Chapter 5
The walk back to Hogwarts was longer than Ginny remembered it ever being before. She hadn't really had a chance to get warm before Ron was gathering up his own packages and hauling her out of the inn. She'd begun to shiver again as soon as they got outside. By the time they reached the outskirts of the village, Ginny's teeth were chattering and she felt faint. Maybe it was the knock on the head she'd got when Flint had stupefied her, but she wanted nothing more than to lie down somewhere and curl up in a tight ball. Ron wasn't helping. He was holding her arm and pulling her along, but he maintained a frosty silence that he only broke to rap out sharp questions that Ginny, frankly, refused to answer at the moment. Even though Colin had taken a flanking position on Ginny's other side and tried to deflect some of Ron's bad temper, she could still sense her brother's anger. She wasn't about to answer him when he was in this mood, especially not right now.
For one thing, Harry and Dean, along with Colin, Su and Daisy, had decided to accompany them. Ginny certainly didn't want to answer questions about Draco Malfoy and Marcus Flint in front of Harry and Dean. Also, Ginny wanted to think. Draco hadn't explained anything to Ginny herself, but he had appeared in the nick of time from the look of things. Ginny wanted to know how he had been on the spot to prevent Flint from doing anything to her while she'd been stupefied. And, yesterday, why had he warned her in the first place? Had he known that Marcus Flint would be in town? Was he supposed to have met with the slimy git again?
Huddling into her damp cloak, Ginny shuddered violently. She didn't know the answers to those questions, but she was damned sure going to find out.
"Ginny, you're freezing!" Colin said, stripping off his own cloak.
Ron stopped and looked at her. "Are you cold, Gin?" he asked, his voice now concerned.
"Do you care?" she snapped, trying to push Colin's cloak back toward her friend. "I'll be fine, Colin. Besides, you'll freeze without it," she said.
"Hey, I'm not the one who took a knock to the head," he said, gently touching a small scrape on her forehead. "Besides, we're almost there," he assured her. "And you need it more than I do right now."
Ginny was too tired to argue. She snuggled into the extra warmth Colin's cloak provided and plodded along beside a now contrite-looking Ron. She didn't care about her brother's sudden attack of conscious. She was more concerned with dozens of questions about Draco. Ginny looked ahead, wondering if he was up there, in front of them somewhere. He'd left the Three Broomsticks only a few minutes before they had, but she hadn't seen any sign of him afterward. Of course, the fog was as thick as ever and with shorter days, it was already growing dark. So it wasn't surprising that she hadn't spotted him. But her mind wouldn't let it go. Had he returned to Hogwarts? Or had he, as she suspected, gone back to Flint, revived him and had some secret meeting?
The castle finally loomed ahead of them through the gloom, and Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. Even with Ron and company, she'd felt vulnerable out in the open. The group of teens trudged up the stairs to the entry, but the great doors were hauled open even before they reached them.
"Ginny? Ginny! Thank God!"
Hermione came barreling out of the brightly lit entry hall and threw herself at Ginny's neck. Ron stepped back, surprised, and released Ginny's arm.
"Hermione! What the hell--?" Ron began as Ginny managed to gasp out, "Hermione! You're choking me!"
She was trying to pry Hermione's arms from about her neck when Labelle leaped up onto Ginny's shoulder and hissed menacingly. Hermione jumped back quickly and Ginny pulled Labelle into her arms.
"Labelle! What is it, love?" The Kneazle, large as she was now, was mewling pitifully and trying to burrow under Ginny's chin. The poor kitten was trembling almost as badly as Ginny had been.
"What's going on? Hermione, how did you-?"
The sound of someone clearing his throat caused the teens to look up.
"I hardly think that the front steps is the place for this conversation," Professor Dumbledore said, studying the small group and motioning them inside. "Miss Granger, I'm sure Miss Weasley would appreciate some hot tea in the privacy of your room."
Ron began to protest, but the Headmaster lifted a hand. "I know you have questions of your own, Mr. Weasley," he said kindly. "But your sister's welfare is, I know, more important to you. Your questions will wait."
Though kindly said, the words were final. Hunching his shoulders and scowling, Ron let Harry and Dean coax him back up to the Gryffindor Common Room. Colin, Su and Daisy gave Ginny quick hugs and followed the other three. Ginny was left with a frantic Kneazle, a panicked Head Girl and a worried looking Headmaster. She turned a perplexed look on Hermione.
"How on earth did you know something happened?" she asked finally.
"Professor Dumbledore is right," Hermione said quickly. "This isn't the place."
She took Ginny's arm, much more gently than had Ron, and pulled her into the castle, closing the great doors behind them.
"I'll have one of the House Elves bring tea up to your room, Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore said. "I know you will explain everything satisfactorily."
With that, he turned and strode off down the corridor.
"Well, shall we?" Hermione said, motioning to the stairway.
"I wish someone would start explaining things to ME for once," Ginny grumbled, following Hermione.
A fire was burning brightly in the small room Hermione occupied as Head Girl. The room was small, but it was private and very warm. There was just room for a bed, a tiny desk and two chairs near the hearth. A door near the back of the room led, Ginny assumed, to a private bathroom. The little spare room that was available seemed to be filled with books. There were books piled along the walls, books tottering in piles on the corners of the desk, and books lined neatly on the mantle. There were even rows of books neatly arranged under the high, four-poster bed. Ginny shook her head and continued to stroke Labelle, while Hermione carefully took a stack of books from one chair and set it gently beside the bed. The other chair was occupied by Hermione's pet cat Crookshanks. The large cat was watching the proceedings with the air of someone watching his own impending doom. Sure enough, Hermione turned to the cat and began to apologize.
"I'm sorry, dear, but I need the chair. Wouldn't you be more comfortable on the bed?"
Crookshanks opened one eyelid more widely than the other, giving the impression of looking skeptically at his mistress.
"Come on, Crookshanks. You know the bed is just as warm as the rest of the room. Please?"
Finally, managing to look extremely put out, Crookshanks stood, stretched, and hopped off the chair. He seemed to lift his nose into the air as he sauntered past the girls and jumped up onto the bed. Giving Hermione one last look, he walked across the bed and collapsed squarely in the middle of her pillow.
"I hate it when he does that," she muttered. "I'll have to brush cat hair out of my face all night."
She shook her head and motioned for Ginny to take one of the chairs. She was about to take the other when there was a soft knock on the door. Hermione opened the door and a small House Elf wheeled in a tea tray.
"Thank you, Toby," Hermione said.
"It is Toby's pleasure, miss," the Elf squeaked. "If miss will just call when she is finished, Toby will come and collect the trolley."
"That'll be fine. I'll call when I'm done."
The Elf nodded and disappeared. Hermione pushed the trolley over to the fireplace and positioned it between the chairs. Finally she sat and served.
"All right," Ginny said when both cups had been filled, cream and sugar added and both girls were settled into the chairs. "Now, will you please tell me how you and Labelle seemed to know I was in trouble?"
At the mention of her name, Labelle stirred. The poor thing had finally stopped trembling and was now curled up on Ginny's lap. She turned her large amber eyes up to Ginny and gave a small meow. Ginny smiled softly at her and stroked her head again. Then she looked at Hermione.
"Let me ask you something, Ginny," Hermione began. "That book you're always reading, about Kneazles, does it mention anything about Kneazles being psychic?"
Ginny's eyes widened. "Psychic? You mean, like, in reading minds?"
"Uh, kind of like that, but more like empathic, like they can feel what you're feeling and they sense when you're troubled. Anything like that?"
Ginny thought. "Well, the book does mention that in some cases a Kneazle seems to sense its friend's feelings, but Labelle does it all the time. She just sort of shows up when I need her."
Hermione frowned. "Well, it happened again today; I'm sure of it."
Settling back with her cup, Hermione began her story.
"You know I was staying behind to work on an extra-credit project today for potions, right? Well, I wasn't the only one there. Justin and Hannah from Hufflepuff were there, too, and Draco Malfoy. We were all in the Potions classroom today. Labelle came in early, right after you lot left, I assume. I had no idea she was on such good terms with Professor Snape, but as soon as she came in, he seemed to, I don't know, calm down and relax."
She paused to look at Ginny, who looked back with a nod. "Labelle likes him," she said simply.
Shrugging, Hermione continued. "Anyway, we were working on our projects and the professor was walking around, checking our work when he wasn't sitting at the desk grading papers or playing with Labelle." Her voice sounded skeptical, as though she still couldn't believe she'd seen her Potions Master PLAYING with a kitten. "We were working most of the day, when Malfoy began to clean his things up. This must have been near three, maybe a bit before. The rest of us kept working, but Malfoy'd already told the professor that he was leaving early. Anyway, he was about to leave when your Kneazle just started going nuts!"
Labelle lifted her head and gave a tiny, questioning mewl. Ginny scratched her ears and she settled back.
"What do you mean, 'nuts'?"
"Well, she'd been there all day, right? She'd either walk around and watch what we were doing, or she'd be planted on Professor Snape's desk, or she'd be badgering Malfoy for attention. Which, I have to say, he seemed happy enough to give her. But then she started pacing at the door. She jumped up on the professor's desk and started howling at him. Not the hissing thing she does to the boys in the Common Room, but just howling! She ran from there to Malfoy and back again, howling and crying! It was Malfoy who finally caught on. He picked her up and asked something like, 'is she in trouble?' Labelle stopped for a second, then she howled even louder. I tried to help, but she wouldn't let me touch her! Then Professor Snape asked Malfoy if his broom was nearby. When he said no, the professor ran into his office and brought out his own! He told Malfoy to hurry and Malfoy just disappeared through the door at a dead run!"
Hermione was leaning forward, almost on the tea trolley. Her face was a picture of bemusement as she continued. "I was wondering what they were talking about, but it finally dawned on me that they were talking about you! Labelle was frantic and she wouldn't even let Professor Snape hold her, but then, maybe seven minutes later, definitely no more than ten minutes later, she calmed down again! And she was fine until about five minutes before you all showed up. She started howling and scratching at the door and when I opened it, she bolted out and up to the entry. That's how I knew you were coming."
Leaning back finally, Hermione took a sip of her tea. "Professor Snape left the classroom after Labelle finally calmed down, so I can only assume that he went to tell Professor Dumbledore what happened. And, speaking of what happened, what did happen today?"
The older girl studied Ginny carefully. Ginny looked away and stroked Labelle gently. She wanted to hug the kitten tightly, but the Kneazle seemed exhausted. No wonder, too, if she'd been worrying herself sick over Ginny's well being. She still couldn't believe that Labelle had sensed her distress. Her gaze flicked up to the Head Girl who was waiting patiently but expectantly. Ginny would have liked to delay explanations until she'd been able to think everything through. That wouldn't be possible, though. And Ginny had much rather explain to Hermione than Ron. Let Hermione tell Ron. At least she'd have some privacy while she explained her most recent stupid escapade.
"It's a long story," Ginny said, her voice quivering with fatigue. "And if you try to give me a sermon, I'll leave!"
Putting her cup down, Hermione folded her hands and looked hurt and offended. "I don't preach, Ginny." She paused. "Do I?"
Ginny grimaced. "Well, Hermione, it is a bit frustrating listening to you tell me how you would have done this or that, or not done this or that! As though you've never made stupid mistakes before. It really makes me not want to say anything!"
Biting her lip, Hermione looked at her folded hands. "I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm preaching. I don't mean to. If you don't want to tell me, I certainly can't force you."
Ginny was immediately contrite. Hermione was very much like an older sister to her. An annoying, know-it-all older sister who actually seldom DID make stupid mistakes, but still a friend. Coming to a quick decision, she began as she had with her mates-with Diagon Alley.
Much later, after the tea trolley had been removed and both girls had sat in thoughtful silence for some time, a loud knock on the door shattered their reveries. Ginny jumped, almost unseating Labelle and definitely causing the kitten to mewl in alarm. Hermione went to the door and opened it, then sighed.
"Come ON, Hermione!" Ginny sighed, too, and closed her eyes. It was Ron's voice.
"You two have been holed up here for HOURS! I just want to make sure Ginny's okay."
"It has been about forty-five minutes, Ron," Hermione said, sounding exasperated. "Ginny isn't up to going through the whole thing again. I'll bring her back to Gryffindor in a bit."
Ginny smiled to herself. Hermione was definitely playing big sister right now, and defending her from her real big brother. But she couldn't let Hermione run interference with Ron. That would only cause problems between the two. Taking a deep breath, she stood and settled Labelle back on the chair. Then she strode to the door and nudged Hermione out of the way.
"I'm fine, as you can see, Ron. Was that all?"
Ginny was still a little angry with Ron for the way he'd treated her on the way back to Hogwarts. He'd been as cold as Draco had been, with less excuse. Placing her hands on her hips, she gave him a belligerent stare.
"Uh, well, no!" Ron mumbled, obviously surprised to find his little sister fighting mad. "I, er, wanted to know what happened!"
"You know," Ginny said sarcastically, "I was sure Malfoy already told you what happened. I went to get my quills, Marcus Flint grabbed me, I got away, and he stupefied me. Malfoy came along, stupefied him, and took me back to the Three Broomsticks. Where he turned me over to your 'loving' care. Did I leave anything out?"
Ron's face had grown red again, but Hermione jumped in. "Ginny, do you want to go back to Gryffindor? I'll explain things to Ron if you'd like."
Brother and sister looked at the Head Girl with distinctly different expressions. Ginny's was one of gratitude, but Ron's was closer to irritation. Hermione made an irritated sound of her own.
"Ron, you're not the one who's had a knock on the head and been frightened out your wits. Not to mention frozen. Then, before she can get over the shock she had, you drag her out into the damp and cold again!" She stopped and her manner changed. She looked up pleadingly at the tall redhead. "Ginny really needs rest. Why don't you give it a rest, all right?"
Ginny stepped between the two, but couldn't help a surprised glance at Hermione. Then she looked up at her brother and finally saw behind the anger. He was worried, too! Giving him a small smile, she placed a hand on his arm.
"Really, Ron. I'm fine now, and I just had a scare. I'll tell you everything in the morning if you want, but right now I just want to go to bed. All right?"
Ron's expression softened and he covered her hand with his own. "I'm sorry, Gin. I just-I mean, when that prat start in with how could we let you wander round like that, and about you being attacked, I just-." He stopped, seemingly at a loss. "I was really, really worried. I'm sorry, Ginny."
"I know," Ginny said. "Let me get Labelle and we can go."
Before she could turn, Labelle was rubbing against her ankles. After retrieving hers and Colin's cloaks, Ginny followed Ron up the stairs toward Gryffindor Tower.
Ginny woke, feeling extremely hungry. Rubbing her rumbling belly, she wondered what time it was and why she was so hungry. And then she remembered. Hogsmeade, Marcus Flint, and the stupid, damned quills! And after going to the trouble of going back to get them, she'd dropped them on the ground and then trod right on them! Now she was stuck with her old, mended quills until she (hopefully) got a little money for Christmas. That wasn't bad enough. When she'd returned to the castle, Hermione had dragged the entire story out of her and by the time they'd finished, Ginny had been too tired to deal with supper. She'd come back upstairs with Ron and gone right to bed.
Groping under her pillow, Ginny pulled out her wand and whispered, "Lumos."
A weak, feeble light shone from the tip of her wand. Pointing it at her watch, Ginny groaned. It was one o'clock in the morning! Breakfast wouldn't be served for hours! No one else was awake, or Ginny might have tried to get some of Colin's stashed hoard of food. She would have tried to go back to sleep, but the insistent growling from her stomach told her she wouldn't have any success. Instead, Ginny slid out of the bed. She slipped her dressing gown on and headed for the door. Labelle was beside her in a second and Ginny felt a wave of guilt. She hadn't even fed her Kneazle before collapsing!
Labelle rubbed Ginny's shins (goodness, the creature was getting tall!) and purred contentedly. She couldn't be too hungry if she was in such a good mood. Ginny had to wonder if perhaps Labelle had her own methods of scrounging when Ginny was away. As the two snuck down the stairs to the Common Room, Ginny tried to remember what George had told her about sneaking into the kitchens. He always made it sound so easy that Ginny was sorely tempted to try. She was sure she'd be able to find her way since George had given her explicit instructions. Labelle meowed, causing Ginny to look at her.
"Care for a bit of a snack, love?" she asked.
Labelle purred louder and headed to the portrait hole. Of course, Ginny told herself, she might get caught, but she didn't think so. She would sneak in, make a quick snack for herself and Labelle, and sneak out before disturbing anyone. Her stomach growled loudly, seeming to second the plan. Curling her toes against the cold of the floor, she whispered to her Kneazle.
"Hold on, Labelle. I've got to put some shoes on, first!"
Hurrying back up to her room, Ginny considered changing out of her pajamas, but decided it would take too long. One of her roommates might wake up. Instead, she grabbed her slippers from under the bed, pulled the curtains closed, and crept out of the room again.
Labelle was still waiting by the portrait hole as Ginny hurriedly stuffed her feet into her slippers. Again illuminating the tip of her wand, Ginny pushed the portrait open and stepped out. It was chilly in the dark passageway, and most of the torches on the walls were dark. Some of the torches were still flickering, but low, giving very little light. Ginny didn't mind, though. There was enough light with her wand and the guttering torches to navigate, and enough dark to hide in case she heard someone.
Even moving cautiously and stopping to listen, it took Ginny no more than seven minutes to get to the passageway leading to the kitchens. Fred and George had gone so many times in their seven years at Hogwarts that they had found the shortest route possible. Ginny was thankful that no part of the route involved shifting stairways or disappearing corridors. She might wander for hours if she had to contend with those kinds of problems. Moving quickly down the hallway, she located the large painting of mixed fruit and reached for the pear. She tickled the fruit until a doorknob appeared. Looking right and left, Ginny cautioned Labelle to stay by her side and be quiet, then she opened the door.
The kitchens were vast, but seemed more so now, without the teams of House Elves who were usually about, scurrying and scrubbing, chopping and cooking. The long preparation tables, set up to match the house tables in the Great Hall above, were empty and spotless. Bowls, pots, pans, trays all gleamed and sparkled in the pale glow of Ginny's wand. Her slippered feet whispered over the brightly scrubbed tile floor, and Ginny could even hear the slight pad of Labelle's paws as the Kneazle walked alertly beside her.
"If you see an Elf, you will not pounce!" Ginny warned, knowing how much her Kneazle loved play-attacking the small creatures. "Do you understand?"
Labelle let out a quiet meow. Ginny nodded and turned to one of the huge walk-in pantries along the wall. She was almost at a loss. Where in this huge room should she start? Where would she find the bread and jam? Or even a glass for some milk? Labelle padded over to one of the large doors set into the stone of the wall. Shrugging, Ginny followed her. Have to start somewhere, she reasoned. Opening the oversized door, Ginny gasped. It wasn't a pantry, after all, but a huge icebox! And inside, amid the jugs of milk, bowls of mash, and piles of vegetables and fruits, was a single covered tray. Ginny pulled it out, looking nervously about. Who knew whether there were some magical alarms in place to catch students sneaking in for late-night snacks? Nothing happened, though.
She set the tray on one of the long tables. Removing the cover, Ginny grinned in surprise and delight. A glass of milk, a jam sandwich and some biscuits, along with two bowls with their own lids sat on the tray. Ginny removed the lid from one bowl and found a steaming clear broth. Probably chicken, she mused. The other bowl was filled with cream and Ginny smiled even more broadly. House Elves were fascinating creatures. It was almost as though they knew Ginny would be down here to raid the larder! Still moving quietly, Ginny placed the bowl of cream on the tiles for Labelle and picked up one half of the sandwich, noting that the crusts had been removed, just the way she liked.
"Miss would be more comfortable if she used the stool there under the table," a squeaky voice said calmly.
Ginny squeaked, too, and nearly dropped her sandwich. Spinning, she saw Toby, the Elf who had served her and Hermione earlier.
"Good grief!" she said in a thin voice. "You scared the life out of me!"
The House Elf hurried to her, wringing thin hands in distress. "Toby is sorry, Miss! Toby thought Miss would know that a House Elf would be on duty! Miss's brothers always knew that!"
The Elf looked around as though seeking some instrument to bash his head with. Ginny put out a hand.
"It's all right, Toby, really! You just startled me! Please, don't!"
Toby was trying to thump his head against one of the oven doors, but Ginny grabbed his shoulders and pulled him away. "Really! I'm fine! But how did you know I'd come down?"
Toby looked up at her with huge, bulbous eyes and smiled. "Miss's plate came back from supper empty! Miss is the sister of Mister Fred and Mister George. Toby knew Miss would know the way to the kitchens. And Miss would be hungry later."
The Elf glanced to where Labelle was still calmly lapping at her cream, and wrung his hands again. "And all House Elves know of the Kneazle. Begging Miss's pardon, but the Kneazle is sometimes bothering the Elves at their chores. Perhaps Miss can talk to her Kneazle?"
Ginny had pulled out the stool and sat while Toby was talking.
"I'm sure Labelle will behave herself from now on!" Ginny assured the Elf.
Bowing low, Toby gave her a relieved smile. "Toby thanks you, Miss. Is there anything else Toby can get?"
Ginny grimaced. Toby's 'misses' were almost as hard to bear as Draco's 'little weasels'. "Well," she said, "you could leave off the 'Miss' stuff and just call me Ginny."
Toby's eyes grew, if possible, even wider and more bulbous-looking. "Call Miss by her NAME? Oh, Miss, Toby could not do that!"
The House Elf looked shocked. Ginny flushed a little. She didn't really know that much about House Elves, but she was afraid she'd insulted this one. And he'd been so kind to her already.
"Um, oh, of course. I'm sorry, Toby. But it feels strange for someone to call me 'Miss' all the time."
She lapsed into silence, chewing idly on the second half of the sandwich. Toby remained standing, watching her patiently. Finally, Ginny said, "Would you please sit down, Toby?"
She'd made another mistake, apparently. The Elf's eyes grew wide. But Toby didn't say anything. He remained standing with quiet dignity. Ginny felt distinctly uncomfortable with the Elf standing by, almost like a servant. At least the Hogwarts House Elves weren't mistreated, like some Elves that were indentured to private families. Ginny had met Dobby, the House Elf who had been indentured to the Malfoy family at one time. She hadn't spoken to Dobby for very long, but listening to Harry's tales of Dobby's misfortunes at the hands (and feet, apparently) of the Malfoy family, Ginny was just as glad. Frowning, Ginny wished that particular association hadn't occurred to her. It just reminded her of all the questions she had about Draco's recent conduct and his connection to Marcus Flint. And how very little she really knew about the boy she'd let herself become so obsessed with.
"The food is not to Miss's taste?" Toby asked, concerned.
"Oh, no! Everything is perfect, Toby. I was just thinking of something unpleasant, that's all. The food's great!"
"Miss should not think of such unpleasant things, then. It will throw her appetite off!"
"Yes," she murmured quietly. "But that's the trick, isn't it? Not thinking about it."
"Beg pardon, Miss?" Toby said solicitously.
"Er, nothing, Toby. Just talking to myself."
The Elf eyed Ginny almost suspiciously and she had to stifle a giggle. She finished quickly and picked up Labelle's bowl. The Kneazle had finished her cream and was now rubbing against Toby, purring her thanks. The Elf looked extremely uncomfortable.
"That's enough, Labelle. I'm sure Toby knows you appreciated his thoughtfulness. And I'm sure," she continued in a firm tone, "that you'll leave the House Elves alone after this, right?"
The large amber eyes looked innocently up at Ginny and the girl didn't know whether to laugh or frown. But she would continue to remind Labelle that she was getting too big now to pounce on creatures barely twice her size.
Ginny picked up her tray and stood. "I'll just wash these up, and be on my way," she said, heading for one of the sinks.
The tray vanished with a pop, and Ginny turned back to Toby. "Miss should not worry about House Elves' chores!" he admonished. "Mr. Filch is about and Miss should worry about getting back to bed before he catches her!"
The Elf then led the way to the kitchen door. He opened it and looked both ways before motioning Ginny into the hallway.
"Well, thank you, Toby. I really enjoyed that," Ginny said.
"It was Toby's pleasure, Miss. Keep to the secret ways that Miss's brothers used and Miss should be safe. Good night, Miss."
Toby disappeared back into the kitchen and Ginny stared after him. "My, that was abrupt, wasn't it?" she murmured to Labelle.
Labelle, however, had already wandered up the hallway. Ginny followed, carefully listening for any sounds that might indicate that Filch was up ahead. They had gone up a few floors when Labelle froze. Ginny stopped, too, looking around frantically.
They were at a point where they had to travel through some of the more frequented hallways to get to another seldom-used stairwell. This was probably the most dangerous section of the trek in terms of getting caught. Ginny couldn't see anything in the dimly lit corridor, but she suddenly wished she'd taken the time to at least grab her cloak. Her thin cotton dressing gown was a very pale lavender that was hard to miss in the darkness that surrounded her.
"Nox!" she whispered, darkening her wand.
Suddenly Labelle let out a loud meow and charged down the hallway in the wrong direction! Ginny ran after her, trying to move quietly, but her slippers were flapping on the stone floor. She stopped and yanked them off. Holding one in each hand, she gathered the hem of her dressing gown and pelted after the Kneazle.
She hadn't gone far when she heard movement ahead. She slowed and approached cautiously, barely daring to peek around the corner. She realized that she was now in the library hallway and as she moved to stand behind a suit of armor, she saw Labelle at the library door, scratching at the panel. Ginny wanted to grab the Kneazle and run, but the door opened at that moment.
"Mrow!" Labelle greeted the tall, cloaked figure that emerged.
Ginny watched as the figure stooped and knelt before the Kneazle. She knew she shouldn't have been surprised to see Draco Malfoy pull the hood away from his face as he greeted the Kneazle. Though dimly lit, the passageway was bright enough for Ginny to see the genuine smile that lit the thin young man's face.
"Well, hello, Labelle," he said in a mellow voice Ginny was certain she'd never heard before. "What are you doing wandering about?"
Draco scratched behind Labelle's ears and the Kneazle leaned into the caress in ecstasy. When he lifted the Kneazle to nuzzle her, Ginny could actually hear Labelle purring loudly. Oh, great, she thought. What was she going to do now? She needed to get Labelle and get back to Gryffindor, but she couldn't help wondering what the hell Draco was doing sneaking out of the library at this hour. Shifting from foot to cold foot, Ginny watched with growing impatience.
"You're getting too big to hold, you know that?" Draco teased the Kneazle. "What does that girl feed you? And speaking of her, you know Ginny will be wor-."
He stopped abruptly and Ginny could see the sudden anger in his face and body. He looked up, almost straight at her, and he set Labelle down gently. "Where is she?" he said in a hard voice.
Labelle looked up uncertainly, but Draco was still scanning the darkness in Ginny's direction. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself tightly, but that was a mistake. He'd seen the movement and was now striding swiftly toward her.
Ginny backed against the wall, trying to make herself invisible, but it was too late. Draco was on her in a second.
"Are you insane?" he growled at her, his voice low and hard. "Didn't you learn ANYTHING this afternoon?"
Ginny swallowed hard. His eyes were barely slits and his jaw was tightly clenched. A quick glance showed her that his fists were clenched, too. He looked frightening, right now! One of his hands shot out and grabbed her wrist.
"What the hell are you doing out of your room? And dressed like that! Or should I say undressed?" He shook her hand, glaring at the slipper she was still clutching. "Well?" he demanded.
Oh, this was enough, Ginny thought. She yanked her arm from his grasp and stood up straighter. "I'd say that's none of your business, Malfoy!" she retorted, practically spitting out his name.
He straightened abruptly, the anger wiped from his face. "You're right, Weasley," he said, emphasizing her last name. "It's none of my business. I don't know why I bothered asking. Some people are just too stupid to learn, aren't they?"
He turned away and stalked back toward the library. Ginny watched him go, waiting for the tears. They didn't come. Instead she felt a smoldering anger building inside her. How could she have wasted any time or feelings on him? Shoving her feet into her slippers, she hurried after him, catching him as he passed the library door. She had to dodge around Labelle, who was running frantically between Ginny and Draco, mewling unhappily. Ginny grabbed Draco's arm and yanked him around. He turned and crossed his arms, glaring questioningly down at her.
"I've got some questions of my own, Malfoy!" Ginny said shakily, almost withering under his glare. "Like how you knew Flint was going to be in Hogsmeade, or how you showed up in the--."
He cut her off abruptly. "Oh, yeah? Well, how's this for a question, Weasley?" He reached into his pocket and Ginny wondered if he was so angry he was going to hex her right here.
"This way, my dear! I know I heard someone near the library!"
Both teens froze. They'd both instantly recognized Argus Filch's voice. Then Draco yanked his wand from his pocket and shoved Ginny back against the library door.
"Alohamora!" he muttered quickly, pointing to the doorknob.
Opening the door, Draco shoved Ginny into the darkened library.
"Stay here, Weasley!" he hissed at her. "Don't even think of moving out of there until we're gone! Got it?"
He didn't give Ginny a chance to answer, but pulled the door closed, calling softly for Labelle. Ginny couldn't help it. She opened the door a crack, having to see what was going on. She watched him scoop the Kneazle up and turn toward Filch's voice.
Argus Filch, the caretaker for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was of the old school that believed in corporal punishment. But if he had his way, punishment would consist of something closer to torture. And he was never happier when he caught some student breaking rules, so he could try to mete out his particular brand of discipline. Draco Malfoy knew this as well as any other student in the school, yet he seemed to be walking right into Filch's arms.
Ginny watched as he nuzzled Labelle and walked slowly away from the library door.
"You, there! Stop!"
Filch's voice was filled with triumph as the ugly, gaunt man hurried into Ginny's line of sight.
"Hah!" the man said with a sneer. "I know you! Lucius Malfoy's son, aren't you! Let's see your father get you out of this!"
Ginny couldn't hear Draco's reply, but Filch stiffened. "Look around, Mrs. Norris," he snapped suddenly. "I know I heard two voices!"
"What you heard, you ignorant squibb, was me talking to the Kneazle," Draco said, his voice now clear and icy.
Filch's face filled with wrath and Ginny was afraid he was actually going to attack Draco! Mrs. Norris, however, instantly began to sniff around, moving closer and closer to the library door. Draco seemed to murmur something to Labelle as he bent to set her down. She meowed loudly and sauntered toward Mrs. Norris. The cat turned and hissed, her back arching. She yowled and backed away from the Kneazle before bolting past the two humans and disappearing down the corridor. Labelle casually trotted in the same direction, but Filch bellowed, "Here! Is that your beast? Call it off or I'll have it out of this school!"
Filch was livid, spit flying from his mouth as he moved toward Labelle.
"Labelle, enough, love," Draco said calmly. His tone seemed to enrage Filch even more. "Come on, leave the poor frightened cat alone."
Labelle returned to Draco's side and calmly began to groom her paws. Filch cast her a hate-filled glare and grabbed Draco's arm. "Your head of house will hear of the!" he threatened. "And if Snape doesn't do something, I'll take it to the Headmaster!"
As Filch led Draco away, Ginny closed the door and leaned against it, closing her eyes. Oh, God. What had just happened, anyway? Hadn't Draco just called her stupid? Hadn't he just been about to hex her? Why on earth had he protected her again? Ginny was confused. He could have hidden himself as easily as he'd hidden her. But if he had, Filch was certain to have come looking for them. There was no reason for his actions except to protect her. But why? She stood, the questions going around and around in her brain for some time until she became aware of a faint scratching and a soft but plaintive meowing from outside the door. Opening it, she gathered Labelle into her arms and knelt in the doorway, hugging the kitten.
"Oh, Labelle," she cried quietly. "I just don't understand!"
The walk back to Hogwarts was longer than Ginny remembered it ever being before. She hadn't really had a chance to get warm before Ron was gathering up his own packages and hauling her out of the inn. She'd begun to shiver again as soon as they got outside. By the time they reached the outskirts of the village, Ginny's teeth were chattering and she felt faint. Maybe it was the knock on the head she'd got when Flint had stupefied her, but she wanted nothing more than to lie down somewhere and curl up in a tight ball. Ron wasn't helping. He was holding her arm and pulling her along, but he maintained a frosty silence that he only broke to rap out sharp questions that Ginny, frankly, refused to answer at the moment. Even though Colin had taken a flanking position on Ginny's other side and tried to deflect some of Ron's bad temper, she could still sense her brother's anger. She wasn't about to answer him when he was in this mood, especially not right now.
For one thing, Harry and Dean, along with Colin, Su and Daisy, had decided to accompany them. Ginny certainly didn't want to answer questions about Draco Malfoy and Marcus Flint in front of Harry and Dean. Also, Ginny wanted to think. Draco hadn't explained anything to Ginny herself, but he had appeared in the nick of time from the look of things. Ginny wanted to know how he had been on the spot to prevent Flint from doing anything to her while she'd been stupefied. And, yesterday, why had he warned her in the first place? Had he known that Marcus Flint would be in town? Was he supposed to have met with the slimy git again?
Huddling into her damp cloak, Ginny shuddered violently. She didn't know the answers to those questions, but she was damned sure going to find out.
"Ginny, you're freezing!" Colin said, stripping off his own cloak.
Ron stopped and looked at her. "Are you cold, Gin?" he asked, his voice now concerned.
"Do you care?" she snapped, trying to push Colin's cloak back toward her friend. "I'll be fine, Colin. Besides, you'll freeze without it," she said.
"Hey, I'm not the one who took a knock to the head," he said, gently touching a small scrape on her forehead. "Besides, we're almost there," he assured her. "And you need it more than I do right now."
Ginny was too tired to argue. She snuggled into the extra warmth Colin's cloak provided and plodded along beside a now contrite-looking Ron. She didn't care about her brother's sudden attack of conscious. She was more concerned with dozens of questions about Draco. Ginny looked ahead, wondering if he was up there, in front of them somewhere. He'd left the Three Broomsticks only a few minutes before they had, but she hadn't seen any sign of him afterward. Of course, the fog was as thick as ever and with shorter days, it was already growing dark. So it wasn't surprising that she hadn't spotted him. But her mind wouldn't let it go. Had he returned to Hogwarts? Or had he, as she suspected, gone back to Flint, revived him and had some secret meeting?
The castle finally loomed ahead of them through the gloom, and Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. Even with Ron and company, she'd felt vulnerable out in the open. The group of teens trudged up the stairs to the entry, but the great doors were hauled open even before they reached them.
"Ginny? Ginny! Thank God!"
Hermione came barreling out of the brightly lit entry hall and threw herself at Ginny's neck. Ron stepped back, surprised, and released Ginny's arm.
"Hermione! What the hell--?" Ron began as Ginny managed to gasp out, "Hermione! You're choking me!"
She was trying to pry Hermione's arms from about her neck when Labelle leaped up onto Ginny's shoulder and hissed menacingly. Hermione jumped back quickly and Ginny pulled Labelle into her arms.
"Labelle! What is it, love?" The Kneazle, large as she was now, was mewling pitifully and trying to burrow under Ginny's chin. The poor kitten was trembling almost as badly as Ginny had been.
"What's going on? Hermione, how did you-?"
The sound of someone clearing his throat caused the teens to look up.
"I hardly think that the front steps is the place for this conversation," Professor Dumbledore said, studying the small group and motioning them inside. "Miss Granger, I'm sure Miss Weasley would appreciate some hot tea in the privacy of your room."
Ron began to protest, but the Headmaster lifted a hand. "I know you have questions of your own, Mr. Weasley," he said kindly. "But your sister's welfare is, I know, more important to you. Your questions will wait."
Though kindly said, the words were final. Hunching his shoulders and scowling, Ron let Harry and Dean coax him back up to the Gryffindor Common Room. Colin, Su and Daisy gave Ginny quick hugs and followed the other three. Ginny was left with a frantic Kneazle, a panicked Head Girl and a worried looking Headmaster. She turned a perplexed look on Hermione.
"How on earth did you know something happened?" she asked finally.
"Professor Dumbledore is right," Hermione said quickly. "This isn't the place."
She took Ginny's arm, much more gently than had Ron, and pulled her into the castle, closing the great doors behind them.
"I'll have one of the House Elves bring tea up to your room, Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore said. "I know you will explain everything satisfactorily."
With that, he turned and strode off down the corridor.
"Well, shall we?" Hermione said, motioning to the stairway.
"I wish someone would start explaining things to ME for once," Ginny grumbled, following Hermione.
A fire was burning brightly in the small room Hermione occupied as Head Girl. The room was small, but it was private and very warm. There was just room for a bed, a tiny desk and two chairs near the hearth. A door near the back of the room led, Ginny assumed, to a private bathroom. The little spare room that was available seemed to be filled with books. There were books piled along the walls, books tottering in piles on the corners of the desk, and books lined neatly on the mantle. There were even rows of books neatly arranged under the high, four-poster bed. Ginny shook her head and continued to stroke Labelle, while Hermione carefully took a stack of books from one chair and set it gently beside the bed. The other chair was occupied by Hermione's pet cat Crookshanks. The large cat was watching the proceedings with the air of someone watching his own impending doom. Sure enough, Hermione turned to the cat and began to apologize.
"I'm sorry, dear, but I need the chair. Wouldn't you be more comfortable on the bed?"
Crookshanks opened one eyelid more widely than the other, giving the impression of looking skeptically at his mistress.
"Come on, Crookshanks. You know the bed is just as warm as the rest of the room. Please?"
Finally, managing to look extremely put out, Crookshanks stood, stretched, and hopped off the chair. He seemed to lift his nose into the air as he sauntered past the girls and jumped up onto the bed. Giving Hermione one last look, he walked across the bed and collapsed squarely in the middle of her pillow.
"I hate it when he does that," she muttered. "I'll have to brush cat hair out of my face all night."
She shook her head and motioned for Ginny to take one of the chairs. She was about to take the other when there was a soft knock on the door. Hermione opened the door and a small House Elf wheeled in a tea tray.
"Thank you, Toby," Hermione said.
"It is Toby's pleasure, miss," the Elf squeaked. "If miss will just call when she is finished, Toby will come and collect the trolley."
"That'll be fine. I'll call when I'm done."
The Elf nodded and disappeared. Hermione pushed the trolley over to the fireplace and positioned it between the chairs. Finally she sat and served.
"All right," Ginny said when both cups had been filled, cream and sugar added and both girls were settled into the chairs. "Now, will you please tell me how you and Labelle seemed to know I was in trouble?"
At the mention of her name, Labelle stirred. The poor thing had finally stopped trembling and was now curled up on Ginny's lap. She turned her large amber eyes up to Ginny and gave a small meow. Ginny smiled softly at her and stroked her head again. Then she looked at Hermione.
"Let me ask you something, Ginny," Hermione began. "That book you're always reading, about Kneazles, does it mention anything about Kneazles being psychic?"
Ginny's eyes widened. "Psychic? You mean, like, in reading minds?"
"Uh, kind of like that, but more like empathic, like they can feel what you're feeling and they sense when you're troubled. Anything like that?"
Ginny thought. "Well, the book does mention that in some cases a Kneazle seems to sense its friend's feelings, but Labelle does it all the time. She just sort of shows up when I need her."
Hermione frowned. "Well, it happened again today; I'm sure of it."
Settling back with her cup, Hermione began her story.
"You know I was staying behind to work on an extra-credit project today for potions, right? Well, I wasn't the only one there. Justin and Hannah from Hufflepuff were there, too, and Draco Malfoy. We were all in the Potions classroom today. Labelle came in early, right after you lot left, I assume. I had no idea she was on such good terms with Professor Snape, but as soon as she came in, he seemed to, I don't know, calm down and relax."
She paused to look at Ginny, who looked back with a nod. "Labelle likes him," she said simply.
Shrugging, Hermione continued. "Anyway, we were working on our projects and the professor was walking around, checking our work when he wasn't sitting at the desk grading papers or playing with Labelle." Her voice sounded skeptical, as though she still couldn't believe she'd seen her Potions Master PLAYING with a kitten. "We were working most of the day, when Malfoy began to clean his things up. This must have been near three, maybe a bit before. The rest of us kept working, but Malfoy'd already told the professor that he was leaving early. Anyway, he was about to leave when your Kneazle just started going nuts!"
Labelle lifted her head and gave a tiny, questioning mewl. Ginny scratched her ears and she settled back.
"What do you mean, 'nuts'?"
"Well, she'd been there all day, right? She'd either walk around and watch what we were doing, or she'd be planted on Professor Snape's desk, or she'd be badgering Malfoy for attention. Which, I have to say, he seemed happy enough to give her. But then she started pacing at the door. She jumped up on the professor's desk and started howling at him. Not the hissing thing she does to the boys in the Common Room, but just howling! She ran from there to Malfoy and back again, howling and crying! It was Malfoy who finally caught on. He picked her up and asked something like, 'is she in trouble?' Labelle stopped for a second, then she howled even louder. I tried to help, but she wouldn't let me touch her! Then Professor Snape asked Malfoy if his broom was nearby. When he said no, the professor ran into his office and brought out his own! He told Malfoy to hurry and Malfoy just disappeared through the door at a dead run!"
Hermione was leaning forward, almost on the tea trolley. Her face was a picture of bemusement as she continued. "I was wondering what they were talking about, but it finally dawned on me that they were talking about you! Labelle was frantic and she wouldn't even let Professor Snape hold her, but then, maybe seven minutes later, definitely no more than ten minutes later, she calmed down again! And she was fine until about five minutes before you all showed up. She started howling and scratching at the door and when I opened it, she bolted out and up to the entry. That's how I knew you were coming."
Leaning back finally, Hermione took a sip of her tea. "Professor Snape left the classroom after Labelle finally calmed down, so I can only assume that he went to tell Professor Dumbledore what happened. And, speaking of what happened, what did happen today?"
The older girl studied Ginny carefully. Ginny looked away and stroked Labelle gently. She wanted to hug the kitten tightly, but the Kneazle seemed exhausted. No wonder, too, if she'd been worrying herself sick over Ginny's well being. She still couldn't believe that Labelle had sensed her distress. Her gaze flicked up to the Head Girl who was waiting patiently but expectantly. Ginny would have liked to delay explanations until she'd been able to think everything through. That wouldn't be possible, though. And Ginny had much rather explain to Hermione than Ron. Let Hermione tell Ron. At least she'd have some privacy while she explained her most recent stupid escapade.
"It's a long story," Ginny said, her voice quivering with fatigue. "And if you try to give me a sermon, I'll leave!"
Putting her cup down, Hermione folded her hands and looked hurt and offended. "I don't preach, Ginny." She paused. "Do I?"
Ginny grimaced. "Well, Hermione, it is a bit frustrating listening to you tell me how you would have done this or that, or not done this or that! As though you've never made stupid mistakes before. It really makes me not want to say anything!"
Biting her lip, Hermione looked at her folded hands. "I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm preaching. I don't mean to. If you don't want to tell me, I certainly can't force you."
Ginny was immediately contrite. Hermione was very much like an older sister to her. An annoying, know-it-all older sister who actually seldom DID make stupid mistakes, but still a friend. Coming to a quick decision, she began as she had with her mates-with Diagon Alley.
Much later, after the tea trolley had been removed and both girls had sat in thoughtful silence for some time, a loud knock on the door shattered their reveries. Ginny jumped, almost unseating Labelle and definitely causing the kitten to mewl in alarm. Hermione went to the door and opened it, then sighed.
"Come ON, Hermione!" Ginny sighed, too, and closed her eyes. It was Ron's voice.
"You two have been holed up here for HOURS! I just want to make sure Ginny's okay."
"It has been about forty-five minutes, Ron," Hermione said, sounding exasperated. "Ginny isn't up to going through the whole thing again. I'll bring her back to Gryffindor in a bit."
Ginny smiled to herself. Hermione was definitely playing big sister right now, and defending her from her real big brother. But she couldn't let Hermione run interference with Ron. That would only cause problems between the two. Taking a deep breath, she stood and settled Labelle back on the chair. Then she strode to the door and nudged Hermione out of the way.
"I'm fine, as you can see, Ron. Was that all?"
Ginny was still a little angry with Ron for the way he'd treated her on the way back to Hogwarts. He'd been as cold as Draco had been, with less excuse. Placing her hands on her hips, she gave him a belligerent stare.
"Uh, well, no!" Ron mumbled, obviously surprised to find his little sister fighting mad. "I, er, wanted to know what happened!"
"You know," Ginny said sarcastically, "I was sure Malfoy already told you what happened. I went to get my quills, Marcus Flint grabbed me, I got away, and he stupefied me. Malfoy came along, stupefied him, and took me back to the Three Broomsticks. Where he turned me over to your 'loving' care. Did I leave anything out?"
Ron's face had grown red again, but Hermione jumped in. "Ginny, do you want to go back to Gryffindor? I'll explain things to Ron if you'd like."
Brother and sister looked at the Head Girl with distinctly different expressions. Ginny's was one of gratitude, but Ron's was closer to irritation. Hermione made an irritated sound of her own.
"Ron, you're not the one who's had a knock on the head and been frightened out your wits. Not to mention frozen. Then, before she can get over the shock she had, you drag her out into the damp and cold again!" She stopped and her manner changed. She looked up pleadingly at the tall redhead. "Ginny really needs rest. Why don't you give it a rest, all right?"
Ginny stepped between the two, but couldn't help a surprised glance at Hermione. Then she looked up at her brother and finally saw behind the anger. He was worried, too! Giving him a small smile, she placed a hand on his arm.
"Really, Ron. I'm fine now, and I just had a scare. I'll tell you everything in the morning if you want, but right now I just want to go to bed. All right?"
Ron's expression softened and he covered her hand with his own. "I'm sorry, Gin. I just-I mean, when that prat start in with how could we let you wander round like that, and about you being attacked, I just-." He stopped, seemingly at a loss. "I was really, really worried. I'm sorry, Ginny."
"I know," Ginny said. "Let me get Labelle and we can go."
Before she could turn, Labelle was rubbing against her ankles. After retrieving hers and Colin's cloaks, Ginny followed Ron up the stairs toward Gryffindor Tower.
Ginny woke, feeling extremely hungry. Rubbing her rumbling belly, she wondered what time it was and why she was so hungry. And then she remembered. Hogsmeade, Marcus Flint, and the stupid, damned quills! And after going to the trouble of going back to get them, she'd dropped them on the ground and then trod right on them! Now she was stuck with her old, mended quills until she (hopefully) got a little money for Christmas. That wasn't bad enough. When she'd returned to the castle, Hermione had dragged the entire story out of her and by the time they'd finished, Ginny had been too tired to deal with supper. She'd come back upstairs with Ron and gone right to bed.
Groping under her pillow, Ginny pulled out her wand and whispered, "Lumos."
A weak, feeble light shone from the tip of her wand. Pointing it at her watch, Ginny groaned. It was one o'clock in the morning! Breakfast wouldn't be served for hours! No one else was awake, or Ginny might have tried to get some of Colin's stashed hoard of food. She would have tried to go back to sleep, but the insistent growling from her stomach told her she wouldn't have any success. Instead, Ginny slid out of the bed. She slipped her dressing gown on and headed for the door. Labelle was beside her in a second and Ginny felt a wave of guilt. She hadn't even fed her Kneazle before collapsing!
Labelle rubbed Ginny's shins (goodness, the creature was getting tall!) and purred contentedly. She couldn't be too hungry if she was in such a good mood. Ginny had to wonder if perhaps Labelle had her own methods of scrounging when Ginny was away. As the two snuck down the stairs to the Common Room, Ginny tried to remember what George had told her about sneaking into the kitchens. He always made it sound so easy that Ginny was sorely tempted to try. She was sure she'd be able to find her way since George had given her explicit instructions. Labelle meowed, causing Ginny to look at her.
"Care for a bit of a snack, love?" she asked.
Labelle purred louder and headed to the portrait hole. Of course, Ginny told herself, she might get caught, but she didn't think so. She would sneak in, make a quick snack for herself and Labelle, and sneak out before disturbing anyone. Her stomach growled loudly, seeming to second the plan. Curling her toes against the cold of the floor, she whispered to her Kneazle.
"Hold on, Labelle. I've got to put some shoes on, first!"
Hurrying back up to her room, Ginny considered changing out of her pajamas, but decided it would take too long. One of her roommates might wake up. Instead, she grabbed her slippers from under the bed, pulled the curtains closed, and crept out of the room again.
Labelle was still waiting by the portrait hole as Ginny hurriedly stuffed her feet into her slippers. Again illuminating the tip of her wand, Ginny pushed the portrait open and stepped out. It was chilly in the dark passageway, and most of the torches on the walls were dark. Some of the torches were still flickering, but low, giving very little light. Ginny didn't mind, though. There was enough light with her wand and the guttering torches to navigate, and enough dark to hide in case she heard someone.
Even moving cautiously and stopping to listen, it took Ginny no more than seven minutes to get to the passageway leading to the kitchens. Fred and George had gone so many times in their seven years at Hogwarts that they had found the shortest route possible. Ginny was thankful that no part of the route involved shifting stairways or disappearing corridors. She might wander for hours if she had to contend with those kinds of problems. Moving quickly down the hallway, she located the large painting of mixed fruit and reached for the pear. She tickled the fruit until a doorknob appeared. Looking right and left, Ginny cautioned Labelle to stay by her side and be quiet, then she opened the door.
The kitchens were vast, but seemed more so now, without the teams of House Elves who were usually about, scurrying and scrubbing, chopping and cooking. The long preparation tables, set up to match the house tables in the Great Hall above, were empty and spotless. Bowls, pots, pans, trays all gleamed and sparkled in the pale glow of Ginny's wand. Her slippered feet whispered over the brightly scrubbed tile floor, and Ginny could even hear the slight pad of Labelle's paws as the Kneazle walked alertly beside her.
"If you see an Elf, you will not pounce!" Ginny warned, knowing how much her Kneazle loved play-attacking the small creatures. "Do you understand?"
Labelle let out a quiet meow. Ginny nodded and turned to one of the huge walk-in pantries along the wall. She was almost at a loss. Where in this huge room should she start? Where would she find the bread and jam? Or even a glass for some milk? Labelle padded over to one of the large doors set into the stone of the wall. Shrugging, Ginny followed her. Have to start somewhere, she reasoned. Opening the oversized door, Ginny gasped. It wasn't a pantry, after all, but a huge icebox! And inside, amid the jugs of milk, bowls of mash, and piles of vegetables and fruits, was a single covered tray. Ginny pulled it out, looking nervously about. Who knew whether there were some magical alarms in place to catch students sneaking in for late-night snacks? Nothing happened, though.
She set the tray on one of the long tables. Removing the cover, Ginny grinned in surprise and delight. A glass of milk, a jam sandwich and some biscuits, along with two bowls with their own lids sat on the tray. Ginny removed the lid from one bowl and found a steaming clear broth. Probably chicken, she mused. The other bowl was filled with cream and Ginny smiled even more broadly. House Elves were fascinating creatures. It was almost as though they knew Ginny would be down here to raid the larder! Still moving quietly, Ginny placed the bowl of cream on the tiles for Labelle and picked up one half of the sandwich, noting that the crusts had been removed, just the way she liked.
"Miss would be more comfortable if she used the stool there under the table," a squeaky voice said calmly.
Ginny squeaked, too, and nearly dropped her sandwich. Spinning, she saw Toby, the Elf who had served her and Hermione earlier.
"Good grief!" she said in a thin voice. "You scared the life out of me!"
The House Elf hurried to her, wringing thin hands in distress. "Toby is sorry, Miss! Toby thought Miss would know that a House Elf would be on duty! Miss's brothers always knew that!"
The Elf looked around as though seeking some instrument to bash his head with. Ginny put out a hand.
"It's all right, Toby, really! You just startled me! Please, don't!"
Toby was trying to thump his head against one of the oven doors, but Ginny grabbed his shoulders and pulled him away. "Really! I'm fine! But how did you know I'd come down?"
Toby looked up at her with huge, bulbous eyes and smiled. "Miss's plate came back from supper empty! Miss is the sister of Mister Fred and Mister George. Toby knew Miss would know the way to the kitchens. And Miss would be hungry later."
The Elf glanced to where Labelle was still calmly lapping at her cream, and wrung his hands again. "And all House Elves know of the Kneazle. Begging Miss's pardon, but the Kneazle is sometimes bothering the Elves at their chores. Perhaps Miss can talk to her Kneazle?"
Ginny had pulled out the stool and sat while Toby was talking.
"I'm sure Labelle will behave herself from now on!" Ginny assured the Elf.
Bowing low, Toby gave her a relieved smile. "Toby thanks you, Miss. Is there anything else Toby can get?"
Ginny grimaced. Toby's 'misses' were almost as hard to bear as Draco's 'little weasels'. "Well," she said, "you could leave off the 'Miss' stuff and just call me Ginny."
Toby's eyes grew, if possible, even wider and more bulbous-looking. "Call Miss by her NAME? Oh, Miss, Toby could not do that!"
The House Elf looked shocked. Ginny flushed a little. She didn't really know that much about House Elves, but she was afraid she'd insulted this one. And he'd been so kind to her already.
"Um, oh, of course. I'm sorry, Toby. But it feels strange for someone to call me 'Miss' all the time."
She lapsed into silence, chewing idly on the second half of the sandwich. Toby remained standing, watching her patiently. Finally, Ginny said, "Would you please sit down, Toby?"
She'd made another mistake, apparently. The Elf's eyes grew wide. But Toby didn't say anything. He remained standing with quiet dignity. Ginny felt distinctly uncomfortable with the Elf standing by, almost like a servant. At least the Hogwarts House Elves weren't mistreated, like some Elves that were indentured to private families. Ginny had met Dobby, the House Elf who had been indentured to the Malfoy family at one time. She hadn't spoken to Dobby for very long, but listening to Harry's tales of Dobby's misfortunes at the hands (and feet, apparently) of the Malfoy family, Ginny was just as glad. Frowning, Ginny wished that particular association hadn't occurred to her. It just reminded her of all the questions she had about Draco's recent conduct and his connection to Marcus Flint. And how very little she really knew about the boy she'd let herself become so obsessed with.
"The food is not to Miss's taste?" Toby asked, concerned.
"Oh, no! Everything is perfect, Toby. I was just thinking of something unpleasant, that's all. The food's great!"
"Miss should not think of such unpleasant things, then. It will throw her appetite off!"
"Yes," she murmured quietly. "But that's the trick, isn't it? Not thinking about it."
"Beg pardon, Miss?" Toby said solicitously.
"Er, nothing, Toby. Just talking to myself."
The Elf eyed Ginny almost suspiciously and she had to stifle a giggle. She finished quickly and picked up Labelle's bowl. The Kneazle had finished her cream and was now rubbing against Toby, purring her thanks. The Elf looked extremely uncomfortable.
"That's enough, Labelle. I'm sure Toby knows you appreciated his thoughtfulness. And I'm sure," she continued in a firm tone, "that you'll leave the House Elves alone after this, right?"
The large amber eyes looked innocently up at Ginny and the girl didn't know whether to laugh or frown. But she would continue to remind Labelle that she was getting too big now to pounce on creatures barely twice her size.
Ginny picked up her tray and stood. "I'll just wash these up, and be on my way," she said, heading for one of the sinks.
The tray vanished with a pop, and Ginny turned back to Toby. "Miss should not worry about House Elves' chores!" he admonished. "Mr. Filch is about and Miss should worry about getting back to bed before he catches her!"
The Elf then led the way to the kitchen door. He opened it and looked both ways before motioning Ginny into the hallway.
"Well, thank you, Toby. I really enjoyed that," Ginny said.
"It was Toby's pleasure, Miss. Keep to the secret ways that Miss's brothers used and Miss should be safe. Good night, Miss."
Toby disappeared back into the kitchen and Ginny stared after him. "My, that was abrupt, wasn't it?" she murmured to Labelle.
Labelle, however, had already wandered up the hallway. Ginny followed, carefully listening for any sounds that might indicate that Filch was up ahead. They had gone up a few floors when Labelle froze. Ginny stopped, too, looking around frantically.
They were at a point where they had to travel through some of the more frequented hallways to get to another seldom-used stairwell. This was probably the most dangerous section of the trek in terms of getting caught. Ginny couldn't see anything in the dimly lit corridor, but she suddenly wished she'd taken the time to at least grab her cloak. Her thin cotton dressing gown was a very pale lavender that was hard to miss in the darkness that surrounded her.
"Nox!" she whispered, darkening her wand.
Suddenly Labelle let out a loud meow and charged down the hallway in the wrong direction! Ginny ran after her, trying to move quietly, but her slippers were flapping on the stone floor. She stopped and yanked them off. Holding one in each hand, she gathered the hem of her dressing gown and pelted after the Kneazle.
She hadn't gone far when she heard movement ahead. She slowed and approached cautiously, barely daring to peek around the corner. She realized that she was now in the library hallway and as she moved to stand behind a suit of armor, she saw Labelle at the library door, scratching at the panel. Ginny wanted to grab the Kneazle and run, but the door opened at that moment.
"Mrow!" Labelle greeted the tall, cloaked figure that emerged.
Ginny watched as the figure stooped and knelt before the Kneazle. She knew she shouldn't have been surprised to see Draco Malfoy pull the hood away from his face as he greeted the Kneazle. Though dimly lit, the passageway was bright enough for Ginny to see the genuine smile that lit the thin young man's face.
"Well, hello, Labelle," he said in a mellow voice Ginny was certain she'd never heard before. "What are you doing wandering about?"
Draco scratched behind Labelle's ears and the Kneazle leaned into the caress in ecstasy. When he lifted the Kneazle to nuzzle her, Ginny could actually hear Labelle purring loudly. Oh, great, she thought. What was she going to do now? She needed to get Labelle and get back to Gryffindor, but she couldn't help wondering what the hell Draco was doing sneaking out of the library at this hour. Shifting from foot to cold foot, Ginny watched with growing impatience.
"You're getting too big to hold, you know that?" Draco teased the Kneazle. "What does that girl feed you? And speaking of her, you know Ginny will be wor-."
He stopped abruptly and Ginny could see the sudden anger in his face and body. He looked up, almost straight at her, and he set Labelle down gently. "Where is she?" he said in a hard voice.
Labelle looked up uncertainly, but Draco was still scanning the darkness in Ginny's direction. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself tightly, but that was a mistake. He'd seen the movement and was now striding swiftly toward her.
Ginny backed against the wall, trying to make herself invisible, but it was too late. Draco was on her in a second.
"Are you insane?" he growled at her, his voice low and hard. "Didn't you learn ANYTHING this afternoon?"
Ginny swallowed hard. His eyes were barely slits and his jaw was tightly clenched. A quick glance showed her that his fists were clenched, too. He looked frightening, right now! One of his hands shot out and grabbed her wrist.
"What the hell are you doing out of your room? And dressed like that! Or should I say undressed?" He shook her hand, glaring at the slipper she was still clutching. "Well?" he demanded.
Oh, this was enough, Ginny thought. She yanked her arm from his grasp and stood up straighter. "I'd say that's none of your business, Malfoy!" she retorted, practically spitting out his name.
He straightened abruptly, the anger wiped from his face. "You're right, Weasley," he said, emphasizing her last name. "It's none of my business. I don't know why I bothered asking. Some people are just too stupid to learn, aren't they?"
He turned away and stalked back toward the library. Ginny watched him go, waiting for the tears. They didn't come. Instead she felt a smoldering anger building inside her. How could she have wasted any time or feelings on him? Shoving her feet into her slippers, she hurried after him, catching him as he passed the library door. She had to dodge around Labelle, who was running frantically between Ginny and Draco, mewling unhappily. Ginny grabbed Draco's arm and yanked him around. He turned and crossed his arms, glaring questioningly down at her.
"I've got some questions of my own, Malfoy!" Ginny said shakily, almost withering under his glare. "Like how you knew Flint was going to be in Hogsmeade, or how you showed up in the--."
He cut her off abruptly. "Oh, yeah? Well, how's this for a question, Weasley?" He reached into his pocket and Ginny wondered if he was so angry he was going to hex her right here.
"This way, my dear! I know I heard someone near the library!"
Both teens froze. They'd both instantly recognized Argus Filch's voice. Then Draco yanked his wand from his pocket and shoved Ginny back against the library door.
"Alohamora!" he muttered quickly, pointing to the doorknob.
Opening the door, Draco shoved Ginny into the darkened library.
"Stay here, Weasley!" he hissed at her. "Don't even think of moving out of there until we're gone! Got it?"
He didn't give Ginny a chance to answer, but pulled the door closed, calling softly for Labelle. Ginny couldn't help it. She opened the door a crack, having to see what was going on. She watched him scoop the Kneazle up and turn toward Filch's voice.
Argus Filch, the caretaker for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was of the old school that believed in corporal punishment. But if he had his way, punishment would consist of something closer to torture. And he was never happier when he caught some student breaking rules, so he could try to mete out his particular brand of discipline. Draco Malfoy knew this as well as any other student in the school, yet he seemed to be walking right into Filch's arms.
Ginny watched as he nuzzled Labelle and walked slowly away from the library door.
"You, there! Stop!"
Filch's voice was filled with triumph as the ugly, gaunt man hurried into Ginny's line of sight.
"Hah!" the man said with a sneer. "I know you! Lucius Malfoy's son, aren't you! Let's see your father get you out of this!"
Ginny couldn't hear Draco's reply, but Filch stiffened. "Look around, Mrs. Norris," he snapped suddenly. "I know I heard two voices!"
"What you heard, you ignorant squibb, was me talking to the Kneazle," Draco said, his voice now clear and icy.
Filch's face filled with wrath and Ginny was afraid he was actually going to attack Draco! Mrs. Norris, however, instantly began to sniff around, moving closer and closer to the library door. Draco seemed to murmur something to Labelle as he bent to set her down. She meowed loudly and sauntered toward Mrs. Norris. The cat turned and hissed, her back arching. She yowled and backed away from the Kneazle before bolting past the two humans and disappearing down the corridor. Labelle casually trotted in the same direction, but Filch bellowed, "Here! Is that your beast? Call it off or I'll have it out of this school!"
Filch was livid, spit flying from his mouth as he moved toward Labelle.
"Labelle, enough, love," Draco said calmly. His tone seemed to enrage Filch even more. "Come on, leave the poor frightened cat alone."
Labelle returned to Draco's side and calmly began to groom her paws. Filch cast her a hate-filled glare and grabbed Draco's arm. "Your head of house will hear of the!" he threatened. "And if Snape doesn't do something, I'll take it to the Headmaster!"
As Filch led Draco away, Ginny closed the door and leaned against it, closing her eyes. Oh, God. What had just happened, anyway? Hadn't Draco just called her stupid? Hadn't he just been about to hex her? Why on earth had he protected her again? Ginny was confused. He could have hidden himself as easily as he'd hidden her. But if he had, Filch was certain to have come looking for them. There was no reason for his actions except to protect her. But why? She stood, the questions going around and around in her brain for some time until she became aware of a faint scratching and a soft but plaintive meowing from outside the door. Opening it, she gathered Labelle into her arms and knelt in the doorway, hugging the kitten.
"Oh, Labelle," she cried quietly. "I just don't understand!"