Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter books or movies. I am just borrowing them for a bit of fun. Hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to review however like I have said I will put the bad reviews in with my owl so she can poop on them! The good reviews will get the reviewer a shout out in the author note in the next chapter!
Chapter 21: Morning in Hogsmeade
Soon Ginny had rejoined Ron, Harry, Hermione, Pansy, Greg, Fred, George, Vincent, Luna (who is Vincent's Hogsmeade partner), and Draco. "Are you feeling any better Gin?" Draco asked quietly.
"Yeah and by the way I used your owl Ronald." Ginny said with a look of satisfaction when she seen him go a bit green.
"That is great Gin. Pig hasn't been out in a while and needed something to do." Ron said trying to smile as the thought of the Howler that would surely be returned with Pig tomorrow came to mind.
Soon they were all being checked out by Filch and Draco guided Ginny away from the group. "You look beautiful but why did you change clothes?"
"I didn't want to think about what happened this morning all day long because it would ruin my day." Ginny said with a shrug.
"Well I liked both outfits. However that could be because you picked green to wear today." He said with a smile.
"I owed you one for the day you wore the red shirt." Ginny said as she snaked her hand into his. She squeezed his hand and felt him squeeze her hand too.
"Yeah I know that but God I never thought how sexy you would look in that color." He said with a wink.
Ginny blushed before saying, "thank you."
They walked along in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. They went to the potion store and got the ingredients they needed for the rest of the year. Snape had given them a list of what they would need and a few extra things to pick up for the extra credit projects as well as homework assignments so that they would have enough supplies. Snape may be a bit of a pain most of the time but for some reason this year he had softened a bit. Only the Weasleys, Harry, Draco, and Hermione understood why. They were silently thankful that their Potions teacher had finally found a girlfriend.
"Draco, can you believe how nice Snape has gotten since he started dating Angel Figg?" Ginny questioned.
"I know it is amazing how much that man has changed. Oh and get this he has started having 'fatherly' talks with me. He even asked me if anyone had discussed sex and protection." Draco said with a bit of red creeping up his neck as he remembered that conversation.
"Oh God Snape give a sex talk now that is scary. I don't think I will ever see him the same way." Ginny said with a laugh. "So what was your response?"
"I told him no my parents hadn't felt it necessary however once I started even thinking about it I asked one of the servants to get me a book about growing up."
"Don't leave me in suspense tell me what he said about that!" Ginny demanded.
"Well he asked me what types of books they got me. Of course I told him which ones they got me and what I had learned from each one. He was surprised that I knew as much as I did but he still felt I need a real talk. So he told me about how it isn't just a woman's responsibility to make sure she is protected from STD's and pregnancy but that the male needs to make sure to do his part as well. He continued by telling me about both muggle protection, magical protection, charms, spells, potions, and also what happens if you don't take precautions. I think that was the reddest I have ever been in my life."
"Oh my God you're kidding me right? I mean Snape giving a sex talk and explain all the options to protect yourself as well as your partner." Ginny said with smile.
"Yeah well that wasn't all. He mentioned a certain red head and asked if I had discussed this issue with her yet. Then he went on to ask if I had ever been active. He continued to ask me when I thought I would talk to that red head about it and what my feelings on the issue are. It was weird he kept mentioning you and I as though we were a couple. I was so embarrassed that by the time he finally let me head out of his office I was sure I was never going to return to my normal color."
"Well you survived the worst parenting talk any parent could give you. The rest of the talks Snape can have with you will be less embarrassing I promise." Ginny said as she placed an arm around his waist and hugged him.
"Thanks Gin. I feel a little better knowing Snape has hit the most embarrassing topic first."
"So are you ready to go see Christine?" Ginny asked as they walked out of the door of the potions shop.
"I guess so however I really don't feel like being nice to Professor Weasley!" Draco replied.
"I don't either but he is my brother and besides maybe after I talk with them I can find a way to punish him for what he did to me this morning."
"Alright for you I will be nice to him."
"Thank you Dragonboy."
"You're welcome Angelface." Draco said as they walked into the store.
"Hey I wasn't expecting you two. Charlie told me you were very mad at him Gin."
"Hi Christine. Yes I am mad at the big jerk but that doesn't stop me for seeing my favorite soon to be sister-in-law."
"Well Gin I am so glad you came I have something to show you. Come on Draco you too." Christine led them behind the counter and through the curtain. There they saw Charlie with his robe on a chair and his shirt sleeves rolled up. He was cleaning the back room without magic. "Charlie I think you should look at who came to see me."
Charlie looked up blowing his hair out of his eyes and then smiled. "Hello Ginny. I am really sorry about this morning. Have you decided my punishment yet? I know you already sent the letter to mum. Hi Draco. I am really sorry about earlier I didn't mean to upset Ginny so please stop looking at me like that Draco."
"I know you are sorry Charlie but I can't just let it slide because you are my favorite brother. No punishment has been figured out yet but I will soon and let me tell you that it will be one that will hurt you as much as you hurt me. As for the letter to mum I told her that I was proudest of Bill and Percy for not coming here to get involved. I also told her that you let it happen. So would you just grow up! My God you worked with dragons for so long I expected better of you. I have always been able to count on you to be my rock in the bad times and when the others picked on me I could count on you to stop them but not today. That hurt Charlie because I put my faith and trust in you. So if I never trust any guy again it will be your fault." Ginny said as she felt the tears well up. Draco noticed the tears and didn't know what he should do a part of him wanted to hit Charlie for putting Ginny though this pain while another part wanted to hold Ginny taking away the pain. Suddenly Ginny's lip started to quiver and the tears fell down her cheeks. Charlie started laughing as he walked over to Ginny. Draco glared at Charlie trying to understand what was happening.
"Good grief Gin. Do you have to do this every time you want your way? I mean you have your boyfriend here worried and I might add ready to hurt your big brother for making you cry. I hate that you can turn on the water works and make me feel so guilty. Watch out for her water works Draco. Anytime she wants her way or is really mad at you she will turn them on just to make you feel guilty or to get her way!" Charlie said looking over at the young man ready to protect the young woman from the big bad brother.
Draco blinked and noticed Ginny smiling. "I guess I got what I came in for. Thank you Christine as always you are the best. Charlie don't ever forget how lucky you are to have this woman in your life." Ginny replied while hugging her older brother.
"So am I forgiven? I understand if the answer is no. That was an awful thing I did this morning. Hey did you change your clothes?"
"Yes you're forgiven by me however Mum may not be so kind because it was an awful thing. Yes I didn't want to keep replaying that moment in my head all day because it would ruin my day and therefore ruin my friend's day as well."
"Well you look very nice Ginbug and Draco is a lucky young man getting to hang out with such a beautiful young woman." Charlie told her.
Ginny blushed and then said in response. "Stop you're making me blush."
Draco smiled at the beautiful redhead who still couldn't bring herself to believe she was beautiful. "You know something Charlie I think you are right. I am a lucky guy I get to spend the whole day in a beautiful woman's company. However there is one problem with this woman."
"Oh what is that?" Charlie asked a bit of concern in his voice.
"She just doesn't believe that she is beautiful."
"That does sound like my little sister. No matter how many times she is told she is beautiful something that someone once said about her hair makes her feel ugly."
"I bet I could guess who that somebody was and if my guess is correct he feels very bad that he ever said anything against her gorgeous red hair. As a matter of fact he wishes he never said any of those things about her hair or her family." Draco said with a knowing look.
"Really who do you think it was?" Ginny asked quietly.
"I think it was me and you have no idea how sorry I am for all those mean things I said about you."
"You are forgiven." Ginny said with a small smile as she started to walk toward the front of the store. "Well guys we need to get going. I am starting to get hungry and as you know that would not be a good thing to put Draco through."
"Why is that?" Draco questioned once again confused.
"I get a bit cranky as well as I start feeling faint. They say it could be a muggle disease called Diabetes. However I would have to have some blood test done and I refused to do that because I hate needles."
"Ok I don't know anything about Diabetes or blood test but is this something serious? I mean could it take your life or something?"
"It can only if I don't keep it in check. That is one reason I buy so many sweets. I have to keep my blood sugar levels regulated so that I don't go into a Diabetic coma."
"That sounds bad." Draco was now worried about his little red headed angel. He didn't want anything to happen to her especially now that he knew how much she meant to him.
"May we join you two for lunch?" Christine asked.
Ginny and Draco looked at each other before they responded in unison. "Yes you may."
The four walked to the Three Broomsticks and found a table. They ordered and talked until their food came. Ginny had asked Charlie about what would be the worst punishment he could receive for his action.
"Well Ginbug I don't think anything could punish me more than the look you gave me this morning. The one that said you would never trust me again. I couldn't stomach the thought of losing your trust."
"Well that is great and all Charliebear but you know I still have to give you a punishment."
"Alright the second worst thing would be to make me assist Snape in teaching a class of Gryffindors and Slytherins. Also to have to teach one of the lessons Hagrid plans."
"Oh God Charlie do I look that mean?" Ginny replied.
"You aren't mean although I was frightened when you dished out the others detentions this morning."
"Good than we agree I won't make you teach one of the lessons Hagrid plans. However I like the part of helping Snape out. Plus I want you to take lessons from me on how to cook and sew. You never did get those two skills down when Mum tried to teach you."
"Yuck Ginny I don't need to know how to cook. That is why I am getting married. Plus why would I ever want to know how to sew? I mean Christine, Mum, or you do that for me."
"Oh don't even get me started there Charlie Weasley." Christine said.
"I don't think it will hurt you to learn those skills because that way when your wife comes home tired from work or when she is pregnant you can take care of her." Ginny said.
"I have to agree with Ginny that those are worth wild skills to have and I will tell you what Charlie if you agree to this punishment I will do it with you. I owe Ginny for the nasty remarks I have said to her in the past and I think this is one way to make it up to her." Draco offered.
"I will do it than."
"Great I will set up a time that works for the three of us and that Dobby can help as well. Oh yes that is brilliant." Ginny said with a mischievous smile.
"What is Ginny?" Christine asked.
"I think we will make Fred, George, and Ron eat everything these two make just to add to their punishments. I will continue the lessons for you Charlie though the summer and next fall up until you get married." Ginny said and they all laughed. They had reached an agreement just as Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall came up to them.
"Ah I see you are talking to at least one of your brothers again Miss Weasley. This is a good sign that you are feeling better than you did this morning." Dumbledore spoke as he approached them with the twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes and I have decided on his punishment as well. Plus this punishment will also punish the other three a bit more just so they don't forget that their little pranks are becoming annoying."
"Please do tell your plans Miss Weasley." Snape responded.
"Well you see my brother Charlie doesn't know how to cook or sew very well so I am going to give him private lessons up until he is married. I also am making him assist you Professor Snape on a day when you teach Gryffindors and Slytherins. I have also decided that whatever Charlie cooks the other three brothers must eat it."
"I like this plan Miss Weasley it is very innovative." McGonagall said with a laugh.
"She is also going to teach Draco how to cook and sew too." Charlie said as he laughed along with the other teachers.
"Really Draco? What did you do to upset Miss Weasley?" Snape asked with a fatherly look on his face.
"What haven't I done over the last six years? My father tortured her in her first year. I have made fun of her hair and her family's financial status. So I volunteered to do this part of the punishment with Professor Weasley."
"Smart reasons Draco. Plus it will help you win the heart of the woman you love am I right?" Snape asked with a knowing smile.
"I hope so sir." Draco said with a grin.
Everyone looked at Ginny with smiles. "Why are you all looking at me like that?" She asked cautiously.
"I think they all think I have feelings for you." Draco said looking her straight in the eyes.
Her eyes meet his stormy silver gray eyes with her own chocolate brown eyes. She read more in his eyes than his words said. "Well than if that is true it will take a lot more than cooking and sewing to win my heart." She replied with a laugh.
Soon the whole table was laughing. When they had all calmed back down Charlie responded to his little sister comment. "Yeah like beating up six older brothers while taking on a dragon. Not to mention the two overprotective parents. Also you have to past the Weasley test of love. This is the test Ginny set up for her brothers when they started dating. She has put many a girl through it and it has proven itself truthful time after time."
"What kind of test is that Gin?" Draco asked interested in anything having to do with the beautiful redhead.
"Well first she has to perform three embarrassing tasks in front of the whole family. Actually he has performed all three tasks Charlie and over half the family has witnessed these tasks not to mention the whole school on the one. I think that would make up for those missing the one don't you?"
"Oh yes that is right the one Ron, Harry, Hermione, Christine, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, Pansy, Millicent, Greg, Fred, George, and myself were there to witness. Another one as you put it the whole school which means teachers, staff, and students witnessed. The third the whole family along with three professors witnessed. I would say he passed the first part with flying colors wouldn't you?"
"Yes now for the second part."
"Oh yes which he is willing to work on so I would say he is going to accomplish that one. But the third and final one will be the truest test." Charlie replied with a knowing smile.
"Do you remember when I put you though the test Christine?"
"Oh my God I don't think I could ever forget. I was terrified of a little girl and yet proud of her creativity. She would make sure nothing came between her and her brother. I remember having to read you a story just before bed with the whole family gathered around. I see that Draco had to play a song in front of the family. Then there was the Christmas dinner tradition which was the scariest part I thought. I mean having to share what was the best part of my year was a little frightening. I kept thinking what if they don't understand or what if they think it is a petty little thing not worth being so happy about. I remember saying that meeting my boyfriend's family and getting to spend time with his beautiful little sister was my best part. Then having to share my news for the coming year was again a scary experience. I told of how I planned to graduate and was going to open a shop in Hogsmeade thanks to one of my uncle's leaving me some money. How did Draco do with this challenge I wish I wouldn't have missed it?"
"Well Draco shared very little but it was enough to make the whole family want him to be happy and for him to come through his forth coming challenge with very few scars." Charlie recalled.
"The third challenge as I remember was the one cooking a meal for the whole family while trying to keep an eye on little Miss Ginny who was showing how bad children can be when you are very busy. I remember she actually got hurt while I was watching her and I had to fix her knee the muggle way which made her cry. By the end of that task I was crying so hard and was so sure Ginny wouldn't let me any where near her brother again. I just knew she was going to tell Charlie that I was a mean girl and he deserved much better than me but as you can see I must have past that test too." Christine reminisced. "God Ginny you are an evil little sister aren't you?"
"Yes but you know you love me sis! I mean wasn't Charlie worth all the trouble?"
"Yes he was and I am glad you proved that to me. Actually I think that is why I kept in such close touch with him even after we broke up and why I agreed to take care of the little trouble maker while he was away."
"I am not a trouble maker well ok I did cause a lot of trouble my first year at Hogwarts but I am not like that any more." Ginny joked and this joke seemed to cut Draco deeply.
"Gin you weren't the trouble maker that year. It was all Tom Riddle not you and that was my idiot of a father that caused that pain. I hate that you had to be put through that. I even wanted to apologize at the end of that year but I knew Ron would never let me talk to you. I can't tell you want happened that summer after I got home but let me tell you I was lucky to be back at Hogwarts the next year. My father wasn't too happy with me that summer and if it weren't for my mother I wouldn't have been back." Draco finished quietly. Everyone but Ginny fell silent not even Dumbledore had known what exactly happened to the young Malfoy during the summer after his second year but they knew it had been bad.
"Draco I was only joking. I have learned I have to laugh it off. I have learned to look on the bright side at least no one died. All survived and are alive to tell the tale. That chamber is no longer a secret nor is it such a threat. I helped the school in a way. At least that is what Dumbledore has told me during my tutoring sessions to perfect my skills."
"Yes Ginny this may all be true but still it hurt to see someone younger than myself being tortured because of my father. I had grown up with his punishments so I knew what sort of pains this whole fiasco must have put you through. Every time I heard another attack had happened I worried about the person who had opened the chamber. I wondered if they were strong enough to take the pain. Of course I didn't know until the school year was over that it was you and that it was my father that brought this all about. I come to realize that it had been someone who was weak in some ways but because of the love of family she was able to endure. I now know how wrong my original thought was. You are a very strong woman and only became stronger with the whole event however terrible it was." Draco was shocked to find the teachers smiling at him with sympathy while Christine was looking at him with a look of understanding but Ginny was the one that got him most. Ginny was looking at him with what appeared to be love and trust. She seemed to want him to understand how much she didn't blame him for the stupid stunt his father had pulled. She cared too much about him and wanted him to feel comfortable around her.
"Hey Dragonboy listen to me. I don't blame you for your father's act or for the fact that I almost lost my life. As a matter of fact there was one thing that did help that year. That one thing reminded me who I really was and it was that one thing that made me sick every time I realized what I was doing."
"May I ask what that thing was?" Draco asked calmly.
"Well that thing was actually a person and that person was you. You would remind me that I was nothing more than a Weasley with ugly red hair and pathetic freckles. Now that may seem like it was a bad thing to hear but during that year it was the one thing that got me through the days that I couldn't handle my emotions. It was the one thing that kept me from dieing sooner down in that chamber. You see even when I was unconscious I could hear your voice taunting me. That taunting made me fight hard just so I could see my family and one day kick your arse for the hell you put us through." Ginny said with a smile.
Everyone but Draco smiled at the young girl. "I just don't think I understand. I mean you are saying that my torturing your family helped you out. I wished I would have known my father's plan before that year I might have been able to stop him or at the very least got him to go for one of your brothers instead of you." Draco replied still a bit confused.
"Someday I will explain better but today I just don't have the energy it will take to explain. You just have to trust me that you were an important part of why I am alive today ok?" Ginny told him.
"Ok I can live with that." Draco said as he became aware that they were not alone and that they had all been watching him. He was a bit nervous knowing they had witnessed his vulnerable side.
"Well now let's move on to a better subject like how I am winning the frog card contest!" Ginny said making everyone laugh. The tension was gone in just one sentence.
"How is it that my baby sister is beating my trouble making brothers on this contest? Wait I know she has a Prince Charming giving her frog cards or perhaps she is buying frogs with the money she is making on the handkerchiefs." Charlie said with a grin.
"Let me think how I am doing this. Oh yes that is right I have brought a few frogs, gotten several as gifts, and I have a great friend who has been giving me all their duplicate cards. No my Prince Charming has only sent one letter and he doesn't know about my card collection unless he is close to our family." Ginny replied.
"Maybe they are close to you or your family." McGonagall said with a knowing smile.
"Well I have something for you." Snape said as he pulled out a package from under his robes and handed it to Ginny.
"What is this?" She questioned.
"Open it and find out Miss Weasley." Snape answered.
She opened it and found five frog cards. "Thank you professor but why did you give this to me?"
"You have been working very hard on improving your potions grade that I thought you deserved a reward for the hard work." Snape said with a shrug.
"Oh come on Professor Snape admit it you think Ginny is a great person and you hope I end up with someone like her." Draco responded with a smirk. Then turning to Ginny he winked at her as though sharing a secret with her.
Ginny remembered the conversation they had earlier about Snape and the sex talk. Remembering this she laughed while Snape started to reply. "Yes Draco I do find her to be a great person and yes I do hope you end up with a girl like her if not her."
"I didn't think he would do it!" Draco said with a shocked expression. Everyone at the table wore a similar expression.
"Well I did Draco so let us move on."
"I also have something for you." McGonagall said and handed a package to Ginny.
She opened it and found more frog cards. "Thank you but why?"
"You have been tutoring Mr. Malfoy and helping him improve his grade so much that I thought you deserved a reward. You have had to tutor someone a grade ahead of you and you have been working so hard that I have a feeling you could take the Transfigurations N.E.W.T. this year."
"Well Miss Weasley would you like to take that test this year?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah but am I allowed to do that?" Ginny asked.
"I can arrange for you to take it. If you pass than you could begin working on the lessons for your two skills during that class time instead." Dumbledore explained.
At this they paid the bill and left. They parted ways outside with the three teachers heading back to Hogwarts. Christine and Charlie went back to Christine's shop so Charlie could finish his cleaning. Draco and Ginny went to finish their shopping.
Author Note: Thank you Morgan-Elizabeth for the birthday greeting and the review. Ginny's talents will come out in future chapters. I will let you know when I finish my book. Just a lost girl thank you for your review. I am happy to hear you are enjoying the story and honestly I only write what the characters let me write in this case they wanted to move slow because of their families fueding. The reveal of the biggest part of the plan is in a couple chapters I believe so hang in there. Ok everyone off to work on other stories and update the other chapter for this one. Thanks for all the support on this one. Hugs - Joy