A/N: Many, many thanks to the best beta there is, Rowan-Greenleaf. She makes it almost painful. Of course, pain can be a good thing, right?

Disclaimer: JKR would never claim this; I can barely claim it as mine.

CHAPTER TWO

Ginny was a little stunned. She wasn't crying as she had been when she had left Draco, and she wasn't angry. She felt what could be described as disappointment. She felt a little hurt that their first kiss had been so compelling, yet they both turned so cold immediately after.

She knew that they were both afraid of the level of intensity between them, but their opposite natures caused them to react differently. She expressed her emotions, he repressed his. Ginny knew from the beginning that this difference in personalities would cause them problems. She was willing to face this and try to compromise, but did Draco feel the same?

Ginny wanted to understand why Draco tried to push her away when she told him how she felt. She knew he really liked her and his action seemed almost cruel in light of that fact. Ginny also knew that if Draco couldn't learn to accept that he felt some strong emotion for her, even if it caused discomfort, then their relationship really wouldn't go anywhere.

As much as Ginny knew she liked Draco, she didn't know if she was willing to suppress her emotions in order to help him avoid his. That wasn't really her nature. She might have followed Harry around for years with unrequited love, but that was different. And, she knew now, what she had felt for Harry was mostly infatuation based on genuine fondness.

The passion she felt with Draco was entirely different. She felt alive when she was with Draco. It was new and exciting, and she wanted all she could get.

She entered her dorm, and decided to catch up on her homework. She wanted to allow Draco time to come to terms with his inner turmoil.

Ginny decided she rather liked this new found patience that didn't have her temper flaring all over the place, only to regret and have to repair any damage she might have caused during a tantrum. Still, she heaved a small sigh, knowing that Draco was suffering and she couldn't do anything for him.

After her Potions essay was finished, Ginny took out her sketch book. She looked at what she had been drawing earlier in the Room of Requirement, and wasn't sure what to make of it.

There were dark clouds in a sky full of lightning and she could almost feel the electricity in the air. A young girl stood in front of a wall looking fearfully around, clutching a small doll.

Upon closer inspection it appeared that the doll was a small dragon, and as with most small children, she clung to the doll as her safety line against all monsters. She must have felt the presence of the monster that was on the other side of the wall, for a monster it was.

A large, albino snake was crawling along the borders of the wall. It had glowing eyes, and each time its forked tongue flicked out, it appeared as if a drop of poison dripped off. Ginny was sure if this had been in colour the eyes would have been a blood red shade.

A shiver went down her spine at this drawing, and she desperately wanted to throw it in the fire as she usually did with her dark drawings. This time was different. Usually the dark sketches she made were of a general darkness. This drawing was very specific, and, of course, she knew exactly who each of the three characters were in the drawing.

She suddenly needed Draco with her, as the little girl needed her doll. How could she get to him without intruding upon his needed solitude?

Draco hadn't become her boyfriend to solve all her problems and destroy her inner demons.

Her family had never wanted to acknowledge that Ginny might need help dealing with the events of her first year; so she doubted Draco would consider getting involved in her attempts at evading Tom's clutches. She needed someone to turn to now, and she knew Luna was her only hope at the moment.

Ginny quickly left her room and wove her way out of the common room, her target being the Ravenclaw portrait hole. As she stepped out through the Fat Lady's portrait she felt a cold shiver of fear shoot down her spine, leaving a trail of icy chills.

She glanced quickly around, but saw no one.

Still, the urgency to get to somewhere safe increased, and she started to jog quickly through the halls, towards the promise of the light that was her best friend Luna.

Cold sweat was running down her spine, and she felt her heart beginning to tighten from the fear she was experiencing. As she flew around a corner she ran into Blaise and Draco, and fell roughly to the floor, looking panicked and scared.

"Ginny! What's wrong?" Draco's concern was evident, and Ginny thought she could detect a little fear as well. Her adrenaline was on high right now, and her head felt dizzy due to the loud buzzing in her ears. Luckily Draco was holding her tight, having already picked her up off the floor.

"What's going on Ginny? Is someone chasing you?" Blaise was looking around the hallways but didn't see anyone in the vicinity.

Ginny was in semi-shock at the great contrast between the extreme terror she had just been feeling, and the warmth and safety she was feeling now in Draco's arms. She was clinging tightly to his neck with her face pressed against his chest, trying to adjust her breathing to his steady and soothing pattern. Feeling woozy, she tried to push out the sound of Blaise's continued questions on what was going on.

Knowing Ginny wasn't going to answer him right now, Blaise started walking, with his wand drawn in front of him, in the direction Ginny had come from.

She stayed silent in Draco's embrace and he was silent as well, seeming to understand she was trying to gather her strength and wits back.

A few moments later Blaise returned, and noticed Ginny had dropped a piece of parchment when she fell. He picked it up, and after looking at it, he glanced to Draco meaningfully. Waving his wand in the direction he had just come from, Blaise quietly cast a spell. He and Draco saw the red glowing outline of a large snake-like figure, with what appeared like a trail going behind it. The figure seemed to draw itself up and hiss at them before quickly disappearing.

"Draco, I'm okay if you want to put me down now." Ginny's voice was shaky, but determined. "I'm assuming you both understand what that was." She said all of this matter-of-factly, as if she was identifying a species of animal at the zoo. "We need to talk, but I want Luna there as well. Blaise, can you bring Luna to the Room of Requirement?"

With a quick nod, Blaise headed towards the Ravenclaw portrait to seek her out.

"Draco…" Looking into his grey eyes, Ginny tried to get the handsome blond Slytherin to release her.

He looked down a little sheepishly but didn't really want to let her go. He placed her feet to the floor but kept his arm around her waist, and held her close.

They turned as one, and headed to the place where just a few hours ago they had shared what might have been considered their first fight as a couple.