((A/N: Guess who's back. Back again. I am back. Tell a friend. I finally
got a new computer and I'm done with my out-of-town vacations for the
summer and I'm back to typing! Yay! So, where was I? Ah yes. Now Ginny's
gotta face the skool's reaction. And she's pretty much alone cuz Ron's
pissed and Draco's out-of-whack for a bit. Anyway, (8/19/02) here goes.))
Not Exactly Charming __________________________________________
Chapter 10
Alone
When Ginny woke up for her first class the next morning, she wished she was dead. The last thing she wanted to do was to go out among her schoolmates after what happened. So now they know. Everyone. All the Hufflepuffs, Ravencalws, and Slytherins and Gryffindors. Ron knew. Harry and Hermione knew. And Jessica and Sara knew. They didn't like the idea of Ginny being involved with Draco, but they were supportive. Ginny 's feet felt like stones as she walked down the staircases to the Great Hall. She was late for breakfast and the hallways were empty. For this she was glad. The last thing she wanted to do was to see another living person besides Draco. She was halfway to the Great Hall when she stopped. She couldn't do it. She couldn't face everyone. Not now. Slowly, she sat down on the steps, her school bag in her hand. She felt sick. And she wasn't hungry. How long until Draco was out of the hospital wing? A day? A week? She knew he'd be okay, but she also knew Madam Pomfry would want him to rest. It was time for her first class. Divination. She slowly made her way to the tower, dreading what was to come. When she arrived, half the class was already there. As soon as she entered the room, a hush fell over her classmates. Ginny felt her face turn red and she avoided looking at anyone. As she sat down next to Jessica and Sara, some of the students whispered and others glared at her. Ginny knew why they were indignant. It seemed shameful for a Gryffindor to be involved with the most hated Slytherin in the school. She could feel the eyes drilling into her and she could hear the whispers around her. "Oy, Weasley, were you that desperate to get a boyfriend?" said a girl named Tricka Wallace. She and Ginny never got along in the first place, and now matters were turning considerably worse. Ginny glared at her. "Can it, Wallace," snapped Jessica. "What?" said Wallace. "Don't tell me you're dating a Slytherin too." This got a few snickers from the rest of the class. Jessica rolled her eyes. Sara whispered to them, "Just ignore them. They don't know what they're talking about." "Good morning, my dears." Says who? Thought Ginny. Professor Trelawny appeared from behind the curtains and took her place in front of the fire. The day's class was on colors. Trelawny told them that sometimes, if one sees a certain color frequently throughout the day, it might mean something is going to occur. "And there is a way to test what color you will see," said Trelawny. "If you mix unicorn fur with wolf bane, symbolizing good and bad things to come, with green tea, the tea will change to a color. Now, I want everyone to try it. Go on." The class did as they were told. Ginny half-heartedly mixed the ingredients and watched as the tea turned yellow. "Ah, it seems as though you will have a hard day, my child," said Trelawny. Yeah, no shit, thought Ginny bitterly. Then she heard Wallace whisper to her friend, "Why? Because she can't stand a day without that little snake at her heels?" The nearby students giggled. Ginny shot a look to Wallace. When the class was over, Ginny told Jessica and Sara to go on ahead without her and that she would catch up. A few of the kids "accidentally" bumped into her on their way out. Herbology class was just as painful. She had that class with the Ravenclaws. She had a few friends in that house, and she was on good terms with all of them. But today, they refused to speak to her. Even her Ravenclaw partner, Clarice, whom Ginny was good friends with, didn't talk to her unless she absolutely had to. It was like that for the whole day. And at lunch, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione came to sit down, Harry and Hermione smiled at her, but Ron gave her a dirty look and quickly led them away. Ginny looked to Fred and George, who looked away, shaking their heads. Ginny didn't eat her lunch. Her next classes were all as bad as Divination and Herbology, if not worse, but Potions with the Slytherins was like a living nightmare. "Today," said Snape as he stormed into the cold dungeon. "We will be continuing your studies on your potions and there will be absolutely NO TALKING. I have work to do today." He sat at his desk and proceeded to read over some scrolls. This was for the better, Ginny thought, because all she had to do was continue the potions she started last week and survive Snape criticism of it. But the Slytherins were determined to make her miserable. The girl behind her leaned over during class and whispered in a slightly sarcastic voice, "Hey, nice going winning Draco over. Looks like you should have been a Slytherin after all." This comment stung. The thought of her being a Slytherin! Ginny made a not- so-nice gesture to the kid over her shoulder and continued with her potion.
Then, she felt a ball of paper hit her, and she turned around to see who had thrown it and saw some of the Slytherins snickering. She decided to ignore it. Then it happened again. She glared at the Slytherins. "Weasley, that will be enough disruption for one day. Five points from Gryffindor," said Snape suddenly. Ginny looked up. "But they-" "Don't argue with me!" he snapped. "Now get back to work. All of you." The Slytherins snickered again, and the Gryffindors glared at her. Jessica and Sara gave her looks of compassion, but they couldn't really help her. They were on the other side of the dungeon. The Slytherins continued to aggravate Ginny and make nasty remarks throughout the class. Ginny tried her best to ignore them. Then, as the Class from Hell finally neared its end, Snape came to examine their potions. He cleared all the Slytherins, and most of the Gryffindors, but right before he got to Ginny, one of the Slytherins slipped another cup of newt's eyes into her potion. Before she could say anything, Snape came. The potion started to bubble violently and Snape shook his head. "Weasley," he snapped. "I told you two cups of newt's eyes, not three! Five more points from Gryffindor!" Ginny was about to argue, but saw Sara shaking her head in warning. Ginny blinked back tears of frustration as the Slytherins grinned. The Gryffindors glared at her again. They knew why Snape was picking on her. Finally, the class was dismissed and Ginny practically ran out the door, telling Sara and Jessica to go on ahead again and she'd meet them at dinner. "Hey, Weasley," called a voice. Ginny turned around to see Jackson, a Slytherin boy with messy brown hair and crooked teeth standing with his group of friends. "What were you trying to do, exactly? Corrupt Malfoy with your 'nobility'?" They laughed at her. "You don't know what you're talking about," snapped Ginny. They laughed again. "Hey," said another. "Maybe she figures if she marries him, her family could move out of that dump and have a descent amount of money." Again, they laughed at her. Ginny's face flushed. She couldn't take it anymore. Blinking back more tears, she turned and walked up the nearest staircase, the jeers of the Slytherins following her as she fled. Ginny wandered through the various and unfamiliar hallways of the school, not caring where she ended up. She just wanted to get away from everyone else. Half an hour passed, and Ginny finally stopped wandering and looked around. She had no idea where she was. She looked behind her, but that hallway didn't seem familiar. She tried to retrace her steps, but she didn't know what her steps were. Finally, she sat down against the wall, put her head in her hands and began to cry. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't take it anymore. She felt alone.so completely alone. Only two of her friends would talk to her, and her brother was furious at her. The rest of the school was against her. She didn't know how long she stayed there. There weren't any windows to tell the time of day. She sat there and cried until she felt a hand gently touch her shoulder. Draco looked hurt to see Ginny cry. He sank down to his knees beside her and gently began to pull her to him. Ginny looked up. "Draco." she said. He gave a soft smile. "Hey," he said. He put his arms around her and pulled her closer, holding her tight with his chin resting on her head. "It's me. I'm back." "Are you okay?" Ginny asked in a small voice. "Yeah," Draco replied. "I am now. Tell me what happened." So Ginny told him all that had taken place since he had been brought to the hospital wing. When she had finished her story, she buried her face into his arm and let out the last of her tears. "I'm sorry, Ginny." he said. "I'm so sorry." He kissed her head and held her close. "I'm here now. I know they hurt you, but I'm here, and I'll help you." He kissed her again and they sat there, staying until the rest of the students of Hogwarts were back in their dorms, doing homework, talking, or playing games before bed. Then Draco led Ginny out of the unfamiliar halls and back to the common rooms.
center((A/N: Whew! It's August 20. Oh my friggin God, it only took me a day. Not my best work, but certainly not my worst. Anyway, please review, and I'll get on with the next chapter ASAP. And guess what? It's Christmas at Hogwarts! Yay!))/center
Not Exactly Charming __________________________________________
Chapter 10
Alone
When Ginny woke up for her first class the next morning, she wished she was dead. The last thing she wanted to do was to go out among her schoolmates after what happened. So now they know. Everyone. All the Hufflepuffs, Ravencalws, and Slytherins and Gryffindors. Ron knew. Harry and Hermione knew. And Jessica and Sara knew. They didn't like the idea of Ginny being involved with Draco, but they were supportive. Ginny 's feet felt like stones as she walked down the staircases to the Great Hall. She was late for breakfast and the hallways were empty. For this she was glad. The last thing she wanted to do was to see another living person besides Draco. She was halfway to the Great Hall when she stopped. She couldn't do it. She couldn't face everyone. Not now. Slowly, she sat down on the steps, her school bag in her hand. She felt sick. And she wasn't hungry. How long until Draco was out of the hospital wing? A day? A week? She knew he'd be okay, but she also knew Madam Pomfry would want him to rest. It was time for her first class. Divination. She slowly made her way to the tower, dreading what was to come. When she arrived, half the class was already there. As soon as she entered the room, a hush fell over her classmates. Ginny felt her face turn red and she avoided looking at anyone. As she sat down next to Jessica and Sara, some of the students whispered and others glared at her. Ginny knew why they were indignant. It seemed shameful for a Gryffindor to be involved with the most hated Slytherin in the school. She could feel the eyes drilling into her and she could hear the whispers around her. "Oy, Weasley, were you that desperate to get a boyfriend?" said a girl named Tricka Wallace. She and Ginny never got along in the first place, and now matters were turning considerably worse. Ginny glared at her. "Can it, Wallace," snapped Jessica. "What?" said Wallace. "Don't tell me you're dating a Slytherin too." This got a few snickers from the rest of the class. Jessica rolled her eyes. Sara whispered to them, "Just ignore them. They don't know what they're talking about." "Good morning, my dears." Says who? Thought Ginny. Professor Trelawny appeared from behind the curtains and took her place in front of the fire. The day's class was on colors. Trelawny told them that sometimes, if one sees a certain color frequently throughout the day, it might mean something is going to occur. "And there is a way to test what color you will see," said Trelawny. "If you mix unicorn fur with wolf bane, symbolizing good and bad things to come, with green tea, the tea will change to a color. Now, I want everyone to try it. Go on." The class did as they were told. Ginny half-heartedly mixed the ingredients and watched as the tea turned yellow. "Ah, it seems as though you will have a hard day, my child," said Trelawny. Yeah, no shit, thought Ginny bitterly. Then she heard Wallace whisper to her friend, "Why? Because she can't stand a day without that little snake at her heels?" The nearby students giggled. Ginny shot a look to Wallace. When the class was over, Ginny told Jessica and Sara to go on ahead without her and that she would catch up. A few of the kids "accidentally" bumped into her on their way out. Herbology class was just as painful. She had that class with the Ravenclaws. She had a few friends in that house, and she was on good terms with all of them. But today, they refused to speak to her. Even her Ravenclaw partner, Clarice, whom Ginny was good friends with, didn't talk to her unless she absolutely had to. It was like that for the whole day. And at lunch, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione came to sit down, Harry and Hermione smiled at her, but Ron gave her a dirty look and quickly led them away. Ginny looked to Fred and George, who looked away, shaking their heads. Ginny didn't eat her lunch. Her next classes were all as bad as Divination and Herbology, if not worse, but Potions with the Slytherins was like a living nightmare. "Today," said Snape as he stormed into the cold dungeon. "We will be continuing your studies on your potions and there will be absolutely NO TALKING. I have work to do today." He sat at his desk and proceeded to read over some scrolls. This was for the better, Ginny thought, because all she had to do was continue the potions she started last week and survive Snape criticism of it. But the Slytherins were determined to make her miserable. The girl behind her leaned over during class and whispered in a slightly sarcastic voice, "Hey, nice going winning Draco over. Looks like you should have been a Slytherin after all." This comment stung. The thought of her being a Slytherin! Ginny made a not- so-nice gesture to the kid over her shoulder and continued with her potion.
Then, she felt a ball of paper hit her, and she turned around to see who had thrown it and saw some of the Slytherins snickering. She decided to ignore it. Then it happened again. She glared at the Slytherins. "Weasley, that will be enough disruption for one day. Five points from Gryffindor," said Snape suddenly. Ginny looked up. "But they-" "Don't argue with me!" he snapped. "Now get back to work. All of you." The Slytherins snickered again, and the Gryffindors glared at her. Jessica and Sara gave her looks of compassion, but they couldn't really help her. They were on the other side of the dungeon. The Slytherins continued to aggravate Ginny and make nasty remarks throughout the class. Ginny tried her best to ignore them. Then, as the Class from Hell finally neared its end, Snape came to examine their potions. He cleared all the Slytherins, and most of the Gryffindors, but right before he got to Ginny, one of the Slytherins slipped another cup of newt's eyes into her potion. Before she could say anything, Snape came. The potion started to bubble violently and Snape shook his head. "Weasley," he snapped. "I told you two cups of newt's eyes, not three! Five more points from Gryffindor!" Ginny was about to argue, but saw Sara shaking her head in warning. Ginny blinked back tears of frustration as the Slytherins grinned. The Gryffindors glared at her again. They knew why Snape was picking on her. Finally, the class was dismissed and Ginny practically ran out the door, telling Sara and Jessica to go on ahead again and she'd meet them at dinner. "Hey, Weasley," called a voice. Ginny turned around to see Jackson, a Slytherin boy with messy brown hair and crooked teeth standing with his group of friends. "What were you trying to do, exactly? Corrupt Malfoy with your 'nobility'?" They laughed at her. "You don't know what you're talking about," snapped Ginny. They laughed again. "Hey," said another. "Maybe she figures if she marries him, her family could move out of that dump and have a descent amount of money." Again, they laughed at her. Ginny's face flushed. She couldn't take it anymore. Blinking back more tears, she turned and walked up the nearest staircase, the jeers of the Slytherins following her as she fled. Ginny wandered through the various and unfamiliar hallways of the school, not caring where she ended up. She just wanted to get away from everyone else. Half an hour passed, and Ginny finally stopped wandering and looked around. She had no idea where she was. She looked behind her, but that hallway didn't seem familiar. She tried to retrace her steps, but she didn't know what her steps were. Finally, she sat down against the wall, put her head in her hands and began to cry. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't take it anymore. She felt alone.so completely alone. Only two of her friends would talk to her, and her brother was furious at her. The rest of the school was against her. She didn't know how long she stayed there. There weren't any windows to tell the time of day. She sat there and cried until she felt a hand gently touch her shoulder. Draco looked hurt to see Ginny cry. He sank down to his knees beside her and gently began to pull her to him. Ginny looked up. "Draco." she said. He gave a soft smile. "Hey," he said. He put his arms around her and pulled her closer, holding her tight with his chin resting on her head. "It's me. I'm back." "Are you okay?" Ginny asked in a small voice. "Yeah," Draco replied. "I am now. Tell me what happened." So Ginny told him all that had taken place since he had been brought to the hospital wing. When she had finished her story, she buried her face into his arm and let out the last of her tears. "I'm sorry, Ginny." he said. "I'm so sorry." He kissed her head and held her close. "I'm here now. I know they hurt you, but I'm here, and I'll help you." He kissed her again and they sat there, staying until the rest of the students of Hogwarts were back in their dorms, doing homework, talking, or playing games before bed. Then Draco led Ginny out of the unfamiliar halls and back to the common rooms.
center((A/N: Whew! It's August 20. Oh my friggin God, it only took me a day. Not my best work, but certainly not my worst. Anyway, please review, and I'll get on with the next chapter ASAP. And guess what? It's Christmas at Hogwarts! Yay!))/center