A/N: I lied to you all in the previous Author's Note. If you looked up "Falling for you" by Ingrid Michaelson and either couldn't find it or found what you thought it might be and was confused, I apologize. The song is actually "Falling for you" by Jem. Sorry for any confusion.

Disclaimer: I wish, I wish I had a fish. Ah, shoot! I meant, "I wish I owned Harry Potter." Darn.

"Potter."

Harry gritted his teeth at the sound his name. He knew who it was calling him. He knew without even having to turn around. He turned around anyway.

Malfoy.

How Harry wished he could have pretended not to hear his name being called, but they were alone in the corridor. Harry threw Malfoy his best glare. This was all his fault, after all. Everything was. If it weren't for the git standing before him, Harry would be with Ginny right now.

Unfortunately, he was not, and Malfoy was still standing before him. Harry sighed heavily, "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"I'm going to ask Ginny to Hogsmeade tomorrow," Draco informed him flatly. "Then I'm going to do everything in my power to get her to fall for me."

"I thought she was already completely head over heals for you," Harry retorted, keeping from his tone the genuine surprise he felt.

"Not completely," Draco replied through gritted teeth, looking distant for a moment. He snapped his silvery-blue eyes on Harry again and added, "Not yet, at least. She's still got some sort of feelings for you, Merlin knows why. Not to mention the feelings she has for Blaise.

"To put it bluntly," Draco continued, "she's confused. That's why I'm asking her to Hogsmeade this weekend."

"That's all very well, Malfoy," Harry replied shortly, "but wants it got to do with me?"

"I want you to ask her out as well," Draco informed him. "For the same day."

A silence fell between them at this, and Harry stared at Draco for a moment. Finally he snapped, "You what?" indignantly.

"I want you to ask Ginny out to Hogsmeade for the same day I am," Draco replied simply, as though speaking with a small child. "Not for the same time, obviously. I want her to go on a date with each of us. Then we can ask her to make an informed choice between the three of us.

"I realize I'm at a disadvantage," Draco added, "considering you and Blaise have both spent much more time with her, but I'm not too concerned. Anyway, it levels the playing field a bit for you, at least."

Harry threw him another glare, and Malfoy smirked in reply.

"What if I say no?" Harry challanged.

"Then it's less competition for me," Draco said with a shrug. "However small that competition may be."

Ignoring the latter comment, Harry asked, "Why are you doing this, anyway? Why don't you just ask Ginny out yourself. It's not like she's seeing me or Blaise. You don't have any competition now, so why are you creating it?"

Draco was silent for a moment before explaining, "It wouldn't mean anything for me to win her that way. I want her to choose me for my sake. Not just because I'm the one to ask her. Not because I'm the easy answer."

"Wouldn't I be the easy answer?" Harry pointed out.

"No," Draco said, shaking his head. "If it turns out she's not in love with you, then she'll end up hurting you again. Whereas, if she chooses me, then even if she isn't in love with me it doesn't matter. If I get hurt, she knows I can shake it off.

"This is the only way," Draco added firmly. "It's the only way that's fair for her...or us."

Harry was silent for a moment as he considered this. It was true that he wasn't over Ginny, and he wanted another chance to be with her. However, it was also true that he'd all but given up on her by now. Still, here was the chance he'd been hoping for. Well, as close a chance as he'd likely get. He would be a fool not to jump at it...wouldn't he?

"Fine," Harry said at last. "I'll do it."

Draco nodded and turned to leave. "Then let the best man win," he added over his shoulder before walking away.

15

"Ginny!"

The aforementioned turned around to find Harry hurrying toward her in the throng of students making their way toward class.

"Oh...Harry, hi," Ginny said, somewhat taken aback. They hadn't spoken in a while, and she had all but forgotten about him. "What is it?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go with me to Hogsmeade on Saturday," Harry asked.

Ginny paused, chewing her lower lip. "I don't know, Harry..." she said at last, not looking at him.

"C'mon, Ginny," Harry pleaded, taking her hand in his and leaning forward to catch her eyes. "Please? Give me this one lase chance. If you don't want to be with me after that, I'll give up. I promise. I just want one more shot. For old times sake?"

Ginny looked at him silently for a moment. He seemed so earnest and hopeful, she could hardly shoot him down. Didn't she owe him this, at least, after everything she'd put him through? Besides, it would be a good chance for her to reestablish their friendship.

"Alright," she said at last, laughing as Harry whooped.

"Thanks, Gin," Harry said, kissing her cheek. "You won't regret it. I'll meet up with at the Three Broomsticks around...twelve?"

"Sounds good," Ginny agreed.

"Alright," Harry said as he released her hands. As he allowed himself to be swept away by the crowd toward his next class he called out, "See you then!"

Ginny smiled to herself as she turned to make her way to her next class, Potions, the very one Harry had just left. She was stopped again, however, by someone stepping in front of her. Ginny looked up to find Draco smiling down at her.

"Dr-...Draco."

"Hey," he replied coolly. "Caught you."

All she could think of to say in reply was, "Um." It was about all she would've been able to get out, anyway, as Draco chose that moment to press his lips to hers brisquely.

"Meet me on Saturday in Hogsmeade," he told her. "At Honeydukes."

"Okay..." Ginny agreed breathlessly before she remembered Harry. "Oh! Um...wait. I have a...I'm already busy that day. I'm...hanging out with someone...else...at twelve."

"Then I'll see you around three," Draco replied, tugging a lock of her auburn hair playfully. Before she could protest, he walked away, lifted his hand in farewell as he went. He didn't look back once.

"Shit."

It was the proper response, she felt.

A/N: Well, that went a lot quicker and more easily than I thought it would. The end it near! There's still a bit to go before we reach it, but it'll be upon us before we know it. I'm sort of sad to see this story end, but I'm excited to finish writing it. I think you will all be pleased. Plus I always have Marked By Dark to look forward to (hint, hint).

CHAPTER REVIEWS

snowfire81: Oh, she does, but it's because she's so confused about how she feels. She thinks that if she can get to know Draco like she's gotten to know Harry and Blaise she'll be able to figure out who it is she wants to be with.

David Fishwick: Thanks, and don't worry. I will. This is the first time I've seen a reply from you. I hope to see more! (Hint, hint)


rcr: I suppose she was, now that you mention it. Then again, she was pretty brave telling Blaise that he was going to teach her to tango, too.

BOOKLOVER17: That's some super book loving - all caps! Thanks for adding my story to your favorites and your alerts!

309003: Um...wow. First time I've seem a username that's all numbers. Aaaaaaanyway, thanks for adding my story to your alerts!

pandora-xox: Muahahaha! I live for the cliff hangers and the angst! Or, I should say, I write for them. Then I again, I live to write! And, as we all know, if a=b and b=c, then must a=c. Yaaaaaaay, math! Sorry, that's the first time I've found that useful! XD

Icy Dreamer: Aw man, and I don't think Blaise will show up in the next chapter, either. He'll be back, soon, though! I promise!

Jevanminx: Yep, that she is, but no worries. As you can see, Draco's got something in the works that should help her!