Flipside

Chapter Six

Ginny hid out in the library for the rest of the day. She didn't eat, too afraid that she would bump into Malfoy. A nagging voice in the back of her head told her the chances of meeting him were just as great here in the library as out in the school, but she pushed the thought away. Ginny stayed in the library until she was the only one remaining before gathering up her things and going to bed.

***

For the first time in over a week, Ginny rose at the same time as her fellow roommates.

"Hey Gin, long time no see," remarked Leah, with a wink.

"Um hi," replied Ginny blushing slightly. She didn't know how to react to the unusually friendly welcome.

"Look Ginny," Leah continued, "the three of us just wanted to let you know that you don't need to isolate yourself from us," she said with a smile. "Sure, we've had our differences -"

'Differences' thought Ginny bitterly, 'if that's what you call the rude comments you made about my family and the way I look...'

"- But none of us believe anything that that Potter is saying. What I'm trying to say is, we're here for you."

"Err - thanks," Ginny sputtered. She didn't know exactly how to respond to her roommate's sudden change of heart - if that was indeed what it was.

Ginny continued to get ready in silence, barely listening to the conversation between the other girls. It seemed that all they could talk about was Quidditch. Ginny mentally slapped herself, 'Of course! Today is the first match of the season between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff!'

She proceeded to get ready slowly, so that by the time she was ready to head down for breakfast the dormitories were already empty. With a gulp, she realized that avoiding her Housemates now would result in her having to face the entire school at breakfast - alone. Walking down to the Great Hall seemed to go much faster than she would have liked and her stomach was flip flopping in fear. This would be her first meal with the majority of the school since the breakup.

Pausing before the entrance to the Great Hall, she forced the same happy look that she had donned that first day. Mentally she told herself she was being silly, 'it's been almost a week now, and it was just a break up, it's not like it hasn't happened before. I'm making a big deal out of nothing.' Taking a deep breath she pushed open the double doors and strode into the Hall confidently.

She was wrong.

As soon as her presence was noticed, the students went ghostly quiet; Ginny was shocked, though she tried not to show it - even the teachers had quieted down upon her entrance. She continued to walk across the Hall, acting as if she didn't notice the hundreds of eyes on her, and the hushed whispers. Hermione, upon seeing her approach, moved down along the bench making room for her friend. As soon as Ginny sat, the Hall seemed to explode as all the students began to resume their conversations as if nothing had happened.

She gave a cheery good morning to Hermione and Ron, who was sitting across from Ginny. She pointedly ignored Harry, who was seated beside Ron and across from Hermione. Helping herself to some scrambled eggs, she casually struck up a conversation with Hermione about the Halloween Ball, set to take place the next Friday.

During a lull in their conversation Ginny noticed Harry staring intently at her with a strange expression on his face.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," she spat at him, slightly amazed at her sudden hostility.

Harry looked shocked at the fact that she had had the guts to call him on his actions, but he quickly recovered. "I'm just amazed at watching you stuff yourself. What is that -your second or third breakfast?" he sneered.

Hermione gasped at his words. Ron, although he showed no emotion, was grasping so tightly on his goblet that his knuckles were turning white. But Ginny didn't allow him to faze her. Looking straight into his eyes and holding his gaze she used the same line she had used the previous day on Malfoy.

"Harry -darling, I think you must have mistaken me as someone who cares what comes out of your mouth."

At this she heard Hermione suppressing a giggle and Ron let out a snort of amusement. Harry on the other hand looked like a goldfish in his shock, his mouth agape. Recovering he glared at his two friends, excusing himself and then stalked out of the Hall.

Ron shook his head as he watched his friend walk away, "I don't know what has gotten into him."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "I swear Ginny, all he talks about when we are alone is how much he wants you back, but yet he goes and pulls a stunt like this."

"It couldn't have anything to do with -," Ron started to say until he noticed the look Hermione was sending him.

Ginny looked suspiciously between the two. "What are you talking about?" she questioned.

Hermione sent Ron a final glare before turning back to the younger girl. With a sigh she relented. "You know how Voldemort is getting stronger?" Ron flinched slightly, and Hermione lowered her voice to a whisper. "Well Harry never quite got the hang of Occulmency, and I think that's affecting him."

Ginny's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean Hermione?"

"She means," Ron cut in, "that sometimes it seems like Harry isn't himself. One minute we will be getting along fine, and the next he will fly off the handle on something unimportant. It's like he has two different personalities."

"He means well Ginny," Hermione reassured her, "I know he does. He just wants things to be back the way they were before. He's under a lot of stress right now."

"Just be careful Gin," Ron said giving his sister a look of concern. "He's my mate and all, but he might crack one of these days."

"It's OK Ron," Ginny reassured, "I'm not going to let him get to me." Ron gave her a small smile. "Anyway," Ginny continued, "I have to go send an Owl to Mum before the match. I'll meet up with you there Hermione, we can sit together," she suggested. "Oh and good luck out there Ron," she said shooting him a smile.

"See you Gin," he replied.

Grabbing her things she got to her feet and made her way out of the Hall. Ginny stuck to the wall, trying to remain inconspicuous. Feeling triumphant as she reached the door, she turned and left. Ginny just missed noticing a tall blonde boy, decked out loyally in black and green hastily get to his feet and follow her out into the Entrance Hall.

She had just barely set foot in the corridor leading up to the Owlery, when a pair of hands grabbed her, one around the waist and one covering her mouth stifling the scream that was just about to erupt. In a quick flurry of arms and legs, Ginny's abductor pulled her back down the corridor and hauled her into an abandoned classroom.

As her eyes got adjusted to the darkness of the room, she could just barely make out the silhouette of the boy, his gender apparent with the height and broad chest he possessed. She realized that her mouth was still covered by his hand. Not at all comfortable in the situation, she savagely bit the hand over her mouth. The kidnapper grunted in pain and thrust her away from him, while gripping at her shoulders. Her eyes watered from the pain, and then quickly narrowed in rage. As quick as she could she raised her arm and slapped him with all her might.

Much to her dismay, he was faster than she was, grabbing her wrist before she was able to touch him. The momentum from her movements caused her to sag vulnerably against him, and he took this opportunity to spin her around, grab her other wrist and pin her painfully against the chalkboard with her hands pinned securely above her head. She wriggled feebly against her captor, the chalk ledge digging painfully into her abdomen.

He leaned in towards her, his mouth next to her ear, "Déjà vu my dear," he whispered.

"Malfoy!" she gasped. "You better watch it or there will be a bit more déjà vu going on!" she threatened.

Smirking, he stepped away from her, lowering her arms from his grasp, and removed the hood of his cloak so she could see his face for the first time.

"I didn't mean to hurt you Weasley, I just couldn't allow you to get away with biting -or attempting to slap -me," he said softly. "Look, I'm -sorry," he said genuinely.

Ginny was flabbergasted, "What are you up to Malfoy? Abducting me, and then giving me an apology that doesn't seem the least bit fake? This is not like you!"

"Don't tell me what I am like Weasley," he growled, "You least of all know me as I truly am."

She stared at the Slytherin at a loss for words for what seemed like hours. Finally her eyes softened and looking to the floor uttered her own apology.

Draco gave her a haughty smile, "Nice show you gave this morning. Saw you decided to heed my advice."

"Oh get rid of your smirk," she replied. "Woke up late, that's all." But Ginny had to bite back a smile, knowing that this wasn't an excuse for having to come to the Great Hall -she still could have avoided it.

"Whatever you say Weasley," he said. "But anyway, this is about the Halloween Ball. I deem you worthy enough to accompany me."

Ginny started, "Are you quite alright Malfoy?" she questioned. "It would cause havoc for us to be seen together. And, just because I may be worthy of you - you're not worthy of me."

Malfoy simply laughed at her. "You're so naïve Weasley. It's a Costume Ball -no one needs to know, although there is no fun in that. But I should warn you; this will be the only invitation you will receive. The lovely Potter has conveniently threatened the male population from asking you, whether there -or even just a dance."

Ginny seethed in anger at thi, how dare Harry do such a thing. Whether it was because he intended to go with her, or just to make her miserable, it was not his place to do this.

"Fine Malfoy," she decided suddenly, "I accept. Now you and I both will get our revenge on Harry."

"And what will you be wearing?" he questioned. "If you wish to accompany a Malfoy there is a certain reputation you must uphold."

"Oh!" gasped Ginny. "I hadn't thought of that, I don't have anything at all."

Malfoy sighed in exasperation. "I'll find you something and I'll send it Friday afternoon." Snaking his arm around her waist he guided Ginny from the room. "Well we ought to go to the match; you need to keep up appearances."

Remembering the match reminded Ginny of the letter that she was going to send before it. Pushing away from Draco she exclaimed, "Oh! I forgot about the letter I was about to post."

Turning from him, she sprinted down the hall, around the corner and out of sight.