Disclaimer: Still not mine, I can dream though…. *sighs*

House Unity…

September 22nd

She tiptoed passed the one-eyed statue, glancing around. She needed to get to the Library, there was something there she was looking for. She paused in front of a tapestry of a bright orange moon, heavy in the sky, directly above the astronomy tower. Strange, it wasn't there two seconds ago. Confused, she peered closer at it; when she heard footsteps close by. Filch! She thought. A hand snaked out from behind the tapestry and yanked her through. She fought the grip, but was pulled closer as a hand clamped over her mouth. Ginny was about to scream when Filch came down the hallway. "Yes, my dear Mrs. Norris, I heard them too. Students…out of bed. How delightful!" Ginny pressed back against the hard chest behind her. Filch's voice came from directly in front of the tapestry! Filch lifted his torch, scanning the area. A clash came from down the hall, and he immediately spun around and took off towards the sound. "There they are Mrs. Norris! Trying… to get… passed…" His voice faded away. Ginny heaved a sigh of relief, and relaxed. A hand stroked her side, and that was when she remembered the muscular arm around her ribcage. Stiffening, she pushed off the hand and turned around…

"Malfoy?" she shrieked.

"Shh... Not so loud Weaslette. Unless you want Filch to hear and come back to see us in this…compromising…position." Draco stepped forward, causing Ginny to press up against the wall. He leaned in, bracing a hand on the wall behind her, their bodies close but not touching. "We'll have to be quiet, very quiet. Mrs. Norris tends to double back."

Ginny couldn't catch her breath; he was so close. A light musky scent, almost like sandalwood tantalized her nose…was that him? Wow, he smelled good…

Tap tap tap…

Draco lifted a finger and tilted her chin up, silver and hazel eyes locked. "Remember…not a sound." He whispered and leaned in.

Tap tap…

Ginny felt her head tilt slightly, and her eyelids fluttered closed. She could feel his breath on her lips…

Tap tap tap… *sharp birdlike scream*

Ginny opened her eyes.

Tap tap… She glanced over to see Merlin, her Falcon, tapping at the window. Opening the glass pane, she let him in. His silvery blue wings flashing in the morning sun, Merlin settled himself on her headboard. She followed him over and sat, releasing the small parchment attached to his foot.

The dreams were happening more and more. They started shortly after the beginning of school, and always with Malfoy! She had always wondered what it would be like to kiss him, but so did half the female population at school. He wasn't called "the Slytherin Sex God" for nothing. She had no idea why now she would fantasize about HIM. Stress, she thought, It has to be stress.

"Good morning luv," Ginny cooed at Merlin, "did you sleep well?"

Merlin cocked his head and nibbled her cheek affectionately. Fred and George had given him as a gift to her once their store started running in the black. Merlin was a beautiful bird. Silver and blue wings, a buff colored chest, and dangerously sharp beak. He fit in well here at Hogwarts, loving the open space. Ginny could not bring herself to keep him in the owlery. Besides, he was not even an owl. He deserved to be in the wide-open sky. He also had a wicked sense of humor. For a Falcon, he was pretty smart. Ginny loved him and the feeling was mutual. Spreading his wings, he took off and flew out the window to places unknown. Ginny unrolled the paper and read the quick note…

Gin-Bean!

We're in Hogsmeade for the school term, figured we should send a friendly reminder to visit us…or else! Hoping Hogwarts is eventful (don't do anything we wouldn't do), and do make sure to keep Filch on his toes for us!

Your ever-loving Brothers,

Gred and Forge

Smiling, she gathered up her clothes and ran off to the showers to get ready for classes.

Transfiguration was most definitely entertaining. 2 fights broke out and 7 detentions were given. The first fight started when one student accidently knocked over someone else' pot of ink. The second was a 'discussion' regarding which house was better at Quidditch. What amused Ginny to no end was that neither fight included the Slytherins. In fact, The Golden Trio was involved in both!

Ron, the klutz, up-ended Dean's ink. As this wasn't the first time this year so far, in fact it was more like the 6th or 7th, Dean was royally ticked. Then about 15 minutes later, as the class was in study groups for an in-class project; a mix of Hufflepuffs and Gryfindors got into it when Hermione (no surprise there) flat out told the Hufflepuff Seeker that the only way they could ever compete with Harry was if they were to get new brooms, new players, and maybe even bribe the referee. To which the Hufflepuffs vehemently verbally and physically denied. During all of which Ginny, Neville and the Slytherins were giggling hysterically. McGonagall had finally had it with the whole thing and sent everyone but the 7 offenders out of class early to the Library to study there.

Care of Magical Creatures was interesting. Hagrid brought the class to the edge of the Forbidden Forest and showed them how to recognize the tracks of various small animals. As the class wound up, he turned to the students; "Now don' forget, next Wednesday we will be searching for Gryphon nests. Yer 'omework is to read the next two chapters in yer books and complete the exercises at the end….Yes 'ermione?"

Hermione put her hand down, "Entrance to the Forbidden Forest has to be approved by the Headmaster AND our parents. How is it possible to do this without either?" she demanded.

Taken aback by her attitude, Hagrid replied, "I 'ave already had permission by Dumbledore, and yer parents have already sent their responses to the 'ogwarts Permission Request sent to them. Now, see you all here on Wednesday…..Mr. Finnigan, a word please…"

Hermione stomped off with a huff. Seamus came over to Hagrid. "I'm afraid that yer parents have not returned their response yet, and I canno' let you into the Forest without it. You will need to bring their answer on Wednesday or you will have to skip class. Sorry lad…"

Seamus nodded, "I'll take care of it sir."

"What are you doing 'Mione?" Ron asked aghast as they headed back to the school. "Hagrid's our friend."

"What? I didn't do anything."

"You were pretty rude Hermione," Harry replied, "Just because Hagrid still likes Baby Gin doesn't mean you take it out on him. He doesn't even know that we're on opposites sides now."

"Well, now, I won't call it opposite sides…" Ron interjected.

"What else would you call it Ronald?" Hermione sneered, "She is not with us, so therefore she is against us. And I for one will not tolerate that. If she thinks that she is smarter or prettier than I am…I mean US… then she is deluded. She's made her choice."

Defense Against the Dark Arts was a blast for Ginny. She was able to one-up Hermione, the little snot-face. Lupin had announced a Wizard Tournament of sorts after Christmas for the 6th and 7th years. He taught a few new curses and counter spells, and then pinned one student against another for practice. Ginny and Neville were paired together for the majority of class. When Lupin introduced the Morsus hex, he changed up the paired students. Ginny and Hermione ended up paired together. Hermione flashed Ginny a triumphant smile, and went to a dueler's stance. Ginny just smirked and took her own stance.

"Morsus!" Hermione shouted almost immediately, and a large mass of hornets erupted from her wand.

"Protego!" Ginny countered instantly and sent off her famous Bat Bogey hex. Hermione screamed and went down. A scoff sounded behind Ginny, and she turned.

"Stupid git, couldn't even block that…?" Draco drawled.

Ginny saw that he had already dispensed with his own opponent as they were currently running away from a swarm of bees. Looking back at Malfoy, she just raised an eyebrow.

Draco sauntered past, "Nice job…Ginevra."

Ginny frowned. He just called her by her first name. He never called her that, except in her dreams… Bloody hell, the dreams!, Ginny thought, Could he know…? Impossible, I haven't told anyone. She thought back to the library. No, no you are panicking for no reason. He said he wanted to be on a first name basis. The stupid git, is playing with my head.

Entering the Great Hall for dinner, Ginny was surprised to see everyone standing off to the sides. Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster, was just beginning to make an announcement when she walked in and made her way over to Neville, Colin and Luna.

"I know all of you are wondering as to why we (the Professors) have asked you to wait to be seated. There have been too many quarrels these first few weeks, so we will be trying a new program to help instill House Unity this year. As you can see, we have numbered the chairs. All of your names will be drawn randomly and assigned a number. That is where you will sit for the remainder of the year."

Groans and protests rose from the students, Dumbledore held up his hand and they immediately stopped. "It is time for the students to get past House Rivalries and learn to co-exist in peace."

"More likely in pieces…" Colin muttered in Ginny's ear, she chuckled.

"Now, as I call your name, you will sit in your designated seat, starting with number one." Albus continued.

All the students were watching with trepidation. The names were most definitely random. The first table so far held a Slytherin, 2 Ravenclaws, a Hufflepuff, 2 Gryffindors and 2 more Slytherins, in that order. Another Hufflepuff was called shortly thereafter. Everyone started murmuring to themselves wondering where they were going to be placed. When Ginny heard her name, she grimaced and went to where she was to sit, only to lock eyes with none other than Draco Malfoy. He was seated to her left, smirking at her of course. This just keeps getting better and better. Now she is going to have to put up with close proximity to Malfoy too. Can this get any worse?

"Pansy Parkinson…" called Dumbledore.

Ginny thumped her head down on the table; I spoke too soon, as Pansy strutted forward and gave Ginny an evil little grin. Apparently, the gods were semi-apologetic toward Ginny. Luna was seated directly across the table from Ginny. Neville was to Luna's right with Blaise Zabini to his right. Colin was on Luna's left, with Millicent Bulstrode on his left. The Golden Trio was on the complete opposite side of the room, which suited Ginny just fine.

"Enjoying your advanced classes so far?"

It took Ginny a second to realize that question came from Malfoy. "You're talking to me?" she asked surprised. "Outside of class?"

"What? I can't make conversation with my neighbor?"

"Not when it comes from someone who has delusions of grandeur, hates my entire family, my friends, and kisses up to the professors. " Ginny said sweetly.

"Ouch. There goes that mouth again," he smirked, and then leaned in closer to her, "I wonder what else it can do…"

"In your dreams Ferret."

Malfoy just smirked again, "Perhaps in yours."

Speechless, Ginny turned back to her lunch.

Author's Tidbit: Morsus - (bite, stinging pain). I am using roughly translated Latin for miscellaneous curses. As I have miniscule knowledge of Latin, I use an online translator; therefore, future apologies to those who believe the definitions are incorrect.

On another note, I would like to thank those who have added my story as an alert as well those who have reviewed. It means a lot to me that you enjoy what I do. Please, if there is anything you notice that I have done wrong, or anything that just does not mesh with the story, please, please let me know! I finally managed to recruit a family member to be my part-time beta. However, the first five chapters have already been written, and are set to be posted soon; so we may miss a few things. Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy the coming chapters.