Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story.

Sorry for the really long time in between updates. This chapter has been mostly finished for about a week but I didnt know if I liked it or not. I'm still not sure. But I figured I would put it up anyway. I hope you enjoy it. This story has been really hard for me to write because I dont feel like it is that great and I am kinda running out of ideas. But I will finish it. I actually wanted it to be really long. But it may not be that way anymore. I plan on moving it along more in the next chapter and she will be returning to school soon. So if you have any ideas, just post them in your review or whatever.

Chapter 7

"The house looks so empty." Ginny commented as she, her mom, and Hermione walked into the Weasley home.

"Well we haven't been here in about a week sweetheart." Molly said, walking into the kitchen and waving her wand around. A brush flew out of the sink and dunked itself into the sink that was quickly filling with water, before it started to scrub the counters. The house needed to be completely cleaned and decorated before the wedding, which was in two days. She was stressed out to say the least. "Let's just get started. Ginny, why don't you and Hermione start in the living room? Clean it and make sure everything is spotless. And then once you are done start on the dining room. And then we can clean up the spare bedrooms for the guests. The boys are coming over later to de-gnome the garden. Then we can put up the tent and get all the chairs set up." Molly said ticking things off on her fingers as she ran through the list.

"We have to do all of this today, mum?" Ginny asked exasperated at the thought of all the work they had to do.

"Sabine and her sister arrive tomorrow. As do your brothers. I want everything finished so that they don't have anything to worry about other then walking down the aisle and exchanging vows." Molly turned away from the girls and walked over to the fridge to make a list of the food she would need to buy. Hermione led Ginny into the living room.

"Ron holding up alright?" Ginny asked quietly while she took the books on the coffee table and began stuffing them onto the giant bookshelf.

"Better than me. Can you believe that night I was more upset than him? After the initial shock wore off he kept telling me that everything would work out all right. He seemed so brave." Hermione answered as she waved her wand at the couch. It appeared to look whiter than normal and the blankets and pillows were arranged neatly.

"I think we were all in shock that night." Ginny sighed and thought back to that night 5 days ago. No one discussed it outside of the nightly Order meetings, so Ginny had no clue what was going on. But she assumed that it was going well since Hermione was no longer bursting into tears and Ron and Harry were even joking around like normal.

"Yeah I heard the screaming match you and Malfoy had afterwards. I couldn't hear what you were saying but it didn't sound good." She answered nonchalantly. Ginny looked up at the girl who had her back to her and tried to think of what to say. Truth was she had been trying to forget all about the fight in the hopes that her guilt would go away. But of course when had her conscience given up that easily? She had thought of nothing else for the past 5 days. She knew her words were untrue and that just a simple apology wouldn't help. But what exactly could she do to take it all back?

"Um…yeah I guess I overreacted a little." She said finally. Hermione turned around upon hearing the sadness in her voice.

"What happened?"

"He came to tell me that he wasn't going to do anything to Ron, but I was too upset to pay any attention. And I ended up telling him that he ruined my life and that I only used him to get over Harry." Ginny replied sniffling. 'No tears' She reminded herself as she felt the all too familiar feeling of tears forming in her eyes. Hermione gave her a sympathetic look before walking over and hugging her tightly.

"Oh Ginny." Hermione said when she pulled away.

"I don't know what to do Hermione. I didn't mean it. I was just so angry with the whole situation that I didn't know what I was saying." Ginny stammered. She threw herself down in the comfy chair behind her and put her face in her hands.

"I'm sure he knows you were just angry. What did he say before he left?"

"He just looked at me and I knew he was trying to gauge whether or not I was serious, so I looked away. And he just said 'Well then, I guess we're done here.'" Ginny looked up at Hermione her brown eyes shining with the unshed tears. "Then he slammed the door and I haven't seen him since. I mean I'm sure he has been at Headquarters, but I'm not sure who is avoiding who."

"He has seemed a little more angry than normal. And any mention of you and this scowl appears on his face." Hermione paused at seeing Ginny's crestfallen face. "But his eyes say so much more. You are the one who told me that Malfoy's eyes reveal everything he is feeling. And so I watched him. And I could see it. His eyes weren't hard and they weren't angry. They looked hurt."

"How could you possibly know that? It took me months to understand exactly how to read Draco. And it takes you what? Like a week?" Ginny said skeptically.

"Well all those long nights in the kitchen sitting across the table from him, there was nothing better to do."

"You could have been listening to the Master Plan for defeating Voldemort." Ginny suggested.

"Oh yeah, well that comes second on my to-do-list. First is trying to understand your estranged ex boyfriend." Hermione smiled lightly and Ginny laughed at the sarcastic nature of her comment. "I was curious to see if what you said was true, that's all. And so I watched him whenever you would come up. And it was obvious what he was thinking. And of course, now that I know what happened between the two of you, I can understand completely why every time Harry talked, Draco looked like he wanted to kill him."

"He always looks like he wants to kill Harry." Ginny replied standing up. She started looking around for anything else she needed to clean. Hermione picked up her wand and cast a scouring charm on the room. It instantly appeared spotless and everything was organized.

"I don't know if your mum wanted us to use our wands, but it couldn't hurt." She replied smiling. "And Ginny, take my word for it. If you apologize to him, he'll forgive you."

"Doubtful." She said simply as she walked into the dining room. Hermione followed and cast the same spell. Immediately, everything in the room was back in its rightful place, the wood was polished, and the plates and dishes looked like they had just been washed. Hermione smiled at her work and pulled out a chair. She plopped down in it and motioned for Ginny to do the same.

"You can't let your guilt and doubt keep you from trying to get him back as a friend." She said when Ginny sat down. "You have to take risks to reap the rewards." Ginny smiled. "And besides, you can't get back together with him if you aren't even friends with him."

"I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen." Ginny remarked cryptically.

"Oh, come now, stop being so down on yourself. He'll come around." Hermione patted her arm.

"It isn't that simple, Mione. I told him that I used him to get over Harry. That is like his worst nightmare."

"It's not his worst nightmare. That would be losing you."

"Hermione, you hardly know him. So how can you be such an authority on Draco Malfoy?" Ginny asked irritated. She didn't mean to take her anger out on Hermione; it's just that to her, the situation seemed hopeless.

"You're right. I'm not best friends with Malfoy. So I may not know him as well as you do. But I do know Ron."

"What does Ron have to do with anything?" Ginny asked completely confused.

"Ron and Malfoy are a lot alike. I know you would never want to admit that, but its true. They are both stubborn and strong willed. And if I can understand Ron then I can understand Malfoy." Hermione stated. "Not to mention both of them can hold grudges like nothing else. Except when it comes to the women they love."

"I refuse to believe that Ron and Draco are alike in any way."

"Well you don't have to believe it, but they are. And sadly, Harry is like them too. We are surrounded by obstinate males."

"Why do we hang out with them again?" Ginny asked jokingly.

"Because they are good for something. Like snogging."

"Yuck, Hermione, honestly. I do not want to know about Ron's kissing ability." Ginny said wrinkling her nose in disgust. Hermione laughed and smiled. She had effectively changed the subject and just for now anyway, had put Ginny in a better mood.

----------

The day of the wedding finally arrived and Ginny couldn't have been more happy. She finally had something to keep her mind off of Draco and her idiocy. He had been invited by Charlie but had graciously declined, saying he was still trying to get everything situated at his new apartment, which from what she was told, was coming along quite nicely. Her father had relayed what it looked like the other night over dinner and Ginny tried her best not to think about the fact that she could have been there with him.

She walked down the steps and into the living room her lilac colored bridesmaids dress billowing out behind her. It looked pretty nice on her actually. It was fitted through the bodice and at the hips, it flowed out generously into an a-line silhouette that she had to admit flattered her figure. Her hair was swept up into a delicate chignon and she wore only enough makeup to accentuate her natural beauty. Around her neck was the necklace she had received from Draco for Christmas. She had yet to take it off and even though they were technically finished, she couldn't bring herself to part with it. She loved looking in the mirror and seeing the simple silver chain around her neck with the small dark green tear shaped stone hanging delicately above her chest. It reminded her of him every time she saw it and she immediately thought of all the wonderful times they had together. Stopping in front of the small mirror in the hall, she looked at her reflection. Her eyes traveled from her face to the necklace. She fingered it gently and felt the emotions rising in her throat once again.

"Stop it." She scolded herself quietly, tearing her eyes away from the mirror. She walked outside where the party was still going on. She could see her brothers moving around the mock dance floor making complete fools out of themselves, but obviously having a good time doing so.

"Ginny! There you are!" Sabine said running up to her new sister in law and giving her a hug. "Can you believe it? Married, finally!"

"I am so happy for you Sabine." She responded, a huge smile appearing on her face. She couldn't be happier with Charlie's choice in wife. Sabine was one of the nicest women she had ever met. She came from a prominent wizarding family in America, but she always said that when she saw Charlie, she realized that love was worth more than all of the money in the world. She was probably one of the most beautiful women Ginny had ever seen and she immediately envied her straight long brown, almost black hair, perfect complexion, and striking ice blue eyes. She was an uncommon beauty in every way, much like Draco.

Ginny's heart dropped at the thought and she struggled to keep herself happy.

"I'm so sorry that your boyfriend couldn't make it, Ginny." Sabine said bringing Ginny out onto the dance floor with her.

"Boyfriend?" She replied looking at Sabine, confused. Didn't she know that she and Draco weren't together?

"Yes, Draco Malfoy. We were really sorry to hear that we wouldn't be able to meet him." Apparently, Sabine didn't know. Ginny opened her mouth to tell the older woman that she wasn't dating him, when a hand grasped her shoulder. She turned around to see Harry standing behind her.

"Ginny. I've been looking for you everywhere. I need a dance partner." He said taking her hand in his.

"Oh yes, yes! Go, dance!" Sabine urged, giving Ginny one last hug and then pushing her towards Harry.

"Thank you." She mumbled to him. He swept her out onto the floor just as a slow song came on. Harry looked at her and cleared his throat. She smiled and placed her hand with his, holding them at shoulder level. Her other hand rested on his shoulder and Harry placed his other hand on the small of her back.

"Why are you thanking me?" He asked.

"Because you saved me from having to explain to Sabine how Draco and I are no longer together." She whispered, her mouth dangerously close to his ear. Harry felt a tingle go down his spine as her hot breath hit his cheek. He pulled her closer to him.

"I didn't realize, but your welcome." He replied just as quietly. He smiled against her hair before pulling away to look at her. "Care to share whatever it is that's bugging you?"

"You don't want to know about it Harry, really." She said looking up at him.

"Try me." He challenged, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Draco and I got in a fight that night we found out Ron was supposed to be killed. And I said some things that I really regret." She said quickly.

"Everything comes back to the ferret doesn't it?" Harry asked, trying to sound light and joking, but not achieving it. Ginny looked up at him slightly abashed.

"I told you you didn't want to know." She replied. The song ended, but instead of pulling away, Harry held her still until the next song started. He began moving to the music at the same pace as before.

"Talk to me. What happened?" He asked looking deep into her eyes.

"That night, you know the one I mean, Draco and I got into an argument about Ron. He kept telling me that he wasn't going to do anything to hurt Ron, but I was too angry to notice. I told him that he ruined my life and that everything that was going wrong was his fault. And then…" She paused, thinking about whether or not she could continue.

"And then what?" He urged.

"And then I told him that I was only with him to get over you." She finished. She tore her eyes away from Harry's and looked around the room. Her eyes landed on Ron and Hermione, who were dancing not too far away from herself and Harry. Ron was whispering into Hermione's ear and she was blushing furiously. 'They look really happy.' She thought to herself. Harry put a finger under her chin and brought her gaze back to his.

"He is a prat if he believes that for a second. He knows you loved him and that you still do." He started. Something was lingering in his green eyes and Ginny wanted desperately to know what it was. Longing? Jealousy? Or maybe understanding? "If anything you were in love with Malfoy long before you even knew it. And it's obvious to everyone that he has made you happier than anyone ever could, myself included." At the last two words Ginny opened her mouth to speak but Harry stopped her. "I've talked to Hermione and she made me see that I was being selfish trying to get back together with you. I know you don't love me, Ginny and eventually I think I can stop loving you. It'll just take some time."

"Harry…" She started again, only to have him interrupt her once more.

"Ginny, we've been through this before, I know. I told you last Christmas that I wouldn't stand in the way of you and Draco and I didn't. But I didn't get over you either. So this time, that is what I am going to do. Get over you. Even if it takes me years, it will happen. You belong with Malfoy." He smiled at her. She looked up at him in disbelief.

"I never thought you would ever admit that." She replied, shocked.

"Well, I don't want to admit it. Because admitting that means admitting that Malfoy is better in a way than me. He is better for you."

"Harry, you are one of my best friends. And I value our friendship more than you could ever know." She paused and squeezed his hand. He rubbed her back slowly and agreed with her sentiments. "I think a part of me will always love you. You were my first love and nothing will ever change that. And I'm sorry everything worked out this way. I'm sorry that for me to find Draco I had to hurt the first man I ever loved."

"Don't blame yourself. I sure don't."

"Yeah but I can blame myself for kissing you last week. I'm sure you were doing fine until I up and threw myself at you." He laughed appreciatively.

"You were distraught to say the least. It's understandable." He kissed her forehead before continuing on. "We're best friends, yeah? And we'll always be?"

"I'm here for you no matter what Harry." She reassured. "And just for the record, I do love you." She pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth before resting her head on his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and he pulled her closer to him. "Thank you," she whispered.

"No problem." He paused before leaning close and whispering in her ear. "He'll forgive you, Gin. He would be an idiot not to."

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It was the Saturday of Charlie Weasley's wedding and it had been 7 days since he had talked to Ginny. It had been the longest and worst week of his life. He spent all day working on his apartment and he spent the night at Headquarters, less then 100 feet away from her. That was the hardest part, being so close, yet being so far away at the same time. He really didn't know how much longer he could take it. It was eating him up inside. But he couldn't just forgive her. He had to be strong and wait for her to come to him, which inevitably she would. Once she realized how stupid she was she would come to him, begging him to take her back, which he would. But if being a Malfoy had taught him anything, it was to always let the women come to you, not the other way around.

Draco stepped out of the shower and walked into his room, with a towel around his waist. He changed quickly and headed down the hall to his kitchen for breakfast.

"Hey there sleepy head."

Draco turned around and saw a man sitting on his couch looking quite comfortable. The man had dark brown skin, hair, and strikingly bright eyes.

"Blaise Zabini. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Draco asked, seemingly unaffected by his friend's presence. Blaise stood and walked into the kitchen where the other man was standing pouring a glass of pumpkin juice.

"Is that any way to greet your best mate when you haven't seen him in almost 3 weeks?" Blaise asked pouring himself something to drink as well.

"Exactly, it has only been 3 weeks. I haven't even had a chance to miss you yet, Zabini."

"You miss me, Draco. You just don't want to admit it because you will sound like a girl." Blaise chuckled at his own comment and Draco rolled his eyes.

"So what are you doing here?" Draco asked again. He put a piece of bread in the toaster.

"I have to have a reason to come visit my best mate?"

"You say the words 'best mate' one more time and I will start to think that you aren't just here for social reasons." Draco replied, catching the toast as it popped out of the toaster.

"As a matter of fact your father asked me to come." He said turning away from Draco's icy stare. "He wanted to make sure you weren't plotting with the Order behind his back." Blaise laughed. Draco looked away uneasily and began to butter his toast. When Draco didn't even respond, Blaise stopped and looked at his back. "Oh no Draco." He didn't respond. He just kept on buttering his toast. Blaise sighed and put his head in his hands. "Tell me you didn't do this for Weasley."

"No, I didn't do it for Weasley." He said finally speaking.

"She's a girl Draco. One girl. Don't ruin your life for one girl." Blaise never really had a problem with Ginny, but he didn't understand how Draco felt so much for her. Draco always told him it was because he had never found love.

"I'm not ruining my life for her, Blaise. I am doing this because…" He paused and tried to figure out why exactly he was doing this. In his heart and head, he knew he was only doing it for Ginny. But he couldn't admit that to Blaise, especially now that they weren't speaking. "I'm doing this because I don't want to follow the Dark Lord."

"That may be true Drake, but you and I both know that if Weasley wasn't so adamant about you being "good" you never would have done it." Blaise sat down in one of the seats at the kitchen table and Draco sat across from him, toast and juice in hand. He finished his toast slowly, taking his time. Blaise didn't talk. He simply stared.

"Alright, I did it for Ginny." Draco growled when he had finished eating. "And a lot of good that did me."

"She break your heart already?" Blaise asked, his voice did not show a stitch of amusement.

"I have to "kill" the Weasel King for the Dark Lord and she didn't take it too well."

"What happened?"

"She told me that I ruined her life and that everything was my fault." He gritted his teeth. "And she said that she used me to get over bloody Potter."

"Ouch, not the best thing she has ever said, is it? That fiery temper of hers is going to be a real problem for the two of you in the future." Blaise responded.

"There is no future. It's over." Draco said. Blaise scoffed and shook his head. "What, Zabini?"

"Stop being such a drama queen, Draco." He watched as Draco glared at him. "No wonder we get along so well. I'm the only one who can keep you from making a mess of your life. And believe me, you make that hard for me sometimes."
"Would you just say whatever it is you want to say?" He snapped.

"Weaslette always says things in anger that she doesn't mean. You know this. Hell, even I know this. She didn't use you to get over Potter and she doesn't really think you ruined her life. Cut her some slack, she had just found out that you were supposed to kill her brother. Who would take that well?"

"I told her I wasn't going to kill him." Draco responded. Blaise shot him a disapproving look.

"Then what are you going to do? Die, so the Weasel King can live? That's stupid."

"Then why don't you kill him, Blaise?" Draco retorted. He knew it wasn't the most intelligent response, but he hadn't been thinking straight lately.

"I'm not a Death Eater, Drake. And I'm not the one who has to prove my allegiance to Voldemort."

"It really isn't fair that you got to choose whether or not you wanted to be one, whereas I had no choice."

"Life isn't fair. Especially life with Lucius Malfoy as a father." Blaise said, wisely.

"Exactly and what better to screw over Lucius Malfoy then having his own son turn against him?" Draco responded.

"If you make it out of this alive, you will be one lucky bastard."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Blaise." Draco said sarcastically, throwing a glare in his direction.

"No problem mate."

Silence overcame both men and a few minutes later Blaise stood to leave.

"I'll tell your father that we talked about strategies to kill Weasley." Blaise said as he watched Draco.

"I trust you, Zabini." Draco answered, simply. Blaise smiled and pulled his wand out of his robe. Right before he apparated he stopped and looked at Draco.

"She won't come back if that's what you are waiting for. You and I both know she is beating herself up about what she said to you. And she is just as, if not more stubborn than you. So your best bet is to go to her. Go put on your nicest robes and go to the wedding." Blaise finished his speech and was gone.

----------

Draco stood in his room looking at the dress robes hanging on his closet door. He couldn't decide whether to go or not. He knew Blaise was right. Ginny would never come back of her own accord. She was too stubborn. And he had always been raised to let the girl come to him and it had worked before. He would push her away and she always came back. But he knew this time she was too embarrassed about her words to come back any time soon. Or was she? Maybe she was just reveling in the fact that she didn't have to see him anymore. Maybe she was glad he was gone and she could be with Potter again. Maybe that's what she wanted all along. Maybe she just needed to date someone else to know that she was meant to be with Potter. But was she even meant to be with him? In Draco's opinion Potter couldn't be more wrong for her. He was too sweet and protecting. And she had made that clear on several occasions that she didn't want that. She needed someone who would push her and who would love her without smothering her. And he was that guy. He knew he was that guy. And this was the first girl he ever loved, why should he give that up without a fight?

That was it. His mind was made up. He would go to the wedding and sweep Ginevra Weasley off her feet. He would tell her that he knew she didn't mean what she said and that he was sorry for everything bad that had happened to her because of something he did. But most importantly, he would tell her that he loved her and promise her that this wouldn't happen again.

He changed quickly into his dress robes and apparated to the Burrow. He appeared at the front door. He could hear the music and voices coming from around back, so he figured knocking was futile. He walked around the house and stopped right outside of the tent that was set up. He looked around the dance floor looking for a glimpse of her. And then he saw Ginny, his Ginny, dancing with Potter. He was holding her close and she didn't seem to be resisting. They looked like they were having a pretty intense conversation by the look on Ginny's face. He saw her start to say something, only to have Potter interrupt her. He gave her some speech that caused her to smile and say something about being his "best friend". And then a few seconds later he laughed and he saw her look up at him. The words, "I do love you" formed on her lips seconds before she kissed him. Her head laid on his shoulder and he held her tight as he whispered something in her ear. She smiled softly and they continued to dance.

All thoughts of talking to Ginny flew out of his head as soon as he saw the words "I love you" fall off her lips. His worst fear was realized. Ginny didn't love him. She loved Potter. He always knew that their secret relationship was hard on her. Not being able to tell anyone that she was actually still with Draco was one of the hardest things for her to do. And when they started getting into stupid fights he knew it was mostly because she was upset with their situation. He never expected that she could actually be pulling away from him and back to Potter. They always said that your first love was the hardest to get over. And she was his first love. But he wasn't hers. And that was the problem.

Draco turned around and walked away from the tent dreading and hoping that someone saw him.

(( Alright there you go. Chapter 7. Hope you liked it. And I know some of you are going to be really happy that Harry is giving up. And I can promise you that it will stay that. No more Harry/Ginny. But I cant promise you those dreams will stop. Which reminds me, I figured out a new way to go with them, so they will make more sense later on. Thanks for reading.))