"Gin check this out," Ron called up the stairs. Ginny sighed wearily replacing her quill on the desk before standing and strolling downstairs.
"What Ron?" she asked as a newspaper was thrust into her hands.
"Lucius Malfoy Dead" Ron quoted the paper title out loud.
"And?" Ginny asked calmly.
"And!" Ron grinned "The bloody Death Eater is gone!"
Upon no reaction he sighed, "Oh you're no fun, I'm gonna go tell Harry."
He snatched the paper from Ginny and ran outside where Harry and Hermione were. Ginny rolled her eyes and walked upstairs. She closed her door and sat back down at her desk. Pulling a piece of her best parchment toward her (which was a present from Charlie two weeks ago for her birthday), she carefully dipped her quill in the ink and began to write with her perfect calligraphy. She finished and signed the letter Ginerva Weasley and tied it carefully with a black ribbon. Her new owl, Tiger, flew to her side obediently his black feathers were accented with silver stripes. Her parents had given him to her as her 16th birthday present which made her day knowing she didn't have to share her owl.
"Hi Tiger, deliver this and be quick please. I must finish packing." Tiger hooted and nipped her finger affectionately before flying off with the letter. Ginny smiled and grabbed her books and began packing quickly. It was 10am and they were leaving at 1pm for the train station. She started folding her new robes and clothes that Percy had taken her to buy for her birthday. While Ginny loved all her brothers, Percy was definitely the one she related to most.
'Speaking of the devil' she thought as Percy stepped into her room after knocking gently.
"I heard..." Ginny said before he could say anything.
"Not surprised. Ron's gloating as if Voldemort himself is dead." Percy rolled his eyes irritated.
"I just sent my condolences." Ginny sighed turning to face her preferred brother.
"Good, at least Aunt Marlene taught us proper etiquette." Percy nodded sitting on her bed tiredly.
"Thankfully," Ginny rolled her eyes exasperated.
Percy and her were the only two who allowed their aunt to teach them proper mannerisms when they were younger before Hogwarts. Their aunt, Marlene Prewett, was considered part of high society still, and she wanted her niece and nephews to know how to act in the presence of company. Percy and Ginny had been thrilled at the prospect of learning at the young age of 6 years old. Their brothers had scoffed and called it a waste of time having been more keen on pleasing their mother who didn't talk to her sister. Now Percy and her were at a higher education level and maturity caliber, and they both speak 7 languages fluently: French, Latin, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, and of course English.
"Well I thought you should know, Dumbledore offered me a job as DADA professor." Percy said casually.
"And?" Ginny turned to her older brother of five years expectantly, while folding her skirts.
"I took it of course," Percy scoffed lightly.
"Oh good! Congratulations Percy. You'll be a brilliant teacher." Ginny hugged him.
"Thanks," Percy grinned, "Let's pack and get ready to leave. I haven't told the others yet." he said standing and winking at her mischievously.
"Pure evil, dearest brother of mine." Ginny laughed.
Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy was sitting in the parlor with his mother Narcissa, Stephanie Zabini, and her son Blaise Zabini. Blaise was Draco's closest friend, as Stephanie was to Narcissa. They were all chatting quietly. Narcissa was crying off and on since Lucius' death.
"Draco will be in Hogwarts, Cissy. Come stay with me for a couple weeks. It'll do you some good." Stephanie chided to her mourning friend.
"Maybe just a night," Narcissa relented with a sniff.
Blaise watched as Draco stared at the fire trying to mask his pain. and anger.
"He was a good father." Draco whispered, "If nothing else. He never hurt me or mother. He may have taken his beliefs a bit far what with joining the Dark Lord and all, but he wasn't bad like everyone says."
Narcissa began crying harder at the thought of the newspaper article that had portrayed Lucius' death as a victory and triumph in the war.
"He was a good man, Drake" Blaise affirmed automatically. He hated seeing his friend in pain. Draco blinked back tears and nodded taking a swig of tea which Blaise suspected was spiked with fire whiskey.
Just then a black owl with silver stripes swooped into the room and landed on Draco's armrest calmly.
"If that's another piece of hate mail, I will hex that owl." Stephanie hissed. The owl merely hooted and stuck his leg out toward Draco. He wearily took the letter.
"It can't be worse than Fudge's congratulatory one." he said. The owl hooted and nudged Draco's shoulder affectionately before flying off without waiting for a treat that owls tended to expect. Draco sighed and contemplated the parchment for a moment before untying the ribbon, that smelled oddly of cinnamon apples, delicately. He skimmed the paper fully prepared to toss it in the fire like the rest if it were to upset his mother more. He felt his jaw drop open in shock.
"Draco what is it?" Narcissa asked worriedly twisting her hands in her lap expecting another letter saying how happy someone was that her husband was dead and how their family would be shunned.
Draco began reading the letter aloud.
"Dear Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. I apologize for bothering you in your time of mourning. I want to send you both my condolences for your loss. While our families have never been close, I believe his death to be untimely as well as rudely ignored. The media has preposterously disregarded his death and I apologize for your hurt. While I never knew your husband and father, I am greatly sorry you have lost him. May Merlin keep you both safe and may your blessings multiply as you remember him as a strong willed man."
"Oh how lovely," Narcissa sighed relieved and touched. "Who is that from dear? I must send a thank you reply."
"Ginerva Weasley" Draco said absolutely stunned.
"What?!" Blaise gaped. Stephanie grabbed the parchment is disbelief.
"It is!" Blaise's mother confirmed to Narcissa who was staring at the paper in shock.
"How amazingly sweet," Narcissa whispered coming out of her shock into confusion. "But why would she be so kind? When everyone including her own family is celebrating his death? When he did what he did to her with that forsaken diary!?" her voice taking on a bit of hysteria towards the end of her inquiry.
"I've no idea Cissy, she does sound lovely though" Stephanie turned to their sons looking for answers, while placing a hand on her friends arm to keep her calm.
"We can find out," Blaise shrugged just as confused.
"And don't worry about a thank you note mother, I will personally thank her." Draco assured her standing to move to her side placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Please see that you do, Draco. She's the first to say a kind word about him. It wasn't easy for her I'm sure." Narcissa picked up the parchment and read the letter to herself. It gave her hope that perhaps everything would be ok. For once that morning her tears had stopped.
"Let's go then mate. We still need to get our train tickets." Blaise said standing. They both bid their mothers goodbye and went to the foyer to apparate to the station.
Ginny sat across from a fuming Percy quietly. They were in a compartment with a small table. Their trunks were stowed overhead already and Ginny was setting tea. She wore her black skinny jeans with her high heeled boots and a dark blue halter top. Tiger was in his cage wholeheartedly nibbling on his bowl of treats Ginny had given him on his return from the Malfoy residence.
"I can't believe mother told me to turn down the offer!" Percy said adding sugar to his tea before taking a sip.
"I can, the loon thinks she runs everyone's lives Perce" Ginny rolled her eyes as she took a sip of tea.
"Well I'm 21! I can make my own choices!" Percy roared.
Ginny arched an eyebrow at him. It was rare to see Percy lose his cool. Especially after their lessons with Aunt Marlene about having a solid mask in public. Percy took a deep breath at his sister's incredulous look.
"Sorry sister," he sighed.
"No apologies. I lose my cool all the time brother. You're just really upset." Ginny said handing him a plate of chocolate covered strawberries with a smile.
Percy smiled at her antics of making him feel better. They both loved chocolate covered strawberries. They talked for a few minutes as they heard some people board the train. They stopped upon hearing Ron's annoying voice.
"Hey Malfoy! Heard daddy died. Gonna go cry in your corner." Ron's voice carried.
Ginny's jaw dropped open in shock at her brother's lack of tact and overall stupidity.
"Shove off Weasley!" Ginny heard the unmistakable voice of Blaise Zabini snarl angrily.
"Or you'll what? Send his ghost to haunt me?" Ron mocked. The Gryffindors behind him, which included Harry and Hermione snickered.
Ginny stood up angrily. Sure Malfoy wasn't the nicest to them, but this was uncalled for.
"Aww look Ron. Malfoy's gonna cry!" she heard Harry gloat maliciously. That was the last straw.
Ginny slid open the compartment door with a bang. She saw Draco and Blaise alone on one side of the hall while Ron, Harry, Hermione and 5 other Gryffindors were on the other side. It was true, Draco looked frustrated and on the verge of being overwhelmed. Blaise looked furious.
"Oh hey Gin!" Hermione grinned.
"DO NOT 'oh hey Gin' me!" she sneered, her anger reaching capacity. Percy had stood up as well and was right behind her in support. "You lot should be ashamed of yourself! Especially you three!" she glared at the Trio.
The five Gryffindor followers shrunk back knowing that pissing off Ginny was the stupidest thing to do. It was right in the category of trying to piss off Snape.
"Gin we were just-" Ron rolled his eyes oblivious to her anger.
"Just what? insulting someone when they're already down? Insulting the dead Ron? You're pathetic!" Percy hissed, "How would you like it if it was our father who died and we were being cornered on the train by Slytherins mocking us?"
"Oh shut up Percy, no one likes you." Hermione snapped. It was a known fact that she was jealous of how smart and prestigious he was.
"He happens to be my favorite brother," Ginny snarled at Hermione angrily. Hermione rolled her eyes. That set Ginny off. She pulled out her wand.
"Banishada Cantila" she sneered. The 8 Gryffindors disappeared in a flash with horrified looks on their faces.
Percy broke out laughing after the moment of shock wore off, "Oh wonderful job sister dearest."
Ginny couldn't help smiling impishly, "Why thank you brother. I do believe they won't be able to get into this hallway for the rest of the train ride."
They turned to the two Slytherins. who looked between amused and confused.
"I apologize for our brother's and house's ghastly behavior." Percy said to them.
"Unfortunately manners have never been their specialty." Ginny finished.
"Thank you." Blaise nodded. Both of them looked at Ginny curiously. Draco had pulled himself together and was back to his cool demeanor.
"Care to join us? We were in the middle of tea." Ginny inclined her head to the compartment as if inviting them was the most natural thing to do.
The two boys hesitated before exchanging looks of questioning.
"Thank you," Draco nodded finally.
They all walked into the compartment. Tiger who had become protective of Ginny since she had gotten him, flew out of her cage and landed on GInny's arm searching her for any damage.
"I'm ok Tiger." she cooed stroking the birds feathers reassuringly before he flew back to his perch dutifully.
"The name fits," Blaise chuckled as Ginny served them tea. Draco noted how pristine each movement she made was.
"Fast owl too," Draco said quietly meeting Ginny's eyes.
"I hope my note didn't overstep." Ginny said, she was curious as to whether she should have said nothing to the family that seemed to loathe hers.
"Not at all. First kind thing anyone's said of him. My mother was most grateful and wanted me to send her thanks. Reading it was the first five minutes I've seen her not cry since my father..." Draco trailed off losing his confidence at the unwanted admittance.
"Well good." Ginny smiled skillfully overlooking his falter of speech. "I am sorry people haven't been kinder or at least respectful."
"Yes a man such as your father should be better recognized." Percy shook his head, "It is unbelieveable how heartless people can be."
"We have to ask," Blaise said as the siblings sipped their tea at the same time, "but why are you of all people being so pleasant?"
"Well why wouldn't we be?" Percy inquired. "The family feud is rather stupid, and we both like to make our own opinions of people rather than appease our family's egos."
"And if you're going to ask about that diary incident, don't even bother," Ginny said gently to Draco knowingly. "We're in a war, your father had direct orders and kept himself and your family safe. I know I would've done the same."
"Unbelieveable," Blaise shook his head. "You two are so accepting and open minded."
"Thank you," Draco added so that Blaise's statement wouldn't be taken offensively.
"Of course." Percy shrugged, "Besides our aunt spoke highly of Lucius."
"And she has good judgement of character." Ginny added finishing her tea.
"Your aunt?" Draco asked confused.
"Yes Aunt Marlene Prewett," Percy confirmed casually.
Blaise and Draco nearly choked on his tea at that admission.
"Our mother is her sister." Ginny shrugged. "Our aunt is like our second mother though."
"More like first," Percy muttered "Taught us more than that bigoted cow."
"Percy!" Ginny laughed none too surprised or upset by his words.
"But then, you would be her niece and nephew." Draco gapped.
"Wonderful deduction Malfoy," Ginny smirked.
"You never looked at the family trees during your upbringing?" Percy mused.
"We did, but never realized.." Blaise said.
"I wasn't aware the Weasleys brought up their children proper." Draco said thinking of Ron and his behavior recently.
"They don't, but our aunt brought us up." Percy said. "Took forever to start though."
"Yes, our mother was devastated that her son and daughter wanted to be brought up properly." Ginny rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Of course it was only because we wanted to learn. Our other brothers dismissed it."
Blaise eyed Percy as if just realizing something. "Didn't you graduate?"
"Yes and now I'm your DADA teacher." Percy nodded.
With that they sat and chatted as the train chugged toward Hogwarts. They all got along easily and the two siblings were pleasantly surprised at the Slytherins' openness.