Chapter 2 – Shift

Two days later Ginny's world fell apart completely. Somehow several students had overheard a rumor that she had sex with a Slytherin because she had 'something to prove'. Angry and humiliated, she stalked the corridors the next afternoon in search of anyone who knew of this said rumor, and to her horror, she found out that nearly the entire school knew. She had inadvertently stepped in the path of Ernie MacMillian and Hannah Abbott as they were n their way to the Great Hall.

"Hi Ginny," Hannah said nervously, glancing at Ernie.

"What's this I hear about you and some Slytherin?"

"Ernie!" Hannah looked at him, appalled.

"Wasn't Potter good enough for you, Weasley?" He continued as if he had never been scolded. "I can't believe this came from a Gryffindor, and a Weasley at that. You know, I used to think you were a good person, Ginny…"

"And now what do you think?" Ginny asked her voice shaky.

Ernie smiled slightly and it sent a shiver down Ginny's spine. "Whores don't belong in Gryffindor," he whispered. As he walked off, Hannah stayed behind, her eyes wide.

"Gin…he shouldn't have…" she started.

Ginny hadn't seemed to hear her, because at that precise moment, she found the exact person she had been meaning to; he was leaning against the wall not far from her, his long hair in his eyes. Pansy was the first to spot her walking toward them. "Enjoy your night, Weasley?" she asked with a sneer.

Blaise looked up, his face white.

"Sod off, Parkinson!" shouted Ginny.

"You're in a nasty mood," a voice said from behind her. Ginny whirled around to see Blaise leering at her. "I thought you'd be happy that you could finally lose your virginity to someone of a higher stature."

Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but Pansy cut right through her. "Blaise, how could you sleep with someone so disgusting?"

"She begged me," he shrugged. "You know me, Pans; I don't turn away the needy."

Ginny scowled. How dare he – who does he think he is to lie to everyone like that? Her eyes flashed with anger as her hand shot out and struck him across the face. "You're a liar! You fucking raped me!"

"Excuse me?" His voice had changed, become colder. "Who the fuck are you to accuse me of such an act?"

"I'm the victim."

Pansy glared at her. "You'd better take that back, bitch. Or I'll hex you."

"I'm not going to take back the truth," Ginny shot at her.

A hand touched her shoulder and she winced. "I think you should go see the Headmaster, Miss. Weasley." Ginny turned to scream but then realized who had spoken. Professor Mc Gonagall stared at her, her face grim. "I will escort you, if you would like."

Ginny went willingly, not speaking a word to her Head of House, even when she sat down in Professor Dumbledore's office. "Professor Mc Gonagall tells me that you've been on the receiving end of a horrible rumor, Ginny." Dumbledore said softly.

"The truth is far worse," Professor Mc Gonagall said quietly. "I'm sorry, Ginny. I had to pretend like I didn't know anything. I talked with Poppy after you left the infirmary the other day and she told me her suspicions, and the facts of your exam."

The redhead stared at her. "Y-you believe what happened to me?"

Minerva nodded. "I do. There has never been an accusation of this kind at Hogwarts, and I know you're telling me the truth. Why would you lie to me?"

"But…the others…" Ginny muttered.

"I have alerted Professor Snape, and requested that he keep Mr. Zabini away from you."

Dumbledore's eyes darkened slightly. "Mr. Zabini did this?"

Ginny nodded. "Two days ago."

"My dear, why didn't you report it?" he asked.

"Isn't it obvious, Albus?" said a voice from the doorway. "Miss. Weasley was afraid that no one would believe her. It seems so unfathomable that someone of Mr. Zabini's manner would do something like that."

"Well, he did," snapped Ginny.

"Severus, have you talked with him?" Minerva asked.

Professor Snape eyed her then eyed Ginny. "He should be here soon. Then we could get this straightened out."

Ginny sank low in her seat and shut her eyes.

How could she face him so calmly before? With a tilt to the left, right near Snape's cloak, she vomited on the floor. Mc Gonagall touched her hair. "There, there," she whispered as she cleaned the mess up.

"Do you need anything, Miss. Weasley?" Snape asked, stepping around to her other side. "I will assist you if I'm able."

"Water," croaked Ginny.

"Of course," He nodded, and a glass was conjured, full of clear liquid which he handed to Ginny.

She drank it slowly. "Thank you."

The door behind them opened and Blaise walked in, looking angry. "You asked to see me…" he glanced at Ginny. He took the seat beside the redhead and stared at Professor Dumbledore.

"I did, yes. There seems to be something we need to discuss."

Blaise glared. "I didn't do anything."

"Miss. Weasley says differently…" Dumbledore started.

"She's lying!" Blaise snarled, thrusting a hand through his hair. "She's just disgusted with herself that she's slept with a Slytherin. What's the matter, baby, can't handle the fact that I never really wanted you, that you were just a one night stand, and now you've got everyone thinking that I forced myself on you?"

Ginny stared at him, her eyes wide. "You're a horrible person," she whispered.

"If I'm so horrible, why did you sleep with me, Weasley?" he leaned closer to her, his eyes fierce, the eyes of dishonest boy.

"That's enough, I think," said Mc Gonagall, her temper flaring. Her glare cut through him. "Mr. Zabini, I do not like you. I do not believe that Miss. Weasley has lied about this incident in the slightest, either. I will see to it that you never come near her again."

To Blaise's horror, both the Headmaster and his Head of House nodded in agreement.

Ginny let out a slow breath, finally able to relax.