Chapter Two

Promises we made were in vain

In Vain

In Vain.

Separate Ways, Journey

Ginny was ignoring Harry as he tried to ignore Hermione.

He wasn't doing a good job.

Ginny knew Harry didn't like her like that. She was...well, she wasn't happy about it but she was okay with it. After a brief fling with Ron, Hermione and Ron had broken it off, realizing once and for all that they were not meant to be. It was kind of sad, when you thought about it, Ginny reflected.

Not that she wanted her brother to be with someone he didn't love, but she had always liked Hermione.

Harry couldn't see how these things were going. Ron and Hermione were over each other and Hermione at least was ready to move on. Especially if on meant moving towards Harry.

Ginny pulled herself from thoughts of Harry as Daphne approached the Gryffindor table.

"Hey bitch, walk me to class?"

Ginny rose to her feet. "Sure thing, slut."

The insults were traded amiably but Ron's face turned an interesting shade of red. Daphne looked over at him. "What's his problem, slattern?"

Ginny glanced at her brother, smiling. "Chill, Ron. It's all fun and games. Come on, whore."

Daphne grinned cheekily at Ron and linked arms with Ginny.

"What's his problem?" Daphne repeated as they made their way to Muggle Studies.

Ginny shrugged. "He thinks you mean all those lovely insults."

Daphne shrugged. "His problem."

"So?"

"So, what?"

"What did ferret-boy want?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Ginny glanced around. Sure enough, the blonde man in question was leaning against a wall, talking to someone as Pansy clung to him.

"Oh, that's my cue," Daphne said, crossing the hall to Draco. Without preamble, she grabbed Pansy and shoved the girl from Draco. Draco looked down at the girl.

"Hey, Daph..."

She grabbed his neck and pulled him down to kiss her.

"Thank you so much for inviting me to Hogsmeade," she purred. "See ya later, lover-boy."

Ginny stared at Daphne as her friend came back and they linked arms once again. "What was that about?" Ginny asked.

Daphne shrugged. "Pans is being a brat. Draco wanted someone to put her off and he figured all the other girls would be terrified out of their minds to date him."

"And you aren't?"

"I'm not afraid of Pansy. Are you?"

Ginny looked at the dark haired Slytherin in question. "Nah. She can huff and puff but that's all she's good at."

"Glad to hear it because she might get pretty pissed at me and there's no guarantee she won't try to take it out on you."

Ginny shrugged. "Tell her to bring it."