Chapter Twelve

Harry slowly walked back to his dormitory. He felt angry, not only at Draco, but also at himself. Obviously Draco was never going to change. Why had he let himself fall into that little git's trap? Had this been Malfoy's plan all along?

When he walked into the common room, Ginny bumped into him.

"Oh, sorry, Harry!" She said happily. She started toward a table in the corner where a group of sixth years were sitting, but Harry called after her, "Do you want to go for a broom stick ride?" She turned and smiled.

"Definitely! Just let me grab my broom!" She ran up the stair to the girls dormitory, and Harry went up to get his also. He didn't want anything to happen between him and Ginny. He just really needed to get his mind off Draco, besides Ginny knew they were just friends.

They walked out across the grounds together. "So when are tryouts?" asked Ginny. Harry had not even thought about it yet.

"Not sure, I need to talk to MacGonagall," he said.

"The Harry I know would not have waited one day to get the Quidditch team together. And we've been back back for a few days now," Ginny commented, and Harry realized how right she was. Why had he wasted so much time on Draco? Because I love him, he thought. No, I don't!, he argued with himself.

"I've had a lot on my mind," Harry told her.

"Well, that's good for me because I'm hoping to outfly you around the pitch," she dared.

"Is that a challenge?" He joked.

"You bet!" Ginny exclaimed as she jumped on her broom, and they took off. Both excellent flyers trying to beat the other. Harry felt great. Ginny was so fun, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than flying.

Draco watched as Harry flew around the Quiddith pitch with Ginny. That was fast, he thought. It hadn't even been an hour, and Harry was already back with the blood-traitor.

Draco had felt terrible for what he had said to Harry. Now he was just angry. Had it all meant nothing to him? I blew him off, he thought. No! I'm not going to blame myself, he decided. It had hurt so much to tell Harry it was over, but everything was too dangerous. If people found out he was in love with Harry Potter, if his parents found out, his life would be over. Didn't Harry understand that? Or was this his plan all along, to humiliate Draco?

Harry flew back down to the ground after a good half an hour of flying.

"What? Did I tire you out?" Shouted Ginny laughing. Harry laughed along with her as she dropped down next to him.

"I suppose we should be getting back for dinner," Harry said.

"Why don't we go for a walk? It's so beautiful out," She's getting the wrong idea, thought Harry.

"No, I'm hungry. Let's go in," Harry was praying she would agree.

"Okay, but you owe me a walk around the lake!" And with that Ginny began skipping toward the castle. How was she so happy?

As they walked into the Entrance Hall, Draco came down the stone steps. Ignore him, Harry thought, but apparently Draco had changed his mind about ignoring each other.

"Oh, Weasel, I thought you should know: Potter's been snogging around lately." Draco knew Harry hadn't kissed anyone other than Ginny except him, but it felt good to lie. Especially after Harry went off snogging Ginny minutes after Draco walked away.

"And why would it matter to me who Harry's been kissing?" Ginny defended.

"Don't act like you don't care. You're still obsessed with him," Draco laughed.

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry went to shove him, but as soon as he touched Draco, is fingers tingled, and he wanted to pull him close. He fingertips simply rested on Draco's chest.

"Let's go, Harry," said Ginny. She seemed to realized something was happening between them. Harry turned back as they walked away. Draco had on the look from the train, the one Harry had finally realized was love. Maybe Draco had changed.