A/N: 2020 - Revised!

2006 - Wow..chapter seven already! Really, I'm quite happy I've even gotten this far! Thank you to my dutiful reviewers, which I haven't heard from since chapter four..

Disclaimer: I own a dog, a cat, and a little brother. (Gee, old enough for ya?) Not Harry Potter.

"Wonder what's got his knickers in a bunch?" Luca peered around the corner after the irate Slytherin.

"Luca, it's Malfoy," Ginny replied matter-of-factly. "What more reason do you need? He's a git!"

Luca shrugged and followed her friend as they started to head up to their dormitory. The pair didn't get very far before Professor McGonagall caught up with them. I wonder what she wants, Ginny thought as the Deputy Headmistress pulled her aside.

"So sorry for the confusion Miss Weasley, but apparently Professor Snape neglected to mention it; I'm sure you realize that your advancement in Potions calls for a schedule change. You'll be taking History of Magic with the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins." Ginny started to protest, but McGonagall continued. "There's no need to worry, you will still be with your year. It is only the houses of your classmates that will be different. Please forgive the confusion," she concluded before turning on her heel and marching back toward the Great Hall, leaving Ginny to stare after her. Luca, who had been just out of earshot, now looked at Ginny for an explanation.

Ginny turned to Luca. "She's making me take History of Magic with the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs! As if that class weren't bloody boring enough. She's really lost her marbles this time!"

"There, there, dear. Don't worry," Luca soothed as she patted Ginny's shoulder. "Look at the bright side! You'll still be able to spend the time plotting against Malfoy."

Two bells after lunch, Ginny headed down to the dungeons. Again, Professor Snape had not yet arrived. Ron noticed her and walked over, the other two members of the infamous trio not far behind. Oh, boy. Here goes nothing!

"Oi, sis. You get your timetable mixed up or something? What are you doing down here?" Ron asked in that annoyingly patronizing way older brothers sometimes do.

"Waiting for my next class to start," Ginny replied nonchalantly.

"But- you don't have potions for another two periods," Harry said, bewildered. Ron gaped rather stupidly before shaking his head as if to clear it.

"You mean you're in advanced potions?" Ron's expression was unreadable, which left Ginny feeling a little uncertain.

"Yes. Apparently I was 'bored' in my own class," she elaborated.

Ron pulled her into a bear hug. "Gin! I'm so proud of you, well done!" When Ron released her, Hermione put her own arm around Ginny's shoulders and squeezed warmly, claiming she knew it would happen. And that leaves Harry... Ginny thought, half-hoping he'd hug her too, for all that she'd gotten over him.

"Well done," was all that Harry said, though he did so with a smile. Ginny's mild disappointment was interrupted by Malfoy and his cronies joining them.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Pureblood Pauper. Looks like your family has got some brains, after all," the blond drawled.

Intrusive git, Ginny thought to herself. Has to come and ruin the moment...

"Hell of a lot of good it'll do you though," Malfoy continued. "Potter doesn't look for brains. He really ought to though, as he's hardly got half of one as it is!"

Dear Merlin, I do believe his insults are getting worse and worse by the moment. And here I really didn't think it was possible!

"Stuff it, Malfoy. My sister's smarter than you'll ever be," Ron cut in. Ginny barely refrained from snapping at Ron. I can stand up for myself, thank you very much, she thought rather bitterly. I know you're trying to be the nice big brother, but now really isn't the time!

Malfoy turned to Ginny, his look one of derision. "And there I was, thinking you could defend yourself. What a pity, Weasley."

Ginny opened her mouth to retort, but Professor Snape had arrived, effectively cutting off whatever she might have been about to say. Inside the classroom, Ginny quickly found a seat with Hermione before Professor Snape could pair her off with some Slytherin. Looking around the room, she saw Ron and Harry paired; the git duo, Malfoy and Zabini; Lavender and Parvati; Crabbe and Goyle, of course; Pansy and Millicent Bulstrode; and then the last three boys, Neville, Seamus, and Dean all paired up.

Hermione leaned over, whispering, "I usually get paired with Neville, but considering that you're in our class now..." She trailed off as Professor Snape waved his wand, directing them to follow the instructions on the board for brewing an antidote to doxy bites.

What felt like hours later, they stumbled up the steps of the dungeons and separated. Ginny headed outside to Care of Magical Creatures, where she caught up with Luca.

"Hey! How was Potions?" Luca asked brightly.

"I'll give you one guess at who else is in that class besides my brother and his friends!" In her displeasure, Ginny's words came out somewhat angrier than she had intended.

Luca's eyes widened. "No- not the Slytherins! That means-"

"Yes, I'm stuck with that disagreeable prat for the rest of term! This school is absolutely mental!"

"Now, now, dear. Let's not sound so chuffed about it, eh?"

"I am bloody well not happy about it!" Ginny could feel her temper rising in earnest.

"Come off it, I was only kidding." Ginny felt Luca's arm around her shoulders as she dragged her down the slope towards the forest. "So what if the teachers are off their rockers? At least you're not paired with him!"

"Who's to say I'm not?" Ginny asked mysteriously.

"Oh sweetie. One or the other of you would be dead by now, I'd wager," Luca replied sagely. Laughing, Ginny gave in to Luca's loyal attempts to brighten her mood.

A/N: 2006 - Bit too British at the end, I'd say. By the way, 'chuffed' is delighted or happy, in case you couldn't get the sarcasm. I know I wouldn't have.. Anywho, I don't think I will post any more chapters unless I get reviews! So...R&R!