A/N: My apologies for the long, long time since the last update. As I said at the beginning of this story, this was my first fiction ever, and I kept thinking I was going to revamp it a bit. I haven't had time to do that, as I'm devoting my writing time to the other fics that I have in the works. Thanks for your patience!! Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 10 Naïve
Ginny walked tentatively into the darkened classroom. "Draco?" she whispered. She heard a noise, and then Draco's voice say softly, "Lumos!"
Draco was standing in the far corner, a small smile curving his lips. "So, we're back to where it all began."
Ginny walked slowly toward him. "Ron knows."
The smile slid off Draco's face, and he opened his arms to her. Ginny buried her face in his chest and he sighed. "I wondered if he would suspect after your little rescue attempt this afternoon. How did he take it?"
"Not well…"
Draco laid his head on top of Ginny's. "No surprise there."
"He's also angry with Harry and Hermione for keeping our secret from him. And, to top it off, Ron found out about Harry and Hermione's relationship at the same time. He was so staggered by everything we laid at his feet today…so hurt by the deceptions…"
Draco silently stroked Ginny's hair.
"He's scared for me, and you can't blame him with the history between all of us. Speaking of which, what started your fight with him today?"
Draco shook his head. "It wasn't me that sent that hex. Warrington did it before I could stop him. But Ron turned around, saw me, put two and two together, and came up with five. I guess you know the rest."
Ginny shook her head. "I can't believe I acted the way I did in front of everyone-I couldn't stop myself."
"Yeah, that worried me. Sorry for what I said to you, but I couldn't look like I was glad you cared-even though I was…" Draco tilted Ginny's head back with his hand and lowered his lips to hers. "My hero," he said lips quirked into a small smile.
Ginny buried her hands in Draco's hair returning his kiss, and then leaned back to look at him.
"Will we ever be able to quit meeting in secret?" Ginny whispered, wrapping her arms around him.
"I don't know," Draco said quietly.
"I wish we didn't have to keep things this way," Ginny looked into his eyes. "I hate all this sneaking around."
Draco looked over Ginny's head. "You know the dangers-I'm not sure what the answer is…"
"You'll never know until you…"
His eyes snapped back to hers. "No."
Ginny took a big breath. "Draco, will you go to the Christmas Dance with me? And I mean with me?"
"Ginny don't do this…"
"I don't want to force you, but I do want to have a real relationship with you and not this `sneaking around' business. I know your father and I know the Death Eaters. I know how dangerous they are-I've fought them. I am willing to go through this for you. Are you willing to go through it for me?"
"Ginny…" Draco turned from her and began to prowl back and forth in the space between the wall and the desks.
"Are you going to live the rest of your life this way-hiding what you are?" Ginny said shaking her head. "I think you're better than that…prove me right."
Draco stopped in his tracks and turned on her. "It's just so easy for you, isn't it," he snapped. "You've always known what it is to be loved and accepted for who you are. You have people willing to risk their lives for you. I, on the other hand, have people willing to risk my life for theirs." Draco was shaking in anger now. "I'm so sick of living this way; hiding, questioning, suspicious…scared…" he broke off and raised his face to the ceiling.
Ginny closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around him. Draco didn't respond.
"I'm sorry Draco," Ginny whispered tearfully. "I don't know how it's been for you all these years. I do want for it to get better…"
Draco broke her embrace, shaking his head. "What you want isn't possible."
"How do you know if you don't try?" Ginny persisted. "What would make it `worth it' to you?"
Draco looked grimly into her eyes for a long moment, and then said quietly, "Alright, Ginny, I'll go to the dance with you…Merlin help us."
Ginny reached for Draco's hand. "Are you sure?"
"No…but I'm going to do it." He pulled her to himself and kissed her fiercely. When they had broken apart, Draco sat in the nearest seat and pulled Ginny into his lap. Her hair curtained his face as she looked down at him. Ginny's eyes locked onto Draco's. She bent her lips to his and kissed him softly as her hands ran along his jaw and into his hair. She felt him shiver and she tasted his lips with her tongue. He wound his hands in her hair, and sighed softly as he returned her caresses.
*********
The next morning was Saturday and Ginny was up early and on her way to the Owlery. She had stayed up late composing a letter to Fred and George, hoping they'd be willing to help her.
Dear Fred and George,
I hope you're well. I need a favor, please. There `s going to be a Christmas Dance at Hogwarts in two weeks and I need some new dress robes. If you'd buy them, I'd pay you back by working for free in your shop this summer. Also, would you please loan me 15 Galleons? I'd also work this off for you this summer in your shop. Please let me know soon if you're willing to do this for me.
Love,
Ginny
Ginny coaxed a large barn owl down from the rafters and tying her letter to its leg said, "Would you please take this to Fred and George Weasley, number 93, Diagon Alley in London." The owl took flight, and Ginny watched until it became a speck in the sky. She turned and headed to the Great Hall, hoping to get some breakfast in before Quidditch practice.
*********
It was a very long Quidditch practice. Ron would only refer to Harry as "the Seeker", and when Harry asked a question, Ron answered, but wouldn't make eye contact. Ron finally blew the whistle, and the team made its way tiredly to the changing room. They hung up their robes and put away their gear quickly, wanting to make it to lunch. Harry, Ginny and Ron put their things away slowly letting the others leave first. The last one finally made his way out. Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance, and Ginny gave a slight nod.
"Ron," Harry began tentatively, "I just want to…"
"Save it," Ron interrupted in a low voice. "I'm not ready to talk with you yet."
He turned to walk out the door, but Ginny grabbed his arm. "Please talk to us," she pleaded with her heart in her eyes. "We hate that we've hurt you. We love you, and we know we showed it poorly by not trusting you."
Ron sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me. I know why you both kept your secrets. But do you understand that I feel like I'm on the outside of your circle looking in? Things have changed with us all, and I don't…I'm feeling like a misfit now."
Harry stepped forward and said earnestly, "Ron, you're my best friend and you always will be-Hermione's too. We can't get along without you-you're no misfit!" Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Please at least come to lunch with us. We can talk some more later."
Ron looked at Harry for a long moment, and then sighed. "Alright," he answered quietly, and they walked together up to the Great Hall.
*********
The next day at dinner, Ginny was startled to see the Hogwarts barn owl that she had sent to Fred and George back so soon. She loosed the small parcel he carried, offered him some juice, and thanked him as he flew back to the Owlery for some well-deserved rest.
Ginny opened the parcel and saw twenty shiny gold Galleons along with a piece of parchment.
Dear Ginny,
We will, of course, be glad to have you as our slave this summer! (Just kidding-sort of). What sort of dress robes do you want?
Your BEST Brothers (and don't forget it!),
Gred and Forge
The next morning, Ginny sent another owl with her reply.
Dear Fred and George,
You guys ARE the best! I trust you to pick out my robes for me-whatever you think would look prettiest. I must tell you, though, that this is a very special occasion for me, so choose well….
Many Thanks and Much Love,
Ginny
She included a P.S. with her size and sent the message on its way with a smile in her heart.
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