Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.

A/N Thanks very much for the reviews. I'm afraid that there'll be no soppy 'I love you's' going on in this chapter. Sorry to disappoint!

Evacuation and the tent

For a moment it was almost a real kiss.

But only for a moment. Draco pulled back and gasped, Ginny now almost falling off her broom and she clung on to him to avoid plummeting to the ground. She stared straight into his eyes, desperate to see some sort of recognition.

For a horrible second she thought it hadn't worked, he had no memory, and she had no second plan.

He blinked, and stared at her, blinked again. She looked at him expectantly, momentarily forgetting how cruel he had been and actually was.

"It's OK, I remember." He said, still looking a bit bewildered.

Ginny felt relief coursing through her and she filed away the thought that kissing Draco had triggered his memory for later examination. She quickly pushed herself back from him to regain her balance on her broomstick.

"I just wanted to say that that didn't mean anything," she clarified, looking at him mutinously, ignoring how right it had felt kissing him.

He had the grace to look a little ashamed, remembering how he had treated her, then quickly covered it with his characteristic blank uninterest.

"It's OK, I didn't ever think it did. In fact, it saves me the trouble of dealing with yet another besotted girl."

Malfoy was back. Ginny shut her eyes for a second and composed herself choosing to remain silent and ignore his remark. They had to focus on the immediate problem. When she opened them again Draco was looking around, at the now empty Quidditch stands.

"Snape wasn't at the match." Ginny said sharply.

"To Dumbledore then." Suddenly, it seemed, Draco sprang into action, and aimed straight for a window on the ground floor at breakneck speed. She followed right behind, hoping that Draco had actually found the right window to aim at and ignored the hurt she felt beneath her outward indifference.

They got to the window a large bay one, similar many of the others on the ground floor. Draco reached forward and knocked loudly on the glass, three times.

He caught Ginny's eye, and looked away again, surprised at how much venom could be shown in a single look. Inside he was furious, at Ginny, for not understanding that it wasn't his fault he had been so cruel, it was just how he treated all people he didn't know, and furious also with himself for caring that he had hurt her feelings at all. Draco Malfoy never felt guilt.

Hurry up old man, he thought, conscious of how precious every second was. Who knew when Snape would choose to detonate the bombs? The Death Eaters had probably changed their plans after finding him and Ginny anyway, he knew how careful his father was.

He couldn't take the silence any more.

"Look, Ginny, I'm …"

"There's not need to apologise Malfoy. You simply reminded me who you really are. You did me a favour." She said not even looking at him.

Before Draco could even begin to formulate an appropriate nasty response, the window opened and a rather bewildered looking Dumbledore peered out.

"Miss Weasley, Mr Malfoy? Not the most conventional entrance to my study, but do come in. How can I help you?" He looked kindly at them.

"No time." Draco said simply. "Death Eaters put the school under a time stop last night. Weasley and I were left out of it, and saw them planting muggle bombs in each of the houserooms and in your study, sir. Professor Snape is, we believe, waiting down by the Forbidden Forest, ready to detonate them at this very moment."

Ginny nodded in affirmation, admiring how he managed to recount the whole incident in such a collected manner, in comparison with her poor attempt just a few minutes ago. She didn't miss the reversion to Weasley, and was irritated to feel a pang of unhappiness shoot through her heart.

Dumbledore took only seconds to absorb this information. He didn't even think twice as to whether they were telling the truth.

"I will go and deal with Professor Snape myself." His eyes unfocused for a moment before retuning back to their sharp stare. "If you would be so kind as to wait here for the staff to get here. I have just contacted them. I suggest evacuating the school back to the Quidditch pitches. I shall return as soon as I can." With that he disappeared.

Ginny, once again awed by Dumbledore's extraordinary magical powers, stared into the space he had just vacated.

She glanced at Draco, who was avoiding even looking at her.

In seconds, the door opened and teachers began filtering in. Unconsciously Ginny and Draco moved closer together for a bit of moral support. They received some interesting looks. Professor McGonagol was first to speak, looking formidable. It was clear she was a little suspicious of Draco.

"Professor Dumbledore called us here. He said you would explain to us what is happening." She addressed them both.

Draco repeated his account as he had to Dumbledore.

"Is this correct Miss Weasley?" McGonagol enquired.

Ginny nodded, "He suggests that the school should be evacuated immediately."

"I quite agree." She turned around to address the other members of staff, but before she could begin she was interrupted.

"Are we to evacuate the school on the word of two students? If the papers hear of this, it will undoubtedly cause a serious upheaval in the wizarding world. I shouldn't think parents will take to well to a Death Eater scare." It was Professor Vector who had spoken.

"I would think there would be greater 'upheaval' if the students were blown up Theodore. There is too great a risk to be concerned about Hogwarts publicity." McGonagol said sternly.

"Quite." It was Dumbledore speaking. Everyone jumped a little at hearing his voice. He hadn't been gone long.

"Besides, there is no longer any question as to what is true. Death Eaters have been in the castle last night, and everything Mr Malfoy and Miss Weasley have said is correct. Professor Snape is, as we speak, being properly questioned in the ministry and Aurors are on their way. But for now, the school must be evacuated to allow them to try to remove these...bombs." He looked very grave.

"So, will Heads of Houses kindly escort your pupils out of the school and onto the Quidditch pitches. Would remaining members of staff please station yourselves in suitable positions to ensure that the students do not stray. And Frederick, will you please begin creating a large tent suitable to house and protect the whole school for an uncertain amount of time. I will come to assist as soon as I have everything else in order."

Teachers began filing out of the room, with a variety of concerned expressions on their faces.

"Mr Malfoy and Miss Weasley?" He said, acknowledging their presence for the first time. "I need you to give me a more full account of everything you know, even any minor details you think unimportant, and show us the exact location of the bomb in the Gryffindor tower."

A/N Sorry that wasn't very long. I know that not much happened, but I needed to get all that said before anything more exciting happens. Hope it wasn't too boring. I'll try to update soon, but haven't had much time recently. Well, review!