Shooting them out, aren't I?

Yeah, they're coming pretty quickly. Don't know why, but it's cool with me. I'm glad you all enjoyed chapter one. And yes, Ron is a prat. There will be lots of tension between him and Draco. Woohoo.

4AnJ

Chapter 2: Understanding

And I give it all away

Just to have somewhere to go to

Give it all away

To have someone to come home to

This is my December

This is my time of the year

This is my December

This is all so clear

And I give it all away

Just to have someone to go to

Give it all away

To have someone to come home to

Linkin Park – My December

"Ron, everyone's going to play charades. We need another player to make the teams even. You want to play?" Hermione stood in the doorway, trying to coax Ron from his room. The boy shook his head and didn't answer. Hermione frowned, glancing towards where Ginny was waiting for her. "Play without me." Ginny nodded and made her way downstairs as Hermione slipped into Ron's room. She closed the door gently behind her and flicked the lock, moving over to sit on the edge of Ron's bed.

"…You should go play, if you want to. Don't let me stop you," Ron grunted, rolling onto his side so he could peer up at her.

"I don't want to," she replied simply, brushing some hair back from his face. Ron snatched her hand after a moment, pulling her in for a kiss.

"I love you," he mumbled, wrapping his arms around her as she stretched out next to him.

"I love you, too. Which is why I'm worried about you." Ron let out a tiny groan when Hermione said this, kissing the back of her neck in an attempt to distract her. It didn't work. "Ron, I'm serious. It's been over six months. Draco Malfoy hasn't purposely done a single thing to hurt your sister, and I very much doubt he ever will."

"What about to hurt you? He's harassed and insulted you since first year. Why should I forget all about that just because he's managed to reel in my sister?"

"Because Ginny cares about him. A lot. And if I'm willing to forget everything he's said to me in the past, you should be able to as well." Ron grunted again, brow creasing as he scowled. Hermione snuggled down against her, running her fingers over the lines on his forehead. "You don't have to forgive him for everything all at once. Just try to get along with him around Ginny. For me?"

"…I hate when you do that," Ron murmured, mimicking Hermione's touch on her own forehead. "When you use my weakness for you against me." Hermione smiled, leaning in to kiss him softly. She made a move to get up, and Ron pulled her back, rolling over so she was trapped between him and the wall.

"Ron, they're going to wonder what happened to me." She tried to struggle away, but Ron wouldn't let her, wrapping her arms tightly around her and kissing her tauntingly.

"Let them. If they're so worried, they can come looking for you. And it wouldn't look very good for me if you were trying to run away." He put on a pout, and Hermione had to giggle.

"You are horrible. …Fine. But we're going downstairs in…8 minutes. I want to play charades, and I need you on my team because you always guess right."

"That's because you over exaggerate so I know exactly what you're trying to do, my dear Hermione," Ron teased, kissing her once before she could get in a comeback. "Now we only have 8 minutes. And I don't want to hear a word until I'm done with you…"

They didn't even start to venture downstairs for at least an hour.

Draco pressed his lips urgently against Ginny's, resting his forehead against hers as he held her close. Hands wandered freely, without boundaries. She trailed her fingers up and down his sides, letting her fingernails rake gently across the skin under his shirt. He alternatively ran his fingers through her hair and touched her face with one hand, the other remaining firmly on the small of her back to hold her against him. With a groan of longing, he pulled her into another kiss, nibbling softly on her lower lip before his tongue begged for entrance. The pair made their way slowly and steadily to the bed, reluctantly separating when they reached the large piece of furniture. Ginny sat down, scooting back until she reached the headboard. She motioned Draco to follow with her index finger, and he had to suppress the urge to ravage her right there. He crawled across the bed, hovering over her as he kissed her tenderly.

Ginny rested a hand absently on Draco's neck, arching against him as his hand brushed her hips. He moaned loudly in response, almost crushing her with the kiss. His fingers fumbled blindly with her blouse, trying not to damage the piece of clothing. Although he wanted to just rip the article off, he finally managed the buttons, running the tips of his fingers over her stomach.

Then, without warning, Ginny pushed him away, a tiny smirk gracing her lips. "Wake up, love."

With a gasping breath, Draco sat up straight, glancing around wildly. He was in his bed at the Malfoy summer home, alone. No Ginny. Draco let out a frustrated moan, falling back onto his pillow. Shit. …That wasn't supposed to be a dream. This separation was beginning to get to him. Badly.

He sat back up as a thought hit him. Ginny had said to stop by the Burrow. Yes. He could do that. All he needed to do was owl her and make sure it would be convenient… In all reality, he'd never thought he would ever set foot in that house, let alone want to. Especially when the rest of the Weasley's would be there. And Potter. …Now he had to go. He knew Potter still had a thing for Ginny. He saw him sometimes at meals, casting looks at the redhead that betrayed his feelings. He never said a word, though, which Draco had to give him a little credit for. He really did just want Ginny to be happy. And for some reason, she was happy with Draco.

No one had ever been happy with Draco before. And that scared him a little. Not that he let it show, of course. But he was comfortable with Ginny. He had never been comfortable with anyone in the past, not even his parents. Sure, when he was still in nappies, he'd run to his mother with a scraped knee or bumped head, but he soon realized that neither of his parents could make it feel better. His father would sooner gouge out his eyes than give his own son a hug. And his mother… His mother did everything for Lucius. Even towards the end, she was somewhat loyal to them. And look where it got her. Rotting in Azkaban with him.

Draco swallowed hard, rolling out of bed and making his way to his desk. He needed to write Ginny immediately.

Ginny blinked tiredly, stretching as she looked around the room. What had wakened her? A scratching noise came at the window and Ginny turned toward the noise, slipping out of bed to let a large barn owl into the room. He circled once, then landed on top of Ginny's dresser, holding out his leg importantly. A letter. At this time of night? She removed it curiously, not recognizing the seal or handwriting as she ripped open the envelope and read the letter.

'Dearest Ginny,

Does your invitation still stand? I can't bear being away from you this long without contact of some kind. I don't wish to impose on your family, but I want to take you up on that offer. Send your reply with Prince. With any luck, I'll be able to kiss you properly by tomorrow night…

Draco'

Ginny's heart fluttered as she read the letter again, a dreamy smile slipping onto her lips. Without a moment's hesitation, she grabbed a piece of parchment and scribbled a desperate reply, nearly demanding he come. Suppressing the urge to seal it with a kiss, she held it out for Prince, patting the owl's head before he took off into the night and disappeared. Ginny gazed after him for a moment before a muffled noise from Hermione's bed reminded her of her guest. She closed the window and climbed back into bed, but she couldn't sleep for the life of her. Draco would be arriving by Floo that afternoon. She knew her mother wouldn't mind. Molly Weasley was the most open to their relationship, and she would surely treat Draco as one of her own. Her father on the other hand, would be skeptical at first. He had known Lucius, after all. He had even been one of the men responsible for sending him to Azkaban. But he would warm up eventually. Bill and Charlie would try to be as polite as they could manage, but still send Draco a clear message of 'hurt our little sister and we'll skin you alive.' Percy would attempt to keep Fred and George from testing their Wheezes on the boy, and Ron… Ron would be the most difficult.

More than likely, he'd sulk for a while; get in a fight with Ginny, then Hermione, then Harry. Eventually, his girlfriend would be able to coax him out and he would force himself to be polite to Draco for Ginny's sake. And when she wasn't around, he would verbalize what every brother would do if he did anything to hurt her. He really was a great big brother, even if his judgment was a little clouded sometimes. He meant well…

Before she knew it, Ginny drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with images of she and Draco together. Without her over-protective brothers.

Revieeeeew. Lalala.