Ch.4 Holidays

a/n: I'm not too fond of this chapter. I actually don't like it all that much. It's full of filler and has no real point. I promise the next one will be better. And longer.

The holiday's passed in a blur of studying and testing for Ginny. Everyone she knew except her friends in Slytherin had made their way home for Christmas. Any other year, she would have boarded the train with Ron excited about the craziness of a Weasley celebration. But this year she spent her Christmas alone in the Gryffindor dorm studying and didn't even bother to make her way to the great hall for the Christmas feast. The next day she spent the entire day alone with a proctor who administered her Owls. As she finished the last of her testing and slipped away from the library she nearly ran over Pansy, Blaise, Logan and Draco who were all sitting on the floor against the wall.

"Bloody hell, you all can't just sit where people can't see you. I could have fallen." She helped Pansy to her feet and the others quickly stood as well.

"We just wanted to see how it went." Pansy looked guilty. "I also thought you might want to celebrate the official end of your fifth year."

"I think I did well. I certainly have been studying enough for this. And thank you but I'm not really in a celebrate mood. I really just want to go get some sleep."

"Well fine then" Pansy pouted. "But you at least have to come down to Draco's room so we can give you your Christmas presents." She looped her arm around Ginny's not bothering to wait for a reply and led the silent group down to the dungeons. Once in Draco's room, Ginny curled up comfortably in her favorite chair in front of the fire.

"Mine first" Pansy handed her a small box and Ginny undid the bow and pulled the paper off. Inside was a brand new pair of freshly knitted gloves. "Your old ones have holes in them; I figured you could use a new pair. Oh and I made them myself."

"Thank you Pansy, I love them." She smiled setting aside the box and taking the one being handed to her by Logan.

"This one is from me and Azlyn. She picked it out and sent it a few days ago."

Ginny chuckled and the black and gold wrapping paper remembering something about some muggle sports team that held the colors. Inside she found a book of protection spells and a note attached to the front that read: Just in case, I want my godchild safe.-Azlyn.

"Thank you." Ginny smiled placing the book next to the gloves and taking a small box from Blaise.

"Technically Pansy made it to go with your gloves." Blaise explained while Ginny pulled a knit scarf from the box.

"Thank you, both of you."

"Okay well, the three of us are taking our leave so that Draco can give you his present in private." They stood together making a hasty exit before Ginny had time to protest.

Suddenly she felt very awkward. She didn't want to be alone with Draco. It just made her uncomfortable. He sat down on the floor in front of Ginny and handed her a box wrapped in silver.

"There are two gifts, this one is more for the baby. It was mine." He smiled then let it fall away. Ginny opened the box to reveal the softest baby blanket she had even felt. It was an elegant shade of green with a silver m embroidered on it. Before she could stop herself she threw her arms around Draco's neck.

"I love it" Hot tears burned her cheeks and she cursed the pregnancy hormones in her head. She pulled herself together the best she could and placed the blanket back in its box but left it sitting in her lap.

"This one is yours." He stood, slipping into his bedroom for a moment and motioning for her to stay where she was. A moment later he returned with a little ball of fur in his hands. As he moved closer to her, she realized the little ball of fur was an extremely fuzzy kitten. Ginny held out her hands and Draco placed the black kitten in her palms. Upon closer inspection she realized the cat had one white spot shaped perfectly like a heart. "He doesn't have a name yet, so you'll have to name him." He sat down on the floor in front of Ginny again smiling.

"I'll have to think of something good. He's adorable Draco." The kitten curled up in her hands purring and sleeping. "Thank you, but I really should be going now." She stood placing the kitten on top of her school bag after she put it over her shoulders and it was hanging by her side.

"Please stay." He stood as well and Ginny could see in his eyes that he was desperately looking for a reason to keep her there.

"No, this is all wonderful Draco, but I have already told you I need some space. Please just leave me alone for a while." She gathered the rest of her gifts and hurried away.

She was about half way to her room when she turned a corner and ran straight into the head boy.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She apologized making sure the kitten hadn't fallen off her bag.

"It's quite all right. I should pay more attention. Aren't you Ginny?" His eyes settled on her red hair.

"Yes, I am. You're Ross Hart?"

"I am. Christmas gathering?" He motioned at the stack of gifts in her hand.

"Yes and now I am heading back to my dorm to get some sleep."

"You are aware that it is only about three in the afternoon, right?" He laughed lightly and Ginny couldn't help but smile a little.

"I took my OWLs today and I am exhausted."

"Oh, that's right. I heard about that. Here, let me give you a hand with those." He took the boxes out of her hands and began walking towards Gryffindor tower. Ginny followed him keeping one hand over her kitten so he wouldn't fall.

"You don't have to do this. I know you're just doing it out of pity."

"I don't pity you Ginny. I think your situation is terrible. I think Malfoy is an asshole. But I also think you'll be fine. Hell, there is a war going on. With so much death coming it's an almost beautiful thing, bringing new life." They reached the fat lady and Ginny spoke the password before they slipped inside. Ross placed her gifts on a table and she put the kitten in one of the chairs with her bag before sitting down on the sofa.

"Thank you for helping me and I guess for not pitying me. Things are just so backwards these days."

"I know. I would stay and chat but I believe you expressed a wish to sleep. If you ever need someone to talk to, Luna knows where to find me." He smiled politely before leaving.

Ginny picked up her kitten and climbed the stairs to her dorm room. She changed into some warm pajamas and slipping into bed.

Over the next few days she bumped into Ross quite a bit and by New Year's Eve she was beginning to think that he was following her. She was walking out by the lake with her kitten in her coat pocket when he strolled up next to her.

"So have you named him yet?" Ross questioned cause Ginny to jump a little in surprise. "Oh sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"I named him Kitten. It works." She gestured to the lump in her jacket where he was sleeping. "Are you following me because we seem to be doing this a lot lately?"

"If I say yes , will you think I am weird." He smiled as the stopped at a bench and sat down.

"Why? I mean I didn't even know who you were until the day I took my Owls."

"I've know who you are for quite some time. Even before this year I saw you around a lot. I just never wanted to step on your boyfriends' toes as long as you were happy with them. And well the first one, I was about to introduce myself to you but you dumped him and moved on to Malfoy the same day. So I never had a chance. You have this light about you. It's magnetic and Luna talks about you constantly."

"I'm flattered I am but I'm not looking for anyone right now so you are wasting your time." She stood making her way back to the castle and he followed.

"So when will you be looking? After the baby is born cause I can wait that long? Or I could also wait longer if that is what you want? And we could also do this whole friend thing for a while because honestly I wouldn't mind being your friend so you can see how great of a guy I am." By the time he finished his speech they were climbing the stairs into the castle. "Just give me a chance to be a good friend to you, please?"

"Fine, but that is where the line is. We can be friends. If you try anything at all I will curse you into next year understand?"

"Yes, now hot chocolate down in the kitchen?" He smiled holding an arm out for her to take and she smiled as he began to escort her towards the kitchen. Before they reached their destination; they turned a corner almost running straight into Draco and some blonde girl making out against the wall.

"I can totally see your love for me now, Malfoy." Ginny hissed, her anger boiling over quickly and the pain of betrayel setting in again. Draco and the girl broke apart; the girl looked smug and Draco looked shocked and ashamed.

"Ginny, I can.." He took a step towards her but Ross blocked his path.

"Back away Malfoy before I find a reason to take points of give you detention."

"You can't do that, we aren't breaking any rules." The girl rolled her eyes at him.

"Try me Bromwell. I'm pretty sure inappropriate behavior and talking back to the Head Boy are both grounds for detention." Ross was turning red in the face and Ginny wondered why he seemed to have strong feeling of hate for the girl.

"Ross, just forget it, please. I'm just going to go back to Gryffindor okay." Ginny put her hand on his arm lightly and he turned to face her.

"Are you sure? I can walk you up if you like."

"That would be wonderful." Ginny took the arm he offered her and held on tightly, secretly enjoying the anger that was all over Draco's face.

She stayed away from the Great Hall the night the students returned from home. Instead, Ginny was curled up in front of the fire in the common room awaiting the owl that would tell her if she had passed her OWLs. She was just starting to doze off when a letter was dropped off on her lap.

Miss Weasley

I have received your scores and you have passed your Owls. Please see me before class tomorrow to get you full marks and your new schedule for the remaining of the year.

Dumbledore

A huge smile crept onto her face just as her brother, Harry and Hermione stepped into the common room.

"Hey sis, you look rather pleased." Ron sat down next to her and she handed him the letter. He read through quickly before pulling her into a hug. "Congratulations Ginny, I knew you would pass. Any idea if you'll be in sixth or seven year classes."

"Dumbledore mentioned something about trying to mix them. I might have classes with sixth years twice a week and seventh years three times or the other way around."

"Isn't that going to be a bit much in your condition?" Hermione leaned against the arm of the sofa. Ron and Harry both shot her looks that Ginny was sure she wasn't meant to see and almost laughed at how they would both stick up for Ginny to Hermione. "What? I'm not saying Ginny can't do it. I'm just saying that I've read how hard pregnancy can be; especially at such a young age and stress can only make things harder and more complicated. I just want you to be sure you won't be overwhelmed."

"I know Hermione. I just don't have much of a choice at this point. If I don't finish school this year, I never will. I can do this. I have to."

The next morning Ginny tugged on her uniform as she sat in Dumbledore's office. Even though her stomach was still completely flat, she felt like everyone would stare anyway waiting for her to get fat.

"Good morning Miss Weasley. I have the most excellent news for you. You passed your Owls with flying colors. You managed an Outstanding in every exam you took so I have no doubt you will do fine in the rest of your classes this year. I have your new schedule for you and you will be taking classes with the seventh years three times a week and the sixth years two days a week. I have placed Mr. Malfoy on the same schedule so you may have some classes with him as well. I wish you the best of luck and you had best be off if you want to be on time for your first class." He handed her a slip of paper and she read through her classes before slipping her bag onto her shoulder and slipping out of the office. And even though she practically ran all the way there she was still slightly late for potions.

"Ah Miss Weasely, I was expecting you. Since you are being thrown into my class in the middle of the year I am pairing you off with the best student in my class. Hart make sure Weasley keeps up will you?"

"Yes Professor." Ross smiled at Ginny as she stood next to him at their table. "Well my year just got so much better." He laughed flipping his text book to the potion they were supposed to be making.

"Just make sure that while you are enjoying your better year; you are helping me pass my Newt. I've got to do well."

"I promise you'll pass your NEWT and also keep Malfoy extremely jealous while you're at it."

"Ross, Draco is the least of my problems from here on out. If I want to make anything of myself I have one shot to get it right. So you can flirt and beg all you want but I am going to do whatever it takes to do this." She rolled her eyes and began working on her potion in silence.

By the end of the day she was exhausted and just as she curled up to go to bed an owl flew in and dropped a letter on her lap.

My Dearest Ginny

I missed you terribly at Christmas and I hope my letter finds you well. Your father can be so stubborn at times but this is really hard on him. It is really hard on all of us. I am trying to get him to come around I really am. But he is adamant that as long as you are planning on keeping the baby, he cannot help you. Have you given any thought to that at all? To not keeping the baby? We could put this whole mess behind us and get on with our lives. You could get on with your life. And you could come home again. Where you truly belong.

Love Always

Mum