out. When he was young, his mother used to have him braid her hair. She was amused with his fascination with it. She said he was just like his father, so fussy with hair.

Ginny's hair was different. It was so red. With a little more combing, it would be smooth as silk and look like liquid fire. Fire for his ice. He smirked as he tied the last knot on Ginny's braid. Yeah, right.

"… arrogant, overbearing, insensitive prat…"

Was she still talking? Draco rolled his eyes heavenward.

He had clamped her mouth shut with his hand. He put his other hand was around her waist, holding her close to him. His close proximity allowed her nose to pick up the smell of peppermint soap. Clean, as always.

"Don't you know when to quit, Weaselette?" he whispered in her ear then pushed her gently away. "If you notice, your hair is now braided. I don't recommend heavy activity, though. I don't think the knots would hold.

Ginny put her hands to her hair. She could feel a piece of cloth binding her hair smoothly. She spun around to face him. "Thanks… Draco."

Draco smirked. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?"

"What? Braiding my hair?"

"Saying my name," he grinned, "and you say it so beautifully. If your brothers were here, they might be inclined to beat me to a pulp. Not that I would allow it, of course."

Ginny laughed. "Don't get used to it, ferret." It was no wonder Hogwarts girls found him irresistible. He had a gorgeous smile. Too bad he didn't smile too often. "What did you use to braid my hair? Your kerchief?"

"Yeah. I'd want it back after the meeting, okay."

"Yes, your highness." Ginny held the hairbrush towards him. "Thank you."

"Keep it. I don't want to get your germs into my hair. It might just turn me into a redhead."

"That --- would be an improvement, Malfoy." She grinned.

"Depends on who you're talking to," he grinned back. Clearing his throat, he muttered, "You're still going, right?"

"Of course, I am here and I did promise."

"And you keep your promises…" That's good to know.

Ginny's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that."

"Too late, Weasley. Now I know how to get my way with you."

Ginny let out an unladylike snort. "As if. I wouldn't promise you squat from now on. Anyway, that only goes to show that I'm better than you."

"Hey! I keep my promises."

"Hah! Feelings of guilt, Malfoy? Remember Pansy?"

"For the record, Weasley, I never promised her anything. She just assumed too much."

"Really? She said you promised to love her forever."

"Oh, come on. ME, Draco Malfoy, promise LOVE? Are you kidding me?"

Ginny scrutinized him intently. "Well, I suppose that it IS out of character. I never thought of that before."

"Maybe you don't think at all."

"Hey! Careful, Malfoy. Keep insulting me and you'll find yourself alone."

"No, you wouldn't. You promised. Besides, it's your fault. You're the one who brought up Pansy."

"Alright, alright. Sorry." Ginny strode past Draco and sat on his bed. Draco followed and lay down on the opposite side, careful not to wrinkle his clothes too much. He put his hands behind his head.

"So, what's happening at Hogwarts?" Draco asked casually.

"Wow," Ginny stared at him.

"Wow? Wow what?"

"You really must be lonely. Striking up conversation is one thing. But, you actually want to listen to a Weasley?" Ginny clicked her tongue.

"Can it, Weasel." Draco grabbed the pillow under his head and threw it at Ginny. They both laughed when it hit her.

"Come on, Weasel. I've been cooped up for so long. I need news, any news. Give me all the gory details."

Giggling, Ginny proceeded to fill in the events since his disappearance, careful not to mention Harry or his exploits. She told him about the new Muggle studies teacher who was a squib. You're still taking THAT up? What for? She also filled him in on Quidditch games and their activities at the DA. She started to tell Draco about the love matches in Hogwarts, but Draco rolled his eyes and groaned. And that was that.

"How about you, Gin... Weas… oh, heck!" Draco flushed.

Ginny smirked at his indecision. She was starting to get to him. " 'Ginny' would be fine, Malfoy."

Draco leaned on his elbow looking at her. "Fine. But you have to call me Draco."

"Fine with me… Draco…" she rolled the name in her mouth. It felt just right.

"So, whatever happened to your boyfriend… Gin… Ginny?" It felt weird, using her name without taunting her. Weird… in a nice kind of way.

"Seamus? Oh, I dunno, must be in Africa, digging up old bones and stuff. Oh, and we broke up last month."

Draco smirked. "About time."

"Hey, don't speak about him like that. He was nice."

He snorted. "Sure. He left you, didn't he?"

"No, it wasn't like that. In fact, it was my fault. I didn't have enough time to give him. With Harry gone, it's like everyone relied on me. It's like I had to be him and me all at the same time. It's been a hard six months, you know."

Draco sighed, "Yeah, I know."

"Really?"

"Of course. I know what it's like to have people expecting a lot from you. I'm a Malfoy, remember. My name always comes with power… and expectations. My dad wasn't the only one who expected a lot from me. When he died… it was like everyone expected me to fill in his shoes. They never even asked."

Ginny took her shoes off and put her feet under her. She stared quietly at Draco as he stared up at the ceiling.

"Do you… do you miss your dad?"

Draco turned his gaze on her. She flushed. "I… I'm sorry. Of course you miss your dad. He's… he's your dad, right? I mean… right. I'll shut up now." Draco smiled and looked up again. She's cute when she's flustered.

"Truthfully? In a way, yes. Whatever he was or did, he was still my dad. But in a way, I also felt relieved. No more expectations, no lies, no beatings…" Holy crap! I didn't say that, did I?!

He felt Ginny's hand rest softly on his knee, squeezing it. "I… didn't know that." She looked really sad and he could see tears forming in her eyes.

Draco heaved himself up and took up the hand on his knee. Ah, heck. "Hey, it wasn't that bad. Besides, he hurt me more with his mind games than with his beatings." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Awww, come on, Weasley! Don't cry. Damn, I knew I shouldn't have told you." He brushed the tear away.

Ginny smiled. "Sorry. Ron says I'm just too soft. I can't help it. It's the way I am. Don't worry though, your secret is safe with me. And by the way… it's Ginny."

"Well, GINNY, don't ever cry for me, okay. Just think of what your brothers would do to me if they ever found out."

Ginny imagined Draco being surrounded by his brothers and giggled. "P-probably stare you down to death…"

"Worse. They might force feed me one of those candies that make you sweat and stink to the high heavens."

They both laughed heartily, falling onto the bed and clutching their sides.

A minute later they were lying down facing each other. Draco reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from Ginny's face. "You're not too bad, Weas-Ginny."

The hair fell back onto her face. Ginny blew it away. "You're not so bad yourself, Draco Lucius Malfoy."

"Nah, just pure evil."

"Are not. You were just born to the wrong family, that's all."

Draco raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Okay, okay. So the Weasley family might not be the best family for you to be in either, but I'm sure we'd all have loved you."

"Would you?" Draco looked directly into her eyes.

Ginny blushed. I hate it when he looks at me like that! He makes me want to melt. "Of course," she said sweetly, "I love all my brothers, even if they're such insensitive clods."

"Oh, I don't think I'll ever want to be your brother."

"Hey, why not? You just said I wasn't too bad."

"Because, Ginny Weasley, if I were your brother, I won't be able to do this…" Before Ginny could protest, Draco leaned over her and planted a soft kiss on her lips. He took advantage of her gasp of surprise and held her head with his free hand and licked her tongue slowly before breaking off and staring into her eyes. Hmmm… minty…

Ginny grabbed the wrist of the hand that held her head and just froze, trying to fathom the emotions running through Draco's eyes. Her breath came in short intervals and her heart was pounding wildly, giving her cheeks a rosy glow.

She's beautiful, my angel… Draco's eyes drank her in. Then suddenly, he realized in horror what he was doing. Holy crap! What have I done?!

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My, oh my, oh my. It feels SOOOO good to be able to write again. I finally got the laptop away from my cousin. Don't worry. I'm definitely getting a laptop next week. I'll finally be able to write regularly. ^_^

As always:

Ginny and Draco FOREVER!!!!

AND Please write loooooooooooong reviews.

Thanks to all my readers and reviewers.

^_^ Love and Light and Blessed Be,

LunaMagic