*My Notes:* I thought I had my plotline - then it got buried under a stack of stinky Life. Recently I was thinking of this story and I have a new idea.  Inspired, I upload this chapter and write new ones for you.

*Chapter Eight:* /Load of Homework/

Ginny shuffled through the pile of papers on her table, looking for her most recent piece of homework. "I'm telling you, Professor Vector, I did it!" she said.

Smiling affectionately, her teacher replied, "I'll believe it when I see it! But honestly, Miss Weasley, if you can't write a simple essay - assigned, I might add, at least five days ago - you could at least organise your book-bag."  Admittedly, a thorough cleaning was in need. Already Ginny had found last year's homework and piece of paper on which she and Cathy Greenlaw had 'taken notes' as they drew Cathy's then-boyfriend, Blaise Zabini, hanging from the gallows.

Professor Vector decided to move on and after everyone else's homework had been checked off, Ginny finally found her paper. She proudly held it in front of her and then tried to focus on the discussion her class was having... Everyone had moved on. She went back to rifling through old papers, somewhat determined to sort them out.

The first thing she came upon was an envelope - and she quickly slipped it underneath the table for further inspection. Another one addressed to her in that swirling, dainty handwriting, and she gulped audibly. Hands shaking a bit, she opened it up and read the letter.

***

She skipped Care of Magical Creatures that day, pretending she felt sick due to some sort of influenza-common cold-sore throat hybrid. As soon as Hagrid lovingly ushered her into his hut she felt badly about sneaking out the back once he returned to his class.

"You're here," Malfoy said confidently.

"And?"

"I knew you would be." He smirked.  Ginny wanted to slap it right off of his face.

"Yeah, so?"

"So we can begin."

Ginny looked around hesitantly. They were on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest and appropriately isolated from Hagrid's class.

"First off," Malfoy began, "I don't want anyone hearing about this. I don't want a word out of you." Ginny nodded slowly. Malfoy coughed slightly and began to pace in front of her. "You must do my homework." He said it with such a sinister tone that Ginny had to work hard to stifle a laugh.

'Is that all he wants? Malfoy is losing his touch!' But she cleared her throat and replied seriously, as if sincerely disappointed, "All right."

Malfoy fell for her act and clapped his hands briskly. "Good. Now, there's a stack of papers in my dorm, you'll need the password of course; it's 'Mugwump'. Mind you, my essays are due tomorrow so you better get them done tonight..." He broke off when he heard Ginny's sniggers. "Excuse me?" He only egged her on. Ginny laughed heartily than before, and held her side, as if she wanted to stop - but she didn't really, because Malfoy's distinctly embarrased expression was great to see. Malfoy turned on his heel and stalked back to the castle, his eyes the narrowest grey slits.

It was all good and fine that Weasley had thought it funny... he knew later she wouldn't.

***

Ginny rubbed her eyes wearily and yawned massively, stretching her long arms out. She was sitting on her knees on the floor of Malfoy's dorm and had just finished the last of his homework. It was eight o'clock at night but the dorm - and most of the common room - was empty. Ginny assumed the Slytherins were out partying, or having secret orgies in broom cupboards, or at least it was probable that Goyle and Crabbe were still feasting in the Great Hall.  She rolled up the work, stuffed it in Malfoy's large black bedside table, and left the dorm, rubbing her sore knees.

After a series of portals and trapdoors, Ginny found herself back in th e dungeons and out of the common room. She breathed a sigh of relief; it was hard navigating around the unfamiliar common room and now she was back in a recognizable corridor she frequently used as a route to Potions. But she was surprised when she turned a corner and bumped into Chantal.

"Chantal!?" she exclaimed, half confused and half pleased. "Why're you down here at this hour?"

Chantal looked at her feet, mumbling a response. She cleared her throat and attempted to answer Ginny a second time. She lifted her head slightly, looking up at Ginny with those beautiful amythest eyes, and said, "I was going to the Slytherin common room."

Ginny looked upon the black silk lingerie in Chantal's hands and remembered Draco's words... She walked past her, then turned around to tell her dryly, "Malfoy's not there; sorry."

The Hufflepuff bit her lip, understanding - she had lost Ginny.