This was written for the "This is Halloween, This is Halloween, La la la! Challenge" at The DG Forum. Prompt is listed at the end.

Soundtrack: Space Invader – Namie Amuro

The Slutty Banshee and the Muggle

Ginny did not want to be at the Halloween party. She was tired, cranky, not to mention conscious of the fact that her dress was a bit too tight around the stomach. Unlike the Bastard Who Shall Not Be Named, those extra kilograms she had put on were determined to stick to her. It was a shame, as she didn't think she would have felt the urge to strangle unsuspecting bystanders had her excess weight run off with a leggy brunette. Alas, such was life.

"You look like you're having fun."

Ginny's fingers tightened around her glass. That voice. Gods, anyone but him. Draco Malfoy was irritating on the best of days; he was like a personal demon of torture in her current mood. She closed her eyes and counted to five in the hopes that he would disappear, but when she opened her eyes again the blond was still standing in front of her. He was also smirking. The git.

"What do you want?" she asked sourly.

She had no desire to make small talk with Draco Malfoy, nor did she see why she should have to just because their friends were dating. Unfortunately, said blond had never shared her sentiments.

"I just wanted to talk to you," Draco said in mock-offended tones. "Is that a crime?"

"It should be," Ginny muttered, and then looked him over from head to foot. Her eyebrow vanished into her hairline. "You do realise this is a costume party, right?"

Draco glanced down at his charcoal pants and blue, button-down shirt. "I am wearing a costume."

Ginny let out a snort. "Really?"

"Sure." He spread his arms to show off his outfit. "I'm dressed as a Muggle. They're terrifyingly boring."

Her lips twitched, but she managed to stop the smile from forming before it could betray her. "You are such a git," she said instead.

Draco just shrugged. "We can't all be saints." He took a sip of his drink, allowing his gaze to skim over her appearance. "So, what are you supposed to be?"

"Can't you tell?" She placed her hand on her waist and popped her hip out in an exaggerated pose. "I'm a slutty banshee."

"Ahh," he said with an appreciative glint in his eyes. "A slutty banshee."

"Apparently, it's the only way to dress at these things," Ginny said dryly. "Anita wouldn't let me leave the flat until I was dressed to her satisfaction. Thus, you have this—"

She threw her hand out, gesturing to the way her boobs were popping out of her outfit. The dress itself was made of grey, silky material, wrapping around her like a bandage before stopping partway down her thigh and trailing into thin, raggedy strips. Combined with heels and a long, white wig, she probably would have stood out if the party wasn't full of many other "slutty" variations of creatures. Luna, bless her soul, appeared to be the only person who had come dressed in a realistic outfit. Though since Luna had also chosen to dress as what Ginny could only guess was a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, it was doubtful that people were going to award the naturalist any respect points.

"Well," Draco said, after giving Ginny another once-over, "I think you make a great slutty banshee. You already have the hellish screeching down pat, and at least now the view is improved. Who knew you were hiding such assets under those bulky Quidditch robes of yours?"

Ginny swatted him on the arm. "Shut up, Malfoy."

He just chuckled, and damn it if that git didn't look frustratingly attractive while he did it. Draco could be such an arse, but there was no denying he could also be very charming when he made the effort. That smile, for one, was a killer. She felt the jolt of it right to her toes, as if a shock of hormones had just exploded inside her with a big neon sign spelling 'ATTRACTIVE MAN ALERT'. If she was less sober and hadn't sworn to herself that she would hate Draco forever, she probably would have done something stupid, like attempt to flirt with him. As it was, Ginny just twisted her lips and pointedly looked the other way. No way was she going to let a Malfoy breach her fortifications. Though, now that she thought about it, this was the first time she'd even looked twice at a man since the Bastard Who Shall Not Be Named stomped on her heart. Ugh. But why did it have to be a git like Malfoy?

Ginny took a peek at the blond and saw that he had propped himself against the wall and was watching her in a very amused way. A flush warmed her cheeks. Had he guessed what she had been thinking?

"What are you smiling at?" Ginny demanded.

She felt awkward and confused, and feeling awkward and confused always made her crotchety.

"I just wondered if you were finished with your internal debate," Draco said. "We were having a conversation, after all."

"No, you just decided to come over and pester me," she corrected. "I was quite happy to get drunk here in my corner and think grumpy thoughts until I can leave. I don't need you or your charming smiles."

His eyebrow lifted. "Charming smiles, huh?"

Ginny clamped her mouth shut. That was stupid. He'd probably get ideas now, and that git really didn't need his ego inflated any further. Rather than teasing her about her comment, however, Draco just stepped away from the wall and placed his glass on the table.

"Well, I have a suggestion," he said. "Instead of you getting drunk here alone and plotting revenge against humanity, why don't we get out of here and do something we can both enjoy." He nodded towards the live band. "Pumpkin King's lisp is getting on my nerves, and there's a zombie healer who has been stalking me for most of the night." He turned the full force of his killer smile on her. "I'd much rather spend my time with a slutty banshee."

Ginny felt her cheeks heat. Damn him and his ridiculously sexy smile. There was a very large part of her that wanted to say yes, and that just wouldn't do at all. She frowned at her glass, wondering if she had consumed more alcohol than she had realised. There was no other rational explanation for why she had a sudden predilection to spend time with Draco Malfoy of all people.

Even if he was attractive.

And funny (when he wasn't being a git!).

And actually managed to make her stop feeling self-conscious about her weight or consumed with rage because of the Bastard Who Shall Not Be Named.

Ah, screw it. It was Halloween, she was a little tipsy, and Draco wasn't terrible company. Even she could admit that in her more honest moments.

"Fine," she said, "but don't think this means we're friends. You're just the lesser of the two evils."

"Perish the thought!" Draco exclaimed, placing his hand dramatically against his heart.

Ginny felt her lips twitch again. She chose not to dwell on why her smile lingered for the rest of the night.

Prompt: A Halloween activity (Trick or Treating, bobbing for apples, costume contest, a party, a festival, etc.)

Bonus Points:Reference to the Pumpkin King (especially if Draco is the Pumpkin King), bats, ghosts, a haunted house

Length: 400 word minimum, no max.

Rating:Any

Deadline:October 31st, 2015

Disclaimer: This one-shot is a big pile of writing blah that resulted from not enough sleep and too much sugar. It is completely unedited, so I apologise if it makes no sense, is riddled with typos, or just sucks in general. Still, I do hope you got some enjoyment out of it.

And now I need sleep.