A/N: Took forever to write, but at least it's longer than the last chapter. Thanks again to everyone who still checks for updates, and I will try very hard to update Aflame and Courtship of Peregrine Took soon. K
Chapter 17
"Lucius Malfoy was here?"
The words were barely a whisper, but since Colin was sitting right next to Ginny, he heard them clearly. Labelle jumped up and hissed at nothing in particular, obviously feeling the girl's agitation.
Colin nodded.
"What could he have wanted," Ginny murmured, more to herself than to her companion. Then she looked Colin in the eyes. "What did Draco say about it after his father left?"
Colin looked down and scratched nervously at the back of his neck. "See, Gin, that's the problem. I don't know what he said about it..."
Ginny jumped into the short pause. "Well, didn't he talk to Blaise after? I can't believe you two didn't ask him! What--,"
"That's what I'm trying to tell you!" he interrupted. "We didn't get a chance to talk to him because his father took him with him! They left almost immediately."
Ginny stared at Colin with her mouth open in surprise. "You mean Draco went home for the holidays? But I thought…wasn't he supposed to stay here?"
Sighing, Colin nodded dismally. "Yes, he was. Blaise said he'd told his folks that he was going to stay here and study. That was about a month ago and his folks agreed that he could stay. But then his father came and got him, Blaise says without any warning. And his dad didn't look very happy, either. Blaise and I were watching from the stairway." Colin grimaced and added, "Of course the man never looks very happy unless he's making money or getting the better of someone, but he looked even worse then. Like he was thinking about murder."
Ginny felt her stomach tighten. She knew that Draco had planned to stay the hols. He'd told her as much, and it had relieved her. Although Ginny would never tell him, she felt that the less time he spent around his father and the other Death Eaters, the less likely he was to be influenced by them. Lucius Malfoy coming to take his son home couldn't be a good thing. Labelle stretched up to nuzzle the girl comfortingly and Ginny stroked her soft fur, trying to stifle her worry. Biting her lip, she said, "I don't suppose he wrote. No, he wouldn't. But I wonder…"
Looking at the Kneazle, Ginny cocked her head to one side. "Can you hear Draco from here, love?" she asked softly.
Colin sat forward a bit, now watching the Kneazle intently.
"I never thought of asking her," he admitted. "I wonder if distance matters."
"Well, we better find out," Ginny said, now sounding more confident. "Because if I have to sit here and wait to find out what's going on, I'll go mad!"
She ignored Colin when he muttered something about her already being there and concentrated hard on the Kneazle.
"Labelle, can you try to hear him?"
The Kneazle made an affirmative sound, but before she could do more than get comfortable on Ginny's lap, Colin reached over. He gripped Ginny's wrist, causing her to look up. Ron, Hermione and Harry had just entered the common room, looking grim and talking quietly.
"Never mind, Labelle," she whispered. "We'll try later."
Labelle meowed and hopped down to go rub noses with Crookshanks, who strutted in behind Hermione. Ginny frowned, then looked at Colin.
"Since when has she been on such good terms with Crookshanks? I thought they barely tolerated each other."
Colin shrugged. "I think she's trying to pump the cat for information," he said. "Labelle always makes nice with him when the three of them have been together. Unfortunately, I can't understand what she's trying to tell me when she comes back."
Ginny made a mental note to pump Labelle for information as soon as possible. Meanwhile, both she and Colin watched as the trio made their way toward the hearth, their heads bent together close together. Ginny glanced down and saw Crookshanks shake his heavy body and saunter away, while Labelle trotted back toward the couch.
"Ginny! You're back!"
Ron had just noticed her and was now hurrying over. He grabbed her hands and dragged her up from the couch to wrap her in a giant bear hug.
"Look at my little sister!" he said loudly as he spun her around. "All suntanned and peeling nosed! You know, there're spells to prevent that, and if you weren't such a twit, you would have remembered."
He laughed as he set her back on the ground. She swiped at him playfully, but he stepped back quickly. Then he took a really good look at her.
"You look good, Gin. Rested; relaxed."
His look was searching and Ginny had difficulty meeting his eyes. She knew what he was saying. Before she'd left, Ron had expressed his concern on how stressed Ginny was looking. In his opinion, the strain of having Draco Malfoy for a boyfriend was something she didn't need. Just because he'd given his tentative approval didn't mean he liked it. If he thought the stress was too much for her, he would probably interfere. There was no denying that it was indeed stressful, but to Ginny the stress was worth it. So instead of bristling at Ron's concern, she smiled at him, took his hand and pulled him with her to the couch.
"Come and sit with me," she said. "I'll tell you all about my holiday and then you can make me feel guilty that I got to go somewhere lovely and warm."
Colin had moved over to give Ron space, but when Harry came to sit with them, he said, "Sorry, Harry, but there's no room. Maybe you can take the chair?"
They spent the next half hour catching up. Once Ron learned that Ginny had bought him a present, he tried shamelessly to get her to tell him what it was. He even tried blackmail.
"C'mon, Gin, you got to spend two weeks in Brazil and I was stuck here. Don't you think I deserve to know what you got me?"
Ginny grinned. "Tell you what," she answered. "When you tell me what you and Hermione and Harry are doing sneaking about and talking in whispers, I'll tell you about your present."
Ron's smile froze as he darted a glance around the room. Harry had taken a nearby chair, but since Ginny chose to speak quietly and only to her brother, Harry finally gave up and went to sit with Hermione. But Colin was still sitting with them, quietly listening and attempting to appear invisible. When Ron's eyes rested on the younger boy, he clamped his mouth closed.
"Yeah, well, it was worth a try," Ginny said, still amused. "Next you'll be telling me that you aren't sneaking around and it's my imagination that you three were just now plotting something that's bound to be against the rules."
Ron's mouth opened, but he closed it on the obvious denials he'd been about to utter. Instead, he grinned nervously.
"Are we really that obvious? I honestly thought we were being rather clever at not attracting attention."
Ginny giggled. "Ah, Ron, you poor, deluded soul. This is me you're talking to, not some stranger. Remember, I've been watching you three get into trouble for years! But it's just not fair."
"What's not fair?"
"Well," Ginny answered with a huff, "you'll find out your present when my things get here tomorrow, but I'll have to sneak around and eavesdrop to find out what you three are up to. It's just not fair!"
Ron looked shocked, but Colin chuckled quietly. "Gin, you can't…"
He stopped suddenly. Ginny knew what he would have said if Harry and Hermione didn't choose that moment to approach. But they did, so Ginny was spared Ron's horrified pleadings for her to not meddle in their business.
"Welcome back, Ginny," Hermione said with a smile. "I figured you two had enough time to catch up, and I wanted to say hi."
"Me, too," Harry said. "It's good to see you back."
Ginny gave Harry a cautious look, but he seemed to be in 'normal' mode right now. Ron cleared his throat, still giving Ginny uncomfortable looks. Apparently he wasn't going to share that his sister had been asking about their activities; at least not yet. As the two pulled a couple of chairs closer, Ginny found herself relating, for a third time, her adventures in Brazil.
"Well, it is nice to have you back, Gin," Su was saying a while later. "There are some odd things happening, and I don't just mean having that boy's dad drag him away."
The four friends were sitting together again, with Labelle lolled lazily across Ginny's feet. Ron, Harry and Hermione had finally gone off to their own table. Even though Harry hadn't done anything strange, Ginny was relieved to have him gone. She knew Draco didn't like her talking to him, and she just wasn't comfortable around him anymore anyway.
They would be heading to supper soon, but for now they were content to stay right here. Su and Daisy already knew about Lucius Malfoy's visit. From the way they talked, it seemed that the entire castle knew of it. Ginny frowned.
"What do you mean, Su? Are you talking about Ron and them sneaking around? Or is there something else?"
"Tell her about that prefect!" Daisy said quickly. "I think he's got it in for Colin!"
Ginny raised her eyebrows and looked at Colin. "Colin, have you been getting in trouble? You've always been a by-the-book sort. Which prefect are they talking about?"
Colin's cheeks pinkened at her mock-shocked tone, but he shook his head. "I don't know what they're on about," he insisted. "It's just been a few misunderstandings, that's all."
"I don't know how you can call it a misunderstanding!" Daisy said, her eyes flashing in anger.
Now Ginny was genuinely shocked. It wasn't often that Daisy got angry, but she was seething with indignation right now. Ginny wondered briefly what on earth had gotten into the usually placid girl when she remembered that Daisy was now going out with Colin's brother. Of course she would be upset for her boyfriend's brother. Ginny grinned; she couldn't help it. Daisy's anger was understandable, but so very funny at the same time.
"It's that Zabini gorilla," she now informed Ginny, ignoring her amused grin. "He singles Colin out in the middle of the corridor just to tell him he's on to our 'Gryffindor tricks' or that he'll have Colin in detention if he can't learn to wear his robes correctly. Honestly, I'd swear he was picking on Colin because he's muggle-born, but he never says a word to Hermione or Dennis or any of the others! He's out to get him!"
Ginny had a hard time not laughing outright. How very clever of Blaise to find a way to talk to Colin in front of the whole school without anyone being the wiser. She would bet that he'd found a way to get Colin away from Daisy and Su, as well. And she would certainly bet every knut she had that Blaise was indeed out to get Colin, but not the way Daisy meant. Instead of laughing, she bit the inside of her cheek until the urge to laugh died. Then she turned a concerned look on Colin.
"Is he really? Have you complained about him? Maybe we can get him kicked out of school!"
Colin narrowed his eyes at her. "I said it's nothing," he insisted. "I don't know why you're going on about this, Daisy. It's not like I can't take care of myself. Anyway, I doubt that's what Su meant when she said odd things were happening."
Daisy didn't look convinced, but she backed down a little, giving Ginny a chance to repeat her first question.
"So, what do you mean, Su? What odd things?"
"Well," she said. "You know those two Slytherin boys? The fifth year boys who chased you on the stairs?"
Ginny nodded, feeling a chill crawl down her back.
"It seems like they've been following us around. They don't do anything except watch us. That Flint boy is the worst, but they're both pretty bad."
Daisy made an affirmative noise and added, "I was talking to one of our fifth year girls and she says those boys have always been awful. They talk back to the professors and make lewd comments to the girls and once they were caught trying to sneak into the restricted book section of the library."
The girl frowned thoughtfully. "I wonder…" she said softly, then became very quiet.
"Daisy?"
"You wonder what?"
Colin and Ginny had both spoken at the same time. Daisy's frown deepened as she looked up at them. She leaned forward and spoke quietly.
"Well," she said hesitantly. "You know that--thing that that boy was supposed have taken from the library?"
That simple question had all three of the others leaning forward, Ginny looking around anxiously.
"What about it?"
"Do you suppose…I mean, you said he didn't take it and I believe you, so I was wondering if maybe those boys actually took it?"
Although Ginny knew for a fact that they hadn't taken it, she appeared to consider it. She never told Daisy and Su about Draco transfiguring the book. She didn't remember telling Colin, either, but she wouldn't have been surprised if he guessed that Draco had had something to do with the book's disappearance. Especially since he was shooting her questioning looks. He didn't ask about it, though.
"I don't think so," Colin said finally, shaking his head. "From what I heard, certain people wanted the book really badly and I don't think they got it. If those two got their hands on it, they'd probably turn it over immediately."
Ginny shivered, remembering what Draco said about the book. "We should probably be thankful," she added. "They sound like they're bad enough without having some quick guide to world domination giving them more ideas."
The others nodded in agreement, but Su plucked thoughtfully at her lip. "They've got a lot bolder now, you know. I'll bet they've been following us to see when you get back, Ginny. At least, I wouldn't be surprised. I just wish I knew why."
Ginny felt her cheeks grow warm but it was Colin who answered the unspoken question. "Well, you remember what Ginny's brother said that morning? About Marcus Flint wanting to get even with Percy Weasley for getting him in trouble?"
Even though Ginny and Su were still barely speaking to each other at the time of the Alumni Weekend, Daisy and Su had both heard George's story about Percy finding Flint accosting a younger girl and the unusual punishment Flint had been given. Both of the girls nodded and Colin went on.
"Well, then, look at it this way. Flint is mad at Percy, right? So if he wants revenge, who in all Percy's family would seem the most vulnerable? Ginny, right?"
This time only Daisy nodded. Su looked from Ginny to Colin suspiciously.
Ginny jumped into the short pause before Su could respond. "That's right! I mean, didn't he try to—well, I'm not sure what he was trying to do in Hogsmeade, but attacking a younger girl fits what we know about him, right? So why not get his kicks and get even with an old enemy at the same time?"
"Yeah, that does make sense," Daisy said quietly.
"Oh, yeah," Su snapped sarcastically. "That makes lots of sense. First he tries to attack you in Hogsmeade just because you happen to be alone. That's fine, but when he can't, he sends his brother to do it? Try another one, you two, but don't insult our intelligence! And then, if you can manage, maybe you'll tell us what's really going on."
Daisy's expression was confused, but Su just stared at Ginny. Flushing guiltily, Ginny looked down at her hands.
"I'm –"
She got no further. Labelle jumped up on her lap at that moment and began to yowl loudly in Ginny's face.
"Not now, Labelle!"
Su crossed her arms and gave the feline a disgusted look, adding, "She acts like we've been starving her! She started making that kind of fuss after you left, Gin just before supper. But if I didn't know better, I'd swear she was trying to get you off the hook here."
Ginny couldn't help smiling. She was actually looking for some way out of explaining the whole 'virgin blood' thing, especially when she'd have to tell her friends who it was who had warned her. Labelle had obviously picked up on her distress and had come to the rescue once again. But she knew she'd have to give her friends some sort of explanation. At least she wouldn't have to do it on an empty stomach.
"Let's call it a temporary reprieve, then, all right?"
Nodding, Su said, "Very temporary. You have some talking to do after supper!"
The four joined the general crowd heading for the great hall a few minutes later, but before they got very far, Su and Dean slipped off on their own and after saying hi to Ginny, Dennis claimed Daisy's attention.
Ginny raised her eyebrows at how quickly she and Colin had been abandoned.
"Do that often, do they?" she asked with a smile.
"Every night. I was starting to feel like a leper or something. At least now we can keep each other company."
"Yeah, at least until that gorilla of a prefect comes to drag you off to some fake detention, right?"
They were trailing behind most of the rest of the Gryffindor students and heading downstairs toward the great hall. Ginny had glanced around but hadn't seen anyone near enough to hear them as she teased her friend. That made the sudden deep voice right behind them all the more startling.
"Fake detention, Weasley? I'll have you know that I never drag Creevey away for anything fake. It's always very real."
Ginny spun to see Blaise standing behind them with a superior smirk on his face. Her cheeks burned as she read all kinds of meanings into his words, but she smiled to see that Colin's cheeks were red as well. When he suddenly coughed and scowled, though, Ginny remembered that they weren't really alone.
She wiped the smile from her face and said, "What do you want, Zabini? We weren't doing anything."
If possible, Blaise' smirk grew wider. "That is exactly the point, Weasley," he said, this time speaking loudly. "You weren't doing anything except polluting the corridors with your presence."
The three had stopped, allowing the stragglers, mostly first years, to pass them, watching with interest, obviously ready to spread the word that Colin was getting in trouble again. When a few of them seemed prepared to stand and watch Blaise sent them a look that had them scurrying off down the stairs.
Then it was the three of them, alone on the landing. Ginny's mouth quivered as she tried not to laugh. She'd read the phrase 'scurrying off' before, but she'd always thought that humans didn't actually 'scurry'. That was before today. Turning to Blaise, she was about to commend him on his ability to clear a room when she found him frowning at her.
"What?" she asked, wondering how she'd got on his bad side when she'd just got back.
"Gorilla?"
His expression became so pained that Ginny gave in and started chuckling. "Honestly, that wasn't my word," she declared. "I was just repeating what Daisy said! I swear!"
Blaise looked blankly to Colin, who was also struggling with his laughter. "The frightened doe," he explained.
"Ah," Blaise said with another smirk. "Your brother's girlfriend. Perhaps I should instruct her on the difference between human males and our hairy distant cousins."
Colin laughed quietly, but shook his head. "I think you'd probably only convince her that you're a beast. So what are you doing up here?"
Ginny watched them, noticing that they seemed much more comfortable with the other than they had before she left. She supposed that they must have spent much of their time together these last two weeks, even if they'd had to sneak around and lie and make up awful stories about Colin serving detention. She smiled fondly at them until Blaise leaned down and gave Colin a brief kiss.
Looking around quickly, Ginny cleared her throat.
"We--or you two should probably find somewhere private if you're going to be doing that!" she said quietly.
"I'd love to, but there's no time, really," Blaise assured her, stepping away from Colin's side. "I shouldn't be here, but I wanted to see Colin at least once today."
He gave Ginny a look that was at once embarrassed and defiant, as though challenging her to comment. When she didn't say anything, he shrugged and looked at Colin. "You didn't meet me after quidditch practice. It didn't take much imagination to figure out that Ginny must have returned."
Colin slapped his forehead and began to apologize but Blaise waved it away.
"I understand," he said simply before he turned back to Ginny, smiling. "You look good, except for the peeling nose. I suppose even that could be endearing to the right person."
Ginny grinned, but then bit her lip. The smile left Blaise' face suddenly.
"I take it you've heard already, then?"
"I told her," Colin confirmed.
"Did he say anything to you?" Ginny asked, placing a hand on Blaise' arm.
The look on her face was almost pleading, but Blaise shook his head.
"He only had time to pack a small bag before he was whisked away. His father actually accompanied him into the common room. He didn't even look at me."
Blaise sighed. "I've heard rumors, through my family, that something is going on. They're planning something, but no one knows exactly what."
Neither Ginny nor Colin needed Blaise to elaborate on exactly whom he meant by 'they'. Colin started to respond, but he was cut off.
"I've already told Colin that he wasn't to take any chances, and that goes for you, as well. There are some students here who are in league with--well, you know what I'm saying. And they're young. I'm sure we can all think of a few of the younger students here who wouldn't think twice about helping an attack on the castle or its inhabitants. So you will be very careful, especially when Malfoy isn't about to watch you. Understand?"
Ginny nodded slowly, feeling a chill dart down her spine. Two weeks in Brazil had been lovely, but she'd almost forgotten how frightening things were getting here. Blaise' words were an unwelcome reminder.
"Good," both boys said together.
"I was afraid you might think we were jumping at shadows," Colin said quickly. "You know, sometimes you can be pretty stubborn."
"Well, after all that's been happening, I'd have to be pretty thick to think there's nothing going on. Especially with Ron and his friends always sneaking around lately. Like Dean said, they only do that before something 'bloody awful' happens. I'm sure they know something."
She stopped, a speculative look on her face. Colin saw it and said, "I agree, but I don't know how we're going find anything out. They've gotten even closer than before you left. And they never talk in the common room any more. It's always off to Hermione's room now."
Ginny glanced from one boy to the other. Blaise didn't seem surprised by Colin's words, making the girl wonder if they'd been doing some plotting of their own.
"Then we'll just have to be sneakier, right?" she said after a moment. "We already know Ron's not going to tell us anything. I'm sure there's a way--"
"Don't you think, Gin, that you have enough to worry about right now?" Blaise rumbled. "I think you should concentrate on remaining safe until we can discover what Flint and LeStrange are up to, don't you?"
Frowning, Ginny looked to Colin, expecting him to be nodding agreement. Instead, he was shaking his head.
"What if they're connected somehow," he asked. "You said yourself that there are some younger students here who would be happy to help an attack on the castle. I imagine Flint and LeStrange would be included in them. But I can't help wondering if they aren't involved in more than just trying to terrorize Ginny."
"That's right!" Ginny said. "If we could find out what Ron and his friends are up to, we might find out more about what those two are up to, too."
Now Blaise frowned. Giving Colin a hard look, he said, "I should have known it would be useless to try to dissuade either of you. If you manage to persuade Malfoy, as well, I don't see that I have any right to object." He was now looking from one Gryffindor to the other, his expression serious. "But understand this: if anything happens to either of you, there will be more than one angry Slytherin here. And you haven't seen 'bloody awful' until you've seen me and Malfoy angry at the same time."
She wasn't sure how Colin took that statement, but it caused a chill to crawl down Ginny's spine. Blaise' tone was so cold and flat, she had no doubt that she didn't want to see either him or Draco angry about a hurt loved one. Nodding breathlessly, Ginny assured him that they would be as careful as possible.
"And speaking of careful, we should probably be heading for supper. Daisy and Su have probably heard about that 'gorilla of a prefect' picking on Colin again by now."
Blaise finally smiled. "Dear me," he drawled, using a phrase that Ginny recognized as one of Colin's. "It would horrible if the frightened doe came looking for us, wouldn't it? I suppose I could use the opportunity to correct her opinions."
"Waste of breath," Colin said smoothly. "She's convinced by now that you're a beast. And the way you growl at her and Su, I'm not sure I blame her."
He smiled to take the sting out of his statement, while Blaise did a good imitation of growling at him. The younger boy didn't seem to mind, though. He just smiled more broadly and, after a quick glance around, moved closer to the tall prefect. Ginny's cheeks warmed as she saw Colin tilt his head slightly, offering his lips. Blaise muttered something about 'pushy sixth years', but the girl noted that he was quick enough to brush Colin's mouth with his. Then he straightened and gave them both a hard look.
"Don't let me catch you two lagging behind again, or I'll make certain you're very sorry," he growled at them.
He turned and stalked away so quickly that Ginny looked around to see if someone had caught them all chatting together so companionably. But the stairway and surrounding halls were empty except for them.
"What was that all about?" she asked Colin as they started toward the great hall again.
"That was just in case," he answered mildly. "Either that, or Blaise was trying to impress you with his 'tough guy' act."
The boy was smiling, so Ginny suspected that he rather liked Blaise' tough guy act and Blaise knew it. She shook her head.
"Well, I'm sure I don't want Blaise making certain I'm 'sorry', so I guess we should get a move on and get to supper. Besides, he's right. We don't want Daisy and Su and Dean and Dennis coming out to find us, right?"
With a laugh, they stepped off the stairs and hurried into the great hall.
Fortunately, Dean kept Su occupied that evening after supper, so Ginny was spared having to make any explanations just yet. She was relieved, but she was still worried about Draco. Unfortunately Ginny didn't have a chance to ask Labelle to try to reach Draco that night. The Kneazle had disappeared while they were at supper and hadn't returned to Ginny's room until she'd already gone to bed. Although she woke up when the large kitten jumped up on her bed and snuggled against the small of her back, she was exhausted from her day of travel and the excitement of being back. Besides, it was now the middle of the night and it was unlikely that Draco was even awake, let alone coherent enough to get a message from Labelle.
"We'll try in the morning," she mumbled to the kitten before rolling over and falling asleep again.
The morning dawned bright and clear, with sunshine streaming into the windows of the sixth year girls' dorm room. Ginny woke earlier than her roommates and decided to shower and change and wait for them downstairs. That way she could put off Su's interrogation a little longer. She could also have Labelle try to contact Draco.
The common room was naturally empty when she and Labelle strode downstairs a little later, although it was obvious that the house elves had already been up and about. There was a fire blazing in the hearth and the room had been neatened up. The dustbins were now empty and the tables and wood chairs shone with polish. Ginny took a seat on the couch nearest the fireplace. Shivering, she tucked her feet underneath her and stretched her hands out to the warm flames.
"It is cold here!" she muttered, wishing she'd brought down a blanket to snuggle under. "I miss Brazil already!"
Labelle meowed and jumped up onto the couch. The kitten nudged and nosed her way onto Ginny's lap, causing the girl to chuckle.
"I keep telling you, you're getting too big! Pretty soon you really will need an entire couch to yourself."
Labelle purred softly, and if it really were possible for a Kneazle to look smug and self-satisfied, Labelle did. Laughing again, Ginny scratched behind her ears for a few minutes.
"I really did miss you, love," she said quietly. "I think you would have liked Brazil."
Labelle snuggled deeper into Ginny's lap before opening her eyes. Ginny looked into the amber eyes and sent the Kneazle thoughts of warm, sandy beaches with lots of local birds to chase. Then the girl gasped.
Right into the middle of these pleasant memories a vision of Draco appeared. This wasn't the usual sort of vision Labelle gave Ginny. For one thing, Draco wasn't in his school uniform. He wasn't in his Quidditch kit, either. Instead, he was dressed in elegant semi-formal robes with his long hair pulled back severely from his face. He seemed to be leaning forward and looking narrowly at something; in fact, he looked just as though he was staring right into Ginny's eyes. His face was screwed up in an unpleasant scowl that looked like it could progress into a very nasty glare at any time. It was unnerving, having his image in her brain like that, and she wondered where Labelle could have seen him this way. Suddenly it dawned on her! She could see a tile wall in the background and it appeared that Draco was leaning on a sink. He was looking at himself in a mirror, and this was what he was seeing! Just as suddenly, the gray eyes widened and he looked around quickly. When he looked back at the mirror, he mouthed two words...Get out!
"Gin! There you are! Why'd you sneak down here?"
Su and Daisy were hurrying down the stairs, still stuffing arms into robes. Daisy was even walking on the backs of the trainers she hadn't had a chance to unlace and put on properly. Ginny looked up, startled.
"I--erm, I guess I'm still on Rio time. I couldn't sleep any longer. What are you two doing up so early?"
Ginny had been sitting there trying to figure out how Draco knew they'd been watching him. He'd been angry or upset before he realized Labelle was looking in, and seemed even more upset after. It had been unnerving, to have him seem to look straight into her brain like that. What's been going on there, Ginny wondered. When Daisy and Su came down, Labelle hopped off her lap and trotted away, leaving Ginny to face them alone. Now she had to decide whether to tell her friends what had just happened.
"We wanted to talk to you about last night," Su said. "You were supposed to tell us about why those boys are following you, remember?"
"Oh, yeah, that."
The girl sighed. It was obvious that Su at least wasn't about to let it go.
"Yeah, that. And then tell me why Colin knows and we don't."
Ginny had the grace to flush at that, but she didn't hesitate to answer the second question.
"Well, that's probably because when all this started happening, you weren't speaking to me."
Su had been settling herself on the couch next to her, but she stopped abruptly, staring at Ginny.
"Oh," was all she said for several moments.
Daisy darted worried looks between the two girls who continued to stare at one another. "That was a misunderstanding, though," she said in an almost pleading voice. "And it was weeks ago. Do you guys really want to bring that up again?"
Ginny looked away first. "No, not really," she muttered.
She really didn't want to remember those awful weeks when she and Su hadn't been talking. Even though Ginny still felt that most it had been Su's fault, she hated the way things had been then. She was more than willing to put it behind them.
"Ginny, look, about that…" Su began before Ginny cut off.
"Su, like Daisy said, it was a misunderstanding. Let's just forget about it, right? Besides, didn't you want to know about that other stuff?"
Su looked like she wanted to say more, but instead she nodded.
"Right then, let's get this over with." Taking a deep breath, Ginny plunged into her story. "Remember when Snape gave me detention for not knowing the potion ingredients? Well, what he was really doing was getting me alone so he could talk to me."
Ginny gave them a brief outline of what Professor Snape had told her and Draco about his suspicions concerning Flint. Daisy looked scandalized that it was Snape who'd had to talk to Ginny, but Su seemed upset that Draco had known before herself and Daisy.
"Well," Su said when Ginny finished. "I guess that makes more sense than having that Flint fellow just trying to get even with your brother. The whole lot of them seem psycho to me, though. And I still don't know about Malfoy. How do you know he's not out for the same thing? He could just be waiting for the right time to make his move."
Giving her friend a glare, Ginny said, "Probably because he's had the chance more than once and he hasn't taken it yet?"
Daisy gasped, while Su looked grim. "Really," she said. "I didn't realize you two had gotten that close. That's moving fast, isn't it?"
Her cheeks were burning, but Ginny wouldn't back down. "Is it? It didn't seem like it to me. And you know, he was the one to put the brakes on, not me. And if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were trying to start a fight."
Again, the two girls stared at each other, but this time Su was the first to look away.
"Sorry," she muttered. "I guess it just bothers me that Malfoy knew about this before we did. And Colin, too! And they're guys! How come you didn't let us know after we started talking again? I feel like you're shutting us out."
Ginny didn't know what to say. It wasn't her fault that when a lot of this happened she and Su couldn't even be in the same room together, let alone talk about something so personal. Ginny didn't want to remind of why she had missed out on so much of what had happened. And the way Su was coming at her made Ginny think that she'd been thinking about this a lot.
"I'm sure it wasn't that," Daisy cut in. "Malfoy knew because he was there when Snape talked to Ginny. And Colin was the one who was walking Ginny back to Gryffindor, so he probably asked her about it. Right?"
Looking away, Ginny said, "Yeah, something like that. Anyway, that's about it. Unless there's more of the interrogation?"
She shot Su a quick look and had the satisfaction of seeing her flush guiltily.
"We weren't trying to interrogate you, Gin," she said stiffly. "We were just worried, that's all."
Swallowing a sigh, Ginny reached over to touch Su's arm. "I know," she said, though without conviction. "I just--it was like you were just waiting for me to get back so you could question me. I do appreciate that you were worried, though. Thanks."
"Yeah, sure," Su said, a hint of a grin on her face. "Good thing Ron is so clueless or he'd be in on it, too. I guess Malfoy was right about one thing: one inquisitor is enough."
The other two girls giggled at this reminder of Ron's behavior after the Hogsmeade trip, and suddenly Ginny felt much better. She gave a silent thanks that they were all getting on again. She also decided not to tell them about Labelle contacting Draco. They, or at least Su, would be bound to read all sorts of bad things into Draco's behavior. And it wasn't as though they could do anything right now, anyway. Besides, he would be back this evening anyway, so she'd find out what had happened soon enough.
"Well, if we're done with that, tell me what else has been going on."
The girls caught Ginny up on all the recent gossip until the other students began to filter downstairs. Again, Su and Daisy paired up with their guys, leaving Ginny and Colin to head to breakfast together. Watching the two couples move away, Ginny felt just a little sad that things had changed between them. She supposed it should have been expected. They were all changing and Su and Daisy were growing apart from her and Colin. But they were still her friends, and hopefully nothing would change that.
The morning dragged by for Ginny after breakfast. She had homework that she hadn't finished, but she couldn't seem to concentrate. She kept wondering why Draco looked angry, even before he realized that Labelle had been looking in on him. He'd been dressed up for something, and Ginny was sure it wasn't for the trip back to school. He looked as though he had been dressed for a formal ceremony or something.
She wanted to talk to Colin about it, but after a breakfast where the two Slytherin boys kept gloating at her and making faces, he'd walked her back to Gryffindor and then disappeared.
Probably going to meet Blaise, Ginny thought morosely, missing Draco more than ever. Su and Daisy were with their guys and Colin was probably with Blaise. Her brother and his friends had gone to the library after Ron tried to tease her for what his present was again. Even Labelle seemed distant and distracted, sending her the images of that big ugly rat that seemed to be taunting her. Ginny couldn't imagine a rat smart enough to avoid Labelle, but this one seemed to be able to. She shook her head and tried to concentrate on her homework again.
"I give up," Ginny said thirty minutes later.
The common room was almost empty, but the few students there looked around at her before returning to what they were doing. None of her friends were about, Labelle was still out prowling, and Colin hadn't come back yet. A glance at her watch showed her that it was nearly lunchtime, though she had little enough appetite. And she'd got barely half of her homework done.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered to herself. "I need some fresh air."
Even though she could hear Colin's voice in her head telling her not to wander around alone, Ginny took her books upstairs and grabbed her cloak. She would just be very, very careful of where she went. Sending a mental message to Labelle, Ginny headed for the exit.
The portrait hole opened before she got there, though, and Colin came through. He eyed her cloak for a moment, a disapproving expression on his face.
"Don't start," Ginny said, putting up a hand. "I've had the most boring morning, and I was about to go mad!"
"Just as well I came back right now, then," he answered. "Where were you headed, anyway?"
"I was just going to get some air. Want to join me?"
Colin gave her a stubborn look, but finally sighed and nodded. "Why not," he said. "Just give me a few minutes. I'll be right back."
"So where exactly were you headed?"
Ginny and Colin had wandered down to the main entryway, but when they tried to go outside, Filch had stopped them, saying that they'd had the entire holiday to get into trouble and they needed to stay in the castle now. They would have complained, but Ginny wasn't that eager to go out in the cold, anyway. She'd just wanted out of the common room.
"Well, we could always go to lunch," Ginny suggested. "The great hall's probably open by now, and they'll start serving soon enough."
Colin nodded and they turned back the way they'd just come from.
"So you were with Blaise this morning?" Ginny asked as they walked.
Colin smiled. "Yeah, I was."
Poking him in the side, Ginny said, "Here I thought you were just sneaking in a few minutes here and there. How'd you manage a whole morning?"
"It wasn't really like that," Colin declared as they stopped before the doors to the great hall. "Actually, I talked to the headmaster a few days ago to set up a place for the seventh year portraits. He said he'd find someone to open up some of the empty classrooms so I could have a look at them. I sort of figured it would be Filch."
The boy smiled slightly. "Instead, Blaise got elected."
"Really?"
Ginny lifted an eyebrow as she wondered, not for the first time, whether the Headmaster were really omniscient or just extremely well informed. Ginny figured that it was unlikely that, of all the available prefects, Blaise had been selected by chance.
"Yes, really. And before you ask, no it wasn't coincidence. According to Blaise, Dumbledore made some remark to him about not having to dodge Filch this time. That man doesn't miss anything, does he?"
"Not much," Ginny agreed. Chuckling, she added, "Must be the house elves. You know they see almost everything that goes on here."
"So you found somewhere to take the pictures?"
As she asked the question, the two teens strode through the doors to the great hall. Before Colin could answer, they heard someone calling them.
"Ginny! Colin! Come on!"
They looked up to see Daisy and Su waving them to the table.
"We saved you a spot!"
Grinning at each other, Ginny and Colin hurried toward their friends.
Ginny picked at her meal, but she enjoyed sitting with her friends and listening to the gossip around the table. They sat with their backs to the Slytherin table, so they didn't have to look at the two fifth year boys this time. They wouldn't have had to worry, Ginny saw. Blaise was sitting opposite the two boys, Vince Crabbe and Greg Goyle on either side of him. She'd lifted an eyebrow toward Colin, but he looked mystified as well.
"Human shield?" she ventured.
Colin leaned in and whispered, "Maybe, but I doubt they have any idea that's why they're sitting with him. He told me they've been looking for another leader since Malfoy cut them loose. Maybe he's taking advantage of that."
"Who's taking advantage of what?"
Su, who had been talking to Dean, was now looking at them inquiringly.
Ginny opened her mouth, but couldn't think of anything to say. Colin wasn't doing much better, but he finally managed to say, "Erm, it looks like Zabini is taking over Malfoy's goons. At least they're serving some purpose, though. They're blocking those other gits."
Su looked over her shoulder and nodded. "That's nice of them, isn't it? We don't have to see Crabbe and Goyle's ugly faces, and we don't have to put up with those other two boys."
She chuckled, catching Ginny off guard. She'd been sure Su would somehow sense that Colin's response was off. But she gave Colin a nudge and started chuckling, herself.
Colin gave a half-hearted laugh, but since Dean chose that moment to talk to Su, the girl didn't seem to notice.
The remainder of the meal went smoothly. Su and Daisy said they wanted to hang out with Ginny and Colin, but it was obvious that both girls were torn between wanting to spend time with friends and wanting to spend time with boyfriends.
In the end, Ginny convinced them that she and Colin wouldn't be offended if they all just met up later.
"Looks like this is getting to be a habit, doesn't it?" Ginny said as the girls headed off.
"Yeah, but you know it had to happen sooner or later. Anyway, what now? Still need some fresh air?"
Ginny shrugged. "I guess I should really finish my homework. I couldn't concentrate before, but I want to get it done before Dr—the other kids get back."
Colin paused to let a couple of Ravenclaws pass them, then he fell into step beside her again. "I have that potions assignment to do, and I have to go to the library. Want to work there?"
Ginny agreed. They hurried to Gryffindor to get their things, Ginny commenting that they should take the back stairs toward the library. As they were coming down the dark stairway, Labelle came trotting up toward them.
"There you are!" Ginny said, leaning down to scratch behind the ragged ear. "I expected you to find me after lunch, and now we're going to the library. Did you finally catch that rat?"
Labelle purred and rubbed against Ginny's legs before turning and heading toward the library. Ginny grinned and glanced at Colin. "She's so sma—"
Her sentence was cut off abruptly when a strong hand shot out of a dim side passage and she was hauled roughly into the dark. Another hand clamped itself around her mouth before she could scream.
"Oi!" Colin shouted in surprise, dragging his wand from his pocket. "Let go of her, mate, before I hex you into next week!"
"Oh, I don't think so, Creevey," a smooth voice drawled. "In fact, I think you'll just continue on to the library if you know what's good for you."
Ginny stopped struggling as she recognized Draco's voice.