Unofficial Portkey Archive

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A/N: Enjoy chapter 3!

Chapter 3

The next few days passed by as a blur for Ginny. Everyday she and Harry went into the chat room, and then afterwards she would talk to Hotdragon. Today was Tuesday, and Ginny's friend, Shannon, was coming to stay with them for the rest of the summer. They were going to pick her up in twenty minutes, and then tomorrow they were going school supply shopping.
"Ginny, it's about time to leave. Are you almost ready?" Her mother yelled from downstairs.
"One second, Mum," Ginny yelled back. She quickly glanced at herself in the mirror one more time, and then ran downstairs.
Ginny stepped into the fireplace, threw in the powder, and said clearly, "The O'Connor's house." Her mother followed shortly after, and about fifteen minutes later they were back at the Burrow with Shannon. Ginny helped Shannon carry her bags up to Ginny's room, where she would be staying. Chatting a little as they went.
"Did you hear that Michelle got into Quidditch camp this summer?" Ginny asked when they reached her room.
"Yeah, she told me about it. It sounds pretty cool, if you like Quidditch," Shannon replied. "So, what have you been doing the past few days? Every time I was online, you were too, but talking to someone else."
"I've been talking to this guy that I met in a chat room," Ginny told her.
"Really? What's he like?" Shannon asked with interest.
Ginny began telling her all about Hotdragon and their conversations, but left out the part that he had a terrible life, and that his father beats him. She didn't think that he told many people about it, and decided not to spread it around. When she had finished Shannon said, "You know pretty much about him. You seem to like him a lot."
"Yeah, I do. Sometimes when we're talking, I fell like I've known him my entire life, but sometimes I feel like I barely know him," Ginny said.
"Don't you wish you know his name?" Shannon asked. She could not imagine talking to a complete stranger every day.
"Sometimes, but sometimes I'm glad I don't know because he could be someone that I don't like. He could be my worst enemy. He said he doesn't have many friends because everyone's quick to judge him. He also said that the person everyone else sees is not he person he really is. If I meet him in person, I could hate him, and then everything would be ruined," Ginny replied, trying her best to explain how she felt.
"I see your point. You like the friendship you have now, and you're afraid that if you meet in person, then you won't like him. Then you'll wish you had the old friendship back, but won't be able to get it back," Shannon said matter-of-factly.
"Exactly! What do you think I should do?" Ginny asked.
"Tell him what you just told me. Chances are, he'll understand he may even agree with you," Shannon replied.
"Okay, I'll try it. Thanks!" Ginny said gratefully. "Hey, did I tell you Harry and Hermione are dating?"'
"They are? I'm glad, I always thought they'd make a good couple," Shannon said excitedly.
"So have I, but Ron doesn't think so. He was pretty ticked when they told him. He still isn't talking to them. Or me either for that matter," Ginny told her. She was glad she finally had someone to talk to besides Harry and Hermione.
"Why is he mad? I mean, I know he has a crush on Hermione, but that's a little extreme. And why is he mad at you?" Shannon asked incredulously.
"Because I tried to get them to talk again. He wasn't too happy about that, plus the fact that I found out before him. I figured it out. He's mad at them because they have been dating since the beginning of the summer, and never told him," Ginny informed her of the events of the past few days.
"So, he'd mad at you, Harry, and Hermione? He's not talking to you at all? It must be kinda nice," Shannon said thoughtfully.
"It's not, believe me. As annoying as he can be, I wish he weren't mad. He just totally ignores us," Ginny said miserably. "Harry and Hermione are talking it especially hard."
Then, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Ginny said. Harry and Hermione walked in, looking very upset.
"What's up? You two don't look too happy," Ginny commented.
"We're thinking of breaking up," Harry said bluntly.
"What? Why? You're happy together, and you make such a great couple. You can't break up!" Shannon cried.
"We're happy together, yeah, but because we're together Ron hates us. We're both totally miserable," Hermione said. "I also haven't gotten a good night's sleep since he stopped talking to us."
"Same with me," Harry agreed mournfully.
"Come on; don't break up just because Ron is being a selfish prat. You guys are a perfect couple. Forget about Ron, he'll come around eventually. He's just stubborn," Ginny said firmly. "I'll talk to him today, just don't break up."
"Are you sure it's for the best? We appreciate you offer, but will he really listen to you? He's mad at you too," Harry replied uncertainly.
"I'll talk to him then," Shannon offered.

"Alright, but if he doesn't come around soon, we'll have to break up. It's our only other option," Hermione said finally.

*~*~*~*

The past few days had gone by incredibly slow for Draco. He stayed in his room all day, trying to entertain himself with various things. The only thing he looked forward to was talking to Fierysprite. On the bright side though, his father hadn't come into his room or yelled at him since the day had had cursed Draco to unconsciousness. Now, glancing at the clock, he noticed that it was time to meet in the chat room.
He turned on his laptop, and went into the chat room. Everyone was already there except Fierysprite. He hoped she would come soon. She was the most fun to talk to, and he felt more comfortable with her then with anybody else. His wish was soon granted about thirty seconds later when her name appeared on the list.
Hotdragon: Hey everyone, what's new?
Teenage Enchantress: today's my birthday
Fierysprite: really? Happy birthday!
Gossip Queen22: how old are you now?
Teenage Enchantress: 18!
Fierysprite: cool
Hotdragon: you're the oldest now
Teenage Enchantress: I was always the oldest
Hotdragon: yeah but nobody knew it
Teenage Enchantress: I see your point
Fierysprite: I can't believe summer's almost over
Hotdragon: I know it seems like it gone be so fast, but I can't wait to get back to school
Gossip Queen22: why on earth do you want to go back to school?
Hotdragon: I hate being at home, it's creepy and me and my parents don't get along very well
Froggylegs 91: why don't you just leave then?
Hotdragon: where would I go?
Teenage Enchantress: to a relatives?
Hotdragon: they'd all just send me home
Froggylegs 91: What about a friend's house?
Hotdragon: I don't have any friends
Gossip Queen22: you have got to be kidding
Emerald Hottie: you have to have friends
Hotdragon: I don't
Fierysprite: but you seem like a great guy
Hotdragon: that means I have to have friends?
Gossip Queen22: no what Fierysprite means is that you seem like the kind of guy who would have lots of friends
Hotdragon: whatever let's talk about something else
Fierysprite: alright what should we talk about?
Hotdragon: what about all of you? Are you looking forward to school?
Fierysprite: I don't want to go back to school but I want to see my friends
Emerald Hottie: I don't want to go back to school yet
Froggylegs 91: I don't want to go back either, I hate school
Gossip Queen22: I don't want to go back to school, but I'm glad that summer's almost over, it's my least favorite season
Teenage Enchantress: why don't you like summer?
Gossip Queen22: too hot
Froggylegs 91: that's what's good about it, I hate cold weather
Gossip Queen22: I hate warm weather, cold is much better
Fierysprite: alright new topic, this is stupid. You're arguing which season is better
Froggylegs 91: we weren't arguing, we were discussing
Fierysprite: fine whatever but it was still stupid
Hotdragon: this is so pointless you're now arguing about if their conversation was stupid or not, let's pick a better topic
Fierysprite: like what? We haven't been able to come up with a good topic and it's almost 4
Teenage Enchantress: then we need a topic
Gossip Queen22: anything but Quidditch
Fierysprite: do any of you like other sports besides Quidditch?
Froggylegs 91: what else is there?!?!
Fierysprite: muggle sports like basketball or volleyball or something
Hotdragon: you have got to be kidding me, if my father found me playing a muggle sport, he'd kill me
Fierysprite: you're laptop is a muggle thing
Hotdragon: yeah but it's charmed so it's not entirely muggle
Froggylegs 91: I've never tried anything but Quidditch
Gossip Queen22: well obviously, I like cheerleading, does that count?
Emerald Hottie: I like muggle sports, basketball, soccer, baseball
Teenage Enchantress: I played soccer before but I hated it, I like volleyball though
Fierysprite: I don't care for soccer either, I used to be on a basketball team, and I like volleyball a lot
Unsuprized: are you guys still here? Get out it's 4
(Hotdragon has logged out.)
After Draco had logged out of the chat room, he promptly Instant Messaged Fierysprite.
Hotdragon: hey
Fierysprite: hey, what's up?
Hotdragon: nothing really but I'd have to say that was the most time we've ever wasted of out hour
Fierysprite: yeah it was kinda pointless
Hotdragon: yeah and you didn't help much
Fierysprite: at least I tried
Hotdragon: what do you mean? I was the one who got us back on track
Fierysprite: whatever anyway I can't talk long today
Hotdragon: and why not?
Fierysprite: because I have a friend staying at my house for the rest of the summer, and she's probably bored out of her mind
Hotdragon: you always desert me
Fierysprite: I'm sorry really I am but I don't even know you
Hotdragon: what does that matter?
Fierysprite: you could be some 300 pound 50 year old creep for all I know
Hotdragon: what's your point?
Fierysprite: I can't put you over my friend because 1) I actually know her name let alone that I've known her longer 2) she's at my house, you're not
Hotdragon: how do you know?
Fierysprite: because there are only two other guys at my house right now who have internet access and neither of them has the screen name Hotdragon
Hotdragon: maybe I'm not in your house but outside it and I'm some insane stalker trying to make you like me and then striking
Fierysprite: well you could be but I highly doubt you would have just suggested that if you were
Hotdragon: you never know I would be incredibly stupid
Fierysprite: you could be but from what I've seen you're not but I really should get off
Hotdragon: okay fine, talk to you tomorrow
Fierysprite: I'll try but we're getting school supplies tomorrow and I probably won't be in the chat room
Hotdragon: try to at least e-mail me if I'm not online
Fierysprite: I'll try my best, see ya
Hotdragon: bye
(Fierysprite has logged off.)
When Fierysprite logged off, Draco was at a loss at what to do. He stared at the screen for a few moments, and for the first time in his life was glad to see that Blaise had Instant Messaged him.
Slytherin Hottie: hey what's going on?
Hotdragon: I am so bored
Slytherin Hottie: you couldn't have been for long, you were talking to some person named Fierysprite the last time I checked which was about five minutes ago
Hotdragon: you are truly obsessed
Slytherin Hottie: no I'm not I'm just bored
Hotdragon: whatever
Slytherin Hottie: so who were you talking to?
Hotdragon: Fierysprite
Slytherin Hottie: well I know that but who is it?
Hotdragon: "it's" a girl I met in a chat room
Slytherin Hottie: do you know how old she is?
Hotdragon: yeah she's 15 and she's going to be in her 5th year at hogwarts
Slytherin Hottie: wow you know a lot about her
Hotdragon: not really, that's about all I know, and that could be lies
Slytherin Hottie: that's true
Hotdragon: I really wish I knew who she was. I wish there was a way where I could figure out who she is without her knowing who I am, and without getting her mad
Slytherin Hottie: you'll have to find out as much as possible about her, do you have any idea what house she's in?
Hotdragon: no clue she doesn't act like a Slytherin but that doesn't mean anything, all I know is that she hates me
Slytherin Hottie: why do you say that, she talks to you doesn't she?
Hotdragon: no yeah but she hates Draco Malfoy, and news flash Blaise, I'm Draco Malfoy
Slytherin Hottie: I know that but since she sees the real you, maybe she'll like you better
Hotdragon: I doubt it, I'm and Malfoy and everyone hates Malfoys
Slytherin Hottie: I don't
Hotdragon: yeah but you're family, you have to like me
Slytherin Hottie: true
Hotdragon: thanks you're really reassuring
Slytherin Hottie: anytime Draco, anytime except now because I gotta go
Hotdragon: see ya, Blaise
Slytherin Hottie: see ya
(Slytherin Hottie has logged off.)
Well, that had passed some time, but it was still awhile before one of the house elves would bring him his dinner. So until then he decided to make a list of every Hogwarts 5th year girl he could think of.

*~*~*~*

Ginny shut don her laptop, and went looking for Shannon. She found her and Ron in the living room talking bout something. Ginny was just about to turn and go back up to her room, when Ron spotted her, and called her into the living.
"What's up, Ron?" Ginny asked curiously. She was shocked that he was even willing to talk to her, let alone being friendly.
"Look Gin, I'm really sorry about everything. I was being a jerk and I know it now. I shouldn't have taken my anger out at you because all you were doing was trying to help me. I see that now, and I also see I was a jerk to Harry and Hermione too. I guess they did have a point about my having a crush on Hermione. Anyway, I'm sorry. I'm going to go apologize to Harry and Hermione," Ron said cheerfully, giving Ginny a hug. Ginny hugged him back eagerly. She was shocked that Ron had come to his senses. Whatever Shannon had said to him, had sure made a difference, and for that she was glad. When Ginny asked Shannon what she had said to change his mind, Shannon replied blushing, "Nothing really, I just told him that if he didn't make up with Harry and Hermione soon, they were going to break up. When he heard that he was pretty shocked, as we were, but he said that no matter how much he liked Hermione, he wasn't going to let them break up over him."
"Wow, so he's not a total idiot after all," Ginny said when Shannon finished her story. At this, Shannon giggled. "No, he's not a total idiot. Not all the time at least," Shannon replied, laughing harder. Ginny joined in too. It was nice to have someone her age around again. Harry and Hermione are great, but sometimes someone your own age is some fun to hang out with, Ginny thought contentedly.
"Well thanks. Harry and Hermione have been miserable since Ron stopped talking to them. I also kinda missed Ron actually acknowledge my presence," Ginny said gratefully.
"I told you, I didn't really do anything," Shannon replied modestly.
"Whatever. So, wanna go up to my room and read Witch Weekly's 50 most eligible wizards?" Ginny asked, giggling.
"Sure, let's go," Shannon agreed.

*~*~*~*

Draco sat in his room, still making a list of 5th year girls. He was not having much luck. He thought of a few Slytherins, Weasley's little sister and friends, and Loony Lovegood. In his mind, he automatically ruled out Loony Lovegood. Fierysprite was definitely not as weird as her, and seemed smarter.
So that left the Weaslette and her friends. He highly doubted it was any of them. There no possible way the Weasleys could afford a laptop, one of her friends a total bookworm, one who's obsessed with Quidditch, and the other one's kinda ditzy.
Well, a lot of good that did me, Draco thought bitterly. I'm never going to figure out who Fierysprite is by myself, but my only friend is Fierysprite and she can't help me because then she'll want to know who I am.
My one friend, and I don't even know her name. Man, my life sucks. It can't possibly get any worse.
Just then, there came a knock at Draco's door.
"Open up, boy," Lucius yelled as he pounded on the door.
I think I spoke too soon, it just got worse.
Before Draco could get up to open the door, Lucius unlocked the door with his wand.
"You've been up here for four days straight, without coming downstairs, and your mother is getting worried. She thinks your sick, so you better be down for dinner in five minutes or you'll be sorry," Lucius roared.
"Well, what gotten you panties in a knot? Has Harry Potter avoided death again or has Voldemort died of shock when he can't beat Potter?" Draco shot back, one eyebrow raised.
"Don't you dare talk back to me! Crucio!" Lucius yelled the Unforgivable Curse casually. As if he could not go to Azkaban for it, which he could.
The spell hit Draco square in the chest, and he immediately fell to his knees from the pain. It was shooting all through his body, and it was a searing pain. Like thousands of lightning bolts shooting through his body. Even though it hurt, Draco refrained from crying out. He knew that if he did, Lucius would only use the Curse longer Because Draco had shown "weakness."
All of the sudden, the pain stopped. Lucius left the room as Draco got to his feet, and went downstairs for dinner, walking through the halls still gave Draco the chills. You could almost smell the evil that was around the Manor.
Ever since Draco was old enough to remember, Malfoy Manor had scared him. With it's long, dark corridors, and secret winding passageways. He had been ecstatic when he was eleven, and getting away from it for the first time.
Draco came to a stop before too large oak doors with beautiful brass handles. He opened the doors and stepped into the large, elegant room. The dining room at Malfoy Manor was about