Title: Being Nice Doesn't Pay Off. / Author: Cactuskitty / Chapter: Ten / Disclaimer: I do not own anything/person/idea for the Harry Potter book series. Nor do I own The Golden Compass or The Giver.

Chapter Ten: Payment

"What's all this crap about owing you a shirt?'" Draco asked, trying to sound impassive.

She replied still staring at her book, "Your hellish owl ruined it."

"You're not a squib, why don't you use a sewing charm?"

"It would conflict the picture." She replied in a blasé manner while flipping to the next page in her book as she continued to pretend reading.

"I refuse to buy you new clothes." Draco replied flatly, leaning further in his chair and sneering as if to show lack of interest. He would have accomplished it also, but that stupid book of hers was really beginning to vex him.

"Would you like me to bring the matter to McGonagall? I'm positive she could decide whether or not you are in debt." her voice held an edge of annoyance, showing her willingness to snitch.

"Fine." He countered, "But only because I know your family can't afford to buy you a new one."

"And here I thought you were just trying to avoid another detention." She said sarcastically, still leafing through The Golden Compass.

"How much?"

"Fifteen sickles."

He snorted in distain, "Here Weasel." He said, as he dumped the silvery coins on the table, causing the poor girl to jump, started, and drop her book. Before she could grab it, his hand snaked out and grasped the thick book from her slender fingers, "What the hell are you reading?" he glanced at the cover, "The Golden Compass? Sound like one of those corny suspense novels. In other words a chick book."

Virginia glared at him; 'chick books' didn't usually contain jaws being ripped off, or violent monkeys. Though despite the insult, she decided she would allow him to read it the same way she allowed four of her brothers and Harry read over the previous summer. By the time she was through with those boys, they had paid her to borrow the next two in the series; incidentally supporting her wardrobe change. Right now she was wishing she had brought her mangled copies with her, "A chick book? I wouldn't really call The Golden Compass that, but it's not something you would want to read anyway, Malfoy. I don't think it's about something you could really grasp anyway. You'd find the plot too broad, and your mind too narrow."

"Who made you an expert on my likes?" after that comment he sneered and shoved the library book into his cloak, challenging her to say something. Though she disappointed him once again by keeping her cool. As the silence became awkward he cleared his throat and began to reveal the true reason why he ventured to her table in a condescending tone, "What were you doing with potty the wanker? He taking the place of your boyfriend? One would assume you could have waited a tad longer; if I was your ex I would be very insulted." He rested his hands on the table and leaned over her.

"I don't see how it's any of your business." She rolled her eyes; after six brothers, Virginia had no tolerance when it came to interrogations.

"So, he is you're boyfriend." He scowled, and leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. I was obvious that he'd have to do some rummaging if he wanted any direct information from her.

"Why do you care?" she responded carelessly, while rolling her eyes.

"I don't." his right eyebrow raised as he elaborated, "It just seemed as though you two were a tad. I don't know. Chummy."

"Did it make you jealous?" she turned so that she was facing him. Her narrowed eyes and pursed lips as she gingerly rested her head on her fingertips, displayed her annoyance and fatigue from a day of being grilled.

"Of course not. Why in hell's name would I be jealous?" He smirked, "I just found it hard to believe that you would waste your charms on such a bloody cawker."

"And who should I use them on? Someone like you?" she asked impassively, as she picked up The Giver, it was also one of her favorites, even if it was written by a muggle.

"At least they wouldn't go to waste." Malfoy leered.

She was starting to find their conversation slightly surreal, but continued nevertheless, "So, what you're saying, Senor Ferret, is that if I let down my hook you'd bite?" his eyebrow rose once again, and it was now her turn to smirk as she continued, "You are. That's exactly what you're saying. Wow."

"Don't be ignorant." He sneered as he pulled out The Golden Compass form his cloak and began to read.

"No, give me a second to consider this refreshing idea." She paused for effect, and Malfoy glared. She then smirked, and began speaking in an overly dramatic voice, "A Malfoy and a Weasley! Or even better, Draco and Ginny!" her eyes widened and she nodded, "That's it, Draco and Ginny walking hand and hand along the beach. Spending every waking moment together. Finishing each other's sentences, feeding each other, and never fighting. Oh no! Never! Not them." She began to swoon gaudily, the way Lavender did when even she mention her new flavor of the week.

"You really weren't joking when you said you were off your rocker, were you, Weasel?" Draco questioned in a disgusted tone.

"Shut up. I can see it all now. Dancing on gazebos and always snogging like mad, just like every other hormonal teenager at this school. " She took a deep breath as she finished, "It's all enough to make me hurl."

"I agree." He replied trying to look absorbed in his book. She got the hint and continued with her book. That stayed that way for over an hour, until he looked at his watch and pushed his chair back with a loud screech and started standing up.
"Leaving already?" Ginny said with a grin.
"Sorry Weasel, but you aren't the only one who has the privilege of bring graced by my presence today. I have more important things to do than sit and read with you all day." He smirked, "No matter how much you would like me to."
"Oh, of course you do." She said sardonically, while flipping her hair.
"So glad you understand." He replied suavely as he sauntered away from her table towards the Potions section with his hands in his pockets.
Virginia was now left in peace. Free to read, but of course she no longer had a desire to do so. The two boys had given her too much to think about, and it did not help that Draco (the bloody wanker) had taken the book she had actually wanted to read. She had found the entire experience a tad odd, but she shrugged and went with it. Ginny didn't want to admit it, but it was nice to have a reading buddy, even if he was a bigot and a pretentious Slytherin. She was almost pleasantly surprised when he started to read. Virginia forgotten that he had the second highest marks in his class, so it shouldn't have been a shock that he enjoyed reading. She just didn't expect him to read with her.
It was all quite peculiar.
A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers (YAY! I finally reached one hundred!!) and my great beta Random Artemis. I have posted more fan art on my website. The link is on my profile, if any of you would like to check it out. I almost forgot to mention that I just downloaded almost all of the songs you people recommended me. Thanks for giving me something new to listen to. You all had some really good choices. So keep the requests coming.