A/N: A few things:

1) I have to apologize to how spotty my writing is; if I was doing this while a bit more focused, I'm sure I'd be spending far more time developing character, etc. but I've just been writing this between 11pm and 4am, on days where I haven't taken my adhd meds. Therefore, it is a bit scattered.

2) WOW a lot of people are reading this! I'm pretty impressed. Makes me think that maybe I should spout off a few one-shot scenes that have been bouncing around in my head. If anyone has ideas for things they want to see, or interesting situations that could spark a scene, let me know! I'm trying to get back into writing without a partner before school starts up again.

3) I have three more "chapters" written and ready to post as well; trying to stick to posting post-midnight on nights that I've written, so I have something in the reserves to work with.

4) I love comments – reviews, PMs, however you want to get in touch with me, I'd love to read what you have to say! Also, I do tend to check out the pages of people who follow or favorite my work, and will try to read the stories that appeal to my ships if you have any available. I also love editing if anyone wants some help with that. And without further ado:

Chapter 4: Bound to End Badly*

The blonde lead her out of the room and down the gloomy stone hallway, presumably in the opposite direction than Snape had taken his students, as there was no sign of the greasy professor or his wards. The tip of the cigarette glowed from where it hung lazily from his slender fingers, not bright enough to light their way, but easily visible in the low light of the dungeons. She'd never pegged him for a smoker, figuring he was too uptight and traditional for that sort of thing, but now she thought about it, she shouldn't really be surprised. He never thought anything could hurt him; why should he worry about school rules or health risks?

With another drag of the cig, Malfoy flicked it down the next hall they passed, and Ginny was slightly relieved for the dissipation of the smoke, if a little impatient from his silence. She hated following meekly. She wanted to be giving him hell, but was also well aware how much hell he could put her through as long as she was considered under his watch. Her lips pursed, and she drummed her fingers against the hem of her skirt, wondering what exactly she was tasked with tonight.

As if he'd heard her thoughts, Malfoy stopped at the next door on their left. "I do hope your clan of inbreds knows how to read, Weaslette-" he spoke as he opened the lock with a key he'd slipped from his pocket, and pushed the door open and gestured for her to enter, "-You're to catalogue these for the library."

The room was cramped and crowded, smaller than a classroom but larger than a closet, with one table and one chair. And so many books. There were piles of them everywhere in sight. Some had managed to be placed correctly on a few of the musty bookshelves, but it looked as though whoever had been putting them in the room had lost motivation and instead stuck them in at whatever angle wherever there was space. The floor was barely visible, and suddenly Ginny realized how lucky it was that Malfoy had already disposed of the cigarette, given the amount of clearly flammable material in the small stone room.

"I'd certainly think so, Malfoy, considering we've all made it through our OWLs," she kept her voice pleasant, perhaps irritatingly so, her voice almost arrogant, making it clear she thought his barb so bad as to be laughable. Sometimes the best comeback was simply stating indisputable facts. She brushed past him cheerily, a slight smirk on her lips, and then halted. Yeah, this might be a problem. She wasn't exactly sure how she was even supposed to get to the desk without climbing over the scattered tomes.

The blonde blinked, but didn't let her words faze him. It seemed to be turning into a battle of the nonchalance. "Go on, Red," he nudged her calf with his foot, hard enough to make her stumble very slightly, and she shot a brief glare at him, receiving only a smug smirk in return. "You can't exactly catalogue these books from here." He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the door, as though readying himself for some sort of entertainment.

Ginny pursed her lips and held her head proudly as she began her careful maneuvering toward the desk – it may have only been ten feet away, but those ten feet seemed plagued with obstacles. At one point she very nearly fell over, but managed to windmill her hands well enough to steady herself, even if she was left with a slight blush over her cheeks. She refused to look at Malfoy's reaction to that.

"You know, you could just pick up the books," he suggested, the smug smirk evident in his tone, "I never said you couldn't touch them."

Ginny's annoyance was building, and she almost wanted to continue tiptoeing her way through just to spite him, but unfortunately that didn't look possible as the books became more and more densely crowded toward the desk. With a quiet huffed sigh, hoping Malfoy wouldn't hear her, she bent down to gather some books together, stacking them onto another pile to clear some space, her bright hair and loose jumper hanging in the way a bit. Hearing a "hm" noise from behind her, she straightened quickly, the blood rushing to her head as she turned back toward Malfoy and began rolling up her sleeves. She hesitated for just a moment as she saw his eyes flick up to meet hers.

…No, she was probably imagining it.

As he leered at her, though, she scowled, realizing she hadn't imagined it. He'd definitely been checking out her ass. Ew. Her face reddened a little, and she was glad she was facing away from him as she moved toward the desk again. The next time she bent to move books she made sure to crouch in a manner than wouldn't leave her backside so open to ogling, and she heard him stifle a snort in response.

When she stood to take her next few steps forward, she shot a glare back at him, her mouth twisted in annoyance that she realized, too late, was plain to see. Aware her nonchalant demeanor had slipped, she piped up, "What's that supposed to mean?" She'd wanted to sound uncaring, maybe even amused, but her self-conscious anxiety tightened her tone.

"I'm just trying to see what MacDougal saw in you," he stated, bluntly, that annoying smirk still flitting over his lips. He shook his head. "Not seein' it."

Ginny, despite still being quite red, merely rolled her eyes.

*A/N: The chapter name is a pun, guys! Get it? :D Cause books are bound! …Yeah, well, it was the best I could come up with. As always; if you have any better ideas, let me know!