School
Don't mind if Draco seems evil in here, but he's been too soft lately. Otherwise, I have nothing else to tell you, so here goes:
*****************************
This time, even as he was watching Ginny slide to the floor, Draco turned away and went on eating as if nothing had happened.
If only it hadn't been too late, he could have killed her at this moment. How could she have done that?
Of course, he was used to being snubbed and compared to Harry Potter- but that was from people who he loathed. Their opinion didn't matter to him.
This was different. He couldn't explain it, but he had, in a way, trusted Ginny. Ever since she had been wounded on the transport, he hadn't insulted her, and the other way around. It was as if there was a mutual agreement between them that they would treat each other at a respectful distance. And that wasn't the only thing that made him smart more than he had ever before.
All the things he had done for her. Held her when she was bleeding and unconscious, reassured her before that, and caught her when she had threatened to fall again. He had done all that, made a fool out of himself, because he had been hoping to be rewarded with a smile on her face and gratefulness in her eyes. He had actually believed that it might happen!
And then, as gratitude, she had compared him in an insulting way to the person he hated most of all- Harry Potter, humiliating him in public! She had betrayed him.
Father was right, Draco thought bitterly. One might think him cruel, but he was just living the only way it was possible to live in this world. As long as you only cared about pleasing and saving yourself, nothing would happen to you.
That was a lesson which he had heard since childhood. And now he had gone against it, he had had feelings for Ginny. He was too scared of what he might discover to explore these feelings, but he knew they existed. And he had been mortified and pained beyond anything he had ever known.
All these years I've thought Father was nothing but a power-hungry idiot, he thought miserably, but in reality, he's clever. I was never harmed by anybody but him while I was under his care, but the second I stepped out of it and stopped following his principles, I got hurt and betrayed.
Malicious plans of revenge formed in his mind as he went on eating. He was going to display all his traditional Malfoy evilness and cunning to get back at her. And maybe then he could forget that he had ever felt anything for Ginny Weasley.
At least, that's what he hoped.
*******************************
Ginny regained consciousness, spluttering on the potion the Latin Professor had given her. She still felt dizzy and weak, and stars kept bursting into a shower of darkness in front of her eyes, but she was determined that nothing should keep her from her first school day at Arx Aurea.
'I'm OK,' she kept reassuring everybody who made anxious enquiries about her.
Finally, she was given permission to go to her first class with the other 3rd Years (A/N: they have flying first, remember?). Rachel and Tiffany joined Ginny on a small golden sofa labelled 'Practice Quidditch Field'.
In one rush they had left the Intersection behind and were blinking in the morning sunlight.
Ginny looked around in excitement, her strength returning to her in the form of anticipation and curiosity. The Quidditch field itself looked much like the one at Hogwarts, except that it was smaller, serving only for practice, with three gold hoops on either end and permanent markings of the same colour in the grass. But what amazed her was what lay beyond the Quidditch field: she could see a rose garden shimmering in different colours to her right, and to her left, there was a soft slope leading down to an immense, dazzlingly blue swimming pool.
While she was gazing around, more students were arriving. Some of them wore robes lined with silver, like hers, but others were edged with brilliant purple.
Beside her, Rachel sighed. 'Oh no, we have flying with the Disciplina students.'
'What's wrong with them?' asked Ginny, eyeing the newcomers inquisitively.
'Well, nothing really,' Rachel explained, 'it's just that they're always really good at everything, mostly because they're always practising and studying. And that's kind of dumb in a subject like flying, where you want to have fun instead of always being in a competition.'
Ginny watched the Disciplina students with new suspicion, but was soon interrupted by the sudden appearance of a wizard in black-blue robes. His face expression matched his solemn attire.
He introduced himself as their Flying teacher, Professor Laws, and handed each of them identical Nimbus 2000 broomsticks (A/N: Remember, my story is a lot later than the first Harry Potter book, so these brooms are pretty old now). Ginny clutched hers, grateful to hold something familiar. This was her very first lesson at Arx Aurea and she was determined to make a good impression.
Meanwhile, Professor Laws had opened a sack, releasing golden flying objects. For a split second, Ginny thought they were Golden Snitches, but she soon saw that the objects were round and flat, like coins. They whizzed through the air for a few seconds, and then one lowered itself onto Vanessa's chest and stuck there. Her name was engraved in it.
At the same time, many other 'name-tags' were finding their right owners, and soon one labelled 'Virginia Weasley, Fortuna' attached itself to Ginny's robes.
'Alright,' Professor Laws said quietly, but so sharply that every student heard him. 'As you probably all know, today's lesson will consist of try- outs for the Arx Aurea Quidditch Team. I will simply watch your playing skills and then determine if you are suitable to play for the team.'
Ginny saw every Disciplina student stand straighter, their heads raised resolutely. Her own courage quavered in uncertainty. Suppose- just suppose- everybody was better than her? Suppose- Ginny almost reddened at the thought- she fell off her broom? It had happened before when she was nervous.
'Normally,' the teacher went on, 'I watch a Quidditch game between the two houses present as a try-out. But, as Fortuna is involved' -he glanced at the pupils in silver-lined robes meaningly- 'I will have to split you into two groups. First group is all people whose first names start with letters A-L. The second group consists of the rest. By the way,' he added suddenly. 'It is very likely that none of you will make the team. Usually only fourth and fifth year students are taken.'
'That's really motivating,' muttered Amy, who had been standing beside Ginny, but was now moving over to join the other group.
Ginny stared after her, brooding. Even though she had instructed herself firmly that she would not think about what had happened at breakfast today, the thought had slipped back when Amy spoke. Why had she done that? Why had she provoked Ginny into saying something mean about Dra- Malfoy? Or was that just part of her plan to set her up with him? If so, it didn't seem to be working, Ginny thought miserably, seeing the look of disbelieving hatred on Draco's face in her mind.
Then she blinked rapidly and the picture disappeared. Don't think about it, she told herself stoically. Just don't think about it, and everything will be fine.
Professor Laws, who had been busy with the opposing team, suddenly turned to their group.
'So, what position do you want to play?' he asked Rachel, who was nearest to him.
'Uh. last year I tried being Chaser. I'll go for Seeker this time,' was Rachel's answer.
The Professor's thin lips turned upwards into a tiny smile, but then he was all business again and asked Ginny the same question.
'Chaser,' she replied, without having to think much. It was an unspoken rule that when they played at the Burrow, Harry always was Seeker. Of course Fred and George had to be the Beaters, and Bill enjoyed being Keeper. That left Ron, Charlie and her to be the Chasers.
Finally their team was all sorted out (Ginny could see that it was a very strange team, consisting of three Seekers, several pairs of Beaters, and two Keepers. The remaining four, including Ginny, took in a Chaser position).
Worriedly, she discovered that the only other Fortuna Chaser was a grim- looking boy with a large nose she didn't know. The other two both flashed purple linings at her.
Then, everything seemed to be happening at once. They all mounted their brooms and soared high above the pitch. The Bludgers and the Golden Snitch were released. And Professor Laws blew his whistle and tossed the Quaffle into the air.
Ginny took a deep breath. She had better not screw this up.
******************************
'So, where are we going?' Draco asked Jason Asper as they both got up from the breakfast table. 'I mean, what do we have first class?'
Jason strode ahead, a sour expression contorting his face. 'Latin,' he said finally.
Draco almost sighed with relief, before checking himself. He must not show the other boy how glad he was to have a subject first which he knew he could do well. It would have been too awful to start with something like- well, Levitational Dance.
They joined the throng at the Intersection and chose a large armchair that could seat both of them heading to the 'Atrium Cursi Latini' - the 'Room of the Latin Course', as Draco quickly translated.
There was a brief flash of black and wind as they whirled through space, but then they came to a halt in a large room, which did look more like a hall than anything else. (A/N: Atrium actually means hall, but in a round- about way, it can mean room, too. I think. *g*)
It was apparently designed in the style of the ancient Romans. The ceiling was dome-shaped and four large marble pillars adorned a large square pool of water in the middle of the room. Instead of ordinary desks and tables, there were couches and low tables. On each of these was an enormous book - a Latin dictionary.
Some students were already sprawling on the low couches. There were not many, and all robes were lined with silver. These were the Fortuna 4th Years.
Draco strutted to a free seat and, sitting down, started flipping through the great dictionary. Not that he needed it. His Latin was perfect and fluent, he was sure of that. But then, his mind wasn't on the endless columns of words and their definitions anyway. Devoid of anything but the red-hot scream for revenge which had been echoing in his head ever since breakfast, it was forming a plan of deadly accuracy.
His scheming was interrupted by the entrance of the witch who had given Ginny the potion in the Sedes Aeris.
She smiled at the class in a noble sort of way. 'Good day. For those who do not know me, I am Professor Callidam. The rules in my classroom are as follows: If everybody works hard and nobody makes mischief' - here she glanced at two girls, who exploded into giggles immediately - 'you will receive no homework except studying. But, should the lesson not meet my requirements, there will be homework. And extra homework, if need be. I suggest you stick to my terms,' she finished, still smiling serenely.
Draco took the time to consider this. Professor Callidam looked as though she meant every word she said. But he wouldn't mind homework in an easy subject like Latin, as long as it wasn't copying out never-ending texts.
The copper-haired girl seated in front of him groaned. Then she turned her head and risked a sly glance at Draco. He let his eyes travel over her slowly and intently, which made her turn around again quickly, blushing fiercely.
Draco grinned and yawned. That trick always shut girls who were about to begin fawning over him up.
The Latin Professor then handed out rolls of parchment to everybody. 'We will begin the year by translating the writings of the philosopher Mucius Culanus Vetus. Has anybody heard of him?' she asked the class expectantly.
A girl with a long blond braid raised her hand tentatively and said rather hesitantly: 'Wasn't he the one that turned muggle or something?'
'Absolutely right,' beamed Professor Callidam. 'Even though he was a pure- blood wizard for generations back, he came to believe that magic was against the laws of the universe, as it gave some men a huge advantage over others. His opinion was not widely shared, however, and it soon became obvious.' she droned on.
Draco felt it safe to go back to imagining torturing Ginny. He would show her that he would never be anything but her enemy. He would show her who ruled over poor, pathetic creatures like her. And that was just the beginning.
'Mister Malfoy? Draco Malfoy?' the Professor said in quite a different tone. 'Could you start us off with the translation?' It was evident from her cool smile that she expected him to be totally unprepared.
But Draco unrolled the parchment smoothly and without the tiniest hint of being flustered. This was something he could do in his sleep.
'Behold, and learn: there is nothing to gain from our magical abilities. They condemn us instead of releasing us from earthly troubles. We use them to separate ourselves as a better race from other people; we raise ourselves onto a golden platform higher than the rest of humanity. Where does this desire to define ourselves as worthier arise? It is our fear's fault. We fear to acknowledge that we belong to the human race of mortals. We close our eyes to truths because we do not want to admit carrying the same flaws in us as people without magical abilities. When will wizards learn that it is not the purest blood that flows through the bravest man? When will society cease to judge us by our birth, be it noble or humble? How long will we allow fear to dominate our souls and close our hearts forever? It is obvious that fear is the true reason we reach to magic to aid us, fear and lazy disposition.' he drawled expertly.
'That's enough, Mister Malfoy,' Professor Callidam cut in primly. When Draco glanced up at her with a bored expression on his face, she glared at him. 'You left out 'omnium' in the third sentence,' she informed him frostily.
'My mistake,' smirked Draco, skimming over the Latin words on the parchment. His heart was beating in the full triumph of his success. He was fully aware that all the students were staring at him in amazement and respect. 'So it's like this: We use them to separate ourselves as a better race from all other people,' he read out, putting emphasis on the 'all' he had forgotten the first time.
At last, Professor smiled widely. 'I must say, that was an extremely good bit of translation, Mister Malfoy. Is it true that you learnt Latin as a small child?'
Draco shrugged. This wasn't something he was very eager to focus on. Better let the other students think him brilliant without having learnt it all as a little kid.
While the professor went on and on about Colanus' speeches, the words he had just translated came back to Draco.
'When will wizards learn that it is not the purest blood that flows through the bravest man? When will society cease to judge us by our birth, be it noble or humble? How long will we allow fear to dominate our souls and close our hearts forever?'
He tried to dismiss it as utter nonsense. How stupid of the man, talking about becoming muggle so that everybody would be the same. And what did that fear dominating souls and closing hearts mean? Some people were cowards. Fear ruled their souls. But it didn't close their hearts. Fear and opening your heart was the same thing. Only if you barred up that stupid soft spot inside, you could be fearless and gain something.
Which I am, thought Draco, clenching his teeth. This is just some stupid phase. Wait till I get even with that Weasley trash. The one from the 'humblest' birth imaginable.
The one that had taught him fear.
**********************************
'Ginny! Over here!'
Ginny turned her head quickly, furiously ducking the opposing chaser who was trying to grab the Quaffle from her. To her left, close to the hoops and not surrounded by members of the other team, the girl with the long blond braid, whose name-tag read 'Marianne Ponté, Disciplina'.
'Ten seconds left!' announced Professor Laws.
Swerving upwards to allow herself a clear shot, Ginny focused all her remaining concentration and threw the Quaffle to Marianne, who caught it instantly and, before the Keeper realized she had it, put it through one of the hoops.
'Game over!' the Flying professor called calmly. '4:3 for the first team.'
'YES!' Ginny yelled along with her other team mates. She was hot and sweaty, but feeling wonderfully triumphant. Today she had played better than she had for a long time. Of course that probably had something to do with Marianne, the Disciplina girl. The two of them had made a really good team, seeming to always read each others thoughts and be there exactly when the other person needed her.
Ginny found herself hoping the other girl would make the team. She appeared to be very nice, only a little shy. And she was a very good flyer.
'Oh, I was so bad,' complained Rachel, alighting beside Ginny. 'I'm never going to get on the Quidditch team.'
'There's always next year,' Ginny laughed, but stopped suddenly and added the words 'for you' under her breath. The next year would only bring Hogwarts again for her. Of course, Hogwarts was a second home to her, but a home in which there were so many boundaries and restrictions. At Hogwarts, she would never have been able to talk to Draco in any way but insulting. There was a bond between them, however slim and fragile. Ginny couldn't tell when it had formed, but it was there.
Snap out of it, a voice in her head warned her. This is the guy who's tormented Ron, Harry and Hermione for years. The only thing that counts for him is money and reputation.
'Virginia Weasley and Marianne Ponté,' Professor Laws called out in a dry voice. He was talking to all the students individually or in groups of twos.
Ginny rather nervously walked over to him. The Disciplina girl with the blond braid joined her and smiled at her timidly.
The Flying Professor cracked a rare smile. 'You two make a pretty good team. Best friends, are you?'
Both girls shook their heads but eyed the other rather wistfully.
'To have the two of you in the team probably wouldn't be bad.' he mused. Ginny's head spun. Was he saying that they were both going to be accepted?
'But unfortunately, I can't take too many students from the younger grades,' he added. 'So I'll have to take the better one. Marianne Ponté, I'll expect you at practices every Thursday after school, alright?'
She caught her breath and smiled in grateful relief, her eyes shining. The fleeting feeling of disappointment Ginny had experienced disappeared as soon as she caught sight of Marianne's happy face. She had really wanted to get on the team, while Ginny hadn't cared that much. It was right that she should be chosen.
'You're the new student, right?' Professor Laws was looking at her thoughtfully. When Ginny nodded, he said quietly: 'You don't have much talent, but they must teach you decently at Hogwarts.' With that, he turned to the next pupil.
Ginny had the feeling that 'decent' was a huge compliment coming from this professor. So, feeling pleased with having impressed him, even though she hadn't made it to the team, she spoke to Marianne: 'Hey, congratulations. I think you really deserved to get on the team.'
The other girl looked rather surprised, but smiled. 'Thanks. I think he should have put you on the team too though. You fly very well,' she said shyly.
Ginny waved this aside. 'Not really,' she confessed. 'Today was one of my good days. So, what class do you have next?' she asked.
'Spells,' Marianne said with a little sigh. She looked troubled, as if there was some worry constantly nagging at her. 'I try, but it's always so hard for me to keep up at those kinds of subjects.'
'I like Spells,' Ginny grinned, remembering tiny Professor Flitwick squeaking at them from the front of the classroom where he sat on his pile of books.
She was just about to continue the conversation when Rachel ran up to her.
'Ginny, come on, we have Latin now,' she exclaimed breathlessly.
After quickly taking leave of Marianne, Ginny hurried with Rachel to one of the big golden armchairs that were still on the Quidditch field.
One second, she could still see the bright blue sky, the emerald green grass, and the golden castle close by, and the next, she was in the building herself, in the Intersection. It was particularly busy at this time of day, when classes were changing, and students were dis- and appearing everywhere, laughing, talking, shouting. Two girls who couldn't be much older than Ginny arrived just beside them in another armchair, on which she could see 'Atrium Cursi Latinii'.
'Come on,' Rachel urged again, pulling her onto the now deserted chair.
'What's the hurry?' Ginny asked her friend, but her words were lost as they whirled through blackness for a second, and then landed beside a dazzling pool and fountain in a beautiful hallway, which was decorated with marble pillars.
That was what she saw first. But immediately after that, she saw none other than Draco Malfoy, striding across the room with a smug expression on his face.
Ginny had the urge to call out to him, but she bit it back, telling herself that even though they were at a kind of truce, they were still enemies. And they would be forever.
Suddenly, Draco caught sight of her. His face expression changed dramatically from a pleased smirk, to a surprised shock, to bitter loathing. Ginny's heart sank. She could see the dark fury in his eyes, the grim hatred in the way his jaw tightened, and the open disgust in his arched eyebrows.
In one overwhelming second, she wanted nothing more than to rush to him and apologize, to tell him that she hadn't meant what she had said, that Amy had provoked her into it.
Instead, she tried with all her might to match his hostile glare and swept by him imperiously.
When he had gone, she was left miserably remembering the strange dream and wondering why she felt so much like crying.
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Uh. I hope all of you endured this to the end. only interesting bit in the whole damn chapter. but then, school is naturally boring, so I hope that's an excuse.
Please review anyway, as you can see by my little acknowledgements, I'm really, really grateful to receive them.
For example:
Yami Fire Angel- hope u get the email soon.
Liz Swarthy- i know it's taking too long. it's for dramatic emphasis (*j/k*).
A13TAT- glad you think so, I was beginning to fall into depression (heehee) and there's some pretty WEIRD Draco in here
Pseudonym Sylphmuse- hey, thanx, I'm really honoured when ppl put me on their favourite list. But I don't think I'll try a story completely separate till now. too hard.
Slytherinangel- Ah, a true fan!
Aqua-mere- You're welcome. It's nothing to do with smartness, though.
Sad Strange Little Girl- yeah, I agree. D/H is screwy. I checked out your stories, really liked them! I'm not sure if I left a review or not cuz my computer's been doing weird things lately.
Kelsey McCartney- that's encouraging. someone actually likes the weird way I write!
The Dark Lady Adrienne- I LOVE your email address! Oh, and you got your message across pretty clearly. *looks around wildly for cover*
elen- thanks for staying with this story for so long! Yeah, you can see Draco is very mad about the HP comment.
StarNight- Wow. hear that, Draco? You have depth! Love the compliments, to me and him!
KAOS- thank you for the reassurances. my fic called brilliant. makes me kind of proud. you'll definitely get an email as soon as I get this stupid thing posted, k?
Tigerz_Angel- i know you won't believe me, but that was as soon as possible. Pathetic, isn't it?
cooldot- yeah, I like tension too. but what i really want is some nice, sweet D/G! Can't seem to be able to fit it in, though. Sorry.
Jenny-Amy- Anyone who likes D/G must be a kindred spirit, is what I say.
Autumn Twilight- Actually, I already have a beta-reader. Well, I hope my excuse is satisfactory when I finally bring it out. I like keeping people in the dark. *grins evilly*
The afore-mentioned, greatly-honoured cuty-cat has of course the place of honour in this chapter (right at the bottom). (See, wasn't it worth it to edit one tiny little chapter? Honestly!)
Anyways. see you all asap, as always!
Shooting Jewel (or SJ if you'd rather)
Don't mind if Draco seems evil in here, but he's been too soft lately. Otherwise, I have nothing else to tell you, so here goes:
*****************************
This time, even as he was watching Ginny slide to the floor, Draco turned away and went on eating as if nothing had happened.
If only it hadn't been too late, he could have killed her at this moment. How could she have done that?
Of course, he was used to being snubbed and compared to Harry Potter- but that was from people who he loathed. Their opinion didn't matter to him.
This was different. He couldn't explain it, but he had, in a way, trusted Ginny. Ever since she had been wounded on the transport, he hadn't insulted her, and the other way around. It was as if there was a mutual agreement between them that they would treat each other at a respectful distance. And that wasn't the only thing that made him smart more than he had ever before.
All the things he had done for her. Held her when she was bleeding and unconscious, reassured her before that, and caught her when she had threatened to fall again. He had done all that, made a fool out of himself, because he had been hoping to be rewarded with a smile on her face and gratefulness in her eyes. He had actually believed that it might happen!
And then, as gratitude, she had compared him in an insulting way to the person he hated most of all- Harry Potter, humiliating him in public! She had betrayed him.
Father was right, Draco thought bitterly. One might think him cruel, but he was just living the only way it was possible to live in this world. As long as you only cared about pleasing and saving yourself, nothing would happen to you.
That was a lesson which he had heard since childhood. And now he had gone against it, he had had feelings for Ginny. He was too scared of what he might discover to explore these feelings, but he knew they existed. And he had been mortified and pained beyond anything he had ever known.
All these years I've thought Father was nothing but a power-hungry idiot, he thought miserably, but in reality, he's clever. I was never harmed by anybody but him while I was under his care, but the second I stepped out of it and stopped following his principles, I got hurt and betrayed.
Malicious plans of revenge formed in his mind as he went on eating. He was going to display all his traditional Malfoy evilness and cunning to get back at her. And maybe then he could forget that he had ever felt anything for Ginny Weasley.
At least, that's what he hoped.
*******************************
Ginny regained consciousness, spluttering on the potion the Latin Professor had given her. She still felt dizzy and weak, and stars kept bursting into a shower of darkness in front of her eyes, but she was determined that nothing should keep her from her first school day at Arx Aurea.
'I'm OK,' she kept reassuring everybody who made anxious enquiries about her.
Finally, she was given permission to go to her first class with the other 3rd Years (A/N: they have flying first, remember?). Rachel and Tiffany joined Ginny on a small golden sofa labelled 'Practice Quidditch Field'.
In one rush they had left the Intersection behind and were blinking in the morning sunlight.
Ginny looked around in excitement, her strength returning to her in the form of anticipation and curiosity. The Quidditch field itself looked much like the one at Hogwarts, except that it was smaller, serving only for practice, with three gold hoops on either end and permanent markings of the same colour in the grass. But what amazed her was what lay beyond the Quidditch field: she could see a rose garden shimmering in different colours to her right, and to her left, there was a soft slope leading down to an immense, dazzlingly blue swimming pool.
While she was gazing around, more students were arriving. Some of them wore robes lined with silver, like hers, but others were edged with brilliant purple.
Beside her, Rachel sighed. 'Oh no, we have flying with the Disciplina students.'
'What's wrong with them?' asked Ginny, eyeing the newcomers inquisitively.
'Well, nothing really,' Rachel explained, 'it's just that they're always really good at everything, mostly because they're always practising and studying. And that's kind of dumb in a subject like flying, where you want to have fun instead of always being in a competition.'
Ginny watched the Disciplina students with new suspicion, but was soon interrupted by the sudden appearance of a wizard in black-blue robes. His face expression matched his solemn attire.
He introduced himself as their Flying teacher, Professor Laws, and handed each of them identical Nimbus 2000 broomsticks (A/N: Remember, my story is a lot later than the first Harry Potter book, so these brooms are pretty old now). Ginny clutched hers, grateful to hold something familiar. This was her very first lesson at Arx Aurea and she was determined to make a good impression.
Meanwhile, Professor Laws had opened a sack, releasing golden flying objects. For a split second, Ginny thought they were Golden Snitches, but she soon saw that the objects were round and flat, like coins. They whizzed through the air for a few seconds, and then one lowered itself onto Vanessa's chest and stuck there. Her name was engraved in it.
At the same time, many other 'name-tags' were finding their right owners, and soon one labelled 'Virginia Weasley, Fortuna' attached itself to Ginny's robes.
'Alright,' Professor Laws said quietly, but so sharply that every student heard him. 'As you probably all know, today's lesson will consist of try- outs for the Arx Aurea Quidditch Team. I will simply watch your playing skills and then determine if you are suitable to play for the team.'
Ginny saw every Disciplina student stand straighter, their heads raised resolutely. Her own courage quavered in uncertainty. Suppose- just suppose- everybody was better than her? Suppose- Ginny almost reddened at the thought- she fell off her broom? It had happened before when she was nervous.
'Normally,' the teacher went on, 'I watch a Quidditch game between the two houses present as a try-out. But, as Fortuna is involved' -he glanced at the pupils in silver-lined robes meaningly- 'I will have to split you into two groups. First group is all people whose first names start with letters A-L. The second group consists of the rest. By the way,' he added suddenly. 'It is very likely that none of you will make the team. Usually only fourth and fifth year students are taken.'
'That's really motivating,' muttered Amy, who had been standing beside Ginny, but was now moving over to join the other group.
Ginny stared after her, brooding. Even though she had instructed herself firmly that she would not think about what had happened at breakfast today, the thought had slipped back when Amy spoke. Why had she done that? Why had she provoked Ginny into saying something mean about Dra- Malfoy? Or was that just part of her plan to set her up with him? If so, it didn't seem to be working, Ginny thought miserably, seeing the look of disbelieving hatred on Draco's face in her mind.
Then she blinked rapidly and the picture disappeared. Don't think about it, she told herself stoically. Just don't think about it, and everything will be fine.
Professor Laws, who had been busy with the opposing team, suddenly turned to their group.
'So, what position do you want to play?' he asked Rachel, who was nearest to him.
'Uh. last year I tried being Chaser. I'll go for Seeker this time,' was Rachel's answer.
The Professor's thin lips turned upwards into a tiny smile, but then he was all business again and asked Ginny the same question.
'Chaser,' she replied, without having to think much. It was an unspoken rule that when they played at the Burrow, Harry always was Seeker. Of course Fred and George had to be the Beaters, and Bill enjoyed being Keeper. That left Ron, Charlie and her to be the Chasers.
Finally their team was all sorted out (Ginny could see that it was a very strange team, consisting of three Seekers, several pairs of Beaters, and two Keepers. The remaining four, including Ginny, took in a Chaser position).
Worriedly, she discovered that the only other Fortuna Chaser was a grim- looking boy with a large nose she didn't know. The other two both flashed purple linings at her.
Then, everything seemed to be happening at once. They all mounted their brooms and soared high above the pitch. The Bludgers and the Golden Snitch were released. And Professor Laws blew his whistle and tossed the Quaffle into the air.
Ginny took a deep breath. She had better not screw this up.
******************************
'So, where are we going?' Draco asked Jason Asper as they both got up from the breakfast table. 'I mean, what do we have first class?'
Jason strode ahead, a sour expression contorting his face. 'Latin,' he said finally.
Draco almost sighed with relief, before checking himself. He must not show the other boy how glad he was to have a subject first which he knew he could do well. It would have been too awful to start with something like- well, Levitational Dance.
They joined the throng at the Intersection and chose a large armchair that could seat both of them heading to the 'Atrium Cursi Latini' - the 'Room of the Latin Course', as Draco quickly translated.
There was a brief flash of black and wind as they whirled through space, but then they came to a halt in a large room, which did look more like a hall than anything else. (A/N: Atrium actually means hall, but in a round- about way, it can mean room, too. I think. *g*)
It was apparently designed in the style of the ancient Romans. The ceiling was dome-shaped and four large marble pillars adorned a large square pool of water in the middle of the room. Instead of ordinary desks and tables, there were couches and low tables. On each of these was an enormous book - a Latin dictionary.
Some students were already sprawling on the low couches. There were not many, and all robes were lined with silver. These were the Fortuna 4th Years.
Draco strutted to a free seat and, sitting down, started flipping through the great dictionary. Not that he needed it. His Latin was perfect and fluent, he was sure of that. But then, his mind wasn't on the endless columns of words and their definitions anyway. Devoid of anything but the red-hot scream for revenge which had been echoing in his head ever since breakfast, it was forming a plan of deadly accuracy.
His scheming was interrupted by the entrance of the witch who had given Ginny the potion in the Sedes Aeris.
She smiled at the class in a noble sort of way. 'Good day. For those who do not know me, I am Professor Callidam. The rules in my classroom are as follows: If everybody works hard and nobody makes mischief' - here she glanced at two girls, who exploded into giggles immediately - 'you will receive no homework except studying. But, should the lesson not meet my requirements, there will be homework. And extra homework, if need be. I suggest you stick to my terms,' she finished, still smiling serenely.
Draco took the time to consider this. Professor Callidam looked as though she meant every word she said. But he wouldn't mind homework in an easy subject like Latin, as long as it wasn't copying out never-ending texts.
The copper-haired girl seated in front of him groaned. Then she turned her head and risked a sly glance at Draco. He let his eyes travel over her slowly and intently, which made her turn around again quickly, blushing fiercely.
Draco grinned and yawned. That trick always shut girls who were about to begin fawning over him up.
The Latin Professor then handed out rolls of parchment to everybody. 'We will begin the year by translating the writings of the philosopher Mucius Culanus Vetus. Has anybody heard of him?' she asked the class expectantly.
A girl with a long blond braid raised her hand tentatively and said rather hesitantly: 'Wasn't he the one that turned muggle or something?'
'Absolutely right,' beamed Professor Callidam. 'Even though he was a pure- blood wizard for generations back, he came to believe that magic was against the laws of the universe, as it gave some men a huge advantage over others. His opinion was not widely shared, however, and it soon became obvious.' she droned on.
Draco felt it safe to go back to imagining torturing Ginny. He would show her that he would never be anything but her enemy. He would show her who ruled over poor, pathetic creatures like her. And that was just the beginning.
'Mister Malfoy? Draco Malfoy?' the Professor said in quite a different tone. 'Could you start us off with the translation?' It was evident from her cool smile that she expected him to be totally unprepared.
But Draco unrolled the parchment smoothly and without the tiniest hint of being flustered. This was something he could do in his sleep.
'Behold, and learn: there is nothing to gain from our magical abilities. They condemn us instead of releasing us from earthly troubles. We use them to separate ourselves as a better race from other people; we raise ourselves onto a golden platform higher than the rest of humanity. Where does this desire to define ourselves as worthier arise? It is our fear's fault. We fear to acknowledge that we belong to the human race of mortals. We close our eyes to truths because we do not want to admit carrying the same flaws in us as people without magical abilities. When will wizards learn that it is not the purest blood that flows through the bravest man? When will society cease to judge us by our birth, be it noble or humble? How long will we allow fear to dominate our souls and close our hearts forever? It is obvious that fear is the true reason we reach to magic to aid us, fear and lazy disposition.' he drawled expertly.
'That's enough, Mister Malfoy,' Professor Callidam cut in primly. When Draco glanced up at her with a bored expression on his face, she glared at him. 'You left out 'omnium' in the third sentence,' she informed him frostily.
'My mistake,' smirked Draco, skimming over the Latin words on the parchment. His heart was beating in the full triumph of his success. He was fully aware that all the students were staring at him in amazement and respect. 'So it's like this: We use them to separate ourselves as a better race from all other people,' he read out, putting emphasis on the 'all' he had forgotten the first time.
At last, Professor smiled widely. 'I must say, that was an extremely good bit of translation, Mister Malfoy. Is it true that you learnt Latin as a small child?'
Draco shrugged. This wasn't something he was very eager to focus on. Better let the other students think him brilliant without having learnt it all as a little kid.
While the professor went on and on about Colanus' speeches, the words he had just translated came back to Draco.
'When will wizards learn that it is not the purest blood that flows through the bravest man? When will society cease to judge us by our birth, be it noble or humble? How long will we allow fear to dominate our souls and close our hearts forever?'
He tried to dismiss it as utter nonsense. How stupid of the man, talking about becoming muggle so that everybody would be the same. And what did that fear dominating souls and closing hearts mean? Some people were cowards. Fear ruled their souls. But it didn't close their hearts. Fear and opening your heart was the same thing. Only if you barred up that stupid soft spot inside, you could be fearless and gain something.
Which I am, thought Draco, clenching his teeth. This is just some stupid phase. Wait till I get even with that Weasley trash. The one from the 'humblest' birth imaginable.
The one that had taught him fear.
**********************************
'Ginny! Over here!'
Ginny turned her head quickly, furiously ducking the opposing chaser who was trying to grab the Quaffle from her. To her left, close to the hoops and not surrounded by members of the other team, the girl with the long blond braid, whose name-tag read 'Marianne Ponté, Disciplina'.
'Ten seconds left!' announced Professor Laws.
Swerving upwards to allow herself a clear shot, Ginny focused all her remaining concentration and threw the Quaffle to Marianne, who caught it instantly and, before the Keeper realized she had it, put it through one of the hoops.
'Game over!' the Flying professor called calmly. '4:3 for the first team.'
'YES!' Ginny yelled along with her other team mates. She was hot and sweaty, but feeling wonderfully triumphant. Today she had played better than she had for a long time. Of course that probably had something to do with Marianne, the Disciplina girl. The two of them had made a really good team, seeming to always read each others thoughts and be there exactly when the other person needed her.
Ginny found herself hoping the other girl would make the team. She appeared to be very nice, only a little shy. And she was a very good flyer.
'Oh, I was so bad,' complained Rachel, alighting beside Ginny. 'I'm never going to get on the Quidditch team.'
'There's always next year,' Ginny laughed, but stopped suddenly and added the words 'for you' under her breath. The next year would only bring Hogwarts again for her. Of course, Hogwarts was a second home to her, but a home in which there were so many boundaries and restrictions. At Hogwarts, she would never have been able to talk to Draco in any way but insulting. There was a bond between them, however slim and fragile. Ginny couldn't tell when it had formed, but it was there.
Snap out of it, a voice in her head warned her. This is the guy who's tormented Ron, Harry and Hermione for years. The only thing that counts for him is money and reputation.
'Virginia Weasley and Marianne Ponté,' Professor Laws called out in a dry voice. He was talking to all the students individually or in groups of twos.
Ginny rather nervously walked over to him. The Disciplina girl with the blond braid joined her and smiled at her timidly.
The Flying Professor cracked a rare smile. 'You two make a pretty good team. Best friends, are you?'
Both girls shook their heads but eyed the other rather wistfully.
'To have the two of you in the team probably wouldn't be bad.' he mused. Ginny's head spun. Was he saying that they were both going to be accepted?
'But unfortunately, I can't take too many students from the younger grades,' he added. 'So I'll have to take the better one. Marianne Ponté, I'll expect you at practices every Thursday after school, alright?'
She caught her breath and smiled in grateful relief, her eyes shining. The fleeting feeling of disappointment Ginny had experienced disappeared as soon as she caught sight of Marianne's happy face. She had really wanted to get on the team, while Ginny hadn't cared that much. It was right that she should be chosen.
'You're the new student, right?' Professor Laws was looking at her thoughtfully. When Ginny nodded, he said quietly: 'You don't have much talent, but they must teach you decently at Hogwarts.' With that, he turned to the next pupil.
Ginny had the feeling that 'decent' was a huge compliment coming from this professor. So, feeling pleased with having impressed him, even though she hadn't made it to the team, she spoke to Marianne: 'Hey, congratulations. I think you really deserved to get on the team.'
The other girl looked rather surprised, but smiled. 'Thanks. I think he should have put you on the team too though. You fly very well,' she said shyly.
Ginny waved this aside. 'Not really,' she confessed. 'Today was one of my good days. So, what class do you have next?' she asked.
'Spells,' Marianne said with a little sigh. She looked troubled, as if there was some worry constantly nagging at her. 'I try, but it's always so hard for me to keep up at those kinds of subjects.'
'I like Spells,' Ginny grinned, remembering tiny Professor Flitwick squeaking at them from the front of the classroom where he sat on his pile of books.
She was just about to continue the conversation when Rachel ran up to her.
'Ginny, come on, we have Latin now,' she exclaimed breathlessly.
After quickly taking leave of Marianne, Ginny hurried with Rachel to one of the big golden armchairs that were still on the Quidditch field.
One second, she could still see the bright blue sky, the emerald green grass, and the golden castle close by, and the next, she was in the building herself, in the Intersection. It was particularly busy at this time of day, when classes were changing, and students were dis- and appearing everywhere, laughing, talking, shouting. Two girls who couldn't be much older than Ginny arrived just beside them in another armchair, on which she could see 'Atrium Cursi Latinii'.
'Come on,' Rachel urged again, pulling her onto the now deserted chair.
'What's the hurry?' Ginny asked her friend, but her words were lost as they whirled through blackness for a second, and then landed beside a dazzling pool and fountain in a beautiful hallway, which was decorated with marble pillars.
That was what she saw first. But immediately after that, she saw none other than Draco Malfoy, striding across the room with a smug expression on his face.
Ginny had the urge to call out to him, but she bit it back, telling herself that even though they were at a kind of truce, they were still enemies. And they would be forever.
Suddenly, Draco caught sight of her. His face expression changed dramatically from a pleased smirk, to a surprised shock, to bitter loathing. Ginny's heart sank. She could see the dark fury in his eyes, the grim hatred in the way his jaw tightened, and the open disgust in his arched eyebrows.
In one overwhelming second, she wanted nothing more than to rush to him and apologize, to tell him that she hadn't meant what she had said, that Amy had provoked her into it.
Instead, she tried with all her might to match his hostile glare and swept by him imperiously.
When he had gone, she was left miserably remembering the strange dream and wondering why she felt so much like crying.
***************************
Uh. I hope all of you endured this to the end. only interesting bit in the whole damn chapter. but then, school is naturally boring, so I hope that's an excuse.
Please review anyway, as you can see by my little acknowledgements, I'm really, really grateful to receive them.
For example:
Yami Fire Angel- hope u get the email soon.
Liz Swarthy- i know it's taking too long. it's for dramatic emphasis (*j/k*).
A13TAT- glad you think so, I was beginning to fall into depression (heehee) and there's some pretty WEIRD Draco in here
Pseudonym Sylphmuse- hey, thanx, I'm really honoured when ppl put me on their favourite list. But I don't think I'll try a story completely separate till now. too hard.
Slytherinangel- Ah, a true fan!
Aqua-mere- You're welcome. It's nothing to do with smartness, though.
Sad Strange Little Girl- yeah, I agree. D/H is screwy. I checked out your stories, really liked them! I'm not sure if I left a review or not cuz my computer's been doing weird things lately.
Kelsey McCartney- that's encouraging. someone actually likes the weird way I write!
The Dark Lady Adrienne- I LOVE your email address! Oh, and you got your message across pretty clearly. *looks around wildly for cover*
elen- thanks for staying with this story for so long! Yeah, you can see Draco is very mad about the HP comment.
StarNight- Wow. hear that, Draco? You have depth! Love the compliments, to me and him!
KAOS- thank you for the reassurances. my fic called brilliant. makes me kind of proud. you'll definitely get an email as soon as I get this stupid thing posted, k?
Tigerz_Angel- i know you won't believe me, but that was as soon as possible. Pathetic, isn't it?
cooldot- yeah, I like tension too. but what i really want is some nice, sweet D/G! Can't seem to be able to fit it in, though. Sorry.
Jenny-Amy- Anyone who likes D/G must be a kindred spirit, is what I say.
Autumn Twilight- Actually, I already have a beta-reader. Well, I hope my excuse is satisfactory when I finally bring it out. I like keeping people in the dark. *grins evilly*
The afore-mentioned, greatly-honoured cuty-cat has of course the place of honour in this chapter (right at the bottom). (See, wasn't it worth it to edit one tiny little chapter? Honestly!)
Anyways. see you all asap, as always!
Shooting Jewel (or SJ if you'd rather)