Okay, I'm hoping this is better than the prologue... (looks pleadingly at readers)
Ginny quietly slipped into Malfoy's back garden. They guarded very well against witches and wizards (and muggles) but small animals could slip through: birds, hedgehogs, gnomes...and cats.
A slim ginger-hued calico with four cream paws delicately padded her way across the pristine lawns of Malfoy Manor. Waiting at the kitchen entrance until almost sundown, Ginny quickly dashed inside the back door when a house-elf opened it for some air. Thanks to a special collar her twin brothers had designed (based heavily on the charms used for their fast-selling Headless Hats) a small grey collar for Ginny the cat that would keep her invisible. For a while, anyway. She needed to be quick; the magic in the collar would only last till mid-morning or so.
Ginny dodged a few more house-elves (the human part of her managing not to swat at the edges of their baggy pillowcases) and leaped up the velveted stairs that led to the bedroom suites.
Draco Malfoy's was, predictably, silver, black, and variant shades of forest green. Evidently his Hogwarts loyalty to Slytherin House had not yet worn off.
Checking to make sure the Malfoy's were still at dinner (she could smell the platters of food as the house-elves delivered them to the table), she transfigured back into her won self, with the silver collar stored deep in a pocket. Bewitching her fingers, to smooth the ridges of her prints, she carefully began searching Malfoy's drawers and closets, searching for secret compartments or cubbies.
Ginny spun around suddenly, heart beating frantically, fighting against the sudden pressure in her chest. Malfoy was returning to his chambers.
Ginny swiftly changed into a cat and ducked under Malfoy's bed, which was thankfully covered in a full-length comforter.
Malfoy was unaware of two eyes watching him from under his bed. His polished shoes moved swiftly toward his desk, then halted. Ginny heard the sound of Malfoy drawing his wand from a deep pocket. He muttered a word under his breath, and she heard the sound of a drawer popping open. Peering out, Ginny saw Draco pull a black half-mask over his head and tie the cloth in a knot at the back of his head. Suddenly, he paused.
What does he see?
Draco whirled around and stared at Ginny. For a moment the pair froze, as though Father Time had momentarily failed the world. Then Draco dove for Ginny the cat, just as she scooted out from under the bed through the open door in to the hallway. Her paws were thudding on the plush carpet, slipping slightly as she grew more nervous.
Ginny was suddenly aware of a blue light, and skidded across the floor as her legs failed her. The next moment she was in command of her furred body again, but the few moments were all that Draco needed to catch up to her. He grabbed her by her scruff and lifted her up into the air, his wand still held at his side. She couldn't read his eyes.
He raised his wand and drew a deep breath, evidently preparing for a difficult spell. Ginny squirmed furiously, not Avada Kedavra, not that, please God...
He dropped her. Ginny landed on her feet, as always, but even as she swung her first paw forward to break into a run, Draco released the spell. Coated for a second time in a luminous aura, Ginny felt herself loosing her cat-form. No! she screamed silently, but she had no power to reduce the spell. In a matter of seconds, Ginny Weasley, the human being, was huddled on the upper landing of Malfoy Manor red hair falling haphazardly around her face, shaking as she speechlessly stared at Draco Malfoy. Will he kill me? The words didn't form in her head as much as the terror.
Malfoy kept staring at her, his body pose one of surprise. Ginny wished that he didn't have that horrible mask on, at least she could see his face then.
Ginny heard footsteps on the tile below, but neither she nor Malfoy moved. Finally, as Malfoy started toward her, she opened her mouth and her hand jerked automatically toward her wand. Malfoy bowled into her, covering her mouth with his hand and snatching her wand away. His palm was terribly clammy, Ginny realized. Next, he tapped his own wand rapidly against the wall, and gripping her arms with that hand, pulled her into the compartment that appeared behind the paneling.
The space, however, was evidently only built to accommodate one person. Ginny's back was against the hidden back wall, Malfoy squished against her, his hand still over her mouth, and so close that Ginny could feel him breathing faster than she was. If Ginny wasn't so shell-shocked herself, she might have thought he was scared.
Ginny heard footsteps go by, heard low voiced murmuring, and then both faded away as they walked to where Ginny guessed was the upstairs drawing room she had seen earlier. She looked at Malfoy's mask, just able to see the glittering eyes in his face.
So, we like? Yes? IS ANYBODY GOING TO GIVE ME A REVIEW?!?!? Or does this read that badly? I'm on my knees – which I never do!! (Except to grovel to a few of my superiors, but that's beside the point.)