Over the next two weeks, Ginny was not alone with Draco once. There was never an opportunity, and they both knew it. The signal they used to show the other that they needed to talk remained unused. Ginny glared at Draco form across the Great Hal, and he glared back, thrilling her and angering her at the same time. She had never wanted to touch him more. When they were apart, it was easy enough to not want him, even when she wanted to. It was pure torture to rightfully be able to touch him, but not ever being alone enough to do so.

Ginny had been asked to join the Quiddich team again as a Chaser, under the guide of Katie Bell. Joyfully, she had accepted, anxious to burn off the excess energy waiting for Draco had brough on. On a Saturday afternoon, the first practice was held. It was a cloudy day, the air cool with the first hints of fall. Ginny flew around excitedly while they played a mock game melding perfectly with her team. Ron was greatly improved from the year before, but Ginny was skilled enough to get some goals past him. Above her, Harry soared around, searching for the snitch they had let go. Finally, he caught it, putting the mock game to an end. Ginny cheered loudly, shooting through the air to her other teammates. Her team had narrowly won. After celebrating, they all assembled on the field.

"That was excellent, everyone! I wouldn't be surprised if we won the Cup again this year!" Katie Bell said, her voice high with excitement.

Buzzing with happiness, Ginny entered the locker room with the rest. The practice had been just what she had needed. She slipped her sweaty robe off and headed towards the girls' shower, clutching a towel against her white tank top and cotton shorts. As she passed, she saw Harry watch her go by, not trying to hide the fact that he was looking at her body. Slyly, she looked right back at him. Kissing him wasn't that bad…..

She took a long shower, reveling in the hot, soothing water over her tired muscles. She changed into jeans and a long sleeve shirt afterward, holding her robe on the crook of her arm. When she reentered the stadium to leave, she saw Harry, presumably waiting for her.

"Hey," she said, striding towards him. They both continued walking to the stands, sitting in the front row.

"How's fifth year going?" Harry asked, smirking at what he knew the answer would be.

Ginny shook her head back and forth. "It's s much more than I thought it would be. This was the first time I've had a free moment since we started school."

"Just you wait. If you think OWL prep is bad, you're in for something with the NEWTs."

Smiling, Ginny looked over at Harry. His cheeks were flushed, making it all too obvious that he was trying hard. To ease the tension, Ginny grabbed his hand. For her, it meant nothing, but she knew it meant the world to him.

"What's bothering you?" she whispered.

Harry stared up at the sky and the stands at the other end, his eyes squinted to make out nothing in particular. "I don't know what's going to happen to all of us. Voldemort-" Ginny flinched automatically "- keeps on getting stronger. I can feel it. It's been getting worse since the Diggorys were finished off. Something has to be done."

Considering her words carefully, Ginny said, "Harry, is this a battle against you and….. him, or you and that veil?"

Harry let out a slow breath, squeezing Ginny's hand. "I don't know, Ginny. I really don't know anymore."

Ginny refrained from saying any more. Talking about Sirius was too uncomfortable for her. Everyone always talked about him as a tragic figure and a wonderful person. To her, he was just the guy who tried to get into her pants over Christmas break after drinking too much. She did not hold a grudge about it, and he had apologized profusely every time they were together afterward. Being in Azkaban for twelve years had left him lonely, and she understood that. She was sad that he died, but she could not relate to everything said to him in the slightest.

People began to enter the stadium, brooms over their shoulders. Ginny squinted, making out the figures, and then felt extremely foolish. She had forgotten that the Slytherin team had scheduled a practice right after theirs. Helplessly, she watched Draco, the new captain, move towards her and Harry, her hand still clutched in his. The entire team followed behind him like a herd of sheep.

"Well, Potter, it only took you six years to get a girlfriend. Well done." The Slytherin team snickered behind Draco, most of them puny second years. His cheeks burning, Harry held onto Ginny's hand. There would be no use in arguing it with Draco.

Draco's eyes seized Ginny, and she wanted to crawl under the chair. The last thing she wanted was to be so close to him. It was too irresistible. Reaching forward, he snatched her robe from where she had left it, hanging over the rail.

"Hey!" Harry shouted, moving to stand. Ginny flung out an arm to stop him. As her mother and father had warned her, getting in trouble was to be avoided at all costs. Lie low.

Laughing coldly, Draco poked his fingers through a large hole on the sleeve Ginny had never gotten around to mending. The teammates all joined in with their derisive chuckling, throwing glares at Ginny. Defiantly, she kept her head up, watching Draco mock her clothing.

"You can't even afford a proper robe, can you?" Draco said softly, making sure there was cruelty in his voice. Calculating, Ginny stared into his eyes, wondering what he was getting at. He would never embarrass her if there were no purpose behind it. Then, she realized what was going on. There was to be a Hogsmeade trip the following weekend. By pointing out the shabby state of her robes to everyone, he was asking her permission to buy her new robes.

Swallowing her pride, Ginny said indifferently, "You're absolutely right, Draco. I cannot afford any good robes, unlike you. You must always be right about everything, Draco."

Scoffing, Draco threw the robe back on the rain and walked away. The laughter from the others had stopped. It was no longer fun if Ginny was not getting hurt. As he left, Draco turned back once to look at Ginny. "Okay," she mouthed at him, embarrassed and flattered at the same time.

The next weekend, Ginny wanted to do anything but go to Hogsmeade. If she saw Draco anywhere near a robe shop, she would feel too embarrassed and guilty. Being apart from him had freed her from feeling anything at all, something she wanted to maintain. As luck would have it, the day turned out to be beautiful, the October sun shining brightly despite the air being 50 degrees. Ginny looked up at the blue sky of the Great Hall, disappointed that she would have to miss it.

"So, I think we should leave as soon as breakfast is over," Hermione was saying next to her.

"Oh, I'm not going today."

"What! But why? It is such a lovely day!" Hermione sounded appalled at Ginny's decision.

"I have a lot of work to do. I take my OWLs in June, you know," Ginny lied.

"Please come with us. It will be such a good time. If you are struggling later, I'll help you," Hermione offered.

Sighing, Ginny looked back up at the ceiling. There was not a cloud in the sky. A Hogsmeade trip seemed perfect, and she was turning it down.

"Okay," she said finally. I will just avoid Draco at all costs.

Half an hour later, she had set off with Hermione, Ron, and Harry. Purposely, Hermione lagged slightly behind as she talked to Ron, leaving Harry and Ginny on their own. Ginny felt like she had been trapped, but found Hermione's efforts endearing nonetheless. The cool air felt wonderful against her skin as they walked down the path towards town.

"What do you want to do today?" Harry asked politely. His ears were burning pink.

"Hmm, I don't know….. The Hog's Head?" Ginny suggested. It was located two blocks away from the robe shop, and indoors where she could not see him.

"Sounds good."

When they reached the old building, swarming with students, Hermione feigned a look of shock. "Oh, no, I've forgotten my money….. Ron, will you come with me back to the castle?"

"Er, not really," he responded, looking perplexed.

"Oh, come on!" she snapped, grabbing his arm. She looked at Harry and then at Ginny, winking mischievously.

Inside, Ginny was stewing. It was becoming all too clear that this had been Hermione's plan all along. She did not want to come in the first place, and she did not want to be with Harry. Now she was stuck. Leaving Harry all alone would be rude.

"Come on, let's have a butterbeer," she said quickly, leading the way into the bar.

She and Harry shared a table and had their drinks. Ginny was not in the mood for any conversation. For every question presented to her by Harry, Ginny responded with only a 'no' or a 'yes'. Her mind was on other things. When Ron and Hermione returned, Ginny was grateful. They looked surprised to see Harry and Ginny still there, but still joined them. From across the table, she shot Hermione angry glares.

After a few awkward minutes, Harry said, "Er, Ginny, do you want to go on a walk?"

"Sure," she responded coldly. They rose and exited the pub. Once outside, Harry took her hand. To her dismay, he was walking them towards the other end of the town, where the robe shop was located. Desperately, she tried to think of any way to go somewhere else, but could not think of anything else she could do. Harry led her to a bench right along the wall of the shop and sat down. Unwillingly, she sat down next to him. Her mind was racing as she stared apprehensively at the shop.

"Let's go to….. er….. the post office," she said, starting to get up. Confused, Harry stood up and began to follow her. Just then, Draco exited the robe shop, holding a large package. Guiltily, Ginny stood there, staring at Draco stupidly.

Draco looked at both of them, and then down at their hands, sneering. "When's the baby due, Potter?" he spat.

Harry looked critically at the package in Draco's hands. "Buying yourself more robes, Malfoy? I suppose that eventually you just start throwing money away, when you have too much."

"They're not for me," Draco said simply. His eyes rested on Ginny. She blushed and turned away, mortified over what he had done for her.

"Then who are they for?"

Draco walked away, brushing against Ginny intentionally. She closed her eyes, wishing that things could be easier.

"What is his deal?" Harry asked, guiding Ginny away.

"I don't know," she mumbled. Her head was beginning to throb. Silently, they walked along, eventually entering the post office. Ginny suddenly remembered that she had pretended to want to go there. Quickly, she scribbled a letter to Bill, not wanting Harry to think she was strange by having no real purpose in the post office. She found the nearest eagle owl and paid. "Let's go back to the castle," she insisted.

Once they began back on the path, Ginny began to feel guilty about the way she was treating Harry. It was unfair to make him suffer for her own problems. But then again, how could she possibly apologize for the way she was. I'm sorry I'm so difficult, Harry. I'm in love with Draco Malfoy. They arrived back at the Gryffindor tower and sat down in front of the fire, the awkward silence remaining. Eventually, Ginny turned to Harry, smiling slightly. "I am having a bad day, Harry. I'm sorry if I seem a little bit…… off."

He smiled back at her, seeming to forgive her. "It's okay. I understand that it's not about me."

"I think I'm going to go upstairs. I'm not feeling too wonderful."

"Yes, go. I'll see you at dinner," Harry said nicely.

Ginny walked up the stairs and flopped down onto her bed as soon as she got into her room. She was exhausted and could not wait to get to sleep. Her head was milling with a million thoughts, and now, she was obligated to meet with Draco. Boys! she thought bitterly.

At dinner, Ginny could see Draco attempting to make eye contact out of the corner of her eye. Hesitantly, she turned and looked at him. His gaze bore into hers, in his attempt to communicate from across the hall. Blankly, she stared back. Make him struggle. Even so, she knew what he was saying. She didn't even need to look at him to know. Meet me in our classroom.

Immediately, she stood and collected her things, ignoring Hermione's prying look. She left the hall and headed straight towards their classroom, not caring who saw her. This is his problem today.

She entered the room, dark with the incoming night. "Lumos," she whispered, illuminating her wand. Throwing her bag down carelessly, Ginny took a seat on the floor in the front of her room. She sat docile for five minutes, not knowing what to do with herself while she waited.

The door opened and closed quickly as Draco entered five minutes afterward. He lit his own wand, and sat down next to Ginny. She would not look at him in the eye. "That's a nice trick you're pulling with Potter," he whispered nastily.

"Nothing is going on."

"No, but I know that something has happened before. You're such a goddamned whore, Ginny. Can't you keep your clothes on for anyone?" As he moved in to kiss her, she turned her head to the right, leaving him with her hair to kiss. She felt too sad to be affectionate. He had known all along that she had been with Harry, except he didn't care. What is wrong with us?

"I know that you and Pansy have had a thing, and I believe that you're still snogging that ugly tramp," she said defiantly.

Draco put his face into her hair, sniffing it. "Oh, we're doing more than snogging," he whispered. His voice was making Ginny go crazy. She turned her head, letting their faces meet. A few passionate kisses were exchanged, pleasing her for the moment. "We might even be fucking."

She smiled, giving him a rough kiss. "No, you're not. She disgusts you and you know it."

Draco wove his hands into her hair. They continued to give each other small pecks on the lips, one after another. "You're right. I can't stand touching her, but I have to, you know? It's like you and Potter. Everyone expects us to be together."

Their lips meshed, and they started making out. Ginny hugged him close, wanting their bodies as close as possible. Then, abruptly, she stopped, moving her mouth away from his. "So, where are my robes?"

Draco moaned. "Not now, Ginny….."

She slid away and sat up. "Yes, now. Let's not get carried away."

Draco glared at her, sitting up and moving his hands toward his bag. "Do you understand how much I despise you sometimes?"

"Of course."

The package Ginny had seen Draco leaving the robe store with came out of his bag. Hatefully, he threw them at her. "They're the best ones they had."

Ginny carefully slid her fingers under the fastenings, opening the paper the clothing was wrapped in. Delicately, she unfolded one of the robes and saw another under it. It was nice, made of cotton so fine, it almost shined, even in the moonlight. The Gryffindor crest sat proudly on the black fabric. She had been expecting something simple, an update of the robes that had been new when she entered Hogwarts. Instead, she had something conspicuously glamorous, and obviously expensive. It spoke volumes to her regarding how he felt about her. "Oh," she whispered, feeling the material on her fingers. It was a nicer gift than she ever could have asked of him. For the first time in her life, Ginny would be elegant.

Embarrassed at his own generosity, Draco was blushing. "I thought that, you know, you should have something pretty. Even if it is just school robes."

Carefully, Ginny refolded the robe and closed the package. She stared at Draco in the darkness, not quite knowing what to say. He was too good to her all the time. She knew that he loved her too much. It was enough to make her laugh and cry. "Draco….."

"Don't say anything," he said quickly, turning away from her. "You'll ruin it."

Instead, she scooted up next to him and wrapped her arms around him, leaning her head against his shoulder. For a long time, they sat like that, immobile and quiet, illuminated by the moonlight and the glow of their wands. She knew it was going to be after hours soon, but Ginny did not ever want to leave. Once they left the room, it would be back to being hateful. After what Draco had given Ginny, she was unsure that she could ever pretend to hate him again.

"I love you," she whispered. "Do you know that?"

"Of course I do."

Ginny pushed her head against his shoulder, wanting him to feel her there. "No. Do you know how much I love you?" The words were coming out instinctively as her heart swelled, giving him an even bigger place within it. There had been times before when she had cared for him greatly, but never as much as this. She had not thought it possible to love him even more, and there she was, feeling it stronger than ever.

"Ginny," he whispered so low she had to strain to hear. "I never want to leave this room. Do you know how that feels?"

In that moment, Ginny knew that they were both feeling the same things. She was letting her guard down by allowing that to happen. Somehow, it was okay. For the first time in five years, she was going to let someone get close to her. "Yes. Draco. Yes."

Swearing, Draco hit the floor hard. Ginny closed her eyes as she felt the vibration under her leg. "I can't take this! It's so unfair, Ginny! Why can't we be together? Why can't we leave this room and just be happy, like everyone else gets to be?"

"Draco….."

"No, Ginny! Don't tell me this is the way it has to be! I won't buy that anymore!" He moved so they were sitting cross-legged and face to face. Roughly, he grabbed both of her hands into his own. "There has to be a way we can be together. I can't take it any longer if we're not."

Ginny said gently, "Draco, there's no way we can be in our world the way it is now."

His eyes locked with hers, and they stayed silent for another period of time. Then, he looked down at the floor, as if he had let her down somehow. "One day, one day..." he whispered over and over.