Disclaimer: I don't own Hogwarts, Gryffindor, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Professor Severus Snape, or Professor Dumbledore. They all belong to JK Rowling and Warner Brothers.

Ginny woke up the next morning in a cold sweat. She had nearly jumped out of her bed and her throat heard. She had obviously been screaming, but everyone was still asleep. She shook herself.

Odd. Why didn't anyone wake up? If I was screaming then they should have been woken up. If I wasn't screaming, then why does my throat hurt?

Ginny again shook herself and glanced over at her clock. It was three in the morning and on a weekend. No one would be awake for hours. She lay back down and tried to get back to sleep. After staring at the ceiling for at least fifteen minutes, she threw off her covers and got up. She dressed and went down to the common room. She wasn't surprised to see no one in there. She sat there, in a chair, staring at the fireplace. She sighed.

This is horrible. I can't even get to sleep because of him. That was a really strange dream. No. That was definitely a nightmare. What time is it? Now that I'm up, I'm hungry. Ah!

Ginny got up, frustrated, and walked over to the portrait. She could care less if she got in trouble for being out late at night. She was hungry and she was going to get food, whether the teachers liked it or not. Ginny made her way to the portrait of the bowl of fruits and tickled the pear. It soon turned into a doorknob and she walked inside. All of a sudden, thousands of house elves were swarming around her, asking if she wanted anything.

"Hello there, misses. What you be liking anything?" asked a very happy, very energetic house elf. The elf, whose name was Minie, sat there wringing the end of her "clothes" and waited for Ginny to reply.

"Can I just have something to drink? Like milk? Can you make me some eggs? Don't do it if it is too much trouble."

Minie curtsied and then bounded off. Ginny was led to a table and she was slightly forced into a chair, asking if she was comfortable and if she wanted anything else. She just stood there smiling which seemed to make them even happier. After waiting a few minutes, Minie came back and set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her with a glass of milk. Ginny finished her food and drink. She thanked the house elves numerous times and they kept trying to get food. After finally getting out of the kitchen, she turned around and ran smack into someone.

Ginny fell back and landed on her bottom. She looked up and it was Professor Snape.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? A student out of bed, at three in the morning, too. Now what could a Gryffindor such as yourself be out of bed for? Maybe causing trouble like your brothers?"

"No, sir. I was hungry, so I came down here for something to eat."

"Why aren't you asleep like the rest of your trouble-making friends?"

"I had a...well, I just couldn't get to sleep."

"A likely excuse. How many times have your brothers told me the same lie to get out of trouble? Too many to count. Follow me and will discuss your detention."

"Detention?! For what?! I was just going to get something to eat. You can ask the house elves. I was just hungry. Please sir. I really wasn't causing trouble."

"Silence!"

Ginny closed her mouth as Professor Snape glared at her. He turned and started to walk to his office, Ginny in his wake. Five minutes later, she found herself inside of his office. She shivered as she looked at all of the slimy things floating in jars around his room. There was no fire lit on top of that. He sat down his chair.

"Sit."

Ginny slowed placed herself in the chair in front of his desk. She looked up at him and he seemed to be debating on which punishment would be the best for her. She sat there patiently, trying not to whimper from fear. She had never been in trouble before, let alone being caught by Professor Snape. A minute later, he spoke up.

"I'll let you off this time if, you tell me why you were up and why."

"I had a...bad dream, Professor and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I went down into the Gryffindor common room, but I was hungry. I knew where the kitchens were so I made my way down to them. I was told b...that the house elves are always awake and always pleased to help someone. When I got there, one helped me and I had a bit of an early breakfast. I was just leaving when I bumped into you."

Ginny then looked down at her hands. She had only stumbled once, almost saying Hermione's name. She remembered the first time Hermione had gone down to the kitchens. She was about to smile and giggle, but then remembered where she was. She looked back up at Professor Snape. He wasn't there. She glanced around and she saw his silhouette outside of the door. Not knowing what to do, she sat there staring at the empty grate. A few moments later, Snape returned.

"You may return to your house. If I catch you out of bed again Miss Weasley, I wouldn't let you off so easy."

Ginny got out of her seat and walked out of his office and up the dungeon stairs. She only looked back once to see Professor Dumbledore and another man enter Snape's office. She pondered this a minute, but then dashed off to the Gryffindor Tower.

Author's Note: Oh! Another character, but who is it??? Muahaha! ::grins evilly because no one but herself knows the answer:: Anywho...I just kinda wrote that chapter off the top of my head, too. Another one where I just let my fingers type. It turned out all right, I suppose. I dunno. I always think my chapters suck, but they only suck if everyone thinks they suck. You don't think they suck do you? Well, I'm rambling again. Please review. Thank you so much!!!