Ok I hope you enjoyed the last chapter.  As always all characters but Jillian and Katie belong to J.K.    

A friend and a Foe

            I said my good- byes to Ron, Harry, and Hermione.  "Don't worry about me, Ron, I will be fine."  I said that but I myself didn't really know if I would be fine.  Heck, I might not even come out alive.  I swallowed hard.  I can't think like that.  I have to look at the positive side before doubtfulness swallowed me up like an angry sea.  I hugged everyone, even Hermione.  I took one more look around trying to remember all the light and happiness because I was almost positive it would be awhile before I saw it again in the dark gloomy dungeons of Slytherin.  Before exiting the common room I took one last glance behind me, knowing I was leaving everything I loved for everything I hated. 

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            I traveled down the cold hallway to the Slytherin dungeons.  I pulled my new cloak tighter.  Even though it was only twelve o'clock it was freezing in the hallway.  My mom and dad bought me a new cloak for winter.  It was an early Christmas present.  I love winter, it is my favorite season.  The cloak was silky black on the outside and a forest green on the inside.  It had a silver clasp that was a G for Ginny and Gryffindor.  I reached the Slytherin door and said the password.  I entered carrying the things that I would need for the two week break.  To my surprise the Slytherin Common room was much like the Gryffindor's only everything was green and black instead of red and gold.  I heard a familiar voice behind me, "Well Weasley, you look more like a Slytherin than a Gryffindor.  Maybe you should owl your parent to make the switch." 

            "Leave me alone, Malfoy," I said and made my way to the door of my room which I realized to my horror was right next to Malfoy's. He must be a perfect.  Snape must be behind that one.  Who in their right mind would put Malfoy as a perfect?  I opened the door to my room and my jaw hit the floor.  It was beautiful, with hard wood floors and cream colored walls.  The bed was much like my own in Gryffindor only it had velvety green curtains and the Slytherin Mark.  I looked across the room and noticed I had a glass door like my other room did.  It had a balcony too.  I ran to the door, but I did not go out because Malfoy was standing all the way on the other side with his back to me.  His room must have a door leading to the balcony too.  I will have to make sure my door is locked before I go to sleep.  There was a telescope there too.  My hands itched to touch it.  I can't wait to use it.  I love astronomy.  It is really my favorite subject.  I looked at the rest of my room.  It had desk and a huge wardrobe.  It was filled with Slytherin robes, but I don't think I would be wearing those.  I would wear whatever I wanted since it was break and Muggle clothes were the most comfortable things I owned.  There was a fireplace and surprisingly it was just as warm as the Gryffindor house.  The only thing different was the view of the balcony.  Instead of looking over the lake, it looked over the Forbidden Forest.  That should be fun to watch. I took off my cloak.  I was wearing a black tight pants and a white turtle neck.  My hair was red, long and curly.  Unlike Ron, I loved my hair.

            I opened the door to go back into the common room and to my surprise there was a girl there with dark blonde hair and very blue eyes.  She looked very nice.  "Hello, I am Katie.  I just wanted to say hi and welcome you to the Slytherin Common Room.  You didn't seem to have a very good first impression."  The girl laughed.  It was nice laugh, warm, not cold and full of bitterness like Malfoy's.  Perhaps not all Slytherins lived up to their reputation.  I smiled. 

"Well, hello Katie, I'm Ginny, which you already may know."  Katie smiled too.   "So what year are you in?  I am in 6th," Katie asked. 

"I am in 6th year too.  How come I have never seen you here?" I asked. 

"Oh, I just came here this year.  I am pretty new.  And I don't really hang out with any Slytherins," Katie rolled here eyes, "sometimes they are such babies!"   We both started to laugh.  I could tell we were going to be great friends.  Maybe I could introduce her to Jillian some time.  I walked into the common room with Katie and we both sat down on an overstuffed green chair.  We talked and told stories.  I told her about my brothers and she told me about her sisters.  We laughed for hours.  We had to find something to do before dinner.  I am really glad I found a friend to get me through this. 

            Unknown to them in a dark corner Draco sat watching them very intently. 

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            Draco was deep in thought.  When she first walked in, he almost fainted.  She looked beautiful… enchanting.  She was wearing a beautiful black and green cloak.  It was very Slytherin like.  The black and green did a lot for her pale akin and Ruby red hair.  It was long and curly.  It added the finishing touches on an already beautiful thing.  She was wearing tight black pants and a tight, white turtle neck.  I had to take a couple breaths.  Was this the quiet, shy Ginny I thought I could over look and step on to make my way to the top?  The scrawny girl who sent flowers and cards to Potter?  I looked at her slim fingers and every so perfect figure.  This couldn't be.  But it was, her freckles and hair were very Weasleyish like.  But it matched her and made her look all the more perfect.  I had to say something and the closest thing to a compliment I could say was "you look more like a Slytherin than a Gryffindor.  Maybe you should owl your parent to make the switch."  I hadn't meant it in a bad way, but that is how it came out.  That's all I would allow myself to say.  I went to the balcony to do some thinking.

            When I got back in I saw Ginny had already made a friend.  I am in the corner now just watching her.  Her laugh captivating and her smile… it was enough to melt ice.  Dammit, it was enough to melt me.  It penetrated my mask that had been building with the years, the mask that even fooled my father.  God this is really going to be hard.  At least we are going to dinner soon.  That might help take my mind off her.  I can't let this happen.  It's hopeless!  I am falling…and, no, I didn't trip over anything.  I am on the edge of a balcony and one shove in any direction determines the way I will fall.

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Dinner was quiet, since there wasn't really anyone in the Hall.  Ginny sat right in

 front of me, and next to Katie.  My heart beat rose, but I chose to ignore it.  The rest of

 the night was uneventful, except when Ron and Harry (the immature boys that they

were)  has a sword fight with plastic knives.  They battled until Ron stood up, and Harry

 jabbed Ron in the side with his knife.  Ron pretended to be hurt, and fell to the

ground with a large crash.  Everyone in the Hall was watching.  Harry stood over Ron

triumphantly, and put his foot on Ron's chest.  He waved his "sword" in the air. Everyone in the in the hall was rolling over in laughter.  Dumbledore who had witnessed the whole seen, stood up and yelled, "Bravo, Bravo!  Will there be a show tomorrow too?  Even Professor Magonagall (a/n Spelling?)cracked a smile.  Dinner was over and everyone was walking back to their common rooms.  As I passed Ron and Harry I couldn't pass the opportunity and said, "As always, Weasley, Potter just stepped right on you.  The fame always belongs to him.  When are you going to realize that you are nothing more than a way for him to gain fame and make his way to the top?  Once he gets there he'll forget about you.  You are only a tool, never forget that."  I smirked.  Harry had jumped up and Granger was holding him down.  I made my way out of the Great Hall.  That was worth it.

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I climbed into bed.  I was really tired.  Katie and I talked for along time and told jokes.  She is just like Jillian.  It is 10:00 now and I am wiped out.  Today was not as bad as I would have thought.  It really is not that bad down here.  It's not cold either.  Tomorrow night I will use the telescope.  Now, that I think about it Malfoy wasn't that mean.  Maybe he isn't.  Maybe it is just an act.  What he said earlier was as close a complement I have ever gotten from him.  Maybe the meanness is shallow.  Maybe as you get deeper the feelings change.  Maybe you can see the crystal clear feelings instead of the opaque ones he seems to have.  The feelings are the real deal.  Not like when he has this wall around him and what he says is just the opposite?  Wait did I just say that?  This Slytherin thing has taken its toll.  I'll just have to wait and see.  Is he friend or foe?  Could he be more?

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So what did you think?  I am not sure if I spelt proff. M. right.  R&R please.   I hoped you liked this chapter.