Vidi, Vici, Veni

Chapter Nine

"Last Tango at Hogwarts"

Draco stood there in the empty classroom, his robe hanging on a hook by the door. There were no chairs or desks for him to move, he and Ginny could use the floor space of the whole room to have their last dance.

At seven o'clock Ginny came and walked through the door. She was wearing the blue sweater that her mother had knitted for her; it was a little on the snug side so it outlined her curves. Her skirt was long and black, flaring at the knees swaying as she walked into the room. She removed her cloak and hung it up next to Draco's.

He was wearing charcoal grey slacks, a lighter grey turtleneck that set off his eyes and black oxfords. Ginny thought that if they didn't have so much bad history between them she would actually think he was handsome. No, dashing was the word she searched for in her mind.

He walked over to the CD player and pressed play. "Por Una Cabeza" began to play and he walked over to Ginny.

She took his hand and he took her in his arms. Gazing up into his eyes, she felt all her anger melt away. He gazed at her with a tenderness that she had never seen in another man's eyes before.

They started dancing as if they had never stopped from that night in the Great Hall. As the passion in the song increased, Draco and Ginny's eyes remained locked, both were afraid to look away. He was searching her eyes for the forgiveness he so desperately needed. She was searching for the man she had danced with at the ball, trying to look beyond the man called Draco and find someone she once wanted.

She could feel the heat from Draco's body and found it undeniably alluring, she could smell the scent of his soap. Her head began to swim as she inhaled. She wanted to close her eyes and linger in his scent, but couldn't look away from him.

Draco was aroused by the feeling of her breasts pressed against his chest, his legs intertwined with hers. He felt that he wanted this moment to last until he would die. Ginny and him would just continue to dance until the end of the earth.

They spun and travelled across the floor, their body pressed against each other in a tight embrace.

Ginny was fighting with her emotions. She hated Draco, but questioned if hate was the right word. As they danced her heart fought with her mind. Did he really regret hurting her? Did he really want forgiveness? Did she have the capacity to forgive him? As long as they kept dancing, she felt that every possibility was open to her.

Draco's heart felt full of bitter sweetness as he finally had the chance to hold Ginny one last time. If he could remember tonight, then he could face whatever future his father might have planned for him.

Ginny's eyes saw the gentle longing in his gaze and thought her soul would cry.

As the music died down, they finished their dance. Ginny wrapped one leg around his leg as she did the night of the ball.

The room was filled with a deafening silence. They stood, staring into each other's eyes.

Finally, Draco said, "Forgive me."

The tears began to fill Ginny's eyes. Draco didn't want his last memory of her to be one of her crying. He looked into her eyes, they were pleading. He didn't know what they were asking for. He let his mind go and his body told him to lean forward.

Ginny's mind was swimming, but before she could tell her body to stop, her face was lifting up towards Draco's.

They could feel the heat from each other's bodies and it was an attractant, drawing them closer to each other.

Draco could no longer stand it. He slowly closed his eyes, finally breaking eye contact as he leaned down to kiss this woman who could decide the fate of his heart. Ginny could feel with anticipation that a kiss was near. She did not restrain herself as she let her body lead the way.

When their lips touched, the floodgates opened. Their hearts were screaming, singing and rejoicing. The kiss that started so softly, so tenderly soon built upon their wants. It became impassioned and hungry.

Draco thought that he could feel no greater joy in the world than this. He had his one and only want in this world in his arms. It was more delicious than their first kiss, he savoured the taste of her mouth. His body began to shake as a feeling of intense emotion of every colour swept through him.

Their mouths opened to one another, exploring with increasing earnest. Her kiss was quenching his thirst, but it was not enough. He kissed her more deeply and a moan escaped from her throat urging him on. Her tongue sought its own entrance into his mouth and she felt that nothing could compare to this.

Ginny was overcome in the rapture that was Draco. All those nights she had dreamt of her secret admirer and how he might make her feel were no comparison to the overwhelming feeling of being in Draco's arms. His kisses made her whimper. She felt like they could float away into the night, still locked in this kiss.

Tears began to stream down the sides of her face. Draco broke off the kiss and looked at her with great concern, cupping her face in his hands. He wanted to say that if she wanted to leave, he would let her go freely. Her eyes were filled with tears, she had never looked so beautiful to him before. He thought his heart would break.

But before he could speak, she flung her arms around him and buried her head into his chest, sobbing, "I forgive you, I forgive you. Gods, Draco, please, don't leave me."

Draco let his head fall back and he closed his eyes. Hearing her speak his given name made the ice of sixteen years at Malfoy Manor melt away. A great wave of relief swept through him and he sighed as if a great wind was leaving his body. The urge to exhale continued, and as he drew his breath he felt his long suffering escape him. He started to cry in Ginny's arms as she held onto him and let her sorrows go with sobs.

He looked at her and she was smiling. Tear streaked face, red eyes and all. In a low sweet voice he called to her, "My sweet Ginny...Ginny...Ginny." She melted into his arms as he said her name.

Draco kissed her and they both felt like the core of their beings would burst into flames.

No longer able to wait for that throat of hers he dreamt of so many nights, he trailed his mouth along her cheek down to her jaw and then paused. Ginny thought she would die if Draco didn't start kissing her again. First he brushed his lips against her throat followed by baby kisses. She started gasping. Urged on by her sounds, he opened his mouth and let his tongue taste her skin.

There was no way that he could deny his instant addiction to her, the feel of her skin against his mouth. Opening his mouth wider he started tonguing her neck, her moans became throatier, he then started to suck at the skin. Ginny grabbed a fistful of his hair and pushed his head into her throat. Draco knew this was the only way for her to express her desire, as all she could do was groan.

He took her throat in his mouth like a lion devouring its prey. Starting to bite her neck, he gorged on her. His teeth were digging in deeper and deeper. He could hear her moans becoming louder; eventually he couldn't tell if they were screams of pleasure or pain when he finally remembered his dream.

Afraid that he drew blood, Draco quickly pulled away. Ginny opened her eyes, confused about why he would stop such a rapturous act. He could see the clear imprint of his teeth on her neck. She realized that he thought he was hurting her. Her hand caressed his cheek and she whispered lustfully, "Don't stop." She then twisted her head to offer up the other side of her neck.

Before he continued, Draco pulled out his wand and put a silencing charm on the door. If he was going to make Ginny scream with pleasure, he didn't want them to be disturbed.

After a while they eventually sat down along one wall with Ginny's legs over his lap. They continued to kiss and caress each other for what seemed like hours. They were so consumed by their desire for one another that neither of them noticed when Hermione poked her head in through the door.

They both snapped their heads in the direction of the door when they heard a small gasp. Ginny began to laugh uncontrollably. Hermione was standing there looking thoroughly confused, her wand ready. Draco was starting to look upset when Ginny put a calming hand on his chest.

"It's alright, sweetheart. I told her that I'd be here tonight with you and that if I didn't turn up by nine o'clock that she should check this room to see if I was alright." Ginny smiled and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

She turned to Hermione. "As you can see, I'm perfectly alright. Draco and I have had a little talk."

Talk was the one thing they did little of tonight, but Draco suppressed a chuckle at this thought.

Hermione was slightly stunned that Ginny used Draco's first name and called him 'sweetheart,' both in the same breath. Then eyeing the situation of them entangled in each other, thought she'd better notify them that it was nine-thirty and that Filch was on the prowl.

They stood and walked with an arm around each other. He helped Ginny put on her robe before putting his own.

When they got to the doorway, he said, "Ladies first," and held the door for them.

Hermione shot Ginny a glance that said, I'm impressed.

They walked down the corridors quietly so not to attract the attention of Mrs. Norris or Filch. When they had to part ways, Draco took Ginny into his arms one last time that night.

"I'm not ready to let everyone know about us, yet. I have Ron to deal with, too. We can talk about this the next time we meet," Ginny said, her eyes apologetic.

Draco cupped her face in his hands, stoking his thumbs on her cheeks and gave her one last tender kiss that told her that everything was going to be all right. He looked into her eyes and smiled. "I understand. We can wait until we're both ready. I'll owl you when we can next meet."

Hermione looked at Ginny while she watched Draco disappear around a corner and noticed the two very red sets of teeth marks on her neck. Hermione pulled off her scarf and handed it to Ginny. She was confused at Hermione's gesture until the elder girl made a pointing motion at her own neck. Ginny blushed crimson to the tips of her ears.

They walked at a brisk pace back to the painting of the Fat Lady. Ginny almost had to run to keep up with Hermione. As soon as they got through the portrait hole, Hermione grabbed Ginny's arm and dragged her off to her room. Hermione shut the door and rounded on Ginny.

She thought that Hermione was going to lecture her about the dangers of snogging with a Malfoy. To her surprise, Hermione jumped onto her bed and with a big, wicked grin said, "I want details."

~_~_~_~_~_~

The next morning, Ginny was positively glowing and wearing a very tall turtleneck sweater. Harry asked her if she cut her hair or was wearing make up or something. Ron also eyed her with suspicion.

"So, where were you last night," Ron asked, wondering is she was up to no good.

"I was at the library last night," Ginny replied trying not to smile.

"Funny, I didn't see you there." His tone was an inquisitorial one.

Ginny had to think fast for a response. She searched her mind and hoped it would be the right answer. "Well, maybe you were too busy kissing Hermione to notice me."

Hermione nodded that that was a good answer behind Ron's back as Ginny wasn't sure if she was with him or not. The girls looked at each other and started giggling madly. They were both remembering Ginny's retelling of her and Draco's passionate revelation. Ron thought they were just being silly girls and went back to eating his breakfast.

Draco looked over to the Gryffindor table and was glad to see that Ginny was smiling and laughing again. She looked out of the corner of her eye and smiled at him. With a quick glance around to see if anyone was watching, he gave her a quick wink.

Ginny's eyes went wide then nodded her head towards Ron as if to say, not in front of him.

They were going to have to be very careful indeed. They both knew what a temper Ron had and Draco had his own reasons for being discreet. If any of his fellow Slytherins caught wind of him and a Weasley together, he knew his father would hear of it and make life most unpleasant for him.

Professor Snape and Professor Mead were at the staff table watching Draco and Ginny with great interest. Mead turned to Snape with an expression of, I told you so, with a smile upon her lips.

"You are adorable when you're smug," Snape noted quietly.

"A lady is never smug," she retorted with a grin.

They both turned their heads to Professor Dumbledore and gently nodded. Dumbledore knew now that the path for Draco Malfoy would be one where he felt he would have a choice.

~_~_~_~_~_~

That afternoon, Ginny was looking forward to her walk between Arithmancy and Transfiguration. She dropped behind her dorm mates as they walked down the corridor. She was hoping Draco would look at her, but thought that he might not. They did want to be discreet and making googly-eyes at each other in the corridor was one way to blow the lid off their secret.

When she saw Draco approach, her heart leapt. She felt a thrill course through her as he approached. Instead of looking at her, he brushed his hand against hers as they passed. Ginny was still harbouring a secret smile when she reached class.

She did notice from her observation of him today that Draco's appearance had greatly improved since last night. His complexion was warmer, his eyes brighter, and his posture was straight and confident. Ginny loved knowing that she made him feel so good that it shined from his inner being.

The next morning owl post came as usual and a small note was delivered to Ginny. Hermione saw the owl approach and reached over to kiss Ron distracting him so he wouldn't see that his little sister had started receiving private messages again. Harry was too busy flirting with Roxanne and Florence to notice Ginny slipping the letter inside her robes to read later.

Ginny left the breakfast table before her friends, stating she wanted to get to class early and review some notes. As she ran to her first class of the day, she was hoping there would be no one else there so she could read her latest message in private.

My Most Precious Beloved,

Please meet me at the same time and place this Friday night.

Until then, I will wait with endless longing till you are back in my arms.

Ardently,

Your warm-blooded vampire

She laughed when she saw what he signed at the bottom. She was wearing her scarf around her neck and intended to wear it all day long until she could talk to Hermione about a love bite removal charm. Placing the note into her bag, she pulled out "Defensive Magical Theory, Second Edition" revised by Remus Lupin.

Just then, Professor Mead walked in through the door. "Good morning, Miss Weasley. How was your Christmas holiday? I do hope you got everything you wanted," she said cheerfully.

Ginny bit her lip trying not to smile too much. She had got what she wanted, Draco. But she answered with a polite, "Yes, thank you."

"Did you enjoy 'Romeo and Juliet?' "

Ginny's mouth dropped. "How...how...how...how..."

"I have spoken with him on an occasion or two. He is quite fond of you, you know."

She could still see her professor looking at her when a question popped into her mind that been mulling around in her head. "You gave Dra- I mean Mr. Malfoy dance lessons?"

Professor Mead had been wondering when she would get around to asking this. "Yes, I did. You didn't see him in the regular classes, as he was self-conscious about learning in front of others. He is quite the dancer, isn't he."

Ginny blushed and nodded her head.

"You know, if you have any questions. Questions that you might feel uncomfortable asking your mother or Miss Granger, questions of an intimate nature, please feel free to ask. There is no question that you could ask me that I would find shocking in the least.

"Since you do not have an older sister, please think of me in this regard. I remember being a young girl once and wishing there was someone I could trust and ask questions." Professor Mead patted the blushing girl's hand in a reassuring manner.

Students began filing into the classroom and taking their seats. Ginny looked up and gratefully smiled at Professor Mead and said, "Thank you." She had been reluctant to ask Hermione about some things and she was glad now that there was someone who Draco confided in that she could too.

One thing Professor Mead had learned over the years is that boys tended to know a lot about the technical acts of sex whereas girls were more knowledgeable about the emotional aspect. She wanted to be sure that if Draco and Ginny were going to take this relationship further, she had armed both of them with enough knowledge to avoid many of the pitfalls that she had fallen into as a young woman. Since she had played matchmaker, she was going to be sure that this match would stick.

~_~_~_~_~_~

Friday night could not come soon enough for both of them. Ginny fidgeted in her seat at dinner and Crabbe kept on nudging Draco when he wasn't answering his questions.

After dinner, Ginny raced up to Gryffindor Tower and freshened up by changing her clothes and brushing her hair for her first date with Draco. It wasn't a real date involving dinner and walking about rain slicked streets at night, but it was good enough. As long as she could be with him, that was all she asked for.

Draco made a trip to his room before their date, too. He wanted to shave once more. After their last meeting, Ginny's cheeks were rouged and slightly abraded from his facial growth since the morning.

This time, Ginny was there early and was waiting for Draco. He slipped in through the door, stealthily sneaking up behind her and planting a soft kiss on her neck. Ginny could feel the warmth of his breath before he kissed her, but she was still startled a little.

With a flick of his wand, he put a locking and silencing charm on the door. He did not want ANY interruptions tonight.

When he turned back to the object of his affections, she had already pounced. He was caught slightly off guard by her quickness. She was grabbing his head and planting her first kiss of the night. Her tongue hastily entered his mouth and he was aroused immediately by her initiative.

After a few minutes of hands roaming all over each other, they wanted to lie down. Just as Draco was going to help Ginny remove her cloak, she thought there must be a better place to meet their requirements.

Ginny pulled her head away from Draco and a lecherous grin spread across her face. He looked at her, wondering what was racing through her mind.

"I know a much better place," she whispered into his ear. Her breath on his neck sent a shiver through his body.

"But I can't sneak you into my room, I don't have an invisibility cloak. Potter does, can you borrow it from him?" An equally devilish smile was on his lips. She so badly wanted to kiss him as he looked at her seductively.

"No," she replied coyly. "Remember that room where you ambushed us after our Defence Arts meeting?" Draco didn't quite understand the reference, so she clarified, "You know 'Dumbledore's Army?' "

"Oh, yeah," he chortled.

"Well, we met in the Room of Requirement," she explained. Ginny told him about the room with a very brief history. Draco nodded. He always wondered why he couldn't find the room after he busted them.

They agreed to leave the room a few minutes apart from one another so no one would catch them together. Before Draco opened the door, Ginny put her hand on his signalling for him to wait.

After fumbling with something in a pocket, she pulled out what looked like a jeweller's loop with a piece of flesh coloured flexible tubing. "Extendable Eyes, Fred and George's latest invention." Draco didn't think they could top the portable swamp or her joke Boggart he had heard about.

Crouching close to the ground so she could push the tube under the door, she put the eyepiece to her eye and turned her head from left to right. The end of the tube was charmed to look in whatever direction the eyepiece was facing.

After making sure the coast was clear, Ginny exited and headed straight for the corridor containing the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Draco waited a few minutes before following her.

When he arrived, he couldn't see the door that had been there the night he had hexed Potter. He looked up and down the corridor. He was about to start whispering her name, but then the mortar around a set of stones in the jagged outline of a door started making a hushed grinding sound.

The door swung open and Ginny stood there waiting. She pointed out that she was thinking a room that no one but her and Draco could find. The handle was the head of a spike that stuck out of the wall unobtrusively about an inch. When the door would close, it would blend seamlessly into the rest of the wall. Draco walked through the threshold and was impressed.

Flanking the fireplace roaring with a warm fire was a large couch and a plush fainting couch with lots of pillow. In front of the hearth lay a pile of pillows made for lounging. Candles were placed around the room and mantle. A pitcher of chilled pumpkin juice and two glasses were placed on a side table.

"Very nice, so this is what you had in mind," Draco purred. Ginny turned to him and smiled.

Without haste, they both rushed each other and started pulling their cloaks off. Once they threw them into a corner, they stumbled in a locked embrace towards the fainting couch.

Draco let her sit down first while he stood looking at her, her eyes turned lustily up to his. He could see her chest rise and fall in heavy breaths of anticipation. He knelt in front of her, his eyes flashing, piercing.

Ginny grabbed the back of his neck and brought his head closer. Draco was going to kiss her, but she pulled away. She so wanted to tease him a bit before she was going to let him kiss her.

"You are so unbelievable sexy. Have I told you that?" Ginny whispered.

He couldn't stand it any longer. Pushing her back onto the couch, he slid his body over hers till he reached her mouth.

When they finally kissed, they held each other so tight Ginny knew her arms would ache the next day. He was still as strong as she remembered. His hands starving, wanting to run themselves over her hips and waist, pressing her chest into his.

He lay on top of her, one thigh between her legs. Her dress had a generous cut in the skirt. She was able to easily raise one knee and wrap her leg around the back of his thigh. When she tightened her leg and drew his pelvis tighter to hers, he gave a small gasp. She was drawing him in.

When he finally settled his hips on top of hers, she was slightly frightened. The erection that was bulging beneath his pants was very hard against her leg, but she liked the feel of it. She wanted Draco to be overwhelmed with pleasure, so she began rocking her leg against his raging erection.

Draco threw his head back, his eyes shut tight, mouth open. Ginny thought she was pressing too hard against him and it hurt, but when he dropped his head back down and started rocking himself into her leg, she knew she had hit the spot.

He looked like he was fighting this feeling and she pulled the collar of his shirt aside so she could devour his neck. She caught sight of his eyes rolling back up into his head.

When she clamped down on his neck, he raggedly grunted, "Gods, woman." Ginny wanted to take him over the edge. She continued kissing his neck while rocking her hips into his. He was kissing her hair, forehead, any part of her he could reach. She was grabbing handfuls of the back of his shirt.

Finally, when she thought he couldn't stand it much longer she beggingly whispered in his ear, "Come for me."

Draco did not hesitate to obey her command. From his toes he felt a great inferno pass through his body, he pumped against her leg, screaming, his face contorted. Ginny watched with fascination as his face went from fury to surrender, she could feel his member pulse against her leg as he spent himself.

He collapsed against her, resting his whole weight on her. Ginny began gently stroking his back, nuzzling his neck. His breathing was laboured and his heart was pounding against her chest, a light sheen of sweat covered his upper body.

After a few minutes, he pulled his head up and looked into her eyes. She kissed his mouth lightly and caressed his cheek. Ginny smiled warmly at him while he tried to find the right words. She didn't think he could look any sexier, his hair dishevelled, his face flushed, and eyes soft. He was the definition of rakishly handsome.

The sensation of the stickiness in his boxers interrupted his thoughts and he started to look embarrassed. Ginny let him slide off her and motioned towards a dressing screen that wasn't there before.

Draco rose and went behind it to clean himself up. When he got back to the fainting couch, Ginny had poured them some chilled pumpkin juice.

Nestling into one another after their denouement, Draco stroked Ginny's hair and she drew lazy circles on his chest.

Though it might be rude to ask, Draco couldn't help himself. "Has that ever happened to you before?"

"You mean," she said as she trailed her eyes towards his pants. He nodded. "No, you?"

Draco shook his head. "I've never kissed a girl before and felt such, such..."

"...fire?"

"Yeah, that's the word."

"Me neither."

A small part of him felt like a sex god. He knew he might really regret it, but he continued. "Even Potter?"

"Yes, even Harry. But it's not like you're going to go gloating about it to him. Remember, we have to be discreet," Ginny said firmly while her hands took to playing with his hair, running her nails against his scalp. Draco's eyes closed as Goosebumps travelled over his skin at this sensation.

"We have to talk about that."

"I know," Ginny said, resigned to the fact that this was going to be difficult. "Ron would kill you if he found out."

"Forget Ron, my father would kill us. He did say for me to 'sow my wild oats', but if he knew how I felt about you... You have no idea what my father is like or what he would do," Draco said ruefully.

Ginny sat up and glared at Draco with angry eyes. "Oh, yes I do!"

Draco was bewildered as to why she would get so upset. Draco pulled her face towards him, but she crossed her arms and wouldn't look at him.

He put his arms around her. "What did I say? Are you okay?"

Tears started pouring down her cheek, but she still didn't look at Draco. "You have no idea, do you?"

"Idea about what," he asked with great confusion.

Ginny shuddered a sigh and leaned into Draco's arms. "Don't you remember what happened in your second year? The Chamber of Secrets? The Basilisk?"

"Yes, I heard you were taken to the Chamber, but what's the connection? What's that got to do with you and my father?"

"Everything."

Draco was wondering if he wanted to hear this at all, but if it involved Ginny and it made her this upset, he wanted to know.

Ginny began with the incident in Flourish and Blott's, his father dropping Tom Riddle's diary into her cauldron, how the diary wrote back to her and she felt that Tom was a special friend. How he took over her mind and had her release the Basilisk.

Before Ginny could go further, Draco interrupted. "I thought that only the heir of Slytherin could open the Chamber of Secrets?"

"Tom Riddle is the heir of Slytherin, Tom Riddle is, is...Vol-, Vol-" She couldn't finish the word, but Draco knew who she meant.

"The Dark Lord?" Draco eyes couldn't get any wider from shock. Ginny nodded her head, tears dripping into her lap. Pulling out a handkerchief, he gave it to her.

She continued and finished her tale by adding, "And the best part is, he's half Muggle."

"Are you sure?" he asked incredulously. A thousand things went racing through Draco's mind, his face was turning white.

"Yes! His mum was a witch who died shortly after he was born and his Muggle father shunned them both when he found out she was a witch. He grew up in an orphanage." Ginny turned and buried her face in Draco's chest.

Draco stroked her back, soothing her as best he could. All the things his father went on about, pureblood lines and breeding, and here he was serving a mudblood. Draco was starting to feel nauseous. He let go of Ginny and put his head in his hands.

"Your father never told you anything, did he?" Ginny asked. Draco just shook his head, hoping he would hold down dinner.

Now it made sense as to why he never heard of a Voldemort wizarding family. He had a Muggle last name.

Draco's stomach finally settled and he took Ginny in his arms and hugged her tightly.

Draco sounded lost, his voice weak. "I am so sorry, I wish there was something I could do. At least Potter lived up to his reputation for playing hero and saved you. At least you're safe now." He rocked her in his arms and she felt calmer being soothed by him.

He changed the subject and went back to the original topic. "So, how are we going to be discreet? Even though my father is on the run, he still has friends with children in Slytherin House. And then there's Ron," he snorted as if there wasn't anymore to say about her brother.

"Yes, I know. Do know that Hermione has been the only able to keep him in check and off my back with this whole scheme you cooked up. If she hadn't helped me, Ron would have followed me and discovered you were out to ruin the reputation of his little sister."

Draco's brow knit. "Yes, please do thank Hermione for me. I'll have to remember to send her something nice for Christmas in appreciation." He had new respect for Hermione now. She had kept Ginny's secret from Ron. In addition, he realized that you don't have to be a pureblood to be powerful after learning the Dark Lord's secret.

She sat next to Draco and placed her hand in his, then looked at him and smiled. He felt a wave of ease wash over him and gently kissed her cheek.

Draco began, "We could always arrange to meet the next time before we leave. If one of us can't meet the other, we could tie a ribbon to the bottom fringe of the Barnabas tapestry." He pulled the tattered teal ribbon from his pocket and with a tap of his wand, it snapped in two.

She looked at the ribbon and started to ask, "Is this from..."

"My souvenir for the ball," he answered her. He saw her look at the way it was worn and finished by saying, "I was rubbing it absentmindedly while anguishing over the fact that you'd never speak to me again." He cast his eyes down. She leaned over and gave him big kiss that was full of warmth.

It was getting late. Draco helped Ginny with her robe and he smoothed himself over, brushing away any of the tousled looks he had developed during the evening. They agreed that he should not owl her anymore or risk Ron grabbing it from her in a fit of protectiveness.

"Next Tuesday then my sweet," Ginny said with a twinkle in her eye.

When Ginny returned to the Gryffindor common room, Hermione was sitting next to Ron, helping him with his Charms homework. She had made it back just in time for the nine o'clock curfew.

Hermione excused herself from Ron's side and cut off Ginny before she could make it to her dormitory. She discreetly led Ginny to her private room and closed the door.

"So?" Hermione's face was anxious to hear about the latest round of snogging with Malfoy.

"I do not kiss and tell," she coolly responded.

"You did the other night," Hermione protested.

"Well, you are just going to have to find someone else to live vicariously through. Besides, doesn't Ron bring enough excitement into your life?" said Ginny.

"Yeah, but he's not the sexy, smouldering, forbidden fruit that Draco is," Hermione cooed.

"I hope you're not going to be putting the moves on my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend now," she said with bemusement.

"After what we did tonight, you bet he is." Hermione's eyebrows went up to her hairline. Ginny further explained delicately, "No article of clothing was removed nor breached," she paused dramatically, "but it was intense!"

They both looked at each other and erupted in gales of giggles.

Ron looked at Harry and both of them rolled their eyes as they heard the screaming laughter leak out into the common room.

~_~_~_~_~_~

Draco approached the entrance to the Slytherin common room. He was about to walk through the painting when something instinctively told him to stay in the shadows and keep the painting mostly closed.

Through the crack, he could see Crabbe leaving Pansy's room looking as if he dressed hastily. Pansy was closing her door, looking around to make sure no one saw her, dressed only in a bed sheet wrapped around her. Her hair was not the usual preened look of someone just stepping out of a salon.

Draco suppressed a snicker. He was wondering if Crabbe knew that Goyle was having intimate study sessions with Pansy too.