Disclaimer: I don't own any of JKR's characters...
CHAPTER THREE
Ginny sat quietly on her four-poster bed in Gryffindor Tower listening intently to Circe recount her life before she had come to Hogwarts. Two silencing charms had been put up around them to prevent anyone from hearing her speak parseltounge. Her curtains were drawn tightly around her bed to keep out the eyes of her gossipy dorm mates. Circe's tale didn't last long, seeing as how Ezless apparently did nothing but wander until they found their partners, and some never did. She had kept to forests to keep out of the way of nosey people trying to keep her, when she wasn't theirs to keep.
"How are you supposed to find your keeper if you only stick to forests?" Ginny asked curiously. "No wonder some of you never find your keeper if you are always hiding."
"Yesss, but we Ezless can't use our powers unlesss we have found our owner. Without powersss we are not safe to wander everywhere. As you can ssee, we met by chance. If it is meant to be, then that is how the othersss are paired up also." Circe replied.
"I see" Ginny said thoughtfully. That must be a hard life, she thought, wandering around wondering if you will ever meet the person who you belong with. "That's sort of sad when you think about it."
"Yesss, I ssupose you could look at it that way. But it's the only way we know at the time, ssso it issn't sad it isss just the way it isss." Circe said matter-of-factly.
Ginny nodded in understanding. "Circe, can you do me a big favor?"
"Of course misss, just name it."
"I need to keep it secret from everyone here that I can speak your tongue." Ginny said hesitantly. She didn't want Circe to take any offense to that, people at school just wouldn't understand. After all, everyone thought Harry was a dark wizard after they found out he could do it.
Circe looked at Ginny closely, and Ginny could almost sense her piercing gaze looking right through her into the very depths of her mind. "I undersssstand miss. However, may I ssay that it isss not good to care ssso much what othersss think of missss."
Ginny sighed. It was going to get some taking used to having a pet that could read her mind, but it was also oddly relieving to have some one to talk to who understood her. Before Ginny could reply to Circe's statement, she continued talking.
"I don't know if I am right misss, but didn't missss have a meeting tonight that misss is currently missssing?" Circe asked.
"What-? Oh, yeah that was at seven...and it's only..." Ginny checked her cheap watch and sprung up almost landing on Circe. "It's seven-ten! Oh no...I'll have detention with Snape for the rest of this month!" Ginny peeked out of her bed hangings to make sure the dorm was still empty. When she was satisfied that it was, she fumbled with her wand and took off all the silencing spells. Circe watched her from the bed, and Ginny could have sworn she felt a sense of amusement coming from the Ezless.
"Do you think this is funny?" Ginny asked, distracted.
"I see missss may be ssstarting to sssence my mind as I can ssence yourssss." Circe replied.
Ginny only shook her head in bewilderment. "Well, you won't think it's funny after you get better acquainted with Snape." Ginny slipped on her robe and put her wand in her pocket before motioning to Circe to follow her out of the dorm. Before she opened the door though, she stopped and turned to look at Circe who was hovering in the air behind her. "How did you know I was late?" Ginny asked suspiciously.
"I have a very good sssensse of time misss." Circe replied simply.
Ginny narrowed her eyes further. "Then why didn't you tell me before I was late?"
"I thought misss would have been aware of the time." Circe answered. Not even a hint of apology in her voice.
"Oh, well okay. Next time could you warn me though? I'm really bad with punctuality."
"I will." Hissed Circe.
Ginny checked her watch once more and let out an impressive stream of swearing. She was now even later than before. With a nod at Circe, she bolted out of the Dorm and through Gryffindor Tower.
"Sorry I'm late professor..." Ginny began as she barged into the DADA classroom. She had been expecting to see professor Snape lecturing Harry Ron and Hermione. However what she saw was the Headmaster along with Snape standing before about ten students, only some that she recognized. Snape sent her a withering glare but Dumbledore commented before he had a chance. "Miss Weasley. Very fortunate that you could join us. Please have a seat." He said merrily, with his blue eyes twinkling.
Ginny obeyed without comment, and sat down at the back of the class in one of the two seats left. Beside her sat three Ravenclaw's that she didn't remember the names of. The two girls she recognized to be in sixth year, and the guy in seventh. In front of her she could see Harry, Ron, and Hermione talking avidly. Harry looked up and gave her a friendly nod before returning to his conversation. Beside them, two seventh year Hufflepuff's were sitting closer than was necessary and whispering softly to each other. Judging from the lack of speech coming from the professors, and the empty seat beside her, Ginny assumed they were still waiting for one more person. Ha, she thought smugly, I wasn't that late after all.
Ginny shifted in her seat, and let Circe up on her lap. While she was absently stroking her feathers, she listened to what Professor Dumbledore was saying to Snape in hopes of getting an idea why she was here.
"Are you sure he's coming Severus?" Dumbledore asked gravely.
"He said he would at least give it a try." Snape replied. "But I wouldn't blame him if he changed his mind." he sneered throwing a disgusted look at Harry and his friends.
Dumbledore looked like he was about to say something further, but was distracted when the door opened and Draco Malfoy glided into the classroom.
"Ah! Mr. Malfoy, please take a seat so we can begin." Dumbledore said, gesturing to the seat beside Ginny. Ginny scowled, just my bloody luck. She thought grumpily as Malfoy slid into the seat beside her wearing his trade mark smirk.
"What's that stupid git doing here?" Ginny heard her brother ask in a not-to-quiet whisper.
Malfoy acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, and didn't notice the death glares almost everyone in the room was shooting at him.
"Alright, now that everyone is here we can begin." Said Dumbledore, shooting a warning glance at Ron who looked like he was going to say more on the subject of Malfoy. Hermione nudged him in the stomach to keep him quiet and he reluctantly gazed to the front of the classroom.
"I suppose most of you are curious as to why you have been called here today." Dumbledore continued, looking at the students questioningly. Everyone seemed to be nodding their assent but Malfoy, who just looked plain bored. "I have decided it would be a benefit to certain individuals if they were to receive some extra training on top of their academic studies. As all of you are well aware of, Voldemort has become almost a larger threat than he was within his first rein of terror. I have selected you ten people because I feel you will need this knowledge above most, and I have confidence you will be able to handle the extra pressure." Here Dumbledore paused and looked at each student in turn. His gaze seemed to tell each person just how important this was, and not to take the opportunity lightly. "This is completely voluntary, of course, it will be like an extra class you won't be graded on."
Ginny shot a glance at Ron, who seemed to be torn between thinking the idea of extra work was insane, and getting extra experience he may well need. Hermione looked delighted at the whole idea. Harry looked grave but determined to learn all he could.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "Now, if you don't wish to take this lesson, please leave now and don't mention it to any one outside this room." He waited a few seconds, but when no one got up to leave he nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. Professor Snape will be giving these lessons for the first week of term before the teacher I have enrolled will arrive."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as there was various grumbles from everyone in the class but Malfoy. Snape glared smugly at all the students, daring them to complain out loud. Ron looked like he wanted to bolt, but Harry and Hermione were looking at him warningly.
"Alright, I'll leave them to you Severus!" Dumbledore exclaimed before heading out of the classroom.
Snape turned to the class looking as dangerous as ever. "Alright. This class is expected to be taken as seriously as any other class you have on your curriculum. In some cases even more so." Here he looked pointedly at the front row of Gryffindor's and Hufflepuff's. "There will be no fooling around in this class, we will be using dangerous techniques and mistakes could easily land you in the hospital wing." Snape sneered as though he wouldn't care if this indeed happened. "You will need your wands at all times as it is mostly a practical class. If I assign you research, it will be on your own time that you find it in the library. You will also each be able to visit the restricted section without a pass." Here Snape looked like he would like nothing better than to change that rule. Ginny was sure that Dumbledore was the one to enforce it. "Do you have any questions?" Ginny had a lot of questions, such as why she was even here, to what exactly the class involved, but Snape really didn't look like he would answer any of them.
Ginny could tell Hermione was busting with suppressed comments, and with any other teacher she would have them heard. Even she wasn't stupid enough to interrogate Snape though. He would tell them on his own time what they needed to know and nothing more.
"Good, lessons will be held every other day at seven, starting Wednesday. Now get out of my site." Everyone in the class rose and hustled towards the door. Ginny found her curiosity overcoming her fear of the Potions Master and she stayed behind with an equally curious Circe. Malfoy, she noticed was also staying in his seat. Ginny rose and tentatively approached Snape who had retreated behind a desk.
"What do you want Miss Weasley?" Snape asked unpleasantly.
"Well sir, I just wanted to ask why I'm here. I mean I couldn't help but notice everyone else is sixth year and up..." Ginny broke off, looking at Snape expectantly.
Snape sighed irritably. "I would have thought that would be perfectly obvious Miss Weasley." He said sharply. When Ginny made no evidence of comprehending, Snape looked at her straight in the eyes. "Would you like me to spell it out?" He asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. Circe gave a warning hiss when she heard him mocking Ginny. Snape looked at the Ezless startled, but then only raised an eyebrow looking unconcerned before returning his eyes to Ginny.
"I'm sorry professor but I still don't understand..." Ginny said, trying to keep the annoyance from her voice. Why was he always so unapproachable? She had asked him a simple question, any other teacher would have told her the answer and been done with it. But Snape had to make it as difficult as possible, and try to make her tremble with nerves. Well she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. With her new resolve to stand up to Snape, Ginny straightened her back and didn't break eye contact (no matter how disturbing his cold black eyes could be).
"Alright Weasley, here it is. Not only are you the daughter of two people who openly support Dumbledore's Order, your two oldest brothers are also actively involved. If that isn't enough to make you a target, you are a pure blood family who are very fond of muggles and associate with Muggle borne. Wait, there is more." Snape added with a sneer. "Your brother is best friends with the boy-who-lived, and you also have associations with him. On top of all that, in your first year, Voldemort's memory succeeded in controlling you for the most part of a year to lure Potter into the Chamber of Secrets. Don't think that the real Voldemort isn't aware of these happenings Miss. Weasley because I assure you he is." Snape paused for effect here, and looked at Ginny quite seriously. "He knows you were able to be controlled once to lure Potter, it is important that you learn to defend yourself to prevent it from happening again." Snape finished. Ginny was stunned. She had never even considered the possibility that the real Voldemort knew what had happened. Why didn't any one tell me this before? Ginny wondered angrily. Don't I have the right to know what kind of danger I'm in? Remembering that they weren't alone, Ginny shot Draco a nervous glance, but he appeared not to be listening. She directed her attention back to Snape who was watching her curiously.
"Are you sure? Why would no one have mentioned this before?" Ginny asked, but she feared she already knew the answer to that. Her family was probably trying to protect her. Little Ginny would be to scared and traumatized if she found out that the Dark Lord had good reason to want her held hostage or dead. Voldemort wouldn't like knowing that she had escaped any form of him, memory or not. He had a good track record with finishing every victim off. That she had escaped with the help of Harry Potter would only make matters worse. That he knew Harry would risk his life to save her just topped things off.
Snape only raised his eyebrow, "I would not have said it if I wasn't sure Miss Weasley." He replied patronizingly. "I also would have thought you would have been informed of this already. That you haven't been is none of my concern." His tone clearly stated that they had reached the end of the conversation. Ginny gritted her teeth before stalking out of the classroom without a backwards glance. She gained little satisfaction out of slamming the door behind her.
Ginny wasn't in the mood to put up with her fellow Gryffindors at the moment, so instead of heading back to the common room, she started on an aimless stroll around the castle. It wasn't after curfew yet, but the sun had disappeared in the distance, so her only source of light was the torches placed along the stone walls. Most students were back in their common rooms, having nothing better to do, so the halls were blissfully deserted. Having nothing to distract her, Ginny thought about what Snape had revealed to her earlier that evening. She had always been aware that her family was in danger of Voldemorts wrath, that was just common sense. But to know that she was singled out as a target was quite disturbing. She had always been the girl in the background, that was how she preferred it. To know that Voldemort was particularly aware of her existence was unsettling. However unsettled she may be, her family still had no right to keep something like this from her. Whatever they may believe she was not a child.
I wonder how many people knew about this... Ginny thought fleetingly. And how long did they expect me to go on unaware? Ginny laughed bitterly to herself. She was like a time bomb waiting to explode. Every time something like this happened, she got closer and closer to the blowing point. Her family thought they were helping her, when all they were doing was turning her into a miserable, bitter bitch. Ginny couldn't help but smile at how shocked her family would be if they ever found out what she was really like. She was just dying to tell them exactly what she thought of every one of them. One of these day's they are going to push me too far... she thought worriedly. Then everything is going to come out.
"Have you ever tried ssssspeaking with them?" Hissed Circe who was sitting in Ginny's school bag. Ginny looked down at Circe startled, she was so lost in thought she had forgotten Circe was still with her.
"No point." Ginny hissed back, after making sure no one was hanging around.
Both Ginny and Circe quieted when they heard footsteps coming from some where ahead in their corridor. Ginny stepped quietly into an empty classroom that looked like it hadn't been used in years. A heavy coat of dust coated everything, and only a thin beam of moonlight shone through a narrow window near the ceiling. 'Creepy.' Ginny muttered before shutting the door over, leaving a small crack she could see out of. She knew it wasn't past curfew yet, but that wouldn't stop Filtch or Snape from coming up with a punishment anyway.
When the footsteps drew nearer, Ginny could make out two different people, along with the beginning of a conversation.
"I can't believe you agreed to it though, why couldn't Snape just do a private tutoring session if it is so important?" Asked a female voice Ginny thought sounded familiar
"He doesn't have the time, I suspect." Came the drawling voice that was immediately recognizable as Draco Malfoy's.
"Hhmm...well it's your call Draco, I just wish you luck." said the female voice again. "I wouldn't want to be stuck in a class with a bunch of Potter worshipers." the girl let out a chuckle that Ginny was positive she had heard before.
I do NOT worship Harry Potter, Ginny thought reverently ...anymore.
"I'm sure I'll survive," Draco answered passively, Ginny thought it very odd not to hear the mocking tone his voice usually held. "What is it you wanted to tell me Del?" Draco added curiously. "It better be good to drag me out here in risk of losing some of my beauty sleep."
Ginny had been trying to hold back a sneeze from all the dust flying around her nose, but when Draco said that she couldn't help the snort of laughter, than ended up turning into a bone shattering sneeze. Draco and his companion stopped where they were right outside her door. Ginny stayed completely quiet, not even daring to move. The last thing she wanted was to be caught spying on him.
"Well, well well, lets see who else is wandering the deserted corridors this fine evening." Ginny heard Draco drawl. She looked around frantically, but there was no way out of the room but the door she had come in. There was also absolutely no hiding spaces.
Perfect, just bloody perfect. She thought dejectedly as Malfoy pushed open the door all the way. The girl with him was revealed to be Delphinium, a Slytherin in Ginny's year.
"Weasley." Draco sneered, stepping into the dusty classroom. Delphinium leaned against the door frame watching Ginny closely, as if seeing her for the first time.
"Isn't this a coincidence, Draco." Delphinium exclaimed, smiling slightly. "What I wanted to tell you involved none other than Weasley here."
Draco and Ginny both looked up at Del with curiosity and surprise written on their faces. "Really?" Draco drawled, while Ginny just glared at her classmate.
Del ignored Ginny and proceeded to explain what she was on about. "The most interesting thing happened in Care of Magical Creatures today." She began smiling sweetly at Ginny. "Aside from Weasley being given this adorable Ezless, of course." To Ginny's horror, Circe allowed Del to step forward and begin stroking her feathers. Traitor. Ginny thought, glumly. She was however, more interested in finding out what Delphinium could be talking about. Aside from getting Circe, absolutely nothing had happened in that class worth talking about.
"Were you in the same class as me then?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
"I was indeed." She replied, grin broadening.
"Just get on with it Del." Draco replied impatiently.
"Alright.. I was trying to listen to Hagrids unusually interesting lesson. This however, was proving difficult due to the twittering Gryffindor air-heads in front of me." Del's face contorted into a scowl, while Draco smiled sympathetically. Ginny couldn't help the laugh that escaped at the too-true description of her fellow idiotic Gryffindors.
"What, not going to stand up for your fellow Lions?" Draco asked, looking at her curiously.
"Why? It's the bloody truth." Ginny replied dismissively.
"Anyway," Del continued. "I was contemplating giving them a good kick, when I heard the strangest noise coming from beside me. At first I thought a snake had crawled up beside me, but when I looked over the hissing was coming from Weasley!"
Draco raised his eyebrows, but Ginny denied it quickly. "Where the hell did you come up with that?" She asked Delphinium scathingly.
"I heard you plain as day." Del replied calmly. "Don't worry, I don't think anyone else did. It must have been because of the Ezless at the front of the class...it seems there are two parseltounges in Gryffindor. Imagine the odds of that happening..."
Ginny was struck dumb. Had she even spoken before Circe had come up to her? She was about to deny the accusation again when she heard Circe from across the room. "You did ssspeak the tongue once missss. You were wondering why ssssome girlssss had taken the classss. It issss what drew my attention to you."
Ginny looked at Circe horrified. Delphinium was looking between Ginny and her Ezless with great interest. "What did she say?" She asked after a moment.
"What?" Ginny asked, still determined not to admit to anything. "How the hell should I know?"
Delphinium was about to say something when Draco silenced her with a look.
A moment later his reason was apparent. Ginny heard yet again the sound of footsteps coming down the corridor, this time it sounded like a group larger than two.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Ginny heard the voice of her brother ask. "Why didn't you just bring the bloody thing with us?"
"I finally got it back Ron, I'm not letting it leave the dorm unless it is absolutely necessary." The voice of Harry replied. Ginny scowled, of all the times for those three to show up.
Draco looked like he was just dying to burst out of the room and hex all of them. Ginny was surprised when she caught herself almost thinking it would be funny. As long as he didn't really hurt them it would be okay for a laugh.
Sure enough the next voice they heard was none other than Hermione. "I hope she's alright. If Malfoy's done anything to her I'll be sure to have him punished."
"What the hell?" Ginny heard Del whisper to Malfoy. Malfoy just shrugged and continued to listen.
"It's one thing for him to bother us, but what is Ginny going to do to defend herself?" Ron asked outraged.
Ginny let out a long angry hiss of breath, while Malfoy looked at her amused. Do they have a tracker put on me or something? Ginny thought furiously.
"I think they were in one of these rooms..." Harry said suddenly, "but I don't hear anything so they might have left already."
Ron started banging open doors all along the hallway while grumbling furiously about how he would kill Malfoy when he saw him. Hermione shushed him quickly, saying that it was past curfew by a few minutes and she didn't want to get points taken off.
"Looks like the famous three have come to your rescue." Draco sneered at Ginny. Ginny was too mad at them herself to even reply to his comment.
Just then, Ron banged open the door that concealed them. "Ginny!" He exclaimed rushing forward and standing between her and the Slytherins. "Are you alright?" He asked her, glaring daggers at Malfoy.
"Yes Ron," Ginny said through gritted teeth, "just like I was fine before you came to my rescue."
Ron looked back at Ginny concerned, when Harry and Hermione entered the room curiously.
"Ginny, you okay?" Harry asked, looking relieved to have found her in one piece. He also started glaring at Malfoy. No one even seemed to realize there was another person in the room. Delphinium just watched the scene play out looking like she was at a movie.
"What the hell were you doing with my sister?" Ron demanded, his face turning the same colour as his hair.
Harry and Hermione stood behind Ron on either side ready to pull him back if he lunged.
Draco was about to make a smart-assed comment when Ginny interrupted, her voice sugar sweet. "What else would we be doing in a dark classroom after curfew Ronnikins? Surely you aren't that daft."
Ron looked at his sister as if she was a three headed dog. His mouth opened and shut a few times, the only sound coming out was an angry spluttering. Harry was looking at her with a hurt/disbelieving expression on his face. "Do you realize what you just said Ginny?" He asked her cautiously. Ginny only raised an eyebrow defiantly.
"What? You mean by implying that myself and Malfoy were participating in a heated snogging session before you three came along and ruined it?" Ginny asked pushing out her lower lip pouting. "I'm very well aware of what I said."
Harry just gaped at her while Hermione let out a disbelieving snort. "Please, she's obviously not telling the truth." Hermione said disapprovingly. "If they came out here to snog, I don't think they would have invited someone else to come along and watch." Here she looked pointedly at Delphinium who looked like she was about to burst out laughing.
Delphinium met Hermione's gaze head on, "who said I wasn't participating too?" Del challenged. Now it was Ginny's turn to hold back hysterics. All three of them looked like they had been petrified. Ginny shot a glance at Malfoy who was being unusually quiet, he looked back at her, his face a blank emotionless mask. Ron, who had apparently had enough of this conversation, grabbed Ginny's arm forcefully and proceeded to drag her out of the room. Ginny's vocal protests did nothing, so she had no choice but to be escorted away (he was unfortunately stronger than her). Harry and Hermione were too stunned to say anything so they only followed Ron, and a cursing Ginny out of the room.
Circe flew after them, weighed down by Ginny's forgotten school bag that she clutched in her claws.
When the four Gryffindors had left their line of site, Draco and Del turned to each other with bemused expressions on their faces.
"That was rather odd don't you think?" Del commented, chuckling slightly.
"Seems little Weasley is rebelling or something." Draco commented. "I just hope their aren't any rumors tomorrow about me snogging her. Not to mention you." Draco scowled at the thought.
"Come on Draco, were distant enough cousins! People don't even know we're family, with me not being an evil Malfoy and all." Del batted her eyelashes playfully in Draco's direction. "You would be lucky if you ever got a looker like me into a broom closet." Del flicked her wavy dirty blonde hair seductively, and pouted her full pink lips.
Draco only rolled his eyes, "what about her being parseltounge? Are you sure about that Del, it seems unlikely."
"I know what I heard! She was just covering up, wasn't it obvious she was lying?" Del said defensively.
"Yeah...but why would a Weasley be given the gift? After what I just saw her do to her fellow house mates I'm beginning to think she doesn't even belong in Gryffindor." Draco sneered at his own train of thought. He had almost considered a poor, muggle loving, weasel worthy of being in his house.
"Should we spread the word that she's a serpent tongue?" Del asked him, grinning.
"No." Draco answered without hesitation. When he saw Del's look of shock he quickly explained. "That wouldn't be the Slytherin way. I think we should hold it over her head for a time, see what happens." Draco answered a malicious smile playing on his lips.
Del patted him on the back affectionately, "What would I do for fun if you hadn't come to your senses this summer?"
"Absolutely nothing, with your boring sticks for friends." Draco ignored her reproving glare. "Now come along, I don't want bags under my eyes tomorrow from lack of sleep."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*long relieved sigh* I finished!! I've been writing this chapter in little scraps here and there and I thought I would never get it done. I hope you all like it, I've been fighting with little time and writers block so it was quite difficult to accomplish.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed so far *hugs each and every one of you* I feed off reviews like chocolate chip cookies. mmmmm
Pleas keep reviewing so I know if I suck or not *constructive criticism is very welcome
I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I write it
*cheers
*Imp