Ginny looked up into the cold gray eyes she had seen almost every day filled with hate and malice, expecting the same look and the usual sneer of Blood traitor. But instead Malfoy's eyes were an icy silver that had a familiarity she could not grasp, and were filled with…what? Sorrow, and…pain, and…love? Malfoy, the Ice Prince of Slytheryn, capable of felling love? She scoffed, and her snort of contempt caught Malfoy be surprise.

Draco was lost in Ginny's face that so resembled Rosalina's, not in features but in expression But then her face changed, and she let out an undignified snort that seemed to mock him.

Draco, the spell broken, quickly got up, said, "Watch you step, Weasley", and walked away. The further he went the heavier the burden over his head became, but he attributed it to the fact that he was again alone to delve into his thoughts. Still, when he tried to pull the image of Rosalina back into his thoughts, all he saw was Ginny Weasley as he lifted her off of his chest, and he had an urge to run back and hold her to him. He forced the thought away and walked more briskly to the great hall for the tail end of breakfast.

Ginny gasped as Malfoy got up and she was dumped unceremoniously on the floor. For a moment she was disappointed, but she forced herself to be relieved that Malfoy was acting like himself again. Still, as she watched his receding back, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, and realized that the peace she had felt was leaving her.

NO! She thought. It can't be him! But it makes perfect sense. He is pure-blood, and a Slytheryn…What am I thinking!? I could never become close to him! But if it would take this void away…

Remember though, what Tom... Voldemort... wanted. In exchange for freedom. Before he was removed from the picture. Would you give your virginity away to Malfoy?

NEVER! There's got to be another way!

There IS not other way, Ginny realized desperately.

"Ginny!"

Hermione was walking down a hall to her first class, wondering where Ginny had gone. They usually walked together, but Ginny hadn't been in her dorm or the Gryffindor common room.

Wait… why is she…Ginny?

"Ginny!"

She looked up.

"Ginny, what are you doing sitting on the floor?" Ginny put on an air she hoped was off-handed.

"Oh, I tripped, and was too lazy to get up." She let out a flustered laugh. Hermione grabbed Ginny's upper arm and helped her to her feet. Then they linked arms and continued together on the way to class.

"Ginny, you are not a lazy person, but that's been your excuse twice, for your grades and just now. What's up with you?"

"I'm just…

"Exhausted? I don't know why you don't want to tell anyone about this, Ginny, but something's wrong."

"I have been sleeping fine, I just…" Ginny's tired brain couldn't come up with an excuse.

"Just what?"

"Nothing, I just have had this nightmare for the past few nights, I'm fine."

"Ok, but if it comes back tomorrow, I'm taking you to Madame Pomfrey for some rest." They arrived at Ginny's classroom.

"Hermione, thank you for being a friend, but I really am fine." They shared a quick hug, and Ginny disappeared into her classroom, sadistically triumphant. She had been playing this game for six years, and she wasn't going under now.