The next few chapters will occur over the Christmas holidays, where a lot will take place. Not sure exactly how many chapters will be holiday based as I am working with four couples, but we will see how it goes.
Chapter 11: Holiday Plans
Christmas holiday was only a few days away and everyone was deciding on what they wanted to do for it.
Since the Weasley parents were going to be visiting Charlie in Romania because he couldn't come for Christmas, Ron was invited to Hermione's while Ginny had decided to stay at school. Pansy found herself actually inviting Harry to her house for the holidays, Rashida's parents had dealings to handle in the states so she decided to stay, while Draco and Blaise tried to figure out exactly what they wanted to do.
"I don't want to go home." said Draco. "They will be having their boring ass Christmas party."
"They are having that, aren't they? You should go." said Blaise.
"Did you not hear the boring part?"
"I did. But it won't be if you invite Ginny to come with you." said Blaise in a sing song voice. "And I could come too and invite Shida."
"Shida?" asked Draco, eyebrow raised. "Since when do you nickname them?"
Blaise looked around to avoid Draco's eyes. "We have a better understanding is all"
Draco looked at his best mate, realization hitting him, causing him to laugh. "You fancy her, don't you? Like genuinely fancy her."
"Shut up, no I don't." said Blaise quickly. "We just get along better, damn. Worry about your own relationship."
"I would if Ginny and I had one, but we don't, so I'm more interested in yours." said Draco, smirking.
"I don't have one either. Haven't gotten there yet."
"So, you're actually going to make this a relationship?" asked Draco.
"How else can I get at her knickers? She isn't gonna give shit up unless I'm her boyfriend. So, I gotta do what I gotta do." said Blaise cockily, even though he felt that now starting to get familiar and stronger pull at his heart and conscience.
Draco shrugged. "Guess you're right. All of them seem to be that way. Your idea seems to have merit though. I heard she isn't going home, why don't you invite her to stay with you for the holiday and then you come over on Christmas night for the party?"
Blaise contemplated the thought. To ask her to come with him to his house would mean that he would be alone with her. For two whole weeks she would be in his house. She would also end up meeting his mother, something a conquest never got the opportunity to do. Way too intimate. But in a way, it didn't sound like a bad idea.
"I'll see what she says." said Blaise. "What about you? Weasley said his sister is staying here. You should do the same since you're suggesting shit."
"Get out of my head, I was already going to."
"No you weren't."
Draco looked at his watch as he leaned against the wall beside the Transfiguration classroom. He was waiting on the class to let out, as Ginny was in there and he happened to have a free period.
When the door opened and students started walking out, he spotted her flames amongst the small crowd. He reached in and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her over to him. Ginny laughed as she faced him. He often did that to her when he wanted to surprise her out of nowhere.
"Were you waiting on me?" she asked him.
"I'm always waiting on you, Princess." joked Draco as he took Ginny's messenger bag from her shoulder and placed it on his. A couple of passing Slytherin girls, Millicent Bulstrode and Tracey Davis scrunched up their noses at the two.
It had become clear to most of the students of Hogwarts that there was something going on between Draco and Ginny. Most were just shocked to see them acting like friends, but a lot of them, especially the female population, was extremely irate and had it in their minds that they were dating.
Draco had only had two girlfriends in his life. He dated Pansy for six months back in 4th year and only because his father suggested it. The two eventually saw that neither of them were into each other, so they broke up mutually. He also dated a Ravenclaw girl for a few months in his 5th year, however, his conquest with Lavender Brown ruined that relationship.
With the way Draco was brought up, one would think he would be an ideal boyfriend. Both parents taught him the importance of being a gentleman, being chivalrous, kind, generous of his feelings and time, with his mother instilling good morals into him. His father, however, soap taught him how to manipulate to get what you want and to not waste time being tied down to one woman, despite the fact that his mother had Lucius on an extremely tight leash.
Draco knew the game and very much how to play it. The only problem was that Ginny seemed to know a few games of her own.
"So what are you doing for your holidays?" asked Draco as the two walked nowhere in particular.
"My parents are visiting my older brother , so I'm going to stay here." said Ginny. "I would have gone to Luna's, but I don't fancy seeing her and Neville snog the whole time. They got together you know."
"Yeah, I've seen them around. Didn't know Lovegood had it in her."
"Losing one's innocence must bring it out of you I guess."
Draco smirked. 'Maybe this holiday, you'll find out.' he thought to himself.
"Well, how about you come to my house for the holidays?" sideways Draco.
Ginny stopped walking. "Did I hear you correctly?" she asked.
"I believe you heard me just fine."
"Me? A Weasley? In Malfoy Manor? Your father would be so thrilled." said Ginny sarcastically.
"Hang my father. I can invite whomever I want. Besides, I already wrote to my mother and she says that she is excited to meet you and your welcome at my home." said Draco, which was indeed true. He had Snape floo over his letter to hear for a quick answer earlier that afternoon.
Ginny found herself blushing. " You told your mum about me?"
Draco shrugged as if it was no big deal. "Of course. We are friends after all."
Ginny couldn't for the life of herself figure out why the word friend made her a bit disappointed. "Yeah, friends." she said, trying not to show it.
Draco sensed it however, and it made him think of the bet. Technically, the only thing he was supposed to do was get a date by Valentine's Day. He would be able to achieve that if she would agree to be his date for the party, but still he wanted more.
Of course, from the start he desired her, and now that he had gotten closer, that desire grew. But something else was growing as well. Something that was not supposed to be there at all. Something that would mess this whole situation up.
"There's gonna be a party Christmas night." he said. "It's usually boring with a bunch of pureblood stiffs who suck the fun right out of the room. Pansy, Zabini, and Nott are planning on coming though and I also invited your brother, should make it fun. I'll just have to keep Granger and Potter away from my father as I know they will be their dates."
"Sounds dreadful." joked Ginny.
"It is. Usually, after the part that I'm obligated to be at, my friends and I just go to my room and socialize or drink or play games or something. But, during the part where I have no choice but to be there, do you wanna be my date?"
Ginny was surprised, and somewhat irritated. First he seems to reiterate their friendship and now he wanted her to be his date?
"What are you playing at?" she asked Draco suspiciously.
Draco seemed taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"First you hit on me like a prat, then we are friends, then you act like you actually like me, then we are just friends again, and now you're asking me to be your date? You're fucking confusing!" yelled Ginny, not knowing why she even truly cared.
Draco couldn't understand why he cared either. This was all supposed to be a stupid bet, why were things getting so deep?
"Gin, you got to know that I do like you. You're the one who hates my guts, remember?" said Draco.
Ginny looked down as she twisted her foot back and forth while playing with a strand of her hair. She didn't know why she felt so venerable. "I don't hate you." she said in a soft voice.
Draco tilted his head and body low so he could look into Ginny's eyes. "You have a funny way of showing it, love." he said playfully, making Ginny smile.
She didn't know why all of a sudden she was feeling the things she was for this person. She know full well his intent, so why was she actually starting to feel more than she should? She could never give him a real chance. She had to stick to the plan. It was too late. She was going to teach him a lesson he wouldn't forget.
"I'll be your date, and then we will see how things go. And I'd love to spend the holidays with you." she said in her most sweetest and convincing voice.
"Really?" said Draco, perking up.
"Really."
Draco nodded, smile plastered on his face. "I knew you couldn't resist me." he said lightly touching her cheek.
"Oh shut up."
Later on Blaise had asked Rashida the same thing. Though everything inside her told her no, she said yes anyways. She didn't want to be alone at the castle, plus this would be a great way to gain more insight on Blaise and his world.
Rashida had changed tactic with her planning. She no longer wanted revenge. Instead, she wanted Blaise yo actually learn something. She wanted him to learn to treat women as more than just objects and learn to open himself up for the possibility of real love and affection. He couldn't live his life thinking that people were out to just use him. No one should ever feel like that.
Three days until break. They all had a lot of planning to do.
