Hey Guys! Heheh...I broke the chain! This chapter is long...well, longer. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer; I own nothing. Every thing here, except the plot belongs to J.K Rowling...need I say more?

Ginny sighed as she mumbled the password to the portrait. She was tired and nothing was going to feel better then a nice long nap in her own bed before she had to go down to the infirmary.

"Ginny's here! Ginny's here!" Ron sung happily while jumping up and down.

"Someone had a little to much Pepper-up Potion this morning." She said. "Would anyone care to tell me what's going on?"

"We would if we could." Hermione said, not looking up from her book. "He refused to tell us until you got here."

Ron turned bright pink with happiness and looked as if he was about to burst. When he finally spoke it was in an excited squeal.

"Weasley Family Christmas!"

"Really?"

He nodded as Ginny grabbed his hand and began jumping up and down in sync with him.

"Apparently we're all supposed to jump around like idiots." Harry said happily, as he, too, started dancing around the common room.

"Do you even know what they're talking about?" Hermione asked, glancing up for a second.

"Not a clue." He said as he commenced to do cartwheels.

"Well, someone please explain. Everyone's staring at you, by the way."

They stopped, for people were indeed staring at them.

Ginny looked unsure for a moment. "But…I thought Mum and Dad had to stay at Headquarters."

"Mum threw a fit and started crying and murmuring something about a midlife crisis."

She laughed picturing he mother throwing things around like a spoiled toddler.

"They finally agreed."

"Is anyone else still confused?" Harry asked. Hermione raised her hand.

"Harry, we're going to the Burrow for Christmas!" Exclaimed Ron. Harry and Hermione both brightened. "Everyone's gonna be there."

"All your brothers? Even Charlie? Percy?" Hermione asked, momentarily forgetting her book all together.

He nodded, not looking very happy about the latter. "And my Uncle Dave's family."

"But not Uncle Arnold?" Ginny asked, looking slightly crestfallen.

Ron shook his head. "He couldn't make it this time."

Scowling, Harry said, "Just what the world needs. More Weasleys," In a manner so much resembling Malfoy that the whole group burst out laughing, earning more wary stares from their housemates.

"What about guards?" Hermione asked, glancing worriedly in Harry's direction. "Harry's going to need protection."

"Hermione!"

"It's true, Harry. You may not realize it, but we prefer you much better alive and we intent on keeping you that way."

"Mum's got that all arranged too. The whole Order's invited, 'cept Dung of course."

Harry seemed to get over his annoyance when he heard this. "Even Snuffles?"

Ron nodded.

Ginny, with a few words of parting, went upstairs for her nap feeling happier then she had in a long while.

So far, it had been a slow night. Only one patient had come in complaining of a simple headache. He had been given a concoction and sent on his way.

She was trying her best not to look at Malfoy, who was seated on a hospital cot so that he might glare more comfortably at her.

Ginny looked around for something else to do. She needed to keep her hands busy. She had already organized the supply cabinet, put new linens on the cots, and brewed enough Clear-All acne removing cream to keep the infirmary stocked for a week. Defeated, she finally sat down too.

As soon as she did Malfoy stood and began pacing.

"This is pointless, there's nothing to do."

"Then leave. I don't care if you fail this class."

"Or is that just what you want me to think?"

"Malfoy, you are so paranoid."

"I may be paranoid, but that doesn't mead you're not out to get me."

"Get a life."

"Get some manners."

"I don't have to. I'm only talking to you, after all."

"Better yet, get a book of better comebacks. That was just pathetic."

She stuck out her tongue.

"Oh that's mature."

She didn't reply. Instead she pulled out her Herbology book and began on her homework.

Draco snorted impatiently. "I didn't think it was possible, but you've just become slightly more boring.

"It's not my fault you didn't think to bring your homework with you."

"Do forgive me my thoughtlessness."

She returned to her work, completely ignoring him. Resigned, he sat back down, reclined his head and closed his eyes.

Try as she might Ginny just wasn't able to muster the same complete loathing of him as she had before.

This is what you get! She scolded herself. This is why you don't eavesdrop; you hear things you don't want to here.

She glanced cautiously over her book to look at the blond. He looked peaceful. It was almost impossible to imagine that this angel was the same ferret that had tormented her the past six years. His face showed no malice, no sarcasm, and it was unnerving.

"Yes Weasley," He said, not opening his eyes, "I know I'm hot, but could you please stop staring at me? It's irritating."

She blushed slightly, mostly because it was true. He had grown into his features over the past few years. For a long time she had always thought he had looked slightly…feminine, with his angular features. But his face had rounded out, giving his countenance much more depth. His features were still sharp, but now there was nothing feminine about them. Or any other part of him for that matter.

"You are the most-"

"Debonair, handsome, charming man you've ever laid your eyes on."

"I was going to say the most arrogant, self-centered, conceited, prat I've ever had the misfortune of meeting."

"Weasley, you're a very negative person, you know. You should probably see someone about that."

"Just remind me not to go to whoever it is your seeing, because he's obviously not doing his job."

"No, I'm just a hopeless case." He said, proudly smiling.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"See, there you go again… always with the insults. No wonder you can't keep a man."

She stiffened, "My personal life is no concern of yours."

"That's why it surprised me when Blaise told me he went to you on advice on relationships." He continued as though she hadn't spoke. "I mean, I knew he was desperate, but to go to the girl who couldn't ever get a second glance from Harry Scarhead Potter? He must be worst off then I thought."

"Shut up. Shut up, you great, unbearable twit. You-"

"Hit a sore spot, have I? Still pining over Potter, Weasel?" He smirked. "Don't think I don't see the way you are around him."

"Harry is like a brother to me and I won't have you speaking poorly of him." Her small fists were clenched, knuckles white. All he had to do was push her a little more…

"Second choice. You were always his second choice, first there was Cho and then, only when he was desperate did he notice poor, little Ginny Weasley."

There it was. The same familiar spark of rage in her eyes. How he loved seeing her anger-and knowing he'd caused it. He gave her a smug smirk, waiting for her reaction.

What she did shocked him. She smiled. "I don't like Harry. Do you know why? Because he's not the right one for me. But eventually the right guy will come along, and we'll get married and have lots of kids and live in a house in the country. You, on the other hand, will always be sad and alone."

"Did you know that your face turns this really odd reddish color when you're angry?" He asked, seemingly oblivious to her lecture.

"Arrgg! You are the most insufferable git in the entire world!"

"Well, now that's not really fair. Have you met everyone in the world?"

"See! Thank you for just proving my point."

"Trust me, I didn't do it on purpose."

She shook her head.

"This is pointless. I'm leaving."

"Like, I said, feel free to fail this class."

"Look at the time, moron. It's nine; we're free to go." He said, and left without another word.

She sighed. He made it hard for people to pity him.

She gathered her stuff and walked slowly back to the tower. Lost in thought, she didn't even notice the other person in the corridor until she had knocked into him.

"Holy muffins!" On the floor surrounding her laid all her books and parchment. "Darn."

"Oy! Ginny, sorry about that. Are you okay?" Asked Seamus, peering down at her, concern evident in his face.

"Yeah, Seamus, I'm fine. What about you?"

"I'm not the one of the floor."

"This is true." She said, smiling as he helped her sit up.

"Here let me help you with this," He began gathering her schoolwork, "What are you doing out so late anyway?"

"I was at the infirmary. Just my luck that Malfoy decided to show up tonight too."

"Harsh, but it couldn't have gone too badly, considering you're still in one piece."

"Well, it certainly didn't go well either."

"It's Malfoy. What do you expect?"

She laughed. "So, what has you out?"

He held up what remained of a muffin and a glass of butterbeer. "I just made a stop at the kitchen."

She laughed again. "Aren't you lucky no one in Gryffindor can keep a secret?"

He nodded. "I-ahh- I'm actually glad to see you. I have something to ask you." He said, blushing to the tips of his blond hair. "Well, you know a Hogsmeade weekend is coming up and I was wondering if-ifyouwannagowithme."

"Ahh…sorry, I didn't quite catch that."

He turned an even deeper shade of red and took a deep breath. "I just wanted to know if you would like to go. You know-with me."

Ginny imagined her face must be at least as red as his was. " I-oh-I…um that's really sweet of you Seamus, but if Ron put you up to this-"

"Are you kidding? Ron doesn't know anything about this. If he did I doubt I'd be in one piece."

Her face brightened. "Really? Then…well sure, I'd love to go."

"Great. I guess I'll see you there then. Well…bye."

"Seamus, we're going the same way."

He laughed nervously. "Oh yeah, that's right."

Hey! Thanks to all my reveiwers from the last chapter! I love you all. I ate a cookie in honor of all of you. Like always, please review with comments or helpful critisim (keyword here 'helpful')! Love'ya!