Man Going Down

by Midnight Miseria

Will a muggle history project bring two unlikely characters together, or is it all just a charade to get the grade?

1. chapter 1

Title: Man Going Down

Author: ~Merlyns Apprentice~

Pairing: Ginny/Draco; Harry/Hermione

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing.

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Chapter 1: Change of Plans

As I stood on Platform 9 ¾,I couldn't believe that I was already in my 6th year. It amazed me. The strange thing about it was that Dumbledore had called back the 6th and 7th years to school a month and a half early, and told them to bring only their wands and a month's worth of clothing.

I boarded the train wondering how much trouble Harry could possibly be in to drag my grade back to school early. I found an empty compartment and sat down to prepare for the worst when platinum hair and silver eyes sat down in front of me.

"What did Potty do this time?" asked an annoyed voice.

"Sod off Malfoy." I answered calmly.

"That's no way for a lady to talk. Don't you poor people learn any manners?"

"Bloody hell Malfoy! Shut up!" I answered, more angrily.

"Make me."

"I will."

"And just how do you pl-" Draco's sentence was cut off however, as I slapped him and then promptly stormed out of the compartment. I had just gotten out the door when the train jolted and the lights went out. I would have fallen had I not tumbled backwards into a chest. I leaned backwards almost out of instinct and arms wrapped themselves around my waist, only to be quickly removed.

"Are you okay?" asked the person behind me.

"I think so."

"Humph. Fall the other way next time Weasley. Now, I need to go burn my clothes."

"Really? And why is that?" Draco started to head down the hall.

"I've got the germs of a poor pathetic muggle-lover on me." I felt like screaming but didn't, and went to lie down instead. I think I fell asleep because the next thing I knew, there was an announcement over the intercom saying that we were 10 minutes from Hogwarts. I sighed, I couldn't wait to find out why I was back so early.

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"Welcome back everyone." Dumbledore greeted the nearly empty hall. "You are all here for a project concerning muggle history. The grades are going to be split up into two groups." I gasped inwardly. This meant 6th years in one group, and the 7th years in the other. I'd be split up from Ron, Mione and Harry. "The groups will be split up as follows: Gryffindors with Slytherins and Hufflepuffs with Ravenclaws. Your group will be going back to a certain time-frame in muggle history and you will role-play the lifestyle of the era.

"Each student will have his or her own personal objectives to accomplish within the 10 months you will be there. For your objectives and social status, you will be receiving a card with that and any other important information from your head of houses. This includes the time to which you are traveling.

"Tomorrow you will be allowed to go to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade to get the things needed for the trip. All classes and for 7th years the NEWTS, will be waived, and graduation will proceed as usual when you return. As all that is said, enjoy the feast." Dumbledore clapped his hands and the feast began.

Instantly Ron, Mione and Harry started talking . . . well Harry and Mione started talking, Ron was muttering through his food. I ate in silence, until I got the feeling I was being watched. I looked up and my eyes met silver, I glared at him and we both looked away.

A little while later, a clinking noise was heard from the head table. McGonagall stood up and told everyone to retreat to their common rooms, but not to go bed, as the cards still needed to be handed out.

I was the first one in the common room, and I was also the first one to get my card. I didn't look at mine right away. McGonagall told us that only the students with the ranking of wealthy or upper class have the option of going to Diagon Alley. She also told us that our era would be 19thcentury England.

It wasn't until I was safe in my bed that I looked at my card. I gasped out loud at what I read:

Name: Virginia DuMont

Parent: Severus DuMont

Class: Upper

Personal Maid: Hermione Richards

* OH MY GODS! I'm in the UPPER CLASS! I'M GONNA BE RICH! * I continued reading:

Objective: Marry into a title and convince society you are happily married in a time full of mistresses and betrayal.

I remembered we wouldn't be leaving until August 31, one day before the rest of the school arrived. I had that much time to learn to be a lady . . . and I could only think of one person to teach me - Malfoy. But there was no way in hell I was going to that conceited little brat for help! Maybe Mione could help . . . I left my room and bolted for her Head Girl dorm.

"Who is it?"

"It's Ginny, Mione! Open up!"

"The door's open Gin." I walked into the room and found her sitting on her bed with Harry sprawled out on the nearby couch. I eyed Harry before turning to Mione.

"Can I talk to you alone Mione?" she looked at Harry who shrugged.

"Can't this wait?"

"Please Mione?!" I answered waving my card in the air. "It's important!"

"But. . ." Harry got up and kissed her on the cheek.

"It's okay Herms. I'll talk to you later." Mione sighed.

"Thanks Harry." I said, giving him a quick hug before he walked out. He smiled and left.

"So?" she asked, flopping down on her bed in a very dramatic way. "What's so important it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

"This." I said, walking over and handing her my card.

"Oh my gods! Ginny! Y-y-y-you're in the upper class! You're rich!!!" I nodded and flopped down onto the bed beside her. "And I'm your maid!"

"What am I gonna do Mione? I've got one month, one month, to learn to be a lady. I don't even have a proper bone in my body! Let alone manners!!" Mione got an excited look in her eyes and sat up quickly.

"Books!"

"Is that your answer for everything?" she glared at me.

" Haha, very funny. No, what I mean is . . .well, yes. We may be able to find some books on 19th

century culture in the library-not to mention books on manners." I looked at her skeptically.

"At this time of night? Are you nutters?"

"We could borrow Harry's invisibility cloak and sneak in. Pince never locks it anymore. . ."

"Are you sure?" she nodded. "Do you think this could possibly work?" she nodded again. "Well then, let's go get that cloak!"

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Muggle History? Dumbledore was a fool! Oh, my father is going to hear about this . . . and that

bumbling old idiot will be gone for good. This is turning out to be the worst return to school ever! First that whole 'I-went-and-touched-a-Weasley' incident on the train, I have yet to burn my robes, and now this!! Gods. Could it get any worse?

I walked back to the common room to get my information card from Snape and went to my room,

and sat down in front of the fireplace. I had planned on reading the card in the morning, but the suspense got to me. I was. . .happily surprised by what I read.

Name: Draco Malfoy

Parent: Minerva Malfoy

Title: Duke Class: Upper

Personal Servant: Ronald Proctor

Wow! I'm going to be a duke! That's a better title than my father has with the Dark Lord.

Objective: Court and marry the daughter of the respectable Severus DuMont.

Hmmm. I wonder who is playing Snape's daughter in this sad excuse for a project. The only way to find out is to ask. I got up and walked to the professors private quarters and knocked on the portrait.

"Go away!"

"Professor Snape? It's Malfoy sir." The portrait cracked open and an eye glared out at me.

"What do you want Malfoy?"

"I have some questions sir. About the project." He nodded tersely and allowed me to enter. He sat down heavily in an arm chair in front of the fireplace.

"Well? What is it?"

"Who is going to be your daughter for this. . .thing sir?"

"You know I can't you that information Malfoy."

"Why not?"

"It's against the rules for the Heads of House to give out information regarding the students in another house Mr. Malfoy."

"A Gryffindor!! But that. . .oh. I get it, my 'parent' is McGonagall, so it only make sense that your 'daughter' would be from that blasted house."

"Very good Malfoy, now go. Unless you have any other questions?"

"No sir. I'll be going." A Gryff, I asked myself as I walked out and towards my room. I have to court a Gryff?! What is the world coming to? I entered my room and grabbed my invisibility cloak and headed off towards the library. I had some things to learn about dukedom . . . Good thing the Madame doesn't lock the library when she isn't there.

*End of Chapter 1*

A/N: For those of you who read the original version of this story, please let me know what you think of it. For those who didn't: I had placed this story up with worse characterization then is evident in this chapter and a plot that moved way too fast. I took it down to work on it and Voila! Here is the totally redone chapter 1! I hope you enjoyed it and really want to know what you think! So PLEASE review (or flame as long as I know it's been read!!)