Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the Tom Riddle I have looks similar to what he looks like in the books, but just a few features are different, Voldemort made changes to a few features so nobody would recognize him. Yes, he looks similar, but no, not completely the same, that's why Ginny doesn't recognize him….yet. Haha. Sorry for the ramble just thought I should clarify before I continue. ON with the story!
Chapter 4: Slytherin Prejudice
Ginny's POV
I am standing in the gardens at the Burrow, everything is so beautiful here. I look out onto the fields and they seem to stretch on forever. The grass is so green it makes my heart flutter with joy. In my opinion, there is nothing better or more beautiful than freshly blooming grass and flowers. I love the wildlife all around me. I sprawl out in the flowers that are the colors of the rainbow and I finally feel at peace. My sundress is as bright as my hair and it flows like I am floating on a cloud. My feet are clean and bare. I can feel the soft grass flowing through my feet and it tickles them, causing me to let out a loud giggle, but I'm not embarrassed. It feels like nothing can ever bother me here. Nothing ever does, this is my own personal paradise. I think of the types of flowers in Herbology class and cringe slightly. I don't care for those types of flowers; they are a bit too crude and harsh for my tastes. I love the flowers that muggles grow; trees, lilies, roses, and daffodillies. The wind blows my wild hair around my face and I feel the fresh air all around me, I feel content.
Suddenly, I start to hear a voice and frown. No one ever comes to disturb me here, but this voice sounds familiar. I sit up on my elbows and listen harder.
"Wake up," the voice demands.
That's right; this place isn't real. There are no gardens like these at my home. It's the dream I have so often, of a place without war. Or trouble, a place where Tom Riddle can't find me, a place where I can escape my constant nightmares, if only for a little while.
"Wake up," the voice demands a second time and my paradise is suddenly shaking and collapsing around me.
I wake up to see Lacey's irritated face block my vision. Her hands are on my shoulders and she is looking into my face impatiently.
"I forgot how hard it is to wake up a Weasley, you sleep like the dead," She states. She jumps off my bed and turns to me. "C'mon, or we'll be late for breakfast. All the other girls have gone." She informs me
"Sorry, was lost in my dream, I guess." I pause for a minute, my chocolate brown eyes dilate for a moment. Lacey turns to me and pauses while fixing her ice blue, concerned eyes on me.
"It wasn't another nightmare, was it?"
"No, not at –
"Ooh, it was the gardens again, wasn't it?" She interrupts excitedly.
"Yes." I reply dreamily.
"You know, I wish you wouldn't spend all your time thinking of those silly gardens. You think of them, Draw them, and dream about them constantly."
"I don't." I just wish I could have something that beautiful one day.
"Well, if you're all done with your daydreams, get ready before all the good seats have gone." She replies hastily.
I sigh at her crudeness; she just doesn't understand my dreams. I just wish someone could share those dreams with me someday. We could lie in the gardens together.
…
I rush from breakfast, timetable in hand, cursing Lacey for ditching me for an early start to classes. I glance down and see that I have double potions with the Slytherins and groan, looks like this morning is going downhill from here. Little did I know what awaited me in that potions classroom.
…
I enter the classroom with shame on my face. Class has already started and I'm the only one late, fantastic, this should be horrid. I look around and notice that Lacey has already found a partner, and so has the rest of the class, except one; Sam Greengrass, fate most really not like me.
I glance up at Sn- Professor Snape and see the horrid scowl on his face, I cringe inwardly.
"Miss Weasley, how wonderful of you to join us, he states sarcastically, "Tell me, do you enjoy losing house points or are you just naturally dim-witted."
"I suppose I just like detention." I reply cheekily.
He seems astounded at my nerve for a moment then regains his composure.
"Excellent, it seems you will have plenty of that this year, Miss Weasley." He smiles cruelly and I look at my shoes awkwardly.
"Take your seat next to Mr. Greengrass, so that we may continue."
I make my way hastily next to Greengrass, grateful to be out of Snape's cold gaze.
I stumble into the seat with clumsy grace; I hear a chuckle to my left and glare at his shining blue eyes. He gives me a genuine smile and I am slightly taken aback. I turn to look at Professor Snape before I get into anymore trouble.
"Now, as you can see from your textbooks, we will be learning how to brew Polyjuice potion. Those of you who have not heard of Polyjuice potion," Snape gives a look to a few Gryffindor's', "It is a potion used to change one's appearance into that of another person. This will take quite a few classes to complete, so I suggest you begin." Snape finishes curtly, Snape then strides away to sit at his desk.
I reluctantly to turn to Greengrass to ask him what page we're on. He, ever so leisurely, glances up at me.
"Page number two hundred and twenty one." He seems to make this sentence seem humorous, and I scoff at the ridiculousness of his statement. I retrieve my potion book from my bag and turn to the desired page. I take one glace at the page and gasp at the complicated potion. Of course it seems that is all the instruction we're going to receive and I let out a frustrated sigh. I'm never going to figure this out by myself.
"I could help you, if you require assistance." Greengrass purrs smugly, yet sincerely. My brown eyes purge his and I roll my eyes. As if I'd ever accept his help.
"And why would you help a Gryffindor?"
"Because I don't see you as such." I stare at him questionably; I wait for him to elaborate.
He sighs and stares at me with his shining blue eyes. Another emotion enters his eyes and I lose my composure. He looks almost…sincere.
"I don't see you as just a Gryffindor." He pauses for a moment with something akin to fondness in his eyes. "I see a beautiful, competent, red-headed girl, whom won't waste what I teach her."
His seemingly sincere statement takes me off guard, and I look up at him with surprised awe. Could he really be genuine, or is he just another snake trying to mess with my head. I quickly regain my composure and I give him a calculating look.
He quickly interjects, "It would be lovely if you could not judge me, as I have not given you a reason to doubt me." I give him an irritated scowl.
"Fine, how do you begin the damn potion?" I demand. He only smiles in return.
"Add four measures of fluxweed to the cauldron."
"But it says to add three-"
"Four measures are better." He interrupts. I give a long stare for a moment then I decide to listen seeing as I saw him add four as well. For a long time we just sit and work together. Whenever I reach a part of the potion to complicated to understand, he patiently guides me through it. Halfway through the lesson I find myself smiling up at him. I stop myself before he catches my moment of weakness. Soon it is the end of the lesson and Professor Snape announces for us to a stop
He begins his instruction, "Now that you have completed part one of the potion, we must wait until next class before we can proceed with part two. Bring your cauldrons to the back table and store them there for the time being. I will be grading each part of the potion accordingly. This will take quite some time to brew, so it will be an extremely important part of your final grade." After everyone has their potions put away he continues.
"You will write a two foot long roll of parchment on the uses of polyjuice potion due next class, you are now dismissed. Miss Weasley, you have detention this Friday evening directly after dinner, do not be late." With that said he disappears into his office with a wave of his robes.
Damn, I knew I wasn't getting off that easy, at least he didn't take any points from Gryffindor. I stand up only to meet Sam in my way, I look over his shoulder to see Lacey waiting for me. I wave her forward to tell her I well see her later. After a second of confusion, she leaves. I look up at Greengrass and thank him for his help, as we walk out of the classroom. He stops and turns to me with a dazzling smile.
"It was nothing, I am just glad you gave me the chance to help you."
I look at him with a cold look, my eyes never wavering.
"As much as I appreciate your help, that doesn't mean that I suddenly trust you. I wouldn't hold my breath for that. You were sorted in Slytherin for a reason, and all Slytherins are the same. Cold hearted users." I say the last part of my speech with venom. He looks at me with a hard, determined gaze.
"I find your continued prejudiced tiring. I don't know how you came to the conclusion that all people of the same house are exactly the same, but frankly, it's ignorant. I am not what you perceive me to be, and I would appreciate it if you would take your prejudice elsewhere. It was my understanding that Gryffindors were kind and brave people, it appears I was wrong. Surely there is nothing kind and brave with insulting a person whom you don't know, and has been nothing but kind and friendly towards you." He gives me a hurt look, and I freeze at his words. My eyes widen with shock.
"Forgive me for simply trying to assist you. It won't happen again. " He mutters coldly. He spins on his heels and gracefully strides away.
After he is gone I let out an exasperated breath. I glance where he was just standing and attempt to shake the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. Why am I crying over this boy? He does have a point; I was rather rude to him for no other reason than prejudice. I am so ashamed of my actions; I acted just as a Tom Riddle would to a muggleborn. That thought makes me disgusted with myself. I strengthen my resolve and swear that the next time I see Greeng- ….Sam, the next time I see Sam I will apologize.
…
I go through the rest of my classes in a blur, I haven't gotten a chance to see Sam to apologize to him, and it's been driving me up a wall. I was such an insufferable git that I can't think of anything else. I've been sulking all day and can't seem to concentrate on a single thing, but…him.
Around lunchtime, I arrive late, barely aware of anything around me. I eat lunch in a blur; I'm almost finished with my chicken salad sandwich when I am interrupted by the most surprising source; Harry Potter. He looks down at me with a worried glance looking as charming as ever. I smile up at him.
"Is everything alright, Ginny?" He asks sweetly. I look up at him, embarrassed.
"Um…Yes, of course, Harry. Thank you for asking." I say, a bit awkwardly.
"It's just you looked a bit upset."
"Yes, well I suppose I was just distracted, you know first day back and everything."
He nods his head like he understands, "Well if you're sure you're alright."
"Yes, I am fine, was that all?"
"No actually, I was wondering if you were planning on trying out for Quidditch this year."
'Yes, I was thinking about it." I look down dejected, not at all confident.
"I think you should," he adds reassuringly. I look up, surprised.
"You do?"
"Of course!" He nearly shouts. "I think you're a brilliant chaser," he adds a bit shyly.
I look up at his shining, sincere emerald eyes in awe and smile widely.
"Thank you, Harry. That means so much. I will be there."
He smiles widely. "Brilliant, see you there."
As I watch his retreating back, I suddenly can't remember why I was in such a bad mood for in the first place.
…
I rush into the library with a silly grin on my face. Thinking of the wonderful way Harry's brilliant emerald eyes were look at me. I look up to the back table of the library and suddenly the grin is viciously ripped from my features. Sam Greengrass.
I remember the terrible things I said to him and my face blushes with shame. Should I go over there and apologize. What if he's still angry? Maybe I'll just sit near his table so I can see what kind of mood he's in; after all it's been quite a while since our fight. I sit at the table directly behind where he's sitting and begin my potion essay. I leisurely lean back a bit and listen to his breathing, it's soft and steady. It seems he's not angry at the moment, but if he's in a good mood I don't want to ruin it. But, if I don't apologize now I probably never will. On the other hand- Oh sod it.
"Sam." I whisper. He doesn't seem to hear me, or maybe he's ignoring me, oh merlin, this is dreadful.
"Sam." I say a little more forcefully. He snaps his head around and his shining blue eyes meet my warm brown ones. He looks at me expectantly. I look into his cold eyes and freeze.
"Um never mind." I say softly, ashamed of my cowardice. He rolls his eyes coldly and begins to turn away once more.
Some Gryffindor I am, I can't even apologize properly. Gathering all my courage I stand up and sit right across from him at his table. He looks up at me with curiosity.
"Sam". I repeat. He gets an annoyed look.
"Yes, what?" He replies rudely.
I look up at him through my lashes giving my best apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry". I pronounce bravely. He gives me a pointed look and smirks.
"For what?'" He asks innocently. I give him a quick glare, and then continue.
"For acting like a complete arse, that's what. I'm sorry I just have had bad experiences with Slytherins in the past, and I've never met one that was actually nice, not that there aren't any that are nice, but the ones I've met haven't been, well, you have, but-" I stop abruptly because I have begun to ramble.
I put my face in my hands and state, "I'm just sorry." I chance a glance at him to see his smile turn in to soft chuckles, and my face breaks out into a wide frown. He's…making fun of me. Oh merlin, I was right. I glare at him, coldly.
"No need to get all feisty, I am only amused by your way of apologizing, it was quite…," He seems to struggle for the right word, "Cute."
I smile at his use of word and start to chuckle myself, I did sound rather ridiculous, going on and on like that.
"Shut up," I say between my giggles. I smile up at him.
"So, are we okay?" I ask. He looks at me, seemingly contemplating something.
"No, not nearly." He states. I stop mid-grin and gape at him.
"Why not?" I whine.
"Well, the only way I will agree to forgive you is if…."
"If what," I interrupt
"If you agree to accompany me on a…date."
A date? With a Slytherin? He must be mad.
"No wa-.."
He interrupts, "Then, you are not forgiven." He begins to reach for his book again. I grab the book from his grasp.
"Now, hold on."
"Yes, Ginnevr-…Ginny?" He smirks. I give him a pointed look. Fine, two of us can play this game.
"Only my friends call me Ginny, and you haven't forgiven me, so therefore, we are not friends." I state smugly.
"Ah, but my statement suggests more than friendship, does it not? On the other hand, Ginevra suits you much better." I give him a frustrated look. Now I see why he was put into Slytherin, he has such a way with words.
I ponder for moment, and then look at him brazenly.
"Why do you want to go on a date with me, anyway?" I question spontaneously. His shining eyes light up as if he has the perfect answer to my question, clever git.
"Well, for many reasons really, you're intelligent, insanely beautiful," I blush, "Quite temperamental, but I find it amusing, and then there's that wit that never ceases to amaze me," he pauses, "But, I think the better question is why don't you wish to go on a date with me? Could it be you're really not sorry at all? That you are still judging what house I'm from?" He gives me appointed look.
I freeze inwardly, a test, of course. He's right, of course that is the first thought that popped into my head; dating a Slytherin. Perhaps I should give him a chance, I mean it's only one measly date, what could happen?
"Fine, let's go on a date."
Dun, dun, dun! Wedding bells, or is it a death march? We shall see! Sorry I haven't been updating, I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go with this, but I am pleased with this chapter. Let me know what you think, I'd LOVE some feedback. Thanks for reading!
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