Ginny actually like her new image. She was blonde, skinny, curvy, had legs that went for miles… everything that a girl wanted. Tom, on the other hand, hated it. He said that he liked her when she didn't have bones pointing all over the place, making her laugh. He had looked surprised at her laughter for a few moments before letting a reluctant smile grace his face.
-You look nice when you smile, Tom. You should do it more often. She reached up to put a hand on his cheek, her smile now sad, her eyes pitying.
-I will miss you while you are away. Tom said into her hair.
-As will I, Tom. But we can see each other during meetings. I reassured him.
-That will hardly be enough time to fully appreciate each other. Tom muttered.
-We can make time. Ginny smiled at him in the mirror.
-We can. Tom repeated. He kissed the top of her head.
-I should be going… Ginny sighed regretfully, looking at the clock. It was ten-twenty. –We have time. Tom pulled her around and lifted her skirt, giving her one last reminder of him for the school year. She made it to the station with four minutes to spare. Ginny followed Draco to the Slytherin end of the train, straightening her hair and skirt so she didn't have the just-shagged look.
-Hello, Draco. Who's this whore? Pansy said, glaring at Ginny as she entered the compartment.
-My cousin. Draco said shortly, not offering any conversation. His tone, however, told everyone in the compartment that there were not to be any more questions.
-I'm Cassiopeia Malfoy. Please, call me Cass. Ginny said, smiling falsely at the ugly pug. She would have to cozy up to this bitch if she wanted to stay in the Slytherin common room. Ginny was not stupid- in the dungeons, Pansy was Queen Bitch, and anyone who crossed her didn't stay down there long.
-What year are you in? Blaise Zabini asked kindly, eyeing her up and down.
-Fifth. And I have a boyfriend. Ginny said dryly, effectively bringing her eyes from her chest to her eyes.
-Would we know him? Pansy asked, smirking. She obviously thought that if 'Cass' was taken, then she would pose no threat to her as Draco's girlfriend. Completely stupid- hadn't Ginny already said that they were cousins?
-No. Ginny smirked. If only she knew…
Around lunch, Blaise received an invitation to go to a lunch with the new professor. The other five of them- Draco, Pansy, Ginny, Crabbe, and Goyle- stayed in the compartment and discussed the Dark Lord. Every so often, Ginny would smirk as she thought about their slightly skewed thoughts about him. But, then again, none of them had ever had sex with him, had ever seen his kinder side.
When Blaise got back, the door stuck. Ginny's eyes narrowed as she saw a flash of white swinging onto the luggage rack- it looked like a trainer. Draco met her eyes; he had seen it, too.
When the train pulled into the station, Ginny didn't get up until most everyone had left the compartment. Draco stayed behind.
-Draco, I was wondering if you were planning to stay on the Quidditch team. She said, pointing to the luggage rack.
-Yes, I was. I might quit, though, if my plan goes well. He said slowly.
-Oh, good. May I see the item? I believe that you put it in your trunk. Ginny said, smiling at him. Draco nodded and pulled the trunk down roughly. Harry fell down, his Cloak falling off him. Ginny grabbed it as Draco immobilized Harry.
-Hello, Potter. Didn't your mother ever tell you it wasn't polite to eavesdrop? Draco asked. Ginny smiled wryly as she ran through different hexes that she could use on him... including several that he had taught her.
-Oh, yeah. I forgot; your mother was dead before you could wipe the drool off your chin. Draco stepped on Harry's nose, breaking it.
-Let's go, Draco. Ginny said, throwing the Cloak back over Harry so nobody would find him.
Draco and Ginny hopped off the train, then got in a coach that drove them up to the school. They had just sat down at the Slytherin table when Professor Snape placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder and told her to follow him. She was to be sorted separately. She followed him up the hall to a small antechamber with a stool and hat in it. Snape handed her the hat and she put it on.
-Ah, Miss Weasley. I had thought that you were dead.
-Ginny Weasley is dead to this school. In here, I am Cassiopeia Malfoy. Ginny told the hat sharply.
-Of course. Well, there really is only one house for the lover of Voldemort. SLYTHERIN! Ginny took the hat off and handed it back to Snape, who nodded.
-I'm sure that Draco will be a good guide for you, Miss Malfoy. He sneered at he.
-Of course, Professor. Ginny replied. She was not sure if Tom had told him of her true identity, but she had best not tell him, just in case. She rejoined Draco at the Slytherin table, nodding at Pansy as she passed the pug.
It was quite interesting, to be honest, to be treated as a new student who didn't know anything by her teachers and peers. Hermione came up to Ginny about two months into the school year and asked if she needed any help. Ginny had been sweating like mad; would Hermione recognize her? She didn't recognize her old, supposedly dead, friend. Hermione had changed, too. It looked as if a great weight had been placed on her shoulders, a weight that could not be removed. Ginny had yet to see Ron, though. She was glad… she wasn't sure if she wanted to see him. Hermione had finally stopped talking.
-I'll be fine with the workload, thanks. Ginny was tempted to say more, but stopped herself.
-Oh. Well, if you need anything, I'll probably be here. Hermione said. Ginny grabbed all of her books and stood up.
-She died quickly, without any pain. She was strong 'till the end. Ginny whispered quietly as she passed the older girl. Hermione looked up quickly.
-How do you know that? Hermione demanded.
-I'm so sorry. Ginny started running away from the library, finding a toilet to cry in.
Now that she was faced with her old life, she felt all the repercussions of her actions. Her family would be crushed, as would Harry, Hermione, Luna, Neville… the list went on and on. But she couldn't find it in herself to regret what she had done. She was happy with Tom. She was happy with her new life.
Ginny turned around and retched from the pain in her side. She rested her head on the toilet seat, gasping for breath, tears still sliding down her cheeks.
-Are you okay, Gi –Cass? She heard Draco ask.
-I'm fine. I miss Tom. Ginny lied.
-Christmas is in two months. You can see him then. Draco told her bracingly. This only made Ginny cry even more.
-I want to see him now, not two months! She sobbed. Draco let her fall into his arms, confusion splayed over his face.
-Let's take you to Professor Snape. Draco said when her tears showed no signs of stopping. His Head of House would have a Calming Potion in his office. Ginny tried gulping herself into silence, but it was of little use.
-What happened? Snape asked as soon as he opened his office door to the duo.
-I dunno. I found her crying in a boy's toilet. It looked like she had thrown up at some point, too. Draco informed the man. Snape nodded and retrieved two bottles from his cabinet.
-Miss Malfoy, this is a Calming Potion. It's going to help you slow our breathing. Snape said, in a tone that would be considered gentle for him. He held the vial out to Ginny. She took it with shaking hands and drained it in one gulp. Her breathing calmed for a moment before she ran to the trash can and threw up again. Draco and Snape traded concerned looks, and Snape drew his wand.
-I am going to perform a quick diagnosis on you, Miss Malfoy. It will determine if you just need a potion or if you need to be removed to the Hospital Wing. Snape said, still calming Ginny. She nodded miserably, and Snape started muttering under his breath. Colors and diagrams danced over Ginny, seeming to make sense to Snape. After the final diagram had faded, he leaned back onto the wall.
-Who are you dating? He asked coldly.
-What? Ginny had finally composed herself.
-Who is your boyfriend? He asked again, sharply. Ginny exchanged a panicked glance with Draco. They couldn't tell him… and yet, they had to. Draco went to the door and closed and silenced it. Snape raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
-Professor, you should probably sit. Ginny said, taking an empty seat herself.
-What do you know about the Dark Lord's favorite? Draco asked from the door.
-I have never seen her. I had assumed that she spent her time in his bedroom. Snape said carefully.
-Not much, then. Draco commented.
-I also assume that I am looking at her right now. Snape looked at Ginny appraisingly.
-You are. Ginny confirmed.
-I see. How are you going to tell him? Snape asked, his face a blank mask.
-At the next meeting. Ginny said simply.