The following week passed by smoothly. Ginny and Blaise met a couple more times and got to know each other, much to the anger of Ron, annoyance of Draco, the curiosity of Hermione, amusement of Luna and mixed feelings of Harry.

As Ginny got to know him more, she also felt the feelings of loneliness whenever she wasn't by his side.

The students of Hogwarts of course grew even more curious about their 'forbidden' friendship and wondered just what exactly they were.

October soon rolled in, and with it, the 1st Quidditch match of the year, since the defeat of Voldemort as well. Gryffindor against Ravenclaw. It would be in 2 weeks. The students and teachers were anticipating it of course. Ginny and the rest of the team practiced like they were going to war, even though she still wasn't too comfortable around Harry.

Speaking of Harry, Ginny was quite concerned about the git because he would be playing against that bitch Chang. For Merlin's sake she could wink at him during the match and in the process maybe make him loose the bloody snitch to her. She sighed. Times like this she was rather glad Blaise wasn't on the Slytherin quidditch team, Lord knew if her heart could have even taken it, talk less of the other female quidditch players, or the guys interested in him as well.

Anyways, the practice became quite thorough that her time with Blaise was cut short and Ginny was 100% sure that it was Ron and Harry's way of coming between them both.

She gritted her teeth in anger as she flew down to the pitch when Harry finally decided that their 5hour practice was over that Friday morning. She mumbled as she walked towards the girls locker room along with the 2 other female 5th year quidditch players who were chattering away behind her.

She stripped immediately she got in and rushed into the soothing warm shower sighing in content. This was what she needed after that bloody horrible practice in the cold.

Spending not less than 10 minutes in the stall, she went to her locker wrapped in her towel and changed into her school uniforms and styled her hair in a pretty woven bun.

Once she was done, she grabbed her bag and smiled at the 2 girls before rushing out to meet Luna at their pond since they had free period till after lunch.

"So how was practice?"

Luna asked as they sat comfortably on the dry grass and Luna going through a Quibbler paper.

"It was so dreadful! Harry the horrible put us through a lot of work!"

Luna paused and turned to Ginny with an amused smile on her face.

"Harry the horrible? Not you know whom anymore??"

Ginny smirked.

"Well, I figured we'd gotten a lot of Voldemort-type pseudonym for a lifetime, so I chose a better nickname for him. HTH for short anyways."

Luna giggled.

"I like it"

Ginny beamed and then Luna spoke.

"Hey, has Blaise said anything about the hogsmeade weekend?"

Ginny sighed, remembering the first hogsmeade weekend was tomorrow.

"Well, we haven't really had the time to meet. With my practice and his meetings with his father, not to forget his Slytherin club meeting or something like that."

"And your ancient runes club too."

Ginny sighed.

"Yeah, that too… but we're meeting this night anyways."

Luna nodded while smirking..

"To add in a few sessions of snogging?"

Ginny blushed and brought out the ancient runes book Bill had given her, deciding to ignore Luna who cackled next to her while looking at the Quibbler in front of her.

They spent their morning relaxing by the lake, talking about graduation. NEWTs, jobs, boys, annoying roommates, apartments for after they graduated, as they both decided to rent together a month after graduation.

Soon they left for their individual classes. Luna going for COMC while Ginny left for herbology with the Hufflepuffs.

She ignored the golden trio and sat with Colin Creevey. He was also a close friend of hers too.

The class went by pretty fast with Neville winning 30 points for Gryffindor house. Ginny couldn't wait till she saw Blaise.

Dinner came and soon it was time to go meet Blaise. She dressed in simple black jeans and a white tank top covered with a dark blue cardigan with her black and white sneakers and was out of the dorms so fast that the Gryffindor trio didn't see her. They were meeting at the astronomy tower once more, as no one was having any class there.

When she got there, she saw him gazing up at the stars and Ginny had to admit she'd never seen anything as poetic. She felt she could gaze at the scene forever when she heard his voice.

"Hey...

She cleared her throat awkwardly and walked up to him as he turned.

"Hi.. Sorry for turning up a bit late, you'd be surprised how difficult it is getting away from my brother." she said sardonically and he chuckled which brought the chills down her spine.

"You'd be surprised. Your brother is quite famous in the Slytherin dungeons. Known for going after any single wizard that stared at his baby sister in a suspicious way. It's admirable, even if a touch childish."

Blaise smiled amusedly at her as she glared at nothing in particular. But imagining Ron caught in a fire. Coincidentally the fire was lit at his butt.

"He'll get over it soon." Ginny dismissed and Blaise hmmed.

They basked in the comfortable silence, occasionally asking each other about their day.

"Same old I guess. Stalker included."

Ginny giggled. Of course she had heard of the Slytherin stalkers, Tracey Davis and Pansy Parkinson.

Pansy Parkinson had a thing for the blonde ferret while Tracey Davis, a close friend of Greengrass had a thing for Blaise.

"Oh I heard about Davis and pugsy."

Blaise raised an eyebrow.

"pugsy?" he asked amusedly.

"Ow… about that, well Luna and I like making up names for people. Ugly ones especially for people we don't like. And Parkinson's own was a mixture of her first name and a pug. So you see? P-ug-sy."

A couple of seconds later and she heard Blaise chuckling at her and Luna's antics.

Ginny couldn't help the smug smile that appeared on her face. She had made him smile.

"You are quite crazy, you know that right?"

Ginny scoffed playfully.

"Ofcourse, it's a compliment after all."

Blaise smirked before turning to her.

"May I ask if you have a date for tomorrow?"

Ginny's heart began beating quite hardly lime it would burst out of her chest and she shook her head negatively.

"Actually n-no." Colin did ask her and she declined nicely. He later asked a roommate of hers. Stephanie cotton. She was a black haired girl with brown eyes and a heart shaped face. Really shy of course, and a muggle born.

"Good" Blaise said satisfactorily.

"Cause I want to accompany you. If you would have me do so of course."

Ginny blushed. He really was something else. He was demanding and at the same time a gentleman.

"Ow, uh… of course. I have things to do there first though."

"Not a problem… I do too… my cousin will show up at a point though regrettably…"

Ginny smiled.

"So would Luna…"

Ginny definitely couldn't with for tomorrow's… date?

Ginny woke up the following morning feeling quite excited.

She did her usual hygiene routine and dressed up rather cutely than she would even on another normal Hogsmead e weekend.

Her light brown skirt flared to just her mid thighs and she tucked a white spaghetti strap top in, it was a bit low neck but not enough to show off any cleavage. She let her hair down wavy.

Grabbing her purse, she immediately went out the door and away from the tower, walking out the castle to meet Luna at the entrance. She was dressed cutely, which made Ginny think she would hunt down Draco at one point. She almost felt bad for him before realizing... she actually didnt, and shrugged it off.

"Hey Luna.."

"Hello Ginny, you look rather beautiful today… I guess you have a date with young Blaise?"

Ginny snickered as they walked outside with their passes. There was a long line of students outside, eagerly waiting to venture into hogsmeade, see how it was once more since the battle of Hogwarts.

"Young Blaise? Luna, he's older than you, you realize that right?"

"Of course, I never refuted that, but he is still young though."

Soon enough, they handed their passes to a grumpy Filch with Miss Norris on one hand. He gestured for them to go and they entered a carriage with just the two of them in it. Luna patted the thestral lovingly on the head before sitting in the carriage and it began moving.

"So, where are we going to first?" Luna asked and Ginny frowned in thought.

"Well.. I was thinking we could go to Honeyduke's first and then Scrivenshaft. I need to get some quills and parchment as well."

Luna nodded.

"Okay how about getting the quills first then chocolate after… I suddenly want to get some licorice wands as well now that you mentioned it. And I want to take a look at those colorful peacock feathered quills I heard they had in sales at Scrivenshaft as well too. It'd be nice to write with it."

Ginny smiled and they went to get the quills and parchment. After paying, they moved to Honeyduke's and Ginny got chocolate frogs and sugar quills before paying as well. They spent some more time in there checking out the latest sweets and chocolates.

Soon enough, an hour had passed and the girls had gotten and shrunk whatever they got.

They decided to go look for Blaise.

As they passed madam Puddifoots, they looked in and Ginny snorted.

Hermione and Ron were at a table, giving googly eyes to each other while Harry was at a table with the bitch who was chattering like she didn't need to breathe while Harry grew uncomfortable as the minutes grew. He really despised the shop. The fact that he was in there showed he really liked Chang. It left Ginny feeling slightly disgruntled. He hated Ginny ever bringing up the idea of the them both going there whike they had still been together.

Luna stared as well in amusement, and as if they knew someone was staring, the trio turned to stare. They immediately stood up to come after her.

"Run!" Ginny muttered, running like the hounds of hell were after her while Luna just lightly skipped behind her like she had all the time in the world.

Before she could turn and yell at Luna, a hand dragged her from a nearby dark alleyway and she almost fell until strong arms steadied her and she pushed against a muscular body.

Out of reflex she shrieked but a hand covered her mouth.

The other hand was wrapped around her body, her back rested on the strangers chest.

Immediately she smelt a familiar scent and subconsciously relaxed, recognizing it. She fought the hand off her face and it went to her waist. She was quite glad the alley was dark and no one could see her blush.

"B-blaise??"

She squeaked and he chuckled, his breathe blowing on her neck and she shivered against him.

He spun her around so they were face to face and even in the dark as she looked up, she could recognize his angular jaw line from afar.

He looked down at her, curious and muttered.

"Just how did you know it was me?"

She gained a modicum of her pride back and huffed.

"I just knew"

He smirked amused, like he didn't believe her.

"Of course… indeed."

She turned towards the streets where she saw Luna had just stopped and looking curiously at where they were. She shrugged and turned to where she saw a certain platinum haired boy and skipped up to him, dragging him away by the hand from a post he had been reading, as he tried to disentangle himself from her, though it looked like he wasn't even trying, though his face was slightly red.

Blaise chuckled.

"Did you know he has some kind of a crush on her?"

Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Well the feeling is mutual I have to say…"

Blaise smirked.

"So little Weasley, just what are you up to?"

He said as he released her and deep down Ginny felt like he shouldn't have.

"Hm, nothing really, just escaping from the golden trio."

Blaise chuckled

"Come on, let's find somewhere quiet and not this dark to talk… although, if you do like this place, I won't mind."

He said, making it have 2 meanings and she was so glad it was dark so he couldn't see her blushing face.

She huffed before folding her arms.

"Let's go Zabini."

He smirked and walked out of the dark pathway and into the streets, thankfully no one noticed them. She followed him till they reached a courtyard. It had a beautiful fountain in the middle but it had stopped working. There were chairs scattered all around, the gate to the courtyard was locked. Blaise brought out his wand and waved it and it unlocked. Ginny looked impressed.

"You can do silent casting this easily?"

She asked him as they settled on a bench chair opposite the tall fountain.

"Its not that difficult actually, the DADA teacher isn't exactly explaining what we are meant to be doing. I'll recommend you a book later for you to check it out."

Ginny smiled, thanking him.

"How did you find this place?"

Blaise sighed.

"You talk a lot."

Ginny glared at him and he looked at her and smirked, making her insides flutter. The bastard.

"Anyways, I found it back in my 4th year. It had some kind of notice me not charm on it, but being the sneaky bastard I've been told i am, I noticed it. If I got any closer I had this urge to turn around and forget about it, but me having Occlumency shields helped and so it doesn't really affect me. Especially when I'm in. Its because you were with me, that's why you also noticed it. Maybe I should also recommend you some Occlumency guides as well."

Ginny frowned, nodding. Occlumency was something she definitely needed to learn, as well as silent casting. Bill was quite good at silent casting in fact. Said it helped him focus during his travels.

Occlumency would definitely add to her repertoire. She'd definitely be getting in touch with Bill tonight once Zabini told her the books.

"This place is really nice though, I wonder why they closed it…"

Ginny wondered out loud as she stood up and walked towards the fountain. She felt Blaise's eyes follow her and a smile appeared on her face.

"No idea"

He said as he relaxed and continued to stare at her.

She tried to ignore it but couldn't anymore.

"Okay Zabini, what?"

She asked exasperatedly and Blaise looked at her amused.

"I was just wondering, I haven't actually asked what career you'd like after graduation."

He looked curious and Ginny smiled.

"Oh… well before the war, I actually wanted to be a quidditch player. Play for the Holy head Harpies. But after the war, I didn't feel any excitement at the thought of playing quidditch. Of course I still love the game, its just not what I want to do, but then I spoke to my big brother Bill. He has always told me about his work and honestly I've always been interested in it. It had always been my top career before quidditch kind of flew into my life, but now, that's what I'm focusing on. And I'm really serious about it too"

She gushed and Blaise seemed to be looking at her in a new light. Not that she noticed.

"I mean, I've been in the ancient runes club since my 4th year anyways. And being a curse breaker, there's never a dull moment. Of course I'd have to be really careful anyways, and I haven't told my mum yet, she'd freak out. But its what I want to do. Also with that kind of career, I could occasionally work with Luna who also wants to be a magizoologist."

She smiled remembering her best friend.

Blaise nodded.

"its nice to see you have a future planned already. And I respect you for that."

Ginny, confused asked him why.

"Most girls especially the purebloods don't care for careers or their future, they only want to marry a respectable pureblood who has money and have his children, become a trophy wife. Its one reason I despise most girls, especially most of tge ones in my house."

He frowned as he thought about them. She looked closely at him and she felt that, he was the kind to want a woman who didn't bow before him, he wanted someone challenging, someone who could banter with him. She could understand that. Looking back now, she and harry never really bantered or joked much. They just had this… way of either talking about family or school work or Teddy or snogging and going their way. Not much actually.

She got cut out of her reverie when Blaise walked up to her.

"we should get going… so we could meet those 2 rascals at the 3 broomsticks. "

He said amused, referring to Luna and Malfoy.

Side by side they walked next to each other, ignoring the whispers of some Hogwarts students, some sighs and some glares, both jealous and otherwise.

They entered the 3 broomsticks and settled for a table a bit secluded. Not long after they sat, Luna and Draco walked in as well.

Draco looking like he was on cloud nine and Luna had a serene smile on her face as she skipped over to them and sat down.

"Hello Ginny, young Blaise"

Luna said smiling. Blaise looked at her amused at the name she gave him and Ginny shrugged.

"She called you that this morning too."

Draco sat down and coughed into his collar, trying to hide his flusters. Blaise smirked at his cousin.

"Dear cousin, just what have you been up to?"

Draco's lips were quite swollen as well as Luna's and his hair wasn't really as immaculate as it was before they left for hogsmeade. His first button was undone as well.

Draco glared at his cousin.

"Nothing!" he huffed but Luna spoke up quite excitingly.

"Oh we just snogged and explored part of our bodies, but don't worry Ginny, I'm still a virgin."

Ginny who had been taking a sip of her butterbeer coughed out as she almost chocked and Blaise was staring between Luna and Draco like a light bulb had suddenly lit up above his head.

"you guys definitely fit each other perfectly." He muttered.

"Anyways, Draco this is Ginny Weasley, Ginny this is my cousin Draco. I know you guys haven't exactly always seen eye to eye, but that's because of the golden trio, and since they're not here, I don't think you have anything to argue about." He said rather sternly.

The 2 stared at each other with narrowed eyes and Luna giggled, sharing and amused smile with Blaise.

Draco was the first to speak. He muttered.

"I guess there's nothing to actually say to you." He sniffed.

Ginny muttered in agreement.

"I guess so…"

Blaise scoffed at the two of them.

"You both are acting like siblings who just settled a matter."

They both snorted.

Just then, 2 people walked up to their table.

"Blaise, Draco, how surprising it is to see you here… and with companions too"

Daphne spoke up, her face in its usual mask. Her arm wrapped around a smirking Theo Nott. He had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was quite relaxed, his other hand in his pocket and had a free aura around him. Different from the other Slytherins Ginny suddenly realized.

Blaise smiled at the both of them and Ginny's heart skipped. His smile was so beautiful! He only always smirked and she'd never really seen him smile. It looked amazing.

"Daphne, Theo, good to see you guys here, care to join us?"

"Sure Blaise."

Theo spoke up for the first time and helped Daphne to her seat and sat down as well.

The introduction was done and more drinks settled on the table.

Theo then spoke up.

"Geez Draco, why do you look like you've just been in a kissing fest?"

He joked and Daphne even looked curious.

Draco glared at a smirking Theo and Ginny decided she could get along with Theo just fine.

"He kind of was in one."

Blaise spoke up and Draco looked at him

"Traitor…"

He muttered and Ginny smiled.

Theo looked at him curiously.

"With?"

He looked at Ginny and her face turned into disgust mirroring Draco's and the others at the table thought they both looked rather alike in that moment.

"Please Nott, his lips and mine are never meeting."

Theo chuckled.

"Please, call me Theo."

"And call me Ginny."

She smiled back and the Daphne spoke.

"So, if it wasn't Weasley, then it was… Lovegood."

Draco's face turned red and Luna smiled serenely which made Daphne look at her in amusement.

"Pansy would definitely not like that."

Theo chuckled. Some other tables looked at theirs in awe and confusion. 3 different houses getting along. Especially Gryffindor and Slytherin!!

Draco scoffed.

"It isn't like I need her opinion anyways, the bitch was driving me crazy."

Draco was really glad he wasn't with her anyways. His father had arranged a marriage contract with Pansy's family back in his 3rd year and he had been so depressed because of it. The girl though had been ecstatic as she'd always had a huge crush on him.

Thankfully after the war and with his father ending up in prison, his mother had become the regent of House Malfoy, and had made the contract null and void.

Daphne spoke up.

"Well, said bitch has been telling any female she can that the contract isn't null and void and you both are still together and happy."

Blaise chuckled at Draco's indignant expression while Ginny and Luna giggled.

"I just hope dear Tracey wouldn't be too vindictive when she realizes Blaise wouldn't be looking at her for a long, long time, if at all ever."

Theo spoke up slyly, winking at Ginny who rolled her eyes and tried to cover her blushing face.

Blaise chuckled.

"Said girl can't even talk to me without making a fool of herself."

Draco smirked .

"Remember last week when you asked her to pass the bowl of apples to you during breakfast and she ended up tipping the whole bowl onto the floor."

Ginny chuckled, though she could also feel the girls pain and embarrassment, remembering her own incident with harry and a butter dish.

"Or the time she tried to give you a glass of juice but ended up spilling it on herself."

Theo added with a devilish smirk.

Daphne sighed.

"Okay that's enough, she's still my best friend. You all should remember that."

She said, looking at everyone of them, especially Ginny who immediately felt threatened.

The next 20 minutes was spent talking and making fun of each other but Ginny suddenly wasn't really into it anymore, Luna and Blaise even noticing.

Soon they were on their way back and they all split up.

Blaise and Ginny walking back towards the carriages on their own.

"Mind telling me why you're scarily quiet? I haven't seen a Weasley this quiet before."

He said and Ginny scoffed before sobering back up.

"Oh, its nothing really… just the way Daphne stared at me is all."

She muttered and Blaise sighed, his hands in his pocket.

They entered the carriage and it began its travel to the castle.

"Don't take it too badly. She's always been like that. She secretly has this fantasy that Tracey and I will get together sometime soon, and you being here is some kind of threat to said fantasy."

Ginny immediately felt bad.

"Oh…well, um, maybe you should just tell her the truth…about us."

She whispered with mixed feelings.

Blaise didn't speak and Ginny felt he had agreed and she felt bad. Maybe he liked this Tracey girl. Who wouldn't.

She was quite a beauty after all. She had ebony black hair in ringlets that fell to her top shoulders and beautiful brown eyes.

Ginny suddenly felt her heart hammer in her chest and her tearducts filling and she silently cursed.

Why was she feeling like this anyways??

They weren't even dating and it felt like her heart was breaking all over again.

Just then Blaise spoke making her jump abit.

"I've known Daphne ever since I was 8. I travelled to visit Draco here in Britain for a few weeks and one day, his mum decided to visit a friend of hers. It turned out to be Daphne's mum. Draco had already known Daphne before then and introduced us to each other. We hit it off and ever since then, the 3 of us just had some bond and it carried us even till Hogwarts. That was when she met Tracey Davies. She was the half blood daughter of Lord Davies, a minor house. Daphne, strangely enough, seemed to get along with her and that's how their friendship blossomed. Of course when she introduced me to her, I realized she had some kind of a crush on me."

Blaise scoffed as if it sounded stupid and deep down Ginny relaxed. He didn't seem to reciprocate Tracey's feelings for him.

"So you see, Daphne took it upon herself to bring us together which is quite amusing. In a way, you're helping me with your plan as well."

He winked at her and she blushed, making him smirk a bit in surprise.

They got to the school in no time and walked to the entrance where some students were either talking or laughing.

"Thanks for today. It wasn't what I expected." she told him and he raised an eyebrow.

"what were you expecting?"

She shrugged.

"I don't know, a night that ended in tears and pain?"

She joked and he scoffed.

"As if a day with Blaise Zabini would ever end badly."

He replied cockily and Ginny scoffed at his cockiness, though deep down she partly agreed with him.

"Well, I should get going now, before the Gryffindor trio burst in and see us."

She replied drily and Blaise smirked.

"Not that i particularly care, but very well then, I bid you a good night Ginevra."

And with that, he raised her hand a placed a kiss on her knuckles, before smirking, nodding and walking away, hands in his pocket and Ginny red faced and heart beating fast.

She had no idea how long she waited there until she turned towards the Gryffindor common rooms.

Honestly, the little things he did just seemed to get a rise out of her, it was pathetic. She was pathetic. She brushed a hand through her hair exasperatedly.

She couldn't give into, whatever it was that was blooming between her and Blaise.

First, because she knew he definitely wasn't interested, and second, because he'd predicted she would fall for him.

Honestly! What else could 'don't fall for me' mean?! And she'd foolishly scoffed when he said so. She bit her lower lip violently but not enough to draw blood as she entered the common rooms.

Not many people were in actually.

It was always like this every hogsmeade weekend. Only the 1st years and 2nd years filled the common room, with a couple of 3rd and 2 or 3 4th years.

She immediately headed for her room and saw her other 3 roommates in the room, gathered on Stephanie Cotton's bed.

They stopped talking a bit once she entered, but she ignored them, placed her bag on her 4 post bed with red coverings, grabbed her toiletries and towel and headed to their bathroom.

As soon as the door closed, they began chattering once more, not knowing Ginny stopped to eavesdrop a bit.

"I can't believe she went on a date with Blaise Zabini!" Dora Martins, an half blood gushed.

"Huh! Why am I not surprised!"

Nancy Truman, a pureblood from a minor line sneered.

"She always loves to go for the good ones doesn't she! Dean Thomas, Harry potter, Blaise Zabini! Its like she's some kind of whore magnet!"

She screeched angrily and the other 2 shushed her.

"Nan! Don't be so rude! She isn't a whore!"

The shy Stephanie Cotton replied and Ginny's lips upturned into a smile, at least someone tried defending her.

Nancy Snorted.

"That's what you think. Know what I think? I think poor Blaise just isn't falling under her charms like the others and so, she's looking else where. You've seen how she stays with Colin don't you?"

Stephanie frowned.

"That's because they're close friends Nan. And she isn't exactly talking with the trio either."

"Well good for them. Honestly Steph! Just be wary of her! You know how you like Colin, and I heard he even asked her to Hogsmeade before he asked you! Be wary okay?"

Stephanie shakily answered.

"I-I guess…"

"Good!"

Dora clapped and then urged Stephanie.

"So how was your date with Colin?"

"Oh it was great! He was such a gentleman--"

Ginny stopped listening and dropped her toiletries on a sink, feeling bad.

So this was how people saw her in Hogwarts. She'd had bad choices of guys in her life to be honest.

Michael Corner, Ravenclaw, was a git who thought he could control her, Dean, while quite nice, occasionally ignored her and what she wanted to do, and then there was Harry.

And now, Blaise… no! She wouldn't think too much on it. Her day was great! Filled with fun, and making new acquaintances.

She wouldn't trade the day for any.

She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Longest chapter yet!

Ow, and there's this rather rude guest reviewer. Lol. First of all, I have no idea why you're so mad at someone else's fic. If it pains you to read, obviously stop.

You can't even leave a review with your real name, you're just staying in the shadows. Well, whatever floats your boat I guess, just don't push all your angst and frustration on my story then we're cool. No one asked you to read what you're obviously not interested in.

Anyways!

Quick reminder this isn't a bashing fic.

Remember i kept saying so, wiven with a reviewer who said it was a bad bashing fic. it's not meant to be one. We all know Ron has a slightly unfiltered mouth, especially when it comes to his sister and who she's seeing. Add into it that she's hanging out with a Slytherin.

Also, Hermione always tries to be the rational one, but even she is confused with the whole Slytherin thing, what with all she's gone through from that house's hands.

Please leave lots of reviews and likes!

Loves and Kisses!