It was late November; she was sitting in class, Defence Against the Dark Arts, deep in thoughts, when Professor Lupin asked a question. It took her a while to understand that the question was for her and she flushed.
"Oh... er... sorry... er...." Ginny looked confused and lost.
Professor Lupin smiled at her. "It's quite alright, Miss Weasley. Does any one else know the answer? Miss Lovegood?"
When the class was over Professor Lupin asked Ginny to stay behind.
"Is everything alright, Ginny? You seem a bit distracted. You haven't been yourself the last couple of weeks. Is there anything you wish to talk about?" he said in a fatherly way.
"No, it's nothing, Professor. I'm sorry, I'll try to pull myself together," she mumbled.
"It's alright, Ginny. But do try to pay a bit more attention during class. You're a very talented young witch; I don't want to see your skills go to waste. And if there's anything you want to talk about...." He smiled at her, and she left the classroom.
She made her way through the corridor. Suddenly she heard something behind her and when she turned her head to see what it was she hit someone and stumbled, but didn't fall.
"I'm beginning to think that you are doing this on purpose, Weasley."
Ginny didn't have to look up to see who the voice belonged to.
"Just go away, Malfoy," she snapped.
"Ooh, feisty! A bit cranky, eh?" he smirked.
"I really don't feel like bickering right now," she sighed.
"Okay. So...."
"So...."
"Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?" he asked.
"I guess," Ginny said and shrugged her shoulders. "But since Luna's not going, I don't know if I will either. It's not especially fun going alone."
"What about the darling trio?" he said dryly.
"Well, I don't suppose they'd want me with them.... And besides, I don't really feel like being with them either."
"If you ask me, I think you should go anyway. And...." But he didn't have time to finish what he was about to say, because of a loud roar.
"MALFOY!"
Ron and Harry were running towards them, both with furious facial expressions.
"Get the hell away from my sister!"
"Ron! Go away," she growled at him.
"But... but...." Ron was looking very confused.
"No, Ron, you don't understand. You don't have to save me; I can take care of myself!"
She turned her heels around and ran down the corridor, through the Entrance Hall and out to the grounds. She didn't stop until she had reached the lake, where she sat down and tried to calm down. Although her brother only meant well by "saving" her, she was really irritated by the way he treated her, like she was a child.
She sat there, lost in thoughts.
She was floating around on the dance floor, held steadily by two strong arms, smelling the scent that was so unique to her dance partner. She buried her face in his chest and closed her eyes.
When she opened them and looked up she met those beautiful, intense, grey eyes. He smiled and kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Did I tell you that you look wonderful tonight, Ginny?" he asked warmly.
"Ginny?"
"Yes, but tell me again," she whispered, leaning against him.
"Ginny?!"
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
"Ginny, wake up!"
Then he leaned forward and his lips came closer... and closer...
"GINNY!"
Ginny finally woke up and blinked. Hermione was leaning over her looking rather amused.
"That must have been an interesting dream, Gin, the way you sounded." She grinned and nodded her head knowingly.
"Oh, shut up," Ginny said, but she couldn't hide the glow on her face.
"Well, anyway, it's time for dinner. Ron and Harry have been looking all over for you. What happened earlier with you and Malfoy?"
"Why is everybody so curious? We just talked!" said Ginny irritatedly.
"And what did you talk about then?"
"That's none of your business, Hermione. I don't ask about you and Ron."
Hermione blushed. "Can we just go now, I'm starving."
Ginny and Hermione crossed the grounds walking into the Entrance Hall where they met up with Harry and Ron.
"There you are, Gin." Ron said.
She ignored Ron's questioning looks and walked straight into the Great Hall. Glancing over to the Slytherin table she saw Draco Malfoy, looking quite disgruntled. She wondered why, but kept on walking to the Gryffindor table. She sat down and waited for the food to appear. Lost in thoughts she didn't notice the eyes observing her from across the Hall.
He had called her Ginny....
He took her hand and led her down to the lake. The water was glistening in the moonlight and the surface was calm. She looked at him through the corner of her eye and he was perfect. They walked along the waterside, not talking to each other. But no words were necessary. Feeling his hand in hers, she couldn't help but smile.
"What are you smiling about, Ginny?" she could hear Ron say.
"What...? Oh... er... nothing. Just... thinking."
"Dreaming a lot lately, eh?" Hermione said and grinned.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"When I found her before, she was sitting out by the lake, dreaming. It took me a while to snap her out of it."
"I'm going to bed now. Good night," said Ginny. She arose from the table and quickly made her way back to the Gryffindor Tower.