Yes, yes, it's a short chapter, but it's a chapter that wasn't in the original. To be honest, I didn't realize I needed it until I read my reviews, so thanks y'all.
Hickeys and Owls
Ginny managed to sneak Draco out of the Gryffindor rooms during the first period and made it to her second period with no problems. She had found some of Hannah's Muggle makeup and tried to cover the spots on her neck, but if anyone just looked at her neck for a few seconds, they'd know something wasn't right. Truthfully, she didn't mind all that much. After all, bearing the hickeys that Draco Malfoy had given her practically designated him as her own. She kept her hair down and swept over her shoulders, and things were going well until lunch time.
"You're in a better mood than you've been in weeks," Zoë commented as they seated themselves in the Great Hall.
Ginny shrugged, her eyes immediately drawn to the spot where Draco sat. He glanced up and flashed her a quick smile. "I feel better now."
"I'd feel better too after a night like that," Helena said slyly.
"Like what?" Ginny asked, unconcerned. She knew the silencing charm was still on her bed.
"Well, let's see. You go to bed crying, and wake up in a great mood," Helena continued.
"What's wrong with that?" Ginny asked, filling her plate with Shepherd's pie.
"You did a good job trying to cover those hickeys, but we can still see them!" Helena giggled.
Ginny's eyes widened. "They're not hickeys. It's . . . a rash."
Zoë began to laugh and Bianca joined in. "That's a pretty mysterious looking rash," Bianca gasped. "Maybe you should have Madam Pomfrey check it out!"
"Thank you," Ginny hissed. "Please keep it down! I don't want Ron over here starting another row!"
"So tell us who it is," Zoë requested once she had stopped laughing.
"I am not!" Ginny announced.
"Come on, did you make up with Malfoy?" Bianca pressed.
"Hardly," Ginny snorted. "I haven't talked to him since he shoved me out of the dungeons!"
"Better fix your hair," Helena whispered. "Here comes your brother."
Quickly Ginny brushed her hair over her shoulders.
"Hey, Gin Gin," Ron said stepping up to her.
She turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
He sat down on the bench next to her. "I just, I wanted, you know, I'm sorry I've been acting like such a wanker. I just want you to be careful. And I want you to be happy."
Ginny eyed her brother as his ears flushed red and he stared down at his lap. "Alright. I don't like us having rows, anyways."
Ron nodded, looking relieved, and then stopped. "What's on your neck?"
"It's a rash," Zoë interrupted before Ginny could speak.
"A rash?" he repeated, his face twisted with skepticism.
"It really is. We've been taking the mickey out on her though," Helena added.
"Yup," Bianca finished. "Looks like hickeys, don't you think?"
Ginny knew Ron wasn't that stupid, but it wasn't fun to find your baby sister covered with faded hickeys either. "And how did you get that rash?" he demanded.
Ginny shrugged. "In Herbology. I was talking with Zoë and not paying attention, and well, I slipped in something and got this."
"I don't believe you," he said flatly, crossing his arms.
"Honestly Ron," Zoë rolled her eyes. "She didn't have them yesterday, and if they were hickeys, she'd look more like Misti Millstead over there."
All eyes swiveled to the Hufflepuff table where Misti sat, her hair twisted up in a bun and a fresh crop of brown and red bruises on her neck.
"Besides, we're her best mates," Bianca finished. "Don't you think we'd know if she was seeing someone?"
Ron looked at them and finally nodded. "Right then."
Ginny knew he still didn't quite believe her, but it was easier to accept then starting another row. Out of one corner of her eye, she could see Hermione rolling her eyes at Ron's words, and out of the other eye, she could see Draco Malfoy watching the conversation with interest, and shaking with silent laughter.
***
Draco's owl came back from his father sooner than he anticipated. He had been in the Slytherin common room with Crabbe, Nathaniel, and Morag. They were supposed to be finishing the horrid amount of potions homework Snape had assigned them, but Draco had been staring at the same spot on his parchment for over five minutes, thinking of a way to see Ginny tonight. It was too dangerous to try and sneak into the Gryffindor house each night. After all, the fifth years and seventh years were usually up until the wee hours, getting in a last bit of studying, and the Fat Lady wasn't so keen to letting him in lately, even when he had the house elves bring her liquor.
"Hey, Malfoy!"
Morag's words broke him out of his thoughts. "What?" he snapped, glancing up.
"Isn't that your owl?"
Draco's eyes shot towards the small window at the top of the dungeon wall. "Bloody hell," he muttered, shoving his parchment aside. He had sent the owl to his father yesterday morning, after hearing the Mudblood's suggestion. He hated to admit it, but it was a good one. It would keep his father thinking he was still interested in a life of servitude, and give him time to find out what to do.
He snatched the letter off his owl and tossed her a treat before letting her return to the owlery.
I suppose your suggestion is a wise one, although I dare say there will be some disappointment. Your N.E.W.T.s are important, since you will be required to hold a respectable face to the public. However, any information you are able to gather, you will be expected to report at once.
That was it. No, hello son, how was your day? No, how is school going? Are you still top of the Slytherin class? Still excelling at Quidditch? No, that was for the letters his mum sent him. Rage boiled inside of him, but he was careful to keep a mask like expression as he tossed the letter into the fireplace. There was no doubt any emotions he betrayed would be reported back to parents by those who watched him.
He sat back in his chair and pulled up his parchment. "Let's finish this," he commanded. "I don't want to be down here all night."
Sod it, he thought. I am going to see Ginny. She was far too irresistible, and much preferable to doing homework assigned by Snape or being in the presence of the Future Death Eaters of England club.
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Big surprise in the next chapter, by the way. Probably gonna earn me a lot of hate mail!!! >:)
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