No ordinary love

There'll be times when my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin because you have to make this life livable
But when you think I've had enough
From your sea of love I'll take more than another river full
And I'll make it all worthwhile I'll make your heart smile

Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove,
Will you give it to me?
Will you take the pain
I will give to you
Again and again
And will you return it?

Draco Malfoy looked around the Great Hall with interest. As usual, he was only half listening to Dumbledores welcoming feast speech. It was his seventh and final year at Hogwarts, and this was the last one he’d have to suffer through.

There were several new prospects this year…A lot of girls had done some growing up over the summer, and were looking quite good. He even let his eyes wander over to the Gryffindor table, although it was Draco’s personal experience that the Hufflepuffs were the easiest girls to coerce into his bed. He’d give them the sad eyes, and say how misunderstood he was, nobody liked him because his daddy was a Death Eater, and it was so hard being expected to follow in those footsteps, and he’d have them flat on their backs in no time.

The Ravenclaws were a little harder to work. He had to stimulate their minds before their bodies, and he usually had to go to the library to find these conquests. He’d ask for help with his potions assignments, saying that, yes Snape gave him high marks but he didn’t really understand what he was doing, and how was that going to help him when he left school? A bit of homework, a brush of the hand, a graze of his skin on theirs, and it was a done deal.

The Slytherin girls kicked off their knickers for him because he was Draco Malfoy, and that wasn’t work for him at all. It had been fun for his 5^th year, but he wanted a challenge. He needed a challenge.

The Gryffindor girls were a serious effort, and Draco had to pull out all the stops to get the four Gryffindor girls he’d had in his bed so far. Draco pursued the Gryffindor table and did a double take. Who was that? It couldn’t be. She looked amazing, and she’d certainly grown up over this past summer. Her long red hair fell in waves half way down her back, and Draco felt his palms begin to itch with the need to touch the fiery tresses. She sat facing Dumbledore, hanging on his every word it seemed, and Draco had a pretty clear view of her. Wow. She has breasts now. A right fine looking pair, too. Draco raised an eyebrow as he appraised her. He had not given her a look, a real, thorough look in years, now he was getting his fill.

His father would kill him. That is, if he found out. Lucius Malfoy was still in Azkaban, but Draco knew it would be a matter of time before he was out and serving the Dark Lord at his side again. Draco let himself smile inside as he thought of how much it would outrage Weasley and Potter…And the look of horror and disgust on his fathers face at the thought of his son and a Weasley. The hall became noisy as the food appeared on the tables, indicating the end of the speech. Draco glanced at the platters in front of him, and then back at the object of his thoughts, Ginny Weasley, and was surprised to find her looking back at him. When his eyes caught her own, she quickly turned her back and returned her attention to her own table. Whoever else came to his bed this year, he decided that Ginny Weasley would be added to the list.

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

Ginny felt some ones eyes on her, and when she turned, her gaze automatically flew to Draco Malfoy. Ginny was more than shocked that Draco, of all people, was looking at her. He wasn’t smirking, or looking with disgust at her second hand robes, but looking with interest…At her, was that possible?

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

It hadn’t taken Draco long to come up with a plan of attack for seducing Ginny Weasley. He’d formulated them the second night back, after a tumble with Lavender Brown. Draco was just rolling off of her when he decided to check Ginny’s schedule that he’d copied -unbeknownst to her, from her book bag at a prefects meeting earlier that night. He would pass her right after breakfast on Wednesday’s, and Thursday’s on his way to potions, as she went out the front double doors to herbology, if he timed it right- Draco looked up as he realized something…

“Did you need anything else Violet?” he inquired innocently.

Lavender was incensed! This was the second time she had slept with him and he couldn’t even remember her name? Would she ever learn not to fall for Malfoy’s smooth lies? Lavender threw the covers back and began to dress. She was hoping she could stay with Draco, at least for a little while, not be thrown from his room the minute he had finished. He was so cold! He had made her feel wanted and desired, but now that he had what he required of her…It was just like her mum always said, “Why buy the pumpkin, when you can get the juice for free?“ Lavender had never understood what this meant, and thought perhaps her mum had gone round the twist, but now it was all becoming clear.

Draco saw that she was about to cry as she dressed, but he didn’t back down. No one stayed the night. Ever. Under any circumstances. Woman expected too much as it was, he didn’t want one thinking she was the queen of his bed. After all she’d have to make room for the next one. Draco turned his back on Lavender as she finished dressing, calling him a “Git, wanker, prat, slag,” over and over. When she was finished, she walked to his door and told him that this was the last time his room would ever see her shadow. Draco yawned rather dramatically as the door shut behind her and muttered, “You hopped into bed pretty damn quickly, love.”

The next morning, Draco saw Ginny walking with Loony Lovegood toward the double doors, and fell into step beside her. “Morning Ginny.” he drawled, attempting to make his voice malice free.

Ginny looked around, and then realized she was the Ginny he was speaking to. “Malfoy,” she acknowledged and increased her pace.

Draco wasn’t easily deterred. Sure he’d been an asshole to her friends and family over the years, but he’d laid off considerably, when he’d started getting laid-on.

“Please Ginny- Call me Draco.” Draco winked at Ginny then headed down to the dungeons. Ginny was planted to the spot. Draco’s actions caused her stomach to flip-flop, and she could feel the blush creeping into her cheeks. What was the big deal? It was just a wink! Why did her stomach feel like there was a small whirlwind inside? What was Draco- No! Malfoy, his name was Malfoy, what was he up to?

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

A week later, Draco watched Ginny enter the library alone and decided it was a good time to follow her. It was an hour until curfew, and the library was nearly empty. He watched as Ginny sat down at the closest table and began to work on her Defense Against the Dark Arts essay.

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

She had only just settled herself to begin when Draco moved in and took the empty seat across from her. He didn’t have books or quill, just a wink and a smile. She glanced up at him in silent confusion. All week he’d been making appearances on the routes to her classes, smiling, winking, and giving her a slight smirky smile that he was sure made her heart beat quicken.

What was wrong with her? He wasn’t that attractive…In fact, he wasn’t attractive! He was far too pale, and his hair was so blonde it could be considered white, like an old man! And his body, it was long and lean, but his shoulders, they weren’t nearly as broad as Bill’s or Ron’s say, but they weren’t small either. And his lips, well, now that she took a long look at them they looked quite kissable, and his nose, it was very aristocratic, as were his hands, they looked well groomed, there only flaw was the calluses from years of quidditch-

“Are you feeling well?” Draco handed Ginny a handkerchief from the pocket of his robes. Ginny tentatively reached out for the cloth, then drew her hand back.

“I’m, I’m fine” Ginny looked away for a moment, then back at a smirking Draco. “Why?”

She couldn’t help but ask. Draco dropped the handkerchief on the table between them then leaned back in his chair. “Well…A gentlemen never tells such things” he hedged.

Ginny couldn’t help herself. “Such things as…”

“You’re sweating” Draco said bluntly.

Ginny’s hand flew to her forehead, and she was horrified to feel a slight wetness there. Was she getting hot under the collar thinking about Malfoy? Ginny felt her cheeks flame with embarrassment, and got up and walked as quickly as she could to the farthest bookshelf in the library. Ginny felt like a ninny for fleeing from Malfoy, and decided to see how he was reacting to her flight. She peeked around the bookshelf and saw the back of his head at the table where she had left him. Ginny leaned her back against the shelves and took a few deep breaths. When she felt like her heartbeat was at last returning to normal, and she’d given Draco a clue to leave as well, she peaked around the shelf again, to see if Draco had indeed left. He wasn’t at the table. He was gone. Well that’s what she wanted. Good. She felt a rather strange sensation well up inside of her, as if she were…disappointed? She shook her head as she leaned back against the shelf, then let out a yelp as Draco leaned over her. He had one hand above her head, resting on the shelf, while the other was reaching out to caress her cheek.

“Why are you running Ginny? Scared?” he whispered as his lips brushed her sensitive earlobe.

Ginny opened her mouth to protest, he was the son of a known Death Eater! He was horrible to her friends and family! He probably-

All thoughts were forgotten when Draco’s mouth descended on hers. She felt her knees weaken as Draco’s mouth worked its magic on her body. His tongue was hot and hungry as it explored the sweet softness she so willingly offered him. Ginny could hear someone moaning softly, as Draco used the pad’s of his thumbs to massage the back of her neck.

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

He was finally able to give into his urge to see if her hair felt as silky as it looked. Draco doubted that Ginny even realized she was making those sexy moaning sounds that made him want to take her right there against the book shelf. When Ginny finally came up for air, Draco began kissing whatever skin was exposed to him in her high-collared shirt.

“What are you doing to me?” Ginny asked as she wrapped her arms tighter around Draco’s neck. Ginny tried to push against him, and only then realized that one leg was wrapped around him. Ginny disengaged herself and slid down the bookshelf, giving Draco a nice view of her thighs as her skirt got caught up on books that were sticking out from the shelf.

“You’re attracted to me, who could blame you?” Draco asked as he loomed over her. He tried to kiss her again, but she dodged him,

“And…And you’re attracted to me?” she asked, attempting to mimic his confidence.

Draco cupped her face in his hands, and kissed the bridge of her nose. “How could I not be? You are beautiful Ginny, sweet, funny, kind, loyal,…dead sexy.” The whole time he was speaking, he took a step with each compliment, backing Ginny into a corner. He tried to kiss her again, but she put a finger to his lips.

“How do you know those things about me” she asked in a soft voice.

Draco was getting in over his head. He should have had her back to his room by now…the ache in the lower half of his body was becoming quite painful. “I watch you Ginny.” When he leaned in to kiss her this time she met him half way.

Just as they were about to touch, Madam Pince appeared, letting them know with a loud whisper that the library was closed, it was fifteen minutes to curfew, and they needed to “Shoo” out of her library this instant.

“Her library, indeed,” Draco said as Madam Pince stalked off. “Do you want to go to my room”? Draco inquired.

He watched Ginny’s eyes grow wide and he knew exactly what she was thinking. So that was all he wanted?

“To talk, Ginny.” Draco reassured her, as Ginny began haphazardly stuffing things into her well-worn bag.

Do you think so little of me?” she snapped. “You obviously don’t watch close enough!”

Draco looked at her with an unreadable expression, and Ginny was immediately sorry for her show of temper.

“I’m, sor-, it’s not that…It’s just, I’ve got to get a jump on my essay…And I really should get back, I wouldn’t want to lose house points and put Slytherin in the lead.” Draco nearly groaned as he watched Ginny head toward the library doors; he had to try one last time, “I could walk you to your tower princess.”

“No! I mean no thank you,” Ginny replied. She could just imagine Harry’s face if he happened to see Malfoy escort her to Gryffindor Tower.

Draco raised an eyebrow, then bowed slightly, and walked ahead of her through the doors.

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

“Draco”…Ginny called after him, but he didn’t respond, and she decided not to press.

Ginny climbed the stairs to Gryffindor tower, and muttered “Sugar Quills” when she reached the portrait of the fat lady. A surprising number of people were in the common room, some doing homework, but most were chatting or playing games.

Harry and Ron were playing chess, and Hermione, as usual was reading. Harry’s face seemed to light up when he spotted her, making her feel slightly guilty. Even though she and Harry weren’t officially going out, Harry had declared his feelings for her over the summer, and even given her a necklace with a heart shaped pendant that had an intertwined H & G on it. Ginny had refused to accept such a personal gift, she had gotten over her crush on harry over two years ago, and thought of him as a seventh brother. Ginny had tried to tell harry she couldn’t accept it, but he had asked her to please wear it, saying he realized he’d cared for her for a long time, but had been too thick to realize what was right in front oh him. He told her he would be willing to wait, to see if she had a change of heart, and after a few days of Harry’s pressure, Ron’s insistence, her mum’s guilt, and Hermione’s reasoning, Ginny relented. Ginny told harry the locket was beautiful, and she would wear it, but in all honesty, she wasn’t sure her feelings ever would change, she wasn’t sure if she would ever fall back in love with him. As much as she loved him, she wanted him to understand she wasn’t committing to a relationship.

After a few days of wearing the necklace, -and hearing from everyone how lovely it looked on her, Ginny began to ponder what would be so bad about having harry Potter for a boyfriend? She knew that Harry was under an incredible amount of pressure, the war could break out any time now. Harry deserved some happiness and fun, and distraction from all the chaos of his life didn’t he? Ginny was brought back to the present when Harry approached her and gave her a hug. Ginny felt her body tense, and gave him a weak smile. “Harry”.

Harry had a strange expression on his face as he pulled away. “Need help finishing your essay?” he smiled.

“Oh,…No, not exactly.” Ginny couldn’t hold his gaze very long.

“I could help you,” Harry offered “It’s sort of my thing.”

Ron looked disgruntled, “What about our game mate?”

Hermione did something then that was completely out of character. She practically threw the book she was reading across the couch and rushed to take Harry’s empty chair. “I’ll play you Ron,” she said.

“You”? Ron asked incredulous.

“Yes, me.”

“But you”-

Hermione reached across the chess board and covered Ron’s mouth with her hand “Oh, Ronald”…

Harry winked at Hermione, and took Ginny’s hand to lead her over to the large table, and proceeded to take out her books, quill, and parchment. When harry had held her hand, she had felt nothing, no spark, no shock, no chills. Nothing. When Draco had touched her, it was like flames running rampant through her veins.

Ginny was lost in thoughts of Draco when Harry waved something in front of her face. “What’s this?” he looked questioningly at the object.

Ginny looked at the handkerchief Harry was holding and felt a slight panic; she hadn‘t realized she‘d picked it up. “I, I, don’t know. I must have picked it up by mistake.” Ginny replied.

Harry looked at her curiously, then back at the expensive cloth, which from this angle ginny could see a monogrammed M. Harry shrugged, and then tossed it over his shoulder into the rubbish bin.

Ginny could feel her body flinch with the instinct to fetch it out. Ginny had trouble keeping her mind from wandering as Harry helped her with her essay. Harry was notorious for not doing his own work, and here he was helping her with hers. Hermione and Ron kept smiling over at them and Ginny had the urge to smack the smiles off their faces. Would Ron be smiling if he knew she’d been in Draco’s arms just an hour ago?

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

Draco stormed his way down to dungeons after leaving the library. He was walking with an uncomfortable gait as he had been quite affected by his encounter with Ginny. He’d underestimated his charms, obviously. He’d expected to be having her soft, willing, body underneath him by now. Draco reached his private head boy’s room, and was about to say the password, when Pansy Parkinson stepped out of the shadows.

“Want some company tonight?” she whispered seductively, as she stepped closer to him.

Draco looked the pug faced brunette over. He’d taken her to bed countless times, and though she was no Ginny Weasley, a woman was a woman, and having one underneath you when your body was demanding it was the end justifying the means.

Draco nodded at her, covered her ears, whispered “Bat bogey hex” and watched as the wall slid open and revealed his massive bedroom. Draco began to undress, and had barely taken off his robe and tie, when he glanced at his bed to see that Pansy was completely nude, her legs wide open, already welcoming him. Draco felt slightly repulsed by the sight of this too willing woman. What was wrong with him? A few hours ago he would have been more than pleased by the sight before him. Draco shook his head and finished undressing.

He kept his body to the task, but he found his mind kept wandering to his redhead. He wished it was her making these moaning sounds in his ear.

Draco found himself close to climax, and pushed himself once more into Pansy. “Ginny” he shuddered out the word low and soft, but full of conviction. He pulled out of Pansy and performed a cleansing spell, as she scooted off the bed and began to get dressed. Without a backward glance, Draco rolled over and fell asleep, dreaming of a certain intoxicating redhead.

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

Pansy leaned against the wall outside of Draco’s bedroom and shook her head. Surely she hadn’t heard him say “Ginny” in the heat of the moment? She was sure that was what she heard. Or was it? It was said barely above a whisper, after all, and the only Ginny she knew was that Muggle-lover Weasley. Draco would never be thinking of Ginny Weasley while making love to her!

Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
that’s how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Will you take the pain
I will give to you
Again and again
And will you return it?

There'll be days when I'll stray
I may appear to be constantly out of reach
I give in to sin because I like to practice what I preach
I'm not trying to say I'll have it all my way
I'm always willing to learn when you've got something to teach
And I'll make it all worthwhile I'll make your heart smile

Pain will you return it
I'll say it again pain
Pain will you return it
I won't say it again

Ginny seemed distracted the next few days and Draco tried to avoid her instead of follow her. He couldn’t seem to get her off of his mind, and that was dangerous. It was one thing to desire a woman and go after her, but quite another to let her invade other parts of your life. He still watched her, but from a distance.

Ginny was now completely wrapped up in Draco Malfoy. She kept glancing over at the Slytherin table, slyly of course, “Looks like rain, doesn’t it…I mean it’s clear out toward the lake, but if you look toward the mountains, it looks like rain.” Of course, to see the mountains, one had to look in the general direction of the Slytherin table.

Ron paused with his toast half way to his mouth to stare at her. She was behaving a little strange lately, even he noticed. Ginny grabbed her books and headed off to transfiguration with Luna, trying to push her confusing feelings about Draco aside.

The following Saturday was the first quidditch match of the season. Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff. The Gryffindors were all extremely excited as everyone headed off to the quidditch pitch. Harry and Ron were two of the team’s star players, and had left almost an hour ago. Hermione and Collin had offered to save a seat for Ginny, who lagged behind. It was an over cast day, and though it was only a little after one in the afternoon, the gray skies made it appear to be nightfall. Ginny didn’t feel like watching a quidditch match for the first time in her life, and after watching what seemed like the entire school head to the pitch, she decided to use Fred and George’s trick of sneaking down to the kitchens for some hot chocolate.

Ginny had almost reached her destination, when a hand reached out and pulled her into the broom closet.

She would have screamed, but the noise from the quidditch pitch wouldn’t have allowed her to be heard, and besides, there was no need. Only one person had that masculine, clean scent, and could send her blood to boiling in no time.

“Draco,” she said in a soft whisper as his lips took hers in a none too gentle kiss. Draco hugged her close to himself, as he tried to pull her jumper over her head. “Draco…No,” she weakly protested.

“I need to touch you. I’m obsessed with thoughts about you. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I need to feel you Ginny, please,…Don’t deny me this.” Ginny was standing in the circle of his arms, her mouth slightly open at Draco’s confession.

She wanted him to touch her; she couldn’t deny she liked the way she felt when he did.. Ginny stepped out of his arms and pulled her jumper over her head. It was a good thing that it was dark in the broom closet.

As is reading her mind, Draco said “Lumos,” and put his wand on a shelf above their heads, successfully illuminating the tiny space.

Ginny tried to cover her chest with her hands, but Draco wouldn’t allow it.

“You’re beautiful Ginny, and you’ve nothing to hide.”

Ginny felt her confidence growing under Draco’s gaze, and moved her hands around Draco’s neck again. Draco began to kiss the smooth column of her neck, making his way to the swell of her breasts over her red bra.

“Red, huh?” Draco asked, one eyebrow cocked.

Ginny would have responded, but Draco was doing such wonderful things to her body that she wasn’t sure why her voice wasn’t working. Draco was kissing her hardened nipples through the rough material of her bra, and she threw her head back at the sensations this caused. He was making his way down to the button of her jeans, and Ginny took in a sharp breath as Draco’s hot mouth rained kisses all around her navel. Draco unzipped her jeans in quick time and they slid down her legs to the floor in a heap. Draco lifted Ginny up onto a small shelf and stood between her legs. Everything was happening so fast, and Draco’s mouth hadn’t left Ginny’s for more than a second or two, and now that Ginny was thinking about it she had no regrets…This was passion, this was what she should be feeling for Harry who said he cared for her.

Ginny felt Draco remove her bra and drop it to the floor, and then noticed he was still fully clothed. She broke their kiss and asked ”Draco…Why are you still dressed?”

Draco smiled as he looked down at the sight in front of him, “This is about you Ginny.”

Draco again covered her mouth with his and left his hands wander freely over her breasts. Ginny didn’t realize how sensitive they could be until right then. She found herself throwing her head back, and when Draco’s hand wandered lower, she moaned out loud. Ginny put her head down in shame, but Draco grabbed her chin and forced her face up. “Don’t hide, Ginny. You should let me know when you like what I’m doing to you.”

Ginny nodded and used the heel of her foot to bring Draco closer to her.

He liked her boldness and growled in her ear, “That’s my girl. Now, lift up,” Draco commanded as he removed Ginny’s knickers, leaving her totally nude in front of him. The only sounds were the screams from the quidditch pitch and their breathing. Draco ran his right hand down the flat of her stomach as his left hand held the back of her neck, as he kissed her.

At the first contact of his fingers against her center Ginny understood why he was supporting the back of her head, to keep her steady. She felt like she wanted to bolt off the table. She was going to die…The pressure building inside of her was becoming unbearable, as Draco slowly worked a single finger in and out of her body; the noise from the pitch was getting louder and louder, and Ginny could feel the muscles in her stomach and thighs tightening as she screamed out in ecstasy. The noise from the pitch seemed to coincide perfectly with Ginny’s experience, and she smiled as she leaned her forehead to Draco’s.

“It’s unanimous, that was bloody fantastic”, Ginny smiled at him.

Draco wore a serious expression, and Ginny wondered if she’d done something wrong. “Draco?”

“A virgin…You’re a virgin? Why didn’t you say something?”

All the wonder at the experience she just had went out the window, “Why are you so angry?”

“Angry! You should have said something…you’re not the type of girl I-”

Ginny sat up and began to dress “Not the type of girl you WHAT”? She demanded.

Draco made a decision; he wasn’t going to ruin Ginny, He wasn’t sure why, but he couldn’t do it. Something, something inside of himself told him to push her away, before she got too close. When he looked into her amber eyes, he could feel the warmth she gave; he knew he could lose himself to her if he didn’t distance himself this instant. It would be easier to hurt her now, rather than let things progress…She wasn’t like the others.

Draco turned cruel eyes to her and said, ”Not the type of woman I usually take to my bed. You see Weasley, a man wants a woman with some experience who knows how to please in the bedroom, or broom closet”, he smirked, before continuing “Not some scared virgin who lies there frightened.”

Ginny gathered all the strength she had and punched Draco in his perfect face. “You stupid, bloody git! You evil bastard”! She screamed.

Draco to his credit resisted the urge to rub the skin around his eye that now stung and itched where Ginny punched him.

Ginny felt the tears, and knew she had only seconds to get away from him. She didn’t look back as she broke into a run up to Gryffindor tower, as the crowds of students started making their way back to the castle. Ginny reached her bed and broke down into sobs; she could barely catch a breath. Why was she so upset? She and Draco didn’t even have a relationship! She supposed she deserved it. She had allowed Draco to remove all of her clothes in a broom closet! But Ginny didn’t regret it, even though Malfoy was still “The enemy” to her friends and family, she had felt like she belonged in his arms. She liked the things he did to her, and his kisses set her whole world on fire.

Ginny could hear the loud Gryffindors celebrating as girls made there way up the stairs. They must have won.

“Ginny? Are you in here?” Hermione called.

Great. Just what she needed. A friend, at a time like this. Ginny wanted to be alone with her thoughts, so she rolled over and feigned sleep as Hermione pulled the bed curtains back.

Hermione saw the fresh tears tracks on Ginny’s cheeks and took a seat, letting the curtain fall back. “Ginny Weasley, you are no Julia Roberts. Sit up and tell me what’s wrong.”

Ginny opened one eye to look at Hermione. “Who’s Julia Roberts?” She sniffed.

“A Muggle actress. Now, whatever is the matter? “

Ginny contemplated telling Hermione the truth, but immediately changed her mind. “Nothing, everything…Life…It’s just so confusing sometimes, do you know what I mean?”

Hermione wasn’t sure what Ginny was talking about, but decided the best way to get her to talk was to get her to relax her guard first, she changed the subject. “We missed you at the game. Harry made the most amazing catch!” Hermione blushed before continuing, “Well, everyone thought he was going to crash into the stands, but he was just showing off. Everyone’s celebrating; you should come down and have a butterbeer, get your mind off…life.” Hermione smiled.

Ginny did not feel like celebrating, she wanted to see Draco, if only to hurt him like his comments hurt her. “Ginny? Are you coming“?

Ginny slowly nodded, slid off the end of her bed and preformed a beauty charm on herself before heading downstairs with Hermione.

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

Draco looked at his reflection in the mirror in his room. She had a good right hook. His left eye, and cheek were already swollen, and his right eye had an ugly purple line forming under it. He thought about charming it away, and then changed his mind. He wanted her to remember, for as long as his bruises lasted, what had transpired between them.

He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but it was like she was inside of him, he couldn’t go more than a minute or two without thinking about her. He could still taste her kisses on his lips, and when he closed his eyes, he saw her face, her smile, the cute way her nose wrinkled up, and she shook her head when she disagreed with something, the soft blush of her cheeks…Draco shook his head. What the hell was wrong with him? He wouldn’t go so far as to say that he cared for her, but why had he not taken her in the broom closet? She was more then willing.

Because she was a virgin, and he didn’t take virgin’s to his bed. Women were clingy enough as it was, he could just imagine one that had never been with anyone else. His closest mate, Blaise Zabini liked taking virgins to his bed, and would seek them out, but Draco found it tedious work, and had given up after taking Hannah Abbott to the astronomy tower on prefect’s rounds in sixth. The poor girl was shaking like Longbottom in potions and Draco had only unbuttoned her shirt. He didn’t have the patience Blaise did and left her there.

But why had he pushed Ginny away tonight? To protect her, he told himself. Protect her from what? Evil git’s like himself who stalked the women they wanted then discarded them once they had served their purpose? He had spent so many nights imagining what it would be like to have Ginny in his arms…

He’d never done that before. He was usually satisfied with whomever he was shagging at the moment, and since his fascination with Ginny, he’d been with several girls, but he’d always been fantasizing about her. When he tried to do homework, something would remind him of her, everywhere he looked, he saw the color red, and noted that it paled in comparison to the luster of her hair. He was consumed with her. If he wasn’t careful, he would be shouting poetry under her window…He hoped he hadn’t ruined things completely, yes, his first instinct was to push her away, but that was for her own protection, he was a bastard, and he knew it, but he wanted her anyway. He would have her, he had to.

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

Ginny’s next few days were miserable ones, thinking constantly of Draco. The Gryffindors had a good laugh when they saw Draco’s black eye, but Ginny was mortified that she had hurt him. She wanted to apologize, but then she remembered all the horrible things he said. In her heart she felt he didn’t mean them, and if he knew how, she was sure he would “express his regret“. Ginny doubted “I’m sorry” was in his vocabulary. Ginny was heading to DADA when Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil approached her.

“Ginny, do you mind if we had a word?” Lavender asked.

Ginny was curious, and followed the two away from the other students to a more secluded spot.

“Ginny, dear, what is there between you and Draco Malfoy?” Lavender asked bluntly, while Parvati pretended great interest in the binding of her book. How did they know?

“I don’t see how that is any of your business, Lavender, dear “ Ginny retorted.

Lavender huffed out a big breath, then continued “I’ll ignore you’re tone because I feel I’m giving you some very valuable advice. Advice I wish someone had given me. Draco Malfoy is trouble. He’ll show you a good time in bed, but throw you out the minute it’s over. You’ll regret it, and besides, everyone knows Harry loves you, and he’ll never Malfoy you. Just think about it.”

Ginny noticed during Lavender’s speech that Parvati shook her head more than once. “You too?” Ginny asked Parvati.

Parvati’s head shot up and Lavender rounded on her. “What?!”

“Well, he, I, it was after I had, um, been with Seamus, and-”

Parvati was cut off as Lavender began a tirade about supposed best friends, and stormed off. Parvati followed and they argued down the hall. Ginny could feel her temper rising, she knew Draco was experienced, but she didn’t want to know who he had been with. She groaned out loud at the thought and headed to class.

Ginny sat in DADA, listening to Professor Saltpuffin go on about Kappa’s or some such nonsense, she didn’t care about and tried to get her nerves to settle long enough to allow her to concentrate clearly. What did she feel for Draco? When she thought about him, she wanted to be close to him. Why? She hadn’t known him that long, and yet right now, she felt closer to him than she did to anyone else she could name, but why?

They hadn’t had that many conversations between them, yet when they looked at each other; it was as if their eyes communicated thousands of words. Was that all in her head? She wanted him, in the most primal sense of the word, and even when he told her that he didn’t want her, she hadn’t really believed him. But why did he say it then? Why was he angry that she hadn’t been with anyone else? Her mum put such a big store in saving herself that she would have thought it was something special, but maybe Draco was right, maybe he only wanted a woman in his bed who knew what she was doing.

Ginny knew just the man to go to to educate her if Draco Malfoy didn’t want to teach her.

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

Draco was out of luck when it came to finding Ginny alone. It seemed suddenly like Granger or Loony Lovegood were always with her…And worse than this was Harry sodding Potter. He knew that Harry had feelings for Ginny, the whole school did, but to actually see Harry tentatively put an arm around Ginny’s shoulders made Draco furious. Ginny allowed the contact for a few minutes, and then seemed to shrug it off, while reaching for a platter she could have easily asked someone to pass to her. Draco hadn’t realized he’d stood up when Harry had placed his arm around Ginny and was watching from across the great hall. Pansy placed a hand on his shoulder to coax him back onto the bench.

“Temper, temper, Malfoy” she purred in his ear.

Draco rubbed his ear where her tongue had just been and shot her his dirtiest look. “Whore.” he sneered.

Pansy was unaffected by his insult. “So, itching to be between that Muggle lovers thighs are you, can‘t stand to know she’s shagging Potter now?”

Draco pushed away from the table with such force that several goblets and platters went flying to the ground. He had to get away; he had to clear his head. He hated Pansy! She knew exactly what was going through his head. He didn’t believe that Ginny had turned to Potter so quickly, but something was different between those two. He knew they weren’t shagging, Potter was too honorable. And Draco didn’t just want to shag Ginny, but yes he wanted her, desperately. He would like to think he was capable of more, but in all honesty, he didn’t know if he could ever love anyone other than himself. Love?

Ginny turned with every other person in the hall toward the Slytherin table to see what the commotion was all about. She saw Draco storm out, and Pansy smiling as she waved her wand over the table, repairing broken glasses, and platters that had flown to the floor. Tonight was the night she decided. “I think.” she whispered.

Harry turned to her, “What’s that Gin?”

“Oh, nothing…Just thinking out loud.” she smiled at him.

Hours later it was just a handful of people left in the Gryffindor common room. Harry yawned as he tried to finish his potions assignment. Ron looked at Harry’s parchment, then his own. “Is that all you’ve got, Harry? How am I supposed to copy from your work if that’s all you’ve got?”

“I know this is a totally wild idea Ron, but you could try doing your own work, just for a change” Hermione suggested.

Ron rolled his eyes, and yawned, causing a chain reaction, and soon everyone else was yawning too, and saying how tired they were. “I guess I’ll head up to bed, then” Ron said as he stretched his long arms above his head.

“Me too” Hermione began gathering her books and saying goodnight to everyone, she headed to her private room.

Harry looked at Ginny and smiled, they were the only two left in the common room now. “Well…I guess we should get to bed too, it’s late.”

Ginny took a deep breath and walked from her seat on the couch to Harry’s armchair near the fire. “Harry, I’m not at all tired.” Ginny felt it was wrong. Everything inside of her shouted that this was wrong, but she found herself pushing ahead with her plan. Ginny sat on Harry’s lap and thought that his eyes just might pop out of his head for how large they got.

“Ginny, w- what are you doing?”

“Isn’t it obvious Harry?’ Ginny was finding the role of seductress easy when she knew she was 100 percent safe. This was by far the stupidest thing she’d ever attempted, and Harry was too dense to respond. Ginny decided to abandon her plan and tried to get off Harry’s lap. Harry surprised her by grabbing her wrist and pulling her back to him.

“Ginny” he breathed softly against her lips as he kissed her. She could feel him shaking, and his kiss was slightly awkward, and Ginny found she ended up taking control of the kiss. She felt nothing; she had full control of her mind and her body. When Draco kissed her, she didn’t think, she felt. Harry was hugging her tightly to him and trying to crush her it felt like. Ginny took one of Harry’s hands and placed it over her breast, and Harry jumped away from her as if she were on fire. “What is it Harry?”

“It’s just Gin…It’s not that I don’t want to, to” Harry couldn’t seem to look her in the eye, “Touch you, it’s just that I, well Gin, not here. And I want to understand that this means that you’ve changed your mind, about us?”

Ginny looked away from Harry and cursed his smiling, hopeful, face. She was totally misleading a sweet, sensitive young man who cared about her for her own selfish purposes. She knew she wouldn’t have gone through with it, but the fact that she had gone this far made her feel lower than low. How could she? She was so desperate for Draco Malfoy that she was willing to hurt her friend? Ginny didn’t know why she wanted someone so badly who didn’t want her…

Turn around and I'll be there
take my hand and climb the stairs
throw your troubles to the wind
summertime is happening

Thank the sun up in the sky
never had to reason why
find a place where love can grow
lets stay in the shadows

We’ve got secrets, nothing touches us
secrets we walk in the sun
we've got secrets, you can’t come with us
secrets not for everyone

Turn around and I’ll be there
in your dreams and everywhere
put your worries in a jar
take my hand and we’ll go far

Empty sun up in the sky
never had to reason way
find a place where love can grow
lets stay in the shadows

We’ve got secrets, nothing touches us
secrets we walk in the sun
we've got secrets, you can’t come with us
secrets not for everyone

Ginny felt terrible about what she had tried to do to Harry. He had asked her to go with him to Hogsmeade the following Saturday, but Ginny had suddenly become very good at making up all sorts of excuses to get out of spending time with him.

She lay in bed most of the day feeling sorry for herself, alone in her dorm room. She wanted to seek out Draco, but assumed that he was in Hogsmeade too. But there was only one way to find out, only one way to get the answers to all the questions that had been bothering her.

Ginny wasn’t quite sure she was ready for the answers; what if Draco meant what he had said, and that he never wanted to see her ugly Weasley face again? No, he’d called her beautiful, and she knew he meant it.

Ginny found her courage and went looking for Draco Malfoy.

He wasn’t hard to find. Ginny stepped out of the portrait of the fat lady and found Draco leaning against the wall.

“Hi” she whispered, surprised to see him there.

“Hello, Miss Weasley. I was just having a lovely chat with your portrait. You are well protected in your tower, princess”

The fat lady seemed to puff up with pride at is compliment that she was doing a fine job, while Ginny’s whole body began to flush.

”How long have you been waiting out here?”

Draco grinned at her and closed the space between them, now towering over her. “Doesn’t matter, I would have waited longer, because you are well worth it.”

Draco captured Ginny’s mouth with his own and Ginny gave herself over to all the longing she had for him. They only stopped when the fat lady’s “Hhhmmm’s” got louder and louder, and finally broke through their passionate haze.

“Let’s go somewhere, to talk,” Draco said, and took Ginny’s hand in his own. He took them to the prefects bathroom, it was deserted, and safe, as Draco didn’t want Ginny to get the wrong idea if he took her to his room, but he wanted someplace with complete privacy too. They sat down on the white marble bench in front of the pool-sized tub. They were straddling the small bench, knees touching, holding hands.

“Draco.”

“Ginny.”

They both began at the same time. Ginny put her head down and smiled, but Draco remained serious.

“You first, “Draco conceded. He wasn’t used to giving anyone else control, or being generous, but he wanted to hear what Ginny had to say. He was surprised she was talking to him after the way he had behaved. He never expected to see her come out of the portrait, he had planned on bullying the next Gryffindor he saw into fetching her for him so they could talk. But then she had appeared, and they were drawn to each other like a Malfoy to sweets, and she was sweet. He tried not to stare at her lips as she spoke, this was serious, and he had things he needed to say to her.

Ginny gathered her nerve, nodded, took a few deep breaths and blurted, “Did you mean what you said?”

Draco didn’t move a muscle for what seemed like a full minute, he just looked Ginny straight in the eye.

Ginny felt her spirits lift with the look in those gray eyes.

Draco cupped her face in his hands and drew her closer to him.

“Ginny, I said those things out of frustration . . . and anger.” Draco let his hands fall from her face to follow the outline of her shoulders, and down her arms, until he was once again holding her hands in his.

“I want you to understand first of all, I a selfish bastard, I don’t think I’ll ever change, and-”

Ginny gave him a quick peck on the lips and said, “I already knew that.”

Draco gave her a half smile and said, “If I may continue?”

Ginny nodded, and Draco looked solemn again. “It’s just I think, I know that I will hurt you again, I don’t want to, but I most likely will. I said those things because I was trying to push you away. I think I wanted to protect you from myself.” He pulled his hand away from hers. “I wanted to shag you when I saw you at the welcoming feast, because you looked so utterly, completely beautiful. And I thought if I took you to bed, I could get you out of my system, you know, but after I kissed you in the library, I realized that was a foolish idea. I can’t seem to get you off of my mind. It’s like you’re in my blood. I will have you Ginny, and not for one night either.”

Her eyes widened at his surprising monologue.

“I can’t watch you with Potter ever again! I wanted to kill him when he touched you in the hall the other night. Tell me you’ll stay with me Ginny, even when I break your heart.”

She shivered slightly despite the bathroom’s warmth.

“I’ve never loved anyone before; I’m sure I’ll be very bad at it.”

Ginny didn’t know what to say. Draco’s confession blew her away. Was he under Veritaserum? No, he’d just told her what was in his heart. He was being honest, maybe for the first time in his life. Ginny stood up and turned away from Draco for a moment.

Draco could feel his heart breaking. “Ginny?” he said, his voice hoarse whisper.

Ginny kept her back to Draco, and he knew he was defeated. Why had he chosen to tell the truth? He should have made something up! He prided himself on his ability to come up with a believable lie on the spot. Because you git, he admonished himself, you love her, gods help her. Draco stood up and walked over to Ginny. If she hit him again, he deserved it.

Ginny felt him behind her and turned around to face him. Draco saw the tears running freely down her face.

“Have I broken your heart already then?” he asked, as he used his thumbs to brush them away.

Ginny shook her head; she didn’t think she could talk just then. She was too overwhelmed. Draco had changed everything for her with a few sentences. Probably the most important sentences she would ever hear. She knew if they were going to try and make a go of any kind of a relationship, they would have to be honest; Draco had done his part, now it was her turn. When Ginny was able to calm her breathing enough to talk she told Draco, “I’m not going to let you be bad at loving me, Draco Malfoy, I’m going to teach you everything I know about love-”

Draco raised an eyebrow.

“The love I learned from growing up in a large family. The healthy kind, not the kind where you try to hurt each other.”

Draco rested his head on Ginny’s shoulder as he lifted her off the ground and hugged her tightly to him.

“Just one more thing, Draco, let me talk to Harry about us. I would want him to hear it from me, he deserves that much. I’ve been absolutely horrible to him, and I have to do this.”

Draco stiffened at the mention of Potter’s name on her sweet lips. He wanted to let the whole school know that they were together He was proud of her, he didn’t care what people said anymore. He’d seen people for their true colors after his father got tossed into Azkaban. Draco decided to respect Ginny’s decision, and nodded. “Whatever you like, princess.”

Ginny smiled triumphantly, until Draco said, “In exchange, for one kiss.”

“One kiss?” Ginny asked suspiciously.

Draco leaned over her and said each word slowly, “Just…One…Kiss.”

Ginny felt her whole body shiver, she nodded her head, and thought she would die if he didn’t kiss her soon.

Draco moved in very slowly for his kiss, so slowly that Ginny stomped her foot in impatience. Draco couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him before their mouths finally met.

Ginny wrapped her arms tightly around Draco’s waist, and held on. The kiss was one of possession, promise, and passion. Ginny felt weak and strong at the same time. Draco’s lips never left hers as he slid his hands under her jumper, pulling her ever closer, feeling her hot skin against his fingertips. Ginny let go of her shyness and let her passionate nature exert itself. Draco was wearing a black button up shirt that was made of a smooth material Ginny couldn’t name, but as she began unbuttoning the shirt, one button at a time, she soon found the warm skin beneath was smoother than any cloth could be. Ginny pulled the shirt free from Draco’s pants and tossed it on the floor. She was having trouble concentrating; they were barely coming up for air, though Draco’s kisses were enough to rob her of all thought anyway.

Ginny finally dragged her mouth away, and said, “Draco! Enough! You’re getting more than a kiss.”

Draco looked down at Ginny, and thought she had never been more beautiful…Her hair was looking wild, her lips were swollen from his kisses and her bright golden-brown eyes were clouded with desire. Draco nodded, then asked, “What do you want Ginny?”

Ginny didn’t hesitate before answering, “You.”

Draco grabbed her face again in another searing kiss.

Ginny felt Draco’s hard chest press against hers, and noticed skin on skin. When had he removed her jumper? She didn’t know, but the sensations were delicious.

Draco traced his hands up her back, causing goose bumps all over as he removed her bra from her. “You’re gorgeous,” Draco said as he leaned down to take one breast, then the other into his mouth.

“What’s your real name Ginny”?

Ginny was lost in the sensation of what he was doing to her, and he had to repeat his question before he got his answer.

“Gin-Ginevra”

“That’s a lovely name. I think I’ll call you Ginevra from now on.”

Draco was unhooking the button and zipper of Ginny’s slacks, and sliding them from her legs now.

“I rather like Princess,” she managed to fumble.

“Alright, Princess it is.” Draco now had Ginny just in her knickers, having helped her out of her socks and shoes. Draco used his wand to Accio a large stack of thick, fluffy towels over to where he and Ginny stood. He used the Engorgio spell on the towels to make them a cozy bed on the marble floor.

Ginny’s hands were shaking as he tried to help relieve Draco of his belt.

“There’s no hurry,” he whispered as he lay her down on the make shift bed and covered her body with his own. His lips were trailing kisses along her neck and collarbone, and lower still, until he was kissing the warm flesh of her stomach. Draco ran his tongue along the low waistband of Ginny’s knickers, and she felt her hips rise off the floor of their own volition. Draco slowly slid her knickers from her and tossed them over his shoulder. He didn’t want to rush her, but he had to get out of his trousers soon, or face permanent damage. There was suddenly no room and he was quite crowded. Draco took a deep breath and reminded himself to be patient, to go slow.

“Ummm, Draco? Don’t you need to be naked too? I mean, that’s my understanding.” Ginny was leaning up on her elbows, twisting the ends of her long hair.

Draco raised an eyebrow at the saucy temptress in front of him, who was innocent, but knowing in her own way.

“Very good Ginevra,” he said as he kneeled beside her and undid his belt buckle and zipper of his trousers. As he started to wiggle them down his hips, Ginny could see a bulge against his boxer shorts. She’d felt it against her earlier, but now she was starring in fascination, waiting for it to make its appearance. Ginny knew what a penis looked like; she had six older brothers, after all, but those penises were not interesting in the least.

Draco studied Ginny’s face. Her eyes seemed to be locked onto the front of his boxers. Draco had no shame, and was rather proud of his body, so he made quick work of disposing of his boxers and was now kneeling before Ginny in all his erect, naked glory. When he looked at her face, he wasn’t able to read her expression. Her mouth hung open a little, and she didn’t seem to be blinking, or breathing.

“Ginny?”

No answer.

“Ginny? Are you alright?”

Ginny’s mouth was dry, and the excitement she felt earlier was dissipating. She didn’t want to do this anymore. “I’m sorry,” she croaked out.

“Sorry, for what?”

“I…I can’t do this.” She sat up and her voice got smaller but Draco heard her mumblings, “We’d never fit, it won’t work, that’s all.”

Draco tried to kiss her but she jerked her face away from his hands and mouth and stood up and tried to walk away. Draco caught her in two strides and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Ginny could now feel the object of her fear against her back, but Draco was using one hand to massage her breast, and the other was now slipping just the tip of his finger inside of her. Ginny could feel her knees begin to buckle as she leaned back against him, but her mind still feared the unknown.

“Ginevra, I’d never hurt you. I am aware that there will be some pain the first time, but it’s my job to get you hot, so hot that there is as little pain as possible. Do you believe me?”

Ginny would have believed anything he had told her at that moment. Ginny looked up at Draco over her shoulder and nodded. She allowed his kisses now and was gently laid back down on the fluffy towels.

Draco covered her body with his and looked down into her eyes. He gently brushed her hair back from her temples, and kissed her chin, and her cheeks, letting his hand wander down to make lazy circles on the inside of her thighs. He’d never taken this much time or care with a woman, but he wanted to enjoy Ginny, every single moment of her.

Ginny wasn’t as patient, and when Draco took Ginny’s nipple into his mouth, Ginny scratched Draco’s scalp, and the back of his neck as she moved restlessly against him. She was aching inside, she suddenly felt emptiness inside, and she knew she needed Draco. “Draco, please….” She was still frightened a little of the pain, but she wanted him too much to let a little pain stop her.

Draco looked up at her and grinned. She was an impatient little witch. Draco brought his hand flat over Ginny’s center and slid his finger in as far as it would go. Ginny eye’s widened in surprise as Draco slowly added a second finger to the first. Draco didn’t think he could wait much longer; his body was more than ready, reacting to Ginny’s, which felt hot and wet and tight.

Draco removed his fingers slowly and she groaned at the loss. Draco rubbed his cock against her wet opening and slowly pushed himself forward as far as he could go. Ginny gasped at his intrusion, and threw her head back, Draco leaned in close to her ear and said, “Ginevra, this is not temporary, do you understand?”

Ginny had trouble concentrating, but looked Draco in the eyes and nodded, her eyes were beginning to tear, and she felt her heart racing.

“You belong to me Ginevra, from this moment on, only to me, do you agree?”

Ginny reached up to caress Draco’s face, “And you to me.”

Draco kissed Ginny tenderly as he pushed himself forward slightly. He felt the proof of Ginny’s innocence, and deepened the kiss. Draco withdrew slightly and heard Ginny groan in protest. Draco thrust forward as far as he could as Ginny tore her mouth away and a scream escaped her lips.

“Hush, princess,” Draco soothed. “The pain will pass.”

Ginny felt hot tears roll down her cheeks and slapped Draco on the shoulder, “How would you know?” she wailed.

Draco hid his smile in the crook of her neck and did his best not to move. He wanted to move in and out of her; she fit him so tight, he wanted to pound into her small body, but used every ounce of restraint that he possessed to remain still.

Ginny now knew what all the girls in her dorm stayed up late giggling about, but she didn’t understand the “Big O; all she felt was a throbbing pain, though she had to admit it had lessened.

Draco was beginning to move slightly within her, back and forth, in slow, short strokes, and it wasn’t unpleasant. Draco reached down between them and began to caress the spot he knew would drive her mad.

Ginny was lifting her hips to meet his and Draco could feel Ginny’s hands moving up and down his back, when she raked her nails over his shoulder blades, he felt the skin open and groaned his pleasure into her ear. Draco increased his pace, and Ginny could feel a pressure building inside.

“Draco?” Ginny knew what was happening to her, but it was still an amazing feeling when it finally did happen. It was so much more intense than what had happened to her in the broom closet. Ginny felt her eyes roll to the back of her head and warmth spread through her, like thousands of tiny earthquakes erupting inside of her. “Draco!”

Draco felt Ginny’s release, and it forced his own. “Ginevra,” he groaned as he released himself inside of her.

Draco was shaken by his experience. He had never given himself so completely to any woman he’d taken to his bed. He wasn’t allowed to hold back from Ginny, she gave everything of herself, and he found he could do no less. He felt free, he felt like he could do anything, as long as he had Ginny.

Neither of them wanted to move, but Draco’s weight and the throbbing at the point where they were still joined were becoming uncomfortable.

“Are you still alive?” Draco asked in his cockiest voice.

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

Ginny didn’t want to leave Draco’s side, and he wasn’t ready to let her go. They had slowly gotten dressed, each admiring each others bits, as they were covered up. Ginny felt so sore she didn’t think she could walk, even her bum and thighs were sore. Draco had a huge arrogant smile on his face, and swept her up into his arms. “What if I carry you to my room?” he teased.

Ginny’s eyes widened. Should she dare stay the night with Draco? Would anyone notice that she was gone? Of course they would. Would they tell Harry? Of course, especially Lavender Brown…

“Ginevra?”

Ginny smiled at Draco, what must he be thinking? Here he was, holding, her, teasing her, and she was worried about what people were going to think. She wanted to spend the night with him; she’d deal with the consequences later.

“Carry on, Mr. Malfoy, to the dungeons.”

Draco and Ginny made it to his room without being seen by any more than a few Slytherin’s. She smiled when she heard his password, (Bat Bogey Hex) even though he tried to cover her ears, and told her after some goading, that he had perfected this curse over the summer after she had used it on him. He told her that it was most effective, as it really distracted your enemy, and Ginny had a huge grin on her face, until he told her he had practiced on the house elves until he’d perfected it. She tried to pinch him, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her close for a kiss.

Ginny couldn’t help but stare open-mouthed at the grandeur that was Draco’s room. She’d never been surrounded by such finery, from the bed sheets, Draco’s designer cologne, and shaving potion bottles, and gold picture frames, not the homemade wooden ones like they had at the burrow.

Draco turned his back as Ginny looked around at his room, he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable, and she was his first over-night guest, so he put on host mode and asked if she’d like something to drink.

“No, I’m fine.”

Draco saw that she couldn’t decide whether to sit or stand, or bolt out the door. He walked over to her and took her hand. “Ginevra, I want you to feel comfortable here, you’re the only person besides myself who knows the password. You are welcome here whenever you please. Especially at night…to shag.”

Ginny grabbed one of Draco’s elegant looking pillows and whacked him backwards onto his bed and crawled on top of him.

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

Draco and Ginny kept their affair a secret for well over a month, and it was a wonderful time for both of them. They would leave notes for each other to find in their book bags, Draco would have roses waiting for her in ’their’ room and would meet almost every night to make love, and hold each other all night. Ginny would always leave an hour before sunrise to sneak back to Gryffindor tower. Ginny had trouble keeping her smiles and easy fits of giggle at bay in front of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Harry finally asked her what the change in her was all about. Ginny didn’t know how to respond. She had never answered Harry’s question about the progression of their own relationship after the night she’d practically thrown herself at him. She wanted to shout “I love Draco Malfoy!” but instead answered,

“Harry, I, I’m late for potions, can we talk later?”

Just when everything was making sense, you took away all my self-confidence

Now all that I've been hearing must be true, I guess I'm not the only boy for you

But that's what I get

That’s what I get

That’s what I get

That’s what I get

How can you turn me into this? After you just taught me how to kiss

You I told you I’d never say goodbye, now I’m slipping on the tears you made me cry

But that's what I get

That’s what I get

That’s what I get

That’s what I get

Why’s it comes as a surprise to think that I was so naïve, maybe didn't mean that much but it meant everything to me

That’s what I get

That’s what I get

That’s what I get

Draco gave Ginny a wink as he passed her on his way out of the Great hall.

“What was that about?” Harry asked, while turning Ginny to face him, unaware that he had come up behind her, and surprised by his hand on her shoulder.

“I don’t know. You know Malfoy, probably trying to get a rise out of me.” Ginny almost choked on the words. She loved him, and now she was making up something to make him seem like a bad guy.

Harry nodded and asked if Ginny would be at the Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw game.

He was so blind! Ginny wanted to yell at him to open his eyes, but she couldn’t hurt him, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to say anything yet, and she still couldn’t. “Of course I will.”

Ginny meant to keep her promise to Harry and attend the Quidditch match; the only games she’d attended were the ones against Slytherin, but no one seemed to notice. She wouldn’t sit with Hermione, her eyes were too sharp, and her questions too direct. Ginny was already lying to Harry, she didn’t want to have to start lying to Hermione too.

On her way downstairs, with the intent to go see the game, Draco stopped her at the door, and convinced her it was too cold to sit and watch Gryffindor lose at Quidditch, and wouldn’t she be more comfortable snuggled up next to a sexy Slytherin instead?

“Know where I can find one?” she innocently asked.

Draco gave her a playful pat on the backside, and steered her toward his room.

Draco was in the process of undressing his deliciously beautiful girlfriend when he noticed her locket and remembered something. “Don’t move,” he whispered as he walked over to his dresser and pulled out a green velvet box with a silver ribbon around it. “I hope you won’t be offended, but I noticed that little locket that you always wear, and thought perhaps, you might like this.”

Draco offered up the box, but Ginny didn’t respond.

“Ginevra?”

Ginny looked up at Draco and took the box but did not open it, “Harry gave me this lock-”

“What!”

“Draco, calm down.”

“Do not tell me to calm down! You’ve been sleeping in my bed, while wearing his locket?”

“It doesn’t mean anything, HE doesn’t mean anything! Haven’t I proven that?”

Draco had turned away from her as she spoke, and Ginny now shoved his back to get his attention.

“You are an arrogant bastard!”

“I never claimed to be otherwise. I believe we have had this conversation before.”

Ginny sat on the end of the bed and began to cry. She was crying quietly at first, and then soon poured her heart out.

Draco was never bothered by a weeping women, except his mother, tears didn’t affect him. No, she could cry her eyes out; she deserved it for her betrayal.

A second after deciding this, Draco lifted Ginny from the bed and pulled her onto his lap. “I’m sorry, Love. I’m sorry.”

Ginny cried harder. Was he really apologizing? She looked up at him, and Draco held her chin in his hands.

“I am sorry, but can you understand where I am coming from?”

Ginny pushed herself off his lap and paced in front of him. “Do you have any idea how difficult it has been for me? Can you understand where I am coming from? I’ve had to deceive my friends, my bother, and a boy who thinks he loves me-”

“Do you regret it?” Draco said, getting to the heart of the matter.

“Not a moment.”

“Then let’s not talk of Potter in this room ever again. I want - I would like you to wear the necklace I bought you.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?!” Draco shouted. It wasn’t just about Potter anymore, Draco realized. He didn’t like the idea of Ginny wearing anything that belonged to any man but him. She was his, and it irked him that he hadn’t considered that the locket might have been from Harry earlier. Draco was fuming, but tried to calm himself before he spoke to Ginny again. He paced his room as Ginny sat half dressed on the edge of the bed. He was used to getting his way, and for her to tell him no was one problem, but why Ginny said she ‘couldn’t’ wear it was another issue altogether. “Ginny, would you please tell me why you can’t wear what I bought for you?”

Ginny wiped her eyes away and looked up at Draco. “I haven’t told Harry yet. That is the only reason, I promise.”

Draco felt that they had waited long enough to tell Harry. They had nothing to hide! But, Ginny was always trying to protect Harry. Well, no more. “Ginny, I won’t wait any longer. I don’t want to hide our relationship any longer, and Harry has the right to move on if he so chooses. By continuing to wear that thing you’ve mislead him.”

Draco reached a hand to his own forehead, he must be ill. Was he defending Potter? “One of us needs to tell him…Today, Ginevra.”

Ginny nodded; he was right. She reached behind her and swept her hair over one shoulder. She stared unblinkingly at Draco as she unhooked the clasp of the locket Harry had given her and placed it on the nightstand.

Draco walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. Ginny allowed him to hold her, and pushed away the tinge of guilt she was feeling. It wasn’t her fault that she loved the man holding her, and not the one that was out on the Quidditch pitch now. “I will tell Harry, tonight…No matter what.”

“You’re not afraid of him, are you?” Draco asked, holding her at arms length to look into her eyes. Ginny hesitated too long to suit Draco. “That bastard won’t lay a hand on you. I’ll make sure.”

That was the last thing Ginny wanted, for Draco and Harry to have an argument, or worse. “You’ll do no such thing. Harry would never hurt me.” Ginny knew Harry’s temper as well as anyone; she’d been on the receiving end more than once. But, she was sure that once she told him that her feelings had not changed, and if he was realistic, he’d have to admit that there was no spark there, he would see the truth that was in front of him.

Draco nodded at Ginny, not entirely convinced, and asked her if she was alright.

“I’m fine.” she answered, giving him a small smile. She just wanted him to hold her and give her comfort and strength for the confrontation she had to have with Harry later.

Draco brought the velvet box over and told her, “I know how you can go from ’fine’ to ecstatically happy,”

Ginny looked up, into Draco’s beautiful gray eyes, and asked, “Oh? Does it involve a certain Slytherin and a lovely Gryffindor shagging on that bed?”

Draco cleared his throat, and said, “Perhaps after. I meant my gift.”

Ginny blushed, and then accepted the velvet box Draco held up for her. She pulled the silver ribbon, and the box slowly opened of its own volition. A stunning diamond necklace was revealed to her, and Ginny gasped as she reached for it. “Oh…Draco, this is, oh, it’s just, it’s too amazing, I could never wear it,” she said as she brought it out to try on.

Draco let out a laugh, a real laugh, and Ginny had never been happier than seeing Draco Malfoy so amused, even if he was laughing at her. When Ginny held it up to her neck, she could see a small charm hanging from the necklace, it was a crown covered in diamonds, and sparkling in the candlelight of the room. “A crown?”

Draco helped her to put the necklace on, and leaned down to whisper, “A crown for my princess.”

Once the necklace was fastened, he walked with her over to the mirror, and Ginny couldn’t believe that was her in the glass. No one in her family had ever owned anything so expensive, or beautiful. “Draco, this is so stunning, but how can I w-”

Draco covered her mouth with his own in a quick kiss and said, “You don’t have to wear it all the time, but those high collared shirts, and high necked jumpers you wear,” he pointed at the Periwinkle “Weasley” sweater lying on his floor, “would easily cover it up.”

Ginny nodded and leaned up for a kiss. Draco wanted to make up with Ginny after their row, and thought he had the perfect treat for her. Since she was only half way dressed, he made quick work of ridding her of her remaining clothing. Draco picked her up and gently laid her down on his bed and began kissing every inch of her face and neck.

Ginny was shivering, and tried to catch Draco’s lips when they were close enough. Draco avoided her kisses, but continued to drive her wild with his mouth and tongue. He kissed her shoulders, the sensitive inner flesh of her arms, and each finger in turn, before turning his attention to her breasts. Ginny lifted off the bed as Draco suckled at each in turn.

He used his tongue to kiss a path lower still, and Ginny pushed her knees together when she realized his intent. “Draco! You, you can’t.”

Draco was determined to rid Ginny of her sudden shyness. He began kissing her hips and the top of her thighs as he innocently asked why she was afraid.

“It’s, well…I’ve heard things…what if you,” Ginny’s face was as red as her hair, but Draco was patient, as he waited for her to explain.

“Don’t like-”

Draco cut off anything else she might have wanted to say by running his tongue along the inside of her thighs, causing Ginny to relax them a little, and giving Draco better access to her.

“Believe me, I’ll like it. And what’s more, you’ll like it,” he said as his probing tongue got ever closer to her center. Draco was now able to push Ginny’s legs apart enough to give him room to work. He was going to give her an unforgettable experience.

He was still simply kissing the inside of her thighs, but Ginny was already grasping at the sheets and bucking against him in anticipation. Draco finally moved directly over the spot he knew would send her over the edge and slowly ran his tongue over her most sensitive spot. Ginny let out a yelp, and Draco smiled at her, before slipping his hands under Ginny’s bum to pull her even closer to his waiting mouth.

Ginny was now screaming out loud at what Draco was doing to her. He continued his ministrations, and Ginny couldn’t help the shouts she was giving at the new, incredible things Draco was doing to her. Ginny knew she was close to finding her release, she could feel the pressure building inside of her, she reached down to grab a fistful of Draco’s hair with one hand, and the other to hold on to the pillow behind her head as she screamed in pleasure. It seemed to her minutes had passed before her body stopped shaking, and she could catch a proper breath.

“Oh gods.” she sighed. “You’re talented Draco.”

“Don’t forget bald, talented and bald.” he said as he rubbed the back of his head where he was sure Ginny had ripped half his hair out. She was wild in bed, he loved that about her, but he’d have to tie her up next time he pleasured her this way, he thought.

Ginny couldn’t move. She felt too exhausted, and she hadn’t even done anything. She smiled at Draco and was about to ask if she could return the favor after a nap, when they heard what sounded like someone whistling.

Ginny grabbed the sheets to cover herself as all she was wearing was a necklace, but Draco didn’t look concerned. He grabbed his robe from the foot of the bed and went to his wall and said something in a low voice.

The wall slid only a fourth of the way back and Ginny could here Draco talking to Blaise Zabini. Blaise was Draco’s best friend and knew about her relationship with Draco and kept quiet, he was one of the few Slytherin’s Ginny liked. Draco said the password again and the wall slid closed as he made his way back to the bed.

“Is Blaise alright?”

“Bit a girl trouble. Apparently, he’s going to be a father, he needed to talk. I told him I’d find him in the common room later.”

“Draco Malfoy! He‘s your friend! He needs your help; you should go with him now. And you call being a father ‘a bit of girl trouble‘?” Ginny demanded incredulously.

Draco gave a huge, dramatic sigh as he got out of bed and pulled a fresh shirt from his closet. He didn’t want to tell Ginny that Blaise should have been a father five times now, but had always convinced the expectant mothers to take a fetus termination potion. He watched as she dressed, and knew he would most likely not see her this evening.

He noticed the closer Ginny got to being fully dressed, the more her hands shook. She was nervous about her coming talk with Harry. Draco walked over to her and told her not too worry; Scarhead had probably won the game, and would be in a great mood, so she had nothing to worry about.

Ginny was standing at Draco’s door and tried to convince herself those words were true. “I better hurry and get this over with,” she said and ran over to Draco for a quick peck on the cheek before running all the way up to Gryffindor tower, her heart hammering in her chest. She kept chanting that everything will work out, nothing to worry about, as she stared out the window and saw her housemates heading back toward the castle. Just a matter of time before Harry was face to face with her.

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

Draco was about to leave his room and find Blaise when he noticed Ginny’s old locket on his nightstand. He was going to throw it in the lake, he had decided, and put it in his pocket as he headed off to the Slytherin common room.

Blaise was easy to spot, he was fighting off Pansy Parkinson, who was trying to straddle him right there on the couch, in plain sight of everyone.

“Hogwarts broom, come here,” Draco said grabbing her by the arm.

Pansy protested but allowed Draco to lead her over to the window. He had to keep his hands in his pockets to keep from strangling her. “As head boy it is my responsibility to tell you that your behavior is inappropriate at best, Miss Parkinson, there are impressionable first year students present, I might remind you, and your conduct is most unbecoming of a prefect. Secondly, you know that house points should be taken away, however I for one won‘t be the one to put my house in la-”

Pansy flattened herself against Draco and purred, “You didn’t used to mind taking a ride on this broom Draco, but I haven’t seen you, or been invited to your bed in a long time.”

Draco shoved away from her, took his hands out of his pockets, and grabbed her face, pulling her forward for a tongue thrusting kiss.

“Do you know what that taste is?” Draco asked.

“Sugar quills?”

“Close. Ginny Weasley.”

Pansy’s scream of outrage filled the Slytherin common room. She took a swing at Draco, but he side-stepped her and she fell forward on to her knees.

Draco stepped over her and motioned with a nod of his head for Blaise to follow him.

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

Pansy was so angry she could Avada someone! Not someone, Ginny Weasley. She was the cause of all of this.

Pansy was picking herself up off the floor when she noticed something gold and shiny. She picked it up as she walked back up to her room. She wished she could take points from her own house and not have to pay the price too, not one person offered to help her up! She knew she wasn’t well liked by most of her housemates. She used to be the leader of the Slytherin Girls group, but then she had started sleeping with everyone’s boyfriends, and, she supposed, made herself quite unpopular.

Well she was angry now and someone was going to pay. Malfoy would pay. What he had just done to her was the lowest trick she’d ever heard of, and she came from a family well versed in dark arts! Pansy couldn’t believe that Draco and Ginny were sleeping together and she didn’t know. Surely everyone at school knew, didn’t they? If he’d had the audacity to tell her, she was certain everyone else knew. Hogwarts rumor mill worked faster than Rita Skeeter’s quill! Or maybe, they had managed to keep it from everyone, everyone including that idiot hero longing for Ginny, who was tucked away, literally, with Draco.

Pansy was formulating a plan for revenge, absently stroking the locket she had picked up earlier, and finally turned her attention to it. It was a plain, gold, heart shaped locket. Nothing special, and certainly not expensive enough to be owned by a Slytherin. Pansy turned it over and found an H & G intertwined on the back. It could belong to Ginny, the H & G could stand for Harry and Ginny, but then, how did it get in the Slytherin common room? Pansy worked out the details in her mind and guessed Draco must have taken it from Ginny, probably was going to hide it from her, since he was shagging her, but, he knew she still loved Harry. It made perfect sense to Pansy. She decided she would just have to hurt Harry in her little plan of revenge and straightened her clothing as she headed out to the Quidditch pitch, hopefully, he was still there.

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

Gryffindor tower was noisy with people celebrating once again. The Quidditch team hadn’t lost more than two games all season, and they won again today. The Gryffindors were making so much noise it was hard to have a conversation, though some still tried, yelling themselves hoarse.

Ginny was actually enjoying herself. Though she hadn’t attended the game, she was getting the exciting re-enactment from some hyper first years. The butterbeer was flowing, and food and sweets were in abundance. Ginny wished Draco were there. She was sure he would have a good time with her housemates if he got to know them like this. Ginny could almost forget her worries, as she turned back to Collin and Hermione as they all enjoyed the excitement of the impromptu party.

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

Pansy walked into the Gryffindor Quidditch changing room just as Harry and Ron were making there way out. They stopped themselves just before they crashed into her.

“Parkinson?” Harry asked looking stupefied. “What are you doing here?”

Pansy tried to put on her most seductive smile. “I need to speak with you Harry,” she gave him the once over. “Alone.”

Ron gave Harry a look that said “This girl is nutters, I’m staying“. But Harry had a strange feeling he wanted to hear what Pansy had to say. “It’s alright Ron. I’ll see you back in the common room.”

Ron gave them both a backward glance, and headed off to Gryffindor Tower. They were all alone in the small room, the rest of the team having left earlier. Harry was uncomfortable being alone with Pansy, and tried to get her to say what she had to say so he could leave. “Would you like to sit?” Harry offered, trying to be polite.

“No, no, I don’t think I will need to. But you may want to,” she hedged.

Harry was used to odd behavior from people, and played along. He sat down, and Pansy immediately swung the locket in front of his face.

Harry reached out to grab it but Pansy pushed him back with one hand and held the locket out of reach with the other.

“Where did you get that?” Harry asked through gritted teeth.

Pansy smiled and said, “That’s not as important as this.” Pansy leaned over Harry and gave him a kiss similar to the one Draco had given her.

“Do you know what that taste is?” Pansy asked, using Draco’s exact words.

Harry was still in shock nearly forgot to shake his head.

“That, Harry Potter, is your sweet Ginny Weasley…Courtesy of Draco Malfoy.”

Harry stared at her for a full minute before he realized what she was implying. “You’re lying!”

Pansy threw her head back and laughed. “Poor Harry! You really didn’t know, did you?”

Harry went running toward the door when Pansy called, “Don’t you want your locket?”

Harry ignored her and ran as fast as he could to the castle. He took the stairs two at a time and cursed Ginny the whole way. No wonder she’d been so happy these past months! What a fool he’d been! And Malfoy of all people, she might as well have killed him herself, and forget Voldemort, that lying betraying, witch.

Harry screamed “Sugar Quills!” at the fat lady, who jumped in her frame and opened up for him.

Harry spotted Ginny’s long red hair and lost control.

“MALFOY’S WHORE!” Harry yelled as he stormed into the common room. Every eye turned to him, and all talking stopped, even a few bottles of butterbeer hit the floor at his entrance.

Ginny’s eyes widened as he made his way over to her and hauled her up by her shoulders.

“How could you Gin?!” he screamed at her.

Ginny tried to get loose of the grip he had on her shoulders.

“Having a good laugh behind my back?” Harry shook Ginny and yelled, “Were you?”

Ginny was crying by now, as Harry yelled into her face, and looked at her with complete hatred.

Ron was trying to grab Harry’s arm and pull him away from Ginny, but Harry had surprising strength, and shoved Ron backwards into a chair that Neville was sitting in, sending them both crashing to the floor.

Hermione was trying to reason with Harry, but he had a death grip on Ginny’s upper arms and wouldn’t release her. Ron got off the floor and grabbed one of Harry’s arms, trying to set Ginny free, Harry let go for a second then pulled Ginny’s sweater down enough to reveal the diamond necklace.

Harry almost laughed as he grabbed the chain in his fist. “Well Gin, at least he pays you well for your services.”

Harry then gave a vicious yank and Ginny felt the necklace cut into the back of her neck as the diamonds went scattering all over the common room.

Ron, Seamus, and Neville were finally able to grab and hold Harry, but that didn’t stop him from yelling at Ginny. “He fucks every girl in the school! I loved you! I would have made you special all your life!”

Hermione had her arms around Ginny and was trying to protect her, but nothing could help after having those words screamed at her with all of Gryffindor listening. Ginny was openly sobbing; she couldn’t stop the tears, and was bleeding from the cut at the back of her neck. Ron started yelling at Harry, and Harry headed for the portrait hole, yelling about Ron defending his “Whore of a sister.”

Ron hugged Ginny to him, even though he wanted to demand the details of what was really going on, he was her big brother first, and she was hurting. Ginny buried her face in Ron’s chest and cried while Hermione broke up the crowd.

“This celebration is obviously over, it’s curfew soon and as head girl I don’t want to take points from my own house,” she said.

Everyone reluctantly got the hint, and started heading for their dorms, but the tower was buzzing with the events of the night.

Ginny couldn’t have come up with a better plan to humiliate herself and ruin her reputation if she had tried. When it was just Hermione, Ron, and Neville in the common room Ginny sat down on the couch for a minute, deciding what to do.

She wanted to run to Draco, but she didn’t want him going after Harry, or Harry going after Draco. Would he have already done that? No, she wasn’t worth it, she was just a whore. How did Harry find out anyway? Did Draco get tired of waiting and say something? No, he wouldn’t do that, he wouldn’t betray her, he said he’d let her handle it, he would. Ginny’s thoughts were interrupted when Neville came and sat next to her.

“Hi Gin”

Ginny smiled at him, “Hi Nev. Umm, thanks for-”

“Gin, you’re still the same wonderful girl that we all love, thoughtful, sweet,” Neville blushed. “Incredibly kind to go to the Yule Ball with a partner no else wanted, and let him step on your toes all night.”

Ginny smiled and hugged Neville, who hugged her back just as fiercely. Ginny winced at the pain in her neck, upper arms and shoulders, but put a smile on her face when she faced Neville.

“I love you Neville.”

Neville blushed redder than the Gryffindor common room décor and looked back at Ginny.

“I love you too, Gin. Goodnight.”

Ginny watched as Neville went up the boys stairs, Ron and Hermione were arguing over something in the corner, and Ginny decided she would go to Draco. She needed him.

This was the worst night of her life, and he was the only person she wanted to see. Ginny snuck past the portrait, and neither Ron nor Hermione called her back. She walked downstairs toward the dungeons, hoping she wouldn’t run into Harry, which was the last thing she would need.

Ginny reached the second floor without incident, but thought she heard a noise behind her. When she turned she expected Mrs. Norris, or Peeves perhaps, but she didn’t see anyone behind her. When she turned back around, she let out a gasp as something was suspended in the air in front of her. Ginny swung at the object, unsure at first what it was. By the time she realized what it was it was too late, and Ginny had lost her footing, pitching forward down the flight of stairs.

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

Harry decided to go for a fly after he left the tower. He did not feel bad about the things he had said. He did however feel guilty that he had said them in front of all of Gryffindor Tower.

That was probably just as unforgivable as Ginny’s betrayal. If only he hadn’t trusted her so much. He was an idiot a million times over, and Ron probably hated him. Everything was falling apart for him.

He had enough to deal with, as he was expected to save the wizarding world from a resurrected Dark Lord. Again. And Again. Nothing ever worked for him, and the one thing he wanted, he was losing to the world’s biggest git?

It didn’t make sense. Harry reached the front doors of the castle and hoped he wouldn’t run into anyone. It was now well after curfew, and he already had to face who knew what in the common room when he got there.

Ginny’s friends lined up to punch him, probably. Or Ron ready to hex him. Or maybe Ginny ready to hex him, which was a far more frightening prospect.

Harry was just getting ready to start up the next set of stairs when he saw a black puddle in front of him. An eerie feeling crept over him, reminding him of second year, the whole Ginny and the Chamber incident. Harry was afraid to turn the corner and start up the next staircase. He took a deep breath, and turned to his right. He saw the black puddle was coming from someone lying face down on the last step. Flaming red hair in the candlelight.

Harry ran over and carefully tried to turn her over, “Ginny!”

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

A/N: Please don’t be too mad at me…I know a few people are worried about Darling Harry…I PROMISE- No ships will be broken!

You wear guilt
Like shackles on your feet
Like a halo in reverse
I can feel
The discomfort in your seat
And in your head it's worse

There's a pain
A famine in your heart
An aching to be free
Can't you see
All love's luxuries
Are here for you and me

And when our worlds they fall apart
When the walls come tumbling in
Though we may deserve it
It will be worth it

Bring your chains
Your lips of tragedy
And fall into my arms

And when our worlds they fall apart
When the walls come tumbling in
Though we may deserve it
It will be worth it

Harry held Ginny’s lifeless body in his arms and tried not to panic. He needed to keep his wits; she needed him. “Ginny, Ginny, can you hear me?”

Blood flowed from the huge wound across the top of her head and there were countless bruises on her face. Her eyes were swelling so much that Harry didn’t think she would be able to open them even if she wanted to.

“Someone help us!” Harry shouted, hoping for once that nosy old Filch was close by.

Ginny appeared to be breathing, but her breaths were short and ragged, and she had lost so much blood. It was soaking through Harry’s robes and covered the stairs. Harry heard someone approach and was grateful to see Filch with Mrs. Norris at his side.

“What did you do this time Potter?” he accused, in his scratchy voice.

Harry gave Filch his dirtiest look and saw that he had not fully taken in the situation. He walked down the stairs and took in the circumstances more fully, then covered his mouth, backing away with the words, “I’ll fetch Poppy” on his lips.

Harry leaned closer over Ginny, whispered, “Madam Pomfrey is on her way. Don’t worry. You’re going to be fine.” Harry hoped he was telling her the truth; he’d never seen anyone hurt this bad, and hoped there was enough magic to fix her. He had to tell her how sorry he was.

Ginny was placed in a bed in the back of the hospital wing, near Madam Pomfrey’s office, the curtains were drawn, and Harry wasn’t allowed to see her. He had gotten into an argument with Madam Pomfrey, and was now sitting against the wall outside the doors. He had demanded to stay near her, and Madam Pomfrey had puffed up like a mother hen and shoved him out. Professor McGonagall had come soon after Ginny had arrived and had finally re-emerged from the room to address Harry.

“I am glad you’re still here Mr. Potter. Madam Pomfrey and I had some questions.”

Harry stood up and asked, “Ginny, is she alright, will she be alright?”

Professor McGonagall looked at Harry sternly, then said, “Miss Weasley’s condition is very serious. She has lost a great deal of blood, and though she has been given a blood-replenishing potion, she is still quite weak. She is covered in bruises, and though some we can understand were ascertained in the fall, there are some that are suspicious.”

Harry lowered his head. He felt so ashamed for losing control. He hadn’t meant to hurt her; he never would intentionally hurt her.

But he had. It was just like Hermione always said, he was always acting out before he had a plan, and now Ginny was lying in a hospital bed because of him.

“Potter?”

Harry looked at Professor McGonagall and said, “Ginny…Ginny and I, we had a row, and I grabbed her. I hurt her.”

Harry’s bright green eyes looked unblinkingly into Professor McGonagall’s.

“This is very serious Potter. You will have to report to Headmaster Dumbledore at once. No student has the right to physically abuse another. Change your robes, and then report to Dumbledore.” She frowned and looked at him with a deep sorrow in her eyes. “The password is peppermint humbug. Now go.”

Harry was hesitant to leave. He knew he had to see Dumbledore, but he wanted to see Ginny. He had to apologize. He was angry with her for carrying on with Malfoy behind his back, but he’d never meant to go yell at her or grab her or hurt her or even humiliate her in front of their entire house.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to get him moving, and Harry slowly began to trudge towards Gryffindor Tower.

His mind working fast, trying to make sense out of all the thoughts running through his head. Why had Ginny fallen in the first place? She wasn’t clumsy anymore; she walked with the grace and poise of a queen. Was she running from him? From the horrible things he said? He had made her cry, maybe she couldn’t see and had lost her footing. Oh gods, it was all his fault.

Then that little voice in the back of his mind began to taunt him. The one that was always there, assuring him of defeat.

She was running to Draco Malfoy. Her lover. You hurt her, so she was running to the comfort of his arms.

Harry felt his temper rise again. If that was where she was going, he had sent her there.

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

Draco and Blaise had gone to the far end of the lake, out of sight of prying eyes, to share a bottle of fire whiskey and talk about women. There was practically nothing left in the bottle when Draco decided it was time to head back.

“Hoping Shinny will be in your bed?” Blaise slurred, gesturing obscenely.

“Don’t talk about her like that!” Draco snapped. “And give me that bottle. You never could handle your drink.” He tipped up the bottled and downed the last of the thick liquid. He stood up and brushed himself off, then offered a hand to Blaise.

Blaise weaved as they made their way back to the castle. Draco wasn’t nearly as drunk, he’d had about half the bottle, listened to Blaise complain about Bailey Pringle wanting to keep their baby, and tried not to worry about Ginny. He remembered he had wanted to throw Ginny’s locket into the lake and reached into his pocket to do just that. It wasn’t there. “Bloody hell, where is it?”

Blaise stopped a few feet ahead and backtracked. “Where’s what?”

“Potter’s stupid locket. I was going to toss it. I had it in my pocket earlier.”

“Oh yessss. I know what you’re on about.”

Blaise swayed and Draco reached out to steady him. “You’re pissed. Let’s get you to bed, and I’ll look later.”

Draco and Blaise made it into the front doors without incident, but on their way down the stairs to the dungeons the distinct sound of two people arguing reached their ears. Draco pushed Blaise back into the shadows so they could listen and motioned for him to be quiet. Even as he did, Blaise seemed to have fallen asleep against the wall, so Draco leaned forward as far as he could to listen.

“What do you want me to do about it?” Draco recognized Professor Snape’s voice. But he didn’t know who he was talking to.

“I ain’t got the stomach for it. I don’t usually have to clean up messes like that. I don’t know who else to ask. I helped you when that beast ripped into your leg a couple years ago-”

“ALRIGHT!”

Suddenly Professor Snape was heading toward Draco and Blaise with Filch right behind him. Why did Filch need Snape’s help cleaning up? That was beneath him.

Draco jabbed Blaise and emerged from the shadows to walk casually down to the common room. Snape looked surprised to see them, but quickly masked his face. “Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini. A little late to be out of bed. And reeking of fire whiskey too? That is not the behavior of a head boy is it, Mr. Malfoy?”

“Sorry, Professor, Blaise got bad news, and was drowning his sorrows.”

Blaise blinked back a few tears, and let out a sigh.

Professor Snape waved them away and started up the steps. He didn’t care that they were off drinking, but he didn’t want them asking questions that were none of their business. The fact that he was walking with Filch was sure to arouse suspicion, and he didn’t need any more rumors swirling around about him.

Draco pushed Blaise towards the boy’s dorm staircase, and then silently followed Snape and Filch; he was just drunk enough that he had to know what was going on.

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

Harry reached the fat lady and was about to say the password when she turned her back on him.

“I deserve an apology,” she sniffed from over her shoulder. “Your treatment of me, honestly! Why, I could keep you out here all night, you know!”

Harry knew that he deserved it. “I am sorry for yelling at you,” he said meekly. “I’m sorry for everything I’ve done tonight.”

She nodded curtly.

“Sugar Quills.” Harry crept in cautiously, holding his breath, not knowing what to expect. It was empty, and was fairly dark, and he was about to make his way up the stairs when a fist made solid contact with his face.

“Bloody sodding hell!” Harry yelped, stumbling back.

Ron had been sitting on the bottom step, hidden in the dark, waiting for him.

Hermione’s head popped up from the couch where she’d fallen asleep. “Ron! You promised!” she yelled.

Ron kept his fierce gaze on Harry as he said, “I lied.”

Harry was sure his nose was broken. “I suppose I deserve that.”

Ron was advancing on him with the fierce look of a Hungarian Horntail. “You suppose you? You effing suppose? You bloody git! Do you have any idea what you did to my sister? She’s probably in her room, crying her eyes out-“

“She’s not.”

“What?” Ron was caught off guard. “Where is she then? What did you do to her?”

Harry used his sleeve to stop the bleeding from his nose, and looked from Ron to Hermione. He’d have to tell them about Ginny. His robes were too dark, and they couldn’t see Ginny’s blood on them in the fading firelight. “Ginny’s not in her room Ron. I, I, went for a fly after, I uh, left here. And when I got back I was coming up the stairs, and I found Ginny. She was hurt. She’s in hospital. I’m sorry.” He rushed through the end; he didn’t know how to tell Ron. They’d been angry with each other before, but they had never come to blows before.

Hermione came over and put an arm around Harry, trying to hug him when she saw the blood on him. “Harry! You’re hurt!”

“No, it’s not my blood.”

Ron and Harry stared at each other as Ron headed for the portrait hole. Before stepping through he turned back to Harry, “If anything happens to my sister…”

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

Draco sobered quickly as he followed Snape and Filch up two flights of stairs, keeping to the shadows. He had no idea what they were up to. They hadn’t exchanged any more words since they had left the dungeons, and Draco’s curiosity was nearly getting the best of him. They stopped at the base of the second floor and he saw Snape remove his wand from his pocket as Filch turned away.

Draco couldn’t see what was on the floor that needed cleaning, but he could hear Snape ask Filch what had happened.

“Horrible mess…Weasley girl fell…”

Draco felt his heart drop. Ginny? She had fallen? Draco could feel himself shaking as he turned on his heel and rushed down the stairs to the hospital wing. If she was that badly hurt, that was where she would be. He couldn’t believe that there was anything wrong, how had she fallen? What had happened? He had to see Ginny; he had to make sure that she was alright. Draco vowed that if Harry Potter was responsible for this, he would kill him.

He really cared for Ginny, and he was terrified that he might lose her. He felt like he was having a nightmare, Ginny was lying in a hospital bed, just a few feet away from him, and just this afternoon they were together and happy. She couldn’t be badly hurt; he was only just realizing how vital she was to his life. He didn’t think he’d ever have anyone in his life that cared for him the way she did, and he could not lose her

Draco reached the entrance to the infirmary and as quietly as possible opened the door. There was only one bed occupied, the curtains closed. As Draco made his way over, Madam Pomfrey emerged from behind the curtains. “What are you doing here Mr. Malfoy? No visitors.”

Draco tried to speak, but couldn’t quite get anything out. He swallowed hard then looked at Madam Pomfrey. “How is she? Will she be alright?”

Her expression softened slightly – most likely due to the fact that Draco Malfoy had never shown concern for anything but himself – but answered, “She’s resting. You need to go.”

Draco took her hand and looked into her eyes, “Please. Please Madam Pomfrey, please let me see her. I have to…” Draco looked pleadingly into her eyes, and Madam Pomfrey reluctantly gave in.

.Draco took a deep breath, and asked again how she was, holding his breath for the answer.

“She has not regained consciousness,” she admitted with a sigh. “Her appearance maybe be something of a shock.” She pointed to Ginny’s curtain. “Ten minutes. No more.”

Draco’s hands shook as he pulled the curtains back and stepped inside. Draco let out an involuntary gasp. Ginny’s face was unrecognizable. It was so swollen and bruised, and there was a large bump across the top of her head that looked like it had been healed over, but the swelling had not gone down.

Draco dropped to his knees beside her and gently took her hand in his. “I’m so sorry, love. I don’t know who did this to you, but they will suffer, I promise you.”

Madam Pomfrey was counting the minutes when Ron stormed in.

“Where is my sister?” he shouted.

“Keep your voice down, Mr. Weasley. She is trying to rest.”

Ron looked contrite, then started toward the bed when Madam Pomfrey said, “I don’t want any problems Mr. Weasley. Your poor sister has been through enough.”

Ron had no idea what she was talking about. He wasn’t there to start any problems; he wanted to see his sister. Ron pulled the curtain back and couldn’t help his eyes from bulging in his head. Ginny looked so horrible, and to his shock, kneeling at her side, was Malfoy.

“What are you doing here?” Ron didn’t bother to hide the hatred in his voice; after all it was his fault that Ginny was here in the first place.

Draco didn’t take his eyes off of Ginny as he answered, “I’m exactly where I should be, by Ginny’s side.”

Ron hauled Draco up by his collar and would probably have punched him, had Madam Pomfrey not walked in.

“Gentlemen! Out! Both of you, there will be no fighting in here.”

They both refused to leave, and only after swearing not to fight, or raise their voices, they were allowed to stay. They took two chairs on opposite sides of Ginny’s bed, and Ron kept giving Draco his dirtiest looks, and popping his knuckles menacingly.

Draco wasn‘t the least intimidated, he acted as if Ron wasn’t even there, all he cared about was Ginny.

They were sitting in silence for a few minutes with the curtains opened so Madam Pomfrey could keep her eye on them, when Ron asked, “Why?”

Draco looked up from stroking Ginny’s hand. “Excuse me?”

“Why are you …interested in my sister? I know you’re using her, and I’ll kill you Malf-”

“Would I honestly be here if I was using her? Would I? Think about it Weasley. If anyone deserves killing it’s whoever did this.”

Ron wasn’t convinced that Draco was being totally sincere. He was being gentle with Ginny, but that could be a ruse…To get what? The Burrow? Their collection of old Comet and Cleansweep brooms? His dads collection of plugs and batteries? Ron wasn’t ready to accept that Draco was genuine, not yet. He continued to throw dirty looks at Draco when the hospital door crashed open, and his mum burst in, followed by his dad, Professor McGonagall and Hermione.

“Where is she? Where is my baby?”

Madam Pomfrey knew it was going to be a very long night trying to keep the room quiet for her patient.

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

Harry washed and dressed, then headed to Dumbledore’s office. He was nervous about the retelling of the night’s events, and especially of the consequences. Would this be what finally got him tossed out of school? He would deserve it; he’d had no right to hurt Ginny, but he hadn’t meant for he to fall down the stairs. That was an accident.

Harry stood in Dumbledore’s office waiting for the headmaster to materialize. Harry tried not to let his attention wander too much around the room as that always seemed to get him into trouble. He waited a few minutes before Dumbledore came down the steps.

“Good evening, Harry. I’m sorry to keep you waiting, I had to floo the Weasley’s and let them know of Miss Weasley’s condition.”

Harry felt his spirits sink even more. Of course the Weasley’s would need to be contacted, why had he not thought of that sooner?

“Harry? Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall have told me about Miss Weasley’s condition, but now I need to find out how she got that way. What can you tell me about what happened tonight, Harry?”

Dumbledore sat down behind his desk and looked over his half moon glasses at Harry.

Harry could see no anger in them – yet – and quickly sat down in the chair opposite Dumbledore. “Well, sir, I was upset, and I…I, grabbed Ginny and I think I shook her, and I grabbed a necklace she was wearing and tore it off her. Then, I um, said some really horrible, unforgivable things to her, and I left. I think Ginny must have tried to go somewhere and fallen. Maybe she was too upset . . .”

Dumbledore studied Harry carefully, his fingers laced, his face drawn and weary. “Harry, you don’t need me to say that it’s never appropriate to treat a woman so atrociously. You will receive a fitting detention for that crime. However, I am curious as to the circumstances of Miss Weasley’s fall. You found her, but you did not actually see her fall?”

“No Sir,” he mumbled, the lowest he had ever felt.

Dumbledore nodded solemnly. “You said you were upset when you saw Miss Weasley. Why were you in such a state Harry?”

Harry felt his cheeks color at the remembrance of what Pansy had done in the locker room. “I was told that Ginny did not have the feelings for me I thought she did. I guess I let my emotions rule my actions.”

“Who was this person, Harry, who told you that Miss Weasley did not have feelings for you?”

“Pansy Parkinson.”

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

Madam Pomfrey thought she might have to put Mrs. Weasley in bed and give her a calming potion.

Molly shoved her way beside Ginny, in her now crowded little cubicle and gently brushed the hair against her swollen forehead away from her face. “Hermione, dear, can you hand me my bag? Ronald, whatever happened? Poppy, Dumbledore said she had to have a blood-replenishing potion, did it take? Arthur had to have it every hour, when that snake bit him! Oh Arthur! Our baby girl, I can’t imagine! Minerva, thank you and Headmaster Dumbledore of course for letting us know so quickly, what happened?! Thank you Draco, dear, I will sit, thank you…DRACO? What are you doing…Oh no! Are the Malfoy’s responsible for this AGAIN?”

Mrs. Weasley took the bag that Hermione had just handed to her and swung it at Draco’s head.

“No!” Draco said quickly, dodging the bag. “I’m just . . . her.”

Ron and Mr. Weasley quickly grabbed Molly as she tried to take another swing at Draco.

“Molly, darling, let’s find out what happened,” Mr. Weasley reasoned as he appraised the young blond wizard in front of him. He was prepared to believe that Draco Malfoy could be just as evil or worse than Lucius, but something in Draco’s eyes did not read the pure evil that his father’s did. Draco might have been responsible for all this, but at least he was man enough to be here and accept the consequences for his actions.

“Please,” Madam Pomfrey broke in rather crossly, “everyone will keep their voices down! Now, only Mr. and Mrs. Weasley can stay here any longer. There is far too much noise!”

Draco didn’t want to leave; he was really worried about Ginny. She was breathing, but she hadn’t moved the entire time that he had been there. “Can’t I please stay, if I promise not to make any noise? I won’t move from this chair I promise.” Draco said pulling a chair up a few feet away from the Weasley’s, but with a good view of Ginny.

“No!” All three Weasley’s and Madam Pomfrey yelled.

Draco was tempted to throw himself on the ground and pound his fists like he used to when he was a small child and his mother dared to deny him a new toy or sweets that he wanted. He wasn’t used to not getting his way, and he didn’t like the feeling at all, especially when it was of such importance. But no one was paying him any attention, as Mrs. Weasley again asked Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall what had happened. Draco sat back down and listened as attentively as everyone else, to find out what had happened.

“Well,” Professor McGonagall began, “It’s my understanding that Miss Weasley fell down an entire flight of stair. There is more to this story, of course, but I am waiting for Dumbledore to speak with Mr. Potter to find out the details.”

Draco kicked the chair out from underneath him and paced the small space, running a hand through his hair. Potter was dead! He’d done this to Ginny! He had to find him.

“Mr. Malfoy! Calm down this instant!” Professor McGonagall was looking up at him, and motioning him to sit back down.

Draco clenched and unclenched his fists as he righted his chair.

“Harry? What has he got to do with this?” Molly asked, her face drawn in confusion.

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

Harry left Dumbledore’s office and decided to check on Ginny. He knew the Weasley’s would be there by now, and he knew he would have to speak with them eventually, so he might as well get the inevitable over with. He wasn’t looking forward to the looks of disappointment on their faces when they found out what he’d done to Ginny, but he’d never meant to go so out of control. They’d treated him just like a son, and he had repaid them by putting their daughter in the hospital.

Harry grew increasingly nervous the closer he got to the hospital wing. The meeting with Dumbledore had been frightening enough, but facing Mrs. Weasley, that truly terrified Harry. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of the doors of the hospital for the second time that night. Harry could hear Mrs. Weasley’s voice, took a deep breath and opened the door. Harry noticed quite a lot of people around Ginny’s bed, and was slowly approaching, when a flash of blond came at him, fists flying.

“Bloody Fuck!” Harry said as Draco hit him square in the face. Tears came to his eyes, this was the second time that night he’d had his nose broken.

Harry was trying to defend himself, but Draco was punching him like a mad man, he had Harry on the ground and was leaning over him, trying to choke him now. Mrs. Weasley was yelling at Ron to break it up.

Ron nodded his head, but he was moving slower than a snail. Just this once he was on Malfoy’s side, enjoying Harry getting what he deserved.

Professor McGonagall finally took matters into her own hands and shouted “Petrificus Totalus!” waving her wand in a circular motion over Harry and Draco. Both boys’ arms locked stiff at their sides, and they were rendered completely immobile on the floor.

Madam Pomfrey rushed over to inspect the damage. Potter’s nose was broken, split lip as well, two black eyes, and handprints on his neck where Draco had tried to choke him. All easily fixable. She turned to Draco, who didn’t look any worse for wear, except the look of outrage on his face.

Mr. Weasley helped get Harry onto a bed a few spaces down from Ginny so Madam Pomfrey could work on him. Professor McGonagall hovered over Draco as she said “Finite Incantatem“, causing Draco to spring back to life and head over to the bed where Harry was.

Professor McGonagall waved her wand in Draco’s face and threatened to put him in a permanent body bind if he didn’t head back to his own dorm at once.

Draco decided he would leave, for now. Ginny’s family wasn’t letting him near her anyway, and he wanted to find out exactly what had happened tonight. All he knew so far was that Ginny had gone to Gryffindor Tower, something had happened between her and that bastard Potter, and she had fallen down the stairs. Somehow old Filch got himself involved; he’d found Potter with Ginny and come for Madam Pomfrey. There was a lot he didn’t understand, but he would find out. Draco approached Ginny’s bed, and asked Mrs. Weasley if he could say goodnight.

Molly hesitated before nodding, and he didn’t fail to notice the suspicion in her eyes or the way she watched him carefully as he leaned over Ginny.

“I’m sorry my princess, I have to leave you. I don’t want to. But I will be thinking of you all night, and I’ll be by to see you first thing tomorrow.” Draco placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, bowed stiffly to a shocked looking Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and then started to walk out. Before he left, he couldn’t resist stopping by Potter’s bed to wave his wand tip across his neck and mouth “You’re dead”.

Draco was surprised to find Dumbledore climbing the stairs leaving the dungeons as he descended them. Dumbledore smiled at him, and Draco almost asked what the hell there was to smile about, but stopped himself.

“Do not frown so, Mr. Malfoy. She will recover, and everything will be sunshine and daisies again.”

What the fuck is he talking about? Draco thought. But he turned around and nodded at the daft old man, and continued to Professor Snape’s office. Surely he’d have some answers for him.

Professor Snape was in his office, but did not wish to be disturbed he snapped as Draco approached him.

“I don’t care if you wish to be disturbed or not. What happened to Ginny Weasley? And why was Dumbledore down here?”

Snape raised an eyebrow at Draco. “I have indulged you too much these many years Mr. Malfoy, for you to think you can barge into my office and demand anything from me. I want you to leave this instant.”

Draco smirked. “It would make interesting news for the cover of the Daily Prophet tomorrow, ’Hogwarts students education entrusted to Death Eater’. Not very good for your career huh, Sevrus? That would send you into hiding from the Dark Lord. Out of the safety of Hogwarts. Then you’d be found soon en-”

“That is ENOUGH!” Snape yelled and slammed a hand down on his desk. “You are in enough trouble Draco, without inciting my anger further. Oh yes, I know all bout your involvement in Miss Weasley‘s accident having her in your room almost every night is in violation of school rules, and will land you in detention. Then we have provocation. You purposely provoked Pansy Parkinson, your own housemate into seeking out revenge against two Gryffindors as a direct result of your actions!”

“That whore is blaming me for her actions?” Draco yelled back. “I am to be blamed for the choices she made? She hurt Ginny?” This information seemed to spring Draco into action, and he headed for the girls dormitory, determined to find a way inside, but as he got close to the door, it slammed shut in front of him. He turned to see Professor Snape putting his wand down. Draco huffed, and rolled his eyes, then tried the Alohomora spell, but nothing happened.

“You can’t keep me here!” Draco yelled.

“Calm yourself, Mr. Malfoy. I can not have you charging after Miss Parkinson in your state. You will sleep here, compose yourself, and then settle this mess with the headmaster tomorrow.”

Draco threw a bottle at the door after Snape closed it behind him, leaving Draco to sleep on the couch in his office. Draco looked in distaste at the room around him, he was trapped, and there was nothing he could do about it.

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

Harry didn’t want to be fussed over by Madam Pomfrey. He was fine after a numbing salve had been smoothed over his now crooked nose. He could tolerate the other aches and pains as he looked over at Ginny and saw the state she was in. She looked like hell, and he was more worried about her now then ever. He accepted Mrs. Weasley’s hug as he got close to Ginny’s bed and felt the guilt at what he’d have to tell them. Ron was shooting him daggers, and Hermione was helping Madam Pomfrey brew the next batch of blood-replenishing potion, just in case.

Harry shook Mr. Weasley’s hand and asked him to please sit so he could explain what had happened. Harry took several deep breaths, both to calm himself, and to buy a few more seconds of time. All eyes in the room were focused on Harry, and he wished to finish, so he opened his mouth. “Ginny fell because of me.”

Mrs. Weasley’s hand flew to her mouth, and she shook her head before saying, “Harry, it was an accident, surely…”

Harry wanted very badly to turn his gaze away from her, but he didn’t, looking directly at her as he said, “We had a terrible row, and I behaved unforgivably-”

Harry’s explanation was interrupted by a loud snort from Ron. “It’s kind of hard to have a row when only one of you is doing the shouting, ay Potter?”

Harry nodded meekly. “I didn’t see Ginny fall, but I-”

“If I may interrupt,” Dumbledore’s voice came from the doorway.

No one had heard his entrance, and all heads turned to him now.

“I have answers to some of the mysteries of the night’s events, but I think first, Poppy? How is Miss Weasley now?”

Madam Pomfrey announced to the group that Ginny had still not regained consciousness, and that she was black and blue from head to toe, but she expected her to make a full recovery. Head injuries were always quite worrisome, and she would need to be in the hospital for two weeks at least. Madam Pomfrey wanted to monitor Ginny carefully, even though she had given her a scan with her wand and saw no internal damage, you could never be too careful. She didn’t expect her to have any scars, or lasting damage though.

Molly wept into her husband’s chest in relief that Ginny was not as badly hurt as she appeared.

Dumbledore nodded gravely. “I am pleased to know that Ginny will be alright with proper rest and care. Now as I said after hearing Harry’s side of the events that took place, I went to have a talk with Professor Snape, and the person responsible came forward without much coaxing. After the quarrel between Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley in Gryffindor tower, it seems Harry took off for the Quidditch pitch and Ginny for the dungeons.”

“Why was Ginny going to the dungeons?” Arthur Weasley asked, in his heart already knowing the answer.

“It appears Arthur, that Ginny and Mr. Malfoy have formed an attachment to one another. I believe that is the beginning and end to this tale. As I was saying, Ginny was on her way to the dungeons when she was waylaid by a Slytherin student, who assured me they intended to scare Ginny, not injure her-”

“It was Malfoy, wasn’t it?!” Ron yelled.

Everyone but Dumbledore rolled their eyes.

“No, Mr. Weasley, it was Miss Parkinson. She was confronted by Mr. Malfoy earlier in the evening, and he made it clear to her that their own relationship was at an end. Miss Parkinson was angry at this and decided to start trouble for everyone. She began by provoking Harry, and then decided to challenge Ginny alone in the stairway, but her plan did not go as planned.”

The room was silent as everyone took in the information Dumbledore had just given them. Dumbledore walked over to Harry and dropped something into his hand. “I believe, Harry that this belongs to you.”

Harry looked down at his palm to see the locket he had given Ginny over the summer, the locket that Pansy had held in front of him earlier that night. Harry looked questioningly at Dumbledore.

“Miss Parkinson found this necklace in the Slytherin common room, and used it to rile your temper Harry, and when you played into her hands, she waited for Miss Weasley on the stairway, knowing she would go to the dungeons. She said she meant to use the necklace to upset Ginny and goad her into an argument, apparently using a simple hovering charm, to suspend the necklace in front of her, but Ginny lost her balance, and fell.”

“What’s going to happen to her now?” Harry asked. He wanted to see her tossed out of Hogwarts, attempted murder, whether intentional or not.

“Mr. Parkinson has been contacted, and he has decided to collect his daughter, and by her own choice, Miss Parkinson will finish her magical education at Durmstrang. She is this minute packing her things to leave Hogwarts. Your own punishment will be discussed tomorrow. Now, it is very late, and it has been an exhausting day.”

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

Hours later, Molly sat next to Ginny’s bed, stroking her forehead, and humming softly. Arthur was dozing on the chair opposite the bed, leaning on the small table. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been sent to bed, with Professor McGonagall acting as a referee between Harry and Ron. Arthur stirred when Ginny’s face screwed up in pain as she tossed on the bed. She was still unconscious, and her mouth barley opened as she whispered “Draco.”

Molly looked over at Arthur and sighed. Ginny said his name twice more before falling back to sleep. Molly wondered what her daughter had gotten herself in to. Yes she was sixteen, but that was so young! At sixteen Molly and Arthur were already together and had only just made it out of Hogwarts before they discovered they were going to be parents. Ginny was a different story. She was her baby girl; she wanted her to wait for the right man, not the son of a death eater! And who knew, Draco could be one already.

After all, even if Draco wasn‘t a death eater, he was a Malfoy, and ultimately responsible for the chain of events that resulted in Ginny being in the hospital now. Molly had hoped that Ginny would end up with Harry one day, but after hearing from Minerva and Ron the exact details of what had transpired, about what he had done to her in front of her housemates, calling her a whore, shaking her, and cutting her skin when he pulled the necklace from her.

Molly was having a hard time believing that Harry was the same one she knew and loved.

so here we are, back to the start again
trying hard to wait till morning
hey rise and shine, and open up your eyes
to give this world some color
shine on diamond eyes
separate the space, between love and lies

and as days go by, the memories remain
I’ll wait for you
and as days go by, the memories remain
I won't let go

these days remain the same, pictures fade away
please don't ever change…please don't change your mind
no matter what they say, I’ll always wait

and as days go by, the memories remain
I’ll wait for you
and as days go by, the memories remain
I won't let go

these days remain the same, pictures fade away
I hope you never fade, as you drip through my veins
shine on, shine on diamond eyes
shine on, shine on diamond eyes
shine on, shine on diamond eyes

and as days go by, the memories remain
I’ll wait for you
as days go by I swear I’ll try
I’ll wait for you until I die, anything for you

Draco stayed up all night, worrying about Ginny, devising ways to kill and torture Pansy and Potter, and a way to get revenge on Snape as well. He wondered if Ginny had woken yet, if she had wondered where he was. He hoped that she knew he was worried about her, and that he was thinking about her.

As it was Sunday there were no classes, and Draco expected to spend the day with Ginny once he was let out of the prison that was Snape’s office. It was after breakfast when Snape finally entered his office and told Draco to have a seat. Draco refused to sit and demanded to be let out.

Snape pretended not to hear him, and said, “Miss Parkinson has left Hogwarts permanently, so there will be no need for you to go charging after her. She admitted to Headmaster Dumbledore and myself that after being provoked by you, she went after Potter, and then involuntarily caused Miss Weasley to fall. Mr. Potter will be serving detention for the remainder of the school term with yours truly, and you, Mr. Malfoy, will be serving your detention with the headmaster.”

“My detention?” Draco asked.

“Of course!” Snape snapped. “You didn’t expect to start this entire incident and walk away, without punishment did you?” Snape looked at Draco’s angry expression and smirked, “You are free to go, your detention will begin tomorrow evening at seven o’clock.”

Draco glared at Snape as he left the office and headed to the hospital. He thought it was ridiculous that he should have to serve detention, he hadn’t meant to harm Ginny, he was trying to piss off Pansy, how was he to know that…Draco realized that Pansy had taken her revenge against him for that stupid kiss.

What a bastard he was!

If he wasn’t thinking of himself all the time, he would have realized the repercussions of such a stupid act. Pansy wasn’t sorted into Slytherin for nothing. He couldn’t find the locket down by the lake, and he realized he must have dropped it when he’d been keeping his hands in his pockets to keep from hurting her. When he’d decide to kiss her, to humiliate her with his relationship with Ginny the locket must have fallen out, and Pansy put the pieces together, and instead of hurting him directly, she had harmed Ginny.

He headed to his room to shower, and couldn’t shake this odd feeling the entire time he washed and dressed. Was he tired? Was he nervous about seeing Ginny’s family after he was sure they had been told the full story of the night’s events? Was he hung over? He knew it wasn’t guilt. He had never felt that before…Could it be? Draco decided to stop by the library on his way to the hospital and found what the Muggle studies class called a ’dictionary’.

It didn’t take Draco long to figure out how to use the book, and he soon found the word he was looking for. His mouth fell open for a moment as he stared at the motionless page. What really shocked him was the definition for guilt;

1. The fact of being responsible for the commission of an offense.

2. Remorseful awareness of having done something wrong.

3. Self-reproach for supposed inadequacy or wrongdoing.

4. Guilty conduct; sin.

Draco dropped the book and left the library. He supposed that was an accurate description of how he was feeling, and it outraged him! He liked himself the way he was, he didn’t want to start going all soft, and having…feelings. Draco shuddered and felt disgust start to overcome him. If his father could see him now…

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

Mrs. Weasley stayed by Ginny’s side all night and was there the next morning. Ginny hadn’t woken up yet, but she would toss and turn, and mumble in her sleep. In the daylight her bruises looked even worse, and Molly couldn’t decide who she was more upset with; Draco for starting this whole mess, or Harry for humiliating her and sending her daughter into Pansy’s trap.

Of course Molly knew Ginny wasn’t completely innocent either. She knew that Ginny too would be receiving detention for ’violation of school rules’; being in Draco’s room when she should have been in her own. Molly sighed and accepted the cup of tea Arthur brought her.

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

When Draco finally made his way to the hospital wing he found Loony Lovegood with a vase of flowers, reaching for the door handle. “What are you doing here?” he asked with more anger than he meant to express.

Luna didn’t seem bothered by his rudeness, and glanced up at him. “I came to check on my friend Ginny. What are you doing here? I would think you’d make yourself as scarce as a purple-tailed diggymoph.”

Draco resisted the urge to ignore her altogether, or to ask what the hell a purple diggymoph was and instead asked why he should make himself scarce.

Loony Lovegood seemed to find his question vastly amusing, then when she could control herself said, “Well, the whole school is talking about you…And my poor friend Ginny.” Luna held up the flowers for Draco to sniff he supposed.

He pushed them away, and encouraged her to continue. “And Loon- Luna, what are they saying?”

Luna looked him right in the eye when she told him that the whole school was talking about Ginny and Draco’s secret romance behind Harry Potter’s back. How poor Harry found out, and confronted Ginny who didn’t deny it, and then Draco hid behind Ginny, and Harry in one of his rages threw Ginny down the stairs, in one version. In another, Luna informed him, Harry found them in bed together, then tried to drag Ginny back up to Gryffindor tower and she fell, or another version-

Draco had heard enough, and opened the doors to go see Ginny. He couldn’t believe the school believed such foolish rumors, and of course the truth was not interesting enough. And Pansy wasn’t mentioned. She was tossed out of school and nobody was talking about that yet? Draco put all thoughts aside as he got closer to Ginny’s bed. Mr. Weasley was leaning against the wall, looking out of the window. Draco took a deep breath and decided to approach the old man. “Good morning, Mr. Weasley. How is Ginny this morning?”

Mr. Weasley was quiet for a moment as he stared at Draco. The boy had a lot of nerve to show up here this morning. Or a death wish. Molly would be livid when she saw him. She had gone to the staff room to floo Fred and George, who had been at home when they got the news about Ginny. Arthur didn’t know when she would be back, but he knew that she would have a fit when she saw Draco. Arthur saw Luna place a vase a flowers on the table next to Ginny’s bed and begin a one-sided conversation with his daughter.

Draco was getting nervous as Mr. Weasley continued to stare at him, and ignore his question. Mrs. Weasley was nowhere to be found, and Madam Pomfrey was in her office, making a foul-smelling potion.

Mr. Weasley finally spoke. “She has not improved much since last night. She hasn’t woken up yet. And I would ask that you do not …Come to see her again while my wife and I are here, Malfoy.” Arthur raised his hand when Draco opened his mouth to protest, “I recommend this for your own safety, as well as for my daughter. She needs to rest. And my wife is upset by your presence; I won’t have her upset any further. You’ll understand one day, when you’re a husband and father-”

Draco nodded, muttered, “Thanks”, and headed towards the exit. He tried not to glance at Ginny as he passed; he knew he would want to stay if he did. He headed back to his room and took his anger out on anything he could get his hands on as he tore his room apart.

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

A red faced Harry told Hermione exactly what had happened between Pansy and himself in the locker room the night Ginny fell. He had no idea why he told her such a humiliating story. His face felt like it was hot enough to start a fire as he told her about the kiss.

He reasoned that perhaps he was telling her because he couldn’t tell Ron, (even if they were speaking) or perhaps he had to tell someone and she was his other closest friend in the world. Hermione blushed crimson and tried to act as though the topic was not the most embarrassing one she had ever discussed. She scooted closer to Harry on the couch and put a hand on his shoulder. “Oh Harry, I am so sorry. I know this must be really…Difficult. You know that Pansy is just horrid, and Draco, well-”

Hermione wasn’t sure what to say. Draco was just as horrid as Pansy, he was worse in fact. Pansy wouldn’t have done any of this had Draco not provoked her. Yet Ginny had been so happy and content these past months, so much more so than when she was with Harry. Draco must be responsible for this, change, but how could he be? How could someone so cruel and selfish give anything to anyone else?

Harry turned and accepted Hermione’s hug, feeling some of his embarrassment ease away at her acceptance of him, despite his humiliating experience.

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

Ginny didn’t wake up for three days, and when she finally did she was shocked and worried to find her parents there. She remembered clearly what had happened in the common room, and the soreness in her body made her remember the tumble she took down the stairs.

She wanted to ask how much her parents knew, were they disappointed in her? How long had she been in the hospital? Her parents looked like they hadn’t slept in days, she was going to ask how long they had been with her but what came out in a scratchy voice was, “Where’s Draco?”

The smile left Molly’s face as she looked back at her husband. Molly decided to ignore Ginny’s question, and asked, “How are you feeling, my dearest? Your father and I, and your brother’s are all so worried about you.”

Ginny noticed her mum’s avoidance of her question, and that made her more curious. “Did something happen to Draco?”

Molly muttered “Not yet,” and said in a louder voice, “He hasn’t been here for a few days’ Ginny.” Molly saw Ginny’s face fall, and the tears begin to gather in her eyes, and she couldn’t lie to her. “He was here the night you fell…And the morning after, but your father asked him not to come by for a few days, to let you rest.”

Ginny tried to smile, but her bruised face only allowed for a small one, and Molly felt her heart break for her daughter.

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

Hermione couldn’t get the story Harry had told her out of her head. She had decided that she would have to tell Ginny as soon as she was feeling a little better; she had a right to know. Hermione had gone to visit Ginny with Ron the day after the Weasley’s had decided to go back to The Burrow. Madam Pomfrey had assured Molly a hundred times that Ginny was well on the mend, and that she would contact her if there was even the slightest change in her condition.

Ron acted like a sentinel, standing over Ginny’s bed, and making sure no one but Luna, Hermione, Collin, and himself were allowed to visit Ginny. The rumors flying around the school were vicious, and he wanted Ginny as protected as he could make her.

Draco had tried to visit once the Weasley’s had left, but he had been kept in detention for three hours three nights a week, and had head boy duties, and when he tried to enter the hospital wing, Ron chased him off.

He offered Ron 500 galleons, but he wouldn’t take it.

He tried bribing Ron with his new Firebolt Millennium broom, and Ron seemed to consider it, before saying no.

He tried sending his owl, but his letter was returned, unopened, and whatever happened to his owl, he wasn’t sure, but it must have been unpleasant, because his owl bit his ear hard enough to make him bleed.

Draco wasn’t one to give up, but thought he’d have to come up with something a little more clever.

He finally decided instead of bargaining with that idiot redhead, he’d just sneak into the hospital in the middle of the night. Draco waited until a little after two in the morning, then climbed the stairs to see Ginny. He quietly opened the door, and made his way over to the bed. He pulled the curtains back and sat down on the edge of the bed.

She still looked beautiful to him. He hadn’t seen her in a week and a day, and her bruises were fading, she looked like she was going to be alright. Her hair was in two braids on either side of her face, and Draco missed the silky feel of it. Before he knew it, he was freeing the long strands from the confines of the braids and spreading it out on the pillow behind her.

Ginny woke up when she felt Draco undoing the braids in her hair. She smiled at him, but he didn’t look at her; he was concentrating, being so gentle, trying not to pull her hair.

Ginny finally put a hand over his and smiled, and Draco swallowed hard as he looked into her eye’s. “Did I wake you?” he whispered.

Ginny shook her head and tried to sit up, but Draco insisted that she lie down. “Please, stay resting. Your brother will kill me.”

Ginny laughed and sat up, legs criss cross in front of her. “I wondered why you hadn’t been to see me,” she said, leaning her head against his chest.

Draco took one of her hands and seemed to be studying it. “I wanted to, but with detention, and head bo-”

"Detention?” Ginny asked, looking up at him.

Draco didn’t realize that Ginny wasn’t aware of all that had transpired. He didn’t want to tell her. He didn’t want to fight with her; he’d missed her too much in this past week to have a row with her now. He’d had to sneak around in the middle of the night just to see her. He wasn’t going to lie to her though, that would come back and bite him on the ass, he knew.

“Don’t worry, Ginevra. I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to look at you, and…kiss…you.” Draco leaned in and kissed her cheek, as he made his way to her lips.

Draco’s kisses were so overwhelming, she soon forgot to ask any more questions. She scooted even closer to him, trying to gain some of his heat. “I was on my way to see you…When it happened, when I fell, I needed you.”

Ginny looked up at Draco, and he was pained to see tears rolling down her cheeks. He gently wiped them away, and told her not to cry anymore. “I’m here now. I’d like to take you back to my room…”

Ginny smacked his arm and winced from the ache it caused. “Draco Malfoy, is that all you think about?”

Draco pretended to consider her question, and then said. “Yes, as a matter of fact it is.”

Ginny shook her head, but hugged him to her.

Draco was careful to not hug her too tight, and could feel the guilt rising in him. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, and he knew this was probably a good time to tell her the truth, but they were so comfortable, and he didn’t want to ruin the moment.

Draco stayed with her for two hours, until she was too tired to keep her eyes open, then he pulled the covers around her, and kissed her goodnight.

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

Hermione came to see Ginny the day after Draco’s late night visit.

Ginny sat up and hugged her friend and after making small talk, Ginny asked what was going on in the school.

Hermione was a little taken aback at that question. She knew that Ginny was no fool, but she didn’t know what Ginny wanted to know either. “What do you mean Ginny?”

Ginny raised her eyebrow in what Hermione considered a Malfoy fashion. “Hermione, please. I know that Gryffindor tower had to have spread the story to the entire school, and the way that Ron is standing guard over me! Please you’re my friend, what’s going on?”

Hermione looked away for a moment, then back at Ginny. “Well, there is no easy way to say this, Ginny. There are all sorts of absolutely ridiculous things being said, which I won’t even repeat. But suffice it to say that the entire school knows about you and Draco. Everyone also knows that Harry said some horrible things to you, which by the way, he is very sorry about…Anyway, there is something more Ginny, do you know how this entire incident started?”

Ginny shook her head, and tried to calm her rising nerves. She almost wanted to stay in the hospital for the rest of her time at Hogwarts. Who knew what it would be like when she stepped out the door. Ginny looked at Hermione and waited to hear what she had to say.

“Ginny,…Harry, said that he was in the uh…Oh God this is hard.” Hermione took a deep breath and tried again. “Harry was in the locker room after the Quidditch match, and Pansy Parkinson came in. She had the locket that he had given you. Harry wasn’t sure how she got it, but she held it just out of his reach, and then she kissed him.”

“She kissed him?” Ginny asked, shocked.

“Yes, but she kissed him, because…Draco had kissed her earlier.”

Ginny looked angry now, why had Draco kissed Pansy? What the hell was going on? “Hermione, wha-”

“I’m getting there, it’s just awkward. Draco kissed Pansy, after you two…Had had, relations.” Hermione looked away, and then continued. “Pansy was furious at Draco’s trick, and decided to take it out on Harry, so she found Harry and kissed him. Which provoked Harry into finding you, and saying those things to you. Then Pansy meant to find you, and confront you, but you fell, instead of seeing the locket, as she planned.”

Ginny stood up and began to pace the space around her bed. How could Draco do something so disgusting and wicked? Why had he done this to them? She now understood why Harry had behaved the way he had, she could understand his anger now. Ginny didn’t forgive him for yelling at her in front of everyone, but she understood. She wanted to see Draco, she wanted some answers. She had fallen for Draco, a Draco she thought she knew, but now she wasn’t so sure she knew him at all.

Hermione told her the rest of the information as she knew it, Draco was serving detention with Dumbledore, writing out the entire school rules handbook, for three hours, three times a week. Harry was serving his detention with professor Snape, in a version of what Muggle’s call ’Anger Management’ also for three hours, three times a week. And Pansy had left Hogwarts to attend Durmstrang.

Ginny nodded, but her thoughts were so jumbled, she just wanted to be alone to sort everything out. Hermione told Ginny that she was sorry that she had to be the one to tell her, but she felt that she deserved to know the truth. Ginny was barely paying any attention as Hermione said goodbye. Why would Draco do something so stupid? He had told her he would wait until she told Harry, and if he had done that, none of this would have happened.

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

Ginny tossed and turned all night, hoping Draco would come again tonight to see her. It was past two, and he hadn’t come yet, but she hoped that he would make an appearance. What was he thinking? Ginny knew that he had to have a reason And she knew in her heart that if it was a good reason, she could forgive him. What was she thinking? What could be a good reason?

Ginny heard a slight creaking noise, and knew that Draco had indeed come. Ginny sat up and waited for Draco to enter her curtained room. It took seconds for Draco to show up, he looked as handsome as ever, he was wearing a crisp white shirt, and black slacks, and his hair was hanging softly over his eyes.

“What are you doing awake princess?” he asked, as he sat on the side of her bed and gave her a kiss.

Ginny tried to ignore the racing of her heart at his nearness, and extracted the anger from her voice when she said, “Waiting for you. Hoping you would come tonight.”

Draco smiled, and tried to hold her, but Ginny pushed away, saying “Close your eyes, I have something for you.”

Draco did as he was asked and was stunned when he felt his cheek being slapped.

“Draco, damn you! I thought I could trust you.” Ginny was so angry she was shaking.

“You can!” he retorted, holding his cheek in surprise.

“Can I? Then why am I here? You said you would wait until I told Harry!”

Draco was taken aback. He was speechless for the first time he could remember. She was right, she was there as a direct result of his stupidity. He was trying to piss off Pansy, but all he had managed to do was get Ginny very badly hurt, Pansy thrown out of school, and Harry and himself in detention for the rest of their time at Hogwarts.

“I, I’m sor-”

“Don’t you dare try to apologize Malfoy! I know you don’t mean it. You’re trying to get yourself out of trouble, that’s all. What you did was unforgivable”

“Unforgivable, Ginevra? I’ve done worse. I had no intention of harming you when I foolishly-”

“I don’t want to hear any of your stupid excuses! I never want to see you again!” Ginny picked up the vase of fresh flowers Luna had brought for her and tried to smash them on Draco’s head.

Quickly, he grabbed them out of her hand. “You Weasley women are a violent lot.”

“I want you OUT Malfoy, I mean now!!”

In an instant, Madam Pomfrey was there. “Mr. Malfoy! You are not supposed to be in here! Out this moment!”

Draco wanted to talk to Ginny, he knew there was a lot more to say, but he was being shoved out the door, and Ginny had turned her back on him, although he could tell she was crying. He couldn’t do anything right anymore.

He had made a mistake, he was sorry, he would like to change it. He never meant to hurt Ginny, he cared for her, he wanted to continue his relationship with her, but at the rate he was going, he didn’t think Ginny would ever speak to him again. What did she want from him anyway? He’d already apologized, he’d meant it, why couldn’t she be happy with that? She had said she never wanted to see him again, well too bad, he was a Malfoy, and he did not give up so easily when it came to something that he wanted.

Ginny was completely heartbroken. She cried and punched her pillow, she paced, and briefly considered going after Draco. She was sorry she had told him that she never wanted to see him again, she hadn’t meant it. But she also knew that she couldn’t allow him to behave the way he had and think that there were no consequences. That was typical Draco Malfoy, to think he could easily smooth things over with a quick apology, after he’d done something he’d not even given any thought to.

Ginny never thought she’d say this, but poor Pansy. How would she feel if someone had done that to her? She would be beyond humiliated, and Draco hadn’t cared about her feeling’s at all, he’d thought only of himself. Well, Ginny decided it was high time Draco Malfoy got a taste of his own pepper-up potion, and even though it would kill her to stay away from him, someone had to try to teach him a lesson.

I swear that I can go on forever, again
Please let me know that my one bad day will end
I will go down as your lover, your friend
Give me your lips and with one kiss we begin
Are you afraid of being alone?
Cause I am, I'm lost without you
are you afraid of leaving tonight?
Cause I am, I'm lost without you

I'll leave my room open till sunrise, for you
I'll keep my eyes patiently focused on you
Where are you now I can hear footsteps I'm dreaming
And if you will, keep me from waking to believe this

Are you afraid of being alone?
Cause I am, I'm lost without you
are you afraid of leaving tonight?
Cause I am, I'm lost without you

Ginny was finally feeling well enough to leave the hospital, and looking much better now that her bruises had faded, or been magically healed. She was still hurting over missing Draco, and missed him more and more as the days went by, even though every other part of her life was falling back into place.

Harry and Hermione had come to visit her the day before Madam Pomfrey discharged her, and Ginny could have sworn that Harry had been holding Hermione’s hand when they first entered.

Ginny nerves bucked as Harry approached; she felt so terrible about deceiving him, and their last encounter had been dreadful.

“Hi,” he smiled shyly. “Can I sit?”

Ginny nodded uncertainly.

“How are you feeling?” Hermione asked.

“Better. Ready to leave.”

“Right then,” she smiled. “I’ll see you.”

Harry admired Ginny’s flowers, while Ginny adjusted her blankets, and played with her hair.

“Ginny, I know that sorry doesn’t really begin to cover it, does it?” Harry asked as he tried to look everywhere but at Ginny. “I should have come to see you sooner, Hermione kept telling me to, and I did want to, but I knew that I’d been so…” Harry swallowed hard, trying to think of the right words to tell Ginny how awful he felt for how everything had turned out.

“It’s alright Harry, I found out what Dra- what happened that night. Can you forgive me? I mean, we both did things, I mean, we still care about each other, don’t we”?

Harry stood up to give Ginny a hug and said, “Of course Ginny. Can you forgive me for those things I said? I didn’t mean to lose my temper like that. I never meant to ruin things between us; I’d still like you to be my friend.”

Ginny hugged Harry back and said, “I want that too, Harry. That’s what I’ve always wanted.”

They continued to talk, and managed to avoid talking about the night Ginny fell. Harry didn’t want to have a confrontation about how Ginny had betrayed him with Draco, and Ginny didn’t want to confront Harry about her now tattered reputation. She knew she was responsible too for her present situation, and so they both chose to ignore it.

As they chatted, they never knew that Draco Malfoy had the door slightly open, watching Ginny hug Harry, and ball his fists in anger. He wanted to run in and punch Harry, but Ginny was smiling, and he hadn’t seen her smile in days. He wanted her smiling at him, not that bastard.

Had he really ruined everything, for good? He refused to believe that.

Ginny would eventually calm down, and realize that things could work out between them now. The whole school was still talking about the “Love triangle” between them, but he was doing his best to keep gossip to a minimum, in his own house anyway. He knew that Ginny would calm down and come to him; that they would work things out.

He had come to check on her every day, catching quick glances of her. She was always looking forlorn, and he knew a simple apology would not work. He wondered briefly if she could be bought, but knew the answer was no. He thought perhaps guilt. Hadn’t she promised to love him, even when he did unintelligent things like this? She was far too stubborn, and sometimes he convinced himself he was better off without her, then he would see her face, her smile in his mind, and knew he couldn’t fool himself.

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

The Sunday Ginny was discharged, she felt extremely nervous as made her way up to Gryffindor tower. She could feel her fingers shaking as the grasped the railings, and a thousand scared thoughts ran rampant in her head.

Ron escorted her, with Harry and Hermione as her back-up. Ginny noted that Harry and Hermione were indeed holding hands and Ginny smiled back at them as they made their way up the staircases. Ginny tried to avoid eye contact with people, but several students called out to her, from all houses, and Ginny started to relax just a bit.

When she entered the common room, there was quite a crowd inside, and most rushed forward to welcome her back. Ginny noticed Lavender roll her eyes and lean over to whisper to Parvati, but she ignored this, she was over her scariest worry, just facing everyone again.

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

Ginny tried to ignore the looks and whispers as she walked through the halls on her first day back to classes. Ron shadowed her as best he could, and Ginny tried to be understanding of his behavior, and not annoyed. She had a full homework load, with new assignments, and trying to catch up on what she had missed, and her detention started tonight.

Ginny did her best to ignore Draco; she felt his eyes on her, but refused to look at him. She had no appetite, and knew that if she just looked at Draco, her resolve to ignore him, and teach him a lesson would crumble. Instead she narrowed all her focus into one thing – her upcoming classes.

Ginny’s detention was to begin at seven that night, and she found she was actually looking forward to it. The busier she was, the less time she had to think about Draco, and the direction her life had taken. Ginny stayed in her room until ten to seven, and then headed to Professor McGonagall’s office. Her detention was the same as Draco’s, copying the school rules from a massive, dusty, old book. After three hours, Ginny walked out frantically shaking her right hand, and flexing her fingers, trying to get some feeling back into them.

As she started up the stairs she felt the tears coming on. She wasn’t one to wallow, but what a horrid day! People talking in front of her back, loud whispers about her, and now the most boring detention of all time. She would have fallen asleep, if Professor McGonagall hadn’t been watching her so closely. Ginny was halfway to Gryffindor tower when Harry and Hermione stepped out of a dark hall.

“Ginny. Hi.” Harry said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and smiling sheepishly at Ginny.

Ginny smiled, said hello, and kept walking. Well, at least one good thing had come of all this. She was happy for Harry and Hermione. The new couple held hands as they walked with her, and Ginny was remembering what it was like to have Draco‘s warm hand in hers, or his arm around her waist, or one strong finger, teasing, making lazy circles over her entire body so slowly that she was sure she would go mad with want for him.

“Ginny? GINNY?!”

Ginny hadn’t realized she had stopped walking, and was now holding the railing in a death grip. She looked up to see Harry and Hermione on the landing twenty steps above her. When had she stopped walking?

Hermione came down and put a hand to Ginny’s forehead. “You’re burning up! You should go to Madam Pom-”

Ginny shook her head and started up the stairs again. She saw Hermione mouth something to Harry, but ignored them and kept going. She wanted to get to bed; she wanted to be alone with her thoughts. Why couldn’t she just run to Draco? Because it would hurt her family, and she had just repaired her relationship with Harry, she didn’t want to ruin things. And her reputation was still in tatters, she rolled her eyes remembering a Hufflepuff telling a small group of first years, “That’s her. Ginny Weasley. The girl who cheated on Harry Potter!” as she passed.

But what about her own needs? She loved Draco. He was an unthinking, selfish, rude, arrogant,…Sweet, generous, and wonderfully kind on occasion (well, to her) man…No! She had to stay strong.

She was staying away from him because he wanted her, and she wanted to punish him by not giving him what he wanted. He couldn’t treat people any way he wanted…Ginny reached her bed and shook her head at the confusing thoughts running through her mind. She cried herself to sleep, and her last coherent thought was, who was really suffering more? Draco or her?

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

Three weeks later, Ginny’s nerves were at the breaking point. She hated ignoring Draco, she missed him. She missed talking to him, she missed being with him. When she lay on his chest, after they made love, she missed how he would run his fingers through her hair, and the vibration of his chest when he spoke. She was having the strangest memories, missing the oddest little things about him. She was having trouble controlling the urge to want to speak to him, to run across the hall and throw herself into his arms.

One of the only things that kept her from doing so was Ron’s constant presence. He and Harry still weren’t talking, though they were civil when they were together. Ron became Ginny’s new best friend, and she did her best to tolerate her brother.

Ron spent all his time cutting down Draco, saying what a bastard he was, how she was well short of him, how all the Malfoy’s were wicked. Ginny didn’t argue, because she didn’t feel like banging her head against a brick wall. When she had attempted to stand up for Draco, Ron had accused her of sneaking off to meet Draco in secret and saying, “What are you? Mad? You want to break Mum’s heart do you?” He and Ginny yelled at each other until Ginny finally went to her room to get away.

She stayed as busy as she could; she took on extra assignments, and even volunteered to help Professor Flitwick decorate for a Valentines Day. Ginny didn’t want to think about Valentine’s Day, she had imagined this one to be different, but she decided to get involved instead of think about it. Would Draco surprise her by trying to contact her, getting past Ron, that is. He seemed to be keeping his distance, but he was always watching her.

Would it matter? She had ignored him so far, and it was turning her into a shrew. She snapped at everyone, kept to herself, and slept when she wasn’t in class or with her shadow. The only joy she had were the moments when she first woke up, thinking of Draco, until she remembered they weren’t together anymore, and that they were only dreams.

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

Down in the dungeons, Draco was just as miserable, and treating his housemates more cruelly than they had ever seen. After making a scrawny first year cry for sitting in his favorite chair, Blaise came over and clipped him on the shoulder. “Draco, you need to get yourself a shag mate.”

Draco gave him a dirty look and stared out the window. It wasn’t that he was sexually frustrated, it was that he had expected Ginny to have been back by his side by now. But instead, he was being completely ignored, and her git brother waylaid his every attempt at communication. Oh, and Dumbledore had threatened him with expulsion if he attacked Potter again. Potter. He was dating that Mudblood now, everything was working out for him like bloody always.

Draco wanted Ginny back. He liked having her close to him, he was able to tell her things he didn’t dare tell anyone else. Even Blaise. He needed her now, he knew what she would say, but he still needed to know that she cared enough about him to tell him not to do it, that she loved him enough to say that she wanted him to stay with her, and not go against the side he knew she would choose.

Draco got up and stalked off to detention, but decided that enough was enough. He was going to talk to Miss Ginevra Weasley tonight, even if he had to carry her kicking and screaming to his room. Draco found his first smile in weeks at the mental picture.

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

Ginny yawned as she left Professor McGonagall’s office. Detention today was just as boring as always, although this time she was forced to alphabetize all of McGonagall’s files which included student papers dating as far back as her own mother and father.

She was just about to start up the dark hall, when Draco Malfoy caught her attention. He was leaning against the wall with an air of casualty, but Ginny could tell by the set of his jaw that he was angry. Ginny put her nose in the air and kept walking, trying to ignore him.

She should have known, one did not ignore Draco.

Draco grabbed her elbow as she attempted to pass and tried to kiss her. She resisted him, and he finally grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him. Ginny kept her eyes shut tight as he spoke. “I won’t let you continue to ignore me. Why are you punishing me?” Draco could have hexed himself. He had only meant to make the first statement.

His eyes were so sad that Ginny could feel the tears in her own eyes. How could she explain what was in her heart? She wasn’t exactly trying to punish him; she was trying to make him understand that he couldn’t treat people the way he did, that his actions had consequences, in the end he would change wouldn’t he? She was doing this for them. Eventually he would come around.

Draco wanted her to answer him. He had run out of patience, he had been more than fair. He had given her the space he thought she needed, but she hadn’t come to him; she had not even given him the courtesy of an explanation! Draco grabbed her face and tried to kiss her again.

Ginny kept twisting her face away from him. She wanted to kiss him, but she couldn’t, she had to be strong, she had to…

Draco held her face and whispered, “We need to do this. We need each other. You know it too. Why are you doing this? Why deny what you want?”

Ginny slowly brought her face even with his and looked into his deep gray eyes. His harsh breathing was already sending her into pre-orgasmic tremors, and she knew she couldn’t deny herself any longer. He was so good; he could sell gillyweed to a mermaid. She would give in to him, but her body only. She would use him the way he used others, this was part of the lesson, and he would learn what it was like to have someone use him.

Ginny jumped into Draco’s arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. Draco kissed her so hard that he pushed her back up against the wall. They kissed like they were getting oxygen to survive from the other.

It had been too long since they had touched, and they began rubbing against each other, trying to get closer. Draco tried to carry Ginny to his room, but Ginny pointed toward the Empty Muggle studies classroom, just two rooms away from Professor McGonagall’s office.

“Ginny I-”

Ginny kissed Draco to get him to stop talking, and every time he tried to talk after that she did the same thing. She had no idea what he wanted to say, and thought it was best that he didn’t tell her.

Draco carried her into the classroom and looked for a place to set her down. The best place was an old couch under a window, so Draco placed Ginny down and started to throw off his clothes as fast as he could.

Ginny was doing the same, but only got her shirt and bra off before Draco was leaning over her, trousers around his knees, shirtless, and reaching for Ginny’s breasts.

Ginny opened her legs for him, and Draco kneeled in front of her, leaning forward as she pulled him close to her. Draco lifted her skirt and pulled her knickers off as fast as he could. Ginny kept pulling him closer, as if she was trying to absorb him, and he felt the same. He had to be inside her, he needed to feel her heat.

Draco knew she was ready for him, and drove into her. They both let out a loud moan of relief. It was like being home. When it looked as though he was going to speak, Ginny covered his mouth with both hands, and all that could be heard were her moans, and Draco’s muffled ones, through Ginny‘s hands.

Ginny dug her nails into his upper arms as he pounded into her. This wasn‘t the gentle Draco she was used to, this was hot, urgent, fucking. This was just two people using each other’s bodies.

Ginny felt a tear roll down her cheek thinking about it that way. Down deep she knew it was more than that, whatever they said or did, they did love each other. This thought was what sent Ginny’s body into the sweet ecstasy that Draco gave. Ginny pulled his hair hard as she bucked against him a final time.

Draco could feel her tighten around him, and let his own body give in. He groaned Ginny’s name as he collapsed against her, pushing her against the couch. He would be content to stay there forever. They hadn’t worked things out the way he had expected, this was better. Better than talking their problems to death. They would get through their problems by having hot, wild, make-up sex. Draco smiled as he leaned up to look at Ginny.

Ginny could still feel her heart pounding in her chest. That was some of the best sex she had ever had, so far. Draco was trying to take her into his arms, and she felt her heart breaking, but she had to do it. Ginny pushed his hands away, once, twice. She finally scooted herself over a bit, sitting up, and looked over at Draco. “You’re still here?” Ginny couldn’t take the look that came into his eyes long. She began looking for her clothes, and dressed as well as she could with shaking hands.

Draco pulled his trousers up, but didn’t bother to zip them. He sat on the couch and watched Ginny’s every move. So, that was her game, was it? Trying to give him back what he gave out. Draco tried to hide his anger from her; she was using the tools he had given her to work with. He had stupidly fallen for her, and he had given her power to use against him, a potentially dangerous mistake. She could destroy his heart now. He knew this would happen, why had he trusted her?

Ginny could see the look that came into Draco’s eyes. He looked, well, vulnerable. She paused as she was getting ready to throw another insult and leave. He needed her, she should go to him, she couldn’t hurt him.

Draco saw the look of pity come into her eyes and resolved not to ever let her feel sorry for him. He put his smirk back in place and stood up, looking for his shirt.

Ginny couldn’t believe that he was so casual about what she’d said. Was he putting on a show? She decided she didn’t want to know. Ginny walked to the door and didn’t look back.

They both spent a miserable night tossing and turning, trying to figure each other out. They each finally concluded that if it was an impossible task, and fell into a fitful sleep.

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

Valentines Day was a surprisingly sunny, though the sun did not bring warm temperatures, it was still cold, and gave couples an excuse to cuddle. Draco pushed past several lovebirds on his way to the dungeons after breakfast, disgusted he started taking house points from anyone acting too affectionate. He spent the day abusing his power, deducting points left and right, taking his anger at Ginny out on any happy couple he saw.

Draco had been contemplating sending Ginny a gift, but he wasn’t sure how she would respond, he had bought her a promise ring months ago, but kept it in his drawer. He also considered ordering flowers, all the normal things but he knew that Ginny deserved so much better. He was still hurt by her behavior, but he wasn’t ready to give up on her yet. His feelings for her were not so shallow that he was going to stop caring for her just because she was trying to change him. He knew her well enough to understand how her mind worked, and even though he was the one suffering, he admired her for trying. Draco decided to brave the Gryffindors, he had to see her, and left his room to head up to the tower, but only made it down the hall where Lavender Brown was walking toward him.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, “she said smiling seductively. She ran a hand over his chest and lower still, into the waist of his trousers.

Draco gave her the once over, and shook the feeling of guilt that washed over him. At least someone wanted him. It wasn’t going to be anything more than a shag.

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

Ginny cried most of the day, and stayed hidden in the common room since after breakfast. She couldn’t look Draco in the eye after their encounter in the Muggle studies room, and she was missing him more than ever. Perhaps she should go talk to Draco, she had meant to teach him a lesson, not isolate him from her life forever. She wasn’t able to concentrate on her assignments anyway. The picture of Draco’s face when she had insulted him lingered in her mind, and the noise from the common room was too loud to get her work done anyway.

Ginny rubbed the tip of her quill back and forth under her chin when Lavender emerged from the portrait.

Ginny looked her over, and saw that her hair was sticking up in all directions, her shirt was thrown on in a hurry, the buttons were in the wrong holes, and she had a Slytherin tie around her neck. Lavender looked over at Ginny as she righted her skirt.

“What’s this? “ she asked innocently, fingering the edge of the tie, looking directly at Ginny.

Ginny drew her wand under the table as her heart sunk. “Please tell me that‘s not Draco‘s,” she thought.

Ginny walked over and yanked it out of Lavender‘s grasp, her hand running over the smooth material, and finding the monogrammed DM at the bottom. She couldn’t believe it! Draco wouldn’t have slept with her, he wouldn’t! Ginny held her wand pointed at the floor and looked at Lavender.

Lavender saw that Ginny had worked it all out in her mind, and smiled. “Ginny, I tried to warn you. I did tell you, didn’t I? But, you didn’t want to listen. I want to thank you, though. He’s even better than he was before, and I didn’t even mind that he called me Ginny.”

Hermione yelled for her to control herself, but it was too late. Ginny attacked Lavender, grabbing a fistful of hair, and kicking with all her might. Lavender screamed bloody murder, and Hermione yelled for someone to do something.

Seamus yelled, “Girl fight! My galleons are on Ginny any takers?”

Ginny jumped onto Lavenders back and when they both fell forward, she banged Lavender’s head into the carpet. Ron tried to grab Ginny, but got a kick in the shins for his effort.

Harry was laughing at Ron’s situation, until he received a kick in the groin from Ginny too.

Ron laughed as Harry bent over in pain, but together they both pulled Ginny off, still kicking.

“I’m warning you! Next time you touch him, I’ll kill you!”

Ginny looked for her wand, but Hermione had grabbed it before she could cast any spells, shouting “You’re a prefect!”

Ginny gave a final punch and took off running out of the portrait hole.

Hermione kneeled next to Lavender, and offered to take her to Madam Pomfrey.

Lavender shook her bloody face fiercely. “I am going to McGonagall!”

Hermione stepped forward to catch the girl, but stopped at the realization that she couldn’t Obliviate the entire room.

Ginny sobbed as she ran down the hall and finally stopped in front of Draco’s room. She said the password, and the door slid open to reveal a nude Draco asleep on top of the covers of his bed. Ginny picked up his wand and hovered the point over his crotch. She was more than ready to hex his bits off when a sob escaped her lips, waking Draco.

“Gin!” He sat up happily, stopping short when he saw her face. He quickly reached up and knocked the wand from her hand.

Ginny didn’t waste anytime using her empty hands to slap him repeatedly.

“Stop it! Damn it, Ginny, stop!” He grabbed her wrists and held them tight against his chest, pulling her close to him.

“Let me go! I hate you! I hope you rot you filthy, shagging bastard!” The last came out with store of tears, and Ginny collapsed her head against Draco’s chest.

“Princess, it didn’t mean any-”

Ginny lifted her head and tried to release her wrists from his grip. “Don’t call me princess! And don’t say it didn’t mean anything. I don’t know why I came here. You and I were a mistake”

Draco narrowed his eyes at her and released her. He lifted her face, and his grip on her chin was almost painful as he looked into her eyes. “Malfoy’s do not make mistakes. You and I are the best I‘ve done with my life so far.”

Ginny chose to ignore the latter comment and focus on his first one. She was determined to hurt him like she was hurting. “Malfoy’s don’t make mistakes? That‘s hilarious. I suppose your father is in Azkaban because he enjoys the scenery?”

Draco wanted to grab her, but instead grabbed his robe and tied it as tight as he could. His knuckles were turning white from gripping the ties, but he would never hurt her, no matter how much she provoked him.

“I think you should leave, Ginevra.”

Ginny looked him over, and wanted to apologize, but instead said “Gladly.“ and stormed out.

I'm not going down on my knees,
Begging you to adore me
Can't you see it's misery
And torture for me
When I'm misunderstood
Try as hard as you can, I've tried as hard as I could
To make you see
How important it is for me

Here is a plea
From my heart to you
Nobody knows me
As well as you do
You know how hard it is for me
To shake the disease
That takes hold of my tongue
In situations like these

Understand me

Some people have to be
Permanently together
Lovers devoted to
Each other forever
Now I've got things to do
And I've said before that I know you have too
When I'm not there
In spirit I'll be there

Here is a plea
From my heart to you
Nobody knows me
As well as you do
You know how hard it is for me
To shake the disease
That takes hold of my tongue
In situations like these

Understand me

Ginny left the dungeons swearing that Draco was out of her life for good. How could she forgive him this time? He could try to apologize, which she knew he would, and try to say it didn’t mean anything, but she was done. Ginny stood at the edge of the forbidden forest and screamed her frustrations until she felt faint, and had sent all the birds into the skies.

Ginny leaned against a tree and cried, not minding the cold, or the creepy noises of the forest behind her, she didn’t care anymore. There was so much pain and anger boiling up inside of her, it was like a poison, and she had to get it out. Seeing Draco lying there naked, knowing he had been with Lavender. How could he say that sleeping with Lavender meant nothing, when sleeping with her was supposed to be so special?

It felt like hours had passed when she finally stopped crying, and was able to think clearly. Her mind was clearly shouting that letting go of Draco was the right thing to do and the only thing to do, but her heart still defended him, nagging at her that he hadn’t ever intended to hurt her. She finally made her mind up, as painful as it would be, she was better off without Draco Malfoy in her life. Finally Ginny was too exhausted to think anymore, and headed to bed.

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

After mulling over the past months event’s, Ginny was ready to battle the next time she saw Draco Malfoy. All the love she was feeling had been converted into anger, and she didn’t care if she ever saw him again. She headed down to breakfast and sat down next to Hermione and Neville. She didn’t want to eat, she had so much pent up energy she felt like she could run the Quidditch pitch twenty times and not feel exhausted.

Ginny was playing with her eggs, mashing them to oblivion wishing it were a certain someone’s face, when she felt an incredible heat at her back. Ron, who was sitting across the table from her stood up, and Ginny knew from the tingle in her stomach that it was Draco. Ron’s angry expression would have told her that, had her body not known it already.

“What the bloody hell do you want, Malfoy?” Ron growled.

“I would like to speak to you Ginevra, privately.” Draco could feel every eye in the Great hall on him, as it became extremely quiet. He hated bringing such attention on himself, but desperate times. “Please.”

Without making eye contact, Ginny stood up and threw her glass of pumpkin juice in Draco’s face. As she exited the hall she could hear cheers and whistles, she did not feel bad, she told herself, it was no less than he deserved. If only she could make herself not feel guilty.

Draco kept his head held high, and bowed slightly to his audience of the entire hall. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face, heading back to his own table. He would not flee the hall like a coward, he would rather sit there, sticky from pumpkin juice than give anyone the satisfaction of seeing him run.

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

When Draco was alone in his room he had time to ponder the complicated Miss Weasley. Draco now knew that he and Ginny were finished for good. At least she thought so. She hated him. When he tried to get her attention, she wouldn’t even make eye contact, and if she did, he wished she hadn’t. The looks she gave him were filled with such hatred; the same eyes that once made him feel like there was some hope for him.

He was worried about her, over the next few weeks, she looked thin, and tired, and miserable. It wasn’t his right to say anything anymore, but he wondered if she didn’t think about him, or wonder if he thought about her.

Lavender had meant nothing to him, absolutely nothing at all. He tried once to put himself in Ginny’s shoes, and imagined her shagging Blaise, and unfortunately for Blaise he happened to walk past Draco when he was thinking about this. Draco gave him a dirty look, and watched him carefully for several moments, pondering if Blaise had ever even looked at Ginny in a way that Draco thought was inappropriate, and before he knew it, he had imagined killing his friend. If Ginny told him that she had indeed shagged his friend, but it didn’t mean anything, he would kill Blaise, and then go after Ginny.

He was quite sure she would never forgive him.

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

The weekend before Easter break began most students were staying at Hogwarts to study for O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.s, though this Saturday it seemed everyone was in Hogsmeade, as every shop was particularly crowded. The weather had taken a warm turn as well, and one and all were taking advantage of the sun and the feeling of freedom from classes, at least for a day.

Draco had decided to venture into Hogsmeade with Blaise, who was going to meet with his future mother and father in law for lunch. He was still unsure about going; he was in the courtyard chatting with Blaise until he saw Ginny preparing to go to town. At least he could watch her from afar if he wanted to.

When Blaise left to attend his lunch, Draco wandered the streets, hands in his robe pockets wondering why he had allowed things to go so terribly wrong. Draco was absently looking for Ginny when a dark figure caught his attention.

Draco stopped walking and looked into the abandoned alley where the figure stood. Something about the person made his blood run cold.

He couldn’t believe it when the man in the alley motioned to him. He was going to ignore him; he didn’t answer anyone’s summons. Then the figure pulled the hood of their cloak back, and Draco saw the man’s white blond hair.

Draco felt the breath leave his body; his father was out of Azkaban, and wandering the streets of Hogsmeade. Draco looked his father in the eye as he walked straight toward him. Draco couldn’t believe the man in front of him was his father. Lucius looked so horribly thin, and weak, and he had a crazed look in his eyes. “Father, you shouldn’t be here, someone might see you.”

Lucius looked right through Draco, and stared at the wall behind him for a few moments before looking at Draco. “You were always clever. Draco?”

Draco put a hand on his father’s shoulder, “I‘m here, father. But you really shouldn’t be here, if you are seen…”

Lucius seemed to come alive, his eyes cleared, and he smiled at his son. “The time for action will be soon, you must take your place with the next generation of The Dark Lords follow-”

Draco sighed in frustration and pulled away from his father. He knew this day would come, but he had thus far chosen to ignore it and live his life as he pleased, until the time for action came. The truth was, he didn’t want to be a Death Eater, and he didn’t want to follow a dark Lord who couldn’t even defeat a baby, even if he was the heir of Slytherin. He didn’t want to join the Potter fan club either, but it seemed like the winning side, as it appeared that Potter’s luck was never going to run out.

Lucius didn’t appreciate Draco’s insolence, and pushed him to get his attention. Draco didn’t move a muscle, his father had no strength, and the years in Azkaban had beyond doubt affected him. Draco knew that his father was here now because the dementors and several higher ups at the Ministry were loyal to Voldemort, and had let him go, but he would have expected a little better treatment while he was in Azkaban.

Draco saw Ginny walk by with Neville, who was holding her coat. Draco felt his temper rise seeing them together, even though he knew it was completely innocent.

Lucius followed his sons gaze, and was disgusted at the sight of the Weasley girl, and that weak-minded Longbottom. When he looked at Draco he saw anger, Draco couldn’t have feelings for the little tart could he? Surely his standards were higher. “Draco, you know what you must do.”

Draco looked at his father, and then at Ginny, who was window shopping with her back to them. He pointed towards her and touched his father’s hand. “That is where my life is. That beautiful girl with the long red hair, and the ferocious temper. That is what is worth fighting for. Your cause, Father, is a lost one, I’m sorry to say. You should collect Mother and leave, consider it, please. For me and for her, if not for yourself.”

Lucius slowly looked away from Ginny and Neville back to Draco. “She is worth fighting for? And is that why she is here with you now? Or is she hanging on Longbottom for appearances sake? Really Draco, I would think you would have chosen someone more…Appropriate for your position. And you do not get the privilege of instructing me about my life, Draco.”

Draco put his head down to avoid his father’s knowing gaze. He knew that Ginny wasn’t going to speak to him for the rest of the year, at least that’s what she said. He knew she was furious, but how many times could he apologize? He was sorry, he was sorry for kissing Pansy, he was sorry for sleeping with Lavender. Maybe Ginny was out of his life for good.

Draco looked up at his father as Lucius readjusted his cloak to cover his hair. “I know I can count on you to make the correct choice, son.” Lucius awkwardly patted Draco on the same shoulder he had shoved earlier. “I will be in contact with you soon.” With that, Lucius Malfoy disappeared.

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

Ginny and Neville were spending a lot of time together because Neville was lonely for a friend, and he seemed to have a lot to say once someone gave him there full attention, and Ginny was not in the mood to talk, but she was a good listener. Ginny was so tired of talking about Draco; she didn’t want to waste another breath. She didn’t think she could ever forgive him, and now she had detention every night thanks to her temper, and Lavender running to Professor McGonagall.

She and Neville spent the weekends, and her rare free moments together, and she was grateful for his company. Ron was obnoxious, constantly reminding her of her ’mistake’ of trusting Draco, and warning her not to do it again, and Harry and Hermione were wrapped up in each other. Ginny had isolated most of her friends over the last months, and now she was grateful for Neville’s company. He had a wonderful sense of humor that no one else had tapped into yet, and she was appreciative of his presence in her life.

Draco had started keeping to himself, he had a lot to think about, and he couldn’t confide his worries in anyone. He wanted to do the right thing, and stay with Ginny, to protect her, but wouldn’t she have all her brave little Gryff friends? Draco was disgusted thinking about her and Longbottom. You never saw one without the other these days. Was he so unworthy that she couldn’t give him any time? Draco stopped those thoughts, and promised he would stop torturing himself. She said she didn’t want him; she wasn’t going to change her mind. Draco decided that he would leave her alone, he had his own problems, but he would try one last time, right before school was over, and if she hadn’t cooled off by then, he would do what his father wanted, without her, his life wouldn’t mean anything anyway.

Draco knew what he had to do, but that didn’t mean that he liked it. His father’s image preoccupied much of his thoughts; he wasn’t the same man that he remembered. When he thought of his father, he thought of someone who was invincible, the most powerful man in the world. He knew that his father had to have weaknesses, even thought he never showed them. Even when he was sent to Azkaban, he sent specific instructions that neither Draco nor his mother were to visit him. He didn’t want any more attention drawn to himself, or the Malfoy name.

The man in the alley was his father, at least a shell of the man his father was. There were a few moments when Draco never would have thought his father would be alright, and then he seemed to come out of it, and be his old cruel self. Maybe he had a point, maybe he shouldn’t deny the course of the Malfoy destiny, and do what his father wanted him to. What if his father needed him? That was a likely probability, he may need to save his father’s life, and the only way to protect him would be to become a Death Eater.

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

Ginny was helping Neville study for his N.E.W.T.s, and was trying her best to keep awake. It was after 2:00 a.m. and the common room was slowly emptying. She had her own homework, and detention, and she could feel the exhaustion of a horrible school year taking its toll on her. The only good thing was that she had made a wonderful friend in Neville. She was able to tell him anything, and he never judged. He confided in her too, and she was looking forward to summer break, and spending some time with him.

Ginny didn’t remember falling asleep, but she was awakened by a gentle kiss on the lips. Ginny whispered “Draco” before she felt herself being shook awake. Ginny sat up and stretched, looking at Neville, who was leaning over her on the couch. “I’m so sorry, Nev. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’m just so tired.” she said with a big yawn.

Neville gave Ginny a half smile, “Gin, you should go to bed, I’ll study a bit more, and head up myself. “

Ginny knew something was wrong. What had she missed? “Neville? What is it? Are you alright?”

Neville looked up at the ceiling, then sighed, picking up Ginny’s shoes off of the floor and helping her up, walking her to the girl’s staircase. He handed her the shoes and said, “Goodnight Ginny.” He then gave her a gentle shove to get her going.

Ginny smiled back at him as she made her way to her bed, unsure of what had just happened. She could see a change in him, but she wasn’t sure what it was. How long had she been asleep, anyway?

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

Draco had to try one last time. Everyone was waiting to board the train at Hogsmeade station, this may be his last chance, and he had had a hell of a time these last weeks of school trying to get close to her, she was better protected than Gringotts. Draco kept trying to catch her eye, then finally, when he was ready to give up and try to catch her on the train, Ginny separated herself, and walked around the back of the building. She waived Ron off who was trying to follow her, saying, “I‘m old enough to use the loo alone, Merlin’s sake!”

Draco met her on the other side and Ginny sighed and downcast her eyes before turning to look at him.

“What is it Draco? What do you want to torture me with before summer break? Did you happen to sleep with my mum too?”

Draco shook his head at her manner, and tried to approach her.

“Stay right there, loverboy. I don’t trust you, and I don’t want to hear what you have to say, so excuse me.”

Draco nodded, and then said, “Fair enough Ginevra. I just had a few things I wanted to say to you, and I would appreciate you giving me one minute of your time.”

Ginny looked at her watch, and signaled for Draco to begin.

“If you ever cared for me at all, you will listen to what I have to say. “

Ginny looked up from her watch to stare at Draco. Of course she cared for him, she always would. But she couldn’t trust him, and what kind of a relationship was that, if they couldn’t trust each other?

Draco suddenly felt very unsure of himself; he was going to be rejected, and he knew that. But he had to try, he had to tell her how he was feeling, and hope that she knew he was being sincere. “I, I just wanted to say, that if there hadn’t been you, there wouldn’t have been anyone. No one else will ever be able to make me feel this way. If I blew it, I will live with the regret the rest of my lonely life.”

Ginny wanted to melt. He looked genuine, but he had proven that he was good at manipulation so many times in the past. Ginny wasn’t sure what to say, when she saw Ron appear around the corner looking for her. She had to push him away, it was better for both of them. She couldn’t keep the tremble from her voice when she said, “Oh please! Is that supposed to make me feel bad?”

Draco was genuinely shocked at her response. He was pouring his heart out, and she was mocking him.

Draco smiled at her, bent low and kissed her hand. “Thank you for your time, Miss Weasley. Have a pleasant life.” And with that he walked away. He left his heart with her, it was hers after all, whether she knew it or not.

Ginny cried in Neville’s arms almost the entire train ride back to platform 9 ¾. It wasn’t until she finally fell asleep that she got any peace.

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

That summer Draco Malfoy accepted the dark mark, his father at his side, with no regrets, and no hesitation. His only second thought had rejected him at Hogsmeade station, so he had nothing left to lose.

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

I need a love to help me find my way
I need a strength that I cannot betray
I need a word to say what I can't say
I need a lover, lover
I need a lover, lover

What are we waiting for?
What are we waiting for?
Time has lost its hold on me

Hatred sleeps inside my bones
In the stillness of cool air
All the boys have been left for dead
'Cause we go where they fear to tread
The beautiful one's the one's we'll remember
The precious one's our greatest pretenders

I need a love to help me find my way
I need a strength that I cannot betray
I need a word to say what I can't say
I need a lover, lover
I need a lover, lover

And if you lose yourself
Could you take me, too?
Could you rest inside the sleep?

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.

A/N: Thanks again to Jessica K. Malfoy for being my fab beta! Thank you to everyone who has read, this is the last chap *tears* there is an epilogue being betaed to explain what becomes of the survivors… ;) Hope you like it!

Don't ask me
What you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart

I, I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart

We could live for a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I'd make wine from your tears

I told you
That we could fly
Cause we all have wings
But some of us don't know why

I, I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never...ever...tear us apart

They had been hiding in Hogsmeade for almost three months when Ginny discovered something about herself. She was pregnant. She was elated with her discovery, and she couldn’t keep her hands off the small bump on her stomach, knowing that she had the best of Draco inside of her, and she was going to protect that precious life as long as she drew breath.

Up until last month, she had thought she was getting sick from nerves, as she hadn’t heard from Draco since that day in the woods, and though Snape had assured her he was safe, he told her that he was unable to speak with him as he was staying with his Aunt Bellatrix, and he hadn’t been able to get close to him. Although relieved to know he was safe, she was nervous that he was so close to Bellatrix. That woman was pure evil.

Ginny was sure that those thoughts were what was making her sick, until her mother yelled at her over tea that it wasn’t nerves, she was pregnant. Ginny was in shock. Hermione dropped her cup, and Luna squeaked in delight, but Mrs. Weasley just shook her head and headed behind the bar to fetch Hermione another cup. Ginny knew that eventually her mum would come around; it was just such a surprise. It was a surprise to Ginny too, an extremely happy surprise.

Molly refused to talk to Ginny for several days, and it was killing her. She was so disappointed in her daughter, she had an uncertain future as it was, and now she had a child to think about. Not just a child, but the child of a Death Eater. Molly recognized Ginny‘s symptoms right away, could feel the difference in her daughter, she could practically see the glow of another life force hanging around her.

As the word of Ginny’s pregnancy spread through the Order, Molly lost count of the times she had damned Draco when someone tentatively told Ginny “Congratulations.” Ginny was happy to discuss the Baby with Luna and Hermione, it kept her mind off of her worry about Draco, and made things seem a little more normal. She was a happy expectant mother, not a young, pregnant woman, who was caught up in a war, and whose baby’s father was fighting for the opposite side.

Molly however couldn’t stop being angry, and Arthur was on the receiving end of most of her rants. “She is too young! She has no idea what she is in for, and I can’t imagine a worse father for a child than Draco Malfoy!”

Arthur tried to get her to lower her voice, the walls were thin, and he was sure that Ginny could hear her through them. But then, knowing his wife as he did, that was probably her intent. “Molly dear, please lower your voice. She is young, and so were we. And we love each other very much, we’ve had hard times, we have had to make it work, she will hav-”

“It is no where near the same situation you and I were in! How can you compare the two? My father didn’t like you because he was protective, not because you were a killer!”

“Molly! That is enough!”

Molly’s mouth hung open. Her husband had never really raised his voice to her, even when they fought, she did most of the shouting, he was always the reasonable one.

“There is nothing to be done now. We have to support her whether we like this situation or not.” Arthur paused at the threshold of the doorway, his head bowed, as he addressed his wife. “You haven’t once asked me how I feel about this.”

Arthur slammed the door as he made his way downstairs, where he shared a drink with Ron, Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie, who all looked as if they had been pondering the same problem Molly had.

Arthur looked at his sons in turn before swallowing the burning liquid in one gulp. “Your sister is going to need out support. If we approve or not, what’s done is done.” He waited until he received a nod from each of them before he headed to a room at the end of the hall, instead of the room he shared with his wife. He had only been asleep for a short while when Molly crawled into bed beside him, crying, and asking him to forgive her.

Arthur wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her before he explained that Ginny was going to face a difficult enough road as it was, and although he himself was disappointed, he loved his little girl, and didn’t want her to suffer more than she was already going to.

Molly nodded, and decided that considering the extreme circumstances they all found themselves in, she would do her best to be there for her daughter. She was heartbroken, and despaired about Ginny’s future, but she would try to put on a brave face for Ginny. Not a happy one, she wasn’t a liar, and couldn’t pretend that this baby was welcomed, but Arthur was right, and she would do her best for her family.

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

It had been almost three months since Draco had seen Ginny. He was beginning to get nervous. He was usually allowed more freedom, but lately Bellatrix had been keeping him close to her, giving him nothing to do but stay close to her. When she went out, he was left to watch over an empty house. Draco wasn’t sure what his aunt was up to, but the second he felt his arm begin to burn, and his mark turn black, he knew Voldemort was up to something. He would try to leave the house, but Bellatrix always had an excuse for him to stay, and would apparate away quickly.

Voldemort had headquartered himself in Godric’s Hollow, the exact house where he had killed Harry Potter’s parents. He thought it would be a great insult to Harry to learn that he was there, but Draco didn’t think Harry knew yet. Draco was going mad being shut up in the place, pacing, reading the books he’d found, and even some Muggle magazines.

He was worried about Ginny. He knew that she had to be wondering about him, she was probably worried sick. He hadn’t been able to get any messages to her for sometime now, and he was sure that she was wondering what had become of him.

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

Snape had been welcomed back to the circle for his potion making abilities, and what Voldemort didn’t know was that he was slowly being poisoned. It would never be enough to kill him, but it would keep him weak. Snape was working very closely with Voldemort, who demanded that all types of potions and poisons be at his disposal. Snape got brave enough to ask what he needed so much monkshood for, under the guise that he was running low, and wasn’t sure if he should obtain more.

Voldemort stared at him, and Snape closed his mind, trying to see if he would live through the next moment or not. Voldemort only nodded and left him to his work, but as he had his back turned, he felt the presence of several people enter the room. He turned to see Bellatrix and several of her cohorts.

“Time to say goodbye, Sevrus.”

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

Ginny was having such strange dreams. She knew that that was part of pregnancy, but she was getting less sleep every night, worried about Draco, and then Professor Snape had gone missing, and now these odd dreams.

Ginny went down the stairs to get some milk, hoping it would help get her back to sleep. She wondered if she shouldn’t put something more on, as she was wearing an old, thin, sleeveless nightgown that barely reached her knees which she’d had forever, but she didn’t expect to run into anyone at this hour. Ginny was just pouring herself a glass when she saw a sliver of the moon through the curtained window.

She remembered that she used to make a wish on the full moon when she was a little girl, when its powers were at its strongest. Ginny didn’t dare open the curtain too much, just in case someone was watching, but it was such a beautiful night. Ginny looked up at the blue-black sky, the pristine moon and wished for Draco to be safe, to be safe and to come to her and their baby soon. Ginny was closing the curtain when her eyes fell to the street in front of her.

Hands tied behind his back, mouth gagged, surrounded by Death Eaters, was Draco.

Ginny didn’t think, she ran outside, calling Draco’s name. His eyes widened, and then his lips curved into a smile. Ginny refused to believe that he had set her up…He wouldn’t!

Pansy Parkinson stepped forward from the group, and smiled at Ginny. She laughed as she loomed over Ginny, who was now being tied up and gagged herself. “Well, I said you weren’t stupid enough to come running out all by yourself, but, I guess I was wrong.”

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

Ron wasn't quite sure what had woken him, but there was a lingering memory of his sister's voice. He knew that it was a full moon, and even though Remus had taken his potion, and was voluntarily locked in his room, he was ashamed to admit that that was his first thought. He went down stairs to find Harry and Bill awake. “What is it?”

“The wards woke me up,” Harry said. “But I don’t see anything.”

Bill looked at Ron. “I swear I heard Ginny,” he heaved a huge sigh. “I swear I heard her say Draco’s name. I checked her room before I came down here, she’s not there.”

Ron smashed his fist against the table, cursing Malfoy, and both Bill and Harry shushed him. “How could she be so, so, well, she’s my sister and I love her, but stupid! Running off with Malfoy! It’s going to break mum’s heart.”

“He is the father of her child,” Harry pointed out.

Both Bill and Ron made a disgusted face, “Thanks for reminding us, mate.” Bill said before heading back

upstairs.

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

Ginny reminded herself to stay calm. She had to protect the baby. They mustn’t find out about the baby.

Pansy had given her a robe that was too large for her, and if she draped it correctly, no one would notice. They put her in a room that was so small she couldn’t be sure where she was.

They had removed the gag, and retied her hands after they allowed her to put the robe on. Pansy pushed her down on the edge of the bed, and Ginny was going to ask what was going on, where the real Draco was, when an odd smell permeated the room. The door was open, and the smell seemed to be coming from the hall. Ginny knew she was going to be sick, it was a putrid smell of decay and suddenly the doorway was filled with her worst nightmare.

“Hello again Miss Weasley.” A voice hissed from the doorway. Everyone in the room bowed low, and Ginny felt her stomach drop. Even her worst nightmares couldn’t compare to this.

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

Draco was sitting in front of the fire, watching the flames, when he saw an unfamiliar shadow appear on the wall to his left. He didn’t move for a few moments, but drew his wand with as little movement as necessary. He jumped out of his chair and turned quickly to be faced with Pansy Parkinson.

He almost cast an unforgivable right then; she‘d left school without having to pay the price for what she‘d done to Ginny, but Draco knew her well enough to know she was up to something. “Whore, long time no see. I’d like to have kept it that way.”

“Ahhh Draco…Draco, Draco.”

“You remember my name. Good for you, now, what…Do…You…Want?”

Pansy smiled and took a seat on the couch, hiking her robes up to show a little leg. Draco turned away, rolled his eyes and repeated his question.

Pansy sighed, “I just thought you would like to know.” Pansy tossed something at Draco and he caught it, instantly recognizing a portion of Ginny’s hair, tied in a black ribbon.

Draco flew across the room, knocking the couch backwards, sending both he and Pansy flying to the floor. Draco grabbed her by the neck and squeezed. “Tell me where she is! Tell me!”

Pansy was trying to ease his grip, and it wasn’t until her lips turned blue that Draco realized what he was doing and let up. Pansy gasped for air, and finally choked out, “Voldemort will bring her, you bring Harry.”

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

The last thing that Draco wanted to do was get help from the Order, but he had no choice, he had to save Ginny, and he didn’t know how much time he had. Before Snape had gone missing, he had told Draco that the new Order location was The Three Broomsticks. It could all be a trap. The Death Eaters might just tail him and then attack the Order, and go on to wipe out the rest of the resisters to Voldemort. Draco had to chance it, Ginny needed him, and he wasn’t going to waste any more time.

Draco apparated just outside The Three Broomsticks. It was the middle of the night, and deadly quiet. He approached the door, and when it opened, he was greeted less than warmly with at least twenty wands.

Harry ushered him inside, despite the protests of Ginny’s brother’s, and Neville Longbottom. The pub was alive with the shouting of every voice, until Draco yelled for quiet. Shocked eyes turned to him, and a couple of “Who does he bloody think he is?” came his way, but Harry seemed to be the voice of reason. He urged everyone to please calm down, and to relax until they knew what was going on. “Draco, you and Ginny could have at least left a note; Molly and Arthur have been worried sick.”

Draco glanced at the angry faces starring at him; of course that’s what they thought. Draco pulled the ribbon of Ginny’s hair from his chest pocket, and had more wands pointed at him as he did. When he placed her hair on what looked like a map, Molly screamed and Fred and George both punched him at the same time, one his left cheek, one his right. Draco shook it off, and pounded his fist. “I didn’t hurt Ginny! Pansy brought this to me last night…Voldemort wants to exchange Ginny for you.” he said pointing at Harry.

Harry nodded and walked away from the group, and they all saw him put a hand to his face, his shoulders shaking. Hermione followed trying to comfort him, but Harry turned to them, laughing. “If it’s me he wants, it’s me he’ll get.”

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

Draco felt awkward sitting at the end of one of the round tables all alone. The Order members had pushed several tables together to create one long one, but they all stayed clear of him, and he wondered what he had that was catching. There were thirty pairs of eyes starring at him as he told them where they could find Voldemort. Harry got up from the table and paced hearing that Voldemort was at his parent’s house. The house where he had ’defeated’ him as a baby, although he didn’t know how. “He wants a rematch” Harry muttered.

Several comforting hands reached out to Harry and though Draco felt some degree of sympathy, he still cleared his throat and said, “Ginny, I need to leave now, I can’t leave her alone. Who knows what…” Draco looked up at Mrs. Weasley, who was openly sobbing and continued, “What Ginny must be thinking. I won’t have her scared any more than she has to be.”

The meeting continued, and before long everyone agreed to the brilliant, but dangerous plan Harry had come up with. There was no way to win a war without risk, and everyone accepted this. There wasn’t much time to spare, and within half an hour everyone was at work, preparing for the coming confrontation.

Harry, Ron and Draco snuck into Hogwarts by way of the Shrieking Shack passage. They didn’t have the necessary equipment, so they were going to sneak into Professor Snape’s privates stores. They didn’t speak the entire time they moved in and out of the school. No one bothered them, as the Headmaster was an Order member, and knew what they were up to, keeping Filch and Mrs. Norris busy.

Ron made the short trip as uncomfortable for Draco as he could, tripping him, ’accidentally’ elbowing and shoving him. He was hoping to goad him into a fight, but Draco knew that now was not the time. He would accommodate him, but not today, they had work to do.

When they returned, Harry and Ron began walking toward The Three Broom Sticks, and Draco was getting ready to apparate back to Godric’s Hollow, and Ginny. He had waited long enough, and he was nervous just thinking about what could have happened to Ginny. Draco was about to apparate away when Ron tapped his shoulder, “Malfoy,…Make sure my sister, well, don’t let her ge-”

Draco looked at Ron without irritation, but only for a moment, “Don’t worry, Weasley. She’s my life. I won’t let her be harmed.” With that Draco disappeared, leaving Harry and Ron looking at the space he had just occupied.

“This is going to work, right Harry?”

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

As soon as Draco reached the grounds of the house he was confronted by his Aunt Bellatrix. The sun was beginning to rise, and a light rain had begun to fall. She grabbed his arm in a hard grip with her bony fingers, drawing her close to him, guiding him to the back of the house.

“Hello nephew. I’m wondering where you disappeared to tonight…and every other night you’ve gone missing." She let out a hissing sigh as she reached into his robe and took his wand. "I know you are a traitor, Draco, and you are going to end up like that other traitor, Snape.”

Bellatrix reached the back of the house and pointed for Draco to walk ahead of her. Draco wouldn’t put it past her to attack from behind, but he had no choice, and entered the backyard.

“Don’t you plan to defend yourself, nephew?” she asked, her voice low and cruel.

Draco turned to his Aunt and was about to answer when there was a commotion from the backdoor, and a flood of people poured out. Voldemort materialized in front of Draco and Bellatrix, and Bellatrix immediately bowed low, “My Lord, Draco has returned.”

Voldemort ran a hand over her head, “I see, Bella. Have you brought me Potter?” Voldemort looked into Draco eyes, and he could feel his insides turn when he spotted Ginny being held by Pansy and Goyle Sr.

Draco bowed low, “He will be here, my Lord.”

Voldemort pulled his wand and sent Draco crashing into the fence. He slid to the ground and stayed there, waiting for permission to stand, and trying to ignore Ginny’s cry of concern for him. Bellatrix clapped her hands in delight, and encouraged Voldemort to do more.

Voldemort ordered Draco to stand, and come before him. Draco did as he was told, and Voldemort looked from Draco to Ginny then came up behind Draco and asked, “You are loyal to me, are you not Draco?”

Draco tried to ease the terror he was feeling, to push away the panic, and the urge to grab Ginny and flee.

What game was he playing? Surely his Aunt had told Voldemort everything. Draco couldn’t take any chances, he might hurt Ginny, Draco bowed his head and answered, “Yes my lord, I am loyal to you.”

Voldemort chuckled menacingly then asked, “Loyal enough to kill your own child?”

Draco’s head snapped up, his eyes flying to meet Ginny’s, but she had her head turned away from him, eyes closed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Draco couldn’t tell if she was pregnant or not in her loose, ill-fitting robes. His voice was a whisper when he said “Ginny?”

Ginny could not look at him. She could not believe that this was happening to them. This baby wasn’t planned, but it was wanted, desperately. She knew her family wasn’t thrilled, but they would come around. Even if it was a Malfoy, it was still half Weasley, and they wouldn’t deny him or her. But would that child even have the chance to live? Draco was still looking at her, and she wanted to run into his arms the moment that she’d seen him again, but she had to protect their baby first.

Voldemort grew impatient and tore at Ginny’s robes, leaving her in nothing but her thin nightgown. Ginny felt the goose bumps cover her entire body as the fear and uncertainty took hold. Draco was now starring at her stomach, the tiny bump of her three-month pregnant body now clearly visible. She knew he would not kill their child, but what were they going to do? Neither of them even had a wand.

“I grow impatient!” Voldemort shouted.

Bellatrix leaned over to whisper to Voldemort and Draco took a chance, pushing Bellatrix and grabbing her wand, shouting, “Protego!” The shield he created followed him as ran to Ginny and pulled her inside it’s protection.

Draco didn’t know how much time he would have with Ginny, and decided he would tell her everything that he’d held in his heart for their entire relationship. This was the only chance he would have. He grabbed her face more roughly than he meant to, and brought her lips to his. He could taste the saltiness of her tears as she clung to him, could feel his child pressed against him.

“Ginny, I don’t have long…Hush, please don’t cry, or cry, I don’t know. It will be alright. You have to move on without me; you have to apparate now, so take this wand. The Order is on it‘s way, but I don‘t know when they will be here. Please listen, I know I treated you badly, I never wanted to hurt you, and I never wanted to have this conversation with you. Ginny, listen to me, you have to move on, you have to raise our baby, take the Malfoy money and give him, or her everything they want, spoil them for me. Tell them that their father loved them very much, and would have given anything in this world, or the next, to have been there, to see them grow up. Tell them, that their father loved their mother even more than he loved himself. And that’s saying something for anyone who ever knew him. I do love you. I never told you because I was a fool, I wanted to tell you so many times, when you were lying in my arms, when you would take my hand, when we- well, every time I was with you.” Draco hugged Ginny tighter to him, resting his chin on the top of her head, and inhaling the sweet scent of vanilla for the last time.

“I love you,” Ginny sobbed.

Draco wanted to hold her, but he was suddenly pulled away by two Death Eater’s. The shield was broken by a charm that Voldemort had used; Draco hadn’t even noticed its light was gone.

Voldemort clapped his scaly hands, throwing his head back as he laughed. The Death Eaters laughed with him, and Draco used the time to look around for an escape for Ginny.

“If I had a heart, I’m sure I would be touched, young Malfoy, as it is, you are such a disappointment! Your father at least attempted loyalty, you are dead!” Voldemort raised his wand, shouting “Avada K-”

“No!” Ginny screamed.

Draco mouthed “I love you” to Ginny, ready for death, for whatever was coming, but the curse flew over his head as Harry rushed forward knocking Voldemort to the ground.

Draco had never been more pleased to see Potter in his life. The Death Eaters and Voldemort began shouting spells, as Harry’s came running from both sides of the house. Draco picked Ginny up and carried her to the front of the house and beyond until he was sure they were safe.

Ginny couldn’t let go of Draco, sobbing into the crook of his neck. Draco tried to soothe her with words, but he knew there was nothing he could say, what they had been through was unspeakable, and he didn’t know what he could do, other than hold her close. “It’s alright, baby, I love you, you’re alright.” Draco held her tight, watching the flash of lights over the roof of the house.

He knew he should be in the yard, fighting now, but he was where he belonged. Ginny needed him. There was a huge explosion, and Ginny and Draco were thrown to the ground. Draco pulled Ginny close, cushioning her fall, so that he took the impact, and she landed on him. There was a green light that seemed to be hovering over the house for miles, before it broke into a million pieces and disappeared. The breeze and the rain blew over them, and they lay on the street for several minutes before several Harry Potter’s came around the side of the house, calling their names.

The Harry’s stopped in front of them, and one of them hugged her and said, “Oh thank Gods, my baby! I thought, I thought the worst!”

Ginny looked into the emerald green eyes of Harry, but said, “Mum?”

Draco hugged her to him and explained that Harry had come up with a plan to have the Order polyjuice themselves since Voldemort wanted “Harry” and didn’t specify which Harry.

They were sitting on the grass of the abandoned house, as the polyjuice started to wear off. Harry’s scar was gone, and so was Draco’s mark.

Voldemort was really gone.

Ginny was so overwhelmed by the events of the past hours, she didn’t know if she could take anymore. Her friends and family were all miraculously safe, despite some minor injuries. All she wanted to do was be alone with Draco, and never let him go. The things he had said to her earlier ran through her mind over and over again, and she didn’t think she had ever been more in love with him. They had wasted so many years apart, and it was hard to believe that the war could actually be over.

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

Draco and Ginny lay in bed, facing each other on their sides, just starring at each other. Draco occasionally ran a hand through her hair, or brushed his hand over her stomach. Ginny would shiver, and Draco kept asking if she was cold. “It’s not the cold, Draco. It’s you. I wondered if we would get to be together like this. I thought tha-”

Ginny began to cry again, and Draco scooted over and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t worry, love. We’re together now, and nothing and no one will ever be able to keep us apart again.”

Ginny cuddled closer, and Draco was overwhelmed by the woman in his arms, by the feel of his child moving against him. He didn’t deserve this, he’d thought he was going to die, but been given the second chance to make things right, and he promised himself to do everything in his power to keep his wife and child happy as long as he lived.

“Princess, do you think you’ll be happy married to me?” Draco reached behind him to pull a large diamond ring from the pillow underneath him.

“I know I will be,” Ginny sighed as she accepted his ring, and cried harder against Draco’s chest. “I also think you will be a wonderful father…Two children to start will be good practice for the amount I want to have.”

“How many do you want total?” Draco asked chuckling, imaging himself having as many children as Arthur Weasley, and finding it an impossible task to-

“Ginny, did you say two children to start?!”

A/N: This is it! Thank you to everyone who has read! Thank you to Jessica K. Malfoy, totally awesome beta skills, and hilarious Weasley men wedding conversation! Amanda, thanks for sitting in the hot sun @ DCA w/me and writing on napkins to make notes for this story- seasons passes, we can waste a day!

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

…I'm drowning in your eyes
I'm floating out to sea
Helpless on the restless tide
That flows between you and me
Moving slowly as if in a dream
The colors change from blue to green
All around me reflections of you
In forests deep I'm passing through
In the swell of the storm we're as one
We're dancing in the morning sun
Could it be that we've only just begun…

It wasn’t until a few days after the defeat of Voldemort that the word spread throughout the wizarding community how Harry Potter and the Order had managed to overpower the most evil wizard who had ever existed.

It had been Harry's idea for each Order member to drink polyjuice, thus creating great confusion for Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They weren’t sure which ‘Harry’ to capture and bring to their Lord. It was Ron who had knocked Voldemort’s wand from his hand, while the Death Eaters and Voldemort were all watching the scene between Draco and Ginny. Harry was able to Accio Voldemort’s wand, using it to destroy him.

Many of the Death Eaters scattered at the sudden fall of their Lord, and Harry and the Order were able to take over the house with considerable ease.

Bellatrix wouldn’t give up, and put up a fight, but Neville was stronger, plus he had years of grief and rancor built up, and in the adrenaline of the moment, he had no regrets in taking her life, and avenging his parents.

Pansy panicked, and tried to run when she saw that she was on the losing side, but was hit by a stray spell, and killed. And although Ginny would never admit it, she was almost glad to see her go.

Professor Snape was never found, but everyone knew that he was killed by Voldemort‘s command. He was honored with a ceremony at Hogwarts and the potions classroom was redesigned, with a plaque placed prominently at the front of the room, dedicated “To Professor Severus Snape, the finest Potions Master that Hogwarts has ever been honored with. ”

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

Malfoy Manor was rebuilt, and renamed Malfoy Mansion, which is exactly what it became. It had been destroyed by Voldemort, and Draco thought that this really was a good thing. He had a few, select good memories of the Manor, but the bad ones seemed to outnumber them, and he wanted to start new, a new wife, he'd be a new father, a completely new home, and a completely new life. Since they used Magic, it didn’t take more than a month to complete the house, and Ginny loved the financial freedom of decorating her new home. That part of marriage was the easiest to accept.

Ginny used whites and creamy yellows, and Draco couldn’t believe the difference, and he was proud that his children would grow up in this house, and not the gray cell he had. He kept trying to sneak into the nursery, but Ginny had put a charm on the door, and he hadn’t found a way in yet. She had a ’feeling’ about the sex of the babies, but wanted to surprise him, and had already had the room decorated, and he was dying of curiosity. She laughed when she passed him, wand drawn, trying to open the door. He would turn red, and then run to help her down the steps to make sure she didn’t hurt herself.

“You’re blushing again, Draco- I mean you have a little color in your cheeks…Malfoy’s don’t blush, I know,” she said, as he mouthed the latter with her.

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

Ginny and Draco were married in a private ceremony in the gardens in the spring. There were very few people in attendance, just their closest friends and family. The Weasley’s begrudgingly came all armed, their wands at the ready in case Draco stepped a toe out of line. Molly sobbed all day, but they were not tears of joy.

She wanted to be happy for her daughter, but it was difficult. Draco seemed to play the part of loving partner, husband now, she supposed, but Molly couldn’t accept that he had changed. He had a lot of money, and Ginny lived in a house that was far grander than any Molly could have dreamed of for her daughter, but that didn’t mean she would be content! Molly had raised seven happy children in a house that could easily fit into this garden, but they were good, decent people. The Malfoy’s were bad news as far back as Molly’s memory stretched, and now her only daughter was a part of that family. Molly sighed as she looked at her daughter.

Ginny thought everyone was starring because she was almost five months pregnant with twins and seemed to balloon overnight, but the truth was, she was an absolutely beautiful, bride.

Ginny wore fresh flowers in her hair, and Draco held his breath as she made her way to him. After everything they had been through, they were finally going to be together.

He couldn’t stop himself from looking over at her every few minutes, then back at her brothers and Potter.

This gorgeous woman was his; she was vowing body and soul to be his forever. Forever. He was the luckiest wizard who ever lived, and he certainly didn’t deserve her, but he would do his best to show her how very much she meant to him.

When it came time for them to exchange rings, Draco held the gold band at an angle for Ginny to read the inscription, “Non amour ordinaire,” or no ordinary love.

Ginny felt the tears, she remembered Draco telling her that they would have quite a story to tell their children one day, and that he would start it with “It was no ordinary love…”

She mouthed ’happy tears’ to Ron, who looked ready to interrupt; he had been sitting with his arms crossed and a mutinous look on his face for the entire ceremony. Ginny smiled, and leaned forward to kiss Draco, before she was told by the officiating wizard it was a wee bit too soon. He stared at her pregnant belly and continued, but Draco winked at her, he didn’t care what anyone else thought, he was glad she couldn’t keep her hands off him.

Harry and Neville each took a turn with Ginny on the dance floor while Draco got advice on how to be a good husband from all the Weasley men, including the ones that weren’t married. When he tried to point this out, he got reminded that there were more Weasley‘s than Malfoy‘s, and he should watch himself. He was in too good of a mood to let them ruin it, and nodded his head as they continued to talk, watching Ginny.

"You should always bring her breakfast in bed, every single day," George was telling him. "Even if it makes you late for work, it doesn't matter. She is a ‘princess’ and deserves to be treated like one."

From her seat a few feet away, Angelina glared at him.

"And massage her back. And feet," Bill added. "Don't hire an elf to do it, that's not as personal."

"You could take your own advice," Fleur sniffed as she sauntered past.

Draco tried to repress a snigger by turning it into a cough, but was silenced by Charlie's glare.

"And never, ever go to bed while she's upset," Fred noted. "It doesn't matter if you don't get a wink of sleep. Hell, you better never do a thing to make my sister mad at you!"

“Women, are very fragile creatures. They’re tuff on the outside, but underneath, they are all soft and sensitive. Don’t disagree with anything, even if you completely disagree, that is the key to a happy marriage.” Charlie raised his glass to his wife, and smiled.

“And the thousand galleon question,” Percy spoke up, carefully adjusting his glasses over his black eye. “If she asks if you if her bum looks big in her dress, or if she has put on a bit of weight-”

“Say NO!” they all answered.

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

Draco put his potions knowledge to good use, and was working at St. Mungos as a healer. He wasn’t bringing home a lot of money, but he had the Malfoy fortune, and he and Ginny lived very comfortably.

Neville became a Healer as well, working in the fourth floor Spell Damage Department. He began dating Susan Bones, who worked as an assistant Healer, and Draco secretly wondered if her resemblance to Ginny had anything to do with his choice, although he'd never ask.

Harry went to work at the Ministry, as an Auror, as expected. There were still a handful of dangerous Death Eater’s in hiding, and Harry vowed to capture every last one of them. He and Hermione were married soon after Draco and Ginny, and Hermione took over Professor McGonagall’s Transfiguration classes, and became head of Gryffindor house, when McGonagall became Headmistress.

Ron played professional Quidditch for the Tutshill Tornados, but spent his free time trying to get traded to the Cannons. He finally did the same day he married the daughter of the owner.

Coincidence? Draco pondered, as he sat next to Ginny during the ceremony.

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

Ginny went into labor when she was having tea with her mum at The Burrow. Ron and his new bride, Nora, were home and rushed with Molly and Arthur to get Ginny to St. Mungo’s. Ginny was terrified as the time had finally arrived, but knew that she had hours to go still, but she was asking for Draco the moment she walked through the door.

It was late Friday afternoon, and Draco was likely still on duty, so Molly set off to have him paged to the maternity ward. Nora sat with Ginny, fluffing her pillows and trying to settle her in the bed they put her in. Arthur went to floo her brothers, and Ron took a seat in the rocking chair next to the bed, reading the latest issue of the Quality Quidditch supply catalog. Ginny asked for Draco four times in the ten minutes Molly was gone, and Ron widened his eyes at his wife and nodded at his sister, giving her a look that read, “Merlin, calm down!”

Molly took a seat next to Ginny, and smiled, telling her they had paged Draco, and he should be there any moment. Ginny looked into the hall as a pale faced Draco ran by her room, then slid to a halt, and reemerged in the door frame. “Ginny! Are you alright? Did I miss it?”

Ron rolled his eyes and pointed at Ginny’s huge belly. “Are you blind Fer- Malfoy! She’s big as a…” Ron shut his mouth as every eye turned to him, angry. He put the catalog in front of his face again, and continued reading as Draco turned all his attention to his wife.

“How do you feel?” He gently tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her softly.

Draco tried to be patient and gentle over the next few hours, but Ginny became unrecognizable. She wanted pumpkin juice, now! She wanted Draco to fetch it, he should have to do some work, after all, she was the one in pain, and he was feeling no pain. She ordered him around for an hour, and when he tried to fetch what she asked for, she cried because he didn’t want to stay with her.

“Of course I want to be here with you, I love you.”

“You’re only saying that because you have to! I am so ugly and fat! Look at me!”

Draco was prepared for this. He had been reading volumes of books, preparing for this moment. “Ginny, you are not fat, you are pregnant with my children, the miracle of life, of course your body woul-”

“So! I am ugly! Why don‘t you just leave then? Find some pretty witch who‘s not a cow?” The last came out on a sob, and Ginny pushed him away with one hand, and grabbed his shirt to pull him closer with the other.

Draco looked into the eyes of his wife, and was at a loss for what to do. What was he supposed to do now? “Ginny?…Princess? What would you like, my love?”

Ginny let go of him and sniffled. “I want…..

Fred and George took mercy on him, and brought what Ginny wanted to the door, but Draco was still running himself ragged in the large room, trying to get her water, pumpkin juice, socks, Marmalade Bertie Botts, magazines…

Ginny was in terrible pain, and screaming at the top of her lungs. Healer Barrows was on his way, but had several other patients to tend to, and Draco didn’t trust anyone else. Draco was trying to brew a pain relief potion for Ginny, but his hands were shaking so bad that the kettle smoked, and wiggled off the table, and Ginny yelled that Draco was trying to poison her.

Ron was still rocking in the chair next to the bed, immersed in the catalog, as Molly spoke to Arthur in the hall. Draco was patting Ginny’s hand, until a contraction hit and she growled at him. He paced around her bed, and accidentally tripped over Ron’s feet. He fell face forward, and felt the blood rush from his nose as he hit the floor. He quickly stood and grabbed Ron out of the chair, yelling that he did that on purpose.

Ginny watched them, and screamed, “Mum!“

Molly came rushing inside and cleared both men out, admonishing them for their behavior at a time like this. Ron was happy to go, he’d heard enough screaming; it was another brother’s turn, in his opinion. He patted Ginny’s leg as he walked out, but Draco felt horrible. His poor Princess. He was acting like an ass, and she was suffering so, as she kept reminding him. He calmed down and cleaned himself up, returning five minutes later with healer Barrows.

Ginny’s actual delivery was painful as the deepest of hells, but beautiful to her in retrospect. She was so excited when Healer Barrows told her that her first born was a boy, as she had suspected. Draco swayed on his feet as he held her shoulders, and tried to say something comforting, but all that came out was a litany of incoherent sentences.

Molly cried and laughed as she held her grandson, as Ginny and Draco’s second son was born. Draco had to sit, he felt too weak to stand, and didn’t want to humiliate himself in front of his family, and colleagues by fainting. He took deep breaths, but he still couldn’t believe it. He was a daddy…he had two sons. Draco pulled the chair closer to Ginny and kissed her hand and brought it to his cheek, looking into her eyes.

“You are so amazing…” His voice was low, he was feeling so much raw emotion, and Ginny was sobbing as Molly brought over their firstborn for Draco to hold.

Draco ran a hand over his face as he looked up at Molly, then the bundle that was his son. He reached for him, and let out a big breath when he was finally settled into the crook of his arm.

A perfect fit.

Draco stared down at the little face, and felt him wiggle a little in his arms. Draco ran a finger over his sons blond tuft of hair and smiled. He bit his bottom lip and looked up at Molly, who was hovering; worried that Draco would drop him.

Molly was crying, she was overjoyed for her daughter and her family, but looking at Draco now, with his son, she knew that he was going to be a good father, he was a good man, and he would always do his best to put his family first. She had been wrong about him.

She had watched him carefully for months, and he had done nothing but been a loving, supportive husband. Molly leaned down and kissed the top of Draco’s head, then gave Ginny a hug and a kiss, and left the new family alone to share the news with the rest of the family in the waiting area.

Ginny held her son close to her and couldn’t seem to stop crying. “They’re perfect, aren’t they?” They were alone now; just the four of them, and Draco felt it was safe to let his emotions show.

“They are Gin and so are you, thank you.”

Ginny cried harder and Draco stood to kiss her tenderly, all the love he felt conveyed to her in a simple kiss. Draco sat on the edge of the bed, and they talked quietly, comparing the babies, realizing they weren’t exactly identical. Draco was grateful, because he had been worrying that he couldn't handle raising another Fred and George, which of course made Ginny laugh and tell him he would be an excellent father, no matter what.

As they continued to talk, they decided on the names for their sons. Ginny wanted Draco and Arthur, but Draco was against Arthur for a first name, and Ginny wouldn’t back down. They finally compromised on Ethan Draco Malfoy and Grayson Arthur Malfoy. Draco mentioned that he thought they might have a girl, and he had found a book that gave the name Sarah as meaning ’Princess’ and he rather liked it.

Ginny winked and said, “Give me a year, but I think that can be arranged…”