They broke apart a few moments later, breathless. He pulled her to him, and she leaned her head against his shoulder, copper and gold strands mixing together. He didn't dare ask if she loved him. It was enough of a miracle that she wanted to be with him at all. He wanted so badly to say it again, over and over again, to make her believe it, but he didn't want her to run out of the room again.
Ginny relaxed at last. As long as the door into the room stayed shut, she and Draco had a sanctuary to be together, and she didn't have to worry about Ron or Harry. She could just think about Draco, the slender fingers running up and down her arms, giving her chills. No, there was no doubt about it. This was very different from Dean. And Harry. She didn't want to think about that too much. She didn't want to hurt Harry, but she couldn't help falling in love with someone else. Realizing the thought that had just crossed her consciousness, she tried it out again. Yes, she realized, she was very much in love with Draco Malfoy. A slow smile crossed her face.
"You look happy," he said softly, smiling back at her. She nodded and sat up to kiss him again, before leaning back into his arms. He took a lock of hair and twirled it around his fingers, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of Draco playing with her hair. She reached up and ran her fingers through his own near-white locks.
"I hope you don't mind that I changed your hair back," she said. "You looked a little Snape-ish with black hair." He winced at the name, and she quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"I know, Ginny." Suddenly, he winced again.
"Draco, what is it?" He shook his head, but the look of pain lingered on his face. Understanding flashed across her own face, and she pushed up his sleeve, to reveal the burning Dark Mark. "Oh no." He quickly pushed the sleeve back down, but instead of the revulsion he expected to see on her features, he saw only compassion.
"He's gaining power, Ginny. I hope Harry can stop him. But he's seems invincible. I don't know if it's possible." Ginny hesitated. She wanted to tell him the plan, hoping that perhaps he could help figure out what the sixth horcrux was. But, logic argued, how did she know if she could trust him, when the mark still burned on his arm? She had found him, wandering in the street, and she had brought him into the house. But love said that she could trust him. And besides, her heart argued slyly, if he was a traitor, they were already doomed because he knew where they were hiding. Logic and love warred within her, and she couldn't decide.
"He does have a plan. There's a way for Harry to do it. But, I can't tell you yet. I have to talk to Harry." Draco nodded, feeling only the slightest bitterness. "Oh Draco, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just…it has to do with Dumbledore, and I want Harry's permission to tell you." He nodded again. She had said that she wanted to be with him, not Harry, but maybe only because Potter had grown so distant. Perhaps she still loved him. After all, how long did it take for a six-year infatuation to die away? Surely not overnight. And he'd heard Ron shout downstairs, that Harry was in love with Ginny.
"Gin, you'd better go," Draco said softly, not looking at her. "They'll be looking for you, and Weas—Ron won't like it if you're up here with me too long." Her eyes flashed.
"And what makes you think I care a bit what Ron thinks? He called me a…well, never mind, but I came to you anyways. I love you, Draco!" It slipped out, but it was worth it to see the look on his face as he crushed her against him, kissing her deeply, hands tangled in her hair. Her declaration seemed to have given him renewed strength, from the way that he held her.
After a few more moments of frenzied kissing, he released her. "Now go," he said. "I know you don't care what Ron thinks, but I don't want him to kill me either. Don't forget, I don't have a wand, or your abilities without one." She slipped out the door, looking back at him with one more smile. When he turned away, he saw a new set of robes on the floor, with silver embroidery.
