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Charon Calling by Blair
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Charon Calling

Blair

The players zoomed across the pages, the two seekers chasing the illusive Golden Snitch. Ginny sighed as she flipped to the next page of Quidditch Quarterly. It had been a week since her 'accident' and she was becoming restless with her situation. Draco was her only companion and they fought whenever they were together for longer than ten minutes. Days were slow and so Ginny to her leisure in exploring her new abode.

There was a schedule that Ginny went by now that was boring and monotonous. Wake up, fight with Malfoy, breakfast, fight with Malfoy, rummage through Malfoy's personal effects, lunch, fight with Malfoy, and so on. Once in a while the two short-tempered students would maintain polite conversation but eventually one of them would start a fight. Ginny had the suspicion that Draco, like herself, enjoyed their little sparring matches. Thus were her days, dragging slowly along and despite the recent trip to Hogsmeade she felt the symptoms of cabin fever.

Two days ago she had gone to Hogsmeade with Draco and they bought clothes that could be charmed for her use. The escape had been very nerve wracking and yet comical at the same time. Draco refused to shop in a second hand store and instead took her to Madam Belle Finesse. Madam's was an aristocratic clothing store for those who had the luxury of the rich. Their wares were of a variety that Ginny had never worn, and did not really care to. Draco simply told her to look around the shop and would buy what suited her. Of course when the blond Slytherin said, "What suited her" he meant what suited him on her.

"Draco, that is a dress." Ginny exclaimed when Draco held up a green sundress for inspection.

"Yes, it is, Weasley, thank you for clarifying what I already know."

"Fine, Mr. I have to be sarcastic about everything, let me reiterate. It is fall, winter is coming, and we live in a big drafty castle. I am not going to run around in a skimpy little sundress."

"Ginny you are disembodied, you are not going to feel the cold."

"Okay how about I don't like wearing dresses, they're itchy."

"Okay, Okay, you win. No dresses. How about skirts?"

"Only one or two, I have to wear one for classes everyday I would rather not have more skirts than there are days of the week." That was where the conversation ended and they went picking out skirts, trousers, t-shirts, and jumpers. They argued about various articles of clothing, especially when it came to pajamas. This particular shop only had lingerie and silk nightgowns that were supposed to reach your knee but due to Ginny's height only reached mid thigh.

"Oh get over your modesty, Weasley. It's only your legs."

"Of course you want me to get the skimpy outfit, you're the only one who will see it! Sorry, Malfoy, buy I am no one's eye candy!"

"You are the most infuriating person on the face of the planet, you know that?"

"Impossible. You have that title and I'm still not wearing that!" She hissed, pointing at the distasteful garment.

"Fine have it your way! You can borrow a pair of boxers and t-shirt, or is her highness to good for that too/"

"I'll wear the damn boxers, but if you call me 'your highness' again, I'm kicking your ass."

"What ever you say, Princess." Ginny clenched her teeth to keep herself from screaming at him. She was ready to just leave and let him pay when Draco called out her name.

"Ginny, I need your measurements."

"What?" Ginny was not used to this. Whenever she went shopping everything was second hand, and she settled for closest fit. Never had she given out her measurements, and she wasn't looking forward to having Draco Malfoy to be the first boy to know her breast size.

"Measurements, Red, so we can get them adjusted to your size."

Ginny new that she was beat red, she had to be, there is no way that her face could feel as hot as it did and not reflect on her skin. If she was blushing Draco gave no indication, he just stood there, silver eyes boring into her.

"I'm waiting, Weasley." As to emphasize his point he rolled up a sleeve and looked at his watch. Desperate to be out of the shop, Ginny reluctantly murmured her measurements and steeled herself for a cruel remark. To her surprise there was no jab about her being flat as a board or being part giant. Nothing of the sort happened at all. Draco had the clothes adjusted by an employee of the shop and then paid for the purchases. After that horrendous adventure in the land of clothing, they had decided to go back to Hogwarts.

Ginny shut Quidditch Quarterly and decided to continue her daily snooping. She had not found anything interesting or incriminating as of yet, not even one copy of Wicked Witches: A Wizards best playmate. She had already searched the bed, underneath the mattress even. She had decided to pace her explorations, for Ginny knew, that once she finished searching, boredom would take hold. Though her few searches provided little knowledge as of yet Ginny had become aware of one fact: Draco Malfoy was the most immaculate person this side of the wizarding world.

Draco was all for good hygiene, and Ginny was glad for this. His pants were neatly pressed, and his shirts lacked wrinkles. Even in sleep his platinum locks held in place, she never so one flaw within his hair and dress. The room was never messy, except for the small messes Ginny created, but even these were cleaned shortly after they appeared. It was odd for her to live with a male who wasn't a complete slob. As such, Ginny was forced to be very careful in her snooping, for Draco would be able to tell when things were out of place. She would spend a good half hour studying the room before searching, and so far Draco had not noticed she had looked in his bed and nightstand.

Today's venture took her to his closet located on the left side of the bed. It was made of oak and surprisingly didn't have any magical locks. Ginny found this to be very odd but assumed Draco just forgot, after all he had a private chamber before she'd been disembodied. On top of the dresser was a small chest and nothing else. Carefully, Ginny raised the chest's lid and peered inside.

"What a jip." Ginny muttered, looking at the few pieces of jewelry. The chest contained a class ring, an emerald set in the center with a serpent body forming the band. It was silver, of course, and over all a very nice ring, but not interesting. Even so, Ginny couldn't help but want to pick it up and inspect it more. Her fingers were a whisper from its edge when a firm hand wrapped around her wrist, stilling the motion.

"Don't touch it." Draco's voice was hard, but not cruel. His eyes were wide an emotion resembling fear resided there. "Never touch that ring." His grip hurt, despite the fact she was only a soul.

"Malfoy…"

"Red, that ring is dangerous to those not of my bloodline. Just promise me you wont touch it." He said, never loosening his grip.

"But Malfoy, why is it,"

"Promise me, Ginny!"

"Fine! I promise, but at least tell me why the fuck I can't touch it!" Ginny wasn't one to just accept half assed answers. If something that dangerous existed within her living space she wanted to know about it.

"It's a family heirloom."

"Never thought you to be that sentimental." Ginny bit out, she was never submissive to any one and she needed to make Malfoy aware of that.

"Are you finished Red? If so please refrain from interrupting or I'm going to just let who ever wants you dead have your soul on a platter."
"Asshole." After a few minutes without speaking, Draco started again.

"That ring has been in the Malfoy line for over 200 years. It has a protection spell cast upon it and will reflect most spells cast at its wearer. When taken off it has a defensive spell on it, lets of a gas when anyone other than a Malfoy touches it. The gas petrifies its enemy and causes them extreme pain for 24 hours."

"Why the hell don't you have a lock on that thing?"

"I did before but once I became Head Boy I didn't bother. I don't let anyone in here but Dumbledore, and now you. I didn't even think about it when you moved in. Hell, I don't even know if it will effect you, but I don't think we should test that theory."

"For once, Ferret boy, we agree."

"Weasley, I would appreciate it if you did not go through my things anymore."

"Well, find something else to occupy my time."

"I'm not your nanny, Red."

"Malfoy, I'm stuck in this room all day. It is so boring that even you for company is a relief and all we do is fight."

"I can't stay here all day with you, Weaslette, even if I wanted to. I have classes."

"Can't you at least get me my lessons so I can keep up with my class?"

"Talk to Dumbledore about that."

Ginny huffed in frustration, obviously this argument wasn't going anywhere productive. Her life, of unlife, whatever the hell you want to call it, officially blew. Dumbledore said it would be two or three months before she could rejoin her body, and so she would be stuck her at the very lest until November. There was no way she would be able to stand staying in this chamber for three months. She sighed and decided to change the topic, since it was obvious that particular conversation was pointless.

"Has there been any news of who wants me dead?"

"No. Dumbledore has your body constantly guarded and you are safe in here."

"Why here? You are not around all the time, just because it's private doesn't mean no one can get in."

"No body knows where my quarters are except myself, you, and Dumbledore. And most creatures, other than humans, wont come near a Reaper's lair. Humans, for all of their intelligence, lack a great deal of common sense."

"Yeah, whatever. Don't you have a class or something?"

"Yes, Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws." He headed to the door, pausing before turning the handle. "Oh, and Red," his face a mask of seriousness as he spoke, "if you go through my things again, I swear I'll make the next three months hell." That said he disappeared into the hallway.

After that, Ginny decided to take a nap to keep from going completely insane. It was a restless sleep, filled with memories of first year and blood. She didn't wake from the throws of nightmares until she felt something wet on her face. Opening her eyes slowly Ginny was greeted by two wide yellow eyes.

"What the fuck!" She sat up quickly, shocked into alertness. There, on her stomach, was a small animal with spotted fur, large ears, and tail resembling a lion. It purred and snuggled into her shirt, closing its eyes. Around it's neck was a collar, a card attached to it. Ginny plucked the card up, and read the elegant script.

Red,

In effort to keep you from going crazy, I got you a little friend. I was going to get you a cat, but unfortunately they are not talented enough to sense you. Kneazles on the other hand are extremely intelligent and according to Dumbledore be able to interact with you in the room, considering all the corporeal spells cast around it. Now, please desist in nagging me about my horrible companionship.

-Draco Malfoy

Ginny looked at the kitten that rested on her stomach, and for the first time in a week thought that Draco Malfoy not be so bad.

A/N: Yes I know it isn't really going very fast right now, but it's exposition. I'm trying to lighten the load of getting it all out of the way with humor, hopefully it is working. Some one asked how long this is going to be, I do not know exactly how long but I can assure you that the story isn't ending with Ginny just becoming corporeal again. I will have atleast 11 chapters where she is disembodied, and that is the minimum. Also, Draco doesn't kill people, as a Grim Reaper he shows up when they are meant to die and guide their souls. My grim reapers aren't the traditional ones as should already be obvious. Well I hope you like, please R&R.