Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N I just wanted to thank everyone who has read this story, (It's my first fanfic!) and thank you to everyone who has left feedback, I appreciate it! There will be one more chapter after this one, and an epilogue. I WILL NOT be changing anything in light of the new book, as everything was written prior to HBP, and was/is being betaed. I hope you are all pleased with the next few chaps…Thanks! And MUCH LOVE to my patient and brilliant beta Jessica K. Malfoy! You're the best!

Stay with me, I'll set you free
'Cause I can tell you once were pretty
Rose so sad you've lost your petals
Lost the luster off your tattle tales

Stay with me, I'll set you free from you...

Draco apparated just outside the woods bordering Malfoy manor. He saw the house, his childhood home, being used for 'Order' headquarters. If his father had survived, this would kill him. Lucius Malfoy had been killed in a wizarding village outside of Basildon. Draco had been told that the raid was postponed, and been sent to London to keep an eye on some of the families that the Death Eaters were told would be allies, but whose loyalty was under suspicion, and when Draco returned, he was told his father was dead.

He had been furious that he had been kept away from him, he should have been there, he would have been able to protect him. His Aunt Bellatrix promised to find out the details, and later told him that it was an attack by the Order, one of the Weasley's was responsible, and that there was nothing that he could have done. Draco had a hard time believing this, but he didn't have many options in his position.

Draco's thoughts returned to the task at hand. He knew Ginny was inside that house somewhere. He wondered if she had found his old room, then dismissed the fanciful notion. He wasn't a romantic young man anymore, he was there on business, to stake out the place, to observe the Orders activities, and report back to his Aunt Bellatrix.

Draco knew the manor was well protected with wards, and knew that he may very well have been detected by now. He didn't much care. His life didn't seem to mean so much these last few years, without Ginny. He hadn't seen her, but he had heard so many tales of her, and Longbottom, always by her side. Draco supposed that if he had really tried, he could have seen her, but he knew that he would have lost his conviction to his cause if he saw her again.

He missed her. He thought about her every day. He remembered her scent, the softness of her lips, and every curve of her body. He knew she would never be able to forgive him, he had taken a road that Ginny would never be able to understand; hell, he himself wondered what he was doing sometimes. But he was in too deep now, and he had lost Ginny long ago, she was the best he could hope to do.

When things were really bad, he allowed himself to imagine what life would have been like had he and Ginny been allowed to marry, had there been no war. He wondered if he would have been a father by now. He only allowed these thoughts on rare occasions; he didn't want to dwell on the past, although when he fell asleep every night, his dreams kept him there.

*****************************************************

Ginny was aware that she was the only one awake, and it was her responsibility to go and investigate the threat. It was barely dawn, and she knew that half the house had only gone to bed an hour or so ago. The war was drawing to a close, or so the Order predicted, as the Death Eater's were getting desperate, making mistakes, and it would be a matter of time before Voldemort would have to come out from hiding, and face Harry alone.

Ginny walked cautiously into the woods surrounding the manor, her wand drawn, and held tightly in her hand. Her parents would kill her if they knew she was going off alone, but it was her duty to the Order. She knew that the wards could have been set off by anything, it could be a rabbit, or a squirrel, or even a person. She didn't want to wake anyone else up and have them lose sleep too when it probably was nothing. She'd been awake anyway, after having another dream about Draco, and had decided to make a cup of tea rather than try to fall back to sleep and dream of him again.

This time Ginny's dream had been about her and Draco in the upstairs bathtub. Ginny didn't think much about the bathroom when she was using it for her practical purposes, but this dream…She was walking down the long hall, past all the portraits and running her hand along the banister as she made her way to the bathroom. The steam was filling the hallway, and the door was slightly open.

Ginny felt her heart race as she slowly extended her hand to open the door. The steam was making her thin nightgown and her hair stick to her body as the door slowly opened. Ginny took in a big breath as she saw Draco in the bathtub; he had his arms relaxing along the edges of the tub, and his head against the tile.

Ginny was feeling aroused just starring at him, it had been so long since they had been together, since she had even seen him. He was as handsome as ever, even from the side view that she had, his hair was wet and slicked back, and the muscles in his chest and arms would play under his skin when he would shift slightly now and then.

Ginny felt weaker and weaker as she watched him, she wanted nothing more than to jump in the tub with him, but he had betrayed her…Ginny was going to turn to leave when Draco opened his eyes and slowly turned to her. "Hey gorgeous. Are you going to watch, or are you going to join me?"

Ginny's heart jumped in her chest, as she walked closer to the tub. Draco sat up and looked up at her with a look she knew too well. She was going to be ravished, and it was going to be good. He looked as hungry for her as she was for him. Draco pulled her closer and Ginny lost her balance, but Draco was strong and pulled her into the tub in front of him.

Ginny's skin stung slightly from the heat of the water, and she could feel Draco's arousal against her back. She tried to turn her body, but Draco held tight, kissing the sensitive skin at the base of her neck. His kisses seemed to brand her, and she sighed his name. Ginny's thin nightgown now clung to her, and she made a move to remove it, but Draco put his hands over hers, and moved them to rest on her knees. She leaned her head back as Draco kissed her neck and nipped her earlobe.

He was slowly moving his hands under the water to caress Ginny and she let out a loud moan of longing, waiting impatiently for him to touch her. Ginny now ran her fingernails down Draco's thighs, leaving her marks as she did, and digging her nails into his thighs even harder as he slipped a finger inside her and whispered, "I'm sorry I can't be romantic right now. I want to fuck you, I won't be gentle either. It's been too long, and I want you too badly."

Ginny woke with a start, sweating and breathing as though she had just come off the quidditch pitch. She punched her pillow and had headed downstairs as quietly as possible. These dreams had to stop. Maybe if she shagged someone else they would. That thought was almost repulsive to Ginny and she shook her head over the sorry state of her life.

She had been running her finger around and around the rim of her tea cup, thinking of Draco, and of the things she'd heard about him over the years. She remembered that she'd blown up at Ron when he'd told her that Draco was a Death Eater, that Professor Snape had confirmed it. She refused to believe it.

She and Neville were having a picnic at The Burrow; it was a few days before she was to return to Hogwarts for her final year. Ron and Harry approached, and Ginny invited them to join their picnic, but Harry shook his head and motioned to Ron. Ginny knew from the look in her brother's eyes that something was terribly wrong.

She grew nervous as she looked between Harry and Ron, waiting. "What is it?!" she finally yelled, becoming too impatient to wait any longer. Neville reached out a hand and stroked her shoulder, but Ginny brushed it off.

"Gin, there was an attack in Derbyshire, Death Eaters, and several wizard homes were destroyed, Voldemort was sending a signal…" Ron looked at Harry and swallowed hard.

Harry picked up where Ron left off. "Apparently Ginny, Professor Snape was told in advance of the attack and no one was harmed, but the uh, Death Eater that warned him. It was um, it was Draco."

Ginny stood up and launched herself at Harry, screaming "You're lying! He would never do that! He would never become a Death Eater! You don't know him like I do!"

"You don't know him, Ginny," Harry pointed out uncomfortably. "It's been a while, you know."

She tried to hit him, lash out at him, punish him, but he grabbed her arms and pulled her close.

Ginny sobbed onto the front of Harry's shirt, her hands grabbing fistfuls of the material to hold herself upright.

Ron came up behind her, gently rubbing her back, and Ginny turned and threw herself into her brother's arms, crying and yelling that Professor Snape was lying, he never liked Draco, and that was why he was saying such awful things about him now.

"Gin," Ron whispered, "Snape's always liked Draco." Ron felt his sister go limp in his arms, and he knew that she had fainted.

Ginny remembered waking up in her bed; she didn't remember how she got there, but she did remember what Ron and Harry had said. Dear Merlin, Draco, her Draco, was a Death Eater.

Ginny rolled onto her stomach and buried her face into her pillow, screaming over and over. How could it be possible? Why would he do it? Didn't he know the price he would have to pay? Didn't he know what he was doing, what he was giving up?

Ginny stayed in her bed for days, refusing to see anyone, refusing food, refusing comfort, or even the basic necessities. She didn't leave her room until September first rolled around, and her mother forced her to return to school. She sat next to Luna, but didn't speak the entire train ride, and wondered if anyone knew what she knew.

********************************************

Draco saw Ginny slowly approach, and could feel his heart ready to pound right out of his chest. She had grown more beautiful, her hair was a little lighter, and she had a few more freckles across her nose. She was the most wonderful sight he had seen in almost two years of war. He wanted to run and grab her, but instead held back, and waited until she came closer. When Ginny was just a few feet from him, Draco stepped out from behind the tree.

Ginny almost screamed at the sight of the Death Eater. She raised her wand, ready to do some damage when Draco threw his mask to the ground. Ginny almost dropped her wand when she saw the familiar blond hair. She could feel the tears as she looked at her former lover. He had changed so much, he looked like he had aged so much, and his eyes looked to hold all the problems of the world. Ginny took a deep breath to regain control of herself as she stared at him.

Draco didn't want to move. He wanted to just look at her, to get the images of war erased with something so beautiful and clean. They were only standing six feet apart.

Ginny raised her wand and pointed it at Draco. "Hand over your wand, Malfoy," Damn. She meant for her voice to be more forceful, not so quiet, and unsure.

Draco smirked, the first time in years, and pointed his wand right back at her. "Hand over your wand, Princess."

"Don't call me that, you sodding Death Eater! You have betrayed me three times! Three! You have no right to use pet names with me, so hand over your wand now, or I'll wake the house."

Draco looked at her sideways, considering her. "I have apologized countless times for stupid schoolboy mistakes Ginny. I guess you will never forgive me, huh? I understand you've moved on with Longbottom." Draco stepped closer, pushing Ginny's wand away from his heart. "Is he as good with you as I was? Can he make you scream his name just by touching the insides of your lovely thighs? Can he make your entire body shiver when he brings you to pleasure? Does he know how to use his tongue for anything other than talking?"

Ginny slowly met his gaze, her heart pounding wildly. She remembered their first kiss in the library. She wanted to feel that way again. She had kissed Neville once, but there was nothing there, her heart belonged to Draco, and she knew now it always would. But was this really the Draco she remembered? Her first instinct was to run to him, but he had hurt her so much, and he was a Death Eater…And why was he here anyway? Ginny realized that she had to say something to him; she had to wipe the smirk off his face…

"Actually Malfoy, Neville can make me scream, so can Andrew, Matthew, Preston, Micha-"

Draco yelled for her to stop and stood toe to toe with her, looking down at her. He raised his hand and ran it through his hair. It came close to Ginny, but she never even blinked, he wouldn't touch her in anger. "Well, Miss Weasley, I'm glad to hear you haven't been pining away for me."

Ginny looked him in the eye, and smirked. "Not even close."

Draco made a sound between an angry bear and a wounded animal and apparated away. He was back in a minute, telling Ginny that he would be in this same spot, at the same time tomorrow.

"And that means what to me?"

Draco shook his head in frustration and left.

Ginny hadn't meant to hurt him again, not really, it was just the shock of seeing him again, and the anger at what he had become. Although, he seemed to be the same Draco, he wasn't cruel and hard like she had often wondered him to have changed to be.

Ginny headed back to the house and went straight to the bedroom she knew used to be occupied by Draco and threw herself on the wide bed. She giggled a little as she pulled the covers that still had his scent on them close to her and finally got the first good sleep she had had in almost three years.

*************************************

Draco was indeed there the next day, angrier than the previous day, but Ginny tried to ignore his anger, telling him that she was not there to worry about how he was feeling; she wanted to know why he was there. She secretly wished that he had seen the error of his ways, and come to seek her out.

Draco had other things on his mind. He couldn't get what she had said out of his mind, had she really slept with those men? He didn't believe it, but he still wanted to hear to it. He had spent a horrible night pacing, imagining her in other men's arms, and had ended up punching a wall. He had charmed the cuts and bruises away, and spent the rest of the night wearing the carpet thin.

Ginny could tell that he hadn't gotten much sleep and was pleased. He should suffer for the shock he had put her through. She had gotten up early, and kept glancing out her window, wondering if she had just been dreaming again, or if Draco had really been there, and had said that he was going to be back again. And here he was. Ginny wanted to run into his arms, but had to resist, she had a thousand questions to ask, and knew that she had to keep her distance.

"So, who was it last night? Warming you're bed, I mean?" Draco hadn't meant to sound so angry, but he was angry.

Ginny turned her back on him and smiled. Jealous was he? Good, at least she knew he still cared about her that was a good sign. She turned back to him and bit her lip in concentration. "Last night was Jeremy, no Jonathan, his name was Jonathan. Jeremy was the night before."

Draco stepped closer to her, and she could smell his shaving potion, a flood of memories came back, the feel of his skin on hers, the silk sheets of his bed against her back when Draco's weight was pressing her into them, the feel of their heartbeats racing in time as they found fulfillment in each others arms. Ginny turned her head back to him, and looked up into his eyes. He was so dangerously close, and it would be so easy to forgive him. The look in his eyes, the pain, the hurt, Ginny could read him so easily, she knew he needed her. But…

Draco was looking over her head, at the manor, and Ginny wondered what he was thinking. "I didn't want things to be this way, you know. I had imagined my life, our life, very differently. But I don't think that people can ever really find redemption."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement, and Ginny felt very sad for Draco. He did deserve to be heard, to be loved despite his mistakes, she wasn't without sin herself. Ginny reached up to take Draco into her arms, when she heard her name being shouted. She stepped away quickly and told Draco to come back tomorrow as she started running for the house.

When Ginny reached the front gate where Molly was standing, her heart was hammering in her chest. "What? What's happened?"

"Nothing's happened. You had me worried sick! I went to check on you for breakfast, and you weren't in your bed." Molly looked at the woods where Ginny had been, then back at her daughter. "What were you doing out here by yourself?"

"I, I am so tired of being shut up in this house, I needed to stretch my legs that's all." Ginny walked past her mum before she could look her in the eyes and see the truth.

*************************************

Ginny thought about Draco all day, and was caught smiling by everyone in the house. When they asked why she was suddenly feeling so cheerful, she felt guilty lying and saying, she was just in a good mood. It sounded ridiculous even to her, but what was she supposed to say? The truth? Absolutely not! She felt most guilty lying to Neville, and wished actually that she could confide in him. She knew that Draco wasn't evil, and they had both made plenty of mistakes, but why couldn't she forgive him? And he her, for the mistakes of the past. If the war really was almost over, maybe there was a chance for them.

**************************************

Ginny spent the night walking the floor, wondering if Draco was going to show up, and was starring out the window into the woods when she saw the blond hair appear at the edge of the woods. She knew that the wards would sound, and quickly flicked her wand and set off to meet Draco.

Ginny slowly approached him, and as they looked at one another, they both reacted at the same moment. Wand hands lowered, and somehow they tumbled into each others arms, kissing as if their very lives depended on it.

Draco couldn't get enough of her sweet taste, he'd missed her so much that he couldn't let her go, damn the consequences. Draco felt a wetness touch his lips, and realized that Ginny was crying. He tried to pull away so he could look at her, but Ginny held him as tight as she could, afraid he might disappear from her life again.

"Draco, please, …hold me. Don't let me go."

Draco barely heard her as she cried, but he only had to look into her eyes to know what she needed. He held her close for a long while, just content to feel her against him. The sun was rising higher in the sky, breaking through the trees, and Draco could see her face more clearly. He ran a hand gently over her cheek and down her face. "Look at this beautiful face, I can't believe it's been almost three years, you have no idea how many times I've imagined holding you again. And seeing you and having you torment me with taunts about other men, when this was all I wanted to do. I just want to feel you near me again."

Ginny tilted her head back to look at Draco. "That was cruel. I'm sorry. It was all a lie, too. I've never been with anyone but you, I swear. But Draco, before this goes any further, I have to know…Why are you here now? After all this time?"

Draco wanted her in his life, and he might be able to have her, despite the fact that they were on different sides, if he was honest with her. Besides, he wanted to protect her. "You can't stay here, I've been sent to check on Order activity, there is going to be an attack." Ginny looked at him with wide eyes. She believed him; she had no reason not to, she knew that he was the 'informer' that she had heard talked about. Even though she was a member of the Order, she was still protected by her family and Harry.

"Ginny, do you understand what I'm saying to you?"

"Of course, I, I'm just, thank you. " Ginny held him tight, and wondered what would happen now. She had a thousand questions to ask him, but she was content to be close to him for now, for as long as they had.

"Draco, will you…Kiss me again?" Ginny leaned her cheek on his chest and felt his heart begin to beat faster.

Draco took a deep breath before he answered. "Ginevra, I can't. I would want so much more than a kiss. You have no idea how many times I've dreamed of you, imagined holding you, making love to you. I don't think I could stop with one kiss."

Ginny pulled away to look into his sad gray eyes, "I've done the same. I've missed you so much." Ginny pulled his face down until it was even with hers. "I was so stupid back then, I was trying to punish you, and change you, I wasn't thinking, I want you now. I love you Draco, I have, always."

Draco was sure he was dreaming. He couldn't possibly be hearing Ginny tell him that she loved him, that she had regretted the past as he did. "Gin, I can't believe that you lo-"

Ginny kissed Draco and pulled him closer, trying to pull his robe off. "Ginny, are you sure? I don't want you to regret anything."

Ginny stopped tugging on his clothes, to look at him. "Draco, my only regret would be not trying to get back what we had…I want you, I need you."

Draco gave her a slight smile as he pulled her forward. "I would never deny you anything that was in my power to give you."

"I'll remember you said that," Ginny said as their lips met, and they didn't break the kiss as they undressed each other. Ginny felt slightly shocked at seeing the Dark Mark on Draco's inner arm, but Ginny only glanced briefly at it. She realized that every dream that she had had about him, he never had the mark, even in her dreams, she was trying to protect him.

Ginny let out a moan when Draco's naked skin touched hers. It was heaven. She had never been with anyone other than Draco, she always thought it would have been disloyal, and now that she was being held in his strong arms, she knew this was where she belonged.

Draco continued to kiss her, he couldn't get enough of her, and it wasn't until she became impatient, tugging on his hair that his mouth left hers to wander lower. He looked around for some of their hurriedly discarded clothing to find at least enough to lie down on the grass. He ran his hands slowly down Ginny's arms, and back, finally cupping her bum and lifting her up and telling her to wrap her legs around him.

Ginny did as she was told, moaning at the heat his arousal against her belly caused. She was shaking with need, she wanted him now. She thought Draco might take her against a tree, and she wouldn't have minded, but instead he carefully went to the ground, so that she was sitting on his lap. He brought Ginny forward, placing the flat of his hands against her back, and stroked her nipples with his hot tongue. Ginny cradled his head, moaning as she ran one hand down his flat stomach, and gently over his cock.

"Don't tease me," he moaned. "It's been to long. I can't take much of it."

Ginny gently pushed his shoulders back until he was lying flat on the ground, and then kissed her way down to his throbbing erection. She giggled, remembering the first time she'd seen him naked, how she didn't think that they were going to fit. Was she ever that young and foolish?

Draco leaned up on one elbow, eyebrow cocked, and said, "Ginevra, it is very bad form indeed to laugh when one is about to play with a man's bits. He might think you were unimpressed with said bits, and become offended."

Ginny tried to put on a serious face, and said, "Terribly sorry Professor. I wasn't laughing at…'Said bits' I was just remembering the first time I saw you naked. I was so intimidated by the mightiness of your bits, the sheer power, and strength, the-"

"Of course you were." Draco cut her off, lying back down, and waving for her to carry on.

Ginny giggled again, and then crawled on top of him, kissing her way across his chest. They rolled around, each taking the top position until they were covered in grass and leaves. Draco pulled a leaf out of Ginny's hair, whispering, "You still look like a princess to me."

Ginny felt a tear roll down her cheek, but Draco caught it, and their playful teasing was soon over as their passion was rebuilding. Ginny lay on top of Draco, looking into his eyes, and she could see everything. How much he loved her, how he wanted her now.

Ginny opened her legs a little wider, and felt him slowly begin to penetrate her. Ginny closed her eyes at the feeling of sweet pleasure, but Draco ran a hand over her cheek, saying, "Don't close your eyes, baby. I want to see you. I've imagined this so many times."

Ginny sat up to take him more fully inside her, and they both threw their heads back at the delicious sensation of fullness that it caused. Draco held her hips in his hands to try and control her movements, but she was doing fine on her own. He sat up to take her even more deeply, and he knew she was already close. He held her close to himself, running his tongue around her nipples, and sucking her neck, and it didn't take long before Ginny pulled him close, screaming like a banshee in his ear.

Since it was his name, he didn't mind at all. He found his own release right behind hers, and he was sure that he was going to faint. Draco collapsed backwards with Ginny on top of him, and they lay there for a while, content to be in each other's arms, listening to each other's heartbeats slowly return to normal.

"Why did you join them?" Ginny felt Draco stiffen underneath her, but she had to ask. Even though everything she heard led her to believe that he was on their side, she had to understand.

Draco cleared his throat, and absently ran a hand through Ginny's hair. "I thought I had lost you forever, and I thought I could protect my parents. I don't know."

"You don't know? It's a huge decision Draco." Ginny ran her fingertips over the mark on his inner arm, but Draco jerked away from her grasp.

"Don't touch it! You are too pure to be associated with such-"

"Don't talk like that. It's a part of you now. I love you! I meant it, that won't ever change. I just wanted to understand."

"My father was mad, once he was out of Azkaban; I thought I could protect him. I was wrong. He's dead. My mum killed herself last year, and I have turned spy for the Order."

Ginny hugged him; she knew that despite his parent's faults, he loved them very much. She wished she could help him. "Draco, I'm sor-"

"Anyway, if what you want to know is if I go on raids and kill children and puppies for fun the answer is no."

"I never thought that. I know you would never do those things. I just…"

Draco sighed. "Want to understand, I know you do. I don't blame you. That day at Hogsmeade station that was sort of my last chance. I decided then that there was nothing left for me to lose, so I joined, and with that other traitor Snape, we've been able to save a few lives, that's it." Draco stood, and helped Ginny up looking for clothes.

Ginny watched him carefully knowing that he was hurting too, and that he had been these past years. If only she hadn't been so stubborn in the past! Well, she couldn't undo the past, but she could make it up to him in their future, together.

When Draco was dressed he asked Ginny if she had changed her mind about them, and she didn't hesitate to answer, "Never." He seemed satisfied, and kissed her before he apparated away.

Ginny didn't want to see Draco leave her, but she knew that it was for the best for now. He was valuable to the Order, and he wanted to return for now. They would be together, soon. Draco made her promise to follow his instructions, and evacuate the manor as soon as possible. He told her he would send her letters with Snape if it was safe.

******************************************************

When Ginny reached the kitchen, only a handful of people were awake. Harry looked up from the parchment he was writing on to look at Ginny. "What are you doing outside so early? It isn't safe Ginny."

Ginny smiled at Ron and Remus before taking a seat at the elegant dining table next to Harry. She lowered her voice, and leaned forward, attracting the attention of Ron and Remus. "Harry, there is going to be an attack, Death Eaters…in the next few days, we need to get out."

"How do you know that?" Remus asked from across the room. Ginny should have known that his hearing would have allowed their conversation to be heard. He was looking at her in a knowing way, and she now knew why he was sniffing at her as she passed him. She didn't need to wonder how much he really knew…Ginny turned scarlet as she said, "Malfoy."

The fireworks went off. It was a matter of minutes before the entire house was awake, and gathered around the long table, discussing the information Ginny gave them. She didn't tell them much, except that she'd been awake when a ward had been triggered, and when she went to investigate. Draco had been in the woods, and he told her that he was there to monitor their activity. The rest of the Order was a little hesitant to believe it, they would have heard something surely, but Harry knew that Ginny was telling the truth, and Draco had always cared for Ginny, they needed to get out.

While Ron ranted and raved about Ginny meeting with Malfoy, Molly made herself busy preparing food to keep herself occupied, and tried not to think about her daughter and the Death Eater. She only had to look at her daughter to know that they had done more than talk. Ginny was absolutely glowing. Molly knew that Draco was helping the Order, but that didn't mean that he was innocent in her book.

Harry listened to Arthur and Remus argue over where they should hide, where Voldemort would never think to look, when Hermione joined him. She kissed him on the cheek and took a seat on his lap. "Are you going to be alright?" She smoothed his hair and smiled as it sprang back up after her hand.

"This war…It has to stop sometime right?" He held her tighter and looked at Ginny who was starring into the woods. He saw the far away look in her eyes, and hoped that all the people he cared for would have the futures they dreamed about.

That evening when all the Order members arrived, after much deliberating, it was decided that they would move locations to the abandoned Three Broomsticks. Most of Hogsmeade was deserted now, as most wizarding families had been sent into hiding. They would apparate in small groups, taking very few possessions, and they would leave tonight.

Professor Snape was on his way out when Ginny stopped him. "Professor, can you please get this to Draco?" She held out a letter, but Snape wouldn't even look at it.

"I am not a post owl, Miss Weasley. It would be far too dangerous. "

Ginny's face fell as she pocketed the letter. She could feel tears stinging her eyes, and wanted to flee from Snape when he said, "It would be dangerous, however, I can relay a short message."

Ginny jumped up and kissed his cheek before she even realized what she was doing. "Sorry, Professor," she blushed profusely. "Could you tell him, that…That I meant what I told him earlier, and that I haven't changed my mind, and I won't ever."

Snape rolled his eyes in pure disgust, and headed for the door.

*****************************************

Pansy Parkinson stood in front of Bellatrix Lestrange and told her everything. Everything. She told her that she had followed Draco as she was instructed to do, and had seen him speaking to Ginny Weasley. She couldn't hear what was being said, but it didn't take long before things got very interesting.

Pansy informed her that the Weasley whore was rolling around with Draco. Then, she told Bellatrix they spoke a while longer, and Draco apparated away. Ginny had returned to Malfoy manor, but it wasn't long before the house had been deserted by Order members. Pansy had set off the wards several times the following days to see if anyone would come to investigate, and when no one did, she came back to report to Bellatrix.

Bellatrix was furious but not surprised. She had suspected that her nephew was the spy among the faithful, and now that naïve Pansy had confirmed it. He would have to be destroyed. There was no way around it.