They fell in love. He left. Can they reconnect ten years later before she makes the biggest mistake in her life?
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/2116/
June 15, 2000 - Ginny’s Graduation
Sitting by the lake, I thought of the last seven years. They hadn’t been all good . . . yet they hadn’t been all bad either. I never thought I could be this happy. It all started in my fifth year.
***Flashback***
“How dare you! How dare you say that to me! After the hell your father put me through in my first year!” I couldn’t help it, I slapped him.
“Where the hell do you get off accusing my father of something? You don’t even know the man!” He looked livid.
“Where the hell do you get off telling me I can’t participate in the war effort! Tom wants me, more than he wants Harry! And it’s all your father’s fault!”
“It is not my father’s fault! He’s not a bad man. His loyalty is just . . .poorly placed.”
“Poorly placed? Poorly placed! The man is a known Death Eater, and he nearly killed me with the whole ‘let’s sacrifice someone to Voldemort with his journal so he can return’ thing!” I stomped my foot and looked at him. He had this almost pained look on his face.
“That was you?” He asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes. I was the one you father sent into the Chamber of Secrets. You knew, didn’t you?”
“I . . . I . . . Yes.” He slumped down in a chair.
“Why are you here anyway? This is the DA. Shouldn’t you be off in the dungeons somewhere plotting with all your Death Eater buddies.”
“I should be, but I’m not.” I sat down.
“Why?”
“I don’t want to be like Lucius. I don’t want to kill people just because they aren’t pureblooded. I can’t follow and put a decaying corpse on a pedestal. I just can’t do it.”
“So why are you here, Malfoy?” He looked up, lost and confused, his mask gone for the first time.
“I can’t fight him alone. If he knew I was fighting against Voldemort, he’d kill me.” It was my turn to be livid.
“But you’re his son! His only son!”
“His only son that was born and bred to be Voldemort’s heir. If I do not fight and become a Death Eater, I am of no more use to him.”
“My Gods, Malfoy.”
“Yeah.”
***End Flashback***
That’s when it all began. We became friends, and by the end of my fifth year, we started dating. Who would have thought, a Weasley in love with a Malfoy. I looked over the lake. Graduation started in an hour.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist, and a chin rested on my shoulder.
“You really should head up to school. Your family is here.” I spun around. He wasn’t supposed to be here, he was on duty at the Ministry. The war was beginning soon.
“Draco! You’re here!”
“Of course I’m here, Gin. Where else would I be?”
“I don’t care. You came back for my graduation, that’s all that matters.” He smiled and kissed my nose.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” He leaned in and kissed me with a passion I hadn’t felt in almost a year . . .when he graduated. “You’re leaving aren’t you?”
“In two days.” I latched on to him.
“Don’t go.” He kissed me again.
“Don’t you have a graduation to get to?”
“Draco?” I looked at him pleadingly.
“I can’t get out of it, love. We have to stop a Death Eater invasion. You know the war is starting.” He hugged me.
“Don’t leave without saying good-bye.”
“Ginny.” He looked at me, with love and sadness in his eyes. “This is good-bye.”
“But . . . you just got here.”
“I know.” He stepped back and slipped his family ring on my finger. “I’ll be back for you. I’m leaving before the party begins. I’ll be here long enough to see you graduate.” I hugged him again, and we walked up to the Great Hall.
“I love you, Draco.”
“I love you too, Ginny.” We kissed and I walked into the prep room for graduation.
That was the last time I saw him.
May 20, 2010 - Paris, France
Dear Harry,
I know that we are getting married in just over a week, and I know
this is a horrid time for me to need a break, but I’m in Paris. I know, I should
be at the Burrow helping Mum plan, but . . . I don’t know, I needed to get
away. Hey, at least I can find the perfect wedding dress here. Don’t worry,
I’m not breaking the engagement, and I’m not running away. I’m just -
de-stressing.
I’ll be home in two days, I just didn’t want you to freak out when I
don’t show up at the meeting with the minister. Don’t run off with one of
my bridesmaids. Please, don’t tell Mum or Ron I left. They will think I’m
running away. Which I’m not. I love you, and I’ll be home soon.
All my love,
Ginny
I read over my letter to my fiancé one final time before sending it with my owl, Eris. Hopefully, Harry won’t read the doubt going through my mind. I love him, really, just not in the way I think I am supposed to. I don’t think he loves me either.
I walked down the street to this little bridal shop I had seen on my way to breakfast, when I walked into some one. I fell down and the contents of my purse scattered along the sidewalk. I shoved everything in my purse and began to stand when a hand was offered to me.
I took it and stood up. It belonged to a very familiar man, like someone from a memory. I shook my head of the thoughts and smiled at the man.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to walk into you like that.” I offered.
“It’s not a problem.” he answered. The voice seemed vaguely familiar as well.
“If you’ll just excuse me then, I’ll be on my way.” I smiled again and began to walk past him, when he grabbed my arm lightly. The touch sent sparks up my arm.
“Wait. You seem so familiar to me. Do I know you?” he asked, with this strange look in his . . . silver eyes?
“Draco?” I asked. Certain I was mistaken . . . Harry told me he disappeared in the war.
“Yes. Do I know you?” He confirmed and asked again. I gave him a small smile and pulled the chain that contained his ring from under my shirt. “Ginny?” All I could do was nod.
“Where have you been all this time?” I asked. My throat began to close up with emotion.
“Ginny. I’m so sorry.”
“For what? For leaving me? For not coming back? For the months I cried when Harry told me you disappeared? What, Draco?” He looked at me with this pained look, his jaw set.
“Can we talk about this somewhere else?” I sighed.
“Sure, my hotel is just around the corner.” How could this happen? He disappears from my life, only to show up again in Paris, on my way to get a wedding dress! We arrived at the hotel and I led him up to my room.
“Ginny.” Draco began. I held my hand up as I spotted my wedding planner sitting open on my bed. I picked it up and shoved in the night stand. I didn’t want him to know just yet.
“Answer my question.” I sat down and avoided looking in his eyes. I could always get lost in those eyes.
“I’ve been here. And Florence, Athens, Geneva, Berlin, Madrid. Everywhere but London. I got captured by my father near the end of the war. I had escaped and was on my way back to Headquarters when Potter beat Voldemort. I came back for you, or I started to.”
“Why didn’t you then? I needed you.” I looked up into my mirror and our eyes locked.
“Potter.”
“Harry? What did he have to do with this?” His eyes widened in realization.
“Can we not talk about this now?”
“Why? You disappear on me for ten years, and expect me to wait for an answer? I don’t have time for this! I’m going home in two days. I have to get . . .” I stopped abruptly and looked away.
“You have to get what, Gin?”
“You know what? Let’s not talk about this right now.”
“Ok, then. We’ll keep our secrets. So, where were you headed when you ran into me?” I stopped to think. I couldn’t tell him I was going to buy my wedding dress . . . I’m not ready to lose him again. I glanced at my watch.
“Uh, lunch. I was headed to lunch.” He gave me that sexy smirk of his that said he knew I was lying.
“Want company?”
“Sure.” He held out his arm, and I laced mine threw his.
To Be Continued . . .
May 20, 2010 - Godric’s Hollow, England
Dear Harry,
I know that we are getting married in just over a week, and I know
this is a horrid time for me to need a break, but I’m in Paris. I know, I should
be at the Burrow helping Mum plan, but . . . I don’t know, I needed to get
away. Hey, at least I can find the perfect wedding dress here. Don’t worry,
I’m not breaking the engagement, and I’m not running away. I’m just -
de-stressing.
I’ll be home in two days, I just didn’t want you to freak out when I
don’t show up at the meeting with the minister. Don’t run off with one of
my bridesmaids. Please, don’t tell Mum or Ron I left. They will think I’m
running away. Which I’m not. I love you, and I’ll be home soon.
All my love,
Ginny
I looked up at Hermione as I read Ginny’s letter.
“What is it, Harry?”
“Ginny’s in Paris.” Her eyes lit up, as she pulled the sheets closer to her body.
“She’s calling off the wedding?” she asked hopefully.
“No, she ran away to think.”
“Oh.”
“But, I think she wants to.”
“Harry, do you think she suspects something?” I laid the letter on the night stand, and shifted to wrap Mione in my arms.
“I’m not sure. Maybe. Why else would she run away? The wedding’s in five days.” I felt her wince.
“Tell her.”
“What?”
“Tell her about us.”
“But . . . she’s expecting it. Everyone is. She loves me.”
“She loves Draco.” This time, I winced. Why did I have to drive Draco away? I thought I loved Ginny. I looked down at Hermione. I was wrong, and that mistake could ruin both our lives. I felt a tear land on my chest. “You can’t marry her.”
“I have to.” She started to tremble and got out of bed.
“No. No, you don’t. Just tell her you can’t do it. Tell her you need time. Tell her I love you!” Her eyes got wide and her hand flew up to cover her mouth.
“I love you too, Mione.”
“Then tell her!”
“I can’t.” She began to cry and ran out of the room. Make that three lives I’ve ruined.
To Be Continued . . .
A/N: Sorry this took soooooooo long to get out. I’ve been busy studying for an AP History exam as well as researching US/Japan trade relations for a combined history/english research paper.
So, without further ado. Here’s your chapter!
May 20, 2010 - Paris, France
I forgot how fast time flew when I was with Draco. After lunch, we went sightseeing, and caught up on some things . . . Not all.
“So, how did you end up here?” he asked me, as we walked down the street. Unconsciously, I reached down and grabbed his hand, like we used to do.
“I ran away. Not in that sense. I needed time to think before . . .”
“What, Gin? Before what?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“Nothing, my arse. What’s going on?” I shook my head and walked up to my room at the hotel. He followed me.
“Draco, just drop it. It doesn’t matter right now anyway.”
“The hell it doesn’t! Tell me.” He pleaded. My eyes started to tear up.
“Draco. I can’t do this with you right now. Not now.”
“Why not?”
“Dammit! It’s been ten years. Ten goddamned, bloody years. And you just expect to waltz back into my life and demand what’s going on?!”
“Yes.” he answered with vehemence. “You’re right Gin. It has been ten years. Don’t you owe me an explanation as to why the hell you’re going to pieces before my eyes?”
“Me owe you? I don’t owe you anything. You left me Draco. You left me all alone to pick up the shattered pieces of my life. I had to settle for a man who doesn’t treasure me! You ruined my life!!”
“I still love you.” I started to crumble.
“I love you too.” He pulled me into a hug.
“Then tell me what’s going on, Gin.” I started to cry.
“I’m getting married in under a week, Draco.” I felt him stiffen, but he didn’t let me go.
“To who?” I shook my head. “Who, Ginny.”
“Harry.”
- The Burrow
“Hello, Harry dear.” Mrs. Weasley greeted me as I walked in. “You haven’t happened to bring Ginny with you, did you? We have a meeting with the minister in an hour or so.”
“Ginny’s not here.”
“Well, of course she’s not dear. Don’t be foolish. Why would I ask you such a thing if she were?” I sat down at the well-known kitchen table.
“I don’t think you understand, Mrs. Weasley. Ginny’s not here. She ran off to Paris.” I heard her gasp, and turned around to threaten me with her wooden spoon.
“What did you do to my baby girl?” I saw the Weasley temper begin to boil just under the surface.
“N-n-nothing. She just told me she needed to think and that she’d be back in two days.” I took a deep breath when she took away her spoon and faced her soup again.
“Why didn’t you say so in the first place dear. If she’s just gone for two days there’s no need to . . . TWO DAYS?! But, that only leaves three until the wedding!” I gave her a hug, and turned to leave.
“Don’t worry Mrs. Weasley. Everything will work out in the end.” I walked out and went to find Hermione. We had to talk.
- Paris, around midnight
“That bastard. That BASTARD!” I stepped back and sat down on the bed. He always scared me when he was angry . . . say nothing about being irate!
“Draco. Please.”
“Please what, Gin? What!” I jumped at the tone in his voice.
“Don’t do anything rash. . .”
“Rash? Oh, no. I’m going to kill him.”
A/N: Sorry this took so bloody long. . .between work and school, I haven’t had much time - not to mention prom and a best-friend that’s no longer a best friend (ah the drama that is teenage life *sighs*) ANYWAY. I know I don’t usually do this, but I’m naming this chapter. So, without further ado, *dun dun dun duh*
CHAPTER 4 : The Confrontation
May 21, 2010 - Paris, France: very early
“Draco, no.”
“Oh, yes.”
“No!” I got up and grabbed his arm. “What is wrong with you?”
“This is his fault.”
“What is his fault?”
“He did this to us.”
“Draco.”
“He drove me away.”
“What are you going on about?”
“I lost you because of him.”
“Draco. Stop it!”
“He ripped you out of my life.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“He’ll pay for this.”I did the only thing possible to ground his thoughts. I kissed him. It was meant to be chaste, just to get him to stop babbling. Riight. As my lips touched his, he bit my lip and deepened the kiss. All I remember past that point is ending up on the bed, with murmured words of passion passed between. It was just like he’d never left.
- Office of Research, Ministry - London. Noon May21, 2010
I searched all night but to no avail. Hermione was avoiding me. It left me no choice, I had to show up at her job. I walked into her office and shut the door behind me.
“What do you want, Harry?” She looked up at me, her eyes red from crying.
“I’m sorry, Mione.”
“You’re sorry.”
“I’m going to tell her, Mione. I’m going to Paris, to break it off.” She stood up and looked at me, fresh tears in her eyes.
“Really? You’re not joking, are you?” I stepped towards the desk.
“No, Herms. I’m going to Paris.” She ran towards me.
“Oh, Harry!” She threw her arms around me. “I love you!!!”
“I love you too, Mione.” I kissed her, and apparated to France.
May 21 - Paris, France: 11am
I woke up and looked at the clock, it was after lunch. Draco’s arm tightened around my waist as I rolled into his chest. He smiled and kissed the top of my head.
“Morning, love.” I laughed.
“Draco, it’s the afternoon.” he looked at the clock.
“So it is.” I smirked at him, and rolled over to climb out of bed - until arms wrapped around me, dragging me back to his chest. “Just where do you think you’re going, m’dear?”
“To get dressed.” I planted a kiss at the base of his throat. “I am going home today, and I need to pick up some things.” His grin fell.
“Ginny, you’re not still going to marry him are you?”
“We have a contract, Draco.”
“Break it.” He let go and got up. He turned his back to me to put on his boxers.
“I can’t. The only way to make it null and void is if I’m already married.” He spun around with an evil glint in his eyes. “What?” He walked over to me and gathered me in his arms.
“Marry me.” I was shocked. It must have registered on my face, because he became less enthused, but I knew I started to smile.
“Draco Malfoy, are you proposing that we elope, after ten years of being apart?” He saw my smile and matched it, lighting up his gorgeous face.
“Why, Virginia Weasley, I think I am.” He looked down at my neck and spotted his ring on my chain. I blushed when I realized it was the only thing I was wearing. “You still have the ring, makes since doesn’t it.”
“It does.”
“So?”
“Yes. Yes, Draco.” He kissed me passionately and grabbed his wand. In seconds we were dressed and headed to the Ministry in Paris. Due to Draco’s wealth, we had no trouble getting a license and by noon, I was Mrs. Virginia Malfoy.
Paris, France: Harry’s POV
I didn’t realize until I landed in downtown wizarding Paris, that I had no idea where Ginny was. I was in Paris by noon, but it wasn’t until an hour later that I found out her hotel and room number.
Paris : Ginny
As soon as we got back to the hotel, Draco had us in bed. I had never been so happy in my life. It was like our first time together.
He gathered me in his arms, sometime around 1pm, and kissed me.
“I love you, Mrs. Malfoy.” I smiled and kissed him back.
“I love you too, Mr. Malfoy.” He grinned and flipped my over so I was on my back, and kissed me again. Deep, passionate. I moaned into the kiss. I got so lost in it, I never heard the door open.
“Ginny?” Draco stopped, and stiffened immediately. I sat up and pulled the covers to my chest.
“HARRY!?” Draco grabbed his wand and had us both dressed.
“What in the bloody hell are you doing here, Potter?”
“I could ask you the same, Malfoy.” I leapt out of bed, and snatched Draco’s wand before he could do anything.
“Ginny.” Draco warned. I kissed him softly and pushed him onto the bed.
“Sit, Draco. Let me handle this.” I spun on, Harry. “What in the hell are you doing here, Harry.”
“I would ask you the same question, but I already have had an eyeful.” I snorted.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Fine. I came to fetch you. You’re mother wants you home to plan the last few days before the wedding.” He spit the last word out like it was vile.
“There won’t be a wedding, Potter.” Harry looked at Draco.
“Oh yes there will. We have a contract.”
“Had.” I supplied.
“What do you mean, ‘had’? Ginny Weasley, what did you do.” I stepped backwards and sat on Draco’s lap.
“It’s Malfoy.”
“What the hell are you on about?”
“She said Potter, that her name is Virginia Malfoy. We got married an hour ago. Thus your contract is gone.”
“You married him?”
“Yes, Harry. I did. Behind your back. Just like you’ve been screwing Hermione behind mine.”
“But . . . how did you . . . I mean . . .”
“I’m not blind. You can only work late at the Ministry and not get caught if you work at the goddamned Ministry. I have contacts who saw you there when you were supposedly on the pitch, Harry.”
“So not only did you rip her away from me for your own selfish reasons, but treated her like trash for a quick fuck with a friend? Why Potter, I do believe you were sorted into the wrong house.”
“I love Hermione.” I ignored Harry and faced Draco.
“What do you mean by I was ripped away from you?”
“That prick over there, told me there was no point coming home. You didn’t love me, and you never had. You were just fulfilling a bet, and now you were dating him.” My eyes widened and a ran at Harry. I pushed him in to the wall and slapped him hard across the face.
“How dare you! You ruined my life for your own sick pleasure.”
“I thought I loved you.”
“I love Draco! I have always loved Draco. You were just a crush, my brother’s friend.” Draco pulled me back. “Get out, Harry. Run away to Hermione, tell her you love her. Because I hate you and you will never get near me again.”
Harry disapparated. I summoned all mine and Draco’s luggage, shrunk it, grabbed his hand and apparated to the Burrow before you could say ‘quidditch’.
We landed on the front steps, I didn’t want my parents to see him yet. I kissed him and told him to wait as I opened the door. The living room was empty so I motioned for him to sit on the couch as I walked into a family dinner.
“Ginny! You’re just in time dear. Come sit next to Hermione.” I looked at the witch with a contempt I never thought possible.
“I can’t, Mum. I just came to let you know that the wedding’s off. I can’t marry Harry.”
“What did he do to you?” Ron jumped up murderous.
“He didn’t call off the wedding. I broke the contract.” My father looked at me.
“Ginny, the only way that contract can be broken is too . .” Everyone gasped as my husband’s arms wrapped around my waist.
“I’d like to introduce everyone to my wife, Mrs. Virginia Malfoy.” I smiled at the sound of those words.
“Harry said you were dead.” Fred muttered from the other side of the room.
“Harry said a lot of things.” I added. “Just thought you ought to know.”
“But what about all the wedding costs? We don’t the kind of money to refund everything.”
“I’ll pay it all back, Arthur.” Draco answered.
“Or you two could get married properly, in front of the whole family.” I looked at Draco, he had that evil glint in his eye.
“Okay. On two conditions.” Draco supplied.
“Oye.” Ron mumbled.
“One. Fred is my best man.”
“Deal, mate.”
“And two,” I put in. “Harry and Hermione cannot be there.”
“You know, don’t you.” Hermione asked me.
“Yes, I do.” I answered.
“I’ll keep him away then.” With that she left.
“Well, then.” Mum began, “we have a wedding to finish planning.”
THE END
Okay. I’ve gotten so many requests for a continuation for this fic, I’ve decided to start up on it again. So, keep your eyes out. The next installation will be considered a sequel (in my mind, at least) but I will post it under the same title.
I hope to have Part II up by the 25th, wish me luck!
MerlynsApprentice (aka Midnight Miseria)
To Last A Lifetime
May 25 - The Burrow: The Wedding
As I stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom, I could not believe I was getting married today - for the second time this week! Strange the way things seem to turn out. I mean, for the last year and a half, I’ve known today was my wedding day, I just hadn’t planned on marrying the man of my dreams. The supposedly dead man of my dreams.
It was such a shock to find Draco alive in Paris. I couldn’t accept it at first. . . that he was alive. And yet, when I brought him home three days ago and we announced our marriage, my parents had no problem with it. I still don’t know why. I mean, I’m ecstatic that they didn’t fight me, demand a divorce, or disown me. It just seems weird, is all.
For the past three days, things have been terribly hectic around here. When Draco told Narcissa we were getting married, after they were re-united for the first time in five years, she practically moved into the Burrow to take place in last minute wedding preparations. Everyone’s been watching me to see if I mysteriously disappear like I did earlier in the week.
Honestly, I had given everyone a scare when I flooed back to Paris yesterday to get my wedding dress. Actually, not everyone . . . Narcissa went with me. It feels so nice to be able to talk to her again. She was placed into St. Mungo’s during and after the war. During the war, it was for her safety. When the war ended, she was released, until she started making claims that her son was not dead . . . then they locked her up in solitary confinement under the claim she had lost her mind.
It was like losing two loved ones, nearly right after the other.
Then, in the space of forty-eight hours, I got them both back. Everyone is happy again, and Draco and I are still very much in love. Now we have the chance to make it last a lifetime.
A/N: Sorry this is so short. A lot of people have been asking for longer chapters, and I plan to deliver . . . I just wanted to set up for the wedding a bit. I’m not sure when I’ll get to update again . . . work is hell. But, never fear, I will attempt to start writing.
Just be patient with me, I’m also writing two other fics currently, and they need attention too.
Love,
Kay