Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters mentioned in this fanfiction. Nor do I own any of the spells, curses, or places. I merely own my own imagination.
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CHAPTER FOUR
"Yeah, he went into hiding with his parents you moron," Draco sneered.
Blaise shook his head, "You, mate are the moron. Yes, they did went into hiding, but they were murdered in the midst of it."
"What? Where did you hear this, Zambini?" Draco asked, shocked at the news of his only friend's death.
"The Prophet's been up to date with the right news lately," Blaise stressed.
"Goyle... dead?" Draco murmured.
"Unfortunately mate," Blaise replied.
Draco couldn't believe his ears. First Crabbe, then Goyle. Who knows who might be next? Could it be that Draco's life may be at stake? He felt lonelier by the minute, and he was confused. Was the Ministry looking out for the former Death Eaters still remaining in the country? If Kingsley Shaklebolt and the rest of the Ministry were after more of the remaining Death Eaters, that would mean searching and capturing his parents.
The horn of the Hogwarts Express blew once more, as students were scrambling in the aisle of the train, in search of an empty compartment. Sitting in the compartment accompanied by Blaise Zambini, Draco stared out the window, as the train was beginning its second journey of the year back to Hogwarts. The news of Goyle's death was excruciating. There was an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't bear with everything all at once, as well as the fact that the Ministry may be searching for his parents at this moment, when he was on his way to Hogwarts.
Draco could hear random students dragging their belongings up and down the aisles, for compartments with only few people in them. Most were in pairs and others where in groups of three or four. The Hogwarts Express was taking its full speed, when Draco recognized the voice of the one who saved him. He didn't know if he was imagining it or not. Although it seemed as though her voice was coming closer and closer to the compartment he shared with Blaise.
"Come on, here's another compartment, only two people are in here," her voice echoed in Draco's ear. "I know Malfoy's in there, but it's the only compartment we have."
But how... how could she possibly know my name? Draco thought to himself, as the compartment door slid opened. Behind the compartment door was none other than Ginny, Luna and Neville. Draco shot daggers at the three entering his compartment. I could've sworn that it was Ginerva. Draco set his eyes upon the blurred landscape outside the window. Through the corner of his eyes, he could see Ginny sit next to Blaise, keeping a fair amount of distance away from him, who was sitting across from Draco. While Luna and Neville sat next to Draco, who were both keeping their distance away from him, as if they both had disease.
Ginny looked at Draco for a brief second. She knew she was risking getting caught, that she was the one who really saved Draco. Of course, she had no choice, all of the compartments were completely full, except for this one. She turned her attention from the compartment floor, to Neville and Luna. Ginny smiled falsely, in hopes that either one of them would spark up a conversation.
"Blood traitor," Ginny heard Blaise mutter.
"Takes one to know one," Ginny snarled, eyeing Blaise straight into his.
"Come off it Zambini," Neville said, defending his friend.
"I'm not found with any Mudbloods, now am I?" Blaise sneered.
"Oh please, we live in a Muggle community, you're bound to be seen with a Muggle," Ginny narrowed her eyes at Blaise, as they continued to argue.
"Will you two shut up!" Draco finally interjected.
"Malfoy stay -"
"Both of you morons come off it!" Draco interrupted Blaise, returning his gaze out the window.
"At least someone's brain is screwed on properly," Ginny muttered, as she crossed her arms.
"Are you saying I have no brain?!" Blaise sputtered
"Shut up!" Draco exclaimed.
Draco did not know what had come over him, to defend Weaslette. Or was he just defending Blaise? Draco never really considered Blaise Zambini to be one of his closest friends, but he definitely would not defend him in his own fight. All he needed was to be alone. Away from everything that reminded him of his two best friends. Draco finally turned away from the window, as he caught Ginny's eyes. Their eyes were linked for only a moment, until she looked away, scoffing. Those eyes were an intense brown, just like the girl who saved him. Ginny had those freckles that his rescuer had. As well as the voice, it matched fair Ginerva's voice.
As much as Draco would love to deny the fact that Ginny could possibly be her, he sort of liked having her around, in a non-Malfoy sort of way. There was only one way to find out; speaking to her in private. The thought of even trying to speak to a Weasley in private was completely un-Malfoy like. It was not as if he were trying to pursue her, but merely get the truth out of her.
The Hogwarts Express came to a halt hours later (which felt like days, due to the tension in the compartment). As Ginny bolted straight up attempting to exit the compartment, Blaise forced past her, causing Ginny to fall back to her seat. She huffed quite loudly, her hands balling into fists. An alarmed Neville placed both his hands on Ginny's shoulders, notifying her to calm down. She inhaled and exhaled, before following Neville and Luna out of the train. Lugging her things out of the train, she, Neville and Luna stepped into a thestral drawn carridge. Needless to say, Draco followed suit, and entered the same carridge as the three friends.
"Malfoy, come to elaborate on what Zambini was trying to say earlier?" Ginny sputtered, as she narrowed her eyes at the sliver haired Slytherin.
"Don't get your hopes up, Weaslette," Draco snarled, as the carriage moved forward. He firmly held his wand next to him. "Muffilato!" He murmured, as he casted the spell onto Neville and Luna, allowing Draco and Ginny to carry a conversation without being overheard.
"Malfoy! What's the matter with you?" Ginny exclaimed, her wand pointed directly at Draco.
"Relax, Weaslette, it's only so they can't overhear me," Draco sneered, stuffing his brand new wand in his pocket.
"What is it exactly do you want from me?" Ginny asked, as she as well put away her wand.
"Don't play stupid with me, Ginerva," he sputtered, staring at Ginny directly in the eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ginny lied, rolling her eyes. Unfortunately it did not trick Malfoy.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Draco muttered, audibly for just the two of them to hear. "You're Ginerva, mother says that the only Ginerva that she recalls is the Weasley's daughter."
"You're mother's just as thick as you are," Ginny also stared at him in the eyes. "I don't know of this Ginerva girl you speak of. So come off it."
"At least my mother's not a blood traitor," Draco bit back. He could tell that his remark really stung her badly. Talking about her is one thing, but talking about her own mother is the wrong way to go. For some odd reason, he wanted to apologize, but that was out of the question. A Slytherin being civil to a Gryffindor? He couldn't ruin his reputation at Hogwarts, being the bad boy of Slytherin house. Draco could see the tears welling in Ginny's eyes; he felt horrible. After the deaths of his two best friends, he had changed a lot.
"Fine! You caught me, I am Ginerva, OK? Happy? Stupid Malfoy!" Ginny bellowed, tear beads rolling down her cheeks. "It's no wonder everyone hates a git like you!" Ginny retrieved her wand from her pocket and pointed it straight at Luna and Neville. She lifted the spell off of them, as she linked arms with Luna. She clearly didn't know what had come of her. She was crying in front of Malfoy, and she didn't care. One thing that completely caught her off guard was the fact that Draco Malfoy looked guilty. Ginny wiped her tears with the back of her robes and was delighted that the thestrals finally pulled over, as the Hogwarts castle came into view.
Draco was left alone in the carriage as he watched the three of them approach the refined school. He was reminded of the empty feeling he had in the pit of his stomach. He had faced the fact that he had just hurt someone soon after a tragic war. Who was he to care, right? Draco Malfoy, the king of carelessness. He had collided into a place and situation that he did not want to encounter. That is, in fact, coming face to face with reality. He hasn't yet come over the fact that he had lost the two people that were his cronnies. And now this, dealing with a hurt Ginny Weasley. Truthfully, all he wanted to know was whether she was who Draco thought she was, and had no intention of hurting her feelings soon after she had lost so many people close to her.
Draco scoffed it off as he entered Hogwarts for the second time this year. He was going to be the same old Draco Malfoy. The same person, who in fact dispises all Gryffindor students - especially Potter, Weasley and Granger. Draco followed the crowd of students of various years and houses into the Great Hall. He sat amongst the mere 60 Slytherin students who had come back to complete the school year.
"Prior to the feast, I would ask that we have a moment of silence for those we have lost," the newly appointed Headmistress began, as the students chatter died down. Minutes later, McGonagall continued with her speech and the feast commenced. "After the feast, I would like to ask all those in seventh year to stay for a moment longer, for we have something to ask of you. That is all, and enjoy the feast."