I acknowledge that I own none of the characters or ideas and they belong to J.K Rowling.

Fighting Fire

"What do you mean you broke up with Harry?" Ron demanded.

"Ron, give it a rest, please," muttered Fred for the hundredth time.

They were sitting in the kitchen of the Burrow, eating lunch. Hogwarts was hosting an International Wizarding Politics Debating Week for the Senior House Leaders of Hogwarts, Beuxbatons and Durmstrang. The students had been given the week off in order to accommodate all the Wizarding leaders that were attending event and Ginny had spent the last four days attempting to avoid any reminders of either boy at all costs. This plan came crashing down as soon as the news of Ginny and Harry's break-up reached Ron's ears. Surprisingly Harry had taken it very well, if a little upset and Ginny had managed to avoid a lot of guilt...she only hoped Harry could find someone who would make him happy...something she had not been able to do. As for Draco...well, that was a mystery. He had not contacted or visited her for two weeks, not that she blamed him, I mean what must it have looked like when he came across her and Harry in an abandoned corridor? Ginny only wished she had someone to confide in but as Hermione was Head Girl this year (along with Anthony Goldstein) she was off at the IWPD Week, and although Ginny was in the run for Head Girl next year she was not obliged to attend. Thank God.

...but as she sat through Ron's interrogation she almost wished she was.

"But you and Harry- I thought that-," Ron started up again.

"Shut-it Ron," snapped both Ginny and George at the same time. Ginny tossed the book she had been pretending to read down on the table and stormed off, muttering:

"I'm going out; tell mum I'll be back for dinner."

"But you can't just leave," Ron called out after her.

"Just watch me," Ginny replied.

"Ron, leave it," Charlie (who was visiting from Romania) warned. Ron grumbled something incoherently as Ginny grabbed her coat, rolling her eyes. Slamming the door behind her, Ginny began pacing towards the large expanse of field, cursing as she tried to get her gloves to fit. The icy breeze, swept through the valley, kissing the back of her neck as she shivered. Coming to a stop, about twenty yards from the house, she threw one last wistful glance over her should before turning once on the spot and disapparating...

...and reappearing in the noisy, crowded, bustle of central London. Smiling ruefully to herself, Ginny made her way along the congested main street breathing in the inviting smell of hot chips, damp air and...freedom. The heavy clouds above thundered threateningly, a swirling mass of black and grey before the heavens opened and the downpour let loose. Cursing under her breath, Ginny ducked under cover, taking shelter in the porch way of a cute little shop selling the latest Muggle fashions. Fishing her purse from the back pocket of her jeans she checked how much cash she had on her. £280 was the entire contents. She always kept loose Muggle change on her in case of emergencies...and seeing as how down she felt...this classified as an emergency- and retail therapy seemed the best way to go. Pushing her bedraggled locks of red hair behind her ear, she ducked her way through the crowd of desperate people, attempting to shield themselves from the onslaught of rain.

She came to a stop outside the entrance of a well known shop (in both the Muggle and Wizarding world), she gazed up at the single word, proudly emblazoned on the shop window. Prada. She glided through the automatic doors (that would have kept her father occupied for hours) and glanced around with a sought of feverish excitement...Oh boy.

...Two hours and six shopping bags later Ginny plunked herself down in the corner seat, by the steamy window, in a cute little café of the centre road, and ordered a skinny latté. She pulled her knees up beneath her chin and gazed idly out the window, a feeling of contentment welling up inside her. The waitress with a skirt as high as the Empire State Building, came and delivered her coffee, glaring as Ginny dripped muddy water on the floor, no doubt she was on clean-up duty that night.

Ginny ignored her, taking a small sip of her coffee, nearly spilling it as she jumped in surprise. Standing outside the café was Draco Malfoy and his mother. Grabbing a Dolly magazine off the table she hid her face behind it, pretending to be engrossed in an article about some actress that had recently made her debut in Hollywood...wherever that was. Surely they wouldn't come in? Thankfully they didn't seem to have any plans on entering the cheap beverage shop. Narcissa Malfoy glanced at her platinum watch and they seemed to agree on a time before she swept off down the street. Draco seemed to be intent on doing the same in the opposite direction before her caught sight of Ginny peering, curiously from over the magazine. Grinning, he pushed his way through the door into the café.

"Hey, Angel...woah- enough shopping bags?" he commented gazing surprised at the pile of shopping bags.

"Hey...Draco...I-" she began before she burst into tears.

"Woah...come here," he said, pushing past the bags, wrapping his strong arms around her and rocking her gently. After a few minutes she looked up at him from under her wet eyelashes.

"I just had to get out- I feel trapped all the time- and I needed to breakaway...," she sniffled.

"So you chose Prada?" he asked, shaking his golden head. "Girls!" he murmured.

"I didn't know what to do or where to go...Hermione's off at the IWPD Week and Ron is continually nagging about Harry and I just-"

"-Had to get away?" Draco guessed.

"Yeah...shopping was probably a bad idea though."

"Probably," Draco agreed, murmuring through her hair, where his head rested on top of hers. "Come on...let's get you home...it'll be late soon."

"I don't want to go home," insisted Ginny. Draco had to press his lips together to stop himself from grinning at the defiance in her voice.

"Well...where do you want to go?" he asked looking around for the waitress who he tossed a couple of coins at. She winked coyly at him, but he was gazing fondly at Ginny.

"Anywhere...where do you want to go?" she asked.

"Your parents might not be too happy if we just took off for China," he commented as he led her out of the shop, arm around her waist. She laughed and then her expression turned serious and hesitant.

"What is it?"

"Well...we could...oh never mind." Ginny cut herself off as she looked away, her cheeks colouring slightly.

"Tell me, what is it?"

"No, it's stupid." She insisted.

"Please?" he asked looking down at her, his face completely angelic.

"You know I hate you, don't you?" she grumbled, shoving him slightly. He laughed, loudly.

"You keep telling yourself that," he teased. "Now what is the terrible suggestion of yours that has you blushing like a tomato?" she shoved him again, harder this time. "Well?" he asked again.

"You mentioned a while ago that you were staying at your cousins, Elizabeth and Nathaniel...yeah?"

"Yes, that's right," he said looking confused.

"Well...,"she ploughed on. "You could disguise me, you've learnt advanced concealment charms yeah?" he nodded and she continued. "You could pretend that I'm some friend from Slytherin, in need of a place to stay while my horrendously rich (and pureblood) parents are off on some expedition...or something..." she trailed off nervously.

"You're crazy, you know that right?" he said. She hung her head in embarrassment, but he caught her chin and pulled her back up to eye-level and grinned.

"I like that," he said quietly.

"Really?" she asked feeling elated.

"Truly,"he confirmed. "Nice plan, Angel."

"I hate that name, you know." She said, eyes flashing as she pretended to scowl. The truth was she loved the name. The fact that he held her in such high praise made her feel like dancing in the rain or bursting into song.

"Good. It's staying then."

"Jerk- Big jerk."

"Really?"

"Truly."

"Nice," he complimented sarcastically. They made their way down the street, packed with people queuing for a bus or taxi. With Draco's arm securely around her she felt safe, warm and content for what seemed like the first time in ages. They turned down a quiet lane and came to a stop at the end.

"You're sure about this then?" he asked.

"You trying to ditch me, Malfoy?" she asked teasingly.

"No, I'm just making sure that you're not doing something completely mad and reckless without understanding the possible consequences."

"Mad and reckless? That would be our speciality," she muttered. "Just tell me what your cousins are like. Snobby? Rich? Bullies?"

"I'm flattered to think that these are the first words that come to mind when you think of me. What happened to funny? Good-looking? Hero?"

"Ugh! Get over yourself- and you're not my hero!" Ginny declared, rolling her eyes.

"No. Of course not. I've saved you only twice it takes three for a hero doesn't it?" he said in a mocking tone.

"Those two don't count because...," she fumbled, desperately searching for a reason. "I hated you back then?"It came out sounding more like a question than a statement. Oh well, at least it's out of her system.

"Oh yeah? So do you like me now?" Draco asked, eyebrows raised.

"Yes," she replied on instinct. "I mean no! Not that I don't like you just that- as friends, okay?" Ginny stumbled over her words attempting to make her intentions clear. He nodded then drew his wand.

"Ready?" Ginny nodded once in consent. "Concelo!" he performed the incantation. Ginny felt like she was being pushed and tugged and pulled in a thousand different directions. And it hurt. A lot! Finally the pain ceased and she looked around in confusion.

"Did it work?" she gasped, her voice sounded so different. Higher, like bells.

"Yeah...you could say that."

"Oh my gosh, what's wrong? What have you done! Is it permanent? Can it be reversed?" she was almost shouting.

"Ginny, Ginny! It's okay you look fine...just different."

"What kind of different?" Ginny demanded, fishing for her small pocket mirror in her bag. She pulled it out to survey the damage. OH MY GOSH. She looked so different. Wow. Not bad either. She now had long, dead straight black hair, a heart shaped face with pouty, red lips and big, round, navy blue eyes, framed with thick black lashes. She was gorgeous. She stared down at the rest of her. She was much shapelier, with legsfrom England to Ireland, a tiny waist and perfectly curved hips. But she felt uncomfortable. Was this what Draco wished she looked like? Were her looks just not good enough?

"Thanks, not too bad, Malfoy," she drawled.

"The real you is much prettier," he said, reaching out and grabbing her hand. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to throw her arms around him. He did like her for more than her looks. He thought she was way prettier than this dark version of herself!

"So you wanted to know about my cousins...well Elizabeth is wicked smart and Nathaniel an awesome quidditch player but...i reckon you could take them any day, Angel." He said sneaking her a sly wink.

"Hey, one problem though," she said, ignoring his compliment. "What's my name going to be? I mean I can't just be anyone, can I?"

"Angel."

"What?"

"You can be Angel."

"Angel who?"

"I don't know, throw in something generic, they'll never know. You and Elizabeth will be great friends and Nathaniel ...well he just loves girls...he's a good bloke though. Don't worry I'll protect you." Draco said smiling slyly.

"Thanks. I feel so much better," Ginny answered sarcastically.

"Come on, Angel." Draco whispered, taking her hand and preparing to disapparate.

Ginny grinned, clasping his hand."Let's go get 'em."

She'd been trying to fight fire for a long time...maybe it was time to give it up...but if she does won't she get burnt?

Keep reviewing everybody! Next chapter will be up within the week ...I hope. Warning their relationship can't stay perfect forever (like it ever has been perfect, but anyway). Ginny may find herself with a partner to the Ball and cause her own scandal just because of her choice...but who knows maybe she'll get caught at Draco's cousins place...only way to find out is to keep reading!