Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.

Blood Price

Chapter 7: Plans and Plants

(A.N.) Okay, so this chapter is very short, shorter than I actually thought it was. Damn me for writing it all out before typing it. And, it's also a bit of a filler chapter, too. I hope you all enjoy it anyway, but I can't promise instant satisfaction, much to my chagrin. Thanks to all who reviewed on the previous chapters. Hope you all keep reading and reviewing.

"Ugh…" I groaned as I awoke. What happened? The last thing I remember was taking a huge gulp of pumpkin juice during lunch in the Great Hall and then…and then I couldn't breathe…and...

Thinking about it made me take a deep, almost frantic breath, but a sharp pang shot through me and then my chest started to ache horribly. "Ow…" I opened my eyes fully and discovered the pristine white of the Hospital Wing ceiling.

"Ginny!"

Turning my head slowly, I found Ron, Harry, and Hermione sitting in chairs that were placed around my bed. They were staring at me. I hate it when people stare at me. But they were doing it in a concerned way, not a creepy way, so I let it slide. "What happened?" I rasped. Bloody hell, my throat was sodding sore!

Someone else, whom I couldn't see, walked over, shoes thudding confidently on the floor, and start speaking in a clear voice that reminded me of the air at night. Cool, calm, and dark. "One of the fifth year Slytherins put rattlesnake venom in you pumpkin juice without you knowing. McGonagall saw him, but couldn't warn you in time." As she spoke, the person came to a stop at the side of my bed opposite Harry and the others.

Wow.

It was that new girl, Samara. The one that supposed to be mute. Pushing her inky black shoulder length hair away from her thin face, she rummaged through the bedside table's drawer.

"Samara's the one whose been doctoring you, Gin," Ron informed me tightly. "Madame Pomfry let her since she's the one who figured you'd been given snake venom." His tone has transformed from tight to downright suspicious.

What's his problem?

As Samara straightened up, I saw the Slytherin House crest on her robes. Ah… that must be the thing that's gone a stuck a pole up my dear brother's arse. A violet clay bottle was grasped tightly in her hand, barely big enough to fit in her palm.

"I want you," she told me, uncapping the bottle, "to drink all of this." She also pulled out a small plant stem from her pocket and ground the dry thing between her thumb and forefinger into the bottle, filling the air with a Christmas type scent. She did the same with another plant looking substance, finally capping the bottle with her thumb and shaking it up.

"What was that stuff, Shoreglade?!" Ron demanded harshly.

"Ron!" That was Hermione. She sounded absolutely appalled. "She saved Ginny's life!"

"She's a Slytherin!" my stupid brother argued, "She can't be trusted. Or did you miss that memo, Hermione?"

Interrupting them both before it got truly ugly, a quiet voice stated plainly, "It was rosemary. And some chamomile."

"Rosemary? Chamomile?" Harry question, subtly trying to position himself between the still fuming Ron and indignant Hermione.

A dry smile answered him. "They're herbs… Not," she added, "a poison. They're properties, outside of the kitchen; include being and oral soother for irritation of the throat and mouth." She continued to shake the bottle vigorously, thump over the top firmly.

While still glaring at Ron, Hermione said, "I don't remember that from Potions class. Or Herbology, for that matter."

"You wouldn't. Using individual 'Muggle' components like herbs to enhance a brew after its completion is almost never taught anymore." Samara handed me the fully, I assume, mixed up concoction after she poured it into a goblet, and helped me sit up. Her hands were a bit chilly, but hey, who am I to complain? As I obeyed, she continued, "Plants are actually really powerful. Muggles use them as well, but magical folk like us can bring out and empower the properties to a greater extent. It's really very useful."

"Wow…" Hermione muttered, "Where did you learn it, then?"

"A book. Want to borrow it?"

My throat was feeling a lot better, and her brew had relieved the pain in my chest. I could breathe!

Guess drinking bloody plants isn't that crazy and bad after all.

"Wicked, Hermione, you've found a soul mate. Bookworms!" I joked. Hey. I thought it was funny. Hermione and Samara both smiled, although Samara's seemed a bit hesitant. Maybe she thought I was saying something strange?

…Nah. She just didn't know that I was always a tad unique.

"See, Ron," Harry said, "Samara was not going to poison Ginny. You git."

That reminded me. "I'd love to know who poisoned me in the first place," I growled, managing to sound menacing in my current bedridden state. That's talent. Or anger. Take your pick.

"Oh, don't worry about him. He'll have to do that enough for all of you." I was startled by how cold and dead her voice had become. Samara the Nurse was completely gone, replaced with Samara the Cold Blooded Assassin. She went on, "After McGonagall and S…Snape finish with him, I'll have a nice little chat with him as well."

Silence followed. I could swear crickets could be heard. But then, of course, my brother had to open his idiot mouth.

"Anyone ever tell you that you're a bit bipolar?"

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione both gasped, though Herms sounded much more mortified than Harry did. Harry just sounded surprised that Ron would say such a stupid then. He should be surprised, though. He hangs out with the moron more than I do, and I'm related to him. I learned quickly.

I just hit my brother 'round the head.

"I apologize for my bloody moron of a brother, Samara," I said to the girl, sounding aggrieved and hitting Ron again. "I thank you for saving my life."

She didn't smile, but a kinder look seeped into her eyes. "Its okay, the world's full of idiots. Count yourself lucky, Ginny, he's got his heart in the right place…and he's alive and with you."

There was nothing I could think of to say to that.

And I was saved from having to.

"Sorry," Samara murmured. She seemed to have realized how uncomfortable I'd been. "Well…you'll probably be released tomorrow morning. Feel better, and don't worry about the son of a bitch who poisoned you. I'll take care of it. No one will think of doing something like this after I'm done with the bastard."

And, with that grim statement, she headed for the door, grabbing a black bag off a nearby chair.

Struggling to sit up, I called out, "Wait a minute!" I couldn't just let her leave. She needed friends. I never see her with anyone else. Besides, it always looked like she wanted to talk to people, but then would change her mind. She wasn't getting off this easy. Not with me around!

She stopped and turned her head slightly.

"The first Hogsmeade trip is in two weeks. Why don't you come and hang around with us?"

"I…"

"C'mon!" Harry urged. I think he realized the same thing I had. That, or he just wanted to stay in my good graces. Either way, he was being a smart man. As long as every one agreed with me, things would be peaceful.

Hermione added her own two cents. "We promise not to bore you."

"Alright." Samara's voice held a shadow of reluctance to it, as if she doubted it was a good idea.

Then she was gone, shutting the door gently behind her.

(A.N.) Like I said before, please review, even if it's to tell me to get my ass in gear and write more interesting chapters. Love!