I'm With You

Chapter Two - A New Acquaintance

(Part One - Two of a Kind)

Draco Malfoy flew out of Ginny's head as soon as she rushed into the Potions dungeon,

"Fifteen points from Gryffindor, Miss Weasley," said Snape coldly.

* * * * *

Staggering out of Potions class, Ginny felt a tiny bit better. A lunch period, and only tow classes afterwards, and her day would be over.

As she walked to the Great Hall, Cheyenne Emerald, a good friend of Ginny's, caught up to her.

"Hi," she said, smiling.

Ginny smiled back. "Hi, Cheyenne."

Cheyenne pushed her hair back out of her face. It was short, and brown and always getting in her way. "What's up? I haven't seen you in days," she said. Cheyenne was in Ginny's year, but was placed in Hufflepuff. Tall and very bubbly, Cheyenne was Ginny's most loyal friend.

Ginny didn't answer, just bit her lip.

Cheyenne continued to talk, not noticing Ginny's look of distress. " I'm fine. Just had a test that I don't think I did too well in," she said.

"Betcha didn't," replied Ginny, tugging at her red hair, trying to make it straight.

Cheyenne's face lit up suddenly. "Oh yeah! Just remembered!" she opened her bag and pulled out a wrapped package.

"Here," she said, handing it over to Ginny.

Ginny was confused. "What's this?"

Cheyenne raised her eyebrows. "Your birthday present, dummy! She shook her head.

Ginny laughed. "My birthday's next week, Cheyenne!"

Cheyenne frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. Today's the 15^th of November, right?"

Cheyenne shrugged. "I don't have the best memory, Gin."

Ginny sighed. "I'll check."

She went over to a group of second years.

"Scuse me," she said, "do anyone of you know what the date is?"

A girl with a pointed nose nodded. "Yes, it's the-"

"I WANT MY MOMMY!"

A boy groaned. "Here she goes again."

The girl looked over Ginny's shoulder. "Watch it, she's right behind you."

Ginny turned cautiously. Cheyenne followed.

A little girl with two blond pigtails and a red face sat on the ground. Her pudgy stomach was sticking out and her mouth was curved down, in a quarter moon shape.

Ginny tilted her head, trying to get a better look at the girl. She was rather small, and looked insignificant. Like a little runt.

The girl looked up. Her blue eyes were outlined with dark red, and she was biting her lip so hard that it had turned purple.

Ginny walked up to the girl. Kneeling down, she ignored the squeaky protests of Cheyenne, and asked, "Are you alright?"

The girl's face scrunched up, and began wailing louder.

Sighs arose behind Ginny, and the bell rang.

The group of second years went off, as lunch was over.

Cheyenne stood next to Ginny, and what in horror, and tears flew down the girl's face as fast a wasps buzzed per second.

"What wrong with her?" she whispered. Ginny didn't answer, just turned to Cheyenne.

'Cheyenne? Would you mind leaving, so I can, like, talk to her?" Her face was set in a questionable manner.

Cheyenne smiled. "Sure, Gin. I'll talk to you later."

With Cheyenne gone, Ginny was left alone with the little girl, who was currently breaking all set world records in letting out cries that could be heard in Australia.

"Hey," Ginny patted the little girl's back, soothingly, "it's alright, stop crying."

The little girl wiped her eyes, and looked up at Ginny. "Who are you?" she asked, wrinkling her nose at the sight of Ginny's red mane of hair.

"My name's Ginny," she said, ignoring the look, "what's yours?"

The little girl bit her lip. After a long while, she replied. " Destiny."

Ginny smiled. "Beautiful name."

Destiny glared at Ginny, suspiciously, trying to decide whether she was being sincere or not. "Thank you," she said.

"You're welcome."

Destiny's eyes widened suddenly. "Can I call you Gwinny?"

Ginny frowned. "What's wrong with Ginny?"

Destiny shrugged. "Gwinny sounds prettier."

"Oh," replied Ginny, holding back the urge to strangle the little brat. Instead she said, "call me whatever you want, but I have to get to class now."

Destiny frowned, and took hold of her hand. "Please stay."

Ginny shook her head. "I have to go."

Destiny gritted her teeth, and opened her mouth to scream, but Ginny covered it quickly.

"Fine," said Ginny," Look... what year are you in?"

"First," replied Destiny.

Ginny thought for a moment. "And what house are you in?"

"Slytherin," said Destiny, lifting her chin proudly, "my family-"

Ginny interrupted. "Good, good. And what class do you have now?"

Destiny paused. "Herbology, I think."

"Alright," said Ginny getting up, "now let's get up, and I'll take you there."

Destiny had a tantrum. "No! I want you to stay here! With me!"

Ginny tried to calm her down. "Shh! It's alright!" she knelt down beside her again, "I'll.........after dinner, I'll meet you in the library. Is that okay?"

Destiny calmed down a bit. Her eyes were full of no trust and fright. "Do you promise?"

Ginny sighed inwardly, thinking what have I got myself into, with the sulky, spoiled Slytherin? But she nodded. "Absolutely."

Destiny smiled, and her whole face seemed to light up. 'Alright, Gwinny."

She held out her tiny hand, and Ginny pulled her up.

After taking Ginny to the Herbology greenhouse, and explaining what had happened to Destiny, Ginny had decided that it was way too late to show up for class.

So, as her next class, Defense Against The Dark Arts, wasn't for a while, Ginny walked to the lake, and sat down at her favourite willow tree.

She dropped her bag, and leant back.

Wondering whether it was her birthday or not, she pulled the bag towards her, which was on her right, and opened it.

"Hey!"

Startled, Ginny yelped, and began to run, with the bag, only to quickly fall over another bag. Her bag.

Red-faced, Ginny slapped her forehead, and quickly opened the other bag. Quills and books fell out. Ginny grabbed one and opened it. An elegant, green scrawl stared back at her.

Oh-oh, Ginny thought. This isn't mine. This is a-