A/N: I'm trying to add more twists and conflict into this story to spice it
up a bit, and I've decided for now on to write longer chapters. I know that
short chapters are dreadfully annoying. So anyway, I might take a little
longer to update now, that's all. By the way, I've started using brackets
instead of dashes when referring to actions on chat. Just to clear that up.
~*~
The following day, Ginny sat with her new friend in the secret room under the library, talking about what they were going to bring along on the trip.
"I think I'm just going to bring a little bit of everything- for clothes, that is." Ginny declared, smiling.
Blaise laughed. "Good idea. What if we end up in Hawaii but we think they are taking us to Antarctica? It would be positively dreadful!"
Laughing still, Ginny suddenly stopped. "Wait a minute. How would going to Hawaii be dreadful? Even with the wrong clothes?"
The black haired girl scratched her head. "Good point. Well, I guess we just proved one thing."
"What's that?" Ginny asked.
Blaise grinned excitedly. "Don't forget your bathing suit!"
Ginny shook her head and sighed. "This trip is going to be...I don't know. Different."
"I agree. It's not like anything we've ever done at school before." Blaise bit her lip. "No secret rooms to escape to either. How are we going to talk to each other?"
An idea suddenly popped into Ginny's mind. "We could talk by- oh wait, that would only work for Draco and I." She thought of her faithful laptop up in her bedroom.
A curious look crossed the Slytherin's face. "What is it?"
"Well, Draco and I both have enchanted computers," Ginny explained, a light blush forming on her cheeks as she said her next sentence. "They are kind of how we met."
Blaise's eyes widened. "Through chatting?"
Nodding, Ginny stared at her. "Yes," she said slowly, "How did you know?"
She smirked. A true Slytherin asset. "I know because I, too, own an enchanted computer. Got it quite awhile ago, to write poems on and such."
A giggle escaped Ginny's lips. "That's too weird. Well, we solved our problem, I guess."
A blond-haired boy swiftly opened the door and made his way over to them.
"Ladies." He acknowledged, nodding at Blaise and sitting himself down beside Ginny.
"Sorry, I was held up at a Quidditch meeting. We had to appoint new players for the time we'll be away. Silly, if you ask me." Draco explained.
Blaise shrugged. "I'm not really into Quidditch. Never have been."
Both Draco and Ginny's jaws dropped. Ginny was the first to comment. "How can you live in the wizarding world and NOT be into Quidditch?"
Again, she shrugged. "I can give you three reasons right off the top of my head. One, flying scares the daylights out of me. Two, I'm not a social person, and Quidditch matches are very social events. I don't go. And three, I don't understand the rules."
Draco laughed. "Well, when we're through with you, you'll love Quidditch. Right, Gin?"
"Hey, you can't grow up in a house full of brothers and not enjoy a good Quidditch match every now and then. But I wouldn't say I love it." Ginny argued right back.
Draco shook his head. "What's wrong with you girls?"
They just laughed at him and began talking about clothes again.
After fifteen minutes, Draco yawned. "You don't suppose we could change the subject, huh?"
Ginny pretended to look hurt. "You aren't interested in clothes too?"
He rolled his eyes and pulled her into his lap. This time it didn't take her long at all to feel comfortable and situated. This time it felt perfect.
There was a comfortable silence in the air for a few minutes, until Blaise broke it.
"Hey, you guys? I just wanted to thank you."
They both stared at her. "For what?" Draco questioned.
She closed her eyes for a second. "For being my friends. For not judging me. For understanding." She didn't seem to want to go on. Draco and Ginny didn't mind, because she was right. They understood.
Suddenly she spoke up again. "You see, I never really got-"
She was cut off but a bright flash. Coming from the doorway. The three friends were too stunned to speak for a moment. But when they regained their composure, all they saw was the door hanging open, and darkness behind it. And heard was the scampering of feet down the tunnel.
Draco was the first to move, taking off like a shot down the dark corridor. Ginny and Blaise followed quickly after. They climbed out of the trapdoor and looked aimlessly around the library, looking for anyone suspicious. There were only three people in the library. Madam Pince, putting away books. A first year Hufflepuff, reading a large book at a front table. And Collin Creevey, trying to innocently exit the library. He was whistling, his camera hanging guiltily around his neck.
At once they all knew what had happened. Draco grabbed the sixth year roughly by the shoulder and dragged him out of the library. There was nobody in the hallway. Perfect.
"What do you think you're doing, Creevey?" Draco interrogated him.
His eyes widened in fear. "No-nothing. Just leaving the library."
Ginny glared at him. "Collin, we saw the flash. You carry around the camera. You framed yourself. Now tell me, what did you see?"
Blaise and Draco praised her momentary Slytherin-like qualities. She really was a fiery girl.
"I didn't see anything!" He cried uncertainly, a few tears leaking from his eyes. They were an intimidating bunch. Then he seemed to break down. "Ok, I'll tell you. I was talking to Harry, and he was going on about how Ginny's been talking to Slytherins lately. Well, I was walking in the library, and that trapdoor was left open. I was curious, so I went down there. I heard you talking, Ginny, so I decided to check it out. Then I took the picture, knowing Harry would be interested in it. I'm sorry Ginny, I really am!"
Draco stopped. "The trapdoor was left open?"
The frightened Collin nodded.
He smacked himself in the head rather hardly. "Stupid!"
Ginny calmed herself down momentarily. "Collin, what I do in my spare time is none of Harry's business. I hope you and I are good enough friends for you to understand that. Now, what do I have to do to ensure that I get the only copy of that picture?"
Collin cowered, still very much afraid of the muttering Draco behind Ginny. He even glanced at Blaise for a second, wondering how Ginny could be friends with these people. He knew better than to comment, however.
"I'm really really sorry Ginny. I had no right to take that picture. If you want, I will give the picture to you and the negatives when I develop them." Collin negotiated.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so eager to jump to my side? A minute ago you were going to snitch on me to Harry."
Collin decided to be brave for a moment. What he was about to say may offend the angry redhead, but he had to take the chance.
"In all honesty Ginny, I understand how you feel." Then he glanced at Draco. "Er, well, how you felt."
Confusion clouded her brown eyes. "What do you mean?"
He sighed. "Harry has always been my role model, I looked up to him for everything. Kind of like how you, well, you know, fancied him."
Crimson stained the sixth year's cheeks. She let him go on, anyway, curious as to where he was going with his story.
"He ignored you, am I right? Sure, he talked to you when it was convenient, when no one else was around, when he needed something. But most of the time, you didn't exist, right?"
She felt her blood boil. What right did Creevey have to point out all these obvious things to her? As if they didn't break her heart before, now he had to pour salt in the old wound. Luckily she'd found someone better, someone who gave her the time of day. She smiled momentarily at Draco.
"What are you playing at, Creevey?" Draco asked, urging him to move along with his story while they were still all civil.
He took a deep breath. "Ginny, I'm jumping to your side because Harry treated me, and still treats me, the same way. Sure, he talks to me now because he needs me to do this favor for him. But any other time? I'm just the pest with the camera. You and I both, we don't deserve that." He stopped long enough to see Ginny's frown turn to a smile. He felt it safe to continue. "So anyway, I don't know what's going on with you guys, and I'm not going to ask. I'm just going to respect it, march back up to the Gryffindor common room, and tell Harry Potter that he's a paranoid loser that should mind his own business."
Ginny snorted, which erupted into laughter. It was as if Collin had read her thoughts. She gave him a quick hug and thanked him. "It means a lot to me." She said to him, and he assured her it was no problem and he was just happy to be a friend.
When he left, Ginny turned around and said, "Wow, Draco, I'm getting all sorts of great friends because of you." But she never finished, her words melted into a kiss.
"Eh-hem." Blaise said after a few minutes.
Draco laughed and pulled away. "Sorry about that, Zabini. Sometimes we just get carried away."
-
It was nearing midnight. Ginny had been online for hours, but nobody was online. She was researching different types of pets and their costs, she was thinking of buying herself a cat or something. Not one like Crookshanks, she was thinking maybe something a little smaller.
Suddenly a window popped up on her screen, startling her.
SilentSlyth: Hey Ginny, it's Blaise.
Ginny laughed at her friend's screen name. It suited her perfectly.
Firefly: Hi Blaise. How did you find my screen name?
SilentSlyth: There are only 10 people online, and honestly? It was kind of obvious. Firefly?
Firefly: [laughs] Draco and I talked for 2 months and he didn't figure out that "Firefly" was Ginny Weasley. However, I didn't realize who he was either.
SilentSlyth: So, what, did you guys fall in love online or something?
Firefly: To make a long story short, yes.
SilentSlyth: That's awesome! Something straight out of a book!
Firefly: You're a writer, huh?
SilentSlyth: You got it.
Firefly: I just keep a diary. As you probably heard from back in my 1st year. [blushes]
SilentSlyth: Bygones, Ginny. It's all in the past.
Firefly: Thanks, Blaise. That means a lot.
SilentSlyth: No Prob. So, I never realized what a cutie Draco is before.
Firefly: [glares] Watch it, Zabini. He's mine.
SilentSlyth: [laughing] Don't worry, Ginny. My only love interest is the writing software on my computer. Your man is safe.
Firefly: No crushes even?
SilentSlyth: Nah...
Firefly: I think Collin may have something for you. [wink] Did you see the way he kept glancing at you in the hallway?
SilentSlyth: Yeah, and I think I distinctly recognize that look as fear.
Firefly: You may be right. [giggle]
SilentSlyth: Well, I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow?
Firefly: Yep. And if you see Draco, tell him hi for me.
SilentSlyth: Will do. Goodnight.
~*~
A/N: Another person knows! Plot is getting thicker! I don't really want to individually thank everyone this time, it's too late, I'm sorry.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED CHAPTER 4.
That's the best I can do. Except for, SILVER ESSENCE, I'm going to keep Agatha for a while. I've grown rather fond of her company. By the way, I see you've been throwing monkeys at other authors, huh? [laughs] Was it Billy? Or another one I haven't met yet?
To everyone that mentioned Tom or Sean...YOU PEOPLE ROCK!
To Luinthoron- You are special, you get a individual shoutout. Your review amazed me, you really put deep though into it. You are the only person who actually tried to figure out on your own why Ginny was picked to go on the trip. Because, as a matter of fact, she wasn't picked just to be with Draco. This is a whole different ball game. =) [HINT] You were very close in your guess. Very close indeed.
One last thing before I depart- I want your opinion. Should they trust Collin or not? I am yet to decide. Later!
~*~
The following day, Ginny sat with her new friend in the secret room under the library, talking about what they were going to bring along on the trip.
"I think I'm just going to bring a little bit of everything- for clothes, that is." Ginny declared, smiling.
Blaise laughed. "Good idea. What if we end up in Hawaii but we think they are taking us to Antarctica? It would be positively dreadful!"
Laughing still, Ginny suddenly stopped. "Wait a minute. How would going to Hawaii be dreadful? Even with the wrong clothes?"
The black haired girl scratched her head. "Good point. Well, I guess we just proved one thing."
"What's that?" Ginny asked.
Blaise grinned excitedly. "Don't forget your bathing suit!"
Ginny shook her head and sighed. "This trip is going to be...I don't know. Different."
"I agree. It's not like anything we've ever done at school before." Blaise bit her lip. "No secret rooms to escape to either. How are we going to talk to each other?"
An idea suddenly popped into Ginny's mind. "We could talk by- oh wait, that would only work for Draco and I." She thought of her faithful laptop up in her bedroom.
A curious look crossed the Slytherin's face. "What is it?"
"Well, Draco and I both have enchanted computers," Ginny explained, a light blush forming on her cheeks as she said her next sentence. "They are kind of how we met."
Blaise's eyes widened. "Through chatting?"
Nodding, Ginny stared at her. "Yes," she said slowly, "How did you know?"
She smirked. A true Slytherin asset. "I know because I, too, own an enchanted computer. Got it quite awhile ago, to write poems on and such."
A giggle escaped Ginny's lips. "That's too weird. Well, we solved our problem, I guess."
A blond-haired boy swiftly opened the door and made his way over to them.
"Ladies." He acknowledged, nodding at Blaise and sitting himself down beside Ginny.
"Sorry, I was held up at a Quidditch meeting. We had to appoint new players for the time we'll be away. Silly, if you ask me." Draco explained.
Blaise shrugged. "I'm not really into Quidditch. Never have been."
Both Draco and Ginny's jaws dropped. Ginny was the first to comment. "How can you live in the wizarding world and NOT be into Quidditch?"
Again, she shrugged. "I can give you three reasons right off the top of my head. One, flying scares the daylights out of me. Two, I'm not a social person, and Quidditch matches are very social events. I don't go. And three, I don't understand the rules."
Draco laughed. "Well, when we're through with you, you'll love Quidditch. Right, Gin?"
"Hey, you can't grow up in a house full of brothers and not enjoy a good Quidditch match every now and then. But I wouldn't say I love it." Ginny argued right back.
Draco shook his head. "What's wrong with you girls?"
They just laughed at him and began talking about clothes again.
After fifteen minutes, Draco yawned. "You don't suppose we could change the subject, huh?"
Ginny pretended to look hurt. "You aren't interested in clothes too?"
He rolled his eyes and pulled her into his lap. This time it didn't take her long at all to feel comfortable and situated. This time it felt perfect.
There was a comfortable silence in the air for a few minutes, until Blaise broke it.
"Hey, you guys? I just wanted to thank you."
They both stared at her. "For what?" Draco questioned.
She closed her eyes for a second. "For being my friends. For not judging me. For understanding." She didn't seem to want to go on. Draco and Ginny didn't mind, because she was right. They understood.
Suddenly she spoke up again. "You see, I never really got-"
She was cut off but a bright flash. Coming from the doorway. The three friends were too stunned to speak for a moment. But when they regained their composure, all they saw was the door hanging open, and darkness behind it. And heard was the scampering of feet down the tunnel.
Draco was the first to move, taking off like a shot down the dark corridor. Ginny and Blaise followed quickly after. They climbed out of the trapdoor and looked aimlessly around the library, looking for anyone suspicious. There were only three people in the library. Madam Pince, putting away books. A first year Hufflepuff, reading a large book at a front table. And Collin Creevey, trying to innocently exit the library. He was whistling, his camera hanging guiltily around his neck.
At once they all knew what had happened. Draco grabbed the sixth year roughly by the shoulder and dragged him out of the library. There was nobody in the hallway. Perfect.
"What do you think you're doing, Creevey?" Draco interrogated him.
His eyes widened in fear. "No-nothing. Just leaving the library."
Ginny glared at him. "Collin, we saw the flash. You carry around the camera. You framed yourself. Now tell me, what did you see?"
Blaise and Draco praised her momentary Slytherin-like qualities. She really was a fiery girl.
"I didn't see anything!" He cried uncertainly, a few tears leaking from his eyes. They were an intimidating bunch. Then he seemed to break down. "Ok, I'll tell you. I was talking to Harry, and he was going on about how Ginny's been talking to Slytherins lately. Well, I was walking in the library, and that trapdoor was left open. I was curious, so I went down there. I heard you talking, Ginny, so I decided to check it out. Then I took the picture, knowing Harry would be interested in it. I'm sorry Ginny, I really am!"
Draco stopped. "The trapdoor was left open?"
The frightened Collin nodded.
He smacked himself in the head rather hardly. "Stupid!"
Ginny calmed herself down momentarily. "Collin, what I do in my spare time is none of Harry's business. I hope you and I are good enough friends for you to understand that. Now, what do I have to do to ensure that I get the only copy of that picture?"
Collin cowered, still very much afraid of the muttering Draco behind Ginny. He even glanced at Blaise for a second, wondering how Ginny could be friends with these people. He knew better than to comment, however.
"I'm really really sorry Ginny. I had no right to take that picture. If you want, I will give the picture to you and the negatives when I develop them." Collin negotiated.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so eager to jump to my side? A minute ago you were going to snitch on me to Harry."
Collin decided to be brave for a moment. What he was about to say may offend the angry redhead, but he had to take the chance.
"In all honesty Ginny, I understand how you feel." Then he glanced at Draco. "Er, well, how you felt."
Confusion clouded her brown eyes. "What do you mean?"
He sighed. "Harry has always been my role model, I looked up to him for everything. Kind of like how you, well, you know, fancied him."
Crimson stained the sixth year's cheeks. She let him go on, anyway, curious as to where he was going with his story.
"He ignored you, am I right? Sure, he talked to you when it was convenient, when no one else was around, when he needed something. But most of the time, you didn't exist, right?"
She felt her blood boil. What right did Creevey have to point out all these obvious things to her? As if they didn't break her heart before, now he had to pour salt in the old wound. Luckily she'd found someone better, someone who gave her the time of day. She smiled momentarily at Draco.
"What are you playing at, Creevey?" Draco asked, urging him to move along with his story while they were still all civil.
He took a deep breath. "Ginny, I'm jumping to your side because Harry treated me, and still treats me, the same way. Sure, he talks to me now because he needs me to do this favor for him. But any other time? I'm just the pest with the camera. You and I both, we don't deserve that." He stopped long enough to see Ginny's frown turn to a smile. He felt it safe to continue. "So anyway, I don't know what's going on with you guys, and I'm not going to ask. I'm just going to respect it, march back up to the Gryffindor common room, and tell Harry Potter that he's a paranoid loser that should mind his own business."
Ginny snorted, which erupted into laughter. It was as if Collin had read her thoughts. She gave him a quick hug and thanked him. "It means a lot to me." She said to him, and he assured her it was no problem and he was just happy to be a friend.
When he left, Ginny turned around and said, "Wow, Draco, I'm getting all sorts of great friends because of you." But she never finished, her words melted into a kiss.
"Eh-hem." Blaise said after a few minutes.
Draco laughed and pulled away. "Sorry about that, Zabini. Sometimes we just get carried away."
-
It was nearing midnight. Ginny had been online for hours, but nobody was online. She was researching different types of pets and their costs, she was thinking of buying herself a cat or something. Not one like Crookshanks, she was thinking maybe something a little smaller.
Suddenly a window popped up on her screen, startling her.
SilentSlyth: Hey Ginny, it's Blaise.
Ginny laughed at her friend's screen name. It suited her perfectly.
Firefly: Hi Blaise. How did you find my screen name?
SilentSlyth: There are only 10 people online, and honestly? It was kind of obvious. Firefly?
Firefly: [laughs] Draco and I talked for 2 months and he didn't figure out that "Firefly" was Ginny Weasley. However, I didn't realize who he was either.
SilentSlyth: So, what, did you guys fall in love online or something?
Firefly: To make a long story short, yes.
SilentSlyth: That's awesome! Something straight out of a book!
Firefly: You're a writer, huh?
SilentSlyth: You got it.
Firefly: I just keep a diary. As you probably heard from back in my 1st year. [blushes]
SilentSlyth: Bygones, Ginny. It's all in the past.
Firefly: Thanks, Blaise. That means a lot.
SilentSlyth: No Prob. So, I never realized what a cutie Draco is before.
Firefly: [glares] Watch it, Zabini. He's mine.
SilentSlyth: [laughing] Don't worry, Ginny. My only love interest is the writing software on my computer. Your man is safe.
Firefly: No crushes even?
SilentSlyth: Nah...
Firefly: I think Collin may have something for you. [wink] Did you see the way he kept glancing at you in the hallway?
SilentSlyth: Yeah, and I think I distinctly recognize that look as fear.
Firefly: You may be right. [giggle]
SilentSlyth: Well, I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow?
Firefly: Yep. And if you see Draco, tell him hi for me.
SilentSlyth: Will do. Goodnight.
~*~
A/N: Another person knows! Plot is getting thicker! I don't really want to individually thank everyone this time, it's too late, I'm sorry.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED CHAPTER 4.
That's the best I can do. Except for, SILVER ESSENCE, I'm going to keep Agatha for a while. I've grown rather fond of her company. By the way, I see you've been throwing monkeys at other authors, huh? [laughs] Was it Billy? Or another one I haven't met yet?
To everyone that mentioned Tom or Sean...YOU PEOPLE ROCK!
To Luinthoron- You are special, you get a individual shoutout. Your review amazed me, you really put deep though into it. You are the only person who actually tried to figure out on your own why Ginny was picked to go on the trip. Because, as a matter of fact, she wasn't picked just to be with Draco. This is a whole different ball game. =) [HINT] You were very close in your guess. Very close indeed.
One last thing before I depart- I want your opinion. Should they trust Collin or not? I am yet to decide. Later!