"Do you like my brother?" Ginny blurted. Pansy looked surprised, and then blushed profusely. She turned back to the mirror and began reapplying her lip gloss. She and Ginny had retreated to Ginny's room to freshen up, while the men remained in the library.
"I think there's potential there," Pansy shrugged. Ginny bit her lip to hide her knowing grin.
"You do like him, don't you?" Pansy couldn't help herself, and a giggle escaped her.
"Yes, but don't tell him that," she whispered.
Ginny smiled. "I won't. He must really like you, too." She went back to checking her reflection, and Pansy turned to her.
"Why?"
"Usually he's too afraid to ask girls out. When he and Hermione got together, she had to ask him out." Pansy's mouth turned up into a stupid smile, and Ginny laughed.
"And you know that Draco's totally in love with you, too, right?"
Ginny blushed. "Love is a strong word," she chided gently. "He hasn't known me long enough to love me." Pansy stared at her.
"You think it's too soon for him to be in love?" she asked curiously. Ginny nodded. "Well then, how do you feel about him?"
"I-" her voice died. Pansy nodded smugly.
"That's what I thought. It's not too bloody soon, because you're head over heels for him, too."
"I don't know," she said quietly. "How do I know for sure?"
"When you look at him, do you feel like your stomach has been invaded with butterflies?"
"Yes, until he gets close, and then the feeling changes," she said honestly. "I feel totally at ease with him. Unless he touches me," she said, blushing.
"And how do you feel then?"
"Like I'm burning," she said, averting her eyes in embarrassment. "I get hot and shaky."
"You're in love," Pansy said gently. "Don't fight it. He cares about you, too, or he wouldn't act the way he does around you."
"What do you mean?"
"He pulls chairs out for you when you sit down. He put his arm around you. He stares at you when he thinks you're not looking."
"He does?"
"Yes, he does. I'm surprised you haven't caught him doing it. Besides, if he didn't care about you, he would have just slept with you and told you to leave."
"He doesn't strike me as that type."
"I'm glad you're here, Ginny," Pansy said, the honesty welling up inside of her. "Draco has been so unhappy for so long. He needed someone to come and be his friend, and he needed that person to be someone who wouldn't judge him for his past. Not to mention that I'm glad to have you as a friend, too. It's hard for me to keep friends that are girls."
"Why?" Pansy shrugged.
"Most girls aren't interested in the same things that I'm interested in. I like Quidditch and flying, and I love creatures. Has Draco told you about his Runespoor?" she asked excitedly.
"He's shown it to me already."
"What?" Pansy's eyes widened. "He showed it to you? As in, he took you to the stables?"
"Yes. Why, is something wrong?"
"No," Pansy said, looking awed. "He's just very selective about who he takes out there."
"You've been out there, though, right?" Pansy shook her head.
"I meant what I said, Ginny. He cares about you, a lot. He even said he was going to dance with you at the wedding!"
"What's so special about that?" Ginny laughed.
"Draco Malfoy does not dance, unless his mother forces him to dance with her. For him to do it willingly is a big deal. You know, I'd love it if you'd stick around a while."
"I am," Ginny said, nodding. "I'm staying with the Malfoys for a month."
"And what a month it will be!" Pansy declared, smiling. Ginny laughed and let Pansy link arms with her as they made their way back towards the library. When they got there, Ginny wasn't at all surprised to see that the men had started in on a game of chess. Draco looked up as the girls walked through the door, and when he saw their linked arms, gave a heavy sigh.
"I knew that it was a bad idea to let the two of you be alone together. Before I know it, you'll overthrow me and just keep to yourselves." Pansy let go of Ginny to pat Draco's cheek.
"I would never take Drakie-poo's ickle Ginnykins away from him," she cooed. Ron's head shot up, and he started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Draco asked.
"He probably thinks it's funny that I'm being called Ginnykins, since everyone else calls him ickle Ronniekins." Ron stopped laughing, which made Ginny smile.
"So, who's winning?" Pansy asked, glancing at the board. Both of the men were silent, and Pansy and Ginny exchanged silent glances over their heads. Draco caught their shared look and sighed.
"They're even giving each other looks now," he lamented to Ron.
Ron sniggered. "Women," he muttered.
"Please," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. She started to sit down on the small sofa across from the men, but Draco caught her eye and patted the arm of the chair he was in. She blushed, but perched herself on the spot he'd indicated. Pansy hid her smile, and Ron ignored them.
"So," Pansy said, clearing her throat. She pulled up a chair and sat down beside Ron, whose ears turned crimson when her knee accidentally brushed his.
"Mmm?" Draco murmured, eyeing the board.
"Tell us more about your family," Pansy said, nodding at Ron. He raised his eyebrows.
"Are you trying to distract me so Malfoy can win?" he asked suspiciously. Draco didn't even look up as he answered.
"She doesn't need to distract me, Weasley. I can beat you with my eyes closed."
"Naked male insecurity really bores me. Doesn't it bore you, Ginny?" Pansy asked dryly, faking a yawn. Ron gave her a half smile, and she winked at him. Ginny giggled.
"Perhaps the two of you might like to be alone," Draco mused quietly. Pansy and Ron blushed, and Ginny averted her eyes.
"Perhaps you and Ginny might like to be alone," Pansy teased back. Draco arched an eyebrow and looked at her.
"I thought you'd never ask. You're dismissed; I no longer wish to share my girlfriend with you."
Pansy laughed. "You'll have her to yourself soon enough," she said, wagging her finger. "I'm leaving after dinner, and I'm taking Ron with me." Ron looked up, interested.
"Oh?"
"Indeed," she said, nodding. "I'm going to kidnap you for the evening. What say you to that, Ron Weasley?" His cheeks turned pink, but he grinned.
"I say kidnap away." Ginny covered her mouth with her hand and faked a cough to prevent her laugh from escaping. Ron turned his eyes back to the chess board.
"Malfoy, I believe my sister might benefit from some mouth-to-mouth right about now. Please don't make Pansy or I do it." Draco looked almost as surprised as Ginny. Ron calmly moved a game piece as Pansy cackled.
"Ron!" Ginny said, astonished. Draco turned to Ginny and grinned.
"You heard the man. Do you need mouth-to-mouth?" Ginny turned crimson.
"No, I most certainly do not!" Draco looked disappointed.
"She'll be begging for it when we're gone," Ron commented. Ginny looked shocked again, and Draco roared with laughter.
"What in the world has gotten into you, Ronald Weasley?"
"He's spent too much time around Draco today. His humor rubs off like that," Pansy said, giggling. Just then, Narcissa appeared at the door.
"It's time for dinner," she said pleasantly, smiling particularly brightly at her son. Draco looked up and nodded.
"We'll be right there, Mother." She nodded and disappeared back into the hallway. Ron and Pansy stood, and to his surprise, Pansy linked her arm through his. She guided him out of the room and down the hallway, leaving Draco and Ginny alone in the library. Ginny rose from the arm of the chair, intent on leaving, but Draco reached out and grabbed her wrist. He tugged a bit, causing her to lose her balance and fall onto his lap. She blushed a deep red color, and he smiled softly at her.
"I haven't been alone with you since this morning," he said softly. "Promise me that when they leave, you'll spend some time with me." She nodded.
"I will."
"Good." He leaned down and pressed his lips gently against hers, and she gave a soft sigh. When he pulled away, his eyes were dark. She stared at him for a moment, then stood and waited for him to get up. He rose from the chair and reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers.
"It's been a good day," he commented, leading her out into the hallway.
"It has," she agreed. "I think my brother has taken to Pansy rather quickly."
"She'll be all over the poor bloke as soon as she gets him out of here," he laughed. Ginny smiled at him as they entered the dining room. She noticed that Lucius and Narcissa were already in their spots, and her eyes darted quickly to Ron. He was talking to Pansy, and didn't look in the least bit rattled by their presence. He looked up as she sat down and smiled at her.
"It's nice to have you with us, Ronald," Narcissa said, smiling at him. Ron grinned in response.
"Everyone has made me feel very welcome." Ginny stared at him, wondering when her bumbling brother had been replaced by this person, who had a definite air of confidence. Lucius smiled at him.
"That's good to hear. Tell me, is your family well?"
"Everyone in it that matters is, Sir," Ron said pleasantly. Ginny blinked, and then turned to Draco with a questioning glance. He leaned close enough to whisper in her ear.
"I'll explain later." She nodded, satisfied that there was an explanation, and that Draco was going to share it with her.
"Excellent," Lucius said, nodding. "Now, shall we enjoy the wonderful meal that the house elves have prepared for us?" The meal passed with amicable conversation, and Ginny remained totally amazed at Ron's apparent ease with the entire Malfoy family present. After dinner, they shared coffee and brandy in the parlor.
"Thank you for the lovely meal," Pansy said, standing. "It's been a wonderful evening. I'm sure I'll see you both tomorrow, as Draco has invited us back over to spend some time with he and Ginny." She bent down and hugged Narcissa gently, then nodded to Lucius, who smiled at her. Ron stood and offered his hand to Lucius. Ginny watched incredulously as Ron shook the hand of a known Death Eater – a man who had, at the moment, a very handsome price on his head, courtesy of Ron's own best friend, Harry Potter.
"Thank you for having me over."
"You're most welcome any time you choose to visit," Lucius said graciously.
"Perhaps you'd like to walk your brother and Pansy out, Ginevra?" Narcissa suggested. Ginny nodded and followed Ron out into the hallway.
"What's going on?" she whispered. "Why didn't you freak out at dinner, or go all weird in there?"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"That's Lucius Malfoy," she hissed. "I know what kind of a reward Harry's offering for his capture! You're not planning on turning him in, are you?" Ron snorted and rolled his eyes as he pulled his cloak on. Pansy remained silent and pulled her own cloak on.
"No, I'm not."
"Then what's going on?" Ron sighed and turned to look at her. He gripped her shoulders lightly and met her eyes.
"Malfoy said some things to me in the library that made me rethink my stance on things," he explained slowly. "I know you're happy here. They've obviously been good to you, or you wouldn't want to stay. I'm not going to jeopardize your happiness by being rude to your host." Ginny stared at him, awed.
"You are the best big brother in the entire world," she gushed, squeezing him in a tight hug. "Thank you for understanding."
"No, thank you for giving me a chance to make things right between us." He squeezed her back, then pulled away and smiled. "But that doesn't mean that he and I are going to be best friends – you do realize that, don't you?" She smiled.
"I know. Thanks anyway." "I love you, Ginnykins," he said, grinning. She rolled her eyes. "Get him out of here," she told Pansy, laughing. Pansy smiled and linked her arm through Ron's.
"Ready?"