Ginny walked down the platform shaking, it was not going to be a normal year at Hogwarts. At the big feast the last day of the school year something awful happened! In front of all the students Ginny's name was proclaimed, followed by a long congratulatory speech about how lucky she was to be the first student to be moved up a grade level in over 25 years. Instead of spending her sixth year with her friends she would have to skip her sixth year completely and she would spend her time with her brother and his friends.
Ron, Harry and Hermione were great and they would accept her into their group, but she would not get to make her own friends! After seven years together everyone knew each other well. Ginny would be like a fish out of water. But that would have to be ok, right? Because what other choice did she have but to move on, she could not dwell on her petty little problems! This year Ginny will have to work harder then she ever had to before, this year would be the end to all the time she had spent at Hogwarts.
Slowly she stepped onto the train and found her brother and his friends, Hermione looked happy to see her at least. Harry smiled, but Ron looked annoyed.
"Ginny! I am so happy for you!" Hermione exclaimed sincerely, holding her arms out for a hug. Ginny smiled in response and stepped into her friends embrace. Ginny turned to Ron and talked to him for a few minutes before turning towards the aisle to look for friends her own age. Instead for looking into the happy faces of her best friends she came face to face with Goyle. He sneered at her and let his gaze travel over her in the most sickening way. She was not a little girl that was for sure but the slimly trail his eyes left on her made her feel like she was rubbish.
"I'm sure I can help you this year." Goyle said in a horrible tone.
Ginny stepped back stunned, her eyes flashing with anger.
"I'd rather eat slugs then spend anymore time with you then necessary." Ginny quietly said.
Goyle laughed and stepped close to her. " That could easily be arranged. I think Ron still remembers the spell he cast on himself."
Ginny raised her wand. "Maybe, but he is not here at the moment, and I know the spell well. Would you like me to show you?"
A look of horror passed over his ugly face. "No! I mean…um…" Before he could say a thing Malfoy stepped up behind him.
He glared at Ginny and said "Just what I need another stupid Weasley in my level. This is bloody brilliant!" Ginny sighed and walked back to the compartment where Hermione was sitting. Through out the whole ride Ginny could not stop thinking about Goyle and Draco's comments, would they torment her through out this whole year? She knew that Ron, Harry and Hermione had to put up with it, but this would be different. She was younger then them. And very different! They arrived at the school and Ginny sat through the regular festivities.
The next morning before Ginny got to her first class she was called down to Professor McGonagall's office. Inside were Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy. Both Snape and Malfoy did not look happy at all.
"Ginny, since you have been such a great student at Hogwarts we would like you to set an example for a student who differs greatly from you academically and socially. Draco will be you constant companion, Dumbledore and I believe that you will be a very good person to help reform Draco." Professor McGonagall motioned to Snape who in turn said
"But…if you fail to maintain your grades then this project will be over and you will have to report to me for extra help." Ginny took in a deep breath.
Draco glared "I do not need any help!" Ginny looked him in the eyes.
"I'll try your experiment, but I promise nothing." She stepped towards the door. "If you don't mind I am going to be late for my first class."
Professor McGonagall handed Ginny a slip and Draco stood up too. He reached out for his own slip but Snape shook his head. "You two will be in all the same classes, the slip Ginny has is for the both of you."
Ginny opened the door and began to walk towards the green house. She had been looking forward to seeing Professor Sprout. Malfoy walked beside her, but did not say a word. When they reached the green house Ginny began to walk towards the open seat next to Hermione. Professor Sprout cleared her throat. Ginny turned, she had already handed Spout the slip.
"I'm sorry Ginny. But I have a letter that says that I am to arrange for you to sit with Draco." Draco groaned out loud, but walked towards Ginny. She sat a few seats away from Hermione and Harry and right next to Draco. Through out the whole day the same things happened. Ron looked angry as usual, Hermione and Harry kept sending her sympathetic looks. By the end of the class before lunch Ginny was fed up with all the sympathy, it was just a little set back; at least she did not have to worry about having no one to sit with. The thought made her giggle. Draco glanced up at her, a furious look on his face. "What?" he said angrily. Instead of being angry in return Ginny's normal optimistic look on life over came her.
"What's wrong?" she asked smiling.
Draco's hard expression softened for a moment and Ginny's was amazed by the color and twinkle of his eyes when he was not being cruel or angry.
"I am sick of being stuck with you!" he exclaimed!
"I wish I could be with my friends too, but that's not going to happen, so why don't you just brighten up! Being angry is boring!" Ginny said, and to emphasize her point she laid her hand on his shoulder, a wave of heat shot up her hand. Instead of feeling what she felt Draco glared at her hand, as if to mentally remove it. This was going to be a long year! Ginny just knew it!