This chapter has been stupidly delayed, and I am (once again) really, really sorry. Thank you to every single one of my reviewers, your encouragement means the world :) As promised, some Ginny/Blaise time in this chapter ^^

"You said you loved me," Ginny smiled down at the blushing face of Blaise, as he lay on the grass gazing up at her.

"Well, yeah, I suppose I did," His eyes flicked sideways, and a rueful grin plucked at the side of his lips.

"So, do you really? Or were you just saying that for Malfoy's benefit?" She teased, tossing her hair back from her shoulders so it caught the sun. He reached up and pulled her into a kiss, closing his eyes as her eyelashes swept his cheek.

"I'm hurt you could ask that of me, of course it was for Malfoy's benefit," He smiled complacently, poking his tongue out at her before leaping up and tearing across the rolling lawns, chased by a mockingly furious Ginny.

He flung out arm to catch the gnarled trunk of the nearest tree, and ducked behind its leafy branches, a fist stuffed in his mouth to stifle the laughter.

"Blaise?" Ginny called uncertainly, having lost sight of him, "Blaise?" She turned to look back the way they had run, lifting a hand to shade her eyes. He twisted through the foliage, and grabbed her hand, making her jump and a shocked squeak rebound from the walls of Hogwarts.

"Sssh," He placed a finger over her lips, trying to stop the infectious giggles.

"Don't run away again," She murmured, the laughter fading from her vivid eyes.

"I'd have to be mad to do that," He grinned irrepressibly. She ducked under his arm, resting her head on his chest as she watched the mellow light filter through the arms of the tree. In the quiet of the afternoon, they could hear a gentle splash as a lazy tentacle of the giant squid broke the calm waters of the lake.

When she spoke again, it was so muted Blaise missed the words.

"What?"

She lifted her chin, sweeping her hair away from her face.

"Nothing,"

Blaise smiled down at her, his face alive in the dappled light, eyes richly dark.

"I love you too, Ginny."

The Slytherin common room was deserted, save for the pale skinned figure at the window, hands clenched tightly on the painted sill before him. Malfoy peered through the glass, his breath condensing on the panes as he glared out at the bright afternoon sky. He twisted on one heel, pausing only to snatch his bag from the windowsill before ducking into the clammy chill of the dank corridor beyond the porthole.

He needed to spend a little time talking to Professor Snape.

The Dining Hall reverberated with the amiable chatter of the students of Hogwarts, as they gathered to eat and catch up on the events of the day. Ginny was sitting between Hermione and Neville at the Gryffindor table, quietly contemplating her food as she listened to Ron and Harry reeling off the names of famous Chasers, gesturing wildly with forkfuls of mashed potato.

"Fascinating, aren't they?" Hermione muttered to the red head, grinning wryly as they both turned to look at the pair.

"You took the words from my mouth."

"Ginny," Hermione paused, glancing around to make sure nobody was listening in, "About the other night, I don't want you to think I was being pathetic, or that I, you know, cry about that sort of thing a lot."

"Of course I don't. And Hermione, it does not make you pathetic, trust me,"

"Thanks," The older girl smiled, before glancing over at the Slytherin table a little wistfully. Ginny couldn't resist looking over too, and as her eyes met those of Blaise she dropped her head to stare at her plate, trying to hide the furious blush spreading rapidly over her cheeks. She bit her lip to keep from smiling, and took an over large gulp of pumpkin juice, proceeding to choke a moment later.

Hermione thumped her back, smiling as she spluttered and coughed. Ginny glanced towards Blaise again, just in time to see him mouth "Slick," at her before turning to answer something Malfoy had just said.

She seized a napkin and mopped up the juice that had spilled from her goblet, determined not to look up again.

"That was nicely done," She heard Blaise whisper as she walked towards the stairs at the end of the meal.

"Oh shush you," She shot back, blowing him a discreet kiss before beginning to ascend the staircase. He snatched at the air, and held his hand close to his heart, winking at her as he turned to go in the opposite direction.

She linked arms with Hermione as they headed back up to the porthole, the smile not leaving her face for an instant.