DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Five- Devil's Advocate

As they all prepared for the coming night, everyone was chattering nonstop during breakfast.

"Well, whatever you call him, I don't care. But to summarize all of it, he's really hot," Kelly said in an assuring voice. The grins of the early-awaken women widen in agreement.

"Yeah, and you can't seem to stop wondering what's with the smile," Alex, a Latina complimented.

"And don't forget the eyes," a tall, blonde of 22 named Sandra said as she tossed a cherry in her mouth. All nodded and Ginny can't help but grin at all the praises Draco got.

"It was like they are going to melt whatever it is that they looked at. I know I did," Mary, a red head Californian said. Upon hearing this, all laughed, even Ginny.

Oh, you don't have any idea how true that is, Ginny thought remembering the times she saw Draco staring at anxious looking students back in school. If looks can really kill, the first years' population sudden decreaseback then when she was in sixth year would definitely alarm the Ministry.

It was just two more hours before the elimination. Draco stood in front of the mirror examining his reflection. He got each tuxedo he had brought and placed each one in front of his body. As vain as he could be, Draco couldn't decide what to wear…even though all of the suits almost looked the same.

Finally, after concluding on what he would wear, he went to the bathroom to have a good shower. Taking off the towel that covered his lower body, he entered the glass door and turned the knob. Letting the cold water run through his flesh, memories of what happened last night came back to him.

After seeing the ladies who he would be dating, he can't help but think of himself as the luckiest man alive. He smiled thinking of what could happen in the next few weeks when he would be alone with each one of them.

He closed his eyes and raised his head a little bit for the water to flow to his face. Seizing the freshness and calmness of it as it ran down his body, a sudden thought entered his mind.

What could she be doing there?

Still affixed to the thought of an old rival being with him, he couldn't help but wonder on what possible reason could she have for her being there. He knew as he talked to the ladies who he would be eliminating but somehow he can't ponder on where he would place the lady named Ginny Weasley.

Running his hand through her wet blonde hair as he lowered his head, he wondered. Even though it had been a long time since he had seen her, he instantly recognized her face the moment he laid eyes on her at the airport. And that was one of the things that bothered him. There could be so many red heads and yet he knew who she in an instant even though they haven't seen each other for a long time...and he didn't know how and why he did….

Sure, he was pleased by Kelly's enigmatic and devilish smile and sure he was really enchanted by Alex' exotic sex appeal, and sure he was really attracted by Alicia's charm. He was attracted to each of them in many ways but he can't really decipher what was it about Ginny that enthralled his curiosity.

He just stood there, letting the water cleanse his body. A few more questions queried his mind but they were soon forgotten when he saw the angelic image of Ginny. Rotating his head, he thought that maybe it was because of the fact that Ginny looked so endearing in a sense that she was so quiet that it was that that attracted him. He thought that she was like a child…so innocent…so naïve and yet so grown-up in the way she handled the fact that he was the man she would date ifever chosen.

Another thought came. Was it his curiosity of her reason of being there that made him think of her? Or was there even more? He somehow had theorized over the night that he wanted to find the answers beneath the mystery of her existence.

Memories of them somehow 'interacting' ran through his mind. He was somehow enchanted by the way that she could be so polite and yet so adorably rude. He saw that opposite. She could be so genial and yet such a snob. He remembered when she bumped into him…she was so sorry for what she had done that she was stuttering her apology. He remembered what happened after that…oh, the Weasley temper, Draco thought. She was so easily annoyed and angered when she would be sitting beside him for the next couple of hours.

And her face when she saw who would be her so-called "once in a lifetime chance for love" was definitely priceless.

But somehow his ever-forcing curiosity led him to his decision.

He couldn't possibly fall in love with her.Just the idea was totally absurb. But he believed that curiosity can't kill a cat.

It wouldn't hurt to know why, right? He thought as he got his towel.

"It would be soon over, just relax," she said to herself. Ginny then stood up and went in front of the mirror for last minute fixing. She smiled as she saw herself in a black v-neck halter cocktail dress. Her hair was simply tied down reaching half of her back. She took a deep breath and went for the door.

She was making her way down the stairs when suddenly in the middle of walking, she slipped and fell down her back. She let out a soft alarming shriek as she held to the bars. It was a good thing she was only wearing two-inched sandals. Mary came running towards the stairs and was shocked when she saw Ginny frowning and rubbing her back.

"Are you okay?" Mary asked, sounding worried as she ascended some steps. Ginny was still aching but then smiled.

"Ah yeah, just a little accident. So clumsy of me," Ginny said, trying to stand up.

"Are you sure? Do you want some ice or anything?" the other redhead asked helping Ginny descend the remaining steps.

"No, no thanks. I'm all right," Ginny assured. She faked a smile but then deep inside her, she was screaming for it did hurt like hell.

"Is she all right? I mean, we're supposed to be in the living room in ten minutes," Michelle asked. She was a green-eyed brunette of 22 wearing a silk purple asymmetrical dress.

"Yeah, she's fine. Just had a fall. She said she'd be fine. She's just upstairs maybe massaging her back some more," Mary who was sitting on a high stool chair explained, "it did look she had a bad trip," she continued.

Murmurs of what might have caused the accident started. They all looked at each other.

"Why? Is there water on the step?" Samantha, a hazel-eyed 21 year-old college student ask as she walked nearer Mary.

Mary's forehead lined for a while thinking. "No, there wasn't. I didn't see any even small drops, just pure marble, " she replied facing Samantha, "maybe Ginny is just a little klutz, that's all."

Oh, she's definitely not a klutz, another thought as she saw all the women looking at each other with unexplainable ease.

You're looking at the wrong direction ladies, her mind whispered. Hearing the main door open and clicked, she put her wine glass down.

"He's here, come on," she said as she entered the room. She pretended to look quite surprise at the unusual silence that filled the room. Women don't get silent. It wasn't just normal. Women talk.

"What's the matter?" she asked walking towards Mary.

"Ginny had a little accident. I'll just go get her," she said as she stood up and exited the room.

"Well, okay," she replied following the departing figure with her round eyes. Then she looked around and smiled, "okay, this is it," she continued, a smile painted on her luscious red lips.

The ladies followed her to the living room where a man so familiar stood waiting.

"Um, Ginny. Are you in here?" Mary asked as she slowly opened the door. Her head peeping, she smiledas she saw Ginny sitting down.

"Yeah, come in," Ginny replied, still massaging her sides.

"Are you all right now? That turned out to be quite serious," Mary asked as she walked nearer the redhead.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for the concern," Ginny said and smiled. She was not really sure of Mary when she first saw her. Now Mary had proved Ginny wrong in her judgment without her even knowing she did.

"You sure?" she posed. Ginny nodded and grinned a little more.

"Come on, they're probably waiting for us," Ginny said and then rose. Mary did the same and both exited the luxurious cream room.

"I can't believe I still stayed," Mary exclaimed as she sat down the couch. All laughed at this. "I mean, I thought I wouldn't since I didn't had a good chance to talk to him," she continued.

"Well, that's because you're hot and dead gorgeous," Alicia kidded. Everybody giggled at this unusual comment.

"And you have a big heart," Ginny said, turning to her newfound friend. Mary can't help but blush at this warming remark.

"Oh, stop it. I'll turned red as my hair," Mary said and everybody even laughed a little harder.

"To the final six," Mary shouted, raising her champagne glass.

"To the final six," everyone said in chorus also raising their wine glasses. All cheered.

Oh, it won't be long till we're down to five, a brunette thought as she smiled and drank her red wine.

Glad that's over, she thought. She rested her head on her white soft pillow. She felt relaxed and relieved that she got through the first elimination. She held the comforter up to her bosom and turned off the lamp standing on her bedside table.

"Good night," she said. She heard faint good nights from her two roommates and saw that they also had extinguished their sources of light. Darkness filled the room and Ginny just lied there on her comfortable bed and looked straight. She can't really see since there was no source of light on but Ginny's mind seemed to see something.

Her mind seemed to watch a movie as it began to relive what happened just a few hours ago.

-Flashback-

"Alicia," he called. The brunette wearing a red spaghetti strap cocktail dress went down the steps, a grin showing on her face.

"Um, I think when we first talk, I felt that there was something in there and I would really appreciate it if you would stay," Draco said holding her two hands. He was looking at her face with all smiles and intently did she look at him.

"Yes, I'll be happy to," she replied looking at his gray eyes. She then turned, her locks flipping, and walked up the stairs and joined the three lucky ladies who would also be staying.

Six more ladies stood there at the steps, waiting for their name to be called. They looked composed but inside, their hearts were pounding, wishing that they would be spending the night in the house.

"Mary," he called as he looked at the redhead on the left side. As she went down, the ladies let out soft giggles for when she was called, her mouth opened and her smile was from ear to ear.

"Glad to see you again handsome," she greeted as she gave Draco a warm hug. Hearing this, everybody can't help but smile. She was definitely the life and the laugh of the party.

"Glad to see you too," he replied, his smile broaden. There was a small casual pause. Draco sensed that she was nervous because as he held her hands to his, he felt that they were shaking a little bit.

"Um," he started, sensing her nervousness, "don't be nervous because I would really appreciate it if you would to stay a little longer in the house," he continued. Mary's grin widened.

"Only a little longer?" she kidded. The ladies, like Draco laughed.

"We'll see," he said starting to get fond of her unique sense of humor.

"I would love too," she replied again giving him a warm embrace.

She ascended the flight of steps and joined the four chosen ladies who were waiting for the last lucky female to be chosen.

Now, the tension started to arise as only one of the five left in waiting would be chosen to stay.

"Jamie," he called. A petite blonde nodded and went down the staircase. She was smiling thinking that she was one of the lucky ones.

Draco held her hands into his and looked at her.

"Um, I really had a good time talking and getting to know you," he started, "but honestly, I didn't see that there would be a potential romance between us. I didn't feel the certain connection I was looking for." The smile faded from her face and then a sad one replaced it.

"It's okay," she began, trying hard not to show any sign of weakness, "It's fine. You are lucky to have these ladies up here waiting for you. I hope you'd find your match," she continued not leaving his gaze. He looked at her and hugged her.

As Ginny watched her walk the walk, she can't help but feel mixed emotions. She was happy that she still has a chance and yet sad because another friend had to leave. She watched her go and then turned her eyes back to the tall blonde man that was standing meters before them.

She saw that every time Draco had to eliminate one of them, he had this unexplainable expression. It was kind of an expression manifesting regret. Ginny can't help but think that Draco didn't like the idea of eliminating women for he couldn't be able to date all of them. She smiled thinking this. Back in Hogwarts, it was very different for him. He could date whichever woman he wanted.

It was down to four and Ginny felt even more agitated than before. What if she was called next and then when she thought she was chosen, she was just going to be sent home? She took a deep breath, trying with all her might to relax her insides and open her mind to accept whatever fate Draco would put upon her.

And just when she thought she couldn't take any more, she heard him call her name.

"Ginny," he said. She looked up at him and automatically, a smile showed on her face seeing that he was grinning at her. She took one last breath and descended the stairs.

When she was standing there in front of him, she didn't know if she would initiate anembrace like everyone did or not. She just looked at him. Draco sensed her little unease but still held her hands to his. He thought that by doing this, she wouldn't need to hug him---yet. She smiled as she felt the same sensation she felt when she shook his hand before.

"Um, Ginny," he started, looking at her blue eyes, "I would really like it if you would give me a chance to get to know you more. I would appreciate it if you would stay," he continued as he felt his own hands a little shaky. She smiled at him and decided to give him an embrace.

As she did this, the touch of her body to his, Draco felt a strange warm feeling running through his system. When he accepted her in his arms, Ginny felt a weird sensation ran down her spine.

"I would love to," she said showing an innocent smile.

As strange or as odd as it may sound, Ginny felt that she could stay in those arms and live. She didn't know what it was she felt exactly as they got close. It was just a mixture of peace and comfort. And even though she hated to admit it, at the back of her mind, she secretly wished it wouldn't be in any other way...for though she may hate him for being Draco Malfoy, she felt something she rarely feels inside when his body touched hers.

-End Flashback-

Now Ginny closed her eyes but didn't feel any change in sight. When she shut them, the same darkness greeted her. Moving to her side, Ginny can't help but think that this decision wasn't as bad as she first thought it was. She realized that this wasn't a bad choice. It was not at all...

The feeling that she had being in his arms even if it was just for a short while made her feel the sense of ease she rarely felt in her life. It was like there was something between them; that it wasn't just because of hormones or because of carnal craving or infatuation that she felt at ease with him. She felt, as unusual for her as itwas since she had never really had the chance to get to know him yet, that there was an instant something between them; that there was something more inside the both of them left hidden waiting to be opened.

And somehow, Ginny felt that it was okay. She felt that it was just all right.

Just when she was just a few seconds from entering the land of dreams, her eyes suddenly opened. Her mind that was starting to drift away from reality seemed to alert itself.

It can't help itself but ask: Why? Why did I stay? Why am I still here?

That intriguing three-letter word kept Ginny awake for another hour, just thinking…why?

"And let the games begin," he said to his reflection as he loosened his tie, smiling.
A/N: so, what did you think about it? have you guessed who the devil's advocate is? i hope you liked it and please tell me what you think!