In Which Ginny's Clumsiness Finally Pays Off

Chapter Six: In the War between Two Families

"You know, I'm surprised."

"About what?" asked Ginny, while she concentrated on turning the emerald green, fresh pickled toad in front of her into a supposed-to-be blank book.

"Why oh why, do we have to learn about Transfiguration? I mean, what can it help us with in our life? If I ran out of clothes for my family one day, should I go around, transfiguring--I don't know--plates into underwear?"

"You're just saying that because your book's still opening its pages. Plus, it also has a huge tongue slipping out from Merlin knows where, whenever a fly comes by."

"How about you, huh? Oh, don't worry about it, Gin. I'm sure Professor McGonagall won't notice that your book is still croaking, has eyes and is still bouncing up and down like an idiot."

"You know what? I give up." Ginny sighed in defeat as her book appeared to vomit in her desk. "I'm getting extra help. I mean, I don't even know what I'm doing."

"When will you get extra help? All your free time's spent with Malfoy--you don't even have time to play Exploding Snap with your real friends." Colin attempted to shut his book's mouth with his tie but all it did was made his book angry and somehow managed to turn his tie yellow. "I have competition. I don't like it."

"Knock it off, Colin. Of course you're still my best buddy, what were you thinking?" Ginny helped Colin by slamming her hand into one side of his book for him to be able to keep the angry book's mouth shut. "Besides, school ends at three. Malfoy needs me at four. I have a whole hour to woo Professor with my--ahem--hidden skills."

"How about the Yule Ball--are you still going with me or--" Colin's voice drifted into a whisper as his cheeks reddened. He looked away for five seconds before glancing back at Ginny.

She was grinning.

"Of course I'm still going with you! You think I'm going with Malfoy?! Come on, Colin! You're still my best friend--you don't have to be jealous!" Ginny punched Colin lightly on the shoulder before he gave a small smile.

"Yeah, I guess that was plain stupid. Malfoy, your best friend? Wow, Ginny--I must've been watching too many Twilight Zones."

"Twilight Zones?"

"Oh, it's this Muggle show--you won't understand it anyways. So," Colin and Ginny backed away in disgust as Colin's tie suddenly disappeared inside the many pages of the book, "do frogs have a sort of fetish for striped ties?"

*.*

After an hour of torture in Astronomy, Ginny rushed down the Astronomy tower to meet Professor McGonagall in the Transfiguration classroom. She seemed rather delighted to hear that Ginny wanted extra help, despite the fact that she was doing quite well in her subject. Ginny had always been good in all of her subjects. Not extraordinarily good, but she passes all of them in an average kind of rate. Besides, not anyone who takes Transfiguration passes it in an average manner. It's just that these past few days, Ginny had been rather pre-occupied. It was probably about the work she was doing for the Slytherins. Of course, that's why she's been real dazed in all of her classes.

Nothing about Malfoy.

Surely, nothing about Malfoy.

Ginny opened the red brick door of the classroom with a cheerful smile on her face.

"Hello, Professor!" she sang out.

No one answered.

The classroom was empty--except for a few croaking books and buttons found at the end of the room. Professor McGonagall probably went out for a few drinks or snacks before having a full hour with her.

Speaking of which, that would have been a great idea for right then, Ginny heard her stomach rumble. What was the last thing she ate? Ha! Nothing. She was working her hands off at the broom shed at lunch time, taking all of Malfoy's babbling about what kind of person he is or what he will do if he failed one subject. This Anemology--it seemed like an interesting topic after all.

Out from the corner of her eye, Ginny saw a familiar yellow tie lying lazily on the floor--near her usual desk.

Colin's tie.

She walked towards her desk and examined the tie with her eyes, making sure if it was Colin's. After seeing the stain she made on it earlier this morning, she was sure that it was his.

She went down on her knees, just right behind the enormous desk, preparing to grab the tie, when she heard voices right outside the door.

Feeling scared as if she was doing something wrong, Ginny hid behind her desk, hugged her knees and listened nervously.

"He used to be sweet of course, he gave Lily candies and flowers everyday," a familiar voice seemed to narrate. "We all thought it was rather romantic."

Ginny pressed her back hard against the wooden chair as she realized the familiar strings of the voice she always hears after lunch.

The voice belonged to Professor McGonagall.

"What happened though? Why didn't my mom like him?"

Ginny gasped as she realized the other person's voice.

No one else's but Harry Potter.

"Well, for one thing--he wasn't the type her family approved of. Long line of witches and wizards--"

"Oh."

"I'm sure your aunt has mentioned their dislike towards--"

"Yes, she mentioned that a couple of times."

Lily, Lily...that name sounded familiar--

Oh, of course! Ginny mentally kicked herself for her stupidity. Lily Potter! Famous Lily and James Potter! Harry's parents--duh! So why was Harry having a pep talk about his parent's love life? She didn't know the family of Harry's mother didn't approve with his father's family. What was wrong with long lines of witches and wizards? Was it because they're too pure blooded?

"I wonder though, Professor... if ever--if ever he loved my mom?"

"Oh, he loved her all right. In this one Quidditch game, he blocked a Bludger for her. It broke his face, mind you. His face was never the same since."

"I never thought my mom plays--did she play Quidditch?"

"Oh no, it was just that incident when one of their Chasers were injured and Lily volunteered to be in their team."

"But isn't that against the rules, Professor?"

"The rules didn't say anything about it--that was her stand. So, she was in and a Bludger came towards her--she didn't move very fast, she just knew that he wanted the Quidditch cup more than anything else and she wanted him to win. The Bludger came speeding towards her and he was busy trying to catch the Snitch before Sirius Black--but he gave up trying to catch the Snitch, just so he can speed up towards her and blocked the Bludger with his face."

Hmmm...Sirius Black? From what Ginny heard from her father, Sirius was a mass murderer. She didn't know he went to Hogwarts and was actually in Mrs. Potter's class...

"Wow. That's--that's a nice thing to do."

"They used to watch sunsets together."

"They do? I never knew he liked sunsets..."

"He does."

There was a long pause before anyone said anything. Then Harry piped in, "Did my mom--ever--"

"We don't know." Ginny couldn't believe that she distinctly heard a sniff coming from the stern professor. "But one thing's for sure Mr. Potter. She chose your father, that's all there is to it."

She heard footsteps echoing in the hallway--as if walking further from where she was hiding. When the sounds finally ebbed slowly into nothingness, Ginny ran as far away as she can from the classroom and towards the shed in full speed. What she had just heard was probably nothing important. It was just an ordinary tragic love story that involved Harry's parents and some other unknown person, who, if he was still alive, had a Bludger imprint on his face and who definitely liked sun sets. Though Ginny was sure this story was nothing sort of confidential and was just another, after all, plain tale, the words from Professor McGonagall's mouth still boggled her mind--as if it was a book she wanted to finish--as if it was a mystery she wanted to uncover.

*.*

Ginny watched from the corner of her eye the Slytherin team continuing their warm-ups without shoes. Malfoy persuaded his team to take all their shoes off just for this practice so that she could clean them. She had smiled sarcastically at him as each stinking shoe landed in her hands. However, he simply waved her off with a flirtatious throw of his bangs.

Beside Ginny was the Teen Witch Weekly magazine, which she found folded clumsily in one of Malfoy's robes a minute ago.

"Hmmm....what colour I like the best?" she said to no one in particular as the Slytherins danced in front of her, their brooms spiralling the air in perfect unison.

"Definitely pink," she answered.

She looked up to Malfoy, who was now hovering in the air in his broom with his eyes closed, his silver-hair bouncing in the wind as he went around in circles along with his other team mates, making Ginny dizzy.

As they twirled here and there, Ginny found herself entranced in their movements. It was like a dance rehearsal in the air. It reminded her of the dancing faeries in the Yule Ball last year. She gasped in awe.

The way Malfoy moved in confidence and the way the team worked together made her realize how much the Slytherins wanted to win the Quidditch cup this time. She didn't blame them. Ever since Harry came, Gryffindor seemed to hog everything. Everyone thought that the Gryffindor house was the best and that the Slytherins--well, not to be harsh but--they do think that Slytherins sucked. Everyday, Ron goes on and on about everyone in Slytherin uniting to join the Dark Lord and how they're doomed forever because of their evil.

Not all of the Slytherins were doomed. At least, not him.

Ginny shook her head for even thinking about it.

"Okay, let's start practicing people!" Malfoy suddenly announced, clapping his hands for emphasis. "You, Weasley! Almost done with those shoes?"

"Just give me a minute Malfoy! Or perhaps an hour?"

"That long?" Malfoy seemed irked.

"Yes--but if someone helps me, it'll be finished in half an hour..." she said hopefully.

"You, Trent--come over here!"

"Eat dust Malfoy! No way am I helping you there!"

"Well, who do you think will do it? I'm the captain here; I'm supposed to guide the others in practice! Stinking Hufflepuffs will be here in less than two hours--we can't waste any more time!"

"Come on, we know the strategy and besides..." Trent gave Ginny a dirty look while he beckoned Malfoy to come closer.

Ginny pretended not to notice as the Slytherin team started gathering together in clumps, whispering to one another urgently. She whistled nonchalantly. After five minutes of the Slytherins whispered arguing, Malfoy strode over Ginny, his face set in a scowl.

"Listen up, Weasley."

She turned around to face him.

"I'm helping you here, okay? And tomorrow you won't have to work--how about that? Snape won't know about your 'day-off', but I'm giving you that just because I pity you and because I see you've been working your ass off for the past few days."

"Really? Oh, Malfoy! That's so nice!"

"There's a catch though."

"And here I was, hoping against hope I wouldn't live long enough to hear that."

"You'll keep our strategies shut--not a word to any Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor--even to your two dork-headed friends. I'll say this once and I'll say it twice--if you want to live, shut the hell up."

"Okay..." Ginny whispered nervously as she felt the weight of Malfoy's deadly stare--along with the other Slytherins, particularly Trent who seemed as if he was giving all of what he got into staring her down. If looks could kill, Ginny would be murdered by now--gang murdered.

She chuckled nervously, hoping the tension will go away. "With words like that Malfoy, you shouldn't have given me that day-off cause day-off or not I would have kept my mouth shut until your game with Gryffindor--or forever for that matter."

"Another thing," Trent blurted out behind Malfoy, his arms crossed. "Tomorrow, in your off, you would come into the Hufflepuff's practice, take notes, and report to Malfoy immediately to enlighten him with the house's strategies."

"You know, that seems like a very brilliant idea, Trent," Malfoy agreed, smiling cruelly at Ginny. "Would you kindly do that for us, you little Weasel?"

Ginny's eyes narrowed up into dangerous slits. Just when she thought Malfoy wasn't evil, here he was, threatening to kill her. Telling her to spy on someone else's house--doing all the dirty evil tricks she thought he wouldn't do.

"Okay," she mumbled silently.

The Slytherins whooped for joy, acting as if they've already won the game for this week. Ginny stayed in her position, not moving, feeling guilt overpowering her whole body. She couldn't do this to Hufflepuff, though it wasn't her own house. She tugged at her hair absent-mindedly, hating every strand of Malfoy's own hair.

After ten minutes of loud partying and laughing, Malfoy sent his team to practice while he flopped down unto the grass with her, a huge grin stuck on his face.

"Sorry bout that Weasley, but you know--all's fair in love and Quidditch."

"All's fair in love and Quidditch--that's a classic," she mocked, her eyes still narrowed and her mouth forming into an angry pout.

"You make me laugh, Weasley."

"Malfoy, it would take two Gryffindors dead and an awful lot of pounding concerning Harry's head and a gigantic toilet seat before a laugh can come out of you."

"No," said Malfoy slyly as he polished a shoe, "sometimes it just takes a Weasley."

"Why do you want to spy on Hufflepuff anyway? I thought you wanted to win fair and square!"

"Note to Weasley--a Malfoy never wins fairly--it's either cheat or kill."

"Then I wouldn't want to compete with you."

"No need to be ashamed of it, I wouldn't want to compete with me too."

"No wonder everyone hates you," she whispered maliciously, each word filled with loath and hate. "You're despicable."

Ginny backed as Malfoy pounced on top of her, his greyeyes lit in fire. He was breathing so hard she could actually feel his breath in her cheeks. Terror filled her heart. During the past few days, everyone seemed to show her anger no one else has ever seen. First it was Professor Snape, now it was Malfoy. It was starting to make her think twice of her actions.

"Just because I've been easy on you, doesn't mean we're best friends, Weasley," he said through clenched teeth. "It looks as if you need a reminder. You're just a Weasley--you've got to remember how low you are when you're talking to someone higher than you. If it wasn't for Snape, I wouldn't even say a word to you. Mind you, Snape and I didn't even know you existed until the great Shrinking Disaster and that's because we came from a long line of honourable witches and wizards. We don't associate with filth like your family. "

"I'm a pure-blood--I came from a long line of witches and wizards too. You can't discriminate me for I'm as same as you and that misshapen Professor of yours."

"I think you missed my point." He leaned closer to her face until they were absolutely nose-to-nose. "I said honourable. Now that's an adjective I can't find in the same sentence with the word, Weasley. Correct me if I'm wrong but the adjective filth seems to make a perfect sentence with your family's name."

Ginny's lip quivered, but when she replied, her tone was as strong as Malfoy's tone and if possible, stronger. "If you think understanding Muggles, who lives in the same world as we do, is filth then you're wrong. Because if you ask me, filth is when your family associates with the Dark Lord in order to gain money, in order to be alive by murdering innocent people and ruining everyone's lives--and believe me, I have the entire Wizarding World behind me on this one."

Malfoy's eyes suddenly darkened. Ginny noticed then that the Slytherins had stopped practicing and were now nervously watching them from atop, not stirring, in fear of disturbing the ongoing silence surrounding the field. It was as if everyone was waiting for Malfoy to respond--for Malfoy's turn to tear Ginny apart. It never came though. Somehow, something was stitching Malfoy's lips together.

"I'm--s-sorry," Ginny mumbled a little bit too late as she realized what she had just said. Malfoy didn't deserve all of this, no matter how mean and how hard he mocked her and her family. Somehow, Ginny thought this wasn't enough to accuse Malfoy of...ruining everyone's lives. For a moment she thought she knew everything, but she apprehended she had absolutely no idea at all.

Malfoy straightened up, brushing his robes with his hand, his face very passive. He watched as Ginny stayed in the ground, her whole body trembling with guilt. He scowled.

"I believe you just earned yourself a day full of work tomorrow," he mumbled.

"But--tomorrow's the first day Professor McGonagall's letting Neville go to Hogsmeade!" she cried out, standing up quickly, her face filled with worry.

"We're not talking about Longbottom here, we're talking about you."

"Malfoy, it's been a year since I went to Hogsmeade! Professor McGonagall banned Neville two years ago into going to Hogsmeade for letting a murderer enter the common room and I haven't been going ever since!"

"It was Longbottom banned, not you! Stop making excuses!"

"I've been accompanying Neville ever since then! Please, you have to make me go to Hogsmeade!"

"No, and that's final!" he cried out furiously, pushing her slightly away from him. "No wonder you have two losers for a friend--you're terribly infuriating! You're so annoying, it's amazing! Pansy was right--you are an excessive waste of yearbook space!"

Ginny's heart stopped for a moment. She simply stared at Malfoy for a few seconds, her whole body shaking as his words slowly echoed over and over again in her mind.

An excessive waste of yearbook space....

She bit her lip as tears started pouring out of her eyes. Though she tried to stop them, it kept on coming out. It was like a broken faucet that had a leak. She felt all the energy inside her seep out, as if Malfoy was sucking all of it--although he too, did nothing but stare at her, his face showing no sign of regret at all.

It took Ginny exactly five seconds before running away from the field.

*.*

"Do you really think you should tell Ginny this? I mean, they're not doing anything wrong, Ron," Hermione murmured while writing her essay for Monday's Arithmancy class.

"Yeah, Ron--Malfoy and Ginny are not exactly in cahoots, arethey?" Harry agreed, as he ordered his pawn to move two spaces from where it was standing.

"Cahoots? What in the name of Merlin?" Ron asked disbelievingly.

The three Gryffindors were camped in front of the fire place at the common room, with Hermione doing the usual which is her homework and with Harry and Ron playing chess.

"Don't blame me, blame Seamus. He and Dean are having a great time repeating that word over and over again ever since Lavender said it in a sentence," Harry replied.

"So...Ron, are you still telling Ginny off?" Hermione asked wistfully.

"Not exactly tell her off, just you know--some brotherly advice. I don't want a Malfoy for a brother-in-law, thank you very much."

"C'mon, Ron! Malfoy and Ginny?Get this in your head--even if Ginny did say she likes Malfoy--don't you think Malfoy would, you know, disagree? No offence there but Ginny's not exactly Malfoy's type, don't you think?" Hermione commented stiffly, mumbling a soft "duh" after that.

"As long as it bites and has long teeth, Malfoy seemed to fancy it. I definitely don't see Ginny with long teeth," Harry said.

"Take Pansy for example," Ron piped in.

The three friends laughed together as a vision of Pansy biting Malfoy in half came into view. It was during this time when Ginny ran inside the common room, her loud footsteps telling Ron she had arrived.

"Oi, Ginny! I think you shouldn't hang out with Malfoy anymore!" he barked out loud, turning towards his sister with a menacing growl.

Ginny looked up to her brother, her face filled with tears and her lip trembling. Ron immediately quieted down.

"Ginny! What happened?" Hermione asked worriedly, standing up to look at her better.

"Hermione, teach me some of those cleaning spells you always talk about," she sniffed, avoiding Harry's stare with all her might. "I'm starting to think Ron's right. I don't think I should hang out with Malfoy anymore either."

Ginny ran in Ron's open arms before she felt herself break down to tears.