Chapter Fourteen: All She Has

Ginevra ignored everyone and everything the next day. Any secret hope she had hidden deep in her heart that her family would always hold out for her, always believe there had to be some explanation, was gone. The would honestly believe she had turned. They didn't know her any better than that. She couldn't get over the sinking feeling that it was her fault they didn't know her.

Snape was worried about the girl. The last time she had adopted silence he had been able to tell the majority of it was an act. This time he was almost certain it was genuine. He knew better than to doubt her. He knew it would not lessen her effectiveness. But he was concerned for her. No one should go through what she was facing. No one.

Draco had been informed of what had happened the night before by Snape, not that it was really necessary. Had he not been filled in on the specifics he would have been able to guess. There was a clear bruise on her left wrist and she favored the arm considerably as though her shoulder was weak. By the way her brother kept staring at her bruise it was obvious that it was his fault. Draco assumed that was why she had left it. If he didn't know better, Draco might have believed that Ron had finally understood all the ranting 'Nevra had done about the way they treated her. Harry, on the other hand, clearly still did not get it. He appeared to be thoroughly perplexed as to why the girl was ignoring him. Hermione looked exasperated by the whole thing, as though she thought 'Nevra was over-reacting. Draco really had to fight hard to avoid walking over to them at lunch and leading 'Nevra away. She didn't belong with them. They didn't even try to understand her.

The day after that was Sunday. Draco and Ginevra were in the Room of Requirement working on the cabinet. It really was almost fixed. Suddenly Ginevra sat back and looked at Draco. "Is it my fault?" she demanded.

He looked confused. "Is what your fault?"

"They don't know me. They have no idea how deep my convictions run. They have no idea how hard I fought to establish these convictions. They actually believe I'm capable of turning my back on what is true and good and right." Ginevra sounded afraid of what his answer might be.

Draco was angry now. "No, 'Nevra, it is not your fault and don't you ever let me catch you wondering that again. It is their fault. Anyone with eyes would have noticed you were struggling at the beginning of the year. Dare got you to talk didn't he? They could have as well, but they didn't. How many times since Christmas have you told them off for ignoring you or taking you for granted? And how many times have they apologized? How many times have they attempted to modify their behavior? I know it wouldn't have changed anything in reality but as far they are concerned they have had more than enough opportunities to halt your 'decent into darkness' so to speak. It - is - not - your - fault." He had looked her dead in the eye the whole time he spoke. She returned his gaze for a moment before nodding almost imperceptively and turning back to work.

They were just about to go their seperate ways that evening for dinner when he felt her hand on his arm. He turned back to her.

"Thank you," she whispered. He nodded. They split off down different hallways.

It had been a week since the big scandal had broken and the second week of June had just begun. One more week and the cabinet would be finished. One more week and they would attempt to pass themselves off as death eaters.

It was amazing how the school had reacted to the latest rumor. The entire Gryffindor house seemed to be ashamed of ever doubting Ginevra at any point during the year and were fiercely defending her honor. The Slytherins, on the other hand, believed the rumor completely, why wouldn't they? Draco Malfoy had confirmed it at last. To them, Ginevra had proven herself somehow. If Malfoy was interested in her and she returned the interest she must be one of them after all, so they all payed her a great deal of respect when they passed her in the halls or met her in class. She was no longer just the Gryffindor Princess; she had reached royalty status in Slytherin as well. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff avoided her, unsure of which side to take and fearful of both should they choose the other.

Having gained the respect and acceptance of Slytherin, there was no more need to ensure further rumors. The amount time they both spent absent from company was enough keep secure what she had achieved. All in all, the week had been a smooth one.

Ginevra was sitting in a corner of the common room, reading, on Sunday night when Harry returned from a trip to the kitchen. It had taken him longer than expected but she hadn't really noticed since she was still ignoring everyone that wasn't Snape or Dray. She did look up when she heard Hermione gasp, though.

Harry looked as though he were a ghost. He was not the shade of colorless that makes one say he looked as though he had seen a ghost, especially in the wizarding world where such a thing was common, but his face was so blanched that had his robes not remained in color you would have thought him a ghost.

He walked over to where Hermione and Ron were and sat down. His eyes were unfocused. "I just got detention until the end of the year. Won't be able to play in the final quidditch match." His voice sounded hollow, as though he weren't really aware that he was speaking.

"Why... why is that?" Hermione asked tentatively. She and Ron both afraid to breath lest they shatter their friend.

"I almost killed Malfoy." He looked at Hermione as though seeking confirmation that he had really said what he had just said.

Ginevra's world froze. Everything stopped moving. Nothing made a sound. Everything was cold. What had Harry done?

"I... we... he tried to hex me so I hexed him. I used one out of the Prince's book. There was blood everywhere. Snape showed up and took him to the hospital wing." Harry was still speaking as though in a trance.

Ginevra didn't stop to wonder what book, the trio never told her anything anyway, she wasn't surprised she didn't know who the prince was, and she didn't care. She left the common room as quickly as possible. No one noticed because they had been the only four there, Harry wasn't noticing anything, and the other two were focused on him.

Ginevra ran the entire way to the hospital wing, not caring who saw her or who she shoved out of the way. She literally ran into Snape just outside the hospital wing. "I have to see him!" She was almost panicked.

"He is fine. Come with me." Snape didn't give her much of a choice but rather grabbed her by the shoulders and gently steered her to his office. "He will be just fine. Madame Pomfrey expertly healed his wounds and he will be released Tuesday."

"I want to see him."

"I'm afraid that is unwise." Snape's voice really was quite soothing. "You have achieved so much. If you are seen visiting him it is almost assured your brother will find a way to remove you from this school." His hands were still on her shoulders, but he had moved around to face her.

She looked up at with tears in her eyes. "He is all I have now. You are all I have." He nodded and held her against him as she cried.