Sneezefic by Lightblend

Ginny Weasley carefully measured three ounces of Skele-Gro in a small vial. It was her sixth year, and Madame Pomfrey agreed to let her become a Medi-Witch apprentice. She swirled the smoky liquid until it became clear, and handed it to the injured first year.

"Here you go, Sara," she smiled warmly. "Now be sure to drink every drop if you want that wrist to heal properly."

The girl looked up adoringly at the hazel-eyed redhead. Ginny had grown from a skinny girl with frizzy hair into a lovely young woman. Her hair was lustrous, and it cascaded in down her back in soft waves with all the colors of the sunset. Sara thought Ginny was the prettiest girl she'd ever seen, and Ginny was much gentler than Madame Pomfrey. "Thank you Miss Ginny," she said. She gulped down the liquid obediently, grimacing slightly.

A chime sounded in the ward, signaling the end of her shift. Ginny changed her white Medi-Witch robe for her school uniform and hurried out the door to the Potions dungeons. Snape had accelerated her to seventh-year Potions because of her apprenticeship. She was so worried about getting to class on time that she collided a tall figure and dropped her books everywhere.

"So sorry," she muttered, not looking up. She knelt and began gathering her books. The person picked up her notebook and Ginny reached out to take it.

"Watch where you're going next time, Weasley."

"I'm sorr- Malfoy?"

"Don't be late."

Ginny stared in amazement. Had he actually helped pick up her books? She smirked, intrigued, and hurried along to class.

Ginny spent much of Potions class sneaking looks at Malfoy, half expecting to see something different that accounted for his almost... polite behavior. He lounged in his chair and gazed coolly at Snape with half-lidded eyes. It didn't take her long to realize that he looked less sharp than usual. There were dark circles under his silver eyes, and his silvery-white hair was slightly less immaculate than usual. His face looked pale and drawn. He must have stayed up all night, she thought. He seemed to be having trouble paying attention. A look of relief passed over his face when class was finally dismissed.

"Malfoy, I'd like to see you after class," Snape said.

Ginny left the room and waited outside. The compassionate side of her simply wanted to know if he was all right. The voices carried outside of the classroom to where Ginny was standing.

"Sir?"

"Mister Malfoy, I noticed that you weren't paying attention in class today."

"I'm sorry sir, I was... up late working on my Transfiguration essay."

"Very well, then. If you are not well, please go see Madame Pomfrey at once."

"I'm quite alright, sir, but thank you for your concern." Draco walked out of the classroom, brushing past Ginny.

"Hey, Malfoy!" she called.

He whipped around and glared for a moment, but his eyes were softened with fatigue. "What is it, Weasley?"

"I, um... well, I just wanted to know if you were alright." Ginny looked down at her shoes before continuing. "You looked a little, I don't know, off today."

"I'm fine. Good day."

Ginny's patience was wearing thin. "Look, Malfoy. I'm almost a Medi-Witch, and I can see that you're not fine. You look pale, your voice is hoarse, and --"

"Thank you for that assessment Virginia, but I assure you that I'm quite... I'm..."

"Malfoy?"

His silver eyes unfocused for a moment, then he turned away from her and sneezed into a handkerchief. Ginny winced. Malfoy gave her a tired smile. "Alright, Miss Almost-Medi-Witch. You've figured me out. I'm ill. Happy?"

Ginny was at a loss for words. "Yes... no! I mean..."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get some rest. Goodbye, Virginia." Ginny watched as the notorious Slytherin Bad Boy sulked off to his dorm, coughing harshly as he went.

Early the next morning Ginny anxiously entered the Great Hall. Only a handful of students were such early risers. She usually saw Draco there, and was surprised and worried when she couldn't see his striking white hair anywhere.

"Ha-MMPH!"

Ginny turned in the direction of the sneeze and saw a weary Draco with his nose buried in a handkerchief. He looked worse than yesterday. Not that he ever looked that bad, she mused. His high cheekbones were flushed with fever. There were dark circles under his eyes, and they contrasted with the stark paleness of his brow. Gathering up her courage, Ginny marched over to him and handed him a vial.

"Drink this. It'll make you feel better."

He took the vial suspiciously. "What is it?"

"I made it in the Medical Wing this morning. It should lower your temperature and clear up your congestion."

"Uh, thanks. May I ask why... excuse me... ha-ESH! Ha-... *sigh* I'm sorry. May I ask why you're being so helpful?"

Ginny shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I mean, it's... it's my duty as a Medi-Witch in training. Yeah."

Draco arched a fine eyebrow. "Whatever you say, Virginia. I hope you made the potion correctly, because I'll be drinking it with my tea." He turned at took his seat at the head of the Slytherin table.

Ginny sighed. She hadn't felt this way since her first-year crush on Harry Potter. What would Ron say if he found out she was falling for Draco Malfoy? She watched as he poured her potion into a mug and stirred it with a wave of his wand. He looked up and toasted her with the mug, then downed its contents obediently.

Draco was feeling very strange. The potion had cleared up some of his congestion, but he still felt feverish and his nose was tickling. The unusual thing about Ginny's potion was that it made him look the picture of health. He was tired, but his eyes wouldn't close. They wouldn't even blink. It was kind of creepy.

He was thankful, nonetheless. At least he would be able to sit through class without sneezing every five minutes, and his steely voice wouldn't be congested.

"How's it working?" Ginny's voice interrupted his thoughts. "You look much better."

"Yeah, but I have to say that I look much better than I feel."

"Erm, I was afraid that would happen. See, I'm still an apprentice, and it's much easier to create the illusion of health than to heal. I'm sorry..." Ginny started to turn as red as her hair.

"No! I mean it's fine. Thank you. I am a Malfoy, after all, and how I look is more important than --"

"How you feel." Ginny gave him a small smile. Her dimples appeared for a brief moment, and she looked up at him with wide eyes. She was so oblivious to her own coyness sometimes. "Well, Malfoy, how *do* you feel?"

"Hot, achy, tired. I also have to sneeze, but I can't. It's just lingering there in the back of my nose. Frankly, it's driving me batty." He rolled his eyes.

"Well, the potion should wear off in about four hours. I gave you a low dose. Then you'll be free to look ill and sneeze all you want."

"Hm, I can't wait," he said flatly. "I'll make sure to hide in my room."

"I need to go. Feel better, Draco."

"See you later. Oh, and Ginny? Thanks."

All belongs to JKR.