The Second Truth

There were bad days and there were days where she actually thought she was living in hell. Up to this point today, Virginia Weasley had to agree with the latter option. She had woken up on time, for once, and actually had an agreeable breakfast in the Great Hall. Never mind that Harry hadn't even looked at her. No smile, no good morning, no anything. Her brother had been a slight improvement; he had at least spoken to her. Not that she cared. She saw Ron everyday whether she was at Hogwarts or not. Therefore, being spoken to by her brother was basically a non-event that did nothing to effect her day. Hermione did absolutely nothing to acknowledge her; she was too busy staring at Ron in utter adoration.

Virginia groaned to herself. The two of them could not keep their eyes, not to mention other things, off each other. It had all started two summers ago, after her fourth year. Suddenly Ron and Hermione had come to the realization that there was a solution to all those pent up hormones. Well, that's how she liked to tell it anyways. Harry didn't seem to care one way or the other. Quidditch, Cho Chang, and Voldemort took up his time. A pity, she thought mildly. Although not as attached to her as during fifth year, the Valentine's Day date seemed to have enlightened him a little, he still spent an awful lot of time looking at her. The only problem was that the Ravenclaw was now attached to him. Virginia had a feeling Harry was starting to regret his participation in the DA training sessions. Whenever Cho spoke to him, she was always bringing up memories of that ill-fated organization.

Enough about Harry she reminded herself. She was over him, at least she told herself that. She had dated around the Gryffindor house, but sometimes Virginia would still find herself staring at Harry during meals or in the common room. In truth, the boy wasn't half as fascinating as he seemed. He *only* talked about Quidditch, Cho, and Voldemort. Which, although interesting for short periods of time, never really seemed to interest her.

Virginia glanced around the potions classroom carefully. Thankfully, Snape had missed her daydreaming. Colin Creevey, her potions partner, was staring at her expectantly. She shook her head, letting the red swirl around her. "I'm sorry Colin... what did you say?"

Colin, being himself, didn't get annoyed at her lack of attention. "It's all right. Long day?"

"You can't even imagine," she replied with a groan. "I fell asleep in Transfiguration."

His eyes widened. "Oh my goodness. What did McGonagall do to you?"

"Detention..." she admitted. "Tonight... with Snape because apparently she's awful busy."

He stole a terrified glance at the Potions Master, "Detention with Snape?"

Virginia nodded. "That's what I said. She just told me that I shouldn't complain or else she'd give me more. It's not like I was trying fall asleep. Sometimes, things just happen."

"Hum..." Colin commented while glancing sideways at the proposed ingredients in the potion they were supposed to be brewing. "Are you sleeping?"

She glared at him over their cauldron. "That's a personal question."

He shrugged, unabashed. "Well, are you?"

"Yes, I'm sleeping fine if you really must know." Virginia turned her attention to the list beside her. "Do we have everything?"

Unperturbed by the sudden change of subject, Colin scanned the list and the ingredients in front of him. "I think so. Shall we give it a go?"

She nodded. "I don't see why not."

Following her direction, Colin carefully added and stirred their potion. When he was done, they both tentatively moved to look in at it. Inside the cauldron, a purplish substance was bubbling softly. She raised a reddish brow at Colin. "What color was that supposed to be?"

He looked up at the front of the classroom. "Umm... purple. At least that's what it says."

"Then maybe we did it right," she commented.

She didn't get to ponder further; Professor Snape was already heading their way. He gave a few words of praise to the Slytherin pair across from them before he arrived at their table. Virginia glared at the Slytherins. Double Potions was her least favorite class, even if she was competent in the subject. She hated the Potions Master and the Slytherins. From experience, she had a sense that the feeling was mutual. Snape stopped in front of them and stared disdainfully into their mixture. Once he studied it, he raised his head and sneered at them. "I see you have followed instructions, for once."

Colin and Virginia exchanged an annoyed look; they always got their potions right. Neither, however, dared to speak. Snape glared at them a moment longer before returning to the front of the classroom. Colin shuddered. "He gives me the creeps."

"Talk about it," she agreed.

The Potions Master gave them a pointed glare before he addressed the rest of the class. It was almost as if he knew what they were saying. "Sadly, time has run out. I expect you to continue with your independent projects outside of class. We will be presenting them next time we meet. You are dismissed. Oh, and Miss. Weasley... a word with you?"

Colin gave her a sympathetic expression, but bolted from the potions classroom as fast as he could. She garnered a handful of arrogant smirks from the Slytherins and one girl muttered under her breath, "Spending too much time swooning for Potty?"

"Ugh," was the only response Virginia gave. Did people really think she still had a thing for Potter?

"Miss. Weasley...I'm waiting," Snape commented while sneering.

She jumped. "Oh! Sorry. Yes, Professor?"

"About you detention..." She noticed he seemed to get a sickening pleasure out of saying this.

Virginia frowned, "Yes, Professor?"

He gave her a cold smile. "Professor McGonagall notified me of the situation. I will not be able to directly supervise you, but that does not concern me. My assistant will be more than happy to supervise your tasks."

"I understand, Professor," she replied. Virginia wondered who his assistant would be. Probably a seventh year, and probably a Slytherin, but that really didn't eliminate many people.

Snape nodded sharply at her. "Seven O'clock sharp. You will not be late or you shall suffer the consequences."

"Yes, Sir." She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at his antics.

"Good," he snapped. "Now get out of my sight, girl."

Sighing, she turned away and gathered her books. Must he be so absolutely rude? Virginia awkwardly stumbled out of the potions dungeon and hurried to the Gryffindor common room. Potions was her last class of the day and she wanted to get a head start on her homework before detention. The Fat Lady smiled at her as she muttered the password, "Lux et veritas"

Light in truth or light and truth depending on how you wanted to interpret it. Virginia was sure there was a correct way, but her Latin was not spectacular. The common room was empty; the plush couches looked abandoned and lonely. Quidditch practice was still going on at the pitch. That occupied both Harry and Ron who played Seeker and Keeper respectively. Hermione was probably still in the library, not that Virginia had a strong desire to see any of them. A crashing noise from the stairs to the boys' dormitories caught her attention. She watched in amusement as Dean Thomas stumbled into the common room.

"Good day to you, Thomas," she called to him, smiling.

He turned to her, as if just noticing her presence. "Oh, hey Ginny. How's life going?"

She walked lazily over to one of the couches and dropped her belongings. "As good as it can go when I have detention with Snape's assistant tonight."

Dean looked slightly confused. "His assistant?"

"All the teachers seem busy tonight, so I end up with his assistant." She shrugged and looked at him with interest. "Where are you going so fast?"

"I'm supposed to meet Seamus out by the Quidditch Pitch in a few minutes," he explained. "By the way, what did you do to get detention?"

Virginia actually smirked at this. "Fell asleep in McGonagall's class."

"But you have detention with Snape!" Dean pointed out.

"Yeah." She nodded morosely.

Dean shrugged at her lack of explanation. "As nice as it is chatting with you, I gotta go meet with Seamus."

Virginia sank into the couch. "Then by all means, go."

"Bye!" he called as he raced impetuously out of the portrait hole. She shook her head at his retreating back. The boy was going to get himself killed that way.

Virginia stared at her books. Work, what she was supposed to be doing. Muttering to herself about the unfairness of it all, she pulled out her Charms work and started.

Three hours later she had missed dinner, had sore shoulders, and had fallen asleep on the couch. A tentative hand reached out and grasped her shoulder, shaking her into the conscious world. She blinked a few times before staring at the figure in front of her. "Harry?"

He smiled slightly. Damn that brilliant smile of his. "Yes?"

"What are you doing?" she questioned curtly.

Harry's smile faded, but the light still remained in his dazzling green eyes. "Waking you... Dean said something about you having to be somewhere at seven..."

Her chocolate brown eyes grew wide. "What time is it?"

He glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. "About six fifty. Where do you have to be at seven?"

"Detention..." she groaned.

Harry smirked slightly; he looked absolutely adorable. "With who and what for?"

"With Snape's assistant," Virginia declared. "I fell asleep in McGonagall's class."

He laughed lightly. It was a beautiful sound. "I see that's a chronic problem of yours. Snape's assistant did you say?"

Virginia nodded sullenly. "Yup."

Harry snorted. "Have fun with that..."

"What?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "You know who his assistant is, don't you? Tell me."

"Well I suppose it's better to let you know earlier rather than later," Harry admitted. "Malfoy."

"Malfoy?" Disgust dripped into her voice. "The insufferable git Malfoy?"

Harry rolled his eyes, but nodded understandingly. "None other."

She closed her eyes. "Kill me now... please Harry?"

"Nah." She opened one eye and glared at him. "You'll survive. Sure, Malfoy is a jerk, but it's only one night..."

Virginia opened both eyes. "I never thought I'd hear you say that...I mean you're Harry Potter and he's Draco Malfoy."

Harry shrugged. "He's really not worth all that attention. I just ignore him these days. Anyways, he's gotten milder as he's gotten older. Maybe he grew a brain or something."

"Well," she sighed. "Good Malfoy or no, I have to go serve detention. Wish me luck."

Harry absently ran a hand through his tousled hair while he nodded. "I'm sure you won't need it. Now go, you don't want to be late!"

"Thanks," she muttered and then hurried off to Snape's office.

After a few minutes of navigation in the dungeons she came to the correct location and let herself in. Malfoy was sitting at Snape's desk staring at her with a look of casual arrogance that made her want to scream even though he hadn't done anything yet. His appearance was normal: slicked back hair, sneering expression, and cold gray eyes. "Little weasel, welcome."

"Ugh," she muttered. Staring at him in annoyance she ordered, "Get on with it, Ferret boy."

His eyes widened imperceptibly at her response, "You have a certain sense of determination. Must be all that red hair..."

"Two can play this game, but I'd rather just get this over with. What am I supposed to do?" She hissed.

"Fiery..." he commented idly. "Anyways, you see... that's the beauty of it. I don't have anything for you to do."

She looked confused. "Then can I please leave?"

"Oh no." Malfoy shook his head. A cocky expression appeared on his face as he answered. "You get to sit here with me until eleven. It's what you'd been privately hoping for wasn't it, Weasley?"

Virginia looked disgusted. "No. Not at all. Snape must have left something for me to work on."

At this, Malfoy gave a feral grin. "Oh, he did. But I already did it. So now, it's just you and me."

She shook her head. None of this added up. Why would Malfoy do her detention work for her? "So what are we going to do for our hours together?"

"Take a seat." He motioned to the empty chair in front of Snape's desk.

Hesitantly, she lowered herself into the chair, never taking her eyes from Malfoy's steely gray ones. As soon as she was seated, Virginia shifted uncomfortably. "Now what?"

"Relax," he hissed from across the desk. "I don't bite..." Malfoy let a leer adorn his features while letting his eyes roam about her figure. "That is, unless you want me to."

Virginia glared at him. "Sod off."

He laughed. It was like the sound of ice breaking, cold and brittle. "Oh no, Virginia Weasley. Tonight I call the shots."

At this, Virginia looked up sharply, studying his face for any sign of what he meant. Seeing nothing, she sighed. "What do you want Malfoy?"

"Call me Draco," he commanded. "What makes you think I want something?"

"Well, Malfoy," she carefully enunciated his surname, "you never do anything unless it benefits you. I'm not stupid. Which means you did my work because you want something from me. What?"

"Draco," he growled in a manner that sent her wondering. What didn't he like about Malfoy? "I'm not going to play around. I need information from you."

Her eyes narrowed. "What type? I'm not going to give you information on Harry just so you can pass it along to the rest of the Death Eaters and get him killed."

Draco glowered at her. "Who says I'm a Death Eater?"

"Well if you aren't now, you will be," she informed him. "Come on Mal...Draco, who do you think you're kidding? Everyone knows about your father. Harry's seen him at Death Eater gatherings..."

"Just because my father is something doesn't mean I am," he pointed out. For a moment she felt a pang of compassion for him as she stared into his face, his gray eyes betraying his emotions.

She frowned to herself. "So you're not a Death Eater? And you don't want to be one?"

"Good deduction, Weasel," he bit out irritably, raking a hand over his slicked hair.

"No need to be so nasty about it," she snapped. "But everyone thinks you're just part of Voldemort's plan... do the Slytherins know?"

The blonde boy glared at her. "I'm not going to be part of anyone's plan. And no, they don't know. I'm not crazy..."

Virginia played with her shockingly red hair. "You always seemed a bit off your rocker."

"I'm not insane," he insisted vehemently, crossing his arms and glaring at her, almost asking her to challenge him.

She sighed. "Just get on with it..."

Malfoy glared at her for a moment longer, making sure she wasn't playing with him any longer. "You know about the Chamber of Secrets."

It wasn't a question. "Yes, but I don't tend to talk about it."

"Why?" His face held no expression, but his sparkling eyes betrayed his curiosity.

Virginia laughed bitterly, surprising him. Apparently, he didn't know what had gone on his second year. "Do you really have to ask?"

He opened his mouth to respond before deciding on a different course of action. Lying back in his chair languidly, he stared fixedly at her. "I suppose not."

"What do you want?" She shifted uncomfortably.

Draco looked peeved, but he went straight to the point. "Tell me everything you know about Tom Riddle."

"What!" she gasped and felt the blood drain from her face. Her fingers clutched at the arms of her chair so tightly she could feel them turning white as well.

"You did meet him, correct?" He was unfazed by her reaction.

Virginia could feel her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She shook her head and noticed that black was beginning to invade her peripheral vision. "Draco... don't do this. Please don't do this."

"Why do I care what you want?" His tone was colder than ice. She lifted her eyes to meet his and found only cruel determination, not sympathy. "I need the information."

"Why?" she hissed as if in pain.

His next words were far from any she would ever imagine leaving his mouth. "I need to be able to defeat him when the time comes."

Her hand flew to her open mouth on it's own accord. Virginia stammered, "But..."

"You thought I'd follow Voldemort?" he scoffed. "Preposterous. I'm nobody's fool. My father follows him like a lap dog; I've seen him. I am not going to be my father."

For some reason, against all common sense, she believed him. His cold eyes shone with such fury and hatred that she had no choice at all. "Fine."

"Good." Draco stared at her impatiently. "Well start, I haven't got all night."

Virginia shoved her fears and doubts to the back of her mind and began her story. At points she felt pity in his gaze, but shook off the feeling. A Malfoy feeling sorry for a Weasley? It just didn't happen. Draco took no notes; he simply stared at her with those infuriating gray eyes, never speaking. There was no warmth in his disposure towards her, but the atmosphere in the room had improved. When she got to the details of Harry's defeat of Riddle, Malfoy held up a hand.

"Skip Potter's heroics. I don't give a bloody damn." He sneered condescendingly.

Virginia sighed. He must think she had a thing for Potter, the same as the rest of them. "In that case, I'm done."

He nodded, showing a small sign of appreciation. "Good information."

"Question." She stared directly at him.

Draco frowned in annoyance, but motioned for her to continue. "What?"

"Do I seemed obsessed with Potter?" Virginia questioned quietly, not meeting his stare.

"Why in bloody hell are you asking me that, Weasley?" His expression was incredulous.

She shrugged. "Everyone else seems to think so. And well, you have no love lost on Potter, so I thought you might notice if I seemed to be groveling after him."

Malfoy seemed amused by this notion; a small smile almost graced his hard features. "What would you do if I said yes?"

"Endeavor to hate Potter's guts more..." She smirked at him, losing all reservations about the cold blonde for the moment.

"Well, if that's the case..." His eyes sparkled with mischief. "I'd have to say yes... and that's actually being honest. I was under the impression that you were Potter's lovesick puppy."

It was her turn to be frosty. "I am nobody's lovesick puppy. Understood, Ma...Draco?"

"I only comment on what I see, flame girl," Draco snapped icily.

She almost smiled. Flame girl, now that was an interesting nickname. And surprisingly, she could find no insult in it. This caused her to study the figure in front of her more closely. He really wasn't that unattractive, but she had never noticed before. His pale angled face and silvery hair made him look something like an ice statue. Malfoy's eyes were the only features that seemed human and even they were cold. It was almost as if she was sitting across from an unbelievably perfect ice prince. Interesting. "Who are you?"

The words had left her mouth before she could even register their existence. Draco's eyes narrowed in suspicion and confusion. "What in the blazes do you mean by that?"

"Well you don't seem to want to be a Malfoy, but you're certainly not happy-go-lucky either." She crossed her arms and waited authoritatively for an answer.

He stared intently at her, as if seeing into her soul. "I'm just a boy in the world trying to survive. The same as you. Bloody hell, the same as Potter."

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "But you seem to be so much more."

"Huh?"

Virginia shook her head vaguely. "I'm not exactly sure how to phrase it. I guess I'd always pictured you as power hungry, arrogant, and meddlesome."

"I am." He shrugged. "But that doesn't explain what you were starting to say..."

"Never mind," the redhead muttered.

Draco didn't argue. Discussing himself was probably not on the top of his list Virginia surmised. "Can I ask you a question?"

She sighed, dreading the coming onslaught. "I suppose that's only fair."

"Do you mind being poor?" It was definitely not what she had suspected. No, it was much worse. The arrogant git. Who did he think he was?

Draco watched without trepidation as her entire stance transformed. Her hands gripped the chair in suppressed rage while her face contorted into a vile expression. "How dare you ask that..."

He was mildly irritated with her reaction. "Aw bloody hell Weasley, it's an honest question. Just answer it."

She glared at him, but understood that he didn't mean much harm. He was simply curious about something he had never personally experienced. The lucky git. "We don't always get what we want, but that doesn't matter. There's still plenty of love to go around."

Malfoy blinked slowly, his expression reserved. "Love?"

"You do know what love is I hope," she commented dryly.

"I suppose so," Draco muttered callously. "Don't have any, don't want any."

Virginia stared at him aghast for a few moments before recovering herself. "So that's what your problem is."

His bitter gray eyes snapped up. "What?"

"Not enough love and too much money," she replied.

She watched as he scowled at her words. "Your problem is too much love and not enough money."

Virginia shot up heatedly as her hands flew across the table to grasp the front of Malfoy's robes. She pulled him roughly to her across the desk. His eyes betrayed no emotions, for once. "You!" she spat fiercely. "You know nothing about love. Nothing."

He gazed blankly back at her. "You're right. I don't."

She could feel his short breaths grazing her face; the only sign that he was out of his normal state of being. Virginia stared into his eyes carefully. "Don't even try to assume what you're missing."

Draco closed his eyes and reached for her hands with his own. Slowly, he removed them from his collar. He returned them gently to her. "I don't."

For a small moment, she gazed sadly at his repentant face. "Thank you."

Malfoy bit his lip and turned away from her. He nodded his head curtly once. "Welcome."

She was surprised. An arrogant comment or insult seemed to be well past due. The icy blonde refused to meet her probing gaze. "Lost your taste for insults?"

At this, he turned to her with a sneer on his face. Ah, she reflected, back to normal. "Definitely not. I just see no point at utilizing my amazing skills right now."

Virginia groaned and sank back into her seat. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"No," he answered coldly.

She shrugged. "Well you are."

He narrowed his eyes at her thoughtfully. "You look tired. Snape told me why McGonagall sent you..."

"Ah."

"Well what do you have to say for yourself?" he insisted impatiently rapping his fingers on the desk.

She glared at him. "Sit down and stop that. It's annoying. What do you mean what do I have to say for myself?"

Amazingly, Draco obediently dropped into the leather chair, effectively ending the tapping. "I mean are you trying to kill yourself from exhaustion."

"No."

"Ah," he smiled slightly to himself. "I didn't think you were, but it never hurts to ask. Get some sleep."

Virginia stared at him a moment in disbelief. "Right here? During my detention?"

"Yes, right here." He glared at her incompetence. "Really Weasley, do I have to go over this again? I did your detention work... therefore you can sleep."

"Fine." She rolled her eyes at him.

"Good," he grunted in return.

Virginia closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on falling into a blissful oblivion. Beyond her closed reality she could hear Draco softly moving to a more comfortable position in his chair. She vaguely wondered if he was going to sleep as well. A minute or so later, however, she opened her eyes. "Draco?"

"What?" He frowned at her from across the table, very awake.

"If I have to call you Draco, it's only fair that you have to call me Virginia," she suggested.

He raised a brow in surprise. "Virginia? Everyone I know calls you Ginny."

"I hate Ginny. It makes me sound like a little girl." Virginia stared intently at her hands. She'd never actually admitted the fact until now.

"Which you are not." He spoke softly while leaning across the table to tilt her chin up. Her gaze met his. "Virginia it is."

"Hum," she commented and yawned.

Draco released her chin from his grasp. "Go to sleep this time."

"Yes, sir," she intoned while closing her eyes. "Night, night Draco."

"Rest well, Virginia." He stared intently at her. He had the information that he needed. With her help, he was sure he would never have to join Voldemort's ranks. Still, he could not strike up a friendship with the littlest Weasley. Draco bit his lip. He would use her for information, no more.

Two hours later, Virginia's light breathing filled the silent room. Draco was barely awake, his lids threatening to fall against his will. Glancing at the time, he pushed himself up from the chair and moved gracefully to stand beside Virginia. He took her shoulders lightly and shook. Slowly, she regained consciousness. "Draco?"

He nodded and spoke emotionlessly. "Yes. Your detention is over. Go back to the Gryffindor tower."

She stared at him blankly for a moment before remembering something. "May I kiss you?"

Draco was taken aback. "What?"

"Well... may I?" Virginia insisted.

He stepped back and gave her an icy stare. "I don't want you getting the wrong idea, Virginia."

She glared right back. "I'm not getting the wrong idea. Now let me kiss you."

Draco sighed. "As you wish."

Smirking slightly, she pushed herself up and strode over to him. He never took his eyes from hers. Without hesitation she lifted her head and unwittingly he lowered his. They met half way in a passionate fusion of fire and ice. As quickly as it had started, it ended. Virginia pulled away slowly, opening her eyes to stare at Draco.

"Goodbye, Draco Malfoy."

He nodded. "Same to you Virginia Weasley. And thank you. For everything."

She didn't even note how odd it was for a Malfoy to thank anyone. She simply nodded and headed back to her room with the tingling memory of his lips on hers. Maybe this wasn't one of those days where she felt like she was living in hell.