A/N: So now there's Blaise! Will he continue in his womanizing ways or will
Ginny help him turn over a new leaf? And what will the Dream Team think of
Ginny going with a Slytherin to Hogsmeade? Let's all find out together!
Just so we're all clear, this part at the beginning is still on the same
night that Blaise asked Ginny to Hogsmeade.
Chapter 5
"You're efforts were dismal tonight," Draco said as they packed up their belongings.
Ginny laughed, "Dismal? You sound just like Snape." She put her book away, "I guess I was a little preoccupied."
"A little? You went back for the wrong ingredient three times in a row," Draco said dryly. "I'd say that's more than just a little preoccupied."
Ginny giggled and turned slightly pink, "I apologized each time," she said impishly.
Draco crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the desk, "If this is going to interfere with what you're doing then maybe you should just tell Blaise not until after you O.W.L.S. are over."
Ginny turned redder and looked away, "Of course you'd already know."
One blonde eyebrow rose, "You weren't planning on telling me?"
She looked back at him, "I was! Honest, I just didn't really know what to say. I mean, 'Hey Draco, Blaise asked me to Hogsmeade,' when you walked in didn't really seem appropriate."
"Yes, well your performance tonight wasn't any more acceptable," he informed her.
"I know," she said feeling bad. "I didn't mean to be so out of it tonight, I apologize."
"No, don't apologize," he said angrily, "You must have apologized to me at least ten times tonight! Just don't do it again." With that, he threw on his bag and walked out of the room.
Ginny slowly climbed the steps to the Gryffindor tower. She was feeling horrible. Just because she was elated over what had happened that day didn't mean that she had the right to make Draco come and waste his time. She was surprised that he'd stayed all the way until the end. She'd been forgetful and off task the whole night. Her attempts at the potion hadn't just been dismal; they'd been atrocious.
Plus she'd never told Malfoy about her detention the following night. He'd really love that. She sighed. She'd just have to find him in the morning and see if he could meet her a bit earlier and have a shorter session that day.
"Frog liver," she said and the Fat Lady swung open to let her in. She stepped in and headed for her room.
"Hey Ginny." She swung around not expecting anyone to be up at this hour, let alone three someones. Ron, Hermione, and Harry were all sitting at the table with parchment and books open.
"Hey Hermione, hey guys," she replied.
"Another late library night?" Hermione asked.
Ginny had been true to her word and hadn't told anyone that Draco had begun tutoring her. Of course, even if they hadn't made that agreement, she didn't think that she'd have told her brother and his friends about their late night study sessions. Ron wasn't one to take such things lightly.
"Yeah," she said hating to lie, but seeing no other option.
"Well, if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask," Hermione said smiling.
Ginny smiled back, "Thanks Hermione, you know I will. What are you guys working on?"
"We had to write three feet of parchment on porcupine quills for Snape by tomorrow," Ron told her.
"Oh, Ron," Ginny said sighing, "What did you do this time?"
"We didn't do anything!" Harry interjected, "We were trying to help Neville and well, you know how much Snape likes it when we try to help each other."
"Yes, well it was only one foot of parchment for helping Neville if you recall," Hermione said glaring at her friends. Turning to Ginny she said, "We didn't get the other two until Malfoy made some stupid joke about the situation and Ron pulled out his wand to try and hex him."
Ginny looked confused, "If Ron was the one who pulled out his wand why did you and Harry get the extra two feet as well? Even for Snape, that's pretty bad form."
"Ron got two for the wand," Harry clarified, "and we each got two because according to the greasy git we should have been able to anticipate Ron's move and have had better control over our friend."
Hermione shook her head, "When will you two ever learn that Malfoy's never going to change and get control over your emotions? Now I'm trying to talk them out of trying to get back at Malfoy at Hogsmeade this weekend."
The mention of Hogsmeade reminded Ginny of something else. She thought about saving it for another time, but decided against it since they were already mad. 'Might as well get it all out now,' she thought.
"About Hogsmeade," she started.
Ron looked at Ginny, "What about it?"
"I'm not going to be able to go with you guys this weekend," she started.
"And why the hell not?" Ron asked.
Ginny met her brother eyes, "Somebody asked me to go with him."
"Him?" Ron asked. Harry and Hermione looked at Ginny sympathetically. The thought of Ginny being with boys was always too much for Ron to think about. Guys had always noticed Ginny, but none would ever dare make a pass at her with Ron as her watchdog.
"Yes him. Blaise Zabini asked me to go with him and I said yes," Ginny told them. The sympathetic looks that Harry and Hermione had been giving her fell into looks of shock.
Ron's mouth fell open, "Excuse me? Did I hear you right? No, that is unacceptable."
Ginny's anger sparked, "I beg your pardon? Unacceptable? Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?"
Hermione tried to intercede, "Ginny, I don't think that Ron is articulating what he wants to say very well. He's just looking out for your best interest."
Harry jumped in, "He's a Slytherin! And Draco Malfoy's best friend! God knows why he really asked you out! This is probably some big joke!"
Ginny felt the tears gather in the back of her eyes. She refused to let them fall. "Of course Harry. God forbid that Blaise actually be interested in me! Why would anyone be interested in me!"
Harry looked away embarrassed, "Gin, I didn't mean-"
"Don't Gin me!" she interrupted. "I know very well what you meant! None of you can believe that someone would actually want to ask me out. Well, Blaise did and no matter what you all say, I'm going with him!"
She couldn't hold the tears back anymore and turned and left. When she was out of earshot Hermione turned to Harry, "What was that?"
Harry was still blushing, "I didn't mean it like that!"
"Well, I'm glad Harry said it," Ron said. "For all we know it could be a joke." Hermione shot him a look. "They're Slytherins for crying out loud!"
"Yes I know who they are!" Hermione answered back. "Still that's no reason to treat her like that. You've really hurt her feelings."
Ron shrugged his shoulders; "At least the thought is in her head now." Hermione glared at him. "We're following them this weekend," he said.
"Ron, no way!" Hermione started.
Ron put up his hand to keep her from going any farther. "This way I can be sure that everything is on the up and up. If it's all legit then we'll back off, but if not, then at least we'll be there to protect her from them WHEN their true colors show."
Harry readily nodded in agreement, but Hermione knew this was a bad idea. However, she didn't want Ron and Harry following after them and then doing anything stupid. If she went, she might be able to keep some sort of rational thought in their heads. Somehow she knew that things were going to end badly.
Ginny sat at breakfast pushing the food around her plate. She was still very upset with her brother and friends, evident by the fact that she was sitting on the opposite end of the table from them in the Great Hall. She could still feel sting of Harry's words and it was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
She was surprised that she had any left. After leaving the trio the night before she'd gone up to her room and cried herself to sleep. She must have looked horrible this morning. Her eyes were swollen from crying and she had tossed and turned all night so she also had nice dark circles under them from lack of sleep.
"You OK, Ginny?" Collin asked pulling her out of her thoughts.
Ginny looked at her friend and gave him a feeble smile, "Yeah Collin, I'm OK." She noticed that Draco had gotten up out of the Slytherin table and was heading out of the hall. She still had to talk to him about that night's lesson. "I've got to go Collin," she said getting up. "I'll see you later."
Draco was already pretty far down the hall before Ginny made her to him, "Hey Draco wait up."
Draco stopped and turned around. He was about to tell Ginny off when he noticed her appearance. "What's wrong with you?"
Ginny looked away, "Nothing. Rough night is all. Anyway, I just wanted to know if we could meet earlier today, after classes? And have a shorter lesson too."
"Why?" he asked.
"I've got detention tonight with McGonagall," she said.
Draco sighed, "Honestly Ginny, getting into trouble when there are more important things to worry about. Are you serious about this or not?"
"I'm serious," Ginny answered, defeated. "Look," she said feeling very drained from the events of the previous evening, "I'm really not trying to make this any more difficult. I had a bad night and I don't need you making my day any worse."
He wanted to argue with her, but she looked like she'd had a hard enough day. "This had better be the last time, but fine," Draco answered, "I'll meet you earlier today."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for what?" he asked.
She reached out and touched his arm, "For understanding." She gave him a quick smile and headed off down the hall.
A/N: So this was the "Dream Team" chapter. We haven't seen them yet and I miss them! Next chapter will be the fun trip to Hogsmeade! What's going to happen with the trio following our young Ginny around??? Read to find out.
For my reviewers:
First, I want to share my very first FLAME!!! My sixth story and over 250 reviews and my very first flame!
Hell with you (I can only assume they meant to hell with you) wrote "1 2 3 strikes and this story is $h1t." I think that someone had a problem with the naughty words. I could be optimistic and think they meant this story is "the" shit, but I'm a realist. I went back and checked . . . I never promised an artistically compelling story. I was up front with it being fluff from the beginning. If they were looking for a story with some merit then they should have clicked on the option for drama or angst or whatever they were looking for when they were searching for something to read. But there's that thing about pleasing all the people all the time and I guess one person in over 250 isn't bad! Everyone else seems to like it! So thank you hell with you for being the first, but I'm sure not the last person who won't like what I write!!! The last thing I'll say though is that as horrible as you found the story you still read THREE chapters!!! I hope you suffered through each and every moment!!! Ha ha ha!
Loveduff - You're all over the place!!! I'm glad you liked my other story! Don't worry, you're reviewing with the same name, but if it ever changes, I'll still know who you are. I'm sorry that things with D/G aren't going as fast as you'd like, but the fluff will come!
Toreen - Blaise is a pretty cool and pretty under appreciated character. This and my other story are the only times that I've ever written with Blaise. I kind of like having him around. He's untapped potential.
Nerwen Faelvirin - Two Slytherins and one Gryffindor does seem a little off balance. Ginny doesn't split two ways and only one Slytherin is going to win . . . bet you can't guesses which one!!!
Liltrick89 - I'm glad you're loving it and Blaise! I don't want to make him a complete jerk and hopefully, he won't come across that way!
Killtheposeurs - Hey! Haven't seen you in a while! Thanks for coming aboard with us here! Keep enjoying!
Alice - Go with your first reaction . . . it's definitely D/G all the way! You're right about Blaise, he does allow for more plot.
Lady Ananas - The Blaise thing is very popular. I don't want to make him terrible and I'll try not to!
Cheesy - THANK YOU! I'M GLAD YOU LOVE IT! I'll keep it coming if you keep reading it!
Fairy-Queen770 - I agree things will be more interesting with Blaise involved. How involved is yet to be seen, but it will be interesting.
Chapter 5
"You're efforts were dismal tonight," Draco said as they packed up their belongings.
Ginny laughed, "Dismal? You sound just like Snape." She put her book away, "I guess I was a little preoccupied."
"A little? You went back for the wrong ingredient three times in a row," Draco said dryly. "I'd say that's more than just a little preoccupied."
Ginny giggled and turned slightly pink, "I apologized each time," she said impishly.
Draco crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the desk, "If this is going to interfere with what you're doing then maybe you should just tell Blaise not until after you O.W.L.S. are over."
Ginny turned redder and looked away, "Of course you'd already know."
One blonde eyebrow rose, "You weren't planning on telling me?"
She looked back at him, "I was! Honest, I just didn't really know what to say. I mean, 'Hey Draco, Blaise asked me to Hogsmeade,' when you walked in didn't really seem appropriate."
"Yes, well your performance tonight wasn't any more acceptable," he informed her.
"I know," she said feeling bad. "I didn't mean to be so out of it tonight, I apologize."
"No, don't apologize," he said angrily, "You must have apologized to me at least ten times tonight! Just don't do it again." With that, he threw on his bag and walked out of the room.
Ginny slowly climbed the steps to the Gryffindor tower. She was feeling horrible. Just because she was elated over what had happened that day didn't mean that she had the right to make Draco come and waste his time. She was surprised that he'd stayed all the way until the end. She'd been forgetful and off task the whole night. Her attempts at the potion hadn't just been dismal; they'd been atrocious.
Plus she'd never told Malfoy about her detention the following night. He'd really love that. She sighed. She'd just have to find him in the morning and see if he could meet her a bit earlier and have a shorter session that day.
"Frog liver," she said and the Fat Lady swung open to let her in. She stepped in and headed for her room.
"Hey Ginny." She swung around not expecting anyone to be up at this hour, let alone three someones. Ron, Hermione, and Harry were all sitting at the table with parchment and books open.
"Hey Hermione, hey guys," she replied.
"Another late library night?" Hermione asked.
Ginny had been true to her word and hadn't told anyone that Draco had begun tutoring her. Of course, even if they hadn't made that agreement, she didn't think that she'd have told her brother and his friends about their late night study sessions. Ron wasn't one to take such things lightly.
"Yeah," she said hating to lie, but seeing no other option.
"Well, if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask," Hermione said smiling.
Ginny smiled back, "Thanks Hermione, you know I will. What are you guys working on?"
"We had to write three feet of parchment on porcupine quills for Snape by tomorrow," Ron told her.
"Oh, Ron," Ginny said sighing, "What did you do this time?"
"We didn't do anything!" Harry interjected, "We were trying to help Neville and well, you know how much Snape likes it when we try to help each other."
"Yes, well it was only one foot of parchment for helping Neville if you recall," Hermione said glaring at her friends. Turning to Ginny she said, "We didn't get the other two until Malfoy made some stupid joke about the situation and Ron pulled out his wand to try and hex him."
Ginny looked confused, "If Ron was the one who pulled out his wand why did you and Harry get the extra two feet as well? Even for Snape, that's pretty bad form."
"Ron got two for the wand," Harry clarified, "and we each got two because according to the greasy git we should have been able to anticipate Ron's move and have had better control over our friend."
Hermione shook her head, "When will you two ever learn that Malfoy's never going to change and get control over your emotions? Now I'm trying to talk them out of trying to get back at Malfoy at Hogsmeade this weekend."
The mention of Hogsmeade reminded Ginny of something else. She thought about saving it for another time, but decided against it since they were already mad. 'Might as well get it all out now,' she thought.
"About Hogsmeade," she started.
Ron looked at Ginny, "What about it?"
"I'm not going to be able to go with you guys this weekend," she started.
"And why the hell not?" Ron asked.
Ginny met her brother eyes, "Somebody asked me to go with him."
"Him?" Ron asked. Harry and Hermione looked at Ginny sympathetically. The thought of Ginny being with boys was always too much for Ron to think about. Guys had always noticed Ginny, but none would ever dare make a pass at her with Ron as her watchdog.
"Yes him. Blaise Zabini asked me to go with him and I said yes," Ginny told them. The sympathetic looks that Harry and Hermione had been giving her fell into looks of shock.
Ron's mouth fell open, "Excuse me? Did I hear you right? No, that is unacceptable."
Ginny's anger sparked, "I beg your pardon? Unacceptable? Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?"
Hermione tried to intercede, "Ginny, I don't think that Ron is articulating what he wants to say very well. He's just looking out for your best interest."
Harry jumped in, "He's a Slytherin! And Draco Malfoy's best friend! God knows why he really asked you out! This is probably some big joke!"
Ginny felt the tears gather in the back of her eyes. She refused to let them fall. "Of course Harry. God forbid that Blaise actually be interested in me! Why would anyone be interested in me!"
Harry looked away embarrassed, "Gin, I didn't mean-"
"Don't Gin me!" she interrupted. "I know very well what you meant! None of you can believe that someone would actually want to ask me out. Well, Blaise did and no matter what you all say, I'm going with him!"
She couldn't hold the tears back anymore and turned and left. When she was out of earshot Hermione turned to Harry, "What was that?"
Harry was still blushing, "I didn't mean it like that!"
"Well, I'm glad Harry said it," Ron said. "For all we know it could be a joke." Hermione shot him a look. "They're Slytherins for crying out loud!"
"Yes I know who they are!" Hermione answered back. "Still that's no reason to treat her like that. You've really hurt her feelings."
Ron shrugged his shoulders; "At least the thought is in her head now." Hermione glared at him. "We're following them this weekend," he said.
"Ron, no way!" Hermione started.
Ron put up his hand to keep her from going any farther. "This way I can be sure that everything is on the up and up. If it's all legit then we'll back off, but if not, then at least we'll be there to protect her from them WHEN their true colors show."
Harry readily nodded in agreement, but Hermione knew this was a bad idea. However, she didn't want Ron and Harry following after them and then doing anything stupid. If she went, she might be able to keep some sort of rational thought in their heads. Somehow she knew that things were going to end badly.
Ginny sat at breakfast pushing the food around her plate. She was still very upset with her brother and friends, evident by the fact that she was sitting on the opposite end of the table from them in the Great Hall. She could still feel sting of Harry's words and it was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
She was surprised that she had any left. After leaving the trio the night before she'd gone up to her room and cried herself to sleep. She must have looked horrible this morning. Her eyes were swollen from crying and she had tossed and turned all night so she also had nice dark circles under them from lack of sleep.
"You OK, Ginny?" Collin asked pulling her out of her thoughts.
Ginny looked at her friend and gave him a feeble smile, "Yeah Collin, I'm OK." She noticed that Draco had gotten up out of the Slytherin table and was heading out of the hall. She still had to talk to him about that night's lesson. "I've got to go Collin," she said getting up. "I'll see you later."
Draco was already pretty far down the hall before Ginny made her to him, "Hey Draco wait up."
Draco stopped and turned around. He was about to tell Ginny off when he noticed her appearance. "What's wrong with you?"
Ginny looked away, "Nothing. Rough night is all. Anyway, I just wanted to know if we could meet earlier today, after classes? And have a shorter lesson too."
"Why?" he asked.
"I've got detention tonight with McGonagall," she said.
Draco sighed, "Honestly Ginny, getting into trouble when there are more important things to worry about. Are you serious about this or not?"
"I'm serious," Ginny answered, defeated. "Look," she said feeling very drained from the events of the previous evening, "I'm really not trying to make this any more difficult. I had a bad night and I don't need you making my day any worse."
He wanted to argue with her, but she looked like she'd had a hard enough day. "This had better be the last time, but fine," Draco answered, "I'll meet you earlier today."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for what?" he asked.
She reached out and touched his arm, "For understanding." She gave him a quick smile and headed off down the hall.
A/N: So this was the "Dream Team" chapter. We haven't seen them yet and I miss them! Next chapter will be the fun trip to Hogsmeade! What's going to happen with the trio following our young Ginny around??? Read to find out.
For my reviewers:
First, I want to share my very first FLAME!!! My sixth story and over 250 reviews and my very first flame!
Hell with you (I can only assume they meant to hell with you) wrote "1 2 3 strikes and this story is $h1t." I think that someone had a problem with the naughty words. I could be optimistic and think they meant this story is "the" shit, but I'm a realist. I went back and checked . . . I never promised an artistically compelling story. I was up front with it being fluff from the beginning. If they were looking for a story with some merit then they should have clicked on the option for drama or angst or whatever they were looking for when they were searching for something to read. But there's that thing about pleasing all the people all the time and I guess one person in over 250 isn't bad! Everyone else seems to like it! So thank you hell with you for being the first, but I'm sure not the last person who won't like what I write!!! The last thing I'll say though is that as horrible as you found the story you still read THREE chapters!!! I hope you suffered through each and every moment!!! Ha ha ha!
Loveduff - You're all over the place!!! I'm glad you liked my other story! Don't worry, you're reviewing with the same name, but if it ever changes, I'll still know who you are. I'm sorry that things with D/G aren't going as fast as you'd like, but the fluff will come!
Toreen - Blaise is a pretty cool and pretty under appreciated character. This and my other story are the only times that I've ever written with Blaise. I kind of like having him around. He's untapped potential.
Nerwen Faelvirin - Two Slytherins and one Gryffindor does seem a little off balance. Ginny doesn't split two ways and only one Slytherin is going to win . . . bet you can't guesses which one!!!
Liltrick89 - I'm glad you're loving it and Blaise! I don't want to make him a complete jerk and hopefully, he won't come across that way!
Killtheposeurs - Hey! Haven't seen you in a while! Thanks for coming aboard with us here! Keep enjoying!
Alice - Go with your first reaction . . . it's definitely D/G all the way! You're right about Blaise, he does allow for more plot.
Lady Ananas - The Blaise thing is very popular. I don't want to make him terrible and I'll try not to!
Cheesy - THANK YOU! I'M GLAD YOU LOVE IT! I'll keep it coming if you keep reading it!
Fairy-Queen770 - I agree things will be more interesting with Blaise involved. How involved is yet to be seen, but it will be interesting.