Sobbing softly, she made her way to the Gryffindor tower, where she remained for the rest of the week. Ginny was extremely weak, her face was pale, she threw up several times a day and when she tried to leave her bedroom, she ended up fainting.
"Ginny, you're not ok… Please, let me take you to Madame Pomfrey." Hermione asked for the hundred time.
"I'm fine, Hermione, it's just a flu, don't worry." Ginny replied, coming out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed after a warm shower.
"I don't think it's just flu, Ginny. Those are the symptoms of your separation from Draco. Why don't you two make up?" Hermione insisted, worried with her friend. "I haven't seen him around the school, lately… Probably he's as sick as you are."
"Hermione, I cannot forgive him until he tells me the truth and he doesn't want to tell me what happened. I'm ok, and tomorrow I'll be back at classes, as always…" Ginny replied, sitting on her bed, feeling dizzy.
"That's it, no more `nice Hermione'… I'm taking you to Madame Pomfrey." Hermione snapped furiously, placing a coat around Ginny's shoulders and pushing her out of the Gryffindor Tower.
At the Infirmary, Madame Pomfrey examined Ginny, while Hermione waited outside.
"Are you sure, Madame Pomfrey?" Ginny asked, shocked with what the Healer had just told her.
"Positive, Mrs. Malfoy, you're going to be a Mother. Should I call Mr. Malfoy to give him the news?" Madame Pomfrey said with a big smile.
"No, thank you… What do I have to do?" she asked, feeling scared and utterly alone.
"Well, you'll need to come here every month, to make sure the baby is developing accordingly and to make sure you're ok as well…" the Healer proceeded to explain all the things Ginny could and could not do while she was pregnant, and Ginny listened attentively, although she was mighty scared.
"So, Ginny, how are you?" Hermione asked, as soon as Ginny met her outside the Infirmary.
"I'm pregnant, Hermione, and I don't want to have a child whose father doesn't want to trust his wife…" Ginny finally cried on her friend's shoulder.
Hermione was shocked as well, but soon shared her friend's concern, and together both girls cried, as they walked back to the Gryffindor Tower.
+++++~~~~~+++++
"You have to tell him…" Angel said, sitting on Ginny's lap, as Ginny told her what was going on.
"For now, I won't…"
"Ginny, Angel is right. Please, you have to tell him… It's his baby as well!" Hermione insisted, placing a comforting hand on Ginny's shoulder. "It's incredible… I thought you had taken the Birth Control Potion."
"I did take it… I'm just as surprised as you are." Ginny replied, placing a hand over her eyes. "Why do I always find my self in the middle of complicated situations?"
"Gin, you know he's miserable without you, you miss him, as well, so, why won't you forgive him?" Angel asked, sadly. "If you keep this separation, soon both of you will be extremely sick and you'll lose your baby."
"I need some time to think… I'll be back in a few hours." Ginny replied, leaving the Gryffindor tower to take a walk around the lake.
She knew she had overreacted to Draco's behaviour that night, but they were so happy together and suddenly he became cold again. She hated cold Draco…
Through the last weeks she had found herself thinking about that night and wishing she hadn't left the bedroom. That way, maybe they would have solved their problems…
But, she had tried to talk with him and he had refused to open his heart to her. Why?
Ginny sat on a rock, playing with the snow under her feet, as she watched the sun set behind the Forbidden Forest.
`A baby… How can I have a baby and go to classes at the same time? How can I have a baby whose father doesn't trust me?' she thought to herself, gently rubbing her flat belly. `Would Draco like to have children? We never talked about that… Would he want a boy or a girl?'
The sun had disappeared and she was now surrounded by darkness, the only light coming from the castle's windows. Standing up, she prepared to leave.
"Ginny…" a voice whispered gently, behind her. The voice she knew oh so well, belonged to the only man she could and would ever love… Draco Malfoy. Slowly, Ginny turned around to face him.
There he was, leaning against a huge rock, looking handsome in his black robes, but with a worried and frightened look on his face.
`Wait a minute! He's frightened? Of what?' she thought worried with him.
"Yes?" she replied coldly.
"I came to tell you the truth… Probably you'll run away from me, and this time we will be separated forever, but I understand if you leave me. I would dump my self if I were in your place…" he replied in a whisper that sent chills down her body.
"It must be something truly dark…" she replied, sitting back on her rock.
"You can't even begin imagine how dark it is." he whispered. "Father contacted me the night we fought… I needed a reason to leave the room, so I started the discussion."
Her eyes went huge with shock. So, that's why he had been so jumpy… But, what had happened?
"What happened in that meeting? Why didn't you tell me you were going to meet him? I would have accepted it, you know? Once again, it just proves that you don't trust me…" she replied in a shaky whisper, playing with the hem of her robe.
"I do trust you, Ginny, but the meeting was far too dangerous to risk getting you involved." He replied, kneeling on the snow in front of her. "We had a fight and he gave me an ultimatum. The Dark Lord needs someone as powerful as you are by his side. My Father knows that we have a strong bond and that if I were to be killed, you would lose a big part of your powers, making you represent no danger to the Dark Lord…"
"Yes, your Father is well informed… What did he want from you?" she asked, worried, looking into his deep silver grey eyes.
"He told me that if I didn't want to see you die, I had to receive the Dark Mark and become a Death-Eater. He thinks this way I'll be able to turn you into the Dark side…" he explained, looking down at his hands in shame.
"Draco, tell me you didn't…" she gasped, scared.
As an answer, Draco pulled up his left sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark tattooed on his pale skin.
"Why, Draco? We could have fought him… he wouldn't be able to kill me…" she cried, sobbing desperately.
"We can't fight him… yet… I've had a conversation with Dumbledore and he said that this Dark Mark in my arm would help us soon. Please, forgive me for betraying you like this, I understand if you hate me now… I hate my self as well." Draco was now sobbing as well, burying his face on her lap, hugging her waist firmly, like a little boy when he runs to his mother's lap, asking for forgiveness after breaking a vase.
"I could never hate you, Draco…" she whispered, running her hands through his soft hair, enjoying the feel of it. "I just hate the fact that you didn't trust in me, when all of this happened… I felt like you truly hated me, you know? I'm not ashamed of you and of what you've done. You were trying to keep me safe from harm and that I understand…"
Draco looked up with teary eyes, and sighed in relief.
"I'm so sorry… All this time, looking at you and not being able to hold you in my arms, telling you how much I love you… It was driving me nuts." he sighed as Ginny dried the tears from his face. "What about this?"
Draco showed her the mark once again and waited for her answer.
"Well, if Dumbledore thinks it can help us, I'll trust his word. It's a horrible sight so see your perfect skin marked with that thing, but I love you for you, not for your body…" she said, truthfully. "I know where your loyalty lays, and it's not on the Dark Side."
Everything was forgotten. How could one stay away from the person one loved so much? The one person that could ever make her happy? The father of her child?
Smiling Ginny leaned closer and kissed him softly on his lips, loving the feel of them after all these days away from each other.
"I love you, Ginny." he whispered against her lips.
"I love you too, Draco…"
`The baby talk can wait a little longer… I don't want him to get even more worried about me than he already is.' she thought, as they went to Draco's bedroom, through the warm corridors of the castle.
Draco held Ginny in his arms, as they entered his bedroom. Instantly, the fireplace came to life with a warm fire, making the room glow in an orange light. Step by step, without breaking the kiss, Draco took his wife to their bed, laying her there, softly.
"I've missed you so much, Weasel…" he sighed, happily.
"Well, you have me back, now… Let's forget what happened, shall we? I want to enjoy my husband." Ginny giggled, kissing his throat gently, in a soft caress, making him groan with desire.
"Right now, I believe you're not married. You've left your wedding band in this room, when you left me…" he whispered, reaching across the bed to the bedside table, to pick up the small ring. "Do you want it back?"
"That ring means nothing to me, Draco… What we feel for each other is the only thing I need. Love is the only thing capable of making me stay with you, even when you're a pain in the ass…" Ginny joked, slapping his firm butt.
"Oh, oh… You'd better not do that again." he warned, breathlessly.
"Oh, you like that, do you?" she sneered, slapping him again, loving the way his face contorted with pleasure and his eyes twinkled wickedly. "What are you waiting for, uh?"
Draco kissed her passionately. Today it would be impossible for him not to make love to Ginny… That girl was driving him over the edge with pleasure, and he wanted to make her feel just as hot and lustful as he felt.
His gentle hands quickly undressed her and started to roam over her body, closely followed by his lips. Gently, he placed the ring on her finger and kissed it softly.
Ginny tried to keep her eyes from closing with the intense pleasure she was feeling, but it was hard when his hands were stroking the right spots, he knew her so well.
She opened her eyes and looked up at Draco, as he devoured her breasts and her eyes filled with tears at the beautiful sight. With a flick of her wand, his clothes were gone and there was nothing separating their bodies.
"Draco, please…" she gasped, as she felt the familiar pressure on her belly starting to expand to the rest of her body.
Draco entered her and began moving agonizingly slow inside of her. Ginny moaned softly, placing her legs around his waist, to deepen the contact. This gesture almost made Draco release. This girl would be the death of him… but at least he would die happy.
Draco reached down between their bodies and began to caress her, while continuing to move inside her. Ginny's eyes widened and she released a moan of pleasure. Draco smiled and stopped moving, continuing to stroke her. "Like that, do you?"
Unable of coherent speech, Ginny released another moan as he massaged her with more pressure. Her hands met his butt and held it firmly, leaving fingernail marks… The pleasure became too intense and she finally found release with a long moan. There was no time to recover from the orgasm as Draco began to move again, inside of her, making the pressure come back to her lower belly.
Draco bent down to kiss her, feeling the sweet taste of her mouth. Lifting his gaze to meet hers, he stared into her brown eyes for a long moment.
"I love you, Ginny… In fact, you're the only thing I love in this world. I've spent the worst weeks of my life without you and I don't want that to happen ever again…" he panted as he increased the pace of their lovemaking. He entwined his fingers with hers, pulling her arms up above her head, holding them there. "I would rather spend a week being tortured by Voldemort than being away from you again…"
"I love you, as well, Draco." Ginny panted, nibbling his ear. "Forever!"
They began to move together in perfect rhythm, faster and faster, gripping each other's hands for support, coming closer to the edge of ecstasy. Draco locked his eyes on Ginny's and growled her name, plunging himself deep into her. She cried out as another orgasm washed over her. Through her release, Ginny watched Draco's face tense up as he entered her again and again, finally crying out her name. She felt his body shudder as he drove inside her a final time, before collapsing on top of her.
Smiling happily and trying to recover her breath, Ginny wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. She heard his ragged breathing and felt him kiss her neck.
"That was… fantastic!" she panted, as he moved to her side, placing an arm around her waist.
"You can say that again…" he grinned sexily.
"That was fantastic!" she repeated and they both laughed. "Draco, when you picture yourself in a few years time, what do you see?"
Draco closed his eyes in concentration and remained quiet for a few moments.
"Well, I see you in a huge bed with red silk sheets, with your hair flowing around your face while we make love…" he replied, smiling with his eyes still closed.
"You pervert!" she laughed, smacking his arm. "I'm talking about the future, not about our sex life…"
"Alright, I see us both together, forever, as it should be." he said, sincerely, looking deep into her eyes.
"Just the two of us?" she asked, avoiding his gaze.
"Hopefully we'll have children, but not as may as your parents. I don't want to form a Quidditch team…" he laughed.
Ginny smiled as well and unconsciously caressed her stomach.
"When do you want to have your first child?" she asked, caressing his forehead the way he loved.
"Well, you have to finish school first …" he shrugged his shoulders. "Why?"
"Well, I think I'll need your help next year, to take care of our baby while I go to classes…" she replied in a conversational tone of voice, as if she was saying something extremely normal.
"WHAT? What are you saying Ginny?" he asked, surprised, sitting up to take a better look at her.
"I'm two months pregnant…" she whispered with tears in her eyes.
"How… but… what about the birth control potion you took?" he asked, confused.
"It looks like your little buddies are stronger than the potion..." she chuckled but became serious as she saw his scowl. "You're mad at me, aren't you?"
"No, I was just wondering if the child will have red hair… That would be terrible, I would have to lock the kid inside of the Manor and never let him come out of the house…" he joked with a serious face.
Ginny laughed and hugged him.
"I'm sure you'll learn to love a red haired child and who said it's a boy?" she asked, kissing his shoulder, as he caressed her non-existent belly.
"The Malfoys' first-borns are usually boys." he smiled dreamily, kissing her stomach. "And he'll be as gorgeous as his mother…"
Ginny smiled happily, before she hugged him strongly and they prepared to go to sleep, with Draco's hand placed on her stomach, as if to protect both her and their baby. She was extremely happy with his reaction to the news and now that they were back together, nothing could take that smile away from their faces.
Well, that's not entirely correct… Nightmares can do that, you know?
`Hello, Ginevra… I've missed you.' a scary voice came into her dream.
That same voice made Ginny shiver from head to toes… Only one person could have that voice and only one person could make her shiver in fright. Tom Riddle…
Turning around, Ginny gasped when she faced the beautiful but dangerous boy she had met at the age of eleven. The boy she had trusted with her deepest secrets had possessed her body, made her do awful things, and in the end, when Harry had saved her, she found out that the beautiful boy was in fact Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord.
Why was he in her dream, right now? It didn't make any sense…
`Why are you here?' she asked, coldly.
`Oh, Ginevra, I've missed our little conversations, of course… So, how's everything going in the Fairies' world?' he laughed evilly, with a knowing look.
`Well, sooner or later you would find out about this whole curse thing… What do you want from me?' she asked, furiously, rolling her hands into fists.
`Well, well, well… You sure have grown up into a strong lady, haven't you?' he chuckled. `What I want, Ginevra, is you and your powers… I want you by my side when I fight against the mudbloods and mudblood lovers."
`I'm sure that you know my answer to that…' she replied, narrowing her eyes.
`Of course, but don't forget that now I have your sweet Draco by my side… He's one of my Death-Eaters now." he said, triumphantly.
`I know.'
Tom's face showed surprise and confusion.
`What? Did you really think he would hide that from me? I love my husband and he loves me back… Your little tattoo means nothing to us.' she yelled.
`In the end, you'll join me, Ginevra… And that time is approaching.' he said, as his young and beautiful features changed into an awful snake like face, with red eyes that looked at her ferociously. Right now, he was Lord Voldemort, and not Tom Riddle. `Tonight, I have a present for you…'
In that moment, two Fairies appeared by his side, with ropes around their tiny bodies. One of the Fairies was pregnant… she was a Mother.
`What are you doing? Release them right now!' she screamed, trying to reach the Fairies, but Voldemort conjured a strong shield around him and the Fairies.
`I will release them, Ginevra, only from their lives…' he laughed evilly, yelling the killing curse.
The wings of the two fairies stopped moving and their eyes closed forever.
`You bastard… You bloody bastard! I will get you for this… If this is your idea of making me join your side, you're wrong.' Ginny yelled, crying with rage. `I will make sure I kill you in the end. I will…'
With one last laugh, Voldemort was gone and Ginny felt someone trying to wake her up.
"Ginny? Ginny, what's going on?" Draco called her, shaking her out of her dream.
Finally she opened her eyes and realised she couldn't focus on Draco's face, because of her teary eyes.
"Oh Draco, he killed them…" Ginny cried, hugging him strongly.
"Ginny, what are you talking about? It was just a bad dream…" Draco whispered in her ear, trying to calm her. "What did you dream about?"
"It wasn't a dream… Voldemort killed two Fairies in front of me, and one of them was a Mother, one of the Fairies which gives birth to the new community members. It's almost as if the pregnant Fairy was I and the other one was you…" she said, trying to calm her breathing. "He did this as a warning of what will happen if we don't join him, I'm sure of that."
"Maybe it was just a coincidence…" Draco sighed, although he was worried as well. "Don't worry, Ginny, we will destroy him and the Fairies will be ok… Everyone will be ok."
"I hope so, Draco, but I feel like I've failed my mission. Two… no, three Fairies died tonight, because of me." Ginny said, sadly. "I won't allow any more deaths among our people…"
"That's the spirit, Weasel. Don't cry about the things you can't change and focus your energies on the things you can and will change for the better…" Draco smiled gently. "But I don't want you tiring yourself; it might not be good for the baby…"
"Don't worry… She's fine." Ginny smiled, kissing him softly.
"No, HE is fine…" Draco corrected.
"Draco, if I say it's a girl, then it's a girl." Ginny tried to sound terribly serious.
"But, the Malfoys' first born is always a boy, I told you that before…" he insisted, with a pout.
"Bad luck, Malfoy, this time it will be a girl." Ginny laughed when he pouted. He was so cute like that… Well, he was cute all the time, but that's not the point. "Let's stop this conversation right now and talk about something important… Tomorrow I want to go to the Forbidden Forest."
"Why? You know it's too dangerous, Ginny!" Draco said, worried.
"The Fairies arrived last week to the Forbidden Forest and I want to see how they're doing. I want to tell them about tonight's deaths… They have the right to know." Ginny explained. "Will you come with me?"
"How could I ever let you go into that Forest and avoid going with you? They are my people as well, My Queen…" he smiled, kissing her forehead tenderly.
"Thank you, My King… Oh, I can hardly wait to see you playing with our daughter." Ginny sighed, dreamily.
"SON!" he yelled.
"A beautiful red-haired little girl with small freckles on her nose..." Ginny insisted, trying to make him mad.
"No red hair, no freckles, no girl. It will be a perfect blond boy with pale skin, just like his father…" Draco corrected, tickling her sides, making her squirm in laughter.
"Not if I can help it." she shouted, before he shut her mouth with a breath-taking kiss.
The next morning, when Ginny woke up it was still night and Draco was sleeping peacefully by her side. Leaving the bed gently, so she wouldn't wake him up, Ginny got dressed and wrote him a note, leaving it on top of her pillow.
Feeling extremely happy she made her way back to the Gryffindor Tower, where she found Hermione and Harry sleeping in the Common Room on the couch, while Ron was sleeping on an armchair, looking uncomfortable.
Realising that they were probably worried about her, Ginny gently shook Hermione awake.
"Ginny, we were so worried about you! Where were you?" Hermione said in a motherly tone of voice. "Are you ok?"
"I'm wonderful, `Mione… Draco and I met last night. Everything's fine, now." Ginny said, happily.
"Oh, that's great. Did you tell him about the…" Hermione asked, mouthing the word `baby'.
"About what, `Mione? What is there to tell him?" Harry asked by Hermione's side, clearly awake as well and waiting for an answer.
"I'll tell you in a moment, Harry, and yes, `Mione, I told him." Ginny smiled, waking up her brother. "Ron, get up, you have to get ready for classes."
"Gin? Where the hell did you spend the night?" Ron yelled, trying to keep his eyes open with big effort.
"Ok, Harry and Ron, hear me well, because I'm only saying this once…" Ginny announced, sitting on the coffee table, facing two worried boys and an amused Hermione. "Draco explained to me what happened and we're together again, but this time it's for good… And, yesterday I found out that I'm pregnant."
"Oh, that's good for you, Ginny…" Ron said, rubbing his eyes. Two seconds later, he stopped the movement and his eyes were wide open with shock. "YOU'RE WHAT? HOW COULD YOU LET YOURSELF BECOME PREGNANT? ARE YOU THICK?"
"Ron, stop yelling right now!" Hermione warned him with a dangerous look. "Ginny took a birth control potion, but apparently it didn't work… Can't you be happy that you're going to be an uncle?"
Ron paced the room back and forth, mumbling under his breath, while Harry just sat on the couch, facing his hands in deep thought.
"Ginny, are you sure you're pregnant?" Harry asked in a soft voice.
"Yes, Harry, Madame Pomfrey is sure." Ginny replied.
"Well, we all know how much you love Malfoy and how much he loves you back… You are now married and kids are a part of a relationship, although I think you're too young for that." Harry said, looking into her deep brown eyes. "I'm sure you'll be a great mother and I wish you all the happiness in the world. For you, Malfoy and the baby…"
"Oh Harry, you don't know how much your support means to me…" Ginny cried and laughed at the same time, as she hugged her 7th brother. "Thank you."
Hermione cried as well, proud of her boyfriend's attitude. Then, she looked at Ron, who was now contemplating Ginny with a sad face.
"Ron, what do you have to say?" Hermione asked, urging him to talk.
"Oh Merlin, how can I accept that my little sister is now a married young woman expecting her first child? It seems like yesterday that I was pulling on her ponytail and making her dolls explode." Ron complained sadly, with his hands in his robe's pockets. "You're my little sister, Gin… You always were and always will be, so you'd better get used to me being overprotective. I love you, Gin-bug…"
"Oh Ron, I love you too and I love to have an overprotective brother, but right now, you have nothing to worry about. I'm happy and I love my husband, trust me…" Ginny hugged her brother and smiled against his shoulder.
"I do, Ginny, I do." he replied, gently caressing her belly, finally accepting the idea of having a little nephew or niece.
*******
The first day, after their fight, back to classes, Draco didn't leave Ginny alone for one moment. He took every single meal at the Gryffindor table, next to her; he accompanied her to all her classes, clearing her way in the hallways, so that no one would bump into her and hurt her or the baby; and together they went to Dumbledore's office, as soon as they had finished classes for the day.
"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy." Dumbledore greeted them, when they entered the room. "Yesterday I heard of the wonderful news, congratulations…"
"Thank you, Headmaster. We were a little surprised because I took the birth control potion, and it didn't work…" Ginny smiled, sitting on a chair, next to Draco.
"I know, Ginevra, but apparently the Fairies' powers are stronger than a simple potion…" Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Do you both feel ready for this new challenge?"
"Absolutely, but we're worried, though." Draco said, starting to explain Ginny's nightmare and the symbolism behind the pregnant Fairy. "What do you think, sir?"
"Well, it's highly alarming… Voldemort is getting ready to attack us and he desperately wants both of you by his side." Dumbledore replied, his eyes clouded with worry. "My feeling is that he'll try to kidnap Ginny and then call Draco, through the Dark Mark. Please, stay alert to every single suspicious move…"
"Of course, Headmaster. We wanted to go to the Forbidden Forest, tonight, to visit the Fairies… Can we?" Ginny asked.
"I'm sure they will love your visit, Ginevra, and you'll both be safe in the Forest… You may not feel the power that runs in your veins, but you are now one of the strongest witches ever." Dumbledore smiled at her. "When you find yourself or anyone you love in danger, the powers will reveal themselves… But, until then, any magical creature will be able to feel your strength and they will all avoid you like the plague."
"Great, I want her and our baby in safety…" Draco sighed in relief.
"Of course… Your new room is prepared to receive you. It's near to the Gryffindor Tower and the house-elves have already transferred your things to the new accommodations." Dumbledore rose from his chair, to take them to the door. "I hope you like your new home… The password is Fairies' dust and the entrance is at the painting of Merlin."
"I'm sure we will, Headmaster… Good afternoon." Draco and Ginny replied, leaving the office and walking to their new room.
The painting was easy to find and the couple entered their new home. As soon as they saw the room, they both stood still and in shock. Dumbledore had made a wonderful job…
In front of them was a huge Common Room with two desks and several bookshelves lining the white walls. The floor was made of light colored wood and there were three big red couches. The fireplace was alive with a wonderful fire and there were green curtains on the windows. The Common Room had two doors.
"Oh my… This place looks fantastic!" Ginny laughed, coming out of her shock and hugging her husband.
"It sure does… And now it's our home." Draco kissed her gently. "Let's see where those doors lead us to…"
One of them was a big bathroom in aqua green color tones, while the other door was a bedroom decorated in a soft cream color… There were no house colours inside their bedroom.
"Well, I really like this place…" Ginny sighed happily, leaning against Draco's embrace.
"Me too… But right now I'm hungry. Can we go down to the Great Hall, for dinner?" he asked, kissing her hair.
The mention of food made Ginny nauseous and she had to run to the bathroom to throw up. Draco followed her and held her hair while she went at it.
"Thank you…" she whispered, placing her head against the cold tiles, enjoying the fresh feel of them against her face.
"Anytime, love." Draco replied, rubbing her back in support. After all, this was their baby and he had to help her through all the pregnancy's good and bad moments.
+++++~~~~~+++++
"I hate this place… Especially at night." Draco whispered in her ear, as they walked into the Forbidden Forest, little Angel walking along with them.
"Really? I thought big bad Slytherins like you, loved dark and dangerous places…" Ginny joked, kissing his pale cheek. "Don't worry, Draco, I'll protect you."
"Like hell… I don't need protection." he replied with a pout, avoiding a tree branch from smacking his face.
"Gin, take the left trail…" Angel warned in a sad voice.
"Angel? What's going on? You sound so sad, love…" Ginny stopped and held the Pulga in her arms.
"Oh Gin, I wish I was human… That way maybe he would notice me." Angel whispered sadly. "I'm just an animal… That's all I am."
"Angel, please calm down, ok? We'll talk about this later…" Ginny told her little friend in a soft voice. "This conversation is too important to be held in this forest…"
"Fine…" Angel sighed. "We're here."
They had reached a huge clearing surrounded by ancient trees, with small holes on their surface. Those were the Fairies' nests…
"Good evening." Ginny called with a big smile and slowly, hundreds of faces appeared on those holes, looking scared. "My name is Ginevra and this is Draco…"
"The Queen and the King!" they all yelled at once, the worry leaving their faces and being replaced with big smiles of happiness.
All the Fairies flew around Draco and Ginny, showing how happy they were, while Ginny laughed happily in Draco's arms.
"Welcome, My Queen…" Twinkle said, resting on Ginny's shoulder. "Thank you for visiting our humble home."
"Hello Twinkle, we came here for three reasons." Ginny explained, placing Angel in Draco's arms. "First of all, we wanted to see if you are happy in your new home. We need to assure your protection and your reproduction…"
"We are all feeling happy and safe for living so close to our Queen and King, as well as Wizard Dumbledore… Thank you for helping us, Your Majesties." Twinkle replied.
"Great… I want to ask your forgiveness, my dear fairies." Ginny said, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Three of you have been killed…"
All the fairies gasped in shock and looked confused.
"Last night, Lord Voldemort killed two fairies and one of them was a Mother. He did it to get to me and Draco…" Ginny explained, sadly. "I'm sorry it happened and I'll do the best I can to protect all of you."
"We're sad to hear this news, but the fairies have always been willing to die for their Queen and King…" Twinkle said, smiling gently. "Don't be sad, My Queen, soon you won't have to worry so much about us."
"Why not?" Draco asked, surprised.
"We've talked with the Centaurs and they told us a few important things, My King. Soon, everything will be alright and your beautiful child will lead us as well." the fairy said, with a happy smile.
"Oh, you know about the baby… Well, if the centaurs said everything will be ok, then I trust them." Ginny smiled as well. "Now, the last reason why I came here… Twinkle, can we talk in private?"
Draco watched his wife walk away with Twinkle and return a few minutes later with a frown on her face.
"Ginny, what's wrong?" he asked, worried.
"We'll talk about it later, Draco." she replied, waving to the Fairies. "Goodbye and please, be careful. I don't want to lose any more of you…"
The couple walked back to the castle in silence, with Angel in Draco's arms, sleeping. When they finally reached their new room, she wanted to go to Snape's room, as usual, but Ginny didn't let her. For the first time ever, Ginny ordered Angel to stay in that room and not leave until they had had a long conversation.
"Ginny, what happened in that living room? I never saw you talking with Angel like that…" Draco asked, worried with her behaviour.
"Some time ago, I told you that Angel was falling in love with Snape… She's a Pulga and it's highly probable that Snape won't love her back. Angel is already starting to become depressed and weak, and soon she'll die of sadness, Draco." Ginny explained, sitting on their bed, with her hands covering her face.
"But, I thought they only died when their owners didn't love them…" Draco asked, surprised.
"I thought that way, as well, that's why I've had that private conversation with Twinkle. Apparently, Pulgas have an ancient history behind their origins and when I heard that history, I understood that she will die if he doesn't love her in return." Ginny sighed, starting to undress.
"But, what past?"
"In the beginning of time, there were only creatures from the Light and from the Dark. At the time, the Fairies controlled the creatures from the Light and the wizards, as well… As the battles between the two forces continued, a large population of wizards started to cross to the enemy side. As a punishment, the Fairies placed a curse on all of them. They would be little and harmless like a cat, but they would have one of three small powers: speech, telepathic powers, or a few magical powers, not too strong. They would each have a human as an owner and they would have to be faithful and trustworthy to their caretaker. They had to be loved by their owner, or they would die…" Ginny explained, laying down on the cold bed and covering her body with the blankets. "If one day, they fell in love with a human and the love was not corresponded, they would die as if that person was their real caretaker… Twinkle told me that your real owner, is the one you give your heart to."
"So, when Angel fell in love with Snape, she gave her heart to him and now that he doesn't love her back, she'll die?" Draco asked, sadly, and Ginny replied with a weak `Yes'. "Poor Angel… I don't want her to die."
"Me neither, Draco… I asked Twinkle if I could remove the curse from Angel, now that I'm the Fairies' Queen and she told me that I could do it." Ginny replied, massaging her aching temples.
"There's a BUT, isn't there?" Draco pulled her closer to him, under the covers.
"Yes. It takes a lot of power from me to do it and Twinkle told me it may cause a spontaneous miscarriage…" Ginny replied, sadly.
"Then, you're not doing it! I won't let you…" Draco said in an alarmed voice, stroking her belly. "I want both of you safe."
"I know Draco, so do I, but I feel guilty that I'm not able to help Angel. I love her, you know?" Ginny cried softly against his bare chest.
"I know, love, I know…"
With heavy hearts, the couple eventually fell asleep, while a sad little Pulga sat all night in front of the door that would lead her out of the couple's Common Room, whishing she could be next to a certain black haired Potions teacher.
The next few weeks were terrible for Ginny. When she wasn't feeling sick and weak, she was in the school's library doing research on how to help Angel.
So far, she had found nothing and was becoming nervous and worried. Angel hadn't came out of Snape's room for the last weeks and she was getting thinner and thinner, her voice was always sad and she looked like she could burst into tears anytime now…
Right now, Ginny was sitting in the library with ten open books in front of her, trying to find a way to lift a curse from someone, while Draco and Hermione searched for similar information in restricted books.
"Gin, I've got Quidditch practice… Please, go to our bedroom and have some rest, ok?" Draco whispered in her ear, kissing her cheek.
"Ok, have a nice practice." she smiled as he left.
"It's so weird to see how much he changed…" Hermione confessed, with a smile.
"I know, but I love him the way he is." Ginny replied, with a happy twinkle in her eyes.
"I agree with Draco, though. You should have some rest… You've been spending way too much time in here." Hermione said, picking up some books to take them back to the Restricted Section.
Ginny left her seat and started closing some of those books, waiting for Hermione to come and get them, when she saw something in one of them. It was an image of two women and a foetus between them.
Moved by curiosity she ran her eyes over the text and had to sit again in a state of shock. She had found the answer to her problem…
"Ginny? Are you ok? You look a little pale…" Hermione asked, picking up a few more books to place on their correct shelves.
"I'm fine, Hermione…" Ginny lied. "Look, could you go to my room tonight, after dinner, bringing Ron and Harry? There's something we need to talk about…"
"What is it?" Hermione asked, worried.
"After dinner, you'll know…" Ginny replied, picking up her things and running out of the library with a hand over her mouth. She was about to be sick again.
Ginny didn't go to the Great Hall for dinner as she was feeling terrible and had too many things on her mind to be able to eat anything.
"Hey, are you feeling ok?" Draco asked when he arrived from dinner.
"I'll be fine, don't worry." she smiled, watching him sit on the couch next to her and pull her into his arms. "Ron, Hermione and Harry are coming here in a few moments… I need to reveal something to the four of you."
"Is it serious?" he asked with a frown.
"Yes, it is, but don't worry, you'll know what's going on in a few moments." She replied, closing her eyes to feel his scent and enjoy the feeling of his protection.
The couple had been in each other's arms, in a comfortable silence, for the last few moments, when a knock sounded on their door and Draco welcomed the visits. As soon as everyone was sitting on the couches by the fire, Ginny cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
"A few hours ago, just before dinner, I found the information I was seeking… You all know that if I remove the curse from Angel, I will loose my baby and I don't want that to happen, so, I found a way to save Angel and my baby at the same time…" Ginny explained, pacing the room. "For that, I would need another woman to help me, and I wanted that woman to be Hermione."
"What did you find? Why do you need me?" Hermione asked, confused.
"If I transfer my baby to another woman's womb, I'll be able to lift the curse from Angel and then I would transfer the baby back into my womb." Ginny explained. "I want you to carry my baby while I save Angel…"
Everyone stared at Ginny in shock. Had they heard her correctly? She wanted to put her baby inside of Hermione?
"Ginny, I don't think this is a good idea." Draco mumbled, running a hand through his hair. "Are you sure you read the information properly?"
"Yes, I'm sure. There wouldn't be any kind of problems to the baby, me or Hermione…" Ginny explained. "Please, this is the only way we've found after so much research."
"I'm not sure I want you to do that, Ginny…" Hermione whispered, her hands intertwined with Harry's, searching for his strength.
"I don't want to do it, either, Mione, but I have to… I don't want Angel to die!" Ginny cried and Draco appeared by her side, embracing her strongly.
"If you want to do it, then do it… I'll be here for you." Draco whispered in her ear. "As long as I have you by my side, I'll do whatever you want me to."
"Thank you, Draco…" she kissed his lips softly.
"Ginny, I think Hermione needs some time to think about it… Can you wait a few days?" Harry asked in a sad voice while he ran a hand through his girlfriend's hair.
"I can wait. Mione, I've asked you because you're the only one I trust with my baby… If you say no, I'll understand." Ginny said, going back into her bedroom.
"This is getting harder and harder on her…" Ron said, as soon as Ginny was out of hearing range. "I'm worried about her."
"So am I, Weasley… She has this need to save Angel, and no one can stop her from trying. If Hermione says no, we'll have to find someone trustworthy, and that will be difficult." Draco said, pacing the room in deep thought.
"Hermione and I will talk about this and tell you what we've decided later." Harry replied, leaving the room with Hermione and Ron.
"Let's just hope it isn't too late by then, or I'm sure Ginny will do something stupid and loose our baby…" Draco said, as soon as he was alone in the common room. "Between loosing my baby and not loosing anyone by transferring the baby, I prefer the second choice…"
With a deep sigh, he went to his bedroom to comfort his wife and give her his support.
+++++~~~~~+++++
"Hello? Professor Snape, are you in here?" Ginny called from the Potions' door, later that week.
"Mrs. Malfoy, shouldn't you be having dinner at the Great Hall?" the professor asked with a sneer.
"I need to talk with you… It's about Angel." Ginny explained, nervously.
For the first time Ginny saw a shadow of emotion pass through Snape's eyes and her hopes went up. He seemed to care about Angel, so ,maybe he could love her…
Snape told her to come in and leave the door open, because the room was full of smoke. Ginny did as he asked and sat behind the first desk in front of his own, trying hard not to pass away with all that bluish smoke in the air. On his desk there was a huge boiling cauldron and he was adding a few ingredients to it.
"What is there to talk about Angel?" he asked, not looking at her.
"I'm sure you've noticed how sad she is all the time and she never leaves your company… Angel is truly sad and I have the feeling she's going to die any moment now." Ginny explained loud and clear, with worry evident in her voice. "I need to tell you something very personal and I hope you'll answer me that way as well. Angel is in love with you, Professor… You are now the owner of her heart and because she knows the two of you will never be able to be together, she's sad and soon she'll die."
"What are you talking about, Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked, shocked, finally looking at her.
"I know I shouldn't be betraying my friend, but I don't want her to die and you are the only one who can save her now… You're the owner of her heart, because she loves you." Ginny explained, sadly, trying hard not to cry. "I need to know if you love Angel in return…"
"Mrs. Malfoy, I believe that's none of your business…" he yelled, furious, leaving his desk to stand in front of Ginny. "Leave, now."
"But, can't you see why I need to know? We have to save Angel!" Ginny yelled back, furious with his stupid Slytherin pride.
"No, I don't love her. Happy now?" he yelled, his eyes becoming extremely black and wide, scaring Ginny to death. "LEAVE!"
Slowly, Ginny left the desk and walked out of the classroom's open door and before she closed it, she looked at her professor once more.
"If she dies, I won't blame you… But I will never forgive you for denying her this one thing." Ginny whispered sadly, before she closed the door completely. "What will I do now? Hermione won't help me, Snape doesn't love Angel… Everything is going wrong."
Sighing deeply, she started walking to the Great Hall, thinking about ways to help Angel. When she started climbing the stairs to leave the Dungeons and enter the hallway in front of the Great Hall, Ginny heard someone crying loudly, in a desperate way.
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