db – Thanks for sticking with me and this fic and thank you for reviewing to reassure me!
Carl – Thank you for the complimentary review. Remus's natural charm and persistence are perfect for getting through to Druscilla. I'm glad you share my view of Narcissa's actions. I think she was wrong but her actions are understandable. Sorry for the late update, hope you stick with me.
Shinigami – woah that was a rant and a half, lol! In answer to your question I don't like Harry because he irritates me, I find him self-centred and lacking in understanding his attitude of all things being black and white is one I can't agree with personally but that's not to say I don't have some sympathy with him. As for what Draco deserved the actions are the actions of a mother who loves her son above all other things, to her he does not deserve any of the bad treatment he has received from anyone because she adores him. Narcissa would not care even if she were informed of what Harry has suffered, she would be perfectly indifferent to it, she is an unbalanced, crazed mother who cares only for her family and herself. I do think Draco is a victim of circumstance, his family seem to have pretty much determined his path through life but of course you could argue that in comparison to Harry he has had a charmed childhood. Harry has been abused and I do pity him but that's not what this story is about. I do agree with you that Dumbledore has a lot to answer for with regards to Harry and I was cheering Harry on at the end of book 5 when he started smashing Dumbledore's office. I'm sorry my story inspired such a heated response from you but I've always thought it better to inspire a bad reaction than no reaction, at least you weren't indifferent to my fic. Thank for taking the time to let me know what you thought.
Tamsin1013 – Glad to hear you've been on a Percy kick, he is rather wonderful. Glad you liked the stories sorry for the long wait on the updates.
Thank you to Andromakhe for reviewing 'Understanding', 'I found a Little Courage to Call it Off' and 'The Blind Fight the Blind' and being so lovely about them. Thank you also to Lady Arabella Malfoy for reviewing Understanding and being so lovely about that.
A/N: Sorry again for the wait, I've been away a lot and without internet access. I promise I will try to stop this infrequent updating and get back into a pattern.
A Subtle Change
Chapter 10In the week following the attack Ginny began to recover quite well, regaining consciousness after 50 hours, much to her parents' relief. For the first few days Ginny had little idea of who or where she was and much less idea of how she had got there. She drifted in and out of sleep, waking to drink vile potions and try to smile at her family. On the fifth day after her waking though she began to feel more like herself and upon waking in the morning she struggled to sit up, alarmed at how difficult and exhausting such a simple thing had become.
"Ginny, dear, be careful, let me help you!" Madame Pomfrey was instantly at her side, helping her to ease herself back against more pillows than were really necessary in Ginny's opinion.
"Can I have a drink?" Her voice came out far weaker than she would have liked but she pushed that thought aside and gulped gratefully at the water passed to her by the nurse, too relieved even to notice how heavy the glass now seemed.
"How do you feel?" the nurse asked, taking the empty glass from her hands, noting that the girl had had to use both hands to support it.
"Weak, really tired, but wide awake. Weird, not like me."
The girl's distress was obvious and Poppy Pomfrey's heart went out to the small, pale figure in the bed. "Do you remember what happened to you?"
Ginny cast her sluggish mind back as best she could, "I was at breakfast, there was a parcel…" she hesitated, trying to remember, closing her eyes to concentrate.
Poppy watched as the girl's blue eyes flew open suddenly, "Tom's diary!" Ginny exclaimed.
A slight chill passed through the nurse at hearing the child refer to the Dark Lord, in any incarnation, as Tom. It seemed so intimate, proof of just how far their friendship had progressed that she still called him by that now.
Ginny noticed the nurse hesitate before stepping closer to her, people had never easily accepted the period of her life spent under the influence of the boy who would grow up to become Lord Voldemort. Internally she sighed but she understood, it did sound odd to call him Tom, she just couldn't help herself. Her head had been too far messed with by him already though to trouble herself about how she referred to him, as far as she was concerned she had the right to call him whatever she wanted after what he'd put her through.
"The diary's in Professor Dumbledore's possession now, it will be destroyed once the teachers have got all the information they can from it. It can't hurt you again," the nurse placed a motherly hand on the girl's arm.
Ginny nodded tiredly. "Could you get my mum and dad?"
"Of course I will, but I'm afraid there's a meeting in a couple of hours so they won't be able to stay long."
"Oh, don't bother them then, get them to come here afterwards. Could you get Ron instead? I'd like to see him if he's awake yet."
"Well he should be awake, breakfast started twenty minutes ago."
"Oh well, he'll probably still be in bed but it's time he got up anyway," Ginny laughed. "He should have a free period first thing this morning."
XXXXXXX
Ron Weasley was, as his sister had predicted, still in bed. He was however wide awake thanks to the other four boys in his dormitory rushing around and getting ready for their first lesson. The only other one with a free period was Neville who was keen, as ever, to get to the greenhouse reserved for the NEWTs students and therefore not often in use for lessons.
Thanks to having astronomy classes at night, (and hadn't Hermione been surprised when Ron had gained an O for his astronomy OWL and decided to carry the subject on!), Ron had more free periods during the day than most people and he didn't see the point in getting up when he didn't have to be anywhere for ages. He lay comfortably in bed until Neville came bursting back through the door, tripped over a rug and just caught himself by grabbing the end of Seamus' bed.
"Morning, Neville," Ron chuckled.
"Morning, Ron." Neville grinned at his own near miss, his confidence this year seemed much better. "Madame Pomfrey says Ginny's awake and asking for you. Don't worry, she's better apparently, she just wants some company."
Ron leapt out of bed, "That's great!"
"Yeah, I'm really pleased she's getting better," Neville smiled. "Madame Pomfrey said if you want to go back and have lunch with her with a few others that would be ok. Harry and Hermione already know."
Ron felt slightly annoyed that the two of them had simply assumed he and Ginny would want them there but brushed the feelings aside. "Want to join us, Neville?"
"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude," the small boy responded quickly.
"You wouldn't be, you're our friend and hers and I think she'd like to see you. Someone should probably tell Dean as well."
Neville nodded, "Alright, I'll be there, and we'll see Dean in Defence in just over an hour so you can tell him then." He picked up a pile of books, "I'm going to the greenhouse, I'll see you later."
"See you," Ron yawned and began digging through his trunk for his uniform.
XXXXXXX
Thanks to his promise to Dumbledore, Remus was stuck with the job of collecting Druscilla Thornfield and escorting her to the Order meeting that had been scheduled for lunchtime that day.
He turned up at her office just on time and found her ready to leave. "Ok," she waved a hand at the door, "Let's get going."
They passed several people in the corridor, mainly men. Druscilla smiled graciously at them all, her smiles were always returned, occasionally followed by flustered looks and a quickening of pace. Some of the men were openly adoring, the others more discreet and all had looks of respect and slight intimidation. Druscilla was clearly enjoying the attention and seemed to be keeping an eye on Remus, enjoying also the fact that he was witnessing it.
"Professor Lupin!" A pretty, young girl with a sweet face and a ready smile approached them, obviously pleased to see her old teacher. Remus remembered her as a pleasant Hufflepuff girl who'd been in her last year when he'd taught at Hogwarts.
Remus smiled at her, "Hello Laurel. I didn't know you were working here."
She nodded, "Yes, I was taken on by the Department of Magical Transportation after I left Hogwarts. I have to rush I'm afraid but it's so good to see you again, you were a brilliant teacher, sir!"
"Thank you, Laurel, it's very good of you to say so."
The girl smiled and carried on down the corridor.
Druscilla fixed him with a look.
"Oh I see," Remus chuckled, "It's ok when attractive youngsters shower you with attention but you don't like anyone else to be given attention."
"That's not true!" Druscilla looked a little flustered. "I have no problem at all with silly young girls throwing themselves at you."
"She was not throwing herself at me and Laurel is very far from being a silly young girl! You just like to be the centre of attention."
She pouted playfully, "Perhaps you're right. Seems you made quite the impression as a teacher, you must have been good!"
Remus got no chance to reply as they arrived at the street exit from the ministry and Druscilla swept through without him. Once outside and in a neglected side street they apparated swiftly to Grimmauld Place and Remus lead her towards the house. He had explained the magic that hid it and so she was not surprised that at first she could see nothing.
When they reached the front door she stared at it as if it were going to open itself then glanced meaningfully at Remus.
He sighed internally and stepped forward to open the door for her but changed his mind at the last minute. He was growing tired of her demonstrations of power and superiority and opened the door and stepped through it, allowing it to swing closed behind him.
She followed him momentarily looking frustratedly surprised at his behaviour. "Do you have any manners…?" she trailed off, taking in the house, running her hand across the intricate serpentine door handle. "Wow!"
"I know, it is rather dreary and grim isn't it?" Remus agreed with what he took to be her unarticulated thought.
"Dreary?! Grim?! Remus it's one of the most handsome and tasteful hallways I've ever had the pleasure of stepping into, I only hope the rest of the house is the same!" she enthused.
"It looks like it's inhabited by dark wizards!" he protested.
"It's darkly beautiful!" she exclaimed.
"It's creepy!" he protested.
"It's atmospheric!" she was progressing down the hallway, peering into rooms, her delight with the house clearly growing.
"Druscilla there is a blood stain we have been unable to remove from the Drawing Room ceiling that is believed to be from a family member's assassination sixty years ago!" Remus said.
"Cool." She hesitated and glanced back at Remus.
He rolled his eyes, "Second door on your right."
She smiled her thanks and instantly headed for the Drawing Room. She entered the room with her eyes fixed intently on the ceiling and so did not immediately notice the room's solitary occupant.
Remus followed her, "You're morbid."
"Yep," she answered him flippantly, still engrossed in the dark stain on the ornate ceiling.
"Thornfield. Lupin. I take it you're here for the meeting?" a soft voice from a corner of the room brought Severus Snape's presence to their attention.
"Hello, Severus, didn't spot you lurking in the corner." Remus' greeting and friendly smile were ignored by the tall man.
"Snape," Druscilla nodded cordially and offered her hand.
Remus took in the gazes of the two Slytherins as they exchanged a firm handshake. His gaze was coolly assessing; hers, critical as ever. It was her gaze that faltered first though and Remus smiled in quiet amusement. Trying to outstare Severus; never going to get you anywhere!
XXXXXXX
After Defence Against the Dark Arts Neville returned quickly to the greenhouse with the intention of getting some flowers for Ginny, it seemed impolite to turn up empty handed and he had been terribly worried about her. Despite the fact his 'date' with her at the Yule Ball had provoked no interest on either side he had become fond of her and the idea of someone hurting her was simply not something he would tolerate.
He cut the flowers carefully, chatting away to the plants as was his normal habit when left alone with them for any length of time. He was disturbed however by the sound of footsteps. He looked up to see Luna Lovegood staring at him.
She walked over to him with a curious expression on her face, "What are you doing?"
He blushed, "Talking to my plants."
"Do they talk back?" It appeared to be a genuine question.
"They don't talk but they do respond. They grow better and I like to think it makes them look happier when someone talks to them. Plants are a bit like people in that respect, they develop much better if you're kind to them."
She nodded thoughtfully, "I see."
He gave a self-deprecating smile, "You think I sound crazy?"
She shook her head fervently, "No. It makes perfect sense to me. Of course they like you to talk to them, I would imagine they're very fond of you; you take care of them and you treat them with respect, I can tell."
Neville found himself blushing again, it was unnerving to be analysed so blatantly and particularly by a girl half the school had written off as a loony.
"I read about your parents." She spoke again suddenly, surprising him by how blunt she could be.
"Oh." He didn't know how else to respond.
She placed her head on one side, a thoughtful expression on her face, "But you could see Thestrals even before then."
"So could you," he responded, remembering his surprise when he had realised she too could see the strange creatures.
She nodded a little sadly, "Yeah. I wish you couldn't see Thestrals, Neville."
He couldn't hold back a smile at the genuine kindness and understanding in the simple statement, "I wish you couldn't see them either."
They stood in contemplative silence for a further moment before Trevor croaked loudly as though to remind Neville he was due to go to the hospital wing.
"I have to go and see Ginny," he said quietly.
"Ok," she said, "Give her my best wishes."
"Why don't you come with me?" he asked impulsively, "I'm sure she'd like to see you."
She shook her head, "I'm not really one of your little group. I know you don't really want me around."
"I'm not one of their group either, that doesn't mean that either of us is unwanted. Come on, I'm sure Ron would like to see you anyway!"
She gave a shocked little laugh, "Don't be impertinent!" she pinched his arm. "I'll come with you but I have to get something for Ginny first, I'll meet you up there."
He rubbed his arm and grinned, "Ok. See you there."
After he had left, Luna glanced around the greenhouse. What to take for Ginny? Neville had taken flowers but she didn't want to be quite so unoriginal.
XXXXXXX
Meanwhile at the house in Grimmauld Place the meeting was in full swing. Druscilla had explained that so far she'd had no luck in proving her hunch about who the leak in the ministry was and Remus was delivering a report about research regarding potential sites for Voldemort's hideout.
"…of course if some idiot at the ministry hadn't sealed off the Riddle Mansion he might have been tempted to go back there and then at least we'd know where to find him." Remus gave a playful glance at Druscilla who he knew perfectly well had been the 'idiot' who had given that particular order."
"Well, if the 'idiot' hadn't given that order the people in the village would have been at risk!" Druscilla argued and, in an attempt to shut the man up, she drew back her foot and kicked him sharply in the shin.
Remus jerked his foot back at the sudden pain and glared at the woman next to him, continuing with what he had been saying without even hesitating. She returned his glare with an irritating mock confused expression and before he could stop himself he had kicked her back.
Druscilla couldn't have been more shocked, he had actually kicked her and was now carrying on as though nothing had happened. She kicked him again, causing him to retaliate in kind. She had the feeling she was going to have some unpleasant bruises the next day but she was not about to back down from any kind of fight. They carried on for several minutes until it became clear that whatever Remus was talking about it had stopped making much sense.
"Remus, what are you talking about?" Dumbledore looked confused.
"He's a bit distracted headmaster, probably because he and Professor Thornfield are playing footsie under the table," Moody laughed his magical eye swivelling up from where it had been staring through the surface of the table.
Druscilla glared at him and Remus avoided everyone's eyes, suddenly aware that their behaviour had been rather unprofessional.
"We were not playing footsie thank you very much, he was kicking me!" Druscilla turned to Remus looking most indignant.
"Actually you were kicking me."
"You kicked me as well!"
"You kicked me first!"
"But you're supposed to be a gentleman! You can't kick a lady!"
"And I wouldn't, but you're not really very ladylike."
"How dare you!"
"Well maybe you'll think twice in future before starting things you can't handle."
"Can't handle…!" she spluttered vaguely, "I can handle you any day of the week!"
A quiet snort of laughter alerted them both to everyone's continued presence and the ambiguous nature of her comment.
"Can we help you?" Druscilla turned to the potions master, from whose direction the laughter had come.
"No, no. Please continue, I'm always pleased to see how productive these meetings are, how everyday we come closer to thwarting the Dark Lord's plans by beating him to it and killing each other."
"Severus is quite right," McGonagall said sternly, "Perhaps you two could leave your personal relationship at the door in future."
"We don't have a personal relationship!" Druscilla protested.
McGonagall looked doubtful but allowed the subject to drop.
XXXXXXX
Luna was the last to arrive at the hospital wing for lunch, as she entered the ward she heard Hermione giving Ginny a pile of papers, "That's the work you've missed over the last week and there's a note of all the homework you need to do but I assume you'll have extensions on those deadlines."
As the girl barely looked capable of lifting a quill, Luna had to concur with the last part of Hermione's statement.
"Hermione!" Ron groaned, "I can't believe you brought her work!"
"Well she can't afford to fall too far behind, Ron, she's got OWLs this year!"
Ginny certainly seemed more appreciative of Neville's flowers and Dean and Seamus' collection of Chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans than she did of the homework.
Luna walked swiftly across and presented Ginny with her own gift, "Hi, Ginny, hope you feel better." She placed the bunch of radishes on the bedside table.
"Thanks, Luna," Ginny looked like she was holding back a laugh but Ron grinned at her.
"Some say it with flowers, you say it with radishes, Luna." The tall redhead touched her arm and pulled up a chair for her.
Hermione did not look happy and she looked even less happy when the boys started digging into the radishes. Clearly she had not forgotten the incident between Ron and Luna on the quidditch pitch.
Tiring as it was, Ginny was glad of the company for lunch and was sorry to see them go but she perked up instantly at the arrival of her parents that afternoon.
Molly swept her into a hug and her father took her hand in between his and didn't let go for a long time.
"I've spoken to Madame Pomfrey," Molly said, "And we'll be taking you home at the end of the week I think."
Ginny was surprised, "What? Is that really a good idea? I mean I've missed so much school already and, much as I hate to sound like Hermione, I can't afford to miss much more!"
"Sweetheart," Molly said gently, "It's going to take a long time to get you well again."
Fear rushed over Ginny, "How long?"
"Several months. We've spoken to Professor McGonagall and the headmaster and we think it's best if you don't come back this year but start your fifth year again next September."
"But, I'll be a year behind everyone else!" she protested.
"I know darling but it's for your own good and your friends can come and see you."
Ginny's heart sank, "I don't have a choice do I?"
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," her father squeezed her hand.
Seeing the hurt and worry that lined her father's face Ginny put on a brave smile, "It doesn't matter, I'll be fine, Dad."
Arthur drew her into his arms, "I know you will, Ginny."
XXXXXXX
Hope you liked, do let me know what you thought of it, reviews are always welcome and they do keep me writing, you honestly inspire me to continue. :o)