Unofficial Portkey Archive

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot of this story, as you all know.

A/N: I would like to thank my wonderful beta, Aliya for beta-ing most of this story. She was a big help.

Chapter 20

"No! Gin!" Draco yelled. It couldn't be true, she couldn't be dead! She just couldn't! He couldn't believe that she'd done that to save him. I should have never let her convince me to keep fighting Lucius, Draco berated himself. I should have known that she'd sacrifice herself, but I thought that she was smarter than that. He kneeled down slowly next to her body and felt for a pulse. He could feel a very weak one. "She's alive," he breathed. He couldn't believe his luck. "But how? Ennerverate."
Ginny's eyes fluttered open slowly. "Ginny?" Draco asked hopefully.
"It's me," she whispered weakly.
"But how?" he asked again, but she had already fallen into unconsciousness once again.
Draco stood up again and looked around for Lucius. He didn't see him. Spinning around, Draco looked around wildly. He couldn't make out Lucius's form anywhere. Where had he gone?
"Looking for someone?" Lucius drawled from somewhere at Draco's right. "You ready to come now? Do you really want to risk losing anything else?" So he hadn't realized that Ginny wasn't dead. That was good.
"I'll never join you!" Draco yelled.
"I don't think you have much choice in the matter," Lucius said, taking a menacing step towards his son.
"I think I do. You can't force me to become a Death Eater!" Draco screamed. He was going to fight this out until the end.
"That's where you're wrong! Maybe you've never heard of the Imperius Curse?" Lucius suggested coldly.
Draco narrowed his eyes. "I can fight it," he pointed out, much more confident than he felt.
"How do you expect to do that? You're a seventeen year old boy, and I am one of Voldemort's most powerful Death Eaters," Lucius snarled arrogantly.
Draco was about to answer when he noticed a figure moving behind Lucius. It was Ginny. "Stupefy," she yelled. Lucius, having not expected it, couldn't dodge it and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Draco ran over to where Ginny stood, and just in time because she began to sway. She then fainted, and Draco caught her easily. She was unconscious again.
Draco cast a Mobilicorpus on Ginny so she could float along side him, and began walking back to the castle. That's when he remembered Lucius was still lying on the ground, unconscious. He levitated him also and then resumed his trek back to the castle. He soon arrived and made his way as quickly as he could to Dumbledore's office. He said the password and ascended the stairs. He knocked on the door and entered.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore greeted. "And you seem to have found Miss Weasley and your father."
"Yes. Professor Dumbledore, is there anyway someone can survive being hit by the Killing Curse and live?" Draco asked curiously.
"There is one way, but it is very risky. One can cast a strong shield charm, and if it's strong enough, then the curse will knock the victim unconscious rather than killing them," Dumbledore answered.
"Ginny was hit with the Killing Curse, and she's alive," Draco announced suddenly.
Dumbledore's eyes widened ever so slightly in shock. "Are you sure? That's amazing. I think Miss Weasley may be more skilled in Charms than any of us were aware of," Dumbledore said, still surprised.
"So, surviving it is a rare occurrence?" Draco asked.
"Very rare," Dumbledore clarified. "How did Lucius become unconscious?"
"Ginny hit him with a Stunning Spell from behind. He thought she was dead," Draco explained.
Dumbledore nodded in understanding. "I'll send these papers to the Ministry, and hopefully, get Lucius put in Azkaban for quite some time," he said.
"He should have stayed in Azkaban last time," Draco pointed out.
"Yes, but a man can only plead Imperius so many times before the Ministry becomes suspicious," Dumbledore replied calmly. "Besides, I have suggested the use of Veritaserum."
"I certainly hope he stays in Azkaban. He's already messed up my life enough already, and then when I think he's gone, he appears again. He's been put in Azkaban enough times before, you think they would stop buying his lame excuses," Draco fumed.
"I've seen to it that he'll be in Azkaban for quite awhile, but if, somehow, he is released again, I can testify, along with many others, that he is an incompetent father and husband. That would mean that he would either go back to Azkaban, or have a restraining order put on him. I will do everything in my power to assure that Lucius will not bother you or your mother again," Dumbledore vowed.
"Thank you," Draco whispered gratefully, his eyes shining with hope. It had always been his dream to live a life without Lucius.
"Now, the Ministry officials should arrive soon. I will call if they need you, but, for now, could you take Miss Weasley to the Hospital Wing?" Dumbledore requested.
"Yes, sir," Draco replied obediently. He levitated Ginny beside him and exited the Headmaster's office. He quickly walked in the direction of the Hospital Wing. He soon arrived at his destination and entered.
Madame Pomfrey was waiting for him. "The Headmaster said you'd be arriving shortly," she said, herding him inside. "Put Miss Weasley on that bed in the corner. Now, what exactly happened?"
Draco set Ginny down on the bed Madame Pomfrey had indicated as he recounted the tale. The medi-witch shook her head. "Foolish thing to do, it's an absolute miracle that she lived. Not many fifth year students could accomplish such a great feat. You should be very grateful," she said sternly. She then turned her back to Draco and began examining Ginny. After a few minutes, she straightened once again.
"Will she be alright?" Draco asked anxiously.
"She'll be fine. She just is very weak from the extreme effort she exerted to sustain her shield long enough. She also has a slight concussion, but that is easily fixed. Now, let me examine you also. Were you hit with any spells?" the nurse asked.
"Only a Stunning Spell. I think I may have hit my head once the spell took affect though," Draco replied.
Madame Pomfrey nodded and began her examination. "You also have a mild concussion, but that can be fixed with a simple spell. You, however seem to have loss of sleep. Have you had trouble sleeping the last few weeks?" she inquired.
Draco nodded. "I've had a lot on my mind, and I haven't been able to sleep very well lately," he admitted.
The medi-witch shook her head. "I'll fix that. It's not good for your body. Here, take this," she commanded, handing him a goblet with a clear potion in it. "It's a Dreamless Sleep Potion. It relaxes your mind, and makes you tired."
Draco nodded and took the potion. He lay down on the bed next to Ginny's and was asleep almost immediately.

*~*~*~*

Draco woke up and found it was still dark out, or was it? He wasn't sure if he hadn't slept very long, or if he'd slept to the next night. He sat up and looked around. He was still in the Hospital Wing, and he could still make out Ginny's figure on the bed next to his.
Draco laid down and decided that he ought to try to go back to sleep. He was asleep within minutes.
The next morning he woke up and looked around Ginny. He saw that she was still asleep, but that was understandable. She went through a lot more than he had. When Madame Pomfrey realized that he was awake, she rushed over to him. "Look who's finally awake," she declared.
"How long have I been asleep?" Draco asked her drowsily.
"Since Friday night, it is now Sunday afternoon," the medi-witch informed him.
"I slept that long?" Draco exclaimed in surprise.
Madame Pomfrey nodded. "Miss Weasley is still unconscious. She probably will be for a few more days. She used almost all of her energy for the shield, and then she used the rest of it to Stun Lucius," she said.
"Has Dumbledore been here?" Draco asked.
"Yes, and he told me once you were well that you should go to his office," the medi-witch replied. "Now, as soon as I check you over, you will probably be able to go." She then began looking him over and muttering spells under her breath.
"Alright, you are free to go," she announced suddenly.
Draco nodded and then went towards Dumbledore's office. He ascended the stairs and knocked on the door. "Come in," the Headmaster beckoned.
"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?" Draco said hesitantly.
"Yes, I'm glad to see you're well," Dumbledore replied. "Now, I have good news. Your father has been put in Azkaban. This time without much hope of getting out. All we need is your testimony."
"Really?" Draco exclaimed excitedly.
"Really," Dumbledore replied, amused. "I will inform the Ministry that you've been released from the Hospital Wing so they can come for your testimony."
"Which I'll gladly give," Draco replied happily.
"That's what I told the Ministry. I have sent them an express owl so they should be arriving shortly," Dumbledore informed him. "Now, how is Miss Weasley?"
"She's still unconscious, Madame Pomfrey said she probably will be for a few more days, but she'll be okay," Draco answered.
Dumbledore nodded in understanding. "I'm glad to hear that neither of you were severely injured," he said.
At that moment, two Ministry officials stepped out of the fireplace, brushing themselves off. "Albus," they greeted in unison.
"Scott, Rebecca," Dumbledore replied, nodding to each. "Draco, this is Scott Schippman and Rebecca Hutchinson. They're from the Ministry."
Draco inclined his head in greeting, but didn't say anything. "Well, now that we're acquainted, let's begin," Rebecca began. She was a tall woman with long golden hair and green eyes.
"First, you must take this, Mr. Malfoy," Scott commanded, handing Draco a vial with a clear liquid in it. Scott was a man of average height with sandy brown hair and bright, blue eyes. "It's Veritaserum."
Draco nodded and drank the potion. He wasn't sure if it worked. "I'm going to ask you your name, and you're going to try and tell me that it's Bob, alright?" Rebecca asked. Draco nodded. "What's your name?"
Draco opened his mouth to answer. He concentrated on saying Bob, but instead he answered, "Lucius Draco Malfoy." his eyes widened in surprise as he heard his answer. His brain had been answering Bob, but his lips had answered his real name. He had known that Veritasium made it so you couldn't lie, but he'd never known how.
"I see by the expression on your face that the potion is working," Scott with a chuckle. "Alright, now, for the first question. Did your father cast Avada Kedavra this past Friday night?"
"Yes," Draco replied automatically.
"Did he attempt to use the Cruciatus Curse on you last Friday night?"
"Yes."
"Has he been trying to get you to become a Death Eater against your will?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"With threats and torture."
"What kind of torture?"
"The Cruciatus Curse."
"What kind of threats?"
"Threats on the lives of people close to me. He also threatened to use the Imperius on me if I didn't become a Death Eater."
"Does he ever torture you for other things?"
"Yes, anytime I do something wrong, or when he thinks I've shown weakness."
"With the Cruciatus Curse?"
"Yes."
"How old were you when he started using is?"
"Seven."
"Does he ever use Unforgivables on your mother?"
"Yes."
During the whole interview, Scott and Rebecca took notes and switched off asking questions. "Alright, well I think that's all we need. Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," Rebecca said. "We will take this to the judge, and we will inform you of the outcome shortly. Good bye."
They all exchanged good byes, and then Scott and Rebecca left. "Well, that went well," Dumbledore announced. "You ought to be getting back to your dormitory. Don't worry, the Veritaserum will wear off very soon. The affects only last a half an hour."
Draco nodded and exited the Headmaster's office. He wanted to stop in the Hospital Wing to check on Ginny before he went back to his dormitory. He entered the infirmary and walked over to Ginny's bed in the corner. She was still unconscious as he'd figured she'd be. She looked so peaceful. He brushed some hair out of her face and bent down to kiss her forehead. He soon straightened, took one last glance at her, and then exited the Hospital Wing.
Draco made his way back to the Slytherin Common Room slowly. When he did arrive, he entered and went straight up to his dormitory. He wasn't sure what his housemates knew of his absence, but he didn't want to answer all of their questions. When he arrived at his dormitory, he got ready for bed and then crawled into it. He soon fell into a deep sleep filled with peaceful dreams.

*~*~*~*

Draco woke up on Wednesday morning and got dressed as quickly as he could. Madame Pomfrey had told him that Ginny would probably wake up any time now, and he wanted to be the first one to see her. Once he was ready, he grabbed a piece of toast from the Great Hall and then rushed to the Hospital Wing. When he entered he felt his heartbeat speed up. Ginny was sitting up in her bed, talking to Madame Pomfrey.
"Ginny!" Draco exclaimed happily as he strode over to her bedside.
"Draco!" Ginny greeted cheerfully when she saw him.
"You're alright! Don't do that again," he reprimanded lightly, giving her a hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she replied.
"Yeah, thanks to you! I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. Thank you," he said gratefully. Madame Pomfrey watched the scene and sighed dreamily. They were so cute together, and they looked so happy together. Hating to break them up, but knowing she had to, the nurse said gently, "Mr. Malfoy, I believe if you don't leave, you will be late for class."
Draco eyes snapped to clock that hung on the wall and saw that the medi-witch was right. He would be late if he didn't leave soon. "Ginny, I'll be back later," Draco promised, kissing her gently before turning to leave.
"Bye, Draco," she replied softly, and then he left.

*~*~*~*

Later that day, Draco sat in Charms class with the Ravenclaws when Hermione knocked on the door. "Yes, Miss Granger?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Professor, but the Headmaster wants to see Draco Malfoy," she announced.
"That's quite alright, Miss Granger. Mr. Malfoy, you may go," Flitwick dismissed.
Draco stood up and followed Hermione out of the classroom. She led him to Dumbledore's office and then left. He uttered the password and climbed the stairs. When he arrived at the top, he knocked on the door and entered.
"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?" Draco said.
"Yes, I have gotten news about your father," Dumbledore replied.
"And?" Draco prompted anxiously.
"And he has been sentenced to life in Azkaban, with no hope of being released," Dumbledore informed him.
Draco's eyes widened in excitement. "He can't get out?" Draco inquired.
"He can't get out," Dumbledore confirmed. "He was charged with attempted murder, use of Unforgivables, and voluntary involvement with Voldemort."
"This means that I don't have to become a death Eater!" Draco exclaimed. "And Ginny and I can get back together!"
"That's right, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Can I go tell Ginny?" Draco asked suddenly.
"I do believe that you have class now, but after class you can tell Miss Weasley the good news," Dumbledore replied.
Draco nodded and then headed back to his Charms class to retrieve his books. He only had one class left today, Double Potions with the Gryffindors. Although it was his favorite class, Draco fidgeted through the whole thing.

*~*~*~*

When his Potions class finally let out, Draco rushed as quickly as he could to the Hospital Wing. When he arrived, though, he was disappointed. Ginny was asleep, and Madame Pomfrey said that Ginny needed her rest. She didn't want anyone to disturb her patient. "I'll tell her you came," the nurse told her.
"When will she be able to leave the Hospital Wing?" Draco asked.
"If nothing changes, I will discharge her when she wakes up, which should be soon. She's been sleeping all day," Madame Pomfrey replied.
"Really?" Draco said in surprise. "Is she well enough?"
"Of course. I wouldn't discharge her if she wasn't," the medi-witch snapped.
Draco thought for a minute before asked, "Do you have some parchment and a quill I could borrow?"
"Yes, here," Madame Pomfrey replied, handing him the supplies.
"Thank you," he said. He then began writing a short note to Ginny.

Ginny,
Meet me in the library when you're released.
Love you,
Draco

After writing it, he placed it on her nightstand and then left the Hospital Wing. He headed towards the library, and, when he arrived, sat down at one of the many tables and began doing his homework.

*~*~*~*

Ginny woke up at five o'clock, feeling very rested. She sat up and stretched a bit. She wondered when she'd be able to leave. She guessed that it would be soon, she was fine. Madame Pomfrey had healed all of her wounds while she was unconscious. Speaking of the nurse, she came over to Ginny's bed when she saw that she was awake. "How are you feeling, Miss Weasley?" she asked.
"Great," Ginny answered cheerfully.
"Well enough to go back to classes tomorrow?" the medi-witch asked.
"Yes," Ginny replied truthfully.
"Well then, let me check you one more time, and then you are free to leave," Madame Pomfrey told her.
"Really?" Ginny asked, surprised.
"Yes," the nurse answered, beginning to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Ginny inquired curiously.
"Mr. Malfoy said the exact same thing when he heard," the nurse explained.
"Draco was here?" Ginny squealed in delight.
"Yes, and he left you a note," Madame Pomfrey informed her, pointing to the note on the nightstand.
Ginny picked it up and read it. She smiled at the prospect of seeing Draco again. She hadn't seen him properly for quite awhile.
Madame Pomfrey, picking up on her excitement, began her last examination. After deeming her patient healthy, she watched Ginny run out of the Hospital Wing in the direction of the library.

*~*~*~*

Draco had just finished his homework when Ginny came in, ignoring Madame Pince's stern glare. When she spotted him, she rushed over. "Hi, Draco," she greeted happily.
"Hey, Gin," he replied, just as happily as her. He then stood up and gave her a hug.
"Missed you," she whispered as she buried her head in his shoulder.
"I missed you too," Draco said, kissing her on the top of her head. "Let's go to dinner, and then we can go somewhere to talk, alright?"
Draco felt Ginny nod against his chest. She pulled her face out of his chest and kissed him lightly on the mouth. They then walked out of the library. As they walked, Draco remembered why he'd wanted to talk to Ginny in the first place. "I was called in to Dumbledore's office today," he began nonchalantly.
"What for?" Ginny asked curiously.
"He wanted to tell me that he got news from the Ministry. My father had been sentenced to life in Azkaban," Draco told her.
Ginny was stunned into silence for a few minutes. "That means that we can get back together, and he can't do anything. We can be together for the rest of our lives," she said finally, somewhat dazedly.
"That's what I said," Draco commented with a smile.
By this time, they had arrived at the Great Hall. "Is it alright if we sit at the Gryffindor table. Ihavent seen my friends in almost a week, and they're probably worried."
"Yeah," Draco agreed. "We can sit there."
"Thanks," she said softly before leading the way.
"Ginny," Hermione squealed excitedly when she spotted the couple. "You're alright! How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling great, actually," she replied.
"What happened to you, Gin? Dumbledore wouldn't tell us," Ron asked in concern.
Ginny launched into the story of the events of the past Friday night. Draco filled in details occasionally that she didn't remember or wasn't conscious for. When they finished Harry, Ron, and Hermione were speechless. "You really love him, don't you?" Ron said suddenly, breaking the shocked silence.
"Yeah, I do," Ginny answered honestly. "I've been trying to tell you that for quite some time, but you never listen."
"I realize that, and I'm sorry," Ron apologized. "I just never thought that you knew what you were talking about. Now I know that I was wrong."
"Wow," was all Harry could say.
"Gin, you are amazing. Do you know what this means? You're one of the most powerful witches in history," Hermione said, amazed.
"No, I'm not," Ginny protested modestly. "The only thing that made me strong enough to do that was love. You know they say that love conquers all, and you know what? They're right."
"That's an interesting philosophy, Gin, but I see where you're coming from. If you didn't love Draco so much, you never would have had the will to try to do what you did. Since you did have the will, you pushed yourself to your limits," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"Exactly," Ginny replied, glad that someone understood what she was talking about. "I also wouldn't have had the courage to try it if it hadn't been for my love for him."
The five students finished their dinner in relative silence, only talking occasionally about trivial things. When they had finished, Draco and Ginny bid the other three good-bye and headed silently towards the lake. It was a fairly warm night so they didn't need cloaks. The couple sat down by the lake and stared at the millions of stars that shone overhead.
They sat in silence for quite some time, just contemplating the other. "Ginny, let's get married," Draco suggested suddenly.
"What?" Ginny sputtered in surprise.
"I love you, and I missed you so much while we were apart. Let's get married," he reiterated.
"Draco, we can't. I'm only fifteen!" Ginny protested.
"I guess you're right. I just love you so much, I don't want to lose you again," Draco admitted mournfully.
"You won't lose me, I promise. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be apart from you again," Ginny whispered, moving closer to him so he could put his arm around her, which he did.
"You do not know what it felt like to see your lifeless body on the ground. I thought you were dead, and it was the worst thing in the world," Draco told her, remembering his grief.
"I'm sorry, I never meant to scare you," she apologized.
"I know. It's over now, and I'm glad you did it. I was ready to die, I really was. I was waiting for death. Then you saved me. Thank you," Draco whispered gratefully.
"It was nothing," Ginny said modestly, a blush rising becomingly to her cheeks.
"It wasn't nothing. It was everything, and I'm not just talking about the other day either. You saved my whole life. Before I met you, I was miserable. Then you added something to it when we started talking online. It made me enjoy life just a little more. You helped me after Christina died, and you saved me from my father's constant torture during Christmas vacation. I probably wouldn't have lived through those two weeks if it hadn't been for you. You even convinced our parents to let me stay at your house even though your family hates mine. Then you risked your life to save mine. I owe you so much. You are an amazing person, Ginny and I love you for it," Draco finished his speech by kissing her soundly on the lips.
"It really was nothing. It could have been anyone. I was just in the right place at the right time," Ginny protested. "I will say this though, I'm glad it was me, and I love you too."
Draco was about to argue that it couldn't have been anyone, it had to be her, but decided against it. Instead he leaned in and kissed her in a way that showed him that he was glad that it was her and that he was grateful for everything she had done for him. She was his savior no matter what she said. She was the dragon's savior.

THE END

A/N: That's it!!!!! That's the end! I hope everyone liked it. Don't forget to send me one last review. Thanks to everyone who ever reviewed in the past!! I appreciate it very much!

Sorry it took so long to update! There was a mix up with my beta. I forgot to send her the chapter.

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