Chapter 3
Resolve to be thyself; and know that he,
Who finds himself, loses his misery!
- Matthew Arnold, "Self-Dependence"
He stepped slowly out of the shadows, like a predator stalking its prey. His pale blond hair
was shaded darker than usual by the lack of proper light fixtures in the dungeons. His immaculate
robes hung from his body, made to accentuate any good feature and mask any bad one. Though,
finding a physical flaw in this particular boy would have a person staring at him for hours. His eyes
were grey, but held sparks of silver and they were watching her every move. Any other girl in all of
Hogwarts would die for a chance to be in her worn and tattered shoes, but for Ginny, having Draco
Malfoy look at her as he was caused a wave of emotions and feelings to cascade over her. Many of
them frightening in their intensity.
"I don't have to explain myself to you, Weasley. You however, I believe have a class. Did
you fall into a bit of a mess? Knowing you as a Weasley I'm sure it's the only logical explanation," he
replied coolly and took another step towards her.
Ginny frowned lightly at the insult, straightened her shoulders and crossed her arms
underneath her breasts. "I don't believe my business is of any due concern of yours Malfoy. Now, if
you don't mind, leave! Unless of course you've come to apologize for all the times you've ever
insulted me, or my family." Ginny's tone was steely. Malfoy had no right to fault her for her current
situation, it was all Pearl's fault.
Draco sneered at her as he took another step forward. This step was so close that Ginny
instinctively took a step back and abruptly came up against the cool, hard, stone wall. Ginny's heart
began to pound with the silent fury raging inside the male before her. He took the final step forward,
his body now millimeters from her own. Her heart pounded so loud in her ears, Ginny was sure that
Draco could hear it. Her breathing had become irregular with him at such a close distance. Her lips
and mouth felt dry, as if she'd been without water for days.
He watched as her tongue darted out to give moisture to her pale, pink lips. His own lips
curled, 'Perfect.' Up close Draco was granted a more detailed view of Ginny's face. She definitely had
a lot of freckles, but not as many as her brothers. Her hair curled lightly at the ends, flame-colored
and entirely appealing. At that moment Draco felt like running his fingers through it. Next, he brought
his attention to her eyes, where at first glance he had taken them to be a normal brown shade, he
found flecks of amber. Her eyes darted across his own features, he knew she was trying to come to
an understanding of what exactly he was doing. He smiled inwardly and placed his hands lightly on
her small hips and pulled her against him.
Ginny was absolutely flabbergasted, her entire body screamed out for him but her brain
kept yelling protests. When she felt him pull her towards him she caught her breath and her hands
instinctively came up to rest on his lean chest. As he angled his head to assuredly kiss her, Ginny
quivered lightly for a moment in anticipation. Everything around her had become hazy and altogether
unreal in her mind. It was when she felt no lips on her own that Ginny registered the voice whispering
to her in her ear.
"You see, even you can't resist me."
As soon as the words registered in her mind Ginny's eyes flew open as reality swept in and
outrage mingled with denial.
It was then that Draco pulled away from her, an instant later the potions class began
rushing past her, obviously the period had ended. As the last student filed out of the class, Professor
Snape appeared in the doorway, glaring at Ginny and then glancing at Draco. Silently he curled his
finger at both of them, beckoning them into the Potions classroom.
Draco slipped into the classroom first and stood casually next to the Professor's desk as
Ginny stumbled through the door after them. Her outrage was momentarily curbed as she waited to
hear her punishment from the oily haired, and decidedly unjust, Potions teacher.
Snape turned as soon as Ginny had put her belongings onto a desk. "Miss Weasley, I have
decided that over the next week your detentions will be as follows; You will assist Mr. Filch by
cleaning the floors of any room he decides needs cleaning," he paused for a moment to gesture
towards Draco. "Young Mr. Malfoy has generously agreed to supervise your detentions. If you are in
anyway lapsing in your work, being a Prefect he has the authority to deduct points from your house if
necessary to insure you learn from this. That is all, you may leave."
Ginny opened her mouth to protest, but Snape glared at her and she was forced to bite
back her words. Gathering her things she marched smartly out of the classroom and proceeded up
towards the Gryffindor common room.
'Bastards! The only reason Draco agreed was so that he could torment me!' she screamed
inside her head as rage began to build inside her. As she entered the common room she felt like
screaming, she was so furious. Looking around her, she noticed that few people were in the main
area. In the corner however, she saw three figures huddled in discussion. It only stoked the fires
inside her and as her rage peaked, several objects around the room shattered, causing screams and
other eruptions of shock. Ginny herself stared around herself in shock. Surely she hadn't...but what
other explanation was there? Without another thought Ginny raced up the stairs and into her
dormitory.
***
It was September 25th, the night sky was beautifully clear and full of stars. Small night
noises like the crickets chirping and the majestic hooting of owls filled in the empty space of sound
on such a quiet night. But, all that was outside, inside Hogwarts however, was another matter
entirely. Inside the great castle, in a nearly empty classroom, muttered curses came from one end
of the classroom, someone scrubbing the stone floors, and the sound of moving paper came from
another. It was Ginny's second night of detention, and her situation was not a pleasant one.
It had rained that afternoon and after the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had returned from
their Herbology lessons, they'd ever so kindly left mud tracks inside one of the Charms classrooms.
Filch had ordered Ginny to scrub the floors spotless, so here she was, on her hands and
knees, doing her detention as she cursed the arrogant Malfoy. He was busy riffling through an old
copy of the Daily Prophet.
After about an hour of scrubbing she'd made it to the other end of the classroom and as
she stretched her limbs before continuing the work she noticed Draco eyeing her. Thoughts of what
had happened two days earlier fluttered through her mind and her body stiffened.
"Stop staring at me Malfoy, I'm not on display for your private viewing pleasure," she
ordered tersely before resuming her position on the floor.
Draco scowled at having been caught and stood up abruptly. "I was simply wondering if
you'd given up on that simply abhorring obsession you had for Potter. 'Nature never deceives us; it is
always we who deceive ourselves.', which is exactly what your doing."
Ginny was astonished by his knowledge of muggle philosophy. "Jean-Jacques Rousseau,
from Emile. I suppose a good education is not a lacking one. I mean money can buy anything right?"
Ginny replied with scorn. "However, 'Hope is the poor man's bread.' George Herbert, from Jacula
Prudentum," she followed up and then smiled with victory.
Draco chuckled as he made his way towards her. "You're poor, yes, but really Weasley.
'Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torment of man.' "
Ginny's smile slid off her face and she crossed her arms in thought. "Friedrich Nietzsche,"
she muttered dejectedly.
Draco smiled and crouched down next to her. "You're right about my education though,
nothing was left to chance. My father firmly believed in one muggle's philosophy. 'A wise man gets
more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.'; Baltasar Graciàn. He thinks that if we can
learn everything the muggles know then they have no power over us."
It was hard to concentrate suddenly. It had been the same thing in the hall days earlier.
Every time Draco came near her, her body would begin reacting in ways it never had before. She shut
her eyes tightly when the visible world around her began to swirl. It was only when she felt pressure
on her shoulder did she open them again.
Draco had placed his hand on her shoulder and concern was evident in his questioning
gaze. Ginny nodded silently to convey that she was fine and she stood up slowly, Draco standing up
after her.
"You looked like you were going to be sick, Weasley," he commented dryly and rested
against the desk behind him.
Draco didn't and would never admit it, but he was very concerned about the petite
redhead. He'd never seen anyone look like they were going to be sick that suddenly. The thought of
something wrong with Ginny almost made him want to be sick. He'd never had this kind of feeling
before, it was unnerving.
Ginny smiled tremulously at Draco, something was terribly wrong with her. Pushing herself
off the desk she managed to get to the other side of the room before the world began to tilt around
her and she felt darkness consume her.
Watching her movements Draco suddenly became alert. Something was definitely wrong.
He thought maybe the cleaning fluid fumes may have had something to do with it.
"Weasley?" he asked tentatively. It was when she began to sway on her feet that Draco
went into action. He was catching her falling form an instant later. As soon as he had her in his arms,
something outside caught his attention. Moving with Ginny in his arms he saw lights in the
Astronomy Tower. Not normal light, blinding florescent beams filtering out into the night sky and
lighting the tower like a candle or a lighthouse.
Something urged him to look down at the bundle he cradled, and for the first time in his life
he was coming to an understanding of his own life. It was then that he heard fast moving footsteps in
the hall outside the classroom. A moment later Snape stood in the doorway. Draco was astonished to
discover his usually calm and collected head of house, bizarrely ruffled and panicked.
Snape took one look at the scene before him and came to some quick conclusions and
decisions. "Take her to her house and then make your way down to your own rooms," he ordered.
Before Draco could protest, Snape was off again.
As Draco carried the unconscious Ginny through the deserted halls of Hogwarts, he realized
that something strange was definitely going on. And it appeared to be connected to Ginny, either
directly or indirectly he didn't know.
***
No one had been told anything about the night when the strange lights had come from
within the Western Tower. It was now two weeks later, into the first week of October. Planning for the
Halloween festivities was keeping everyone off the business of the disturbance, though a few minds
were still focused on it.
Inside the Headmaster's office, three Professors stood anxiously awaiting a decision.
Professor Trelawney had been racked with real visions of the future ever since the incident, Professor
McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress, and Professor Snape had been first on the scene.
"It seems quite clear to me that her life is in grave danger. Both of them are in danger.
Why the other is using such strong magic is beyond me. Though there is another enigma in this case.
Someone is meaning to bring a stop to whatever the woman is planning. Precautions will have to be
taken to protect both."
Trelawney was ringing her hands together as she looked around her at the other
professors. "The boy...he can't be told...neither one can know Dumbledore."
"Calm yourself Sibyll. Nothing will go wrong," Dumbledore reassured her.
***
Ginny walked down the steps of the Gryffindor Tower. It was near midnight and she
couldn't sleep. Memories of things she knew had never happened were plaguing her dreams. It was
like her first year again. Though she knew where she was all the time now, it was just the memories
that were confusing her. Her hair was tied back with a green hair tie and her pale pink night robe
hung on her shoulder untied. It was the voices she heard below that caught her attention.
"Shhh! Hermione if you don't want to come you can always go back upstairs. Just stop
being so loud or your going to get us all caught."
It was Ron, and the us he mentioned was surely including Harry. Ginny knew with certainty
that this was the night they intended to discover what was in the Tower. She felt hurt at not being
notified in the least and with a firm resolve in place she followed them out of the Tower. But as they
turned left towards the Tower, Ginny raced down the hall heading east.
***
The trio shuffled along through the empty halls of Hogwarts, an occasional mumble could
be heard as they consulted each other on the plan of action.
"So we've got it settled then," Harry whispered as they approached the door of the Tower.
"Hermione and I will go up, while Ron stays at the door with the cloak in case anything should happen
and to keep watch."
Just as the trio reached the door and Hermione pulled her wand from her robes to unlock
the door, someone cleared their throat behind them. "I think you three should come with me, and
hand over that cloak immediately."
Hermione pulled the cloak off of them, Harry looked confused, Ron stood staring with an
open mouth and Hermione herself looked resigned.
"How did you know?" Harry finally asked.
Snape smirked, "Caesar had his Brutus, and I'm afraid, so do you."
From behind both Snape and Mr. Filch, Ginny stepped forward. Her head held high, not the
least bit sorry for her actions.
Harry immediately became furious and looked to Ron. Ron shrugged, he was just as furious
and confused as to why his sister would have known their plans, let alone betray them as she had.
Snape snatched the cloak from Hermione, and before Harry could protest Snape began to
speak, "Sneaking out at night, and disobeying school rules. You are all assigned three weeks of
detention, your privileges as seventh years are suspended until after christmas, and I will be
deducting seventy points from your house...each!"
All three looked agape at the Potions Professor, and Ginny too, looked stunned. She
certainly hadn't expected to lose points. It was only when he spoke again that she was relieved of
her anxiety.
"However, in light of Miss Weasley's brave attempts to right what wrongs you three were
about to commit, she will be rewarded with one hundred and fifty points. Making it really only a sixty
point loss. And I'm certain you'll be able to recover from such a point loss in playing Quidditch."
Harry and Ron smiled knowingly, Harry was team captain as well as the Gryffindor Seeker
and Ron was the best Beater they had. It would be no trouble regaining the points.
Ginny knew what Snape was going to say next and she suddenly felt that her plans to trap
the three other Gryffindors had gotten completely out of hand from what she had originally planned.
"If you were allowed to play that is," he said with a touch of cruel satisfaction.
Harry and Ron both protested and Hermione joined in until Snape intervened again,
"Having prviliges suspended includes the privilege to play Quidditch. I understand, Mr. Potter, that
you are Captain. You will be able to coach your team, but I'm afraid you won't be in the game."
Nothing more was said as Filch lead the three angry Gryffindors back to their rooms and to
have a discussion with Professor McGonagall to report the loss of points, Quidditch players, and
detentions.
Ginny looked after them a little sadly before turning to face Snape. "I believe Professor
McGonagall will be asking you to replace Potter, and I must warn you in light of your great deed this
evening in telling me of these plans, that the Slytherins have no intentions of losing and Mr. Malfoy
does not like to lose. Be careful on and off the field of all the Slytherins, Miss Weasley. Now off to bed
with you," he said before turning with his swirling cloak and heading back to his own room.
Resolve to be thyself; and know that he,
Who finds himself, loses his misery!
- Matthew Arnold, "Self-Dependence"
He stepped slowly out of the shadows, like a predator stalking its prey. His pale blond hair
was shaded darker than usual by the lack of proper light fixtures in the dungeons. His immaculate
robes hung from his body, made to accentuate any good feature and mask any bad one. Though,
finding a physical flaw in this particular boy would have a person staring at him for hours. His eyes
were grey, but held sparks of silver and they were watching her every move. Any other girl in all of
Hogwarts would die for a chance to be in her worn and tattered shoes, but for Ginny, having Draco
Malfoy look at her as he was caused a wave of emotions and feelings to cascade over her. Many of
them frightening in their intensity.
"I don't have to explain myself to you, Weasley. You however, I believe have a class. Did
you fall into a bit of a mess? Knowing you as a Weasley I'm sure it's the only logical explanation," he
replied coolly and took another step towards her.
Ginny frowned lightly at the insult, straightened her shoulders and crossed her arms
underneath her breasts. "I don't believe my business is of any due concern of yours Malfoy. Now, if
you don't mind, leave! Unless of course you've come to apologize for all the times you've ever
insulted me, or my family." Ginny's tone was steely. Malfoy had no right to fault her for her current
situation, it was all Pearl's fault.
Draco sneered at her as he took another step forward. This step was so close that Ginny
instinctively took a step back and abruptly came up against the cool, hard, stone wall. Ginny's heart
began to pound with the silent fury raging inside the male before her. He took the final step forward,
his body now millimeters from her own. Her heart pounded so loud in her ears, Ginny was sure that
Draco could hear it. Her breathing had become irregular with him at such a close distance. Her lips
and mouth felt dry, as if she'd been without water for days.
He watched as her tongue darted out to give moisture to her pale, pink lips. His own lips
curled, 'Perfect.' Up close Draco was granted a more detailed view of Ginny's face. She definitely had
a lot of freckles, but not as many as her brothers. Her hair curled lightly at the ends, flame-colored
and entirely appealing. At that moment Draco felt like running his fingers through it. Next, he brought
his attention to her eyes, where at first glance he had taken them to be a normal brown shade, he
found flecks of amber. Her eyes darted across his own features, he knew she was trying to come to
an understanding of what exactly he was doing. He smiled inwardly and placed his hands lightly on
her small hips and pulled her against him.
Ginny was absolutely flabbergasted, her entire body screamed out for him but her brain
kept yelling protests. When she felt him pull her towards him she caught her breath and her hands
instinctively came up to rest on his lean chest. As he angled his head to assuredly kiss her, Ginny
quivered lightly for a moment in anticipation. Everything around her had become hazy and altogether
unreal in her mind. It was when she felt no lips on her own that Ginny registered the voice whispering
to her in her ear.
"You see, even you can't resist me."
As soon as the words registered in her mind Ginny's eyes flew open as reality swept in and
outrage mingled with denial.
It was then that Draco pulled away from her, an instant later the potions class began
rushing past her, obviously the period had ended. As the last student filed out of the class, Professor
Snape appeared in the doorway, glaring at Ginny and then glancing at Draco. Silently he curled his
finger at both of them, beckoning them into the Potions classroom.
Draco slipped into the classroom first and stood casually next to the Professor's desk as
Ginny stumbled through the door after them. Her outrage was momentarily curbed as she waited to
hear her punishment from the oily haired, and decidedly unjust, Potions teacher.
Snape turned as soon as Ginny had put her belongings onto a desk. "Miss Weasley, I have
decided that over the next week your detentions will be as follows; You will assist Mr. Filch by
cleaning the floors of any room he decides needs cleaning," he paused for a moment to gesture
towards Draco. "Young Mr. Malfoy has generously agreed to supervise your detentions. If you are in
anyway lapsing in your work, being a Prefect he has the authority to deduct points from your house if
necessary to insure you learn from this. That is all, you may leave."
Ginny opened her mouth to protest, but Snape glared at her and she was forced to bite
back her words. Gathering her things she marched smartly out of the classroom and proceeded up
towards the Gryffindor common room.
'Bastards! The only reason Draco agreed was so that he could torment me!' she screamed
inside her head as rage began to build inside her. As she entered the common room she felt like
screaming, she was so furious. Looking around her, she noticed that few people were in the main
area. In the corner however, she saw three figures huddled in discussion. It only stoked the fires
inside her and as her rage peaked, several objects around the room shattered, causing screams and
other eruptions of shock. Ginny herself stared around herself in shock. Surely she hadn't...but what
other explanation was there? Without another thought Ginny raced up the stairs and into her
dormitory.
***
It was September 25th, the night sky was beautifully clear and full of stars. Small night
noises like the crickets chirping and the majestic hooting of owls filled in the empty space of sound
on such a quiet night. But, all that was outside, inside Hogwarts however, was another matter
entirely. Inside the great castle, in a nearly empty classroom, muttered curses came from one end
of the classroom, someone scrubbing the stone floors, and the sound of moving paper came from
another. It was Ginny's second night of detention, and her situation was not a pleasant one.
It had rained that afternoon and after the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had returned from
their Herbology lessons, they'd ever so kindly left mud tracks inside one of the Charms classrooms.
Filch had ordered Ginny to scrub the floors spotless, so here she was, on her hands and
knees, doing her detention as she cursed the arrogant Malfoy. He was busy riffling through an old
copy of the Daily Prophet.
After about an hour of scrubbing she'd made it to the other end of the classroom and as
she stretched her limbs before continuing the work she noticed Draco eyeing her. Thoughts of what
had happened two days earlier fluttered through her mind and her body stiffened.
"Stop staring at me Malfoy, I'm not on display for your private viewing pleasure," she
ordered tersely before resuming her position on the floor.
Draco scowled at having been caught and stood up abruptly. "I was simply wondering if
you'd given up on that simply abhorring obsession you had for Potter. 'Nature never deceives us; it is
always we who deceive ourselves.', which is exactly what your doing."
Ginny was astonished by his knowledge of muggle philosophy. "Jean-Jacques Rousseau,
from Emile. I suppose a good education is not a lacking one. I mean money can buy anything right?"
Ginny replied with scorn. "However, 'Hope is the poor man's bread.' George Herbert, from Jacula
Prudentum," she followed up and then smiled with victory.
Draco chuckled as he made his way towards her. "You're poor, yes, but really Weasley.
'Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torment of man.' "
Ginny's smile slid off her face and she crossed her arms in thought. "Friedrich Nietzsche,"
she muttered dejectedly.
Draco smiled and crouched down next to her. "You're right about my education though,
nothing was left to chance. My father firmly believed in one muggle's philosophy. 'A wise man gets
more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.'; Baltasar Graciàn. He thinks that if we can
learn everything the muggles know then they have no power over us."
It was hard to concentrate suddenly. It had been the same thing in the hall days earlier.
Every time Draco came near her, her body would begin reacting in ways it never had before. She shut
her eyes tightly when the visible world around her began to swirl. It was only when she felt pressure
on her shoulder did she open them again.
Draco had placed his hand on her shoulder and concern was evident in his questioning
gaze. Ginny nodded silently to convey that she was fine and she stood up slowly, Draco standing up
after her.
"You looked like you were going to be sick, Weasley," he commented dryly and rested
against the desk behind him.
Draco didn't and would never admit it, but he was very concerned about the petite
redhead. He'd never seen anyone look like they were going to be sick that suddenly. The thought of
something wrong with Ginny almost made him want to be sick. He'd never had this kind of feeling
before, it was unnerving.
Ginny smiled tremulously at Draco, something was terribly wrong with her. Pushing herself
off the desk she managed to get to the other side of the room before the world began to tilt around
her and she felt darkness consume her.
Watching her movements Draco suddenly became alert. Something was definitely wrong.
He thought maybe the cleaning fluid fumes may have had something to do with it.
"Weasley?" he asked tentatively. It was when she began to sway on her feet that Draco
went into action. He was catching her falling form an instant later. As soon as he had her in his arms,
something outside caught his attention. Moving with Ginny in his arms he saw lights in the
Astronomy Tower. Not normal light, blinding florescent beams filtering out into the night sky and
lighting the tower like a candle or a lighthouse.
Something urged him to look down at the bundle he cradled, and for the first time in his life
he was coming to an understanding of his own life. It was then that he heard fast moving footsteps in
the hall outside the classroom. A moment later Snape stood in the doorway. Draco was astonished to
discover his usually calm and collected head of house, bizarrely ruffled and panicked.
Snape took one look at the scene before him and came to some quick conclusions and
decisions. "Take her to her house and then make your way down to your own rooms," he ordered.
Before Draco could protest, Snape was off again.
As Draco carried the unconscious Ginny through the deserted halls of Hogwarts, he realized
that something strange was definitely going on. And it appeared to be connected to Ginny, either
directly or indirectly he didn't know.
***
No one had been told anything about the night when the strange lights had come from
within the Western Tower. It was now two weeks later, into the first week of October. Planning for the
Halloween festivities was keeping everyone off the business of the disturbance, though a few minds
were still focused on it.
Inside the Headmaster's office, three Professors stood anxiously awaiting a decision.
Professor Trelawney had been racked with real visions of the future ever since the incident, Professor
McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress, and Professor Snape had been first on the scene.
"It seems quite clear to me that her life is in grave danger. Both of them are in danger.
Why the other is using such strong magic is beyond me. Though there is another enigma in this case.
Someone is meaning to bring a stop to whatever the woman is planning. Precautions will have to be
taken to protect both."
Trelawney was ringing her hands together as she looked around her at the other
professors. "The boy...he can't be told...neither one can know Dumbledore."
"Calm yourself Sibyll. Nothing will go wrong," Dumbledore reassured her.
***
Ginny walked down the steps of the Gryffindor Tower. It was near midnight and she
couldn't sleep. Memories of things she knew had never happened were plaguing her dreams. It was
like her first year again. Though she knew where she was all the time now, it was just the memories
that were confusing her. Her hair was tied back with a green hair tie and her pale pink night robe
hung on her shoulder untied. It was the voices she heard below that caught her attention.
"Shhh! Hermione if you don't want to come you can always go back upstairs. Just stop
being so loud or your going to get us all caught."
It was Ron, and the us he mentioned was surely including Harry. Ginny knew with certainty
that this was the night they intended to discover what was in the Tower. She felt hurt at not being
notified in the least and with a firm resolve in place she followed them out of the Tower. But as they
turned left towards the Tower, Ginny raced down the hall heading east.
***
The trio shuffled along through the empty halls of Hogwarts, an occasional mumble could
be heard as they consulted each other on the plan of action.
"So we've got it settled then," Harry whispered as they approached the door of the Tower.
"Hermione and I will go up, while Ron stays at the door with the cloak in case anything should happen
and to keep watch."
Just as the trio reached the door and Hermione pulled her wand from her robes to unlock
the door, someone cleared their throat behind them. "I think you three should come with me, and
hand over that cloak immediately."
Hermione pulled the cloak off of them, Harry looked confused, Ron stood staring with an
open mouth and Hermione herself looked resigned.
"How did you know?" Harry finally asked.
Snape smirked, "Caesar had his Brutus, and I'm afraid, so do you."
From behind both Snape and Mr. Filch, Ginny stepped forward. Her head held high, not the
least bit sorry for her actions.
Harry immediately became furious and looked to Ron. Ron shrugged, he was just as furious
and confused as to why his sister would have known their plans, let alone betray them as she had.
Snape snatched the cloak from Hermione, and before Harry could protest Snape began to
speak, "Sneaking out at night, and disobeying school rules. You are all assigned three weeks of
detention, your privileges as seventh years are suspended until after christmas, and I will be
deducting seventy points from your house...each!"
All three looked agape at the Potions Professor, and Ginny too, looked stunned. She
certainly hadn't expected to lose points. It was only when he spoke again that she was relieved of
her anxiety.
"However, in light of Miss Weasley's brave attempts to right what wrongs you three were
about to commit, she will be rewarded with one hundred and fifty points. Making it really only a sixty
point loss. And I'm certain you'll be able to recover from such a point loss in playing Quidditch."
Harry and Ron smiled knowingly, Harry was team captain as well as the Gryffindor Seeker
and Ron was the best Beater they had. It would be no trouble regaining the points.
Ginny knew what Snape was going to say next and she suddenly felt that her plans to trap
the three other Gryffindors had gotten completely out of hand from what she had originally planned.
"If you were allowed to play that is," he said with a touch of cruel satisfaction.
Harry and Ron both protested and Hermione joined in until Snape intervened again,
"Having prviliges suspended includes the privilege to play Quidditch. I understand, Mr. Potter, that
you are Captain. You will be able to coach your team, but I'm afraid you won't be in the game."
Nothing more was said as Filch lead the three angry Gryffindors back to their rooms and to
have a discussion with Professor McGonagall to report the loss of points, Quidditch players, and
detentions.
Ginny looked after them a little sadly before turning to face Snape. "I believe Professor
McGonagall will be asking you to replace Potter, and I must warn you in light of your great deed this
evening in telling me of these plans, that the Slytherins have no intentions of losing and Mr. Malfoy
does not like to lose. Be careful on and off the field of all the Slytherins, Miss Weasley. Now off to bed
with you," he said before turning with his swirling cloak and heading back to his own room.
