The sun burned brightly in the afternoon sky as Ginny made her way to Flourish and Blotts. On her way there, she received warm hellos from fellow classmates, and she periodically stopped to chat with quite a few of them.
Upon reaching the heavy brass doors of the renowned bookstore, she made her way inside among the swarms of families. As usual, the loud hustle and bustle of customers was very loud inside. Hundreds of books adorned the heavy shelves on her right and left and students were milling about, looking for all the books on their booklists.
Ginny took out her book list from the pocket of her cloak. Glancing closely at the list, she saw that there were only two books she needed. All the other textbook titles had a checkmark next to them, which indicated that Ron already had used that book, and that she would merely inherit his copy, seeing as he would not need those textbooks anymore.
"Advance Defense" by Linda Granshee was needed and "Potion Brewing: Level Six" was definitely needed. Ron had spilled an awfully large amount of sleeping draught on it, and it was starting to smell like a dead goat.
"Do you need any help finding those books miss?" inquired a polite salesperson nodding her head towards Ginny's booklist.
"Books needed at Hogwarts are this way," she continued and started leading Ginny towards the huge displays of books.
"Erm…thank you…" Ginny feebly said and pretended to pick up a book. The moment the salesperson was out of her sight, she put the book back. Making her way swiftly through the hoards of people, she approached a large winding staircase and started climbing it. Upstairs, heaps of new books stood on shelves, but Ginny made her way towards the back where the used books were kept.
With a wary sigh she started going through all the titles on the shelf. One of the things she disliked greatly was having to buy things second hand, but with a large family and a tight budget; this was all that could be done.
So what if she didn't have all the best things in the world? She started her reasoning again. She certainly had all the love and support anyone could ask for, and that was worth more than all the galleons in the world.
Blowing lightly on the spines of the books, she searched for the books she needed. A while later, she clutched the two titles in her hands. She started making her way towards the staircase again when a large shelf caught her attention. The good thing with shopping in the used books section was that there usually were a lot of rare books available at low prices. Being the avid reader that she was, she thrived in finding such good books.
Looking at the musty shelf in front of her she scanned the books and grabbed a very interesting one labeled "Dark Arts Over the Renaissance" and another one, "Dark Arts in the Middle Ages". Now she wasn't the biggest fan of the Dark Arts, but she knew a rare book when she saw one. Turning over the front cover, she looked at the date it was published; sure enough both the books were published in 1787. Over 200 years ago! Adding those two books as well she started making her way towards the cash till.
The used books area was more than often vacant, not many witches and wizards were in here and when Ginny had made her way upstairs, only one person was there. A hunchbacked old man, with a hood hiding his face stood in the corner peering over titles. She started feeling uncomfortable in this part of the store because of the lack of customers and she quickly made her way downstairs.
"Give me those books," a cold voice spoke from behind her.
Ginny jumped a good twenty feet into the air. Coming back down to earth she turned around expecting to see the old hunchback with his wand pointing at her face ready to avada kedavra her. To her relative surprise she was face to face with the school ferret. Malfoy. Quickly regaining her composure she replied in an aloof voice "I don't think so Malfoy."
"Weasel, give them to me," came Malfoy's voice laced with ice.
Why in Merlin's name did
he want them? Ginny wondered. They were about
the dark arts; he
probably needed them to decorate his shrine of
he-who-must-not-be-named.
"Why? Ferret's can't read," she replied using her indifferent tone and tried stepping past him giving him a scornful look. Oh, how she hated bullies! She thought angrily. She wasn't going to give into Malfoy's request. Well, she was no wish-washy bimbo who swooned at the sight of Malfoy. It didn't matter how he looked, he was still a scumbag.
Draco Malfoy stood towering in front of the Weasley girl. The annoying little brat, he thought angrily. Why couldn't she just give him the books and be over with it? She probably had no idea what the books were about. Sure the title said something or another about the History of the Dark Arts, but in reality, these books had been transfigured. Weasel had no idea how dangerous the actual books were or how much trouble she would be in if anyone caught her with them.
Ignoring her remark he continued, "Listen Weasley, I want those two books," and he nodded his head towards the books in her arms.
"These two?" Ginny asked with a cheeky smile and held up the old potions book and her Hogwarts dark arts book.
"Didn't realize Malfoy's had to start buying second hand as well. Things a bit tight after your dad's been sentenced to Azkaban?" she continued. She knew she was starting to go too far with this, but she didn't care. Malfoy had tormented her family and friends for too long, this was her opportunity to have some fun.
If looks could kill, Malfoy's look would have sent Ginny straight to her grave.
"Weasley, I don't think you realize who you're dealing with here. I'm Draco Malfoy. Malfoy's don't get anything second hand, nor do they scrounge around for money, unlike yourselves. While you on the other hand are a Weasley, and even house elves know that you're poorer than dirt," he snarled at her.
Ginny was completely unfazed by his little speech, she had heard it a good 300 times since first year.
"Good thing we settled this. You said so yourself that Malfoy's don't get anything second hand so there's no use for you to get these two books then," Ginny replied waving the books in front of his face and promptly left. Leaving behind a speechless Malfoy, who scowled at her retreating back.
After paying for her things, she made her way to Madam Malkin's. As a present from the twins, she could get a whole new set of robes. She made sure they were warm; it was a nuisance wearing thin cloaks in the dungeons. Ginny was quickly done with the robes and she started to make her way towards the apothecary. Sixth year potions was not going to be easy, Ginny thought grimly.
She found herself done with her shopping at noon. Ginny decided she might as well go to the Magical Menagerie; at least she could see the new animals that were in the store. Needless to say, she had a very soft spot for animals.
Walking inside the store, she was greeted with hundreds of magical animals in their cages. With the occasional growl, snarl and hooting, from all the animals the place was quite noisy. She started looking around, occasionally petting a friendly animal.
"You know, if you're interested, we've got some new animals in the nocturnal wing of the store," a shop assistant helpfully pointed towards the side, where Ginny could spot a half closed door.
"I think I'll have a look," She answered as she still had time to burn. As soon as she entered the room, she saw a hundred large eyes gazing at her in the dark. Their large glittery eyes shining in the pitch black room reminded Ginny of the night sky. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark and she started walking around, looking at the animals in this part of the store.
Walking towards the back of the store, she started looking at the exotic birds that were perched on bars. Most of them were owls and they softly hooted as Ginny approached.
The partially open door opened completely again and more people walked in the room. Unlike Ginny, they were a bit louder and were talking in louder tones, probably assuming they were the only ones in the room.
Ginny continued with her browsing ignoring the newcomers when she suddenly stopped in her tracks. The loud voices were carrying through the room and Ginny immediately recognized Harry, Hermione's and Ron's voices.
Stayed behind the cages she heard them talk on.
"Oh honestly Harry!" Hermione exploded. "I can't believe you asked Ginny to leave just to tell us that,"
Her ears perked up as soon as she heard her name.
"Hush up Hermione," Ron answered for Harry. "It's too late to do anything about it now"
"Well, what do you think I should do about the letter?" Harry asked his friends urgently.
"If you still fancy her, then I suggest you answer that letter Harry," Hermione's voice answered.
Ginny was utterly confused. What letter? Still fancy who?
"I can't believe she's coming back though, you'd think after being in Hogwarts for 7 years she would have enough sense to take a nice long vacation, but no! She wants to start early and be a teacher's assistant!" Ron said.
"Well, it shows how ambitious Cho is doesn't it?" Harry offered in a light voice.
"She wrote that it was part of her training to be an assistant to a qualified teacher before she can completely become a teacher," he continued.
"And I'm sure it's a part of her training to ask you out is it?" Ron sniggered.
Harry muttered something that Ginny couldn't make out, but she heard another chuckle from Ron.
"And kindly explain to me why in Merlin's name we're in the nocturnal wing of the magical menagerie?" Ron's voice asked.
"I came to get something for Crookshanks remember? Harry here wanted to grace his eyes with this dark and stuffy room," Hermione answered in a thoroughly exasperated voice.
The three teens made their way out of the nocturnal wing, leaving the door wide open behind them. The bright light came through the door and Ginny came out from behind the cages.
So this is why they deserted me…Cho's asking Harry out? And Harry still fancies her. She thought grimly. Ginny felt a sharp throb in the middle of her chest, and to her sheer horror, a large lump formed in her throat. I'm not going to cry this time, she told herself. Composing herself she came out of the room and she closed the door behind her.
If Harry's going to be ignoring me this year again, I'll just have to ignore him too. I won't let him see how much he's hurt me, no matter what happens. Her thoughts were racing inside her brain as she made her way towards Madam Malkin's again to meet the three. The afternoon sun burned lazily, and she felt as though the day was stretching on and on, without an end. With a tired sigh she realized this was going to be a very long year if she didn't do anything to liven things up, and get Cho out of the scene.
A/N: Review, review, review!