The Worst Detention

Ginny leaned against the wooden door, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. It was late in the afternoon and she had been standing in the same spot for at least two hours. As soon as McGonagall had left the hallway, Ginny had snuck back to the classroom in which Draco and Harry had been locked into. Shrieks and howls rumbled from the room on the other side of the wall. The door almost vibrated. Ginny sighed heavily and turned around to look into the little hole between two boards that she had found. She could see a small part of the dark room and Draco standing with his face turned to her, but it was obvious he couldn't see her.

"Is it killing you, Potter? Knowing that your enemy has got your girl," Draco drawled in his most annoying tone. Ginny could hear Harry mutter through gritted teeth.

"It's not killing me more than it's killing you, Malfoy," Harry snapped. "And she's not my girl."

"No, she isn't. She really isn't," Draco continued, a teasing grin forming on his lips.

"One day, Malfoy. One day...." Harry growled.

"One day what? One day you'll be lying dead on some battlefield, killed after saving the entire world. And I'll be standing there, laughing at you. That's what's going to happen. Sorry mate, I didn't mean to burst your bubble."

"One day I'll kill you, Malfoy. Then I'll kill your father. And after that I'll..."

"Finish that sentence and you're a dead man, Potter," Draco growled, suddenly looking pissed off instead of malicious and annoying. Harry chuckled, making Draco narrow his eyes.

"Oh, I can't touch your precious mother now? Why that's a pity, she's quite a babe," Harry said nastily, his voice soft as silk. Draco's mouth fell open in outrage. At first, he didn't seem to come up with something clever to reply, but then he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Harry remained silent.

"Give me one reason not to curse you into oblivion, Potter," Draco finally said in a dangerously low voice.

"Well, I'd love to see you try, Malfoy. Just too bad McGonagall took our wands," Harry said, sounding almost amused. Ginny could see how Draco leered, his eyebrows raised.

"Is that so? No, I don't think so. At least she couldn't find mine," Draco lied smoothly. Ginny heard Harry gasp. Draco grabbed a shiny black wand from a hidden pocket in his robes and pointed it at Harry. "Do you want to play, Potter?" Harry made a noise that sounded rather like a fish out of water. No, he can't do this, Ginny thought, desperately trying to come up with something clever to do. I could call for McGonagall, but Harry would probably be dead by the time she gets here. No, I'll have to fix this myself, she thought. She saw Draco slowly walking towards Harry, still smiling widely and deadly.

"STOP!" Ginny yelled through the hole, pounding the door with both fists. Draco broke his eye contact with Harry and stared at the door. "Don't do it, Malfoy. You'll regret it," Ginny continued, sounding desperate and annoyed. Draco raised an eyebrow and walked over to the door.

"Ginny?" Harry asked the door.

"Weaslette? What are you doing here?" Draco kneeled down and tried to find the hole through which Ginny was looking. He found it and they sat inches away from each other, but with the door between them. Ginny didn't really know what to say, she just stared into his dancing silver eyes.

"Uh...I was just passing by and I heard you two screaming and fighting. Draco, please don't do anything to Harry," Ginny begged, almost whispering, not wanting Harry to hear her. Draco's eyes narrowed as he thought for a second.

"Hey, what are you two talking about? Stop talking to her, Malfoy" Harry's voice came from somewhere behind Draco. Draco quickly turned around, blocking Ginny's view.

"We were just discussing which spell would fit your scarred face the best," Draco said with a venomous voice. Ginny poked him hard in the back through the hole.

"Yeah, right. Hey, Ginny, get lost. If McGonagall finds you here you'll get punished too," Harry said.

"Harry, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Now, go." He sounded rather acid, much to Ginny's despair.

"Oh, but I don't want to leave you two here, you'll kill each other," Ginny said, trying to get Draco to move aside with her finger without success.

"Don't worry. He won't kill me." Harry's voice was stern and cold. Ginny swallowed. This is all my fault, she thought.

"Draco, you jerk, move aside!"

"Sorry, Weaslette, but I agree with Scar-head here. Get lost."

"Stop calling her that," Harry warned, sounding serious. Ginny bit her lip. This wasn't what she had hoped to accomplish.

"I call her what I want."

"Oh, no you don't."

"Hey, guys, stop fighting. I'll leave."

"Yes, please do so," Draco drawled. Ginny blushed hard, feeling the anger rise within her. Bloody stupid Draco Malfoy.

***

Harry's green eyes were cold and enraged. He stared at Draco, fists clenched by his sides. Draco, however, just grinned at him, which made Harry even more angry, which in turn made Draco grin wider.

"Don't use that tone with her, Malfoy," Harry warned again. Draco just shrugged.

"You can't tell a Malfoy what to do," he simply replied. Ginny poked him again. Finally Draco turned back to her, kneeling so that they could see each other's eyes.

"What?" he demanded, sounding annoyed. Ginny glared at him, pouting slightly. Why can't I resist that face? She's addictive, damn it, he thought.

"Don't worry, Weasley. I won't hurt him and he won't hurt me, I promise. My wand is a fake from your brother's shop. Now go before McGonagall comes back, I'll see you later," he whispered, glancing furtively over his shoulder. Ginny hesitated, then nodded and stepped back. Draco could hear her walk away and turned back to Harry.

"What did you say to her, Malfoy?" Harry hissed. Draco, without answering, walked over to the lecturer's desk. Harry followed. Draco slowly sat down in the chair, leaning back and letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Malfoy, I'm warning you," Harry almost yelled in Draco's face, spurting saliva over him. Draco merely looked at him like he was mental or something.

"Potter, relax." He smiled lazily. "I just told her I'll meet her tonight in her room and we can continue our very fun game," Draco finally said, sounding serious. Harry looked aghast.

"Shut up, Malfoy you stupid fuck," he managed to say. Draco chuckled and started picking his nails.

"Honestly, Potter. You're such a stupid, poor wretch," Draco calmly replied. Harry was just about to hit Draco when the door opened and Professor McGonagall with her stone-face and Professor Snape in his black robes walked in. They looked very strict and stern.

"Walk away from him, Potter," Snape hissed in a most unpleasant voice. Harry jumped away from Draco, staring at the two professors.

"We have discussed your case Potter and Malfoy," McGonagall said, crossing her arms. "And we have decided not to give you detention. Instead we will deduct one hundred points from each of you. We do hope you have learned your lessons and that you won't spoil anymore for your fellow students." McGonagall gestured to the two boys to walk out of the classroom. They both obeyed without a word. Outside the two professors ordered Harry and Draco to go to their dormitories and stay there for the rest of the day. Draco shrugged and walked away towards the dungeons. Harry, on the other hand, looked like he'd been sentenced to a lifetime in hell and slowly, with heavy steps walked away with Professor McGonagall close behind him. Draco smiled smugly to himself as he looked at Potter over his shoulders.

***

The sun had just gone down and Ginny had to turn on her small, pink lamp by the bed. She was worried, but she wasn't really sure of what. Of Draco? Not very likely, she hated him after all... or at least she was very angry with him. Was she worried about Harry, then? No, he'd been acting like a jerk. But he had done it for her. He was in love with her for crying out loud! Why am I not happy? Ginny thought, running her hands through her messy hair. She was walking around in the small room, not really heading anywhere. Isn't this what I have wanted all the time? Don't I love Harry anymore? Of course she loved Harry! But in the same way as before? No, no...or? Yes? No, definitely not. Or? "DAMN IT!!"

"Ginny? What is the matter with you?" Ginny whirled around, wide eyed, immediately shutting up. Her roommate, Heather, stood on the threshold looking at Ginny with both eyebrows raised. Heather's waist-long black hair was put up in a ponytail and she wore her usual army-pants and her black hooded sweater. Ginny sighed with relief and dashed over to her.

"Heth! You came just in time. I'm panicking here."

"Gin, calm down now. What has happened?" Heather sat down on Ginny's bed, looking calm and quiescent. Ginny took a deep breath and sat down next to her, running a stressed hand through her hair again.

"Where do I begin?" Ginny whined. Heather gave her a warm smile.

"Take it from the beginning, honey." Ginny sighed and started to tell her friend all about her many detentions and the Draco-problems and the Harry-problems. Heather sat quietly, listening to her friend's dilemma. When Ginny had told her everything (except the part where she had kissed Draco) she turned to Heather. The raven-haired girl just shook her head and gave Ginny a wry smile.

"Well, hello! Can you give me some advice?"

"Yes, I can. I think you should give them both a chance. I mean, if Malfoy has been acting all nice to you lately and he is sickeningly handsome, then he could be boyfriend-material. And about Harry, what can I say? You have been in love with the guy for ages. You should give him a try too."

"But I don't know if I'm in love with him anymore!"

"You should find out. Ask him out for a drink at the Three Broomsticks. Nothing big, just an innocent drink, ok?"

"Hmm...perhaps you are right...All right. I'll ask him out then."

"That's my girl!"

***

When Draco came back to the Slytherin common room he was suddenly feeling miserable and cold. He had been awful to Ginny back there. And it was that damn Potter's fault. He disturbed them in the hallway before. He was the one who started the fight. And he was in love with Ginny. That was the biggest problem. Everybody knew that Ginny Weasley had been in love with Harry Potter almost all her life. Draco zigzagged his way through the crowded common room, trying to get to his room before someone saw him. Unfortunately someone had already seen him.

"Draco," a female voice called. Draco stopped reluctantly, slowly turning around.

"Yes?" He scanned the room and he was not surprised that it was Pansy Parkinson who had yelled. She was sitting in an armchair, comfortably laid back, smiling widely at him with red, glossy lips. Draco impatiently raised an eyebrow. Pansy was the absolutely most annoying and spoilt brat Draco knew. And she was deeply and persistently in love with him.

"Where have you been all night? I've missed you," she purred, parting her legs slightly. Draco frowned and snorted.

"Where I have been would be my concern and no one else's," he answered and turned to leave. But before he had the chance to get away, Pansy grabbed his arm with her small and fat hand.

"Don't go, babe. I want to talk to you," she said in a very low, syrupy voice.

"I'm tired, Pansy. We can talk some other time," he replied and pushed her hand away. She smiled superiorly and nodded.

"I'll take that as a promise," she yelled after him. Draco shut his door with a slam. Once alone, Draco let out a sigh and then he walked over to his wardrobe and opened the big doors. He carefully chose a white t-shirt which clung delicately to his muscled torso and a pair of pale, worn jeans that fit his butt perfectly. She won't be able to resist this, he thought as he put his clothes on, smirking confidently. Then he walked over to his beloved mirror and regarded himself. He smiled charmingly and winked flirtatiously at the good-looking young man in the mirror. I am way too handsome. Somebody, stop me, he thought as he made his way out of his room and out of the Slytherin common room. Everybody in the common room stared after him, even the boys. Draco grinned smugly. Whispers and low whistles followed him all the way out.

***

The common room was almost deserted when Ginny came down. She was restless and couldn't think clearly when she kept hearing Heather's and Dean's giggles and laughter from the bed next to her own. And she couldn't stop feeling like she was in their way when she was there, even though Heather had insisted that it was ok. The only people left in the cosy and dim lit common room were Neville Longbottom still struggling with his Divination homework, and Seamus Finnigan reading a book. Ginny padded down the stairs in her old felt slippers, sitting down in the armchair next to Seamus, not really knowing what to do. But before she could think of something to say to him, he closed his book and bid her good night and went up to his room. Ginny smiled weakly after him. I am air, she thought, feeling lonelier than ever. Neville rubbed his puffy, tired eyes and yawned.

"Well, I'm going to bed now. Good night, Ginny," he mumbled, not looking at her.

"Good night, Neville," she managed to say, watching him go to bed as well. When she was all alone she walked over to one of the windows, opening it. The fresh and damp night air filled her lungs and she sighed satisfied. It was a peaceful night, not very windy and not too warm. Ginny closed her eyes for a second and let her thoughts flow freely. Then she looked down at the ground, many meters under her. She hawked and was just about to spit when she suddenly saw a blond head walk out from the building. Ginny's eyes narrowed. Wasn't that Draco? Oooh, this can be fun. At least he deserves it, she thought and then she spat. The gulp of saliva fell down through the air, down towards Draco's head, and with a splash it hit his head. Ginny giggled and leaned further out of the window to be able to see his reaction. Draco jumped and gesticulated wildly, screaming. Then he looked up to see who had spit on him. But to Ginny's horror it was not Draco at all. It was a blond girl with short hair from Hufflepuff. Ginny gasped and stumbled back into the room. Oh my god! What did I do that for? Oh, this is terrible, she thought as she took some more steps back into the room. Oh, no, I'll have to apologise to her right away! She quickly turned around to run out of the common room, but when she opened the portrait and tried to run she bumped into someone and fell. What the..., she thought, but then she saw who it was. Oh, no! Not him again!

"Well hello to you too, Weasley," Draco Malfoy's soft and dangerous voice drawled as he grabbed her arm to help her up again. Ginny most reluctantly let him touch her. But when he was about to let go, her body didn't want him to. Draco saw the expression on her face and laughed. "What's the matter with you, Weasley? Am I disturbing the signals or something?" Ginny felt her cheeks turn red and she frowned.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Ginny snarled, trying to ignore her burning cheeks. Draco gave her a dazzling smile and let go of her. Ginny's knees turned weak. Oh my god! Embarrassed she turned her face away and mumbled something. Draco raised a perfect eyebrow.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said I have to go now. But you go on and have a great life," Ginny exclaimed and turned to rush away. She took some quick steps, but then she realized that Draco was walking next to her. She stopped and faced him, cheeks burning.

"What exactly do you want from me?" she yelled.

"Do you really want to know the answer to that question, Ginny Weasley?" Draco replied, taking a step closer to her. He could hear her breath quicken. It made his head spin slightly, and to his surprise, he didn't even mind.

"No!" Ginny cried, slowly backing away, not taking her eyes off him. Draco followed until she was pinned up against the cold stone wall. He leaned closer and when his lips brushed against her ear he whispered,

"A wise choice." He could hear Ginny gasp and he let his lips continue down her neck. Ginny swallowed. Oh my god! Oh my god! What is he doing to me? Why can't I move? I want to slap him but I can't. Oh, no, not there! Oh my god! Where did he learn to do this? Ginny's hands went to his chest and slowly pushed him away. Draco took a very small step back, looking at her through half-closed, lazy eyes.

"Draco, don't you ever do that again," she whispered angrily and wide-eyed. Then she managed to get past him, breathing hard.

"And why is that, Weasley?"

"Just...don't."

"Where are you going anyway?"

"Out. I have to apologise to someone," Ginny said, walking towards the big entrance. Draco followed her. Ginny frowned. Why can't he leave me alone? If he continues to be near me there's a risk I won't be able to keep my hands off him, she thought.

"Are you going to follow me all the way out?" Ginny stopped just when she reached the huge double-doors. Draco smiled lazily at her, which annoyed her very much.

"There are no rules implying I can't," he drawled. Ginny felt like stomping her foot, but she managed to hold it back. Instead she just nodded angrily and opened the doors with a quick and light knock with her dainty hand. The doors swung open and they stepped out in the thick night air. The sky was iron coloured and the clouds swept rapidly across the sky. Ginny sighed and licked her lower lip. It looked like a storm was coming up. She turned to Draco, who was currently picking his nails, and poked him on his left arm. He looked at her, waiting for her to say something.

"I'm going to find that girl now. You can stay or you can come," she said, not looking at him.

"I'm coming."

"Alright then." They started walking towards the spot where the girl had been standing. Somehow Draco managed to lead, even though it was only Ginny who knew where they were going. It made Ginny very annoyed and upset. But at the same time she admired him and his majestic and smooth way of ... being. How he always walked upright and with cat-like steps. So smooth and lithe. His eyes were almost always mocking and considering, though at this moment Ginny couldn't really tell what they were hiding.

When they reached the spot where the girl had been standing, Ginny realized that the girl was not there. Of course not. Why should she? Ginny bit her lip.

"What is this all about anyway?" Draco asked her. Ginny blushed slightly and tried not to smile silly at him.

"Well, I have this bad habit you see...I umm...sort of...uh...spat on her head and... I didn't mean to, but I just...uh...spit sometimes..." When Ginny had said the last word, Draco looked at her, wide-eyed and with his lips parted. He looked sort of enlightened. Ginny raised an eyebrow and watched his weird expression for a second. But then Draco came back to reality.

"It was YOU!" he yelled. "YOU SPAT ON ME!" He looked astonished and very, very angry at the memory. Ginny swallowed hard.

"Ooops," she said quietly before she turned away and ran. She forced her feet to move, faster and faster. She could hear Draco's reaction and then his howl.

"Come back, you little...I'm not finished with you!" he roared as he came running after her down the huge lawn outside Hogwarts, in the mild summer night.