Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and the culinary skills to make Norwegian pancakes.

Chapter Seven

The lesson that night began without the usual banter. Both were on edge because of the encounter that morning. So, instead they dove right into their work, learning about the mechanics of flying and the influence of winds and temperature on it. They were preparing for their first flight outdoors, it would be very soon as Draco could hold his form for an hour easily and Ginny would be able to do the same by the end of the week.

As the hours passed by the tension in the room began to ease, replaced with a more comfortable companionable silence as each studied their respective texts. By midnight though, they were ready to call it a night. Draco checked his pocketwatch and closed his book.

"Might as well stop for tonight," he said, looking over at Weasley who was fighting to keep her eyes open.

"You look exhausted, Little One." He rubbed his temples with his fingertips.

He'd given up being angry with her hours ago. He had just found it impossible to hold a grudge against this little red-headed pixie in front of him, who was trying so hard to accomplish her Animagus. He sighed inwardly, chastising himself for admiring her determination. This wasn't the first time he had admired her drive and focus during a lesson. It was written all over her face how much she wanted this for herself, to prove to herself and the world that she was something, that she existed as a power unto herself.

Reflecting on it, he figured that she reminded him of himself, especially the way he had been at the beginning of last summer.

'Funny,' he thought, 'who would have thought that I would willingly compare myself with a Weasley, and in a good light as well.' He got up from where he sat, gathered his books and started to leave the room when Ginny gathered up the courage to call out to him.

"Malfoy, wait up a tick."

Ginny had felt progressively more guilty as the day waned about her encounter with Malfoy that morning, and although she hadn't really said anything to him to make him mad, she knew she should never have looked at his forearm. She had crossed one of those boundaries they had set, worse still, Ginny knew that what he said had been right. She did know him well enough by now to know that he was not a follower of the Dark Lord. She still wasn't sure of his reasons for becoming an Animagus, but she knew, somehow, that they had nothing to do with infiltrating the Order or spying on the Light.

The two of them had spent tens of hours alone together, studying, learning, even joking around and he had never been cruel or evil. Sure, he was sarcastic and sometimes his comments were cutting but Ginny knew it wasn't personal, it was just how he was and she accepted that and was used to it. In fact, she probably would have been more alarmed if he had suddenly become all sugary sweet towards her.

As Ginny pondered over these facts all day she became even more certain that what she had done was wrong. Malfoy had been a good teacher, passionate about the subject, he had been patient with her as she struggled to understand concepts and theories, almost as if he wanted her to succeed at this, he had kept his end of the bargain and then some. He had, Ginny admitted though strange as it may seem, become a friend. And in Ginny's world, friends don't hurt other friends, and if they ever do they suck up their pride and apologize.

"About this morning.." Ginny began, looking up at him.

"It's forgotten Weasley," he brushed her off, wanting just to leave, not wanting to get into another argument with her.

"No, Malfoy, it's not, and I just wanted.."

"Listen, Weasley, it happens all right? I don't blame you for being curious like the rest of them, you had the chance to see if all the rumors were true, right? Now can I please leave?" He finished, always the gentleman. Though his poise was ruined when he lapsed into his old bad habit of running his hand through his hair, mussing its perfection. He was tired, and the Little Weasel wanted to bring this up now?

"No, I don't want to be like everyone else," she said, summoning all her Gryffindor courage, "I want to say that I'm sorry."

This brought one of Malfoy's eyebrows up in surprise. No one had ever apologized for calling him a Death Eater before.

"It wasn't fair of me to do that, it's not fair for anyone to base their opinion of someone on assumptions. It was stupid of me, really it was. I know you aren't like those people, aren't like your father..." she trailed off, looking up at him once again, unable to read the expression, as usual. She should have felt better right away after getting that off her chest, but she didn't, she was waiting for his reaction, and he knew it.

The corner of his mouth twitched up, as if yearning to smile through his cool façade, but he held it in place.

"That's for damn sure Weasley." He drawled, nodding politely to her and leaving the classroom. Ginny's face lit up, in his own way he had accepted her apology, her conscience had been assuaged.

A few days later, as Ginny was exiting the Great Hall with Ron, Harry and Hermione after supper she halted when she heard her name called out.

"Miss. Weasley" the kind voice said. She stopped, as did the Trio and turned in the direction the voice was coming from. She saw Headmaster Dumbledore approach them, his eyes faintly twinkling.

"Ah, Miss Weasley, there you are."

"Hello Headmaster." She looked up at him, smiling.

"I was wondering if you'd be so kind and join me in my office for a few minutes." He continued. The Trio looked at her suspiciously, wondering what she had done that warranted the attention of the Headmaster.

"Sure." She replied, though with some trepidation, he couldn't have found out about her and Malfoy.. at least she didn't think he could have. She was brought out of her thoughts by Ron, who started questioning her.

"Ginny, what's this all about? Do you want us to wait for you?" He asked, knowing that if they did they could find out what this was all about sooner. 'She wasn't in trouble again, was she?' he hoped, his big brother radar alerted.

"No Ron, you guys just get going." She waved them away as she started walking with the Headmaster to his office, "I'll be fine!"

They climbed the stairs to his office, Ginny still giggling at the password 'fizzy pop', and then comfortably settled themselves in his office.

"Now Miss Weasley," he said, giving her a knowing look and beginning with his favourite saying, "is there something you wish to tell me?" Ginny saw the mischevious glint in his eye and gasped. He knew! But how?

"But how Headmaster? We've been so cautious, we haven't even been outside yet."

"Ah, I know many things about this castle, sherbert lemon? I think I'll have one too. Where was I? Ah yes, well I am not Headmaster for nothing, you know." His eyes suddenly became serious.

"Miss Weasley, I will not stop you from doing this, I can see how important this is to you. Knowing strong magic is great feat, and one to take pride in, however, there is always something greater..." He trailed off, a small smile peeking out of his white beard, "but that lesson will come soon enough, and always when least expected."

Ginny looked at him in mild confusion, 'Well', she thought, 'he always was a little batty.' And shrugged.

"I must caution you though, as I am in charge of the safety of all my students, please be careful, it is a very dangerous thing you are doing. Promise me you will never practice alone, just in case."

"I promise, sir!" she replied, nodding emphatically.

"Very well," he grinned, "oh, and I trust you will pass this on to your accomplice?" he winked.

She grinned back at him. "Course, Headmaster."

"As well, I wanted to inform you that I have scheduled you both for testing and registration at the end of February. Under no circumstances can I have unregistered Animagi running, or shall I say, flying, around Hogwarts as problems have occurred in the past. Anyways, I presume you will both be prepared by then?"

She nodded again. 'Eek! How long had the Headmaster been some omniscient deity', she wondered to herself.

"Alright Miss Weasley, I believe there is a very curious threesome waiting in the common room for you right now, thank you for your time."

Ginny got up to leave, her mind already working on numerous excuses to give her brother about why she had to visit the Headmaster, but was stopped on her way to the door as she heard the Headmaster call to her gently,

"I'm sure you'll think of something good Miss Weasley, and never fear, your secret is safe with me. Good luck Miss Weasley!"

Eyes widening in surprise, she hurried out of Dumbledore's office, 'if Dumbledore weren't a kind and considerate old wizard, he would be really starting to creep me out..' she thought as she retreated up to Gryffindor Tower mentally preparing herself for the Dream Team Inquisition that awaited her.