Ginger Malfoy

Potions and Promises

Alex Nott was jealous that morning in Potions class.

He sat sulking at his cauldron, stirring up some concoction or another, wishing that Ginger had been partnered up with him instead of Albus.  Now he was stuck with Lobelia, who couldn't shut up and kept getting him in trouble.  Professor Certia always yelled at him instead of Lobelia because she had those huge brown puppy dog eyes.  No teacher could yell at Lobelia.  It was annoying.

Lobelia was also possibly the clingiest person he had ever met.  She wouldn't let go of his arm and she seemed to need to ask him about every single step in their Potions book.  She couldn't honestly be that stupid.  They were Slytherins; weren't they supposed to be good at Potions?

Anyways, Alex honestly just couldn't take it anymore.  He gritted his teeth as he watched Ginger laugh at Albus' jokes and saw them make much faster progress on their potion than he and Lobelia could dream of.  

What was the big idea of Professor Certia picking partners for them?  Stupid bi-

"Nott?  Alex Nott?" a soft voice called from the front of the classroom.

"Yes, professor?" Alex asked, feeling suddenly guilty about what he had just been thinking as he looked up at the beautiful, calm, and collected witch teaching his class.

"The Headmistress would like to see you in her office now.  Don't take any detours in the castle and don't dawdle on your way back."

Nott nodded and got up, grabbing his textbooks and quill as he left, seeing as he would probably not make it back before the end of the period.

He lugged everything down the hallway until he found McGonagall's office.  The gargoyle who he was supposed to tell a password to looked uninterested and let him in immediately.  Alex entered and stepped up the spiraling staircase until he saw a grey cat alone in the room.  He smiled and knelt down to pet the feline.  He loved animals.

The moment he placed a hand on the cat's delicate fur, it began to grow and change.  It grew taller and more human-like until it was a full-sized witch with her signature black pointed hat resting on her head.

"Headmistress," Alex stuttered, partially ashamed that he had just petted the oldest and wisest witch at Hogwarts.

"Please excuse me, Nott, I had forgotten that I called you up here.  Please take a seat."

Nott set his books down and sat on the chair opposite her desk.  The professor also took a seat and then started staring at him.

Nott paled profusely.  Did he have jam from breakfast on his face or something?  Why was she staring like that?

"The other professors and I have been hearing rumors about regenerative Death-eater activities in Slytherin house.  I doubt that you first years have anything to do with it, but anyone can hear things, so I'd like to know if you know anything about it.  Be honest, for I'm asking every member of Slytherin house."

Alex realized that many of his housemates had been called to the professor's office lately and that McGonagall was being entirely honest.

"Well, Ginger said that Violet Zabini said that Leviathana Riddle had a plan or something that involved her and her relationships, but I don't really know what is happening exactly."

"Her being whom?  Miss Malfoy, Miss Zabini, or Miss Riddle?"  McGonagall's strong accent had been paled to a whisper, seemingly afraid of the answer.

"Ginger," Alex said with complete certainty.

"That's what I feared.  I should never have let the Riddle girl in.  But what was I to do?  Her parents never openly supported the cause.  I thought she would be a safe and powerful addition."

"Professor?  What's going on?"

"Nott, your friend Miss Malfoy is in grave danger.  Try and keep her safe.  For me."

Alex almost laughed at the thought.  Keep her safe?  What could he possibly do to keep her safe?  She was so wild and adventurous.  Nothing he could do could help her at all, especially since he was only a first year and he couldn't say no to her even if he was older and could protect her.

"I'll do my best, Professor."

"Thank you, Nott.  You may go back to your class."

Alex made his way back to Potions and sat through the last few minutes of class.

Ginger looked his way when she heard him enter and mouthed, "What happened?"

Alex shook his head and mouthed that he would tell her later.  That was a lie.  There was no way he would tell her.  She would never let him try to keep her safe.  She was much too independent for that.

She turned around and didn't reply.  He stared at the back of her red hair and inaudibly promised himself that he would keep his promise to Professor McGonagall.  No one was touching Ginger.  His Ginger.

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A/N:  Some of y'all's comments lately give me chills.  Thanks for being so kind with your words.(:

Please vote it up if you liked it!  And I know I've done it before but.. comment:  Ginger and Nott or Ginger and Albus?  And if you come up with a good ship name for either couple, I'll dedicate a chapter to you.  haha get going. (:

love y'all.  Kisses. :*