J.K. Rowling and Warner Brother's own it all.

Author notes and Review Responses to follow

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Chapter 19

As Draco sat up and raised his wand to tend to the dying embers in the fireplace, Ginny gently guided his forearm to pull it back around her waist.  The past couple of hours had been the most intimate time the young couple had spent together.  Instead of prolonged snogging sessions which had been more than adequate a couple of short weeks ago, Ginny and Draco spent this time talking.

As Ginny nestled her head against Draco's chest, her brown eyes turned upward to drink in the movement of his lips as he confided the details of the events that had led up to his indifference the night she had fled him and the Room of Requirement.

****

Draco removed Ginny's arm from around his waist and pulled out his wand, turning to face her; "Conjunctiva," he incanted.  Ginny instinctively blinked her eyes several times in an effort to clear her vision.

"What on earth have you done, Draco Malfoy?"

"I told you that I had a surprise for you."

"Where are you taking me," Ginny inquired, fumbling along blindly behind Malfoy as he pulled her swiftly through the hallways of Hogwarts, "Draco, slow down!"

Draco stopped suddenly and turned to address Ginny in a hiss, "I'm not sure what you felt you proved by telling Potter about us, but I am not ready for the entire school to know quite yet."

"But…" Ginny interjected.

"But, if we are found strolling through the hallways holding hands, there will inevitably be questions that I do not wish to offer.  Just keep up, I'll try not to move too fast, but this way, I can honestly say that I am simply leading you to Madame Pomfrey, because you managed to be on the wrong end of a curse."

"Okay, but where are we going," Ginny asked softly, resigning to play along with Draco's act.

"The key word Miss Weasley was surprise.  We'll be there soon enough," Draco replied, allowing a hint of condescension to enter his voice playfully before turning to pull her at the same quickened pace through the corridors.

"Draco, why are we walking in circles," Ginny asked a short while later. 

"Finite Incantatum," Draco called.

Draco simply pulled Ginny in front of him, placed his hands on her hips, and guided her through a doorway as her vision slowly regained focus.

"What the…" Ron gasped, raising up on his elbows on a brick red leather couch, pushing Hermione's hair out of his eyes, turning to look at the door.

"How the hell did you," Ginny started, her eyes wide in surprise, turning to confront Draco.

"How could you be so irresponsible Ginny?  Why would you bring him here," Hermione questioned.

"But, but… I didn't," Ginny stuttered, trying to figure out how Draco had managed to find the Room of Requirement, uninvited.

"You Gryffindors are quite thick.  My family's old house-elf is employed in Dumbledore's service.  He told me of this room."

"But, this room is supposed to be kept secret.  It's only current use is to train…"

Hermione cut Ginny off.  "I don't care what Dobby told you Malfoy.  If you haven't noticed, your presence is not welcome."

"Granger, I would not spend another minute in this room until it had been cleaned by no less than ten powerful scouring charms," he said, turning his nose up as he took in Hermione's disheveled appearance.

Draco's expression softening as he observed a slightly flustered Hermione gain realization that she was caught snogging.  Draco cleared his throat in an effort to stifle the chuckle rising in him as Hermione rushed to tuck back in her blouse and re-fasten the buttons that had come undone undoubtedly by Ron's hand.  "Come Weaslette," Draco called as he turned to leave the room.

Ron showed none of his girlfriend's embarrassment as he stood before Draco; bare chest showing as his shirt had been completely undone; several purple bruises rising on his throat and collarbone.  "My sister is NOT going with you Malfoy," Ron growled, his ears pink as he placed himself between Draco and Ginny. 

Draco's lips turned upward in a slow smirk.  "Oh but she is Weasel.  I'm sure that she would prefer that I not report that she has neglected her detention, so close to the end of her punishment."

"It's alright Ron, I'll be fine," Ginny assured, sighing and stepping around Ron.

"But,"

"Kindly step aside Weasley, I don't know that I will survive the presence of two Weasley's in such close proximity," Draco sneered as he shouldered his way past Ron and out of the Room.

"If he so much as touches you," Ron started, but Ginny never heard the rest as she simply turned and walked out of the room behind Draco.

****

"Oh Ron, what happened," Hermione cried out, forgetting their earlier fight as she saw Ron walking shakily, arm thrown over Harry's shoulder's for support.

"That bas… I can't believe… He'll pay," Ron sputtered, his face reddening with anger as he tried to explain the afternoon's events to Hermione.

"Shhh, Ron," Hermione hushed him, taking his other arm over her own shoulders to support him on the other side, "Harry will tell me."

As the three friends walked back towards the carriages, Harry recounted the events to Hermione.

"But, how could Malfoy and Zabini just take a student hostage like that?  No one tried to stop them," Hermione questioned as Harry explained how Draco had been holding onto Ginny and Zabini had Xavier and Parkinson cornered in the back of the room.

"That's what Liane asked Blaise when she came back.  We're not really clear on what happened, since we arrived late; but it appears as if all of the patron's were students and Blaise cast a confundus charm on Madame Rosmerta," Harry replied.

As the trio approached the carriages and Harry finished telling the story, Hermione spoke, "At least someone had the sense to alert a teacher.  Honestly, that's where Liane should have gone in the first time.  And to think that Colin wasted his time with me when…"

"What do you mean Colin wasted his time with you," Ron bellowed, momentarily forgetting that his sister was missing with Draco Malfoy.

"Ronald Weasley, your concern right now should not be what I was or was NOT doing with Colin Creevy.  If you spent half your energy on worrying about what really matters, we might know where Ginny is right now.  Honestly Ron, how could you not know what Draco said when he flooed away with Ginny?"

"But 'Mione, it all happened so fast."

"He's right Hermione, I'm sure that we all wish we had done something different.  Besides, he feels bad enough as it is.  We just need to get back to school and see what McGonagall has to say about it."

****

"Floo me as soon as Ginny gets back and you find out what really happened," George told Liane, holding her shoulders tightly, his eyes pleading with worry before turning to leave Hogwarts.

"What did McGonagall say, mate," Fred asked as George returned to the shop.

"Absolutely nothing; she seems confident that little ferret will return her unharmed before curfew tonight."

"Absolutely nutters; I knew that Dumbledore was a bit off, but I never suspected McGonagall.  So whadda we do?"

George sighed before sinking into a large plush chair in the center of the room.  As the chair emitted its customary sounds of flatulence, George looked up at his twin in defeat and simply said, "Nothing."

"It must be catching.  What do you mean nothing?  We're not going to sit by while our sister is off…"

"I know it sounds crazy Fred, but Liane told me that there's something between Ginny and Draco.  She really doesn't think he would ever hurt her."

Fred rolled his eyes, before pulling up a chair; straddling and sitting in it to face his brother.  "And just what the hell does she know.  Better yet, why should we listen to her?"

As George ran a hand through his hair, his face showing a mixture of exasperation and exhaustion, Fred grinned and studied his twins face carefully.  "Has Georgie found a lil' Gryffie to play with?"

"Would you shut it Fred," George groaned.  "Ginny's missing; I had a run in with Filch.  McGonagall isn't doing a damn thing about this whole Malfoy incident and I wouldn't know where to start looking for Ginny if I wanted to.  Considering the fact that Liane is Ginny's best friend; I think we should trust her on this for now."

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Author Notes:

If you were wondering, I had an okay birthday.  My friends were great, my family acted like they were smoking some really good crack.  I spent the day refereeing my father and brother, (and folks honestly wonder why I've sworn off men).  But that's not why I haven't updated.  My power cord went to hell on me, leaving me and my laptop powerless.   And then work has been crazy.  I'm not 100% happy with the chapter, but I wanted to get it up there!  Hope you all enjoy, I feel like I've finally finally turned the corner in this fic, and we might be headed towards resolution.

Before I do individual responses, I just want to again thank everyone who leaves a review.  It really does brighten my day. 

Review Responses:

RomanceFaerie16: Thank you for the Birthday wishes, and I am glad you are enjoying the fic.  I hope that you enjoyed this chapter as well.

ForbidenMaggiks: Thanks so much for reviewing, and I hope you realize I don't want you to feel at all stressed about the drawing.  I would be really really glad to see it, but I do understand about real life.  Oh, my address is slberry75ATHOTMAILDOTCOM J

AznDreamer802: Seeing your reviews always make me smile.  I'm glad you're still enjoying the story, and I'm looking forward to your update!

LovesFantasy:  I'm glad you liked the chapter, and here's another for you.  Italics, I actually save my Word Document into HTML and post the htm file to the site.  HTH

Shanna: *smile* hehehe I'm glad that you like the story, and you made me smile because you remind me so much of a friend of mine when you talk, well type, well whatever.  That's exactly how she chats *grin* so I felt all warm and fuzzy when I saw all the actions.  Thank you for adding me to your favorites, *blush* now you have me trying to do the action thing :)  And Thank you sooo much for the birthday wishes!  *hugglz* and *smoochez* to ya!

Liliane: I'm glad you like the story.  I'm actually pretty new to fanfiction, I take it that italics typically signify dream sequences.  I was trying to go for a visual way to present the past versus the present, without typing ~~~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~~ etc., so I chose italics.  I think I'm too far gone to change up, but hopefully it has become self explanatory thus far into the story.  Thanks for the review, and I will definitely make note of the use of italics for dream sequences in any further stories I write :)

SarkLover: hehehehe, didn't your mama ever tell you that "Patience is a virtue?"  Mine did, but I still don't believe her *smile*  I hope you enjoy the update, I'll try not to take so long this time okay!!!!  Just don't stop reading, PLEASE :)

Social-flutterby: alright woman, SHEESH!!! Update posted, we're a lil closer now, Harry knows, run in with Ron, sparks going to fly soon, I promise.  I saw that you posted, and hope you got my review!  Post again soon!

Lalis: I'm so glad you enjoyed the story, I get taken in by stories like that too.  Put off leaving the house for work in the morning (bad employee) saying just one more chapter :)  But, er, I don't advocate anyone else doing that.  No school much more important than Harry Potter :)  Glad you're enjoying, hope you enjoy the update!

Silver Magiccraft: hehehe, and you remind me of another net buddy :)  With all the um's and stuff.  You all have me cracking up here.  Thanks for the review, And I'm really glad that you enjoyed the last chapter, and can't believe you didn't find any mistakes, I'm sure they're out there though!  Thanks for the B-day wishes.  I had cake, and got flowers, and save crazy family members it was wonderful (luckily I don't live with them *eg*)

The Red Crow, Eternal Elysium, and any other persona's I've neglected to mention:  *hehehehe* being silly now, not enough sleep.  I'm glad you like the story enough to review!  I'm taking it as a compliment.  Ummmmm plot, whoa, I actually haven't like plotted it out, so I'm not sure I can answer this effectively.  We come into the story and see Ginny and Draco fighting after almost snogging.  We all know from Cannon, this is just crazy.  So I guess the plot is simply the story of what led them to that point, and where they go from that point.  I hope that was a sufficient answer to your question.  And again, thanks for the review :)

Dweeb: updating just for you, thanks for the birthday wishes :)

The Pixie Complex: Thanks for the birthday wishes, keep reading! :)

AtwistedAngel113: Glad you like the fic.  I know this update isn't necessarily soon, but I didn't want to leave anyone hanging nonetheless!

Big-Red2006:  I'm glad that you're enjoying the story so far.  Hopefully you enjoy this latest update, and be sure to let me know what you think as it goes along!

Morrigan79:  I'm glad that you're enjoying the story, and here's your update! :)

Becky D: Here's a chapter update for you, I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story!  Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter as well!