Ugh. My life has been a complete bore lately. I got extremely uninspired because of this testing I had to do last week and my brain pretty much malfunctioned.
Congratulations to my winners: Kindali Sidera, Catnipob, Dark Angell908, and Shia
One winner's alias was Shia and because this person doesn't have an account, I hope that they see this and send me another review with character stuff. Although one winner found a loophole in my rules, no one found the movie quote that I was hoping they would find. Hint: It's from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Prize is the same. Hop to it, lovies.
Chapter 9—Cruelty and Chivalry
Ginny left the Great Hall feeling very content with the fullness of her stomach. Also, she was in good spirits because Dumbledore mentioned that there will be a Christmas Ball the night before students leave to go home for the holidays.
Ginny automatically made her way to the library, knowing that Logan would be there waiting to hear the story. Ginny sighed. She was not looking forward to recounting the background of her fainting spell to her kind-of boyfriend. Ginny was afraid that he would get jealous, angry, heart-broken…
When Ginny entered the library, an arm snaked around her waist and pulled her to a Quidditch-toned body. She gasped audibly and then looked up at her captor; she saw blue-gray eyes looking down at her, dancing with amusement.
"Don't look so scared, Ginny," Logan laughed and kissed her forehead.
"Well, maybe if you hadn't snuck up on me like that, I wouldn't be having heart palpitations." Ginny looked up at him with a stern face.
Logan chuckled again. "You are one of a kind, Ginny Weasley. Although, I believe you owe me an explanation." Logan's amused face changed to a more somber look.
Ginny sighed. "Yes, I suppose I do. So, you see…" It took Ginny a while to tell Logan the story, and by the end, once again, she was almost in tears. After a few deep breaths, Ginny looked up to see Logan glaring at her. Her eyes widened a bit. "Logan, what is it? What's wrong?" Ginny asked tentatively.
"What's wrong? What could possibly be wrong?" Logan's voice started to escalate, despite Madame Pince's disapproving looks. "I'll tell you what's wrong. What's wrong is that I actually liked you even though you were still in love with Potter, and not to mention Zabini and Malfoy."
Ginny stared at him in shock. "Logan, you don't understand. Blaise is probably my best friend; it's not like that. And Draco…he's….he's just been a big help with Potter, that's all, I swear." Ginny couldn't believe that Logan thought that she would cheat on him, especially after what had happened to her that summer. "Logan, I'm sorry. I really like you, I do."
"Yeah, well I thought I liked you also. But I won't let it get to me. You know why?" Logan arched an eyebrow at her.
Ginny shook her head silently with a pained look in her eyes.
"Well, I'll explain." Logan opened his mouth to continue when he heard another female's voice.
"Logan, darling, I've been looking for you!" A seventh-year Ravenclaw girl Ginny recognized sauntered over to the table and sat down on Logan's lap and kissed him.
"Bianca, love, do you know young Ginny Weasley?" Logan asked the petite blond sitting on his lap.
"No, I don't believe I do." Bianca turned towards Ginny. "Hi, I'm Bianca Cumberland."
Ginny didn't answer. She stared at the couple before her in shock. She finally found her voice. "Logan…?"
"Speak of the devil, and he…or, she, shall appear." Logan answered coldly.
"I…I don't believe this." Ginny couldn't move. She was frozen with shock and hurt. A dormant hole in her chest from the break-up with Harry began to widen and burn within her. Logan was still staring at her and Bianca was still sitting there, looking slightly confused. Ginny shakily stood up and then sprinted out of the library.
Not again! Not again! Not again! Ginny kept repeating the mantra to herself. She ran down the corridor and in the direction of the dungeons, although she didn't realize where she was going. Tears were swimming down her face. She reached the corridor where she believed the Slytherin Common Room was and stopped when she saw who she was looking for. He spotted her immediately and walked swiftly over to her. Dark brown, almost black, eyes met hers and took in her disheveled appearance and tear-stained cheeks.
"Ginny, what happened?" He stood right in front of her and gently touched her shoulders.
"Oh, Blaise," Ginny cried and threw her arms around his neck. She sobbed into his shoulder and he held her around her waist. Blaise thought she was talking in between her sobs, but he couldn't be so sure. He thought he heard her say, 'not again, not again,' over and over again.
Blaise gently moved her along with him to the wall of the corridor and he slid down it, bringing her with him. He sat her on his lap and cradled her gently while the sobs shook her body violently. Another set of footsteps reached Blaise's ears.
"Blaise, what's going on?" The dark-haired Slytherin boy looked up to see Draco standing there with confusion written across his face. "Is that the little Weasley?"
Blaise nodded silently and continued to rub Ginny's back until she would eventually calm down.
Draco felt a tiny tug in his chest at the sound of her heart-wrenching sobs, as well as a twinge of remorse. I could never comfort her, he thought to himself. Wait, I'm a Malfoy, she's a Weasley. Why should I even care?
Draco shook his head to clear his mind, and walked past Blaise and Ginny to the Slytherin Common Room entrance. He muttered the password and entered the Common Room. There were black leather sofas, loveseats, and chairs. The floor, walls, and ceiling were made of stone. The tables were made of the blackest ebony. The area rugs and curtains were emerald green with silver embroidered snakes.
Pansy Parkinson spotted him immediately and rushed over to his side. The pug-faced girl could not take a hint. "Drakie, how would you like to meet me in the Room of Requirement at midnight?" She raised her eyebrows suggestively and Draco snorted.
"Please, Parkinson. The day I sleep with you is the day I declare my undying love for Voldemort." Draco brushed past her and went up to his private dormitory. He opened and closed the door in one swift movement.
As he was turning on the lamp, he heard a tapping on the window. He looked up and recognized his father's eagle owl and he immediately cursed the creature. No doubt, it would burden him with another message from Lucius about his initiation, and that was the last thing he wanted. He opened the window and let the flying creature in. Indeed, there was a piece of stationery tied to the owl's leg. Draco untied it and sent the owl on its way. He unrolled the scroll.
Draco—
Do not think that you can weasel your way out of this one. You failed to prove yourself last summer and believe me; the Dark Lord was not pleased. With some convincing, he will grant you another chance. Be grateful, boy, because he wouldn't give just anyone a second chance.
You are to come home this year during the holidays, and you will carry out your task then.
You will not disappoint me.
--Lucius
Draco's eyes turned angry and he crumpled up the piece of parchment and threw it across the room, although it didn't go very far. He instead turned around and banged his fists against the wall, then rested his forehead against it. He was sick of taking orders from his father and he did not want to become a Death Eater. Although, when he was younger he thought the power would be thrilling, but he saw a lot of things in his youth that changed his mind.
After a few moments, Draco finally calmed down, and he heard a knock at his door. "It's open!" He barked at the door.
Blaise walked in, shaking his head and sighing. "Blaise, what's up? What happened to the Weasley girl?"
Blaise looked up and Draco could see the anger and animosity in his eyes. Logan whirled around and punched the wall as Draco had before. "I'm going to kill that bastard!"
After telling Draco what had happened with Logan and Ginny, Draco could empathize. "What is wrong with people these days? That's twice for her, and although I don't like her very much, but that's just plain cruel."
Blaise nodded his head. "I can't even fathom how she's feeling right now. That's twice her heart was broken, both times by some insignificant prick. I know you don't like her very much, mate, but at least try to be decent to her. It's the least you could do."
Draco looked up at him. "I was never really that mean to her. I just despise her brother and his stupid friends. Especially Potter. I mean, how could he take her for granted like that? She's smart, she's kind, she's gorge—" Draco's eyes widened in horror at what he was about to say. I called her smart, kind, and I almost said gorgeous! What's wrong with me?
Blaise chortled. "You're right, Draco. On all counts." Draco shot him a dark look. "C'mon, Dray, don't be ashamed. Who cares if she's a Weasley? She's a great person. I'm sure she would say the same about you if you weren't so withdrawn all the time."
Draco snorted. "Yeah, I bet she thinks I'm a fabulous person. She probably still thinks I'm a Death Eater-in-training."
"Not if you show her that she's wrong. Do something that will prove her wrong."
"Like what? Save the Wizarding Community? Just slap a scar on my forehead and call me Potter."
"No, that's not what I meant. Stick up for her, or something. Do something nice for her."
"I still don't understand why I'm doing this."
"Because then my two best friends will be able to friends as well. We can be the new Golden Trio!" Blaise's eyes lit up in mock-amusement.
"Blaise how is it that you always make me want to puke?"
The only response Draco got was a chuckle.
Ginny spent the next week in her bed. She didn't get up for meals, classes, or Quidditch practice. She was eating, however. Hermione would bring her something to eat so she wouldn't starve again. She hardly slept either. There were dark bags forming under her eyes and her skin was paler than usual. Every day she spent her time staring up at the canopy of her bed. She would cry often. Her voice was raspy from the frequent sobbing. There was still a hole in her chest and it burned more and more every day.
The next Monday, McGonagall had had enough and came into the Sixth Year Girls' Dormitory.
"Miss Weasley! This behavior of yours is irrational. You have missed a week of classes and you are far behind in your work. Get out of bed this instant and if Professor Snape tells me that you are missing from his class, your punishment will be severe. You are already going to serve a week of detentions with me."
Ginny rolled over and looked at McGonagall. The Professor gasped when she saw the young girl's appearance. The Gryffindor got out of bed silently and walked to the bathroom. McGonagall shook her head and left the room.
Ginny showered in a stupor. She just stood in the shower stall, letting the cool water stream down her body. She hardly blinked. Her lips began to turn purple and she was shivering uncontrollably.
After about an hour, someone finally came to look for her. She recognized Hermione's voice.
"Ginny? Ginny are you in here? Professor Snape sent me to look for you. Gin, everyone's worried. Where are you?" Ginny could hear the hysteria in the older girl's voice. The bathroom door opened and Hermione pulled back the curtain and gasped. "Ginny! You must be freezing! Oh my, you need to get out of here!" Hermione grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Ginny's frigid shoulders.
Ginny didn't respond once. She let Hermione dry her off and dress her like a rag doll. The older girl pushed her back into the dormitory so she could get her bag. Hermione found the bag for her and carried it for Ginny. She made her way to the door and turned around to see Ginny just standing there, totally oblivious to everything around her. "Ginny? Gin, we have to go to class." Still no response. "Ginny, can you hear me? Ginny!" Hermione was yelling now. She was extremely worried about the younger girl. She walked over and felt her forehead. "You're still very cold. I'm taking you to the Hospital Wing."
Hermione put Ginny's arm around her shoulder and escorted her from the room and out of the Common Room. Moments later, they were in the Hospital Wing and Ginny still had not uttered a word. Madame Pomfrey looked at Ginny's pale bluish face and purple-tinged lips and gasped.
"Oh dear, what happened?"
"I found her in the shower. The water was cold, and she was in there for about an hour." Hermione muttered, her voice quavering slightly.
"Oh, it must be hypothermia. Poor dear, she just gets into a lot of messes, doesn't she?"
Hermione nodded. She had no idea what had gotten into Ginny and she didn't know about the Logan thing.
Madame Pomfrey ushered Ginny over to a bed with no resistance on Ginny's part. The Mediwitch wrapped the girl in many heated blankets and did a spell to take her temperature, and was not shocked to find that it was lower than it should be.
"Miss Granger, go to Professor Snape and tell him that Ginny can't make it to class today because of her condition. Also, ask him if he can make a Heating Potion for me. I don't have any in stock."
Hermione nodded silently and walked swiftly from the Hospital Wing. She made her way to the dungeons in a few minutes and walked into the classroom.
"Miss Granger, where is Miss Weasley? I sent you to get her. Her absence is not acceptable." Snape sneered.
"Uhm…Professor Snape, she's in the Hospital Wing. She…I don't know, Madame Pomfrey said it was hypo-something and that she needs you to make a Heating Potion right away."
Snape's eyes looked concerned. "Hypothermia, was it?"
"Yes, that was it."
Snape sighed. "I'll see what I can do." Snape immediately went to work on the potion while Hermione returned to her desk.
Hermione looked over at the empty seat next to her and tried to fight the tears from her eyes. What happened to you, Gin? She sniffled slightly and then heard a throat clear on her other side. She whipped her head around and saw Blaise Zabini looking down at her, concern written across his face.
"Granger, did you say Ginny was at the Hospital?"
Hermione nodded silently. "Yeah, I found her this morning in the shower and she had the cold water running. She was in there for maybe an hour. Her face was bluish and her lips were purple. It was horrible. What happened to her?" Tears were threatening to spill from the girl's eyes.
Blaise's face took on a solemn look. "Sorry, I know you're her friend and all, but it's not my story to tell."
Hermione nodded in understanding and Blaise returned to his seat. He sat down and put his head in his hands. Draco, from behind, asked him what happened. Blaise turned in his seat and told Draco what Hermione told him.
"Wait, are you saying she's turning into a zombie because of that Harvey prick?"
Blaise nodded gravely. "It's ridiculous. I thought she was, I don't know, stronger than that. I'm skipping next class to visit her. Want to come with?"
Draco looked skeptical then nodded in agreement. "I guess. I mean, she won't be mad that I'm there?"
Blaise shook his head. "Nah, this might be your chance to, I don't know, prove her wrong, like we discussed."
Draco nodded again. "You're right, mate."
The two Slytherin boys finished their potions and submitted their final products to Snape, just as he was finishing the Heating Potion. "Masters Zabini and Malfoy, since you are done, would you mind running this potion up to Miss Weasley in the Hospital Wing?"
Both boys put on looks of indifference and Draco took the potion from the Professor, and walked out of the classroom.
Blaise smirked. "Well, at least we have an excuse…sort of."
Draco chuckled. "I guess you're right…again. Do you know how much I hate saying that?"
It was Blaise's turn to laugh. "I can only imagine."
The boys made their way to the Hospital Wing. When they entered, Madame Pomfrey bustled out of her office to see who the visitors were. "Boys, do you have the Heating Potion?" Draco held up his hand and raised an eyebrow. "Great, this will do the trick." The Mediwitch walked over to Ginny's bed. To Blaise, she looked mummified in all the blankets on her. He could still see the purple tinge in her lips and the bluish tint of her face. He slowly walked over to her.
Madame Pomfrey sat Ginny up and gave her the potion. "Drink up, dear. This will make you feel a lot better." She tipped the vial back and Ginny swallowed obediently. Her face immediately became flushed and her lips retained their pinkish-red color. Ginny sighed contentedly and unwrapped herself from the several blankets on top of her.
Blaise stood next to her bed. He gave Madame Pomfrey a look that said that he wanted to speak to her alone. She nodded in understanding and returned to her office.
Blaise crouched down next to the bed and beckoned Draco over. Draco stood behind him. "Ginny, are you okay?"
Ginny looked over at Blaise, her eyes dead. She shook her head gravely.
"Gin, what happened to you? Is this because of that Harvey bloke? I'll kill him, I swear I will." Blaise's sentimental tone turned a bit angry after he said 'Harvey.' Ginny didn't answer. "Gin, please, just talk to me. I was worried about you all last week. C'mon, please."
"Weas—" Blaise shook his head quickly at Draco. He sighed exasperatedly. "Ginny," she looked up when she heard Draco use her name. "I heard what happened, and I think it's ridiculous. Harvey doesn't deserve you. Neither did Potter, for that matter. They took you for granted." Draco winced slightly at his sentimental behavior towards the youngest Weasley.
Ginny's eyes flickered with something, but neither Blaise nor Draco could identify what. "Thanks," she mumbled almost incoherently.
Draco nodded and Blaise gave him an appreciative look and returned his gaze to Ginny. She was still looking at Draco with that same look in her eyes and Blaise became slightly confused. After a few moments, Madame Pomfrey came back out of her office.
"Okay boys, I think that's enough visiting time. Miss Weasley could do with some rest."
Blaise and Draco nodded in agreement and turned to leave. They were walking out of the Hospital Wing when they saw a familiar Ravenclaw walking in their direction. Both of their eyes lit up with hostility.
"Hey, Harvey, what do you think you're doing?" Blaise asked of the Ravenclaw.
Logan's eyes snapped up to Blaise's. "What does it concern you, you filthy Slytherin?"
"Filthy, are we?" Draco intervened. "Well, if we're filthy, I would not want to hear what someone would describe you as, you rat bastard."
Logan chuckled darkly. "Oh, I see. This is about the Weasley girl, is it not?" Logan shook his head and sighed. "So, I was right. She is a little whore. Let's see, she has you two, and she did have me as well, but I think we all know—" He didn't even get to finish his sentence. Draco's fist had connected with Logan's jaw.
"You bastard! You don't know what you're talking about! You took a great person like Ginny and turned her into this…this zombie! You're a pathetic human being!" Draco bellowed at the cowering Ravenclaw.
Blaise looked at Draco in awe. He'd never seen him get this worked up over anyone. Draco was still fuming when Blaise decided to keep the pale-haired Slytherin from damaging Logan even more.
"Draco, c'mon. It's not worth it, let's go."
"He's not worth anything. You know that, Harvey? You didn't deserve her. You disgust me. Even I would never do that to someone. You're worthless," Draco spat at Logan.
They were turning to leave when the Hospital Wing door opened. All three boys turned to see Ginny Weasley was standing there in shock. She had heard yelling and got up to investigate while Madame Pomfrey was in her office. She looked from the bruise forming on Logan's face to Draco rubbing his knuckles to Blaise restraining him, and she made the connection. Her eyes lit up with gratitude. She smiled tentatively at Draco and he smirked slightly. Ginny held up a finger to indicate that she'll be out of the Hospital Wing in a minute. The door closed and Madame Pomfrey came over to Ginny, wondering why she was standing at the door.
"Uhm…Madame Pomfrey? I'm feeling a lot better, so could I just have a Pepper-Up potion and be on my way?"
The Mediwitch looked skeptical then nodded. "Okay, dear, but just take it easy, all right?"
Ginny nodded and took the potion from Madame Pomfrey, and left the Hospital Wing.
After she closed the door behind her, she saw Blaise and Draco waiting there expectantly. "Where'd…he go?" Ginny didn't want to use his name.
"Oh, he went back to Ravenclaw, or wherever." Blaise answered her.
Ginny nodded and then she smiled again. "Thanks again, Draco. You're…you're a really great guy."
Draco snorted and Blaise elbowed him in the ribs. "No problem, Weas—" Blaise poked him again in the ribs and Draco rolled his eyes. "Ginny. I just think that guy's a pathetic loser."
Ginny nodded again and then looked a bit unsure. "Uhm…Draco? Did you really mean all that stuff you said? I mean, not just the stuff you said to him, but what you told me in the Hospital?" Ginny looked slightly afraid of what he might say.
Draco looked thoughtful for a moment before he nodded reluctantly. Ginny's smile returned to her face. "Thanks again. Both of you. I don't know how I could get through this year without you two around."
Blaise returned her smile and Draco looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Well, I'll see you boys later. I have to go to some classes this week." Ginny laughed lightly and made her way to Charms.
After she was out of earshot, Blaise whirled on Draco. "Wow, Dray, I'm proud of you. I didn't know you were going to be that nice!"
Draco sneered at him. "I already told you. I hate that Harvey kid and she didn't deserve any of the crap she's gotten. I guess it was the right thing to do."
Blaise chortled. "That was some right hook. How's it feel?"
"What? My hand or the fact that I punched him?"
"Both."
"Well, my hand doesn't hurt too badly, but I feel great after punching him. Man, I really hate that kid."
Blaise looked at him curiously. "Interesting. Did you hate him before or after you found out what he did to Ginny?"
Draco looked at him with a calculating gaze. "What are you implying?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing at all. C'mon let's go back to…whatever class we're supposed to be in."
Draco rolled his eyes and followed his friend.
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A/N: yeah i know, ginny's life basically sucks. that was my longest chapter to date.
ALSO i'm gonna be a beehotch and i won't update until i get...say...40 reviews? i think that's reasonable.