t w e l v e
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“Whoa, hey, Zabini, where were you?” Ginny asked leaning her whole body against the side of the door with her arms crossed across her chest. She had been waiting for him to come arrive to their dorm since she got back.
“Me?” Blaise asked, completely caught off guard to see her there. “Well, I was here and there . . . everywhere.”
“Like where?”
“Well, where were you?” He questioned as he crossed his arms across his chest, staring at her, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t try to turn this to me.” Ginny told him quickly with a slight glare.
“Ladies first.”
“I was with Harry, obviously.” She said as she rolled her eyes annoyingly. “Now, where were you?”
“Why do you want to know so much?” He asked as he walked over to the couch, sitting down.
“Well, I’m just curious.” She said as she walked over to him, sitting on the edge of the arm chair beside him.
“Why? Do you secretly like me?” He asked with a smirk. “Is that why you want to know where I am so badly?”
“Ha-ha, you’re funny.” She faked a laugh and smacked him in the arm. “Tell me.”
“No, maybe some other time.” He said as he let out a big yawn, stretching. “I’m really tired . . .”
“Fine, I’ll leave it alone for now.” She said sternly as she got up from her seat, still glaring at him. “I expect an answer next time, Zabini so you best be ready to spill.” She said and walked off. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Zabini called out and once he heard her door slam, he let out a deep breath that he didn’t know he was holding. “That was close . . .” He said and let out a sigh, shaking his head as he placed his hand over his chest. “I need to be more careful next time . . .”
---
Hermione got into bed and shut her light off. She sighed and sank into her bed, relaxing almost immediately. She pulled the covers over herself and nodded. “It’s been a long day . . .” She told herself and groaned. “What was I thinking agreeing to that absurd bet and the . . . outcome of it?” She scolded herself as she squirmed in her bed, frustrated with herself. “There’s no point in winning or losing . . . in the end, we’re going to kiss.” She told herself with a sigh. “But, he thinks I can’t be fun . . . I might as well prove him wrong. There’s nothing to lose . . . except my pride, dignity, and my brain in the process of proving him wrong.” Hermione shook her head and let out a deep breath. “Tomorrow’s a new day . . . tomorrow is the first day of the bet.” She said and slowly calmed down. “I just need to put up with him for three weeks . . . just three. Twenty one days with Malfoy . . . well, no it’s twenty days. Twenty days to make Malfoy fall in love with me . . . twenty days until Ron realizes his mistake . . . twenty more days with him.” She corrected herself and slowly drifted off the sleep thinking about the bet.
---
Draco threw himself on the bed backwards, landing on his back. He let out a deep breath with his eyes closed as he let everything sink in. His eyes fluttered open and he cursed loudly. “Shit!” He couldn’t believe what he got himself into! He couldn’t get a girlfriend in two weeks! 1. There were only seven girls staying here (excluding Granger, She-Weaslette, and Brown) and they weren’t attractive at all; 2. He had to make Granger fall in love with him, so; 3. He couldn’t get a girlfriend either way. He groaned as he slapped both hands on his face, thinking hard. His hands rubbed down his face and fell onto the bed. He made his decision. He was going to deliberately lose the bet so that he could kiss her. If he kissed her, she would surely fall for her. But if he did get a girlfriend, Granger would surely get jealous, right? He smirked as he thought about it but immediately shook his head. “No, do not take any chances. For the first time ever in your whole entire life, do this the safe way. Don’t bring anyone into this. It’s a bet between you and Granger, and only you two.” He told himself and nodded, agreeing with himself. “All right, then, Granger . . . let’s see how fun you can be.” He stared up at the ceiling and sighed, letting out a groan. “This whole plan is so damn frustrating!” He complained as he got up. “Why is it so hot in here?” He asked himself and quickly threw his shirt over his head, throwing it on the floor. “I have twenty days to make Granger fall in love with me . . . I have twenty days until Pansy is off my back . . . just twenty more days and it’ll all be . . . over.” He muttered to himself as he fell into a deep slumber.
---
“Granger.”
“Malfoy.”
Hermione and Malfoy greeted each other as Malfoy sat directly across from her during breakfast. They decided to sit with each other for breakfast since mostly everyone, especially Ron and Harry in particular, were fast asleep. They simply ate in silence, completely ignoring each other’s presence. They were both too consumed in their thoughts, they forgot how to talk.
Outside the Great Hall, Ginny and Blaise were talking behind the corner. “Okay, well, I think we should just leave them alone for now. I mean, it’s not like we’ve been doing anything. Let’s just let them do their thing and if they come to us, we talk to them. Otherwise, we will stay out of their business.” Blaise shared with Ginny.
“Right, but we should still be acting worried. Well, not acting, we care for our friends but you know, let’s just think outside of our plan for a few seconds. You know what I mean? We still have to be friends for them.” She warned him and nodded. “Great, we just need to stay out of their way but help them in some sort.” She pressed her lips into a thin line as she furrowed her eyebrows. “I just confused myself but it’s okay, I’m a bright girl, I’ll figure it out.” She stated and sighed. “You wait for a few seconds.” She said and walked off towards the Great Hall.
Blaise muttered under his breath about their plan. “Stay out of their way . . . stay worried for Draco . . . help them but from far away . . .” He nodded and slightly grinned. “Sounds easy.” He said with confidence and walked into the Great Hall.
Hermione’s eyes immediately shifted over to a certain redhead. She shot her head to the side and saw Ginny. “Good morning.” She said and scooted over for her friend to sit. “How’s it . . . uh, going?”