Chapter Four: First Year Glimpse
A/N: Hello! This is one of those chapters where if I could skip it, I would. But it's sort of necessary since it helps set up the next part of the story. Thank you for the reviews, I appreciate them so much! It really is so motivating to read them. Please keep them coming.
Disclaimer: I own nada. Zip. None.
Ginny found her first year that being in Gryffindor allowed space from Draco. Though, she often mused, even if the Sorting Hat placed her in Slytherin, they wouldn't have interacted all that much to begin with. Or would they?
She would never know for sure.
But, fate – that old hat who hopefully was charmed to not spread germs – placed her in Gryffindor. And happily she had hopped off that stool, rushing to her cheering brothers' side and away from the arrogant blonde boy who sat surrounded by admirers. That included one petite girl with familiar shoulder length dark hair, with bangs that swept over her eyes. Pansy Parkinson had been a constant presence at the Manor that particular summer, much to Ginny's annoyance. She wanted to spend time with Draco and learn all about Hogwarts. Instead, she found herself writing home to the Burrow more than she usually did.
Narcissa probably noticed the change between her son and Ginny immediately. Nothing got passed the observant woman. Perhaps that is why she agreed to the Falcons game.
Draco may have complained about Pansy in his letters, and continued to do so when Pansy wasn't around, but anyone could see he adored the attention she gave him. To potentially have to see that in her face every time she went into the common room? Ugh. Merlin really did grant minor miracles. Living across the castle and being in a different year from Draco and Pansy meant she only really saw them occasionally outside of the Great Hall.
Sometimes Draco wrote her short notes and sent his owl to drop it off during mail time. She always wrote back, but his replies gradually took longer and longer, until he stopped sending notes all together. He always made sure to say hello if they did happen to cross paths, and sometimes he even stopped long enough to politely ask how her day was going.
Once or twice in the beginning of the year he sat with her in the library to do homework. They shared chocolate frogs and compared the letters than Narcissa sent them. Other than that, private moments never happened.
Ginny instead focused on getting to know her classmates, and especially her dorm mates. She instantly clicked with two of them. Cora Hanover and Tallie Ocampo helped her ignore the gnawing feeling of sadness of the lack of friendship with Draco. They laughed at the Slytherin girls they shared Herbology with who whined about their nails, sighed over how the cuteness of various older boys, and complained about their homework each night at their usual table in the Gryffindor common room.
Yes, Ginny's first year passed by in a whirlwind of classes, gossip sessions under the shaded trees beside the lake, and Quidditch matches where she cheered loudly for her house. She forgot often about her connection to Draco. He made it easy to do so by keeping his distance.
Only a handful of people even knew about her eventual destiny as a Malfoy bride, someday in the far future. Most, including her brothers, were under the impression that Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy were Ginny's godparents. It helped explain the amount of time she spent at the Malfoy Manor, her distinct high quality clothes, and the subtle elegance of nearly everything she did.
Ron often complained and said that except for her Weasley hair, Ginny was a true Malfoy. "Oi are you going to actually eat or just nibble?" He said once at dinner, watching his little sister carefully cut the piece of steak in front of her into small bits.
Pausing, Ginny looked up at him. "This is how civilized people eat, Ronald. Believe it or not chewing your steak like a werewolf in the presence of company is actually quite rude." She got tremendous satisfaction out of him glancing self-consciously at his plate, and then back at Hermoine to make sure she hadn't overheard the conversation.
Ginny noted that, and decided to kept an eye on her brother and Hermoine. They seemed to have a similar friendship like Ginny had with Draco, constantly bouncing between endless bickering and joking around.
The only thing that really ruined Ginny's first year at Hogwarts were the creepy messages written in blood on the walls that showed up every so often. Often they were followed by attacks. The news of Colin Creevey's petrification sent chills up Ginny's spine. But it was the attack on Hermoine that sent Ginny running to find Draco, to find some comfort in an old friend. Cora and Tallie were amazing, but no one could make Ginny feel better quite like Draco could. In hindsight this ended up being a bad idea.
Draco never went anywhere around school alone. Though only in his second year, Draco Malfoy enjoyed popularity from the majority of his house. Ginny found him hanging out in the courtyard surrounded by his usual Slytherin clique. He was lounging on one of the stone benches beside a fountain with a center statue of an ugly looking mermaid. Next to him, Pansy sat. She seemed to be listening intently to whatever it was Draco was saying, her obnoxious laughter floating all the way towards Ginny.
Crabbe and Goyle sat behind them on the fountain's ledge, playing a game of Exploding Snap. Ginny noticed that Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass were also there, sitting on the other bench near the fountain.
Every single one of them looked up as Ginny came over. Inside her head, she heard Narcissa's voice. Walk as though you are a queen, Ginevra, and everyone else is beneath you. Confidence does the talking for you, dear.
She did just that. Haughtily she lifted up her chin, and looked down at the sitting Slytherins. Immediately Pansy sat up straighter.
"Look, a little lion has found herself lost among snakes." Laughing, Pansy flipped her hair. The short length failed to create the dramatic effect she clearly tried to go for and instead sent her hair flying back against her face.
"You know Pansy, the secret to long hair is to trim occasionally. I have some hair care products and information that Draco's mum gave me to help maintain mine." Ginny paused. "Though honestly you have the right idea with your short locks, longer ones require extra attention in the morning."
She spotted the faint smirk on Draco's face. He always appreciated backhanded compliments.
Ginny shifted her book bag on her shoulder, looking directly at him. "Draco I need to talk to you, if you don't mind."
Pansy narrowed her eyes. "He might not mind, but I certainly do. We're a little busy, Weasley."
Ginny practically snorted. "Doing what, complimenting each other?"
"Actually Pansy compliments and I receive." Draco said then, finally interrupting.
"How lovely. Pansy I had no idea you could be so nice." Ginny flicked her gaze back at the Slytherin girl.
"Where's your usual sidekicks, little Weasley? Surprised they haven't come with you." Blaise asked. Out of all of Draco's friends, she preferred him the most. He said her last name casually, lacking any hint of mockery.
"Unlike some people, I can manage to get around school alone." Ginny glanced over the courtyard's tower clock. Already it neared dinner. "Draco, please? I really need to talk to you." She refused to ask one more time after that.
Draco got up from his seat, stretching. "Lead the way."
She walked over to the far opposite side of the courtyard, away from Pansy's ears.
For the first time in a few months, Draco stood in front of her with his full attention. He waited patiently for Ginny to speak.
"I'm worried Draco."
He arched his eyebrow up.
She continued, "All these attacks have been scaring me. Two of my friends are up in the infirmary right now."
"I don't know why you're worried Ginny. It's not like you're in danger."
"What do you mean! We all are, Draco."
He rolled his eyes. "You're a pureblood."
She stared at him.
Draco sighed, his annoyance beginning to show. "Only Mudbloods have been attacked. Obviously they're the targets, not us."
"Draco!" Ginny gasped. Never in all her years knowing Draco Malfoy had she once heard him before use that degrading word. "When did you start saying that term? Think it cool to say such hurtful things around your friends?"
"It's only hurtful if it's said in front of someone that is a Mudblood, Ginny. Unlike your friends, mine pure." He said it so coolly. Ginny stared at him for a long moment.
"Your parents wouldn't like to hear that word out of your mouth. It's not proper in polite company."
Draco shrugged. "I've heard my father use it several times, with company."
Ginny blinked rapidly. Lucius Malfoy, the few times she saw him during the summer, never spoke ill of anyone.
"I've got to go, Ginny. Stop worrying so much." With those parting words, Draco turned and left Ginny alone.
He didn't look back.