Chapter 17 - Books and Looks
The weeks prior to the start of term were much quieter with only the occasional snip between Mrs. Weasley and Remus. Ron and Ginny had gotten into it once, something about Ron being overprotective, not that Harry blamed him, Ginny had grown up quite well, (she'd snipped at him a few times as well for being overprotective, which Draco and Hermione found greatly amusing). And what could he say? Ginny's the closest to a sister he has, isn't she?
On the last day of the summer holiday, everyone was bustling about getting packed and prepared to catch the train. Ron had went...well he'd went to take care of something, and Harry and Draco where in their shared room putting their books back into their trunks. "Do you think your Father will be there?" Harry asked.
"Hm? Oh, yeah, more than likely," Draco sighed.
"Do you think he'll try anything?"
Draco snorted, "Not unless he's hiding behind that bloody mask."
Harry frowned for a moment, "You don't think they'd plan an attack on the platform or the train, do you?"
"It'd be rather stupid to attack the platform, there are too many adults who will fight back." Draco said. "The train, however, there is a possibility. I mean they could just send the Dementors after us."
"I guess it's a good thing I taught the Patronus Charm last year in the DA," Harry muttered.
"What's that?"
"I said it's a good thing I taught some people how to do the Patronus Charm last year," Harry said, repeating a modified version.
"That's right, you learned that third year, from Lupin."
Harry nodded and smiled, "Yeah, you should remember, it chased you down at the Ravenclaw match."
"Yeah, I should have known that was a bad idea, I've never seen ol' McGonagall that angry before or since."
"I'm glad I haven't," Harry said shaking his head.
"I have to admit, though, Lupin was the only decent DADA teacher we've had."
Harry couldn't agree more, "Quirrell, well he was all wrong. I swear if I see Lockhart again I'll gag...the lousy fraud. Then there was Remus, a competent teacher, as McGonagall put it. Then the false Mad-Eye Moody--" Draco cringed in remembrance and Harry chuckled, "Yeah, you had quite an experience with him, didn't you? Then last year Umbrage, sorry but I do not like that woman. I was really hoping to see either Snape or McGonagall snap on her during the class evaluations...well McGonagall did get a bit snippish with her."
"Yeah, we've had a load of nutcases that's for sure" Draco smiled. "I wonder who will be next."
"Who knows...How many students of the Death Eaters do you think will remain at Hogwarts now that everyone knows Dumbledore is preparing for the battles?"
"Probably not many. Zambini will probably stay, as will Parkinson. I couldn't guess about Crabbe and Goyle..."
"Won't the Slytherin house be a bit dangerous, especially once they find out where you've been all summer?" Harry asked.
"Probably," Draco shrugged. They fell silent as they heard the door squeak open and turned to face it. A head of long red hair peaked in. "Come on in, Ginny."
"Sorry, Hermione's pestering me about how badly I pack, I had to escape." She sighed, lowering herself onto one of the beds.
Harry chuckled, "She's only trying to be helpful, but I know what you mean, Gin."
Ginny rolled her eyes slightly before plopping forward to rest on her elbows, chin in her hands. "So how's your packing coming along?"
The two boys shrugged. "I'm about done, I'll just have to get Hedwig into her cage in the morning."
"I'll be done in a few moments," Draco frowned, "Once I find my Transfiguration homework..."
"On the desk," Harry said, putting the last of his things in his trunk and moving the trunk on to the floor.
"Right," Draco nodded and retrieved his homework. "Done!"
"Where's your brother, Ginny?" Harry asked curiously.
"He's writing a letter and says he doesn't want to be disturbed," Ginny smirked.
"And who is he writing to?" Draco asked.
"I don't know for sure, but I'm betting its Luna." Ginny replied.
"I might have known," Harry mused. He fell silent a moment, recognizing almost instantly the glance Draco briefly gave the red headed girl before quickly remaking his expressions. Keeping a straight face he asked Ginny, "So, how're things with Dean?"
"Dean? Oh, I'm surprised Ron hadn't been in here bragging," Ginny shook her head. "He dumped me the weekend that we came here."
"Oh really?" Harry said his eyes slipping to Draco then back to her. "I didn't know. What went wrong?"
Ginny shrugged, "Pavarti Patil."
Harry nodded a minute, studying Draco from the corner of his eye, "The bloke has poor taste I guess..."
She shrugged again, "You went to the Yule Ball with her."
It was Harry's turn to nod, "That didn't go very well at all, though, did it?" He paused for a moment, and then smiled inwardly. "Hey Ginny, could you go ask Hermione to come in here when she's finished?"
Ginny looked confused for a moment but nodded, "Alright." She climbed off the bed and walked toward the door, shutting it behind her.
Once she was gone Harry flopped himself backward onto his bed and watched the other boy for a moment. "You should go for it."
"What are you going on about now?" Draco asked.
"Ginny. I saw you watching her. You should go for it." Harry said again.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't."
"Do."
"Fine! I'll admit the little Weasel's got me." Draco sighed.
Harry smiled, "Then go for it."
Draco plunked back on his own bed. "Maybe I will..."
"Just remember one thing."
"What's that?"
"If you hurt her-in anyway-you'll have Ron through Bill, plus myself ready to hex you." Harry said, deadly serious.
"Not that that's a worry, but I'm not afraid of you lot."
"Think about it Draco. That's six Weasley's, two of whom managed to turn a Hogwarts corridor into a swamp, a Gringott's curse breaker, a Dragon Trainer, plus myself and Ron." Harry said. "And as I assume you've learnt before, Ginny's a strong one all on her own."
Draco's eyes widened, evidently he'd forgotten the professions of the two eldest Weasley boys. "I wouldn't hurt her anyway," He said.
"Good."
-->