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Chapter 4:

            The first several weeks of summer passed entirely too quickly for Ginny, who was enjoying her remaining time with her family.  School had definitely changed Draco- Ginny wondered if it would change her as well.  He was now more mature, she supposed.  He had a girlfriend now- Pansy Parkinson, who Ginny had always disliked.  They wrote to each other constantly.  It was rather sickening.  Draco also had become more stuck up, one could say.  Ginny really didn't know when or how this had happened- but it had.  And he was constantly practicing Quidditch, on his new broom, the Nimbus 2001, which, as he reminded everyone, was better than Potter's Nimbus 2000.  Ginny's parents had thought it rather cute that Draco was trying so hard to get onto the Quidditch team, but it made Ginny sad.  She wished he would let her ride the broomstick with him.  She was quite good at Quidditch, really. 

            Sometimes Eira and Blaise Zabini would visit for a few days.  Ginny loved when this happened- Blaise and Draco would often tell them things about Hogwarts, and Slytherin, and each teacher.  Ginny and Eira laughed at the thought of Ginny's 'Uncle Sevvie' taking so many points from the stupid Gryffindors.  But the thing that scared Eira and Ginny most was the Sorting. 

            On a humid Monday morning in August, Draco and Ginny were sitting outside in the courtyard, thinking of something to do, and this was on Ginny's mind.  "Draco?  Are you sure we have to do spells to be sorted?  What would happen if you couldn't do one?"  Draco chuckled. 

            "You should be able to, Gin- after all, you are a Malfoy.  I'm sworn to secrecy, though, about what you have to do.  Honestly- I'd tell you if I could."  Ginny sighed, looking up at Draco. 

            "Okay."  She paused for a moment.  "So what teacher's the worst?"

            "Definitely McGonagall," said Draco thoughtfully.  "But at least she doesn't really favor all the Gryffindors- just that stupid Mudblood, Granger."

            "The know-it-all?" asked Ginny bitterly.  That stupid girl had beaten Draco in grades, making Draco number two.  He'd been sorely yelled at by their father- Lucius was quite scary when mad, which Ginny had rarely seen.  She hoped she'd be number one in her class.  Her father might not yell and scream at her as he had Draco, but he would surely be 'disappointed' and refuse to say anything.  That would break Ginny's heart. 

            "Yeah," said Draco, kicking a rock sourly.  "You'll know her when you see her.  Big, bushy hair and buckteeth."  Ginny scrunched her nose.  "And she's always with Scarhead and Weasel." 

            "So Potter's as bad as they say?" asked Ginny.  "He sounds like a bloody idiot."

            "Ginny!" said Draco, shocked.

            "What?" she asked. 

            "You said 'bloody-'"

            "So?" asked Ginny, annoyed.  "You said it at my age.  And I'm a big girl, thanks.  But, anyway- Uncle Sev is nice to Slytherins at least, right?"

            "Yeah," said Draco resolutely.  "But don't expect special treatment for being his godchild.  He will treat you the same as the other Slytherins- but at least you can go to him for a problem when need be.  I think he'd bite off anyone else's head if they came to him.  But he's all right.  But the ugly oaf Hagrid is another story- he seems nice and all at first, just really big.  But he's a Dumbledore-idiot, and is friends with the Dream Team," he finished in a disgusted voice. 

            "Oh," said Ginny observantly.  "I see.  So- did you and Potter ever duel?" she asked excitedly, wondering the outcome of a match like that. 

            "No," said Draco, sounding disappointed.  But then he laughed.  "But I did challenge him to a duel- and Filch showed up!  And I caught him with a dragon after-hours, and I told McGonagall.  Somehow I got in trouble for it!  I ended up having a detention with Granger, Potter, and Longbottom," he said, disgusted.  "To the Forbidden Forest," he then added impressively. 

            "Really?" gasped Ginny.  "What happened in there?  How did you ever get out alive?"

            "Well," said Draco conspiratorially, "Hagrid split us up.  Potter and I had to go one way, and the Mudblood and Longbottom another.  Potter kept getting all scared, of course.  Then, we came across this- monster, drinking unicorn blood!  And it's all dark out, mind you.  So I came to my senses and started running for it.  But Potter tried to be brave and fight the monster, which was all covered in a black cloak.  He ended up having to be rescued by a Centaur and probably spent the week in the Hospital Wing.  He's weak for defeating the Dark Lord, honestly…"  Ginny nodded vigorously. 

            "You're so brave, Draco!  I can't believe you're my brother," she said, in awe.  Draco smirked, and Ginny smirked inwardly.  He was stupid for a Malfoy.  All she had to do was act like he was a hero and he'd probably let her play Quidditch with him.  "Can I please, please practice Quidditch with you?"

            "I don't see why not," said Draco, smiling.  "You can use the Comet Two-Sixty, okay?"

            "All right!" said Ginny excitedly.  She then ran from the courtyard to the Pool house, which was near the Quidditch Pitch.  She grabbed Draco's old broom, which was still nearly in perfect condition.  When she made it out to the Quidditch Pitch, Draco was already there, flying.  She mounted her broom and lifted off perfectly, zooming into the air to join her brother.  "Hi, Draco!" she called. 

            "Hey, Gin," he called back, releasing a snitch, giving it a head start, and flying after it.  He wanted to be Seeker this year.  If Ginny ever played, she'd like to be a Chaser probably.  But she probably never would play, as her father was so worried all the time.  Ginny frowned and barreled after Draco and the snitch.  He, of course, caught it first, though she'd been very close to catching it. 

            Flying was such a good feeling- Ginny loved it to no end.  It was kind of like going through the brick wall at Platform Nine and three quarters- sort of.  It was one of those truly magical things- where you could just defy everything.  Like barriers; walls; restrictions.  You could get past them.  Ginny sometimes wondered what other barriers she'd be able to overcome in her life.  She wanted to make her life worthwhile- do something amazing, and always be remembered for it. 

            Time began passing more and more quickly and before Ginny knew it, it was already time to go to Diagon Alley to buy her school supplies.  She was jumping with excitement, and Draco even looked a bit happy.  Narcissa was taking the children, both who were extremely hyper.  Before everyone left, Narcissa looked at both children sternly.  "Now, are you both going to behave?"

            "Yes, Mother," replied Ginny and Draco in a monotonous voice.  Narcissa smiled. 

            "What's the Malfoy Code of Honor?"

            "We will uphold the family dignity, not create a display, will keep our heads high and proud and not associate with anyone in another class," said Ginny hurriedly.  This wasn't really a code, she knew.  When she was little she overheard her parents making up something to make them behave properly.  Ginny grinned; she'd never told Draco this. 

            "All right, then, dears," said Narcissa briskly, grabbing a purse, "let's go.  We'll be Flooing."

            "Mum- Floo?" asked Ginny, upset.  "But won't that get my new robes dirty?" she asked, referring to her new emerald green robes she was wearing.  Her hair was curly today, and hung smoothly a few inches below her shoulders. 

            "Not if you're very careful," said Narcissa, who'd been smart and had worn long black robes and a black hat. 

            "Will Father be joining us?" asked Draco curiously. 

            "He has work to do, but he said he'd meet up with us for lunch," explained Narcissa.  Draco nodded.  They then stepped through the fireplace.  Ginny stepped in excitedly after Draco was gone.  "Diagon Alley!" she yelled.  She landed in the Leaky Cauldron, and hurried out of the fireplace before someone else arrived.  She and Draco looked around, bored for a moment until their mother appeared.  They then entered Diagon Alley.  Ginny loved watching the bricks disappear- it was one of her favorite parts of coming here. 

            When they got onto the street, they made their way through the shops, getting different school supplies.  Madame Malkin got up-to-date measures of both Ginny and Draco as Narcissa ordered new robes for each.  But the part of the trip that excited Ginny the most was buying a new wand.  She was nearly bursting with energy as they walked into Ollivanders, where Lucius met up with the family. 

            "Hi, Dad!" exclaimed Ginny as he walked in. 

            "Hello, everyone.  Having luck with finding your school supplies?"

            "Yeah," said Ginny excitedly.  "We're waiting to get my wand now.  Where did you have business, Dad?"

            "I just had to take care of something on Knockturn Alley," said Lucius.  "And work out a spot of trouble with the idiot Mundungus Fletcher- he gets his hands on things he has no idea what use they can be put to and charges ridiculous prices once he feels you want them… he's going to get himself killed one of these days…"  Ginny watched as Narcissa nodded in agreement. 

            "Those people just shouldn't be meddling in other people's affairs," she said, sighing.  Suddenly, Ginny was caught off guard as Mr. Ollivander came from the back of the shop without making a sound. 

            "Ah," he said in a misty voice.  "Miss… Malfoy.  I've been expecting you for some time now.  Please- come in, come in."  Ginny jumped up and looked at her family excitedly.  She then followed Mr. Ollivander back.  "Let's get started, then," he said, reaching for one of many, many long boxes lined up on the walls.  "Twelve inch Willow, containing a hair from the tail of a unicorn."  Ginny grasped the wand and waved it around, disappointed when nothing happened.  "Not to worry, dear," said Mr. Ollivander, handing her another wand.  She went through what seemed like millions, with no result.  Finally, he handed her a wand that gave her a fleeting feeling of excitement.  "Nine Inch, Holly, Containing a hair from the mane of a unicorn."  Ginny waved it, trying to channel her energy through it.  Suddenly, The entire back wall, wands and all, burst into confetti and her wand shot out multi-colored sparks. 

            "Oops," said Ginny, grinning sheepishly. 

            "Er- it's quite all right, Miss Malfoy.  Peculiar.  Very strange."

            "What's strange?" asked Ginny. 

            "Well, there's a certain- oh, never mind; I suppose it's of no importance.  You'll find out one day."  Ginny frowned as the man ushered her to the front room again.  "Brilliant," he said to the Malfoys.  "She'll be very, very powerful one day," he said to a proud Lucius. 

            "Yes; she's already shown signs of quite a bit of magic.  What's the price, Ollivander?"

            "It'll be sixteen galleons, Sir."  Lucius paid and smiled as Ginny skipped out of the store, comparing her new wand with Draco's.  "Mr. Malfoy," said Ollivander darkly as everyone exited the shop.  "She's going to find out one day… whatever secret is being hidden from the world that you have.  I've always been neutral in terms of the war, and indifferent.  I'm a friend of Dumbledore's, yes- but I'm no member of the Order of the Phoenix.  But I know a Weasley when I see one.  No concealment charms or money or fancy robes or pureblood attitude will change that, because Dumbledore does as well, and so, I am sure, do the Weasleys."

            "I don't know what you're talking about," said Lucius coldly.  "But I can assure you that you won't either if you go on making false accusations against a Malfoy, old man," he finished threateningly before exiting the store. 

            The Malfoy family then made their way to the bookstore to get all their new books- including the Lockhart set.  "Is Gilderoy Lockhart famous or something?" asked Ginny to her mother as they entered a store.  He was at a book signing going on in the store. 

            "Yes, dear; he writes a lot of books," explained Narcissa quickly.  Ginny then hurried to the front of the store, where a bit of a spectacle was going on. 

            "Look, Draco!" she whispered.  "It's Potter, right?"  Indeed, Harry Potter was sitting at the front of the store with Lockhart, who was very handsome, getting photographs taken for the Daily Prophet.  Draco balled up his fists beside Ginny right as Lockhart stood up. 

            "Ladies and Gentlemen!  What an extraordinary moment this is!  The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!  When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted my autobiography- which I shall be happy to present him, free of charge—"  The crowd applauded and Draco began muttering under his breath.  "But he had no idea that he would be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me.  He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure in announcing that this September, I will be taking the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

            Everyone began applauding as someone pushed all the Gilderoy Lockhart books into Harry's arms.  Ginny crossed her arms, frowning.  What a loser!  But she did feel a bit of a flutter in her heart… which couldn't be for Stupid Scarhead… Harry then pushed his books into his friend Weasel's cauldron.  The Ginny suddenly noticed Draco wasn't by her side anymore- he was approaching Potter.  Ginny hurried behind him. 

            "Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" sneered Draco.  Ginny stood behind him, folding her arms.  "Famous Harry Potter can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page!"

            "Got yourself a girlfriend, Malfoy?" asked Harry, nodding at Ginny.

            "I'm his sister," sneered Ginny.  "No need to ask who you all are- famous Scarhead- and his sidekick.  But it can't be, Draco!" said Ginny sarcastically, turning to her brother.  "A Weasley, in a shop?"  Draco laughed loudly and Ginny smiled, smug.  Ron then started towards Draco, but the Mudblood and Potter grabbed him. 

            "Ron!" called Mr. Weasley a moment later, struggling over with the twins behind him.  "What are you doing-?"

            "Well, well, well- Arthur Weasley."  Ginny didn't even turn around.  She smiled.  It was her father.  Why was the Weasley man looking at her so strangely?

            "Lucius," replied the man after staring at Ginny a moment.

            "Busy at the Ministry, with all those raids?" asked Luicus coldly.  "I hope they're paying you overtime."  He then looked into Ron's cauldron and picked up a battered book.  "Obviously not," he said, his lip curling.  "What's the use of being a disgrace to Wizardkind if they don't even pay you well for it?" asked Lucius.  Mr. Weasley flushed.

            "We obviously have different ideas about what a disgrace to the name of a wizard is," said Mr. Weasley.

            "Clearly," answered Lucius, eyes moving to the Granger Muggles.  "And I thought your family could sink no lower, Weasley-" he said with a trademark Malfoy smirk.  Suddenly, Mr. Weasley jumped onto Lucius.  Ginny gasped.

            "Get him, Dad!" yelled a twin.  "No, Arthur-" came the voice of his wife.  "Daddy, are you all right?" asked Ginny worriedly as the crowd went backwards and knocked over several bookshelves. 

            "Break it up, there, gents, break it up—"  A huge man was walking towards them amidst a large pile of books.  An instant later, he picked up Mr. Weasley and Lucius both.  Mr. Weasley's lip was cut, and Lucius had been hit in the eye.  He thrust Ron's book back at him.  "Take your book- the best your father can give you."  He then beckoned to Narcissa, Draco, and Ginny, and left the shop.  Ginny bent down to pick up her wand as her father left the shop. 

            "C'mon, Gin," said Draco, following. 

            "Coming," said Ginny.  "Ow," she muttered as she tripped over a book.

            "Are you all right?" asked a kind voice.  Ginny looked up.  It was the Weasley woman. 

            "Yes," snapped Ginny, standing up.  Then the boy Draco's age threw something at her feet.  "Tell your Dad to take his diary back," he snarled.  Ginny glared at him before picking up the book.  She dropped it into her Cauldron without looking at it, deciding she'd give it back to her father later. 

            The next week was eventful and Ginny completely forgot about the book; and soon it was the day term started.  Ginny woke up excitedly, immediately calling Nolly to do her hair.  "Has Nixie packed everything?" asked Ginny once her hair was done and her Muggle clothes for the train ride were on. 

            "Yes, Miss.  Nixie is telling Nolly that all is well, and all of Miss and Young Master's things is in their trunks."

            "Good," said Ginny, smiling.  She then decided to go on downstairs for breakfast.  "Hi Mother and Father," she said upon arriving at the table.  "Hello, Ginevra," said Lucius cordially.  "Is Draco awake yet?"

            "Yes," said Ginny.  "But I don't think he's ready.  Mother, did you tell Nixie to put my hair instructions in the trunk so I know how to do it at school?"

            "Yes, darling, I did.  Are you excited?"

            "Very!" exclaimed Ginny. 

            "You will write to us tonight and tell us everything?" asked Lucius.  "Of course, Father," smiled Ginny.  She couldn't wait! 

            "Okay.  Well your mother and I have a little surprise for you."

            "Ooh, what?" asked Ginny as Draco came down the stairs and into the breakfast room.  "Dobby!" called Lucius.  The elf appeared a moment later. 

            "Sir has called?"

            "Yes.  Fetch my daughter's back-to-school present."  Dobby disappeared a moment later.  "Do I get one, Father?" asked Draco.

            "You've already gotten a whole team of Nimbus Two-Thousand One's, Draco." 

            "Oh, yeah," said Draco, disappointed.  A minute later, Dobby popped back into the room with a large parcel.  Ginny ran over to it and opened it excitedly, with a feeling she already knew what it was. 

            "An owl!" she exclaimed, looking over the young fluffy own in its cage.  "Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked, enthused. 

            "A girl," said Narcissa.  Ginny frowned pensively.  "I'll call her… Meryl."

            "Sounds good," said Lucius, taking another long sip of coffee.  "Everyone ready to go?"

            "Yeah," said Ginny, jumping up.

            They took a Portkey once more to the train station.  Once there, the family pulled Ginny and Draco's trunks to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, where they ran through the barrier.  "Good-bye, Mum; Dad," said Ginny, embracing each of her parents formally as they stood in front of the scarlet Hogwarts Express.  "I'll write as soon as I can- thanks for the owl!"

            "You're very welcome dear," said Lucius, kissing her forehead.  Narcissa and Lucius then embraced Draco.  "Have a good term, children," called Lucius as they pulled their trunks onto the train.  "Take care of Ginny, Draco!" called Narcissa. 

            "I will!" yelled Draco.  "Good-bye!" 

            On the train, Draco and Ginny found an empty compartment.  They were one of the first to arrive, so they had a long wait before the train pulled out.  "Look," called Ginny, craning her neck to see out the window.  "There's Eira and Blaise!" 

            "They'll find us," said Draco confidently, leaning back.  "So- are you excited?"  Ginny looked at her brother, eyebrows raised. 

            "Excited is an understatement.  But I'm still worried about the Sorting- what if the magic doesn't work?  I hardly even know any spells!"  Draco shrugged indifferently, smirking.  "Well, if you can't do them properly, then they either put you in Hufflepuff or decide that you're a Squib, and send you home."  Ginny hoped that she would be able to do it- imagine going home after less than a day because you were a squib!

            "Has that ever happened to anyone?" asked Ginny worriedly. 

            "Yep," said Draco.  "Every year.  Three kids got sent back last year."  Ginny bit her lip.  "I don't believe you," she said, scowling. 

            "Think whatever you want, Gin," said Draco leisurely.  "But I'm just trying to tell you something, big brother to little sister." Ginny rolled her eyes.  A moment later, the compartment door opened. 

            "Eira!" exclaimed Ginny, standing up. 

            "Hey, Gin!  Guess what; there are some other first years a few compartments down- and there's two more seats.  Want to go meet them?" 

            "Sure!" exclaimed Ginny, grabbing her trunk.  "Look; I got a new owl!"

            "Cool," said Eira as the two made their way out of the compartment.  "Later, Draco," called Ginny nonchalantly. 

            "Bye," said Draco with a flick of his hand as he started talking with Blaise. 

            As soon as Eira and Ginny got out of the compartment, they started giggling.  "This is so fun!" exclaimed Eira.  Ginny nodded vigorously in agreement.  Suddenly, though, an older student- a fourth or fifth year by the looks of her, collided with them.  She raised her nose at them, muttering something about first years.

            "Excuse me!" yelled Ginny.  "Do you know who I am?"

            "Do I care?" asked the girl, whirling around.  She already had on her school robes and was a Slytherin with a Prefect badge.  Perfect. 

            "I think you do.  Does Genevieve Malfoy make you feel any differently?"

            "Oh," gasped the girl.  "Er… sorry, then.  I'm Adele Moon."  Ginny nodded; the Moons had also supported You-Know-Who.  "Okay, then.  Watch it next time."  The girl scowled but nodded and continued along.  Eira squealed next to Ginny.

            "That was bloody brilliant!" she gasped.  Ginny shrugged. 

            "The Malfoy name demands a lot of respect, I suppose."  A moment later, they had knocked on the door of the compartment.  A short girl with a pixie haircut opened the door.  She had light blue eyes and short brown hair.  "Trista!" squealed Ginny, hugging her other best friend, Trista Caffery. 

            "Ginny!" said the girl excitedly.  "Come on in… how are you?  We haven't seen each other in at least a year!"

            "I know," said Ginny, nodding.  "Eira, this is Trista Caffery.  Trista, this is Eira Zabini.  Both girls smiled at each other and shook hands. 

            Trista turned to the other girls in the compartment as they all sat down.  "This is Ceridwen Thompson," she said, gesturing towards a tall girl with curly black hair and very blue eyes.  The girl smiled.  "This is Maeve Kavanagh," she continued, and a girl with dark brown hair and eyes smiled.  "and lastly, that's Anezka Pevinsky."  Anezka had dirty-blonde hair and light green eyes.

            "Nice to meet you all," said Ginny.  She was pretty sure they were all Purebloods- at least none were Mudbloods, she was sure.   "I'm Ginny Malfoy, and this is Eira Zabini."  The train ride to the school passed quickly.  Ginny asked them all their bloodlines, and all were Purebloods except Ceridwen, who was just a Half-blood- and she was the one Ginny thought she'd get along with the best, too.  Oh, well.  She knew that her parents would disapprove of her openly stating her problem with half-bloods, so she just made up her mind not to get close to the girl, who'd probably not end up in Slytherin anyway. Anezka was very nice and sweet, but Maeve seemed to be very full of herself- which Ginny didn't like.  She knew very well that she was stuck-up, but she really did try not to be.  When they were nearly to the school, the bushy-haired Mudblood slid open the door to the compartment.

            "Yes?" asked Maeve, looking her up and down, eyebrows raised. 

            "Never mind," sighed Hermione.  "None of you have seen Harry Potter or Ron Weasley, have you?" she asked worriedly. 

            "Harry Potter?" asked Ceridwen.  "Where is he?" she asked excitedly.  Ginny rolled her eyes. 

            "No, we haven't…"

            "Hermione Granger."

            "Okay.  Like I said, Potter and Weasel aren't here, I assure you."

            "You're the Malfoy girl, aren't you?" asked Hermione, looking at Ginny with disdain. 

            "Yes, actually.  So please get out of my compartment- you're getting it dirty."  Hermione looked like she was about to retort when a boy joined her clutching a large, ugly toad. 

            "Did you find them, Hermione?"

            "No, Neville…" said Hermione, closing the door.  "I wonder what's happened to them…"  Weasley and Potter being missing didn't faze Ginny in the slightest.  She vaguely wondered where they were, though. 

            When they reached Hogwarts, Ginny gasped at her first view of the castle, as did the other girls in her compartment.  When they exited the train, she recognized the large giant-man, who was sitting near the boats, calling to the first years. 

            "Firs' years over here!" he called gruffly.  "All firs' years…"  Ginny and the other girls headed over to the boats.  "Four to a boat!" called the man.  He was rather scary looking, with his large build and long beard.  Ginny got into a boat with Trista, Eira, and a girl named Maeryn Montague.  They talked apprehensively about the sorting until they reached the castle.  All of them hoped to be sorted into Slytherin. 

            A stern lady met them in the Entrance Hall as the First years looked around the castle, amazed and anxious at the same time.  "Hello First Years.  Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  You will be sorted into the four different Houses once you reach the feast.  The Houses are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor.  You will try on the sorting hat, which will call your appropriate House."  Ginny sighed inwardly.  Stupid Draco- she knew he'd been lying.  "Now please follow me."  Ginny excitedly followed in the long line into the Great Hall.  She spotted her brother at the Slytherin table, and waved.  He smiled and nodded back, mouthing 'Good Luck'.  Then the Sorting began.  The hat began singing some ridiculous song about each of the Founders.  Ginny looked around apprehensively until it was over and the first names were being called.  The first to be sorted was a girl named Tanya Applegate, who became a Ravenclaw. 

            "Baird, Desmond," became a Gryffindor, and "Bowings, Cygnus" became the first Slytherin. 

            Then came Trista Caffery.  Ginny crossed her fingers as Trista marched up to the stool excitedly and put on the hat, which fell all the way down to her shoulders, making everyone chuckle.  "SLYTHERIN!" called the hat.  Ginny applauded and cheered as her friend joined the Slytherin table.  In the next few names, rumors began circulating through the lien of first years that Harry Potter and his friend had flown to the school in a flying car.  Yeah, right. 

            "Kavanagh, Maeve."

            GRYFFINDOR! yelled the hat.  Ginny raised her eyebrows.  She'd have though Maeve would be a Slytherin.  Two more people were called, and suddenly, it was Ginny's turn.  

            "Malfoy, Genevieve!"  Ginny shakily walked to the front of the hat and sat down on the stool, grabbing the hat and putting it on gracefully.  Hmm… interesting, said the hat.  

            "You can talk?" whispered Ginny.

            Of course.  Hmm… where to put you?  You put on an act, yes, and your mind believes one thing, but through your blood and heart runs another aspect of your personality.  You don't have a bad mind… and you have very, er… Malfoy-ish ideas.  But you're another Weasley, in truth.

            "What?" demanded Ginny angrily.  What had the hat called her?

            No time to talk… Better be--- GRYFFINDOR!" yelled the hat.  Hardly anyone clapped.  People began whispering as Ginny looked at Draco helplessly.  Gryffindor?

            She slowly walked over to the table and sat down next to Maeve and a boy named Colin miserably.  "A Malfoy, in Gryffindor?" whispered someone a few seats down.  Ginny tried not to look and held her head high.  She'd show everyone.  So what?  Gryffindors weren't bad, exactly.  A red-headed Prefect of Gryffindor leaned over and congratulated Ginny.  She didn't speak the rest of the feast.  Gryffindor!  How would her parents react?  

            By the end of the sorting, Eira, Trista, and the Maeryn girl were all Slytherins.  Ceridwen had also been sorted into Gryffindor, and Anezka had become a Ravenclaw.  Oh well, she thought resignedly as she left the table.  Better than Hufflepuff.  

A/N: Yay! Long chapter :-D!  Thanks SO much for all the reviews!  Please keep reviewing; I love them!  An update will be soon.  Thanks for reading!  

::JiNglebellz :-D