Author's Note: I know, it has been ages since I last updated. I was working on my other story, though. Hope you like it!

Chapter 22 Pride & Prejudice

Draco Malfoy's jealous streak turned him into a green-eye monster the next day. His mood was very foul, and anyone who crossed his path pretty much suffered a lashing from him. The Slytherins kept out of his way, not quite knowing the matter with him, but knew better than to ask.

After his last class for the day, he decided to go to the Library to finish up his Defense against the Dark Arts homework. Courtesy of Professor Moody. It was one of his best subjects (of course, the amount of books that Father has on Dark Arts, how could it not be) so he did not mind it so much. Unlike Transfiguration, which Draco had always found it challenging. No, difficult is more like it. Damn McGonagall.

When he reached the Library, he saw Ginny working at a table. He grimaced, but then decided to pretend he had not seen her. Malfoy pride. People acknowledge him, and not the other way around. He found himself a table tucked in the far corner of the Library and started on his homework.

He was about halfway through when he heard someone approaching. He looked up into the smiling face of Ginny Weasley.

"Hi!" she said in a low friendly whisper, and drew up a chair to sit beside him, plopping her book bag down on his table with a soft thud. "How are you feeling?"

Draco debated how to react to her. He decided to give her the cold shoulder. "Well and alive" he replied shortly.

Ginny didn't seem to notice his reply. "Of course you are. Have you gone for your daily checkup with Poppy today?

"Nope"

"You really should, you haven't recovered fully, you know."

Silence.

"How are classes so far?" Ginny looked at Draco, suddenly realizing his cold attitude. Something is wrong, she thought.

"Nothing I can't handle."

"Draco? Is anything wrong?"

"No. And I'm extremely busy right now." Draco turned his eyes from her and looked down on his parchment, and started writing with his quill again.

Ginny sat there, stunned, as if she had been slapped. She was at a loss for words. Slowly, she stood up from the table and muttered a "Sorry if I've disturbed you" before a tear trickled down her apple-colored cheek.

She turned and started walking out of the Library. Draco looked up at Ginny's receding back, instantly regretting what he'd done.

Draco walked in silence towards the Slytherin common room. He knew he was being petty & jealous. But he could not suppress the green-eyed monster that chose to appear at that moment when he saw Potter and Ginny so close together. More than that, he realized that it was back to Potter and the Dream Team for Ginny, and not him anymore once he was out of the Hospital Wing. Especially Potter, who, had so evidently migrated his affections from that Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho Chang, to Virginia Weasley. His Virginia.

     He was so lost in his own thoughts he didn't see Blaise Zabini by the fireplace, sitting on the thick velvet couch. She looked up at him and gave a sly smile "A galleon for your thought, Malfoy? We Zabinis could afford it you know."

     "No need to flaunt your wealth, Zabini" snapped Draco irritably.

     "My, aren't we touchy?"

     Draco looked at Blaise. She was certainly very beautiful. Long ebony hair cascading down her back in soft curls, cobalt-blue eyes and a peaches-and-cream complexion. Draco knew Blaise was extremely sought-after in school. But her sadistic tendencies, so very like Draco himself, tend to make Draco extremely wary of her. For Draco knew Blaise, and could see that beyond her lovely outer image, was an extremely ruthless young lady. Blaise

     "What do you know, Zabini" he asked, narrowing his eyes. Somehow, Blaise always make him feel defensive.

     "Well, for starters, I do know you are lusting after the little Weasley. Ginny, I believe her name is."

     "I question your upbringing, Blaise. Your choice of language is rather dirty, don't you think?" Draco shot back.

     "Well, you can hardly blame me. I can't say you love her, after all. You merely fancy her, and wanted to own her, just like you wanted a new broomstick."

     "You sound as if it bothers you, Blaise. Why, are you jealous? Because I never lust after you, unlike some idiots……"

     "Jealous? Over you, Draco? You must be joking." And Blaise let out a short bark of laughter.

     "But then again" she added "I do feel slightly jealous that no man has ever risked his life for me, unlike little Ginny Weasley. You know, I do feel rather jealous." And Blaise gave another sly smile.

      Draco suddenly felt tired. He knew he shouldn't let Blaise get under his skin. How in the world she knows, Draco didn't care.

     "Your little secret is safe with me, though. Promise I won't tell a soul" and she solemnly crossed her heart, before flashing Draco her most charming, yet demeaning smile at the same time.

     And Father actually wanted me to start a relationship with Blaise, thought Draco. I probably get murdered in my sleep if I actually marry her……

     Draco replied "Get a life Blaise. Even better, really get some bloke to throw his life away for you, just make sure he doesn't survive to regret it"

     With that, Draco stormed up the stairs to his room, leaving behind a nonchalant Blaise, who called after him "Are you regretting?"

Author's Note: Care to give a review? Thanks!