The next day, Ginny enters Potions alongside her three friends. They sit together, Ron and Harry at one desk, Ginny and Hermione next to them. She watches and notes everyone who comes in the door, noticing Blaise – gorgeous, she can't' help thinking - walking in with…Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle. They take their seats in the back. She hears a few whispers behind her, but just sits back and waits for class to start. Snape walks in, cape flying, and conversation comes to a halt. He begins right away.
"First off, I would like to welcome Ms Weasley to the class. She is moving up from 4th year." A few whistles sound, and Ginny almost blushes, but Snape looks around the class with his steely gaze and everyone quiets. "Professor Dumbledore is also implementing a new rule this year. Pairings will be with students from opposite houses." He pauses, waiting for this to sink in. Groans and murmurs sound. Ginny looks and sees a horrified Ron, and laughs. "Silence," Snape hisses. The buzz stops. He starts to read off the pre chosen pairs, and students jump up. Goyle and Hermione, Harry and some boy Ginny doesn't recognize. Another girl Ginny doesn't know is paired with Ron. "Weasley – Ms Weasley, that is - and Zabini." Ginny stands and makes her way over to his desk, where Malfoy is still sitting. Blaise doesn't even notice her, and she stands awkwardly for a minute until Malfoy is paired with Pansy.
"Oh dear god," she hears him murmur. Blaise chuckles and Ginny raises her eyebrows. Pansy looks ecstatic. Blaise finally turns his gaze to her, and she sits down.
"I'm Ginny - " She starts, but Snape calls for silence, and they begin copying down the assignment. They go about the potion in silence, Ginny doing most of the work, Blaise sitting back, practically falling asleep. "Look," she says finally, "I'm not doing this by myself." Blaise looks at her, and around at their table.
"Yes, you are." He states matter-of-factly.
"Well if that's the case, you are not getting credit for it." She turns towards the front, starting to raise her hand.
"Aren't we a bit fiery this morning," he says, and she opens her mouth to retort, but he gives a chuckle and leans forward. "I was just noting that, technically you were doing it by yourself – and quite honestly, I don't think I'll be very much help…" He's looking sheepish, and she wonders what he got on his OWLs. "But hey," he says smiling, "I'm one heck of a stirrer!" She laughs.
"Get to it then. 5 clockwise stirs, then 2 counterclockwise. Stop when it turns yellow."
"Yes ma'am!" Ginny shakes her head. At the end of class Blaise stands and leaves without a goodbye or helping to pack up. "Cute, but way too self centered," Ginny says out loud. Hermione comes up to her.
"What?"
"Oh nothing. How was Goyle?"
"Humph! I don't think that boy can even read. I'm really wondering how he got in here…" Hermione starts to rant, as the girls make their way out of class.
Over the next few weeks, Ginny finds herself in many Ravenclaw classes. At first a little intimidated, she finds she can keep up, and begins making friends, something that's never been much of a challenge for her. Subsequently, Ginny and Ally start seeing a lot of each other, having the same lunches most days, and meeting up at dinner sometimes as well. The girls get along easily. At lunch one day, Ally first mentions the Slytherin parties.
"I've been going since 5th year, they're actually a lot of fun. Music, dancing, booooze" she says with a smile. "You should come this weekend." They are sitting down by the lake. It's warm out with a nice breeze, and both girls hate being inside on days like this.
"Ally…Slytherin…seriously?"
"Oh Ginny come off it. Ravenclaws, even Hufflepuffs go. And just because it's in their common room doesn't mean anything. It's the farthest dorm from the professors' quarters."
"I dunno, I don't think I'd be welcome. Gryffendor," she states, pointing at herself.
"No kidding. Honestly, no one will even notice or care, I swear. Please come this weekend though, really! Look…Katie and Jess can't make it because of whatever, and….IreallywanttogoandseeBlaisebutIcan'tgobymyselfOKAY!?" She hides her face in her hands.
"Did I just hear correctly," Ginny teases. "oooooh you do NOT have a crush on Blaise!" Ally nods and looks up sheepishly. "shut up! Really? He's kind of a…well, sort of a self centered jerk, but - "
"Totally cute, right!?" Ginny laughs. "He's funny, Gin, come on. Get drunk with us this weekend, it'll be fun."
"Hahaha, yeah sure fine."
"Yessss, corrupting the young!" Ally states with a grin.
"Hey, I'm not corruptible. Already corrupted, sorry." Ginny takes a bite of her sandwich, and the girls proceed to gossip about the naughty things they've done.
The next day in potions, Ginny realizes that what she had said about Blaise wasn't entirely true. After a few days of potions with him, she found he was actually somewhat enjoyable to have around. At the beginning of each class, she bugs him into helping her, sarcastic remarks flying, but always in jest. She actually likes their banter. And he's not horrible at the taking directions thing, she admits. They get along actually. They even say 'hey' in passing even. But Ginny cannot begin to condone his choice of friends. They mock and joke together, him making fun of Hermione, or Ron, and Ginny gives her best to Malfoy, or Crabbe and Goyle. One day Blaise notes her scoffing at how high Pansy's skirt is rolled up, and laughs outright in agreement. Ginny looks sheepish for a second, but Blaise leans down close to her.
"Slytherin Slut, I think is her official title these days." Ginny raises her eyebrows. "Oh no, never – I'd wouldn't go near – that." Ginny laughs out loud.
"I thought you guys were friends."
"Nah, she likes to drape herself around Draco, but that's about the extent of our 'friendship.'"
"I bet he loves that," Ginny replies sarcastically.
"See for yourself," he says, nodding in their direction. She looks over and can't help her look of surprise. Pansy is pouting, brushing her hand over Malfoy's hair. He's usual cool demeanor is in place, but he practically shoves her hand away.
"Get off Pansy, we've got things to do." She slides her hand across his leg, Ginny opens her mouth is shock and laughter, and turns to look at Blaise, who makes a face at her. Malfoy's look of utter disgust, similar to the look on their faces, causes the two to burst out laughing, and Pansy and Malfoy look around in their direction. Ginny and Blaise look away immediately, forcing down their amusement.
"Quiet," Snape calls from the front, and Ginny can see Malfoy scoot his seat away from Pansy, placing his book in his lap, and ordering Pansy to get some ingredients. Ginny almost feels bad for him for a second, before common sense comes back, and she shakes her head, still trying to control her laughter.
It's Saturday night, and Ally heads over to Ginny's dorm before the party, dressed in a midcalf length blue jean skirt, and a red t-shirt, her hair loose. Ginny changes into blue jeans and a green tank, throwing her hair up in a messy ponytail, little strands coming out around her face.
"Mmm girl, you lookin' right tonight!" is Ally's enthusiastic response to her appearance, and Ginny laughs and grabs the other girl by the arm. On the way out of the common room, they run into Harry and Ron. To Ron's questioning look she states she's off to Ally's dorm to hang out. Harry looks skeptical, but Ally drags Ginny away before he can say anything.
"What was that? she asks.
"They would never understand why I'm going to anything that includes Slytherins. Wait – why am I going - "
"Nuh-uh, you can't back out now!" Ally drags Ginny on.
When they get there, the party is in full swing. The lights are down, the music up. The chairs and sofas and all pushed off to one side, and a make dance floor is in the center. There are a lot of people, to Ginny's surprise. Blaise spots them, coming over to grab Ally and spin her around. He then looks down at Ginny.
"Why, my favorite Weasel!" he cries. Ginny would be angry at the usual insult, but Blaise grabs her into a hug, and Ginny laughs. He is smashed, she notes. He gives each girl a beer. Ginny can't help moving her hips to the music, and Ally grabs her and pulls her into the middle of the crowd. A half hour later the girls leave in need or more refreshments, and Ginny finds herself suddenly surrounded by Slytherins. Ally is talking to Blaise, who is standing next to Malfloy, with Pansy Parkinson hanging all over him. Ginny can't help the disgusted look on her face when she sees this.
"What are you sneering at, Weasel?" Malfoy says, but pushes Pansy off him and crosses his arms over his chest. Pansy stalks away. He's in loose jeans and a white T and for a second Ginny notices how lean he is - very skinny, she notes, but muscular. All in all, a very nice body. Her eyes reach his, and he raises his eyebrows. She just smirks.
"What are you even doing here, aren't you are 5th year?" He scowls at her. She turns to Ally. "What am I even doing here?" She looks back at Malfoy. "Actually, I think I was just lea - " but before she can finish, Blaise grabs her and shoves her forward. She stumbles and Malfoy grabs out to steady her, a look of confusion and distaste on his face.
"What the bloody - " But Blaise raises his eyebrows and gives a nod to the right. Malfoy looks over and sees Pansy returning.
"Come dance with me!" she shrieks, tugging at one of his arms.
"Actually I think Draco and Ginny here were about to dance…" Blaise cuts in. Ginny looks over at him, starting to protest – yeah right! But suddenly Malfoy jerks her forward, so she's leaning against him, his arm around her waist. She can hear Ally laugh.
"Yeah, sorry Pans, some over time." Malfoy agrees. Ginny's mouth opens in astonishment. He then grabs Ginny by the arm and leads her away.
"Get off me Malfoy! What the hell do you think you're doing!" She starts to leave, but notices, and Ginny can't help grinning at his, Malfoy's look of horror, glancing over his shoulder at the glaring Pansy. He looks back down at her. Ginny smirks up at him. He scowls at her, then spins her around, pulling her up against him. He starts to move. They are surrounded by sweaty bodies and loud music. Ginny's back is pressed against Malfoys chest as his hands slide down her arms to her hips. Oh no, Ginny thinks. She has had plenty experience with guys – she is not going to let him lead this. She turns around, pressing her hips against him. Malfoy raises his eyebrows in surprise. Ginny starts dancing against him, moving her hips and shoulders. Oh yes, two can play this game. Malfoy doesn't protest. She thinks she even hears him – laugh? in appreciation of the fact that now her leg is up, practically wrapped around his waist. She smirks as his hand finds its way to her thigh, holding her there. They don't look at each other – this isn't personal. Ginny does, however, spot a pissed off looking Pansy talking rapidly with another Slytherin, sending death glares their way. Malfoy notices too, because he spins Ginny around, pulling her against him again, holding her hips to his, one hand on her stomach touching the bare flesh above her jeans. Ginny gasps – that was unexpected, and feels Malfoy smirk against her neck. Ginny lets her hands slide back, grabbing his hips, taking control of their movements.
"Oh ho, Ms Weasley," he says quietly in her ear, "who ever thought the youngest weasel would know how to move." His breath is hot on her skin. Ginny leans back and, with a sweet smile, never stopping the movement of her hips against his, replies,
"Oh ho Mr. Malfoy, who ever thought you'd be reacting quite so – enthusiastically – to a weasel's movements." And with that, Ginny steps forward and leaves the floor, joining Ally and Blaise – who puts his hands up in surrender at her glare, Ally commenting 'Ow girl!' and grabbing Ginny into a hug – both girls laughing. Ginny looks back, but doesn't spot Malfoy in the crowd. She finds his blonde hair in the corner of the room though, arm around some Ravenclaw, heading up to the boys dorm. Ginny rolls her eyes, and turns back to her friends.