"If this hurts you, well I'm sorry. But love is not a game, especially when feigned, and a friend becomes a fiend, when the lies remain unseen. He's using you."

"So, my dark horse of a friend, how's life in paradise?" Blaise glanced up fleetingly from his notes, the scratching of his quill barely audible over the mumbling voices of the other students. His sharp gaze grazed Malfoy's affected look of curiosity, before dropping once more to the parchment before him.

"Wonderful," He replied, dipping the nib into the inkwell and steeling himself for a caustic remark in reply.

"I'm glad," The apparent sincerity in Malfoy's tone surprised Blaise, and he looked up once more to meet Malfoy's eyes. "After all, it is about time you dated someone."

"Thank you for your concern in the matter,"

"I'm serious,"

Blaise snorted, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement, "And what about you? It's been what, a week? Don't tell me the Casanova of Hogwarts is losing his touch?"

"Far from it, far from it. I'm merely biding my time for a prize worth waiting for."

"Oh?" Blaise returned to his work, "Anyone I know?"

"Maybe," Malfoy threw both his legs over the arm of his chair, idly contemplating a loose thread on his sleeve, "Then again, maybe not." With his head bent over his notes, Blaise missed Malfoy's thin cold smile. "So, how far have you gone with her?"

"Why would I discuss that with you?"

"Charming. I thought we were friends Zabini."

A low chuckle emanated from the seemingly studious Blaise.

"I'm wounded," Malfoy pouted, before rising in one fluid movement from the embrace of the chair.

"Where are you going?"

"Fun as this is, I have to send an owl,"

"Ok, see you at dinner yeah?"

"Sure, see you then."

"Good evening Ginerva,"

The smooth voice sent a shiver up Ginny's spine, as she turned slowly from the book shelf to see Malfoy leaning casually against the back of a chair, the soft library lamp light making his eyes brighter, and more piercing.

"Yes?" Her curt tone rang out in the quiet room. He strolled forward, both hands in his pockets.

"I just wanted to see you," The softness of his voice surprised her.

"Right," Unsure of how to react to this, Ginny turned back to the bookshelves. She realised her mistake when he sidled up behind her, close enough that the hairs on the back of her neck lifted, but without touching her.

"My offer still stands," He whispered.

"What offer?"

"Ginny, Ginny, Ginny," He tutted, "The offer of me. I must say though, this is the last time I shall ask so nicely,"

"You are so full of yourself Draco," She spat, and twisted away from him before heading for the door.

"Very well," He called after her, "Sooner or later you'll change your mind," It didn't matter, he had his plan. Smiling to himself, Malfoy patted his pocket where the useful little concoction provided by Snape rested. This was going to be fun.

"Where were you?" Hermione asked, as a red faced Ginny slid into her seat.

"Library," She replied shortly, omitting any mention of Malfoy. She wasn't so sure she wanted Hermione with the Slytherin, even if it would make her happier. The thick layer of charm that covered Malfoy was as deadly as the nectar within a Venus Fly Trap, but Hermione was convinced she loved him. Even now, the Gryffindor was gazing over at the Slytherin table, resting her head on one hand as she stared dreamily at a certain profile.

Ginny sighed, she would have liked to have told her friend about Malfoy pursuing her, but considering the circumstances it was hardly tactful, and would have sounded boastful and callous. She needed someone to help her decide what to do, but obviously Blaise was ruled out. She didn't think he even knew, or at least believed Malfoy when he had said he wasn't interested anymore.

Having suddenly lost her appetite, Ginny pushed away her plate and left the dining hall, and so missed Malfoy's slow wink at Hermione, and the subsequent blushing. Had she seen, she may have been more prepared for what happened next.

The usual flurry of owls flocked over the heads of the students next morning, and Ginny paid little attention to the sleek school owl that landed beside her plate, save to glance at the name on the envelope and push it across the table to Hermione, whilst saying through a mouthful of toast, "It's for you 'Mione."

"How strange, why would someone send me a letter from within the school?"

Ginny shrugged, "Only one way to find out,"

Hermione frowned as she pulled the owl towards her, and unpicked the strap binding the little envelope to its leg. Both girls watched the owl wing its way back to the owlery, puzzled, before Hermione cut open the envelope with her knife, and pulled out the scrap of parchment. She scanned it, her colour rising as a slow smile lit her face.

She handed Ginny the letter without speaking, her hand shaking with excitement.

My Dearest Hermione,

I could not let another day pass without attempting to speak to you. I realise that our kiss meant little to you, and that due to your radiant beauty you must have much similar attention directed your way. But I cannot rest without at least attempting to express my feelings for you. My own words seem wholly inadequate, so allow me to borrow some from a highly talented muggle writer. "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." Please, if there is the slightest hope that you may by some miracle feel the same; meet me this morning after breakfast. I will wait for you by the lake, forever if need be.

Your devoted servant,

Draco Malfoy

The letter was top class over the top bullshit, and Ginny could not help but snort as she read it. But the effect upon Hermione was profound. Her eyes sparkled with uncontained joy as she threw her things in her bag and stood up, snatching the letter back from Ginny as she did so.

"Where are you going?" Ginny asked, appalled at the change Malfoy's sugared lies had wrought in her friend.

"Where do you think I'm going?"

"No, Hermione, don't fall for it!"

"Fall for what? He really likes me, it says here!" Hermione dangled the parchment in front of Ginny's face.

"You really believe that? Why has he left it all this time to speak to you then? Why go through phases of ignoring you if he really cares?"

"It's all explained here!" Hermione was clearly running out of patience.

"It's a letter!" Ginny practically howled, "It doesn't mean anything! It doesn't make every word true purely by dint of being written down!"

"I don't have time for this." Hermione turned and walked towards the doors. Ginny watched her walk away, completely overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness. How could she tell Hermione that Draco didn't really care? The cruelty of Malfoy dawned on Ginny, as she realised how far he would go, to the extent of using one of her best friends, who he had long been aware liked him, to make her jealous.

Tears welled up in her eyes, as she left the hall, the outline of the staircase before her blurring, and weaving through her vision.

Hermione was walking into a web of tangled feelings, and she couldn't do anything to help her.