A/N: Okay, new chapter – going to the beach this weekend so while I'm there, I'll go over the other chapters coming up. Alright, enough of this, here's your story.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, just the plot!
Forgotten
Chapter Seven:
"Hope for the best but prepare for the worst," Kendra read aloud in a fatigued tone. Ginny scoffed quietly at how ironic that statement actually was. She was doing exactly that as she pondered what had occurred between herself and Malfoy. Would it even be proper to call him by his last name now?
It'd been a couple days and she was still slightly dazed. Malfoy, or Draco (which was it?), had ostensibly been avoiding her, as she in turn evaded him. Ginny had been completely and utterly dumbfounded since coming back from the dungeons that night, and her behavior certainly hadn't gone unnoticed by her two friends.
Colin and Kendra had walked into the Common Room, just moments before, after another one of their 'study sessions' in the library, only to be guiltily drawn in by Ginny's complaints on her 'monumental' amount of homework she'd received from Professor Trelawney that morning.
After the teacher's short lapse in her career at Hogwarts amid Ginny's fourth year, Dumbledore had allowed Professor Trelawney to continue educating the students of Hogwarts, along with Firenze of course.
The two had been alternating classes since the Centaur was no longer welcome in the Forbidden Forest and had no choice but to continue teaching. The three Gryffindors, however, presently lay lounging on their stomachs in front of the fire, all chairs having been forgotten in their haste to finish Ginny's essay.
Kendra had the bulky Divination book sprawled out in front of her, her face propped up by her hands as she skimmed over, what she considered to be, the unimportant details. Colin had snatched a spare bit of parchment from a third year, and was currently drawing things like circles, squares, triangles, stars, brooms, the Snitch, Professor Trelawney getting struck by lightning; basically anything to keep him from having to actually to do anything involving homework. He was much like Ron and Harry in those aspects.
Meanwhile, Ginny had been half-heartedly listening to Kendra drone on about the mysterious shapes of trees, and how certain colorings of the leaves almost always signified a coming of death. Her mind was mainly focused on what she would do if she should happen to run into Draco…or Malfoy.
Would she mention what the few mind-boggling minutes of snogging him had done to her? Immediately after reaching the stairwell that led to Gryffindor Tower, she'd had to lean on the wall to slow her racing heart. Her mind had been spinning, with longing for more of his kisses, the feeling of the last one still pounding painfully throughout her body.
Or, would she ignore that it had ever happened, and continue on with their childish insults? What was the use, though? After all, everybody in the castle, teachers and ghosts included, had already heard even their newest 'verbal-weapons,' and honestly, they weren't that impressive. Ginny's struggles to humble the prat seemed to fall on deaf ears, especially when it came to him.
The most essential question of them all, though, was, in her opinion, what if that sole kiss had feeling hidden profoundly within it. There was no doubt that there had been a spark, yes, she knew that without a doubt; but did that single fleeting moment, which had really felt like hours, present any indication of a more intense feeling, well, other than hate of course?
Now, Ginny was a sensible girl. She could effortlessly fathom the concept that Malfoy (or Draco) would have absolutely no idea what she might or might not be feeling, and would most likely think that she was off her rocker.
After all, he was infamously known as the school-heartbreaker, and heart-breaking he certainly had done. If Ginny should try to pursue a relationship with the Slytherin though… well, she might as well be saying, 'Here's my heart, I'll let you shatter it!'
Unbeknownst to her, Kendra and Colin were thoughtfully contemplating her far-off expression, glancing at each other every now and then to confirm their latest revelation. Ginny, it seemed, had her eye on a new conquest.
All three were jolted from their thoughts, however, as Ron, Harry and Hermione dashed in from the portrait hole over to where Ginny, Colin and Kendra were lazing. At Ron's expectant look towards them, Kendra and Colin looked confusedly at each other, while Ginny just looked agitated.
"Well," Ron prompted irritatingly. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"What?" She snapped back, pushing herself up so she was resting on her knees. Her brother gave an over exaggerated sigh, as if to say, 'Are you really that daft?' before finally answering.
"Are you leaving or not?" Harry buried his face in his hand, knowing this would anger Ginny, while Hermione shook her head at Ron's rude tone. The bushy-haired witch wisely decided to interject before one of the three still on the ground could reply.
"Honestly, Ronald, you could be a bit more polite." She chastised before turning to Ginny. "Gin, do you mind if we take over this part of the Common Room? We have something, er, private to discuss." She said, uncomfortable at the fact of having to drive them out. At Harry's pleading look, Ginny finally relented.
"Fine, fine," she answered saucily. Colin quickly stood up and offered a hand to the two girls on the floor, both of whom graciously accepted. Gathering their stuff, of which there was little, they slowly and purposely took their time picking up and leaving.
Eventually Ron, thoroughly exasperated, helped cart their few and small items to the far side of the room, opposite the couches and chairs, where a solid, wooden table stood awkwardly. Walking away, he could be heard muttering something along the lines of, 'stupid twit, starting to sound just like mum, that one.'
"Oi, what's going on with those three?" Kendra mumbled, so as not to be overheard. The comfy chairs by the fireplace were widely known for their tendency to become a place of meeting, considering sound originating from there didn't seem to echo quite as much as other spots in the Common Room.
Whereas, the area where Colin, Kendra and Ginny were now sitting…well, you could hear even the smallest of whispers resounding from there. This was precisely the reason few Gryffindors chose to sit their, unless of course, it was the only option available, should the Common Room get particularly crowded. Luckily, there were only a handful of seventh and sixth years around, so they weren't likely to be overheard if the three made sure to whisper.
"I dunno." Ginny said, as an inquiring expression registered on her face. "They act as if it's some kind of club they've got going on." She said, confused at their behavior. Usually, when the trio wanted to talk about something Voldemort-related, they went to Hermione's private dormitory since she was Head Girl. Colin snorted.
"Ah, right, a secret club. What's the secret, though, that they're all morons?" Kendra smirked at his remark, an irksome glint appearing in her crystal-blue eyes.
"Whatever it is they're up to, we should find out. Gin, do you still have those Extendable Ears Fred and George gave you?" she asked with a hopeful grin.
xXxXx
"Ouch, Colin!" Ginny whispered threateningly as Colin stepped on her toe. The previous Christmas, Ginny had received two pairs of Extendable Ears from Fred and George.
Unfortunately, their mum had caught sight of one of them, and immediately tossed it. The other one had luckily been hidden, but haplessly, while in its hiding spot deep within Ginny's trunk, it'd been torn, leaving only one extension.
Ginny, Colin and Kendra were currently huddling together in the shadows of the boys' stairwell, which lay closest to the fire in the Common Room. Moments before, they had released the Extendable Ear, but hadn't been able to properly hear what was being said, as they had to hold the Ear out in front of them, leaning their faces as close to each other as possible to try and apprehend what Ron, Harry, and Hermione were discussing.
"Shh, it's a good thing we're being sly enough not to be caught. You keep talking and there's no hope for us at all." Kendra hissed, nudging Ginny. She rolled her eyes at Kendra, but nonetheless, quieted, but not before shooting Colin a dirty look. The three of them crouched tighter as they heard Harry start talking again.
"…Dumbledore said…and that we should watch him…should be deciding any day…"
"What's he saying?" Colin whispered. Kendra shot him a glare, hinting for him to keep silent.
Ron started talking. "…supposed to do…can't very well follow him all…suppose he's at the Owlery now…" Hermione interrupted then.
"…honestly, how would we even know…not like we could snatch his letter…might be jinxed…what…he'll choose?"
"Who in bloody hell are they talking about?" Ginny muttered, frustrated.
"Shh!" Colin and Kendra hissed simultaneously.
"…a spy?…No doubt choose…Death Eaters…" Ron trailed off loudly. Suddenly, something inside Ginny's memory clicked. Hadn't she heard Snape talking to Malfoy…or Draco (she really need to clear that up) that night she left her bag in the Potions classroom?
'Yes! Snape did mention something about Draco picking sides; whether by becoming a Death Eater, a member of the Order, or a spy. I had no idea Dumbledore had informed Harry about his options, though.' Ginny thought.
She was momentarily distracted as Colin hurriedly grabbed her arm, along with Kendra's, and pulled them up the staircase. He quickly pushed them into his dormitory and turned to close the door, but not before Ginny caught a glimpse of Ron and Harry hurdling up the steps towards them with angry expressions on their faces.
"What happened, just then?" Ginny asked confused. Colin covered her mouth with his hand, mouthing Kendra to keep quiet. Pounding was heard on the fragile, wooden door.
"GINEVRA WEASLEY, COLIN…WHATEVER YOUR LAST NAME IS, AND KENDRA…SAME GOES FOR YOU, GET OUT HERE THIS INSTANT! I KNOW YOU'RE ALL IN THERE, WE SAW YOU WHEN HERMIONE FOUND THE EXTENDABLE EAR." Ron shouted. A few moments later, Hermione could be heard calling the two boys back down to the Common Room. Seconds after that, Harry and Ron's footsteps could be heard reluctantly traveling downstairs.
"Well," Kendra stated dryly, "so much for being sly."
XXxXx
The Great Hall was bursting with both noise and warmth as Ginny strolled in through the doors. The smell of dinner traipsed around, lingering with her as she remembered just how hungry she really was. Colin and Kendra both sighed beside her, their stomachs craving the meal that awaited them.
The three friends had to arrive for dinner later than was usual for them, as hiding from Ron and Harry was no easy task. Three times they'd sent down passing fifth years as lookouts, and three times they'd had to run back into Colin's dormitory. Eventually, they could no longer deny how anxious they were to get to dinner.
Upon reaching the Common Room, the small group was instantly met with a worried looking Harry, who said he'd sent Ron and Hermione down after promising to talk to them. Ginny remembered the guilt she'd felt as Harry explained that if they'd heard anything, he could get into a lot more trouble than he already was for spilling to his two best friends.
After assuring him that they hadn't, in fact, heard any coherent phrases, and showed him the torn Extendable Ear as proof, he abated and let them walk down to dinner, saying he'd meet them in a couple of minutes.
As Colin and Kendra started towards the Gryffindor table, Ginny made sure to sit on the side opposite the Slytherin table…just as a precaution, of course. She wanted to be the first to see Malfoy leave so she could finally talk to him and get the whole conversation over with.
'Wait…just what exactly am I supposed to say to him?' Ginny thought. Taking her seat, she groaned and dropped her head into her arms, suddenly depressed all over again. Kendra prodded Colin. He took one look at Ginny before asking the obvious.
"Gin, what in Merlin's name are you doing?" The girl in question raised her head, gave him a glare, before returning to her sulking.
"Mmumph, ho mmumfent mumorman." She mumbled through her arms. Kendra rolled her eyes.
"Sorry, what was that? Some reason, I couldn't seem to understand what you were saying." She said sarcastically.
"I said," Ginny answered despondently, lifting her head. "Nothing, you wouldn't understand. Hey, Col, pass the pumpkin juice, will you?" Colin put on a look of mock-shock.
"What? We, your best friends, wouldn't understand? Honestly, what is the world coming to these days?" He asked in dismay. Ginny snorted. "Might as well spill, Gin," he continued. "Otherwise, Kendra and I might just have to sing another song about you." Kendra smirked as Colin's voice took on a sing-song tone.
"Agreed," Ginny replied laughing and then added seriously. "I could certainly use the advice."
She then proceeded to tell them the whole story, starting with how utterly mind-numbing the detention had started off as, and ending with her near heart attack on the stairwell. A moment of stunned silence ensued before anyone said anything.
"Right," Kendra said, clearing her throat. "So, you're saying you felt, what was it, a spark?" Ginny nodded sadly. "Well, I can't really say I blame you! After all, he is the most shaggable guy…second most! I meant second most shaggable guy in Hogwarts!" She quickly corrected as Colin glared.
"Anyway," he said, throwing Kendra a look and absently fixing his hair. "You're planning on tell him this because…" he trailed off turning to Ginny, looking truly perplexed with the situation.
"Well I have to tell him sometime, otherwise it'll always be in the back of my mind every time we argue. That is, if we get past the whole 'I'm ignoring you were ever born, and wishing you were dead,' situation." Kendra looked pensive before answering.
"She's right, Col. Suppose she slipped one day arguing with him in the corridors. Just imagine how many people would hear and realize that she's completely loony."
"Hey!" Ginny indignantly interjected. Kendra just smiled cheekily back. Colin sighed loudly, causing Ginny to turn and focus her attention on him.
"All right, look, if you absolutely have to tell him about this…er, spark, at least wait until the timing's right. By they way, that's exactly what deathbeds are for!" He said in all seriousness. Ginny and Kendra looked at each other once before bursting out laughing.
"What? I wasn't joking!" Colin cried, but he couldn't help the smirk the edged its way onto his face.
Meanwhile, while Ginny's attention was distracted, Draco had stood up and was making his way out of the Great Hall. He pushed the over-sized doors open and stalked down the hallway towards the stairwell that would lead him to the Owlery. Harry nodded at Ron and Hermione before the three of them quickly got up from their seats and hurried to follow him.
xXxXx
A/N: well, that was a short chapter compared to my last few. Then again, I am getting ready to leave for the beach in a few minutes, so I guess you could say I'm rather anxious to leave! Oh, by the way, about that quote in the first line:
Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
--English Proverb
Thanks to the people who reviewed!
Moony's number 1 – haha and here I thought that last scene between Ginny and Draco was soo surprising! Well, I tried! Glad you liked it though!
Jade Summers – Thanks, I think I liked Snape in that last chapter as well. I kind of based his character on a friend of mine…annoying really. Have a fun vacation! Thanks again for the stamp!
.spitxfire. – yeah, most fics I've read lately just have them already dating and no background as to how they got that way! Hope you like this chapter as well!
I'd really like to know what everybody thinks about this chapter so please review!
Sunflour
