The day spent at Hogsmeade with Michael was good. Michael took her to Honey Dukes again and when they arrived back at Hogwarts, they walked around the lake, chatting and laughing. He told her that he and his family were going to Greece in the holidays and that he had been looking forward to it all year. She sighed and shook her head as she ate her sweets, "I'd love to travel again! I went to Egypt with my family in my second year. We saw all the temples and the Sphinx, as well as the River Nile." His face lit up as they found a spot on the far side by the tree area further away from the other couples.

Michael lay with his back against a massive tree trunk and pulled her against him, wrapping his arm around her. It felt nice, warm and comforting to have him there. She'd never felt so confident around a guy she liked before. This was very natural and easy, with no complications. It was a warm, sunny day and so Ginny found herself drifting off to sleep easily as Michael stroked her hair soothingly.

Ginny woke up to the sound of her name and by a tap on the shoulder. It was like a whisper asking, "Ginny? Ginny?" She sat up suddenly, and looked around in wonder. She'd fallen asleep in Michael's lap by the black lake. To her horror, it had been Cedric calling her name and trying to make her conscious.

She sat up so suddenly that she made Michael sit up in a panic and he tightened his hold around her. She giggled and patted his arm away, "Hey Ced. Sorry I fell asleep. What's up?" Cedric frowned, "I can see that. It's getting dark and it will be dinner time soon." Ginny nodded and Cedric offered her his hand to lift her up. She took it willingly, but only then did she notice Cho standing beside him and looking unimpressed.

Ginny quickly let go of his hand as Michael stood up and muttered irritably, "I was about to do that." Cedric shrugged and smiled brightly at Ginny, "I'm happy to help." She couldn't help but feel awkward and irritable with him because she felt like he was flirting and he didn't get to flirt with her like this. He had made that perfectly clear. So she smiled politely, greeted Cho, and then marched off with her bag o sweets gripped tightly in her hand. It was only then that she became aware of how much of a child she must look like.
She stopped and waited for Michael to catch up. He did and glanced behind them at Cedric, and then she continued walking hastily up the hill. Michael let her speed walk the rest of the way back to the castle. When they were out of ear shot of the Cedric and Cho, Michael asked firmly, "So? What was that all about?" Ginny sighed as she leant against the wall of the entrance hall and inhaled heavily, catching her breath. She sighed and replied, "Uh…well…I suppose you might as well know. I used to like Cedric." Michael rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "I kind of figured that out when I saw you dancing with him at the Yule Ball." Ginny nodded shamefully and replied, "Yeah. He asked me to the Ball, and I said no because I'd already said yes to Neville. Then he asked Cho, who's a good friend to him and she agreed to go with them. Then Cedric told me during the ball that he just wanted to be friends."
Michael whistled loudly, "Boy, that's rough!" he exclaimed. Ginny nodded and sighed, "Yeah. I'm sorry." He shook his head and laughed, "I'd probably have done the same thing. Are you using me to make him jealous?" Ginny bit her lip and whispered, "Honestly? I don't know. I know I like you though. That part was true." Michael smiled kindly at her and stroked her hair from her face. She frowned and whispered, "Wha-?" before the doors opened and Cho and Cedric walked in. Then it hit her-Michael was helping her try and make Cedric jealous!

Ginny played along and pulled him into a tight, viper-like hug. She heard the two of them go quiet as she quickly let go of Michael and took his hand, leading him into the dungeons. He chuckled at the look on the other couple's faces as they rounded a corner and he grinned at her, "Did you see Cedric's face?" Ginny giggled and nodded, "I did! Thank you for being such a good sport!" He grinned charmingly at her and shrugged his shoulders, "If I ever need someone to help me make a girl jealous, you'll be the first person I ask." Ginny grinned, "Right! How long should we wait until we make an appearance?"

Michael shrugged as he leant against the wall beside her, "Give it…five minutes." Ginny nodded and sighed, "Thanks for being such a good sport. I would never have expected you to do this for me. I do genuinely like you." He nodded and sighed, "Yeah, but you like Cedric more. "
She sighed and nodded, "I'm sorry. I'd like to give this a try though." Michael smiled a white, toothy smile and nodded, "Deal. Give me a week to convince you?" She laughed and nodded, "Sure! Are you sure you only want a week?" He shrugged and replied, "Yup. I think a week is long enough to see." Ginny smiled politely. She felt awful for using Michael this way.

He glanced at his watch and nodded, "Okay, we can go in now. It's been long enough for a snogging session!" She couldn't help but find him funny. He was so carefree, unlike Cedric or Harry and it actually made quite a change to her. She liked the light heartedness which came so naturally to him. Maybe this could work after all.

When they headed into the Great Hall, Ginny avidly avoided looking at Cedric. However, Michael did and he whispered to her, "We've got his attention." She grinned and Michael leaned down and quickly kissed her cheek. She felt herself blushing as she headed for breakfast.

When she sat down, she sat opposite Harry who was talking to Hermione, "I'm really worried about this. If we can't find a charm to help me breathe under water for an hour I'm dead!" Ginny frowned as she ate her breakfast, "You guys still haven't found anything?" Harry shrugged his shoulders and moaned, "No! And it's next week!" Hermione sighed and murmured, "We've searched literally ever single book in the entire library and we have nothing to show for it!" Ginny nodded seriously as she whispered, "I wonder what Ced has come up with." Harry nodded morbidly and Ginny made a mental note to ask Cedric the following day.

A/N: Sorry this took so long guys! I haven't been feeling well so the words aren't coming as easily, especially with this headache I have. Anyway I hope you like this chapter Please keep reading and reviewing! It means so much!