Disclaimer: Harry Potter = Unfortunately not mine

A/N: Yes, I know I've already started a Draco+Ginny fanfic but I couldn't resist starting another, so, sorry haha. Please enjoy(:

Sixteen-year-old Ginny Weasley sat furiously scribbling away at a DADA essay she was to finish by after lunchtime.

Looking up at the clock in the library, Ginny saw that it was 11:45 and she'd only done quarter of what she was meant to do.

Ginny sighed tiredly and leaned back in her chair. Carrow's going to have my head, Ginny thought miserably.

Then she grinned. Not that it would make a whole lot of difference.

Ever since Dumbledore died and Hogwarts was taken over by mostly Death Eaters, not to mention the Golden Trio left for their "mission", Ginny had been making Amycus and Alecto Carrow's lives as awful as possible. Graffiti'ing the corridor walls with things like images of the Order, planting Dung Bombs in unexpected places. And the best part, Ginny never got caught.

Except once. Ginny was in a particularly foul mood after having endured an hour of Carrow droning on about how pathetic and filthy Muggles are, and so decided she'd take out her anger by planting fireworks near Carrow's office.

However, as she was setting them up, a certain blonde-haired Slytherin came across her and asked what she was doing.

Ginny nearly jumped out of her skin and stared at Draco Malfoy with wide eyes, before stuttering out, "I-I was j-just, I-I, um-" Draco cut her off and took a step closer to her.

"Don't you know that you shouldn't be doing these things?" Draco hissed, and Ginny winced. His voice was so harsh. "Merlin, you'll get caught. And what will happen then?"

For a split second Ginny thought she saw concern deep in Draco's cold, grey eyes but just as quick as she saw it it was gone, and Draco muttered a quick, "Be careful, Weasley" before turning around and strolling away. Ginny quickly set up the last of the fireworks, cleared away any evidence that she'd been there, and hurried off to her Common Room.

Ginny saw Draco in a new light that day. Sure, Harry had explained before he'd left with Ron and Hermione that it wasn't his fault Dumbledore was killed, and he wasn't a bad guy. Adding to the fact that Draco hadn't insulted her once this year and he was acting very drawn into himself. He was looking unhealthier and thinner, Ginny had noticed, but didn't pay much attention before because she was too busy living out her duties to the Order. But now she saw it. Draco was just as much a prisoner as her and the rest of the Death Eater victims were.

Coming back to the present, Ginny then realised it was 11:55. Cursing mentally to herself, she did as much as possible, which was only about two more sentences, packed her things away and grumpily made her way to the Great Hall.

Upon entering, Ginny looked around the large room filled with students and sensed the lack of cheeriness.

Perfectly understandable, Ginny thought grimly, and made her way to the Gryffindor table and sat down by herself.

The food was already there. Good. Ginny was starving.

Tucking into a sandwich, Ginny stared around the Great Hall, subconsciously searching for a certain blonde-haired teenager.

When she didn't find him at the Slytherin table, she sighed to herself and got up, then walked out of the Great Hall to her next class. Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Ginny inwardly groaned. She was sure to get a detention, from blasted Alecto.

Ginny had actually managed to stay out of trouble the past two months, despite all of the trouble she'd caused. Now she was sure to get the worst.

Taking a deep breath and steering herself for the big verbal (and probable physical) explosion that was going to happen in less than an hour's time, Ginny opened the door to the classroom and walked inside.

Alecto Carrow was sitting at a large desk, her short, plump form barely visible. She got up from her seat and waddled to the front of the classroom, black, beady eyes regarding everyone that was seated before her. She'd do this every day. To put the students on edge. Ginny merely yawned.

What? She reasoned with herself. I'm going to be punished later on, anyway.

This thought didn't exactly reassure Ginny, and she stared grimly at the teacher who had now ordered them to get out their textbooks and start reading about the Cruciatus Curse, before getting them to practice it on each other. This was new, and Ginny didn't like it.

Staring, wide eyes open wide in disbelief and horror at Professor Carrow, Ginny sputtered out, "What?"

Professor Carrow's head snapped in Ginny's direction, her eyes narrowing dangerously, before her mouth spread into an ugly grin. "Yes, girly. And guess who's going to be practised on first?"

Professor Carrow marched towards Ginny, who was so stunned she didn't even protest when the awful Death Eater grabbed her upper arm, hauling her to the front of the class.

"This, you ungrateful bints, is the Cruciatus Curse," Alecto then trained her wand on Ginny and shouted, "Crucio!"

Ginny's eyes widened before snapping tightly shut as she fell to the floor and writhed in pain. She refused to make a sound.

This only angered Professor Carrow more, and the class watched in terror as their teacher placed the spell more forcefully on Ginny.

It was excruciating, the pain. It was as though someone had dipped Ginny's insides in alcohol and set them on fire.

Just as Ginny was about to let out an ear-piercing scream, the door of the classroom opened and Draco Malfoy stepped through.

Upon seeing what was going on, Draco's eyes widened as his eyes fell onto Ginny's shaking form.

"What?" Professor Alecto spat out.

Draco stared at Ginny for a couple more seconds, before snapping out of it and facing Alecto. "I, uh, was told to tell you to meet Headmaster Snape before dinner."

Professor Carrow nodded. "Yes, yes. I shall. I'll send him an owl telling him I'll be there." Just as Draco was going to leave, Professor Carrow added, "Take this, this filth, and do something about her. You know," Alecto's eyes narrowed angrily again. "Crucio her. You know how." Draco nodded wordlessly and made his way to Ginny, who was by now too tired and in pain to protest.

Draco hauled her to her feet and supported her, then walked out of the classroom.

A/N: Working on the second chapter now. Please review, hope you enjoyed. (: -Naomi