Author's Note: Thank you kind readers for your continued support. I'm trying to improve this story as much as possible, and still have it make sense for those who read the sequel first.

I'm going to be a bit pressed for time, so I'll have no choice but to go ahead and rewrite all of the remaining chapters ahead of schedule so that they will be ready for my beta reader (waves at Amber). I'd like to note that I've changed the chapter title; it's not the same as it was in the original version. I can't think of anything else to address, but if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, you can always put them in a review or email me. Thanks! BP

Disclaimer: Same as in Chapter 1.

Chapter 9: What a Pear We Make

Thursday. There would be no "class" with Draco, and there was no urge for Ginny to get out of bed. Ginny felt Pavarti shake her at one point, claiming that she had twenty minutes to get dressed and get to class. Ginny closed her eyes obliviously, and when she opened them again, two hours had passed. Yawning, Ginny reached and pulled the pear out from where it had been hidden. In the light of the late morning, the fruit appeared almost golden. Ginny examined it for a few more moments before she finally got out of bed. There really was no point in staying in bed all day. She would no doubt be in trouble for missing classes, but that didn't mean she should waste a perfectly good day.

Stretching, fruit clenched gently in her right hand, Ginny tried to rid herself of this grogginess, but for some reason, she was tempted to crawl back into bed. 'A bath,' she thought tiredly, 'a good shower and I'll feel better.'

She showered, and she did feel better...a little better, but not much. She changed into pair of faded jeans and a maroon pullover sweater. She saw no point in dressing for classes she would not attend. Ginny had left her golden pear on her bed. After taking time to make it, she decided to venture out of the room and down to the common room, though she doubted she'd be going any further. Upon entering, she was greeted by the sound of humming. It was Harry. He was lounging in a chair, in the middle of reading a rather heavy looking book. He was wearing his school uniform, but not his robes. Either he had been to a few classes, or had dressed to go to class and then changed his mind.

Ginny watched him closely for a few moments, and then spoke. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in class, Mr. Potter?"

Harry didn't as much as look up. "I'm suffering from the Seventh year sickness."

"And what is that?"

"Being a seventh year and sick of classes."

A moment of silence passed. Ginny suspected that Harry was a bit upset with her. Hermione later relayed to Ginny just how much trouble she has caused between Ron and Harry. Ron was still angry at Harry for having let her leave with Draco. She felt that Ron would get over it; after all, they were best friends.

Ginny didn't have that luxury with Harry. She was going to have to help him get over it. Easing down onto his lap, emboldened by their previous encounter, Ginny glanced at the book's weathered pages.

"So what are you reading?" she asked, running a finger down the middle of the book.

Exhaling forcefully, Harry replied, "It's nothing you'd be interested in," Harry paused, his mind finally catching up with his emotions, "And what are you doing out of class, Ginny?"

Ginny took a casual bite out of her pear. "I decided not to go," she said after swallowing, "seventh years aren't the only ones who get sick of their classes." Harry, continuing to tolerate Ginny's presence on his lap, went back to reading. Ginny took another small bite out of the pear. 'Well,' she thought, 'here goes nothing.'

She nudged the fruit, uneaten side up, gently to Harry's lips, "Want some? It's very good." Harry looked at her, amusement in his eyes. "No thank you," he said, "I'll just take your word for it."

"Come on," Ginny said moving the pear slowly in front of his face, "I know you haven't eaten all day. Take a bite. I know you want to." Ginny spoke in a voice of silky temptation. Harry eyed her and then the pear. Harry grasped Ginny's wrist. Raising her hand slightly, he took a bite out of the pear. He chewed slowly and then removed the fruit from Ginny's hand. He took another bite, deeper than the first. "Hey!" Ginny protested, "What happened to sharing?"

"Sorry," Harry said with a smile. He handed the pear back to Ginny, turning it so that she could take a bite out of her side of the fruit. After she took a small bite, Harry accepted it back and took a juicy chunk out of his portion. The bite caused juices to run down his fingers. Seizing the opportunity, Ginny gently pulled Harry's hand toward her. "Now you're making a mess," Ginny said in a maternal tone. Fighting the urge to take a deep breath, Ginny reached and began to gently lick the juices from his fingers. She thought she felt him shudder in surprise, but she continued boldly. She didn't dare look at him for a few moments, fearing that she would lose her nerve.

When Ginny finally did look up at Harry, she found that he was watching her intently. He hadn't asked her to stop; even so, Ginny sensed that she should quit while she was ahead. She released his hand gently. To her surprise, Harry reached and took her free hand as she took another bite out of the pear. Ginny was unable to hold back a gasp of surprise as he began to suck gently on her fingers. Taking one final bite of the pair, Ginny reached and ran her hand through Harry's brown strands; something she had died a thousand times to do.

Harry released Ginny's fingers from his mouth. Not waiting, Ginny leaned even closer to him, and brushed her lips lightly across his own, before going in for a deep kiss. After a moment of hesitation, Harry returned the kiss, the warm sensation of his lips more than Ginny had bargained for. She relished in it for a few moments, but then Harry, with a groan, pulled away. Looking deep into Ginny's eyes, he stood, forcing Ginny to stand with him.

"I have got to go," Harry said moving quickly towards the exit.

Ginny crossed her arms, "No, you don't!" she said irritably.

"Yes, I do," he replied and was gone, leaving a flabbergasted Ginny behind.

When it dawned on Ginny that she had indeed succeeded, she cheered, jumping up and down. She stopped when she realized how stupidly immature it was to do so.

"Hmm, I wonder if there will be extra credit?" she said aloud.

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Friday. She could barely sit through her classes long enough to bear the wait. When her lunch period came, Ginny all but ran to the library, stopping only after arriving at the entrance.

She tried to remember the exact way that Draco had led her through the rows of books, fearing that she had forgotten. She was relieved when she saw the familiar door, left slightly ajar.

Ginny entered slowly, fearing that she would look unattractively clumsy by rushing in like an idiot. She was surprised to find the room empty, wondering why the door had been left open. Shrugging it away as carelessness, Ginny removed her robes, eyeing the pantry. Making her way comfortably across the room, she opened the door, delighted to find an assortment of goodies not often served in the Great Hall. She bent over, feeling through the pastries.

"Naughty, naughty," came a familiar taunt. Ginny turned her head to find Draco standing in the doorway. He too had removed his robes which he placed next Ginny's. There was a box in his hands that he laid carefully beside their robes.

Ginny, standing up straight as he sauntered over, momentarily wondered whether or not she was supposed to be digging in the pantry in the first place. Draco raised an eyebrow at her.

"You are getting something aren't you?"

"Um, I'm undecided," Ginny offered lamely. Draco looked at Ginny for a moment, who continued to stand uncertainly before the open door. He reached around her, not giving her much room to move.

"I'm certain you won't mind if I have something then?" he asked rhetorically. Ginny shook her head and watched him pull out a pear, of all things. The thought took her back to the previous afternoon's activities. Ginny licked her lips unconsciously. Draco cleared his throat, and Ginny snapped back to herself, quickly shutting the door.

"So, Ginny," Draco said as he went and sat on the desk. "How did it go?"

Ginny gushed excitedly about her success, finishing with a look of triumph on her face.

"Well, you seem sincere enough," Draco admitted looking her over, "is he weakening?"

Ginny's smile gave way to a look of confusion. "Huh?"

"Do you think you're getting past his defenses?"

"Oh," said Ginny, "well, I was...then he jumped up, claiming that he had to leave." Ginny pouted in spite of herself.

"Well, you'll have to try harder."

Ginny looked up. "Well, it isn't that easy," she complained, "he is fighting against his morals and all."

"Morals have nothing to do with it," Draco replied impatiently, "he's obviously afraid of taking it to the next level."

"Next level?"

Draco sighed at the question. "Sex, you poor deprived creature," He answered flatly. Ginny nodded and silently decided not to ask any more questions. Draco continued.

"If you want to go to the next level, you have to do a bit of reassuring," he said, "otherwise you aren't going to get anywhere."

"But how?" So much for not asking any more questions. Ginny secretly wondered if she even wanted to go to the next level.

"Ginny, as hard as this may be to believe, you're going to have to talk to him." Ginny stared at Draco, obviously shocked. She expected something more...rational.

"Y-You mean hold a conversation with him...about why we should have sex?"

"Not exactly," said Draco, "but it seems upfront approaches won't work alone. Not on Potter. You're going to have to get verbal with him."

Draco stood, adding "Before I forget, I have something for you." He nodded his head in the direction of the box. Ginny reached and grabbed the white rectangular box. It had her name written on the lid in black ink. Lifting the lid, Ginny saw an assortment of chocolates.

"They're cherry-centered," he added. "Thank you very much," Ginny said with a grin.

"I wouldn't eat those yet," Draco said mischievously.

Ginny closed the lid. "Don't tell me these are apart of my next assignment for 'class'?" The smirk that Draco gave her told her so.

"There's a note beneath the lid, explaining everything," he said, "I'm sure you'll find them very helpful where Potter is concerned. That said, I'll see you Sunday."

"Sunday? Why not Saturday? Oh, quidditch! I forgot. Slytherin against Ravenclaw?"

Draco nodded, putting back on his robes. "Ginny?" Draco called as he looked out the door.

"Yes, Draco?"

"I really suggest you take care of those chocolates. The result of mishandling them could be very embarrassing."

Waiting until after he had left, Ginny opened the box and read the letter inside. After having read through it, she gasped in disbelief.

"You have got to be kidding me," she said shaking her head.

Author's Endnote: Since there was a pause between updates, I have uploaded TWO chapters. Onward to the next chapter! BP