Alright, here's another one... hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, nor am I making any money. Oh, and the awesome band lyrics are just awesome band lyrics and do not support the story in any way.

oh yea p.s.: I probably mentioned this before, but I do not know anything about Latin. I just kind of peice things together, and it most likely means nothing. But I like to hope that they do. I mean no offense.

on with it!

Here I am beside myself again
I'm torn apart by words that you have said
and all in all, I know we're falling apart
Where did you run to so far away?
Finch

15

Draco woke up feeling clean and warm, and to his confusion, a foot pressed up against his calf. Glancing over, he spotted a mass of hair peaking out from the comforter next to him. Closing his eyes, he tried to remember what happened last night; he didn't remember taking a girl to bed. He glanced over at her again, noting her hair color; another red-head, he frowned, thinking of Ginny. It seemed of late that all his interests had fiery red hair, though none were as beautiful as the only red-head he actually wanted. Trying to remember where he was that he met this girl and hopefully her name, he moved to get out of bed. Pain shot through his whole body, and Draco groaned aloud. Smiling to himself, thinking that this little redhead must have given him quite the workout to make him feel so exhausted, he pulled his left arm from the covers to run his hand through his hair.

The snake tattoo hissed back him, and Draco sat up quickly. Last night's events rushed back to him: his father dishonoring him in the dueling arena, Voldemort's pleasure at Draco's improvement, Anguisator…

He quickly moved to his mirror, looking in horror at the number of bandages that expertly wrapped him. He was only wearing a pair of bloody stiff boxers, and it was easy to tally each bandage. Seven, he counted, and he could remember receiving each mind blowing slice. Not to mention the bruising that covered his body and face in blue and purple marks.

He looked back at the girl who he could barely see over his comforter. She must have taken care of him, he thought, but she saw his new Dark Mark. Searching calmly, he quickly found his wand among the sliced clothes he was wearing the night before and walked to the side of the bed where she was sleeping. He would have to make her forget, she could not know of his allegiance to Voldemort. Quickly, he pulled back the covers, his wand at the ready.

Ginny Weasley lay in her school skirt and shirt sleeping peacefully. Draco could not think for a moment. Ginny had taken care of him. Ginny, the girl who wouldn't talk to him, who was mad at him, who didn't want to be near him; she had taken care of him. His heartbeat quickened as he took in her sleeping form. She looked so peaceful, so breathtakingly beautiful. She was sleeping on her side, her red hair was curled against his pillow; her hands were tucked up next to her face and her long eyelashes were fanned against her creamy cheeks. Her school shirt was riding up around her midsection so that her flat waist was exposed. Her skirt was disheveled as well, and Draco could not believe he was looking at the most gorgeous legs he had ever seen.

Ginny chose that moment to wake up. She rolled over and looked up at him with sleepy eyes. He quickly shoved his wand behind his back, trying to think of a new plan. He didn't want to modify her memory, but she couldn't suspect him of being a Death Eater either.

"How are you feeling?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "You shouldn't be out of bed yet," sitting up, she straightened her clothes and shivered. "It's freezing in here and you're only wearing boxers. Get back in the bed and I'll start the fire."

Draco did not move as he watched her start a fire in the fireplace in his room. She acted so casually, like nothing was wrong. He followed her out into the common room where she started a fire there, as well. As soon as the fire was blazing, she stood up and walked directly towards him, placed a hand on his chest and forced him backwards into the bedroom and onto the bed.

He lay down with some confusion, and watched as she silently checked for more bleeding. She didn't remove the bandages, just looked them over for crimson stains.

"So," Ginny said quietly, looking directly into his eyes. She was standing beside the bed; her hands were idly playing with his bandages now, and he relished her touch. He slowly grabbed her hand in his, calmly caressing her fingers. It took him a moment to actually figure out what he was doing.

"You missed me, Weasel," he told her softly, though Ginny did not miss his confident smirk. She rolled her eyes at him. Even when he was in pain, he was still egotistical.

"Missing you implies that I cared, Malfoy. And the only thing I missed was busting your ego," Ginny said lowly, but she didn't remove her hand from him.

"I did get a little carried away in your absence," he teased. She smirked at him.

"You sound like you knew I'd start talking to you again," Ginny told him. "I didn't say that I forgave you yet, anyways."

"It was only a matter of time before you came back to me. And, if you didn't realize it, you forgave me the moment you walked out of the dungeon that day," he smiled boldly at her. Ginny frowned, but she knew he was right.

"How do you know I wouldn't wait until you came back to me?" Ginny asked him.

"Because that would mean I was wrong, and Malfoy's don't admit their faults. Besides, Weasley's are known for their begging," the corner of Draco's mouth inclined.

"Bastard," she hissed, tugging her hand out of his. "The only reason Malfoy's think they are without error is because no one cares enough to show you truth. And, surprise, you are wrong right now. And also, begging is for cowards, and if you didn't realize it, every Weasley has been in Gryffindor, which, if you didn't realize it, is known for bravery," she snarled at him. Draco just laughed.

"Did that feel good?"

"What?"

"Getting that out of your system. I gather you've been holding up some really good Malfoy bashing in the past month, I wanted to give you a chance to get it out before we get to the serious stuff."

She glared at him, but his grey eyes captured the heat.

"I missed you, Weasley, and even if you told me you didn't think about me once, I'd still tell you that I missed you," he confessed softly.

"That sounds like an 'I was wrong' line," she whispered.

"No, it's just the truth," he told her.

"If you missed me so much, why didn't you talk to me?"

"Because you told me not to talk to you," Draco reminded her with a scoff. "Don't go senile on me."

"I remember," she sneered back, "Because you were mean to me."

"I was not!" he shouted, frustrated.

"You were!" she shouted back.

"I was not!"

"You so were!"

"This is going nowhere, Weasley."

"I agree, but it still doesn't change the fact that you owe me an apology."

"Malfoy's don't apologize. To anyone."

"Are you saying you're infallible?"

"Maybe, but even if I wasn't, I'm never sorry for what I do."

"So you aren't sorry that you fucked me over with Snape?"

"No, I'm not sorry, but I am disappointed I can't write you notes in class anymore," he laughed.

"You're horrible," she couldn't help but smile at him. He smiled back at her.

"So, Weasley, does this mean you're coming back to me?"

"Only if you're full length mirror doesn't mind the competition for your attention," she said sweetly. Draco smile sank and he glared at her.

"It's good to have you around again, even though you infuriate me," he smiled tightly at her, then yanked her hand and sent her flying across his chest on to him. However, he was smiling until he felt the pain shoot through his body.

Ginny was already trying to get herself off of him without causing any more pain to him, and because she was so embarrassed with her reaction to him that she was blushing to the roots of her hair.

She gathered more pain medication for him to take and quickly shoved it at him as a diversion. He groaned and sat up, taking the cup she offered, also thankful for the distraction.

They were silent. Draco had no idea what to say. He didn't know what she was thinking or what to say to figure out what she was thinking. But he did know that he was relieved that she was here with him and that she was talking to him again.

Ginny had deliberately kept her eyes away from his tattoo the whole time they were talking, knowing that if he saw her glance at it he would remember it was there and their somewhat pleasant conversation would be replaced with talking about things she would rather not know. But curiosity was getting the best of her, and she hoped that Draco's seemingly good mood would hold out if she asked him a question about why he was hurt.

"This is just a guess, but you told me you still have training, and is… well, er, I was wondering if …" she trailed off, but her eyes had unwillingly slid to his tattoo. Draco immediately knew what she was thinking: she thought it was the new Dark Mark – and she was exactly right. His heart dropped at the thought of forcibly modifying her memory when he wanted her to remember every moment she spent with him.

"No, I am not a Death Eater, Weasley," Draco lied viciously, desperately hoping she would believe him. "My father let me get a tattoo when I turned sixteen," he fabricated.

"Oh, it just looked very new and all… it's nice, I like it," she said lamely, looking away. Ginny knew for a fact he didn't have a tattoo before, her proof when she had "accidentally" seen him in the shower after Quidditch practice last year.

Draco could tell she knew he was lying, and he cursed. Damn her for being so smart, now he really had to do something to convince her he wasn't in leagues with Voldemort. He didn't want to think about the alternative.

"So that's what you think, eh? Why is it you never mind your own business, Weasley?" he shouted at her, frustrated. He saw her wince slightly, but she slowly looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. "How did you get in here anyways?"

"You gave me the password. I didn't have much of a choice though; your stupid statue had you caught in the door. I suspect that's where these two bruises came from," she bit out and then poked him hard in the side where two purple lines were forming. It was his turn to wince. "I very well saved your life last night, Malfoy. You were bleeding everywhere," she gestured to the mound of blood soaked towels on the floor. "I'm surprised that you have enough strength left to stand. And even after I had to stitch you shut…"

"YOU STITCHED ME?" Draco bellowed, tearing at his bandages. He barely heard Ginny squeak to be careful as he ripped them off. He stood in front of the mirror and looked at his body. The seven ugly gashes stood out, lined in black thread and expertly sown shut. Realization struck him… muggle healing has consequences. "I will have scars from this!" Draco hollered at her, pointing at his chest, knowing the consequences of scars to Voldemort.

"I didn't think you were that self absorbed, Malfoy. Besides, the ladies like a little proof of danger, I'm sure I've just helped you in more ways than one," she smirked uncertainly at him, ignoring his obvious outrage. He only grew angrier at her words though, which made Ginny angrier also. "You wouldn't have scars if you had let me take you to Madame Pomfrey. Would you like to explain why you couldn't see the nurse? From the blood marks outside your statue it looked like you tried to get there, and then decided against it," she looked at him expectantly, and when he didn't answer she turned around to grab more bandages.

"I can't give you an answer and you know it," he yelled suddenly. Draco was fuming, she looked at him expectantly. "You don't know how much you could have cost me with your little stunt last night,"

"What, saving you life?" she countered.

"You didn't save my life! You very well might have ended it!" Draco shouted again. If Voldemort saw the muggle stitches, there is no telling what the Dark Lord's wrath would entail.

"Fine, whatever you say, Malfoy," she mocked him. "Who the hell knows why you are so pissed off all the time, I just tried to help," Ginny said evenly, but she was fuming. Insanely eager to get his blood-soaked clothes off her skin, she began unbuttoning her bloody school blouse in front of him, and let it drop to the floor. Then unbuttoned her equally bloody skirt and let it drop too. "I just saved your life. That is what the story is. I don't care what happened to you, nor did I ask. So you can stop acting like I infringed on your private little bubble," she shouted. She had stalked over to his drawers and had pulled one open. She pulled out one of his black shirts and a pair of his black and green Quidditch shorts. She turned back to face him, still in her underwear. Anger curled through her as she looked at his ungrateful face.

"I can probably guess what happened though, and your father should be cursed for putting you though those stupid training sessions. And as for that ugly tattoo, I hope you can get it removed, because it looks like Voldemort himself made it," she finished angrily.

Draco almost laughed, but his attention was elsewhere. He thought she had never looked more desirable. Although, her bra and knickers were slightly red with his blood too, she still looked like a goddess. He had never seen her so flipped, but she was glorious, and Draco was frozen in awe. He looked again at her underclothes where his blood had soaked through. His blood was on her skin, and Oh, how he wanted to be there, too.

Ginny was fuming, "Malfoy!" she yelled, "I've helped you so many fucking times, and you never once thank me when you ought too," she stepped into his Quidditch shorts one splendid leg at a time. Draco was transfixed. She pulled the shirt over her head. "I'll keep your clothes as payment, I'm sure you won't want them back after I've touched them," she sneered at him, "and next time I find you bleeding on the floor, I'll be sure to give you a good kick to the tadger. I'm sure you have so many friends who are willing to stay up all night stitching your ugly face and if I knew you were going to be such a prat I would have stitched a whole hell of a lot more shut!" And with that she picked up her bloody clothes and stalked out of the room.

Merlin, she looks good in my clothes, Draco thought as he watched her storm through the statue hole.

:¦:--:¦:--:¦:--:¦:-

Ginny stormed through the castle, her red hair was flying out behind her and her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

"Do not cry again because of him," she told herself, her bottom lip quivering unintentionally. Ginny could not believe that he yelled at her after she had spent all night helping him and healing him… and worrying about him. She was not ready to admit she liked him and his piercing grey eyes, and something like this definitely helped her convince herself he was nothing but a prat. So, Ginny tried to think of his yelling at her in a good light, at least now she had another personal reason to stay away from him.

And what had he meant that her stitches would get him in trouble? Was he delusional? If anything, he should be grateful the muggle practice was one of the first things she learned in her Healer internship last summer.

"What a giant git!" she exclaimed under her breath, as she repeated the password (Frosted Fungi) and climbed through the portrait hole. Suddenly thinking that Ron would question her if he saw, or found out about, her coming back to the dorms this early on a Saturday morning, she concealed herself with her power. Hoping that everyone would be at breakfast and there would be no one in the common room, she tiptoed through trying her best to be quiet. To her huge disappointment, Harry, Ron and Hermione all sat in front of the fire.

Harry's head whipped around so fast, Ginny swore. He looked directly at her and smiled. Even though practicing together had helped with her abilities, she still couldn't completely conceal herself from him. Ron looked over to see what Harry was staring at.

"Don't worry, mate, no one's there. I saw the same thing happen a few days ago. I reckon the Fat Lady's lost a few marbles," Ron said. Hermione laughed and they went back to working on their homework.

"I'll be back in a few, just something I've got to, er, check on," Harry murmured to them. Ginny, who was climbing the bottom of the stairs leading to the dorms, looked behind her to see Harry following her, his face etched with anger.

"Come with me," he whispered to her, and then grabbed her arm. He led her up to his dorm, then closed and locked the door behind them. Ginny was absolutely shocked, not understanding why he was so angry with her. Harry should have just questioned her later, after all she wasn't bloody anymore… but she was wearing Draco's clothes! Ginny's eyes widened in shock as she looked down at the SLYTHERIN crossing her breast in dark green. What a great shirt to choose, Ginny thought, mentally smacking herself in the head, very obvious.

Harry's blood boiled when he saw Ginny in Slytherin clothes. There was only one person who she could have gotten these clothes from, and Harry did not want to think about how she got them.

"You can take your shield-thingy down, we're alone now," Harry said quietly, and waited for the tingling feeling to subside that singled her release of her power. Ginny had turned bright red when he pulled her in here, so she obviously knew what he angry about.

"Explain!' Harry almost yelled it, but it came out in more of a strangled burst. Ginny blushed harder.

"Draco was bleeding last night, I found him on my rounds. So I dragged him into his room and attempted to heal him. I was with him all night, but nothing happened, I swear!" Ginny answered so quickly that Harry almost didn't follow.

"Why didn't you take him to Madame Pomfrey if he was bleeding?" Harry questioned her, looking down at the bloody school uniforms she was holding.

"He wouldn't let me, and wouldn't tell me why when I asked this morning," she looked down at her clothes also.

"Okay, fine, you helped him. WHY ARE YOU IN HIS CLOTHES?" Harry was quiet, but extremely forceful. Ginny looked almost sick.

"I couldn't wear these back!" she explained, holding up her bloody clothes for him to see.

"You're a witch, why didn't you just vanish the blood…" Harry stopped at the look on Ginny's face.

"Oh, gods… OH, MERLIN!" she panicked, "I changed clothes in front of him! Harry, Malfoy saw me in my scanties!" she collapsed on the nearest bed, putting her head in her hands. "I didn't even realize what I was doing; I was so bloody angry that he yelled at me. I just wanted to get out of those dirty clothes, get his blood off me! I… I stripped right in front of him!" Ginny started to cry.

"It's not that bad, Gin," Harry soothed, sitting next to her on the bed, suddenly feeling guilty for interrogating her so forcefully. She had obviously had a hard night. "I'm sure he didn't… notice," Harry finished lamely. There was no way a male wouldn't notice when Ginny stripped to her knickers.

"No way, I saw him looking at me and it didn't even register why! I'm so unobservant; he's going to think I'm a… scarlet woman!" Ginny went into another attack of sobbing, and Harry put his arm around her gingerly.

"He's not going to think that, Gin. And if he does, you have me and six other brothers to prove him wrong," Harry said, smiling down at the top of her red head.

"I… I guess," Ginny sniffed, looking up at Harry. She had tears rolling down her face. "And at least I got some Slytherin stuff we can burn after we beat them at Quidditch," she smiled weakly at him.

"That's the spirit!" Harry said quickly, hoping that her tears had ended. "Now, you were saying that he yelled at you? Why would he do that if you helped him?"

"I don't know, he's a wanker! He said that I ruined everything by stitching him, but honestly, if I hadn't done something he would have bled to death," she said, wiping the excess wetness off her cheeks. "I told him that, and he didn't believe me that I saved his life."

"Well, I agree he's a wanker. He shouldn't have yelled at you. But I thought you guys weren't talking anymore, do you want to tell me what happened?" Harry asked. Ginny told him the basic story, and Harry also seemed very interested as to why Draco was so sliced and bruised when he wasn't allowed to leave the castle.

"I think he's going somewhere out of the castle. He told me once that his father made him practice for something twice or three times a day during the summer. If it was that important, I don't think he's stopped," Ginny mused, thinking about the look on Draco's face when she mentioned his father.

"Do you think its Death Eater training?" Harry asked, though he didn't really have to hear the answer. He knew that Draco was already lined up to become an honored member right out of school.

"No, he said it wasn't. Though he had a strange tattoo, it wasn't the Dark Mark," Ginny said quickly at the look on Harry's face. She barely stifled a yawn. "Are Ron and Hermione getting along? They seemed friendly when I walked in," she asked.

"Yeah, after the Yule Ball, Ron apologized and they are friends again. I don't think an apology is what Hermione wanted, but she is enjoying his attentions again, though she's pretending to have to go study with Lukas. Ron's been trying his best to keep Herm here, it's quite interesting to watch actually. He's already faked being sick, faked being dumb, and faked having to copy more homework just to keep her in the common room. And that was just this morning," Harry and Ginny laughed.

"Well he's going to need some help, that Lukas is a looker," Ginny smiled wickedly. Harry gave her a dubious look.

"So is Emlyn, but she's still set against me," Harry said sadly.

"You really like her, eh?" Ginny smiled knowingly at him. "Care to elaborate?" she wiggled her eyebrows at him. Harry laughed, but, lying, assured her there was not much to elaborate on.

"Besides, you look absolutely exhausted, and there's nothing like Emlyn to exhaust you more. You've got nasty little purple circles under your eyes and everything," Harry laughed and poked her cheek.

"Oy! Watch your fingers!" Ginny giggled, playfully shoving his hand away. "You're right though, I think I only got about an hour of sleep. I'm off to bed then, make excuses to Ron and Herm for me?" she got up off the bed and stretched, they had been chatting for awhile.

"Of course," Harry said, getting up also and putting an arm around her to walk her out the door. "And make sure you get out of those horrid clothes, alright?"

But, as Ginny climbed into her bed she didn't feel much like taking off the Slytherin shirt and the Quidditch shorts. She snuggled deep into her blankets and pulled the shirt neckline towards her face and inhaled. The scent of Draco's clothes made her want to go back to his room and fall asleep next to him, just so she could smell him forever. So masculine, so clean, so … Draco, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

Another shorter one, I'm sorry. I needed to split these up so they worked better, but I know that's not what you guys wanted to hear. Anyways... what did you think? Leave me notes! PS again: good stuff up next-ish, as always: draco's in trouble, christmas break, and revenge planning.

I heart you guys: neveralone89 (alright so working backwards: i hope you liked this chapter too! Im glad you liked the inside joke thing, I wasnt to sure if that was cute or not! Draco's final wound in the battle was very serious, but Voldemort healed that wound before he sent him back to Hogwarts, and left the rest so Draco could learn from the pain. You caught me on more of my awesome editing skills, I changed Novas' name halfway through probably, and didnt catch it. Anyways, your thoughts on Voldemort really made me think, and I agree that Voldemort doesnt seem in control like he should. I figure there's always a reason why I write personalities like I do, and I think Voldemort came out that way because I picture him at his slow decent right now. He is training a replacement (Draco) and I can see him getting worked up over something like Draco dying. But I still think you're right, and I was missing something. Lucius' name means Devotion to Death (I think, not sure though)) ... dont think I forgot about you! (It seems like you didnt make it through the first chapter, which makes me even sadder than I was when I got your review. The Aspects are not going to defeat Voldemort, that's Harry's prophecy. And if you didnt notice, I did not call this Harry Potter and the something something because it's not my intention to write the sixth book. I try to keep everyone in character, but this is just for fun and doesnt mean anything. But, thank you for taking the time to review, I read it and your comments are appreciated, even though you will probably never read this) wordsmith88 (Thank you so much for your compliment! I love to hear that my writing keeps everyone IC, it's very important to me! I don't believe there is an Aspect myth, and if there is I've never heard of it. The Aspects were my own invention, who knows how i created something that complicated sometimes I dont even know whats up. The R/Hr stuff takes back burner to pretty much everything else, which is why they dont get face time with Harry, I feel bad though :( I like them) Shwenny (i love forbidden love! and I love Draco, I hope he was at least a bit huggle-full in this chap!) intricate simplicity (Im sorry you arent a huge D/G fan! but Im totally glad you liked the last last chapter! It took me forever to write!) kitkat (yea i dont like cliffies much myself, hope the update was soon enough!) SSGoddessRaine16 (hurray! I love the wicked!) shalita (sorry i was so quick! I hope you liked the last chapter! Hope you liked this one too!) falldowny (thanks so much! I try, and I hope you keep reading!) Blackrougefillie (I think this is as quick as you get! lol!)

And a hello and thanks to everyone else!

So, I'm exausted from work (bugger summers) so I'm going to bed. Sorry for my lame comments and stuff, I know I'm going to regret half of what I say tomorrow morning. Alrighties, you know how it goes: read, review, hearts and popsicles for everyone this week! -xxx