Disclaimer: Everything you recognize as JK Rowling's work is JK Rowling's work, and everything you recognize as Gaston Leroux's work is Gaston Leroux's work. In fact, the only thing here that I own is the plot.

Chapter 3

In Muggle Studies on Monday, Ginny sat in her usual seat next to Draco. She could feel him staring at her, as if she was the most interesting thing in the class. She was uncertain of why he was doing it, but it sickened her.

"Good Afternoon, class. Today I've brought in some music from the muggle musical, the Phantom of the Opera," Professor Flagg said, "This musical was inspired by the novel which we are reading in class." She brought out a boom box and pressed 'play'. Loud, but beautiful music emanated from the speakers. No words were heard at first, just a beautifully orchestrated classical song.

Ginny was enchanted by this muggle music. Stealing a quick look at Draco, she noticed he didn't seem to enjoy it. He looked at her and smirked. But… he was tapping his foot along with the music! Perhaps he did like it. The song ended and a new one began, this time with words and a voice that blew Ginny away.

Night-time sharpens,
heightens each sensation ...
Darkness stirs and
wakes imagination ...
Silently the senses
abandon their defenses ...

Ginny glanced at Draco again, but he had stopped tapping his foot. He checked the clock, looking impatient, and raised his hand.

"Yes, Draco?" Professor Flagg turned the music down a little.

"The quidditch players have to leave early to get ready for the game today," he reminded her. She glared at the clock.

"Right. You may go, then," she said. Ginny stood up with Draco. She had almost forgotten that she'd be playing against his team today. As they left the room, he turned to her.

"Good luck, Weasley. Try not to fall on your ass this time," he said. He extended a hand, which Ginny hesitantly shook.

"Thanks, Malfoy. Good luck to you, too." They both went their separate ways; Ginny to the Gryffindor girls' locker room, and Draco to the Slytherin boys' locker room.

Ginny stretched and yawned as she entered the locker room. It had been a long day for her, and this game wouldn't make it any shorter. The room was occupied by the two other girls on the team, who were occupied with chatting their heads off. They were ditzy in Ginny's mind, but she knew that they were also great at quidditch and get lots of attention for it.

"We're gonna win today, right Ginny?" Katie Bell asked. Ginny sighed. Before a game was the only time any of those girls acknowledged her. She nodded her head and proceeded getting changed. The girls resumed their chat and Ginny tried to hear what they were so wrapped up in.

"No way!"

"I heard they got caught shagging in the library!"

"They weren't shagging, they were snogging…"

"Maybe they didn't even kiss!"

"But they did!"

"I heard he didn't kiss her! She kissed him!"

"That's not what I heard!"

"Do you know what happened?"

It took Ginny a moment to realize they were talking to her. She shook her head.

"You don't? Did you hear anything?"

"No."

"Well, I'll tell you what happened."

"No, let me tell!"

"No way! I'll tell!"

"You're going to tell it wrong!"

"No I'm not!"

"Yeas you will! Now, I'll tell her what happened. Anyway, Ginny, what happened is- well, we think it happened- but Harry Potter has a new girlfriend. Some second year caught them kissing in the library. Personally, I think she kissed him, but he didn't kiss her back," Katie explained this and yet Ginny still wasn't sure what was going on.

"Who are we talking about?"

"Loony Lovegood and Harry Potter."

"Luna?"

"Do you know if they're involved?"

"I don't think Harry likes Luna as more than a friend, really. I know that she used to have a crush on him. Maybe she still does," Ginny remembered when she used to like Harry Potter. But those days were over.

"Well she certainly likes him enough to kiss him," said Alicia, the other chaser.

Ginny turned around and headed for the door, all the while mumbling to herself, "Harry and Luna. Harry and Luna. Harry and Luna…"

"What about Luna and me?" Outside of the locker room, Harry overheard Ginny muttering.

"Harry! Oh… I'm sorry, I… Some of the girls heard a rumor about you and Luna kissing. Is it true?"

"Yes." Ginny wasn't sure how to react to his answer. She was shocked that Harry would kiss a girl so easily, but happy for Luna, too.

"Yes? Do you like her then?"

"No."

"Then why did you kiss her?"

"I didn't. She kissed me," he said plainly.

"Well, how do you feel about it?"

"I don't know. But…" he sighed, "Luna kissed me because she really, really likes me. And… the feeling isn't mutual."

"Did you tell her?"

"No."

"The game's about to start! Come on!" Katie called over to Ginny and Harry.

"Where's your broom?" Ginny hadn't realized that she didn't have her broom. She must've left it in her room from last night.

"I think it's in my room. Accio broom," she said, and after it didn't come she repeated herself, "Accio broom!"

"Where is it?" Harry asked. Just then the broomstick flew over Harry's head and into Ginny's hands.

"Here it is. Let's go," she grinned and pulled Harry onto the quidditch pitch. It was a clear day; not a cloud in the sky. Ginny quickly tied her hair back into a bun and mounted her broomstick. Suddenly the bleachers started filling up with students, and Madam Hooch gave the signal for the game to begin.

Ginny took off into the air along with the rest of the team. Ron flew up to the goal posts, Harry flew off to find the snitch, and Ginny followed Katie and Alicia. The quaffle was released, and it looked as if Katie was going to get a hold of it first. She always did. Ginny sped past Katie and grabbed the quaffle, spinning around and heading fast toward the Slytherin goal post. Nobody was able to keep up with her; not even the bludgers. Ginny shot the quaffle into the middle post, and the keeper had just missed it. Not even a minute had gone by and she had already scored a goal for her team. The crowd of Gryffindors roared with excitement and Ginny couldn't help but smile.

Slytherin had the quaffle now. Ginny caught up with the Slytherin Chaser and tried to knock it out of his hands, but failed. A bludger was sent her way and she dodged it immediately. She kept up with the Slytherin until they had reached the Gryffindor goal posts. Ginny's eyes met with her brother's. Ron winked at her, and she backed up, giving the chaser room to throw the quaffle. Katie caught up and looked at her.

"I have faith in Ron this time," Ginny explained, and sure enough, Ron caught the quaffle and threw it back in. Ginny got it this time and sped to the other side of the pitch without any obstacles. She aimed for the left goal post, but missed terribly. Turning around, she brushed pashed Draco on his broomstick, who smirked at her.

"Don't you dare make fun of me, Malfoy!"

"I'm not. I just want you to know that tonight we're working on throwing the quaffle, okay?"

"Oh. Well, okay. But don't laugh because I have horrible aim! I'd rather be a seeker than a chaser, but Harry took that position."

"That's because Potter's a dork-wad," said Draco, and Ginny couldn't help but let out a laugh. It was the first time she thought one of Draco's insults was funny.

"No he's not. He's a sweetie, really," said Ginny.

"Oh yeah, such a sweetie," Draco said mockingly. Ginny frowned.

"Hey, look! Is that the snitch?" Draco turned his head and Ginny flew off, rejoining the game. Katie had just scored a goal, and Slytherin had the quaffle. One of the Gryffindor beaters sent a bludger towards the Slytherin, who dropped the quaffle. Ginny grabbed it and flew towards the goal.

Ginny gripped onto the quaffle confidently and grinned. She could score more than one goal, couldn't she? She threw the quaffle, and this time it went straight for the middle hoop with perfect aim. The Slytherin Keeper blocked the shot, however. Draco flew over to her and scoffed.

"You suck, Weasley," he said.

"I know."

"Did you just agree with me?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Well, at least you're miserable."

"I'm not miserable. I'm just unsatisfied," she explained. Draco flew next to her and slinked an arm around her waist.

"You were brilliant, though. You have nothing to be unsatisfied about."

"I try," she said, trying to sound casual but slightly cringing. Draco pulled his arm away.

"Do you? I taught you to fly, and today, you flew as swift as the wind itself," he said proudly.

"And I thank you for that," she said. Just then Ginny noticed a flicker of light by her left eye. Something golden, something she and Draco had both been trained to seek out, was hovering right by her face.

"Are you going to sit there, or are you going to catch the snitch?" Ginny asked, grinning widely. Draco smiled in amusement and reached out his hand towards her face. His warm, soft fingertips gently brushed against her fair skin. Ginny looked straight ahead and noticed Harry flying towards them. He must have seen the snitch, too. But it was too late, for Draco's fingers closed around the snitch, and he waved it up in the air like a trophy as the crowd of Slytherins cheered. Slytherin won the game, but Ginny played well. She was satisfied, and headed back to the locker room with a smile on her face.

"Ginny," Ron stopped his sister in the hall.

"Yes?"

"What was going on towards the end of the game? When Malfoy caught the snitch, he was talking to you."

"Oh. We were just talking about, well, about the game. He was actually insulting my lack of aim, when the snitch flew right by my face," Ginny said. Ron snarled.

"That Malfoy is always insulting us about quidditch. Apparently he missed the entire beginning of the game when you got the quaffle in."

"Yeah, sure," said Ginny.

"I mean, you were brilliant today, Gin! Nobody was able to keep up with you!"

"I know."

"Your brother's right," Katie Bell entered the scene, "I couldn't even keep up. What's your secret?"

"Well, I'm sort of taking lessons from someone," said Ginny.

"Who?" Katie and Ron said in unison.

"I can't say who, but I will say that he is a master at quidditch," said Ginny.

"Well, it doesn't matter who it is, as long as you're happy, right?" asked Ron.

"I don't know if I'm happy about it… but no, I suppose it shouldn't really matter."

"Do you think maybe one day you could let us know who this mysterious teacher is?" asked Katie. Ginny hesitated.

"I really don't think so," she said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm exhausted and I need to change out of these quidditch robes." She entered the girl's locker rooms, took off her shirt and threw it on a nearby bench. Ginny looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was long; it fell past her chest and almost reached her waist. She needed to get it cut. Her figure was almost perfect, but in her eyes it was not. She had curves in all the wrong places. She started to build some stomach muscles from flying so often. Her breasts were too small for her taste; although she was a size B, she felt flat chested next to the other girls. Sighing, Ginny grabbed her regular clothes and threw them on, when she heard a knock at the door. Katie and Alicia had already left, so who could be here?

"Who is it?"

"It's me." Ginny immediately recognized the voice.

"What are you doing at the girl's locker room, Malfoy?"

"Are you dressed?"

"Yes."

"Then let me in," he answered. Ginny didn't bother asking questions as she opened the door for Draco.

"I wanted to talk to you," he explained.

"About what? And why are we in the locker room?"

"We don't want anyone to see us, do we?"

"No."

"So… why'd you let us win? You could've hidden the snitch from me," asked Draco.

"You deserved it. You've been teaching me to fly," said Ginny. Draco grinned cheekily, then frowned at Ginny's lack of enthusiasm.

"What's wrong? You look tired."

"I am tired. I played for you, today," she replied.

"Thank you." Something triggered in Ginny's memory: another passage from that muggle book, a conversation between Christine and the Phantom.

'Are you very tired?'

'Oh, tonight, I gave you my soul and I am dead!'

'Your soul is a beautiful thing, child… and I thank you. No emperor ever received so fair a gift. The angels wept tonight.'

"I still think there's something wrong that you're not telling me," said Draco.

"What? There's nothing wrong. I'm going to go do my homework, or something," Ginny turned to leave.

"Wait, I thought you were tired," he said.

"Well, suddenly I'm feeling very restless. I need some fresh air."

"Come for a ride with me, then."

"Where?"

"Around," he grabbed her arm and led her outside.

"Where are we going, Malfoy?"

"Get your broom," he ordered. When they both had their brooms, Draco took off and Ginny followed him closely. The wind kept blowing her hair in her face, the sun was in her eyes, and the only thing she could see was Draco, so she kept on following wherever he was leading her.

Draco slowed down to let Ginny catch up with him. He stared straight ahead and smiled.

"What is it?"

"Hogwarts Hill," he stated.

"What's so special about Hogwarts Hill?"

"You can see the entire school grounds from up there. Plus, on top is that old myrtle tree, you know, the one they call Lover's Tree. The branches arch over, covering whoever stands underneath it from prying eyes. It's a perfect place to make out." Ginny's eyes widened. Was Draco bringing her here to 'make out'? Her face turned a deep red until Draco started cracking up with laughter.

"Weasley, you're killing me! You think that's why I brought you here? Ha!" Ginny's face grew even redder.

"Don't be silly, Malfoy! I didn't actually think you were serious."

"You are a horrible liar, Ginevra. Anyway, do you at least want to see what it's like up there?"

"Excuse me?"

"Not under the tree, I mean on top of the hill," said Draco.

"Oh. Alright Malfoy, I'll race you to the top." Ginny took off before Draco could realize what she had just said.

"Hey!" He took out his wand and charmed her broom to stop moving.

"Hey! No cheating! Fix my broom right now!" Ginny yelled. Smirking, Draco caught up to where she was hovering in midair.

"Relax, Weasel, it'll only last a few more seconds," he leaned his arm on her shoulder.

"Fine. You still cheated."

"No I didn't. As soon as you can move your broomstick, we'll continue the race, okay?" Ginny glared at him and smiled.

"Fine with me," she took off, once again leaving Draco in the dust.

"Hey!" This time he chased after her. Catching up, he tackled Ginny and they both fell onto the side of the hill, tumbling down to the bottom. Draco laughed and Ginny shrieked as he landed on top of her.

"Not used to having a guy on top of you?" he leered.

"So what if I'm not?" she blushed.

"Wanna see what it's like?" Ginny stared blankly at him, trying to figure out if he was serious or not.

"Well? You seem a bit indecisive," he said. Ginny glared angrily at him.

"Get the hell offa me!" she pushed him away and stood up. Her robes were covered with dirt and she brushed herself off.

"That was kind of a delayed reaction there, Weasley. I'm getting the feeling you liked having me on top of you," Draco joked.

"Shut up, Malfoy!" She grabbed her broomstick, which had fallen down the hill with her, and mounted it.

"Don't leave! We didn't get to the top of the hill yet!"

"And what if I don't want to go to the top of the hill with you?" Draco grabbed her arm tightly.

"Come on, Ginny," Draco said in a rather seductive tone, "you know you want to go under Lover's Tree with me."

"I don't! Now stop goofing off and let go of my arm!"

"At least just sit up there for two minutes and talk to me!"

"No!" Ginny yanked her arm free of his grasp.

"Well at least tell me why not?"

"Because you're a selfish brat who's used to getting his way and needs to learn a lesson! You're really pissing me off, Draco!"

"What did you call me?" Draco grinned. He had caught Ginevra calling him by his first name. Ginny hesitated.

"I called you Draco, because you're not the bad person I thought you were. You're friendly to me, and I appreciate that. But right now you need to take 'no' for an answer, okay?" He nodded.

"Fine. Maybe some other day, then?"

"I can't promise you," she said. Draco sighed.

"Ginny… are we friends, then?" he asked.

"Only under certain circumstances."

"What?"

"Just kidding. I will consider you… an ally. Someone I can talk to when nobody else will listen. And you have to be there when I need you, okay?"

"Okay."

"Good. Let's go back to the castle now. It's getting late." Ginny took off, Draco not too far behind her.

This has been my longest chapter and it took me forever to write, but I finally finished. You'd better enjoy it! Hehe… Please tell me what you think and also let me know what you would like to see in the coming chapters. I'm open to suggestions, although I cannot promise you anything. Did you like the lyrics from Phantom of the Opera? Should I put in some other songs from the musical? Tell me!

To my faithful reviewers:

Missmee- those are some good songs. I'll have to put the lyrics to one of those in a future chapter. Thanks again.

Beckysue2- I'm not going to explain the nightmares for a while, so you'll just have to figure it out for yourself first. Anyway, it's weird that I don't know the age of most of my reviewers. I didn't think adults would read my story, since I'm only 15. But incase you're the only one, thank you. Happy anniversary, by the way.

Bookluva629- hmm… thank you. Like I've said, I'm probably going to put more songs in, so let me know which ones you like. Have you seen the Phantom before?

Aelys- Thanks. And my parents didn't get too mad about my grades, so I'll be able to write this whenever I feel like it. But thank you for the offer.

BronzeToast- how's this for a long chapter? Honestly, I have to say you were my motivation for this chapter. But let me know what you think of the story, too.

The Fayt in Purple- Your username reminds me of something. Does it have any significance? Let me know when your fic comes up so I can read and review it.

Slytheringurl08- thanks, and let me know when your fic comes up. I'll be happy to review it.

Eve Granger- thanks. And as usual, I'll keep writing if you keep reviewing.