It had started out as a nice enough day, although that soon changed for Draco. It was Saturday, and the older students were at Hogsmead with their friends. Snow covered the small town in a white blanket, and the biting wind would have deterred others of a lesser willpower. However, it was the first Hogsmead visit of the year and no one would be discouraged by the fierce weather.
Draco had considered not even going. Instead, he told himself, he would simply work on his Transfiguration essay. Merlin knows he needed to. However, the laughter that drifted through the door from the common room was too tempting an offer to ignore.
You know something is up when Slytherins are laughing for reasons other than someone's misfortune, he thought wryly. It was an old joke among the Serpent students, one the other Houses would never learn to appreciate. Old stiff necks. Even the bad guys get to have a little fun once in a while, don't we? He let loose a quiet chuckle that seemed louder than normal in the empty room—or at least it would have been empty if he had the courage to walk out and join his house mates on their little trip. He did not, though, and that was that.
A few more minutes passed, and the sound of thunderous footsteps and carefree chatter slowly faded, leaving him alone in the silence. He tried to concentrate on his homework, but every time he lowered the quill to the parchment, his mind went frustratingly blank. Finally, he could take it no more. He jumped up, grabbed his winter cloak, and stalked out of the room.
"Probably bloody freezing out there, too," he muttered glumly as he stomped through the common room and out the portrait door. After one last, longing glance at the delightfully empty room, he shut the portrait behind him.
Ginny watched Hermione and Ron leave together, their hands entwined. Both their faces were bright pink, strange when one considered that they have already kissed each other multiple times. Why are they so embarrassed about just holding hands? she asked herself with a bewildered shake of her head. They're certainly different from most teenagers. Of course, I always knew Ron was a wee bit unusual in the head, but Hermione seemed normal—well, apart from her academic obsessions, that is.
The last student ran down the stairs and out the portrait door, leaving Ginny all alone once more. I knew I should have gone with those other girls. Sure, I might have murdered a few of them once their giggling nonsense got on my last nerve, but at least I would have had some fun at the beginning. But I guess a lifetime sentence in Azkaban wouldn't really be worth it...well, maybe a little bit. A fleeting grin crossed her face before she sighed and dropped onto the nearby couch with a dramatic huff.
Oh well, here's to another lonely afternoon.
She had no one to blame her boredom on besides herself. Ron and Hermione had asked her if she wanted to join them, but she had declined, not wanting to ruin their day together. After seeing the slightly relieved looks on their faces, she had to fight back a knowing smirk. They deserved their alone time together considering everything they had been through. Still, it was fun to tease her brother; Ginny could be quite merciless when it came to dunderheads like him.
Besides, it was nauseating to see them fawn over each other the way they did. Not even her and Harry had shown that much affection in public. Of course, that could be attributed to the fact that they had spent most of their time together snogging in deserted corridors and unused classrooms.
After the disgustingly lovey-dovey couple had left, Neville had came over and offered to go with her. However, Ginny had suggested that he ask Hannah Abbot instead. Ginny knew the girl had a secret crush on him and that a date in Hogsmeade would make her practically burst with happiness. Of course, Neville had no idea why she wanted him to take Hannah, but he finally relented and left for the Great Hall where he knew the Hufflepuff girl would be
Even Luna was going with someone. Ginny had heard Dean Thomas speaking to the misty-eyed Ravenclaw outside of the portrait earlier that day. Apparently, the two had bonded during their shared time at Malfoy Manor and later Shell Cottage. They were now good friends and had gone to Hogsmead to spend the day together. Although Ginny was overjoyed that Luna had made another friend, the loss of the cheerful girl made Ginny feel even lonelier.
In previous years, she had either hung out with her boyfriend of the year or Luna. But now that she had no boyfriend, (Harry did not really count), and the blond-haired Ravenclaw was gone, Ginny had no one to talk to. It was a rather unsettling feeling. She had grown up surrounded by family and friends, and for her to suddenly be alone was an unwelcome shock. But she could handle it. She always did.
"Well, looks like it's just you and me, buddy," Ginny commented to the curled up cat on the couch beside her. Crookshanks lazily blinked up at her, purring loudly. The Gryffindor smiled at him and reached down to scratch behind his ears. "That's a good kitty, yeah," she crooned.
She had always had a special touch with animals, especially cats, but Crookshanks was by far her favorite. He was not the easiest pet to take care of, but Ginny thought that Hermione had made an excellent choice when she chose him so many years ago in the Magical Meringue.
At least I have one friend who hasn't left me, she thought with a smile at the rumbling cat.
Draco knew he had made a mistake as soon as he stepped into the Three Broomsticks. Of all the places, his feet had to take him here? Did he have some sort of subconscious death wish?
Everyone's eyes turned towards him and the conversation died down until it was as silent as a tomb. He spotted Ron and Hermione sitting at the counter, each nursing a glass of butterbeer. Oh, great, he thought with a sigh. Just what I needed to complete my day. Why is it that I'm always put in these kinds of situations? Lady Luck just doesn't like me very much, does she?
"Look who's here—You-Know-Who's pride and joy," Ron remarked loud enough for the entire pub to hear. Jumping down from his seat, he strolled over to the Slytherin and leaned casually against the bar.
The other patrons watched with growing interest as Draco clenched his fists. "You mind repeating that, Weasel?" he asked slowly, twin spots of pink staining his otherwise deathly pale cheeks. His grey eyes flashed in fury at the jibe and he had to force his words out through gritted teeth.
Hermione came over and laid a restraining hand on Ron's arm. "Ron, stop it. Don't start a fight with him. You know it's what he wants," she whispered.
Ron shook off her arm with a sneer, completely ignoring her advice as the tips of his ears turned bright red. "You heard me, Ferret Boy. Now what are you going to do about it? Go cry to Daddy? Oh wait, that's right. He's on house arrest, so I have nothing to worry about him coming here to beat me with his cane."
Muffled snickers echoed through the room as the other students showed their appreciation for the taunt. Draco snarled and lunged for him, forsaking his wand in favor of directly punching the Gryffindor. Ron stumbled back into Hermione, clutching at his aching jaw. "You asked for it, you filthy little murderer!" he shouted angrily, leaping forwards. Hermione grabbed his arm and yanked him back forcibly.
"Ronald Weasley! Stop that right now! He's not worth a detention. Just ignore the stupid prat," she said with a cool glance at Draco, who was smirking at the pair. "Yeah, Weaselbee. Listen to your girlfriend. After all, she is the one with the brains in this relationship. And everything else really," added the Slytherin, almost as an afterthought.
Ron howled furiously, rushing forward once more. He slammed into Draco with enough force to send them both crashing to the ground. They wrestled each other, their faces strained and tiny drops of blood dripping from various cuts. Hermione desperately tried to drag Ron away but he pushed her back, concentrating on doing as much damage to Draco as possible.
Without warning, the door slammed open, and they both paused momentarily to blink up at the sudden flood of light. Ginny gasped at the sight of her brother on the floor, his knee digging deep into Draco's throat. "What in Godric's name is going on here?" she demanded, drawing out her wand warily. Draco took the opportunity to slam his head into Ron's nose. The Gryffindor fell back with a cry of pain, his sight blurring with tears and blood.
Ginny rushed forward and dragged Draco away from the prone form of her brother, her wand aimed at his chest in warning. "Stop it, both of you! You're acting like children. The next person to move gets a hex in the face," she stated to the entire room, gazing around with narrowed eyes. Those nearest to her hastily backed up a few steps, well aware of her prowess in hexes.
"Now," she quietly continued, "what's going on?"
Draco casually wiped away a thin trail of blood from his busted lip, studying it with an almost scientific curiosity. "I have no idea, little Miss She-Weasel. Why don't you ask your dear brother over there?" Ginny glanced at him sharply before turning her icy gaze on a cringing Ron. "I think I'll do just that."
Hermonie was trying to wipe away the blood and dirt on Ron's face, but he shoved her away crossly without taking his blue eyes off Draco.
"I only said the truth," Ron insisted with a scowl. Ginny's eyes narrowed at her brother. I should have known he would do something like this, she thought, sighing inaudibly. He never could hold his temper, especially when it comes to dealing with Malfoy.
She knew that if she did not separate them soon, they would resort to all and out curses.
"Alright, I don't care who said what first. Ron, you're coming with me right now or I'm owling Mum a letter as soon as I get back to the castle. There might be enough of you left for her to patch up after I'm done with you," she threatened in a sharp whisper that only Ron and Draco could hear.
A dark red flush flooded Ron's cheeks and his ears burned as Draco let out a loud, condescending laugh. "Yeah, go ahead Weasel. Listen to baby sister or you'll get put in time-out," the Slytherin mocked.
Ginny rounded on him with her hands on her hips. Her eyes hardened as she studied his face. "Drop it, Malfoy, or you're going to be the one in time-out—a permanent one, if you catch my drift."
Draco grinned humorlessly at her, spreading his arms wide. "Do you really think I care anymore, Weasley? I've faced far worse than death at the hands of Voldemort. I can tell you now, nothing you do could ever scare me. So go ahead and take your best shot." He patted his chest invitingly, urging her to use the wand in her hand. "Do you have the guts to do it though?" Draco taunted, his silver eyes boring holes into her.
Ginny seriously considered cursing him just to see how he would react, but Hermione's sharp inhale brought her back to her senses. "You'd like that, wouldn't you Voldy-wannabe? You might enjoy hurting people but I don't. So shut up and get out of my way."
After shooting the Slytherin one last disgusted glare, she grabbed Ron's arm and dragged him out of the door with Hermione following close behind. No one, least of all her, noticed the pale, shaken expression on Draco's face as he stared resolutely at the floor.
Voldy-wannabe, huh? Well, that's certainly a new one...
