The next morning arrived too quickly for their liking. The sunlight flooded Ginny's eyesight because the window was directed into her bunk. She groaned loudly, stretching before she got out of bed. It was the first day of classes and the first day of training for the N.E.W.T.s. Ginny took a quick shower and got dressed in the mandatory regulation uniform and the black robe. The pleated gray skirt felt looser and the white blouse felt tighter, especially around the chest area. The red and gold tie felt perfectly fine so she was content.
"Gin!" Maria gasped scandalously when she walked out of the bathroom, clad in a soft, pink robe.
"What?" she questioned worriedly.
"You look great!" Maria exclaimed.
"Thanks," Ginny chuckled.
"Ginny! You look fabulous," Cassie squealed.
Ginny thanked her and headed into the Great Hall with Maria in tow. She received more encouraging comments on the way and leering from Gryffindors and Slytherins alike. A few snide comments were directed toward her from the girls in Slytherin.
"Miss Weasley! Ginny!" a voice called right before she entered the Great Hall.
"Yes, Professor Malfoy?" she drawled.
"What's with the apparel?" he asked angrily.
"It's my uniform, sir," she replied innocently.
"People can see you!" he cried.
"I'm very well aware of that situation. Would you prefer me to be invisible? I'm sure your house wouldn't be pleased. Well, maybe the girls would," she added.
His cheeks paled with anger and resentment.
"Now if you'll kindly excuse me, I have to go se Colin," she smirked.
Ginny bounded into the Great Hall, getting more attention than she bargained for, especially from the guys.
"Gin! Come on!" Colin called out.
She sat next to him, placing a large kiss on his thin lips. His wan face turned a nasty shade of scarlet as she pulled away. Someone cleared their throat behind them.
"Five points off from each of you for improper displays of affection. An extra five from Creevey because he's head boy and should know better," Draco said.
"Sorry, sir," Colin mumbled.
Once he turned to go to the teacher's table, Ginny stuck up he middle finger in his direction.
"Another five for Miss Weasley's frivolous behavior. Shall I take more?" Draco questioned without even turning his head.
He continued to stroll to the table while Ginny viciously stabbed her eggs and Colin murmured endearments into her ear to calm her down. Professor McGonagall gave out the schedules. They read through them.
"Double periods of Potions everyday? I'm doomed!" Colin groaned.
"It's okay. I have the same thing, too. Monday, I have Divination, Double Potions, Muggle Studies and Transfiguration. Tuesday, I have herbology, Double Potions, Magical Care of Creatures and another herbology. And today, I have Double Defense Against the Dark Arts, Muggle Studies and Double Potions," Ginny sighed.
"I took advanced herbology as an election," Maria commented.
"Duly noted. So did I," Colin grinned.
"So only I have to take extra classes with the amazing bouncing ferret?" Ginny questioned sourly.
"Guess so," Maria muttered knowingly.
Once they had finished eating, she and Colin headed down to where the DADA classroom was located while Maria headed to Transfiguration. Draco was already there. He was manually writing the day's lesson on the board. The class was going to learn about a spell that shielded them from pain and danger. Ginny sat around the middle of the room, not too close to Draco and not so far that she couldn't see the lesson. The rest of the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Slytherins and Hufflepuffs headed into the class. Draco abruptly began his class.
"I am your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. You will be partnered with who I choose. Since there are an odd number of students, one of you will be paired with me," he stated.
A shiver ran down Ginny's spine as his gaze halted at her for a moment before continuing the can the hopeless class. As predicted, she was his partner.
"Hello again, Miss Weasley," he drawled oily.
"Let's just get this over with," she muttered.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco yelled.
"Protego!" she called before the spell could hit her.
When the purple light smashed into the green shield, it obliviated into a translucent white wisp.
"Nice," Draco complimented.
"I figured that much. I learned it all a few years back," Ginny noted.
"Then maybe you should have advanced lessons with me. Private lessons. If you're not up to it, that's okay," he smirked, fully knowing that she would refuse otherwise.
"Fine!" Ginny snapped, her pride stung.
Good. Everyday during lunch. I'll bring the food," he grinned roguishly.
She glared at him, realizing that he just tricked her into going. At least she would get a better education to be an Auror… Meanwhile, Draco was fantasizing ways and different positions that he wanted her in. On the desk, against the wall, across the floor…
"When does it began?" Ginny questioned, breaking him out of his blissful reverie.
"Today. Just stay back after class. You can stay with me until Muggle Studies," he noted.
She mumbled nonsensically in acquiescence. The class dragged on as they began to learn about a reversal charm where the spell would bounce off the defender and hit the offender. The girls all wore a fatuous expression, save Ginny, as they watched Draco practice against Colin. Colin continuously got hit as he was too slow to block himself.
"Class dismissed. Leave," he demanded.
Ginny stayed rooted in her spot when the entire class was gone. She looked at him expectantly, her eyes calculating, but never the less warm.
"So… What are we going to do?" Ginny asked.
"Well, we could go to Hogsmeade and-" Draco began.
"I meant about the lesson," she interrupted.
"Oh," was his reply.
Silence enveloped them both. Ginny tugged at the hem of her revealed blouse nervously. Draco fiddled with his wand that was veiled in the pocket of his robe. Ginny cleared her throat softly, but it was loud enough to make Draco lose his train of thought.
"I've always wanted to learn how to create a patronus. I was wondering if you could teach me how," she suggested.
As Ginny practiced the arm movements and called out the enchantment, Draco asked n elf that looked oddly familiar, to bring up food. Five minutes later, the elf brought up 2 jugs of pumpkin juice and a few turkey sandwiches. After they digested the food and drink, they say down with their bellies full.
"Gin?" he questioned hesitantly.
"Yes?" she queried.
"Do you think that we can try the `us' thing again?" he asked.
She paused, stringing together words with precision.
"I'll think about it. I'm still with Colin and all, but I'm not quite sure that he's interested in women anymore," she joked.
"He's not," Draco replied seriously.
"I know. I saw him kissing Michael Corner," she sighed heavily.
"So you're like a cover or something?" he questioned.
"I guess," she said quietly.
"Did he even tell you?" he asked.
"No, but it's okay. If he wanted me to know, he'd tell me," she stated firmly.
"So we can do it," Draco murmured.
"I don't know if I want to. I mean, come on. As you can see, I choose the worst people to court and the last time we went out, we had that nasty row. I don't want to end up like that again," she confessed.
"We won't," Draco reassured her.
"You can't promise me that. You really can't promise me much of anything," she sighed.
Draco huffed up his chest in indignation as if she had just told him that Lucius was a woman, not that it was an issue in the first place.
"It's just that I don't want you to promise me anything that you're not ready to give. I don't like people breaking them," she said.
Draco deflated, blatantly defeated. Are you wondering what promise? Good. Keep guessing.