The Truth About Trees

Chapter 2

Notes and Nose Picking

~*~

Over the next few weeks life got better in some ways and more awkward in others. My classes became more tolerable, even potions with my now permanent partner, Malfoy. Every morning I got up and for some reason had the largest smile on my face for no other reason than my being alive, I suppose. And I am not a morning person. Everyone seemed to be getting along well and there was just this happy vibe around the Gryffindor tower.

Ron found out about Harry and Hermione about a week after I did. We were now the only ones who knew, charged with stamping out ideas of the two of them going out. And it was hard. It seemed every time they were together they had this urge to sit as close as was physically possible.

This was where the awkwardness came in. It seemed that when ever I was around them they were plastered together as though joined by cement or something. Ron didn't seem to notice or perhaps it just didn't bother him. Either way I never talked to him about it.

Hermione and I also seemed to be talking less than we had over the summer. Perhaps this was because we were back at school now and don't really have that much opportunity to talk. We don't really have any classes together so the only times I see her are during meals or in the Common Room. All times that she is with Harry. So I usually just sit there with them and Ron, trying to ignore the fact that the two of them are sitting so close.

In a way I suppose I am jealous. I mean, I don't have a crush on Harry anymore or anything like that, but I have never had a boyfriend. The closest I ever had was my pity date with Neville Longbottom. Not exactly boyfriend material at the time. And here's Hermione practically rubbing it in my face that I'm alone. I know I shouldn't think like that 'cause I know she is not doing anything of the sort but- oh, I don't know. I would love to have a guy who is willing to sit that close to me and hold my hand and tell me I'm great. But then what teenage girl doesn't on some level?

Anyway, I suppose I should get back to the present, shouldn't I? It's Friday today and as always I have Double Potions first thing. Colin, as he always does, walked with me down to breakfast. I am finding myself looking forward to these walks more and more lately. Colin has a refreshing sense of humor that I missed over the summer. It's not as perverse as Ron or Harry's. It's more imaginative and mischievous, easier to relate to I suppose. That, and his political views, though completely opposite of mine, are fun to argue about, in a sadistic way of course.

"You seem quite cheerful today," he said, glancing over at me from under his fringe of sandy blonde hobbit hair. "Anything happening today I should know about?"

"No," I responded. "I just feel happy today." I frowned. "Really happy. I don't know why. Why am I so happy Colin?"

"Uh," was his response as he looked at me slightly funny. This wasn't out of the norm. I'm always getting odd looks. I don't really care any more. I would rather get odd looks than indifferent ones. "It's Friday?" he finally offered.

"That must be it," I agreed more soberly than before.

Breakfast was good. Friday mornings always have the best food. Well, there's never really anything different about the food so I guess it is just the fact that it is Friday that makes it better. Either way I always find I eat a bit more on a Friday morning than any other morning. But then, do you really want to know about my morning eating habits? I am guessing no.

The only real reason I mentioned breakfast was because Hermione gave me a note. Actually, I don't even know why I even mentioned food in the first place. The note has nothing to do with food. The paper of the note is not edible. Well there are some brands out there that you can eat, but this definitely wasn't one of them.

She wouldn't tell me what it was about either, just told me to read it soon because it was important. An important note? That's new. Usually the notes we write to reach other are just babble to replace the lack of actual speech that we have been having.

I was going to read it on the way to potions but I got side-tracked and palmed the note before I could open it. Harry and Ron decided to walk me to class because they really didn't want to go to Divination.

"Why don't you just drop it?" I asked. "I mean you both despise it."

"Despise is not a strong enough word," Harry said mournfully.

"It's more like a hate that compels you to want to kill every damn idiot who ever even thought Divination was a great class," Ron said bitterly.

"Lavander and Pavarti go first," Harry hissed in agreement. "I don't know how many more 'Ooooh's I can take."

I let out a snort of laughter. They may have twisted senses of humor, but they're still funny. I wouldn't mind decking the two ditzs myself. They're pretty bloody annoying if you ask me.

"What are you doing down here?" someone sneered from behind us. The three of us whipped around to see Malfoy striding towards us, obviously off to Double Potions as I was.

"None of your business, Malfoy," Ron spat, pulling himself up to full height. He's still angry at the fact I have to work with the Slytherin. Ron keeps telling me I should drop the course because of him. I keep telling Ron to shove it.

Rolling his eyes, Malfoy disappeared into the room where we have Potions. We all glared after him.

"Stupid git," Harry growled. "I don't know how you put up with him."

"Neither do I," I sighed and walked into the class after him. "Later," I called over my shoulder.

As I took my seat Malfoy looked at me with a superior expression. I sent him a dirty look.

"You know Weasley," he sneered after I had taken my seat beside him. "It's pretty sad when you have your brother as your best friend."

"There's nothing sad about that at all," I snapped back. "But then you're just jealous 'cause you're an only child. Closest thing you have to a sibling is probably a house elf. Or do you have a pet rock that is like a brother to you?"

Malfoy's eyes flashed angrily but he never got the chance to tell me off for Snape chose that moment to walk in. The potions professor seemed to be in an extra foul mood. Seems Fridays have the opposite effect on him as they do on me.

"Voice changing potion," he snapped more violently than usual. "Page 437." There was a rustling of belongings as everyone searched for their books and turned to the appropriate page. "You will make the potion within the next week and change your voice to that of your partner if you want full marks."

Ugh, I don't want to sound like bloody Malfoy. He seemed to be thinking the same thing for his face reflected my own disgust. Looking pointedly at the two of us, Snape then proceeded to drone on and on about the potion.

I couldn't pay attention however. Hermione's note was just begging to be read. But I wouldn't dare. Snape would give me a week's detention if he caught me. Hannah Abbott had been caught the week before and is still coming in to clean the floors. I wonder what could be so important thought? Deadly illness? Another diabolical plan to stop Voldemort? No, I guess he would have to make a first move, wouldn't he? And the Dark Lord's been silent for a few months. Probably building his forces.

" Snape," someone said as the door to the room was opened. It was McGonagall looking as thin lipped as ever. "We need you in the staff room. Right now."

Snape, looking quite miffed, turned to us. "Read the chapter on identity changes. Don't start working yet. I need to explain a few more things." And with that he left.

I couldn't believe my luck! So out came Hermione's note (which was slightly damp from sitting in my hand the whole time). The rest of the students seemed to be contentedly gossiping while Malfoy seemed to be entertaining himself by actually reading the text. If I didn't know better I'd say he's no better than Hermione.

The note itself was semi-long and didn't seem to be written any differently than any of the others at first glance. Guess I'll just have to read and find out what was so urgent.

Ginny,

I don't know how much more of this I can take. Everything was going so well with Harry before but now it seems, I don't know, pointless I suppose. We don't really talk anymore, just kind of sit there with each other.

I had noticed this. I just thought it was because they were talking telepathically or something. Ok, no I didn't. It's just that it seems that way by the way they look at each other. Oh stop looking at me like that.

Every time I try to start a conversation he just brushes me off and when we do talk it seems to turn into an argument. He's still pissed off that I sat with Ron and talked to him while he was leading the Quidditch practice. You were there. We didn't do anything but talk.

I was there. And all they did do was talk. About what, I don't know. I wasn't really paying attention to them for Neville and Colin were more interesting at the time. But I do know why Harry was pissed: after the practice they didn't really talk to him, just more continued their conversation. I think I would be pissed too.

So I'm not allowed to talk to anyone but him any more? But he doesn't talk back! And he always makes me feel so guilty lately when I want to study. I mean I have to study. He knows that. It's what I do. What I love to do. Ok. That sounded loserish but it's true. I can't just drop everything because Harry wants to sit around. I have responsibilities. I am Head Girl after all. And he gets really pissed whenever I go to a meeting. I offered that he come with me but he simply refused.

Now this is a surprise. I never thought Harry to be like that. He always seemed so nice and considerate to me. Never overbearing or anything like that. And I have had six years to get to know him, if not well than enough to know his general reactions.

Ginny, I don't want to hurt him but being with him is hurting me. I feel so depressed lately and I think he's the reason. But I just couldn't break up with him. It would crush him. I don't want to be responsible for that. It would be so much easier on me if he broke up with me. I already talked to Ron about this and he said that he would try and convince Harry that things simply aren't working. He also said to get your opinion. You are around almost as much as him. I have to go. We need to talk-

"You do know what's she's doing, don't you Weasley?" someone hissed in my ear. I turned sharply to find Malfoy reading over my shoulder. I pulled away sharply and flipped the note over.

"And what's that?" I hissed back, looking at him angrily. The nerve. Reading my note.

"She's using you to break up with Potter. Or can't you see that?" he sneered.

"Hermione would never do that," I sneered back, completely believing what I'd said. She wouldn't. It's not in her nature to use people like that. At least, I don't think it is. Not that I'd admit any of my doubts to Malfoy. "What do you care anyway?"

"I don't," he drawled. "It's just that you're not supposed to read notes in class."

"So you just thought you'd read mine? See if it was worth turning in?" I shook my head angrily, folding the note back up. I'd go over it again later when I had time.

"If that's the way you want to see it," he drawled in response. "I really don't think Snape would care much about Potter's love life anyway. And you shouldn't either."

"You keep saying that," I hissed. "Is there something you would like to tell me?"

"Nope," he responded simply and went back to reading the text.

"Stupid git," I muttered and went to reading my own text. All the while thinking about Hermione and feeling awfully sorry for her. How could Harry expect her to stop studying and stuff? It's just stupid. Of course I'll help her yet at the same time Malfoy's odd warning kept echoing in my head.

Mentally I shook it. What does Malfoy know anyway? He has no friends. How would he know you are supposed to help a friend in need? Damn Slytherin git.

~*~

The past few weeks have been more stressful than they should be. Father keeps sending me owls, asking me for information about Dumbledore and other such things (most of which I don't answer properly). Or he gives me "tips" on becoming a Death Eater. He seems to think that as soon as I graduate I will be joining league with the Dark Lord. I think I will have to make a point of staying here for the Christmas holidays. I feel a potion project coming on.

I don't think I could put up with two and a half weeks of father's "tips", even if he has my best interests in view. Perhaps he doesn't even have that. Perhaps he only wants me to join the Death Eaters so he can say I have actually become something and give him more credit. Who knows?

But if I stay here that means those two idiots I call friends will be staying as well. I don't know if it is just me or if the two of them have gotten stupider. Perhaps I just grew out of them. Either way I can't stand them anymore. I don't care if they're loyal, they don't do anything worth while. But there is no one else to turn to in my house. The girls are all air-heads and the younger students are a waste of time. In other words, I'm stuck with the two gorillas as companions in every class I take.

Every class that is, except Potions. It's horrible of me to say, goes against everything I believe in, but I find the Weasley girl to be better company than Crabbe and Goyle.

We have quite an odd relationship come to think about it - Entertaining almost if I wasn't involved in it. Sitting in class, working together, all the while trying to bring the other's ego as low as it can go.

Talking to Weasley is like talking to no one else I have ever met before. It is far more entertaining than tormenting Potter or his Dream Team for she doesn't jump to hexing or physical violence at the first sign of trouble. Rather she fights me off verbally. Some of her stuff, I must admit, is rather sinister. She would have made a good Slytherin if she had not been a Weasley.

She's sitting there quite moodily right now, glaring at me from behind her flame red hair. Probably still pissed that I read her note. I don't know what came over me today though. Malfoy's don't read notes. But there was just something that caught my interest, so I read it. I never thought that Granger had it in her to be so cunning. That she was capable of manipulating Weasley into dumping Potter for her. Easy way to shift the self-blame to a scapegoat.

I don't even know why I said anything in the first place. It just came out before I realized what I was doing. Then I had to follow through. Malfoys don't back down.

I don't see how it matters to me though. Potter's relationship with the Muddblood doesn't concern me in the slightest. I couldn't care less. And if Weasley went down with them it would just mean an easier time for me to bring her down during class. No more putting up with her insufferable cheerfulness.

Yet the whole situation just struck me as wrong. People should not be used like that. Not even Weasleys. I've seen it with my parents friends. The fights and insults and haunted looks. I suppose some part of me resents my parents for raising me in a world like that. Where a child grows up around gossip and betrayal. Perhaps I am simply sick of the cycle and warning Weasley was some way to stop it on some level.

But then, I can't really talk. I don't really have anyone else to hang with so I use Crabbe and Goyle. It's true I guess, what they say: You live what you learn. My parents always used people to get what they wanted or needed so why should I have learnt any different. At least I'm not going out with either of them. Merlin forbid I ever do.

Snape never did return to class until the end of the second block. Weasley hadn't talked to me the whole time. I didn't try to change that. It turns out that something big happened, but then I had assumed that already. Snape refused to comment but by lunch I was hearing that some fifth years had been foolish enough to go into the Forbidden Forest last night and were attacked by werewolves. I shudder at the thought. I hate werewolves.

None of the professors commented during lunch, probably hoping to use our fear of the unknown to keep us away from the forest. After lunch I was off to Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid seemed quite distracted as he told us about some three headed dog. Like there could ever be a real thing like that. And why the hell would you call it Fluffy?

Anyway, that great oaf kept looking towards the forest as though expecting some terrible creature to jump out and gobble us up. No one else seemed to notice but it was making me uneasy. I notice these things. My entire life I have been told to be seen, not heard. Times like those cause one to rely on observations to keep from becoming bored to death. That or signing in your head. After a while you begin to pick up the little things no one else cares to notice.

Deciding that observing Hagrid and his skitters was not good for my sanity I instead turned my attentions to Potter and Granger. Granger seemed to be right. They did seem more distant than they had been a few weeks ago. Still standing close together but not as loose. More ridged and formal. Not that I sit there and stare at them on a daily basis. It's the observing thing again.

Glancing to my right I was greeted with the most pleasant sight in the world: Crabbe picking his nose. Ugh. I turned away before I could see what he did with the product. Why the fuck do I hang out with these freaks? Backing away slowly I moved out of their plain of slight. They didn't seem to notice. Slow as a stick on Sunday, they are.

My life seems to have hit a pinnacle. Everywhere I look something annoys me. My father's attitude. My friends. My house. Even my interest in Potter's relationship annoys me. Perhaps if I walk over to that fence over there and bang my head against it repeatedly things will get better.

Resisting the urge I forced myself to pay attention to the Gamekeeper gone professor.

"And now Fluffy is living a happy life on a Wizarding ranch just outside London. Lots of room for him to run and stuff." The big dolt seemed to have gone misty eyed. I don't think I will ever get over that, the fact that the man is so powerful yet he tears up at the simplest things. It's just not right. "Now I want you all to read chapters six through eight for next class."

He then walked us back to the school. Now I know something is up. Homework in Care of Magical Creatures and being walked back to the castle? I could see that the Herbology students were being escorted as well. What the hell really happened?

~*~