Let's just jump right into the chapter, shall we? Stay tuned for a brief note at the end...

Xx Some kind of therapy

Is all I need

Please believe me

Some instant remedy

That can cure me completely

Could it be that I'm suffering

Because I'll never give in?

Won't say that I'm falling in love

Tell me I don't seem myself

Couldn't I blame something else?

Just don't say I'm falling in love xX

Chapter 9

Trouble Sleeping

"You can't actually expect that to work." Neville cast her a sideways glance on their way down to the Great Hall. "Its going to take a bit more planning then just stampeding into that office. It's not going to be that easy." He shook his head lightly from left to right.

Neville was sporting another black-eye. A yellowish gash along his cheek was still crusty from whatever spell had hit him. Ginny couldn't bear looking at him without wincing slightly about her own wounds. Apparently the Carrows had once again found a way to take out their anger on Neville. Ginny had warned him that it wasn't bright to mess with two people who were obviously insane, but Neville merely smirked every time. Something about the notion of giving people hope had slipped from his mouth, but Ginny let it slide in one ear and out the other. Something about it reminded her of Harry, and for some strange reason she didn't want to think of him. Thinking of Harry only brought about more pain and anguish, and Ginny had bigger things to worry about. She needed to look out for herself.

The sunlight crept slightly through the tall windows in the corridor, and Ginny turned her face towards them. The sunlight seemed like a stranger to her lately, and she promised herself she'd make time to see the grounds later that afternoon. Perhaps she'd run down and say hello to Hagrid. She knew the Carrow's were cruelest to him, and wanted to be sure that he was all right.

"Of course it will work. It is so simple that it just can't fail, and can you please let me clean that cut. It's making my stomach churn." She scrunched her nose as they moved down the stairs.

"If anyone catches you mending it they'll have your head next." He pointed towards the end of the corridor where Snape had slipped silently out of view.

"Well I rather think I can handle the punishment if it lessens the pain I feel when I look at you." She felt the corner of her mouth twitch with a smile, and Neville let out a small laugh beside her.

"I happen to like these scars." Neville touched the one that spread down his cheek. "Makes me feel like I'm doing something worth while here."

Ginny rolled her eyes as the came out into the entrance hall. " Yes, well you better be sure that the things that you do plan on doing correspond with what I have planned for the D.A."

"I still don't think it's a good idea. You know that the others wont like the idea of screaming anarchy and charging through the corridors." Neville tapped his hands against the side of his legs without looking at her. He already knew she was glaring at him.

"Well we don't need them then, do we?" She shrugged. " We can do it ourselves…and we have Luna. Merlin knows she won't turn down a D.A. extravaganza."

"We aren't going to a party, Gin. This is serious." He moved to stop her, but she kept walking with a defiant look in her eye. Neville knew there was no way swaying her ideas. Once she had planned something she was going to do it. " Fine...I'll do it. " He groaned, and continued in stride with her down to the Great Hall.

"Good." She grinned.

A yawn slipped over her lips, but she wiped it away with the back of her hand. She had slept surprisingly well the previous evening. Something about the comfort she had felt in her dreams kept the usual midnight wakeup at bay. She wasn't sure what she had dreamed about. It was the first night in a long while where she couldn't recall who or what mixed into her thoughts. Still it had been a good night, and Ginny looked forward to another peaceful nap during her free period late that afternoon. If she was lucky she planned on heading out to the pitch that afternoon for a quick ride. Flying in the crisp air always seemed to help her think a little bit better, and with the current plan of attack she had to discuss with the DA, a nice walk seemed necessary.

Turning towards the Great Hall Ginny paused abruptly in her tracks when she heard a burst of familiar laughter coming from behind her.

"You all right, Gin?" Neville had stopped beside her, and following her gaze, looked over his shoulder.

The laughter from behind them came to a sudden halt when Ginny cleared her throat. It was a bitter exchange as she stared into the faces of four people she was less then thrilled to see. It only worsened as they grew closer, and Ginny caught a better glimpse of their faces. Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe, and Goyle all seemed to sport the same knowing smirk. It was only when Pansy stepped aside that Ginny got the full glimpse of Blaise standing there. That awful hollow feeling suddenly returned to her stomach, and she grabbed Neville's hand involuntarily. The group of Slytherins chuckled again, and Ginny squeezed Neville's hand even tighter.

With a pleading tug she brought him inside, the knowing snickering of the Slytherins echoing wildly in her head.

"What was that about?" Neville quirked a brow as they sat at the end of the Gryffindor table. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil shifted slightly to the side to make more room.

"What?" She cast him a look that distinctly said she didn't want to talk about it. She could practically hear Lavender and Parvati drooling over the possible gossip that was about to be spoken.

"Nothing I suppose…" Neville's features faltered slightly, but he didn't press the issue any further. One thing he had learned about Ginny was to let it die when she wanted it. Instead he reached across and grabbed a muffin and a few sausages.

Ginny couldn't bear to stomach anything. Had Blaise told the other Slytherins what he had done to her? She knew that Malfoy had witnessed it all, but she hadn't counted on Blaise spilling the whole entire thing to his housemates. She had figured her would have been to angry with the way things worked out. Casting another glance at him, Ginny let out a defeated sigh. Blaise Zabini was not one to falter so damn easily. She should have known that.

A glass of pumpkin juice was passed to her by Neville, and Ginny took it without offering any thanks. Neville wasn't the type to harp on it though. Instead he went back to eating allowing Ginny to think over things. Malfoy wouldn't dare tell anyone what happened. She knew that much. Something about the way he had treated her back in the dungeon room spoke thousands to her. Not only that, but the incident in the storeroom had solidified her trust in the blonde Slytherin. It was a notion that would have normally made her laugh till she was sick, but there was something genuine in the way he looked at her that night.

She felt the hair on her neck rise slightly, and she looked up only to see Blaise staring back at her from the Slytherin table. He smirked, and Ginny immediately dropped her eyes back down to her sausages. The only consolation to the brief glimpse was the fresh black-eye that Blaise had been sporting. Quickly she glanced towards the other end of Slytherin table, but noticed Malfoy wasn't at breakfast.

Draco sat perfectly still in the plush leather chair by the fire. The Slytherin common room was still deathly quiet in the morning hours, but regardless of how droopy his eyelids became he was not going to fall asleep. He had certain business to take care of, and he was going to take care of it before breakfast. The earlier it was done the less likely he was to be blamed for his actions, and Draco knew that he would rise early. Zabini had a tendency to get up and avoid the usual rush down to the Great hall. In his first year he had cursed the taller boy when he woke up the entire dorm just to get into his robes for a seven in the morning breakfast. Draco and Blaise had always been on decent terms since then, but they weren't exactly best mates. If he had a choice Malfoy preferred to be left alone then to hang around with Blaise. This was one of the rare occasions he was actually seeking the boy.

As the morning fire began to dwindle to its last burning ember Draco was sure he heard movement coming from the dormitories. Sure enough there was a shuffle on the boys staircase, and the tired face of Zabini appeared in the doorway. Draco didn't move at first. He sat perfectly still until Blaise had just about made it to his chair. He stood abruptly. Zabini gave a start and grabbed at his chest.

"Bloody hell, Malfoy. You could have warned me." He let his hand fall down to his sides.

"Mmmhm." Malfoy shot another glance towards the staircase. It was quiet again. No one would be down in the common room for quite awhile.

"You are up early." Zabini shifted in place, but seemed to know that Draco had purposely waited for him. "What's it this time, Malfoy? " His tone was cold, and Draco almost caught a hint of bitter jealousy.

"Things need to be taken care of at my earliest convenience." He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, and crossed the room.

Zabini sized him up for a moment, but immediately backed away when he met Draco's eyes "Oh?".

Draco didn't bother tip toeing around the subject. He was never one to play with his food much. That was something his Aunt Bellatrix enjoyed doing. Thrusting himself forward, Draco grabbed Zabini by the shirt. "Keep away from her." His voice hissed so low that Draco felt a rumble deep within his chest.

"Away from who? Let go of my shirt, Malfoy." Zabini yanked back but went nowhere.

"You know who I'm talking about." His grip tightened on Zabini's shirt. "Don't touch her."

Zabini suddenly smirked knowingly. "Oh you mean Red? Touchy about it then, Malfoy?" The hint of triumph in his voice caused Malfoy to sneer again. "Yeah well I asked and you said you didn't have your name branded on her."

"Well I lied." Malfoy wound one arm back and nailed Zabini square in the face. He wasn't a great fighter, but the feel of Zabini's face beneath his fist was exhilarating. Every ounce of anger he had been dealing with the last few months seemed to seep through his skin and into that one quick punch. " I don't like my things played with. I was never into that whole sharing thing when I was younger..."

"Fuck!" His hands were already covering his face, and he stumbled backwards to keep away from Draco's reach.

" It was the whole only child syndrome. Never really accepted the concept of letting other people touch my things." He stepped away from Zabini, his back turned only slightly so not to offer the bloke a chance for a counter attack.

"She's filth anyway, Malfoy. Its cruel to play with your prey before its slaughtered." Blaise wiped the corner of his mouth, a tiny bit of blood hanging from the corner like a pathetic corpse.

"Which means what?" Draco drew himself up again.

"That little Miss Red has no chance of survival" He snorted. "You know as well as I that once this war has taken hold of everyone all those opposed to the Dark Lord will perish. Your little toy will be one of the first. She's a blood traitor, Malfoy. You may as well just finish her off yourself."

An unbelievable boil of fury found its way under Dracos skin. It happened so fast that he didn't even register it until a moment later. He was on top of Blaise, his fists pounding so quickly that blood drew round the dark boys lips and brow. He yelled in protest, but Draco kept swinging until his own fingers gleamed with droplets of sweet red blood.

"Draco..."

Malfoy fueled one last blow to Zabini's face before extracting himself from the body. He never was much of a physical being, but something about the situation had roused him. Something about the red headed blood traitor made him furious with Zabini. Of course he bit his lip to keep from saying what he thought, but it was till there. Unlike any other witch or wizard, Ginny had believed him when he said he had changed. At the moment it seemed too menial, and Draco found himself quickly moving out of the common room before Zabini could retort. He needed to get away from everything that reminded him of her, and the only place he could think of was his spot on the grounds.

He didn't register how quickly his feet carried him. It was less than a few minutes that he reached his desired spot. Somehow though the sun had moved up past the trees which meant he had been wandering across the grounds for nearly an hour. He'd skip classes for the day. No one would mind his absence, and he didn't want to deal with the questioning looks from his housemates.

The air was chilly, but he wrapped his cloak around him to deny the wind from entry. Parting the branches, Draco stepped inside and surveyed the area. It didn't seem as though Pansy had come back looking for him. She often left little clues like hair ribbons or food if she had been there. The spot was as dark and dingy as ever, and Draco eased himself into the makeshift hideaway with a sigh.

What had made him do it?

He slid down along the tall tree that enveloped him, and closed his eyes. There had to be a certain logical explanation, but all he could think of was his own male pride. That just wasn't it. Whatever it was that he was denying sat like solid bricks upon his soul, and still he could not manage to shift them from their place. Someone had mentioned that this sort of feeling was a sign of pure emotion and love. Malfoy scoffed at the thought. Love a Weasley? Now that was something to get angry about.

"But you still defend her." His voice was so monotone and callous that he barely recognized it.

Yet it was the truth. He hated Bloodtraitors. He hated muggle lovers. He hated anyone who adored Potter. She was a combination of all three. There she was like poison in his soul, and he could do nothing about it. His mother had told him that one day he would understand what it felt like to care about someone other than himself. He never believed that day would come, but there it was in the shape of a tiny little red head whom he had hated all his life.

"No." His eyes drifted up towards the high branches and he cursed. Suddenly he hated her for believing in him. Suddenly he hated her for making him feel things that he swore he would never feel. The mixture of passion and confusion whipped through him so rapidly that it made his stomach clench, and he spit at the ground in defeat. He'd make himself see her as just a blood traitor. He'd force himself to forget the things she had said about him!

You'll take one good look at her and fall again.

Malfoy dropped his face into his knees and stifled a snort. If only his precious father could see him now. What would dear Lucius say about his weak son?

"Pathetic." He murmured, his back sinking deep into the bark of the tree.

"I don't think you are pathetic."

Her voice caused him to stiffen slightly. For a moment he had believed that Pansy had followed him again, but it only took a tick of a moment for him to realize that it was Ginny. He stared up at her, his mouth slightly gapping as she pushed the branches aside and approached him.

"Did you follow me here?" He narrowed his eyebrows while propping his arms upon his knee.

Ginny rolled her eyes, a short scoff parting through her lips. "Get bent, Malfoy. I didn't follow you out here like a little lost pet. I saw you walking the grounds and called out to you but you didn't answer. I was behind you the entire time calling out your name, and you kept on walking like you were in some sort of zombie. "

" What you just said sounds an awful lot like stalking." He pushed himself up from the ground and folded his arms across his chest. "What do you want anyway?"

Ginny toyed with the hem of her cloak. Why had she followed him all the way across the grounds? She was only going to ask him if he had been the reason for Zabini's face, but once she had followed him halfway across the grass she felt like it was something she just needed to do. It was almost like the place was drawing her in with some unusual power. Ginny sighed, and kicked at the ground.

"You hit Blaise." It wasn't even a question, and Draco picked up on it immediately.

"I know I did. Obviously you had a pretty good idea yourself." He smirked.

"Well I wanted to know why you did it." She puffed her chest out slightly, though the rapid rise and fall of her breathing seemed to make her look weak.

Draco frowned, his hands moving into his pockets to keep them from doing anything stupid. "Zabini needs a reminder every now and then about things. It doesn't concern you so forget about it." He shrugged.

Ginny bit down on her lip. "You're lying."

He gave a short laugh. "So what if I am, Weaselette. He had it coming, all right? I'm not a bloody saint, but no wizard should ever touch a witch like that. It isn't right." A funny lump had formed in his throat, and the voice in his head had suddenly chimed in; No one should ever touch you like that, though he kept that statement to himself.

"You are just going to get in the way if you keep doing this. I can't have you get in the way." Part of her was talking about her fight with the D.A., but another part of her seemed to be dancing along a line she dared not even think about.

"What the hell does this have to do with, Zabini? Hell, Weasley! I saved your pathetic arse. I could have easily walked away and let Merlin knows what happen, but I didn't. For once I deserve a little bloody credit, and I have I gotten it? No! And do you know why?" He paused. "because I still have to pretend that I'm a big bad Death Eater that wants to sit and beg at the heels of the Dark Lord. So shut up and show some gratitude since your about the only person who can grant me some."

"You don't have to…I mean I am grateful and all…but I need to do things…"

"What's the real reason you followed me out her, Weasley?"

Ginny swallowed hard. When had her throat become so dry? " You don't have to fight battles for me." Her eyes flickered up into his, and she caught a brief hint of worry. "I know you don't think I'm capable of a lot of things, Malfoy, but there are some things you need to sacrifice yourself for. The greater good, and all that stuff. I have to do the things I do because it's the right thing, not because I'm trying to play some hero."

"No, that's Potter's job." He spit on the ground, and turned away from her.

"That isn't fair." Biting back a sudden jerk of tears, Ginny stepped forward to advance on him. "Harry is doing what he has to because that's the way it has to be. Learn to make sacrifices sometime Malfoy, and stop pining over your own bloody arse." There was a long breath of silence, and Ginny quirked her eyebrow. "No retort?"

"I'm begging you not to do anything stupid, Weasley. I don't beg for anyone…ever…. but this one time I am asking you not to do it." His head drooped to one side, and he turned to face her. " Don't risk yourself over something so stupid…"

Ginny felt her cheeks grow hot. "It isn't stupid, Malfoy! It's what needs to be done in order to help other people. Can't you get that through your skull? This war isn't going to be as easy as a fist to the face…its going to take blood and death…and…."

He was suddenly gripping her shoulders so tightly that she squealed from the shock. "You are going to get yourself killed!"

"And what do you care? Hm? When did you suddenly become my wizard in shining armor? If you won't help me then you are against me…."She tried yanking herself away from his grasp, but his fingers pressed deeper into her skin.

"War is not a game, Ginny. War is a dark disturbing hell hole that drains you and then devours your soul. Don't get caught up in something that's going to ruin you…promise me. Promise me you won't go looking for stupid trouble so I don't need to come and save your arse again. Promise me…" He eased his grip.

Ginny bit hard on her lower lip to keep herself from crying. She wanted to lash out and belt him across the face, but his words had rendered her lifeless. Harry had wanted to protect her, but he left to go out and pursue whatever it was that he needed to do. He had left Ginny to rot away in Hogwarts completely unaware of anything that was going on outside the walls, and yet there was Malfoy. Malfoy coming in and making her promise that she wouldn't do anything stupid. Malfoy storming in and saving her from Zabini. Malfoy tending to her injuries, and Malfoy telling her that he would help her again if she needed it. It was too much. Her head swelled with unidentifiable emotions, and the longer she looked up at him the more a very horrible desire flushed through her.

"I can't promise." She stepped away quickly before she did something utterly stupid.

Draco sighed and wiped his hand across his face. "You Gryffindors just never know when to call it a day, do you? You are going to be killed." This time the words came out flat and truthful almost as though he expected her to drop dead right there.

"I've got to do something, Malfoy. I can't watch students get tortured every day…I can't stand to think what is happening out there to my family, my friends and to …" She stopped, and drew her fingers up to her lips.

"And to the precious Chosen One." Malfoy folded his arms across his chest. "Some savior he has been. How many self righteous Gryffindors have been punished here because of him? He can't even protect his bloody girlfriend where he is." When is slipped out of his mouth he quickly shook his head and added, "probably busy finding new girlfriends he can impress with his whole 'I'm the boy who lived' sob story."

Ginny's lip trembled slightly. He was doing it on purpose. She could tell from the twitchy look in his eyes. Still the thought of Harry with another girl tore something from her, but she managed to keep herself from shedding any tears.

"I'm not his girlfriend, Malfoy. We broke up before he left….besides…he …he doesn't have time for other girlfriends while he's out there." She took a breath. "So you can stop trying to make Harry look bad in front of me. I'm not some silly girl pining away for him anyway…there are other wizards around here that I could easily fall for." Once the words were out she gasped slightly. "Though even I don't have the time for silly fantasies."

Malfoy's shoulders arched back stiffly at her words, and he turned to face her fully. Her eyes bore back into his causing his step to falter somewhat. He was striding over to her with such vigor that he had forgotten to take his hands out of his pockets. His presence would have looked a lot stronger if he had removed his hands, but that urge for doing something he'd regret was still there, and he didn't want to risk it. Instead he stopped merely an inch from her, and peered down at her tiny form.

"I'm not going to help you do anything stupid, Weasley, but I want you to take this." Finally, after a moment, he pulled out clear stone and held it in his hand.

Ginny could feel his breath on her face, and somewhere down in her toes she felt an unusual sensation. It was as though a thousand filibuster fireworks erupted around her feet. When he removed the object from his pocket, Ginny leaned over and examined it. "What is it?"

Malfoy grabbed her hand, held it for a moment, and then dropped the little stone into it. " It's a piece of charmed foe glass that was shaped into a ball." He dropped his hand from hers and immediately shoved it back into his pocket. "It's charmed because it burns hot and gives you a ten second early warning that one of your foe's may be approaching." He was glad that it had not burned hot for her while he was standing there. Ginny seemed to have noticed this too, and glanced from the clear stone to his face.

"And it works?"

"My father has never given me anything that does not work."

Ginny rolled her eyes, " Of course he hasn't."

Malfoy sighed. "I wish you weren't such a Gryffindor. You could be completely safe just sitting low for awhile."

Ginny clutched the stone briefly before shoving it into her pocket. "And I'd also be a complete coward. I can't do it Malfoy. I just can't."

"Can you at least tell me what you plan on doing?" He was practically touching her now, the flowery scent she often wore reaching his nose and taunting him.

She tilted her face up to greet his, only now realizing how easy it would be for him to just bend over and kiss her. She squeaked, and brought one free hand up to tug her cloak around her. Kiss her? My God what was she even thinking? "Thanks for this, Malfoy." She stepped back quickly, "and Zabini…thanks for Zabini."

Her legs carried her out of the trees faster then any firebolt could have. What was she thinking? Malfoy kissing her? It was ludicrous! It was dastardly! It was something she wouldn't even wish on her greatest enemy! Well, perhaps that was pushing it a bit too far. Malfoy wasn't at all bad looking, and he did have that odd charm about him that seemed to get right under her skin…but he was Malfoy. He was so wrong. So very very wrong. So perfectly utterly wrong.

"Oh my Merlin." She brought her hand up to her face, and wiped her brow with the back of her hand.

Quickly she looked back over her shoulder in fear that he may be following her, but all her eyes came across was the empty grounds. She turned and ran again. Pummeling through groups of students in the corridors, and by Professors on their way to classes. Professor Flitwick had stopped her halfway to Gryffindor tower, and she quickly told him that she wasn't feeling well. Her legs moved with methodical twists and turns until she reached the Gryffindor tower. She didn't need to say the password as the door swung open to let out Seamus and Neville. Ginny brushed past them, Seamus muttering something about being rude, and stormed up into her dorm room.

She was alone which was good. Her body managed to find the edge of her bed, and she sunk back into the inviting blankets, her eyes fixed across the room on the mirror just over the communal vanity. She didn't recognize herself. What she had just thought of, what she had just said, it was all so damn foolish. How dare she ever consider anything but Harry? Her stomach wretched again, and she turned on her side, her head falling back and hitting the pillow. And still she wondered what it would be like to be that close to Malfoy. He was so different from Harry that Ginny wondered what his kiss would be like. Harry's kisses were often soft and time consuming. He poured every ounce of care and romanticism into it. Malfoy lived through passion and fury. Ginny could almost imagine the rough lustful kisses he could give her. Almost involuntarily her eyes closed, and she could see herself with Malfoy after a Quidditch game. He was dressed in his Quidditch attire, but his robe was partially open revealing the toned muscles beneath. He wasn't perfectly fit, but he was confident to show off what he had. The robe fell around his legs, and Ginny was pressed up against a bare chest and tight black Quidditch trousers. The lump in her throat was replaced by a shameless desire of her own, and she thrust herself at him without thinking.

"Ms. Wheezy…"

Ginny's heart stopped before their lips even met. Someone was in her room. Her eyes flickered open, and two big round eyes stared back.

"Dobby?" Ginny pushed herself upright, her heart suddenly slowing to a painful thud. "What is it? Has something happened to Harry? Have you seen him?"

Dobby's pointy little face shook quickly. "I didn't mean to startle you, Misses Wheezy, Dobby did not." He wrung his tiny little hands together. " Dobby wishes to see if you need something. Harry Potter asked Dobby to help you, he did."

"Oh…" Just like that everything that she had been thinking about Malfoy came crashing down. How could she even think of another man? Her breakfast squirmed in her stomach, and she rapidly shook her head. " No no…I'm fine Dobby. Thank you. I just was hoping that someone has heard something from Harry." Her eyes welled with a mixture of guilty tears and worry.

Dobby grinned, "Oh Dobby knows Harry Potter is well. He is a noble wizard." He clasped his hands together.

Ginny nodded, wiped a few fallen tears from the corner of her eyes, and grabbed for the pillow on her bed. "If you hear anything Dobby I want to know. That's all I ask for, all right?"

"Always eager to help a friend of Harry Potters." He bowed so low that his pointed nose touched the stone floor of the common room. Just like that Dobby was gone.

Ginny clutched the pillow against her chest for dear life. The tug of war inside her heart exploded, and she buried her face into the scarlet and gold pillow. She couldn't allow this to ruin her plans. No, she needed to look past Malfoy and focus on the bigger things going on in the wizarding world. Wiping her eyes Ginny pushed from her bed and flipped open the trunk at the foot. Gathering some parchment and quills she set out to drive the images of Malfoy and Harry from her mind. She was going to plan the attack immediately. She was going to go after the sword tonight. And she was going to drive the nonsense of Malfoy from her mind once and for all.

Lyrics in this chapter: Trouble Sleeping by Corrine Bailey Rae

Sorry its been a a few weeks. Went back to work last week and it's been crazy getting things in order again. Anyways, hope you liked the chapter. Please leave me some love in a little review. It always makes my day :)

Cheers!