Twisted: A Trilogy

kumydabookworm

Rating: PG13
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Draco & Ginny
Book: Draco & Ginny, Books 1 - 6
Published: 04/08/2005
Last Updated: 04/08/2005
Status: in_progress

A trilogy of oneshots: With Her, Just Out of Grasp and Losing Her Angel. How much is Draco willing to give up to stay with her? Can he tell her he loves her before she leaves? Will she realize her mistake before it's too late?

Chapters

1. With Her

1. With Her

Draco Malfoy was worried. He was reading a letter from the Ministry. Lucius Malfoy was officially free of Azkaban. It had been nice being away from him. His mother had actually smiled the other day. And he, well, he hadn’t had his father breathing down his neck.

For the past year, Draco had been living a lie. From the beginning he was taught to idolize his father. A year ago, when Lucius had beat his wife to the ground in front of him, he had lost that illusion. If there was one thing that Draco absolutely refused to do in his life, it was to hurt women. Of course, there had been the occasional fling which resulted in a girl’s tears – he hadn’t minded Parkinson’s tears at all, mind you – but to physically hurt a woman was beneath even what he was accustomed to. He had never felt the same about his father or even the Death Eaters since then.

He supposed he was lucky that Lucius had been jailed for nearly a year…that was more than he had even dared to hope. It was inevitable that he return eventually. The Dark Lord couldn’t spy on Minister Scrimgeour without high connections in the Ministry like Lucius Malfoy. Thank God, school began in a few days.

Still, he had to remember that he wasn’t safe from the Dark Lord…even at Hogwarts. In sixth year, the Dark Lord had threatened his mother to force him to let Death Eaters into the one place he held sacred. Of course, none of his so-called friends knew that. They thought – half the school thought – that he had done it willingly, for the glory. Bullshit. His ‘friends’ would have killed him in his sleep had they known he had actually protested their master’s orders.

Even though he did let them in, he could not kill Dumbledore. After seeing the look of his father’s face (of amusement) as he told his only son that he would be killed in the attempt, Draco was not in the mood to kill Lucius’ sworn enemy.

Snape, his godfather, had finished the job for him…a look of hatred in his eyes. Draco would always be in his debt for that. Severus had killed a man he deeply respected – maybe even loved as a father – to save his godson. The Death Eaters merely watched, cold to death and killing, their souls corrupted by the poison of the Dark Lord. Draco could barely speak as he watched, his stomach rolling in nausea…he had never meant for things to get so out of control. He hated feeling helpless, but as he watched Dumbledore fall...he felt helpless in the secret corners of his heart…that there would someday be an escape. The angry, triumphant eyes of the Death Eaters were forever inscribed into his mind as the image of what he would never become. A monster happy with the death and destruction of innocents – the man his father wanted him to be.

After that, the cruel looks of the Death Eaters as they watched the Headmaster die burned next to the image of Dumbledore’s compassionate face as he told Draco that there was a way to be free of his father. Even in the face of death, Dumbledore had been noble.

Draco knew he could not kill, could not hurt people as working for the Dark Lord entailed. He knew that he did not want to become like his father. Impartiality was not an option; both sides would work together to kill him off. Alone for the summer, Dumbledore's words to the Order, his last words, rang in Draco's ears. Finally, he had gone back. He walked through the doors of his empty virtually abandoned school, protected by a magical shield. He faced Minerva McGonagall wondering if she would try to curse him to death for his crimes.

Obviously, she had been suspicious of his intentions at first due to Snape’s recent betrayal. But they had put him underneath a truth spell, and determined that he had not killed Dumbledore or willingly helped the Dark Lord. The Order had assigned him many inconsequential tasks to complete. They had first begun to trust him when he led the Dark Lord’s forces away from a Horcrux that they were searching for and into a trap set by at the hands of the Order. That day, the Ministry had been able to capture three of the most wanted Death Eaters, and Draco had pled innocence to the Dark Lord – who had believed him.

---

Narcissa Malfoy approached Draco, her eyes alive for the first time since Draco could remember. With a tinge of worry in her voice, she said, “What’s going on, sweetheart? Why so grim?”

He looked at his mother. “Mother, you need to leave. You aren’t safe here. He’s coming back.”

Narcissa recoiled in fear. “L-Lucius? He’s coming?” Draco steered her into her bedroom by the shoulders and walked back to the door.

“I have to go. Put up the protective shields, Mother. Do not release them for anyone. Especially him. And start packing. We need to leave in ten minutes,” he said firmly.

Narcissa opened her mouth to speak.

Draco spoke over her forcefully, “Mother, now is not the time. Don’t argue with me. I don’t have Father’s urge to dominate, but I do have a sense of priority. We need to get you out before it’s too late.”

Narcissa began, “Draco, your father would never – “

Draco interrupted, irritated, “Never hurt you? Is that what you have told yourself for the past twenty years? That the broken bones, the bruises, the torture…that it was all a happy little mistake? That he wouldn’t do it on purpose?” Narcissa looked away from her son.

Draco smirked and said, “I thought so. Pack only what you need. We can always buy you things you leave here.” Narcissa nodded quietly.

Draco stepped into a green Floo fire to Hogsmeade as his mother went to lock the door. He mentally kicked himself for not preparing for this earlier. He should have known. Denying reality would not make it disappear. He walked quickly up to the school and into the corridors finding his way to McGonagall’s office. He knocked briskly at the Headmistress’s door. The door opened and he strode into her office, which was full of boxes.

“Haven’t moved yet, Headmistress?”

McGonagall showed no sign of a reaction to Draco’s unheralded appearance. She looked up and spoke curtly. “Actually, I’m moving back in here. I couldn’t bear to take over Professor Dumbledore’s office…it will remain a tribute to him. Have you any important information about the Dark Lord’s movements?”

Draco smiled inside. Spying on the Dark Side was the one decision in his life of which he could be proud.

He spoke quickly. “Nothing new. But I have a favor to ask of you.”

McGonagall waited so Draco continued. “My father has been set free from Azkaban because all the evidence binding him there has disappeared…my mother isn’t safe at our manor anymore. Is there anywhere she could stay in Hogwarts, where no one would know about her?”

McGonagall reached out a hand and touched Draco’s shoulder.

In a manner unlike her school-time persona, she quietly said, “Draco, I’m sorry. I know that it must be hard to deal with your father. But yes, we can make arrangements. When is your mother arriving? And are you sure she can not be influenced to help your father in any way?”

Draco sighed in relief, “In ten minutes…well more like eight. And no, she won’t help Father…not if I’m here with her to support her. She’s never had great resolve, but with me around, she’ll fight. She’ll have to. If she doesn’t, he’ll kill her, if not today, definitely tomorrow. Know what I mean?”

McGonagall nodded briskly. A House-Elf appeared with a loud crack.

Draco stared and asked incredulously, “Dobby? Is that you?”

Dobby grinned. “Yes, young Malfoy! Dobby was very proud to hear that you did not follow your father’s footsteps. And Madam Malfoy…well, Dobby is glad she is coming. She will be safe here.” Draco smiled.

“Thanks, Dobby.”

Dobby gaped for an instant. “Um…you are welcome, young Malfoy…Draco. Minerva, the arrangements are made.”

At that point, Narcissa Malfoy appeared at the doorway with three suitcases and looked at Draco, “I wasn’t sure whether I should bring more. Oh, and the shields are still up.”

Draco smiled reassuringly at his mother, “Dobby will take care of you, Mother. I have to go take down the shields. I will see you here at school in a few days. Will you be alright?”

Narcissa smiled bravely, “I suppose I’ll have to be.” Draco hugged his mother and kissed her on the cheek. He nodded to McGonagall in thanks before disappearing again.

----

Ginny Weasley was sitting in the Great Hall listening to Colin Creevey discuss the highlights of the Hastings Hippogriffs with her best friend, Luna Lovegood. So far the first day of school had been a bore compared to the summer.

First, Bill and Fleur’s wedding had gone off spectacularly. The look on Fleur’s face as she walked down the aisle had finally convinced Ginny that she would be a great wife for Bill.

A few weeks after Bill’s announcement of an upcoming child, Severus Snape had revealed his conspiracy and proved his loyalty to the Light by telling them how to get to Bellatrix Lestrange. McGonagall’s face as she told the Weasley family that they had located the killer of Sirius Black had been ecstatic in the light of revenge and grim at the memories of his death all at once. Ginny was sure the professor’s expression had been mirrored in her own face. Tears had leaked out of Harry’s eyes – the next time he saw Snape, he actually shook Snape’s hand.

The biggest shock of all came when Draco Malfoy, of all people, had been admitted to the Order…in the same ceremony as Harry, Hermione and Ron! Ginny shook her head slightly. She still couldn’t get over the fact that Draco Malfoy had pledged his allegiance to the Order!

Neville Longbottom had captured Bellatrix Lestrange and avenged his parents. He had showed up at the Burrow with a brutal smile on his face. The cold look in his eyes had scared her. After about a week, his face returned to normal. But she would never forget how revenge had changed the innocent boy she once knew.

She looked across the table to the Slytherin House. Of all the people involved in the Order, only Draco and Neville (on his grandmother’s insistence) had returned. Draco was now Head Boy. McGonagall gave him the position after he joined the Order in the hopes that he could keep Slytherin from fighting with the other Houses. Ginny sighed…the divide between Hogwarts students would never come to any good, and she feared that it would indeed result, someday, in something very bad. Professor Snape interrupted her train of thought.

“Miss Weasley, may I have a word?” he asked briskly. Her friends all looked at her and she nodded quickly.

----

Snape strode down the icy hallways with thoughts running smoothly through his head. He could not believe a Weasley was skilled with potions. Still, the Order needed a Potions Master, and Miss Weasley had the potential to become greater than him. Much as it hurt him to admit it, Severus Snape never lied to himself. Accepting all the facts was the only way to survive in this world.

He supposed that turning into a Spy for the Order had been harder than this. Nevertheless, admitting a friend of Harry Potter was intelligent enough to skip a class of his came close. Very close.

“Have a seat,” he said grudgingly. She sat down and looked at him questioningly. “You passed your Potions O.W.L with an Outstanding.” She nodded.

Snape continued speaking, “And you’ve covered the 6th year material.”

She jerked in surprise as Professor Snape hid a smirk.

He asked curtly, “Did you really think all your work in my classroom would go unnoticed?”

Ginny blushed and Snape moved on. Even if she was smart enough to skip a class, she still wore her emotions on her sleeve. That made him feel better.

“So! You are being moved up to 7th year Potions…with Gryffindor. We will see how you do.”

“But, what will I do seventh year for N.E.W.T. level…” Ginny interceded.

Snape looked at her sharply. “You will take your Potions N.E.W.T. this year, of course. It will give you an extra class space next year. You can do what you like with that period.” It amazed him what little common sense Gryffindors had. If Rufus Scrimgeour hadn’t suggested this upon seeing Weasley’s O.W.L. scores, Snape wouldn’t have even thought of this.

Ginny smiled. Potions was her favorite subject, and she looked forward to being challenged rather than being bored with elementary material. Besides, she wanted – no, needed – to be a Potions Master. She would attain the goal she had held since Tom Riddle possessed her in first year. Happily, she said, “Thank you, Professor.”

“I never give anything that is undeserved, Miss Weasley. You may leave,” the professor said snappishly.

Snape turned back to the pile of papers on his desk. That ordeal was done.

---

Draco visited his mother every night on his patrols around school as part of his duty as the Head Boy. She was quite happy as the House-Elves attended to her every need, and listened to her as she talked.

In fact, a House-Elf named Winky now did nothing but gaze adoringly at her new mistress while listening to her speak.

Narcissa never noticed that Winky continuously muttered to herself, “Winky is a good House-Elf. Winky’s mistress is pleased. Winky is good. Not bad like Dobby. Not free. Not paid!”

When he walked into Potions, he hadn’t noticed anything at first. But then he noticed Ginevra Weasley – a sixth year – in class after she answered a question before him…just like Granger, really. That was one good thing about this year. Granger wasn’t here to push him back to second in Potions class. He ignored the redhead, thinking that Snape would send her back to sixth year level within a week. When she slipped past him into his first in class position, he really started to notice her.

Then he protested to Snape, “But she’s a sixth year, Severus! A sixth year.”

Snape frowned at the boy, irritated, “You call me Professor in the classroom…I’m your teacher here, not your godfather. My benevolence for you does not go so far to deny a gifted student a chance to challenge herself. Besides, she is beating you in class. You could use some tips from this sixth-year in particular. Please shut the door on your way out.”

Draco had been slightly shocked at the blunt rebuttal. But he had to admit that the girl was excellent at Potions…good enough that she could even give Draco a run for his money. Draco admitted, unashamedly, that his skill in Potions was as vast as the Malfoy fortunes. That was why her approaching him had been such a surprise.

---

Ginny sighed as she read the letter from Hermione.

Gin,

Studying is more fun if you get a study partner. Pick someone who can really help you, that would be my advice. You can get to know people as well through this. Remember how you said that you were feeling a bit distanced from Hogwarts and the social life and so on? Trust me, you can make some really good friends while questioning someone! You always asked how I ever managed to get to know Parvati Patil…well, she helped me with my Astronomy final in fifth year. Take that secret to your grave! Potions really isn’t a good subject to study alone. I know you are first in class, but you are wasting your time studying alone. It just is not as effective.

Ron sends his love. He says to beat any boy who bothers you with Fred’s Beater club. I can’t really say much about what we are doing or where we are going because this letter may be read by someone else. All I can say is that we’re fine, aside from a few bumps and bruises.

Harry left us early yesterday morning, but he told me to give you his blessing if you decide to date around. He really cares about you, Gin. He doesn’t want to hold you back. I think that he has distanced himself from you as well, though…he doesn’t love you like that anymore. Harry is my best friend, Ginny…but I can’t pretend about him to you, no matter how much I care about him. You don’t deserve that, not after all the nudging you gave Ron and how much you deserve to be loved, dear. I can’t see you hurt again and again this way, just because he is stubborn.

He will refuse to come to you until Voldemort is dead and gone. Not because he doesn’t want to, but simply because he can’t, not at the moment. Voldemort would use it against him to hurt you. Harry won’t allow that.

Don’t be so lonely. Talk to people. Get to know boys (Harry isn’t stopping you, so you shouldn’t stop yourself).

Hugs and kisses,

Hermione

The only person even close to the level she was at was Draco Malfoy, and she wasn’t really looking forward to that conversation. But then again, she wanted to create the potion that would pull down all the mental shields on Voldemort’s mind, and to do that, she needed to be better than the best. She needed to be the best of the best. If to do that, she needed a study partner, then by Merlin, she would get a study partner! Her resolve renewed, she walked to Potions. She would talk to him after class.

----

Ginny walked into class to face a grumpy Snape. She suspected he had not wanted her to be in this class; more directly, a Weasley to skip a year’s worth of Potions. She shrugged it off. She was here, and that was that. When she found a seat and settled her things around her, she directed her focus to the chalkboard. A smile lit her face. Potions would be fun today. As Snape lectured on about the uses of the Veritaserum, Ginny got to work at her cauldron. She supposed reading a chapter ahead in the textbook was the way to get ahead of the class!

Even better than the fact she had known what to do before Draco Malfoy, Hermione and Ron walked through the door in the middle of the class. They asked Snape for a potion that would keep Harry’s mind closed to the Dark Lord in a hushed whisper that even Ginny, sitting as close as she was to them, could barely hear. Ginny directed a smile at Hermione and winked at Ron as she waited for her potion to simmer for six minutes. Hermione looked on with eager eyes as Ginny bottled up the potion. Ginny felt a tingling of regret in her stomach; Hermione could be here doing what she loved (learning) had the War not taken Hogwarts away from her reality.

Poor Neville, as always, had been the target of Snape’s ill temper, and had gotten to test Ginny’s Veritaserum. He spouted his crush on Hermione to the classroom in front of a scarlet-faced Ron.

Draco had waited to talk to Snape after, so she had waited with him.

“Can I have a word?” she asked firmly.

He smirked and gestured for her to follow him outside. They walked out together and she turned to him.

“I was wondering whether you could help me with my Potions N.E.W.T.?” she said to him briskly.

“Wh-wha? You’re a sixth year! You can’t take the N.E.W.T. exam! ” Draco struggled to keep his composure. There was no way they were going to let a sixth year take her N.E.W.T.s! Well, her N.E.W.T. That was outrageous! She sighed exasperatedly.

“I am done with my O.W.L, and taking 7th year Potions. I am at the top of the class. I have that from Snape, you can ask him…and I want to take my N.E.W.T. so I can get out of here. I don’t need degrees in anything but Potions for what I plan to do,” said Ginny cryptically.

“Why me?” said Draco bluntly.

“Well, let’s see, it would show my brother how I react to countless owls badgering me about my indifference to Slytherins; he thinks I should hate them all just because I’m a Gryffindor. It would keep you Slytherins from mocking me…after all, if the Slytherin Head Boy is associating with me, any insult to me would be an insult to him. You are second in the class and the smartest boy in school. Do you need more?” she snapped at him, trying to hide her discomfort.

Her reasons were ridiculous. In fact, Slytherin House had avoided all the other students of Hogwarts after last year. Nevertheless, she couldn’t tell him that she wanted his help so that she could eventually destroy the Dark Lord. That was her secret. No one, not even an Order member, knew about it and she planned to keep it that way.

“Sure, I’ll team with you,” Draco said hastily, “Just don’t lecture me anymore.”

“Whatever. How does eight pm Thursday sound?” Ginny said, looking at her watch. “Don’t answer that, I have got to get to class. I will owl you.”

Ginny turned and walked away. She would owl him tonight. Two years ago, she swore to herself that she would never associate with Draco Malfoy. Nevertheless, She would do whatever it took to destroy the evil that was Lord Voldemort. Anything that could instill self-loathing in an innocent child in order to use them was well deserving of her contempt. She would do anything, even associate with a boy she thought she hated, for redemption. Ginny had let Voldemort unleash a horror on Hogwarts, but in the end she would destroy him. That was her goal. If Draco Malfoy would help her on the way, so be it.

---

Draco was sitting in the Library with his textbook waiting for Ginny Weasley. He was surprised that he had agreed to her offer so readily. It made sense in a way. He had always hated being judged by the reputation of his father, so it was only fair that he not judge her by the contempt in which he held the rest of her family. After all, maybe being female would make her different from the personalities of her brothers and of her father.

She walked in looking agitated. He smirked. “You would think that you would have suggested a time that actually fit in your schedule.”

She glared at him, “I’m sorry, okay? I am running a bit late.”

His eyes widened in surprise at her apology. “No problem, Miss Weasley. But is something bothering you?”

She looked at him quickly. “Why would you think that?”

“No reason. Although the way you’re acting kind of suggested it,” Draco smirked again.

She rolled her eyes. “My classmates were bothering me about studying with you. I mean you’re the Prince of Slytherin, raised in royalty, riches, and utter luxury,” she commented sarcastically.

Draco smirked, “No Slytherin would ever bow down to royalty. I’m no Prince. But if it makes you feel better, my House had the same problem.”

She smiled at him.

He didn’t know how to respond so he changed the subject. “Do you want to study the uses of willow bark or spider web strands first?”

Her expression became business like. “I was thinking more along the lines of the uses of pendants, if you don’t mind?”

Draco nodded and they both opened their textbooks.

Long into the night, they, heads bent over books fiercely debated various uses of Potions. Draco, thoughts running smoothly beneath the dialogue, mused that this partnership, contrary to his doubts, may very well work out quite well.

----

Ginny had thought that eventually both Houses would get used to this new cooperation between two of their leaders. But the arguing and name-called hadn’t stopped for either of them. Draco was beginning to lose his control over the forced peace between the rest of the Houses and Slytherin.

Ginny had lost her permanent grin and bright eyes. Her friends were turning against her, saying that she had changed. They told her she couldn’t be a proper Gryffindor if she hung out with Draco Malfoy.

However, the results were showing in the Potions classroom. Draco and Ginny were now moving at nearly three times the pace of their peers as they worked over simmering cauldrons, needing no communication to work in sync. Snape was starting them on the potions that he himself created in his private workroom for the Order.

As she walked to another library meeting with Draco, she wondered why her House could not accept her working with a Slytherin. No person on this Earth could be totally and utterly evil, not even Slytherins. After getting to know Draco, she was positive that he was a good person. Draco smiled at her as she walked in and she waved at him.

“So what did you think of the Wolfsbane Potion today?” he said eagerly.

She smiled at his earnest expression, “You are just looking for a debate, aren’t you? You know I think that it would be much more effective if the three pieces of elm bark were replaced with three of willow bark. But I have other things on my mind.”

Draco moved closer to her and reached out to hold her hand. “What’s wrong, Gin?”

She sighed, “I just can’t understand why our Houses can’t move beyond what we used to be…to what we are. All the Death Eaters are gone from Slytherin, and I doubt that any remaining could be as bad as Gryffindor makes up them to be. Gryffindors hardly are as snobby as what Slytherins imagine.”

Draco put an arm around her shoulder. “They just don’t know each other like we do.”

Ginny looked at him with haunted eyes. “My roommates won’t even talk to me anymore.”

Draco sighed and looked at her. He took a deep breath and spoke hesitantly, “We don’t have to do this anymore. After all, we are remarkably ahead and we could study just as well alone, right?”

Ginny eyed him skeptically, “If you’re thinking that, maybe I’m not helping you as much as you’re helping me. I could never do this well by myself. Ever.”

Draco smiled, “You’re right. But still, we could survive. If the opinion of your House really matters – “

“Not as much as yours. Forget it…forget them. It doesn’t matter…I have you for a friend.” Ginny looked at him and smiled softly.

Draco looked at her hard, “Do you really mean that?”

“Of course! Don’t you consider us friends?” Her voice held a bit of hesitation.

Draco thought about it and nodded, “Yeah, friends, then…you’re the first friend I’ve ever had. I’ve had followers, but not friends. My father would be so ashamed.”

Ginny hugged him lightly and laughed. “Then, I’m proud!”

He smiled at her. If there was anyone in the world that he could tell everything to, it would be Ginny. He stopped, pulling himself back. Letting people in was the path to weakness, his father had told him. But now, everything that he had based his life on seemed to be collapsing to pieces. Did what his father think really matter? He compared his father’s cold gray eyes and Ginny’s chocolate – his tight smile, her ringing laugh.

Shocked by the blood suddenly pounding through his veins, and the breath tight in his throat, he whirled away from her retreating back to walk the opposite way. He pulled himself back under control. He would never allow another night like the night of Dumbledore’s death to occur. He pushed away thoughts of Ginny’s head tucked on his shoulder and strode away into the night. He had work to do, and he wouldn’t let anything – or anyone – get in the way.

----

Draco continued to cut his meetings with Ginny short so that he could go see his mother before she went to bed. She kept asking him where he went, so he told her the truth: Head Boy patrols. But Ginny was not like Slytherin girls. She asked questions and showed curiosity in situations that they had been trained to accept blindly. That was the one thing that irked him about her.

Ginny didn’t know where Draco went every night, but she was going to find out. He was hiding something. She was sure it wasn’t bad, but she wanted to see the thing that he couldn’t trust even her with. So one night, when he left yet again with the same excuse, she followed him. He walked quickly, his purposeful stride leading him to a portrait of Broderick the Bold. He muttered a word under his breath before going inside. Was this the one of the legendary secret rooms that the Head Boy and Girl were given? No, it couldn’t be, she thought. Draco would never let anyone into his private space. He was just that kind of person.

She could hear the muffled conversation through the door, but she refused to eavesdrop. She pushed away the nagging feeling that following him was an equally serious invasion of his privacy. But she could hear a female voice and that, for some reason, started a burn of fury in her stomach. Why was she angry? She pushed the feelings away frantically. It wasn’t even right to be following Draco – being angry at him now would be unreasonable. Still, as she paced across the brief area in front of the portrait, she could feel the anger nagging at her…heating her cheeks, quickening her pace, flurrying her thoughts.

She decided an open confrontation would be best. She sat facing the portrait waiting for him to come out. When he did, his expression changed from worry to shock and then anger in an instant. “What the hell, Ginny? You followed me?”

Ginny grabbed his arm to keep him from storming away. “What is so important that you can’t trust me? What is going on? What are you hiding, Draco Malfoy?”

His jaw clenched and he turned his head to the side. “None of your damn business, Weasley. I trusted you to trust me…but it doesn’t seem like you’re doing that.” He gently extricated his hands from her clutch and walked away.

“I give as good as I get,” Ginny retorted to his retreating back. He froze, listening.

She spoke fiercely. “I do trust you…that’s why I wonder why you don’t trust me! Draco, I – I care about you…I left everything behind for you. What is it about me that makes you think I would hurt you?”

Her voice was tinged with grief and hurt. He turned back and gathered her into his arms as she sobbed, guiding her back to the Library.

Her sobs halted when they went inside the familiar room, a result of old habits. He led her to a couch and sat down beside her, whispering urgently. He knew that if they broke apart he would have nothing left to do. No purpose to fulfill. No one was waiting for him at the end of this…not his House, his friends, or his family. There was only Ginny now. He didn’t mind. That was the way it was supposed to be.

“I trust you, Gin, really I do. I just – I just haven’t told anyone about me. I mean – you wouldn’t understand. Have you ever questioned your family’s loyalty - their love? They support you –“

“Try me,” Ginny interrupted.

Draco sighed. Well if anyone could understand, it was Ginny.

He began slowly, trying to gauge her reaction. “My father has always done things the old way…the pureblood way, he calls it. If it really is the pureblood way, then I’m no pureblood. He was always very – forceful – with my mother. Now that he is back from Azkaban, I’m afraid he’ll kill her. So…she’s here. In Hogwarts. It’s safe here.”

Ginny scrutinized his face. “Did he hurt you too?”

“No,” Draco laughed bitterly, “he couldn’t risk damaging his only heir. My mother was the only victim that he actually knew. The rest…well, Muggles, I suppose.”

He looked at her, eyes pleading for forgiveness. “There was nothing I could do, Ginny. Despite his reluctance to hurt me, disobedience was one thing he wouldn’t stand for. He would have killed me.”

Ginny smiled, “As long as you are both safe, it’s all right. You are helping the Order as best as you can. You couldn’t change that. It’s okay. I understand.”

Draco smiled, the very expression a question. Ginny grinned back and wrapped her arms around him for a brief instant before letting go to ask a question.

She looked up at him. “Can I visit her sometime?” Draco laughed at her and she blushed. “Well…if that’s a bad suggestion – I mean I don’t have to.“

Draco interrupted her briskly, “Just because my mother has left her husband doesn’t mean she’s left behind anything else. She still holds prejudices against Muggleborns and blood traitors. Not things I agree with, but these things have been trained into her since she was two years old. One has to make some allowances. I just don’t want you to be hurt. You forget that she still is Narcissa Black Malfoy, not just my mother.”

Ginny nodded sadly, “I wish…”

Draco finished for her, “Things were different. But then, we wouldn’t have each other would we, if things had turned out differently?” They both smiled and walked out of the Library.

----

Ginny was there at Draco’s graduation. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had appeared out of nowhere to wish Neville good luck, to congratulate and thank him for removing the threat of Bellatrix Lestrange. As Draco walked by, he smiled at her. She smiled back, ignoring glares from the three sitting next to her. When he walked off the stage his graduation certificate in hand, she was waiting for him.

Without further ado, she threw her arms around him. He lifted her and spun her around, laughing.

She pulled back to look at him and spoke excitedly, “I’m so proud of you, Draco! First in the class.”

Hermione walked up, gave Draco a tight smile, and yanked Ginny away. She whispered fiercely, “Ginny, what are you thinking, throwing your arms around Malfoy? Harry looks like he’s going to explode!”

Ginny paused in surprise. It had been so long since she had Harry in her life that, well, she had forgot to worry about him. She snuck a look back at Draco and smiled to herself. They were friends, and she had the right to hug him. That was what she told Hermione.

Hermione grumbled, “That was no friendly hug, Ginny. That was a – I don’t know – but it wasn’t friendly. It was more than that.”

Ginny laughed. “Are you telling me Harry has never done that to you, Hermione? I’ve seen him, for God’s sake! You three have missed a lot around here…but Draco and I are as close as you and Harry. I broke no rules when I did that.”

She walked back to Draco and tucked her arm into his. He looked down from his thoughts and smiled at her.

“Thinking about her, Draco?” She knew he missed his mother, but Narcissa couldn’t afford to make a public appearance, especially in front of Slytherins. He had no chance to answer as Neville, Harry and Ron walked up with harsh looks on their faces. Hermione walked behind them with an agonized look on her face.

She stepped in front of Draco protectively, and he whispered in her ear, “I can handle this.”

She whispered back fiercely. “Not alone! I’m on your side in this. In everything.”

Draco chuckled, “I wouldn’t be so sure, Gin. Things can change quite quickly.” She nudged him indignantly.

“I mean what I say! Don’t you ever forget it!” she said fiercely. They smiled at each other quickly.

---

Draco had to admit that he was surprised the Trio had made an appearance. It was dangerous for them.

“Are there people here watching you three?” he asked softly. They looked at each other in surprise.

Ron Weasley glared at him defiantly. “Yes.”

He nodded briskly. “Good. I was afraid I would have to spend my time making sure none of my House attacked you.”

He nodded at Granger and spoke, “I was lucky you weren’t here this year. I wouldn’t have gotten the golden hat this year. Even though your protégé still beat me in the subject I love best. Who can beat a perfect N.E.W.T.?”

He smiled at Ginny and hugged her round the waist. Ron turned noticeably red, and Neville grabbed his shoulder warningly.

Draco took the golden hat that was given to the first in class every year off his head and offered it to Hermione. Tears actually brimmed her eyes as she took it in her shaking hands.

“You deserve it.” Draco said quietly.

Hermione got over her surprise enough to nod graciously, but she had no reply. Harry’s eyes still blazed with hate.

Later in the ceremony, Draco saw Harry taking Ginny aside. He sighed. He hoped he would still have her as a friend when Potter was done with her.

----

Harry looked at Ginny fiercely. “What the hell was that earlier on?”

Ginny looked at him quietly, “What are you talking about, Harry?”

Harry glared. “That – that embrace as he walked down from the stage! That!”

Ginny sighed. “Are you telling me you’ve never done that with Hermione?”

Harry stuttered, “But that’s –“

Suddenly Ginny was angry. If no one looked at the Trio with doubts when they showed affection in front of their partners, then she and Draco shouldn’t get such an uproar! Harry and Hermione were her friends, but they had no right. They both had not been here for a whole year, and they had no right to step in and state their indignation and disappointment and whatever else they may be feeling. They had no idea what had happened with her and Draco.

“Different?” she snapped. “How so, Harry? The fact that no one expected me to be friends with him? The fact that –‘

He spat, “The fact that he will hurt you, Ginny! I am trying to protect you.”

Ginny smiled bitterly through her tears, “Just like always, right? When you saved me from Riddle in the Chamber. When you caught me on your broomstick before I hit the hard earth of the Quidditch field?” she said as her voice changed tone. “When you sent me a letter telling me that you couldn’t speak to me because it hurt too much? When you pretended that you would come back to me and you never did? When Hermione had to tell me that you didn’t love me that way any longer – because you couldn’t respect me enough to tell me yourself? Is that how you protect me?

Harry turned his gaze away from her. “Ginny, I want to be with you…I do, I swear. But I have to kill the Dark Lord. I want – I need – you to wait for me. And if you can’t do that, please, don’t go with Malfoy. You – he did something to you.” Harry looked at Draco in the distance, and his voice turned to rage. “He killed Dumbledore, remember! He brought Death Eaters into Hogwarts! He’s a damn Death Eater with all the glory of the Dark Mark! When he was about to be arrested, he had the damn nerve to pretend loyalty to the Order, so that his yellow hide could be saved!”

Anger burned through her veins. It wasn’t that he loved her. It was that she had picked Draco Malfoy. Harry Potter could not get over a school time grudge and accept that the boy had changed into a man.

“How dare you, Harry Potter? You know Draco never willingly helped the Dark Lord. You know that he didn’t kill Dumbledore. You have no right to hold this school-boy grudge against him for nothing more than a few barbed comments over two years ago! He’s changed…but it doesn’t seem as though you have. Get over it, Harry. You are an adult now, and so is he. GROW UP!” Ginny screamed.

Harry was visibly in shock as the fiery Weasley yelled harshly at him. She walked back to Draco’s table and sat down with a calm expression on her face.

She said quietly, “I’m sorry I had to leave. I had some business to take care of with an old friend.” Her eyes dared him to say otherwise.

He nodded, averting his eyes to hide a smile.

----

After the graduation ceremony, McGonagall pulled Ginny into her office.

"What's going on, Professor?" Ginny asked curiously.

McGonagall smiled, "Now that you have your N.E.W.T. I assume you will not be returning to Hogwarts."

Ginny looked down abashedly, "I was going to tell you...but no, I won't be coming back. I have things to accomplish."

McGonagall nodded briskly and sighed, "It will be a shame that the best student of the year will not graduate but creating a potion to defeat Voldemort is indeed a noble calling." Ginny looked up startled.

McGonagall smiled again, "Dumbledore suspected ever since your first year. He told me last year, just in case...well, Dumbledore always expected everything."

McGonagall discreetly wiped an eye, "The Order believes that you should go into hiding as a Muggle. Will you be willing to do that? It is not likely that you will succeed if you don't. Voldemort has sources everywhere in the magical world. One of his weaknesses is that he always underestimates Muggles, because he loathes that part of himself."

Ginny thought about it. The first question she had just popped out, "Will I be able to see Draco?"

McGonagall looked at her in disbelief. Then she smiled to herself and spoke gently, "Only if he decides to come with you and go undercover as a Muggle. That means no wands or seeing witches or wizards. Nothing magical. Make sure he understands that."

Ginny nodded. She walked out, her mind in turmoil. She knew her choice, but now, instead of excitement, she was filled with regret. She would find a way to destroy the Dark Lord, but Draco, the one who had stood by her when people – friends – she trusted turned their backs, would not be a part of her life. The midnight conversations she had with him seemed so necessary now. She needed someone she could trust. She needed him.

A sudden realization dawned which she pushed away with savage strength. She couldn't love him. He didn't love her. It would ruin their friendship. There was no way...no, she wouldn't let herself. He couldn't give up this world for her. He couldn't give up his life just to follow her, even if she did love him. No. She wouldn't let it happen – not even if it broke her heart. That's what friends were for.

----

A few weeks later, Ginny came to Draco's new flat outside Bristol with a grim look on her face. As soon as he opened the door she blurted, “I have to say goodbye.”

He looked at her in shock, then pulled her inside and shut the door.

“Goodbye? For how long?” he asked her urgently.

“Forever,” she said, the tears building in her voice.

Draco looked at her in surprise, “What? No, I’ll go with you. Wherever.”

She sighed and sat him on the couch, “I have Potions to make and I won’t be coming back to Hogwarts. It is top-secret work for the Order and so I have to go into hiding. I have to become a Muggle. I don’t know for how long.”

Draco nodded briskly. “So I’ll go with you. I’ve lived without magic before hiding from my father. I did it all of the sixth year summer.”

Ginny shook her head. “Draco, no. You would be giving up everything…your fortune, your properties…Draco, you wouldn’t be able to see your mother anymore. I lov- I care about you so much. That's why I can't let you do this to yourself.”

Draco nodded impatiently. “None of that matters. I don’t need the material things and my mother is safe. She didn’t need me except to push her out of that Hell house. We should be together, wherever we are. I am happy when I am with you. I don’t have anyone else anymore.”

She smiled at him quietly. “I should’ve known that I wouldn’t leave you behind. I should’ve realized that you wouldn’t let me. Are you absolutely sure?”

Draco had no doubts. He said without hesitation, “Let’s go.”

He left his wand on the table and walked out the door. His mother would take care of the arrangements.

He walked out on his life. But it didn’t matter. He was with her.