Finally they made it to the entrance to the Headmaster's office. Raven shouted out the password from a few feet and without stopping ran up the stairs that had appeared. Ginny followed her, but stopped in her tracks when she saw Raven run into the office without even knocking. She waited to hear Dumbledore's angry but steady voice, but all she heard was Raven's static statement.
-Professor, Ginny Weasley should be re-sorted. Where is that talking hat?
-I should be what?- Ginny thought panicked, without even going into the room.
Ginny was still too stunned to move when Raven grabbed her arm and dragged her into the office.
-Well, Miss Summers, it seems to me that Miss Weasley is not in the same page as you are- He gave Raven a knowing look.
-Oh right, I didn't really ask her. It just seemed right- she smiled apologetically towards the Gryffindor – It's just that you are sick of your brother, and as far as I can see your not too fond of your roommates or housemates by that matter, so I thought that maybe another house might be a better fit for you. Let's face it, you weren't born to become a goody-two- shoe Gryffindor, no offense Headmaster, you are supposed to be a Slytherin- Ginny recovered her voice.
-A Slytherin? Are you serious?
-Oh come one, like you've never thought about it before. You know you should be in Slytherin, just like the twins, you just didn't want to let anyone down.
-How did you know that?
-Charlie; remember? He thinks it's too bad that you and the twins couldn't go into Slytherin, but knew that it wasn't really your choice to make, because of the whole muggle lover status.
-He said that?
-Yep.
-Ok so even if I wanted to change houses and if it were possible; there's still my muggle lover status. I could get killed
-See that's were I come in. I have a private room, and from what Professor Dumbledore told me it "stretches"- she used finger quotation marks for the last word- according to my necessities. You could be my roommate, and not get killed in the process –Raven had a triumphant smile on her lips –If you are up to it of course.
Ginny was dumbfounded to say the least. All that new information was really hard to process. Charlie thought she was a better Slytherin than a Gryffindor, as she and the twins thought. And now she could actually change houses and not be in any type of immediate danger; her brother would have to deal, and she would have her own private space with Alex, the only person he could stand. Thought she still wondered why, maybe it was because she still couldn't figure her out.
-Is it even possible?- she asked Dumbledore shyly- I mean, I've never heard of it before.
-As Miss Summer suggests, it is possible. In all my years as Headmaster, I've only done this procedure once, and I know that it has been done a few times before that. If you are really sure about this, there would be no problem about it. There are very few students who are not sorted right the very first time. Maybe one or two hundred since Hogwarts first opened it's door tho young witches and wizards.
-So, what do you say? Wanna be roommates? – Raven asked with a ear to ear smile.
-Doesn't the Sorting Hat make that decision?.
-Yes Miss Weasley, it does- he stood up and walked towards a set of shelves at the far end of his office, there on the top rested the Sorting Hat, sound asleep. Dumbledore woke him with a soothing voice.
-My dear old friend. For the second time in many years we have been asked to re-sort one of our students.
-Is that so Dumbledore?- His eyes lay on Raven –But I just sorted this young one less than a month ago, and I assure you, there's not better fit.
-It's not Alexandra who I am talking about, but Virginia Weasley.
-Oh, I see. After all this years, I thought she, like her brothers, would not come to ask you for a switch. It seemed that her fear and, maybe, disgust for Slytherin was much too great.
-But she has finally come. Do you think it's wise to sort her in that house now?
-It was, and always has been my first choice for her- the hat answered flatly, but a weird mixture of flattery and smugness was present in his tiny eyes.
-It is settled, Miss Weasley, a house elf will be sent to carry your things down to Miss Summer's room. Feel free to go unpack.
-Thank you professor Dumbledore- Ginny said with a smile as she headed towards the door.
-Yeah thanks professor- added Raven as she walked towards Ginny. Once they were back in the hallway Raven spoke again –Hey the house elf should know where my room is, so I'll go get it ready for you. I don't know what I'll have to do to make it "stretch"- again, she used the finger quotation marks.
Raven waited until Ginny had disappeared around the corner before she headed back towards Dumbledore's office. Just as she expected, he was waiting for her.
-You seem fond of Virginia, Raven –he said with sparkling eyes.
-I am. I know she's not one of my assignments or anything, but while I'm here I thought I might as well keep an eye on her. Charlie is really worried about her. He doesn't want another episode like the one of the Chambers of Secrets happening again.
-That was a dark episode for all of her family, as much as for her.
-Yeah, well it's not going to happen again.
-I am very glad you think like that, but I'm sure that's not the reason why you came back.
-True. But before I start, please send Winx to help Ginny, that way I can find out exactly what went on in the Gryff's tower. Just for fun you know- Dumbledore laughed lightly, but called Winx and asked her to help Ginny with her laugage and then to show her where Raven's room was.
-So anyways… I have to say you were right. Those two don't really have anything to do with Voldie.
-But you're so skeptical about everything. How did they manage to convince you?
-They didn't. Do you remember when I told you that Damian and I were making a few inventions to help us with our jobs?
-I do.
-Well, one of those inventions is different kinds of cigarettes. Some just have different flavors like cotton, and others are more useful, like the ones with veritaserum. They are really effective; actually, the smoke spreads the potion. See the some that goes into your mouth actually has the antidote, so every time you inhale you get the antidote into your body. Meanwhile, the smoke in the room makes people talk an you are immune to it. Oh yeah once you exhale the smoke the antidote doesn't wok anymore so there aren't any risks of the veritaserum not working- by the end of the explanation Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling.
-How did you manage to do that?
-Loads of magic of course, and D's brains. I mix the potions he creates.
-You two make quite a team.
-Yeah, we do. Our team was better before though- Raven's eyes showed a hint of sadness and fury.
-Ray…
-It's ok. I have to deal and keep on working, right?-Dumbledore just smiled a sad smile before nodding slightly.
After saying goodbye, Raven went straight towards her room, to make space for Ginny. She stood before the wall across from the window and imagined a new room, just as the picture took over her mind; a door appeared in her mind. She walked through and saw a king size bed and two nigh stands. To the right was an old style wardrobe, and to the left was the door to the bathroom. In the latest there was a sink with a vanity on the side, and a shower with a jacuzzi tub. Raven smiled. Ginny was sure going to like her new room. She walked back out of the bathroom and after taking one last look she imagined that the walls showed a beach.
-Magic's awesome.
But she couldn't forget what had happened in the afternoon. She had thought of kissing Malfoy; and that was a step too close to betrayal. Slowly, Raven, walked to the sitting room and called Damian by floo network. He answered and his face was glowing.
-Hey Rave. I was just about to call you. I just sent Twitters over with a present for you. I can't believe we didn't think about it sooner…
-D, shut up will you- she was irritated. Damian was happy about some new invention or something, and she had a horrible confection to make. Damian's eyes grew wide but waited for her to fallow – I'm worthless. I… Merlin I don't know…
-The hell is going on Night?
-I don't deserve being called Night.
-What the fuck did you do?- Damian's surprise had turn to anxiety as he heard his friend.
-I almost kissed Malfoy Jr. – Raven looked down ashamed. Damian was quiet, but after a few seconds he began laughing loudly.
-The hell is wrong with you? - Raven yelled at him, now she was pissed off.
-Ok so you suck at your job, but why's that so bad?
-Hey I'm great at what I do.
-I don't get it then. If your not upset because he's your charge, then why?
-I wanted to kiss him – and maybe even more, she thought to herself- He killed them – Damian's laughter halted abruptly.
-Ray, he didn't. It was Lucius.
-It's the same thing.
-I don't know the guy, so I can't tell you whether or not I like him, but Dumbledore sais he's an O.K guy, and that want's nothing to do with his father. Infact, he helped Lupin and Tonks gather some evidence that will be more than helpful when he's finally judge by someone competent.
-How did you know that?
-Tonks was here the other day, she told me.
-And you didn't tell me?- she could feel her anger growing.
-Yeah, well, I thought you already knew. Malfoy, and Zabini, have been hiding all summer. They didn't go home after the last term, but wouldn't go to the Order just to find more information. They were almost killed.
-It doesn't make it right, though.
-It doesn't' make it wrong either. He seems like an O.K guy, so I don't think anyone would mind. Blake was here with Tonks too, he was surprised in a good way by their actions.
-Blake?
-Oh yeah, he's here. He told me not to tell you. He wanted it to be a surprise. Damn it. Don't tell him I told you, ok?
-I won't. I've missed him.
-Listen, Night, if you like him then it's O.K by us.
-Yea but not by me. I can't get over everything just yet. I still feel like I'm betraying everyone.
-Everyone?
-You know what I mean.