Disclaimer~ Hey, I know I forgot to put one on Chapter One, but that's my carelessness. It's just kinda understood that I am obviously not JKR, nor do I own any of the HP stuff from the books. However, anything else IS mine- chars, plots, spells, etc. Just thought I'd mention it so that now I can't be sued or something. Whatever. I have no money anyway. :-D On with the ficcy:
Harry's scar was bothering him again. He had no idea why. Neither did anyone else- Ron, Hermione, or Dumbledore. Of course, since Harry's revelation about the scar, everyone was keyed up expecting an attack from Voldemort. Even Draco seemed on edge since hearing about it. School had progressed as usual, but everyone was watchful for anything slightly amiss.
"But I thought I heard him say-"
"Look, Colin, I'm sure whatever he said was harmless and not intended in a mean or underhanded way whatsoever," Hermione cut off Creevey, who had just launched into a story about Draco Malfoy's apparent Dark Arts affiliation. Creevey became flustered and stomped off, muttering to himself about how no one could blame him when Draco finally showed his true colours. Hermione turned to Ron, who'd been listening attentively to Colin and Hermione's entire conversation.
"Herm, how could you dismiss him like that? With Harry's scar bothering him, there's obviously something going on, maybe it wouldn't hurt to listen to stuff like that a little more closely... Just in case, of course."
"I know, Ron, but this is the seventh time Colin has tried telling me about Draco doing something like that. I mean, really, he just wants attention. Or to get Malfoy in trouble."
"Well, most of the school would like that-"
"Yes, but it still doesn't make it true."
"Doesn't make it false either."
"I know, but let's just say this is one time I think it's safe to let it go. Besides, Harry's scar only bothers him when Voldemort's up to no good, not Malfoy."
"Do you really think that's it, that Voldemort's coming back?" Ron asked her. Hermione bit her lip and looked at him, a worried expression creasing her brow.
"I don't know. I wish that I did though. Poor Harry's going to go mad from all the questions, I mean, at least the scar isn't a constant pain, you know?"
"Yeah. I know. Well, come on, we don't want to be late for class." Hermione froze and looked at him.
"Ron Weasley, since when did you care about being late to class?" He grinned.
"What can I say, Herm, you're a bad influence on me, I guess." They hurried down the hall towards Potions. Draco Malfoy stepped out from his hiding place behind a statue, tucked into a corner, in shadows. It was his luck to be walking down that hall when Colin ran past to catch up to Hermione and Ron, not even noticing Malfoy in his haste to spill the news of what Draco had done. He had ducked into the spot as soon as Colin had gone past. ~*~
"Mr. Malfoy, I'm disappointed. Why would you make a Polyjuice potion when you know that I'm not allowing them for the time being?" Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, peering at the young man in front of him over rectangular spectacles. Draco sighed.
"Sir, I didn't do anything wrong, I made the Potion before you said we couldn't, I just didn't use it until this week. Since I'd already had it made, I didn't think there would be a problem," he explained.
"I understand, and I suppose you're right, if you'd made it beforehand, it's not really against the rules, but you still haven't told me why you needed it," the headmaster said gently.
"Professor, it wasn't for anything in particular, I was pulling a prank on some of the Slytherin girls, that's all," Draco lied smoothly. He hoped he wouldn't get in trouble for a nonexistent prank.
"All right, Draco. I'm sorry for this misunderstanding, but I'm sure you know we must be careful, especially now."
"Yes, sir. May I be excused now? I have Quidditch practice." At a nod, Malfoy left the office. ~*~
Draco had been collecting his information since fifth year had let out for the summer. His file was pretty big now, and very incriminating. No one knew he had it, which was for the best. Soon he would have to share it with someone, but who? He didn't know. Dumbledore... Eh, he respected the old professor, but he wasn't sure if he wanted his involvement. Potter? While Draco was sure Harry could help, he definitely didn't want it. If he asked the smartest girl in class, Hermione Granger, then Harry would become involved.
The Polyjuice incident had been close. How had anyone seen him with it? Thankfully, he or she'd only seen him with the tube and figured out what it was, not actually seen him take it, or who he'd become, or where he'd gone, or- Draco shuddered to think about that. Whoever it had been was just lucky s/he hadn't followed him. Draco was mentally berating himself for being seen and not taking better care to be inconspicious with the potion. ~*~
"Ginny, why is your grade in Divination so low? Why is that class giving you so much trouble? You did well enough last year. Maybe you should arrange for a tutor. Isn't Harry taking it for a third year? I'm sure he'd help you. Love always, Mum." Ginny folded the letter and sighed. She did always do well enough, but she didn't really like the teacher, Prof. Lewis, and therefore didn't try very hard. She didn't really need a tutor, but she'd ask Harry to help her study, to appease Mrs. Weasley. Since they were all eating breakfast, Ginny made her way down the table to sit across from Potter.
"Harry?" He looked up from his muffin.
"Yeah, Ginny?"
"I was wondering, maybe you could help me study for Divination sometime? Mum's kind of upset about my grade in it and thought you could help," she said casually. Harry smiled.
"Sure, when's your next test?"
"This Thursday."
"All right then, we'll meet in the library tomorrow, okay?"
"Sure. Thanks a lot."
"No problem." Ginny went back to her seat to finish her own meal. Ron and Hermione glanced up at Harry.
"Since when did Ginny ever need help with schoolwork? She's top in her class," said Hermione.
"I know her Divination grade isn't that good though, she probably just wants a perfect score on everything," Ron replied. "Or maybe she just wants to be closer to you, Harry." Harry made a slight face.
"Ron, I doubt that; she got over her crush, like, two years ago, didn't she?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh please. Would you two stop it? Since when did a girl need an ulterior motive for getting help with their homework? Leave Ginny alone."
"Yes, Hermione!" The boys chorused. ~*~
Ginny closed the Ancient Magic textbook she'd been reading as she heard Harry approach. But it wasn't Harry that she saw when she looked up. Draco Malfoy was hurrying past, carrying a bunch of papers through the library, heading for her usual back corner. A paper slipped from the pack that he didn't notice. She picked it up and scanned it, her eyes going wide at what she read. Just then, Harry decided to put in his appearance.
"Hey Gin, whatcha got there?" She stuffed the paper in her bag and got out a small crystal ball.
"Oh, nothing important. Come on, the test is on crystal-ball gazing." They worked for a while, taking turns doing the readings, with Harry giving Ginny tips. Finally, he had her put it away.
"I think you'll be okay for tomorrow. Good session. Let me know when your next test is, all right? Or if you have an assignment you want some help with," Harry said as he rose to leave. She nodded her thanks and waited till he'd disappeared from sight before taking Draco's paper back out. She read it more thoroughly this time.
"September 10. Used secret pathway from Slytherin common room to the Great Hall to bypass Filch and Norris. I need to get a damn invisibility cloak. Maybe Christmas? No, I doubt it. Anyway, managed to sneak into an empty classroom and hide without them seeing me- Crabbe and Goyle were in the empty classroom with books, looked to be from the restricted section, I'm not sure. They were reading spells*, ones I recognized Father talking about from his work at the Ministry- Memorpersia, Fettalso Perfal, and Coperdiosi, among others. I'm unsure what these spells are needed for, but no doubt they were learning them on their fathers' orders.
At one point, Goyle thought he heard someone, but I didn't let him know about my presence. I think they are getting suspicious so I may slow my observations and focus on Pansy Parkinson. I just hope I can infiltrate her confidences without arousing suspion or pretending I'm interested in her." Ginny clapped a hand over her mouth.
This could mean any number of things: Draco was spying on his friends, but why? And why keep notes? Or maybe Draco was working for Voldemort? But then, why spy on his own friends, who are obviously up to no good? Ginny was confused. What should she do with the paper? He'd obviously notice it was missing... Maybe somehow get it into the Slytherin common room... The secret passage mentioned in the paper, she could try and find it. Resolute, Ginny determined to get Draco his paper back without his knowledge that she had it. This way, if he was working for Voldemort, she'd never be implicated. ~*~
After dinner that same night, Ginny walked "casually" around the Great Hall. The few people still in there didn't really pay any attention to her, and since most of them were Hufflepuffs, Ginny knew they wouldn't bother her. She noticed a section of wall near the end table (Slytherin's, of course) that could very possibly be the door. It was under a portrait of a man in very old-fashioned clothing, who kept to himself usually. Ginny wondered if she'd need a password. Well, only time would tell.
That night, Ginny quietly stole into the Great Hall. She'd managed to pass Filch on her way out of the Gryffindor common room; he'd been going down the hall in the opposite direction, with Mrs. Norris at his side.
Ginny's face turned down in a scowl. She glanced about her. On either side of the barely visible door were two pillars for light. She studied the first one. Nothing. On the back of the second one; however, the word 'gangbit' was carved. She looked up at the painting.
"Excuse me, sir," she whispered to the slumbering man. He woke slightly.
"Er, yes, well, what is it?" He mumbled.
"Sir, I was wondering how to get into the passageway here. Is there a lever maybe?" The man snorted.
"A lever? Imagine that. No, my dear child, you need the password, and I open the door for you."
"Is it 'gangbit'?" Ginny asked, uncertain. The man glared at her.
"Why, yes, it is." The door slowly opened, noiselessly. Ginny quickly entered, and the door shut behind her.
* Memorpersia: from the Italian 'memoria persia,' meaning 'lost memory.' This spell is basically a memory eraser, but only a small one. No harmful side effects.
Fettalso Perfal: from the Italian 'falso perfetto,' meaning "perfect forgery." This spell is a forgery spell. You write what you want, then say the spell and it will change the handwriting into an exact imitation of whoever you're copying.
Coperdiosi: from the Italian 'copertura difettosi,' meaning "cover defective." This spell makes people believe you when you lie to them, as a basic covering spell.
Harry's scar was bothering him again. He had no idea why. Neither did anyone else- Ron, Hermione, or Dumbledore. Of course, since Harry's revelation about the scar, everyone was keyed up expecting an attack from Voldemort. Even Draco seemed on edge since hearing about it. School had progressed as usual, but everyone was watchful for anything slightly amiss.
"But I thought I heard him say-"
"Look, Colin, I'm sure whatever he said was harmless and not intended in a mean or underhanded way whatsoever," Hermione cut off Creevey, who had just launched into a story about Draco Malfoy's apparent Dark Arts affiliation. Creevey became flustered and stomped off, muttering to himself about how no one could blame him when Draco finally showed his true colours. Hermione turned to Ron, who'd been listening attentively to Colin and Hermione's entire conversation.
"Herm, how could you dismiss him like that? With Harry's scar bothering him, there's obviously something going on, maybe it wouldn't hurt to listen to stuff like that a little more closely... Just in case, of course."
"I know, Ron, but this is the seventh time Colin has tried telling me about Draco doing something like that. I mean, really, he just wants attention. Or to get Malfoy in trouble."
"Well, most of the school would like that-"
"Yes, but it still doesn't make it true."
"Doesn't make it false either."
"I know, but let's just say this is one time I think it's safe to let it go. Besides, Harry's scar only bothers him when Voldemort's up to no good, not Malfoy."
"Do you really think that's it, that Voldemort's coming back?" Ron asked her. Hermione bit her lip and looked at him, a worried expression creasing her brow.
"I don't know. I wish that I did though. Poor Harry's going to go mad from all the questions, I mean, at least the scar isn't a constant pain, you know?"
"Yeah. I know. Well, come on, we don't want to be late for class." Hermione froze and looked at him.
"Ron Weasley, since when did you care about being late to class?" He grinned.
"What can I say, Herm, you're a bad influence on me, I guess." They hurried down the hall towards Potions. Draco Malfoy stepped out from his hiding place behind a statue, tucked into a corner, in shadows. It was his luck to be walking down that hall when Colin ran past to catch up to Hermione and Ron, not even noticing Malfoy in his haste to spill the news of what Draco had done. He had ducked into the spot as soon as Colin had gone past. ~*~
"Mr. Malfoy, I'm disappointed. Why would you make a Polyjuice potion when you know that I'm not allowing them for the time being?" Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, peering at the young man in front of him over rectangular spectacles. Draco sighed.
"Sir, I didn't do anything wrong, I made the Potion before you said we couldn't, I just didn't use it until this week. Since I'd already had it made, I didn't think there would be a problem," he explained.
"I understand, and I suppose you're right, if you'd made it beforehand, it's not really against the rules, but you still haven't told me why you needed it," the headmaster said gently.
"Professor, it wasn't for anything in particular, I was pulling a prank on some of the Slytherin girls, that's all," Draco lied smoothly. He hoped he wouldn't get in trouble for a nonexistent prank.
"All right, Draco. I'm sorry for this misunderstanding, but I'm sure you know we must be careful, especially now."
"Yes, sir. May I be excused now? I have Quidditch practice." At a nod, Malfoy left the office. ~*~
Draco had been collecting his information since fifth year had let out for the summer. His file was pretty big now, and very incriminating. No one knew he had it, which was for the best. Soon he would have to share it with someone, but who? He didn't know. Dumbledore... Eh, he respected the old professor, but he wasn't sure if he wanted his involvement. Potter? While Draco was sure Harry could help, he definitely didn't want it. If he asked the smartest girl in class, Hermione Granger, then Harry would become involved.
The Polyjuice incident had been close. How had anyone seen him with it? Thankfully, he or she'd only seen him with the tube and figured out what it was, not actually seen him take it, or who he'd become, or where he'd gone, or- Draco shuddered to think about that. Whoever it had been was just lucky s/he hadn't followed him. Draco was mentally berating himself for being seen and not taking better care to be inconspicious with the potion. ~*~
"Ginny, why is your grade in Divination so low? Why is that class giving you so much trouble? You did well enough last year. Maybe you should arrange for a tutor. Isn't Harry taking it for a third year? I'm sure he'd help you. Love always, Mum." Ginny folded the letter and sighed. She did always do well enough, but she didn't really like the teacher, Prof. Lewis, and therefore didn't try very hard. She didn't really need a tutor, but she'd ask Harry to help her study, to appease Mrs. Weasley. Since they were all eating breakfast, Ginny made her way down the table to sit across from Potter.
"Harry?" He looked up from his muffin.
"Yeah, Ginny?"
"I was wondering, maybe you could help me study for Divination sometime? Mum's kind of upset about my grade in it and thought you could help," she said casually. Harry smiled.
"Sure, when's your next test?"
"This Thursday."
"All right then, we'll meet in the library tomorrow, okay?"
"Sure. Thanks a lot."
"No problem." Ginny went back to her seat to finish her own meal. Ron and Hermione glanced up at Harry.
"Since when did Ginny ever need help with schoolwork? She's top in her class," said Hermione.
"I know her Divination grade isn't that good though, she probably just wants a perfect score on everything," Ron replied. "Or maybe she just wants to be closer to you, Harry." Harry made a slight face.
"Ron, I doubt that; she got over her crush, like, two years ago, didn't she?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh please. Would you two stop it? Since when did a girl need an ulterior motive for getting help with their homework? Leave Ginny alone."
"Yes, Hermione!" The boys chorused. ~*~
Ginny closed the Ancient Magic textbook she'd been reading as she heard Harry approach. But it wasn't Harry that she saw when she looked up. Draco Malfoy was hurrying past, carrying a bunch of papers through the library, heading for her usual back corner. A paper slipped from the pack that he didn't notice. She picked it up and scanned it, her eyes going wide at what she read. Just then, Harry decided to put in his appearance.
"Hey Gin, whatcha got there?" She stuffed the paper in her bag and got out a small crystal ball.
"Oh, nothing important. Come on, the test is on crystal-ball gazing." They worked for a while, taking turns doing the readings, with Harry giving Ginny tips. Finally, he had her put it away.
"I think you'll be okay for tomorrow. Good session. Let me know when your next test is, all right? Or if you have an assignment you want some help with," Harry said as he rose to leave. She nodded her thanks and waited till he'd disappeared from sight before taking Draco's paper back out. She read it more thoroughly this time.
"September 10. Used secret pathway from Slytherin common room to the Great Hall to bypass Filch and Norris. I need to get a damn invisibility cloak. Maybe Christmas? No, I doubt it. Anyway, managed to sneak into an empty classroom and hide without them seeing me- Crabbe and Goyle were in the empty classroom with books, looked to be from the restricted section, I'm not sure. They were reading spells*, ones I recognized Father talking about from his work at the Ministry- Memorpersia, Fettalso Perfal, and Coperdiosi, among others. I'm unsure what these spells are needed for, but no doubt they were learning them on their fathers' orders.
At one point, Goyle thought he heard someone, but I didn't let him know about my presence. I think they are getting suspicious so I may slow my observations and focus on Pansy Parkinson. I just hope I can infiltrate her confidences without arousing suspion or pretending I'm interested in her." Ginny clapped a hand over her mouth.
This could mean any number of things: Draco was spying on his friends, but why? And why keep notes? Or maybe Draco was working for Voldemort? But then, why spy on his own friends, who are obviously up to no good? Ginny was confused. What should she do with the paper? He'd obviously notice it was missing... Maybe somehow get it into the Slytherin common room... The secret passage mentioned in the paper, she could try and find it. Resolute, Ginny determined to get Draco his paper back without his knowledge that she had it. This way, if he was working for Voldemort, she'd never be implicated. ~*~
After dinner that same night, Ginny walked "casually" around the Great Hall. The few people still in there didn't really pay any attention to her, and since most of them were Hufflepuffs, Ginny knew they wouldn't bother her. She noticed a section of wall near the end table (Slytherin's, of course) that could very possibly be the door. It was under a portrait of a man in very old-fashioned clothing, who kept to himself usually. Ginny wondered if she'd need a password. Well, only time would tell.
That night, Ginny quietly stole into the Great Hall. She'd managed to pass Filch on her way out of the Gryffindor common room; he'd been going down the hall in the opposite direction, with Mrs. Norris at his side.
Ginny's face turned down in a scowl. She glanced about her. On either side of the barely visible door were two pillars for light. She studied the first one. Nothing. On the back of the second one; however, the word 'gangbit' was carved. She looked up at the painting.
"Excuse me, sir," she whispered to the slumbering man. He woke slightly.
"Er, yes, well, what is it?" He mumbled.
"Sir, I was wondering how to get into the passageway here. Is there a lever maybe?" The man snorted.
"A lever? Imagine that. No, my dear child, you need the password, and I open the door for you."
"Is it 'gangbit'?" Ginny asked, uncertain. The man glared at her.
"Why, yes, it is." The door slowly opened, noiselessly. Ginny quickly entered, and the door shut behind her.
* Memorpersia: from the Italian 'memoria persia,' meaning 'lost memory.' This spell is basically a memory eraser, but only a small one. No harmful side effects.
Fettalso Perfal: from the Italian 'falso perfetto,' meaning "perfect forgery." This spell is a forgery spell. You write what you want, then say the spell and it will change the handwriting into an exact imitation of whoever you're copying.
Coperdiosi: from the Italian 'copertura difettosi,' meaning "cover defective." This spell makes people believe you when you lie to them, as a basic covering spell.