Chapter 3: The Letter and the Floo Powder
Draco couldn't believe that the Weasely brat had gotten away from him! When she had run off, he had been momentarily frozen in shock by her bold (and stupid) move. But after a few seconds, he began to run after her. Ginny, being a slender girl, had slid through the crowd quickly. The only thing to guide him had been flashes of her wild, trademark hair.
Draco sped up when he saw Ginny turn down Knockturn Alley. No matter what her dealings in Dark Magic were, she was a petite girl and could easily be injured. But why the hell do I care? It's not like I won't hurt her when I get a hold of her! I'm such an idiot. I can't believe I didn't expect her to try to escape when I could see the very idea stirring in her eyes. But when I do get her back I swear to all the gods and goddesses that I will make sure she will never see outside the fortress of Azkaban again. That is if I don't Avada Kedavra her on the spot...
Draco turned into Knockturn Alley and was greeted by a silent, deserted street. Draco cautiously walked down the road as the wind started to pick up and create a haunting sound as it blew through the trees.
If I lose her, Moody will bloody kill me! I'll lose my job, shame myse-
Draco's thoughts ended abruptly when he heard a loud creak up ahead; he saw nothing. Then he caught the sound of a thud followed shortly by another creak and thud. "Who's there?" The noises started and ended again. What the hell? That is definitely not a girl. Definitely not.. The hair on the back of Draco's neck rose, but he started jogging towards the sounds anyway.
Without warning, Draco was shoved from behind and submitted to unconsciousness as his silver-blonde head hit the dirty cobblestone.
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Ginny didn't stop running until she got outside of the Leaky Cauldron and onto the streets of Muggle London. Getting out of Knockturn Alley had been surprisingly simple. All she had to do was watch for the signs and follow their directions. Looking around at the automobiles (Ginny had taken Muggle Studies while attending Hogwarts), Ginny had no idea where to go so she sat down on the curb.
It might not be a good idea to be sitting down. "Dammit!" Ginny burst out. "How do I get myself into this mess? What made the Ministry think I would harbor illegal books. What am I going to do?" Ginny let out a frustrated sigh. More accurately, who is going to help me? I can't do this by myself. Let's see, I can't risk asking my father. He has faced too many inquiries at work to worry about helping me without getting in trouble. Besides, what would my mother do with a husband out of work and a daughter in jail? Ron's too chicken to help. Hermione could, but no, she would take way too long...Dumbledore! But how the hell will I find him? It's summer, he could be anywhere. Not to mention, how I would be able to get wherever he is without getting caught. Ferret Face has probably sent out his whole Auror team after me.
Just then a regal looking owl landed on her shoulder. It too became invisible when it touched her. Taking the letter from around the bird's leg, Ginny read:
Miss V. Weasley,
I do believe that you and I need to have a little chat. I have included instructions on how to get to my office. Good luck Miss Weasley.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
I always knew he was omniscient! Ginny thought with excitement.
In the envelope there was another piece of parchment directing Ginny to go back inside of the Leaky Cauldron and instructing her how to find and use a secret fireplace under a set of stairs. She would use the fireplace to Floo to the professor's office.
"Thank Merlin," Ginny whispered with relief. "Ok, I need to find this staircase and get to the fireplace inside the room inside the staircase." How am I going to do this without looking suspicious? My hair is too vibrant! Muttering a charm to change her hair, which she happened to like, she got up and walked through the door. Her long, black hair attracted no one's atttention. So far so good. With no need for the Globus Obtego right now, she stuffed it into her robe pocket.
The bar was quite dark compared to the bright sun outside, making Ginny's vision blurry. But near the right wall Ginny thought she saw a set of stairs. From Dumbledore's note, that would be where the hidden door was. Carefully, she felt along the stairs searching for the handle. Ginny felt it almost immediately. Maybe I do have some luck!
Inside, the small room had peeling, maroon wallpaper that looked ancient and to the far right, there was a blazing fireplace. On the mantle, there was a small pot of Floo powder just waiting for her to take a pinch. Ginny delicately slipped across the room to the fireplace. Throwing a bit of the powder into the flames, she stepped in and shouted, "Albus Dumbledore's office!"
With a thump, the sooty red head landed on Professor Dumbledore's office floor. A kind voice said, "I've been expecting you, Miss Weasely. Please, have a seat so we can begin."
Ginny got up and brushed herself off and sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the professor's desk. "I was very happy to receive your note professor."
"I know Miss Weasley, I know." Dumbledore responded with a sparkle in his eyes.
------------------
***Earlier***
The old man's eyes flickered with merriment as he watched the young red haired woman opening a letter from Hogwarts.
His plan was running smoothly...
------------------
Draco couldn't believe that the Weasely brat had gotten away from him! When she had run off, he had been momentarily frozen in shock by her bold (and stupid) move. But after a few seconds, he began to run after her. Ginny, being a slender girl, had slid through the crowd quickly. The only thing to guide him had been flashes of her wild, trademark hair.
Draco sped up when he saw Ginny turn down Knockturn Alley. No matter what her dealings in Dark Magic were, she was a petite girl and could easily be injured. But why the hell do I care? It's not like I won't hurt her when I get a hold of her! I'm such an idiot. I can't believe I didn't expect her to try to escape when I could see the very idea stirring in her eyes. But when I do get her back I swear to all the gods and goddesses that I will make sure she will never see outside the fortress of Azkaban again. That is if I don't Avada Kedavra her on the spot...
Draco turned into Knockturn Alley and was greeted by a silent, deserted street. Draco cautiously walked down the road as the wind started to pick up and create a haunting sound as it blew through the trees.
If I lose her, Moody will bloody kill me! I'll lose my job, shame myse-
Draco's thoughts ended abruptly when he heard a loud creak up ahead; he saw nothing. Then he caught the sound of a thud followed shortly by another creak and thud. "Who's there?" The noises started and ended again. What the hell? That is definitely not a girl. Definitely not.. The hair on the back of Draco's neck rose, but he started jogging towards the sounds anyway.
Without warning, Draco was shoved from behind and submitted to unconsciousness as his silver-blonde head hit the dirty cobblestone.
------------------
Ginny didn't stop running until she got outside of the Leaky Cauldron and onto the streets of Muggle London. Getting out of Knockturn Alley had been surprisingly simple. All she had to do was watch for the signs and follow their directions. Looking around at the automobiles (Ginny had taken Muggle Studies while attending Hogwarts), Ginny had no idea where to go so she sat down on the curb.
It might not be a good idea to be sitting down. "Dammit!" Ginny burst out. "How do I get myself into this mess? What made the Ministry think I would harbor illegal books. What am I going to do?" Ginny let out a frustrated sigh. More accurately, who is going to help me? I can't do this by myself. Let's see, I can't risk asking my father. He has faced too many inquiries at work to worry about helping me without getting in trouble. Besides, what would my mother do with a husband out of work and a daughter in jail? Ron's too chicken to help. Hermione could, but no, she would take way too long...Dumbledore! But how the hell will I find him? It's summer, he could be anywhere. Not to mention, how I would be able to get wherever he is without getting caught. Ferret Face has probably sent out his whole Auror team after me.
Just then a regal looking owl landed on her shoulder. It too became invisible when it touched her. Taking the letter from around the bird's leg, Ginny read:
Miss V. Weasley,
I do believe that you and I need to have a little chat. I have included instructions on how to get to my office. Good luck Miss Weasley.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
I always knew he was omniscient! Ginny thought with excitement.
In the envelope there was another piece of parchment directing Ginny to go back inside of the Leaky Cauldron and instructing her how to find and use a secret fireplace under a set of stairs. She would use the fireplace to Floo to the professor's office.
"Thank Merlin," Ginny whispered with relief. "Ok, I need to find this staircase and get to the fireplace inside the room inside the staircase." How am I going to do this without looking suspicious? My hair is too vibrant! Muttering a charm to change her hair, which she happened to like, she got up and walked through the door. Her long, black hair attracted no one's atttention. So far so good. With no need for the Globus Obtego right now, she stuffed it into her robe pocket.
The bar was quite dark compared to the bright sun outside, making Ginny's vision blurry. But near the right wall Ginny thought she saw a set of stairs. From Dumbledore's note, that would be where the hidden door was. Carefully, she felt along the stairs searching for the handle. Ginny felt it almost immediately. Maybe I do have some luck!
Inside, the small room had peeling, maroon wallpaper that looked ancient and to the far right, there was a blazing fireplace. On the mantle, there was a small pot of Floo powder just waiting for her to take a pinch. Ginny delicately slipped across the room to the fireplace. Throwing a bit of the powder into the flames, she stepped in and shouted, "Albus Dumbledore's office!"
With a thump, the sooty red head landed on Professor Dumbledore's office floor. A kind voice said, "I've been expecting you, Miss Weasely. Please, have a seat so we can begin."
Ginny got up and brushed herself off and sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the professor's desk. "I was very happy to receive your note professor."
"I know Miss Weasley, I know." Dumbledore responded with a sparkle in his eyes.
------------------
***Earlier***
The old man's eyes flickered with merriment as he watched the young red haired woman opening a letter from Hogwarts.
His plan was running smoothly...
------------------