The Devil's Stratagem

The Devil's Stratagem Chapter Six: An Unwanted Guest

I can't meet
Losing sleep over this
No I can't
And now I cannot stop pacing
Give me a few hours
I'll have this all sorted out
If my mind would just stop racing

Cause I cannot stand still
I can be this unsturdy
This cannot be happening

'Somewhere In Between' by Lifehouse

***

Ginny was walking on clouds for the remainder of the day... why shouldn't she be? She just got a job and possibly a date, all in one day. She was parading down the street; humming to herself and grinning like a fool. A passing couple looked at her oddly as she hugged herself.

She paused at a curbside flower shop to smell some of the flowers. She even bought a rose for herself. It was enchanted to bloom every few minutes. Ginny was very pleased. So much so, she began to bounce about.

Stopping in mid-twirl, she realised that she didn't have any decent dress robes that she could wear to the meeting; or whatever it was- she didn't even know. The newest looking ones were the robes that she had purchased for Ron and Luna's wedding, and those were hideous since she was one of Luna's bridesmaids. Ginny found Luna's taste in clothes atrocious.

She shivered at the thought of the bubbly blue cloth with the stars hanging off at the ends. No, she certainly couldn't wear those. Taking a look around, she spotted a little hole-in-the-wall place with all kinds of robes.

Well, it's not Madam Malkin's, but it'll do. She thought rather cheerfully to herself as she pushed the doors open. A tiny bell clanged to signal her entrance and a wide woman immediately tottered to her side.

"Welcome! May I assist you?" she chimed, giving Ginny a once-over.

Ginny shook her head. "No, thank you. I'm just browsing."

With a curt nod, the woman bustled over to the desk at the back of the store.

Strolling between racks of dresses and robes, Ginny didn't exactly see anything that caught her eye. There were items of clothing ranging from standard black dresses with frills on the bottom and bright pink robes that Luna most likely would have bought. Ginny shivered at the latter and thought the former a bit too plain.

Just as she was about to walk out of the shop, a champagne-colored dress caught her eye. Turning on her heel, she went over to it and pulled it out of the rack. Ginny gasped. It was beautiful. She quickly dashed into the dressing room to try it on.

Carefully, she put the dress on. It was simply stunning. A band of gold beads sat just below her breasts and underneath the band of beads, there was another layer of sheen material that was split down the middle so the actual dress could be seen. The ends of the fabric folded just below her feet.

Ginny examined herself in the mirror, twisting and turning so she could inspect herself. The dress looked as if it was made for her. She smiled, knowing that she absolutely had to have it, even if she decided not to wear it tonight.

She took it off and put her day clothes back on. A smile seemed to be plastered to her face. Today just can't get any better! she inwardly beamed. Placing the dress gingerly on the check out counter, she let the woman who had greeted her rang it up. The price was simply atrocious, but Ginny figured it would be well worth it.

Thanking the woman, she stepped out of the shop, only to apparate home.

***

"What do you mean you can't see me tonight?" Yelled Harry's contorted face from Ginny's fireplace.

"Exactly what I said. I can't see you. I have a... job interview to attend to!" She gulped, inching back in her chair that faced the fireplace. Sometimes Harry could be quite scary.

When he didn't speak, she began to get nervous. "Oh, honestly Harry! I need to have some source of income! I DO have bills to pay, you know...And besides, we can always reschedule, can't we?" She asked him, her eyebrows arching. Was he really going to be this unreasonable?

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "You just had to ruin it didn't you? I had the entire night planned!" He stared at her sternly over his glasses; but when he saw the piteous expression that covered her face, he gave in. "Agh. I suppose we can, but it'll have to be when it's convenient for ME. All right?"

She nodded, standing from the chair. "Thank you so much!" Bending down, she kissed him on the cheek. "But I do have to get ready now. I'm sure you'll find someone else to go out with tonight. Take care!"

With a grunt and a 'pop', Harry's head disappeared. Ginny grumbled to herself. "He's always so moody."

Hurrying into the bathroom, she stopped at the medicine cabinet to check herself. "Hmm. We have a bit of work to do, don't we?" She tsked at her reflection and neared the tub. Turning the warm faucet up all the way and the cold only half, she walked back to the medicine cabinet, opening it this time.

She pushed aside potion bottles and medicine boxes. "Dammit, where'd the bubble bath go?" she grumbled, closing the cabinet and crouching down on the floor. She opened the little drawers just below the sink and began tearing those apart.

"Ah-ha!" She giggled, holding a bottle triumphantly in her hand. "There you are."

Walking over to the bath, she tipped some of the bottle's contents into the water. Bubbles began forming and a light, flowery scent spread about the room. Noting that the bath was just a little below half filled, Ginny walked into the living room in search of her latest copy of 'Witch Weekly'.

After finding it under the couch, she rolled it up and grasped it in her hand, then flitted back into the bathroom. She hastened over to her nearly filled tub and quickly turned the faucets off.

"That was close..." she sighed, shedding her clothes. She extended a foot into the bubbly water and a soothing warmth spread throughout her. Slowly, she sank into the tepid water. Realising that she still had her magazine in her hand, she placed it on the floor, directly next to the tub. Her mind began to wander as she slipped under the water.

What was tonight really about? What exactly was this new job that she had accepted? Was it going to provide a steady income? Would she be able to live off of it? What was going on with Blaise; did he simply like her intellect? Why was Harry so mad about her cancelling?

Ginny shook her head to rid the numerous thoughts from her mind. Leaning over, the water sloshing with her sudden movement, she grabbed at the magazine. Opening the pages, careful not to wet them, she leafed through, seeing what the latest fashions were.

Apparently curly hair was in. Well! Ginny thought to herself. I suppose I could try it...

An hour and a half later, Ginny was still running about her flat, gathering this and that so she would be finished getting ready. Her shoes sat forgotten in the corner as she fluffed her hair. I knew I shouldn't have done my bloody hair like this!

The doorbell rang throughout the house, causing Ginny to jump up like a frightened cat. Clutching her heart, she answered the door only to find a devilishly handsome Blaise grinning at her.

"You look lovely," they both said at the same time. A blush promptly spread across both of their cheeks.

"Why don't you come in while I find my shoes..." Ginny suggested, opening the door all the way so he could enter. He nodded, stepping inside. Ginny kicked the door closed and dashed to her room to find her shoes.

Blaise stood in the entrance with his hands in his pockets, admiring her flat. "This place is rather tidy..."

"Pssh," Ginny said as she hopped into the room, trying to put her shoe on as she went. "This place is a complete mess. I'm ashamed. Don't you dare look at it..."

He didn't do anything besides shoot her an odd glance.

"You're still looking!"

Like a child, he placed his hands over his eyes. "Is this better?" he asked, sarcastically, causing Ginny to giggle.

"Oh come on," she said as she pulled the strap of her sandal over her heel. "We're going to be late if we don't hurry," She paused to think for a moment. Perhaps they wouldn't? That would at least explain why Blaise was being so nonchalant about the time. She added an extra little bit to her last phrase questionably. "Won't we?"

He nodded, pulling a small soda can out of the inside of his robes. "It's a portkey, grab on." Ginny did so. "We should be leaving in a few mo-"

Blaise never did get to finish his statement because they were suddenly jerked backwards and hurtled into a black hole of time. Ginny never had liked portkeys. They always made her sick, she couldn't breathe when she was in the blackness. A cold shiver ran down her spine. Eeck. She thought, scrunching her face and closing her eyes. It'll be over soon enough... she reminded herself.

And, indeed, it was.

Moments later they fell into the front porch of an enormous manor. Ginny's mouth gaped open like a fish as her eyes bugged. This place was huge... albeit a bit frightening. Stone gargoyles hissed at them from atop the doorframe. Literally. Ginny's mouth closed, though her eyes only grew wider.

"Where are we?" she asked, turning to Blaise, subtly inching closer to him. She didn't like the look of those things. "I thought we were going to a restaurant or something..."

He shook his head. "Nope. This is the big cheese's humble abode," With a quirked look from Ginny, he quickly added: "Well, maybe not so humble."

He quickly rang the doorbell. "Don't want to be later than we already are, do we?" Ginny shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to make a bad impression on her possible new boss. Boss! Yes! I'm going to have a new job!

Ginny, about to do a little dance to herself, jumped instead when the door creaked open and revealed an old and hunched butler. Feeling rather stupid, she laughed and murmured a hello. Both Blaise and the butler looked at her oddly.

Blaise rolled his eyes condescendingly at her before turning to the butler. The butler nodded quickly. "The master of the house has been expecting you, but we were not informed that you were bringing a guest."

Blaise nodded. "Yes. Do tell the kitchens enough for another will need to be prepared."

"Oh," the butler ushered them inside. "No worries, sir. We always have enough for three more prepared. Just in case. The master often brings unannounced guests." Ee gads. Ginny thought at his last comment. What kind of boss was this?

The butler closed the door practically on Ginny's heels as she had barely come in the door. He then folded his wrinkled hands behind his back. "Follow me."

She didn't like being ordered about as if she were a member of a cattle herd, but followed him nonetheless. He led the way down a looming hallway; his balding head glistening in the dim lights from the candles and chandeliers that hung from the high ceilings. Ginny, a step behind both Blaise and the butler, examined the walls. The place was eerie. She didn't like it one bit.

She almost crashed into the back of Blaise as they stopped at two intricately carved oak doors. "Here you are," the butler sneered, walking away. Isn't he supposed to escort us inside? Ginny thought to herself, not thinking very highly of this crotchety old man.

"Now," Blaise's voice broke through her scorning thoughts. "I want you to be on your best behaviour," She squinted her eyes at him. Did he really just say what I thought he said? I'm not bloody two years old, for Merlin's sake.

"Yeah," A fake smile lined her lips. "Of course."

"Good," he threw what she used to think was a charming smile, but it had no affect on her now. She only looked at him sceptically. He was growing to be very unappealing.

What was even more appalling was when he reached down and began to finger the chain to the cross on her neck. He was bold enough to surge down her chest and pick up the cross. Ginny squealed in protest.

"What a lovely trinket. The boss will be sure to love it."

She slapped his hand away, narrowing her eyes at him. How... shallow. How... daring. How... completely shifty. "Well, I like it and that's all that matters. I, honestly, couldn't give a rats arse whether or not this nameless boss of yours likes it or not..."

The two oak doors slowly creaked open, cutting Ginny off. A tall blond was at the other side. A tall, male blond. One who resembled...

"Mr. Malfoy. How good to see you!" Blaise bowed before clasping Draco's hands in his own.

Ginny felt as if she could retch. "Blaise, may I have a word with you?" She threw a fake smile at Draco. She seemed to be getting better at them tonight. Without waiting for a response, she pulled him by the collar of his robes to a dark corner of the hall, her smile quickly fading.

"What in the bloody hell am I doing at a dinner meeting with the bloody Malfoys at the..." Ginny growled in a low tone, but her face turned green when realisation hit. Her voice wasn't so low anymore. "MALFOY MANOR!" The last words were spat with disgust.

"Don't," he snarled under his breath. "Insult your superior. You wanted a job and you asked nothing of it. This is what you get. Now, as I said previously, behave yourself." He took her hand rashly and pulled her towards Draco.

When they reached him, he sniffed a bit. "So good of you to join me," He shot daggers at Ginny. She gave them right back. Never had she hated former Slytherins so much in her life.

"The rest of the party has been waiting, so, come in and let us get started," Draco extended his arm, pointing the way to a lavish table covered in the finest gold-tipped china Ginny had ever seen.

Tall candles were lit, but seemed to drip no wax upon the small wreath of flowers that sat under each of them. Ginny tried to keep her mouth set in a frown, but it was hard with all of the beauty that surrounded her. If the Malfoys had any positive traits, it was that they had impeccable taste. Ginny would give them that much.

Her eyes drifted from the beautiful decorations and onto the people. Suddenly, the room didn't look as beautiful as she had thought. She made a face as Blaise stood next to her and kept her from sitting before Draco came over.

"It's rude to sit down before the host, you know," he whispered in her ear so only she could hear. She scrunched her nose, mocking him in her head. 'It's rude to sit down before the host, you know'... Who does he think he is?

Draco approached the group, taking his spot at the head of the table. Looking at them he nodded. "Do, sit down."

He then drew his attention to the small crowd of people. "Everyone, this is Blaise Zabini and..." Draco paused, smoothing a few spare tendrils of hair behind his ear. "Dear me, I've forgotten your name." He smiled at her with an odd and vague kind of recognition.

Well, I don't suppose he'd recognise me all dolled up like this... "Weasley. Ginny Weasley," she smiled sickly at the few couples that littered the table. She couldn't help but notice their faces contort upon hearing her last name. She held her head high, determined to show them how much class even a 'Weasley' could have.

It was Draco's turn to look as if he were about to retch. "Well, everyone," he cleared his throat, throwing them all a look that said 'this is completely laughable'. "This is Blaise Zabini and Ginny Weasley."

He turned to Blaise and Ginny, a patronising smile lighting his lips. Ginny wished she could jump across the table and smack him. "This," he motioned to the pert woman sitting on his right. "Is my mother, Narcissa." She nodded coldly at the couple.

Her syrupy voice suddenly emerged from her lips; though, it wasn't shocking. It was more of a low and soothing kind of whisper. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Zabini and it's... lovely... to meet you Miss. Weasley."

Even though she knew the woman was only being polite, she smiled. Kindness, whether it was fake or real, always made her a little more at home. At least they were making an effort to pretend they could tolerate her. Or, Narcissa was... Ginny realised as she looked about the table and saw practically everyone else glaring at her.

What am I thinking? Ginny asked herself. She shook her head and looked down at her hands, which had automatically folded themselves in her lap. Merlin, I don't want to be here. She paused in her thoughts. You really don't HAVE to be here...

"You have to finish what you start," she whispered under her breath to herself. She never thought she'd say the phrase her mother muttered often when she was at home. She'd heard the saying ever since she was little. Certainly, she wouldn't have meant it for a situation like this... would she?

"Pardon?" Draco asked, staring at her as if she had ten thousand heads. Ginny promptly blushed as she looked around to see that the entire company was staring blankly at her.

"Oh, nothing... do continue." She had never felt more embarrassed in her life.

Draco rose his eyebrow at her, but said nothing more about it. "This," he motioned to the a-typical young girl on his left. "Is Pansy Parkinson." Pansy's nose was still as pug-like as Ginny had remembered it. She had to restrain herself from snorting with laughter.

"And this is Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Nott," The couple that he motioned to seemed to be the most down to earth out of everyone there. But, that wasn't saying much.

The woman had dark black hair and a pointy nose, though her cheeks were surprisingly rosy against her pale skin and her lips were a rather pouty pink. Her dress robes, which matched the raven colour of her hair, were extremely extravagant. They had to be rich. The man, more plainly dressed, had already begun to get wrinkles, though, despite that fact, he looked rather young and chipper. Ginny supposed he had aged well before he should have.

An awkward silence fell over everyone after they had been formally introduced. A few of the couples chattered amongst themselves, but Ginny remained silent. It was going to be a long night. Conversation seemed to recover when the first course arrived.

"This looks absolutely delectable!" Mrs. Nott squealed with joy as the platters with the small bowls of soup and salad were set before everyone. Ginny grinned a bit to herself. She had been thinking exactly the same thing. Ginny and Mrs. Nott began to sip their spoons of soup daintily as the others began conversation.

"Mr. Malfoy, regarding our newest, and, if I may say, biggest account..." Mr. Nott began, but was cut off by Blaise.

"Yes, yes. I was thinking that..." He, in turn was stopped by Pansy.

"Oh don't trill over such..." She was promptly stopped by Draco.

"I know. Everyone, I know. Trust me. We're going to have to take serious..."

It went on and on. Ginny didn't know how one would be able to stand it. Sure, some people need to stand and give speeches, but to have it followed by everyone trying to say something but winding up getting cut off before they could finish their thought... Ginny could barely follow the conversation, let alone understand it or add her own opinion.

What had Blaise expected her to do? Listen to this new company's campaign and randomly spout verses from the bible? Well, if that were to be the case, she simply refused. She was not about to make religion commercialised.

The courses came and went, as did the conversation, and before she knew it, the main dish was out. She twirled the spaghetti with a white-wine sauce around her glimmering fork in a bored manner.

At first, she had tried to amuse herself by looking at the expensive tapestries and such to guess how much it all cost, but it wound up making her sick with the realisation that she could never have any of it. Even the sparkly things no longer drew her attention. She probably would have had more fun if she fell asleep, face first in her food.

Having a short attention span didn't help matters.

She took a bite of the food, savouring the delicious texture and sauce in her mouth. She swallowed, the food simply sliding down her throat. She devoured the entire bowl as elegantly as she could. If truth were told, she had refrained from eating much that day. She didn't want to look... large in her new dress.

Speaking of, she was very proud not to have gotten anything on it while eating. It was a feat for her, for she normally wore more of her food than she actually ate. Her mother had always teased her about having a hole in her chin. She chuckled to herself as she sipped her red wine.

It seemed as if Blaise had completely forgotten that she was there... and that was fine with her. Previously, he had mentioned something about the bible, an entrance for Ginny to come in, but she blatantly ignored it. She had thought, If I don't say anything, conversation could die and then we could leave! She had no such luck. If there was one thing this group of people could do well, it was talk.

Suddenly, Ginny's stomach churned most uncomfortably. Her cross shifted rather oddly on her chest. Ginny, forgetting her stomach pains for the moment, thought it odd that her cross had moved; yet she had done nothing to move it. Perhaps she... Her thought was cut off as a strange pain surged through her chest. She felt as if she were about to fall over.

Short of breath, she stood. She looked around for Draco, but he was nowhere to be seen. He must have excused himself previously. Oh bloody hell, who cares about behaviour and manners anymore. Just ask anyone. "Pardon, Mrs. Malfoy. Where might the loos be? I'm feeling rather ill..." she gulped down a bit of mucus that began crawling up her throat. She didn't care that she had just disrupted an in-depth conversation. She figured they'd prefer it if she gagged in the bathroom, rather than all over the table.

A bit startled, Narcissa replied. "Just past those doors," she pointed to the oak doors in which Ginny had entered. "And it'll be your first door on the right."

Ginny didn't wait for anything else. She picked herself up and cantered to the doors, pushing them hastily open. She dove into the restroom, holding her hair back from her face. She not only looked green, but she felt green as well. Evidence of this came from the vomit that spilled out of her mouth moments later.

She was loud enough to attract the attention of someone in the upper floor, but no one bothered to come and check on her. Some bleeding date I have... she thought before her face contorted once more. She could feel it climbing up her throat again.

"Oh, no..." she moaned. She hadn't been this sick since she had acquired the viral ague the previous year. More chunks of dinner appeared in the toilet. Just looking at it and smelling it made her want to be sick again.

With her free hand, she felt around for the flusher. She finally found it, but was surprised to see that it was a string hanging from the ceiling. She pulled it rather hard and the disgusting contents of the toilet soon vanished and were replaced with clear water.

Ginny, who was covered in sweat and completely pale, stood shakily. She looked in the mirror and wrinkled her nose at her appearance. She truly did look horrible, and she had spent so much time getting ready. Wasted. All of it. The night... my makeup; everything. She shook her head sadly. She just wanted to go home.

Presuming that she'd be able to hold back anything else, she headed out of the restroom and back to the dining room. Before Ginny was barely two steps out, she heard a growl echo from behind her. Timidly, she turned around.

"What are you doing? Snooping around my bloody house, I bet. What? Did the Ministry send you to see if we bad Malfoys had any more dark objects in our house?" he was jumping to rash conclusions and Ginny didn't feel up to arguing, especially with him.

"I was sick," Ginny spat, narrowing her eyes.

He crossed his arms. "A likely story."

"What?" she huffed. "Do I not look like hell to you or something? Would you like to smell my breath? Can't you notice the green tinge in my face?"

He scoffed at her. "All of that could be achieved by a simple spell."

Ginny felt sick. Oh no... "I didn't..." she trailed off. Perhaps she wouldn't be able to hold herself together. "Bring my wand," she finished weakly. How utterly stupid of her. She mentally smacked herself.

Draco's lips curled with amusement. "So, you trusted him then?" Ginny simply gave him a bemused look. Why would he care? He kept pushing the question.

Finally, Ginny had had enough. "Look, I'm going back into the dinner party, which you happen to be host of. -Isn't it rude of you not to be there?" Catching herself, she kept talking, afraid that if she didn't, he'd keep her out talking for even longer and keep her from her comfortable bed in her little apartment. She couldn't wait to get home. "At any rate, I'm heading back in. Please, don't instantaneously obtain manners and escort me inside."

She was a bit too eager as she walked briskly away from him and wound up tripping over an upturned corner of a rug. "Ouch!" she peeped as she fell to the floor, her ankle twisting beneath her. Oh, fuck, that hurts. Ginny could feel tears welling up in her eyes, but she tried to hold them back. She looked up at Draco, who was obviously not trying to hold back his laughter.

"Well, aren't you going to help me up?" She quipped harshly and expectantly.

"Fuck, no." Were the only two words he offered before bursting into more laughter.

Incensed, Ginny pulled herself up, thanks to an arm of a chair, which was near her. "Thanks a whole lot, you bastard," she growled as she hobbled to the doors to the dining room and pushed them open.

She saw everyone sitting at the table, beginning on their desert. Blaise turned his head and saw Ginny limp into the room, making a face every time she used one leg. He immediately stood and came to help her. A bit late, aren't we? Ginny thought harshly as he rushed to her aid.

Narcissa stood with a bemused look on her face. "Child, what happened to you?"

"I..." Ginny sighed. "I tripped over an upturned piece of rug..." As soon as the words escaped her lips, she realised how stupid and clumsy she sounded. Everyone looked as if they were about to laugh. Especially Blaise.

She swatted him away as soon as she reached her chair. "Well, I wouldn't have bloody tripped if Malfoy... er... Draco... hadn't come up and interrogated me after just getting sick in the..." she felt it coming again. "Oh Merlin..."

Narcissa, fearing for her precious linens and rug, called quickly for their butler. "John. JOHN! BRING A BOWL... OR JUST... SOMETHING!"

The butler rushed up moments later with a large bowl and threw it under Ginny's face just in time. This had to have been the biggest retch yet, and she couldn't flush it. The smell slowly inched up her nose, and she felt worse than ever. Here it came again. Ginny leaned over, one hand clutching her hair, the other holding her cross to her cross, and let it all go. All of it. It felt like she threw up all of her insides.

Ginny let her hair go and went to move her hand from her cross, but when she pulled it away, it remained close to her chest. I didn't push that hard... she was completely bemused. Why hadn't the cross leaned away from her when she bent over? Why was it clutching to her chest?

"This is just... too weird," she mumbled to herself as she straightened up.

When she straightened herself, Narcissa was looking directly at her. Ginny felt a bit odd. The other woman's gray eyes were practically boring into her. She took a step to the side and ran her hands up and down her arms as if she were cold... which was the case, but not exactly. She wasn't cold on the outside; it was more on the inside. Her head snapped up upon hearing her name.

"Miss. Weasley, please, allow us to put you up until you feel better," It was Narcissa speaking. Her syrupy voice seemed to roll from her mouth, enticing Ginny. The offer seemed lovely, but...

"Oh-" Before Ginny could refuse the offer, Draco came stomping into the room, the oak doors bursting open upon his entrance. He came dangerously close to his mother and whispered something venomous in her ear.

He turned back to Ginny. "Surely, you'd much rather be home."

For once Ginny agreed with him. She nodded. "Oh yes, but thank you for your offer. It was kind of you to-"

Narcissa cut her off, her voice not so syrupy anymore. "Draco, darling. Don't act as if you've lost all of your manners. Besides, what would everyone think of you it you turned a poor, sick and defenceless girl from your door when she really needed your hospitality and help?"

Draco fell silent. Well, was this all about their reputation then? It made Ginny feel sick to her stomach on a completely different level. "Mrs. Malfoy, thank you for your kindness, but I assure you that I am not poor, nor am I defenceless, though I may be a tad bit sick. Besides, I'll be fine with Blaise escorting me home..."

"Ah, about that..." Blaise said with his head turned down slightly. Oh no... was all Ginny could think. Don't fuck me over... not now...

"I can't exactly take you home. You see, I have to go to Prague on business directly after this... and you really should take the offer, Ginny,"

The redhead narrowed her eyes. "Please, do not address me so informally, Mr. Zabini. Call me Ginevra or Miss. Weasley," she was practically seething with rage.

Everyone in the room seemed taken aback, but not just for Ginny's harsh tone, but because she seemed to be exerting some kind of aura. Something they had never believed in. Ginny didn't notice, simply turned to Narcissa.

But before she could speak, Narcissa did. "I insist that you stay and will have nothing else. You can barely stand up on your own, I will not let you apparate back home. It's simply out of the question,"

Everyone, save Mr. and Mrs. Nott seemed repulsed. Draco didn't bother to hide his disgust as his face contorted and Pansy let out a squeal. Blaise looked partially amused, partially horror-struck. Ginny hoped he knew that it was all her fault. Oh was she mad. If she could have ran at Blaise and struck him, she would have, but her ankle prohibited it.

If I hadn't been so bloody clumsy none of this would have happened... "All right, Mrs. Malfoy, but I could not bare it if I bothered you for long."

She had given in, which was practically inevitable. Narcissa was quite stubborn. As soon as Ginny relented, Draco stomped out of the room in protest, Pansy soon following. Probably to brush his ego or something... Ginny inwardly spat. She really didn't like this family. No wonder her entire family, well rather everyone she knew, had hated them with every bit of their being.

"Let me show you to your room..." Narcissa smiled sweetly yet sickeningly. Ginny scrunched her nose in disgust. She could tell this was going to be a long night.