Temptations

While wandering the corridors that night Ginny pondered on the new information. She was still in two minds about Blaise. Pansy seemed genuinely proud of her match with Ron. She seemed to honestly believe that Blaise could help Ron. The only thing that concerned Ginny was that Blaise himself was now know to her as a drug user. What if he started to supply Ron? He was here to get better not to get work. Not to end up the same way as Blaises brothers. The tears sliding down her face sent her headlong into Draco. 'Hey.' He greeted. He had just been up to the Astronomy Tower, looking for Ginny, making sure she was ok. He didn't know why but he felt it important that someone kept an eye on her. 'What's wrong?' He questioned. 'Ginny?' She fell into his arms and sobbed. Every night she found herself crying, sobbing her heart out until she fell asleep. Draco held her tight, soothing her

Draco didn't know what to make of Ginny. She seemed so weak and pathetic, weeping every night. He didn't know whether to make another aware of the situation. Ginny was clearly distressed. Should he try and get her to talk? 'Ginny.' He coaxed gently. 'Talk to me. Tell me what's going on.' She had calmed down now. Looking up at Draco she asked him a simple question. 'Can I trust Blaise?' 'In what way?' Ginny shrugged, unsure as to whether to let Draco know. 'Ginny.' Draco pressured. 'What's he done? What's between the two of you?' 'Nothing' she quickly objected. 'Pansy said he could help.' 'What with?' Ginny paused. Draco sighed. This talking thing was tough. Why couldn't she just tell him straight? Why did she have to go around the houses to explain anything? He ran his hand through his hair and led her up towards the Tower, hoping that maybe the events of the night before might make her feel more at easy with him. He watched her, staring out over the castle grounds, clearly deep in her thoughts. She jumped when he touched her shoulder, as though she had completely forgotten that he was there. 'Ginny?' 'Ron's ill.' She blurted out. 'Pansy said he could help him.' 'What sort of ill Ginny?' Draco pressed. Her eyes flickered to the ground 'Ginny. Is he in trouble?' She nodded. 'I don't know what else to do.' 'It's ok.' Draco comforted. 'Let's go see Ron shall we?' Ginny nodded again. 'Come on then, wipe your eyes. Ron wont want to see you like this.' He offered her a hankie and led her back down the steps.

Blaise shut his eyes. How had he got himself in this mess? Stupid Pansy and her meddling. This wasn't his mess to be clearing up. He stood up to leave Ron to his moaning and just as he reached the door there came a knocking on it. He tore the door open and in barrelled Ginny, closely followed by Draco. 'Blaise,' Draco started, 'Are you ok?' Without lifting his head, Blaise nodded. Draco shut the door behind himself and took a seat encouraging Blaise to join him. 'This must be tough on you mate.' Blaise just listened. 'I'm here for you,' Draco continued, 'Just like I have been for all these years.' Blaise offered up a weak smile before joining the conversation. 'He's a mess Drake. I don't know what he's been mixing, but he clearly needs to stay away from it all.' 'Are you.' Draco started, unsure how to broach the subject, 'Are you, tempted?' Blaise dropped his gaze again confirming Dracos suspicions. 'Come on man, you're stronger than this, I know you are.' 'I know.' Blaise agreed. 'I know.' 'Let's leave the Weasleys to it shall we. Give them some space.'

Harry was once more down by the lake, staring into the murky depths. How peaceful and still the dark waters seemed. He let the ripples of the gentle waves lap over the tips of his shoes. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear the two Slytherins join him. They stood slightly behind him, watching the raven haired lad. Harry turned, ready to go for his run and nearly jumped out of his skin at the sight of the pair behind him. 'Alright Harry!' Draco greeted. Harry nodded in reply and ran off. 'Shall we?' Draco suggested. Blaise smiled and his best friend. 'Don't let it get to you buddy, you a strong man remember.' Blaise smirked. 'Are you after Ginny?' Draco asked. 'Her or Pansy.' Blaise confirmed. 'Whichever comes first.' 'Just make sure you treat Ginny right ok man. She's not as tough as Pansy.' 'Are you going soft or what?' Blaise laughed. Draco chuckled. 'Maybe I am.' He mused. They watched Harry racing around the quidditch Pitch. When he finally seemed to be tiring the pair climbing back down out of the stands and started to wander up towards the castle. As Harry ran past them Draco called out to him. 'What the hell did you do that for?' 'Helps me sleep.' Harry answered. 'How does that work? Get your blood pumping, wind yourself up, yeah great, fantastic way to get yourself to sleep.' Blaise muttered. 'It wears me out.' Harry finalised, feeling the need to explain himself for some reason. 'Come join me tomorrow and I'll show you.' 'No thanks.' Blaise sneered. 'I don't need nothing to help me sleep.' Draco made eye contact with Blaise, giving him a warning to be quiet. 'I'll come tomorrow.' Draco decided. Harry bid them good night and raced off to the castle.

Once Ron was finally asleep Draco and Ginny left for their own rooms. Blaise waited 10 minutes, just to make sure that they hadn't changed their minds and were coming back before rooting around in his trunk for his little silver snuff box. Pulling it out he tipped a small amount of the white powder out on the mirror he kept tucked within it, cut it into a nice neat little line, one small little sniff and it was gone. Not even enough to tickle the back of his throat. He tipped a much more generous portion out on the mirror. Once he had safely tucked the box away again he allowed himself to lay back on his bed, rubbing his nose, closing his eyes and sighing heavily. He smiled a wonky smile and let his brothers cheer him on. He was once more back in their back garden. He had just completed his first broomstick obstacle course successfully. He fell back into a deep sleep with the smile still on his face.

Ron sat up, sweating profusely and with trembling hands, he riffled through the trunk, emptying the little box, packet after packet, brown lines, white lines, they all blurred into one. And that was how Blaise found him the next morning.