A/N: Okay, so this one was kinda long -- but it covers loverly action (both the sexual and the violent).

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"So... we both lost."

Draco was in shock.

"I can't believe she kissed you," Blaise reiterated, twirling his wand between his fingers and staring at it, intensely.

"To your credit, it wasn't much of a kiss," Draco admitted, halfheartedly.

"Do mine ears deceive me?" Blaise sat up, eyes suddenly on the lounging Draco, "Is the Gift of God, Draco 'fuck me' Malfoy, admitting-" he leaned forward, acting as though he heard something faint, "Yes... yes, that's it: she did not throw herself at him!" He raised his hands, gesturing to the empty common room like a referee announcing a winning goal.

"How witty," Draco droned, a smirk slowly spreading across his features, reluctantly.

Blaise met his smirk with one of his own, "What can I say? Even you know she doesn't like you. And with your pigheaded stupidity - that's some accomplishment." His face was more open - relieved.

"Hm." Draco made a sound of absent-minded agreement, troubled by his friend's words. The night before... there had been something there. Just under their calm exteriors, an energy had bubbled up between him and the youngest Weasley. "Huh?" He looked up as Blaise waved a hand in front of his face.

"You okay, mate?" He asked, only slightly concerned, "I was just saying I was was going to finish up some muggle studies work in the library."

"Yeah, fine. See you at dinner," Draco waved him off, already preoccupied.

Blaise gathered up his bag, hiding his smirk as he left the Slytherin common room. A little birdie (well, alright, maybe an extendable ear) had told him a certain redhead would be at the library that afternoon, and it was time he claimed his territory.

Pausing by the potions rooms on his way to the stairs, Blaise ducked into an alcove, grinning at his luck.

--

Ginny barely listened to Snape droning on and on. Detention, detention... the first of the year. It wasn't a surprise - she'd been a good 10 minutes late for class after helping Malc with some of his clothes. Still... detention on a Saturday afternoon?

"...Is that clear Miss Weasley?" Snape glared at her, though not as harshly as he could have. Ginny was a consistently good potion maker.

"Yes, Professor," Ginny responded automatically, trying to remember what he had said.

"Good. I expect to have a fully organized desk - alphabetical, don't forget - when I return. Now," he held out a hand, and Ginny reluctantly handed him her wand. "I will see you at four."

Ginny looked at the clock as he exited. It was only 2:15. She sighed, and approached the desk - piled high with essays and papers - warily. Assessing the situation grimly, she pulled her hair back into a loose bun, tucking the excess strands behind her ears.

She cleared off the desk first, moving all the piles to desks and sorting them by assignment or subject. Rolling up her sleeves, she crouched to retrieve the files stacked under the desk.

"Lovely view today, isn't it?"

Ginny grimaced, and straightened. "What do you want, Zabini?" She asked, sighing.

He looked surprised, "I was hoping to continue our... engagement of last night," he stated, nonchalantly, his fingers reaching to brush her skin.

Ginny moved away before he could touch her. "About that. I don't think it's going to work," she stated, bluntly. "Now, I've got detention to serve."

Blaise flicked his wand, sending the files into their proper drawers, "You sure?" He smirked.

Ginny pursed her lips, eyes narrowing. "I'd prefer you didn't interfere," she glared at him, "Now leave, before I do something drastic."

His golden eyes sparked as he raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "Empty threats," he dismissed her, stepping forward again.

Ginny took another step back, getting angrier. "I told you, Zabini: it's over. Go back to being the perverted prick you are."

Blaise grinned, "I missed this side of you," he admitted, stepping forward yet again, "You're so cute when you're angry...." he murmured, reaching up.

Ginny slapped his hand away from her cheek, feeling her face redden - partly in fury, and partly in embarrassment, "Well, you'll miss it a lot worse when you never see me again. I'm going out with someone else," she lied.

For a second, a look of shock lit upon Blaise's angelic face, before being replaced by joking suspicion. He took another step toward her, examining her blushing face, "Draco?" He asked, tentatively.

Ginny shook her head, stepping back to find herself nearly sitting on the desk. Her mind raced, trying to come up with a believable lie. "Harry," she blurted.

"And last night?" He asked, suspiciously, taking one last step to pin her to the desk.

"It was late," she shrugged, avoiding his eyes, "I was giddy - I got a little carried away. Harry was a gentleman - he asked me to be his girlfriend this morning." She wore her lie carefully, reminding herself to tell Harry of this as soon as possible.

Blaise's hips dug into hers as he pushed her against the desk, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at him. His eyes smoldered like molten gold, but there was an uncertainty clearly visible. "I don't believe you," he murmured, warm breath dancing down Ginny's cheek and neck.

"Well - you should," Ginny whispered, suddenly at a loss for breath, caught in his burning gaze. She leaned back. To her surprise, he grinned evilly, leaning toward her again, as she leaned farther back to avoid him.

"All the sweeter then," he murmured, taking her wrists in his warm, steady hold.

Suddenly, Ginny's knees gave way, and she fell onto the desk, blushing furiously. She opened her mouth a couple of times, barely able to form thoughts, let alone sentences, in her position.

Blaise smiled mischievously, holding her wrists to the desk as he bent over her. Ginny couldn't help but shake slightly as he leaned in, placing his lips by her neck, under her ear. She froze, eyes wide in panic. "I've got Potter's girl."

Ginny fought to breathe, not daring to meet his eyes, but feeling his smile against her skin.

"Unless," he murmured against her neck, before skimming his mouth along her cheek, catching her eyes and holding them, possessively, "You don't tell him."

His voice was irresistible so close to her ear, and she couldn't hold back her shudder. "I-" she choked, trying to form a coherent word or two in her Blaise-induced shock, "I-"

He smirked, and let his lips hover tantalizingly over hers. "Good girl," he breathed, kissing her. She could feel his satisfied grin against her own lips.

Ginny froze. Blaise moved back, his eyes warm - like puddles of golden syrup - as he looked at her. "Um..." She felt herself blushing as her voice cracked, "I... uh..."

Blaise smiled, sheepishly, letting go of her and leaning against the opposite wall. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

Ginny didn't even try to stand, too scared her knees wouldn't hold her up. She felt like jello - or like ice cream; with his warm eyes making her melt. "It's, um.. well..." She pulled herself so she was sitting on the desk, and suddenly her eyes widened. She blinked. A giggle bubbled out of her throat, followed by full-out laughter.

"Am I that awful?" Blaise asked, amused by her sudden hysterics.

"It's just-" Ginny took a deep breath, grinning, and raising her eyebrows skeptically, "We just kissed on Snape's desk." She collapsed into giggles again.

Blaise's face was shocked, and then twisted into half disgust, "...Ew.""

"But seriously," Ginny straightened, feeling more herself, as she frowned, "This has to end."

Blaise's lips twisted into a sly grin, "I'm an adolescent male: I can't be held responsible for my actions driven by lust."

Ginny cocked her head to the side, scowling, "Then I can't be held responsible when you end up floating down the Thames with about 50 knives in you."

Blaise winced, "Not a pleasant image."

"I'm pretty sure death by angry mob of Gryffindors isn't supposed to be pleasant," she reminded him, wryly.

"True, true..."

"...I suppose I'm done here," Ginny sat, feeling awkward. She stiffened as Blaise stepped toward her, "If you kiss me again, I cannot assure the well being of your anatomy," she warned, "And you know you couldn't stand a chance if I had my wand."

Blaise leaned against the wall again, looking as though he had only moved to readjust his position, "That was part of the appeal, I admit," he smiled, "With a wand in your hand you're an entirely different level of 'dangerous.' One I'd prefer not to offend."

Ginny couldn't help but indulge in a self-satisfied smile. "Ten times worse with my brothers and Harry and Hermione behind me," she added, "We'd kick your sorry arse before you could depart some stupidly witty banter." She smirked at him.

"Ah, yes, stupidly witty banter; my specialty," he grinned, "That and-"

"What time is it?" Ginny interrupted, not in the mood for another cheap pick-up.

Blaise checked his watch, "3:30." At her surprised look, he added, "Why? I've only been here for ten minutes - less, actually. Snape left at 2:30, I hid my stuff and wasted time, came in here at 3:22."

"Huh," Ginny blinked, then shook her head, "See you around, Zabini." She dismissed him, gesturing to the door, pointedly.

He grinned, brushing a hand across her knee as he passed. He paused at the door, "And you can have your fun with Potter... for now." He gave her a mysterious smirk, before closing the door behind him.

Ginny sighed, laughing and shaking her head. "You're crazy, Blaise Zabini, absolutely crazy..." she muttered in amusement. She occupied herself with checking all of the cabinets for the next half hour - realizing Zabini had charmed them into perfect order.

"Finished, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny jumped, turning to where Snape had entered silently, "Yes, sir. Just finished."

He leveled his beady black eyes at her, before nodding. "Very well. You may go," he handed her her wands as she left, "I would prefer not to see you again." The meaning in his words was clear.

"Yes, Professor," Ginny mumbled, ducking her face as she blushed in embarrassment.

As soon as she was out of the corridor, Ginny leaned against a wall, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"Ginny!"

Ginny's eyes snapped open, and she blinked, getting used to the light (or lack thereof). She smiled, uncertainly, "Harry, Hermione..." she glared at her brother, "Ron."

"We just saw Zabini..." Harry flushed, tucking the Marauder's Map into his robes, "Er... well, we just wanted to make sure you were alright," he amended himself.

"I'm fine," Ginny assured him, "Zabini was just being a prick - as usual."

"You know, Gin," Ron gave her a confidential look, "If he's.... you know... you just tell us."

"Actually, I kind of have to ask you something, Harry..."

--

"You're the best, Harry," Ginny assured him, once he'd agreed to cover her, "Thanks so much. A few well-timed public appearances - meals, maybe a quidditch game or free period or two - and they'll get off my case."

"No problem, Gin," Harry nodded, leaning over the couch, feet up on her lap as per usual Trio + Ginny time, "We all know they deserve a shock or two."

"And Ron's half ecstatic, half murderous," Ginny mused, watching her brother talking to Hermione on the opposite couch. She lowered her voice, muttering to Harry, "How long until they become an item?"

"Hermione and Ron?" Harry looked surprised, but then, watching them, he seemed to see the different way they were talking and sitting... "Dunno. I never really realized," he admitted, "I always thought they were complete opposites."

"Opposites attract..." Ginny mused, quietly, thinking of two pairs of metallic eyes.

"Hm?" Harry leaned closer, "What'd you say?"

"Obviously. They're so different..." she edited. She jumped a little as her watch beeped. "Supper time," she called, just loud enough to pull Ron and Hermione out of their discussion. This was her debut.

She gently pushed Harry's feet off of her lap, standing up. She'd chosen the sluttiest of Malc's outfits (that was still reasonably classy and autumn-safe). She'd pinned up the blue ruched shirt Malc had made at the beginning, letting it hit a good inch above the waist of her jean miniskirt. To keep herself warm, she'd also slipped on a pair of thigh-high white leggings and a cropped leather jacket. To assure her brother of her remaining wholesomeness, she'd pulled her hair back with a golden ribbon, tied in a bow by her ear, and had stuck with trainers instead of heels.

"Shall we?" Ginny gestured to the portrait hole, and the four made their way down to the Great Hall.

Ginny made sure that she and Harry were in plain view of the notorious gossips as they entered, and sat at the Gryffindor table, across from Hermione and Ron. It wasn't unusual for the four of them to sit together, but Ginny made sure to up the 'huh?' factor by leaning against Harry's shoulder, or looking at him while others talked.

"There's Hogsmeade next weekend," Hermione reminded them, "You should go together."

Ginny nodded, "Maybe shopping and lunch?" She suggested, looking at Harry expectantly.

Harry was only a couple of centimeters taller than Ginny's modelesque height - still dwarfed by Ron's six-foot-seven frame. He may not have had the strikingly handsome features of the Slytherin Princes, but his good looks were warmer. To the Princes' sharp features, Harry's were muted - ruddy skin, warm green eyes, and a smile all girls agreed was heart-melting.

Harry intertwined his fingers with Ginny's, leaning in to be heard over the meal, "Anywhere but Madame Puttifoots'," he muttered in her ear.

Ginny laughed, "I wholeheartedly agree," she grinned, "What say you: Three Broomsticks and Honeydukes?" She suggested.

Harry nodded, smiling, "Sounds good. We should meet in the entrance hall."

Ginny's eye was caught by Malcolm's stare, "Be right back," she climbed out of the table's bench, and clumsily kissed Harry on the cheek, before walking over to the Ravenclaw table.

"You and Harry?" Malc asked, trying to hide his excitement.

Ginny smiled, and looked for eavesdroppers before leaning in to whisper to Malc, "Zabini was annoying me about it, so I told him I was going out with Harry. He's really sweet, helping me out with this," she glanced to Harry, who was back in discussion with Hermione and Ron.

"Ooh," Malc nodded in understanding, "Well, I must commend your use of the understated slutty," he grinned, "Most girls can't pull off the white thigh-highs, but you've got it down pat." He gave her a thumbs up, "Now scurry back to your boyfriend," he chuckled, pushing her away.

Ginny rolled her eyes at him, but walked back to the Gryffindor table. Glancing around, she realized more people were watching than she'd thought. A couple of scathing looks from jealous fifth and fourth years bored into her from other tables, as she slid back down, next to Harry. Even a couple of Gryffindors gave her dirty looks.

Harry leaned toward her, murmuring in her ear, "Looks like your plan is working." Of course, she hadn't told the Trio the truth - merely that se wanted Harry to back her up and make sure the Slytherin Princes stopped tormenting her. She conveniently forgot to mention the whole kissing aspect.

She glanced at the Slytherin table, glad to see Zabini and Malfoy both staring - faces both shocked and a little angry. Luckily, Harry only saw shock and disappointment.

"Are you sure you're not making yourself more of a target?" He asked her, concernedly.

"Harry." Ginny gave him a sarcastic smile, before laughing and hugging his shoulder, "If anything you're becoming more of a target," she pointed out, looking up at him from under her eyelashes.

"Yeah, but I deal with them all the time," he pointed out, "The more you hang out with me the worse they'll be."

Ginny pulled herself into his chest. "Trust me," she assured him, "You'll be like my white knight," she tried to convince him, chocolaty eyes making it hard for him to disagree. "And my guess is that you'll get less crap from one of them-" she paused, wondering if Malfoy would go the sneaky route like Zabini would, "-though maybe more from the other," she admitted, reluctantly. "But if you slug 'em, you can say you were defending my virtue!" She pointed out, grinning, "I can work up a nasty flood of tears when necessary."

"I'm headed to the library," Hermione announced, standing.

"I guess I'll go to the common room, then," Harry began to stand up.

Ginny gave him a look, and he quickly offered a hand, helping her stand up. "I'll come too, then," she added, and Ron quickly stood up as well, as they all exited the hall.

They were making their way down the hall, joking and talking about whatever happened to pop into their minds, when Ron and Hermione decided to study together.

Ginny sent a smug look sideways at Harry, and as soon as they were out of earshot, peeped up, "The wondrous studying of each other's anatomy?" singsongingly.

Harry gaped at her, then laughed, his arm around her shoulders, "Whatever they're doing, just leave them to it."

Ginny laughed as well, letting her arm loop around his waist, comfortably.

"Hmm..." Harry was looking forward, eyes narrowed, as his smile fell into a frown.

Ginny looked up as well, and soon was scowling, too. "What do you want, Malfoy?" She asked, coldly.

Zabini must've told Malfoy the same thing Ginny had told him, as he was back to the same snide cold prick he always was. "Just... viewing the eye candy," he licked his lips suggestively as he looked at her.

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry ordered, taking a step forward as his arm dropped from around Ginny's shocked frozen body.

"Better step back, Potter, or someone may steal your toy," he sneered, eyes barely flickering off of Ginny's form.

"I'm not a toy," Ginny insisted, her voice quieter than she would've liked.

"Really." It wasn't a question, more like an incredulous statement, accompanied by a roll of those silvery eyes.

"I told you to shut up about her," Harry raised his wand, threateningly, voice louder, but not yet a shout.

"I'll talk about whoever I damn well please, Pot head," he drawled, twirling his own wand between his slender pale fingers. The same fingers Ginny had felt leave cold trails over her shoulders as he'd helped her up. "And if I want to talk about your toy, I'll talk about your toy," he sneered.

Ginny's shock melted away with her newly found rage. "I told you," her voice was louder, even, than Harry's had been, instilled with the confidence she'd attempted before, "I'm not his toy."

Malfoy lowered his eyes, chuckling darkly, "You keep telling yourself that, Weaslette."

By now both Ginny and Harry were flushed with rage. "Shut your goddamn face, Malfoy!" Ginny shouted, biting her lip until it bled, as tears of anger began to well up in her eyes.

"Bet you love this girl's tongue, don't you, Potter? One really double-edged sword." As were his words - two very different meanings for one simple phrase.

Before another word could escape Malfoy's despicably perfect lips, Harry's wand flashed - and Malfoy's wand flew out of his hands, clattering across the floor.

He barely seemed to take notice. "Oh, so that's how it is with you two," he leered, "No... contact." The word slipped from his lips like disastrous sludge, heavy with implications, "But if I were you, Potter, I'd have Weaslette, here, bent-"

Before he could finish his sentence, both Harry and Ginny were attacking him, brutally pounding fists into his flesh.

"Wait - Ginny?" Harry paused, standing away, as he looked on in shock.

"You-" Ginny grabbed Malfoy's hair, yanking his head back, "slimy-" she thrust her other hand against his chest, punching him with as much strength as she could muster, "Bastard!" Before she could scratch out his eyes (as was her planned next move), Harry had pulled her off of Malfoy's shocked (and thoroughly abused) body, surprising even himself.

"Holy," was the only word Malfoy uttered, still sprawled on the ground, eyebrows and jaw in two very different, opposite realms.

"You talk about my tongue one more time-" Ginny fought against Harry's arms in vain, flexing her fingers restlessly.

"Ginny!" Harry shook her, gently, turning her to face him, trying to calm her down.

About the same time Ginny calmed, Malfoy was finally standing again. Keeping her eyes locked with Harry's, forcing herself to breathe evenly, Ginny leaned against the stone corner. Malfoy brushed himself off, silently, fuming slightly. But as he passed her, a smirk blossomed, quiet words escaping his lips, "There are other parts of you to talk about."

Ginny's fists clenched, but she forced herself to stay calm, a string of curses running through her head, illuminating her mind with some very colorful imagery.

--

"That rat bastard," Ginny seethed in the Common Room, jaw still clenched.

"You know, Gin, I never thought I'd say this, but you really need to lay off Malfoy," Harry told her, smiling, "I mean - it's not that I don't totally agree," he grinned, putting his arm around her as another group of Gryffindors entered, "But sometimes it really is beneficial to just ignore it."

Ginny breathed deeply, the smell of the Common Room and Harry's skin helping to comfort her. Finally, she smiled. "I guess you're right," she sighed, "He's not worth it."

Harry squeezed her shoulder, comfortingly. "Besides, I think he'll be wary to get too close to you after your little attack on him."

Ginny laughed, lightly, "The look on his face was hilarious," she admitted.

"You're a spitfire," Harry ruffled her hair, affectionately.

She leaned into his shoulder, thinking. "So, is it worth it?" She whispered, staring at the fire as the flames licked wood, spitting and crackling.

"You tell me," he murmured, smiling into her hair, "I have a feeling you're the judge for this - even Malfoy knows it," he chuckled.

"Hmm." Ginny smiled, adjusting herself to lay across his lap, closing her eyes. "I'm happy for whoever ends up your real girlfriend," she told him, quietly.

"Me, too." Herry stroked her hair, automatically.

A/N: Review thanks:

Nacilme

Kopycat

Jamiegirl123

.xx

Ravenclaw's Redhead

Narcissa Raie

Caramel Wafer

Thanks to all! I hope you checked out my profile for the mask pictures! I lurve my maskie!! *pathetic*

This is, unfortunately, the last fully completed chapter. But DON'T WORRY! I have not lost my mind; I can still write! I'll just have to finish up chapter 6 as I go. =} Turner