Chapter 2
Ginny grinned as the tiny dot named Draco Malfoy searched systematically through Hogwarts. She had figured that her brothers wouldn't mind if she borrowed the Marauder's Map. Besides, she reasoned, it will keep them out of trouble, right? Right.
Ginny was, herself, sitting peaceably by the lake, wrapped tightly in her robes. The rock she had chosen was flat and about knee-high. As much as Ginny wanted to hike a mountain just to sit down, the ease of mounting her rock was perfect. Even from her low perch, her hair blew in every which direction, following the whims of the wind. So, with a frown in place, Ginny slid a ribbon off of one of her scrolls and tied her hair back with it. Of course, the occasional wisps curled against her jaw, but what can one do with unruly hair?
She sighed and stared off into the stars reflected upon the lake. Having grown up in a house full of people, she treasured the scarce moments of solitude. Though by the looks of the tiny dot leaving the castle, she wouldn't be alone much longer.
***
Draco paused when he saw a figure by the lake. Trust the girl to be in the last place he looked. Well, unless he was an idiot-and no Malfoy was-she would be in the last place he looked. But she was in the last place he would think of looking. The little Weasel probably knew that too.
He crossed his arms and set a vicious sneer in place, then glided across the frost covered lawn.
"It's a wonderful night for a walk isn't it, Draco?" Ginny asked as he approached her rock.
"No, Weasel, it isn't. I am not out here to enjoy anything. I am here to tell you to that moving your obsession from Potter to me was highly unwanted."
"Not here to enjoy anything? But look at the moon and the way it lights up your hair. And the shimmering stars reflected in the lake. You certain you're not out here to enjoy this?" The slight amusement in her voice was lost on Draco who was too upset to pay much attention. Ginny grinned innocently up at the blonde boy who was more than a foot taller than her, standing next to the rock as he was.
"No, not at all."
She patted part of the rock near her. "Well, maybe you'll enjoy this: I want revenge on my brothers and Harry."
Draco sat down.
Ginny continued warrily, "but, in order to do so, I need your help." She glanced at him hoping he would not already be running away. So far so good.
"Why would I help a Weasley?"
"Why, to get back at three Weasleys and your archnemesis, the Oh-So-Marvelous-Boy-Who-Lived." She felt a pang of guilt for ridiculing Harry, but then remembered how many times Harry had forgotten that she had been talking to him.
"Bitter are we? And here I thought you absolutely loved Potter."
"Yeah, then I grew up."
TBC...
AN: And yes, I fully know that this was unbearably short, but there was just nothing else that would fit with it. You do know that the great authors often had one word or one sentence chapters, so you shouldn't complain!! ("My mother is a fish." is my personal favorite chapter.)