Breaking the Silence
Chapter 1
Ginny wasn't surprised to find that professor McGonogall had been appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts, with professor Flitwick serving as Deputy Headmaster. McGonogall was still head over Gryffindor house as long as it didn't interfere with her new position.
To Ginny, her first week at Hogwarts was almost exciting, but it didn't take long for the fact that it was still school to set in. She was stuck with mounds of homework by the end of second week and it was obvious that she would be spending her weekend with Luna and Collin in the library, hard at work. Or, so she thought.
Ginny was strolling along an empty corridor Friday evening on her way to the Great Hall for supper, when she came across something very odd. Ginny did a double take as she passed a niche in the wall and she literally walked backwards several steps to confirm what she was seeing. A very quiet, sullen-faced Malfoy sat on the floor just staring out the window and looking up at the dark night sky. His knees were bent against his chest, his arms loosely wrapped around them. Ginny opened her mouth to say something and stopped, realizing she didn't know what would be appropriate. This was Draco Malfoy; it wasn't a usual thing for Ginny to strike up a conversation with said Slytherin. Instead, Ginny stood in the middle of the corridor, staring at him. It didn't take long for Draco to notice her and once again Ginny found herself blushing at being caught by him.
"You seem to be making it a habit to stare at me Weasley. I know I'm gorgeous but surely you have more important things to be doing on a Friday night." Before Ginny could reply he finished. "Oh, I forgot, Potter's not here."
Ginny frowned at Malfoy's weak attempt to be rude. He wasn't up to his usually bullying standards and Ginny actually laughed at his statement. This caused Draco some discomfort and he glared.
"And what may I ask, do you find funny?"
Ginny shrugged and walked a few steps closer, her hands clasped behind her back in a very sweet, Ginny-like way as she spoke.
"I find it amusing that you assume I would be spending my Friday night with Potter."
Her statement was simple and Draco found it hard to resist the redheaded girl's charm. Though she could be a spitfire when the situation arose, no one could resist Ginny's sweet nature. But Draco caught himself before he said something that might make her assume he even cared. Though, he was curious about her. Not with Potter? That was startling information and he also found it interesting Ginny referred to Harry by his last name as well. Draco let his eyes roam over her slender, yet curvy figure, pausing at all the right places. His gaze caused another blush to creep into her cheeks and this almost made him smile. Almost.
Finally, he looked back at her eyes, which Draco noticed for the first time that they were big, brown and very captivating; beautiful, actually.
Draco shook his head. "So, you finally realized Potter's not the valiant saint everyone made him out to be? Good for you Weaslette. Looks like someone in your family has brains after all." Then he looked back out the window.
Unable to walk away, Ginny walked over and stared down at him again until he finally looked up at her, irritation in his gaze.
"What do you want, Weasley?"
Ginny let out a sigh and went with her gut on this one. "You're…different."
Draco scoffed and with a roll of his striking gray eyes, he stood to face her. Ginny didn't fail to notice the falter in his sneer.
"And what makes you think that, Weaslette?" He stuck his hands in his pocket and leaned back against the pillar, awaiting his answer.
Ginny thought for a moment, and observed his gruff features with concern. Ginny looked down at her wrenching hands and then barely looking up though her lashes she shrugged with a quiet response.
"I don't know. You're just…different." Then she looked at him full in the face, taking in a deep breath to relax her nerves. "Lonely."
Draco's sneer faltered again and he opened his mouth and then closed it again. His brow furrowed and he shook his head. "That's absurd." He started walking away. "You don't know what you're talking about."
Then he was gone and Ginny was left to stare at the wall and sympathize for a Malfoy.
At supper, Ginny explained the situation to Collin and Luna and waited for advice.
Collin just stared at Ginny, eyes wide and then shook his head. "I've got nothing." He said and then started shoveling mashed potatoes into his mouth. He barely had time to swallow before looking up at Ginny with curiosity.
"Why do you care anyway? It's Malfoy. He's a prat. That's it." Then he was back to shoveling potatoes.
Ginny scowled at her friend. "Well I wouldn't expect you to understand anyway." Then she looked at Luna who was, as usual, deep in thought.
Suddenly, Luna looked up at Ginny with a wide smile. "I supposed what he needs is a friend."
Ginny shrugged. "What do you mean?"
"You said he seems lonely and sad." Luna pointed out. "Maybe you could just try being his friend."
Ginny looked at her friend as if she was insane. Though, Luna was used to these looks. "You're serious? Befriend Draco Malfoy? You're crazy."
Luna shrugged again and stood to leave. "Maybe. But maybe it's crazy enough to work."
Ginny stared after her insane friend in deep thought. Then she looked across the Great Hall at the Slytherin table. Malfoy wasn't even there. In fact, she hadn't seen him at any meal since the beginning of term. With a deep sigh and her appetite gone, Ginny got up and headed for the common room. Maybe Luna was right. Maybe she should try and be his friend. What damage could it do?
