Okay, I'm back. This chapter is LONG...sorry. 11 pages and 6450 words... I try to keep my chapters more manageable, but I needed to get a lot in here.
Also, slight change to Chapter 1, just the quote at the beginning. ;)
Enjoy!!
Chapter 2: The Times are Changing
Number 3: "The crimes of the father are not in the hands of the son."
Number 28: "I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite."
Friday, September 6
"Ginny! Wake up!"
Ginny rolled over, pulling the pillow over her head, "What do you want 'Mione? I'm exhausted. I've been catching up on work all week, it's Friday...let me sleep."
"Gin, we've got Potions first, you can't miss that."
Ginny groaned, "Okay, okay. Grab me an apple from breakfast, I'll meet you in the dungeons."
"Okay, but get up before I leave." Ginny threw her pillow at Hermione's head. She sat up, glaring at her friend. "Yes, yes. I'm leaving Ginny."
Ginny sat there for a few minutes before crawling out of bed and into the shower. She put on her school uniform and dried her hair. She left her button up shirt buttoned to about halfway and put her grey school vest on over the shirt. She rolled the white sleeves up above her elbows and put on a few bracelets over her wrists. She put on a pair of crimson and yellow fishnet tights under her school skirt and put her Gryffindor socks and her shoes on over them. She pinned her hair back and put on some makeup before grabbing her school bag and her potions texts.
She made her way down towards the dungeons slowly, yawning slightly. When she made it to the potions room, it was still locked, so she sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall and closing her eyes. She had only been there for about a minute when a small group of Slytherin 5th years walked by on their way to their own class.
"Look what we have here boys. A Gryffindor princess all by her lonesome in the snake's den."
Ginny cracked one eye open, "Don't forget little ones, the lion can swallow the snakes whole."
One of the boys laughed, "Not when you're outnumbered 4 to 1."
"And what are you going to do, attack me? People will start arriving down here in less then 5 minutes, you're not going to get much done in that short span of time."
"Not if we stay here we won't."
"And you plan to get me somewhere else how? Apparition?" Ginny laughed again, closing her eyes.
"No, but you will be coming with us," one of the boys grabbed her forearm and started to pull her to her feet.
"Oi! Get your paws off of me! What are you, mental?" Ginny had been pulled to her feet when she heard a voice from down the hallway.
"Hands off boys," the voice was silky, smooth and filled with a barely noticable icy threat. The hand dropped off of her arm quickly and the 5th years disappeared down the hallway. Ginny looked up into Blaise Zabini's face once again. "One would think you were doing this on purpose. It seems I'm always around to get you out of tight spots."
"That you do. Though I think I had that situation under control."
"If you say so. All the same, I'm glad to help. I like the fishnets by the way." Blaise took off his own cloak, sitting on the floor across from Ginny. She looked down, his sleeves were rolled up as well and she saw a pair of black fingerless fishnet gloves.
"I needed something different, and I reckon no one will complain, seeing as they're house colors and all. I like the gloves too." Hermione showed up moments later, tossing Ginny an apple. The door opened a few minutes later and Ginny and Hermione went to sit in their usual seats. Hermione took off her cloak and laid on the back of her chair.
"GINNY!!"
"Yes 'Mione?" Ginny asked innocently.
"What in the devil did you do to my skirt?!"
Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson walked in at that moment, Draco handing a piece of toast to Blaise. Pansy looked over, "Nice work Weasel. She's got nice legs, for a..."
"Don't say it! Please!" Hermione said exasperated.
"I was going to say...'for a person who spends all day with her nose in a book.'"
Hermione looked at Pansy, slightly shocked. "All the same. Ginny! What have you done to my skirt?"
"Fixed it a bit. Looks good 'Mione."
"Ginny! It's so..."
"Hot? Sexy?" Ginny offered.
"Oh! You're awful. How do I turn it back?"
"You don't." Hermione groaned, but bit her tongue when Snape walked in and started the lesson.
"Okay, today we will be brewing Veritiserum. You will be able to choose your partners. But, your partner must be someone from another house." The class looked around. As always, the Gryffindors and Slytherins had potions together. People looked around, trying to find the least offensive partners. Pansy walked over looking at Ginny, "D'ya mind if I steal your friend here for a partner?"
Ginny grinned, "Not at all, have fun." Hermione looked at her, pleading for help when Ginny left. Ginny walked over to Blaise and Draco's table, Draco looked up, raising one eyebrow.
"What do you want?"
"A partner. While Blaise here would be preferable, seeing as he has manners and all, I suppose I could help you raise your grade Malfoy." Blaise laughed lightly.
"Come here Ginevra, I could use a bolster to my grade," Blaise smiled at her, offering her Draco's chair. "You're welcome to stay Draco. I don't bite. I'm sure Snape would be more then accomodating for the two of you. Besides, it's that or work with my idiot brother."
Blaise raised one eyebrow as Draco said, "I suppose. But you'd better not mess up the potion Weasley!"
"I'll do my best."
Draco raised his hand and beckoned Snape over, "Sir, would you mind if we worked in a threesome. And it seems everyone else has paired off already. There are members from both houses here, surely it's acceptable?"
Snape looked at Ginny, "Ginevra, do see that they don't mess this up."
Ginny smiled, "Of course professor. You know as well as I do that I won't do all the work. Besides, if they do that badly, I'll make it up on my own time later."
Snape smiled at her briefly, "I would expect nothing less of you Miss Weasley. Such a shame that your talent was wasted on such a house."
"Yes, well. The real shame is that I got stuck in a house with colors that look so awful on me. Ravenclaw or Slytherin would have been better for that."
Draco gawped between his favorite teacher and the littlest Weasel, were they...'bantering?!' This was appalling. Blaise on the other hand was laughing outright. Snape looked at Blaise, "Don't laugh at me Zabini. Working with Weasley here is no picnic. I already know she can make this potion, so for all I care she can do nothing and let you two sort it out yourselves. And I know Blaise, that you have no idea how to make it." The two boys gawked at Snape.
"Close your mouths, it's not a good look for you." Ginny sat down and looked at the two of them. "Are you going to go get the ingredients, or what?"
"Why should we Weasley? Why don't you?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "You heard Snape, I already know this. I'll help and all, I do need my grade in this class, but you two need more help here then I do."
"This is ridiculous." Draco stomped off to the ingredients closet with Blaise, grumbling the entire way about 'that Weasley girl'.
"What? I, for one, think she's adorable."
"You cannot be serious Blaise, she's...she's well...a Weasley."
"Yes, and you're a Malfoy, and you don't see me holding that against you."
Draco rolled his eyes, "I wash my hands of it. You do what you will."
"Oh, please. If you gave her half a chance you'd see what I do." Draco laughed, walking back to their desk and starting the potion.
Meanwhile, over at Hermione and Pansy's desk, Hermione was having a difficult time keeping her mind on the class and the potion. Pansy had been flirting shamelessly with Hermione for the entire lesson. Hermione, while settled to the fact that bisexuality and homosexuality were accepted in the wizarding world, she was still uncomfortable with her attraction to women. Pansy, however, had flirted unabashedly with the intelligent witch next to her.
When Potions class was over Hermione and Ginny met up outside, "So, Gin. Have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Hogesmeade tomorrow, you're going, right?"
"Of course, I still need a dress and everything for the Masque, any idea what you want?"
"Not yet, we'll take a look at what we find in the shops and go from there?"
"Sounds good, we'll leave together, yes?"
"Sure, wake me up and we'll catch breakfast together before heading out okay?"
"I suppose we'll have to meet up with the boys while we're there?" Hermione shrugged, "I don't suppose we can avoid it. I don't know, Ron's been annoying lately. We should meet up with Marina though. Unless she's got friends in her own house to go with."
"We'll ask, we'll see her at lunch after and all."
Pansy walked up at this point, "I'm so hurt Granger, you're not going to ask me?" Behind her Draco looked at her scandalized.
"Oh...I uhm...what?" Hermione stuttered out. Pansy was very beautiful and Hermione was still not sure how to talk to her. Pansy was striking, standing at 5'7 with long silky black hair and a porcelian complexion. Her eyes were blue, well almost. They were a deep turquoise color that was beautiful to look at.
Ginny giggled lightly, "You're usually so articulate Hermione, what's happened to you?" Hermione blushed scarlet at this, causing Ginny to giggle again.
Ginny looked up at Pansy, "I suppose you'd like us...well her at least to meet you in Hogsmeade?"
"Oh, you're welcome as well Ginevra," Blaise said simply.
Draco looked between his two friends desperately, "Bloody mad, the lot of you." He stalked off towards the Great Hall after this muttering to himself.
"Don't mind him," Pansy said silkily. "Now, we'll meet you at the Three Broomsticks, at say...2?"
"I...uhm...I guess..."
"Wonderful! See you then. Oh, and Ginevra, do you have another pair of those tights in Slytherin colors?"
Ginny smiled, "no, but there's a shop that does in Hogsmeade. Buy yourself a pair then. Aren't they wonderful?"
"That they are. And the professors haven't said anything about them?"
"Nope. And if I can wear them, they can't say anything about you." At this Hermione grabbed Ginny's arm and drug her off towards the Great Hall.
"What in the devil were you thinking Ginny?!" She hissed at her once they were out of earshot.
"What was I thinking? You're the one who agreed to the date with Parkinson. I assumed, naturally, that this meant that I was to be nice to her. She is such a sweet girl when she lets herself be. A lot like Blaise in her own way."
"Blaise? Blaise! You're on first name basis with them now?!"
"Oh, and you're not with her?"
"NO!"
"Then why'd you agree to the date?"
"It's not a date!!!!"
"Okay...then why'd you agree to the psuedo date?"
"I...I don't know..." Hermione admitted lamely.
"You like her, don't you? Oooh...Good choice and all, she is the prettiest girl in school."
"Oh stop it!" The two sat down in the Great Hall bickering quietly, as Hermione continued to deny the existence of any sort of "date" between herself and the Slytherin girl. Ginny smiled, agreeing half-heartedly.
"So, what're you going to wear tomorrow Hermione?"
"Oh, I don't know..." Hermione said distractedly.
"Would you like me to pick out an outfit for you...?" Ginny asked innocently.
"Yea...sure...whatever..."
"OOOH! Yay!"
Hermione looked up, surprised. "What?"
"Oh, you're going to look so good tomorrow 'Mione!"
"Oh no...I wasn't even paying attention, you can't hold me to that!"
"Yes I can, and I will. So stop complaining, you'll look great!"
"My god...can this day get any worse...?"
-----------------------------------
Saturday, September 7
"Ginny...wake up...Time to get up..." Ginny groaned and rolled over, away from her friend. "Okay...I guess I'll pick my own outfit for today..." Ginny rocketed out of bed.
"I think NOT!" Hermione laughed at her friends expression as Ginny began to tear through her own trunk looking for a suitable outfit for Hermione. She pulled out a short denim skirt that would hit Hermione mid-thigh, exposing a lot of leg, and a simple fitted white v-neck t-shirt. Hermione groaned looking at her friend who was grinning, before Ginny picked out some jewelry and tossed it at Hermione and said, "Well, go get dressed!"
Hermione came back out of the bathroom looking severely self-conscious. Ginny looked at her friend and said, "Okay, here, this should make you feel better, but you have to trust me. I'll give you a pair of leggings to wear under the skirt, and that will cover your legs...but! You have to wear these fishnets over them." Hermione looked skeptically at the fishnets, but took them from her friend and proceeded to do as Ginny had asked. Ginny had given her a pair of black leggings and some red fishnets. When Hermione came back out, Ginny whistled low in her throat and tossed Hermione a pair of flat, black moccasin style boots and left to get dressed herself.
Ginny came back out in a blue and green plaid, pleated skirt whose length made Hermione's seem...well, decent. Underneath she wore a pair of purple fishnets and her combat boots, which covered most of her calves. On top she wore a simple black tanktop with a light denim jacket over it. "Come now Hermione, let's go down to breakfast."
"Ginny...I can't wear this..."
"Why not? Covers all the important bits, doesn't it?"
"Oh, that's not...Whatever, I'm not getting out of this, am I?"
"Nope. Besides, you look smashing. Now, let's go." Hermione rolled her eyes again and followed her friend downstairs and into the Great Hall. After they had been there for 5 minutes or so, Harry and Ron joined them.
"Hey Gin, Hermione." Harry said, sitting next to Ginny.
"Hey Harry, Ron. How are you? Haven't talked to you two much this year," Ginny said, helping herself to more sausages.
"I know, we haven't seen you all year. You and Hermione are always off doing other things."
"Like studying?!" Hermione asked Ron derisively.
"Exactly!" Ron said smiling. "Who're we going to copy off of now?"
Ginny snorted softly, "I see what you mean Hermione, he never did appreciate you. Try doing your own work Ron. Harry's figured it out. Besides, he's doing so much better now that he's paying attention in class and not just relying on 'Mione here."
"You're being a hypocrite Gin! 'Mione helps you as much as she does us!"
"The operative word is help Ron. I do what I can on my own and ask Hermione to help me understand what I don't get on my own. I don't rely on her to do my work for me. Honestly..."
Hermione smothered a giggle before looking at Ron next to her, who was glaring at her. Ron looked at his sister, "So what're your plans for today?"
"Well, Hermione and I here were going to make our way to Hogsmeade, buy ourselves some pretty dresses and probably just relax mostly. How about you two?"
Harry answered, "Well, seeing as there's no need to ask for a date to this ball, I figured I'd enjoy myself at this one. Need a mask at the least, I've got nice robes and all. So, I'll take care of that today. Need to restock my candy store as well."
At that Marina walked up behind Ginny, "Hey you."
"Hey! How are you Rina?"
"Good, good. The weeks been busy, sorry I haven't caught up with you two earlier."
"No worries. We've been busy as well. Want to come into Hogsmeade with us? We're going shopping for the Masque."
"Oh! I'd love to! You don't mind?"
"Of course not, you have to tell us all about your first week."
Marina laughed, looking down at the two boys questioningly, raising an eyebrow at Ginny. Ginny laughed, "Of course, how could I forget?! Marina, this is my brother Ron, and this is our friend Harry."
"Nice to meet you both," Marina said, smiling at Harry sweetly.
Harry's jaw dropped, "I...uh...nice to meet...I mean...it was wonderful meeting...well, you know." Harry finished lamely.
Ginny giggled behind her hand, "Meet Harry Potter, saviour of the wizarding world, but rendered helpless by a mere female."
Harry glared at Ginny, having gathered his wits and looked back to Marina, "Don't mind her, she's just got this problem with her brain being missing. Now, my apologies for being so...tongue tied. Now, would you like to meet up for drinks at the Three Broomsticks later?""I'd love to," she looked to Hermione and Ginny, "That is, if you two don't mind?"
"Not at all, we've got a date ourselves at two, so we'll leave you two to your...conversation then as well."
Ron looked up at his sister, "A date! With who?"
"None of your business brother dear. Now, Hermione, Marina, if you're ready shall we be off?"
Marina looked towards Harry, "Yes, I'm ready. I'll see you at two, Harry," Harry grinned goofily at her, earning rolled eyes from Ron and a giggle from Hermione and Ginny who made their way out of the hall.
Ginny turned to Marina as they left the hall, "So...Harry...huh?"
"Is that a problem?" Marina asked, looking at Ginny worriedly.
"Not at all. I used to Hero worship him, but I don't think I ever really liked Harry, just the concept of him. He's definitely cute, I won't deny that, but he's all yours darling. He and I are more like brother and sister then anything. I'd do anything for him, but not because I'm in love with him, simply because I care about him."
Hermione piped in, "It's the same both ways, Harry'd do anything for Gin here, except for one thing. And that'd be date you. It'd be like Ginny dating Ron, too wierd."
Ginny shuddered, "Thanks Hermione, I needed thatimage in my head. You know Ron's still after you, right?"
"I know, I know. Haven't told him yet, what am I going to do about him?"
Marina looked between the two girls, "Is Ron that bad, or what?"
"No, no, no. He's nice enough, when he's not trying to copy my work. But I'm gay, so...he's not my type."
Pansy, Blaise and Draco walked up behind the three girls at this point and Pansy broke in, "Poor Weasel, to miss out on you. Make for some lucky girl though. Are you and Ginny here...?"
"Goodness no!" Ginny said, probably a little too quickly.
Hermione looked at her, "Am I that unappealing?"
"No, Hermione. We've been through this, I will not date you. For four very important reasons. One, you're my best friend, and I'm not jeopordizing that. Two, I've told you about my relationships with girls, and you deserve better then that. Three, I refuse to be fighting over someone with mybrother. And lastly, I don't feel like fighting Pansy here for you, I have a strong feeling I'd lose."
Marina giggled, "Don't be so sure Ginny, you're very attractive yourself. Just in a different way then...Pansy, did you say it was? Pansy here is very classic, like a Greek goddess, you're just very...striking. It's very intimidating to tell you the truth."
Ginny laughed, "Me? As attractive as Pansy? Hardly. But thanks for the vote of confidence Rina."
Blaise and Draco raised identical eyebrows, looking at eachother, while Hermione and Marina rolled their eyes. Pansy looked at Ginny, shocked. "You can't be serious. Ginny?" Ginny looked at Pansy as if to say 'What?' when Hermione broke in, "Since when are you two on first name basis?"
"Since I helped her on her Potions homework," Ginny said calmly. Hermione groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Now, if you three don't mind, we girls have some shopping to do, we'll see you," she motioned to Blaise and Pansy, "at two."
Blaise winked at Ginny before taking off with his arm around Draco's waist. Hermione looked at her friends, "Does something...odd strike you about the three of them?"
"Yes..." Ginny said, smiling. "It's something...familiar almost, I can't describe it. They just...smell like family. It's hard to explain."
Hermione looked at her friend, "I wonder..."
"What?"
"Oh, just a theory. I'll look it up later." The three girls made their way down to Hogsmeade, chatting lightly and laughing all the way down. It took them four hours to find dresses for each of them. They made their way to the Three Broomsticks, early for their respective dates but decided to wait inside all the same. They each ordered a Butterbeer and had been sitting in quiet peace before Marina broke the silence, "So, Ginny. Were you just being modest earlier or what?"
Ginny looked up in surprise, "Wha...What do you mean?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "About you being attractive Ginny. Everyone else sees it, why don't you?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about. Comparing me to Pansy, honestly."
Marina scoffed, "It's an honest comparison. Though I can't honestly compare you on the same level. Pansy is, well, there's something darker about her, something decidedly sensual. She's an obvious beauty, and she flaunts that. But you Ginny, there's something pure and striking about you, like you were carved out of marble or something. You're...well, perfection in your own way. There's something so genuine and...heavenly about you. It's intimidating to say the least, but alluring in it's own way too. I can't believe you've never seen it."
"Pure, heavenly, perfect?! You cannot be serious. Hermione, please tell me she's joking."
"You can't hold onto that forever Gin. Despite everything that has happened to you...you're still so pure, it's amazing really. Despite everything you're virtuous. So clean, you never lost your faith in people Gin, and that's what I always found so amazingly beautiful about you. You never lost your innocence."
"Never lost my...What the hell are you on about Hermione! That innocence is long lost now, and you know it! I told you everything about what happened, about how it's still there, and you have the audacity to imply that any of that is left, it's gone! He took it Hermione, not one bit of it is left!" Ginny was appalled at her friend and she was close to crying in the middle of the Three Broomsticks. Hermione and Marina just looked at Ginny, unsure of what to do next. Ginny took a last sip of her drink before disappearing outside, leaving her coat on the seat behind her. Hermione shook her head, "I should have known better..."
At that moment Pansy walked up to Hermione and Marina, "What happened to..."
"Don't ask. I just pushed to wrong nerve," Hermione said sadly. "I'm such an idiot." She shook herself out of her stupor before looking up at Pansy and smiling. "Hi! Sit down, please." Pansy did so, taking her jacket off as she did so, ordering a drink. Marina looked up and saw Harry across the room, she excused herself and made her way over to him.
-----------------------------------------
Ginny had run outside, barely watching where she was going. Once she was outside she ran straight into someone. "Whoa! What's going on here? Wait! Weasley, are you all right?"
"Yes, Malfoy. Thank you for asking," something in Ginny's voice made Draco flinch, and he didn't let go of her as she struggled to get out of his grip.
"You're not all right, I can tell, you rushed out of there like a bat out of hell, smack into me, and now you're going to run off without so much as an explanation."
"Please Malfoy, I don't want to talk about this right now. Please...tell Blaise I'll be a little late..." Draco sighed as he loosened his grip of Ginny.
Blaise walked up at that moment, "Whoa...what happened here. Draco, did you...?"
"No! I did not, she just bolted out of there like this..." Ginny wrestled free from Draco's grip and ran around the corner. Blaise made to go after her before Draco stopped him, "Let her go, I don't think she wants to talk right now. Just let her be, she said she'd be in in a few minutes."
Blaise looked after her sadly, "Okay, come in with me?"
"Gladly," Draco put his arm around Blaise and walked inside with him.
-----------------------------------------
Back inside Pansy and Hermione were chatting freely. Hermione had lost her nervousness around Pansy, and was able to have a real conversation with the girl. Hermione was pleasantly surprised to find Pansy was as intelligent as she was charismatic. She conversed easily about topics ranging from Muggle Studies to the war. Hermione was glad to talk with someone who wasn't afraid to challenge her theories, and some of her concepts became better for the competition. They talked about the upcoming ball and people in the school. Hermione was curious as to Pansy's opinions about house rivalries and the such, and asked eventually.
"House rivalries? You mean Gryffindor or Slytherin? Well, I mean, obviously you don't care too much, or you wouldn't be here. But me? I think it's ridiculous. I mean, we're all people, aren't we? Who's to say that snakes are any better then lions, honestly. I think people hide behind the house rivalries because they're too insecure to stand on their own. All they've got is a house, they don't have anything to stand on their own with."
"Huh...I never thought of it that way," Hermione pursed her lips and thought on what Pansy had said when suddenly she choked on her drink.
Ron had walked up to their table, "What are you doing Hermione?!"
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, a little annoyed.
"You heard me, what in the hell are you doing here with...with...with HER?"
"What exactly is wrong with her?
"What exactly? Why are you even asking that? You know exactly what's wrong with her!"
"I don't know. I find her to be an interesting person and a wonderful conversationalist."
"You...you...But she's a Slytherin!"
"Does that matter?"
"I...uh...YES!!"
Hermione turned to Pansy, "You were right Pansy, insecurity." Pansy sniggered at this. Ron narrowed his eyes and grabbed Hermione's arm, "Come with me."
"Let go of me you prat!" Hermione tried to wrench her arm from Ron's grasp, but he was stronger then she was. Pansy narrowed her eyes at Ron, standing up, "I'd let go if I were you Weasley."
"And what are you going to do about it Parkinson?" He tugged on Hermione's arm.
Ginny walked up and tapped Ron on the shoulder, "Let go Ron." She said calmly.
Ron whipped around, pulling Hermione with him and looked at his sister, "You're with them now?"
"Apparently, now let go."
"Why, so you can be brainwashed by Slytherins again?" Ron said and Hermione gasped, covering her mouth and looking at Ron.
Ginny's eyes narrowed, "You have no idea what happened last time, so don't you ever speak of it again." By this time Harry, Marina, Blaise and Draco had gathered around to watch the exchange.
"I have no idea what happened? I know what happened Ginny, you were young, and they took advantage of your naivety. Who'd to say it won't happen again? You are much to trusting Ginny."
"You want to leave now Ron," Ginny said evenly.
Ron looked between Ginny and then Hermione, both of whom were glaring at him with deadly stares. "Damn right I do." He dropped Hermione's arm before turning to look at Ginny, "We're not done with this conversation Ginny." Ginny rolled her eyes before turning to the rest of the group and walking off with Blaise and sitting down at a booth with him.
------------------------------------
Later the three Slytherin's sat down in their common room, Draco sitting in a plush armchair with Blaise on the floor sitting between his legs. Pansy sat across from them, reclining along a couch. She looked at Draco, who was playing idly with Blaise's hair and smiled, "So, Blaise, is Gin feeling any better?"
"I think so. Though it's hard to tell when I have no idea what really caused the problem. She obviously very touchy about something in her past, and Weasel touched a nerve apparently."
"I got that much. But I'm as lost as you are. But, he really was out of line with Hermione, that was uncalled for," the two boys nodded in agreement.
Draco looked up at Pansy, "Why you suddenly so friendly with them?"
Pansy shrugged, "I don't know. Hermione's different this year, and it's more then just the skirt," she grinned, "Though that is an added benefit. And Ginny, there's something very different about her this year. It's like...well, I can't even describe it. And it was nice to talk to her. As much as I love you two, I need girl friends every now and then. And besides, don't tell me you me you haven't noticed Ginny. That Ravenclaw girl was right, Ginny rivals me, but in a completely different way, it's hard to explain."
Draco looked at her, "Well, yes, I've noticed her. You can't miss a pair of legs like that. I guess there is something different about her this year. Like last year with us, we all changed. But then we were special. I mean, I'm half veela, and that kicked in last year, and you two have your family's elven blood. But you hide that. But the little Weasel, there's something more to her...I can't describe it, like you said. But I doubt she's got any sort of magical creature in her lineage...so what does that leave us?"
"Not much," Blaise admitted. "But she's got spunk, and I admire that. She's very Slytherin in her own way."
Pansy smiled, "The lines between the houses are blurring. Maybe that old kook was right, we will come together...maybe it'll actually happen."
Draco scoffed, "I don't know. They'll never give up on thinking we're the spawn of evil."
"Oh, like we've been any better? Please, Hermione and Ginny have given us a chance, I say we don't fuck it up."
Draco shook his head, but Blaise said, "We have been pretty bad over the years, but you know why we had to. I mean, up until this year, Draco and I couldn't even date openly."
"Like that would have helped," Pansy laughed. "Please, you two were awful. You were into eachother for years but never knew it." Blaise and Draco looked at each other and smiled, remembering their history together.
---------------------------------
Blaise and Draco had been best friends for years, having known eachother since they had been little. For years the two of them and Pansy were inseperable, spending all of their time at one another's house, not wanting to be without one another. Wherever they went on vacation, they went together.
This past year had been stressful for Draco and Blaise. They had fallen for one another, but neither was willing to sacrifice their relationship on that chance. At some point during the summer Pansy had left to spend a week with her grandparents regarding her inheritance and left Blaise and Draco alone for the week. Blaise had avoided Draco for most of the week, not trusting himself to be alone around him, but finally Draco cornered him, "Have I made you angry?"
"What? Draco...no. You haven't made me angry."
"Then why in the hell are you ignoring me? Do you hate me that much?"
"Not at all. It's just...Goddamit Draco, why can't things stay the way they were?"
"What do you mean? What's changed?"
"You! Everything! Nothing's the same any more!"
"I'm still here Blaise, I'm still your best mate, or do you not want me anymore?"
"Not want you? How in the world could I not want you? I want you more then you know."
"You mean...?" Draco asked quietly.
Blaise dropped his head into his hands, "Yes..."
"Oh god...Blaise...really?" Blaise didn't answer, but stood to leave. "Gods...Blaise, don't leave."
"Why not? You must hate me now."
"No! God no Blaise. I could never hate you, never. I just didn't know how to respond. I never dreamed that you would ever say this to me. So, I never dreamed to even hope for it." Blaise looked up at him, smiling before Draco pulled Blaise to him, holding him tightly.
--------------------------------------
They'd been together ever since the beginning of the last summer. They had finally escaped the yoke of their father's rule. Their father's would probably never forgive them for all that they had done in going against the Dark Lord, but the boys, and Pansy, were sure that they had made the right choice in the end. They were now under the protection of the Order of the Phoenix. None of them were in any sort of position as to be a spy, but they were safer that way anyway.
Back in the Gryffindor common room, things were not quite so cheerful. Hermione has since apologized to Ginny, and Ginny had forgiven her, knowing that Hermione only meant well for her. Ron, on the other hand, was not quite so ready to give up yet. He had rounded on Ginny the second he and Harry had stepped into the common room.
"Ginevra Weasley!"
Ginny groaned from her seat next to Hermione, "Here we go..." she muttered under her breath. "Yes, Ronald?"
"Don't you Ronald me missy! You are in for it this time!"
"What're you going to do, ground me? You're not my father Ron."
"But I am your older brother, and someone needs to keep you in check, make sure you're doing your work and everything."
"Keep me in check? Keep me in check! You are incourigable! My goodness. You have no authority over me Ronald. In case you forgot, I am in your year, and I'm getting higher marks then you. Apparently, whatever I do in my down time is of no consequence, as I am one of the best students in our grade. If anything, I should be looking after you. By the way Ron, how's that 2 foot essay on bicorn properties in relation to Veritiserum coming? It is due on Monday. I'm over by a foot, but I couldn't find anything else to cut out," Ron choked. "Forgot, did you? Something tells me that Hermione won't be very lenient this year, it is NEWT year and all."
Ron looked dessperately towards Hermione for support and she shrugged, shaking her head. "So you'll let me fail then? So much for family loyalty. Or friendship. Besides, why would I want help from two Slytherin whores."
Harry gaped at his friend, "Ron...how could you?" Ginny stared, dumbstruck at Ron before bolting up the girl's staircase. Hermione set her jaw, glaring at Ron. She walked up to him slowly, reigning in her anger.
When she was not 6 inches away from him she looked him in the eye, "I'll see that you regret that statement Ronald Weasley," and then Ron found out just how much pain Draco Malfoy had been in in their third year. She took off after Ginny a moment later.
"She hit me!" Ron exclaimed, looking shocked.
"If she hadn't," Harry started, "I would have. You're a right git, and I'm glad Hermione never went for you." Harry stormed off up the boys staircase and sat down on his bed, and began a letter to Mrs. Weasley.
Dear Mrs. Weasley,
I hate to be the bearer to bad news, but I think this is a situation that must be brought to your attention. Before I get to the point, I must elaborate on some of the happenings here at Hogwarts this year.
Over the past few weeks, Ginny has befriended a few of the Slytherins, namely Pansy Parkinson. They have become quite friendly, and both Hermione and Ginny have been seen dining with her at the Slytherin table. Ginny has also taken to working with Slytherin's in several classes. Your son, as you might imagine, has not taken this acceptance well.
Today, was a Hogsmeade weekend. Hermione was set to meet Pansy Parkinson at the Three Broomsticks, Pansy seems to have taken quite a fancy to our Hermione, and I do believe Hermione returns the sentiment. I was set to meet another girl, Marina in Ravenclaw, at the same time. Ginny had agreed to meet Blaise Zabini as well.
Now, this brings me to my point, Ron did not take well to Hermione being "brainwashed by Slytherin's" (his exact wording I'm afraid). So he attempted to extricate her from the situation. Hermione resisted and he attempted to bodily remove her from the establishment. At this point, Ginny stepped in to defend Hermione. Myself, Ginny, Pansy, Blaise, and Draco Malfoy had stood to make sure Ron did not do anything Hermione did not herself want to do. Ron eventually left, giving up.
When Ginny and Hermione returned to the common room, Ron rounded on Ginny, screaming and yelling for all the common room to hear. I will spare you the details of their shouting match, but I will convey the highlights. Ginny defended herself, and the Slytherin's quite admirably. But Ron, well, I hate to say this. But he resorted to calling both Ginny and Hermione "Slytherin whores". Niether took well to the comment, Ginny ran up to her dorm, and Hermione...well, she punched Ron. And I say good for her too, he deserved it.
I don't think Ron quite realizes how delicate those comments need to be around Ginny, considering everything that happened in her first year. I think she is already having a hard time trusting the Slytherins, but is giving them more then a fair chance, considering everything she's been though. I just want you to know that I will stand by Ginny in her decisions, for she is very mature, and I believe that she will make those decisions that are best for her.
Now, nothing against your son Molly, he and I have been good friends for years, but you might want to speak with him about some of his misconceptions. He is driving both Ginny and Hermione further away from him, and even I am coming to dislike some of his actions and comments.
I hope you are not angry with me for relaying this information, I simply thought you should know.
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
Harry sighed, putting down his quill. He called for Hedwig and sent her off to the Burrow. He only hoped Molly wouldn't be too angry with him. And Ron...Ron was going to kill him...
-------------------------
-end chapter two-
-------------------------
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!!
If you like the length of this chapter (or if you wish I'd keep it shorter) let me know!
cheers!
QoW.