Hallway Encounters

Disclaimer: If Harry Potter was mine I think I'd have a better car than an '89 Ford Probe. :glares: Stop laughing at me!

Author's Note: Just a cute and fun one-shot I wrote after the plot bunny glomped me one day. Ginny - 6th year, Draco - 7th year. I mean, do I write in any other time frame? Lol. Please review!

"How could we miss it?" fellow 7th year Slytherin, Tracey Davis, snickered. The blonde young man made comical hand gestures around his head, "What kinda charm do you suppose she uses to get it that way?"

"I don't know, but you could use her bloody head as a battering ram." Adrien Pucey chuckled, his green eyes glittering in amusement.

Draco Malfoy smirked, "At least it takes attention away from her nose."

The boys let out loud guffaws of laughter. They were leisurely strolling down a third floor corridor, making their way to the Great Hall for lunch. It was a Saturday, so the meal was extended a bit longer then on weekdays. They were in no rush.

"Yea, well nothing beats Granger's hair!" Adrien offered, continuing their harmless banter.

"You ain't exaggerating, mate. I saw her walking down the hall the other day and I thought someone cast a shrinking charm on that oaf Hagrid." Blaise remarked, unconsciously running his elegant hand through his own dark hair.

Tracey turned to Draco. "How bout it, Malfoy, you're Head Boy. You have to work with Granger. Does she actually have a face under that shrubbery?"

"I wouldn't know." Draco drawled. "I try to maintain a safe distance."

"Uh huh, sure." Blaise smirked. He jovially clapped Adrien, who was walking next to him, on the shoulder. "We all know why you really keep your distance from her."

"And why, may I ask, is that?" the Head Boy scowled.

"Cause you fancy a different Gryffindor." Tracey provided helpfully.

Draco stopped dead in his tracks. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh come on! We've seen the way you oogle Weasley!" Blaise exclaimed.

"Weasel King!" Draco yelped in horror. "What do you bloody pillocks take me for, some raging..."

"Not the male weasel, you dolt." Adrien laughed. "The she-weasel."

"Not that I blame you, mate. I'd love to have a go at her myself." Blaise drawled.

Draco went rigid and turned, with a dark sneer, to his friend. "No you bloody well will not!"

The other three boys broke into peals of laughter at their friend's expense. Tracey tossed his arm across Draco's shoulder, still shaking with laughter. "Calm down, mate, we're just yanking your chain."

"I do not like Ginny Weas..." Draco started to state, but his tirade was interrupted by a frantic yelp.

"Ginny! No! Wait!"

The four Slytherins went quiet and listened curiously as running footfalls sounded closer. A second later, Colin Creevey came bolting around the corner, Gryffindor robes flying out behind him. His pale face was red from exertion and what looked like genuine fear. His ever-present camera was hugged tightly in his arms. Not spotting the group of Slytherins since he was too busy looking over his shoulder, Colin ran headlong into them and bounced off Adrien's broad chest with an 'eep.'

"E-excuse me, guys!" the skinny seventh year squeaked, struggling to get by, but his struggles desisted when he was pulled back by his collar and thrown into the wall.

"Oh! This just got good." Blaise whispered excitedly.

Draco mentally agreed with him, for pinning Colin Creevey to the wall, her little hand fisted into his shirt, was Ginny Weasley.

Draco gave her an appreciative once over. She was wearing a pair of tight, faded jeans and a black ribbed tank top. Her hair was wet, the bottoms curling attractively, and she was barefoot - her cute little toes peeking out from beneath the cuffs of her jeans, a dark emerald polish adorning her toenails.

Creevey looked like a cornered cat. His eyes widened and he brought his hands up in a defensive manner. "Now, Ginny, let's not do anything you'd regret!"

"Regret!" Ginny growled, her brown eyes flashing dangerously. "Oh, believe me, Colin - I could tear you into a bizillion pieces with my bare hands and whistle a happy tune as I do it."

Tracey leaned closer to his friends whispering, "Feisty! I like it!"

"I'm kind of digging the whole no-shoes thing." Blaise offered, his appreciative gaze glancing over the redhead.

"Eyes off!" Draco growled quietly, baring his gleaming white teeth threateningly.

"I'm sorry, Ginny!" Colin wailed. "I didn't mean to!"

Ginny scowled darkly at her fellow Gryffindor before jostling him roughly. "You didn't mean to? So what, you unintentionally gained access to the girls' shower and unintentionally took my picture while I was showering!"

"Is anyone else having really warm and fuzzy thoughts right about now?" Adrien remarked from the corner of his mouth.

Blaise and Tracey nodded fervently in agreement. Draco growled.

Ginny took a step closer to Colin, her free hand rhythmically clenching into a fist at her side.

"Seamus and Dean made me do it!" Colin yelped. His cheeks flushed an even deeper red. "They said they'd pay me ten galleons!"

"That isn't making you, Creevey! That's bribing you!" Ginny hollered at him. She bit her bottom lip in anger. "Give. Me. The. Film." Colin began to protest but Ginny slapped him up the side of the head. "Now, Creevey!"

"Alright! Alright!" The arm Ginny was using to hold Colin to the wall dropped as the boy reached up and flipped a catch on his camera. A door on the back popped open and he removed the enchanted film from it's compartment. Heaving a defeated sigh, Colin handed the redhead the film. He then began to inch away, under Ginny's watchful glare, before he paused, asking, "You're not going to tell Ron about this, are you?"

"Beat it!" Ginny hissed, while pulling her fist back in a threatening manner.

Colin gave another frightened squeak before running off. Ginny took a deep breath then exhaled - the tension leaving her body. "Damn pillock." she muttered to herself.

Blaise stepped forward with a sly grin and wrapped an arm around the girl's waist. "Why don't you hand over that film, love, so good ole Blaise can dispose of it properly?"

Ginny smiled up at him sweetly before replying: "Or I could dispose of it myself, then rip your balls off and wear them as earrings."

The sly grin slowly disappeared from Blaise's face as his arm uncurled from Ginny's waist.

"Is anyone else having really painful and disturbing thoughts right about now?" Adrien asked with a wince.

Tracey and Blaise winced in agreement, dolefully nodding their heads. Draco smirked in amusement.

"Well," Tracey began, "How about a nice spot of lunch?"

The others voiced their agreement to his fine idea and continued on their journey to the Great Hall.

Draco hung back, staring at Ginny. "You know, your small stature totally belittles how truly frightening you can be. It's actually quite impressive." he finally said, respect evident in his voice.

Ginny grinned up at him cautiously. "Was that a compliment from a Malfoy to a Weasley?"

"Well, only to this Weasley." Draco confirmed, taking a step forward. Ginny stared up, her eyes catching his, their gazes locked for a moment.

Finally, Ginny cleared her throat "So, um, you wouldn't happen to have your wand on you by any chance?"

"Of course I do. Why?"

Ginny held up the film. "I'd like to get rid of this as quickly as possible."

"Right." Draco said, his eyes glittering in amusement. He brandished his wand, muttered "Incendio." and watched as the magical film melted then disappeared with a 'pop.'

"Thanks." Ginny said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Well, I guess I'll be heading to lunch now." she muttered nervously, before turning to retreat.

"Wait!" Draco exclaimed.

Ginny turned back to him, her eyes hopeful. "Yes?"

Draco paused for a moment, knowing that he wanted to say something but not knowing what it was. He finally opened his mouth, "You're not wearing any shoes." he said dumbly.

Ginny blinked. "Oh. Right. Thanks." She began to walk towards Gryffindor Tower, but Draco caught up with her once more.

"Say, do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me today?" he asked.

Ginny's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Sure! I'd love to."

"Alright then," Draco said with a small smile, "Why don't we meet up at the main entrance after lunch?"

"Sounds good."

"Good." Draco watched the little redhead retreat before he turned around and headed to the Great Hall.

Taking a seat with Blaise, Adrien and Tracey, Draco smiled to himself. He served himself some chicken and watched the door for any sign of Ginny. Blaise's voice startled him, as the dark-haired boy yelled across the hall. "Hey, Creevey! Come here for a minute!"

The hall went quiet for a moment, as Colin hesitantly made his way towards the Slytherin table. "Yes?" he asked timidly.

Blaise leaned across the table and gave the skinny boy a conspiratory smile. "So, tell us, mate, was it worth it?"

"Huh?" Colin blushed, obviously knowing exactly what he was talking about.

"Come on!" Adrien laughed, "Don't play coy! Was it worth almost getting your man-bits torn off to see Ginny Weasley in the shower?"

Colin blushed scarlet but cautiously looked over his shoulder before turning back to the Slytherins. "Oh yes!" he whispered excitedly. "Very much so! She's like a goddess, I tell you! All creamy and..."

"CREEVEY!" Draco roared, launching himself to his feet.

Colin gave an almighty start, jumping at least a foot in the air. One look at Draco's scowling face sent him scurrying from the hall. Draco whipped around to face his friends. "I'll hex every last one of you if you don't shut up about that!"

Blaise was about to make a smart remark, but Tracey discreetly elbowed him in the ribs. The three boys watched in fascination as the Slytherin Prince's scowl disappeared and was replaced by a small grin. They continued to look from their friend to the little redhead who just entered the room. Draco slowly sat down, his eyes never straying from Ginny and the smile never leaving his lips.

"Anyone else think Malfoy's having some warm and fuzzy thoughts right about now?" Adrien whispered across the table.

Blaise and Tracey nodded. Draco did not growl, for he was too busy staring across the room, completely oblivious to anything or anyone but Ginny Weasley.