Chapter 3.

The days flew by and as promised Malfoy was by my side every chance he had gotten. I was determined not to let him know who I was. I was beginning to get used to him popping up at spastic times. It helped me sleep at night knowing he liked me as a person, not for whom my family, my background and my side of the war waging between us.

I am so used to him standing in front of my entrance everyday to walk me to breakfast. I still wondered why he never says anything about what house I am in. No Gryffindor jokes or snide remark. Some days I think it never crosses his mind. "What are you thinking about?" his voice brings me out of my thoughts.

"Nothing." I answer a little laugh escaping.

"Doesn't sound like nothing." He smirks.

I turn to look at him. "Well Mr. Malfoy, I don't think that is any of your business."

"Unless," he counters "You were thinking about me."

"Now why would I think about you?" I ask innocently.

"Cricket, who doesn't?" a smirk painted on his beautiful face.

"Seriously Draco, who would want to have your ugly face in their head," I put every ounce of will into not laughing. I couldn't hold it long after his face fell. "Don't worry I still love you." I giggled.

"Liar."

"Yeah, your right I don't love you." I replied, he almost looked hurt. "Are you . . . hurt?"

He smirked. "No, just confused."

"About what?"

"Why you refuse to tell me who you are, why you would allow me to know the password to your private quarters, which I'm not so sure why you have." He replied seriously, "And why you have been telling me you love me before we part ways for two weeks now. Why you have been letting me trail you for almost two months."

I sighed. "I'm sorry. Draco we have been around each other so much. You have been growing on me. You want to know something? I like that I know you're not as heartless as you make yourself out to be. That you like the color silver, your favorite food is chicken, you love American music that is written and sung by muggles. Your favorite holiday is Easter, season winter. You love to read and take pictures." I smiled. "When you're happy your eyes turn blue, when you're angry your eyes turn black, when you're annoyed they turn grey." I could feel my cheeks burning. "When you look at me your eyes get all cloudy and when we walk past a guy who looks at me, you tell them I'm not a piece of meat." I smiled my eyes beginning to moisten. "I don't want who I am to ruin what friendship we have." I stood and went to the bathroom. I closed the door and leaned against it. I can't run from who I am forever.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I'm not sure how long I was in that bathroom. My hair long since had been dyed back its natural color. I peaked out the door; he still sat where I left him. He looked a little confused. Sighing I yelled out at him. "Turn toward the door." He jumped at the sudden shock of noise but did as I asked. His back to me I walked out and stepped ever so closer to him. "Please." I spoke again. "Do not hate me for who I am." I could feel the shake of my voice.

"I couldn't, never." He answered.

"Look at me Draco, look at who I am." I watched everything in slow motion. He turned to me; I watched as he registered who I was. He looked at me thought clouding his mine. Shock went through me as a smile formed on his too perfect face.

"Cricket, you've been holding out on me! I would never have guessed you were little Ginerva Weasley." He chuckled.

"You are still my friend?" I asked fear running through me.

"Yes, I do know who you truly are. I don't believe I need to go through all your favorites but yes Cricket I'm still here am I not?"

"Wow this is way to much a shock." I sighed and let the tears fall freely. What else could I do? I fell into him when he reached me. "I'm sorry Draco, but you have become my best friend I love having you around. I have begun to fall in love with you. I don't want you to go, to hate me. You do know the real me. We've stayed up late nights confessing our fears our hopes even our odd dreams. I've gone from knowing who I thought you were and hating you to letting myself see who you truly are. If you want to go please don't stop for fear I'll tell someone who you are. That only between us." I broke down.

"Shhh." He cooed. I sniffled willing myself to stop crying. His fingers gently lifted my face to his. Our lips brushed gently at first then roughly. I knew then I would let him take me places no one ever had and led him into my bedroom.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My eyes opened. I looked around the lights dim. I could tell it was late. My head was pounding; I could feel a body next to me. Remembering previous hours earlier I smiled blushing to myself. Biting down a groan I willed my headache away. "You know," a gruff whisper came from curled around me. "You should get that checked out."

"Sorry did I wake you?" I asked, bringing my hands up to work out the throbbing.

"No. I was watching you." He smirked.

"Oh really?" I replied turning over to lay my head on his chest. The rhythm of his heart soothing me. "Kind of creepy. What time is it?"

"Around dinner time, you hungry?"

"Famished." I blushed as he threw the covers back and rolled out of bed.

"Let's go Cricket."

I nodded and slid out of bed the satin silver sheet wrapped around me. "I need to stop by the hospital wing after dinner to get something for these headaches."

"You get them so often." He replied, slipping on his boxer briefs. "Why are you all wrapped up?"

"Well. . . I. . ." I had no answer.

He unwrapped the sheet and let it fall to the floor, his eyes never leaving mine. "I could step out Cricket, if you are uncomfortable." He began toward the door.

"No please stay." I smiled. "I just never have been so under clothed in front of a man before."

I could hear his snappy reply, but it never came. "I would never disrespect you Ginny. I would never try to make you uncomfortable."

I smiled and walked toward him. "Look at me." His eyes stayed locked to mine. My face dropped, sincerely I asked. "Do you find me unattractive?"

"Never Ginny, I just don't want to miss dinner." I cocked my head not sure what he ment. He smirked as realization registered.

"Oh." I whispered and turning red I put my clothes on.