Author's Note: Okay, fourth chapter and these things are getting annoying. Um...Draco-Ginny angst and possibly the end of their relationship? Who knows? Oh, wait,...I do! HAHAHA! You don't know what's going to happen...until...you...read...this. Drat. Ok, so read this and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Same as the last few chapters, I'm tired of reiterating my words; it's so tedious and frankly redundant.

Dancing Life

Chapter 4: Confusion of the Teenaged Mind

By the time Ginny had made it up to the Gryffindor common room, it was late in the evening and most of the students were at dinner. Ginny wrapped her arms around her stomach and frowned softly. She sighed and sat down in a large chair by the fire, shivering slightly.

She couldn't force anything down, even if she'd wanted to.

"Ughhhhh…" She groaned wearily, putting her head in her hands, massaging the temples lightly. "Stupid git. Why did he have to go and fuck everything up?" She shook her head with the tips of her fingers. "Why did I have to go and fuck everything up? We were getting along so well, too." She moaned again, and threw herself back into the chair's deep recess, snuggling into the back.

"Well, I have no idea what you've done now, but if it has anything to do with the sudden temper tantrum a recently acquired Slytherin friend of yours is having, I'd say whatever you did was pretty bad."

Ginny sat up and whirled around in the chair. Peeking over the high back of the armchair, she sighed in relief. "Heather. Thank god it's you; I've had an awful day." She sunk back into the chair in defeat.

Heather moved around to the armchair in front of her red-headed friend. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was unwrapping a stunning silver scarf from around her neck.

"Go out to the lake with a certain good-looking Slytherin with gorgeous thick black hair, blue eyes, and last name rhymes with 'zucchini'?" Ginny teased.

Heather grinned, flushing slightly. "The only reason people go to the lake in the frigid, bitter winter months is to engage in activities that…warm…shall we say?" Ginny said, waggling her eyebrows at a quickly reddening Heather.

"Ginny!" She gasped, looking shocked. "You know I'd never do anything like that until I knew a guy better; maybe not even then, what kind of slut do you think-"

Ginny's laughter cut her off. "Hattie, really. I was talking about kissing. Guilty conscience?" She laughed.

Heather scowled. "Doesn't Blaise wish; and don't call me that. It's so immature and childish." She frowned at her nickname.

Ginny laughed again. "Right, not at all like you. So, you're head over heels for this guy, but still as sensible as ever." She cocked her head and smirked. "That's my girl!"

Heather rolled her eyes. "Right. So what's your tragic emotional crisis?" She asked, leaning comfortably against the back of the armchair.

Ginny frowned again. "Draco's acting downright odd and…well, I don't really know what's going on with him…" She trailed off, shaking her head in frustration. "Sometimes he can be such a complete ass. I have no idea what his problem is." She sighed.

Heather tilted her head. "What? Don't tell me you two had a lover's spat?"

Ginny scowled. "Very funny. We sort of had a falling out. I guess; I don't know, really, he just got mad all of a sudden." She shrugged, turning to Heather questioningly.

"Did you say something? Apparently, you two have been getting along fine for two months. Why the sudden blast of hatred?"

Ginny shook her head. "I don't know! Unless…" She bit her finger softly.

"Unless…" Heather prompted.

Ginny bit her finger again, then pulled her hand away from her mouth. "Right before he got mad…we were talking about Ron and Harry, and how they wanted me to go with Harry to the dance. I told Draco about my declination to Harry's less than generous offer. And he…asked me to the dance with him." She flushed.

Heather cocked an eyebrow. "Really? And so you two got in fight because…?" She waved her hands in a supporting manner.

Ginny's shoulders slumped exasperatedly. "I think; I'm not sure, but I think…oh, I don't know!" She half-screamed, jumping up and putting her hands to either side of her head. "Gods, why do things have to be so complicated? Why can't I ever just spend time with a guy without having things screw up? I hate this? We were having such a great time just being friends. Why did he…ugggghhhhhhh!" She screeched, flinging herself onto a long couch, burying her head in a pillow.

Heather restrained the nearly overwhelming urge to giggle; Ginny was rather funny when she flipped out.

"C'mon, Gin. It's Malfoy. How bad can having a fight with him be?" She laughed, then sobered as Ginny's face remained hidden.

"Gin? It IS just Malfoy, right?" Her dusky eyes widened. "You like him?"

"No!" Ginny's head popped up. "That's the problem. I think. Urgh! I don't know!"

She collapsed back on the pillow again. Heather sighed and got up. Moving around to sit on the arm of the couch at Ginny's head, she frowned. "Still a little fuzzy on the details. Why don't you just tell me what happened?"

Ginny propped herself up on her elbows. "Ugh, it's all so horribly confusing. Okay, first Draco and I were talking; normal conversation. Then it heads around to the dance. Before I know it, he's asking…no, telling me I'm going to the dance with him. And he said he liked me. But then I got all puzzled because I didn't know if he was serious, or just playing, or if he felt sorry for me…and everything was so loud and slow, but so deathly silent and momentary at the same time. I had no idea what was going on; it was like I wasn't in control of my body; I couldn't tell the difference between what I was thinking, and what I was saying. I dunno…I was thinking about that kiss, and wishing I'd done something less crushing, because now I never know if he's serious, or if he's just trying to get me back." She grumbled.

Heather's eyes were bulging from her head as she leaned even closer yet. "And…?!"

Ginny shook her head. "I guess I started thinking out loud; I said something like 'I wish I'd never kissed you', because you have to admit, if I hadn't, things would be a hell of a lot easier. But, then, he got really pissed off, and said some Malfoy-esque things." She frowned, tucking her arms under her chin.

Had Ginny looked up, not being lost in thought, she would have questioned Heather on the strange look the younger girl was giving her.

"Huh. Is that so? Uh, look, Gin; I've got to head down to the library for a moment. I won't be too long, I just forgot a book down there. Will you be alright on your own for a few minutes?" She rushed, starting to stand.

Ginny shrugged. "Yeah, I need to get up and stop feeling sorry for myself. It just doesn't make any sense." She muttered, sitting up.

Heather shook her head as she exited though the portrait hole. "Maybe not to you." She whispered to herself.

Draco was pacing the floor of the Slytherin common room, talking to himself in low mutters, and consequently scaring off all those who had wished to sit in the cozy area.

"What the bloody hell did you tell her for? You knew she was just playing around with that kiss; why'd you go and make it out to be some sign of affection? Well, why did she have to kiss me in the first place? What kind of stupid idea was that? You can't go around teasing boys like that; it's not right. What the-"

"Gods, Malfoy. If you want everyone in this house to know, as I do, that you're insane, please, continue talking to yourself. If not, why not talk to me instead?"

Draco whirled around. Blaise Zabini was leaning against a large marble column, smirking the famous Slytherin smirk.

Draco scowled at his fellow house member, and considered his best friend. "What the hell, Zabini? Why in the name of all that's evil, would I want to talk about my love life or lack thereof, with you?" He sneered.

Blaise laughed. "The great Draco Malfoy is having girl problems? Ha! That's too much. Oh, that's bloody brilliant, mate! So, who's the unfortunate girl? It's not Pansy, I know that much; she's been sulking around too much. It's none of the Ravenclaw girls; they're still mooning over you…" He blanched. "Please tell me you're not pining after some Hufflepuff fluff. I'll have to kill myself then and there, man."

Draco scowled. "I wouldn't be caught dead dating a Hufflepuff."

Blaise cocked his head. "A Gryf? You cannot be serious. Just a few months ago you were saying how pathetic my crush on Heather was, and now…you are a piece of work, Draco Malfoy." He stared at is friend in awe.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Please, Zabini. Don't make it sound like I'm some lovesick little boy; it's just a hot girl, that's all." He lied.

Blaise scoffed. "Yeah, right. You've been brooding about around here like someone canceled Christmas. You've made about five first years wet themselves; just tell the damn girl and spare us all the agony!" He got down on his knees, pretending to beg Draco for mercy.

Draco glowered at his groveling friend, pulling away the ends of his robes before Blaise tried to do something stupid. "Oh, like it's that easy." He snorted.

Blaise stood, giving Draco a hard stare. "Hey, Draco, mate, are you alright? Who's this girl that's gotten under your skin like this? You've never had problems with girls before, so…what's wrong?"

Draco shook his head. "I know I'm setting myself up for a berating or some other sharp reprimand from you, but…it's Ginny Weasley."

Blaise's jaw dropped. "What!? Are you out of your bloody mind?"

Draco scowled. "What's wrong with Ginny?" He asked roughly, eyes hardening.

Blaise was still staring at him, mouth hanging open. "But-but, you said…not a few months ago…talking about her and Heather, being unworthy because they're Gryfs, and…what the hell? Now you like her?"

Draco sighed, still scowling, and sunk onto the couch. "Blaise, how long have we known each other?" He asked warily.

"Since we were five."

"Remember how we used to share all our secrets; how our fathers beat us, and how our mothers hated us?"

Blaise nodded, sitting across from his pale friend.

"Sometimes, no, most of the time, you were the only one I could talk to. The only intelligent one, that is. We haven't talked like that since we were, what, thirteen?"

Blaise shrugged. "Guess there was never really a reason to talk anymore."

Draco slumped back into the couch. "There is now."

Blaise raised an eyebrow. "Look, Draco, this seems-" He broke off as the portrait hole for the Slytherin common room opened. Blaise glanced over Draco's shoulder. No one entered. The dark-haired boy stood and strode over to the painting, hanging open.

"That's odd." He said, shrugging as he closed the door.

He went back over to Draco. "Look, mate. I don't know what's going on, but if you tell me, I'll try to help."

Draco contained a small smile that threatened to creep from his lips. "Thanks, Za-Blaise." He corrected, then sat back. "Where did it all begin?" He asked himself.

He told Blaise everything. Though he'd never admit it, talking to Blaise about his problems always helped, and Draco had rather missed their late-night conversations. Draco told him about Ginny kissing him, how he felt, even though she didn't. How he was ecstatic when she wanted to be with him, but at the same time, how crushing it was that to her, he was just a friend.

"I told her I liked her today." He admitted.

Blaise stared. "And…?"

Draco scowled. "She was disgusted. I could see it. She wouldn't even look at me. She said she wished she'd never kissed me." He curled his hand into a fist. "Looked at me like I was a monster. The whole time, she was just playing with me. She never liked me, not even as a friend." He tightened his clenched hand. "Stupid bitch." He hissed.

Next thing he knew, he was on the floor. Draco put a hand to his cheek; he'd distinctly felt a hand hit his face. He looked around, but the only other person in the common room was Blaise, looking equally confused.

"No one dares talk about my friends that way."

Draco glanced up, at where the voice was coming from. He knew that voice; that soft, silky voice.

"Heather?" Blaise asked the air. He nearly jumped out of his skin when she appeared, head first, as something shimmery dropped to her feet. "The one and only." She smiled, stooping to pick up the Invisibility Cloak she'd snatched from Harry's room.

Draco, getting over the shock of having a Gryffindor girl appear out of nowhere in the Slytherin common room, scowled. "What the hell was that for, Rambinski?" He snarled, putting a hand to his numb cheek.

She whirled around and sat down unblinkingly on Blaise's lap. "First, as I said, you insulted, unjustly, my friend and yours. Secondly, you're being an idiot, and she's being an idiot, though I can't really hit her." She mused, leaning back against Blaise's chest.

Draco glared as he wrapped one arm around her middle, pulling her closer to him.

"Care to elaborate?" He sneered.

She nodded. "That's why I came; you two are so impossible. You both care for each other, even if you don't know it yet, and yet you'll both go about pretending you don't. It's sickening to have to stand by and watch."

She stared at him, hard. "Do you like her?" She asked, sharply.

Draco was taken aback. Who was she to ask him impertinent questions like that? Although his mind was forming a snide comment, his mouth had other ideas. "Of course I do." He said firmly.

Heather smiled a quick smile, showing off pointy white teeth. "Good. This makes things so much easier. Now, I know Ginny very well, so I think I'm right. I think she does like you, but…" She trailed off, seeming unsure of whether or not to go on.

Draco's look of exasperation urged her on. "But she's scared. Her love life hasn't been the best. First Harry, who ignored her, then she and Dean Thomas went out for a while, and he…wanted more than she would give" she had the Gryffindor decency to go a little pink "and then there was Colin and Seamus, but those were mostly just friendly experiments." She gave Draco an almost pleading look. "She's surrounded by so much love, but she's never felt it."

"What about me? I told her that I liked her! She just doesn't want me." He growled.

To his surprise, Heather got up and stood next to him. She touched his arm lightly. "She does, though she may not know it herself yet. She's just scared. She doesn't want to get hurt anymore." Taking in the blonde's skeptic look, she added: "Plus, she thinks you're just trying to get her back for that kissing incident. She wants for you to be serious, but she doesn't believe it's possible." She removed her hand from his arm, giving him a sad, sympathetic look. "So, just do what you must to make her see it is."

She walked back over to Blaise, who stood and glowered at her. "You…evil little witch, Going out and touching other boys so tenderly like that." He scowled.

Heather grinned and slid a hand around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. "But I don't touch them like this." She pressed her lips softly to his, caressing his mouth with hers.

"Thank the gods for that." Draco muttered, causing them to break apart, laughing.

Ginny woke up Saturday morning. She moaned as she stretched in her bed, shivering faintly. She stood and glanced outside. It was snowing. Her eyes lit up and she hurriedly dressed for the cold.

It was early when she made her way down to the common room, and there was only one person in the room. She turned quickly, praying Harry hadn't seen her.

"Ginny!"

Damn.

She turned back around to face him. "Morning, Harry." She said, smiling with some difficulty. She made as if to go back upstairs, but he caught her hand.

"Listen, Ginny…can we talk?" He asked, nervously. Ginny nodded wearily and followed him to the armchairs in front of the fireplace.

He sat down and eyed her. Ginny shuddered under his glance. She didn't like the way his eyes raked over her body, and she found only a little comfort in the heavy jacket and jeans she was wearing.

"Why won't you go to the dance with me, Gin? I know you like me, and you're a really cool person, so why don't you want to go with me?" He said, almost pouting.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry, Harry. You're a little too late. I waited six years for you to say that. Even when I was with Dean, and Colin, and Seamus, I was still waiting for you to come to me. To finally see me. I gave up, Harry. I couldn't wait for you anymore. Now that you're finally saying what I waited so long to hear, I just want to be like your little sister again." She shrugged, hating herself for causing pain to flash through those intense green eyes.

"You'll find your someone Harry. I'm sorry it wasn't me, but maybe it's for the best." She smiled softly, before whirling around and dashing out the portrait hole.

She ran all the way to the lake. Panting, and slightly out of breath, she stopped, standing just on the edge of the lake, where the water was frozen solid. Gazing out over the vast expanse of blue and white, she sighed. This was one of the few places that calmed her.

The close proximity to such natural beauty was breathtaking. She smiled to herself and sat down on a nearby flat rock, wiping a soft layer of snow from its surface.

"Ummm, Ginny?"

Ginny turned around. Damon Cartwright, a Ravenclaw seventh year, was standing in the snow next to her.

She smiled, for some reason, not feeling as nervous as she should have. He was rather good-looking, with his rugged features and warm brown eyes. He ran a hand through his short brown hair.

"D'you have a partner for the dance next month?" He asked, giving her a grin that was undoubtedly sexy, and should have made her flush, or go weak at the knees.

She did neither. "Not really. I wasn't planning on going." She shrugged, staring back out over the lake.

He frowned. She was practically ignoring him. He tried again. "I thought you might like to go with me." It was a statement, not a question.

Ginny rolled hr eyes, knowing he couldn't see her. She was about to tell him to go away and find some other girl when a new voice cut in.

"Sorry, Cartwright, she's going with me."