Aaaaaah! I know you all hate me and I am so sorry! I haven't updated in
forever and when I do update, now it's this super-short chapter. *ducks
flying stones * I know, I deserve it all. Please forgive me! I promise I
will put the next chapter up within two days, I promise, I do.
Reviewer responses (I have a billion because I haven't updated in so long):
Megaparsec: I will definitely continue writing, although this story should be finished in a few more chapters. That's definitely not an insult, I'm glad you took the time to check it over!
DogLover: Thanks! I will!
Kerbi: Sorry about the kiss details, I'm really no good at romance. Which is insane, since I'm writing this story. Oh, I read "Chance Encounter," it's really good so far.
Lil: Thanks!
Someone: "Snog" means "make out" or "cuddle with."
Blue_Angel: Thanks! I'll try to!
Fresh_AngelBabe: I haven't had a chance to yet, but I will. Thanks!
Evil*fairy (or beccy): Thanks for the long review, I love long, detailed reviews. Actually, at this point I'm glad to get any review, but I love the detailed ones best. *shields self from flying sponges and tissue boxes * I know, I suck, I'll start posting more often. Thanks for the compliments *blushes *.
Mariz: In that case, I am deeply honored. Sorry about the swearing, I need to go back and replace "fuck" with "sod" in that one place, because I forgot I'd rated this story PG.
Allie: Thanks for the suggestions. I've included Ellie some more in this chap, but I'm trying to use her more as comic relief (I love writing Ellie!). Mrs. Weasley is (thankfully) unaware of any of this.
Dragonsprincess: Yes indeedy, Ellie is so not going to keep her mouth shut on that one. Next chappie!
Shaniele: I know, and this one's even shorter. Bad Jedusor! Bad! *knocks self across head with frying pan * Ouch.
Marvindamartian: No, Michael is decidedly not out of the picture. Sorry. That's funny about the name Elena, it isn't too common, is it? Well, just to be clear: no jibes made about or by Elena in this story have anything to do with you personally :P
MonopolyQueen: Thank you very much!
Faer: Yes, Ellie is my favorite character to write. She just kind of writes herself. Here's a little secret: I'm not building any plot tricks at all, at least not intentionally. Right now I have a huge case of writer's block, which is why this chapter is going to suck. And I decided that Harry would have noticed if Malfoy was walking around with a cantaloupe for a head, which is what would have happened if Fred had walked in on them. Gotta keep Harry out of the loop, to keep it realistic.
HPfreak8: Glad to see I made you laugh, although a few more details would be nice.
ChaliceInnana: Cool username! Yes, the Bat-Bogey Hex will be the epilogue. And I'm glad to hear that I succeeded with the gradual change, although this story could definitely use a rewrite or two.
Yue_er: Thank you!
Peaceoutgrlmehi: No hard feelings whatsoever. Sorry to inform you that this fic is not AU, she and Michael will get together, as will she and Dean. Thanks for the long, detailed review- I love the long, detailed ones best!
Sayra Louise: Yes, I love writing Ellie. She's so funny, and I know that sounds like I'm saying I'm funny, but she just kind of writes herself. It's not me at all. Thanks for reviewing!
Every one of you deserves a big bowl of coconut ice cream. Reviewers rock!
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Ginny yawned as she sprawled on her four-poster. She had spent most of the evening thinking in front of the fire, but hadn't come any closer to understanding Michael, Draco, Fred, or herself.
Only two months ago, she had hated the very thought of Draco Malfoy. He was inconsiderate, rude, and cruel. He made fun of her family, her brothers, her friends. Then he had made some soppy comments about her hair, and suddenly she had been wrapped around his little finger. Then he'd made the mistake of acting like himself in front of her, she had seen him for what he was, and gone back to hating him. Less than four hours before now, he'd said a few more soppy things, and she had slipped right back into his grasp.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, Ginny thought miserably. What had she done? He loved her. Yeah, right. It was those eyes, it must have been. They had a way of pulling her in, of making her believe what he was saying. How many months had he spent in front of the mirror, refining that gaze? How long had it taken for him to be able to look honest and innocent at will?
The door creaked open and Ellie sidled in. Ginny looked over at her. Her makeup was smeared, her hair was mussed, and she looked like she had just had the time of her life.
"Let me guess. Devin Iglett?" Ginny said dryly.
Ellie sighed ecstatically. "Oh, Ginny, he's the best kisser ever! And those eyes! I could look into them all night-"
"-if you weren't more focused on his lips. Honestly, Ellie, I think you're going to run out of guys to snog soon."
Ellie looked horrified. "Run out of them? Do you think? Aren't there, like, three hundred and fifty boys here?"
"And you've had how many boyfriends this year?"
"Well, yeah. But I can always reuse them, right? I mean, not Creevey, not after what he said to me. But I haven't gone out with Seamus Finnigan since Thanksgiving, and we only broke up because he wanted to take Cho Chang to the Yule Ball and I wanted him to take me. Then of course Chang was already going with Cedric Diggory, and I wouldn't take Finnigan back, so he had to settle for Lavender Brown. Cedric Diggory, now there's a catch. Only he's in seventh year, and I'm no competition for Chang. I wish she'd have a Quidditch accident and mess up that nose of hers. I don't see how she can play in the mud like that and keep that complexion. Of course, I'm not complaining about my complexion, I've got a nice one, but hers is really-"
"Ellie, will you kindly shut up?" Ginny said through gritted teeth. Ellie could go on for hours if no one stopped her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound self-centered or anything. Hey, did you hear about the end-of-year party? It's in Hogsmeade, the Saturday before the third task. And it's just for third-years! Devin's helping organize it, and he was the one who suggested only letting third-years in. Of course, we can have dates in other years, just like the Yule Ball. I mean, it wouldn't be much of a party with just the third-years, would it? There's only, like, thirty third-years, you know?"
Then again, sometimes she went on for hours even when someone did try to stop her.
Draco slumped on the floor in the stone corridor. Ginny had just broken their kiss and hurried off. Why couldn't she make up her mind? She hated him, she kind of liked him, she didn't like him like that, she hated him again, and now she had kissed him.
Girls. Just when he thought he understood them, she came along.
He made his way back to the Slytherin common room. He turned a corner and there was Corner. Michael Corner.
They looked at each other for a moment. Draco was perfectly aware that he had just kissed Corner's girlfriend. He wasn't bothered by it. He was Draco Malfoy, after all- he was irresistible. Girls were drawn to him like magnets, whether they already had boyfriends or not. It wasn't his fault. Actually, it was rather a nuisance sometimes. Like now.
"Listen, Malfoy, I want to know what happened between you and Ginny," Corner said in a quiet, dangerous voice Draco had heard once before. That had been right before Ginny had nearly castrated him.
"What do you want to hear? The bit with her telling me she never wanted to see me again in her life, or the bit when she was making out with me?"
Corner's eyes narrowed. Then he relaxed a little. "I don't care who she's making out with," he said, more to himself than to Draco, "but I don't want her to get hurt. And you are definitely the sort of person who could hurt her."
Draco raised his perfectly arched eyebrows. "Didn't you hear what she said? She doesn't want other people looking out for her anymore. She's had enough of that. Let her sort out her own life."
Corner's jaw clenched. "Maybe I care what happens to her."
"Maybe she doesn't care what you think."
"You're wrong," said Corner quietly. "She does care what I think. And you don't have the capacity to care. That's why you're doing this to her."
"And what precisely am I doing?" Draco crossed his arms and leaned nonchalantly against the wall.
"I don't know what you're doing!" Corner spat. "But I saw the look on her face when she saw you, and I know you've done something to her."
"But it's none of your business, is it? She doesn't want to be coddled like porcelain, and she doesn't want help. I understand that, even if I am an uncaring lump of ice. Listen to her, Corner. Listen to what she's saying."
Draco swept past Corner and went back to the Slytherin common room.
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I know, it sucked muchly, and so do I. Apologies to all, please review even though I don't deserve it!
Reviewer responses (I have a billion because I haven't updated in so long):
Megaparsec: I will definitely continue writing, although this story should be finished in a few more chapters. That's definitely not an insult, I'm glad you took the time to check it over!
DogLover: Thanks! I will!
Kerbi: Sorry about the kiss details, I'm really no good at romance. Which is insane, since I'm writing this story. Oh, I read "Chance Encounter," it's really good so far.
Lil: Thanks!
Someone: "Snog" means "make out" or "cuddle with."
Blue_Angel: Thanks! I'll try to!
Fresh_AngelBabe: I haven't had a chance to yet, but I will. Thanks!
Evil*fairy (or beccy): Thanks for the long review, I love long, detailed reviews. Actually, at this point I'm glad to get any review, but I love the detailed ones best. *shields self from flying sponges and tissue boxes * I know, I suck, I'll start posting more often. Thanks for the compliments *blushes *.
Mariz: In that case, I am deeply honored. Sorry about the swearing, I need to go back and replace "fuck" with "sod" in that one place, because I forgot I'd rated this story PG.
Allie: Thanks for the suggestions. I've included Ellie some more in this chap, but I'm trying to use her more as comic relief (I love writing Ellie!). Mrs. Weasley is (thankfully) unaware of any of this.
Dragonsprincess: Yes indeedy, Ellie is so not going to keep her mouth shut on that one. Next chappie!
Shaniele: I know, and this one's even shorter. Bad Jedusor! Bad! *knocks self across head with frying pan * Ouch.
Marvindamartian: No, Michael is decidedly not out of the picture. Sorry. That's funny about the name Elena, it isn't too common, is it? Well, just to be clear: no jibes made about or by Elena in this story have anything to do with you personally :P
MonopolyQueen: Thank you very much!
Faer: Yes, Ellie is my favorite character to write. She just kind of writes herself. Here's a little secret: I'm not building any plot tricks at all, at least not intentionally. Right now I have a huge case of writer's block, which is why this chapter is going to suck. And I decided that Harry would have noticed if Malfoy was walking around with a cantaloupe for a head, which is what would have happened if Fred had walked in on them. Gotta keep Harry out of the loop, to keep it realistic.
HPfreak8: Glad to see I made you laugh, although a few more details would be nice.
ChaliceInnana: Cool username! Yes, the Bat-Bogey Hex will be the epilogue. And I'm glad to hear that I succeeded with the gradual change, although this story could definitely use a rewrite or two.
Yue_er: Thank you!
Peaceoutgrlmehi: No hard feelings whatsoever. Sorry to inform you that this fic is not AU, she and Michael will get together, as will she and Dean. Thanks for the long, detailed review- I love the long, detailed ones best!
Sayra Louise: Yes, I love writing Ellie. She's so funny, and I know that sounds like I'm saying I'm funny, but she just kind of writes herself. It's not me at all. Thanks for reviewing!
Every one of you deserves a big bowl of coconut ice cream. Reviewers rock!
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Ginny yawned as she sprawled on her four-poster. She had spent most of the evening thinking in front of the fire, but hadn't come any closer to understanding Michael, Draco, Fred, or herself.
Only two months ago, she had hated the very thought of Draco Malfoy. He was inconsiderate, rude, and cruel. He made fun of her family, her brothers, her friends. Then he had made some soppy comments about her hair, and suddenly she had been wrapped around his little finger. Then he'd made the mistake of acting like himself in front of her, she had seen him for what he was, and gone back to hating him. Less than four hours before now, he'd said a few more soppy things, and she had slipped right back into his grasp.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, Ginny thought miserably. What had she done? He loved her. Yeah, right. It was those eyes, it must have been. They had a way of pulling her in, of making her believe what he was saying. How many months had he spent in front of the mirror, refining that gaze? How long had it taken for him to be able to look honest and innocent at will?
The door creaked open and Ellie sidled in. Ginny looked over at her. Her makeup was smeared, her hair was mussed, and she looked like she had just had the time of her life.
"Let me guess. Devin Iglett?" Ginny said dryly.
Ellie sighed ecstatically. "Oh, Ginny, he's the best kisser ever! And those eyes! I could look into them all night-"
"-if you weren't more focused on his lips. Honestly, Ellie, I think you're going to run out of guys to snog soon."
Ellie looked horrified. "Run out of them? Do you think? Aren't there, like, three hundred and fifty boys here?"
"And you've had how many boyfriends this year?"
"Well, yeah. But I can always reuse them, right? I mean, not Creevey, not after what he said to me. But I haven't gone out with Seamus Finnigan since Thanksgiving, and we only broke up because he wanted to take Cho Chang to the Yule Ball and I wanted him to take me. Then of course Chang was already going with Cedric Diggory, and I wouldn't take Finnigan back, so he had to settle for Lavender Brown. Cedric Diggory, now there's a catch. Only he's in seventh year, and I'm no competition for Chang. I wish she'd have a Quidditch accident and mess up that nose of hers. I don't see how she can play in the mud like that and keep that complexion. Of course, I'm not complaining about my complexion, I've got a nice one, but hers is really-"
"Ellie, will you kindly shut up?" Ginny said through gritted teeth. Ellie could go on for hours if no one stopped her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound self-centered or anything. Hey, did you hear about the end-of-year party? It's in Hogsmeade, the Saturday before the third task. And it's just for third-years! Devin's helping organize it, and he was the one who suggested only letting third-years in. Of course, we can have dates in other years, just like the Yule Ball. I mean, it wouldn't be much of a party with just the third-years, would it? There's only, like, thirty third-years, you know?"
Then again, sometimes she went on for hours even when someone did try to stop her.
Draco slumped on the floor in the stone corridor. Ginny had just broken their kiss and hurried off. Why couldn't she make up her mind? She hated him, she kind of liked him, she didn't like him like that, she hated him again, and now she had kissed him.
Girls. Just when he thought he understood them, she came along.
He made his way back to the Slytherin common room. He turned a corner and there was Corner. Michael Corner.
They looked at each other for a moment. Draco was perfectly aware that he had just kissed Corner's girlfriend. He wasn't bothered by it. He was Draco Malfoy, after all- he was irresistible. Girls were drawn to him like magnets, whether they already had boyfriends or not. It wasn't his fault. Actually, it was rather a nuisance sometimes. Like now.
"Listen, Malfoy, I want to know what happened between you and Ginny," Corner said in a quiet, dangerous voice Draco had heard once before. That had been right before Ginny had nearly castrated him.
"What do you want to hear? The bit with her telling me she never wanted to see me again in her life, or the bit when she was making out with me?"
Corner's eyes narrowed. Then he relaxed a little. "I don't care who she's making out with," he said, more to himself than to Draco, "but I don't want her to get hurt. And you are definitely the sort of person who could hurt her."
Draco raised his perfectly arched eyebrows. "Didn't you hear what she said? She doesn't want other people looking out for her anymore. She's had enough of that. Let her sort out her own life."
Corner's jaw clenched. "Maybe I care what happens to her."
"Maybe she doesn't care what you think."
"You're wrong," said Corner quietly. "She does care what I think. And you don't have the capacity to care. That's why you're doing this to her."
"And what precisely am I doing?" Draco crossed his arms and leaned nonchalantly against the wall.
"I don't know what you're doing!" Corner spat. "But I saw the look on her face when she saw you, and I know you've done something to her."
"But it's none of your business, is it? She doesn't want to be coddled like porcelain, and she doesn't want help. I understand that, even if I am an uncaring lump of ice. Listen to her, Corner. Listen to what she's saying."
Draco swept past Corner and went back to the Slytherin common room.
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I know, it sucked muchly, and so do I. Apologies to all, please review even though I don't deserve it!