Author's Note: Woohoo! Fifth chapter in a row. Thank the gods for sugar and caffeine! Ok, since I'm uploading a butt-load of chapters at a time, I have no idea what people will think of this story, so I'm sorry if you see something wrong in the first few chapters that doesn't get changed for a while. Sorry. But would you rather I upload a chapter a week, or worse, not upload a chapter for like, a month? Eh? And the weird red-head curled up on my knee says to you: "I love my toes." and "Macbeth, you sodding little rotter." (Don't ask, my inspirational Muse and best friend is prone to odd behavior and random outbursts.)

Disclaimer: Obviously I haven't written the real Harry Potter books, or else I'd be working on the sixth book now. Everything you recognize from the books (and a few other things if you don't pay close attenion to detail) is J.K.Rowling's. All else belongs to me.

Dancing Life

Chapter 5: Overrated Activities: Kisses with Draco Malfoy Definitely Excluded

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

What the hell?

Ginny whirled. Draco was approaching from behind them, looking none too pleased to see the roguishly handsome Ravenclaw Chaser standing where he was. The more muscled boy was looking similarly displeased, and somewhat triumphant.

"You're going with Malfoy? C'mon, you stupid twit. I'll take you. You're not too bad looking, aside from the fact that you're more than a little flat, but I'm willing to take you. You don't want to go with him." Damon protested, giving Draco a quick sneer.

Ginny bit her lip, refusing to flame at him, though she was feeling the most overpowering urge to pound his face into the ground. "…more than a little flat?" What impertinence!

"Sorry, Damon." She shrugged, then cocked her head to the side. "Actually, that's a lie, I'm not sorry. I'm having loads of fun bursting your over-engorged ego bubble." She smiled sweetly at him. "I'd much rather go with Draco than you." She smiled sweetly and (if insincerely), apologetically at him. "And that's saying something. Especially concerning your supposed 'charms' and Draco's undoubtedly ferret-like nature."

Draco scowled and rolled his eyes at her, trying not to laugh at the pure shock and disbelief coursing through the other young male at Ginny's spiteful words. And I'm a narcissist? He thought smugly.

The dark-haired boy stared back and forth between Draco and Ginny, as if trying to believe that a girl (and not even a good-looking one at that) would prefer the pale thin (albeit somewhat handsome) Slytherin to him. He shook his head. "Whatever. You're throwing away the biggest chance for a lifetime for some guy who just wants to get in your pants. Maybe that's what you want. Slut." He murmured, turning to leave.

Ginny stood, ready to hit him, but Draco got there first. He spun the other boy around, oblivious to the fact that he outweighed him by at least twenty pounds. He dealt Damon a stinging blow to the nose.

Ginny winced. Even from where she was standing, she could hear the snap of his nose breaking. Draco stood back, admiring his work and shaking his hand slightly as the cocky git doubled over. "Owww! Fuck! I tink do boke by dose!" He shrieked, holding a hand to his nose, which was starting to blossom blood. "Da Hedbaster bill hear 'bout dis!" He yelled, shaking his fist at Draco.

The pale blonde merely smiled toothily at him. "Do that. It'll give me the perfect time to tell the dear old bat about the fact that you tend to have more company in your bed than is allowed usually." He grinned again as the boy went a ghostly white color. "Don't do dat." He pleaded, hand still at his nose.

"Then get your sorry arse out of here and leave Weasley alone."

Damon didn't need to be told twice. He sped off, not looking back once. The scrawny red-headed bitch wasn't worth it.

Draco sneered. She was better off without that creep; even he treated her better than Damon had in his short 'conversation' with Ginny.

Draco turned back to the unusually quiet red-head. To his surprise, she was glaring at him. "Not that I don't appreciate your help, Draco, but who I go to the dance with is not really any of your concern. Nor will I have you telling me that I'm going with you. I'll go with who I please, or not at all!" She fumed, not saying that she wanted to go to the dance with the same person he wanted her to go with: him.

Draco sighed. Now was as good a time as any. He strode over to where she was standing, taking her roughly in his arms. She struggled , but to no avail; her arms were pinned at her sides. "Let go!" She hissed, uncomfortably aware of how close his face was to hers.

"Fine. Now I'm asking you. Seriously. Ginny, will you go to the dance with me?"

She wriggled again, and looked away from him. "Not a chance in hell, Draco. You've already accomplished embarrassing me; we're even. You don't have to pretend like this anymore. Just let me go." She whispered, biting back tears. What the hell? What am I crying for? She thought to herself.

Draco bit his lip, hoping to god that Heather was good at reading her friend's feelings.

Before she could stop him, he leaned in, his lips seeking hers. She flailed wildly in his arms, refusing to open her mouth; her lips clamped tightly shut. He put a hand to her cheek, stroking it gently.

She stopped writhing. She kept her mouth shut, but for some reason, the idea of kissing him wasn't as repelling as she'd thought. She'd already done it once.

Draco's arms encircled her slender waist, pulling her to him. Her hands pushed momentarily at his chest, but she didn't fight. It felt too good, the way she fit perfectly up against him. Warmth radiated all over her. She hesitantly brought her hand up to the back of his neck, toying with his hair.

He pulled his lips from hers, still pursed shut. "If you don't kiss me I may have to hurt you." He warned. "Although, causing you pain isn't the way I want to touch you." He grinned implicatively at her.

Ginny scowled and opened her mouth to say something, but she didn't get the chance. As soon as her lips parted, Draco's were on them. She gasped. Unlike their first kiss, this was one she felt, tugging at her very center. This time, she wasn't likely to be quite so unaffected.

She knew she shouldn't, that simply standing here, not doing anything was going against everything she'd ever been taught, but she couldn't let her lips leave his. It felt like the world was balancing on their tongues, and if they left the comfort of each other's mouths, the entire fabric of the universe would unravel in chaos.

So she kissed him back. Draco moaned into her mouth as her tongue sought out every corner of his mouth, probing gently, almost inquisitively. He pulled away, nipping at her lower lip. She inhaled sharply. He looked up at her, starting to pull back, but she pulled him closer.

"Don't stop." She whispered, before his mouth covered hers again.

She was the one who pulled away after that, but only to line kisses along his jaw. He shuddered at her touch. She was so amazing. Draco had never, in his entire life, felt more alive than he did at that moment, their arms and lips linking each other together.

His lips, numb thought they were, missed her touch. She trailed kisses down his neck, and up to his ear. Draco grabbed her face in his hands and pulled her lips back to his. His tongue thrust between her soft, welcoming lips. Suddenly, all Ginny's emotions (the hate, anger, pain, and betrayal from her previous loves, and the tender, innocent love she'd always wished for) let loose, focusing totally on Draco.

Not noticing the tears springing from the corners of her eyes, she wrapped her arms tighter around Draco's neck. Her chest shook, and her arms trembled. His lips left hers. "Ginny?" He asked, startled to see tears streaking her face. Had he hurt her?

She buried her head in his shoulder. "Just kiss me, okay, Draco?" She asked, hating how weak and theatrical it sounded. His heart, on the other hand, soared. He leaned down and kissed her. This time, it was a caressing, sweet kiss, and he sucked at her bottom lip, reveling in the taste of her moist skin. She sighed delightedly into his mouth. His hands ran through her hair, entangling them in her shining strands of red hair.

His lips skated over her skin, kissing warmth into her chin, cheeks, and nose. "Gods, Ginny. I've wanted to do this since you first kissed me." He whispered hoarsely into her neck.

Ginny leaned back, looking up at his face. His normally pallid cheeks were flushed, and Ginny could see the traces of her kisses along them. His half-lidded silver eyes stared down at her greedily, but it warmed rather than disgusted, knowing that she was needed, not lusted for. She lifted herself up onto her toes and placed a kiss on his forehead.

He wasn't ready for her to go yet. He took her lips again, kissing them until she couldn't feel them anymore. "Draco." She mumbled, her voice low and husky. "If you don't stop soon, I think they're going to fall off." Draco arched an eyebrow. She rubbed her swollen lips, smiling up at him.

"What was that for?" She asked, licking her lips, frustrated that all she could think about was how bereft her skin felt without his touch.

He unwrapped his arms from her waist and walked over to the stone she'd been sitting on earlier. She followed. He sat down and motioned for her to sit. She made as if to sit down next to him, but stopped. Grinning at her own audacity, she sunk down softly into his lap.

He looked surprised, but rather pleased. He wrapped his arms around her waist once again, burying his face in her shoulder. "Draco. What was that for?" She asked, more insistent this time.

He drew his face from her neck. "Would it be too melodramatic to say that I fell for you from the moment you kissed me?" He whispered into her ear.

Ginny giggled. "Yes, it would. Drama king." She hissed playfully before losing herself to another deep kiss. Right now, it didn't really matter why Draco wanted to be with her. The only thing that mattered was that he did.

Ginny broke away from his lips. Her heart was pounding, in her throat and head. "Merlin, Draco." She breathed, for lack of something to describe what she felt at that moment. She turned around to face him, her legs to either side of his.

Ginny leaned in to press her lips to his, as so to express her feelings. Draco put his hand between their faces. "D'you realize just how provocative our position is right now?" He grinned, putting his hands on her hips.

Ginny sat back, blushing. "Sorry, I didn't think-" She felt so flustered, and began to stand up. Draco pulled her back down onto his lap. She overbalanced and fell against his chest. She was surprised to feel his heart beating erratically underneath his soft black sweatshirt.

She looked up at him and he grinned down. "Not that I mind. I'd love to be in an even more provocative position with you, preferably in the comfort of my room," she went a deep shade of red, hoping he was just teasing "but, I just wanted to give you fair warning." He stared down at the red-head in his lap, afraid that if she moved any closer, he might lose all sense of control and touch her in some way she might not like.

She cocked her head. "What on earth are you talking about? Fair warning?" She queried.

He grinned down at her and she swallowed. This grin was similar to the one Damon had given her, but this time, Ginny felt her heart flip-flop, and was glad she wasn't being supported by her own trembling limbs.

"I might just do something you may find reason to deck me for if you get any closer." He said warningly, though his tone held a playful lilt.

Ginny's jaw dropped even lower. Her eyes widened as a rosy pink tiny flushed through her cheeks. "Oh!" She breathed softly.

He stared fixedly at her partially open lips. Too tempting. He pulled her closer to him. She gave a single, tiny gasp as her lips met his. Their chests were crushed against each others, and his arms were snaking up and down her lower back, smashing her body against his.

Fire spread through Ginny. Her body felt feverish and hot to the touch. Everywhere he touched her tingled with heat. Her skin felt aflame. His tongue pushed insistently between her lips, seeking hers. It slid across the inside of her lip, touching, feeling, tasting.

He felt like he'd died and gone to heaven. She pushed back his tongue to explore his mouth, and her gentle inquisitiveness was completely undoing him, and all the emotions he'd repressed for her. He moaned as her fingers massaged little circles in his neck.

He tried to pull her even closer, frustrated that she could only meld against his body so much. A deep groan of want and desire bubbled from within him as she arched her body against his. He grasped her waist, pulling her against him. She shuddered.

He pulled his lips from hers. "Are you cold?" He asked, concerned.

She looked at him, his eyes grey eyes bare inches from her own startled brown ones. "What? No. Actually-" she flushed, staring down at her hand where it rested on his chest. "I feel bloody hot." Indeed, her forehead and cheeks were burning and her entire body felt on fire, as if some unknown, subtle flame was coursing through her limbs, setting every nerve, every muscle aflame.

Draco grinned; he knew the feeling. His normally cool hands were hot and sweaty; a fact he tried to cover by wiping them hastily on his pants. "Glad to know I have an effect on you." He breathed.

Ginny scowled playfully at him. "Hope your kissing is better than your modesty." She quipped, poking him lightly on the chest.

Draco stared down at the sweet creature in his lap. He knew she wasn't overly pretty; that her features were too irregular and sharp; that her body wasn't really that great, but he didn't care. No one would ever look at her the way he did.

She wasn't cute, pretty, or even beautiful. But she was stunning, and to Draco, she was the most gorgeous thing he'd ever laid eyes (and now, lips and hands) on, and he didn't care about admitting it. One thing he prided himself on was his ability to recognize (and usually hide) any emotion of his, and this was no exception. It didn't mean he'd ever tell her what he was coming to terms with in his mind and, yes; heart. He cared for her.

She brought him back to reality. "But, I guess I'll just have to find out."

Her lips where on his again, but this time, it was all Draco could do not to attack her and jump her to the ground. Oddly enough, it wasn't from passion or lust, though those were slightly present. Who would have thought that the tenderness and want displayed in a single, soft kiss could undo so complex and cold a person as Draco Malfoy?

Strange though it was, it did. Draco pulled his arms up around her back, sliding her closer to him. Their movements were slow, but deliciously satisfied. Ginny sighed contentedly into his mouth, bringing her arms up around his neck. They hung there so perfectly.

They finally broke apart, some time later. Draco stared down at her as (turning around to lean back on him) she sighed again, that soft, feminine, uncharacteristic sound that was more crushing (and rendered him completely helpless against her) than a low, seductively sexy moan. Though, from her lips, that might sound good, too.

Briefly pondering how to coax said sound from her, he nearly jumped as someone bounded around the corner, laughing.

"Jesus, Blaise. Give a bloke a heart attack." Draco exhaled deeply.

Blaise and Heather rounded the hedge that separated Ginny and Draco from the regular path. Blaise's arm was around Heather's waist, resting there comfortably. Ginny hid a smile as Draco imitated the hold, wrapping an arm around Ginny's slender waist, pulling her back against his chest.

"Hey Ginny, hey Malfoy." Heather crooned in her low, silky voice. Draco shuddered. That voice could give a guy nightmares. It was nice and all, but a little creepy. Didn't barely compare to Ginny's strong, sure voice. But, apparently, Blaise liked it.

Draco nodded at her. "It's Draco." He said.

She smiled. "Draco. Heather." She said, indicating herself.

Ginny smiled. She loved it that these two unlikely couples from two completely opposite houses were getting along, not only with themselves, but each other.

Blaise looked startled to see Ginny and Draco in such close, comfortable proximity, but he simply smiled to himself and pulled Heather closer to him. "Looking awfully comfortable there, Draco. Got any room for a couple more?"

Draco scowled as Blaise and Heather sunk to the stone next to where Draco was sitting with Ginny on his lap. Blaise sat and gently lowered a hesitant Heather onto his lap, where she sat stiffly, like an obedient child.

Ginny shot her a glance from where she was sitting, sprawled across Draco's body. Heather smiled and shifted so her back was against Blaise's chest. Both girls sighed appreciatively.

Blaise arched an eyebrow at Draco and stared pointedly at the red-head cradled comfortably in his arms. Draco bit back a proud, possessive grin and gave Blaise a confidant wink.

"So, Draco mate. Are you taking Wea-Ginny to the dance?" Blaise asked.

Draco smirked. "Um, well…I don't know. I asked her, but we got rather busy with something else…" He trailed off, aware that Ginny was flushing noticeably.

Heather gave Ginny a wicked grin. "I was wondering where all that steam was coming from; you two must have been melting the snow, you were producing so much heat. Now, what could you have been doing to give off that much heat, I wonder…?"

Ginny blushed and put her face in her hands. Draco smirked down at her, before moving his gaze back to the small, dark Gryffindor. "I seem to remember you and Blaise getting a little steamy the other day in the hallway…" Draco began, giving them both a completely unbelievable innocent look.

Ginny snorted and shot her friend an amused look as Heather flamed. Blaise merely grinned and gave Heather's side a teasing little pinch.

Draco grinned. This was nice, considering he was sharing it with two Gryffindors; a Weasley and a half-blood. No taunts, no teases, no stiffness, no awkward mentions of fathers, mothers, Death Eaters, or the Dark Lord. Just casual fun. Everyone was joking around, blissfully oblivious to the fact that they were defying what were practically school rules! Gryffindors and Slytherins didn't get along. Neither, for that matter, did Malfoys and Weasleys. Everything was mixed-up, but if things were going to be like they were now, Draco honestly didn't mind, or care, that things were out of the ordinary.

As if to prove the point, at least to himself, he buried his face in the hair that curled just below her ears. She moaned softly, pressing against him. Heather's suppressed grin broke loose.

"My, we are cozy, aren't we Ginny? Blaise, maybe we should go, I think we were interrupting something here." She said smoothly.

Blaise reflected her surprise and pleasure at the look Draco was giving Ginny. "Things seem to have developed a lot since we last saw you, Draco. Damn. We're going to leave you two to each other, but Ginny, promise you'll take it easy on him. Being around attractive girls who like him is a new experience for him."

He laughed as Draco glowered darkly at him.

"That's not true." Heather protested.

Draco turned to the smaller girl. "Well, thank you, Ra-Heather." He corrected. "See, Blaise, she's nicer to me than you are, and you're supposed to be my best mate." He glared at the dark boy again as he and Heather stood.

Heather gave Ginny a wicked wink and turned back to Draco one last time. "Being around ANY girl has got to be a new experience for you, Draco." She and Blaise left, to their own laughter, accompanied by Ginny's.

It took several minutes for Ginny to calm down. As her fit subsided, she glanced guiltily up at Draco. He stood abruptly, and she nearly fell to the ground. She stood and glared.

"What the hell, Draco? It was all in good fun, you didn't hav-" Draco cut her off, tackling her to the ground. Ginny let out a soft gasp in exclamation as they rolled around in the snow.

"Oh, you're gonna pay for that, Draco!" She yelled, grabbing a handful of snow and advancing on him menacingly. He laughed up at her from where he was laying in the snow.

Ginny tossed the ball at him. It hit his shoulder harmlessly. He leered up at her. "Missed." He mocked.

She flew at him, jumping roughly on him, regardless of certain anatomy parts. Draco hastily readjusted her. She stared softly down at him, as she was now sitting on his stomach.

He placed his hands delicately on her hips. She smiled softly and leaned in to kiss him. Closer…closer…closer…

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!" Draco screamed in anguish as she smashed his face with a ball of slushy snow. He spat it out of his mouth, glaring half-heartedly up at her. She laughed.

"Thanks a lot, Ginny, now I've got snow in my mouth." He stuck his tongue out, which was numb with cold. Ginny grinned and scooted forward. "Let me help." She purred softly in his ear.

Before he caught her meaning, her lips were once again, pressed on his. He immediately felt the heat from her warm, sweet lips melting the snow in his mouth. He swallowed quickly and kissed her back, reaching down.

Ginny's smile turned to a gasp as he shoved a handful of snow down her back. She leapt up, screeching, trying to get the icy cold substance from out of her shirt.

"You prat!" She yelped, failing miserably to keep the warm grin off her face. Draco stretched out in the snow, looking extremely like a cat lazing about. "I must remember to shove snow down your back more often; you look incredibly amusing dancing around in the snow like that." He leered up at her.

Ginny's eyes widened and put a hand to her mouth. "Dancing…oh, gods, Draco…dance class! We're going to be late. I forgot all about it! I'm gonna kill Heather, she didn't say a thing." She clenched her small fist.

Draco laughed, glancing down negligently at his silver wristwatch. "Relax, Weasley, we've got plenty of time." He got to his feet, wiping snow from his pants.

Ginny turned from him, her head spinning. Dance class…that meant going back to the real world. So much had happened since she came outside that morning. She and Draco…what would happen once they got back to Hogwarts? Would they go on as they always had? Malfoy loathing Weasley, Weasley hating Malfoy?

She felt a strong hand on her hip. "Ginevra?" Ginny shivered. Her name sounded so good coming from him. Soft, tentative, wanting. She turned to face him. "What's going to happen, Draco? To us, I mean? Are we going to go around like we hate each other, or…?" She trailed off, hoping for a better alternative.

Draco's eyes darkened. "Do we hate each other?" He asked, voice dangerously low.

Ginny's eyebrows furrowed together. "What kind of question is that?" She asked, her stance growing defensive, putting her hands on her hips and staring up at him.

Draco put a chilled hand to her cheek. "Do you hate me?"

What the hell, Draco? You know she doesn't, why are you pushing it? A voice screamed in his head. Another voice, a small, timid, one asked if maybe he wasn't sure. No, that's stupid. Of course she doesn't hate me. Ah, yes, but you don't know how she does feel about you. The other voice said smugly.

Draco frowned at his inner debate. Ginny's eyes reflected her disappointment, though remained stingingly dry. "D'you really think I would be here, kissing you, of all people, if I hated you?" She asked, softly.

So softly.

Draco did his best to scowl, though his heart was thudding painfully in his ribcage. She liked him. She actually liked him. How naïve. Although it was what he wanted. How could someone like her fall for someone like him? How could anyone fall for someone like him?

He looked down at her, her face flushed, eyes deep with trust and understanding.

Draco really did scowl. For some reason, her blind faith in him irked him to no ends.

"What do you mean, 'you of all people'?" He asked, icily.

Ginny sighed, shoulders dropping. Why did they have to fight? They were getting along so well, and then…

"You know what I mean, Draco. It's not like our families are best friends or anything like that. They've been bitter enemies for who knows how long, as have Slytherin and Gryffindor. But…just so you know…" she looked up at him with a pained look in her big doe brown eyes "I wouldn't be here if I didn't like you, more than just a little."

She turned away from him, the long-awaited tears finally arriving.

Draco reached out and grabbed her arm, but gently. "Hey, Ginny." She turned around, looking down at her feet, suddenly finding them fascinating. Draco cupped her chin up with his finger, forcing her gaze up to meet his.

He pulled back his hand is if she'd bitten him. Her eyes were misty with tears, several threatening to spill over. "Oh, Jesus Christ, Ginny. I'm sorry." He ran a hand through his hair nervously. "Look, I'm…not really good at talking to people…"

"Without putting in some acerbic, Draco-like remark." Ginny said bitterly.

Draco couldn't believe it; he'd nearly made her cry. If he'd gone any farther, he could have lost her. And for what? Because he was being a bastard?

Draco sighed and pulled her into a hug. His breath hitched when she put her arms around his waist and squeezed. His arms tightened around her almost painfully. To his surprise, he felt something tugging inside his chest, and he felt, for the first time in ages, like he

would like nothing better than to sit down and cry. On Ginny's shoulder.

She was all he had anymore; his only real reason to enjoy life. And he'd nearly lost her, after having just found her, because of some stupid fear that she didn't like him. She was a Gryffindor, and a Weasley. He should have known better than to question her feelings.

"I'm sorry." He whispered into her hair, pulling her closer against him. Ginny's ribs were bruising, and felt like they were cracking. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to force air into her lungs. "I'm sorry." He said again, his breath lower and huskier.

Ginny took a deep, shuddering breath, her chest arching against Draco's to get air. "Draco. I can't breathe." She whispered hoarsely. He let her go, but only a tiny bit, his head still buried in her neck. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He chanted, voice cracking more with each word.

Ginny pulled away. "Draco, what…?" She trailed off. "Never mind." She breathed, encircling his back with her long arms, stroking his hair like one would a small child.

Draco was in Malfoy Manor. He was six. He was standing in front of his parents' room, late at night. Loud noises had woken him up from the deep slumber of a boy. Cradling a plush green snake in his arm, he stepped toward the door.

A deafening crash echoed from the other side of the room. Draco stood on the tips of his toes and opened the door, pushing gently on the handle. "Mum?" He asked, trying to see into the seemingly endless dark.

The dark frightened him. He hated it more than anything, His father made him sleep in the complete dark; no lights, no magical illuminating toys, nothing. He was alone. He could sometimes feel the blackness breathing around him, crushing him with each breath.

His mother, showing an uncharacteristic kindness towards him, had given him a tiny Snitch toy for his birthday. If you said the right word, it would light up with a faint gold gleam. It wasn't much, but it was comforting.

Draco stepped further into his parents' room. A muffled weeping noise was coming from the corner. "Mum?" He asked again, softer.

He pulled out his tiny gold Snitch for his pajama pocket. "Slytherin." He whispered, in his infantile, youthful voice. The golden globe lit up, casting a wavering light on the huddling form of his mother, rocking back and forth on the floor.

Even from the soft light cast on her profile, Draco could see the blood seeping from her nose and two cuts on her lip and eyebrow. "Mum!?" His voice squeaked as he knelt down beside her. "Did father do this?" he asked innocently.

Narcissa Malfoy smirked wryly, blood flowing from the crack in her lip once more. "Oh, he did this all right." She sucked in her breath, along with a small amount of blood. Coughing indelicately, her shoulder shook.

Tears sprung to Draco's eyes. He knew neither his father nor his mother loved him, but at least his mother pretended to care for him. She was the closest thing to love he'd ever felt. He reached out a hand to touch her.

She batted it aside. "Go away, child. You won't help me, and it won't do me or you any good if Lucius found you here. Get out." She commanded, brushing back a strand of silky silver hair, pointing to the door.

Draco backed away, his eyes large. "GO!" Narcissa yelled, for once forgetting to talk low and silky-smooth, like all proper ladies do.

Draco turned and fled, running as fast as his short legs would take him. He ran all the way back to his room, slamming the door shut. He fell against the wood of his door as he heard the slamming of another door, far off in the mansion, and the sound of his mother's cries.

Draco slid down to sit on the floor. He couldn't stop his father. He couldn't help his mother. Resignedly, he did the one thing he could do. He cried.

Draco wrapped his arms tighter around Ginny, needing the comforting reassurance of love and her solidity more than ever. She ran a hand over his back, rubbing it soothingly, all the while making soft, gentle noises in the back of her throat.

"Shh, Draco. It's all right; you don't have to be sorry anymore." She whispered peacefully, rubbing the back of his neck.

It took the slim blonde several minutes to realize that he was crying. He pulled away quickly, disentangling himself from her arms. She looked up at him, startled as he wiped tears from his eyes.

His hand swept across his eyes, his movements getting jerkier, faster, more urgent. He rubbed his fists desperately in his eyes. "Damnit!" He yelled, throwing his fists down.

Ginny glanced up at him, worriedly reading the anger, sadness, and frustration in his eyes. "Draco, what?"

He grit his teeth. "I'm a fucking Malfoy!" He screamed, not caring if anyone else heard him. "Malfoys don't cry! We don't show emotion! Not sadness, not pain, not regret, not happiness, not frustration, not defeat! We can't let anyone see what's going on in our heads! We don't cry! We just don't! And we definitely don't cry in front of stupid, innocent little Weasley Gryffindors." He hollered, slamming his fist into something.

Ginny inhaled sharply. That 'something' was her shoulder. Draco looked up, his eyes saddening again. "Jesus, Ginny, I didn't mean to…"

She cut him off, silencing him with her finger. "Draco. Do me a favor. Shut up." He closed his mouth immediately. So she continued. "That's terribly pathetic." She ignored the amazed, almost angry look her threw her. "Not showing your emotions because it's supposed to make you stronger, better? That's sad, Draco. No wonder you're crying. I can't imagine never crying during my childhood. I'd guess you've got gallons of tears to make up for all the years you denied them."

She cocked her head. "D'you know, not crying or displaying anything, any emotions whatsoever; I think that's awfully weak." She put her entire hand over his mouth, as he'd begun to open it in retaliation.

"Hear me out. You shove all your feelings, all the things that define you as even semi-human, into a tiny corner of your heart. And don't you dare argue with me, Draco Malfoy; you do too have a heart. A pleasantly good one. But instead of facing your problems and reacting as you should, you push aside your emotions so you don't have to deal with them? That's just wrong."

She pressed her thumb to his cheek, tracing a wet streak down the stubbly surface. "No one's here but me, Draco. And you know how I feel. Go ahead." She nodded, pulling him against her chest.

And he cried. Long and hard, weeping bitter, 'manly' tears.

Ginny cradled him sympathetically against her. While she could barely imagine the emotional inner turmoil he was going through, it must be excruciating, especially for him; but at the same time, it didn't keep her heart from flying up to her throat. He was crying…in front of her.

She now realized why her mother was always there for her and her brothers. Comforting someone, knowing that you alone are sharing their grief, and are doing whatever you can to appease that sorrow, was astounding.

After a minute or two, Draco struggled out of her embrace. He felt utterly disgusted with himself. But, looking up at Ginny, all he felt was elation. The look on her face was so delicious, he thought he might jump on her.

She was staring up at him, smiling. Not sneering, or smirking, but smiling gently and knowingly. Her eyes, amber-brown and as always, expressive, reflected pride, happiness, and…though he had little expertise in the area,…what appeared to be love.

"That wasn't so hard, now, was it?" She asked, softly.