'Millicent, I need a word' Pansy asked sternly in the Slytherin common room.

Millicent Bullstrode was sitting by the fire talking to one of the older Slytherin girls.

Millicent gave her a wary look but followed anyway.

'So? What is t then Pansy?' Millicent asked.

'Right. I have some information that I haven't shared with anyone. Information concerning a certain… Griffindor.' Pansy smirked

'Okay… but why does this concern me? Can't you get one of your little lap dogs to help you?'

Pansy gave her a dark stare but carried on none the less.

'I will go into more details once I know if you are willing to help me.' Pansy snapped

'I may help you. What does it involve doing? And what is in it for me?' Millicent asked

'It will involve you helping me to publicly humiliate someone, a Griffindor. Is that satisfaction not enough?'

'Hmm. It would be good to see but if you throw in a batch of sugar quills then you have a deal' She smirked at Pansy.

Pansy contemplated it for a second before answering.

This is the only person who will be good enough to help me. One batch may be all right.

'Fine. One batch of sugar quills, I will pick them up in Hogsmead this Sunday.'

'Great. Now who and why do you want to humiliate this person? And in what way?' Millicent asked

A wicked grin spread across Pansy's face and the evil glint in her eye was hard to miss.

'It is about Ginny Weasley' Millicent immediately grinned. Weasley's were not very popular in the Slytherin house. 'Blaise and Draco seem to have a bet to make the little Weaslette fall for Draco in a month. Draco seems to be taking drastic measures, or he is falling for her himself, which we both know is unlikely.

' Anyway she seems to be softening to him, and for some reason I think she is the little slut he has decided to take with him to the ball. Also when Draco made… a sceptical of me in the great hall yesterday, when I turned around and saw her mouth 'thank you' to him. Obviously she was part of that little game.'

'Carry on…' Millicent urged

'Yes, well I am going to have a little chat with the little Weasley to see it I can detected any signs of her going to the ball with Draco. See, little Ginny Weasley has twice now come up to me being unbearable sweet, trying to get on my good side after making a mockery of me a few weeks ago. Naturally I thought this was part of a game between herself and Draco, so I played along. Now she thinks I like her I can innocently ask her about the ball and whom she is going with.

'If she is indeed going with Draco then that is fine, I will wait until after the ball, until after the gossip has died down slightly until we drop the bombshell on her' Pansy grinned

'Yes, but what is the bombshell?' Millicent asked.

'Honestly Milly, you really should listen. The bombshell is the fact that all she is is a little game between two Slytherins. Draco is merely playing with her heart, pushing the right buttons then dropping her like a ton of bricks' Pansy cackled

'And that is all very amusing but what do I have to do with this plan?'

'Well, after I confront Ginny about it only a few people will know, so the next morning I need you to have a poster containing all the information about the bet on it and posted on every common room bulletin board. I know you are good with you drawing' Pansy added "kindly"

'Sure. Anything else?'

'Just don't get caught, also maybe try and get some good pictures on there' Pansy grinned

'I've got my camera; I can try and get a few secret snaps. Don't worry it will be good, the little blood traitor wont know what hit her' Millicent grinned an evil grin.

'It will teach her not to play with me' Millicent gave her a look 'I mean with us'

&&&&&&

Ginny sat with Ron, Harry and Hermione at the breakfast table, eating a good breakfast after not eating entirely well the last few days.

The owl post came in and Ginny didn't even glance up.

She never got post apart from the one off from her mom.

Ginny got back to her cereal when a school barn owl swooped down in front of her.

Ginny put down and reached out for the letter that was addressed to her.

Miss Weasley

You will be taking a detention with me tonight after the disruption you caused in my lesson the previous day.

I expect you in my classroom at 7:00 sharp

Professor Snape.

'What!' Ginny shouted

She looked up at the teacher's table and saw Snape's smirking face looking straight ahead.

It was obvious he knew she had just received the letter, by the nasty smirk on his face.

Things were only starting to look up slightly for her and now Snape had to drop another weight on her.

'What's up Ginny?' Hermione asked

'I walked out of Snape's lesson yesterday, I was so angry he was basically taking the piss out of the fact that I didn't make it on the Quidditch team. So I grabbed my stuff and stormed out and…well I was kind of rude about it' Ginny Grinned sheepishly. 'Anyway he provoked me and now he is giving me a detention at dinner time again' Ginny moaned.

'When has Snape ever been fair? You are best to just grit your teeth and get on with it. If you react he will keep you coming back, if you ignore his stabs at you then you are most likely to get out there in a bad mood but detention free.' Harry informed her.

'Sounds fun…' Ginny replied sarcastically.

Great. Looks like it is another trip to the kitchens. Hopefully Draco will know I am not there and come join me. Hmm…

&&&&&&

Ginny was leaving Herbology it was now break and she knew the fourth floor toilets would be packed so she made her way to the fifth floor.

Ginny was washing her hands when the door opened.

'Weasley' Pansy nodded

'Pansy' Ginny forced a tight smile.

'Have you seen the latest dress' in "Witch Robes"?'

'Erm… no actually I didn't get my copy today. They must have had a problem with the uh owls.' Ginny lied

Pansy gave her a weird look.

'Yea. They have some really ideal gowns for the ball'

'Really?' Ginny asked not really expecting an answer.

I did my dares but now she sodding well wont leave me alone! I don't know how Draco stands it; honestly she is like a leech.

'Hmm. Have you got a date for the ball yet?' Pansy asked her.

'Oh yea! I didn't want to be left with sloppy seconds' Ginny gave a small laugh

Okay I'm sorry; I just couldn't help adding that. It is good to see her in that position.

'Hmm. So who are you going with then?'

'Ah, you are going to have to wait and see like everyone else Pansy. I'm pretty sure this ball is going to be quite…eventful' Ginny smiled

'Yes well it better be good, but then again Granger was organising it so we can expect much' Pansy smirked

Ginny's eyes narrowed at this comment.

'I beg your pardon?' Ginny growled.

'Oh sorry I forgot she was your friend. Better keep my thoughts to myself huh?'

'Yea. You better.' Ginny snapped before walking out.

'Oops must have touched a nerve' Pansy laughed with the satisfaction of knowing that the little Weasel has stolen her date.

&&&&&&

Ginny made her way towards the dungeons. Her mood was lighter then before.

She couldn't keep letting the last few days' events keep her down.

She couldn't dwell on things.

She knocked on the door to Snape's classroom and entered.

'Ah Miss Weasley. I expect you know why you are here?' Snape asked

'Yes' Ginny replied shortly

'Yes Professor'

'Yes Professor' Ginny replied

'So do you want to tell me why you are here?'

'You already know' Ginny rudely replied

How can this greasy old Git not wind you up? So much for not dwelling on things.

'I may well do, but I want you to confirm it so I know that you know the reasons as well' He sneered

'Fine. It is because of my rude behaviour in the lesson yesterday, and for storming out'

'That's right, and your punishment will be cleaning the tables, the muggle way. Oh and just so you know my class was making draught of death, so do try not to get any on yourself, I don't quite fancy having to take you to the hospital wing.'

With a flick of his wand Snape had a bucket of water and a sponge on the table in front of her.

'Oh and before I forget…you wand?' He held out his hand as she reluctantly gave it to him.

And without a glance backwards he left.

Ginny reached for the sponge and dunked it into the water.

'Argh!' She shouted 'Who can wash tables with stone cold water?'

Of course there was no one there to hear her so she just got on with it.

Moments later the door opened and Ginny jumped.

The tall handsome figure of Draco Malfoy stood in the doorframe watching with an amused smile.

'So they found your real talent then? No need for Quidditch now, just get you cleaning the school and you can take over from that big oaf' He smirked

Ginny narrowed her eyes at him.

'If you are only going to come here to poke fun at me, then you can sod off' Ginny gave a frustrated sigh and started scrubbing the tables again.

After a few moments she gave a frustrated scream and threw the sponge on the floor.

'Something upsetting you Ginny?' He asked her.

'No. not at all. The fact that your ass of a head of house, has made me clean draught off death of the sodding tables. Oh and not forgetting the fact that the water is ICE COLD!' Ginny screamed 'But apart from that, I am fine.'

Ginny felt on the blink of tears.

You know what? I couldn't care less what happens to me now. Its like my life is falling apart piece by piece and I can only stand by and watch.

'Okay, listen Ginny; I know Snape can be a bastard but you have to grit your teeth. I can warm the water for you, I can do it all for you if you want.' He shrugged.

Ginny smiled.

See? Even Draco can be a sweetie when he wants to be.

'Hmm. But tell me, what do you get out of it?' She grinned

'Nothing. Well…apart from your company to dinner?'

'Hmm, I guess that could be arranged' She teased

Wow it's a date! And I'm blushing…oh dear lord I'm turning into Pansy…

He smiled then flicked his wand and cleaned all of the tables but one.

Ginny shot him a confused glance.

He pointed his wand at the bucket, using a heating charm to warm the water for her.

'We don't want him getting suspicious now do we?' He gave her a wink and she beamed. With that he left the room and left Ginny smiling for England.

&&&&&&

When Snape walked in Ginny still had a smile on her lips, and she was washing the last table.

She had been for the last ten minutes.

'Ah Miss Weasley that will be enough…for tonight'

Ginny didn't wait to hear any more, she grabbed her wand and left.

&&&&&&

Ginny tickled the pair and entered the kitchens.

She noticed that Draco was sitting at their usually table drinking from a bottle of butterbeer.

'Want one?' He asked

'To be honest with he I think I need something stronger' She joked

'Well that can be arranged' He grinned

'Well then I will have whatever that is' Draco called one of the house elves over.

'Do you have anything stronger?' He asked the elf

'sirs, we is only having Sugar spirit' Said the elf

'Nothing stronger?' Draco asks him

'No sirs, sorry but we is not allowed anything stronger sirs'

'Ok well we will have some of that'

And the elf scurried away and moments later it was back with a large bottle of sugar spirit and glasses.

Ginny and Draco both ordered themselves some food, and by the time they were ordering some desert the spirits had had a good affect on them both.

'I pink her tharents were right to call he Pansy' Ginny spat her name out like a disease, slurring the rest of her words 'She does look like a weeed'

Both Ginny and Draco fell aside laughing, not really knowing what was so funny.

'Hodme- I mean hobmeade, no Hogsmead is tomorrow.' Draco laughed.

'Yesh, yesh it is. I am going to look boootiful in my owl uniform. They will say I am the hottest bird there' She giggled

Draco raised an eyebrow at her.

'Well I am going in my frogs suit' He announced triumphantly

'Draco. You are meant to dress up, not wear your normal wardrobe.'

Both of them cracked up laughing, Draco completely missing the point that he was laughing at himself.

Ginny tried spooned a mouthful of chocolate ice cream into her mouth but missed and hit her cheek.

Draco started laughing his deep laugh but Ginny only gave a little giggle.

Look at the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs. He looks genuinly happy.

I have never seen that boy show me anything but hatred before; I really do love the real Draco.

'What?' Ginny snapped back to reality she noticed she had been staring dreamily at Draco for a few moments.

Just laugh it off and say he looked funny Ginny, don't be stupid now.

'What!' She demanded

Never could follow my thoughts when I was drunk.

'You have choclit on your face' He pointed seriously.

'Its ruuude to point, and anyway its choc-o-late' Ginny stuck her tongue out

Ginny tried to find the ice cream to wipe it off.

'No, left a bit' He told her 'No, Ginny that's right'

Okay so I was never that good with my left and rights.

'Oh come here I will do it' He said getting up.

He asks me to come to him and yet he comes to me?

He tried to climb out from the bench to come to Ginny but got his leg caught and felt face down on the floor.

Ginny cracked up, clapping her hands and tears of laughter rolling down her face.

'Smooooth mister Malfoy' Ginny teased.

He picked himself up and made his way towards her.

As he came closer Ginny's stomach was doing back flips and her breaths started to shorten.

What is wrong with me? I'm only hoping he will kiss me- I mean I only want him to get the ice cream- oh never mind.

Ginny moved over and Draco sat down next to her.

'See, its…here' He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, using his thumb to wipe away the ice cream.

Everything around them seemed to freeze, Ginny bit her bottom lip and looked at Draco.

Oh I really shouldn't be doing this. I just need to stop staring at those kissable lips.

Draco's hand was still cupped around Ginny's cheek.

Before Ginny could do anything Draco hade pressed his lips against hers.

It took a moment for Ginny to respond but she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

Now this is someone who knows how to kiss, unlike my backstabbing ex.

Ginny started to feel uncomfortable, like someone was watching them, but she ignored it, that was until they both heard a click that sounded like a camera.

Ginny pulled away and just in time managed to catch sight of the kitchen door closing and a Slytherin robe flap out of sight.

Shit.

Ginny didn't know what to do; if anyone had a picture of her and Draco kissing they could use it to blackmail her.

Ginny didn't know what to do, so she jumped up and ran out, leaving a stunned Draco behind.

She ran down the corridor but no one was in sight, she started to panic and her eyes started to brim with tears.

Everything is going from bad to worse, when everything looks like it's going to get better another disaster strikes. And what's worse, I have turned into an emotional wreck.

Ginny walked back to her dormitory rethinking about everything. Well actually she more like staggered back with her head spinning trying to rethink things.

Was it worth having all my friends hate me for a boy?

Worst of all their enemy.

Do I really want to face a week of gossiping for someone who gives me the attention I want?

He helps me out when I really need it.

He picks me up when I fall (literally)

He makes me laugh when I'm upset.

He keeps me company, and to be honest, I really like his company.

He has patience with me…kind of.

I guess I have to face it.

I. Like. Draco. Malfoy.

-----------------------

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