Chapter 2
A/N: I'm not a Pansy Parkinson fan but in this FF.. She'll be the opposite of what everyone thinks of her. So please, don't hate me.
It was early in the morning and Ginny was already outside on the Hogwarts grounds practicing her Transfiguration homework. It was only 6:30 in the morning. She managed to turn a stone into a book and managed to get it to the color she wanted.
She felt someone near but decided to put it away from her mind. She saw a white kitten perched up on a bench. It had brilliant greyish green eyes and was watching her intently with it.
"Hey there," she said walking over to it. "What are you doing out here in the cold? Hungry?"
It purred. She sat on the bench next to it and it strutted on over to her lap. It purred louder and nuzzled her stomach. It looked up at her and meowed.
"I'll take up on that offer and take you to get some breakfast," she said. She knew her way down to the kitchens. They house elves working in the kitchens always welcomed her with chocolate goodies knowing that was the only way Ginny would stay longer. She walked down to the kitchens to be greeted kindly by one of the house elves, Lindy.
"Miss, have a seat. Would you like some breakfast, Miss?" the house elf, Lindy, asked Ginny.
"Oh please. And can you bring a bit of milk in a bowl and a few pieces of warm chicken? Thank you," Ginny smiled.
"Anything for the miss," she said hurrying off to get Ginny what she asked for.
In no later than 2 minutes Lindy along with three other house elves brought Ginny her breakfast as well as the kitten's breakfast.
"Here you go, sweetie," she told the kitten pushing the bowl closer to it and the warm pieces of chicken. She had placed the kitten up on the small table that was set out for Ginny.
She ate her breakfast peacefully and giggling at the small kitten trying to eat the pieces of chicken. It seemed famished and eager to finish everything.
"Calm down, kitty," she said, "You're going to choke on your food."
Ginny sat there for a few more minutes before going off to her dormitory and then Charms class. Finally, she got up placing the kitten inside her cloak pocket. She walked up to the Gryffindor tower, gave the password, walked into the common room and made a small basket using her Transfiguration skills. She placed the kitten in the basket and it went to sleep.
She walked down to Charms class followed by Juliya and her toy.
"Gin, have you met James Dean? He's my.. Well, you know. He's in Ravenclaw. A 7th year and he plays Quidditch. He's the Keeper," she said blushing.
"Dean," Ginny said politely, "Keeper, ey? Brilliant. Are you playing this year?"
"Yes, I am," he said smiling a brilliant smile, "I was made Captain. All thanks to Oliver Wood, he's my cousin of course."
"Oh, he's lovely. How's he doing?" Ginny squealed.
"He's doing good. Playing for Puddlemore at the moment. So many teams are trying to recruit him. He's a tremendous player. Probably even better that Viktor Krum," he said.
"I bet. Well, listen. I'm going to be late for class. We'll talk later," she said. "I'm sure you're going to be late."
"No, I don't have class until eleven," he said. "Well, I'll be seeing you."
He placed a kiss on Juliya's forehead and walked off to the library.
"I like him," Ginny smiled walking into class with the Ravenclaws.
"Really? He's really nice. I really like him. I'm just scared of all this commitment and what not," she sat in the back along with Ginny and Colin.
"Don't be. It might turn out to be something very wonderful. And if you're still together, you can invite him to my brother's wedding," she said hopeful.
"We'll see," she whispered as the class began.
Class wasn't so bad. Ginny managed to get through all the simple spells and start new ones. It was always the best class. Professor Flitwick was a funny little man and made class quite fun for everyone. As class came to an end Ginny thought of the little kitten that lay in its basket waiting for Ginny to arrive. Class was over and thankfully she didn't have class for two more hours. She ran up the stairs, Juliya at her heel, until they reached the sixth year dormitory.
"It's adorable. Is it a she or a he?" Juliya asked.
"I don't know. I haven't checked. Let me check," she said inspecting the kitten.
"It's a she," she said.
"Aww. I want her. Can we keep her? We can name her..Sage," she said.
"Sage? Why Sage?" Ginny asked.
"Look at her eyes. Greyish green. Sage leaves are the same color," she said pointing at the kitten's eyes who looked at Ginny and then at Juliya trying to capture their image in her little kitten head.
"Sage.. I like it."
"You don't mind that I want to share her with you, do you?" Juliya asked biting her lip.
"No. Absolutely not. She's ours. You should spend the summer at the Burrow next summer. My mum would be thrilled," Ginny smiled.
They played with the kitten the rest of the morning until their next class: Transfiguration. Ginny walked with Juliya. Draco was behind them.
"Sanz, you shouldn't be associating yourself with a Mudblood lover like her," Draco called out.
"Yeah Sanz. You're better than that. Don't deny the fact that your brother is a Slytherin. You would've been better in our house," Pansy called out.
Juliya turned around, hands on her hips, "I'm nothing like.. Like the likes of him. I'd rather be with a "Mudblood" lover as you said, than to be with rubbish like you."
"You better watch who you talk to, Sanz," Draco said facing Juliya, Pansy clinging onto his arm next to him.
"You better watch who you mess with, Malfoy," Ginny said standing next to Juliya.
"Sod off Weasley. This is between Sanz and myself," he said pushing her away.
He touched her. He touched her and it was in the worst way possible. But his hand was on her shoulder for a quick three seconds. If only he could've kept it longer.
"What's going on here?" McGonagall said, her nose flaring.
"Nothing Professor," Ginny said stiffly.
"Well, get to class. You too Mr. Malfoy," she said shooing them away. "You wouldn't want to start off bad this year."
"No, Professor," he said forcefully.
They walked back into class right on time. The rest of class took up much of everyone's time. A Slytherin girl had let her friend loose, who she had just transfigured into a rat. Half the class, mostly the girls, were up on their chairs trying not to get their feet bitten off by a rat.
"Ginny, save me," Juliya squealed.
Ginny getting her courage crouched down on all fours on the ground and searched for the rat. She pointed her wand at it and it transfigured back to the Slytherin girl's friend. Gryffindor was awarded 20 points.
"Brilliant," Ron said as Ginny told her story at dinner. "Bloody brilliant. Mum will be proud. I sent her an owl."
"Oh Ron, honestly," Ginny said shoving her plate away.
"You're not eating. Why?" he asked pushing her plate forward.
"I'm not hungry. I ate earlier," she lied.
"Eat. Mum will know if you haven't eaten. She'll try an fatten you up over the summer," he said. "Just like she did Harry when he arrived at the Burrow the year you were going to start Hogwarts."
"Oh, c'mon Ron. I'm not hungry," she whined.
"Ginny, you have to eat," Hermione urged her, filling her plate up with food.
Ginny sighed in protest.
"Draco, my love. You're not eating. Who are you looking at?" Pansy asked trying to see what Draco was staring at. But Draco quickly snapped back, his friend Blaise, giving him an odd look.
"Oi, mate. What's with you lately?" the boy, Blaise asked.
Blaise Zabini, a 7th year Slytherin. His dark brown eyes and black porcupine like spiky hair attracted the girls as much as Draco. Draco with his hair hanging down loosely, always falling down his face. (note: think POA movie). Blaise lived with his mother in a large manor. His mother looked too young to be a mother, and in fact she was. She was only 33 and behaved more like a 21 year old. Blaise spent most of the holidays with Draco. Seeing men walk in and out of the manor from being with his mother every night was something that didn't thrill him. But that's how it was. Love it or not, he just couldn't stand it. He was also a mysterious boy. Always quiet but just as evil as Draco.
"Nothing's wrong," Draco said after a while.
"Something's wrong. You've been quiet all through dinner," he said. Pansy nodded in agreement.
"Eat something, sweetie. You didn't eat lunch today," she pleaded.
"No, I'm not hungry," he said getting up. He pushed his plate and walked out of the hall pushing his way through some first years.
"What's wrong with him?" Blaise asked.
"I don't know. He's not being himself lately," Pansy said stabbing three pieces of carrot on her fork.
"Well, when's Quidditch tryouts?" Ron asked Harry, who had just been made captain. "I want to tryout for Keeper."
Harry bit his lip. As much as he told himself that Ron was his best friend, he really didn't want him on the team. He just plain sucked.
"Umm.. McGonagall still hasn't told us neither has Madam Hooch. I'm guessing next week. I've heard some people here and there talking about trying out for Keeper," Harry said playing with the remaining contents of his food.
"Oh," Ron said, knowing he would be replaced by someone better.
Ginny paced around and around in the same spot. Her thoughts were plagued by Harry. She had loved him. She still did. But now, now with the war about to start at any moment he just had no time for her anymore. And the way he did it..
"Weasley," Draco drawled. He was leaning against a wall, his arms crossed and his right foot against the wall.
"Malfoy," she said. She continued pacing.
"Thinking of ways to kill yourself?" he asked.
"No, unfortunate for you I'm not. Maybe about killing you but that's another story," she said.
She stood there for a while not acknowledging Draco and proceeded to walking down to the kitchens to get a few pieces of warm chicken and milk for Sage, her new kitten. Draco stared after her with curiosity as she walked off, harassed by her thoughts into the darkness.
"Staring at a Weasley, Malfoy?" Blaise said standing next to Draco.
"I won't lie to you," he said rubbing his temples.
"She did blossom well in the right places over the summer. Can't deny that," Blaise said sticking his hands inside his robe pockets.
They stood side by side, both standing at a height of 6'3.
"There you two are," Pansy said standing in front of Draco and Blaise. "Going to the common room?"
"I have Head Boy duties," Draco said.
"I am. Care to walk with me?" he asked.
"Sure. Just let me go back inside and get something," she said.
Ginny walked by again carrying a paper bag. They were oblivious to her. Her long scarlet red hair bounced with every step she took.
"I wouldn't mind shagging her despite the family reputation," Blaise said.
"There's your chance now," Draco said pushing himself off the wall. "I have Head Boy duties now. As you were."
Pansy came back out, hugged Draco whom she reached up to his elbow and pulled him down gently to kiss his lips.
"Goodnight, Draco," she said waving goodbye.
He strolled around the hallways that night with the Slytherin Head Girl, Leandra Vern.
"How are classes?" she asked, pulling her white blond hair into a loose bun.
"Fine, I can't complain. Just eager to finish and get out of here," he said quietly as they walked slowly up to the Astronomy Tower to punish those who were having a late night snog. "You?"
"It's hard. Can't deny that. But, I'm glad it's my last year. I can finally be on my own and not go home to my parents," her crystal blue eyes glimmered in the moonlight. "I know we didn't last long as a couple but I'm just curious, how are things with Pansy?"
Draco sighed, "Not good I guess. In my part that is. I changed. And, she's a wonderful girl, annoying at times but she really cares about me."
"Are you going to let her go?" she asked studying Draco's face.
"I'll have to sooner or later," he said in a grim voice. "She puts up with my bullshit. I'm sure she'll understand."
"You're what? Why?" Pansy demanded between tears.
"I'm just hurting you and you know it," he said hurt at the sight of his long term girlfriend crying. "Please don't cry. Don't cry because of me. It hurts me to see you this way."
"Well, how do you want me to react? I know you don't love me. I know you never will. I completely understand. It's just..," she raised her hands up in defeat, "I don't know Draco. Yes, I'm tired of the lies and having to make myself believe that we're happy.. And.."
She stood there tears running down her face right before breakfast out by the lake. She gave a small laugh and said, "What will your father say?"
"What can he say? He'll probably just beat me to death calling me stupid because to him you were the perfect candidate for a wife," he said. He stood there staring at his feet but something caught his eye. A glimmer of red hair swaying with every moment. He looked over at his right and saw Ginny Weasley playing with a tiny white cat whom Ginny could outrun. So tiny and fragile just like the red head. He looked back at Pansy. She was drying her eyes and smoothing down her school uniform.
"I guess I'll see you in class?" she said, her voice quivering.
"I guess I will," he said looking over at Ginny.
She fidgeted for a moment, got the courage and walked up the stone steps into the castle. Blaise looked at Pansy for a few seconds and walked down the steps with his hands inside his slacks for his cloak was open and whistled his way over to Draco.
"Broke up with her, did you mate?" Blaise asked, concern in his voice.
"Yeah," he said, which sounded more like a whisper to Blaise.
"What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know but there's a certain red head that caught my fancy," Draco said. He spit on the ground and made his way towards the castle.
Blaise stayed behind. He walked over to Ginny, whom he startled.
"Weasley," he said in a curtly manner. "How are you this morning?"
"F-fine," she made a confused look on her face, "Why on earth are you talking to me?"
"Times change little Weasley. Can we walk and talk for a second?" he requested.
"Umm.. Sure," she said unsure of why she agreed. She picked up her kitten and placed her inside her cloak. She walked back to Blaise who comfortably placed his left arm around her shoulders.
"Now," he said twirling his finger and walking with Ginny at his side, "I wanted to ask you. Are you.. Seeing anyone at the moment?"
"Well, I see you," she said sarcastically. Blaise chuckled.
"I like that," he said, "But that's not what I'm referring to. What I meant to say was, do you have a boyfriend at the moment? A fellow, swain, beau, special someone.."
"Nooo, if you haven't heard even though half the school knows Harry and I aren't together anymore," she said with a small laugh.
"Really? Hmm... a beautiful girl such as yourself.. I'd expected you'd have a special someone by now," he said surprised by her answer.
"No. I'm not fit to be in a relationship at the moment," she said shaking her head.
"That's a toughie," he pondered.
"Is our conversation over or will it be over any time soon? I need to get my things for Divination class," she said a bit agitated. She wiggled herself loose from him.
"You smell good by the way. Just thought I'd let you know. Cherry Blossoms and vanilla?" he asked.
"So close but no cigar," she said walking up the stone steps to the Gryffindor tower.
"Nice talking to you!" he called out.
She waved, not looking back.
"Were you just talking to Blaise Zabini?" Ron asked Ginny.
"Mmm.. Maybe. What's it to you?" she asked walking out of the portrait hole.
"Why would a nice and sensible girl like you be doing with the likes of him?" he pointed out.
"Good question. We were just discussing my relationship status. That's about it. And no, Ron, the bloke didn't ask me to be his girlfriend or anything of the sort," she said trying to find a faster way to get to Divination's class.
"You talked to her, didn't you?" Draco asked Blaise in Potion's class.
"Yes, I did. It went lovely," he said.
