Author's Note: Wow! I'm so thrilled! I've hit 150 reviews! So, in appreciation, I've decided to post chapter 25 early. Be warned, don't expect anohter chapter for quite some time. Although, maybe if you're lucky I'll do some writing in L.A. So, on with the story. No plot developments here, just light-hearted goodness. (Eww...fluff...ew! -shrieks and runs to bathroom with hand over mouth-...not too far from the truth, either...) I'm home sick on Sunday after missing 2 bloody soccer games. Stupid effing throat infection...I've poured everything liquid down my throat-yes, even icky TheraFlu, but nothing helps. Grrr. So maybe I'll stay home from school tomorrow and update. Ha. And Tom Felton will fall madly in love with me. (Tom Felton plays Draco in the movies- normally I don't find many boys that attractive because I'm a stuborn 14 year-old antiromanticist-but Tom Felton is THE eye-candy epitome).

Disclaimer: not mine, wish it was, but all I own is the threadbare plot.

Dancing Life

Chapter 25: Just an Ordinary Day

The next day was Sunday. While almost every other student was out enjoying the uncommonly good, warm weather, there were at least four who were working furiously away.

Skye had once again let the two odd couples take complete control over the dance room for a few hours. "Hell,…erm…heck…none of the others are doing anything nearly this complicated. I think your two dances will be the thrills of the night. Aside from that one with those four girls…that looks pretty good. But they've already practiced theirs." Skye had explained before dashing off to go do some 'shopping' in Hogsmeade.

They had danced their feet off. Blaise and Heather had finished first and continued to watch Ginny and Draco whilst massaging their aching feet. They had to admit, the couple did have something special.

And finally, they were finished. The dances were perfected and memorized. Their costumes were nearly done, and the music was sorted out. Now they had the rest of the day to enjoy themselves.

Blaise and Heather had gone off to the lake, promising to be back by late afternoon to eat together (something they always did as a group), leaving Draco and Ginny to themselves in the library, their favorite place to spend time.

Draco was currently lying stretched out on a wooden bench in the corner, his arm resting lazily on his knee. Rolling his eyes, he turned to the mountain of books beside him that was Ginny. "Honestly, Gin. N.E.W.T.s are ages off. Give it a break and get over here." He said, pouting slightly.

Ginny's messy head didn't rise an inch. "Hang on a tick, Draco. Just let me finish this section…" she told her book, which her nose was nearly touching.

Draco mumbled something incoherent that, had Ginny heard, would have probably bought him a swift kick in the seat. Instead, he let his head drop back on the bench. Turning his head sideways, his eyes widened and gleamed wickedly. His hand snaked out under the table to hover just above her knee.

Holding back a snigger, his hand moved up, so that it was just over her thigh. Her pleated skirt had ridden up, exposing bare skin up to that point. Draco bit his lip, holding in laughter, and with a final smug smirk, grabbed her leg sharply.

Ginny's eyes bugged open at the sudden pinch, and her knee jerked up automatically. "Draco!" she gasped, as he disappeared under the table in another fit of laughter. Ginny's hair fell into her eyes, which were fuming. "You-you-you, spiteful, sneaky, good-for-nothing, low-life, scoundrel, thieving, conniving, overzealous deviant of a bastard!" she exploded, slapping him playfully with every word.

Draco held up his hands in defeat. "I surrender! I surrender! Just don't kill me!" he laughed, managing to grasp her flailing hands and tug her closer. Not expecting the sudden move, Ginny fell forward. She landed on Draco's chest, her elbow smacking him in the face.

"Sorry, Draco." She said sweetly, digging her elbow maliciously in his face.

"Bugger." Draco hissed, grabbing her elbows and pulling her closer. Ginny was in an awkward position, leaning half-over Draco's head, staring down at him the wrong way around.

Perfect snogging range, though.

Ginny lowered her mouth to his, their lips melding together. Draco's thin ones gently caressed her fuller, pliable ones. Ginny's tongue reached out to flick his and Draco smiled as he pulled a few inches away.

"I just can't seem to stop kissing you." He whispered huskily. Ginny laughed and added wryly: "Does it look like I mind?" before pressing her lips to his again.

They would have doubtless stayed like that for many more minutes, had it not been for a sudden, unwanted and aggravatingly persistent red-headed interruption. Both heard the library doors slamming open, and Madame Pince's disapproving warning before an obnoxiously loud voice pulled them apart.

"AH! GINNY? GINNY? Has anyone seen my sister? GINNY? GINNY? How can you not know who Ginny Weasley is? Come on! Tall, skinny red-head with brown eyes, answers to the name Ging-"

"RONALD WEASLEY!" Ginny broke in loudly, flying up in her seat. "It is so imperative to your health that you not finish that sentence! If you value your life, I suggest you drag your sorry arse over here NOW and shut your gob!" Ginny growled as Ron ran over and plopped down into the seat beside her, across from Draco (whom he hadn't seen yet).

"Ginny! Ginny!" he cried nervously, waving a piece of parchment in his hand. "Mum sent me a letter! She's- you're- they're-oh, it's just awful! Bloody hell!" he gasped, submitting the letter to Ginny's snatching and clawing hands.

Ginny's eyes scanned over the letter as she read the main points out loud under her breath.

"Dear Ron, how are you…how's school going…Hermione…get your sweater...how's Gin…heard about dance…don't tell her…we're coming…bringing the twins…and- WE'RE COMING?" Ginny's large eyes snapped back to the sentence she'd barely grasped.

Draco sat up faster than lightning. Ignoring Ron (who yelped in surprise and fell back in his seat), he glanced over Ginny's shoulder at the letter. "Oh, shit." Ginny whispered shakily. "She's coming. So's Dad. And they're bringing the twins."

"For the dance?" Draco practically shouted as Ron righted his chair and sat back down, glancing furtively around the library to make sure no one had caught his fall. A Hufflepuff on the other side of the room giggled at him. He flushed red and turned to Ginny.

"Apparently, Skye sent out owls to all the parents, inviting them to come watch the performance." Ron explained.

"Is she insane?" Draco and Ginny bellowed at the same time. "They can't come!" "We can't do the dance!" Ginny began panting, speculating wildly. "Oh my gods, if the twins find out, they'll kill you! Well, maybe not, but Mum and Dad will! Oh!" she leaned forward suddenly as Draco allowed her to rest her head on his chest.

His slender, pale hand came up to rub her back soothingly. "Hey, Gin. It's alright. We'll figure something out." Ginny shook her head stubbornly as fat tears leaked from her eyes. "They wouldn't understand. They'll never let me see you."

Draco grinned down at her. "They'll have to accept me. I'm their future son-in-law." While this had a cheering and calming effect on Ginny, Ron looked absolutely nauseous, green with disgust. "I'm just going to walk away and pretend I didn't hear that." He said weakly, standing and running as fast as he could towards the nearest bathroom, accompanied by Ginny's high-spirited laughter.

Draco watched the racing red-head with a speculative gaze. "You know, for a filthy poor Weasley, he's not too bad." He commented dryly, blocking Ginny's fist from reaching it's destination of his stomach.

"Yeah, and he thinks you're not too bad for a filthy rich Malfoy…or else he'd be trying to kill you." Ginny shook her head, her lips fostering a grin. "I still can't believe how well he's taking this. You know, I would have bet on the twins, or perhaps Charlie…maybe Bill understanding. But Ron? I would have expected him to be on Mum and Dad's side."

Draco nodded. "I must admit, that had to have been the surprise of the century." He agreed. "You mean, apart from you falling in love with a Weasley?" Ginny asked teasingly. Draco rolled his eyes. "That's no surprise. What is is that no did before me."

Ginny blushed charmingly. "You are horrible for my ego, Draco Malfoy." She said, swatting his hand. Draco grinned and kissed the top of her head. "A healthy dose of self-appreciation is never a bad thing." He recited.

Ginny turned her face up to him. "Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that's some sort of Malfoy motto?" she inquired dryly. Draco pulled a face and tugged on a strand of hair at the base of her neck. "Watch it, Weasley." He whispered in her ear, his playful, teasing tone belying the good-nature of his words.

"Hey, I just tell it like it is." Her hands raised in an innocent shrug.

"Funny, I haven't heard you day anything about dashingly handsome good-looks, a flatteringly charming personality, or one hell of a nice arse." He smirked pompously.

Ginny fluttered her eyelashes. "I was getting to it." She defended, then grinned caustically at him. "Well, the nice arse bit, anyway." She laughed as Draco turned around to look at his seat. "You know, you're right…it is a nice arse." He exclaimed wondrously.

Ginny smacked him sharply. "You are such a pompous git." She scolded softly. Draco grinned. "So I've been told. But it only adds to the vastness of the Draco charm." He said smugly, leaning back in his chair with a grin that rendered him so much like Croonkshanks (when he finally managed to catch a mouse) that it struck Ginny as absolutely comical. She had to laugh.

"What?" Draco asked, leaning forward as Ginny practically fell forward in laughter, ducking under the table to avoid Madame Pince's admonitory glare. "You-you looked l-like Hermione's cat!" Ginny gasped, finally lifting her head above the table, cheeks flushed with laughter.

"I looked like Granger's cat?" Draco arched an eyebrow while subtly trying to check for signs of some sort of illness in the still-giggling red-head. "Have you lost it?" he asked suddenly. Ginny grinned with the good-natured after-effects of laughing. "Who says I ever had it to begin with?"

Draco grinned. "Good point." His grin slid fluidly into a frown. "So, about the dance…" he began. Ginny shook her head, also frowning. "Let's not talk about it right now, alright?" she asked, lowering her head to her arms tiredly. Draco nodded and went back to his book, absentmindedly rubbing Ginny's back with one hand.

Harry was walking quickly down to the hospital wing. Pomfrey was letting Dean out today. Well, more like kicking him out. Harry liked Dean and all, but he knew (as well as Madame Pomfrey) when someone was going a little overboard. Dean did have a penchant for the dramatic…

Harry finally found himself in the hospital wing. He entered the dimly lit room and headed straight over to Dean's bed. The young man was lying down, and when he saw Harry approaching, he pulled his face into a grimace and clutched his chest.

"Ooh…" he moaned convincingly as Harry dumped his bag in an available chair. "Ooh, my chest…oh, it hurts like hell…" he moaned again and Harry had to roll his eyes. Madame Pomfrey could mend bones in her sleep, and that's all Dean's "grievous" injuries were; a few broken ribs and a sprained wrist. Still, Dean insisted he was going to die to anyone who would listen. "I don't think I can make it much longer, Harry. The pain…the pain is so much…" he repeated, closing his eyes.

Harry simply scoffed and nudged him. "Come on Dean, you're fine. Pomfrey said you were clear to go yesterday. So pick yourself up and let's go." he said, surprising himself with his shortness. Usually he wasn't so snappish, but Dean was beginning to get on his nerves and if he was going to whine and moan all day long, Harry had better things to do.

Dean pulled a face, but nonetheless stood, mumbling something under his breath. Without waiting, Harry turned around and marched out of the room, not bothering to look back and see if Dean was following. Heavy footsteps behind him told him that he was.

"Harry, wait!" Dean huffed, pulling up alongside Harry, whose long legs were carrying him faster and faster back to Gryffindor. "Wait, slow down, mate. What if I wear myself out or faint from exhaustion, or…"

Harry was spared from having to listen to death predictions that would have made Professor Trelawny beam by two girls who rounded the corner just ahead of them. As soon as Dean saw Lavender and Pavarti, he assumed a tragically heroic face and swaggered forward.

Immediately the two girls were on him. "Oh dear, you poor thing." They crooned, fussing over him and taking his books in their arms. Lavender linked her arms with his and Pavarti rubbed his back soothingly. "How did you ever manage to make it all the way down here?" Lavender sympathized.

Harry rolled his eyes once more and disappeared behind a tapestry. He didn't want to listen to this. Dean was in good hands. Literally.

Not noticing that the dark-haired wizard had left them, the trio continued walking at a slow rate, stopping every once in a while to fret over Dean. Lavender turned to him with a malicious gleam in her eyes. "You poor dear," she began "why, it was just horrible what they did. I mean, you could have been killed! You could have died! They're just horrible, horrible people." Pavarti grinned behind Dean's back. It was not a very nice grin.

Dean turned to Lavender. "What do you mean 'they'? Who's they?" Lavender put on a mask of shock. "You mean, you didn't know?" she gasped and Parvati followed suit. Dean cocked an eyebrow and looked back and forth between them. "Know what?" he asked.

Parvati grasped his hand. "Well, you know how Malfoy and Ginny have been messing around, yeah?" she started, smirking evilly at Lavender behind Dean's back again. Dean shook his head. "I thought they were just…well, you know…dating." He said slowly. It was Lavender's turn to shake her head. "What else would someone like Malfoy want with a girl like Ginny? I mean, she's not all that pretty." She mused and Parvati nodded in agreement. Dean also nodded. Why hadn't he ever realized that Ginny wasn't very good-looking before?

Lavender smiled at his nod. They had him believing anything they said. It was a gift of theirs and they loved it. "Well, I'm not sure really, but I heard from someone" she shot a glance at Pavarti, who grinned "that Ginny asked Malfoy to do something to you. She was mad at you or something. And he was jealous because you and Ginny used to go out, and you're so handsome." She swooned melodramatically. Pavarti stifled a laugh as Dean's chest swelled. "So after the game, he took a shot at you." She ended, smirking self-satisfactorily.

"Wow." Dean commented. Lavender nodded sensitively. "I know. And poor Ginny." She started on her final tack, turning meaningfully to Pavarti, who took up the thread. "Yeah, poor Gin. Malfoy's rubbing off on her. She's got to be so depressed." She smiled. She actually sounded caring towards Ginny. Ha! Last time that little upstart bitch talked down to her. She glanced over at Lavender, who nodded, her thoughts running along the same lines.

"Hey, I've got a great idea!" Lavender said suddenly, as if the thought had just occurred to her, and not like she and Pavarti had stayed up all night thinking of how to get back at Ginny and Malfoy. "Dean, why don't you go out with Ginny? I mean, she can't be happy with Malfoy, and you two were so cute together. Of course, anyone would be cute with you." She fluttered her eyelashes flatteringly. "What do you think? I'm sure she'd be happier with you, don't you think so, Pavarti?" she turned to her partner-in-gossip, who managed to pull the snigger of her lips in time to look thoughtful.

"Yeah, that would be great!" she agreed. Dean nodded at them, deep in thought. Of course Ginny would be happier with him. She couldn't be happy with Malfoy. And now that she was probably shagging Malfoy, she wouldn't have any objections to doing the same for him. After all, wasn't that what broke them up in the first place? Or was it that stupid little Rambinski bint? Either way, of course Ginny would be dying to have him back. She was going out with Malfoy, after all.

"Yeah." He said to himself, and Pavarti and Lavender disengaged. Their work was done. "Well, we just wanted to make sure you're alright. Talk to you later!" Pavarti said and Lavender waved off. They walked down a different hall, sharing a wicked grin.

Harry strolled lazily into the library, searching for something to do. He found a couple of books on Quidditch and made his way over to the back tables. He went to the one in the corner and stopped, grinning.

Draco was deeply immersed in his book and didn't notice him. Ginny was fast asleep against Draco's chest, her arms wrapped securely around his waist and a soft smile on her lips.

Harry walked closer and sank down at the table across from them. Draco looked up from his book, and instead of the customary sneer, he merely regarded Harry with a glance and greeted him with a "Hullo, Harry."

Harry nodded at him. "So, how are things going with you two?" he asked softly, nodding at the sleeping Ginny. Draco's gaze hardened as he turned it on Harry. "Why? Sniffing around Ginny again?" Harry grinned as Draco's arm came up protectively to Ginny's back.

"No, I just like to know that my friends are happy, that's all." He shrugged, sitting back in his seat. "Besides, I'm kind of going out with this Ravenclaw girl." He smiled satisfactorily at the thought of his girlfriend.

Draco relaxed, though he still kept an arm around the sleeping Ginny. "Oh. Sorry." He said automatically, going back to his book. His head snapped up at the same time Harry had to stop himself from falling out of his seat. Had Draco really just apologized to Harry?

Harry stared, wide-eyed for a moment before breaking into laughter. Ginny stirred and he clapped a hand over his mouth. After calming himself down, he grinned sheepishly at Draco. "Sorry. Seems that our Gin's been having quite an affect on you. I must admit I'd never thought I'd live to see the day when you apologize." He shook his head and Draco had to grin. "That makes two of us." He quipped.

Harry grinned again. How odd it was that he didn't have to try that hard to be friendly towards Draco? Of course, if it had been difficult, he would have tried anyway just to make Ginny happy, but it really wasn't that much of a challenge once he started talking to him. Even Hermione approved.

"Oh well, the main reason I came down here was because I was bored, but I was hoping to find you. Or at least Ginny. Dean was finally kicked out of the hospital wing today." He rolled his eyes behind his glasses. "Well, I just wanted to say…even though I agree with Ginny that you shouldn't have done it…none of us (he referred to the Golden Trio and the rest of Ginny's Gryffindor friends) think you were wrong. Dean's an arse. I used to think he was just an O.K. guy, but…" he shrugged again. "I just wanted to say thanks." He stood, as if to leave, but Draco stopped him.

"Thanks for what?" he asked. Harry turned to him and shrugged. "For taking care of Ginny. Don't take this the wrong way, but I really do care for her. She's my best mate's little sister. I've practically grown up with her. I'm like part of their family. When I found out about Dean…" his face went dark "…when I found out about Dean, I was shocked and upset. But I didn't do anything about it. Neither did Ron, which was fairly shocking. We should have. That's the problem, we should have."

He sat down again, and looked a few years older, his face etched with grief. "Ginny's Ron's only sister. She's the youngest and weakest. We've always fussed over her and made sure she was alright. And she always ignored us and told us to back off her. So we did." He put his head in his hands. "This time we shouldn't have. So thanks, for doing something about it. If Dean ever does anything to her again, he'll have the entire Weasley family down on him." He growled angrily.

Draco nodded understandingly and glanced down at the girl in his arms. Harry watched as his features changed and softened almost unconsciously. "You really love her, don't you?" He asked. Draco nodded without looking up and Harry had the opportunity to watch a smile grace his features. "Yeah. I do." He said simply.

He turned to Harry suddenly and gave him a strong, sturdy, unwavering look. Should he tell him? Suddenly he nodded, almost to himself. "I asked her to marry me." He said after a moment.

This time Harry didn't have the sense of mind to stop himself from falling back in his chair. Draco stared at the empty space where Harry had just been for a moment before his dark, shaggy head popped back up to stare at Draco most openly. "YOU WHAT?" he finally regained use of his vocal chords.

Madame Pince shot him her best vulture glare and he disappeared sheepishly under the table before resurfacing warily. He stared at Draco, his eyes wide and his jaw hanging open about a foot. "You what!" he hissed. Draco smiled down at the pair of green eyes hidden behind glasses that were peeking over the table. "I asked her to marry me." He repeated. "Not now of course, but after she's finished with school. If she still feels the same way." He shrugged.

"And what did she say?" Harry gaped.

"I said yes." Draco and Harry both jumped and stared down at the red-haired girl who was gazing steadily at Harry with wide brown eyes. Draco bit his lip and had he been brought up to understand humility, he would have blushed. "Hi Gin." He said, almost shakily. Ginny lifted her head and placed her lips firmly on Draco's. Breaking away she grinned. "I'm not mad." She assured him. "Actually, I'm quite glad you told him. It means a lot to me. Now I get to tell mum, dad, and all my brothers." She said wearily.

Harry reached out and touched her shoulder gently. Draco stiffened, but said nothing for her sake. "Hey, Ginny. It'll be fine in the end. Ron understands, Hermione understands, I understand. I'm sure the twins will be glad you're dating someone about as evil as they are. Bill and Charlie will come around eventually. Percy…well, who cares about Percy…uh, just kidding" he added as Ginny shot him a withering glance "and your mum and dad will just have to get used to it. Besides, you know your mum. She's hopelessly romantic. Once she sees how in love you two are, she'll give in, and with the rest of your family alright, your dad's bound to come around eventually." Harry finished.

Ginny had to laugh. "Thanks Harry. And you know what? If they don't get over it, to hell with them. It's my life." She said stubbornly, burrowing her head farther into Draco's chest. Harry took this as a sign to leave.

"Well, I've said what I came to say. I think I'll be off now. Maybe I can find my delicious girlfriend and-"

"-do something I really don't want to hear about." Ginny finished for him, her eyes closing once more in sleep. Harry grinned and with a wave to Draco, walked from the library. Draco was about to go back to his book when Ginny's voice, half-slurred with sleep broke into his thoughts. "Be honest. You didn't mind talking to him." She yawned happily. Draco rolled his eyes. "I did not, I just did it to make you happy." Ginny scoffed sleepily. "You didn't even know I was awake." She protested. Draco grinned. "Fine, I didn't mind it so much. Satisfied?" he asked sarcastically.

But Ginny didn't answer. She was asleep again. And as Draco went back to his book, he realized that she wouldn't have to hear his answer. She already knew.

"Ginny?" Draco prodded the sleeping red-head gently. "Ginny, wake up." He whispered softly. Ginny made no move to open her eyes. "Go away." She mumbled sleepily, swatting away his hand. "Ginny, wake up. We have to go eat with Blaise and Heather." Ginny yawned. "I'm tired. They can bloody well wait." She yawned again.

"Thanks, Gin."

"Yeah, you're loads of fun."

"Nice to know where our loyalty stands."

"Or where it sleeps."

Ginny groaned. "Draco, you might have mentioned they were already here." She fought back a playful grin. "What, and miss that? Not bloody likely." He laughed. Ginny finally opened her eyes and regarded Draco with a sneaking glance. He glanced down at her eyes, which were glowing amber, almost golden, and again marveled at the range of colors her eyes expressed.

He knew this color, however, so it was not new. This was that I'm-feeling-playful-so-be-careful-about-what-you-eat-or-drink-or-do look. And indeed, her eyes were glinting playfully. "Don't even." He said, his eyes closed, as she reached up to poke him. The childish grin slipped off her face. "Spoilsport." She stuck out her tongue.

"Infant." He didn't even have to open his eyes to know she was sticking her tongue out at him.

"Oh, not this again." the couple glanced up at Heather. The young witch rolled her eyes. "If they're going to start this, it could be weeks before we get to go eat."

Blaise grinned. "Let it never be said that an extensive vocabulary can't bring about starvation."

Ginny laughed and stood, stretching. "That was a nice nap." She turned to Draco, who was standing up beside her. "You make a great pillow." Draco grinned and leered suggestively at her.

"I didn't mean like that, you perverted wanker!" Ginny said, smacking the back of his head.

"Abusive sadistic."

"NOT NOW!" Blaise and Heather said in unison, clapping their hands over the couple's mouths.

"Right. Since you two are taking so bloody long, we'll give you a little push in the right direction." Heather said, her hand clapped firmly over Ginny's mouth, restricting the girl's laughter. Draco merely rolled his eyes over Blaise's hand.

Steering Draco and Ginny out of the library, Blaise and Heather lead them through the castle, earning them many odd stares. Not like they cared. Finally, they emerged from behind yet another tapestry to a deserted hallway. There was one door at the very end with light spilling out from under it, and it was that room which Blaise and Heather shoved Ginny and Draco in before walking in themselves.

Ginny stumbled into Draco and the pair fell to the floor. Ginny was laughing uncontrollably and Draco merely leaned back and watched his lovely red-head with fascination. Blaise rolled his eyes and Heather cleared her throat. "Food's waiting, if you're interested." She said, walking over to a table in the corner. Blaise followed suit and eventually they were joined by Draco and Ginny.

"What's for dinner tonight?" Ginny asked eagerly, sitting down in the most unladylike fashion, one leg drawn up in her seat with her arm slung casually over it. Draco cast her a glance and she reluctantly pulled her leg down and slumped in her chair. Another look and she was sitting up straight. So much for him being wrapped around her finger...

"Italian." Blaise said, dispelling the cover on the food with a flick of his wand. Spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccini alfredo, ravioli, garlic bread and a salad beckoned to the four hungry teens. Ginny sniffed in the aroma and sighed appreciatively. "Aahh, I love it when the house elves cook Italian." Blaise laughed, spooning spaghetti and meatballs onto his plate. "You love it when the house elves cook Spanish." He corrected. "And when they cook Chinese." Heather added, breaking a piece of garlic bread in half. "And when they cook Indian…" Draco added, throwing a dry noodle at her, which she ate, holding up her hands. "Alright, I get your point. Weasley trait number five: we love all food. Lots of it."

They laughed and continued to eat in an atmosphere of general good cheer. There were no insults, no bad-feelings, and almost no sarcasm. Almost. The sarcasm that was present was good-natured and mostly all in fun. It was almost and hour later when, all food eaten, that the four teens sat back in their chairs, satiated and happy.

The conversation was still going strong. Ginny and Heather were holding a discussion on music, to which Blaise and Draco were listening intently. Ginny was currently nodding to what Heather said, agreeing, but still having a point to put across.

"Yeah, the wizading bands of this time are alright, but they stole a lot of their material from muggle bands." Heather nodded. "I know. But half of the wizarding population has a preconceived idea of muggles. They'd never listen to a muggle band."

Ginny nodded and yawned. "Point taken." She yawned again. "I think the only thing more exhausted than this topic is me." She said sleepily. Blaise was also trying to hold back a yawn. "I think it's time we called it a night." He said, standing from where he'd been lying on a couch. Heather also stood, wrapping her arm around Blaise's waist and waving good-bye to the remaining couple, left the room to say good-bye properly.

Draco tuned to Ginny, who was already beginning to fall asleep. "Hey." He said, nudging her gently. Her eyes opened softly. "Why are you so tired?" Ginny yawned apologetically. "S-sorry, Draco. I didn't really get any sleep last night. I was up thinking." She smiled contentedly and rose from her seat, taking only enough steps to lead her to him before collapsing next to him on the loveseat, wrapping her arms around his middle and resting her cheek on his chest.

"About what?" Draco asked. Ginny closed her eyes again. "You. Me. Us." She mumbled, sleep overtaking her. Draco smiled as she fell asleep. He sat there for quite a while, his fingers absentmindedly running through her hair, thinking about everything that had happened in the past few months. Odd, how in just a few months with a few chance happenings, his life had fallen into place. He sat thinking about how things might have been different if his father had never been caught. If Voldemort hadn't been killed. If Blaise had never managed to convince him to take the dance class. If Ginny had never kissed him and stood up to him. If he had never seen her as he now saw her.

Blessing his good luck, he finally stood. Stretching he turned to Ginny to wake her up. When he saw her, though, he found he couldn't wake her. She was asleep on her side, her legs curled up and one arm under her head. Her lips were parted slightly, smiling even in sleep. Her short hair had grown out a bit, so that it now fell in her eyes. All in all, when Draco looked down at her, he saw the epitome of perfection, whereas anyone else would have seen a sleeping girl.

He glanced once more at her before gathering her in his arms. She was lighter than anything, and had he not cared about her comfort, he could have easily slung her over his shoulder. As it was, he cradled her in his arms and carried her out of the room. Her arms came up in sleep and wrapped around his neck.

And so he carried her all the way back to Gryffindor tower. At the portrait of the Fat Lady, she merely glanced at them, smiled warmly, and opened. Draco walked in, stunned and gently deposited Ginny on the sofa in the common room, tucking her hair behind her ears and kissing her once on the forehead.

"Goodnight, Ginny." He said softly and left the common room. Once out, he turned once to the Fat Lady and bowed deeply. Then he was gone, to sleep in his own room, though his thoughts would be in the Gryffindor common room, with the red-haired girl he had just left.