I love Draco.

And you. But I will love you more if you review.

4AnJ

Chapter 3: Confrontation

You've already won me over In spite of me

So don't be alarmed if I fall

Head over feet

And don't be surprised if I love you

For all that you are

I couldn't help it

It's all your fault

Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet

Ginny brought up the subject of Draco coming at breakfast the next morning.

"Mum? It's alright if Draco comes and stays for a bit, right?" Whatever Molly Weasley's answer was, it was drowned out by the angered response from her brothers. Fred and George immediately started on their mother, telling her what a bad idea it was. Ron scowled darkly, leaning back in his chair while Hermione frowned disapprovingly at him. Percy was explaining Ginny's relationship with Draco to Bill and Charlie, who had just heard the news. Charlie actually looked rather intrigued, but Bill was skeptical. Mostly just doing his part as the oldest brother.

"Quiet, everyone! Quiet!" When the talking had all stopped and 18 eyes were locked on her, Molly cleared her throat, giving Ginny a slightly strained smile. "Of course, dear. That would be lovely. Ron, will you fetch another cot from the attic and set it up in your room?" Ron gave his mother an incredulous look.

"He's not staying in my room." A disapproving look made it's way onto Molly's face.

"Ronald Weasley, that boy will be a guest here, and you will treat him as such. Whatever has happened in the past between you all will not be tolerated in this house. Now, please. If you're finished with your breakfast, fetch the cot from the attic." Sending a glare in his sister's direction, Ron pushed himself up and stalked out of the room. Hermione looked like she wanted to follow, but Molly rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "He'll cool down eventually. Best to just let it happen naturally."

"…I'll help with dishes," Hermione said after a moment, forcing her gaze away from the door Ron had disappeared through. The others around the table resumed their conversations, mostly Fred and George telling Bill and Charlie in hushed voices how horrible Draco was. Ginny poked at her food, eyes locked on her plate as she listed to the words being spoken. She didn't tolerate it for long, though, pushing away from the table and making her way into the den. Harry watched her silently, then followed. He found her curled up slightly in the corner of the couch, picking absently at the hem of her shirt.

"…None of you know him. You think you do, but you don't. Not at all." She didn't look up as Harry sat down, watching her curiously. "He's had troubles too. People think just because his family has money…or just because he's a Malfoy…that he's happy with his life. Did you know he tried to kill himself? Last summer. He told me after I found the scars." Ginny turned, eyes locking with Harry's. "…All he needs is a chance. Will you give him a chance?" Harry gazed back, looking away as he answered.

"I won't pretend to like him. But I'll try to give him a chance." When he turned back to Ginny, she gave him a small smile, resting a hand on his arm.

"Thanks, Harry." He forced a smile in return, resting his hand over hers. They sat like that for a moment before Harry stood, reluctantly releasing her hand.

"I'd better make sure Ron doesn't hurt himself with that cot." Ginny nodded, eyes sparkling. Before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, slipping away almost immediately. She stared after him, fingers resting on the spot his lips touched her. …What was that for? Surely he couldn't still have feelings for her. They'd had a talk not long ago. He told her he didn't feel anything anymore. …Right. Well this would prove to be an interesting summer. That was for sure.

"Where does she get off inviting Malfoy to spend the summer like that? Does she even realize there are other people in the house? Or maybe that you're not comfortable with her new 'boyfriend' around? Merlin. You'd assume she'd think some before she did things." It was nearly lunch – almost time for Draco to arrive – and Ron was still on a rampage. After he dragged the cot down, he'd been ordered to straighten his room so there would be more room and he was now doing it with fury in every step he took. Clothes were thrown in drawers and comics were slammed into his closet, until the floor was cleared completely. Harry and Hermione were sitting on his bed, watching as he stormed around, ranting as he went. Harry went a bit red at the suggesting of his discomfort and Hermione rolled her eyes, picking at her fingernails.

"I've told you already, it doesn't bother me. Ginny and I've talked about it."

"Still! She could show some bloody respect for your feelings or what have you."

"Ron, don't swear," Hermione scolded dully, examining the state her cuticles were in. Perhaps she'd borrow Ginny's manicure set tonight. "And would you listen to Harry? He doesn't care who Ginny's dating. So let it drop. There's nothing you can do about the situation, so you might as well make the best of it." If Ron had been a canine, he would have had the best snarl ever. But since he wasn't, it only came out as a frustrated groan, as he flopped onto the bed next to Hermione, resting his head on her shoulder and lipping at her neck. Harry squirmed.

"I hate Draco-fucking-Malfoy. Bloody git." He tried to cuddle up against Hermione, but she shoved him off the bed, shaking a finger at him.

"If your mother heard your language, she'd wash your mouth out with soap." Ron gave her a pitiful look, but she skillfully ignored it, bouncing from the bed and to the door. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go wait with Ginny." Her fianc's mouth dropped open and he gave Harry a disbelieving look. "The hell is going on? Hermione's even against me now?" Harry didn't say anything for a moment, then started to follow the brunette, shaking his head.

"Get used to it, mate. I'm going to wait with the girls."

"…Shit. What the bloody hell is going on?"

Draco stepped into the fireplace at exactly 12 o'clock, yelling 'The Burrow!' before he went. Moments later he stepped out into a room that his mother would have disapproved of entirely. None of the furniture looked as if it matched, there were a few Muggle contraptions sitting around, and in the center of the room was a large coffee table, the top made of drawings that looked as if they were drawn by 2 year olds. And there, on one of the couches, sat Ginny, with Hermione and Harry. She glanced up at the sound of the fireplace, her whole face lighting up when she saw Draco. She practically flew off of the couch, the way she lunged at him, throwing her arms around him in a bear hug. Draco nearly dropped his suitcase on his foot but managed to avoid disaster just barely. He, somewhat hesitantly, returned the hug, stealing a glance at the two remaining on the couch. They were, rather politely, continuing their conversation and trying not to look in their direction. So when Ginny pulled back, Draco stole a small kiss, smirking as she beamed at him.

"I'm so glad you're finally here. Come with me. I'll show you where to put your things." She snatched up his hand and he grabbed for his suitcase as she tugged him towards the stairs and up to the third floor, stopping outside Ron's room. "…I suppose I better warn you. Ron isn't very happy with the situation, but you'll be staying in his room. You would have been in Bill and Charlie's room, but they're home for a month or so." Draco shrugged, leaning in for another kiss.

"It's fine. At least I'm here." Ginny smiled, then knocked on the door, not waiting for an answer before she went in. Ron was sprawled on his bed, flipping rather moodily through a comic. He glanced up as they entered, fixing Draco with a glare. He returned it steadily, setting his things on the bed Ginny motioned to. An uncomfortable silence followed, Ginny glancing warily between Draco and her brother. Ron broke his gaze from Draco's to glance at his sister. After that, he turned back to his comic, ignoring the both of them. Relieved, Ginny slipped her hand back into Draco's, pulling him towards the door.

"…This won't be a very lovely holiday, will it?" she asked as they made their way back downstairs, taking their time. Draco shrugged, squeezing her hand.

"You're here, so I suppose it couldn't be all bad." Ginny grinned softly, pushing herself up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

"Come on. My mum wants to meet you properly." The two made their way downstairs, past the living room where Hermione and Harry were talking quietly, out the back door, and into the yard, where Molly Weasley was bent over her flower garden, pulling weeds. She glanced up as she heard the back door slam, slowly pushing herself up and wiping her brow. Draco hung back somewhat as Ginny introduced him. "Mum, this is Draco. Draco, this is my mum." Molly took off one of her gardening gloves and shook Draco's hand, offering a kind smile.

"Lovely to finally meet you, Draco. Did you find the fireplace easily enough?"

"Yes ma'am. Thank you for letting me come and stay for a while." Draco was immediately warming up to the woman, her smile putting him at ease. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad stay after all. Molly waved him off, making a snorting noise.

"None of this 'ma'am' stuff, now. Just Molly will do, my dear. You make yourself at home. Let me know if you need anything at all." She graced him with another smile before turning to Ginny. "Why don't you take him down and show him the lake? I'm almost done here. Perhaps we'll have lunch outside. It's such a lovely day." Ginny bobbed her head, tugging on Draco's arm again.

"Alright, Mum. Call if you need any help." Molly waved her off and returned to her flowers as Ginny led Draco away, scooting her way under his arm. He held her close as they walked, playing gently with her hair.

"…Your mum isn't anything like mine," he said after a while. Ginny snaked her arms around his waist, huddling closer.

"She likes you. I could tell." He allowed a small grin to appear, but only for a moment.

"I'm glad. I like her too. …I wouldn't mind staying here the whole summer. Even if I had to share a room with your brother." Ginny giggled softly, pulling away just enough to point out the lake. The couple made their way to the water's edge, where they sat under a weeping willow. Draco leaned up against the trunk and Ginny lay next to him, her head resting on his shoulder. They fell into a comfortable silence, Draco playing absently with Ginny's hair and Ginny's hand spread across Draco's chest to feel his heartbeat.

Draco almost fell asleep right there, but Ginny broke the silence, bringing him back to reality. "You'll meet my father tonight. He had to be at the Ministry early this morning." Draco stiffened. This is what he was really apprehensive of. He had heard that Mr. Weasley had helped in sending his parents to Azkaban. Who knew what he would think of the Malfoy heir dating his youngest, and only, daughter…

Ginny sensed his nervousness and sat up slightly, pulling him into a soft kiss. "He knows you aren't your father. Trust me, he won't treat you with any less respect than he would treat the Minister of Magic. And if he does, Mum will make him sleep on the sofa." Her eyes sparkled mischievously, and Draco had to laugh, letting out a chuckle as he pulled her into another kiss. He rested his forehead against hers, fingers brushing her cheek softly.

"I love you." For some reason, he found that every time he said it, it was easier the next. And it was especially reassuring when Ginny would smile at him like that.

"I love you too…"

::Evil laughter. Rawhaha!::