A/N: Good news! School lets out pretty soon, so as soon as that's over and done with, I'll be able to update a lot quicker. Probably every one to two weeks instead of just once a month. Alright, because of the many exams my friend and I have taken (and still have to take for that matter) recently, I apologize in advance for any errors!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, just the plot!

Forgotten

Chapter Four:

xXxXx

"And he just let you go?" Kendra cried, aghast at what had occurred on Ginny's trip to the Great Hall.

"You know, I heard he shaves his chest." Colin said thoughtfully. Kendra and Ginny laughed loudly in response, causing other envious girls to glare, before Ginny casually dismissed it with a wave of her hand.

"Anyway, what did I miss? Anything…interesting happen on your way to breakfast?" she asked suggestively, glancing between the two sitting across from her. Colin looked astonished.

"How did you know I was going to ask her to Hogsmeade?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Ginny blanched, shooting a startled look at Kendra, before averting her attention back to Colin. "Well…um-" A look of realization crossed Colin's face, not going unnoticed by Kendra, whose eyes widened and cheeks flushed a light roseate color.

"It was Seamus and Dean, wasn't it? They did mention they would get back at me for sharing the secret about their, shall we say, ritual rendezvous in the Room of Requirement with a couple of Hufflepuffs." He said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Ginny laughed, quickly agreeing that that was indeed what had transpired as Kendra relaxed and moved closer to Colin, and picked up a glass of pumpkin juice. He, in turn, casually draped his arm around her looking content with the situation.

"So Gin," Kendra began, glancing down the Gryffindor table and noticing quite a void in the seats. "Is there a Quidditch meeting this morning or something?" Ginny promptly dropped her knife she had been about to use to butter some toast, generating a loud clatter, and jumped out of the bench.

Muttering swift apologies, she collected her scrolls, stuffed them back into her bag, and rushed to the doors. Right as she was about to pull the door open with her free hand, though, she was stopped by the silky, yet disquieting voice of Professor Snape.

"Miss Weasley," he started, sneering disdainfully at her, his black eyes flicking over worn robes and tattered, brown bag, "You are aware that you're to serve your second detention tonight before dinner?" he questioned lethargically. Ginny restrained herself from rolling her eyes, and instead plastered a small, but polite smile on her face as acknowledgment.

"Yes, I am quite aware. I believe you've sent three people over the last 24 hours to, remind me. Sir," She added quickly.

"I see you're as galvanized about that as I am then." He said sarcastically, dusting invisible lent off his robes. "Good, that is all. You're free to continue contaminating the hallways with your presence." He concluded with a tenuous smirk, his eyes daring her to retort.

Ginny opened her mouth to respond, but quickly snapped it shut. It was obvious he was trying to provoke her, probably just dying to succeed in giving her another detention. She'd already received five from him, that one term alone.

It was also known to most of the school, and probably the staff for that matter if news traveled as fast as it seemed to in Hogwarts, that if Ginny got just one more internment, she would be suspended from her House team as chaser. So basically, it was stubborn pride that kept her from openly defying her Potions Professor. Instead she pursed her lips, nodded a farewell, and hurriedly walked out to the pitch, silently fuming.

It seemed Harry had just about finished up his lecture, being elected Gryffindor Captain, about the importance of showing up for practices. Upon Ginny's arrival, he sighed, somewhat annoyed, before briefly running through what had been said in her absence. She quickly processed all the information, and mumbled an excuse about being caught in the traffic of the hallways. The rest of the team chuckled, not believing her explanation for a second, before continuing to listen to Harry.

"Just remember, everyone, the Quidditch match starts tomorrow, directly after breakfast. Which means; I expect you lot to have woken up and eaten earlier than your usual pace. Meet me at the field an hour before the match. I'd like to get in a half hour of drilling, just so we're all up to speed on the new plays." He finished loudly, his voice one of authority, before stepping aside and making his way over to Ginny, addressing a few people along the way.

"Sorry about being late, Harry, I know you hate unpunctuality just as much as I do when it comes to Quidditch-" she began hastily, expecting him to chastise her.

"Ginny," he said quickly, holding up his hands as if fending off an attack. "I just needed some advice about something." He muttered uncomfortably, shaking his unruly hair out of his emerald-green eyes. She smiled fondly remember that he never was good at expressing his concerns, whether it be about Voldemort's latest tactic at killing him, or his newest girlfriend. His current conquest was a petite brunette from Ravenclaw. She had a dexterous reputation of going through guys quicker than Hermione could read books.

"Right," he began after discreetly making sure no one else could hear the two. Years of being hounded by Rita Skeeter had eventually paid off. "So, you know Cherry?" he questioned, referring to the underhanded Ravenclaw. Ginny nodded, urging him to get on with it as he struggled to form words.

"Well, I've asked her to go to Hogsmeade with me. Problem is she told me she's got plans already with her friends, some of whom I know are guys she's dated before. Does this mean that she doesn't want to go with me, or do you think she really does have other things to do?" He asked meekly.

The two had been verbalizing their relationship troubles since Harry's fifth year summer, when both had been brooding. Harry, grieving about Sirius' death, had given Ginny the chance to help and kept her mind off of her recent break-up with Dean Thomas. She assisted in bringing him back to his old good-natured self, when many thought he would never be the same. He, in turn, offered to help her with her problems, should she ever need it, thus forming a friendly bond between the two.

Ginny, not wanting to crush his self-esteem, answered quickly. "Oh, well now, don't get ahead of yourself here! I mean you've only been seeing her for what, a week and a half now? She wouldn't have moved on to another guy quite so soon." She assured him, although she knew for a fact that Cherry, being who she was, had probably done exactly that. "I'm sure she's got errands to run, as do I. But Harry, can you honestly say you like this girl?"

"Honestly? I'm not sure I can answer that." He answered after a moment's thought, absently rubbing his scar, as he often did when troubled. "But, the way she makes me feel when we kiss…like I'm the only one who matters to her. And- it's almost like I'm not 'Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived' that she's kissing, but just a regular bloke, you know, as cliché as that sounds." he said, in a feeble attempt to express his feelings.

'Best to end this one quick, then,' Ginny thought with a sigh. He said this about all the girls he dated. Including Hermione, before she and Ron had finally seen the obvious and got together.

"Oh, I can't keep this hushed up anymore!" she commenced dramatically. "I guess being around Colin this long had to have some kind of effect on me. Right, so, you know when I was out that one night past curfew?" Harry nodded, a grim expression on his face.

"Which time?" He muttered under his breath. Ginny ignored him and continued.

"Well, I wasn't the only one. I was going past the Room of Requirement and I heard…noises." She clasped her hands, trying to force herself to look uncomfortable. "Naturally, being the nosy person I am, I went in." Harry's breath hitched, knowing that he wasn't going to like what he was going to hear.

"You saw her didn't you, and with that Adam bloke, right?" he asked apprehensively. Ginny looked away, not wanting to see the brief pain flash through his eyes.

"Harry, I only told you because I don't want to see you getting hurt by revealing your feelings to this girl, if any. If she catches on that she means more than just a good shag to you, then she'll just string you along all year. Plus, being named after a fruit like Cherry is never good karma, love." She said. The story was somewhat the truth, though it hadn't been her who had found Cherry. She had been walking in the hallways with Colin, planning on sitting out by the lake with him, when they had overheard two second year Slytherins gossiping about it.

The wind picked up around them and Ginny shivered. Harry, noticing this, quickly took off his cloak and began to lead her back inside. They walked in tense silence for a few moments before he finally said something as they reached the doors.

"Thanks, Gin." He walked off then, seeing Cherry leaving the Great Hall in the throng of people on their way to the first class of the day. He glanced over at Ginny, smiled quickly, and hurried over to the Ravenclaw. Ginny smirked and looked around for Colin and Kendra. Upon seeing them, she waved them over and together the three made their way to class.

xXxXx

A few hours later found Ginny in a very compromising position. She was currently being restrained by four sixth year Gryffindor guys. The boys were equally very strong, two of them being on the Quidditch team as beaters, one other as a chaser, and the last being Colin, who preferred to exercise regularly to keep in shape. Oddly enough, they could just barely manage to hold Ginny back from attacking Blaise Zabini once more.

"Come on Ginny, he's not worth it!" Kendra pleaded desperately, worried lines etched into her forehead. "Honestly, you know anything that comes out of his foul mouth is only said hurt others because he's trying to compensate for things he doesn't have!" she declared loudly, purposely looking over her shoulder at the aforementioned Slytherin and giving him a once over with cold eyes. He merely smirked and gave a mock bow, though rage flared in great contrast to his ash-colored eyes.

"But you heard what he said about Charlie!" Ginny cried still recklessly trying to free herself.

"Think about it Gin," Colin began, rubbing small circles on her back trying to calm her obviously frayed nerves. "The match tomorrow is against Slytherin, and two of their chasers are sick, so they have reserves covering most of their team. Knowing that losing to Gryffindor, again," he said this part loudly, "would absolutely crush their already damaged reputations as athletes, they probably thought taking out a valuable player would benefit to them."

"What do you mean? I thought he only verbally attacked her, not physically." The chaser with brown hair holding her back questioned, narrowly missing Ginny's fist as other Slytherins gathered and laughed at her current state.

"He knew that if he mentioned her brother, she would hit him, or try to at least. You did hear, of course, that if she gets one more detention that she'll be suspended from the House team?" Kendra explained, as Colin continued talking quietly to Ginny.

Whatever he said seemed to have steadied her, as she slowly went limp and stopped her struggle. The Gryffindor boys seemed reluctant to release her, but eventually let go seeing she was once again composed. The only evidence of her struggle being that her once smooth, pulled back hair was now in disarray.

"Budge up, mates." Colin muttered under his breath. "McGonagall's coming round the corner. She takes one look at Ginny and she'll dock points faster than Neville can lose his toad. We can't afford more tension before tomorrow morning." Immediately, a small circle was formed around Ginny, leaving only enough space for Kendra to squeeze through and keep her calm.

"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" she asked, breaking through the ring of spectators that had assembled.

"Not a thing, Professor, just one of our usual verbal spats before an oncoming Quidditch game." One of the beaters supplied. "All the excitements over now, though. You missed a good one."

"Well," Professor McGonagall started, obviously displeased. "I'm assuming no one was injured? No spells cast?" she questioned, quickly surveying the surrounding area with a critical eye. The Gryffindors unconsciously shuffled closer around Ginny.

"Right, well if that's all, everybody, back to your Common Rooms this instant. I do believe dinner will be served shortly, and Miss Weasley, aren't you due for your detention tonight with Professor Snape?" The crowd dispersed hurriedly, leaving only Kendra, Colin, and Ginny.

"You alright, Gin?" Colin asked passively. He had not heard what Blaise had said to her, but was only aware that it was about Charlie. If it had caused that much of a reaction out of her, it couldn't be good. Slowly, they made their way to the dungeons. Ginny furiously wiped away the stray tear that had fallen.

"He-he said that-Charlie," her voice trembled as she spoke, but nevertheless, she cleared her throat and continued. "He said, 'It gave me pleasure to be able to hear your brother's pathetic pleas for help as he screamed in agony during his torture. It was a joy seeing him die.'" Colin gasped, and shook his head, pulling Ginny closer to him and lightly kissing her forehead.

During the summer, right before the start of Ginny's sixth year at Hogwarts, there had been an attack on her home. No one was supposed to have been there. The Weasley's had decided to throw together a surprise birthday party for Harry and had left together to go pick him up. Bill, Charlie, Fred and George had taken the night off of work and flooed over only hours before. Percy couldn't come because his wife, Penelope, was pregnant and he felt guilty about leaving her alone, as she wasn't permitted to floo on her third trimester.

Things had gone right on schedule. Harry was having a great time opening presents when Charlie realized he had forgotten his at home. He had pulled Ginny aside, asking her to cover for him if anyone asked where he was, and she agreed. Unfortunately, when Charlie returned to the Burrow, he interrupted a Death Eater ambush. Ginny remembered that while he was suffering, being tortured to no end, she had been laughing, explaining to others that Charlie was fine, and that he was probably just sneaking some cake.

If only she'd have told them he was at home, maybe things would have been different. Ginny had gone over what could have occurred, knowing all the possibilities, a thousand times. She would tell her parents that Charlie had gone home, searching for a present. Her mum would then be reminded that she had left the cake in the kitchen during all the rush. The family gathered, and all but one present opened, they would decide to continue the party back at the Burrow. Upon arriving, they would stop the Death Eaters from killing Charlie, and things would go back to normal. To this day though, Ginny still saw Charlie's death as her fault.

"Well, we do seem to be making a habit out of this, eh?" Kendra laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "This is the second night in a row we've walked you to detention of all places!" Colin chuckled and Ginny threw Kendra a grateful look for interrupting the uncomfortable silence.

"And if you had arrived any later, you could have added a third." An irritated voice called. They looked over to seem Professor Snape standing luminously by his classroom door. The torches cast shadows on his face, causing Ginny to dread spending the next hour with him. As Colin started to explain, Snape rolled his eyes.

"Oh hush up, Creevy, and you, Miss Bentley, shouldn't you be at dinner?" he asked Kendra, exasperation evident in his tone. The three students shared one last look before Colin grabbed Kendra by the elbow and quickly led her to the Great Hall.

"Sorry Professor," Ginny mumbled weakly, walking past him and entering the gloomy classroom. The stone walls and floors seemed particularly dank that night, and Ginny prayed she wouldn't have to scrub the floors.

"Save it, Weasley, and hand over your wand." Snape interrupted, brushing past her and making his way over to his desk. "I heard about what happened." He said after she had placed her wand on his desk, eyeing it with longing. Ginny only responded with a confused look.

"If you're going to continue to be the Slytherins latest target, it'd be wise for you to learn to keep your guard up. They feed on emotions and outbursts like the ones you've displayed." Ginny was shell-shocked. Was Professor Snape actually offering her advice?

"Uh…yes, sir." She answered hesitantly. He nodded and continued grading papers.

"You are to label the bottles kept in the supply cabinet to your left." He ordered, not looking us. She quickly walked over to the closet and began, her grumbling stomach reminding her that working slowly was not the smartest choice if she wanted to get to dinner on time.

The minutes seemed to pass at an agonizing slow pace, the only sound being the scratching of Snape's quill, and the odd clink of glass from Ginny every now and then. She jumped as she heard the dungeon door creak open, bringing light into the purposely shadowed room. Turning her head, she saw Malfoy enter. He gave no impression that he had seen her yet.

"Professor, may I have a word?" he asked in a neutral tone.

Snape, still not looking up from his papers, waved his wand and conjured a straight back, cushioned chair. "Miss Weasley, would you step outside for a moment?"

"Why?" she questioned dumbly, putting down the container of dried leeches she had finished marking. Malfoy sneered, finally having noticed her presence, while Snape rolled his eyes and sighed loudly.

"Because you irritate me." He said aggravated. "Come to think of it, just leave. I can't read your slapdash handwriting as it is, and your punishment has been served. Do think on what you've learned."

"That I need an assistant to write for me?" she supplied cheekily, though she had the slightest of feelings that he meant their conversation before. Silence and blank stares greeted her obvious attempt at humor, so she quickly left the room, her face flaming.

She had barely made it halfway down the hallway when she remembered she had brought her shoulder bag along with her, and it was still in the supply closet. Her hand, poised to knock on the door, which had been rudely slammed shut promptly after her exit, froze. The door was not soundproof, and it seemed a Silencing Spell had not crossed her Professor or Malfoy's mind. She strained her ears to make sense of the mumbling.

"Mister Malfoy, I do not believe you are seeing the full consequences of such a choice." She heard Snape say. There was a moment of lulled quiet before Malfoy's voice was heard.

"I thought you said this would save my life." He said, his voice one of slight despair. She heard Snape chuckle, though there was clearly no mirth in his laughter.

"You must know that no matter what you choose, whether it be becoming a Death Eater, or disregarding your father's wishes completely, the end will only result in your death. Sooner or later, Voldemort will tire of your services and be done with you, as, I have no doubt, Lucius will do also." He said, his voice taking on a somber tone. She heard a chair scrape the floor and assumed Malfoy had stood up.

"So what, exactly, are you suggesting I do?" he yelled angrily. She once again heard the chair scraping the stone and could only guess that he had either sat back down or was rearranging the furniture. "Sorry," Malfoy muttered.

"Learn to control your emotions, Mister Malfoy. They'll only cause trouble for you in the end." Snape said calmly. "Nonetheless, I would not advise rejecting the Dark Mark."

"Are you suggesting that I should be a spy for the Light Side?" Malfoy questioned bluntly.

"I'm not suggesting anything, Draco. Now, I do have other things to do, is there anything else you needed? Good, grab Weasley's bag on your way out." He finished.

Ginny's eyes widened, and she sprinted down the hallway and turned the corner. She counted to ten before turning and acting as if she had just come looking for her bag. She saw Malfoy heading in her direction and, upon seeing her he tossed the bag to her. Not expecting it, she watched voicelessly as it fell to the floor at her feet, her books falling out. She bent down to pick them up and was frustrated to see that Malfoy was not attempting to help her.

"How about a little help?" she complained, looking up at him. Amusement sparkled in his eyes, though his facial expression betrayed nothing.

"Chivalry is dead, love." He said with a short laugh before side-stepping her and leaving. Ginny bit back a growl of anger and quickly returned his comment.

"Well at least I don't shave my chest." She said snidely.

"What?" he barked, unsure he had heard her correctly.

"I said, you'd look nice in a sweater vest. It was a compliment." Ginny said with a smirk, hurriedly brushing past him, leaving him standing dumbfounded in the hallway.

xXxXx

A/N: Whoa, so many reviews! Thanks, all of you! I'll have the next one up around the first week of June, I promise.

Portia : Ginny's not in Azkaban. She hasn't been receiving food that often, thinking she was forgotten, but she did make a reference in the first chapter about Azkaban. Something about how they at least serve three meals a day, whereas she was only getting food on the rare occasion. Sorry to have confused you!

.spitxfire. : There's obviously a dark past that Draco has been trying to keep quiet. Tonight, some of it was revealed. His past has been affecting his thoughts and actions his whole life, this school year seemingly being no different…until Ginny eavesdropped on his conversation with Snape…oh my gosh! So I do have a plot somewhere in this story, who would've thought? Haha, I'll update soon, don't worry.

InsaneMonkeePirate : It's no problem, I understand if you've been busy, I have too, haha. If you're still interested, I'll start e-mailing you my chapters again. But I hope you don't mind that you'll be my second opinion, because I already promised my friend she could read the chapters in advance if she edited. If that's a problem, just let me know, and we'll figure something out.

Fleury : Yes, Ginny got her wand back. Oh and don't worry! I wouldn't dare let Malfoy cut off Ginny's hair! My mom's a redhead as well, and if she found out…well let's just say I wouldn't be updating quite as quickly.

TropicalTreat101: thanks!

Jade Summers: Your favorite word is unceremoniously? Huh, that's cool, haha. Good thing he didn't cut off her hair, I don't think I'd enjoy being shot. I'm sorry you miss your old locks, but you'll get used to the shorter ones. Just think of it this way, it won't take as long for you to get ready right?

Moony's number 1 : Aww, thanks! Haha, I feel honored that I was your first D/G fic! I'm guessing before you stuck to fics involving, hmmm, maybe a certain Professor Lupin?

Don't forget to review, I love hearing everybody's feedback!

Sunflour