[ I'd Rather Be In Love With You ]

chapter nine: her silly little games

Ginny was walking towards the library Wednesday afternoon so she could get started on her Transfiguration homework. She noticed a lot of people seem to be doing the same thing so she hurried up a little. She was so focused on hurrying that she bumped into someone when she turned for the direction of the library.

She didn't see who she bumped into because piles of papers where flying around. She immediately knelt down to pick them up. She looked up to see whom she bumped into.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Dean. I was in a hurry to go the library, I didn't see you coming," she said sincerely.

"It's alright, Ginny," Dean replied and then knelt down too to pick up his papers.

When Ginny picked up the papers, she noticed they were sketches. They were very good. She saw a candid one of Harry, Ron and Hermione together in the library. She also saw one of Neville and Seamus doing homework in the Great Hall. There was also one of Professor Dumbledore talking animatedly with Professor McGonagall.

"Dean! These are really good. Did you do these?" she asked amazed, as she flipped through the others. She even saw one with Hagrid sitting in front of his hut. Ginny noticed that most of Dean's sketches were candid.

"Yeah," Dean replied without looking at her because he was still gathering most of his papers.

"These are very good! You're very talented."

"Thanks, Gin. I'll do one with you in it if you want to," he offered smiling at her.

"Oh, that would be great... I think," Ginny said smiling.

Dean let out a chuckle as he finished stacking his papers and placed them inside his folders. "I'll see you around, Gin," Dean said finally and then walked away.

Ginny continued her way towards the library. When she got in, she was a bit surprised because a lot of students was there today.

Teachers are definitely handing in a lot of homeworks, Ginny thought grimly. She, herself, had three homeworks to do. She had one of Transfiguration, Potions (as always), and Defense Against the Dark Arts. She didn't mind Potions and Transfiguration very much since she enjoyed doing those, but it was the Defense Against the Dark Arts she was having a bad time at. She didn't particularly like Dark Arts, especially after her first year. She entered the library and immediately went to sit on one of the tables at the center. She got her books for her homeworks and started working.

She was working halfway on her Defense Against the Dark Arts homework when she noticed a lone figure sitting at the table just beside the window. Judging from the silver hair that gleamed on his head, Ginny figured no one but Draco Malfoy could be the only one sitting there. He had a book in front of him with both his hands on either sides of the book. His brows were furrowing a little, probably from what he was reading. He was sitting still except for when he turned a page.

Ginny's thoughts were then filled with what happened the night before, when she hugged him. She couldn't understand the way she acted with Draco Malfoy. She has never touched him out of her own violation, much less hug him. She couldn't understand herself when he was near and she would always feel her heart pounding in her chest. Why did she have such reaction towards him?

Ginny let out a sigh. She will probably never have the answers to these questions. She did not have any desire whatsoever to let herself have this kind of reaction towards him everytime he was near. She had to do something about it. But what?

Maybe she just had this reaction towards him because Draco Malfoy is a complete mystery to her. It even surprised her to see him reading alone in the library. As she looked at him, she noticed that Draco Malfoy can completely shut out everything else in the room and totally concentrate on what he wanted to do. The library was unusually noisy because a lot of people were there and he was reading the book like he couldn't hear anything. Like no one else was around but him.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't immediately notice that the object of her thoughts was now staring right at her. Draco was looking at her with a blank face (as usual). Caught in the act, Ginny quickly diverted her gaze on the book in front of her. She could feel blood rising to her face and her cheeks felt hot. She tried to read what was in front of her but then, the words never registered in her brain.

Ginny wanted to kick herself. She just made a cake of herself. Draco was probably wondering why in hell she was looking at him. Worse, he might think she carries some sort of torch for him. But then again, Draco Malfoy was used to that. He probably comes in here to get away from those girls who fight over him, Ginny thought, unaware of it's accuracy.

She hurried in doing her homework so she could get out of there. When she was done, she stood up hastily and went out the library door. She never took one more look in Draco Malfoy's direction.

* * *

Draco Malfoy finished reading his book and he reckoned he had to get moving so he could go to his tutoring session.

He stood up so he could place the book back to its shelf. He was on his way when he saw a little girl jumping up so she could get a book that was out of her reach. Draco looked up to see which book the girl was reaching for and without a word, went over to the little girl and got the book for her. The little girl looked up in surprise at him and Draco turned and walked away.

Draco placed the book where he got it and left the library. He walked to the Charms classroom and when he got in and saw no one, he waved his wand for the candles to light up. When the room was lit up, Draco took a seat at his table and waited for his students to arrive.

A few minutes later, the room was filled with students and the sound of people talking filled the air. His students were now all seated in front of him, looking, to his delight, a little relaxed.

For almost an hour, Draco taught his students about lessons they found difficulty in. He also taught them some simple spells that might get handy at times.

When the time for the students to leave came, each of them hurried to get out including Ginny's students, except one. He was still sitting on his chair and Draco spoke to him.

"Aren't you anxious to get out of here, Andrew?" Draco asked his student.

"Well, I was just... wondering if you could help me fly," Andrew replied.

"You mean, with a broomstick?"

"Yes."

"Well, I reckon so, but isn't it that Madam Hooch told you how to do it already?" Draco asked.

"Yes, but then, I was never good at it. I heard you play Seeker in your Quidditch team and since you're the one teaching us about our lessons, I wondered if you could help me with it," Andrew said, hopefully.

Draco sighed. He didn't know if he should or not. It was a little dangerous because Andrew might have some accident or something and it'll be entirely his fault if Andrew gets hurt.

"I'll think about it," Draco said with a finality in his tone that Andrew nodded and then scrambled out of the room, with a hopeful look on his face.

Draco stood up so he could fix the chairs and when he did, he heard the door open and then someone cleared his or her throat to indicate he or she needed attention. Ginny heard it too and both their heads spun around to see who it was that entered the room.

When they both realized who it was, they both said the first thing that came to their minds at the same time.

"Professor Dumbledore!"

"Ah, good evening to you too, Miss Weasley, and you too, Mr. Malfoy," Albus Dumbledore said with amusement dancing in his eyes. "I trust that the children have just finished their session?"

"Yes sir, you just missed them," Draco replied, still rooted to where he was standing.

"Not to worry Mr. Malfoy. I'm sure I can find another time for that. However, the both of you are the reason why I am here," Professor Dumbledore said stepping inside the room.

"Oh," both said in unison. They certainly did not expect that.

"So, I trust that the both of you are just getting along fine?" Professor Dumbledore asked, looking intently at the both of them.

No one said anything and Draco and Ginny just looked at each other guiltily and then they both looked at the floor as if it were the most interesting in the world.

After a moment, Professor Dumbledore continued. He knew better than to prod the issue.

"So, any troubles at all?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"None that I could think of, Professor. The kids have been extremely well-behaved," Ginny replied.

"Ah, well done, Miss Weasley. How about you, Mr. Malfoy? Is there something you would like to say?"

"It's alright, I reckon. None of the kids really bother me very much at all," Draco said blankly.

"I see," Professor Dumbledore said. "Well? Will that be all?"

"Yes, Professor," both said.

"Well, if there's nothing else you wish to tell me, I best be going then. My pet bird will be annoyingly lonely if I stay away long enough," Professor Dumbledore said heading for the door with, still, an amused smile on his face. A small smile tugged on Ginny's lips as she realized that it must be the Phoenix Fawkes that Professor Dumbledore was talking about.

When Professor Dumbledore got out and the door closed behind him, Draco went back to fixing the chairs and when he was through, he went straight for the door. But then...

"Umm... Draco?"

Draco stopped at the sound of his name and surprised altogether because Ginny used it again. He turned around to face her without saying anything. He looked at her as if daring her to speak.

"Um... I just wanted to thank you for helping me with the books the other night. I never got around to thank you," Ginny said.

Draco just stared at her and after a few moments, he spoke.

"Tell me something, Weasley. Since when did we become on first name basis?" Draco asked.

At first, Ginny was caught a little off guard of what Draco asked and then she replied, "Oh," she started. "Well... I figured that since we're friends now... well... sort of, I guess, I thought I would call you by your name."

"Really?" Draco asked sarcastically.

"Well, yes."

"I do not have time for this, Weasley," Draco snapped.

"Time for what?"

"For your silly little games!"

"Games? What games? I'm not playing any game!" Ginny said annoyed.

"Look, just cut the crap, Weasley. I don't have time for this," Draco said, annoyed and then walked out of the room to head off to his room.

Ginny could only look at Draco Malfoy. She expected as much of him. She expected him to fling that kind of statement right on her face.

Left with nothing to do, Ginny went back to her own dormitory, her mind clearly not on where she was going but on what happened in the Charms classroom.

She finished her homework and got ready for bed. Ginny tried to picture herself if she were in the shoes of Draco Malfoy. She thought she'd probably react the same way he did. Come to think about it, what she said to him a while ago might have seemed strange to a person like him.

After all, it's not everyday that your enemy's sister offers you friendship.

* * *

In the next three days, Ginny didn't have time to talk to Draco. When they passed each other in the hall, Ginny tried as much as looking at him to catch his attention but if Draco saw her; he didn't make it obvious. When they did pass each other at the hallways, he kept his eyes to where he was going. When they had tutoring sessions, he hurried up his lessons and went out rather anxiously of the room.

He was avoiding her, she realized. He didn't even acknowledge her presence when he entered the Charms classroom. He would just continue his way to his desk and everytime he came in the Charms classroom, he always had a book, and he would read it as if he was the only one inside.

Ginny was under the impression that maybe she pissed him off or something. She must have struck a chord in him because he's clearly stating that he doesn't want to have to do anything about her. After three days, she was tired of having to catch his attention when he clearly didn't want to be disturbed so she gave up and let him be.

It was Saturday night and Ginny was late for dinner because she did her Potions homework (again!). She had to do it because she only had Friday and Saturday night free. Sundays to Thursdays, she had tutoring and she didn't want to have to do her homework after tutoring so she started early.

She was clutching her books to her chest and she was hurrying to the Great Hall. She hurriedly turned to a corner that leads to the Great Hall. She saw three seventh-year Slytherins heading her way and by the looks of it, they saw her too.

Ginny quickened her pace so she could get past them fast. When they got near her, one of them blocked her way.

"Well, looky here, we've got ourselves an little 'ickle Gwiffindor," he said, looking down at Ginny advancing towards her, making Ginny step back to the wall.

"Hello there," he smiled evilly at Ginny, the kind of smile when you know he's up to something. "You know, we were just talking about you."

Ginny took another step back then she felt the wall behind her. She was trapped! The Slytherin who was talking a while ago placed his hand on her shoulders. Warning bells rang in Ginny's head that told her she was headed for trouble.

"Do you guys mind? I need to have dinner," Ginny reasoned and shook off the Slytherin's hand. Fear started to pour through Ginny's bloodstream.

"Dinner can wait, my dear. Why don't you come with us," said the Slytherin.

"I have to go to the Great Hall," Ginny replied, her voice shaking. She knew she wouldn't be able to fight all three Slytherins by herself.

"Relax! We don't bite," one of them said again and they all laughed a cruel laugh. Ginny's mind was hopelessly searching for ways she could get out of this predicament. She knew Ron, Hermione and Harry were in the Great Hall and they usually took up a lot of time there since they always have their talks, so she gave up home that either of them help her. She was facing three big seventh-year Slytherins and not everyone in Hogwarts is brave enough to take on all three of them.

The Slytherin who was talking placed his arm around Ginny and he tightened his hold.

"No! Please don't," Ginny panicked. She didn't like to think what they might do to her if she went with them. "I can't, I have to go to the Great Hall!"

The Slytherin got annoyed and she pushed Ginny hard to the wall that Ginny gasped in pain, making her drop her books on the floor. Her right hand clutched her left shoulder and she was cringing in pain.

Someone please help me! she prayed. Please! Someone, Anyone! Ginny bent her head down and closed her eyes hoping someone would hear her plea.

"Listen here, you silly girl. If you don't come with us I'll-"

But then-

"I believe she said she can't," a deep familiar voice suddenly said. Making all three Slytherins turn around to see who it was.

The tall Slytherin moved, giving Ginny a view of the speaker. When she saw him, relief flooded through her.

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A/N: I'm so sorry it took me more than a month to actually update. :( My aunt arrived and she seldom comes here that we had to spend the rest of my semestral break going off somewhere and every weekend away from home that I didn't have time to write this. I'm caught up with school and I can't always find the time to write this. I'm really sorry about that. Anyways, I'm still continuing the story and hopefully I can get the next chapter up sooner. Give me at least a week to write it. By the way, the second movie was great! At least, it was better than the first one. And did I say Draco Malfoy looks totally awesome?

So, who do you think Ginny saw? I'm pretty sure you guys know! Hehehe... This chapter is a little short, I know, but I just had to place it. Anyways, please review guys. Reviews always make me happy:). Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys are the best.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story except the plot, so please don't sue me. Thanks!