Everybody's Got A Story
By: Draconia
Summary: Ginny Weasely is in her 6th year at Hogwart's and she's tired of being seen on the sidelines, but she doesn't know how to change her life. What if it gets changed for her? What happens when a certain pale haired boy shows another side of himself? Will Ginny risk everything for him? Will she risk death? Would he?
Author Notes: Thanks as always to my betas, Candi and Jamie! You guys pull me through all those editorial errors.
Rated: R
Email: luthien_anwamane2003@yahoo.ca
Chapter 4
We might as well give up the fiction
That we can argue any view.
For what in me is pure Conviction
Is simple Prejudiced in you.
- Phyllis McGinley, "Note to My Neighbor"
"But Professor, it isn't fair!"
"Mr. Potter, I suggest you get control of yourself. Another outburst and I will be inclined to deduct even more points. Professor Snape was in the right, though I am hard pressed to admit it. You will concede to accept his punishment because breaking that specific rule could have endangered your lives. I want to hear nothing else, return to your dorms immediately," Professor McGonagall replied sharply. She was not an early riser and she was agitated at being awoken this morning so very early by Mr. Filch ushering in three of her charges.
***
Ginny sat in a corner of the library, quietly reading and not by choice. Ever since causing the capture of the Gryffindor Trio a week earlier, her fellow housemates had refused to talk to her. Some had even gone so far as to insult her openly. Even the people she'd considered to be her friends were giving her the cold shoulder. Even though she'd been awarded points by Snape, the sixty point loss along with the loss of Gryffindors two main Quidditch players had, in the minds of her housemates, put them dead last in the running for both the Qudditch Cup and the House Cup. Unlike those in her house, the Slytherins had cheered her on as they passed her in the halls. Thanking her for assuring their victory.
She'd never expected these repercussions and was sorely regretting her actions. She stared at the pages of the book that lay in her lap, not even really reading it. It just gave her a good cover for her to think. The library wasn't frequented often, and she was in a corner behind several book stands, almost invisible. It was the 'almost' that led to the next encounter.
"Virginia," a cold and curt voice said from her right.
Glancing over she saw Harry standing beside her chair, looking extremely furious. She knew what was coming and she also knew Harry hated what he would have to do next.
"I'm appointing you the substitute Seeker for Gryffindor. Practices will be Tuesdays and Thursdays after supper. You'll only be playing the first game against Slytherin and then the second game against Hufflepuff. By that time Christmas Vacation will come around and after that I'll become Seeker again. You'd better not lose, Virginia," he said the last part with venom dripping words.
Snape was right about Draco not wanting to lose, but Harry Potter would throttle her if she lost the game that he won at every time. To him, winning Quidditch was his birthright. Years of being a celebrity had definitely gotten to his head.
With a sudden movement Harry had caged Ginny in her own chair by bracing his hands on the arm rests and standing in front of her. Fear shot through Ginny the moment her eyes met his. Cold rage burned in his eyes.
"I'm never going to forgive you for what you did Ginny. Do you know how embarrassing it is to face my own housemates? You''re going to pay for this Ginny, I swear it on my parent's graves. You'll pay."
From behind Harry someone clear their throat. Harry whipped around to face, Draco Malfoy of all people. Ginny was just glad that someone had put an end to Harry and her very real fear of the boy she'd once admired.
"Get out of here Malfoy, this doesn't concern you." Harry bit through his teeth at Draco.
Draco leaned against the wall and shrugged nonchalantly. "Well I'm not too fond of Gryffindors granted. But, I don't think picking on a girl who''s already suffering is very appropriate. I also feel it my duty to help out Weasel here for the time being, she did after all, bring about the assured downfall of Gryffindor," he took a deep breath and smiled, "There's nothing like having a snake in a den of lions."
Sure she was grateful for the reprieve from Harry, but Draco didn't seem to be helping matters at all. She was no snake! Leaping from the chair Ginny held her book tightly in her hands as she brought it crashing down on Draco's head.
"Fuck off, Malfoy! I don't need your help! And I'll show you whose gonna win that Quidditch Cup. You'd better prepare for the first match next week," she thundered at him before stalking off towards the Quidditch pitch to practice flying.
***
The next day Ginny and Colin Creevy had been elected speakers in her Muggle Studies class with the Hufflepuffs. The Hufflepuff speakers were Elizabeth Wittingham and Anthea Pugh.
Liz was usually very giggly and exuberant, but during class she was somber and serious. Her shoulder length blonde hair was kept out of her face by a set of low pigtails, and her emerald eyes shielded by her yellow tinted, small framed glasses. Liz didn't need the glasses, but she felt they afforded her more of an air of intelligence then was usually associated with blonde women.
Anthea on the other hand, had her shoulder length blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail at the top of her head. Her tie hung loose on her neck and the top button of her blouse was undone, giving her a relaxed attitude. That attitude hid a keen and well tuned mind. Both girls were at the top of their class for their house.
Ginny knew she was up against some tough competitors and that her own partner regarded Ginny as a traitor, which had made it difficult to study for this particular debate. They were to discuss their views on the abuse of power in today's society, while the Hufflepuffs had been given the opportunity to declare the benefits of great power in today's society.
Sirius Black had been appointed the new Muggle Studies teacher after his name had finally been cleared two years earlier. He wore a somber black robe and had cleaned up his appearance drastically. No longer did he sport dirt smudges on his face and have dirt under his finger nails. He was cleanly shaven and always smelled of forest scents. His unruly black hair was tied back with apiece of silk ribbon. But, even after cleaning himself up, he still held the air of menace and no one thought to cross him. Which, quite accidentally, also kept those pupils who didn't know him personally, in line and out of trouble.
Clearing his throat to get the attention of the class, Professor Black spoke firmly, "I will not have any riots or shouting in this class. This debate will be conducted in accordance to the rules I stipulated. Each party will be given a chance to speak, but only with the guidance of their carefully chosen quotations. After each party has made their point, I shall deliberate for one minute and then decide upon the victor. Is that understood?"
The entire class murmured their accordance and by a lucky toss of the coin, the Hufflepuff representatives were permitted to speak first. Anthea was first chair and therefore would provide the first and third arguments, while Liz would state the second.
Respectively Ginny was first chair for the Gryffindors and Colin was second chair.
"To reign is worth ambition though in hell: Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven. ; John Milton" Anthea stated quickly before making her follow up, "I believe this quotation is meant to convey a simple lesson. More can be done for good in hell by ruling it, than being far away in heaven and praying for the good to happen. Why pray for something when granting power can help to bring that good about." she smiled before stepping back and taking her seat.
Ginny frowned as she poured over her own quotes looking for the proper rebuttal. She grinned when she found it.
"Power, like a desolating pestilence, Pollutes whatever it touches. Percy ByssheShelley. Shelley's sentiments say that, no matter what good intentions one with power starts out with, that power will undoubtedly corrupt them and bring about more evil."
Ginny stepped back and on the Hufflepuff side Liz stood at her podium.
"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. ; Shakespeare. One person with little power is like a candle when doing a good deed, but someone with greater power has the ability to do a greater deed." Liz nodded towards Sirius before retaking her seat and sharing a contented smile with Anthea.
Colin was nervous about standing up in front of his peers as was apparent by his quivering hands as he held his notes.
"T-the greater the power, the more d-dangerous the abuse. ; Edmund Burke." Colin closed his eyes and took a deep steadying breath as he continued with his points, "Even if someone has greater power they still have the ability to do wrong and with that greater power they can do more damage then a person who has limited persuasion." Colin finished quickly and fairly raced back to his seat amid a few chuckles.
Anthea frowned contemplatively as she tried to think of her closing. She took too long and Professor Black cleared his throat to grab her attention. She nodded apologetically and took the podium.
"With great power, comes great responsibility. ; Stan Lee. If people can trust others, then they must be willing to trust those with power to be responsible." Anthea smiled with relief, thankful that her part was finished.
Ginny bit her lower lip, like she did every time she was nervous about something. As she approached the podium her mind was a complete blank, but when she saw the belittling eyes of her Gryffindor peers she knew she had to prove to them, if not herself, that she could do something right.
"Man's responsibility increases as that of the gods decreases. ; Andréé Gide. No man is a god and we should not let them believe they are by giving them the responsibility of using great power wisely. To do so would seal our own death warrants," she'd said the last part a bit more forcefully then she'd intended and saw Professor Black's eyes raise inquiringly for a moment.
Taking her seat quietly, the entire class waited for Professor Black to finish deliberating over the debate.
After what seemed forever, he stood and clasped his hands behind his back.
"Although the opening of the Gryffindors and their body arguments were well done, I feel that Hufflepuff did a much more sound job," at this comment the Hufflepuffs began to smile.
"However," and at this the smiles slid off the faces of the Hufflepuffs. "The closing argument that Gryffindor provided summed up and crossed out every point made by Hufflepuff and therefore I am awarding them this debate. Congratulations Gryffindors, and ten points to your house for an expertly won debate."
It was just then that the bell signaled the end of class and excited murmurs were passing through the Gryffindors. Colin was heartily slapped on the back and shoulder for a job well done. Though no one congratulated Ginny, she knew they were all still angry with her and she was resigned to her punishment.
"Nice job, Ginny."
Ginny spun around to see Liz and Anthea smiling at her. It had been Anthea who spoke first. Ginny smiled automatically.
"Thanks, guys. It was a tough call for the Professor I'm sure. I wasn't really even that convinced that we'd win."
Liz shrugged a giggled lightly. "Well, win some lose some, right?"
Ginny smiled even more and nodded. "Right."
***
"So that's it then. She'll never know what hit her," Fayth resolved as she nodded towards Kyra.
Kyra sighed as she sat back on her bed. "I sure as hell hope this'll be enough revenge for Pearl, otherwise I don't think I want to be around the next time to help her out. I'm losing too much sleep doing other people's homework and all this plotting."
Fayth chuckled as she stretched her legs which had been curled under her for far to long. "We can only hope Kyra. But, then again, hope is for those people with foolish hearts and minds. Between you and I, I think we're too Slytherin to have much hope for anything.
"Well, we'd better go tell Pearl. She's probably going to yell at us for taking too long in coming up with this devious plan of 'her' creation."
Fayth laughed out loud at Kyra's comment. "If Pearl could think up these things on her own she wouldn't need us," she paused for a moment as a thought struck her. "Say, you know what? Having Pearl coming up with her own plots and keeping us out of them might not be so bad."
The Slytherin dorm filled with uncharacteristic laughter a moment later.