Draco was strutting coolly to his advanced potions class with his lackeys, Crabbe & Goyle. They flanked either side of him as if they were his guards & he their prince. They guffawed stupidly as Draco bragged about his Christmas plans.
"Father is taking me to the Quidditch semi-finals. We'll be sitting in the top box, as usual," he said with his nose high in the air. "I bet I'll get to rub up against some of the team members. Of course, my natural flying skills will be recognized (how could they not?!) & I'll be recruited into one of-"
Draco stopped mid-sentence. His mouth dropped open, & he came to an abrupt stop. Crabbe & Goyle exchanged bewildered looks. But Draco didn't notice them (he hardly ever did). His gaze was fixed upon the figure that had just entered the corridor up ahead.
Draco took in every aspect of her appearance in a moment. He made note of her slenderness & small breasts. In fact, her body was very child-like yet strangely sensual. Her fierce, red hair was tied back with a white ribbon. Draco longed to see it set loose, falling over her porcelain-pale shoulders. Yes, Ginny Weasley was lovely.
"Uh, Draco? You ok?" Goyle's baritone voice snapped Draco back to his senses.
"Yes! I'm fine!" Draco snapped. Then he regained his composure. "I mean, of course, I'm fine. But I've just spotted The Weasel's little wench of a sister coming towards us. She better not get too close. I don't want to have to wash blood traitor off of me."
Ginny, who was walking briskly toward Draco in the hall, looked up & saw the trio. Her dark, green eyes narrowed in a glare & her lips pursed. Draco thought all of this was terribly adorable. But, judging from the sneer which adorned his face, he thought nothing of the sort.
As Ginny attempted to pass by, Draco purposefully knocked shoulders with her. He caught a faint whiff of her hair which carried the fragrance of strawberries.
"Watch where you're going!" Draco hissed at her.
Ginny bared her teeth like an angry cat & arched her shoulders as if she was being attacked. Draco, who was taken aback, lodged himself away from her and crashed into Crabbe. This caught Crabbe in surprise & he toppled to the floor with a heavy "thunk".
Ginny's wrath disappeared almost instantly. She started laughing heavily & walking away at her leisure. Draco flushed heavily & tried to think of some disdainful remark to throw at her. But she was already gone. Even with his wounded pride, Draco couldn't help but recognize that she had the clearest crystal laugh he had ever heard.
"Draco, are you blushing?"
"Shut up, Goyle."