Chapter Seven In Which Romance Finally Gets Its Chance

Ginny, having no idea where she was going, ended up in the Astronomy Tower. She was astonished to see a table decorated with flowers and candlesand a pot of hot cocoa and two mugs sitting on it.

A slight sound behind her and two hands on her shoulders whirled her around to face Draco Malfoy with a smug smirk on his face. "Romantic enough for you, Little Weasel?"

This wasn't what she expected. She thought he was teasing. "Why are you doing this to me?" Ginny asked in a small voice. "I don't want to be made fun of, Draco."

The sad look in her eyes made Draco"s heart jump. "I'm not making fun, Ginny," he said tenderly. "You wanted some romance and I wanted to give you some so you wouldn't be so unhappy. You're beautiful and worth every silly, sugar-sweet, romantic thing I could possibly give you. You're funny and warm and make my day every time I talk to you. And after hearing you talk about how much you hated Valentine's Day," he paused, not wanting to sound as desperate as he felt, "I just wanted to let you know that from now on, it'll be the best day of the year, if you'll let me make it so." Draco's last words came out in rush, because he'd never actually said them to a girl before, and he was nervous.

Ginny was silent for a moment, watching him. She was trying hard to wrap this around her brain and have it make sense.

"Ferret, I thought you detested romance," she finally said, looking down at her feet. He tipped her chin up with one finger until she met his eyes. "I only detest romance when it's with anyone but you." In for a penny, in for a pound. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Ginny leaned into him then, deciding she didn't care about anything anymore except his warm mouth on hers. She opened to him, reaching her hands up to his hair and caressing his head. They kissed and kissed until neither one had any oxygen left, and Draco pulled slowly away from her. He still looked slightly guilty.

"Is there anything else you'd like to tell me, Draco?" she smiled playfully up at him.

"Well, there's the whole 'Will you be my girlfriend' thing, but I thought I'd wait until after the hot cocoa," was his smooth reply. Ginny's eyes widened at this.

"What? Don't you want hot cocoa?" he teased.

"Girlfriend," she stated.

"Of course. After that little skirmish in the Great Hall with your brother, I couldn't do anything less. Or maybe I should rephrase that. Miss Ginevra Weasley, will you let me be your boyfriend? Will you let me spoil you and pet you and romance you forever?" Draco dramatically sank down on one knee, looking up at Ginny and putting a not-so-convincing pleading look on his face.

"Draco, stop it. You're too funny for words!" Ginny giggled, kneeling down with him.

"I mean it, Ginny. The only thing that will ever make any sense is you and me together, no matter what the outcome of this war. Romance is for the birds, unless we're with someone we can laugh with and talk to. You and I have that, and I'm sorry it took me so long to figure that out." He gently hugged her.

Ginny snuggled into his warmth. "You're right. Besides, who could turn down a pot of hot cocoa and flowers?"

"I was hoping you'd say that. Meanwhile, Valentine, since we were deprived earlier, may I have the honor of this dance?" Draco stood them up and waved his hand. Soft music began to drift out of nowhere to surround them.

"I would be pleased, Valentine," said Ginny with another giggle, and they swayed peacefully under the stars.