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: woo-hoo! it's Friday today, you know what that means? IT'S THE WEEKEND TOMORROW & I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK, yes!!! :::pumps arms rapidly::: so I think I'll have enough time to upload as much chapters as I can this weekend...well, hopefully I can :::winks:::

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VII. Almost Caught in the Act

Colin and Derek both served detention after their scrap at the Three Broomsticks over the weekend. Derek was happy--for a change--about serving detention with Hermione (he thought she would be more lenient than Draco) while Colin ended up with Draco. The two teachers weren't exactly lenient with their punishments to the two students. Indulging in a fist fight with another student was a serious offence that shouldn't be taken lightly.

Draco sent Derek to Filch to do whatever the caretaker seen fit for him to do. Hermione sent Colin to Hagrid to help him out with whatever task/business he had to do in the Forbidden Forest.

Both students weren't happy about the arrangement (Derek was very vocal about it while Colin remained muted in his seat beside the whining Slytherin) and it showed on their faces. Seemed like Hermione and Draco thought it would be best if they give both boys a three-weeknight (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) detention so they will fully understand that brawling was a serious offence.

Ginny felt guilty for what happened to Colin. Not only did he get punched, he also had to serve detention! All week long she did her best to apologize to Colin and tried to make it up to him by offering to do his homework for those three nights he had to be in detention.

"Don't worry about it, Gin. I don't mind serving detention with Hagrid. In fact, it was kinda more fun hanging out with him and learning about all these creatures lurking in the forest," he assured his worried friend when Ginny bargained with him to do his potions assignment during his second night of attending detention. "It's better to be stuck with Hagrid than to be stuck with Filch," he added as an afterthought.

"But I feel so guilty!" she whined, pursing her lips together and sulked in her chair, "It's all Derek's fault!"

"I know, Gin, I know," Colin patted her knee before getting up, "Well, I better report for duty to Hagrid. Don't want to miss tonight's excursion to the Forbidden Forest," he gave her a toothy grin and disappeared through the hole.

Colin's cheery mood over his detention didn't help much in lifting Ginny's mood. She felt really rotten for what happened and wished Derek got points taken off as well for starting the fight.

Finally Friday came, tonight was Colin's final night of serving detention which pretty much lifted Ginny's waning spirit a bit. Ginny decided to linger a while longer after Draco dismissed his class. She wanted to ask him a few questions she wanted answered and he was the only person who could.

Draco was clearing up his desk when he noticed that not all of his students cleared out of his classroom. He lifted his head up and frowned when he saw Ginny was still at her desk.

"Anything I could help you with, Weasley?"

Ginny tapped her fingers on the table for a while and waited two heart beats before replying, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Nice?" he echoed, an eyebrow raised at her question. It certainly wasn't what he had in mind that she would linger around here for after class. "What are you talking about?"

Ginny rose from her seat and walked down the aisle to where his desk was, set diagonally on the right-hand side corner at the front of the room.

"C'mon now, Malfoy, you know what I'm talking about," she chided.

Draco raised an eyebrow. He was doing his best to appear cool and detached, but he couldn't stop his pulse form racing at the very nearness of her. He was doing just fine when she was at the opposite end of the room, now that she was near he couldn't help from inhaling her scent. It was an addicting scent of jasmine wafting through his nostrils; she was just too tempting for his own good.

And she was the reason why he went to Hogsmeade this past weekend. He wouldn't have gone to Hogsmeade if it hadn't been for the hopes of catching a glimpse of Ginny Weasley and watching her without anyone noticing he was doing so.

Suddenly watching Ginny Weasley from afar had become an obsession for him. Since the beginning of this term his mind had been polluted with thoughts of the red haired siren that graced his class every afternoon, sitting at the back and talking to her croonies. Snape mentioned to him her uncanniness at answering his questions in class even though she wasn't paying attention to him. He put that theory to the test just a week ago and was startled to discover that his former potions master was indeed telling the truth. She intrigued him in ways that none of the other girls he had been with ever did. Sure he made her life a living hell along with her brothers and her brother's friends, but after all that was said and done, Ginny Weasley managed to sneak in to his head at the most inopportune time.

The invisible redheaded little girl he often catch dogging after Potter, Granger, and Weasley suddenly blossomed into a very attractive young lady who got all the guys at Hogwarts drooling over her. And after the stunt she pulled Saturday at the Three Broomsticks, her popularity soared to greater heights. He has heard nothing but guys out in the hall or in his class talking about Ginny Weasley and how she gave Derek Boones a good slapping. He was proud of her too when he saw what she did. At least she learned how to stand up for herself, even if Creevey stepped up and defended her.

He never particularly liked Derek, even when they were still housemates. The boy was too full of himself all the time and it was annoying to have him around. He immensely enjoyed Ginny making a fool out of the latest labeled Slytherin heartthrob; at least he had an ally when it comes to making Derek's life a living hell.

He still hated the git for stealing the girl he liked last year, and Derek knew he fancied her...Draco gave his head a mental shake and concentrated on Ginny who was patiently waiting for his reply. Now wasn't the time to think of the 'could have beens' of his past.

"Sorry, Weasley, but I am actually at a loss here," he lied. He knew perfectly well what she was asking about, but he'd be damned if he told her why.

"Aw, come on, Professor. I am not blind nor am I deaf," she chided, crossing the space separating her from the front of his desk. Draco stood on the other side while Ginny on the other. She braced her hands on the edges of the desk and raised an eyebrow, "You hate and despise the Weasleys, you loathe Harry and you most certainly will not, under any circumstances whatsoever, ever socialize with Hermione," she pointed out, watching his face for any indication that would tip her off the reason behind him suddenly acting very un-Draco Malfoy like.

"So?" Draco tried to appear nonchalant.

Ginny leaned forward over his desk, smirking as her brown eyes clashed with his gray ones. "You are not known for favouring Gryffindors nor were you known for befriending Muggle-borns, so what gives?"

"Nothing," he stated firmly, resuming to shuffling some of the parchments cluttering his desktop.

Ginny placed a hand on top of the parchment he was fixing, stopping what he was doing and willed him to look back at her.

"I don't believe you, Malfoy."

Draco looked at the hand she placed on top of the notes he prepared for class, his gray eyes slowly moving up the creamy white skin of her hand to her arm, then his gaze slid over her shoulder before once again resting on her cute, freckled, elfin-like face.

"Just drop it, Weasley. I don't know what you're talking about," he pulled the parchments from underneath her hand and stuffed them in his expensive black leather case.

Ginny pulled her hand back and crossed her arms firmly over her ample-sized chest. Jutting her chin into the air, she looked down her nose at Draco Malfoy. Damn. Why does he have to be so gorgeous and infuriating at the same time? And was that aftershave he was wearing? It had a musky, male scent to it that was permanently making its mark in her nostrils.

Draco pretended to busy himself with filing his notes into his case whilst watching Ginny from the corner of his eye. She was still standing way too close for comfort and he wanted her to step away. Now.

Ginny sensed Draco's discomfort and couldn't help herself from raising an eyebrow. Was she making her Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher uncomfortable? Her forehead knitted into a frown. How?

"Am I scaring you, Professor?" she questioned, an eyebrow raised as she watched Draco close his case and place it down on the desk.

Draco lifted his head and looked at her, "Scare me, Weasley?" he chuckled, "Why ever would I be scared of you?" he tried to sneer, but it lacked its usual effect as he watched the brazen redhead walk around his desk to stand right beside him.

"I don't know exactly, but somehow I get this vibe that you are scared of me, Malfoy," she replied, cocking her head to the side and letting some of her shiny red locks tumble down to the side.

Draco turned and faced her, taking a small step up closer to her until Ginny was left with no choice but to pull her head all the way back so she could meet his gaze. He flattened his hand on top of his case while the other rested on his hip, an eyebrow raised as he held Ginny's brown gaze.

"And what kind of vibes are you getting, Weasley?" he challenged, leaning down until their noses were almost touching.

Ginny took in a deep breath at his bold action. Having him stand this close to her, his lips just mere inches from hers and if she stood on tiptoes she would be able to place hers against his.

Whaaaaat?! a voice at the back of her head shrieked, Ginny dear, you're not really thinking of kissing Draco Malfoy, are you?

But Ginny didn't seemed fazed about where her thoughts led her. In fact she was more intrigued about the prospect of kissing Draco Malfoy just for the heck of it. In all her years at Hogwarts she has heard rumours about him being a good kisser, and if he kissed as good as his tush looked, then she'd believe every damn rumours spread about him from here onwards!

Draco knew he was playing with fire, closing the distance between him and Ginny and having his face hover just a few inches from hers. She smelled deliciously of sin and he'd be damned if his libido took over him and do to her what he had been wanting to do for a long while now. She still hadn't answered him. Does that mean he had the same effect on her as she obviously does to him?

"What kind of vibes, Weasley?" he repeated again, his head moving slowly lower still until his lips was just a breath away from hers.

Ginny's pulse raced even faster. Was he or wasn't he going to kiss her? His lips was oh so temptingly hovering just above hers, his gray eyes fixed on her brown ones. His head was ascending quite a bit fast now and Ginny knew she must do something. She can't be snogging with her professor (even if she wanted to) in a classroom in broad daylight!

"Professor mind if...whoa!"

Both Ginny and Draco sprang apart from each other at the sound of Derek's voice at the doorway of the open classroom door. Draco was the first to look away from Ginny and addressed his unexpected visitor who stood rooted at the doorway.

"Yes, Mr. Boones?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow. He felt Ginny move away from his side and rounded the table to stand on the other side.

"Uh..." Derek's blue eyes darted from the cool and composed face of his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to his red-faced ex-girlfriend then back to his professor once again, "Uhm...I was just wondering if I could ask if I may be excused from tonight's detention because I have to practice with the rest of the team," he tried not to sound bothered by what he just walked in on, but he couldn't help from darting a look back and forth between Draco and Ginny.

"Shouldn't you be asking Professor Granger about that since she's the one who gave you the detention?" Draco questioned.

"I just went to her classroom, but she wasn't there. I don't know where she went so I came back here to talk to you since both you and Gran--er, Professor Granger were aware of my detention," he shrugged.

"I'll talk to Professor Granger then and we'll let you know what she said after dinner," he agreed, "Now is that all?"

Derek was still watching him and Ginny, a gleam in his eyes told Draco his student was formulating some very wild assumptions about what he just walked in to. He didn't like it. Not even one bit. He would have to quash it before it even began, but he wouldn't address Derek about it when Ginny was still around; the girl was embarrassed enough about what almost happened if it hadn't been for Derek walking in when he did.

"Mr. Boones?" Draco called out when the blond Slytherin hadn't given him an answer yet.

"Uh...no, Professor. That's everything. Thanks. I'll just see you after dinner," he nodded and was out of the door in a flash.

Ginny waited until Derek has cleared the doorway before excusing herself from Draco. What the hell was she thinking? No, you weren't thinking, Virginia, that's what, her conscience scolded her.

"I think I better go to, Professor. And just to let you know, Slytherin doesn't have practice tonight. Gryffindor booked the pitch for eight o'clock so we could put in some last-minute practice for tomorrow's game. I think Slytherin's new golden boy just wanted to get out of his last night of detention," she told him before walking back to her desk to grab her book bag.

"Weasley," he called before she could take more than a couple of steps away.

Ginny stopped and looked over her shoulder. She met his eyes and read the question written there. She quirked her upper left lip and shrugged, "Nothing happened, Malfoy. What Derek saw and what he had concocted in his mind was far from what actually happened."

"But that won't stop him from telling others about it," he pointed out.

"So? It's not as if I haven't been the butt of every other rumour that circulated around Hogwarts since my unforgettable first-year stunt with Tom Riddle's diary."

Draco made a sour face at her. He remembered that awful experience of hers back in his second year. His father sneakily stuffed that blasted diary along with the rest of her belonging during that unforgettable encounter at Flourish and Blotts. She nearly died because of what his damn father did. He couldn't forgive Lucius for what he did, but that was all in the past now and Ginny was still alive and safe standing before him. She also grew up after that. She was meek and quiet a couple of years after that, but after his fifth year he noticed the considerable change in the youngest Weasley offspring.

"But if those rumours circulated...it's not really proper for a student and teacher to be caught kissing in a classroom, you know?" he pointed out with a smirk.

"Then talk to the headmaster and explain to him exactly what happened. I'm sure he'll be more understanding if you came clean to him," she suggested and without waiting for him to add more, she quickly walked towards her desk, scooped up her bag and walked out the door.

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A/N: okay...well, I meant to post this up by Friday afternoon, but a lot happened yesterday (my sister called me up and asked me to pick her up from school because she wasn't feeling well then by the time I got home I was too tired and fell asleep--didn't wake up until like 10pm!!!). anyway, i almost couldn't go on with this chapter because i was caught between writer's block and the idea for the next chapter--i couldn't think of what to write for this chapter and i needed to get it out before i start on the next chapter. anyways, like what i said in my previous notes, suggestions/comments are always welcome, so please feel free to let me know--honestly--what you think, aight? thanks!

Faltering Hues: oohh...he mite not make it back alive? :::wonders::: whacha gonna do to Derek then? kill him? make him your slave or what? and don't worry, i'll talk to Draco and ask him if he wants to go vacation with you or with me and you'll know the answer next time :::winks:::

meg: oooh...sexual tension that's not for the dirty mind?! :::laughs::: uhm...was there enough sexual tension here???

Miss Marauder: yep, i think it's high time Colin gets to be a man and stand up for his friends and stuff :::winks:::

Jade Stellar: i can't wait for a good snog between those two as well, but i just don't know when they'll snog

Crystal: Draco's a bit nosy? how???

txt-eva: thanks! and yep, since he's out of school now and a teacher he's bound to act differently

SeZzA: i'm having fun writing about him being both fair and still have some of his old self within him...it just wouldn't be all fun if he completely changes...or maybe...it will be fun if he's changed completely...oh i dunno :-/

butterfly kisses: well i'll certainly check it out as soon as i get this posted! :::grins:::

Adria: thanks for liking that part. i loved that scene too and i had it all planned out in my head and was sooo excited to write/type it coz...well, it's kinda gangsta-like, ya know?

DaRkShAdOwS: i'm sorry! you know i'd answer your question if ever i do come across it (which i haven't). i dont recall reading you posting a question in your review. i didn't mean to offend you. see, i'm answering you right now...although i am not addressing your question since i don't know what is it that you asked. again i'm sorry and hope you enjoy this chapter too :::smiles sheepishly:::

MelissaAdams: hehehe, thanks for liking the chappies

kellyanne: ooohhh....a house elf named Draco? uhm...i betcha it's cute then :::laughs::: and of course the Weasleys gotta make a grand entrance! :::winks:::

Jenn: well here's the next chapter. and i enjoyed Draco taking points off Slytherin like he was taking candy from a baby :::laughs::: there's some unknown pleasure to it :::winks:::

Sharlene: yep, you were a bit harsh. but don't hate Derek 'coz he's beautiful :::gags::: okay...i think that was uncalled for *LOL*

Arella Hallo: thank you so much! hehehehe, and yeah, it's nice to have a baddie Draco every once in a while, but it's also fun to write a not-so-baddie-but-still-acts-like-one-every-now-and-then Draco :::winks:::

hasapi: thanks! if you're grinning at the end of last chappie then this story must be going somewhere really good for a change! *lol*

mavis: you can call me either...if my pen name's too long for you then you can just stick to calling/writing Leen :::smiles::: yeah, i almost forgot that Hermione was a teacher too, and sometimes while writing this fic I even forget that Draco's a teacher as well *LOL* Derek's gonna be punished again...and again...and again... *LOL* as for student/teacher relationship...i don't think it's allowed either, but oh well :::grins::: ginny's graduating so i think they can indulge in a bit of an affair, hehehehe

Starry: thanks!

Beccs: thank you! thank you!

karly: i did send you emails, but i keep on getting a message saying your inbox was full :::pouts::: so it doesn't always go through

Dracos gal: *lol* don't worry, i won't be stalking you

Xela: oh please don't envy Ginny! *lol* and i'll try to get as much RUMP-SLAPPING as i can in the next few chappies :::winks:::