Disclaimer: Not mine.

Once again, Draco's PoV.

I'm not made of steel, for Merlin's sake. How the hell was I supposed to react being that close to her? I'll admit, when I tackled her out of the water I hadn't thought about the fact that we were both dripping wet or the fact that we would be in very close proximity the second I tackled her; in fact, I wasn't thinking about much at all. The whole ordeal was very much unexpected and rather inconvenient. As the last dying rays of sunlight reflected off the water and both of us could feel the chill in the air, she looked beautiful. Her hair was wet and a mess, but her entire face was lit up with laughter and smiles. I find the whole thing very strange; a Malfoy should not have feelings for a Weasley; I'm sure there's some family rule that forbids it. Her robes were open and I couldn't help but notice how her blouse clung to her--any flesh and blood male would have noticed that!--but I was not prepared at all for my own reaction to seeing her in that state. I pushed myself away from her and wrapped my robes tightly around myself. I was furious at myself for showing such a lack of control, but I was determined to not let her see that my composure was quickly unraveling. I offered her a hand up from the ground like any gentleman should, and we walked toward the castle.

I was not prepared for it when her hand reached for mine. It was warm, even though she was shivering slightly, but my first reaction of avoiding physical contact came back and I nearly pulled away. In fact, I think the only reason I didn't pull away was because I knew it would hurt her feelings. I inwardly berated myself; I was getting soft, caring about the Weasley girl's feelings. I couldn't help it, though; she showed me kindness when no one else would. I would almost say I could consider her a friend.

As soon as we reached the common room, we went our separate ways. She, up toward the girls' dormitories, and me up toward the boys'. I was shivering, and it was annoying. A hot bath was just the thing I needed to relax away all these feelings. I gathered my clothing and headed out the portrait hole. Being a prefect does have its advantages, after all.

The bath was spectacular. Afterwards I padded down the stairs from my dormitory to the common room on bare feet, my hair dried and perfectly in place and my journal tucked under my arm. The common room was nearly full, so it would be the perfect time to write and have no one pay me any mind. I relaxed in my favourite chair and started my entry.

3rd October

What is wrong with me, journal? Everything seems to be happening too fast, too crazy. I've been friends with the Weasley girl for a month, only a month, and here I am having these sorts of feelings. When she offered her friendship and kindness on the train, I didn't expect that she would be the only one to do so. The Malfoy name should still command some respect, shouldn't it? I think it's time to realize that my father has soiled my good family name and if I want anyone to respect me, then I'll have to earn their respect. That is a very intriguing though.

I thought I had such control over myself, but it seems like when I'm around her, it disappears. I'm not sure yet if that's a good thing, but thus far I'm thinking it's not. I didn't desert the Death Eater ranks to get entangled with the Light side. I don't want to be a part of this war, because I don't agree with it anymore. My mother never was for this war, even though she never said otherwise. She was a very brave woman, to put up with my father as long as she did. I miss her more than anything, and I just wish I could talk to her. There has to be some way to speak to the dead. I know Mother would know exactly what these feelings I've been feeling around Red are, and she would be able to tell me exactly what I should do about it. After all, she did tell me how to get that bint Parkinson off my back last spring.

I think later I might go to the library and research communication with the dead. Hell, if she wasn't such a phony I'd even consider going to Trelawney and asking her opinion on the matter. Perhaps McGonagall knows something I could do. I just don't feel like my mother should be gone without me having had at least one last chance to tell her I love her, and tell her that I will avenge her death.

That's all for right now.

"Orange and silver." I could hear the whisper come from somewhere nearby. I looked up to see the strange Lovegood girl sitting with Ginevra, and both of them were looking at me intently.

"I can't see it." I could hear the annoyance in Ginevra's voice. I had no earthly idea what they were talking about, and I could tell that hadn't realized I knew they were watching me.

"What can't you see?" Ginevra visibly jumped when she heard my voice, and she turned toward me with a guilty look. When they weren't paying attention I'd stood and walked over to stand in front of them. The Lovegood girl didn't appear shaken at all, though.

"Your aura." The Lovegood girl explained as if I were stupid. "She can't see your aura, but it's orange and silver. Your auras would mesh." With that, the Lovegood girl--Lila, was that her name?--got up and walked away. Ginevra sat there, apparently torn between horror and amusement.

"Do I even want to know?" I asked, sitting down beside her.

"Probably not." Ginevra said. She appeared slightly fidgety, and I recognized the look as she wanted to discuss something but couldn't quite think of how to bring it up. I sat quietly and let her think for a moment before she spoke. "What exactly happened earlier?" Her voice was quiet, and she didn't appear to want to look at me as she spoke.

"What exactly do you mean?" I asked. I was slightly shocked at her question; what did she mean? Had she noticed my change in demeanor when I had trouble controlling myself earlier? I mentally kicked myself. She shouldn't have ever had to see my near loss of control, but how the hell could I explain to her that I'd almost lost control? How could I tastefully explain to this girl that the combination of her body, smile, and the fact that we were soaking wet earlier made me want to take her like a common whore on the lakeshore? Her hand came out and took mine, and I swallowed nervously.

"After I pushed you in the lake, when you tackled me. You were acting strange after that." She said. She started to twirl her hair around her fingers like she did whenever she was nervous, and I grabbed her hands to stop her. She looked at me, surprised, and I let my hands fall away. What was I doing? Was I actually in my strange little way trying to flirt with her?

"I… well…" I began. I had no idea how to vocalize what I was thinking. She was looking at me intently through those dark lashes, and her eyes were so wide and trusting… I couldn't help myself. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. I could feel her stiffen the moment I did it, but she quickly relaxed into my embrace. She didn't resist; in fact, she kissed me back with as much enthusiasm as I showed her. This was wrong; I shouldn't be kissing her in the middle of the common room with just anyone around to see it. I pulled away and looked at her. Her eyes were slightly closed and mouth slightly open, and I was transfixed for a moment as I watched her tongue dart out and lick her lips.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, before turning and dashing up the dormitory stairs. I couldn't believe I'd actually allowed myself to indulge in my attraction for her. She was a Weasley, for Merlin's sake. What would my father say if he knew? Damn it, I shouldn't care what he thinks! I turned and threw the journal in my hands against the far wall and slid down the wall behind me until I was sitting on the dorm room floor, my head in my hands. What the hell was happening to me?

"Damn squeaky door." The door to my room was in bad need of oiling, so I heard it immediately when it started to open quietly, as well as the muttered curse of whoever was trying to open it. I knew who it would most likely be, and my suspicions were confirmed when I looked up and saw her. A slight blush had crept into her cheeks, and her hair had been pushed back over her shoulders. I wanted nothing more than to gather her into my arms and kiss her senseless, but I wrapped my arms tighter around my legs to fight this urge. I would learn to control my urges around her, whatever the cost. I hated how weak and out of control I felt whenever she was around. It wasn't normal, wasn't how I was supposed to be.

"That's not very ladylike language." I called out. I couldn't resist.

"Draco?" Her voice was soft as she called into the room. She closed the door behind her and looked around the room, her eyes scanning in the low light for me. She finally sought me out, and I didn't even want to know how I must have looked to her. I had forced a kiss upon her, and she was probably here to berate me, and quite possibly slap me. I'll admit I would have deserved it. She crossed the room quickly, knelt beside me, and took my face in her hands, making me look at her. Her eyes were bright and dark in the dim light, and I was surprised as she lowered her lips to mine and took me in a kiss.

Yay! Does that make you guys happy? I know I said I wouldn't post this until I got ten reviews, but I'm excited about it, and I just finished it, and it makes me happy. So I figured it would make you guys happy too. Don't forget to review, all, and happy reading!