Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to the extremely talented J.K. Rowling. I own nothing more than the plot.
Author's Note: I would like to apologize in advance if at any point in this story the characters are out-of-character as perceived through the Harry Potter series.
Chapter 3:
Ron was growing more and more impatient and worried as the seconds turned into minutes, the minutes into hours. He was pacing the compartment as he thought about Ginny, her where-abouts, and her well-being. 'Where was she? Was she okay?'
Hermione sensed what was bothering him and stood up, putting her hand on his shoulder in a comforting way. "I'm sure Ginny's alright. She's probably in a compartment with a bunch of her girl friends talking and giggling. There's nothing to worry about!"
"Yeah," Harry said in agreement. "It's not like she's with Malfoy!"
Ron chuckled, but then his expression grew serious. "I'd wring his neck if he were."
Draco and Ginny had slowly nodded off to sleep some time after their quarrel. They had been sleeping for an hour, only to be awaken by the woman on the loud speaker again.
"WE ARE STILL UNDER TIGHT SECURITY MEASURES. NO ONE IS TO LEAVE THEIR COMPARTMENTS, HOWEVER WE WILL BEGIN MOVING SHORTLY," the woman's voice boomed from the speaker. "WE'LL BE AT HOGWARTS IN THREE HOURS OR SO. WE'RE SORRY ABOUT THE INCONVENIENCE."
With that said, the Hogwarts Express continued its journey toward Hogwarts. Ginny and Draco had both woken up from what they thought was a dream, only to open their eyes and face one another in the same closed compartment.
Draco yawned and looked out the window. Ginny, wanting to start some conversation asked, "So what do you think of Firenze?"
Draco turned toward Ginny, secretly happy to be talking with her once again. "The Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA) teacher?" he asked.
"Yeah," Ginny replied.
"I think Dumbledore is mad to have a centaur teaching a DADA class," Draco said. "It's absolutely ridiculous and gives the school a bad name. A centaur as a teacher," he said, shaking his head.
"Yeah, I think it is a bit different, but it's a good experience," Ginny began. Draco listened intently in what she had to say, but he didn't show it. He just rolled his eyes and stared at her, waiting for her to continue. "I mean, it's interesting to learn about someone who's different from us and get a look at his perspective and see what he is capable of doing and teaching us. I know that we're going to learn a lot of good spells from him since he's been living in the Forbidden Forest and around other magical creatures."
Draco nodded his head, considering what she had said. "I hadn't thought of it that way. You do make a good point though."
Ginny smiled in appreciation, showing two dimples, emphasizing her glowing radiance. "Thanks, Draco."
Draco was a bit shocked at her addressing him by his first name. It had always been 'Malfoy' or 'insufferable git.' "I see we're on a first name basis then," he said, meaning it a bit more as a question than a statement. He raised an eyebrow waiting for a response from her.
Ginny smiled again, "I suppose so... Is that a problem?"
"No. Curiosity simply over took me."
"I see," Ginny said seriously, and then let out a small fit of giggles.
Over the next few hours, they would learn more about one another than they would have ever wanted to know before this meeting between the two on the train.
Just as predicted, they had arrived at Hogwarts about three hours later. Draco and Ginny had casually chatted about Quidditch, different Professors, and Hogwarts in general. They were so into their conversation that they hadn't noticed time flying by like a seeker who was zooming after the spotted snitch.
The Hogwarts Express had started slowing down and had come to a complete stop a few moments later. Although neither would admit it, they didn't want to get off the train. Although they were a Weasley and a Malfoy, the hatred between the two families had lessened over the five hours they had spent enclosed in the compartment. They talked and laughed like it was any other person from their own house. They grew to slowly respect one another through their discussions and heated debates early on in the trip. However, neither one said anything about their newfound friendship, if they dare call it that.
"WE HAVE ARRIVED AT HOGWARTS. YOU MAY EXIT YOUR COMPARTMENTS NOW," came the booming voice from the overhead speaker.
Draco had always been the bully, and Ginny the loner. Neither one had someone that they could talk to as easily as they had done just a minute ago.
The saddened look that glimmered in each of their eyes for a few moments as it was time to exit the train was quickly turned to a slightly more pained look when they realized that they couldn't act friendly toward each other during the school year at Hogwarts.
The other students were too ignorant to accept their friendship, if you could call it that, between the two. They were more like acquaintances than anything else. To everyone else, they were simply too different to be friends. Nevertheless, they had enjoyed one another's company during the time they shared and what the future would hold, only time could tell. One thing's for certain: They took the road less traveled by keeping an open mind and allowing themselves to interact with a student from their rival houses, as well as someone from their rival family.
Professor Minerva McGonagall opened the large oak double doors leading from the Entrance Hall into the Great Hall. Behind her were two lines of first year students, nervous looks on each of their faces.
Professor McGonagall proceeded to get a three-legged stool and place an old, torn black wizard's hat atop it. The rip in the middle of the hat opened and began to sing:
"Oh you may not think me pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep yourbowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unfraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
"When I call your name, please walk up, sit on the stool, and wait for the sorting hat to decide what house you will belong to for the next seven years."
"Abrishami, Sean."
"RAVENCLAW!!!"
"Eisen, Rachel."
"GRYFFINDOR!!!"
"Fairchild, Traci."
"GRYFFINDOR!!!"
"Golan, Karen."
"RAVENCLAW!!!"
"Golden, Ron."
"GRYFFINDOR!!!"
"Iruku, Akhila."
"SLYTHERIN!!!"
"Israel, Elissa."
"HUFFLEPUFF!!!"
"Liow, Catherine."
"SLYTHERIN!!!"
"Shapiro, Steven."
"HUFFLEPUFF!!!"
"Sterling, Aaron."
"HUFFLEPUFF!!!"
The sorting hat ceremony finished after a good hour. By the end of the ceremony, Gryffindor had twelve new first-year students, Hufflepuff had fourteen, Ravenclaw had eleven, and Slytherin had thirteen.
The Great Hall was crowded with students from each house talking excitedly and sharing their summer break stories. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore raised his hands and the Hall immediately fell silent.
Dumbledore surveyed all the students over his half-moon spectacles. His blue wizarding hat was atop his head and he wore his signature blue robes. He waited a moment before he began to talk.
"Another year has begun here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm sorry about the suddenness and the inconvenience of the Hogwarts Express scare. I can assure you that you are all safe because the Death Eater scare was a false alarm. You all have no reason to worry, however, I still ask that everyone avoids going into the Forbidden Forest unless accompanied by a Professor. As an extra precaution, I ask that no students be outside the castle after dark, either. On a happier note, I have decided to give you each an extra day before school starts to relax and enjoy yourselves," Dumbledore paused as cheers erupted from the tables.
"This year will be one where we unite each of the houses and bring the school closer together. One student will be paired with a student from another house and will be given the opportunity to get to know them under conditions that they normally would not. With your partner of the opposite sex, you will attend dances and socials, create projects that will benefit the school, and become closer with one another throughout the year. An award will be given at the end of the school year called "The Spirit Cup." I'm sure that this will be a memorable experience that everyone will enjoy. I have carefully selected each pair of partners," Dumbledore explained.
With a snap of his fingers, each student received an envelop with their name on it.
"Inside the envelop in front of you is your schedule for the year as well as a piece of paper attached. On the piece of paper is the name of your partner from a separate house, as well as the project assignment that you must complete with your partner, and dance and social dates. I will remind you throughout the year of the dates that the events will occur or be due. I have a lot of confidence in this new program and I hope that you'll have fun with this, as well as other surprises throughout the school year," Dumbledore said.
The Headmaster raised his hands and the Hall was filled with food as far as the eye could see.
Before reaching for any food or drink, Ginny reached for the envelop sitting in front of her.
Please review. Tell me what you think of the story so far, what you would like to see happening in future chapters, and any criticism regarding anything that you have found in my story that you would like to see changed or improved. Thanks so much!
Thanks to:
triquetraperson- I'm glad you like it so far! Thanks for continuing to read it even though you're not so fond of D/G fics.
Lily Dwarf- ::updating::
iamsomehotstuff- LOL Catherine!!! Yes, they are going to have wild hot wizard sex. Harry will walk in on the two and join them. Nine months later they'll have several boxcar children and they will attend Hogwarts, as the HARDy Boys (a.k.a. Draco and Harry) continue to impregnate Ginny. The end. Haha.
ReeMarie Yukimo LeBeau- Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
kneh13- I'm glad you liked it!
elissa- You better start liking D/G fic.... now. Haha. I'm glad you liked it!
LoveToDanceLiveToSing- Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it!
fightclubluvrrrr- Thanks, Megan! I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as you did. :)