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

I did use the quote "back to your knitting" from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and I completely disown that comment.

Tears of Fire

OWL RESULTS

Miss. Ginerva Weasley has received the following scores:

Ancient Runes: Outstanding

Arithmancy: Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy: Exceeds Expectations

Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding

Charms: Outstanding

Defence against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Divination: Acceptable

Herbology: Outstanding

History of Magic: Exceeds Expectations

Muggle Studies: Exceeds Expectations

Potions: Outstanding

Transfiguration: Outstanding

Total Number of OWL's: 12

Congratulations Miss. Weasley,

Miranda Hopwirth, OWL Magical Examiner

Signed: Albus Dumbledore (Headmaster)
Signed:Cornelius Fudge (Minister of Magic)

Ginny had torn open the carefully sealed letter, delivered by Errol (the family's faulty owl), her fingers trembling in anticipation. She had been dying to know her results ever since Professor McGonagall had announced that they would receive their results during the school term, just before the Senior House Ball. She had read and reread her results three times just to make sure there had been no mistake...twelve OWL's! Everybody would be so proud; she had achieved the best score out of everyone in her family! Clutching the piece of parchment to her chest, where her heartbeat had just begun to return to its normal pace, she risked a glance around at the rest of her classmates who were all engrossed in their result page. There was a mixture of expressions; some of dismay and disappointment others of surprise and some like hers of absolute delight. Camilla a snobby Ravenclaw was looking particularly smug whereas Collin Creevey looked crestfallen as he surveyed his parchment. She had passed, that was what mattered, in fact she had done more than just pass...she'd excelled!

A great shriek went up from the end of the hall and Ginny looked up to see Hermione staring at all the fifth years with their OWL results. "You've got your results! Oh my goodness! Where's Ginny!"

"Over hear Hermione," Ginny called out meekly.

"What did you get! How did you do? Of course you were brilliant!" Hermione snatched the parchment from Ginny's fingers. "Twelve OWL's! Oh Ginny, that's fantastic!" She exclaimed once she had thoroughly read through her results.

"Wow, Gin. That was pretty good."Ron remarked. "Hermione give her back her letter, stop smothering her!"

"Thanks Ron," Ginny smiled.

"I am not smothering her! I am congratulating her!" Hermione plonked herself down next to Ginny grabbing a piece of toast rather more fiercely than was necessary.

"Hey, what's all this commotion about?" George inquired as Fred made a beeline for the waffles.

"I got my OWL results," Ginny answered.

"Ah, well we'll break the news gently to mum for you." Fred joked.

Hermione looking impatient exclaimed, "You should be proud! Ginny got twelve OWL's!"

"Twelve OWL's? Did I hear you right Hermione?" Harry had joined them and was now staring avidly at Ginny; she dropped her gaze, embarrassed.

"Yes! And that was doing advanced classes!" Hermione seemed determined to get some reaction out of everyone.

"That's brilliant Ginny," Harry smiled as he buttered his toast.

"I guess we better watch out, George. This midget is becoming the smartest redhead there's ever been!" Fred teased.

"Yes, it's a shame. They'll be no more teasing or messing around with this one," George hung his head in mock forlorn.

"Like anything could stop you," Ginny rolled her eyes. She turned to pour maple syrup on her pancakes when a voice cut through the happy atmosphere that encircled their table.

"Nice job, Angel." Ginny's heart nearly stopped. Oh my Goodness, please no. Hermione dropped her knife loudly on the plate as she turned to see Draco Malfoy standing at the end of his table, grinning cockily.

"What did you call my sister, Malfoy?" Fred pulled out his wand and turned to face Draco, there was no trace of a joke in his voice anymore. "Say it again and you'll lose your 'pretty boy' face," he threatened.

"I'll call her whatever I feel like calling her," he drawled.

"No you won't," Harry said, getting to his feet as well. "Get lost, Malfoy."

"Shove off Potter. I'm not finished."

"What do you want Malfoy?" Ginny stood, pushing past her brothers.

"I couldn't help but notice all the noise Granger was making, so I came over here to tell her to shut her dirty mouth."

"Shut your face, Malfoy." Ginny spat. "If you ever say that again I'll-" Ginny raised her wand ready to send the nastiest hex she could think of but George grabbed her arm, Fred pushing in front of her.

"Leave it Ginny. It's not worth it." He murmured. But Ginny could not let it go. He broke her heart, snogged that Asian girl and then came back to play with her again. Oh no you didn't, boy!

"Let go George. I can handle this." Draco chuckled at this. "Amused, Malfoy?"

"Yeah, a bit. Look I am sorry, I didn't realise it was our scholar that the fuss was all about."

"Push off Malfoy," Ron commanded.

"Yeah alright, don't want to get contaminated by your presence any longer."

"Why you filthy, little...snake!" Ginny burst out.

"Later, Angel," Draco called over his shoulder as he exited the Great Hall.

"What the heck was that all about?" Ron demanded.

"Ginny? Do have something to tell us?" Hermione was staring at her expectantly.

"Nothing. That was nothing."

-LATER THAT DAY-

Ginny,
Can we talk?
Meet me at the astronomy tower, 9pm tonight.
I am sorry.
-D

Ginny smiled ruefully. Go meet up with him? Tonight, at the astronomy tower? Fat chance. Scrunching up the note she tossed it across the room into the bin. Free. Free from him. Shaking her blazing red halo of curls Ginny bent over her Transfiguration essay and pushed all thoughts of betrayal and forbidden kisses from her mind.

-9PM THAT EVENING-

I didn't think you'd come."

"I wasn't planning on coming, to tell you the truth."

"What changed your mind?"

Ginny paused here wondering whether or not to admit what she was really feeling. She decided on telling the truth, she could deal with whatever came next.

"I might need you to come for me one day."

"I like the sound of that," Draco grinned. She swatted at him playfully and then became sober once more.

"So, why am I here?"

"Sit down."

Ginny shook her head firmly. "I came here to talk not fool around."

"Please just sit," Draco implored. Ginny shook her head once more.

"I can't," she insisted.

"Why not?" Ginny squeezed her eyes shut tight.

"I hate heights," she admitted. They were at the very top of the astronomy tower and he sat at the window sill, his legs dangling over the edge. She felt him tug on her sleeve and pull her down to sit next to him. He wrapped his arm tight about her waist, securing her next to him.

"Better?" He asked, concerned.

"Yes," she breathed a sigh of relief. It felt so good to be back in his arms once more.

"Ginny," he began. She looked off and away at the glittering trail of stars that lit up the night sky. She knew what was coming next. He reached out with his free hand and clasped her face gently, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Please don't ignore me; I hate it when you do that."

"I'm scared," she said.

"I want let you fall," he promised. She shook her head slightly again.

"I know. That's not what I meant." Draco let go of her waist and clasped her hand instead. There they sat, the two most unlikely people destiny could have brought together.

"Tell me what scares you," he said with a fierce compassion. "I won't hurt you," Ginny looked away at this. "Ginny look at me," he commanded. "I will never let you fall. I will always fight for you. I promise." They stayed in silence for a few minutes, joined only by their hands.

"Do remember being a kid? The world was so perfect, you lived in the moment. There was that constant urge to take risks and dare to cross over to the other side. That's what it's like for me being with you."

"I don't remember being a kid. My whole life I've had expectations imposed on me." Draco's jaw clenched angrily. Then he relaxed. "I am sorry for what I said this morning."

"Yeah, right," Ginny rolled her eyes and shrugged out of his arm.

"What's it going to take for you to forgive me?" Draco asked looking exasperated.

"Eternal servitude?" Ginny requested slyly.

"Happily, if it means I get to spend my life with you," Draco joked, but his eyes were serious.

"Don't muck around!" Ginny went to hit his arm playfully but he caught her hand in his. Gently he entwined his fingers in hers and reached up towards the night sky. Breathless Ginny watched as he pointed out all the constellations, dictating the stories behind them. When he was finished they sat there for a while, talking about anything that came to mind; school, teachers, family, friends.

"Who are you going to the ball with?" He asked her after a few moments.

"Christian Nevada," Ginny answered automatically.

"From you year?"

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason. He seems nice?"

"Yeah...he's a great guy, funny and smart."

"Good. I'm glad," Draco murmured, looking anything but happy.

"Is something wrong?" Ginny asked, confused.

"No. I just want to make sure your okay."

"Who are you my father?" Ginny demanded getting annoyed.

"No, I just don't want you to do anything you'll regret."

"Well don't! I don't need your concern! I'm doing just fine!"

"Yeah, really looks that way," Draco commented sarcastically, running his gaze up and down her.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're fifteen Ginny, you-!"

"Save it! You think because you're older and smarter than me that you can dominate my life!"

"I asked how you were because I care about you; I had no thought of dominating your life!"

"Well you shouldn't because I do not care for you, and never will!"

"Don't be stupid Ginny! You sit up here and pour out your heart to me; you can't tell me that you don't care about me!"

"I did what I would have for any guy."

"Any guy?" Draco shook his head. "Fine."

"Draco you have to understand-"

"I do understand. I understand you completely." With that he left.

Ginny leant against the window ledge, hating herself more and more with every passing second. Brushing her hair from her face she resolved to go to that ball and settle her score with Draco once and for all. She would shed no more tears of fire for him...or anyone.

Okay, okay, okay! I know I promised you all the ball but I got so caught up in the storyline and then realised it had gotten too long to add a whole ball scene! I just couldn't bring myself to delete everything! I promise, cross my heart, that the next chapter will be the ball and that a secret will be revealed. Sorry to make this chapter a little angsty but I promise they won't have a fight for a while now...not promising that it will all be perfect or anything- where would the fun be in that?

Next chapter:
1. The ball is actually here! Scandal, secrets and love all tossed into one night! How delicious!

2. Their relationship may have always been rocky but that's nothing compared to what happens when family gets involved!

Xoxo- Review if you want to see the next chapter any time soon!