A week later, Ginny and Draco made their way to the room of requirement. Draco fidgeted a bit and sighed as he glances at Ginny. This couldn't turn out very well. Ron was going to have a field day, but that didn't matter, Potter had let him join this group and as much as he disliked Ron and Harry, he wasn't going to push his luck.
Ginny and himself had worked during the past week to help him get caught up. Most of the things he already knew but some, such as the Patronus Charm, was unfamiliar to him. It took them a full hour for him to finally get his patronus to work properly. He took a deep breath as he and Ginny entered the room.
Hermione and Harry both gave them a simple welcome smile, but Ron gave them both a hard glare. Draco saw Ron's eyes fallow Harry as he approached. "Glad you could make it," Harry said. Ginny grinned then lead Draco over to take a seat on one of the pillows and Harry returned to the front of the room.
There were two battered suitcases next to Harry. Neville Longbottom and Semus Finnigan were watching them very closely. "Alright," Harry said. "We've worked a lot with the Patronus Charm but we've only practiced during calm times. In these suitcases is a boggart in each, which is how I learned. If you remember our 3rd year Defense Against the Dark Arts class you'll remember our boggart lesson."
"Now, one at a time I'm going to want you to approach the boggart and see a dementor. We can't rightly bring a real dementor here to practice on, so this boggart will have to do. You all remember the incantation, correct?" He glanced around to see everyone nodding. "Alright, I want two single file lines. This suitcase will remain here and the second one will be across the room."
Everyone stood and got themselves into one of the lines, Ginny and Draco took the second suitcase. Draco somehow managed to be the first in line; he squared his shoulders and held his wand ready. Ginny opened the case and stepped back, as a Dementor pulled it's self from it.
"Expecto Patronum!" He shouted. Only a small silvery wisp was produced. Draco took a deep breath and yelled the incantation two more times with the same results. He paused for a moment and closed his eyes, picturing the day on the train when he managed to have an actual civil conversation with the youngest Weasley. "Expeco Patronum!" he shouted again, this time a silver eagle erupted from the tip of his wand. It soared towards the boggart-dementor and forced it back into the case.
Draco sighed and lowered his wand. He'd done it, it had taken a few tries but he had done it! He ran a hand through his hair and took his place behind the case so Ginny could have her chance.
~*~
At nine o'clock Harry blew the shrill whistle and everyone made their way back to their common rooms. Ginny had fallen behind to talk to Hermione and let Draco go on ahead. Harry decided it would be fun to sneak down to the kitchens before returning. Ron and Hermione agreed to go with him but Ginny declined the offer. So there she was walking herself back to the common room after a fun DA meeting.
She frowned when she heard scuffled footsteps and pressed herself against the wall. Slowly and silently, she slipped towards the sound. She heard a whispering voice but couldn't pick out the owner. Ginny peered around the corner and saw one person being pinned against the wall by another. The one being pinned was Draco.
Ginny gasped and squinted to see who the other person was, but they seemed to know they were being watched. The person whispered one last thing into Draco's ear then disappeared down the corridor. Draco slumped to the ground in a heap; Ginny hurried towards him and knelt beside him.
"Draco?" She whispered, "Are you alright?" Draco nodded mutely. "Who was that?"
"It's none of your damn business, Weasley." He snapped before pulling himself to his feet and stalking off towards the dungeons.
~*~
The next morning was a Saturday, and the Gryffindor/Ravenclaw Quidditch match. Ginny let a heavy sigh escape before making her way to the Great Hall for breakfast. She still wanted to know what happened the night before, why did Draco snap like that? She frowned as she lowered herself into her usual spot at the Gryffindor table. She was about to put a bit of food on her plate when two hands covered her eyes making her gasp.
"Guess who?" Said a familiar voice.
Ginny smiled, "hmm...could it be...umm...Ron?"
"Nooooo."
"Hmmm, Colin?"
"Nope, guess again."
"Well, if it's not those two then it has to be Draco."
"Good guess," he said pulling his hands off her eyes.
"They say third times a charm," she grinned.
"That's true," he nodded. "Anyway I wanted to apologize for snapping at you last night, I just ran into someone who put me in a mood, I'm sorry I took it out on you like that."
She shrugged, "It's no big deal. Who was it anyway?"
"Oh, just one of my House mates who aren't happy to see me this term," he said, avoiding her eyes.
Ginny frowned but let it slide, "You can join me for breakfast today, that is if you don't want to sit with your Housemates."
Draco grinned and lowered himself on the bench next to her. They both felt eyes on them and looked up, Ron was scowling, as were several Slytherins. "You know it would be so easy to piss them off right now."
"It would," Ginny agreed. "But unless I don't want to play today, I've got to behave."
"That's right Weaselette gets to play Quidditch today," Draco teased with a wink.
Ginny elbowed him playfully, "Yes as a matter of fact I do." She took a bite of toast, "It should be a good game. Ravenclaw, I can't wait to see Harry beat Cho Chang again."
Draco smirked, "Holding a grudge against Miss Chang?"
Ginny shook her head, "No, I just don't like her."
"I see," Draco smirked.
Ginny shook her head and finished her breakfast. "Well I should be heading to the locker rooms."
"Alright, good luck."
"Thanks," she said as she gave him a light kiss on the cheek and turned to leave.
Draco's eyes widened slightly. "Hey, I'll walk you at least part way, it wouldn't do me well to be sitting at the Gryffindor table after you leave."
Ginny smiled, "Alright then, come on."
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