Chapter 21
And once again Ginny woke up in the Hospital Wing. This time, Draco was there too, lying in a bed just a few meters away. Ginny's side hurt like hell and she had a splitting headache. Glancing at Draco, she saw that he was sound asleep with his head bandaged. Glancing this time at the window told her that it was in the middle of the night.
Ginny sat up in bed, ignoring the pain going trough her hip. Silently placing her feet on the floor, she cautiously stood up. She stayed there for a full minute, just standing and waiting for the ache to stop a bit. When she thought she was ready, she shakily took a step forward. She realised her mistake for not grabbing something solid before she walked soon, because a sting of pain went through her, making her fall to the ground.
"Ouch!"
Draco stirred and groggily opened his eyes. When he saw Ginny clutching her side painfully, he was awake immediately.
"Ginny!"
Ginny looked at Draco. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you" She was breathing heavily from the exertion.
"It's okay, here let me help you" he said, beginning to get up. Ginny shook her head.
"No don't, I got myself into this. I'll get to you"
Draco took no heed and got up anyways.
"No way, I only hurt my head, you were hurt more. You shouldn't be out of bed!"
"Very good Draco, now raise you're voice a bit higher and you'll have the perfect imitation of Madam Pomfrey" Ginny said sarcastically, while Draco helped her sit on her bed.
Together they lay resting on Ginny's bed.
"How long have we been here? Where's Vider? Is she okay?"
"I've been awake for a little bit this afternoon. We've been her for just one day. Vider was taken to the Ministry of Magic by Aurors"
Ginny bolted upright and regretted it immediately. Lying back down she whispered:
"WHAT? But it wasn't her fault! She was under Imperious Curse!" Ginny frowned and snuggled closer to Draco, who draped an arm around her waist gently, but protectively,
"I know, but you know that nobody can prove that they were under Imperious. The truth-serum Versaturium is to be administered"
A tear went down Ginny's cheek. "It's not her fault! It's mine! If she wasn't my friend then this would never..." Ginny started, but Draco cut her off.
"Hey! Don't say that, you couldn't have seen this coming! If you want to blame someone, then blame Lucius!"
Ginny wiped away her tear. "You're right. I guess the whole thing is getting to me"
Draco kissed her lightly. "It'll be alright"
Together they fell asleep in Ginny's bed.
When morning came, Ginny was awoken by a shrill cry. When she opened her eyes, she saw Madam Pomfrey standing in the doorway with a horror-struck face. Draco was now awake too.
"What are you two doing in the same bed? Mister Malfoy is hurt and you, Miss Weasley are even more hurt!" Pomfrey turned her attention to Draco and wagged her finger in front of him. "And you Mister Malfoy, you shouldn't even been out of your own bed, young man!"
Ginny smirked at Draco, thinking about how he had used almost the same words last night.
Madam Pomfrey practically 'dragged' Draco back to his own bed, all the while muttering about how it was against school policy.
After Pomfrey changed their bandages, visiting hour began and Pansy, Blaise, Ron, Harry and Hermione came in at the same time...arguing of course.
"What do you mean you have a right to be here?...she's MY sister" Ginny could here Ron saying.
"Well, she's one of OUR best friends!"
Ginny got annoyed. Couldn't they once get along without having to fight? Draco seemed to sense her aggravation.
"Hey! Cut it out with the arguing okay!" he snapped.
Silence ensued.
The dream team sat beside Ginny, Blaise went to Draco's bed and Pansy just sat in the middle.
Hermione spoke first. "How are you feeling Gin?"
"I'm okay, seeing circumstances. I want to get out of here by noon! That way I can contact the Ministry of Magic by floo!"
Ron frowned. "Why would you want to floo there?"
"To get Vider out of there of course" Why were they asking this? Didn't they know what happened?
Blaise piped up, almost reading her mind. "Nobody told us what happened. We were just informed by professor Snape that you and Draco here, were lying in the Hospital wing" He then nodded towards the Dream Team and continued. "I assume professor McGonagall told them"
Ginny nodded. So they knew nothing about what happened.
"Why? What did happen? And what had that girl got to do with anything? Videl Winters right?"
"It's VIDER Winters, Ron" Hermione said. "She has been Ginny's best friend since she's gotten here. Exchange student...came here in our fourth year I think...and I don't think you'll get any answers when you floo" Hermione said turning her attention back to Ginny. "...you know it's Minister Fudge's birthday! They are having a celebration at the Ministry"
"Who cares Mione, that's useless information nobody's waiting for"
"Well, see if I let you use MY useless potions-notes ever again" Hermione huffed. Ron paled and Ginny giggled.
Ron's got some major sucking up to do if he wants to get those notes before his Potions test tomorrow
Madam Pomfrey came in and saw all of the students sitting in the Hospital Wing. Ginny thought this was the moment to get the Golden Trio out before they start asking questions again. Shooting Blaise and Pansy an apologizing look, she turned to Pomfrey and let out a HUGE yawn.
Pomfrey-instincts kicking in, she immediately shooed away all of the visitors.
"Have some rest dear, here's a bottle of Dreamless Sleep" She handed Ginny the vile and gave Draco one too. Draco and Ginny looked at each other. Draco nodded his head towards the plant that was in the middle of their beds and simultaneously they poured their Dreamless Sleep in it.
That plant's not gonna survive much longer
Pomfrey FINALLY left after she thought they were sleeping. The minute she was gone, Ginny was up again.
"Why'd you want us to throw away our sleeping potion?" Ginny asked.
"Well for one: That stuff's nasty!" Ginny rolled her eyes.
"And?..."
"And second: I've just gotten an idea for that Mind-plan of yours" Ginny's ears perked up at that information.
"What is it?"
"We've got to get to the Ministry of Magic" Draco said.
"Yes I know; Vider shouldn't be there! It wasn't her fault!"
"Yeah that too, but I've gotten another task to do there too"
"What is it?" Ginny asked, urging Draco to tell her.
"Ginny, you know I can't say it in here. The walls have ears you know"
Ginny slumped back in her bed. "Oh..."
"Don't worry, I'll tell you when we get to my room, we have to get Blaise and Pansy too"
Ginny was confused. Blaise and Pansy were going to be part of the plan too? "Why do we need them for our plan?"
Draco just answered with one word. "Reinforcement"
They snuck away, which was surprisingly easy. (Because Pomfrey heard nothing while sleeping with a snore that could wake up a whole city) Through the corridors, they knew everybody was at lunch now and so were Pansy and Blaise.
Cautiously, looking around the corner and into the Great Hall, Ginny could see them sitting at the Slytherin table. Blaise stuffing his face full of food, while Pansy was talking with Millicent Bulstrode.
"How are we going to get them out of there without getting noticed?" Draco whispered behind Ginny also looking at the Slytherin table.
"What are you doing?" a voice said behind them. Both Draco and Ginny whirled around. It was Colin.
"Merlin Colin! Don't sneak up like that!" Ginny snapped at having been scared out of her wits. Draco put a hand on Ginny's shoulder.
"He could come in handy..." Ginny understood and said to Colin.
"Get Pansy and Blaise here without rousing much suspicion...as possible for a Gryffindor asking the Slytherins something..."
"Oh and if somebody asks...you haven't seen us" Draco added.
Colin was a bit suspicious as to why they wanted him to do this, but after he had seen what Ginny could do when you get her mad...well... let's just say he wasn't taking ANY chances.
After Blaise, Pansy, Draco and Ginny finally made it to Draco's room, Ginny plopped down and so did Draco. Ginny was still having trouble with walking fast, but it was getting better.
"So what do you want?" Blaise asked when the door was closed.
Ginny looked at Draco. "Hell if I know, you have to ask 'Mister-Brilliant-Plan' here"
Draco first told Pansy and Blaise about what happened in the Room of Requirement.
Pansy gasped. "She stabbed you?" looking at Ginny horrified.
"Yeah, but it wasn't her fault...Imperious made her you know..."
Draco continued. "Okay here is what I want you guys to do...you know Fudge is having a party at the Ministry tonight right?"
Both nodded. "Okay, so Gin and I are going to sneak into the Ministry-building. Then I want you two to create a diversion somewhere in the East-Wing"
"Why? Aren't you just going there to get Vider out of trouble? There's no reason to sneak in for that" Blaise said handing out a butter beer for everyone out of Draco's private stash.
After taking a mouthful of butter beer, Draco answered. "There is something else...REALLY important that we need to do there and we can't be caught. We can't tell you exactly what it is, because...we can't risk anyone besides us knowing about it...no offence"
Pansy held up her hand. "None taken, we know that there's stuff that you have to do without us...what I really want to know is...do you really expect us to just go in there and make a fool out of ourselves?"
Draco stood up and walked to his bookcase that was in the corner. After muttering a password or something, a secret compartment appeared. He pulled out two bottles and gave one to Pansy and Blaise each.
"What is this?"
"Polyjuice potion...can't let anyone know it's you...your task is to make a big commotion" After the details were discussed, they decided to go at 11 o clock, Pansy and Blaise left.
Draco turned to Ginny and said the answer to the question, Ginny was dying to know.
"And our task...is to break into The Department of Mysteries"
Okay...so this chappie is finished. It's not all to great I know...I needed "THE PLAN" to be set in motion. Next chappie is going to be better...just need a little encouragement (for the one's who don't get it...this is a SUBTLE hint...) :D ;D
