A/N- Wow! I gotso many questions about the last chapter. Woops! Did I forget to answer them? Silly me! I guess you guys will just have to keep on reading until you get to the bottom of it huh? Enjoy this one!

Chapter eight

The next few months passed by in a flash. Ginny was up to her elbows in homework and Draco was busy causing havoc and trying to still rid himself of Pansy's annoyance. One afternoon, Ginny just couldn't resist the warmth of the sun and decided to read by the lake. Once she reached the edge, she lay out her Gryffindor blanket and sat to read her book. After about an hour, the generous sun made her eyes fill heavy and her body go limp. She decided to take a short nap and finish the chapter when she awoke.

Draco had just finished practice on the pitch and decided it was too nice off a day to go inside yet. He had his shirt flung over his shoulder along with his broom. As he walked along the edge of the lake he caught sight of someone lying with their face hidden in their arms on a blanket. He immediately recognized the way she always looked in her skirt. But of course her hair was what really gave her away. Draco looked around and surprisingly didn't notice too many students out.

He walked up to the edge of the blanket that her feet were lying on and crossed his arms with a smirk. His body's shadow completely covered her. After a few minutes of simply watching her peaceful breathing, Ginny caught a chill from the lack of sunlight. She brought her head up and rubbed her eyes. She raised her body up by her arms slowly and then leaned back into a kneeling position. Suddenly, she heard his soothing voice behind her. "And now I'm not sure what my favorite is. Strawberries, Cherries, or……Peaches?"

Ginny turned around slowly as she stretched. Without warning, she pulled him on top of her. Draco laughed in shock looking around again but still did not get up. The sun almost made his blonde hair glow from behind. Ginny stroked it out of his eyes. She grasped the back of his head quickly and pushed his face into hers kissing him deeply. After several minutes Ginny gasped for air. Draco laughed again while nuzzling her neck.

Ginny whispered into his ear. "You're wrong….As usual. You may want to get your eyes checked."

Draco sat back looking offended. "I don't need my eyes checked! I'm the best seeker in-"

Ginny placed her finger over his lips to hush him and shrugged. "Well then, I suggest you brush up on your knowledge of fruit."

Draco looked up at the clear sky with a frown. "Alright then. Let's have it! What are they?"

Ginny smiled evilly. "Apricots Malfoy."

Draco returned the smile. "I love Apricots."

Ginny laughed. "Of course you do!"

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Draco said sensing her sarcasm.

Ginny covered her mouth wondering if she should say what she was thinking. Oh, what the heck! "I could be wearing knickers with pictures of dung on them and you'd just say how much you love it!"

Draco laughed along with her but then stopped suddenly as he thought about what she said. "That's really gross. Having all those brother's has really screwed you up."

Ginny just shrugged and laughed again. He kissed her deeply and lay next to her on the blanket. He rolled over on to his stomach and spoke softly. "I've missed you kitten."

Ginny sat up. "You have?"

Draco raised an eyebrow and then gave a sad look. "Of course I have! Haven't you missed me? Even a little?"

Ginny nodded in agreement but then got lost in her thoughts. The truth was she hadn't missed him one bit. There was no reason to. Every night that she was able to transform since Christmas break, she would go to his room and cuddle with him. She was going there at least three times a week. A few times proved to be scary as she would transform to her human state on occasion while sleeping. Sometimes she would be hiding in his bathroom for hours trying to turn back. Once she had just awaken realizing she had turned back and felt him pull her close whispering how much he missed her. As far as she knew though, she hadn't been caught and things were just as they should be.

However, some nights he wasn't even there when 'Ginny' arrived. Some nights he would be out until the sun came up doing Merlin knows what. Ginny didn't wonder too much about it though. She had her secrets and he had his. She wasn't his girlfriend and barely his friend so she didn't feel the need nor right to investigate. If he was with Pansy or another girl, it was his business.

"Kitten? Kiiiiitten?" Draco sang.

Ginny didn't answer. Her eyes were on him but not with him. Draco laughed and stood. Ginny didn't even notice his movements while she continued to think. Draco stood over her wiggling his shirt in front of her face. Ginny blinked but didn't really react. Draco grazed her nose with the sleeve of his shirt which finally caught Ginny's attention. Ginny flung her arms up and began to swat at it quickly. Draco gasped and whipped the shirt away from her grasp.

Ginny lay back down and began twirling her hair as Draco stared at her in shock and shouted. "What just happened right now?"

Ginny looked at him unaffected. "What happened with what?"

Draco gaped at her as he stepped back a little. "Right now…My shirt. You just-you just. What were you doing?"

Ginny sat up replaying it in her head. So I tried to catch the shirt, big deal! I guess my animagus tendencies affect me both ways. Woops. Just as Ginny was about to try and explain she was interrupted by a voice screaming from behind.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING WITH HER?" Pansy shrieked.

Draco scoffed. "What does it look like Parkinson? I'm right in the middle of shagging and you're interrupting us."

Pansy looked at both of them realizing it wasn't true. She took a deep breath and whined. "But, I thought you just used her that night. I thought you were finished with her. Didn't you get what you wanted already?"

Draco gave a confused look and pointed at Ginny whom was still sitting on the blanket. "Do you really think I would give up something as good as that? I mean look at her Pansy. Once you get a taste, it's kind of hard to go back to someone as revolting as you."

Tears filled Pansy's eyes. "But-but-but. She's a blood traitor! She's complete filth! How could you even enjoy being with her?"

Draco smiled menacingly at her and whispered. "Oh trust me, enjoyment is an understatement."

"Ugh!" Pansy ran towards the castle.

Ginny cleared her throat nervously as Draco shook his head. "I should get inside. She'll be ripping up my sheets in a few minutes I'm sure."

Without even looking Ginny in the face as he was busy contemplating everything, he walked towards the castle. Ginny stood and brushed herself off. As she carefully folded the blanket, her stomach dropped. He knows! Oh my God! He must know!

Ginny took off in a run after him. She darted through the oak doors breathing deeply and looking around for Draco. She saw Pansy smile as she walked away from Professor McGonagall and Snape. Draco wasn't anywhere in sight so Ginny just shrugged and headed for her tower.

"Miss Weasley! Just a moment please." Professor McGonagall said with concern in her voice. Ginny turned around and noticed Snape and McGonagall exchange looks of disbelief and whispering. Snape walked away with a bewildered expression as McGonagall forced a smile at Ginny.

"Yes Professor?" Ginny said casually since she was certain she hadn't done anything wrong.

Professor McGonagall pat Ginny on the back and spoke gently. "We need to discuss something Miss Weasley. Dumbledore's office now."

Ginny followed her curiously. Certainly she wasn't that behind in her studies to cause a conference with the headmaster? Professor McGonagall asked her to wait out side for a moment. After a few minutes, she beckoned Ginny inside. Ginny stepped in and found Dumbledore sitting behind his desk and his hands clasped together. He eyed Ginny kindly and gestured for her to sit down. Ginny obeyed and cleared her throat. "Have I done something wrong?"

Professor McGonagall scoffed. "Certainly not dear! These things just sometime happen even in the safest of schools. Don't you even think for a moment that it's your fault."

Ginny looked as if McGonagall had grown a second head. "Excuse me? What things happen?"

Dumbledore smiled. "There is no need to be afraid Ginny. We will get to the bottom of this accusation and if necessary, the appropriate action will be taken."

As Ginny spoke, she heard someone else enter the office. "Get to the bottom of what Professor?"

Snape spoke from behind. "I have collected him sir. We have not discussed the situation."

Draco appeared from the shadows with a look of fear. He looked over at Ginny almost twitching in confusion at her presence. Ginny returned his gaze as she was just as lost as him. Dumbledore stared at Draco curiously and watched as he shifted nervously. After a few minutes Dumbledore spoke. "Do you know why either of you have been brought here Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco looked back at Ginny and spoke honestly. "I haven't a clue sir. Have I done something wrong?"

McGonagall scoffed again but Dumbledore raised his hand to silence her. "Some serious accusations have come to our attention Draco. Serious accusations that need some sorting out. Surely you can help us?"

"Of course Professor." Draco said respectfully.

Dumbledore nodded appreciatively. "It appears Draco, that Miss Parkinson is concerned for Miss Weasley's welfare."

Draco laughed softly. "That's a load of dung."

Snape clamped his hand over Draco's shoulder squeezing tightly. "Control yourself Malfoy."

Draco winced at his grip. "Sorry Professor."

Dumbledore smiled. "You don't believe Miss Parkinson is concerned for her welfare?"

Draco breathed deeply and chose his words carefully. "With all due respect sir. I think each one of us in this room knows that there is more of a chance of Potter and I falling in love than there is of Parkinson giving a rat about Ginny."

"Ginny?" Dumbledore asked now looking intrigued. "You are on a first name basis with Miss Weasley?"

Draco blushed. "I meant Weasley."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "No, I don't think you did." Dumbledore smiled at Ginny but then returned his gaze on Draco. "There's no need to lie Draco. It would be as much of a waste of time for me as for you. Now, on to the accusations. Miss Parkinson has informed the professors that a terrible crime was committed on the night before Christmas break involving you and Miss Weasley. Are you aware of such a crime Draco?"

Ginny fidgeted nervously as McGonagall pat her shoulder in a comforting way. Draco looked over at Ginny as if asking her permission to set things straight. Ginny seemed to read his expression accurately and walked over to him. She put her hand in his and whispered. "It's okay Draco. Tell them what happened." Ginny turned her eyes on Dumbledore and spoke in an assertive tone. "I'm sure they will handle this discreetly."

Dumbledore nodded again and smiled at their interlaced fingers. Draco took a deep breath. His voice had rage in it as he thought about what could have happened to Ginny had he not been there. "I had just finished talking to Ginny when she headed towards her common room. Crabbe and Goyle found her and were being very inappropriate both physically and verbally. Goyle was holding her throat so tight that it was cutting off her air. Crabbe had begun to unbutton her shirt……." McGonagall covered her mouth as Snape shook his head angrily. "I can't guarantee what would have happened had I not been there Professor. I only assumed they were going to harm her…Badly. I've just known them too long to think otherwise."

Draco continued a little more calmly. "So, I pretended to play along. I threw her over my shoulder and said I was going to take her into my room for some fun. I told them they could have whatever was leftover." McGonagall grasped a chair in front of her apparently trying not to faint as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips together. Draco lost his concentration while looking at her but Dumbledore gestured for him to continue. "Well then I placed locking charms on my door and kept her there for the night just in case. The next morning I boasted about…Well you know and threatened Crabbe and Goyle's lives if they touched her again. I said that now that I had been with her, she was my property. They know better than to touch anything of mine. And they haven't bothered her since."

Snape began to pace as McGonagall was frantically fanning herself with her hands. Ginny whimpered and hugged Draco but he didn't remove his gaze from Dumbledore.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I have two questions for you Mr. Malfoy. One: Why did you not simply stop the situation and turn them in. Two: How did Miss Parkinson become informed of the lie?"

Draco sighed. "I didn't come forward for several reasons. No one would understand why Draco Malfoy would turn in his two best friends to protect a Weasley. I really didn't feel like getting hexed like there's no tomorrow from all the Slytherin's for saving a Gryffindor. My Father would kill me if he found out I had not joined in. Lastly, I don't think Ginny wanted anything more than to be away from them. She wasn't looking for revenge. It's not in her nature."

"And my second question?" Dumbledore asked patiently.

"Well that one is definitely my fault. Professor, I have been trying to rid myself of Pansy since before Hogwarts. She worships the ground I walk on and I can't stand the sight of her. I thought for sure that if I made myself out to be a heartless rapist she would surely throw in the towel." Draco said in a defeated and almost ashamed manner.

"And did she?" Dumbledore asked.

Draco looked up shockingly and unintentionally raised his voice. "No! It just made her want me more! She wanted to know why I didn't just go and attack her. She wanted to know why I didn't take advantage of her. She kept asking what she needed to do for me to do the same to her! She's seriously lost her mind!"

Dumbledore frowned at his comments which made Draco stop talking. Dumbledore looked calmly at Ginny. "Miss Weasley is everything Mr. Malfoy claims the truth?" Ginny nodded quickly. "Professor Snape? I believe Misters Crabbe and Goyle can be found in the Great Hall at the moment."

"Certainly Professor." Snape said as he swept out of the room.

Dumbledore looked at Draco suddenly. "Draco, I will also speak with Miss Parkinson. I think you'll find her less infatuated with you shortly. I am extremely happy that this terrible crime was stopped because of a simple act of kindness on your part Mr. Malfoy. You are both excused."

Draco led Ginny out of the office with his hand on the small of her back. Once they were standing next to the Gargoyle, Ginny hugged him in relief. "That could have been terrible!"

Draco pulled away slightly and looked her in the eye. "Aren't you afraid that your brother will hear some sort of version of this story and go insane?"

Ginny shrugged. "Not really no. I know how to handle Ron. He's really a sweet little teddy bear once you get to know him."

Draco looked as if he had just tasted something bad. "I'll take your word for it. Anyway, I should go. See you around Kitten." He kissed her on her forehead and swept away. Ginny wanted nothing more than to be with him at that very moment. I'll definitely be visiting him tonight.