Chapter five
Things continued on like that for a little over a month. Ginny and Draco would steal away to the music room, laugh, talk, eat, and make love. Draco was ever working on his sonata and Ginny would listen to him play. It seemed as though for them, being together was enough. Some nights they didn't touch, they didn't talk, Draco would just play and Ginny would listen. It didn't matter. They connected on levels even they didn't understand.
On Valentines Day, a dozen owls flew in Ginny's window, each with one red rose, to drop them on her bed before her. There was no note, but Ginny knew whom they were from. Hermione exclaimed with delight, thinking they were from Harry, but when she congratulated him for being so romantic, he frowned at Ginny, and told them it wasn't him.
"Who then?" Ron asked, and Ginny just shrugged. Speculation began then on who Ginny's secret admirer could be and Harry turned his attentions up a notch. That didn't sit well with Draco at all. He would glare at Ginny when Harry would sit down with her at mealtimes, he would sneer at her as Harry walked her from class to class when he saw them in the corridors, and he would practically snarl every time he was close enough to be heard when Harry dared to touch her hand or drape an arm over her shoulder. Finally one day when he came upon Harry having Ginny pinned in an alcove in the corridor, trying to kiss her, he snapped.
"Potter, what the hell are you doing?" he growled.
"What does it look like Malfoy? Sod off and mind your own business!" Harry snapped, eyes still on Ginny.
"It is my business when you touch Weasley Potter!" retorted Draco.
Harry turned round on that, looking quizzically at Draco. "What do you mean?"
'Oh God, oh God, oh God!" Ginny thought. It's all about to come out now.
To Draco's credit though, he covered for his outburst smoothly.
"Because we don't need another weasel in the world, there are too many as it is. I feel personally compelled to do whatever I can to deter another one."
"You're a bastard Malfoy!" said Harry, "Don't listen to him Ginny!"
Ginny, who had slipped out of the alcove, replied, "Don't worry Harry, he doesn't bother me. He's just mad that there aren't more ferrets to overrun us with their priggish ways." She stalked off down the hall, leaving both boys staring after her.
That night, Draco and Ginny had their first big fight. Draco pounced on her the second she slipped in the room.
"I want you to tell Potter.... And your brother, about us."
"Draco, we've been over this before. You know all the reasons its better not to tell anyone about us."
"If I come across him trying to slobber all over you again, Gin, I'm going to be expelled from school, because I won't just beat him bloody, I'll not stop till I've maimed him permanently."
"What would you have me do Draco? I've been telling him over and over that I don't think of him that way, that he's like a brother to me-"
Draco snorted at that. "Well he certainly doesn't think of you as a sister, mauling you that way, hemming you up every opportunity that comes along.... Unless the Weasley family participates in incest and you haven't told me."
Hands on her hips, Ginny felt her temper starting to heat up. "Draco! I find that very unnecessary. What is the point in insulting my family? They haven't anything to do with you being jealous of Harry."
Draco was up in a flash and in her face. "Jealous Princess? Yes, I guess I am. I don't like sharing what's mine with someone else, and unless I am sadly mistaken, You- Are- Mine. As for insulting your family, I never claimed to play fair; Weasel girl, and you know that. If you can't take the heat, I suggest you not start a fire. And you definitely started this fire, letting bloody Potter moon over you incessantly."
Ginny rolled her eyes at the fact that they were at the point of calling each other insulting names and snapped, "What would you have me do, Ferret boy? Shall I go and find another boy to allow to moon over me? Because that's the only way to get Harry off my back, or Ron, or Hermione, for that matter."
"You can tell them about me."
"Draco, we've talked about this before. If people find out about us, someone will tell your father. Doesn't he give you enough abuse without adding the fact that you're sleeping with a Gryffindor, and a Weasley, to it? And what about my family? I'll have no peace from any of them. Father will hit the roof, and Ron will go completely mad. He'll make you and I both miserable."
Draco sneered at her. "Not if you just let me hit him."
Ginny almost screamed in frustration. "NO! No hitting brothers, Harry included."
"Then you better tell them Weasel, because I've had enough."
"Draco, I can't. What.... what will people think?"
Ginny realized it was the wrong thing to say when she saw his head snap up and glanced at the fleeting moment of hurt in his eyes before the anger snapped in place over it. He drew away from her and said in that silky voice Ginny had come to associate with Draco being dangerously close to losing control of his temper, "Ashamed of me Princess? I should have known. All your concern over my father, all your worry at Ron trying to murder me...it was just an excuse to keep from having to tell me the truth. You're ashamed of sleeping with a Slytherin. With a Malfoy."
"Draco, no it's not like that!" Ginny reached out to grab his arm but it was too late. He saw the guilty look on her face and shook her off.
As he stalked to the door, he said, "Yes, I see it's just like that. Well, that's ok Princess. You don't have to tell a soul. As much as I love you, I won't be made someone's dirty little secret that they hide in shame. This is finished." And he slammed the door in her face.
Ginny tried giving him a day or two to cool down. But he wasn't in the music room any night for the next two weeks. She sent owls to his room. They came right back with her notes unopened. She tried to corner him alone in the corridors, but he just acted as though he didn't see her and kept walking. Ginny reached a point of near madness, and admitted to herself she had to face what she'd been trying to deny. She had been ashamed to let people know she was in love with the hated Draco Malfoy. She wanted to avoid the looks and laughter she knew would be directed at her if people found out. She was ashamed of Draco. And now she was ashamed of herself. She couldn't imagine how hurt he was. She couldn't imagine how hurt she'd be if their places were swapped. She wanted to tell him it didn't matter to her, he could yell it from the top of the astronomy tower if he liked. She loved him and she understood that nothing else was important. But she couldn't tell him any of that because he wouldn't talk to her. Or listen to what she had to say.
The days wore on endlessly for Ginny for the next week. Then one day, walking into potions class, there he was. Standing in front of one of the potion mixing tables, he and two other sixth years watched as Ginny and the rest of the class filed in.
"We have some sixth year students working independently today. I expect you to pay attention to me and not THEM." Announced Professor Snape as he walked to the board to begin writing ingredients for their lesson that day.
Try as she might, Ginny couldn't stop sneaking glances at Draco, who seemed to be blissfully ignoring her. He's already forgotten me, she thought miserably. He didn't really love me that much after all.
With this thought, Ginny put too much wolfsbane in her potion and it immediately bubbled over into the floor.
"Miss Weasley, just what are you doing?' Snape said, halting in front of her.
"I... I'm sorry Professor, I didn't think-"
"Yes, its quite obvious to me that you don't think." Snapped Snape.
With that insult, Ginny could bear no more. Aside from the fact that the prickly Snape was her favorite teacher, whom she worked hard to make at least approve of her, aside from the fact that potions was her best class, aside from the fact that Draco was standing right across the room from her, and she couldn't touch him when that was all she wanted to do, he had quite nailed it when he said she didn't think. Tears began to roll from Ginny's eyes.
Snape looked offended as he said, "Tears? Are those tears Miss Weasley? There is NO CRYING IN POTIONS! Stop it this instant!"
This only made Ginny cry harder, breaking into big whooping sobs. Snape looked horrified and said, "Class dismissed." No one moved for a moment and Snape looked around and barked, "I said OUT!" Everyone scurried out of the classroom. Snape glared down at Ginny, who was trying to swallow her sobs, and said, in a less than usual condescending tone, "Get yourself under control Miss Weasley. As much as I'd like to believe it, I don't think you care so much about botching a potions assignment that you'd be reduced to this sniveling mass. I can't even begin to help you sort out your inconsequential teenage problem if you remain hysterical."
As Draco slipped quietly towards the door, Snape looked over at him suspiciously. The boy seemed rather reluctant to leave."Mr. Malfoy. Stay."
Draco stopped and took his gaze from Ginny to Snape, questioningly.
"Mr. Malfoy, am I wrong to assume that you know what has reduced Miss Weasley into a blubbering dish rag? In fact, dare I venture a guess and say you might even have something to do with her current condition?"
"Yes sir."
"Yes what, Mr. Malfoy? Yes, I am wrong, or yes, you have something to do with it?"
"Yes, its because of me, but how-?"
Snape waved his arm. "Oh, please do not plague me with questions of how I discovered your secret. Did you think I hadn't noticed the both of you trying to sneak looks at the other when you thought they weren't looking? Or watch you slip notes to each other in the hall? Or did you think I wouldn't notice Mr. Malfoy, when you disappear all morning towards the owlery, and then suddenly everyone is talking about Miss Weasley's dozen roses delivered one by one by a dozen owls? I am not a dunderhead, Mr. Malfoy, like the students here, or an unobservant fool like most of the other teachers here. But worry not; your secret is quite safe with me. What I want to know right now is, have you any inclination to do something about the hysterical female that is disrupting my classroom?"
"Yes sir, I'd like to talk to Weasley, if you don't mind." Said Draco, looking at Ginny who still had tears rolling down her face.
Snape looked at Draco speculatively for a moment. Then he turned back to Ginny. "Miss Weasley, do you wish to speak to Mr. Malfoy?"
Ginny began to sob loudly again, and nodded, hiding her face in her hands.
"And Mr. Malfoy, if I leave you alone with Miss Weasley, only for a few minutes, mind you, can you promise me that when I return you'll both be gone and I won't hear of anymore reports of her breaking out into this incessant sniveling in her other classes?"
"I'll do my best to see to it, sir." Draco said, looking only at Ginny's shaking form.
"Very well. I expect proper behavior in my absence." Warned Snape, and he breezed out the door, leaving Ginny and Draco alone.
Draco knelt down beside the chair Ginny was sitting in. "Princess-"he started, but that was as far as he got.
Ginny sat up suddenly and flung her arms around his neck, crying. "Oh Draco, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings; I am not ashamed of you. I love you. We'll tell anyone you want about us. You can announce it over the intercom at the world quidditch cup for all I care, just please, please don't hate me anymore. I can't...I can't.... I can't bear it!"
Ginny began to blubber again and Draco pulled her close to him and said, "Princess, I'm sorry too. I never ever meant to make you cry. I was just so hurt. I was wrong to say that to you. It's my stupid pride. It gets the better of me and I end up saying things to hurt people I care about."
Ginny sucked up her tears and owned up to her sins. "No Draco, you were right. I didn't want to face the ridicule when people found out about us. It was wrong, but I need you to understand, I wasn't ashamed of you, as much as I didn't want to stand up for myself to my family and friends. It was all well and fine for me to tell you to stand up to your father and tell him you didn't want to be a death eater, to tell him you wanted to play your piano, but I didn't want to follow my own advice for you. But I know what's more important now."
"What's that?" he asked, holding his breath.
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she drew back to look him in the face. "You are."
Draco let his breath out and kissed her soundly. She drew back and asked, "Does this mean you don't hate me anymore?"
"I never hated you Princess, I just couldn't stand it that I thought you were embarrassed to be with me. I couldn't be around you, it hurt too much." Draco took in the face he loved, which at the moment was all blotchy with a red nose, quivering lip and two large red eyes, which were still leaking a bit, looking up at him earnestly. He smiled and kissed her again, fishing in his pocket for a handkerchief to wipe her face. "I don't mean to press you Princess, but we really can't go on like this. You were quite right when you called me jealous. I am. I want you all to myself, and I want everyone else to know to stay away. I can't take watching Potter corner you in corridors anymore, and I can't stand seeing you on his arm at another dance. If it continues, my temper is going to blow and we'll end up like this again, or much worse. And as much as I'd love to pound Potter, I think he ought to know why I beat him bloody when he touches you. You have to understand, I love you Weasley. More than anything."
She smiled at him and leaned her forehead on his. "I love you too Malfoy. Can we agree not to not speak anymore? I can deal with the fighting, and I don't mind if you feel the need to scream and yell at me, or sneer or glare or whatever you want, but I can't tolerate the cold shoulder. I'd rather duke it out, till one of us wins the argument, or both of us collapse in exhaustion."
"I think I can make that deal. "he said, quite relieved. In truth, the past two weeks had been hell for him too. Not only had he had to live without Ginny, but he'd avoided the music room, and done without his piano as well. If Ginny hadn't been so upset, she'd have noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the tired set of his mouth and known he hadn't been sleeping.
"I meant it you know Draco. We'll tell whomever you want. I'll tell Harry and Ron tonight."
Despite him having braced himself for her to insist they continue to keep their relationship a secret, he felt as if a weight was lifted from him when she said she would tell her brother and Potter. "Do you want me to be with you?"
Ginny shook her head. "No, I think it's better if I break it to Ron alone at first. He'll see us together soon enough. It's not going to be easy on you with him Draco, you know that, right?"
"I think I can handle your brother, Princess." He murmured as he kissed her neck.
"Promise me you won't hit him Draco." Ginny said, letting her head fall slightly over to the side so he could gain better access.
"I promise not to hit him unless he hits me first. Or hits you." He said, nibbling her earlobe.
"Ron wouldn't hit me. And if he hits you, then I guess he deserves it, but it would make me very happy if you'd avoid that, and not goad him into trying to, as I know you're scheming to do now." She said as she ran her hands along his shoulders.
"Argh, foiled." He laughed into her collarbone before he nipped it, making her squirm. "Will you meet me tonight, after, and let me know how it went?"
"Yes." Ginny gasped as he pulled her out of her chair and crushed her to him. Their mouths fell together and lips devoured each other as if they had been apart two years instead of two weeks.
Professor Snape slammed the door of the classroom as he re-entered, causing them to jump apart.
"I trust the situation is now in hand, Miss Weasley, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes sir." Ginny and Draco both replied.
"Very well then. Miss Weasley, I sent word to Professor McGonagall that you would be late arriving to transfiguration but since you seem to have your histrionics under control now, I think you'd better get along, don't you?"
"Yes sir," Ginny smiled happily at him. "Professor Snape?"
Snape sighed and looked put out. "Yes, Miss Weasley, what is it now?"
"I just wanted to say thank you, sir."
"I'm sure I don't know what for Miss Weasley. Run along now."
As Ginny floated happily out the door, two sets of eyes watched her, both similarly amused.
When Ginny was gone, Snape turned to Draco, and once again gave him a speculative look.
"What?" Draco asked when he could bear Snape's scrutiny no longer.
"A Weasley, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco bristled. "Why not a Weasley, sir? Her family's blood is just as pure wizarding as mine, and she's beautiful, smart, and-"
"Yes, yes, I know all that." Snape said, cutting him off before he could continue extolling the girls many virtues to him. "I just hadn't figured her for your type, Mr. Malfoy. I was under the impression you were more drawn to Parkinson's type. What will your father say?"
Draco sneered. "Begging your pardon sir, but damn my father. "
"Fancy yourself in love, do you?"
"Yes sir."
Snape looked again at Draco. Perhaps there was more to the boy than he first assumed. He quite liked the Weasley girl, although he'd never admit that to anyone. She had spunk and she was smart, and she seemed not to judge him by his demeanor the way the other students did. And he had high hopes for Malfoy. The boy was prickly and on the mean side, but there was something more to him after all. It might not make for a bad pairing. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he said, "Get out Malfoy. I haven't time for this." And strode back to his desk.
That night, Ginny sat down with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"I think you all ought to know something," she said, looking at each in turn. "I've been seeing someone for several months now. I know I should have told you all sooner, especially you Harry, but I was afraid you'd all be so angry, and I didn't want to disappoint you. But it's turned quite serious, and I'm tired of keeping it a secret."
"Who is it?" Ron asked, looking ready to throttle any boy in the room.
"Its Draco Malfoy, Ron. "Ginny said, closing her eyes and waiting for the storm to start.
Nothing came. Ginny opened her eyes. Ron got up and strode away. Hermione looked at Ginny and just barely above a whisper said, "Oh Ginny, how could you?" and ran after Ron. Only Harry stayed, looking at Ginny sadly.
"Harry, I'm really sorry. I tried very hard not to give you false hope."
Harry nodded. "I know you did. You kept saying you didn't care for me that way but I didn't want to believe it. I guess I've known for quite sometime that there was someone else, especially after those roses came. I just kept thinking I could win you over. I think you should know Ginny, I think I might be in love with you. I won't give up on you."
"Oh Harry," Ginny said, reaching out to take his hand. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you're not really in love with me. You'll find someone else, someone who will love you back. I do love you Harry, I do, but it's like the way I love Ron, or Fred, or George. You're my seventh brother Harry."
Harry nodded again. "Well, that's something isn't it? It's something to start with. Perhaps in time it will grow into something more, if I'm patient, when you tire of Malfoy." Ginny wanted to tell him he was wrong, that there would be no tiring of Draco, when he walked away.
Ron simply wouldn't speak to Ginny. Hermione seemed more forgiving. She looked sad when Ginny told her that she was in love with Draco, but she didn't berate her or try to talk her out of it. She only shook her head and told Ginny that she'd be there if Ginny needed someone to talk things over with.
Shortly afterward, Ginny made her way across the common room towards the door. Ron barked out at her, "Where are you going? To see him?"
Ginny stopped. It was crunch time. "Yes, I Am. "she replied, looking Ron in the eyes. He turned away with disgust. Ginny looked at his back for a moment, and then went out the door.
Draco was waiting for her in the music room. He pulled Ginny into his lap as she told him how things had gone with the trio. His face darkened a bit when she told him what Harry had said.
"Bloke doesn't bloody give up, does he? Not that I blame him, but Ginny, I'll be damned if I'm going to put up with anymore cornering you in the halls."
"I don't think it will come to that Draco. I can handle Harry, especially now that he knows the reason why. It's Ron that I am worried about. It's not good for him to bottle it up that way. He's going to blow, and I'm afraid it will be ugly when he does."
Draco began to undo her buttons. "Can we not worry about them anymore, at least not tonight? I've been starved for you for two weeks. I must touch you now, before I go stark raving mad."
"Mmmm, yes, that sounds like an excellent idea." Ginny said, following Draco's lead and attacking his buttons.
There was nothing gentle in the way Draco shoved Ginny off his lap and pulled her clothes off. Once he had all the offending garments removed, he swept her off the floor and deposited her onto the bed. Doing away with his clothes as well, he threw himself down on the bed beside her and reached for her. Bruising her lips in a brutal kiss, he pulled Ginny over on top of him. With no further ceremony, he entered her. Ginny gasped as he surged inside her. His rhythm was immediately fast and furious and Ginny matched him stroke for stroke. As she felt herself reach climax she arched her back and cried out. Somewhere in the distance of her mind, she heard Draco do the same. Sweaty and exhausted, Ginny fell onto Draco's chest and heard him breathing as heavily as her.
"Bat Bogeys and Haunted Hexes, Weasel. What have you done to me?" Draco gasped against her shoulder.
"What ever do you mean, Ferret boy?" Ginny giggled.
"You've trapped me in your spell, witch, is what I mean. I can't do without you Gin. These past to weeks, it's been all I could do just to keep breathing. "He said, looking down at the top of her red head.
"I know what you mean, "Ginny said, raising up to look back at him. "I felt positively sick to my stomach every time you wouldn't even look at me."
Draco pushed a red curl back behind her ear and gave her a smile." At least I know I wasn't alone in my suffering. It's just no good, us being apart. I can't do it. I won't do it."
Tears welled in Ginny's eyes. "I love you Draco."
He pulled her lips to his, and Ginny was overwhelmed in the gentleness of it. She was overcome with emotion as she stroked his back. The wave of love that washed over her was almost too much to bear.
Draco ran his hands down her arms and back up her ribcage. Taking her breast in his hand, he pinched her nipple. She groaned into his mouth, and he pulled his lips away, only to replace them on her other breast. As he nipped and sucked, Ginny dove her hands into his long blond hair, reveling in the silkiness of it. Moving his mouth further down her body, he trailed his tongue along her stomach, making her muscles jump and quiver. Rising up, he nudged her legs apart with his knees and knelt down between them. Lowering his head, he snaked his tongue out to touch the nodule hidden there. Ginny wrapped her legs around his head as he pressed his tongue down on that sensitive spot. She felt his fingers search and find her opening. Once inside her, they curled to rub and touch the walls of her core. Ginny couldn't hold back any longer. The waves of estacy rolled over her.
Once they ebbed, Ginny sat up and pushed Draco over on his back. Lying on top of him, she kissed him and tasted herself and their earlier passion, on his lips. Trailing kisses down his chest, she took Draco's nipple in her mouth, and like he had done to her, began to suck and lightly bite. She felt him rumble deep in his chest. Ginny moved her head lower, stopping momentarily to dip her tongue in his navel.
Ginny wrapped her hand around Draco's manhood. As she touched her tongue to the tip of it, Ginny heard Draco suck in his breath sharply. Growing braver, Ginny twirled her tongue around the head, and Draco groaned loudly. She wrapped her hand around the base and took it into her mouth and began to suck lightly.
"Ginny!" Draco hissed as he grabbed a fist full of her hair on the back of her head and began to pull her up beside him.
Draco flipped Ginny over onto her back and covered her with his body. He reached down and bent her legs at the knees. He captured her mouth once more in a searing kiss as he entered her, inch by inch, until he was buried deep inside her. Tucking his hands up under her arms, he took her with him as he rose to a kneeling position on the bed, still inside her. Instinctively, Ginny wrapped her legs around his waist, and holding her hips, Draco began to lift her slightly off of him, then ever so slowly letting her drop back onto his full length. The rhythm was torturously slow, and Draco never took his eyes from Ginny. She found herself locked on his gaze, even as the slow, sweet, movements began to take her back to the edge of oblivion. She saw his eyes glaze over and knew he was there with her. Together they took that dizzying, mind-bending trip to heaven together, and then gently back to earth, in each other's arms, eyes locked.
The intensity of the experience made Ginny cry. Draco saw the tears begin to fall, and pulled her to him.
"There's been enough tears today Princess. Why are you crying?"
"I can't help it. I feel as though I've been on an emotional rollercoaster today, Draco. And that.... That was the most incredible experience I've ever had. It was so...so intimate."
Draco kissed the top of her head and reluctantly rolled away from her. The moment had been pretty soul shattering for him too, though he didn't say it. "It's getting late, you'd better get back to your room."
Ginny sighed and began to gather he clothes up from around the room where Draco had thrown them. "Yes, back to face Ron."
Draco frowned. "Will he give you a hard time, do you think?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't speak to me before, except to ask me if I was going to see you when I left. When I said yes, he just turned his back on me. But it's not like Ron to keep it to himself. He's going to blow sooner or later. I'm only afraid he's saving it all for you." Ginny said as she dressed.
"Better me than you. I can handle it Princess, don't worry. Just don't.... don't let them badger you into doing something you don't want to." He said, glancing anxiously at her.
Ginny looked up and realized that Draco was worried that Ron, Harry, and Hermione would talk her out of being with him. He turned his back to her as he buttoned his shirt, and Ginny quickly went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his back. She simply didn't know what else to do to reassure him.
He turned around and wrapped her up in his arms. "I love you." He whispered in her ear.
She smiled. "I love you too, and you needn't worry. No one will talk me out of that."
He tightened his arms around her momentarily. "What will you do about your parents? I'll understand Ginny, if you want to keep it from them for a while longer."
"I think Ron will take care of that for me. They'll know as soon as he can take the time to owl them." She said, grimacing. "But that's ok. I can handle them. One way or the other. What's the worst they can do? Throw me out on the streets?"
"If they do, I'll take care of you Princess." Draco said.
Ginny laughed. "Thanks luv, but I don't think it will come to that. More likely they'll yell and stomp about and forbid me to speak to you again. Not that I'll listen." She added hastily when she saw the look of alarm on his face.
" It will make for a long summer, but it'll work itself out. They'll have to find a way to accept it." Ginny frowned suddenly and asked Draco, "What about your parents. Despite what we said earlier, I'll quite understand if you want to keep if from them a while longer."
Draco shook his head. "I don't know what's going to happen. He isn't going to be pleased but it doesn't matter. Do you think I wouldn't tell him, after I tortured both you and myself for two weeks? I'm a prat, but even I'm not that big of a prat. Besides, I'm tired of someone else making my choices for me."
"Yes, but Draco, it's different for you than for me. My family will yell and scream, but they won't abandon me, no matter what I said. Even though you haven't said it, I know that's a real possibility with your father." Ginny said, concerned.
"Yes, it is. In fact, it's most likely. Father has a plan for my life, and up until now I've followed it. He's quite capable of disowning me. I can almost guarantee you weren't in his plans."
Ginny and Draco talked for a few more minutes, and then Draco escorted her to the stairs to Gryffindor tower. He kissed her quickly and slipped away as they heard Filch shuffling down the corridor. When Ginny entered, Ron glared up at her from his seat by the fire. He had obviously been waiting up on her, since it was quite late and he was the only one left in the common room. She stopped and opened her mouth to speak to him, but he quickly stood and strode away and up the stairs that led to the boys' dormitory.
Things continued on like that for a little over a month. Ginny and Draco would steal away to the music room, laugh, talk, eat, and make love. Draco was ever working on his sonata and Ginny would listen to him play. It seemed as though for them, being together was enough. Some nights they didn't touch, they didn't talk, Draco would just play and Ginny would listen. It didn't matter. They connected on levels even they didn't understand.
On Valentines Day, a dozen owls flew in Ginny's window, each with one red rose, to drop them on her bed before her. There was no note, but Ginny knew whom they were from. Hermione exclaimed with delight, thinking they were from Harry, but when she congratulated him for being so romantic, he frowned at Ginny, and told them it wasn't him.
"Who then?" Ron asked, and Ginny just shrugged. Speculation began then on who Ginny's secret admirer could be and Harry turned his attentions up a notch. That didn't sit well with Draco at all. He would glare at Ginny when Harry would sit down with her at mealtimes, he would sneer at her as Harry walked her from class to class when he saw them in the corridors, and he would practically snarl every time he was close enough to be heard when Harry dared to touch her hand or drape an arm over her shoulder. Finally one day when he came upon Harry having Ginny pinned in an alcove in the corridor, trying to kiss her, he snapped.
"Potter, what the hell are you doing?" he growled.
"What does it look like Malfoy? Sod off and mind your own business!" Harry snapped, eyes still on Ginny.
"It is my business when you touch Weasley Potter!" retorted Draco.
Harry turned round on that, looking quizzically at Draco. "What do you mean?"
'Oh God, oh God, oh God!" Ginny thought. It's all about to come out now.
To Draco's credit though, he covered for his outburst smoothly.
"Because we don't need another weasel in the world, there are too many as it is. I feel personally compelled to do whatever I can to deter another one."
"You're a bastard Malfoy!" said Harry, "Don't listen to him Ginny!"
Ginny, who had slipped out of the alcove, replied, "Don't worry Harry, he doesn't bother me. He's just mad that there aren't more ferrets to overrun us with their priggish ways." She stalked off down the hall, leaving both boys staring after her.
That night, Draco and Ginny had their first big fight. Draco pounced on her the second she slipped in the room.
"I want you to tell Potter.... And your brother, about us."
"Draco, we've been over this before. You know all the reasons its better not to tell anyone about us."
"If I come across him trying to slobber all over you again, Gin, I'm going to be expelled from school, because I won't just beat him bloody, I'll not stop till I've maimed him permanently."
"What would you have me do Draco? I've been telling him over and over that I don't think of him that way, that he's like a brother to me-"
Draco snorted at that. "Well he certainly doesn't think of you as a sister, mauling you that way, hemming you up every opportunity that comes along.... Unless the Weasley family participates in incest and you haven't told me."
Hands on her hips, Ginny felt her temper starting to heat up. "Draco! I find that very unnecessary. What is the point in insulting my family? They haven't anything to do with you being jealous of Harry."
Draco was up in a flash and in her face. "Jealous Princess? Yes, I guess I am. I don't like sharing what's mine with someone else, and unless I am sadly mistaken, You- Are- Mine. As for insulting your family, I never claimed to play fair; Weasel girl, and you know that. If you can't take the heat, I suggest you not start a fire. And you definitely started this fire, letting bloody Potter moon over you incessantly."
Ginny rolled her eyes at the fact that they were at the point of calling each other insulting names and snapped, "What would you have me do, Ferret boy? Shall I go and find another boy to allow to moon over me? Because that's the only way to get Harry off my back, or Ron, or Hermione, for that matter."
"You can tell them about me."
"Draco, we've talked about this before. If people find out about us, someone will tell your father. Doesn't he give you enough abuse without adding the fact that you're sleeping with a Gryffindor, and a Weasley, to it? And what about my family? I'll have no peace from any of them. Father will hit the roof, and Ron will go completely mad. He'll make you and I both miserable."
Draco sneered at her. "Not if you just let me hit him."
Ginny almost screamed in frustration. "NO! No hitting brothers, Harry included."
"Then you better tell them Weasel, because I've had enough."
"Draco, I can't. What.... what will people think?"
Ginny realized it was the wrong thing to say when she saw his head snap up and glanced at the fleeting moment of hurt in his eyes before the anger snapped in place over it. He drew away from her and said in that silky voice Ginny had come to associate with Draco being dangerously close to losing control of his temper, "Ashamed of me Princess? I should have known. All your concern over my father, all your worry at Ron trying to murder me...it was just an excuse to keep from having to tell me the truth. You're ashamed of sleeping with a Slytherin. With a Malfoy."
"Draco, no it's not like that!" Ginny reached out to grab his arm but it was too late. He saw the guilty look on her face and shook her off.
As he stalked to the door, he said, "Yes, I see it's just like that. Well, that's ok Princess. You don't have to tell a soul. As much as I love you, I won't be made someone's dirty little secret that they hide in shame. This is finished." And he slammed the door in her face.
Ginny tried giving him a day or two to cool down. But he wasn't in the music room any night for the next two weeks. She sent owls to his room. They came right back with her notes unopened. She tried to corner him alone in the corridors, but he just acted as though he didn't see her and kept walking. Ginny reached a point of near madness, and admitted to herself she had to face what she'd been trying to deny. She had been ashamed to let people know she was in love with the hated Draco Malfoy. She wanted to avoid the looks and laughter she knew would be directed at her if people found out. She was ashamed of Draco. And now she was ashamed of herself. She couldn't imagine how hurt he was. She couldn't imagine how hurt she'd be if their places were swapped. She wanted to tell him it didn't matter to her, he could yell it from the top of the astronomy tower if he liked. She loved him and she understood that nothing else was important. But she couldn't tell him any of that because he wouldn't talk to her. Or listen to what she had to say.
The days wore on endlessly for Ginny for the next week. Then one day, walking into potions class, there he was. Standing in front of one of the potion mixing tables, he and two other sixth years watched as Ginny and the rest of the class filed in.
"We have some sixth year students working independently today. I expect you to pay attention to me and not THEM." Announced Professor Snape as he walked to the board to begin writing ingredients for their lesson that day.
Try as she might, Ginny couldn't stop sneaking glances at Draco, who seemed to be blissfully ignoring her. He's already forgotten me, she thought miserably. He didn't really love me that much after all.
With this thought, Ginny put too much wolfsbane in her potion and it immediately bubbled over into the floor.
"Miss Weasley, just what are you doing?' Snape said, halting in front of her.
"I... I'm sorry Professor, I didn't think-"
"Yes, its quite obvious to me that you don't think." Snapped Snape.
With that insult, Ginny could bear no more. Aside from the fact that the prickly Snape was her favorite teacher, whom she worked hard to make at least approve of her, aside from the fact that potions was her best class, aside from the fact that Draco was standing right across the room from her, and she couldn't touch him when that was all she wanted to do, he had quite nailed it when he said she didn't think. Tears began to roll from Ginny's eyes.
Snape looked offended as he said, "Tears? Are those tears Miss Weasley? There is NO CRYING IN POTIONS! Stop it this instant!"
This only made Ginny cry harder, breaking into big whooping sobs. Snape looked horrified and said, "Class dismissed." No one moved for a moment and Snape looked around and barked, "I said OUT!" Everyone scurried out of the classroom. Snape glared down at Ginny, who was trying to swallow her sobs, and said, in a less than usual condescending tone, "Get yourself under control Miss Weasley. As much as I'd like to believe it, I don't think you care so much about botching a potions assignment that you'd be reduced to this sniveling mass. I can't even begin to help you sort out your inconsequential teenage problem if you remain hysterical."
As Draco slipped quietly towards the door, Snape looked over at him suspiciously. The boy seemed rather reluctant to leave."Mr. Malfoy. Stay."
Draco stopped and took his gaze from Ginny to Snape, questioningly.
"Mr. Malfoy, am I wrong to assume that you know what has reduced Miss Weasley into a blubbering dish rag? In fact, dare I venture a guess and say you might even have something to do with her current condition?"
"Yes sir."
"Yes what, Mr. Malfoy? Yes, I am wrong, or yes, you have something to do with it?"
"Yes, its because of me, but how-?"
Snape waved his arm. "Oh, please do not plague me with questions of how I discovered your secret. Did you think I hadn't noticed the both of you trying to sneak looks at the other when you thought they weren't looking? Or watch you slip notes to each other in the hall? Or did you think I wouldn't notice Mr. Malfoy, when you disappear all morning towards the owlery, and then suddenly everyone is talking about Miss Weasley's dozen roses delivered one by one by a dozen owls? I am not a dunderhead, Mr. Malfoy, like the students here, or an unobservant fool like most of the other teachers here. But worry not; your secret is quite safe with me. What I want to know right now is, have you any inclination to do something about the hysterical female that is disrupting my classroom?"
"Yes sir, I'd like to talk to Weasley, if you don't mind." Said Draco, looking at Ginny who still had tears rolling down her face.
Snape looked at Draco speculatively for a moment. Then he turned back to Ginny. "Miss Weasley, do you wish to speak to Mr. Malfoy?"
Ginny began to sob loudly again, and nodded, hiding her face in her hands.
"And Mr. Malfoy, if I leave you alone with Miss Weasley, only for a few minutes, mind you, can you promise me that when I return you'll both be gone and I won't hear of anymore reports of her breaking out into this incessant sniveling in her other classes?"
"I'll do my best to see to it, sir." Draco said, looking only at Ginny's shaking form.
"Very well. I expect proper behavior in my absence." Warned Snape, and he breezed out the door, leaving Ginny and Draco alone.
Draco knelt down beside the chair Ginny was sitting in. "Princess-"he started, but that was as far as he got.
Ginny sat up suddenly and flung her arms around his neck, crying. "Oh Draco, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings; I am not ashamed of you. I love you. We'll tell anyone you want about us. You can announce it over the intercom at the world quidditch cup for all I care, just please, please don't hate me anymore. I can't...I can't.... I can't bear it!"
Ginny began to blubber again and Draco pulled her close to him and said, "Princess, I'm sorry too. I never ever meant to make you cry. I was just so hurt. I was wrong to say that to you. It's my stupid pride. It gets the better of me and I end up saying things to hurt people I care about."
Ginny sucked up her tears and owned up to her sins. "No Draco, you were right. I didn't want to face the ridicule when people found out about us. It was wrong, but I need you to understand, I wasn't ashamed of you, as much as I didn't want to stand up for myself to my family and friends. It was all well and fine for me to tell you to stand up to your father and tell him you didn't want to be a death eater, to tell him you wanted to play your piano, but I didn't want to follow my own advice for you. But I know what's more important now."
"What's that?" he asked, holding his breath.
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she drew back to look him in the face. "You are."
Draco let his breath out and kissed her soundly. She drew back and asked, "Does this mean you don't hate me anymore?"
"I never hated you Princess, I just couldn't stand it that I thought you were embarrassed to be with me. I couldn't be around you, it hurt too much." Draco took in the face he loved, which at the moment was all blotchy with a red nose, quivering lip and two large red eyes, which were still leaking a bit, looking up at him earnestly. He smiled and kissed her again, fishing in his pocket for a handkerchief to wipe her face. "I don't mean to press you Princess, but we really can't go on like this. You were quite right when you called me jealous. I am. I want you all to myself, and I want everyone else to know to stay away. I can't take watching Potter corner you in corridors anymore, and I can't stand seeing you on his arm at another dance. If it continues, my temper is going to blow and we'll end up like this again, or much worse. And as much as I'd love to pound Potter, I think he ought to know why I beat him bloody when he touches you. You have to understand, I love you Weasley. More than anything."
She smiled at him and leaned her forehead on his. "I love you too Malfoy. Can we agree not to not speak anymore? I can deal with the fighting, and I don't mind if you feel the need to scream and yell at me, or sneer or glare or whatever you want, but I can't tolerate the cold shoulder. I'd rather duke it out, till one of us wins the argument, or both of us collapse in exhaustion."
"I think I can make that deal. "he said, quite relieved. In truth, the past two weeks had been hell for him too. Not only had he had to live without Ginny, but he'd avoided the music room, and done without his piano as well. If Ginny hadn't been so upset, she'd have noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the tired set of his mouth and known he hadn't been sleeping.
"I meant it you know Draco. We'll tell whomever you want. I'll tell Harry and Ron tonight."
Despite him having braced himself for her to insist they continue to keep their relationship a secret, he felt as if a weight was lifted from him when she said she would tell her brother and Potter. "Do you want me to be with you?"
Ginny shook her head. "No, I think it's better if I break it to Ron alone at first. He'll see us together soon enough. It's not going to be easy on you with him Draco, you know that, right?"
"I think I can handle your brother, Princess." He murmured as he kissed her neck.
"Promise me you won't hit him Draco." Ginny said, letting her head fall slightly over to the side so he could gain better access.
"I promise not to hit him unless he hits me first. Or hits you." He said, nibbling her earlobe.
"Ron wouldn't hit me. And if he hits you, then I guess he deserves it, but it would make me very happy if you'd avoid that, and not goad him into trying to, as I know you're scheming to do now." She said as she ran her hands along his shoulders.
"Argh, foiled." He laughed into her collarbone before he nipped it, making her squirm. "Will you meet me tonight, after, and let me know how it went?"
"Yes." Ginny gasped as he pulled her out of her chair and crushed her to him. Their mouths fell together and lips devoured each other as if they had been apart two years instead of two weeks.
Professor Snape slammed the door of the classroom as he re-entered, causing them to jump apart.
"I trust the situation is now in hand, Miss Weasley, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes sir." Ginny and Draco both replied.
"Very well then. Miss Weasley, I sent word to Professor McGonagall that you would be late arriving to transfiguration but since you seem to have your histrionics under control now, I think you'd better get along, don't you?"
"Yes sir," Ginny smiled happily at him. "Professor Snape?"
Snape sighed and looked put out. "Yes, Miss Weasley, what is it now?"
"I just wanted to say thank you, sir."
"I'm sure I don't know what for Miss Weasley. Run along now."
As Ginny floated happily out the door, two sets of eyes watched her, both similarly amused.
When Ginny was gone, Snape turned to Draco, and once again gave him a speculative look.
"What?" Draco asked when he could bear Snape's scrutiny no longer.
"A Weasley, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco bristled. "Why not a Weasley, sir? Her family's blood is just as pure wizarding as mine, and she's beautiful, smart, and-"
"Yes, yes, I know all that." Snape said, cutting him off before he could continue extolling the girls many virtues to him. "I just hadn't figured her for your type, Mr. Malfoy. I was under the impression you were more drawn to Parkinson's type. What will your father say?"
Draco sneered. "Begging your pardon sir, but damn my father. "
"Fancy yourself in love, do you?"
"Yes sir."
Snape looked again at Draco. Perhaps there was more to the boy than he first assumed. He quite liked the Weasley girl, although he'd never admit that to anyone. She had spunk and she was smart, and she seemed not to judge him by his demeanor the way the other students did. And he had high hopes for Malfoy. The boy was prickly and on the mean side, but there was something more to him after all. It might not make for a bad pairing. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he said, "Get out Malfoy. I haven't time for this." And strode back to his desk.
That night, Ginny sat down with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"I think you all ought to know something," she said, looking at each in turn. "I've been seeing someone for several months now. I know I should have told you all sooner, especially you Harry, but I was afraid you'd all be so angry, and I didn't want to disappoint you. But it's turned quite serious, and I'm tired of keeping it a secret."
"Who is it?" Ron asked, looking ready to throttle any boy in the room.
"Its Draco Malfoy, Ron. "Ginny said, closing her eyes and waiting for the storm to start.
Nothing came. Ginny opened her eyes. Ron got up and strode away. Hermione looked at Ginny and just barely above a whisper said, "Oh Ginny, how could you?" and ran after Ron. Only Harry stayed, looking at Ginny sadly.
"Harry, I'm really sorry. I tried very hard not to give you false hope."
Harry nodded. "I know you did. You kept saying you didn't care for me that way but I didn't want to believe it. I guess I've known for quite sometime that there was someone else, especially after those roses came. I just kept thinking I could win you over. I think you should know Ginny, I think I might be in love with you. I won't give up on you."
"Oh Harry," Ginny said, reaching out to take his hand. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you're not really in love with me. You'll find someone else, someone who will love you back. I do love you Harry, I do, but it's like the way I love Ron, or Fred, or George. You're my seventh brother Harry."
Harry nodded again. "Well, that's something isn't it? It's something to start with. Perhaps in time it will grow into something more, if I'm patient, when you tire of Malfoy." Ginny wanted to tell him he was wrong, that there would be no tiring of Draco, when he walked away.
Ron simply wouldn't speak to Ginny. Hermione seemed more forgiving. She looked sad when Ginny told her that she was in love with Draco, but she didn't berate her or try to talk her out of it. She only shook her head and told Ginny that she'd be there if Ginny needed someone to talk things over with.
Shortly afterward, Ginny made her way across the common room towards the door. Ron barked out at her, "Where are you going? To see him?"
Ginny stopped. It was crunch time. "Yes, I Am. "she replied, looking Ron in the eyes. He turned away with disgust. Ginny looked at his back for a moment, and then went out the door.
Draco was waiting for her in the music room. He pulled Ginny into his lap as she told him how things had gone with the trio. His face darkened a bit when she told him what Harry had said.
"Bloke doesn't bloody give up, does he? Not that I blame him, but Ginny, I'll be damned if I'm going to put up with anymore cornering you in the halls."
"I don't think it will come to that Draco. I can handle Harry, especially now that he knows the reason why. It's Ron that I am worried about. It's not good for him to bottle it up that way. He's going to blow, and I'm afraid it will be ugly when he does."
Draco began to undo her buttons. "Can we not worry about them anymore, at least not tonight? I've been starved for you for two weeks. I must touch you now, before I go stark raving mad."
"Mmmm, yes, that sounds like an excellent idea." Ginny said, following Draco's lead and attacking his buttons.
There was nothing gentle in the way Draco shoved Ginny off his lap and pulled her clothes off. Once he had all the offending garments removed, he swept her off the floor and deposited her onto the bed. Doing away with his clothes as well, he threw himself down on the bed beside her and reached for her. Bruising her lips in a brutal kiss, he pulled Ginny over on top of him. With no further ceremony, he entered her. Ginny gasped as he surged inside her. His rhythm was immediately fast and furious and Ginny matched him stroke for stroke. As she felt herself reach climax she arched her back and cried out. Somewhere in the distance of her mind, she heard Draco do the same. Sweaty and exhausted, Ginny fell onto Draco's chest and heard him breathing as heavily as her.
"Bat Bogeys and Haunted Hexes, Weasel. What have you done to me?" Draco gasped against her shoulder.
"What ever do you mean, Ferret boy?" Ginny giggled.
"You've trapped me in your spell, witch, is what I mean. I can't do without you Gin. These past to weeks, it's been all I could do just to keep breathing. "He said, looking down at the top of her red head.
"I know what you mean, "Ginny said, raising up to look back at him. "I felt positively sick to my stomach every time you wouldn't even look at me."
Draco pushed a red curl back behind her ear and gave her a smile." At least I know I wasn't alone in my suffering. It's just no good, us being apart. I can't do it. I won't do it."
Tears welled in Ginny's eyes. "I love you Draco."
He pulled her lips to his, and Ginny was overwhelmed in the gentleness of it. She was overcome with emotion as she stroked his back. The wave of love that washed over her was almost too much to bear.
Draco ran his hands down her arms and back up her ribcage. Taking her breast in his hand, he pinched her nipple. She groaned into his mouth, and he pulled his lips away, only to replace them on her other breast. As he nipped and sucked, Ginny dove her hands into his long blond hair, reveling in the silkiness of it. Moving his mouth further down her body, he trailed his tongue along her stomach, making her muscles jump and quiver. Rising up, he nudged her legs apart with his knees and knelt down between them. Lowering his head, he snaked his tongue out to touch the nodule hidden there. Ginny wrapped her legs around his head as he pressed his tongue down on that sensitive spot. She felt his fingers search and find her opening. Once inside her, they curled to rub and touch the walls of her core. Ginny couldn't hold back any longer. The waves of estacy rolled over her.
Once they ebbed, Ginny sat up and pushed Draco over on his back. Lying on top of him, she kissed him and tasted herself and their earlier passion, on his lips. Trailing kisses down his chest, she took Draco's nipple in her mouth, and like he had done to her, began to suck and lightly bite. She felt him rumble deep in his chest. Ginny moved her head lower, stopping momentarily to dip her tongue in his navel.
Ginny wrapped her hand around Draco's manhood. As she touched her tongue to the tip of it, Ginny heard Draco suck in his breath sharply. Growing braver, Ginny twirled her tongue around the head, and Draco groaned loudly. She wrapped her hand around the base and took it into her mouth and began to suck lightly.
"Ginny!" Draco hissed as he grabbed a fist full of her hair on the back of her head and began to pull her up beside him.
Draco flipped Ginny over onto her back and covered her with his body. He reached down and bent her legs at the knees. He captured her mouth once more in a searing kiss as he entered her, inch by inch, until he was buried deep inside her. Tucking his hands up under her arms, he took her with him as he rose to a kneeling position on the bed, still inside her. Instinctively, Ginny wrapped her legs around his waist, and holding her hips, Draco began to lift her slightly off of him, then ever so slowly letting her drop back onto his full length. The rhythm was torturously slow, and Draco never took his eyes from Ginny. She found herself locked on his gaze, even as the slow, sweet, movements began to take her back to the edge of oblivion. She saw his eyes glaze over and knew he was there with her. Together they took that dizzying, mind-bending trip to heaven together, and then gently back to earth, in each other's arms, eyes locked.
The intensity of the experience made Ginny cry. Draco saw the tears begin to fall, and pulled her to him.
"There's been enough tears today Princess. Why are you crying?"
"I can't help it. I feel as though I've been on an emotional rollercoaster today, Draco. And that.... That was the most incredible experience I've ever had. It was so...so intimate."
Draco kissed the top of her head and reluctantly rolled away from her. The moment had been pretty soul shattering for him too, though he didn't say it. "It's getting late, you'd better get back to your room."
Ginny sighed and began to gather he clothes up from around the room where Draco had thrown them. "Yes, back to face Ron."
Draco frowned. "Will he give you a hard time, do you think?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't speak to me before, except to ask me if I was going to see you when I left. When I said yes, he just turned his back on me. But it's not like Ron to keep it to himself. He's going to blow sooner or later. I'm only afraid he's saving it all for you." Ginny said as she dressed.
"Better me than you. I can handle it Princess, don't worry. Just don't.... don't let them badger you into doing something you don't want to." He said, glancing anxiously at her.
Ginny looked up and realized that Draco was worried that Ron, Harry, and Hermione would talk her out of being with him. He turned his back to her as he buttoned his shirt, and Ginny quickly went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his back. She simply didn't know what else to do to reassure him.
He turned around and wrapped her up in his arms. "I love you." He whispered in her ear.
She smiled. "I love you too, and you needn't worry. No one will talk me out of that."
He tightened his arms around her momentarily. "What will you do about your parents? I'll understand Ginny, if you want to keep it from them for a while longer."
"I think Ron will take care of that for me. They'll know as soon as he can take the time to owl them." She said, grimacing. "But that's ok. I can handle them. One way or the other. What's the worst they can do? Throw me out on the streets?"
"If they do, I'll take care of you Princess." Draco said.
Ginny laughed. "Thanks luv, but I don't think it will come to that. More likely they'll yell and stomp about and forbid me to speak to you again. Not that I'll listen." She added hastily when she saw the look of alarm on his face.
" It will make for a long summer, but it'll work itself out. They'll have to find a way to accept it." Ginny frowned suddenly and asked Draco, "What about your parents. Despite what we said earlier, I'll quite understand if you want to keep if from them a while longer."
Draco shook his head. "I don't know what's going to happen. He isn't going to be pleased but it doesn't matter. Do you think I wouldn't tell him, after I tortured both you and myself for two weeks? I'm a prat, but even I'm not that big of a prat. Besides, I'm tired of someone else making my choices for me."
"Yes, but Draco, it's different for you than for me. My family will yell and scream, but they won't abandon me, no matter what I said. Even though you haven't said it, I know that's a real possibility with your father." Ginny said, concerned.
"Yes, it is. In fact, it's most likely. Father has a plan for my life, and up until now I've followed it. He's quite capable of disowning me. I can almost guarantee you weren't in his plans."
Ginny and Draco talked for a few more minutes, and then Draco escorted her to the stairs to Gryffindor tower. He kissed her quickly and slipped away as they heard Filch shuffling down the corridor. When Ginny entered, Ron glared up at her from his seat by the fire. He had obviously been waiting up on her, since it was quite late and he was the only one left in the common room. She stopped and opened her mouth to speak to him, but he quickly stood and strode away and up the stairs that led to the boys' dormitory.