Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters below. The Harry Potter universe is the sole property of the brilliant J.K. Rowling.
Draco stood in the hallway, watching her. He loved to see her laugh -- the way her eyes lit up, the corners of her mouth lifted into the smile -- God, he was obsessed.
He was a Malfoy. What was he doing here? The Dark Lord was tracking him, for Merlin's sake. Why couldn't he just get his head out of the clouds and fear for his life?
Because, he told himself, when you're around her, everything dark and gloomy disappears. When you're with her, you can't think about anything sad. She lights up your world in a way no one else can.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts he didn't notice Potter come up behind him.
"Beautiful, isn't she?"
"What!" Draco yelped. "Potter, you really ought to warn me . . ."
"I'm sorry. You just looked so . . . content. Watching her."
Draco shot Harry a questioning look.
"Potter, I . . ."
"Don't apologize. I understand."
"Look, I don't mean come between you. I'll leave, if you want."
"With Voldemort and the Death Eater's breathing down your neck? Don't be absurd, Draco. I don't hold it against you. God, I don't know how anyone can look at Ginny and not love her."
Harry got a far-off look in his eyes.
"I sometimes wonder if I'm doing the right thing, you know? If I'm being fair to her. I'll likely be killed every time I walk out of the house, and yet . . . I can't give her up. You know?"
Draco nodded.
"Draco, if things were different . . ."
"They're not, Potter."
Author's Note: I generally do not ship Draco/Ginny, but I wrote the above while attempting to write a D/G for a friend. I am aware that it is not in accord with the canon established in HBP, but I liked it enough to post. I hope you all enjoyed it as well. Please review with any comments!