Chapter Sixteen

Make them Jealous

Ginny sat on the wall, staring out over the lake. She should be inside congradulating Harry on his victory with the Tri Wizard Tournament but she really didn't feel like it. Hermione and Ly were bound to be there.

It was almost a month since Ginny found out about them. She had managed somehow to forgive them and was trying hard not to hold a vendetta against them. It was hard though. She had really come close to loving Ly. Part of her knew she was trying to ignore her feelings for Harry by putting them towards someone who actually liked her. But she guessed Harry and Ly both prefered other girls.

Ginny sighed, looking down at the ground far below. What was it like to die? she wondered. Did it hurt much more then having your heart broken?

An arm wrapped around her neck and Ginny was roughly pulled off the wall. She closed her eyes as her back hit the floor of the wall. She opened them to see Draco Malfoy crouched over her.

"The hell, Malfoy?"

He grinned. A real, honest to God grin. "Can't have you killing yourself. We don't need another Myrtle about here."

Ginny pushed him off, letting her fingers linger on his nice shoulders. "I wasn't going to. I was just thinking."

"What ever you say, Princess."

Ginny blinked, "Why did you call me that?"

He shrugged, "Can't call you Weasley. Lessy seems a trifle rude."

Ginny felt a smile tug, "Since when did you care?"

"I don't. But I like my jaw where it is."

They sat there together for a few moments. Curiously enough, neither felt compelled to talk. They were comfortable with each other.

"Go to the ball with me," Ginny finally said.

Draco raised an eyebrow at her, "What brings this on?"

"I need a date. I suspect you do too. So go with me."

Draco laughed, "Trying to make them jealous?"

Ginny blushed, "Make who.."

"Hermione and Ly. Everyone knows you broke up and they got together."

"What if I am? You get up on them and Harry by taking me. You get up on Ron cause I'm his sister. I'd even let you kiss me," she said with a smile.

"It so much more fun when I steal them!" Draco protested.

Ginny gave a little laugh, "I suppose it is."

"No."

"Huh?"

"I won't go with you."

Ginny frowned at him, "Why not?"

"Because I don't want to be rebound. I genuinely like you, Ginny. If in two weeks you feel the same, come get me and I'll go with you. Til then, keep an open mind, my dear."

Ginny sat there as he left. She liked him. She knew that for certain.

Two weeks passed. Ginny avoided Draco as best she could, waiting to see who her heart responded to this. No change. She must like him after all. As the final day of the prescribed two weeks drew to a close, she found herself sprinting down the stairs from her Transfiguration class. She caught sight of him, below her. There were a few Gryffindors and a handful of Ravenclaws around. Perfect.

She waited 'til she was half way down the set of stairs before calling his name. She darted down a few more steps as he turned to face her. Then, like Louisa in Persuasion, she leapt down the remaining five steps. Draco braced himself then caught her gently, but firmly, turning in a full circle with her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He stopped spinning and looked expectantly.

"Go to the ball with me?" She whispered.

He grinned, "Hell, yeah, Princess."

Then he kissed her and this time, Ginny kissed back.

(A/N: In Persuasion, Louisa literally throws herself at her love interest. He doesn't catch her and she gets hurt. Not so for darling Gingin.

To MC2456- We all get lazy. I understand! And I still wanna see yours when you get it up!