1000 Words

Chapter Two:
You'd Never Guess

"Deliberate with caution, but act with decision; and yield with graciousness, or oppose with firmness." –Charles Caleb Colton

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I moaned softly, everything was black, black as night… even blacker I suppose… would Severus's demeanor work? Hm…

"Virginia?" Called a soft soothing voice…it sounded so familiar…why couldn't I place it?

"Is she okay?" Whispered an even softer voice…an alluring voice...hm…that voice didn't even sound recognizable… which was new.

"She's moving, so she is waking up." Said the first voice calmly, but underneath it seemed even more pivotal… he must have been worried.

I sighed and moved my hand, gripping the sheets, but a soft hand had stopped that. It was warm-I shivered, my body felt cold… it never is cold…it was always numb… so why was I cold? The hand gently tightened around mine again.

"Ginny?"

I frowned… I hated that name- absolutely loathed it.

"Virginia." I corrected hoarsely, and I winced at the sound of my own voice. So I suppose it wasn't a dream… I had screamed again… No wonder I don't remember.

A soft chuckle erupted in the room; it was from the person that had called me Ginny. "Fascinating…" He drawled amusedly. "Can you open your eyes?"

I compressed my hand-which happened to be holding his-tighter, as I let my eyes flutter open. "Oomph." I closed my eyes again. The room was so bright. Were they trying to blind me?

"Open them again." Instructed the first voice, I twitched to respond bitterly… but I did as I was told.

Light shined again in my eyes, which slowly died down. The next thing I saw was Severus staring at me with his black eyes, in relief as he slowly pulled away. Quietly, and almost immediately he pulled me slowly up to sit against the head board of the room I normally occupied when I visited.

"Severus?" I spoke quietly, again my voice wasn't normal, and I closed my eyes. Nothing sounded right… I shouldn't even be here…

"Virginia, I'm glad you are back with us." Severus pulled back away from me. I opened my eyes and shot him a glance, before remembering the second voice and slowly looked at my hand, and trailed up. Following the tan arm up, I was caught off sight, but the rich black silk robe, and looked up, reaching the angular face, high cheek bones, and long slanting blue eyes, that seemed to glimmer in amusement at me.

"Who…" Why was everything so bloody confusing!

"Hello Virginia, don't you remember me?" He asked teasingly, his thumb gently caressing my hand.

My eyes stilled on his face, he was familiar… I just couldn't place him where…only place I'd know anyone would be from Hogwarts.

Severus chuckled darkly as he watched my face. It irritated me, I couldn't place him! My mind was whirling and I stopped, pain shot up as I twitched and I gasped quietly. The amused Slytherin stopped, and reached up gently, "Virginia?"

"It hurts…" I whispered softly, my eyes blurring. I hated this… always recovering…

"Virginia what did they do to you?" Severus hissed out bitterly as he waved his wand, and muttered a few spells. My ears were rushing with blood, so I really couldn't hear him anymore… I couldn't hear anything.

My mind was hurting against. I opened my mouth to breathe; I'm starting to feel light headed…

"Virginia you stay with me-"

"Not going…anywhere." I arced slightly; a shot of pain was electric against my back. "Oh god..." I whispered softly.

"Virginia," The second voice, I couldn't put a name to whispered, "It'll pass…hold on."

I clenched my eyes tightly closed, it hurt…so bad…

I breathed slowly, trying to focus on the good parts. I probably won't go home until the end of school…. I was here with Severus… I was here with a hot guy-though I might have to kill him for seeing me like this. I had all my stuff for school ready… I could beat that stupid mud blood at grades…

I smiled slightly at the thought, the pain was dimming, I could hear a confused whisper sweep through Severus's lips but I'm sure he knew I was probably planning something for the year. The pain was dwindling… I was thankful for that.

"Virginia?" Whispered the boy…

"Blaise…" I whispered, I didn't know why… but that was the name that my mind came up with. "Blaise Zabini…"

A soft chuckle escaped Blaise's lips. "Right you are Red…." His voice was weary… maybe from the pain I was feeling? "Why were you smiling?"

I laughed softly, my voice was sounding better, maybe from the swallows I was doing to try and not scream again. "Going back to Hogwarts." It was a simple and sweet reply.

"Hm?" I opened my eyes to meet his, and my smile grew slightly… my head was still crashing… god it hurt.

"Take this." Severus handed me a potion bottle, I didn't bother asking what it was, and reached up to get it, but Blaise beat me to it. Popping up the cap, and handing it to me.

"A lady that is ill doesn't need to use her strength."

I snorted, "Just give me the bottle Zabini."

A mildly amused expression crossed his face as he handed me the bottle. Turning it in my hand, I tipped my head back and drank it. The taste was familiar… I remember now. I had whispered my complaints about the taste of the potions…

"Can't you change the taste of it?" I asked annoyed, my face twisted slightly at the bitter, disgusting taste.

"IT gets the job done." He snapped irritatingly at me as he looked up from grading his 6th year papers. "Why must you always complain? Can't you ever be satisfied?" He sneered before going back to the papers at hand. I could see he was snapping T's, not bothering to read the content. That always amused me…

"You are the potions master!" I chimed annoyed.

"And?" He questioned uninterestingly striking another paper, it must have been Gryffindor, and he seemed too pleased by this job.

"I thought you could do anything Severus." I pouted slightly and went back to my potion that I was brewing. He was running low on calming draughts, and I volunteered to help out.

Severus looked at me wearily, he loved gaining compliments, never once turned down anything-especially from me. I knew potions almost as well as Severus… and to compliment him-as his student, and as a fellow equal… Well, that made him feel wonderful.

"I can." He pointed out; his tone was starting to get to that tired point. I was winning. I grinned as I stirred the potion carefully.

"But you can't make the potion that taste well?"

"That isn't the point Virginia."

"Then what is, Severus?" I turned, pinning my upset eyes on him. "I just don't want to feel ill after the potions… they make me feel sick. Is it wrong to ask for you to change them a bit?"

Hook…

Severus sighed as he set his quill down, crossing his hands on his desk, and stared at me intently, the black smoldering eyes never leaving my form.

Line…

"Do they truly make you feel unwell, Virginia?" A touch of genuine concern touched his tone.

I kept back a smile, and nodded. "I just don't normally focus on it… I don't like bugging you with my requests… you know if I didn't have to, I wouldn't." Truth be told, I hated asking for help. Severus was the same. As were most Slytherins, but they knew when to ask for help- a quality that Severus was helping me with.

Sinker.

"I'll see what I can do." He briefly responded before picking his quill up and writing again. I smiled satisfied with the answer. Virginia Weasley wins again!

"Better?" Severus asked, watching my face carefully.

"Much." I respond softly, my throat felt so much better… and my headache was leaving!

"Why did you come here Virginia?"

I glance over at him, my face remaining blank. "Virginia… I'd rather like to know the same."

My eyes glance over at Severus; I lean gently down on my bed, and close my eyes. "…It was the only place I had left." Simple and sweet…how could things like this happen to me?

"Virginia?"

I blinked, why was I open? Why wasn't I feeling threatened? "Severus what did you put in that potion!"

I glare furiously his way, I wasn't like this! I wasn't this happy-ever.

"You should know better Virginia, to trust someone apart of the Slytherin house." Severus said amusedly as he sat in his chair, a house elf delivered some tea for him.

I sneered, my white sharp teeth bared, "You sly, cunning, evil-"

Blaise laughed, "Compliments Virginia, I doubt get you anywhere." His laugh was still uneasy, but still there. Much to my own irritation-

"The potion was to dull you of any pain. Apparently it also dulled you on a few other things."

I rolled my eyes, "Apparently?" Sarcasm… yes, you'd have to love sarcasm. "You'd think a potion master would know such things." I grinned at the glare shot my way, "But I guess I can't trust everything you do."

Severus sneered back, seemingly at ease with Blaise watching the banner. It was like his easiness was rubbing off on me-the jerk. I sighed and closed my eyes, I was still bothered. I guess I should be grateful not to be taking the pain of the family's betrayal…

"Should I let you stay in this room?" Severus questioned, obviously picking up my sudden change of mood… I always forget that Slytherins are such observant people. I suppose he always knew how I worked-

"She stays often?"

I shrug; stupid potion was really making me uncaring about my answers! "I do when things go bad at home… normally I stay with Fred and George… but this time I didn't-I…" My eyes went from my right to my left… looking straight at the window. "I…I didn't realize how absurd I was being. I saw Theodore Nott-"

"Theodore did this?" A dark, cold voice asked it seemed to spark the room. Severus looked just as murderous as Blaise… but Blaise's mother was abused for a while… maybe that was why he hadn't left? Or called me names…hm…

"No. Theodore was a complete gentleman." I whispered gently, my hand fidgeted. "Ronald caught me saying goodbye to Theodore… I suppose maybe I was a bit to bold in kissing his cheek, and asking for a reign check-" Severus gave a very heated glare at that, to which I had to laugh softly. "Ronald caught me… like I said. I was dragged home that very bloody minute. It wasn't like I shag every guy I meet." I look down at my arms; the bruises I saw weren't there anymore. Sometimes I'm glad I have friends with magic always available. "Ronald told my mother… something stupid I'm sure. I was just so angry…" I frowned slightly, the memory was blurred… probably the potion at work.

"It was something like 'She's doing it again. She's being tainted!' Molly freaked out." Severus watched wearily, I've only come to his place when Molly freaked out. It was hard, I was always lucky to leave when she freaked. She'd go absolutely berserk… like I wasn't her child anymore. Then again I doubt I want to be anymore.

Blaise's blue eyes were darkening… and- was that a bit of lightning I saw?! He's jaw locked tightly in place, but his overall composure seemed fit to be calm. His eyes drifted to my neck, chest, arms, stomach, and legs. I must have been pretty beaten up if he could still see them.

"I don't remember much afterwards… I was bleeding- it hurt." I said easily, I continued to watch Blaise, it was interesting, the more and more I spoke about the event his face was now completely blank. "I just kept thinking I had to get out of here… over and over. They left me on the floor… Molly was dragged away by Arthur and Ronald. I was able to move towards my wand, and point at some minor ones."

"There was more?"

I glance over at Severus… normally I just appeared and he'd take care of me- that of course wasn't the action this time.

"Yes." I glance at my hand. "I was bleeding worse then I arrived. At least I could speak with you. When I was doing the spells I didn't have a voice." Point made… Severus looked worse… his face was covered in shadow- was the room darker? "Anyway… as soon as I finished what I could do, I made it to the fire place, and came here… after that everything gets fuzzy."

"You just let it happen?"

I glare at Blaise, "What do you mean let happen? If you thought I just took the beating. You are sadly mistaken!" My hand clenched around the blankets shielding my body. "My wand was thrown away from my body, and before I realized anything. I had a body bind on my person. I-"

"Zabini enough. She needs to sleep."

I was shaking, shaking so bad I hadn't realized it. It seemed Zabini didn't either, because when he saw me shake, all his anger faded and he watched in concern.

"I'm sorry We-"

"Virginia! Don't call me that despicable name!"

Blaise blinked, curiously.

I hadn't changed it. I wasn't able to yet, but I was soon. I would when I graduated. I would be far away from that name. The beating happened every bloody year and no one would listen. Everyone allowed this to happen-Severus tried… but what was the point? No one would believe that a WEASLEY could do damage to their kin.

"Virginia, breathe."

I closed my eyes, taking deep breathes.

"There is a dreamless potion on the dresser. Mr. Zabini, you are late for your appointment."

It seemed that Blaise just realized this, and he stopped to watch me. I glance at him, and close my eyes; my body was slowly starting to stop trembling…

"It's fine Zabini." I said coolly.

"Just Blaise… I didn't mean to make it sound as if you weren't defending yourself." I open my eyes again, they were closing. I was so tried. "Another time then…maybe we can catch up." Blaise flashed a flirtatious smile.

I wasn't betting on it. Honestly I wasn't. "Maybe." I closed my eyes again.

"Well Virginia… seems like I've made a horrible impression." More like a horrible memory. But still… his voice seemed sincere, and he was interesting to keep around.

"I'll see you around at Hogwarts."

I couldn't help but laugh at that softly. "You'd never guess Mr. Zabini…"

Severus shook his head, and left, with Zabini behind him.

Blaise was an enigma… he was strange. But… he hadn't meant to offend me and it wasn't personal. What do I expect from a Slytherin?

Absolutely Nothing. You just can't guess with Slytherin.

Quietly, I lay back down, wincing at the soreness of my muscles. I'd just get over them… School was here in a week. And I just couldn't wait. I needed a distraction from life.

Sighing quietly, my eyes drifted close, and thing were turning into a blissful sleep.

PosionSeductress: Thank you to everyone that has reviewed. I've written. I'm sorry if this doesn't come up to standards of the last night- I promise the other will be better. This was 6 pages everyone. I think I did rather well. Hm… well REVIEW! Tell me what you all think. Laters.

Thank you too:

Anonymous: Veronica.
I'm glad I had some reviews. I appreciate that boast of confidence.

Slytheringrl17: Hopefully you enjoy this chapter as well.

Snowfire81: How was this? I hope this was soon enough for you.