"Ginny," He spoke softly, as if her name was a great secret, something precious. She refrained from replying with his name, for fear of turning this into one of those impossibly clichéd black and white films her mum loved.

"Hey," She looked down, eyelashes brushing her cheek, to hide her burning cheeks. She studied her shoes, the way the candle light played across them, the way the single, tiny diamond sparkled on the strap.

"Whenever we meet, you avoid my gaze," He remarked, trying to sound casual. He looked up, swallowing like there was something painful lodged in his throat. He looked swiftly about them, and sure everybody was distracted he seized her arm and pulled her in to a shadowy corner.

"Blaise, wh..."

"Shush,"

"How dare you?" She was suddenly angry, at him, at the casual way he had grabbed her, at the way her skin had tingled at his touch. He turned to her, and smiled before placing one cool, elegant finger across her lips. She was quite suddenly rendered speechless, and could only look up at him, eyes beseeching.

"So," He said, "How are you?" He took his hand away, folding his arms loosely across his chest.

"Fine, but I have to get back,"

"Mr. Potter can wait," Blaise smiled easily, the smile lighting his entire face. She felt like a trapped animal, yet at the same time, she was loath to leave. Just a few steps and she would be out of the alcove and away from him, his presence...

"I missed you," The confidence had disappeared from his voice as he searched her face, waiting for her to answer.

It was so unexpected, a reminder that it hadn't all been a dream and she was unsure of how to respond.

"I missed you too," The words lept unbidden to her lips, she did not think about them at all.

"Really?" He sounded surprised, and she wondered if he realised how much of an effect he had on her.

"Blaise..." The question halted, she could not ask him what he wanted, for fear of the answer, for fear he would leave her. He stretched, and reaching up with one hand, he pulled a thick tapestry in front of them. She found herself in his arms before she could blink, and then she was kissing him, like she had dreamed of doing for the entire summer.

"Ginny?" She ignored the calling voice, it meant nothing to her and she did not need to acknowledge it.

"Ginny?" Go away, she thought furiously, go away and leave me alone!

"Ginny where are you?" Blaise was kissing her neck and she ran her fingers through his soft hair.

"GINNY?"

She backed away from Blaise, whispering, "I'm so sorry, I have to go," He grabbed her hand pulling her back.

"Meet me by the willow, tonight, at twelve," He murmured. She nodded quickly, straightening her dress and smoothing her amber locks before ducking out of the little alcove, leaving him behind. He smiled bitterly, rubbing the lip gloss from his mouth and running his fingers through his hair. Had he just made a date with a Weasley?

"Ginny?" Harry called, fearing she had left without him.

"Yes, yes, I'm here,"

She was pushing her way through the crowd, trying to reach him. He held out a hand and pulled her forward, giving her a drink and saying, "Where did you go?"

"I was looking for Hermione," She said, sipping the cool liquid with relief. He grinned and threw his arm around her shoulders. Ginny flinched at his touch.

"She disappeared too," He was shouting to make himself heard over the chatter and music.

"Right," She watched Blaise emerge, and note Harry's arm. His eyes burned with a sudden flash of jealousy, and hurt she shrugged off the arm as if to say he means nothing to me.

He sauntered over to Malfoy's party, and picked up a goblet, all the while his eyes upon her.

"Ginny!" Said a flustered Hermione, Ron in tow, "Where did you go?"

"Erm, actually, well, the funny thing is, I went to go and find you," She trailed off lamely, making vague gestures.

Hermione understood.

"Well, doesn't matter now, we found you," She laughed. "Want to go?"

"Yeah," Ginny looked over at Blaise, who was laughing with some girl. "I'm tired now."

As she neared the door she glanced back at him one more time, only to meet the calculating gaze of Malfoy, who to her alarm looked from her to Blaise and then smiled.

The smile of a malicious hunter, who just discovered something helpless in his trap.