Belle hurried through the corridors, her Wizard's Field Guide clutched tightly in her hands. She consulted the map within it, trying to navigate the quickest route back to Gryffindor Tower. As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with Ginny, who was walking with her head down.
"Ginny!" Belle exclaimed, relief washing over her.
Ginny looked up, her expression hardening when she saw Belle. "Oh. It's you."
Belle took a deep breath. "Ginny, please. Can we talk?"
Ginny hesitated for a moment, then nodded curtly. "Fine. But not here."
They walked in silence until they reached an empty classroom. Ginny entered first, leaning against a desk with her arms crossed. Belle closed the door behind them and turned to face her friend.
"I'm so sorry, Ginny," Belle began. "I should have told you about Draco."
"Yeah, you should have," Ginny replied, her voice tight. "Why didn't you?"
Belle wrung her hands nervously. "I'm sorry. I knew you didn't like him, but he offered to help."
"He offered to help?" Ginny asked, stunned. "And you trusted him more than you trust me? After everything I've done to try to help you?"
"No!" Belle cried. "It's not like that. I just figured since he knew about my secret and offered to help, I'd see what he had to say I didn't know how to mention it to you. I didn't want to worry you. I'm so sorry I didn't say anything."
"You're a grown woman who can make her own decisions. Of course, I don't need to supervise everything you do," Ginny said. It's just that, after everything Malfoy has done to all of us, it's hard to believe he could have genuine intentions."
Belle nodded. "I know it sounds crazy, but he's really trying to make amends. He's been incredibly helpful with the research."
"But why keep it from me?" Ginny asked, hurt evident in her voice.
Belle felt a lump in her throat. "After I talked to him, I felt like I should give him a chance. I suppose I felt like I wanted to get to know him without any other opinions to influence my decision. And I didn't want to let you down by going against your advice, so I didn't know how to tell you."
Ginny's expression softened slightly. "Belle... you wouldn't have let me down by telling me the truth. I'm not upset that you're trying to find a way home. I'm upset that you didn't feel you could trust me with this information."
"I'm so sorry," Belle said, her voice cracking. "You've been nothing but a true friend to me since I arrived here. I should have told you."
Ginny sighed, then stepped forward and took Belle's hand. "I understand why you were afraid. But Belle, you can trust me. No matter what. Even if it involves working with Draco Malfoy of all people."
Belle let out a watery chuckle. "He's not so bad, you know. He's really trying to help."
"I'll believe that when I see it," Ginny said, but there was no real anger in her voice. She squeezed Belle's hand. "No more secrets, okay? We're in this together."
Belle nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "No more secrets. I promise."
"And I'm sorry I overreacted. It was a long practice and I'm tired. And it's hard to see Malfoy after everything he's done. It's even harder to think he might be trying to help," Ginny said, pulling Belle into a hug. "But I'll try. Now, tell me everything. What have you and Malfoy figured out so far?"
As they sat down on the classroom floor, Belle began to recount everything she and Draco had discovered. She carefully omitted the part about Draco's feelings for Hermione, as it that wasn't her secret to share.
As they talked late into the night, Belle felt the weight on her shoulders lighten. She realized that in Ginny, she had found not just an ally in this strange world, but a true friend.
And for the first time since she'd arrived at Hogwarts, Belle felt like she might just be able to handle whatever challenges lay ahead — as long as she had friends like Ginny by her side.