Snape regarded Ginny reproachfully in silence. He wanted her to teach Longbottom to measure properly, because that's where half the idiot boy's mistakes came from, somewhat similarly to how she had taught Rosenberg. Snape did not however want to admit that he had failed to teach Longbottom in any way shape or form. Scowling he regarded the matter as he began to grade parchments.

Ginny regarded Snape while trying not to shake in fear. Snape terrified more than half the student body and here she was alone with him. Frantically she told herself not to let out a squeak like a terrified mouse, the last time that happened Snape had bellowed at her for a good minute and then taken house points. Objectively she told herself that she was a Gryffindor and she could handle this. After all Snape couldn't kill her, could he?

At last Snape spoke, "Neville Longbottom is a dimwitted dunderhead."

"He is not," she defended her friend before even realizing she had opened her mouth. Her defense for him died in her throat when Snape gave her a withering look. She pressed her lips together to keep from talking.

"Ms. Weasley, you somehow managed to earn a point today, are you so eager to lose it?"

"No sir."

"Good. Since you seem to have some misplaced confidence in Mr. Longbottom's ability to brew a potion I'll let you know he and Ms. Rosenberg shared a bit of the same dilemma. Teach Mr. Longbottom to measure properly, Ms. Weasley, and earn another point. Fail and you'll lose thirty. You have one week. Dismissed."

Ginny felt like he'd slapped her across the face. Teach Neville potion measuring in one week? Was Snape insane? No, she decided, just a sadist. Trying not to let him know he'd just ruined her insane happy mood over actually earning a point from him she scooped up her school things and made to leave, but paused when she realized something.

"Professor?" she asked.

He looked up from the parchment he was grading to scowl at her, "What? Well get on with it."

"I'm already late for my next class, may I please..."

"Then I suggest you hurry along," he cut off.

Luckily I have Hagrid's class next, she thought, at least he'll be understanding. With that in mind she carefully made her way out the door. As she exited she came upon a bewildering sight, Draco Malfoy was staring after, with his mouth gaping open, Hermione and Willow as they walked away from him. He looked as if someone had just slapped him across the face.

She pulled her books tightly to her chest and paused to regard him. His mouth slowly closed, but he still looked stunned. To himself, because he hadn't noticed her yet he muttered, "Another Weasley and mad as the rest."

Ginny's temper which had been flaring since Snape gave her what she was quickly deciding to call The Longbottom Project erupted. She was a redhead after all, with the temper and everything.

"We are not mad! And who said she was a Weasley anyway?" she growled.

Draco startled then snapped around to face her. He smirked, "She's got Weasley hair doesn't she? Besides you're hardly the Weasley to boost your family's sanity after what happened with you your first year."

She clutched her books to herself even tighter than before. It was the only thing keeping her from launching her fists at him. He'd go down hard too, if she ever gave into her urge to hit him. After all she had six brothers who roughhoused and Malfoy didn't. Instead of hitting him she told him, "Shut up!"

He smirked down at her before drawling out, "Make me."

She growled at him clutching her books more ferociously than before. Draco blinked down at her and decided that here before him was the cutest thing he'd ever seen. There she was all red hair and freckles, a whole head shorter then him, glaring daggers and growling. She looked ready to throw down her books and let her fists meet his face. It was too cute and he couldn't resist. With an all out grin he told her, "Come on Weasel, you'll have to do better then that."

She growled at him again before spinning on her heel and walking away exasperated. He watched her as she stalked away from him all the while reflecting on how cute she was. Then it hit him, he was thinking of a Weasley in terms of cuteness. His father would kill him. His father loathed Weasleys and after all this was the same Weasley his father had attempted to sacrifice to the Dark Lord. Also he knew if he really came to want Ginny he'd have to give up this whole Death Eater thing. Could a girl's cuteness be worth all that? On the other hand a relationship with the youngest Weasley would push every single one of his father's buttons and if Draco Malfoy was anything at all he was a button pusher.

Smiling to himself he watched her until she turned a corner and was out of sight.

Note:

tinker- lol, your review, I couldn't stop laughing.

Imagood-girl - thanx, they are aren't they?