Author's Note: Okay, so due to the fact that I've run out of paper in the notebook in which I've been scribbling this… I got delayed and haven't written much more… so if this chapter is a tad bit shorter than usual, forgive me, I have to find more paper… lol! What's that? Use the computer you say? But…then I can't write it at midnight, which seems to be working for me! Thanks to all who have read and reviewed…keep those reviews coming!

            "Draco, kindly explain what is going on?" Ginny could have melted into the floor. Why was his mother always around just when she yelled?

            "Virginia here and I are enjoying quite an engaging conversation; very eloquent, this one." Ginny couldn't take it anymore. She simply put her head in her hands. Where was Ron when she needed him, anyway? Some brother- he was probably off snogging with Hermione in some corner. "…so no need to trouble yourself, Mother," Draco was saying. The small crowd that had yet again been watching left once more. Are they stalking us or something? Ginny turned to go before Draco could grab her. But he followed. Determined to get away, Ginny fled through a pair of French doors, only to find herself on an enclosed terrace.

            "Damn it!"

            "Like I said before, Virginia, that mouth will do you no good."

            "Malfoy, what do you WANT?" Ginny caved in and turned, exasperated, to see Malfoy leaning easily against the wall of the house.

            "I want you," here Draco paused. Oh shit, Ginny moaned. This is not hap- "…to learn some manners."

            "What are you talking about?"

            "In case you haven't noticed, Weasley," Why couldn't he just pick a name? "Your behavior has not been exemplary." He moved forward to stand in front of her. "I don't' appreciate being made a fool of, especially at my own party." Ginny rolled her eyes.

            "If that's what you're worried about, you're hardly-"

            "Do you know what they're saying in there, Weasley? Not only about my mother's ability to host a proper party, but also about your family?" He pointed through the window to a far corner of the room. "With your father's newfound reputation, he can hardly afford to let his youngest and only daughter behave such in polite society."

            "And you're supposed to be 'polite society'? If you've ever been polite to anyone- genuinely polite, I'll… I'll eat my dress and keep my mouth shut. But somehow I'm not worried." Draco glared at her, and Ginny struggled not to gulp, unable to prevent what came next. "Besides, you're the most unbelievable person I've ever met- here you are," Ginny gestured at the Manor. "with all of this, and all of those people are here for YOU, and you can't even be civil to most of them!" Ginny stopped, suddenly VERY worried about her well-being. Did I just say that out loud?

            "You don't know anything about my life, Weasley," Draco's eyes flashed, and he was slightly flushed. "So why don't you- No. I have a better idea." Draco stopped suddenly, looking thoughtful, and composed himself. Ginny dreaded his next move. "Let's make a deal. I make an effort not to gag at most of these stiffs, and you behave properly." Ginny eyed him skeptically.

            "How the hell do I know what you define as 'proper'?"

            "Gods, Weasley! Look, I'll coach you, alright? Then you won't make such a fool out of yourself," Ginny looked at him in surprise. "-or embarrass me further." She snorted. "Do we have a deal?" Ginny considered him. Why would he make a proposition like that? What did he have to gain? Well, besides maintaining his spotless reputation. On the other hand, what did she have to lose? And besides, it might be fun to watch him suffer with all of those flirty airheads… Ginny looked up at Draco with a gleam in her eye.

            "Deal." She announced, sticking out her hand. Draco took it and kissed it lightly again. This time, the tingle went to her toes. Damn it! Why does he keep doing that?

            Draco was highly pleased with himself. This whole 'arrangement' made the night that much more interesting. He turned to Ginny.

            "They're about to cut the cake, so I have to go in now; when that whole deal is over, I'll- Weasley, what is that?" Draco lifted Ginny's right arm to expose her dress. She snaped it back down, blushing furiously.

            "There was a mishap earlier…" Draco couldn't believe it. She couldn't even come dressed properly? He sighed.

            "Gods, Weasley, this will never do…"

            "Well, what am I supposed to do about it now?" she snapped. "And stop calling me 'Weasley'. The name's Virginia." Draco smirked.

            "And what happened to Ginny?"

            "She grew up." Draco fought it, but he just couldn't help himself. Damn it Draco, don't DO it…His eyes traveled the length of her body, inspecting it. You sick bastard, you did it! Now bite your tongue before you-

            "She certainly has," Virginia's eyes widened and she turned scarlet as Draco eyed her.

            "If I've passed inspection, I think I'll go talk to Tony." She whirled around, carefully keeping her right arm pinned to her side, and hurried inside. Draco couldn't blame her… Draco Malfoy, you are an insufferable prat, he thought to himself. Must be the Malfoy in you…shaking himself, he started for the door. But he couldn't help what slipped into his mind. Virginia Weasley definitely had grown up. No longer was she the skinny shadow of the three do-goody Gryffindors a year above her- she was a lady. Draco couldn't believe he was thinking this about a Weasley.

            "It's just because the rest of them can't form a coherent thought," he justified his sudden notice of Virginia's curve of hip and leg, and graceful neck. "Can you help it if your women are required to think, old boy?"

            Ginny could NOT believe what had just happened. Draco Malfoy, giving HER the eye! The nerve of him! And he apparently liked what he saw, did he? I mean, not that she minded, but- wait! Of course she minded! This wasn't… this wasn't Seamus Finnigan or anyone, this was Draco Malfoy. And he'd practically X-rayed her! She shivered slightly, but whether from disgust or pleasure, she couldn't tell.

            "Are you cold?" Tony Leoni was beside her, eyes bright, dimples showing, looking warm and comfortable. Ginny couldn't have been happier to see him.

            "Not anymore," she teased, and accepted his offered arm, shooting a glare at an amused Malfoy, who was making his way to the front of the room.