Disclaimer:  It's mine, all of it!  You'll never take it from me!  MwaHaHa!  You know, this probably explains why I was put in the insane asylum, because yeah, none of this belongs to me, duh!

A/N:  This is going to be more of a filler chapter, focusing more on Ginny then Hermione, although she and Draco will be featured near the end!

Chapter 18

Dinner Gifts and a BIG Problem

            The group made their way down to the great hall, talking about this and that.  No one noticed Ginny and Hermione's unusual silence on the way down.  Both were thinking about different things.  For Ginny it was what sort of gift Deimos got her, and for Hermione, it was how Draco was faring, if he was still unconscious.  She could hardly wait till after curfew to go and see him.  Arriving at the great hall, they all grabbed their seats at the end of the table, nearest to the high table.  Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement, something he rarely did at meal times.

"Professor Snape will not be here Monday for classes.  He had some business to take care of this weekend.  He will be replaced by Professor Tasalize for Monday's classes.  Thank you for listening, and if I'm not mistaken, I believe it is dinner time.  Lets eat!"  He said, sitting down.

            Shortly after, mail birds came flying in, mainly owls of course, but a few ravens here and there along with a rare parrot.  Ginny looked around as letters and packages from home were dropped off, waiting for something for be dropped in front of her.  The amount of owls flying in dwindled, and after a few minutes, the last one circling the hall left.  Ginny looked down, crestfallen since she thought that Deimos had lied, or just not cared and changed his mind.  Around her suddenly, there were gasps of shock and surprise.  She looked up to see a large white eagle flying into the hall.  She knew instantly that it was Deimos' owl, Diamond.  To make it easier for him to find her amongst everyone, she stood up from her seat, held out her arm, and whistled sharply, calling him to her.  She tried to ignore the stares she was receiving.  Diamond flew over and landed gently on her out-stretched arm, careful not to scratch her with his talons.  He dropped the package into her hand carefully, and hopped onto the table to get a drink of water.

"Thank you, Diamond.  I was wondering when you would arrive.  You had me stressing for a while."  She said, starting to open the package. 

            Diamond simply cawed in reply, rubbing his head affectionately against Ginny's cheek, before once again taking flight.  Ron noticed the card, and grabbed it to see what it said, and who it was from.

"What the hell is this Ginny?"  Ron yelled standing up, waving the card in the air.

"It's a card, Ron, do you need glasses?" she said calmly, continuing to open the package, but pausing when he started yelling again.

"I know that, but did you read what it says?"  He opened the card.  By now everyone was silent, listening to him, as he started to read it, almost as if to re-enforce

his reason for being angry. 

"It says, 'To the beautiful woman who has captured my heart, never forget that I love you more than life itself.'  Do you know who this is from?!"

            Everyone, (well, mainly the girls) let out a sigh at the romantic message. 

"Yes Ron, I know who it is from.  And no, I'm not tell-" she stopped short, as she opened the jewelry box that had been wrapped. 

"What is it?"  Ron demanded, his mouth dropping open as she lifted the gift out.  Everyone else around the hall echoed each other in awed silence at the gift Ginny was holding in her hand. 

            Ginny had in her hand a necklace.  It was a delicate silver chain, which alone was expensive enough, but it was the charm on it that was breath taking.  It was a rose, delicately carved with intricate detail, out of an exquisite deep green emerald. 

"Oh my God, this is beautiful.  He shouldn't have.  This must have cost a fortune!" Ginny almost whispered, delighted with the present.  She quickly put it on, vowing silently to never take it off.  This would later on prove to be a mistake (but that part of the tale is for the next chapter). 

"Ginny, who…what… I mean… why?" Ron stuttered over what he was trying to say. 

"Ron, it is from the man I love, who loves me back.  He would never hurt me, and treats me well.  That should be enough for you.  I'm a big girl, and I can take care of myself, but thank you for your concern."  Ginny stood up and walked over to him, kissed him on the cheek, and left the great hall for her dorm.  She wanted to write Deimos a lengthy thank-you letter for the gift.

            Hermione had observed all of this with a smile on her face, one of the first since Draco's accident.  Ron noticed her smiling, and immediately started pestering her for information on Ginny's mysterious boyfriend.

"Mione, do you know who this is from?"

"Yes Ron, I do, and it's none of your business.  Don't expect me to tell you." She replied.

"Why, I want to know who he is."  He demanded.

"That may be, but it's not for me to tell you.  And besides, you heard her.  She's a big girl and can take care of herself.  And he loves her.  That should be enough to satisfy your curiosity."  Hermione replied smiling, before she too left the great hall, intending to head to the East tower.  She always went there to think when she was upset or just needed to be alone.  Making her way through the halls, up and down staircases, she finally arrived at the tower, only to find someone else there.  She started to leave, but a voice stopped her.

"Come in Miss Granger, I have something I need to inform you of, at great risk to myself.  Yet we are safe enough here," came the cold voice that could belonged to the one-and-only Professor Snape.

"Yes Professor.  What is it?  And why are you here?  Professor Dumbledore said you were gone for the weekend."  She asked, her curiosity peaked.

"Correct.  I need to be leaving in a few minutes.  If you would desist from questioning, maybe I can explain it to you," he said in annoyance.

"Sorry Professor."

"Of course you are.  Now, I will be leaving shortly for a meeting with Voldemort.  He will be discussing your wedding, yes your wedding," he repeated at the look of disbelief on her face.  "along with myself and several other death eaters.  Sunday, you and Mister Malfoy will be summoned by Voldemort.  You will then be expected to apparate directly to him.  Once there, he will ask that you and Mister Malfoy consent to being married.  If you say yes, he will have a minister or someone with those abilities, perform the ceremony, and let you immediately apparate back to Hogwarts.  If you refuse, he will have several death eaters waiting to kill you on the spot.  You were lucky once before, but I fear it not wise to risk it a second time.  And remember, there is always the idea of divorce when Voldemort has fallen."

            Hermione could only stare in shock.  Why did she have to deal with all this?  Why couldn't it be someone else?

"I must go now Miss Granger, I am being summoned.  Be sure to tell Mister Malfoy when you visit him this evening.  I have taken the liberty of writing you a pass allowing you to be out after curfew."

            After handing her the pass, he disappeared in a shimmer of light.  Hermione had yet to move.  She was still stuck on one thought.

'Marriage?'

A/N:  Hey everyone, I got this chapter out quickly!  Yea!  And it's a cliffy, hee hee.  Sorry, but I like doing them cuz then it keeps you guys interested in it.  Next chapter will have a double wedding.  Anyone want to guess who?  Internet ice cream sundae for the winner!  Anyways, thanks for reading.  Review if you want, it's cool if you don't!  Next chapter will be up in a while.  And some people mentioned that Cho Chang is in Ravenclaw, not Hufflepuff.  For some reason I thought she was in Hufflepuff, so forgive me for the mistake!  For the last chapter she made a temporary house switch, hee hee.  Thanks to those who pointed it out!