Never Noticed

The leaves were abandoned out in the grounds, looking pale and a faded orange color. Draco looked out the window, eyeing them. If it was his only weakness, the part of him he would've never shown his father to risk a whipping, it would be outside. The rain, the snow, the sunlight. Everything seemed so beautiful out there, and he found it amazing that it changed every so often. It was one of the reasons he wanted to improve in Qudditch.

Father wouldn't understand, he thought rebelliously. Father would've called me a straight out fag. He took an intake of his breath, letting his eyes wander off the window, and sat down on his bed cautiously. Ginny's face imaged itself into his mind. He was rather doubtful the Weasley could much less throw a decent punch, and he was very, very much in doubt about her getting revenge on him. She was a girl, that's what little girls did. He had only wanted to play with her for a bit, and then he would put her right back in the playhouse ...

He chuckled at his silent joke. Ginny Weasley from now on would be a sport. He would take away her innocence, he would torture her until her bad side came out. If there was one.

It seemed like the perfect plan.

*~*

Ginny told Hermione about it later in the common room, where, thankfully, Ron and Harry were not present. Nor was Luna, and her only chance was the bushy-haired Gryffindor to talk to.

"I don't know what to do, 'Mione...first there was Harry, and now finally, a great guy finally notices me and...now look what happened!" Ginny looked down desperately at her feet for an answer.

Hermione gave a regretful sigh. "I am so sorry, Gin. Believe me, I hate Malfoy as much as you do. But I don't think there's anything you can do. You don't want to get in trouble for cursing him, your a girl so naturally you're not much help in the fighting buisness, and...I guess that's all there's left. Oh, and you're not a prankster either."

"But, 'Mione..." she complained.

"Don't worry, you'll talk to Michael, you'll tell him Malfoy was just being a jerk...hopefully, Michael hasn't chosen to question Ron about your little relationship yet..." Hermione cooed.

"Oh, I forgot about Ron..." she groaned.

*~*

"Hey Looney," Draco drawled.

Luna Lovegood turned around, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "Hello."

"Where's the Weasel?"

"Pardon me?" she asked dreamily.

"The Weasel. The skinny redhead. Your friend?" he emphasized.

"You mean, Virginia?" she retorted coolly.

"Virginia?" he snorted. "Virgin, maybe. The one I am talking about is skinny, a midget, and has a flabby face."

"She does not...anyways, I have no idea where she is. Why do you want to know?" Luna replied.

"Because I am her late-night prostitute," Draco said, rolling his eyes.

Before Luna could answer, Michael Corner passed by them. Luna, obviously striking herself into attention, called after him.

"Hey, Michael! How'd it go with..." Luna trailed off, obviously noticing Michael had stomped off and had paid no attention to her whatsoever.

Draco laughed. "Oh, you won't be playing matchmaker anymore, Looney."

Luna blinked at him, and her mouth opened slightly. "What...what did you do?" she asked nervously.

But Draco was already walking away.

*~*

It was the next morning where Ginny woke with inspiration. It had been simple, really, what to do. It was what boys hardly ever mentioned, girls giggled about, and what males hated the most. But could she do it? She pulled the covers close to her...it wouldn't be a big deal, would it? But panic was now pouring into her chest. What if she made a fool of herself? Would her shyness be the thing that lacked out her daring?

The plan hitched itself into her mind, and expanded slightly. It was clearly brilliant, and simple. But...she was merely thirteen...

Her head thumped back into the pillows as she imagined herself doing it; then groaned. Surely she would mess up...unless she had a tutor? And someone to experiment with at first?

A small smile crawled into her lips.

*~*

It was hard to catch Harry these days. He was always surrounded by haters or fans, people who wore badges that insulted him, and he was also in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, which made it no easier. She had found him looking through books at the library, however, and Hermione was in a safe distance from them, checking the shelves frantically.

"Hi, Harry?"

He looked up, and smiled at Ginny, making her heart burn in yearning.

"I...can I talk to you? Back in the common room, I mean?"

"Err...sure...what's this about?" He shifted his hand, tugging at his collar, his neck turning red.

"I'll talk to you later," Ginny hurriedly said, as Hermione began going toward them. She ran out of the library, and she could hear Hermione distinctively say, "What was that about?"

*~*

Harry arrived in the common room a few hours later, drinking pumpkin juice he had smuggled from the kitchens. Ginny watched him take a seat in the armchair across from her.

"So..what'd you want to say?"

Cho must be crazy, Ginny thought. Why doesn't she just ravish and go out with him already?

"I...wanted advice..."

"Advice on what?" he seemed distracted as he said this. Nevertheless, a small smile was on his lips. Ginny had a strong urge to smack it off his face; she knew he was thinking about Cho.

"Um...where do...what do boys like?" Ginny said, her face burning. She had to get it over with sooner or later. Just being near him gave her tingles.

He spit out the juice that was in his mouth. "Err...what?"

"I mean...like...where do you touch them?"

Harry promptly dropped his pumpkin juice, staining several feet of the comfortable rug.

"Whaa- I ...um, Ginny...I..." the blood seemed to have drained out of his skin.

He was saved by answering when Ron came in.

"What're you guys talking about?" asked Ron, looking at them suspiciously. "Harry! You're supposed to be working on the next task..."

"I...your sister was asking me a question," he mumbled.

"Oh, yeah?" Ron said, raising a inquering eyebrow at his sister.

"None of your concern, Ron!" his sister said firmly.

"Why the hell not?" he grunted.

"Because I said so...Harry, please don't tell him..."

"I won't," he promised.

"Why are you telling him but not your own brother?"

"Because you would freak out!"

Ron raised both his eyebrows, giving the impression he was very surprised. "Me? Are you pregnant?"

"Ron!"

"No? Then I won't freak out."

"It doesn't matter...never mind, Harry, I see you're too busy...I'll ...go demonstrate on some- I mean, ask somebody else."

Blushing furiously, she got up and turned on her heel to escape.

*~*

Just as she did, she bumped by at a passerby. It was Michael. He seemed to be everywhere.

"Hello," he greeted awkwardly.

"Hi," Ginny said breathlessly. "Sorry, didn't see you...?"

"My fault," he said. "So...still going out with that Malfoy guy?"

Ginny formed her mouth to say the truth, when a horrible word came out of her: "Yes."

He frowned. "Oh. Guess I got my hopes up. It's only been a day." He gave a false laugh.

Why had she done that? Oh, why? Oh, why?

"Well, bye then, I guess," he said, proceeding to walk away.

"Wait!" She grabbed him by the arm, and leaned close to him, his breath wavering into her neck...

"What the fuck are you doing, Corner?" said a rough voice.

Oh no...

It was Draco. Why did this have to happen again?

"Nothing, Malfoy," Michael said hastily, and walked away, his footsteps thumping repeatedly after he was out of sight.

"Gods, Malfoy!" shrieked Ginny. "Did you have to come?"

He laughed. "So the Weasel has grown horns, eh?"

"Why are you still bothering me?" she seethed through her gritted teeth.

"Isn't it obvious? You're just so pathetic, Weasel, I can't help it..." he touched her cheek with his hand, grazing it sensually against her skin. She slapped it away.

"Don't touch me," she hissed.

"But don't you like it?" he muttered.

Your plan, your plan! Ginny's mind interrupted.

Ginny took a moment before she spoke. "Well, actually yes..."

He widened his eyes in startled surprise. "You did?"

"Yes...did I stutter?" she faked a smile.

He raised an eyebrow. "Want me to do more?"

She gulped, hoping he couldn't hear the pace of her heartbeat increasing - she didn't want this to happen...she didn't...she wanted to be left untouched, pure...for Michael...

But his lips were already down on hers. The plan, she reminded herself, trying to drift in Malfoy's kiss. She found it not that hard. He was a very experienced kisser, and was tracing his bottom lip to her jawline, making her shudder.

She forced herself to take her hand and fondle his belt buckle underneath his robes. He groaned, kissing more vigorously. She pulled away.

He looked at her, shocked. "What're you doing?"

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, laughing. "What's wrong, Malfoy? I am going to win, do you hear me? I told you I would get you back for yesterday!"

He looked at her narrowly, a grim smirk on his face. "You don't think I liked that, do you? Your pathetic, Weasley. I am repulsed by you."

Ginny gave him a glare. "Oh, are you, really?"

Tugging at his pants as a reminder, she forced another laugh. "Didn't seem so."

With that, she turned around, her robes flashing behind her.

Draco took a deep breath. So. She wasn't going to be his sport, was she? No, no, she would have to be a challenge.

*~*