ADWD

Ginny Weasley watched tentatively as Hermione paced back and forth in front of the torn carmine couch that rested in front of the large fireplace in the Gryffindor Common room. Beside her sat Harry, his short raven locks as messy as ever and emerald eyes distant as he stared into the warm flames, unaware of how dangerously close his fingers were to the youngest Weasley's. Ron was nowhere to be seen and the silence, save for Hermione's footsteps and the soft crackle of flames, was dreadful. Though, it wasn't long before it was broken.

A chorus of muffled yells and fast footsteps quickly approached the portrait entrance of the tower, all 3 heads and all 6 eyes turned towards the swiftly approaching noise. The entrance burst open and the rest of the Gryffindor House came pouring in, bringing their chorus of voices with them.

" Harry!!," the loud synchronized bellow that came from her two older brothers, almost sent Ginny flying off the couch. She growled in annoyance.

" Do you two ever shut up?," the beautiful Ginger asked sarcastically. But of course Fred and George didn't answer, they had learned to ignore their little sister's attitude as soon as she turned 5.

" How'd you do it Harry?" Fred asked excitedly while draping a Gryffindor flag around Harry's shoulders with unnecessary enthusiasm as George grinned wildly beside him.

Ginny watched in growing irritation as everyone began to crowd around the young savior. Harry looked up at her, his eyes pleading for an exit out of the situation he was in. She stared back apologetically, truly not knowing what to do.

Harry shook his head and carefully took off the Gryffindor merchandise that was placed around his bony shoulders," I didn't do anything, I don't know what happened." the young boy looked at what seemed like a sea of people, silently praying for them to understand.

" Bah, no need to be so modest Harry—" George started before being quickly cut off by his twin brother: " You hadn't even told us you entered—"

" Merlin Harry you should've seen their faces, the big reveal shocked the lot of em didn't it", Seamus snickered, receiving a wave of nodding heads in agreement.

" Come celebrate with us Harry, you have to tell us—"

" I'm not really in the mood to—"

No one wanted to listen to him, and Ginny's ears bled as she listened to her housemates prey upon Harry, taking his anxiety into no consideration. Her heart rate spiked in anger at her friends for not being understanding, of course Harry hadn't put his name in the goblet...right?

" I think we all need to settle down and give Harry a break—" she attempted to calm the growing crowd, yet her efforts were drowned out by the echo of a hundred voices bouncing off the walls of her beloved common room. The ginger frowned and opened her mouth once again—

" ENOUGH! CAN'T YOU ALL SEE? HARRY WANTS TO BE LEFT ALONE" a voice bellowed, Ginny looked over to see Hermione, face flushed in a shade of red that matched that of the ripest Apple, and twisted to reveal her anger.

For several seconds the only sound in the room was the faint crackle of flames and the rapid huffs of Hermione's measured breathing. Everyone looked upon her, not at all astonished by her temper.

Katie bell was the first to snap out of it, letting out a laugh. " Hermione, didn't you get picked too? I didn't think you had it in you."

Ginny's eyes widened as she suddenly remembered, Hermione was with Malfoy. How could she have forgotten?

Hermione gave Katie a hard glare. " Of course I was picked as well, you were all there weren't you?"

Faces flinched as Hermione's furious eyes scanned the room, while discomfort twirled and twisted around in Ginny's gut.

" Yeah and You're with that snake Malfoy" Everyone turned toward the sudden voice, and the crowd parted to reveal Ronald Weasley.

Shit, Ginny thought.

Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but Ron beat her to it.

" And you," he swiveled around, a skinny,

Pale, finger pointed at Harry." How did you get past the age line? You didn't even think to tell me"

Ron was breathing heavily, his eyes revealing how hurt he felt. Although, Ginny was taken aback by the venom that was entwined within, and by the looks of it, so was everyone else.

" Ron—" Ginny started, fully aware of the crowd that the four of them were currently surrounded by." It's not their fault—"

" Shut up Ginny," he snarled before turning back to Hermione. Fred and George, clearly alarmed by their younger brother's behavior, stepped forward and began to speak.

" That's enough" said George, while Fred cautiously put his hand on Ron's shoulder and steered him away." Alright everyone, shows over."

He waved his hands and sent Harry and Hermione an apologetic glance, the rest of the Gryffindor house seemed to understand and disappointedly dispersed.

Ginny looked over at Harry, he was once again staring into the dying flames. He looked miserable.

" I need some air," he mumbled before suddenly getting up and making his way toward the portrait.

" Harry—" Hermione got up, but took a step back when Harry turned on his heels to face her.

" No 'mione, I need some time alone. Please." Ginny watched as the young witch nodded her head and plopped down on the sofa located in front of her. But by the time she looked back toward the entrance, Harry was gone.

The redhead stared at the spot Harry had been sitting at prior to the drama, and It took her a minute to decide a course of action.

" I'm going after him—" Ginny exclaimed as she stood up and quickly stretched her cramped limbs.

" Gin—" Hermione warned tiredly, zero energy left in her system.

" I'll be fine 'mione," Ginevra reassured her friend, before walking over to her and giving her a kiss on the temple. Just for extra measure.

Hermione shrugged and waved her away dismissively, while Ginny made her way in the same direction as the savior.

" I'll be back," she promised, shoes thunking against the wooden floor of the tower as she made her way toward the fat lady, before disappearing into the corridor ahead.

ADWD

Ginny had been looking for what seemed like hours, he wasn't in the library, he wasn't down by the black lake and he wasn't in the astronomy tower. She huffed in frustration before quickly coming to the conclusion that he took his broom and went flying.

She started to make her way back towards the Gryffindor tower, disappointed with herself for giving up so easily, before realizing she was walking in the wrong direction. She rolled her eyes at herself and turned around to make her way back to the correct corridor.

The muggy air filled her nostrils and seeped into her lungs, causing her to cough significantly while waving her hand in front of her face in an attempt to clear the area around her.

She continued to walk in the direction she had previously turned to before rounding the nearest corner and—

" BOO!"

Ginny shrieked and pulled out her wand, heart racing and stomach spinning every which way. Her face, molded into terror, was met with another person's laughter. Her fear quickly turned into rage, then from rage to annoyance.

" You SCARED me, dammit" the ginger exclaimed before hitting the other occupant's shoulder with her rounded fist.

" Ow," they complained and Ginny smirked in triumph before putting her wand away.

" It's exactly what you deserve," she tilted her chin up, eyes closed and freckled nose in the air. " Scaring me like that." she opened one eye to gaze at the person next to her.

" Sorry," their laughter ceased and Ginny's gaze softened.

" You shouldn't be here." she mumbled as she started to walk down the corridor, the space now filled with the sound of four footsteps instead of two.

"Why not—"

" Zabini..." Ginny warned, cutting off the last part of his sentence.

" Little Red," he replied before being met by Ginny's irritated glance.

" I told you not to call me that," she wined.

" I refuse to acknowledge the fact that you're related to weaslebee," Blaise said airily, waving his hand as if to check his point.

Ginny rolled her eyes and kept walking." And I refuse to believe you're best-friend's with Malfoy." she made a face, mouth twisting to look like she swallowed something unfit for her taste buds.

Blaise laughed and picked up his pace so he could walk right next to her," He's not all that bad you know."

" Neither is Ron" she said.

" Well—"

" Shut up Zabini," Ginny rebuked, turning another corner and narrowly avoiding the spearhead of a knighted armor stand that was set against left wall of the current corridor.

" Don't be rude Ginevra," Blaise choked out as he continued to laugh. Ginny narrowed her eyes, trying her best to act annoyed.

" Don't call me that either," she began to walk faster.

" Little Red it is," Blaise' laughter ceased and the duo walked in comfortable silence. Ginny knew It was risky to walk together so openly, especially in the corridors, where anyone could stumble upon them, but it didn't matter. Not really.

The redhead was the first to break the silence.

" Blaise," She started seriously, as he stopped to stare at her pointedly.

" Yes Ginny?" He asked, black brows furrowed to reveal his worry.

" Have you ever...I don't know, felt obligated to like someone? Love them even, just because it's what others expect of you?" She didn't know why she was asking, truly.

He narrowed his eyes before they softened," Is this about Potter?" He asked.

Ginny looked away."You didn't answer the question." She pointed out, her back planted firmly against the wall as she began to slide down towards the floor. Blaise joined her.

" Neither did you," his challenge was met with silence and little to no eye contact. He sighed.

" It's my job as a rich pure blood Gin," Blaise spoke as she turned around to meet his gaze, his tone somber." I don't get to choose."

" Why not?" She asked, her question was answered with a shrug.

" Life for my social class is like that, you fuck whoever your parents want you to fuck and love whoever they want you to love." He explained before continuing," not that I listen anyway." Ginny rolled her eyes at his shit-eating Grin.

" Sounds Pleasant," she replied sarcastically, Blaise nodded his head in agreement.

" Isn't it?" he let out venomous laugh." You still haven't answered my question" he nudged her affectionately with his arm.

Ginny shrugged her shoulders, gently placing a strand of strawberry hair behind her ear." Why should I? You already know the answer."

She stood up from her place on the floor, and offered her hand to the boy below her. He took it without hesitation as she pulled him toward her. It took a minute for Ginny to realize that their hands were still linked, his palms were so soft.

She snatched her hand away, but didn't notice the look of confusion the older boy sent her.

" We have to go, curfew's almost up." She said, walking back in the direction they both came from.

" Riiiight.." Blaise said slowly, before following his friend down the hallway.

The second they reached the staircase to the Gryffindor tower, Ginny turned to say goodbye. She looked at him, a mischievous glint in her eye.

" Nice walking with you Zabini," she smirked, hand bent and ( what Blaise thought as rather sexy ) placed on her cocked hip.

" And you as well, Little Red." He teased as he watched her turn around and saucily swing her hips as she walked up the steps, giving him one last look and a dazzling smile before disappearing through the portrait entrance.

Fuck, he thought, Grabbing the fairly visible bulge in his pants, willing it to go away.

Well Potter I've got to admit, he started to walk back toward the Slytherin dungeons,

You've caught yourself one hell of a woman.