Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; just the gremlins in my head.

"Chapter 17: Love 'n Hate"

Harry was a little apprehensive. Lavender hadn't made a move on him of any kind, for nearly a month now. In fact, she acted as if she didn't remember a thing. It was almost February, and Harry was also trying to come up with the most romantic date he could for Ginny. Draco had suggested that he and Hermione come along, so the teachers don't get mad. Harry thought that was a reasonable idea, but he was still hesitant about sharing it with them. Draco, in response to that, said, "We don't have to be right next to each other, just in the general area. That way we know what's happening with the others."

"I suppose you're right."

"Good. Now, where are we going to go?"

"What if we go and have some picnics over by the Shrieking Shack. It's nice and secluded enough to give us the privacy I need."

"Sounds cool. Just let me know when, and when. I'll be seeing ya around."

"Later."

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Ginny felt a tugging at the back of her mind. Checking to make sure Professor Binns wasn't going over anything important, she concentrated.

Yes?

It's me, Harry.

Hey Harry. What's up? You don't usually call me in class? Who's class are you in anyway?

Devine's. I wanted to know if you wanted to go on a date.

Sure.

Before you say for certain, Draco and Hermione may have to come with us.

Well why?

Because of everything going on. If they came with us, we may be able to get away with it.

Well are they going to be right with us the whole time?

No. Draco said they would just stay where we can see one another, and keep an eye out.

I can go for that. Are we going to give them something to look at?

Ginny!

I'm sitting in Professor Binns' class, and you don't think I'm not going to try to be anything but bored.

No. I just wasn't ready for that remark.

And we've been going out for how long now?

A little over seven months.

And you didn't expect this from me? Honest to Pete Harry?

I was only teasing back.

Ha, ha, ha. I'm dying here.

Well I gotta go. Devine's starting another lecture, and I need to hear this one. Later Ginny.

Don't make it too much later.

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Lavender sat in the Gryffindor common room. The fire was barely kindling, and she was just sitting there. All of a sudden, the flames in the fireplace roared to life, and Lavender turned her head to look there with mild interest. From the fire a voice whispered with a malicious tone, and a shrill pitch. "I'm still waiting."

"He's going on a picnic with his girlfriend, and his friends in a few days."

"How do you know this?"

"Walls have ears, and I have money."

"Very clever."

"He's going to be by the Shrieking Shack after the first quarter after noon plus one. He will be alone, save for his friends. It is the best time we'll have."

"I like it. I will keep my promise, in exchange for the full bargain."

"Understood."

"Lavender, who are you talking to?" Pavarti asked. She had come down to go to the lavatory, and she had heard Lavender talking.

"What Pavarti?"

"Who were you talking to?"

"I don't know. I was asleep."

"You talk in your sleep."

"Yeah."

"That is so cool. I wish I could do that."

"Only we seers do it often."

"I know. That's the sad part about not being a seer. It's the only place you go, where I can't follow you."

After Pavarti went into the lavatory, Lavender sneered, "That's not the only place."

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Harry, Ginny, Draco, and Hermione, after finishing her Arithmancy homework, walked briskly out of the castle. Draco and Harry had paid a visit to Devine to get special permission to leave the school, on the day of the Hogsmeade trip for all other students. Hermione had a book in one hand, and an umbrella in the other. Draco was carting a frisbee, and a bag of towels. Ginny had a huge picnic basket full of food, and a chair in the other. Harry was carting three other chairs, and had the special permission scroll in the crook of his arm.

At the gate Argus Filch was standing with his usual scowl, and checking for the usual trouble makers. He took one look at them, and his scowl turned to a grin.

"You can't leave the premises."

"We have a pass from Professor Devine allowing us to leave campus."

Filch took the scroll rather forcefully, almost breaking Ginny's hand, and read it. His grin quickly turned into an even worse scowl. "Get going."

"Did anyone else feel like we just spoiled some fun for him?" Draco asked.

Everyone laughed for a few minutes. They were soon at the Shrieking Shack. Hidden partially out of regular view was a small pond, which few knew about as everyone was terrified of the place, and a nice hill for picnicking. Hermione settled herself down with her book, as everyone else stripped down, and jumped in.

"Hey bookworm!" called Draco.

"You rang ferret?" Hermione countered.

"Why don't you prove how well you can stay in the water?"

"Why would I want to try to be better than you in swimming?"

"Oh so you admit that you can't beat me?"

"I never said that!"

Draco didn't answer verbally, but physically. He splashed a bunch of water onto Hermione, soaking her and her book. Hermione very calmly put her book down, took out her wand, and dried it out. And all while Draco smirked, she changed into her swimming clothes, and jumped in. No one got out of the water for a half hour, and by then they were all cold.

After getting out, they cuddled together in their pairs; as Draco's splash had also soaked all of their clothes, and since they were all under the umbrella, they were still wet. A light breeze wafted warm air onto their close to bare bodies, as Ginny and Harry were also tanning in the sun. Draco and Hermione had taken to leaning on the tree, and picking out cloud shapes.

When there clothes were dry, they dressed and ate their lunch. They watched as the sun set, as it brought it's yellows and reds to blend with the black and blue of night; to end in explosions of maroon and pink. Harry and Ginny looked at each other, and no sooner had they done this than their lips were locked in eternal ecstasy. Draco and Hermione didn't pay them any attention.

But this beautiful scene was shattered; by a voice yelling, "Stupefy!" Harry and Ginny hit the ground unconscious. Hermione and Draco were up in a flash, and their wands were ready. Lavender came moseying from the general direction of the origin of the spell. "Evening all," she said pleasantly.

"What have you done you slut!" Hermione yelled. Her face was contorted with rage.

"Hermione that hurt. Why would you call me a slut? I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Look at Harry and Ginny."

"They look cute asleep don't they?"

"They were just stunned!"

"You don't say?"

Hermione didn't get a chance to yell at Lavender again. Another stunning spell blasted her in the back, launching her to land right in front of Lavender. Draco dove and rolled, barely avoiding another one meant for him. He was standing a few feet from Lavender.

"Lavender get out of here!"

"Why?"

"Do you not see we're being attacked here?!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

Draco looked at her.

"It's my fault that he's here."

Draco looked up. A hooded figure stepped into the dimming light. The figure removed their hood to reveal a fair complexion and a very light blonde hair.

"YOU!" Draco yelled.

"Yes," his father calmly replied.

Draco didn't have time to say anything else as Lavender did a spinning heel on the back of his head, sending him to the ground. He looked up to see a triumphant smirk on Lucius's and Lavender's faces. "Good night Draco," Lavender said; then blackness.

N/A: This chapter was done in a kind of hurry, so I'm sorry if some things are confusing. I purposely did another cliff hanger yes. I want you to know nothing for the next chapter.