Chapter 2:

Apologies

It was the beginning of February and Ginny found herself looking forward to the end of the year. She hoped that Umbridge would be gone next year so that she could actually enjoy her school days. She couldn't say she didn't enjoy DA. It was the best part of the year.

Though, Hart was wildly popular the only people that actually spoke to her were Slytherins. Rumors and whispers could be heard about her all day. Boys looking to date her but unsure how to approach the girl who seemed to be best friends with the meanest guy in school and girls envying her closeness to both Malfoy and Zabini and wishing they could have some of the amazing clothes she wore on weekends.

It was one of her unlucky days as she walked quickly down to the dungeons. She really didn't want to deal with potions today, seeing as she was having such horrible luck in every class. Her bad luck didn't end there when she saw Malfoy and Zabini standing in the hall outside the potions class room.

Hart had seemed to take to Zabini quickly. Everyone said they were dating and that Malfoy was their mutual best friend. She was always seen holding hands or looping arms with either of the boys, but never being physically intimate. Not a single person had the guts to ask her if she truly was dating one or both of the boys. Not even Slytherins in their year had enough courage.

"Look who we have here," Malfoy drawled.

"A little cub in a snakes den," Zabini hummed.

Ginny bit the inside of her cheek to keep from snapping at the boys, seeing as her mood was already foul enough, she didn't need points docked from her if Snape accidently walked out of his class.

"To scared to say anything, huh, Weasel," Malfoy laughed in a harsh way.

Just as Ginny was about to finally snap, the doors to the potions class swung open and she promptly shut her mouth.

"Alright boys, thank you for waiting," Hart all but bounced out of the classroom.

"It's whatever," Malfoy shrugged.

"My pleasure," Zabini smiled holding out his hand for her to take.

Hart started to reach for his hand when she noticed Ginny standing there. Her hazel almost green eyes stared into Ginny's chocolate depths. A smile graced her lips, almost apologetic. Hart's hand finally landed in Zabini's and the three where off.

"Not like we needed a second Trio. But, a dark trio to boot," Creevey's voice sounded from beside her.

"Having the Golden Trio around is hard enough," Ginny gave a fake laugh.

Creevey and Ginny made it through potions without getting any points docked and actually got their potion done on time. They were the last out the door, it was dinner time and they didn't need to rush. Both stopped in their tracks at the sight of Hart leaning against the very same wall Malfoy and Zabini had been earlier.

"Weasley, right," Hart asked, moving away from the wall.

"Um, yeah," Ginny blushed uncontrollably.

"I didn't get to say it then, but I wanted to apologize for the way the boys acted. They wouldn't have been in the hall if it wasn't for me asking them to stay behind to walk me to my next class," Hart sighed and gave her another smile before turning and walking off.

"Bloody hell, maybe what everyone said about her after Christmas was true," Creevey blinked multiple times.

All throughout dinner Ginny found her eyes wondering over to Hart. It seemed odd that the girl would come back and say she was sorry, but it seemed even odder that Malfoy and Zabini had been waiting for her when they were a whole year ahead of her.

It had only been a week since the apology Hart had given her on behalf of Malfoy and Zabini and Ginny found herself sitting in the library a couple tables down from the 'Dark Trio' as everyone had taken to calling them. The Golden Trio had taken to try and see if the new Trio really was 'dark', and were sitting with her as an excuse to be this close to the three Slytherins.

"Draco," Hart laughed, "what do you think you're doing?"

"Learning," Malfoy smirked.

"By coping off of Blaise? That is hardly learning at all, honestly what will you do with yourself," Hart smiled, the laughter lit her eyes.

"He would be nothing without me," Zabini boasted.

"Oi, no giving him a bigger ego," Malfoy huffed.

"Wouldn't dream of it, love," Hart snickered before getting up from the table.

She moved around the library finding a few books before dropping them on the table. Her hand quickly snatched Malfoy's half written essay and she smiled brightly at him.

"Read up, you're writing this on your own. Blaise can't always help you and you don't learn by coping," Hart smiled sweetly.

Malfoy groaned before picking up a book and opening it, a frown pulling at his lips in displeasure. Zabini started to laugh and was quickly quieted when Hart glared at him. Hart, who had yet to sit down, started walking toward their table. Ginny's breath hitched as she watched the girl draw near.

A polite smile was spread across the young girls face. She stopped right at the empty chair at their table. Ron and Harry looked about ready to say something rude, but the look on Hermione's face kept their tongues in check.

"The boys haven't noticed," Hart whispered only loud enough for their table to hear, "but I'm sure if they had they would be upset. I know that listening in on what we talk about and do helps you know if we are or aren't cooking up some evil plots, but it would be nice if you could stop following us and listening in to our conversations."

The second the last word left her mouth she turned and headed into the shelves of books. The blush on her brother's face went all the way down his neck, Harry looked embarrassed and was scratching at the back of his head, and Hermione looked mortified that someone had caught her doing something like this. It was priceless.

"At least it wasn't Malfoy or Zabini, because we at least have a thread of hope that she won't say anything," Hermione sighed.

"How long have you guys been following her," Ginny asked.

"We have been following them for only four days," Harry answered.

They watched as Hart came back with a few books in her arms. All three of the books were about muggles; Muggle history, Muggle School and Muggle technology.

"Seriously, Kalya," Malfoy sighed.

"What? Can't I read something other than for school work," Hart asked innocently.

"Can't you read that when I'm not here?"

"I could, yes. But you're always here."

"She has a point, mate," Zabini laughed, "How are your grades in muggle studies anyway? I bet you're the best in your class."

"Outstanding! I think it is my best class by far," Hart smirked.

"Why do you even read those books when you know everything that's in them," Malfoy sulked.

"I guess for something to do. Honestly, I'll save them for later then if it bothers you that much," Hart placed the books in her sack and pulled one of the other books towards her.

Ever since the day in the library two weeks ago the Trio can't stop talking about Hart, who was indeed top of her class in Muggle Studies. It seemed weird that they couldn't keep from watching her when they saw her come around. No matter what they saw of her, they had this theory she was just putting on a show and was actually on Voldemort's side.

March had come quickly and Ginny loved the weather. It was starting to get warmer and people were starting to become restless waiting for the summer. Ginny was glad that it was Saturday and she had just finished all of her homework and looked forward to spending tomorrow doing whatever she wanted.

It was close to sunset, Ginny could tell because every time she passed a window on the way back to her common room the purple-pink rays played across the floor. Two floors left before she reached her destination Ginny stopped and saw someone standing in front of a window.

Hart's black hair reflected the setting sun's light making her black hair seem a midnight blue. Her eyes glistened and a frown Ginny had never seen grace her featured pulled at her lips. Hoping she hadn't been caught staring Ginny moved to go up the next set of stairs.

"Weasley?"

Ginny turned around a blush creeping across her face, "yeah."

Hart smiled as she sat on the window seal pressing her back against the glass.

"You don't have to be afraid. I would never harm you," Hart's voice was soft and kind.

"I never said you would."

"The way you're standing. You look like you're about to bolt for the stairs if I so much as move a finger."

Trying to relax her stance, Ginny walked over and sat on the window seal when Hart patted the seat next to her. Making sure to keep her distance, Ginny blushed when she realized just what she was wearing.

Her pants were ripped and faded and she wore one of Ron's old plain blue shirts that hung off her and hid all of her figure. She didn't wear any make up. Her hair was in a messy bun. She felt her eyes were a murky-dull brown, her face was to covered in freckles, her nose was small and her lips were overly large and out of place.

Hart leaned her head against the glass a midnight blue halo appeared over her head. Her eyes were closed like she was in deep thought and her lips gently pulled upward in a small smile.

"He talks about you, you know? Your family, Potter and Granger," her voice sounded in mirth.

Fear gripped at Ginny's heart. Here she was, sitting with the girl of her dreams that she had been pinning for, for months. She probably thought badly about her and her family, who wouldn't when they had someone like Malfoy feeding them lies. The frown now on Ginny's face didn't go unnoticed by Hart.

"Don't look like that, please. What he says, well, he doesn't talk nice about anyone, not even me. Blaise has told me the truth about everything that Draco has told me. I rather have both sides of the story before judging people," Hart smiled reassuringly.

"So I'm not just some poor muggle-loving traitor to you?"

Hart's laugh surrounded them like a sweet melody that only Ginny was supposed to hear.

"I'm pure-blood but I love acting like a muggle and walking around their cities. I love their technology and reading their books. I love riding in muggle cars and driving them, doesn't mean I'm a traitor."

"I knew you had some interest in muggles, but I didn't know it was that deep," Ginny gaped.

"My parents raised me like a muggle. I went to Muggle School and had muggle friends."

"How come you transferred here?"

"I needed a change. I loved my Wizarding School I was going to. But, I had lost all my muggle friends as I couldn't tell them I was a witch. I wanted a new start and I suddenly got Professor Dumbledore's letter and I couldn't refuse, it's what I've been looking for."

"Do you miss your parents?"

"I miss them every day," Hart's face took on a deep sadness.

Ginny listened as Hart told her all about her school years in Muggle School. How Hart was shocked when she found out she was actually a witch and beginning Wizardry school. Ginny noticed she never mentioned money, her parents, or anything relating to family or relationships.

Hart listened to Ginny talk about having six brothers and being the only girl. She never seemed to turn her nose up at any story that Ginny told and she laughed often. She was easy going and made Ginny feel like someone actually cared about what she thought.

They parted after the sun went down so they wouldn't be late for curfew and get in trouble with the teachers. Ginny smiled when she realized everything Jordan had said about her was true. No one wanted to believe it because she was a Slytherin but it was nice to know the girl she had such a deep crush on wasn't a horrible person like Malfoy.