The Dragon's Savior

Chapter 1

Ginny Weasley was sitting in the living room of the Burrow with her new laptop. She had finally saved up enough money to get it. It had taken her over a year, but she had it now. Her brother, Ron, also had one. At the moment, she was setting up her e-mail account, and her brother was helping her a little.

"What do you want you screen name to be?" Ron asked her.

"Hmm, I think I've finally picked one, Fierysprite," Ginny replied.

"Interesting," Ron said, smiling.

"Well, what's yours?" she demanded.

"Attention Seeker," Ron replied turning slightly pink when Ginny started laughing. "It was Harry's idea."

"Oh, that's right, Harry and Hermione have laptops too," she said, still laughing a bit.

"Yeah, they do," Ron replied, still a little pink.

"What are their e-mail addresses?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Harry's is Emerald Hottie, and Hermione's-" Ron was cut off by Ginny's giggles.

"Whose idea was that?" Ginny asked still giggling.

"Hermione's," Ron replied with a casual shrug.

This only caused Ginny to laugh even harder. "Hermione's idea?" she sputtered between giggles.

"Yes," Ron said looking at her oddly. "Anyway, Hermione's e-mail is Charmed One16."

"Oh, I though hers would be bookworm or something," Ginny said after she stopped laughing.

"That was my suggestion, but she didn't like it. Harry suggested Charmed One," Ron replied, his voice tinged with jealousy.

Ginny caught this and asked, "Do you have a crush on Hermione?"

"No," Ron replied quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly.

"Whatever," Ginny said as she turned back to her laptop, and finished setting up her e-mail account.

"Thanks for your help Ron," Ginny said after a few minutes.

"No problem," Ron replied with a shrug.

After that he left the room, and Ginny decided to e-mail one of her best friends from Hogwarts, Michelle Daniels. She wrote:

Hey, Michelle, what's up? It's me, Ginny. I finally got my laptop. I'm so happy. How's your summer going so far? Mine's going pretty well. Anyway, e-mail me back.

Ginny

She clicked send, and decided to send an e-mail to her other two best friends, Mackenzie Rogers and Shannon O'Connor.

Hey, Mackenzie. What's up? I finally got my laptop so we can e-mail back and forth. I love your screen name, Glamgirl 24. How's you summer going so far? I can't believe it's almost time to go back to Hogwarts! It's our fifth year, I can't believe it. Anyway e-mail me back.

Ginny

Then she wrote to Shannon:

Hi, Shannon. Are you having fun this summer? I finally got my laptop! My summer's going pretty well, but it's almost over already. I can't believe we have O.W.L.s this year! Are you still coming to my house next week? I hope so.

See ya soon,

Ginny

She loved the feeling of typing e-mail on her own laptop.

*~*~*~*

Draco Malfoy logged on to his laptop, and saw that his cousin, Blaise Zabini had e-mailed him, again. He e-mailed Draco about a thousand times a day. This one said:

Draco, why don't you ever e-mail me? You have to write more! What do you think of my new e-mail address? I think it suits me well. (At this Draco rolled his eyes. Blaise's screen name was Slytherin Hottie. If anyone deserved that screen name, it was Draco.) I like yours too, Hotdragon. It is very much like you. Well, I gotta go. E-mail me back!

Blaise

His cousin was so weird. He was always online it seemed because every two seconds he e-mailed Draco.

Draco replied:

Blaise, I e-mail you all the time, it just isn't a lot compared to how much you e-mail me. I like your new address, but I don't think it suits you. Don't e-mail me so much.

Draco

Just then, another e-mail for Draco arrived. It was from someone called SexySlyth. He wasn't sure who is was, but knew it was a Slytherin.

It said:

Hi, Draco. It's Pansy. (Although you probably already guessed that because who else could be SexySlyth?) I miss you soooo much. I'm sure you miss me too. E-mail me back.

Love,

Pansy

Ugh, Draco thought. What idiot gave her my e-mail address? Draco absolutely hated Pansy Parkinson. Ever since go had agreed to go to the Yule Ball with her in their fourth year, she had been calling him her boyfriend. Draco had told her millions of times that he didn't like her, but she never listened. She was so incredibly annoying.

This is the e-mail he sent back to her:

Pansy, how did you get my e-mail address? How many times do I have to tell you? I'm NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND!!!!!!!! And you're not my girlfriend. Don't e-mail me again.

-Draco

Maybe it will get through to her this time, Draco thought hopefully, but for some reason seriously doubted that it would.

*~*~*~*

Ginny was just playing around on the internet when she got an e-mail from Quidditch Queen. That was her friend Michelle's screen name.

Hey, Gin! Congratulations on finally saving up enough money! I'm so happy for you'1 You should go to Virtualowlpost.com; it's got a great chat room for magical teens! A lot of people from Hogwarts use it. I like your screen name! My summer's going great so far! I made it into Quidditch Camp! It's going to be so much fun! See you soon!

Michelle

Michelle was one of the Chasers for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and was pretty much obsessed with everything to do with Quidditch.

Hey, Mich! You mad it into Quidditch Camp? That's great! You are going to have so much fun! I love you screen name too! It's so you! Well, have fun at Quidditch Camp, and thanks for the website, I'm going there right now. See you at school.

Ginny

After she sent it, she went to the website that Michelle recommended, www.Virtualowlpost.com. When the website showed up, she clicked on the link to take her to the teen chat room. When she entered it, she saw there were six other people there already: Hotdragon, Gossip Queen 22, RvnclwSkr, Emerald Hottie, Teenage Enchantress, and Froggylegs 91. She knew that Emerald Hottie was Harry, and suspected that RvnclwSkr was Cho Chang.

Emerald Hottie: Hey.

Fierysprite: Hey.

She had decided that she wouldn't show she knew who he was because he didn't know who she was.

Hotdragon: Hey, Newbie. List your age, sex, and school.

Fierysprite: I'm 15 years old, female, and I go to Hogwarts. What about all of you?

Emerald Hottie: I'm 16, male, I go to Hogwarts

RvnclwSkr: 17, female, Hogwarts

Froggylegs 91: 16, male, Durmstrang

Teenage Enchantress: 17, female (obviously), Beauxbatons

Gossip Queen 22: 16, female, Hogwarts

Fierysprite: cool

Hotdragon: Just so you know, we don't reveal our real names of houses here. This is just a place to hang out. One of us could be your worst enemy, but you'd never know.

Fierysprite: I like that idea, totally anonymous.

Hotdragon: Exactly. Anyway, back to our topic we had going before someone interrupted. ( ;

Emerald Hottie: Right, do you like Quidditch? For me, it's yes.

Fierysprite: yes, but I don't play much

Gossip Queen 22: hate it

Froggylegs 91: I like to watch, but not play.

Hotdragon: love it.

RvnclwSkr: definitely love it, but i gotta go

(RvnclwSkr has logged out)

Teenage Enchantress: I agree with Froggylegs 91 like to watch, hate to play

Fierysprite: does anyone play Quidditch?

Emerald Hottie: i do

Hotdragon: I do too

Gossip Queen 22: Uh, no way!

Froggylegs 91: I don't play either

Teenage Enchantress: Me neither. What about you Fierysprite? By the way, I love you screen name.

Fierysprite: Thanks, I like yours too. I don't play Quidditch yet, but I'm trying out this year.

Teenage Enchantress: Cool, what position is you favorite? If I played, I'd be a beater.

(Gossip Queen 22 has logged out.)

Fierysprite: I'm going to try to be a chaser

Teenage Enchantress: cool

Fierysprite: What about you three?

Hotdragon: How nice of you to bring us back into the conversation.

Fierysprite: ha, ha

Hotdragon: my favorite position is seeker

Emerald Hottie: same as Hotdragon, seeker

Froggylegs 91: if I played, I would want to be a keeper. I gotta go, bye.

(Froggylegs 91 has logged out.)

Teenage Enchantress: How'd you guys pick you screen names? By you appearance? your personality? what?

Hotdragon: mine is pretty much appearance because I am one of the hottest guys in my house.

Fierysprite: Could you be anymore full of yourself?

Hotdragon: Yes, I could

Fierysprite: (rolls eyes) anyway, mine is pretty much my appearance

Hotdragon: what, you look like a sprite that's on fire?

Fierysprite: ha, ha, ha, no. I'm just a bit petite that's all. What about you two?

Emerald Hottie: my girlfriend suggested mine

Ginny's jaw dropped at this. His girlfriend? Since when?

Fierysprite: Ahh, that's so cute

Hotdragon: I think it's nauseating

Fierysprite: Whatever

Teenage Enchantress: I agree with Fierysprite. Anyway, I picked my screen name because I'm a teenager and an enchantress

Fierysprite: It all makes sense now (:

Teenager Enchantress: I gotta go, but meet you all at 3 tomorrow?

Hotdragon: yeah, as always

Emerald Hottie: sure

Fierysprite: she ya there

(Teenage Enchantress has logged out)

Emerald Hottie: Fierysprite, do you have any siblings

Fierysprite: (laughs) a few or maybe more than a few

Hotdragon: oh real specific

Fierysprite: well if I said how many you could figure out who I was

Hotdragon: whatever

Emerald Hottie: I gotta go, my friends are picking me up in ten minutes and I'm not packed yet

(Emerald Hottie has logged out)

Ginny giggled. She had forgotten that Harry and Hermione were coming to stay with them for the rest of the summer.

Hotdragon: they're trying to set up

Fierysprite: what makes you say that?

Hotdragon: you want to go to a private chat room?

Fierysprite: sure

(Hotdragon has logged out)

Ginny logged out of that chat room as well, and then went to hook up with Hotdragon in a private chat room.

Hotdragon: now as I was saying no one ever logs out until 4

Fierysprite: why 4?

Hotdragon: because everyone has their own little group, our group has from 3-4 that way if you want you can always talk to the same people

Fierysprite: oh

Hotdragon: anyone new just stumbles into a group and you happened to stumble into ours

Fierysprite: I guess that makes sense

Hotdragon: exactly did you know anyone in that chat room?

Fierysprite: yeah, Emerald Hottie and I think I know who Rvnclw Skr is

Hotdragon: me too, she doesn't show up that often though

Fierysprite: oh did you know anyone?

Hotdragon: no, it didn't seem like Emerald Hottie knew who you were

Fierysprite: that's because he doesn't know

Hotdragon: what are you some insane stalker or something

Fierysprite: no you idiot I just got my laptop today

Hotdragon: oh that makes much more sense you don't seem to be the insane stalker type

Fierysprite: (rolls her eyes) yeah anyway I go company coming like now so I gotta go but I'll e-mail you

Hotdragon: alright I'm online a lot

Fierysprite: good I'd like to chat with you more

Hotdragon: me too see ya

Fierysprite: bye

(Fierysprite has logged out)

*~*~*~*

Draco smiled to himself; he liked this girl, Fierysprite, so far. He wondered who it was. He was pretty sure she wasn't a Slytherin. She didn't sound like it. Then again, he probably didn't sound very Slytherinish either.

Oh, well. I'll just have to keep trying to figure it out, he thought.

There must be a clue in her screen name. Hmm, Fierysprite, Fierysprite, Fierysprite. I have no idea. Why do I care anyway? he asked himself. Then he answered himself, because she was a lot of fun to talk to.

Anyway, he now had another e-mail. Oh great, he though, it's from Pansy again. What does she want now?

Oh come on Draco, you know you love me. To answer your question, Blaise gave me your e-mail address. (Of course, who else would be stupid enough to? Draco asked.) Draco, I have to see you before school starts. Will you come school supply shopping with me? Please.

Love,

Pansy

She is so annoying.

Pansy, I do not love you! I'm going to kill Blaise for giving you my e-mail! I will not go school supply shopping with you, and for the last time, I'm not you boyfriend!!!!!

Draco didn't even bother to sign; she knew who it was from. Now to write to his idiot cousin.

Blaise, you are such a bloody idiot! How could you give Pansy Parkinson my e-mail address?! Uhhh, now she keeps e-mailing me. How could you be so stupid? I mean honestly! I am going to kill you.

Your incredibly livid cousin,

Draco

There, now he would wait for Fierysprite's e-mail.

*~*~*~*

As Ginny was shutting down her laptop, she heard Harry and Hermione arriving downstairs. She decided to go and greet them.

When she arrived downstairs, everyone was greeting the guests. Hermione was the first to spot her.

"Ginny," she squealed.

"Hey, Hermione," Ginny said as she walked over, and hugged her. Over the years, Ginny and Hermione had become good friends. Ginny wasn't such an outcast of the Dream Team anymore, besides she had other friends.

"How are you?" Hermione asked.

"Pretty good. What about you?"

"I'm good too."

After this, Ginny turned to Harry. He smiled at her, "Hey, Gin."

"Hi, Harry," she said while giving him a hug. She had also gotten a lot closer to Harry, after she had outgrown her crush on him. Now, they hung out a lot together.

"Harry, can I talk to you for a sec?" Ginny asked him.

"Sure," Harry replied, following Ginny out of the room.

"How long have you and Hermione been dating?" Ginny asked, smiling.

"How'd you know about that?" Harry asked, very surprised. He hadn't thought anyone had figured it out yet.

"Well, you said your girlfriend helped pick out your screen name, and I knew that Hermione was the one who helped you," she stated matter-of-factly.

"How'd you know my girlfriend helped pick it out?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Because you said so," Ginny said.

"But I said that on- oh. You're Fierysprite," Harry said, realization finally dawning.

"Exactly," Ginny replied with a smile.

"Did you finally get your laptop?" Harry asked.

"Yep," she said proudly.

"Congratulations, you've been saving for awhile," Harry said.

"Thanks, but you never answered my question," Ginny pointed out.

"What question?" Harry asked, confused.

"How long have you and Hermione been dating?" Ginny asked again.

"Oh, since the end of last year," Harry told her.

"Cool," Ginny replied. She was about to ask another question when they heard Hermione call from the other room, Harry, Ginny, where are you?

"Coming, Hermione," Ginny shouted back.

Then they walked back into the other room. While Hermione was looking at her, Ginny mouthed, Congratulations to her. Hermione smiled at her and mouthed, Thanks.

"We have an announcement to make," Hermione said, smiling.

"Yes. Hermione and I are dating," Harry finished for her.

"Oh, congratulations," Mrs. Weasley said hugging them both. Then they looked at Ron.

"What do you think, Ron?" Hermione asked nervously.

"What about Ginny?" he asked, stalling for time.

"She already knew somehow," Hermione replied, "What about you?"

"How long have you been dating?" Ron asked accusingly.

Harry and Hermione exchanged nervous glances.

"Well," Harry began sheepishly. "since the end of the school year."

"You've been dating almost three months, and you haven't told me?" Ron yelled. He was hurt. Why would they keep it a secret from him? "You told my little sister, before you told me, you best friend? Why? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, you see, we thought, we thought you might be jealous," Hermione said slowly.

"Why would I be jealous?" Ron demanded.

No one spoke at first. Then Ginny blurted out, "because you have a crush on Hermione."

Ron looked at Ginny, shocked. "How would you know?"

Ginny looked back at him and said, "Uh, maybe because you do, and it's painfully obvious."

"Well, you still should have told me," and then stomped up to his room.

Ginny looked apologetically at Harry and Hermione. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make him mad," she said.

"It's alright Gin. You were right. That's why we didn't tell him," Hermione said gently. "By the way, how did you know we were dating? He promised he wouldn't tell anyone."

"Hey, I didn't tell her, she figured it out on her own," Harry said defensively.

"Yeah, I figured it out, with his help," Ginny defended Harry. Hermione shot Harry a look. "He unintentionally helped me."

"Oh. How?"

"Well, we were in the same chat room, and he said his girlfriend helped him pick out his screen name. Earlier Ron had told me you had suggested it. So I put the pieces together, and ta-da. I figured it out."

"You mean you finally got your laptop?" Hermione asked excitedly.

"Yeah," Ginny said, smiling.

"Congratulations. You've been saving up for a long time. Now we can e-mail each other all of the time," Hermione replied happily.

"I know, isn't it great?" Ginny said also smiling.

"Definitely," Hermione replied. She had been waiting for Ginny to get her laptop for awhile.

"She just got her laptop today, and already she's met a guy," Harry teased, re-entering the conversation.

"Really?" Hermione asked with interest.

"Well sorta. You see, I went to a chat room, and was chatting with all the people in it. Then, everyone slowly logged out one by one, until only I and this one guy were left. After that, we moved to a private chat room until you guys showed up," Ginny explained.

"How interesting. Do you know what school he goes to?" Hermione asked.

"Hogwarts," Ginny replied.

"Yeah, and tell Hermione his screen name," Harry said jokingly. He was having a hard time staying in the conversation.

"Oh that. His screen name is Hotdragon," Ginny said, blushing slightly.

"Ooh, going for a hot one," Hermione teased. "Are you sure you're old enough for that Ginny?"

"Ha, ha," Ginny replied sarcastically. "And whose boyfriend is Emerald Hottie? Oh right, that's you."

"Alright, alright, you've got a point. Hey, have you set up you buddy list yet?" Hermione asked.

"No," Ginny replied.

"Come on, we'll help you," Hermione offered.

"We'll help you?" Harry asked indignantly. "Excuse me, but who said I would help?"

"Come on, Harry, you have nothing better to do," Ginny pointed out.

"Alright fine, let's go to your room," Harry relented.

*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, Ron was in his bedroom, thinking about what Ginny had said. "Uh, maybe because you do, and it's painfully obvious." It was true, he did have a crush on Hermione, but he didn't think it was that obvious. Even Hermione knew for heaven's sake. And, maybe, he was jealous, but they shouldn't have kept it a secret. He may have been upset for awhile, but he would have gotten over it pretty easily. Now though, it would take more time because he was also mad the kept it a secret.

Oh well, I'll just go online, and see what's happening, he thought.

*~*~*~*

Harry, Hermione, and Ginny sat on Ginny's bed, working on her buddy list. They were making a list of who she wanted on it. So far they had: Emerald Hottie- Harry, Charmed One16- Hermione, Hotdragon- ?, Glamgirl 24- Mackenzie, Quidditch Queen- Michelle, Bookworm Princess- Shannon.

"Do you want anyone else?" Hermione asked her.

Ginny thought for a minute, then smacked herself in the forehead, "Duh. Ron. Add him to the list."

"Okay. Do you want to put them on your laptop now?" Hermione asked her.

"Yeah," Hermione asked her.

Harry and Hermione taught her how to add names, and then she started to add her friends' e-mail addresses.

Then she added them one by one. She noticed that her brother was online. A plan began to form in her head.

"Harry, Hermione, do you want to tell Ron you're sorry?" she asked.

"Yes," they both replied immediately.

"Alright, I'll send him an e-mail that says to meet me in the living room in five minutes, you guys go down, and wait for him," Ginny ordered.

"They followed her orders as she began to type her e-mail to Ron.

Hey, Ron! It's Gin. I want to talk to you about something. Could you meet me in the living room in five minutes? Thanks.

Love,

Ginny

She pressed send, and then decided to read her e-mail. She had two, one was from her friend Shannon, and the other was from Hotdragon.

The one from Shannon said:

Hey, Gin! Congrats on the laptop! Now, we can talk to each other during the summer! My summer is going pretty well so far. What about you? Yes, I'm still coming to your house next week! I can't wait! See you soon!

Shannon

Ginny replied:

Hi, Shannon. I'm glad you're still coming next week! My summer's going great, but I gotta go!

See ya soon,

Ginny

Ginny was anxious to read the e-mail from Hotdragon. She had really enjoyed chatting with him. His e-mail said:

Hey, Fierysprite! Why haven't you e-mailed me yet? E-mail me!

-Hotdragon

Ginny rolled her eyes. He was so impatient, couldn't even wait an hour to talk to her again.

Hey, Hotdragon! You are so impatient; I told you I had company. I was talking to them. IM me, okay? Talk to you soon.

Fierysprite

Ginny only had to wait about ten seconds, when Hotdragon had Instant Messaged her.

Hotdragon: hey

Fierysprite: hey

Hotdragon: (pouts) so, you like talking to your company more than me?

Fierysprite: (rolls eyes) don't be stupid, I've only known you for a few hours, and I don't even know your real name.

Hotdragon: that doesn't mean you can't like talking to me.

Fierysprite: I do like talking to you

Hotdragon: but you forgot about me

Fierysprite: I talked to you an hour ago

Hotdragon: an hour and a half ago

Fierysprite: fine, whatever, but it wasn't that long

Hotdragon: (seductively) it seemed like a long time to me, baby

Fierysprite: you don't even know me and you're trying to seduce me?

Hotdragon: yep

Fierysprite: you are so weird

Hotdragon: that I am

Fierysprite: (rolls eyes) well, at least you admitted it

Hotdragon: who are you? It's driving me mad

Fierysprite: ah, that explains it, I want to know who you are too, but what you said in the chat room is true, you could be my worst enemy and I would never know it until you tell me

Hotdragon: it's not likely

Fierysprite: but it's possible

Hotdragon: buy we get along really well

Fierysprite: how about we wait a month, and if we still get along really well and still want to know in a month, we can tell

Hotdragon: alright

Fierysprite: when are you going school supply shopping in Diagon Alley?

Hotdragon: haven't decided, when are you going?

Fierysprite: Wednesday, why don't you go then too? In know that I won't know who you are, but I'll probably see you without knowing it

Hotdragon: okay good idea

Fierysprite: what year are you in?

Hotdragon: sixth

Fierysprite: oh, duh, you're sixteen

Hotdragon: yeah, so you're in fifth year?

Fierysprite: yeah, O.W.L. year

Hotdragon: ooh, lucky you, O.W.L. year is hard

Fierysprite: thanks, I feel so much better

Hotdragon: well, it's true

"Ginny, it's dinnertime," her mother yelled from downstairs.

"I'll be down in a minute," she yelled back.

Fierysprite: my mum's calling, I gotta go

Hotdragon: why do you always have to leave? I think you're lying

Fierysprite: I am not, it's time for dinner

"Ginny," her mother yelled again.

"Just a sec," she replied.

Hotdragon: whatever

Fierysprite: it's true, you gotta believe me, please, I don't want to leave with you mad at me

Hotdragon: I was just kidding

Fierysprite: don't do that! I can't see your face, so I can't tell if you're joking or not

"Virginia Weasley, get down here now! The food is getting cold!" her mother was mad now.

"One second!" she yelled back.

Hotdragon: alright, sorry

Fierysprite: look I would love to stay and chat but my mum's getting mad at me now

Hotdragon: alright, e-mail me later

(Fierysprite has logged off)

After she closed her laptop, she ran downstairs. Everyone was waiting for her. She sat down at the last open seat, next to Harry. Everyone began to eat, but Ginny was looking around the table quizzically.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were at the ends. Then to the right of Mrs. Weasley was Ginny. Next to her was Harry, and next to him was Hermione. Mr. Weasley at the other end, and then the twins. Next to them was Ron. Usually, Ginny was the one that sat next to the twins.

"Didn't you make up with Ron?" Ginny whispered to Harry.

"No, he wouldn't listen to us, and now he's mad at you too," Harry replied.

"Why is he mad at me?" Ginny whispered to Harry.

"because you lied to him in the e-mail," Harry explained.

"He is so immature," Ginny commented.

"That may be true, but he's still my friend and I wish he wasn't mad at me," Harry replied quietly.

"I know, I'll help you get him to listen," Ginny offered.

"Thanks, Gin," he replied gratefully.

"So Ginny," said Fred. "What were you doing in your room?"

"Our guess was you had snuck a boy up there, and you were snogging," George added.

Ginny blushed slightly at this comment.

"It was probably something close to that," Harry teased her.

Ginny shot him a death glare, and he shut up almost immediately.

"What do you mean, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Uh, nothing," Harry replied guiltily.

Ginny smiled when she heard Hermione hiss something to Harry that sounded like, are you trying to get all the Weasleys to hate you?
"Oh, Mum, it's nothing," Ginny said. "I was just talking to some guy I met on the internet."

"He could be dangerous," Mrs. Weasley warned.

"Mum, he's sixteen years old, and goes to Hogwarts just like Harry and Ron. Besides, he seems really sweet, so he's either really is sweet of he's a really good actor. I mean, ask Harry, he's known him longer," Ginny told her mother.

"What do you think Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"He seems really nice to me. I talk to him pretty much everyday, and I like him a lot. Besides, what would he do? He doesn't know Ginny's name, he doesn't even know what house she's in. She'll be fine," Harry said calmly.

"What's his screen name?" Fred asked.

"Uh, well, um Hotdragon," Ginny mumbled. It wasn't as if it was anything bad, but she knew that her brothers and mother would overreact. On second thought, so would her father.

"What was that, Gin? I didn't catch that," Ron said. He was enjoying watching her squirm.

"Hotdragon," she repeated, clearer and louder this time.

Everyone was silent for a minute, and then all of the Weasleys started yelling.

"Everyone shut up! His screen name doesn't mean he's bad. I mean, Harry's is Emerald Hottie!" Ginny yelled. She was frustrated. Her brothers and her parents always treated her like a little girl. "I'm not a little girl anymore; I don't need your constant protection anymore! I'm fifteen years old, and I can make my own decisions! Stop treating me like I'm three years old!" After she finished, she ran upstairs to her room.

*~*~*~*

After Fierysprite had logged out, Draco had just been going to different sites, not doing anything in particular. When, to his surprise, ten minutes later Fierysprite sent him an IM.

Fierysprite: hey

Hotdragon: hey that was fast

Fierysprite: yeah well when your family treats you like a three year old dinner gets cut short

Hotdragon: what happened?

Fierysprite: my brother asked me what I had been doing, I told him and my mum became kind of weary. I told her it was fine, she finally relented, but then my brother asked what your screen name was, that's when it all went downhill

Hotdragon: why? What's wrong with my screen name?

Fierysprite: nothing it's just that my parents and siblings see me as a little girl that needs protecting, they flipped, and then I yelled at them, then I ran up here to my room

Hotdragon: oh

Fierysprite: sorry you probably didn't want to know all that

Hotdragon: hey I asked, besides, it seemed like you needed to tell someone, I was happy to help

Fierysprite: thanks, you're right I did need that

Hotdragon: like said, I'm happy to help

Fierysprite: look I really want to talk to you more but once again my mum is interrupting

Hotdragon: alright I'll talk to you later; my dad wants to talk to me anyway

(Hotdragon has logged off)

Draco shut down his laptop, and then turned to glare at his father. "What do you want?" he snapped.

"What have you been doing all day? Playing with that Muggle toy?" Lucius asked, his voice filled with disdain.

"It's not a toy, and I wasn't playing with it, I was trying to make some friends. I would make some at school, but almost everyone's afraid of me, except the Slytherins, who are all mean, cold-hearted people, just like you," Draco replied coldly.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Malfoys don't-" Lucius began, but was cut off by Draco.

"Malfoys don't need friends," Draco finished. "I know, but I think you're wrong. You may not need friends, but I do, father," he spat the last word out with contempt.

"Needing shows weakness. Malfoys don't need anything I thought you'd have learned that by now, but I guess not!" Lucius yelled at his son. "You had better shape up, boy, or you'll be sorry."

"I'm not so sure about that," Draco replied, his eyes flickering with challenge.

"I must teach you a lesson then," Lucius said calmly. "Crucio!" He pointed his wand at Draco, and he hit the floor writhing in pain. He did his best to bite back screams of pain, but it was just too much. The pain was beginning to blind him, and his vision was going black. Just as Draco fell into unconsciousness, Lucius stopped the curse, and then walked out of the room, leaving Draco unconscious on the floor.

*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, Ginny was talking to her mother in her room. "Look Mum, I'm sorry I yelled at you, it's just-" Ginny began, but was cut off.

"Ginny dear, I'm sorry I got upset with you at dinner. You're right, you're fifteen, and can make your own decisions. It's just that you're the youngest and my only daughter, and I don't want anything to happen to you. If you want to talk to this Hotdragon person, then you can. I won't stop you, and neither will your bothers. And dear, I don't care that you yelled because it was the only way to get anyone's attention," Mrs. Weasley said gently.

"Thanks, Mum," Ginny replied, smiling.

After that, Mrs. Weasley left the room, and went back downstairs. Ginny booted up her laptop. When she got on the internet, she was surprised to find that Hotdragon wasn't online. Oh well, she thought, I'll send him an e-mail.

Hey, Hotdragon. What's up? Where are you? Why aren't you online? E-mail or IM me when you get online. Can't wait to talk to you!

Talk to you soon,

Fierysprite

Now all she could do was wait. She surfed the internet for about forty five minutes, when she saw Harry had logged on. She decided to IM him.

Fierysprite: hey, Harry

Emerald Hottie: hey Gin. what's up?

Fierysprite: nothing much, I'm waiting to Hotdragon to log on

Emerald Hottie: oh, did he say he would talk to you again tonight?

Fierysprite: yeah

Emerald Hottie: when was that?

Fierysprite: almost an hour ago, he was going to talk to his father, then come back, and talk to me

Emerald Hottie: weird

Fierysprite: yeah

Emerald Hottie: it's getting late and I wanted to check something really quick

Fierysprite: alright I get the point, I think I'm going to go to bed, good night

Emerald Hottie: good night, Ginny

(Fierysprite has logged off)

Ginny shut down her laptop, climbed into bed, and fell asleep almost instantly.