Summary: Ginny's got a secret admirer. Could he be that cute new teacher? Could he be her house team's seeker? Could he be someone whom she knew right from her very first year at Hogwarts? Or could he be one of the most unlikely person to even notice her?
Disclaimer: NOT MINE! Although I wish they were a product of my very own imagination, sad to say I only own the plot & the other characters that might pop up somewhere down the road here.
PhoenixRae's Note: I have a feeling that for the next little while (provided I don't get any writer's block) that I'll get the next chapters out ASAP, but I won't be making any promises, hehehehehehe ^_^
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XV. What Kinda Game Are You Playing At?
Finding Blaise wasn't that hard for Draco. As soon as he walked in to the castle the first person that greeted him was none other than the very person whose face he seriously wanted to rearrange right at this very moment. How dare he run interference on his affairs? It was bad enough that Zabini found out he fancied Ginny, now he was playing matchmaker?
"You two run along to class. Zabini and I needs to talk," he told Crabbe and Goyle over his shoulder before breaking away from their flank to cut Zabini from crossing the Entrance Hall.
Blaise saw Draco coming towards him with that deadly scowl etched on the blond boy's handsome face. Blaise's own handsome face turned into a confused scowl as he waited for his Quidditch team's seeker approach him.
"Hey Malfoy, what's up?" he greeted.
Draco didn't bother returning the pleasantry. When he was close enough to Blaise he shoved the unsuspecting Slytherin backwards until the tall beater's back hit the wall.
"What the—? Malfoy, what's wrong with you?" Blaise demanded.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Zabini, huh?" Draco demanded.
"What are you talking about?" Blaise looked confused. He hasn't done anything to him. He just wanted to ask him about their next Quidditch practice.
"You know damn well what I'm talking about, Zabini. You told Ginny."
Blaise's eyes bulged out. "I didn't tell her anything—I swear I didn't!"
"Like hell you didn't," Draco spat and took a step back. "She told me that you told her it wasn't you who was her admirer and that it was somebody from our house who was sending her those letters. Hell, Wilson's on to me now no thanks to you."
"What? I swear man, I didn't tell Ginny about you. So yeah, I did tell her that I wasn't the guy behind those sappy love letters she had been receiving, but that's because I didn't want her to go on believing it was me who was behind them! Besides, I think the girl needs a bit of help considering her supposed admirer was too damn chicken to reveal himself!"
"Dammit," Draco hissed and instead of hitting Blaise's face with his fist, he decided to pocket his balled-up fists instead. He paced back and forth in front of his housemate, muttering curses under his breath. His grey eyes glaring a hole on the floor he was walking on.
"Look man, I won't apologize for what I did. I was only trying to help, and besides, I don't want to lead the poor girl on," Blaise pushed himself away from the wall and straightened his robes. "And you shouldn't either," he advised before walking away from him.
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"Alright class, today I've decided to give you all an assignment-free evening," announced Oliver to his surprised sixth year class.
Loud cheers echoed through the classroom. It was rare that a teacher gives them an assignment-free evening—especially on a Friday night.
"However, before you rowdy rascals start rejoicing," continued Oliver, but he had that jovial, almost teasing tone to his voice as he eyed each overly pleased student careful, "I suspect that you all will be prepared for Monday's quiz. And this isn't just any ordinary quiz like the ones I gave you before. This quiz is worth fifty percent of this term's mark."
A chorus of disgruntled groans echoed throughout the entire classroom. Oliver even heard a few "I knew there was a catch!" being muttered around. He kept a satisfied grin plastered on his face until the bell rang and each student shuffled out of the classroom one by one, wishing him a good day and him returning their greeting.
Oliver was just about ready to fixing his notes for his next—and last—class of the day when an unexpected guest dropped by his classroom. He looked up from stuffing his quill and inkbottle into his bag and his smiling dark brown eyes turned into a glare.
Draco Malfoy was standing at the doorway of his classroom.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" he wasn't at all pleased to see Draco in his classroom. The last time that happened, Malfoy asked him a special kind of favour that he wasn't too happy about.
Draco clucked his tongue when he heard that surly note in his History of Magic professor's voice.
"Gee, Professor, is that any way to treat your students?" he goaded.
"Professor Snape treats some of his students with the same hostility, Malfoy," Oliver replied back. "Now, to what do I owe this unexpected visit of yours?" he practically snarled at the young man before him.
Draco cocked an eyebrow and gave his professor a defiant once-over. He stopped and leaned his hip against one of the back row desks and crossed his arms over his chest.
"And what makes you think I want to ask you something, Professor?" he challenged.
Oliver's eyebrow rose. "You don't fool me, Malfoy. Either you're here to ask me what tonight's assignment was, which I wouldn't be giving you since you should have paid attention in class earlier, or you're here to blackmail me into doing you another favour."
"Blackmail?" echoed Draco. "Don't you think that's a bit too harsh, Professor?"
"Harsh? No, Malfoy, I don't think so. Now, my next class will be starting any minute now so you either spit out what you came here to ask me or leave before I throw you out of my classroom," he threatened.
"Throw me out? You can't—"
"Spit it out, Malfoy!" spat Oliver whose patience was rapidly waning. "Stop beating around the bush. You're obviously here to blackmail me once again, so what the hell kind of favour do you want to ask from me again, huh?"
Draco raised an eyebrow. "So you're agreeing then?" he stalled.
"Malfoy…"
"Alright, alright," Draco raised his hands as if to fend his agitated professor off. "I was just checking if you were indeed going to help me or if I have to look elsewhere for help. But I doubt I'll be able to do that since…well, since I am not really that close to any of the other professors around here, you know?" he shrugged.
"You're not close to me either, Malfoy. The only reason why I'm bound to help you is because of that blasted piece of information you found out about me," Oliver hissed.
"Oh? You still miffed that I figured out you fancy Ginny yourself, Prof?" Draco goaded.
Oliver's hands balled up to a pair of tight fists and he would've thrown a punch at his audacious student if he weren't only worried about his reputation. He was a professor now and not some student who could just easily start a fight. He should be the one stopping the fights between students; he wasn't supposed to start them.
"What is it you want, Malfoy? Time is ticking," he reminded his cocky student.
"Fine. I thought you'd be up for some friendly chat," Draco shrugged.
"Nothing is friendly with you, Malfoy. Now spit it out before I lose my temper and give you detention," Oliver threatened.
Draco didn't seem fazed at the threat although he knew Oliver would be true to his words and give him detention. Instead his trademark smirk appeared on his pale face at the mention of the word 'detention'.
"You know something, Professor? I wouldn't mind being given a detention by you as long as you give your precious Ginny a detention to be served with me as well. Kinda like the last time you gave her detention," he said matter-of-factly.
"What?" Oliver's face paled. "Are you out of your noodles, Malfoy? I can't just give Ginny a detention without her breaking any school laws or disrupting the class."
"That's the same song you sang the last time I asked you to help me out here, Wood, but look, you managed to get Ginny into a detention with you—what's gonna be hard about it this time, hm?"
"Malfoy…"
"Look, I need some time alone with Ginny to talk, alright? And the only way I could think of talking to her is if we're to serve detention together. Sure we'd be sniping at each other, but at least we're talking and…" Draco's voice faltered when he realized he was about to reveal too much. He cleared his throat and straightened up. "All I need is to serve detention with Ginny, that's all. OK?"
"No, it's not okay, Malfoy. I can't—"
"Hey, I have faith in you, Woody ol' boy," Draco winked and that familiar smirk plastered on his face once again. "You can think of something to throw Ginny into another detention. And as for your threat of giving me detention? Well, consider it accepted wholeheartedly by yours truly. So I'll see you in your classroom tonight after dinner, hm? Sounds good. I'll see you here at eight." Draco didn't wait for Oliver to say something. He knew he already goaded his History of Magic professor too much for the other man to remain civil with him.
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A/N: OK, OK, another short
chapter. I'm just slowly working
all the kinks out of this story so I can end, hehehehehe. But
isn't Draco pushing his luck? And I hope this chapter explained why
Oliver was in such a pissy mood when he gave Ginny her first detention with him
in earlier chapters.
Jessiebear: and I'm glad I updated too! *lol*
Miss Marauder1: is this soon enough for ya? Hehehehe, and sorry, another short chappie
Hayley Potter: no, it wasn't because you read it fast. It was just plain ol' short! *lol*
vanns: I'm not sure when she's going to find out, but I have a feeling that Ginny's gonna find out soon who her APC is.
butterfly kisses3: thank you!
Princess Amelia: well I guess this update is fast but as for the chapter length…the longer ones will just have to wait a while I guess…
Crystal Snowflakes: I know. I can't believe it took me like a month before I updated! *lol*
Crystal Lily: I didn't either! *lol* It just came out that way. Maybe underneath all those dumb exterior, Goyle really is a smart lad *winks*
Wicked Witch of Slytherin: thanks!
KeeperOfTheMoon: and update the story I will, hehehehehe :p
fEEdLestEEx: now don't be slobering too much *lol*
OpalKoboi: Ginny's being thick 'coz maybe she's in denial? And Abby's just being a typical, know-it-all-devil-may-care friend, don't you think so? Hehehehehe
KuTiExAzNxAnGeL: thanks for loving the chapter. And look, an update! Hehehehehe
HPFreak8: thanks
Amanda: so, were you right in your guess as to who the APC is? Hehehehehe
dan fan: yep, Ginny might be a bit too stubborn but Abigail doesn't care. *lol* She has a gut-feeling it was Malfoy and she would do anything and everything to prove to Ginny that her suspicions were correct
Faxton: I know. I'm starting to like Abs too. Hehehehehe, she's got backbone, mate! *winks* Thanks so much for the compliment. And I'll do my best to update as fast and often as I can.
selene-chan: hehehehe, sorry about that. Well, I'm trying my best to wrap things up as fast as I can without throwing anymore monkey wrenches into the mix…
Cactuskitty: *lol* Is this soon enough for ya?
cute-crazy-chick1: thank you so much!
she-who-must-not-be-named: Yeah, I wanted to throw people off a bit by sticking Blaise there. I just had so much fun playing with peoples' mind when I did that. As for Goyle knowing such big word…I have no idea where it came from! *lol* That word just came sputtering outta his mouth!
pickle: thank you
ChubBubble: nah, I don't think I'll make Pansy be nice to Ginny…hmm…well, we'll see! *lol*
moween: a Draco cookie?? Hmm…now that sounds mighty yummy! *lol*
Loves-Kiss: I'm gonna try my best to update as often as I can
Wizzabee: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drive you to insanity! But don't worry, I'll try and get this story unravelled and done with a happy ending soon…I think @_@
The Totally Sarcastic Sprite: thanks! (",)
GothicAngel3: I'm trying to finish this as soon as I can. And don't worry, I already know what happens in the end or how it will get to the end, but that might take a while…
d[n-n]b: well, I think procrastinating is good. One way or the other it is good anyway, hehehehehe
Magic Girl2: hmm…I don't think Harry's broom will be jealous at the speed of my updating this story, hehehehehe
Lady Laughs-A-Lot: Well, I don't think I'll be writing any more suspense in future chapters. I'm just starting to tie up loose-ends here now so I can end this fic soon ^_~
fishy: yeah, it does, doesn't it? Well, we'll see if it's gonna end in the next couple of chapters or not…
Elven Dagger: hehehe, thanks for liking Malfoy's description. And if I made you feel giggly like a hysterical school girl, then that's awesome! *lol* I wanted to make my readers giggle at certain parts of the fic, hehehehehe
MelissaAdams: I don't think Blaise is gonna run. He ain't no chicken, hehehehehe
StarKissed1: here's what happened next. And I think one question from previous chapters was answered here: WHY WAS OLIVER PISSED-OFF WHEN HE GAVE GINNY A DETENTION.
Pudding Speck: Yeah, Ginny's in the denial stage right now…well, yeah, I think she doesn't want to admit that if it wasn't Blaise who was behind the letters, then she'd have to pick one of the worse (according to her) member of Slytherin for her APC…
Red Magic Marker: Hehehehe, yeah, that she will…
JemG: you want more? Here's…well, here's one more *grins*
Dark Gypsy: right now I don't think I am going to be suffering from any writer's block. I might be delayed a few days (or weeks even), but that ain't because I have writer's block but because I am gonna be busy working…
Aidenfire: Abs is a helluva smart lass, isn't she? Hehehehehe
CrystalBlue: I'll do my best to keep on writing ^_~
Moon Goddess4: ya know what? I'm wishing for them to have another snog-fest…hmm…I think another snog-fest can be arranged, hehehehehe *winks*
toastsnatcher: I like reading secret-admirer stories too. They're so…oh, I dunno, they're just awesome reads sometimes, hehehehehe
kat: here's the next one right now. ^_^