Ginny was nervous.

For the first time she could remember since Hogwarts, she was nervous about seeing a man. She had been at her parents' home since early Christmas Eve, and they had already exchanged their gifts. Today would be for lots of overeating and exchanging gifts with Harry and Hermione - and for her, Draco as well. She had gone out after he'd left her, and searched until she'd found a decent enough gift for him. She did not expect one in return; the act of giving him something would be reward enough for her.

She had been so distracted all morning that she'd already broken three dishes that had had to be Reparo'd. Her mother had left the kitchen to go and get ready, so she was in charge of making sure that nothing burned. She'd already gotten ready hours earlier, and kept stopping in front of the mirror to check her appearance.

The poinsettia had been reduced in size and charmed to stay in her hair where it had been pulled back away from her face in a braid. For the first time since before she'd started dating Colin, she was wearing lip gloss. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and joy; Christmas morning with her family had always been her favorite time in the world. Bill and Fleur were coming this morning, and Fred and George would also be there. Ron was upstairs, still in bed, and her father and Charlie were in the living room, discussing politics.

She heard Harry's voice from the other room, and fought the urge to run; instead she forced her legs to carry her slowly from the kitchen. When her eyes lit on the blonde man shaking hands with her father, her stomach did a nervous flip-flop. Why was it that suddenly her mouth was dry and her palms felt sweaty? She started towards them, but was stopped when someone else stepped into her path.

"Happy Christmas, Ginny."

"Happy Christmas, Harry," she returned.

"You look really nice," he said, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. She smiled, missing the pair of silver eyes that had focused on her. She missed his quick intake of breath; the way his eyes darkened.

"Thanks. I see Mum sent you a package already," she said, laughing at his sweater. He grinned, and across the room, mercurial eyes narrowed.

"No, actually it's from last year."

"Well, I can never tell. Where's Hermione?" she asked, glancing around. Harry shrugged.

"I don't think she's coming until later. She's going to her Aunt's house with her parents this afternoon."

"Oh, that's too bad," Ginny said honestly. "Mum's food isn't nearly as good when it's reheated."

"I'll have you know I take exception to that, young lady," Molly said, sweeping Harry up in a motherly embrace. Ginny giggled and, seeing her chance at escape, turned away. She moved to the fireplace, where her father and Draco were engaged in conversation with Charlie.

"Happy Christmas, Draco," she said, hating the way her voice trembled. He nodded.

"Happy Christmas, Ginevra." It was his first use of her given name, and it sent shivers through her like wildfire. His eyes locked with hers for a moment, and then his attention was focused back on her Dad. She excused herself and slipped outside in an effort to cool down. When she went back inside, everyone had begun to migrate to the dining room.

"Ginny! Where have you been? I need help setting the table," her Mum chided.

"Sorry, Mum," she said, following her mother into the kitchen. She began removing the rolls from the pan and was putting them into the bread basket when her mother spoke.

"He's very nice, isn't he?"

"What? Who?"

"The Malfoy boy. He's changed, even more so since he joined the Order."

Ginny didn't know how her mother had picked up on her attraction to Draco, so she decided her best bet was to play dumb. "Has he? I hadn't really noticed."

"Is that so? Well it might do you some good to take another look," her mother retorted wisely.

"Did you know that Harry likes me now?" she blurted. Her mother looked genuinely surprised. "As more than a friend, I mean?"

"Dear, you haven't been interested in Harry that way for a long time," she said, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. "Anyone with eyes can see that."

"Right," Ginny breathed, smiling at her mother. "I'm going in there now." Molly watched as her daughter took the bread into the other room, and smiled at no one in particular.

Ginny sat the bread on the table and turned to find her seat, and instead found herself wrapped in a bear hug. The smell of the aftershave immediately told her who was cutting off her air supply.

"Bill," she gasped, wrapping her arms around him.

"How's my favorite little sister?" he asked, pulling away and holding her at arm's length. "Let me look at you. Gods, you've gotten beautiful."

"Oh, shut up," she laughed, her cheeks pinking and her eyes sparkling.

"Colin is a lucky man," he said, smiling. "Where is the fellow, anyway?"

"You mean - you haven't heard?" she asked, her smile fading a bit.

"Heard what, love?"

"She dumped him," Ron interjected, shaking Bill's hand. "And rightly so, it seems. We suspect him of turning on us."

"Is that right?" Bill said, his eyes landing on Draco for the first time since his arrival. He approached the blonde. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced, then."

"Draco Malfoy," he said, holding out his hand without hesitation. Bill shook it warmly and smiled at him.

"Bill Weasley. Pleasure."

"Same." Bill turned and motioned Fleur over, but before he could introduce her, Fleur squealed.

"Draco!" She launched herself at him, wrapping him in a perfumed embrace. He chuckled softly, surprising everyone present. "What are you doing here?"

"Having dinner, I believe. So, a Weasley, eh? At least he's improved your english, anyway." She smacked his arm lightly and turned back to her husband.

"Do the two of you know each other, then?" Bill asked.

"We are actually cousins," Draco explained.

"Well, then you and I are practically related," Bill said, shaking Draco's hand once again. Draco could feel Harry's eyes boring into the back of his skull.

"It's dinnertime," Molly announced. "Everyone, please take a seat."

"But what about the twins?" Ginny asked.

"They've sent me a message that they'll be along later. Come along, everyone."

Ginny sat down, and fought down her disappointment when her mother seated Draco between her father and Fleur, and sat Harry on her left. Despite the seating, Ginny found that it was one of the most enjoyable Christmas dinners that she'd ever had. Everyone had seconds, and it seemed that when her Mum brought out the desserts, they were gone before they had a chance to be put on the table.

She helped her Mum clear the dishes and then snuck out back once more, trying to escape the stifling heat of the kitchen. She took a sip of her warm drink and instantly felt heady. It was a lovely feeling, especially when compounded by the cool air around her. She turned when she heard the door opening, surprised to see Harry moving to her side.

"Enjoying the party?" he asked, grinning.

"Yes, very much," she replied, smiling. "I've just been in the kitchen for a bit, so I thought I'd grab some cool air."

"Good idea," he said, nodding. They stood in silence for several moments. Ginny was just beginning to feel comfortable when he spoke again. "Ginny, would you-"

"Happy Christmas, you two," came another voice. Ginny and Harry turned to see Hermione smiling brightly at them. She had also dressed up, Ginny thought. Her hair had been pulled back in a tight french twist, and she was wearing makeup. Too much blush and not enough color on her lips made gave her a clownish appearance, and Ginny felt bad for her.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione," Ginny answered, grateful for the interruption. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be heading back inside." She ducked away, hurrying as fast as she could into the house.

"I missed eating with you lot," Hermione said, her eyes sparkling. Harry couldn't help but smile.

"It's been interesting, to say the least."

"Has Malfoy been polite?"

"Frighteningly."

"Really?"

"He's been really chatty with Arthur and Bill, and I think that Charlie's even getting in on the action a bit."

"Funny, since he's always hated the Weasleys."

"I suppose. I just wish I knew his motivation - it really unnerves me that he's doing it, and there's nothing to be gained from it."

"Isn't there?" She tilted her head to one side as she watched him. "He seems to be getting on your nerves and preventing you from completely enjoying yourself. Wouldn't that be motivation enough?"

"I suppose."

She was silent for a moment. "Harry, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

"Is it serious? Because I'd rather wait until tomorrow if it's something that's going to ruin my day." Hermione's lower lip began to tremble, and she forced a smile.

"No, that's fine. I can talk to you about it some other time. I'm going to head back inside - it's freezing out here." Harry watched her go back inside the house and wondered at the sudden change in her demeanor.

*********************************

As soon as she was back inside, Ginny was accosted by Ron. "It's time."

"For what, you oaf?" She laughed, pushing him away from her. "To maim me by running into me?"

"To open gifts, you ninny! Where have you been? We've been waiting for hours!"

"You have not, you bloody liar!" she laughed again, letting him pull her into the living room. "I've only been gone for a few minutes. Besides, what presents could possibly await you that would excite you so much?"

"It's not my presents that I'm excited about." He pushed her down onto the sofa and left the room, presumably to fetch the only two people missing - Harry and Hermione. Hermione entered the room alone, looking very uncomfortable, and Ginny wondered what Harry had said to her. A moment later, Ron returned with Harry.

"All right, since we're all here, we can begin." Arthur beamed a brilliant smile at everyone present.

"But the twins-" Ginny started.

"Aren't going to be here for some time, I'm afraid," he answered. "And we all know that if we don't open gifts soon, Ron will explode." Everyone laughed and turned to look at Ron, who had gone red in the face. "So get over here, Son, and you can hand out the gifts." Ron needed no further invitation and practically ran to the tree, eliciting another chuckle from the room.

"Mum, these are for you," he announced, picking four boxes from the pile. Molly's eyes shone as she took them.

"You all did too much," she chided gently. "I don't need anything."

"You may not need things, love, but you certainly deserve them." Arthur pressed a kiss to his wife's forehead, and Ginny smiled at them.

"These are Fleur's," Ron said, handing her a stack. "And these are for Bill. These are Charlie's, these are mine-"

"I'll hand Charlie's to him," Ginny offered, reaching for them. She turned and passed the gifts back, and caught sight of Draco. Instantly her heart began to flutter; he was looking at her. Their eyes met and held for several long moments, until Ron's voice called her back to reality.

"Gin? Gin!" She turned. "These are yours." He handed her a stack of three, and she sat them on the sofa beside her. She missed the look of disappointment that flitted through a pair of jade eyes, but Draco did not.

"Here, Harry," Ron said, handing Harry four boxes. "And finally, these are for Hermione." Ron stood and walked across the room to hand Hermione several boxes. Ginny frowned and cleared her throat.

"Ron?"

"Yes?"

"You've forgotten some there, just under the tree. They're sort of pushed to the back." Ron frowned back at her and went to investigate. Sure enough, there were three boxes up against the wall beneath the tree. He inspected the nametags and shot his sister a strange look.

"These are for Malfoy." All heads turned towards the blonde in question, but he registered no surprise. Instead, he rose and retrieved his gifts himself, and then went back to his seat in the corner of the room. The sounds of paper ripping filled the air for the next several minutes, along with 'ooh,' 'aah,' and a lot of 'thanks.' Ginny watched Draco out of the corner of her eye, and wondered if he'd like what she'd purchased for him. His expression belied no emotion, however, so she turned her attention back to those in front of her.

Harry had opened all of his gifts and was smiling at everyone, though his eyes kept wandering back to Ginny. Hermione reached for the gift that Harry had given her, and tore into it. She pulled out a rather large book and gave Harry a brilliant smile. He didn't notice. Ron watched eagerly as she began to open the gift he'd given her. When she pulled out a rich, toffee-colored silk scarf, she gasped.

"Do you like it?" Ron asked, grinning.

"Ron, I don't know what to say," she breathed, her cheeks pinking. "It's so - well, it looks expensive! You shouldn't have!"

"You never wear one," he said, his voice quieting. "You always complain that it's so cold outside, and you wear gloves, but you never wear a scarf. I just thought that you might like to have one."

Ginny could feel tears pricking the backs of her eyes. How thoughtful her brother was, and how lucky Hermione was to have his affections!

"Gin, you're the only one left with gifts," Bill pointed out. She felt her cheeks warm under several pairs of eyes.

"You know she doesn't like to open them all at once," Charlie complained good-naturedly. "She's always held off 'til the last minute, the slowpoke."

"Hush," Molly laughed. "She just likes to make it last, is all."

Ginny picked up the first of her three boxes and examined the nametag. It was from Hermione. She flashed Hermione a quick smile of thanks, then proceeded to cautiously remove the paper.

"Oh, come on, already!" Ron whined, rolling his eyes. Ginny laughed.

"Why? We've already had dinner, so I'm not keeping you from eating." A general chuckle arose, and Ron exhaled huffily. Ginny pulled the paper off of the box and lifted the lid. She withdrew the newest Gilderoy Lockhart novel, which made everyone laugh that much harder.

"I didn't know we were giving gag gifts," Charlie said. Hermione's cheeks were scarlet.

"Are you sure that George and Fred didn't get hold of the gifts and switch out the real one for that one?" Harry laughed.

"Don't tell me you're still on about that loon!" Ron said, looking scandalized.

"It's not that bad, you lot," Molly said, smiling despite her words. "Gilderoy's made a fair bit of progress in St. Mungo's, and his writing really reflects it."

"I love it," Ginny lied, giving Hermione her most gracious smile. Hermione's expression softened and she smiled at the redhead, who was already glancing at the nametag on her next gift. It was from Harry. She smiled at Harry, who beamed back at her even as his face pinked. She removed the paper, revealing a small velvet box. Her stomach flipped unpleasantly, and she lifted the lid. Nestled inside was a solid gold heart on a chain. She took a deep breath and nodded at Harry, finding that she couldn't even force a smile.

"It's lovely," she said truthfully. His grin widened, and Ginny glanced at Hermione, whose face looked almost green - as though she were about to be sick. It was a lovely necklace, Ginny thought as she set it aside. It just wasn't a gift that she wanted to accept from Harry, and his giving it to her in this setting bothered her. A necklace (and a heart necklace, come to that) was a romantic gift, and she was not interested in Harry romantically.

She felt someone's eyes on her and supposed that they were Draco's, but she didn't look up. Instead, she focused on opening her last gift, which was from Bill and Fleur. It was a picture frame.

"You're always complaining in your letters that we never send enough pictures," Bill explained. "We found this when we went to visit Charlie in Romania. It's charmed to our camera, so that whenever we take new pictures, you will see them immediately. It's also part pensieve, in that it remembers every photo it ever holds."

"That's amazing!" Ron said, craning his head to look.

"We got one for Mum and Dad, too," Bill said, grinning at his parents. "They're going to need it to see their grandson every day." Every eye in the room turned to him, and Fleur threw her arms around his neck. "Fleur's pregnant."

Ginny watched as everyone took turns congratulating the couple, then she hugged them both and snuck out of the room. She was reaching for the doorknob to open the door of the loo when a hand closed over hers. She turned surprised eyes to the owner of the hand, and her stomach flipped nervously.

"I didn't need any gifts," he said, his hand lingering on hers longer than was proper. When he let go, she felt immense disappointment.

"I know."

"We never agreed to exchange any."

"I know."

"Then why-"

"It's not right," she said softly, looking down at her feet. "That everyone should come here and be so happy and have gifts to open, while you stand by and just watch."

"I'm used to it."

"It isn't right," she repeated, looking back up at him. "And it won't stand."

"You're not wearing Potter's necklace," he observed. "You didn't even take it out of the box."

"So?"

"Whoa," came a male voice from behind them. Bill grinned at them. "I'm going to take my turn in the loo first, since you're just standing around, jabbering," he said, poking Ginny once in the side. She rolled her eyes and stepped aside. Just as he was closing the door, Bill poked his head out and said, very quietly, "By the by - did you realize that the two of you are standing under the mistletoe?"

Ginny looked up, and her stomach instantly filled with butterflies. Sure enough, there was the sprig of mistletoe. Darn her Mum! Molly thought it a practical joke on her husband to hide the mistletoe in a new place every year and see how long it took him to find it, thus explaining the odd locale. She was about to say something apologetic when she turned her eyes back to Draco's, but the words died on her lips before she could utter a sound.

His eyes were dark and intense, and focused on hers. His face was mere inches from hers, and he seemed to be getting closer. Surely he wasn't going to -

The thought was erased from her mind the instant his lips touched hers.

*************************

"Has anyone seen Ginny?" Harry asked, glancing around. He was eager to get her alone and find out what she really thought of his gift to her. Malfoy had gone wherever he went on his time off, finally giving Harry the chance to steal away and find the perfect thing for her. Once he'd seen it, he'd known it was right; he knew that the delicate chain would look brilliant against the milky skin of her neck.

Hermione, who had seen the blonde man follow Ginny out of the room, stood up quickly. "I think she went to the loo - I'll go check." Harry nodded and smiled at her, and then turned his back. Hermione padded out of the chaos of the living room, and into the coolness of the hallway. She turned the corner and froze, her eyes glued to the scene in front of her.

Ginny and Malfoy were standing in front of the bathroom door, their lips touching in what looked like a very chaste kiss. She watched as Malfoy lifted his right hand to Ginny's cheek, and then dropped it again without touching her. She could feel her eyes widening and her cheeks warming. When Malfoy stepped away from Ginny and broke the contact, Hermione turned and hurried away.

Draco's head whipped around and he glared at the spot someone had just vacated. It had to have been Granger; her perfume lingered in the air. How could he have been so careless and impulsive? He turned to see Ginny pressing her palms to her cheeks, and watched as her chest heaved with her ragged breaths.

"Excuse me," she breathed, turning and fleeing down the hallway. Fury made the blood boil in his veins - yes, he'd been stupid and careless by kissing her, especially in a house full of people. If anyone had to see them, why couldn't it have been Potter? At least then no one else would have known about it; Potter's anger and pride would have kept him from telling anyone that it would have happened. The Granger was likely to run straight into the other room and tell everyone in it about what she'd seen.

Draco was careful to compose himself before striding calmly back into the living room. After a quick scan, he noticed that although Potter was present, Granger was not. He wondered where Ginny had gone, but felt that it would be an unwise decision to chase after her - it might draw unwanted attention.

Across the room, Granger turned her head and looked at him. Instead of the repulsion and anger he expected to see, sorrow and jealousy filled her expression. The sorrow he could almost understand; it must drive her to the brink of insanity to be around someone she wanted so much when he barely knew she existed. No, the sorrow he could understand. It was the jealousy that had him worried.

Jealousy caused problems. He of all people knew that firsthand. The emotion could fill you up like an empty vessel and cause you to say and do things that you would regret for the whole of your life. It made men spiteful and mean; it drove you to hurt the ones dearest to you.

She looked away, but the damage had been done. He knew that she was an emotional time bomb - any little thing could set her off. She was in love with Potter, and Potter was enamored of Ginny. When the time came, Draco knew that Hermione could cause irreparable damage to the man if she so chose.

All he could do was sit back and hope that she was a better person than he was, and that she would keep her mouth shut.

Several minutes later, he saw Potter head outside. He waited until Granger wasn't looking, and then slipped out as well. He followed stealthily until he saw where Potter was headed - a small shed on the farthest side of the Weasley property. He watched Harry press his palms to the door.

"Gin? Are you in there?" Potter pushed the door open and went inside, closing the door behind him. Draco moved closer, and pressed his ear to the smooth wood.

"Harry, I'd really like to be alone right now, if it's all the same to you."

"I just wanted to know how you liked your gift." Draco rolled his eyes. Potter really was an imbecile when it came to women.

"I told you, it's lovely." Even without being in front of her, Draco knew the look that was on her face. Mild annoyance masked by politeness.

"I knew it was perfect for you the moment I saw it."

"Thanks, really." He heard Potter clear his throat nervously. Honestly, the man could fight dark wizards all day long and not blink, but put him in front of a woman and he turned to a puddle of goo.

"I was - I wondered if you had plans for New Year's," he blurted. Draco bit back a laugh. Subtle, he thought.

"Harry, that's a whole week away," Ginny said, her laugh sounding forced. She was trying to be nice and let him down easy, but he was making it difficult for her. "I haven't really thought about making any plans - especially since Colin and I used to spend the evening together."

"Oh," Potter answered quietly. "If you change your mind-"

"Then I definitely know how to find you." There was silence for several moments, and then he heard a strange muffled cry, followed by: "Harry, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry," Potter said quickly, his voice sounding panicked. "Oh, Gods, Ginny, I'm so sorry! I don't know what-"

"Please leave," she said, her voice sounding cold and detached. Draco blinked. He had never known her to sound like that, not even when she had hexed him back in Hogwarts. What had Potter done? Seconds later, Potter exited the shed, fairly running back to the Weasley mainstay. Draco waited for a few minutes, and then followed him back, trying to ignore the muffled crying sounds coming from within the small structure.

"Malfoy, end this argument for me, please," Ron called, turning away from Charlie. Draco was surprised to be called upon in such a familiar fashion, but moved towards them nonetheless.

"He's only going to tell you I'm right," Charlie insisted, shaking his head. "Ickle Ronniekins here seems to think that the Cannons are going to be the best team in the league this year. Please set him straight."

"Fletcher is the best seeker the league has seen in a long time," Draco replied casually. "So the potential is definitely there, I think. If the rest of the shoddy players can pull it together to support him, that is."

"Bollocks." All three men turned to see Ginny heading towards them, rolling her eyes as she walked. "Your optimism is almost sweet. Naive, but sweet."

"You don't think that Fletcher's good enough?" Draco asked, folding his arms over his chest. He noticed that her eyes were neither red nor weepy, and he supposed that she'd performed a concealing charm on them.

"Certainly he's good enough, but you and I both know that he's on the wrong team. A seeker is only as good as the players who defend him."

"Oh, Merlin," Hermione sighed. "They're already into the Quidditch talk." Harry turned his head to see the small group, who had been joined by Bill. His eyes narrowed at Malfoy as he studied the man's movements. He seldom moved any part of his body when speaking - the most Harry had seen was when he moved his eyes - but now- now he was gesturing wildly with his hands at the whole lot of them.

What bothered him, he realized after several moments of observation, was that Ginny's entire body was turned towards Malfoy, even though there were three other people involved in the conversation as well. Why was she directing all of her attention towards the blonde man? Malfoy couldn't have been telling the truth when he'd said that she was attracted to him, could he?

The days right after Christmas were always sad ones for Ginny. It didn't matter how long she'd stayed at her parents' during the holiday. The amount of gifts she received wasn't important, nor was the lack of gifts to open after they'd all been torn into. It wasn't the food, since her Mum always sent a mountain of it home with her to eat for the next few days.

No, it was the feeling of the day that she missed.

She missed the games with her family. She missed having everyone together in one place, since it was the only time of the year that it happened. And if she were being completely honest with herself, she missed the day this year because it took away with it the ability to be with Draco without hiding it.

She touched her fingertips to her lips, remembering the way his had felt when he'd kissed her. Impossibly soft and gentle, the kiss had touched her in a way that had scared her to death. It had scared her because she'd liked it. It'd scared her because she didn't know if he'd meant it. Most of all, though, it had scared her because it had awakened feelings inside of her that she'd only ever had inklings of before.

"Thinking of me again, are you?" She dropped her mug on her lap, spilling chocolate everywhere. She shot to her feet and inspected the damage.

"Buggering fuck," she swore, inspecting the damage to her clothing. Her shirt and pants were ruined. "I wish you wouldn't do that! What in blazes are you doing here anyway?"

"It's my day off." Suddenly he was standing in the middle of the room, looking as cocky as ever.

"You're full of shit, too," she replied, moving into her bedroom to find a change of clothes. "You've already had your day off, and your other time besides." He followed her and stood in the doorway. She was just about to pull her shirt off when she realized something. She dropped her hands and turned slowly to face him.

"Who are you?" she asked, her lower lip trembling. He tilted his head to the side and studied her.

"What a silly question," he said, his eyes glittering.

"Get out," she breathed. "Whoever you are, get out. I have wards up that will-" Her voice died, and the man in front of her smiled malevolently. "How did you get through the wards?" If it was someone merely pretending to be Draco, the wards should have recognized that, and gone off like firecrackers from her brothers' store - therefore, it must be someone else that the wards recognized.

"Come now, my pet," he cooed, his voice slithering across the room to her. "Aren't those wet clothes uncomfortable? I believe you were going to remove them, yes?" When she didn't move, he took a step towards her. "Would you like me to remove them, then?"

"Who are you?" She screamed, her chest heaving with every frightened breath. If the wards hadn't gone off, no one would know that she was in trouble - which meant that no one would come to help her.

"What gave it away?" he asked, the voice no longer charming, but hard and cold.

"You stood in the middle of the doorway," she said finally, clenching and unclenching her fists at her side. "Draco always leans against the door."

"Draco?" he sneered. "Such familiar terms. Does he call you Ginny as well?"

"No," she replied softly. "Please leave. I have nothing here of value to take."

"And what makes you think that I came here for your belongings?"

"I am of no use to you as a prisoner, either."

"Are you trying to tell me that you're not important to someone?" He asked mockingly. "I find that hard to believe."

"Why?" she breathed. "Why come as Draco?"

"When your friends find out that he has kidnapped you, they will turn on him. He will be lucky if he's not killed within the first twenty four hours." Tears slipped from her eyes, and she squeezed her eyelids shut against them. So they wanted Draco dead, and they'd use her to accomplish their goal.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"Not immediately," the figure answered, the voice colder than ever. "I have a few friends who would like to - meet you." Her eyes flew open. She was to be raped? Tortured?

"I will die before that happens," she answered, her despair turning to anger. The blonde shrugged.

"No matter. They will still think he killed you." Ginny reached for her wand, but before she could draw it, she saw a blinding flash of light and fell to the floor.

"If she's dead, so help me, Merlin, you will be too, before the end of the night!"

"Piss off, Pothead," Draco snapped, his eyes wandering back to Ginny's limp body. They'd nearly lost her; if it hadn't been for the gift Ginny had given him, she might be dead now.

"Explain to me again how you knew she was in trouble, then," Harry demanded hotly, his eyes boring into Draco's.

"Because I have basic reasoning skills and intuition, and I listen to the spies when they report in to the meetings, you clueless bastard!"

Ginny had, for reasons unbeknownst to him, given him a two-way mirror for Christmas. It had been cleverly disguised as a leather wallet, and he had spent a whole day sneaking off for minutes at a time trying to figure out how to work it. The note she'd put inside had simply read: "In case you get lonely." Since then, he had peeked in on her more than once - only to watch her doing various everyday things: writing letters, cooking meals, reading. Once he had even caught her removing her clothes, and had quickly snapped the wallet shut. He'd regretted that one for hours.

When he'd opened the wallet this afternoon, he'd been alarmed to see himself speaking to her. It was obvious from her body language that she was terrified; all he could do was hope to Salazar that she didn't really believe it to be him. He'd shoved the wallet back into his pocket and yelled something out to Potter before disappearing, and of course the Boy Wonder had followed right behind, not really even knowing what kind of danger he was blazing into.

The clone had almost gotten away because of it, too.

Draco's first concern had been Ginny, but because he knew Potter would stay with her, he'd gone after the bastard. He'd never enjoyed using a Crucio so much in his entire life. How dare this person use his face to get to Ginny? His rage had been so great that the man's cries had attracted Potter's attention. If not for his intervention, Draco was sure he would've killed the man without ever finding out who he was.

As it turned out, the man was one of the Dark Lord's lesser minions, but Potter had instantly recognized him. Dennis Creevey, he'd said - Ginny's former fiance's brother. That explained why her wards hadn't been set off - he had been a frequent visitor to Ginny's flat when she'd been dating his brother, and apparently she hadn't thought to remove his access.

Draco didn't know what he wanted to do more - strangle her for her ignorance, or laud her for her faith that neither of them would have ever harmed her.

"None of the spies has ever said anything about Dennis, so try another excuse," Harry snarled. "And why did he look like you? Why would he think that that would gain him access to Ginny?"

"How in the bloody fuck should I know?" Draco raged back. "Did you ever stop to think that maybe he didn't think he could get access - maybe he was framing me for something?" Harry glared at him for a long moment before deflating just a bit. "Shouldn't one of us be summoning Mediwitches?"

"We can't risk it," Harry said. "They'd talk."

"Fuck! You don't care enough about your girlfriend to modify their memories after they treat her?"

"We can't risk it!" Harry repeated shrilly. "We're too damned close to winning to stick our necks out now."

"And you're a pompous git," Draco returned. "She needs medical attention, Potter! Now! We have no clue what he did to her before we got here! Do you want her to die?"

"Hermione," Harry breathed. "I'll go and get Hermione! Stay here - I'll be right back!" He was gone before Draco could reply. The blonde turned back to Ginny and smoothed her hair away from her face with a gentle hand.

"I knew it wasn't you," she said, her voice barely audible. Instantly he was flooded with relief, and he couldn't help the smile that surfaced.

"You shouldn't speak. Potter's gone to get Granger."

"He was trying to frame you," she whispered. "The man that was here. He said he was going to- to-" Tears filled her eyes, and he brushed them away with his thumbs.

"Rest," he commanded. "We can talk when you're healed." Someone behind him cleared their throat, but he didn't turn. "Where's Potter?"

"He's gone to tell her parents what happened," Hermione said, fighting to keep her voice even. She crossed the room and knelt by Ginny's side. "Malfoy, you're going to have to move if I'm going to look at her."

"I'm not in your way here," he said stonily, not budging.

"Fine," she sighed, rolling her eyes. "Then help me. Sit cross-legged up there, and pull her head into your lap."

"I thought you weren't supposed to move attack victims," he said, though he obeyed. Ginny's eyelids were fluttering wildly as she fought to maintain consciousness.

"You're not," Hermione confirmed, pulling her wand out.

"Then why-"

"It's for her," came the soft reply. The brunette refused to meet his eyes as she began her work. "She needs comfort, and obviously she doesn't object to you - so comfort her." Draco stared at her.

"What in the hell is going on here?" Harry demanded, entering the room. Ginny's head was lying in Draco's lap, and his hands were smoothing back her hair from either side of her face.

"I told him to, Harry," Hermione interjected, not looking up. "I told him to do exactly what he's doing, so if you're going to yell, yell at me."

"But - how can he be help-"

"He's comforting her," Hermione snapped, angry at being interrupted again. She sighed. "She needed someone to hold her hand, so to speak."

"Why him?"

"Because I have to examine her, and there was no one else here! Besides, they're friends, so she's familiar with him." Draco held his breath. Was Granger going to reveal what she'd seen on Christmas?

"Friends?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Gods, Harry! Did you or did you not see them talking about Quidditch not more than a week ago?" She demanded, turning to glare at him.

His expression softened, and he turned away. "Yes, I did." What he didn't voice aloud as Hermione turned back to Ginny, and what Draco knew he was wondering, was had it been his fault? Potter had drowned himself in work all week, agonizing over the question: had his advance on Ginny driven her straight to Draco?

Draco looked down when Ginny turned her head in his lap. Her eyelids were still fluttering wildly, though all that could be seen beneath them were the whites of her eyes. For the first time since he'd looked in the mirror, Draco felt a very real twinge of fear. What if Creevey had done something that was irreversible? The longer it took Granger to determine the problem, the longer the spell had time to inflict damage.

"This ought to work," she announced hurriedly, reaching into her bag. Harry and Draco both looked expectantly at her, waiting for her to elaborate. She didn't, and withdrew a tiny vial. It was smaller than the tip of her pinky finger, and she held it as though it contained the elixir of life.

"Well?" Harry prodded.

"As far as I can tell, it looks like a derivative of a simple Confundus charm," she explained distractedly. Draco frowned.

"Then why are you trying to give her a potion?"

"Because it looks like it was somehow combined with alihotsy. I've got to get the poison out of her system before I can tell exactly what spell was used. Malfoy, tilt her head back so I can pour this down her throat."

Draco did as he was told and watched intently as Hermione placed the tiny vial to the redhead's lips. The instant the liquid was all gone, Ginny's body went completely still, and her eyelids stopped moving. Draco narrowed his eyes at her.

"Why'd she stop moving?"

"I've just stopped the poison from ravaging her system, is all. No need to get excited, either of you. She's fine - just not in pain anymore. Pick her up, please, Malfoy. We've got to take her back to the Burrow. It's safer there."

"I'll take her," Harry offered, taking a step towards her.

"No, Harry," Hermione said, holding up a hand to stop him. "I've asked Malfoy to do it because I need your help elsewhere. I need to gather a few of her things from here, and I need your help to do it. I haven't the first idea what she'll want or need when she wakes up, and you know her better than anyone else, so please-" She gestured towards Ginny's room. Harry nodded and headed in that direction, while Draco cradled Ginny in his arms.

"Granger," he said quietly. She stopped mid-step and half-turned to look at him. He nodded, and she responded in kind. Apparently Hermione Granger was a much better manipulator than he'd ever suspected.

There was music playing.

The sweet strains of a classical piano reverberated through the room, filling it with soft sounds. Ginny felt her lips curve up in a smile; she loved this particular melody. The last time she could remember hearing it was, she believed, somewhere inside a dream - one where she and Draco were standing beneath some hidden mistletoe-

"Dreaming of anyone in particular?" Her eyelids fluttered open, and her gaze was met by her mother's loving face.

"I - no," she rasped, feeling her cheeks warm. "What's going on, Mum? Why are you in my room?"

"Don't you remember being attacked, sweeting?" Molly asked, her face a mask of concern. Ginny frowned and closed her eyes. Images of Draco flashed through in snippets - standing in her doorway, smiling at her, holding her head. Which ones were real, and which ones were figments of her imagination? Were any of them real? She shook her head.

"I don't want to remember it right now," she said quietly, opening her eyes and looking towards the window. Molly nodded and stood.

"I expected as much. Your young man - he's been here at least three times just this morning, you know."

"My young man?" Ginny asked distractedly, still staring out the window. "Are you talking about Harry or Colin?"

"As if we'd let Colin in here after what's happened," Molly said, her warm face closing off. Ginny turned to look at her.

"Was it Colin who attacked me?"

"Dennis."

"Oh."

"And it wasn't Harry, either," Molly said, moving towards the door. Ginny watched her, confused.

"I know Harry didn't attack me."

"I meant your visitor," Molly replied smartly. "He thinks he's been sneaky, coming in your window instead of using the front door. He ought to know that mothers have a sixth sense that tells them when someone's sneaking in their only daughter's window."

Ginny was utterly confused. Molly rolled her eyes and clucked her tongue.

"Friend or more, you'd better hang on to that one." Then she was gone.

"She's craftier than I gave her credit for," a voice said from the corner of the room. Ginny turned in time to see Draco shaking off his cloak. He draped it over the desk and pulled the chair up to the side of her bed. "I thought it was a little too easy to get in that window."

Ginny blinked. "You've been visiting me? How've you been getting away?"

"I manage." He shrugged. "Feeling any better?"

"I suppose," she said, lying on her side and tucking her hands beneath her cheek. "I've been having these really strange dreams - at least, I think they're dreams. I can't seem to distinguish."

"It'll come," he reassured her.

"How long have I been-?"

"Two days," he supplied. He watched as she tried to calculate the date. "It's New Year's Eve."

"Oh, shit," she breathed, closing her eyes.

"I beg your pardon?"

"If Harry hears that I've woken up-"

"He'll be here in a nanosecond," he finished, nodding.

"You'd think he'd let a girl get some rest."

"So you haven't got plans?"

"I just had the stuffing blasted out of me," she said, screwing up her face. "I haven't even considered making plans."

"Better come up with something feasible before Potter gets here. You've got approximately twenty minutes."

"What? But how could he possibly know-" She sighed. "Ron."

"Granger."

"Huh?"

"Granger's had some kind of monitoring charm on you since it happened - she'll know you're awake."

"How did you know?"

"I didn't."

"So you just came to visit me for no reason?"

"I hardly call checking on your welfare no reason."

"Thanks," she said softly. He nodded. He didn't tell her that he felt partially responsible, since the rat bastard had used his visage to gain access to her. "So what plans have you made?"

"Wherever Potter goes, there I'll be," he said, sounding bored. "Which means that I'll most likely be watching him get pissed at Rosmerta's."

"New Year's is a lonely holiday, isn't it," she observed. He tilted his head to one side.

"How so?"

"It's supposed to be a night you spend regaling with your lover the new year that you hope to spend together - but what about those people who have no one to spend it with?"

"Like Potter?"

"Like all of us," she returned, meeting his eye. "I'm used to having Colin, and you were used to- well, it's unheard of for you to be alone on this night, right?"

"The rumours of my sexual prowess have been greatly exaggerated," he said, arching an eyebrow. "It would have been quite impossible for Gina and I to have been together if the rumours had had any truth to them."

"How long were you together?"

"Nearly two years."

"Would you tell me sometime what she was like?"

"Sometime," he said vaguely.

"Shouldn't Harry be getting here soon?"

"Anxious to see him?"

"I'm just thinking that maybe if he asks me again, this time I'll accept his offer to go out tonight."

"Why would you do something so self destructive? Are you a glutton for punishment?"

"It makes me feel safe to be near you," she said candidly, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "And if I'm near him, I know I'll be near you as well."

"Don't," he said, his voice low.

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable by saying it. I just-"

"Don't accept his offer." She studied his face.

"Why not? Are you afraid that I'm too sick to go?"

"You'll give him false hope."

"I'll explain to him that it's a purely platonic date."

"He won't hear a word of it."

"I don't care - I want to go."

"You sound like a petulant child, do you know that?"

"Again, I really don't care."

"If I promise to come and visit you, will you stay here?"

"Visit me when?"

"Around midnight?"

"Before or after?"

"Does it matter? When I can get away for a moment."

"Good enough, I suppose." She sighed. "It's horrid, the way he treats you."

"Come again?" Her eyes slipped shut.

"He behaves as though you're inferior, when he doesn't even really know you from Adam. People are so judgmental." She yawned, and he listened until her breathing had evened out.

"They certainly are," he whispered, reaching for his cloak.