Chapter Three: Distant Memory
I feel the first rays of the afternoon sun hit my face through the open window in front of the bed and immediately sit up straight, feeling no one next to me. The bed is empty and I am now in a white tank top and navy pajama bottoms. A cleaning charm has been performed on the room and the spot next to me on the bed is cold. I wrap my arms around myself, feeling sickeningly lonely. I look around the room and find a note scrawled and sitting on the table beside me. I jump up and grab it, reading it quickly.
Gin,
An owl came for you last night from Harry. He's coming home tonight. I'm sorry I had to leave you, but you can understand my concerns. The note from him is on the kitchen table along with something I left for you. I hope that you will handle the situation in a sensible way. I love you. I hope you know that.
Draco
I rush downstairs to the kitchen and take the note from the kitchen table. It was from Harry, as Draco had said. It informed me that he was heading home, finally, and would arrive some time later that evening. I sink down into a nearby chair and let the letter fall at my feet. I see a black box sitting on the table next to where the note had been. I pick it up and look at it, obviously from Draco. I take the lid off slowly and gasp at what I see. A delicate silver chain sits amongst black silk padding and a small yet gorgeous diamond hangs off of the end. I reach in and gently draw it out of the box, clasping it behind my neck. I get up and walk to the hallway, admiring my new gift in the corridor mirror.
It is beautiful, but I can't help think of Harry. He had been so loving, so caring. But he had been distant. The owls had gotten fewer and fewer as the months and years went on. After I started my affair with Draco I had noticed how much less I cared. The owls had stopped coming completely about four moths ago. I had barely noticed. Now, as his hour of arrival dons nearer, I can't help but feel anxious about how I will approach the topic of my newfound romance.
So if you never come to me
You'll stay a distant memory
As if it were to be fate, I hear a key turn in the front door that is to my left. It opens quickly and the cold winter air blows in. A tall, hooded figure stomps in and shuts the door quickly behind him. He draws his hood back suddenly, shaking snow everywhere. I recognize the unruly raven hair and sharp emerald eyes. Harry's cheeks are rosy from the cold and his breathing is labored. He immediately encircles me in a large hug and I return it fully, realizing how long he has been gone. It has been a long time since we have last embraced. His breath is cold on my neck as he kisses me on the cheek. I draw away slowly and look into his eyes and he leans in to kiss me on the lips. He pecks me gently and I draw away quickly, as if it were a reflex. I clear my throat.
"We need to talk," I say, looking at him directly.
His smile quickly turns into a frown and he takes his hands off of my waist. "Shit," he says, his gaze turning away from me. "I was hoping you wouldn't find out before I got back," he says, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Ginny. I don't know how it happened."
"Wait," I say, shaking my head. "What happened?" I ask.
"I thought you knew," he says, bewilderment evident on his face. His face sinks as he opens his mouth to speak again. "I've been having an affair," he whispers, looking down at the floor.
I look at him for a moment, mouth hanging open. "With who?" I ask quietly, no emotion showing in my tone.
"Hermione," he answers truthfully.
"For how long?" I ask, a little louder this time.
"A little more than a year," he answers again, now sounding ashamed of himself. "If you hate me I don't blame you."
I look at him for a moment, unsure of myself. Then I do something I haven't done in a long time: I laugh. I laugh so hard that he looks about at the breaking point. He rubs at his temples and looks quizzically at me. "You're not mad?" he asks, bewildered. I shake my head, doubled over in laughter. "Why not?" he asks.
I cough a little and look at him through shimmering tears. "I've been having an affair, too," I say, beginning to laugh again.
"With who?" he asks, utter surprise etched on his face.
"Draco Malfoy," I sputter, standing up and leaning against the wall behind me for support. I put a hand to my chest and breathe deeply, calming myself. "I'm sorry," I say.
"No, no," he says, shaking his head. "I guess there's nothing to be sorry for," he says, smiling.
"Here," I say, squirming a little with my left ring finger and then holding out my engagement ring to him. "Take it back to the jeweler and get a different one for Hermione."
He takes it, dumbfounded. "Thanks." He looks at me, as if he doesn't have anything else to say. He gives me another immense hug and then turns to the door. "Wait," he says, turning back to me, "how are we going to handle the living situation?"
"I'm sure we'll figure it out," I say, kissing him on the cheek lightly. "Now go get her," I say, almost pushing him out the door. He smiles and winks as the door shuts lightly behind him.
I chuckle as I run up the stairs to my room, throwing on jeans and a navy hooded sweatshirt. I find my pair of brown leather riding boots and pull them on. I throw my cloak on and apparate quickly, knowing that the growing darkness outside might mean that he is already home from work. I ache to tell him the good news.
Out my window I see lights going dark
Your dark eyes don't haunt me
And then I wonder who I am
Without the warm touch of your hand
I run to him tonight, laughter echoing around me, my heart light with joy and reassurance. As soon as I apparate in front of the gates of Malfoy Manor I am over the moon with excitement. I throw them open and rush inside, running up the winding drive and reaching the heavy oak front door smiling and out of breath. I knock quickly and a house elf soon opens the door to allow me in and out of the cold. She takes my cloak and I take a moment to warm myself by the fire in the parlor. I inquire to his whereabouts and I am directed to his study on the third floor. I reach the door and thank the house elf, watching as she disappears quickly. I open the door slowly and enter without knocking. He looks up from his work, his square black horn rimmed glasses framing his handsome face perfectly. He takes them off quickly and stands from his desk as I come to meet him halfway.
"Ginny," he breaths as he encircles me in a warm embrace.
I smile into his chest. "Draco?" I ask.
"What, love?" he asks, rubbing my back gently.
"I love you," I say quietly, holding tighter to his waist.
He pulls me away from his chest and crushes his lips to mine, thankful that he has won the battle for my heart. He picks me up and I wrap my legs around his back as he carries me down the corridor and to his private chambers. I know that our relationship will have its problems, as all do, but I am ready to face them with him. I know that Harry is not the one for me, and now that I have Draco I know what true love is. I know what it really feels like to miss someone with every part of your being. I know that I love him and that I always will.
And then I wonder who I am
Without the warm touch of your hand
As I sit and watch the snow falling down
I don't miss you at all
He saved me from myself and for that the only thing that I can feel for him is compassion and thankfulness. I know that a part of me was missing without him and that I could not have survived if he had not come to fill that lonely space in my heart. He is the one for me, and I can finally say that I love him. I know that he was the only one that I want to spend the rest of my life with, the only one I want to come home to at night, and the only one that I want to have a family with. He is the only one that I want to love for the rest of my life. It feels good. It feels like home. It feels perfect to be right where I belong.
I don't miss you at all
I don't miss you at all
Don't Miss You At All - Norah Jones
-Thanks for the inspiration, Norah.