Chapter Seven: "Beating Heart Baby"

A/N: I haven't really been getting that many reviews for this story, butto my faithful readers: thanks for reading and reviewing. I loveeach one of you. Thanks forfollowing this story. I know this story has potential and will just get better.

Ginny felt her mouth go dry. Her mind was whirling. Draco… her date, Draco, was snogging Pansy Parkinson when he was supposed to be picking her up? Ginny swallowed. "Wait, so they were…snogging?"

Zabini laughed coldly. "I don't know if it qualifies as snogging. It was more like who can jam their tongue farthest down the other person's throat."

Ginny tried to block out Blaise's words. This couldn't be happening… not after what had happened before. Not after the two of them had kissed and then almost kissed…

Ginny remembered Draco's words: I've kissed many girls. It doesn't mean I care about them. Ginny looked down, jealousy and sadness overwhelming her. Maybe Draco was telling the truth. Maybe he actually meant it when he indirectly said that she meant nothing to him.

Then why didn't he just tell her that he didn't want to come with her to the ball? Surely it wasn't because of the stupid dare. If Draco wanted to, he could have just come solo.

Angrily, Ginny stormed off towards the Slytherin Common Room. Sure enough, just as Zabini had said, Ginny spotted a certain couple making out. Pansy's brown hair was all over Draco's shoulders, and her fingers were running through Draco's blonde hair. Ginny had to force herself not to pull out her wand and hex the pair of them. However, Ginny knew that losing her temper was exactly what Draco wanted. He was trying to make her jealous. He knew she still liked him, and found it amusing to play with her heart.

Ginny just stood there, not saying anything. She watched Draco and Pansy make out for a few moments, oblivious to the fact that she was standing right there. Suddenly, Draco noticed Ginny and flew off of Pansy. Pansy obviously hadn't heard about Draco taking Ginny to the ball, and was wondering what was going on.

Ginny looked down, not exactly sure what to say. She was shaking with anger, and was having a hard time controlling it. Draco actually looked a bit sorry. He gave her an apologetic glance, but Ginny ignored it.

"So, uh, Pansy? I guess I'll see you later on in the Great Hall," Draco told her, acting as if they hadn't been making out moments before.

Pansy giggled. "Save me a dance, won't you Drakie?"

She flounced off, and Ginny was pretty sure she was looking for Blaise. Ginny smirked. Blaise looked pretty mad, and most likely, Pansy would be going to the ball single.

Ginny and Draco walked towards the Great Hall in silence. Ginny felt as though she ought to say something, but didn't know what to say. What do you say to a guy who was kissing someone else on your date?

"Look," Draco muttered uncomfortably, "About what just happened…"

"Forget it," Ginny told him, trying to conceal her envy, "It's not like you're obligated to me. You technically aren't even coming with me since you don't want to."

Draco shrugged. "Yeah, but that was pretty harsh… I swear I didn't see it coming. Pansy asked me where Blaise was, and I told her he was still up in the dormitory. Then, she just sort of came onto me."

"Well I didn't exactly see you trying to push her off of you," Ginny retorted. "In fact, it looked more like you were leading her on." Every time she pictured Draco and Pansy kissing, she felt her insides burning. Did Draco really mean so much to her?

Draco didn't answer her last comment. They paused in front of the Great Hall. Draco turned around and faced Ginny, his face looking honest and sincere. "By the way, did I tell you how beautiful you look today?"

Ginny flushed the color of her hair; her attempts to hold it back feeble. "Thanks." She gave Draco a small, shy smile. "You look nice also."

Draco didn't answer. Instead, he held open the door for her and gestured her into the Great Hall. Ginny walked into the Great Hall, gasping. The ceiling was filled with white clouds and snowflakes, and the room somehow looked as though it was snowing. Fake snow sculptures and snowmen were placed about the room. There was plenty of food served on long tables.

"It doesn't even look like the Great Hall," Draco commented, taking in his surroundings. Ginny nodded, and the two of them found a place to sit down.

Ginny spotted Pansy over to one side of the dance floor with her gang of Slytherin girls, eyeing Draco. Ginny realized that Draco had noticed this, and was trying not to look at the group of girls.

Ginny sighed. "Go ask her to dance, Draco."

"Huh?" Draco awoke from her daydream, and the dazed expression from his face was gone. "Ask who?"

"Why don't you just go over and ask Pansy to dance?" Ginny asked impatiently. "It's what you both want."

Draco looked slightly disgusted. He shook his head. "Believe me, I do not want to dance with Parkinson."

Ginny shrugged, not looking completely convinced. They sat together in a few moments of silence before a slow song started playing. Ginny looked at Draco, who looked at her at the same time.

Draco cleared his throat. "Uh, want to dance, Ginny?"

Ginny nodded, butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. Draco offered his hand, and Ginny took it. Draco led Ginny onto the dance floor. Every step they took, Ginny's heart thumped faster.

Draco pulled Ginny close to his body, and Ginny put her arms around his neck. She rested her head on this shoulder as they started to slow dance.

Ginny had never felt happier or more nervous in her life. Her pulse didn't stop racing throughout the entire song. Finally, when the song ended, the two of them broke apart.

Ginny stared into Draco's gray eyes, and felt herself melt within them. If only he dated Gryffindors…if only he felt what she felt.

Draco took a step closer to Ginny. They're bodies were touching, and Ginny could feel Draco's heavy breathing. Ginny didn't dare more or say a word, in case it broke the moment.

"Ginny…" Draco breathed. Before Ginny knew what was happening, his lips met hers. Her insides were blazing with passion as she continued to kiss Draco. Ginny felt as though she could spend the whole evening in Draco's arms. Ginny felt her heart thump as Draco ran his fingers through her hair.

They broke apart after what seemed like forever. Ginny was panting, and Draco looked slightly worried. He too was breathing hard, looking from side to side to see if anyone was watching. It just so happened that almost half the people in the Great Hall were staring at the two of them. Harry and Hermione had stopped dancing to see what was going on, and Ron was shaking with anger.

Ginny turned to the other side to see a horror-struck Pansy, who had been flirting with Goyle. Ginny looked away from her and turned her attention back to Draco. He shook his head and mumbled something.

"I…I have to go, Ginny."

"What?" Ginny asked, confused. She thought they were on the same page. She thought that there was something going on between the two of them, and she thought that Draco had felt something between the two of them as well.

"I can't explain, okay?" Draco snapped. "I just have to go. I'll see you later, okay?"

Ginny couldn't move. She watched as Draco fled from the Great Hall, fighting back tears. Draco had bailed again. Was this how it was going to be? Every time Draco made a move, he'd just leave?

Ginny forced Draco out of her mind, and got herself some Pumpkin Juice. If only none of this had ever happened…

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Harry watched Draco leave the room, feeling slightly annoyed. It wasn't as if he liked Ginny, but he still cared for her. He didn't like seeing her treated this way.

He shifted his gaze to Hermione, and realized that she too was shooting disapproving glances at Draco. Harry tapped Hermione lightly. She turned around and gave Harry a small smile.

"She deserves someone better than him," she murmured, "I don't know what she sees in that prat."

Harry shrugged. He suddenly felt like dropping the Ginny subject. One of Harry's favorite slow songs had just started playing, and he was trying to gather the courage to ask Hermione to dance.

Harry cleared his throat, and Hermione smiled slightly at him.

"D-do you want me to dance, Harry?" Hermione asked slowly.

Harry nodded, relieved that he didn't have to ask the question. The two of them made their way onto the dance floor, and Harry pulled Hermione close to his body.

Hermione blushed slightly, not looking at Harry. Neither one spoke for a few moments. Finally, Hermione said, "I'm glad you asked-"

She never finished her sentence. Harry's lips cut her off.

A/N: I love H/Hr. So that was kind of a cliffhanger. The more reviews, the faster I update. It really works that way.