AN: I wrote this ages ago, before the last book even came out, and have finally finished typing it up. It's beta-d to a point but if anyone wants to help me by beta-ing the last half, I'd appreciate the offer. Anyway...on with the show.
Ginny Weasley sat at the Gryffindor table in Hogwarts' Great Hall. She surveyed the room to note who had returned and any changes to the staff or student body. It would be strange to be at Hogwarts without Harry, Ron, Hermione and most importantly, Dumbledore. His death had shocked the Wizarding World and the Ministry had considered closing the school now that the powerful Headmaster was dead. Dumbledore, in many people's opinions, was the only reason Dark Wizards had never attacked Hogwarts. Voldemort himself had feared Dumbledore since he was a student at Hogwarts by the name of Tom Riddle, who Ginny had been possessed by in her first year when she had learnt many things about him. The school had remained open due to the protests of those who said closing the school would be admitting defeat and an education was even more important in dark times such as these.
Ginny was the last, and only female, Weasley in her close (as close as six brothers and one sister could be) family. She was in her sixth year and would have ordinarily be sitting with her year older brother, Ron, and his friends but they had left Hogwarts before their seventh year so they could go on a dangerous and secret mission to save the world, again. Today she sat with her other friends: Neville, Luna and Mia. Neville was a clumsy seventh year with an aptitude for Herbology and a phobia of potions and all things Snape. Luna was a sixth year Ravenclaw whose father ran the Quibbler and who believed in the unbelievable. Mia, her best friend, resembled Ginny in being a kind, fun-loving Gryffindor sixth year.
Ginny herself was kind, funny and mischievous. She had loose curls of fiery red hair; lots of freckles showering across her nose and cheekbones; kind, brown eyes and a cupid bow mouth.
Those brown eyes noticed that there were few students that had returned. Most were in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw- the brave and studious houses. Her eyes finally rested on the almost empty Slytherin table. It was a well-known fact that most Slytherins were, or had parents who were, Death Eaters. Was it any surprise that so few Slytherins were present? Her gazed fixed on a particular Slytherin boy whose appearance would have been a shock had it not been for her pre-awareness of his situation. The boy had platinum blonde hair and steely grey-blue eyes. His body was lean and despite his customary sneer he was very handsome.
Draco Malfoy had played an integral part in the Death Eaters' attack last year. He had, on Voldemort's orders, let Death Eaters into the castle and had planned to kill Dumbledore. However, he hesitated and realised it was wrong to kill him. Ginny knew all this because her brothers were in the Order and had told her to prepare her for the shock of seeing him. He had turned himself in to the Order; a boy hunted by Voldemort and seeking protection. The Order had quickly decided that Hogwarts was still the safest place to be, surrounded by Order members and practised students.
McGonagall commenced the Sorting and, once all the first years were sorted, she rose for her first speech as Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Despite the horrors that occurred at the end of last year, it is a new school year and we will work hard and, hopefully, help make the world a better place by becoming better people. We have some new teachers who I would like to introduce to you. Replacing me as Professor of Transfiguration is Professor Dashwood. Our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher requires some explanation (and to arrive). This year Mr Malfoy will be assisting teaching the Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons."
The doors creaked open and a woman in jeans, a Weird Sisters t-shirt and plain black robes entered. She had blonde hair and reminded Ginny of some slut she had seen in one of Hermione's Muggle magazines. As she walked past Ginny she tipped her a huge wink and, realisation dawning, Ginny winked back.
"As I was saying, while Mr Malfoy will be assisting her, Professor Tonks will be our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. The Head Boy is Mr Malfoy and the Head Girl, at the request of our absent preferred Head Girl, will be Miss Weasley."
Ginny stood as the students clapped, feeling embarrassed and turning red. Malfoy smirked in her direction and sat down.
"And now…may the feast begin."