Understanding

Disclaimer:I do not own Harry Potter and all other related materials, which belong to J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Am I rushing a bit? There is a lot of D/G interaction here. I guess I am a bit rushed. Alright, thank you to ALL MY REVIEWERS. You know who you are. Maybe if I'm not lazy, I'll post names in the next chapter and what not. I think I'll be too lazy to do it…But I still want to thank all my reviewers for taking the time to put down a thoughtful review!

Chapter 5: Change

Time. Time changes people, as well. The days don't change, but people do. People make the days change; they invent new things to make certain things happen; they start hatred to make wars ignite. It's the people that do it, not the days. The days stay the same, but it's the people, living in the days, changing.

It's shocking what people can do to the days. And it's shocking how fast people change. I know I've changed; everyone has been reminding me at least twice a day. I noticed that I've changed dramatically, because I comforted a Weasley. It's not in the Malfoy nature to do so. Malfoys are not supposed to care about a Weasley. But what else could I do? It was my own father that made her like that in the first place.

I suppose I never really made the greatest impression of being someone caring. I don't blame her for acting somewhat suspicious of my actions. I'd probably do the same if I was in her position.

Now, that I look back on the years, I realize how cruel I was back then. I was always trying to get that oaf Hagrid sacked; always making fun of Potter and his stupid friends (though I must say, I enjoyed this); helping Rita Skeeter in my fourth year with her interviews; and helping Umbridge in my fifth year. However, I think I did all of that just to irritate Potter and his friends.

I was just being the bully, I guess. I never really thought about killing anyone. I was just having my fun, in my own "evil" ways.

I still don't know what I should do about my father wanting me to become a Death Eater. It'd be easier if I just heeded his words and joined, but it's not like that. I thought about what Blaise said, but I don't think I could pull it off. Everyone would suspect me and put me under Veritaserum more than an average Auror-in-training. But do I really want to torture prisoners endlessly?

Blaise looked over at Draco when he entered the Slytherin common room. He looked a bit guilty about what had happened, but Draco shook his head, sighing. He sat next to Blaise on one of the black leather couches.

"You need to learn to think before you speak, Zabini." said Draco, chuckling.

Blaise grinned sheepishly. However, he insisted that it wasn't his fault. "I didn't know she'd take it that badly. I mean, it has been five years…"

"I think you'd be traumatized too, being possessed by a diary and all…Anyway, I'm going to bed." said Draco, getting up.

They went their separate ways. Blaise went to the dormitories, and Draco went towards his own room that was hidden from everyone else. It was behind a portrait of an evil looking wizard.

"Serpent," he muttered.

The portrait swung open, revealing a small flight of stairs that led up to a door. Draco got to the door and opened it. His room wasn't as big as the room he had back in the Manor. However, it was a fairly good size. His four-poster bed was slightly larger than the ones in the dormitories. He had his own bathroom, which was magnificently made almost all of marble. On one side of the room, there were three, dark green armchairs. Next to the armchairs was a fireplace, where a small fire was slowly dying away.

He slowly changed out of his robes and into his pajamas. Yawning, he got into his bed and quickly fell asleep.

The next day, he woke up earlier than anyone else. Only a few people were at the Great Hall, eating their breakfast silently. Draco made his way to the Slytherin table and sat down by himself. Soon, he saw Ginny walk in by herself. Her eyes were red, probably from crying. She looked very tired, and Draco wondered why she got up this early in the morning. She briefly glanced at him and gave him a small smile. However, he did not return it. She quickly stopped smiling and went to the Gryffindor table, sitting at the far end.

Draco started debating whether he should go over there or not. Why would he though? It's not like he cared about her or anything. But in the end, he decided to because she was sitting by herself as well. Sighing, he got up from his seat and walked towards the Gryffindor table.

"'Morning." he said.

Ginny jumped and turned around. She looked fairly surprised to see him and asked him what he wanted. Draco shrugged and sat down beside her.

"You're not supposed to sit here." she hissed, nervously looking around to see if anyone was watching.

He followed her gaze and said, "They won't be able to do anything about it. I'm Head Boy."

"Yes, but-"

"Calm down, Weasley. If anyone's reputation is at risk right now, it's mine not yours." he said.

She narrowed his eyes at him. "Then why are you even sitting here?" she snapped. "Slytherin table not big enough for you?"

He glanced over at the Slytherin table and drawled, "It looks about the same size to me, Weasley. Maybe you need to get your eyes checked…"

"Listen, you stupid ferret, if you just came here to annoy me, I will hex you!" said Ginny, angrily.

"I can take points. That's a threat." Draco said, smirking at her anger.

Ginny huffed angrily and got up from her chair. She grabbed her bag and stormed out of the Great Hall. Several people looked up from their food at her sudden anger. But when they looked at Draco, they realized what had happened. The Gryffindors glared at Draco. He knew they desperately wanted to curse him, but they couldn't do it in front of the professors. He smirked at them and got up from his chair, as well. He followed Ginny out of the Great Hall.

He caught up to her in the Entrance Hall, right when she was opening the doors to go outside. When they were both outside, he ran up to her side.

"Hey, Weasley, I was just kidding." said Draco, putting his hand on her shoulder, so she would stop walking.

"It's Ginny," she corrected, brushing his hand away from her shoulder.

She turned to face him, looking completely content.

"Okay, Ginny." he said, slowly. "Where are you going?"

"Why do you care?" she asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"I don't care." said Draco, defiantly.

She raised an eyebrow. Without another word, she turned around and began walking towards the other direction. For some reason, Draco had to follow her. Maybe it was because of yesterday, and all of the things she said to him. It made him somewhat curious about the youngest Weasley. Especially when she said, "I loved him so much." Who did she love so much? Draco's first guess was Potter, but it didn't seem right because she didn't seem to have a problem with Potter and Granger dating.

Ginny turned back around and sighed angrily. "Don't you have someone else to bother? Harry, Hermione, and Ron, perhaps? Blaise?"

"Are you angry at Blaise for bringing up the diary?" he asked, standing a few feet away from her.

She didn't answer. Instead, she called out, "Just leave me alone."

He walked closer towards her and said, "Well, are you?"

"No, just go bother someone else." she said, exasperatedly.

"No one else is up to bother." pointed out Draco.

Ginny groaned and continued walking the opposite direction. She quickened her pace and so did Draco. Seeing that he was still following her, she started walking even faster. Finally, she broke into a run and so did Draco. It was actually kind of funny, chasing after her. He heard her laugh as she ran faster. They reached the edge of the forest, where she came to a stop. She was out of breath, but she was smiling. Draco stopped right behind her, breathing heavily.

"You run fast." he gasped.

"That's what you get for following me." she said, smiling triumphantly.

He smirked and said, "If you answer one question, I'll leave you alone."

"I already said I wasn't mad at Blaise." Ginny said, automatically assuming that it was the question.

"No, not that." said Draco. "It's what you said last night, when you were crying."

Immediately, Ginny stopped smiling.

"Who is it that you loved?" he asked.

"I-No-It was nothing. I was just ranting, that's all. Don't take what I said seriously-" she stammered, avoiding his eyes.

Ginny gazed into the sky, where a few birds flew towards the castle. Draco frowned, but he did not give up. Obviously, it was something she wanted to avoid, but he wanted to know.

"Who was it?" he pressed.

"What's it to you?" she snapped. "What are you going to do? Tell all of Hogwarts, so I can be humiliated?!"

"I was just wondering." said Draco, shrugging his shoulders.

She bit her lip, obviously trying to hold back tears. Ginny swept pass Draco, not saying a word. Again, Draco followed. She glared at him and opened her mouth to say something. He cut her off.

"I told you," he said, "I'll leave you alone if you answer my question."

"You wouldn't understand." she said, angrily brushing away her tears. "Heartless as you are, you wouldn't understand what it was like."

"How would I not understand?" he asked. "Just because I'm a Malfoy doesn't make me heartless."

"Well, you sure don't act like you have a heart, Death Eater!" she spat.

Both Draco and Ginny stopped in their tracks. He could feel a rising anger inside of him, making his blood boil. He looked at her in disgust. She must have known she said something bad because she immediately looked like she regretted it.

"I didn't mean that." she said, quietly. "I really didn't."

"Whatever, Weasley." said Draco, scornfully.

He began walking away. This time, it was Ginny who was following. She caught up to him and gently grabbed his arm.

"You're not a Death Eater." she said, firmly, "I just said that out of anger. When I'm angry, I say things I regret. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I hate it when people assume the Slytherins to be Death Eaters as much as you do."

For a moment, Draco wanted to throw an insult at her. But she sounded like she truly meant it, so he didn't do anything. She sighed and walked away from him. Draco watched her walk toward the castle.

I don't know why I got so mad at her, in particular. Perhaps it was because I didn't think she'd call me a Death Eater after yesterday. Or maybe I didn't expect her to do it. Actually, I don't know why I got so angry when the words "Death Eater" flew towards me as an insult. My father was making me become one, wasn't he? I can't change what's in my future, not when my own father is controlling it.

I haven't replied my father's letter yet. I don't think it's really necessary. With or without a reply, he'd force me to join.

The rest of the day went by fast. Draco's classes weren't as slow as they used to be. The only class that went slow enough for him to go crazy was History of Magic. The constant, monotone droning of Professor Binns lulled him into a deep sleep. He awoke when the bell rang. Blaise, who sat next to him, was snoring loudly, and Draco shook him awake. He was surprised that Binns didn't even notice the snoring.

Everyone went to dinner in the Great Hall. Not feeling particularly hungry, Draco decided to skip dinner and go into the library. Blaise, who was too occupied with a certain girl he spotted, didn't even notice that he was gone. Draco walked to the usual back corner of the library, where almost no one went.

To his surprise, it was occupied by Ginny Weasley. What a coincidence, he thought bitterly to himself. Last time, they were in the same situation. Draco was occupying the place, while Ginny was standing right where he was at the moment.

"We meet again." she said, not looking very happy about it.

Draco took a chair and sat down. Ginny put down her Transfiguration book and crossed her arms. She stared at Draco, as if she were expecting him to throw some insult at her for what she said earlier in the day. However, Draco said nothing and returned the same stare.

"I'm taking you're angry at me for what I said today," she said.

"No, not really."answered Draco, shrugging.

"You were furious."

"How would you like it if I called you a Death Eater everyday?"

"Well, are you a Death Eater?"

He stared at her. Why does she want to know? After a moment's pause, he sighed with an answer.

"No," he said.

Silence. It was all that devoured the back corner of the library. It was his corner to be exact. He had no idea why this Weasley was here, when he claimed it first. For a while, they just sat in silence.

"So, I suppose you're going to fight when you're eighteen." said Ginny, shattering the uncomfortable silence.

"Yeah, I guess." said Draco.

For a second, Draco thought he saw a bit of disappointment flicker on her face.

"I hope you choose the right side." she said, quietly.

"Exactly which is the right side?" he said, testily.

"You know what I mean, Draco," said Ginny, with a bit of a sad expression on her face. "The right side for the wizarding world."

"And what if the 'right side' is the side I'm forced to choose?" he asked, "What if everything the Dark Lord is saying is actually right?"

"You know it's not. You don't have to pretend to be something you're not."

Draco felt his anger rising. Something he's not? It was something he had to do ever since he was born. The thing was awaiting him, right now. He had no choice but to become a Death Eater; to become someone who killed without sympathy; to torture and laugh at the enemy's agony. He felt like he was being wronged to be destined to be something so horrible. And to even witness it over the summer.

"And what's that? What am I pretending to be?" he snapped.

Ginny paused for a moment and said, "Well, you're not evil. Have you seen what Death Eaters do to people? It's horrible. Heartless as you may be, Draco, you're just not like that."

"Blaise already told me that," mumbled Draco.

"That's good of him. At least I'm not the only person that thinks so." said Ginny.

"That's because you're both going to be Aurors."

Another silence. Ginny looked a bit shocked at the information. Draco merely glanced away and pretended to be very interested in a book on the back shelf. He kept staring at the title: Goblin Rebellions from the 17th Century.

"Isn't his father a Death Eater?" she inquired.

"No, but he supports the Dark Lord." answered Draco. Ginny's face fell a bit, but it was quickly restored to her original expression.

"You're going to be an Auror, too." she said. It was more of a statement than a question. "Anyway, I have to go. Ron will be worried." Ginny added, hastily.

She stuffed her Transfiguration book in her bag and got up from her chair. She made a move towards the exit. However, Draco stood up and blocked her way. Even though it was completely off the subject, he wanted to know something-

"Since I answered a lot of my personal questions…" he began.

"No, I can't." she said, trying desperately to push pass him.

"Who was it?" he asked.

"I'm not going to tell you," she said, firmly.

"Please?"

"Why do you want to know so badly?"

"Because---well, my own father was the one that gave you the diary."

"Do you know who the diary belonged to?" she asked, quietly, avoiding his eyes.

"Yes, it was Voldemort's."

Ginny winced and whispered, "Don't say his name!"

"What? Do you prefer Tom Riddle?" he asked.

Ginny had tears in her eyes. Realization dawned on Draco, and it was a bit awkward knowing this. Suddenly, he realized how close he was to her. Ginny's back was pressed against the book shelf. Draco was just inches away from her. His hand was on the bookshelf, blocking her from the exit.

"He was everything to me." she whispered, closing her eyes. A tear leaked out.

"And you still love him?" Draco asked, feeling a bit uneasy.

Again, Ginny nodded. Draco wanted to say something, but he decided not to. He was going to tell her that she should give this love up. From Draco's knowledge, the Dark Lord never even mentioned Ginny. She was in love with a memory of him, and he wasn't even in existence anymore. Did she not realize that?

Silence. It was all that ever happened when an awkward moment like this happened. There was nothing to say now. Silence was the answer to everything now. Draco stepped away from Ginny, letting her go. However, she did not move.

"Don't tell anyone." she whispered.

"I won't." assured Draco.

Suddenly, Ginny stepped towards Draco and flung her arms around his neck. Not expecting the hug, he stumbled backwards a little. Thankfully, there was the table behind him, so he didn't fall over. For a second, he had no idea how to respond to this. No one had ever done this to him before. No one. Draco thought Ginny had gone mad. Finally, he awkwardly put his arm around her, rubbing her back comfortingly.

Finally, Ginny pulled away. She smiled at him and whispered a "thank you."

"I'll see you tomorrow then." he said, awkwardly.

It was very strange that he was being so nice to a Weasley. But, as much as he hated to admit it, she wasn't all that bad.

"Er-yeah, I guess." she said.

For a while, they just looked at each other. Neither of them made a move to leave. Somewhere in a distance, Draco heard footsteps approaching. Ginny heard it too. Then, they both heard the voices of the lovely trio. Draco could tell that Ginny didn't want to bump into them, by the look of her face. Without thinking, he said something he never thought he'd ask a Weasley.

"Wanna go to the kitchens with me? I'm starving."

She looked a bit taken aback by such a random question.

"Usually Ginny hangs around here, doesn't she?" Potter's voice drifted to where they were standing, indicating that they were near.

"Yes, I'm quite hungry myself," whispered Ginny quickly.

They managed to sneak pass the trio, hiding behind book shelves. When they made their way out of the library, they quickly ran down the corridor. After turning in several corridors, they made it to the portrait where there was a large bowl of fruit. Draco reached up to tickle the pear that started giggling as it swung the portrait open.