Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any other related thematic elements by JK Rowling.

x To Die For x

x Introduction x

Advanced Potions was one class that Ginny Weasley was legitimately proud of, and for many reasons. Firstly, she was the only sixth year. Secondly, it was taught by Snape, who, despite his obvious unfairness towards the entire Weasley family, accepted her because of her highly developed skills in the subject. Thirdly, it was held with the Slytherins, and even they couldn't scare her out of the class – Malfoy included. She simply never said a word.

Ginny fingered her hair uncomfortably as Snape spent the entire class one drizzly November afternoon droning on about the upcoming assignment, which was a partnered project involving concocting a Polyjuice potion and turning into the other person in front of the class exactly three months later. Everybody seemed highly anxious about finding out who their partner was, but nobody was nearly as nervous as Ginny. She absolutely hated the thought of being paired up, especially when it was decided by Professor Snape, grease ball extraordinaire. He'll give me Goyle, or Crabbe, or...Malfoy, she thought grimly.

With three minutes left of class, Snape motioned towards the wall near the door with an uncaring fluid movement and said "A list of partners is levitated over there. And There will be absolutely no changing, Mr. Malfoy." Ginny noticed that he and Pansy Parkinson had been looking at each other hopefully, although chances of them being paired were bound to be slim. Yes, because I'm going to have to deal with him this time, Ginny thought pessimistically. I can just tell.

In unison, the class stood up to check the list. Some of the more anxious students nearly ran towards it, Hermione Granger included. All the Gryffindors winced as Ron somehow managed to knock a bottle of a translucent blue substance to the floor, shattering it on his way past her. The Slytherins broke out into obnoxious laughter as Snape closed in on him and cruelly assigned a week of detention. Why is my brother such a moron? Ginny asked herself.

She scanned down the list, searching for Weasley. Ron was with Goyle, and she was with...Carmen del Valle? Who the hell was that?

"Who's Ginevra Weasley?" Ginny heard in a commanding voice. She turned around to face an anorexic-looking girl around her height with Spanish olive skin, and blonde hair that had obviously been dyed without magic. Oh, right. That was her.

"That's me," said Ginny, smiling for the fact that she wasn't paired with the worst possible people. "But call me Ginny."

"Oh," said Carmen, sounding disappointed. Her eyes were on Malfoy. It figured. Ginny remembered her vaguely as some exceptionally popular student whom had joined Hogwarts two years ago. Or was it three? She remembered how instantly she had been accepted as part of the highest social clique in the Slytherin house, and how she'd gained the reputation of being extremely...well, experienced with boys. That's so unfair, Ginny thought, looking at her partner. How did she get so popular for not even doing anything special? Just imagine being like her...having it that easy...

"I love your hair clip," Ginny said, hoping to make a good impression.

"What? Oh...thanks," said Carmen, reaching up to adjust it. "How about we meet at Hogsmeade this weekend, at that store at...er...what's it called again? It's number 14 on that road right next to the main one. I'm terrible with names."

"Sure," Ginny said, grinning. Maybe this project would benefit her after all, if people saw her at Hogsmeade talking to Carmen.

Ginny would never go as far as saying her life was boring. In no way was there ever a dull moment at Hogwarts – this was true – but every once and a while she couldn't help but feel like she was the only one in her family who didn't have a defining characteristic. Something special...like a trademark. After all, if all of her brothers had one, why didn't she? She wouldn't mind being the popular one.

But she knew she was only dreaming. "I'll see you there," she said.

A/N: I know that this is really short and plot-less (so far!) but I've been attacked by the plot bunnies, and I felt like I had to get at least an introduction out there. Now before you flame me for having a Mary-Sue, consider the fact that Ginny knows nothing about her yet. She might know wrong, and even though this is in the third person, it portrays her thoughts the way the canon books show Harry's.

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