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DISCLAIMER: You know I don't own it, if I did, you would know…you just would.
Is thought.
Herblogy was rather uneventful; they were pruning Mumblium Practoni; a cactus like plant whose leaves contained a healing property. The bell brought a quick end to the drudgery of the dull work, and Ginny bounded up the castle for lunch. However being on the far side of the grounds Ginny still had to wolf down her food before racing off toward the dungeons and professor Slughorn's lesson. Grabbing a seat toward the front she looked around for a friendly face. Spotting Sam (also a fifth year gryphandor) she waved her over. Double potions with the Slytherin's could never be considered fun, but she could endure it.
"Good afternoon class." The short but fat wizard tottered up to the black board and raised his wand. White lines shot out and attached themselves to the black space. "Today we will be brewing a new potion, the draught of dreamless sleep." He looked around. "You should copy the notes, and then begin, this potion should take nearly the complete hour, so work quickly."
Satisfied with the reaction Slughorn sat down and began going over some papers on his desk. Meanwhile Ginny grabbed her quill and jotted down the notes, then ran over the list of ingredients. Once done, she grabbed a small test tube and headed for the back of the room to the student cupboards. She reached out to take the phial when a smooth pale hand shot around her and plucked it off the shelf.
Turning to face the intruder she was caught in a cool grey stare. Draco smirked and tapped the phial before taking it with him back to his seat. Ginny rolled her eyes and grabbed the other phial before striding angrily back to her desk. After preparing the base she set to work chopping her gurdy-roots, once they were evenly sliced she added them to her cauldron and waited few minutes to let it steep.
After a bit she grabbed a small strainer and began carefully sifting the potion removing leftover bits. Wait until it cools a bit more. Tom's voice was faint so he wouldn't scare her. Why? She sounded petulant even to herself. I know how to brew a potion thank you very much.
Overlaying her thoughts Tom continued; It will help the gurdy-root to dissolve more, which creates a higher potency. Tom's voice had taken on an air of forced patience, much like a teachers.
Ginny ignored the voice and continued straining the roots, and finishing the potion by adding lacewing to it. The potion's smoke turned a light blue and with a small pop began to clear away. Waving her book to fan it slightly Ginny peered into her cauldron and groaned. The potion was too light, almost a crystal clear, not sky blue as the directions stated it should be.
Professor Slughorn chose that moment to appear in front of her, and test her potion. Cautiously dipping his finger into the clear liquid he ran it between his fingers, then lightly tasted it. "Excellent consistency, texture, and flavor." He paused looking closer at her cauldron. "However next time you may want to allow your roots to steep just a bit longer." Ginny nodded as she he strode away, barely sparing a glance at the repugnant mess of yellow in Neville's cauldron.
Ginny scowled deeply to herself. Not one word Tom, I'm warning you. Tom's laughter only caused Ginny to growl in frustration.
Charms followed potions and by the end Ginny's headache had returned. Professor Flitwick had been overly enthusiastic about teaching the students the new charm, Reducto. Ginny just rolled her eyes smiling to herself. Ha we covered this in D.A. last year…jeez their terrible. Ginny ducked as a spell nearly hit her, having ricochet off of the metal helmet they were reducing.
Dinner came, and Ginny welcomed it with open arms. Making her way to the Great Hall she allowed herself a few moments to relax and meander through the hallways. Stepping into the hall she was hit by the aroma of cooked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and every other scent associated with a typical Hogwarts dinner. Spotting her friends, she walked over and hunkered down between them.
Sitting in between Ron and Dean with Harry and Hermione across from them she grabbed a fork and began looking around. "Dustin!" She shouted to make herself heard to the third year down the table. "Pass the green beans." A plate levitated toward her, and after taking some, levitated back to its previous position.
She turned her attention to her friends. Harry and Ron were arguing over quidditch, Hermionie was buried in her book, and Neville was picking at his food. "Aww cheer up Nev." His head shot up surprised, "You'll get it right next time." She smiled as his expression brightened.
"Earth to Gin." Harry's hand waved in front of her face. "Wow, thought we'd lost you for a second." He watched her carefully. "You alright, you seemed upset earlier." His tone made it clear that he'd noticed her coldness earlier.
Flashing a practiced but fake grin she replied, "Nothing just a bad day." Harry smiled scooting closer, "anything I could do to help?"
Flashing a practiced but fake grin she replied, "Nothing just a bad day." Harry smiled scooting closer, "anything I could do to help?"
YES! Her mind screamed. Get this effing voice out of my brain!!! "No." She heard herself say lamely.
Oh so now I'm just a voice. The third voice sounded hurt, but Ginny didn't care, she'd had it.
Shut. Up. Riddle. Each word was punctured and short. She was relieved when he didn't answer but didn't miss the growl emitting from the person-less voice.
Excusing herself Ginny retired to the common room, and spent the last two hours of her day catching up on homework. By 10:30 she was finished and made her way to her welcoming four poster bed. Laying down she was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow.
So that is the end of the next chapter…I hope you like it…from here on out it will continue to grow with the fluff, hope you like… Click the button and gimme a review you know you want too.!!!
NEXT TIME: DADA with Snape, a fight with Ron, and the first signs of compassion from Tom!!!!!
