HUNT FOR PRINCE CHARMING
Chapter Three: Whack, Pretty Stick! Whack!
By VirtualFaerie
Day Two: September 2nd, Breakfast – Great Hall
After yesterday's attempts at finding my Prince Charming, I am not at all discouraged. There have proved to be suitable male specimens, even if I haven't found that many yet. I know that there are more out there, after all, this is only the second day back at school. If there aren't any more though, I'm in terrible luck, because three isn't much to choose from.
"Three?" Is that what you're wondering? Yesterday I only had two listed, correct? Well, now I have three. I've decided to add Colin to the list. In fact, I updated the list with the status of each Potential Prince Charming.
POTENTIAL PRINCE CHARMINGS
Seamus Finnigan: Nothing really so far. Does know who I am – good thing. He also won't get too close, on account of the fact that I'm Ron Weasley's little sister. Will have to work on that.
Blaise Zabini: Have no clue as to personality, only know that he's one of the most delectable looking males in the whole of Hogwarts. Don't know him personally, but he winked at me. That's always a good thing.
Colin Creevey: Best friend, know everything there is to know about him. Very nice looking, also smart. He's a very kind person. He's only on this list temporarily; hopefully incident yesterday was hormones acting up because of being around more males that are not brothers or Harry for the first time since summer. I hope.
Yes, that's my list. But I also have another!
THINGS TO DO FOR DAY TWO OF HUNT:
1 -- Spot Blaise and try to have a conversation with him. Remember to look up meeting a new male in "Damsel in Distress Handbook."
2 -- Gather up all robes and various articles of clothing, and bug Hermione (despite newfound repulsion for her) to help me transfigure them into something more suitable.
3 -- Work on canary project – maybe try to persuade Prof. McGonagall that the whole thing is inhumane and should be called off. Maybe turning an earpiece into a music box would be better.
4 -- Try to convince Seamus that just because I am Ron Weasley's little sister that doesn't mean that I am not available for romantic relationships.
I have many things to do today. I may not be able to get them all done. But I sure as hell am going to try.
"GINNY!" Regina slid into a chair next to mine, jarring my elbow with her bony one. Ouch. That hurt.
I blinked and looked over to her. "Yes, how may I help you on this fine day?" It actually was not a fine day, considering that it was very cloudy and overcast outside. But you never know, some people might like that kind of weather. Some people like me.
"You said you'd tutor me in Charms, remember?" she said excitedly, bouncing in her chair, once again enunciating her 's's too much and spraying me with spit.
I wiped my face with my napkin.
"I remember," I said slowly. I could see Colin grinning wickedly on my other side, sipping his orange juice.
"Well, I was wondering if we could start tonight," said Regina. "Maybe we could meet at the Astronomy Tower?"
Now that was just way too much for poor little Colin. He really was trying to drink that orange juice, only Regina's comment caused him to inhale it when he laughed and it came spurting out his nose. Not exactly his most attractive side, I must say. But it was funny.
Regina looked at him oddly. "What's wrong with him?"
I waved my hand. "Oh nothing. Maybe the Astronomy Tower isn't a good place to meet. How about the Charms classroom, I can clear it with Flitwick later today." Good, now that I'd said that, maybe she'll leave.
"Oh yes, good idea."
I waited for her to leave.
And waited.
And waited.
And she still didn't leave. Woe is me. My life is ruined. How will I ever find my Prince Charming if this creature is hanging around me?
"I'll see you tonight, then?" I said, trying to give her a hint that it was okay for her to leave now.
She just nodded her head and started serving herself a plate – right next to me.
Help!
Day Two: After Charms
I asked Flitwick if it would be alright if I used the Charms classroom to tutor Regina. He got a sort of worried look on his face and said, "Mi-Miss Regina Barlow?"
"Yes," I said. "She said she needed some help."
Flitwick nodded anxiously. "That is true. She's rather…awful at Charms. I supposed you could use the classroom. Just please make sure she doesn't break anything." He twisted his hands together. "I really do like my classroom, and I would like it even better if it could stay in one piece."
I have to say, that worries me a bit. But I don't really have time to think that much about it. I just realized that I have left my dragon hide gloves in the Potions room. And I heard that we might need them in Herbology. So I have to go and get them.
Oh darn, this means I might see Blaise. Darn, darn, darn.
Speaking of dragon hide gloves, have I mentioned how much I utterly despise the things? Sure they protect your hands and all – but it's dead animal skin. How gross is that? Why can't they just let the Dragons rest in peace instead of resting in pieces because some oaf decided that dragon hide was the best material for making gloves? Do you know how gross that is? You stick your hand into another animal's skin. You stick your hand into a used-to-be living breathing creature's SKIN!!! How would you like it if people killed you for the use of your skin for gloves? Hm? Would you??
Although I am reassured by both Charlie, my older brother, and Colin that the dragon hide used for making the gloves is taken off of the already dead dragons, and that they don't kill the dragons for their skin, I still think it's not right. You never know, there are probably tons of poachers out there who kill the dragons and then say, "Oh yeah, I found them like this. Already dead." And then make a profit off of that poor dragon's skin.
It's awful I tell you, just plain awful.
Now, back to the matter at hand. I may be able to do one of the things on my list by this trip to the Potions room. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. Oh no, please tell me I did not just say that. That is the most awful and vulgar thing that has come to my mind in a long time. Who's cruel enough to throw stones at birds? That's just plain mean. What did birds ever do to anybody?
Oh right, like I've said before, I think I have Attention Deficit. I'm getting ready to talk about Blaise and I start talking about dragon hide gloves or hitting birds with stones.
I stepped into the cold dungeons that house the Potions room. It's odd how the dungeons are so cold even at this time of year. I bet Snape charmed them to be like this so that all of his students would have to suffer.
Opening the door to Snape's classroom, I saw that he was talking to two boys at the head of the classroom, near his podium. One of them was definitely Blaise, I could tell by his nicely shaped bum. Oooh, yummy.
The other had white-blond hair and was most undeniably the Great Ferret Prince, otherwise known as Draco Malfoy. But I prefer Great Ferret Prince, don't you? It really does have a nice ring to it. Very catchy.
"Miss Weasley!" said Snape, as soon as I walked in the door. "Just the person I wanted to see."
Uh oh, this cannot be good. If Snape wants to see me, something fishy is definitely going on.
"What?" I said, looking at him suspiciously. As I said, this is fishy. Why in the world would Snape want to see me? I am, after all, a Weasley.
"Come here," said Snape, looking to both of the Slytherin boys who were standing near him. "How is your Potions grade, Miss Weasley?"
"Well," I said, twisting my hands nervously. This was nerve-wracking; an inquisition in front of some of Hogwarts' most yummy-looking guys. Yeah, not cool. Not to mention he was bringing up my Potions grade, which didn't happen to be my best one. "I don't really know… it's only the second day back, and I've only had one class with you so far."
"And your marks from last year?"
"I passed…" I mumbled.
"Barely," said Snape sharply. Did I say before that I was good at Potions? Heh, heh. I lied, that's my worse subject. I do well in everything but that. Promise! I'm not lying this time. "You weren't paying attention in class yesterday," he said.
I wrinkled my eyebrows. "I was," I argued. I was partially paying attention, and I did try to participate, I just didn't know what I was doing.
Hmm… Maybe that's what Snape was getting at…
"Do not argue with me, Weasley," said Snape. I saw the Great Ferret Prince smirking at me from over his shoulder. Oooh, if Snape wasn't in the room, I'd smack him until he saw stars, or at least I'd try to.
I bowed my head.
"Considering the pitiful state of your grades last term, I am assigning you a tutor."
"A tutor?!" I exclaimed, looking up at him with wide eyes.
Wait, maybe that's what the Great Ferret Prince and Blaise were in here for; one of them is going to tutor me! Oh, gods, I hope it's Blaise. He's so sexable; I think I'd just die if I didn't get him. I can feel myself begin to swoon at just the thought of him helping me with my Potions.
Snape narrowed his eyes. "I do believe that's what I just said."
I lowered my eyes. Please give me Blaise. Please. Please. I promise that I'll be the best Potions student ever if you just assign me Blaise. Assign me the sexable male, oh please, oh please, oh please.
"Mr. Malfoy here will be tutoring you for the next two months, if your grades do not improve, then I fear you're tutelage shall have to continue," said Snape, looking over at Draco who was staring out into the class room with a scowl on his face.
I don't see how he can be upset. I'm the one that has to put up with him for two whole months. That's practically a life time! Maybe not a human life time, but you know those goldfish that you can get at fairs? A life time of one of those (and that would be a very old fair)goldfish.
"Malfoy!?" I said, my eyebrows slamming together. I could feel my face turning red and wanted to run out of there. How could Snape stand there and humiliate me like that in front of one of…wait, two of the most sexable looking males in Hogwarts? Not to mention that one of them would undoubtedly make fun of me – especially since I have to be tutored by him.
Snape raised his eyebrows. "Yes. You'll be meeting four times a week. It's up to you two to decide which days are most convenient, but you will not be able to skip any day – I'll find out." Snape narrowed his eyes at me. Like I would ever even think of skipping a tutoring session. Why on earth would I ever do that? Gods, does the man have no faith in me?
Well, Draco Malfoy a.k.a. Great Ferret Prince is the person that's going to be my tutor, maybe he does have reason to believe that I might skip.
"Your first meeting will take place in here tomorrow, at 7 o'clock sharp. You are not to be late, Miss Weasley. Understand?"
I nodded my head, feeling this odd sense of numbness coming over me. I wonder what Colin is going to say when I tell him. He'll probably laugh and tell me that it serves me right for not paying attention in class. But it's so horribly cold down in the dungeons, how's anyone supposed to concentrate when they're not even at a comfortable body temperature? Honestly.
Day Two: Lunch, Great Hall
"I have to go to tutoring," I said to Colin, not looking at him.
"Really?" Colin sounded genuinely surprised. "What for?"
"Potions," I said glumly.
"How'd you get stuck with tutoring so early in the year?" Colin asked, putting his hand on my cheek to make me look at him.
"Apparently my marks last year were barely passable, and he noticed that I wasn't paying attention in class the other day."
Colin rolled his eyes. "Well, it's not like you were paying attention. You were drooling over Blaise bloody Zabini the whole time."
"He's been hit with a goddamned pretty stick, Creevey," I said exasperatedly, moving my hands wilding and motioning towards the Slytherin table, where Blaise was sitting next to the GFP. It appeared that they were discussing something of extreme importance.
"I'd say he'd been whacked with it. Repeatedly. Twice," said Colin. "Or at least from the way you're looking at him."
"Of course he has, he's been beaten with the bloody stick. Can't you see him oozing prettiness? He's prettier than a girl for heaven's sake," I said, looking at him. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He really was one of the prettiest males I'd ever seen.
The GFP, I have to admit, even though I really don't like to, is also very nice looking. But he isn't quite pretty. He looks more boyish, more manly than Zabini does. Zabini is more slight and slender, whereas the GFP appears to have quite a bit of muscle. Not that I was looking or anything. You can just sort of…tell.
Oh look! Here comes the almightily delicious Seamus Finnegan. I ran my fingers through my hair really quickly and examined myself on the back of my spoon. Passable.
"Hullo, Seamus," I said, trying my seductive look. I have mentioned that I'd been practicing different looks in the mirror over the summer haven't I? Well, I did, in case you've forgotten.
Seamus looked at me with his lovely golden eyes and winked. "Hey there, Ginny."
Bah – I think I must swoon now.
Swoon, swoon. I am swooned.
Colin jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow rather harshly.
"Ow," I hissed through my teeth. "That hurt."
"It was supposed to," Colin said dryly. "If I hadn't done that, you'd be sitting here staring off into the space Finnigan was occupying not too long ago for the rest of the year."
"I would not have!" I said indignantly. I might be easily swooned, but never am I permanently swooned. It would take a real master to do that.
Do you think what Seamus said would qualify as an indication that I've convinced him that I am romantically available? I think it does count. It must count. He winked! Guys don't waste winks like that. At least Seamus doesn't, I don't think he'd ever be a wink-waster. Why, it would be scandalous if he did.
That means I can mark one thing off of my list of things to do. Now this is all I have left:
THINGS TO DO FOR DAY TWO OF HUNT:
1 -- Spot Blaise and try to have a conversation with him. Remember to look up meeting a new male in "Damsel in Distress Handbook."
2 -- Gather up all robes and various articles of clothing, and bug Hermione (despite newfound repulsion for her) to help me transfigure them into something more suitable.
3 -- Work on canary project – maybe try to persuade Prof. McGonagall that the whole thing is inhumane and should be called off. Maybe turning an earpiece into a music box would be better
Okay, number two is easy, and I can talk to Professor McGonagall tonight because her office is near the Gryffindor common room. So the only thing that's going to take some effort to get done would be talking to Blaise.
That is going to be really hard. I'm relatively sure that he doesn't even know my name. And if he does, it's only because of my blasted Weasley red hair. Well, I guess it isn't that bad. It's not as light as it used to be. It's got darker, more auburn. Or at least that's what my mother says. But you can never believe what mothers say. They only say it to make you feel better.
"Ginny…. Ginny…." I became distinctly aware of someone waving his hand in front of my face. It was Colin.
"What?" I said, blinking out of my daze.
"I swear that you're one of the most absent-minded people I've ever met. I can just be talking to you and you'll zone out – like you have no brain."
"That's funny," I said. "I don't remember being absent-minded."
Day Two: Time to Accomplish Mission Number One (or first thing on To-Do-List)
Have taken to wandering the hallways aimlessly, hoping to run into Blaise. Literally, if I ran into him, I might swoon. He's definitely swoontastic. Very swoonable. Have I stressed his prettiness enough? If you don't believe me by now, you are most certainly crazy.
Now here's something original for you. I was walking around the corner, daydreaming about Blaise, and guess who I ran into?
No, not Blaise.
…
Draco Malfoy, otherwise known as the Great Ferret Prince.
"Ow," I cried out, falling onto my bum. That stone floor really hurts your butt bone, believe me.
The Ferret Prince just stumbled back slightly, looking at me oddly. "Watch where you're going, Red," he said irritably. What kind of beetle was shoved up his bottom?
I rubbed my butt and stood up, putting a hand on the wall to hold myself up. "You," I said. "Should watch where you're going."
He cocked an eyebrow. "But you're the one who ran into me."
"No," I said shaking my head. "You ran into me."
"I think not, Red." That's the second time he's called me Red. Is that my new nickname or something? I'm not particularly fond of it if it is. Bah. "You most definitely ran into me before I ran into you," he said, walking off.
"Eh?" I said, my eyebrows knitting together in confusion. But…we ran into each other at the same time. There's no way that… Oh, that Ferret. He's just trying to confuse me. Well, it didn't work!
Oh wait…yes it did.
It's too bad that I didn't run into Blaise. Mmm. That would have been much better. Although I'm sure that Malfoy was a bit cushionier. Blaise would have been…pokey. But that doesn't matter!
Besides, maybe it's a good thing that I didn't run into Blaise. I hadn't looked up Running into Attractive Males or Meeting a New Male.
Day Two: McGonagall's Office
I knocked on the door and walked in. McGonagall raised her head to look at me. "Yes?" she asked, motioning for me to take a seat.
For some reason she looked more formidable than I thought she would.
"Erm, I'm afraid that I won't be able to do our project," I said, glancing at her nervously.
She tilted her head to the side. "And what would your reason for this be, Miss Weasley?"
"It's inhumane, Professor. Why do we have to turn birds into music boxes? Wouldn't an earpiece be better? You wouldn't be sacrificing any birds for the purpose of education. It's just wrong, and I can't do it."
McGonagall watched me calmly throughout my rant, then said, just as calmly, "Miss Weasley, all of the birds transfigured into music boxes get turned back to their original selves and are set free right after the project is graded."
"Er…." I tried to think of something sensible to say. Really, she'd just about trashed the whole reason I'd come to talk to her in the first place. Yes, I was still worried about the canaries, but they weren't really being hurt anymore. Were they?
No, of course not.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "If you're quite finished, Miss Weasley…."
I nodded quickly and sped out of the room.
Tweet, tweet.
--
Day Two: Gryffindor Stairs
"Oh please, Hermione!" I begged, following her up the stairs to her private Head Girl room. "I'll make it up to you!"
Hermione whirled around and let out an exasperated breath. "Ginny," she said. "I've told you that I'm too busy. I've got a project due with Snape tomorrow--˝
"Wait! Wait just a minute," I said, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. "How can you have a project due for him already? It's only our second day back."
Hermione's left eye twitched.
Gotcha.
She turned around and started back up the stairs, beginning an explanation. "This summer I took on a rather large amount of extra-credit projects. I got one from Snape and I need to have it ready for class tomorrow."
"My, my," I said, clucking my tongue. "So unlike you to put projects off until the last minute.
Her eye twitched again.
Note twitching.
I smirked and pushed past her, racing up the stairs towards her room.
"Wait! Ginny, don't go in there!" Hermione shouted, chasing after me. Good gods, who knew such an athletically inept person could run so fast?
I leapt up the last step and shoved the door to her room open. Harry lifted up his head from a paper that he was writing on to look up at me.
He was lying comfortably on Hermione's bed. Too comfortably if you ask me. Watch as my eyebrows begin to wiggle suggestively.
"Ginny?" he said, eyebrows creasing together considerably.
Now, unlike Harry and Hermione, I happen to know that there is a rule strictly forbidding anyone of the male persuasion from being in the Head Girl's private dormitory.
Hermione shot in behind me and threw me a panicked look. "We were planning on studying," she said quickly.
I laughed, I really couldn't help it. That was the oldest and lamest excuse in the book Harry and Hermione shared a look that clearly said: "Has she finally lost it?"
I'm not so sorry to say that I lost "it" a long time ago.
That would be my mind you pervs. Not that…other… "it". Gah. I'm so wounded! How could you think that about me! Besides, I haven't even had a real kiss yet… There I go getting off the subject again…
I shook my head and started to leave the room. "Never mind, Hermione, never mind."
Well, I guess I'll just have to ask Colin to help me transfigure my clothes – he's a brain as well. And he's not a Head Girl-hiding-the-Boy-Who-Lived-in-her-bedroom-for-a-snog person.
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