Lalala. Next chapter. Lala.

Special. Two songs this time. I couldn't make up my mind about which one.

For Andrew and Jarrett.

Disclaimer: Characters=not mine, Plot=mine.

Chapter 4: Difficulties

Nobody said it was easy

It's such a shame for us to part

Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be this hard

I'll take you back to the start

Coldplay – The Scientist

I heard you're doing okay

But I want you to know

I'm a dick

I'm addicted to you

I can't pretend I don't care

When you don't think about me

Do you think I deserve this?

Simple Plan – Addicted

Ginny's mind was full of jumbled thoughts as she sat on the sofa, chewing her thumbnail. She had never felt this anxious about meeting Draco before. Her heart fluttered at the slightest sound, and her poor thumb had almost no nail left

"Ginny?" Hermione stood behind the girl, resting a hand on her shoulder. Ginny jumped violently, nearly giving herself whiplash. Hermione frowned, moving around to sit next to her. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Yes. I'm alright," she replied with a nervous grin, starting on her other thumbnail. "I'm meeting Draco after supper."

"Oh, Ginny…" Hermione patted her head gently.

"I'm a little nervous." Wasn't that just the understatement of the year?

"…How about you and I go upstairs for a while? We'll sneak some of Lavender and Parvati's makeup and make you irresistible." Ginny managed a weak smile and nod, pushing herself up and following Hermione to the 7th year girls' dorm.

Unfortunately, Lavender and Parvati were there, discussing what they would be wearing to the New Years Ball that Dumbledore had planned for students staying over the Christmas holidays.

But fortunately, Hermione appealed to them on the makeup subject, and they insisted they help. With Hermione working magic – figuratively and literally – on her hair, Lavender doing her makeup, and Parvati painting her nails, Ginny was beginning to feel a bit like a princess.

When the girls were finished, Ginny glanced in the mirror, scarcely believing it was the same Ginny Weasley. Her hair fell in gentle waves down her back. Her fingernails were a glittery navy blue, and her eyelids matched, bringing out the sparkle in her chocolate colored eyes.

"Oh, Ginny. You look gorgeous. Malfoy is going to fall all over himself," Hermione praised her, grinning widely. "Don't worry about Ron and Harry. I'll keep them from interfering."

"If you really want to get to Malfoy, play a little hard to get. Pretend you don't care. Then reel him in like a trout." Parvati nodded along with Lavender's instructions, and Ginny beamed, pushing herself out of the chair to give all of the girls hugs.

"Thank you so much… You have no idea how much this means to me." She bounced from the room, a new spring in her step. She was going to get that boy back.

Draco scowled as Blaise dangled the dragon pendant in front of his face, making a grab for it. But the dark-haired boy was too quick, yanking it away.

"I had an interesting chat with the Dream Team the day I found you sulking over this bit of jewelry." Blasé stated casually, glancing up from the pendant to catch Draco's reaction.

"And I care because…" Draco motioned for him to continue, watching as he held up the pendant again.

"I just happened to learn quite an interesting fact about your necklace." His companion merely arched an eyebrow, so Blaise continued, smirking as he anticipated Draco's reaction. "Apparently, it's quite the antique. Handed down to the first-born daughter to give to her…true love, I suppose. And look just who the little Weasley girl gave it to." Draco paused a moment before reaching for the pendant. Blaise gave it up, watching as Draco stared at it for a moment. Then he tugged it over his head, fingering the dragon as he sunk down in his chair.

"…Lord."

"Quite the shock, isn't it? Weasley wasn't too happy when he found out the family heirloom went to you."

"Sod off, Zabini," Draco spat out rather moodily (A/N: Mm. Moody Draco), gazing blankly out the window. Blaise sneered mildly and wisely left the common room so Draco could think it out.

Did he love her? No, he didn't believe in love.

Did he care about her deeply? Yes.

Did he miss her touch? Definitely.

Did he want to spend the rest of his miserable life with her? Hell yes.

Did that mean he loved her? …Yes.

Draco dropped the pendant, jumping as it hit his chest. Oh, shit.

Before too long, the students were gathered once again in the Great Hall. Ginny and Draco carefully avoided looking at each other the entire meal, save for sneaky glances when the other wasn't looking. Ginny carefully feigned disinterest in anything to do with Draco Malfoy, which in turn infuriated him. Dammit, she was supposed to be pining for him, not pretending he didn't exist. Sneaky devil. …She was doing this on purpose, the minx. Well, then. Two could play at that game.

Obviously, Draco's inferiority complex was getting to him. No, he did not like being teased. If she thought he would come crawling back to her just because she put on a little makeup, she had another thing coming. …But damn, she looked hot… No! He would not think about taking off her clothes. Definitely not.

Draco forced himself to concentrate on his food for the remainder of the meal, and he attempted to do that very well. He even managed to swallow a few bites before most of the students were finished with supper. He pushed his plate away and, as Blaise watched with a satisfied smirk, made his way out of the Great Hall.

Ginny was waiting for him outside of the doors, leaning against the wall and picking at her nails with a bored expression on her face. After a moment, she glanced up and, catching sight of Draco, flashed a smile. Her grin grew as she caught him squirming. Ha. It was working. But in return, just seeing Draco sent shivers through her whole body and her stomach flipped without ceasing. Ugh. She should not have eaten.

"Draco," she greeted him mildly, tilting her head. "You wanted to talk?" Draco cleared his throat quietly, motioning absently.

"Not here. Could we possibly relocate to a more private area? Back of the library?" Ginny inclined her head slightly in agreement and started towards the library, leaving Draco to slink along behind her. Not to say he didn't enjoy the view. No! Bad Draco. No thoughts. Not allowed to think anymore.

Luckily, they made it to the library without any interruptions and even made it all the way to the furthest corner before Draco couldn't resist temptation anymore. Without a thought as to what would happen next, he pinned Ginny against one of the shelves and kissed her roughly. He couldn't help it! She was taunting him.

Ginny's head swam as his body slammed against hers, heat just radiating off in waves. His hands wandered freely, finally settling after a few minutes. One on her waist, the other tangled in her hair, holding her close. His hands weren't the only ones moving, though. Ginny's started against his chest, then slowly moved lower, finally ending up low on his hips. Roar.

When the kiss was finally broken, Draco pressed his forehead against her cheek, gasping for breath. Ginny was in a similar state, keeping her eyes closed.

"Shit. Sorry. I couldn't keep it in…any longer, with your damn…teasing. Fucking vixen, you are." He mumbled against her neck as he allowed his head to slip down, resting comfortably on her shoulder. She brushed his hair back from his face, letting her fingers rest longer than necessary on his cheek. He shuddered at her touch, planting lighter-than-air kisses along her collarbone.

"You realize nothing is going to be the same as before, right?" Ginny asked quietly, kissing him gently on the temple. He nodded softly, pulling back just enough to look her in the eye.

"…I know." Draco held her gaze for a moment longer, kissing her before tugging back more. He extracted the dragon pendant from where it had been tucked away under his shirt, holding it out towards Ginny. "Tell me about this." Ginny paled slightly, mouth opening and closing a few times before she could find the words.

"It's…an heirloom. I assume you already know what it means, if you're asking about it…" Draco ran a finger along her jaw, leaning in so their foreheads touched.

"I want to hear you say it."

"I…" She swallowed hard, forcing herself to look him in the eye. "I love you. A lot." Draco nodded, digging through his pocket for something. Without letting her see what it was, he slipped it over her head and kissed her softly.

"I love you, too. I've just been too stupid and blind to realize it." Ginny fingered the delicate chain around her neck and the two rings that had been strung onto it. Draco smiled, taking her hands in his. "They belonged to my grandparents. And their grandparents before that. And their grandparents before that. And so on… Our own little heirloom. From grandparent to grandchild." He kissed her again.

"They're beautiful…" She paused, looking up from the rings. "…Why me?" Draco gave her a serious look, gently brushing her hair behind her ears.

"Haven't you heard? I'm quite taken with you."

Ginny smiled, and, once again, the couple kissed, not quite ready to let each other go just yet.

And the end! You all have permission to tell me what a shitty, rushed ending it was. Promise I won't cry. You all like how I shoved the title of the story in at the end there? Aha.