Draco Malfoy paused in the corridor and turned around to glance at her, walking away shaking his head slightly.
The welcoming feast was everything that it should be, lavish, warm and inviting, Ginny thought as she sat down next to Colin at the Gryffindor table. With curiosity she watched the new first years walking through the large oak doors, with a faint shock she noted that a few of them must be at least her height!
'What is this' Ginny whispered to Colin, pointing discreetly at the first years nervously pouring through the doors.
'Mmm...what is it Gin, seem something you like eh?' Colin asked suggestively
Ginny blushed slightly, whacking Colin on the arm and saying in a dignified voice,
'Don't be crude Creevey! You know as well as I do, they are 5 years our junior!'
Colin chuckled warmly, punching her back lightly, 'Yeah, I was only teasing you Gin, although coming to think of it that boy at the front is a bit of a peach...' Colin rolled off, gazing at a boy at the front.
Ginny followed his gaze and with surprise saw that the boy at the front couldn't possibly actually be a first year, due to him being nearly twice the height of the girl behind him, besides, his facial structure was delicate and had the defined structure puberty gave.
A soft cough demanding silence came from the front of the hall causing Ginny to turn her attention to Professor Dumbledore who was standing patiently, his blue eyes twinkling as he looked around the room.
After the feast Ginny was slowly making her way out of the hall when a hand reached out and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. Ginny turned around, paranoid, to see the stern face of the Gryffindor head of house.
'Professor...' Ginny greeted politely.
It earnt her a faint smile from the transfiguration Professor, who proceeded to hand her a note.
'It's from Professor Snape, Miss Weasley' Professor McGonagall said seeing the confused yet curious look upon the 6th year girl's face.
Ginny fingered the thick parchment and bid farewell to her Professor before slitting open the parchment unaware of a pair of eyes watching her. She nearly dropped the parchment when she read what it said –
Miss Weasley,
It began.
Due to your exemplary marks in Potions, I am offering you an opportunity not many receive. If you wish to make the most of it, see me in my office immediately after the welcoming feast.
Professor S. Snape.
It disgusted Ginny to have certain...disturbing...thoughts run through her head before she realised that McGonagall gave her the note and if Snape was suggesting something inappropriate he wouldn't give the note to her. 'Besides...' Ginny muttered to herself on the way to the dungeons, still blissfully unaware of somebody following her, what would me having 'exemplary potions marks' have to do with something unrelated to school work?
Reaching the despised Potions masters door, she hesitated before knocking softly.
'Come in Miss Weasley' a smooth voice called out.
Ginny nervously pushed open the door, shuddering slightly at the cold air that rushed out.
'Weasley' Snape greeted less formally when she sat opposite him.
Ginny looked at him inquisitively, and he continued with a slight nod.
'I am aware of the level you achieve in Potions, and despite my arguments the Headmaster thinks it appropriate that you are elevated to 7th years Potions.' Snape continued with a bitter tinge to his words.
Ginny furrowed her brow, 'But...Professor, I haven't even learnt 6th years Potions and I was planning on doing advanced!' Ginny rebutted truthfully.
Snape rolled his eyes slightly, 'Don't think this hasn't been thought over Weasley, of course we are aware of this, but if you are giving an extra year of Potions next year due to your completion of the course you would have different opportunities available to you.' Snape said sneering at her.
Ginny tilted her head slightly to the side, still not understanding how it answered her question. 'But...' Ginny continued only to be interrupted by Snape, who glared at her,
'I wasn't finished yet Weasley!' Snape said impatiently. 'Now as I was saying before you rudely interrupted me, due to your lack of knowledge...of the 6th year course we have discussed this with the top 7th year student and he has agreered kindly to help you study the 6th year course so you can work on the 7th at the same time.' Snape said then turning to the door called out, 'Mr. Malfoy I am aware you are standing there, you may come in'
Ginny's heart beat rose when she saw Malfoy stroll through the door lazily, he gazed around the room like at home, then looking straight at Ginny smirked faintly.
'YOU' Ginny shouted unaware that her voice had risen.
"Miss Weasley!' Snape reprimanded her, 'Mr. Malfoy here has volunteered his talents to help you, do not dare take that attitude with him!'
Malfoy sat down on the chair next to her, stretching his long legs out, purposely knocking his knee against her thigh. Ginny felt the heat through his pants and nervously shifted a little away from him.
'Sorry' she muttered to Snape.
Snape looked between the two of them, closed his eyes half way then continued. 'I realise...' he began in a softer voice, 'that Malfoy's and Weasley's have a history with each other but your Headmaster seems to think it is the perfect solution.' Snape stood up, as if it was their cue to leave. He turned his black eyes to Ginny's brown and said, 'Miss. Weasley you are expected to show up to 7th year Potions tomorrow, it is in your free period, but since you are no longer needed at 6th I assume there is no problem...' Ginny nodded her head and silently left the room.
Snape turned to Draco, a smirk playing on his lips. 'And you Draco, be careful...the Weasley's have some powerful friends...and family...' Snape said.
Draco saw the underlying meaning, and gave his mentor an innocent expression and said, 'I have no idea what you are talking about Professor' with that Draco walked out of them room, biding farewell to Snape.
Ginny having heard this conversation, confronted Draco who had only just noticed her leaning against a pole at the foot of the stairs.
'What was that about Malfoy!' she demanded, at the same time she couldn't help noticing the way his eyes sparkled with mirth.
Turning his mouth up slightly he sneered at her and replied, 'I have no idea what you are talking about Weasley'
Ginny despite her annoyance accidentally let slip a snort of laughter, then recovered by spitting out, 'Yes you do! What did you have to do to get to tutor me!'
It was the first time she had ever seen Draco Malfoy laugh at something other than Harry, Ron or Hermione. His thin lips curled into a smile and he let out a warm laugh that she couldn't help smiling at; it was so different to his normal voice.
'What makes you think Weasley, that I wanted to tutor you?' Malfoy replied lazily picking a piece of lint off his robes.
'Well...' Ginny began sarcastically, putting a finger to her temple, 'Let me think...the fact you could have easily gotten out of it!' she finished
Malfoy took a step towards her, causing Ginny's pulse to quicken, subconsciously she wanted to take a step forward too, but her brain made her take one back.
'Maybe because you've never done anything you didn't want to do before!' Ginny said cynically
Malfoy's grey eyes flashed with anger, he moved towards her, his height towering over her, 'And what makes you think that Weasley?' he spat out.
Ginny shivered, nervous at his anger, 'Well, I guess, I didn't...' Ginny stuttered realising she never really found out what happened to Malfoy during the war, and that it might actually be a touchy subject.
'Didn't think?' Malfoy finished for her, anger still evident in his voice, 'That much is obvious!' he finished smoothly before storming off down the stairs, to where she assumed the Slytherin common room was.
Ginny stood rooted to the spot for a few minutes before coming to her senses and running to the Gryffindor common room. So much had happened in the last few hours and she just couldn't take it! It was definitely an honour for her to be accepted into a higher potions class; it would peeve Ron and Hermione off as well! She didn't know how Harry would feel about, and frankly, Ginny though to herself, she didn't care.
That night trying to get to sleep Ginny couldn't help feel guilty about her rash words to Malfoy, it's not like he had ever done that much to her personally, she probably shouldn't have insinuated something like that...although it's not like Draco wasn't a git either. As her eyes slowly shut letting her drift off to sleep she thought vaguely to herself...'did I just refer to Malfoy as Draco?'...