Disclaimer: Standard. You know, not mine, yadda, yadda. Katherine and Adam are mine, but seeing as they are muggles, JK probably doesn't want them. Bummer!!

Different Side of Hate

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Ginny Weasley sat like a statue in her sixth year potions class. Professor Snape was, as usual, being his nasty self, and as she had already gotten Gryffindor into trouble once today, she decided to keep quiet for the rest of the class. Luckily she didn't have that much longer to wait. Class would be over in about ten minutes. Then Ginny could go to the only thing she actually liked each day. Ginny wanted to be a doctor, so she helped Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing three days a week. "Just a few more minutes," she whispered to herself, just as the door was thrown open. Like everyone else, Ginny turned, wanting to see who had the nerve to interrupt Snape's classes. She was shocked to see Draco Malfoy walk up to the professor, and if she hadn't known any better, she would say that he looked terrified, but that couldn't be. Malfoy didn't show emotion.

Draco Malfoy ran up to Professor Snape's desk, not caring that every student in the class was staring at him strangely. They would get over it, he was sure. "Professor," he started, only to be cut off by Snape.

"Mr. Malfoy," he hissed in a low voice, "I do hope you have a good reason for interrupting my class."

Ginny strained to hear what was being said. Malfoy had always interested her, given that her brother Ron had always hated him. "Professor," she heard Malfoy say, "It's Kit." That's all. Just two words. But the effect those two words had on Professor Snape was astounding. His face drained of all color, and she could have sworn he was shaking. Malfoy whispered something else to Snape that Ginny couldn't hear, and, if possible, Snape's face went even more pale. He quickly looked around, noticing thirty pairs of eyes on him. "Class dismissed," he said, softly and shakingly.

Ginny quickly gathered her things, curious as to what had made Snape react so, so painfully to just two little words. She was almost to the door where her friend Colin Creevey was waiting for her when she heard Snape calling her back, "Miss Weasley, a moment please," he requested.

Ginny shot an apologetic glance at Colin, and quickly turned and headed back to Snape's desk, "Yes, Professor," she asked.

"I understand that you are quite the trained healer, or has Madam Pomfrey been exaggerating," Snape asked.

Ginny did not know what to say, "Well, sir, I'm not as good as Madam Pomfrey, but she says I'm a quick learner. I can heal cuts and mend bones, as long as they are not broken into a lot of pieces," she said, not sure where this was going. She shot a glance at Malfoy, and was shocked to see tears in his eyes. What in the world was going on?

"Miss Weasley, would you mind helping me and Mr. Malfoy out with something, then. It might take your weekend, but I would, as would Mr. Malfoy, I'm sure, be very grateful for your help," Snape said.

Ginny was horribly confused, and had no clue what was going on. Snape was nearly pleading for her help, and here was Malfoy nearly crying!! What in the world was going on. She shot another glance at Malfoy, not sure what to do.

He looked into her eyes. He knew she was confused, but if she was as good as Madam Pomfrey said, they could really use her help. "Please," he whispered, knowing that her brother had already rammed into her head how evil he was.

Ginny was completely floored. Malfoy, begging for her help!! She would never have believed it was possible, but here she was, and there he was. She turned back to Professor Snape, "Of course, Sir," she said, watching relief wash over his features and hearing Malfoy's sigh of relief from beside her.

"Thank you, Miss Weasley. Now, come you two, we need to see the headmaster," Snape said, and with that led them out of the room.

As they walked toward the gargoyle that Ginny knew led to Dumbledore's office, Ginny became more confused than ever. "Lemon Drop," Snape said, and the gargoyle sprang to life. Snape stepped onto the revolving staircase, and Ginny moved to follow, but was stopped when Malfoy grabbed her hand. She turned to look at him, raising her eyebrows. This was definitely not the Malfoy her brother had told her about.

He looked into her eyes, and squeezed her hand, "Thank you, Ginny, I know you hate me, and I just wanted you know how much I appreciate this."

Ginny was so shocked she could only stammer out a weak "You're welcome," before getting onto the revolving staircase leading to Dumbledore's office. Malfoy stepped on behind her and they rode to the top in silence. Ginny paused as they reached the top, and turned back to Malfoy, raising her eyes to his, "And I don't hate you, Malfoy," she said, and turned to Snape, who was standing in front of Dumbledore's desk.

Dumbledore smiled at the two downcast faces, and the one confused one, wondering what could possibly bring these unlikely three together. "What can I do for you Severus, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Weasley," he asked.

"Headmaster, Mr. Malfoy came into my class today with a letter. A letter from Adam, sir, Katherine's boyfriend. Katherine is in trouble, sir. May I request permission for Mr. Malfoy and Miss Weasley to accompany me to retrieve her, sir. Adam is beside himself, for he knows not where to turn. Katherine's mother and stepfather have been killed, and Adam believes it to be by wizards. He doesn't feel safe turning to his kind, but seeks solace in ours. May I bring Katherine and Adam back to the castle for protection, sir," Snape pleaded with the headmaster.

Ginny wanted to know who Katherine was, and noticed that Dumbledore seemed to know. He turned very serious, "Severus, the ministry will have a field day. Opening Hogwarts for protection of muggles has never been an option," Dumbledore said, and noticing Snape about to protest, he added, "May no mistake, Severus, she will be brought here. However, she will have to be the best kept secret in Hogwarts history. She and Adam both. If Kit is well enough, both her and Adam will be introduced as exchange students. There can be no acting like a muggle, or the ministry will have them both kicked out. Is that understood?" Dumbledore knew he was asking a lot, but he also knew what it took for them to request his help in the first place.

"Yes, sir," they replied. Dumbledore continued, "Now, Severus, it's quite clear why you wish for Miss Weasley to accompany you. After all, her medical skills are envied by many experienced healers. However, I see no reason why Mr. Malfoy is needed."

Ginny glanced up at Dumbledore's praise, and noticed Malfoy visibly blanch at the thought that he might not get to go. Another side that her brother hadn't told her about. Snape answered, "Sir, Mr. Malfoy is Katherine's best friend, and I daresay the feeling is mutual. Besides, sir, I'm afraid that you won't get much work out of Mr. Malfoy until he is rest-assured with his own eyes that she is safe. He will constantly be underfoot and it would be better if he were just to accompany me and Miss Weasley."

Dumbledore listened patiently during Snape's speech, and turned to Malfoy, "Mr. Malfoy, is this true?" he asked, gravely.

"Yes, sir, Katherine has been my best friend for years," Malfoy admitted.

If Dumbledore was shocked, he didn't show it. Ginny was shocked. Malfoys hated muggles, everyone knew that. How could Draco be best friends with a muggle. He just kept surprising her. And since when did she think of him as Draco? When had he stopped being Malfoy? Dumbledore's voice broke her out of her reverie, "Very well, Severus. Mr. Malfoy, you and Miss Weasley will accompany Severus to retrieve Katherine and Adam. Now, what to tell your families." A looked of shock crossed Malfoy's face, and Dumbledore noticed. "Fear not, Mr. Malfoy, your father will not be contacted. I daresay he'll not notice your absence. Miss Weasley, you are another matter. You're brother will, if I'm not mistaken, wonder where you are. What to tell him?"

Surprisingly, it was Malfoy who answered. "St. Mungo's. Tell him that Madam Pomfrey had to send someone to St. Mungo's for supplies or something. After all, Ginny is an excellent healer, who else better for the job."

If Ginny hadn't known better, she would have thought that Malfoy was complimenting her, but that couldn't be possible, could it?

Dumbledore smiled, "Of course, Mr. Malfoy, an excellent plan. Now, you all best be off. And do try to be back before classes start on Monday. Owl me, and you will be met, so as prepare Katherine and Adam for their introduction as a witch and a wizard. We will have robes waiting for them, in case some of our students tend to exercise their prying eyes."

"Yes, sir," they said simultaneously.