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Chapter 15

The Gryffindor common room was empty with the exception of Ron and Ginny. He immediately knew she was there but refused to look her way. Ginny took a deep breath, walked behind the couch, and sat down next to her disappointed, older brother. They sat in silence for a while simply watching the flames dance in the grate. The fire was the only light left in the common room. Ginny took another deep breath and broke the silence. "Ron, what are you thinking about?"

Ron sighed and answered quietly still refusing to look at her. "I'm wondering when we began keeping secrets from each other. I'm wondering when you began trusting Malfoy's discretion more than my own. I'm trying to figure out what happened to my little sister that was so terrible that she would turn to Draco Malfoy for friendship."

Those words made Ginny's stomach drop. She had always trusted Ron with her secrets. She had always considered him her favorite brother and best friend. Ginny could sense that he wasn't angry but truly hurt. She swallowed hard and whispered. "Ron, I trust you more than anyone else I know. I'm so sorry I've kept this a secret from you but I was sure that you would go after him once you found out. Just like you did tonight. To be honest though, you reacted a lot calmer than I thought you would."

"Calmer? I wasn't calm Ginny. I confronted him tonight because I was certain he was trying to manipulate you into trusting him. The reason why I gave in was because I could tell he had already succeeded in making you believe that he could be trusted. There's no reason to argue with him if I know you are already convinced." Ron said as he leaned forward resting his arms on his knees.

"I don't understand. Are you saying that you accept the fact that we are friends?" Ginny said hopefully.

Ron scoffed and shifted on the couch. "That's not even close to what I'm saying. It's a known fact that if you forbid someone from anything, they'll run straight to it. I'm not stupid you know. Go ahead Ginny, have a friendship with him. Just remember who he is and what he has done in the past. I'll be keeping a close eye on the both of you."

Ginny couldn't help but smile. "Oh Ron, you won't be sorry! He really has changed!"

Ron laughed. "Right, and I'm you know who!" He got up and walked to the stairs leaving Ginny alone by the fire. She didn't know how to feel about her conversation with Ron. He was hurt and concerned. She wasn't sure if he was nervous about the friendship or because he could tell there was more behind it. As oblivious as Ron was to his adoration for Hermione, he was definitely sensing something to be wary of with Ginny and Draco.

Ginny realized that as uncomfortable as she felt about it all, she did have to admit that progress had been made. She could also feel that a heavy weight was now lifted off her shoulders since the forbidden friendship was now out in the open with the trio.

Before Ginny knew it, she was on her way back down to the pitch for their next practice. She was surprised to see Harry and Draco already warming up as keeper and chaser. They were tossing the quaffle back and forth in silence. Based on their appearance, Ginny assumed that this warm-up had been going on for a while along with the silence. She was certain that both Harry and Draco knew she was there but were determined to focus on the warm-up. Ginny began to stretch as she saw Ron approaching the pitch.

Ron stood next to her and looked up at Harry and Draco. "How long have they been going at it?"

Ginny smiled. "I'd reckon at least an hour. Draco's dripping sweat." Ron cringed at her addressing him as Draco. Not wanting to continue the conversation, he jumped on his broom and joined the warm-up in the air. Eventually the rest of the Gryffindor team showed and began running drills.

Draco landed to get drink of water as Harry explained how they were going to demonstrate to Ron different ways to stop the quaffle. Ron's ears turned red and he shook his head. "Great he's after my sister and my position."

Harry got agitated at this comment and flew over to Ron. "Listen Ron, you're a great keeper but nobody's perfect. What's wrong with changing your strategy a bit to see what results you get? We have no control over Malfoy attending our practices so let's try to make the best of it."

Ron looked at Harry and sighed. "I'm sorry mate. I'm just upset about this whole thing. Let's give him a work out."

Harry smiled and pat Ron on the shoulder. "Now that's more like it. Malfoy! Let's try it again!" Harry hollered but got no response. Draco was staring at two people walking onto the pitch with his mouth open.

Harry squinted and was able to make them out. It was Cormac McLaggen and Pansy Parkinson. Harry laughed and looked over at Ron. "Now that's a couple if I've ever saw one." Ron and Harry landed next to Draco.

Cormac stopped in front of Draco bearing a bandaged nose and his arm in a sling. Draco smirked and spoke wickedly. "Enjoy your stay at the hospital wing McLaggen?"

"I did actually. Madam Pomfrey sure does fuss over her favorite students. But, all good things must come to an end." Cormac said throwing his shoulders back.

"Not necessarily. I could extend your stay if you like?" Draco replied rubbing his hands together. Just then, he saw Ginny land behind McLaggen looking worried. Draco realized that he was fully prepared to go at it again but remembered what he had discussed with Professor Dumbledore. Trying to change the subject, he switched his comments to Pansy. "What are you doing here Parkinson?"

Pansy glared and grabbed a hold of Cormac's good arm. "If you must know, I'm here to watch Cormac."

Draco chuckled. "Watch him what exactly? Polish their brooms?" With that comment, Harry grabbed Draco's arm to prevent another row.

"Come on Malfoy. Let's show Ron what we practiced." Harry said as Draco looked down in shock at Harry's hand. Was Harry trying to prevent him from getting in to trouble or was he just trying to get the practice back on track?

Draco replied suddenly. "Right. Let's do it." Draco kicked off from the ground and shot up followed by Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Cormac and Pansy walked to the other side of the pitch where Cormac began to look over some equipment.

Harry and Draco demonstrated the plays while Ron and Ginny watched. After about fifteen minutes Harry suggested that Ron take Draco's place as keeper. As Harry and Ron tossed the quaffle back and forth, Draco and Ginny began to talk.

Draco looked over at Ginny. "Did you and your brother have it out yet?"

Ginny chuckled. "Oh yes. He's not happy but he'll be okay. It could have turned out a lot worse."

Draco suddenly flew away and yelled. "Let's work on your accuracy shall we?"

Ginny followed and began throwing the quaffle his way attempting to score. After about an hour, Ginny saw Cormac and Pansy walking back up to the castle together and the Gryffindor team was on the ground debriefing. She and Draco landed and listened in as Harry addressed them panting heavily. While Harry spoke, Ginny felt Draco walk behind her as he began to stroke the small of her back. She started to blush heavily and couldn't wipe the smile from her face. He then moved his hand lower and pinched her causing her to squeal loudly. The whole team looked her way as Ginny was rubbing her bum. "Sorry! I got a cramp."

Everyone looked back over at Harry who didn't seem distracted by it in the least. Ron however was fuming. He was watching Draco and Ginny exchange smiles. He then saw Ginny mouth the word 'stop' to Draco as she elbowed him in the side. He returned the elbow into her shoulder which made her gasp and rub it while giving him the death stare. Draco laughed silently and shook his head. They both noticed that Ron was watching and stepped away from each other quickly. Ron gave Ginny a disapproving look and returned his attention to Harry. Once the debrief had ended the entire team headed for the castle leaving Ginny and Draco trailing slowly behind them. As Harry and Ron walked side by side, Harry was telling him how wonderful he thought the drills went. "Hufflepuff won't know what hit them! You stopped the quaffle almost every time!" Harry said with excitement but it was diminished when he realized that Ron wasn't listening. Ron continued to look back at Ginny and Draco wondering what was taking them so long.

Ron sighed heavily as he turned around again. "Oh come on! They didn't work half as hard as we did! What's taking them so long?"

Harry looked back as well. "You know Ron. This may be one of those times that you need to just let things be. Ginny knows what she's doing."

"And what exactly is she doing Harry? Look, I know you grew up hating the only thing you had close to a brother so you wouldn't understand." Ron said cruelly.

Harry stopped quickly and stared at Ron in anger. "Just because I didn't know what it felt like to have siblings that cared for each other until I met your family doesn't mean I don't care for Ginny too."

Ron dropped his head in shame. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't of said that."

"You're right….You shouldn't of but you did. If you want to go on making yourself crazy about this stupid friendship than go ahead. I'm going to trust Ginny's instincts and get on with my life." Harry said coldly and walked up to the castle alone leaving Ron standing there ashamed.

Draco and Ginny walked up to Ron wondering why he was just standing there. Ginny put her arm on his. "Ron what happened? Is Harry upset about something?"

Ron shoved her arm away and darted up the stairs. "Just get to the common room Ginny. It's getting late."

Ginny looked over at Draco in embarrassment. "Well, I guess I am a bit tired."

Draco smiled and looked around. "Me too. Goodnight." He said as he kissed her softly. Ginny blushed and ran up the stairs to the castle. Draco chuckled to himself and then headed for the dungeons.

A few weeks went by with little incident. Draco continued to attend every Gryffindor Quidditch practice doing different things Harry had assigned. No one on the team said more than a few words to him including Harry. Draco didn't seem to mind much and appeared to prefer it that way. One thing that every one could count on at every practice was Pansy fawning over Cormac. She seemed to always kiss him if Draco looked their way. To her dismay, Draco wasn't affected by it in the least.

There was however a few uncomfortable moments when Ron would catch Ginny and Draco running drills together and having the time of their lives. Ron would usually run into a goal post while watching them which turned to be quite embarrassing for him. Since Harry was still quite upset at Ron he would constantly shout for Ron to pay attention and get his head back in practice. Draco and Cormac steered clear of each other trying to avoid too many exchanges of insults.

On a cold Monday morning, Ginny sleepily walked into potions and sat next to Draco. Snape eyed her in disgust. "I apologize for waking you Miss Weasley. Maybe you should really consider catching up on your beauty sleep." That comment made Pansy burst out laughing as Snape walked into his office out of sight.

Hermione became enraged and yelled. "Oh please Pansy! Based on your repulsive sight, I'd say you've never received one minute of beauty sleep your entire life."

Ron and Harry both joined in the laughter of the rest of the class. Pansy turned red and yelled back. "Don't go making insults at me mud blood! I'll hex you back to the dumpster you were born in."

Hermione jumped up to charge at Pansy but Ron grabbed her just in time and lifted her off the ground to move her away. "Come on Hermione. Calm down. Don't forget you're Head Girl."

Ron gently put her down and Hermione blushed slightly. "Thank you Ron and you're right. My studies don't warrant time for detention. As for you Pansy, keep your heckles to yourself or I'll just have to squeeze in time for a detention."

Snape walked back out completely oblivious to what had just happened. Draco and Ginny looked at each other and laughed silently. As the lesson appeared on the board, everyone began to conjure their potions. Draco looked over at Ginny who was barely awake. "Are you sleepwalking today Red?"

Ginny smiled with her eyes closed. "I guess you could say that. You know how much studying I've been doing lately. I just really need a good night's sleep. But, I have to say that I'm thankful to have your dormitory to study in. The common room is so noisy lately."

Draco nodded in agreement and began adding some ingredients. Ginny had been studying in Draco's room every night for the past three weeks. She was definitely getting top marks for her homework and wondered how well she would be doing without his quiet room to use. She and Draco had only exchanged a few small kisses in that time even though they had plenty of opportunity to do more. She was grateful that he was able to put both their studies first before anything else because had he tried to distract her, she would have definitely given in. They spent most of the nights sharing his desk and sitting side by side. When they would study potions, she would read aloud to him as he would rub the small of her back.

Ginny shook her head back and forth trying to make herself more alert. "Draco, I think I'm going to go straight to bed after the feast tonight."

As Draco stirred the cauldron, he laughed. "That sounds like a good idea. Maybe that will mean you'll actually do something in this class tomorrow. I'm getting tired of doing everything around here."

Ginny laughed and smacked his arm playfully. Ron looked their way wondering what could possibly be so funny about today's potion. Ginny realized that what Draco said was partially true lately so she took the ladle from his hand flirtatiously. Draco smiled and sat back. Forgetting they were in potions and not in his dormitory studying, Draco slowly swung his arm around the back of her chair. He began to twirl her long red hair between his fingers and rubbed her back gently. Ginny reached for the final ingredient and caught Ron's gaze. She wondered why he was staring so strangely at her as if trying to tell her something secretly. Suddenly she realized what Draco was doing….In class. Ginny quickly sat back smashing Draco's hand into the chair.

Draco yelled out. "Ouch! What was that for?" He began to shake his throbbing hand.

Ginny scowled at him and gestured in Pansy's direction whom had also looked their way due to the outburst. Ginny whispered through gritted teeth. "You're being a little to friendly there friend."

Draco looked at Pansy and Ron and suddenly realized. "Oh….I didn't even realize I was doing that. Sorry." Draco shrugged and then rubbed his hand looking at Ginny exaggerating how much pain he was in. "You could have just said something. You didn't have to go and break my hand. I was just about ready to play seeker again and now look what you've done." He began to smile evilly. "You may have to play nurse for me again. Do you have any of that cream left?"

Ginny laughed and blushed since he hadn't really flirted with her since that night at the pitch. His comments made her stomach leap. "We'll have to see Mr. Malfoy."

Ron eventually looked away in revulsion. He didn't have anyone to vent to since he and Harry were barely speaking and Hermione appeared to have formed her own Ginny/Draco fan club. Anytime Ron wanted to point out something he thought they were doing wrong Hermione would raise her hand to silence him saying that it was wonderful.