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

Flickering Flames

"Blue or purple?"

"Neither. You should go for red; it's bold and looks hot on you."

"Nice and why would I want to look hot in front of your parents?"

"Oh, I wasn't talking about my parents...maybe just a gorgeous blonde guy who has a thing for you."

"A thing?"

"What? Don't tell me you haven't noticed."

"You should wear the black one."

"I was going to. But come on! You guys have totally got it going on."

"Isn't he your guy? Thought you guys werelike engaged?"

"As if! I was trying to make you jealous- but I can see how much you like him."

"You should be picking an outfit for tonight not trouble- and I don't like him!"

"Okay maybe that was going a bit far but still...you look amazing and I've seen the way you look at each other."

"We're just friends besides there's no way he could ever look at me that way...we are too different."

"Uh-uh. You know that's not true-okay maybe you don't know it yet-but you will. I have so much planned for you."

"Oh-no. Please no evil, match-making schemes- at least not in front of your parents."

"Why not? You're not worried about meeting them are you?"

"No...well maybe a little bit...okay I'm worried- a heck of a lot."

"Why? They can't be that different from your parents."

"You have no idea. My family...we do things different...not that you have bad customs just...different."

"I'd like to meet your family."

"No you wouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Well for starters there's too many of us, there's never any space and we are all so loud!"

"Sounds like fun, actually. I get sick of being cooped up in this overly large house filled with no one but my brother and I..."

"But your brother's good fun isn't he?"

"I guess...but he- never mind- let's go, we'll be later otherwise...by the way I really would like to meet your family."

Confused but willing to oblige Ginny followed Beth out of the room and down the hallway. Her anticipation for the night's proceedings soon triumphed over her small flame of curiosity that had burned brightly at Beth's previous comment. Smoothing her jet black hair Ginny looked down, critically at her attire. She was wearing a deep red cocktail dress that came just above her knee. It had a thick waist band that reached up just beneath her bust line, a delicate v-neck and gathering at the breast. She knew she looked good, but it wasn't her dress or her hair (which had been delicately pinned up, with a few elegant curls left dangling) that had her worried it was the occasion for all the finery. She was having dinner with Beth's mother and father. Pausing at the top of the staircase Ginny cursed the darned shoes Beth had persuaded her into wearing. They were five inches high with adorable little laces that made them look like ankle boots, but man they were killing!

Descending the staircase she came to a halt beside Beth as they waited for Nate and Draco. Beth's parent's had some very strict rules about dining and being seen in public. When doing either one had to be dressed as if going to a ball and no nicknames were acceptable, full names only. Ginny knew they would not approve of her alias name Angel and was wondering how she would manage to keep a straight face with all the formalities. She was sure to slip up and call Nathaniel, Nate or Elizabeth, Beth. She really was beginning to feel sorry for Draco's cousins, it was so different from the Burrow, where everybody came in whatever they wanted (often or not it was her pyjamas) and everyone just dug in without hesitation.

Finally the boys arrived and Ginny nearly keeled over with laughter. They were both looking very proper indeed with black tuxedos and proper ties. But despite how ridiculously formal they both looked Ginny could not deny that Draco looked scorching hot and was causing butterflies to flutter in her stomach, much to her mortification. Elizabeth took Draco's arm (not out of any possessiveness but merely because a brother and sister could not enter arm-in-arm to a dining room in a formal setting, apparently) and Ginny was left to take Nate's arm who winked cheerily down at her. Smiling anxiously back up at him she walked with him through the elaborate arches of the grand entrance and into the dining room.

It was like stepping back six hundred years, into the height of the Middle Ages. Though the interior design was modern and stunningly beautiful the elaborate furniture and layout of the enormous room spoke 'medieval relic'. Ginny was ecstatic, she loved history and of all the periods of wizarding history they had studied medieval and Tudor were her absolute favourites. And at the end of the perfectly carved dining table, sitting imperiously were Draco's aunt and uncle. Gulp.

The house elves came forward laden down with huge, silver dishes of steaming food and Nate pulled out Ginny's chair for her. Carefully placing her napkin on her lap Ginny stared nervously up at Beth's infamous parents. Supposedly they had murdered five aurors in their time and were of Voldemort's closest group. Of course after the downfall of Voldemort they claimed innocence under the pretence of being held captive under the imperious curse and were let go. As they stared severely down at Ginny she felt courage burn through her at and she knew she wasn't going to go down without a fight.

And who is your charming friend, Elizabeth?" It was Draco's aunt who spoke.

"Angel Briè, Mother." Face down. Hands trembling slightly. Cheeks pale.

"Angel? Hmmmm. Tell me child are you of pureblood?" Severe. Dark. Forbidding.

Murderers.

Ginny faced up to Elizabeth and Nathaniel's infamous parents, stomach squirming, even under the protection of her alias. As her eyes scanned over their cold faces these were the only words that came to mind. And as she thought of all the aurors whose lives it had cost so that this couple could sit comfortably before her she felt her anger blazer and her courage returned.

"With no intention of offence, I must say that I cannot see how it matters nor how it could be any of your business." Head held high. Defiant.

"Insolent child. How dare you impose yourself upon our hospitality and abuse our kindness with such rudeness."

"With all due respect, I assure you no insolence was intended. I merely speak my mind." Ginny stated calmly.

"Then you shall hold your tongue until you learn otherwise." Jeez. Rude much? "Now Draco darling you must tell me, have you not heard the news?"

"What news, aunt?"

"That pathetic Weasley girl has gone and rid herself of the Potter boy. A great annoyance as she could have been highly useful later on. But surely you had heard?"

"No aunt I had not," Draco replied staring deep into Ginny's eyes, searching. Ginny dropped her gaze looking off to the side.

"And you, girl?" It took Ginny a moment to realise to whom Draco's aunt was addressing.

"No mother, I had not heard." Ginny could not believe that Draco's aunt had just spoken to her own daughter in such a manner.

"Useless child," she commented nastily. Ginny had to clench her napkin in her palm to stop herself from crying out loud at this. Elizabeth bent her head over her plate, shielding her face from view. "Sit up properly child, do not slouch."

"Yes, mother." Elizabeth straightened up, her eyes glassy.

How could these people treat their daughter so callously? Ginny had always considered herself unlucky to be poor and grow up in such a large family but what she hadn't realised that being the only girl of seven children she had been very much shielded from a world of troubles and pain.

"And why should she have heard? Most people don't go sticking their noses into other people's business! She's your daughter for goodness sake! Start treating her like one!" Ginny exclaimed, jumping up from her seat.

"Sit down! You silly child!" commanded Beth's father who had not spoken up until this point.

"No I will not! I've had enough of this!" And with that Ginny threw down her napkin and raced from the room. Breathing heavily she kept running until the house was far behind her and she was immersed in the beautiful apple groves that lay beyond the mansion gardens. She finally came to a stop, bending over and rubbing her sides where she could feel a stitch beginning to blossom. The evening sun was just finishing its slow crawl of a decent and Ginny breathed in deeply the freshness of the heavily sweetened air.

"Angel!" Draco called out, jogging to keep up with Ginny. "Is it true, did you break up with him?" He asked coming to a stop just behind her.

Angels don't have secrets...

Ginny continued walking away. She heard him sigh behind her.

"Please don't walk away from me, Ginny."

"What else is there left for me to do?" she murmured quietly.

"Ginny?"

...but you have me.

"Yes," Ginny replied defiantly. He swore under his breath.

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Did you break up with him because of me, because you know that we can't be together like that."

"Of course, what is it with men? Stop assuming my life revolves around you!" Ginny retorted vehemently, cheeks reddening.

"You're impossible." Draco muttered turning away, rubbing the temple of his forehead.

"I'm impossible? You're the impossible one! What happens in my private life is none of your business, now leave me alone."

"Stop acting like a child. I'm taking you home." Draco reprimanded her.

"No you're not, I can stay if I want, let go!" Ginny exclaimed, for Draco had taken hold of her wrist, preparing to disapparate.

"No you can't. You're going home."

"How dare you? I'm not a child!"

"Really? You could have fooled me!" Anger beginning to kindle in his features.

"You think that just because you're a guy and you're a year older than me that you can boss me around!"

"And you think that just because you're having a hard time right now you can run off and act recklessly?"

"Hypocrite."

"What did you call me?"

"I said hypocrite. You lecture me on running away and yet that's exactly what you're doing."

"Excuse me?" he asked, incredulity written all over his face.

"You think you can fool everyone but I can see right through you. You can put on the mask of perfection for the rest of your life if you want but you're running away from life just as much as I am and you've been doing it for a long time."

"You know nothing about me." Draco declared, eyes blazing.

"No, you know nothing about me...and I hope you never will." One single tear fell from her eye and trailed its way down her cheek, dropping between them. Their relationship seemed to always end in tears, tears that were slowly falling on the flame that burned between them. A flame that was barely alight anymore, just flickering.

Well guys I hope you enjoyed reading that chapter just as much as I enjoyed writing it. I know I promised you all information on a certain secret of Nate's but that's going to have to wait till later. But don't worry you will find out about it and until then there's going to be heaps more drama, angst , adventure and of course romance. I warned you that Draco and Ginny couldn't last forever but hopefully they'll get back together sometime. Please rate and review it's so hard to continue without any feedback.

N ext chapter:

1. How many times can Draco break Ginny's heart? Apparently at least one more time because this time he's found a replacement for her.

2. Never sink to your enemy's level. Too bad Ginny was never taught this because she's just thought up a perfect piece of revenge that could result in her downfall.

3. Will Ginny finally find herself a partner to the ball...it's just around the corner. But with a ball comes scandal. Guaranteed.