Chapter 31- The Things We Do for Love
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North wind buffeted the school of Hogwarts. Several ghosts, idly watching the wind bend the willows around the lake, shivered reflexively in memory of feelings experienced in days gone by.
Draco leaned against his dorm window frame, looking out. He wondered if what he was about to do was worth the price he would pay. The last time he had used Polyjuice Maximus to become Ginny's friend, he'd had to suffer the presence of Potty, and that pervert Creevey had pulled one over on Zabini.
He only had to tolerate Loony and Cheetah today, but didn't trust the little stalker as far as he could throw him, and after he got Creevey, that wouldn't be two millimetres.
He stepped away from the mirror to check his appearance in the mirror—pale perfection in the jumper Ginny had knit for Yule. Draco warded his trunk and desk and strolled downstairs. Blaise was waiting in the common room with her pals and the boys, pouring cups of tea while the rest selected food from the enormous breakfast tray on a low table.
She paused in giving Crabbe a cup, added another cube of sugar, and handed it to him instead. He smirked at the larger boy while lounging on the sofa. "Tough luck, old man."
Crabbe just shrugged, accepting of his place, and took the next cup poured.
The group chatted casually about the blustery weather, declared that Hogsmeade weekend would be taken advantage of regardless, and discussed their favourite shops in the village. Fiona asked Morrigan, "So, are you coming along with me and David? He's got loads of mates who'd love to go with you."
"No thanks. I'm…going with someone else."
Blaise said, "Oh yeah? Who?"
The prolonged silence made every eye focus on Morrigan. Her pale skin was flushed. Her gaze shifted guiltily away. "Potter."
Sprawled on the floor, Goyle said, "Didn't know there was a Slytherin named Potter. What year's he in?"
"He's not a Slytherin. He's a Gryffindor."
Everyone stared.
Fiona said in a voice of deliberate calm, "I knew you'd taken Jay's wanting to see other people a bit too well. It's driven you over the edge, if you're going with Harry-Bloody-Potter now." She placed a reassuring hand on her best friend's arm. "Don't worry, we'll see that you get all the help you need."
"Stop! I don't need help, I'm not mental, and my going with Harry is none of anybody's bloody business but mine. So if you'll excuse me, I have to go get ready to go to Hogsmeade."
Morrigan bolted upstairs, Flint trailing after her wanting to 'talk, for Merlin's sake.' Crabbe and Goyle looked as if they'd just found out their housemate had a fatal disease.
Blaise's dark eyes flashed with Lady Macbeth intensity. "I want you to teach me that hex affecting private parts. If that Yank ever shows his face around here, he's getting it, and if Potter tries anything…."
Draco grinned. "My pleasure." When his cronies laughed, spraying food, he said, "You can practice on the boys."
Blaise giggled. Draco removed the warming cover from his bowl of porridge, and decided to reassure the whimpering pair after he'd eaten.
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Waiting for Creevey to show his face in the boys' lavatory near the Great Hall later, Draco hoped the other boy wouldn't force him to wear another reindeer jumper. Plain, normal clothing was all he could hope for. He didn't expect the little milkman's son to be able to afford anything designer, so he'd settle for decent.
The door opened. Creevey rushed in carrying a bag. He removed a couple of flagons containing the familiar mud like goo, and handed one over along with the bag of clothing. "Why do we go through all the hassle of bringing extra clothing, and then shrinking and hiding the stuff we were wearing, when we could just hand our gear to each other under the stalls?"
Draco gave him the condescending look Crabbe and Goyle received on a daily basis. "Because I refuse to wear anything that's come in contact with your skin, Creevey."
Without further comment, Creevey pulled out a pale hair and offered it. Draco added it to his potion. He then gave the Gryffindor one of his hairs so he could do the same. They headed for the stalls.
Draco grimaced at the cabbage smell and hurriedly chugged the glop down. How he loathed the gut twisting, re-shaping sensation. Once his clothes hung baggily on his now shorter, slimmer, and inferior body, he opened the bag and breathed a sigh of relief. Quickly, he dressed in a white tee, light blue jumper, and denims. He tied the laces of the trainers and pulled on a denim jacket.
He found Colin admiring his new reflection in the mirror. Draco thought the other boy had a lot to admire. The cashmere turtleneck, black trousers, boots, and dragon hide coat made his face and form look even more handsome.
Pale pink lips smirked. "Enjoy being me while you can. It's back to girly in four short hours."
The face that was now Slytherin grinned. "I plan on it…Creevey."
Face and voice hardening, the love god who'd transformed into a cupid warned, "I've seen you eyeing my mate, perv, and if you do more than look…."
"What? You'll hex me?" Creevey raised a white-blond brow. "I'm the one doing you a favour. You should be thanking me instead of accusing me of…what? What do you think I'm going to do to Blaise while we hang out with a group in public?"
Draco refused to concede the point or thank the fast-talker. He gave as steely a look as he could manage. "It better be nothing…Malfoy." He yanked open the door and went to find his girl.
Ginny was waiting in line to show Filch her pass. He stood beside her, ignoring the mutters of 'no cuts.' Covertly, Draco slid his fingers across bright strands of hair while asking casually, "New jumper?"
Her lips twitched when he rubbed the tomato red cashmere displayed by her open cloak as if he was admiring the softness of the material and not the skin beneath it. She'd worn it Christmas Eve, and knew he was using the jumper as an excuse to touch her. He removed his fingers before they got him into trouble, nodding like he was hearing it for the first time when she told him her jumper was a Christmas present.
Contentedly staring into her eyes, Draco frowned when the boy in front of them turned around and said, "A present from your Slytherin friend." Ronald Weasley scowled. "I don't know why you'd want to go to Hogsmeade with her and Malfoy instead of us."
Ginny said, "Ron, you don't have to mind your baby sister anymore. I promise not to take candy from strangers."
Draco stretched his lips into a Creevey, fake-innocent smile. "What about friends Ginny? I wanted to get you to try some new sweets at Honeyduke's."
The tint of pink made her cinnamon freckles look edible, although he knew first-hand that they couldn't be kissed off.
Granger scolded her boyfriend. "Let Ginny be. She and Colin will be just fine, and I'd like to try some sweets with you."
The softly insinuating words caused Draco shoot Ginny a disgusted glance. She made a face, silently agreeing that the thought of Weasel feeding his girlfriend bits of chocolate was unappetising.
Behind them, a clique of Hufflepuffs sputtered indignantly when a Slytherin couple cut in line. Blaise said, "We want to be with our friends—any objections?"
No one objected when faced with a curled lip and a withdrawn wand. What pathetic creatures they were. The only good thing about Hufflepuff House was that it quarantined spineless losers away from the more worthy students.
Draco approved the roll-neck jumper and soft fuchsia poncho Blaise was wearing. The less skin she showed, the better. She wasn't wearing jewellery or makeup other than lip gloss either. He nodded, relieved that his friend had the sense not to encourage Creevey.
Blaise caught his eye and winked. "Where do you want to go first, and when are we meeting up with Luna and Wesley?"
"Did you just wink at Colin?" Hermione asked in a disapproving tone.
"No." Blaise looked at Weasley. She lowered her eyelid in a facetiously seductive manner. "That was a wink."
Weasley flinched reflexively, in anticipation of a blow. Granger really had him whipped. The Weasel grinned in relief when his girlfriend looked amused instead of angry. They turned around and minded their own business, which seemed to consist of cuddling and whispering. Revolted, Draco gazed at a much more pleasant view: Ginny.
She was giggling. "We had thought to head to Honeyduke's first, but for some reason, we're off sugar for a bit. How about we go to Zonko's instead, and get some sweets after lunch? Luna and Wesley will meet us at By The Book at eleven. Sound good to you?"
"Fine. Whatever."
The girls snickered at 'Malfoy's' indifference. Creevey was having way too good a time acting like the Prince of Slytherin. Ginny and Blaise started talking fashion, so Draco tuned out and kept his 'friend' moving in line until they got to Filch, showed their passes, and started on the path to Hogsmeade.
The village was packed with students unfazed by the cold wind that reddened faces and caused them to linger in the warm shops. Inside Zonko's, they scanned the shelves and debated which products were the best.
Inwardly, Draco agreed that Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was far superior, although he'd never set foot in the place because he always made a Malfoy Industries employee do his shopping. After they made their purchases, Draco followed his girlfriend outside. He startled when a strawberry blonde put her hand on his arm.
"Hi, Colin."
It was Mindy-something, one of Loony Luna's roommates. Draco tried to smile like Creevey, "Hi, Mindy."
The girl's blue-green eyes were inspecting him closely. Her smile became hesitant. "Are we still on for this afternoon?"
Draco slanted a glance at Colin. The git could've warned him he might run into the girl! He used one of his, 'you're the only woman in the world for me' smiles. "Of course we are. I'm really looking forward to it." The Ravenclaw looked a bit dazed. Even when he had poor material to work with, Malfoy magic was irresistible.
"Me too. Well, I'll see you at Madam Puddifoot's for Afternoon Tea."
Mindy bumped into Blaise when she opened the door and the taller girl rushed out with her purchase. The two exchanged looks of dislike. Mindy quickly entered the shop behind her friends after throwing a scowl his way. That was interesting. Knew about the crush on Blaise, did she? She didn't like it either.
Ginny briskly took charge and herded them to the next shop. Inside The Sound of Music, Draco steered his girlfriend to the new Weird Sisters Orpheus Orbs, giving the demonstration model a spin to hear a track.
The door jingled when a new customer entered. It was Montague. The miserable excuse for a Slytherin was followed by Bletchley and Warrington. The barrel-chested ex-Captain promptly swaggered over. "Look, mates, it's the President of the Potty fan club." Leaning in close, he said nastily, "Does your hero know his biggest fan's a little Nancy?"
Draco flashed a look at Ginny to keep her red-headed temper in check. He said casually while picking up an orb, "I'd heard about your interest in Nancy-Boys, Montague, but I never thought you'd try anything with me. Isn't my hair too short for you? "
The other Slytherins were sniggering at the larger boy's red-faced fury. Montague drew back his fist, sputtering incoherently, "I'm not…how dare you imply…you little…"
The blow never landed. Customers gaped when 'Colin Creevey' slammed an Orpheus Orb first into Montague's stomach and then against his square jaw, knocking him out cold.
Warrington looked at Bletchley, wordlessly asking what they were supposed to do.
"Merlin, Montague's a disgrace. Drag his sorry arse to the hospital wing and leave him there." The disdain in Malfoy's voice was chilling.
The other Quidditch players nodded to their Captain before obeying his command and each taking an arm to drag the insensate boy out the door. Creevey glanced at the cracked orb in the 'Gryffindor's' hand. He drawled, "That'll never play now. Better get a new one."
The impostor plucked another orb off the table and told the proprietor to charge them both, along with his and Blaise's selections to 'his account,' and to send them up to the castle 'as soon as possible.'
The girls giggled over Creevey's uncanny impersonation all the way to the bookshop. Inside, Ginny told the other two, "I need to grab a book. Could you keep an eye out for Luna?"
Creevey and Blaise smirked, but obligingly went to sit in a couple of chairs in the café area, talking.
Ginny pulled Draco by the hand up the stairs to the second floor. She went directly to the far back corner, turned around, and grabbed him by the jumper, saying with a look on her face that made his heart beat faster, "You're an amazing fighting ferret and I don't care whose lips you've got. I'm snogging you senseless right now!"
The fiery wench followed her words with action, melding her lips to his smiling mouth while sliding her hands into 'his' hair. It was strange not having to bend much to kiss her, but since he still felt with his own lips, and hers were unchanged, Draco easily overcame any hesitance and used his girly-hands to caress everything that took his fancy.
He'd just glided his tongue against hers while caressing her back with the fingers that slithered under her jumper when voices rang out in tones of shock.
"Ginny?"
"Colin, get your hands off my sister!"
Draco slipped his hand down and out from underneath his girlfriend's top before saying, "Hey, mates, I'd love to stay and…chat…but we've got to meet some people downstairs. Did you find that book, Ginny?"
"No, I didn't. Too bad, huh? Well, hope you find your book, Hermione. Bye, Ron, and no, I don't want to talk about it, so have a nice day."
They scooted past the confounded couple and went downstairs. Ginny's brown eyes were shining with suppressed laughter. Draco winked.
She asked in mock disapproval, "Did you just wink at me?"
He gave her his best innocent, 'Creevey' look before following it with a Malfoy toe-curling stare. "Damn right I did."
She gave him a quick hug before continuing over to where four friends were now waiting. "Good."
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When Luna opened her bed curtains that morning, she gazed blearily over at the window. The day was grey, windy, and probably ice-cold if the frost on the pane was any indication. She looked at Cindy, who was brushing her hair in between singing 'O What a Beautiful Morning' and dancing around the room. "What's got you so obliviously happy?"
"It's Hogsmeade weekend! Mindy and I are meeting Jason and a couple of his friends outside at ten. I can't wait!"
"Yeah, it'll be a thrill."
Mindy's dry comment met with an 'oh you' from Cindy. Luna, aware that Colin and Draco would be trading places for a few hours, said pragmatically, "At least you're going out this afternoon."
Bindy said, "Madam Puddifoot has the best cakes…and scones…and…what's so funny?"
The dreamy endorsement of the shop Mindy and Colin were meeting at for tea made the other girls smile. Although Bindy had cut down on her sweets to ensure she looked good in a bathing suit over the Easter Holiday, her love of food remained unchanged.
Luna thought her friend looked perfect as she was, and had a feeling that Neville did too, but Bindy was the one who needed to feel self-confident.
"Do you think I should wear the green jumper or the red?" Bindy asked anxiously.
"Green."
The girl laughed at her three roommates' simultaneous answers. "Green it is. Neville likes green. It reminds him of plants."
Mindy and Cindy had to cover their mouths to prevent giggling at Bindy's transparent adoration of her boyfriend. Luna asked, "Did you ever plant the seeds from the Passionata fruit Neville gave you? How's that doing?"
A blissful smile crossed the sweetly rounded face. "Professor Sprout says that she's never seen one grow so fast. Neville and I go…encourage…it to grow whenever we can."
The friends realised Bindy and Neville were snogging like mad in the greenhouse and burst into laughter. Their roommate good-naturedly laughed with them.
Luna was still giggling when she walked down the girls' staircase to meet Wesley. He rose from a sofa and asked with a curve of his lips that deepened adorable dimples,"Tell me what's given you the giggles, or I'll think you're laughing at my shirt."
She smiled at the psychedelic swirl of blues. "You know that shirt looks good on you. I was giggling over Bindy and Neville snogging by a Passionata tree to encourage it to grow." A golden eyebrow rose. Without thought, she traced it with a fingertip. Wesley caught her hand and kissed each finger. Attention to detail was such a nice trait.
He winked roguishly. "Find out which greenhouse and we'll encourage it too. Right now, we have to go encourage some books in the Restricted Section."
They made their way to the Library and the comfortable window seat that had become their special place to spend some quiet time together on Saturday mornings. Sometimes they read, and kissed, and talked. Other times they just kissed and talked.
This morning, she and Wesley sat side by side with their backs against the side wall and their legs stretched out. They chatted about inconsequential things that were important only in that hearing about each other's thoughts and feelings strengthened the bond between them.
Luna said, "How can we encourage books?"
Wesley gave her the mock-chiding look that was so cute. "Books back here don't see a soul for days on end. They might think there're no more people to ever want to read them and become depressed. Seeing us gives them hope."
He grinned to hear her soft giggle and pulled her over to rest against him. He was very comfortable. Luna smiled into bright blue eyes and kidded, "Does us kissing give them hope too?"
Wesley shook his head solemnly. "It gives me hope."
Her cheeks heated. She lifted her mouth. "I love giving you hope. I can't live without it."
He smiled tenderly. "I love receiving it. Neither can I."
His lips moved against hers. Luna scooted up to straddle Wesley and thread her fingers through golden hair, deepening the kiss.
Aside from a few closed-mouthed pecks from boys probably dared to kiss the 'loony' under mistletoe, she hadn't had any experience. By the way Wesley made every kiss so perfect; she knew that he'd had lots. Luna didn't care who he'd kissed before. She was happy that he was hers now. Her hands drifted down to play with the buttons on his shirt.
He smiled against her mouth. "Do it."
Her heart jolted. She wanted to. It just seemed so bold. Luna unfastened Wesley's buttons with shaky hands. It took a long time to get them all undone, and by the time she was finished, her whole body was tense with anticipation.
Luna watched her hands open his shirt. She admired Wesley's smooth, fair skin and the musculature that was so different from hers. Sculptured instead of soft, and so warm…. She trailed her fingers downward. His bellybutton was adorable. She splayed her hands against his skin and smoothed upwards. Her fingers grasped the sides of his shirt and stilled. She bit her lip and looked up.
Wesley's eyes were heavy lidded and his lips curved with piratical wickedness. "Take it off."
Heart pounding, Luna slowly pushed the shirt off her boyfriend's shoulders. Once his upper body was completely bared, she noticed that she wasn't the only one breathing rapidly. Her hands roamed his shoulders and arms before returning to his chest.
He groaned her name and lifted her face so he could take her mouth with his. The kiss was different from any that had gone before. Raw, hungry, and too much for her to take…. Luna pushed away. Her eyes fell to his chest.
Wesley pleaded, "Would you mind turning the other way for a moment? I need a couple of minutes to…dress…and if you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to want to return the favour."
Luna scrambled off the window seat. She stood mentally working her way through the names and meanings of different runes.
"You can turn round now. I'm decent."
The wry amusement in her boyfriend's voice made Luna smile as she faced him. She was struck again how handsome and charming he was. She was lucky that he was just as beautiful on the inside. Impulsively kissing his cheek, Luna gave him one of the pretend chiding looks he dished out so often. "False modesty does not become us. You're way more than decent, love."
His eyes twinkled in enjoyment at her playfulness. The couple made their way out of the Library and toward Hogsmeade hand in hand. They joked that their friends would never lose them in a crowd since they were both wearing bright blue coats. Luna was secretly pleased that they matched in all sorts of lovely ways.
Once in the village, they headed for By The Book and came face to face with another couple who had just stepped out. Luna said, "Hello, Harry, Morrigan."
Morrigan smiled. "I've seen you with Blaise. You're Luna, right?"
Harry said, "Loony Luna, actually. She and Roberts have probably been out looking for Snorkacks."
Wesley smiled charmingly at the girl discomfited by her date's rudeness. The look he turned on Harry was cool. "I bet we'd find one before you find your manners." Lifting Luna's hand to his lips, he kissed her hand and then waggled his brows at her before telling Harry with deceptive pleasantry, "Unless you'd care to be called 'Potter, you rotter,' I would not say such things if I were you."
Luna giggled over the use of Humperdink's favourite phrase. The other couple stared, not getting the joke. That made it even funnier.
The moment she and Wesley entered the shop, Luna hugged him tight. He chuckled.
A feminine voice drawled, "Luna used to be so reserved, and now she's publicly displaying affection. What happened to our introverted friend?"
Colin sounded uncannily like Draco when he said, "Must be that bold Gryffindor and sexy Slytherin she hangs with. Bad influences, I'm sure."
The arrogant demeanour and tone were just right. Luna smiled. "Good influences."
Blaise looked embarrassed but pleased by the affection conveyed. She muttered, "Yeah, well, if Creevey and Weasley ever finish grabbing a book, let's take our Mutual Admiration Society over to the Broomsticks and get a butterbeer and a sandwich."
The white-blond brow lifting in sardonic enquiry was so Malfoy it was eerie. "Who's buying?"
Blaise removed a small, clinking bag from her jacket pocket and slipped it into her 'best mate's' hand. "You are."
Colin curled a lip at the girl's cheeky expression. "I'm so generous."
Wesley chuckled, while the girls shared a smile. Draco and Ginny traipsed downstairs, no book in sight. The four waiting grinned.
'Creevey' scowled. "What are you lot staring at?"
Snickering, Luna and Blaise pulled Ginny out the door toward the pub. The girls found a table in the back near the fireplace while the boys went to the bar to get the drinks and food. The friends enjoyed the company and the break from eating in the Hall as much as the sandwiches, which were a far cry from the usual pub fare. The salad on the sandwiches was actually green and crisp and the bread soft and warm.
Wesley had just asked if everyone was ready to hit Honeyduke's for dessert when a voice rang out piercingly.
"Sweetie Blaise…Darling Draco…look who's come to surprise you with a visit!"
Mrs. Malfoy and Mrs. Zabini were making their way toward the table. Luna watched Blaise tear a paper serviette apart and narrowed her eyes. Regardless of whatever bombshell they dropped in their children's laps, those two witches were going to find out that Blaise…and even Draco…had friends that would stick by them no matter what.
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The day had been going so well until she heard her mother's voice. Terry had wanted to help the Quidditch team with their Seeker strategy that morning, so she was free to help Draco and Ginny spend the morning together. She would meet her boyfriend back at school when the polyjuice wore off.
Colin had behaved himself while playing the part of Draco, and been a lot of fun to pal around with. Automatically, Blaise looked at 'Draco' upon seeing Eddy and Cissy wending their way through the crowd towards them. He appeared mystified by her panic.
She turned toward the blond who was her real best mate. Baby-blue eyes gave her a 'stay calm' look.
Her mum complained loudly, "If you owled more often, darling, Cissy and I wouldn't have ruined our shoes tramping from that school to find you, dearest."
"I sent my schedule for the year months ago."
Edina widened her eyes in amazement. "Months ago! Sweetie, you don't expect me to keep your letters cluttering up my desk, do you?" As though suddenly realising that her daughter was with friends, Eddy smiled brightly. "Hulloo, children, I need to borrow Blaise and Draco for a bit. They'll be back soon." She pointed to a small table in an opposite corner. "We need to talk privately."
Draco was shaking his head. He didn't want Colin hearing whatever foolishness Eddy and Cissy were going to babble instead of him. Blaise let her glance flicker to Ginny, Wesley, and Luna before meeting her friend's gaze and arching an eyebrow. One witness was better than four. He shrugged unhappily.
She told her mother, "Fine. Let's go." Blaise had to pull Draco up out of his chair to come along.
He leaned over to whisper, "I'll let you do the talking, okay?"
Her smile of gratitude faltered when she saw that the table they were heading toward only had three chairs. The women took two and looked impatiently at their children when they hesitated to sit down. Narcissa waited until Rosmerta delivered a bottle of vodka and two tumblers with ice and left to sneer, "If you can swap spit, you can sit on his lap, girl. There are no other chairs, and you're giving me a crick in my neck."
Colin sat down and smiled angelically, the devil. "Come on, it's only for a few minutes."
Blaise avoided glancing at the other table, because she knew the others would be giving her 'what do you think you're doing' looks. Reluctantly, she perched on 'Draco's' lap.
Her barmy mum gushed, "Don't our Baby Girl and Boy look absolutely fabulous together, Cissy? They're going to make our profits skyrocket when they do the next set of ads."
"I'll drink to that."
Blaise watched the women take a gulp of liquid lunch, feeling her body tense, her insides twist. Colin wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. It showed how worried she was that the contact was comforting. Faintly, she asked, "What are you talking about?"
The women exchanged glances. Eddy said, "The ads have been so successful, darling, that we're going to do another set during your Easter holiday. It'll only take a day, sweetie. The photographer will come set up the shoot, and then you two can spend the rest of your holiday enjoying the sun and sand."
A desperate, panicky feeling made it hard to breathe properly. Blaise opened her mouth, but couldn't speak. She glanced back in desperation. 'Draco' tightened his hold, asking, "Where?"
Finally acknowledging her 'son,' Narcissa replied, "Thought you'd taken a bloody vow of silence, the way you neglected to greet your mother. I forgive you darling, since you're astute enough to ask." She threw a scornful look at the silent girl. "That beach house in Spain Enrique inherited when you were third years, of course. Casa de Sol y-something. You remember it. Our families holidayed there that summer. Of course the grownups had to pop over to Costa del Sol where the action was, but you two seemed quite happy to play on the Costa de—what was that name, Eddy?"
"Dunno, Cissy. Geography never was my bag. My little girl remembers. Don't you, darling?"
Blaise grasped the male hand that had been sneakily caressing her abdomen and tried not to squeeze it painfully in her anxiety. She said dully, "Costa de la Luz- the coast of light. Near papa's family in Andalusia, the ones he doesn't talk to. Our place is La Casa de Sol y Sombra- the house of sun and shadow. Why there?"
Eddy said irritably, "Because your father is too bloody cheap to spring for the French Riviera, sweetie—said why waste galleons when we have a perfectly good location to shoot at that won't cost a knut? I would've protested more darling, but he said Cissy and I could holiday in Morocco while you and Draco are at the beach house, baby, so what could I do?"
Her mother was giving her that puppy-dog look. Blaise hated it almost as much as she hated the thought of staying in that place night after night. Releasing the hand she'd probably bruised, she leaned back against her 'friend' and away from the face she wanted to slap.
She said in a tight voice, "You're not going to stay with us? You're going to leave us alone and go shopping?" Colin's fingers gripped her shoulders. Did he think she was going to lunge across the table? His hands started stroking her arms in a soothing manner. It worked. She calmed down.
"Well, yes, Baby Girl. Cissy and I never liked that place. Too quiet and boring if you're not into windsurfing and whatnot." Eddy blinked. "You don't mindterribly, do you? I mean, we left you on your own before…and you were always just fine."
Dark memories tried to surface. Blaise grimly refused to remember. The past had no bearing on the present. Her pounding heart was disregarded. She thought quickly and laid out her terms. "All right. We'll go, but I'm inviting a few friends along, and you're to put Minky on call for whatever I need. I'll owl a list of instructions in a few days. Agreed?"
Narcissa said, "Promise her anything so we can go to Morocco!'
Edina nodded eagerly. "Whatever you want, dearest, you'll have. Minky will see to it. Just take the train to London as usual. You can Floo directly from our townhouse, darlings."
Mrs. Malfoy was staring speculatively at her 'son.' She said, "You'll enjoy having the place to yourselves again, won't you Baby Boy?"
Blaise shot to her feet. "Shut up. You got what you came for. The shop next door has a Floo you can use, if you're too pissed to Apparate, so leave…now." Another time, it might have been amusing how quickly the woman jumped up, snatched her bottle, and left with Eddy smiling nervously and blowing kisses. Blaise turned to Colin. "If you repeat anything, I will…."
"What? Not that I would. I could tell that witch was trying to yank her 'Baby Boy's' chain. Calm down, and think fast, because if you don't go tell Malfoy about your chat right now, he's coming over here."
Blaise strolled back to the group, concealing her agitation with a smile. "Who wants to go to Spain over Easter Holiday?"
The two couples exchanged glances before Draco asked stonily, "Why Spain?"
Sometimes, being Edina's daughter came in handy. Blaise had seen her mum breeze her way through many uncomfortable situations with a blithe attitude and instinctively copied it. "Because Zabini Jewellers wants another round of ads and Papa decided that our house on the Costa de la Luz would be a perfect place for the photographer to shoot."
Draco was scowling so fiercely, it was hard to hang onto a smile, but Blaise managed. "Mum and Cissy are going to Morocco while we stay and amuse ourselves at the beach. They invited us to bring our friends along. What do you think?"
"I think you're mental."
Ginny shook her head. "My parents would never agree."
Since Draco had no choice but to go, Blaise focused on Ginny. "They wouldn't have to know. You could say that you're going with Luna, to stay with her Aunt, who's let a house for the month or something."
She turned to Luna. "You've told me how you only see your Dad at night during the holidays. Tell him Aunt so and so has invited you and a friend to Spain. He'll want you to have fun. Get me a sample of her handwriting and I'll forge a letter. Nothing to it."
Luna appeared tempted, but Wesley shook his head. "I don't have an Aunt that would holiday in Spain."
Blaise said, "How about a housemate whose parents have invited you and Terry along since there's plenty of room at the house and you'll entertain their kid for them?"
Wesley seemed intrigued by the possibilities. "Can we have some time to talk this over and get back to you?"
Aware that the time before the polyjuice wore off was running out, Blaise nodded. "We'll head on back to school. I want to talk to Terry."
After arranging to meet in the Restricted Section of the Library after dinner that night, the group split up and went their separate ways. Colin quietly followed Blaise out of the pub. Halfway to school, he halted on the path. Warily, she asked, "What is it?"
He stepped uncomfortably close and cupped her cheek with his hand. Creevey wasn't acting shy and bashful this time. He whispered, "If I'm to keep quiet about you two spending holidays alone, I think you owe me something."
An involuntary tingle went down her spine. Nobody did wickedly seductive better than Draco—or Colin polyjuiced into Draco. He read the question in her eyes.
"Kiss me. It's only fair. He kissed Ginny when she had your lips. Haven't you ever wondered what it'd be like? You can find out and still be able to say you've never kissed Malfoy. Come on…."
Creevey should've been a Slytherin. His twisted logic made sense, but kissing Colin as Draco was still cheating on Terry. Blaise said, "Why would you want to kiss a girl pretending to kiss someone else?"
The smile on his face was achingly sweet. "I'll take you any way I can get you, Blaise."
She was flattered, though not enough to stop her from leaning against the schemer, kissing his cheek, and then using a Memory Charm to adjust the boy's recollection of certain recent events.
Colin blinked curiously at her after the spell had taken effect. "Why did you just kiss my cheek?"
"Back there, you helped me keep my cool. Thanks." His look of embarrassment was uncannily similar to her best mate's.
Noting her amusement, he sneered, "Yeah, fine, whatever."
She left him stalking through the corridors, taking House Points off students for fun.
In the corridor outside Ravenclaw House, she asked a first year who was about to enter to go get Terry. A few minutes later, the guardian portrait lifted again.
Terry stepped out, smiling. "We finished early, and I was just wishing you were back when Aaron ran up and told me you were here." He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close for a kiss. When his hands slipped underneath her poncho and met skin instead of fabric he said, "What are you wearing under there?"
She took a step back. "Catch me and find out." Before the last word left her lips, Blaise spun around and started running. She darted up the main staircase.
Her boyfriend must have guessed where she was going, because he didn't try too hard to catch her until they'd reached the seventh floor. He caught her wrist after she'd walked back and forth across the familiar stretch of wall three times and pinned her body while his mouth coaxed hers open.
A doorknob materialised against her hip. "Ow!"
Terry chuckled, opening the door for her to enter. She drew off her poncho inside the chamber that had become the wide terrace of a stucco house overlooking the Atlantic Ocean off the southern tip of Spain.
"I like your shrunken roll-neck jumper, but where are we?"
"It's a cropped jumper, and this is my family's beach house in Spain. I have to spend Easter holiday here…and I hope you'll come with me." She explained about Eddy's visit and the counteroffer she'd made her mother.
Terry hugged her. "You know how much I like the thought of you and Malfoy alone on holiday." He said, "I've never lied to my parents before…but…they've never been this unreasonable before." A corner of his mouth turned up. "I've been owling them regularly, trying to show how my marks haven't plunged, I haven't lost any friends, and show that you're a good person who's good for me, but they're not even trying to reconsider."
Blaise felt her stomach drop. "They aren't?"
"No. Yesterday, I got an owl asking me to not mention you anymore. They've decided to regard my 'little romance' as a phase I'll grow out of soon." Terry said forcefully, "I've tried my best, but they're irrational, so if I have to lie to my folks to be with you, I will." He inclined his head toward the water, a determined smile on his face. "Why aren't we in bathing suits? We could take a swim."
Blaise shook off her regret that the Boots weren't going to accept her. She pulled off her jumper and unzipped her denims. With a giggle at her boyfriend's stunned expression, she tugged off her boots and slid out of her trousers. "We've got knickers. We don't need bathing suits."
She stepped off the veranda, moving backwards, enjoying the sight of the muscular body speedily revealed. Terry's wolfish grin gave her a thrill of anticipation as he ran toward her, scooped her up and carried her into the water.
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Ginny had been having a wonderful day until Blaise's mum had swanked into the Broomsticks with Narcissa Malfoy behind her. She had felt her boyfriend stiffen when Edina wanted to go have a chat with her daughter and 'Draco'.
She'd stiffened when Wesley, watching the parents and teens reaching a secluded table, exclaimed, "What is Zabini doing?"
Luna said calmly, "There are only three chairs, so she's sitting on her friend's lap."
Ginny could feel 'Colin's' eyes on her, trying to guess her thoughts by her facial expression. He'd be having a hard time figuring that out. She didn't know what to think. Her first impulse was to jump up and drag Blaise off 'Draco' by her hair, even though she knew full well the boy was really Colin.
After a few minutes, Ginny relaxed. There was nothing romantic about the expressions crossing Blaise's face. She seemed upset, then angry. The boy rubbing her arms was calming her down, not feeling her up.
"I hate waiting for bad news."
She looked at Draco. He was drumming his fingers on the table. When he saw Ginny's upraised eyebrow, he stopped and gave a half-smile. "How do I know that the news is bad? Because it's always bad news when those two show their faces."
Luna said quietly, "I'm sorry."
Draco returned Luna's sympathetic gaze with a level one. "That's life, Lovegood."
Underneath the table, Ginny took Draco's hand and tried to show by a soft squeeze that she was there for him. The feelings that had overwhelmed her at Yule when he gave her the tour of Malfoy Manor returned with increased intensity. How awful it must be to have parents like his…or Zabini's.
She was so lucky. Ginny wished she could share her family with Draco the way she did with Harry, but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Her brothers still used the word 'Malfoy' like a four letter word, and her parents had sent a letter after New Year's cautioning her to 'make wise choices' in choosing friends. That had been as subtle as one of Fred and George's whiz-bangs.
The twins and Charlie were the only family that had any confidence in her ability to judge character and make decisions for herself. The rest smothered her with unwanted advice. If she didn't love them and know they meant well….
Draco's fingers tightened on hers. The other couple was returning to the table. Blaise's eyes and smile were overly bright while she tried to act like all that'd happened had been an invitation to spend holiday at the beach. Ginny couldn't help being tempted to say yes when Blaise assured her she could forge a letter and her parents wouldn't have to know that she was vacationing with Draco instead of Luna's 'Aunt.'
Slim fingers were drumming the tabletop again, revealing inner turmoil. While the group agreed to meet in the back of the Library later, Colin remained silent. After Blaise and 'Draco' left, an awkward silence enveloped the table.
Roberts cleared his throat. "Anyone want to go to Honeydukes for sweets?"
Draco's stony expression said he didn't give a toss where they went.
Ginny said, "I could use a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down."
Wesley grinned. "Mary Poppins! Excellent book and attitude, Miss Weasley."
"Thank you, Mr. Roberts, or do you prefer…Dread Pirate?"
Ginny and Luna laughed at 'Colin's' mystified expression and Wesley's rueful, "Is there a girl at this school that hasn't read that bloody book?"
The girls said in unison, "No!"
Draco stalked out of the pub, narked that everyone knew something he didn't, but refusing to ask what they were talking about. He held the door for the others, but sneered at the expressions of 'thanks.'
Ginny's lips curved while observing how adorably Draco sulked, even when he looked like Colin. When the small group reached the sweet shop, she dragged her sulky boyfriend over to the chocolates section and cooed, "Does ickle pouty-lips need a Cockroach Cluster?"
His lips twitched. "If you're referring to me with that vile name and confection, no thank you, hot lips."
She giggled. "Blaise told you!"
Masculine lips pursed even more. "After the fact—I don't want to think about what she called me. I want a chocolate kiss."
Ginny scanned the shelves. "I don't see any chocolate kisses. Isn't that a Muggle sweet?"
Her 'friend' was looking around. Seeing that no one was nearby, he snatched a sample of chocolate from a display basket, popped it into her mouth, and then placed his lips to hers.
She noticed a smudge of chocolate on his lower lip when he pulled back. Ginny leaned forward to lick it off. "Mmm, I love chocolate kisses."
"Ginevra Weasley!"
Ronald had a real knack for showing up when she wanted to see him the least. He also sounded just like their mother. That was scary.
Colin rounded his baby-blues innocently. "Hello, Ron! Are you and Hermione looking for sweets? We were trying chocolates."
"I saw what you were trying, and I want to know what's going on!"
Hermione placed a restraining hand Ron's arm. "Perhaps Colin and Ginny want to keep their relationship quiet for some reason."
"What?" Draco and Ron said at the same time.
Ginny forced herself to stop giggling. "All right, you two, you're too smart for us. We were trying to see if, maybe, we felt something more than friendship." Wisely refusing to look at the blond whose searing gaze would crack her up if she met his eyes, she smiled sadly, and tried to look as pitiful as possible. "But there's not. Colin and I just don't have that spark, that chemistry, whatever it is." Sighing in affected disappointment, she said, "We've decided that we're better off friends."
"Yeah. Sorry. Let's go, mate."
Draco all but dragged her out of the shop. Ginny watched him out of the corner of her eye as he marched back to Hogwarts. He may have looked like Colin, but every intense expression that crossed his angelic features was pure Draco. That was why she wanted to snog him now, while in a short time she'd feel no urge at all.
"What are you smirking at?"
She gave up the attempt to hide her amusement. "You. How you can take my saying Colin and I have no chemistry personally, I have no clue, but it's hilarious."
He snapped, "When I am Creevey, you bloody well have sparks and don't you forget it!"
Merlin, that adorable pout was back. When they reached the entrance, she pulled him over to the side courtyard and took his face in her hands, "When you're Colin, I want to snog you until I pass out for lack of oxygen. Does that soothe your Slytherin-sized ego?"
His mouth took her breath away and his hands made her head spin. He hugged her tight and whispered against her hair, "Yes."
"I love you, Draco, no matter what you look like."
"I love you too, Ginny…but I like the way you look right now the best."
Before somebody came by and saw her groping her 'friend,' Ginny pointed to the door. "Go get gorgeous—the way I like you best."
He gave a snappy salute. "Yes, ma'am!"
Later, at dinner, she snuck a peek at the next table and met silvery eyes. Ginny looked away before anyone could catch her and ask who she was smiling at. It was a needless worry. Her friends were too busy talking about Easter holiday plans to notice.
Hermione said, "I know you'd like to go home, Ron, but really, we've got so much homework due right after, it doesn't make sense. I think we should all stay and study."
Gee, that sounded thrilling.
Harry nodded. "I've got some catching up to do as well. Besides," he added, after grinning across the tables at Morrigan MacDuff, "we'll have plenty of time to do…fun stuff…after studying."
Ron and Hermione both blushed at the thought of 'fun stuff.' When Harry asked Neville what his plans were, everyone smiled when Neville blushingly admitted he planned on visiting Bindy at least once over the break.
Colin grumbled, "I've got to mind my brother, when I'd rather go to the beach." When Harry asked 'what beach,' he winked at Ginny. "The beach in Spain that Luna invited me and Ginny to keep her company at. Luna's Aunt's rented a house on the Costa de la Luz for a month."
Hermione, the fount of knowledge, explained that the Coast of Light was a favourite Wizarding holiday spot due to the quiet seclusion as much as the beaches.
Ron asked Ginny, "Do you want to go?"
She said, "I'm still thinking about it."
The conversation turned to other things. After dinner, she and Colin walked toward the Library.
"Pssttt…just Ginny, not you, Colin…over here," Blaise called from the niche behind Bertha the Behemoth.
Ginny told Colin she'd see him later and joined Blaise. "You've got to stop leading my mate on."
Blaise snorted. "That one needs no encouragement. To quote our pal Shakespeare, 'Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is.' Don't worry, he'll probably get over…whatever…now that MacDougal's going after him, but I don't want to talk about Colin. I want to talk about you coming to Spain."
"I'm still thinking about it."
The other girl gave a Cheshire Cat smile. "Think about this…if you don't come along, my best mate's going to have no one but me to rub oil all over that love god body."
Somehow, Ginny's wand was pointed at the taunting girl before higher brain function could override the primitive urge to protect what was hers, hers, hers. "If you ever touch Draco, I will…."
Blaise wiped the satisfied smirk off her face almost instantly, but Ginny saw it and thought clearly enough to speculate aloud, "…wonder why you're pretending you'd make a move. Wizards use sunscreen spells more than lotion. Why are you trying to make me jealous? Tell me, what's the real reason you want me to go to Spain?"
Ginny realised that the over-bright look in dark eyes was suppressed tears. Blaise said, "The place was named 'The House of Sun and Shadow' by my father's grandfather. It lives up to its name. It's beautiful, has an amazing view of the ocean, gets sun in the morning and has shade for the afternoon. We had a lot of good times there summer holiday after third year."
Blaise paused. "We also had some bad times...and…Draco needs—I need—you to help keep things light instead of dark, okay?" The girl crossed her arms and pressed her lips together, looking away while she said, "Please?"
How could she say no? Tell Blaise…who was really asking for Draco, since she'd have Terry, 'Sorry, you're going to a house with bad memories—probably thanks to good old Lucius—and need my help to get over the past, but I can't lie to my parents who are the best people in the world apart from that 'all Slytherins are scum' attitude.'
Slowly, she nodded.
Ginny got hugged before being dragged off to the library.
In the back of the Restricted Section, Wesley, Luna and Terry were sitting on the window seat, talking quietly while Draco lounged against the opposite wall. He saw them approaching and searched her face for the answer to his unspoken question. She slipped her arm around his waist. "Yes, I'll go."
Unguarded relief and joy made his face almost too beautiful to look at. He swung her around. "Yes!"
The soft laughter of the others made Draco put her down. "I mean, yeah, that's good."
Over on Terry's lap, Blaise asked, "Luna, do you have a letter for me?" Taking what looked like a Birthday card, she said, "Ooohhh…easy, loopy writing…no problemo, amiga!"
Wesley handed Blaise a note. She hunched a shoulder. "Not so easy, but I can do it." Terry asked where Blaise got her 'talent.' She shrugged. "Hereditary skill from Borgia ancestors—not everyone who donated their worldly belongings to the Pope actually wrote their wills themselves."
Luna asked, "What are we going to do about schoolwork? Professors always pile on work over Easter holiday."
Draco withdrew a parchment from his pocket and unfolded it. His expression was smug. "Slytherin's house-elf isn't plagued with scruples like some others. This is a list of all our classes and the extra work each professor plans on assigning. We've got a couple of weeks to swot like Grangers and get it done. I'm starting tonight. Roger the House party. I don't want to waste time I could be windsurfing scratching out a bloody History of Magic paper."
"I'll do the research for everybody's History of Magic, since I've already done my regular work," Blaise said.
The offer was eagerly accepted. Ginny gazed around the secluded area at the students she'd bet that last week would never have dreamt they would be planning how to lie and cheat and steal time together with the ones they loved.
An air of conspiracy, of anticipation, even exhilaration, filled each face. She couldn't help but laugh. "The boldness of Gryffindors, the brilliance of Ravenclaws, the cunning of Slytherins, and love even Hufflepuffs would envy. We're Dumbledore's dream come true!"
Wesley grinned. "All for one and one for all? The Six Musketeers? I like it!" He held out a hand. Luna placed hers on top of his. Terry and Blaise followed suit. Ginny slanted one of her mother's 'play nice with the other children or else' looks at Draco. He sighed and placed his hand on hers.
After the group said their adopted motto together and separated to go gather things for the 'swot-a-thon' as Roberts drolly named their first study session, Ginny and Draco stayed behind a moment in the Restricted Section.
Draco said, "I don't mind the 'all for one' stuff as long as you remember you're the one for me."
Ginny twined her arms around his neck. "Damn right I am."
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A/N : Blaise's quote came from Troilus and Cressida, act 1, scene ii. Cressida is one of those Bard babes with attitude. No wonder I like her! Lol. Easter holiday starts next chap!