Title: Man Going Down
Pairing: Ginny/Draco; Harry/Hermione
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing.
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Chapter 3: Shopping Fun . . . Or is it?
I woke up at precisely 6 o'clock, like I do at home so I can beat my brothers to breakfast, and dressed for a day of shopping-comfortably. Donned in my favorite pair of burgundy sweat pants, and a faded yellow tank top I've had since my fourth year that was growing increasing smaller in certain areas, I bounded into Mione's room and jumped on her bed. She pried her eyes open and gave me a halfhearted glare-halfhearted because she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.
"I'm sorry Mione, truly I am." I said in a slightly mocking, slightly understanding tone. She propped herself up against her pillows and attempted another glare.
"Sure you are Gin." I managed to looked appalled apparently because she burst out in hysterical laughter, and I naturally joined in.
"Well, we are leaving for Diagon Alley in an hour and a half . . . I figured you'd want a shower and breakfast. Not to mention that I know you wake up terribly hard." She pasted a look of mock anger, causing me to giggle. She sighed and shrugged.
"I'll be down in the common room in thirty minutes . . . don't leave without me." I got up and walked towards the door.
"I won't." I walked down into the common room and plopped down in front of the fireplace, which was burning a cold fire in order to cool off the overly stuffy room. I'd never had imagined that the castle would heat up so badly in the summer. I usually found the place to be extremely cold. Of course that may have something to do with the dungeon full of conniving serpents and their ringleader-Draco Malfoy. That cold-hearted, evil . . . I noticed a hand waving in front of my face and I slowly descended back into the common room.
"Earth to Ginny. Hello? Anybody home?" I looked at the hand and who it was attached to.
"Oh! Hello, Harry . . . did you want something?" He sat down with a slight grin on his face.
"Thought we'd lost you for a minute there." he laughed. "Have you seen Mione?"
"Yup. Pounced on her bed. She's in the shower and should be down soon."
"Talking about me? Ginny! I never knew you were the type to gossip." I stared at Mione as she walked down the stairs to join us on the couch.
"But . . . I thought . . . weren't you going to take a shower?" She looked at me with a confused expression.
"I did." she answered.
"Really? I spent thirty minutes in la la land?" Hmm . . . that's never happened before, good way to pass the time.
"Ok, that's just weird." Harry cut in.
"I have to agree with you Harry. Seeing as Herms has joined us, shall we go to breakfast." Instead of answering me they just got up and headed for the door, hand in hand. "Well I never!" I bolted after them and we talked all the way to the Great Hall. Sitting down at our usual spot at the table I noticed that Ron was missing. "Harry, have you seen my brother?"
"Only when he's sleeping and eating, the rest of the time he's off sulking somewhere-which he's been doing since he got that card."
"I'm surprised he's not here, Ron's always hungry and forever complaining about it." Hermione declared.
"Not when he's in one of those moods, he usually skulks about the house when he's in those moods and mum has to beg him to eat." I chose a glass of orange juice, a bagel and some eggs for my breakfast.
"You mean people have to actually beg Ron to eat?! You've got to be kidding?" Harry laughed in a joking tone.
"Nu-uh. Why would I joke about something that usually results in more food for me?" We all laughed and I took a bite of my bagel and eggs.
"So Harry, where are you going for today's shopping excursion?" Herms asked.
"I promised Ron I'd go to Hogsmeade with him."
"Are you trying to say you have the option of going to Diagon Alley, Harry?" I asked after a sip of my juice.
"I said nothing of the sort and you know it Gin. Nothing was implied by that statement." He laughed. "Besides, with the mood Ron's in, someone needs to watch him." We all laughed again. It was at that moment that my delightfully angry and depressed brother decided to grace us with his presence. I looked at him.
"Hello sir. Have we met before?" I asked innocently. "You look a little familiar but I can't place where I know you from." Harry snorted.
"Cut the crap Gin." Mione gasped and Harry chuckled under his breath.
"It's called a joke Ron. Between Fred, George and myself you'd think you'd
be used to them by now." I said in a disgusted tone. He looked guiltily at the three of us.
"I'm sorry guys, It's just this project . . . I really don't like the idea."
"Why not? I'm looking forward to it, I think it'll be fun." Mione answered, looking at me at the mention of fun, I smiled.
"Maybe for some people." He mumbled into his glass. Harry looked at Herms nervously.
"So Ron," he began, quickly changing the subject, "are we still on for Hogsmeade today?" Ron looked up with an excited glint in his eyes.
"Hey, I forgot all about that! Of course we are mate. What about you two?" Herms shrugged and I cocked my head to the side.
"Diagon Alley." we said simultaneously. He mouthed 'oh' and looked depressed again. I looked at Mione.
"Cheer up Ron. It's not my fault."
"I know Gin, I know." I was just about to console Ron a little more when Prof. Snape stood up to make an announcement.
"Any students who have the option to go to Diagon Alley and wish to do so, meet me on the front steps in twenty minutes. Those going to Hogsmeade are to meet Prof. Dumbledore in the same spot in an thirty minutes." he sat back down. I looked back at Mione.
"Did you bring the notes Gin?"
"No, and since you asked I'm guessing you didn't either?" She shook her head. Our eyes grew big as we looked at each other and we bolted towards the common room.
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I looked up to listen to Snape's announcement and watched as the Weaslette and the Mudblood bolted out of the common room. Either Potty and Weasle had said something to upset them or they had forgotten something. Not that I care. I mean, why should I?
I went over the mental notes I had taken the night before whilst looking through my books, and started buying clothing in my head. Personally, I think that the clothing of that time was more sophisticated than what I am forced to wear for Death Eater parties. I may not have any intention of joining the Dark Lord, but as I value my life, my father won't find out.
I finished eating my breakfast and stepped out into the entrance hall and waited for the time to pass until we had to leave. About ten minutes later, the Mudblood and Weaslette walked down the stairs and looked around nervously. The youngest Weasle walked over towards me.
"Have the Diagon Alley shoppers left yet Malfoy?"
"And what makes you think I'm going to tell anything to a Weasle?" A look of extreme anger crossed over her face rather quickly and she muttered something about "Stupid, useless ferrets" under her breath. I smirked at her.
"Do you choose to be an ass Malfoy, or does it come by you naturally?"
"Oh, it's definitely natural Gin. It's the Death Eater blood you see." The Mudblood cut in.
"I am not and I never will be a Death Eater, Granger." I answered with quiet vehemence. She looked shocked and the Weaselette looked like I was joking.
"Dammit Malfoy! Just tell us if Snape has left yet." she shot back and Granger took a defensive stance behind her. I closed my eyes and quickly went over all the ways I could kill her quickly, but no . . . that would be too easy.
"No. He hasn't left yet." She walked over towards me and patted my cheek.
"There, that wasn't so hard now was it ferret?" I grabbed her wrist sharply.
"Don't you ever touch me again! You hear me? You are not even worth the dirt on the bottom of my shoes." I whispered with vengeance.
"Oh, I hear you. Now you listen to me. Don't you ever touch me again. I may not be high and mighty like you Draco" she spit my name out with contempt, "but I am a pureblood and I do know people. People who could make life for your family a living hell." I let go of her wrist.
"I'd like to see you try." She stood up straight and looked at Granger.
"Mione, I think this means war."
"Yes Gin, I think it does." Granger walked out the front door and Ginny followed.
"Bitch." I muttered when I thought she couldn't hear me.
"Bite me asshole!" she shot back and slammed the door shut behind her. Dammit! I hate Weasleys!! Then why does she look so attractive when she's angry? A voice in the back of my head questioned. I turned around and punched the wall.
"Mr. Malfoy. I don't care what has you this angered, but it is not acceptable for you to take it out on the wall. If I see you purposely attacking the building again I will be forced to take points." I turned around.
"Yes, sorry Prof. Snape." He didn't look at all appeased.
"Would I be correct in guessing that you are going to Diagon Alley, Mr. Malfoy?" he asked politely.
"Yes sir, that would be correct." He nodded.
"THEN GET MOVING!" he bellowed. I nodded and bolted out the doors to meet the rest of the students on the front steps. I quietly waited for the Prof. to make his way outside, as far away from Weasley and Granger as humanly possible. Once he stepped out the doors, he handed out the portkeys and we were gone.
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I grabbed Mione's arm as Snape passed out and activated the portkeys. As soon as I felt the familiar pull behind the navel I felt like I was going to pass
out, so I squeezed Mione's arm to keep me in reality. I hate portkeys! Why couldn't we have traveled by floo? Not soon enough, we landed in the Leaky Cauldron and waited to hear the rules Snape was most likely going to dole out regarding the shopping excursion. I sat down to regain my senses as Snape counted heads and straightened to give us one of his customary lectures.
"You are all to return to this spot at 3 o'clock. Anyone who does not adhere to this will cause the rest of us to wait for them resulting in detention, every night with me until we leave for the project. You are only to buy things for this project. Objects bought for this reason may be put on a tab set up by the school. If you attempt to buy anything with the school's money that is not for this project, that will also result in detention with me every night until we leave. No fighting. We are here to get 'supplies' and we are representing the school, you are to be on your best behavior. If I hear that you have not complied with that rule, you will also wind up with detention with me.
Dismissed." I stayed seated long enough to get my bearings straight and make Herms looked worried.
"Are you okay Gin?" I nodded.
"Yeah, I just hate portkeys." I looked up in time to see Snape stalking towards us.
"Seeing as I have the 'pleasure' of living with you two for a while, I expect
you to dress with proper decorum and suggest that you rethink any Gryffindor alliances you have. For this project, you will not wear red and gold all the time. Do you understand what I am saying?"
"Yes sir." we answered in unison. I quickly glanced at Herms as he looked at the clock above the bar.
"Good. I will not have you make a fool out of me." with that he stalked off out the door.
"Goodness! Last time I checked we only wear red and gold for classes and school events." Mione said as she glared at the door Snape had just exited through. I coughed nervously. "Gin!" she whined.
"What? I wanted to dress comfortably and I didn't feel like wearing Christmas colors in August." She shook her head in laughter as we walked to Madame Malkin's shop arm in arm. Mione browsed the display pieces while I chose to go straight for one of the ladies' catalogues.
I noticed that the catalogue had a new section added in the back entitled 'Custom Costumes' and quickly flipped to those pages. It had everything we needed; riding habits, day dresses, night rails, dressing robes, evening gowns, petticoats, chemises, stockings, garters, gloves, cloaks and even slippers and boots. I looked up and spotted Herms admiring a white satin dress adorned with powder blue ribbons.
"Oh Mione!" I called almost too innocently, "You might want to come check this out." She walked over and stood behind me as I started to mentally order the dresses.
"Wow. I'd have never thought she'd cater to the needs for the project."
"And I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be smart. Oh wait . . . maybe that's just what they say to atone for the fact it's the only house the Weasleys are allowed in." I heard Malfoy cackle behind us.
"Oh look Gin, we have the wonderful luck to be graced with the presence of a cold-hearted snake." I crossed my arms and looked at Malfoy without emotion.
"Don't you mean Lucius Malfoy's personal marionette."
"Now look hear Weasley-"
"Yeah, you're right Gin. He probably is. You know what they say: like father, like son."
"I agree Herms."
"I am nothing like my father." Draco said as he stepped so close that his nose brushed mine.
"Oh yeah?" I countered. "Prove it."
"How?" he whispered, with what I think was hope. No. Why would he hope to step from his father's shadow?
"Stop antagonizing me," I glanced at Herms "and Hermione."
"Antagonizing you? You started it!" he laughed.
"Uh guys." Mione's voice cut in. We both looked at her to see Snape standing directly behind her.
"You two would happen to be fighting, now would you?" he asked.
"No sir. We were just-" I began. And he gave me a very disapproving look.
"We were just working out terms for our truce." Malfoy finished.
"Truce?" Snape questioned in a disbelieving tone.
"That's right, a truce." Mione interjected.
"Now if you wouldn't mind sir," Draco began.
"We would just like to finish our shopping." I added.
"Please?" Herms finished. Snape looked as if he was going to lose his mind and walked out mumbling something about teenagers. We looked at each other and broke out into hysterics.
"Ok, that's just weird." I stated.
"What?" Draco asked.
"We just battled Snape together! Like a team!" I answered.
"Which my father wouldn't have done by the way." he added. Mione and I looked at him.
"So, do we have a truce . . . or was that just to benefit the bat?" she asked.
"Truce." he answered. An awkward silence filled the air between us.
"Uh, we are just going to finish our shopping." Mione offered as he started to walk over to the guy's side of the shop.
"Right." he answered. I looked at Mione.
"Hey Malfoy!" I called after him. He turned around and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Do you know how to . . . well . . . ballroom dance?" A weird look passed over his face.
"Why?" he asked cautiously.
"We," I began pointing at myself and Mione "kinda need to learn. I figured with the truce and all, you might be able to help us out?"
"Are you asking for my help?" he asked with a small amount of joy in his voice, why it was there I'll never know.
"Maybe." I answered, looking down at the catalogue.
"Are you going to gravel?"
"That might be pushing it." Herms interjected.
"Might?" I asked looking at Mione with horror.
"Ok." he replied.
"Ok? As in 'Ok, I'll help Ok' or as in 'Ok, you two are nuts' ok?" I questioned. Mione laughed at me and Draco had a weird yet amused look going on.
"Uh, both? You are definitely nuts! But I might be able to help."
"Cool." I said with a slight grin. He shot it back.
"Yeah, cool."
*End of Chapter 3*
This chapter could be longer, but I thought this would be a good place to end it . . . plus Im printing the chaps out for two of my friends at school and I don't think I'd have enough paper to print out anything over the already 9 pages I have. Not to mention that my baby kitty, Andromeda, is driving me absolutely batty!! Luv ya! Lyse!!