All summer, I ached for Draco. At the same time, my heart broke every time somebody mentioned Harry. It was not a great summer. But it ended well when two tawny owls were sent to me, one with my OWL marks and the other telling me whether or not Hogwarts would be reopened this year.
I opened the letter with my marks first. They went as follows:
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: E
Charms: E
Defence Against the Dark Arts: E
Muggle Studies: O
Herbology: A
History of Magic: P
Potions: E
Transfiguration: E
I only failed History of Magic, and when have I ever cared about that? Dad was really proud of my Muggle Studies mark. I only took it because he wanted me to.
I then proceeded to the more important news: Hogwarts Reopening. Everybody was watching me, because Ron, Hermione, and Harry had not told them if it would or wouldn't. I slit the envelope open and slowly took the letter out. It read:
Miss Weasley
Due to a series of events, you are most likely aware that there was a debate on whether or not Hogwarts would reopen this year. I, Professor McGonagall, newly instated headmistress of Hogwarts, am pleased to inform you that Hogwarts will indeed be open to those who wish to return. Parents are forewarned, however, that He Who Must Not Be Named could possibly break through the ministry's defences once more, and those students whose parents do not wish for them to go to Hogwarts shall not be forced to.
However, to those of you coming, we shall be delighted to have you, and we hope to have a safe and happy year.
Staff is as follows:
Professor McGonagall: Headmistress
Professor Flitwick: Master of Charms/Head of Ravenclaw/Deputy Headmaster
Professor Sprout: Master of Herbology/Head of Hufflepuff
Professor Slughorn: Master of Potions/Head of Slytherin
Professor Babbling: Master of Ancient Runes/Head of Gryffindor
Professor Weasley: Master of Transfiguration
Professor Sinistra: Master of Astronomy
Professor Hagrid: Master of Care of Magical Creatures
Professor Trelawney: Master of Divination for years 3, 5, and 7
Firenze: Master of Divination for years 4 and 6
Professor McWilliams: Master of Muggle Studies
Professor Binns: Master of History of Magic
Professor Vector: Master of Arithmancy
Madam Hooch: Master of Flying
The list of your required materials is enclosed. Please make sure you are prepared for the new school year.
Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
"Professor Weasley?" I stared open-mouthed at the parchment. "Who's teaching?"
Mum and Dad looked taken aback. Fred snatched the letter out of my hand and read. "Blimey, it is Weasley,"
"Of course it's Weasley, you prat, I can read very well," I snapped. "My point is, which Weasley?"
I thought about it for a bit, and I know I wasn't the only one. It couldn't be Fred or George, they were far too busy with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and Fred hadn't known anything about it. Ron was off saving the world, and besides, he wasn't old enough at all. Charlie was off taking care of dragons and had always told us that he never wanted to be a teacher, and Bill was just as busy at Gringotts. Mum and Dad would have said something. I, of course, was still at school. That only left one person. But it couldn't possibly be . . .
"Percy?!" I shouted, astounded. "Since when has he wanted to teach?!"
And yet, there it was. Professor Weasley, Master of Transfiguration. PERCY?!
Now that prat of a brother would be teaching me. The perfect ending to a perfect summer. Wait, I said that wrong . . .
The day I left to take the Hogwarts Express to school was a depressing one. I had always slightly hoped that someday, some random, unexpected day, Draco would come to the Burrow and hold me the way he never could. It was a stupid fantasy, but there was always a slight hope. At Hogwarts, I was sure to never see him again. Who could ever let him return?
However, I was a bit rushed, as usual, so I didn't have time to sit and think about it. We didn't get to use the ministry cars this year, because Harry wasn't with us, so we had to call a muggle cab. Fortunately, it wasn't as cramped as usual; Fred and George had returned to one of their joke shops in a line of many, and Bill and Fleur were off being a couple, so it was just Mum, Dad and I.
I was practically pushed on the train, and I spent the next few hours locked up and upset in a quiet, lonely compartment with Luna and Neville. I couldn't help it. I missed Harry. I missed Draco. There was nothing to look forward to.
After about three hours, the door to the compartment opened, and there stood Draco Malfoy, looking pale and malnourished. Neville looked up at him and fear, whilst Luna barely glanced up from her edition of the Quibbler. I personally nearly fell out of my seat.
"Weasley, could I talk to you for a minute?" he sneered, and my heart dropped. Why had he turned on me? More importantly . . . why was he here?
"Fine." I replied, just as coldly, though my heart was pounding. I stepped cautiously out into the corridor, which was surprisingly empty.
"Ginny," he whispered, his tone changing at once. "Ginny, I've missed you so much, I needed to see you once again, and I'm so sorry I was harsh with you just now, but I had to keep up the charade, and—"
"Why are you here?" I interrupted. God, how I hated him. But when I looked into those grey eyes, I just . . . I don't know, I fell in love all over again.
"Because I wanted to see you again," he replied simply, and he smiled. I don't know if you've ever realized it, but he is really cute when he smiles. Not smirking, I mean. Smiling. But you probably got that.
Still, I couldn't bring myself to believe him. I just couldn't. I mean, this was Draco Malfoy, for heaven's sake! I had hated him for all these years; why should I stop now?
"How come they let you in?" I asked flatly, and I saw his face fall.
"Because," he answered slowly. "Because I've changed. I'm a different person now, and . . . well, I do want to join the good side. I think that portrait of Dumbledore, Professor Dumbledore," he corrected himself. "had a lot to do with it,"
I digested that for a moment. It sounded . . . well, it sounded reasonable. But there was still one question in my mind.
"Where's Snape?" I demanded.
Those beautiful grey eyes became dull. "Dead, I guess. The Dark Lord found our hiding place, and Snape just yelled for me to save myself. I think," he lowered his eyes. "I think he really was a good person,"
I shook my head. No. Snape had murdered the greatest wizard on Earth. He was not a good man. "So is that why you came?" I hadn't even realized I was thinking it. "For protection?"
"Well . . ." he began. "Yes, that's one reason. But I told you . . . I love you," He took me into his arms and kissed me. I guess I just sort of believed him right then and there. That is actually really pathetic.
"Ginny," he whispered. "No one outside of Hogwarts can know I am here. The news can't get into the wrong hands. And it would be best if we kept our love secret."
I pulled away. "Whoever said I loved you?"
He smiled. "I just know."
