The best that could be said of her, he decided, was that she was an excellent actor…
Chapter One: Freeze Frame
Ginny smiled and pushed up the strap of her bag up a little more, fifth-year Gryffindors ranging around her as they made their way to class. A wisp of red hair worked free of her barrette and Ginny wound it about her finger as she listened to the others' empty chatter. The distinct lack of substance suited her just fine as it did every other girl in the group-none of them were particularly intelligent and anything weightier than the newest was just so boorish, wouldn't you agree?
"That is such a cute outfit, Ginny; I'm quite green with envy!" said Janet with a smile, fingering the hem of Ginny's sweater, a pink atrocity that managed to twine itself about her form with all the frilly affection of a pink barnacle.
"Thank you!" Ginny said, giving a little smile that conveyed the whole 'oh-no, you-really-think-so?' denial perfectly. "You wouldn't believe the place I found this at! I was almost quite embarrassed to even be seen there when my mother took me, but it turned out quite well. It was," She pressed a finger to her lips in concentration, "That quaint little coffee house down in the village."
"Well, it's adorable." The group smiled their little smiles, turned to topic to the newest boorish teacher, and Ginny gave a little sigh.
Maybe it was her insomnia that allowed the thoughts to creep up on her, the long hours and longer silences wearing her down until she actually thought.
Why do you do this? A voice would ask from the shadows and she would fire back with a testy 'How am I to know why?' In her heart of hearts, however, she could still tell herself the truth. The façade, the pretty farce she'd made of her life, was only a protection so that when the end came, she could say to herself, 'well, at least I tried, right?'
When they came fo—No! She would not think of this, not now.
When they came for her.
But what she did was no more than a child pulling the covers over its head, because, why indeed would a monster want a bundle of coverlets? The monster would find the coverlets—her adorable outfits and giggles and smiles—and then turn and scratch its head. Where did the little girl go? It would lumber off and take its' shadows with it and she would live and be free.
But until the monster came, she would hide her head and smile. Eventually her monster, her snake and skull, would come and she would be freed.
But O, she was tired…
"Another late night, Ginny? Fie! You're going to give yourself circles and you know how hard those are to get rid of." Teased Janet and Hermione shot the two a dirty look. How frivolous, it said, to talk of dark circles when you've your N.E.W.Ts to study for! Silly little girls.
Janet caught the tail of the thought as it left the brunette's face and stuck her tongue out at the prefect's back. "She's so…droll."
Ginny nodded her agreement and finished the final spoonful of her cereal, wiping the edge of her mouth daintily with her napkin. "So, are you ready for that test in Potions?" She asked as they rose to leave the Great Hall.
"Test-shmest. I wonder why you even bother anymore Ginny! I mean, like, it's so…" She shrugged and twirled a finger in the air as if to show exactly how 'so' it was.
Ginny shrugged and flipped the tail end of her braid over her shoulder. "You're absolutely right."
AN: Having been resurrected from my shallow grave, I come once more bringing gifts...lol. Okay, SO! Anyways, please drop a review and I NEED A BETA! Thanks everyone!