Chapter 4

A few days after their contest in the library, Ginny was leaning back against the large tree by the lake as she waited for Blaise. A chilly winter breeze toyed with her hair and she reflexively pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, silently wishing spring would come a little faster. Just as she was beginning to grow impatient, she saw the Slytherin briskly walking towards her, a wide grin plastered on his face.

She naturally returned the expression. "What are you so happy about?" she wondered teasingly. He didn't answer, but instead stopped directly in front of her and dropped his bag on the grass, his lips still curled in a smile. When she opened her mouth to ask what he was doing, the words were abruptly cut off by a yelp as he swept her up into a warm hug, her feet rising off the ground. "Blaise! Put me down!" she cried, trying to sound angry, but betrayed by the laughter that crept into her voice. He spun her around once before placing her back on her feet.

"What was that-?"

"I passed my exam!" he blurted out with poorly contained excitement. Her face lit up almost immediately.

"You did?" His head bobbed up and down. "That's brilliant!" she continued with a smile. "What was your score?"

"An Acceptable," he shrugged, though his attitude was still elated. "Could be better, but it's still passing."

"Well, we'll just have to make sure you get an Exceeds Expectations next time, won't we?" Ginny quipped brightly. "What d'ya want to work on?"

"Nothing."

She rolled her eyes. "You and I both know that, but if you want to keep improving-"
"That's not what I meant," he chuckled, picking up his own bag before reaching down to grab hers. Slinging it over his shoulder, he clarified, "I don't want to study anything today. We should do something to celebrate."

"What are you planning?" she inquired as her lips quirked at the corners, the already setting sun lighting up her curious brown eyes.

His lips formed a broad smile. "Well, it nearly dinner time…"

"A good observation," she nodded with a growing smirk, just waiting for him to get to the point.

"So, I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me on a little picnic." Her eyes widened a fraction with surprised before they glinted mischievously.

"Why, Blaise, that sounds quite romantic," she teased. "Just imagine what people will say about us."

"Oh, I don't think it'd be that remarkable," he replied, a slightly amused undertone to his voice. "After all, it's not so unusual for two incredibly good-looking people to be attracted to each other." He glanced at her and grinned when he saw a faint pink on her cheeks. She tried to hide the blush by quickly turning away.

"Well, I guess it'd be all right then," she uttered, turning back to face him. However, the smile that had been on her lips a moment before was replaced with a look of confusion when she saw the picnic basket in his hand. "...Where did that come from?"

"The kitchens..."

A soft laugh escaped her lips as she replied with, "You didn't have it before."

"Well, there's this thing called magic that I'm sure you've heard about," Blaise explained facetiously, twirling his wand with a grin. She gave him a playful push, which only caused him to chortle. "So, I don't know about you, but I'm famished."

"Are we setting up here then?"

"Nope. The view is much better if you head up the hill a little," he answered cheerfully as he pointed to a spot closer to the castle.

"View of what?" she wondered with a furrowed brow as they began walking. He glanced back over his shoulder with a smile.

"The sunset, the grounds in general. Take your pick." Once they had reached the designated spot, Blaise dropped his bag and plopped down on the soft grass. She situated herself beside him as he pulled out a plate and handed it to her. When he saw the pensive expression on her face, he asked, "What're you thinking about?"

"Why are you being so nice?" she responded bluntly. He stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Hey, I'm serious!"

"Is that really what's bothering you?" he drawled, skeptical.

"Yes! It's... weird," Ginny explained lamely, glancing away. "I can't figure you out."

"Well, I don't really understand you either." He finished putting some food on his plate before taking a bite and chewing thoughtfully. After swallowing, he added, "Does it really matter?"

A dissatisfied frown made its way to her lips. "Doesn't it? I mean, when it all comes down to it, you're a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor."

"And your point is…?"

After gazing at him for a moment with an unreadable emotion in her eyes, she murmured, "Whose side are you on?"

He was befuddled to say the least. "Pardon?"

"...The war against Voldemort." Ginny diverted her eyes to the rich colors that decorated the sky, determined not to look at the boy beside her. "I know you're friends with Malfoy, and after what he did last year..."

Blaise exhaled wearily, placing his dish down on the picnic basket and turning to face her. "You can just say it you know," he said monotonously, a tone that she promptly decided he should never use again. "I think it's obvious you don't trust me."

"It's not that," she insisted, slightly startled by his words.

"Then what is it?"

She bit her lip as she tried to think of a good way to phrase it. "I just want to know... When the final battle comes around, who are you going to fight for?"

"You're not going to be happy with my answer," he warned her as he fought back a smirk. She sighed, preparing herself for the worst when he said, "I don't really care who wins. I'd prefer not to fight at all to be honest."

Ginny's eyes widened with shock. "You mean you're not going to fight with the Death Eaters?"

"Now, why would you think that?" he inquired with a cheeky grin. Her lips formed a relieved smile as she spooned some mashed potatoes on her plate.

"Oh, no particular reason."

Two nights later, Ginny trudged along the path to the Gryffindor Common Room. After dinner, she had gone directly to the library to get her Transfiguration essay done so she could enjoy a homework free weekend, but had only managed to make a small dent in the long paper after hours of diligent work. Resolving to finish it up the following morning, she decided it would be better just to head up to the Common Room, as Madam Pince probably would have kicked her out of the library soon anyway.

As she entered through the portrait hole, she was glad to see that the room was nearly empty; Seamus was chatting merrily with Liete Katrae, while Neville had a Herbology book resting in his lap as he sat in one of the cushy armchairs. She walked over and flopped down in the other chair, her eyes closing as she reveled in the warmth of the fire. Neville looked up from his book with a smile.

"Hey Ginny. I didn't think you'd be back for a while."

"I can only take so much homework," she replied, opening her eyes as she returned his friendly expression. "Were you waiting for me?"

"Not really, but I have been meaning to talk to you about something," he started, closing his book. "You've been hanging around Zabini an awful lot lately."

"I've been tutoring him, that's all," she informed him casually.

"But still, it seems like you two have gotten really... close." Ginny chuckled softly.

"Neville, you don't have to worry about me. Honestly, I can take care of myself," she insisted.

The boy laughed. "I know that, but Slytherins? It seems a bit risky to get involved with them."

"He's really not a bad guy..." she said, glancing at the fire. "I mean, he's not like Malfoy or anything."

Neville stood up and offered her a weak smile. "I believe you, but it doesn't hurt to be careful."

"I know." She waved slightly as he headed for the boy's dormitories before slumping back once more and allowing her eyes to flutter closed.

The following morning found Ginny situated at a table in the library, a quill in hand as she continued the daunting task of finishing her essay while she waited for a certain Slytherin to show up for their scheduled tutoring session. When a dull shadow cast itself over her paper, she opened her mouth to scold the boy for being late, but rather than meeting playful brown eyes, her gaze met cool grey ones. Her own eyes narrowed reflexively.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" she interrogated, her voice as calm and collected as she could make it.

"I wasn't aware that one needed a reason to be in the library," he countered.

"That's not what I meant, you prat," she snapped back, rotating slightly at the waist to face him. "I want to know why you're disturbing me with your oh-so-wonderful presence," she continued with a sickeningly sweet smile, sarcasm dripping from her words.

He raised an eyebrow at her behavior as a smirk formed on his lips. "It's about time. I was afraid you'd never learn that some people are just more superior than others."

"Malfoy..." she hissed dangerously, watching him with irritation as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I have a lot of work to do, so you'd better have something to say to me or you might find yourself stuck as the 'Amazing Bouncing Ferret' for the rest of your life."

"Clearly someone didn't get enough sleep last night," he commented before eying her hair that was tossed into a messy ponytail. "Or take time to make themselves look presentable."

Ginny bit her lip as she fought back the strong urge to hex the blonde boy till he couldn't walk straight. "I swear, if you don't get out of here-"

"Blaise sent me to tell you he couldn't make it."

She stared at him for a moment before spitting out through gritted teeth, "You couldn't just tell me that in the first place?"

"I would have, but it's much too fun to bug the hell out of you," he answered with a hint of amusement. "Especially since you make it so easy to do so." Before she could come up with a retort, he flashed her one last smirk before turning on his heel and exiting the library.

By Monday evening, Blaise had completely recovered from the fever that had prevented him from meeting with Ginny two days before and the two were comfortably positioned at a library table while going over Memory charms.

"One incantation is Obliviate," the petite girl explained as she pointed to a section in the text that demonstrated the wand motions, "which can be used to erase certain memories." Blaise nodded lazily, his chin resting in the palm of one hand as he tried to stay focused.

"And then, this spell-"

"You may want to get your facts straight before moving on to a different spell," a voice noted snidely. Ginny and Blaise both glancing over to see Malfoy standing there, sending her a disapproving look before turning his attention to his friend. "Honestly, she's the best tutor you could find?"

Blaise straightened his back before sending Draco an impish grin. "If I remember correctly, it was you who suggested her." The girl whirled around to face the blonde, a look of shock and utter bewilderment on her face.

"You what?"

"I don't believe anyone was speaking to you, Weaslette," he sneered in return. Blaise snorted, noticing the mildly defensive tone the other Slytherin's voice had taken on.

Ginny's eyes narrowed before she turned up her nose and muttered, "Sod off, Malfoy."

"As tempting as it sounds to get away from your Muggle-loving filth," he began airily before shooting a glare at Blaise, "I need to speak with this prat you're sitting with." Said boy simply leaned back on the rear legs of his chair as he smiled back innocently.

"Surely it can wait till later, Draco."

He opened his mouth to spit out a scathing remark, but Ginny spoke first. "Yes, Malfoy. I thought daddy dearest would have taught you better than to barge in on other people's conversations," she stated smugly before propping a book up in front of her. "As I was saying-" A second later, the book was snatched from her grasp and slammed shut on the table. She looked furiously, only to meet the Slytherin's equally livid gaze.

"I would advise you not to make such insolent remarks," he growled under his breath, his eyes flashing. "You never know what could happen."

Blaise rolled his eyes before standing up and pulling Draco away from the red-headed girl. Dropping his hand from his mate's shoulder, he shoved his hands in his pocket and sighed. "I apologize, Ginny. I'll be back as soon as I see what he wants." The two boys moved a little ways a way and turned behind a bookshelf before Draco spun around to face him.

"Where the hell is my paper?"

Blaise shrugged, a passive look on his face. "I don't know what you're talking about." The other boy's eyes narrowed as he obviously tried to keep his calm.

"The Charms one that I let you borrow to check your work. The one that I never got back even though we had Charms earlier this morning," he told him slowly, his voice quivering with suppressed anger.

"Oh... That one," Blaise mumbled. "I kinda lost it," he admitted, though he didn't seem too upset.

"You lost it?" Draco repeated icily. "Do you realize how much missing that assignment will affect my grade? Not to mention I have two nights of detention."

"Look, I'll make it up to you somehow, all right?" Blaise assured him. The blonde clenched his teeth as he repressed another irate response.

"...Fine," he grumbled, pushing past Blaise as he headed back to the table. Ginny glanced up at him with a curious look before her eyes widened with astonishment as he sat down at their table.

"...What are you doing?"

"My homework," he replied curtly as Blaise took also sat back down. "This is the only table that's not occupied by Hufflepuffs, and I'd rather sit here than with them," he continued coldly.

"Ignore him," Blaise murmured as he shifted his attention to the girl beside him. With a quick smile he said, "Anyway, where were you?"

"Umm... Memory charms." She reopened the book and placed it between them. "Like I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," she shot a look in Malfoy's direction, "Obliviate is used to erase certain memories. To cast it-"

"You can also alter memories using Obliviate," Draco interjected. She pursued her lips and looked up from the book. He simply smirked back and added, "As I said, Weasley, keep your facts straight." Sighing, she returned to her tutoring and reminded herself to pay a little more attention to the text in front of her.

A/N - As usual, please review! : ) I love hearing about what you guys like (or don't like) and any questions that you have. I really appreciate it : ) See you next chapter!

-Twilight-Songstress