I know, so I haven't updated in a while. BUT I have an excuse. My mom was in a cycling accident and broke her collar bone and two bones in her pelvis, so I've been a little distracted.

But here I am now, ever loyal to you all who read the good stuff that is FAN FICTION. May our souls be blessed by words.

Wow I'm losing my mind. This is what happens when you're exhausted and you go for seven mile runs two days in a row.

SIGH

JK Rowling owns it all.

Screams surrounded her…echoing deep into her soul…a wheezing laugh cutting though her head like ice…pain…unbearable pain…GINNY!!!

Ginny sat bolt upright in her bed, sweating and panting heavily.

A dream, just a dream…She calmed herself. Well, more like a nightmare really.

The red-head stilled her shaking hands long enough to pour herself a glass of water and gulp it down before settling back down into her Hogwarts four post bed.

She looked around to the sleeping forms of her classmates and sighed. They were enjoying peaceful night sleeps while she had to suffer from nightmares.

Ginny lay on her bed looking up at her canopy unable to sleep. She'd been having that same nightmare since it had happened to her, although…

Although this was the first night that someone else was in my dream.

Ginny wondered who had called out her name that had woken her up and saved her from the pain she was experiencing in her head.

But the harder she tried to focus on the face, the more elusive the details were. She couldn't even remember if it was a guy or girl. Just someone with light hair calling out to her…for help?

Why would someone need my help? Ginny thought hard. It was probably Hermione. I'm so stressed about those three and their safety that Hermione's voice is manifesting in my dreams.

Her thoughts began to circle sleepily in her head, lulling her eyes to a close.

I'd better get some rest…new Defense 'teacher' to deal with tomorrow…

The next time Ginny opened her eyes, it was not voluntary.

"Ginny! Wake up! You slept through breakfast you freak." Ginny heard Nora's laugh and sat up.

"Ugh," Ginny groaned holding her forehead and blinking rapidly in the morning light. "What?"

"Yeah, you were dead to the world earlier so I left you to sleep a bit. When you didn't come down to breakfast…Well, here's a piece of toast." Nora held out a napkin to Ginny and looked expectantly down at the red-head.

"Toast…what is first period?" Ginny asked Nora, taking the toast and slowing getting out of bed. Merlin, I'm exhausted.

"Defense," Nora said in a heavy voice.

"Fuck!" Ginny yelped and jumped out of bed. "We can't be late for that class, Nora, you know that!"

"Yeah, I know, that's why I woke you up."

Ginny glared at the other girl as she tripped her way into her school robes. "You should have done it earlier," she grumbled.

Nora shrugged. "I'm not your mummy."

"Yes, thanks for that reminder," Ginny said, grabbing her bag and pushing Nora out of the room. "Let's go!"

Nora laughed as she almost fell down the stairs. "Alright, I'm going. I'll bet if we walk in together it won't be as bad."

Ginny and Nora opened the door the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom and froze on the threshold as everyone turned to look at them.

"Ah, some stragglers. How kind of you to join us," a slimy voice slithered towards the two girls. The voice, full of madness and malice rocketed Ginny's memory back to the Burrow, on the day of the wedding.

Ginny's heart squeezed in fear as she looked up into the eyes of the Death Eater that had performed the Cruciatus Curse on her that summer's day over two months ago. She trembled.

"Well? Take your seats; we were just going through the roll call when you so rudely interrupted. What are your names?" The squat, ugly man asked the pair as they found seats near the middle.

"Moreno, sir. Nora Moreno."

"Good. And…?"

Nora nudged Ginny in the ribs with her elbow. "Ginny Weasley, Professor," she squeaked out.

The Death Eater looked startled for a moment, his eyes widening, then a horrible grin slid across his fleshy face. "Weasley," he drawled, as if tasting a rare food. "I do believe we've met before, haven't we?"

Ginny sat, unmoving.

"Yes, at your shack over the summer. Didn't I tell you I would be seeing you soon?" He let out a laugh that sounded more like a wheezing giggle, a sound more fit for an insane two year old. Ginny shuddered but noticed that no one else laughed, not even the Slytherins, as she had expected them to.

"50 points for being late, for the both of you," the man suddenly snapped. Ginny heard Nora's sharp intake of breath. "As I was saying…Oh yes. I am your new professor for Defense against the Dark Arts. You may call me Professor Carrow."

Nora started to whisper bitterly under her breath. "I sure as hell won't be calling you anything but a mother-"

"Stop," Ginny pleaded with Nora, the red-head's voice was so desperate sounding that the other girl looked around in alarm.

"Ginny, what is it?" The girl asked, concerned.

"I-I don't feel very well," Ginny finally said.

Nora put her hand on her friends back to steady the girl as she swayed. "Does this have to do with…him?" Nora inclined her head towards the front of the classroom where Professor Carrow stood with his back to them, writing on the blackboard.

Ginny managed a nod.

"Thought so. Want to go to the Hospital wing?"

Ginny thought of who occupied the Hospital wing at the moment and shook her head. "No, I'll deal with this without help. I have to."

Nora shrugged. "Suit yourself." And she settled back into her chair, although she kept an eye on her friend for the rest of the hour.

As soon as the time was up, Ginny ran out of the classroom, jostling the other students out of her way. She didn't care about bumping into them and she didn't hear their protests. All Ginny wanted was to put as much distance between her and that man as she could.

"Oi! Ginny, wait up!" Ginny recognized Nora's voice calling after her but she ignored it as she turned a corner and walked straight into Professor McGonagall.

"Dear Merlin, Weasley. What has gotten you so shook up you can't even watch where you're going?" The woman peered down at the girl who was distractedly glancing over her shoulder.

"N-nothing, Professor, I'm fine. S-sorry about bumping into you," Ginny stammered before stepping around the witch.

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Did you just come from Defense against the Dark Arts?" she asked wisely.

Ginny nodded, eyes studying the ground intently.

"Listen, lass," McGonagall said in a soft voice Ginny had never heard before. "You have to be strong this year. Strong enough to not let them get to you, strong like Albus would have wanted."

Ginny looked up into McGonagall's kindly eyes. "So I guess requesting to drop the class is out of the question?"

McGonagall smiled. "Aye, I'm sorry. But don't be afraid. If your fear shows they'll use it to their advantage."

Ginny grimaced. "I'll try. Thank you Professor." She turned to walk away when McGonagall called out.

"Have you been in to see Mr. Malfoy in the Hospital wing recently? I heard he's dying for some visitors."

Ginny shot the older woman a look. "We are not friends. Nor do we like each other well enough to have an enjoyable visit. Besides he wouldn't want me to visit, I'm sure his other friends will stop by and entertain him."

The Scottish woman looked genuinely surprised. "I thought you two were friendly, with you saving his life and all. And I thought you would try a little harder to forage new friendships this year, what with the Sorting Hats song, the situation out there…my mistake." The witch nodded to the girl who was now looking stunned. "You best be on your way, Weasley, wouldn't want to be late for Charms now would we?" And with that, McGonagall turned and swept off down the hallway.

Ginny stared after her for a moment before turning herself and leaving to walk towards the Charms classroom.

Plunking herself down in her seat next to Nora, Ginny calmly took out her wand and waited for Nora's barrage of questions.

"Why did you-" Nora started only to be cut off by Ginny's hand.

"Not now, Nora. I'll tell you later."

Nora huffed and picked up her wand. "You better."

Ginny just smiled sadly.

Later that night Ginny was alone in the common room catching up on some Transfiguration reading. She wasn't really reading anymore, she was mostly staring off into the fire, watching the flames flicker and wishing they could warm her soul as much as they warmed her body.

Telling Nora about the Death Eater attack at her house and what had happened didn't feel right to Ginny, but she had told the girl anyway, concerned that if she kept it inside of her for too long, she would eventually burst.

Besides, McGonagall wants me to 'forage new friendships', so I can't lie to Nora.

Ginny thought of whom McGonagall had wanted her to forage a friendship with earlier that day and snorted.

Like we would be friends. Like we could! We hate each other and that's that.

But as Ginny continued to stare into the fire she couldn't help but smile slightly at the memories she had of him after their surgery. They had connected somewhat and she had enjoyed his company.

It was probably because I was on drugs. She said firmly to herself. And anyway, I did try to see him, to make sure he was…alright. And it was clear he didn't want me near him. He didn't say anything; he couldn't even say my name!

Ginny angrily closed her book and then sighed, calming. But why is he not back in classes? I haven't seen him around school and he looked fine when I saw him, so why is he still hiding?

She looked down at her notes she had taken that day and shuffled them into order. He's probably scared of the reception he'll get if he shows his face to the rest of the school.

Ginny paused. Still, I can' blame him for wanting to hide. That's what I wanted to do today.

Yawning, Ginny put away her things and started climbing the stairs to her room, not looking forward to another nightmare, when a wheat-colored Great Grey Owl soared in through a window and landed on the window ledge before her.

Stopping short Ginny was amazed to see that the owl held out its leg to her. Taking the note, Ginny gasped when it abruptly flew off. It was a beautiful bird, made even more exquisite in flight. It had a certain elegance about it…

She unrolled the note.

Weasley-

I need a tutor and Madame Pomfrey says you're a good choice. Come to the Hospital wing every Thursday night after hours so no one sees you to help me with my school work.

Malfoy.

P.S. Today is Thursday.

By the end of the letter Ginny's mouth was hanging open with indignation. The nerve of that boy! Ginny ran up the stairs and dropped her bag off next to her bed with a thunk and ran back down the stairs and out of the portrait hole to give that git a piece of her mind.

BWAHAHA I love Draco's note. So funny. So haughty. So him. tee hee

I will update soon.

Promise.