Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Everything belongs
to J.K.R and WB and whoever is involved with the editing + publishing +
distributing of the books.
Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Draco/Hermione, Ron/OC
Rating: R (for future)
Setting: Story starts summer before 6th year.
I know now that the fifth book is out, a lot of the facts or events in the story are not true anymore. But just look at it as a semi-Alternate Universe ok?
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As Hermione sat back down, she noticed Harry and Ron entering the Great Hall. Apparently so did Ginny's friends.
"Gin, he's here!"
"Go on, go sit with him!"
"Don't worry, you can spend time with us later."
"Err…" Ginny said. 10 seconds later, she found herself seated next to Hermione.
"Mornin'." Ron and Harry said as they sat down.
"Potter, you missed all the action!" Justin said, yelling from the Hufflepuff table. All the Hufflepuffs raised whatever they were drinking, whether it be milk, water, or juice, and saluted Hermione.
Hermione grinned sheepishly and muttered. "I didn't do that much."
"Um…Ginny, what are they going on about?" Ron asked.
"To make the long story short, Slytherin pancake with Slytherin syrup went splat right in Hufflepuff table. Hufflepuff prefects didn't know which Slytherin to dish out the detention to. Gryffindor prefect goes over to Slytherin table, grabs culprit and as a result, Parkinson has detention tonight."
"Ok…I think I got all that." Harry said.
Ginny stifled a yawn and resumed staring into her plate. Sure, she had nightmares before, but somehow she felt this was different. The feel, the terror, it felt like she was feeling someone else's emotions. And that laugh, she shuddered, that laugh echoed in her mind. Weird, but that laugh was so familiar…
"GINNY!" Ron said while Harry waved a hand in front of her eyes. It was then; Ginny realized they've probably been trying to get a attention for a while.
"Y-yea?"
"You look horrible." Trust Ron to be so blunt.
"Thanks."
"Couldn't sleep?" Hermione said, looking at how pale and tired Ginny is. There were faint dark circles around Ginny's eyes.
Ginny shrugged. Should she tell them about the dream? Ugh no, Harry would probably think how immature she was for being bothered by a nightmare.
"Bad dreams?" Harry asked, his green eyes on her.
Ron turned sharply to her. "Ginny, have you been having bad dreams again? You should have told me, remember what mum said? Or at least you should have sent a letter home."
"Back off, Ron. It's just one dream." Ginny said, trying to avoid Harry's eyes.
"Ron, what do you mean 'again'?" Hermione asked.
Ginny glanced pleadingly at Ron, she doesn't want Harry and Hermione to know…especially not Harry. He dealt with worse situations than her and he wasn't waking up every night gasping and shaking. Unlike her, who frequently had nightmares after her first year at Hogwarts. They had lessened over the years. Now she thought about it, the last one she had was in the beginning of August.
Before Ron could answer, they were thankfully interrupted.
"Erm…excuse me."
Since the person was standing behind Harry and Ron, they had to turn and look up before they almost had double heart attacks on the spot.
Vera stood there, unsure of how to begin.
"Yes?" Ginny asked.
"I just want to thank her for getting that Pansy girl." Vera said gesturing at Hermione. "You see, I was the victim of that pancake."
"Oh. Your welcome." Hermione said, looking a bit embarrassed. "By the way, my name is Hermione Granger."
"And I'm Ginny Weasley."
"I'm Vera Pettigrew." After a moment of silence, Vera spoke. "Um…well see you around." With that, Vera turned to go back to her table.
Hermione raised an eyebrow when she noticed Ron and Harry both in shades of green. "Guys. Please."
"Hermione, she is the enemy!" Ron said.
What the hell. Her brother seriously needs some thrashing. Ginny looked under the table to make sure she didn't kick Harry. Aim. Fire!
"Ow!" Ron yelped.
"That's for being a stupid git." Ginny said.
"Ginny, you don't understand. You weren't there. Peter Pettigrew is a nasty, despicable rat." Harry said, disgust in his eyes as he looked back at Vera.
"Of course I wasn't there. I was never there was I." Ginny stood up, suddenly angry. "And I never will be." {in your heart…} she sadly thought. She gathered her books and pinned the slack-jawed Harry with one last poisonous glare. "Just a reminder Harry Potter, you of all people should know not to pass judgment so fast on those who you don't know well."
She turned and walked out of the Great Hall with her robes swishing around her.
Hermione hid her smile as Harry gaped after Ginny. Ron, who had been hinting strongly all summer in his letters to Hermione that he thought Harry was the only guy good enough for his baby sister, grinned. "That's the Weasley temper." Ron said proudly, slapping Harry on the back.
"I suppose I have to apologize later." Harry was not looking forward to an angry Ginny. But Ginny is one of his friends…he sighed.
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Draco finished breakfast and gathered his books together. He had some business to do. Looking around, he saw that Dumbledore's seat was vacant.
"Draco…why didn't you say something to the Mudblood???! Now I have detention tonight." Pansy whined.
Sighing, he turned back around to deal with Pansy. He didn't particularly like the girl, but appearances must be kept. The Parkinsons are better as allies than enemies.
"Don't pout. If it'll make you feel better, I'll give some Gryffindors detention." Draco said.
Pansy's face brightened and she nodded.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have some things to do." He walked up to Professor Snape at the teacher's table and waited for Snape to acknowledge him.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Professor, I'd like to have a private word with you."
Draco furrowed his brow. He had his suspicions that Snape was actually spying for Dumbledore but he wasn't sure.
How can he make sure, without calling unwanted attention to himself, that Snape was working for Dumbledore? If Snape was loyal to Voldemort, then Snape would report Draco.
Snape nodded. "Very well, Draco. Today stay after potions and you can speak to me then."
"Yes, sir. Oh, and you wouldn't happen to know where Dumbledore is?"
"He went to his office 15 minutes ago."
A silence followed. "I'll see you." Draco said, turning away.
"Draco."
Draco stopped.
"Lucius Malfoy's death had been most unexpected. When you have time, give my apologies to Mrs. Malfoy."
Draco nodded and continued to walk out of the Great Hall. Snape obviously didn't mean what he said. Appearances must be kept, after all. That applies to everyone. Everything in his life is so fucking…fake.
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special thanks to phantasi, who keeps me writing!
