An Acceptable Risk
Part 9
The first Hogsmede weekend had just been announced, and all the students were excited about the opportunity to venture into the wizarding village. All except for Ginny. He plan was moving along perfectly, and unfortunately, that meant nobody in the school was speaking to her. Everyone in Gryffindor thought she was a traitor of the worst sort, and the Slytherins didn't trust her at all. Well, that's not quite true, she thought to herself. Draco seems to be trusting me more and more. I just wish I had someone I could talk to. I miss talking with Hermione so much. Knowing what she wanted was impossible, Ginny sighed and threw herself on her bed and drew the curtains, effectively shutting herself off from the rest of the world
The sound of footsteps shook her from her reverie, and Professor McGonagall walked into the room in her no nonsense manner. "Miss Weasley, you are to report to Professor Dumbledore's office immediately." She pulled open the bed curtains and looked down at Ginny, who was huddled on the bed. "And I would advise you NOT to dawdle," she sniffed.
"Yes Professor," said Ginny as she slid down off the bed and hurried down the stairs. The common room, which had been filled with the happy Gryffindor's, making plans for Hogsmede fell suddenly silent when Ginny and Professor McGonagall entered the room. Cheeks blazing, but head held high, Ginny walked through the room, looking neither left nor right, but keeping her eyes straight ahead.
The two walked silently though the halls until they reached the statue blocking the entrance to Dumbledore's office. "Coca~Cola," said Professor McGonagall and the door was slowly reveled.
"Coca~Cola?" questioned Ginny.
"Yes," said McGonagall with a small sigh. "A nasty beverage, but Headmaster Dumbledore is particularly fond of it. Go on with you, up the stairs and see what he wants, and mind you, don't tarry in the halls on your way back."
"Yes Professor McGonagall," said Ginny as she started up the stairs. Outside the office door, Ginny paused for a moment, took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in," said Dumbledore as the swung open. "Ah Miss Weasley, come in, come in. How are you this evening?"
"I'm fine sir," said Ginny. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, yes, we'll get to that, but first, bring me up to date, how is your plan progressing?"
Ginny brought him up to date in clear quiet tones, telling him nothing of the way she was being ostracized by everybody. She explained that Draco had begun to confide in her and in fact had begun to actively seek her out in the evenings at the library.
"Excellent, excellent," said the Headmaster. "And you Miss Weasley, how are you fairing during all this subterfuge? Any problems?"
"No sir, I'm fine," Ginny said in a small voice.
"Ginny, if you don't tell me the truth, I can't help you," said Dumbledore.
"Well, aside from the fact that everyone in Gryffindor hates me, nobody in Slytherin trusts me, and those in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw ignore me, everything is fine!" shouted Ginny.
"That's better," said Dumbledore. "You know Miss Weasley, you don't have to continue this charade. Nobody will think less of you if you want to give this up."
"No, I can't," said Ginny. "I'll do whatever it takes to save Harry. He means everything to me. This is working, I know it is. Harry gets so angry every time he sees me with Draco, and anger is better than the apathy he has been feeling!"
"Very true, Miss Weasley, very true indeed. However, I have been quite concerned regarding your isolation from your friends, quite concerned indeed. In fact, several members of the faculty have expressed concern over both the way you have been acting and they way your actions have been received as well."
"Good," said Ginny grimly. "That means it's working."
"Yes, it does," agreed Dumbledore. "Now there are several other items I need to address, the first being your mother." He walked over to the small fire that was burning in the fireplace and threw in a handful of powder into it and Molly Weasley's head appeared in the flames.
"H-Hi Mum," Ginny said nervously.
"Ginny, Headmaster Dumbledore says you have something urgent you have to tell me. What is it Love?"
"Do I have to tell her?" asked Ginny nervously as she looked at Dumbledore.
"Yes Ginny, you do. She is your mother and she deserves to know everything."
Ginny turned back to the fire, and after extracting a promise from her mother to not interrupt, told her about her plan to befriend Draco Malfoy and to become a death eater and to save Harry. As she spoke, Molly Weasley pressed a fist to her mouth in an effort to keep her promise and remain silent, but when Ginny was finished she opened her mouth and prepared to yell but was interrupted by Dumbledore.
"Think Molly before you say something you will regret."
"I'm sorry Albus, but this is wrong, all wrong. I love Harry, you know I do, but I don't think I can sacrifice one child I love to save another child."
"Nobody's asking you to do that Mum!" shouted Ginny. "This isn't your sacrifice, or your decision, it's mine. I love Harry, not some little girl crush, but real love, and I'll do anything to save him."
Molly lowered her head, defeated. She didn't know if Harry loved Ginny, but she was certain of one thing. Ginny loved Harry the way a she loved Arthur, and she wasn't about to let anything put that love in danger.
"Ginny, be careful. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you," said Molly.
"I know Mum, just like I couldn't bear it if anything happened to Harry. I'll be careful, I promise."
"And you'll check in at least once a week!" demanded Molly.
"Yes Mum, I'll send you an owl at least once a week."
"No! Not an owl. I want to be able to see your face and make sure you are fine. Albus?" she questioned. "Can you arrange it?"
"Yes Molly, that will be no problem. I'll make arrangements for Ginny to come to my office on a weekly basis to talk with you. Agreed Miss Weasley?"
"Yes," said Ginny knowing she had no other choice. "Mum, I love you," she said.
"And I you Ginny. Godspeed my daughter, Godspeed," said Molly as her head faded from the flames.
"Not meaning to argue sir," said Ginny, turning to Dumbledore, "But won't it look very suspicious, my coming here every week?"
"Indeed it would Ginny, but there in lies the second part of my summons tonight. I have something for you." He reached into a drawer in his desk and removed a package. Ginny took the package with trembling hands and opened it. Folds of shimmering fabric spilled forth.
"What is it sir?" she asked in a puzzled voice. "I mean it's a cloak of some sort, but what does it do?"
"This Miss Weasley is an invisibility cloak, not unsimilar to the one belonging to Mr. Potter."
"Oh, you know about that, do you?" asked Ginny in an abashed voice.
"Yes, I do know all about that," laughed Dumbledore. "Now, use this cloak wisely Miss Weasley, it can help you in many different endeavors, not just the most obvious ones."
"Thank you sir," said Ginny wrapping the cloak around herself. Her disembodied voice giggled softly. "This could be fun," she said. "But I do promise to use it wisely, I do."
"I know you will Ginny," said Dumbledore as he smiled in the direction of her voice. "Just remember what I said, this cloak has many many uses."