Chapter 7: A Better Student

"Welcome to NEWT Potions. I am highly amazed that some of you even were able to pass your OWLS with your meager performance in class last year. None the less, you are here… and there is nothing I can do about it. Now first potion of the year will be a review, to test your abilities to retain information from your previous years. Anyone not performing up to standards, WILL be removed from my class. Now get to work!" Snape barked. It seemed like he had a particularly splintery stick up his butt today.

Ginny tried to keep up with everyone else. She was only taking this stupid class because she had to. All her other brothers were pretty good with concocting things, with the exception of Ron, and she desperately wanted to be just as good and noticed as them. By the end of class, Ginny was only half way through her potion directions, and already hers was an off color. What was wrong with her? She bitterly asked herself.

"Potions up front now!" Snape spat. Students flew all about trying to find a bottle and stopper, while Ginny just miserably sat at her desk. As everyone filed out, Snape approached Ginny.

"Well, well, another Weasley not performing up to par. You are aware that I can remove you from my class room because of your performance today?" He questioned her, with a smug smile on his face.

"Yes professor. But please don't. I promise to work harder. Today was just an off day for me. How about if I get someone to tutor me?" Ginny asked with hope filling her eyes. Sure there was a slim chance of Snape caving in but why not try.

"And who would be willing to take all that time and help you, as you do need A LOT of work?"

"Ummm…." She tried to rack her brain for a name. Blond hair and gray sad eyes filled her mind….NO! She mentally yelled at herself. "Harry Potter."

Snape smiled. Not that she had dared mention Harry, but in a way that made her feel like he had his own idea for a tutor. "Yes seeing as Potter did so smashing last year… no definitely not. How about a better student like Draco Malfoy?" Yes Snape did have his own twisted little plan, as suspected. He smiled, "Yes Mr. Malfoy will do just fine. I'll speak to him, and I must tell you, if you don't improve, I will remove you. Understood?"

Ginny nodded and walked out. Yes this year was starting off in a smashing way….

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Tap. Tap.

Ginny rolled over.

Tap. Tap.

Ginny just sighs in her bed. What is with tapping anyway?

A loud screech is heard, slightly muffled by the glass in the window.

"Ginny if you don't make that stupid bird go away…" A girl complained.

"Oh I'll get it!" Belle Screamed. She sounded a lot like the bird for some reason… Ginny thought to herself. Next thing she knew, a hawk, that's right a HAWK was standing on her back holding a letter.

"Excuse me, but I won't be able to take that if you don't get off," She said to the bird. It looked her up and down but didn't move.

"You realize you're crazy right?" Bella said, yawning as she walked around the room.

"Yes I am fully aware that I'm crazy…." She sighed as she took the letter from the bird.

Before Ginny, could figure out who's bird it was, the hawk flew out the window, quite impatiently.

"11 AM. Library. Meet me." Bella read in a dramatic voice. She gave a few giggles and said, "If you don't come back for dinner, I'll be able to safely say this was a letter from a stalker and you have been killed."