A/N (IF REVIEWED WITH QUESTIONS, READ HERE FOR THE ANSWERS: Ok, for those who are asking questions. . . I'm here to answer them! Draco didn't take Hermione up on her offer because he knew he would be around Ginny and he doesn't want to 'break' around her and the others. Second, he is devoted to the dark side but he tends to question about it and he rather do things himself and make himself devoted rather than his father doing it for him. Finally, Ron isn't going to help Harry and Hermione (TRUE HARMONY) for he plays a much bigger role in the fic. . Hope that answers your questions, now read, enjoy and please don't forget to review!

The feast had begun, and for the first time it started without the humble presence of the great Albus Dumbledore. McGonagall had taken his place, and for the first time she was frightened and sad to speak.

"Last year was a shock for all of us. So much happened, and we all know we would like to forget it all. But it's just not possible." she choked on her last word, but held her head high and rolled her eyes to remove her tears.

"We lost a special person last year. He was a great wizard, who had a loving heart and spirit that guided this school through its up's and down's. Without him, we are lost. He will forever be in out hearts and we must find the will to go on. To keep his spirit high from beyond, let's give a moment of silence in the remembrance of the one and only Albus Dumbledore."

She quit speaking, and was covered in tears. The students as well, bowed their heads and closed their eyes. Draco did the same, feeling both guilty and annoyed. He wanted to look up and see if Ginny was in tears. Maybe then he could walk over there and comfort her. "No!" he kept telling himself over and over. "I can't go over there, were in school and I must let everyone know I hate Gryffindor's!" He shut his eyes and thought of nothing more but staying away from Ginny.

As for Ginny, she sat in silence surrounded by students and her shallow tears. She didn't spend much time with Dumbledore like Harry did, but he was still a special wizard. Ginny distinctively looked up to see Harry. She could see his tears reach the rims of his glasses, then something else caught her glimpse. Hermione had placed her hand on his, and he was quick to react by twining his fingers with hers. Ginny watched, hurt rising in her heart and her tears falling for other reasons. She lowered her head, and closed her eyes as she choked on her tears and the thought of Harry being with someone else beside her. Then again, she did cheat last year. She had love potion that she used on him, and wasn't fair he didn't know. But Hermione?

"Thank you. Now, let's move from the past and into today."

All raised their heads, and without anyone knowing Draco wondered his eyes over to Ginny who looked back at him with a weak smile. He gave one back and looked away, feeling the need to look back at her again.

"As you can see, many teachers and students decided not to return this year. This is understandable and therefore you won't have any more than 3-4 classes. This year will be different for all of us, for we all know the return of Lord Voldemort. Over the summer, he was grown stronger and has killed many muggles throughout the months. This school year will not be about small lessons, Yule balls, and other nonsense. You all are here to learn two things, the awareness of the Dark Arts and Magic, and how to defend and fight against Dark magic. Hopefully, we can survive the school year together, without losing any of you. You bunch are very lucky for coming back. You get a lesson those at home won't receive. This year all of you will learn to fight and defend yourselves against Lord Voldemort."

Many gaps and whispers broke loose in the great hall. The remaining teachers looked about, faces stern and ready to teach. Ginny sat in silence, wanting nothing more but to run to Harry. Then again, there was always Draco. "What?" her eyes widened in shock. Did I just say there's always Draco? She looked over at his table, finding him talking to Blaise. She assumed he felt her for he looked up at her. They didn't share a smile, or an evil glare but a look of need and assurance. It lasted mere moments for someone was pulling on her arm.

"Ginny? Why are you staring off at Malfoy?"

"W-what?" she looked away immediately, shaking her head.

"Nonsense Ron, I was staring at something else."

Ron didn't look convinced, but he shrugged his shoulders and turned away. She sighed in relief, and took another glimpse of Draco.

"With that, all of you will be teached these lessons and eventually you'll need a year partner to practice with. You and your partner will be required to practice before, during, and after school. You will then be tested on your talent and achievements. There is a catch however."

The Hall was silenced, and the students looked up in wonder.

"You will be required to have a partner from a different house. No two partners can be in the same house. In order to conquer evil, we must all be together as one."

Shouts and anger was in the Hall, students unhappy and others annoyed. Ginny's mouth dropped in shock, a partner from another house? She had no one to choose, her friends had failed to return this year and her friend from Slytherin didn't even show up. Then it hit her, Slytherin…..him. She looked over at him, and to no surprise she sensed him thinking the same thing. It was done then, Draco would be her partner for this, with or without his reason.

"You'll need to have this partner by next week. And don't think you won't get away with just choosing someone from your house, I will know and those caught will be punished."

McGonagall flashed a random warning look behind Ginny. Wondering, Ginny turned to see who she looked at and she saw it was Harry and Hermione. It took minutes before Ginny knew what she meant and she turned around, biting her lip to fight the tears.

"Sadly we have no first years, so let's try to enjoy the feast and afterwards get to your common rooms and classes will start the day after tomorrow."

She completed her speech with a bow and headed to the teacher table and as soon as she took her seat the food appeared. The students dived in right away, most taking more than what they could eat. Ginny ate alone, who couldn't strike up a conversation with Ron for he was hovering over Luna about some new broomstick. She rolled her eyes in pity, laughing at the thought of her brother getting very friendly with a girl like Luna Lovegood. Ginny sat to herself, picking at her food with her fork. What happened to her? Harry faded away, Dean's not much of a comforter, and Ron was into the experience with girls. However, a familiar and distant Slytherin came into mind, and she turned over to see. Her eyes saw nothing more but Draco, who was alone for Blaise had moved from him. She stared off, wondering what others would say if she were to suddenly get up and walk over to him. Would he even care? Or could he be expecting it? She saw him look up from his plate, and the game began. Her soft brown eyes glowed in his mysterious sliver eyes. The intense stare lasted for moments; she was use to it by now. They had played it many times last year and a couple times as well during their trip in Diagon Alley. He always seemed to win; she would lose contact for her mind would wonder in deep territory her parents would die if they see. The game ended, and of course he won again. She turned her head in defeat, smiling and turning back to him to see him doing the same thing. She couldn't figure out why she was doing this. A Slytherin, bonding with an enemy like a Gryffindor? She pondered the thought, and before she knew it she was up out of her seat and walking towards him. She tried pulling away, but her feet seemed to have a mind of their own. She could already see the few stares she was receiving, and it bothered her. No matter how hard she tried turning away, she couldn't. She made it to his table, and came face to face with Draco.

"Yes?" he asked, as she approached.

"Um…" she fiddled with her thoughts, not knowing what to say and why she even came.

"Are you out of food?" he asked, picking at his steak.

"No, it's um…" She had an odd feeling in her stomach, and her heart was beating off rhythm. She didn't know what she was feeling, but when the idea came to her she shivered at such a thought.

"Caniseatwithyou?"

"What?" Draco asked eyes widened.

"I said, Can I seat with you…its cause at my table there's no one to talk to."

He looked at her, and she stared back wanting nothing more to leave. Then again, he did look quite handsome in his school uniform, and the thought of what was hiding under those clothes made her tingle from below.

"Um, sure. My buddy just left me."

She could tell it was pure sarcasticsm, and she laughed along with him. He motioned for her to sit, and she soon did. The few Slytherin's noticed her right away, and gave many rude expressions. As always Ginny ignored them, and Draco could've kissed her for it. He shoved the thought to the far corner of his mind, and would use it later for other reasons.

"Thanks." she replied, reaching for a bun.

"No problem, after all you did say enemies should come together."

She looked up, unpleased with such a response.

"I'm sorry but I don't like being referred to as enemies. Our families may see things that way, but I see us as people who don't know enough about one another and are sometimes ignorant for thinking such a thing."

He knew in a way she was right, and he felt ashamed. Wait, Draco feeling ashamed because of what Ginny said? Draco thought, wondering how this one girl could do this to him.

"Did you hear me?"

Draco snapped back to reality, seeing Ginny holding half a bun.

"I'm sorry, what?"

She sighed, and he watched as she crossed her legs and sat up in frustration.

"I asked you three times if you wanted this half."

"Oh, yeah. Sure."

He reached out to grab the bun. As he went in, his fingertips slowly brushed amongst her fingertips. Draco could've stayed this way forever and he could tell Ginny wanted to as well for she was staring at her hand, her eyes full of wonder. He finally took the bun and pulled away.

"Thanks."

She smiled, and blushed a tint of pink.

"Your welcome."

They smiled, and ate the remaining of the food on their plate. Ginny and Draco shared common talk, debating on him joining the DA. It was interrupted by the headmistress who cleared the plates and food with a simple wave of her hand.

"I hope you all enjoyed that, and now if you will go to your rooms and stay there till tomorrow. Good night to all and dream of wondrous things!"

The Hall soon erupted with sound and commotion as students left. Draco and Ginny remained together, now continuing their argument concerning the DA.

"I don't need that! My parents wouldn't accept it!" he yelled, hating to be pressured on this.

"It's for your own good Malfoy! Who cares what your parents think, you need to join!"

"Why? There's no one in there that can help me, and I'm devoted to the dark side…or at least I'm supposed to be."

"Well, aren't you?" she asked, expression thoughtful and wondering.

"Of course I am I'm a Malfoy! And I'm a pureblood!"

Ginny sighed in frustration, closing her eyes and running her hands threw her thin red hair. Draco watched, feeling unexplainable pleasure run through his body and in his groin.

"You know I'm a pureblood too, but I don't go around taunting it. I'm proud yes, but being pureblood doesn't mean anything. It surely doesn't make you smarter; Hermione beat that one off the chart."

She laughed, her smile warming the inside of Draco's heart. He turned away from her, closing his eyes and avoiding any thought of her. They stopped the debate, both knowing it was to be continued in the morning. They walked in silence the rest of the way, but couldn't resist sneaking glances of one another. Ginny reached her common room first and turned to Draco.

"Well, thanks for letting me sit with you. Have a good night and see you tomorrow."

"Same to you, good night."

She smiled, and held out her arm. He looked at her hand, and then slowly reached for it. They shook hands, her wanting to pull him in and him wanting to drag her off to his own common room. They shook hands, and it lasted for mere minutes. Both didn't want to let go, and soon the shaking stopped. They sat there, hands joined, fingers twined, and eyes staring longingly into one another's. Ginny didn't want to begin explaining such a feeling she had for him. How could she though if she was just now talking to him? Draco was on the lines of thinking the same thing.

"Um..Ginny?"

Ginny twisted her head to see to her horror the shocked face of Hermione Granger. She pulled away from Draco's hand immediately, flashing him one last look before running into the common room. Hermione watched, and then turned her head to Malfoy.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

She was about to say more, but he turned and walked away quickly. Hermione sensed something suspicious was up between him and Ginny, but Harry was much more important at the moment. She brushed the feeling away and crawled through the portrait hole.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - --

Draco was in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He thought of tonight's events, and the fact that he was falling in love with his enemy. No, not an enemy, a friend. He knew she was trying nothing more but to be a true friend. After all, she did get into the house that's supports friendship, loyalty and bravery. Yes bravery, it was exactly what he needed that she already had. He put his hands behind his head, and laid resting trying to sort his thoughts out. He couldn't love Ginny; there's was no way around it. Too many problems could arise, and at a time like this they weren't needed. Besides, she was completely different from him. He was rich and high class; she was poor and low class. But again, he didn't care about that anymore. She didn't need high class or riches to be the person she's today. She was the pure heart and caring soul, with parents that stick with her and are always together. These were things he never had, yet he wanted it and hated himself for even thinking it. He thought some more, but all that was clouding his mind was Ginny and the idea of him in love and being with her. Annoyed, he threw his sheets off of him and he wrapped his robe around him before leaving the common room. He needed a late snack, which would help him change his train of thoughts. He walked towards the kitchen, which the portrait door leading to it was opened and to his shock he saw a light. Someone's already here, he thought suddenly stopping. He thought of icky Potter and his pathetic pals helping him find those Horcruxes. He laughed, held himself high and straight and walked in the kitchen. As soon as we got in, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Look it's icky Potter-"

He stopped; words could no longer come out. He didn't see Potter, or his two loser friends. Instead she saw a very hungry Ginny, holding a spoon full of chocolate and a cup of hot cocoa.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked, laughing while trying to clear up her mess.

"No, and I can see you couldn't either." he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. Ginny laughed again, smiling while going back to her hot cocoa. She dipped the chocolate covered spoon in the cocoa and stirred/ Draco watched, feeling the urge for some cocoa of his own.

"Where did you get that?"

"Oh, here."

She snapped her fingers, and Dobby came out with a cup full of hot cocoa.

"Here." he handed her the cup ran off.

"There you go."

She held out his cup, and Draco took it quickly for he didn't want to go through he brushing of the fingers. Not in the state he's in, the feelings he should never have of her were out and about all threw him.

"Thanks." he winked and she smiled.

They sat in silence, slowly sipping on their drinks and not speaking many words. Ginny was unsure of her feelings for him, she knew they were wrong and belonged to Harry. She smiled at the thought of her and Harry, but it quickly faded for the guilt that laid behind it. Her smiled disappeared, and a single tear slid off her cheek. She quickly wiped her cheek, turning away from Draco.

"I did see that."

"I'm sorry." She sighed, sniffing and holding the pain inside.

"You shouldn't be. You wanted him to notice you and you went the extra step."

"But it was out of his free will! I made him love me, I don't want that! I want someone to want me and love me without me having to give them a damn love potion!"

Her cup was shaking in her trembling hand, some spilling on the counter. She set the cup down and threw her head in her hands. She started to sob, the back of her mind waiting for a rude Malfoy remark. It never came, and she stopped crying. She looked up to see him even closer to her.

"Don't cry over Potter. He doesn't deserve you."

"Who does?" she choked, turning her head away from him.

"Other people, some one else actually."

"Humph, like who?" she sighed, closing her eyes in thought.

"Anyone. Especially the one sitting in this room with you."

Her head turned to him, She went to speak but couldn't for her lips were on Draco's. She froze up, not knowing whether to back away or give in. It was temptation, she wouldn't let it win. He slowly snaked his arm around her neck, his other around her waist. She froze, not replying to the kiss. He brushed his tongue along her bottom lip. The power in her gave in and she opened her mouth. She devoured his taste, the temptation winning. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in closer. They kissed passionately, him pulling away to kiss along her jaw line and neck. She pulled her head back in pleasure, moaning deeply and pressing tighter against him. His arms wrapped to her waist, his strength tightening as well. She pulled her head back down and captured his lips. She poured herself on him, their lips and taste deep within one another. They finally pulled away for air, and he whispered the words that would suddenly change everything.

"Ginny, I love you."