Blurred Lines

Title: Blurred lines

A/U: Starting in Chamber of Secrets Making its way through Ginny’s years at Hogwarts; Ginny and Draco’s POV.

Rating: M for Violence, Grief and Sexually suggestive content.

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Chapter 2. Dazed Days

September 2nd

“I’m sorry Ginny,”
She couldn’t sink any further in her chair but Dumbledore continued to drive the nails into her mental coffin.
“Once the sorting hat makes a decision it forms a magically binding contract with the school that cannot be changed or reversed,”
She had an inkling this would happen, but now the facts were layed out so clearly it still felt like a punch to the guts.
“I understand,” Were the only words she could muster. Ginny rarely cried, but this was a close contender to a moment where she thought the prickling behind her eyes would betray, escape and embarrass her. And the steely gaze of headmaster Albus Dumbledore did nothing to assist. “I should go now,” She said finally, Dumbledore let out a sincere and pitying nod and Ginny fled the office and down the spiral stairs to her first class of the day, Potions with Professor Snape…

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Ginny didn’t know how many days it had been since the sorting, she could barely string together thoughts coherent enough to be called such other then when she was in classes. She was zoning out giving people the thousand-yard-stare when they spoke to her. She was also noticing that other then her tendency to zone out she was also, and she couldn’t describe it in any other way, missing parts of her weekends. She would wake up, eat in the great hall, then would disappear from her own consciousness for an hour or two sometimes three. She wanted to be broken out of this dazed monotony. Not, however, by the person who did end up breaking her out of her own head.
“Weasley. Weasley! I know your ignoring me.” Draco Malfoy had entered the common room flanked and reared by Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. “So rumor round the school is that you’ve been acting more out of it then the ghosts.” This wasn't what she was hoping for when she thought of a mental prison savior but it did light a small fire under her, a fire that she hadn’t felt since… since she was home. “I’m sure talking to you won’t help that at all Malfoy. But that's not why your here is it.” Draco looked a little put out, but then smirked. “Did you hear that Blaise? I’m sure little miss Weasel over here is more Slytherin then we thought.”
“No Gryffindor would speak like that to anyone, too much bravado, too many scared Mud-Bloods plaguing it. They would want to, what did that small one say? Duel to prove us big headed Slytherins weren’t as tough as our big mouths-”
“Why are you even here Draco?” She interrupted Blaise, something he clearly wasn't used to, but didn’t get a chance to retort before Draco spoke.
“I wanted to talk to you, preferably somewhere private, outside perhaps?”
Ginny didn’t quite know how to respond, should she accept and risk being humiliated further, or deny and play it safe.
“Fine, outside the common room lets go.” Her curiosity got the better of her.
They stepped up the platform leading to the door and stood outside a few paces away from the entrance. Draco’s tone dropped when he wasn't around gormless or otherwise mates. “I don’t entirely know what your playing at walking around like a zombie, but Snape asked me to make sure you know that if you don’t sharpen your act up then you’ll lose us the house cup.”
Ginny couldn’t help a sigh, there was the tiniest idea in her mind that Draco- a fellow house member at the very least- would be worried about her, would at least try to help her out of the predicament she had landed herself in, but Draco all but crushed any hope she had of that in his very next line.
“No body in Slytherin is going to hold your hand through this one Weasley its win or be flattened by those who are winning.”
“Your all unnecessarily rude to those who don’t serve a purpose to you, right got it thanks for reminding me. You should probably return to your mates before they start crying over your absence. I’d be surprised if you don’t sleep together the amount your around each other… Good day.”
Draco’s suspicions had been confirmed… She was quite the fiery first year, and this was only the beginning of… the beginning of what? Thought Draco. Whatever it was he didn’t trouble himself for it. For it was in the very least, going to be an entertaining happenings over the next however long, and Draco was here for it.

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The next day, Breakfast in the great Hall
It had to have been to early for Draco’s brain to be fully in gear, he could think of no other explanation for what had just occurred in the last few minutes. Ginny Weasley the lost girl herself. Just, walked through the doors of the Great Hall with a swagger sitting down in the most destructive space she possibly could have. Right in the gap Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe would have taken up if they hadn't been in the hospital wing after somehow getting themselves food poisoning from trying to cook themselves. This wouldn't have been an issue, had she not sidled up to Draco’s side of the bench and asked Pansy Parkinson to “Pass me the orange juice please.” Malfoy couldn’t believe his luck- of all the people she could have made an enemy with, she had to choose Pansy Parkinson. This was going to be an entertaining few days, maybe months, who knows this could be the ignition of a life long feud that Draco would be fortunate enough to be alive and well to witness it its entirety.
“No.” Was the only thing a dumbstruck, and incredibly heated, Pansy could muster. Blaise however, being most impressed, handed her the juice and closed the distance between the two making the seating order set in stone. Blaise, Ginny, Draco Pansy in front of him and Theo sitting next to Pansy whilst looking wide eyed and impressed at Ginny. Crabbe and Goyle could sit on the floor.
Pansy reached over the table and grasped Draco’s hands “Its nearly Christmas isn’t it Draco.” a sickly smile came over her pug-nosed face as she shot Ginny an evil side eye.
“Yes, it is nearly Christmas.” A lot of the time, well more often then not, Draco would appreciate Pansy’s fawning but right now didn’t feel like the time, although he wanted to two to argue he didn’t want them to be arguing across him and Pansy’s she-devil side eye didn’t help his nerves.
“Don’t worry Pansy I’m not trying to shovel my way in between you and your man. I’ll leave that for him to do that to me himself.” She let of an absolutely disastrously timed wink downed her orange juice finished her last piece of kipper and fled the table.
“I take back every mean thing I’ve ever said about her, this is going to be an interesting year.” Blaise chuckled then finished with, “Fiery first year. Was god damn correct.” Blaise added before he too finished his breakfast and left for lesson leaving a dumbstruck Pansy and Draco still hand in hand.

When she left the Great Hall however, things went from bad to worse, this time for Ginny. It was Ron and Harry both careening round the corner at top speed praying they don’t miss breakfast…
“Ginny we’ve been… what are wearing?” Ron said out of breath but now turning his nose up slightly. Blood ran into his cheeks and the sight of the Green and silver necktie, then it spread out across his whole face.
“I was sorted into Slytherin.” Ginny deadpanned, how else was she supposed to react, she didn’t know how Ron didn’t know and Harry. Harry’s face broke her heart. He didn’t look angry, more ashamed. Ashamed that his friend could possibly end up in Slytherin. If it wasn't shame then it was something else. But shame was the feeling balling slowly in the pit of her abdomen. It was shame the drove her to snap at Ron when his next sentence came out.
“Don’t play this game with us Ginny, its really not funny…”
“Do you know what is funny Ron? Whats funny is your complete in ability to see that I didn’t want to be here, I didn’t do this to myself…” she looked back at harry, perhaps it was anger at this point in his face. He always had a very complex facial expression, one that you could never quite tell the emotion of. Unless your name was Albus Dumbledore of course; that man could do just about anything.
“What has Malfoy done to you, I bet hes somehow done it. Gotten his Father involved so he can do who knows what to y-.” She couldn’t believe it. Especially since Draco had been somewhat tame since she got off the train. The fire that was lit under her, put on and artificial just took a turn for the genuine and the filter between her brain and her mouth, burned away in the inferno.
“Ronald I cannot believe you, you cant carry on blaming everything on Malfoy you know hes not actually have bad, you just cant stand the sight of someone who’s better then you at almost everything! I’m saying this and in case you haven't noticed I don’t like him either…” Ginny’s face was red, she could feel it creeping up to her ears as-well fists clenched, digging half mooned scares into her palm with her sharp finger-nails. Hitching her bag up her shoulder a little further she charged straight through Harry and Ron off to first lesson bumping both of their shoulders on her way past.
Damn them, damn Ron for being so insensitive and foolish and- and- well Ron. Damned Harry most of all, for that look, that disappointed look on his face those almost shaped green eyes shes became most keen at staring into. He’s only ever smiled at him up until now.
She was facing down, not paying attention to what was ahead of her, almond green eyes were blocking her thoughts, as she walked right into another Slytherin on her way to the dungeon
“Watch it Weasley,” it was braise and he didn’t seem angry and being walked into, definitely not he seemed almost glad to see her. “Might I just say that was a fantastic performance in front of Parkinson, you wouldn't believe the look you plastered on her face- Whats that book you’ve got there.” He interrupted himself mid way through a sentence,
“Its just a- um- just a diary I like to write in.” Blaise didn’t look to convinced.
“Did Malfoy give you that?” Malfoy? What would Draco be doing gifting things to her. Blood traitor number 1…
“No of course not I don’t know why he would want to give me anything other then abuse and hard ships.” Blaise chuckled at this,
“Hes not that bad you know, sure he’s a little bit spoilt but pretty much everyone in Slytherin is so its to be expected.” This made a lot of sense Pure-blood family’s, with the exception of her own of course, were all incredibly wealthy. Blaise’s expression harded
“But really, where did you get the book from?”
“I- just found it, must have picked it up in Diagon Alley…” Ginny wanted to press on but she would be late to lesson if she did and Blaise realized it to.
“Fair enough, ill see you in the common room.” A friendly goodbye. A temporary one at that. Not a ‘I hope I never see you again filthy little blood traitor.’ no hissing or sneering. Just an ‘ill see you in the common room’.
And after that, her memory’s went blank…

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December 24th The night of Christmas eve.

The time since breakfast had past much like the days previous, gone, disintegration to the most infinitesimal degree- before her very eyes, like watching herself through a fish-eye lens her very perception of herself warped. The small fire lit under Ginny had far by extinguished and she was back to wandering the corridors in a sort of half conscious again. This time was different however as she had found herself in more and more concerning places. The pumpkin patch, Hagrid, the Groundskeeper of Hogwarts’, rooster pen. Most worrying of all is after she remembered being in the pen the next time she slipped away from herself she was covered head to toe in rooster feathers. She had already caught wind that there was writing on the walls of the castle that the writing was in blood and the dangerous messages that the writing depicted “The chamber of secrets has been opened… Enemies of the Heir beware…” That wasn't the end of it she could feel it. So far though she hadn’t had to answer any odd questions for anyone but herself, until of course.
“Weasley? What are you doing out here its nearly curfew?” Of course it was Draco Malfoy wandering the subterranean dungeon as she was.
“I could ask you the same thing,” why did he have to stay over Christmas, didn’t dearest Mother and Father want to see their little baby over the holidays. She tried to make a biting tone, but all of her energy had been sapped from her wanderings.
“I haven’t been doing anything that concerns you,” Draco replied also barely managing a snappy tone. They rounded the corner in unison and in front of them was quite a spectacle to behold:
Crabbe and Goyle, looking more duck footed and out of it then they usually did, were both being told off by Percy Weasley the Gryffindor Prefect. And of course Malfoy being Malfoy,
“Hey Weasel what are you doing here,” Percy and Crabbe's head snapped toward Malfoy. Both parties noticed her at once as her cheeks drilled red with embarrassment.
“I happen to be a… Ginny?” Percy’s eyes widened a little then stuck a steely gaze upon her steadily flushing cheeks, please don’t say anything stupid Percy. Please don’t say anything stupid.
“Mother has been expecting you to write to her, shes been very anxious and wants to know if you’ve managed to leave Slytherin.” His tone dropped, “You have been trying haven’t you?” That's the second time shes been acused of being, content, of not minding being stuck in a house with Draco Malfoy of all people. The next event that happened was strange, so strange in fact that if Ginny couldn’t feel the heat in her cheeks and the rage brewing in her abdomen she wouldn't have thought it were possible
“I think she’s perfectly fine where she is Weasel.” Did Draco just- stand up for Ginny? Even after that whole ‘kill or be killed’ speech? Crabbe was just as shocked it seemed eyes wide and cheeks almost as red as Ginny’s.
Percy’s shocked demeanor didn’t change as Malfoy beckoned his friends and Ginny inside of the common room.
“Superioris Pur”
Pure Superiority, of course. Prejudiced in every facet possible.

The cavernous space was almost empty bar a few 5th years desperately cramming more information into their heads. A fire was lit in one corner of the room illuminating the chairs Draco and his entourage liked to sit most, wall sconces equidistantly spaced along the rough stone wall comprised of large bricks reminiscent of a dungeon. Every article of furniture to the wall art was swathed in green and silver trim, serpents adorned the more bespoke features of the room. Black leather and a dark atmosphere dominated the space quite unlike the comforting air that Fred and George described the Gryffindor common room as having with its comparatively dissimilar red and gold furnishings.
Draco took his seat in the middle, the pseudo-leader of their little group, Crabbe and Goyle sat opposite him and left the only seat left being the one on Draco’s left. Someone, curse whoever they may be, had taken the single armchairs. Ginny didn’t miss a beat, trying to mimic the facade of action and fire and tenacity that she had mustered at that breakfast however long ago it was. Ginny tucked her legs under herself and eyed Crabbe suspiciously- he hadn't taken his eyes off her yet… Draco broke the silence.
“Where have you two been? Pigging out in the great hall all this time I expect?” Even though she detested the two of them she couldn’t help but feel a little bit sorry for them especially after they looked down and sheepishly nodded. “Couldn’t help but notice the writing on the wall… “Enemies of the heir beware. Must be talking about Mudbloods. People have already been getting petrified-”
“People have been getting what?” Ginny interrupted
“Petrified, have you not been listening at all- its been said in class at dinner last night.”
This was bad, Ginny didn’t know why but something stirred in her at the mention of The Chamber. The diary, she had to tell tom, she didn’t know where the time was going. People were going missing and she had no idea why or how or even when.
“Is it you that's been doing it Draco?” Goyle asked, speaking for what seemed like the first time in weeks since she’d never really speak to them. Wake up, write in the diary go to breakfast then lose herself.
“Of course not Goyle, I’ve told you this already. Are you wearing glasses?” Goyle flushed red and quickly took of the round wire rim spectacles.
“Reading,” he answered hastily, a little too hastily. Something wasn't right with these two and Ginny knew it but she couldn’t think of why.
“Your wrong!” Goyle shouted snapping Ginny out of her pensive imagination.
“Oh really Goyle do you know someone who is worse then Granger?”
“Harry Potter…” That's a name Ginny hadn’t heard in a while… Saint Potter, probably the whole reason that shes in this mess. A silly plot of revenge for making her upset, even though it was her own imagination that had warped his words.
“Yea I guess your right… Everyone thinks its him, Saint bloody potter stealing all the glory for himself a second year in a row… Serious hero complex on that one I tell you.” And with that both boys stood up and ran away clutching at their faces. Ginny had quite had enough of their abnormal in-securites, at least that's what she thought it was. She decided she’d had quite enough of today and went up to bed saying a dreary goodnight to a bewildered Draco.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next night, just after dinner.
I have to do something, shes bringing down the house… that's the only reason I want to help… the only reason Draco thought to himself. That involved getting her rather limited attention and having to speak to a first year to get it.
“Hey you, Carrow.” he called to Hestia Carrow one of the twins, “Is Ginny up there?”
Carrow was just walking down the stairs when Ginny herself came to her rear.
“I’m down here now.” said Ginny nonplussed as to why Draco Malfoy of all people wanted to talk to her.
“I need to speak to you, now would be best.” His sneer was obvious to anyone at first glace and Ginny didn’t appreciate this one bit but Draco had to do something and its better late then never, “Now Ginny, would be best.” He didn’t wait for a reply, Draco grabbed Ginny’s wrist and pulled her to the door leading through the illusionary wall to the corridor outside…
“Malfoy what are you doing?” She was being pulled to hard and too fast to manage a tone that would suggest the masticating of his head. “Malfoy!”
“What have you been doing Ginny?” Draco questioned when they were out of the door and down the corridor a few paces.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been out of it for literal weeks, months even. I see you wandering around the corridors all hours of the day and night, you don’t know the biggest news inside of the school. Your always head down in that, that book, what even is that book anyway looks like its been through a war…”
“Draco, this is the only time I’m going to open up to you so you better listen up…”
“Well then spit it out?”
“I think it Is the book Draco,” she was whispering now, as if the book could hear her. “I’ve been writing in it for weeks now, at first I thought it was the fact I was put in Slytherin the fact that I was sleepwalking… having nightmares and the such.” She looked around and edged closer to Draco, his expression almost unreadable… almost for she could tell he was at least a little bit worried, if not at the bare minimum curious… “Its been getting worse and worse and I keep finding myself in more and more odd places. Hagrid’s for example covered in feathers another. I don’t know whats happening to me Draco and-” Her voice cracked, it was hard to keep her feelings to a minimum here, all the worries shes been having are finally coming out of her and like a broken faucet. She cant stop them. Not now, its too late. “I think its me who’s been writing on the walls…”
Draco reeled at this, she couldn’t be the heir of Slytherin… he couldn’t think about it for as long as he had hoped. Pansy Parkinson had rounded the corner. From her view this was the scene: Draco and Ginny alone in a dark corridor standing all to close to each other Ginny looking close to tears and Draco looking as concerned as Pansy had ever seen him with someone… Draco wasn’t scared of Pansy he was scared of what Pansy would make other people say and do about what she’s seen. This was exactly the wrong time for Ginny to be blasé about what she says or does but of course.
“Thank you so much Draco,” a big sniff escaped her, “Thank you and I’m sorry, it’ll never happen again” she hugged the black diary and skulked away. It wasn't entirely an act though, tears had escaped her and she knew something was going to happen, something bad and Draco, now- he was mortified…

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The next nightmare
Her heart couldn’t be tamed, beating faster, faster, faster. Almost out of her chest. Her panic and fear coalesced into one mass balled at the pit of her abdomen, her legs burning with the effort of carrying her. She had to get rid of it, it was his fault. Tom’s fault. The damned books fault this was all happening. She had to get rid of it. The beat of her feet the swinging of her arms the book burning a hole into her memories reading them all taking everything she had.
Its too late for you Ginny.
It can speak now? Its never been able to speak always confined to its book, to the yellow parchment prison and it was Ginny’s fault he was escaping… She let him out.
The things he’s said to her.
The girls bathroom, Myrtles bathroom. Nobody went in there, nobody but her. She could rid herself of this curse there. She has to go there, she has to no matter what she must make it. The door slams open, and her world goes black.
Her body will lie in the chamber forever.

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A/N: An explanation for my actions. Yes I posted the chapter already, yes it was only for a few hours and yes I did take it down.
I took it down because I was ashamed of it, I didn’t feel like it was my best work and I knew I could do better, and this I feel is my better. Its not perfect. Its not exactly how I wanted it, but I need it done. I need to move on…
I hope you all enjoy it and thank you for all reading the last chapter, so many more people than I had ever though have seen it now. I owe this chapter to you all.

:))