Ginny stormed from the castle's main hall, not even listening to Ron shouting as he was being physically restrained by Hermione and Harry. Who did he think he was, telling her off for being out of the common room and snapping at her about the fact that she'd been in Malfoy's arms. Ooh! She could just hit him! She sat down for lunch, as the blow-out had lasted most of the morning. She ate quietly on this mild Saturday, thinking about what she would do later. She ignored Ron when he came in, red in the face, but with Hermione whispering things in his ear, Ginny wasn't sure if the colored tint on his cheeks was from anger of pleased embarrassment. She rolled her eyes.  She tried to focus on her lunch but found the hairs on the back of her neck prickling. She looked up and saw Draco instantly looking away, pretending nothing at all had happened. She smiled to herself and finished her lunch.

She headed up to the library and finished her homework. She pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment, trying hard to focus on the Herbology assignment, but to no avail. Her thoughts continued to drift to a certain silver-eyed serpent who had captured her heart. She shook her head, tossing all thoughts and hopes of romantics with a Malfoy. There were too many things that would separate them, that would work to keep them separated. She realized it was pointless to attempt any work and put away the assignment, knowing she would probably end up doing it late Sunday night. She looked out the library window and found the sun starting to fall into the west. It was afternoon. She had to check in at the hospital wing anyways. She hadn't checked in with Madam Pomfrey in a while. She also remembered, with disdain, her detention. They were almost over, but somewhere in her heart, she knew she would miss those long, late-night hours of working with the heir to one of the most notorious wizard families in all of Europe. She went up to the hospital wing silently, listening to her footsteps echo on the cold, brick floor of the castle.

Once she arrived, she was slightly surprised to find the entire wing empty. There wasn't a patient nor was there Madame Pomfrey anywhere to be found. She left a quick note saying that she'd visited but found no one around and that if there was anything to be done or anything the nurse needed help with, simply owl her. She left quickly, lost in a daydream and ran into someone. She found herself looking at Pansy Parkinson and her crew of Slytherin girls. She quickly shoved by but not before hearing Pansy's threat.

"Weasel! You had better back off from Draco!" Ginny turned slowly to face her adversary.

"And why should I?" Ginny snapped bitterly. Pansy blanched. Was this pathetic Weasley actually defying her over the one Slytherin that should be the younger girl's worst enemy?

"He's mine," Pansy replied hotly through gritted teeth.

"Since when?" Ginny asked innocently.

"Since he always has been!" Pansy growled, growing flustered.

"Wow, I guess that's going to change soon…" Ginny said, smirking and turning away. She practically bounced away, enjoying the look of confusion on Pansy's face.

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Draco watched the entire scene, both shocked and delighted. He also had an uneasy feeling. Had Ginny been speaking of herself when she indicated a change in Pansy's and his relationship? He couldn't take not knowing. All these thoughts were flooding his mind; he had to clear them away. He slipped outside the castle, crunching through the few inches of snow they had received. The sun was setting quickly, casting a sparkling, orange glow on the ice crystals around him. He sat below a thick-branched pine tree that still remained dry beneath it. The pine needles that had fallen were soft and comfortable. He leaned against the tree in the warmth of his expensive, new black cloak and drifted into a dream-like state with thoughts of only a stunning red-head that he wished knew how he felt.

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Ginny walked outside, inhaling the icy-cool freshness of the winter air around her. She exhaled, her breath crystallizing into a puff of steam in the below-freezing weather. Night time had already fallen at Hogwarts and she looked up. The stars were blotched out by clouds. Gentle snowflakes drifted from the sky as Ginny walked to a large pine tree and sat down, shivering. The instant she did, the scent of expensive, spicy cologne drifted to her nose. She looked over and saw Malfoy, staring at her nervously. She looked at him with slight perplexity at both the fact that he was out here and the curious look he was giving her. She shivered again, her teeth chattering. Her cloak wasn't thick, and she'd forgotten her gloves.

"Are you cold, Ginny?" he asked softly. Her eyes met his slowly, and she nodded, swallowing hard. He unbuttoned and untied his cloak, opening one side of it slightly. "It's big enough for two if you don't mind sharing…" Ginny's mouth dropped open. "Or you can just take it, I'm used to the cold," he finished quickly. She smiled at his quick comment. She moved over to him and slid in the open side he'd offered, causing him to stop trying to take the cloak off. She snuggled against his warm, black sweatshirt he'd worn beneath. She pressed her head against his chest and could almost swear she felt his heartbeat pick up.

"Thank you," she murmured. He'd frozen, then slowly shrugged back into the coat and tugged her closer. She splayed her hand on his chest, holding him tightly. His breath caught in his throat at her slight action. He knew she was only girl who had him reacting like this. And damn it, did her hair have to give off the scent of strawberries? He could feel himself losing control of his hormones and he clenched his fists. Ginny noticed this small action and snuggled closer.

"Draco?" Her voice was too innocent as she spoke to him.

"Hm?" he asked, fighting terribly with himself to remain in control.

"Why are you out here?" It was the question he didn't want to answer, for if he told her the truth, he would be giving away his feelings, something he'd been trained his entire life not to do. Yet he did not want to lie to her. He inhaled deeply as he contemplated his response.

"I was thinking of…someone," She shifted slightly and tilted her neck back to look up at him, obviously expecting him to elaborate. When he didn't, she half-frowned.

"Who?" she asked, saying exactly what he knew she was going to say. He swallowed hard.

"You," he croaked. She tensed in his arms.

"M-me? What about me?"

"I…"

"VIRGINIA WEASLEY! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Ginny groaned. Ron. Juuuuust great. "I SWEAR IF I FIND YOU WITH MALFOY…" Her eyes widened. She jumped up furiously. He had just crossed the line. She stormed out from under the tree, finding the source of the voice easily. Draco watched her go. He got up and fixed his cloak, smoothing it. He ran his fingers through his hair, letting some fall in his face. He brushed the needles of his cloak and pants.

"What the bloody hell do you want?!"

"Mum sent this for you," he said, shoving the letter in her hand. She glared defiantly at him.

"All right then, go! I have what you wanted to give me!" Ron opened his mouth as if to say something but turned and went back into the castle, obviously trying to contain his anger.

Ginny turned when she sensed someone behind her. Draco leaned down near her ear and whispered in a husky voice, "I'll see you in detention…" His warm breath on her ear caused chills to run down her spine. He walked past, leaving her there with her letter from her mother in hand. She sat on the steps to the main entrance and opened the seal on the letter. She unfolded it carefully.

'Ginny,

            I've heard what happened and I'm just owling to check up on you, dear. Your brother informed me that you were saved by the youngest Malfoy (with a more inappropriate choice of colorful words that can only come from an older brother watching out for his baby sister). For protecting you from the younger embodiment of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself, I've sent Draco a letter along with a tin of mini-chocolate chip cookies, freshly baked. Oh I do hope I remembered his name properly, I wasn't quite sure of it. Do apologize to him for me if it is wrong. Well, owl me back so telling me how you are.

                        Love Always,

                               Mum'

Ginny groaned. "She sent him cookies?" She ran into the castle and headed for the dungeons. She raced up and down the walls, searching for some indication of where the Slytherin Common Room might be. There she found Trick heading down the halls and prayed he was in a good mood.

"Evan! Please, will you help me?!" she called as she run up to him, breathing heavily.

"Ya, sure, what is it?"

"I…okay, this is gonna sound weird, but I need you to get me into your Common Room,"

"What?! I can't do that, Ginny!"

"Please! I need to get in there! I have something to discuss with the Head Boy! It's a very important matter…and no it can't wait!" she cut him off, knowing what his protest would be. He took a deep breath and relented.

"All right, but close your eyes and cover your ears," he said. She did as she was told and he led her along. Soon she felt a tap on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and removed her hands to find herself inside the Slytherin Common Room. She inhaled sharply. It wasn't at all like the Gryffindor's. There was no carpet, but instead the cool brick that was also the halls for the entire castle. Elegant furniture decorated the place with gorgeously patterned rugs. Obviously Salazar Slytherin wanted nothing but the best for his own.

"Malfoy!" Trick called throughout the empty Common Room. This brought Ginny's attention to one of the two sets of staircases. At the top there were two things: a hallway that Ginny assumed led to the a classy door with the letters HB printed in bold letters on it. It creaked open slowly and Draco appeared, staring at a piece of paper in his right hand and holding a tin in his left. Ginny sighed inwardly. She was too late. She watched Draco. His ears were pink with the embarrassment of a modest hero, and she saw his eyes flick to the tin, then back to the letter.

"What is it?" he murmured without looking from the sheet and walking down the stairs.

"Weasley wants to see you," Trick said. Draco's eyes instantly flashed up. He shoved the letter into his pocket quickly.

"Ginny," he breathed. Trick raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Draco asked evenly.

"Well I was trying to interevene…but I was obviously to late," she said, indicating the tin of cookies.

"I'm glad you didn't. You see, there's something your mother gave me permission…correction, wanted me to do. And I'd quite rather like to do it. Not now, of course, for that would kill the element of surprise. Plus, who would want to get rid of these delightful cookies?" he asked as he popped one into his mouth. Ginny stared at him. "Oh come off it you suck up, we have detention," Ginny said, grabbing Draco's arm and half-dragging him out the door as he continued to eat the cookies.