author's (me, it's ME!) notes

i ought not to ruin this moment by writing, but as always, I DON'T CARE!
i am insanely happy about being able to make my way around fanfic now::choking back tears: i am one of you now...! no need to look squirm :rolling eyes:)

DISCLAIMER: i could write this properly, but what's the fun in that?
oh fine, i own nothing; NOTHING (excpet Malfoy's heart) ;>

CHAPTER IV

In Which Malfoy And Weasley Are Into Each Other

'What's with the muggle loving then?' asked Harry as they entered the school gates.

'Romeo and Juliet is too good to pass up. You mind switching places Harry?' responded Blaise. He wanted to be as close to is Hermione as possible before he lost his nerve.
Ginny squealed as Harry had happily switched places, to an ecstatic Hermione's delight.

'Pipe down li'l one' winked Draco. 'Your chance too shall come.'

Ron had become more open and receptive over the past year, especially since Malfoy had made special efforts to avoid meeting them. With everything that happened with Pansy, he had become less wound up.
But deep down, he was the same old Ron. And Ron Weasley looked livid.

'Malfoy' he growled threateningly.
'What? My hands are still in my pockets. Keep your shirt on!' he paused, 'Seriously. Pansy is mentally undressing you again.'

Harry choked on his Butterbeer.
Ron's blush made his hair look less red by comparison.

'We should do this more often' commented Blaise after a while, breaking the silence that had ensued.

The three couples wanted to talk and take it from there. They were tense and silent. Finally Pansy asked Ron if he'd like to walk around the lake. As Ron happily agreed, they said bye to the rest and promised to catch up in the Great Hall that evening.

Pansy gave Draco a conspirational wink.

Blaise and Hermione head off to the Library on the flimsy pretext of Arithmancy research, soon after.

Harry was showing no signs of leaving Ginny's side.
Draco just turned to Harry and whispered, 'You really wanna be here when I snog her senseless?'

Had Harry run as fast as he had at that moment, thought Draco with a smirk, he wouldn't need a broom for the snitch.

The last time Draco Malfoy had met Ginevra Weasley was after school opened for his seventh year.

He was at a corner of the lake, trying hard not to think of her.

Just then Draco groaned. Ginny had appeared, walking towards him unknowingly, her head buried in a book. Her hair was in a ponytail, but tendrils framed her gentle face. She was smiling at whatever the hell made her smile in that book.

Draco was angry. She had no business being anywhere near him. He hated himself around her. He'd try to be civil to the rest of the Griffys but with her, it was all he could do to restrain himself from smiling at her like a lovesick schoolboy.

When he'd told Blaise, Blaise had smirked, 'What else are you but that?'

Draco glared at her as she neared him. Not once did it occur to him to get out of her path. He'd show her.

'Oof' she burst out, on making contact with his solid chest.
Draco form was immovable. She looked up with her big brown eyes into his silver ones, and he was speechless.

Dammit Weasley he thought, you make the Griffindork robes look admirable.

'YOU' she screeched in contempt, interrupting his thoughts and then looking confused.
'What's in your eyes? You look all gentle' she said tactlessly.

Draco was reminded of what he had wanted to do, Right, scare her off.

Instead he stepped out of her way. As she stared at him suspiciously, and started walking away; he began walking next to her.

She was baffled, but he wasn't looking superior, just calm. Not a trace of arrogance on those features.

Not yet, she thought sulkily.

'So Red' started Draco, 'What's your life like?'

Ginny couldn't stop being suspicious. As bloody good to look at he was, the tall blonde beside him was Draco Malfoy.

'Oh same old, same old' she smirked. 'No really Malfoy, same old stuff. Still poor, us Weasleys.'
She turned to leave, and a shocked Draco looked absolutely bewildered. He finally realised that the pretty weasel was leaving.

Draco watched her swaying hips. In three purposeful strides, he caught up with Ginny. Draco put an arm around her waist and turned her to him. Her book fell to the ground.

His face was inches from hers as he asked her what her problem was.
'Look li'l weasel' he continued roguishly, noticing the discomfort his proximity had caused her, 'I know you'd rather be kissing me, but I'll have you know that I am more than capable of having a conversation.'

Ginny avoided staring at his mouth as he spoke and looked up into his eyes.
She saw him take a breath and gulp when they made eye contact.

'Why do you want to know about my family anyway? Judging how many hair potions you can get in Dad's salary?' She replied nastily. She wasn't going to believe that he cared about her. She tried pushing him away, struggling in his arms.

He only held onto her more firmly.

The hair potion's more expensive Draco thought, smirking inwardly.
He looked into her defiant brown eyes and his wit failed him.
I won't let you do that to me Weasley he thought gritting his teeth.

'It's okay that you are who you are' he pacified her, smirking, 'You look good in rags.'

She had stopped struggling and her hands were on his arms. Now Ginny's temper was rising.

'Learn something Ginny. I won't say I felt bad about insulting you lot. I didn't' His confessions weren't doing much for the incensed Ginny, 'Get over the fact that you aren't rich. No man is rich enough to buy back his past.'

She wanted to slap him, hard but his voice stopped her. Besides being captivating, his soft, sensual drawl had an edge to it.

He hated his life!
'You hate your life?' she blurted out in shock.

He raised an eyebrow, looking startled. 'I never really had time for introspection, what with all the girls in Hogwarts' Ginny's eyes narrowed, 'but not exactly peachy, my life. Yea.'

He seemed to be lost in thought, and yet thought Ginny, he isn't letting go of me.
She smirked, and he was now taken aback.

'So many girls in Hogwarts Draco, and you picked me?' she simpered.

Draco was worried now, 'I didn't Weasley' he drawled softly.

She leaned towards him, and his heartbeat quickened.

'Then why' she said softly in his ear, 'can't you let go of me?'

Oh kilkin 'ell he thought, why can't I?

He had let go of her. Both were oddly disappointed by that, and yet, too proud to come to terms with the fact.

After that, came the day when Draco had approached Ginny's table at the Three Broomsticks.

Even that day, as pleasant as they were with each other. Neither was ready acknowledge their violent craving for the other's mouth.

One bloody kiss is driving me nutters he thought sourly.

Draco walked her back to the common room entrance. He smiled warmly at her and she knew, that smile was rarely used for anyone.