Chapter 4
September the first dawned sunny and warm and all Ginny really wanted to do was burrow down under her blankets and stay in bed, at least until Harry took out the Dark Lord and Ginny did not really care about how long it took either, if she could just stay where she was. If she could just stay in her bed it would mean that she would never have to see him again and under the protection of Sanctuary, the Dark Lord could not get to her.
Unfortunately for Ginny, the ability to hide in bed was not an option. She still had an essay to finish for History of Magic. Albus, Severus and Minerva had decided that it would be better to take some of the school's money and purchase her her schoolbooks, supplies and uniforms as well as some regular clothes instead of sending an owl to her parents requesting her belongings. Word of Ginny's whereabouts was kept strictly within the school, Albus placing a spell on the staff that would prevent them from talking about Ginny off the school grounds to anyone, not even her parents and Ginny was prevented from leaving the grounds under the rules of Sanctuary. Provided Ginny stayed within the protective wards that surrounded the castle grounds then she would be invisible to anyone looking onto the grounds from outside the wards.
Ginny spent the day in the library finishing up the last of her new summer assignments before making her way down towards the Entrance Hall, where she hid amongst the shadows until the first set of students started pouring through the castle doors. Slipping amongst the first sets of students Ginny made her way into the Great Hall, taking her seat at the Gryffindor table to await her classmates, Harry, Ron and Hermione.
It was not long before the Hall was full and the Sorting of the First Years began. Throughout the entire sorting and Dumbledore's start of term announcements Ginny could feel it. She knew, even before she looked, who it was that was watching her.
"Hey Gin," whispered Harry, nudging her lightly. "Why is Malfoy staring at you like that?"
"I don't know Harry," replied Ginny quietly as she turned her gaze from silver to emerald eyes. "Why does Malfoy do anything that he does," she commented with a shrug as Harry turned back to his dinner.
As dinner progressed, Ginny grew more unsettle as Draco continued to watch her.
"Gin, you okay?" asked Ron from across the table when he noticed Ginny was just pushing her food around her plate.
"I'm not feeling that well actually so I think I'll just head up to Gryffindor and lay down for a little while," replied Ginny as she rose from the table.
"Feel better Gin," encouraged Harry as Ginny passed him. "We'll be up soon."
"Ron, did your mother ever tell you where Ginny disappeared to over the summer?" asked Hermione curiously.
"You know what guys," interrupted Harry before Ron could answer. "I think I'm going to head to the Common Room myself," he said as he pushed his plate away before standing.
"But Harry, you've hardly eaten anything and you're far too skinny to be skipping meals like this," chided Hermione.
"I know that Mione. I'll hit the kitchens later but I think it's best if I go with Ginny," Harry argued.
"Why is it so important you go with Ginny mate?" questioned Ron. "You told me you didn't think of her in that way."
"I know what I said Ron," Harry snapped in frustration at having his lie thrown back in his face like that. "But I also just saw Malfoy leave the Hall not even two minutes after your sister and I also know that he's been watching her ever since he got here. I'm not about to leave Ginny alone to deal with the git."
"But Harry, Malfoy could just be going to the Slytherin dorms," argued Hermione.
"It's possible but I'm not about to take that chance, not with Ginny," replied Harry as he turned and made his way from the Great Hall.
"I think Harry was lying to you when he said he wasn't in love with your sister Ron," commented Hermione thoughtfully.
"Buy why would he do that?" demanded Ron
"My guess? To try to keep her out of You-Know-Who's line of fire. Ron you know that we're targets just by being his friends, can you imagine the danger to Ginny if they were involved? Not only was she possessed by the memory of a young Tom Riddle in her First Year but if You-Know-Who learned she was Harry's girlfriend? He would almost certainly use her to get at Harry and I don't think Harry would be able to live with himself if something happened to Ginny because she was involved with him," explained Hermione.
"I hadn't really thought about it like that, but I guess you're right Mione," agreed Ron. "I just hope that when Harry does defeat You-Know-Who, it isn't too late for him and Ginny."
"Same here," agreed Hermione as they turned back to their dinners.
Meanwhile…
"Hey Ginny, wait up!" called Draco when he caught sight of Ginny making her way up the Grand Staircase. When Ginny ignored his call, Draco continued after her, finally catching up to her when the staircase in front of her decided to move before she had made it on. "Would you wait a second," he snapped as he grabbed Ginny by the arm, spinning her around to face him.
Ginny flinched when Draco grabbed her, pulling her arm free and stumbling back into the wall for support.
"Ginny are you all right?" asked Draco in concern when he saw Ginny's reaction.
"What do you want Malfoy?" demanded Ginny coldly.
"I want to know what happened Ginny," Draco replied as he walked over to stand in front of her. "I want to know what happened to make you change your mind about the Ball at the last second and where you disappeared to this past week."
"Why should I tell you? It's not like you'd care," Ginny snarled in reply. It was obvious in her voice that she was fighting her emotions, but what those emotions were was anybody's guess.
"I do care Ginny," assured Draco as he cupped Ginny's cheek gently with his hands.
"Get your hands off her Malfoy," ordered Harry from behind him.
"Or what Potter?" Draco sneered as he turned to face Harry. "You'll do it for me?"
"No. I'll remove them permanently from your body," replied Harry. "Come on Ginny, let's get out of here," he said extending his hand out to Ginny.
"Weasley and I aren't finished yet Potter and this is a private conversation, so you can just run along now," snarled Draco as he stalked towards Harry."
"Come on Ginny," Harry urged again as Ginny stepped around Draco, taking Harry's hand. Once Ginny had taken his hand, Harry pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders before turning and walking up the recently returned staircase, not saying anything more to Draco, simply walking away.
When Ginny woke the following morning she was both looking forward to the day and dreading it at the same time. She was looking forward to starting classes but was dreading the fact that she had to somehow find a way to spend time with Draco at some point during the day for their weekly contract renewal, without raising anybody's, especially the Golden Trio's, suspicions. Ginny just had to keep reminding herself that Professor Snape had told her that he would find a way to help her, she just hoped he had found it.
Ginny begrudgingly pulled herself out of bed and got herself ready for the day. Once dressed in the robes purchased for her by the professors, Ginny grabbed her knapsack and made her way down to the Common Room.
"Harry?" asked Ginny in surprise when she reached the Common Room. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"
"They've already gone down to breakfast," explained Harry as he rose from the chair he had been sitting in while waiting for Ginny to come down. "I thought I'd walk you down to breakfast," he offered.
"Really?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"Well, yeah. I mean someone has to protect you from Malfoy right?"
"Oh," commented Ginny, immediately deflating, "Right. So shall we go then?"
"Of course," agreed Harry as he ushered Ginny out the portrait hole before him and walking with her down to the Great Hall joining the others at the Gryffindor Table. "What is with that git," snarled Harry a short while later.
"What's up with who Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Malfoy, who else," spat Harry.
"Harry, just ignore him, please," pleaded Ginny. "Just leave it alone alright. He's not doing anything."
"Not doing anything? Ginny, he did nothing but stare at you all through dinner last night, then he practically assaulted you in the stairwell and now…now he's staring at you again," ranted Harry just loud enough for Ron, Hermione and Ginny to hear.
"He assaulted you Gin?" demanded Ron, his face rapidly becoming the same shade as his hair, when an owl suddenly landed in front of Ginny. "Whose owl is that?" he snapped as Ginny untied the letter and stuffed it into her bag as the owl left the Hall. "Answer me Ginny," ordered Ron. "Whose owl was that and what's this about Malfoy assaulting you?"
"First off Ron," snapped Ginny. "Who the owl belongs to is none of your business and secondly, Malfoy did not assault me."
"Then what would you call it Ginny?" demanded Harry. "When I found you he had you pinned up against the wall with his hands all over you. If that's not assaulting you then I don't know what is."
"May I have your attention please," asked Albus as he rose from his seat at the Head Table, before Ginny could answer. "Seeing as it's almost time for you all to head off to your first class of the year, I would like to wish you all luck in your endeavours this year and to ask that those of you who have not yet received a schedule to remain behind for a few moments."
"What's that all about I wonder," mused Harry as Albus retook his seat, his attention taken from Malfoy by the Headmaster's comments. "Mione do you know what Dumbledore's talking about? I mean you are Head Girl."
"I have no idea Harry," replied Hermione, as the trio rose from the Gryffindor Table and started towards the Entrance Hall. "Are you coming Ginny?" she asked when she noticed Ginny was still sitting at the table.
"Nope."
"And why not?" demanded Ron.
"No schedule," replied Ginny simply.
"So?" countered Ron, causing Ginny to groan and let her head hit the table in frustration.
"Ron," sighed Hermione. "Ginny has no schedule, which means she's one of the ones Dumbledore was talking about. She has to stay behind."
"I don't like it," grumbled Harry. "Especially since it looks like Malfoy is staying as well."
"Harry, I think Ginny can handle Malfoy on her own," argued Hermione, putting up a hand to forestall any arguments from Harry. "She's the fastest of all of us when it comes to hexes and besides it's not like she's alone with Malfoy since it appears that Neville is staying as well."
"Good, that means Neville can keep an eye on my sister," commented Ron, putting a hand on Neville's shoulder.
"Of…of course I'll…I'll keep an eye on her," agreed Neville nervously. While Neville had grown into quite a handsome and strong young man, he had yet to outgrow his shy nervousness. "You okay Ginny?" he asked in concern once the Golden Trio had left and he noticed that Ginny still had her head on the table and was grumbling unintelligibly.
"I'm fine," replied Ginny with false sincerity as she lifted her head to look at Neville.
Before Ginny could continue, Albus rose from his seat once more as soon as the door closed behind the last student leaving the Great Hall. "Now then, before I explain why you are being singled out, why don't we have everyone move to the Ravenclaw table, that way you are all together and it will be easier for me to explain what is going to happen."
Ginny and Neville, along with the other four non-Ravenclaw students made their way over to the Ravenclaw Table, taking seats at the end nearest the professors. Draco making sure he got a seat next to Ginny.
"Excellent," cheered Albus once the students were seated. "Now I'm sure all of you are wondering why you've been asked to stay behind. The answer to that is that all of you have been selected to take part in a special project we have decided to try. There have been discussions amongst the staff for quite some time about the possibility of merging the Sixth and Seventh Year classes into a single set of classes taken by both years together. We have decided to give it a try and you eight will be the test students. Our hope is that the Sixth Years will be able to see how what they learn can be put into practice while the Seventh Years will get the chance to solidify what they learned in Sixth Year, aiding them in learning what they will need to know in order to successfully pass their N.E.W.T.s. We have selected two students from each house, one Sixth Year and one Seventh Year and you will be working in pairs. Yes Mr. Smith?"
"Will we be partnered with the Seventh Year from our own Houses Professor?" Zacharias asked.
"I'm afraid not Mr. Smith," replied Albus, the twinkle in his eye at full force. "We are also hoping this little experiment will start to mend the rift that has grown between the Houses. Make no mistake Mr. Smith, the Wizarding World is at war and in times of war we must call upon all of our brothers and sisters, Slytherins especially must be kept within the fold of the Light. Now then," Albus said, bringing the topic back to where it was and away from the war. "The eight of you will attend the following classes together, Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts. You will attend these four classes together and they will be comprised of only the eight of you. You will attend the rest of your classes with your peers. You will also have several study breaks during the week where you are to work on your assignments from these four classes together with your partner, as you will have several joint assignments. You may of course work on assignments from your other classes as well and Sixth Years do not be afraid to ask your Seventh Year partner for help. Of course you may work together outside of class time or study breaks but I will leave that up to you to decide on. Now I suppose you're all wondering about your pairing, so without further ado, I shall tell you. When I call your names please find one another and then find a seat here in the Hall where you can get to know one another a bit before your first class, which will begin shortly. All right then, your partners. Justin Finch-Fletchley and Luna Lovegood." Albus said waiting until the two students had moved off down the Hufflepuff Table before calling the next pairing. "Neville Longbottom and Zacharias Smith." Again Albus waited until the pair were seated at the Gryffindor Table. "Terry Boot and Michaela Flint." When that pairing moved down the table, Albus turned his attention to the two remaining students. "Well Mr. Malfoy it looks like that means Miss Weasley will be your partner." Albus smiled kindly at Ginny before starting to make his way from the Hall. "Oh, I almost forgot," he added with a flick of his wand, causing eight schedules to appear, one in front of each student.
"Well now isn't that just a little too convenient," commented Draco sarcastically after Albus had left the Hall.
"Not convenient, arranged," snapped Ginny, not looking up from her schedule. "We should get to class," she commented a few minutes later as the other pairs started to leave.
"Ginny wait!" cried Draco as he caught up to Ginny, grabbing her arm in the process making her flinch once more.
"Kindly let go of me," Ginny requested, her voice void of all emotion.
"What do you mean by arranged? You don't think my father…"
"Don't worry," interrupted Ginny. "Lord Malfoy had nothing to do with this and I highly doubt he would even approve," offered Ginny as she began heading towards the Greenhouses once more.
"Well then who?" asked Draco, falling into step with Ginny.
"Does it matter?"
"I suppose not," replied Draco. "I just don't like other people in my business and the more people that know about us the more likely it is to get around and…Ginny what is it?" he asked in concern when Ginny suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"I am such an idiot," sneered Ginny. "I knew it was too good to be true."
"What Ginny? What's too good to be true?"
"You! And this whole I'm not the Slytherin Prince everyone believes me to be routine. I was a fool to believe you might actually care about me. You only said what you did to make me a more willing participant in your bed," Ginny hissed angrily before storming past Draco and into the greenhouse, Draco following her a few minutes later.
The eight students in Albus' special project spent their morning in Herbology, followed by Transfiguration. When the lunch break sounded, Ginny made her way towards the library to begin her research on becoming an animagus. It was a project that Professor McGonagall had assigned to each pair and Ginny wanted to get a head start on it. Ginny was not the only one with that particular idea she noticed when she entered the library and found the other three pairs already seated inside. She made her way back into the stacks, grateful that she had not seen Draco anywhere in the library, only to come face to face with him in the stacks.
"What are you doing here?" snapped Ginny in frustration. She had hoped to see as little of Draco as possible and yet here she was partnered with him for the entire year.
"I thought you might want to get started on our Transfiguration project," replied Draco, pulling a book from the shelf and handing it to Ginny. "It's not everyday that you get to learn how to become an animagus. It's not even on the Seventh Year curriculum. I also saw the way your eyes lit up when McGonagall assigned it so here I am."
"Whatever," mumbled Ginny as she turned away from Draco and went in search of an empty table as far away from everyone else as possible.
"Ginny what's wrong?" pleaded Draco quietly in concern as he sat down next to Ginny. "What happened Ginny? What did my father do that would make you disappear the way that you did?" he asked taking her hand in his.
"Just because I have to work with you and let you have your way with me on a weekly basis doesn't mean I have to like it, nor does it make us friends. That's something you have to earn. It can't be bought for you, no matter how much money you throw at a person, because then you never really now if that person likes you for you or for your money. You're father may have bought you my body, but he did not buy you my friendship. If you want my friendship Malfoy, you're going to have to earn it and I can guarantee you it won't be easy," Ginny hissed before rising from the table and stalking from the library.
The eight special project students finished off their first day with their Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions classes, where Draco and Ginny worked silently together, never talking beyond what was required for the given class. As the day drew on, Ginny's desire to stay hidden in her bed in Professor McGonagall's rooms only grew. The longer she worked with Draco, the more her mind wandered to what was to come later that night. This would not have been too bad if the last class of the day had not been potions, where her inattention very nearly caused her cauldron to explode, which it would have if Draco had not seen her error and quickly added the proper ingredient that would counteract the volatile reaction her error had caused.
"Five points from Gryffindor Miss Weasley for your inattention and five to Slytherin for Mr. Malfoy's quick thinking," sneered Severus, who saw the whole incident. "A word Miss Weasley," instructed Severus a few minutes later as the students were packing to leave.
Ginny waited until the others had all left before approaching Severus' desk. "Yes Professor Snape?"
"Your inattention in class today, it's not like you Ginny. Has Mr. Malfoy done something?"
"No sir," replied Ginny. "I just…I don't know how to act around him."
"You just need to keep reminding yourself of the fact that eventually Mr. Malfoy will leave you," Severus told her sadly. "I know that's not a very kind thing to say to someone, but you and I both know what Lord Malfoy is capable of. Just keep the terms of your marriage at the forefront of your mind and try not to let yourself fall into the trap of loving someone you already know is meant for another, no matter how nice Mr. Malfoy is to you or what he may profess. If you want to come out of this intact then you have to lookout for only yourself. It's up to you to protect your heart because I can assure you that no matter what Mr. Malfoy says, he will not."
"Yes sir," replied Ginny. "I'm doing everything I can think of to do just that. I'll just have to work a little harder now it seems since I'm partnered with him for four classes."
"I must apologize for that Miss Weasley. I'm afraid that is my doing. What Professor Dumbledore said about this project is true. Many Professors have wanted to try it for years and it seemed the best way for you and Mr. Malfoy to spend your required time together while drawing the least amount of attention," explained Severus.
"About that sir, won't it be a little obvious if I'm seen walking through the Slytherin Common Room?" asked Ginny in concern.
"As you are aware, Mr. Malfoy is Head Boy and the Head Boy's room in Slytherin actually has two entrances. There is the obvious one that leads off the dormitories but there is also a little known one that leads off this corridor through a hidden entrance, bypassing both the Common Room and the dormitories altogether," Severus informed her.
"Oh."
"Is there something else Ginevra?"
"Neville sir?" asked Ginny.
"And what is it about Mr. Longbottom that you have issues with?" questioned Severus, amusement entering his voice.
"Not issues exactly sir," clarified Ginny. "More…I'm sorry Sir and I mean no disrespect but have you lost your ever loving mind? I mean, judging by the people chosen for this special project, every one of us is at the top of our House grade wise for our year except Neville. I mean Hermione I could understand, with her being Head Girl and all, but Neville?"
"Miss Granger was of course the more popular choice Ginevra but you have to remember exactly why we're doing this. Can you honestly tell me that Miss Granger would not constantly be in your business and harassing you when she learned that you were partnered with Mr. Malfoy? You and I both know she would be stuck to the two of you like Bubotuber puss, never giving you and Mr. Malfoy a moment's peace or any kind of time alone, time that we both know is vital to keeping the two of you safe. Whereas Mr. Longbottom on the other hand does not have the shall we say Gryffindor courage to confront Mr. Malfoy either publicly or privately and when he informs Miss Granger and friends, which he most certainly will, you have the excuse of being Mr. Malfoy's partner in this special project of the Headmaster's," explained Severus.
"Oh. I guess Neville really is the right choice now that you put it that way."
"Now I suggest you head on up to dinner. I'm sure your friends are just dying to find out about your day," Severus said dismissing Ginny.
"Yes sir," replied Ginny, turning and starting towards the door to the classroom, stopping for her knapsack on the way.
"Oh and Miss Weasley…please try to refrain from letting your mind wander in my class," suggested Severus.
"Yes sir," replied Ginny with a smile.
"And remember, my door is always open to you."
"Thank you Professor…for everything," replied Ginny as she exited the classroom.
Ginny was dreading going to dinner, knowing the confrontation that awaited her when she sat down next to Harry and was surprised when it did not come. She barely even got a hello from Harry when she sat down next to him. He and Ron were too engrossed in talk of Quidditch and their plans for the Gryffindor team and Hermione had her nose stuck in a rather large Arithmancy book to notice her arrival, much to Ginny's relief even though she knew it was only a brief reprieve from the explosion yet to come. She did not have to wait too long as Draco approached the table as dinner was nearing its end.
"Done Weaselette?" sneered Draco from behind Ginny causing Harry and Ron to stop talking and Hermione to stop her reading, all three turning their gazes to the Slytherin.
"Bugger off Malfoy," snarled Harry.
"I wasn't talking to you Scarhead," sneered Draco in reply. "The junior Weasley and I have work to do."
"What do you mean you and my sister have work to do?" demanded Ron.
"Didn't the Weaselette tell you?" crowed Draco in delight as Ginny slowly rose from her spot at the table. "We've been partnered together for the year so if you'll excuse us, we have an assignment to work on," Draco informed them as he started to make his way from the table and out of the Hall.
"Ginny what is the git talking about?" demanded Harry.
"Talk to Neville, he can tell you," replied Ginny sadly before following Draco from the Hall and finding him waiting for her at the entrance to the dungeons. "Was that really necessary?"
"Of course," replied Draco with a smirk. "I, unlike some people, have a reputation to uphold. It's quite embarrassing being forced to socialize with a Gryffindor, and a Weasley one at that," he sneered as he led Ginny through the dungeons. "At least Michaela got partnered with a Ravenclaw. Heaven's above if she got stuck being partnered with Longbottom of all people. The Gods only know why he was chosen for this little experiment of the Headmaster's," Draco ranted before stopping in front of a portrait of Salazar Slytherin.
/-/That's odd. I could have sworn this portrait was hanging in the Sanctuary Room/-/ thought Ginny as Draco gave the portrait his password.
"I am one in the same little lion," sneered Salazar as the portrait swung open towards her. "Step closer little lion," he beckoned after Draco had entered the room. Ginny did as requested and was now standing mere inches from the painting, who had knelt down so as to be eye level with her. "You play with fire when you play with dragons little lion. Fallen Angels stop at nothing to see their goals met. The castle and we Founders have given you sanctuary but even we cannot protect you against the pain that lies within the room I guard. Protect yourself little lion. Guard your heart and your secrets well for no one else will…"
"You coming?" demanded Draco as he stuck his head around the portrait.
Ginny stepped back from Salazar's portrait, giving it a small nod indicating that she had heard the warning before stepping around the portrait frame and into Draco's room.
Draco's room was much like Percy's had been when he had been Head Boy, with a few exceptions of course. The colours being the most obvious difference but even the furniture was different. Oh it was still the standard school type furniture being a bed, a desk, a wardrobe and bookcases. Only in Draco's case it was a king size bed with silk sheets and an actual walk-in closet and all the furniture was a rich cherry wood. Even the fireplace was nicer. It took up almost all of one wall opposite the bed. There was a desk on one side of the fireplace, a couch on the other and a number of large pillows on the floor between them, in front of the fire. The door they had just entered through was near the desk and next to the bookcases, which took up a third wall, ending next to the door to the closet, which was on the right side of the bed if you were facing it. The fourth wall had another smaller bookcase and the door leading out to the dormitories.
So what did Salazar want?" asked Draco a few minutes later after letting Ginny take in the room for a few minutes.
"Exactly what you would expect from a Slytherin," replied Ginny flatly. "Warning me to watch my step mixed in with few insults. Not that different from what I hear on a regular basis from your kind."
"What do you mean my kind?" asked Draco defensively.
"Slytherins, what else," commented Ginny sarcastically. "You are their Prince after all."
"And I told you that that is not me," snapped Draco as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "That is just an image; a part I must play."
"And you play it so well that I can barely tell the difference," sneered Ginny derisively.
"Look Ginny…" began Draco as he approached her, taking her hands in his.
"Please don't call me that," pleaded Ginny quietly, refusing to meet Draco's gaze.
"Why not?" asked Draco in confusion as he turned Ginny's chin so that their gazes would meet. "It is your name after all unless you'd prefer me to call you Ginevra."
"Don't call me anything. Not in here."
"But why?" pushed Draco.
"Just please don't use my name when we're alone like this," Ginny pleaded as she pulled away from Draco and made her way towards the bed, sitting down on the end of it. "For my sake, if for no other. I know Slytherins pride themselves on their self-control, but what do you think would happen to me if it somehow managed to slip out about this…about us? And I'm not saying you would purposely say anything but…"
"But there is still a chance," Draco said finishing Ginny's thought for her as he went to stand before her, cupping her cheek in his hand and running his thumb lightly over her cheekbone as he lifted her gaze one more. "No names, I promise," he swore as he leant over and kissed Ginny lightly on the forehead before gently pushing her back on the bed.
"Where are you going?" asked Draco blearily a few hours later.
"My room. You know, the one in Gryffindor Tower," replied Ginny as she pulled her shoes on and started hunting for her knapsack and school robe in amongst Draco's discarded robe and uniform.
"Stay," urged Draco as he positioned himself against the headboard. "Neither my father nor Blinky are here therefore you have no reason to go."
"I have three very good reasons to leave, plus it's almost curfew and if I don't show up in the tower do you really want the Golden Trio banging down your door?"
"Like they would have the nerve to enter Slytherin territory," mocked Draco disbelievingly.
"You might be surprised," mused Ginny sardonically as she swung her knapsack over her shoulder and folded her robe over her arm. "Besides, in case it somehow managed to slip your notice, Harry seems to have gotten rather protective of me lately and the fewer questions regarding either my whereabouts or why Dumbledore saw fit to pair the two of us up the better. Now I have to go."
"Fine," replied Draco with a sigh of defeat. "Meet me tomorrow afternoon in the library and we'll get to work on our assignments. I promise, school work, nothing more."
"Fine. I'll see you then," agreed Ginny before turning and leaving Draco's room through the same door she had entered through.
"Enjoy yourself Miss Weasley?" questioned Severus after the painting had closed behind Ginny, startling her.
"About as much as anyone who is forced to whore themselves unwilling might be Professor," replied Ginny. "Why are you here?"
"I thought you might need a hand finding your way out of this part of the dungeons," offered Severus. "Come, I'll show you a way to go where you will not have to worry about passing by the Slytherin Common Room. It is not safe for a Gryffindor to be wandering the halls of Slytherin territory alone, this late at night after all."
"Yes Professor and thank you," replied Ginny as they entered the Entrance Hall.
"You still have a few minutes left before curfew Miss Weasley so I suggest you hurry," instructed Severus.
"Yes Sir," answered Ginny as she started up the stairs.
"Oh and one more thing Miss Weasley."
"Yes Professor?" asked Ginny as she turned back to face Severus.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for wandering the halls and detention with me next Friday evening."
"But…"
"No buts Miss Weasley. I expect you in my office next Friday immediately following dinner."
"Yes Sir," agreed Ginny before turning and restarting up the stairs towards Gryffindor Tower.
Ginny thanked the Gods that her luck held out for the rest of her trek to Gryffindor, and that she had run into no one after leaving Professor Snape in the Entrance Hall. Her luck did not hold though when she entered the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Ginevra Weasley, where the bloody hell have you been?" demanded Ron, who had risen from his seat next to Hermione in front of the fire.
"You know where I've been Ron," sighed Ginny. "I've been studying with Malfoy…"
"For four and a half hours!" cried Ron as he blood pressure started sky rocketing, making his face match his hair. "And where exactly have you been studying? It sure as hell wasn't in the library."
"And how would you know that Ron?" sneered Ginny.
"We went looking for you Ginny," explained Hermione. "I mean this is Malfoy we're talking about here."
"You think I don't know that?" snapped Ginny in frustration. You think I like being paired with that git? I didn't exactly have much of a choice in the matter you know."
"What about Dumbledore?" asked Harry entering the conversation for the first time.
"This was Dumbledore's idea Harry, didn't Neville tell you guys that?"
"He told us some mumbo-jumbo about a special project involving sixth and seventh year joint classes," replied Ron.
"Dumbledore had two students from each house chosen. One sixth year and one seventh year and he paired them up. He wants to see how merging the two years compares to keeping them separate. We have four classes where it's just the eight of us and the rest of the time we attend our normal classes," explained Ginny.
"That still doesn't explain why you're working with Ferret Face," argued Ron.
"Well if you let me finish Ron, you might find out," snapped Ginny in irritation. It had been a long and stressful day and this inquisition by her brother and his friends was not helping matters any. "Dumbledore paired up the sixth years with a seventh year from another House. From what he told us he's trying to start mending the rift between the Houses with this project."
"And you got paired with Malfoy," commented Harry. "Why?"
"Yes Harry, I got paired with Malfoy and I haven't the slightest idea as to why so if you want to know that you'll have to ask Dumbledore," sighed Ginny, hoping her lie was convincing.
"So what students are in this special project of the Headmaster's?" Hermione wondered.
"What?" asked Ginny tiredly.
"Who are the other students?" asked Hermione. "You said there were eight of you in this project. We know of you, Neville and Malfoy, so who are the other five?"
"Oh…uhh…" Ginny trailed off as she thought about it. "Me and Neville from Gryffindor, Malfoy and Michaela Flint from Slytherin, Justin Finch-Fletchly and Zacharais Smith from Hufflepuff and Terry Boot and Luna Lovegood from Ravenclaw."
"That's odd," mused Hermione a few minutes later.
"What's odd Hermione," sighed Ginny in exasperation.
"Yeah, what's odd Mione?" asked Harry curiously.
"Well…every one of the students in this 'special project' are at the top of their House for their year…except for Neville. Plus there's the fact that Malfoy's Head Boy. It makes sense that he'd be involved but why Neville and not me? I'm at the top of our class plus I'm Head Girl. Why include Neville who is barely passing potions and not the Head Girl? It just doesn't make sense," commented Hermione turning towards Ginny.
"Oh for the love of…" snapped Ginny, finally losing her tenuous hold on her temper. "How in the name of the Gods am I supposed to know why Dumbledore chose Neville and not you? Do I look like the Headmaster to you? Maybe he thought it might help Neville, I don't know so stop asking me all right? If you want answers ask the Headmaster and see what he says. Now if you don't mind, I'm beyond tired so I'm going to bed. Goodnight!" Ginny finished pushing past Ron and Harry and stomping up the stairs to her dorm room.
"What the bloody hell has gotten into her?" demanded Ron harshly after they heard Ginny's door shut. "Whatever it is I don't like it."
"Neither do I Ron," agreed Hermione quietly. "But there is nothing we can do about it right now so why don't we head to bed and we can talk to Dumbledore in the morning," she finished kissing Ron on the cheek before heading towards her room.
"You coming mate?" asked Ron a few moments later when he noticed that Harry was not following him towards the stairs.
"What?" asked Harry, shaking off his thoughts. "Oh right," he said, when Ron pointed up the stairs, before heading over and making his way up to the dormitory behind Ron.