Chapter 14: Cogwood's true nature
Freya again was trying not to fall asleep in potions class, sure it was interesting but she was just to tired. They were learning how to make the blood like potion for the vipaness. Draco was taking very close notes including all the ingredients and how to make it. They would be practicing how to make in in a few days. He looked up and Ginny chewing on her quill caught his eye. They have really only talked twice since that dinner almost a week ago.
It was mainly him and he knew it, he was avoiding her. He didn't know how to handle being around and talking out everything. She looked up at him and he went back to his notes while a voice inside was calling him a coward.
She watched him closely she wanted to talk more about their situation. However every time she did he would make an excuse to walk away. She was now making certain that she would be talking to him today and not giving him a chance to run away. She had questions and damn him he was going to answer them. It's been a week, the awkwardness should have been gone already!
While in thought the bell went off and Ginny shoved everything in her bag and went straight to him. "Draco we need to talk and no excuses this time. It's important!" with that she walked away.
He looked over to a snickering Blaise. "What's so damn funny Zabini?"
Blaise laughed out loud. "She knows you've been avoiding her and it's pissing her off. I think it's funny the mighty Malfoy is running from a girl."
Draco glared. "I'm not running away Blaise just timing things right."
Theo snorted. "More like trying to suck it up and go talk to her. Honestly Draco just grow a pair and go talk to her, you both need to plan. Your father will have you two watched and you know it."
Draco slumped he knew Theo was right, like always, damn. "Fine I will talk to her tonight and I'm sure he does have eyes, even here. Speaking about growing a pair how come you two haven't even tried to get with any girls here. If I recall your families are like mine they expect marriage soon."
Blaise went quite and looked down. "I did try with one girl but after that I haven't really thought about other girls."
Draco knew he was talking about his Ginny….Wait his Ginny when did this change? He asked and shook himself slightly, she's not yours. "Why not look in high class it's not like Daria, Freya, and Callia are ugly."
Theo smiled slightly. "Quite the opposite they are very attractive."
Blaise smirked. "Why don't you go after one then?"
Theo shrugged. "I couldn't only see myself with maybe one of those girls and I know she doesn't have her eye on me."
Blaise wiggled his eyebrow. "How do you know?"
Theo looked at him. "I already asked what kind of guys she's into. I'm not her type in fact you are and I'm not you. Don't bother asking who it is she will show herself soon enough. Now moving back to you Malfoy when are you going to talk to Ginny?"
Draco slumped slightly he had hoped he changed the subject. "Tonight would be as good night as any I suppose. I think I will surprise her in her room besides it's much more safe talking there then in public."
Blaise smirked. "Yeah 'talking' in a girls room is always best, though I like to 'talk' to them other places as well."
Draco glared. "Not that kind Blaise and you know it, I don't want to scare the girl away!"
Theo chuckled. "I'm sure she has seen a penis before after all she has what 8 brothers? Yes I'm positive she has seen one before."
Draco glared. "She has 6 brothers not 8, and she may have seen a penis before but not mine."
Blaise laughed hysterically. "I'm sure your god like penis will not scare her."
Draco turned red and stalked away muttering dumb asses and perverted minds. Blaise was still laughing while Theo chuckled.
…
Draco was sitting on Ginny's bed waiting for Ginny, he had Callia bring him to their room. Aden was asleep on his little tree and his eyes went to a stack of paper with writing on it. He moved over to the stack and making sure the little dragon stayed asleep grabbed the top three. The top read,
Prince,
It's been a while since you wrote so I've decided to write you now about I have found someone here. I don't wish to hurt you but someone has come up that I can't get off my mind. I hope you understand and will show yourself so we can be friends.
- Firefly
Draco could feel anger starting to boil in him he quickly went to the second one.
Firefly,
I understand your hesitant to trust me let alone love me back. I hope to show you myself soon enough but I hear there is a guy there that loves you as well. I don't mean to scare you but if I have to fight for you I will!
-Prince
Draco heard the door slam and he turned around to face Ginny. "What are you looking at?" she asked.
He calmed himself as much as possible. "When did you and your 'prince charming' start talking?"
She heard the soft hiss and paled slightly. "Why are you reading my mail?"
He looked at her and dropped the letters and went over to her his eyes storming violently. "He's dangerous, you don't even know who you are talking to! You said you liked me, and after that dinner you still write to him! Are you trying to play some twisted game!"
Ginny shrunk. "I was telling him I couldn't be with him, if you read my mail you should have seen that. Besides it's really none of your business who I write to!"
He looked down at her trying to hold on to his anger, he did a sharp intake. "Well then since you can write to anyone and have no real since. I will be informing my father I would rather be with Pansy then a wench who would write love letters to a man she doesn't even know! I really hope your Prince is worth it Weasel because you just blew it with any guy here!"
He stormed out and slammed the door hard and walked stiffly out and ignored anyone who tried to talk to him. She looked at the door and she could feel the tears crawling down her face. Before she could even think she started to sob and scream. She grabbed a piece of paper,
Prince,
Don't write me anymore, I no longer wish to talk to you.
-Ginny
She shook Aden awake and gave him the note "Take this to him and leave immediately I no longer wish to talk to him at all."
Aden looked up at her -what happened?-
She sat on her bed shaking. "Draco saw the letters practically called me a whore and he doesn't want anything to do with me! All because of that guy and me talking to him. I really like Draco, Aden I don't want to lose him over a guy I don't know."
Aden watched her then took off to 'his' house, he would try to find this boy before he left however. He quickly found Draco pacing in front of the lake. He landed on the tree and watched him. "She's not talking to him anymore you know."
Draco looked up startled. "You can actually talk?"
Aden did a shrug like motion. "I can't mind speak to you so I have to talk to you this way. However point remands she's not talking to him, she is sending a letter now telling him to go away. Honestly I think you are being overly sensitive."
Draco glared at the tiny dragon. "What do you know, you're a beast you wouldn't understand-"
"Love? I do though, I have loved and lost her because I became jealous because she was talking to a dragon I disliked. Are you willing to give her up for what a couple letters?" Aden paused then took off.
Draco watched him leave. "I don't love her."
Draco looked in the water 'who are you trying to convince everyone else or just yourself?' a voice from the back of his mind commented. Draco sighed and sat down and looked up to her window to see her watching him. It was only a couple letters you saw and the first one did say she was falling for someone here. Also that she was taken and only wanted friendship, damn the dragon was right.
He sighed and got up he was going to walk a little so he could fully calm down first. By the time he was back down to Ginny's room the girls were glaring so hard he would have died at a single glance. "What do you want Draco?" Freya snarled at him "Didn't do enough damage the first time. Had to just come back for more?"
Draco glared. "I'm going to apologize if you don't mind moving."
Before Freya could speak Draco moved her aside and went up to Ginny's room and opened the door softly. Ginny was on her bed looking up at him with slightly puffy eyes. He swore softly under his breath. "Weasley I-"
"I don't really get why you're upset Malfoy, I mean you never really asked to date me. Sure we played at your parents but you never asked. So I don't understand what you got so upset about."
Draco felt like a knife plunged in him and twisted. He didn't know what hurt more, the fact she called him Malfoy instead of Draco. Or the fact she pretty much just told him she thought that dinner was just a game.
"You're right Weasley I don't understand why I got so 'upset' as you put it." Draco hissed and turned to leave.
Ginny sighed softly. "Draco I didn't mean to offend you I just don't understand it doesn't make since in my mind."
Draco relaxed a little and looked over at her. "Draco now? Why don't you just make up your bloody mind on what you want to call me eh?"
She smiled slightly at him. "Maybe I just can't make up my mind ferret."
Draco held his smile back and looked at her. "You're right I never did properly ask you to be with me. I figured me inviting you to that dinner was like asking you out. I should have made it more clear I guess."
Ginny nodded. "So are you going to do this now or in a year or two?"
He smirked at that. "I guess I can spare you and ask you now. Would you mind dating a ferret, weasel?"
Ginny laughed at looked at him. "I don't know I heard weasel's and ferret's don't normally get along."
He chuckled. "I also heard the Weasley's and Malfoy's hated each other. Yet we are talking right now mystery isn't it?"
She smiled brightly. "No I wouldn't mind dating a ferret."
He again bit back a smile and nodded. "Good now that we got that out of the way. Did you know your dragon could talk?"
She cocked her head to the left. "What do you mean he can talk? I mean I know he can mind speak but I doubt he can talk."
He shook his head. "He just talked to me about how you sent a letter to 'prince' saying you no longer wish to speak to him."
Ginny looked at him for a few seconds. "Is that why you got the courage to come talk to me?"
Draco sulked at her ."No, I was going to come talk to you after I walked the lake."
Ginny smirked and nodded. "I'm sure, however it is getting late and I'm getting tired."
Draco nodded and watched her get up and go toward him. "Well night then…" he was slightly breathless as she went up to him and slid her lips softly agents his and then away from him.
"Good night Draco, oh and if we are going to date call me Ginny not Weasley."
He nodded as his mind reeled over what she just did and left her room.
…...
Ginny was wondering the halls, Draco and her were supposed to meet up for a study session. More like two people snogging the others face's off. She snorted at that thought.
"Blaise I thought you were over her already I mean really, you're best mate's with her. Get over it already would you?"
Ginny's ears perked, that sounded like Freya…. Who was she yelling at? Ginny pressed herself agents the wall and looked to see Blaise staring unblinkingly at a pacing Freya. "You don't think I know this? I can't help my feelings I cannot just turn them off. I'm good and hiding them but I can't just make them leave!" he sounded irritated.
Freya stopped pacing and looked at him. "Thought you said you were over her anyhow, so how did you re-feel for her?"
He rolled his eye' and let out a sharp sigh. "Because I lied alright I was tired of people on my back. Look like you said she's with my best mate I'm not about to ruin their relationship for me to try to get her. I'm a Slytherin not heartless."
She stomped. "You know I'm not from Hogwarts what the hell does that even mean! and no duh you lied, your eyes watch her every move."
Blaise blanched at that. "I don't watch her every move, that would mean I stalk her and I don't. You see me here and she is no where to be found at the moment."
She did a snort. "Yeah but you know where she will be or is now. Almost as bad as stalking I mean really."
He rolled his eyes. "Why do you even care so much Freya."
She stood still. "Personal motives, don't worry about it."
He raised his eyebrow and watched her for a few seconds then smirked. "You like me Freya?"
From what Ginny could tell she paled. "Don't know what you're going on about Blaise. I'm here to help someone out and hopefully more then just that one person."
His smirk turned more amused. "I'm sure you are here for some one… you."
She glared at him and started to stomp away. "Just go stalk her already!"
Ginny watched Blaise watch her stomp away with an amused smirk. Ginny re-flattened herself against the wall and slowly moved away and back to the way she was going. Well that was interesting so Freya likes Blaise yet Blaise is in love with some girl. That sucks specially since it seems Blaise wouldn't get over this girl his friend was seeing. Wonder which one is worse off Freya or Blaise?
Ginny walked straight to Collidon's class room, Draco was sitting on a desk. "You know you're really not supposed to sit there?"
Draco jumped so high he jumped off the desk and Ginny had to bite down her lip to stifle the giggles as he landed on his butt. He looked up at her and playfully glared at her. "Enjoyed me almost dieing did you?"
She rolled her eyes. "Way to be dramatic Draco, you're barely four feet from the ground. The most you'd get is a sprained ankle which wouldn't take more then a minute to fix."
Draco got up and straightened his uniform and looked up at her. "Still could have died, for all you know I could have landed on a bone that killed me."
She rolled her eyes yet again. "Some how I doubt that would have happened."
Draco smirked. "I love how much you worry about me darling."
Ginny giggled that time. "I do ever so worry if your bum is bruised right now. However I am far more worried about class tomorrow seeing as a 3 foot essay is do."
He rolled his eyes and sat down on the chair and scooted hers out with his foot. "Might as well get this bloody thing done yeah?"
She smiled and sat next to him, as an hour ticked by Ginny stared down at her now complete essay. She was honestly surprised that neither of them tried to kiss the other. It's been about a week since he actually asked her out. They didn't really talk that much about each others family. She was alright with that she really didn't want to know much about his father. She had told him this one night and he only smirked and said probably a good thing.
She looked over at him to see him scratching as fast as she probably ever seen him write. After a few second he looked up. "Something on my face?"
She blinked. "Oh no sorry, just never seen you write so fast. Almost done?"
He nodded his head. "Yeah just a couple more sentences and I will be done."
He went back to writing and his brow creased slightly in his concentration. She went back to her essay and reread some of it. By the time she reread half of it Draco was finally done. "few sentences my ass, done now?"
Draco smirked and chuckled. "Yeah, though we should be heading out. It's getting late and I'm sure we don't want to get caught by Winkelman again. Specially how last time went, man almost gave me a bloody heart attack. Then the speech of how to treat a young woman. I swear I think I would have taken a detention over that."
Ginny chuckled and the speech replayed in her head, Professor Winkelman was staring sourly at Draco his lips pierced together. His pale blue eyes eying him with dislike. Draco gulped and stiffened silently praying for just a detention. "Young man you do not treat young women like some harlot. What you did was not only against the rules but against being a gentleman. I don't know how your father raised you to think that was proper in any stand point. I assure you if you were my son you would get a good smack upside the head. You are lucky I'm not her father either or I assure you, you would be crawling to Azkaban on your knees begging them to let you in. However if you apologize to her and promise to never act like this again I will not inform your parents. No matter how much I probably should!"
Ginny snickered at the sheer stunned look on his face as he mumbled his apologizes for kissing her. Ginny had a hand waving in front of her. "Ginny you alright?"
Ginny smiled. "Yeah sorry memory just popped up, you looked so pale when he gave you that speech."
Draco paled again. "The man terrifies me, not going to lie about it. He is straight scary especially with that speech. Thought I was going to wet myself for a few minutes."
Ginny laughed at that. "I'm kind of glad he just blamed you, even though technically I started it."
Draco mumbled. "Still bloody unfair and when I tried to even tell him it was your idea I thought I was going to be killed with the look he shot me. Scarier then Snape is to first years I swear it."
Ginny laugh bursted out. "That's a hard thing to do to, I remember one year he just looked at this Hufflepuff girl and she just started to cry."
Draco smiled that time. "I remember him telling me about that, made him so awkward."
Ginny just smiled. "Professor Winkelman kind of reminds me of him a little. Only softer kind of between Snape and Dumbledore."
Draco snorted. "That's a dangerous mix could you imagine a mean old grouch that's as crazy as Dumbledore. I think I would run to the hills and hide the rest of my life."
Ginny laughed again only lighter. "Yeah that would be kind of scary wouldn't it?"
Draco shook his head as he gathered the rest of his things. "More like down right terrifying, but I was right we should head back now."
Ginny nodded when the heard a door open and shut close hard they ran into Collidon's office. Draco had Ginny hide by the desk as he peeked threw the door. Ginny was watching Draco and looked down and froze. "Draco," she whispered harshly.
He looked over at her and they both looked down at the piece of paper. It was Cogwood's original design which looked close but different to how it was now. The out side was bigger and a room they never saw was on the map. Draco nodded and took out his wand and made a quick copy on his bit of parchment. They were walking back to the door when Collidon slammed open the door. She stared at them for a few second then eyed her desk then back at them. "Why are two students in my office when I'm not in here?"
Ginny was on the edge of panic when Draco smiled slightly and innocently. "Sorry professor we thought you were working so we came to talk to you about the essay. We wanted to make sure it was 3 feet, seeing as we just finished we wanted to double check."
She eyed them then nodded. "Yes Mr. Malfoy it is three feet now both you and Ms. Weasley better be off to bed."
They nodded and ran from her office as quickly as they could. They were in their dorm before another professor could catch up to them. Ginny looked at the floor painting when she caught her breath she looked up to Draco. "I think it would be wise to check this room out before we say anything." Draco commented first about the map and the unknown room.
Ginny nodded in agreement. "Yeah don't want to freak anyone out then find out its just an old classroom."
Draco nodded but he doubt that was what the room was. It was to big to be just some class room. He wasn't about to tell her that but he also didn't know what the room was. "Well I think I'm going to shower and head straight to bed the run just killed me." Ginny said dramatically pecked his lips and ran off to the girl's showers.
He stood blinking then smirked what a little vixen, she's right though shower and bed. Map later, though he had a feeling that whatever this room was it wasn't good.
…..
Freya was tapping her foot she was waiting for Blaise, she had convinced him to help her with her homework. Well it really had nothing to do with homework more like she wanted to spend time with him. She could admit to herself she liked Blaise and the fact he wouldn't get over Ginny irritated her. She didn't know if Ginny knew but she had a feeling the girl was clueless. Probably because she's to busy sucking face with Draco. She paused and snickered at the thought of them literally sucking each others faces.
"What's so funny?" Blaise asked she jumped he was only about 5 feet away from her.
When did he get her and my not noticing? "Sorry thoughts made me laugh, so ready to help me?"
Blaise shrugged. "Really should have asked Theo he's the genius not me."
She shrugged. "He is pretty smart but I don't know I think you will put it in terms I actually understand?"
He chuckled at that. "I swear he makes up words to make me feel stupid."
She smiled and giggled softly, he raised his eyebrow at her. He watched her for a few seconds then shrugged. "Alright where are we studying, the library is packed."
She smiled and started to walk off, he stared after her then followed. They went a couple hallways away and when Freya stopped they were in front of a really old wooden door. "It's an abandon classroom it's usually were I go to study. It has a really small library in it, really old books though."
He nodded he looked inside to see all the desks pushed against the wall except a small circle of four desks with chairs. Freya sat on the opposite side of Blaise and they slowly went over Herbology.
…..
Ginny was following Draco through the halls following this stupid map. They had been doing this almost an hour and she was ready to burn the damn thing. It had lead them in a giant circle and she asked Draco if he was reading it right. She got a quick growl and he peered at the map, she sighed. "I know your starting to hate this but I think we are close."
Ginny pouted at him. "You said that in the last hall, maybe we should just forget about it?"
He sighed and looked back at her. "I think we are missing something maybe we just need to want this room really bad. You know like the room of requirement?"
She raised an eyebrow. "You think I haven't been? After the first half hour I was practically begging for this stupid room to show!"
Draco shrugged. "I don't know then Ginny the map says its two more halls left then go straight five halls. If we don't find it there we will stop alright?"
She smiled at this and silently prayed the damn thing wasn't really there. Her prayer was denied because as soon as they came to were it was supposed to be there was a door. Oh so you show yourself after I'm ready to give up? She glared at the old cherry wood door stupid room she challenged the room slightly. Draco chuckled and she looked up. "What?"
He smirked. "You look like your ready to hex the door I find it amusing."
She made a face at him then tried to open the door and it would budge. "Well I guess that's it then."
She was already walking away when she heard a loud squeak. "I think this room hates you back." he chuckled and walked into the room.
She glared and marched in after him then stopped dead what was in front of her almost made her pass out in sheer fear. All around them were weapons and uniforms with the Cogwood's symbol on it. Above it all it read in very old and curvy script 'Cogwood's War Training Room'. "The weapons have some dark magic on them. I can practically feel the evil in this room."
Ginny looked over at Draco as he was inspecting a very thin blade. She moved to a table and looked down she saw the grounds but then she noticed something and she felt her mouth dry out. "Draco this is bad…"
Draco looked up at her and went over to her and instantly knew three things. One Cogwood was not just chosen randomly for the half lings. Two he finally understood why all the lesson's seemed like they were fighting or strategy classes. Three it wasn't just Collidon who was getting them ready for the war it was all the teachers.
"This is very bad Ginny we got to go tell them, we need to be ready for what ever is going down. By the looks of it we will be lucky if it waits till June which is merely three-ish months from now."
Ginny agreed and the looked over the room then they left, the were walking away when Collidon spotted them. "What are you two roaming over here?" she looked at them through suspicious eyes.
Ginny shrugged. "We walk around the castle some times, there really isn't much to do here you know."
Collidon watched them for a few seconds then nodded. "Alright just don't let me catch you over her again, it's off limits. Even for the high class at least for now, we are dealing with a problem."
Draco nodded. "Won't happen again I can assure you. Have a good after noon Professor."
She nodded and passed them Ginny turned around and stuck her tongue at her. "Rude old hag!" she sad quietly but viscously.
He smirked. "She reminds me a lot of my mother but not nearly as beautiful as my mum."
Ginny looked up at him he didn't normally talk about his family. "You mean she's a mean old hag?"
Draco laughed, she smiled he almost never did a real laugh. "No just the suspiciousness and her sharp eyes. Collidon's not stupid she knows we are up to something yet she doesn't really do anything. Its how my mother is she will know something's going on but pretends its nothing or knows nothing about it."
She looked at him. "I'm not sure I want to ask what she may or may not know."
He looked down at her. "Probably a good idea, things that go through my house isn't always legal."
She raised an eyebrow at him but were interrupted by Daria's booming voice. They went over to her to see her yelling at some guy from a lower class there were papers and quills scattered. "You should apologize and pick it up!"
He was glaring at her. "Why can't you, you were the one not paying attention and walked into me!"
Her face went slightly red. "That's bull shit and you know it you little weasel! You shouldn't even be over here this is high class turf not middle!"
The boy went completely red in the face Draco moved forward and raised his eye brow at the boy. "I believe you bumped into her be gentleman and pick them up."
Ginny walked over to him and glared hard at the boy, the boy went from crimson to white as milk. His eye's moved over the three and he went over and picked everything up and gave it to Daria. The girl hissed at him and grabbed it from him harshly.
"I also believe you're in the wrong area as well, what are you doing over here anyway?" Draco was staring down at the boy threw cold steely grey eyes.
He gulped. "Yeah sorry about that I just went to look for Collidon. Professor Winkelman said she would be around this side."
Ginny hissed. "Well she isn't so go back to Winkelman and tell him she isn't. Stay away from here you wait where everyone else waits. This is High class dungeons not roam as you feel dungeons!"
The boy somehow paled more and scurried away from the three. "You guys really didn't have to do that I was handling it."
Ginny smiled at her. "Nay we were looking for everyone anyway. If you can, can you find the rest we need to talk again."
Daria looked at her then getting the meaning she nodded and hurried to were she knew for a fact Freya and Callia would be. Draco looked at Ginny. "Go to the dorm I will get Theo and hopefully find Blaise. I will be there in 15 minutes with out with out Blaise."
She nodded and went straight to the dorm and waited not even 10 minutes later everyone including Phelan was there. Then again Phelan was already there. "So we ran into something again." Ginny started off she wanted to make this as quick as possible.
After almost an hour everyone was in the room Ginny was upset. It took a 15 minute talk and less then 30 minutes of actually finding it again. Why couldn't have done this in the first place! Her eyes roamed over everyone looking over everything. After a good hour they came up with, uniforms, thin swords, daggers, bow and arrows, and unknown potions. They grabbed one of each and minimized it and brought it back to the dorm.
Phelan took them. "I will get back with what all this stuff is and look to see if there's anything that can go against it easily. It may just be a wise idea to get all of us this, maybe not the uniforms. But the best thing to go against tough magic is the same stuff."
Ginny nodded. "Understandable we will go back now and we will take the uniforms but we will change the appearance of it."
Phelan nodded and went down to his room area while Blaise and Draco got seven more of everything. The girls were already planning and coming up with ideas. Ginny frowned a little she had a feeling she would have to show her little cave soon.
DONE! So yeah hope you guys are not to shocked over my last chapter I got no comments L well I hope who ever is still reading like this chapter! So I have some good news I get to go home from sept. 23rd - oct. 2nd. Which means I'm hoping to post two chapters before I leave unfortunately the means chapter 15 will be a week late and 16 a week early. Oh and I have a surprise in 16 J.