Chapter 30
"What the hell happened to you?" Draco asked, looking at his two friends. He almost couldn't hold his laugh!
"We'll explain later, because right now, we have to get the hell out of here!" Blaise stated.
The four of them grabbed the jar of floo powder off the mantel. They threw the floo powder in and pretty soon they were all back in Dumbledore's office. But...something happened which they had not foreseen.
"Hello Miss Weasley, Miss Parkinson, Mister Malfoy and Mister Zabini" Dumbledore greeted.
The four of them stared at the old man in front of them dumbfounded.
"May I ask how it is that you came through my fireplace when I know that there are only two fireplaces in Hogwarts connected to the floo network and I doubt that you used Professor Snape's fireplace just to floo to my office"
Their headmaster stared at them, with a very serious expression. He continued speaking.
"And why are you, Miss Parkinson and Mister Zabini, dressed the way you are? And covered in what looks like...green goo?"
Still no answer came.
"Where have you four been?" Dumbledore asked, his voice raising. He stood up and walked over towards them.
Who knew that a two-hundred year old man could be so menacing? Ginny thought.
"Ahum" Ginny spoke up. "With all due respect Headmaster, you are aware of the weight that lies upon the shoulders of Draco and I?"
"Yes, but I fail to see the need to remember me of that fact Miss Weasley"
"Well then Professor, I hope you will understand that some things have to remain secret as you never know which walls have ears"
From behind her, Ginny could hear Blaise muffle a snicker.
"I assure you no walls of my office have ears and I demand to know where you four have been"
Ginny sighed. They couldn't exactly tell Dumbledore their plan. He wouldn't approve, that's for sure. But she could see he wasn't about to let them go on this matter so she was forced to play hard.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, I am afraid that I cannot tell you this and neither of us will either. Punish us as you see fit, but we know it won't be bad. We are too important for the wizarding world. I don't want to be like this, but I have no choice" Ginny said in a firm voice.
"I see...of course I cannot expel you two, which I would have in any other case...but...I cannot speak for Miss. Parkinson and Mister Zabini" Dumbledore said in a low voice.
Ginny's eyes widened. He wouldn't do that would he?...This wasn't the Dumbledore she had known for years.
"Expel them and I will go with them" Draco said.
"Me too" Ginny piped up.
Dumbledore sat back in his seat with a sigh.
"A month worth of detention, no Hogsmeade trips, no Quidditch, you will stay in your room, except for classes, meals and training. If you need to go to the library, you will have to be accompanied by a teacher"
Pansy and Blaise gasped.
"But Profess..." But Dumbledore cut Pansy off.
"I will not change this punishment. Unless of course, you will tell me where you four have been"
Ginny had enough! THEY had to rescue the world of Voldemort and he didn't even trust them enough! She stepped forward and looked straight in Dumbledore's eyes.
"Dumbledore, make no mistake. Should you choose to test my resolve in this matter, you will be looking at an outcome that will have a finality that is beyond your comprehension"
(Yes I know, that is a line from the movie: Meet Joe Black, but I couldn't help myself)
"Miss Wea.."
Draco then spoke. "Furthermore, you will not restrict us from Quidditch, Hogsmeade trips or anything else for that matter. You expect us to trust you, you expect us to rid the world of Voldemort. Then WE can expect some trust in return, can we not?"
Dumbledore then realized what he had done. They were right.
"My apologies, I should not have behaved the way I did. I hope you can forgive me. I am just concerned of your well-being"
"We understand, Professor. But realize, with a destiny as ours, danger is never far away...can we go now?" Ginny said.
"Yes, of course"
The four students trudged their way down the stairs. After the statue of the Eagle close, Blaise immediately spoke up.
"Please tell me that you guys have whatever it is you went for"
Draco grinned. "Yeah, we did...but why are you looking like this?" He aid, indicating with his hand towards the black, goo-covered robes with a spew-badge on it
"Yeah, why are you wearing that badge from Hermione's organisation of S.P.E.W?" Ginny asked.
Pansy smiled evilly. "We'll tell you when we're back in Draco's room"
So the four of them went to Draco's room; Blaise and Pansy told their story and Draco and Ginny were laughing all the way through the story.
"And this is the picture we took while they were cleaning" Pansy said and showed them the picture.
"That picture is funny as hell!" Draco remarked.
"So...how did your...excursion go?" Blaise asked.
Draco and Ginny told them their story, leaving out the part with the library-room. They just said, they found what they were looking for, but that they triggered an alarm or something.
"I don't know about you guys, but I am going to take a shower and then I'm off to bed" Pansy yawned.
"You should definitely take a shower! You smell like hell!" Ginny said, earning a punch on the arm from Pansy.
Draco took the book they had 'borrowed' and hid it well, after that the four of them split up and went to bed.
Following morning
Ginny decided to sleep in that day. She figured that she had deserved it after last night. She slept like a rose and woke at 11:37. It felt wonderful to just sleep in. So she got up late and took her time to shower and dress. When she was (finally) ready to leave the room, she was starving! She hurried to the Great Hall and went in. She headed for the Gryffindor table and saw to her amazement that Vider was there, sitting between Dean and Seamus.
"Vider!" Ginny squealed. She ran towards her and threw her arms around Vider. She could feel Vider stiffen and Ginny pulled back.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Vider said nothing, just looked at her with big, empty eyes, full of fear.
"Vider...you're not scared of me, are you?" Ginny questioned, afraid of what the answer might be. Vider began shaking and Dean put an arm around her.
"Gin...I think it's best if you left Vider alone for a while...I'm sure she'll come around..." Dean trailed of, betraying that he wasn't as sure as he said he was.
Ginny stepped back and looked around. Once again was she the center of attention.
Hatred...
Hatred filled her...for Voldemort, Lucius Malfoy and everyone supporting them.
She held her head high, turned around and sat at the end of the Gryffindor table. She was not about to flee; she had enough of that. Instead, she satisfied herself with thinking about her plan to attack Voldemort. They would have to be well prepared for this.
Draco, Blaise and Pansy weren't in the Great Hall, neither was the Dream team. After lunch, Ginny would find Draco and then they would get everything they would need in order to set the plan in motion.
Tonight Ginny thought fiercely...Tonight...
A/N: I know, this isn't the greatest chapter...but PLZZ REVIEW!The next chapter will be better then, I promise:)
