Sorry it took so long! I finally had time! It's completely written now, and I'll type the last chapter within a few days. Happy reading!
Chapter 19 Land of Broken Hearts
Ginny opened her eyes. She was in a bed in the Hogwarts infirmary. Blinking into the light, she saw someone in front of her. "You were knocked out just outside the castle," Hermione told Ginny, feeling her forehead for fever.
"Did you find me, then?" Ginny asked, trying to replay the scene in her mind.
Hermione shook her head. "Malfoy carried you back here. Something must have happened to you when you came back to Hogwarts." She paused. "But Seamus came to visit you. Isn't that nice?"
Ginny sat up quickly. "Where is he?" Her eyes searched the room.
"Seamus went off with Dean somewhere. Do you want me to find him?"
Ginny frowned. "No, Draco. Where is he? Was he okay? Find him…" Ginny suddenly stood up and quickly began picking up her things.
"What are you doing? You need to rest! Ginny!" Hermione called after her, but Ginny had already left the room.
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Ginny had run to the Slytherin common room that night, only to be met with a Draco that wouldn't look at her. Ginny had cried all the way to her bedroom that night, trying to make sense of all that had happened. None of it seemed fair. He didn't look at her for the whole rest of the year. There were times where she felt his presence in her room late at night. Once she even had a very vivid dream that he was kissing her and apologizing, but when Ginny woke up he wasn't there. At breakfast that morning there was no acknowledgement that she existed, Pansy had only increased her affections since her "poor baby had been forced into being near a slimy Weasley for so long".
Ginny couldn't bear the sight of Pansy almost as much as seeing Draco. Her upturned nose, that nasal flirtatious laugh, the way she put her arms around Draco as if to say "He's mine." Ginny hated that, and she hated her. She'd never liked her, true, but now…a mix of disgust, hatred and…there was that time she found her kissing him in the halls…envy. Ginny kept to the common room after that.
Ginny tried to give up hope. She tried a couple more dates with Seamus, only for to realize that his heart truly lied with Dean. That was a blow to the ego. The Slytherins had made fun of the three of them for at least a month after that. At least Draco hadn't been there for that.
By the end of the year, things had gotten a little easier and her heart had mended itself a little. She was able to look at the dresses he had given her without a massive pang in her heart, and even decided to wear the green one to the Graduation Ball. This year was particularly hard on Ginny, since a good number of her friends were leaving. Now she was talking to Harry, saying their goodbyes. It was an immense feeling, knowing her friends, especially Harry and Hermione, were leaving Hogwarts.
Ginny gave him a sentimental smile. "It's going to be weird not seeing you here anymore."
Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, it's going to be weird not being here." Hermione called to him. Harry turned and nodded to her. He winked at Ginny. "Don't worry, I'll be around." With a smile he left to catch up to Hermione. Ginny was struck with a strange feeling. Had she had a dream about this?
Ginny walked over to the punch bowl and sipped at a cup of it. A song, one she liked, started playing and she closed her eyes to listen and think about the strangeness of the dream-like feeling. Within a moment, she felt a hand on her waist and another on her arm, both holding her softly. She felt a deep voice tickle her ear. "Why aren't you dancing?"
Ginny's eyes shot open. She remembered. She was struck with sudden clarity, surprise and nostalgia. Back in Lyseria, this had happened. This had happened, Draco had danced with her, left her…but he hadn't seen this part of her future, had he? It was all new to him.
She turned to face him. He looked more charming than ever, his soft black dress robes draped on his figure and cool eyes warming her with the nostalgic look he was giving her. "Well, I…" she stumbled. She couldn't believe this…that he was willing to be seen in public with her like this.
He tilted his head and stroked her arm. "I thought you liked dancing."
"Well, I do, but…" Her eyes narrowed a little. "When did I say that?"
He smiled at her, a smile that made her want to love him all over again. "You didn't, I can just tell. Come on." He put his hand out to her like he had always done. Ginny took it, and they started dancing. He spun her around to the quick beat of the song, and she laughed. Ginny felt like she was floating on air. The song soon ended, switching to a slower one.
With uncomfortable uncertainty, Ginny separated from him. She was surprised he had danced with her that once, so when he asked to dance to the slow song with her, her heart raced. "Dance with me." He had said, and they were. Ginny didn't know what to think. She was so flustered around him, every feeling of their time together had rushed back to her, and she felt so safe in his arms that she didn't care who was watching them.
Draco led her outside, put his cloak on her shoulders and kissed her. Ginny was filled with heart bursting hope, but then she remembered he was leaving. All this, and he was leaving within a couple days. He told her that he had to marry Pansy and work for his father, that he wasn't going to let that happen, but had to run instead, building his life somewhere else. Ginny could barely listen, but it was all right because she didn't have to. She'd heard this before, but it didn't make any of it less real, less hurtful. At least he wouldn't marry Pansy. At least he wasn't going to be a slave to his father and the company and…she threw arms around him and fought her tears. He held her, stroking her hair and letting her cry. "It's best for both of us, you'll see. Maybe someday..." He pulled a velvet pouch from his pocket. "Here." Draco placed it in her hand and disappeared back into the castle.
Ginny sunk to the ground, wrapping herself in the cloak. She knew what would be in the pouch, but she had to see them. She pulled out the black amulet, his mother's necklace and finally the note. With haste she unfolded it, reading the ending over and over.
"…In case we don't meet again…I love you, Ginny."
Ginny promised herself then that she would not think of Draco Malfoy any longer, but for that moment, she let herself cry.
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Ginny dropped a stack of books on her bed. She was almost finished with Hogwarts! Ginny hung out her window, watching a group of second years playing tag in the sunset, a warm breeze filtering through her hair. She took a deep breath and sighed. Neville had asked her to meet him at the Astronomy Tower after sunset. Ginny smiled. He had been making an effort to come see her more often now that he had a steady accounting job. This was to be a short visit, however, because Ginny had her final N.E.W.T.s in the morning. Ginny grabbed her light cloak and headed out through the common room.
Colin was resting in an armchair there, sorting through photos for his job application portfolio for the Daily Prophet. He looked up from his work. "Going to meet Neville, Ginny?"
She looked at him oddly. "Yeah, why?"
He shook his head. "Don't…" he mumbled. "Don't go, Ginny."
"Colin," she put a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong? Why not?"
Colin shook his head. "I'm sorry. Go. Yes, you should." He looked up at her. "Just follow your heart, okay?"
She gave him a worried smile. "Of course." Ginny gave him a hug. "There's nothing to worry about." Ginny left the common room and headed for the astronomy tower.
Ginny climbed the steps until she reached the platform of the tower. Neville was leaning against a wall, waiting for her. He wore a brown cloak with brown sweater and pants that matched his brown leather shoes, his work outfit. He smiled when he saw her. "Ginny bean…" he walked up to her and hugged her. Neville held both of her hands.
"Neville.'
"Ready for tomorrow's N.E.W.T.s?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think so. I've been putting extra work into my potions exam."
Neville started rubbing his hands on his pants and fidgeting. "Good, good. Work in the company is steady. I've got my own desk now."
Ginny gave him a half smile. "Good?"
Neville stammered a little. "Oh, y-yes, definitely."
"Neville are you all right?"
He nodded vigorously. " Uh huh. Yes. Just fine. Here." He handed her a bouquet of daffodils.
Ginny smiled. "Oh, Neville, they're lovely!" She smelled her flowers and hugged him. She noticed he was still trembling. "Are you sure you're all right?"
Neville looked at his shoes. "Ginny, I…Ginny you…" Ginny looked confused. Neville dropped to his knee. "Ginny, please marry me." Ginny dropped her flowers in surprise. She had thought he was serious about her, but she never thought he'd get the courage to propose. Did she even love him?
"Ginny?"
Had he really just proposed? To her? Ginny Weasley? No, Ginny Longbottom. She repeated it in her mind. Ginny Longbottom. No matter how she said it…she thought back to what Colin had said. Follow your heart. He must have known about this. She closed her eyes and tried it one more time. Ginny Longbottom.
"Ginny?" Neville had stood up by now.
She hated herself for thinking of it, but she couldn't help but think of Draco. Ginny sighed. She picked up her flowers and handed them softly to Neville. "I'm sorry…I can't." She looked up at him. "Neville, I'm so sorry…" Neville clutched her flowers and Ginny left the astronomy tower.