Chapter Six In Which Romance (Almost) Gets Socked In The Face
All eyes turned toward Draco and Ginny as they crossed the threshold of the Great Hall. The music was still playing, but no one was moving anymore, and by the shocked look on Ron Weasley's face, the couple knew they were in for a talking-to. He shot over to the doorway, arms and legs flying in dramatic gestures.
"Ginevra Molly Weasley, what do you think you're doing with this git! You said you weren't coming to this dance, yet here you are, and on the arm of the Ferret! And you!" He turned his attention to Draco. "You, get your hands off my sister! What makes you think you can just waltz in here with her like you own her or something? I'm warning you, don't try any of your Death-Eater tactics with her, or I swear I'll kill you with my bare hands!" Ron's face was as red as his hair at this point, and now the whole school was looking at the confrontation. Ginny stepped up, nose to nose with her angry brother.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley!" Ginny shouted, embarrassing him with his middle name the way he had embarrassed her. "Who do you think you are, yelling at me and my date before we can even dance one dance! I didn't scream when you asked Luna to be your girlfriend, and it's not any more fun to see your face plastered to hers as it is for you to see me on Draco's arm! And he's not a Death Eater! Mind your own business, idiot, and leave me alone! It's not enough you and Harry and Hermione and Luna all treat me like a baby, you always do it in front of the whole school! Push off, before I really lose my temper!" Ginny's nostrils flared and her breath came in short, angry bursts.
Draco, having seen the male Weasley in a snit, but never Ginny, stepped back. Draco, old boy, never make her mad. Ever.
Ginny and Ron stood there for a moment, glaring at one another, until Luna, wide-eyed, touched his elbow and made him look at her. Ron, knowing his sister's feisty nature, backed off with a scowl, turned, and walked back to his table, Luna beside him, speaking softly and soothingly.
Ginny, feeling all the anger and misery of Valentine's Day wrapped up in her shouting match with Ron, turned and fled the Great Hall and disappeared. Draco stalked over to Ron's table, bent down and spoke in a low voice so only they could hear.
"Look, Weasley, I'm not going to hurt your sister, and you know that." Ron looked at Draco for a moment, then nodded his head.
"It's just that she was complaining about not coming to the dance; you know she's always on about romance and girly stuff. I forgot you changed, I was just so surprised to see her here, looking so beautiful." Ron hung his head and mumbled out "I know you're a good guy, but you don't know what it's like to have a baby sister. I have to take care of her, no matter how grown up she thinks she is." Luna put her arms around Ron and laid her head on his shoulder.
"You're right, Weasley, I don't know what it's like to have a baby sister to protect, but I do know what it's like to be in love, and that's almost the same. I'll take care of Ginny for you, and give her the romance she wants, too. I promise." Draco held out his hand and looked Ron in the eye before Ron shook it and they made peace.
"This doesn't mean I won't still kill you if you hurt her," Ron said with a grin on his face.
"I wouldn't doubt it in the slightest," was Draco's reply, smirking mischievously.