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: okay, the previous chapter wasn't up to par with my previous ones...writer's block's a real bitch to fight off! maybe this one's gonna suck too...anyways, you peeps decide...

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XIV. Mr. X

Dearest Harry,

Hello, friend. How are things going at the Daily Prophet? Gone to watch another Quidditch game elsewhere? How's George? Is he still a pain to work with? I hope he's behaving. I enjoyed that piece you wrote about Viktor Krum--and I enjoyed George's side comments too. I thought you deleted them? Anyways, if you did then your piece would just be another boring piece of news like whatever else is there in the paper. No wonder a lot of people likes your column a lot--you and George make a good team.

Anyway, I am not writing to you to praise you about your awesome work (as always). Actually I need some advice, and it's not about school. I could've easily gone to Hermione if it had anything to do with school.

I'm having some boy problem. And before you start protesting, it's not Derek. Jeez! Hell will freeze over first before I start mooning over that prick again! I'm sure Hermione updated you already on what nearly happened last week between Derek and Colin, right? I know Mione often keeps you guys posted on the goings-on here in school. In fact she owls you guys more often than I do, and I sincerely apologize for my lack of correspondence.

Anyway, back to the real reason for this letter.

Yeah, like what I already said, I need your advice about...uhm...well, let's just call him Mr. X for now, alright? You see, Mr. X is...uhm...how should I put it? He's a boy here in school. You can say he's sort of a bad boy (he projects that image), but not really. I mean, he was a bad boy before, but now he's changed. I see him everyday and we talked a lot. Heck, on rare occasions we even flirt with each other and treat each other like we've been friends forever when truth be told this year was the only time we really got to know each other.

I saw a change in him soon after the incident with Derek during our first Quidditch game. He was so worried about me and I was touched by it. I mean, here was this guy who gave no care to me none whatsoever during the entire time we've known each other (not really know-know each other, but we've been interacting with each other on and off my whole time here at Hogwarts) and all of a sudden he started fretting over me. Could a leopard change its spots? I think this certain leopard changed his spots, Harry.

Out of all the people I know here at Hogwarts, he was the last person I expected to open up to.

Yes, Harry, you read it right. I opened up to him. I told him stuff that I never told anyone before. Not even you or Hermione knew about it nor any of my brothers. I mean, even though things changed between Mr. X and I, he was still a complete stranger to me, and yet there I was pouring my heart out to him. And you know what he did? Oh goodness, Harry! I couldn't believe it because I never expected someone who was as cold and harsh as him (at least, that was the kind of person I knew him from before) would be so gentle and caring!

I opened up to him, told him things that I kept bottled up inside me, and I broke down in front of him. I just bawled like a baby in front of him and...and...and he comforted me, Harry! He took me in his arms and let me cry myself until I was out of tears. He spoke of some soothing words and some encouraging words. Words of reassurance of some sort, and since that night things between us changed some more. I still hate him at times because there was still some of his old self in him, but when we happen to be alone together and nobody was around to see us...oh, he's just a sweetheart! All flirty and friendly! It's like as if he cares for me, like really cares for me.

When I was still with Derek I never felt any of this with him. Sure I fancied myself in love with that selfish bastard, but Derek never made me feel safe and well cared for like Mr. X. He listens to me.

I know he likes me. Well, I think he likes me and I'm starting to really like him. I'm half scared outta my wits here, Harry. I can't really, completely fall for Mr. X! It'll be for all the wrong reasons, I tell ya. I don't know how serious he is and...he hasn't made his intentions clear yet, but I think he's striving for us to be friends. Why he wanted us to be friends I honestly don't know! He never wanted to be friends with me before, what changed now?

HELP!

I am so confused right now I don't know what to make of things. Should I ignore this forming attraction of mine for Mr. X or should I pursue it? A friendship with him could be pursued, no questions asked about that, but a real commitment type of relationship?

Your ever so confused friend,

Ginny

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My confused Ginny,

George is doing okay. He's still cracking up jokes and pulling some practical jokes on some of our unsuspecting co-workers who are all wanting to strangle him because of all the gags he is pulling on them. I'm doing alright too. Haven't gone out of the country to cover some story yet, but I think we will be sent over somewhere in Europe before the holiday.

Now on to your problem concerning Mr. X (are you sure you can't tell me his real name? I promise I won't squeal). You two never talked to each other until this year? How come? And he's a reformed bad boy, you say? Is he the same year as you or what? C'mon Gin, give me some hints here!

Anyway, I'm not really good in giving out advices. Why don't you try talking this out with Hermione? She's a girl. You're a girl. And this is considered a girl talk subject! But since you came to me for help, I guess I'm bound to help you out.

Alright, so you never felt like whatever it is you're feeling now for Mr. X when you were out with that prick, Boones (honestly Gin, what in the world did you ever see in that prat?!). You said he cares for you? Maybe he does. And no, leopards can't change its spots--as far as I know anyway, but a person can change either for the better or for the worse. If your Mr. X was a former bad boy who was reformed, then I say he changed for the better. But just be careful, Ginny. Just because he started showing a great big deal of interest in you doesn't mean that he won't go back to being the bad boy that he was before.

I hope I am helpful enough. I can't really tell you much since you don't want to reveal Mr. X's identity! It'll be a whole lot helpful if I know who we're talking about here, Gin. But you want to keep this Mr. X a secret...for now. You better tell me who the hell he is once you got everything sorted out.

Your wondering who Mr. X is friend,

Harry

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My wondering friend Harry,

I can't tell you who Mr. X is without worrying that you might flip out once you find out his identity! And thanks for the advice. I'll try and talk to Hermione about Mr. X. I still don't know if she won't flip out once she figure out who I'm talking about.

She's a smart lass, you know? She'll figure it out right away.

Anyway, I'm going to make this short. Lunch is almost over and I just need to send this to you right away before I forget with all these homework and projects assigned to us!

Love ya always,

Ginny

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Dear Ginny,

Me? Flip out? Why? Is Mr. X Draco Malfoy?! Are you out of your freaking mind, girl?! I know he changed this year, but deep down he's still the same Malfoy git who tormented us for the past...oh, for over seven years!

Anyway, I'm hoping against hope that Mr. X is not Malfoy. I think I'll have a heart attack if I find out it was him. But I need to get some lunch so I'll talk to you later.

Your disturbed friend,

Harry

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Dearest Disturbed Harry,

Don't worry too much about Mr. X's identity. No matter how much you bother me I won't spill my Mr. X's identity. And whether or not it was Draco Malfoy, you'd have a heart attack anyway knowing how much you (like all my brothers) hates to see me go out on dates and whatnot!

Anyway, so many things to do right now. I'll do my best to talk to Hermione about Mr. X. I'll keep you posted though on what's going on with me and him. If he's not into a serious commitment type of relationship, then I'll just settle for his friendship. Either way I know I'll get it. Take care of yourself and don't worry your pretty little head off, alright?

Love ya lots,

Ginny

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A/N: after that crappy chapter I wrote and posted last nite, I figured I better stop writing for now, but then this idea of Ginny owling Harry asking for advice popped into my head (after probably toiling with a few other ideas for this next chapter). hope it's enough and this sorta sets a pace for the fic...i think...anyways, i'm warning you now that I am battling writer's block so it might take a while before I post the next chapter again, but I'll keep you posted on when the next chapter will be out. thanks for your reviews!

hasapi: hmm...i'm guessing that i wrote myself into a corner, but i'll soon get myself out of that corner...i hope!

Angel-Hiragizawa32: thanks, and probably after this one it'll take me a few days again to post the next chap

txt-eva: you think so? Hermione already walked in on them a few chapters back during their almost kiss moment, hehehehe

SeZzA: i agree with the too many words to describe Draco! *lol*

Dreamer: sorry to disappoint you when i didn't update right away the last time! *lol* but i'm warning you now that after this it might take me a while to post the next chapter

Twitch: *lol* Derek will be get his due

lama: hmm...seems like you and Xela have a "war" going on *lol*

Fire Spirit, hp fan freak, Lady Godiva, CelticGoddess81: thanks for your review!

KeeperOfTheMoon: hmm...speechless? *lol*

MelissaAdams: thanks for loving that sucky chapter! *lol*

Weasley Pride: yep, Derek provides some of the "tension" or "ice breakers" or just plain ol' cause trouble! *lol*

Crystal: i think they're starting to fall for each other, but of course they're fighting their feelings off for each other or something like that

Lady Artemis: he's always a cutie and a hottie to boot! :::winks:::

slytherin-cool: i'll do the best i can to update as soon as i can

*karly*: hey, hope you have a nice trip! hehehe, lucky you going to be able to soak up some sun! hehehehe

Hannah4Daniel: i'll do my best fight off writer's block, and in order to do that i hafta take a few days off updating *lol*

Loves-Kiss: *lol* more is yet to come...uhm...just dunno when it'll come tho

Bess: why thank you, and i'll try to keep 'em coming *lol*

Dracos gal: hmm...i'm still thinking who's going to kick Derek's behind

Anyanka: yep, i like your fic. i am reading it like every 7 chapters or so *lol*

Miss Marauder: thanks for the thumbs-up!

sassw14: i'll do my best to fight it off

Persephonie: thanks & i hope i don't get it too

kellyanne: who's going to be a winner? uhm...the Giant Squid when it swallows Derek whole! *lol* hmm...that's a nice thought to have! hehehehe

December's Girl: just what kinda D/G action do you have in mind? hehehehe

wowsergirl: hey, your suggestion just gave me an idea! :::smiles::: thanks!

xangelcrisisx: in order for them to kiss more, the mood will have to be set just right, hehehehe :::winks:::

Junebug: thanks for the idea! i'll probably be able to work something out based on what you suggested :::smiles:::

Jade Stellar: everybody hates Derek a lot and I am thinking of more ways to torment him and...hehehe, well, me just had an idea on how to really torment him some more...i just dunno when that chapter will be out! *lol*

Arella Hallo: you really think so? i thought the previous chapter was really bad

izzy: i couldn't think much of what should've happened between them, but maybe in future chapters more incident between them will occur

Lainy: a kissing scene, eh? hmm....

Jenn: hey, that line's from Casablanca! hehehe, not my fave oldies, classic movie, but it has some good lines there :::grins:::

nicole: they're next smooching session will occur....uhm...i dunno yet when they're gonna smooch! *lol*

Sharlene: *lol* thanks...i'll try and make some more sense of the upcoming chapters

Hunter: hmm...maybe Colin & Derek will get to throw a punch at each other...

Polgara: yep, Derek's gonna be an ass for sure...and this is a second request for some more D/G action...hmm...what kinda action? kissing action? hehehehe

Starry: you think so? thanks!

mavis: i stayed up 'til 2am writing the previous chappie because i couldn't sleep really, but nearing the end of my typing up chapter 13 i started feeling sleepy! *lol* Ginny & Draco should start off as friends first...i mean, well, i think that's going to be a nice basis for their relationship to begin with

Lady A: thanks for believing in me! *lol*