THE TENDER TRAP

By Madame Plot Bunnie

Summary: It was only supposed to be a bet, a game, just meant for someone to walk away with the prize. Hearts weren't supposed to go spiraling out of control. But no one told Draco and Hermione that.

Pairing: Hermione/Draco, Ginny/Blaise Zabini

***

A cool September night breeze blew through the windows of the Astronomy Tower, causing the couple lying in each other's arms on the floor to stir. The girl had her arms wrapped around her lover's neck and he had his arms about her torso.

It was never a surprise to anyone, not even the professors, to see such couples entwined in Hogwarts' notorious "Love rooms". But there was a unique factor about this couple, something that set them far apart from any other in the castle.

That's because the girl was Ginny Weasley, and the boy was Blaise Zabini.

Blaise held Ginny, his girlfriend of a year, to his chest, playing with some loose strands of her flaming red hair. "Do you remember how we met?" he asked quietly, whispering into her ear.

Sixteen-year-old Ginny Weasley shifted so she could face her Slytherin boyfriend. "Don't be sappy, Blaise," Ginny giggled, kissing his nose lightly. "Of course I do. You saw me and fell madly in love."

Blaise chuckled. "Or wasn't it the other way around, my dear? You had dropped your bag going to Divination—"

"—just as you were coming out of Arithmancy," Ginny finished. "Yes, I remember. And you just stood there and watched me, because you wanted me to have to bend over," she said.

Blaise laughed his deep laughed that Ginny so loved. "Well, it was a lovely view," he said, cocking his head to one side. Ginny slapped his arm, but he nuzzled his nose into her hair, kissing her neck a little.  "Don't pretend like you care, Gin," he said. "You looked up, and I got full view of your pretty face…"

"But then you didn't even know who I was after that," Ginny said. "I tried to get your attention as we passed in the hallway…so many times…"

Blaise laughed again. "But it was you dropping your bag again that got me. You even went so far as to trip down the stairs." Ginny gave a sheepish grin that Blaise found irresistible. He leaned down and kissed her. Ginny wrapped her arms around Blaise, pulling him in. If you had told him a year ago that he would have the best relationship ever with a Gryffindor, a Weasley no less, he would've sent you along to St. Mungo's. Finally, he released her, tilting his head back against the stone wall behind him. "Subtlety is definitely not a Gryffindor's strong point. Seduction, that was not."

Ginny grinned. "Not like you cared. I've got you now, don't I?"

Blaise ran a hand through his dark hair. "I'll bet no Gryffindor could seduce a Slytherin to save her life."

Ginny sat up to face him. She looked thoughtful, twisting a strand of hair, which Blaise had come to learn was a sign that she was forming a plan. He sat back and waited to hear it.

Finally, Ginny said, "I'll take that bet."

Blaise stared. "What?" he asked, not comprehending at all.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I said, I'll take that bet." She stood and began to pace the room. "I'll bet you that I can get a Gryffindor girl—not me, someone else—to seduce a Slytherin boy. And I bet you she'll do it before the year is over." Blaise was clearly interested now, his electric blue eyes alive with fascination. Ginny knew he wouldn't be able to say no to this—Blaise loved a challenge. "What do you say?"

Blaise thought for a minute. Even if Ginny lost the bet, which he was sure she would, it would be a fantastic show to watch. "Alright." He stuck out his hand. Ginny gave him a heart-warming smile as she took it. "What are the stakes?" she asked.

"Hmmmmm…loser admits defeat in front of the whole school," Blaise said, grinning wickedly, "and becomes a part of the other member's House for a day."

"A week," Ginny cut in.

 Blaise nodded. "A week then…but I hope you like green and silver, 'cause you'll be wearing them for a while." Ginny stuck out her tongue at him, which Blaise took as an invitation. They held the kiss for a moment before Ginny suddenly broke away, twisting her hair like mad.

"I've got it," she said. Blaise perked an eyebrow, indicating for her to go on. "Okay…if the stakes are going to be that high, I suggest we have two challenges." The redhead began to pace again. "I'll also bet you that no Slytherin boy could ever get a Gryffindor girl to fall in love with him."

She watched for a moment as Blaise looked uncomfortable. She knew he knew she was right on this one. Suddenly he broke into a broad grin. "You've already lost that one, Ginny," he said. Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Us." Blaise said simply.

She rolled her eyes, smacking his head. "No, us excluded."

"Alright," Blaise said. "Then I pick Hermione Granger."

Ginny faltered. Hermione was her best friend—Ginny knew many things about Hermione that others didn't. She also knew Hermione said she never would have time for boys because she was scared of falling in love. But, Ginny reasoned in her head, if I can get Hermione to see that love isn't so bad, then I'll have accomplished two things at once—won the bet and helped my best friend

   Ginny straightened with a confident smirk to her boyfriend. "Deal," she said, repeating the handshake from earlier. Blaise looked pleased. "And I pick…" she drifted off for a moment. Who would she enjoy seeing trying to get Hermione to fall in love with him? Someone with whom it could never, ever work out?

   The answer came in a brilliant stroke of light: Draco Malfoy. "I pick Draco Malfoy!" Ginny cried. Blaise's equally confident smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, before straightening itself out. He nodded.

"Okay," Ginny said, now getting excited, "Here's the deal. We tell the person in our House what their 'assignment' is—"

"But nothing about the other's," Blaise finished for his girlfriend. He grinned at her. Sometimes it was eerie how they could finish each other's sentences. Blaise grasped her hand in his own. "So that way, whatever happens happens."

"Right," Ginny said, stifling a yawn with one hand. "Y'know, it's late, and I should get back…we don't want my brother after you. We've got a busy day ahead of us."

Blaise helped her up, pulling her into him. "Oh, yes we do," he murmured against her skin. "Let the games begin, my dear, let the games begin."

***

A/N: Ah. Um, hi.

First, lemme say thanks for reading this crappy chapter. It gets better—I just had to explain this whole Ginny/Blaise deal (there's more on that later) and set off the bet. And this chapter was really short too—I'm not off to a good start, am I?

Well, anyway, reviews and flames are welcomed, and I will probably receive more of the latter! :-)

And I will update again before, er…Friday? And I'll be updating With A Dash Of Lemon Juice tomorrow I think, if my creative flow cooperates. Heh.

I PROMISE THE STORY IS GOING TO GET GOOD! Even though it sucks majorly right now…I love Draco/Hermione stories, and have read lots of them, so I shouldn't be too awful. But let me know what you think, okay?!

*GOD SAVE THE QUEEN*

*Mme Plot Bunnie