Chapter 12:
"Ginny, what the hell is this all about?" Ron's voice demanded rushing over to the girl, who was still rubbing her eyes tiredly. Having no clue what her brother meant Ginny simply stared at him oddly. "Must you be so cryptic at the hour in the morning?" She asked lifting a brow. He grabbed something out of Collin's hand and shoved it toward her face. "This!"
There right before her eyes was a picture of her and Blaise sitting outside laughing and shoving each other playfully. They looked as though they were the best of friends. Blaise's hair was a mess from the wind and fell across his face, while hers was seemingly perfect in its ponytail. It had been taken a couple days ago when the pair had ventured outside for a tutoring session seeing as the weather was too nice to pass up in the library.
After a while they'd gotten distracted from their work and began telling each other about funny stories about their childhoods. With the stories had come a little playful banter and teasing, which resulted in the goofing off in the picture. It was actually kind of cute. That thought caused a smile to pull slightly at her lips.
"You think this is amusing? Half of Gryffindor has seen this already. You should hear some of the rumors going around, and it's not even breakfast yet!" He explained looking horrified. Rolling her eyes the sixteen year old grabbed the photo and shoved it into her book bag. "Blaise was simply helping me with my school work and we were joking around to relieve some of the stress from the endless amounts of it, end of story." She informed him before pushing past and making her way to the portrait hole.
As she passed her housemates a couple spoke to each other in hushed voices while watching her. Not feeling she needed to explain herself to every little gossip in the room she simply stepped around a pair of second years and left the common room. As she walked down the moving staircases she pulled the photo out and glanced at it again. It really was rather nice. Creevey had taken it at a good moment.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs she spotted Blaise leaning against the wall, apparently waiting for her. A couple of third year Gryffindor's began giggling as they walked past him causing Ginny to roll her eyes.
When the young man spotted her a grin covered his handsome face. "Good morning my sparkling ray of sunshine." He said brightly pushing away from the wall and falling into step beside her. The red head wasn't sure if she should laugh or gag at his choice of greeting. "What do you want Zabini?" She asked fighting off a grin.
The young man stepped in front of her and smirked. "I was wondering if you had heard the newest topic of discussion in school?" He questioned as she stopped before him. "Yes I had, and its wonderful little meetings like this that won't help get said rumor to stop." She pointed out as another group of her younger housemates passed.
The girls were whispering amongst each other and the boys gave Zabini looks as though he was someone to be worshipped. The mere thought of Zabini being envied because they were thought to be going out was enough to cause Ginny to roll her eyes once more and push past the young man, heading purposefully to breakfast.
"Hey wait up, what did I do?" The dark haired wizard asked jogging after her. Letting out a groan the girl paused so he could catch up. "You didn't do anything. It's just that, maybe until people find something else to waste their time believing we shouldn't spend to much time together." She said staring at the floor.
She could see Blaise's posture change to an unhappy slouch from it's relaxed position and felt a bit guilty. Unfortunately she hated unwanted attention, and she's gotten more then her fair share during her first year. She wasn't ready for the whispers and looks that she would now get just because of a friendship that people assumed was more.
"You shouldn't let other peoples opinions get to you so much Ginny." He seemed ready to say more when suddenly a red blur flew past the girl at him and shoved him against the nearest wall. "Ron!" The girl yelled knowing it was her brother immediately.
The young man had Blaise pinned and was glaring at him coldly. Surprisingly the Slytherin didn't seem to worry about the situation and was staring at the youngest Weasley male calmly. "Morning Weasley." He said with a small smile, which only seemed to infuriate the Gryffindor more.
"You stay the hell away from my sister Zabini, or so help me I'll kill you." He growled causing Ginny to ball her fists. Ignoring the growing group of students she rushed forward and grabbed her brother by the back of the shirt, jerking him away from the other young man. "And so help me Ronald Weasley if you ever do that to one of my friends again I'll do worse then that!" She warned narrowing her eyes at her brother.
Her actions seem to stun everyone. Even Blaise couldn't hide his shock at the seriousness in her voice. With strength no one would have thought she possessed she shoved him backwards, where he was stopped from hitting the hard ground by Harry's quick reflexes as he and Hermione arrived at the scene.
Not waiting to see or hear anyone' response she stormed off pushing through the other students and continued on her original path to the Great Hall. It wasn't until she had reached the doors that she realized someone was following her. Stopping she looked over her shoulder to see Blaise a short ways behind her.
Taking a deep breath she ignored the other students entering through the big double doors and walked over to him. "Look I'm sorry for what my brother did, but that's a good example for why we should probably just keep our distance from one another for now." She said biting her lip.
Blaise lifted a brow. "Don't tell me it's because you're scared what your brother might do to me." He said scoffing. "No, I'm sure you could take him with a arm behind your back. I just don't want it to come down to that." She admitted sadly.
The truth was, she enjoyed spending time with Blaise. She knew that if they did start avoiding each other now, that it wasn't likely they would go back to their friendship later. At times like this she really hated the fact that there was such hatred between the Slytherin's and Gryffindor's.
Without waiting for another word to be said Ginny turned and entered the Great Hall, just as the Golden Trio came into view. She didn't want to deal with them at the moment, or anyone else for that matter. Sinking onto the bench beside Colin, who looked away guiltily she let a feeling of regret wash over her.
Noticing Blaise walk in she half expected him to look upset or betrayed, instead he seemed as though nothing was wrong as he made his way to the empty spot next to Draco and even smiled at something the blonde said. A part of her was suddenly curious as to what was going on. She felt crushed and Blaise looked completely at ease. Something just didn't seem right.
- - - - -
"Got into a fight with the older Weasley huh?" Draco asked as Blaise sat down, causing the dark haired male to smile at him. "Not really. He pinned me and then our little hellcat over there seemed ready to rip his head off for it." He said taking a drink of his pumpkin juice and casting Ginny a quick glance as her brother took a seat a safe distance across the table from her.
Once everyone had settled into eating Blaise decided it was time to carry out the idea he had hurriedly made when Ginny had said they shouldn't spend time together anymore. Standing up on his bench he amplified his voice and called the attention of the students, while receiving that of the teachers as well.
"I'm sorry to disturb you all from your meal, but I wanted to clear something up before the rumors get to out of hand." He started noticing Professor Snape rise to silence him, only to be halted by Dumbledor. Feeling foolish standing up there, Blaise pressed on. "Ms. Weasley and myself are not in fact a item. She has merely been helping me with my muggle studies work recently. As for the photo that depicts us together I must say that it is simply misleading in appearance. Thank you."
He finished and climbed back down into his seat. Immediately the room erupted in whispers about them not dating and the fact that a Slytherin was willfully taking Muggle Studies. Across the room Ginny was staring at Blaise through wide brown eyes. Shocked by what he had done. He couldn't help but feel the same way.
Next to him Draco was shaking his head. "That was the most pathetic display of ass kissing I have ever seen Zabini." He stated before taking a bite out of his toast and letting the subject drop at that. With a slight chuckle Blaise only hoped that his plan worked. His friendship with Ginny would be completely over with no hope of reconciling if it didn't.
