Chapter 25
Ginny quickly showered and met the trio in the Great Hall. Ron was stuffing his face like usual and spitting as he talked. "Hermione? Are you going to the library during our break?"
Hermione wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Of course I am….Why?" She said curiously.
"Oh well, being our last year and all I thought I'd try to boost my grades a bit by studying more. Might look good on my application to the ministry." Ron said trying to sound casual.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "It's a bit late to take school seriously don't you think?" Ron shrugged. "I guess you can come along if you like. But I'm warning you! Any funny business and I'll kick you out myself. Do you understand?"
Ron smiled sweetly. "I understand." He became quite pleased with himself as if he had been wanting to ask her that all morning.
Harry was barely eating and was continuously looking over at the Slytherin table. He couldn't seem to locate Emmery and wondered where she was. Suddenly he noticed her walking into the Great Hall towards them. She had her hair pulled back into a pony tail which revealed just how beautiful her face was. Of course Harry had already noticed but Ron choked on his pumpkin juice when he looked up at her. "Good morning!" She said brightly. "I understand our first class is potions. Do you mind if I walk with you? I haven't the slightest clue where it is."
Hermione smiled and gestured for her to sit which placed her in between Ron and Harry. Emmery smiled politely and Ron who appeared to have lock jaw and then turned her gaze at Harry. "Good morning just Harry." She giggled.
Harry smiled. "What? Oh right. Harry's fine."
"Okay…Harry." She said shyly as her voice made Harry's stomach leap. "And you can call me Emmy like Draco does."
"Okay….Emmy." Harry just stared into her big blue eyes as the others giggled silently. They could tell there was an instant connection between Harry and Emmery and enjoyed to watch them interact. Ginny noticed Draco walking towards their table nervously.
"Eh em. Excuse me Emmy?" Draco whispered. He still kept his powerful composure but had a look of concern.
"Yes Draco." She said still not removing her gaze from Harry.
Draco lowered his voice even more. "I'm not sure how they do things at Durmstrang but you can't just go and sit at another house's table."
"Who says I can't?" Emmery switched her eyes on Draco.
"Well no one exactly. But the whole school is looking at you right now and if-" Emmery interrupted him quickly.
"I understand. I wouldn't want to cause trouble for any of you…Especially you Harry." Emmery said and smiled at him again which caused him to blush.
"Potter can take care of himself. I'm worried about you." Draco said honestly.
"I'm sure he can." Emmery said sweetly as she stood. "I guess you can walk me to Potions then?" She said addressing Draco.
"We can all go." Hermione said as she stood quickly hoping to keep her and Harry close. "We were just leaving." Everyone stood but Harry's foot got caught on the bench and he fell backward into Draco who caught him.
"Dang it Potter! Watch where you're going will you?" Draco said trying to sound annoyed as everyone continued to look.
Emmery stepped in front of Draco and intertwined her arm with Harry's. "Oh stop it Draco! I'll make sure he stays on two feet." She led the group out of the hall as Draco followed behind shaking his head. Ginny kept looking back at him and smiling as he eventually winked at her when no one was looking. Ron had yet to close his mouth and was thinking intently.
"You'll want to close your mouth Ronald…Before she notices how much you've been staring at her." Hermione said jealously.
Ron looked over and was utterly embarrassed. "I just didn't notice how pretty she was last night." Hermione began to turn red in anger. "I mean look at her and Harry. They look good together."
Hermione's look began to soften. "So you think they're made for each other do you?"
"Believe it or not….Yes. I was just shocked out how brave she was to just walk over to our table like that. She reminded me of you." Ron said honestly.
Hermione laughed loudly. She couldn't respond as a big lump formed in her throat. Ron continued. "She's almost as pretty as you are. Almost. Harry needs a girl like you…But not you exactly. Well I mean if you liked him I guess than it would be okay. But if you didn't than that would be wonderful too." Ron said trying to make sense of what he was trying so hard to tell her.
Hermione stopped him. "Thank you Ron. I think I understand what you're trying to say."
"Good because I don't know what the heck I'm talking about." Ron said now feeling silly at what came out. They filed into potions and sat waiting for Professor Snape. After a few minutes he walked out of his office and realized that he had a new student. He walked over to Emmery who was sitting in between Harry and Hermione's tables. "Miss Malfoy is it?"
Emmery stood and shook his hand as Professor Snape scowled. "Yes Professor."
Professor Snape looked between the two tables considering where to place her. He looked over at Harry and thought he may make his life harder by adding a Malfoy to his table. "You may partner with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. As I understand it, Durmstrang excels in their Potions curriculum. Maybe you could help these two get somewhere close to a passing grade."
"Absolutely sir." Emmery said and scooted as close to Harry as possible without sitting on his lap. Snape added the lesson on the board and left the room. Ginny and Draco pulled out their ingredients and looked over at Harry's table frequently.
Ginny sighed with pleasure. "Isn't it wonderful? See how they look at each other?"
Draco looked over with a concerned look again. "Isn't what wonderful?"
"Oh please Draco. You're beginning to sound like Ron." Ginny said sounding annoyed.
"You don't understand Ginny. She knows that she could be putting herself and Potter in danger. I haven't the slightest clue how her parents feel about him but if my Mother found out….You just don't understand. My family takes their reputation very seriously." Draco said as he stirred their cauldron.
"You keep telling me I don't understand but I do Draco. I know that if your family found out about either of us they'd come and kill us. You've made that clear many times. But you know what? Emmery has made me realize that it's important to go after what you want and not what others want for you. She's a Slytherin for goodness sake and she wants to be with the boy who lived. I highly respect her and we haven't even properly met yet." Ginny said smiling at Harry as he blushed.
"Well I can't exactly go introduce you as my girlfriend you know." Draco's tone was one Ginny hadn't heard from him since before they were friends. He attempted to change the subject back on Emmery. "I don't know if we can really trust her intentions. Aren't you worried that she may be after Harry for another reason?" Draco said sounding extremely frustrated.
Ginny laughed. "Well than it would just be the same old thing at Hogwarts wouldn't it? Harry's used to trusting people and then having them turn out bad. But, he keeps on living his life and trusting people doesn't he? He would have missed out on a lot of things had he not taken a chance on some. And that's exactly it Draco. Trust people until they give you a reason not to trust them. It's okay to keep your guard up but taking risks is what makes life interesting." Ginny said as she added the next ingredient.
Draco sighed deeply. "I guess I was just afraid of losing you. But since you're not really concerned-"
"If it's meant to be, you won't lose me." Ginny said sincerely. Draco looked at her casually and nodded to acknowledge her comment.
Ron sat back and watched Harry and Emmery with enjoyment. He hadn't seen Harry interested in anyone since Ginny. Emmery was quite good in potions which was a relief for the both of them since their grades were very close to failing. When potions was over they all walked out together as they had earlier. Pansy was eyeing Draco as he walked next to Ginny nervously. Ginny had never seen him so uncomfortable before. He continually looked over at Pansy and then at Ginny.
They walked into the Great Hall and Emmery stopped looking at the trio. "Well I guess I'll go sit at the Slytherin table. It's the proper thing to do since that's where I was sorted. Thank you for walking me to potions." She walked over to the Slytherin table with Draco and they sat off to the side alone.
Hermione looked over at Harry who was eating more than usual. "You're awfully hungry Harry. How is your new partner working out?"
Harry quickly swallowed his food and smiled widely. "I'm just really hungry I guess. Emmy's wonderful in potions. Ron and I didn't have to do much. That's always nice."
"Yes it is isn't it?" Hermione said with extreme satisfaction. Just the thought of Harry being interested in someone made her feel delighted. She then turned her gaze to Ginny who was staring at Draco as he drank his pumpkin juice and talked with Emmery. "Ginny. Do you think it's such a good idea for Draco to be walking with you?"
Ginny paused as she watched Pansy walk by him slowly. She looked over at Hermione who was waiting for a response. Ginny started to reply but then a loud explosion was let off at the Slytherin table close to where Draco was sitting. Most of the Slytherins jumped out of their seats. Ron looked over and laughed. "That was definitely one from Fred and George's shop. I'll send them an owl. They love to hear that they're still creating havoc at Hogwarts."
The others laughed and watched as the Slytherins sat back down. Draco and Emmery returned to their seats as well. Draco sipped his pumpkin juice and continued his conversation with Emmery. Ginny then proceeded to tell Hermione about the conversation she had with Draco in potions. Hermione looked terrified. "Ginny! You can't just go around showing off that you're friends. Narcissa Malfoy is just as dangerous as Lucius. And don't forget about Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Ugh! You sound just like him Hermione. Look, I've been through a lot in the past few years. I'm ready to handle it." Ginny said and then looked over at Ron looking a little pale.
"Look Ginny. Hermione's right. None of this showing off rubbish. Just keep it to yourself." Ron was going to continue but was distracted by something. Ginny looked over and noticed Draco staring in Pansy's direction with an unfocused look. Emmery waived her hand in front of his face but he didn't even notice. Draco stood and walked over to Pansy. He sat down next to her with an enormous smile.
Ginny's face began to burn as she watched him along with the trio. Draco put his arm around Pansy and held her hand. Hermione gasped. "What is he doing? He hates her."
Pansy was talking and Draco was listening intently as if nothing else in the world mattered. Pansy got up and Draco followed closely. Ginny's eyes began to water as she quickly dabbed them with her napkin hoping no one would notice. Draco and Pansy walked over to the doors and leaned against the wall talking. Draco pulled her close and put his arms around her waist. Ginny couldn't take it anymore. She began to stand but Hermione stopped her. "Let me find out what's going on Ginny. Stay here." Ginny hopelessly slumped back into her seat and watched Hermione as she crossed the Great Hall. Hermione walked over to them and cleared her throat. Draco noticed but didn't seem to care. Pansy looked over at her with a very satisfied smile. "You need something mudblood?"
Hermione ignored the comment and addressed Draco. "Draco, I was just informed that we have an emergency meeting in Professor McGonagall's office."
Draco sighed deeply. "Not now Granger. Can't you see I'm busy?" Draco said softly as he stroked Pansy's back.
Hermione spoke sternly. "I can see that Draco but if I've been instructed to take you to McGonagall's office immediately."
Ginny's eyes were filled with tears but she refused to let any drop. She walked over to Draco who was playing with Pansy's slimy black hair the same way he always played with hers. Draco whispered to Pansy. "You are so wonderful. And your hair is beautiful. I'm so in love with you Pansy."
Ginny gasped and was about to rip them both to shreds when she felt Hermione place a hand on her shoulder. Draco whispered again. "I can't believe how much time we've spent apart. I'm sorry I've been wasting time with that girl. She's nothing compared to you. Let's go to my dormitory and be alone for a while. It's been so long for me Pansy. Let me show you how much I love you." Draco led her out of the hall and ignored Ginny's now gushing tears.
Hermione turned Ginny to look at her. "I'm so sorry Ginny. I really thought he cared for you. Did you have a fight or something?"
Ginny choked back her tears to answer. "No of course not. I mean he was so understanding about me wanting to wait until the right time. He did seem rather frustrated with me this morning. Maybe he just couldn't wait any longer. I can't believe this is actually happening. He did seem upset about something in potions."
Emmery walked up to the girls looking perplexed. "What was that all about? Are you okay?" She said looking concerned for Ginny.
Hermione began to rub her chin deep in thought. "Hang on. Was Pansy sitting near Draco just now?"
Ginny was utterly confused. "No, you saw him walk over to her and sit down."
"Wait. What's going on?" Emmery demanded.
Hermione sighed. "Well you see, Draco isn't usually very fond of Pansy. He did date her for a while but he hates her now. It's just a bit odd for him to suddenly be fawning all over her."
"He's a man isn't he? He's probably just interested in getting her in the sack. When he's done he'll go on hating her I'm sure." Emmery said still looking troubled by Ginny's tears. "Why are you crying?"
Ginny shook her head. "I uh just have something in my eye. I'm fine really."
Emmery dismissed Ginny's reply and looked at Hermione. "What do you think's going on?"
"Well….Oh she couldn't have! Was Pansy near Draco when that explosion went off?" Hermione said quickly.
Ginny started to answer but Emmery beat her to it. "She was close by. Why?"
"I think she may have slipped something into his drink. A love potion maybe?" Hermione said.
Ginny's heart leapt at the thought and then cringed at what could be going on at that very moment. "Oh my goodness. If that's true then I know why she did it!" Ginny said and took off out of the Great Hall closely followed by the other two.
She headed for the secret passage way but Emmery grabbed her shoulder to slow her down. "What are you planning to do?" Emmery asked as she panted heavily jogging next to Ginny.
"I'm going to stop them! Pansy's trying to trick Draco into getting her pregnant. His Mother put her up to it!" Ginny yelled and tried to regain her pace.
Emmery pulled hard on Ginny's shoulder and finally stopped her. "Look you can't just go bursting into the Slytherin common room! I'll go in and stop them."
Ginny eyed her suspiciously wondering if she may be in on it with Narcissa. She then remembered her little speech to Draco about trusting people and closed her eyes tightly. "Okay you go. But please hurry!"
Emmery took off into a sprint and headed for the dungeons. Ginny watched her until she was out of sight and then fell to the ground. She began to sob uncontrollably as Hermione hugged her tightly. "Shh. It's okay Ginny. Everything will be fine."
Ginny was crying so loud that her weeping was echoing through the corridor. She suddenly realized that she had fallen in the exact spot that she had the night before where Draco had found her. She thought of his handsome face illuminated by his wand and how wonderful his voice sounded when he found her.
Hermione tried to help her dry her face with her cloak and pulled her back up. "We shouldn't stay here Ginny. Let's go to the common room and sit for a while. Just until you calm down. Then we can go back down to the Great Hall and wait to hear from Emmery. Okay?" Ginny didn't want to leave but knew it was the best thing.
As they walked further and further away from the dungeons Ginny's stomach turned. Everytime she thought she was done crying, she would think of Draco and start all over again. When she and Hermione reached the Gryffindor common room they were pleasantly surprised to find it empty. They sat down in front of the fire and listened to the rain beating down on the castle.