Yes, I'm finally here with Chapter 9. I had writer's block, it was horrible. But its over now, and well, this isn't a great chapter but hey it was good enough for my beta readers! Anyway, I hope you like it.

Chapter 9:

The Party

"Are you supposed to be in here?"

Startled Ginny froze, her back straight, fingers still clasped around the brown tattered leather book. She cleared her throat and slowly repositioned herself to face the door. There stood a tall masculine figure, broad shoulders, a firm jaw, and a thin long thin nose, his long, straight brown hair in a loose ponytail. He stood at the door, his cold green eyes set upon her, intimidating her, making her conscious of every breath she took, letting her realise that she did not belong, she was in enemy territory.

"Hi," she said trying to steer clear of any confrontation. "I'm Ginny. And yes, I am supposed to be here," she told him with a nod. "I'm here to meet Draco."

He raised one eyebrow in interest and began to approach her slowly, his hands in the pockets of his khaki slacks, his long neck accentuated by his forest green turtle neck. His eyes darted from the exposed skin of her breasts to her hand, and then to the book she held in it. "Is that yours?" he asked.

Ginny lay her eyes on the book again, "Actually, no, it isn't. I just found it here," she told him diverting her eyes to the spot where the book had been. "I think it belongs to Draco." Brock's eyes gleamed with excitement. He gently took the book from Ginny's grasp and held it in his hands.

"So this is the book," he muttered to himself.

"What book?" Ginny said her voice filled with curiosity.

"That's what I'd like to know," he muttered. He turned to her and Ginny. "He's always with it at the Quidditch field, he goes there writing and thinking for hours, I've never been close to it..until now." Brock concentrated deeply on the book, running his eyes up and down the cover like it was a priceless antique.

"Maybe you should put it back then," she advised, "I wouldn't want to get Draco upset."

"Don't you worry about that," he muttered so low that Ginny could hardly make it out, and he fell silent once more, twisting the book this way and that, imitating what Ginny had been doing before he came in. She couldn't help but think what would happen if Draco came into the room at that moment. Would Brock tell him that she was the one who was looking at it? Would he be angry at Brock? Or would he take it out on her? What about the plan? Draco might not want to help her after he found out that she was prying into his possessions. He was always very selfish...always possessive of his belongings..

"Evening Brock. What brings you here?" came Draco's cold, drawling voice from his door.

"Draco," Brock greeted in return trying to hide the surprise in his voice. "I just stopped by to see what was happening. But," he added, "I think I'll be going now, I have to pick up Parkinson. Just a reminder, you owe me for that one." He got up and proceeded to walk past Draco.

"Shouldn't bet on a game of chess," Draco told him as he walked past. "It's you who owed me."

Ginny darted her eyes quickly to the spot beside her where Brock had been. The book was not there. Her heart began to beat loudly in her chest. Draco was bound to notice that it was missing. What if he blamed it on her?

"And while your leaving, I'm sure you wouldn't mind handing me my book from your pocket," Draco told him.

Brock stopped in his tracks, looked Draco in the eye and slowly pulled the book from his pockets. "Oh-oh this is yours?" he asked, acting surprised, "well what a surprise. There you go buddy, I wouldn't have taking it on purpose, you know that?"

"The book," Draco stated lazily. Brock hastily placed the book into Draco's hand, leaving the room scowling.

Ginny took the moment he stood there eyeing Brock leave to look him over. He was wearing a black t-shirt tuxedo. His pale, smooth, flawless skin and his slicked back blonde hair contrasted attractively with the black of his attire. He turned from Brock's moving figure to Ginny. He placed the book on his desk, ran his fingers through his hair and smiled at her. He stood looking at her for a moment before taking a seat next to her. "I believe there was something we had to discuss," he reminded her.

"Yes, there was- I mean there is," she remembered. She shifted herself slightly, taking a more comfortable position on his bed. "These plans of yours Draco," she started. He nodded his head. "I'm a little worried where you're going to take them, so before you do anything that I'm sure I will regret, I have some rules for you."

He sighed loudly, running his fingers once more through his hair, "Let's hear them."

"You need to respect me," she started, "that means no brushing me off, no talking bad about me, no making fun of me. The boyfriend/girlfriend act stops as soon as we're outside of the public's view. When we are putting on the show, keep the touching to a respectable level..I don't want to be known as the school slut."

He looked up at her for a moment or two, the tips of his fingers touching, his elbows resting on his thighs. "Is that it?"

"No," she continued. "There's one last thing. No sex.. ever."

He watched her expectedly and raised one eyebrow, "That's all?".

"Yeah, that's it," she told him.

Slowly he got up checking his watch as he did. "Well, I suppose we might as well get going, shall we?"

"Depends, will you follow the rules?" she asked.

"Don't you trust me?" he replied winking at her while taking her hand.

She smiled at him and accepted his hand. "Well seeing that I'm relying on you to help me get Harry I'd say...yes."

That was the wrong answer. It would cost her dearly.

XX

The garden outside was magnificently decorated. The drooping trees were filled with what looked to Ginny like little droplets of light. The only other source of illumination came from the full moon set in the dark blue sky. The garden was only dimly lit reminding Ginny of the Slytherin Common Room. Benches were set under the trees as well as a few scattered tables throughout the garden. A bar lay on the outskirts of the garden and little house elves were running busily to the several people situated throughout the garden.

As Draco placed his arm around her waist she let out a small sigh, and the usual look of self-awareness and diffidence was replaced with confidence and ease. As long as she followed his lead she would be okay, as long as she did as she said she would get what she deserved. As they walked down the stone steps of the castle the eyes of those there diverted to their direction sending those watching into whispered conversations. She was the centre of attention, this was her ball and she was Cinderella, only at midnight her coach would not return to a pumpkin, her gown would not turn to rags, no, this change was permanent. The only thing that would change, with any luck, was her prince. She would have a new prince, a better prince, the one she had always wanted.

Ginny's eyes darted to a table on the left. There sat Cho deep in conversation with Harry. Except Harry wasn't listening, his eyes were somewhere else, his eyes were on her. He smiled at her and beckoned her to join them. She patted Draco's chest signaling him to stop, he looked at Harry and comprehension dawned on him. But he didn't stop, he continued walking and Ginny had no choice but to follow him, she was sure that this was all a part of his plan; she just had to do as he told her, and she would get what she wanted.

Draco led her straight to a gang of Slytherins at a nearby tree. His grip tightened around her waist.

"Draco nice to see you arrive," greeted one fair-haired Slytherin girl.

"Care to introduce us?" One muscular 7th year asked indicating Ginny.

"This," Draco started, "is Ginny Weasley-"

"Weasley? Isn't that that bloke in our year? Is she related to him?" asked a stout vicious looking 5th year.

"Yeah, isn't that Weasley, Potter's best mate?"

"She's a Gryffindor!" exclaimed another.

Ginny proceeded to look at her well-manicured feet, trying to make the situation less awkward.

"As I was saying," continued Draco still as relaxed as ever, "this is Ginny Weasley, a Gryffindor, sister of Ron Weasley, friend of Harry Potter, and my date for the evening, as well as girlfriend." Many gasps escaped from the group. "I trust," he resumed, "that you will treat her well, since how you treat her will reflect how I treat you."

There was a tense silence in the air. Each of the Slytherins eyes lay intently on Ginny, who was still looking at her feet. After a long moment of silence, a tall, beautiful curvaceous girl stepped forward. She stood before Ginny, her eyes set on Draco in mild interest. She tucked her long straight brown hair behind her ears, pursed her lips into a small devious smile, and at last looked at Ginny. "I'm Meche," she said shaking Ginny's hand. "Nice to meet you Ginny."

"Nice to meet you too," Ginny returned brightly.

"Come on, let me introduce you to everyone."

Introductions for Ginny were a little less unnerving. Everyone seemed, after Draco's persuasion, to accept her, although she got some really cold looks from most of them. After being introduced to them all, and trying to play nice with Pansy, she made her way back to Draco.

"What now?" She asked him expectantly.

"Now we continue the plan, only ten times worse than before."

She looked at him, shocked. Surely it couldn't be that bad? She had laid down the guidelines, and he would follow them...right?

"Thought you two could use a drink." A short, frail, blonde haired Slytherin stood before them holding two glasses. He handed one to Ginny and the other to Draco, exchanged a few short words with the 'couple', and left.

Meche came forward her brown silky hair swinging as she walked. She cleared her throat, "A toast," she said raising her glass, "to our last night free from school, and," she raised one eyebrow looking at Ginny, "to Ginny Weasley: the first Gryffindor, or Weasley accepted by Slytherins."

"Here Here," came voices from the crowd.

Ginny raised the glass to her lips, observing everyone else on the grounds.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked incredulously.

Ginny looked at him confused, "umm, drinking?" she replied.

He gave a sigh while taking the drink from her grasp. "You never take drinks from Slytherins." He lectured. "Now if you're thirsty then come on, we'll go over to the bar." She nodded and he resumed wrapping his arms around her waist, and making their way to the bar at the edge of the garden.

They were within feet of the bar when short, stout finger tapped Ginny lightly on her shoulder. She turned around leaving Draco's hand to see Neville looking at her, a somber expression on his face.

"Ginny can I have a word with you, please?" he asked her pleadingly.

"Look Longbottom, I don't know what's gotten into you recently, but let me just tell you this-" Draco interjected. He was looking down at Neville his famous sneer on his face. Several people turned their heads excitedly, wanting to see what the outcome would be if Hogwarts old bad boy challenged its new one. But before their question even began to be answered Ginny stepped in between them.

"It's okay Draco," she said putting a hand to his chest, "I'll just have a quick word with Neville. I'm sure it won't last long."

Draco looked back at Neville, malicious ideas dancing in his eyes. The perfect hexes for this wannabe: Longbottom were just in his pocket, he could just take his wand out and with a flick of it Neville would be producing boils, or growing extra hands, getting the biggest ears anyone had ever seen, the possibilities were endless. A small smirk tugged at the side of his lips as he touched the tip of his wand, he could give Longbottom what he finally deserved, while regaining his status as the one and only bad boy of Hogwarts. But he looked at Ginny waiting expectantly for his answer, casting nervous glances at Neville. At least she knew who was the more dangerous of the two. Her brown eyes looked up at him expectantly, waiting for his decision, pleading with his own eyes to listen to her. 'Neville isn't worth it,' her eyes seemed to say to him. 'I won't be long.' 'I know what I'm doing'. 'Trust me.'

"Okay, I'll go get the drinks while you two have your talk," he sighed. He bent his head down to her, cupped her small face into his hand, and the two shared a very convincing kiss. Gasps were heard all around them, and Ginny had to fight not to burst into fits of giggle while she danced with Draco's tongue, tasted his cool, minty mouth. She tried not to let her hands tremble as she trailed them up his nape, and into his neat, pale hair. She tried not to turn scarlet as he pulled away from her, the moonlight dancing on his face, his grey eyes glittering with mischief. She tried desperately to remember that this was just a plan, as he walked away form her towards the bar running his fingers through his hair to neaten the what she had just tosseled, as he put his hands idly into his pocket, as his perfect from walked suavely away. He looked concernedly back at her once he got there, making sure she was within his visions reach, and cast her a fond smile that made her stomach jump, but it was just a plan, and Draco was just a good actor, it was just a plot...that was all it was...that was all..

"Ginny," Neville said bringing her back from her thoughts, "I just wanted to say that...that I'm sorry for what I did back there, in the common room."

She nodded taking her eyes off of Draco and onto Neville.

"It's just that," Neville continued, "I've liked you since the Yule Ball, maybe even a little before that, and I dunno, with Gran's passing away I guess I just couldn't take the stress of leaving Hogwarts. I suppose I went temporarily mad," he laughed. Ginny raised her brows in sarcasm, Neville wasn't exactly far from what she had thought. "Well anyway," he started yet again as he saw the cold expression on her face, "I would never dream of hurting you in anyway that I did today," Ginny fought not to throw up. The thought of Neville touching her like that and she being helpless made her chest constrict. "I guess I wasn't thinking."

"I can guess why," Ginny replied sarcastically. Neville instantly picked up on what she meant.

"About the marijuana..I don't do it..usually. It's only when I'm depressed. My friends gave me some to get me to lighten up.."

"And about the frogs, and McGonagall?" Ginny asked, not looking at him but preferring to set her gaze on the damp grass.

"I just, I didn't want her to hurt them, you know? I mean, you've seen us in transfiguration, we can hardly transfigure a rat into a goblet properly. Think what would happen with those rats-"

"Get a grip Longbottom," Draco interjected standing behind Ginny holding two plastic glasses. He handed Ginny one of them with a smile. She thanked him and positioned herself so that she was resting comfortably on him. "Their only animals. Next thing we know you'll be starting a society for frog welfare. Like Granger isn't enough." Neville's face turned red with embarrassment.

"You don't understand. They're not just frogs they're wonderful crea-"

"Yes well Neville, thanks for clearing that up. I'll going to head off with Draco. I guess this is bye bye," Ginny interrupted. She turned her back on Neville.

"Actually, no. I'm staying at Hogwarts," he shouted after her.

"What?" Draco said turning back. Ginny looked shocked.

"But Neville how? Dumbledore told us ourselves, you're expelled." Ginny asked.

"Harry went to him and told him that it was all from stress because my Gran died, and he listened to him. So I'm just on probation."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Figures," he said. "Dumbledore would listen to anything that scarred freak says. They're such good friends, but I've always suspected there's been something more going on, mind you."

"Anyway Neville," Ginny said quickly trying to get Draco off the topic of how much he loathed Harry, "It's ummm...good that you're staying. But anyway, Draco and I really can't stay." She said quickly putting her had around Draco urging him to walk.

"What was that about?" Draco asked once they were out of earshot from Neville.

"What?" Ginny replied.

"You being so cruel to Longbottom. Isn't he part of the your inner circle?"

"Long story," she sighed. She took her first taste of the drink in her hand, and looked amazed at Draco. "Draco, this is beer," she said. "How did you get it?"

"Made it," he said simply.

"Made it?" she laughed.

He nodded, "It's really easy. I asked father to get me the ingredients, and we brew it in the Slytherin Common Room. It's kind of an underground organisation."

She pushed the cup into his hands. "I don't think I should have it," she told him.

"Don't be ridiculous," he replied. "Beer's harmless. Besides, it's a party. Lighten up and have some fun." He placed the cup back into her hands. Ginny looked at it unsurely, but took a sip.

"I suppose you're right," she said. "Harmless."

XX

"And get this," Ginny said to Gregory, a 7th year Slytherin an hour later. "Draco told me that there's a sound proof charm on this place so the teachers cant hear anything that's going on. I guess that comes in handy when you have people like Parkinson around huh?" she slurred. Gregory laughed. "I saw her behind the bushes a while ago..nasty stuff man." Gregory looked at her amused, he had not said anything for the last ten minutes. He merely listened to this Gryffindor talk; she was rather humorous when drunk. "Hey Greg," she called to him to catch his attention, not that she needed to, "Can I call you Greg? Did you hear the one about-" She stopped looking ahead of her. Draco's form was moving towards her. He approached them and gave a quick acknowledging nod to Gregory. "'Hey Draco," Ginny said. "I was just asking Greg here if he ever heard the one about the weird sisters and the hippogriff."

Draco looked at Gregory questioningly. Gregory only laughed and looked back at Ginny, "No, Ginny, I haven't. How does it go?"

"What do you get when you mix a weird sister and a hippogriff?" she said smiling.

"I don't know," he said, "What do you get?"

"A Goyle!" she exclaimed laughing.

Both Gregory and Draco let out a laugh, though Draco's was a filled sarcasm. Gregory lifted his glass, "Good one."

"I know," she replied a smug look on her face. She lifted her glass and took another sip.

"How many glasses of beer did you have?" Draco asked her with a smile.

"You mean before or after you left to talk to that Brock guy?" she asked.

"Both," he replied.

"I stopped counting at 7," she said thinking. "So I would say..more than 7." Draco looked at her concerned. "Oh but don't worry Draco," she said catching his expression, "I got all of them myself," she winked, "and beer is harmless. Besides, I can still stand, that's good, right?"

"She is handling a lot better than most of the other Slytherin girls," Gregory pointed out. "Come on Draco, humour her. She's quite funny this way."

"Yes, well, you've humoured Greg here enough. Come on, maybe you should head up to bed." He told her. "If you get sick Dumbledore would want to know how, and I know that your brother wouldn't hesitate in saying that I got you drunk."

"But I'm not drunk," she told him matter-of-factly.

"Sure your not," he said leading her away from Greg. "You need to rest. I'll take you to your dorm."

"Why can't we stay here? The fresh air is so nice. We can rest under a tree," she offered.

"Fine," he said leading her to a tree near the lake. He took a seat on a blanket that had been set under the tree, and helped her onto his lap. She rested her head onto his shoulders. He could smell her hair, like cherries, and he noticed the many different colours of red in it. "Potter's been looking at you for the whole night. Hasn't been listening to anything Chang's been saying. I'd say pretty soon he'd fall right into our trap."

"Who care's about Harry," she said as she nuzzled her head into his shoulder. "He's not my date tonight."

"Ok, you're really drunk," he said to her. She gave a soft short laugh.

"You know, you look really good tonight," she said casually, her hand on his chest.

"I know, I always do," he replied. She snuggled even closer to him. Draco became aware of how cold it must be for her, almost half naked in the outfit she chose to wear. "Here," he said covering her with his black jacket to his tuxedo, "It's really cold."

"Thanks," she replied. "That's better." She looked up at him noticing how self-illuminating his grey eyes are. She sat up so that she was almost at eye level with him. "I would love to paint your eyes," she began softly, "They're so light, and they look so cold, but they run so deep. And your nose," she said touching his nose, "so aristocratic, like it's been specially carved to be perfect. And your mouth," she turned herself around so that she was on her knees in front of him looking directly at him, and trailed her index finger along his mouth, "it's so cool, with a hint of a mint flavour."

"You can't paint that," Draco pointed out.

She looked at him for a while. "No, I suppose you can't." She lifted her finger from his lips and inched closer to him, placing her hand on the back of his neck. He instinctually placed his hand on her back and brought her body closer, he opened his mouth to her as she placed her tongue inside, stroking his. The kiss became more and more passionate. Draco began planted kisses along her freckled neck down to her collarbone sending shivers through her body every time she felt his lips on her skin.

"Draco," she whispered while he began to run his hands up and down her back, "I'm ready to go inside now.....to your dorm."

XX

mwahahahaha, yes I'm evil! Lol, I gave you guys another cliffie. Mwhahahaha! Lol, anyways that's the chap I hope everyone liked it.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed:

TayTay: For chapter 3, thanks a lot. Lol, that part did crack up a lot of people. I hope you do finish soon. Thanks for reviewing.

Dragon Eyes : I know what you mean, my parents and brother bug me to get off too. Lol. I hate that. But thanks for reading and reviewing, I appreciate it.

Cassandra Aliene Felton : Well, here it is. Not exactly soon but I did write more.

Fezza: lol, well, you were write about one thing: it was Dracos diary. Lol I know! NOW he notices Ginny. Figures eh. I just finished OOTP too. It was good, I cried tear . But anyway, I made a promise that OOTP will not affect my fic, its kind of hard to keep it but hey. OMG, I would love to see matchbox20! Rob is hot! But in Dominica we don't have concerts (. Well they're gonna have Sean Paul in November but other than that no. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and sorry for making you late.

Gothic Retaliation : don't apologise for being rude, lol I need it. If I don't get pestered I'd take forever. I'm sorry I wasn't too quick the updating as I said I had writers block. Thanks for taking the time to read and review.

ESN : Here's what happened. Lol, hope you like. Thanks for reviewing.

Stunned Angel : lol, I know I'm evil with the cliffies. I left you another one. Ah well Ginny didn't open it..maybe she will though..one day..

MelissaAdams: lol Missy I know, Books and Ginny don't go to well together. Thanks for reviewing, sorry I took to long. But the chaps here now.

Brianna: Thanks a lot. I will continue with it. I intend to finish this fic, even though I have no idea how its gonna end up.

Me: Hey thanks so much! I hope you like this chap too.

liq0urish: I know what you mean, I love Draco/Ginny fics too. It presents all these conflicts and stuff. Thanks so much for taking the time to review. I hope you liked the chap.

Snow-Angel: Oh God, I'm so sorry for making you forget what happened. I know what that's like. I try to update soon but I always get stuck. I'll try to update soon though, thanks for reading.

GothicVampress : I hope you like what happened. Thanks so much for reading, I know I take forever to update but I'm really glad that people take the time to stick with the story.

hpangel: For chap 1, yeh I know. I toned the language down. I hope you read the rest. Thanks a lot.

Undone: Hey thanks for the advice. I've toned down the vulgarity and the thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to read I hope that you finish.

LP Figure09: Hey thanks! I'm glad you like it.

Crystal: Thanks a lot. Please review.

feLtOnZluVr : I'm sorry that you forgot what the story's about. As I said I had a case of writers block. Thanks for reading, I hope you like this one too!

Dukerbrown: Thanks! I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long. I hope you like this one too.

Thanks to everyone, please review!