Ginny made her way quickly down to the Great Hall. Walking in, she spotted Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and made her way in their direction. Taking a seat next to Harry, she noticed that Ron, who was sitting across from her was scowling, "What's wrong, Ron," she asked.

He looked at her, "Where have you been?" he asked.

Ginny did her best to look surprised, "You mean Dumbledore didn't tell you? Madam Pomfrey sent me to St. Mungo's for medical supplies," she said, trying to sound innocent.

Harry was glancing suspiciously at her, "That took the whole weekend? I don't think so," he asked.

"Well, no, but I stayed. They were a little shorthanded and so I helped out. I learned lots of things, too," she said.

Ron was still looking at her, "I don't believe you," he stated.

Ginny was angry now, "Well, Ron, I could care less if you believe me or not. Why don't you ask Dumbledore if you don't believe me?" she snapped, just as Dumbledore stood up.

"Students, silence. I have an announcement to make. We have a new student joining our midst today. Everyone, this is Adam Carson, a Seventh Year who has been sorted into Slytherin. I do hope that all of you will give Mr. Carson a good welcome. That will be all, now lets eat," Dumbledore said, and sat down.

Ginny noticed that Adam looked incredibly embarrassed, and had to hide a small smile as he silently made his way over to Draco at the Slytherin table. Ron, Harry, and Hermione were also looking in his direction. "Well," muttered Ron, "he certainly doesn't look as evil as the rest of them, but look, he's already friends with Malfoy. Won't be long."

Harry turned back to Ginny, "So, Gin, going to Hogsmeade this weekend?" he asked. Ginny looked up surprised, she had completely forgotten about the Hogsmeade trip. However, as Halloween was the day after tomorrow, she should have remembered, the first Hogsmeade trip was always close to Halloween. Why did it matter to Harry, anyway? "Actually Harry, I kind of doubt it. Madam Pomfrey needs my help this weekend," she said, catching Draco's eye across the room. Maybe they could spend some time together this weekend.

Now even Hermione was suspicious, "On a weekend, Ginny?" she asked.

"Well, why not?"

"Just asking," but something in Hermoine's voice told her that she would be asking again later. Ginny spent the rest of her meal in peace. She finished quickly, and excused herself, claiming homework. She left the Great Hall, and was walking the familiar path to Gryffindor tower when she got the feeling that someone was following her. Turning quickly, she spotted Draco and Adam coming towards her. "Don't do that," she admonished them, "you nearly gave me a heart attack."

Draco smiled, "Now, we couldn't have that, could we?"

"I'm gonna go and see Kit," Adam said, grinning wickedly, "Leave you two some time to talk." He walked down the hall towards the Room of Requirement. Draco turned to Ginny.

"How'd it go, Gin. Your brother and Potter give you a hard time," he asked, his voice lacking the usual malice that it had when he talked of her brother and Harry.

Ginny sighed, "Well, they don't believe for a second that I was actually at St. Mungo's, but you know, they'll get over it. They did get suspicious when I told them I wasn't going to go to Hogsmeade this weekend," she said, then smiled at him, "But, don't worry, I can handle them."

"If they bother you, tell me, ok," he said seriously, then grinned at her, "So, tell me, why aren't you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Ginny could feel herself blushing. It was one thing to admit to herself that she did it to spend time with him, but another entirely to admit it to him, "Well, um, I have to help Madam Pomfrey, you know," she stammered.

Draco smiled at her, and she knew that he saw right through that excuse, "Does that mean that I don't get to spend some time with you?" he asked, and she saw that he was serious.

She smiled at him, "We'll meet at Kit's room, ok," she said, hearing footsteps approach. They heard a familiar voice, "Well, I don't care what she says, I don't believe for a minute that she went to St. Mungo's for Madam Pomfrey," Ron said. Draco kissed Ginny quickly on the cheek and then turned and ran down the corridor. Ginny sighed and continued quickly to Gryffindor tower.