Man Going Down

Title: Man Going Down

Pairing: Ginny/Draco; Harry/Hermione

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing.

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Chapter 1: Change of Plans

As I stood on Platform 9 ¾,I couldn’t believe that I was already in my 6^thyear. It amazed me. The strange thing about it was that Dumbledore had called back the 6^th and 7^th years to school a month and a half early, and told them to bring only their wands and a month’s worth of clothing.

I boarded the train wondering how much trouble Harry could possibly be in to drag my grade back to school early. I found an empty compartment and sat down to prepare for the worst when platinum hair and silver eyes sat down in front of me.

“What did Potty do this time?” asked an annoyed voice.

“Sod off Malfoy.” I answered calmly.

“That’s no way for a lady to talk. Don’t you poor people learn any manners?”

“Bloody hell Malfoy! Shut up!” I answered, more angrily.

“Make me.”

“I will.”

“And just how do you pl-” Draco’s sentence was cut off however, as I slapped him and then promptly stormed out of the compartment. I had just gotten out the door when the train jolted and the lights went out. I would have fallen had I not tumbled backwards into a chest. I leaned backwards almost out of instinct and arms wrapped themselves around my waist, only to be quickly removed.

“Are you okay?” asked the person behind me.

“I think so.”

“Humph. Fall the other way next time Weasley. Now, I need to go burn my clothes.”

“Really? And why is that?” Draco started to head down the hall.

“I’ve got the germs of a poor pathetic muggle-lover on me.” I felt like screaming but didn’t, and went to lie down instead. Draco Malfoy was such a self-centered, annoying little git! I closed my eyes and calmed myself to the point where my thoughts drifted away from the prat. I think I fell asleep because the next thing I knew, there was an announcement over the intercom saying that we were 10 minutes from Hogwarts. I sighed, I couldn’t wait to find out why I was back so early.

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“Welcome back everyone.” Dumbledore greeted the nearly empty hall. “You are all here for a project concerning muggle history. The grades are going to be split up into two groups.” I gasped inwardly. This meant 6^th years in one group, and the 7^th years in the other. I’d be split up from Ron, Mione and Harry. “The groups will be split up as follows: Gryffindors with Slytherins and Hufflepuffs with Ravenclaws. Your group will be going back to a certain time-frame in muggle history and you will role-play the lifestyle of the era.

“Each student will have his or her own personal objectives to accomplish within the 10 months you will be there. For your objectives and social status, you will be receiving a card with that and any other important information from your head of houses. This includes the time to which you are traveling.

“Tomorrow you will be allowed to go to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade to get the things needed for the trip. All classes and for 7^th years the NEWTS, will be waived, and graduation will proceed as usual when you return. As all that is said, enjoy the feast.” Dumbledore clapped his hands and the feast began.

Instantly Ron, Mione and Harry started talking . . . well Harry and Mione started talking, Ron was muttering through his food. I ate in silence, until I got the feeling I was being watched. I looked up and my eyes met silver, I glared at him and we both looked away.

A little while later, a clinking noise was heard from the head table. McGonagall stood up and told everyone to retreat to their common rooms, but not to go bed, as the cards still needed to be handed out.

I was the first one in the common room, and I was also the first one to get my card. I didn’t look at mine right away. McGonagall told us that only the students with the ranking of wealthy or upper class have the option of going to Diagon Alley. She also told us that our era would be 19^thcentury England.

It wasn’t until I was safe in my bed that I looked at my card. I gasped out loud at what I read:

Name: Virginia DuMont

Parent: Severus DuMont

Class: Upper

Personal Maid: Hermione Richards

* OH MY GODS! I’m in the UPPER CLASS! I’M GONNA BE RICH! * I continued reading:

Objective: Marry into a title and convince society you are happily married in a time full of mistresses and betrayal.

I remembered we wouldn’t be leaving until August 31, one day before the rest of the school arrived. I had that much time to learn to be a lady . . . and I could only think of one person to teach me - Malfoy. But there was no way in hell I was going to that conceited little brat for help! Maybe Mione could help . . . I left my room and bolted for her Head Girl dorm.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Ginny, Mione! Open up!”

“The door’s open Gin.” I walked into the room and found her sitting on her bed with Harry sprawled out on the nearby couch. I eyed Harry before turning to Mione.

“Can I talk to you alone Mione?” she looked at Harry who shrugged.

“Can’t this wait?”

“Please Mione?!” I answered waving my card in the air. “It’s important!”

“But. . .” Harry got up and kissed her on the cheek.

“It’s okay Herms. I’ll talk to you later.” Mione sighed.

“Thanks Harry.” I said, giving him a quick hug before he walked out. He smiled and left.

“So?” she asked, flopping down on her bed in a very dramatic way. “What’s so important it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”

“This.” I said, walking over and handing her my card.

“Oh my gods! Ginny! Y-y-y-you’re in the upper class! You’re rich!!!” I nodded and flopped down onto the bed beside her. “And I’m your maid!”

“What am I gonna do Mione? I’ve got one month, one month, to learn to be a lady. I don’t even have a proper bone in my body! Let alone manners!!” Mione got an excited look in her eyes and sat up quickly.

“Books!”

“Is that your answer for everything?” she glared at me.

“Haha, very funny. No, what I mean is . . .well, yes. We may be able to find some books on 19^th century culture in the library-not to mention books on manners.” I looked at her skeptically.

“At this time of night? Are you nutters?”

“We could borrow Harry’s invisibility cloak and sneak in. Pince never locks it anymore. . .”

“Are you sure?” she nodded. “Do you think this could possibly work?” she nodded again. “Well then, let’s go get that cloak!”

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Muggle History? Dumbledore was a fool! Oh, my father is going to hear about this . . . and that bumbling old idiot will be gone for good. This is turning out to be the worst return to school ever! First that whole ‘I-went-and-touched-a-Weasley’ incident on the train, I have yet to burn my robes, and now this!! Gods. Could it get any worse?

I walked back to the common room to get my information card from Snape, went to my room, and sat down in front of the fireplace. I had planned on reading the card in the morning, but the suspense got to me. I was. . . happily surprised by what I read.

Name: Draco Fielding

Parent: Minerva Fielding

Title: Duke of Porterfield Class: Upper

Personal Servant: Ronald Proctor

Wow! I’m going to be a duke! That’s a better title than my father has with the Dark Lord. I couldn’t help but snicker.

Objective: Court and marry the daughter of the respectable Severus DuMont.

Hmmm. I wonder who is playing Snape’s daughter in this sad excuse for a project. The only way to find out is to ask. I got up and walked to the professor’s private quarters and knocked on the portrait.

“Go away!”

“Professor Snape? It’s Malfoy sir.” The portrait cracked open and an eye glared out at me.

“What do you want Malfoy?”

“I have some questions sir. About the project.” He nodded tersely and allowed me to enter. He sat down heavily in an arm chair in front of the fireplace.

“Well? What is it?”

“Who is going to be your daughter for this. . .thing sir?”

“You know I can’t give you that information Malfoy.”

“Why not?”

“It’s against the rules for the Heads of House to give out information regarding the students in another house Mr. Malfoy.”

“A Gryffindor!! But that. . .oh. I get it, my ‘parent’ is McGonagall, so it only make sense that your ‘daughter’ would be from that blasted house.”

“Very good Malfoy, now go. Unless you have any other questions?”

“No sir. I’ll be going.” A Gryff, I asked myself as I walked out and towards my room. I have to court a Gryff?! What is the world coming to? I entered my room and grabbed my invisibility cloak and headed off towards the library. I had some things to learn about dukedom . . . Good thing the Madame doesn’t lock the library when she isn’t there.

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“Mione! Are you absolutely sure he’ll let us borrow the cloak?”

“Yes Ginny!” We began climbing the stairs to the 7^th year boy’s dorm.

“But how are we gonna borrow the books if we can’t take them out? You know Madame Pince will notice they’re missing!” We came to the landing and Mione knocked on the door.

“Copying spell.”

“Those are illegal and you know it.”

“They are also untraceable and un-trackable.” The door opened.

“I don’t even want to know.” Harry said with a smile when he saw our conspiratorial looks and let us in.

“I wish I didn’t know!” I answered flopping down on Harry’s bed and eyeing my sleeping brother. “How long has Mione liked to break the rules Harry?”

He looked at her funny.

“She doesn’t. Why?” Mione turned red.

“Can we borrow your invisibility cloak Harry?” she asked.

“That depends . . . what for?” I looked at Mione then at Harry.

“Books?” I answered in an innocent tone. He hung his head as he opened the trunk that contained the cloak.

“I refer to my earlier statement. I don’t want to know.”

“Good.” I said as I grabbed the cloak and walked out the door. Hermione kissed Harry before following suit. I walked down the stairs and grabbed my book bag. “So Mione? What kind of books are we looking for?”

“I told you already.” she answered as we walked over to the portrait and covered ourselves with the cloak. “And you’re going to have to wait until we get to the library before I remind you. I don’t want to get caught by Filch.” I looked at her.

“Don’t be such a worry wart!” I opened the door and we crept down to the library. It was a very uneventful trip and we never once saw Filch or Mrs. Norris. Upon entering the library, we shed the invisibility cloak and began our search for books on 19^th century culture. It didn’t take too awful long, and there was an abundance of books and we found exactly the ones we needed. “What was that spell you said you knew Mione?” she grinned at me.

“You just tap the object to be copied and say ‘simulare’ and you will get an exact replica.” I did as she said and copied the books I found that I thought we might need, Herms did the same and we put back the originals. “We can read these when we get back to the tower. I think you should spend the night in my room Gin, so we can get right to work on this stuff.”

“What about spending time with Harry?” she looked a little embarrassed as we walked over to the invisibility cloak.

“I can see Harry later. We need to prepare you for being a lady.” I smiled at her and put the books in my bag.

“Thanks Mione.” I hugged her and we put the cloak on before heading back to the tower, totally ignoring the shadowed figure in the corner of the library. As was the walk to the library, the walk back was quite uneventful. We headed straight to Mione’s room and I dropped the bag of books on her mini-couch.

“Where should we start Ginny?” Mione asked as I unloaded all the books onto the floor. There had to be at least twenty of them.

“I guess reading about the 1800's. Since these books are ours, we can highlight them right?”

“I suppose. It would be easier that way. Make sure you take notes though, so we have a clear list of what you need to learn.”

“Okay.” I picked ap a thick book entitled “Culture of the 19^th Century” and began to read. After about a half an hour I shook my head and looked over the notes I had. Dancing? Manners? Walking? Riding? Titles? Sitting? Learning to curtsey? Learning to flirt properly? “My gods Mione! I can’t learn this in a month!!”

“What are you reading about Ginny?”

“The culture. You?”

“Fashion.” I looked at her weird. “Well, you are going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to buy clothes, jewelry and the like. One of us needs to know about it.” I nodded and smiled at her.

“Good point.” I yawned and went to check my nonexistent watch. “What time is it Mione?” She looked at her clock and shrugged.

“Around midnight, a little before. Why?” I stretched out on the floor.

“I do have to go to Diagon Alley as you pointed out, but other then that I was just curious. Why don’t we switch notes seeing as you aren’t allowed to accompany me to London?” She handed me her notes and took mine.

“Sounds good.” I had just started to go over the notes when there was a knock on the door. “Nobody’s home!” I called cutely. The door opened and Harry stepped in.

“Cute Gin, real cute.” He stopped when he noticed the books that were spread out all over the floor. “What have you two been up to?”

“Uh, nothing. Nothing at all.” Herms answered getting up and kissing him on the cheek.

“I agree with her. Why are you here?” He laughed.

“Well, last time I checked, Mione was my girlfriend. And I went to see Dumbledore about something and he sent me back with this note for Mione. Seeing as you two are busy with illegal books” I made an indigent sound “I’ll leave you alone and talk to you at breakfast.” He walked out and I jumped on the bed next to where Hermione had sat.

“What’s it say?”

“I don’t know.” She unrolled the parchment and gasped causing me to rip it out of her hands.

 

Miss Granger,

 After careful consideration I have decided to change your social status for the impending history project. The following are your new stats:

Name: Hermione DuMont

Class: Upper

Parent: Severus DuMont

Personal Maid: Teresa Richards

Objective: Attract and marry a man with a high title, particularly the son of Baroness Stone.

Please make sure that you inform Ms. Weasley that you will no longer be her maid, and taking that place will be ‘Angela Richards’. You now have the privilege of going to Diagon Alley if you wish.

 Prof. Dumbledore

“Mione! That makes you my sister!”

“I know!!” she shrieked as she hugged me. I flopped down on her bed.

“I am suddenly very tired Mione, I think I’m going back to my dorm to sleep.”

“Night Gin.”

“Night.”

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I was surprised to hear voices when I walked into the library, and stepped into the shadows as the came closer.

“What about spending time with Harry?”

“I can see Harry later. We need to prepare you for being a lady.”

“Thanks Mione.” So? Weasley had a place in the upper class? That’s a little surprising. I wonder what her role is going to be, don’t want to run into her in London. Today’s or then’s. Hmm. I needed to find books regarding dukedom and the proper culture for the time. I copied the books and went back to my prefect room.

I scanned through the books until I found the section that pertained to my interests at the moment. Clothes. I had a trip to Diagon Alley in the morning and I needed to know what types of clothes men wore at the time. After a half an hour or so later, I had mental notes categorized in my head for the shopping trip.

Then I moved on to the duties of a duke. I needed to be able to handle estates and the people on them, I had to know how to behave in polite society, not to mention how to court a female. Aside from that I learned about the not-so-polite things; gaming halls, and mistresses. My attitude toward the project began to change, this could be highly enjoyable . . . as long as I don’t run into the Weaselette. That sucks the fun right out of anything.

I moved on to the actual etiquette of the time. Dancing, addressing other titles, along with other proprieties I already knew from the manor. This was going to be easy. Now, if I could just find out who was to play Miss DuMont. It would be so ironic if it were to be the Weaselette, but fate and Dumbledore can not seriously have that terrible a sense of humor . . . could they?

*End of Chapter 1*