Disclaimer: Everything Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. I own only the plot, Juniper, and a few more OCs. Also, perfect grammar credit goes to my beta reader, Carla.

Chapter Five: Becoming a Slytherin

Ginny awoke the next morning with someone jerking her, 'What the heck?' She thought tiredly and turned on her side, coming face to face with a pretty girl with shoulder length black hair, fair skin, and light green eyes.

The girl smirked as she saw Ginny look around confused, "Well it's about time you woke up. Delauney, right?"

Ginny shook her head as she propped herself up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "I'm Ginny. Who're you?"

The girl smiled and offered her hand to shake, "I'm Juniper Parkinson." Ginny looked at her, surprised, as she shook her hand. Juniper, she supposed, shared a few features with Pansy, but not much. Especially since Juniper did not look like a pug but more like a pixie.

"Well are you going to get up or are you just going to stay in bed all day?" Juniper asked walking over to her vanity and put on a barrette with a blue sapphire shaped flower in her hair. Ginny nodded her head and grabbed her new Slytherin robes and walked into the bathroom. Twenty minutes later she emerged clad in her robes with her hair down in soft curls.

"You ready to go?" Juniper asked gripping her book bag. Ginny was surprised that she waited for her and quickly grabbed her own bag that was, for once, carrying new books and not second hand ones. "Yeah, let's go."

It wasn't until they entered the Great Hall did reality sink in as they were walking towards the Slytherin table. All of the happenings from yesterday came crashing back to Ginny's conscious mind. She was in the past with Tom Riddle! As she and Juniper sat down with the rest of the sixth year girls, Ginny dared to glance down the table and, sure enough, there was Tom looking right back at her. She gulped and quickly turned away, paying all her attention to Juniper as she introduced her to all the girls.

"This is Mariah Meliflua," Juniper introduced gesturing to the girl across from Ginny. She was beautiful, but intimidating. She had long black hair, icy blue eyes and very pale skin. She looked kind of familiar and then Ginny finally remembered. This was the soon-to-be Mrs. Black, Sirius's mother. Ginny shook her hand, half expecting her to start shrieking out that she came from a family of blood traitors.

"This is Luella Lestrange." Juniper gestured to the girl sitting next to Mariah. Luella had wavy brown hair and light blue eyes and her skin had a tan tinge to it.

Ginny smiled at her feeling more at ease with Luella than Mariah, "Nice to meet you." Ginny said, shaking Luella's hand. Luella gave her a small smile, "Likewise."

"Laura Nott and last but certainly not least, Nashira Leisure." Ginny smiled at Laura who had light brown hair, almost sandy, and hazel eyes with tanned skin; she was sitting next to Juniper. But when she looked at Nashira, who was across from Laura, she was taken by surprise. Nashira was glaring at her angrily with piercing gray eyes, her hair was honey blonde and had a nice wave to it, and her skin was pale and flawless, there was no denying that she was beautiful.

Ginny gave Nashira a small smile, but she just 'humphed' and looked away and resumed talking to Laura. Ginny leaned closer to Juniper whispering, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Huh?" Juniper asked, looking up from buttering her bagel, "Oh no you did nothing wrong. She's just jealous, that's all."

Ginny looked at Juniper surprised, "Jealous; jealous of me? Why?"

Juniper looked at Ginny entertainingly, "Well before I woke you up I was just going to head down here with the girls, but when we were about to exit the common room, Tom Riddle came up to us and asked me where you were and I said you were still asleep. Well, he wasn't too happy about us leaving you all alone especially considering you're new here and told me to go wake you up. Afterwards, he left not even paying attention to Nashira, who has fancied him ever since first year, so she was absolutely beside herself when she realized that Riddle was paying more attention to you than her. So, now she's jealous of you."

By this time Ginny's mouth was hanging open in shock and realizing how stupid she must look she quickly shut it, "He really did that?"

"Yep." Juniper said simply taking a bite of her bagel. "You seemed to leave quite an impression on him."

Ginny nodded her head mutely but then mock glared at Juniper, "Why were you just going to leave me in the dorm room and have me miss breakfast and probably all my lessons?"

Juniper looked at Ginny amusedly and laughed, "Well I'm not a Slytherin for nothing, you know."

Ginny smiled back, "No I guess you're not." And began filling up her plate with breakfast. 'Funny, if I forget that Riddle is here I feel like I belong here more than I did in my time. I feel like I just made a real friend and Juniper is nothing like Pansy or any of the other Slytherin girls in my time.'

Juniper stood up with all the rest of the school and pulled Ginny up also, "C'mon then, it's the first day of class and you need to learn all the routes." She said leading Ginny out of the Great Hall merging with the Gryffindor sixth year classmates. As they moved up to where Ginny was guessing the Transfiguration class she saw two flaming red heads who reminded her a lot of Fred and George. As one laughed and moved his head revealing half of his face Ginny gasped in surprised. Those two students were her uncles Gideon and Fabian Prewitt on her mother's side.

Juniper, hearing her gasp looked in the direction she was looking at and gasped too, "You look a lot like the Prewitt twins. How bizarre."

Ginny nodded, getting back into character, "Yes, it's very bizarre."

The students all lined up into two rows, one Slytherin and the other Gryffindor outside Professor Dumbledore's classroom. As they were waiting, Ginny was taking a quick glance at the Gryffindor students seeing if she could recognize anyone else. Besides her uncles she found no one until her eyes landed on a girl with black hair tied up in a bun with a very strict demeanor. 'Ah there's the young Professor McGonagall. It's kind of scary that even at sixteen she's seems strict and so tense.'

As she moved her gaze away from the Gryffindor line, she could feel someone's gaze piercing right through her. Without even having to look she already knew who it was. Riddle. Before he could confront her like she knew he was planning to do, Dumbledore opened the doors and she sighed in relief.

Dumbledore smiled as he looked over the students, "Sorry about making you wait so long. Come on, come on let's begin our lesson."

The students filed in, the Slytherin's taking the left row and the Gryffindors taking the right. Ginny made it a point to sit down next to Juniper so that Riddle couldn't do so. Though she hadn't calculated the possibility of him sitting right behind her, which he did with Abraxias right next to him.

Throughout the class Ginny couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her, who was, no doubt Riddle. 'Why is he paying so much attention to me? Why can't he pay attention to Nashira or someone? Any one but me!' Shaking her head Ginny returned her attention to the pillow that Professor Dumbledore wanted to be transfigured into a lamp. 'Sometimes I wonder about this class. I mean why would I want to transfigure a pillow into a lamp when I could use lumos? It would make more sense to transfigure the lamp into a pillow.'

After class was over, the halls started to get very crowded because the whole sixth year classes and fifth year classes were racing to their next class. In the rush, Ginny had gotten separated from Juniper. 'Well at least I know my way around here.' Ginny thought as she leaned up against a wall catching her breath. 'Now, what class was next?'

"Potions." A male voice said from behind her. Ginny jumped in surprise and swerved around coming face to face with Riddle.

"Don't do that." Ginny said gasping for breath and leaning back against the wall. She could feel her heart pacing a mile a minute.

Riddle shrugged his shoulders and smirked, "Sorry, didn't know you were so jumpy."

Ginny glared at him, "Well you know what they say, you learn something new every day."

Riddle's smirk only grew, "So I've been told. Enjoying Slytherin, Delauney?"

Ginny nodded her head tiredly, she was getting emotionally drained from being in Riddle's presence, "Yes, I suppose I am. Now, if you'll excuse I have Potions to get to." She said heading towards the staircases Riddle right behind her.

"You know if I didn't know any better I would say you're trying to avoid me." Riddle said eyeing her suspiciously.

"Well aren't you perspective." Ginny said sarcastically. This was definitely the wrong move, unfortunately.

Riddle gripped her arm tightly and spun her around so he could look her in the eyes, "I'm not someone you want to make an enemy of, Delauney."

Ginny glared back hiding her fear, it wasn't like she could just wiggle loose of his grip and if she did she would fall down the flights of stairs considering the angle he was holding her at, "Why do you care if I'm trying to avoid you or not?"

Riddle blinked surprised and the red flecks that had been appearing disappeared, "What?"

Ginny continued, "I mean you seem like the kind of person who wouldn't just pay attention to any new student unless you saw something worth gaining. So what do you see in me, Riddle? What do you see that you could gain?"

Riddle steadied her then let her go, "I don't know. That's the problem." He said sidestepping her and walked past. Ginny sighed in relief and…in regret? She missed his presence around her, feeling his eyes burn through her soul. 'What on earth is going on with me! I am not falling for him again. No, no, no, and no!' She thought angrily, following Riddle's path to Potions.

As she turning through the last corridor she saw Riddle's shadow and hastened her pace a little for if she was going to be late, she might as well be late with him. Riddle turned his head a little as he heard her steps, but didn't say anything and just opened the door. As Ginny entered first she nodded thanks to him.

"Well, well so glad of you to finally join us," Professor Slughorn stopped in mid-sentence seeing Riddle. "Oh! Mr. Riddle it's you well then you must have a good excuse and who's this young lady with you? Miss Delauney isn't it?"

Ginny cringed mentally; Slughorn had been just as annoying in the past as he was in her own time. 'I bet Riddle's in the Slug club judging by the way Professor Slughorn is acting.'

"Yes sir," Riddle began, "Delauney here had gotten lost and I escorted her to class, then Peeves came and delayed us bit. Sorry Professor." Ginny nodded her head in agreement, 'Nice lie, I would've probably have believed it myself if I didn't know who he really was.'

Slughorn smiled, obviously believing the lie, "Well I know how Peeves can get so I won't take away any points from Slytherin, but please do not do it again. Now, take a seat as we're learning about Veritaserum."

"Yes sir." Riddle and Ginny chorused as they made their way to their desk. As, Ginny sat down she caught Nashira glaring at her. 'Well I don't see why she's so jealous. It's not as if I'm trying to make Riddle like me he's just…well I'm not sure what's going on with him, but I know he does not like me.'

During the remainder of the lesson Ginny made it a point not to graze her shoulder or arm against Riddle after Slughorn had said they would be brewing the potion. Now, if the desks had been as long as they were in her time that feat wouldn't be so difficult, but for whatever reason the desks in this time were a little bit smaller making it very difficult and for at least five times she grazed him. And every time she did, she felt an overwhelming feeling to blush, but thankfully was able to hide it.

Slughorn was now passing by everyone's desks and examining the potions; so far none had succeeded in brewing it correctly even Nashira, who by the way Slughorn tsked meant she was usually a very good potion brewer.

When he finally came to Ginny and Riddle's table, however, he exclaimed with joy, "Oh my! Look here class Miss Delauney and Mr. Riddle have brewed the potion perfectly and for their first time, too! Twenty points to Slytherin."

Ginny was blushing from embarrassment from the way Slughorn was raving and by all the stares from the other students, she dared to take a glance at Nashira and sure enough. Nashira was glaring at her with the most contempt yet, and her arms were crossed over her chest in a pouty manner.

After a few more minutes over raving about Riddle's and her achievement Slughorn leaned down to Ginny, "You should come to my party, it's for members of a little club I like to call the Slug club and you seem to fit the criteria perfectly Miss Delauney. I am sure Riddle would gladly take you, maybe even as a date?"

Ginny smiled holding in her look of shock and horror, "Maybe. I'll think about it professor. When is it?" 'Merlin! Riddle had better not have heard that suggestion; that would be the last thing I need. Him taking me out on a date even if it is to those wretched parties!'

When class was finished Ginny was putting away her books when Juniper came rushing up to her, "I'm so sorry we got separated," She started apologetically, "But I couldn't find you and I was about to be late for class. So I just hoped someone or you would find your way here. And look it seemed work out fine. Though you've just now made Nashira more mad." She added as an after thought.

Ginny smiled, "It's okay. Just don't do it again."

Juniper returned the smile, "Deal. Let's go to lunch."

As they entered the Great Hall Ginny caught sight of Nashira flirting with some guy with shoulder length black hair. Usually she wouldn't care but seeing the look of absolute contempt on Mariah's face Ginny could only guess that that boy was the late Mr. Black. As they sat down across from Nashira and Mariah, Nashira turned away from Black with a large smile on her face.

"Well, well if it isn't the new prodigy of potions." Nashira said snidely, looking at Ginny.

"Back off, Nashira." Juniper said glaring at her, "You're just jealous that she did something better than you and of course, she has Riddle's attention. Something you could never accomplish."

Nashira looked at Juniper innocently, "Why, Juniper I have no idea what you're talking about. But now that you brought the subject up…" Nashira turned back to Ginny.

"Why don't you tell us, what you did to get the mysterious Tom Riddle to pay attention to you?" Nashira asked offhandedly, spinning her spoon in her tea.

Ginny glared at her, "What do you mean?"

Nashira looked her in eye and smiled a Cheshire cat's smile, "You know, did you offer to sleep with him?"

Ginny's glare narrowed but she put on a smile and said congenially, "I'm sorry Leisure, but I think you've got us mixed up. Only you could be that desperate seeing as how you're flirting with Black while you really want Riddle."

Nashira's smile turned into a frown quickly and her eyes lost their amusement, "I'd watch what you say Delauney. I have a lot of control in this school and I can make this entire house hate you."

Ginny's smile only grew wider and leaned closer to Nashira, "Somehow Leisure, I seriously doubt that." She turned her gaze to Black and asked innocently, "Does Leisure have control of whom you like and whom you don't?"

Black glared at Leisure, like Ginny expected for if he was like Sirius, he must hate to be controlled, "No she doesn't." He said angrily glaring at her with contempt and walked off towards where the other sixth year boys were. Ginny could see from the corner of her eye that Mariah was trying to hide a smile.

Nashira glared at Ginny and got up, "Come on Mariah and Laura let's go." Laura got up obediently while Mariah remained in her seat. Nashira turned her glare at Mariah. "Mariah. I said let's go."

Mariah looked back at her, bored, "No. I think I'll stay here with Juniper and Delauney."

Nashira stuttered in shock, "Fine! Forget you, come on Laura." And with that Nashira stomped off with Laura in tow.

Mariah smiled at their retreating backs and turned towards Ginny, "Thanks for making Black angry at her. I owe you one."

Ginny smiled in return, "No problem." 'Maybe being a Slytherin won't be so bad after all. It sure as heck has more drama than Gryffindor!'

A/N: Well I am sorry to say that I have decided to no longer post chapters on this site anymore. I will only be posting on HPFF and if you would like to continue reading this story or any of my others you can go into my bio and use the link to my account there. I'm sorry if you're upset. I might come back but I don't know when and I don't think I will for at least the remainder of the year. Once again I'm sorry if you're disappointed.

SeekerGirl17