As Time Goes By

Chapter 2

Ginny's P.O.V

Ginny and Hermione exited the History of Magic classroom, walking down the corridor to go to the dungeons for double Potions.

It was still really awkward going to any class that Harry and Ron had with them ever since, because news of Ron and Hermione's break up had made it around the school during the past week. Most of the time when people saw either pair together, everyone either started muttering or went silent. What made it worse was the fact that Harry and Ginny, along with Hermione and Ron, had already been paired together as partners at the start of the year for most of their class projects. And now, even some of the teachers went quiet whenever they had to couple up.

"Do you want to skip?" Hermione asked her, her tone and expression miserable.

Ginny gasped in mock horror. "Hermione Granger, asking about skipping class? I think Hell just froze over." Hermione smirked slightly at her statement and continued to walk in silence as they headed down the stairs to the dungeons. Ginny's smile melted away and she sighed. "I'd love to. But McGonagall would kill me if the Head girl ditched. Besides, I need the credit for my grades," She told her sullenly.

They entered the dungeon a few seconds after class began, taking their seats at either end of the room where they were sitting.

Professor Slughorn looked up at them as they took their seats and smiled widely. "Ah, Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, so glad you could make it!" He said coming around his desk to stand at the front of the classroom. "Now, since next week will be the start of winter break, the test on the Bloodroot potion will be taken next class. What we are going to be doing in preparation," He told them sitting on the edge of his desk. "Is reviewing and correcting the reports I had you do the other day," He waved his wand over the pile of parchment on the corner of his desk and sent them off to their respective owners, causing some students to let out a groan of distress at the grade they got.

"Come now, you all still have time to study and fix your mistakes," He chuckled. "Just focus on really doing the work and there won't be a problem. For those who received an Acceptable or higher on their report, go around the room and help those who need it."

Zabini, Malfoy and another Slytherin named Tracey Davis got up to help their house, while Hermione, Dean, Parvarti and Fay Dunbar helped the Gryffindors. Ginny looked around the room to see who managed to pass, and then looked back down at her paper to scowl at the D in the top corner, grateful to see Hermione walking over to her, looking at her paper curiously. "What did you get on your report?"

Ginny leaned her head against the back of her chair and groaned. "Dreadful. I got a Dreadful on my report Hermione!" She cried in despair, looking up at Hermione to see a frown on her face. "How am I supposed to pass the test on the potion when I can't even remember what comes after the essence of lavender?"

Hermione stared at her in astonishment. "How did you ever manage to become Head girl?" She asked incredulously, causing Ginny to glare at her dangerously. Hermione laughed. "I'm joking! The first thing you should know, is that you need lavender extract, not essence of lavender,"

Ginny frowned at her and sat up straight in her chair. "What's the difference?"

"Well one is natural and the other one is synthetic," She sat there and looked at her blankly for a few seconds before Hermione sighed. "Anyway, that means you got that wrong. And by the way, the next ingredients are two asphodel flowers, not rose oil," She told her before she got up and continued to walk around the room.

"Wait, where are you going? I still need help!" Ginny called out to her.

Hermione looked back and smiled kindly. "So does the rest of the class. Don't worry I'll make my way back around," She told her, causing Ginny to sigh and fall back against her chair once more.