Author's Tidbit: I saw this disclaimer by Yazethet, I laughed so hard, I had to borrow it.
On a separate note: I would like to apologize for the length of time it took to get this chapter written. I had an illness in the family for quite a while now. She became worse and was in and out of the hospital the past few months. Needless to say, my muse was otherwise occupied…..probably out playing poker…..but the muse has returned for now (with no winnings ) and I shall continue. Thanks for sticking with me.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling created this world. I just wreak havoc in it.
Chapter 9: Family Matters
October 25th
Ginny grabbed her trunk and headed out of her dorm. Her roommates were still sleeping, as it was just after dawn. As Ginny walked towards the main entrance, she saw a figure leaning against the wall near the doors with their arms crossed, blonde head tilted down, looking at the floor. Stiffening her spine, she continued past him.
"Ginny…" He said softly. She paused with her hand on the main doors, but refused to look at him. Draco slowly walked up to her, and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me." She said in a low voice.
He immediately removed his hand. "I wanted to apologize again for what happened. I didn't mean to hurt you…I was just…" He stopped, unable to think of a way to say it without being hexed by her.
"Just what?" Ginny growled, "Just having some fun? Just wanted to see if you could get the little Weaselette to beg?"
"No…I…"
She whirled around to face him, and poked him in the chest in emphasis. "What? You just wanted to see if you could sleep with me? Was it some sick joke you had with you're friends?" Her voice rose in pitch.
"No! I've fancied you for years!" Draco shouted right back, frustrated. "I knew with our House rivalries, and especially with our families hating each other, I couldn't get a chance to make you see me! Me! The real me!" He took a step back and sighed.
Ginny still stood there, glaring at him. "And the real you would actually want to have a valid relationship with me?"
"Yes."
Disbelief emanated from her. Ginny just shook her and turned back to the door.
"You don't believe me…" He muttered.
"You have never even given me the time of day, let alone the idea that you fancied me. Of course I don't believe you!" She yelled back at him and shoved the door open, striding towards the carriage waiting for her. All of a sudden, a hand hooked her arm and yanked her around. Draco's lips crashed into hers, while his arms wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly. Ginny automatically responded, and opened her mouth to him. He took her offer and deepened the kiss, causing them both to groan. His hand snaked down and caressed her backside, squeezing gently, pulling her body closer to him. Ginny's mind reeled. Merlin, he is a great kisser! Draco pulled away slightly and nibbled her bottom lip. He ran his lips down her neck and gently bit down on her collarbone. The action sparked a memory of the dreams within her. Remembering his betrayal, Ginny shoved Draco away from her. "NO!" She cried out, "Don't you dare try that on me."
"Try what?" Draco asked, confused.
"That 'I'm so hot, all I have to do is snog you senseless and all is forgiven' crap."
Draco growled in frustration, "What do I have to do to make you believe me? Grovel?"
She stepped into the carriage and smirked back out at him, "It's a start."
Draco sighed as he watched the carriage roll away. "That went well…," he muttered.
Ginny trudged up the stairs, her trunk wobbling along behind her. Opening the door to the Twin's flat, she walked in and immediately was swept into a bear hug by George.
"Missed you!" The Twins both cried. Fred strutted up and stealing her away from his brother, gave her the same hug. Ginny's eyes misted at their liveliness. Seeing her reaction, the Twin's froze. "What's wrong?" Fred demanded.
"Nothing." Ginny bluffed, and plastered a smile on her face, "Can't I be happy to see my favorite brothers?"
Fred and George exchanged a look, and then narrowed their eyes at her. She glanced away from them, hoping they would not see too deeply.
"So, what do you want to do on your lovely Autumn Break?" Fred asked.
"Anything!" Ginny announced, "I just want to forget everything and have fun."
"Forget what?" George asked shrewdly.
She sighed, "Look, it has just been a tough year so far. With all the drama going on, I just want to relax, have a good time and not think about school."
"Well, you know we have to stop by the Leaky Cauldron. That's mandatory." Fred grinned, as he flashed her trunk to her room. "Go ahead and freshen up a bit from your trip, and we'll head out in an hour or two if you'd like."
Ginny smiled and nodded, making her way to the room the Twins always kept ready for her. She pushed the door open; shrugged off her cloak and set it on the armchair by the window. Glancing at the bed, she giggled when she saw the chocolate frog sitting on her pillow that Fred and George left for her. Ginny flopped back on the bed and grimaced. She knew the Twins would not let up. Eventually they would pry the information out of her. They seemed to be giving her a short reprieve at least. Hearing a tap at her door, she glanced over to see George standing in the doorway, holding a tray.
"I thought you might want something to tide you over till we get to the Leaky Cauldron." He said as he placed the tray on her side table.
"Thanks George, but I'm not that hungry right now."
George came over, sat next to Ginny on the edge of the bed, and placed his arm around her shoulders, giving her a light squeeze. "What's wrong luv? The light's gone from your eyes."
Looks like the reprieve is over…, "I took the potion you two gave me…and it turns out Draco was behind it all."
George's eyes darkened. "Were you able to find out why?"
"He said that he's fancied me for years and wanted to find out if I might reciprocate." Ginny scoffed.
"You don't believe him." George stated.
"Of course I don't believe him!" Ginny shot up from the bed in frustration, "He used me, the bastard! Not once has he even made a move to show me that he cared. The only thing he tried to do in the dreams was to get into my knickers! And he thinks that a pink rose forgives all?" Ginny scoffed again, "It's ludicrous!"
"Pink rose?"
"He gave me an Aristophanes Rose. It turned pink."
He arched an eyebrow, "Really…that's an interesting development."
"It still doesn't change the fact that he lied to me." Ginny grumbled and sat back down.
"True, however it does put a twist on things." George sighed and stood up. "He'll probably try to contact you during your break. Do your self a favor and try not to burn any bridges?"
"And why is that?"
"Because he just might be telling the truth..." He replied as he walked towards the door.
"If he truly fancied me, then he would have asked me out." Ginny stated. "But he hasn't. He never once said anything regarding that; only that we were friends."
Well, I'm honestly not surprised luv, given how our families hate each other." He chuckled, "Can you imagine what his father would say if Draco started dating a Weasley?"
Ginny frowned and was quiet for a few moments. "He'd hurt Draco." She whispered, as she took a sip of the tea George had on the tray.
"Exactly... I hate to say this, but you should have thought about the why before you acted upon the what."
Ginny choked, "What?"
"Could Draco have ulterior motives? Absolutely. However, if he does fancy you; there is nothing he can do about it without stirring up a cauldron of trouble. Moreover, you really should not burn your bridges in this instance, especially since the rose turned pink. Think about the things he's said and done before you hex him into oblivion." George smirked.
Jaw slack, Ginny stared as George left her room. That is exactly what Professor Snape said…then she remembered the look he gave her when she tried to take the third vial. He knew! That is why he said it after he gave me the permission slip…he knew!
Just then, a tap sounded at the window, Ginny glanced over to see Merlin on the other side. She ran over and threw open the window, "Hey luv!" she cried out as he flew in and landed on her outstretched arm. Ginny smiled and stroked his feathers as he bobbed up and down happily. Setting Merlin gently on her shoulder, she turned to unpack her trunk. Thanks to George, her thoughts were swirling around in her head. Could Draco be telling the truth? How could I even find out? Veritas serum would work...no…I'd have no way to get it; plus I'd have to find a way to make him drink it…impossible. Unless… A decidedly sneaky grin slowly spread across her face. Perfect.
"I need a favor." Ginny announced, as she strode into the Twin's kitchen.
Fred, sitting at the table, glanced up from the Daily Prophet he was reading, and quirked an eyebrow at her "Where am I hiding the bodies this time?"
"No no, nothing like that…yet." She sat on the chair next to him, "I need to know if you could loan me some money."
"Is it to pay for someone to hide the bodies?"
"No! Fred…" Ginny exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips.
He chuckled and put down his paper. "Okay…how much and what for?"
Ginny grimaced, "I don't know and I can't tell you…"
He narrowed his eyes at her. "What do you mean you can't tell me?"
"I'd rather not tell you?" She qualified.
Fred crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair. "Is this in regards to the issues you've been having at school?"
Ginny nodded.
Sighing, Fred got up and went to his office in the next room over. Ginny followed and watched as he pulled out a piece of parchment and scribbled quickly. "Use what you need, keep the rest." He said as he handed her the note. It was a letter to Gringotts, to give permission for her to take 1,000 galleons from the Twin's vault.
Ginny balked as she read it over. "Merlin! Fred, I don't need this much."
"Use what you need and keep the rest." Fred stated again. He crossed his arms and shook his head, staring at her intently. "I just wish you would trust us to help you with this."
"I do trust you." She whispered, putting a hand on his arm. "But this is something that I have to do myself."
Fred nodded. "Just be careful."
Smiling tremulously, Ginny hugged him. "Thank you…and of course I'll be careful. Why wouldn't I?"
"Because I know you..." He scoffed. "You'll run headfirst into a herd of centaurs if you put your mind to it."
Ginny chuckled. "Touché."
"Are you ready to go to the Leaky Cauldron?"
She nodded, and they gathered up their cloaks and left to hunt down George.
"Now that…was exactly what I needed." Ginny sighed as she leaned back in her chair at the Leaky Cauldron. "Look, I'm ready to explode, I stuffed myself so much." She said, poking her belly.
Fred and George chuckled. "Good to see you happy Gin." Fred said as he motioned the waiter over to them for the check.
"We have a few errands we need to run before the evening is over. Would you like to come with us or would you rather do something else?" George asked.
"I have a few errands to run myself, if you two wouldn't mind. Care to meet back here at 10 o'clock?"
"Sure thing." The Twins replied.
Ginny quickly made her way to Gringotts. "I'd like to make a withdrawal please." She said, as she handed over the letter Fred gave her.
The goblin read the note and stared her down. "The night has a thousand eyes." He stated.
"Excuse me?" Ginny asked confused.
"The night has a thousand eyes." He said again expectantly.
Oh! He is looking for a password. Duh... "And the day only one." She responded. Thank you Fred for not telling me you coded it! Moreover, thank goodness I remembered the old children's quote… The goblin led her to the carts and they took off to the vault. After retrieving the money, she headed back outside to Diagon Alley. She crossed the street and peered in the window of Florean Fortescue's, glancing around to see if anyone noticed her. With no one she knew in sight, she pulled up the hood of her cloak and set off for Knockturn Alley.
'Potions for the Garden Witch - gnomes on ice'…
'Potions for the Inane - what is a potion?'…
'Potions for the Insane - to brew or not to brew'…
'Potions for the Inept - how not to blow up your cauldron… or your flat'…
'Potions for the Kitchen Witch - international cuisine with a local flair'…
Draco snorted as he read the spines of the books on the shelves in Flourish & Blotts. People actually buy this junk? He turned away to find his mother, who was browsing on the other side of the shop, when he was suddenly pinned to the shelving behind him. He automatically reached for his wand.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Said a tall redheaded young man, his twin on Draco's other side, both had one hand each on Draco's shoulders, pushing him back against the shelving.
"Oh shite…" Draco muttered.
The twins smirked. "Care to guess as to why we are here?" The one on the left asked.
Bloody Hell, what was his name again? Frank…Frolo… Draco kept his nervousness under wraps and asked with a straight face, "Looking for a book? He reached out blindly and grabbed a book from the shelf, offering it to them.
The Twins glanced down at the cover and narrowed their eyes at Draco. "You cheeky bastard, are you sure you want to play the fool right now?" The other twin growled at him.
Draco looked down at the book he held and nearly choked. 'Potions for the Sexually Challenged - size does matter.' Brilliant Draco… he groaned to himself, any other death defying acts you want to accomplish today? He cleared his throat and put the book back on the shelf. "No, sorry for that... I'm assuming you're here because Ginny is ticked off at me."
"That's an understatement…" one of them muttered.
"Let's make it simple," said the other, "We know about the rose…and we can understand why you might go to such lengths to get her attention."
"However," continued the first twin, "should you, in fact, have nefarious plans regarding our sister…" he slapped a book into Draco's chest.
Draco glanced down… 'Potions for Loss of Limbs – has anyone seen my leg?'… He looked back up at the twins, "Understood."
"Good." They said in unison, and immediately left the store.
The alleyway was nearly pitch black, torches lit dimly along the front of the shops, barely lighting the signs. As Ginny walked down the cobbled road, she heard shuffling sounds coming from one of the smaller alleys off to the side. Shuddering, she peered at the windows of the shops she passed by, trying to locate the one she needed. All manner of dark wizards and witches roamed the path. Some were obviously well to do while others were practically wearing wheat sacks. Relieved to have her face and hair covered, she continued on, avoiding all as much as possible. She finally came to a window with small flasks and vials on display. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door, and carefully stepped inside. It was even creepier in here than out in the alley…if that was possible. Potions bottles of all shapes and sizes lined the shelves and dotted the tables. Ginny glanced to the main counter, but no one was there. In fact, there was no one here at all. No secondary door leading to the back, no staff in sight, the place was completely empty. Ginny shivered and continued perusing the vials looking for the one she needed.
"Welcome to Madam Medusa's Apothecary… May I assist you?"
Ginny spun around to face the voice that came from directly behind her. The woman was tall, extremely tall, as she towered over Ginny by at least 2 feet. Slender as a reed, the woman's hair, immaculately coifed, was long and black, as were her robes. Stunned, Ginny stammered, "I…I am…l-looking for…V-Veritas Serum…Madam." Where the bloody hell did she come from? She just popped out of nowhere…
"Veritas can be procured in Diagon…"
"Yes, Madam, I know. Um…I was in the vicinity…I thought your establishment would be more convenient."
The woman stared intently at her for a short while then said, "Let me see what I have…wait here."
A shadow passed in front of the storefront windows, catching Ginny's eye. She glanced over but saw nothing, turning back to the older woman; she froze. The woman was gone. Confused and a little leery, Ginny paced by the main counter, waiting for the woman to return. Lost in her thoughts, she was taken aback, as a hand reached out and spun her around.
"What the devil are you doing here?" A man's voice rasped in her ear.
Scared, Ginny reached for her wand, but the man's other hand stilled her own. She glanced up… "Sirius…?" she whispered.
He made a negative movement with his head and pulled her out of the apothecary to the wall next to the shop's windows, pushing her against the wall, shielding her from public view. "Explain your self young lady…" he growled at her.
Shocked beyond belief, she whispered excitedly, "It is you! Where have you been? Everyone thinks you're dead!"
"It's for the best, I'm sure." He muttered, "Now explain to me why a young woman such as your self is frolicking around in Knockturn?"
"I was not 'frolicking', "Ginny scoffed, "I was looking for a certain potion."
"And what potion would be so imperative for you to possess that you would risk your welfare by coming here?" He ground out.
"Veritas."
He rolled his eyes, "You can get that in Diagon."
"I know, but I'm easily recognizable there." Ginny folded her arms across her chest.
Sirius was quiet for a moment. "What do you need it for?" he queried.
Sighing, Ginny told him, briefly, what had been going on; including the problems with Harry.
"Stupid git…" He muttered, "The Dursley's are rubbing off on him too much."
"It's not just the Dursley's." Ginny mumbled.
Sirius grimaced, "I knew I shouldn't have played dead..." he sighed, "Wait here." He turned and went back inside the apothecary.
Ginny waited for him, the shock of seeing him alive still sinking in. Sirius…Alive! Bollucks! What would Harry say? Wait a minute…can I even tell Harry? Does he even know? Sirius came back then and handed her a small box. She looked up at him curiously.
"Veritas." He said pointedly. "Now, you will take your box and your pretty little self out of here and run like the dickens back to Diagon. You understand me?"
Before Ginny could reply, a voice called out. "Let's go Black, we don't have time for this." Ginny looked around Sirius to see Professor Snape.
"Professor…?" she said aghast.
"Miss Weasley." Snape nodded to her. "We have to leave now Black." He growled to Sirius.
"I'm coming." Sirius replied harshly, and then looked back at Ginny. "I'm serious, get out of here now…and do not by any means tell Harry you saw me."
Nodding, Ginny high-tailed it out of Knockturn and back to Diagon Alley. Upon reaching the bright and colorful alleyway, she slowly made her way to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. To quote Luna…this calls for chocolate. She thought, and headed inside.
"Ginny darling!"
Ginny turned from the new Lightning 1500 display to see her mum and dad coming out of the back entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, the Trio following not far behind.
"Why don't you ever visit?" her mum disparaged, "All I get is an occasional owl saying you're fine."
Ginny shrugged, ignoring the smirks Hermione and Harry were giving her. "I've been busy." She replied.
"Well I absolutely insist that you spend at least a day with us this week. It is Autumn Break after all, and I haven't had any time with you since last Christmas." Her mum's lips trembled.
Ginny groaned to herself. It wasn't fair to her mum that she couldn't stand the sight of the Trio… Besides, what could possible happen in one afternoon? "Okay. How does Wednesday sound?"
"Perfect!" Mrs. Weasley gushed, giving Ginny a big hug, "I can't wait! I'll make my fish stew…it's your favorite."
"Lovely…I am looking forward to it." Ginny said, and cleared her throat, "I have to go and see Fred and George now, but I'll… see you later I guess." Nodding to the rest, she left for the Leaky Cauldron. God help me, it's just one day.
October 28th
"Are you sure you want to do this Gin-Bean?"
Ginny sighed as she packed her overnight trunk. "Honestly George…no; but it's not fair to Mum. I haven't seen her in almost a year, and she doesn't know about the conflict between the Trio and me."
"Between the Trio and Us." said Fred as he came into her room; Merlin was perched on his shoulder.
"No." she said emphatically, "this is between me and them."
The Twins rolled their eyes in unison, "The day they threatened you was the day they lost our loyalty. You are not alone in this Ginny." George said firmly.
Ginny was quiet for a moment and then nodded, "Thank you."
"Come on then, let's get this over with." Fred said as he grabbed her trunk and took it to the fireplace downstairs.
George gave Ginny a brief hug and whispered, "You know you can come back at any time if you start having troubles again."
"I know, but it's just one day. I can stick it out." She replied returning the hug. She gathered up her cloak and the two of them headed downstairs.
"There she is!" Mrs. Weasley cried out happily, as Ginny came through the floo.
Brushing the soot off her cloak, Ginny leaned down and unlocked the cage for Merlin, who came out screeching at her, annoyed at having to be caged. Merlin took off for the open window without a backward glance, leaving behind a smirking Ginny.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron exclaimed.
Ginny realized then, that no one in her family had ever seen Merlin before. "That's my falcon."
"A Falcon?" Ron roared. "Why the blazes do you have a falcon? They are bloody killers! Where did you even get one?" Harry and Hermione snickered and exchanged glances.
"That's enough Ronald." Mr. Weasley said as he approached Ginny. "So good to see you again my dear…" he smiled as he gave Ginny a hug.
"Good to see you too." She whispered.
"Oh, we're going to have a wonderful time!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, "I made your favorite for dinner, I have your old room all set and ready to go, I can't wait to catch up with you dear!" She bustled over to Ginny, tears in her eyes, and embraced her. "I've missed you…"
"Missed you too Mum…"
"Now, let's get you settled and you can tell me all about the new term and how you and the Twins are doing…"
Ron scoffed and left through the front door, Harry and Hermione right behind him.
"Oh! My beloved Ginny is returning! I must have everything perfect…Ron? Who's Ron? I have my Ginny now…" Ron mimicked in a high-pitched voice and then snorted, "What's so special about her coming over? She was just staying over at Fred and George's…not bloody Siberia…"
Hermione sat next to Ron at the garden table while Harry took up residence leaning up against a nearby tree. "What did you expect Ronald?" She scoffed, "Ginny just wants to be the center of attention; why else would she choose to live with the Twins rather than here?"
"I have to say Ron," Harry sighed, shaking his head, "I'm worried about her."
"Worried about whom?" Ron asked.
"About Ginny," Harry continued, "She hangs out with Slytherins at school, she doesn't listen to us anymore in regards to anything, and now she has a falcon…? Something is wrong Ron. I think…I think she's turning to their side." He shook his head in sadness.
"No!" Ron shot up from the bench, "She would never…"
"Never what… Ronald?" Hermione asked, "Harry's right. We have all been trying to look out for her, yet all she does is push us away." She sighed, "Look, Ron, we didn't want to tell you this…but Harry and I saw her…in Knockturn Alley."
"Who? Ginny?"
"Yes!" Harry and Hermione exclaimed in unison, "That's what we've been trying to tell you all year Ronald, she's changing into…one of them, one of the Slytherins…" Harry sneered.
Ron, shocked to his toes, slowly sat back down, "That's impossible…"
"I'm sorry Ron." Hermione said and patted his hand, she and Harry then turned to walk to the house, leaving Ron alone with his thoughts.
Once they were out of earshot from him, Harry turned to Hermione, "Think he fell for it?"
"Absolutely." She smirked.
Dinner was semi-uneventful for Ginny. Her mum kept up the conversation by asking questions about school, Quidditch, the Twin's shop etc… Her dad would occasionally ask a question, but he was fairly quiet. Harry and Hermione did not say a word, just kept glancing at Ron. Ron, meanwhile, would not stop staring at her. Moreover, he had this strange hopeless expression on his face that completely baffled Ginny. She still did not forgive him for listening to Hermione and Harry by trying to make her switch tables at school. That did not mean she did not love him, he was and still is her brother; and family meant everything to Ginny. However, something about his expression put her hackles on end, something was wrong…
After winning the argument with her mum, Ginny helped to clean up the table, then went up to her room. She opened up her window and whistled shrilly. A moment later Merlin flew in and landed on her bedpost, seeming happier than he was before. "You're not still mad at me are you?" She asked softly, stroking his chest feathers. Merlin cocked his head at her, looked away, then finally hopped on her shoulder and nibbled her cheek affectionately. "Good." She said, "Because I would hate to lose your friendship over a silly little cage." She gave him a treat and sat on her bed, wondering how she was going to finish her plan.
"Ginny!" Ron burst into her room, and Ginny shot up from the bed.
"Good Lord, Ron! You scared the living daylights out of me, what's wrong?"
"Don't do it Gin! It's not like you, I know it isn't. We can help you!" he pleaded.
"You're acting completely mental. Don't do what?"
"You're becoming one of them…please don't do it Ginny, you're my sister, our family is part of The Order…YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" he said, nearly hysterical.
Still not sure what the bloody hell he was talking about, Ginny asked, "Becoming one of whom?"
"The Slytherins." He whispered. "The Dark Side."
"Oh for goodness sake…Ronald!" Ginny said exasperated, sitting back down on her bed.
"Please Ginny. You eat with them and refuse to move, you hang out with them, you're friends with them, and you have a falcon…!"
"And what is wrong about Merlin?" she demanded.
Ron paused in his tirade, "Who?"
"Merlin." She said, gesturing at the large raptor sitting nonchalantly on her right shoulder, "My falcon. What is wrong with him? He is no different from an owl, other than having sharper claws and beak. What's wrong with having a falcon?"
"They're… killers… carnivores…" he stammered out.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "So are owls Ron, they eat mice." Ron stammered some more, but Ginny had had enough. "No Ron. You've said plenty." She scoffed and got up to stare out her window. "I am so sick of these radical ideas you keep coming up with…Hermione put you up to this didn't she, the crazy bitch, just like she put you up to trying to make me move tables."
Having got his gumption back Ron snarled, "Don't you dare talk about her that way…she has been nothing but concerned for you and all you do is throw it back in our faces…" Ginny snorted at that and Ron narrowed his eyes, "She and Harry saw you in Knockturn Alley!"
Ginny froze. "Excuse me…?"
"They saw you in Knockturn Alley," Ron said smugly, "Now tell me how that does not imply that you are turning away from the good side."
Keeping her face expressionless, Ginny slowly turned around and walked to where Ron stood. Upon seeing her face, his blanched and he slowly backed up towards the door. "And what, pray tell, were the 'Great Disappointments' doing in Knockturn Alley themselves?"
Not expecting that particular reaction, Ron started stammering again, "I…I don't k-know…I d-didn't…ask."
Ginny stared at him and then shook her head in disgust. "I don't understand how you can fall for their crap Ronald. It is as plain as day! Out. Get out! Go Away!"
"But…"
"NOW!"
Scrambling and tripping over his own two left feet, Ron scampered off to places unknown. 10 minutes later, Ginny still had not moved and was staring off into space, lost in her thoughts. How could he? She cried to herself. How could he be so bloody THICK! How can he not see what they are doing…? A beak nudged her face and she came to with a start. She turned her head to see Merlin staring longingly at the window. With a sigh, she walked over and opened it for him. "There you go…" She watched him fly off, wings fully spread, and screeching for all the sky to hear. Turning back to her bed, she opened the side table drawer and brought out her Potions text, some parchment and a quill. Might as well get a start on the Potions project essay...
An hour later, Ginny was deep into her essay when she heard a tap at her window. Thinking it was Merlin, she frowned in confusion and said, "Back already luv…?" She turned towards the window and saw a large black eagle owl, its bright orange eyes staring intently at her, with a small package tied to its leg. There is only one person in the world that I know of who has an eagle owl… Ginny stood up and went to let the owl in, completely ticked off that he thought he could buy her forgiveness. She took the package off the owls' leg and gave it a treat, and then the bird flew away immediately. She turned and sat on her bed, ripping the paper off. A small silver box was revealed with a note attached to the top. Setting the box aside, she plucked off the note and opened it.
I'm sorry.
Frowning, Ginny opened the box…and her jaw dropped. There, nestled in emerald green silk, was the Alexandrite bracelet. Hands trembling, she gently took it out and locked the clasp around her wrist. The sapphires sparkled brilliantly, while the Alexandrite glowed and shimmered, turning into a bright yellow. Confused, Ginny glanced back at the box and saw another piece of parchment. It was a legend.
Blue - happiness
Green - calm
Black - hate
Red - passion
Pink - love
White - neutral
Yellow - surprise
Purple - confusion
Orange - fear
She glanced back at the bracelet and the yellow slowly turned to a mix of purple and blue. "Merlin…" she whispered, snatching up the first note again, re-reading the single sentence. Well, this changes things a bit… She was not sure how she was going to continue her plans, if she was going to continue her plans. Her anger had completely dissipated at the sight of the bracelet. Still stunned, Ginny laid down and curled up on the bed, watching the gems shimmer in the candlelight. "Merlin…Draco, you're worse than a confundus charm…" she whispered as she drifted off to sleep.
