Hot Gimmick
-Mei Queen
Author's Note- I'll say it again, Neville is not EVIL. He's just an upset boy (and heaven knows what they will do). I actually like Neville as a character, but I really needed someone to fill the shoes of this part…I feel really bad doing it though. Oh, and HARRY WILL NOT PERMANENTLY FEEL THE WAY HE DOES. You'll understand when you start reading. I don't want flames for this…it won't last long, okay? By the way, everyone, thank you all so much for your kind reviews. You all totally blew me away! Those of you that reviewed anonymously, however, did not get one of my awesome thank you notes…so you might want to leave your e-mail when you review! =D
Chapter 2: Kiss the Boys
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Neville couldn't really remember when he had pinned his mother's infidelity to Ginny Weasley. Why go after Ginny? Why not Ron, or any of the other Weasleys for that matter? After all, it was actually their father that had done the wrongdoing…why torture younger generations? Neville had pondered all of these questions carefully after discovering that tainted photograph.
Even Arthur himself knew that Ginny was a "daddy's girl". She had always possessed the spunkiness, randomness and kindness of her father, something that hadn't been passed on to the rest of the other Weasley children. Ron always took after his mother…whining, badgering, mothering, those were the things that Harry always ended up getting the brunt end of. Ginny took after her father, she was accessible, and it didn't truly help her case that the crushes Neville had had on her over the years had been mercilessly snubbed. No, Neville had decided, if he wanted revenge…it just had to be Ginevra.
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Speaking of Ginevra, the girl herself was slowly making her way to the dungeons. Her speed (or lack thereof) was not helped by the fact that just about any prefect walking by made her jump into the shadows. Though Draco was Head Boy, Hermione was the Head Girl, and Ginny really just did not feel like explaining the whole situation to Hermione or making up some lame excuse as to why she was headed towards the dungeons at night. Hearing voices, she quickly ducked into the shadows behind a tapestry once again.
"How was Quidditch practice?"
It was Neville's voice, of that much Ginny was positive.
"Good, good," said the other voice dismissively. Harry, she thought.
"What happened?" Neville asked, curiously.
"Nothing, really…but that was the problem. Hey, do you know where Ginny is at? She didn't show up at practice, and I'm kind of worried…it's not like her to ditch practices, not at all," Harry finished in a motherly tone.
Ginny smacked herself in the forehead. That was today? She thought to herself, panicked.
"No, I haven't seen her at all today, now that you mention it," Neville said apologetically.
"Thanks anyway," Harry muttered gruffly, seeming to quicken his pace.
"Hey, Harry!" Neville called.
"Yeah?"
"Who are you taking to the ball…you know, the one Dumbledore is having to cheer everyone up about the war?"
"Oh, that thing…I dunno, I guess I was thinking about asking Gin," Harry finished quickly.
Ginny eyes bulged as she continued listening.
"Ginny?" Neville asked incredulously. "Why not Hermione?"
"Oh," Harry said softly, scratching his head. "I think Dean asked her. I'm not really sure…but I'll probably ask Gin anyways. I've gotten to know her pretty well through Quidditch and all; she wouldn't be bad to hang out with for a night."
Not bad? I really don't know if I should be insulted by that, Ginny thought to herself, crossing her arms over her chest.
"True…alright, well, I'll see you later, Harry. I've got to go work on my essay in the library," Neville said, starting in the other direction.
"Later, Neville."
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Did that really happen? Ginny asked herself as she finally left the tapestry, positive that the coast was clear. It couldn't be. I mean, after all these years…Harry Potter wouldn't be as big of an IDIOT as to decide to like me now…right?
Shaking her head, she continued on the way to the dungeons. That is, she continued until she collided with someone.
"Oof!" Ginny grunted as she got the wind knocked out of her. Falling to the ground, she realized that that someone was Neville.
"Oh, Ginny!" Neville said quickly. "I'm sorry about that! Here, let me help you up!"
Reaching out a hand to her that Ginny took, he swiftly pulled her off the ground.
"S'okay, Neville…No harm, no foul, y'know?" She trailed off realizing that he was looking at her rather intently. As she returned the gaze, a realization hit her- Neville had finally gotten out of his awkward stage. The DA of 5th year had done him well…in addition to being magically fit, he had committed himself the summer before sixth year to being physically fit, and had continued that regimen last summer. Neville's medium-length brown hair flopped in his face, his skin looked tan and he had very nice eyes, which Ginny noticed immediately.
She shook her head. What am I doing?! I'm checking out Neville…that is just wrong. Am I really that desperate? Oh, how sad.
Neville looking caringly at her. "Are you okay, Gin?"
"Yeah, sorry about that, Neville…I've really got to get going," she said, determinedly breaking his gaze and striding off towards the dungeons.
"Ginny, wait!"
She turned impatiently. "What is it?"
Neville locked eyes with her and strode towards her. "This."
Ginny's eyes reflected pure shock as he lowered his lips to hers. She was so confused. Her mind was swimming in so many different thoughts as Neville continued to kiss her. It wasn't that the kiss was perfect; it wasn't that it was amazing…but…it was gentle…it felt safe.
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"What the fuck do you think that you're doing?" a harsh voice said, interrupting Ginny's surreal thoughts.
Pulling away from her, Neville looked about as shocked at what had happened as Ginny was.
Looking in the direction of the voice, Ginny saw pale blonde locks, icy eyes, and perfect skin…Malfoy.
Draco turned to her angrily. "Do you realize that you are more than half an hour late? And then I catch you kissing this loser! What am I going to do with you?"
Neville had already turned to Ginny, bewildered. He clearly thought that Malfoy had gone completely mad.
"Bloody hell, Ginevra! Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Draco looked at her angrily.
Ginny's eyes clouded over. She was not going to make excuses to this imbecile. She hadn't kissed Neville in the first place, she had to hide from prefects, and she was sneaking out of the dorm…all to see a person she honestly really would be perfectly fine to never see again!
After receiving Ginny's cold stare of indifference, Draco let out an exasperated sigh. "Okay, whatever, Red. Just come the fuck on."
Striding off towards the dungeons, Draco Malfoy definitely signaled that the conversation was over.
"Sorry, I've got to go," Ginny whispered apologetically, running to catch up with Draco.
Neville stood in the corridor, trying to figure out what had just happened.
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"So what was that about?" Draco hissed angrily and he opened the door to a dungeon room for Ginny.
"It's none of your business. Frankly, why you care in the first place is totally beyond me," she retorted sarcastically.
"Of course I care. You are my slave, remember? Every idiotic thing that you do, because Merlin knows you do many, reflects on me now. So stop being such a slut," Draco finished, his eyes downcast. Even though his speech was rude, Ginny could tell from his eyes that his heart wasn't really into scolding her. It was as if he didn't believe what he saying…like there was some small drop of humanity in him, just begging to come out.
As quick as Ginevra had sensed the change in Draco's demeanor, it was gone. Giving himself a little shake, he showed her to a table that was set up with very delicious looking foods- including, much to Ginny's delight, chocolate-covered strawberries.
Taking a seat, she surveyed the food. "Quite the spread you've got here. Do you eat like this all the time?"
Draco's grey eyes met her chocolate ones. "Alone?" he questioned, motioning her to eat.
Ginny nodded.
He chewed thoughtfully for a moment before he replied. "Yes, I suppose. I used to eat in the Great Hall every night just like everyone else, but I suppose once I found the secret entrance to the kitchens back in sixth, nothing's ever been the same. Besides, everyone at this school makes exceptions to the rule for the Head Boy, you know that."
Ginny smiled and shook her head, putting some food on her plate. "I was so surprised when I found out that you were the Head. I thought for sure it would be Harry."
Draco scowled and looked out the window. "I guess we all thought it would be him…apparently Dumbledore had enough sense to appoint someone who had actually been a Prefect, and knew how to do all the necessary duties."
Ginny wasn't quite positive what she had said, but she could tell that she had somehow offended him.
Soon enough, though, Draco came back to reality and picked up a strawberry. Taking the first delicious bite, he swallowed and said, "Enough about Scarhead. What happened with the test, eh? Bun in the oven? Dolphin in the sea? Alcohol in the bottle? Crayons in the box-"
Ginny sharply interrupted. "I understand the analogy! Thank you! But no, um…I'm not pregnant."
She quickly picked up a strawberry to avoid Draco's intense gaze.
Draco looked at her intently. There was something she wasn't telling him; of that much he was positive. She seemed uncomfortable and awkward on the subject of pregnancy…downright…naïve. Oh, dear Merlin, it can't be, Draco thought to himself.
But the way she continued to avoid his gaze, blushing the whole while, confirmed his suspicions.
"You have never had sex have you? You're a virgin," Draco said incredulously.
She looked down as she replied, "N…No. I've never had sex."
He stood up and started pacing near the window, running his fingers through his hair. "Why were you looking up the potion? Why didn't you correct me?"
Ginny protested, "Well, you didn't exactly give me a chance! You generally didn't let me get much of a word in edgewise! And the potion was for…a friend."
Draco sat down quickly, shaking the table and causing the strawberries to scatter on the floor. "Look, Red. The reason I made this deal was because I've always thought you were hot and it seemed like a good excuse to actually say I got you in bed. Low, despicable, yeah, I know. But that's why. And when you go and pull this virgin shit it makes it very difficult to use you."
Ginny felt downright bizarre as she listened to his whiny words. She almost felt…guilty for disappointing Draco. She didn't care about him or anything, right? She just felt bad that he had gotten his hopes up only to be disappointed…at least that's what she was telling herself. Although meeting his steely eyes across the table, Ginevra wasn't so sure. His blonde hair was loose and falling in his face, and he was dressed very nicely in a fitted sweater and slacks. Draco always looked good, but tonight…tonight even she was willing to acknowledge the fact.
He looked up at her with impatience. "What are you staring at?"
"Nothing," she said apologetically, looking down at her hands, which were neatly folded in her lap.
Standing from his chair, he walked over to hers and held out his hand. Ginny took it and he gently helped her up.
Draco's face was close, so close that their noses were touching. Whispering softly, he brushed a hair from her face as he said, "Ginevra, I don't know what to do. Even though you are my slave, I still don't have the heart to do…that to you. I'm going to kiss you, though. If you don't like it, you can just leave, and I won't bother you anymore except to make fun of you in the hallways…but if you do like it, well. Just think about it, Red."
She nodded as her eyes fluttered closed. Closing the gap between their mouths, Draco's lips enjoyed insisting claiming hers. There seemed to be electricity between them, and Ginny was surprised to find she actually enjoyed kissing Draco. The kiss was different than the one with Neville had been earlier. It was more passionate, more forceful. There was something so undeniably sexual about it; it was far from the friendly caress that had been Neville's.
When they finally came up for air, Ginny realized that the time a person who hadn't been enjoying themselves would have left would have been about ten minutes ago…and it was at that point that she came to another realization- even though you might not actually like a person, you could still really like kissing them.
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