Ginny took a moment to calm herself, and then stood, collected her things, and turned to Malfoy just before she left, "Have you dedicated twenty years to training yourself in every possible form of combat, Malfoy? If you have done anything I have, please, feel free to mock me, and call me a little girl. Tell me Malfoy, have you ever run away from something so thoroughly that you died? Have you ever put yourself in a coma? When you grow up a little, and you stop hiding behind money and politics, then talk to me."

After Ginny had left, Snape remarked, "She's right you know, Draco. Your father's treatment of you was harsh, but imagine living with Voldemort tied to your hand by handcuffs for a year. Just think about it, eleven, ignored, friendless, alone, and completely sheltered. Imagine finding this marvelous friend, who talks back and gives advice, then, to your amazement, you find that you wake up not knowing where you are or how you got there, hours after you can last remember something. Think about that, and then think about what her punishments were like when she promised she'd do everything by herself, without him taking over. If she did the slightest thing wrong, or hinted at not being alright, what would happen? She died clinically four times, that we know about. You say that Voldemort came back once, and are impressed, what about that?"

Snape left the room, taking Moody to St. Mungo's Hospital, and Dumbledore sat quietly with Malfoy in the empty room. "I know it seems as though everyone has sided with Ginny, but you must realize that Professor Snape doesn't even know the number of times I have found her, lying in a pool of blood from her eyes. The Cruiatus shattered when it refracted through a crystal she ducked behind. The spell also splintered the gem, and both were lodged within her eyes. We got nearly all of it out, but there are still a few tiny fragments that move occasionally and slit tears in her eyes. It is a miracle the girl can still see. I think it would be a good idea to talk to her. I think you'll find that her trust is boundless, though nearly impossible to earn. Start with your experiences, be friendly, she is the only person that will be living here with you, though I will allow her to double deal with Voldemort, so she may be called out. As it is, I believe that she may unapproachable today. Well, I must go attend to a few pressing matters, good day, Mr. Malfoy."

For the first time in a while, Malfoy spoke, "Please, sir, call me Draco. I don't feel I should use my father's name. And sir, could I join this... Order that fights Voldemort?"

Dumbledore stopped in the door, "Well, Draco, you will have to be questioned, and found loyal, but I can arrange it. It's getting late, I might make one last suggestion before I go, and that is to get some much-needed sleep." The old man disappeared out the door, and left Ginny and Draco in the house by themselves.

Doing as suggested, Draco went slightly shocked to bed, yet was rudely awakened barely minutes later as a shriek filled the house, "FILTHY MUDBLOODS, WEREWOLVES, STINKING WRETCHES DEFILING THE NOBLE AND ANCIENT HOUSE OF BLACK!"

The screams of one woman stopped, as Ginny's voice rang over that of the protrait, "MRS. BLACK! PLEASE CALM DOWN!" Draco descended to the ground level, and heard Ginny saying, "I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, Madame. My name is Ginevra Weasley, but I've taken the name of my mother's notably more noble family, the Prewetts."

Mrs. Black smiled apreciatively as Ginny curtsied politely, and replied, "How wonderful to meet at least one pure person left in my distinguished house. You, my dear, are most welcome here. The filth Sirius allowed here, it is a wonder the entire place is not a wreck. Ah, you simply must be Lucius' son, no other could have his looks, you too are most welcome, young Malfoy." The portrait had spotted Draco on the stairs.

Ginny didn't give the blonde a chance to respond as she once again curtsied, "You have our gratitude for your hospitality. We would be most happy to have the house restored to its grandeur, if you would be so kind as to allow us to borrow the services of your loyal house elf."

Entirely won over, Mrs. Black called, "Kreature!" When the house elf appeared, it bowed low and entirely ignored Ginny and Draco. The portrait ordered, "Kreature, meet your new master and mistress. You will be as loyal to them as you were to me and my son Regulus." Turning to Ginny, "Ginevra, dear, be sure that he doesn't slack off."

For all the world looking like a perfect pure blood, Ginny bowed her head and murmured, "Of course, Milady. Would you like the curtains to remain open?"

"Yes, that would be lovely. My, look at the time, you both had best be off to bed." Mrs. Black said.

Turning to the stairs, Ginny began her way up, and then she looked back, "Kreature, I want to be up at eight, and no later. When I come down, the dining room had better be clean, and breakfast ready. Mrs. Black's curtain needs to be replaced, her frame polished, and her entire corner sparkling. It's a disgrace to our host to leave it that way. If everything is not done..." Letting the threat hang, Ginny climbed the rest of the stairs, followed by Malfoy.

On the second landing, Malfoy turned Ginny around sharply, automatically ducking the blow that she reflexively dealt. "What the hell was that? I know you weren't raised that way."

Frustrated, Ginny sneered, "I can learn new tricks, Malfoy. Pardon me, I really do have to get up at eight, and I have too much to do before I can go to sleep."

"Call me Draco, and let me help. If you need to do house cleaning here, then you'd need to know the old protections on the things here." Malfoy said, continuing to follow her up the stairs.

Turning back again, Ginny spat, "Fine, Draco, follow me, but I warn you, you'll be asleep from boredom faster than you can imagine."

The pair swept into the library, where Ginny immediately went over to the first row of shelves and took a book off the shelf. She sat a desk and waved her hand, making a sheaf of parchment, quills, and an inkwell appear before carefully making several charts, spreading them out, and opening to the first page of the book. Three pages later, Draco's head began nodding, and he broke the silence, "So, Ginevra, why are you doing... Well, whatever the hell it is you're doing? Does it have something to do with Voldemort? Umm, Ginevra? Hello? Are you even listening to me?!"