The Axe Effect

(The Much Delayed) Chapter 5: Ginny and Tonic

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Ginny had not walked more than five feet when she stopped short. What Draco needed was to be told off. And not just a simple reprimanding, either. She was talking a full-on, curse word filled, Jerry Springer style bitch out. Digging through her pocket, she came across the Muggle nose clips she had "borrowed" from Hermione, which, though intended to prevent an unpleasant amount of water in the nostrils whiles swimming, was best used (in Ginny's case, at least) to block of her nose so she could smell nothing.

After she put them on, she went rushing back into the corridor where Draco and Blaise were still going at it. Ginny knew Draco deserved as much pain as possible, but she also wanted to put her two cents in. She waited for a few minutes more, relishing in the thorough thrashing Draco was receiving, before intervening. "Blaise! Blaise, where are you?" she called, in an imitation of Hermione's voice that was nearly as good as her Umbridge impression. Blaise stopped immediately.

"We'll finish this later," he promised, leaving on a wild goose chase for Hermione.

"Yeah, that's right, Zabini, run to the Mudblood," Draco called after him. The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Ginny's hand hit him hard across the face. "Ow, Weasley, what the hell?"

"Oh, don't act like you didn't deserve it," Ginny said. "You foul, rotten, miserable piece of filth! I am sick and tired of seeing your petty jealousies manifested into insults and violence! You cannot comprehend that someone is better than you at something so you bitch them out and insult them and do whatever you can to bring them up. If you weren't such an idiot, then you would realize that the best way to beat them out, if you so desire, is to improve yourself so you can! You say the teachers all favor Hermione and Harry- well duh! I don't see you trying at all! Teachers love Hermione because she tries. You just sit there and make snide remarks from the back of the room. Teachers love Harry because he's good. You just sit there and use filthy, derogatory language that I won't even say. You know why you're mocking Blaise so much? It's because you don't have anyone special. At all. And you wish you could find someone as amazing as Hermione. But you never will, because any girl as good as her deserves someone better than you."

Draco glowered down at her, his grey eyes smoldering. "Oh, thanks for clearing that up for me, Weasley. I'm glad that you, who's both a year my junior and a Weasley, can dissect all my feelings and opinions without speaking to me once. You've really figured me out." With that, he turned and left the room, Ginny staring after him. She turned and left the hall, thinking, what a git! However, she couldn't stop the little thoughts from creeping into her mind about the way his eyes smoldered when he was angry and how attractive it was. I must find a charm to completely stop up my nose!

She continued on to the kitchen, desiring the plate of cookies and glass of milk that would calm her down. The first thing she saw when she entered, aside from at least ten house elves begging to serve her, was Blaise Zabini, cool as a cucumber, sipping a lemonade.

Noticing her gaze, he waved at her. "Hullo, Ginny. Fancy seeing you here… again. I stopped of for a bit of lemonade, I'm nutters for the stuff. How are you?"

"Annoyed," she said, sitting down on the table and crashing her hands down, soon followed by her head. "I can't stand that Draco Malfoy!" she seethed. She hadn't really expected to unload her feelings onto Blaise, but, well… he was there. "I saw your fight… and then I went and smacked him across his smarmy face!"

Blaise, in the middle of a sip of lemonade, began to laugh, spraying some of his drink in front of him. "You smacked him? Brilliant… what did he say?"

And so Ginny related what happened. When she finished, Blaise gave her an appraising look. "You're of a different sort, Gin. Draco, I'll bet, has never had a girl speak to him like that before. I'll be damned if he didn't find it intriguing, to say the least."

Ginny was shocked and slightly revolted. "Ugh… I would like Draco to have only COMPLETE contempt for me."

Blaise gave her a look. "Admit it, Ginny. Every girl in school knows he's attractive." He took up a mock swoon. "Those eyes, that blond hair, his Quidditch playing body—you know you see it."

Ginny was laughing at his imitation of the girls of Hogwarts, but something still struck her. She did find Draco (MALFOY!) as cute. Ugh. She swallowed the last bit of cookie and drank her last sip of milk. "A pleasure talking to you, Blaise, but I'm off."

"See you around, Ginny. Oh, can I ask you something?"

Ginny stopped just short of the exit and turned around. "What?"

"Can you not tell Hermione about the fight?" Blaise asked.

"Sure thing." With that, Ginny turned and left.

When she entered the Common Room, she found Harry sitting on the couch. She went to sit next to him, greeting him as she sat.

"Hi, Ginny," he said, looking slightly nervous and slightly unsure.

"Is something bothering you?" Ginny asked, concerned.

"I think I could use your advice…" he said, biting his lower lip.

"Sure. What's up?" Ginny asked, turning towards him, ready to listen.

"I like Hermione. I mean, not like her in the way that I like you, or Ron, or any of my friends. I like her like… a girlfriend."

Ginny's first reaction was happiness. "That's so cute!...sorry," she said, noticing Harry's glare. Then she remembered… Blaise.

"The problem is, Blaise Zabini," Harry muttered, voicing her very thoughts.

"I have noticed they've been getting closer, Harry." Ginny chose her words carefully, not wanting to hurt him. "But, I could tell she liked you earlier in the year. I'll bet she still does. I think you should talk to her about it."

"No! No… no, that's not wise. Our friendship will be ruined and- and she wants Blaise and it will just be bad, bad, very bad," Harry said, jumping up and pacing.

Ginny held back a giggle as she watched Harry pace and mutter about. "Okay, calm down. I'll talk to her about it, and see how she feels about Blaise and you." She noticed his face, "Don't worry, I won't tell her anything about this talk."

She turned and went up the stairs to find Hermione. Merlin, this school is becoming a living soap opera! She knocked on the door and heard what sounded suspiciously like crying inside.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" There was no answer, so Ginny pushed open the door. Hermione sat on her bed, crying, letting the tears fall onto an open book. Ginny immediately rushed over and through her arms around her friend. She let Hermione cry onto her shoulder for a few minutes, until Hermione pulled herself together and sat back.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Ginny asked, looking at her friend with concern.

Hermione nodded. "I feel so stupid for crying like that… like someone from television. I'm just so confused!!"

"What are you confused about?" Ginny asked. Even though she was fairly sure she knew, she thought it best to just ask questions and let Hermione let everything out.

"I thought for so long that I liked Harry. Moreover, I thought that I might love him! But then, I started feeling these things for Blaise and now I just don't know what I want. I think Blaise likes me, too, but who knows about Harry? He probably just thinks of me as a friend."

Ginny was a loss as to what to do. She felt awful for what her stupid prank was doing to her closest friends. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I don't know what to say. I wish I could make things better for you, but I can't. Only you can."

Hermione nodded miserably. "Thanks, Ginny. I need to finish reading this for Transfiguration," she said, indicating the large book on the bed next to her.

"No problem," Ginny said softly, leaving the room and pulling the door shut behind her.

She went back down to the common room, planning on brooding and staring into the fire, mulling these things over, However, before she could sit down, she was accosted by Ron.

"Ginny! Ginny, you have to help me! I have a date on Saturday and I don't know what to do!" Ron said, clearly on the verge of panicking.

"Okay, Ron… calm down. Relax. Breathe. What's wrong?"

"My hair and my clothes and everything!" he answered.

"Okay, let's go upstairs," she consoled. She began to look through his wardrobe, selecting a dark blue shirt and tan corduroys. "Wear these," she instructed.

"And my hair?"

Ginny appraised it. "Wear it like you usually do."

Ron nodded. "What am I supposed to do on the actual date?"

Ginny thought this over. "First, bring some flowers, Lavender likes orchids the best. Ask her where in the village she wants to go; don't go straight to the Quidditch store. If she says she doesn't know, take her to get some Butterbeer, and maybe to Honeydukes? If all else fails, take a walk with her. Above all, be yourself. Just… a more polished you. Don't crack dirty jokes, or anything like that. Oh! And tell her she looks nice when you first see her. Anything else? Hm… if you see Malfoy, keep your temper in check."

Ron nodded. "Okay, I think I can do that. I hope I can."

Me too, Ginny thought to herself. Out loud, she said, "Don't worry. You'll be fine."

Feeling slightly drained, Ginny went to her dormitory. Closing the curtains around her bed, she sat crossed legged, resting her elbow on her knee and propping her chin up. She had been more attracted to Malfoy recently. It wasn't just looks, either. She knew he had redeeming qualities- he was smart, athletic, funny at times (if you ignored the fact his humor was directed at insulting her), and cute. Too bad he's a huge git, or I might actually have feelings for him, she thought to herself.

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Pennicat: I could so see him doing that, and then ranting for like 20 minutes more, and then Shrek would be like, "DONKEY! SHUT UP!" Anyways, thanks.

Trippygirl20051: Yeah, me too. I 3 Blaise.

Sugar-Kat: I am still alive! 8D. Should I count my lucky stars?

Totally Sarcastic Sprite: I did update, soon I can't promise.

Chickflick004: All good (or in this case average) things come to an end. BEG MINION BEG!

Lucianna: I know hangs head in shame. I'm sowwy 8'(

Hermione88220: Yes, Blaise has actual feelings for her. I have a nice Blaise. That I'm in love with. I think I should kill Hermione off and insert myself in the story…. Nah.