1A/N: I...am finding it very difficult to write an apologetic Draco Malfoy. I mean, really, that's an oxymoron. Or a paradox. Or something. It just doesn't happen. It's like saying, "I watched an inoffensive South Park last night." Don't get me wrong. I looooooove South Park, but it is an offensive show. I've just learned not to take it too personally, because South Park is completely unprejudiced in its offense. South Park makes fun of everyone!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter...or South Park. Although I live close by to the latter.

Blaise didn't go to bed. Draco knew, because when he went to his dormitory to put away his bag, Blaise was lying flat on his back reading a book. Or pretending to, at least. Draco left his bag on his bed, glanced at Blaise, and left.

Now he stood in the Room of Requirements waiting for Ginny. His requests had conjured a room that was neither large nor small. The lighting was dim, but not romantic. It had comfortable looking chairs Draco knew would not be used, but which remained. In a word, it was comfortable. Draco felt at ease standing in that room waiting for Ginny. He slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled in his Malfoy way.

His mind wandered back to the last time he'd been in this room with Ginny. It was during the dance. He tried to imagine how the night might have progressed had he not assumed Ginny was only after a quick lay. He couldn't. The truth was he had no idea how Ginny's mind worked. He had assumed that she was a mindless drone who followed her brother and Potter around. A subordinate. A groupie.

When he realized that she was watching him, he wasn't sure what to think. She never approached him; simply watched. He decided she wasn't a mindless drone, at least. She had good taste, but she was a coward. She was, ultimately, leashed in by her brother and her blood-traitor family.

Then she started dating Potter. Draco was very disappointed, until he realized she was still watching him. Then when those two broke up…

He smiled at the memory.

That had been the other experience he'd shared with Ginny in this room.

He hadn't expected Ginny too peak around the door and start blathering apologies at him. Then again, he hadn't expected to be smacked in the head with the door on his way out, either. When Harry appeared behind Ginny, Draco realized he had a chance for the perfect revenge.

It had been delicious.

And baffling.

Draco had expected Ginny to push him away, or just stand there. He really hadn't expected her to kiss him back, or be such a great kisser. He'd forgotten about Harry rather quickly, but not for very long. He had to admit Potter had a good arm, but the kiss – and the revenge – had definitely been worth the brief nosebleed.

Draco decided soon after that incident that Ginny just knew when opportunity was knocking, and had taken advantage of it. Blaise started disappearing soon after that telling Draco his whereabouts were a secret; his actions a surprise.

"You'll know soon enough," Blaise had informed him on one occasion.

When Ginny showed up at the Slytherin party dancing the tango as if she'd been born to do it, Draco knew what Blaise had been doing and where he'd been. Of all the unexpected things Ginny had done so far, this one was by far the most surprising.

Ginevera Weasley simply denied expectation, Draco had decided. That was all there was to it.

So now, waiting for Ginny to arrive, Draco didn't know what to expect. He decided then that he wouldn't expect anything. He'd just let Ginny be herself and observe.

The "click!" of the door unlatching hit the silent air, and Ginny entered the room. She didn't look at Draco – she didn't even look to see if he was there. She simply closed the door, facing it for a long moment before turning to face Draco.

They were both silent. Despite how comfortable the room was, Draco felt a slight twinge of unease standing there in silence. He raised an eyebrow, as though he expected Ginny to say something – as though she had invited him here rather than the reverse. As far as Ginny knew, that was exactly how it had happened.

"I want you, Draco Malfoy."

Despite his vow not to be surprised by Ginny, to just take it all in - Draco was thrown off by this. He didn't show it, however. That wouldn't be very Malfoy-like of him, after all. Instead he smiled in a "well-of-course-you-do-everyone-does" sort of way.

"And I know you won't apologize for what you did," Ginny continued then, ignoring his smirk, "but I forgive you anyway. I...well I won't say I would have done the same thing, but I understand the reason behind your actions."

For some reason, Draco felt as though he'd been insulted. What did she mean by that? That she knew he wouldn't apologize. What was she trying to say about him? That he didn't know when he'd done wrong? That he didn't have the strength of character to admit it? Who the hell did she think she was, analyzing him? Making assumptions about who he was?

Well he'd just have to set her straight.

Draco allowed a frown to crease his handsome features. It wasn't a frown of anger or annoyance, rather, one of disappointment. He crossed to Ginny, making sure to step well within her comfort zone, and leaned forward slightly so they were more at level.

"You can hit me if you want."

"What," Ginny asked, obviously thrown off by his behavior. Draco almost smirked. Almost. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he merely straightened and pulled his hand out of his pocket to point at his own cheek.

"Right here," he said, tapping it gently. "Or, I supposed, here." He placed his hand on his chest, splaying his fingers over his heart. "Whichever will make you feel more satisfied. Nothing below the belt, though. Although, I suppose that would be more appropriate. You did say you'd forgiven me, though."

Draco smiled at Ginny now, in an easy manner, and slipped his hand back into his pocket. Ginny simply stood there staring at him. Draco felt victorious. After being surprised by her so many times, he felt accomplished throwing her off so much.

When Ginny still didn't respond, Draco sighed heavily. As if he were dealing with someone simple minded, like a child, Draco murmured, "I'm apologizing, Weasley. I'm sorry."

"Ginny."

"What," Draco asked her, leaning forward as if he hadn't quite heard her.

"I said, 'Ginny,'" the afore-named repeated. "My name...is Ginny. Ginny. Not Weaslette. Not Weasley, although that is my last name.

"It's Ginny," she repeated one last time, and waited for a response.

Draco watched her for a moment then said, "Ginny," as if it were the strangest name he had ever heard.

"Yeah, as in Ginevera."

"Ginevera," Draco repeated. "Ginny. Ginevera. Ginny...Ginevera. I think I like that one better."

Ginny shrugged. "I guess it's better than being called Weaslette."

Draco watched her again for a long moment. Finally he said, "In any case, I am sorry, Ginny. What I did to you was wrong."

"I forgive you," Ginny said sincerely. She paused for a moment before adding, "I don't suppose...you know why I was really at that party?"

"I figured it out."

"You know that I have feelings for you," Ginny said then. She didn't have to ask if he knew, she knew he did. Draco nodded anyway and Ginny continued, "I asked...Blaise to help me get your attention."

For some reason, Draco noticed, Ginny had trouble saying Blaise's name. She blushed slightly and Draco wondered if it was because she was remembering the dance she'd performed or...

But that couldn't be it. He'd know for certain if that was why.

Or maybe he wouldn't, but he certainly would soon. The challenge now was how to go about getting the answer out of Ginny without letting her know what he was asking a question.

Bring the focus back the Blaise, Draco decided. Subtly.

This was, of course, easier said than done – as Draco was much better at setting the focus on himself. He was very practiced in the art.

Draco arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at her and inquired suggestively, "And how exactly did you manage to get Blaise's attention?"

Ginny paused as she considered what he was saying. Finally she stated, with a coolness that surprised even herself, "I performed a dance of another sort."

Draco's smirk brightened at this, and Ginny realized how he had chosen to take her statement. She would have called him lecherous, if she thought it would affect him any. She knew it wouldn't though.

"What's it matter to you anyway?"

"Well," Draco began slowly, taking a step toward her, "you two did spend an awful lot of time together."

"…So?" Ginny said a little to quickly to sound nonchalant.

"Alone," Draco reminded her, taking another step forward.

"A-…and?" Ginny stammered.

"And," Draco said, finally stepping close enough to lean down and murmur in her ear, "maybe I feel a little jealous."

"Of what? Nothing happened."

Draco pulled away to hold Ginny's gaze with his own silvery eyes, which dance mischievously. "Really," he pressed, "nothing happened? Nothing at all? If I recall correctly, you mentioned something about kissing him that night at the dance."

"Th-…that was just…"

"…just?"

"Just…just forget it, alright!" Ginny said, pushing him away from her. A crimson stain was seeping into her cheeks, and she couldn't manage to look at him. For Draco, it was all the answer he needed.

Ginny glanced at him briefly before looking resolutely at the floor once more. "I'll see you around, Draco," she murmured, and quickly rushed from the room.

Draco watched her leave with empty eyes. There was no doubt in his mind that Ginny had feelings for Blaise. And there was only little doubt in his mind that Blaise felt same way. It was a small, small seedling of doubt that he would soon eradicate.

Draco felt an unpleasant twinge somewhere near his heart. He pushed it aside as he ran fingers through his hair, mussing it up. He wasn't sure he liked where this was heading.

A/N: Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! This chapter is finally done! You guys seriously have no idea how hard this was for me. For some reason, Draco just kept coming out…wrong. He was a little playful. More like a young Sirius than Draco Malfoy. I finally managed to get him to behave, and…wheeew! It's done! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

CHAPTER REVIEWS

snowfire81: Blaise is a big boy, he'll pull through this. I promise!

Jevanminx: I know, I'm such a mean author.