Chapter 34: Drama at the Great Hall

Ginny found herself racing back to Gryffindor Tower, not believing what she had done. Her heart pounded like a stampeding herd of hippogryphs. She raced up the winding steps with ease and slipped past the Fat Lady, who naturally huffed at the young witch's rudeness. Once the portrait slammed shut, Gin found herself leaning against the magical portal. Not in the least out of breathe but still wanting to calm her excited heart.

"Ginny?"

"Gin, Luv, what's wrong?" Two familiar voices called as the young redhead looked up and saw her two girlfriends, Sally and Nina.

Gin was giddy with excitement that she could no longer contain her glee. She let out a delightful squeal as she rushed her closest friends and enveloped them in a troll hug. The two girls were surprised by their friend's sudden display of unbridled joy, but they quickly dismissed it and accepted the hug. Whatever made their friend happy, they were happy for her, and soon they returned her hug with one of their own. Suddenly Gin pulled away and held each of their hand as her face held an infectious grin.

"You'll never guess what I did!" Ginny stated with delight.

"What? What did you do?" The two girls asked at once, causing Ginny to giggle even harder.

"I just flirted with the beautiful Ice Dragon!" Ginny exclaimed.

Sally gasped in surprise while Nina bore a thoughtful expression as the two girls immediately knew of whom their long time friend was talking about. After all, it did not require a lot of imagination to decipher 'Ice Dragon'. Practically every girl in Hogwarts had called the Slytherin Prince 'Ice Dragon', especially since his own name meant 'dragon' in Latin, at one time or another.

But… The blonde wizard was forbidden fruit. Every girl, including Nina and Sally, at one time or another had a crush on the Slytherin wizard. Not only was he beautiful, but he was also the 'bad boy'. He exuded a dangerous air, which would excite any girl around him. And of course, the fact that he was rich also added to his appeal but… the Ice Prince of Slytherin was still a Slytherin, whose own father was a known Death Eater, and no one doubted that the younger Malfoy would be one as well.

It was then that Gin noticed her friends' concerned and thoughtful expressions. A small frown marred her face as she took another step back.

"Guys, what's the matter?" Ginny asked as she watched her friends closely.

Sally and Nina then looked at one another before Sally sighed as she slowly approached her friend.

"Gin, I know that you really like Malfoy. Almost every girl in school likes him, but he's not right for you. You know that." Sally stated, which caused Gin to cross her arms across her chest and made her frown more pronounce.

"And why is that?' Ginny demanded.

"Come on, Gin," Sally rolled her eyes, "You very well know why."

"No, I don't." Ginny remarked, "Please enlighten me as to why my feelings for someone are wrong."

Ginny had a suspicion as to why her friends would object to her flirting with Draco, and quite frankly, she did not care about status, heritage or creed. After all, she was blood-bonded to a demon, a creature believed to be the ultimate dark creature. If anyone knew about that then she would have received the Dementor's Kiss faster than one can say Avada Kedavra, since it was also believed that any human, who would bond with a demon, was no longer considered to be human.

Ginny, however, just could not believe that her own friends, whom she thought were open-minded, would begrudge her flirtatious moment with the blonde wizard. Of course, it was a moment that she would cherish always because … Why would the beautiful wizard be interested in her, a homely-looking and penniless Weasley? However, she kept that dark thought away from tainting her precious memory.

"Because! He's a Slytherin! That's why!" Sally exclaimed as if it was the most obvious explanation in the world.

"What silly twaddle." An aloof voice interjected, causing the three girls to turn around in surprise.

"Morning Luna!" Ginny greeted with cheer as she saw her pack-mates coming down the stairs from Mina's apartment.

"Good Morning, Dear Sister!" Luna greeted with a casual glance to her pack-sister's unique and yet beautiful clothing.

"Hey Nev', Mina!" Ginny greeted as she approached her pack.

"Morning Gin." Mina replied then noticed the troubled expressions on the redhead's two friends. "Is something wrong?"

"No, they're just blathering nonsense." Gin replied with a dismissive wave, wanting to leave the Common Room.

"Nonsense?" Nina exclaimed hotly.

"Ginny!" Sally gasped, "How could you say that? You were fraternizing with Draco Malfoy!"

"Sally…" Ginny whispered as she looked at her friend with dull eyes. Her arms immediately hugged herself as she shrunk away from her two friends and closer to her pack.

"How dare you!" Luna hissed angrily as she, they, heard the other witch's implications.

Mina and Neville immediately wrapped their arms around their pack-sister as they tried to give her comfort.

"Sally, how could you say that?" Gin whispered from the comforts of her pack-brother and -sister's arms. "How could you of all people suggest something so vile about me?"

"What?" Sally gasped then blanched in horror at what her careless words had insinuated. She had not meant it. Not in that way. Granted that the word 'fraternize' meant to socialize with people, especially if viewed as socially unacceptable, but it also meant to have sexual relationship against regulations; however, among the Wizarding community, to be accused of such actions meant that one was collaborating with the enemy, and to the girls and to the majority of the student populations, Draco Malfoy was the enemy. And Sally had just implied that Ginny was with the enemy.

"Ginny… I…"

"Oh! Come on, Gin! You know that's not what Sally meant!" Nina interjected, "But that's what everyone else is going to think. Including your brother!"

"Now, that's bullocks!" Neville voiced as he looked at the two girls in disappointment, "Harry wouldn't care, save if Malfoy would ever hurt Gin! And that's a horrible thing to say! Using her love for her brother to twist her to your way of thinking!"

Nina just looked at the timid wizard, wondering when he had gone wonkers. She never mentioned Harry and yet the near Squibb-like wizard made it sound as if Harry had more authority over her friend than her own flesh and blood. Nina knew this was not possible despite the fact that the Weasley Clan had practically and yet unofficially adopted the Chosen One as one of their own. Only blood had authority over the red-haired witch. She was about to correct the older wizard when Ginny started speaking again.

"On'frat, stop." Ginny called. "Leave them be."

"But why?" Neville asked and became worried by the sight of the dull look of sadness that caressed her usually vibrant eyes.

"It doesn't matter." Gin replied then stood tall with her head held high. "It's not as if someone of Draco's status would ever consider me, a blood traitor, as a mate. After all, we all have duties to our stations to fulfill."

Then she walked out of the Tower followed by her pack-brother and -sisters.

All the while the Pack and the two witches argued none were aware of another having overheard them and disappearing back to the dorm-rooms as rage filled his heart.

The Pack made their way to the Great Hall and noticed that none of their professors had arrived, which told them that the professors and their on'frat were still in the Headmaster's Office. They quietly sat down at the Table of Lions, ignoring the odd looks they were receiving because of Luna being among them. Even though it was not a written rule, it was a common practice that students of the past and the present would remain with their own houses. It was a tradition that no one ever had the inclination of breaking until now…

As soon as the little Pack sat down, a delicious assortment of fresh fruits, cheeses, meats and biscuits appeared before them. Their eyes grew wide as they saw the assortment of food and juices. They looked around and noted the table's queer stares, since most tables were laden with greasy bacon, sugary pancakes and waffles and buttery eggs, but no one dared to utter a word to the small Pack. While the rest of the table dug into their lard-laden breakfast, the Pack cautiously began eating their delicious platter. After taking a few bites of their food, the Pack found themselves relaxing as they passed and shared food with one another.

"Will you be alright, Gin?" Neville suddenly asked as he gently brushed his arm against her's, giving his support through touch.

Ginny smiled as she watched her brother and sisters closely, looking for signs of fever, but found none at the moment. The young redhead knew that it would be a matter of time. As Harry had explained it to her, after he had discussed the situation with his Healer in Ma-Terrarum, the demonic blood would course through their veins to find any hidden abilities that slept in their blood and awaken it.

"I will be as long as I'm with my family." She confessed then sipped out of Neville's cup before the brunette downed the rest of the sweet flavored liquid.

"Do you really like him?" Mina asked as she finished her third biscuit. "This is good. I wonder what it is."

"Haita." Ginny looked down at her hands. She took a deep breath as she looked up with resolve in her jadeite green orbs, and for a brief moment, she could have passed off as Harry's true sibling. "However, I know he will not have me."

"And why not, Dear Sister?" Luna asked as she absently pushed another of those sweet biscuits towards Mina, who happily began nibbling on it.

Gin gave her aloof Charlie a sad smile as she replied.

"I was not lying about each of us having duties to our stations that we must fulfill."

"Harry wouldn't care, and you know that." Mina stated then looked up to see the professors entering the Great Hall, "Harry will be here soon."

The others looked up and mentally agreed with their sister's observation. Silently they came to an agreement to drop the conversation for a later time as they waited for their Alpha's return. They continued their breakfast and began to idly wonder what the school year would hold when suddenly the Great Hall erupted by an echoing roar.

"YOU TRAITOROUS BITCH!"

"Dray-Baby!" Blaise cheered as he approached his long time friend, knowing that it would irk the young blonde. Fully prepared for a glare or even a curse, Blaise, however, was shocked and nearly was scared to death when he saw his best friend just merrily smiling at him.

"Good Morning, Blaise!" Draco cheerfully replied as he continued enjoying his morning pumpkin juice.

Blaise took a step back, colliding into Gregory Goyle, who held onto the startled ebony-toned wizard.

"Something wrong?" Goyle quietly grunted. The large wizard had such a deep and soothing voice that it was hard to imagine such a voice would come from someone with his thick physique.

"Hey B! Gregory!" Greeted a sweet voice from beside the Slytherin Ice Prince's side.

"Dominick." Gregory replied as he seated himself beside his leader. It was then that the larger wizard noted the airy expression on his usually stoic friend. This caused a brow to arch as he realized what had startled the other wizard.

Blaise moved to the other side of Dominick, knowing that if Malfoy's good cheer was a new tactic to lower his guard then Draco would have to get around Dominick to strike. However, Draco just ignored him as he reached for a piece of toast and began lathering the piece of bread with butter and marmalade.

"Hey Dom…" Blaise whispered into Dominick's ear, "What's up with Draco? He didn't react; he always reacts!"

"Hunh?' Dominick blinked owlishly as he looked at the other wizard, who just nodded his head toward the dazed Draco before digging into his eggs. The younger Slytherin then looked at his brother, who had a far-away glaze in his eyes. Suddenly it dawned on the young boy at what made his brother act this way. Dominick made a face as he muttered about girls and girls making boys all 'twitter-pwatted'.

Twin black brows rose high as he heard the little First Year. Blaise may not know what 'twitter-pwatted' meant, but if it was a girl that was making their usually closed-off friend to grin like a loon then it could be only one girl in question. Before he could ask, another voice came screeching into everyone's ears as painfully thin arms draped over Draco's shoulders. Instinctively Blaise pulled Dominick away from the pair before the First Year was accidentally harmed.

It was as if a candle was just snuffed out that Draco reacted to the offensive banshee's shrills and touch.

Draco shot out of his seat when he felt the pair of clammy arms wrap themselves around his neck while a hot and sour breathe brushed against his ear as the piercing voice nearly shattered his eardrums. Once he calmed his racing heart, Draco glared at the offensive witch. The Malfoy Lord hated to be touched, thanks to the previous Lord Malfoy, especially if he was not forewarned. And he particularly hated to be touched by the feeble-minded she-snake. The only ones he tolerated touching him were naturally his mother, his godfather and of course, his baby brother.

"Oh! Drakey-poo!" Pansy shrilled as she attempted to look at him with doe-full eyes, but ended up looking more like a beached fish. "I was so worried about you! I was afraid that that nasty little Mudblood had hurt you!"

Draco clenched his fist tightly, causing his nails to dig deep into his palms. He restrained himself from slapping the stupid wench for insulting his brother. Regardless if she deserved it, Draco refused to raise his hand against any female. He was not Lucius.

"Hold your tongue!" Draco growled at the lanky haired witch, who sniffed offensively.

"Why?" She questioned, "It's only the truth. The stupid chit that bore it should be ashamed of herself to allow such a savage to touch her!"

Draco and his friends were stunned at their Housemate's callous words; however, Dominick was not quiet when he heard the skinny girl insulting his mother and father.

"Shut up! You ugly cow!" Dominick spat out, snapping Draco out of his shock.

"You shut up! You disgusting little savage. She should have used a hanger!" Pansy hissed.

Draco felt something snap in him. As he was about to slap the vile witch, regardless of the oath to himself, another effectively backhanded the girl, who shrieked in hysterics when she saw Blaise standing in front of her.

"Oh! My dear Dominick!" Cooed another witch as she gathered the startled First Year into her arms and began smothering him in her large bosom. "Oh! My poor, poor dear Dominick! Tell Millie where it hurts! Millie will make it all better! Those horrible brutes! Those disgusting pigs! Oh! My poor baby darling!"

Millie wailed on as she rocked back and forth, drawing attention away from Draco and Blaise, both of whom looked akin to a white and black dragon on the verge of destruction. Draco gave his dark-skinned friend a nod of appreciation; however, Blaise did not see it for his attention was solely focused on the sniveling little girl in front of him. He was furious that she could say anything of the sort. Life was precious. He held this truth closely to his heart, not just because he was a healer but because his own mother could no longer bare any more children. And he knew that she longed to have more but could not due to a cruel twist of fate.

Before the ebony wizard could lash out again, Pansy found her courage and quickly fled the Great Hall; however, not before she bumped into Crabbe, who glared at her angrily. The larger wizard did not like it when someone made his friends angry. It made him angry. Crabbe made a grab for the girl, but she quickly ran away. Annoyed that the coward had fled, he turned his attention back to his friend, who was trembling with barely contained rage. Crabbe then reached out for Blaise and clasped a massive hand on the slender teen's shoulder. Instantly Blaise took a calming breath and smiled appreciatively at the larger wizard. The two then turned around to see if they could do anything for their blonde friend when Blaise covered his mouth to keep from bursting out laughing.

Draco had just turned around to check on his brother after what that she-snake had said only to find his younger sibling being smothered by his buxom friend. His brow twitched in aggravation as he suddenly remembered his friend's interest in younger wizards. He knew that she preferred Second to Third Years, but when she met Dominick on the train, she had sworn that she had fallen in love with the First Year. Oh! How he wanted to smack the brunette witch but he could not.

"Uhm… Miss Millie?" Dominick called as he was uncertain about the girl's sanity.

"Oh! You're so cute!" She squealed as she hugged him even tighter.

"Millicent!" Draco growled.

"Yes?" She replied as she released her hold and sat down at the table, not bothered by the fact that her blonde friend wished to hex her six ways to Tuesday. She then looked up, ready with a cheeky retort to calm his ire; however, her retort remained silent as she noticed her friend's hair up in a ponytail, which was an uncustomary thing for a Wizarding Lord to do with their hair.

"Don't flirt with Dom!" Draco hissed as he returned to seat with his friends.

"Oh! Pish-posh!" She waved her hand dismissively, "You know I'm just joking."

"Are you?" He countered.

"Well…" She trailed then grinned, "By the way, love the hair. It's very dashing! It gives you a roguish debonair look."

Draco sighed as he knew that he would never get an honest answer out of his friend.

"I have to agree." Blaise commented as he eyed his friend. "What made you decide to put it up?"

Draco just shrugged.

"I just put it up and forgot about it." He coolly answered, hoping they would drop it.

"Liar!" Dominick said, "It's because the pretty girl said she liked it this way."

"Dominick!" Draco warned, but it was too late. The others had heard him as they suddenly looked at Draco with mischievous glints in their eyes, which made the Slytherin Head Boy very nervous.

"Which girl?" Blaise cooed.

"Uhm…" Dominick sat up taller as he looked for the pretty redhead. Immediately he found her at the far table with three others, enjoying a large assortment of delicious food. "That one! The redhead!"

Millie and Blaise were grinning like a pair of Cheshire cats, and Draco knew that he was about to be teased mercilessly when suddenly…

"YOU TRAITOROUS BITCH!"

Translations:

Haita (youma-lingua) - yes

Ma-Terrarum (youma-lingua) - Demon World

On'frat (youma-lingua) - older brother