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"Isn't there anything I can do?" Ginny pleaded desperately.

"I don't think there is," Hermione replied, her face twisted into a thoughtful expression. "It is on Snape's orders. The only way to get out of it would be if he gave you permission, or if Dumbledore himself let you out of it. But since we both know how likely either of those are bound to happen, I think you're stuck with him. As much as that pains me to say."

Ginny groaned loudly. "Draco's going to kill him."

"Maybe not. He seems to listen to you."

"Maybe so… But this? This will definitely send him over the edge." Hermione suddenly lit up. "…What is it?" Ginny asked warily.

"Well, I just thought of something! Zabini wants you to go to the dungeons to study with him tonight, right?"

"Don't remind me."

"Well, think about it. Zabini isn't a head boy, so he definitely doesn't have a private room. That means he'll be forced to study in the common room. And the common room is property of all Slytherin House. So that means…" Hermione trailed off and looked at Ginny pointedly.

Ginny grinned. "Which means Draco will be able to be there with us!"

"Exactly," Hermione smiled.

"And Zabini won't be able to touch me. Not without Draco breaking his hand, first, at least."

Hermione suddenly jumped up. "We're going to be late for dinner if we don't hurry!"

Ginny groaned again. "Ugh. I don't want to go."

"But if you don't, you may face a detention with Snape," Hermione pointed out.

"I know," she moaned, dragging herself off of the couch. "I'm coming."

"Try to cheer up. Maybe it won't be that bad."

"Yeah. Maybe."

XXX

It was halfway through dinner when Zabini finally made it to the Gryffindor table. Only a few people stared, but looked away after a couple of minutes. Only Ron kept shooting murderous glances every few seconds.

As Zabini slid into the seat next to her, Ginny could feel the smugness radiating off him like a gaseous odor. She tried not to grimace as he laid his bag on the table, and tried to concentrate on the steak-and-kidney pie in front of her. However, her appetite was decreasing rapidly by the minute.

"So, where should we start?" he asked her, his tone resembling that of a child who had just been told he could eat ice cream for dinner.

"Bite me."

"Tsk, tsk. Later, my little lioness. Not in front of the children."

"How about never?" came a voice from behind them. Ginny smiled. It was funny how only three words could make her feel safe again.

"How good of you to join us, Dr-a-co," Zabini drawled, turning around to face the Slytherin Prince. Ginny could feel Draco's glare.

"How good of you to leave," Draco snarled.

"Ah! No can do. You see, some of us have an excuse to be here."

"You mean, other than being a worthless excuse of a human being?"

"Exactly." Ginny could hear the smile in Zabini's tone.

"And that would be?" Zabini turned back around and dug into his bag for a minute, before extracting the same bit of parchment he had shown Ginny earlier.

She heard the rustle of parchment as Draco snatched the note from Zabini and read it. He growled low in his throat before responding.

"You had better tell Snape that you want another tutor."

"What a coincidence! That's exactly what my little lioness told me when I showed her! Too bad it's not going to happen."

"She is not and never will be 'yours,'" Draco growled out before grabbing Zabini roughly by the robes.

That's when Ginny decided it was time to intervene. She stood up suddenly and whirled around. "Let him go, Draco."

"No."

"I'm sorry, but did I ask?" Ginny asked as she raised an eyebrow and glared at Draco, hands on her hips.

"Sod off, and let me handle this git," Draco said, eyes fixed on Zabini, who was smiling like an idiot.

"Excuse me?" Ginny asked, her voice shrill. Several people were watching now.

"I said-"

"I know what you said. And I'm leaving." Ginny couldn't take it any more as she whirled around on her heel and stormed out of the Great Hall.