Chapter One

You had me at hello (You had me at hello- A Day to Remember)

Ginny Weasley was not a happy person at the moment. Not that the World Cup had been a bore, it was just that she had wanted to go with her best mate, not her brothers and Harry. Slipping through the orchard, she hopped the fence that was the border between The Burrow and Valhalla, the Zabini estate. If anyone could get her out of her foul mood, it was Blaise. In fact, she thought with a shrug as she set across the grounds, it had been that way since she was about five and had stumbled across Blaise and his mum, Marguerite, who had been walking at the edge of their wards. She hadn't been frightened; Ginny remembered that much, she had been more intrigued. Marguerite had scooped her up and taken Blaise's hand as she cut through the orchard and walked right up to The Burrow. Ginny and Blaise had been sent in the other room and to this day neither of them knew what had been said, only that from that day on Ginny had free run of Valhalla. Blaise had been quiet, more apt to sit back and watch her create mayhem for the first few years.

She hopped a low stone wall and grinned. She had spent quite a bit of time with them and it had taken maybe two years for her to get Blaise to join in on the mayhem. Marguerite just laughed at their antics. There had been the one time in Mykonos, Greece (okay just a few weeks back) that Marguerite had paid off a few officials to keep them out of trouble with Greek Ministry, but she stood by her story that it hadn't been her fault at all. Really, the Greek wizard should have known better than to try and flirt with her after Blaise had warned him off twice already.

She ran the last bit of the way, unable to resist any longer. Her mum had just sighed when Ginny had slipped out of the house, knowing where she was going and though she really didn't like it; her hands had been tied by her agreement years ago. Ginny never had complained since it meant that parts of her summers were spent in whatever locale she and Blaise picked from the globe. She remembered being livid with Ron just before the start of her first year when he had made a comment about her talking about Harry all summer long. She hadn't been there more than three days total before Harry arrived, but Ron hated Blaise and tried his best to get her interested in her fellow Gryffindors; Harry most especially.

Crinkling her nose at the memory, she stopped and crouched down to pet Hera, her wolfhound. She knew that Blaise and Zeus, his wolfhound, wouldn't be far behind. She felt her foul mood fall away completely when she heard that low drawl, "So, you've snuck out, have you? I suppose running here is better than that threat you made when you were eight about joining a Muggle circus."

Zeus nearly bowled her over and Ginny laughed loudly. Petting both dogs, she stayed where she was, looking up at Blaise with a wicked grin. "I stand by the assessment that a circus would be far less chaotic than The Burrow."

Snickering, Blaise reached down, shooing the dogs so he could pull her to her feet. He turned serious. "You weren't harmed in that idiocy were you?"

Ginny chuckled. "No, though the twins and I have Malfoy to thank for getting out of there quickly."

His brows shot up as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I think you should explain. Zeus, Hera, inside."

The dogs raced back through the open doors and out of sight. Ginny just sighed. "We ducked into the woods and he directed us away, though it was in his usual lord to pleb way."

"We both know you'll hex him the moment you can," Blaise replied wryly. "Which will it be this time?"

She pretended to ponder the question. He'd taught her the Bat-Bogey hex last year and Draco Malfoy had become her most favourite target over the year. But, he was learning to anticipate her so that meant she needed something new. "I'll find something."

Marguerite joined them, looking Ginny over before hugging her tightly, all but shooing Blaise aside. "We should have insisted that you sit with us, darling."

"I'm fine, not a scratch on me to be honest. I am, however, grateful to be here, The Burrow is more a madhouse than usual."

Marguerite sighed and kissed her cheek. "I will owl Molly and tell her that you're to stay here this week. Perhaps we can take a day or two away, if you two want to."

Blaise grinned. "We aren't going to say no. What do you have in mind?"

Marguerite let loose of her and smiled smugly. "Why don't we let that be a surprise? You two go and do whatever it is you do when I'm not there to stop you."

Ginny just laughed when Blaise tossed her over his shoulder. "We'll be in the library, looking for new hexes."

"Oh? Please tell me you don't have someone specific in mind?"

Ginny pushed up, grinning cheekily. "Oh, no worries, I won't tell you a thing."

Marguerite laughed and waved them off, knowing all too well the futility of stopping them. Then again, Ginny mused, it was more than likely that Marguerite would wander in soon; dropping books in their laps with far more potent and nasty hexes than they would otherwise find in the library.

-ii—

The week flew by, with a side trip to an exclusive shop where Marguerite had insisted on new formal wear for both of them. Blaise has said right off that he wanted them to attend together, grumbling all the while about handsy blokes. She'd laughingly agreed. The Triwizard Tournament and a Yule Ball were the big secret Percy had been muttering about. The first thing she and Marguerite had done was secure a promise from Blaise that he wouldn't even consider entering. They knew he couldn't last against their pouts for long and he hadn't. But, it was time for her to go back to The Burrow so she could travel with her family tomorrow to the platform. She didn't want to, but had been outvoted.

Hugging Blaise, she jumped off the fence into the orchard. "I'll see you on the train tomorrow."

"Hey," Blaise said, shooting her a small smile, "no hexing them, we'll find you someone to take your ire out on once the train leaves the station, all right?"

"I can think of someone," she said teasingly, not wanting to leave just yet. Chaos reigned at home and she really preferred to be creating the chaos, not dealing with it.

Blaise rolled his eyes. "Did you think about his actions at the World Cup might have been his way of calling for a cease fire?"

She scoffed. "Yeah, right, he enjoys our little verbal sparring matches as much as I do and you know it."

Laughing, he waved her off. "Go now, lovely, just don't lose your temper and I'll have a compartment for us by the time you get there."

She blew him a playful kiss and darted off into the orchard wondering if Ron knew just how many times Blaise's calm reassurances had saved his arse. She loved her family, truly she did. They were just wearing most days. With a tired sigh, she hurried over and pushed open the door of the kitchen, bracing for the madness.

-ii—

Blaise sighed, pushing through the crowd that had formed. He had been heading to the library to meet Ginny and heard the row. He stood with Ginny as her brother, Potter, and Granger faced off with Draco. Shaking his head, he slipped his arm about Ginny's waist, just as a precaution. She scowled up out at him and muttered, "I wouldn't step in."

He was horrified to see Professor Moody hit Draco with some sort of transfiguration spell. Ginny shuddered, turning to bury her face in his robes. Blaise didn't blame her. It was one thing to step in and stop them; it was another to use something like that as punishment. He wasn't too terribly surprised to find himself pulled along in her wake as she followed Draco. Ginny was, much like he knew Molly Weasley to be, a compassionate person. He'd seen Draco limping and cradling his arm just as well as she had. Blaise just sighed, thanking his mum for teaching them both mild healing charms since it looked as if they were about to be very useful.

They found Draco slumped over against a wall in the dungeons.

Ginny crouched down next to the weary blond. "Malfoy, let me help."

"What, no witty comments or teasing this time?"

Blaise rolled his eyes. "Do stop, Draco, or she'll heal you and then hex you for being a prat."

Ginny snickered. "Look, let me heal you and then we can go back to the usual snark and insults, all right?"

Draco winced. "So long as you swear not to go telling everyone about it."

She took his arm and healed it quickly. "Dear gods, it's like you don't know me at all, Malfoy, I'm disappointed in you."

Blaise was shocked that Draco had nothing to say to that. Perhaps he was growing up a bit. That or he was in shock from his injuries. Leaning on the wall, Blaise kept watch while Ginny finished healing Draco. He reached down and helped her get Draco to his feet. "Go and rest, I'll make excuses for you."

The blond simply started at them as if he was trying to puzzle out just what they were on about. Blaise wasn't about to explain though. It was too much fun to watch the haughty prat this way. His gaze slid to Ginny and he sighed. The look on her face told him that she too was enjoying Draco's confusion. With another sigh, Blaise braced for whatever it was she had planned.

-ii—

Ginny snickered, sliding through the crowds and settling in next to Blaise at the Slytherin table. She was about to have fun with the arrival of the foreign students. The blond across the table just glared at her. "Oh what? You aren't going to insist we have a spat about me sitting here are you?"

Goyle chuckled, passing down a goblet, but was wise enough to not get involved. Ginny knew that the Slytherins only treated her decently because Blaise had threatened them all with something wretched, though he never had said what exactly it was and his housemates weren't dim enough to share with her.

"No," Malfoy drawled, "Though if your brothers catch sight of you, they just might make a scene."

Batting her eyelashes, she laid her head on Blaise's shoulder. "They wouldn't dare and you know it."

"Yes," Blaise said wryly, "After you hit Ronald with that new hex of yours they seem to have backed off."

She grinned, preening a bit, before getting distracted by the arriving students. "Ohh, I am definitely visiting your common room more often."

"Ginny," Blaise hissed, "No ogling."

She sat up, pouting and crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't go ruining my fun, Blaise, I may have a fit right here. I haven't said a word about that Ravenclaw you've been snogging in every alcove, have I?"

He sighed and Ginny knew she had won. She turned her attention to the very fit boys from Durmstrang, tipping her head and barely biting back an appreciative moan. They really were a fit group and she wasn't some prude.

Hestia Carrow leaned over Blaise, not once taking her eyes off one of the Beaubatons boys. "You take the Durmstrang ones; leave the Beaubatons boys to Flora and me, deal?"

"Ladies, do stop."

Oops, Blaise sounded petulant, something that was rarely seen, but when it was he could be twice as bad as Malfoy was with his moods.

Ginny tipped her head back and leaned in to whisper, "I'll share the Durmstrang boys with you, if that will make you happier."

He snickered, a little half smile forming. "Just pay attention to something other than boys, please."

Pouting, she nodded. He didn't say how long to not pay attention to the boys after all, she could resume her ogling after she ate. She didn't miss the questioning look Malfoy was giving them, but she just poked her tongue out at him and went back to her meal.

-ii—

Shaking her head, she tossed the stupid badge at Malfoy. "What are you, a five year old? I'm not wearing one of those and Blaise won't either."

Malfoy shook his head, smirking. "We all know you have Zabini wrapped around your little finger, no need to remind us. Just take the badge and use it to wind up your oaf of a brother."

She rolled her eyes. "He's not too happy with Potter just now either. In fact, he might take one of those at this point."

Malfoy's smirk widened. "Really? So the rumours are true then, Potter's loyal lapdog has turned tail and run?"

Ginny pulled her wand. "That is over the line, Malfoy. Run off now and go start a row with someone you can best at a duel."

"You really are a mouthy bint," he said, turning on his heel and walking away. Goyle and Crabbe shot her wary looks before hurrying to follow.

She rolled her eyes muttering about boys being morons as she searched out Blaise. He'd dumped the Ravenclaw a week or so back and hadn't, at least to her knowledge, picked another snogging partner. She was pleased about that since it meant she got him all to herself. She found him hidden away in one of the smaller courtyards they had discovered her second year. It was where both of them went to have a bit of peace and quiet. "Hey," she said softly.

Blaise looked up with a smile. "I see you ducked Malfoy and those silly badges."

She dropped her bag at his feet and sat next to him. "No, I didn't and no I also didn't hex him. He called me a mouthy bint so I get some sort of prize for holding my temper."

He kissed her cheek and winked. "If you've not got one of those Durmstrang idiots trailing after you, we can go to Honeydukes next week. Deal?"

"That was sneaky and underhanded, Marguerite will be so proud."

He laughed, tucking her up close to his side and setting aside his book. "I have to keep you out of trouble or she'll skin me, lovely. Are you over all those prats from Durmstrang yet?"

She sneered at him, though it was more playful than anything. "No, not yet. The one was really good at snogging though."

Blaise's eyes narrowed. "Which one was it so I can hex him?"

Laughing, she picked up her bag and kissed his cheek. "Not telling, the poor bloke doesn't need you harassing him. I'm off; see you later in the library?"

He was scowling, but shrugged. "Why not just come down to the house, so long as you keep your hands off the blokes?"

"Fine," she muttered. "But, the next time I catch you snogging someone, I'm going to pay you back tenfold."

She didn't wait for his reaction. Once she was back in the castle, she caught sight of Hermione's enormous teeth and laughed so hard she was forced to lean on the wall or risk falling over. Malfoy stalked by, looking pleased. "You do that?" she asked, finally calm enough to speak, nodding her head towards Hermione.

He smirked. "In a way, yes. Too bad she won't stay like that, eh?"

She just shrugged, not giving him any ammunition. Pushing off the wall, she headed off towards her class, not wanting to be late. It was always amusing dealing with Slytherins, Ginny could admit that much.

-ii—

"Come on," Blaise said impatiently.

Ginny rolled her eyes as she pulled on her hat. "All right, I'm going. I think you are hoping that Harry gets mauled by what Charlie showed us."

He grinned, hauling her out of the castle. She pulled out one of the many treats she'd talked him into at Honeydukes, enjoying her chocolate as they made their way out and got comfortable in the stands.

Goyle turned from his seat two rows below them. "You want in on the bets?"

Ginny shook her head. She knew the Ravenclaws and Slytherins had betting pools going in regard to the tasks, but she'd not placed any bets yet. "Why bother? We all know something will happen and Harry will win, isn't that the way it always goes?"

He rolled his eyes, but nodded. "True, but the Hufflepuffs are a loyal lot."

She laughed, turning at the announcement that the task was starting. Honestly, she was more interested in seeing the dragons again than she was in the actual task. Idly, she wondered if Marguerite could be talked into taking them to visit Charlie next summer.

-ii—

She should have known that it wouldn't take Ron long to track her down after the Yule Ball had been formally announced. Really, if she thought Snape and McGonagall would allow it, she would take one of the spare beds in Slytherin just to get away from his overprotective brother routine.

"You'll not be going."

She laughed. "Oh yes I will, Ronald."

His face was turning an odd shade of red. "You will not! I'll not have it! Besides, who would ask you?"

She hexed him and stormed out of the tower. She must have looked as angry as she felt because most of the students scattered out of her way without prompting. By the time she made it to her destination, she was angry enough to hex the first person that even looked at her in a way that she didn't like. Luckily, Malfoy was exiting the house and she swept past. She didn't even look at him as she pushed him out of her way.

"What is wrong with you?" he snarled.

She whirled around, pulling her wand. "You don't want to do that, Malfoy."

The blond just shook his head. "How Zabini puts up with you is still a mystery."

She made a noise somewhere between a hiss and an outraged scream, the hex on the tip of her tongue as her wand was nimbly taken and Blaise stepped between them.

"What the seven hells did you do?" Blaise demanded, glaring at the blond.

"Me? It was her! She all but threw me into the wall!"

"Sure," Blaise said, tucking her up against his side, looking quite the picture of disbelief. "It's usually you that starts things, Draco."

"Not this time."

Ginny was still seething, reaching for her wand, which Blaise tucked away. "Let me hex him. It's a good hex; I just hit Ronald the Idiot with it so I know you'll enjoy it, Blaise."

"I won't," Malfoy said indignantly.

"Apologize," Blaise said, sounding far too patient to not be at the end of his temper.

"I will not," Ginny and Malfoy chorused, glaring at one another.

"Draco," Blaise ground out.

"Fine, I'm sorry you are in a foul mood, Ginevra. Shall I hex that oaf of a brother of yours to make it all better?"

She leaned on Blaise, still glaring. "As if you don't do that at every turn anyway, besides you were being a rude little bastard again."

Malfoy looked proud of himself as he shrugged. "I'll be off then; I've a prat to hex."

"You know," Blaise said lightly, leading her over to the sofa in the corner, "I do believe you're growing on him. Now, tell me what Ronald said that has you so upset, darling."

So she did.

-ii—

Ginny tried not to laugh as poor Neville stuttered through asking her to the ball. "I'd love to, but I have a rather overprotective…and vindictive friend who already asked."

Neville brightened a bit at that. "Oh, I know you do. But, if you say you're going with me than Ron can't have another of his raging fits in the common room."

Smiling slyly, she tucked her arm in Neville's and led him out of the house and down to the library. Her brows shot up at the sight of Blaise and Theo Nott having a whispered conversation, knowing it could lead to nothing good. "Gentlemen."

"Ginny, Longbottom." Blaise smiled, motioning for Neville to sit and tugged her down into the chair next to his.

"Ginevra," Theo said softly, inclining his head before turning to Neville. "What has you braving the mean, nasty snakes, Longbottom?"

"Be nice," Ginny said firmly. "Neville here asked me to the ball and pointed out that we can stave off a Ronald Rant if I say I'm going with him."

Blaise rolled his eyes. "That does fit rather nicely with what Theo and I were planning."

"Plotting," she interjected dryly. "Why not call it what it surely is. How bad is it?"

Blaise gave her a look that was as close to innocent as he could manage. "You can arrive with Longbottom here, who will be keeping his hands to himself." Neville whimpered and Blaise grinned. "Then, you will have many dancing partners. We're going to make it clear to that oaf that while we loathe him, we certainly don't loathe you."

She didn't bother to protest. It looked like the Yule Ball was going to be even more eventful than she had thought it would be. Not that she minded, not when Blaise had instigated a bit of mayhem without her having to push him into it. Perhaps Ron had his uses after all.