Chapter 22

When Ron finally awoke from his nap he walked down stairs finding everyone getting ready to play Quidditch. He grabbed his broom and walked outside. "Sorry I slept so long."

Bill and Charlie waived him over as they were splitting up the teams. Bill was counting up the players. "Okay we'll do four on four. I'll take Fred, Ron, and Malfoy. George, Harry, and Ginny you're with Charlie. Oh unless Hermione wants to play?"

Ron burst out laughing and everyone looked his way. Hemione's jaw dropped in embarrassment and she crossed her arms. Ron shrugged and whispered to Draco. "What? She hates Quidditch. Doesn't understand a thing about it. You'd think with a brain like hers she could get the sport but she just doesn't."

Draco leaned in and whispered back. "Actually Weasley, she understands it quite well now. I explained some of the rules to her at one of your practices and I think she gets it more than we do."

Ron was completely thrown by this. "Well I don't know why she didn't just ask me. I could have explained it to her."

Draco chuckled. "Right Weasley. Just as soon as you finished laughing at her."

Ron was about to respond when Bill released the quaffle. He flew into the air to find Draco. He wasn't about to let him have the last word. He spotted Draco flying near Ginny. "Hey Malfoy! I want to talk to you!"

"Not now Weasley! Watch out!" Draco yelled as Ron ducked just in time to avoid the bludger George had just sent his way.

Ron flew up next to him. "Look, I just don't know why she would go to you instead of me or Harry. It doesn't make any sense."

"Look Weasley, she didn't go to me. I was just there as she was talking away. I realized that no matter what, she was going to keep asking questions until she heard everything she needed. After I answered a few times she was satisfied and actually backed off to let me do the talking. She actually seemed to enjoy being able to listen for a change. Are you telling me you haven't figured her out yet? That was probably the fourth time I'd talked to her and it was obvious." Draco said as he scanned the air for the snitch.

"What was obvious?" Ron asked throwing his hand in the air in frustration.

"If I have to spell it out for you than never mind. It's not my place. Ask Potter." Draco said and dove down quickly.

"Yeah you're a lot of help!" Ron yelled after him. He looked over at Hermione who was watching Bill and Charlie elbow each other with a smile on her face. Ron shrugged realizing that he would probably never understand her.

The game was beginning to wind down as the sun was setting. Draco suddenly spotted the snitch flying behind Hermione. Draco quickly turned around and flew straight at it. Harry was busy trying to get Fred to stop jinxing him and didn't even notice.

Hermione screamed and covered her head as Draco flew closely over her and caught the snitch. He suddenly lost his grip on his broom and fell to the ground. Hermione stood and knelt beside him. "Are you okay?"

Draco looked up and was laughing. "I'm fine. You should have seen your face!"

"Oh rubbish! I thought you were going to crash into me." Hermione snapped back.

Ron landed and looking extremely jealous. "Are you alright Hermione?"

Hermione looked his way angrily. "Oh you've stopped laughing at me have you?"

"I wasn't laughing. I just didn't think you'd be interested in playing is all." Ron said quietly.

"Well I'm not but it was nice to be asked for a change. Ginny, I'm going to go pack my things." Hermione said and headed inside.

Ron looked around as everyone was staring at him. He shook his head and hopped back on his broom. He flew around the burrow as the others headed inside. Hermione apparated home shortly before Draco.

Mrs. Weasley prepared Draco a package of food to take home. "Now I'm sure you don't need this but you seemed to really enjoy the food and-"

"Oh I did Mrs. Weasley. This will hold me over until I get back to school. Thank you." Draco said truthfully grateful for the hearty package she had prepared for him. She hugged him tightly and Mr. Weasley shook his hand. Draco had a sudden strange but delightful feeling as he said goodbye to them. They made him feel as if they really enjoyed his visit and that they wanted him to return very soon.

Bill and Charlie also shook his hand and complimented his Quidditch skills. Fred and George asked him to stop by their joke shop to stock up for school. Harry and Ron walked him outside along with Ginny. The boys shook hands and bid him goodbye leaving Draco and Ginny alone. Draco watched them walk back to the house. "Well this was quite a holiday." He said pulling Ginny in for a quick hug.

Ginny eyed him suspiciously. "I'm sorry you had to sleep on a cot."

Draco laughed loudly. "Hey I forgot about that. It wasn't that bad actually. I've never known what it feels like to have brothers but now I do. Your brother can snore louder than a troll. And Harry tosses and turns all night. I'd hate to sleep in their dormitory all year. But, I had a great time."

Ginny looked up at him in surprise. "You did?"

"Of course I did! Your parents are wonderful and your brother's are insane. I had the time of my life Ginny. I could get used to this." Draco said shocking even himself.

"Well I hope you do. Thank you for coming." Ginny said on the verge of tears.

Draco hugged her again. "What's the matter? I thought we were having a good moment."

"We were that's just it. I've never been so happy." Ginny said and had a sudden urge to refrain from saying anything else. He was looking into her eyes and suddenly closed his mind not wanting her to read his thoughts.

"Ginny I should go. I um want to get packed for school and-" Draco felt her fingers touch his lips as she smiled.

"I know Draco…..Me too." Ginny turned and walked inside leaving Draco alone and confused. Was she agreeing that she also needed to pack or was she agreeing on something else? These thoughts made Draco's head fuzzy as he apparated home.

Ginny, Ron, and Harry were walking down the train looking for Hermione when they spotted her exiting the restroom. "Oh hello! I've got us a compartment just over there. Follow me." Hermione said as they walked towards an empty compartment. Just then, Crabbe and Goyle turned the corner followed by Draco.

Crabbe cracked his knuckles menacingly at Harry and Ron. Harry tried to hide his smile as he witnessed Draco making funny gestures behind his two cronies. Goyle looked back wondering what was so funny and Draco shrugged it off. Realizing that Crabbe and Goyle were waiting for him to act he sighed heavily and stepped in front of them. "What seems to be the hold up boys? Ah! Potter and Weasley. I hope you two rested over the holidays. Not that it will help you beat us on the pitch."

Ron smiled and laughed. "Don't forget that you've lost quite a few matches this year Malfoy. I wouldn't want to see you voted the least valuable player."

"Nah we'll save that award for your sister." Crabbe said and then coughed nervously at his own response.

"Say that again Crabbe." Ron said loudly and charged him. Draco and Harry began to restrain Ron.

Ron struggled to free himself as Draco laughed. "Alright alright Weasley calm down. Crabbe doesn't speak much but when he does he goes for the throat. Now Granger and I will have to give you both detentions if we don't break it up right now."

Ron composed himself and smiled at Crabbe. "I dare you to say another word about her again."

Crabbe opened his mouth but caught sight at Draco who was shaking his head and giving a disapproving look. "I wouldn't if I were you Crabbe. Let it go." Draco waived his hand as if shooing him away.

"What?" Crabbe said in disbelief. Was Malfoy actually telling him to walk away? He stomped hard as he walked quickly with Goyle following closely behind him. Draco bowed slightly and winked at Ginny as he walked away slowly being in no hurry to catch up.

Hermione shook her head as they entered the compartment. "It's odd to see Malfoy acting decent in this environment. At the Burrow it seemed natural but here it's just awkward." Hermione scratched her chin as she thought. "Ginny. You might want to tell him to not act so abnormal around his friends. They may catch on."

Ron scoffed. "Crabbe and Goyle couldn't catch on to a barrel full of cupcakes! No one will notice. He's been laying low all year hasn't he? No one's said anything yet have they?"

Harry nodded in agreement. "True but I think Hermione's right. People may think it's a bit odd that Draco has stopped tormenting us. Especially you Hermione. He hasn't called you one filthy name all year. Someone's bound to notice."

"You're right Harry. Ginny, tell Draco to call me a mud blood in potions or better yet the Great Hall. Oh and he hasn't called Ron a blood traitor in a long time." Hermione said in a casual way.

Ginny sat up and looked towards the compartment door. "Tell him yourself."

They all looked her way and saw Draco entering their compartment. Hermione jumped up. "Malfoy what are you doing in here? Get out before someone sees you!"

Draco held his finger to his lips. "Shh. I've told them that I was instructed to discuss some upcoming events with you. Actually that is why I'm here. I just received word from my Mother that a cousin of mine, a cousin I haven't seen in years is coming to Hogwarts to finish her seventh year. She was going to Durmstrang but her parents had a difference of opinion with the Headmaster there. She'll be arriving tonight during the feast."

Harry and Ron simply shrugged at the unnecessary information as Hermione and Ginny looked worried. Ginny shifted in her seat. "Which side is she on?"

The trio was impressed with such a direct question and awaited his response. Draco leaned against the door and crossed his arms. "Well like I said, I haven't seen her in years but I don't doubt that she'll be sorted into Slytherin. She was always a sneaky little thing. If you want to know which side she's on I really couldn't tell you."

Ron spoke immediately. "I can. She's from Durmstrang and related to you. I'll give you one guess."

Hermione elbowed Ron in the side as Harry looked intrigued. "So could she be a spy? For your Mother or for Voldemort?"

Draco pondered the question and sighed. "Anything's possible at this point. But she's very independent. Not much for following rules other than her own. This may just be an odd coincidence or she could be here to find out what I'm up to. Keeping your guard up wouldn't be a bad idea. Anyhow, I thought I would let you know. I better get back." Draco winked at Ginny and left their compartment.

Harry sighed loudly. "That's all we need at Hogwarts. Another Malfoy to deal with. At least it will keep things interesting." The others chuckled at Harry's comment and they started guessing how ugly Draco's cousin probably was.

Ginny didn't feel much like sitting so she left the compartment to take a short walk up the train. She walked passed Draco's compartment and he immediately looked up and smiled as she walked by. Crabbe noticed and shook his head. "What's going on with the blood traitor Malfoy?"

Draco gave Crabbe an evil smirk. "Oh please. Don't even attempt to act intelligent Crabbe. It will confuse people."

"I just meant that…." Crabbe was terrified to finish.

"Great Crabbe, while you consider what to say next I'm going to use the restroom. Don't hurt yourself." Draco got up and left the compartment to look for Ginny. He saw her walking up ahead and jogged to catch up. "Where are you going?"

Ginny was smiling widely. "Oh I don't know….I was hoping you could help me find my way."

Draco put his hand out in front of her and led her into to the empty prefect compartment. He locked the door behind them and pulled down the shades. He immediately pulled her to him and kissed her softly. "I'm going to get caught Ginny. I'm having a hard time pretending to hate you….I can't even pretend to hate your brother anymore. We made need to stop seeing each other."

Ginny pushed him down on the seat and sat on top of him. "I know what you mean. We should really stop studying together."

He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her again. "You're right we should." He said as he slid his hands under her shirt and began to rub her back softly. He smiled as he felt several goose bumps form up and down her back.

"And no more of this kissing stuff. If we are going to see each other we should keep it civilized." Ginny said as she began to kiss his neck.

Draco grabbed her hips and squeezed hard trying to control the urges he was having. "You're absolutely right. We've got to control ourselves."

"Yes! Keep our distance!" Just then Ginny burst out laughing along with Draco. "It's impossible."

Draco breathed her in. "I know. All I do is think about you."

"Really?" Ginny whispered in amazement. Draco moved some of her hair out of her face and kissed her again. Just as he was about to reply they heard someone trying to get in. Ginny got up slowly and hid in a closet.

Draco ran his fingers through his hair and opened the door. "Oh what do you want Parkinson?"

Pansy bore a look of utter satisfaction and looked behind Draco. "Oh nothing, I just thought I'd say hello. Are you alone in there?"

"Of course I am! I was trying to sleep. What, do you think I was shagging Granger or something?" Draco said unconvincingly.

"No. I know better than that. Draco, I've been thinking." Pansy giggled and circled her fingers on his chest and then tried to move her hand lower.

Draco pushed her hand away quickly. "Now why would you go and do a thing like that? You might hurt someone or better yet, yourself."

Pansy scoffed and ignored his comment. "Like I said, I've been thinking….You know about us and I was wondering if you wanted me to stop by your dormitory tonight. You know for old time's sake."

"You know Pansy, if the thought of you didn't make me vomit I'd consider it. But I'd rather perform the Cruciatus curse on myself before I ever spend time with you again. I just think I'd enjoy it more you know?" With that Pansy turned on her heel and trudged away.

Draco closed the door and sighed in relief. "You can come out now." Ginny stepped out of the closet and fixed her hair. Draco just smiled at her as he lifted the shades.

Ginny began to feel nervous at the thought of anyone walking by and seeing them alone in the same compartment. "I should go."

"I know. I'll see you later." Draco said as he lay down on the seat.

Ginny walked back to the compartment and found the trio fast asleep. Ginny sat down next to Ron and leaned against him while she looked out the window. She began to think about Draco and how much she wished he was holding her. Suddenly she was startled by his voice.

"Ginny…Ginny."

"What is it Draco?" She could feel the tension in his thoughts.

"I was hoping you could still hear me. It's nothing really I was just checking." Draco said obviously holding something back.

"Okay. I'm going to get some sleep. I'll see you in the Great Hall." Ginny thought not having the energy to ask what was really on his mind.

"See you." With that, they both dosed off to sleep thinking nothing other than each other.

A/N-There's a new character to be introduced in the next chapter...Can any of you guess what her purpose will be? I can't wait to hear what you think of her.