A/N: When I began this story, there was no OotP, and there was no JK Rowling site stating Ginny's real name. Therefore, it shall remain Virginia.
"She was retching," Ginny stated calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She and Hermione were studying in the library, both bogged down with homework.
"Well, what were her symptoms? Did she.." A loud hush from across the room made Hermione wince and she lowered her voice. "Did she say anything about a possible reason? Was there blood?"
"I don't know; I didn't talk to her."
"What? Gin, why do you think I sent you in there?"
"To make sure she wasn't dying. And as for other symptoms, well, she was crying. And there was the smell of sickness. And there were definitely chunks involved." Hermione wasn't amused.
"Gin, there are times when I wish I didn't see the resemblance between you and your brother. This is one of those times."
"'Mione, really. She sounded awful, she really did, but I thought that she'd be ok. She...well, my intuition said that I shouldn't disturb her." She was rewarded with a look of disbelief. "I promise that I'm not that insensitive." Ginny unconsciously brought the end of her quill to her mouth. "There is an air about her, something that I can't quite make out, like there is destined to be drama wherever she is. Her aura is very tragic."
"If I didn't know that you have Seer blood, Gin, I'd think that you were making this up. It sounds really dodgy. Is there a reason why you couldn't have told me two days ago—Oh! Look at this!" The younger girl peered over the prefect's shoulder.
"A prophecy...What are you reading?" Hermione blushed.
"Well, I'm doing some extra credit for ancient runes..." Ginny snorted.
"Not like you need it."
"And I figured that it can't hurt for me to work on it while waiting to help you with your Herbology courses,"
"Stupid subject."
"And if you're quite finished with the interruptions, I'll conclude." Hermione sniffed. Ginny rolled her eyes and conceded.
"So I picked this book, this 'The Rare Circle of Runes: Prophecies Concerning the Appearance of The Circle Runes before 1856'"
"A.K.A. 'The book with the longest title known to wizard'" Ginny was silenced with a withering stare. "Okay, I'm done, I promise."
"And here I am. Listen to this: 'Following the 2nd millennia, before the Earth turns round the Life Fire the fifth year, the One with the Ayudian Circle shall bear the new fear. The origin shall be assumed, yet misinterpreted. Power will be taken, The Shadow will increase, slow and invisible to all. The Ayudian Spawn will be unmatched in strength. The world will fall into darkness, Wizard and Muggle alike. The Defiant One will challenge the shadow, but victory will not be without sacrifice of the most sacred kind.'" Hermione practically glowed with excitement. Ginny frowned.
"That's the most long-winded prophecy I've ever heard of."
"It was made by a muggle-born. No one actually heard her speak it; the only reason it's in this book now is because she wrote it in her journal, which was found in a catacomb in Rome. It was extracted in 1953 and dated, uh, in 946 A.D."
"Whoa," Ginny breathed.
"Exactly."
"Well, those runes are definitely not recent. And Professor Vector hasn't deemed it necessary to translate the Rune dialect before 1100. At least, not in my class?" she added hopefully. Hermione frowned and shook her head.
"Not in ours either, I'm afraid. But I've definitely found my research project. Gin, would you mind if I left? I need to consult the Professor while it's still fresh in my mind. You'll be alright, yes?" The redhead turned the page of her text, then rolled her eyes.
"Definitely. Garden Gnomes. As if I need education after having to degnome the garden every bloody time I'm home."
"Brilliant," Hermione said airily. "And Ginny, don't swear," she added half-heartedly. She left the library, obviously in a cloud of her musings. Ginny closed the text in front of her, and, careful not to trigger the alarm, made her way into the Restricted Section, pulling every text with the word, 'Ayudian' on the spine, shrinking it and putting it into her pocket. Once a Weasley's interest had been piqued, there was no stopping an investigation.
Lorelai sighed for the fifth time in 40 minutes, frustrated with her blonde housemate.
"Draco, if you don't want the draught to explode, you won't add the lacewing."
"What? You could use a little excitement, as could I," he snapped.
"Well, then, blow up your face. I don't care, it would probably be an improvement." The Malfoy heir scoffed.
"I have somewhere to be," she stated, and before Draco knew it, the enigma had vanished out of the portrait hole.
"You had better not be out past curfew! I'm not afraid to take points from my own house!" he called after her, knowing she wouldn't hear, but it made him feel better for having the last word, anyway. Anything to save face.
Hermione rushed to the gargoyle statue and hastily spoke the password, impatiently biting her nails as she waited for the staircase to ascend her to the meeting. She practically threw the door open and squeaked as she saw that the seven other members had already gathered. The embarrassment heated her cheeks.
"I am SO sorry, I was researching, and didn't keep track of the time,"
"No worries, Miss Granger. We are all aware that you are a know it all, and you really aren't late at all," Snape said, both infuriating and relieving her at the same time.
"Oh, I...I must have set my watch fast," She quickly took a seat.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked Ron.
Just as the words fell from his mouth, an unexpected Slytherin appeared in the doorway.
"Miss Green, I'm so pleased that you decided to join us." There was no sarcasm in Dumbledore's voice. She nodded and walked over to Snape's side and stood.
"Oi! What is SHE doing in an Order meeting?" fumed Ron.
"Contrary to your belief, Ron, there ARE some people's lives that you don't know EVERYTHING about." Ron looked at his girlfriend.
"You-you're going to take her side?"
" I wasn't aware that sides were chosen among members of the Order, Weasley." Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny gaped at recognizing the drawl. Malfoy was pleased with the effect he had, and gracefully sauntered into the office, the door slamming shut behind him.
"Bloody hell," Hermione whispered. The room was silent.
"Alright, enough with the drama. Severus, I'm sure you have an explanation," Minerva McGonagall was not pleased.
"I believe it may be best if our new members introduced themselves," said Dumbledore.
"They don't need an introduction. Headmaster, it's-it's sodding Malfoy"
"Ten points for language, Weasley."
"-and that Green girl, and they're Slytherins! Why are they here?" Ron was standing up by now, shaking with frustration.
"Well, perhaps...Lorelai?" Harry questioned. "Will you explain why you're here?"
"Simple. I'm joining the Order because my father is a horrible person, and I want to help stop him." She only offered a little.
"And you, Malfoy?" Ginny asked, a little too sweetly.
"What she said."
"Severus, have you explained fully to your students the duties and risks of our Order?"
"I have."
"And they fully understand?"
"They do."
"And you have reason to believe that they are trustworthy?" McGonagall's voice hit a new high, and everyone winced.
"That will do, Minerva. Thank you for your ever-growing resilience. I know these two students to be true, though in different ways. You know Draco's father, of course. And Lorelai's father is also very close to the Dark Lord. They will be useful, and if I am correct, dedicated members." Dumbledore interjected.
"But-but Malfoy's a death eater!" Harry stumbled. Malfoy chuckled.
"Malfoy Sr., surely. Myself, no, not yet. But I will be, come Saturday. There is an initiation ceremony, of which Green and myself will be a part. It is a special gathering, for many will be joining Voldemort,"
"Tell us something we don't know, Ferret." Ron snapped.
"Have you heard of the Ayudian Circle? You haven't, have you? Of course that would be in the more expensive texts, so I'm not sure you could have afforded to learn about it, anyhow," Malfoy retorted. He stared coolly as Ron drew his wand.
"Don't. Start. On my family," he seethed. "We may not have money, but at least we're wanted by our parents!"
"Mr. Weasley, perchance it would be wise to separate yourself. Ms. Granger will see you back to your Common Room, and I trust you will be filled in later, most discreetly, of course."
"But, Headmaster, I know..."
"Granger, I doubt that we will ever uncover all of the knowledge you keep in your head. Leave," Snape commented.
"But I-"
"NOW." Hermione harrumphed. When she and Ron disappeared, the meeting was disrupted beyond repair.
"Well, our evening has not been totally wasted. You have met one another, and I have complete faith that you shall overcome your differences. Would anyone like a lemon drop? No? Then you are dismissed."
The four remaining students left. Harry and Ginny all but bolted out the door, then Malfoy, and lastly Lorelai. When Lorelai stepped off of the winding staircase, there was no trace of anyone. She started toward the Slytherin quarters, but dipped into the girls' lavatory to empty the meager contents of her stomach. The 9th time in five days.
At breakfast on Thursday morning, four students received school owls bearing the same message; that the pairings for Hogsmeade be cancelled. It would not be prudent for anything to happen or for anyone to be seen with someone that was out of the ordinary. Harry and Lorelai, Draco and Ginny stole a glance at each prospective partner.
Dumbledore never missed a trick.
A/N: This isn't a new story. I deleted a chapter on accident, and the only way I could get it to work was to delete and re-upload the story. Of course, I figured out a better way to do it after the fact. Until next time,
xxaugustxx