Chapter Fourteen - Herbology and Broomsticks

Ginny entered her Herbology CAT Greenhouse apprehensively. Professor Sprout was cheerily greeting each student who came through the doors and giving words of confidence to those who seemed stressed. Each Professor had an assistant in giving the CATs for the first time, and Sprout's assistant was Neville Longbottom. He smiled at Ginny before handing her a quill that was spelled against cheating. When all the students had their quills, the Professor coughed expectantly.

"Welcome everyone, to Advanced Herbology CAT exams!" The Professor smiled brightly. "Neville will assist me with the papers and as soon as you get your packet of parchment you may begin. This is relatively short test; therefore you shall have three straight hours with no break to finish it. Good luck everyone!"

Neville grinned as he handed Ginny her paper. She took it wordlessly and wrote her name in a tidy cursive on the top. Looking at the first few questions and smiling, she began.

Who was the first wizard to introduce the practical application of Herbology to the Wizarding World?

What are the four main uses of plants?

Why are Travere Plants so difficult to care for?

The questions were simple for someone who knew the material, and Ginny breezed through the test with thirty minutes to spare. Those who finished early were permitted to leave early, so she handed in the exam and left the classroom. With the whole day ahead of her, Ginny decided to eat before the rush and then go study for Potions for an hour before meeting Draco in his rooms after Potions exams were over.

In the Gryffindor common room, all was silent. The few students who were done with their exams already sat silently studying for the next exams on Tuesday. A set of four second years sat in a corner, quizzing each other for their Divination exams. After about ten minutes, Ginny gave up and ascended the stairs to Gryffindor tower. Slipping on a green practice robe, she grabbed her broom, her snitch and pulled her hair up before throwing the windows open.

A cool breeze blew Ginny's ponytail back from her face and made her more eager to fly. Wrapping both hands tightly around her broomstick, she jumped. To any observer it would have looked like she had jumped to her death, but she had her hands secure around the handle and her broom was passively waiting for commands. In free fall, Ginny felt wondrous. The ground hurtled toward her and at the last second, she pulled her broom into action and missed the grass.

Looking toward the Quidditch pitch, she decided to neglect practicing for the day and just fly. She turned her broom around and flew toward the lake and the Squid, hoping the large sea monster would choose to stay submerged. She arrived seconds later and saw no tentacles above the water, so she skimmed the lake, letting her broom create waves in the water.

"I thought I'd find you here." Startled, Ginny turned. Not to find out the speaker's identity, though, because she already knew. His tousled blonde hair curled around his face in the wind as he hovered above the lake. The moment was ruined by a large roar as the Squid plowed up from the depths of the water, jolting Draco and Ginny out of their reveres. Draco rushed forward with immense speed and grabbed Ginny's hand, nearly pulling her off her broom before she followed.

"Come on!" They raced hand in hand out over the deep part of the lake and over the shallows where the Squid couldn't reach them. Screeching to a halt, they smiled at one another. "How do you manage to get into so much trouble?" Draco asked jokingly.

Ginny grinned. "It's a talent!" Draco smiled and maneuvered so he was right next to her. She leaned in for a kiss, but he had other ideas. With a quick shove, he pushed her into the lake. Ginny landed indignantly with a splash and tread water with Draco hovering above her, laughing.

"I can't believe you did that!" She screeched. Draco just laughed and held his hand out to her, which she took, hoisting herself onto his broom. Her Starfly hovered happily next to them.

"Sorry."

"No you're not."

"I know." He grinned, and Ginny smirked evilly back. "What?"

"Oh, nothing!" With her last syllable, Ginny fell off the broom, purposely pulling Draco with her into the lake, effectively soaking him.

"Hey!" He spluttered, shaking water from his hair. Splashing around, they played together; dunking, splashing, and kissing until six. Dinner was well underway, Ginny and Draco could care less. They called their broomsticks and pulled their body's weight, along with the weight of their wet clothing onto the slender pieces of wood and rose into the air.

The wind from the direction of the castle was chilly, but effectively dried their clothes so they were just lightly damp. Sliding off their brooms simultaneously at the front of the castle, they were just preparing to enter when the doors slid open and Professor McGonagall stepped through the doorway. A scowl flitted across her face and stuck, making her seem more imperial than before.

"You two!" She scolded. "I had expected better care from you before graduation to ensure that your secret is concealed! Swimming in the lake is not a normal thing that students and teachers do. I would have expected more care from you, Mr. Malfoy!" She whispered harshly so as not to be overheard. "You were supposed to present a speech tonight after dinner, Malfoy. I would appreciate it if you dried yourself, gave your broom to Miss…Ginny, and let her meet you in the dungeons to avoid questions. Follow me, the food is about to be cleared."

Draco turned to follow, sending a wink back in Ginny's direction before entering the main Foyer. Ginny waited about five minutes before sneaking in and swinging the doors shut behind her. Creeping through the hall, she was startled by a caw as a huge chestnut barn owl swooped down from the ceiling.

"Kalasin!" She called Bridget's owl fondly. "Shhh!" The owl obediently was quiet and alighted on the arm Ginny held out. Ginny made her way to Draco's quarters carrying the two brooms and an owl precariously. Once she reached the door, she leaned the two brooms against the wall and entered Draco's private quarters.

Plopping down on the bed, she gently untied the letter from Kalasin's leg and unfolded the small bit of parchment.

Gin,

I insist on a girl's night tonight after dinner.

Meet me in the Room of Requirement at 10:00 after you've seen Draco.

What were you doing all day?

Love Ya!

Bridget

Refolding the letter and tucking it into her robes, she let Kalasin rest on the bed until she got back. Explaining Bridget's letter with a smile, she told him about her arrangements. They spent the next few hours cuddling since Draco refused to help her study for her Potions exam.

"It wouldn't be fair because I teach Potions!"

"So?"

"So? I know the answers."

"Exactly!"

"It wouldn't be fair to everyone else." His eyes showed apology.

"I thought marrying you came with privileges!" Eyes sparkling, Ginny planted small kisses along the defined curve of his jaw.

"Oh, it does," He said, pulling her into a fierce kiss. "But we don't have time to explore those wonderful perks until you come back tonight. It's 9:30."

"Damn." Ginny said matter of factly. (a/n: that doesn't sound right…is that how u spell it? Anyway…) She slid off the bed with a sigh and gave him one last kiss before leaving through the large ebony door. "See you later, Draco."

a/n: Yay! Updated quickly this time! RR!