Fire and Ice
Chapter Four
Ginny's day had been horribly, rotten. Not to mention the long, drawn out car ride to platform 9 ¾, couldn't have been worse. For one, Draco was pressed against her the entire ride. Making it extremely hard to get even the slightest, bit comfortable. Two, Ron had kept the entire car awake, but himself of course, with his loud snoring. And to top it all off, Molly and Arthur did not stop bickering, even after they were safely on the platform.
Ginny had been more than relived, when she was finally within the Hogwarts Express, trailing behind her brother in search of Harry and Hermione. The two passed, compartment after compartment, glancing in the small privacy windows of each. Finally after what seemed like ages, they found the right one and barged right in. Unfortunately that wasn't the smartest idea.
Because, while Ginny and Ron had been prepared to see Hermione and Harry quietly chatting, they walked right into a snogging festival. There was Harry, with his hands gripping Hermione's waist quite vividly. While, Hermione's hands roamed freely under Harry's shirt. Ginny's eyes widened by the second, her heart pounded viciously inside her chest but, surprisingly she felt no tears brimming in her eyes.
Although, she was certainly angry, very much like all the other times she had walked in on the two, doing something! Anything, at all! Her hands balled up into fists, at her sides and she worried her bottom lip between her teeth viciously. Without a word, she stormed from the compartment and back into the hall way. It was then she collided with something or someone rather, and fell to the floor.
Glancing up, she saw nothing but, pure thin air. But, then a familiar chuckle rang out, and Ginny's face contorted into a frown. She quickly recovered, from the fall and stood up straight, brushing the invisible dust from her cloths.
"That was not funny, Malfoy" she growled, scowling at the air before her.
Draco dropped the cloak, revealing himself struck in his usual pose. Hands crossed over his chest, the trademark smirk playing upon his lips, and his ever so slightly annoyed yet amused look summed up his features.
"Oh, really? Well, I find it rather amusing myself" Draco said casually, as if throwing people to the floor, was a normal custom.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Well, im glad I could amuse you". Nice Ginn … real great comeback, that'll teach him.
Draco chuckled, before shoving the invisibility cloak at her chest. "Here," he said. "I won't be needing this anymore".
Ginny fumbled to catch it, and bundled it up in her arms. Then with one last smirk, Draco turned on his heel and headed off down the hall. But not before Ginny could call out, "Your welcome Malfoy!"
Draco turned, gave a quick, very brief smile and then disappeared around the corner. Ginny stood still; her feet seemed to be plastered to the floor, with invisible glue. Suddenly, the door beside her flung open and Harry proceeded to exit. Unfortunately, Harry didn't notice her and slammed right into her and once again Ginny found herself lying on the ground.
Harry's eyes widened, when he realized what he had just done. "Oh, Ginny! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" He apologized, helping her up gently.
Ginny smiled, "Harry it's alright. I'm fine …"
Harry smiled down at her, apologetically and mumbled sorry once more. Then to Ginny's surprised, his face contorted into a frown.
"Ginn … is-is that my invisibility cloak?" He questioned
Ginny looked down, "Oh … yeah! My mum found it in your … ummm … closet. She said I should give it to you." Ginny, shoved the bundled up cloak to Harry.
"Thanks Gin! I was looking all over for this bloody rag!" Harry beamed. What Harry did next, puzzled Ginny to no end. He leaned forward, and captured her in his arms, hugging her tight. What surprised her even more was the fact that she actually hugged back. Even after what she had just witnessed, and how enraged she had been at him. She actually hugged him back!
Once again, the sliding door flew open, and out stormed a flustered Hermione. Ginny leaped from Harry's arms, immediately.
"What, is going on here?" Hermione demanded, glaring at Ginny
"Oh, Mione! Ginny was just giving me back my invisibility cloak. Her mum found it and-"
"It looks like more than just returning items was going on to me" She growled
Ginny's eyes widened. "What! Mione, NO!" Harry yelled, enraged.
Soon a heated argument fired up between the two, and Ginny decided the best decision she could make was to sneakily get away. Slowly, she turned around and headed down the hall. Then picking a random compartment, she went inside.
Apparently, she should have checked to see if the compartment was empty because, as it was she just barreled into the same compartment as Draco Malfoy, who was also accompanied by his best mate Blaise Zabini. Ginny's eyes widened, and she spun around to leave. But, to her surprise a hand shot out, and gripped her waist, yanking her down onto the bench.
"Where do you think your going Weaslette?" Draco said, smirking.
"I don't think she cares to join us, do you love?" Blaise remarked
Ginny, frowned. "And you want my company?" She rolled her eyes and tried to get up, only to be yanked down once more.
"Who said we didn't want your company?" Blaise questioned, quizzically
Ginny opened her mouth to say something, but then slowly closed it, unable to answer him. Draco smirked, wrapping an arm around Ginny's shoulders. Ginny's eyes flickered to his arms, coiling around her, and she shivered.
"Why so tense weaslette?" Draco whispered into her ear
Ginny, leapt back, standing straight. "What the bloody hell do you want Malfoy?" she seethed through clenched teeth.
Blaise chuckled, "Ah you finally decided to grow a back bone, eh Weasley?"
Ginny glared at him, and then turned back to Malfoy. "I asked you a question, Malfoy. Now answer it!"
Draco frowned, and lunged forward, capturing Ginny in his arms, he yanked her close against him. "I will never, ever answer anything asked by you Weaslette. Got it!" he whispered, harshly. Ginny's nose scrunched up in disgust, as the lingering scent of alcohol filled the air before her. What a git! Getting drunk on the train! How idiotic can you get? She thought.
Ginny glared at him, and then without hesitation, she spit in his face. "And, you better not ever, touch me again!" she said. "Got it?" And then spinning on heal she stormed from the compartment in a rage, and continued on down the hall.
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Ginny sat, elbow propped up on the table, her head resting in the palm of her hand, as Dumbledore continued on with his yearly speech. He was just finishing up the newly banned items, before he would continue on to inform who was to be head boy and head girl. Ginny was anxious to see who the lucky two would be, after all it was a position every student hoped to receive. Harry, and Ron were betting that Hermione would receive the head girl proposition, to which Hermione firmly stated she would not be receiving.
Suddenly, Dumbledore pulled out his wand, and with one lazy flick the hand, the parchment before him rose into the air, and vanished without a trace.
"It is now the time, to inform you all of who will be receiving the lovely honor of serving us as head boy, and head girl" Dumbledore cleared his throat. "As you all know we take great time, and effort into picking these two students. And we would like you all to know, we considered each and every one of you." His eyes grazed over the crowd as he continued. "So, now I think I shall start with head girl, would Hermione Granger please come up to the podium?"
All eyes shot over in Hermione's direction, and a sickening silence fell upon the room. Hermione, was obviously over come with shock, as it took several nudges to the arm before she actually raised from her seat. Quietly she scurried down the long aisle between tables, until she reached the podium.
"I would like you to meet, Hermione Granger, our head girl!" Dumbledore said, grinning with pride.
Suddenly an eruption of applause filled the room, and hoots and hollers could be heard from the Gryffindors. Harry and Ron both stood clapping like wild animals. While, Ginny remained seated but, clapped all the same.
"Settle down now, please settle down!" Minerva McGonagall shouted, raising from her seat.
Dumbledore turned to her, and smiled with appreciation as the crowd hushed to only a whisper. "Thank you Minerva. I would now like to present, our head boy. Would, Draco Malfoy please come to the podium?"
Another chilling silence fell upon the students, and all eyes paced over the Slytherin table. Suddenly, the platinum blonde arose from a group of students, and eagerly approached the podium with pride.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our head boy Draco Malfoy!" Once again the eruption of applause could be heard, mainly from the Slytherin table. Hermione's eyes were wide with hatred, as she glanced at her side getting a good look at her new roommate for the remainder of term. Draco smirked, with satisfaction at this, and waved to all his fans.
Harry and Ron however, were very displeased. Harry's face was a vibrant shade of red. While, Ron took his anger out by stabbing a fork into the table, bending the metal handle.
"I know, you will all be very pleased with our new heads, and I hope you treat them with the same affections, you share with your friends" Dumbledore grinned, an arm around each head's shoulders.
"Affections? With Malfoy, he's got to be joking …" Harry growled.
"Now, one with the feast!" With two simple claps of his hands, food magically appeared, caking the entire table with luxiourious foods.
Ginny watched as Dumbledore, directed the head's back to there house's table, with only a few last words. Soon enough Hermione joined them.
"Can you believe them? Malfoy, head boy?" she hissed
"I know! What the bloody hell were they thinking?" Ron broke in, his face filled with disgust
Hermione sighed, "I cant understand how that thing-" her eyes shot over in Draco's direction. "Could receive such an honor!" she grabbed her fork, and started picking at her mashed potatoes.
"Well, he does have the second highest marks in your year, Mione. They always consider the most well off students, academically" Ginny cut in nonchalantly.
Hermione dropped her fork with a clang, as hit the table's hard surface. Ginny looked up, to see masks of horror on all three of the trio's faces. "What?"
"You just-you just sided with Draco Malfoy …" Ron spoke, in a whisper
"No, I did not. I'm just clearly stating that that's probably the reason Draco was chosen" Ginny replied. What are you doing? Just trying to set yourself up for murder? This is Draco Malfoy we're talking about! Not some fluffy bunny!
Harry starred at her, in disbelief. "Ginny, you do realize who were talking about … don't you?" he questioned
"Yes, Harry … I'm not that idiotic" she said sarcastically, scooping up a spoon full of soup, and sipping at it lightly.
Hermione sat there, her face contorted into a frown, when she finally spoke up. "Then why are you excusing all other required talents taken in choosing such an opportunity? I clearly believe that not only academics are involved in choosing this position! You have to be-be honest, and loyal! Which Draco Malfoy certainly is not!" she seethed, through clenched teeth. "I can't believe you of all people, would side with him!" With this said, Hermione threw down her napkin and stormed from the Great Hall with such speed, Harry barely had time to leap up from the table, and chase after her.
"Nice going, Gin. Great way, to start off the term!" Ron bellowed, before rushing after Hermione.
Ginny sat still, watching as Hermione flung aside the large door, and proceeded to exit the room, Harry and Ron still following pursuit. She frowned, what the hell is wrong with that girl! I say one thing … and BOOM! She explodes, not to mention her lover boys trailing after her! How disgusting! And with not one last thought on the subject, she continued to eat her meal alone, not uttering a word to anyone.
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Sooner than expected, night fell upon the castle and all the students were ordered to their dormitories. Ginny walked amongst a crowd of Gryffindors all eager to retire to bed for the night, after an exhausting day. She herself found sleep willing at her eyes, as she continued on through the corridors. Suddenly someone was shoved into her back, and she flew forward, landing on all fours upon the floor.
"Shit …" she mumbled, looking down at her newly bruised hands. She quickly hurried to recover but, feeling a pair of sturdy arms lock around her waist and yank her up from the ground, she found it easier than expected.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you like that" a soothing voice cooed
Ginny turned around, "Oh, it's quite al-" she stopped with a halt, as her eyes met those of such an intense blue, she couldn't help but stare.
"Are you alright?" the boy questioned, shaking her slightly
"Oh, yes I'm fine. Thank you." Ginny smiled reassuringly, her eyes roaming over the spectacular creature before her. He was very handsome, very handsome indeed. Much more handsome than Harry, that was for sure. With his deep blue eyes, dusty brown hair, and topped off with a sturdy pair of muscles, this boy Ginny considered to be, what muggles like to call a hotty.
"The names, Peter. Peter Grint, although my friends call me Pete" he said, grinning as he extended a hand politely.
Ginny quickly took his hand in her own, and gave it a good shake. "My name's Ginny Weasley. But, my friends call me Ginn" she smiled
Peter smiled, "Nice to meet you Ginny"
Ginny smiled once more, while re-adjusting her knapsack which was dangling from her shoulder. "Nice to meet you too"
Peter's eyes flickered towards her knapsack, "Would you like me to carry that for you? It's the least I could do after all, I practically threw you to the ground" he said with a chuckle.
Ginny laughed, "No, it's alright. I can handle it, really … I'm fine"
"Are you sure?"
"Positive"
"Alright then, you can at least let me walk you to your dorm then, considering we are in the same house." He said, glancing down at Ginny's almost, identical robes.
She smiled, "That, I can do."
So, the two began walked down the long, winding corridors towards the Gryffindor tower. They chatted about, their summer, what types of music each listened to, but most of all quidditch. Apparently, quidditch was Peters favorite past time as well, and Ginny took that, with high regard. Soon the two had reached Gryffindor's common room, and gloomily went there separate ways.
Quietly Ginny slipped into the girls, dorm and hurriedly began changing. Throwing her robes to the floor, she hopped into a pair of silky pj's and got into bed. Lying in bed with a smile plastered on her face, Ginny's eyes began drifting closed. And soon enough, she found herself within a deep state of sleep, her dreams willing her away.
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The next few day's came and gone, and soon enough it was the weekend. Ginny was more than surprised to find herself buried in homework, her first week back. But, it was alright, since she didn't have much to do anyway. With Harry, Ron, and Hermione holding a strong grudge against her, she wasn't asked to go anywhere or do anything. So instead of venturing off with the trio to do some reconnaissance work on Saturday afternoon, she spent it finishing up Snape's latest essay assigned over the weekend.
The assignment consisted of writing down, a recently studied healing potion's ingredients and explaining its many uses. Ginny was finishing up scribbling out the few ingredients on paper, when a familiar finger tapped her shoulder lightly.
"Hey Ginn," Peter said, cheerily. "What are you up to?" he questioned, taking the vacant seat next to her.
"Oh, im just finishing up that essay Snape assigned on Friday. What about you?" she replied, setting down her quill.
"Essay? Why, in merlins name are you working on an essay on such a wonderfully sunny afternoon!" Peter gapped
"Well-"
Suddenly, Peter grabbed Ginny's arm and yanked her up from her seat. "Your coming with me, Ms Weasley! We are going to go out and have round of quidditch!" he said, grinning
"But, I have the essay to finish! And McGonagall's-"
"No buts, your coming whether you like it or not!" Peter said, dragging Ginny from her studies.
She sighed, and mumbled "Fine … have it your way. But, if I fail-"
Peter rolled his eyes, "You're not going to fail, Gin. Now would you give it a rest, and just come willingly? You're quite heavy to drag around"
Ginny's eyes widened, "Heavy? Why you, prat!" she said, swatting a playful hand at him.
Peter continued to laugh, running for the portrait door. Ginny chased after him, fiery locks trailing behind her. This continued, all the way down to the pitch, until both of them had grabbed a broom and were high in the air.
"You ready to get your arse kicked, Ms. Weasley?" Peter taunted
"Ha! I doubt it!" Ginny said smirking
"Alright, let's see then!" Peter said, with one last triumphant grin, he tossed the quaffle high into sky, before it dropped down again, and landed in Ginny's arms. She laughed, and took off down the pitch, twisting and twirling through the sky. The wind tossed Ginny's hair, into a mass of curled knots but, it felt wonderfully as it passed over her face.
She continued grinning, until something shot through the air, and knocked Ginny unstable with a great force. The quaffle cascaded down, to the ground hitting the earth with a great thud. Ginny quickly recovered, and spun around to find two Green flashes of light, twirling about Peter.
She frowned, and growled "Malfoy …"
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Authors Note: Well, what did you think? Hopefully it satisfied all of you guy's needs! Lol Well, I hope you review and tell me what you think! THANKS!