Hermione stands in front of the younger girl, the younger sister of her good friend Ron, nervous, fidgeting, unsure of herself and what she feels she must do. She's aware of the redhead's feelings on the matter of Draco Malfoy, of her infatuation, but she can't help but to feel there's more to it than meets the eye. She's seen the demonic boy intimidate and bully his way through the school, and she's bared witness to his…extensive capabilities, and it just doesn't make sense to her that he can so smoothly seduce someone as fiery, yet shy (understandably due to her traumatic first year), independent and stubborn as Ginny Weasley.

"Ginny!" She calls out the girl, catching her just as she enters the Common Room, and the girl gives her a surprised look, one that says she wasn't expecting this conversation, because why would she? The two of them haven't interacted much, not as much as they should, given her proximity and closeness to the Weasley family, and really that's something she'd have to fix one of these days. She makes sure to note that in the back of her mind.

"Her…mione?" The girl approaches hesitantly, unsure. Hermione makes sure to smile at the girl, reassuring her that everything is fine, as that's what the books say to do, to give reassurance, to connect with the subject on a level, to…her thoughts trail off as she realizes it's not working how she thought, and that Ginny appears to be only more unsettled at the sight of her bright teeth and wide mouth. "Are you OK?" The youngest Weasley asks with concern etched onto her face.

"O-of course! Never better!" She dismisses the concern with a more sincere smile, genuinely happy that the younger girl showed her care for her, something that only strengthened her resolve to help.

"OK…did you need something?" The younger girl questions, eyebrow raised, and Hermione is quick to dismiss the notion.

"No! No, of course not, I'm fine and you…" She suddenly remembers that technically she does need something, even if it's just Ginny's time to properly present her case and her gift. "Well, actually, I do need something, but it's mostly just your time, as I have something of the utmost importance to discuss with you." She ends with a nod, hoping she doesn't sound as frazzled as she feels. Given the Weasley's expression, her hope remains unanswered.

"Uh…OK…" The girl takes a seat next to Hermione, placing her books by her side, which calms her nerves some, step one of the plan is complete. "So what's up?" She questions, so blunt so honest, so…Ginny.

"Well…I, uh, what I want to discuss is about a…common acquaintance of ours, but one whom we feel completely different about. I think. And it's very important that you hear me out, because the whole situation is potentially dangerous, even if it doesn't seem so at first." She bites her lip, trying to remember what else the books said about handling a situation like this.

"Hermione…breathe. I don't understand what you're saying." The younger girl all but demands. Right, calm down Hermione. Approach this just how the books say to. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Hermione finds herself evened out, matching the gaze of her friend's sister, and hopefully her friend in the future.

"It's about Mal-Draco." She corrects her slip up quickly, and congratulates herself for using his first name, just as Ginny would. This should connect the two and make things easier on the third-year girl.

"Dr….draco?" Ginny's brow furrows in confusion, before it dawns on her who she's talking to. Her eyes quickly roll, and she exhales as she retorts in a presumptuous tone. "Let me guess, I should stay away from him and he's evil, and he's a Malfoy…" She lists off the many reasons her family often spewed at her as reasons to avoid the fourth-year Slytherin boy.

"No, I—!" Hermione denies quickly, before thinking on the words and nodding subconsciously. "I mean, yes, he is all those things, but that's not what I'm here to talk about." She explains. Ginny nods slowly.

"OK, so what then?" The redhead gives the bushy-haired brunette an appraising look. "You're not here to support me and him are you?" She knows it's unlikely, but she has to ask.

"What? No!" The older girl denies again. "I'd never—!" She stops herself before she can complete a sentence she'd likely regret. "What I mean is, I have something more urgent and more important." She says as she fetches a necklace from her robes. "Here, wear this!" Ginny looks at the necklace with a side eye before slowly reaching out to grab it.

"What is it?" She asks, turning the piece of jewelry in her hand, inspecting it. "And why?" This jostles the muggleborn girl's memory.

"Oh, right!" She exclaims with a smile. "Well, you know how…we have had our run ins with Draco?" Ginny nods. "And how he…generally seems to run on control and intimidation?" Again Ginny nods.

"Yes?"

"Well I crafted something to stop him from doing so to you." She offers up. "A spell-canceling artifact Ginny, blocking mind interference spells such as Legimency and…well not the Imperius curse, as that's an Unforgivable and thus unblockable, but anything short of."

"And that artifact is…" Hermione nods.

"The necklace, yes." Ginny looks it over again, narrowing her eyes as she does.

"Hermione…thanks but…I, why do I need this?" She questions, fire in her eyes, daring the girl to say what she thinks she wants to say. Hermione responds by biting her lip nervously.

"It's just a theory…" She starts. "But I believe Mal-Draco has been using magic to get like him." She clarifies. Ginny opens her mouth to protest, but Hermione cuts her off. "I don't think it's full-on control, like the Imperius spell, but if he's doing it at all, it is still illegal, and more importantly, it's against Hogwarts rules." She finishes resolutely. Ginny still looks hesitant, before snapping her head up.

"What?" The redhead questions, not sure if she heard the last part clearly.

"On page 319, paragraph 4, section 2 of Hogwarts: A History, it states that no student shall infringe upon or control the mind, free will, or thoughts of another student on school grounds." Hermione states proudly.

"On school grounds?"

"Yes, off school grounds is covered by page 472—"

"Hermione!" She interrupts the brainiac's rant. "Focus." She all but demands as her facial expressions morph along with the topic. "Back to Draco, I…" She trails off for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "I don't think he—" Again, the older girl cuts her off.

"Ginny." She says almost sympathetically. "Think of it this way, if he isn't, then nothing will change." She points out. "The necklace won't do anything." She swallows. "But it'll give me peace of mind if you can just…wear it? Please?" Ginny nods once more.

"Alright, I can do that." Another genuine smile makes its way to the muggleborn girl's face, as she lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Good." She looks up at the youngest Weasley who's already put the necklace on.

"Do Ron and Harry—?" She questions quietly, as the bushy-haired girl responds with a shake of her head.

"Not yet. I…wanted something more substantial, so we could go to the headmaster." Ginny's eyes widen.

"The headmaster?" Hermione nods, her face grim. The Weasley girl remains silent as she thinks over those words.

It's only the next day when Ginny puts the necklace to the test; or rather Draco does, approaching her as he usually does. He asks about her summer, about the Quidditch Cup, and even inquires about her well-being, as he usually would but…something feels…off. He hasn't done anything wrong, but it's just…she doesn't feel it as much? Like he's not as dreamy as he usually is, even if he is as handsome, and her heart isn't thumping as much, and he seems more…less smooth, and more….awkward? Gone is the warm feeling of protection and love and in its place is the feeling of danger and unease.

In an almost-panic, Ginny quickly ends the conversation on autopilot and scurries back to the Gryffindor Common Room, eager to speak with Hermione. She was right; he was doing something to get her to like him, and she wanted to know what.

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Draco can't even pretend to be surprised when his name is called as Hogwarts champion and he takes his spot onstage, in front of all three schools as the obvious and eventual winner. He's not shocked either when he sees the gorgeous Fleur Delacour, and the ever-talented Viktor Krum chosen to represent their own schools. What he is surprised by, or rather exasperated by, is when he sees none other than Harry Potter as the fourth champion somehow, having bypassed the rules and logic of the selection, not to mention the criteria of choosing a worthy champion. Instantly he stares down the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, causing the man to quickly look away. Of course.