A Change of Plan

'You've made a complete fool out of me' bellowed Draco at the retreating back of Ginny 'and I will make you pay, you just wait and see.'

'Oh go to hell' she shouted over her shoulder. It was all still such a blur. After walking into Dumbledore's office and seeing her parents and Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore, Ginny had known that they had somehow found out about her engagement and felt sure that they would all be really harsh on her and force her into submission. In a round-about way it was what she wanted but she couldn't look like she was backing down in-front of Draco, not after she had gone to find him at Christmas. But then there had been a story. She was already engaged, it was unbreakable, and her stint with Draco, (or Malfoy as she was calling him again) was over. And, as Malfoy had assumed she would protest he sat there, smugly. She didn't though, just nodded her head and removed the engagement ring. Looking back Ginny could see she hadn't over-reacted nearly enough. Why she didn't even know who she was betrothed to, it had been her scapegoat, and she'd taken it.

She was almost at the portrait hole when she considered turning back and getting a few questions answered. But then she thought better of it. At the moment she was so relieved not to be engaged to Malfoy she didn't really care, nobody could be worse could they! As she entered, she heard her name being called. Turning, Ginny spied Harry, Ron, Hermione and Katie all sitting together, waving her over.

'We heard that you and Malfoy were summoned to Dumbledore's. What did he want?' Hermione looking concerned at Ginny and quickly spotted that she no longer had a ring on.

'Mum and dad were there, and McGonagall and Snape. They knew about my being engaged to Malfoy, I'm assuming you told them,' she indicated in the direction of Harry and Ron.

'Only me I'm afraid' replied Ron. 'Harry was dead against it, said if it was what you wanted then we shouldn't interfere. I'm sorry Gin, I didn't want you to be angry it's just, well, I was concerned. Malfoy is scum, the yuck at the bottom of the cauldron and you're going to marry him. I thought mum and dad had the right to know and at that, maybe, they could talk some sense into you.'

Ginny sat down. 'Well, Ron, I want to say thank-you. You did the right thing and I'm pleased you intervened. I have ended the engagement with Malfoy.' Only Hermione didn't look surprised at this statement. 'It's fine trust me, I chose to end it, I wasn't forced or anything like that, I've- seen the light so to speak.'

'So it's over?' asked Harry. Ginny looked right into his eyes.

'Yes Harry it is all over. Though I cannot see why you are so interested, after all I can 'do whatever I want' can't I and it doesn't bother you.' You didn't even seem to be bothered about putting your name to the letter Ron wrote to mum, that shows your concern much more obviously than your words.' And before allowing Harry the chance to defend himself she got up and marched towards the girl's dormitories. Hermione cast a quick look at Harry that clearly said 'ignore her' and followed suit.

Ginny was sitting on her bed when Hermione arrived. She walked over and put her arms around Ginny's neck. 'Feel better now?'

'About what? Not being engaged to a person you hate- yes, very much so. About Harry, not one bit. I just can't believe that Harry didn't even bother to sign his name at the end of Ron's letter to mum. I would have thought he would have done that, snitchy though it is.' Hermione shifted herself till she sitting next to Ginny

'If I tell you a secret you must swear on your life not to ever admit that you know.'

'Ok. What?'

'Harry didn't sign his name on the letter because he did something else. Something that had more of an effect. He told Malfoy that your parents were coming and that he should invite his own.' Ginny looked confused.

'But why would that help? If anything it would have made the situation worse for me because Lucius is really persuasive, he could have convinced anyone that the marriage was a very suitable idea.'

'But it didn't, judging by what has happened. With him already knowing about you being engaged it would have looked like it was a scam. Not true love.'

'Which it was.'

'Which it was' agreed Hermione. 'So why did you end it? It's hard to believe that you weren't forced in some way otherwise Malfoy would have gone berserk.'

'It doesn't matter; the point is its over.'

'I want to know Ginny Weasley; I assisted in freeing you so I'd like to know the whole story.'

'Alright but I doubt you'll believe it, I'm starting to doubt it myself.' Ginny took a deep breath. 'I am unable to marry Malfoy because I am already betrothed to someone else, have been since birth.'

Who?'

'That's just it, I didn't ask. It didn't occur to me. I was so relieved that I wasn't engaged to Malfoy anymore I just nodded and said yes.'

'And you're not sure now whether it's actually true?'

'It just sounds so old fashioned and ridiculous. But then you couldn't invent a story like that could you.'

'Well it did used to be an old custom' began Hermione knowledgably. 'To ensure that the blood line remained pure among the magical community often unborn or young children were betrothed to each other. Unfortunately over time the blood lines were becoming too weak and so the tradition gradually faded out. Apparently during the time of Lord Voldemort, his followers were made by him to betroth their children to other fellow supporters, to ensure that no traitors would come among their ranks through marriage.'

'How on earth do you know all of this Hermione?'

'I read this really interesting book a few summers ago called 'The Magic of Marriage and its Past'. I really recommend it. So what do you think you'll do now?'

'Well I'm going to interrogate mum as to whom I'm betrothed to and why. I've also got to find out whether Malfoy and I will still be a couple after this little incident.'

'Sounds like a plan to me. And-' Hermione grew tentative 'what about Harry?'

'Well I owe him an apology. But that's all. He still insulted me by going out with Katie and not telling me.'

'I'm pleased you're back to normal, we were all worried.'

'So am I Hermione, so am I.'

Only a short one but I want a new chapter for the next section!