Chapter 2 Bad News
When they arrived at the castle, they both climbed out of the carriage. Draco set off to join his fellow slytherin's while Ginny took her time walking up to the castle alone. When she entered the great hall she noticed heads turn as she walked to the Gryffindor table.
"Gin you look amazing" her friend Fiona said. Ginny smiled and sat down next to her and her boyfriend Tyler. Before they could say anymore the doors opened and a group of scared looking first years entered the great hall. Ginny saw Angelique and waved, pointing her out to her friends.
Professor McGonagall lifted the sorting hat off the stool and red the first name. "Malfoy Angelique"
She walked through the crowd and sat on the stool as Professor McGonagall placed the sorting had on her head. "Another Malfoy eh? It's obvious where you belong then. SLYTHERIN" yelled the Sorting Hat. Angelique took the hat off and handed it back to Professor McGonagall as they slytherin table erupted in cheers.
"That's just what this school needs another Malfoy" said Ron a few chairs away.
Once the first years were sorted Dumbledore stood up to say a few start of term words. "I know you're all hungry but before you dig into the delicious feast that was prepared for you; I have a few things to say. First of all I would like to introduce our new Defense against the dark arts teacher Professor Germaine." The students silence was broken by polite cheering as the new professor stood up. "Also we will participate in a foreign exchange program this year. 10 selected students will be going to either Durmstrang or Beauxbatons. If you would like to participate fill out the application you can get in the entry hall and return them to your heads of houses before October 2nd and the 10 lucky students will depart on October 16th for a semester. Now let's eat" As he sat down food appeared on all the tables.
Ginny talked with her friends about her summer enjoying the feast without a care in the world. As the feast came to an end and first years were gathered up to be shown the way to there common rooms Professor McGonagall came up to Ginny. "Ms. Weasley Dumbledore wishes to see you in his office straight away." Ginny quickly remembered the conversation she had overheard at the Borrow. She got up and quickly followed Professor McGonagall out of the great hall.
"Sweet Tarts" said Professor McGonagall as they reached the gargoyle statue. Ginny jumped on as the stairs began rising. When she reached the top she knocked on the door.
"Enter" said Professor Dumbledore. "Ah Ms. Weasley please take a seat." He said motioning to a chair. She paused for a moment as she noticed that Draco was there along with both of her parents.
"What's going on?" she asked as she sat down.
"Now Ms. Weasley I know you and Mr. Malfoy have never gotten along, but I ask that you listen to what he has to say. Said Dumbledore. "Now Mr. Malfoy would you like to explain to Ms. Weasley why we are all here today?"
"Um…I don't even know how to begin." He responded.
"Well let me start by saying the Draco has been part of the Order for a year now. Ever since he turned 16 and was supposed to get the dark mark he came to me for help. We made arrangements for him to be a spy for the Order, but as recent events have unfolded we pulled him out."
"That's how this all started" began Draco. "As the Order seemed to know about all of Voldemort's attacks he began to get suspicious. Every time we had a meeting he would leave one person out, a different person every time, to see when the Order found out information. When it was me that was left out there attack succeeded. My father came home and informed me of this. I had two choices either run or die. I came to Hogwarts in the middle of the summer for protection. I only had contact with my mother and she informed me that father had placed a curse on me." He paused looking down.
"I'm sorry, but what does any of this have to do with me?" asked a very confused Ginny.
"Please be patient Ms. Weasley" said Dumbledore looking at her over his half moon glasses.
"Mother told me that the curse was that I had to marry the family arch enemy under a true Malfoy marriage." Draco finished refusing to look up from the floor.
"And I'm the arch enemy?" asked Ginny. Draco just nodded his head. "Are you crazy I'm only 16. There's no way I'm getting married at 16 especially to you of all people!" yelled Ginny.
"Ginny please be reasonable and let him finish." Said her mother grabbing her daughter's hand.
"Mrs. Weasley I ask that you listen to Mr. Malfoy and at least give it some thought. A lot of good could come out of this for both of you." Said Dumbledore.
"You're crazy," she yelled ripping her hand out of her mothers grasp. "And you are seriously senile for thinking that I would even think about marrying him" she said to Dumbledore as she stood up.
"Mrs. Weasley," said Dumbledore in a stern tone. "Yours and Draco's lives depend on this." Ginny froze.
"What?" she asked turning around to face Dumbledore once again.
"Please take a seat and let Draco finish." He said motioning to her now vacant seat.
"As I was saying he put a curse on me that if I didn't marry the Malfoy arch enemy within 30 days both families's heir will die out." Draco now looked up at Dumbledore.
"For the Malfoy family that's just Draco, but for your family Ms. Weasley that includes all your brothers. So the question is, are you willing to do this, to save them?" asked Dumbledore looking her straight in the eye.