Note for 2008: I am really starting work on this thing again. I got wrapped up in my original fiction, and then I just kind of stopped writing. For two years. Or more. I'm not even sure why I'm back. My notes for what the plot was supposed to be make very little sense to me…I never updated them since the initial outpouring of (frequently bad) ideas. Since I apparently feel compelled to finish this…here I am.

Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim. I am not J.K. Rowling.

Full Summary: Ginny Weasley changed over the summer. She didn't suddenly become a supermodel, but her outlook on life changed after an internship with Charlie in Romania. She returns to school only to find a series of surprises that await her. She is charged with tasks she'd rather avoid, and finds herself thrown amidst a nest of snakes. (And here your oh-so-beloved author gives up on summarizing this. Again.)

Warnings: Changed the rating since a couple years ago. Hah. Sex, substance use, violence, etc. If you're a homophobe…don't read this! This is not primarily a slashfic and I'm not going to be extremely blatant, but there will be slash. Deal. Or don't read. For obsessive G/D shippers, there's a special warning for you: it'll be slow to start (it will irritate you.) with the two of them, but it shall happen, and it will be central to the plot.

Pairings: Ginny/Draco, Hermione/Ron, Colin/Dean, Ginny/Blaise, Daphne/OC

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Ginny stomped her foot impatiently. She glared up the stairs, "Ron! Get your ass down here! I want to be at Hogwarts today, not explaining in a week to McGonagall how my idiotic dolt of a brother caused me to miss the train!"

A muffled grunt came from upstairs, and Ginny rolled her eyes. She was excited to go back to Hogwarts- she hadn't seen any of her friends over the summer because she had done something of an internship with Charlie in Romania. Self-consciously she smoothed out her skirt. Spending time with her favorite brother and all of his friends had done a lot for her. She was no longer as shy as she had been, and she wasn't afraid to speak her mind around people other than her family anymore. Charlie's friends had been a bit…rough- they were dragon trainers, after all. Beyond that, though, they had been a bit crude. Or so 'old Ginny' had thought. She hadn't completely reinvented herself like people did in books, but she had changed. She carried herself with more confidence, and she wasn't as guarded and reserved around others.

Personally, she thought it had been a good change. Her youngest older brother, however, had been furious when she had come back. Lucky for her, most of that anger was directed at Charlie, as he blamed him for corrupting his little sister. It wasn't like she had been a complete innocent; she thought angrily, she had just been quiet! Leave it to Ron to blow up when his little sister finally started to be independent.

"Ahem."

Ginny looked up; startled when Ron cleared his throat- she hadn't heard him come down. Shaking her head bemusedly, she stalked past him to where Fred and George were waiting outside. The twins had had quite a success over the past year with their joke shop, and had bought themselves a muggle car. "Hey there, Ginbug," Fred said, "We thought you'd never make it!"

Ginny glared at her brother. He knew she hated that name! "It wasn't me that caused the hold up! That," she gestured over at Ron, "Useless sod took forever!"

Ron gave his sister a withering look; "At least I didn't become a whore over the summer!"

Ginny blanched. He must have really gotten up on the wrong side of the bed today. "At least I didn't become an asshole overnight!" she shot back.

"Uh huh. I had a long talk with Charlie last night," Ron said coldly, "via this useful little thing called the Floo network…. you might have heard of it, hmm? Anyways…while I do blame him for not stopping you, he made it clear that you were quite the slut this summer!"

Ginny felt her face burning, and it wasn't from embarrassment. "HOW DARE YOU! CHARLIE WOULD NEVER CALL ME A SLUT, UNLIKE SOME BROTHERS OF MINE!" She took a deep breath. Charlie had probably just told Ron that she hadn't been forced into doing anything she didn't want to, and he translated that into 'my sister was a promiscuous whore this summer.' Still…she couldn't help but feel a little betrayed. Meanwhile, the twins were watching with identical amused expressions on their faces as their younger siblings fought.

"WELL AT LEAST ONE OF YOUR BROTHERS ISN'T DELUSIONAL AND IS TRYING TO PROTECT YOU!" Ron bellowed back, his face purpling with rage.

Before Ginny could shriek anything in return, Fred stepped forward, "Ron. In the car. Now. All of us have Ginny's best interests at heart, never accuse us of anything else," he said coldly. Ron paled a little; he just realized he had said that Fred, George, and Bill were poor brothers. And Fred had never taken that tone of voice with him before. He nodded meekly and got in the back seat of the car. Fred smiled wanly at Ginny, mouthing, "It'll be O.K.," and motioned for her to sit in front.

Ginny smiled back gratefully, and took her seat. Fred sat in back with Ron, and George drove. Leaning against the window, Ginny sighed. She had thought all of her brothers more or less shared Ron's sentiments, only less vehemently. But, unless she was mistaken, Fred, and by association, George, was okay with how she had changed over the summer. She winced. She wasn't really a slut…not at all. She had had some fun, sure, but…she sighed again. Fine. By her brother's standards, she had been a slut. And a slut by a good many of the Gryffindors' standards, as well.

Damn…that was one thing she wasn't looking forward to. She had never felt like she fit with all the other Gryffs…and this summer had only served to accentuate their differences. Actually, she thought bitterly, the main reason she didn't want to go back had to do with what happened last year, anything else was just an excuse.She thought back to her first year…when she had been sorted. The Sorting Hat had taken the longest time to place her, and when it finally did, it had seemed disappointed with its choice. But the Gryffs wouldn't bug her again this year…

Absently she patted her purse. She hadn't told anyone yet, but she had received a letter from McGonagall stating that she was to be moved up into 7th year Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. She had thought it odd that she wasn't being moved up in Care of Magical Creatures, which was her best class, by far. She was equally shocked when she opened her second letter, from the Headmaster himself, which stated bluntly that she was to be assisting the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher, and would be re-Sorted this year. The only justification for this rare event was that 'this year will hold events unknown to even me, and it is best if no one, including myself, tries to hinder them in their course.' She rolled her eyes yet again: basically, the letter had said that she was being re-Sorted, and Dumbledore didn't know why, but he was authorizing it. Of course, she knew the real reason for the re-Sorting. Just like most of Gryffindor did. Well…she wouldn't have to deal with them, at least. A new House, a new start, she thought happily. She'd still have to see the Gryffindors, of course…hell, she was still friends with some of them…but she wouldn't have to see any she didn't want to very often. She smiled a little at that: it sounded like the Gryffindors were a species of wild animals instead of a House at Hogwarts.

She wondered who the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher would be. Hagrid had left, permanently, last year. Nothing official had been said, but it was widely accepted among the students that the reason for his departure had something to do with the impending final battle between Harry and Voldemort. She snorted. Voldemort-Voldemort-Voldemort, she chanted mentally. Stupid Tom Riddle who had taken her innocence away, and would take the innocence of many others before he was finally finished. He had taken away her blissful ignorance and almost killed her. He would have come back to his full powers and killed her if it weren't for Harry.

She smiled affectionately at the thought…Harry: the reasonable brother she had never had. She had long since gotten over her crush- if only she could get the rest of the school to see. Her smile turned bitter- not like it'd matter, what with her over-protective brother and Harry glaring at any male who so much as glanced in her general direction.

Ginny was so engrossed in her thoughts that she paid no attention to the sullen atmosphere of the car. She would have gone on not noticing if it weren't for the fact that they arrived, quite suddenly, at King's Cross.

"C'mon you two," George said, a tone of forced brightness in his voice. The twins helped them unload all of their stuff from the trunk onto a luggage trolley, and they headed towards Platform 9 and ¾ in silence.

Ginny breathed in deeply once they went through the barrier. It always smelled so…welcoming. Her eyes lit upon a familiar form, and she squealed with delight, "Colin!" she cried, and immediately ran over and engulfed her friend in a hug, "I haven't seen you in ages!"

Colin was beaming. He had been talking to Dean when she had arrived. A thoughtful expression crossed his face, and he pushed Ginny to arm's length, "My, my, my," he said, his eyes twinkling, "You've grown."

Any other guy would have gotten himself in trouble with the way he was leering at her. But not Colin. She put on her best innocent angel face, "You think?"

Colin smiled again, "In all seriousness Gin…you look great."

Ginny blushed. A compliment was a compliment. It was then that she noticed the jealous looks Dean was giving her, and her eyes widened, "Oh Colin…is there a special someone you haven't told me about?" When his face remained blank, she raised her eyebrow and nodded almost imperceptibly in Dean's direction.

"How'd you know?" Colin said, looking…surprised. But not offended, giving Ginny confirmation, though she didn't really need it.

"Oh…honestly Colin! I'm your best friend! And I'm not daft! How would I not know?"

"Uh…well then…we weren't really planning on going public," Colin said, blushing.

Dean, who had remained silent up to this point, spoke up, "You aren't planning on telling anyone, are you?"

Ginny rolled her eyes- an action she seemed to be doing a lot of lately, "Not if you guys don't want me to. Ugh…I'll talk to you guys on the train. Ron looks like he's about to murder the two of you for speaking to me. Y'know," she started thoughtfully, "If you guys told him you weren't, well…interested in girls, he might lay off a bit. I'll leave you with that thought!" she said, and headed back to where her three brothers stood. Apparently the other two members of the wonder trio hadn't shown yet.

"Alright…Fred, George," she said, embracing each brother in turn, "I'll see you guys first Hogsmeade trip, right?"

"It's a date," George said, smiling.

"Then," she shrugged, "I'm off!" She started walking away, before turning impulsively and calling out, "Oh…and tell-mom-that-I-got-a-letter-from-Dumbledore-and-I'm-being-moved-up-in-some-classes-and-being-re-Sorted-bye!" She dashed towards the train before any of the three could say anything. She immediately regretted telling Ron that- now she would have to avoid him, Harry, and Hermione for the rest of the train ride.

She walked through most of the train before finding an unoccupied compartment towards the back of the train. She sat down, and drifted off to sleep.

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"Aren't you a little unclothed for a Gryff?"

Ginny was shaken from her rest by the biting voice of none other than…well…someone she didn't know. From the tone of voice, she assumed it was a Slytherin. Opening her eyes, she responded, "And aren't you a little over dressed for a snake?"

To her surprise, the other girl laughed, "So the littlest Weasel has claws…touché!" As if sensing that Ginny didn't know who she was, "I'm Pansy, by the way."

Ginny couldn't help herself, "Pansy Parkinson?" She did a double take. All she remembered of Pansy was that she seemed to constantly be following around Malfoy, and that she looked like a pug.

Pansy laughed again, "The very one."

Despite the fact that the Slytherin was being fairly nice, Ginny's usual back-to-school good mood had been soured by Ron's sudden change of attitude towards her, "As Malfoy's bitch, shouldn't you be following him around, not wasting your time here with a mudblood-loving Weasley?"

A look of hurt, confusion, surprise, and amusement crossed Pansy's face. "I s'pose I deserved that," the Slytherin said wryly, and sat down. "Actually…Draco and I are just good friends. Our parents had originally arranged a marriage between us, but they cancelled it because they were getting scared of Draco…" she trailed off. "I shouldn't have said that…"

Ginny felt like her jaw was going to unhinge itself from the rest of her face. Here was Pansy, a Slytherin, talking civilly with her! Not only that, but said Slytherin seemed to be speaking openly! At Ginny's look of shock, Pansy laughed again, "I know, I know…what the hell am I doing talking to you, eh? Well," her tone changed, "Actually, the news of your re-Sorting is all over the train. Especially since you've been moved into a few 7th year classes."

Ginny's eyes flashed: had Ron gone and told every living person he could? "Oh," was all she managed to get out.

"Besides…please don't tell anyone, the Dark L- Voldemort killed my parents this summer," she said softly, "And I- I had to re-evaluate who I could trust. Us Slytherins…we're like one big family. A lot of us think our parents have made a mistake in following him," she said bitterly, "And they've fucked up our lives by doing so."

Finding her voice, Ginny spoke up, "Um…that's all very nice…but why are you telling me? Why are you trusting me with your House's secrets?"

"Oh?" Pansy seemed taken aback, "Didn't you know? It's basically a given fact that you'll be Sorted into Slytherin…I mean; Gryffindor and Slytherin are polar opposites. Its not like Dumbledore would have you re-Sorted if he thought you'd become more Ravenclaw-ish or Hufflepuff-ish…if he did that, Granger would have been put in Ravenclaw her 2nd year…that girl studies way much more than is healthy," Pansy said, shaking her head, "So I was chosen to come approach you…kind of ease you into your new house."

Ginny's mind was reeling…she was a Slytherin? It wasn't official, but Pansy seemed pretty sure. Besides, she reasoned, it wasn't like she was Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff material… "Thanks, I think." She gave Pansy a half-smile, "Its just really odd talking to a Slytherin without hexing them. Ooh! We're almost there! I've got to change," she said apologetically. "I'll see you later?" she said questioningly.

"That you will. By the way," she said, eying Ginny up and down, "I like the clothes!"

Ginny grinned, "Thanks." In truth, the complement meant a lot to her. She was wearing a plain jean miniskirt, knee-high black boots, and a forest green camisole. It was just then that she realized she had unconsciously dressed in some of the colors of her new House. Her new House…she liked the sound of that: Ginevra Molly Weasley; Slytherin. She picked out a plain black robe and threw it on over the top of her outfit. Her internship with Charlie had paid pretty well, and she had invested that money in a broomstick and new clothes. Lots of new clothes. Twirling around experimentally, she nodded to herself, and sat down to read for the last few minutes.

She had, of course, already skimmed through most of her schoolbooks. She wouldn't pretend that she was a mini-Hermione who memorized every book that she came into contact with, or even read them very thoroughly. Magic just came easily to her…she loved the subtleties of potions, the bluntness of spells, the airy quality of most charms, and, most importantly, she loved the creatures. She had always loved animals. Not in the sense of bringing home a new pet every week, but in the appreciation of their nature.

She stretched as the train slowed, then stopped. Hopping off, she searched for Colin and Dean. She had let them have their alone time on the train but she fully intended on harassing them in the carriage ride up to the castle. She made her way over to the pair, who were waiting at on of the carriages, waving at her. A faint smile on her lips, she nimbly leapt into the carriage.

"Gi-inny," Colin said whiningly, "Why didn't you tell us you were getting re-Sorted? Now we won't be able to spend time together in the Common Room together!"

"I'm sorry," she said, and meant it, "I didn't mean to tell Ron and the twins either…it just kinda slipped out…" She frowned, "And, thanks to a certain brother of mine, the whole frickin' school knows!"

"Eh…don't worry about it," Colin said reassuringly, "Besides…if you don't mind me saying so, you've never really seemed at home with a lot of the Gryffs."

"Yeah," Ginny said shortly. Truth be told, beyond Colin, Hermione, and Harry, she wouldn't really miss any of the Gryffindors. After the whole 'set-an-angry-snake-on-the-school' episode of her first year, most of the Gryffindors had carefully avoided her. Some had been downright cold to her…when the wonder trio wasn't around, that is. Up until the end of last year, that is.

"So," Dean said, changing the subject, "Who do you think the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher is?"

"I dunno," Ginny said, seizing upon the new topic, "But I'm apparently going to be assisting them." She shrugged, "This I haven't told anyone…I'm not taking the class this year; I'm assistant to the professor, instead!"

"Cool," Colin said, impressed. "Just out of curiosity, what classes were you moved up in?"

"Only Transfiguration and Dada…I'll still be in all my other classes with the 6th years…and here we are," she said as the carriage rolled to a stop. Hopping out, she patted the Thestral closest to her on the nose before heading up to the castle, tailed by Dean and Colin.

"Miss Weasley," McGonagall's voice range out above the clamor of the other students, "If you would be so kind as to follow me, I believe we have a few things to discuss."

Ginny gulped, feeling her confidence leave her for a minute. Her head down, she followed her head-of-house…soon to be ex-head-of-house, she reminded herself, into the school. After walking in silence for a few moments, Ginny realized with a start that they were outside the Headmaster's office.

"Lollipop," McGonagall said in a clipped tone. Without another word, she motioned for Ginny to enter the Headmaster's office, and left.

Squaring her shoulders, Ginny entered. She hoped that Dumbledore would be kind enough to enlighten her as to why she was being re-Sorted, but, knowing the cryptic Headmaster, she sincerely doubted it.

"Ah, Miss Weasley…so good to see you," the headmaster said, smiling, "Please…sit down. I trust you had a good summer?"

Ginny nodded, tapping her foot impatiently. She knew the headmaster hadn't called her here to discuss her summer. "Yes…I stayed with Charlie in Romania."

"Yes, yes...I know," Dumbledore said, "I see that you're impatient, so I'll cut down to the point rather quickly. I know you're wondering what has possessed me to resort such a fine Gryffindor as yourself, and, I must say…I'm not entirely certain on the matter. It does not, as you have probably been thinking, have much to do with the incident last year," he cleared his throat, "It has come to my attention that you should be re-Sorted- a test of sorts, you see. And that is all I may say on the matter. It is entirely possible, Miss Weasley, that you will simply be sorted into Gryffindor again. However…that is…unlikely. You will need to meet with you're new Head of House to discuss your schedule after the Sorting Ceremony," Dumbledore nodded to himself, "Now, I do believe our presence is required in the Great Hall, m'dear. The Sorting Ceremony has already begun!"

With that, the headmaster gently guided Ginny out of his office. She had been uncharacteristically quiet, trying to assimilate the fact that Dumbledore wouldn't tell her why she was being re-Sorted. Of course, Dumbledore had said that it was possible she would stay in Gryffindor, but she agreed with the Slytherins. She would probably end up in Slytherin, the house exactly opposite of all that her family valued. Well…it wouldn't be that bad. Pansy had been friendly- in fact; the Slytherins seemed to have a special bond, now that she thought of it. She brightened at the thought: they were kind of like a big family, always looking out for each other.

After walking in silence, Ginny and Dumbledore reached the Great Hall in time to here the Sorting hat call out "Hufflepuff!" for a first year. Dumbledore smiled reassuringly, and gestured for Ginny to join the small amount of unsorted first years. Resolutely, Ginny joined the much shorter, yet equally as nervous first years at the end of the Great Hall. It wasn't long until the last first year had been sorted, and McGonagall called for her to take her place, once again, on the stool. Trepidations mounting, she roughly jammed the hat on her head.

"Nervous, eh?" the hat said tauntingly.

"Of course!" Ginny snapped mentally at the hat, "Can't you just get it over with?"

"Aw…very well. Let's see," the hat switched to a business tone of voice, "Bravery from Gryffindor, compassion from Hufflepuff, intelligence and ingenuity from Ravenclaw, and, of course, a certain sly nature and a touch of darkness from Slytherin…what to do…"

Ginny frowned. She didn't like how the Sorting Hat had so quickly categorized her- of course, that was what it was supposed to do, but it was still unsettling.

"You would do well in all of the Houses- perhaps especially Slytherin, since you are feeling so rebellious…"

She frowned again. True…she was being rebellious, but she didn't like the word. It seemed so…cliché. Oh look…there's the youngest Weasley…she's in her rebellious stage.

"Very well…it seems there is no other choice," the Hat said, sounding oddly…happy as it reached its decision.

Ginny's heart leapt. As she thought about it, Slytherin was becoming more and more appealing. Just announce it, she thought impatiently.

"As you wish," the Hat said gleefully, and then bellowed, "LIJANHORN!"