Operation Man Hunt

Operation Man Hunt

Ginny Weasley was positive that her life had hit a brick wall in terms of excitement. She couldn't remember a time when it had been so... dull. There had always been Fred or George around to spice things up, or she had been wound up with yet another no-go-yet-still-exciting fling (or what one could call a relationship if so inclined). But now there was... nothing. With the exception of Hermione's now interesting love life. But even though she got every single scrumptious detail of that, it wasn't enough. She needed something of her own, and she was determined to get it in time for the Yule Ball, no matter what ends she had to go too. And when Ginny Weasley wanted something, she usually got it.

"Really Gin, I don't know what you're all worked up about," said the girl lounging across from her as she idly flicked ink at passing first years.

"Kendra- will you stop that? It's distracting."

Kendra sighed and tossed her quill onto the table.

"Alright," she said, sitting upright. "So your positive that in order to get the excitement that you're craving you need a love interest."

Ginny shrugged and tucked an escaping red curl behind her ear.

"What else is there?"

"Well, Fred and George always managed to spice things up, and they weren't a love interest.... For you anyways," she said, getting a dreamy look on her face.

"Kendra! Can you please stop fantasizing about my brothers for two seconds? It's not healthy," she said, and shuddered.

Kendra sighed and Ginny shook her head.

"You're obsessed you know," she informed her best friend.

"I don't see how that's relevant to anything. Or how that's a problem."

"You're insane."

"Alright, alright. So feeding off someone else's excitement isn't enough?"

"You mean Hermione? As thrilling as her life is, I don't think so. And you're not supposed to mention that you know. I promised her I'd keep it all to myself."

Kendra rolled her eyes.

"You know she couldn't have actually thought that you wouldn't tell me. Besides, who am I going to tell? You?"

Ginny laughed.

"Anyways, back to my problem."

"Well, Harry is definitely out of the picture."

"What? Why?"

"Ginny love, you said you wanted excitement. As much as I love Harry, he's quite the predictable type. He's got the whole heroic thing going on and as much as I know you wish it were so, I don't think he's your type."

Ginny sighed.

"Hermione mentioned him too, and I as much told her the same thing. Harry is a dear, but..."

Kendra nodded, looking thoughtful.

"Hufflepuff's out of the picture... I think we're going to have to wade into deeper waters here."

"You mean Slytherin?"

Kendra nodded.

"Who else? The dark, the mysterious, and the forbidden."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"How dramatic."

Kendra grinned.

"Sounded good though, didn't it."

"Makes them sound like vampires or something. And they're not forbidden... except for Draco Malfoy, of course, but I think Hermione's pretty much taken care of him."

Kendra nodded.

"So, what sexy, exciting, lucky Slytherin are you going to devote your attentions to?"

Ginny paused.

"Not really sure. But I think we're going to have to finish this conversation later or we're going to miss supper."

~~~

Later that night the two girls sat at their usual table in the Gryffindor common room, ready to continue their earlier conversation of possible victims.

"Ok, parchment?" questioned Ginny.

"Check."

"Quill?"

"Check."

"Ink?"

"Also check."

"Alright, let's get started."

"Wait, what are we going to call this?"

"Huh?"

"Well, you know. Operation something or other. It makes it so much more... missiony."

"Missiony?"

"Well we are on a mission, aren't we? Make your life more exciting?"

"True. Um..."

Kendra got a glint in her eye.

Operation Man Hunt, she wrote boldly at the top of the page.

"Alright," began Ginny. "Malfoy's out of the picture, as is Crabbe and Goyle."

Kendra nodded in agreement.

"So, that leaves who in seventh year?"

"No one I don't think."

" Ok then, moving on to sixth year..."

"There's Clay, but he's seeing Genevieve."

"Theo, he's not seeing anyone," suggested Kendra, but Ginny gave a repulsive shudder.

"No way."

"You can't be too picky, Gin, or we'll have to end up scraping this."

"Theo?"

"Oh, alright, I see your point. Um, Griffin?"

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"You like Griffin, remember?"

"Oh, right you are. Still, you can have a go at him if you want."

"And leave you to moon over my brothers? I think not. Take him, you seriously need a hobby."

Kendra opened her mouth to say something but Ginny glared at her.

"Besides my brothers."

Kendra laughed.

"Who else is there?"

"Jory," she said resignedly.

"Well, he's not that bad. Easy on the eyes," she grinned.

"And also the biggest player of our year," Ginny complained, but Kendra wrote his name under the heading anyways.

"You can handle him, Gin. Anyways, I'm going to bed. G'night."

~~~

Ginny groaned as sunlight streamed through a crack in her bed curtains and hauled her pillow over her head.

"Good morning, sunshine," Kendra said in a singsong voice as she drew Ginny's curtain's open all the way.

Ginny mumbled something incoherent and proceeded to bury deeper into her covers.

"Get up, love. It's the first day of Operation Man Hunt."

"Do you know how annoying you're being right now?" Ginny asked her from under her pillows and blankets.

"You know you love me for it," retorted Kendra as she tugged at the blankets. "Now get up or you're going to miss breakfast."

"I always miss breakfast," Ginny complained.

"Yes, but you can't miss this one. We have to scout your victims."

Ginny threw a pillow at her.

"Don't make me drag you out of there, because you know I'll win."

"Go for it."

Kendra sighed.

"I was afraid I was going to have to resort to this," she said, and Ginny heard her pick up something off the floor.

Ginny bolted out of bed and Kendra looked at her slightly crestfallen.

"Damn. I was looking forward to drenching you."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Alright, I'm up, I'm up."

Fifteen minutes later they were seated in the Great Hall. Lavender and Parvati sat across from them, whispering eagerly to each other as they listed the best looking guys in the school. Ginny and Kendra strove not to listen to them, but it really was impossible to ignore the squeals of agreement and then the very loud shushing noises, followed by glances around them to see if anyone had heard.

"Draco Malfoy," Lavender whispered and Parvati nodded in agreement, before stealing a glance at Harry.

"Harry Potter," she whispered and Lavender squealed while Kendra clapped her hands over her ears.

"Let's get out of here," she hissed at Ginny who nodded in agreement.

"Blaise Zambini," said Lavender, and Ginny paused as she got up and stole a quick glance at the Slytherin table.

The dark head of the boy in question was just visible in the sea of other Slytherins. Ginny glanced at Kendra to see if she had heard, but there was already a predatory grin sliding its way up her face. She raised her eyebrows at Ginny, who nodded in silent agreement. How on earth could they have forgotten Blaise Zambini?

~~~

Ginny sat in her dormitory, reading quietly. Kendra had left about an hour ago to snoop out information on their current subject.

"Got it!" exclaimed Kendra as she tore into the dormitory.

Ginny looked up at her quizzically.

"Stats!" said Kendra and Ginny hauled her enthusiastically onto her bed, drawing the curtains around them.

"So..."

"Single," said Kendra and Ginny smiled.

"Well, that's a start. What else?"

"Like's to hang around the library. He's pretty much a loner, keeps to himself mostly, and who can blame him with who he's got in his year," she said, screwing up her face. "Can you imagine trying to have a conversation with Crabbe or Goyle?"

"So, what do you suggest I do?"

Kendra grinned at her, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Leaning in she whispered something in Ginny's ear, who grinned back.

"Ingenious," she said.

"Well," said Kendra, reaching into her robes and hauling out a bottle of butterbeer, "here's to happy hunting."

She took a swig and handed it to Ginny, who smiled.

Happy hunting indeed, she thought.

Later that night, Ginny visited the library, heading straight for the third table back and plopping herself down across from the head of dark curly hair that was at present bent over a book of some kind. She gazed intently at him for a while, and getting no reaction whatsoever, heaved a loud sigh. Still no reaction. Ginny harrumphed. You'd think he was deaf from all the notice he'd given her. Well, this wouldn't do. Ginny Weasley was not going to be ignored. Slamming her elbow down on the table (and wincing despite herself) she started drumming her fingers loudly. Blaise Zambini yawned slightly, and turned a page. Ginny scowled. Moving her chair in closer to the table she rested her head in her hands mere inches from his head, and stared for all she was worth.

Slowly he raised his head, looking her directly in the eye, his nose almost touching hers, his full lips only inches away from her own.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked.

"No," she said sweetly, and having accomplished her day's task of getting him to notice her, sat back in her chair and gazed intently at him.

She could have sworn she saw a small smile grace his lips before he nodded and went back to his book. She was content to sit there and look, now that she knew that he at least knew she was there. How long she stayed there, she didn't know, but somewhere along the way she must have fallen asleep because now she felt strong hands on her waist and suddenly she was being hoisted into brawny arms. Opening her eyes groggily she found herself looking into Zambini's deep gaze.

"What's going on?" she asked sleepily.

"You fell asleep," he said simply.

"No explanation as to why I am now in your arms?"

"You looked to peaceful to wake." He grunted as he shifted her weight. "For such a small parcel you pack the weight, Weasley," he informed her, and her eyes went wide in indignation.

"Are you calling me fat?" she asked and he flashed her a grin that was momentarily lit up as they passed a wall torch.

"Not fat. Only heavy."

She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"So, where are we going?"

"We are dropping you off to bed."

Ginny nodded.

"What time is it?"

"Ten," he said and she jerked her head back to look at him again.

"But that would mean that..."

"You were sleeping for a good two hours," he said, chuckling slightly.

"So, how are we going to explain that we were in the library and you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart if we get caught by say... Snape. Because by the time we get a word out he's going to already have jumped to the conclusion that we're coming back from a passionate snog in the astronomy tower, and will slap us both in a weeks worth of detention."

Zambini sighed.

"You talk to much."

"And you talk to little. And that didn't answer my question."

"More then likely, if we get caught, I'll be blamed for seducing the littlest Weasley. You're brothers will have to draw straws over who gets to kill me first."

Ginny laughed derisively.

"You? Seduce me? You couldn't manage to seduce your transfiguration book, though I dare say you've tried. You were much more interested in that then the 'littlest Weasley'."

"Arithmancy," he said.

"What?"

"It was my Arithmancy book, not Transfiguration," he told her with yet another grin.

She sighed.

"If anyone was to do any seducing, it would have to be me," she said, continuing their previous conversation.

Zambini smiled, and stopped abruptly in front of the portrait of the fat lady.

"We're here," he announced, putting her gently on the ground.

"Thank you," she said, before her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How'd you know where the Gryffindor entrance portrait is?"

He shrugged.

"Think you can manage from here?"

She nodded and smiled at him.

"Don't stay up too late with those books of yours, fascinating as I'm sure they are," she told him, and turned to give the password.

Zambini put a hand on her shoulder, turning her around to face him and leaned in close, cupping her chin in his hand and covering her lips with his. It was brief, yet sweet, and Ginny found herself blushing up at him.

"Told you I'd end up seducing you," she said faintly and he winked at her.

"What ever you say, little Weasley. Good night," he said and turned, striding away, Ginny's eyes following him until he disappeared around a corner.

~~~

"So let me get this straight. He ignores you, and when you finally fall asleep from boredom he picks you up and carries you back to Gryffindor tower? And then he kisses you? That is in no way consistent. At all," said Kendra the next day after Ginny had explained the night before to her in vivid detail.

Ginny grinned.

"I know, isn't it great?"

"And exciting! I'm so happy for you, you were starting to fall into a state of depression. And that, Ginny love, is far more unhealthy then my little crush on your adorable siblings."

Ginny snorted.

"Little crush? More like full blown obsession, but I'll let that one slide because I'm in such a good mood."

Kendra smiled.

"So, are we still continuing with the plan?"

"Most definitely."

Kendra looked at her watch.

"In that case, you're late," she said and Ginny jumped up. "Have fun!" Kendra called after her as she raced through the portrait hole and down to the library.

Ginny managed to arrive in the library before Blaise, and situated herself in the same seat she had been in before. Five minutes later, he waltzed in, not even glancing at Ginny as he sat himself in his usual seat and stuck his nose in his book. Ginny was fine with this, as she had come prepared today with her own book. She settled back in her seat and began to read.

This time she was keeping track of time. It was exactly forty-five minutes when he put away his book, got up and left. Stuffing her own book in the front of her robes, she followed him cautiously. There was no point in following him if he realized it early enough to turn her away. She paused as he went into the washroom. No way was she following him in there. She'd just have to wait for him here. Soon enough, however, she was bored. What did he do, fall in the toilet? She sighed as she leaned against the door, and went tumbling through it as someone opened it from the inside. She hit something warm and strong that smelt extremely good. Strong hands set her upright again, and she once more found herself staring into Zambini's depthless gaze.

"Are you stalking me, Weasley," he asked her, looking deeply amused.

She grinned cheekily at him.

"So what if I am?" she challenged.

"Well," he began slowly, "I always fancied myself a stalker. Though I had imagined that they would be a bit more subtle."

She rolled her eyes.

"Subtle is boring. How are you ever supposed to accomplish anything that way?"

He raised his brows at her.

"So you are trying to seduce me. Should I be scared?"

She moved closer to him.

"Oh, most definitely," she said.

"I see. So, little Weasley, what cruel and unusual things are you going to do to get me to bend to your will?"

"Well, for one, if you don't stop calling me 'little Weasley' I'm going to boot you," she said, smiling sweetly.

He grinned.

"With those dainty little feet? More like to hurt yourself, but alright. What should I call you then?"

She paused.

"Well, I do have a name," she said.

"Ok then, Virginia," he said, grinning at her annoyance. "As I asked, what are you going to do with me?"

"Well for one, I think I should bite that saucy tongue of yours right out of your mouth."

"You're welcome to try," he said, his eyes dancing with amusement as he bent his head closer to her.

"Oh, I think I'll do just that," she replied as she closed the distance between their lips.

He was an excellent kisser as Ginny soon found out, much to her glee. His mouth met hers perfectly at every angle, his tongue urging hers to dance with it. She ran her fingers through his short curls as he toyed with the wisps of hair that lay at the nape of her neck. She giggled against his lips and he pulled back slightly.

"Ticklish?" he asked her and when she nodded he grinned mischievously, moving his fingers lightly against the back of her neck so that she squirmed away laughing.

"Don't! Please, don't," she shrieked, as he attacked her stomach next, making her fall to the floor, shrieking with laughter.

"Not doing a very good job of bending me to you will now, are you?" he asked her with a grin, and stopped tickling her.

She smiled up at him, grabbing him around the collar and pulling him down close to her.

"Oh, I don't know about that," she said in a whisper. "This could all be part of my plan you know."

He nodded.

"Dangerous villain like you, there's no knowing what goes through that head of yours."

He bent down to brush his lips across hers, and then got up, brushing off his robes. She looked at him quizzically.

"Have to look presentable for dinner," he said, and then with a smile, turned and headed for the Great Hall.

Ginny sighed happily, not moving. Life, for now, was interesting.

Over the next two days, Ginny continued to 'stalk' Blaise, as he had so aptly put it. The third day she showed up at the library, only to find herself very much alone. She waited for a good half hour, but when he didn't show she got bored and headed back to the common room.

That night at supper, while Ginny was deep in discussion with Kendra, a large owl fluttered down to land on her shoulder.

"That's odd," Kendra commented, "post was this morning."

Ginny shrugged and carefully untied the note that was attached to the bird's leg. It fluttered down onto the table and waited as she opened it quickly.

To my stalker,

I would like to formally invite you to join me for an evening in the astronomy tower, passionate snogging optional. Since we are now in what one could call a stalker/victim relationship, these things must be done properly. Please send your reply via Owl Express. Meet me at 9.

Ginny laughed out loud as she read it, earning her the stares of several people. She handed it to Kendra excitedly who grinned at her once she had read it.

"I think you've done very well for yourself, Ginny Weasley," she said.

"Thanks to your plan."

"My pleasure, love. I just couldn't stand to see that pained, bored look on your face for any longer."

"Do you have a quill on you?" Ginny asked, and hastily flipped over the piece of parchment to write a reply as Kendra handed her one.

My Dear Stalkee,

I would like to formally accept your invitation, though I hope you realize that you may be putting yourself in direct danger and subjecting yourself to my whims. You never know with stalkers/masterminds such as myself. If you feel that you can risk it, I will most definitely meet you at 9.

Ginny let Kendra quickly scan it before tying it to the owl's leg and settling back in her chair. She turned and caught Zambini's eye as he read it and he winked. Oh, life was definitely interesting.

~~~

That night at five to nine, Ginny stood in the mirror, hastily shoving her hair up into a ponytail. Kendra was sprawled on her bed, watching her; amusement written all over her finely defined features. The three other girls that they shared their dorm with had retreated behind their curtains, knowing better then to ask what they were up to.

"How do I look?" she asked Kendra finally, turning from the mirror and doing a little twirl in front of her best friend.

Kendra sighed and got up.

"You hair, as fast as you shoved it up, looks great, your clothes are perfect, but Ginny love, I am not letting you go anywhere near that boy with those shoes on."

Ginny glanced down at her feet. She was wearing her favorite pair of brown boots. Unfortunately, while comfortable they may be, stylish they were not.

"Why not? I happen to like these shoes."

"Yes, they're very nice if you're going to become a farmers wife and spend all day mucking around in mud. Honestly, where on earth did you get them?"

She scowled.

"I'm not telling you on the basis that you will try and steal them."

"Ah, which one of the twins handed them down to you?"

"Fred," she said, taking them off slowly and glaring at her friend as if daring her to take them.

Kendra laughed at her expression.

"Not even that could make me wear them, don't worry."

Ginny grabbed her sneakers from under her bed and shoved them on.

"Better?"

"Much. Have fun now, and make sure you do everything that I would!"

Ginny flashed her a grin before she headed out.

When she reached the tower, Blaise was already there, sitting on the ledge that also served as a window. She was overcome with sudden shyness. He didn't seem to notice her, so she stayed on the top step for a while, drinking in the sight of his tightly curled hair, his broad shoulders, and well muscled arms. He seemed to feel her gaze, for he turned to look at her, and smiled slightly.

"Now your acting more like a stalker," he said and beckoned her over.

She obliged, jumping up to sit next to him and taking a dizzying look over the edge.

"I'm always afraid I'll fall when I sit up here," she told him.

He placed a hand over hers and looked her in the eye.

"I'd never let you fall," he said softly, and Ginny had the sudden urge to hold onto him and never let go.

Instead she shifted closer and laid her head on his shoulder.

"So, what did you want to meet me up here for anyways?" she asked.

"What, the thought of passionate snogging wasn't enticing enough," he asked, smirking at her.

"Hey, I'm the stalker here. I'm supposed to entice you, not the other way around," she said grinning.

"I suppose I should let you get on with it then," he said, and she punched him lightly.

"I think you're enjoying this far too much," she told him.

"Ah, I see. I suppose I should be trembling with fear by now, should I?"

"Yes, most definitely. You wouldn't want me to release the fierce Weasley temper, now would you?"

He shrugged and turned to face her, swinging one leg around so he was straddling the ledge. He put his hands around her waist and lifted her easily onto his lap.

"I've seen that awful temper at work," he said, smiling. "You're awfully passionate when you're angry."

"You have no idea," Ginny said, twining her arms around his neck and leaning in for a kiss.

After a bit he pulled back, his thumb moving softly against her temple and cheek.

"Hold up for a moment," he said. "Contrary to what you may have thought, I didn't bring you up here to have you seduce me once again."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"I want to ask you something," he said, and then paused, seeming unsure of what to say next.

Ginny waited patiently.

"Are you going to the Ball?" he asked her finally.

"More then likely."

"Ah, I see. Do you, I mean... who are you going with?"

She smiled slyly at him.

"Well, I don't know if you know him. He's a quiet sort," she replied.

His face fell somewhat and he leaned back against the wall.

"Oh, I see," he said.

"I'm not sure you do," Ginny said, smiling broader now.

"Yes, I do. Must have asked you a while ago, did he?"

"Actually, he didn't ask me at all. Tried to avoid the question by asking me who I was going with first. Think he was too afraid of rejection to ask me straight out. He's a good guy though."

Blaise nodded, looking at her intently, a slight smile playing around his lips.

"Tell me more," he said simply.

"Well, I only really met him a few days ago. Pig headed sort of fellow at first, didn't seem to notice me at all. Had to resort to stalking him in the end... seemed to work out ok though," she said. "There's just one problem."

"What's that," he asked, really smiling now.

"If he doesn't ask soon I think I might have to resort to going with Kendra. What a pretty pair we'd make waltzing in together. Hmm... might work though. We could have matching robes and all, the dynamic duo. Sounds alright, don't you think?"

He laughed and grabbed her.

"Oh no, I don't think that'll do at all. Because see then, I'd have to go with either Crabbe or Goyle, and though you and Kendra may make a pretty pair, we, I'm sure, would not."

He pierced with his gaze.

"Ginny Weasley, will you go to the Ball with me?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Most definitely," she said before leaning in to kiss him once more.

~~~