Summary: When Ginny boarded the Hogwarts Express on the first of September, she was surprised to come face-to-face with the last person she expected to see back in school. He was still the same prat she remembered from years before, but now he has a much higher authority than ever before: he was this year's new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Ginny wished this was all a dream, but to her dismay she was stuck with him for an entire school year!
Disclaimer: Once again I don't want to go through all the mumbo-jumbo of having to write this out, so I'm saying this now: NOT MINE!!! I keep on forgetting to add this on to this one: MAIN HP CHARACTERS AREN'T MINE, those other names you don't recognize are mine as well as the plot, and also other stuff that you don't recognize, kapish?
Setting: Ginny's in her 7th year; Draco graduated the year before
PhoenixRae's Notes: :::singing::: let me tell you the story about the call that changed my destiny...me and my boys went out just to end a misery.... :::stops and looks at the readers, smiling sheepishly::: HI!!! sorry about that, listening to some BSB tunes they're playing on TV *lol* used to go crazy over boy bands but not anymore...anyways, here's the next chapter. the Weasley boys (minus Bill & Charlie of course) & Harry will be here and...uhm...I think I'm aiming for expanding the pairings and not just focus on Ginny & Draco...oh well, we'll see...we'll just leave that field open for now... :::grins and winks:::
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VII. Don't Mess With Our Girl
Hogsmeade became overpopulated with excited students going in and out of every shop filled with interesting goodies. Ginny joined in with the throngs of students bustling about and buying stuff that catches their fancy. Twyla and Janelle--as well as Colin--were with her while they walked around Hogsmeade.
Hermione told her she would just meet with her at the Three Broomsticks while she enjoy the rest of her day with her friends.
Nearing two-thirty in the afternoon Ginny started for the Three Broomsticks accompanied by her friends. Hermione was already there and saved them a table and seats.
"The boys aren't here yet?" Ginny asked as she slipped into the seat beside Hermione.
"Harry sent me an owl this morning. He said they might be a bit late because Percy's being his usual self again."
"What? He's being his usual stick-in-the-mud self again? What else is new?" Twyla chuckled. She always liked making fun of Percy, but underneath it all they knew--everyone at the table that is--that Twyla had the biggest crush on the nerdy, stuck-up Weasley brother.
Ginny rolled her eyes at Twyla while Janelle and Hermione both snickered. Colin then whipped out his camera and snapped a picture of the girls. He was keeping track of all the happenings that occurred between him and his friends during his years at Hogwarts then file all the pictures in an album to give away to his friends at the end of the school year as a keepsake.
The quartet then filled Hermione on what they'd been doing all morning, showing their purchases and sharing their sweets with her while they waited for the Weasley boys and Harry to arrive. Colin kept on snapping pictures whenever he saw it fit to do so.
The quintet were deep in conversation about next week's first Quidditch match by the time Harry and the Weasleys arrived. Their entrance wasn't a quiet one either. Percy was making a ruckus by scolding one of the twins for pulling another prank on him on their way to Hogsmeade.
Janelle leaned closer to Twyla and whispered, "Ooh, looks like your boyfriend's in a pissy mood. Better go give him a wet one as soon as he sits down," she teased, nudging her friend slightly.
Twyla's ears started to turn red from embarrassment. She shot Janelle a shut-your-yap glare before the rest of her face turned a bright shade of red. Hermione, Ginny, and Janelle guffawed at Twyla's obvious discomfort while Colin took a picture of their tomato-red-faced friend.
Percy stopped scolding Fred when he heard laughter burst from the table they were heading to. Harry, Ron, and George peered over him and Fred to see what was happening.
Twyla, Ginny's curly haired friend, was blushing furiously and was aiming sharp glares at the other four people at the table with her. Hermione was doing her best to not laugh so hard beside Ginny who was full-out laughing so hard at Twyla she had to clutch the side of her stomach. Janelle was trying to move away from Twyla's hitting range, but Colin was blocking her escape.
"Man, and to think they're what? Seventh years already and they're still acting like kids! Jeez!" Fred snorted, shaking his mop of short red hair similar to that of Ginny's as he watched the quintet at the table.
Harry and Ron looked at each other and made a face at Fred's comment. George chuckled from behind Percy while Percy rolled his eyes skyward, an expression on his face saying 'oh brother!' before he smacked his brother on the side of his head.
"Look who's talking. You already graduated two years ago, yet you still act like a six-year-old," he berated before walking towards his sister and her friends.
Ginny stopped laughing when she saw Percy standing behind a beet red Twyla. She knew how mortified her friend would be when she finds out Percy was standing there, and she loved to torment her friends sometimes.
"Hi Perce!" she greeted cheerily, grinning from ear to ear while she watched Twyla's face turn even more redder than before from the corner of her eye, "Gave Freddie a good scoldin'?"
"You know Fred as well as I do, Gin," he said dramatically with an exasperated tone to his voice, "He never listens to anyone. Hi Twyla," he greeted as an afterthought after he sat down beside the Gryffindor Quidditch captain.
"H-hullo, Percy," Twyla stammered, her eyes averted from the direction of the older Weasley brother.
Gales of laughter erupted from the table once again. The rest of the guys walked up to them and took their seats still wondering what was funny, but one look at Twyla's red face and they knew she was the butt of their joke.
Harry squeezed himself between Hermione and Ginny while Ron snapped up the chair on Hermione's other side. The twins made themselves comfortable across from them, with Fred squeezing in between red-faced Twyla and the sniggering Janelle and George squeezed between Janelle and Colin.
"What's so funny?" asked Ron, frowning at Twyla then turning to Hermione for some answers.
Hermione turned and leaned in to whisper to Ron, "Twyla's got a huge crush on your brother and we're having fun teasing her."
Ron's eyes widen and he darted a surprised look at Twyla who then caught his eyes. He gave her a wide, toothy grin before winking, making the poor girl blush even hard (as if she could blush even more so than she already does!).
"Oh, stop it you guys!" she groaned, wanting the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
"Oh be a good sport, Twyla," Fred jabbed her on the side and snickered, "It's just been a while since we made you blush."
"What-ever," she rolled her eyes heavenwards and did her best to ignore the teasing glances Ron was darting at her, Fred's non-stop jabbing and Ginny's foot kicking her from under the table.
Percy ordered them all a mug of Butterbeer and got down to the business of talking about school. Hermione told them how her Arithmancy classes were going and which students of hers reminded her of her friends. Ginny, Twyla, and Janelle then changed the subject to talk about Quidditch and their upcoming match against Slytherin the following weekend.
"You guys will make it, right?" Ginny asked hopefully, looking from Percy down to Fred and George, "I mean, at least one or two of you would be able to come and cheer Gryffindor on, right?"
"Don't worry Gin, I'll make sure to be there to cheer you on," Harry assured her, looping his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
Ginny turned to Harry and smiled up at him, "Thanks, Harry. That means a lot because I'll be under a whole lot of pressure and aside from Hermione, I need at least another close family friend or member of the family cheering with the crowd."
"If Harry's going to be there, Gin, then count me in as well," George assured her while helping himself to some sweets on the table.
Ginny looked at her brother and smiled, "Really? Then that'll be great!" she enthused.
"Aww...isn't this sweet? Ginny Weasley getting cozy with Harry Potter," Derek walked closer to stand behind Harry and Ginny, leering down at the two friends. "Who would've thought that silly Potter will finally notice you, huh?"
It was like a sense of déjá vu that coursed through Harry and Ginny when they heard the sneering remark that came from none other than a Slytherin student. Malfoy pretty much had the same insult whenever he saw Harry and Ginny getting cozy together, but it wasn't Malfoy this time who was hurtling insults at them; it was his copycat, Derek.
Ginny's hands fisted into a tight ball, her brown eyes suddenly ablaze with anger she never thought she'd be able to possess. She was about to mouth-off Derek, but Colin beat her to it. He was on his feet and rounded the table to stand by Derek, shoving the tall Slytherin blond hard on the shoulder.
"Go to hell, Boones, and leave us alone," he ordered.
Derek raised a mocking brown and looked down at Colin (who wasn't really at all that short considering the Gryffindor came up almost at eye-level with the Slytherin). "And who are you to Ginny, Creevey? Her blasted knight in shining armor?" he ridiculed, chortling at his own twisted sense of humour.
"And what if I am, huh? What about it?" Colin challenged.
"Don't make me laugh, Creevey. You ain't worth two shits to go defending poor damsels in distress."
"At least I defend them and have enough sense not to two-time my girlfriend, sneaking off someplace to play tonsil hockey with another girl, and get dumped on the spot by, not one, but both girlfriends!"
Ginny knew Colin went too far by dredging up past history (more like last year's history) in front of Derek. All the students at the pub, who were suddenly paying attention to the confrontation between Derek and Colin, started to laugh at the announcement. They knew Ginny dumped Derek on the spot, but none really knew the reason as to why; there were speculations about there being a third party involved, but none could really prove it unless they stood witness to the event (but the only witnesses were Colin, Janelle, Twyla, and that Ravenclaw girl Derek was smooching with).
"You did what to my sister?!" Ron angrily exclaimed, banging his fisted hand down hard on the table, sending the mugs clattering against the tabletop. Even the other three Weasley brothers glared at the blond Slytherin. They knew Ginny went out with him for a while, but the true nature of them breaking up was never really revealed; Ginny just told them it was due to 'irreconcilable differences'.
Hermione turned and put a hand on Ron's arm, restraining him from getting off his seat.
Derek didn't pay attention to Ron's outburst and in flash his fist connected with Colin's jaw, sending him staggering back into Hermione who caught him. That was the final straw as far as Ginny was concerned and angrily pushed herself off her chair and gave her ex-boyfriend a resounding slap in the face. The entire pub watched the drama unfold as Derek stood there, angrier than ever at first being made fun of in public then having a girl (not just any girl for that matter, but his hellion of an ex-girlfriend!) slap him.
"You bitch," he hissed, rubbing the spot where she slapped him and took a step up towards her, his arm raised to retaliate.
Five chair legs scraped against the floor as the Weasley boys and Harry all got to their feet ready to pounce on Derek if that stupid git lay a hand on Ginny.
"Stop!" Hermione called before the situation got worse. After Colin reassured her he was fine, Hermione set him aside and got up to her feet, standing between Derek, Harry, and Ginny. She motioned for Harry--as well as the brothers--to sit down before addressing Derek.
"You, young man, has caused enough mischief today. Detention for you. See me after dinner tonight to receive your instructions," she said, using her I'm-the-teacher-here-and-you-just-disrespected-me tone of voice of hers.
Derek raised an eyebrow and gave her a funny look, "You're kidding, right?" he mocked.
Hermione crossed her arms firmly over her chest, her chin jutted high into the air and her raised eyebrow almost hit the roof, challenging the aloof Slytherin to contest her authority.
"Creevey started it," he blamed, pointing at Colin who was back in his seat once again.
"But you provoked him, you stupid numbskull," Ginny retorted back.
"Ginny!" Hermione scolded, giving her friend a stern glare before looking back at Derek, "Nevertheless, Mr. Boones, you shouldn't have punched him."
"But...but..." Derek was out of words to say back. Dammit! He got detention--again?! Hell, this wasn't his lucky year.
Draco, who had been sitting in the corner of the pub watching the whole thing unfold, decided to make his presence known when he stepped up behind Derek and addressed Hermione from over the Slytherin's shoulder.
"Professor Granger, I believe it only fair if both boys received detention. Mr. Creevey shouldn't have provoked Mr. Boones, and Mr. Boones shouldn't have retaliated with his fist," he pointed out.
"But Colin was only standing up for Ginny!" argued Hermione.
"Regardless. And to think they had a teacher with them the whole time they were squabbling," Draco's gray eyes turned to tiny slits and slightly turned his head sideways, challenging Hermione for her lack of intervention before the first punch was thrown.
Hermione glared back at Draco for taking a jab at her lack of hindsight over the matter. Granted she was surprised to see quiet and friendly Colin Creevey stand up against a Slytherin that was why she was very slow to intervene.
"Professor, couldn't you just talk her out of giving me detention and just give it to Creevey instead?" Derek pleaded.
Draco raised an eyebrow and looked at the audacious boy standing before him.
"Unless you want points taken off your house as well, Mr. Boones, I suggest you keep your mouth shut," he said sternly.
Derek cast a glare over his shoulder at the snarky professor. He was starting to hate this new Draco Malfoy. What happened to the old Draco Malfoy who graduated from Hogwarts a year ago?
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A/N: well, another chapter finished. i wanted to add more but decided against it. hope you all liked it & don't forget to review. comments/suggestions are all welcome so please don't be shy to share them with me. thanks! oh yeah, and my beta seems to be busy with her schoolwork so i'm the one who's doing the double checking for mistakes in this chapter and the previous one, so if i miss something correcting something that doesn't make sense, i do beg for your pardon! :::grins:::
Neni Potter: well Derek has some 'issues' about him...like some inferiority case or something...or like what you said, he's just an aloof, superficial guy who always wants to come out number one in everything he does...and thanks for the compliment. it's okay whether you take up the challenge or not, it was just for fun that i suggested it since i was asked if i was going to write a sequel to my previous d/g fic. and the romance will soon start between draco & ginny soon enough :::winks:::
xangelcrisisx: Derek's annoying? *lol* uhm...yeah, he could be like that too :::grins:::
Miss Marauder: for some reason i could only picture Ginny as a beater, i dunno why....
AmethystQueen: thank you!
kellyanne: thank you for letting me keep him! and yeah, i thought that part would be funny--well, at least i aimed it to turn out to be funny *lol*
Cheater531: thank you for reviewing and i'm trying to update as often as i can
Arella Hallo: draco's acting way ooc, right? i dunno why i often make him act so ooc...guess i can't really picture him as a total baddie :::winks:::
KeeperOfTheMoon: whoa! can you say/write update even more?! *lol* well, here's the update!
Loves-Kiss: you want more? well here's more! and...uhm...tastier?! hehehehe
Rebecca Gryffindor: *lol* i want to make Derek both dreamy and annoying. and yes, i do have a beta, but like what i already explained on my a/n she gets busy with schoolwork to check and edit out each chapter so i do the honours myself (and sometimes do a bad job at spotting mistakes! *lol*)
Sharlene: oooh...aren't we a bit too mean towards Derek? that was some fate you want him to have! *lol*
Jenn: thanks for reading my fic, and what do you think of it so far?
Angel-Hiragizawa32: *lol* i know what you mean...you love me coz you like the story! *lol* i wouldn't think that you love me in the sick sort of way. thanks for the compliment; i strive hard to make each chapter better than the previous one :::grins:::
mavis: thanks for letting me know. i know i kinda had a feeling it was moving a bit slow, but both Draco and Ginny must work out their respective feelings for each other...and also there was still Derek to consider *lol*
SeZzA: uhm...i'm not sure if it'll take them forever to lock lips (like in my other d/g fic), but you'll find out soon enough if they're going to kiss or not...and whose description did you like? Draco's? Snape's? Derek's? :::laughs like a maniac::: but I'll take a wild stab at this and say Draco's? :::grins and winks:::
