Dedicated to prongs37, Harryforeva and aPPle-FrrEAk. I couldn't decide between you!

And a big special hi to StarWars-Freak. Always so supportive!

Chapter 7: Respect

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For reasons I don't know

I treated you so cold

Wish I had those times when

Something that you said

Keeps ringing in my head

Someday you're gonna wanna come back

And you're gonna wanna treat me fine

Everybody needs a little Respect

Everybody needs a little time

Everybody needs a little Respect

Everybody needs a little…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Respect – Train

Harry enjoyed watching Ginny work.    The way she worked with customers, laughed with her staff, the way she moved pencil over paper to create stunning designs. More than once she caught him staring. And every time she did, he blushed and she laughed.

At around midday Draco Malfoy entered the shop.

Ginny was in the kitchen making coffee at that moment. Harry looked up, and his eyes narrowed. Malfoy stopped in his tracks.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded.

"Auror business. You?"

"Private business. Where's Ginny Weasley?"

"Why?"

"Nothing to do with you."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"If you two could just drop the Testosterone act for ten minutes, I'll get to business!" Ginny said, coming out of the kitchen, carrying two cups of coffee. The two men turned to her. She placed the coffee on the counter and looked at Malfoy.

"Well?"

"Robes. Black or green. Six sets."

"The robes are all displayed. Tell me which you want when you've decided. Harry, you've had an owl." She handed him a letter and he tore it open. His eyes scanned it and he groaned.

"Ginny, I've got to go. Albus is sending someone over though. I'll wait until they arrive."

He didn't have to wait long. Within five minutes the flames in the fireplace turned green and Hermione Granger leapt out of it, brushing down her robes.

"Hi Ginny! Harry, Albus needs you straight away, he-" She broke off when she saw Malfoy. Harry said,

"I'll back as soon as I can." And he disapparated. Hermione looked from Malfoy to Ginny, who said,

"How are you Hermione?"

"Um… fine… yes, I'm fine. You?"

"Good. How are the students doing?"

"Rather well, actually. A third year Hufflepuff got a bit upset yesterday, and accidentally almost broke his neck trying to get away from a Boggart. It was a vulture."

"Ah. Did you like the designs for your dress?"

"Oh, very much so! In fact, that's why I volunteered to come. I wanted to talk to you about it."

Malfoy cleared his throat and Ginny looked at him.

"Yes?"

"May I use the changing room?"

"Go ahead."

"Granger." He nodded to her. Hermione nodded back uncertainly. Malfoy disappeared into the changing room. Hermione whipped around and pulled Ginny into the kitchen, out of earshot of the changing rooms.

"What the hell is Malfoy doing here again?"

"Buying robes."

"But Ginny… this is exactly why Harry is protecting you. Zabini's friends are everywhere. They'll be quite happy to get their hands on you!"

"Hermione, it's ok. He's just buying robes."

"Just be careful. Everyone in the Order has been talking about it. We're worried about you, Ginny. We don't want you to get hurt. Not everyone is innocent."

"I know!" Ginny suddenly felt very annoyed. "For Merlin's sake, Hermione! I'm not a child anymore! A little respect would be nice! Stop babying me!"

She stormed out of the kitchen. Hermione followed her, red-faced.

"Ginny, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, what difference does that make? I'm fed up of everyone in the Order treating me like some naïve child, incapable of doing anything to help protect the magical world. I'm just as trained in Defence as anyone else. I may not be a Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, or an Auror, but I can still fight if I need to! So stop acting as if I don't know anything about what's going on out there! Because I do. I know what it's like. In case you've forgotten I was there when Sirius died. I was there when the Deatheaters killed Colin and Cho and all those others. So just… stop."

Ginny realised tears were leaking down her face and she brushed them away angrily. Hermione looked horror-struck. Draco Malfoy was standing in the doorway to the changing rooms. And Harry was standing next to the fireplace. Ginny squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again. She turned to Malfoy.

"Got everything you need?"

"Um… yes." He handed the robes to her and she took them to the counter. Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. Ginny handed the bag of robes to Malfoy and said,

"50 Galleons please."

He handed the money over, along with a note. He gave her a quick smile, and then left without looking at the others.

Ginny glanced at the note.

I'll be in the Three Broomsticks in fifteen minutes, if you want to talk.

Ginny stuffed the note into her pocket. Hermione cleared her throat.

"I'd better go. See you later." Ginny didn't reply. Hermione stepped into the fireplace and disappeared. Harry moved over to the counter. Ginny didn't look at him.

"Ginny-"

"Harry, don't. Just don't." She took a deep breath, and then looked him straight in the eyes.

"I don't need your protection anymore. I just want for you all to leave me alone."

"Ginny, I can't. I'm under orders to protect you."

"Well, I'm telling you I don't need it. So, everyone in the Order has been talking about me, have they?"

"Because they care."

"Ever thought that maybe the last thing I need is protection? Maybe I need to do things for myself, instead of depending on everybody." Ginny turned away and headed for the door.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"To find someone who respects me." She told him, disapparating. Harry stared at the spot where she had stood.

"Shit!" He shouted, and then turned to the assistants who had emerged from the back room.

"Close the shop up."  He told them, before disapparating

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ginny sat in the Three Broomsticks, sipping a Butterbeer.  She'd only been waiting for five minutes when Draco Malfoy entered. He saw her, ordered a drink, then went to sit with her.

"I didn't think you'd show up." He said. Ginny gave a wry smile.

"Honestly? I don't know why I did."

"But you're here."

"Yeah."

"So… are you OK? I didn't catch all of the argument, but I suspect feelings were hurt."

"Oh, yeah. Big time. I had a go at Hermione, told Harry to leave me alone, and then came to find the one person I never thought I'd be having a heart to heart talk with."

"Why did you come to find me?"

"I'm not sure. I guess… it's because you're the only one who doesn't treat me like a baby." Ginny glanced up at him.

He shrugged.

"I know what it's like to be misunderstood."

"I guess so." Ginny said.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Two hours later, they were still talking, but more freely now.

"It's hard being the youngest. Especially if you're the only girl. You have a lot to live up to. Not to mention six older brothers to be irritatingly overprotective."

"I never had any brothers or sisters. A lot is expected of you, as an only child." Malfoy argued back. Ginny agreed, and drained her glass. Malfoy finished his too, and said,

"Want to go for a walk?"

"Yeah, OK." They stood up, and walked down the main street. The weather was chilly, an October wind ruffling their hair and stinging their faces. They stopped to examine a display of broomsticks. Ginny admired the Meteor 2000, the latest broom. Malfoy approved of it too.

"Do you still play Quidditch?" He asked her.

"Not so often. Too much to do, generally."

"Same here." He said. "Nice broom, though."

"Yeah." Ginny sighed in admiration of the sleek broom.

They continued down the street. Ginny saw that the shop had closed. She ignored it, and they walked down a side street.

"Lavender and Parvati have shop down here. Divination supplies, that sort of thing." She told Draco.

"Never believed in all that stuff."

"Me neither. But they did!" Ginny laughed. Draco grinned, and then stopped outside a book shop.

"They've Longbottom's new book in, I see."

Neville had written a series of Herbology books. Ginny looked through the shop window.

"I'm so proud of him. He's done really well."

"I guess, for someone who's worst fear was our potions master."

"Hey, everyone's scared of something!"

"Yeah, but Snape? You have to admit, that's fairly pathetic."

"Oh, shut up! Stop being mean…" Ginny said, punching his arm. He seized her wrist to stop her.

She looked up at him. This is Draco Malfoy. The sod who has bullied you since your first year. The guy whose father helped Voldemort possess you.

But her brain was blotted out because suddenly she was kissing him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Of course, it wasn't that easy. Because, as Ginny had just mentioned, Lavender and Parvati had a shop on that street. And, it being around lunchtime, they decided to close the shop and got to the pub for lunch.

So what did they see?

Parvati seized Lavender's arm.

"Oh my god! Look, Lavender!" She hissed. Lavender's jaw dropped.

"Isn't that…?"

"Ginny Weasley?"

"And Draco Malfoy!"

They hurried back into the shop.

"I thought Ginny was dating Harry."

"That's what Hermione said, when I saw her last week."

"Shall we Floo her?"

"Yeah."

They rushed to the fireplace.

"Hermione Granger!" Parvati said, and stuck her head into the fireplace. The new system was able to take her to the fireplace closest to Hermione. This happened to be the kitchen in the Burrow. Hermione sat at the table with Harry and Ron. Hermione smiled.

"Hi Parvati! How are you?"

"We wanted to say how sorry we are to Harry."

"What are you on about?" Harry asked, confused.

"About you and Ginny breaking up." Parvati said. Harry frowned.

"We've broken up?"

"You haven't?"

"We had an argument, but I didn't know we'd broken up. Why?"

"Oh! Harry, are you sure?"

"Parvati, what is going on?"

"Well… Lavender and I just saw…"

She proceeded to tell them what they had just seen. Ron leapt to his feet and shouted,

"WHAT?!"

Harry's face had become stony. Hermione's hands were over her mouth in shock. Parvati looked rather worried.

"Where are you?" Harry asked coldly.

"In the shop." Harry disapparated. Ron did the same. Hermione bit her lip. Parvati looked close to tears.

"Don't worry, Parvati. It's not your fault."

"I shouldn't have said anything."

"They'll sort it out."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ginny broke the kiss first. She stepped back, and bit her lip. Malfoy looked slightly worried.

"I'm sorry…" he started.

"Don't be, Draco. It's just I'm sort of going out with Harry. And I know we just had a huge argument, but I should probably talk to him first before kissing his worst enemy."

Malfoy looked rather disappointed.

"It was bad, wasn't it?"

"No, no it was a good kiss."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Before she could move, he was kissing her again.

"OK, what was that?" She said.

"Just making sure." He grinned. She smiled, and shook her head.

"You're impossible."

"It just adds to my devilish charms."

"Is one of them modesty?"

"Hey! Look, I've got to go in a minute. I might never get to kiss you again. So I can I do it one last time?"

"…OK. Last time." She had absolutely no idea why she was letting him kiss her. But she was.

And they were still kissing when Harry and Ron apparated next to them. They only stopped kissing when Harry's fist had made contact with Malfoy's head. Malfoy was sent spinning into a wall. Ginny had jumped back in shock, and she stared at her brother and Harry.

"What are you doing? Harry stop!" For Harry was punching Malfoy in the face. Malfoy hit back, catching Harry on the nose. Ron seemed unsure whether to cheer or to stop it. Lavender and Parvati had run out of their shop, Hermione behind them, having flooed over.

"Harry, stop it!" Ginny shrieked, running to catch his fist as he pulled it back. He jumped as she touched him and swung around, fist flailing. It caught her in the eye and she fell back, landing on the ground. He stared at her, horrified. Hermione dropped to her knees.

"Ginny, are you alright?" She sat up. Her eye was already starting to swell up. Harry opened his mouth, unable to make a sound. Malfoy moved forward and helped Ginny to her feet. Ron pushed him away.

"Stay the hell away from my sister, scumbag!" He shouted. Malfoy glared at him. Harry took Ginny's hand.

"Ginny… god, I'm so sorry."

"Are you alright, Ginny?" Malfoy asked, his voice full of concern. Harry turned on him.

"Get lost, Malfoy! What the hell did you think you were doing?"

"Stop it!" Ginny said loudly. They both turned to look at her. Blood dripped from a cut on her eyebrow but she ignored it.

"Harry, stop it. Just leave him alone."

"You were kissing him! That's Malfoy!"

"I know. Draco, I think you should go."

"But-"

"Go." She said firmly. He looked from her to Harry, then disapparated. As if that was a signal both Ron and Harry started to shout.

"Kissing Malfoy!"

"How could you do this to me?"

"MALFOY?!"

"Why, Ginny? Why did you do it?"

"Shut up!" Ginny shouted. They stopped.

"Ron, this has nothing to do with you. Or you three," She said, looking at Parvati, Lavender and Hermione. They all turned and walked down the street. Harry stared at her.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that."

"Of all the people in the world, you kissed him."

"Well, maybe that's because he doesn't treat me like a child. Maybe he shows me a little respect every now and then, instead of ordering me around. Maybe you should think about it." Ginny's head was spinning. She felt out of it, as though she weren't in control of the situation. As though something was controlling her. But she meant everything she was saying at the same time.

"Ginny,-"

"No, Harry. I don't want to listen, or be reasonable. Draco is the only person who understands me. And frankly I don't think a childhood crush is going to get us through this."

"You're breaking up with me?" Harry said disbelievingly.

"Harry, I don't think we were ever really together. I don't think this is going to work. It's too… it's too much. I just need to be with someone who is going to treat me the same as he did in school." She turned away.

Harry didn't stop her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! I know things are looking back. But have a little faith. Things will sort themselves out.

Faith456: Cherry? I get a cherry? Yay!

Sarahamanda: Get rid of Draco? But then I won't have a plot device!

Ahbahh: You think I'm great? Well, you won't get much talent out of me! I wouldn't waste your time!

Princess Bra1: Thanks for the compliments! I'll email you soon!

Darcy16: You'll see later on why the Deatheaters are after Ginny.

Lotsa luv 'n' huggles

Katie