Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all things Harry Potter.

AN: Sorry for the long wait. Enjoy.

Chapter 4: Classes Merge

"This year sure is starting out different than usual." Ginny turned to her bookwormish friend,

"What do you mean 'Mione?"

"Yeah 'Mione, everything seemed pretty normal to me." Her brother added, "Get rushed out of the house, smothered by my mother at the station, eat lots of junk on the train ride, sit impatiently through the sorting, listen as Dumbledore makes another confusing speech, get glared at by you for not paying attention to said speech, eat lots of wonderful food, then head to bed. That's what I do every year. So how's this one different?"

Ginny watched as Hermione rolled her eyes tiredly at Ron. Sometimes she wondered if Hermione was just going to put a permanent silencing spell on him, just so she wouldn't have to listen to him anymore.

"Well, Ronald. You seemed to have left out an event that has only failed to happen this year since, well, since first year." Hermione replied irately.

"I did? What's that?" Ron looked over at her in confusion.

"Malfoy didn't show up to irritate us on the train this year." Harry answered as he came up on them from some secret passage. "Isn't that what you mean, 'Mione?"

"God Harry, don't DO that!" Hermione squeaked. "But yes, that is what I mean. Don't you find that weird. He ALWAYS shows up on the train."

"That is a bit odd." Ron replied.

"Yeah, but maybe we should just be happy that we finally got to enjoy the ride without his interruption, rather than try and figure out why he chose to leave us alone." Ginny sighed. "Or at least you should be happy, I wasn't lucky enough to escape Malfoy."

"What're you talking about Gin? You rode in the same compartment as us." Harry asked. Ginny considered just letting the topic slide, she had been the one after all who had tried to convince the others to just ignore Malfoy. And knowing her hot-headed brother, he'd track Malfoy down to start something for bothering his sister. But then he'd think more into it if she failed to answer Harry's question.

"It was nothing, I just ran into him on the way off of the train. Well, more like he ran into me, he stepped on the back of my robes, I almost fell right over my trunk." Ginny told the trio as they reached the portrait of the fat lady.

"That Prat!" Ron suddenly yelled, causing the fat lady to jump startled, then glare at him.

" Conundrum" Hermione said to the fat lady, who promptly swung open.

"Don't make such a big deal, Ron, I don't think he did it on purpose, he was looking behind him when I turned around. Anyways, I told him to watch where he was going, and he made a crack about my height. And that's it. It was annoying, but nothing to get upset over." Ginny told her friends, carefully leaving out the part where Malfoy whispered in her ear, his lips lightly caressing them as he spoke. Just thinking about it caused her to blush lightly. Luckily nobody noticed as they were all making there way into the noisy common room. She didn't know why, but having Malfoy that close to her had made her heart speed up, and her breath get caught in her throat. Forcing down her blush she turned towards the trio.

"Gin, what's your schedule like? If we have any free periods together, I'd gladly go flying with you." Harry asked. Had it been a couple years earlier, Ginny would have turned red and started stuttering at Harry's suggestion. But not anymore. She still loved Harry, but as a brother. They had become very close after the fight at the ministry, and now she could never imagine their relationship ever turning romantic.

"Well, lets see. I've got charms, care of magical creatures, free period, advanced double potions. That's tomorrow." Ginny told them as she looked over her schedule.

"Wait, you have advanced potions? Isn't that a 7th year class?" Ron interrupted.

"Yes, I've also got advanced Defense against the Dark Arts." Ginny replied. "That's what Mcgonagall wanted to talk about the last time she showed up for dinner. Because of the TA-ing I did last year during my free periods, and the Grades I'm getting in those classes, she thought I'd be able to handle being moved ahead a year in those classes. I'll be behind a bit of course, but she is confidant that I'll catch up easily. Especially since I already know how to use non-verbal spells."

"Don't be so shocked Ronald. After all, nearly all of MY classes last year were 7th year classes, and Harry was in Advanced DADA last year as well. Just because YOUR grades aren't good enough to have you skipped ahead, doesn't mean it won't happen to the rest of us." Hermione said.

"Wait, then what will you do, just retake the classes you've already taken?" Ron retorted.

"Of course not. I have TA-ing most of my periods. And then there's also my tutoring. And a few private lessons for some subjects. And Harry will be TA-ing for DADA. Anyways, go on Ginny, what's the rest of your schedule?" Hermione replied, rather annoyed with her friends ignorance. Ginny just watched this exchange with faint amusement, as Harry completely tuned them out until he heard Hermione say his name.

"Okay, well. The next day I have Transfiguration, free period, Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Muggle Studies. Not a bad schedule really. A free period both days, and only one double class." Ginny told the others.

"Well, looks like we don't have any free periods together Gin, oh well. I'll fly with you some other time, we do have potions together though." Harry told her, " I'm going to head to bed, so I'll see you all at breakfast."

"Alright Harry, night." Ginny said tiredly, "I think I'll head up to bed as well. Goodnight 'Mione, Ron. See you in the morning."

"Night Gin" Ron said from his chair by the fire.

"Goodnight Ginny, sleep well." Hermione replied, as she opened a book and reclined on the couch. Ginny thought briefly about the time last year when she'd caught her brother and bushy-haired (although Hermione's hair had tamed quite a bit) friend making out last year on that exact couch. Their relationship wasn't a long-lived one, but it defiantly was an active one. She couldn't count the times she heard of people walking in on those two eating each others faces. And not just in the common room either. Empty classrooms, the boys dorm, closets, Gryffindors Quidditch changing room, and many more places. But now, they were just friends again. They'd realized that their relationship wasn't really going anywhere, and after the initial excitement of being together died down, there really wasn't anything much between the two of them.

Ginny made her way up to bed, her thoughts drifting back to the incident on the train. Why had he done that, stood so close to her like that? Was it his new form of torture? She could have sworn he had been watching her during dinner as well, but never caught him at it. Oh well, maybe tomorrow things would be back to normal. It's not as if she normally saw him very often, seeing as she was a grade lower. There was Potions and DADA though. Both were with Slytherin, and since she was in the Advanced class, she'd more than likely have those classes with Malfoy. Unless he wasn't taking them, but she doubted that'd be the case, especially with Potions.

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The next morning one blonde haired Slytherin woke to the high pitched voice of one Pansy Parkinson. She had flung open the door to the 7th year boys dormitory and was singing 'good morning, good morning, it's time to wake up' in a loud, annoyingly high pitched voice. She could be so irritating when she wanted to. Not nearly as bad as the first few years at Hogwarts when she'd cling to his side, fawning all over him, but still pretty bad. They had a short lived relationship in their fourth year, but now they were just friends, who fooled around occasionally. Even so, she had repeatedly tried to set him up with various girls throughout the school. She insisted that once he found love, he'd be happy. Another thing that had gotten annoying.

"Shut UP Pans!" He heard Blaise yell from under his blankets, a moment later a pillow flew over his bed in the direction of Pansy's head. Draco sat up just in time to see it hit Pansy squarely in the face.

"It's not my fault you guys always oversleep on the first day." She replied.

" You could find a…quieter…way of waking us, Pansy-dearest." Draco drawled as he climbed out of bed and began gathering his shower stuff. " Hey Blaise, aren't you supposed to get your own room, being head boy and all?"

"Yeah, but they're not done setting it up apparently." Blaise replied sleepily. " I should be moved into it by the end of the week though. I get to share a common room with Granger."

"Oh, fun. I'm sure she'll be a blast to live with." Malfoy mumbled. "Oh well, if you get too bored, you can always invite us over to keep you company."

With that Draco made his way out of his dorm and headed in the direction of the showers. They still had to us the shared showers, but at least 7th years got a bathroom that younger years weren't allowed in. It was like a reward for making it to 7th year or something. This way he wouldn't have to get up at the crack of dawn, just to get a shower. The showers for the younger years were always so crowded. They got their own shower stalls of course, but he hated waiting in line for a free one, then being rushed since others were waiting.

"Ah…a nice long shower" Draco mumbled to himself as he entered the room, only nearly literally run right into Harry Potter, who had apparently just finished his shower, seeing as he was in just a pair of green PJ bottoms and his hair was dripping water down the sides of his face.

"Sorry 'bout that Malfoy." Harry apologized. They may have rivalries between them, but Harry always attempted being civil with the other boy, when possible. And the showers hardly seemed the place to get into a fist fight or duel.

"It's fine, Potter." Malfoy replied, turning away and heading for the last stall. Missing the look of confusion gracing Harry's features.

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" Well, this morning has defiantly been interesting." Harry muttered as he sat down at the Gryffindor table for breakfast.

"Why's that Harry?" Ginny asked from across the table.

"I ran into Malfoy in the showers." Harry replied.

"What, he try to grope you or something?" Ron asked between bite of food.

"RONALD!" Hermione shouted, a faint blush crossing her cheeks.

"WHAT! He said it's been interesting, that'd defiantly count as interesting." Ron said as he blocked his head from Hermione's blow. Ginny just rolled her eyes and turned back to Harry.

"Uh, no. He was…nice. I mean, not like we got all buddy-buddy, but he didn't insult me, or say any smart ass remarks. It was just…weird." Harry said as he started piling food on his plate. Ginny thought for a moment, then glanced over at the Slytherin table. Only to make eye contact with a pair of metallic silver orbs. Malfoy kept the contact for a brief minute then turned to the dark-haired boy next to him.

"Maybe he's finally growing up." Hermione's voice brought Ginny from her thoughts and she turned to the girl next to her.

"Yeah 'Mione, your probably right. Took him long enough though." Ginny smiled. " Now if only our boys would follow suit."

"HEY! What's that supposed to mean." Ron replied indignantly.

"She means you two should grow up as well." Hermione said, before getting up from the table. Well, I have a meeting with Mcgonagall about the tutoring session I'll be doing this period. So I'd better go. See you all later." With that she swung her bag over her shoulder and headed out of the great hall. Meanwhile, Ginny continued her breakfast in silence. Tuning out the others she began planning times when she'd be able to make it out to the pitch to break in her broom.

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"RONALD!"

Draco, Pansy and Blaise looked over at the Gryffindor table, along with most the rest of the people in the room. Apparently Ron Weasley had already started to get on Grangers nerves. It had to be a record. Draco continued to watch the little group even after everyone else had gone back to their breakfasts and morning chatter. Apparently Potter was telling them all something. Although the littlest Weasley seemed to only be partially listening to him. Suddenly her eyes drifted upwards and she was looking right into his gray eyes with her cinnamon ones.

"Draco….DRACO!" Blaise said next to him. He tore his gaze from the Weasley girls to look at his best friend. "geez, I said your name like 4 times. Is Potter and his friends really that fascinating?"

" Sorry, I spaced out." Draco lied. " What is it you wanted?"

" I was asking you if you were going to use your free period to start planning for the Quidditch trials. Seeing as you are our captain this year." Blaise asked.

"Oh yeah, I was going to go check out our changing rooms, find the old play board Flint used to have. Then maybe do a little flying." Draco responded. "Why? Did you want to come with?"

"Nah, I got to go talk to Snape during my free period. Seeing as I'll be TA-ing in one of his classes." Blaise said as he started getting ready to leave.

"Damn, I forgot about that. You won't have potions with me this year. Will you be TA-ing my period?" Draco asked.

"Not sure, that's the reason for the meeting with Snape." Blaise gave him a 'duh' look. "Who you going to pair with, now that me and Pans won't be there?"

"Not sure, I'll probably just get stuck with whoever else doesn't have a partner. Lucky for me Longbottom isn't in that class anymore." Draco said as he too stood to leave. He had Herbology first thing, so him and Blaise headed for the greenhouses.

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Ginny made her way towards the Quidditch pitch, broom in hand. She was anxious to get into the air. Two weeks flying ban was like torture for her. Especially watching her brothers, Harry and Hermione all playing Quidditch (poor Hermione had absolutely no flying talent). She was thankful that unlike Harry and Hermione, she wasn't TA-ing during either of her free periods this year. She needed that time to break in her broom. As she approached the pitch she noticed someone else had the same idea.

"What're You doing here?" She asked him as she drew near.

"I thought that'd be obvious, Weasley, I'm getting ready to fly." Malfoy shot back, an amused tone to his voice.

" Whatever, just don't bother me." She said as she rolled her eyes and mounted her broom.

" I see you got a new broom." Malfoy said as he too mounted her broom. Ginny looked at him suspiciously, waiting for his comment about how poor her family was. But it never came.

"Yeah, I worked for the twins this summer so I could buy it." Ginny replied cautiously.

"It's nice." He said, then took of into the air. Shouting back, "but mine's better." He smirked and sped away.

"God he's irritating." She mumbled as she too took to the sky.

They both flew around the pitch for awhile, staying out of the others way for the most part. They were only interrupted about half way through the period by a dark-haired, blue eyes Slytherin.

"Drake! You gonna fly all period!" The boy yelled up to them. Draco sped down to where his friend was standing, leaving the skies to Ginny. She continued her trek around the pitch, but with the pitch so quiet, bits of their conversation drifted to her ears.

"Blaise, I thought you weren't gonna show…."

"Yeah, well…I decided to anyways."

"So you Ta-ing my period?

"Yeah, well part of it. Granger and I are splitting it, since it's a double period. Snape's gonna have her do one half, and me do the other."

"Ah, think he'd let you stay and help me once your half is over?"

"HA! Yeah right. Even if he would, you don't need my help. Only reason your not out of that class too is because you missed so much class last year."

"Yeah, but I couldn't help it. You know what happens if I go against my father."

Ginny decided she'd had enough flying and headed for the ground. Before heading towards the changing room she glanced over at the two boys nearby. Once again making eye contact with Malfoy. Before she could walk away, the other boy turned around and noticed her. He made his way over to her.

"Ginny Weasley, right?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah." She replied, surprised by both him talking to her, and his knowing who she was.. Although she figured the red hair probably helped with the second one.

"Blaise Zabini." He held out his hand. " Nice to meet you." She took the pro-offered hand. But instead of shaking it, he leaned down and kissed it. Ginny blushed and pulled her hand away.

"Uh, yeah, nice to meet you too." She mumbled. Glancing back at Draco she muttered something about having to get back, and hurried towards the Gryffindor changing rooms.

"A little jumpy, isn't she." Blaise commented as they watched her rush away.

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Ginny exited the changing room about 20 minutes later. She was about to head back to the castle when someone whispered in her ear.

" Don't worry, he's harmless."

Ginny's body tensed up when she realized Malfoy was directly behind her, whispering into her ear, much like he had on the train.

"W-Who is?" she cursed herself for stuttering.

"Blaise." Draco replied. " You seemed a little unnerved at his actions on the pitch"

Ginny began walking then, putting some distance between her and the well-built Slytherin behind her.

" I wasn't worried, just surprised." She said. He followed her back towards the school, but kept his distance. She had half the mind to ask him why he was following her. But realized it'd be pointless, since she'd get an answer similar to the one on the train. That the school was this way, he wasn't following her.

"Where are you going? Isn't Gryffindor Common Room the other way?" Draco asked suddenly as Ginny headed in the direction of the dungeons.

"Yes, but I'm not going to the common room. I have Potions next, I'd be late if I went to the common room first. Not that it's any of your business." Ginny replied, irritation apparent in her tone.

" Ah, so you got skipped forward in Potions, you must be good. Snape's rather picky about who he skips forward." Malfoy said conversationally.

"It's my best subject." Ginny stated.

"GINNY!" Ginny turned around in time to be glomped by a boy barely taller than herself, wearing Slytherin robes. "Ginny, you'll tutor me for potions, right?"

" Matteus." Ginny smiled. " I'm not sure, why don't you meet me in the library after dinner tonight and we'll see if there's a time I can. If not, I can get you into one of Hermione's study groups."

"Okay Gin, Thanks. If it wasn't for you, I would never pass that class." Matteus replied, then he gave Malfoy a curious glance, said goodbye to Ginny, and headed back the direction he'd come in.

" You tutor Matteus Dibble?" Malfoy asked.

"Yes, we became friends in our 3rd year. He's almost as hopeless at potions as Neville." Ginny replied as she started towards the Potions classroom again.

Malfoy followed silently, watching her fiery hair sway against her back as she walked. So, she's friends with a Slytherin. Then she must not have the same prejudices as her brother. That's good to know.

AN: I hate dialog  oh well, hope you liked it, please review….good or bad, both praise and criticism is more than welcome.