Chapter 2:
The morning dawned cool and quiet and far too soon for Ginny's liking. It could also have something to do with the fact that I am alone, she thought bitterly surveying the unused beds of the sixth-year girls dormitory. She contemplated laying back down, pulling the covers over her head but she realized that missing the first day of class would probably not be the best idea.
Throughout her morning routine, Ginny kept trying to make light of the loneliness. Look, she thought, no one to fight over the bathroom with, and no incessant giggling over nonsense in the background, but there was little conviction in her musings. The silence was just eerie. Not to mention the sight of the unslept-in beds.
After the incident with the Chamber of Secrets her first year, it was a bit difficult to make any good friends. True, she had Pansy, Astoria and Amber, but they didn't really know her.
After surveying the room one last time, she sighed and left the room toward the common room. On a normal day, the common room would be bustling with noise and movement.
Ginny made her way to the Great Hall in silence.
So much of what she had experienced of the castle this year was off. There was an eerie silence and an emptiness that she had never before encountered. The dim passageways seemed almost sinister in the absence of laughter and obnoxious shouts.
To say that she was surprised when she entered the Great Hall for breakfast moments later would be an understatement. She almost thought she was in the wrong place. The four long house tables had been replaced with a single, much smaller, square of tables. She moved to the table and took a seat next to Amber, whom was sitting with the two Slytherins.
Pansy: This is so fun. We finally get to sit and eat at the same table!
The three of them struck up a conversation that Ginny did not care to partake in- something about NEWTS. Ginny was quietly chewing and staring blankly at her toast.
Professor McGonagall: Good morning, students. As you have noticed, we found the house tables to be somewhat inefficient and impractical for this small of a group. Your professors and I have also discussed how we would like to handle your classes, because as it stands, they are practically empty. Our conclusion, then, is that all houses will be combined.
She moved down and handed out the course schedules, which Ginny received without any real care. She wondered, is this how Malfoy feels all of the time? It was a new experience to feel so… unfeeling. Nothing seemed to affect her. She was not surprised or happy. She was neither disturbed at the reason that these changes were taking place, nor irritated at the fact that the ferret was sitting across from her staring again. In response to his prolonged attention she looked up at him willing him to say something just so she could at least get angry, but nothing. Her held her eyes a moment before looking down at his toast. Apparently his breakfast is as interesting as mine, she thought.
Ginny picked up her things, not even having eaten half of her toast, and left the room, heading to her first class of the day, potions. Before fully making her way out of the Great Hall, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.
Professor McGonagall: Miss, Weasley?
Ginny: Yes, professor?
Professor McGonagall: Well, as you may have noticed on your schedule, we put you in our 6th year potions and charms class.
Ginny looked down at her schedule, and, indeed, there it was. First class Potions year 6. Yet Ginny could not configure any emotion.
Ginny: Ow, yes, right.
Professor McGonagall: We hope you don't mind that you won't be taking these classes with your … groupies.
Ginny: That's all right. Thanks.
And without saying another word, she left the Great Hall.
She entered the empty dungeon classroom and took a seat near the back to wait for the others to file in. A few minutes later, the class began to fill, yet no one sitting next to her.
The twittering of quiet, personal conversations filled the room until Professor Snape entered at last, closing the door behind him. From the front, he glazed at his small group of ten students.
Snape: Good morning. While this is most unusual, I must admit that I am … excited to teach a class so small and gifted.
Snape said, directly looking at Ginny.
As Snape started explaining the side effects ofArmadillo Bile Mixture, Ginny looked around at the other students in the room. In her sweep of the room she purposely avoided the back of Malfoy's head, though it was difficult because the platinum hair directly in front of her was almost hurting her eyes.
After potions, her group of thirteen moved together up the stairs to Professor Flitwick's classroom for Charms. The silence had finally been filled again with the quiet twittering of students. They found it familiar and comforting. Ginny just found them annoying and boring, though last year she would have been thrilled to be in any of these classes.
Charms was an easy subject for Ginny, and she quickly mastered the day's lesson before zoning out. The shuffle of chairs and feet brought her out of her reverie.
Ginny: Jesus, what's wrong with me?
Ginny muttered angrily, drawing the attention of a tall, lean boy. Draco smiled to himself. He'd been staring at Ginny the whole lesson. Bloody hell, she's cute AND hot. God, she was going to be the death of him.