Author's Note: This is going really well- I find this story very easy to write, not to mention fun, so I'll try to keep my one chapter a day thing going even when school starts… I'd love to thank all of you who read and review… especially Luna-Elentari, my faithful reviewer who is right there to tap dance around the room if I've got a new chapter. ;) Jenni, Zoe, you both know I love you and naturally you're going to be mentioned… J Big sis…well, middle sis- just keep reading, okay?

            The cutting of the cake was amazing, Ginny thought. The cake itself was magnificent- four tiers, decorated with silver and green rosettes to celebrate not only Draco's birthday, but also his recent graduation from Hogwarts as Head Boy. While her first impression was that the cake looked more like a wedding cake than a birthday cake, (birthday cakes at the Weasleys' usually exploded or tipped precariously to one side while one of the twins poked at it with their wand) she realized that with so many people, the cake had to be huge. Draco Malfoy swiftly cut the first slice, presenting it to his mother, and let the servants do the rest. He was ushered into conversation, and from what Ginny could see, was doing his best not to grimace.

            He's doing his part of the deal… I'd best behave. She almost grinned. This would be kind of fun…

            "Virginia?" Draco caught her eye and winked, then went back to listening to a dull-looking blonde ramble on and on. "Virginia?" Ginny looked up.

            "Wha-?"

            "Are you alright?" Tony was giving her a funny look.

            "Oh, I'm fine…just got distracted by the…uh… cake. Hey! Speaking of cake, let's go get some!" She half-dragged him towards the refreshments table. Ginny felt a little bad for seeking Tony out and then staring at Draco.

            As they ate their rich slices of cake, a familiar figure approached. Narcissa Malfoy. Ginny wanted to dive under the table, or run in the other direction- anything to prevent a confrontation with Mrs. Malfoy, who by this time probably thought she was trying to ruin her party. As it was, she stepped slightly to the side so that her thin frame was somewhat hidden by Tony's tall build. He looked down at her quizzically.

            "I do trust that you're enjoying the salon, Miss Weasley?" Damn it! Ginny chewed on her lip, hoping that there was another Ms. Weasley around here somewhere. Then she saw Draco Malfoy watching her a few feet away.

            "Er…oh! Yes, Mrs. Malfoy… and such an excellent salon it is." Holy God, I sound like a…like a… one of those girls! "I'd like to apologize for my earlier outburst, madam. You see, I am not quite accustomed to affairs such as these, and I let my mouth run. Do forgive me." I think I'm going to be sick…Draco nodded his head in encouragement, a sly smile spreading across his face.

            "Why, Miss Weasley, of course you are forgiven! I was never really upset with you anyway, simply alarmed. I believe you've met my son, Draco?" She beckoned to Malfoy, who was lurking in the background. Tony was now chatting with a young woman who had been ditched by Draco- he'd long since forgotten that Ginny was there, it seemed.

            "Yes, Draco and I have met…" Her words came out polite and eager, but she was this close to tackling the git. Since his mother couldn't see his face, Draco had taken it upon himself to entertain Ginny. Rolling his eyes and grinning goofily, Draco winked at Ginny, causing her to momentarily lose her composure. "We went to school together."

            "Ah, right! How could I have forgotten?" It struck Ginny that maybe Mrs. Malfoy wasn't the quickest thing on the planet…if she and Draco had been having such a heated argument before, wouldn't it sort of be a given that they new each other? She chanced a glance at Draco, who was now shaking his head in mock sadness at his mother's 'forgetfulness'. Who ever thought Draco Malfoy could remind me of Fred and George? Ginny fought back a grin. "Oh, and here comes the music again… come now, you two must dance!" Narcissa Malfoy ushered the two together. Ginny thought she saw Draco's grin falter, but he quickly cocked one eyebrow and dipped his head in invitation. She sighed. Having a deal with Draco Malfoy was one thing…but dancing with him? Oh well…I did make a promise to try…

            "Oh. But…but of course," Even to Ginny her voice sounded flat. But Narcissa Malfoy was already gone, having been asked to dance by the Minister of Magic…again.

            "Well? Shall we?" Ginny looked up at Draco. His eyes were shining mischievously.

            "Oh fine…" she sighed. Draco snorted.

            "Don't be so eager…" She couldn't help but giggle at the mock hurt in his voice. Why was he acting so…happy all of a sudden? Almost like he was enjoying this whole ordeal. It never once occurred to her that perhaps he was.

            Draco had never noticed how small Virginia was, comparatively, until she was that close to him. He knew that he was tall, a good six feet, but still…she couldn't have been taller than five-foot-two.

            He was immensely enjoying this entire deal that they had agreed on. Watching her stumble her way through niceties with his mother was amusing, and he found himself in a better mood than he'd been in for quite some time. He even caught himself goofing off a bit while his mother couldn't see. For some reason, it was suddenly very important that he be able to make Virginia Weasley laugh.

            "So how are your adoring fans?" Draco looked down. Virginia was grinning up at him, indicating the wishy-washy girls watching them. He winked at her.

            "They're terribly jealous of the young, attract-" Draco stopped, catching sight of the Minister dancing with his mother. "Damn it, I'm going to throttle the man…" he muttered, forgetting that Ginny could hear him.

            "What? Who?" She started to turn her head. Suddenly Draco was sour again. The last thing he wanted was for the little Weaselette to get involved in his personal life.

            "None of your business," he growled. Ginny stiffened in his arms.

            "I think I'm finished dancing, thank you," she wrenched herself out of  his grasp and stalked off. Draco Malfoy, get a grip! He mentally berated himself. One minute you're noticing how rich the color of her hair is, and how pretty she looks when she giggles, and the next you're practically shoving her away! You have got to compose yourself. Then he realized what he was thinking. And she's a WEASLEY! What are you doing with her anyway? Glowering, Draco turned to find Athella Copper practically begging him to dance with her. Could the night get any worse?