Disclaimer: Do I even have to tell you?

AN: A big thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter.

I hope you enjoy the chappie!

Chapter 21: A Happy New Year

Ron stared into the fiery embers of the red blazes, eyes glazing over slightly at the sound of Hermione's deep breathing. He couldn't believe that he had actually been with her for the past three months, and what an incredible three months it had been. During the time they had spent together, he had come to realize how much he wanted to be with her... no, needed to be with her. Peering down at her sleeping face, Ron laughed at the sudden snores that escaped her tiny mouth.

Hermione's eyes slowly opened, her fuzzy sight focused on the red blur above her. "What are you laughing about?" she grumbled, furrowing her brow in irritation. "You woke me up from a very good dream." She blushed lightly, remembering that her dream consisted of a very naked Ron.

"It's your fault, I'll have you know. You were snoring," Ron stated, amusement shining in his blue orbs.

Hermione gasped, her face bright red from embarrassment and... other things. "I do not snore."

"You were."

"I was not."

"You were too," he protested.

"Ron, I do not snore," she huffed in annoyance and moved towards the end of the common room couch.

"What are you so red for?" he asked, laughing.

"No reason," she mumbled. "So, do you think that the others are having a good time?" Hermione opted for changing the subject.

Ron winced. "I'd rather not think about what Harry and Ginny are doing with a couple of Slytherins. And don't think that you can just change the subject, Hermione, I know you." Ron smirked knowingly, "So, what exactly were you dreaming about?"

"I'm not talking to you."

"Was the dream about me?"

"I am not listening to you, Ron."

"Aw, come on, Mione. It wasn't as if you sounded like Fred or George when they sleep," he replied, thinking how glad he was that she didn't sound like his brothers. "You sounded kind of like a kitten."

"A kitten?" she asked doubtful. "Ron, do you even know what a kitten sounds like when it's sleeping?"

"Have you forgotten that I had to help Harry take care of that blasted kitten he bought, for the past week?"

"Oh, right," she said lamely.

"So," Ron moved his eyebrows in a suggestive manner, "were you dreaming about me?"

"What? No, of course not." Hermione laughed, "I have more control over my hormones than you think."

Ron smiled, unconvinced. "Sure."

"You know what, I think-I, just-I'm going to go to bed now," she stammered, getting up from her seat.

"Not until you tell me what your dream was about," he said playfully, standing up with her.

"Um, no. Goodnight," Hermione replied quickly and bolted towards the girls staircase. Halfway up, she stopped and turned around to see Ron smiling at her from the bottom of the stairwell. "You can't catch me now," she stated in triumphant.

"You want to bet on that?" he asked, grinning.

"Ron, you cannot get up the girls staircase," she huffed. "It says so in Hogwarts A History. And I distinctly remember the one time you ran up after your sister in a fit of anger last year, but was placed in the hospital wing instead."

He shrugged. "There are other ways."

"No, there aren't," she argued.

"Okay, whatever you say, Hermione," Ron said nonchantly.

"I told you so."

Ron pulled out his wand from his pocket and muttered something under his breath.

"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.

"You'll see," he replied and her eyes widened when his Nimbus 2001 came flying down the boys' stairwell.

"You can't-I mean, well it's not possible." She was outraged at the idea that Hogwarts A History could be wrong.

Ron propped himself on his broomstick and inched towards her slowly.

"How can it be wrong?" she yelled in frustration, but all her thoughts of the book quickly vanished at the sight of her boyfriend. "Oh no!" she squealed and ran towards the seventh years dormitory, slamming the door behind her. The room was void of any sound, except for her harsh breathing. Lavender, Parvati, and Enya were nowhere to be found. 'Oh no, what was she going to do now?' A knock sounded on the door and she jumped in surprise. "Ron, you can't come in here! Lavender is naked." 'Oh great, that's a sure way to keep him out.'

Ron's amused voice sounded through the wooden door, "Hermione, I happen to know that all three of your dorm mates are not in there. Probably off in one boys dormitory, or another."

"Damn," Hermione cursed to herself. 'How could he possibly know that?' She trudged towards the door and opened it.

Ron smiled at her. "I win." Hermione scowled, but soon she started to laugh and Ron joined her.

"So," Ron replied after catching his breath, "what was the dream about?"

Hermione blushed again, as the dream came rushing back to her. 'Would it be so bad if she told him what the dream was about?' She and Ginny had talked about these kinds of things before, but it was a different matter when it came to talking about these kinds of things with your boyfriend. Was she even ready to talk about this, or maybe follow through with what she had been thinking about for the past three years of her life? At the age of seventeen, she was still a virgin...probably the only virgin in Gryffindor over the age of fifteen.

"Hermione," Ron called. He knew that she was in deep thought, because she was biting her bottom lip.

"Ron...I'm a virgin," she blurted out.

His eyes widened at her admission. "Um...okay," he said slowly. "Hermione, are you okay?" She had never acted like this before and he couldn't help but be concerned.

"Yes, Ron, I'm okay," she replied, a little agitated. "Is that all you can say about this?" she asked, sitting down on her bed.

"I-what-you-it's not like I didn't know!" he stuttered, looking for the right words.

"I never told you that I was a virgin," Hermione said, confused.

"No, but it was kind of obvious," he said, then winced. That didn't come out the way he wanted it to.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked angrily.

Ron held up his hand in defense. "I didn't mean anything by it, it's just that you aren't the type of girl to give it up to someone you don't care for." Woah, nice save there Ron.

"Oh.."

"Do you think that your virginity is all I'm after?" He sounded hurt.

"No, Ron of course I don't think that." She sighed.

"Okay, so what's the matter then?"

"I want to have sex with you," she stated bluntly.

"What?" He had shock written all over his face. "Tell me how that's wrong," he said, snapping out of his daze.

"It's not, I'm just...a little scared," she admitted.

"Hermione, every girl is scared before there first time," he assured.

"Well, you know what, I am not like other girls," Hermione said fiercly, knowing what she had to do.

"That's why I love you," Ron replied sincerely.

She smiled. "I know and I love you too." Hermione stood and gazed up into his handsome face. Ron stiffened as she reached for her blue tank top and tossed it carelessly to the floor.

"Mione, what are you-" She placed her finger over his mouth.

"Just make love to me, Ron," she whispered in his ear.

"Okay." He nodded dumbly, still shocked at her actions, but you didn't have to tell him twice. Putting her down on the bed, he removed his shirt and lightly placed his chest over hers. Hermione moaned as he trailed down the side of her neck with wet kisses. Bringing his face towards hers, Hermione's tongue darted in his mouth, teasing and tormenting his own.

"Ron, I need you to touch me," she replied huskily and reached around her back, unfastening the clasp of her bra. She gasped in delight as he took a hardened nipple in his mouth, lazily tracing it with his tongue. Hermione's fingers slid around the waistband of his boxers, pulling them down slowly and Ron smiled at the gaze of admiration he received. His fingers played across her stomach, inching towards the strings on her pajamas. Becoming impatient, she hurriedly removed them herself, tossing it on the floor with her other garments.

"Hermione," Ron stated in surprise, "you aren't wearing any knickers."

She smiled sheepishly and blushed lightly. "Sometimes, I don't sleep with them."

She had absolutely no idea how much that turned him on. Ron cupped her with his hand and she gasped in pleasure as Ron slowly inserted a finger. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked in concern, thinking it might be hurtful.

"No," she said, arching her back and moving with him. "But, I would rather have you inside me."

Ron groaned at her bold statement and he placed himself at her entrance. At her nod of encouragement he slowly descended, gasping at how tight she was. Hermione whimpered, her grip on his shoulders tightening. He kissed her lightly on the lips, trying to soothe some of her pain.

He paused, letting her get used to his size and Hermione cried out as he broke her. Slowly, the pain diminished and she started to move against him. Locking her legs around him, she drew him in as far as she could and Ron could feel all of his tension completely melting away. A wonderful sensation filled them, driving them both over the edge and their bodies entangled together as one.

Silence enfolded the now dark room as the two lovers fell into a deep, peaceful slumber.

"Do you like it?" Harry asked, as he set the black kitten in front of her. They were having dinner in the Room of Requirement. It had been around nine o'clock when they arrived and he would never forget the look of amazement on Stephanie's face when he opened that door.

Stephanie looked back and forth between the black cat and black haired boy. "It's a kitten...and it kind of looks like you," she said, shocked.

"I know." Harry grinned. "Do you like it?"

"I do, I love it...but how did you know that I liked animals?" she asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

"Ginny told me."

"Right." She laughed. "This is so weird." The kitten settled itself in her lap.

"Why is it weird?" he asked her in confusion.

"Well, no one has ever bought me anything like this, for one. It's really," she paused, searching for the right word, "It's really sweet."

"Why is that weird?" Again with the confusion.

"You're the first guy besides Draco that's bought me a Christmas present," she admitted.

"Really?" Harry asked, surprised. She was the prettiest girl in all of Slytherin. "Why? I mean, you're a beautiful girl, so you obviously don't have a problem getting a boyfriend," he voiced his thoughts.

"That might be, but the guys that I've been with before don't tend to be the kind that buy you a kitten," she pointed out, not bothering to blush at his compliment.

"I'm usually not either, but Ginny told me that you loved animals and that you might like a kitten, so..."

"Well," she looked down at the furball in her lap, "I think that it likes me. Is it a boy or a girl?"

"It's a boy."

"Did you name him?" Stephanie asked, rubbing the kitten behind the ears.

Harry shook his head. "I thought that you'd want to do that."

"Hmm..." She thought for a minute, "I think that his name should be Harry Junior."

Harry spit his drink out in shock. "What-how-why the hell would you want to name him that?"

"Well, it does have the same color hair and remarkably the same eyes." She popped a grape in her mouth and swallowed. "Kind of scary if you think about it," she added.

"If you give that cat my name, Ron will tease me," Harry groaned. "And I don't even want to know what Malfoy will do."

Stephanie laughed at his distress. "It won't be that bad. Besides, I could call him Junior if you want."

"I think that would be better," he said in relief.

"Okay, we'll do that then," she replied. 'This guy was to good to be true and he was a Potter. Who would have thought that she would be with Harry Potter and actually enjoying herself?' Stephanie was brought out of her thoughts by Harry, who was nervously clearing his throat.

"So, I know you probably didn't expect a present from me.." He began to pat his unruly hair down. "If you didn't get me anything, then that's fine."

"Harry, you act like Weasley sometimes," she stated. "Of course I got you a present." Reaching her hand into her black colored handbag, she pulled out a small, red-wrapped box.

"Wow, thank you," said Harry, stunned.

"You haven't opened it up yet," she replied in amusement.

"Oh, right." Taking off the wrapping and removing the lid, he opened his mouth and laughed. "It's a snitch," he said, gazing at the small object in his palm.

"Not just any snitch, look closer," she advised.

"Oh, wow, Stephanie it's..." he trailed off.

"Don't you like it?" she asked worriedly.

He appeared dumbfounded. "Are you kidding? I love it," he said, enthusiastically. If you looked closer you could see the words, 'To: My Seeker,' and under that it read, 'From: Stephanie,' engraved in the gold.

"Good." She felt relieved. "I thought that it might seem kinda lame."

"No, it's...it's brilliant." His bright eyes sparkled with happiness.

"Well, I love my little furball too." She laughed. "Thank you."

"Your welcome." He smiled and gazed into her brown eyes.

"Harry." Her voice turned serious.

"Yeah?" he asked, all his attention on her.

"What kind of girl do you think I am?"

He visibly recoiled at her abrupt question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, do you think that I'm easy and will automatically sleep with a guy or do you think that I'm still a virgin?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "Harry, you deserve alot better than me," she sighed.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, getting a headache from all the confusion.

"I've slept around," she put it bluntly. "You don't need that kind of girlfriend. You need someone who's pure, someone who can make you happy." A tear coursed down her tan cheek.

"It does- wait a minute." He stopped. Closing his eyes, he pictured a plush green couch in his mind and at Stephanie's gasp of surprise, he opened them and moved out of his chair. Holding out his hand to her, she hesitantly took it and he led her towards the couch. Taking her face in his hands and looking into deeply into her eyes, he stated firmly, "I don't care about what you used to do. I know that if you had the chance to change what you did back then, you would, wouldn't you?" At her nod, he continued, "So, it doesn't matter. I care about you and you do make me happy. In my eyes, you're everything that pure is supposed to be."

"Wow," dhe croaked. "I bet you use that line on all of the girls."

He shook his head. "Only you, luv. Only you." Laying down on his side, she moved with him and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Harry gazed down to see Stephanie's eyes closing and he smiled as she drifted into a deep slumber. "Happy New Years," he whispered and kissed the top of her head gently.

"You know, we could get into trouble for being out here this late." Ginny sat down on the blanket that had been placed on the ground.

"That's the fun of it," Draco said smirking and handing her a butterbeer. Obviously, they couldn't use the Room of Requirement since Stephanie and Harry were there, so he suggested the Willow tree, since Ginny always seemed to spend most of her spare time there anyway.

"So, what did you do this past week?" she asked, trying to make conversation.

He shrugged. "Not much. Played some quidditch with Blaise, which wasn't that fun."

"Why wasn't it fun?" she asked, confused.

"Blaise has been all mopey and shit ever since the dance and I don't have a bloody clue as to what's bothering him."

"Are you two good friends?"

"Yes, even though it might be hard to believe, Blaise is alot different from many of my so-called friends. Out of everyone, except for Stephanie of course, he's the only one that has stood by me through everything."

Ginny smiled. "Sounds like a good friend."

"He is." He returned a small smile. "How can you stand to be outside during this time of the year, when it's so bloody cold," Draco remarked.

"That's why we have warming charms, which I am very thankful for." She stopped to take a sip of her drink. "And butterbeer definitely doesn't hurt. Yummy."

"I know of another way we can keep warm," he said suggestively, his voice becoming rough.

Ginny shivered at his tone.

"Are you cold even with the charm?" he asked, concerned.

"No, I'm fine," she said, a faint blush staining her cheeks. He gave her a knowing smirk.

"Oh, I see. You just want me. That's completely natural for a girl your age," he replied arrogantly.

She snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure all the girls want you."

"You did." His tone sobered.

"I still do." she whispered huskily, looking deeply into his grey-blue eyes. She shivered again as his eyes darkened with something that she couldn't quite place. He turned away from her and she frowned.

"Draco, what's wrong?"

"Why would you want to be with a Death Eater?" he asked her bitterly.

"You're not a Death Eater," she replied firmly, standing up and placing herself in front of him.

"Oh really, well I have the mark that'll prove you wrong," said Draco sarcastically.

"Stop being so bloody sarcastic." Her voice began to shake with anger.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you expect me to sound happy, when I have this disgusting brand on me?"

"It doesn't mean a fucking thing! It's just a bloody symbol!" she cried, his eyes widening at her choice of colorful words. Ginny sighed and lightly placed her finger under his chin. "You are not your father, ok? Just because you wear that mark, doesn't mean that it controls you. You choose the side that you want to fight for. Not your father, not your mum, not me. You," she explained softly.

"How can you have so much faith in a person like me?" he asked in disbelief.

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Maybe it's because I lo...because I care about you." She winced inwardly at her slip up, but Draco didn't notice. He was to busy listening to the many thoughts that flew through his head. He still couldn't get over the fact that someone like Ginny cared for him. Stephanie had always told him she was friends with this certain Gryffindor, because Ginny was so open to any situation, you couldn't help but like her.

"Draco...Draco," her irritated voice broke through his thoughts. "Are you even listening to me?" she asked him, hands on her hips.

"Sorry, luv, you were saying something?" He grinned cheekily.

"No, absolutely nothing," she replied wryly.

"I have your present," he said, hoping to turn her irritated mood into a happy one.

"You got me a present?" Ginny asked, shocked. 'He actually got me a present? This guy doesn't stop surprising me.'

"Well, I didn't buy you anything."

"Oh." 'Okay, so he didn't get me a present.'

"It's more of a family heirloom." He almost sounded nervous.

"An heirloom?" she asked, doubtful. "No offence or anything, but do I really want something that was passed down in the Malfoy family?"

Draco smirked. "It's actually an heirloom passed from my mother's side of the family. I wouldn't worry to much about it. Besides, my mum isn't anything like my fa...well, she doesn't act like Lucius."

"Okay..."

Ginny became impatient, "Well, what is it?"

"Lets sit down first." They sat down, backs against the tree. "Here." He held her hand out, dropping something small into her palm.

"Oh my gods," she breathed. The small-sized silver band had a dark green emerald stone in the middle. "Draco, I love it...but why are you giving it to me?"

"My mum always told me that when I get a real girlfriend, someone that I care for, I should give this to her and not to some hussy like Pansy Parkinsons." He laughed. "She makes it a known fact that she despises Pansy."

"It sounds like you two get along." Ginny smiled. At least his mother was any okay person.

He nodded. "We do. Sometimes I wonder how she fell in love with that git who claims to be my father."

"Um, I got you something too," Ginny replied, trying to at least turn his bitter thoughts to bittersweet. Handing over the green silk pouch, she awaited his reaction nervously.

Draco peered down in to the bag. "Ginny...it's a necklace," he said slowly. "Ginny, this is a protection necklace."

"Yea,h I know, that's kind of why I bought it," she joked.

"But...I mean, well these things are really rare," he replied in awe.

"I know that, it's what makes it so special." She frowned. "Do you not like it? I mean, I know it's not green-"

"No," he interrupted. "This is perfect...it's actually the best present I think I've ever received from someone."

She beamed, "Really? That's great, I wasn't to sure if you would like it or anything, but I figured that you could use it for...well other things." She didn't want to ruin the moment talking about Death Eater activities.

"Well, it will definitely come in handy for those types of things," Draco replied grimly, slipping the necklace over his head and under his black shirt.

"Hey," Ginny moved a lock of his hair back into place, "It will be okay."

"Yeah." He smiled at her. "With you here, it will be."

"Good to know that I'm important," she teased.

"You are," he said sincerely.

"Thank you very much." She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "So.." she grinned, "what can we do to pass the time?"

"I can think of a few things," Draco replied huskily.

"Oh really? Do tell."

"Well, I was thinking we could..."

"Yes?"

"Go to sleep," he finished.

It took a minute for his words to register in her brain. "What? You're kidding, right?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, I'm pretty knackered," he said, trying not to grin. "You should be too, what with all the yelling you did some time ago."

"You have got to be kidding me," she continued.

"Well, it has been a very tiresome day." Draco started laughing so hard that he couldn't breath. He couldn't help it, the look on her face was priceless.

"Draco Malfoy!" she yelled, punching him on the shoulder. "I cannot believe you, you prat!"

"What? I couldn't help but tease you." He grinned. "That was payback."

"Payback? What did I do to you?" Her forehead crinkled in thought.

"You wouldn't let me warm you up earlier," he reminded her.

Ginny laughed. "You are such a baby."

"I am not," he mock pouted.

"Did Draco Malfoy just pout?" She made a face. "Oh my God, I think I may be loosing my mind."

"Yeah, that's nothing new."

"Hey!" she yelled in defense.

"Just kidding. So..." Draco smirked seductively, "are you going to warm me up?"

"Hmm.." Ginny straddled his lap. "I don't know...you've been a very naughty boy."

"Are you going to punish me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I could be a little," she nipped at his ear lobe, "wicked with you." She grinded her hips into his.

Draco groaned at her movements. "Keep that up and I just might have to punish you," he growled, breathing heavily.

"Is that a promise?" she gasped, nipping his earlobe.

"You're going to kill me," he mumbled, bringing her lips down to meet his. Forcing his tongue between her soft lips, she moaned into his mouth and they moved their hips together, meeting thrust for thrust. Ginny moved her hands to the unbutton his khakis, but Draco stopped her with the little ounce of strength that remained.

"What, whats wrong?" she questioned him in confusion.

"Do you really want to do this out here in the freezing cold?" Draco asked, reminding her of their predicament.

"Right." She got of his lap so slowly that he had to hold in a groan.

"I just don't want your first time with me to be like this." He smirked. "I mean, not that I wouldn't mind shagging here, I just don't want you to regret it."

"You're right," Ginny smiled shakily, a knot of guilt rising at the past memories that surfaced.

Draco wrapped an arm around her and she placed her head against his chest. She didn't realize how tired she was until she became wrapped in his warm embrace.

"Ginny?" His silky voice filtered through her fuzzy mind.

"Hmm?" she sighed.

"Happy New Years," he mumbled against her lips, kissing her softly.

"Happy New Years, Draco," she murmured sleepily.

The cool night air whipped their faces as they both drifted off into a deep, peaceful slumber.

LILYK

P.S. Please review, for the sanity of the author.