Things Change
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or anything, but I definitely own this piece of writing! J.K Rowling owns all the characters and stuff. I do, however, own her 'friends' and some more new characters that'll appear later on, and the plot is ALL MINE!
A/N Okay, I'm really happy here, because everyone's been so nice about chapter 12. But can I tell you all a secret? I really didn't like that one! I thought it was practically my worst yet! But then I get all these lovely nice comments from you guys, and I read it through again (how stupid am I? I read my own chapter over the internet!) and I thought, 'Hey, it's not too bad – I suppose'. Anyways, I'm gonna go and get on with the next chapter now, like all you guys told me too, and hopefully this will be out SOON!
A/N2 Can I just say something? I've never had a hangover; this was written purely from guess work, I swear! : D
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The day was wet and grey, the sky overcast with thick rain clouds. Ginny made a face as she woke up, hearing the other girls moving around the dorm much too loudly for her liking. She turned over and groaned into her pillow, the sound muffled by the cotton pillow case.
"C'mon Gin, it can't be that bad," she heard Lizzie saying from outside the protective cocoon of her hangings. "You only had, what, a hundred gallons of alcohol?"
She heard the other girls sniggering as Lizzie broke into giggles. She just groaned again in reply, rolling over so that she was facing the ceiling of her four-poster. She put a hand to her throbbing head, wincing as the mild contact between hand and forehead caused a horrible flare of pain. Yep, she'd had waaaaaay too much alcohol. She'd just have to hope Ron didn't know. But then again, Ron and Hermione had conveniently spent most of the party shut up in cupboard.
'Thank goodness I don't know if he's a virgin' she thought to herself, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She sighed, letting her hand flop back down onto the pillows beside her. Her head was really throbbing badly now, as she lay there in the semi-darkness. But then it got much, much worse.
"Letter!" Lara yelled at the top her voice, yanking aside Ginny's drapes and letting the sunlight, along with a grey tawny owl, flood onto her bed. Ginny sat up with a yelp, trying to avoid the owl as it plummeted onto her bed and subsequently banging her skull against the headboard.
"WATCH IT!" she shrieked, putting a hand to her head as it began to throb ever more violently. "I do have a hangover you know!"
"Sorry, but it was going to collide with your hangings," Lara replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "It would have gotten all tangled otherwise"
"It got all tangled anyway" Ginny said, giving her a murderous glare and scooting forwards to where the familiar looking owl was trying to extract itself from her sheets. She picked it up gently, removing the letter from its leg. The owl ruffled its feathers importantly, briefly fixing her with its beady eyes before spreading its wings and flying towards her trunk, where it perched on the top. Ginny looked back down at the letter in her palm and, at the sight of the handwriting, she smiled, even though her head felt worse than ever.
Turning it over, she opened the envelope and took out the short piece of parchment. It read,
Dear Beautiful,
How about you and me meet up today? We could go to that little café place, you know, the one with the nice cake things that you said you liked so much? I'd really love it if you could. Send your reply back with Ravioli.
Love always,
Thom
p.s. Our first date, huh?
Ginny's smile grew wider as she read the note through, and as she read the p.s. her heart began to beat madly. A real date? She, Ginny Weasley, was going on a real date? And what was this nice café he was talking about?
'Actually', she thought to herself, 'exactly what was it?'
And then she remembered. 'Hogsmeade weekend, Sunday'.
She groaned and slapped her forehead in frustration – an act she quickly regretted as searing pain flared in her head. Grimacing, she collapsed back onto her pillows, once more staring at the red velvet canopy above her. Sure, a trip to a little Hogsmeade café sounded lovely, but then again, most of the school was going to Hogsmeade, which meant...
Ginny rolled over onto her stomach, one arm under her pillow as she turned her back to the sunlight. She sighed softly, mulling over what to do as she fiddled with the edge of the pillowcase. Reluctantly, her thoughts led her back to the night before. Having reached the common room, she had collapsed into an armchair and cried, great big salty tears rolling down her cheeks as she tried to stifle her sobs. And the worst thing was that she didn't know why she had been crying. Yes, Malfoy had upset her, but surely not enough to make her cry? She was a strong thing really, and although Malfoy's words had left her feeling used and thoroughly disgusted, they shouldn't have brought her to tears. She certainly didn't think he was worth it.
She shook her head ever so slightly to rid herself of her thoughts, but in doing so her head began to throb even more. She sighed again, closing her eyes tight as she felt more tears well up. She willed herself not to care as they spilled through her eyelashes, some rolling over her nose as they landed on the soft cotton of her pillow. Her fingers clenched the pillow tight as the tears fell silently and she lay there in the morning sunshine, wondering why things were the way they were.
///*///*///*///*///*///
Thom was waiting for her in the entrance hall when she got there, wrapped up in his cloak and school scarf to protect him from the cold January wind.
'He looks cute' Ginny thought fleetingly as he smiled at her, holding out his hand. She felt herself smile back as she took it, interlacing their fingers together.
"Hey," she said as they waited with the other students crowded in the hall. "How are you?"
"What, after last night?" Thom asked, grinning. "Yeah, I'm okay. I can usually handle drink pretty well. How about you? You don't really seem..."
He paused, leaning back slightly and looking at her intently. "Okay" he finished finally.
Ginny smiled slightly. "I've just got the biggest hangover of the century, that's all" she replied, wincing as somebody shouted "Betsy!" by her ear.
Thom's grin disappeared, and he put his hand protectively on the small of her back, his face concerned. "We don't have to go out if you don't want to," he said, but Ginny shook her head, her expression resolute.
"We're not going to miss our first official date because I have a hangover from the party," she replied, trying to make her smile bigger. "And don't even try and stop me!" she added, seeing Thom about to protest.
"Well...alright," he agreed finally. "If you insist"
///*///*///*///*///*///
The café was almost empty, which surprised Ginny, seeing as it was on the main street, but she welcomed the quiet gratefully. Thom insisted they sit in the window, and Ginny, not having enough energy to protest, gave in quickly. She looked at the busy street outside whilst Thom ordered two coffees and some food at the counter, watching groups of students rushing past the window, shopping bags clutched in their hands. She put her chin in her palm as she rested her elbow on the table, the other hand fiddling absently with her little Udjat necklace. Her mind, although some part of it was dreamily thinking about Thom, was mostly on something – or rather somebody – else. Completely against her will, her mind kept wandering back to Him. Draco. The bane of her existence. She had kept replaying the events of the previous night in her head, over and over again, since she had woken up that morning.
'Why does this keep happening?' she silently asked herself for the umpteenth time, completely absorbed in her thoughts. 'I've acknowledged it, I've dealt with it, and I have got over it. Haven't I?'
She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Thom had sat down until he waved his hand in front of her face and asked if she was alright. She blinked at him stupidly for a couple of seconds, before smiling vaguely and nodding.
"I'm fine" she replied, taking her hand away from her chin and laying it on the table. Thom grinned back and passed her coffee to her, and then took Ginny's outstretched hand where it rested on the tabletop. She trembled slightly as he intertwined their fingers, his touch sending little shivers down her spine, all thoughts of a headache forgotten. Ginny looked at his face, smiling at the way his eyes rested on their hands, and for the first time she really felt herself take in just how...handsome Thom was. His hair, dark, thick and lavish, and the way his handsome grey eyes were shaded by long black lashes...everything about him was wonderful. And, for the first time since she had seen Draco on the train, she didn't feel confused or disgusted or exploited. She felt like she was in love. She was in love with Thom, and right now, no one, not even Draco Malfoy, could take that away from her.
"I care for you so much Thom"
Thom looked up at her in surprise, his face startled. Ginny laughed a little, looking shyly down at the table, a coy smile playing across her face. Thom blushed faintly, and then he reached across the table and raised Ginny's face to look at him. His eyes were bright, seriousness drifting in their depths, along with...was it love? His expression was tenderer than Ginny had ever seen it before, in all the months they'd known each other (had it only been that long?). His face was so...innocent, and yet so mature. He looked at her for a second, before opening his mouth to speak.
"I care for you to, Gin. More than I have for anyone I've been with before. Not that there have been many," he added hastily, but Ginny just smiled. "Anyway," he continued. "Hearing you say that, totally out of the blue, makes me..."
His brow furrowed a little as he searched for a word. "Makes me...happy"
Ginny smiled shyly, looking up at him with a coy expression as colour blossomed on her cheeks. Thom smiled back as they gazed into each others eyes, lost in the moment...
"Two strawberry sundaes for table four?"
///*///*///*///*///*///
Ginny groaned as she sat down on her bed, still wrapped up in her cloak and scarf. She unwound the scarf from her neck and dropped it on the floor beside her, before doing the same with the cloak and leaning back on her bed, her legs hanging off the edge. Sighing, she lifted her hands and began to examine them, wriggling the frozen joints. Her knuckles and the joints in her fingers had turned red and flaky with the cold, and she made a face as her hands started to burn when the heat began to seep back into them.
"I hate January..." she muttered, letting her arms flop back onto the bed and feeling the mattress bounce slightly. "It sucks..."
Her head was still throbbing, and even though it had been spent with Thom, the trip to Hogsmeade had done her no favours. The café had eventually filled up a bit more, and the noise had added to her headache. Not wanting to disappoint Thom, she hadn't said anything, but now she was regretting it. It was still to painful to think, talk, read...anything. Fiddling once with her Udjat necklace, she closed her eyes and before she knew it, she was sleeping.
...The room was dark, the only light coming from a small window high up in the wall. It was completely empty, bar the throne set upon a dais in front of her, shrouded in darkness. All she could see was the vague silhouette of a rather tall man, and the end of a long robe and a pair of shoes, the only two things bathed in pure moonlight. The face was shadowed in black and silver, as was the cloth of the robes pooling at his feet, and a long fingered pair of hands played with a pack of what looked like Tarot cards. A crown rested upon the man's head, cruel looking and sharp.
"So," he said, and his voice echoed around the room, an air of conceit in his tone. "You have obeyed me at last"
She felt herself nod, dimly conscious that the stone floor was cold against her knees and shins.
"Very good". The cards were gone and a wand was now twirling dangerously in the slender hands. "I see you at last know how to treat me"
She felt herself nod again, vaguely aware that it was important to do so.
"And now, my dear girl, you will have your reward"
He smiled cruelly and pointed the wand at her chest. "Cruci–"
Suddenly there was a sound like a star exploding and the room seemed to split in half. For a moment she didn't know what was going on, but then she realised that a gash of white light had seared vertically through the room, far too bright to look at directly. Her head snapped to the left as if she had been struck, and she peered through one half-closed eye. A figure 'stood' in the middle, it's lines blurred as it stretched out a hand, palm outwards. It's back was to her, facing the man on the throne. She could faintly see him through the light, and as she did so she felt herself stare in shock. He was cowering on the throne, his hands held up in front of his face as he recoiled, the white light wrapping tendrils of illumination around him.
"No..." he moaned, his face contorting in pain. "No..."
"Do no harm to this one Tom. She is too important"
The voice was calm and gentle, but the power behind it was overwhelming. She looked around for the speaker for a moment, before looking back up at the figure in the white light and suddenly realising it was that which had spoken. The figure slowly lowered its arm, watching for a moment as the white light continued to engulf the man, before, as if responding to her realisation, the figure turned slowly and looked at her. It lingered briefly...
"Be protected by my power, be guarded by my love" it cried, the sweet, gentle voice rising with command. It seemed to pause for a second, and then…
The light blazed brighter, momentarily blinding her, and for an instant the figure was almost visible. She dimly took in dark eyes, dark hair, a kind expression...
And then, she was lifting herself from the floor, wincing at the pain and stiffness coursing through her legs, throwing herself towards the light...
Ginny leapt awake, her chest heaving as she gulped for breath. She sat up from where she was curled on the bed, putting a hand to her chest in anxiety. She closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Lying back on her bed, she continued to inhale deeply. A breath in, a breath out, a breath in, a breath out...
And she fell, once again, into slumber.
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A/N Well, what did you think of that chapter then? I know, I know, it was a bit short, but it's like a red sky at night means good weather the next day (or whatever) – a short chapter means a longer one next time! Anyways, I'm sorry it was short, but oh well. Also, can you guys tell me what you thought of her dream? I'm just kind of proud of it that's all. : D
Crystal Megan – 1. I know it wasn't a flame, don't worry about it! Constructive criticism is good. And yeah, the beginning was probably a bit boring, but it was worse before I added the dream. It started with he breakfast bit. But once again I must stress (This isn't an excuse!) I was bored when I started this and that was the only reason this was born. I posted it against my better judgement. And seeing as two people have now said the beginning was boring, I might re-rewrite it, lol! And Mondays are bad for 5th year Gryffindors because they have potions with the Slytherins first thing – wouldn't that depress you if you were her?! And yes, they really were quite mean at the end, weren't they? I like that bit too.
2. Yeah, my family's a bit of the wall, lol! And yeah, what's with all the holes in things, and the pipes and stuff? It's all confusing as far as I'm concerned. And yes, Pirates of The Caribbean! ::drool::. Anyways, thanks for reviewing.
HiddenintheAbyss – I apologise profusely that I haven't updated sooner, but life is very busy! And thank you for not murdering more than twice, and bringing me back to life! Just please don't murder me again, it's not friendly, lol! Anyways, hopefully you like this chapter too, and thanks for reviewing.
cashew – Um, yeah, I updated... ::looks around for nearest safehouse:: Nah, I'm just kidding. I'm glad you're so happy I updated. I feel special, lol! And you really think this was the greatest chapter? Wow, that's strange, cuz like I said, I didn't really like this one much at first. But it's probably cuz it's my story, lol! And yes, she got attacked by teenage girls with make-up! I laughed so much when I read that bit of your review! And yes, your plan is genius. Let's give it a codename...hmmm, how about 'Escapism of School Through Cultural Awareness'? Okay, that totally sucked and makes me sound like a mad person, lol. We've still got 'Ignition Remix' playing on the radio, and I hadn't even heard of that 'Snake' song till you said! And yes, many of his songs are retarded, as all they talk about is women. Humph. The guys who sit beside me in English PERMANENTLY sing 'Ignition' and when you turn round and tell them to shut up they just sing louder! Argh! Anyways, here is my update and sorry it took so long! Later, and thanks for your review.
Mel – I thought you were gonna say you hated it at first, but then I saw the other bit and that thought left my head, lol! Hopefully my update didn't take too long (okay, it did), but anyways, thanks for such a...positive review – it's appreciated!
Well, hopefully you all liked this chapter, and now you know what you have to do, lol! Press the little 'okay' button down there and leave a review!