Nothing belongs to me.

XLVI: Challenge

Ginny Weasley was a challenge, all right.

Of all the challenging witches in the world, Blaise just had to pick the one that hated him the most.

Draco would have to think this one over a little.

He had spent every day of the past week hovering in the Department of magical Games and Sports. Each time he had tried to talk to the fiery vixen she told him to go away, though with more colorful language.

How the hell was he supposed to seduce the girl when she had her wand jabbed into his face (and something similar shoved up her - )? And why wasn't she caught in his spell?

If Draco Malfoy was feeling confused, it wasn't anything like the bewilderment Ginny was experiencing.

"I just don't get it!" Ginny cried to Luna, after Malfoy's seventh attempt to approach her.

They sat in a pub somewhere, Ginny seriously sauced. Luna watched her interestedly as she downed her fourth fire whiskey.

"I mean, I get that he's trying to get into my knickers, but seriously! I'd've thought after the second or third time that he'd run off to try some witch from the Accidental Magic reversal Squad or something."

"Well," said Luna, fiddling with her butterbeer cap, "maybe you should let him."

"What?" Ginny sloshed her fifth (and last) shot down her front. "Let him what exactly?"

"Seduce you." said Luna simply.

"That is a butterbeer, right?"

"Yes."

"Then I must be more sauced than I thought."

"No, Ginny," Luna reassured, patting her arm gently. "When I said you should let him seduce you, I meant you should bait him a little, show him some of what he wants. And when he takes the bait, reel him in a little, then turn him loose. Pull him back again…drive him crazy, snag him in your trap and gut him – all without losing your worm."

"Gee, Luna, you seem to know a lot about this kind of stuff." slurred Ginny.

Her friend shrugged. "Well, I don't know how it works on men, but that's how I catch Freshwater Plimpies."

Ginny pondered Luna's words to the best of her ability in her altered state.

"I think," she said slowly, "I'll take you up on that, Luna."

After all, Ginny Weasley was never one to turn down a challenge.