Sorry for the wait and sorry in advance for any other wait there will be. October is a very busy month as a parent (Halloween) as well as November and December (Eat Food To Block Out The Fact That America Was Stolen Day and Christmas). I'm going to try and update my stories as much as I possibly can. Please don't leave me.

As a special treat however, I will finally reveal the general idea of what happened between Draco and Ginny. I was saving it for a couple more chapters down the road, but I figured I needed to make up for my lack of updating.

Also, I had to go back and edit Chapter 4. I didn't realize that Romilda Vane is actually two years younger than the trio, making her a sixth year instead of a seventh.

On with the fic :)


Dead-end streets and boulevards

You threw in the towel, I broke your heart

But there's a first time for everything

Who would've thought you'd feel so cold

And all these memories seem so old

To think you were my everything

Remember when we'd talk all night

But time aint easy on us, how can love die?

I got so much shit to say

But I can't help feeling like I'm camouflaged

Fortress around my heart

You were mine just yesterday

Now I have no idea who you are

It's like your camouflage

Selena Gomez -Camouflage


Chapter Eighteen: The Long Car Ride

The day of the Ministry Ball started chaotic for the Golden Trio. One in particular. Hermione ended up with the flu and found herself too sick to attend, causing Ron and Harry to have too choose among them who was going to give the speech Hermione was supposed to give. Neither boy wanted to speak in front of the crowd of people, especially Harry.

"Okay, how are we going to decide who does the speech?" asked Ron and he was packing up his dress robes neatly in an overnight bag in his old dorm in Gryffindor. While Hermione was sick, Professor McGonagall decided it best that Ron stay in Gryffindor until she was better, so he wouldn't catch anything.

"I think the eldest should go." smirked Harry.

"Oi! That's not fair, I'm the eldest. That would make me automatic!" protested Ron.

"Well I don't want to say it. Our just were to just stand there and look smart while Hermione gave a flawless speech." said Harry, pouting.

"Hey, what about Daph? You think she would mind?" suggested Ron.

"I don't know. Would it be appropriate? Especially since her dad is a Death Eater?"

"I thought you didn't care about that."

"I don't. But the Ministry will. I don't want them to rip her to shreds over her prat of a father. She's been through enough with him as it is." said Harry, immediately regretting the rest of that sentence.

"What do you mean?" asked Ron.

"Nothing. He's just a bad person. But anyways, I don't want Daphne to do it. One of us has no choice." said Harry as he tried to manage his wild and unruly mane.

"Fine. I'll do it." sighed Ron, putting on one of his Chudley Cannons shirts for the ride. "But only because Mione will probably scold me if I don't."

"How are things with you two by the way? I know I haven't talked to you much about it, I'm sorry." said Harry.

Ron waved his hand dismissively. " It's fine. We told each other we love each other a while back."

Harry smiled happily at his best friend. "That's brilliant Ron. I'm happy the both of you."

Ron began to blush. " we got close to shagging as well." he said nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"Seriously? Why didn't you?"

"Because an annoying bug with glasses interrupted us." smirked Ron throwing a pillow at Harry's head.

Harry laughed as he dodged the pillow. "Oi! You could have put a sign up or something, that's not my fault."

"It's okay mate. We have all the time in the world for that. But her skin felt so good and Hermione was wearing a-"

"HEY IT'S TIME TO GO ISN'T IT?!" said Harry loudly, in an attempt to make Ron be quiet about his unofficial sister's skin and taste in undergarments.

Ron smiled and the two of them exited the tower to meet up with Ginny, Luka, Draco, Romilda, Luna, Neville, George, Angelina, and Daphne at the gate entrance. Ron and George were keeping their distance from each other still. It seemed to Ron that Angelina and George were getting too cozy for his liking. True, it wasn't none of his business, but he felt as if they were dishonoring Fred's memory. Then again it could be more to it than what he was seeing. But he wouldn't dare pry. Not after Hogsmeade.

When Harry and Ron got the the entrance they were met by the others and a glamorous ministry car. Harry felt as if they wouldn't all fit, but he had to remind himself that it was probably magical inside. It could probably fit all of Gryffindor in it.

He greeted Daphne and then two of them got into the car along with the others.

As suspected, the car was large inside, almost as big as a car on the Hogwarts Express. There was room for everyone, room enough to walk around, and also a way to make compartments in case someone wanted to nap or have privacy.

"Magic never ceases to amaze me." whispered Harry, Daphne laughing at his awestruck face.


The ride up would take as long as a typical ride from Hogwarts to London, so the group had packed overnight bags, as they were staying at the Leaky Cauldron after the ball and leaving the next morning.

For awhile, everyone was in lively conversation with one another. Everyone, except Draco, who sat quietly to himself observing the others. Specifically Ginny and Luka.

He had found out yesterday from Ginny, that Luka would not be returning to Bulgaria, but would be attending Hogwarts, something that almost made him reducto his room, though he held his composure quite well, if he did say so himself. He only cursed a few times and then dismissed it as if he didn't care at all when Ginny started taking up for Luka.

He had decided to try to work on shutting his emotions down when it came to Ginny. As much as he didn't want to admit it, the whole affair was really breaking his heart. Besides, he actually thought it unfair to Romilda that he was dating her while still pining after the redhead who clearly didn't want him anymore. Why cry over spilled milk when the glass has been refilled?

Romilda had really started to grow on Draco. She had started getting out of her fangirl ways and actually started acting like a real girlfriend. And while Blaise had gotten what he really wanted from her and left it at that, Draco and Romilda had yet to have sex. He actually found that he enjoyed just being in her company. They didn't even snog like talking about, just like it was at the start of what he and Ginny used to have. He had actually liked the late nights in his room just cuddled up talking about nothing in particular. He and Romilda had started doing this, and while it was awkward at first, eventually, they had gotten used to being around and enjoying each other.

Something that Ginny had noticed and was starting to really despise.

Luka was great and all, but she couldn't help slowly starting to tire of the bloke. He didn't seem to want to know much about her, as much as he would enjoy talking about himself. And even though they were indeed dating, he was way too physical sometimes for her liking.

At this moment in time, he was attempting to cuddle up with her, despite the fact that Ginny was being greatly annoyed by Draco and Romilda's closeness and didn't want to be bothered. Ginny knew that she was being completely mental with her feelings. After all, this is what she wanted to happen.

Right?

Around the middle of the trip people were starting to get sleepy and sectioning off the car to nap or just relax. Neville and Luna had decided to sit with George and Angelina; they found their company enjoyable. Harry, Ron, and Daphne all sat together, with Ron feeling very much like a third wheel, missing Hermione terribly as he witness Daphne falling asleep on Harry's shoulder, and Harry falling asleep against her head.

Even though neither party really wanted to (with the exception of Romilda), Draco, Luka, Ginny, and Romilda shared a space together. Romilda happily and obliviously played around with the practice snitch Draco had given her as an early Christmas present, while Draco, Ginny, and Luka played what seemed like the most tense eye tag game in the world.

"So Krum, how's business?" asked Draco somewhat condescendingly.

Luka glared but grinned at Draco. "If by business you mean my transfer, its cleared. As I told Ginni-vera, I am to be sorted next month when term begins."

'Ginevra, Ginevra, MOTHAFUCKING GINEVRA!' thought Draco, wanting to scream the words at him but thought it best not to.

"Oh that's nice." said Romilda. "What house do you think you'll be sorted into?"

"I think I am suited for your Ravenclaw, maybe even Gryffindor." said Luka proudly.

"I'm thinking of going back to Gryffindor when term starts. I truly miss it." said Romilda as she let her snitch go.

Draco promptly caught it. "And leave me? That hurts Ro." said Draco in fake angst.

"Oh you'll be just fine love. I'm just not fully cut out to be a Slytherin. Besides, I truly do miss my friends and my own house. But I'll still come and visit you darling." said Romilda, kissing Draco's cheek, making Ginny want to gag.

"That's too bad Ro. I hate to see you leave." said Ginny.

"You're not leaving?" asked Draco, Romilda, and Luka at the same time.

Ginny grinned. "No, I don't think so. I actually like being in Slytherin. I was almost sorted into it my first year, but I asked the hat to put me in Gryffindor. Didn't want to disappoint my family."

"I can understand that." said Draco. "Father told me before I left for school I had better be sorted into Slytherin. Mother felt that I would be a Ravenclaw."

"I don't see that." said Luka, thinking it was low enough for only Ginny to hear. However, Draco had heard it as well.

"Pardon? Got something you want to say Krum?"

"Doesn't Ravenclaw call for a certain amount of intelligence, Malfoy?" asked Luka as if the question was not meant to be an insult.

Ginny and Romilda looked at each other, a silent communication between the two that they realized there was about to be a problem.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were trying to insult me, Krum." said Draco in a dignified, but cross voice.

"Just taking the piss at you, that's all. That's what you British call jokes don't you?" said Luka, smirking. Ginny put her hand on Luka's arm, silently telling him to shut up.

"You want to be British now? It's that why you're staying here? Or is it because you want to keep a tight leash on GI-NE-VRA her" sneered Draco as he drug out Ginny's name.

Romilda looked from Draco's face twisted with jealousy, hate, and hurt to Ginny's face filled with confusion, damage, and rage and knew that the situation had more to do with the two of them than they cared to admit. Something had to be resolved. She was not going to have a miserable trip.

"Hey Luka, do you want to take a walk with me?", said Romilda standing up bravely and knowing full well that both Draco and Ginny were staring holes into her from the front and the back.

As much as Luka didn't want to go, he had a feeling that if he didn't step out that second, that his fists would be coated with Draco's blood. "Sure. I could use a change in scenery." He said getting up as well.

"Ro, what the hell!" said Draco and Ginny at the same time.

"I think you two need to talk. I refuse to have this tension around me. Besides, I don't want my boyfriend killing yours, Gin. What would people say?"

"If I might say-" started Luka.

"You may not. Now let's go." said Romilda as she pushed Luka out the door, sealing it as they left.


Ginny and Draco turned their eyes onto each other. For what seemed like forever, they didn't say a word to each other. What could they really say? What should they?

"I don't know why you're being such a prat, Draco." said Ginny, finally initiating conversation.

Draco looked at her like a child would when they thought something to be unfair. "Are you mental? I'm the prat?! So your precious Krum can have a go at me but I'm the one to be blamed?!" he yelled, pointing to the door.

"True he didn't need to say some of the things he did, but he wouldn't say them if you wouldn't always wanting to challenge him." said Ginny. "And that last thing you said was completely uncalled for. I am not a damn dog."

"Stop acting like one." said Draco in a low voice.

Ginny looked dumbstruck. "Excuse me?" she asked, truly vexed by his words.

"You heard me." said Draco, his voice getting stronger. "You've been acting like a bitch as of late."

Ginny stood up at Draco's antagonizing statement, her body shaking from the rage that was building up.

"I am not a bitch, Draco Malfoy!" she growled.

"I didn't say you were one, I said you've been acting like one ." said Draco, standing up as well. "You have been up under Krum's ass every since you two started dating, you are always snapping and harping at me, and you act as if he can do no fucking wrong. Like a female dog. A fucking bitch!"

Ginny wanted to hex Draco to the other side of the car. "Well you have been looking like an abandoned lost puppy ever since you got with Romilda." she said. "And you have done your fair share of snapping as well like an annoying toy dog at your heels."

"Maybe so. But Romilda has yet to say anything bad about you or to you, and you know that."

"Oh I'm so sorry. I should have never brought up your oh so wonderful and perfect Romilda Vane, who is soooooo much better than me. Who treats you like the Slytherin King that you are. That's what you've always wanted, isn't it?"

"No!" yelled Draco, fed up. "What I've always wanted was your stupid ass, but you were too busy trying to get back at me for mistakes of the past, and now you're stuck with that prick Krum!"

"You didn't want me! You wanted redemption. You wanted everything to be forgiven, so you wouldn't have to feel any guilt for anything that you did!"

"I DIDN'T FUCKING DO ANYTHING GINEVRA!"

"YOU DIDN'T COME OUT OF THAT BINT PANSY'S ROOM AT 4 IN THE FUCKING MORNING SMELLING LIKE FIRE WHISKY AND A CHEAP ASS BITCH?!"

"OH SO NOW YOU WANNA BRING THAT SHIT UP! YES, I CAME OUT OF HER ROOM, BUT I DIDN'T FUCK HER! THE ONLY TOUCHING OF HER I DID WAS TO GET HER CLAWS OFF OF ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO FUCK UP WHAT WE HAD!" yelled Draco, his face red with anger and embarrassment. He figures the whole car must have heard their rowing.

Ginny panted, trying to catch her breath that was exhausted from the screaming. "Swear to me that you didn't. Because that's not what you said before you passed out after arguing with me." she said.

Draco rolled his eyes. "I told you. You wouldn't believe me. You kept saying I was lying so I lied to shut you the hell up and before I could fix it, I had passed out, and you were gone."

"You said she was right for you. That it's what you and your parents wanted." mumbled Ginny, tears accumulating in her eyes, ready to spill.

"As far as what they wanted, yes she was right for me. But I never wanted her. Never. You know this."

"I know you flipped flopped from November to March with my feelings, Draco. One minute you were all about me, the next, you acted as if to know me was your death sentence." said Ginny, looking down at the floor.

"It was one. Not for me, but for you." said Draco taking Ginny's hand. "If the Carrows and Death Eaters knew what was going on between us, they would have ruined you. They would have congratulated me on fucking not only a blood traitor, but a Weasley blood traitor, and they would have also tried to see if they could fuck you as well, and would have killed you if you resisted. I couldn't let that happen. So I would act as if I didn't want shit to do with you. Do you know how hard that was when all I wanted to be was consumed by you? You should have known that I couldn't stay away. Do you know how fucking embarrassing it was to agree with my best mate telling me that my girlfriend had me wrapped around her pretty little finger?"

Ginny couldn't help but officially feel stupid. She should have known that to be true. They were already being secretive when he first tried to push her away. He should have known after the second time that something was wrong. And Blaise would always try to tell her. But she hadn't listened to him, nor let Draco really explain. She allowed her temper to get the best of her. Maybe she really was being a bitch.

"You could have wrote that to me you know. You know how I am when I'm mad." she said.

"I wrote you everything all summer. You only answered one."

"I didn't open them. I still have them."

Draco looked at the one he used to call his fire. He couldn't stay mad at her, despite the fact that the situation they were currently in was mostly her fault.

"I'm...I'm sorry.." said Ginny hesitantly. She wasn't one to apologize.

"Come here." he said as he grabbed her arm and pulled her into him. She crashed into his arms, wrapping hers around him as well. It felt like old times to her again. The times where they would just hold each other and talk. The times where they would insult each other and knew that they didn't really mean it. The times where after they made love, they would bask in each other's glow, never wanting to leave their wonderful world that was inside Draco's room.

"So what do we do now?" she whispered, hoping desperately for him to tell her that they would run away together, like he used to say last year.

"I don't know. I...I actually like Romilda. I like her a lot. And I don't want to hurt her." he admitted.

Ginny knew that was coming. She could tell all along that Draco cared about the girl. And contrary to popular belief, a Slytherin can be just as loyal as a Gryffindor when it came to people they felt belonged with them.

"Can we be friends again at least? Real friends?" asked Ginny looking up at Draco.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." he said smiling, as he kissed her on the forehead.


A few spaces down sat Romilda and Luka, in deep conversation themselves.

"How long do I have to keep this going? asked Romilda, absentmindedly plating her long coal colored hair.

Luka sighed. He was growing tired of this question week after week. "You already know the answer to that. Until I get what I want from her."

"I get that, but I'm so tired of babysitting Malfoy. He doesn't even put out. I figured I would at least get a couple decent shags out of this but he isn't as easy as I thought he would be."

"That's only because the dunce is in love with her. He probably doesn't feel comfortable fucking you when he still wants her. Besides, you're acting like you aren't getting fucked anyways."

Romilda chuckled at Luka's statement. "You called that fucking? I've been fucked by Hufflepuffs better."

Luka sneered at the girl. He felt as if he wanted to smack the shit out of her, but he kept his composure.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that." said Luka, grabbing Romilda by the back of her neck. "I swear you young bints get more cheeky by the day. You should do well to respect your elder and stay in a woman's place."

Romilda, though somewhat fearful, refused to be intimidated. She looked Luka sternly in his eyes. "I may have the body of one but I'm not a woman yet, you dirty old man. I could turn you in right now if I wanted to, you know. Let everybody know what's really going on." threatened Romilda.

"You wouldn't dare." growled Luka, loosening his grip

"Oh but I would if you ever grab my neck like that again." said Romilda moving his arm away.

Luka couldn't help but be impressed. She reminded him so much of a girl he once knew. The one that he was on his mission for.

"You are lucky I actually enjoy you and your, shall we say, hospitality. Do you think the two of them have stopped their lover's spat?"

"Probably. You know, if it wasn't for the galleons and protection you were giving me and my family, I wouldn't have anything to do with you." said Romilda truthfully.

"Oh stop complaining. It will all be over soon." said Luka with a sneaky grin as the two headed back.

"You really don't like the two of them." stated Romilda.

"You're absolutely right my dear. You're absolutely right."