A/N-YOU GUYS ARE FLIPPIN AWESOME! ALL THOSE REVIEWS, PRIVATE MESSAGES, AND WELL WISHES ARE ROCKIN! I'M SO SPOILED. DON'T STOP! I LOVE IT! On a more serious note: I was waiting to post this chapter because I've revised it like ten times! It's one of the most shocking and important chapters so I was really trying to make it flow...I'm still not happy with it but have hit a road block with ideas. I hope I catch you by surprise and that you enjoy it. Fluff finatics-Be patient...It's coming soon. On a more depressing note: I hate to say it but I think I have a virus in my computer. It takes me forever to get on to this site now! I can't seem to toggle between the documents and reviews at all now which is horrible! I love to respond to each and every review but I can't! This will be the first chapter without it! I will try to get it fixed over the holiday because I love the inside jokes I share with all of you! I would still love to know what you think I just won't be able to respond for a little while. Please understand how important and special each and every comment you make is! Gosh I'm a drama queen huh? Love ya!

Chapter 18

The next morning, Ginny awoke to Hermione sifting through her trunk. "Oh I'm sorry to wake you Ginny. I just can't seem to find the camera I packed and the last thing I want to miss is Draco Malfoy attending the Weasley's Christmas dinner."

Ginny chuckled as she rubbed her eyes. "I know….This is insane but maybe it's just meant to be this way. I wonder what my brother's are going to do to him." Hermione shrugged and smiled.

"You know Ginny. They might surprise you…..And then again, they might not." Hermione said as she burst out laughing. "Come on. Your mum says breakfast is ready." Hermione waited as Ginny got ready and the girls went down together.

Mrs. Weasley was running around the kitchen frantic. "Where have you been? I need help with the Ham and potatoes. Hurry up and eat your breakfast girls." She said as she was basting the Turkey. Ginny sat in disbelief knowing that Draco Malfoy would soon be eating Christmas dinner at her house.

The morning passed by quickly and Ginny barely got permission from her mum to go and freshen up at noon. Ginny carefully picked out an outfit that was respectable but would hopefully turn Draco's head. She chose a fitted green sweater and a long flowing black skirt. Her sweater wasn't too low cut but did reveal the necklace he gave her. She quickly brushed her hair and dabbed a small amount of her perfume on her neck and wrists. When she looked at the clock it was 1:15 so she hurried downstairs to find that Draco had apparently just arrived and was shaking her father's hand. Ginny saw Draco extend a hand to Mrs. Weasley but she ignored it and hugged him again.

Mrs. Weasley released him and pointed her finger his way. "Now I won't have any of that. Now that I know that you were so wonderful to protect my Ginny, it will be nothing but hugs from now on. Do you understand?"

Draco chuckled and nodded. "I understand Mrs. Weasley." Ginny walked down a few more steps and caught a glimpse of Ron, Harry, and the twins sitting in the living room. Ron looked sickened and the twins looked appalled. Harry however stood to greet him.

They shook hands as Harry beckoned him to the sofa. "Malfoy, you remember the Gryffindor Quidditch team." Harry joked as the last time Fred and George spoke to Draco was after a terrible fight in a fifth year match. Draco laughed and sat in one of the chairs next to Harry nodding to the Weasley boys who groaned back.

Mrs. Weasley noticed Ginny standing on the stairs. "Oh Ginny! You look beautiful. Your friend is here."

Just then Draco noticed her and stood. He was wearing a dark gray button down shirt and black slacks. His blonde hair and blue eyes stood out against his usual choice of dark colors. He smiled at Ginny in a way that expressed to her that he was fond of her outfit. Knowing everyone was watching, he slowly sat back down but now in an empty sofa so Ginny could join him. Ginny sat closely next to him and then looked over at Fred and George who seemed to be putting things together. They seemed to realize that there was more behind the friendship and decided to bite their tongues for the time being. Ron however wasn't able to control himself.

He gasped and quickly left the room as if something foul had just been released in the air. Mrs. Weasley gestured to ignore him and announced that dinner would be served soon. Hermione had just walked in and noticed Ron's abrupt exit and followed him. Draco turned to Ginny to hopefully break some of the uncomfortable silence. "So your mum prepares everything herself….No house-elves to assist her?"

Ginny laughed along with Fred and George who were listening. "Are you kidding? Even if we had house-elves my mum would still want to do it herself. Well come to think of it, I am her house-elf." Fred and George snickered in agreement.

Draco was amazed by this. "So you know how to cook?"

Ginny looked at him as if he was crazy. "Uh. Yeah! Cook, clean, sew, fix things. You name it, I've done it."

Draco was still stunned by this all even though he knew that the majority of wizards did things for themselves. "So does it bother you to always have to do things yourself?"

Ginny eyed him with an offended look. "Does it bother you that you don't know how to do anything yourself?" Fred and George snorted at that comment with satisfaction and left the room remembering that their little sister could take care of herself.

Draco simply smiled and whispered. "It bothers me that I never knew you were so independent. I like that you don't need to rely on anyone. You can take care of yourself."

"Well having a large family, you kind of learn how to take care of everyone. I'm just used to chaos and prefer it that way." Ginny said wondering if he knew what she meant.

"I grew up with everything quiet, well-mannered, and organized. I didn't think there was any other way to be. This should be an interesting night." Draco said as he gently touched her knee and then noticed her necklace. "By the way, you look stunning." He softly grasped her necklace and then stood helping her up. "I'm dying to try your mum's cooking so let's go eat."

They walked into dining area together and sat next to Hermione and Harry. Ron was directly across from them and seemed to tense up when they sat. Once dinner was served Ginny wondered why Draco was so quiet. When she looked over she saw him getting seconds and his cheeks full of stuffing. He was obviously very fond of her mum's cooking and wasn't interested in talking. Everyone else was in their own conversations except for Ron who was just picking at his food. Ginny reached for the gravy at the same moment as Draco and their hands touched. Ginny blushed as Draco motioned for her to take it. Ginny whispered. "Oh no, there's only a little left so you go ahead. I can have my mum's gravy anytime."

Draco eyed his plate. "I tell you what. If you let me have the gravy, I'll share the last of the stuffing with you."

Ginny smiled as she thought that she couldn't possibly bare any more stuffing. "You promise?"

Draco smiled back. "You know you can trust me."

With that Ron scoffed and pushed his chair back loudly. "I can't sit here and watch this! You can trust him…Right!" Ron stormed into the kitchen.

Mrs. Weasley turned red and laughed. "You'll have to excuse him Draco. He's just-"

Ginny stood and interrupted her. "He's just what? A stupid git? An overprotective troll? I've had enough of this!" She stormed into the kitchen after him and began screaming at the top of her lungs. Everyone at the table was now staring at Draco as they listened in on the fight.

"You know what Ron? I've had enough of your dirty looks and comments about Draco! From this moment on you need to just accept the fact that he is my friend and that's that. Did you forget what he did for me that day? Why don't you trust him?" Ginny yelled.

Ron became infuriated and yelled back. "Why don't I trust him? Ginny! I have Draco bloody Malfoy at my Christmas dinner! The same bloke who has tormented every member of our family since I can remember! The same boy who has death eater parents and you want me to trust him? Sorry Ginny, I know that everyone thinks that that stupid performance in potions should be enough evidence to show he's changed but I'm not buying it! He has an alternative motive and I'm going to find out what it is!"

Ginny screamed even louder as everyone was uncomfortably silent in the dining area and still listening to the fight. Draco kept shifting in his seat with an embarrassed grin across his face as he rested his chin on his hands. "Fine Ron! You want to know why you should trust him? I'll tell you but you won't be able to handle it! One night last summer, I snuck out to buy a book and something terrible happened! I was attacked by the Knock Turn rapist Ron! He would have killed me if Draco hadn't come along and saved me!"

Ron went pale white and grasped the kitchen counter. Everyone in the dining area gasped and Mrs. Weasley grabbed her chest as Ron spoke quickly. "Did he, did he?"

Ginny spat it out so angrily as if hoping the words would hurt him. "Yes Ron! He raped me! And he would have killed me if Draco hadn't come along and saved me! Draco brought me back to his manor and he took care of me! Once he found out who I was, he went back to Knock Turn Alley and killed him with his bare hands! His bare hands Ron! Who would do something like that unless they truly cared? Ever since that day, Draco has done nothing but protect me!"

Ron was breathing heavily and turned his back to Ginny. "I don't…..I don't know what to say Ginny." His voice was cracking and his shoulders were trembling

She lowered her voice slightly realizing Ron's condition. "Just say you'll accept him Ron. He's not here for any other reason than that he is my friend. He cares for me Ron. He really does." Ginny put her arms around Ron as he spun around. He was sobbing. "Ron don't. I'm fine now."

Ron hugged her with such strength she thought she may pop. "Ginny, if anyone ever tries to hurt you….I-I should have been there."

Ginny whispered into his ear. "But Draco was there Ron and that's why I'm okay. Please accept him."

Ron nodded and wiped his eyes. "Of course. I understand now." Just then the Weasley's burst through the door and embraced Ginny.

Fred and George were yelling. "Why didn't you tell us? How could you not report this?"

Mrs. Weasley pushed them all away and spoke between sobs as Fred and George were taking their aggression out on a various walls and cabinets. Hermione was crying and Harry was red and shaking his head.

"My dear baby! What did he do to you?" Mrs. Weasley said and pulled Ginny in for a tight squeeze as she gasped for breath.

"I'm fine mum. Draco took care of him." Ginny managed to say as she was being smothered. Everyone one was silent, angry, and heartbroken for Ginny. Fred and George looked as if they were ready for war, breathing heavily, and pacing.

Mrs. Weasley stroked Ginny's hair and then smiled. "Of course he did." She said as she grabbed Draco's arm as he walked in behind everyone. "Draco, we will be in your debt forever. You saved our baby girl's life! I can't even imagine her going through something like that! You're a hero! Now enough of this friends rubbish. What's really going on?"

Mrs. Weasley eyed them both which caused everyone to look at them suspiciously. Ginny and Draco put on their most innocent faces and spoke in unison. "We're just friends."

Mrs. Weasley paused and then waved it off as a discussion for another time. Mr. Weasley shook Draco's hand as his voice cracked in anger. "Draco, you've obviously proven to be looking out for Ginny's best interest so I thank you for saving her."

Fred and George followed their father's actions completely convinced that he had in fact changed. "He's lucky you got to him first mate." Fred said.

"We would have used all types of torturous curses on him. I hope he was in a lot of pain while he was dying." George immediately followed. Draco nodded acknowledging the comment but not confirming it.

Ron extended his hand and looked Draco in the eye. "I'll never doubt you again. You didn't just save her that day. You saved this whole family. Thank you." Draco acknowledged the numerous thank you's and sighed heavily as he and Ginny were now left in the kitchen alone. They didn't know what to say to Ginny. Her brother's were infuriated and her parents brokenhearted.

He put an arm around her as she looked very pale. "I can't believe I just did that. I had only intended on telling Harry and Hermione. Now everyone knows. Oh my God! Now everyone knows. Draco what if the ministry finds out?"

Draco smiled. "You would be worth a life in Azkaban. What ever will be will be." He pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. "Unless it slips somehow, I seriously doubt your family would be the ones to turn me in."

Ginny laughed in agreement. "You know Draco, something happened in Diagon Alley today. Something I wanted to talk to you about…..But not now. Maybe we'll get to be alone sometime later. Come on. It's time for dessert." They walked back into the dining area again and sat back down as everyone smiled falsely and stared. Mrs. Weasley was sobbing in between bites as Mr.Weasley was rubbing her back. She was obviously pleased with Draco but was now realizing what really happened to Ginny. Fred and George were quickly finishing they're dessert and stood.

Fred tapped Draco on the shoulder. "We're going outside. You want to come along?" Draco looked at them suspiciously and then wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Alright then. But, I'm warning you. Any jokes on me and I'll have to show you my evil side." Draco said sarcastically and everyone actually laughed. Ginny was in shock but curious about what her brother's might have up their sleeves. Draco followed them out as the rest of the family finished their dessert. Once they were finished Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny went outside to locate Draco and the twins. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat in a stoned silence imagining the terrible things that Ginny had gone through.

As Ron and Harry stepped out onto the porch first they were both bombarded with numerous snowballs coming from a distance. They could hear loud laughter and hooting coming from behind a shed. Ron and Harry looked at each other and smiled as they scooped of as much snow as possible to retaliate. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh honestly. Haven't we grown too old for this?" She said arrogantly and was suddenly smacked in the face by one of the snowballs that Draco had thrown.

He realized who he hit and then laughed so hard he could barely speak. "Sorry Granger! I was aiming for Potter. Keep your head up!"

Hermione scoffed and grabbed a handful of snow. "How thick do you think I am Malfoy? I've seen you play Quidditch! You were aiming for me! You'll be sorry!" She yelled as she ran towards him with the snowball. Draco saw her heading straight towards him and took off quickly and hid behind a tree. Fred and George started throwing snow balls at her as she dropped hers and began screaming. "Help! Stop them!" She dropped to her knees and covered her head with her arms.

Ron ran to her aide and threw several snowballs at them to allow her escape. "Run Hermione! Faster!" Ron laughed as she continuously tripped and fell on her way back to the house. He retreated to where he and Harry had taken refuge behind a stack of wheel barrels. Ginny, still standing on the porch as she knew better than to take on her brothers in a snowball fight soaked in the scene. Draco Malfoy was teamed up with Fred and George against Ron and Harry. How could this have come about? She swore she must be dreaming.

Hermione finally made her way back to the porch and was panting heavily. "Those boys are so ridiculous! How can anyone find this fun? I'm freezing!" She sat on a swing next to Ginny. "What are you smiling about?"

Ginny looked at Hermione as small tears formed in her eyes. "Hermione, I'm just really happy. I can't explain it. Draco is here having a snowball fight with my family and they are truly accepting him."

Hermione whispered as she too started to cry. "Ginny what happened to you was terrible and I'm sorry it had to come out the way it did today. That must have been really painful for you."

Ginny wiped away a tear and smiled again. "You know what Hermione? I'm glad it happened that way. Now I don't have any more secrets to keep inside. Of course what happened has taken its toll on me but I can honestly say that Draco is the reason I have been able to heal. He has been so wonderful to me."

Hermione sat up and sighed nervously. "Ginny, are you sure you don't have any more secrets your keeping?"

Ginny quickly looked at her. "What do you mean?"

Hermione smiled and rubbed Ginny's arm. "Well I just couldn't help but notice how you and Draco look at each other. He seems to be very interested in you. I always seem to catch him staring, winking, or touching you as if there's more than a friendship behind it."

Ginny looked down and blushed. "Well, I guess it'd be alright to tell just you. We do care for each other Hermione and we spend time together whenever we can. I'm rather fond of him. He's very good at making me feel special."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "Have you kissed him Ginny?"

Ginny burst out laughing. "Yes of course I have. He's good at that too."

Hermione placed her hands on her cheeks. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. This is wonderful Ginny!" Hermione hugged her.

Ginny placed her finger to her mouth. "Shh. No one else needs to know right now. If Ron found out he'd probably go into cardiac arrest." The girls laughed and continued to watch the snowball fight that Ron and Harry were losing disgracefully.

Fred, George, and Draco were now on the other side of the barrels and closing in fast. Ron began to plead for help. "Ginny! Get over here and help us! Hermione! You owe me one!"

The girls laughed and ran over to Ron and Harry and joined in the fight which caused the others to retreat a bit. Ginny got Draco square in the face from close range and he stood in shock. "So that's how it is huh? We'll just see about that!" He said as he took off after her. Ginny turned and ran towards a group of trees off into the distance. Draco yelled after her as the others laughed at the sight. "You're only making this harder on yourself Red! Don't get too far or your brothers won't be there to save you!"

He tackled her from behind and they fell hard onto the snow laughing hysterically. Ginny tried to push him off but lacked any energy. "Get off you!" Draco took off his gloves and began to tickle her with his cold hands. "AHHH! Stop it! I can't take it!" Draco suddenly stopped and looked at her with adoring eyes. They were surrounded by blankets of snow and the sky was a pale blue. The trees and fences were covered in icicles and seemed suspended in time. Ginny could see the white smoke Draco's heavy panting was creating along with hers.

"You're beautiful you know." He leaned in and kissed her behind the trees. Ginny felt a warm sensation run through her. "I've been dying to kiss you since I arrived."

Ginny ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him back passionately. They heard Fred and George calling for them as they had won the battle. Draco helped her up and they trekked back to the house temporarily hand in hand. The rest of the afternoon was spent by the fire as they drank butter beer and told stories about the recent Quidditch matches. Ginny was hoping her mum would ask Draco to stay for Christmas morning and continued to hint things to her.

It was amazing to see the change in demeanor in Ron, Fred, and George. It was like Draco had become an old family friend. Ron challenged Draco to a game of chess which eventually resulted in a tournament that Harry, Fred, and George joined in. Draco seemed to suddenly fit right in as if he had been friends with her brothers for ages.

After an hour in the final match between Ron and Draco, Ron yelled. "Check Mate! Whew! How does it feel to lose to a Weasley, Malfoy?"

Draco smiled realizing he had just been defeated. "Not as bad as it will feel to you when Slytherin slaughters Gryffindor next term." Harry and the twins booed his comment.

Ron laughed. "I've got an idea. Why don't we have a go outside right now? Three on three with Ginny?"

Mrs. Weasley interrupted. "Don't even think about it Ronald! It's snowing outside. Draco, why don't you room with Harry and Ron and then have an early morning match? The weather will be much nicer and Bill and Charlie will be here to join in."

Ginny shot up so quickly in excitement that she rolled off the couch onto the floor. Draco noticed her reaction and chuckled through his words. "If I'm not imposing…..That's sound lovely Mrs. Weasley."

"It's settled then. Well goodnight all. We're going to bed." Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went upstairs to sleep. The room was uncomfortably silent for only a moment before Fred spoke.

"She must be mad if she thinks we won't go out after she told us not to! I don't care hold old we are. You're never too old to defy your parents right George?" Fred said.

George grinned and clapped his hands together. "Right. So three on three then?"

Harry spoke first. "Maybe we should wait until the morning. I'm a little sore from earlier."

Ginny followed quickly. "Yeah and I'm just too tired. Kind of a rough day you know?"

Fred and George spoke at once. "Alright tomorrow then." The last thing they wanted was to push Ginny after the emotional day she had. "So what else can we get into?" The twins smiled evilly.