Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That privilege belongs to J.K. Rowling.

I know the story's shaping up slowly, but stick with me! Things will pick up soon. This chapter's song is No Sunlight by Death Cab For Cutie.

Draco

As I made my way to the Headmaster's office, I noticed a distinct lack of cheer in the hallways. The figures in the paintings were either extremely subdued or absent altogether. Well. I had nothing to worry about. When I got to the statue outside the Headmaster's office, I gave the password ("bezoar") and went to find Snape.

He was sitting behind the Headmaster's desk, the portraits behind him unusually somber, except the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. His was the only animated figure, and I did my best to avoid the his stare.

"Blimey," I thought, "How can Snape stand to have Dumbledore right there?"

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said. "Come, sit down. Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you Headmaster." I sat down in the indicated chair and surreptitiously looked at some of the papers on the desk. There was one piece of paper that had a list of gibberish on it. It said 'Nagini (?)', 'Ravenclaw (?)' and something that looked like the word 'ring'. Before I could take a closer look, Snape whisked it away.

"Now then. To business.

Snape moved to a wooden file cabinet and pulled out a file with my name on it.

"Inside this file you will find a list of your Head Boy responsibilities which can, of course, be delegated to the prefects. On that note, you will find that all prefects this year are from Slytherin. This will make the system more streamlined and efficient. It also means that no other students are permitted to be out of their House after curfew."

I nodded. I'd been expecting something like this to happen, so I wasn't surprised. I smirked anticipating all the points I'd be taking away this year.

Snape looked at the expression on my face and his lips quirked in response.

"In addition, the list for this year's eligible "helpers" is in the file so that you-"

"Headmaster, I would like to make my selection now, if that's acceptable."

Snape looked surprised before waving a hand for me to continue.

"I'd like Ginerva Weasley to be my "helper", sir."

Snape raised an eyebrow and frowned.

"Draco, you know that these people are required to help you with anything –would you not prefer someone at least mildly intelligent?"

I grinned at Snape's implication. I'd have to find a way to feed that back to Weasley…

"Sir, I believe Weasley will certainly shape up. And, if she doesn't, I'll be sure to –ah –encourage her."

Snape looked like he wanted to protest further, but he shook his head and agreed.

"If that is who you want, far be it for me to stand in the way of our Head Boy. But, Draco, I feel you should know that I do not fully approve of this arrangement. You deserve someone better."

"I appreciate your concern, sir, but I feel particularly…anxious to –ah –"employ" Weasley."

When Snape heard my tone of voice, he smirked and relaxed. He was probably laboring under the false illusion that I was carrying a torch for the girl. No doubt that would be the prime reason for the choices taking place. Purebloods who wouldn't admit to liking some Mudblood could now pursue them while everyone turns a blind eye. Of course, I had a score to settle with my "helper."

"Well then, that is settled. I believe that was the only business I had with you, Draco. You may go back to your dormitory."

I stood up, shook Snape's hand and departed. As I stepped out the door, I was intensely relieved that Dumbledore's portrait was no longer staring at me through his spectacles. That man had been far too deciphering when he was alive, and that quality hadn't diminished when he died.

Ah well, I was free. And remembering the future torment of a certain Weasley, I smiled at how sweet life could be.

***************************************************************

Ginny

After the Feast (though only the Slytherins were given Feast worthy food) everyone headed back to their respective common rooms. When we Gryffindors approached the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, we were dismayed to find that in the stead of the Fat Lady was a large portrait of a naked woman turning men into pigs.

Mutterings filled the hall as we looked at the new painting. The tables in the Great Hall were one thing, but this? The portrait of the Fat Lady had been there since before anyone could remember. Even Sir Nicolas didn't know when she had first made her grand appearance, and he was hundreds of years old!

The lady in the portrait gazed at all of us before holding up a hand for silence.

"As you all have no doubt noticed, I am not your precious Fat Lady. I will be the guardian to the Gryffindor Tower this year, and I will not tolerate insubordination from the likes of you."

I looked at Neville in astonishment. This woman was a painting, for Merlin's sake, and we could only listen as she babbled on and on about how much she would rather guard the Slytherin's dungeon or have a permanent post in Snape's bedroom –ewww.

"My original portrait has been duplicated so that the Headmaster may keep a closer eye on all Mudblood's and Blood Traitor's this year. Know this; I am charged with reporting all bouts of rule breaking and I am only too delighted to perform that function. With that in mind, the password for the next fortnight is 'Pureblood.'"

We stared at the portrait in astonishment. Not only were we going to take verbal lashings from our sodding portrait all year, but we had to say 'pureblood' to get into our own tower?

I looked at my fellow Gryffindors and saw that some of them were about to vocalize choice opinions that would undoubtedly be considered rule breaking. I stood in front of the entrance and said,

"Listen, mates. This year will be tough enough without constant badgering from our –wait," I turned around to address the portrait. "What's your name?"

She looked down at me and haughtily replied, "Lilith."

"Right. Our year will be tough enough without offending Lilith at the beginning of it. She can make our lives miserable, and it's in our best interests to be civil."

I could see my words having an effect on my peers, so I squared my shoulders and added one more thing.

"We'll have to pick our battles this year, mates. Let's be smart about it."

They nodded, so I turned around and gave Lilith the password. She smirked and swung open to admit us.

We piled into the common room and found Professor McGonagall waiting for us. She did her best to smile at us, but it came off more as a softer version of her frown. She gestured all of us to sit down and listen.

"Students, there will be many changes in the school this year. First, Muggle Studies is now a mandatory course and will be taught by Alecto Carrow. Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taught by Amycus Carrow. There will be no Care of Magical Creatures course offered this year."

McGonagall's last statement was drowned out by the violent response to her announcement about the Carrow's.

"Professor, those nutters were in Azkaban!"

"I don't want to take a course in how to be a Death Eater!"

"Professor, you can't be serious!"

McGonagall waved away all protests and glared down at us.

"You will not speak of ANY of what you just said again. ANYWHERE. I sincerely hope you understand the delicate line you all MUST tread this year. Things are different, and I urge all of you to remember that. Furthermore, Ms. Weasley is right."

I looked up, startled, when McGonagall said my name.

"You must learn to pick your battles. You will need your strength this year for trials that you cannot even imagine yet. You are Gryffindors. By your very nature you are strong, courageous and fierce. Don't make the mistake of wasting those vital talents on insignificant trifles."

She looked at all of us, hoping to make her point clear.

"Sometimes the greatest bravery can be found in those who see an injustice being done, but save their strength to attack the root of that injustice. Be brave, children."

She looked at us one more time, pausing to gaze into every face. It looked like she was struggling to remember every minute detail so she would never forget us. I found myself doing the same.

This year I was going to be brave. I remembered Malfoy gloating in the Great Hall. I remembered being shoved into a train compartment for Blood Traitors. I remembered the lecture we had just gotten from a bloody painting. And I knew with certainty that none of it mattered. Those humiliations were all effects of something bigger. And if we wanted change, we had to get rid of the cause.

Yes, I was going to be brave. Harry, Ron and Hermione were working on getting rid of that cause, and I would do the same. I was a Gryffindor and a Weasley. Tomorrow, I would begin to show the bastards what I was made of.

Thank you for reading, and please review! Constructive criticism is appreciated!