Big Beard is watching me

"The next person to leave the Big Brother house will be..."

Ginny looked up as she heard Rita Skeeter's voice. She glanced towards the building and towards Draco. Their eyes met.

"...Ginny."

Ginny looked away and at her feet. There were signs of obvious relief from inside the house. Draco winced and gave out a little moan.

"Ginny, you have an hour to pack your bags and say goodbye."

Ginny sighed and got to her feet. She did a wide sweep of Draco as she entered the building. Draco moved to intercept her.

"Ginny-"

"I better get packing then."

She still didn't look at him. He studied her. Her pale cheek, the way her red hair fell across her face, her sad eyes concentrated on the ground.

"Ginny-"

"I've got to go."

"Why won't you talk to me?"

She stared up at him. "I've got nothing to say!"

Draco's face fell and he stepped backwards, out of the way. Ginny pushed past him.

"That was 'A Whole New World' you were singing," he called after her.

"Yeah," said Ginny, turning. "So?"

"I sang that to you."

"I know."

"This is the part where I burst in to it, isn't it. Or how about 'I can't forget about Love' from the sequel?"

"Would your public like that?" she inquired cruelly, tipping her head. "Or have the latest polls shown that you should be more cliché?"

"Did the daisies tell you to be sarcastic?" Draco asked her, copying her tone. "Or did you just fancy a good slaughter before the eviction."

"No, otherwise I would have come in to see you."

"So you want to kill me now? I knew you liked me."

"For flips sake, of course I like you! I said I liked you about a dozen times! You were the one who broke up with me. You were the one who was so self centred, so vain, so egotistic that you would get rid of your own mother if she interfered with your ratings!"

"Don't be stupid! The people love my mother."

"Urrrgh!" Ginny shrieked, "I can't believe I wasted my time moping over you! You know, everyone else was right - I can do way better than you."

She stormed away. Draco stared after her.

"A whole new world," he sang quietly. "A new fantastic point of view.

No one to tell us no,

Or where to go,

Or say we're only dreaming."

She paused at the door and turned again. She had a strange smile on her face as she walked towards him.

"No," she said. "You're only dreaming. And," She was right close to him now. She pointed to the end of the garden. "Go that way."

She sighed happily, smiled at him and turned on her heal.

"Bye, babe," she called over her shoulder.

***

"Ginny, will you now please leave the Big Brother house."

George, Ron, Harry, Fred and Hermione called their goodbyes. Ginny blew kisses to them all, left the house and went into freedom.

"Well," said George, smiling at Hermione. "Only one girl left now."

Hermione giggled.

"Humph," said Draco from the back of the room.

"Yeah, yeah," said Fred. "We all know you're upset because you got dumped."

"Well he did break up with her in the first place," Ron pointed out.

"I'm not defending him," said Fred, "I'm mocking him."

"Did you all really say that she could do better than me?"

The other housemates looked at each other and shrugged.

"Yeah."

"Pretty much."

"Well I had to, she's my sister."

"You have to admit it's true."

"I didn't," Harry volunteered.

"Thank you, Potter. At least one person stood by me. Even if he is my worst enemy..."

"I'm your worst enemy?" Harry laughed.

"Yeah, so?"

"Well it's pretty pathetic, isn't it? My worst enemy is a psychopathic murderer who killed my parents and thinks he's a god. Your worst enemy is a fifteen year old boy who beats you at Quidditch."

"Well we're not all lucky enough to be hunted down by raving lunatics."

"Hang on," said Hermione. "How come you can say that? Your Dad's a Death Eater, there's no denying it. Surely you insulting You-Know-Who would come out really bad."

Draco dropped his voice conspiratorially. "Not if he doesn't find out it won't."

He winked and tapped his nose. Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Draco, we're live on TV."

Draco's cunning expression slowly melted away and was replaced with a look of horror. "Oh flip, I forgot about the cameras."

"And the microphones," Ron prompted.

Draco winced. "And the microphones too? Oh bother. I mean," He looked around desperately. "Snape!" he called loudly. "I meant that Snape was the psychopath and he's your worst enemy, isn't he Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes. "He wishes."

***

"Snape's third, Draco's fourth and Fred's fifth. You know, for the Cho thing," Harry was telling Ron.

It was the next day and Harry and Ron were cooking burgers on the BBQ in the garden.

"So where am I on your enemy list?"

"Number fourteen. Where am I on yours?"

"Fifth."

"Wow, really?"

"Yeah but Hermione's third."

"Ah."

"Talking of Hermione, where's she got to?"

"Dunno - her and George vanished earlier this morning."

"Again?"

"Yeah," Harry took a bite in to his burger. "Wow, these are real nice."

"You know, I haven't seen Malfoy or Fred for a while either."

"Me neither."

"Maybe I'll go see if they want a burger."

Ron wandered off. Harry waited until he was out of sight before piling all the remaining burgers in to one bun and slipping off to hide.

Ron went in to Draco's room.

"Malfoy, do you want a- Oh my giddy aunt!"

He stared in shock, unable to pull his eyes away from the couple. The other two housemates pulled away from each other. Ron kept staring at Draco as the other person pushed past him and away.

"Um..." said Draco. "Do I want a what?"

Ron blinked. "I'm sorry," he said, "I seem to have walked into a parallel universe. I'm going to go out, come back in again and see if any sanity has returned."

He turned and walked out. Draco chased after him.

"Look, I can explain."

"I just saw the feature film, I don't need the director's commentary."

"It's not what you think it is."

"It better not be."

"It was just a kiss."

"It was just an iceberg."

"You're not making any sense."

"I know you are, but what am I?"

"What?"

Ron stopped and turned to Draco. "I'm sorry. I have this affliction called Tin boat disease. You see when I see the bloke who just dumped my sister kissing my older brother I tend to get a little INSANE!!!"

After yelling the last word Ron turned to go again. Draco grabbed his arm and swung him around.

"Just listen to me! Please."

"Go on then."

"Well I was a bit upset you see. Ginny had just left and we didn't exactly part on the best of terms."

"Hmm. And whose fault could that be?"

"Mine, okay. Sheesh, you Gryffindors can never let anything go, can you?"

"Well that snog ended pretty fast."

"Oi!"

"You were saying?"

"Well I was upset and in walks Fred. He was being considerate and he kind of looks like Ginny..."

"How?"

"Well they do look alike."

"One's a boy and one's a girl. Don't you know the anatomical difference?"

"Of course I do! But Fred hasn't had a hair cut in at least five weeks and it's getting quite long. Plus when you share a room with a guy for so long you do tend to get a few feelings for them. It's all natural..."

Ron stared, eyes wide, at Draco in pure shock. "No it isn't!"

Draco smiled. "Well you don't look at him the same way I do."

"No, that would be illegal."

"I'm sorry. It was just something about the red hair. It drove me wild."

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like that. You're not... Ew!!!"

"No I'm not. Calm down."

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww! Ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew."

"Ssssh! Ron shut up."

"What's going on?"

Harry came in from the garden with a tell tale smudge of ketchup on his cheek. Fred poked his head guiltily round the door of the boy's dormitories. Hermione appeared from the girl's dormitories.

"Draco!" Ron cried, pointing at Draco. "Kissed," He pointed at Fred. "Him!"

"Fred!"

George appeared behind Hermione, pulling his shirt on. Ron stared at them. Hermione bit her lip and avoided his gaze.

"What?!"

George shrugged.

Ron held his head. "This is just perfect; absolutely perfect. Has everyone in this house gone horny? And how come I'm the only one not getting any?! Come on Harry."

"Now Ron," said Harry very gently. "I'm very flattered but I only like you a friend."

"I meant let's go out in to the garden and ignore these traitorous brothers of mine who can't spend five weeks in a house without getting on top of each other. Let's leave them to it, we can have our BBQ."

George and Hermione shrugged and disappeared back in to the girl's room. Ron shuddered.

***

Draco was in the garden sunbathing when Fred came out.

"What are you doing?" Fred asked.

"What does it look like? I'm trying to get a tan. I have to look my best, don't I?"

"I guess... Ron still hates us, doesn't he?"

"Me more than you."

"Why?"

"I told him I started it."

"You did?"

"Yeah, I told him I thought you liked Ginny. And that I couldn't help myself," He laughed. "And the bozo believed me!"

Fred nodded. "Ron's an idiot."

"Hello? I've known this years."

"I've known longer. He's been an idiot since the day he was born."

"Bumping into tables and stuff?"

"Bumping into buildings. You know the 'Two men walk in to a building' joke. Based on Ron."

"So did you talk to George?"

"Yeah. I had to explain everything, he wouldn't have believed your story."

Draco bit his lip nervously. "And?"

"He's not going to beat you up."

"Thank god."

"On one condition. You don't tell anyone."

"It was on TV."

"I know. I took off my Mike. Plus I think they were following Ron at the time."

"It's okay, I won't tell what really happened."

"Thanks Draco."

"But never again."

"Deal. But... Draco?"

"Yeah?"

"You're a great kisser you know."

Draco considered this. "Thanks."

***

Harry flopped down on the sofa. "Now," he said, "Will I end up doing this week's challenge by myself again?"

"No," said Draco, sitting down and putting his hand on Harry's knee. "We promise we'll help this time."

Ron, very slowly as if it was a mouldy pear that had gone all black and furry, picked up Draco's hand and tossed it as far away from Harry's knee as he could.

"Oh no you don't," he told him. "You've got my brother, you can't have my best friend."

"Oh shut up, Ron," said Fred.

"What about George and Hermione?" asked Draco, "He's your brother and he's got your best friend."

"Oi!" said George

"Um..." Harry put in. "Can I ask something?"

"No," Draco and Ron chorused.

"Yes," Fred snapped. "Go on Harry."

"Draco, are you interested in me in any way?"

"No."

Harry looked at Ron pointedly. "That's okay then."

He picked up Draco's hand and put it back on his knee.

"Do I get control of my own hand?" Draco asked

"No," chorused the others.

"Fine then. Go ahead, Harry. What's this week's task?"

Harry's eyes moved from side to side as he read the card. He glanced up looking impressed.

"Basketball." He told them.

"What?" asked the four boys from only Wizarding families.

"Basketball-" started Hermione.

"Yes," said Draco. "We got that. I know you're about to explain but you don't have to repeat the title like a text book."

"But it's a Muggle tradition..."

"Oh all right then," moaned Draco.

"Basketball. A sport originating from-"

"Well technically it's not going to be a full game," Harry interrupted.

Hermione growled.

"You see that basket ball hoop out there?"

"Oh yeah! Where did that come from?"

"It appeared this morning."

"As if my magic..." said Ron dreamily.

George flicked his brother on the forehead. "It is magic, plonker."

Ron rubbed his forehead unhappily. "Ow..."

"What's a Plonker?" Draco asked.

"Plonker," stated Hermione, "Slang term for idiot originating from the TV show 'Only fools and horses' about two cockney brothers-"

"Yeah okay I get it. Phew, you should never ask about anything with Hermione in the area..."

"So what exactly do we have to do?"

"Well tonight we all have to have a go and, going one at a time and working together, get ten baskets in a row."

"So," said George. "How many people have played basketball before?"

No one put their hand up.

"Ah."

***

Hermione stared upwards. "Wow," she said. "I didn't think that was possible."

"I'm as amazed as you are," George commented.

"I bet you are!" called Harry, "Wahey! Cha-ching! Hello Mummy."

George glanced at Hermione. Hermione nodded with approval. George slapped Harry round the back of the head.

"She means the basketballs, you idiot."

Harry sniggered. Hermione glanced at Ron.

"Has he been eating sugar or something?"

Ron looked innocent. "Only three packets."

"Oh Ron! Not again! You know what happened last time. We had to wait till he fell asleep and lost his grip on the branches."

"I'm sorry, but he was too quick for me."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Are you sure this is allowed? Don't you think they'd object if they saw that we were getting the baskets by using magic."

"Not if they don't see it."

"Am I the only one who remembers that there are cameras in this house?!"

"Yep."

"Yes."

"Definitely."

" 'fraid so."

"Sorry Honey."

"Honey?"

***

"Big Brother house. With an amazing total of thirty-two baskets in a row you have successfully completed this weeks challenge."

***

It was eviction night. Draco and Fred were keeping as far away from each other as possible just on the safe side. Nether-the-less, Ron was giving them both hateful looks. Harry was crossing and uncrossing his eyes out of boredom. He covered his glasses with his hands so he could look at the reflection and see what was going on behind him. Everyone seemed too busy to talk to him and this was the most fun he'd had in days. George was on the sofa talking to Hermione who was sitting on his lap. She kissed him on the nose and grinned. He whispered something in her ear causing her to giggle.

"No," she told him.

"Oh come on."

"We don't have time! The eviction's in five minutes."

"Exactly," said George putting on a puppy dog sad face. "This could be the last time we get a chance to do it."

She laughed again at the look on his face. "Okay."

She slipped off his lap and on to the sofa and the two faced each other.

"Patter cake, patter cake..."

Ron stared at his brother and second best friend in shock. Draco shook his head at them in disbelief.

"Trust me, they've wasted an eviction night."

Ron switched his glare to Draco. Draco put up his hands in surrender and started concentrating on the state of his nails.

"Three minutes," Fred announced.

"Yeah, so?" Ron snapped.

Fred laughed. "Chill, Ron. You've been up to so much character development this week you'll never get voted off."

"You're top of the polls you know," Draco added.

"You can leave off too."

"Will you shut up," said Fred.

"It was only a kiss," Draco agreed. "A tiny, iddy biddy thing."

"Tiny?"

"But good."

"Ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew."

"Big Brother house, this is Rita."

"Ew."