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Envy and Manipulations	By : rrabbit Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Ginny Views: 8376 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters from it.... therefore I do not receive any payment for this writing.

Chapter List
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"Do I look okay?" I ask seriously as I pat down my hair. I let Luna curl it before we came and I'm a little self conscious about it. Luna has a way of making simple things look ridiculous.

"You look fine," she says seriously before trying to smooth out the crinkles on her yellow top. "Do I look alright?"

I spare her a little glance. "You always look nice," I admit with envy and she shakes her head with a small smile on her face, clearly not believing me. "We don't have to go," I tell her as we stand outside, ready to Apparate with that piece of paper in my hand. "We could just stay in and eat pizza or something."

"You said that Pansy was nice to you," she says and I nod my head. "Maybe she's not as bad as she seems. We should at least give her the benefit of the doubt, right?"

"I'm just a little nervous," I admit out loud and Luna squeezes my arm.

"If we get there and have a bad feeling about it… we'll just leave, alright?"

"Do you remember the code word?" I ask and she nods her head.

"Whiplash," she answers and I nod. "If you want to leave, just say that word and we're gone."

Luna has always been braver than I am… I think the sorting hat must have a made a mistake with us. I nod my head and she holds onto my arm as I apparate us to the Yellow Springs address. The house before us is magnificent. It's a large three story pale yellow house with white woodwork and a slanted roof. I have never seen so many balconies or such a well put together landscape as the one before us and I feel my heart pummel in my chest.

"Oh my," Luna says as she looks around her at the well manicured lawn.

Oh my, indeed.

"I didn't think people actually lived like this," she says softly as she looks back at the large, beautiful, dream house.

"Are we still doing this?" I ask nervously and she takes my hand as we walk up the stairs to the wraparound porch. There's a wind chime and it whistles with our approach as the floor boards of the porch creak under our feed. Once at the door, I gently lift my hand, ignoring the nervous flutter in my stomach as I knock. "Ginny," Luna whispers and I glance at her as she points to a rather posh and decorative looking door bell.

Oh.

I press it, hearing the bell signal in the inside. I run a hand through my hair once again and pray that this is the right house as footsteps approach. A tall man with a thick mustache and combed back hair answers the door and I raise my brows as he eyes us over. He has to be in his late forties and he's wearing a casual linen shirt and slacks.

"Hi," I say nervously.

"I take it you're here for Pansy," he says in a dismissive tone. I nod my head as he takes a glass of wine from one of the side tables and takes a sip from it. "She's down at the dock with the others. Just walk around back and use the red gate."

He closes the door and I send an odd look to Luna before doing as he says and following the path he had indicated. The sun has set and it's already dark outside, but they have fairy lights leading the way along the bricks and I smile at them as we walk. It looks so pretty. I hear music playing loudly from a radio and I see a small fire down the hill that makes my stomach twist nervously. When we get to the red gate that leads down to the lake, I stop for a moment and decide whether I want to do this. I look back up at the huge house… what would I even talk about with these people anyways? This was a mistake… a stupid mistake that I dragged Luna to and I already regret…

"Ginny? Is that you?" I snap my head up when I see someone walking up from the other side of the gate. Pansy smiles as she approaches and when she notices Luna behind me, I see that smile falter the slightest bit. "You brought someone," she says flatly as she opens the gate so we can pass through it.

"Yeah, I hope you don't mind," I say as I put my hand on the back of my neck because I'm nervous to be around new people. New people who are wealthy and have a reputation for being mean, that is. "This is Luna Lovegood," I introduce her politely and Luna holds out her hand to shake, but Pansy eyes it coolly before plastering a fake smile on her face and shaking her head .

"Sorry, my hands are dirty. I've been down in the sand," she says, offering up an excuse as Luna slowly retracts her hand with a blush playing on her fair cheeks. "Come on down. Just about everyone is here," she says as she makes a motion for us to follow her down the walk way. "Is that all you brought?" she inquires while nodding to my attire. I'm wearing what I usually wear… jean shorts and a tank top.

I nod my head and tug on the bottom of the top as she eyes me. "Yeah…"

"I have extra blankets and stuff," she assures me. "It gets cold once the sun sets by the water."

"Oh, I didn't even realize," I say as she falls into step beside me, not giving Luna enough room to join us. I look over my shoulder and Luna gives me an encouraging smile. "You're house is beautiful," I tell her to break the ice and she smirks at me.

"I know, right?" is all she says and I furrow my brows as I look away. That wasn't the answer I was expecting exactly.

"Was that your father who answered the door for us?" Luna asks in her soft voice as we continue to walk down the stone steps towards the dock.

"Yes, it was," she sighs like she was bored. "He wasn't thrilled that I was having people over tonight, but I usually get my way in the end anyways," she smiles at me and I give her an uncomfortable smile back.

"You have his nose," Luna says and I close my eyes at the gaffe as Pansy stops walking and turns around.

"What does that mean?"

I know her nose has to be a sensitive subject. She's beautiful despite the turn upped shape, but I know that's the first thing someone points out when they're fighting her and want to hurt her feelings. It's the only imperfect thing on her perfect body. I guess that's why I like it so much.

"She didn't mean anything bad," I say to rectify the situation because I can see Pansy's eyes narrow at the totally oblivious Luna. "She just meant that you look like your Dad a little."

"Is that what you meant?" Pansy asks in that bitchy voice I'm so used to hearing from her. I swallow hard and give Luna a distressed look.

"Of course," Luna says with a confused tilt of her head and Pansy surveys her for a second before nodding her head and turning around.

"Come on then," she states dryly and we follow her all the way down to the sand part of the lake, where a group of people are sitting around a small fire on logs and lawn chairs, drinking out of plastic cups. "Okay, people!" Pansy says as we approach. Her disposition seems sunny and agreeable once again as she turns down the radio. "Time for introductions." She puts her hand on my arm and pulls me forward. I'm almost relieved to see that it's just a group of girls.

"Starting on the right," she says as she points to the girl with honey blonde hair and a pouty pink mouth. "This is Daphne, beside her is Felicity, sitting in the chair is Astoria," Astoria is in my grade as well. She's the blonde's little sister and they look so similar that they could be twins. "You know Ivy," she says as she points to her kid sister, whose black hair is tied up in a severe looking pony tail. Her eyes take me in with icy indifference as she downs the contents of her plastic cup. I shudder and turn away from her. "Sandra, Alex, Melinda," she's just pointing at girls now, girls that I barely remember seeing at school in the hallways. "Cho," she says pointing to Cho Chang, and I blush, not able to look her in the eyes because the last time I saw her I had caught her doing something gross with Malfoy in a closet. "And this is Millie," she says as she finishes with the girl sitting to my left.

My eyes widen when I realize who that thin and beautiful girl named Millie is. Millicent Bulstrode was always an unfortunate looking girl with mousey brown hair and large square shoulders that made her look like an adult male quidditch player. She was bigger than most boys in the school by the time she was fourteen, heavy set as well as tall, and I always felt a little bit bad for her… but now… she most definitely had some charms and work done. Her jaw is more feminine, her nose no longer has that haggish bump. She still looks tall, but she's slim like a model and her hair looks fuller somehow, more rich. I know it's her though. I can tell by her dark eyes. She's sneering at me now just like she sneered at me when she looked like a man.

"Ginny this is everyone," Pansy says with that serpentine smile. "Everyone, this is Ginny," she glances at me and then at Luna at my side. "And her friend," she adds dismissively and I send an apologetic look to Luna who merely shrugs her small shoulders. "Well, take a seat then. Daphne, move over so Ginny can sit beside you."

Daphne with her honey blonde hair sighs loudly and she gives me a pageant winning smile as I take a seat beside her on the log. Luna follows as well and scrunches in beside me and the girl introduced as Felicity. Felicity makes a face before getting off the log and moving to the other side by Millicent who has yet to stop staring daggers at me.

"Do you want something to drink, Ginny?" Pansy asks as she walks over to a blue cooler in the sand and she takes out a red plastic cup from the package. I look at Daphne as she holds up her cup and she tilts it to me so I can see inside. I sniff it and shake my head.

"Is it alcohol?" I ask, sounding a bit like a child. Pansy laughs a little and nods her head. I feel very un-cool right now. "No, I'm okay."

"How about some lemonade, then?" she asks and I lick my lips before nodding my head. Lemonade is safe… lemonade is good.

She reaches into the cooler and pulls out a glass bottle, unscrewing the lid and handing it to me after getting one for Luna as well. "Here you go," she says with a smirk as she hands me the drink. I thank her as she hands one to Luna as well. "And Laura too," she adds and I take a sip from the Lemonade. It doesn't taste right… but I've never had fancy lemonade from a bottle so I ignore it.

"Her name is Luna," I correct her and she nods her head.

"Of course," she says as she sits down on one of the vacant chairs. "Luna."

It is getting a bit chilly out here in the dark, so I grab a blanket from behind me and pull it around my shoulders, sharing it with Luna after she gives me an envious look. I smile at her as I fold the blanket around her shoulders as well and I take another careful sip of the odd tasting Lemonade as the girls start talking again.

"When are the boys coming?" Millicent asks in a huff after she decided she was done glaring at me. I uncomfortably start pulling off the label of my bottle just so I have something to do with my hands. "I'm getting bored."

Boys… does that mean like Blaise and Draco… are those their boys? I shudder to think.

"Millie, you slut," Pansy says and the girls giggle as she checks her watch. "I don't know when they're coming. It depends on the card game and how drunk they all get."

"I bet you're hoping Zabini will show up. Right?" Ivy says, eyeing her older sister with mirth shining in her eyes. "Don't think I didn't hear you last night. If Dad heard you he would have had a fit."

Pansy shrugs her shoulders and downs her drink. "What can I say? He has magic fingers."

I make a face as the others laugh. "Are you dating Blaise?" I ask after taking another large sip from the odd tasting drink.

"Well, kind of in a way I guess," she says with a delicate shrug as her sister smirks at her. "I mean… it's not official, but he makes it worth it if you know what I mean."

I smile with the others. "Yeah," I agree even though I have no idea what she's talking about.

"How do you like working for people at the Hills, Weasley? Do you like being the help?" Millicent asks hatefully and I see Pansy shoot her a warning look as I take another drink and try not to rise to her bait. "Do you like it?" she softens the question as I cough uncomfortably into my hand.

"I don't mind it," I say with a shrug, trying to be normal. "I like making my own money," I say. There are blank stares all across the board. I cough again before taking another drink. "Do any of you have jobs or anything?" I ask softly as I glance around me, finally settling on Daphne as she stares at me with wide blue eyes.

"I work for my Dad sometimes," Pansy shrugs and Ivy laughs.

"You do not," she scoffs.

"I have a job," Daphne says after some deep thought and I give her a curious look as she nods her head.

"Beauty pageants do not count as work," Her little sister Astoria says with an eye roll and I find myself smiling at her inflamed look.

"They do too!" she snaps as she sits forward so she can glare at her sister. "I work hard and when I win I get money and all that kind of stuff. So that counts as a job."

"I think that counts," I tell her and she smiles a wide beautiful smile at me.

"See, Ginny thinks so," she says and I smile because I'm glad I said something right. Beside me, Luna is reading the label on her bottle of lemonade, and she nudges my shoulder but I ignore her as Pansy starts speaking to me again.

"So what do you do with the money?" she asks seriously and I frown, remembering when Draco asked me that same question. "Do you help pay the bills or something?"

I narrow my eyes because I think she's making fun of me and when she sees it she shakes her head.

"I didn't say that to be a bitch," she says quickly and I let anger ebb away when I realize she's being genuine. "I was just curious, is all."

"It's okay," I say before finishing off the rest of my bottle. Another one is handed to me by Daphne and I smile at her as I twist off the top. "I'm actually saving all of the money for a writing retreat next summer," I tell her and she nods her head as if she's really listening.

"Ginny…" I hear Luna whisper, but I ignore her because I'm still talking.

"They have real writers there to teach workshops and everything," I say, excited as I think about it. I even sit up a bit straighter. "Winters is going to be there," I tell Pansy and she smiles as I grin at her. Why am I grinning? "It should be a good time."

"That does sound interesting," Millicent says sarcastically and because I feel odd and brave I glare right back at her.

"It is interesting," I snap as I take another gulp of the lemonade.

"Ginny," Luna says and I spin my head to her because she keeps on tugging on my arm. "Whiplash," she says the code word for us to leave and I furrow my brows. Why should we leave?

I tilt my head to the side. "I feel fine," I tell her as I turn back to the girls who are talking to themselves again. In fact, I feel great. My cheeks feel warm and my hands are tingling. I just want to keep drinking, so I take another drink and then another until the second bottle is down.

I'm starting to get hot so I push the blanket off of me as I take another bottle that's handed to me. I take another drink and laugh at whatever Ivy just said and she gives me an odd look. "Light weight," she mutters as Luna tugs on my arm.

"Stop tugging on me," I tell her as I pull away from her.

"Whiplash," she says through gritted teeth and I shake my head.

"No, I want to stay."

"That's good!" Pansy laughs as she sits forward again. "Ginny, come sit by me," she says as she scoots over in her chair and pats the spot beside her.

I stand up and the world spins as I walk towards her. I trip over my own feet and barely catch myself before Cho stands up and grabs me before I fall onto my face.

"Thanks," I say loudly and then I pat her shoulder as I stand up straight. "If I had money with me I would give you some," I tell her, remembering her words from before and everyone laughs as I take a seat beside Pansy, who I have decided that I like.

"What are you going to do after you graduate?" I blurt out before she can say anything and she lifts her brows. "I can't wait to go to College," I admit seriously and then I smile at her. "What school are you going to go to?"

She shrugs. "I'm not sure yet. I think I might go to Black. My mother and father both went there, so I'm a shoo in," she says with a smile and I smile back.

"Black is an amazing college," I say with a head nod. "I would love to go there if I could afford it." I can't believe I said that out loud, but my tongue feels loose now and I just feel like saying everything on my mind.

"So you are definitely going to school after Hogwarts?" she says, eyeing me. I nod my head. "That's good," she says.

"I'm so bored," Millicent whines and I look at her as she groans. "Let's play a game or something."

"I agree," Daphne says and then she claps her hands. "Oh, I know. Let's play never have I ever."

"How do you play that?" I ask as I look at Luna who is looking steadily into the fire with the blanket wrapped around her… she looks kind of like a white haired bat.

I snort in laughter and Pansy looks at me oddly before explaining the game. "You put five fingers up and when it's your turn, you have to say a sexual thing that you've never done. If someone has done it, they have to put down their finger. The person who runs out of fingers loses and they have to do a dare at the end."

"Oh," I say. I think I just might win this game, actually.

"Put your fingers up," Daphne says gleefully as we all put our fingers up, but Luna who is still staring at the fire. I should ask her what's wrong… "I'll go first." My attention shifts from my friend to the girl beside her. "Never have I ever….. had sex on a boat," she says and Pansy groans as she puts her finger down.

I give her a judging look and she nudges me. "It was fun," she defends.

"Luna, it's you turn," I say as all the girls eye her coolly and she shakes her head.

"I'm not playing," she whispers and I furrow my brows.

"My turn then!" Astoria says as she bites the corner of her lip. "Never have I ever….Oh this is a good one," she says with a wicked smile. "Never have I ever had sex," she says. Everyone else puts their finger down but me and her. She smiles at me. "Yay for virginity," she says and I laugh.

"Never have I ever…" Ivy starts as she purses her lips and looks into the fire as she thinks about it. "Never have I ever let a guy put his thing in my… " she wiggles her eyebrows and I'm confused.

"In my what?" Millicent asks sharply, annoyed with the vagueness.

"You know in my… back door," she says and I can't help but laugh at that. Honestly! I look around for anyone to put their finger down to that one and then Daphne Greengrass, out of all people, covers her face and puts down a finger to a chorus of laughs and disapproving sounds.

"Who and when?" Pansy asks disbelievingly as Daphne peaks at us from between her fingers like she was embarrassed.

"Roy," she says with a sigh as she lowers her hand. "Last summer. He talked me into it."

"Roy? As in pool boy Roy?" Ivy says in disgust.

Roy. I think I may know him. He manages the pool at the club. I widen my eyes. He's like thirty something. "Roy who works at the club?" I ask and she nods her head in shame.

"He's really hot, alright," she says in a defensive tone. "And he bought me alcohol while I was underage, I felt like I owed him," she says to more laughs as Pansy mutters something about jail bait. "It's not a pleasant experience. I wouldn't recommend it."

"Point taken," Pansy says as she takes another drink from her glass. That Felicity girl goes next.

"Never have I ever been fingered in public…"

It went on like that for a while and when it was my turn my 'Never have I Evers' were greatly tame considering the perverted things that were coming out of some of these girls mouths. I learned a lot of interesting things and some of the stuff I wasn't even totally sure what they were talking about. I was having fun, though. Everyone just assumed I was a Tom Boy who liked to play quidditch, but I liked being a girl and having that kind of companionship too. Being around this group was something totally new to me. They were all so open and honest and the sex stuff they were talking about was intriguing to me because that was something I was never exposed to in casual conversations with my other friends. They weren't like Hermione, who was embarrassed just to think about kissing a boy, and they weren't like Luna who's never crushed on anything in her life. They were the kind of girlfriends I always wanted to have.

It was safe to say that towards the end of the game I had every one of my fingers left while a few of the girls were barely holding on to one. Even Cho… not that I was surprised after seeing her in that closet with Malfoy…

"Alright my turn," Pansy says once it looped around to her again. I hear people coming down the walkway, but I ignore the voices as Pansy looks at my fingers, all of them still securely in place. "Never have I ever kissed Harry Potter," she says, watching my hand. I raise my eyebrows and shake my head as Cho makes a groaning noise.

"Crap," she says sadly as she puts down her finger. "I lose."

"What was it like kissing the boy wonder?" Millicent asks from her spot as she flicks her manicured fingers against her plastic cup.

"It wasn't very good, actually," she says and I feel a fire in my chest because I want to defend him. Cho knows how mean these girls are to him… they could make fun of him for this. Even though I liked them now… I knew they didn't like Harry. "It was sloppy and he was so weird about it. I'm glad I decided not to date him."

"Harry's a great kisser," I find myself saying and everyone looks at me.

"You didn't put your finger down," Pansy points out and I frown as I put my hand down.

"I lied. Harry is the best kisser." I don't know why I'm even defending him after listening to him with Hermione and Ron in the garden… I just didn't want other people to think bad things about him.

"What else did you lie about?" Millicent says, raising her eyebrow as she looks at my fingers.

I clench my jaw together, not wanting to dig myself deeper when I hear a deep and dominant voice sound from behind me.

"You said you weren't dating him." I look over my shoulder quickly at that voice and my cheeks heat more than before to see Draco standing there with his arms crossed over a black zip up hoodie.

"Blaise!" Pansy stands up and runs over to Zabini who's digging something out of a cooler they brought. There are about five guys with them and I stand up and match his stance because I don't want to be at a disadvantage.

"Well?" he says icily and I narrow my eyes. Again, why is it his business?

"I'm not dating him," I say stiffly. I don't want to seem like too much of a liar. After all, I already told him I wasn't. "You don't have to be dating someone to kiss them," I snap, feeling braver and more loosely lipped than I've ever been.

"Too true," I hear a girl say behind me as Draco unfolds his arms and walks closer to me. He looks into my eyes, focusing intently on me before smirking.

"You're lying," he says flatly.

"No, I'm not."

"Draco, can I talk to you for a moment," Cho comes out of nowhere and puts her hand on his arm. He gives her an irritated glance before glaring at me.

"In a minute," he tells her. "Say that you're lying," he says and I crinkle my nose at him. I hate he's demanding me again. It just irks me.

"I'm not lying," I tell him haughtily.

"Tell me you're lying," he demands once again, but Cho tugs on his arm once more, breaking his eye contact. "Will you just wait for one bloody moment," he snaps at her before looking back at me, but I'm already over it as I walk over to Luna and plop down beside her.

Draco's still glaring at me as I turn to her. "I think I'm ready to leave now," I tell her and she glances at me over her blanket cocoon.

"So now you're ready to leave," she snaps and I sigh.

"I know. I'm sorry. I was having fun for a second there."

"Of course you were," she says as she picks up her bottle and shows me the label. "You're drunk."

"What?" I grab the bottle and squint down at it, trying to read it in the darkness.

"Its Alcoholic lemonade, Ginny," she spells it out for me as I frown. "That's why you were having such a good time."

I put my hand on my forehead as the girls get up to mingle with the newly arrived boys. "I'm so stupid," I say to myself and it sounds slurred. She shakes her head.

"She knew you didn't want to drink," she says as she glances at Pansy who's flirting with Zabini. "But she gave it to you anyway."

"I should have known though," I say, feeling embarrassed for how idiotic I am. "It's on the label. She didn't do it on purpose," I say and she gives me a hard look before turning away.

"Maybe you're right. Anyways, I want to go home too. Let's go before it gets too late," she says as she stands and lets the blanket fall to the ground. I stand as well and the world spins again as I hold onto Luna for support. "Have you ever drank, Ginny?" she asks as she holds me up and I shake my head. "Great…" she whispers.

"Wait," I say as we start walking away. "We should say goodbye."

I go to walk back to the group, but Luna tugs on me. "You can see goodbye another time. I just want to go home."

I nod my head and follow her as she tugs me along to the concrete steps so we can go back towards the house. "I'm sorry I'm such a terrible friend," I mutter to her. I should have just left when she said whiplash. That was the deal.

It seems to be hitting me all at once, though, and I sway on my feet as I try not to trip.

"Luna," I say softly as my head spins and my mouth waters. "Stop walking," I say with blurry eyes as I stop in my tracks and lean on her for support again midway up the stairs. "I think I'm going too…" I gag, but try to swallow it. "I think I'm going to…"

"Puke…" Luna says as I do just that all over her shoes. She sighs in disgust as I fall to my knees. I've never felt this terrible before. I feel like there's something inside of me squeezing my insides until every last drop I have in there is out.

I hear footsteps approach and I clench my eyes shut in embarrassment at being found this way as Luna holds back my hair.

"She's never drank before," I hear Luna explain to whoever it is as my eyes water and my stomach convulses into dry heaves. I'm sure I look attractive.

Just wonderful.

"Take her inside and clean her off," I hear that deep dominate voice again and I grown when I realize it's him witnessing this. "Pansy, do it now," he snaps.

"Come on," Pansy says and I feel the hand that was holding up my hair get tugged away. "You have puke all over you shoes. Draco will make sure she's okay."

"But…" I hear Luna say as she's pulled away and I get up on my hands and knees. I have no idea why. I'm just trying to deaden the pain as a large hand touches my back.

"It's not fun, is it?" he says and I shake my head as I start to cry. It's starting to hurt. I don't want to throw up anymore.

"I feel like I'm dying." I say with a hoarse voice before swallowing hard.

"Have you really never drunk alcohol before?" he asks curiously as he places something over my shoulders. Why is he being so nice to me?

Where did Luna go?

I shake my head. "I didn't know it was alcohol," I cry as I bring my hand up to wipe away tears. "I'm stupid," I state harshly. "Where's Luna… I need Luna." I go to sit back on my knees but another onslaught of stomach convulses stops me as my mouth waters and tries to expel things from an empty stomach. "I hate this."

I sit back again and tug on the sleeves of the hoodie he put on me. Is this his? I shake my head and zip it up and I glance up at him as he kneels beside me. He looks all handsome in a white button down and slacks. I look at my own self and then the puke puddle in front of me and I start crying again, pissed off that he had to see me like this.

"You think I'm trash," I ramble on between sobs as I remember his last fight with my brother on the platform. I'm just pulling out random things now and I can't stop myself.

"No," is all he says as he puts his hand on my arm as if too pull me up, but I don't want to move just yet, so I hold my place. "Let's go to the boat house. I can get you a glass of water and there's a bed. You can lie down," he explains and I shake my head.

"No, you're mean."

"Am I being mean to you right now?" he snaps at me, trying to pull me up again, but I fall into his chest. Suddenly I have this overwhelming desire to be held so I make him fall back by climbing onto his lap and straddling his waist with my knees digging into the concrete. I feel like a child as I wrap my arms around his neck and I lay my head on his shoulder as I sniffle into his shirt, his zip up hoodie keeping me warm as I act like a complete idiot.

That shirt probably costs more than my whole house… that just makes me cry harder.

"This was a terrible idea," I hear him whisper against my ear as I hold onto him tighter and let him clamp his arms around me.

I'm just sitting here by a puke puddle holding onto to Draco Malfoy for dear life like an orphaned child. Just another typical Thursday night for me. God, he smells good… and I must smell like… I glance at the puke puddle and then close my eyes. Freaking figures.

"Don't make fun of me," I whisper against his neck. I can't handle it. I'm too sick right now and I know I've given him enough ammunition to make me miserable for life. "Please don't make fun of me."

I feel one of his hands come up to my hair. "I won't," is all he says as he tries to stand up. I refuse to let go. What in the hell am I doing? "Do you really want me to carry you?" he snaps in annoyance and I try to pretend I'm not holding him as I rock back and forth to sooth myself some more. "Fuck," he hisses as he puts his hands on my hips to push me away. "Don't do that." I pull back and look at him in the darkness, his eyes… he looks deadly. "If you know what's good for you, you will not rub against me like that again."

I gulp and nod my head as I start to climb off of him. I hate myself right now. What's wrong with me? If this is what happens when you drink.. I will never ever drink again. My eyes feel heavy as I move away from him and the puddle and I put my head down on the grass, letting it cool my aching head.

"I just want to lay here for a second," I tell him when I hear him get up. He bends down to me again and grabs my arm like he wants to pull me up. "I just want to lay here…"

I barely felt him picking me up, but when I finally opened my eyes again, the sun was shining and I was in a strange bed.

I sit up quickly and then yelp in protest as I grab my head with both hands. I've never felt pain like this. I feel like I'm running into a brick wall repeatedly as loud badly tuned music plays in the back ground. I blink hard a few times and then look around me. I'm in a small room on a loft bed. There's a large half circle window to the right of me and I look at it… there's the lake… I must still be at Pansy's.

I let my feet dangle off of the side of the bed as I put my head down and try to make it not hurt anymore. I bring my hands up to my forehead and clench my eyes shut to deaden the pressure because it kind of feels like my brain is bleeding. I pull the sleeves over my hand and then give a second take to the sweat shirt I'm wearing. This isn't mine, this isn't my house… My parents… I have to get home! Wait… I told them I was staying the night at Luna's… I should be fine… Where's Luna?

The door to the little room opens and I snap my head up as Malfoy walks into the room, holding a glass of water and a vial of gold liquid. I cross my arms and look down, trying to wake up to be more alert.

"How are you feeling?" he asks seriously as he walks over to me and hands me the glass of water. I blush in shame as I remember what happened last night and I gulp it down quickly. I didn't realize how thirsty I was until now. "Do you have a headache?" he asks flatly and I nod my head after I wipe off my mouth with the back of my hand. "Here." He hands me the vial and I eye it suspiciously.

"What is this?" I ask. My voice sounds thick and scratchy. I cough and take another drink to try to make it normal again.

"It's for your hangover," he explains and I toy with it for a few moments before he sighs and uncorks the lid for me. "It's not poison. Drink it," he demands.

I furrow my brows at his forceful tone and I want to snap back at him… but he was nice to me last night and perhaps he's not as bad as I thought. I eye it for a second before throwing my head back and downing the whole thing. It tastes bad, but I don't die right away, so that's always good.

"Where's Luna?" I ask as Draco takes the glass away from me and puts it on the table. I look out of the window again.

"She went home," he says dismissively as the potion starts working. My brain doesn't feel like it's ramming into a brick wall anymore. I'd say that's an improvement.

"She just left me?" I say, feeling hurt by it. She just left me here with him. Wait…. Where did he sleep? I send a panicked look down to my shorts and sigh that they're still on. After playing Never Have I Ever with his friends, I could expect the worst.

"You were passed out. There was no reason for her to stay," he says in that no nonsense voice of his. I frown again as he turns to me and walks towards the bed. Like I mentioned before it's a loft bed and it comes up to his chest. "Pansy told her she would take you home."

"Oh." My next question of course was going to be 'where is Pansy,' but he surprised me by putting his hands on either side of my body so my knees were pressed against his chest.

He is way too close to me and I widen my eyes a fraction as he stars me down with unreadable sliver eyes. I try to scoot back, but there isn't much room on the small bed and my legs are trapped between him and the wooden frame. "If this is what's going to happen when you drink by yourself, I don't want you to do it." Is he just demanding me to do something? I lift my brows as his piercing eyes look right into mine. He looks so serious. "Do you understand?"

"I didn't know it as alcohol," I try to defend myself. I have no idea why.

"Do you understand?" he repeats slowly and I find my eyes narrowing. I might kick him… I'm thinking about kicking him.

"No, I don't understand," I snap as he grips the covers. "You can't tell me what to do. If I want to drink and throw up everywhere than I can because..."

"Shut up," he snaps, spoiling my rant and I feel my temper in flame. I even sit up a bit straighter.

"Knock knock," Pansy peaks her head into the room and smirks as Draco slides back, letting his hands fall to give me space once more as she comes in further. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"You're not," I state dryly as Malfoy gives me a dirty look. I glare.

"I brought you a change of clothes," she says, laying a skirt and blouse on the bed. "And also some tooth paste and a spare tooth brush." She looks me over as she places a pink tooth brush on top of the mattress. "It looks like you need it."

"What time is it?" I ask as I hop off the bed.

"It's twelve," she replies.

"Twelve?" I say in surprise. "I have to be at work in half an hour," I add, panicked. "Where's the bathroom?"

"Just call in sick," she says as she points to a door on the other side of the room and I run towards it after grabbing the tooth brush and paste. I make haste washing my face and brushing my teeth. Someone knocks on the door and I make a noise to signal them to come in as I spit into the basin and dry my face off with the towel. "Just call in," Pansy repeats as she leans against the door frame with her arms crossed.

"I can't." I say as I shake my head. I need the money, but I don't want her to know that.

"We should hang out again," she says as she walks over to me and stands behind me so she's looking at my reflection. "I know last night was kind of a bust, but we're going shopping tonight. I think you should come."

"Maybe," I say with a shrug even though I know I'm not going. "I work until five thirty though."

She puts some hair over my shoulders and smiles as she starts braiding it. "We'll see," she says with a shrug and then her dark eyes find mine in the mirror again. "You should thank Draco for taking care of you," she states seriously and I look down at the sink. Why would she say that? Does she think I have no manners? Wait, should I even consider saying thank you to him after all the demanding he was doing to me a minute ago. He told me to shut up! "It was very kind of him to take care of you last night like he did. He doesn't just do that for anyone," she says against my ear as she smiles at me and I frown.

"Why is he being so nice to me?" I whisper, almost afraid of the answer. That whole humiliation fear is coming back to me and I can't shake it.

"He's not all bad, you know," she says in that sweet voice of hers as her fingers run through my hair. "And you have gotten quite lovely."

"He told me to shut up," I comment spitefully and she laughs.

"He says that to everyone. You must have said something he didn't like."

Like that makes it right.

I inhale deeply and then put the spare tooth brush down on the sink ledge. "I better go. I have to go home and change before I leave for work."

"Alright," she says with a smile as she steps back so I can walk out of the bathroom.

Malfoy isn't in the odd little bedroom and I grab my wand before carefully leaving the room, stepping over other passed out bodies cuddled up against each other as I try to find the front door. I pass a living room looking place on my way out and I stop a moment when I catch Draco's head of blond hair. He's sitting in one of the chairs with his legs crossed on his knee as he reads the news paper. I glance at the hoodie I'm still wearing and I carefully unzip it and fold it over my arm.

I remember my manners and stare at him until he looks at me.

"Hey," I say and he raises an eyebrow as I put his hoodie over the arm of one of the chairs. "Thanks for… you know…" I say and he nods his head before dismissing me by going back down to his paper.

Okay then. That was simple enough. I leave, not bothering to say anything else. I look behind me as I walk up the walkway towards the main house and realize I was sleeping in the boat house. A boat house that's bigger and better furnished than my own home, actually. I shake it off and run towards the Apparation point. When I get home, I run past my Mom and her questioning gaze as I go to my room and strip out of my clothes. When I'm in my bra and panties, I take a strand of my hair and sniff it.

Ugh. I have to take a shower. I smell horrible. I gather up all of my clothes and scurry to the bathroom still in my knickers.

"Jesus Christ Ginny!" Ron scolds as I run past him and Harry. I hear something hit the wall, but I'm far too busy right now to be embarrassed or concerned with them. "Put some clothes on! Harry can see!" he says as I make it to the bathroom.

I'm still upset with the whole 'annoying' comment so I glare at him as I open the bathroom door. "Honestly, Ron," I snap at him as Harry tries to look away. "It's just like a bathing suit."

I take the quickest shower of my life and I don't even bother to dry my hair as I run out of the house, putting my heels on as I stumble along the side walk towards the Apparation gate. When I get to the club, I run up the stairs three at a time because I'm late and I know Del is going to tear me apart.

"Gin!" I ignore the person yelling my name as I continue to run. "Gin, I have your bag!"

I stop. My notebook. I look over my shoulder as Luna jogs to keep up with me in her waitressing uniform. She hands me my duffle bag and I sigh because I had forgotten that I left it at her house. "Thanks," I say out of breath as I sling it over my shoulder.

"No problem. Did you make it home okay?"

I glare at her. "Yes, thanks for leaving me," I tell her hotly and she tilts her head the side.

"They told me…"

"It doesn't matter," I say as I walk towards my station. "I'm late. I'll see you after work."

"Our usual spot?" She calls after me and I wave my hand.

"Yeah, yeah," I say as I run towards the cloak check out.

Without fail, there's Del, standing in front of the counter with Nadia looking sympathetic behind her. "You're late again," she says sternly and I tug at my wet hair, putting it in a quick bun as I try to think up a reason.

"I'm sorry," I end up saying as I let my hands fall to my sides. "I lost track of time."

"One more time and don't even bother coming in, Ginevra," she says and I nod my head. "I run a tight ship here."

"Yes, Del," I whisper and she gives me one more look before walking off.

"I'm sorry, Ginny," Nadia says as I go behind the counter and I put my duffle bag down. "I tried to tell her you were in the bathroom but she insisted on staying and waiting for you."

"It's okay," I say with a shrug. "I was late. I deserve her wraith," I state fairly as I smooth out my dress.

"You're hair is still wet," she says as she eyes me. I sigh.

"I know," I tell her as I walk to the counter and nervously fiddle with one of the pens. "How long do you work today?"

"Until three," she says. "They're having some kind of luncheon so they thought it would busy. That's why we're overlapping so much today. I think Mrs. Carl is coming in later to finish up."

I rarely ever see Mrs. Carl. She's a very old woman with arthritis who works here only when she feels like it. "That should be fun," I say softly.

"She always asks me when I'm getting married," Nadia says as she takes a cloth and starts wiping off the counter. "She's really a prudish old bat."

I shrug as I start cleaning things up as well, just to avoid talking to her. I find Nadia extremely boring.

"Nadie!" One of the creeper old men walks up with a wide grin on his face. "I'm so glad to see you working today. I've missed you the past two weeks."

"Hello, Mr. Smith," she says with a smile and then her eyes slide to mine. "Ginny is working today as well."

I've never seen a man look as put out as he does. Why does it bother him so much that I'm working as well? "So… no special service today?" he asks like a child and I'm confused so I look at Nadia's profile as she blushes.

"Perhaps later," she says quickly as she takes his gulf clubs. She walks them to the lockers and takes the tip he gives her after she hands him his ticket.

"Later," he confirms before walking away with disappointment littering each step.

"What was that all about?" I ask curiously as she flicks some hair over her shoulder. "What does 'special service' mean?"

She gives me a look before turning and putting her full attention on me. "Sometimes you can make a lot of money here, Ginny," she says and I furrow my brows as she shakes her head like I was stupid for not understanding. "Nevermind. How's your family?"

Family. That's always safe waters. We barely spoke to each other as we worked. Every once and a while she would tell me a story about one of her kids but that was typically the extent of our conversation until Mrs. Carl came in to take over for her. Mrs. Carl was even more boring than Nadia if that was possible and I was counting every second on the ticking clock until I could go home. When that time finally came, I ran out of there like a bat out of hell, slinging my bag over my shoulder and day dreaming about the nap I was going to take once I get home.

I start heading towards the back entrance to meet up with Luna, but Pansy and Daphne Greengrass fall into my line of vision from the opposite side of the hall. I stop walking when I see them and toy with the strap of my bag as I try to decide what to do. Should I pretend I don't see them and slip away? I don't want to go shopping with them today and I'm really looking forward to taking a nap. Daphne is waving me down as she grabs onto Pansy's hand to get my attention and I know that plan isn't going to happen.

"Ginny! We thought we missed you," she says once she's close enough. "I've never been back here before," she says as she looks around the hallway and then back at me with bright eyes. "Do you like my outfit?" she asks as she grabs the fabric with her slim fingers. "I'm trying out the bohemian chic look this week."

"Yeah," I say as I look her over. She looks well rested with her honey blond hair in loose curls down her back and a leather head band around her head like a girl from the seventies. She's wearing a white peasant dress with cowboy boots and long beaded jewelry. Bohemian chic, I guess. "It looks nice."

She gives me an awkward hug and I lift my shoulders to slink out of it. "What are… " I look at Pansy. She's wearing a more modern take on fashion with a skin tight navy dress with a bold orchid print. "What are you guys doing back here?" I ask as I step back and look around. This is the employee exit, they shouldn't be here.

"I told you we're going shopping," Pansy answers as she takes my hand and starts dragging me the opposite way of the exit I was going to take.

"We're going out tonight," Daphne says as she reaches into her small purple purse and takes out some lip gloss. She reapplies it on her fuller than natural lips as we walk. "We need good outfits."

"You know, I'm kind of tired. I should go home," I say as I try to pull back but they gather on both sides of me and grab both of my arms.

"Of course, you have to come. I know the perfect little boutique that would fit your style perfectly," Daphne says as she smiles over my head at Pansy.

"You'll love it," Pansy affirms and I shake my head.

"I told Luna I'd meet her out back," I say looking over my shoulder at the exit that keeps on getting further and further away.

"I don't think she'll mind if you leave with us," Pansy adds, looking at me with perfectly sculpted eyebrows. "She didn't mind leaving you last night."

I think on that for a second. She's right of course. Luna did just leave me with people I barely knew… and with Draco Malfoy of all people!

"Well, I need to tell my Mom…."

"Okay, let's floo her then," she says as we walk towards the main hall of the building. I rarely see the foyer of the main hall and I had nearly forgotten how beautiful it was. She pulls me towards the front desk and taps the bell on the counter. "We need to use a fireplace, please," Pansy says to the man that approaches.

"Okay right this way, Miss Parkinson." I follow them towards the official fireplace rimmed with marble and I watch as the man turns the knob on the side of it to turn it on. Daphne grabs a handful of floo powder and she gives it to me with a bright smile.

"Go on then," she says as I throw the powder into the flames and I stick my head in as I say my parents address.

"Mom?" I call as I look into my parent's living room through the green flames.

"Ginny?" I hear Ron say around a mouth full of food as he walks over to the fire place and kneels down with a chicken leg in his right hand. "What are you doing?"

"Will you tell Mom and Dad that I'm going shopping with some friends?"

"Friends?" he says as he chomps into the chicken and I make a disgusted face at it. Does he ever stop eating? "Who are you going with?"

"No one you need to be concerned about," I snap, angry that he had to question that I even had friends. "Just tell them I'll be home later."

"But wait…" he says but I pull out before he can speak to me anymore. He just annoys me.

"So?" Pansy asks as she leans on her toes. "What did they say?"

I fake a smile. "I can go," I tell her and Daphne claps her hands as I stand up and clean myself of the soot from the fireplace.

"Ginevra, is that you?" I hear Del's stern voice and I reluctantly turn around. "What are you doing out here? You know you're not allowed…"

"She's with us," Daphne says as she takes my arm and smiles at my very hard looking boss.

"My shift is over," I explain as Del looks down at me with unreadable dark eyes.

"Employees are not allowed to use the front fireplaces…. There are some in the break room you could use if you wish to."

My cheeks burn and Pansy crosses her arms. "She's with us," she repeats Daphne's words with a dark brow lifted. "And since I'm a paying patron I can bring whoever I want to whatever I want. Come on, Ginny," Pansy says as she pulls me away. She sends a look down to Del's wrist. For the first time since I started working here I noticed she was wearing a yellow ribbon. The way Pansy was looking at it… at her… it made me feel bad and I tried to convey my feelings through my expression but Del looked as hard as ever as I let myself get pulled away.

"This is going to be so fun!" Daphne sings as we go outside.

I send one more look over my shoulder at Del as she stands in the doorway. She has her arms crossed and she looks mad and…. Worried?

How strange.

"Try this on."

Daphne throws another dress over the changing wall and I sigh as it lands on my head. I pull it off and stare at the size on the tag.

"Daphne," I throw it back. "I can't fit into something that small. Stop giving me such little sizes." I'm not like you, I want to add.

"Well, you don't look that big," she says and I roll my eyes as I tug on the tank top she had forced me to try. It's yellow and it looks terrible against my skin tone.

"Here, I found the perfect thing!" Pansy throws a gray dress over the wall and I pull it back to get a good look at it. It's some type of jersey knit, so it won't be as freaking tight as the things Daphne has been giving me.

It's a soft gray color in the back and the front is made up of silver shimmering beads. I kind of like it actually. I tug off the other clothes and slide it over my head until my arms slide through the sleeves. I tug it into place and then I look at the mirror. I actually don't hate it. Of course, it's way shorter than I would have liked but I thought it was fun.

"Let's see it," Pansy says and I carefully open the door and step out. The loud music from the shop beats loudly in the background as I walk over to the three way mirror at the end of the hall with Daphne and Pansy eyeing me.

"What do you think?" I ask self consciously as I check myself out from every angle. I've never just tried on clothes with girls before. Of course, I only had brothers and Hermione and Luna… well…. They aren't that type of girl really. I was starting to feel normal.

"It's hot," Daphne says as she walks over to me with a few silver bangles in her hand. She puts them around my wrist and smirks at the mirror. "Bring the shoes," she says to Pansy.

Pansy comes up holding sky high black leather booties that have studs on them and I shake my head. "I can't wear those," I say as she places them by my feet. "I'll fall over."

"Just try them on," Pansy says with a sigh as I slip my feet into them. "It completes the look."

I turn around and look over my shoulder. It makes my legs and back look… great.

"Oh, it's very rocker chic," Daphne says with a smile as I turn back around and eye myself while fingering the beads on the dress. "You must get it and wear it tonight, Ginny. You just must."

"I don't know," I say as I reach under my arm and I pull out the price tag to have a look. My mouth dries up and I shake my head. "I don't really like it that much," I lie because I cannot spend that much money on one article of clothing.

"Daphne, will you go pick out some earrings?" Pansy says lightly, but her eyes stay trained on my face. Daphne flutters out of the room and Pansy forces me to look at her by continuing to stare at me.

"You look great in the dress, Ginny," she says seriously. "If you can't…. " she shakes her head and then she smiles. "Let me get it for you as a new friend gift."

My ears burn again… just like they did when Harry bought me the ice cream cone. "No, don't do that… I don't know if I like it that much, is all," I say as I look back at the mirror. The more I deny myself the more I find myself wanting it.

Maybe I could get it. I haven't spent any money this summer and I could ask Del to give me some more hours to make up for it….and if I do go anywhere with these girls tonight I know the clothes that I do have won't really work. What could it hurt?

"No," I say with a head shake and then I smile at Pansy. It's going to feel good to buy something I actually want for a change because I can afford it where my parent never could. "I think I'm going to get it," I tell her as I walk back to the changing room to grab my duffle bag that has my unused gringotts card.

"Just wear it out," Pansy says as I close the door to the changing room. "We won't have much time to get ready before we leave for Herme's."

"What is Herme's?" I ask curiously as I kick off the shoes and slide the bangles from my wrist. I look at the price on the bottom of the shoes and pale once more. How can shoes cost that much?

"It's a cool little club in London," she answers as I slide on the clunky black heels I use for work.

"Will I be able to get in?" I ask worriedly. I'm not of age yet and most clubs card now.

I hear her scoff as I sling my bag over my shoulder. "Of course you will. I've been going since I was fifteen and I was never denied."

"Okay," I say as I walk out with the dress still on and my Gringotts card firmly in my hand. "Let's go then."

I've never spent so much on one thing before and I was kind of nervous about it as I took off the tag and handed it to the cashier. I nearly fainted as I swiped the card and imagined the amount being taken out of my account. I held my breath as I signed the receipt and once the transaction was finished and the dress was officially mine I felt…. I felt… good.

I just bought something with my own money. Something that was nice and expensive from a cool shop with cool people and loud music. I feel pretty cool myself. I find a smile on my face as Daphne and I walk out of the shop. Pansy stays back and when she comes back out, she has a shopping bag in her hand.

"Oh what did you get?" Daphne asks as she tries to grab the bag, but Pansy pulls it away and hands it to me.

"A new friendship present," she says as I take it from her. I give her an odd look as I open the bag and see the box for the leather high heeled booties that went so well with the outfit.

"Pansy…" I say with a head shake as my throat becomes tight. These cost more than the dress did. "I can't accept this."

I try to hand it back but she pushes it at my chest. "Come on, Ginny. You needed them for the outfit. Just think of it as an early birthday present or something."

I feel my eyes water despite of myself and I try to hide it. "Thank you," I say sincerely as I grip the bag in my hands.

"Now, don't get all sappy on me," she says as Daphne squeezes my hand.

When we got back to Pansy's house to get ready, I thought about flooing my parents again to let them know what I was doing… but I just couldn't. I knew my Mom would make me tell her the truth and then I would have to come home once they knew my plans of going to a club. I didn't want to deal with it. Pansy's room of course was magnificent, with a large bed covered in plush pillows and the most comfortable looking blanket. Her room even has a sitting room attached to it and a walk in closet that was organized by color and function… she even has a closet for shoes… Shoes… can you imagine that?

I would roll my eyes at it if I wasn't in so much awe. Pansy did my hair and Daphne did my make up before they got ready for the evening and when I looked at myself in the mirror I barely recognized my reflection. I looked like a girl. Not like a little girl with chubby cheeks with an annoying crush on Harry Potter, but I looked like a girl just turning into a woman and I was pleased with the effect. I stared at myself in the mirror for a majority of the time as Pansy and Daphne got ready, marveling at the makeup and the hair that the two had given me so effortlessly. I'm going to have to make them show me how to do it.

"Ready to go?" Pansy asks as she stuffs her wand into a small velvet clutch and she winks at me as I nod my head. "Let's roll then."

I have never been to a club, so when I was pulled into the large building with the colored lights and revolving dance floor, I stopped and just stared for a few seconds before Daphne snapped me out of my trance. The place was packed and I kept on rubbing up against people as Pansy took my hand and walked us through the maze of bodies towards the tall tables on the second floor. This club seemed pretty dark as well, with loud bumping music that thumped my heart and made my ears ring with each step. I saw Millicent Bulstrode in a tight sexy dress and one of the other girls from last night holding a table for us. I tried not to look disappointed as they waved us down.

"Thanks for saving us seats, Millie," Pansy says as we approach the table.

Millicent takes one look at me and sighs. "Whatever," she replies with a shrug and Pansy narrows her eyes.

"What's got into you tonight?" Pansy asks. I want to listen to this fight, but Daphne grabs my arm.

"Oh, do see that man right there, Ginny," she says as she points to the middle aged bartender with a dragon tattoo on his neck.

"Yes, what about him?" I ask as Pansy and Millicent continue to bicker with each other out of the corner of my eye.

"Oh, isn't he to die for," she asks as she bounces on her toes. The bartender in question looks up in our direction and she waves at him. "He gives me free drinks all the time," she says with a smile after he smirks at her before going back to mixing a drink. "I'm going to go see what time he gets off tonight. Do you want to come with me?"

"Um…" I look at all the people down there I'd have to walk through. "No, I think I'll stay right here."

"Okay," she says as she watches him. "I'll be right back." She hands me a small silver purse. "Watch this for me will you?" she asks as she fixes her hair and rearranges her breasts before walking towards the steps so she can get to him.

"Stop it!" Pansy hisses and I turn back to their conversation once Daphne is out of view. "Just stop talking."

"No," Millicent says with a dangerous scowl on her face. "I don't understand why we have to go out of our way when this was all Draco's—"

"Shut the fuck up," Pansy seethes and Millicent narrows her eyes even more. "Stop talking or I'll shove your drink down your throat."

I feel really uncomfortable right about now.

"Really?" Millicent sneers as Pansy clenches her fist. "Isn't that what your Mom does after she's done taking a hit," she says and Pansy inhales quickly. Apparently a line had been crossed because even the other friend who was sitting at the table let her eyes go wide. "Does she even know who you are anymore?"

Pansy flares her nostrils and I'm waiting for her to say something back… or even throw a punch. But she doesn't. Instead she picks up her clutch and spins on her heels after sending Millicent the dirtiest look in the book. Then she walks away. Millicent's dark eyes turn to mine and she levels me with a hateful glare as I grip Daphne's purse.

"What makes you so special?" she snaps and I don't even bother to answer as I go to look for Pansy.

I find her in the bathroom, trying to fix her makeup with a tissue. I step inside and carefully walk up to the counter. I watch her reflection in the mirror as she dabs the eyeliner from under her eyes. It looks like she's been crying and I bite the corner of my lip as I walk closer.

"Are you alright?" I ask softly and she jumps before exhaling slowly once she realizes it's me.

"Yes, I'm fine," she says shortly as she throws the tissue away and she starts washing her hands. "I'm sorry I left you with that troll… I would have killed her if she stayed a second longer."

"What she said really upset you," I point out. I had seen Pansy get in many fights where she dished out some cruel words and I've seen her take the worst of it… but I had never seen her look so sad or so human as she does right now.

"Of course it did," she says tiredly as she tries her hands on a paper towel. "That whore knows my Mom is in rehab," she spits out and then she sighs as she looks at me in the mirror. "She's turned into such a bitch since she stopped being fat."

I snort at that… the flat way she said it just seemed funny to me and the corner of her lips turned up as I smiled.

"Are you ready to dance," she says after a few seconds of silence. She throws away the paper towel and then takes my hand again as she starts walking out of the bathroom. "I am ready to dance."

She pulls me to the dance floor and she immediately starts getting into the rhythm of the music. I'm not half as lucky. I had never just danced like this before and I tried not to be awkward at it. I just kept on copying what Pansy was doing until eventually I found my niche. I was rolling my hips and moving my arms… and I was having a lot of fun doing it. I look at Pansy and smile until I feel hands on my hips and someone grinding up against my back.

I stiffen and look over my shoulder at whoever decided to invade my personal dancing space. It was a guy, a very cute dark haired guy in fact, and he smirks at me as I raise my eyebrows.

"Charles," he says in greeting and I smile.

"Ginny," I answer and I start dancing again until Pansy notices.

She makes a face and comes closer to me and my new dance partner. Then she taps his shoulder and makes a shooing motion with her hand. "Off limits," she tells him and I give her a strange look as she glares at him. "Go away." He doesn't move right away and Pansy takes my arm to pull me behind her, away from Charles. "Go on. Go find someone else."

He shakes his head before walking off and when Pansy turns towards me, I raise an eyebrow. "What was that?" I ask as she starts dancing again.

"What was what?" she asks breathlessly as she moves to the music.

I stop dancing and cross my arms. "Off limits?" I repeat with a laugh. "I thought he was cute."

"He wasn't cute. I was saving you," she says like I was silly. "Besides, tonight is girl's night."

"Tell that to Daphne," I laugh as I point to the bar where Daphne is sitting on the counter, letting the bartender take a shot from between her breasts.

"Well…." Pansy trails off and then she laughs as she looks at me. "There is only so much we can do for that one," she says with a smile.

"But that guy is so old," I say in fake disgust and Pansy smirks as she takes a strand of my hair and she twists it in between her fingers.

"Oh, Ginny," she sighs. "You're so innocent."

"You'd be surprised," I joke and she grins.

"I love surprises," she says before we start dancing again.

By the end of the night I decided that I liked Pansy and Daphne very much, and I was glad that I had added a few more friends to my arsenal.

I didn't get home until one o'clock in the morning, though.

I was waiting for the yells and disappointed looks of my parents as soon as I got back, but they weren't up. In fact the house was surprisingly bare and I smirked at that fact as I walked through the house in the darkness. I carefully creep up the stairs and once I reach the comfort of my own bedroom I fall down onto the mattress and smile up at the ceiling as I remember the music and the dancing and the beautiful people at the club. I let my duffle bag hit the floor as I smirk into the darkness.

The light clicks on and I jump up in a panic, thinking my parents are going to ambush me this way, but it's just Hermione standing there, with her arms crossed like she was angry. I forgot she was sleeping in my room and I sigh as I sit on the edge of the bed to unzip the expensive shoes.

"Where have you been?" she asks with an arched eyebrow as she takes in my dress and her eyes linger on the sky high shoes. "And why are you dressed like that?"

"I've been out," I say with a shrug as I slide the shoes off. "Are my parents going to kill me tomorrow?" I ask seriously as she unfolds her arms and stares at me like I was a stranger.

She sighs and sits down on her cot. "No," she says tiredly. "After you talked to Ron he jumbled out something about friends. I figured you were staying with Luna again so I told them that." She eyes my new dress and shoes again. "Have you been staying with Luna?"

"I went to a club tonight," I tell her as I sit up straight, ignoring her question because I know my answer would just upset her. "A real club… There was dancing and everything."

"You had fun?" she says and I nod my head as I think about the music and Daphne and Pansy.

"Yes, I had a lot of fun."

"That's good… I'm glad you had a good time…. But don't you think you are a little young to be out at a club until one in the morning?" she asks, crossing her arms again and I shake my head as I stand up and go to my closet to pick out some pj's.

"I'm tired," is all I say before leaving her there to take a shower. When I get back into the room, the light is off and she's laying on her cot. I know she's not asleep, but I don't bother saying anything as I crawl into my bed and slide under my covers.

I smile as I stare at the wall and I fall asleep with the music from the club still thumping in my ears.

"Ginny…" I groan and pull the pillow out from under my head so I can over my ears. "Gin, wake up. Your Mom said you had to get up now."

"Just a few more minutes," I mumble tiredly as I yawn against my sheet.

I nearly scream when Hermione yanks the blankets off of me and I find it in me to move the pillow and glare at her.

"It is one o'clock in the afternoon," she says, trying not to laugh as I rub sleep from my eyes. "You're Mom said to wake you up or she was going to take you to St. Mungo's for being in a coma."

"Whatever," I mumble as I stand up from the warm bed and stretch my body out, still yawning and still trying to hold onto sleep.

"Whatever," Hermione repeats with a head shake as I trudge to my closet to pick out clothes for the day. "We have chores to do today."

I groan again as I change and I take my time going down the stairs, with Hermione trailing behind me, looking amused. "I'm glad you decided to join the living, Ginny," my Mom says when I reach the kitchen. I grab an orange and start peeling it as I sit at the table. "We have a lot of things to do today so don't get comfortable."

"But it's my day off," I whine as I glare at her.

"Everyone who stays here does chores," she says and I narrow my eyes. "You know that."

"Dad doesn't do chores because he works… I'm the only other person here with a job. Why is he getting special treatment," I spit out and she gives me one of her best Mother glares before I sigh in defeat. "Fine," I snap tiredly as I eat the orange quickly and wash my hands of the stickiness. "What torture must I endure today?"

"I let you sleep in today," she says in answer to my tone. "There is no need to be hateful."

"What do you want me to do?" I ask, trying to keep the attitude from my voice as Hermione picks up a wash cloth so she can dry the dishes my Mom is washing.

She glances at the clock. "You're brother and Harry are doing yard work right now," she says as she looks out the window that's located above the sink. "Why don't you bring them something to drink and then you can start cleaning the living room."

"Fine," I sigh as I walk over to the fridge and I start scanning the selection. We have lemonade…. I shake off the thought of the alcoholic lemonade I drank that made me act like such an idiot and I pull the pitcher out as Hermione walks towards me with two glasses. "Are you coming with me?" I ask and she nods her head as she puts a few ice cubes in each glass. I pour some lemonade into each.

"I need a break," she whispers as she sends a look to my mother. "I've been in this kitchen all day."

"She's a real bear sometimes, isn't she?" I whisper back and she laughs as we start walking towards the back door, once outside we start walking around the back where Hermione said that Ron and Harry were doing the work my dictator of a Mom assigned them.

"Oh…" Hermione stops walking and I glance at her before following her line of vision. My brother has his shirt off and he's tucked it into his back pocket as he tries to dislodge a large stick that looks stuck in the blades of the lawn mower.

"Fuck," I hear him sigh in frustration as he stands up and kicks the machine with his foot.

"Oh, my," Hermione blushes and she looks at me with wide eyes.

It's gross because it's my brother, but I understand so I give her an encouraging smile.

"Here," I tell her as I hand her one of the glasses and nudge her shoulder. "Have fun with that."

She nods her head and starts walking over to my brother with purposeful steps. "I doubt kicking it helps much, Ron," she says and I watch as he glares at her.

"Where's Harry?" I ask because I don't want to sit through this awkward sexual tension that's between the two of them any longer then I have to.

"He's mowing down by the garden," Ron answers.

I don't even bother saying anything else as I start walking that way. My Mom has been growing her own vegetables for a while now and she has a small garden at the bottom of our hill where the soil is the richest. That's where I find Harry, wearing a pair of jeans and a Gryffindor t-shirt that has the sleeves cut off. I've seen him practice Quidditch in that shirt more than one time and I smile at him when he finally notices me. He stops the mower and he takes off his work gloves before running his fingers through his messy hair. He's sweating, so the sweat makes his hair hold that ridiculous pose longer than it normally would have.

"Are you thirsty?" I ask as I approach.

He puts the work gloves in his pocket and nods his head. "It's so bloody hot out today," he says tiredly as I hand him the ice cold drink. He tilts his head back to take a drink and ends up downing the whole thing in a matter of seconds. When he's done, he makes a sighing sound before wiping off his mouth with the back of his hand. "Thank you, Gin," he says and I smile again as I take the glass from him. "I really needed that."

"You're welcome," I tell him. He has a few blades of glass on his face and I look at them as takes off his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. "You have…." He looks at me and I give him a gentle smile again. "There's some grass on your face," I tell him as I lift my hand to brush them away with my fingers. "Got it," I whisper as he looks down at me.

"Thank you," he says again in a whisper as I let my fingers linger on his face. He's looking down at me so intently now and I stare at his lips as I bring my hand down to his shoulder. I wish he would kiss me. This would just be so perfect if he would just kiss me. I keep on staring at him, tilting my head back a little to give him an open invitation, but then he steps back and puts his glasses on quickly as he goes to the stupid freaking lawn mower, making my hand drop. "I have a lot to get done still," he says awkwardly as I stare at his profile in disappointment. "Thanks again, Ginny."

"My Mom wanted me to bring it to you," I snap, disappointed and upset by the slight. "It wasn't my idea so thank her," I say before turning on my heels and stomping back towards the house.

"Are you alright?" Mom asks as I walk back into the house.

"I'm fine," I answer heatedly as I stomp into the living room to clean.

I go into the kitchen half an hour later for a late lunch and I refuse to look at Harry as I glare down at my sandwich. Hermione finishes first and she retires to my bedroom to finish reading a book and Harry awkwardly leaves the table as well, muttering something about chess…. Leaving me, my mother, and Ron around the table, barely even looking at each other.

I spend the rest of the day trying to avoid him and trying not to feel like the biggest fool for putting myself in a hurtful situation like that. Harry doesn't like me, and I don't like him. I've decided that and it's final… at least… if I keep thinking it I hope it will be soon because I hate feeling this way.

Right after dinner, Hermione, Ron, and Harry disappear again for one of their secret meetings in Ron's room and that inflames my temper as well. Later that night when Hermione creeps back into my room… I pretend to be asleep when she whispers my name.

"Who is that outside?" Ron asks as he looks out the kitchen window. I put my stupid sandwich down and go over to him to look as well and I smile when I see Pansy and Daphne outside of the gate, both on bicycles.

"Wait a minute," I tell them as I run outside to great my new friends. "What are you guys doing here?" I ask as I approach. It's been two days since the whole clubbing thing and I was beginning to fear I was never going to hear from them again.

Daphne gets off of her bike and smiles at me. "We were going to come up and knock, but your wards wouldn't let us," she says as she taps the gate for proof. "We're going on a bike trip today and wanted you to come."

I look at Pansy in her green plaid capri's and pastel colored polo shirt as she pushes her sunglasses up to stare at my house. I blush in embarrassment as I look at it to. It's so sad looking compared to her lake house.

"Let me get dressed first," I say quickly as I run inside, trying not to feel ashamed because of how poor my family is. Daphne had her hair in braids and she was wearing a simple cotton sun dress. They both looked posh and pretty so I dig through my closet until I find a tennis style dress that my Mom had made me last year. I put it on and smooth down the collar as I grab a pair of my white trainers because I don't want to look out of place next to them. I already put my hair up in a high pony tail this morning for work and I look at myself in the mirror for a few seconds before grabbing one of the blue ribbons I usually tie around my wrist for work. I tie it in a bow in my hair and then smile at my reflection. Preppy and posh. I run down the stairs two at a time.

"I'll be back Mom!" I yell, but she calls me back before I can leave.

"Ginny, perhaps you should invite Hermione to go with you," she says with a pointed look.

"Why?" I ask because I know there is no way Hermione could come with us. "She never asks me to go when she hangs out with Harry and Ron," I snap back and my Mom only shakes her head in disappointment as I leave the house.

I shouldn't feel bad about it. I have my own friends now... just like Ron wanted.

I go to the shed to get my own bike out and I groan when I see it. I don't remember it looking this childish. It's pink, a glittering pink in fact, with a white wicker basket attached to the front… but the kicker is the pink and white streamers that fly out from the handle bars. Wonderful. I start to roll it out of the shed, but the back tire is flat, so I dig through some of my Dad's muggle things until I find the air pump. As I'm pumping air into the flat, the door to the shed opens and I squint against the light as Ron comes in looking cross like usual.

"You're not really going to go with them, are you?" he asks and I glare down at the tire as I pump more air into it.

"So what if I am?" I ask spitefully, already on the defensive. A part of me knew he wouldn't be happy when he found out about my new friendship, and I was ready for it. "They're my friends."

"Since when?" He asks with his hands on his hips.

"Since I decided I liked them," I tell him harshly and he blinks a few times before shaking his head .

"Ginny…" he says slowly like I was stupid. He lets his arms drop and he approaches me as I put the pump down. The tire is full now. "Those girls…. Parkinson and Greengrass… they're mean girls, Ginny. They're going to eat you alive."

"You don't even know them," I say as I stand up straight and put my hands on the handle bars so I can steer it away from this shed and from my irritating older brother. "They're actually quite nice."

"They're not being nice to you because they like you," he says sympathetically like I was some idiot who wouldn't know real affection. "Why are you even hanging out with them? How do you know them?"

I shrug. "I started talking to Pansy at work… we just decided to hang out is all."

"You just decided," he says with a head shake. "That just doesn't happen that way, Ginny. They have to have an alternative motive planned. I know it."

"Is it so unbelievable that people might actually like me?" I ask, my cheeks heating up and he narrows his eyes.

"They're probably only hanging out with you to hurt Harry," he says and I give him a hateful look as I go to pass by him, but he puts his foot in front of the tire before I can get outside. "You're like a sister to him. They're probably going to hurt you to get to him."

Little sister. Hmf. "Not everything is about Harry Potter!" I yell as I stomp on his foot.

When he jumps back I take the opportunity to bolt out of the shed with my brows furrowed in anger and my shoulder bent down on the defense. Jerk face.

"Ginny!" he calls after me as I approach my friends with stiff and angry steps. "Ginny!"

"Leave me alone!" I yell over my shoulder and when I turn back to Daphne and Pansy they both are eyeing me with raised eyebrows as I unlatch the gate and walk my bike out.

"Everything alright?" Pansy asks carefully as I fume about the conversation with my idiot of a brother.

"Yes, it's fine," I answer as I swing my leg over the seat and I pull the skirt of my dress down a bit more to cover my modesty.

"Oh, Ginny," Daphne says with a smile, oblivious to my anger. "I love your bike!" she looks at it longingly and then back at her own blue mountain bike. "It's pink and everything. Pansy, look," she says as she nods to her friend. "It sparkles!"

"That's enough of that," Pansy snaps as she jumps on her bike and kicks up the kick stand. "Follow me, Gin."

I kick off and started pedaling after her. I wasn't as stable at first, but I eventually got my bearings. I don't think I've been on a bike since…. Since I was twelve maybe but it felt good to ride once again. I had no idea where we were going, so I let Pansy and Daphne lead as we followed the dirt roads through my village and the small forest on the outskirts of it all. When we headed towards Yellow Springs I figured we were probably going to ride through her neighborhood.

"So, do you like anyone, Ginny?" Pansy asks casually as we enter the very secluded part of Yellow Springs surrounded by large trees and winding roads.

"What do you mean?" I ask as we pass by the first house. It's a large white mansion with a tennis court. I shake my head and turn away.

"Boys," she says with a laugh as Daphne weaves back and forth a head of us. "Do you have a crush on anyone?"

I shrug as I think of Harry and my decision not to like him anymore. A decision that I've always struggled with but I think of the way he had rejected me before and I narrow my eyes. "Not really."

"Not really? Does that leave room for possibility?" she pushes forward, eyeing me critically. "You dated Dean Thomas recently, haven't you?"

"Uh, yeah," I say, because I didn't think she would even know that. "But that didn't last long. We just didn't like each other like that."

She nods her head and turns back to the road as we pass more large houses and Daphne points to one as we ride by it. "That's Zabini's," she calls back to us and I look at the house in interest. "Do you want to see if he's home right now, Pans?" Daphne asks as she swirls her bike around so she can fall into line beside us again.

"Not right now," Pansy says, but I did notice her look over her shoulder at the house before we turned down another road.

"Do you all have summer houses here?" I ask uncomfortably.

"Just about," Pansy answers. "There are only a few of us who don't."

"Me included," Daphne smiles at me as she raises one hand.

"But we're always staying at each other's places so it really doesn't matter," she finishes.

We keep riding, but when we get towards a large wrought iron gate, I stop my bike and stare at the house safe on the other side of it. "That," I say as I rest my feet on the ground in front of the gate. "Is a beautiful house," I finish as Daphne and Pansy stop their bikes beside mine as well. It's large like the other ones, but this lake house was huge, with green shutters and large windows that surrounded the whole front of it. There was also a large concrete fountain in the middle of the walk around in front of the house. It was nearly breath taking.

"You should see Malfoy Manor," Pansy smirks from my side. "It's ten times as grand as this."

"This is Draco's?" I ask softly and she nods her head.

Figures the biggest and most beautiful house belongs to the Malfoys. Life is not fair.

Suddenly, there was a pop behind us and we all turned around to see Draco Malfoy standing there, wearing a well fitted black suit and tie.

When he saw us, he removed his sunglasses and lifted a brow. "What are you doing?" he asks as he puts his wand in his pocket and walks towards the gate. We move our bikes to let him through and I put my head down. Still afraid of him and still embarrassed about what happened the last time I saw him.

"Ginny was just admiring your home," Pansy says smugly as she smiles at him. I blush. "Were you at the ministry?" she asks curiously as he punches a few numbers into the combination on the gate.

He nods.

"Alright, well we won't keep you," they share a look before his eyes slide to mine. I look away quickly. "See you later," she says as she takes off on her bike.

"Bye, Draco!" Daphne sings before taking off as well.

I follow suit and I put my feet on the pedals to follow, but they took off so quickly and my bike is messing up. It feels like something has a hold of my handle bars and I fight with it for a few yards before I lose control and I end up falling off of it with the heavy bike landing on top of me.

"Ow," I whine as I kick the bike to the side. I look around for Pansy and Daphne but they're nowhere in sight. I hiss as I look down at my knee. It's all scuffed up and bleeding and there is dirt and small pebbles sticking to it. "Oh, ow," I repeat as my eyes water.

I blow on it to make it feel better and I try not to cry before standing up to find my friends. "Are you alright?" A shadow falls over me and I sigh at my helpless situation once again.

"I'm fine," I say as I wipe my tears away. I pick up my bike and hiss again when my hurt knee burns.

"Come inside with me," he says and I look at him. "I'll heal it."

"No," I say stiffly as I start walking the bike along the road. I just need to walk it off. That's it.

"Why not?" he snaps in irritation and I glare at him.

"Because I'm fine."

"You're being stubborn," he says. "Come inside."

Again with the demands. I ignore him, and just keep on walking, until it hurts too much to handle and I just close my eyes and inhale deeply as I try not to focus on the pain. Where did Pansy and Daphne go?

"Come inside with me," he says and I look at him again in his smart suit and silver eyes. "I won't offer again."

I look around me once more. I have no idea where I am really or how to get back and my knee really does hurt. "Alright," I tell him stiffly, angry that I agreed. "But make it fast."

He walks over to the gate and pushes it open so I can walk through. "You're welcome," he says as I set my bike against the fountain's edge and wait for him to open his front door.

I try not to look at anything on the inside because I know I'll just fall in love with it and feel bad about my own life, so I ignore everything as I follow him into the kitchen. There's a breakfast nook on the right side of the room and he takes his jacket off and sets it on one of the chairs before patting the top of the table.

"Take a seat," he says as he rolls up his sleeves and walks over to one of the many oak wood cabinets. I obey and hop on the table as I look around me. There's some home decorating magazine on the table beside me so I take that and flip it open so I have something to while he does whatever it is he's doing. "You're awfully trusting," he says as he pulls out two bottles. I glance at him. "To just come into my house like this. I could kill you and no one would know."

I open my mouth for a reply to that, but I can't say anything as he walks towards me and scoots a chair out so it's right in front of me.

"Luckily for you," he says as he takes a seat and grabs my ankle to pull it to his lap. "Those aren't my intentions," he adds as he unties my tennis shoe and slips it off my foot. He looks down at my toes before glancing at me. "You have such delicate looking feet," he notices before loosening his tie and picking up one of the bottles.

He uncorks the lid and dabs a little bit of the liquid onto a rag and then he puts his hand on the back of my knee to pull my leg more towards him. "This is going to hurt for a moment," he says. When he goes to put the cloth to my skin, I block him with my hand and shake my head. "What?" he snaps with a frown.

"I don't…." I clear my throat and push his hand back. "I can do it."

"No," is all he says as he holds my gaze with his intense eyes. "Do you trust me?"

"No," I answer honestly and he smirks.

"That's probably best," he says as he grabs my knee again. "Come on," he coaxes. "Be a good girl and let Daddy fix it."

Oh, that's not right. I shake my head, but I let him do it anyway and I yelp when as the liquid burns my wound.

"It only hurts for a moment," he says as he cleans off the blood and debris that was still clinging to my skin. "This makes sure that you won't get infected."

I watch him as he works and I stop wanting to cry after the pain goes away. Draco has long beautiful fingers that look confident with each movement and I work my way up to his face as he puts the other potion on the cut to officially seal it. His hair is shorter now than I remember it being and it falls over his brows as he works. He has a straight nose, a narrow jaw, and clear skin with a faint blush to his cheeks. Something happens, I realize my heart is racing, and my eyes widen in horror. Oh my god, Malfoy is good looking.

That thought actually disturbs me more than anything.

Once my knee is healed he looks up at me, his silver eyes searching and then he smirks as he stands up. I pull down my dress to cover my knickers as I stare up at him.

"All better?" he asks as he looks down at me with darkened eyes.

"All better," I confirm as my heart beat starts hammering so hard I can feel it in my ears. "Thanks," I whisper as he steps closer to me so he's resting in between my knees. This is all wrong. "I should go…" I trail off when I look at him.

He's staring at me again, in that intense surveying look that he had in his eyes the first time I saw him at Folks Hills. I'm not sure I like it. He brings a hand up and I nearly flinch as he touches a strand of hair that's dangling from my pony tail, twisting it in his fingers like it fascinated him.

"I like your ribbon," he says as he looks at the blue ribbon tied in my hair.

"Thanks," I whisper again. He is much too close to me. I need to leave right now. He uses those long fingers of his to untie the bow and I frown. "Hey, what are you doing?" I ask with a furrowed brow as he takes my ribbon and he puts it in his pocket. "That's mine."

"It's mine now," he says with a small smirk. "See how this works."

"Right," I shake my head and push him back as I slide off the table. "I'm going home."

"Hey," he says as he catches my waist and he holds me in place as I snap my eyes to his. He's touching me. Why is he touching me? "Stay," he commands before bending his head down towards mine.

Oh, my god.

I turn my head to the side quickly to dodge whatever the hell he was just trying to do and I feel his hand tighten on my waist so I push it off of me.

"What's the problem?" he asks impatiently.

"I have to go home," I tell him and he grabs my chin and forces me to look at him.

"Liar," he says after a few silent moments as I shake him off of me. I hate that he keeps on touching me. It makes me uncomfortable. "I don't appreciate lies, Ginny," he says firmly as I push his hand away.

"You're dating Cho," I try another tactic and he scoffs.

"You don't even like her."

"So?" I answer back and he raises an eyebrow before looking at my lips with darkened eyes.

"So?" he repeats. "Tell me you want me and I won't be with her anymore," he says. Now it's my turn to scoff.

"I don't want you," I tell him bravely and his eyes flare up before settling on that cold look once again.

"The way you're looking at me right now proves otherwise."

"I'm not looking at you anyway," I tell him as I push him back to give myself more room and to make an escape. I push down my dress and slip my shoe back on. "I don't even like you." I know I sound cruel. If it was anyone but him I would have felt bad, but it's not so I don't. I tie my shoe and walk away from him, hoping he won't just up and touch me again. "I don't even know you."

Once out of the kitchen I speed walk to the front door and I don't even bother to look behind me as I fetch my bike and start wheeling it towards the gate. Once outside I feel safe enough to actually breathe and I put my leg over the bike so I can sit probably on the seat. Before I can wheel off, Draco grabs my arm and when I turn to yell at him he uses his other hand to grab my pony tail, jerking it back with a painful tug to tilt my neck. I don't even have time to think as his warm lips crash down onto mine.

I let my feet land on the ground to balance myself as Draco deepens the angry dominating kiss and I gasp into his mouth as he presses himself against my leg. I keep my eyes open as I just let him kiss me, stupidly not doing anything, but when he licks my lips, I find my eyes shutting and my stomach fluttering.

What am I doing? I need to stop this! What would my brother say if he saw me now?

I know what he'd say, I think bitterly as I kiss Draco back with a vengeance. He'd say that Malfoy was only kissing me to get back at Harry because there would be no way a boy would find me attractive on my own. I wrap my arm around his neck as his one of his hands finds it's way to my waist, his other still firmly gripping my hair to keep me in place. He tastes like fruit and he smells amazing and his tongue is doing all kinds of amazing things against mine. I'm suddenly very uncomfortable to be sitting with this bike between my legs because of the way my body is responding.

Ron would also tell me that I was stupid and naïve and that I didn't understand people. That I was too plain and simple to ever be wanted by someone who was as good looking as Draco. What would Harry think if he saw me kissing Malfoy? Probably nothing. I let myself get lost in the kiss and I even let my hands run through the hair at the base of his neck as I think on it.

Slowly, he pulls back and I almost moan in disappointment. I've never been kissed like that, with such a dominating and knowledgeable mouth and it was quite intoxicating. I'm breathing hard again and I stare at his throat as I try not to be embarrassed by what just happened. I let my arm drop from around his neck as he brings a hand up to my chin and he runs his thumb over my lips.

"Hm," is all he says like he was thinking and when I send a shy glance up to him he loosens his hold on my hair. I'm confused. He's looking at me now like he's never seen me until this moment and then a slow smirk travels across his lips before he bends down again.

I come to my senses before it can happen once more. "Stop," I whisper as I put my hands on his chest to push him back.

"Judging by what just happened, I doubt you really mean that," he says seriously, trying to dip down to kiss me again, but I turn my head before he can. He ran his thumb over my jaw to gently nudge me into looking at him again, and when I finally do, he places a chaste kiss on the corner of my mouth and then he tilts his head to kiss me from a different angle.

I tried to stop it at first, but he nipped my lower lip with his teeth and that sent a pleasurable fire all through my body so like a weak willed person, I melted into the kiss, letting him do as he pleased as I grabbed his arm for balance.

"See," he says as he pulls back, leaving me dumbfounded and breathless once more. "You already know what should happen."

"What?" I say because I'm still in a fog and I wasn't listening to what he was saying.

"Say that you want me," he says as he pulls back and he puts on his sunglasses. "That's all you have to say," is all he adds before walking back through the gate.

I watch them close and then I bring my fingers up to my burning lips. What was that?

"There you are, Ginny," Daphne says as her and Pansy ride back to me on their bikes. "We assumed you were with us."

"Yes," is all I say before coughing uncomfortably and then looking at the two girls.

The way they're both looking at me… I don't know but it's odd. Did they just see what happened? "Are you okay?" Pansy asks with a raised eyebrow, but her eyes are twinkling like she knows a great secret and I blush to think she saw that terrible thing with Malfoy. "You look a little flustered," she says and Daphne giggles.

"I'm fine," I say quickly as I put my head down and start wheeling my bike forward so I can ride it properly. "Let's go."

"Let's go to my place," Pansy says as we start riding again. "Have a snack or something. I'm getting hungry."

"I think…" I trail off as the wind whips through my hair. "I think I'm going to go home."

Neither of them protests and I go home with burning lips and my confused thoughts churning in my head.

"Ginny, are you okay?" Hermione asks as I sit on the front porch with my arms crossed under my chest and my bike forgotten in the yard.

"I think so," I whisper, only half sure. "Maybe..." I breathe out softly.
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Envy and Manipulations