Chapter Eleven:

(A/N. Sorry about the delay folks. I went to Mexico and without the laptop I couldn't log on. Well enjoy this chapter and PLEASE review!)

Ginny awoke the next morning feeling weary and disoriented. She looked around and realized that she was in the infirmary. She frowned and sat up wincing as she used her hurt arm. That's when she remembered everything.

"Hello, Miss Weasley." A kind voice said, she looked up and saw Dumbledore walking toward her. She smiled weakly.

"Good morning, Professor." She croaked and winced as she heard her voice. He smiled as he sat down at the foot of her bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked and she shrugged. He nodded understandingly, looking at her through his half moon glasses.

"Okay, I guess."

"Would you like to tell me what happened?" He asked. She nodded hesitantly and he waited patiently for her story. Slowly she described what had happened; taking her time so that she could give the Headmaster all of the details of course she left out the burning moment in the closet. All through it Dumbledore sat silently, listening intently until the end.

"Well Miss Weasley, it seems like you and Mr. Malfoy found the old gladiator den." He said. Ginny frowned.

"The what?"

"The gladiator den. When the founders where still here, they used to hold a tournament. Twelve students would be selected, three from each house, to go into the gladiator den and fight off a number of beasts using spells and weapons. They would descend to the school's armoury and select a weapon. Then they would drop down the hole in the centre of the armoury room. Their goal was to get to a gate, exactly opposite the hole in the circular hallway, and find the prize inside. For safety precautions two iron doors were installed that led to the outside. Also there were four closets which would hold weapons in case the contestants lost their weapon and their wand. After the founders left the tradition was lost. The weapons were removed from the closets and hung in the armoury and the hole was boarded up. The monsters were presumed dead. Through the years even the armoury was forgotten. You two found the armoury and the den accidentally." Dumbledore explained unhurriedly. Ginny nodded thought fully.

"So, what was it down there?" She asked, fear creeping in her voice. Dumbledore stared at her for a few moments.

"I truly don't know, but you were very fortunate to get out of the den with only those injuries." Dumbledore said. Suddenly realization struck Ginny.

"The plaque, it said 'Here be Monsters', right?" She exclaimed. Dumbledore smiled indulgently.

"Yes, Miss Weasley, it did." He answered with another smile and stood up. "Well Madame Pompfrey has deemed you healthy so you're free to go." He continued.

"Thank you, sir." Ginny said and threw off the covers, moving her ankle to test that it had healed. When no pain came, Gunny jumped to her feet ready to put on her shoes when she remembered that Draco had taken off one of her boots and left it down there.

"Miss Granger was kind enough to bring you some clothes when she came to visit earlier today." Dumbledore said and handed her a small pile of clothes. Ginny thanked him and excused herself. She dressed quickly and then walked back to the common room glad to be away from the infirmary but dreading the week ahead. She was going to try very hard to avoid Draco Malfoy, because he had confused her and she hated feeling confused.

All week Draco had avoided Virginia. Maybe it was because he had promised himself to stop thinking about her, because all he could think about was her. Her red-gold hair, her oval face and the faint blush on her freckled cheeks. He sighed and dropped his head into his hands. He had been trying to study but he couldn't concentrate.

"Are you alright, Malfoy?" Crabbe asked. Draco glared at him as he lowered his hands and raised his head.

"Yes, why?" He snapped. Goyle and Crabbe exchanged a look from where they sat on the couch opposite him in the Slytherin common room.

"Well…you've been acting stroppy…"Goyle said hesitantly, his voice low and slurring.

"And you've been brooding all week." Pansy said as she came down the stairs and walked up to them. Draco sighed.

"Oh, Pansy! Isn't it blatant?" Blaise Zambini's voice rung out. Draco cursed silently; he hated that girl. She walked toward them grinning wickedly.

"No." Pansy hissed. Draco stared at Blaise wondering what she would say. She walked closer, running a hand through her light brown hair coquettishly.

"He has a crush." She said and Draco stared at her in disbelief. Blaise turned to Pansy. "And it's not you."

"You're off your trolley, Zambini." Draco declared. Blaise turned back to him and her grin widened.

"Am I?"

"That's rubbish and you know it." Draco answered instead. Blaise shrugged innocently.

"Whatever you say." Blaise smirked evilly and strode away, her hips swaying suggestively.

"Is that true then? Who is it? Have you bonked her yet?" Goyle asked leaning forward eagerly.

"Yeah was she a good shag?" Crabbe continued the interrogation.  Draco glared them both into silence. Pansy whirled around furiously, tears in her beady eyes.

"Well? Answer them!" She demanded. Draco stood up slowly scowling at his fellow Slytherins.

"Get stuffed." He proposed and walked away, leaving the common room as quickly as he could without running. It was the middle of the day and he wandered around aimlessly. He went into the library and saw Hermione sitting alone. He swaggered up to her.

"Ah, the Queen of all swots." He said bowing mockingly. She looked up at him her eyes narrowing.

"I don't know how you made prefect, Malfoy, probably had Daddy dearest pay the right people, but I had to study to get the honour." Hermione snapped.

"Ha bloody ha, Granger." Draco said and saw, out of the corner of his eye, two very familiar Gryffindors approaching. "You're two boyfriends are coming, I better leave before they accuse you of flirting with me." Draco drawled wickedly. Hermione blushed furiously and Draco left before she could stammer a reply.