Miracles Happen

Chapter three, Miracles Happen

I woke up early the next morning with swollen, red eyes. Perfect. Just the way I wanted to start out the day. I drew open the hangings on my bed and looked out. Ugh, of course I woke up a half-hour before I had to. At least the others were still asleep. At least getting up early would give me plenty of time to clear up my tear stained face before school.

I quietly walked into the bathroom, closed the door, and turned on the water in one of the shower stalls. I removed my clothes and stepped in under the warm water. I just stood there for a few minutes letting the water spray onto my face. After washing my hair, and the rest of myself, I turned off the water and put on my bathrobe. Squeezing the water out of my hair, I walked to the mirror. I shook out my hair, like a dog. I just looked in the mirror, watching my hair seize up into ringlets. I always tried to suppress my wild hair, but why not embrace it today? I need a change.

Walking into the common room that morning, I saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting on the couch, getting ready to go down to breakfast. I actually felt pretty today. My hair was framing my face in loose, flowing curls. I even used a lip reddening charm, and an eyelash darkening charm. I am pleased to say they worked quite well.

"Hey Ginny, you look great!"

I turned around and saw Seamus across the room.

"Oh, thanks," I said.

The three looked at me for a minute.

"Wow, Gin, you look really pretty today, did you do something new with your hair?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, thanks. I decided to try something new. You like?" I said.

I looked at Harry. He looked the same, but there was still something different in his eyes. It seemed like he was seeing me for the first time. I had never seen him look at me like that, only Hermione.

"Yeah, ghm...you look great." Harry gulped.

He seemed a loss for words. Wow, I had never gotten a reaction like this from him before.

Ron looked at me skeptically.

"I dunno Gin. I think that look seems a little too...old for you. You're too young to look like...that." Ron crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. Oh, now was definitely not the time for a protective big brother.

"Ron! I am sixteen, in case you forgot. You keep acting like I am still eleven years old, and need you to hold my hand through the halls. Don't forget that I'm only a year behind you. I'm growing up, and if you don't like that, well then tough shit." And with that I turned and walked out the portrait hole, my curls flowing behind me.

I tried to calm myself down before my new potions class. I mean, I'm only skipping one year, but it's still a little nerve wracking. I looked back down at my schedule that was passed out that morning at breakfast. Why does the first class of the year have to be potions? Yes, I'm very good at potions, but Professor Snape is loathsome. Walking through the hall, I tried deep breathing exercises. Good, I'm a few minutes early, I thought looking at my watch.

I walked through the door, and stopped in my tracks. Where do I sit? There were already a dozen or so people in seats, and it seemed that the room was divided into two sections. Gryffindors and, oh no, Slytherin. Not Slytherin. A blonde boy turned around and stared at me. Great, Malfoy. But this time instead of his usual gaze of contempt, his eyes widened, and his mouth opened a little. But he quickly composed himself and turned around.

"Gin, up here."

I looked up and saw Ron sitting next to an empty seat that was right across the row from Malfoy. I smiled and plopped down in the chair. I felt someone tap on my shoulder, and I turned around.

"Hey Gin! You excited?"

I grinned at Hermione. "Well, I'm not sure, I'm kinda nervous."

She put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You'll do fine. I know it."

We talked for a few more minutes as students trickled in and took seats.

I dared to take a peek at Harry. He was not looking at Hermione as I had expected, but at me. I smiled at him. He seemed startled at me catching him looking at me, but he smiled none the less.

Just then the door to Snape's office opened with a bang, and the great bat himself came billowing into the room. I swear, every time he enters a room the temperature drops at least five degrees.

"Settle down. Now, I am assuming that since this is an advanced potions class, that you all are prepared for me to challenge you immensely. And don't worry, I will." He looked down at the students through his beady dark eyes. I shivered. It never fails. Professor Snape always creeps me out, even if I am one of the top potions students at Hogwarts, and even if he does treat me with as much civility as he can muster, considering I'm a Gryffindor.

As we were taking notes on the characteristics of Belladonna, I felt as though someone were staring at me. I glanced around me, and to my surprise, I saw Malfoy, out f the corner of my eye, staring at me. My cheeks burned as I quickly bent my head down at my notes.

As Harry, Hermione, Ron and I were leaving the dungeon, after a rather uneventful lesson, I got that feeling again, as though someone was watching me. At the top of the stairs that led down to the dungeon, I looked over my shoulder. Malfoy was walking up the stairs looking at me. But when he saw me looking at him, he tripped and fell on the stairs. Ron and Harry who had seen it, burst out laughing, and the three kept walking.

But I walked a little slower, and glanced over my shoulder to see Malfoy picking up his potions book and bag, looking utterly humiliated.