Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge

Chapter Five

Who, being loved, is poor? ~Oscar Wilde

The hall was silent. A few students dared to look at each other. Now really, it was bad enough with one Malfoy at school. Two was just not cool. Suddenly Draco stood up, a look of surprise on his face, and started to clap. The rest of the Slytherins followed in this pursuit.

I looked around. The rest of the school was just sitting there, dumbfounded. Mrs. Malfoy looked rather uncomfortable. I wonder, is she as bad as her husband and son who tried to teased and tried to kill me?

I decided to give her a chance. So I stood up and started to clap with the Slytherins. I could have sworn Malfoy gave me a small nod, as if to say thanks. But I must have had something wrong with my eyes because when I looked back over he was staring at his mother.

Charlotte stood up, next to me, followed by Colin and Neville. Hermione and a few people I don't know started to clap, also. Cho, the head girl, led some Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs in a small cheer. While other people, like my brother and Harry, looked like little children who just had gotten a piece of candy taken away from them.

When everything calmed done (it didn't take long to do) food appeared on the gold plates. There was mashed potatoes, meatloaf, corn, lamb chops, carrots, and much more. I hadn't realized how hungry, I was until now. I started eating immediately. The food was really good. The house-elves did a wonderful job.

Across the hall I saw Michel Corner. He had his arm around some other girl. I frowned. She didn't look familiar. Oh, well. I looked around, but didn't see Dean anywhere. He didn't right much to me during the summer. I don't think things are working out between us.

"Hermione, where's Dean?" I asked her. She looked up from her plate.

"He went up to the Infirmary. He had a headache or something," she replied.

"Oh. When did he go?"

"Just a few minutes ago. I gave him the password to the Common Room, so he should be there when we get back."

I smiled. "Thank you."

Hermione nodded and went back to eating her carrots. I looked down at my new, black school robes. They were very nice. The only thing they were missing was a prefect badge, but Charlotte was the prefect, not me. Oh well. I really don't mind. I'm not that good at giving orders and stuff like Hermione is.

After I finished my mashed potatoes, Charlotte pulled me up from my seat.

"Come on Gin. Let's go lead the first years to the common room," she said.

"All right. You sound a little too excited about this. You don't get so happy about stuff like this."

"Well, I want to be a good prefect. Besides, Delacour doesn't think I can do it. Well, I'll show her," Charlotte said with a look of determination on her face.

"She said that?" I said with disbelief.

"Yeah. I don't want to talk about it now." Then she smiled. "Let's go. Hermione's already started leading them out," she said, while pulling me along towards the doors.

"Charlotte, slow down!" I said, catching up to her. She stopped by Hermione and Ron. Rhys Himpoth, the other prefect, was already standing by them.

"Where's Harry?" I asked, out of breath.

"He went up to the common room. He said he wasn't feeling well," answered Hermione.

"I'm not feeling to good myself," said Ron. We started walking down the corridor. In the background I could hear Charlotte and Rhys explaining the moving staircases to the confused first years.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Three guesses," said Hermione.

"Um.... Let's see here. You're tired. No. That's not it. You miss having Fred and George here. No. Mmmmm.... I know! You want to snog Hermione, but are afraid that she doesn't like you," I said.

Ron turned red, but Hermione turned redder. "Sorry Hermione," I said. She just looked down at her feet.

"It's neither of those. It is... well, ugh..." Ron mumbled.

"What? Just tell me, or I'll start guessing again."

"The Malfoys. They're all evil! Why would Dumbledore hire one? It just doesn't make sense!"

"Oh, that," I said. "I forgot all about it."

"Forget! How could you forget? You even stood up and clapped for her. Clapped!!!!" he said quickly. I frowned. I was about to answer when I looked up and saw that we were already at the portrait of the fat lady.

"Basilisk," said Charlotte and the portrait opened. Basilisk? That couldn't be right. I mean really, basilisk? This confused me very much. Ron noticed that I had stopped dead in my tracks and made the connection.

"Gin," he said, "are you all right?"

I didn't answer.

"Why don't we go to McGonagall? I bet she'll change it for you."

I only nodded.

"I'll come with you," said Hermione.

"That's okay. We'll be fine," said Ron.

"All right," she said, with a concerned look on her face, and went into the common room.

Ron walked me down the stairs, towards McGonagall's office. The walk was a quiet one. Memories of Tom flooded into my mind.

*~*~*~*~

"Don't worry, my princess. You'll be just fine. You'll only be asleep for awhile." His voice was calm and gentle, but it pierced through my mind like a thousand knives.

"Promise?" I said. My voice was shaky and scratchy.

"I don't make promises. Surly you now that by now," he answered.

But I paid no attention. In the corner of the Chamber was a large snake. A very large snake. I didn't like the looks of it. It wasn't bothering us, but I didn't have a good feeling about it.

"Wh-- what is th--th-- that?" I stuttered.

"That's a basilisk. Don't worry. It won't hurt you."

I nodded, unsure.

"Goodnight, princess."

And then the darkness over took me, and I found myself slowly drifting into a peaceful slumber. ~*~*~*~*

That was the last time I saw Tom in person. He visits me in my dreams sometimes, but that's nothing more than nightmares... I hope.

Later, Harry told me all about the Chamber of Secrets. From how the basilisk attacked him to Tom betraying me.

Except, Tom never did betray me. He didn't promise me anything. He didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, or couldn't figure out. I might have been only eleven at the time, but I wasn't stupid. I knew when Tom put me to sleep that I might never wake up. Somewhere in the back of my head I knew that. I just didn't want to believe it at the time.

I must have been lost in my thoughts, because when I looked up we were standing in front of McGonagall's door. Ron knocked on the door. We waited a minute. No one answered. Ron knocked again. Then, I heard a low voice.

"Come in."

We walked in and I saw Draco Malfoy sitting across from McGonagall.

"Yes?" McGonagall said.

"Ginny...um... well, you see..." Ron said.

"Is there any chance we can have our password changed?" I said.

"Yeah, that's it," Ron said.

"The password. Let's see here. Now where did I put the paper with the password on it?" she said, shuffling through the papers. I looked at Malfoy nervously. He glared at me. I wondered what Malfoy was doing there. Maybe he was getting expelled! Although, it wasn't likely.

"It's basilisk," said Ron, who paid no attention to Malfoy.

"Oh, my. Is it? I'm very sorry Miss Weasley. It must have slipped my mind. I'll have it changed immediately." Then, turning to Malfoy, she said, "Come back tomorrow Draco. I'll talk to you then."

Draco nodded and left the office, but first he gave me a strange look. I didn't have time to ponder over this because McGonagall pulled us out of her office. We followed her out, and started towards the common room.

*~*~*~*~ Draco's POV ~*~*~*~*

My mother is a teacher. My teacher! And she teaches a Muggle subject! Could this be any worse? What will everyone think? Why didn't she tell me? Why is she doing this to me? It's bad enough that father will be leaving to hide in France. He may already be there. Did he even care about me? About how the Malfoy name might be ruined because of him? What if I have to run away and change my name? What will happen then? What will people think? What will I think? Why do I have so many unanswered questions?

My life sure does suck. And Potter thought he had it bad. I bet he doesn't have all these worries like I do. Of course not. He's 'Perfect Potter' after all. Him and the Weasel and that stupid Mudblood. I hate them all! Its all Potter's fault that mother is here. She wouldn't be here if father was home and father is gone because of Potter! Well, I'll show him. I'll make him wish he were never born. I'll make them all suffer! I'll ruin their lives. They'll wish they never messed with Draco Malfoy!

After I finished eating, I started towards the dungeons with the other Slytherins. Crabbe and Goyle were following me and Pansy was not too far behind.

"Mister Malfoy, may I have a word with you in my office please?" said McGonagall, who was walking toward me.

"Sure," I answered.

She led me up to the second floor and down the corridor to her office.

Once inside, she gestured for me to take a seat across from her desk. The room was small. It was very well kept. There was a small stack of papers on the desk along with an inkbottle and a quill.

"I suppose you're wondering why I had called you here," she said.

"Yes, I am," I said quietly.

"This is concerning you, being a prefect. As you, know I am in charge of the Prefects and the head boy and girl."

"Yes," I said, a little confused about where this was going.

"Well, you see as a prefect you--" she started to say, but was cut off by a small knock at the door. "I wonder who that could be."

Whoever it was knocked again.

"Come in," said McGonagall. In walked the Weasel and his sister. Her hair seemed to be a lighter shade of blue then it was on the train. Whatever was in it must have been fading. I hoped it would be there tomorrow so I could tease her about it.

"Yes?" McGonagall said.

"Ginny...um... well, you see..." the Weasel stuttered.

"Is there any chance we can have our password changed?" said the girl, Ginny I think he said her name was.

"Yeah, that's it," said the Weasel, nodding in agreement.

"The password. Let's see here. Now where did I put the paper with the password on it?" said McGonagall, shuffling through the papers on her desk. The Weasley girl gave me a funny look so I gave her one of my death glares. I wonder why she wants the password changed.

"It's basilisk," said Ron, who paid no attention to me. Just another reason to hate him. He should at least pay attention to me!

"Oh, my! Is it? I'm very sorry Miss Weasley. It must have slipped my mind. I'll have it changed immediately." Then, turning to me, she said, "Come back tomorrow Draco. I'll talk to you then."

I nodded and exited the room. I wonder why the Weasley is afraid of the basilisks. It's not like she's ever seen one. Right? Oh, well. She's not worthy enough of my thoughts right now. But, maybe she is. Weasel did seem pretty worried about her. And I do find the Mudblood talking to her when Weasel and Potter are busy. That girl, Ginny, she was close to Potter last year. After all, she did accompany him on 'saving' the wizarding world, or whatever it was he was doing.

I wonder....

*~*~*~*~ Unknown POV ~*~*~*~*

The night was chilly, but I didn't feel it the way my servants do right now. What I would give to feel again. To feel emotion, pain, or even true happiness, but that will all come in good time.

"Come here," I said to one of my faithful servants.

"Yes, master," he said, with fear in his voice. Good. Fear means power. And I sure do have power.

"Any news on the box?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Another one of my many servants approached me. "Not yet." Of course. My smarter servants were in hiding, but they would be joining me again, soon. I chose my words carefully, before saying: "Do you understand that this box is the key to my existence? Without it we are all in grave danger. With the box in our possession we can win the battle against the light and win, once and for all. We can accomplish what the Gods could not, thousands of years ago. We can fulfill our destinies. Most importantly, we will have our revenge against Harry Potter."