Chapter 44- Actions and Reactions
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Professor Hands was droning on about the British postal system, but Ginny didn't mind. She was occupied with note taking. Along with the price of different kinds of stamps and the length of time it took for a Muggle letter to be delivered, she was drawing hearts on the parchment. Inside the hearts, she drew the letters GW, DM. Sometimes, she printed. Others, she used cursive handwriting. A few times, she attempted calligraphy. She shaded each heart or added lines, squiggles, tiny hearts or arrows for decoration. Twenty-two hearts might be a bit excessive, but she had only 'officially' had a boyfriend for one school week. There was a lot of missed doodling time to make up.
Last Saturday, Draco had carried her off to their solar in the attics for a private dinner. The memory still made her smile. She couldn't remember what they'd eaten, but she remembered the look in his eyes and could almost still feel the touch of his hand and taste his lips.
When she had finally returned to the Gryffindor common room, her brother had been waiting for her. Ron jumped up from a sofa as though he was about to start questioning her right there. Hermione's hand on his arm had restrained him. Jerking his head toward the boys' staircase, he had bounded up the steps while Harry and Hermione had followed behind her. Ginny hadn't objected. She was resigned to the trio being inseparable.
Inside Ron's dorm, he had waited for the door to close behind her before demanding, "Why did you have to kiss Malfoy in the middle of the Entry?" Not giving her time to respond, he spluttered, "Then you let him carry you off to who knows where and everybody in the Hall was talking about it!" Giving her a look that reminded her uncomfortably of Molly, he finished, "What were you thinking?"
At least he didn't say 'young lady.' That would have been too eerie. She moved forward and reached up to kiss his cheek. "I was thinking that finally, I could show how I feel and not care who knows it. I've never been happier. Can't you be happy for me?"
The blue fire in his eyes instantly extinguished. Wide mouth turning down, Ron said, "Aw, cripes, Ginny. I want you to be happy, but...Merlin, sister, it's Malfoy!" Hermione held his hand and squeezed. Harry patted him on the shoulder. He exhaled heavily. "I won't give you any more grief about it, but…don't expect me to make nice!"
"I won't."
"Ginny." Hermione sounded reluctant, a bearer of bad news. "I wouldn't say anything, except, I really feel you should know, so you can be prepared." Given an 'okay', she stated matter-of-factly, "Those two roommates you hexed were pretty vocal, and bitter, about the whole thing—and they weren't the only ones."
Listening to Hands finish up his lecture, Ginny reflected that the news hadn't come as a shock. She had known that some—maybe a lot—of girls were going to be upset when they found out Draco was taken. She just didn't care. If anybody got in her face about it, they'd find out what other hexes she knew.
At the head of the classroom, the pontificating teacher got her full attention when he gushed,
"Today, class, you have a treat in store. Mr. Creevey has generously offered to sing a Muggle song about sending a letter and Miss Zabini has agreed to accompany him. Please give your classmates a round of applause!"
Ginny looked up from her 'work' to see Blaise standing beside Colin with a half smile on her face. That was different. She usually dragged her feet as though heading to the guillotine and scowled fiercely. A glance at Luna showed that the dreamy-eyed blonde was mystified by this duet as well.
Colin said, "The song we're going to sing is by the Beatles. It's called, P.S. I love you."
Ginny heard a few classmates snigger, but she thought their voices blended well.
As I write this letter...
The song was about sending a letter to a lover so they would remember that while the couple wouldn't always be apart, they would always be in love. Ginny sighed. To keep all Draco's love forever...what a thought! The song was catchy, with P.S. I love you...you, you, you...sung several times. Blaise sang with her eyes closed, probably imagining singing to Terry.
Only one classmate didn't appear to enjoy the duet. Mindy's posture seemed to get upright and stiff as the song progressed. The sight reminded Ginny of a girl talk one night during Easter Holiday. Blaise had shared that on the day after the Valentine's dance; Hermione had misheard a conversation in the library between Blaise and Ron and hexed the other girl for it. She had laughed about going beyond the call of matchmaking duty.
Ginny frowned. If Colin didn't stop smiling at his singing partner, history might repeat itself. She did not think Blaise would find another hex amusing.
Clapping enthusiastically along with the rest of the class, she covertly tossed Colin a note when Hands turned to conjure the homework assignment onto the blackboard.
The message read, Are you trying to make Mindy jealous?
Her devious friend twisted in his seat to smile before winking and turning back around. She shook her head at his machinations. Gathering her text and rolling up parchments to place them inside her carryall, Ginny hoped that Draco would come walk her to lunch. Since Monday morning, he had escorted her numerous times.
On that first day, he had sauntered over to her table after eating breakfast. Conversations had come to abrupt halts when her housemates caught sight of the Prince of Slytherin headed their way. In the dead silence that greeted his appearance, Malfoy's drawl had sounded even more insolent.
"I'll walk you to your first class." Noticing her astonishment, a platinum eyebrow rose. "I suppose you expect me to carry your books."
"Only if you want to."
"I've never carried a girl's books before." He grabbed the strap to sling her bag over his shoulder, holding out his hand, "Let's go."
When she had slipped her hand into his, Draco chuckled over the look on her face. "You're keeping my love god reputation up, smiling like that."
"I can't help it. You've never carried any other girl's books but mine."
"I've never carried any books. Crabbe or Goyle lug mine around. Now I know why—these things are heavy."
The rest of the class filing by snapped Ginny out of the memory. She watched Mindy press jealously to Colin's side while he thanked Blaise for singing with him. He caught Ginny's evaluating stare and waggled his eyebrows before leading his girlfriend out of the classroom.
Rolling her eyes, she told Blaise, "You're asking for another hex, girlfriend."
Totally ignoring the important words, dark brown eyes slanted a triumphant glance at Luna. "She called me 'girlfriend!'"
Luna smiled in serene approval. Saying a huffy goodbye to the two loonies, Ginny marched out of the classroom. Looking to her right, she saw a sinfully handsome boy making his way toward her. A line from As You Like It came to mind.
The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.
The quote might refer to lovers in general, but her heart was 'fed' by the sight of a specific love. Ginny's heart leapt while her cheeks heated and her lips burned to kiss his. That incredible feeling was worth dealing with sullen roommates, whispers and dirty looks.
Draco took her carryall and brushed his lips across hers. "If you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to have to do something about it."
She couldn't help herself. Now that she didn't have to hide her attraction anymore, her eyes ate him up at every opportunity. He encouraged her by 'doing something about it' any chance he got.
They headed toward the Hall. The feel of their shoulders pressing while his talented fingers played with hers made Ginny hope that she would get a kiss soon. Steered toward the statue of Bertha the Behemoth, she smiled in anticipation. The smile faded when she heard voices speak.
"It hasn't been that bad, has it, seeing them together?" It was Hermione's voice, trying to soothe.
Ron's answer was grudging. "I know. It's not like he goes round grabbing her arse, but still. The mental image is enough to ruin a bloke's appetite."
Grey eyes were gleaming with amusement at the other boy's expense until Hermione suggested throatily, "Let me take your mind off it."
Ginny had to put a hand over her mouth to stifle giggles when Draco hurried her away from the sound of Ron and Hermione snogging. Her boyfriend's lip was curling so adorably, that when they had walked out of hearing range, she burst into laughter. He tried to keep looking disgusted, but ended up smiling briefly.
After she finally stopped giggling, he said, "I know. It's not like we had to see your brother and Granger tongue-locked, but the mental image is enough to ruin my appetite."
They were nearing the statue of Gregory the Smarmy. Ginny slowed and began to pull Draco toward the niche at the back of the monument. Her heavy lidded gaze travelled from his platinum hair, over his classically perfect features, down his gorgeous body and slid back up to linger on his tempting mouth. It was hard to speak when her throat dried at the answering promise in his eyes, but Ginny finally swallowed hard and whispered, "Then let me take your mind off it."
The flare of heat in his eyes was fulfilled by a scorching kiss.
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At lunch, Blaise toyed with the food on her plate at lunch while peeking at Terry for the fifth time in as many minutes. Meeting Draco's knowing smirk, she asked, "When our situations were reversed, did you feel happy for me and yet envious too?"
His smile flashed white. "No. You're a better person than I am, mate. I tolerated it and was envious as hell."
A startled laugh escaped her.
Across the table, Pansy demanded, "What's so funny, Zabini?"
"None of your business, Parkinson."
"Are you laughing at me saying anyone was better than you? Well, I meant it."
Pretending to cry on her mate's shoulder, Blaise said, "Boo Hoo, I'd be gutted if I gave a damn about your opinion. Since I don't, why don't you shut up before you remove all doubt what a fool you are?"
Draco's chuckle enraged the pug-faced twit. "Oh, you…you won't be laughing when I…."
Millicent stood. "Come along, Pansy. No need to talk to that witch anymore."
Blaise said as she watched them leave, "I think I'd better watch my back with those two. The last time we had words, I ended up in the hospital wing."
"It was the stuff that happened before the hospital wing that worries me," said Draco.
Smiling at his dry tone, she leaned back and surreptitiously peered over at Terry. He was looking her way, lips curved enticingly. She sighed. They had Double Potions with Snape last class. The prospect was simultaneously brilliant and frustrating. It was hard to concentrate on brewing a successful potion when she was constantly scheming how to brush his fingers or body with hers. Blaise returned Terry's smile and then forced herself to eat another few bites of food.
Crabbe gave her a gentle nudge that almost knocked her off the bench before pointing to the uneaten half of her sandwich. She picked it up and silently held it out. Swallowing a huge mouthful, the husky boy gave her a childlike smile of thanks and ate the half in one bite.
On the other side of Crabbe, Goyle's bottom lip started to turn down. Blaise looked at Draco in alarm. He snorted and tossed the other teen a sandwich off his neighbour's plate. The Slytherin boy who had his lunch taken started to protest, noted who was now eating his food, and kept quiet.
Blaise glanced over and saw Ginny unsuccessfully hiding a smile. She bumped Draco's arm with hers. "Gerd's admiring your Slytherin cunning, Frey." He looked up and gave a slow grin that made the nearby Greengrass twins whimper.
Running his eyes over his girlfriend in a way that was likely raising blood pressure all over the Hall, he murmured, "The admiration is mutual." The suave tone turned sour. "Her pal Loki, though, is another matter. Creevey keeps staring this way, and he's not looking at his girlfriend, Freyja."
She looked. The Gryffindor was looking. Blaise remembered her dream, Colin saying, "Are you sure you won't settle for wants you passionately?"
Tearing her gaze from Colin's, she traced the rim of her goblet with her fingertip. "His best friend is openly dating a Slytherin. He's probably just curious about how you're handling all the attention."
"Uh huh."
Luckily, Ginny soon left the Hall after a magnetic glance toward the Slytherin table. The former boy of steel followed soon afterwards. Blaise figured it was a relief for Draco not to have to fight the pull anymore. Forcing herself to remain at the table until at least half of her housemates had gone on to their next classes; she heaved a sigh of relief on the way out. Creevey had already left the Hall.
The respite was short-lived. Passing the statue of Bertha the Behemoth, she heard, "Pssttt…Zabini…Blaise…over here!"
Seriously tempted to keep walking and claim Selective Hearing Disorder if questioned later, Blaise instead moved slowly toward the boy and a conversation she really did not want. She leaned against an ample marble hip, keeping a safe distance between herself and the blond leaning against the back wall.
Colin smiled. "I wanted to thank you again for singing with me."
Her smile felt tight. "Well, you were really cool with the serenade thing. Terry and I appreciated it."
"I didn't do it for him."
For a Gryffindor, he sure slithered over to where she stood incredibly fast. Uncomfortable with the closeness, Blaise took a step back. He followed. She said, "I know, but it was still nice, and I had fun singing today…so…what are you up to Creevey?"
He had manoeuvred her up against the sidewall and his baby blues were too close for comfort. "I'm trying to thank you."
Her eyes widened. "Thank me how?"
The corners of his mouth turned up, revealing the little devil inside the angelic exterior. "With a friendly kiss."
She stuck up a hand just in time. While his lips moved against her palm, Blaise said, "I don't kiss my friends, especially not my male friends, Colin. Not even if I really, really like them. Because I love Terry, and it's not worth losing him to satisfy my curiosity about what it would be like to kiss you—them."
"You've thought about what it would be like to kiss me?"
When Blaise had ignored Ginny's warning to brag on being called 'girlfriend', she had not thought she would be getting her own back so soon. Glad that Creevey had taken a step away, she lowered her hand and said bluntly, "Sure. Back in fourth year, I almost said yes when you asked me out. I thought you were cute." She smiled wryly. "I still think you're cute, which is why I've never kissed you all those times I could've. I don't want to ruin our friendship. I like being your friend." Searching his eyes, she asked, "What about Mindy? She seems to really care about you."
His short laugh was bitter. "Does she? Or am I just a challenge? Is Mindy jealous of you because she cares, or because she doesn't want to lose another boy to Blaise Zabini?"
She didn't know the girl well enough to say.
He said, "Look, I like being your friend too, so I won't roger it." The sincerity in his voice turned teasing. "So you almost said yes."
Blaise shook her head at his ego. She backed away, directly into a girl who had been listening to the conversation, by the look on her face.
"Hello, Blaise. Colin, we need to talk."
"Hello, Mindy. I've, erm, got to go to class. Bye." Relieved that the determined look in the girl's eyes wasn't directed at her, she quickly walked away.
A few hours later, Blaise passed the couple on her way to Potions. They smiled. She noticed that they both had puffy lips and bet that most of that 'talk' had been non-verbal. In the dungeon corridor, she saw Terry up ahead and scooted through the press of students to come up behind him and whisper, "Hey, Baby."
He didn't turn around, only whispered back, "Hey, I'll try to be one of the first to get to the student cupboard." Falling back so Snape wouldn't think they had been conversing, Blaise moved into the classroom. Fiona was already at the table.
Her hazel eyes sparkled. "We're making another one of those funky medieval potions today!" She said in a low voice, "If Pansy blows smoke your way, duck!"
Blaise looked at Pansy and Millicent. They were cackling together like the hags they were. The pair smiled nastily at the girl behind them. She gave them a dismissive glance, but whispered to Fiona, "I really think they're stupid enough to try. I'll watch out for them."
Snape's voice carried across the chamber, stilling all conversation. "The instructions are listed on the board. This potion should be simple enough for even the maladroit to brew, so there is no need for discussion. Begin."
Jotting down the list of ingredients needed, Blaise caught Fiona's eye and indicated that she'd grab them from the student cupboard. Her friend mimed filling and heating the cauldrons. They stifled laughter.
The professor was not amused. "Are you performing pantomime instead of Potions, Miss Flint, Miss Zabini?"
Blaise looked up into the sardonic countenance and shook her head, silently apologetic. She couldn't help thinking that although Snape looked best in black, he'd been surprisingly attractive in white fencing gear. She almost giggled. Lorelei had sure thought so. Untimely laughter was no longer a problem when fathomless dark eyes looked into hers and then narrowed.
Alarmed, she glanced down. Surely, wandless Legilimency could not be performed that quickly.
"Very well," Snape said curtly. "You may proceed."
Rushing back to the student cupboard to get the necessary ingredients from the stores, she made sure to pick out her items in the same order as her boyfriend, so she could brush her fingers against his. Terry smiled, sharing her amusement that they could meet and snog like crazy in every out of the way place and yet get such a thrill from clandestine touches.
She returned to her table, handing Fiona a stalk of yarrow. After a quick glance assured that the professor was occupied with chastising another student, she picked up her knife and mouthed, 'chop finely.'
"More pantomime?" Fiona whispered.
The girls had to cover their mouths and look away from each other for several moments before they could begin their potion.
At the end of class, when the solution was simmering gently and turning a pale blue colour, Blaise heard someone call her name. Millicent had uttered the rough whisper. The girl's cauldron was spewing ominous gray fumes. The hag smiled evilly, causing the hairy mole above her upper lip to twitch. Doing her mate's dirty work, the girl used her wand to direct the smoke in one direction.
Blaise turned and saw her boyfriend's eyes widen upon seeing what had happened. She took a step toward him, breathing his name. Terry met her halfway, his arms enfolding as their lips met. She ran her fingers through his long hair while they exchanged deep, sweet kisses. Her mind felt nicely fuzzy, but she didn't think he was Odin, or that she was Freyja. All she thought was how lovely it was to have an excuse to be in his arms.
"Cease that inappropriate display at once!"
Professor Snape's command broke them apart. Blaise smiled at Terry before turning to face her teacher. While the rest of the class watched avidly, he closed his eyes and exhaled a long, exasperated-sounding breath before fixing them with a level stare. "If you had read the background text pertaining to today's solution, you would have known that the effects were those of an analgesic, not an aphrodisiac." His icy glance quelled the class' whispers and stifled laughter. Thin lips turning down, the man clipped, "Ten points from Ravenclaw and five from Slytherin for inadequate preparation. Return for detention, tonight, for the improper display."
He speared Millicent with an icy glance. "For instigating this whole debacle, you have lost your Hogsmeade weekend privileges, Miss Bulstrode." Swooping back to his desk, Snape ordered, "All samples attempting to earn credit are to be labelled and placed on my desk forthwith. Class dismissed."
Ladling her solution into a flagon, Blaise completed the label and looked up to see Pansy and Millicent glaring at her. She glanced past them to see Draco gazing at her with a half smile. Sheepishly, she returned it.
After class, he walked beside her up the dungeon stairs. He said, "Cheer up, Hufflepuff. You got to snog Terry-Boy in front of the class, and later you get to spend time with him in detention. Looks like a win-win situation to me."
At the top of the stairs, she looked down the corridor and saw Terry turn to gaze back. He grinned. Smiling widely, she blew him a kiss. Blaise sighed contentedly as he 'caught' it and pressed it to his heart.
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Glad that the day was almost over, Luna sank down into an overstuffed chair and allowed her gaze to drift around the Divination classroom. Even though she thought the tower chamber fussily decorated in a barrage of floral patterns, she approved the use of fairy phlox. The subtle, vanilla aroma was far, far better than the one Trelawney had previously inflicted on her students.
Idly watching the professor flit around the space like some giant gray moth, the girl lifted a tiny blonde braid away from her face and absently twined it around her finger. Something was different about the woman today. After a moment's contemplation, Luna realized that Trelawney wasn't off in her own world. Smoothing down her hair, constantly adjusting her oversized glasses, and fiddling with the long strand of amber beads around her neck, the teacher appeared to be nervously awaiting someone.
"It's Professor Hook!"
Bindy's hushed exclamation brought everyone's attention to the trapdoor. A shiny hook had appeared, followed by the rest of the piratical teacher of Ancient Runes. Wearing crimson teaching robes, the man shook back his waving dark hair, quite conscious that he was the centre of attention. Smoothing his neat moustache with the curving steel, his blue eyes gleamed with wicked enjoyment even while he demurred, "Please, I'm only here to observe. Don't pay me the least bit of attention."
"Like that'll happen in a class with all girls," said Mindy. Her sarcasm made Luna smile.
Hand fluttering up to her throat, Trelawney took a deep breath and said in a pale imitation of her usual dramatic tones, "Class, in Divination, we observe with our physical senses and use established guidelines to interpret the meaning of physical objects and events." After a fleeting glance toward the man who appeared extremely masculine lounging in a chair covered in chintz, the flustered woman continued, "This year, Headmaster Dumbledore has asked that scrying be included in the curriculum."
"Scrying is not Divination." The class turned to stare. The man raised his hand and hook with a patently false smile of contrition. "I'm interrupting. So sorry, please continue."
Trelawney smiled thinly. Luna noticed that the teacher was wearing lipstick. She never had before.
"Unlike Divination," said Trelawney, " Scrying uses supersensory powers to perceive events that transpire beyond the physical." Warming up to her theme, she enthused, "To scry means to see with the mind, not the eyes—to hear with the inner ear, and so on, transcending our limited senses and translating the images and impressions we gain into information we can understand and use to guide our lives."
Hook cleared his throat. "Sounds conveniently vague. Is that what so-called Clairvoyants do? See a vision with their 'inner eye'?"
Trelawney tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear while she faced the satirical questioner. Luna noticed that the colour was now ash-blonde. A potion or spell had been used to cover the grey.
Almost as interesting was the slight pink tint to the woman's skin when she corrected the man, slowly and calmly, "No. Clairvoyance is not scrying. It is a type of prophetic vision, with images coming unsought." Holding out her hands to her class, Trelawney said stirringly, "Open your minds to the possibilities. Move beyond what you know and embrace the extrasensory!"
"Embracing the possibilities…my mind is definitely open to that," drawled Hook.
Giggles sounded throughout the room at the suggestive inflection. Squaring her shoulders, Trelawney ignored Hook to ask, "Miss Cornfoot, Miss Lovegood, will you take the box off my desk and give each of your classmates a conch shell, please?"
Following the teacher's instructions, the girls handed out the shells. Luna offered one to the Runes Professor, who smiled charmingly and snagged it with his hook.
Once everyone had a seashell, Trelawney held a conch to her ear. The class followed suit. With a smirk, their vocal 'silent observer' did so as well. Behind lenses that magnified, pale eyes glowed with enthusiasm. The teacher said, "Listen closely. What do you hear?"
A girl in the back raised her hand. "The ocean."
Trelawney's pleased smile dimmed when a hook rose in the air. After she nodded, he said, "I hear the sound of blood flowing through the vessels in my ear."
Through gritted teeth, his fellow teacher said, "You are both correct. However, if you listen long enough, class, eventually fragments of conversation—perhaps even whole segments for those who are more psychically attuned—will become clear. In time, it is possible to become part of the conversation and…."
"What?" said Hook. "Who will they be talking with? Some spirit? Themselves?"
Trelawney snapped, "If you could stop interrupting every other minute, James, you would learn that it is the subconscious that is trying to connect with the conscious mind."
"How rude of me, Sybil, I apologise sincerely—nay—ardently."
Titters broke out at the teachers' use of each others' first names. Luna smiled thoughtfully. Although Blaise had relayed the conversation she and Terry had overheard by the willow tree, this latest slip of the tongue told her that the history between these two wasn't going to stay in the past.
Curtly, Trelawney told her students to listen closely and make an effort to 'hear' with their inner ear what their subconscious wanted to tell them.
Luna listened, unsurprised to hear the sound of the ocean. After several minutes passed, she still had not made out any cryptic messages from her unconscious mind. Cindy was smiling and scratching out a short paragraph. So was Mindy.
Trelawney drifted around the room, checking notes and either nodding approvingly or clucking in exaggerated sympathy at the lack of psychic ability. When she reached Luna's table, the professor read the other messages before asking, "Had you no snippet of communication, however meaningless it might seem, Miss Lovegood?"
A series of coughs from the Runes professor made the girl change her mind. Instead of telling the teacher she had heard nothing, she said, "In place of a clear message, I felt an urge to laugh, then I felt dizzy, and after that I experienced a gripping sense of danger."
It was all a load of rubbish, but Trelawney beamed. "Excellent, most excellent! Did everyone hear? Surprising though it is in one with so little innate psychic aptitude, Miss Lovegood has been contacted by the deep mind whose pronouncements struggle to be understood by our limited cognitive abilities."
Hook now sounded like he was about to cough up a lung. Marching over and pounding the man on the back with a grim smile, his colleague's voice was sugarcoated poison. "Did you drink a cup of tea out of the pot on your table? How unfortunate. It's been standing there all day."
Professor Hook had a very charismatic laugh. Girls sighed when the man flashed his white smile and said drolly, "Only a day? It tasted as bitter as those week old pots you used to leave round the—"
"Take your shells with you!" Trelawney cut in. "Listen and record the wisdom provided by the subconscious. A half scroll will be due next class! You are dismissed!"
Luna didn't blame the woman for shooing everyone out before Hook could make her an even bigger target of gossip. It was bad enough that by dinner the Hall would be speculating on the current relationship between the Ancient Runes and Divination professors. The rumours would get even wilder if he'd confirmed that they'd had a past one.
Although she respected her teacher for wanting to have a private conversation, Luna, along with Bindy and Mindy didn't leave the Divination Tower completely. Extendable ears slid through the crack in the trapdoor and allowed the girls literally hanging on beneath to hear the conversation.
"What are you playing at James?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing, Sybil. The wards on my door disengaged and then re-activated after I left. Came to visit without leaving a 'sorry to miss you' note, eh?" The listening girls' eyes widened when the man's voice dropped into silky menace. "Did you enjoy looking through my things?"
"I…I did nothing except enter your lounge and call your name. When it became apparent that you were not at home, I left." Trelawney's voice sounded panicked. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Why, I'm giving you another chance to run your hands all over my clothing, m'dear."
"I don't want your robes. Take them back!"
"Not my robes? Then you must have wanted to touch my silk shirts. Here."
Luna glanced at her friends. Mindy appeared ready to burst out laughing. Bindy, on the other hand, looked ready to burst into the Tower to save a woman from a man who seemed determined to give her his clothes, item by item.
Trelawney shrilled, "Stop it! Stop taunting me and hounding me and leave me alone!" She broke down into sobs that became muffled.
It was a strain to hear Hook say, "I can't leave you alone, Sybil. Even if I didn't need your help in finding out what really happened to Stuart, I'd still hound you, because of this…."
This had Luna yanking one extendable ear from in between her and Bindy and snatching the other end from Mindy when the girl showed no signs of detaching voluntarily. Placing the handy invention back into her pocket, she followed her friends down the ladder and out of the tower. Once in a passageway leading to the main corridor, the girls stood looking at each other. After giving what they had heard some thought, Luna said, "How could Trelawney help Hook?"
"You mean besides snogging his brains out? No clue." Mindy laughed at her friends' expressions "You should see your faces! You two look like I said they were—Merlin!"
The girl's yelp caused Luna to pivot on her heel.
Hook stood regarding them with a half smile and a raised eyebrow. "Flattering, but no, I'm only a humble professor, who couldn't help overhearing part of your conversation. Do you ladies always take such an interest in others?"
Bindy looked ready to sink into the floor with embarrassment. Mindy appeared on the verge of a cheeky remark.
Luna said calmly, "Yes. When others are interesting."
Inclining his head slightly in a 'touché' gesture, a smile tugged at the corner of Hook's mouth. It widened when he drawled, "Is that so? I'm afraid that after what happened to the cat, it is my duty to encourage you girls to direct your attention elsewhere." Tapping his chin with the steel hook, the man debated, "Now, which measure would be more effective? Taking House Points, or giving detention?"
Mindy said, "Taking House Points!"
Hook interjected facetiously, "You are absolutely right, Miss MacDougal. I too am Ravenclaw. Very well, detention it is. Meet me at the side entrance to the school Monday night at eight o'clock sharp."
Watching Hook swagger off, the trio's silence was broken by Bindy asking, "What happened to the cat?"
Mindy made a face. "Curiosity killed it."
The girls met Wesley in the Main Corridor. His usual good humour was conspicuously absent. "Hook just gave me detention next Monday for running in the corridors."
Luna said, "The Captain must want a full crew. He gave us detention as well." Smiling at the brightening effect of her pronouncement, she asked, "Why were you running?"
His dimples peeked out adorably when his lips curved. "Some girls in the common room were talking about Hook visiting your class, and I began to worry that the fair half of our Scooby Gang was in peril, so off I ran."
"Merlin, that's almost sickeningly…." Mindy paused when she saw Colin and Neville hurrying toward them. "Sweet," she finished, with a bright smile for her boyfriend.
After the girls brought the boys up to date on Hook, Neville said, "Why don't we go to the kitchen and grab a snack? Mysteries make me hungry."
Everyone in the group agreed.
Wesley slid his arm around Luna's waist. "I'm hungry too, but it's not for food."
She smiled. When the others entered the chamber concealed by a pear shaped door, she pulled her sexy pirate close and gave him a lingering kiss before leading him into the kitchen to join their friends.
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Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. Draco knew firsthand because he had been awake to see the first rays creep across his dorm room.
Crabbe and Goyle, suitably heavy sleepers, had merely rolled over to avoid the sunlight streaming across their broad faces. He threw on the first jumper and pair of trousers he came across in his trunk and headed downstairs.
Once he reached the Quidditch pitch, he closed his eyes and waved his wand with his left hand to make the wards on Hagrid's shed more of a challenge to counter. It was still laughably easy to retrieve his broomstick.
Flying across the lake gave the teen a sense of peace that had been lacking in the early hours of the morning. Excitement over finally going to Hogsmeade with Ginny and dread over what his father would say once he learned of his son's romantic interest had effectively murdered sleep.
After a series of rolls, he dove toward the lake, pulling up to glide above the surface in order to trail his fingers in the cold, dark water. Suddenly, the giant squid surfaced in front of him. A hard right saved Draco from smashing into the creature. The expletives he yelled before, during, and after the near collision caused another flier to explode with laughter.
A vertical lift brought the Slytherin to the level of the Gryffindor hovering on a Firebolt. Grudgingly admiring the other boy's taste in brooms, he said, "I suppose the squid's never pulled that trick on you."
"No, she's tried to play tag with me several times. It was just funny seeing her do it to you."
"How do you know it's a 'she', Potter? Do you speak squid as well as snake?"
The smile Potty gave made Draco uneasy. Wonder boy acting civil was suspicious.
"Sure. During the Tri-Wizard tournament, Hoggie told me that she gets real lonely."
"Hoggie?" Platinum eyebrows rose incredulously.
Potter said, "Yeah. Loch Ness has Nessie and Hogwarts Lake has Hoggie."
"How charming." Draco curled his lip. "Like your jumper."
The Gryffindor looked down at the knitted garment with a letter 'H' emblazoned upon it before saying, "Don't worry, you'll get one next Christmas. Mrs. Weasley is probably already looking for just the right shade of green."
Jaw dropping at the thought of being expected to wear a jumper with a 'D' on it, Draco was just about to say where the Boy-Who-Lived could shove a jumper when he heard a snicker. He scowled. "Go snog your squid, Potter."
"Sorry, Malfoy. She only likes blonds!"
Draco realised Potter had been having him on. He bent low and accelerated until his Firebolt was hurtling across the lake. Impulsively, he shot past the shed and flew to Gryffindor Tower. Hovering outside Ginny's window, he took out the Melusine Mirror he carried in his pocket and said her name.
The face that appeared on the reflective surface was drowsy and sweet. "Draco, what time is it?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Morning."
She rubbed her eyes and smiled. "What's up?"
"I'm up—outside your window, to be precise."
Soft brown eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes, really, so get over here, will you?"
Ginny nodded, and then faded from sight. The window soon opened. She was wearing that old robe that he liked. It was thin and soft and made him want to cuddle. Not that he would admit something so Hufflepuff.
He helped her climb over the wide sill. The fraying hem caught on a splinter of wood. The subsequent view of her legs put Draco into a decidedly better humour. "Allow me."
He freed her robe and considerately recovered her legs, after trailing his fingers along her thigh the way he had done earlier to the water. Her skin was warm and infinitely more pleasing to touch.
She playfully slapped his hand before clasping it with hers. "Where are we going?"
"Nowhere…anywhere…I just wanted to see you."
"I'm glad."
Draco kept the speed slow and steady while they flew across the grounds. Following the edge of the Forbidden Forest, he brushed his lips across red hair. "Do you remember our little jaunt to see the faeries? I consider that our first date." He could feel her giggles against his chest.
"Some date. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to slap you or snog you."
He enjoyed the way she shivered when his lips grazed her ear. "You snogged me under the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, Red. Gave me a jolt I'll never forget."
Her hands tightened over his. "Can't you set this thing down for awhile? I need a…break…."
How nice that she had suggested the very thing he wanted to do most. The moment their feet touched the ground, he allowed the broom to drop and drew her into his arms. Ginny's lips moving and parting and pressing against his made Draco even more determined to let nothing come between them again. He lifted bright strands and rubbed them against his cheek.
She sighed against his mouth. "If your hair was long, I'd want to rub it all over."
There was a brilliant incentive. "Fine. I'll order Hair-Gro potion the moment we get back. Until then, tell me what part you want rubbed first so I can practise."
Her hands clenched in his hair. "I was just thinking aloud. It wasn't an offer."
"Damn. I was going to give Legolas a run for his girly-locks, too."
She giggled. "Maybe I spoke too soon. A girl can change her mind."
His fingertips traced her cheeks. "Is this where you'd want to feel my hair?" He lowered his fingers to trail down her neck, Draco asked silkily, "Or maybe here?" Continuing the downward slide, his fingertips drifted across the front of her robe. "Just let me know."
She nodded dazedly. "I will. As soon as you grow your hair." When he pouted, she kissed him soundly. "I need to get back." Playfully, she said, "I'm going to Hogsmeade with my boyfriend, and I'd hate to make him wait."
Assisting her back onto the broomstick, he said quietly, "I feel like I've been waiting for this day forever."
Before she climbed back into her dorm, she said, "I'll make it worth your wait."
Draco was still smiling when he descended the boys' staircase following a quick shower and change of clothes. He was pleased to see that Blaise had ordered breakfast. Watching her make an art form out of drizzling honey over porridge, Draco smiled wistfully, remembering the way Ginny had dumped half a jar atop the bowl she had made for him.
"Someone woke up on the right side of the bed this morning," Blaise said with a wide smile.
He countered, "I'm not the only one. Enjoyed detention, did you?"
"MmHmm."
Sprawled on the floor across from them, Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be competing for who could stuff the biggest scone into their maw. Around a mouthful of crumbs, Goyle asked, "Wot ye 'ave to do, 'aise?"
Fiona and Morrigan were giggling madly. Blaise smiled at them before telling the interested boy, "We cleaned cauldrons by hand."
After taking a bite of porridge, Draco frowned. "I don't remember that being such a thrill."
All three witches cackled this time. Getting a grip, his mate explained with a reminiscent grin, "Snape left to assist Lorelei with some potion, so..."
Morrigan interjected, "She came back to the dorm looking like the winner of a wet-robe contest."
Fiona sniggered. "And there was soap in her hair!"
Handing him a cup of tea, Blaise lifted her cup and clinked it against his. "To detentions."
He would drink to that. "Cheers."
Later, strolling past the line of students waiting to have their passes verified by Filch, Draco strode directly to Ginny, ignoring the disgruntled muttering of those who thought he shouldn't be allowed to cut the line. He admired the way his girlfriend's black tee and denims accentuated smooth, freckled skin and bright hair.
Her pretty face lit up when she saw him. "Hi."
He kissed her in a casual, claiming gesture. "Hello." Holding her hand, he addressed the boy staring at them with a pained expression, "Weasley." The redhead nodded stiffly before turning around. Ginny gave Draco a pleased look. It made calling her brother something other than 'Weasel' a lot easier.
She said, "I thought we'd match, but you're not wearing black!"
He glanced down at his grey silk tee and blue denims. "Are you saying that I only look good in black?"
Her cheeks turned pink.
He smirked.
She said almost shyly, "No, but I think you look really sexy in black."
Draco was starting to feel warm. Playing it off, he asked straight-faced, "Really?"
"Really, really."
He said, "Good, because I feel the same way about you, Red."
They were still smiling at each other Filch demanded to see their passes. The caretaker's cross-eyed feline twined around Draco's ankles, yowling.
Once they had started on the path to Hogsmeade, Ginny pursed her lips in a cute attempt at a Slytherin smirk,
"I think Mrs. Norris remembers your cologne."
He scoffed, "That stuff Blaise gave me for Valentine's Day? I could've thrown it in the trash after that cat almost got us discovered." His girlfriend's appalled expression made him laugh inwardly. Draco said, "I wouldn't toss the cologne." He waited until his girlfriend smiled at what she thought was consideration of her feelings to say, "Not when I know how bloody expensive it is." She punched him in the arm. He laughed aloud. Ginny nudged his shoulder with hers, grinning as if she had made him laugh on purpose. His gaze narrowed. Maybe she had. He slipped his arm around her waist and returned her smile as they walked toward the village.
Inside Honeydukes, the sight of Weasley and Granger feeding each other chocolate samples encouraged him to drag Ginny out as quickly as possible. Over at Zonko's, he pointed out a few of the most blatant Weasley Wheezes knock-offs with a sneer that made his girlfriend collapse against him, giggling. "What's so funny?" he asked.
"You are. You sounded just like my brothers!" His grimace set her off again.
Draco said dryly, "So happy to amuse."
She slipped her arm around his waist. They decided to check out the new Orpheus Orbs at The Sound of Music. Scanning the new music display in the store, he held up an orb and asked, "Why are the Weird Sisters good and the Bizarre Brothers so bad?"
Ginny wasn't listening. Her gaze was darting around the store.
He asked what was wrong. She shook her head. "Nothing, really. I just noticed that everyone seems to be staring at us."
He coolly surveyed the other customers. "Rude blighters are staring. Ignore them. You'll hardly notice after awhile."
Ginny said, "You once told me that you were used to gossip. Are you saying you're used to people staring too?"
Draco perused the tracks on an orb while saying offhandedly, "Of course. I'm Draco Malfoy. Pure-blood heirs of ruthless businessmen and their outrageous socialite wives are always stared at." His lips quirked at the corners. "Now that my image has been plastered across magazines, someone is always looking at me like 'don't I know you?' If they ask, I tell them, 'no, you don't.'"
She said, "I still feel uncomfortable. Shall we go get a Butterbeer at the Broomsticks?"
He put down the orb and took her hand.
Inside the crowded pub, a table was impossible to find. Ginny clutched his arm. "I see a table at the back. I'll go hold it while you get the Butterbeers."
Amused by her brisk tone and idly wondering who it reminded him of, Draco sauntered over to the bar. The brassy haired proprietor gave a wide, scarlet smile when she saw him coming. "Hello, Malfoy. I hear you've got a new girlfriend."
Draco tried not to fidget. "Not so new. Two Butterbeers, please."
"She's improved your manners. Who's the lucky girl?"
He placed Galleons on the bar and picked up the frothy mugs, he smiled politely. "Ginny Weasley."
"G—Ginny."
Draco left the stuttering woman behind, strolling to the back of the pub. He nodded to the Slytherins who greeted him. When he reached the table, he almost dropped the mugs.
"Ron said he'd be happy to share his table with us," said Ginny.
Stars and stones, it wasn't even their table? Ginny had invited them to join Weasley? Placing her drink on the table, he muttered, "Thanks."
Weasley nodded. At least he looked as uncomfortable as Draco felt. Slytherins and Gryffindors must be staring bug-eyed in disbelief over them appearing to get along.
He kept his cool and took a drink. Ginny and Granger carried a conversation about something or other. After several minutes of chit chat, Draco stood. "I'll be right back."
Inside the lavatory, he made for the end stall, even though he had no pressing need to make use of it. He leaned against the sidewall, thinking, How lowering! The Prince of Slytherin is hiding out in a loo.
He heard the door open. A voice snarled, "Never thought I'd see the day Malfoy turned blood-traitor." It was Montague. The bastard kept running his mouth. "I heard he was doing the Weasley girl, and that's bad enough, but to sit with a Mudblood like she's a real person instead of a freak of nature that needs to be eradicated is the lowest."
Heaving a sigh at his quixotic nature, Draco stepped out of the stall. "You always were a bloody fool, Montague, Silencio!" When the burly chaser started to raise his wand, he said, "Accio Wand!"
Sneering at the puny stick, he tossed it into a toilet. His team-mate showed his objection by rushing forward, fists raised. In a fluid motion, Draco ducked and then shoved the larger boy face first into a stall door. Montague dropped to his knees, hands lifting to stem the blood streaming from his nose.
One of the two boys who had watched in shocked silence began to protest. "You…you can't do that, Malfoy. He's a Slytherin!"
"He's a cretin, Bletchley, and anyone I hear repeat any of that shite he was spouting will get more of the same."
Warrington raised his wand. "I can't let you get away—OW! Who hexed me! Hey, give that back!"
Ronald Weasley stepped further into the lavatory, holding the other boy's wand between two fingers like it was covered in bogies. His own wand was raised threateningly. "Ginny asked me to come see if you needed to eat more fibre, Malfoy." Giving the Slytherins a steely glance, he said, "Open your mouth, and something a lot worse than slugs will be spewing out." He pointed his wand at Bletchley. "Throw your wand into the toilet." After the boy hastily complied, Weasley threw the other Slytherin's wand over a stall. Face set, he stepped forward and kicked Montague onto his back. While Draco checked his manicure, Weasley bent over the Chaser and warned, "The next time you mouth off will be the last time."
Draco waited until the Gryffindor stormed off to peer down into Montague's defiant face. He said conversationally, "You don't look like you've learnt a lesson, so I'm going to perform a curse Father taught me. If you behave for the rest of the year, I'll reverse it on the train back to London. If not...well, the world will be a better place without another generation of Montagues, won't it?"
When he left the lavatory, Draco was surprised to find Ginny's brother waiting outside. "What did you do to him?" Weasley asked.
Draco arched a brow. "Let's just say no one will worry about receiving unwanted advances from Montague."
The freckled face started contorting. It took a few moments to realise that Weasley was trying his best not to smile. Despite heroic efforts, the Gryffindors mouth turned up at the corners. In unspoken accord, they headed back to the table.
Ginny smiled uncertainly at Draco when he sat down. "Is everything okay?"
He nodded. "I think I'd rather have lunch somewhere less crowded, though. Want to go to The Bludger?"
Although she gave him a 'you'll be telling me all about it later' look, his girl said, "That sounds good." She turned to the other couple. "Do you want to come with us?"
"Uh, well, I'm not sure, it depends," Granger blathered.
"Yeah. Let's go."
Draco didn't know who was more surprised at Weasley's answer—him or Granger. Affecting nonchalance, he held out his hand. Ginny took it and gave his fingers a reassuring squeeze as they walked out of the pub. On the way to the Bludger, he instinctively looked at the sky. Amazingly, it showed no signs of falling.