Chapter six: Mistaken Identity
Hermione skimmed through the pages of The Daily Prophet, going back to any articles that caught her eye. Ron was deep in conversation with Harry, they had taken to discussing gruesome things at the breakfast table, of course it was only to annoy Hermione.
"Did you know that 60% of fast food places spit in your food" said Ron in ear shot of Hermione, who pushed away the burger she had just taken a bite out of.
"Oh, I've not finished yet Hermione, did you know that if you burp and fart at the same time you insides could explode".
"Should be fitting for you then Ron, do us all a favour and blow up" Hermione added, remembering all the times Ron had broken wind in public, she shuddered at the thought.
Hermione went back to reading the paper.
"Have you seen this? It's an article about the ministry, apparently a precious stone was stolen from your dads department at least four months ago, I'm suprised he didn't tell you about it. The stone was originally a muggle item would you believe, only they didn't have a clue what it did. Whoever broke in, wasn't looking for anyhting by the sounds of it, because they took practically everything they could get their hands on. Some of the missing items have been spotted in shops around the area, looks like they were sold on for money." Hermione informed them pushing the paper across the table.
"What does it do?" inquired Ron sitting on the edge of the bench.
"Doesn't say, I expect they are keeping it quiet until it's found. Anyway enough chatting, we have to get class".
History of Magic was boring, as usual, Proffessor Binns was droning on about some rebellion or other, while most students were asleep, with the exception of Hermione who was paying rapt attention. Ron was fast asleep on his work, and slobbering all over his essay on the three main causes of the goblin rebellion of 1066. Dean Thomas was snoring loudly, while Seamus Finnagan was snoozing on Lavender Brown's shoulder. Aleta was staring longingly out of the window towards the frosted Hogwarts grounds and Ròse was drifting in and out of consiousness muttering 'I'm awake' under her breath, finally though she relaxed and began to drift off.
Harry noticed that the mood at Hogwarts had somehow managed to deteriorate, Harry was so sure after the capture of Ginny, that things could not get worse, but they had got worse, much worse. Continuing pressure was mounting up, a black cloud hung over Hogwarts. Hermione seemed to spend every free hour of the day in the library, whilst Ron would stay in bed, staring blankly at a picture of his sister. The atmosphere had made Harry depressed and he felt the need to mope around the lake at the most inappropriate times. Even though Hogwarts had been drowned in sorrow it hadn't affected Ròse and Aleta, who spent their days indulging in mischievous activities. Professor Binns continued to expose the class to the most tedious lesson they had ever experienced but was interrupted by Neville who had knocked over a pot of ink whilst snoozing. Harry closed his eyes, no longer able to keep them open, he sloped into his seat.
In what seemed like minutes Professor Binns announced the end of the lesson.
Harry almost launched himself out of his seat, in an attempt to reach the door.
They arrived at herbology to find the lesson already under way.
"Late again Mr Potter, what's gotten into you recently?" Professor Sprout inquired looking rather disappointed. The group had been asked to re-pot the fidulous plants that sang loudly when anyone approached. The plants had decided they would sing different songs, it wasn't that they couldn't sing but the fact they sang them at the same time seemed to cause some problems. Harry picked up his first plant, it immediately started singing a love song. When the plant began to sing I will survive, Harry had to gag it with Lavenders scarf. However Ròse seemed to be getting on perfectly well with hers, and was now singing a duet with it. When anyone turned away the plants would sing:
"Now go walk out the door,
Don't turn around now because you not welcome anymore...".
The stack of pots was now running dangerously low, so Ròse and Aleta went to the shed to replenish their stock.
It was a grubby looking shed that was harldly ever used, the roof was covered with a thick moss and creepers had begun to wind around it. Aleta opened the door and stepped inside followed by Ròse. The door slammed shut. The interior was damp and dreary, and it was almost completely bereft of light, with the exception of a few cracks that allowed only a minute amount of light to pass through.
"How the hell are we supposed to find these pots in the dark, Lumos" grumbled Ròse waving her wand. The wand emmitted no more than a few sparks.
"I knew you were crap at charms but that just takes the piss, Neville could have done that without any trouble" giggled Aleta shaking her head.
"So why am I joint second to the top of the class then?" pouted Ròse in her defence.
"A fluke, who's first then".
"Hermione".
"And who's second along with you?"
"You!". Ròse tripped over something a landing with a crash onto the floor.
"I think I've found the pots". They attempted to leave the shed only to find that the door would not open. Aleta pulled hard on the handle. The door was locked.
"Say Aleta, what number shed is this?".
"Number 27, why?".
"Oh no, damn it".
"What is it?".
"This is the shed we tampered with, just say the password and we then can get out. I getting claustrophobic".
"Oh that's good, what's the password?"
"I thought you knew"
"Great, just great now we're trapped in here and because of the anti-vandalism charm we can't use magic to get out, and no one can hear us because with all the charms on this place, we might as well be in at the other side of the BLOODY ATLANTIC!!!!".
"Well someone will realise we're gone, they have too," said Ròse reassuring herself more than anyone else.
Ròse and Aleta sat down and began to talk about the past weeks events, focusing on the discovery of their first culprit to the murders, Harry Potter.
"But he always seemed so nice, I mean what if we're jumping to conclusions", Ròse reasoned.
"Ròse, he has an invisability cloak do you have any idea how rare they are? Not to mention expensive!".
"Yes but he just doesn't seem the type to... you know".
"Do we look like the, woohoo lets go save the village type and while we're at it go clean their horses type. No".
"Fine, but if I'm right".
"If you're right I will do a....dare".
"Okay".
"But if I'm right you do a dare deal".
"Deal", said Ròse sealing the deal with a handshake.
Just then the door began to glow and a high pitched whistling filled the shed.
"What's going on?" Ròse shouted over the choas.
"I have no idea!", Aleta screamed as a large solid object flew through the middle of the door knocking Ròse off her feet. The large solid object turned out to be...
"Harry?" Ròse said.
"What's he doing in here, and more importantly why did he fly through the door?".
"How am I meant to know?".
Aleta turned to Harry, who was now trying his best to stand. "Are you okay?", she asked.
"Yes".
Aleta shook herself and adopting a more harsh tone she continued.
"So did you have fun listening in onto our conversation, Potter", Aleta sneered .
"What is it with you?, What have I ever done to upset you, sure there was the Filch thing but you didn't get in trouble".
"Don't play the innocent with us Harry we know what you did, how do you live with yourself?" Ròse asked.
"What did I do?" Said Harry genuinly confused.
"You mean you didn't...", said Aleta staring at her feet.
"Didn't what?".
"Aleta and.. me too at first, we kinda thought you were the murderer", Ròse said sheepishly.
"Ha, are you kidding?" Harry snorted.
"No".
Harry couldn't help himself, he burst into fits of laughter, seeing their stupidity so did Ròse and Aleta.
"What were you thinking? Honestly I thought you were cleverer than that".
"Well tension sometimes gets the better of us".
"Well I can't stand around here all day" said Harry turning towards the door.
"I wouldn't bother trying to open it".
"Why?"
"It's locked".
"Ever heard of a simple spell called, Alohamora?" As Harry cast the spell it bounced of the keyhole, smashed several pots, and vanished.
They had been in for several minutes now and had run out of things to talk about.
Hearing a creak Ròse's head snapped back towards the door. Her eyes moved up from the highly polished black leather boots that appeared before her, upwards to the tight fitting leather pants and jacket and finally the well gelled plantinum blonde hair.
A groan escaped Ròse's lips before she started banging her head on the shed.
"Sorry am I interrupting your threesome? If I'd have known you three were in here I wouldn't have bothered getting the pots for Sprout" sniggered Malfoy.
"Don't lie Malfoy you'd have asked to join in" smirked Aleta "Oh and Malfoy, the doors locked, you can't use magic we're stuck, and one last thing is your hair bleached?"
"No it is not bleached, moron".
"Is" added Harry agreeing with Aleta.
"Isn't"
"Is"
"Isn't-"
"SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!". Aleta, Harry and Malfoy stared at Ròse in shock. It seemed to have done the trick, no one spoke even a whisper, it could have been one of those silent movies except no one would ever have hired Draco unless he was to play a vampire.
"Thank you", Ròse said in a sing-song voice as she sat down on the nearest pile of junk. Everyone in the shed followed her example. The four sat in silence for what seemed like hours, the occasional foot tap or bubble gum pop could be heard but other than that nothing. However Ròse, being isolated from the outside world, for the grand total of thirty minutes, began to sing.
"The female of the species is more deadly than the male...".
She was unpredictable like that, could burst into song at anytime and even whilst she was asleep. Aleta had once woke up in the middle of the night because Ròse was singing at the top of her voice. At last the door opened, and stood at the openening was non other than Proffesor Snape.
The only explanation Harry could think of was that Sprout had gone for Snape because four of her students were missing.
"Well, Well, Well, if it isn't Potter, explain yourselves, all of you" spat Snape.
"We got locked in, and then Harry got sucked through the door, so did Malfoy-".
"Excuses, excuses. How brave of you to speak up Miss Veris, but for your lies and cheek you have earned you and your fellow classmates a detention".
Harry caught Snape's gaze as he turned away, nothing had changed about it over the years at Hogwart's it was the same cold, hating stare.
Another pointless punishment. Harry and the rest of those who had been caught in the shed were now scrubbing Snape's cauldrons with their toothbrushes, even though they were cleaned regulary. Harry studied Draco carefully, something had changed in him, but Harry wasn't sure what it was, he seemed more withdrawn.
"Gross!" Muttered Ròse scouring a green residue from the side of a cauldron.
Harry had half expected Snape to have stood watch throughout this horrible toothbrush scrubbing ordeal but to his suprise Snape had only checked on them once.
Throwing down his toothbrush Harry left the room.
"What's with him?" asked Ròse.
"We're going, I don't know about you? Obviously you haven't noticed the time".
Weeks had gone by, leaves had fallen and it had rained for several days. Christmas was approaching and now the Hogwart's grounds had been dusted with a snowy white. Harry would most certainly be staying at Hogwarts over the holidays, along with Ron. Hermione was going home this year but promised to write. This Christmas was going to be different, as Ron had began to become subdued. He was still Ron in a dumb sort of way and kind when it suited him but part of him had died, that daring Weasley spirit.
"I'll write I promise", Hermione called as the Hogwarts Express slowly pulled out of hogsmeade station.
"Okay, Bye see you after the holidays", Harry and Ron called, they waved until they could no longer see even a spec of scarlet across the bleak hills.
With a heavy heart they boarded the carriages back to Hogwarts, while the rain pounded off the window like bullets
Draco threw open the door to Ginny's cell, but he did not find the same damp walls he had become accustomed to. Instead he found what must be one of the most lavishly decorated rooms in his house. The cell had quite obviously been expanded, to accommodate the fine furnishings. Purple and silver drapes hung from the ceiling. In the corner was a dark mohoganny dressing table with a solid gold framed mirror on top of it. The room was a maze of drapes and beads. Draco peeled back the drapes, and cut through the beads, until he finally reached the end of the room.
Seated on a chaise lounge and dressed in an elagant emerald ball gown was Ginny, her long firey hair fell freely about her shoulders. Her wide eyed gaze indicated something was seriously wrong. Draco approached with caution after noticing Ginny's tense posture.
"It was Lucius wasn't it?" sighed Draco. Ginny continued to stare back blankly.
"What are you waiting for the punch line?" , he was expecting an indication of amusement but instead she glared at him.
Reaching out Draco waved a hand in front of her face, but the empty look that had already placed itself on her features did not even waver.
"Hello, anyone home?" Draco asked in sing-song voice, though he still received no reaction from Ginny whatsoever.
He was about to ask her what on earth she was playing at when at last Ginny spoke.
"Twinkle...Twinkle...little...star...how I...wonder...what you...are", Ginny sang softly in a far off voice, though still her eyes were still fixed in the same place, and the expression on her face did not alter in the slightest.
"Weasel?" Draco asked.
"Up...above the...world...so high".
"Weasel?".
"Like...a...diamond...in...the...sky".
"Ginny?".
"Twinkle...Twinkle..little...star..how..I..wonder..what you..are"-
It was Christmas morning, the Burrow was in choas. Ginny raced down stairs, her heart leaped with joy ast the sight of mountains of presents placed delicately under the tree. There was a square one for Fred and a strange looking one with blue paper for Ron, and Ginny's, a deep red paper with a delicate golden ribbon. Ginny tore open the paper excitedly, wide eyed Ginny inspected the object, she had never seen one of these before. It was perfectly cylindrical, Ginny's reflection beamed back from the golden surface, as she flipped open the lid a soft lullaby danced through the air. The ballerina moved gracefully to the music, turning ever so slightly she smiled at Ginny.
"Merry Christmas Ginny" smiled Molly.
"Mum, what is it?"
"It's a music box, muggles have them but of course theirs don't smile".
"Thanks mum it's beautiful".
Ginny felt a sharp, searing sensation in her cheek. Her eyes snapped open, she was faced by Draco who was looking very concerned.
"Anybody home?" Draco asked.
"You slap me again mister and I'll take something very precious to you", Ginny whispered threateningly.
"Okay", murmured Draco pathetically.
Just then a knock at the door interrupted their, somewhat confused, conversation.
"Hide", Ginny hissed at Draco.
"Why, it's probably Lucius"
"Just hide okay, I'll explain later, now GET UNDER THE BED!!" Ginny shouted, forcing Draco's head under the four poster bed.
"Ma'am", came a voice from the door. "Can I come in?"
"Maria?"
"Yes Ma'am, I'm here with your food, may I come in?"
"Of course", Ginny called, turning to Draco she said. "It's okay, we can trust her. She's my maid"
Maria fought her way through the beads, she had long, dark flowing hair, small beatle black eyes and was quite young. But despite her dark features her smile held warmth and kindness. Maria set aside her burden, laying the silver tray delicately on embroidered cushions.
"Would our unexpected guest care for any refreshments?" Maria asked with a smile.
"Yes, I think so, this is Mr Draco Malfoy, Lucius's son. I'm sure you will have heard of him".
"I have, but not much. As I'm sure Malfoy is aware-"
"Please, call me Draco" he cut in.
"As I'm sure Draco is aware that his father rarely engages in conversation with the staff" continued Maria.
"Well observed, anyway, when I left a distinctly remember this room to be cold and damp why the sudden change?" Draco waved his hand toward the furniture.
"It's your dad, he's sort of....how to put it?...gone mad".
"I can see that".
Ginny explained how Lucius was treating her like Lola, it made Draco's blood run cold at the mention of her name. Maria tensed as she caught Draco's gaze, it was intense, something like his fathers in a way, and it frightened her.
"Look you better go, Lucius will be back soon" Ginny said quickly sensing Maria's uneasiness.
"Your right, I'll be back later", Draco sighed and left the room.
"Are you sure you can trust him?" frowned Mara apprehensively.
"He may be a Malfoy but he's not all bad" replied Ginny.
Hermione skimmed through the pages of The Daily Prophet, going back to any articles that caught her eye. Ron was deep in conversation with Harry, they had taken to discussing gruesome things at the breakfast table, of course it was only to annoy Hermione.
"Did you know that 60% of fast food places spit in your food" said Ron in ear shot of Hermione, who pushed away the burger she had just taken a bite out of.
"Oh, I've not finished yet Hermione, did you know that if you burp and fart at the same time you insides could explode".
"Should be fitting for you then Ron, do us all a favour and blow up" Hermione added, remembering all the times Ron had broken wind in public, she shuddered at the thought.
Hermione went back to reading the paper.
"Have you seen this? It's an article about the ministry, apparently a precious stone was stolen from your dads department at least four months ago, I'm suprised he didn't tell you about it. The stone was originally a muggle item would you believe, only they didn't have a clue what it did. Whoever broke in, wasn't looking for anyhting by the sounds of it, because they took practically everything they could get their hands on. Some of the missing items have been spotted in shops around the area, looks like they were sold on for money." Hermione informed them pushing the paper across the table.
"What does it do?" inquired Ron sitting on the edge of the bench.
"Doesn't say, I expect they are keeping it quiet until it's found. Anyway enough chatting, we have to get class".
History of Magic was boring, as usual, Proffessor Binns was droning on about some rebellion or other, while most students were asleep, with the exception of Hermione who was paying rapt attention. Ron was fast asleep on his work, and slobbering all over his essay on the three main causes of the goblin rebellion of 1066. Dean Thomas was snoring loudly, while Seamus Finnagan was snoozing on Lavender Brown's shoulder. Aleta was staring longingly out of the window towards the frosted Hogwarts grounds and Ròse was drifting in and out of consiousness muttering 'I'm awake' under her breath, finally though she relaxed and began to drift off.
Harry noticed that the mood at Hogwarts had somehow managed to deteriorate, Harry was so sure after the capture of Ginny, that things could not get worse, but they had got worse, much worse. Continuing pressure was mounting up, a black cloud hung over Hogwarts. Hermione seemed to spend every free hour of the day in the library, whilst Ron would stay in bed, staring blankly at a picture of his sister. The atmosphere had made Harry depressed and he felt the need to mope around the lake at the most inappropriate times. Even though Hogwarts had been drowned in sorrow it hadn't affected Ròse and Aleta, who spent their days indulging in mischievous activities. Professor Binns continued to expose the class to the most tedious lesson they had ever experienced but was interrupted by Neville who had knocked over a pot of ink whilst snoozing. Harry closed his eyes, no longer able to keep them open, he sloped into his seat.
In what seemed like minutes Professor Binns announced the end of the lesson.
Harry almost launched himself out of his seat, in an attempt to reach the door.
They arrived at herbology to find the lesson already under way.
"Late again Mr Potter, what's gotten into you recently?" Professor Sprout inquired looking rather disappointed. The group had been asked to re-pot the fidulous plants that sang loudly when anyone approached. The plants had decided they would sing different songs, it wasn't that they couldn't sing but the fact they sang them at the same time seemed to cause some problems. Harry picked up his first plant, it immediately started singing a love song. When the plant began to sing I will survive, Harry had to gag it with Lavenders scarf. However Ròse seemed to be getting on perfectly well with hers, and was now singing a duet with it. When anyone turned away the plants would sing:
"Now go walk out the door,
Don't turn around now because you not welcome anymore...".
The stack of pots was now running dangerously low, so Ròse and Aleta went to the shed to replenish their stock.
It was a grubby looking shed that was harldly ever used, the roof was covered with a thick moss and creepers had begun to wind around it. Aleta opened the door and stepped inside followed by Ròse. The door slammed shut. The interior was damp and dreary, and it was almost completely bereft of light, with the exception of a few cracks that allowed only a minute amount of light to pass through.
"How the hell are we supposed to find these pots in the dark, Lumos" grumbled Ròse waving her wand. The wand emmitted no more than a few sparks.
"I knew you were crap at charms but that just takes the piss, Neville could have done that without any trouble" giggled Aleta shaking her head.
"So why am I joint second to the top of the class then?" pouted Ròse in her defence.
"A fluke, who's first then".
"Hermione".
"And who's second along with you?"
"You!". Ròse tripped over something a landing with a crash onto the floor.
"I think I've found the pots". They attempted to leave the shed only to find that the door would not open. Aleta pulled hard on the handle. The door was locked.
"Say Aleta, what number shed is this?".
"Number 27, why?".
"Oh no, damn it".
"What is it?".
"This is the shed we tampered with, just say the password and we then can get out. I getting claustrophobic".
"Oh that's good, what's the password?"
"I thought you knew"
"Great, just great now we're trapped in here and because of the anti-vandalism charm we can't use magic to get out, and no one can hear us because with all the charms on this place, we might as well be in at the other side of the BLOODY ATLANTIC!!!!".
"Well someone will realise we're gone, they have too," said Ròse reassuring herself more than anyone else.
Ròse and Aleta sat down and began to talk about the past weeks events, focusing on the discovery of their first culprit to the murders, Harry Potter.
"But he always seemed so nice, I mean what if we're jumping to conclusions", Ròse reasoned.
"Ròse, he has an invisability cloak do you have any idea how rare they are? Not to mention expensive!".
"Yes but he just doesn't seem the type to... you know".
"Do we look like the, woohoo lets go save the village type and while we're at it go clean their horses type. No".
"Fine, but if I'm right".
"If you're right I will do a....dare".
"Okay".
"But if I'm right you do a dare deal".
"Deal", said Ròse sealing the deal with a handshake.
Just then the door began to glow and a high pitched whistling filled the shed.
"What's going on?" Ròse shouted over the choas.
"I have no idea!", Aleta screamed as a large solid object flew through the middle of the door knocking Ròse off her feet. The large solid object turned out to be...
"Harry?" Ròse said.
"What's he doing in here, and more importantly why did he fly through the door?".
"How am I meant to know?".
Aleta turned to Harry, who was now trying his best to stand. "Are you okay?", she asked.
"Yes".
Aleta shook herself and adopting a more harsh tone she continued.
"So did you have fun listening in onto our conversation, Potter", Aleta sneered .
"What is it with you?, What have I ever done to upset you, sure there was the Filch thing but you didn't get in trouble".
"Don't play the innocent with us Harry we know what you did, how do you live with yourself?" Ròse asked.
"What did I do?" Said Harry genuinly confused.
"You mean you didn't...", said Aleta staring at her feet.
"Didn't what?".
"Aleta and.. me too at first, we kinda thought you were the murderer", Ròse said sheepishly.
"Ha, are you kidding?" Harry snorted.
"No".
Harry couldn't help himself, he burst into fits of laughter, seeing their stupidity so did Ròse and Aleta.
"What were you thinking? Honestly I thought you were cleverer than that".
"Well tension sometimes gets the better of us".
"Well I can't stand around here all day" said Harry turning towards the door.
"I wouldn't bother trying to open it".
"Why?"
"It's locked".
"Ever heard of a simple spell called, Alohamora?" As Harry cast the spell it bounced of the keyhole, smashed several pots, and vanished.
They had been in for several minutes now and had run out of things to talk about.
Hearing a creak Ròse's head snapped back towards the door. Her eyes moved up from the highly polished black leather boots that appeared before her, upwards to the tight fitting leather pants and jacket and finally the well gelled plantinum blonde hair.
A groan escaped Ròse's lips before she started banging her head on the shed.
"Sorry am I interrupting your threesome? If I'd have known you three were in here I wouldn't have bothered getting the pots for Sprout" sniggered Malfoy.
"Don't lie Malfoy you'd have asked to join in" smirked Aleta "Oh and Malfoy, the doors locked, you can't use magic we're stuck, and one last thing is your hair bleached?"
"No it is not bleached, moron".
"Is" added Harry agreeing with Aleta.
"Isn't"
"Is"
"Isn't-"
"SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!". Aleta, Harry and Malfoy stared at Ròse in shock. It seemed to have done the trick, no one spoke even a whisper, it could have been one of those silent movies except no one would ever have hired Draco unless he was to play a vampire.
"Thank you", Ròse said in a sing-song voice as she sat down on the nearest pile of junk. Everyone in the shed followed her example. The four sat in silence for what seemed like hours, the occasional foot tap or bubble gum pop could be heard but other than that nothing. However Ròse, being isolated from the outside world, for the grand total of thirty minutes, began to sing.
"The female of the species is more deadly than the male...".
She was unpredictable like that, could burst into song at anytime and even whilst she was asleep. Aleta had once woke up in the middle of the night because Ròse was singing at the top of her voice. At last the door opened, and stood at the openening was non other than Proffesor Snape.
The only explanation Harry could think of was that Sprout had gone for Snape because four of her students were missing.
"Well, Well, Well, if it isn't Potter, explain yourselves, all of you" spat Snape.
"We got locked in, and then Harry got sucked through the door, so did Malfoy-".
"Excuses, excuses. How brave of you to speak up Miss Veris, but for your lies and cheek you have earned you and your fellow classmates a detention".
Harry caught Snape's gaze as he turned away, nothing had changed about it over the years at Hogwart's it was the same cold, hating stare.
Another pointless punishment. Harry and the rest of those who had been caught in the shed were now scrubbing Snape's cauldrons with their toothbrushes, even though they were cleaned regulary. Harry studied Draco carefully, something had changed in him, but Harry wasn't sure what it was, he seemed more withdrawn.
"Gross!" Muttered Ròse scouring a green residue from the side of a cauldron.
Harry had half expected Snape to have stood watch throughout this horrible toothbrush scrubbing ordeal but to his suprise Snape had only checked on them once.
Throwing down his toothbrush Harry left the room.
"What's with him?" asked Ròse.
"We're going, I don't know about you? Obviously you haven't noticed the time".
Weeks had gone by, leaves had fallen and it had rained for several days. Christmas was approaching and now the Hogwart's grounds had been dusted with a snowy white. Harry would most certainly be staying at Hogwarts over the holidays, along with Ron. Hermione was going home this year but promised to write. This Christmas was going to be different, as Ron had began to become subdued. He was still Ron in a dumb sort of way and kind when it suited him but part of him had died, that daring Weasley spirit.
"I'll write I promise", Hermione called as the Hogwarts Express slowly pulled out of hogsmeade station.
"Okay, Bye see you after the holidays", Harry and Ron called, they waved until they could no longer see even a spec of scarlet across the bleak hills.
With a heavy heart they boarded the carriages back to Hogwarts, while the rain pounded off the window like bullets
Draco threw open the door to Ginny's cell, but he did not find the same damp walls he had become accustomed to. Instead he found what must be one of the most lavishly decorated rooms in his house. The cell had quite obviously been expanded, to accommodate the fine furnishings. Purple and silver drapes hung from the ceiling. In the corner was a dark mohoganny dressing table with a solid gold framed mirror on top of it. The room was a maze of drapes and beads. Draco peeled back the drapes, and cut through the beads, until he finally reached the end of the room.
Seated on a chaise lounge and dressed in an elagant emerald ball gown was Ginny, her long firey hair fell freely about her shoulders. Her wide eyed gaze indicated something was seriously wrong. Draco approached with caution after noticing Ginny's tense posture.
"It was Lucius wasn't it?" sighed Draco. Ginny continued to stare back blankly.
"What are you waiting for the punch line?" , he was expecting an indication of amusement but instead she glared at him.
Reaching out Draco waved a hand in front of her face, but the empty look that had already placed itself on her features did not even waver.
"Hello, anyone home?" Draco asked in sing-song voice, though he still received no reaction from Ginny whatsoever.
He was about to ask her what on earth she was playing at when at last Ginny spoke.
"Twinkle...Twinkle...little...star...how I...wonder...what you...are", Ginny sang softly in a far off voice, though still her eyes were still fixed in the same place, and the expression on her face did not alter in the slightest.
"Weasel?" Draco asked.
"Up...above the...world...so high".
"Weasel?".
"Like...a...diamond...in...the...sky".
"Ginny?".
"Twinkle...Twinkle..little...star..how..I..wonder..what you..are"-
It was Christmas morning, the Burrow was in choas. Ginny raced down stairs, her heart leaped with joy ast the sight of mountains of presents placed delicately under the tree. There was a square one for Fred and a strange looking one with blue paper for Ron, and Ginny's, a deep red paper with a delicate golden ribbon. Ginny tore open the paper excitedly, wide eyed Ginny inspected the object, she had never seen one of these before. It was perfectly cylindrical, Ginny's reflection beamed back from the golden surface, as she flipped open the lid a soft lullaby danced through the air. The ballerina moved gracefully to the music, turning ever so slightly she smiled at Ginny.
"Merry Christmas Ginny" smiled Molly.
"Mum, what is it?"
"It's a music box, muggles have them but of course theirs don't smile".
"Thanks mum it's beautiful".
Ginny felt a sharp, searing sensation in her cheek. Her eyes snapped open, she was faced by Draco who was looking very concerned.
"Anybody home?" Draco asked.
"You slap me again mister and I'll take something very precious to you", Ginny whispered threateningly.
"Okay", murmured Draco pathetically.
Just then a knock at the door interrupted their, somewhat confused, conversation.
"Hide", Ginny hissed at Draco.
"Why, it's probably Lucius"
"Just hide okay, I'll explain later, now GET UNDER THE BED!!" Ginny shouted, forcing Draco's head under the four poster bed.
"Ma'am", came a voice from the door. "Can I come in?"
"Maria?"
"Yes Ma'am, I'm here with your food, may I come in?"
"Of course", Ginny called, turning to Draco she said. "It's okay, we can trust her. She's my maid"
Maria fought her way through the beads, she had long, dark flowing hair, small beatle black eyes and was quite young. But despite her dark features her smile held warmth and kindness. Maria set aside her burden, laying the silver tray delicately on embroidered cushions.
"Would our unexpected guest care for any refreshments?" Maria asked with a smile.
"Yes, I think so, this is Mr Draco Malfoy, Lucius's son. I'm sure you will have heard of him".
"I have, but not much. As I'm sure Malfoy is aware-"
"Please, call me Draco" he cut in.
"As I'm sure Draco is aware that his father rarely engages in conversation with the staff" continued Maria.
"Well observed, anyway, when I left a distinctly remember this room to be cold and damp why the sudden change?" Draco waved his hand toward the furniture.
"It's your dad, he's sort of....how to put it?...gone mad".
"I can see that".
Ginny explained how Lucius was treating her like Lola, it made Draco's blood run cold at the mention of her name. Maria tensed as she caught Draco's gaze, it was intense, something like his fathers in a way, and it frightened her.
"Look you better go, Lucius will be back soon" Ginny said quickly sensing Maria's uneasiness.
"Your right, I'll be back later", Draco sighed and left the room.
"Are you sure you can trust him?" frowned Mara apprehensively.
"He may be a Malfoy but he's not all bad" replied Ginny.