Pushing Through by Tayler

Rating: PG13
Genres: Drama, Romance
Relationships: Draco & Ginny
Book: Draco & Ginny, Books 1 - 5
Published: 10/03/2004
Last Updated: 12/07/2005
Status: Paused

It begins with a blindness; one to sight and the other to his heart. When the blindness of one
becomes more deadly it is up to the other to help find a cure for both. Not great at the summaries.
Re-doing entire story. Please R&R redone chapters!!! Chapter Nine-Author's Note!




1. Chapter One
--------------

**Chapter One**

The darkness was complete, not letting even the barest of peep-holes for light to shine through,
and making a terrified Ginny Weasley wander fruitlessly down a street of Muggle London. Her hands
swept the air wildly, willing her fingers to see what her eyes could not. Within her chest, her
heart thudded so hard that it could have been compared to a jack rabbit’s when running from a
hungry predator. Tears streamed down her cheeks like an endless water fall, leaving a small trail
of dark spots along the sooty pavement as she stumbled along the pavement. She was lost, alone and,
despite her best efforts, unable to clear the dark shadow that had fallen over her vision.

As her foot kicked out to find more solid ground that was supposed to be before her, it found
nothing but air as she unknowingly stepped off the curb. She tumbled forward, unable to steady
herself, and fell forwards. Her shoulder struck the cement, pulling a gasp from her parted lips and
more tears to flow from her blinded eyes. Rolling over onto her stomach, Ginny’s body bucked and
cringed as harsh sobs thundered coarsely out of her throat. She crossed her wrists, one over the
other, and rested her forehead against them as she tried to make sense of the confusion that
clouded the hour or two just passed.

A distant sound made her lift her head slightly. At first she thought it was just her
imagination getting the better of her or, rather, her overacting mind that could tell her just
about anything right now and she would have believed it. She strained her ears for anything that
would tell her what the sound was and, if in fact, it was real. When it didn’t come again, she
gingerly stood and she turned in a slow circle trying to understand where she was. A loud horn
sounded, making her jump and the screeching of tires filled Ginny‘s ears. The horn sounded again
for a second time, louder and closer than before. Ginny froze like a scared animal car
headlights.

Before she had time to think, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist as the horn sounded
again and Ginny felt her self being pulled sharply from where she stood. She gasped as her feet
left the ground and the arms around her grew tighter. A moment later, the person had barely set her
feet on the ground before grabbing her shoulders and shaking her violently.

"Are you blind?! That bus was coming right for you!" an angered voice yelled. “I
thought you were stupid before but know you’ve just stumbled into a whole new category!”

The voice made something in Ginny’s mind start ticking, its familiarity bring back images of
corridors and classrooms. Of spells and books. Of Gryffindors and…

"Hello! Are you listening to me?!" Ginny's eyes went round with realization. It
couldn’t be. He wouldn’t…

"Malfoy?"

The person's grip loosened and one hand was removed, leaving a chill where heat had been a
moment before. A soft breeze kissed her cheeks, followed by the rough flesh of a palm brushing the
tip of her nose.

"Weasley? What's wrong with you, can't you see me?"

Ginny was surprised by the softness in Draco’s voice. It was hidden well by disbelief and a
cautious hint of criticism, but it was there. A fresh fountain of tears began to sting the corners
of Ginny’s eyes, threatening to spill over despite her will against it. The barriers only held for
a moment however and soon tears began to once again cascade down her cheeks.

"I can't," she whispered, her voice shaking for the restrain she had tried to
impose not a moment ago. She covered her face with her hands, not wanting her childhood tormentor
to see her weakness. Her legs wobbled, not wanting to stand any longer, and gave way beneath her.
As she slid to the ground, her mind became as black as her vision; her hope dwindling like a burnt
out candle and depression soaking up the light.

Distantly, Ginny heard a forced intake of breath and a strong exhale. Heat warmed her side as
she felt Draco kneel down next to her. He awkwardly ran a hand along her back, clearly not used to
comforting a blinded and sobbing woman, before taking another breath and pulling her into his arms.
Ginny buried her head in Draco's shoulder and grasped the front of his robes in her hands,
pulling herself close against him in the search for solace. She felt him stiffen under her hands,
obviously unsure of what to do with her. Malfoys, as everyone knows, weren’t the most caring of
people. And now the son and heir to the Malfoy lineage, the very image of resentment and loathing,
was trying to console someone. If it were someone else he was comforting, Ginny would have probably
found this quite humorous.

"Shh…It's all right," he said in an attempt at a soothing voice, smoothing her
hair with one hand while the other was placed loosely around her waist.

His words sent a tendril of rage through the former Gryffindor. Ginny pushed her self away and
stumbled to her feet before turning her back to him. Fear, sadness, anger and confusion made
Ginny's temper rise as she snaked her own arms around her torso.

"All right? All right?!" she snapped. "How can you say it's all
right?!"

There was a moment of silence, the only sounds that caught in Ginny’s ears was Draco’s breathing
as well as her own. The silence of the night seemed almost overwhelming to Ginny and without her
sight, it made things worse tenfold.

"Let me help Ginny."

Draco’s voice broke the stillness, the quietness of it cut through the air like a knife. It was
not the soft, feigning comfort that he had used a few moments ago. It held more defeat and
sternness as if his answer was not his decision.

"Why would you want to help me?" Ginny asked in a clipped tone, catching the sound of
his and not trusting his good will. "You hate me. You've always hated me as well as my
family."

"People can change."

“Not when you’re Draco Malfoy.”

“I’m only offering this once Weasley,” Draco replied harshly. “If you want to find your way
around London alone again, fine. Be my guest. But I don’t offer my assistance to just anyone, nor
do I give it lightly. If you want my help say so now or I’m leaving right now.”

Ginny paused, weighing her options. Of course it would be stupid to try and find her way around
Muggle London alone. It was a wonder she had made it so far without any other serious conflict. But
did she really want to let herself be taken under the care of a Malfoy? A man who could just as
easily lock her in a room and leave her there as appose to keeping her safe?

Ginny heaved a heavy sigh and nodded. It was better to be locked in a room then stay out on the
streets.

“Good,” Draco said, taking her hand and putting on the inside of his arm. “Let’s be off
then.”

*Author’s note: Okay, so I’m redoing the entire story of Pushing Through because it needed to
be done in my opinion. The chapters will be shorter than what the first started as and the initial
story line will change a little in places but over all it will be the same story. I hope you all
like it and please R&R!!! J J J*



2. Chapter Two
--------------

*Author’s Note: Please ignore chapter’s two to eight. I’m still working on them. Thanks a
lot!*

*Chapter Two*

Ginny woke when she felt a warm heat on her face. 'Sunbeams'. The thought floated
through her mind as if from a dream but was closely pursued with another thought. 'What if I
never see them again?' She sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"Good morning," a soft voice whispered. Ginny smiled.

"How long have you been here?" she asked in an amused tone.

"Not very long." She yawned, stretching lazily and pulled her fingers through her hair
only to have them get stuck on knots.

"What time is it?"

"Four o'clock, in the afternoon." Ginny's jaw dropped. She knew that she was
tired but she didn't know she had been that tired. Draco chuckled at her expression.

"I'm sorry, I should have been up by now. I should have owled Mum or Dad or Ron or
somebody. Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Because I probably put a major dent in your schedule and made a big mess for you."
She felt the bed sink as Draco sat beside her.

"I don't have any plans for today minus getting you to St. Mungo's to see a
doctor." He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. "Don't worry about
me."

"Thank you Draco," Ginny said. She leaned forward and slid her hand up his arm so she
could wrap hers around his neck. Draco was surprised at her actions but returned the hug. "You
have already done so much for me."

"It's okay Gin. I just want you to be okay again."

"You mean that?" Ginny pulled back, confusion and hope both appearing on her face.

"I do."

"Thank you so much Draco, you don't know how much that means to me," she said as
she leaned forward again to hug Draco.

"It's the truth." Ginny tightened her arms around him. Suddenly she felt a paw
batting her shirt. She pulled back and heard Draco chuckle. Shadow gave a pitiful meow and crawled
into Ginny's lap. "Apparently someone's hungry, *again*." As if on cue,
Ginny's stomach gave a low rumble. "And apparently you are as well. I'm not surprised
though, you haven't eaten since eight o'clock last night." Ginny blushed and fondled
Shadow's ear. She felt Draco get up, throwing an "I'll be right back" over his
shoulder. He soon returned and the smell of pizza entered the room with him. Ginny smiled and
gratefully took the pizza slice from Draco.

"You're right! This taste amazing, even on the second day." Draco chuckled softly.
She soon finished and was licking her lips for any excess crumbs or taste that were left
behind.

"I think we should head over to your flat so you can get changed into some of your own
cloths and we can then head over to St. Mungo's. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a plan. Umm…What do you want me to do with your cloths?"

"There's no point in changing into your cloths from last night only to change out of
them again so you might as well just keep them on until we get to your flat." Ginny nodded.
"Shall we be off then?"

"Sure, I have to grab my cloths and sandals though."

"All ready taken care of, they're waiting at the door for us." Ginny grinned.

"Well don't you just think of everything?" she asked sarcastically.

"It's what I do." Ginny could practically hear him smirking back at her. She was
about to move when she remembered the weight on her lap.

"I'm going to miss you Shadow," she said gently as she picked the cat up and
cradled him in her arms. Shadow purred loudly in response.

"You don't have to say goodbye to him you know." Ginny tilted her head to the
side, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Is this you giving me an invitation back here?"

"I thought that would be the plan," Draco smoothly replied. Ginny smirked broadened as
she set Shadow down on the bed.

"All right then. I won't say goodbye, just yet."

"Good, now lets get going." Ginny nodded and made her way to the edge of the bed only
to fall off the edge. Her face made full contact with the hard floor and she groaned while the rest
of her body slipped to the ground.

"Ginny!" she heard Draco yell above her. "Are you okay?" Ginny could help
but smile as she brought her hands to her sore nose. Her smile turned into a giggle and the giggle
into all out laugh. She sat up and leaned against the bed while she held her face with one and her
side with the other. Happy tears began to steam down her face.

"Uh Gin?" Draco asked in a confused voice. "Aren't you supposed to be in pain
and not laughing seeing as your face slammed into a wooden floor?" Ginny's laughter slowly
subsided and she stood up.

"Oh it hurts like hell but that doesn't mean that that wasn't hilarious."

"You scared the crap out of me Gin," Draco said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her
towards the door.

"Why are you so worried about me? I just fell of the bed," Ginny mused. "I did it
enough even when I wasn't blind." This brought a chuckle from Draco and he seemed to
relax. Draco stopped and let go of Ginny's hand.

"Wait here a sec." Ginny nodded and brought a hand up to rub her nose. It was still a
little sore but it wasn't hurt to bad. She sniffed the air. The air still had the woodsy smell,
she didn't know what made his apartment smell like that but she liked it. 'Draco's
smell'. She smiled to herself at this thought and noticed the smell suddenly getting
stronger.

"Nice try Draco." She heard him snort behind her.

"How'd you know?"

"That's my little secret now isn't it?"

"Fine, keep your secrets. I'm only helping you out here and you won't let me have
any fun. " Draco fake whined but there was amusement behind it that cause both of them to
laugh. Ginny felt something being draped over her shoulders. Her fingers touched a soft material.
She scrunched her brow. "Wouldn't want you to catch a cold now would we?"

"Draco, we're just going to my flat," Ginny replied in an amused tone.

"You never know what you could catch in this wet weather, no harm in being careful."
Ginny shook her head and smiled. "So do I smell good?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Ginny teased.

"Yes actually I would."

"Well if you're so concerned about it, yes you do."

"I was not concerned, merely curious that's all. We had better be off." Draco took
Ginny's hand and led her first to her sandals and then out the door. They then apparated to her
flat and Ginny fumbled through her cloths for the key. She soon found it and began to search the
door for the keyhole.

"Need help?"

"No I'm fine," Ginny said even though she seemed to be having much difficulty. She
bit her lip in frustration. Why couldn't she find that ruddy hole?

To her surprise she felt a warm hand over top of hers. Her hand was guided to the lock and the
key slid easily into place. She turned the key and opened the handle. The door swung open with many
groaning creeks from the un-oiled hinges.

"Thanks," she said quietly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she stepped inside her
flat. She felt along the wall and found her bedroom. She had moved out of her parents house a year
ago to this flat and now knew the place inside out. "You can take a seat in the living room if
you want," she called over her shoulder.

"You sure you'll be alright?"

"I'll be fine."

"You said that earlier and you fell on your face." Ginny turned and faced the
direction that his voice had come.

"Oh very funny." She heard Draco chuckle. "I'll be fine, I know me way around
my own flat. I'll call if I need you." She turned back and continued down the wall. She
soon found the door to her bedroom and gingerly opened it. Finding her way along the wall, she
turned to her dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans (bottom shelf to the left) and a turtleneck
(top shelf to the right). She was really glad that she remembered all this. She took pride in how
organized her flat was. She carefully tugged off Draco's shirt and shorts and pulled on the
turtleneck and jeans. She folded the t-shirt and shorts and placed them on her bed, which
wasn't far from her dresser thankfully. Returning to her dresser, she fumbled for her brush and
pulled it through her hair, not bothering to pull it up into anything. She then walked to the door,
feeling along the door the whole time. She walked back out into the corridor and found the door to
her bathroom, which was to the right of her bedroom. She found the sink and the cabinet above,
reaching inside to find her toothbrush and tooth paste. She was surprised at how easily she was
getting around without her sight. She finished brushing her teeth and ran her tongue along them to
make sure they were clean. Reached under the cabinet, she grabbed her wash cloth and turned on the
warm water tap above the sink. The soaked cloth felt great on her face and every muscle in
Ginny's body relaxed. There was something about washing her face that made her feel calm and
worked every time she was stressed. She hung the cloth back on it's hook and turned to reach
for one of her fluffy towels. Satisfied she turned towards the door and felt her way to her living
room. The woodsy smell reached her nose and she smiled. He was close. She put her hands out infront
of her and felt around. Her fingers brushed something but when she reached again it was gone.

"Hey no fair," she giggled. Her ears perked when she heard a floorboard squeak close
by. She slowly turned. The smell was all around her so she had to depend on her ears and hands.

"I didn't know we were playing a game," Draco whispered in her ear but by the time
she had turned around, he was once again out of reach. Another floorboard creaked right beside
Ginny and her hand flew out and grabbed something.

"Found you," she said in a playful voice.

"Well done," Draco replied also having a playful tone in his voice. Ginny felt his
chest rise and fall under her hand. She had clearly grabbed the front of his cloak. She blushed and
pulled her hand away but Draco caught it before it could fall to her side. He placed it on the side
of his face and kissed the palm.

Ginny desperately wanted to know what Draco looked like and it was killing her that she
couldn't see him. She slid her hand out from under his, tracing his lips and then back up to
his eyes with her finger tips. The playfulness that she had heard in his voice a moment ago was not
present any longer, she could feel the seriousness on his face. She felt his eyebrows. They were
relaxed and not scrunched together. Ginny bit her lip and reached high to touch his hair. There was
no gel and felt silky. Her hand dropped to his cheek, letting the back of her hand slid slowly down
his soft skin. She felt his fingers slowly run through her hair and then his hand cupping her
cheek. Ginny let her own hand rest on his neck, her thumb rubbing his jawbone. She was dying on the
inside that she couldn't see his face but her thoughts were swept away when she felt his lips
softly press against her own. She felt fire works going off in her brain as electricity swept down
her spine and stomach turned into a million flapping snitches all at once. Draco slowly pulled back
and rested his forehead on hers. Ginny placed her fingertips of the hand that had been resting on
Draco's neck on his lips. She felt a smile there. Draco kissed her fingers and she smiled
back.

"I wish I could actually see your smile right now," she whispered.

"Hold onto that thought, you will soon," Draco whispered back. He kissed her again and
then took her hand, leading her back towards her front door. Ginny reached out for Draco's
cloak that she had hung up when she had come in. She pulled it to her nose and sniffed.

"Do I smell that good?" Draco asked in an amused voice.

"Uh-huh," Ginny giggled.

"Then I guess you should have that cloak then, so you can smell me whenever you
want."

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome," Draco said and kissing her cheek. He stepped infront of her
and helped her put on the cloak before lacing his fingers with hers, leading her out of her flat.
Once outside they stopped, wands out.

"Ready?" Ginny asked.

"Hold on a sec." Draco leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. "Now I
am." Ginny smiled all the way to St. Mungo's.

When they arrived at the wizard hospital, a nurse lead them to a spare bed telling them a doctor
would be with them shortly. They now sat impatiently waiting. Ginny sat on the edge of the bed,
letting her feet dangle over the side. Her head had dropped into her chest and her eyes were
closed. Draco pulled up a chair infront of her.

"Gin? You okay?" he asked.

"I'm scared," Ginny whispered back, placing her hands in her lap and began playing
with her fingers.

"Why?"

"Because I can't stand the fact that I might not be able to see anything again."
Draco took one of her hands and gently pressed his lips to it. Before he could comfort her, a
doctor came in. He carefully examined Ginny, asking for every detail on what happened when she lost
her sight. Draco held Ginny's hand, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.

"Can you help?" he asked impatiently. The doctor gave him an annoyed look, Draco had
asked the same question twice already.

"Without knowing the spell her attacker used, I don't know how to reverse it."

"You're doctor!" Draco exclaimed. "You're supposed to know what causes
things like this!"

"I have already told you sir, we can't help without knowing the spell," the doctor
replied in an irritated voice.

"So you can't help me?" Ginny asked quietly. The doctor gave a heavy sigh.

"Not at the moment my dear, but we will do everything we can." Ginny bowed her head
again as tears stung her eyes. 'Never be able to see anything again, ever?'

"There has to be something you can do for her," Draco persisted.

"We will try sir but there is not much we can do." The doctor looked down at Ginny,
his own heart reaching out to this young girl. Sometimes he really hated his job. "I'm
sorry miss."

Ginny nodded as a reply because her own words caught in her throat. She heard the doctor's
footsteps as he walked away. He tears began to fall as Draco wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm sorry Gin," he whispered. "I'm so sorry." Ginny crunched the
front of his robe in her hands and sobbed.

"If there was anything I could do, anything at all, to help you I would," Draco said,
his voice shaky. He hated to see her in so much pain. He kissed the top of her head and tightened
his arms about her, gently rocking back and forth. Slowly Ginny's tears subsided but she still
clung to Draco.

"I was so excited. I thought that I would be able to see you but now…"

"Shh…You will. I promised you and I don't intend on falling back on my word." He
took Ginny's hand and let her fingertips feel his face. Ginny felt the seriousness on his face.
She nodded bringing her hand back to her own face to wipe her tear-streaked cheeks. Suddenly an
idea struck Draco.

"What did he look like Ginny? The man who attacked you?"

"I didn't see him that well. All I saw was a green and silver cloak."

"Did you see any writing, a picture?" Draco persisted but Ginny just shook her head.
It didn't matter though, he had a pretty good idea who curse her. "Gin, I have to go but I
will be back soon okay?"

"Were are you going?"

"To find out the cure to that spell." Draco kissed her full on the lips and then
slowly left the bed. He spun around however when Ginny called his name.

"Thank you." Draco smiled at her even though he knew she couldn't see it.

"Don't thank me yet," he said, trying to make his voice sound as amused as
possible. He was rewarded with a smile. He turned from her again and walked away.

"I'm going to kill the scum that's done this to her," he fumed as he exited
St. Mungo's.

Back on the bed in the hospital, Ginny curled up into a ball. She hated hospitals and it was
worse now that she couldn't see anything around her and Draco was gone. 'Draco' Ginny
mentally sighed. He had been so nice to her. He had changed so much from being the snotty two-faced
prick he was in school. Ginny tried to picture him in her mind. She had felt his aristocratic
features but there was no smirk under her fingers when she had run them along his lips. She
imagined the boy she had seen for the first time all those years ago, then how he had looked at
graduation and finally during the war. His voice had held compassion and caring, which were odd
things to find in a Malfoy. Ginny's heart fluttered when she remembered his kiss. She smiled to
herself. At least now she didn't have to think about being in a creepy hospital.

*****

"What did you do to her?! What spell was it?!" Draco bellowed as he slammed a man up
against the wall. "Tell me now or I will force it from you!" The man smirked. Draco's
eyes

flashed as he punched the man in the stomach. The man doubled over but began to snicker.

"Why do you care?" the man asked in a harsh voice. "I thought you didn't care
about Muggle-loving scum like her."

"Don't you dare say things like that about her!" Draco threatened. "Say
another thing like that and I'll end your life here and now. You know I can."

"And if you do that you will never find out the spell I used. Funny our world, isn't
it?"

"I didn't say that I wouldn't get that from you first now did I?"

"You still didn't answer my question." Draco glared at the man.

"I don't have to answer anything you say."

"Now, now, is that any way to talk to your father?" Draco shuddered involuntarily.
Lucius smirked, it was the same smirk that Draco had acquired all those years ago.

"You are no father of mine," he spat back and punched Lucius's jaw. He fell to
ground. "Now tell me what you did to her."

"Do you love her?" Draco was taken aback.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Lucius sneered as he struggled to his feet only to be slammed once
again into the wall by Draco. "Do you love her?"

"And why should I answer you?"

"Because she will never see again if you don't. And that's not all that will
happen."

"What else will happen?"

"Answer my question."

"Tell me what else will happen!"

"Answer!" Draco hesitated. "Answer me, Draco."

"Yes," he said in a confident voice.

"Since when?" Draco was about to protest but was cut of. "Just answer Draco. She
is a stake here."

"Seventh year at Hogwarts."

"I thought I taught you better than to love. Love is for weaklings Draco. Only pathetic
fools fall in love."

"I answered your questions now give me the answers to mine!" Draco threatened only to
receive a sneer.

"She has lost her sight now but soon it will get worse. She is dying Draco and it will be a
slow painful death indeed."

"You bas…."

"Do not insult me Draco or you will not get anything else from me and you know
it."

"How long until it gets worse?"

"Not very actually, I'd give it a week at best before it gets to it's peek."
Draco's grip on Lucius slacked. His eyes went wide. Only a week?

"How can I reverse it? What spell was it?" Lucius laughed. Draco recognized the laugh.
He had laughed the same way when Draco had cried for mercy in the dungeon under the Malfoy Manor.
The laugh brought back horrible memories. How he longed to kill this man for what he had done to
him and now to Ginny. He tightened his fists around Lucius's arms and glared. If looks could
kill, Lucius would have died a thousand times and shaking six feet under by now.

"Tell me Lucius, tell me what I want to know." Draco's voice was now shaking with
fury. Lucius gave a dramatic sigh.

"And then what will you do? Go off and try to save her even though you know you will
fail?"

"I won't fail."

"Even if it is the *Sebonist* curse." Draco's eyes rounded with horror.
"Ah, you remember it. The one curse that Potter and his stupid party of scum still haven't
found out about."

"But-but the cure, it takes eight or nine days to prepare!" Draco exclaimed.

"Quite right my boy, you will fail this pathetic attempt to save that whore of yours and
she will die."

"No!" Draco ripped his wand out of his robes without thinking and pressed it to his
father's throat.

"Do it Draco, kill me, that won't save her and you know it."

"STUPIFY!" Draco yelled at the top of his lungs and Lucius collapsed. He didn't
know why he hadn't killed him as his father had said but didn't have time to think about
it. Draco ran from there with all his power. He had to help Ginny. He would not let her die.

*****

A wave of pain swept over Ginny and it woke her from her sleep. Her eyes shot open only to see
darkness. The pain was so severe that she couldn't scream. Her back arched as another wave of
pain hit her. She grabbed fistfuls of the sheets on the bed. Finally she screamed. She barely heard
the doctor come running. She screamed again, he eyes squeezed shut as hard as they would go. She
felt something cool at the side of her neck. The pain was replaced with a numbing sensation.

"Draco," she whispered as sleep over came her.

*****

Draco burst though the hospital doors. He ran as fast as he could to where Ginny lay and found
her unconscious with the doctor standing over her.

"What happened?"

"We don't know. One minute she was fast asleep and the next she was screaming. We had
to use a sleeping charm to calm her."

"I know what curse was used on her," Draco muttered as her sat next to Ginny, taking
her hand in his. "And we don't have much time."



3. Chapter Three
----------------

**Chapter Three**

Ginny felt herself falling, falling through darkness while an evil laugh filled her ears.

"Who are you? Why won’t you help me?" she screamed but the laughter only got louder.
There was nothing but black all around her and the air was so full of hatred and evil that Ginny
felt herself being suffocated by it. She cried out again, begging the help of anyone that would
listen. As if in answer to her pleas, a light shone down from somewhere above her and a figure flew
through towards her, white wings spread wide to speed down to her falling form. The laugher turned
to screams of resentment as the figure caught her out of the air and began to soar upwards again.
She could not see the person’s face except for a shock of platinum hair.

"Draco?" The person did not answer, only flew higher and higher out of the darkness,
getting closer to the light. Something grabbed her ankle and she screamed. The person turned to get
a better grip on her but the thing held on. Ginny felt her energy being drained from her body.

"Hold on Ginny, don’t give in!" Ginny recognized that voice. It was Draco, she knew it
was but those thoughts were swept away as the thing on her ankle nearly pulled her from Draco’s
grasp. She tried to kick it but she felt nothing solid.

"Please, please save me Draco!" she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Hold on! Don’t let it get you!"

"I’m trying! It’s just so hard!"

"Hold onto me Ginny, don’t let go, I love you!" Ginny’s eyes grew wide. She suddenly
felt the strength beginning to return but the thing that held her didn’t release her ankle.

"Fight back Ginny, don’t let it take over, you can defeat it just hold on!" The thing
pulled her from Draco’s arms and Ginny fell back into the darkness.

* * * * *

"Come on Ginny. Hold on. Don’t give up," Draco cooed. "Were working on a cure,
please hold on. I don’t want to lose you. Please, be strong."

Ginny had been given the sleeping charm over two days ago and she hadn’t shown any signs of
life. She had become pale and cold. She was still breathing and her heart was still beating but
both were almost gone. Draco had been back and forth from her side to the potions medical lab,
working on the cure. They were getting close but they still need another six days before the potion
would be ready. The doctors didn’t have any hope but Draco did. He talked to her through her
unconsciousness, hoping that Ginny was receiving his messages.

"I love you Ginny." He kissed her forehead before he looked around the room. Ginny’s
family had come. Her parents were asleep on a bed near by. Her brothers sleeping in chairs and
extra beds they had found. Harry and Hermione were there too along with Luna, Ron’s girlfriend. All
of them fast asleep and no wonder, it was three in the morning. It had been a long two days so far
and they were breaking on the third. It was hard on her family but it was a lot harder on Draco.
Ginny was the only person he had ever cared for other than his mother and now he was losing her to
a curse his father had put her under. Draco managed a smirk, the same evil one that he had seen on
the man’s face a few days ago. Lucius was going to spend the rest of his days in Askaban prison and
even if it didn’t bring Ginny back to him, Draco knew that the man he once called father would
suffer for the rest of his days. The smirk faded from Draco’s face when he saw Ginny move.

"Gin?" She moved slightly and her eyes fluttered open. Her blind eyes stared at the
ceiling.

"Draco?" she croaked.

"I’m here," Draco cooed and kissed her hand.

"It hurts, it hurts so much, I don’t know if I can hang on."

"Shh…Don’t say that, please don’t say that," Draco pleaded. "You’re strong, you
can get though this"

"I had a dream, darkness was every where but you came though a light," Ginny
whispered. "I heard you, you told me to hang on and that you loved me. The darkness grabbed
me, I tried to hang on but it was winning. You didn’t let go of me, you kept telling me to hang on
but I fell. I’m trying to fight but it’s just so hard."

"Please Ginny, don’t let go. I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my
life." Ginny smiled a weak smile. And reached over trying to find his face. Draco took her
hand and pressed it to his cheek so she could feel the tears.

"You’re crying," Ginny said in a worried tone.

"I don’t want to lose you, not now, not ever."

"I will always be with you Draco, even if I don’t make it this time. I love you
Draco." Ginny’s eyes began to flutter close and her head fell to the side, asleep once
again.

"Oh, Ginny. Please, don’t leave me, just keep fighting, love. I’ll wait right here for you
when you wake up. I promise." Another tear rolled down Draco’s cheek. He had never been in so
much pain in his life. The person he loved the most in the world was slowly slipping through his
fingers. He leaned forward and kissed Ginny’s cold lips. As he pulled back he slid his free hand,
that was not holding one of Ginny’s, down her cheek. A hand on his shoulder startled him. He
hastily wiped away his tears and faced the person behind him with a stone face, he didn’t want
anyone to see him looking weak.

"She be okay Draco, just believe." Arthur Weasley stood above him, his eyes showed
compassion and caring as well as knowledge. It was the kind of look Dumbledor usually wore.
"Our Gin’s a fighter and I think she knows that there are people still here waiting for her,
especially you."

"She’s fighting a battle that she doesn’t think she’ll win, how can I believe she’ll make
it when she doesn’t believe herself?"

"I know but I do think she has the strength. She just needs a helping hand." Draco
gave him a look of confusion but Arthur just smiled. "She needs you Draco and I know just the
way to get you there. It’ll be dangerous but it just might work."

"I don’t care what the danger is, I just care about getting her back."

* * * * *

Ginny was fighting. The darkness had taken the form of a basilisk, the animal she feared most,
but this time she could look this one in the eye without dying immediately. It was feeding on her
fear though and no matter how hard she fought, it kept getting stronger. She had her wand and was
screaming curse after curse but nothing could kill it. She was beginning to get weak but she kept
fighting.

"Have to keep fighting," she said forcefully to herself. "Cannot let this thing
win." From out of no where, another curse came and struck the basilisk in the eyes. It growled
loudly and shook it’s massive head. Another curse struck it in it’s open mouth. The basilisk hacked
and hissed, retreating into a cave of darkness. Ginny whirled around to see Draco standing behind
her. He smiled at her and began to run. Her feet that she hadn’t realized were moving also began to
run. She leapt into his open arms.

"Ginny, I thought I was losing you," he whispered into her hair. Tears rolled down her
cheeks like a waterfall. She pulled back and kissed Draco with everything she had. Draco returned
her kissed with the same force. It was like they had been kept from each other for years when in
fact it had only been a few days but to them, it felt like it had been. Draco slowly broke the
kiss. He looked into her eyes and saw the tears. She scanned her eyes over his face and then locked
onto his eyes with her own.

"You can see," he said, amazement in his voice. Ginny nodded and smiled.

"You look just how I imagined."

"I told you to hold onto that thought back at your flat, remember?" Ginny nodded and
Draco looked around. "So this is what your mind looks like." It was a barren wasteland
with a huge cave infront of where they stood. The sky was the colour of blood. Draco cringed and
Ginny laughed wryly at his expression.

"I can assure you its not usually this…interesting."

"Interesting nothing, this is just plain creepy." Ginny smiled and then sighed, her
smile fading soon after it had settled and was replaced with worry. "How are you holding
up?"

"It’s been so hard Draco. I feel like I’ve been fighting for centuries. How long have I
been here?"

"Three days," Draco said hesitantly. All hope disappeared from Ginny’s eyes.

"Only three days?" she whispered in despair.

"We are working as hard as we can back at the hospital to bring you out of here,"
Draco said while taking his eyes away from her for a second to look around before returning his
attention to her. "You have to stay strong Ginny. The potion won’t be ready for another five
days. I will be with you as often as I can to help you through it."

"Five days? I don’t know if I can last that long Draco, I already feel so weak."

"Do not say that Ginny," Draco said sternly, cupping her cheek with his hand while the
other remained wrapped around her protectively. "You have to keep fighting."

"It’s so hard," Ginny whimpered. "I don’t know if I can do it."

"You can do it," Draco said in a soft voice, his eyes showing all his love for her.
"I believe in you. I know you can, you just have to believe in yourself." Ginny closed
her eyes and looked down.

"Hey." She looked back up to see Draco’s comforting eyes staring into her own.
"The Ginny I know could fall off a bed face first and laugh about it."

"This is different than falling off a bed Draco, this is a lot worse."

"You’re giving up, the more you give up the more harder the obstacles will get. Your family
is waiting out there, just like me. They have faith in you Ginny. Your dad told me that you’re a
fighter and that you have the strength to pull through. We can help Gin but you have to fight just
as hard. Believe Gin and you’ll come out of this. The question is, will you?" Ginny stared
into Draco’s eyes and saw the hope behind them. To see those eyes in the real world gave Ginny
hope. He truly believed in her, now she had to believe in herself.

"I will fight as hard as I can." Draco’s whole face lit up and he pressed his lips
against hers. Ginny’s spirit lifted. Draco had given her hope and courage that she had been slowly
drained from her before his arrival. She broke the kiss to look at the face she had longed to see
for almost five days now. His hair wasn’t slicked back but hanging down and still the same platinum
colour she remembered from school. His face was still pale and flawless. His stormy gray eyes were
full of compassion and love for her. The next thing he said was like he had read her mind.

"I love you so much Ginny and if I told you that a million times every day for the rest of
our lives that I know we will spend together, it wouldn’t be anywhere near enough. I want to spend
the rest of my days with you Ginny, I don’t think I could stand losing you now." A tear came
to Ginny’s eye.

"I love you too Draco. I promise to fight my hardest. We will be together again."
Draco wrapped her up in his arms. He began to spin her around in a circle, both of them laughing
with joy. Their joy was not long lived however because the ground began to rumble under their
feet.

* * * * *

Outside in the real world, Arthur was watching over them. Draco lay beside Ginny, his eyes
closed and his hands that were holding hers lay between them. Many emotions ran through the eldest
Weasley at that moment. He had seen the love in Draco’s eyes, which he knew belonged to Ginny.
Arthur had never helped a Malfoy before but there was something about Draco that begged him for his
knowledge. He wondered what would happen to Draco if Ginny didn’t make it.

He was brought out of his thoughts however when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see
Ron, his youngest son, standing behind him.

"She’s going to make it Dad," Ron whispered. "I know it."

"I think you’re right son and I think we are going to owe our gratitude to young Mr. Malfoy
over there." Arthur laughed when he saw the look of disgust on his son’s face but his face
went serious with his next words. "He loves her Ron. I know you can see that." Ron nodded
and he sat beside his father on the bed opposite to Ginny and Draco.

"But why him? Why would he fall for her? He has always hated our family and gave her a fair
share of his unpleasant mocking."

"I don’t think that’s the case though," Arthur said thoughtfully. "I think he has
done what he has in order to please his father. But during the war he was on our side remember? Not
Voldemort’s. He has changed from the immature Hogwarts student into a man who can care and now
cares for Ginny. He brought his father into Askaban two days ago. Clearly that monster of a man is
not Draco’s idol anymore." There was a look of surprise on Ron’s face. The boy Malfoy had
grown up with worshiped the ground his father walked on. He looked over at the bed where his
childhood enemy lay next to his beloved sister. Ron saw the same, pale structured face with the
platinum hair that always reminded him of the Malfoys whenever he saw it. Ron heaved a heavy sigh.
His father was right. The rich git had changed and Ron had to except him, for Ginny’s sake at
least. It wouldn’t be easy but everybody disserves a chance. Ron’s gaze moved from Draco to his
friends and family, sleeping peacefully in other beds, chairs and some even on the floor. Harry,
Hermione, his girlfriend Luna, his brothers and himself had all fought in that final attack against
Voldemort and Draco had been there right along side them. Ginny had been there too, just out of
school. Ron remembered the day when the Dark Lord had fallen. Death Eaters had scattered, some
escaped but most were caught and imprisoned. Many of their friends had died that day but many of
them lived.

They had almost lost their beloved Ginny then too. They had waited at her bedside just like they
did now, even Draco had passed by a few times now that Ron had thought of it. He now remembered the
look of love in his eyes there too. How did he miss it the first time but saw it now? Ginny had
been unconscious for about a week before her eyes fluttered open. It had been one of the happiest
days of Ron’s life. They now waited again for her eyes to flutter open and to stay open.

* * * * *

Ginny screamed. There before her was her biggest fear. He had been defeated two years ago but
had haunted her dreams since her first year at Hogwarts. Tom Marvolo Riddle was steadily walking
towards her.

"Ah Virginia, I never thought I would be seeing you again," he drawled.

"You’re just an image, you’re dead, you aren’t here!" Ginny screamed. She wanted to
throttle the man who had cause her pain for so long. She felt Draco squeeze her hand.

"And yet I stand here walking towards you and am very real indeed. In your mind, everything
is real," Tom hissed. "And what do we have here? The young Malfoy. You were wrong not to
join my side in the war. You could have gone places."

"Like where? Askaban prison? To my death? I think not," Draco growled. Tom chuckled,
which sent chills down Ginny’s spine.

"We defeated you once Riddle, we can do it again," she threatened. Tom only laughed at
her, sending more chills down her spine.

"You use my father’s Muggle name as if it were who I really was," he sneered. "I
have told you before my dear Ginny, I am Lord Voldemort or do you not remember our little encounter
all those years ago?" Ginny involuntarily shuddered. "I see you do. You used to love to
talk to me Ginny, about you’re family, about Potter and even about Draco over here. About how you
hated him more than anything in the world."

"That was a long time ago, things have changed," Ginny snarled.

"Really, why don’t you tell me hmmm? I know all your secrets Ginny. I know that you fear
Draco leaving you and you’re thinking about running away before he can hurt you."

"That’s not true!"

"Your mind is an open book as it were to me Ginny, I can flip through the pages and read
all your dirty little secrets that you keep from everyone."

"Shut up!" Ginny screamed.

"It’s just like how it was when you were eleven, I know everything about you, even things
you don't know about yourself."

"Stop it!" Tears began to sting her eyes. How she hated this monster of a man.

"Don’t let him get to you Ginny," Draco said confidently. "The more you let him
hurt you the stronger he gets."

"I’m tired of you Malfoy," Tom said, boredom lining his voice. "Go away."
Draco suddenly disappeared from Ginny’s side. She screamed and stared horror struck at Tom.

"It’s just you and me now Ginny," he said as he licked his lips.

* * * * *

Draco’s eyes shot open. He was back in the hospital.

"Ginny!" he cried. Arthur was by his side in seconds.

"What happened? What’s going on in there?"

"Riddle! He’s come back inside Ginny’s mind! She is so scared right now and I don’t now if
she’ll make it! I have to get back in there!"



4. Chapter Four
---------------

**Chapter Four**

"Get away from me Tom, you’re nothing but a half breed, slimy, disgusting monster!"
Ginny screamed as she backed up, trying her best to get control again but her hope was failing with
every word.

"I take that as a compliment, all except the half breed part and you will eat those words
before I’m through with you."

"That’s enough Riddle," a calm but commanding voice ordered. Ginny whirled around to
see Dumbledor standing a few meters away. The Professor’s eyes where not twinkling with the
kindness that was usually there. His eyes were determined and stern.

"Leave, now," he commanded. Ginny heard Tom snort.

"And what makes you think I’m going to listen to anything you say old man? You couldn’t
control me in school, what’s in your head that thinks you can now?"

"You do not belong here Riddle, you no longer have control over her, Virginia has defeated
the memory of you long ago."

"And yet she stands there shaking like a leaf ready to fall from it’s branch," Tom
countered.

"You have only brought back horrible memories. She can easily lock you away again if she
tries."

"But she can never get rid of me. I am a part of her."

"Oh I think she can, you’re just an injury that needs to be healed. Go ahead Virginia. He
cannot control you unless you let him." Dumbledor smile a genuine smile at Ginny and it gave
her strength. She turned back to Tom with a grin on her face.

"Get out of here Tom, you’re nothing to me and you can’t hurt me anymore." With her
words, Tom began to disappear. He looked down at himself, shocked. "You are nothing more than
horrible memory." Tom grew fainter and fainter. "Go away Tom and never return."

"You haven’t seen the last of me Ginny, I will find you where ever you are. You can’t
escape me."

"Oh I think I already have. You had control over me once, never again will I let that
happen." Tom howled and with a great gush of air he was gone.

"I did it," Ginny whispered to herself. "I did it!" She turned to see
Dumbledor smiling at her. She ran and hugged him. "Thank you Professor, I don’t think I could
have done it without you." He gently patted her hair as if she was a young child once
again.

"I think you could have Ginny, I did nothing but give you a little direction. I must leave
you now, but remember, it’s all in your head." Ginny laughed as he gently touched his index
finger to her forehead and nodded. Dumbledor chucked and then turned away. Within seconds he was
gone. Ginny was not alone for long however. Draco soon appeared behind her and nearly crushed her
with his embrace when he got close enough.

"Ginny! Are you all right? Where’s Riddle?" he rambled but stopped when he saw the
grin on her face. "How did you defeat him?" he asked finally catching on.

"I had a little help from an old friend," she replied calmly. Draco gave her a puzzled
look but smiled. "It’s all in my head after all."

* * * * *

Molly Weasley sat on the edge of the chair she had been sitting in. She had over heard the
conversation between her husband and her son and had thoughts of her own.

Draco had proven himself that he cared about her daughter. She hadn’t expected to see him walk
through the fireplace a back at the Burrow few days ago, yelling to the whole household that Ginny
was under a deadly curse. He looked like a garden snake in a fox’s layer. Molly had never had a
Malfoy in her home before and had to get over that shock before she actually heard what he was
saying. She was glad he had come however. Otherwise, the Weasleys would have probably been left in
the dark until the end of it, whether it was the death or life of Ginny. The memory of being in the
hospital, in a room very much like this one and Ginny lying unconscious on the bed, was still too
near and stung Molly like an old wound reopened. She had come so close to losing her daughter then
and she was just as worried now, more so because of the kind of curse she was under this time.
Molly had cried many tears in the last few days. Tears for herself, tears for Ginny, tears for her
family and, to her surprise tears for Draco. This must be so hard on him. He had definitely showed
another side of him that wasn’t cold hearted and stone. He had really shown himself to be a true
prince in shinning armor for Ginny. Molly smiled at her next thought. ‘I hope it turns out to be
like that Muggle story I once read.’

* * * * *

It was almost time. Draco had made many trips between Ginny’s world and reality. The potion was
almost ready. Ginny however was getting worse. It was getting harder and harder for her to control
what was going on in her mind and the battles were starting to drain her. Her body outside would go
through spasms and she had not woken again. Her family, including Draco, were worried and on edge.
Ron had snapped on Draco whenever he could.

"It’s all your fault!" he yelled.

"How is it my fault?!" Draco yelled back. Harry and Luna were holding Ron back so he
couldn’t actually start throwing punches.

"Because that slimy git you call a father did this to teach you a lesson!"

"He is not my father!" Draco roared. Ron stopped struggling and every one in the room
stared at him. "No real father would have ever done what that man has done to me." The
room was deathly silent. The Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and Luna all had their eyes on Draco, mouths
hanging open. Draco’s eyes fell to the floor and he laughed slightly. It wasn’t the normal kind of
laugh but one of fear, anger and pain wrapped up into one.

"Draco?" Arthur asked wearily.

"You’re right Ron. That monster did this to Ginny was to teach me a lesson. He wanted me to
watch the person I love most in the world waste away until she was nothing. Now that I think of it,
it is my fault. It’s *all* my fault. I did this to her." His head shot up and his eyes
bulged at his knew realization. His legs buckled beneath him and he collapsed to his knees.
"What have I done?" To all they’re surprise Hermione stepped forward. She knelt before
Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You loved her Draco," she said calmly.

"And she is now fighting for her life in another world while she is dying in this one
because of that love. Why couldn’t I have just…" Hermione slapped him, hard. He brought his
hand to his face and stared at her in disbelief.

"Wake up Draco! You can not honestly believe that you did this can you? Can’t you see that
you’re the one helping her and not the one who tried to kill her? You love her and that is what is
keeping her alive now," Hermione’s voice softened. "You have done nothing but love her
Draco. Nobody and I mean nobody blames you for this," Hermione shot a look over her shoulder
the once struggling red head of the group before turning back to Draco. "Even it Ron doesn’t
admit it openly, he doesn’t either. You were the one who came to tell us and now you are the one
helping the doctors cure her. You have made countless trips between our world and hers to keep her
hopes up. Don’t even think about blaming yourself Draco Malfoy because you have done nothing but
the complete opposite to that, as you so greatly pointed out, monster of a man." Draco
shuddered. He had been through so much in the last six days that he was physically and mentally
drained. Hermione’s words, however, made it to his clouded mind.

"You’re right Hermione, thank you." Hermione looked shocked. For all the years that
she had known Draco he had never called her by her first name let alone thanked her for
something.

"No prob, I’m just here to help," she said breathlessly, eyes still round with
amazment. Draco got to his feet and looked down at Ginny. He sat beside her thin body that was more
like an empty shell at the moment. Someone clearing their throat caught his attention however but
his eyes did not leave Ginny.

"The potion, Mr. Malfoy, it’s almost ready and we need your assistance for the last
stage," the doctor said in a calm voice.

"I’ll be there in a moment," Draco said softly before he turned to the group behind
him. The doctor nodded and left the room. The Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and Luna, all had stayed
since Draco had called them. They had slept and ate almost as much as he had, which wasn’t very
much at all. He finally, after a lifetime of hating these people, felt like he was excepted
somewhere other than under the wing of the defeated Dark Lord. He wasn’t liked by all but he felt
something that only he could call friendship because he had experienced very little of it during
his child hood. He knew that he had to make amends now so the feeling would not slip away.

"Thank you, all of you. You have showed me the deepest kindness over the last couple of
days." He turned to Ron. "I know you hate me more than anybody alive right now but I
swear to you that I will not let Ginny die. If I have to I will switch places with her to make sure
she lives. Whatever happens, she will be alive in the end. I know how much she means to you."
Ron sighed.

"I don’t hate you mate," he said quietly. "Your not the stuck up arse you used to
be and it’s the man who is rotting in Askaban right now that I hate. I’m sorry for making your life
miserable." Draco placed his hand on Ron’s shoulder.

"Don’t be. I did the same to you for so long that I would expect it." He then turned
to Harry and Hermione. "I would have thought you two as well would have hated me for all I
have done, especially to you Hermione. I am truly sorry." He then turned to the rest of the
people in the room. "You all have no idea how sorry I am right now for all the things I’ve
done. I’m sorry for what Lucius has done."

"It’s all mostly sticks and stones dear," Molly said cheerfully. "You can’t take
the blame for Lucius’ faults. I think I speak for all of us when I say we except your
apology." Everyone in the room smiled at Draco and for the first time in days, he felt
happiness.

"Now stop being such a softy," one of the twins said. "It’s beginning to creep me
out." Everyone in the room laughed a little, the twins always knew how to lighten the
mood.

"Sorry to interrupt but Mr. Malfoy? We need you now," the doctor said from behind the
group. Draco nodded and followed the doctor out of the room.

* * * * *

Ginny was exhausted. She had been battling for days now and she didn’t know how much more she
could take. She lay down on the ground, breathing heavily. She closed her eyes trying to catch her
breath and rolled onto her side.

"Go to sleep Ginny," an eerie voice cooed. Her eyes snapped open to see Lucius
standing over her all though her wasn’t completely there. He was faded and the visible part of him
was skinny and paler than usual. "You can end it all here and now. All you have to do is close
your eyes and let yourself fall asleep." Ginny struggled to her feet and glared at Lucius.

"No, I won’t give in."

"You really think you can last until the potion is ready don’t you?"

"Draco promised that he would make it as fast as her could and I believe him." Lucius
laughed but it was harsher and thin. He immediately started to hack and wheeze. Ginny smirked at
him.

"A little under the weather are we Lucius?" she asked, sarcasm dripping from every
word. He shot her a menacing look. "I don’t have time for you Lucius so just go away." To
Ginny’s surprise it worked. He disappeared from sight and she was alone once again. His words still
buzzed in her mind however. Could it really be that easy to end all this? Just close her eyes and
it would be done forever? No. She could let herself give in. Not now that she was so close to being
cured.

She shuddered and began to walk. It was going to be a while now before she could close her eyes
and not worry about dying.

* * * * *

The twins sat on the floor close to Ginny’s bed. Everyone else was talking amongst themselves,
trying to make a dent in the remaining time. Fred looked over at his twin brother who was staring
at the shaking Ginny. She was going through a fit again and all they could do was wait it out.
Their mother was sitting with her now, smoothing her hair and singing a song that she had sung to
all her children when they were younger.

"Do you think she’ll make it?" George asked quietly. This was an odd thing for the
twins to be so serious and not to mention quiet.

"Do you think she won’t?" George’s eyes fell from Ginny and met his brother’s
gaze.

"I don’t know. She’s a fighter, our Gin, we should know after all the pranks we have pulled
on her over the years. She always managed to get us back some how. But I don’t know what’s going to
happen."

"What do you think of Draco’s turn about?" George smiled grimly.

"He did make *quite* the turn didn’t he?"

"Yeah. The bloke has been through a lot lately hasn’t he? I mean with his father and now
Gin."

"He’ll be happy again when Gin’s back up and about. Just wish somethin’ could cheer him up
in the mean time, he too somber for his own good." George then got a mischievous grin on his
face, which only meant one thing. "You thinking what I’m thinking?"

"Great minds think alike," Fred replied, the same grin gracing his features.

"Don’t even think about it you two," Molly said sternly, now standing over them.

"Yes mum," they said in unison but as soon as she was out of earshot, they began their
scheming. Even after all these years, they still acted like the schoolboys they once were.

* * * * *

"Okay," Draco said, gulping slightly. "Let’s hope this works." It had been
two days exactly since Draco had been pulled from the room and now the potion was as ready as it
could be. Adding the final ingredient and muttering a spell that made the whole thing mix together,
the colour turned from dark red to a snow white. Draco smiled. The potion was ready, everything had
gone according to plan. Now all they needed to do was give it to Ginny. Draco poured the potion
into a flask and walked back to Ginny’s room. He carried the flask as if it where a young child,
careful when taking every step. He walked to where his new friends were waiting.

"It’s ready, but I want to check on her first."



5. Chapter Five
---------------

**Chapter Five**

Ginny coughed. The land around her had turned into a desert, monsters hiding around every sand
dune. Every time Ginny breathed in she coughed as sand got sucked into her mouth. It felt like her
lungs were being ripped open from the inside. She collapsed into the sand, coughing hard and
struggling to breathe. One hand clutched her throat while the other held her up from falling
completely into the sand. ‘Why was it taking so long? Where was he? He should have been here by
now!’ were the thoughts going through Ginny’s mind. Again Lucius’ words went through her mind. They
had been haunting her thoughts ever since she had seen him. The longer she waited the more tempting
the offer sounded.

She was about ready to give up when she felt someone’s arms wrap around her shoulder. She looked
up to see the stormy-gray eyes she loved so much.

"Draco," she whispered because she couldn’t talk any louder than that.

"It’s okay Gin, the potions ready. It’s going to hurt a bit but soon you will be back in
the hospital."

" ‘Bout time," Ginny whispered sarcastically and was rewarded with a chuckle from
Draco. It was like music to her ears. "I’m ready."

"I love you Gin and I’ll be waiting for you on the other side." Draco gently pressed
his lips against hers and disappeared from her side.

* * * * *

Draco’s eyes fluttered open and he turned to the people waiting beside the bed.

"Hand me the flask." Arthur handed Draco the flask that he had been holding. Draco
gently lifted Ginny so she was sitting against him. He carefully tilted her head and separated her
lips with his fingers, causing her mouth to open. Draco then slowly poured the potion into her
mouth and waited until the flask was empty. He set the now empty flak on the bed beside him and
wrapped his arms around Ginny. Everyone in the room held their breath. Ginny suddenly began to
shake uncontrollably and let out an ear-piercing scream.

* * * * *

Ginny screamed. Draco had lied when he said it would hurt a bit. The pain was unimaginable.
Ginny rolled in the sand shaking as waves of pain swept over her. She heard someone calling her in
the distance. She screamed again as another spasm of unbearable pain leapt through her body.

"Come on Ginny," a voice whispered. "You can do it."

"Come on Gin, don’t let us down," another voice said. Soon her mind was filled with
voices. She recognized them all. Her mum, her dad, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, Harry,
Hermione, Luna and most importantly Draco. They were all shouting out to her, encouraging her to
make it past the pain. She looked up at the red sky above her as tears spilled down her cheeks.
Another wave of pain washed over her and Ginny felt herself falling. Light surrounded her, it was
bright and lifted her spirits as she fell. Suddenly, out of no where darkness grabbed her, bringing
the sorrow and pain once again. The light fought back as Ginny squirmed, fighting with all her
might to get free the darkness’ clutches. For Ginny, it felt like a dangerous game of tug-o-war and
both sides were equally armed. She tried to scream but nothing would come. Clashing sounds ripped
through the air as light and dark fought to gain dominance. They struck all around Ginny, both not
willing to yield. The words of her family, their hope, protected her but the darkness was getting
dangerously close to hitting her.

A bolt from each side hit Ginny, one on her back and one on her chest. There was a surge of pain
that flowed though Ginny’s body and then she could feel nothing at all. She was floating and then
everything faded.

* * * * *

"Come on love, you can do it." It had been hours since Ginny had been given the
potion. Moments after she screamed she stopped moving all together. Everyone had stayed up but
Draco had eventually convinced them to get some rest and he would stay with Ginny. Reluctantly they
agreed after making him promise to wake them the second something happened. Now the Weasleys,
Harry, Hermione and Luna were all sound asleep. It was early morning on the ninth day. Draco sat on
the bed rocking Ginny back and forth, whispering encouraging words into her ears. Draco looked up
at the sleeping figures scattered around the room. The twins were on the floor. Molly and Arthur
were on the bed opposite the one he sat on now. Harry and Hermione shared a bed across from Ron and
Luna. Bill, Charlie and Percy were all in the hospital chairs that they had changed into
comfortable armchairs.

There were bags under Draco’s eyes and a week’s worth of stubble on his face. His hair was a
mess but at the moment he didn’t care at all. Anybody that looked at him now would think he had
lost his entire life and inheritance in an hour, but to him, it was taking a little over a week.
Ginny had become everything to him. He had gone over the memories from the last couple of days
before Ginny was taken into the other world a million times already in the last couple hour. He
laughed remembering how she had fallen off the bed in his flat. He remembered the hide and seek
game they had played in hers. She had made the room light up for him when she had walked in. He
wanted to tell her all the things that she did for him and her wanted her to hear it. She had
become his life all over again. It had been the same during the war. He had sat outside her room
for what felt like ages, visiting her when no one else was around and even when people were around
sometimes when he was desperate although he never let anything on to anyone. He thought he would
lose her then and was having the same feelings now. His hope was slowly fading away.

"Come on Gin, don’t give up now. I need to tell you so many things but you need to wake
up," he whispered. He smoothed down her hair for the billionth time. He then brought his hand
to her face and began to trace her nose, mouth, eyes, eyebrows, cheeks and chin with his
fingertips. Her skin was cold under the warmth of his hand and she was paler than Draco had ever
seen her. He was startled slightly when he felt something move on his arm. He looked down to were
Ginny’s hand rested. It was motionless. Draco sighed and took it in his own hand and pressed it to
his lips, his eyes never leaving her face. He thought, for a moment, he saw Ginny’s eye flinch. He
dismissed it until he saw it again.

"Ginny! Come on Gin, you’re almost home," he urged. Her whole face flinched and her
body tensed up in Draco’s arms. "Come on you can do it." Draco squeezed her hand and
kissed her cheek. Her eyes shot open and she was breathing heavily. She looked around the room
frantically and then saw Draco hanging above her. She threw her arms around his neck and cried.

"It’s okay Gin, your home," Draco cooed, his own tears falling down his cheeks.
"It’s going to be okay. You’re home." Ginny buried her face in Draco’s shoulder.

"I was so scared," she sobbed.

"Shhh…" Draco hushed and then pulled back to look her in the eyes. "Are you
okay?" Something suddenly dawned on Ginny.

"I can see you," she whispered. She put her hands on his cheeks, wiping away his tears
with her thumbs and kissed him before hugging him again. "You don’t know how much just waiting
to see your face out here helped me. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," Draco whispered into her hair and he tightened his arms around
her.

Someone groaned in their sleep. Ginny didn’t seem to notice but Draco remembered his promise. He
pulled back and kissed her one more time. It was like their first, complete with electricity,
fireworks and snitches. Draco could have stayed there forever but his promise nagged at the back of
his mind so he slowly broke it and looked intently into Ginny’s eyes.

"There are some people here waiting for you." Ginny nodded and let her arms fall from
Draco’s neck to his hands. "You better wake them up hadn’t you?" Draco stood and picked
Ginny up, taking her over to her parents and setting her gently down beside them.

"Mum, dad," Ginny said while shaking them softly. Their eyes fluttered open and they
gasped when they saw their daughter.

"Oh Ginny!" Molly cried out as tears streamed down her cheeks while she and Arthur
embraced Ginny. Draco went over and woke the others, Ron first.

"Hey mate," he chuckled as Ron grumpily opened his eyes. "There’s someone waiting
to say hi." Ron’s eyes went round as he slowly turned in the direction Draco had motioned.

"Ginny!" he screamed and ran to her, wrapping her up in his arms. He sudden outburst
woke the rest of the sleeping people who copied Ron’s actions and began a big, family hug. Draco
stood back and watched the happy family who were all crying and squishing Ginny with their hugs and
kisses. To his surprise, Ron of all people beckoned Draco to join them. He laughed and walked over
to them. Ginny wrapped her arms around his waist and then the rest were soon around them, all
laughing or crying and all were expressing their joy for the return of their precious Ginny. Arthur
clapped his hand on Draco’s shoulder and held up his hand for silence.

"Draco," Arthur said calmly when everyone was quiet. "Thank you for saving my
daughter’s life." He held a hand out to Draco and as soon as he took it, Arthur wrapped him in
a hug. He then stood back and Ginny returned to her form position with her arms around Draco.

"Oh go on!" one of the twins yelled.

"Give her a kiss!" said the other and Draco happily obliged by leaning in and kissing
Ginny. The two of them broke apart laughing however when the crowd around them cheered with
approval.



6. Chapter Six
--------------

**Chapter Six**

Ginny had to stay for a few days at the hospital after her recovery but was soon home. The first
thing she did when she got out was go home and have a nice long bath. She had to convince her
family that she would be okay for an hour or two on her own though and it wasn’t an easy task.
Draco had been the worst to convince but he eventually allowed it. Ginny was now sitting in her
bathtub in her flat, going over the last week.

She had been so sure she wasn’t going to make it and that she would never see Draco or her
family again. When she was falling after everything faded, she had heard Draco’s voice while all
the others faded. His was strong in her mind and kept her going. She didn’t know how long she had
been falling for but was glad when she finally surfaced in the hospital.

She sighed as she dunked her head under the soapy water. She had put her favorite vanilla and
cinnamon bath soap in the hot water. It made her feel safe and comforted as she fought with her
emotions. Her mind was a blur and all she wanted was for it to stop buzzing and for everything to
be normal again.

Ginny finished in her bath and got out, drying herself off. She walked to her room and noticed a
faint smell of the woods. Her eyes glanced over to her bed and saw that Draco’s cloths were still
lying where she had left them. She picked them up and hugged them to her chest. She then dropped
the shorts and brought the t-shirt to her face, breathing in whatever the scent of her room hadn’t
taken from the woodsy smell that was embedded in the shirt. Bringing it down from her face, she ran
her fingers over the blue stitching that spelled out seeker. Ginny knew Draco had become an Auror
after the war but he had loved Quidditch as long as she could remember. She smiled and set the
shirt down on the bed again before going over to her dresser. She pulled out her nickers and a pair
of yoga pants. She had never participated in this said Muggle art but she found the clothing to be
quite comfortable .She then slipped Draco’s shirt over head. She picked up the shorts off the floor
where they had fell and folded them once again, placing them back to their former place on her bed.
Casting a drying spell on her hair, she brushed it and then put it in two braids. Putting on her
old, worn, black slippers, she walked down the hall towards her kitchen. She let her fingers graze
the wall, remembering how she had had to rely on them to find her way to her room almost a week
earlier. She sighed and walked into her kitchen. She almost had a heart attack however when she saw
a person standing over her counter.

Draco was standing over two mugs and staring at the kettle that was beginning to whistle. As if
sensing her presence, he looked up at Ginny and smiled at her shocked expression.

"Startle you a bit, did I?" he asked in an amused tone.

"Only a lot," Ginny replied hotly but smiled back all the same.

"Like my shirt?"

"I like how it smells." Draco chuckled as he took the kettle off the burner and poured
the boiling water into the mugs.

"How did you get in here?"

"You had a spare key hanging on a hook by your door. Thought it might come in
handy."

"Turning into a thief are we?" Ginny mused.

"Hardly. How do you want your tea?"

"Milk and sugar please." Draco nodded while spooning the tea bags out of their mugs,
pouring some milk into the hot liquid and then added a spoonful of sugar. Ginny sighed and took the
spoon from him, adding two more *healthy* spoonfuls.

"You seem to like your sugar." Ginny nodded childishly and grinned. She then lifted
herself onto the counter, letting her legs dangle over the side, and sipped her tea. Draco smiled
and made his own tea. Ginny watched him as he did so. His movements were so dignified and graceful
even when he was just making tea.

"When did you learn how to make tea?" she blurted out without thinking. She just
assumed that he had never known how because he had grown up in a household full of house elves.

"Well seeing as I have lived on my own for a little over three years ago now, I had to
learn to take care of myself some time, now didn’t I?" He dropped the spoon in the sink and
leaned against the counter, bringing the mug to his lips. Ginny looked down at her own mug in her
hands and rubbed the edge with her thumb. The two were quiet for a moment, both staring into their
tea as if it would bring out the word they wanted to say. Ginny bit her lip and tucked a piece of
stray hair behind her ear. Draco silently tapped the fingers of his free hand on the counter. Both
were feeling the uneasiness mounting in the room.

"This is silly," Draco finally said. "We have closer in a week than many people
have in years at a time and we can’t talk now." Ginny laughed half-heartedly and looked up at
Draco. He was smiling at her and it made Ginny’s heart flutter. She carefully brought her hand up
to his face and ran her knuckles along his cheek.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly. He had asked the same question a few days ago but
things were different now. He set his mug on the counter and took her hand from his face, holding
it in his.

"I was afraid Draco. I thought I would never get to see you again. I don’t think I would
have made it if you hadn’t of been there with me. You risked a lot helping me like that. You could
have gotten trapped or something worse could have happened or…" She was silenced with Draco’s
fingertips on her lips.

"I would die for you Ginny, you should know that by now," he said softly. "I
don’t think I could have gone on living without you coming back to me safely. You are everything to
me." A tear slid down Ginny’s cheek but Draco kissed it away, bring his hand up to cup her
cheek. Ginny leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Draco’s neck, burying her face in his
shoulder. His arms soon were around her waist, pulling her close to him. He kissed the top of her
head and then bent down to whisper in her ear.

"I love you Gin, more than you will ever know and I promise you that I will never let
anything separate us again."

"I know Draco. I love you too." Ginny pulled back. Draco eyes locked with hers and she
smiled as then brought her hand to his face, tracing his mouth, nose, eyes, cheeks and chin.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked quietly. "Remembering me by heart?" Ginny
shook her head.

"No, I already know you by heart." A smile now appeared on Draco’s face. Before either
of them could speak another word, a very urgent tapping sound came from the living room.

Ginny slid down from the counter and walked into the living room, Draco right behind her. A barn
owl was perched on the edge of the balcony, a small envelope clutched in it’s beak. Ginny looked
back at Draco before opening the screen doors and stepping out onto the balcony. She did not
recognize this owl so she was a little weary. She gingerly took the letter from the owl and was
surprised when it took off without any payment. Ginny opened the envelope, pulling out a newspaper
clipping. A picture of Lucius Malfoy and herself just after waking up in hospital looked back up at
her. Lucius was in a cell, pacing back and forth, snarling. The picture with herself in it also had
the rest of her family and they were celebrating. She didn’t even remember seeing the flash of a
camera. The article underneath read:

*July 2nd*

*Today, Lucius Malfoy was given the Dementor’s Kiss. Malfoy, being one of the only remaining
members of the Dark Lords circle, has been followed by Aurors for some time now and it was a
surprise to the whole wizarding world when his own son brought him in a little over a week ago. The
youngest Malfoy was one of the heroes during the war against Voldemort but no one expected him to
take down his father.*

*Lucius himself has been charged with countless crimes, the greatest being murder. He was also
charged with attempt at murder towards our Minister’s daughter. The Minister would not give any
comment but did say that he was glad the monster that did this to his daughter was behind
bars.*

*Virginia Weasley was placed under the Sebonist curse, a new curse to the Ministry, where the
victim first loses their sight and ends with their death. Thankfully, this did not happen to Miss
Weasley. The picture above was taken just after her stunning recovery after being under the curse
for around a week. The recovery itself was all thanks to Draco Malfoy and his knowledge of the
curse. This news reporter wonders why Mr. Malfoy did not give up the information of this curse
before hand?*

*For more details on the* Sebonist *cure turn to pg. 10.*

Ginny frowned as many questions buzzed through her mind. She looked back in the envelope to see
a note.

*Thought you might want to see this. Luv Charlie*

"What is it?" Draco asked, stepping out onto the balcony. Ginny handed him the
clipping and leaned back against the railing. She watched as Draco skimmed over the clipping. He
sighed when he had finished and handed it back to her. "I would have hoped that it would have
been through me you would have found that out and not for a while yet but apparently someone had
other plans."

"Charlie sent it." Draco nodded. "Why *didn’t* you tell me?" She saw
him hesitate. He brought his hand up and rubbed the back of his neck while the other delved into
his jean pockets. His eyes fell to the floor. Ginny walked over to him and took his hand from
behind hind hid neck, holding it in both of her own. "Draco?"



7. Chapter Seven
----------------

**Chapter Seven**

"Draco?" Ginny didn’t know what to expect. There were many things ranging from the
worst to the best case scenario running through her mind at rapid speed.

Draco’s eyes still were on the stone of the balcony beneath his feet, his face thoughtful as if
trying to either find a way not to tell her and a way to at the same time. He then suddenly smirked
to himself in an almost cynical way.

"There’s no way to tell you with out telling you everything," he said, not looking
up.

"I’ve got all the time in the world right now Draco," Ginny replied softly. This
finally made Draco look up. He scanned her face, as if testing whether she was sincere, and then
nodded. He pulled her back inside her flat, leading her to her worn, red coloured couch and
motioning for her to sit down.

He stood, pacing before her, gathering his words carefully. His face was stern. Finally, he
sighed and began to speak.

"In all honesty Gin, I never expected to see this curse ever again so I never told anyone.
I thought it died with the Dark Lord but apparently, I was wrong. The *Sebonist* curse, as you
experienced, first starts out with the blindness of its victim and then quite literally sucks them
into a world made up of their own fear. You had help so you were able to fight it off and we got
the cure to you on time but for most, they die in a world where they can’t protect themselves. You
knew it was all in your head so you were strong against your fear but many don’t realize it and
become consumed.

"The Dark Lord created this curse, perfecting it on hundreds of innocent Muggles. He then
passed the knowledge on to his servants closest to him, my father being one of them who then passed
it on to me in hopes that I would use it someday. He taught me that curse along with all the other
Unforgivables when I was eight. Through out school, he tutored me, making sure I could perform
these curses with out emotion. By my sixth year, I could have killed any one I wanted with a mire
flick of my wand. Dumbledor knew this and began to pay more and more attention to me. I confronted
him one day, demanding the reasons for his interest. He told me that he knew what my father had
taught me and he asked if I really wanted to kill people so freely as Voldemort would and did.
After that day, my life changed. Dumbledor offered to help me change and said that he could keep it
secret.

"In seventh year, I had changed sides but no one knew besides Dumbledor and myself. Even my
father was oblivious. He thought I was still going to be the next in line to receive Voldemort’s
confidence and his mark. Whenever I was home, I pretended I was loyal to Voldemort when in actual
fact I was spying for Dumbledor. I was a better resource than anyone on the inside because I was
the son of someone closest to the Dark Lord." He paused and kneeled before Ginny, taking her
hands in his.

"My seventh year was also when I started watching you. I followed you just to be nearer to
you but never giving away anything. I acted the stubborn asshole that you had always seen me as
because I didn’t know what you would think of me if I told you how I really felt.

"At the Yule ball I couldn’t hold it in. I asked you to dance."

Ginny remembered that night. She remembered dancing with someone unknown because they hadn’t
revealed their face to her. It was one of her fondest memories and it meant so much more now that
she knew who it was.

"When I graduated, Dumbledor took me under his wing and I became a part of the Order along
with Potter, Granger and your brother. It wasn’t long after that that the war started. I hated it
when they sent in the strongest of Hogwart’s and other school’s students to help in the fight
because you were one of them. I remember watching you once. You looked so scared but brave at the
same time. I went over and talked to you." Draco laughed. "We talked about how Snape
looked like a rat with all that greasy hair."

"You thought that he and Umbridge would make a perfect couple," Ginny said between her
own burst of laughter.

"That made the war far away," Draco chuckled, but then his face went stern again.
"At least for the moment. That was the same day you got hurt."

Ginny’s laughter died at his words. One of the most horrible days of her life was that day. She
had thought she was going to die. She remembered sitting in a bed very much like the one she had
been in a few hours ago. He family had been there, waiting over her with the same worry they had
held before she had woken up. She almost didn’t make it then either but, just like this time, she
had managed to pull through.

"I watched from the sidelines while your family waited and then celebrated," Draco
said in a sad voice. "I thought that if I got involved, someone would hurt you. So I moved
away and shielded myself, avoiding you in hopes that no one would know. Well, you can see how well
that turned out.

"When I left you at the hospital, I went to search for my father. I found out that my
assumptions were correct when I confronted him. He put that curse on you to teach me a lesson. He
said only fool’s fall in love and he thought I was weak. It was my fault you were cursed. I’m
sorry." Ginny’s eyes went round as she jumped to her feet.

"No, Draco! It wasn’t your fault! How can you say that?"

"Do you see any other possible reason?!" Draco snapped as he stood, turning away from
her. "It was my fault Ginny, he cursed you because of me…"

"That doesn’t make it your fault!"

"If I had of never shown any emotion towards you, if I had never looked at you or been nice
to you…"

"We wouldn’t have what we do now." Draco stopped his ranting and whipped around to
face Ginny. "Would you go back and take this all away so I wouldn’t have to be curse by your
father? Would you do that just so I wouldn’t be hurt?" Draco said nothing as he ran a hand
through his hair looking away from Ginny once more. Ginny walked towards him and brought a hand to
his face, pressing gently to force him to look at her. "Would you?"

"I almost bloody died this week. I felt a stab in my heart every time you screamed. Your
pain was my pain and I never wanted that to happen to you, ever."

"That didn’t answer my question." Ginny’s voice was soft but had a demanding tone
behind it that told Draco that nothing would be right again if he didn’t answer her. His eyes
dropped. "Look at me Draco." He did. His silvery-gray eyes locked with her ocean blue.
"Would you?"

"No." Ginny gave a sigh of relief. She was so scared that he might of said yes that
her legs had begun to shake despite the composure and determination on her face and in her eyes.
She wrapped her arms around Draco’s waist, resting her head on his chest. She closed her eyes,
breathing in the woodsy smell that was Draco. She soon felt his arms around her shoulders and his
chin resting on the top of her head.

"It wasn’t your fault Draco. It was Lucius’ and no one else’s." She looked up at him
and smiled. "I don’t think my life would be the same without you and I wouldn’t have it any
other way."

"Even if it means you had to spend over a week in a hospital bed?"

"Especially because I had to spend a week in a hospital bed." Draco raised an eyebrow
and smirked.

"You’re lying."

"You’re right," Ginny said and giggled. "I could have done without that but that
just makes life interesting now doesn’t it?" Draco chuckled. "I love you Draco and
nothing will ever change that."

"I love you too Gin and I will tell you that every day for the rest of our lives."
Draco leaned forward, gently pressing his lips against Ginny’s.



8. Chapter Eight
----------------

**Chapter Eight**

It had been a week since Ginny had gone home and naturally, the Weasleys deemed it time to throw
a party in her honor. They all assembled, the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione, Luna, Draco and Ginny,
and packed into the Burrow.

Molly had out done herself once, again. She made and enormous meal complete with appetizers made
up of soups and salads, a grand main course of roast beef and Yorkshire puddings with mash potatoes
and garden grown corn and an amazing desert of custard, chocolate cake and some of her homemade
strawberry ice cream. By the time they were done, everyone was too stuffed to eat another bite and
that included the bottomless pit himself, Ron.

They couldn’t all squeeze into the dinning room seeing as it was originally for only nine so
they all picnicked outside. The summer sun was still high in the sky as they dined, sharing stories
and anecdotes of days gone by.

"An then all you could see was a bouncing ferret in the middle of the corridor!" Ron
exclaimed making everyone in the group laugh, even the star of the story but he had his means of
revenge ticking in the back of his mind. When the group had quieted down, he struck.

"Does anyone remember the time Ron started puking slugs?" Draco asked calmly, taking
the audiences attention away from his own embarrassing moment.

"I remember that!" Hermione giggled. "His breath was horrible after
that!"

"Well yours would be too if you had over a hundred slugs comin’ out of ya!" Ron
protested in his defense. Everyone laughed.

"Oh!" Ginny exclaimed. "I’ve got a good one! Remember when Fred and George flew
out of the school, telling Peeves to give Umbridge hell?"

"I don’t remember that," Molly said while eyeing the twins.

"Thanks a lot Gin," Fred grumbled, smile however not leaving his face.

"Just another thing that needs to be explained," said George who was wearing the same
expression on his face as his brother. Laughter sounded again.

"There has to be something for Ginny," Fred said with a wicked grin.

"Yeah," said Charlie, catching his brother’s drift. "We have heard something
about everyone here, even our newest member of the family meaning our young Mr. Malfoy of course,
but nothing of our sweet lil old Gin."

"Mum? Do you have anything?" Ron asked pleadingly.

"Nothing that would be as embarrassing as the rest," Molly replied,

"I’ve got one," Draco said while looking down at Ginny, a grin appearing on his
face.

"That was just clumsiness," Ginny said matter-of-factly. "They have all seen that
before."

"Yes but they haven’t seen it when your blind," Draco countered.

"Just tell us the bloody story!" Ron demanded. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"The day before we went to St. Mungo’s, Ginny stayed at my place and I assure you Mr.
Weasley that nothing happened," Draco said while looking over to Arthur and holding up his
hands in defense.

"I trust you Draco and please, call me Arthur for goodness sakes," Arthur chuckled.
Draco nodded and continued.

"Ginny had just woken up. We had just decided that we were about to leave so Ginny began to
crawl to the side of the bed. Well, lets just say she crawled a little to far." Draco then
made the motion of her falling off the bed with his hands. Laughter erupted from the group.
"So I see her fall off the bed and it scares me half to death so I rush over and she’s
laughing as if nothing happened at all!"

"Well it was funny!" Ginny said, a smile appearing on her face. Draco laughed along
with everyone else, Ginny soon joining them.

"I suggest you boys go play some Quidditch while we clean up here," Molly said when
all the laughter had died.

"I think that’s a fine idea Molly," said Arthur, kissing her on the cheek. Everyone
then got up, couples untangling themselves from each other.

"I’ll see you later," Draco whispered before kissing Ginny.

"Save me a broom, I’ve got a score to settle with Potter," she replied sending him a
smirk that would give his own a run for its money.

"I think I’m rubbing off on you."

"Oh probably." Draco kissed her once more then ran off to join the boys. Ginny watched
his retreating form and smiled contently.

"Hey Gin!" Hermione called, pulling Ginny from her thoughts. "We could use you’re
help you know!"

"All right, all right, don’t get you’re nickers in a twist." Hermione smiled and went
back to gathering the supper things. Ginny glanced once more over her shoulder and went to join the
girls.

* * * * *

"Scared Potter?"

"You wish."

"You may have been good at Hogwarts but things have changed mate."

"Keep talking like that Weasley and you are going to be more disappointed than is already
necessary."

"We’ll see."

"Are you two done yet?" Arthur called from the ground. Harry and Ginny smirked at each
other and nodded. The quaffle was up and the game began. Ginny soared up, trained eyes searching
for the snitch. Harry was opposite her doing the same. Everyone one the ground cheered as a goal
was scored but Ginny didn’t hear them. A glint of gold caught Ginny’s eye and she dived, Harry not
far behind her.

"Come on Gin!" Molly cheered from her seat on the ground.

"Come on Harry!" Hermione cried.

Ginny saw it, just infront of her. It swerved and Ginny moved to catch it. Harry was fast on her
trail, the only thing slowing him down was the old broom. She bent close to her broom, giving her
more speed. The wind wiped through her hair and brought tears to her eyes. Her heart beat with the
adrenaline that pulsed through her. Ginny stretched out her hand and her fingertips brushed the
snitch feathers. She willed with all her might to go faster. She stretched her arm as far as she
could and she felt her hand close around the snitch.

"Yes!" she screamed before soaring upward in victory. She zoomed around the pitch as
her family cheered below. She dove towards the ground, pulling up at the last moment and then
slowly coasted to a stop. As soon as she was off her broom Ron tackled her.

"You did it! You did it!" Ginny laughed and let herself be swung around by her
brother. When he finally set her down she was face by Harry. His face was stern as he held out a
hand to her. She handed Ron the snitch and took Harry’s hand with pride.

"Good job Weasley," he said in a voice to match his face. "But you know that it
was just the broom that slowed me down and I could beat you any day." His lips turned upwards
into a grin.

"I highly doubt that Potter but good try," Ginny replied, a grin appearing on her own
face. Harry laughed and then swept her up in a hug.

"You owe me one Gin," he said when he released her.

"Anytime," Ginny said confidently.

"And you do realize that seeing as you beat the famous Potter, the only one to beat me, you
owe me a match as well," Draco said while coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around
her waist.

"And I give you the same answer, anytime."

"Good."

The sun was beginning to set and a late night breeze swept over the party, making a few of them
shiver.

"Well, it’s getting late," Arthur said. "I suggest we all go inside and have a
nice cup of tea." They all agreed and followed the eldest Weasley back to the Burrow.

They all stayed up till around midnight, talking among each other about different things. Around
two the crowd had thinned. Molly and Arthur had disappeared up into their bedroom, putting up a
strong silencing charm. Percy soon followed their example. Charlie and Bill left for home not long
after that. Ron and Luna flooed back to their flat and Harry and Hermione soon followed them. It
was only Draco and Ginny left. They sat on the love seat, curled up together. Draco was playing
with Ginny’s hair, gently pulling his fingers through her fiery red locks.

"Hey," Draco whispered to a dozing Ginny who groaned in reply. "Let’s go for a
walk."

"Right now?"

"Yeah."

"Why?" She was whining now.

"Need to ask you something. Please Gin?" Draco looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Fine," Ginny grumbled. She gingerly got up and led the way to the back door.

The moon was out and the stars shinning as Ginny and Draco walked hand in hand underneath them.
A light breeze blew over them, brining the smell of wildflowers to their noses. They stayed silent
for a while but Ginny’s curiosity and frustration was getting the better of her.

"So what do you want to ask me Draco?" He stopped walking and turned to face her. He
brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face and stared into her eyes before taking her hands
gently in his.

"Ginny, I should have told you back in seventh year that I loved you. For over three years
now I have woken up with you on my mind and go to sleep thinking of you. Your face is always in my
dreams. You are my life, my love and my friend. I have never loved anyone half as much as I love
you. You mean so much to me Ginny that I don’t think my life would be complete without you."
Draco fished inside his pocket and pulled out a little black box. Tears were already coming to
Ginny’s eyes before she saw the box. Her eyes went round and her jaw dropped slightly. Draco smiled
and dropped down to one knee.

"Virginia Weasley, will you marry me?" A tear of joy slipped down Ginny’s cheek.

"Yes, Draco, I will," she replied with a shaky voice. Draco stood and opened the box
to reveal a silver ring with a large white diamond and two smaller diamonds mounted on it. Draco
took her hand and slipped the ring onto her ring finger.

"It’s beautiful Draco," Ginny breathed.

"No where near as beautiful as you," Draco said softly. "I love you
Gin."

"I love you too." Draco then leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers, proving
his love for her and Ginny kissed back with the same passion. He then broke the kiss and picked her
up, swinging her around in circles as they laughed. They made their dreams come true by pushing
through.



9. Author's Note!!!
-------------------

*Author’s Note: So I just wanted to remind you that I’m still working on the last seven
chapters and I’m sorry if you read through them. I am trying to fix them up and thanks for
reading!!!*