Ginny's first class the next morning was Transfiguration. Wearily, she kept her eyes deliberately wide as McGonagall stressed the importance of preparing early for the OWLs. In the hour of her afternoon break, she ran upstairs for a quick nap instead of eating lunch. It didn't matter much to her if her actions made any sense at all. Nothing in her life was sensible anyway. One day, she was kissing her brother's best friend. The next, she was kissing her ex-boyfriend, who also happened to be her family's worst enemy.

When it came time to wake up, Ginny seriously considered skipping class. The forty five minutes of rest that she had managed had only made her more tired as everything ran through her head, leaving her more exhausted than she had started. Eventually, she got out of bed and went to class. It was the first class of the year. Cutting would be completely unacceptable. Worse, it was double Potions with the Slytherins.

Earlier than the rest, Ginny picked a table in the middle row in the back. She pretended that Snape was not staring at her contemptuously as she unpacked her books and materials. I have more right to be here than you will ever realize, she thought nastily, thinking about the special relationship he had with Draco.

The bell rang soon after, and students filed in. With interest, Ginny watched the Gryffindors sit only in the right row, and the Slytherins exclusively in the left row. A few stragglers grumbled as they were forced into the middle, in front of Ginny. Don't they see how little this all matters?

Immediately, Snape sent them to work, concocting a absorbent paste, used in advanced branches of healing. "This is my way of anticipating your OWL successes, or lack thereof." He smirked nastily at Ginny, an expression she readily returned. "Get to work."

Silently, Ginny worked, reading all of the instructions carefully and preparing all of her ingredients. Despite her enmity for Shape, she loved the work. There was no denying that she possessed a natural talent for Potions. As she did in al of her classes, Ginny worked alone, in silence.

As she was up in the front carefully scooping up salamander scales, she heard someone approaching from behind. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled.

"Someone looks tired. Up late with extracurriculars already?" Jade Parkinson was behind her, leering snobbily.

"Jade, honey, you have no idea," Ginny said calmly, continuing to scoop up the best scales. She had seen the way the blond, curvy girl looked at Draco, even with his pretend affair with her sister. A strong sense of power came to Ginny, knowing that she had won him over her.

"Careful, Miss Weasley. You wouldn't want those extracurricular activities to get in the way of your studies, now would you?" Snape muttered spitefully. He brushed behind Ginny suddenly, causing her to spill her entire collection of scales. "Oops."

Behind her, Jade laughed loudly, causing the others to turn to see what had happened. Furious, Ginny carelessly chose her scales and added them to her potion. By the time the class was ending, her mixture was a dark, forest green, a far cry from the lime it was supposed to be. Snape came by with his clipboard and sneered.

"I will give this a P, poor. Next time, make sure you take proper care in the selection of every item, Miss Weasley."

Ginny's mood grew worse as she cleared her cauldron. Now, she was being unfairly cheated by her teachers, just because he did not like her. Briefly, she considered complaining to McGonagall, but thought better of it. There are more important things for her to worry about these days.

She found herself wandering familiar territory in the halls, checking carefully that she was not being followed. Something hidden and internal was drawing her towards her destination. Her stomach felt sick when she understood where she was headed. She didn't want to do it anymore, and yet, she kept on walking.

Arriving at the empty classroom, Ginny closed the door but did not lock it. Slowly, she moved across the room, her hand running over the furniture dusty with misuse. Whenever they were there, they stayed low, just in case anyone was to look through the small window on the door. There were the desks they had talked under, the bookshelves they had kissed under and

The table we fucked on.

Smirking, Ginny wandered to the table and looked at it with newfound curiosity. She could remember every detail of that evening like it had happened the day before. She had just had a meeting with the DA, leaving early after watching Harry and Cho flirt sickeningly. She and Draco had met there, had taken a few shots of Firewhisky, and let their passions take a hold of them on top of that table.

"I guess I'm a woman now," she said afterward, laughing slightly as she buttoned up her blouse.

He shook his head, an odd smile on his face. "This doesn't make you a woman, Gin. You've been a woman for a long time, and you know it."

Ginny sat on the floor and eventually reclined, resting her head on her bag. A lot had happened in that room. It was what they called their 'wintertime spot', used when the Owlrey was too cold or too crowded. They had met there, no longer enemies, for the first time, when she demanded for him to tell her what side he was really on. That same night, he had kissed her, half out of lust and half to spite her. In March, she had told him that she loved him under a desk in the front row, never feeling surer of her words in her entire life. He had reciprocated it immediately, as if he had been waiting for her to say it all along. And then, in June, she had broken his heart there, telling him it was over when they both knew it would never be.

Just being there, recumbent on the floor, comforted her. I feel like I'm home. Deep down, as relaxed as she was, she still ached for something more. She knew exactly what that was, and she was not happy.

Like clockwork, the door creaked open. Lazily, Ginny raised her head and watched Draco enter, locking the door behind him. "How did you know?" she asked, emotionless.

Draco strode over, staring at her, his tie undone. He lay down next to her and said, "How would I not know?"

Ginny felt her heart swell once he was next to her, making her whole again. Angry at the way she felt, she swore under her breath and inched away from him slightly. So much for independence. She wished he wouldn't make her feel so good.

Next to her, Draco lit a cigarette. He took a drag and passed it to her, silently going through the old ritual. Ginny gratefully inhaled the smoke, taking in more than she should have. Immediately, she felt lightheaded. She coughed slightly as she exhaled.

Draco laughed scornfully. "You had quit, right?"

"In June."

His hand moved towards her thigh. "Funny how old habits pick up again."

She picked up his hand and pushed it away. "Stupid, poisonous habits," she spat.

"You bitch."

Unable to resist, Ginny rolled onto her side and then moved so she was lying on top of Draco. Knowing how it would make him feel, she pressed her legs onto his, their hips aligned. She propped her upper body up on her elbows and stared at him, smiling innocently.

"You dirty bitch."

She whispered, "You know I only want you more when you say things like that."

"If I didn't, why would I say them?" Draco smirked, taking another drag before putting out the cigarette. His hands slid gently onto Ginny's hips.

She leaned down, kissing his neck, touching him lightly in maddening torture. Hearing his breath grow fast and heavy and feeling his body respond, Ginny kissed him harder. His hands gripped her hips strongly. "Let it show," he muttered huskily.

Ginny nibbled at him and bit harder a few times, leaving a large red mark that she was proud of. Afterward, she let him do the same, marking up the white skin of her neck. Then, she wouldn't let him touch her any more, despite his desperate tries. She wanted him to suffer for awhile.

Tenderly, she reached up and touched her hicky, delighting in the pain that she felt. "God, we're both so sick," she muttered.

"How do you think we found each other?"

"You're right.

Ginny thought back to Tim. Her family was so clueless. For four years, she had been a complete mess because of it, and they did not even notice. Every day, she was forced to act like she was fine, when she felt dead inside. Tom had taken everything from her. She could not even look at anymore without suspicion, even though she understood how irrational it was. She walked around dazed, in pain, pretending it was all okay. She was not the sweet and innocent girl she had always been. She was drawn to the dark part of life. She was drawn to pain. She had been waiting for someone to come along and save her. What she got was completely unexpected.

Draco entered her life.

He saw her and knew how fucked up she was. After all, he was the same way. If she thought she had suffered one year with Tom, she knew nothing. Draco grew up with Lucius. Since he was a child and on, he had been abused in every way a child could be. To be a respectable society member, to live up to his Malfoy name, he had to act like it was all fine. Inside, he was just as dead as she was, looking for someone to call a home.

Ginny was what he found.

When they were together, they could finally be themselves. They were drawn apart by their hate for one another, but came back for the way it felt. As much as she hated it, he told him everything, and he did the same. All of the aggressions they had for one another came out in their physical relationship. Then, as soon as they were not sneaking around and they returned to the real world, it was back to just Malfoy and Weasley, family enemies. It was the opposite of a relationship. Anyone would be repulsed if he knew.

But to Ginny, it was home.

Having given up on being allowed to touch Ginny any more, Draco stroked her hair gently. She snuggled against his shoulder, not really knowing what else to do with herself. "Ginny," he whispered in a caring voice that she did not want.

"Stop, right now." She removed herself from his shoulder and closed her eyes. She did not want to feel anything for him.

"You're beautiful."

Her heart flooded with feelings. She felt like she was floating on a euphoric cloud. "Stop it!"

"I love you."

Groaning loudly, Ginny opened her eyes, and then squeezed them shut again to block out what she was about to say. "I love you, Draco." To make up for it, she punched his leg hard, feeling a little better after it.

"You're still calling this over?"

"Yes."

"Then, will you be my girlfriend, Ginny Weasley?"

In spite of her self, Ginny smiled. She opened her eyes and saw the sunlight on the ceiling. All morning and into the afternoon, it had been raining.

"Only if you'll be my boyfriend, Draco Malfoy." The name put next to those words still felt strange and forbidden to her.

"Well, then, I guess we're back on again."

"I suppose." Ginny reached down and took his hand, squeezing it hard. Draco tried to bring it to his lips for a kiss, but not without her resisting. Finally, she allowed her to kiss her hand, making her feel more of the terrible love than ever. "Now get out of here," she demanded.

He stood obediently, and she found herself doing the same thing. As always, he held the door open for her, staggering his departure for a minute just to be safe. Ginny hurried toward the Great Hall for dinner, not turning her back once. Her head was spinning with

Happiness?

Trying to rid herself of the elations he felt, Ginny ate quickly and ate too much than her body was used to. Vaguely, she knew Harry was talking to her, but she only nodded automatically. There was too much going on in her life to be bothered with it. After her fifth helping of mashed potatoes, her stomach churned violently. Standing roughly and stopping Harry's talking abruptly, she said suddenly, "I think I'm going to be sick." She ran out of the Great Hall and to the nearest bathroom, not caring that everyone was staring at her.

As expected, Ginny got sick in a toilet. Afterward, she felt better. She washed up in a sink and slowly made her way to the Gryffindor tower. Serves me right for eating an entire meal, she thought, guiltily feeling her stomach.

In front of the library, she saw Draco, standing and talking to Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy was next to him, clutching his hand possessively. Ginny's stomach clenched, but she knew she would not get sick again. Determinedly, she did not look at the group and instead stared straight ahead, at an uninteresting painting of a cactus and a witch on the wall. Draco's voice carried through her ears and made her hurt even more.

"Yes, we expect that father will be out of prison in the next couple of weeks. The Ministry has been going through an overhaul like you would not believe. A lot of the good people have been purged temporarily, the ones who can help us out if you know what I mean. All it will take is a little bit of finagling, but I do believe that Narcissa can handle it."

In front of them, Ginny dropped a book. Petrified, she bent down, her head dangerously close to Draco's legs. Under private circumstances, she could not help herself. Oh, please, God, don't make it obvious.

On the way back up, her cheek brushed his outstretched hand. Knowing it was no accident, Ginny flushed red and quickly moved on.

What are you doing to me?

In the common room, Hermione was reading by the fire. She looked up when Ginny entered, much to Ginny's dismay. She was hoping to retreat up to her room without being noticed.

"There you are. Come here."

Unwillingly, Ginny walked over and sank into the chair next to Hermione. She felt very uncomfortable.

"I have not seen you all day. You know... I went to go see you last night. You weren't in your room."

Humiliated, Ginny stammered, "Oh... I was... uhh..."

Hermione held up a hand and continued, "I happened to mention it to Ron this morning, while Harry was upstairs getting dressed."

"WHAT!"

Hermione smiled. "Don't be mad. He wasn't. In fact, he happens to think that it's great. I think that it's great!"

Ginny just gaped, wondering if she could possibly be hearing what was coming out of Hermione's mouth.

"It turns out that Harry told Ron what happened the other night."

Relieved, Ginny sank lower into her chair. She closed her eyes and put a hand over her face. So naïve... bless them all, they are so naïve...

"Of course, we won't tell Harry. He will be so embarrassed. I must tell you, though, how relieved Ron is that you're not running around with, well, Michael Corner or Dean Thomas anymore. This is exactly what he wanted for you."

Ginny faked a smile. "I know. I'm happy, too."

A few minutes later, she excused herself, claiming that she was still feeling under the weather. Ginny sank into her bed, the weight of the day sinking into her. Hermione had discovered her secret, but the wrong one. She and Draco were together again. Together. The word seemed to strange to her after a summer of loneliness. Ginny felt so safe, with all of the things in her life coming back together again.

That day's copy of the Daily Prophet lay on the floor. Ginny picked it up, having nothing better to do. On the cover, there was a story about an attack on a wizarding family by the Death Eaters. Suddenly, she did not feel so safe. So many had gone to jail, but just as many had joined their ranks. With the way things were going, Dumbledore's Army would not be getting together anytime soon. It was too risky for all of them. There was not telling who was on the good side and who was not. The only people at Hogwarts Ginny could truly trust to be on her side were Hermione, Ron, and Harry.

And then there was Draco. She trusted him to no end, and it scared her senseless. He was a Malfoy, after all. Despite that, she was buying it when he told her he was not one of them. With a pained feeling, she remembered what had happened the last time she had believed someone who had claimed to be something she wanted him to be. But then again, she had been with Draco for almost a year now. He had never shown any indication of not being on her side. The moment he did, she would really break things apart, and they would really be over that time. Every day when they were together, she felt like she was walking on eggshells. Then, there was the guilt to deal with from feeling that way. If she did love him, which she did, she was supposed to trust him.

Ginny shook her head in disbelief. Together with a Malfoy at a time like this.

Ginny was suddenly unsure that things would last.