Chapter Six: Lets Party wirh Snakes
By the time the group had reached the castle, Draco knew he had stunned at least Potter and Weasel into silence. He had made light conversation with Luna and Neville, and even Hermione. Of course, he tried not to rouse the Golden Trio's suspicions too much, but he knew it was up to Ginny if this plan was going to work. There was no way that it was going to without her pushing it along. They had seemed to accept her decision for now, but still watched what they said around him. It wouldn't be long before they started asking questions.
Ginny kept trying to flirt with Potter, but it seemed that he had found another witch to infatuate himself with. Halfway through the ride, Harry had confiscated Hermione's book and was forcing her to tell the group all about her summer vacation with her cousins in America, even though she had clearly told the tale to Harry and Ron countless times during her two week stay at the Burrow at the end of the holidays, as Granger was careful to mention several times throughout her story.
Draco had to admit that it was nice Granger had begun to think of her appearance a bit more this year. Her clothes were more form fitting, her dark brown hair hung down her back in tamed curls and she happened to be wearing makeup. She was actually quite pretty, and Harry seemed to have noticed. Unfortunately, Ginny's flirting seemed to look a bit excessive when Potter focused his attention on the know it all. If she was to maintain a relationship with Potter, it was beginning to become clear that it would be strictly friendship. Shame for Potter, for Ginny was substantially better off in the looks department when compared to mousy brown Hermione Granger, at least in Draco's opinion.
The carriage came to a halt a few feet from the school, and the group started to climb out of the carriage. Harry climbed out first, offering his arm to Hermione. She accepted, but looked at Ginny in apology. It had seemed clear now whose attentions Harry had preferred, but Hermione had seemed hesitant. Neville followed Hermione, then Draco aided Ginny. Ron followed next, and it didn't go unnoticed when Ron helped Luna out. Harry sniggered, and Hermione smiled at them. Ron just smiled at Luna, not giving his best friends the satisfaction of capturing his attention.
"Thank you, Ronald. I would have tripped over the elfsingski's if you weren't so kind," Luna giggled. Ron didn't reply, he just blushed and took Luna's hand and the lead of the group, headed to the great hall.
After that Draco took in Ginny's appearance for the second time that day. The redhead definitely looked good in Slytherin green robes. No, Granger had nothing on Ginevra Gaunt. Honestly, he couldn't wait to get to know her better this year. He knew now she was witty and knew how to turn on the charm, as well as being downright beautiful and cunning. Ginny and Draco fell to the back of the group.
"Seems that Potter is more than interested in Miss Granger this year," Draco sniggered.
"Well, that's just perfect but Hermione's in a steady relationship with my brother," Ginny deadpanned.
"Weasel looked pretty comfortable with Loony Lovegood…" I began.
"Not Ronald, you idiot, I'm talking about Fred. He's not going to be happy when he finds out Harry's trying to move in on his girlfriend, even if Harry helped him and George out with the shop. Fred's quite the overprotective type."
"When did that happen?"
"I'm actually not too sure. I caught them in a broom closet near the end of the year last year, and they were both missing some key articles of clothing. She clearly hasn't told Harry or Ron yet. I'm going to have to have a conversation with her if she continues to let Harry flirt with her like that," she glared at the back of the brunette's head. They watched as Harry tried to put his arm around Hermione's shoulder, but before he could she turned to Neville and started a conversation about this year's Herbology text she had pre read.
"Who knew Granger had a wild streak," Draco snorted.
The group soon reached the Great Hall. Ron turned and kissed Luna on the cheek, apparently forgetting that he was accompanied by his best mate who immediately started teasing him. They took off toward the Gryffindor table, followed closely by Neville. Hermione paused and whispered to Ginny as the girls hugged, promising to talk to her in the morning and wishing her luck with the snakes. Hermione gave Draco a pointed glare and said that he'd better watch out for Ginny.
Then Ginny and Draco made their way over to the Slytherin table.
"Time to party with the snakes," Ginny sighed. Draco looked at her and burst into laughter.
"Surely we're not all that bad."
"You are a snake, Miss Gaunt. Might as well get used to your own kind, don't you think? " A third voice chimed in as tanned arms were placed around the pair and a head popped in between them. "Honestly, green and silver's taking over this year, I'm surprised you haven't heard, and dating a Slytherin God has its perks… So, that being said," he sniggered pushing Draco off to the side, "how about a date with a real charmer? Hogmeade?"
Draco watched Blaise's eyes wander down Ginny's form, and how Blaise missed the spark in Ginny's eyes as he focused his attention on her body. Draco briefly wondered how she would handle this one, remembering how she turned down Cedric Diggory last year by fake flirting with him until she got close enough to give him an up close and personal bat bogey hex. Of course, it was one of Ginevra's proudest moments.
"You're too sweet, Blaise," Ginny smiled, "but darling, you know I've already promised all of my weekends to a real man."
"Aw, old Moldymort should be able to share such a lovely flower like yourself, if only just for a night."
"I'm talking about that drop dead gorgeous Slytherin sex god you just happened to have removed from my line of sight," Ginny smirked, holding out her arm. After a moment of shock from the words that just passed through Ginny's lips, Draco came to his senses and pushed Blaise out of the way with a famous Malfoy smirk, and took said arm leading her toward the table.