A/N from ZiBl: W007! Here we are, at long last, at the tourney. Without further ado: enjoy!

A/N from samwise: Yaaay! I've been wanting to write this chapter from the moment we came up with this story, and I hope you love it as much as I do! But what are you doing reading this? The chapter awaits…

Dancing With the Dragon
By Samwise-Dragoneyes and ZiBl, two insane idiots
Chapter 9: Let the Games End Here

Ginny awoke to a thrown pillow hitting her in the face. "HEY, SLEEPYHEAD! It's tournament day! So get out there and you show that Malfoy boy what you're made of!" Kagome's enthusiastic yells woke up not only Ginny, but the rest of their dorm mates.

"Kagome, keep it down, we're trying to sleep," a disheveled Sarah mumbled from her bed opposite Ginny's. The other girl in their year, Abby, just rolled over and went back to sleep. Ginny tried to do the same, but Kagome cruelly dragged her out of her nice warm bed.

"Come on, Ginny. DDR day!" Ginny groaned and sat up. That's right… Today's the tournament. After today, I'll probably never see Draco again. And we'll certainly never be friends again. That thought was enough to make Ginny want to crawl back into bed and never leave, but Kagome was persistent in her efforts, and dragged her best friend onto her feet and into the common room.

"Kagome…" Ginny protested as she was pushed over to the DDR machine.

"Now, you run a few practice songs while I fetch your brekkers!" Ginny gave a resigned sigh as her overly-hyper roommate bounced out of the room. Slowly stepping onto the left pad, she pressed the 'start' button.

Blaise awoke to find Draco already up and sitting in bed with his head in his hands. "Mentally preparing for the tournament, huh? You ready?" Draco looked up, his eyes strangely empty and his face blank.

"I was born ready, Blaise."

"Well, a little extra practice never hurt. Do you want to play a few songs with me?" In response, Draco dropped his head back into his hands. "It will help the time pass, if nothing else. We should probably head to the inter-house challenge room around 12:30." Draco sighed, and got out of bed. Ginny will hate me after today. No matter what. No matter who wins. Why can't I just accept that and move on? Taking a deep breath, he strode determinedly out of the room, Blaise following close behind.

Neither Ginny nor Draco was sure where the time had gone, but before either knew it, it was 12:30 and the long anticipated DDR tournament was about to begin. Ginny entered the inter-house challenge room to find a good deal of Gryffindors and a few bored-looking Slytherins standing around the room. Her heart skipped a beat or two as she caught sight of Draco, leaning nonchalantly against the DDR machine. When he noticed her entrance, his quicksilver eyes flicked up to meet hers. Her chest constricted, and she almost forgot to breathe for a moment, but just as quickly, they flitted away again.

"And our second contestant has arrived! Ginny, Draco, will you please step up to your respective footpads?" Dane, as the one with the most DDR tournament experience, had been elected referee. Actually, he was the only one with any DDR tournament experience, and he had declared himself referee. Ginny's feet felt like lead as she moved through the crowd and onto the left-side dance pad. Draco didn't meet her eyes as he stepped up to his own pad.

"Thank you, contestants! Now: The rules!" Dane importantly cleared his throat. "You will both play three songs. The first will be chosen by Ginny, the second by Draco, and the third will be randomly selected by the DDR machine. Your chosen songs can be any you want, provided that they are on heavy or oni mode. Your number score for each song will be written down, and added up at the end. The winner, of course, will be the one with the highest score." Dane gave a faintly menacing smile as he continued. "One final rule: If you should fail a song, the punishment is automatic loss of the tournament. Now, shake hands, and let the games begin!"

Ginny turned to Draco. He smiled and held out a hand. "Good luck, Red." She took his hand and smiled back, her nervousness for that one moment forgotten.

"Thanks. Good luck to you too, Draco."

"Ginny, pick your song." Dane called out. She gave one last squeeze to Draco's hand, and then turned to the screen. Flipping rapidly through the songs, she made her choice and stopped, the curser hovering over a song entitled 'Butterfly'. Ginny quickly switched over to the harder Oni mode, with Draco following her lead. In a few seconds, a Japanese techno tune filled the room, and a women's voice began singing out the lyrics.

Ai-iyai-iyai
Ai-iyai-iyai
A-a-aiyai-iyai
Where's my samurai?

The steps began scrolling across the screen,

I've been searching for a man,
All across Japan,
Just to find,
To find my samurai.
Someone who is strong,
But still a little shy,
Yes I need,
I need my samurai.

Ginny's breath grew short, but through nervousness, not exhaustion. She half-hoped that Draco would catch the lyrics of the song and get the hint she was sending him, and half prayed that he would remain oblivious.

Ai-ai-ai, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue make the colors in the sky.
Ai-ai-ai, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue make the colors in the sky.

Did she choose this song on purpose…? Draco wondered. I know it's not her best song, so… No. Not for the lyrics. Damn imagination! She's not trying to tell me anything!

I've been searching in the woods,
And high upon the hills,
Just to find
To find my samurai.
Someone who won't regret
To keep me in his net
Yes I need,
I need my samurai.

Full combo so far… But Draco has one too! DAMN. Why did I have to risk everything on the unlikely chance that he listens to DDR song lyrics?

Ai-ai-ai, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue make the colors in the sky.
Ai-ai-ai, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue make the colors in the sky.

The song ended, and the scores flashed onto the screen – both 'A's, both full combos. But Ginny was just a few points ahead, havingstepped out more perfectsthan the spiky-haired Slytherin.

"Well done Ginny, winner of the first round!" Dane announced to the cheering Gryffindors. Most of the Slytherins in the room sneered and slunk out, not willing to see the hero of Slytherin house brought down by some muggle-lover. "Draco, please select your song." Ginny bit her lip as she watched Draco's face out of the corner of her eye. She was searching for some small recognition of her sign to him. But Draco's impassive face showed no signs of anything, and Ginny dropped her gaze to the dance pad beneath her black stocking feet.

I have to pick the perfect song to let her know… I hope she gets the hint! I wonder… No. She did not choose butterfly for the lyrics. I must not get my hopes up… His hand hesitated for a second, and then he picked his song. 'Speed Over Beethoven', the first song he'd ever played, so long ago.

Into the night
You make me cry
I need your love
To save my life

Ginny frowned faintly. Draco almost never picked songs this easy. She'd been sure he would pick the hardest song he could in the hope that she couldn't keep up. Maybe he didn't pick it for its difficulty…

I need you while
My piano gently weeps
Listen to Beethoven

Half of Draco's brain concentrated entirely on the difficult backwards gallop steps in the song. The other half was in a state of complete disarray. If Ginny sent that last song as a message, this is my answer… And if she didn't…

The melody
Will set you free
You need my love
Deep in your mind

CRAP! Ginny's mind screamed the word as her foot fell on the left arrow a fraction of a second too late. The Gryffindors in the audience began to mutter worriedly as her full combo broke. Ginny barely even heard. Every brain cell not focused on DDR was entirely too conscious of Draco's nearness. Not to mention his still perfect combo.

I need you while
My piano gently weeps
Music gonna save your life

As the last note ended, Ginny shot a glance at Draco. His eyes met hers, and they both quickly looked away. The round two scores came up on screen: An 'A' for Ginny, and an almost unheard of 'AA' for Draco.

"After round two, in the lead: Draco!" Dane announced loudly, despite the fact that everyone had already noticed. FOCUS, Ginny! Her mind screamed at her. Don't forget what happens if you lose. Friends or not, whether I like him or not, there is no way I'm losing! Her hands clenched into fists and a new determination filled her eyes. The change did not go unnoticed by Draco, and he permitted himself a small smile. That's my Red. Wait, what? Did I just-

"Are the contestants ready for the final, and random, round?" Dane's voice broke into Draco's thoughts. Voicelessly, Ginny and Draco nodded. Dane stepped up and hit the random button. Everyone waited with baited breath as the machine selected the deciding song: 'Can't Stop Fallin' in Love (Speed Mix)'. The word ready flashed onto the screen, and the familiar opening notes blasted into the room.

My life
Meant nothing to me
Than a guy like you
Came along

Draco and Ginny's feet flashed across the pad, seeming almost to blur with speed.

Everything
Is moving so fast
I gotta get my feet
On the ground

Ginny's mind was a haze of anxiety and fear of failing, but her body moved like a well-oiled machine, hitting each and every note with either a great, or, more often, a perfect. But Draco was doing just as well…

Unhappy days are over
'Cause I can
Always be with you

Draco's mind was a blank. He could think nothing beyond the next arrow. But deep in his mind, an annoying and independent little voice had something to say.

Lying in your arms
Day by day
Makes me feel
Ohhh… So brand new

Ihave to win, I have to win, I have to win…I The words repeated and echoed in Ginny's thoughts like a broken record.

Can't stop fallin' in love
Tell me you will be true (forever baby)
I just can't stop dreaming of you
Every day (every way)

You fool! Draco's inner voice had at last broken free of the restraints he'd placed on it. IF you win, she'll lose all her fricken' dignity! She'll never, ever forgive you for making her run through the school naked. The little voice had said what it wanted, and Draco's determination wavered.

Say you love me, baby
Say you will always be mine
You'll never break my heart

Damn it! Ginny's thoughts were becoming wild, and her breath was straining harshly at her lungs. There's no way I can win unless Draco makes a horrid mistake. He's way too good of a player for that… I'm never going to live this down.

I just can't stop fallin' in love
Baby, you became
Makin' love with you
Is all I wanna do (wanna do)

Well, what am I supposed to do? A frantic Draco thought. His inner voice responded immediately. Mess up. On purpose. Draco's eyes widened as the revelation hit him. If he tripped, his score would drop… he'd fail the song. And failure meant automatic loss…

Can't stop fallin' in love
Give me your heart and soul
Stay with me this time
And we'll make history (you and me)

The final stretch of steps came hard and fast. Ginny's full concentration focused on the screen as her feet pounded out the rhythm. But all her concentration broke as Draco fell. His foot slipped when he made a misstep on a side arrow, and he hit the pad. Hard. Before anyone had time to react, his dance bar dropped to empty. The song ended. Silence fell heavy on the inter-house challenge room.

Draco stared straight ahead. I did it... I lost. Ginny won. A faint smile flickered at the corners of his mouth. The scores flashed on to the screen: an 'A' and an 'F'. The Gryffindors erupted into enthusiastic cheers. Ginny stared at the screen in bewilderment. I… I won? But… How? What? She snapped out of her thoughts as Dane grabbed her hand and thrust it into the air.

"The winner: Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor House!" Her classmates applauded and immediately fell to making plans for a celebration party that night. Draco, slumped onto the pad, seemed entirely forgotten by everyone. Forgotten by everyone but Blaise, that is.

"Draco…" Blaise reached out a hand to touch his friend's shoulder as everyone else filed out of the room, chatting excitedly about the party. But another hand grabbed his and stopped it. Blaise turned and saw Kagome shaking her head at him.

"Come on, Blaise. Let's leave Gin and Draco alone." She turned and dragged the protesting Slytherin from the room. Ginny and Draco were indeed left alone. She turned her wide brown eyes towards him.

"Draco… I…" He turned and cut her off.

"Congrats, you won. Now… I believe that I have to run through the hallsadvertising my love for you, and then proceed to ask you out in front of everybody?" Ginny haltingly nodded. Draco smiled slightly. "Well, I'd better get started then." He stood, and stepped out into the hall. After clearing his throat, he proclaimed: "I'm in love with Ginny Weasley!" The few students loitering in the hall began to giggle as Draco continued down the passage. Ginny gaped after him, stunned and speechless. She'd expected to feel at least a glimmer of satisfaction, even if they had become friends, but instead the win just felt hollow.

At dinner that night, Ginny was surrounded by laughter and joy at the Gryffindor table. Everyone showered her with praise and congratulations on her victory. She wasn't really paying attention, though. There was something fishy about Draco's fall… It had been nagging at her mind all afternoon, but she just couldn't put her finger on it. Finally, during dessert, the thought arrived. Draco tripped on purpose! Ginny's eyes widened as it hit her. He had never so much as stumbled in all their practice together. And then to fall, during the most important round of his life…

"Of course…" Her eyes widened even further as full realization hit her. He'd wanted her to win! By placing his own honor on the line, he'd spared her an absolutely humiliating defeat… Her thoughts were interrupted by the clear sound of a knife tapping the side of a water goblet. Ginny glanced up to find Draco, standing up at his place in the Slytherin table.

"Everyone," his silky voice rang out in the suddenly silent Hall. "May I have your attention please…" The rest of what he was going to say was cut off as Ginny leaped from her seat, vaulted over the table, dashed over to him, and bodily dragged him into the Entry Hall. "Ginny, what…" She leaned in and kissed him, stopping his words for the second time in as many minutes. When she broke away, he stared at her, totally befuddled. She looked frightened for a moment, as if expecting him to recoil from her, but soon regained her fire.

"You fell on purpose, didn't you? So I wouldn't lose." She accused him. A faint blush rose onto his pale face.

"I didn't want you to have to face the…consequences of losing," he said quietly. She smiled up at him. "And why'd you stop me fulfilling my half of the bet?" It was Ginny's turn to blush.

"I remember nothing about you asking me out publicly!" She thrust her chin out and stared into his eyes defiantly, daring him to challenge her. A smile crept slowly across Draco's face.

"But there was definitely something in the bet about me asking you out…" He gently pulled her into his arms and hugged her. "Ginny, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?" She was struck speechless. This wasn't exactly what she'd expected. But she couldn't really say that she minded it…

"Draco. I would love to." Draco leaned in to kiss her again, but she stopped him. "I could have beat you, you know." Draco laughed.

"I'll take you down any day of the week, Red. Come on, you know I would have won anyway!" She opened her mouth to protest, but Draco stopped whatever she was going to say by gently letting his lips meet hers. "You know… I never got to finish my dessert…" Ginny couldn't help but laugh as she took his hand.

"Well, let's go finish, then. You interrupted mine with that untimely announcement." Hand-in-hand, the two ex-enemies walked back into the great hall, much to the complete shock of its inhabitants. Everyone except for Blaise and Kagome, whose eyes met across the room with a smile. Neither would ever admit it, but both had seen it coming all along.

A/N: HA HA! So maybe some of you guessed the outcome. But I bet no one saw Draco letting her win. Huh? Huh? Yeah, THAT'S right. Anyway, you may think that's the end… But it's not. So continue on to the last chapter: CHAPTER 10!