an - i hope this is fastenough for you, its a thank you for all your reviews as I truly thought you would have abandoned me for taking such a long time.
Flipinpenname - thanks for reviewing, I am so glad you like Ginny and the story, i hope this chapter is ok!
HarryGinnyfan23 - thanks for the review, this chapter should answer your little digression on ginny and draco, thanks for thinking it would be good, i'm not too sure myself!
ooarienetteoo - well i don't know what you don't get about ginny's character, but I have portrayed her as very volatile and still maturing. She changes her mind and moods very quickly! Thanks for the review I hope you continue to read my story!
america sucks move to europe - here's your update!
Gryffindor's newsie - i'm sorry you were confused, but I have noidea what about, if you still are tell me where!
superspunky7 - i was tired sorry about it being short! the motive behind it is love, very soppy I know, sorry about the confusion but I'm glad you understood it, and this time I haven't taken for ever!
psychic selina - hopefully this chapter is slightly better! but yes GOF is amazing!
RussianGoddess - I'm honoured you think its unique, and that it keeps you on your toes, but don't worry the end is near and you'll be able to relax!
drucillamalfoyrox - you always bring light into my life! thanks for your vote of confidence in my story, it is so near in the end...i hope you willl read my new one when I start writing it!
KeeperofthePineNeedles - haha, don't worry I won't take it as an insult, I often find myself shaking my fist at them but the fingers do not allow me to just write happily ever after, this fic had taken a life of its own! but i think you'll like this chapter...
squirrel-wrath - wow, well i'm glad you liked that chapter, i personally didn't but if you thought it was full of something, i'm glad you found it so!
Bfly-Ronaldita - addicitve, really? well, what can i say! here's your update!
Chapter 19 - Solutions
Draco tossed and turned, it was no use, he just couldn't get back to sleep knowing Ginevra was in the room next door. Rubbing his eyes, he whispered 'lumos' and made his way to his sitting room and slumped on the sofa next to the dying embers in the fire. He smirked; this was why it was so handy being a Malfoy, the certain perks with the name always helped. Remembering what had happened earlier, he slowly thought about the repercussions of Ginevra's nightmares. She had put Slytherin in an unstable position in the school, but if truth be told, he knew that none of the Slytherins would have risked her life just for Theodore's secrecy, even Theodore had chosen her over himself. It was probably the only selfless act a Slytherin had ever done. Draco almost chuckled to himself, they were turning into Gryffindors. Staring at the glowing ashes in the fire, he prodded them with his wand and they relit.
Ginevra stood in the doorway and watched Draco, she wondered what he was thinking, she really had to try and learn the art of legilimens there was no way she would be able to survive in Slytherin without it. Hesitating, she took a step into their lounge and with a determined shake of her head she walked towards the sofa which Draco was sitting on. Faltering slightly she sat cross-legged on the end of the sofa facing his profile face. Draco slowly turned to look at her. Both were staring at each other in silence.
Ginevra nervously cleared her throat to speak. The harsh sound broke the silence yet it tightened the tension between them.
'I couldn't get to sleep.' Draco's eyes pierced her, as she said the first thing that came to mind. Smirking, Draco returned to gazing at the newly made fire. 'Oddly enough nor could I, do you think we're both suffering from the same thing?' Ginevra's eyes narrowed this time; she wasn't sure whether he was laughing at her. 'I'm not sure, are you confused about a certain person?'
Draco stiffened, was she talking about Theodore or themselves. Irritated that he couldn't just do what he wanted he decided that the direct approach was the only way he was going to discover the results. 'About a certain red-head, yes.' Ginevra smiled, maybe she had a chance after all. She edged forward until her face was almost an inch away from his. Drowning in his eyes, she whispered, 'I can help cure your confusion if you want. I just happen to know that certain red-head intimately.' Draco felt his breathing quicken and his heart started to race. 'Tell me then, why did she choose her brother instead of me'. Ginevra's felt like she was breaking into two.
'I'm sorry, I wasn't choosing it was never supposed to be like that, I just had to talk to him, explain to him everything that had happened. Remember what I used to tell you at the beginning, I didn't ever want to lose my family, well its true, I don't but that doesn't mean that I'm ever going to leave you either.'
Draco swallowed, and raised his hand in wonder at her sweet face and caressed her cheek. Ginevra leaned forward, removing any space between them as she placed her lips softly on his. His hands went about her waist as he pulled her on top of him. He kissed her as if it was their last kiss. Ginevra gasped for breath and smiled with tears shining in her eyes. Rolling off the sofa, she took Draco's arm and pulled him off the sofa. She guided them into his bedchamber and Draco looked at her slightly confused. Burying his face in the nape of her neck, he breathed in her sweet scent and mumbled, 'are you sure?' Ginevra laughed and replied, 'of course I'm sure, I love you.' Draco groaned and pulled her towards his bed.
Theodore, on the other hand, had remained in the common room and was still gazing into empty space. Suddenly the fire glowed green and a leg appeared followed swiftly by a body draped in black robes. 'What do you want Severus?' Theodore hadn't moved an inch and his back was still facing the fire. Severus allowed his mouth to turn upwards slightly. 'Glad to know that you haven't entirely lost your touch Nott, otherwise we would be in far worse trouble.' Theodore grimaced, 'Why the formalities Severus, I thought we were on first name terms, or should I revert back to Snape?'
Theodore felt a cold grip on his shoulders and was suddenly jerked off his chair and spun to face Snape. Clenching his fists he said, 'Careful Severus, it wouldn't be wise to aggravate me at the moment.'
Severus coolly surveyed him, 'That is the attitude which will get you expelled Theodore, you have to prevent yourself from being easily provoked.' Sighing, he smoothed his hair down and with a flick of his wand the oil lamps burst into flame. 'I never understood why Slytherins felt the need to live in the dark, it is ridiculous.' Grinning, Theodore threw himself back into the armchair. 'What can I do Severus, the school will never accept me, at least before they had no idea who I was.' Frowning Severus fiddled with his robes. 'Why would you need acceptance Theodore, they just need either reassurance that you will do nothing or frighten them into thinking that you will do something if they don't stop their protests.'
Laughing, Theodore replied, 'you know that I can't do it, I still wonder why I was made a Slytherin, there is no room for guile in me.' Severus stepped into the fire and retorted just before he vanished, 'You're a darkling Theodore, you are all guile, even more so than the average Slytherin.' Theodore looked at the fire blankly, wondering what Snape meant.
Blaise lay awake in his bed fretting about Slytherin. It was obvious that he was going to have to think of something since Draco and Ginevra were too wrapped up in their problems and Theodore's brain had ceased to function. Crawling out of bed he ran his fingers through his hair which was delightfully mussed. Yawning he saw that it was almost six, he stretched his legs and headed to the common room, someone would be in there. As he made his way through the dank dungeon passages he turned a corner and went head-first into a soft body which landed with a thump at his feet. Swearing softly under his breath, he whispered 'lumos' and the face of Daphne Greengrass glowed in the light. Helping her up, he saw her blush. Ginevra's grumbling at her constantly perfect appearance echoed in his head and he saw that it was indeed true, at six in the morning she still managed to look gorgeous. Maybe she was his cure for Ginevra.
'Sorry Daphne, did I hurt you.' Blaise kept his arm strongly wrapped around her waist and tugged slightly until she was almost pressing up against him. Daphne stuttered profusely until she produced a normal sentence. 'No, I'm fine, just shocked, what are you doing up?'
'Just thinking, and I don't believe you. That was quite a fall, come join me in the common room I need some company.' Daphne smiled, and nodded her head. She had never thought Blaise would flirt with her.
Theodore could hear voices in the passage way and swung his chair towards the opening so he would be conspicuous. He didn't want to be accused of sneaking around and eavesdropping. He smirked when he saw Daphne and Blaise. It looked like Blaise had recovered.
'A bit early for breakfast isn't it?' Blaise looked up in shock at Theodore and grimaced when he saw a knowing grin on Theodore's face. Daphne blushed again and stammered something incomprehensible to Blaise and then she fled down the girls' corridor. Blaise stared at her retreating back and then glared at Theodore. 'Thanks for that.' Flinging himself onto a sofa he stretched and yawned. Theodore just smiled.
'I think you should go for it. She obviously likes you, and you need to get over Ginevra.' Blaise growled at that, 'Once again, thanks for stating the obvious Nott, I have no idea what I would do without your wonderful words of wisdom.' Theodore raised an eyebrow at the sarcastic tone in Blaise's voice. 'That's the second time I've been called Nott today, does everyone hate me or am I jus being universally acknowledged as a Nott.' Blaise softened minutely; Daphne had caused him to forget about Theodore's predicament. 'Don't get too down about it; you know we're all here for you, don't you?' Theodore inspected his hand. 'Are you?'
'Of course we are Theo, darling, you can't possibly think that we wouldn't want you to be here, you're the only cheerful thing left in this house.' Blaise and Theodore turned to see Ginevra in her pyjamas wrapped in Draco's arms, he was only in his boxers. Theodore coughed slightly whilst Blaise just stared at them. Ginevra didn't notice the look exchanged between Draco and Blaise but felt his arms tighten. Slipping out of them she ran to Theodore and sat on his lap. He laughed, 'I take it you're not having any more nightmares.' Ginevra blushed and gave him a sharp slap, 'That is none of your business Theodore, we were talking about you.' Theodore ignored her and saw Draco and Blaise start to glow. Anxious to stop any outbursts of magic he just laughed again. 'Ginevra, you should congratulate Blaise, he's found a new love in Daphne, now you have competition.'
Ginevra opened her mouth in amazement and jumped on Blaise and enveloped him in a hug. Completely taken aback, Blaise hugged her back and realized his foolishness and nodded at Ginevra's questioning. 'Well, I wouldn't say love, but I think there is something there.' Draco relaxed and sat on the arm of the sofa.
Ginevra sat cross-legged on the floor and her eyebrows were knitted together. 'Why the frown Ginevra?' Theodore smirked at the look of concentration on her face. She sighed and answered, 'I was wondering how we could tell the school that you are still a part of us.' The group just stared into blank spaces trying to come up with a solution, when Blaise exclaimed, 'I've got it, why don't we show it as a part of uniformity in Slytherin instead of focusing on Theodore. They have to see the strength we all possess as a house, then there will be no questions about Theodore because they can't expel all of Slytherin.' Draco smirked, 'That's true, Dumbledore would never be able to get rid of all of us, and it turns the entire situation around, they'll be playing by our rules.' Ginevra leant against Draco, 'we have to do something different though but stick with tradition at the same time.' Theodore looked up and quietly said, 'House Order combined with the rites of Big School. Salazar did it with Slytherin before he built the Chamber of Secrets. It was their display of power to the school.' All four of them smirked; the school were in for a shock...
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