Ginny ran her fingers over the old, dusty spines of books shelved in the Restricted Section of the Hogwart's library. She held her illuminated wand close by, carefully reading each title until she found the one she wanted. Quickly pulling the potions book from the shelf, she skimmed the table of contents, then flipped through the worn pages. The musky old library scent wafted toward her with each turn.
Scanning the page, her eyes caught the words: "Ingestion causes immediate loss of consciousness without the ability to dream."
Feeling a sliver of hope, Ginny quickly copied the page into her notebook feeling lighter than she had all week. It was just as she slipped the book back onto the shelf that she heard the footsteps.
"Nox," she murmured, pulling her bag to her chest as she slumped against the bookshelves.
A tall, slim figure had entered the library, their wand casting a glow about them. Ginny could see dark clothing and squinted to identify the form. More than likely it was someone who would cause her trouble. Ginny wished she had Harry's invisibility cloak. The thought of Harry made a sudden heaviness fall around her.
Harry had ended their relationship six months ago and she hadn't heard from him, Ron, or Hermione since. She touched the locket at her throat. A gift from her parents before the start of this term. Inside was a picture of the entire Weasley family. Everyday she wondered if she'd heard news of their demise.
She had tried her best to unite the forces of Dumbledore's Army to help the cause, her family in any way she could and had found strength in leading the other students. Then, the nightmares began again. Now, Ginny wondered if she might be putting her friends in danger.
The figure began moving away from the entrance and Ginny took the opportunity to head quietly through the bookshelves until she was angled toward the door. The illuminated wand of the person shed light slowly throughout the room. They took another step away from the door and sneezed. Ginny ran for the door as quietly as she was able to, nearly slipping through when she was abruptly grabbed and yanked back into the library by the back of her cloak.
Ginny didn't bother trying to hide her face after Draco Malfoy's wand shone on her hair.
Yanking her arm back, Ginny glared at him, waiting.
His pale gray eyes flicked over her, brow furrowing. "What are you doing here, Weasley?"
"Studying, of course," Ginny replied with an easy smile. "I fell asleep and was startled awake when you came in."
Draco gave her a look of boredom. "Headmaster Snape will surely believe you. In fact, I believe he's just down the corridor." Draco made a move to pass her and Ginny stepped into his path. He was awkwardly close, but if she took a step back, she'd be pressed against the tall wooden frame of the door. She looked up at him, how could she get out of this?
"What do you want, Malfoy?"
Quirking a silvery blond brow, Malfoy asked, "I want to do my job, Weasley."
He reached for the door, but Ginny pressed herself in font of it. His hand awkwardly brushed her chest instead and he quickly pulled away. Startled, Ginny carefully watched his reaction. An idea snapped into her mind and before she could rule against it, she reached forward to grab his robes and pulled him toward her, pressing her lips against his.
It was a brief and uncomfortable kiss that Ginny released quickly. Thankful for the dark, Ginny felt her face flush as she swallowed and forced her words to come out evenly.
"I don't know what came over him, Professor McGonagall, first he tried to grab my chest, then Malfoy kissed me."
Even in the darkness, Ginny could see Malfoy's pale face was flushed. "Snape would believe me."
"What will your father say about you kissing a muggle lover?"
Ginny wondered if she had gone too far as Malfoy paused. Her heart hammered in her chest and she almost felt guilty. Conjuring an image of her friends and all the danger they'd placed themselves in, she kept her gaze fixed on his.
"You shame your pureblood line, Weasley. Do your best to avoid Snape. I won't cover for you should he find you."
A flash of relief washed over Ginny before she quickly slipped out the door. Lingering only a moment to listen for footsteps before she made a quiet dash down the hall and toward her room.
The next morning at breakfast, Ginny cast an expectant look toward Snape, wondering if Malfoy had turned her in. She still felt a pang in her heart seeing him seated where Dumbledore had once presided over their meals. Thinking of Dumbledore, she recalled the letter he sent her after her his death. Fear sliced through her, then Snape caught her attention again.
He merely turned his customary glare toward her as she slipped into a seat next to Neville. He smiled at her as he continued to eat his porridge. Ginny studied the fried eggs and sausage. She hadn't slept much after her late night in the library and her stomach still stirred with a nervous energy.
Perhaps breakfast wasn't a good idea.
"You all right, Ginny?" Neville asked her, pausing with his spoon in front of his mouth.
She forced a smile, "of course."
"I'd feel a bit odd too if Malfoy was glaring at me like that."
Ginny glanced up sharply, meeting Malfoy's gaze as he entered the Great Hall. There were dark circles beneath his eyes that matched Ginny's. They made his pale eyes glow. Ginny looked away, her face reddening.
"You sure you're all right, Ginny?" Neville prodded gently.
Ginny met his brown eyes and wondered if she might share with her friend what was troubling her. Would it put him in more danger? Again, she thought of her brother, Harry, and Hermione.
Unsure, Ginny smiled again. It felt heavy on her cheeks. "Yes," she said firmly and grabbed a piece of toast. Neville nodded, but she felt his gaze linger on her before he turned back to his porridge.