18-

Who knew that Hogwarts actually had central air until it went out. It was actually a very hot day, to hot to be October 30. Ginny had woken up that morning with out her covers and drenched in her own sweat. The room was blistering hot because the magical fire had stayed lit all threw the night, making the room a sauna.

Groggily Jefferson whimpered and rolled over. Rivers, who's curtains were shut had to be sweltering too. Ginny sighed and lifted the thick red locks that had become curled and frizzy from her damp neck up on top of her head. She glanced at her clock which said that she had twenty minutes before her roommates awoke. Sighing she slipped out of her bed and frowned at the cat, who had made his bed permanent in the rose bush, mostly because midge was to big to fit inside. She quickly made her way to the bathroom.

She was getting out of a soothing luke warm shower as her friends were getting up.

"Ginny!" Jefferson whined as she sat on her bed in her knickers and a tank top, "It's to hot to get up! I thought it was winter!"

Ginny just shrugged, although, Jefferson did have a point. Jefferson disappeared in the bathroom as Rivers drug a brush threw her long hair. Ginny frowned as she looked into the closet, she didn't have anything that would keep her cool during classes. So with a frown she pulled on her heavy school uniform, maybe new wasn't always better.

~

If they thought the dungeons were bad, they were shocked to realize that the dungeons were actually cool compared to the rest of the school. All of the Towers were sweltering and most of the classrooms were suffocating in the heat wave that had settled over the school. The Great Hall, with the combined body heat of the entire school, made some students so over heated that they were actually dipping napkins in their glasses of water and dabbing their necks while waiting to find out what was going on.

The three girls made a beeline for the three available seats next to Spike, Blaise and Pansy. Draco wasn't sitting to far away, Ginny sat in the seat furthest from him, which put her next to Crabbe. Damn. But she didn't have time to think about the overly sweaty, smelly boy. Dumbledore had started talking.

"As many have of you have probably noticed, the school is unusually warm. A heat wave is currently passing over us. Regularly this wouldn't be a problem, but our air unit is on the blink, which means that we don't have an air conditioner. The class rooms are to big to cast cooling charms on, and I wouldn't recommend casting them on yourselves, it could backfire and freeze you to an ice sickle." at these words loud talking irrupted, wouldn't they just melt in a few minutes? "Calm down." the talking immediately ceased. "As I was saying. Because we cannot cool the castle down, I believe that it is in the best interest of the students to have a free day. You may wear anything that you find will keep you warm, but it must be appropriate. IF you filled out a permission form in the beginning of the year and you parents signed it, the lake IS open for swimming, so long as you can pass a swimming test. There will be three life guards on duty. Now, are there any questions?"

A small Huffelpuff with dark blonde hair and dark brown eyes stood up to ask her question. "Will we still have the Halloween dance?"

"IF we can get the air back on by tomorrow night the dance will go forth as planned, if not we will have to post pone it until further notice." with that the head master sat and most students went rushing off, ready to change out of their stuffy uniforms.

"Hey Gin, band practice in fifteen, change then move your ass there. Don't waste time gossiping." Spike said with a wink as he got up to follow the happy students.

~

Apparently, the room of Requirement couldn't produce a muggle air conditioner because it too was sweltering. It had been a good hour and a half, and the band members were sweating so much Ginny was sure that she had lost a few pounds.

Spike had changed into a pair of yellow and orange Hawaiian print shorts and a yellow t-shirt. Draco had chosen a pair of denim ekco shorts and a white bitch beater. Other then that, and the fact that Spike was wearing flip flops, they both looked as the usually did.

But the girls had gone all out with their cooling outfits, leaving as many articles of clothing as they could off. Rivers had pulled out a much to short skirt in a crème color and a white tank top, a pair of three inch soled brown sandals adorned her feet. Her hair, as always, was down despite the heat.

Jefferson had pulled on a pair of pink and black surfing shorts, a pink tank top, and a pair of flip flops. Her hair was in one thick braid down her back.

Ginny had pulled on a pair of extremely short shorts in dark blue and a white tank top, thinking that black would only make her hotter. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a lose messy bun, little curls that had escaped framed her face. She wore a pair of old cross trainers that used to be white, but now were dingy shade of gray.

"THAT'S IT! It's to damn hot for this! I refuse to play another note!" Jefferson suddenly yelled as she sat down on the floor and crossed her arms across her chest in a very childish manner.

"Yeah, it is a tad bit to hot to be doing this today." Rivers said as she to stepped away from her instrument. Ginny sat hers down in silent agreement.

'O come on you guys, its not all that hot, and besides, Draco has the hard part, drumming in this heat and all. Suck it up." Spike said exasperated.

"Sorry mate, but I agree with the skirts, I would much rather be outside then in here practicing."

"It's not that bad! Your all a bunch of pansy's!" Spike said while glaring at the opposing band members. His face was red from the heat and the back of his shirt was sticking to his skin, no, it wasn't hot at all.

"Speaking of Pansy," Jefferson said all of a sudden, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "I think she was talking about going swimming. Have you seen that cute swim suite she has, Gin?"

"OO, you mean that cute little bikini? Yeah, that is sooo cute!" Rivers cut in, catching on.

"I don't know…it does show a bit…much." Ginny added. Spike visibly swallowed.

"Maybe you guys are right, it is a bit warm, maybe we should go out side, to the lake, and swim." Spike said, already half way out the door. The girls grinned at each other.

"You are brill JJ! He practically ran out of here!" Ginny said, laughter evident in her voice.

"But what are you going to do when Pans isn't out there?" Draco asked as he stood up and stretched. He was perfectly aware of what this small action's affect on most girls. And he was silently pleased to see a faint color rise to the red heads cheeks before she quickly diverted her gaze.

"OO, but she is out there swimming in a bikini. I saw her on my way here, she was heading out." Jefferson said with a smirk. Draco gave her a look that said he didn't believe her for a spit second, then hurriedly exited to cover his friend up.

"God, he's worse then Spike is when it comes to us." Rivers said as the girls made their way to their room. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"No, Spike is way worse. I say we aim to give him a heart attack, what do you two think?"

~

Jefferson sighed. After having escaping Spike and his "Big Brother" attitude, she had declined the swim that everyone else was taking. She had other things to do. Like chat it up with a certain blonde Slytherin that had a certain red head running for cover when he was anywhere in the vicinity.

"Hey Malfoy!" Jefferson said cheerfully as she sat down next to him the shade, he still wore the same outfit that he had on earlier where as she had changed into her pink bathing suite, throwing her shorts back on over the bottoms.

"And here I thought I had escaped you people." Draco drawled lazily, with out looking at her. Actually, he was staring at something rather intently, or better yet someone.

"Why don't you just take a picture? They last longer anyways." Jefferson said dryly, his eyes snapped to her, and he glared.

"What in the hell do you want , Tally?" He ground out, pissed at having been caught staring at Ginny.

"To talk. I just want to talk to you, Mal-Ferret." Jefferson said cheerfully. She was actually aiming to get him mad. Her brother had once told her people say stupid thing when they are upset. Maybe if he was pissed she would be able to find out what was going on between him and Ginny. She wasn't in Slytherin for nothing after all.

"Why the hell would I talk to you?" He spat out, disgusted,

"I just have a few questions, lover boy." her voice dripping with sarcastic sweetness.

"Well?" he asked after it was apparent she was going to go right on sitting there whether or not he replied to that statement.

"What the hell did you do to my friend?" she ground out, dropping her sweet innocent act and pulling up her mean-I'm-going-to-murder-you-with-my-bear-hands act. But it was lost on him, because his normally pale face, became even more pale and vacant. A look she had seen him pull from time to time, she called it his Defense Mode.

"Look Malfoy, I don't care about how you feel about her, or about how much of a wanker you are." Jefferson stated, dropping all of her acts, they were lost on him. He was as good at this game as she was. "But I will tell you this. Ginny is a nice person. Sure, after growing up with six brothers she's not the damsel in distress, she don't need saving. But she does need friends. And that's what I am, her friend, and as a friend, I have to look out for her. And in looking out for her I have to keep a close eye. Now something happened to her. And that something had to do with you! I want to know what you did to her."

"How do you know I did it?" He asked, his voice bored as he examined his perfectly manicured nails.

"Because if it wasn't you I will eat my computer. don't think I haven't noticed the way you look at her. Or the hurt that comes to your eyes when she runs from you, because she does, she would chop off her right arm before standing next to you."

Draco studied the girl next to him. She was worried about her friend. What could he tell her? That he had kissed her and she had ran? Yeah, he could just see himself doing that.

"What a lovely visual, Tally. I will have to remember that for when valentines day comes around, wont I?" he drawled sarcastically as he stood up and began to walk towards the castle.

"I will Find out, Malfoy! I wasn't put in Slytherin because I'm a door mat! And when I find out, you had better run for cover!" Jefferson called after him. But his steps were even, as if he didn't have a care in the world.

~*xo*~

Ginny waved as she left Hermione and Rivers giggling by the lake. With a roll of her eyes she set off towards the castle. She had some things to do in the library. She paused briefly in the entrance hall, debating on her attire. Finally, she decided that it was alright to run around in her bathing suite, after all, she did have a pair of shorts on. And it wasn't like there was anyone else in the castle, except a few teachers. Everyone, including the potions master, was out by the lake. Ginny wasn't sure that she would ever be able to get the image of Snape in a swim suite out of her head.

Walking briskly, she began the long trek up to the library, completely un aware of the dark shadow that had followed her in and now walked but a few feet behind her.

~

After having escaped Jefferson's accusing gaze and thousands of questions, Draco found himself seated under a tree sandwiched in between Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe.

At the moment Carbbe was talking, going on and on about the many virtues of Millicent. Draco, who had only been listening with half an ear , had his attention redirected when he saw a flash of red out of the corner of his eye. Ginny had started back towards the castle, leaving her giggling friends by the lake. He watched until the small red head had disappeared into the dark castle.

He was about to turn his attention back to the lake, when he noticed someone get up and begin to follow her. And if it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have cared so much, but just the fact that t was him set his blood boiling.

Was he the reason that Ginny hadn't kissed him back? Was he second best to that idiot again? Draco shook his head to clear it, gaining the attention of Crabbe, who frowned.

"But she's pretty! Why shouldn't I ask her to the ball?" Draco, who was now utterly lost in the conversation just shrugged. Who the hell were they talking about?

"But Zabini likes the pretty blonde!" Goyle protested in a whisper. Crabbe shot him a scowl. Draco only smirked. So they were talking about Jefferson were they?

"Well, if Zabini hasn't already asked her, he most likely wont. You should at least try, Crabbe." Draco would have loved to stay and watch, but the Ginny thing was sending off alarms in his mind.

Why was that Git following her around anyway? This, after all, wasn't the first time that he had noticed him trailing only a few feet behind. So, with a determined look in his stormy gray eyes, he set off towards the large, stone castle.

~

Ginny was paranoid. That had to be it. Five minutes ago she could have swore that she was being followed, but once she had turned around and peered down the dark corridor, no one had been there. So she had started walking again, carefully and as quietly as she could. The footsteps had started again only a few minutes after she had began walking again. So she had started walking faster, and so had the footsteps.

In addition, she could feel someone staring at her, it wasn't the cold icy stare that she had been receiving from Malfoy, or the hateful one she had been receiving from every other house. It was just an intense star, one that made her skin crawl and her heart quicken in fear.

One more corridor and she was home free, she was in the library. The only problem was that the corridor between this one and the library was dark, cold, and scary. The perfect place to get attacked. But she had no choice, she either kept walking or turned around and walked towards the stalker.

So gathering all of her courage she began her walk threw the dark, cold corridor.

~

Draco, who had ran walked towards the castle faltered in the entrance hall. Where would she have gone? Maybe he should check the dungeons? Maybe the kitchens?

~

She had made it threw the dark corridor, the library was only feet away. So with a sudden burst of speed she lunged for the door…it was locked, and she was trapped.

~

Draco looked from the dungeon stairs to the stares that led upwards to the rest of the castle.

"Think!" he commanded himself, the Panic in him growing. He tried to push the panic away, telling himself he was over reacting, but it just wouldn't be ignored.

Confused and scared, he closed his eyes. Thinking. If he were Virginia, where would he go? A thousand ideas popped into his head. Her room was too hot. She would be somewhere cool and dark…the library.

He sprinted up the stairs, taking them two and three at a time.

~

Panic gripped her as the footsteps continued to get closer and closer.

"Well, Gin, looks like it's just you and me." a husky voice stated as Harry Potter stepped out of the shadows. His heavy black cloak tied securely around him. His emerald green eyes held a crazed look, a look she had only ever seen when her father found a new toy, one that he wasn't suppose to have.

"She thought she could stop me and you, but she was wrong, she was jealous, jealous that I didn't love her anymore." He was babbling now, going on and on about love and commitment. Ginny tried to back up, put more space between them…but the door blocked her progress. Unfortunately, although he had stopped moving a few minutes earlier to ramble on about something, his attention was caught by her small movement of backing up. And be began to walk forward again, his speech resumed.

"O, your frightened. There is no need to be frightened. I understand that all girls are frightened there first time…" of course his "soothing" sppech continued, but Ginny's mind only gripped that one statement, first time.

Her hands felt clammy, and her heat had began to beat faster, she opened her mouth to scream, to call out for help, but her progress was blocked when his mouth slammed onto hers.

She tried in vain to push him away, but with no success, her fear had weakened her, and his adrenaline had made him stronger. He easily caught her hands that were beating against his chest in a wild effort to hurt him and put them over her head, holding them in one hand.

She attempted to bite the tongue that he had plunged into her mouth, but the angle at which he attacked had made that impossible. Tears welled up in her eyes as he held her body up against the wall with his, her arms restrained with his hand, the other one traveling down her bare stomach. Down towards the button on her shorts. Once realizing this she began her attempts to run again, jerking her head violently, trying to escape his attempts. In a last effort she brought her knee up sharply, nothing happened. A protection spell she realized. He had used a protection spell.

His hand had found the shiny metal button and had slipped it out of the little jean hole. His hand then traveled back up, brushing her breasts, more tears welled in her eyes, couldn't anyone hear the noise? She struggled in vain against him, but to no avail. With one sharp tug of her head, she broke free of his brutal mouth.

But her victory was short lived,, as she had pulled away, he had found the tie of her bathing suite top, which had now slipped down to reveal her upper half. She was mortified, and rotted to the spot.

A smarter person would have ran before the shock of her having pulled away wore off, but she couldn't move, fear had rotted her feet to the ground. But soon she was against the floor. He had hit her, and hard. Blood poured from her nose and mixed with the tears from pain and fear.

She was dead. That was the last thought that coursed threw her mind before she passed out.

~

He could hear a struggle, a gasp for air, a smack, then a thud. He prayed as he ran that it was potter that had made the disgusting thud sound as he fell, but the sight that met his eyes made him want to threw up.

She was out, whether from the punch that had been delivered to her or from the sheer terror of what was going on, he couldn't be sure. But one thing was for sure, she wasn't being a willing accomplice, and with that thought in mind he lunged at Potter.

Catching him in the middle the force of his body weight against the smaller boy made the boy fly into the wall, a sickening cracking noise was heard as the boys head smashed against the stone wall to the left of the library door.

But apparently, the boy wanted more because he jumped up and lunged for Draco, only to find Draco's fist hit him hard in the stomach. The boy landed on the floor gasping for the air that had been knocked out of him. Draco kicked him hard in the side. Harry grabbed Draco's booted foot, causing the Draco to fall over Harry. Harry was up in a flash and over the other boy, thrusting a few well aimed punches to the other boys face.

Grabbing Harry by the throat he pushed him off and into the wall. Once both boys were up Draco lunged again, catching the boy by the throat and punching him repeatedly in the stomach and face, until the boy went limp in his grasp.

Bloody and tired he made his way to the small red head. Her top was no where on site, so with a sigh he pulled his own blood soaked shirt off and slipped it over her head.

Lifting her up, he began the walk to the infirmary. Thanking all the gods he could think of that he had made it there in time.