Author's Note: Sorry this chap took so long, but I'm busy with school, and
AAWIH, and my new joint fic, As you wish. Check it out. Wow, I've got a ton
of reviews!! This is great thanks a ton you guys!
IMPORTANT NOTE!!!! I got a review from Sakura 1287. Which is awesome, because I really like her stories, but anyways, she was saying how she was curious about my story, because she has a similar one about Draco and Ginny chatting online. Well, I just wanted to say that our stories are actually pretty different if any of you were wondering. In mine, most of the story takes place outside the chatting, and it's just part of a bigger plot. So yeah.
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue. Well, except for Aimee, and Boris. They're all mine.
You've Got Mail: Ch.7-The Project
Draco walked out of the classroom with his face looking rather surprised, eyebrow frozen in a slight arch. Pierre passed by him, then did a double take, and frowned.
"Yo, Draco, you okay man?" Asked Pierre rather nervously.
He shook himself slightly, feeling the fog lift a bit from his mind. "I'm fine," he replied shortly, before speeding up, leaving Pierre mystified behind.
Stephen jogged up to him. "What's up with him?" He asked with slight fear creeping into his deep voice.
Pierre just shook his blonde head, blue eyes wide.
In front of them, Draco's mind was going a mile a minute. That teacher just struck him as odd. His voice was mesmerizing, just like his eyes (inwardly Draco shrunk at the idea of thinking about another man's eyes, but he tried to push it back), and his entire manner was so utterly charismatic, it almost scared Draco. Around him, all the other students (he had DADA with the Gryffindors) were chatting excitedly about their lesson, and the upcoming project. He even saw a couple girls on the verge of fainting as they talked about Ivanovich.
Not that Draco wasn't immensely interested in the project. He wasn't so enthusiastic about working with some wet-behind-the-ears sixth years, but the ability to travel made up for that in full.
He smirked. Maybe he'd get some hot girl as his partner. All thoughts of Professor Ivanovich were soon replaced by visions of himself working the charm on his partner when they were all alone in some foreign country.
Judging by how many times he thought of the words, "Oh Draco, save me from the creepy vampires!" you can tell Draco doesn't have much of an imagination.
***
"I still cannot believe you did that!!!"
"Did what?"
Ginny whirled around. "'Did what?'" She mimicked in a high voice. "You know perfectly well Aimee!"
It was Friday at lunch, and Ginny, Colin, and Aimee were going to lunch after a rather dramatic DADA lesson. Professor Ivanovich had organized a sort of game, where the class was divided up into two groups and each team was awarded points for correct answers. The teacher asked for a volunteer to keep score, and Aimee just 'happened' to jump out of her seat, hand raised as high as she could, and run to the front.
Ginny felt she was a traitor.
But that wasn't all. The entire week, Aimee had been betraying Ginny with little things. She'd pass Ginny notes, then stay utterly silent when Ginny got in trouble for it. Ginny was sick of it, so her little act about being the assistant pushed her over the edge.
Aimee stopped dead, an all-knowing look suddenly encompassing her face. "Ohhh," she said softly. "I get it."
Ginny was about to nod in agreement, when Aimee continued talking. "You're jealous of me," she told her friend loftily.
Ginny began to splutter indignantly. "Why you, you, you little tramp! How could you think that? I can't believe you actually believe-" By now she was stepping towards her ex friend, fists raised and face flushed. She had just lunged when Colin stepped in. She was actually jumping so high, that Colin held her petite body over his shoulder while she spouted profanities at Aimee, punching the air furiously. It was actually rather entertaining to watch.
Aimee was rather shocked, but she quickly composed herself. "I knew it," she finished triumphantly.
"OOOOOOOH!!!!"
Annoyed at how many blows Ginny was landing on his back and shoulders, Colin put her down, put still kept a firm grip on her. "Look, you guys are both a bit right," he told his two friends wearily. "Aimee, you have to admit, this past week you haven't exactly been the best friend to Gin, nor have you believed her about the dream. And Ginny, don't you think you're going a bit far with this whole 'he's an evil murderer because he did his job' thing?"
Ginny scowled. "Yes, I'll continue, and I told you before, he was NOT just doing his job when I saw him. He was making a deal, it looked illegal!" She argued hotly.
Colin sighed, rolling his eyes. "I know Ginny, I know. But you have to admit, a vampire hunter killing a vampire isn't that far-fetched," Colin told her reasonably.
"Well."
He cut her off quickly. "And your dream wasn't exactly the most reliable source of information. I mean, you almost kissed Malfoy for Merlin's sake!"
Her scowl deepened. "Almost being the bloody key word here Colin!" She exclaimed loudly. "And I know what I saw, you don't have to believe me but it's the truth."
There was a sigh from Aimee. "That's it, Ginny!" She snapped, flipping her short blonde hair over her shoulder. "As soon as you want to grow up, owl me, but until then, bye!" She finished, storming off down the hall.
Colin gave Ginny an apologetic look, before jogging off down the corridor after her. The redhead gave an inward sigh and adjusted her bag.
Alone once again, she thought gloomily as she trudged off to lunch.
Once in the Great Hall, Ginny clapped a hand to her forehead. She had completely forgotten about Dragon!
They were going to meet online at twelve thirty that day, and after she checked her watch quickly and found she only had fifteen minutes to eat, Ginny headed straight to the nearest seat.
While eating quickly, Ginny looked down the Gryffindor table and saw Aimee and Colin over at the far end. Aimee was scowling furiously, occasionally shaking her head vehemently to whatever Colin was saying. He was talking quickly, gesturing quite a bit to the area around Ginny's seat. She almost snorted. Whatever Colin was saying, it wasn't working.
She turned her attention back to her plate. Ginny knew she should probably be feeling sad right about now because of the fight, but she really wasn't. Just like she always felt after getting really angry, she now felt cool, and oddly detached. That, and the fact that she knew she was right, kept her from bursting out in tears at the idea of loosing her best friend.
She had known Aimee for so long, it was weird to even think of life without her. Hell, Ginny could still remember the first time they had met vividly.
::Flashback::
It was in Ginny's second year. She was late to Potions, and panicking. She was shyer than before since the events of her first year, and Snape had noticed. I.E. during class he picked on her more than ever.
She burst through the door, panting heavily and looking rather disheveled. Snape was in the middle of talking, so he stopped with a smirk and turned to her slowly.
"Ah, Miss Weasley, I'm so glad you decided to fit us in to your busy schedule," he said dryly. In a second his demeanor changed. "Twenty points from Gryffindor! Sit down! Now!" He barked, and Ginny scrambled to obey.
That was when Aimee stood to put in her opinion. "Hey, Professor Snape, you're not being very fair to her. What if she was sick or something?" She asked him, arms folded across her chest. "Hm?"
Snape gawked at her for a second. "Excuse me, Miss Lynndon, but did I ask your opinion? I think not," he sneered.
Aimee was unaffected. "I just think you shouldn't favor certain students and penalize others. It's immoral," she finished.
The Gryffindors gasped, and the Slytherins began to snicker. They could imagine where this was going. Ginny could see it to so she tried to hold onto Aimee's sleeve. "Let it go," she whispered fiercely. "It's ok, I'm fine."
Aimee ignored her. "Just because you're a bitter egotistical git, doesn't mean you have to take it out on everybody around you."
As soon as she said that, several things happened at once. Ginny jumped up with a gasp of "DON'T!", the Gryffindors moaned, and the Slytherins gave a collective gasp/laugh. Then there was Snape.
"That is it!" He roared, slamming his palm down on the table. "Miss Weasley, Miss Lynndon, detentions tonight! And sit down this instant or it'll be five detentions!!!"
They did sit, and the lesson continued with only a few differences. Snape was breathing heavily, and acting a lot more viciously to everyone. And, Aimee and Ginny were giving each other little smiles all throughout the class.
That night at detention, they introduced themselves, and were friends ever since.
::End Flashback::
She was the first to ever stick up for me, Ginny thought dazedly. Not even Ron had ever done anything like that for me.
She sighed, and gave another glance at her watch. Shoot, she only had fifteen or so minutes until their online appointment. Ginny was about to get up, when she saw Malfoy out of the corner of her eye getting up from the Slytherin table and running out of the hall. She almost giggled; he looked so undignified sprinting like that. Well, then she realized what she was almost doing and stopped dead. Shudder.
Ginny was still shuddering a bit as she walked out of the hall and towards her dorm room.
***
Draco wolfed down his vegetables, not caring that he was actually eating broccoli for the first time in years. He had to go mail the permission slip for the DADA project to his mother, and he had promised Cocoa he'd talk to her at lunch.
Because of homework, prefect duties, and Quidditch practice (though he didn't dare tell her that), Draco rarely got to talk to Cocoa for long at all anymore. So, he had asked her to be on at half past noon that day. Now all he had to do was swig down his pumpkin juice, race to the Owlery (while still looking utterly composed and devilishly handsome) then sprint back to his room.
Draco half choked on his drink, glared at the first-years sending him strange looks, detached his arm from Pansy's, and ran off amid her shrieks of protest.
Once at the Owlery, he slowed to a walk and approached his owl slowly. It was a rare black eagle owl with a foul temper, aptly named Tempest. Draco extended a hand out slowly, wincing only slightly when he (Tempest) nipped his (Draco's) finger.
"Hey there, you big brute. Miss me? Or just my blood?" He told his owl dryly, snickering a bit when Tempest hooted in agreement. He tied the letter to the owl's leg, then sent it out the window, standing there for an extra beat to watch the sun glinting brightly off glossy black feathers.
Well, then he remembered Cocoa and let out a stream of quick curses.
By the time he reached his room, Draco was working up a sweat. He wasn't so used to this running all over the castle, and frankly, he wasn't sure he liked it. Too much loss of dignity.
He walked to his desk, and opened up the PowerBook with a smile. It was such a good computer, that within minutes, he was logged on to AOL, and chatting happily to Cocoa.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Hey, you're here. I was thinking you'd forgotten.
No chance in hell would Ginny admit she was the one who'd almost forgotten.
ResidentEvil: Yeah, I had to mail a letter. Well, and lunch.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Lol, okay.
ResidentEvil: So how's life?
Ginny grimaced.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Not so good, Dragon. I got in a fight with my best friend, now we're not speaking.
Draco wasn't so sure how to respond to that. His first reaction was "Sucks for you," but then he realized she might be genuinely upset about this. Now that was strange to think about. Technically, he didn't really have friends except her; Stephen and Pierce were his lackies, and Crabbe and Goyle were more like goons. Hesitantly, he typed out what he hoped was a comforting response.
ResidentEvil: I'm sorry, it must suck.
Ginny rolled her eyes. Dragon wasn't exactly the best at kind words, but she still enjoyed talking to him.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Yeah, well, I'm fine, it's just kinda annoying. I know I'm right, but she won't believe me.
He quirked an eyebrow. He wanted to question her further, but it was obvious that she wanted to change the subject.
Pyropinkmonkey12: So how are you?
ResidentEvil: Meh. Could be better could be worse.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Lol.
Ginny couldn't help but smile. Dragon had that effect on her.
ResidentEvil: But I am rather excited; in one of my classes we have this huge project, but we get to travel for it. It's a partner thing though, so I am a bit nervous about who I'm with.
Ginny frowned. Their project sounded quite a bit like the DADA one.
Pyropinkmonkey12: What subject?
Draco blanched. His response was a lot slower than usual. Mentally he reviewed all Muggle courses he knew, then chose one at random.
ResidentEvil: It's English.
He prayed silently that that was right. He needn't have worried, Ginny had no idea if that was right, so she took his word for it.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Cool.
Draco breathed out in relief. For not the first time, he wondered what he could do if he let something magical slip to her. Track her down and just Obliviate the girl? Or just vanish off the face of the Internet?
He frowned. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, he enjoyed talking to Cocoa.
***
The weekend and the next couple of days passed by in the same manner for Draco and Ginny. They did their homework, talked online, and in Ginny's case, hated the DADA professor and ignored Aimee completely.
Ginny sighed. It was Wednesday night, and she was heading to the DADA project meeting, alone. Aimee was still not talking to her, and Colin was spending most of his time trying with her, leaving her with the option of making new friends or hanging out with the Dream Team, neither of which she wanted to do. Ginny didn't really blame Colin, but she did hate the general situation.
She stepped inside the large classroom, and looked around a bit. The professor wasn't there yet, thank God, but almost everyone else was. Ginny smiled a bit wryly when she saw the distinction between the houses. Sure, most Hufflepuffs were chatting with Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, and vice versa, but clear on the other side of the room, casting dark looks at the others, were the Slytherins. Well, to be fair, most of the other students were glaring right back at them.
Ginny looked over the Gryffindors, hoping for a place to sit. There was Colin, over in a corner, but Aimee was with him, so she couldn't sit there. Hey, there was her brother, Harry, and Hermione. Harry and Hermione were sitting a bit closer than normal, and Ginny shuddered at the memory of seeing them snogging in the common room. She could do without that imagery, thanks.
Hermione spotted Ginny, and waved to her, pointing at the seat next to her. She smiled in relief and started over, but then Neville walked up and sat right down. Ginny could see an apologetic look from the older girl's face, so she gave a shrug as an answer. She would've been upset, anytime before, but this was such typical behavior from her Ron and his friends that she didn't care much anymore. Ginny continued looking for a seat.
"Ginny!"
She turned around, and saw her shy dorm mate Tina waving at her from the side of the room. She patted the seat next to her, and Ginny smiled back before heading towards it.
"Whew, thanks," said Ginny as she sat down. "I was beginning to think I'd have to sit with the Slytherins!"
Tina laughed at that, but they were stopped from further conversation by the arrival of Professor Ivanovich. He swept majestically into the room, and everyone was silent in moments. He gave them a rather evil smile before he started to talk.
"Good evening students, I know you all have homework to work on so I won't keep you long. As you all know, we are here to get assigned partners for the vampire project, but that will be all for tonight. Next week, same time, you and your partner will inform me which vampire you have chosen," he told the silent classroom. Suddenly, he smiled, and clapped his hands eagerly. "Let's begin! When I call your name, come up here to get a packet and then you may leave with your partner."
He began reading off names. Ginny tuned out to most of them, catching only those she knew. Colin was with some Ravenclaw guy named Terry Boot, and Aimee with a Hufflepuff girl, Hannah Abbott. Ron was unlucky enough to get a Slytherin girl, who looked rather like she could take him in a fight, Hermione was with a Hufflepuff, and Harry was one of the lucky few paired with someone from his house, in this case, Tina. They all left, and pretty soon there were very few left. And then.
"Virginia Weasley and Draco Malfoy!"
***
Draco groaned when he heard his name called right after the Weasel's. Across the room, he heard her do the same and smirked a bit. Good, at least the brat realized this wouldn't be fun.
He stood elegantly, and swaggered up to the teacher, knocking her hand out of the way to grab the packet. Ignoring her "humph!" of protest he walked out, leaving her to scurry behind him.
When they were outside the door, he stopped and turned around, almost bumping into her. He glared, and she backed away slightly.
"Listen, Weasley, you don't like me and I definitely don't like you, but I want to get a good grade on this, so let's just work on this as quickly as we can and get it over with," he drawled with an edge of disgust lacing his voice.
Ginny's face flushed a bit. "Fine," she muttered. His lips curled into a malicious smirk. At least she knew he was right.
"Good then, let's meet in the library tomorrow at lunch. I'll bring the packet," Draco told her, and before she could respond, he was stalking down the hall, robe billowing out behind him.
***
Well, I think I'll end it there. I know, I know, super predictable, but oh well. Thanks a ton to all my reviewers:
Irishdancer61790, meishame, Draconigena1, Queen-Ditz, Aibi, Cassee, pOtTeRcHicA02, swt-angel-babi3, Lily Reeds, Heidi-Ravenclawgurl, ToOtHpIcK (Why the crap do you have to have such an annoying name, lol!), BluStarr (Ok, they'll go there!), ArriettyBlack, Rose-Kaliba, MaurderMoonyLover, Gusha, I give it all to Mr. Black, weasleygrrrl18, Cadence Arith, Sailor- Serena 1, KuTiExAzNxAnGeL, Yammas, little-rowie, Deatheater4life (yes its finally out, heehee), Hplova4eva, scholcomp25, sweetstar3, Yamis-girl202, Cynthetic.
Super sorry if I forgot anyone, and if you want me to email you when I update, email me at eradicati@aol.com
Review!
*Marvindamartian*
IMPORTANT NOTE!!!! I got a review from Sakura 1287. Which is awesome, because I really like her stories, but anyways, she was saying how she was curious about my story, because she has a similar one about Draco and Ginny chatting online. Well, I just wanted to say that our stories are actually pretty different if any of you were wondering. In mine, most of the story takes place outside the chatting, and it's just part of a bigger plot. So yeah.
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue. Well, except for Aimee, and Boris. They're all mine.
You've Got Mail: Ch.7-The Project
Draco walked out of the classroom with his face looking rather surprised, eyebrow frozen in a slight arch. Pierre passed by him, then did a double take, and frowned.
"Yo, Draco, you okay man?" Asked Pierre rather nervously.
He shook himself slightly, feeling the fog lift a bit from his mind. "I'm fine," he replied shortly, before speeding up, leaving Pierre mystified behind.
Stephen jogged up to him. "What's up with him?" He asked with slight fear creeping into his deep voice.
Pierre just shook his blonde head, blue eyes wide.
In front of them, Draco's mind was going a mile a minute. That teacher just struck him as odd. His voice was mesmerizing, just like his eyes (inwardly Draco shrunk at the idea of thinking about another man's eyes, but he tried to push it back), and his entire manner was so utterly charismatic, it almost scared Draco. Around him, all the other students (he had DADA with the Gryffindors) were chatting excitedly about their lesson, and the upcoming project. He even saw a couple girls on the verge of fainting as they talked about Ivanovich.
Not that Draco wasn't immensely interested in the project. He wasn't so enthusiastic about working with some wet-behind-the-ears sixth years, but the ability to travel made up for that in full.
He smirked. Maybe he'd get some hot girl as his partner. All thoughts of Professor Ivanovich were soon replaced by visions of himself working the charm on his partner when they were all alone in some foreign country.
Judging by how many times he thought of the words, "Oh Draco, save me from the creepy vampires!" you can tell Draco doesn't have much of an imagination.
***
"I still cannot believe you did that!!!"
"Did what?"
Ginny whirled around. "'Did what?'" She mimicked in a high voice. "You know perfectly well Aimee!"
It was Friday at lunch, and Ginny, Colin, and Aimee were going to lunch after a rather dramatic DADA lesson. Professor Ivanovich had organized a sort of game, where the class was divided up into two groups and each team was awarded points for correct answers. The teacher asked for a volunteer to keep score, and Aimee just 'happened' to jump out of her seat, hand raised as high as she could, and run to the front.
Ginny felt she was a traitor.
But that wasn't all. The entire week, Aimee had been betraying Ginny with little things. She'd pass Ginny notes, then stay utterly silent when Ginny got in trouble for it. Ginny was sick of it, so her little act about being the assistant pushed her over the edge.
Aimee stopped dead, an all-knowing look suddenly encompassing her face. "Ohhh," she said softly. "I get it."
Ginny was about to nod in agreement, when Aimee continued talking. "You're jealous of me," she told her friend loftily.
Ginny began to splutter indignantly. "Why you, you, you little tramp! How could you think that? I can't believe you actually believe-" By now she was stepping towards her ex friend, fists raised and face flushed. She had just lunged when Colin stepped in. She was actually jumping so high, that Colin held her petite body over his shoulder while she spouted profanities at Aimee, punching the air furiously. It was actually rather entertaining to watch.
Aimee was rather shocked, but she quickly composed herself. "I knew it," she finished triumphantly.
"OOOOOOOH!!!!"
Annoyed at how many blows Ginny was landing on his back and shoulders, Colin put her down, put still kept a firm grip on her. "Look, you guys are both a bit right," he told his two friends wearily. "Aimee, you have to admit, this past week you haven't exactly been the best friend to Gin, nor have you believed her about the dream. And Ginny, don't you think you're going a bit far with this whole 'he's an evil murderer because he did his job' thing?"
Ginny scowled. "Yes, I'll continue, and I told you before, he was NOT just doing his job when I saw him. He was making a deal, it looked illegal!" She argued hotly.
Colin sighed, rolling his eyes. "I know Ginny, I know. But you have to admit, a vampire hunter killing a vampire isn't that far-fetched," Colin told her reasonably.
"Well."
He cut her off quickly. "And your dream wasn't exactly the most reliable source of information. I mean, you almost kissed Malfoy for Merlin's sake!"
Her scowl deepened. "Almost being the bloody key word here Colin!" She exclaimed loudly. "And I know what I saw, you don't have to believe me but it's the truth."
There was a sigh from Aimee. "That's it, Ginny!" She snapped, flipping her short blonde hair over her shoulder. "As soon as you want to grow up, owl me, but until then, bye!" She finished, storming off down the hall.
Colin gave Ginny an apologetic look, before jogging off down the corridor after her. The redhead gave an inward sigh and adjusted her bag.
Alone once again, she thought gloomily as she trudged off to lunch.
Once in the Great Hall, Ginny clapped a hand to her forehead. She had completely forgotten about Dragon!
They were going to meet online at twelve thirty that day, and after she checked her watch quickly and found she only had fifteen minutes to eat, Ginny headed straight to the nearest seat.
While eating quickly, Ginny looked down the Gryffindor table and saw Aimee and Colin over at the far end. Aimee was scowling furiously, occasionally shaking her head vehemently to whatever Colin was saying. He was talking quickly, gesturing quite a bit to the area around Ginny's seat. She almost snorted. Whatever Colin was saying, it wasn't working.
She turned her attention back to her plate. Ginny knew she should probably be feeling sad right about now because of the fight, but she really wasn't. Just like she always felt after getting really angry, she now felt cool, and oddly detached. That, and the fact that she knew she was right, kept her from bursting out in tears at the idea of loosing her best friend.
She had known Aimee for so long, it was weird to even think of life without her. Hell, Ginny could still remember the first time they had met vividly.
::Flashback::
It was in Ginny's second year. She was late to Potions, and panicking. She was shyer than before since the events of her first year, and Snape had noticed. I.E. during class he picked on her more than ever.
She burst through the door, panting heavily and looking rather disheveled. Snape was in the middle of talking, so he stopped with a smirk and turned to her slowly.
"Ah, Miss Weasley, I'm so glad you decided to fit us in to your busy schedule," he said dryly. In a second his demeanor changed. "Twenty points from Gryffindor! Sit down! Now!" He barked, and Ginny scrambled to obey.
That was when Aimee stood to put in her opinion. "Hey, Professor Snape, you're not being very fair to her. What if she was sick or something?" She asked him, arms folded across her chest. "Hm?"
Snape gawked at her for a second. "Excuse me, Miss Lynndon, but did I ask your opinion? I think not," he sneered.
Aimee was unaffected. "I just think you shouldn't favor certain students and penalize others. It's immoral," she finished.
The Gryffindors gasped, and the Slytherins began to snicker. They could imagine where this was going. Ginny could see it to so she tried to hold onto Aimee's sleeve. "Let it go," she whispered fiercely. "It's ok, I'm fine."
Aimee ignored her. "Just because you're a bitter egotistical git, doesn't mean you have to take it out on everybody around you."
As soon as she said that, several things happened at once. Ginny jumped up with a gasp of "DON'T!", the Gryffindors moaned, and the Slytherins gave a collective gasp/laugh. Then there was Snape.
"That is it!" He roared, slamming his palm down on the table. "Miss Weasley, Miss Lynndon, detentions tonight! And sit down this instant or it'll be five detentions!!!"
They did sit, and the lesson continued with only a few differences. Snape was breathing heavily, and acting a lot more viciously to everyone. And, Aimee and Ginny were giving each other little smiles all throughout the class.
That night at detention, they introduced themselves, and were friends ever since.
::End Flashback::
She was the first to ever stick up for me, Ginny thought dazedly. Not even Ron had ever done anything like that for me.
She sighed, and gave another glance at her watch. Shoot, she only had fifteen or so minutes until their online appointment. Ginny was about to get up, when she saw Malfoy out of the corner of her eye getting up from the Slytherin table and running out of the hall. She almost giggled; he looked so undignified sprinting like that. Well, then she realized what she was almost doing and stopped dead. Shudder.
Ginny was still shuddering a bit as she walked out of the hall and towards her dorm room.
***
Draco wolfed down his vegetables, not caring that he was actually eating broccoli for the first time in years. He had to go mail the permission slip for the DADA project to his mother, and he had promised Cocoa he'd talk to her at lunch.
Because of homework, prefect duties, and Quidditch practice (though he didn't dare tell her that), Draco rarely got to talk to Cocoa for long at all anymore. So, he had asked her to be on at half past noon that day. Now all he had to do was swig down his pumpkin juice, race to the Owlery (while still looking utterly composed and devilishly handsome) then sprint back to his room.
Draco half choked on his drink, glared at the first-years sending him strange looks, detached his arm from Pansy's, and ran off amid her shrieks of protest.
Once at the Owlery, he slowed to a walk and approached his owl slowly. It was a rare black eagle owl with a foul temper, aptly named Tempest. Draco extended a hand out slowly, wincing only slightly when he (Tempest) nipped his (Draco's) finger.
"Hey there, you big brute. Miss me? Or just my blood?" He told his owl dryly, snickering a bit when Tempest hooted in agreement. He tied the letter to the owl's leg, then sent it out the window, standing there for an extra beat to watch the sun glinting brightly off glossy black feathers.
Well, then he remembered Cocoa and let out a stream of quick curses.
By the time he reached his room, Draco was working up a sweat. He wasn't so used to this running all over the castle, and frankly, he wasn't sure he liked it. Too much loss of dignity.
He walked to his desk, and opened up the PowerBook with a smile. It was such a good computer, that within minutes, he was logged on to AOL, and chatting happily to Cocoa.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Hey, you're here. I was thinking you'd forgotten.
No chance in hell would Ginny admit she was the one who'd almost forgotten.
ResidentEvil: Yeah, I had to mail a letter. Well, and lunch.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Lol, okay.
ResidentEvil: So how's life?
Ginny grimaced.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Not so good, Dragon. I got in a fight with my best friend, now we're not speaking.
Draco wasn't so sure how to respond to that. His first reaction was "Sucks for you," but then he realized she might be genuinely upset about this. Now that was strange to think about. Technically, he didn't really have friends except her; Stephen and Pierce were his lackies, and Crabbe and Goyle were more like goons. Hesitantly, he typed out what he hoped was a comforting response.
ResidentEvil: I'm sorry, it must suck.
Ginny rolled her eyes. Dragon wasn't exactly the best at kind words, but she still enjoyed talking to him.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Yeah, well, I'm fine, it's just kinda annoying. I know I'm right, but she won't believe me.
He quirked an eyebrow. He wanted to question her further, but it was obvious that she wanted to change the subject.
Pyropinkmonkey12: So how are you?
ResidentEvil: Meh. Could be better could be worse.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Lol.
Ginny couldn't help but smile. Dragon had that effect on her.
ResidentEvil: But I am rather excited; in one of my classes we have this huge project, but we get to travel for it. It's a partner thing though, so I am a bit nervous about who I'm with.
Ginny frowned. Their project sounded quite a bit like the DADA one.
Pyropinkmonkey12: What subject?
Draco blanched. His response was a lot slower than usual. Mentally he reviewed all Muggle courses he knew, then chose one at random.
ResidentEvil: It's English.
He prayed silently that that was right. He needn't have worried, Ginny had no idea if that was right, so she took his word for it.
Pyropinkmonkey12: Cool.
Draco breathed out in relief. For not the first time, he wondered what he could do if he let something magical slip to her. Track her down and just Obliviate the girl? Or just vanish off the face of the Internet?
He frowned. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, he enjoyed talking to Cocoa.
***
The weekend and the next couple of days passed by in the same manner for Draco and Ginny. They did their homework, talked online, and in Ginny's case, hated the DADA professor and ignored Aimee completely.
Ginny sighed. It was Wednesday night, and she was heading to the DADA project meeting, alone. Aimee was still not talking to her, and Colin was spending most of his time trying with her, leaving her with the option of making new friends or hanging out with the Dream Team, neither of which she wanted to do. Ginny didn't really blame Colin, but she did hate the general situation.
She stepped inside the large classroom, and looked around a bit. The professor wasn't there yet, thank God, but almost everyone else was. Ginny smiled a bit wryly when she saw the distinction between the houses. Sure, most Hufflepuffs were chatting with Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, and vice versa, but clear on the other side of the room, casting dark looks at the others, were the Slytherins. Well, to be fair, most of the other students were glaring right back at them.
Ginny looked over the Gryffindors, hoping for a place to sit. There was Colin, over in a corner, but Aimee was with him, so she couldn't sit there. Hey, there was her brother, Harry, and Hermione. Harry and Hermione were sitting a bit closer than normal, and Ginny shuddered at the memory of seeing them snogging in the common room. She could do without that imagery, thanks.
Hermione spotted Ginny, and waved to her, pointing at the seat next to her. She smiled in relief and started over, but then Neville walked up and sat right down. Ginny could see an apologetic look from the older girl's face, so she gave a shrug as an answer. She would've been upset, anytime before, but this was such typical behavior from her Ron and his friends that she didn't care much anymore. Ginny continued looking for a seat.
"Ginny!"
She turned around, and saw her shy dorm mate Tina waving at her from the side of the room. She patted the seat next to her, and Ginny smiled back before heading towards it.
"Whew, thanks," said Ginny as she sat down. "I was beginning to think I'd have to sit with the Slytherins!"
Tina laughed at that, but they were stopped from further conversation by the arrival of Professor Ivanovich. He swept majestically into the room, and everyone was silent in moments. He gave them a rather evil smile before he started to talk.
"Good evening students, I know you all have homework to work on so I won't keep you long. As you all know, we are here to get assigned partners for the vampire project, but that will be all for tonight. Next week, same time, you and your partner will inform me which vampire you have chosen," he told the silent classroom. Suddenly, he smiled, and clapped his hands eagerly. "Let's begin! When I call your name, come up here to get a packet and then you may leave with your partner."
He began reading off names. Ginny tuned out to most of them, catching only those she knew. Colin was with some Ravenclaw guy named Terry Boot, and Aimee with a Hufflepuff girl, Hannah Abbott. Ron was unlucky enough to get a Slytherin girl, who looked rather like she could take him in a fight, Hermione was with a Hufflepuff, and Harry was one of the lucky few paired with someone from his house, in this case, Tina. They all left, and pretty soon there were very few left. And then.
"Virginia Weasley and Draco Malfoy!"
***
Draco groaned when he heard his name called right after the Weasel's. Across the room, he heard her do the same and smirked a bit. Good, at least the brat realized this wouldn't be fun.
He stood elegantly, and swaggered up to the teacher, knocking her hand out of the way to grab the packet. Ignoring her "humph!" of protest he walked out, leaving her to scurry behind him.
When they were outside the door, he stopped and turned around, almost bumping into her. He glared, and she backed away slightly.
"Listen, Weasley, you don't like me and I definitely don't like you, but I want to get a good grade on this, so let's just work on this as quickly as we can and get it over with," he drawled with an edge of disgust lacing his voice.
Ginny's face flushed a bit. "Fine," she muttered. His lips curled into a malicious smirk. At least she knew he was right.
"Good then, let's meet in the library tomorrow at lunch. I'll bring the packet," Draco told her, and before she could respond, he was stalking down the hall, robe billowing out behind him.
***
Well, I think I'll end it there. I know, I know, super predictable, but oh well. Thanks a ton to all my reviewers:
Irishdancer61790, meishame, Draconigena1, Queen-Ditz, Aibi, Cassee, pOtTeRcHicA02, swt-angel-babi3, Lily Reeds, Heidi-Ravenclawgurl, ToOtHpIcK (Why the crap do you have to have such an annoying name, lol!), BluStarr (Ok, they'll go there!), ArriettyBlack, Rose-Kaliba, MaurderMoonyLover, Gusha, I give it all to Mr. Black, weasleygrrrl18, Cadence Arith, Sailor- Serena 1, KuTiExAzNxAnGeL, Yammas, little-rowie, Deatheater4life (yes its finally out, heehee), Hplova4eva, scholcomp25, sweetstar3, Yamis-girl202, Cynthetic.
Super sorry if I forgot anyone, and if you want me to email you when I update, email me at eradicati@aol.com
Review!
*Marvindamartian*
