Author's Note: Hehehe, that last chapter was terribly evil of me. I should really be nicer to you all… J Anyway, thanks to everyone who read and reviewed, love ya!

            She walked away feeling furious with herself. How could she let herself think those things? Ginny couldn't believe it. She'd thought that dancing with Draco was all part of the game, all part of the silly deal they'd made. Then, once she was in his arms…Those eyes… they were so deep and thoughtful. And he was making her laugh, making her feel comfortable with him; almost as if they were friends. Tony treated her like a lady, but Draco made her- No. Ginny refused to think about it. She was only feeling like that because Draco was arguably the best-looking guy in the place. Even if he was an ass, he was still gorgeous. And naturally, to be asked to dance by the most handsome fellow at a party like this, well… Stop it right now Virginia!

            By leaving herself vulnerable like that, she'd just set herself up for a letdown. Of course he hadn't been enjoying it- he was a Malfoy, a rich, snobby, sneering prat. It would have been better for her if she had stayed home with Fred and George. (Ginny quickly retracted that last statement, but it didn't stop her from feeling miserable.)

            "Hey! Gin!" Reluctantly she turned. It was only Ron and his friends. "Where have you been? We've been looking for you!"

            "In a better mood now, Ron?" she raised one eyebrow. Her brother's ears turned pink. "Thought so. Why were you looking for me?"

            "Well, you know…it's kind of an…elite gathering. Thought we might want to stick together." Ginny shrugged. Why not? Anything was better than dealing with that…with Malfoy.

            "Are you alright Ginny? You look a little ill…" Hermione looked at her with concern.

"Oh, I'm fine. It's just a little hot in here, that's all." Ron, oblivious to Ginny's sudden discomfort at the party, was hoisting another glass of champagne off of one of the servant's trays. Harry gently took it out of his hand and replaced it.

"Maybe we should go outside," he suggested, steering Ron carefully towards the door.

"Gerroff me Harry, I'm not drunk!" Ron said, a little too loudly. Hermione gave Harry an I'll-take-it-from-here look.

"Of course you aren't Ron, darling. It's that Harry doesn't want to see you have to dance with Malfoy, the git was coming over here to ask, and we thought we'd go outside before he could catch you, sweetie." Ron grinned foolishly.

"Right. Can't have any of that, now, can we? He's not even a good dancer like me…" Ginny shook her head and Harry rolled his eyes at her.

"Doesn't even know what she's saying to him, does she?" Ginny giggled and the two of them followed Ron and Hermione out onto one of the patios.

"So Ginny…what have you been doing all of this time?" Hermione asked her, supporting Ron's drowsy weight with her shoulder. "Ron…if you don't snap out of it, I'm going to push you over this railing…" He mumbled and stood up.

"Oh…mingling," She looked down at her hands, not wanting to tell them about her deal with Malfoy. While she knew that there was more to him than the Hogwarts façade, she didn't particularly want to go telling his archenemies how she'd danced with him and all. Hermione didn't notice Ginny's nervousness, she was too busy squabbling with Ron over just how much champagne he'd had. Harry, on the other hand, did.

Moving over to stand next to her, he looked at her with concern. "Everything alright, Ginny?" he said quietly, studying her face. Ginny looked up at her brother's best friend. She'd once had a huge crush on him; for years, in fact. During that time all she could see was how attractive he was, how valiant, and strong. Now she knew that there was much more to him. Not only was Harry a loyal friend, he was a truly kind person. He always looked out for the underdogs, and Ginny had discovered that she could count on him for anything. Still, she couldn't bring herself to tell him that her problems stemmed from Malfoy. While he wouldn't go storming off in a blind rage like Ron, he'd be disappointed in her. She never wanted to disappoint him.

"It's just… I've been thinking a lot about a guy that I shouldn't. I mean, it's not like he's off limits or anything, technically, but he's…not my type." She tried to put into words her unhappiness without giving away who it was that was bothering her. "He keeps sending me mixed signals. And I know that I shouldn't even be worrying about the signals that he's sending me, but I am. And it bothers me." She glared down at the ground. Harry sighed.

"Well…" he started, slowly. "I'm not so great at relationship kind of stuff…I'm more of a 'go rescue the damsel in distress and win the medal of honor' kind of guy, but I'll see what I can do." Ginny looked up, and saw a grin playing about the young man's mouth. He was obviously itching to keep a straight face. "What I'd say is that the guy probably feels the same way about you- I mean if you feel that he's not your type, he probably thinks you're not his… and it's making him nervous too. Just ride it out the best that you can and see what comes of it." Harry thought for a second, his brows furrowed. "Ginny, you couldn't- who exactly are we talking about here…if you don't mind my asking," She looked up at him sharply. Surely he hasn't guessed? Then she realized that she might be underestimating Harry…he wasn't stupid.

"Oh, er…no one you would know…" she lied, hoping he couldn't see right through her. He did.

"Ginny…if it is Ma- whoever it is…I think you should just um…just be careful, okay?" He cut his sentence short as Ron finally let Hermione perform a charm which would relieve him a bit of his intoxicated state.

"What are you guys talking about?" He asked, curiously. Ginny and Harry looked at each other, then up at the sky.

"The stars..." they both said together, trying not to grin.

            The party was nearing an end, and Draco couldn't wait until he could take off for a while- never having to worry about dodging Athella Copper as she pursued him around the ballroom. Slipping behind a pillar as he saw her come around a clump of people, Draco hoped she couldn't see him…I will be so glad when this night is over… He cast a glance out of the window and saw Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter. And Ginny.

            He did a slight double-take. (Slight, of course. Malfoys never visibly show surprise…) The two lovebirds, Weasley and Granger were arguing, as usual, and Virginia and Potter were standing off to the side. She was looking up at him affectionately, and he had his arm resting on the railing next to her, protectively. Draco narrowed his eyes. Screw Potter and his friends; they were always messing everything up for him… Wait a second! Messing what up? I don't want anything Potter's got… Draco pushed the thought of the smallest Weasley out of his mind, and forced himself to stay close to his mother until the end of the party.

            Ginny hadn't seen Draco for the rest of the night, and she convinced herself that she couldn't care less. Harry had taken it upon himself to keep her entertained for the rest of the night, even though it was clear that he'd been enjoying the company of a slender young brunette earlier. She was grateful to him; Ron meant well, but he wouldn't notice if she was distraught, he was too worried about not upsetting things with Hermione himself. She hadn't seen her parents either, but she supposed that they were talking with other Ministry members.

            She and Harry had just finished a dance and were going to get a drink when her father appeared at her elbow.

            "Ginny! Harry!  Haven't seen you two in a while!" He was grinning widely, looking as if he'd thoroughly enjoyed himself. "Where are the other two? It's almost time to go," Harry pointed to the punch bowl where Hermione was preventing Ron from pouring champagne into his punch glass.

            ("But 'Mione… the party is serving champagne! I can't just deny them the formality of accepting, can I? What's that Muggle saying? When in Rome, drink like the French do, or something?")

            "Ah! Wonderful! I'll just collect them then, here comes Molly, and we'll be on our way!" He turned to go, but swiveled back to face them, his face shining. "Did you two know- the Malfoys have their entire house rigged with eckeltricity!"  He bounded cheerfully away, reminding Ginny of an extremely playful puppy.