Chapter Six

BANG! Ginny looked up to see Professor Snape striding into the classroom, she smirked at Sarah who raised an eyebrow back, green eyes sparkling.

"Miss Weasley, would you care to tell us what is amusing?" Snape was glaring at them across the classroom.

"Of course, Sir." Snape paused a moment.

"Well?"

"Well Sir, you see, I was thinking of various nefarious schemes I have planned for the day."

"Various, nefarious schemes?" Snape drawled.

"Indeed Sir." Ginny smiled again, but not allowing her thoughts to stray to the schemes themselves just the ideas of them, she could feel Des stirring in her mind with interest. Good, pique his curiosity, she thought, he won't suspect or stop us, it won't occur to him, it just becomes more interesting the more suspicious and cautious he is. Ginny rather resembled a Cheshire cat or possibly an alligator with her grin. Snape was beginning to feel worried.

"Is there a particular reason you felt the need to rehash them in my lesson?" The eyebrow was getting a good workout this lesson.

"Not at all Sir, which is why I immediately stopped as soon as the lesson began."

"Yet you were smiling after the lesson began."

"A delayed reaction." She replied with aplomb. "I shall certainly refrain from appearing happy in Potions in future, Sir!" The corner of Snape's mouth twitched.

"See that you do. Oh and Miss Weasley? 10 points from Gryffindor for cheek."

"Of course." Snape waved his wand at the board.

"Instructions are on the board, some of these ingredients are expensive. Mistakes will not be tolerated." He said threateningly, then with a disdainful glance at the Gryffindors added,

"Incompetence is not an excuse."

The students set to work on their Potions some giving curious looks towards Sarah. Ginny showed Sarah how to prepare some ingredients and just as she was grinding some kneazle brain into a paste Snape's voice came from behind her.

"And just what do you think you are doing in my classroom? Miss…?"

"Williams, Professor."

"Miss Williams."

"Excuse me Sir, the Headmaster told me to look after Sarah here. That would be difficult to do if she were someplace else."

"Another twenty points for impertinence, Miss Weasley, one would have thought you would have learnt the first time. As for Miss Williams, she has neither the magical ability nor the schooling of even the most imbecilic of my pupils."

Ginny looked pointedly in the direction of Julie Knox who was gossiping to her friend and about to put an explosive (and extremely flammable) ingredient into her Potion. Snape snatched it from her hand and vanished her Potion sending her from the room.

"Meaning she is at least on par with Miss Knox." Snape had a martyred expression.

"Carry on, Miss Weasley, Miss Williams. Miss Williams is your responsibility, Miss Weasley, I will hold you personally responsible for any mistakes she makes."

"Yes Sir."

Snape didn't bother to reply and swept away. Sarah giggled a little and carried on.

Ginny linked arms with Sarah as they strolled out of the Potions classroom.

"See? Now wasn't that fun?"

"Definitely, think how much we learnt!"

"I know!"

A few students were looking at them weirdly at this point.

"Who knew it was possible for McCormak to turn that shade of puce."

"Yeah, I never thought I'd see someone go so pale they were transparent, literally!"

"I think that was more to do with her shaking hands and spilt Potion, Sarah."

"Still, even the shaking was impressive. Snape's my new hero!"

The looks were turning into glares.

"Oh yes. It takes skill to cause that much terror with a blink."

"To be fair, it was a very menacing blink."

"Mmmm, and no-one threw-up! Makes me proud to be a Gryffindor it does." She sniffed.

"I quite see what you mean, the quintessence of bravery!"

They burst out laughing.

"Well, onto Transfiguration." They giggled and marched down the corridor dramatically.

"Excuse me, Professor."

"Yes Miss Weasley?"

"This is Sarah Williams; she was transported here last night, would you mind her sitting in the lesson? It's just she's still a tad overwhelmed and wanted to stay with me…" Ginny managed to combine shyness, eagerness and hopefulness all in one expression while somehow still appearing utterly sincere. McGonagall's face softened almost imperceptibly as she looked at Sarah who quickly glanced down and gave a shy smile.

"I would be happy for Miss Williams to stay this lesson; she may observe you, Miss Weasley. Be sure to answer any questions."

Sarah allowed her face to brighten and thanked her quietly.

"Why did we ask Professor McGonagall if I could observe but not Professor Snape?" They sat down near the back.

"Well. McGonagall reacts better to manners and she actually has a heart. Snape, on the other hand, has no heart and wouldn't have reacted well anyway; I was kind of hoping he wouldn't notice you but oh well, all's well that ends well, eh?"

"Indubitably."

Ginny grabbed Sarah by the arm on the way to Lunch and indicated an empty classroom.

"Sorry if you're hungry but we can get something from the kitchen later so…"

"It's fine. What's the matter?" Ginny glanced around and lowered her voice.

"Des isn't listening but he's still there so if I feel him start to listen I'll say potato."

"Potato?" Sarah raised an eyebrow.

"Hey! It was the first thing I thought of! Anyway, we have DADA next, with his Nibs so I wanted to warn you. I've been hinting rather strongly about tonight so Des'll be on his guard but won't actually have a clue, feel free to do the same with Jareth. That'll mean they'll focus on physical barriers making penetrating their minds will be easier than ever." She paused. "Plus seeing them flounder 'round is amusing."

"I agree."

"On the off chance they're CONSTANTLY VIGILANT, as Moody would say-"

"Who?"

"I'll tell you later- and they're cryptic or-they're not at all CONSTANTLY VIGILANT- and reveal dastardly plans, I just wanted to say that I'm quite sure that Jareth loves your guts."

"Quite the romantic aren't you?"

"Oh yes, all of my brothers comment on how sappy I am."

"…That explains so much."

"Also that that should have no bearing whatsoever on the revenge we undergo if they reveal said dastardly plans."

"Gotcha."

"Great let's go."

"Sarah precious! How delightful!" He grinned at her, she briefly contemplated bearing her teeth back and hissing but figured he had longer canines and would win. Ah well.

"Jareth." She replied frostily with a scowl.

"Ginny angel! How wonderful!" An identical grin strode from behind him.

"Des?" Ginny's reply was less frosty and more what-the-hell-is-going-on, the scowl afterwards was quite similar, however.

"In the flesh!"

"Remarkable that." Ginny's voice was starting to freeze over.

"And what would that be, Ginny dear?" Sarah spat through gritted teeth.

"That our two least favourite people have managed to turn up in the flesh at the same time. Quite… Remarkable."

"Yes. One would almost think it was- planned."

"Co-ordinated."

"Deliberate." With every word they took a step closer.

"Of course that would make perfect sense." Ginny narrowed her eyes. "After all, you can't expect Des here to think for himself, oh no! He's got to wait until he has a partner to fall back on."

"Ginevra!" Des's yellow hawkish eyes were darkening.

"Six years, I practically begged you, begged, to come talk to me. Oh Des I'm so lonely won't talk to me? Not in my mind, come here oh please Des? I guess assuring me of my sanity wasn't a good enough reason to put in an appearance but losing your little puppet is? Well guess what Des? You can bugger off!" There was a crowd forming around them. Sarah sneered.

"I'm not surprised about Jareth here putting in an appearance, he just can't seem to get the fact I want him to leave me alone! Oh everything you've asked for I've done, hah! Everything except bloody handing my brother back and sending me home! Huh I guess that's just not convenient for you. Move the stars? Sure! But can it wait 'til after lunch? I'm starved!"

"I did give your brother back! He's at home right now isn't he? If I'd really wanted him he'd be underground breeding chickens right now!"

"Don't worry Sarah, they're obviously both socially inept. Kidnapping was probably his way of asking you out, you know, like a kid in the playground hitting the girl he fancies."
"Well, if that's what he does for a date imagine what he'd do proposing! He'd probably get my friends and family and hold the over a pit of red caps!"

"You're welcome to find out precious." The tone was light the expression was not. In fact it was about as light as Voldemort was Muggle-friendly. Des snarled at the students,"In! What are you waiting for? Engraved invites? In!" he grabbed Ginny as she went past, "I'll talk to you later." He snapped.

Jareth hissed "Likewise." To Sarah.

"I am Professor King, evidently I am your new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher. Today we are going to learn about shields and wards in battle. Turn to page 36." There was muttering as the class turned to the right page.

"Silently!" Jareth scowled. The talking died down after a bit but a few were still ignoring him. He formed a crystal and threw it at them, there was complete silence and then a few students started to touch their mouths, unable to speak.

Ginny passed a note to Sarah.(Ginny Sarah)

Cool I wish I knew how to do that!

Yeah, is he going to take it off when he calls on someone?

Probably. I wonder if he can take it off of one person at a time?

"Miss Weasley, which shields have you studied so far?"

"Mostly protego, we did that silently as well."

That answers that.

Yeah, I tried to talk seems like he can take it off one person at a time.

"Pair up and practice the correct protego to use in different situations. Off you go."

"Sarah, you can watch me." A Ravenclaw with huge blue eyes paired with Ginny.

"Oi!" A boy came over to her and asked if she had a partner.

"Oh no! I'm just watching, I'm a Muggle you see, I'm trapped here for a while."

"Oh right, well if you need anything-"

"A Muggle! Merlin! They let all sorts of trash in here nowadays!" Ginny materialised beside her.

"Quite right Pucey, after all you're here aren't you? Now get lost you inbred, emasculated moron!"

"I don't take orders from a blood traitor whore like you! Furnunculus!" He shot the curse at Sarah. Ginny blocked it and sent a bat bogey hex. She got caught up in a duel with the boy and didn't notice Pucey's friend sending another hex at Sarah. A blur intercepted it and before anyone could blink Jareth was holding the boy by the throat. Des strode over glaring at them, he glanced at Ginny, still caught up and said,

"Enough." Radiating power.

They froze. Ginny hurried to Sarah to check on her and they both looked at Jareth. He released the boy and snapped at the rest of the students,

"Classed dismissed!" Sarah and Ginny turned to go.

"Not you."