Author's Note: Okay, so I wrote some more, and I know that this chapter will leave everyone a little bit angry at me, I'm sorry, but I had to do it. Wow, I got a lot of reviews for that last chapter! Great! Alright then, on to the thank you's…
Louisa: You know I love the fact that you read my story, gal… This chapter may just irritate your need for some action even further… *innocent look*
Dan Fan: I'm glad you love it! I'm doing my best to update every week or so…
Lily-among-the-thorns-89: She did indeed say yes… and I'll try and update every week.
SK8ER Gurl: Chuckling evilly along with Draco? Not a bad thing. I'm sure we've all done it at some point or another…
Jenni: ….The Plan. Mwahahahaaaa! Yes, it does sound terribly evil, doesn't it? *grins wickedly*
Wild Child: …You think that was a teaser? Wait until you see this next chapter…
KuTiExAzNxAnGeL: Glad you like it! Here's the next chapter!
Polkat: I'm sorry about that owl passage… I couldn't get it to fix itself. It's really not that hard though, you just have to overlook all of the italics. Bah. Stupid computer. Anyway, I'm glad you liked it, and I'm doing my best to get updates up quickly. J
Darcel: You live in Ohio? Where? I used to live there (which is why we were visiting), near Dayton. And I remember Ohio summers being the worst kind ever. Glad you're still reading. ;)
Crystal: I don't really email people when I update, since I usually am updating in a hurry, but I'm very happy you like the story, and I hope you continue to read.
Luna-Elentari: Hehehe, I'm very glad you liked that chapter. Yes, the party should be interesting, to say the least, but I doubt it will turn out the way anyone had planned. And the Ohio trip wasn't really that bad… I was just being whiny. I actually enjoyed myself. I hope you have a good time! (Have? Had? Whichever…)
MoI: Another new reader! Always a good thing. Wow, I'm impressed that you read all fifteen chapters at once… And I'm even more surprised that my writing didn't bore you… lol!
Kneh13: Yes, he is kind of like that, isn't he? But in typical guy fashion, of course, Draco is being a dork… *rolls eyes*
MelissaAdams: I don't mean to keep you in suspense, it's just – oh wait… yes I do… *great big grin*
NavyGirl14: Wow, thank you for the compliments! Here's the update you were hoping for, and I hope that you keep reading!
Nancy: Er… I dunno if I'll be able to read you this one. It'd turn into more of me mumbling incomprehensively while blushing furiously. And giggling. Gotta have the giggling. It's up to you this time. ;)
UMIFIREFLY15: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoy it!
Cynthetic: You read all fifteen chapters at once too? Good for you! lol! Yeah, I realize I can get a bit out of character sometimes… I try not to.
Liq0urish: …whoa. That's my first threat. Guess I'd better get a move on, eh? But don't become addicted to my poor little story! It's so hard to let go once they're over… ;)
Ali: Thanks! And Harry? …I'm not sure… maybe I'll set him up with someone, maybe not. He's not really the focus of this story. He'll come into play a little bit more, but I don't know if I'm going to take the time to set him up with anyone. Besides… maybe he's happy on his own… ;) lol!
Elbereth: You? Overreacting? Not like I didn't do it for your story… lol! And action? You want action? …Well I can't guarantee anything, but… J I'll do my best.
Karen: I don't mind at all! At least you're still reading! And yeah, life gets in the way for all of us… ;)
A-broken-heart-still-beats: Can't wait for the party? Hehehe… neither can I… J
*Phew* Lots of reviews! This was great, you guys! You know I love reviews, I eat 'em right up! Okay, so what's that? You want more story? Hmm…well I did kind of notice a theme along those lines in the reviews… I guess I'll just have to give it to you! Enjoy! (And please… don't hate me…)
Draco fairly sprinted up the four flights of stairs to his room, and skidded inside. Bisty had already laid out the clothes which Draco had chosen earlier that day, but he didn't change into them right away. He felt a bit unclean after such a hot, sticky day, and even though he had already bathed that morning, he was compelled to take another shower. At first he moved quickly, rushing into his bathroom and jumping into the shower. But once he was in there… the water was so warm, and so relaxing… he figured he'd have a few extra minutes. They won't eat for a while yet, anyway, he reasoned.
About fifteen minutes later, Draco stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. He dried his hair roughly with it, and then wrapped it around his waist. As he walked past the full-length mirror on his way out of the bathroom, Draco automatically checked his reflection. (A Malfoy must always look one's best… it works wonders.) His hair was sticking up at odd angles, reminding him of Potter's. Instinctively, he reached up to fix it, but decided to wait until he was fully dressed. (A/N: yeah, just a mean little reminder that he isn't fully dressed… ;) ) He was walking into his bedroom when he heard voices. Surprised, he stopped, and listened curiously.
"I'm telling you; you, Draco, and I are going to be the youngest ones here; we have to stick together!" Draco recognized Tony Leoni's voice (A/N: he's baaack!), and a sudden anxiety pulsed through him. If that was Tony, and he was talking to the other person their age… Draco had to grip the door frame briefly to keep him from scrambling back into the bathroom. (A highly un-Malfoyish thing to do, he told himself sternly.) He was suddenly feeling the slightest bit self conscious, if you will. Almost immediately, however, he recovered. Remembering The Plan, Draco squared his shoulders. Make her trust you first, he reminded himself, so that it hurts more in the end. Good people are so easy to toy with… Taking a deep breath, he strolled languidly into his room, letting the towel slip down to his hips as he entered.
Sure enough, Virginia was there. She was chatting with Tony, who was perched on the edge of Draco's bed. Both looked up as he walked in; Draco forced himself to look mildly surprised.
"Tony! Miss Weasley! To what do I owe this pleasure?" he grinned, inclining his head at both of them, and trying not to think about Virginia and pleasure in the same context.
He felt like the world had stopped spinning when he looked at her. If he though that she had been even remotely attractive at his birthday party, then tonight it was not Virginia Weasley, but Helen herself standing in front of him.
She was wearing a dress of the palest green; a close-fitting, simple dress, with thin straps. (It was also quite flatteringly low-cut; Draco couldn't help but notice…) The color made her fiery hair seem even more radiant, and that in turn brought out her blue eyes. Draco's mouth had gone dry in that split second, and he swallowed rather hastily.
"Draco, my friend!" Tony exclaimed, moving forward as though to kiss his cheeks again, as he had done at the earlier party. Draco quickly fiddled with his towel to avoid the greeting, and Tony ended up merely clapping him on the back. "I met the lovely Miss Weasley downstairs," Virginia blushed slightly. Draco tried not to look at her. "and suggested that we come find you – as we are the only guests of our age," Tony grinned. Draco had a hard time not rolling his eyes. He was fond of Tony, they had been childhood friends, but he could be so irritating.
"Hello, Draco," said Virginia softly. It was the first thing she had said, and Draco reluctantly dragged his eyes back towards hers.
Ginny could not believe that Tony had done this to her. Well, yes, she could… how was he supposed to know that Draco would be half-undressed in his bedroom when they came in? Not like he cared; Ginny supposed seeing Draco Malfoy clad in only a towel wasn't as traumatizing for him as it was for her. And it was traumatizing. This was Draco Malfoy – the most obnoxious, irritating, and self-centered guy she'd ever met. He was even worse than Ron! Secondly, (and Ginny couldn't stop the blush, but she managed to control the giggle that was trying to escape her) this was no longer the scrawny Seeker that she knew from her childhood. Draco was not built, but his muscles (those that she could see) were long and toned; he was tall and lean, and while his chest was not 'chiseled', it was obviously packed with muscle. Ginny had to use every ounce of self control she possessed to keep from opening her mouth and either saying something incredibly stupid… or drooling. Hey, I never denied that he was a great piece of eye-candy… She licked her lips, carefully choosing her words.
"Hello, Draco," His eyes met hers. Ginny almost fell over. This was not going the way that it was supposed to; she was supposed to be able to come and either ignore him completely, or cause him to make a total fool of himself… not succumb to lust! That's not what I'm doing, she told herself sternly. Aren't I allowed to look at a nice piece of meat – I mean man – Er, Malfoy…
Damn. I do want him. But it's purely appearance-based! Now panicking, she found herself starting to play with the fabric of her dress, hardly able to keep her eyes from traveling down towards Draco's slim hips, where the towel rested. She forced herself to look up, instead.
Big mistake.
His hair was damp and slightly clumpy, sticking up in the manner that had always been on of Harry's most attractive attributes. Her palms were starting to sweat slightly now, as her eyes forced themselves away from his hair and onto his chest. She was close enough that she could see the water droplets that still clung to his bare torso. Ginny felt like she was about to faint from the overwhelming situation; her, in Draco Malfoy's room, with the aforementioned person only half-dressed. At least I'd be able to use it as an excuse to get home, she fretted.
All of these observations and thoughts had blurred together in a time span of about five seconds. Ginny was jolted back to reality when a voice drifted up the stairs.
"Tony? Tony where are you?"
"Oh! That'll be Ma," Tony said, excusing himself.
Please don't leave me alone with him, please don't leave me alone with him, please don't leave – aaah. Desperately, Ginny watched Tony trot down the stairs. Chewing nervously on her lip, she turned her panicked gaze back to Draco. He was leaning against the wall near her. Oh shit. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh –
"So. It's just you and me now, Virginia."
