Coeur Corrompu
Chapter Sixteen
I knew ya number off by heart
That' the only one I liked to talk
It wasn't me using you
I trusted you one of the few
We had some laughs, had some rows
But in the end, the walls came down
You'd like the place I'm living now
It's a shame you can't come around
I've grown a lot since we last spoke
Got myself together and fixed what was broke
I wonder if we'll talk again
Drink together, just like then
Suppose it's different, now it's new
Whoever points the finger at who
I really hope ya happy, both of you
And maybe sometimes you miss me too
Rainbows and Pots of Gold - Stereophonics
The woolly blanket scratched her skin as she drew it closer to her trembling body. Maybe if she could just feel a little bit warmer then her stomach wouldn't be tossing and turning like a boat caught in a storm. Maybe she wouldn't feel so sick if only she could close her eyes and sleep for five minutes longer. Her senses begged her just to drop and forget her cares. It was impossible though because as much as she pleaded her mind would not stop thinking. They were dizzy saturated thoughts of happiness mixed with raw yearning. It was all so wonderful that it made her want to end it all right there and then. How on earth was she supposed to sleep with all these endless thoughts? Dreams that would never be part of her reality.
Bringing her knees up underneath her chin Ginny allowed her eyes to flick round the large room she was sat in. It was cold, so terribly, terribly cold that her whole body shook with its stillness. No longer where there people stood around her with their pitiful gazes turned towards her. She was a wreck and she knew it. What they didn't know though was that they were wrong about the cause. Her eyes glared up at them with bitterness. Somehow it was easier to blame the people who supposedly loved her for her ache.
Maybe it was the pain that was keeping her going. After all it had been a week since she had been delivered to Kings Cross in a flurry of whispers and unbearable silence. She had tried to smash it all open with a smile and a couple of reassuring words. He had only looked at her impassively though. Occasionally he would nod to show that he was listening to her and it was that which scared her most. Draco was listening to her too intently, almost as if he were hanging off every fumbled word. It wouldn't have mattered if she were talking about brown paper bags because he would listen. He would listen because it would be the last time he could. This hadn't been mentioned though allowing Ginny to babble about her dreams and the moon.
Not once did he open his mouth and tell her his opinion. In many ways it had been a relief but at the back of her mind she was begging for him to fight with her. Just one sign that he still felt something for her would have done, but instead she was faced with the silence that held too much knowledge to digest.
When the train had shuddered to a halt he had looked at her and nodded once. At the time she wondered what on earth he meant when he nodded. Now though it was as clear as her pain. He was saying that everything was going to be ok - it was time for her to leave him. Taking her hand he had placed a note within it, reminding her that she must give it to Potter and under no accounts read it. She had found herself numbly nodding.
Leaning forward he had kissed her forehead lightly and released her hand. 'Tell them everything about me that you know, but don't let them know that you came along on your own. Only half the truth must be used and it should be mine. It will deliver you to safety…maybe they won't even speak to you again. Whatever you do though, you mustn't try to find me again because I won't be there to find.'
His voice had melted into her and all she could do was nod as he stood up. This was the moment she had been dreading for 7 hours now. It was the moment that they reached Hitchin station and he would get off, leaving her to get to Kings Cross alone. He had told her that it would be safe at that distance and that if he even tried to come all the way with her he would be caught.
In her head it she knew that this wasn't what she wanted. She wanted Draco to go free so he could carry on his life without being tortured or killed. Her heart though was selfish and wished he would get caught. That way she would be able to see him whenever she liked. He would no longer have to hide away and could live. The life he would live though would be unworthy of him. He would be pinned for murdering some important Death Eaters and sent to Azkaban.
So she had not gripped onto his sleeve and begged for him to stay. In fact she hadn't even said goodbye. All she had done was watch as he got off the train and walked away from her forever. Her heart seemed to jump into her throat, choking her to tears. Then she had sat counting the stops crying her heart away, yet no matter how much was spilt it wouldn't go away. That was it. The end of the adventure. The end of the passion she might have had.
They had all been so happy to see her. Hermione had wrapped her arms around the youngest Weasley and muttered that everything would be alright from then on. Draco wouldn't be coming back. Ginny already knew that though and it made her dizzy with understanding. Ron and Fred had been there too. The others were busy on some secret mission. Searching the station for Draco no doubt, she thought as she was gripped against their chests with happy smiles. They weren't her smiles though.
'Sorry Gin but we're going to have to take you to the Ministry to be questioned,' Hermione had soothed gently. 'They want to see if there's anything you can tell them about Malfoy and his whereabouts. Your mum and dad are waiting out by the taxi…I'm afraid they were a little confused about the system in here. Harry's there too.'
'They won't find him,' she had whispered.
'Oh Gin! That's no way to think!' Ron had exclaimed roughly. 'We'll get the bastard for what he's done to you and he'll pay. If not by the law then I'll take it upon myself…'
'SHUT UP!' Ginny had shouted loudly. 'Can't you just shut up?'
They had all stared at her in disbelief. She knew what they were all thinking though. What nasty and inhumane thing could Malfoy have done to change their innocent Ginny into this bad tempered wreck? Maybe they thought she had been abused by him, but she didn't care what they thought right then. She had given up a lot just to do what he wanted and now she wanted to go home.
Walking out of the station she had stared up at the ceiling. It was amazing how far away it seemed from the ground. The air was polluted by train fumes and coffee mixed with conversation. Different languages bounced off the walls making her wonder what everyone was saying. It felt so strange and yet so calming to her nerves. Mothers frantically dragged their luggage and children around trying to find the right platform. Men in business suits dashed around, knowing exactly where they were going. Tourists pointed up to things and pulled out great big maps. Among all of this though a group of wizards moved among them consumed in their own world.
When she saw her mum, she walked over and allowed her self to collapse into the comfort of a mothers love. She had helped her into the taxi and soothed her with little noises. Not once did she mention Draco or place the blame on anyone. Maybe she knew exactly what had happened just by looking at her daughter. Ginny knew anything was possible when it came to Molly Weasley.
Harry was the next person her attention turned to. He was sat next to the taxi driver in the front seat, his shoulders frozen in a way that only told her he was annoyed. Maybe it was because she had made him come all the way from China just to see her. At that time though she couldn't be bothered whether Harry hated her right now. All she could think about was Draco and where he would go from there. It was going to be a difficult journey for her and much so more of one for him.
They had driven to the Ministry in silence. No one seemed to want to say anything in case Ginny bit their head off again. She didn't blame them but she didn't blame herself either. There was no point in them getting moody when it was her who had suffered heartache and pain. They wouldn't know that though - she wasn't even sure if Draco knew it.
When they had exited the taxi Ginny had pushed the letter into Harry's hand. He had looked at her with a frown and questioned what was in the envelope.
'I was told I had to give it to you,' she explained meekly before being ushered into the phone box and taking the long decent into the Ministry of Magic.
That's where she was now - sat in a large empty room. It was filled with the sort of cold that can only radiate off other people. It isn't caused by nature taking its cause but frozen emotions built up within the human being. She wondered whether it was her who was being so cold. There was no one else in the room so it made sense. Someone had yet to appear and begin questioning her.
She pulled the blanket round her more and shivered again. If only it wasn't so cold then maybe she'd be able to rest. What was taking them so long? It angered her that she was being help by the people who had so wrongfully dispelled the man she had feelings for because he did what anyone else would. Their lateness was adding to this. Well, she thought, even the baddies in the films are on time!
'Gin?' Hermione smiled as she opened the offending door and stepped in. 'Are you ok?'
'Bit cold,' she muttered almost to herself, her eyes looking down at the table in front of her. 'Not very good room service.'
Hermione laughed gently and walked across the room to sit opposite Ginny. Tapping the desk with her wand a pen and paper appeared poised to write. 'I thought you'd prefer to have me interview you then Ron. Is that ok?'
'It's a free country,' she said surprised that she was beginning to sound very familiar. No wonder Hermione was looking at her strangely. She had defiantly spent too much time with Draco. 'So shoot.'
'Firstly I have to ask you whether Malfoy…well whether he abused you in any way?' her voice was calm and soothing as she asked something so entirely mad. 'Whatever you say in here won't be shown to your family if that's what you're worried about.'
'Draco Malfoy didn't lay a finger on me.'
'Ginny…' Hermione pleaded.
'Not one finger,' Ginny continued defiantly.
'Did you and Mr Malfoy ever have sexual relations…consented by both parties?'
'No.'
'What happened on the night of the 17th?'
'I woke up and went to see my mum. Having seen her and got myself a nice flan, I went home and stopped by the local corner shop to get a pint of milk. When I was walking home I noticed there was a large crowd gathered around the house to the other side of the road. I walked over and found out that the woman who lived there had been killed. I was worried about my own safety and fled to my home where I was assaulted by someone who appeared to be Mr Malfoy. On a closer inspection I realised that the person was under the influence of Polyjuice potion. A fight broke out and I ran to my room with only my wand to protect me. Malfoy appeared and killed the impostor,' Ginny said smoothly with well practised ease. 'He told me he needed me to help him infiltrate the Auror's I worked for. I refused and he stunned me. When I came to I was in a room with white walls and no window. I've been there ever since.'
'Had you ever before the 17th encountered Mr Malfoy?'
'We used to go to school together but I never really got to know him because he was a bastard who made my friends lives a misery.'
'Did you disclose any secrets of the Ministry and their work?'
'Never. I remained silent the entire time.'
'Did Mr Malfoy ever try to force you into answering his questions?'
'I told you, he never laid one finger on me.'
'So he didn't abuse you physically, mentally, magically or sexually?'
'Why do you keep asking that over and over again?! No!'
'I'm sorry Gin but we've read his files as I'm sure you have. He was once accused of raping and killing a girl,' Hermione said gently.
'That wasn't in the file.'
'I guess it wasn't.'
There was silence for a beat and Ginny took a deep breath. He hadn't done it, she knew deep down. He had been completely honest with her that night and there was no way he would have missed that out. Then again hadn't he mentioned a girl? That had been the Death Eaters though…
'Do you remember how you got to the room?'
'No. I don't remember a thing.'
'Did Mr Malfoy ever tell you of his plans? Maybe he hinted to his whereabouts?'
'Never. He hardly spoke to me.'
'You look tired. Did Mr Malfoy infringe on your human rights?'
'No.'
'Is there anything else you would like to tell us Ginny?'
'Nope.'
'Interview concluded 16 hours,' Hermione said tapping the paper with her wand. 'Your family is waiting for you out there. You're pretty much free to go.'
Ginny stood up and shivered slightly. 'You mean I can go home now?'
'Sorry Gin but your house is still being examined and cleaned up by the Ministry. Harry has said you can stay at his house until it's finished. He's been very worried about you. Flew home the minute he heard what had happened.' She smiled slightly and curled a piece of hair round her finger. 'Maybe he's finally had the wakeup call…'
'Well if he has he can go back to sleep because I'm not interested anymore,' Ginny said quietly as she fiddled with the edge of her blanket. 'I'm not staying at his house for one single night. Do you have any room? It's just I can't handle my family right now…'
'Well…I kind of have something planned but I guess I could cancel.'
'Thank you,' she whispered and dragged a hand through her hair. 'I'm shattered.'
Again the silence seemed to reach into the room and clutch at it angrily. No longer though did she feel the cold as much. Her sleepy body was drugged by the satisfaction that everything was over. She had given her statement and no more would be expected from her. Now all she had to do was arrange her life back into order. Maybe this time it would be easier. Maybe it would be better.
'Ginny…was it nice?' Hermione asked quietly breaking her thoughts.
'Was what nice?' she said with a frown.
'Being loved by someone who would do anything to protect you.'
Ginny sighed. 'I've told you I don't think of Harry like that anymore! We're not even good friends and…'
'I didn't mean Harry. I meant Malfoy,' Hermione continued quietly, her fingers smoothing away a crease in her skirt, her eyes locking with Ginny's.