Chapter 20: Casanova Indeed

Sorry it took so long to get out. I've been really overwhelmed with school lately and rediculously tired/sleepy. Hope you guys like it.

It was surprisingly easy to put aside any feelings they had for each other and just be friends. Too easy, Ginny thought. Maybe it was just one of those short lived infatuations. Like Harry was in her earlier years at Hogwarts. And the way Malfoy was still himself, making fun of her, saying how much better he was, how much smarter and better looking, well… he was different at the same time. The jokes weren't meant to be as hurtful as before. It was a pleasant surprise.

At times her mind started to wander, what if… but she quickly snapped back to reality. She had never wanted his attentions. And now that he had given up and just wanted to be friends, wasn't that what she had wanted before? Or maybe this was like the forbidden fruit lessons, you want what you can't have, and when you have it, it's the last thing you want. That's what Draco was. Nice to have around, but it just didn't work out if there were more things involved. Like feelings. She didn't know if he meant to complicate things, but somehow Draco Malfoy always got in the way of things or messed them up. It was just in his nature. You either accepted it or you didn't socialize with him. Harry chose not to socialize with him. Ginny had just learned to accept it. And somehow, when she accepted Draco, she had accepted his annoying friend Blaize as well. Which was fine, it kept any loose feelings and ideas in check. On both sides.

"Hey so you know how Hogsmeade is coming up?" Draco asked one evening when they were in the library. He was amusing himself with making paper birds while Ginny tried to deflect them at the same time as doing her homework.

"Yeah, this weekend right? What about it?" Ginny asked carelessly as she swatted a paper bird with a book, making it hit Blaize in the head.

"You know if I didn't know we were absolutely the bestest friends ever, Ginny, I would have thought you wanted to give me this MASSIVE paper cut on purpose!" Blaize said with an evil grin on his face.

"Don't put your arms up next time."

"Well they have a new broom in. Didn't you say you wanted to check it out?" Draco butted in, trying to get the focus back onto target.

"Yeah but you know how it always is, bunch of boys oogling the thing all day in the window and in the store, I wouldn't be able to get within 10 feet of it."

"Well, we could go together. You know how people seem to realize who I am and just move out of the way," Draco suggested, a grin playing at his mouth.

"No, see that's called disgust. They're disgusted with you Draco and are trying to get as far away as possible," Ginny replied, looking up with a wide grin on her face.

"Well aren't you clever. Anyway, want to go?" Draco asked cautiously.

"Um, just us?"

"Uh… well…. Blaize you wanted to go right?" Draco quickly asked when he noticed Blaize making funny faces and trying to motion 'no' without calling attention to himself.

"Yeah I thought I was part of that invitation. Yeah I'll go, anything to hang out with the ever pleasant Ginny…." Blaize replied smirking in Ginny's direction.

"Yeah okay, I'll go to," Ginny responded brightly. "Well if we're doing anything this weekend, I better go and finish some of this work."

"You can't do that here?" Draco asked, as Ginny packed her things.

"Not with those stupid birds you keep making."

After she had left, Blaize turned to Draco and crossed his arms. "Well you almost blew it there, Casanova."

"Hey I forgot, okay! I've never had to go around asking someone to go somewhere with me," Draco replied defensively.

"Well before you mess this up anymore, this is where the real plan comes into action."

"What do I have to do?" Draco asked, cautiously. Blaize had a strange way of figuring things out. He didn't know if he really wanted to know his master plan.

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"Hey, Stacey?" Draco said as he approached a tall, brunette, sporting a Ravenclaw tie. She was sitting by herself flipping through a book on a bench. When she looked up, she revealed deep green eyes that stood out even more in her fair colored face. The faded dusting of freckles along her cheeks made her look even more pleasant when she smiled. Yeah she would do alright.

"So I was wondering if you'd want to go to Hogsmeade with myself this weekend?" Draco asked confidently, slightly leaning against the wall casually, pulling out all the Malfoy charm he had.

"Hmm, why do you all of a sudden want to go with me? Stacey asked raising an eyebrow questioningly while she lightly smiled.

"Why wouldn't I want to go with you?" Draco asked back. He knew how to play with a the type of girl Stacey was. She was cunning and clever, she knew how to have fun, and she wasn't naïve enough to fall for any stupid lines. So of course one would use all the stupid lines he could think of with that type of girl. It makes them think they're in control.

"Well aren't you smooth…" Stacey mused, giving Draco the one over. After she took a moment to think about it she simply replied, "Okay. Meet me here on Saturday."

"I wouldn't miss it," He replied taking her hand and kissing it as he gave her one of his smirks. To his surprise she smirked right back.

"Great. Now I have to go was my hand." Draco gave her a wicked grin and walked off slowly down to the dungeons.

"You know Malfoy, it's going to be hard trying to figure out which one to pick later," Blaize said as he met his friend a few feet later.

"Naa, I know which ones for fun, and which ones for a little more fun," Draco replied triumphantly.

HAHA thanks to GoldenFawkesfor her incessant reviews. I loved em. Also thanks to Luaugirl, a.sam, Only-Soup-Cans, Kitsune Sohmma, Preetoaka..., and Lorelai and anyone else I might have missed that reviewed. Thanks a lot. It really keeps me writing.