Chapter Fifteen- Love and Quidditch

-

November at Hogwarts was like a fickle woman. It could blow hot or cold, drench in rain, blast with icy wind, or blanket in snow...sometimes capriciously moving through all conditions within thirty calendar days. Ginny was glad that today, the first Monday of the month, the weather woman was in a good mood.

Quidditch practice when the sky was a gleaming white that filtered the sun and maximized visibility was a fine thing. Almost as fine as Draco, who watched the practice with a group of Slytherins. Elegantly sprawled, he was leaning back against the girl on the bench behind him. Shaking her head in an effort to concentrate, Ginny flew a complicated pattern to get the Quaffle in.

"Lookin' good, Weasley!"

Blaise Zabini's impudent drawl sounded as though she spoke from the air nearby instead of across the pitch. The projection charm was a good one, because Ron startled violently upon hearing the coolly suggestive voice. Her brother's desperate grab for his broomstick gave the Slytherins reason to break into laughter. Blaise's amusement was evident when she said, "I was referring to Ginny, Ronald, but you don't look half-bad either, Mr. Freckles."

The Gryffindor team joined the Slytherin students in laughing at Ron's violent blush. Ron was in for some major heckling over being called 'Mr. Freckles'. Ginny smiled. No need to wonder where Freckles came from. Draco had murmured it that night in the corridor before trying to give a kiss for each one.

"OW...Bloody Damn Bludger!" Rubbing her arm, where the ball had hit her, Ginny glared at the distracting group. The Prince of Smirks got a special 'I'll take care of you later' scowl. She didn't need to see classic features to know that flash of white meant he was grinning in anticipation.

Her stomach felt like her broom had just dropped out from under her. Merlin, how she looked forward to taking long, thorough care of him later… Ginny dragged her gaze away, following Harry's shouted advice on leaning into the final turn before scoring. Practice continued.

-

"Hi, Ginny," said Blaise, leaning against the wall outside the changing rooms. She smiled in a way that had the Gryffindor Keeper hurrying to brush past his sister and escape the disturbingly attractive Slytherin.

Contemptuous laughter drew Ginny's attention. Several metres away, Crabbe and Goyle were having a laugh over Ron's hasty retreat. Draco was smiling enigmatically. Before she could ask the cheeky girl what she wanted, a clipped voice asked, "What do you want, Zabini?"

Uncrossing the long legs that alarmed Ron so much, Blaise straightened. "None of your business, Potter."

Harry liked hearing that about as much as Draco liked seeing the other boy hovering over Ginny's shoulder. Funny how Draco could lean on his friend and not think twice, but if Ginny's friend stood even a bit close she could practically feel the steam pouring from her dragon.

Smiling at the eerily similar look of wrath on both male faces, she said, "Don't over-react, Harry. Blaise and I study for Muggle Studies together. We'll go talk where the sight of a Gryffindor and a Slytherin getting along won't offend people who want to hang onto grudges for dear life."

"Gin..."

Ignoring Harry's sputtering and the other girl's smirking, Ginny stormed over to a tree away from Seekers of both houses. Blaise followed. "Nice job you did back there, Weasley. Too bad it'll take more than a 'why don't we all just get along' speech to bring Gryffindors around to you having a Slytherin boyfriend."

"You actually sound like you mean that."

The exotic looking girl smiled ruefully, looking down as she admitted, "I do. I want Draco to be happy, which requires you. Since my friend is your boyfriend, don't you think we should try being friends too?"

"I thought we already were, or do you usually spend so much time helping and giving dresses to acquaintances?"

"No."

Oh gods, it was so weird, being friends with this particular Slytherin. Ginny supposed after falling for Draco, anything could happen. Perhaps a white rabbit would come bounding up and say 'It's time for...'

"Tea, Zabini! C'mon, hurry up! We're starving over here!"

Both girls laughed at Crabbe's loud complaint. Blaise smiled and said, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you during all that touchy-feely stuff...and by the way, we are not hugging ever...Draco wants to meet you later."

Ginny said, "Fine, while we're making rules, don't ever call me 'girlfriend' like you do Flint...and never refer to my brother as Mr. Freckles again. Ron can't handle any more of your teasing."

Blaise backed away, one of those Cheshire Cat grins on her face. Ginny knew, because she'd looked Alice in Wonderland up after the last time she'd seen that smile. She narrowed her eyes at the feline look of amusement. "When and where does he want to meet?"

The other girl giggled the answer before sauntering off toward Draco, who smiled wickedly before leading his little band away. Ginny entered the girls' locker room, tossing her robes huffily. Thought it was funny, did they? As she headed for the shower, Ginny began to smile. Maybe it was a little bit funny, that Draco wanted to meet in that particular place.

-

Hand poised to open the door to the trophy room later, Ginny paused. She should feel awful about sneaking around behind everyone's backs. It was very un-Gryffindor to stretch the truth as far as she did to have what she wanted.

Blaise had told her, 'You won't be lying if you touch the library door on the way back. You'll have gone to the library, just like you told them. No one needs to know about your little side trip.' That self-serving, Slytherin logic should've disgusted her...but it didn't. Ginny admired it, resolved to use it whenever she needed, and hoped to need it lots and lots.

A month ago, if anyone had been foolish enough to tell her that she would one day return to this place in the hope of finding Draco Malfoy, what a jinx she would've given them. Ginny took a deep breath, ignored the little voice of doubt that said he won't be there, he's laughing at you and planning to tell Filch right this minute, and turned the handle.

Inside, the torches were extinguished, but magicked candles gave the room a romantic glow. Ginny's gaze fell on Draco. He was sitting against the wall on a blanket. His intent stare reminded her of a jungle cat fixed on prey. Resisting the urge to press a hand to her fluttery stomach, Ginny sat beside him and accepted a glass of sparkling liquid. Sipping it, she exclaimed, "Its cider!"

Draco gave her a look of superior amusement. "Did you think I'd try to get you drunk and take advantage of you?"

No. But if he didn't stop smirking adorably, she'd take advantage of him.

Draco smiled and set their glasses aside. He pulled her down to lie atop the muscular body that looked and felt way too good, whispering, "Feel free, Red."

It seemed her habit of thinking aloud was finally getting her into trouble. Good thing trouble was a gorgeous blond and into his arms was where she most wanted to go. Ginny looked down into his face, thinking he was the only boy worth compromising every moral her mother ever tried to teach.

He asked, "What are you thinking?"

Crazy about Draco, but not that crazy, she said the first thing that came to mind, "I was thinking how you resemble a jungle cat looking at his prey, but I can't decide..."

"What?"

What? That smile of yours should be considered a Dark Art. What were we talking about...right... Her voice was breathy, "Whether you're going to devour me, or just play."

Ginny's fingers clenched reflexively in Draco's hair as his predatory smile widened. "What do you want me to do?"

The feel of wickedly talented lips moving up her throat caused her to gasp. "Both."

-

-

After Wednesday's Quidditch practice, Draco could almost see a red film appear before his eyes. Montague was an utter bastard, and every practice under his never-ending stream of criticism became harder and harder to tolerate.

The Captain constantly berated and belittled everyone, but saved his crudest and most spiteful remarks for the boy who 'would never be a Harry Potter.' That phrase, and all the hateful variations spouted by Montague during every practice at each imagined fault and flaw, was driving Draco spare.

During the Halloween feast, the ogre-like Chaser and Quidditch Captain had gone too far, swaggering over to say, "No wonder Zabini needs two boyfriends to satisfy her if you're as lousy in bed as you are on a broom, Malfoy. Maybe you should ask Potter for tips to improve your game...on and off the pitch."

If Blaise hadn't hit the wanker with Rictusempra, causing Montague to double over in laughter and be dragged out gasping for breath, Merlin knew what Draco would've done. Father might be an amoral bastard, but he was brilliant at creating nasty hexes. Lucius taught his son several before being dragged off to Azkaban. The hex affecting private areas would've been first on the list to try.

After the feast, Draco remembered sitting in the dark common room long after the last student had gone to bed. He'd stared into the fire, feeling as though a firestorm of anger was consuming him.

"As much as I enjoy watching you brood, Baby Boy, I'd enjoy seeing you getting even a whole lot better." Blaise sat down beside him. "Montague has got to be stopped."

"Really...I never thought of that. I so enjoy taking abuse, you know."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"I thought I'd hex him where it'd hurt the most, but that wouldn't help the Quidditch team...me especially, since I'm no Harry-Bloody-Potter."

"Roger Harry Potter."

"Yeah, that's just what Montague thinks you're going to do, since I'm probably 'as lousy in bed as I am on a broom'. Draco gritted, "Bastard. If I wanted to feel like shite, I could re-read one of Father's letters."

Blaise had a dangerous look in her eye that reminded Draco of the Macbeth woman he'd read about in Muggle Studies. It gave him hope. She smiled so deviously he knew she'd thought of something that would be bad for the Captain and good for him.

Slender fingers held up a piece of parchment. "I came across this on Terry's desk. It's a list of memory charms out of a book from the Restricted Section. One of them, Memoria Falsus, is used to create false memories. Montague could be made to remember how awful he feels over treating everyone so badly. He would be compelled to confess to the team, become a model Chaser...after making someone better suited Captain."

The internal firestorm became embers that warmed. Draco smiled at his 'Lady Macbeth' and began to talk about how the plan could be put into action. When Blaise seemed surprised he wanted to pull the thing off after mid-week practice, he thought of a line from Shakespeare's play and quoted, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly."

A doubt struck. He asked, "If we should fail?"

His conspirator grinned at him. "We fail! But screw your courage to the sticking place- and we'll not fail!"

Following Wednesday's practice, Montague made things easy by being as big a windbag off the pitch as on. He spent so much time blowing hot air that the other Quidditch team members were showered and gone before the bully had done more than toss his robes into a bin for cleaning. Beefy arms crossed over a hairy chest, the Captain said, "Why are you still hanging round, Malfoy? Want to hear me list all the ways you'll never be half as good as Potter?"

The cold smile on Draco's face removed the one on Montague's. One short spell later, the brawny teen had a new attitude. Thirty minutes after that, the Slytherin went to find the rest of the team.

The new Quidditch Captain strutted through corridors deserted by students spending the time before dinner in their common rooms. Draco saw his favourite redhead and made a beeline for her. He dragged Ginny into a deserted classroom and pushed her back against the closed door. Laughing, he kissed her enthusiastically.

She smiled dazedly. "You seem so pleased. Did something good happen?"

Draco laughed again and impulsively spun his girl in circles until she laughed with him. He gave Ginny another kiss. "You are looking at the new Slytherin Quidditch Captain. Montague resigned and yours truly is now in charge, which means Gryffindor better watch out."

"I always watch out for you, Malfoy."

"Can't keep your eyes off me, can you?"

"Shut up and kiss me, Captain."

"Yes, ma'am!"

-

When Draco kissed Ginny goodbye, he headed for the common room, looking to share the whole story with Blaise. A timid first year noticed him scanning the chamber and stammered that Zabini and 'some other girls' were doing 'something' in the empty classroom around the corner from the Slytherin corridor.

Curious, Draco made his way to the room and silently opened the door. Five girls dressed in trainers, very short, pleated skirts and sleeveless, midriff-baring tops stood listening to another girl whose back was to the door.

She was reminding them to practice coordinating their motions until they did them in unison. The girl warned that unless their arms were stiff, their muscles tight, and the transitions smooth and snappy, the routine would be sorry instead of slammin, whatever that meant.

One of the girls listening was Morrigan. She noticed him right off and mischievously winked before asking the instructor to show them one more time how to correctly pick up things referred to as 'pom-poms'. Obligingly, the girl dropped the green and silver shakers, saying, "Alright, remember, you bend your knees and go down to pick them up. Don't ever bend forward like this, unless you want the Gryffindor section to get a good look at your...AAAHHH!"

The upside-down face staring in horror at him through long legs was no girl's. It belonged to Professor Lorelei! Bloody hell, he'd just seen a professor's backside! Was Morrigan trying to get him detention, the witch?

The girls were snickering over the prank played on their sponsor. The professor immediately straightened and pulled on her teaching robes. She reminded the still giggling wenches, "You won't be laughing if you don't put time and effort into your endeavour, ladies. You have the movements and motions down, but loads more practice is needed to blend the two together into something that will wow the Quidditch crowd this Saturday."

She stuffed her shakers into a bag. "I'll be checking back Friday to give you your tights and jumpers. Yes, Miss Flint, jumpers- it's November, and heaven only knows how chilly the day will be." She paused to listen to a question, then answered, "No, Miss MacDuff, the sweaters won't be 'dorky', they'll hug your body...yes, I promise. All right, if there's nothing else, I'll be off."

"Professor?"

Fair skin now showing only a tinge of pink embarrassment, Lorelei looked at one of the blonde Greengrass twins- Mary-Kate or Ashley, who could tell- as the girl asked, "When will we get our house points?"

"Professor Hands will award the one hundred points after the match."

"One hundred!"

Dark eyes twinkled. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy, one hundred. The Muggle Studies Professor really wants the student body to see what Muggle cheerleading is all about."

"Right, I bet."

A raised brow and a smirk were the professor's only acknowledgement that yes, Hands was a dirty old man who wanted to see some pretty girls shake their 'pom-poms'.

The woman's exit was halted again by the other Greengrass girl. "Did Professor Snape say it was alright for us to do this?"

The professor smiled reassuringly at Ashley- or Mary-Kate, whoever. "I'm going to show...uh; I mean...explain...the cheerleading concept to your Head of House as soon as possible. I'm sure he'll have no problems with it whatsoever. The cheering is only for one match and it's for educational purposes. So, just keep practicing and I'll see you Friday!"

After the woman left, the girls burst into giggles.

"Oh my gods, did you see her face?"

"She was totally embarrassed that Malfoy saw her arse!"

Morrigan made a comment that stopped everyone in their tracks.

"Did you hear Lorelei's little slip? She said she was going to show Snape the routine."

The boy observing the girls laughed at the expressions of disgust made after that remark. Fiona, Morrigan, and Blaise groaned.

"Oh my gods..."

"That's so gross..."

"I can't believe I didn't see it before."

The Greengrass girls were shocked and said together, as if they shared a brain, "No, she said explain...she wouldn't...they aren't..."

The three sixth years looked at the two fifth years. Blaise, the most diplomatic of the lot, agreed, "Sure, they're just friends. Yeah, you're right...don't worry about it, you can go...we'll see you two same time tomorrow, okay?"

After the twins left, the three girls who remained cackled like witches over the thought of Lorelei and Snape. Malfoy said, "Does anyone want to say hello to the new Captain of the Quidditch team?"

Blaise's face lit up. Screaming, "Yes!" she and the other girls hugged him before swaying and shaking their ridiculous pom-poms in celebration. Happier than he'd been in ages, Draco danced with them.

-

-

Saturday's sky was a clear, sunny blue that took the chill out of the air and made the atmosphere for the opening game of the Quidditch season sparkle brightly as the sunlight. Following the crowd headed across the grounds to the stadium, Luna received several dubious glances from her fellow students.

Perhaps it was because she was wearing a pin of a rampant lion on her cloak. Or maybe it was because her earrings didn't match. One ear had a raven dangling from a silver hook, and the other sported an eagle on a golden one. Conceivably, the strange item that rustled and shook as she held it in her hand was the true object of interest. Considering the variety of probabilities passed the time as she climbed the stairs to reach the high bleachers.

"Aren't you sitting with us, Luna?"

The ' Indies' had stopped by their usual section. It was between the Slytherin and Gryffindor segments of the stands. Gryffindor and Slytherin students were separated by other houses and the Quidditch pitch. It was a very good arrangement, for several obvious reasons. Luna said, "No, I'm sitting with Gryffindor today. Since Hufflepuff and Slytherin are playing, Ravenclaw doesn't need my support."

"Oh...okay...see you, Lindy."

Smiling over the nickname, Luna drifted on.

"Hey, Lovegood, want to sit with us? I could use some decent company. The guys keep talking Quidditch strategy, and Boot here only wants to stare at the Slytherin section. I'm beside myself with boredom."

The blue and bronze striped scarf made Wesley's merry eyes look even more appealing. The smile on his handsome face revealed that he would never really be bored. He found his fellow students much too amusing. Luna couldn't help smiling at him. "Sorry, I'm sitting with Ginny. I don't think you'll be bored for long, though. Blaise told me Slytherin has something special planned."

Wesley's eyes gleamed with curiosity. Luna sternly reminded herself that she preferred amethyst blue orbs. Oops, I mean emerald...emerald, emerald, emerald...

Dimples and a flirtatious smile flashed. "Hmmm...I wondered why that front section of their stands was cleared and a long platform put there instead. What's going to happen?"

Terry Boot turned to look at his friend. Luna thought it unfair boys like him had such lovely long hair and eyelashes when they didn't appreciate them nearly as much as a girl would. Well, she corrected inwardly, I suppose their girlfriends appreciate them. He said, "Blaise told me some girls asked her to help put together some cheer thing just for today. She said the Muggle Studies professor wants everyone to see how Muggles lead cheers to encourage their teams." Frowning, the boy admitted, "I was working out a new offensive flight pattern for the team when she was telling me about it, so I didn't listen like I should've. Now I'm starting to worry."

"Muggle cheering? You told your girlfriend okay to Muggle cheering?" Wesley's laughter rang out infectiously.

His friend smiled as he asked, "Do you know what it means, that Muggle cheering thing?"

Snickering, the puckish boy nodded his head. "I'm half Muggle, mate. I've got relatives with satellite telly back home, and yeah, I know what cheerleaders do...and what they wear doing it."

"What do you mean, what they wear? What did I agree to?"

Wesley's eyes met Luna's. Her steady glance must have told him that yes, she too knew what cheering meant, and was now glad she wouldn't be nearby when Terry got an eyeful of what he'd thoughtlessly agreed his girlfriend should do. The mischief-maker winked at her as she waved goodbye and moved on. Behind her she, could hear the snorting imp tell his friend, "It's not something I can explain, mate. You'll just have to see for yourself."

Reaching the Gryffindor section, Luna made her way to the bottom bleacher where a lively group sat talking about the upcoming match.

"Don't know why we even bothered to come, really. You know Slytherin will win before a half hour's over," Ron said.

"Yes, but it's always good to see the enemy in action. We play Slytherin in two weeks," said Harry.

Ginny looked up. "Luna! I saved you a seat." She patted the spot between her and Harry.

Luna smiled as she sat down. The crimson stripe in his scarf made Harry's pale skin glow. Forgetting the object in her hand, Luna reached up to touch his cheek. The shaking sound saved her from making an embarrassing move.

Harry looked curiously at the item's green and silver strands. "What's that, then?"

"I don't know, exactly. Blaise said all the Slytherins were getting them for the game today. You hold the stick and shake it so the strands rustle and encourage your team."

Hermione leaned around Ron to give the shaker a suspicious look. "I've seen something like that before. Girls called cheerers or something use them. Why are they at Hogwarts?"

Trying to appear as innocent as possible, Luna replied, "The Muggle Studies professor promised to award house points if some Slytherin girls would learn Muggle cheering and give an exhibition of it today."

Hermione said, "You're not telling me they're going to dress up in skimpy costumes and shake their...shakers...are you?"

Smiling nervously, Luna looked at Harry and then Ginny. Green eyes and brown were equally amused at the idea, and neither looked willing to save their friend from Hermione's interrogation. Luckily, the redhead peering across the pitch with his omnioculars distracted everyone by exclaiming, "Merlin! Those Slytherin girls are half-naked!"

Everyone in hearing distance whipped out their omnioculars and stared eagerly over to where five Slytherin girls were entering the stands. The Slytherin crowd erupted into whistles and cheers, waving their streaming shaker things wildly.

Luna could see why. Each girl wore tan tights with low white socks and trainers, a body hugging green sweater with a silver snake and trim on it, and a very short green and silver pleated skirt.

Turning her magnified gaze toward the Ravenclaw section, Luna saw Terry standing frozen in place, staring with his mouth open. Wesley was grinning like a gorgeous fool beside him. Suddenly, a music projection charm activated and the stadium quieted as music filled the stands.

-

-

Blaise was having the time of her life. The shocked silence that engulfed the fans soon changed to a roar of approval- from Slytherin house, at least. The entire green and silver section was a mass of dancing students laughing, waving and shaking as the girls moved together in a tight unit.

The movements- High V and Low, Bow and Arrow, Daggers, Punches, Diagonals and more, that had seemed so silly when first practised, flowed together in a snappy routine that was definitely giving spectators something to talk about. Morrigan had coordinated some bounce and cross steps along with the hip shaking that seemed to go naturally with Muggle cheering.

Blaise, Morrigan, and Fiona spun on their heels to face the Gryffindor section. Blaise couldn't see Luna or the group she was sitting with, but she could imagine their faces. The thought of Ron gaping while watching avidly through omnioculars brought a sparkle to her eyes and an amused smile to her face. She added an extra snap to her shake for the repressed 'Mr. Freckles.'

Pivoting back to face the enthusiastic Slytherin crowd in the next part of the routine, Blaise saw the Quidditch teams walk out onto the pitch out of the corner of her eye. The girls transitioned from a tight routine to one that was more of a dance...with pom-poms...for the final chorus.

A sideways glance confirmed that every Quidditch player except one was standing still as they stared at the cheerleaders. Only Draco was swaying to the music in a way that had girls pointing and giggling. Merlin only knew what the teams thought of the cheerleading and the Muggle music. The end of the song brought an end to the routine, but the fans were still shaking their streamers. As the announcer introduced the teams and the Quidditch match began, the girls began to rally the crowd with a cheer.

C'mon fans, don't try to fake it

Stand up now and lemme see you shake it!

Shake...sha...shake.shake...shake...sha...shake.shake...

The roar of the crowd totally distracted the Hufflepuff team. One Chaser even dropped the Quaffle when he flew by side-shaking girls.

When we say green, you say silver

Green

Silver!

Green

Silver!

When we say beat those, you say Hufflepuffs

Beat those

Hufflepuffs!

Beat those

Hufflepuffs!

The poor Hufflepuffs were a sorry team on a good day, and today had to have been among the worst. Their Keeper always let the Quaffle in, Bludgers constantly hit the Chasers, and the Beaters hit their own team-mates while gawking at the cheerleaders. Even their Seeker's attention was diverted, leaving the Snitch to be captured by Malfoy after only twenty minutes of play. Morrigan led the ecstatic crowd in a victory cheer.

Let's hear all the first years yell

Sly-ther-in!

Let's hear all the second years yell...

Shaking her pom-poms together above her head, Blaise saw Draco fly up to the stands. She broke away to admire the wiggling Snitch in his hands. He grinned. "Blaise, that cheerleading is the best weapon our team ever had! Too bad you girls can't do it every game."

A voice behind her said, "Damn you, Zabini, I'm sick of you throwing yourself at Malfoy. Why don't you just jump him right here and now!"

Blaise had been leaning over the railing to admire the Snitch. At the word 'jump', a maddened Pansy Parkinson pushed her. Blaise toppled out of the stands, straight toward the shocked boy on a broomstick. Clinging to him in terror, the frightened girl shrieked as the broom dropped from the sudden addition in weight.

Draco shouted, "Wrap your legs around me. Bugger it, I can't see with you choking me. Lean back against the broomstick...trust me, you won't fall. Hold onto my arms. I've got to stop this bloody dive!"

The broomstick's dive was pulled out and the sound of cheering caused Blaise to open her eyes. Draco's face was inches from her own as her friend leaned over her to steer the broom with hands gripping the handle above her head. Pale lips twitched. Meeting her eyes caused his to crinkle as he began to shake with laughter.

"Boot is going to kill me if Creevey or anyone else takes a picture of this." Laughing openly now, Draco gasped between howls, "Can you...imagine...the headline...for this photograph!"

Blaise couldn't help laughing with him. Relief was making her giddy. Releasing his arms, she stretched her own out and said, "Look, Mum, no hands!" which caused them both to crack up again. Only when Draco returned her to the stands and the girls helped her roll off the broom and stand shakily on the platform once more did the thought of how that little scene might have looked sink in.

Before she could turn to look for her guy, strong arms lifted and slung her over a broad shoulder. Dangling head down against Terry's back, Blaise automatically kicked her legs. A firm hand smacked the part of her anatomy sticking into the air.

"Quit wiggling. It's hard to carry you and try and keep this indecent skirt covering your arse at the same time."

"Terry..."

"Shut the hell up, okay?"

Uh oh…

Malfoy's delighted laughter didn't help things. Neither did his parting words. "No need to thank me, Ape-Man, it was my pleasure to save Jane from that angry native. See you, Jane. Good luck with Tarzan!"

Terry set her down when they reached the stairway. Encircling her wrist in an inescapable grip, he tugged her down the stairs. As they crossed the grounds to the school, Blaise jogged to keep up with strides that grew faster and faster.

Her boyfriend was ominously silent while they climbed flights of stairs to the seventh floor. He finally halted at a section of bare wall across from a moth-eaten old tapestry. The hanging depicted trolls clubbing a wizard holding large ballet slippers in his hands. If he'd been trying to get trolls to learn ballet, Barnabas had deserved the name 'The Barmy.'

Terry let go of her wrist, walking three times past a particular part of the wall. Blaise gasped as a large door with a brightly polished brass handle appeared in what had been stone. Opening the door, he nodded for her to enter. She took a deep breath and walked inside.

The door closed unnoticed while Blaise stared in wonder. Her brain assured her this was just a magical room, but her eyes said differently. They told her she was in a tree house, and beyond the balcony railing was a vast green jungle. Flowering vines perfumed the warm air. A table and chairs and a low cushioned area took up the large round space that looked as though it had grown out of the tree it was built into.

She stood on the balcony, watching nervously as Terry removed his cloak and stripped off his jumper and shirt. Behind a veil of silky hair, his eyes blazed. Blaise backed away until she was trapped between the bamboo rail and a muscular body.

Terry's voice was husky. "I concentrated on the room being what you wanted, Blaise. Is this what you want, me to be a jungle man claiming his woman...me Tarzan, you Jane?" His smile was lopsided. "I have to admit, I feel pretty wild right now, after seeing you fall off that bloody platform and hearing the guys make jokes about you wrapping your legs around that..."

He paused to make a growling sound deep in his throat. A slight smile told her he noticed her reaction. "Malfoy's lucky he saved you and didn't try anything. He gets to live. You though, what do you get?"

Blaise leaned away, dragged off her sweater and threw herself into Terry's arms. Her hands caressed every inch of skin she could reach. After ravenous kisses softened into loving ones, she pulled away for a moment to smile. "Me Blaise, me get Terry...Blaise love Terry...so much..."

A smile transformed her man's face from wild to beloved. "Terry love Blaise, too." A gentle finger tapped against her lips. "No more talk...more kissing."

-

-

A/N: Walking a fine...er...vine...here. Want to stress love and romance w/ out making it too...erm...adult. Trying for a slight lime flavour, like that water where you can just taste it, ya know? In my other fic, Lorelei and Snape are adults, so their relationship is naturally more...like limeade...watered down to suggestive implication 'cause I like it like that! Will pick Key Lime over Lemon any day! lol (and if you're now going to read my 'Simply Irresistible' fic for that reason alone...good for you, naughty reader!)

Thanks to my beta half who keeps me on the straight and narrow, but not too narrow road of fanfic romance. Loads of Thanks to the great Reviewers who make my day with every kind word...to channel Terry in Tarzan mode...No Read More...Review Now!