Ginny heard voices as someone entered the room. She recognised one of the voices as Draco Malfoy, the snobby, pure-blood boy who always made fun of her brothers, Harry and Hermione. Why wasn’t he at the feast?

“You go on.” She heard him say. “I just need to.. check something.”

His companion grunted and Ginny heard him leave the room.

Then, to Ginny’s dismay, he walked over to where she was sitting and sat down in the chair beside her. 

“What do you want, Malfoy?” She asked angrily.

She waited for his rude comment but it did not come.

“Tell me what’s wrong Weasley.” Said Malfoy. He sounded almost... concerned, but tried to hide it.

Ginny was caught by surprise, but managed to reply. “Yeah right. Like you care about blood traitors? What do you actually want?”

"Are- Are you okay? No that's stupid, you're obviously not." He said clenching his fists, seeming angry at himself. He took a breath and then said "Weaslette, it's not your fault that the Chamber was opened. You were possessed. You couldn't help that."

Ginny couldn't believe her ears. "Uhm.. thanks Malfoy." She said, still in shock. "But... Er... Aren't you supposed to hate me?"

"I've never said that," Malfoy said quietly. "but I guess I am supposed to, according to my father." He added, with a bitter note in his voice.

"You do have a choice, you know. Not everything is up to your father." Ginny said. Merlin, this was awkward. She couldn't believe that she was actually attempting to reassure Draco Malfoy.

"I feel like I should hate you. Aren't blood traitors supposed to be filth? I keep trying to hate you, but I can't find a reason to." 

That made Ginny strangely happy. Here was Draco Malfoy, the boy who, until now, Ginny had thought despised everything but money and attention, telling Ginny Weasley that he couldn't find a reason to hate her.

"I might still hate some of your brothers though." He said, suddenly smirking.

"Oh haha." Said Ginny sarcastically. "I'm sorry for believing all the things my family have said about you without any proof.

“Oh… uhh…  all right fine. Then I guess… Ugh.. I’m sorry for all the horrible things I’ve said to you this year.”

The fact that Malfoy was able to swallow his pride and apologise meant a lot to Ginny for some reason. “It’s okay. At least I was never late for a class thanks to you.” She said, grinning slightly. “Why aren’t you at the feast?” She asked curiously.

“Well.. I sort of noticed that you weren’t there, so I came to check…”

She gave him an awkward smile.

“So, umm do you need help with anything?" Malfoy asked, and Ginny noticed that he seemed shy.

“No, I don’t need ‘help’. I’m perfectly capable and independent.”

“Oh ok…” Said Malfoy, who to Ginny’s surprise, looked slightly disappointed.

“However, it would be nice if you could stay here and keep me company.” She said smiling.

“Of course, Weasley.” He smirked.

“It’s Ginny, Malfoy.”

“It’s Draco, Ginny.”