This is a short chappie & I was going to combine it with chapter 7, but seeing how I left everyone on an accidental cliffhanger, I decided to go on & post it. Draco will be in the next chapter. PROMISE CROSS MY HEART.
CHAPTER 6 Ron's News
Ginny rubbed her eyes and tried to do a glamour charm to repair her tear stained face. "Did he say anything?" she asked her mum.
Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "Just that he wanted to talk to you."
Suddenly, she wasn't quite sure what news she wanted to hear from her brother. She wanted closure, of some sort, and at the moment she didn't know what type of closure she wanted or even needed. Ginny stood up. "I love you, mum."
"I love you too, dear."
Ginny left the kitchen and found her brother sitting alone in the living room. "Ron?"
Ron jumped to his feet.
"How are you feeling?"
"Well enough to be released from St. Mungo's, I suppose."
She wrapped her arms around him. "And Harry?"
"The same. He's back home."
"By himself?"
Ron shook his head. "No, Charlie's there and so is Lupin."
"Did you talk to Dumbledore?" she asked.
"Yes, I did. He said that while Malfoy is not innocent, it is clear he did save you and Luna."
Ginny shut her eyes and smiled. "Nothing else?"
"Is there anything else I need to know?" he demanded.
"No. Nothing," she answered, opening her eyes. At least nothing you need to know.
"I did find some information on him."
She sucked in a deep breath. "Is he alive?"
"We receive a lead that several Death Eaters were holed up over in Ireland."
"Ireland?" Ginny repeated.
He nodded. "There's an old school up there similar to Hogwarts, just smaller. It's not used anymore, just an abandoned building with anti Muggle charms. That's the tip we heard anyways."
"Why would he go there?"
Ron shrugged. "On the run, maybe? You have no idea what he did once you were gone."
She bit the inside of her lip and thought. "Maybe he was hiding from Voldemort."
"Maybe. But if so, why isn't he back? The whole world knows V.... Voldemort is dead."
"And that you're the hero who got rid of him!"
"And Harry. He helped a bit!"
They laughed, and for a moment, things felt just like old times.
"I'm going to go find him," Ginny told Ron finally.
"And then what?" he asked, sighing.
"I don't know. I'll see how he feels. Don't think I'm stupid, but I think I love him."
Ron remained silent. "Do you really even know him?" he asked finally.
"I'd like to think I do. I spent a lot of time with him. Just me and him, you know. I dream about him sometimes. I think he's still alive."
"Dreams?"
"They're so real. Sometimes I think I'm awake, but in the morning he's gone."
Ron's eyebrows knit together. "Have you dreamed about him since you've been back here?"
She shook her head and blushed. "Not those kind of dreams. Not the real kind." She didn't want Ron to ask her any more questions about those dreams. In those dreams Draco slipped into the bed beside her and kissed her, touched her, reminded her that he loved her.
"I want to stop you, but somehow I know I can't," Ron said slowly.
"No, only Draco can. I have to find that out. I have to get some sleep! I can't sleep anymore, I just think about him. If he's still alive or . . . not."
"You can't go by yourself. It's just too dangerous. If he really is hiding out with a bunch of Death Eaters, there's no telling what will happen to you."
"Well, Narcissa wants to go."
"So do I."
"You do?"
Ron nodded. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you again."
"And you promise to pardon him if he comes back?"
"I promise."
"Promise what?" Charlie asked, slipping in the room unnoticed.
Ginny looked up at her brother.
"That I'll keep her safe," Ron said easily.
"What are you planning on doing?" Charlie asked, eyeing her.
"Ron heard that there were some Death Eaters hiding out in Ireland," she told him finally.
"So? What does that have to do with you?" he asked.
Ron cleared his throat and looked around. "Malfoy might be there."
"Malfoy?" George's voice entered the room before he did. "What about Malfoy?"
Ginny glanced at her brothers and remained silent.
"He might be in Ireland," Ron repeated.
George's nostrils flared. "I thought we talked about this . . ."
Ginny watched with a growing feeling of unease as her brothers exchanged looks. "Talked about what?"
"You said that . . ." Charlie trailed off.
"What?" Ginny demanded, standing to her feet.
"We just want you to be careful, Gin," George said. "We thought you were dead. We don't want anything to happen to you."
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you? If it wasn't for Draco, I would be dead! He saved me! He kept me alive! He kept me away from the rapes and murders!"
"Why can't you just write him a thank you note when he comes back?" Fred muttered, joining the conversation.
"People change!" Ginny was yelling now. "Dumbledore just searched my memories! Ask him!"
"Gin Gin," Charlie began, "I'm sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt."
Ginny's lower lip trembled fiercely as she watched her brothers all stare at the floor. "So you asked Ron not to tell me anything about Draco?"
"Look," George said finally. "If he's changed so much, why hasn't he come back?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "I don't even know if he's alive. But I'm going to find out."
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