Which Witch?

Chapter 2: An Unwanted Wish Come True

"You know what would be so hysterically funny, Harry? If the last winner was that git Malfoy!" Ron yelled.

Harry was on the floor from laughing, and he wasn't the only one. "Yeah..."

The announcer continued, "That lucky winner is Draco Malfoy!"

"What?!" All four of them yelled at the same time. Everyone started speaking at once.

"Oh, Ginny, what have you got us into?!" Ron moaned.

"Ron, it's so not my fault. Do you think I went to them and begged them to allow that slime ball to win or something?" Ginny said, her hopes shattering.

"Oh, Malfoy will never leave us alone. He'll just keep calling us those idiotic names. Just don't pounce on him once we go to the studio, okay, Ron?" Hermione said, worried.

"BE QUIET!" Harry roared. Everyone stared. "We need to know where the studio is!" he reminded them. The announcer kept on babbling. "The studio is located just south of Hogsmeade, our only all-magic village. Our studio, Magic World of Glamour, is the best one in all of England. We expect all of you there by three o'clock tomorrow, Thursday. Further instructions will be given then. Tootles!"

"Thank you so much, Ginny. I've never been happier," Ron grumbled.

Ginny was just about to say something when Harry said, "Look, it's not going to help to blame others. We'll just have a good time. Besides, I'm sure the contract is against insult of your peers."

"I agree," Hermione said.

"But I hate it when that-" Ron said something that made Hermione say,

"Ron, watch your temper and language, especially when we get there." Ginny let out a sigh and went upstairs to her dormitory.

***

'I can't believe this is going to happen,' Ginny thought as she lay on her bed. 'This is going to be worse than hell. I definitely didn't mean it that Malfoy is not all bad. He's pure evil! And it's not like I can quit, I already agreed to the terms when I sent the sign up sheet. Oh, what am I going to do?'

***

In the Slytherin Common Room, Malfoy was being pestered by Pansy Parkinson saying, "Oh, Drakie! Why didn't they allow me in too?"

'Hmmm, gee, maybe it's because your face, which is like a pug, scares people to death.' "Look, Pansy, get out of my face and let me get to bed!" Malfoy charged towards his dormitory.

'I really do not want to be a part of this. I can't believe I will have to be stuck with those muggle-lovers for hours on end! This is going to be a living nightmare!' Malfoy heard a tapping on his window. He at once recognized his father's eagle owl. He opened the window and took the red letter in the owl's beak. "Thanks," he mumbled. The owl nipped his ear. And Malfoy realized the letter was a Howler. Why doesn't that old hag of my father ever leave me alone? He reluctantly opened the Howler and stuffed his fingers in his ears.

"HOW DARE YOU? HOW DARE YOU BECOME A MODEL? YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A MUGGLE-LOVER! A WEASLEY! YOU WILL BE BEATEN ONCE YOU GET HOME! AND YOU MAY VERY WELL END UP IN A MUGGLE HOUSEHOLD, SUCH AS GRANGER!!!! YOU WILL DIE LIKE THE POTTERS! AND I MAY BE YOUR KILLER!" Lucius Malfoy's voice rang out in Malfoy's dormitory, as though ten of him were yelling at once. Malfoy didn't mind ending up in another household, As long as they were wizards. His father had beaten him so many times before; he was used to it. He still had the scars on his back, and no matter how many times his mother tried to explain to her husband that Malfoy was an innocent child, Lucius would just not leave his son alone. As for dying, he wasn't suicidal or anything, but Malfoy was also used to his father's death threats. Always drinking and abusive to his wife and son, Lucius was going mad since Lord Voldemort's defeat this summer by that heroic, admirable, and self-centered Potter. Always trying to be the best, alongside his cronies Weasel and The Mudblood, he was. 'I can't take this anymore.' Malfoy changed his robes and fell into a fitful sleep.

***

'Well, Cho will be there.' Harry wasn't having trouble thinking about him and Cho because of the absence of Ron's loud snores. 'Maybe I can get to know her if I don't make a fool of myself. Yes, and then I could ask her out for a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.'

***

Thursday was not going so well for Ginny. It all started at breakfast. The mail arrived, and Ginny received the next issue of Witch Weekly. The magazine had listed the new models' names and pictures, but that wasn't upsetting. Next to it was a small but vivid list. Top Ten Wizards a Witch Must Get To Know. 'How superficial!', was Ginny's first thought. And she scrolled down the list. What struck her like lightning was that #3 was Draco Malfoy, #6 was Harry Potter, and #8 Ronald Weasley! Ginny giggled uncontrollably. 'How could these three lunatics manage their way on that list? And what's Malfoy doing on it?'

"Ginny, what's so funny?" Ron asked, his mouth stuffed with toast. He grabbed the magazine and saw the list. "Harry, we are--oh, no." Hermione and Harry looked at the list. Harry scowled.

"They can't do this, it's mortifying!" Harry exclaimed. Hermione, however, found the list just as Ginny has found it. The two girls exhanged high fives.

"Ginny, I am so sick of you!" Ron said quite suddenly.

"What?" Ginny asked, looking confused. "What are you talking about?"

"If any of this modeling crap hadn't taken place, none of this would have happened!"

"Ron, I have had just about enough of you. You are always blaming me on your problems. Get a life and stay out of mine!" Ginny yelled, storming out of the Great Hall.

"You can't blame her for everything, you know, Ron," Hermione said.

Two tables left, Malfoy wasn't doing well, either. After Pansy showing off to all the Slytherins how hot 'her man' was to be able to get onto the list, Malfoy received another letter. He opened it.

Dearest Draco,
I love you very much and do hope you reply to me. I trust everything is well. I realized what your father did to you yesterday. I talked to him about the Howler and received a beating. This letter, my son, is regarding him. When you come home this summer, you will not live in fear. Your father has been taken to St. Mungo's. After talking to the Healers, your father might have to spend the rest of his life there due to mental illnesses. If you want to spend Christmas in Hogwarts you may. I just hope you will tell me what has been going on in your life, such as modeling. I have made plans for us in the summer. I realized that your father had kept a mother and son from truly getting to know each other for the past sixteen years. I hope you will forgive me, my son.
Sincerely,
Mother

'I have to get out of here, now.'

And he left the hall, retracing Ginny's steps. He stuffed his mother's letter into his fist, overcome with emotion. Malfoy just wanted to run away, run away from all his problems. If anyone saw his burning red eyes or heard about his father, his reputation would be ruined! Malfoy, drowning in his thoughts, didn't watch where he was going. He ran smack into her, knocking her off her feet.

"Sorry, whoever I hit," Malfoy mumbled, trying to hide his face. Ginny was surprised with the confrontation's lack of insults.

"It's okay, just watch it next time," she replied.

"Shut up, Weasel." Ginny got a glimpse of his bloodshot eyes. She couldn't help but apologize.

That was strange. What's up with Malfoy? Ginny noticed a piece of crumpled parchment lying near where Malfoy ran into her. She picked it up and smoother it out. It was a letter from Malfoy's mother to him. Her eyes widened as she read it. Was he crying over this? At once, Ginny felt a feeling of pity towards Malfoy. But a rush of anger quickly overcame it. 'He's been going on insulting every family there is. He deserves what he got.'

'But does anyone deserve that, Ginny?' A nagging voice in the back of her head, asked, as two Ginny's fought.

'Yes, sometimes.'

'How would you feel if that happened to you?'

'But I'm not evil.'

'You said everyone's got some good in them. Maybe Malfoy does too.'

'Malfoy is an exception. He wouldn't know good if it tap danced in front of him spitting nickels.'

'Malfoy just needs someone to confide in.'

'Could be.'

***

A/N: Sorry this chapter was slightly smaller. I was having a little writers block and needed a few days to get my fan fiction vibe back after reading OotP. Lots of people were disappointed from it but not me. I really like Luna and Ginny's so...different! Well, I won't spoil it for those who aren't finished. Please review! I like being praised : P and it means a lot to me. Thanks to those who reviewed. I'll update soon!