A/N:  I was asked when I would write from Draco's perspective, but just in case anyone else is wondering, the entire story is going to be Ginny's POV.  Now working on chapter 12. 

Some time later Ginny was sitting in the Gryffindor common room.  Colin had been waiting outside the library when Ginny and Draco had finally returned, and had warned them both that Julius Flint and Augustus Le Strange were currently prowling about the library.  He couldn't guarantee that they were looking for Ginny, but Colin had heard them asking the Williams girl from Hufflepuff if she'd seen Ginny.  Draco's brow furrowed, but he merely shrugged.  After a quick glance around the corridor, he had given Ginny an intense if brief kiss, that had earned them raised eyebrows from Colin.  Then he had instructed her to go with Colin.  Ginny would have protested, but Draco was already slipping into the library. 

            They had gone straight to the Great Hall for lunch, which Ginny only picked at, since she'd nibbled from Draco's tray earlier.  Both Flint and Le Strange were present, but Draco was, once again, missing in action.  Now, after lunch Ginny and Colin were sitting at a table in the Gryffindor common room, Colin immersed in his Herbology homework, and Ginny trying to concentrate on her own Transfiguration assignment.  Every time she looked at the text, though, she couldn't help thinking how cleverly Draco had transfigured that awful book.  Apparently there weren't any hexes or curses against changing the appearance of the book, just against trying to destroy it outright.  Of course, thinking of that made her think of what had happened earlier.  And naturally, thinking of all that had happened in the little music room and later, in the stairway near the kitchens, made Ginny shiver with both dread and excitement. 

            The things he'd told her about his father, and the initiation, and Marcus Flint filled her with a kind of sick horror.  She couldn't help wonder what would have happened to her if Flint had got hold of her in Hogsmeade.  It had been so foggy that he could have made off with her (if that had been his intention) and no one would have been the wiser.  Or, what if it had been Flint, rather than Draco, who had first found her lost and disoriented and worried about her new friend in Knockturn Alley?  Would he have led her even farther into the seedy labyrinth, and then accosted her? 

            Ginny shuddered as she considered the possibilities.  But, she thought as she silently thanked the fates, it had been Draco who had found her first.  And he had led her out of the dangerous area safely, not expecting anything in return.  Ginny nuzzled the Kneazle who had suddenly jumped into her lap.

            "And thank you, Labelle," she whispered quietly.  "If you hadn't run away, I wouldn't have seen that there was more to him than the bullying git."

            Labelle purred contentedly and jumped down again, causing Ginny to shake her head.  Labelle was so good at knowing when Ginny needed her that it was almost frightening.  Taking up the transfiguration text again, Ginny read a few lines.  She couldn't concentrate, though.  If she wasn't imagining the gruesome things Flint might have done to her, Ginny was thinking of the utterly delightful and breathtaking things Draco had done to her.  Feeling her face grow warm, Ginny remembered the way he'd kissed her and touched her and held her.   The sound of his voice had sent chills snaking up her spine, especially when he'd called her 'angel'.  A big, silly grin spread across her face, but Ginny didn't even realize it until Colin interrupted her musings.

            "Lord, Gin," he said quietly, staring at her.  "You have it bad, don't you?  I won't ask if Malfoy behaved himself.  I'm sure he couldn't have to put that smile on your face!"

            Ginny felt her cheeks grow warmer as she tried to hide her grin.

            "I don't know what you're talking about," she said quickly, not meeting his eyes.

            "Hey, Gin, it's me, remember?  You don't really think you can fool me, do you?"

            "I don't need to try," Ginny said firmly. "I really don't have any idea what you're talking about!"

            "Nice try, love," he grinned.  "But you'll have to do better than that.  Malfoy looked as though he was walking on air when you two finally decided to come back to the library.  And you, Miss Weasley!  It's a good thing I was the one who found you, and not Ron!"

Ginny's eyes met Colin's as she gave him a worried look.  "What do you mean?  Was it that noticeable?"

Colin grinned.  "Probably not if you weren't expecting it.  I was expecting it, though, so it was pretty obvious.  I know you're not going to give me all the sordid details, but I have to tell you, Gin, you look like a girl who has been well and thoroughly snogged!"

            And how would you know? Ginny nearly teased the young man.  A sudden breathy gasp stopped her.

"Snogged?  By who?"

            Ginny and Colin both turned, startled, when Daisy slid into the empty chair beside them.  She gave Ginny an eager look and asked again, "Who, Gin?"

            Ginny bit her lip. Things were better between the friends now that Su was officially going out with Dean, but they hadn't returned to the easy, chatty friendship they'd had before.  Colin jumped into the uncomfortable pause.

            "Well, honestly, Daisy.  Who do you think? Who has our Ginny been pining over since summer?"

            Daisy's eyes grew wide with disbelief.  "Ginny!  I thought you were joking!  Well, not joking, but I didn't think you were really serious.  I mean," the girl's voice dropped dramatically.  "Malfoy?"

            Rolling her eyes, Ginny sighed.  "You know, you could make an effort to call him Draco. I mean, he did rescue me from that Flint fellow, and he's had Blaise, er, Zabini, watching out for me, too!  I really wish you wouldn't act as though the world was going to come to an end just because we kissed!"

            Daisy looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ginny, honest.  It's just that it's just so weird to hear you talking about him like that!  I figured it was a passing thing, and that you'd find some nice boy, and all.  I mean, it was kind of exciting when I was sure it wouldn't ever come to anything.  But…I'm babbling, aren't I?"

            Daisy's expression was so woebegone that Ginny and Colin chuckled.  "It's all right, Daisy," Ginny assured her with a heartfelt smile.  "So, how have you been?"

            Daisy returned the smile, something like relief in her expression.  "I've missed the four of us, you know?" she said wistfully.  "I mean, you and Colin and me and Su?  We had some really great times, didn't we?"

            Colin laid his hand on hers for a moment.  "You make it sound like some of us have died, Daisy.  We're still here, you know."

            "Yeah, but it's different now.  I mean, Su and Dean are always together, and now," she grimaced, "Ginny and Malfoy, I mean Draco, are going to be together.  That leaves me and you, Colin, and it's just not the same."

            Ginny's eyes slid mischievously toward Colin, wondering if he would mention a certain Slytherin prefect.  She didn't expect him to, though.  She wasn't even certain whether Su and Daisy knew about Colin's preferences.  Colin frowned at her and looked back at Daisy.

            "I'll try not to take that as an insult," he informed Daisy coolly.  "But, you know, it's too bad that you don't go for younger guys, because my brother Dennis has been mad about you for the last two years."

            Daisy looked surprised.  "Dennis?  But he's so…young!"

            "Not really," said Colin.  "He's almost exactly nine months younger than me.  He almost could have been in our year, but he missed the cutoff by two months.  And I was serious.  He really likes you."

            Ginny grinned, but Daisy looked thoughtful.  "Nine months?  That means he's only four months younger than I am.  But," she added hastily, blushing, "I wasn't looking for a matchmaker.  I just meant I missed it when it was just us four!  And I still want us all to go to Hogsmeade together."

            Ginny couldn't resist asking, "Oh, does that mean Su's going without Dean?"

            "No, of course not.  Why—oh.  Well, I guess you could bring your Sly boyfriend, if he wanted to come, too."  Daisy didn't sound very happy about the prospect, despite her invitation.

Ginny chuckled.  She just couldn't imagine Draco walking tamely beside a pack of Gryffindors on a nice little outing to Hogsmeade.  "I don't think you have to worry, Daisy," she said, knowing that they couldn't be seen together yet.  With a sudden frown, Ginny added, "But this isn't common knowledge.  You can't tell anyone about us yet, and not just because Ron would have kittens, right?"

            "What do you mean?" asked Daisy, instantly on the offensive.  "I thought he liked you.  Is he ashamed to be seen with a Gryffindor?  If he is, you can do bet—."

            Daisy's voice had begun to grow louder and Ginny cut her off fast.

            "It's nothing like that," she said, still feeling a twinge of uncertainty.  "It's just that it could be dangerous for both of us if anyone knew how we felt about each other.  Okay?"

            Daisy nodded vaguely, but looked confused.  Colin stepped in.

            "Daisy, if you were, say, not a very nice person, and you wanted to hurt someone, wouldn't you try to hurt the people they cared for?"

            "Never!" Daisy replied quickly.  "Unless," she added hesitantly, "I was just plain evil."

            "Exactly," Colin said.  "And who do we know who has friends and family that could be classified as 'just plain evil'?"

            The look of understanding that crossed Daisy's face was almost comical.  "Oh," she said in a hushed voice.  "I—I understand now.  But, why?  I mean, why would they care about you going out with…"  Daisy stopped abruptly and flushed.

            "You're going out, Gin?  With who?"

            Ginny spun around as Harry came to a stop beside her chair.  He'd obviously heard part of what Daisy had said, but she couldn't tell how much.

            "Harry!" Ginny said.  "Hey! How are you?" she added lamely. 

            "Ginny, hey, I'm great!" he answered in a teasing voice.  "How are you?  It's been, what?  Like a whole thirty minutes since I talked to you?  How've you been?" 

Ginny looked at Colin and Daisy, but they just looked helplessly back.  Ginny gave Harry a weak smile and said, "Uh, fine!  What's up?  Did you need Colin for something?"

Harry's eyes narrowed behind his glasses.  "You know, someone would think you three were plotting something.  I didn't know I needed a reason to say hi to a friend.  So, what were you guys talking about?  Can I join in?"

Giving them all a slight grin, Harry moved closer, resting his hand on Ginny's shoulder.  Colin opened his mouth, but closed it again.  He couldn't very well tell Harry to unhand Ginny without some sort of explanation.  He gave Ginny a helpless little shrug.  Grimacing inwardly, Ginny shrugged her shoulders and twisted slightly, trying to get Harry to move his hand.  He didn't seem to notice, though.  Instead, he reached for the chair beside Ginny and pulled it out. 

"Uh, Harry, it looks like Ron is waving to you," said Colin. 

Harry looked around.  Sure enough, Ron was standing near the hearth with Hermione, motioning madly for Harry to join them. 

"Bugger," he hissed under his breath.  Looking back at Ginny, Harry gave her shoulder a slight squeeze and said, "Guess I'll talk to you later.  See you, Gin."

All three watched as Harry strode over to Ron and Hermione.  Then Ginny turned around and let out a sigh of relief. 

"Well, that was weird," Ginny said after a moment.  "Do you think he finally noticed that I was a girl?"

"Must have," Colin replied.  "Never seen him look at you like that before."

Daisy clapped her hands together.  "This is so great!  Ginny, I think Harry likes you!"

Both Ginny and Colin gave the girl a strange look.  "And that's great how?" Ginny demanded.  "I think I already told you that I didn't like him anymore.  At least, not like that!"

"Yes, but that was because of Malfoy, right?  I mean, now that Harry's interested, you don't need to be hanging around with Malfoy.  See?"

Ginny looked at Daisy as though the girl had started babbling insanely.  And it seemed she had.  "Daisy, I was over Harry way before I met Draco in Diagon Alley.  It had nothing to do with Harry.  And I can't believe you would think I'd just drop Draco because Harry finally opened his eyes!"

Daisy looked truly perplexed; as though Ginny were some difficult Arithmancy problem that she couldn't quite figure out.  Ginny couldn't help feeling a bit resentful.  If Daisy told her that she'd suddenly fallen in love with Vince Crabbe, Ginny would be shocked, but she would stand behind the girl all the way!  Colin, bless his heart, had understood Ginny from the first, but it seemed Daisy didn't.  It was all right to talk about Draco in the abstract, but when it was for real, the girl seemed unwilling or unable to accept that Ginny really cared for him.  And if Daisy, who was one of the most easy going and accepting girls Ginny knew, was this resistant to the idea of Ginny going out (if you could call sneaking around and meeting in deserted classrooms 'going out') how would Su react?  How would Ron react, for that matter?  Ginny shook her head.

Daisy reached out to take her hand.  "I'm sorry, Ginny.  It's none of my business.  More than anything, I want you to be happy.  If Malfoy does it for you, I guess it's okay with me.  It'll just take some getting used to."

A large smile spread across Ginny's face.  As she leaned over to give Daisy a hug, she murmured, "Thanks, Daisy.  It means a lot to me."

Ginny saw Draco at supper, but they didn't have a chance to talk.  He did, however, manage to end up behind her as the students were filing out of the great hall after the meal.  She felt him touch her hand, and when she turned it over, he slipped a note into her palm.  Their eyes met for a second and Ginny flushed at the intensity of his gaze.  Then he was gone, walking with his teammates and discussing quidditch strategies.  Colin moved to her side and put a companionable arm around her shoulders. 

"If you don't want the entire school to see that goofy grin or see you blushing, you better keep your head down for a few minutes," he advised. 

Ginny took his advice, and took advantage of the confusion surrounding them to read the note.  It was brief and to the point.

'Potions, after classes, Monday.'  That was it.  No 'Dear Ginny', no 'love, Draco', but it was enough.  Ginny crumpled it and shoved it into her pocket. 

When they got back to the common room, Colin complained that he hadn't gotten any of his homework done.  Daisy said that she still had some Transfiguration work to do and asked if Ginny wanted to do their assignments together.  They went upstairs, gathered their books, and met Colin back downstairs.  Taking one of the tables farthest away from the main crowd, they set to work. 

Labelle came in a little later, jumping right on the scroll Ginny had been working on and demanding attention.  Ginny was happy to oblige, scratching, petting and talking to the Kneazle about her day.  Labelle purred happily and sent Ginny images of catching a huge rat.  The images stopped short of the kitten making a meal of the unfortunate creature, and Ginny silently thanked her.  Labelle was a dear, sweet Kneazle, but she was a born hunter and those instincts were getting stronger daily.  If Labelle kept this up, there wouldn't be any rats left in the castle.  At least the kitten understood the difference between pests and pets.  There had been no complaints of anyone's frogs or rats being eaten by the huge feline.

When Labelle had sauntered off to sleep off her meal, Ginny got back to work.  She was just asking Daisy about one of the instructions Professor McGonagall had given them for independent Transfiguring when Su and Dean came over to their table. 

"Hey, guys," said Dean, grinning at them.  "Mind if we join you?"

Daisy and Colin looked from the couple to Ginny, but Ginny was looking at Su.  Su's expression was carefully neutral, as though she didn't care.  Ginny shrugged.  "It's up to you guys," she said, looking at Colin and Daisy.

If she hadn't glanced back at Su, Ginny would have missed the look of disappointment the girl tried to hide.  Impulsively, she scooted to the next seat.  "But you'll have to pull up another chair," she told Dean. 

Su searched Ginny's face, biting her lip.  "Are you sure, Gin?  I understand if you don't want me sitting here."

"Hey," Ginny answered.  "There's always room for friends, right?"

Slipping into the chair, Su reached out and wrapped her arms around Ginny's neck.  "I'm so sorry I acted like such an idiot!"

Ginny accepted the embrace hesitantly, finally hugging back.  She couldn't help wonder if Su would be hugging her if she and Dean hadn't gotten together, but she let it pass.  Like Daisy, she'd missed the companionship the four of them used to share.  Dean pulled up another chair and squeezed in between Su and Colin.  Ginny gave him a small smile, but he was looking past her.

"I'd love to know what those three are on about.  Any ideas, Gin?" he said, nodding toward the hearth.

Ron, Hermione and Harry were once again sitting near the fire, apparently in a deep discussion. 

"Probably Hermione's telling the boys they need to start studying for N. E. W. T.s," Colin mused, watching them.

"No, not that.  Hermione doesn't have any of her book with her," said Dean.  "And they've got that look they get just before something bloody awful happens.  Lord, I'd love to be a fly on the wall over there."

Ginny looked more closely.  Sure enough, Hermione had that worried, 'we're gonna be in so much trouble' frown, while Ron looked nervous and Harry looked determined.  She briefly wondered if Harry had told Ron about what he'd heard earlier, but she doubted it.  First, he couldn't have heard very much or he would have said something.  Second, Ron didn't look ready to commit murder, which Ginny felt certain he would if he thought she was seeing Draco.  Dean was right.  They looked like they were up to something.  Ginny just hoped the something didn't have anything to do with Draco, or that book.

"You know, I think you're right.  I wonder what it is?"

"Gee, Dean, I think Ron needs to go over our next match, don't you?" Colin offered.  "We could just kind of ease over there and maybe catch a bit of the conversation."

"Colin!" Daisy cried.  "You can't eavesdrop on them!"

Looking around the room, Colin observed, "No eaves in here, Dais.  Besides, I want to make sure they aren't discussing that thing they were discussing when we heard them at lunch a while back."

Dean looked interested and Ginny realized, a little surprised, that Su hadn't told Dean about the book and Draco and the library. 

"What 'other thing'?" asked Dean.  "Something interesting?"

"Um, you probably wouldn't think so," Su said quickly.  "Just something us four were discussing a few weeks ago.  But I think Colin is right.  Maybe you two should head over there and see what's going on."

Both boys rose, and after giving Su a sly wink, Dean started talking quidditch to Colin, moving slowly toward the fireplace.  They advanced on the trio casually, not appearing to notice the three wrapped up in a serious discussion.  Keeping the stream of light conversation going, the two boys got to within five feet of the trio before Hermione noticed them and suddenly went silent.  Ron and Harry looked at her, concerned, but Ginny could see her signaling with her eyes that they weren't alone any more.  Ron looked around, standing when he saw two of his teammates.  They spoke for a few minutes, and then Dean and Colin headed back to their table. 

Hermione was looking carefully about, but Ginny was taken by surprise when the older girl's eyes met hers.  Hermione frowned, her brow wrinkled.  Then she looked back at Ron and Harry and stood.  She spoke briefly with them and left, heading for the portal and out. 

"Damn," Ginny said quietly.  "I think Hermione's onto us."

"Well, that's fine, because I don't think your brother bought our excuse," Dean answered as he and Colin took their seats.  He looked a little shaken.  "He sounded mighty suspicious."

"Did you hear anything?" Su asked.

Colin shrugged.  "Nothing we could really understand.  Something about the blood of You-Know-Who's chosen one.  It didn't really make much sense, but they seemed worried as hell.  Hey, look!"

Ron and Harry were stealthily making their way to the exit, looking around to make sure no one was watching.  Ginny turned quickly when they looked her way, noting that the others made a big show of looking at Daisy's Transfiguration homework. 

When they were gone, Ginny said, "Well, that was stupid.  If they'd just walked out, we probably wouldn't have noticed.  Not really very good sneaks, are they?"

"Yeah, but I wonder where they went?" said Daisy.  "It'll be curfew soon."

"Probably to Hermione's room to finish their discussion.  The blood of Voldemort's chosen?"

The others cringed as Ginny said the name.  She didn't like saying it, either, but she had spent lots of time trying to erase, or at least make bearable, the memory of her first year and Tom Riddle's diary.  One of the things she'd done to get over her fear was to practice saying the dark lord's name until she'd lost her dread of it.  Now she found it a relief to be able to say the hated name without flinching.

"Wonder what that means?" Colin said after a moment.

Ginny shivered.  Whatever it meant, it couldn't be good.

"Miss Weasley!  How much of the class's valuable time are you going to waste dithering over the ingredients?"

Ginny cringed as Snape towered over her, his look venomous, his attitude menacing in the extreme.  She wasn't sure what she'd done to invoke his wrath, but he'd been after her for the entire period.  He'd asked for someone to write down, from memory, the ingredients for a restorative potion.  No one had volunteered, so he'd chosen her.  And now, standing at the chalkboard, with the Hufflepuffs, especially the Williams girl and her mates, tittering and laughing, Ginny couldn't remember any more of the ingredients for the 'Pepper-upper' potion. 

"I, uh, think that's it, Professor," Ginny said finally, noting with a frown that Labelle didn't seem disturbed in the least that Snape was raking her over the coals right now.  In fact, the kitten was sitting in the middle of Snape's desk, carefully grooming her claws.  Traitor, she thought as the Potions professor dismissed her with an angry wave of his hand. 

Labelle looked up and gave a plaintive meow, causing Ginny to immediately apologize.  Sorry, love, she told the kitten.  Snape's just being a git, is all.  Labelle settled back on the desk, satisfied.  Snape's behavior was a bit surprising, though, because Ginny was one of the better students, and she was usually on whatever passed as Snape's good side. 

"If this is all you can remember of a simple 'Pepper-upper' potion, Miss Weasley," Snape ranted as she took her seat, "then my sympathy goes out to your victims."

He proceeded to add a few more ingredients to the list, stating their properties and why they were included.  "If we had brewed a potion of just Miss Weasley's ingredients, the patient would have been pepped up indeed; right before his heart exploded and all his internal organs spontaneously combusted.  Five points from Gryffindor for Miss Weasley's lack of knowledge, and another five points because none of her classmates bothered to give her the correct answers!  AND," he added with a malicious smile, "detention, Miss Weasley, so you can brew the correct potion for the infirmary!"

Ginny almost jumped from her seat, but she stopped herself as Labelle sent her a very clear image of Draco washing cauldrons.  She closed the mouth that had dropped open at Snape's unfair treatment and settled back.

"That wanker!" Colin hissed in her ear.  "Who shoved a poker up his—,"

"Never mind," Ginny said quickly. "Let's not get any more points taken."

Daisy and Su were equally indignant but Ginny shushed them.  Draco had asked her to meet him here anyway, and now she didn't need an excuse to get Su and Daisy to leave without her.  She had no illusions that Snape had arranged the detention so she could meet Draco.  There was something wrong, and Snape seemed to be taking it out on her.  The remainder of the class passed slowly, with Snape taking another five points from Gryffindor and ten points from Hufflepuff.  Finally the bell rang and Snape dismissed the class with more irritation than normal. 

Ginny's friends wished her luck and Colin said he would come down later to walk her back to Gryffindor.  Ginny said all right.  Even if she did meet Draco, he wouldn't be able to escort her.

When everyone else was gone, Ginny slowly approached Snape's desk, for the first time in years truly dreading speaking to the man.  Snape was staring at a sheet of parchment on his desk, absently stroking Labelle's back.  He didn't even seem to notice her.  Ginny cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry, Professor, for not knowing all the ingredients—," she began.

He looked up and Ginny stepped back.  The man looked old.  Old and weary of life.  His eyes were tired, and his body slumped in a way she'd never seen.  Professor Snape always held himself stiffly; upright and straight.  Now, his shoulders were bowed, and his body drooped in the chair. 

"It doesn't matter, Miss Weasley," he said in a tired voice, scrubbing at his prematurely lined face.  "I know you're capable of better, and I'm actually surprised you did as well as you did, given I was hovering over you like an old vulture.  Obviously that is not why I gave you detention.  Please sit down."

Ginny sat, perched again on the chair next to his desk.  Labelle strolled over and planted herself in Ginny's lap.  Snape watched, some of the care in his face seeming to disappear.

"May I say again that you are blessed in your friends, Miss Weasley?" Snape said.  "I understand that in addition to my quidditch team captain, you've added my prefect to the rolls of your protectors.  Unfortunately, it seems you'll need protectors.  I understand there is more to Marcus Flint's interest in you than that of a healthy male for an attractive female."

It wasn't a question, but Ginny had the feeling that he was waiting for a comment from her.  "I wouldn't know why, sir," Ginny said, uncomfortable.  "I've never done anything to try to attract his attention."

"I'm certain you haven't, Miss Weasley.  Sadly, in the case of men like Marcus Flint, it isn't necessary to try to attract their attention.  By now, you've no doubt heard of Mr. Flint's unusual punishment while he was still a student here?"

"Well, I heard something about it.  Saturday when my brother George was here, he saw Flint sitting at the Slytherin table and mentioned it."

Snape looked mildly surprised, but he let it pass.  "So you realize that he probably carries a rather large grudge against your brother Percy.  He also has a certain 'reputation' with regards to females.  A rather unsavory one, at that."

Ginny suppressed a shudder.  "Yes, sir, I did get that impression."

Nodding, Snape said, "Then I'm sure you'll understand that I am going to recommend to your head of house that you not be allowed to participate in the Hogsmeade visit?  And I'll strongly recommend that she contact your parents and have them bring you home at the holidays?"

"What!?"  Ginny jumped up, dislodging Labelle, who landed on her feet but hissed in alarm.  "But, sir!  That's…uh, yes, sir."

Snape had stood as well and looked ready to make a scathing reply, but at her sudden capitulation he eyed her suspiciously. 

"I know, Miss Weasley, that you're not thinking about stealing a certain invisibility cloak and sneaking into the village, are you?  If I suspected that, I would be forced to give you detention for the day."

Ginny hadn't given Harry's cloak a thought.  She had realized that if she was forbidden to go into Hogsmeade, she would have the perfect excuse to meet Draco somewhere in the castle.  She didn't say that, though.  She merely sat again and said, "Of course not, sir.  Where would I get an invisibility cloak, anyway?"

Now Snape looked even more suspiciously at her, a ghost of a smile touching his mouth.  "Miss Weasley, I believe you would have made an admirable addition to Slytherin.  And there is enough Gryffindor in you that I shall believe you if you promise not to attempt to sneak into Hogsmeade.  Are we understood?"

Ginny couldn't help answering that whisper of a smile.  "Yes, sir, I think so."

Snape sat.

"But…"

"But what?"  He seemed to have recovered his foul mood and nearly glared at her. 

"The holidays, sir.  My parents already had plans to visit my brother Bill in Brazil, where he's working now.  I doubt they can change their plans.  And I don't understand why it would be better to be home, than here.  Hogwarts is one of the safest places in the world, isn't it?"

Snape sighed and slumped back into his chair again.  "Many people make the mistake of thinking of Hogwarts as a bastion of safety.  It is almost impervious to magical attack as long as the witches and wizards inside are willing to defend it.  However, it is only a building, and it is not resistant to treachery.  An attack by a student or students or even teachers authorized to be here, from within, would be simple to accomplish.  The abduction of one young girl, especially one who has a tendency to wander about without escort, would be only too easy."

Ginny flushed.  "But I always have Labelle with me.  She wouldn't let anything happen to me.  She'd go get Colin or Dr—Malfoy."

"Tell me, Miss Weasley, what do you suspect would have happened if Julius Flint and Augustus Le Strange had gotten to you before Zabini had?"

Ginny looked nervously at her clasped hands and jumped slightly when Labelle bumped against her leg.  "I'm not sure, sir.  But what could they have done?  I mean, we were in the middle of the school."

Shaking his head, Snape gave her an angry look.  "You better than most others know that this castle is riddled with secret passages and hidden doors. There are more ways in and out than even Filch or the headmaster know of.  Even your brothers hadn't found the half of them."

"Oh," Ginny said quietly.  When he said it like that, Ginny could easily imagine two boys, both of whom were bigger than her, being able to wrestle her into a hidden passage.  Once there, they could easily knock her out and make off with her.  "But why?  That's what I don't understand.  Why would Flint want me in the first place?"

Snape stood and began pacing, his hands clasped behind his back and his robes flowing behind him.  "You're head of house should be the one having this discussion with you, but neither I nor the Headmaster can seem to make her see that.  She seems to feel that keeping you ignorant of the facts will protect you."  He shook his head at the apparent obtuseness of Ginny's head of house.  "This could be a little embarrassing, Miss Weasley, and I had rather not discuss it with a sixteen-year-old girl.  But if it causes you to think twice before putting yourself in danger, it is well worth it."

He turned back to her and sat again.  He paused before he spoke, though, when the classroom door opened.  Making an irritated sound, Snape glanced over her shoulder.  He rolled his eyes and Ginny couldn't help turning to look.  Draco had entered the room, but was standing indecisively near the door. 

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Mr. Malfoy.  Come in.  I'm sure you're not here to make up your unserved detention, since you made no attempt to do so last week.  And I'm sure Miss Weasley would feel better for your company."

Draco hurried to Ginny's side, taking in her worried expression and Snape's serious one.  He stood beside her, one hand resting lightly on the back of her chair. 

"Is everything all right?" he asked, his voice neutral. 

Ginny looked up gratefully at him.  She felt much better having him here.  Snape nearly snarled as she took his hand.  Or maybe he was snarling because Draco didn't snatch his away.

"Good God!" he said.  "Spare me these melodramatic teenage displays.  Mr. Malfoy, either sit at a desk or get another chair.  I'm not going to hurt Miss Weasley, so you have no need to loom protectively over her."

Draco narrowed his eyes, but moved to drag another chair up to the Professor's desk.  When he was seated, with Ginny's hand firmly in his, he said, "What's this about, Professor?  What's the little weasel done?  Is she in trouble?"

Smirking, Snape said, "You would know that better than anyone else, wouldn't you, Mr. Malfoy?  I was apprising Miss Weasley of the benefits of remaining in the castle instead of going to Hogsmeade and of returning home for the holidays since there will be so few people about, whether Professor McGonagall agrees or not."

Draco nodded at this.  "He's right," he told Ginny.

"I understand the reasoning," Ginny said, her voice tight.  "But I still don't understand what in the world Flint wants with me in particular.  That's what Professor Snape was about to explain."

"Ah," Draco said, his voice now irritatingly superior.  "This should be interesting."

Draco was nearly gloating as he looked at his head of house.  Snape glared at the boy, and then sighed again.

"Miss Weasley, I know you understand the uses of blood in certain dark spells.  The blood of a parent, blood of a lover, blood of a child.  Taking the blood of a mortal enemy can give a person strength over that enemy.  You do understand this, right?"

Ginny didn't like where this was going.  She nodded.  "Y-yes, sir.  I understand how important it can be."

"Well, there's another type of blood that has very potent ceremonial effects.  It can give power over the victim's family, it can cleanse a perceived taint in the user, or it can bind the victim to the spell caster.  I'm talking about the blood of a virgin.  Taking you, and using your blood could give Flint extraordinary power against your family."

Snape lapsed into silence while Ginny's face burned with embarrassment.  Even without the sinister connotations, there was just something wrong about discussing the state of her sexual experience with her teacher.  She didn't know where to look; Snape was looking at his hands and Draco was staring intently at her.  Ginny finally settled on stroking Labelle, who had jumped into her lap again. 

"I—assume you don't mean abduct when you say 'take', right?  I mean, you're not talking about him kidnapping me and slitting my wrist or my throat?"

Draco shifted closer as Ginny shivered.  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, earning a surprised look from Snape.  The man then gave Ginny the closest thing to a kind look that he seemed capable of. 

"No, Miss Weasley.  I do not mean abduct, and I do not mean the blood from your veins.  This is the reason I shall strongly recommend that you be returned to your home for the holidays and that you refrain from going anywhere without your friends."

"I understand," Ginny said with a slight tremor in her voice.  "But, why me?  Is it because Percy was the one to get Flint in trouble?"

"As I mentioned earlier, that is probably part of it," Snape agreed.

"I think it's partially my fault, too, little weasel," Draco said quietly.  He gave Snape an odd look and continued.  "Flint hates me.  He always has.  He seemed to think my father should have treated him better, with more respect.  My father ridiculed him when Slytherin couldn't win the Quidditch House Cup and made him look a fool more often than not. I was the one who dragged you away from him in Knockturn Alley, and when I took you from him in Hogsmeade, it was just one more blow to his pride.  He may be an ugly git, but he's not stupid.  He must know I care about you more than I'm letting on."

"And you are the only daughter, a virgin daughter, of a very old and respected pure-blooded family," Snape pointed out, his own pale cheeks now flushed with mortification.  "That only makes you a more valuable target.  He could gain enormous power and ingratiate himself with the dark lord in one move."

Ginny still felt uncomfortable talking about virginity in front of Snape.  It was humiliating.  But all this talk of blood reminded her of something.  She frowned.

"There's no way Voldemort could have chosen me, is there?  I mean, what does he care about the Weasley family?"

"I think you underestimate your father's importance," Snape chided.  "But I would say that it is doubtful that the dark lord has anything to do with this, other than Flint's desire to look better in his eyes.  Why do you ask?"

Ginny shook her head.  "I'm not certain.  Something I overheard."  She wasn't sure whether she should repeat what Colin and Dean had heard or not.  She would rather have known more about what they were saying first. 

"Miss Weasley, we, the Headmaster, Professor McGonagall and I, cannot help if you are not--,"

"Angel, it might be important," Draco interrupted.  "If it's about Flint or Voldemort, tell me!"

Ginny looked at both of them, seeing only concern.  Finally she explained about the partial conversation Dean and Colin had heard the night before and what Dean and Ginny observed concerning Ron and his friends' behavior. 

"God, you Gryffindors are a sneaky lot," Draco said with a hint of respect in his voice.  "And everyone thinks you're all so saintly.  Except me, of course.  I know just exactly how manipulative you can be."

"If that is your idea of courting Miss Weasley, it is little wonder she wouldn't succumb to your questionable charms, Mr. Malfoy.  Now, are you certain they said the 'blood of Voldemort's chosen one'?"

Ginny nodded.  "Of course, I didn't hear it myself, but that was what both Dean and Colin said.  We, that is, Colin and I, are going to try to get more information tonight, but if they think we're listening in, they'll just clam up or go to Hermione's room to talk."

She paused, then asked, "Sir, did you ever hear the details about the Chamber of Secrets being opened?"

Snape gave her a long look.  "Is that something you really wish to discuss right now, Miss Weasley?"

Draco frowned at them.  "What about the Chamber?  What does it have to do with what's going on now?"

"Probably nothing, but I just want to make sure there's no connection.  I mean, what if the person who opened the Chamber was the one chosen by Voldemort?  Is that possible?"

Snape looked down at his hands and Draco stared at Ginny.  "Do you know who opened the Chamber, little weasel?  I mean, we've been trying to figure that out for years.  I always wondered why Slytherin's heir never came to anyone in Slytherin asking for help.  And to be honest, at the time, I would have been more than happy to help."

Before she could answer, Snape said, "It was my understanding that the person who opened the Chamber happened on the information quite by accident.  It could have been any one of a number of people who could have accessed that information.  I seriously doubt that there could be any connection, since the person in question has no Slytherin blood at all."

Ginny could almost have wept with relief.  It was one thing to have a sociopathic sexual predator stalking her.  Having the dark lord out for her blood was another matter entirely.  When she didn't answer, Draco asked again, "You know who opened the Chamber?"

"Let it go for now, Mr. Malfoy," Snape advised.  "I believe you have more than enough to concern yourself with.  Now, Miss Weasley, I'm off to speak with your head of house.  Mr. Malfoy, those cauldrons aren't going to clean themselves.  And, don't forget the potion, Miss Weasley.  Three full batches, I think, should get us through the cold season."

With that, the Potions master straightened to his full height.  Ginny could have sworn there was now a small glint of humor in his expression, but she thought she must be mistaken.  Without another word, Snape strode from the classroom, leaving the students to stare after him.

Draco was the first to move.  He stood and grasped Ginny by the shoulders.

"What was all that about the Chamber?  What do you know about it?"

Ginny refused to meet his eyes.  She'd almost forgotten that it was his father who had planted Tom Riddle's diary in her schoolbooks when she'd been a stupid, innocent first year student.  There was no way she could prove it.  It had taken her longer to piece the thing together than it had Harry, but she had cornered him a few years ago and had told him her fears.  He'd agreed with her and had said that the Headmaster believed Lucius Malfoy responsible, too.  But she didn't fancy the idea of accusing Draco's father without more evidence than her suspicions.  And Draco would certainly not be happy that Harry suspected the same thing. 

"Can't we just let it go for now?" she asked unhappily.  Taking his hand, she said, "There are a lot of things I'd rather be doing than dredging up ancient history."

Draco studied her face for a second, obviously angry.  He pulled his hand from hers and snapped, "Oh, I see how it is.  I'm supposed to tell you everything; I'm supposed to trust you completely, but you don't trust me enough to tell me about something that happened years ago?"

Ginny stood and pushed past him.  "It has nothing to do with trust!  It just…it hurts to talk about it, all right?"

She stood with her back to him, arms crossed tightly over her chest, hugging herself.  He didn't say anything and the silence between them stretched uncomfortably.  Ginny couldn't stand it, but she didn't know what else to say.  Just when she thought she couldn't take the silence anymore, Draco wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Oh, God," he said, his voice a harsh whisper.  "You opened the Chamber?  But, how?"

She trembled and he pulled her tight against him, rocking her gently in his arms.  Ginny leaned back, relaxing a little.  How had he figured out that it had been her? she wondered.  And how would she ever explain everything without revealing not only how she thought she came on Tom Riddle's diary in the first place, but how pathetically stupid she'd been as a first year.  She was afraid that she might just burst into tears or hysterical laughter if she opened her mouth right now.  Draco seemed to understand.  He didn't ask again.  He merely continued to rock her in his arms.