A/N: I'm back! Sorry for the delay, the last couple of weeks of the semester were HELL, no lie. BUT, they are over, and I am now on a three week break! Thank God. So hopefully, there won't be as much of a wait between the next couple of chapters. Anyway, I don't really believe in an out of character Ginny, because her character was never completely defined in the series. So really, when it comes to Ginny, I think you just have to take what you've got and be creative. However, if you think she is out of character, let me know and tell me how to fix it.
Hermione:
Ground! Thank sweet Merlin! If there was no one else around who would think that I had gone absolutely nutters, I would bend over and kiss you! Hermione Granger can do many things, but flying is just not one of them.
Instead of kissing the wet grass like some deranged lunatic, I collapsed in a heap on my back, Fred's broomstick falling out of my grasp in the process and landing a few inches away from me. Harry and Ron landed smoothly next to me, and laughed at my idiocy. Hey, it is not really something that they get to do all too often, so might as well let them enjoy it.
"You know, flying really isn't all that bad," Harry said.
"Speak for yourself, Superman," I bit back, breathing in deeply to calm myself.
"Superman?" Ron asked with bewilderment.
"He's a Muggle comic book hero who is famous for his supernatural ability to fly," I replied. "Anyway, flying is second nature to you two, so of course you don't think it's 'all that bad.' I have a hard enough time keeping my equilibrium on foot, let alone in the air."
"You only don't like it because you can't learn how to do it in a book," Ron laughed.
"Believe me, I've tried," I said, motioning for them to help me up. They each took one of my hands and pulled me into a standing position. "Thanks."
Ron took his and Fred's broomsticks and deposited them in the broom shed, before we trudged back toward his crooked house. You would never think that such a house could be so cherished, but this was my favorite place outside of Hogwarts to be. Harry reached the door first, and held it open so that Ron and I could pass through. We collapsed at the table, where Mrs. Weasley had already set out a pitcher of chilled pumpkin juice and three glasses.
Ginny came bounding down the stairs, a wide smile plastered on her freckled face. She got herself a glass and sat down next to Harry, motioning for him to pass her the pumpkin juice. After filling her own glass, she sighed, as if announcing her already-noted presence.
"Had a nice game?" she asked, before taking a sip from her glass.
"Well, it wasn't much of a game, as we only had three people," Ron said. "Honestly, you could have joined us."
"Mum told me that I was not allowed to leave my room until I finished my school work," Ginny said. "She was a little upset that I had put it off for so long."
"You've finished, then?" I asked.
"Technically, no," she said, glancing around to see if her mother heard. "I just needed a break."
"You'd better hurry up before Mum sees you down here," Ron warned. "She'd have your arse."
"I just have one more essay left," Ginny said, waving her hand nonchalantly. "I'm a little lost on it though. Hermione, do you think you could help me?"
"Of course, Gin," I said, nodding reassuringly. "Just let me finish this glass. You two don't mind, do you?"
"Nah, I think Ron and I can survive without you for a while," Harry joked.
"Fine," I said, pretending to be offended. "You guys can go off and do Merlin-knows-what with your little wands. And I don't mean the wooden ones."
I winked and stood from the table, Ginny following me up the stairs and laughing the entire way.
"That was brilliant! 'Little wands!'" Ginny laughed. "Honestly, I can just picture my brother's red face."
I allowed Ginny to laugh it out for a bit longer, until she finally settled on her bed and pulled out a set of parchment.
"So what's it like living with Blaise?" she asked.
"A little weird, but I'm getting used to it," I said, honestly.
"Are they rich?"
"Ginny!"
"Well, are they? It never hurts to have a rich family."
"Yes, they are quite wealthy, but I don't see how that is relevant."
"Oh, come off it," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "You know as well as I do that it would be a lot worse if they were poor. The extra money is like a cushion, softening your fall."
"I suppose it is nice," I said, unable to hide my smile.
"What about Malfoy? Do you see him a lot?"
"Unfortunately," I sighed.
"I'm jealous."
"Why?"
"Have you seen him?" Ginny said, raising her eyebrows at me. "He's bloody gorgeous! And I apologize if this makes you feel awkward, but Blaise is even better."
"Well, I don't care how he looks, he's still a prat," I said.
"Oh, that's just childish prejudices," Ginny said dismissively. "He'll grow out of it. Now that the war's over, blood really isn't as important anymore and bigotry will get you no where. Once he realizes that, things will change. You know how Malfoy's are, always aiming to please the people in high places. Well, Pureblood mania is no longer attractive to those people, so they won't show it as much. Besides, you are a Pureblood now, so he can't even hold that against you."
"Yes, but that doesn't change the fact that he is an arrogant arse," I said. "He still hates me and misses no opportunity to show it. And believe me, the feeling is mutual."
"If you insist," Ginny said, not quite believing me. "Anway, let's get this done."
We spent about an hour on Ginny's essay, so that by the time we were done the sun had set and my stomach was grumbling.
"I should go, I told Lennie that I was eating here, so I have to get home before she tells the house elves how many to cook for."
"House elves?" Ginny asked, cocking an eyebrow at me.
"I know, and I hate it," I said. "But there isn't much I can do about it now. Maybe, after a while, I can convince Lennie to pay them."
Ginny laughed.
"Hey, I want to see your new place," she said. "Can I come with you?"
She curled her bottom lip and pouted at me, so I rolled my eyes and nodded.
"Great," she said. "Let me just freshen up a bit."
"Who are you trying to impress?" I said, lifting an eyebrow at her.
"Well, since Blaise is your brother, I figured you can take Draco," she said, quite seriously. "I'll take Blaise."
After she had finished we walked out of her room and down the stairs through the surprisingly empty Burrow.
"Where is everyone?" I asked.
"Who knows?" Ginny said. "Ron and Harry probably took your advice and are off professing their love for each other."
"I really don't want to think about that, thanks," I laughed as we stepped out into the warm summer night air. I grabbed her arm and Apparated just outside of the expansive house. Everything was dark and a little eerie, so I quickly ushered her inside. To my surprise, the inside was dark as well. I took out my wand and ignited its tip, using it to guide me into the living room.
"Why is everything so dark?" Ginny asked.
I could only make out her silhouette beside me, so I squinted to see her face. A minute later however, the room lit up and people were jumping out at me and screaming, "Surprise!"
I was so shocked that I jumped backwards and tripped over a step that I had not even noticed was there, falling on my bum and cringing in pain and embarrassment. The room around me was filled with people; the Zabini's, the entire Weasley clan, a couple of my year-mates from Hogwarts, and a few members of the Order. To my great displeasure, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were there, and to my immense pleasure, so were my parents.
On one wall a huge banner was hung, displaying the words "Congratulations, Hermione!" in large, bold letters that changed from red to gold and back again continuously. There were red and gold balloons scattered on the ceiling and streamers everywhere. I smiled as Harry and Ron, for the second time that day, helped me to my feet.
"You're right," Ron said, "absolutely no sense of equilibrium."
"Very funny," I said, as people started hugging me and patting me on the back. I gave my adoptive parents a hug before approaching Lennie and Damon.
"Thanks," I said, giving them each a hug. "This means a lot to me."
"It was our pleasure, Minny," Lennie said. "We are so proud of you; it was the least we could do."
Damon nodded in agreement and I smiled at them, as Blaise came up and hugged me.
"I hope you don't think that no one cares enough to celebrate anymore," Blaise said quietly, leading me away from Lennie and Damon to the couch where everyone was now gathered.
"Damn twin telepathy," I groaned.
"Twin telepathy?" Draco asked, as Blaise and I sat down across from him.
"Never mind, Malfoy," I said.
"Never did, Granger," he retorted.
"Oh, very clever."
"I thought so," he said. "Anyway, congrats. I wonder who Head Boy is?"
"I don't know, Malfoy," I said. "Some incompetent prick with no real friends, I'm sure."
"You told her it was me?!" Malfoy asked, glaring at Blaise incredulously.
"I never said I was talking about you," I said, laughing. "Though, that does clear things up quite a bit."
Blaise laughed, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Fuck off, Mud," he said, sitting back and folding his arms across his well-defined chest, causing the muscles of his forearm to contra— [NOTE TO EDITOR: PLEASE EDIT THIS SENTENCE OUT! I had a momentary lapse of sanity and did NOT mean to say that! Oh, Merlin, WHY am I thinking about his MUSCLES?... Sorry, back to my story.
"Minny?" Blaise said, bringing me out of my trance. "You alright? You look like you just saw Snape naked."
Malfoy burst into a fit of undignified laughter, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.
"I'm fine," I said, shaking my head and sighing.
"Oh, excellent," said Malfoy, who had controlled himself and was now smirking up at Ron and Harry. "Harry Potter's here! Hurry, Potty, the Dementors are going to suck out our souls! Use your wand and think of Weasel's two-inches up your ass to get rid of them for us!"
Three pairs of eyes shot daggers at Malfoy.
"Go find yourself a dog to fuck, Malfoy," Ron said. "I'm sure Pansy will be willing to accommodate you."
"Oh, the Weasel's cranky," Malfoy laughed. "Pothead been holding off on you? A little sexually frustrated?"
"Oh, shut up, the both of you," I said, sending Malfoy a death-glare. "I really don't need you two arguing like immature children. Harry, Ron, please sit down and ignore the prat."
"Well, we actually came over to apologize to Blaise," Harry said, nudging Ron, who merely nodded, still red-faced and glaring at Malfoy. "We're sorry for our attidude towards you, and we hope that you can forgive us."
"Ah, there's the Potter I know," Malfoy said. "Always the bigger man, eh Weasley?"
"Shut up, mate," Blaise said, much to all of our surprise. "Thanks, Potter. It means a lot, and I'm sure you just made Hermione's night."
I smiled and nodded.
"Blaise, I think your dick just shrank," Draco said, mouth still agape in shock. "You're becoming one of them."
"Honestly, Draco, this is not the right time to act like an arse," Blaise said. "We're here to celebrate for Minny, and you acting like a prick to her friends doesn't exactly scream, 'congrats.'"
Malfoy just continued to stare at him as if he had daisies sprouting from his ears.
'Thanks, Blaise,' I thought, smiling at him gratefully as Harry and Ron bid us goodbye. 'Malfoy looks like he wants to light your backside on fire.'
'Don't worry about it,' he shrugged. 'He'll get over it.'
'I just don't get why he has to be such an arse,' I thought, sighing sadly.
'It's just the way he is,' Blaise thought. 'Actually, I think the reason is because he sort of has a thi—'
"'Mione!" came a voice from behind us, interrupting Blaise's thought. Ginny came and sat down next to me, beaming at me and wiggling her eyebrows.
"Hey, Gin," I said. I turned back to Blaise, 'What were you saying?'
'Nevermind,' he thought, eyeing Ginny curiously. 'Introduce me to your friend.'
I raised my eyebrows at him, as Ginny cleared her throat, discreetly nudging my elbow.
"Oh—er—Blaise, this is my friend, Ginny Weasley—"
"Little Red?" Draco said, finally removing his glare from Blaise to look at Ginny.
"No, that's my brother's name, if you get what I'm saying," Ginny smiled, apparently unfazed by the dirty look Malfoy was giving her.
Blaise and I both laughed.
"I like this girl," Blaise said.
"How come she can insult Weasel's size and it's funny, yet when I do it, I get chastised by my best friend?" Malfoy asked incredulously.
"One: because she's his sister," I said. "And two: because you said it maliciously, while she means it purely as a joke."
"And because I'm prettier than you," Ginny added, kissing the air.
"I concur," Blaise said, smiling at Ginny, who blushed and gave him a small smile back, while Malfoy rolled his eyes.
'Minny, do you think you and Draco can give us some privacy?' Blaise asked, still smiling at Ginny.
'And how exactly do you expect me to get Malfoy's stubborn arse to leave?' I asked skeptically.
'I don't know, but I have a feeling he'll leave with you, he looks a little too grossed out to be here without you.'
Looking at Malfoy, it was true that he looked close to throwing up at the exchange between Ginny and Blaise.
'You owe me for this.'
"I'm a bit thirsty, I think I'll go get some punch," I said, smiling at Ginny. "Er-Malfoy, care to join me?"
"Well, considering my only option is being stuck here, by myself, with these two," he said, nodding his head in their direction. "I would love to join you."
I was a bit taken aback by his polite response, but nodded nevertheless and led him to the table that held the punch bowl.
"So, in all honesty, did you know that I was Head Boy?" Malfoy said, in a surprisingly nice tone.
"Yes, Blaise told me three days ago," I answered, "although, I had already suspected as much. Sorry I ruined your surprise."
"You should be, I was looking forward to seeing your face," he said, regaining a bit of his malice. "I'm sure that you are also aware that we will be sharing a common room, does that make you nervous?"
"Yes, I am aware that we will be sharing a common room," I said. "I am also aware that we are each allowed to have up to four pre-approved guests before eight o'clock P.M. on weekdays, and ten o'clock P.M. on weekends. Also on weekends, two pre-approved guests of the same gender may spend the night in our dormitories, and up to three pre-approved guests between the two of us of any gender in the common room. On top of all of this, we supposedly have a twenty-four hour live-in chaperone who only reveals himself or herself to the Headmaster, Deputy Headmistress, the Head Boy and Girl, and their guests, for security reasons. So, the answer to your second question is no, it does not make me in the least bit nervous."
"How'd you find all that out?" Malfoy asked, surprised at my knowledge.
"I've known since my first year," I answered. "I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."
"Shame," he said, "I guess we won't be alone long enough to get you to sleep with me."
A/N (Only because it won't really fit at the end of the chapter and I really, really want to; I promise I will never do another a/n in the middle of a chapter again!): haha, cliffhanger! The world's greatest literary sales pitch! Cliffhangers are like pedestrians: when you are one, you find it amusing to piss off drivers, just because you can; when you are the driver, you want to run over them and yell, "Who's laughing now, bitch?"... ok, read on...
Blaise:
I had to admit, Ginny Weasley has me intrigued. I have never known a girl with such a sense of humor. Besides the fact that she's confident; not arrogant, like Draco, but confident. I have never met any of the other Weasleys, although Fred and George are legendary pranksters, so I'm sure she takes after them. More than Ron, anyway.
"So, you play Quidditch, right?" I asked her.
"Yes, I'm a chaser," she replied. "You don't?"
"Nah, I'm more of a spectator."
"You really are Hermione Granger's twin brother, aren't you?" she laughed.
"No, I'm Hermione Zabini's twin brother," I answered.
"Right," she said, somewhat awkwardly, cheeks flushing in embarassment.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to embarass you," I said.
"No, it's alright, just not used to it, I guess," she smiled.
"Join the club, we have pins," I smiled back.
"I only join clubs with t-shirts," she answered. "So if you don't, then I am afraid I have to refuse."
'Blaise Zabini, you owe me big'
"Oh, no," I sighed.
"What?" Ginny asked, confused.
"I think--" I looked up and saw Hermione glaring at me as she stormed out the door, Malfoy standing by the table holding his face, yet smirking smugly. "Minny."
"You take Malfoy, I got Hermione; judging by the look she gave you, I don't think your her best friend right now," Ginny said, smiling at me and following Hermione out the door.
So, she's smart, too.
See the blue drop down on the bottom left-hand corner of your screen? Well, one of the options is review, and if you press the small rectangular button to the right of that, it will lead you straight to a shiny new blank page where you can write whatever you thought about this chapter. And then, you submit it and just like that, you have just given me an amazing Christmas present and spent $ZERO on it. See, I'm saving you money. :D.
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanuka (sorry if I butchered the spelling of that!), Happy Kwanza (again.. sorry for the spelling), and Happy Holidays!