Ginny and Draco

It was a crisp winter morning on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The breath of two young boys in cloaks were white clouds against the dark forest at the horizon. They were duelling with their right arms outstretched and their wands pointed with deadly force towards their opponent. Spells were flying in the air, skilfully parried by both parties. They fought in silence, their faces closed in concentration. The boys panted while they shifted positions and circled each other. Their cloaks whirled in the cold air as they launched forward to cast a spell that broke the silence of the morning like the crack from a bullwhip. They tried to find a weakness in the other's defence in order to take him down. Both were oblivious of anyone or anything but the fight. But there was nothing else to see. They were alone on the grounds.

The fighting raged back and forth in the shallow snow.

"You have to fight like a man, Neville," Dean Thomas shouted.

"I'll get you for that," Neville Longbottom shouted back. He was red in the face. He launched in one direction then changed direction again. Dean launched to parry, but too late he caught on to the feint. His counter spell wheezed away towards the dark forest where it did no harm to human flesh. This was not the case with Neville's spell. It caught Dean in the leg with such force that he lost his balance and fell heavily onto the snow. His wand flew in an arch through the air. He screamed, clasped at his leg and rolled around on the ground.

Neville walked over to where Dean layed and grinned at him. He pointed his wand down at his fallen foe.

"You lose, Thomas."

"Hey, I take it all back. You fight like I was in Slytherin," Dean said.

"We have to be prepared," Neville said. The smiled faded from his face. "Are you all right mate? I didn't hit you too hard did I?" Neville pocketed his wand and extended his hand towards the boy on the ground. Dean took it and was helped to his feet by Neville. Dean smiled and started brushing the snow from his cloak.

"There was a time when I would have taken you down in a jiffy mate, but now, I think you could even give Harry a run for his money if you wanted," Dean said. He walked over to pick up his wand.

"I was weak and worried then. But if you're weak now, you die," Neville said. "I decided that if I have to go, I'm going with a fight."

"Well that doesn't have to happen. Personally, I would like to have breakfast first," Dean said with a grin.

"A splendid idea. Let's go and see what they're serving. I'm hungry."

They started towards the castle.

The two boys wandered across the ground chatting about the details of the duel. The snow creaked under their shoes. Dean was casually shooting spells at the branches of the barren trees they passed. Not looking in front of him, he nearly walked into Neville when he abruptly stopped.

"What?" he said and put his hand on Neville's back.

Neville turned to Dean and said in a low voice, "Here comes trouble."

Towards them, across the grounds, came Gregory Goyle and Blaise Zabini.

"Oh, it's Harry's two favourite faggots out on the grounds polluting the lovely air. I was just thinking that something smelled rotten," Blaise sneered.

"Who are you calling faggot, you old snake?" Dean shouted.

"That must have been you two. I see no other faggots around here. Do you?" Blaise turned and asked Gregory.

"No, I don't either. And man what a stink," Gregory said as he curled his lip in a sarcastic half smile.

"You take that back," Dean yelled. He drew out his wand and pointed it at Goyle and Zabini, but they were fast and drew out their wands as well. Neville was ready behind Dean and the two Gryffindor students fixed the Slytherins with defiant stares. Zabini and Goyle stared back and they all stood in angry silence for a moment before Dean yelled, "STUPEFY!"

The Slytherins were quick and they didn't take the hit. With light skill Blaise Zabini ducked the spell and fired back one of his own. Goyle didn't move as quickly but the spell merely flew by and hit the snow where it made a sizzling sound and melted it in a circle. He blasted a spell toward Neville who was more than ready and cast a spell back. The two spells crossed in the air with a loud crackle. The air smelled of ozone.

It was a tremendous fight. The opponents were skilled and agile, fuelled by rage and a hatred that had built for a long time. Neville, as usual, fought as if it were the last moment of his life. The sheer intensity of his hatred made him a dangerous, raging bull. Dean was more technical. He managed to hit Goyle in the face, burning off his eyebrows. He screamed in anger and launched forward. His spell hit Neville in the chest with great force and sent him flying backwards.

"Ha, there you go you little faggot,"

"You bastard," Dean screamed and struck Zabini with a spell that made him whirl in the snow and lose his balance. He quickly jumped up though and suddenly Dean found himself outnumbered with two wands pointing at him. He froze and stared at Goyle while glancing sideways at Zabini's wand, that was very close to his face.

"That was short but sweet," Zabini said. "Now we will do a little Cruciatus curse on you, Thomas, then we will turn your nose into a pineapple. That way everyone will know what a fruit you are."

Goyle chuckled at this proposition.

"But that's an unforgivable curse," Dean said. His face had become very pale. Sweat broke out on his forehead. He glanced towards Neville without taking his eyes too long from the threatening wands pointing at his face. Neville was out cold.

"Are you afraid of a little pain? I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave," Zabini said. "Or maybe you're just little sissies. A bit of duelling and you wet your pants."

"Prepare yourself to scream," Gregory said and both the Slytherin boys raised their wands.

"What is going on here?" said a sharp voice. "Stop that!"

Professor Flitwick had arrived on the scene and he looked livid. "What are you doing, duelling out here like that? You are disturbing the peace of this fine institution and bringing shame on your house. Bringing shame on Hogwarts."

"He started it, Professor," Goyle and Zabini said, pointing at Dean. They had quickly pocketed their wands and rearranged their faces into feigned innocence.

"They called us faggots," Dean replied quickly.

"That may not be very nice, Mr. Thomas, but any connotation of that word should be nothing to be so upset about, and certainly no reason to start a fight."

"There is a war going on, Professor."

"Not here there isn't. This is still a school and there will be no fighting on the grounds, understood?"

"Yes, Professor."

"Now, you two go back to the Slytherin common room and stay out of trouble. I will inform Professor Snape later. You, Mr. Thomas will go and see Professor McGonagall and explain your appalling behaviour if you can. She will find some suitable punishment. Meanwhile, I will take Mr Longbottom to see Madam Pomfrey."

The Slytherins walked away. They looked pleased that they seemed to have escaped punishment. Dean hesitated, but when Flitwick pointed towards the castle, he started to walk, kicking at the snow and muttering something no one could hear.

Neville had woken and got up from the ground. He looked groggy.

"Are you all right?" Professor Flitwick asked.

When Dean arrived at Professor McGonagall's office she was already waiting for him. She was standing by the window with her arms folded across her chest. The early morning sun that fell through the window made her face look even paler than usual, and her mouth was pressed together in a thin line.

"You certainly rose early today, Mr. Thomas," she said.

"Yes, Professor," Dean answered the head of his house.

"And you have managed to get yourself in trouble already. Quite impressive."

"I'm awfully sorry, Professor. I was practising duelling with Neville and when we were heading back we ran into Gregory Goyle and Blaise Zabini."

"So you decided to fight with them," McGonagall said.

"They insulted us," Dean said.

"Ah, they insulted you, and therefore you felt compelled to make a disgrace of your house and embarrass yourselves. Not very mature of you, Mr. Thomas."

"Sorry, Professor," Dean said in a quiet voice. The tall witch in front of him stared over her square spectacles. She didn't speak and Dean couldn't stand to look her in the eye. He looked at his shoes where a puddle of water had formed from the melting snow.

"You are too hot-headed Mr. Thomas," McGonagall said, finally. "You should not let yourself be so easily provoked. These are dark times. We need to think, not go around blowing up about insults and other cheap provocations."

"Yes, Professor," Dean answered. He was tugging at his cloak still not looking her in the eyes.

"And do look at me when I speak to you," Professor McGonagall said, "If you are going to run around and curse everyone and everything about Hogwarts you may at least stand up and take responsibility for what you have done."

Dean lifted his eyes slowly to meet Professor McGonagall's stare.

"Now, while I appreciate the loyalty you demonstrate to Gryffindor house, there are better ways to show it than petty fights on the school grounds."

"I'd like to help any way I can, Professor," said Dean eagerly.

"Well, you will receive detention, of course. But I shall see if there is not a little useful something for you to do to further our cause while you're at it. The Order of the Phoenix has a small thing that we need help with."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Now, it will not be especially glorious. In fact, I believe you will find it quite boring and tedious."

"That's all right, as long as I can contribute with something."

"All right then." The Professor's mouth quickly flashed a thin smile. "You are dismissed, and you better behave yourself, at least for the rest of the day." She sighed, turned her back on Dean and walked over to her small desk that stood in the middle of the room. She sat down, lifted her quill from the cup and turned to a single sheet of parchment that laid there. With the quill in mid air, she stopped and looked up at Dean again.

"Are you still here? Run along. You will be missing breakfast."

"Yes, Professor." Dean turned to hurry away and nearly ran into Ginny Weasley who was entering the room.

"Oh, hello Ginny."

"Hello, Dean," Ginny said. Dean looked at Professor McGonagall who had started writing. Then he glanced quickly at Ginny and hurried past her out of the room.

Ginny stood in the doorway to McGonagall's office without entering the room. She looked at the bookshelves and the portraits of former heads of Gryffindor. They were almost all witches and that always pleased her. McGonagall was writing on her parchment and didn't look up. She felt for her wand with her other hand. Without taking her eyes off the parchment, she flicked her wand at the fireplace behind her. A nice fire roared up and filled the room with warmth and a crackling sound. She makes magic look so easy, Ginny thought. She cleared her throat. Professor McGonagall looked up.

"You asked me to come and see you," Ginny said.

"Yes, Ginny, I have a matter to discuss with you." McGonagall glanced down at her writing then carefully put the quill away. Her face was much warmer now than it had been when she had assigned her punishment to Dean Thomas. "I received an owl from one of your friends. She is worried about you."

"Who sent an owl about me?" Ginny asked. She felt surprised and annoyed.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that someone who is your friend was worried enough about you to notify the head of your house. She says you have become moody and self-destructive lately. She is afraid you are depressed."

"Was it Luna?" Ginny asked.

"Who it is doesn't matter. What is bothering you is the matter," McGonagall said. "I know we are living in dark and depressing times, but you always seemed in good spirits before now. Is this about your brother Percy? I am aware of the fight he had with your father and how upsetting that might be."

"No, it is not about Percy, and I'm all right, really."

"So if it is not about Percy then what is troubling you?"

"It is rather personal, if you don't mind." Ginny shifted and looked towards the window to avoid McGonagall's eyes. A red colour crept up on her cheeks.

"You know, Miss Weasley, that anything you say to me in this room will remain between you and I," Professor McGonagall said. "I will not tell your father, your brother or anyone about it, not even the Headmaster."

"Harry Potter broke my heart," Ginny whispered. Her face now became beet red. She stared at the floor in front of her.

"Ah, so that is the problem," McGonagall said. She looked relieved.

She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts. "Yes, well, matters of the heart are delicate affairs." She paused again and pushed up her glasses onto her nose before she continued, "And very personal indeed. We may very well feel like all is lost when we lose what we have hoped and longed for. It is a natural reaction. I would not want to tell you the usual wisdoms, you really do not want to hear about how there will be other boys and how you are still very young. I can understand how such a thing might feel very definite and perhaps make you see things in very dark colours."

"Do you?"

McGonagall smiled. "You might not believe it, but I too have loved once or twice in my life, and on occasion it may even have happened that my feelings were not reciprocated."

"Oh," Ginny said. She smiled back.

"May I ask what Harry did?"

"Oh, nothing bad," Ginny said, quickly. She looked up at McGonagall. "He didn't do anything bad, Professor."

"Well, wouldwhy don't you like to tell me what happened?"

"I told him I loved him and he said he didn't feel the same," Ginny said. Her voice was barely a whisper and she stared at the floor again.

"Oh, well that is that then. I'm very sorry to hear it, but if that is how he really feels there is not much to be done about it, is there?"

"No, I guess not."

"Now, as I said. I do understand, even though you might find it hard to believe. But you are a brilliant witch Ginny and I do not want to see you ruin your prospects for any boy. You should value yourself more than that. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, Professor, I think so."

"Look around you at these walls." She swept with her hand towards the paintings. "I would not be surprised if your portrait would one day appear on these walls or some other wall at an equally distinguished institution. I'd hate to see you lose that opportunity because Harry may not have the feelings for you that you had hoped. It is not worth it."

"No, Professor."

"Now, you will do your homework, Ginny, and you will pay attention in class. You will start eating again and you will play Quidditch, which I know you really love to do. I will not expect you to walk around with a false smile plastered on your face, but you will do all these things so that you do not lose all you have. Do we have an agreement?"

"Yes, Professor, I will do my best."

"That is good. It's all I ask. And if you feel your spirits falter you may come into this room and look at the walls any time you like." McGonagall smiled a warm smile at her pupil and Ginny returned the smile.

"Thank you, Professor," she said. "May I go now?"

"Yes, off you go."

Professor McGonagall was not the only head of house to be busy with unpleasant necessities, despite the early hour. Severus Snape was making his way to the Slytherin common room to greet a guest that he had rather not seen at Hogwarts at all. Granted, this person was not as powerful as he had once been, but he was working hard to regain what he had lost. Severus felt he had a most unfortunate affinity to be caught in his affairs. The problem with being a pawn in the real world version of wizard's chess, that was currently being played, was that there were so many kings.

Severus sighed, powerless kings and not a queen worthy a flick of an eyebrow. Life surely was boring at times.

"Good morning, Severus. I'm glad to see you. I find you in excellent health, I hope."

Lucius Malfoy was standing by the common room fire. He stood as if posing for a Renaissance painting, with both hands resting on his cane in front of him. His scarlet cloak flowed over his shoulders almost touching the floor. The flickering of the fire reflected silver in his blond long hair and a feverish hint of energy in his grey eyes gave Severus a feeling of trepidation.

"I'm fine, Lucius. Didn't I ask you to not come around to the castle any more?"

"Now, now, am I suddenly Pariah around here? I have served my sentence you know." He laughed a hollow laugh devoid of all humour. It echoed on the walls of the common room.

"Don't worry Severus. I haven't come all the way to this windy old castle to talk about myself, or the affairs we used to be caught up in, you and I. Not that the Headmaster wouldn't be extremely interested to know one thing or another about our dealings. But, as I hope you know, my loyalty lies firmly still with the purity of blood and the cause."

"Yes, of course, Lucius. I would never believe otherwise."

"I have seen dark thing's Severus. And so have you. The times are troubling, perhaps, but hope lies, as always, with our youth. They are our future. It is, in some ways, too late for us two, but the youth must not be spoiled. Our youth must not be corrupted. The earth has swallowed all my hope, but Draco is the hopeful heir of my earth."

"Yes, indeed."

"That is why you hold such a crucial position here. Frankly, I would never allow Draco to attend Hogwarts if I it wasn't for your care and guidance."

"I do my best to be a fair and inspiring head of house."

Lucius lifted his cane and looked at the silver tip for a moment.

"He is young and has not seen much of the world," he said. "Narcissa and I have felt it is time to see to his future. We have discussed matters with the Nott family and we have come to an agreement. In two years Draco will marry Alexandra Nott."

"Ah," Snape said. "Does Draco know this?"

"Not yet. I will inform him of our decision today. However, as the head of his house you play a crucial role in his moral guidance and as his protector. We would not want to see our plans spoiled."

"Of course not, I take my duties seriously," Snape said.

"As you know, I am hosting the Ministry of Magic annual Masquerade at Malfoy Manor this year," Lucius said. "It is an opportunity to show my remaining good will towards the Ministry despite the, shall we say, misunderstandings of the past. It will be by special invitation only. You will naturally be one of the invited Severus."

"Naturally," Snape said.

"However," Lucius continued. "Since this is a Ministry function, it does necessitate the invitation of certain riff raff that may not be good company for a boy at an impressionable age. So, I wonder if I could ask of you to extend your parenti in loci functions a little bit for the party as Narcissa and I will be far to busy with being hosts and caring for the guest of honour, our Minister of Magic, who can never be pampered enough it seems."

"Yes, so it would seem," Snape said. "I have known Draco all his life and I care for him almost as if he was my own son. I would never let anything bad happen, nor would I allow him to run astray."

"I'm glad to hear that. Just keep an eye on him. I fear our announcement about his future may cause some initial resistance. The modern ways, you know. I would hate for the boy to be tempted to do anything rash."

"I will not allow it," Severus said.

"That is settled then. Thank you, Severus. I will not keep you any longer and thank you for your time."

Lucius Malfoy bowed toward Professor Snape, opened the door to the Slytherin common room and walked out.

Severus stood for a moment looking at the closed door. He scratched his chin where he had not had time to remove the morning stubble before seeing his early caller.

You know, it's true what I said. I do care for Draco, but I do not care particularly for you Lucius or your slimy old schemes to secure influence and power. But don't worry; you can hold me to my word. I would never let anything bad happen to Draco.

And being married off to the Nott family, that would be a bad thing, indeed.

"A very bad thing," Severus said aloud to the closed common room door.

After breakfast, the owls arrived.

Ginny was surprised to receive a post from what was, plainly, a ministry owl. She untangled the little roll of parchment and patted the bird on the head. He looked disgruntled, he had most likely expected a treat for his services, but as breakfast had already been served, Ginny had nothing to give to the old owl. It looked sad and flew off.

"What does the Ministry want with me?" Ginny said. "I hope it's not something bad about Dad." Her eyebrows narrowed and she tore open the roll with worried impatience.

"Ah," she said. "It's that stupid masquerade at Malfoy Manor."

"You got invited?" asked Luna, who was seated beside Ginny.

"Yeah, but I think it is a mistake. It says 'Dear Mrs. Weasley' As far as I know I'm not married. This owl must have been intended for my mother."

"Really, so your family was invited," Luna said.

"Yes, but Dad would refuse to go anyway. He was furious that the Ministry let Lucius host the party. He would never set foot at Malfoy Manor." Ginny said, "They had to invite us though since Dad works at the ministry."

"I wonder what Malfoy Manor is really like," Luna said. She stared up in the ceiling and her eyes became glazed.

"Do you ever eat at the Ravenclaw table these days?" Neville Longbottom asked Luna while seating himself down at the table beside her. He was eating peanuts that he casually threw into his open mouth.

"They hide my things," Luna said. "Ginny is going to the Masquerade at Malfoy Manor."

"Hey, I'm not," Ginny said. "I was invited by mistake."

"It would be good for you. Might make you forget about a certain boy," Neville said.

"Oh, no. Everyone in the whole world knows about it. I'll have to move to Switzerland. And I was called to McGonagall's office so she could embarrass me further, what a super day it's been."

"There will be loads of older boys there, junior guys that work for the ministry. I bet they are more mature than the boys around here," Luna said. "Maybe you'd meet some really sexy guy to take your mind off of Harry for a while."

"Oh yeah, a pale ministry boy with a burning passion for filling out forms in triplicate," Ginny said. "I'd rather date Gregory Goyle."

"He'll be there too," Luna said.

"Oh please Luna. You're making me vomit," Ginny said.

Neville grinned beside the two girls. He clearly found the thought of Ginny dating Goyle very amusing. "How does this invitation work anyway?" Neville asked, and threw a peanut that missed his mouth and hit him on the nose.

"You take your invitation and floo there. But you can't reach the Manor unless you have the invitation. The network will seal off," Ginny said. "And anyone that floos with you will be able to tag along as well. The instructions are right here on the parchment." She held up the invitation for the other two to see.

"We should go," Luna said. "It will cheer you up Ginny. Help me here Neville, it will be fun."

"But can we just turn up at Malfoy Manor?" Neville said. "Won't they throw us out?"

"They can't. We are invited, aren't we, and besides we'll be masked. We should conjure up some really spiffy and clever disguise so that no one will recognise us. How does that sound?" She got up from the table and grabbed Ginny's hands in her own. "Come on Ginny we must make you dance."

Ginny grinned at Luna's enthusiasm. "That's easy for you to say, you are so light footed, I have a soul of lead, remember? It pins me to the ground and makes it impossible to move."

"Who are you calling light footed, you sluttish girl?" Luna swung Ginny's hands back and forth to an imaginary melody while grinning at Ginny. "Borrow Cupids wings for a night and soar over that dancing floor. You'll have those dashing ministry boys drooling all over you, forgetting all about filling out triplicates, or whatever. And you will see there are other guys besides Harry. Please!" She stopped her hands and cocked her head. "Ginny,please."

"Oh, all right then. Why not?"

"Excellent. Will you come too Neville?"

"I still don't get it. How will we be able to floo from Hogwarts without anyone knowing we've gone to the party? Don't we have to ask permission?"

"Actually, I think I know how we can do it," Ginny said. "McGonagall said I could go to her office and look at the paintings anytime I want, there is a fire place in there that is connected to the network."

"Why would you want to look at the paintings?" Neville asked.

"I don't know. It was supposed to be inspirational or something. If anyone turns up you two just hide and I'll pretend to be looking at the portraits. They will think I'm nuts but it will keep us out of trouble."

"Sounds good," Neville said and stood up. "Shall we say midnight? Let the party get a head start so we can sneak in more unnoticed." He threw a peanut in the air. It hit him on the eyebrow. "Eh, I see you later then." Neville winked at Luna and Ginny and walked off from the great hall.