So It Goes

Chapter 3: Confidants

"You wanted to see me?" Blaise Zabini asked poking his head into Draco's room. "God, I feel like a servant. What do you want with me, Draco?"

"Come in and shut the door."

"Oh, aren't we being awful serious. Lighten up, Draco."

Draco jumped from his bed where he had been sitting, and slammed the door behind his friend. He whipped around, grabbing Blaise's shirt collar and pulling him in so that their faces were inches apart.

He whispered harshly into Blaise's face, "I don't have room to lighten up. I need to know that what I am about to tell you will be in confidence. I need to know that I can trust you. I nee--"

"Alright Draco. Just let go of me and tell me what this is all about. I don't respond well to violence," Blaise interjected prying Draco's hand off his shirt and leading him to the chairs situated near the window.

Blaise Zabini was, of course, right about himself. He did not respond well to violence and was the only male Slytherin expected to not join the Death Eaters once school was over. His family was pure blooded but they were not nearly as radical as the other Slytherin families. The Zabinis were proud of their lineage, but not too proud as to enter a war with an unclear ending.

This is why Draco had always been drawn to Blaise. Blaise never merely expected that he would follow in his father's footsteps, like everyone else in the world did; he asked Draco what he wanted. Blaise and Draco talked about the future a lot. Blaise was the only person that Draco told his uncertainties to.

"These are direct orders from the Dark Lord. They cannot be taken lightly," Draco said once he was settled into his chair and relaxed a bit.

"Oh, bloody hell. I'm not getting dragged into your plot to kill Potter...again. I told you I'm not going to be a part of it," Blaise responded passionately but with all due respect.

"I know, Blaise. I'm not asking you to help me. I just need to get this off my chest. I need to confide in someone. And I need to know that even though you're not following the Dark Lord, you will take it seriously." Draco looked Blaise straight in the eyes, trying to show the urgency he felt.

"Alright Draco. I will keep your secret, and I'll keep it as seriously as you are. Now just tell me what it is."

"Thanks, mate. You rea--"

"Draco, you don't need to say anything more. Just fucking tell me what this is about," Blaise returned with a quick smile. He knew how hard it was for Draco to humble himself so much as to say thank you.

Draco quickly glanced up at Blaise as if to say thank you again.

"So, on the Hogwarts Express, I found a letter in my school robes from my aunt..."

"Oh, which aunt?" Blaise questioned. It made a big difference. He only hoped it wasn't from...

"Bellatrix," Draco responded half-heartedly, knowing that he should have the utmost respect for her, but with a secret hatred for her.

"Oh no, mate," Blaise muttered glancing sympathetically at Draco; his look a look was not returned. Draco dug through his pocket for his pack of Parliaments.

"Yeah, so I found this letter from Aunt Bella," Draco said through the side of his mouth as he lit the cigarette with his wand. "After insulting me in everyway possible, calling me irresponsible, it basically told me that...Well, that I need to get Weasley to trust me."

Draco looked up to see Blaise's reaction. Instead of, what Draco expected, a jaw-dropped expression, he was met with a look as if to say 'continue'.

So, Draco did just that.

"Apparently, when the Dark Lord possessed her back in our second year, a part of him was left in her when Potter destroyed that diary he was using to take her over. So, since the book was gone, that part of the Dark Lord's spirit that was stuck inside her had no where to go but to stay inside her, and wait. Now that the war is getting going, that part of him is not lying dormant anymore. The Dark Lord needs it back in order to come back to his full powers. So, I need to seduce the girl so that she will follow me anywhere. So that she will follow me into His trap."

"Wait, why can't He just set up a portkey or something like He did with Potter in our fourth year?" Blaise asked, as if the rest of the story was quite ordinary, and this small flaw was the only part that didn't make sense.

"Apparently, this part of His spirit is fragile and won't stand up to much trauma. I guess it's a miracle that it survived that Ministry fiasco she was a part of a couple years back. Anyway, I guess she has to go into the spell willingly. That's where I come in. I need to get her there," Draco finished with a sigh.

"Alright. So we need to get you to seduce a girl. That shouldn't be too difficult."

"Well, of course, that's what I thought," Draco said, puffing up with pride, "But it's proven to be more difficult than I thought. I made contact with her a few weeks ago. But since then, when I look at her in the halls she never looks back. Blaise, I give her the look!"

"The look? And nothing?" Blaise asked in shock.

"Nothing whatsoever. I thought the first time I talked to her went so well. I mean, she talked back to me and I even flirted with her, and she didn't protest. But now it's been weeks, and not a thing more."

"Wait, Draco. Did you say Ginny Weasley? Ron Weasley's little sister?"

"Yeah, I did. I know, feel badly for me," Draco replied allowing his self-pity to sink deeper as he took the last puff of his cigarette, fingering it between his thumb and forefinger, and put it out in his green snake ashtray.

"No. Quite the contrary. Draco. She's hot. I mean, I never noticed her before this year, but she is. I was staying after Potions one day to talk to Snape, when she walked in. She wanted to talk to him about extra credit or something...Like, she's failing or something. I don't really know, I was too busy staring at her. No, really, mate, I mean..."

"Blaise, I'd love to hear how hot you think she is, but I think there are more important matters at-- Wait, Blaise. Did you say she was failing Potions?" Draco jumped forward in his chair, for the first time in weeks, his faith was restored.

"Yeah, at least I think that's what she said. She said something about how she was sorry she exploded that last potion and she'd like the opportunity to make it up with some extra credit. If she's not failing she's in trouble. Why?"

"Blaise. Who is the best at Potions in our whole year? In the whole school, if I do say so myself..." Draco smirked.

"Well, you're pretty good."

Blaise's eye's suddenly lit up like the proverbial light bulb.

"Oh, I get it. You're going to be her tutor?"

"Of course. What better way to fall in love than over a bubbling potion..."

"Draco, not everyone shares your unique view of romance."

"Well, maybe not, but in any case, she will appreciate my helping her with her grades. Then, one thing may lead to another and maybe that appreciation will turn to trust. That's all I'm hoping for."

"I think you've got yourself a plan, mate."

"Only with your help, mate," Draco said with a small smile. He couldn't get over how brilliantly his plan was falling together.

"What? Draco Malfoy gives someone else credit?" Blaise asked with a sudden shock.

"Oh, I give credit when credit is due. I'm not completely selfish. It's just that other people rarely deserve it," Draco retorted.

"Ha. That could be debated."

"Get out of here, Zabini. I don't want to see your ugly gob anymore," Draco said pushing his friend out the door.

"Again, that could be debated. I've often been told that my gob is utterly beautiful," Blaise replied batting his eyelashes as he stood in the doorway.

"Now, who said that? Your Mum?" Draco retorted, slamming the door.

And through the door all Draco heard was, "My mother is a wonderful woman, Draco."

*~*

"Damn it. Harry, I'll never get this. I won't," Ginny sighed slamming her Potions book and leaning back in her chair in the library.

"Gin, Don't give up. I know Potions is the worst, and Snape is vile, but if you want to be a Healer, you'll have to get through this," Harry said supportively as he placed a hand on her knee.

Ginny blushed slightly, turning her head back to her book so that Harry couldn't see.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a Healer. I'm failing Potions, that's the most important subject for a future Healer."

"No, you'll be a brilliant Healer. Don't let Snape get the better of you. Hey, why don't you get a tutor? I bet there's a Ravenclaw that'll be wiling to help you out," Harry suggested with a smile.

"Gah. I guess so. I just can't take it. I think Snape purposely fails me," Ginny said as she opened her Potions book back up.

"But, Ginny, what about that last potion you made. It exploded and nearly melted everyone's cauldrons. I don't think that Snape had anything to do with that," Alatriel chuckled with her thick Irish accent as she appeared from behind one of the bookshelves.

Alatriel, or Ali as everyone called her, was in Ginny's year, and the only girl that Ginny really trusted. Ali wasn't like the other girls who gossiped and was obsessed with boys and hair. Ali was sure to join the Order when she was of age, and Ginny was glad.

"Ali, it was obvious that Snape put a spell on my cauldron that makes everything explode....Duh!' Ginny replied with a laugh, knowing that Ali was one hundred percent correct.

"Sorry, if I was eavesdropping, but I think Harry is right. A tutor is a great idea. I'll go with you to ask Snape about it tomorrow in Potions class, alright?"

"Thank you, Ali. Thanks for siding with me," Harry said. "Well, I should be off. I'll see you later, Gin. Ali." He nodded at the two of them before he hurriedly left the library, books in hand.

Ginny smiled, looking after Harry, and then turned toward Ali.

"So, when's your date?" Ali asked with a grin appearing across her face.

"First of all, since when do you care about boys? And second of all, Harry and I are not dating," Ginny said, matter-of-factly.

"Ginny. Firstly, I care about boys when they have to deal with my best friend. Secondly, I know that you two will date because you knew exactly who I was talking about when I mentioned it."

Ali smirked.

"Well, we've been spending a bit of time together. He helps me study, and I help him with Quidditch."

"Oh, you help him, do you?"

"Alright, so he helps me with both."

"So, what part of spending this much time...alone...together... makes it not dating?"

"Well. If you must know..." Ginny finally replied.

"And I must..."

"He hasn't kissed me yet," Ginny said, with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Ali asked, raising her eyebrows and glaring at her with vibrant green eyes.

"So, you're saying that you'd just kiss Harry Potter. You'd just go up to him and lay one on him?"

"Ginny, I would in a second if he looked at me like he looks at you."

"Ali! I never knew!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Well, Ginny. It's Harry fucking Potter. He's an exception."

"Exactly, Ali. I can't treat him like any other boy. I didn't have a problem kissing Dean or Seamus or anyone. But with Harry...I feel like it should be the right moment. Like, it needs to be perfect."

"Ginny. You're totally in love with him."

"Am not!" Ginny protested, jumping from her chair. Ginny looked around, meeting everyone's eyes in the library. Their soft conversation had, some how, turned into a loud one. "Ali, let's go back... We'll talk about this later."

"Alright. I don't want everyone to stare at us just as much as you don't. We'll talk about it later. But we will talk about it," Ali replied firmly.

"Fine. Let's just go."

Ginny pulled her friend up by her elbow and raced out of the library in shame.

*~*

"Ms. Weasley, you have, again, found a way to turn your potion into a pot of grey mush. I didn't know there were so many means to this end," Professor Snape spat at Ginny as she turned her Potion assignment in. "Although, I suppose we should all be glad that you haven't exploded anything today. Even though you obviously don't think so, I am rather attached to my eye brows..."

"Professor, I told you I'm sorry. That day I wasn't feeling well, and I didn't know that adding the Erumpent fluid too early would cause the incineration of your eyebrows," Ginny sheepishly replied.

"Well, that is precisely why I don't think you should be in this class. You obviously don't study."

"No, Professor, I do. I do study, I just don't know...it doesn't click," Ginny said, pleadingly.

If she was booted from this class, her dreams of becoming a Healer would be gone.

"I find it hard to believe that you study, Ms. Weasley, unless you're studying with the likes of Potter. He's the only one worse than you."

"Well, actually..."

"I have half a mind to kick you out of this class, Ms. Weasley. I'm tired of having these conversations with you." Snape looked over his large nose with a snide look in his eyes. He knew very well that she needed this class to fulfill her major.

"Professor, do you think that, maybe, if Ginny got a proper tutor and made up all the assignments she's failed, you could give her another chance?"

Ali appeared behind Ginny's shoulder. Ginny should have known Ali'd stay after for moral support.

"Well, Ms. Theobald, I don't see why it is any of your business, but I suppose if Ms. Weasley did all of those things I would have to consider giving her another chance," Snape sighed.

Ginny smiled broadly, seeing her hopes restored.

"Thank you Professor. I won't let you down. Really, thank you."

Ginny continued to grin, despite the thought of extra potions work, as her and Ali walked up the stairs of the dungeon. They were stopped by Snape's drawling call after them.

"So, you'll meet Malfoy here, tomorrow at three o'clock. I expect you to finish your Exploding Fluid without any incidents. If you can do that, we'll talk about making it a routine."

Without thinking, Ginny called back, "Yes sir."

Ali looked at her friend, eyes wide.

"Wait, did he say Malfoy?" Ginny looked desperately at Ali, hoping that she would confirm that she'd heard Snape wrong.

"Yeah, Ginny. He did."

*~*

Draco grinned.

He got out a celebratory cigarette. He deserved it.

Looking over the note again, he smiled as he took a hit of the cigarette.

Malfoy,

I don't know if you'll mind, but I volunteered you to help the Weasley girl with her potions work. I know you have the top marks in the class, so I thought you'd be the best teacher. Well, really I don't care if you do mind. I know you don't get along, but deal with it.

S. Snape

Draco did not mind in the least. Snape didn't know how much he didn't mind. His plan was falling together more easily than he had predicted.

He put the note into the drawer of his large oak desk. He locked the drawer and put the key back in his pocket.

With one last long draw on the cigarette, he blew the smoke out in rings and decided he needed more than one cigarette as a celebration.

He opened his door, poking his head out of his room into the Common Room. "Hey, Pansy. Want to come here?"

*~*

"So Snape didn't even ask you if you minded Malfoy being your tutor?" Harry asked, wide eyed in shock.

"No. He just called after me. He just demanded it." Ginny smiled half-heartedly.

"Aw, Gin, I'm sorry. That really sucks."

Ginny had come back from her Potions class, after talking to Snape, upset. Harry had seen her sulking by the fireplace in the Common Room. He sat down on the couch next to her and asked her what was wrong.

Harry placed his hand on Ginny's leg.

Ginny looked down at his hand, and then back into his face. Harry looked back at her, for once, determined and unfaltering.

"Gin. Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"

Harry's face was serious.

"You mean with you and Ron and Hermione?" Ginny asked. Fighting six years of rejection from Harry, she couldn't believe he would actually ask her out.

"No, Gin. I mean you and me. I mean, I want to go with just...just you." Harry, for the first time, broke their eye contact and looked down, his cheeks flushed red.

Ginny put her finger under Harry's chin, looking into his face.

"Harry. I'd love to."

Harry looked up at Ginny and smiled, the redness leaving his cheeks.

Confidence rushing back to him, he leaned closer into Ginny, her hand now cupping his face. He closed his eyes, moving closer still.

Ginny's stomach was doing flips, but her hands were steady, pulling him closer. Harry is going to kiss me. He's going to...

"Harry! You have to come look at this!" Ron called as he walked down from the dormitory, carrying a box from Fred and George.

When Harry heard his name, his eyes flashed open, and he smiled awkwardly.

Ginny leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Another time, then."

He looked back at her and nodded in confirmation, as he hurried over to where Ron was showing everyone his brothers' new inventions.

At that Ginny got up from the couch, smiling from ear to ear. She looked across the room to where Ali was sitting in an alcove near the window.

Ali grinned as well, motioning for Ginny to come over. "So, when's the first date?"