A/N: The last one was kind of short, I know, but I liked it. The lack of reviews is slightly anti-happy-making but that's alright. You know the drill.

Disclaimer: still the same. Less bitter.

Monday August 25, 1997

The staff had finally gotten settled in and was ready to depart for their early trip to Hogwarts. Dumbledore was due to arrive any moment with the portkey that would take them all to Hogwarts HQ. While they were awaiting his arrival, various arguments were taking place throughout the room.

Lavender and Parvati were exchanging the latest gossip, which happened to be about Ginny and Draco. Needless to say irritancy was clearly written across Ginny's face, whereas Draco merely smirked at her facial expression.

Draco, Blaise, Hermione, Ginny and Pansy were also having an argument.

After Blaise and Pansy had finally become an official couple, Blaise had been hesitant to tell Ginny. She however was waiting for him to fess up, as she already knew. The two were clearly meant for each other.

When he did tell her, she said, "It's about bloody time."

"What?" he said in surprise.

"I said, it's about bloody time, I thought you two would never get together, and I was about ready to yell at you for not telling your best friend you finally got a girlfriend."

"You knew?!"

"Of course I knew; it was downright obvious. What kind of best friend do you take me for anyways?"

Hermione was extremely bitter that Ginny did not adhere to the letter she had convinced Kati Bell and her mother to write. She knew that Draco's Head-Healer would say exactly what she wanted Ginny to hear, and she knew Ginny would believe the warnings, as they had come from his Head-Healer. Apparently Hermione had underestimated both Ginny and Draco.

The argument that was taking place at the present moment between various members of the group was focused on Blaise and his suggestion for giving the S.T. Howler a new name.

"…Listen Granger, Blaise and I are the owner of the bloody paper and if he chooses to rename the paper, to a name we both like better, then we can bloody well do so!"

"But it's not an accurate description of the paper!"

"The title of the paper shouldn't be based on its description!" said Blaise exasperatedly.

"Look Mione, I agree with Blaise and Malfoy, The Hogwarts Howler is a better name, it flows better, and is an accurate assessment of the name because it involves the whole school, not just the teachers. I'm sure Filch will have announcements that will have to be put in the paper, but he's not exactly a teacher is he. So that would mean your description isn't even accurate," Said Ginny almost annoyedly.

"THANK YOU!" said Blaise finally.

"Oh fine, do whatever you bloody well please." Said Hermione clearly out argued.

"It's settled then. EVERYONE, EVERYONE, SHUT YOUR BLOODY FACES," said Blaise as he stood on Pansy's desk.

"Oi! You better not ruin my desk, even if I won't be using this particular one for a few months."

"I bought you the bloody desk, I'll buy you a new one."

"Will you two just shut up and get on with it," said Draco now annoyed.

"Right," said Blaise, as the attention was now focused on him. "Seeing as we have yet to make the S.T. Howler, as we haven't actually seen teachers and whatnot, we are changing the name to the Hogwarts Howler, it's easier, and it's broad enough to cover everything, that and it sounds better. That is all." He said as he climbed down off the desk. "Well, that was easy."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but said nothing while everyone one else continued their various conversations and arguments from anything about how to do a particular job to who is a better Quidditch team.

Finally, Dumbledore arrived and said, "Good morning everyone, I trust you have your luggage. If you all will set your luggage in piles according to house and get into groups of three we can be on our way. Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy you may take your luggage with you, you will be coming with me."

Dumbledore handed to each of the five groups a black handkerchief, each edge a different color to represent the predominant color of each house, while the corners were each the secondary color of the house. In the center was the Hogwarts Emblem and written around it was Hogwarts Howler. Blaise noticed this immediately and whispered to his favorite females, "How in the bloody hell did he do that? We only just changed the name!"

The two girls shrugged, by now Blaise should know that Dumbledore didn't need rhyme, reason, or well anything to do whatever it is that he did. He was Dumbledore. He knows all, sees all and is brilliant…even if a bit insane."

"On the count of three, everyone," said Dumbledore as he took the corner of the handkerchief he kept for himself, Draco and Hermione. "Three, two, one…"

The six groups felt a tug on their navel and swirled away. When they landed, they were in the same spots as they were when they left. Granted some were on the floor, but generally the same spot. The only difference was there were two elves, a few extra doors and a great deal more of portraits.

Dumbledore dusted his robes before clapping his hands together. "Well, here we are, I am sure Miss Granger and Parkinson, as well as Mr. Malfoy and Zabini, have informed you of where to go and what to do as far as your offices are concerned. The passwords will not set until Friday so you do not have to worry about that. The head boy and girl passwords are set, and they know them, whether or not they choose to inform you is their choice. Obviously, the portraits that are of your houses' crests are the portraits that will lead to your common room. That is the only way to get to your rooms as the normal portraits will not open without a password. That and Mr. Filch has blocked off all corridors that are not within the proximity of the Entrance Hall or Great Hall. The door that is not directly behind Miss Parkinson's desk, will lead directly to the library and the door next to the HQ Owlry is the infirmary. By Wednesday, I am sure the castle will be at your mercy. Also, if you would, I would like for the first edition of the Hogwarts Howler to be the Monday the students return for classes, naturally. However if possible, I would like an information piece, for the night the students return. It should include what the Hogwarts Howler will be about, and various notices from teachers. Miss Weasley, Mr. Filch has already requested that the list of banned items be in the piece. And so you know," he said looking around the room through his half-moon spectacles, "any items a teacher requests to be put in the paper must be in the paper, especially if it refers to assignments. With the exception of detentions and things that will single out a specific person or group of people. Meals will be delivered to you in this room, not only during your early stay in the castle but regularly throughout the year. I believe that is all, should you need me, the gargoyle next to the entranceway will lead to my office. The password is Ton-Tongue Toffee," he said with a twinkle in his eye and a smile before he disappeared.

"Alright you lot, you have one hour to get your shit settled and start the articles. It's going to be a long night, we have two official papers and an early edition to post in less than a week," Said Blaise.

Groans were heard all around and they all trudged up through their house portraits to their dorms to quickly get their stuff in and catch a break before their hour was up. The two heads, Blaise, Pansy and Ginny remained. Draco was confused by Ginny's presence. "Freckles don't you have stuff to pack?"

Ginny rolled her eyes at the continual of the foolish pet name and said "Yes, but I'm going to be here for a week I have to start my job now because no one else can start the Hogwarts Howler without the information. I can relax later because after I talk to the teachers, I don't really have much to do. And WHAT did I TELL you about that NAME?"

Draco was surprised by her logic, but shouldn't have been. It was refreshing to see that someone other than Granger and himself could use their brain. Ignoring her indignation at his nickname for her he said "Alright, we should get to work then."

"We?" said Ginny who raised her eyebrows, along with everyone else in the room.

Draco shrugged his shoulders and said, "I'm bored and I have no one to torment for a week other than you. Besides which, Filch is going to have loads to put in the early edition, not to mention getting through the castle with all his blockades, and not to mention I wouldn't dare pass up a chance to irritate you for long periods of time."

He smirked while Ginny rolled her eyes, "You are an insufferable and incorrigible git."

Draco smirked and said with his hand over his heart in a mocking tone, "You wound my heart Freckles! After all we've been through!"

Ginny rolled her eyes and said "Ohh please, you have to have a heart for it to be wounded" and began walking towards the door. When he didn't follow she said in a tone that clearly said she was irritated, "Well? Are you coming?"

Draco smirked at his triumph and followed her out and waved cheekily at the remaining three who stood jaw dropped in shock.

Blaise turned and looked at the other two and said, "Did you see that? They were flirting!"

Hermione looked at him like he was crazy, "You call that flirting?"

Blaise pointed at the spot where the two were "flirting" and said, "I tell you, they were flirting, in their own Weasley-Malfoy way, but it was flirting."

"Even if they were flirting what's wrong with that?" said Hermione.

This time it was Pansy who answered, and not Blaise, "Malfoys and Weasleys don't flirt."

"And why not?"

"They don't need to. They always get what they want."

"Ron flirts," said Hermione matter of factly.

"Miss Granger, Ronald Weasley is a dunderhead who hardly knows what he wants let alone is able to obtain such things, and the fact that you have not realized this, makes me question your apparent intelligence," interrupted Snape.

He turned to Blaise handed him two plain manila files while two different colored folders remained in his hand, "These are the announcements I want put in your paper, one for both editions. I assume you are smart enough to decipher which folder goes to which edition. I can't have Miss Weasley wandering around the school in my office searching for me and pestering me for announcements. This," he handed Blaise another one of the folders, this one black, "is for Draco when he returns, do NOT open it for if you do bodily harm will come to you as I have it spelled. This," he handed Blaise the final and white folder, "goes to Miss Weasley. Again, do not open it otherwise you will be a momentous amount of pain, more so than if you open the black one. Good day." With that he turned on his heel and disappeared with his robes billowing behind him.

"How does he get his robes to do that," said Blaise incredulously as the girls rolled their eyes at him. "Seriously, I don't know how he does it. I've tried to do it too. It doesn't work. I'm going to make an article about it," he decided. "He'll ignore me if I ask, but if I have the whole school bugging him about it, I'll get an answer. Excuse me ladies I have an article to write for the morning edition of the Hogwarts Howler."

The two rolled their eyes and went off. Hermione went to her office-room to do some work and think of another way to get Ginny away from Malfoy. Pansy sat at her desk with a book ready to instruct the staff and anyone confused by the transition of offices.

As the two walked out of the room, they silently decided that they would go to Filch first. There they would collect his overly large list of banned items, and convince him that for the night they needed to have access to the castle.

Draco walked with his hands in his pockets glancing at Ginny every so often. Ginny walked with her arms at her side looking forward avoiding his gaze. Every time she saw him look at her, she would turn her head to look at him in hopes of catching him. All she got was a smirk every time, and an occasional shake of his head.

This became a game throughout their trip to Filch's office. They reached his door and asked for his list. He gave them each a stack of files and permission to roam the hallways, but only them.

Fully distracted by the folders the game stopped but restarted after they dropped the folders off and were told that Snape had dropped his off as well.

They were barely to the staircase when Ginny's patience wore out. "Why do you keep staring at me Malfoy?"

Ginny anticipated his shrug of his shoulders and smacked him hard on his back. "Oi..." he exclaimed but was cut off by her angry remark.

"And don't shrug your shoulders when I ask a question. When I ask you a question, I get an answer."

Draco smirked at her, raised his eyebrows at her audacity and shook his head, but remained silent. Ginny gave him three full seconds before saying quite loudly, "MALFOY!"

"WHAT?!"

"Why do you keep staring at me?"

She was driving him mad, and he almost lost himself for a moment and said, "Because I cant help it!" but caught himself in time and said instead, "Because I know it irritates you."

"You are a prat," she said as they reached McGonagall's office.

"You don't seem to mind it all that much," he replied as McGonagall opened her door.

"Here, I have Poppy's, that'd be Madame Pomfrey to you, Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and Sinistra. Off you go, I have lots of work that is to be done. Shoo!" with that she slammed the door in their faces.

The two walked once again in silence. When they returned to Hogwarts HQ, people had already begun working, which meant they had been out for over an hour.

They left again, their legs taking them to each of the other professors without them realizing it. They got back to HQ with all of the folders and noticed that there were two plates on a lunch tray, which meant it was after 12:00. They set the files on Pansy's desk, where she would shortly start yelling names and throwing folders at people.

Draco grabbed a plate and headed to his office, he looked back to see Ginny picking up her plate as well. She met his eyes and he raised an eyebrow, which she interpreted as a sign to follow him.

They entered the office and sat down facing each other at his desk. They started eating, but Draco knew the silence wouldn't last long. He was well aware Ginny did not do quiet, and he wasn't disappointed when she started talking.

"You know what I realized?"

"Mmm?" he said with so he wouldn't spit food out of his mouth like Ron usually did. He was raised with better manners, not that he would point this fact out to her.

"That you've grown an attachment to me." She said as if it were no big deal.

She knew this would catch his attention. And it did.

"I beg your pardon," he said swallowing as he sat up straight and raised his eyebrows.

"You heard me," she said as she continued to eat as if nothing was amiss.

"I do not have an attachment," he said adamantly.

"Yes you do, otherwise I wouldn't be here. You don't just let people in your rooms, or read your journal unless you have some sort of attachment to them."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Malfoys do not have attachments."

She stood up, now that her food was finished and said before she walked out the door, "Well this one does."

Draco ran his hands through his hair. This girl was going to be the death of him.

As Ginny walked out of the staircase guarded by the gargoyle, she heard Pansy call her. She turned around and walked to her desk.

Pansy handed her a slip of parchment that said Ginny on the front and Dragon on the back.

"Don't know from whom it came from, don't know from where it came from. I just know it's for you."

Ginny already knew who it was from, and what it was for, but before she could comment Blaise burst out of his office and yelled happily, "It's done! I finished my article on Snape and his billowing cloak." He hugged his manuscript as if it was a precious doll.

Draco asked in a clearly bored tone, "well are you going to read it to us or not?"

The look Blaise gave Draco could only be described as disgusted and appalled. He looked as if Draco's suggestion were the most awful thing ever to be said. "No, absolutely not! This is a master piece. I bloody well will not read it aloud. No one is going to see this beautiful piece of writing until Monday morning." With a "humph" and an aristocratic nose stuck in the air, Blaise turned on his heel and once again slammed his door shut.

Those in the room looked at one another and burst into laughter. It was certainly not going to be a dull year, that was for certain.