A/N: Yes, two chapters in one day…just because I love you all so much LOL! Enjoy!
***NOTE: THIS IS THE SECOND CHAPTER POSTED TODAY! READ CHAPTER 21 BEFORE THIS ONE!***
------------------
Events
Ginny sat in the warm sun next to her parents. Her entire family took up a row out on the grounds of Hogwarts for the graduation ceremony. All the seventh years wore their school gowns, hats and a special Hogwarts Pin on their robe. They sat in their houses, in alphabetical order so Ron, Hermione and Harry were scattered throughout their section.
Next to Ginny was Samantha and they chatted back and forth about the wedding in six months and about Draco…Samantha was transfixed by the story of how their relationship blossomed over the school year.
"Are you going to miss Ron next year?" Samantha asked quietly as Hufflepuffs walked across the stage, receiving their finishing papers.
Ginny sighed, "I don't know. His over protectiveness, no, but having family in the school is nice."
"He's just over protective because he loves you."
"I know. Everyone tells me that."
"Really, Ginny. He adores you; he constantly tells me he doesn't know how you turned out as well adjusted as you did after having six older brothers. He actually told me," Samantha turned to her and their eyes met, "that whenever we have kids, if we have a girl he hopes she turns out like you. That is the ultimate compliment you can receive, you know."
Ginny turned away, her eyes filled with tears. She smoothed down her simple sundress she bought for this occasion,
letting out a cleansing breath and trying to get her emotions under control.
Ravenclaw was next to go through and Ginny clapped as Padma Patil walked across the stage, hearing some hoots and hollers from the Gryffindor side as well.
Ginny heard one of her nieces fussing next to her and took four month old Jillian from Charlie, propped her in her lap and let Jillian play with her wand…which kept trying to make it to her mouth. Placing a kiss on top of her head she felt Charlie nudge her.
"Cassandra is reaching for you," he whispered and Ginny shuffled the babies into her lap, holding both of them. Samantha reached over and adjusted the hats on the identical red fuzzy heads.
"Here comes Gryffindor," Samantha said excitedly and sure enough, the whole class was filing up onto the stage in front of the lake.
Already, Ginny could hear her mother sniffling next to Katharine and she had to admit she was teary eyed too seeing Neville, Dean, Seamus, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lavendar, Parvati…everyone she knew up there looking solemn and happy at the same time, as they walked to Professor McGonagall who handed them their papers.
She smiled and clapped best she could when "Granger, Hermione Jane" was called. Her nieces laughed as they bounced in her lap, causing Ginny to smile.
"Potter, Harry James" was called and just about everyone stood and cheered and Ginny felt tears in her eyes, sure that he was probably blushing up there as everyone screamed and yelled for him. It took awhile for the students to settle back down and looking up a row and down a few seats, Ginny could see Petunia's face…she looked shocked that everyone was screaming for him. Ginny realized that his family never really knew how much Harry Potter was adored by most students at Hogwarts. Dudley just shook his head and continued reading down through the program.
After what seemed like forever, "Weasley, Ronald Bilius" was called and her whole family whistled and yelled. Ron bowed to the crowd, causing everyone to laugh. Samantha hugged Ginny with one arm as tears fell down the youngest Weasley's face. Handing Jillian to Samantha, Ginny conjured up a tissue, quickly wiping her eyes before her mother noticed, knowing it would cause Molly to cry even harder. She could hear Fred and George laughing at the other end of the row about something…she was sure she didn't really want to know.
The Gryffindor house went and sat back down as the Slytherin House stood up and walked up single file to the stage. Professor Snape stood up and began calling out names of his seventh year students. Ginny shifted a sleeping Cassandra in her arms and Samantha was playing with Jillian, holding out a bracelet for her to swipe at.
Ginny's eyes scanned for Draco and found him standing in front of Theodore Nott who was a few places in front of Pansy. Slowly, the students made their way up there and she heard his name "Malfoy, Draco Lucius" and smiled, afraid to clap because of the sleeping baby.
She saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and turned her head, seeing her mother looking at her. They exchanged smiles and Ginny felt relieved that her mother had acknowledged him. She tuned out everyone until the last Slytherin was called, "Zabini, Blaise Douglas" and brought herself back to the ceremony, listening to Dumbledore talk about the defeat of Voldemort, how proud he was of the whole seventh year and before he could even present the class, they were up and yelling…as Cassandra slept on. Parents began standing and trying to make their way to their children.
"Samantha, let me take her and you go help my parents find Ron," Ginny took a sleepy Jillian and moved her legs to the side so Samantha could slide down to Molly and Arthur.
"Ginny, I can take them," Charlie turned to her and Ginny shook her head.
"No, you guys go mingle, I haven't sent them in awhile and want to hold them," Ginny smiled.
"If you're sure?" Katharine said and Ginny nodded happily.
Her family filed out and she saw Petunia and Dudley get up and follow them. She decided it was much safer to stay seated rather than try to find anyone. She had made plans the night before to meet up with Draco for a bit by the castle before they went their separate ways. She people watched as she sat there, then looked down at two identical sleeping faces. The babies were getting big, their cheeks had filled out and their hair was a little longer. Their eyes had changed from blue to their mother's dark color; dressed in identical pink dresses no one would be able to tell them apart. She felt someone slip into the seat next to her and she looked up.
"Hey," she smiled at Draco who had his hat off and looked very hot. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you," he smiled back and looked up as his mother came towards them.
"Hi, Mrs. Malfoy," Ginny said watching her sit in a chair in the row in front of them.
"Call me Narcissa, Ginny," her gaze went to the two babies.
"Your nieces? How old are they?"
"Four months, almost. Jillian and Cassandra," Ginny nodded to each one in turn, then felt Draco reach over and gently take Jillian from her, settling back with her in his arms. Both Ginny and Narcissa stared at him, as he looked down at the sleeping baby when suddenly Narcissa stood up.
"I see Mrs. Parkinson; I'll be right back," she said leaving Ginny the only one to hear the tears in her voice. Nodding to Narcissa, Ginny turned to Draco and watched him…noticing many students walking by looking at him strangely with this baby in his arms.
"You know, we could start all sorts of rumors, us sitting here holding two infants," Ginny grinned at him.
"You're right. Now that Voldemort is gone, people would love to spread rumors like this around," Draco agreed, then looked up as two shadows fell over them.
Harry and Hermione were standing there, looking happy as ever; Hermione gushed over the babies, crouching down and looking at each one in turn.
"Does it feel good to be done?" Ginny asked, letting Hermione take Cassandra and she flexed her arms, hearing them pop as she did so.
"Sure does; out into the real world now. We can actually look for a flat to live in," Harry said, sitting on the back of one of the chairs.
"Where are your parents?" Ginny looked around for the Drs. Granger.
"Actually talking to Harry's aunt," Hermione said, shifting Cassandra to her shoulder. "Why don't you two go mingle; we can stay here with the babies."
Draco and Ginny looked at each other, but were saved from any decisions when Molly came back with Ron. She took her granddaughter from Draco and Ginny hugged her brother, hard, surprising him for a second. He bent down and placed a kiss on her cheek and she took the moment to whisper in his ear,
"I love you Ron, you know that right?" He pulled away and looked at her, nodding in a slightly confused way.
"Congratulations you guys," Ginny said softly and she felt Harry pull her into a hug. She kissed his cheek and hugged him hard before she pulled away, feeling Draco's arm slip around her waist.
"I know I'll be seeing you Potter," Draco said and Harry nodded then was taken over by a typical Samantha hug.
"Good luck with the sports writing," Draco turned towards Ron who was unbuttoning his robes, clearly warm under the afternoon sun.
"Er, thanks," Ron said uneasily and they looked at each other and that's when Ginny, Harry and Hermione witnessed something they never thought they would see.
"You too, with teaching," Ron hesitated then held out his hand. Ginny stared at it as Draco reached forward and for the first time ever they shook hands, firmly and Ginny couldn't help but grin at her brother. He winked at her before turning to Samantha who was leading him over to Lavendar Brown.
But, the surprises didn't end there.
Hermione had handed Cassandra to Harry as she went after her parents. He took a seat next to Molly, propping his feet on the chair in front of him as Ginny watched Narcissa make her way over. For a moment they all stood and stared before Draco made the introductions, his hand slipping to Ginny's. Molly and Narcissa said the usual pleasantries and when Narcissa complimented her on her granddaughters Molly launched into details.
"I need to go finish gathering a few things from my room. Want to join me Ginny?" Draco un-buttoned his robe and shrugged it off, throwing it over his arm.
"Sure," she turned towards her mother, interrupting her, "Should I meet you and dad at the entrance in…what?" she looked towards Draco.
"An hour?" he suggested and Molly nodded. Draco made the same arrangements with his mother and Ginny and Draco weaved their way through the crowd and up to the castle, where the crowd was thinning out. Holding hands they walked into the castle and Ginny was struck by the eerie silence.
"How were your NEWTs this past week?" Ginny asked, her voice echoing off the walls. All the seventh years had five days of NEWTS, some with one a day, others with two.
"Hell; but they are done," Draco said walking down the stairs and pushing open the dungeon doors, not needing a password. Ginny followed him through the empty common room and into his head boy room. It was very stark, a trunk sitting near the door and his school bag. He shut the door behind him and threw his robe onto the desk chair.
"It looks as if you are packed, what do you still need to do?" Ginny asked, slowly turning in a circle looking around the room she would never see again.
"I'll show you," Draco said and he grabbed her bare arms, pulling her to him and capturing her lips with his. Her hands grabbed his shoulders as right away, she felt the pounding start from her mouth and head throughout her whole body. She felt the intensity behind his kiss and let him lead her to the bed, scrambling up with him and settling herself on top of him, feeling his long, dark grey pants against her bare legs. His hands rubbed her shoulders and trailed down her back and around to her hips, and pulled them against his making Ginny squeak with the forcefulness of his actions. She had never felt him be so dominating before, just doing what he wanted and it partly excited her and partly concerned her. As his hands began to pull her dress up her legs she pulled back and looked down into his face, his eyes the color of blue ice.
"What is it Draco? What's wrong?" she asked feeling his hands still for a moment. He didn't answer her right away and Ginny realized that he probably didn't even know what he was feeling.
"I just…need you," he said simply and she nodded not quite understanding but trusting him. Gently his hand pressed on her stomach and she felt the warmth that was becoming so familiar of being with him like this.
"Ok," she breathed and rolled off of him, bringing him to his side and she matched his fevered kisses, hands pulling her dress up, unbuttoning his pants, kicking off shoes, undergarments coming off…all the while lips locked, eyes closed, fires running through both of them as he rolled on top of her and with a lift of her hips she helped him gain entrance into her, gasping aloud at the feeling he instilled in her. Her hands slipped under his shirt, grabbing his shoulders, digging her nails into his skin, meeting his thrusts. He pulled his mouth away for a minute and paused. Her eyes snapped open and he stared at her.
"Look at me," he said hoarsely and she nodded as he began moving and that's when it happened. She flew into his mind feeling both of them; a warmth, a tightness, a friction of the utmost pleasure moving with in her. She struggled to keep her eyes locked with his, resisting the urge to close them and scream aloud with the feeling coursing through her. Her hips moved with his, her hands digging harder into his shoulders, his hands lost in her hair, framing the back of her head.
A tide of feeling and awe rose from within Ginny as the rising and falling left her breathless. They moved and with each thrust she felt the ache as they pushed into each other. An exquisite pleasure rose from that ache finding it's way to her mouth in sound and he pushed into her faster, picking up speed, their hips crashing, ebbing and flowing like the tide. No barriers separating them.
Ginny couldn't help it, her eyes closed and Draco's head came to rest against her neck. He felt so hot, everywhere, the ring burning on her finger. She never felt such feverish thrusting, gaining speed…who was moaning, yelling, screaming out? Hearts pounding against each other, bodies pounding into each other, the unbelievable sensation of each other; was she inside him at the same time he was inside her?
She felt his lips against her neck and her hands reached around and down, pulling him into her as if reaching for something she couldn't reach, yet knew was there…she felt as if she was falling away and almost there at the same time. His lips moved from her neck and his tongue churned with hers as he moved with a grace she never knew existed. Grinding, pushing and pulling all at the same time. Their legs and arms jumbled into hot, wet flesh; hair and faces sweaty, mouths clinging.
Ginny heard him call her name, thought she would die and she knew Draco heard those thoughts. Lost in it everything; consuming, burning and hot Ginny felt him. There, almost there, feeling muscles contract, squeezing-he pushed into her and she grabbed at him, screaming, or was that in her head? The pleasure echoed off his walls and crashed into them, carrying them both over and down, her nails gouging in to his shoulders, his mouth on her neck, moaning and sighing; arms unraveling, hips slowing down and finally… bodies going limp.
Ginny was dying; she was sure of it. Her heart was beating so fast, she was breathless and couldn't seem to catch her breath; she was paralyzed and couldn't move and for a moment her mind was numb. Draco felt the same, with the way he wasn't moving and his breathing as fast as hers.
Slowly, slowly her body came back to her, the ring warm on her finger, the weight of Draco on top of her, the scent of them floating around the room. She couldn't even form the words to say what she felt. She never ever knew that she could have felt anything so magically powerful and live to tell about it.
"I didn't scare you did I?" she heard, sounding as if his voice was far away.
She shook her head slightly using up her energy. Glancing down at his shoulder she noticed his shirt had someone come off in the process…her dress too. 'When did that happen?' she wondered and saw where she had cut Draco with her nail.
"I cut you," Ginny touched the spot on his shoulder, then let her hand fall limply to the side.
"Doesn't hurt," he mumbled into her shoulder, and slowly rolled off of her, cool air bringing out goose bumps on her body.
"That…you…," Ginny started still staring at the ceiling then found the word she was looking for, "Legilimency?"
Draco nodded and she turned her head to look at him.
"Why?" she whispered, moving onto her side, brushing hair out of her face.
"I wanted you to see and feel what you do to me, Ginny," he reached over and helped her brush hair away from her face. "And I saw and felt what I do to you and I never want to lose that. We need to try and make this work next year…," he trailed off. Ginny put a hand to his face and he turned and kissed her palm.
"I'm so glad you said that. I think I just marked you as mine anyway with that gouge in your shoulder."
He was silent for a moment.
"What was that, Draco? Why was this time so…powerful…?" Ginny asked not caring if she was blushing or not. She was still red faced from their trist in the bed.
"I don't know…I just had this strange feeling when I was holding your niece and I was going to bring you here just to talk, but that changed pretty quickly…and the Legilimens thing was something I always wondered…could it be done…?"
"I would say yes to that," Ginny stretched a bit, feeling her muscles start to come back to life.
Slowly, they started moving, finding clothes, casting charms around themselves, around the room in between touches and kisses until they had used up the hour they had bought themselves and Ginny walked out of his Head Boy room, holding his school bag…wondering who was going to get it next year.
--------------------
As Ginny and her family prepared for Bill and Fleur's wedding that was to be held outside in their orchard, she didn't feel like she had rested at all since she had been home. It was only three days from the end of school to her brother's wedding, but last minute adjustments to her dress had to be made. Ginny had grown two inches since the fitting in the winter and her mother was begging her to stop growing; she couldn't afford another one of her children to grow tall like Ron, who was now the tallest in the family seeming to have settled into 6'5" rather nicely. Ginny now at 5'8" and growing steadily. Her father had teased her that if she kept this up she would hit the six foot mark and be as tall as Harry and Draco. Ginny hoped to Merlin that wouldn't happen.
The day of the wedding dawned and for once it wasn't hot and humid. The twin girls were dressed the same and were being passed around steadily.
Ginny, Gabrielle Delacour (who was now 11) and some French friends of Fleur's she didn't know were in the bridal party. Bill's best man was Charlie, followed by Ron and a few relatives from the Delacour side.
Percy had actually made it in time for the wedding and Ginny couldn't remember the last time she had seen him. She heard him before walking down the stairs in her bride's maids dress…a pale blue sleeveless dress that ended just below her knees and she saw him standing in the kitchen, talking to his father. Percy had turned around and she knew he didn't recognize her at first.
"Percy, nice of you to make it," Ginny said coolly watching him do a double take.
"Ginny! Uh, how was school this year?" he asked clearly embarrassed that hadn't known who she was at the moment.
"Great, did well," she said shortly removing her gaze from his and glancing out the door. She saw Draco walking up the walkway, in his summer dress robes and she waited for him to come to her, relishing in what Percy's reaction would be.
"Hey," Draco said, looking her up and down and she held her hand out to him, then turned to Percy. He had resumed talking to her father, but when Draco walked in and took her hand he looked up.
"Malfoy!" Percy's voice practically squeaked.
"Weasley. Long time no see," Draco said feeling Ginny holding his hand tight.
"Mr. Weasley, your daughter looks beautiful," Draco smiled down at Ginny who laid her head against his arm. She heard a soft "Whaaaat?" come out of Percy's mouth.
"Thank you Draco. I think so too," Arthur smiled and Ginny smiled back then rolled her eyes.
"Let's go before my head swells," Ginny turned and led Draco outside towards the tent erected near the orchard. She heard Percy asking her father if hell had frozen over and she chuckled to herself.
"How were your first three days of learning your new job? Harry said he has done so much reading he might turn into a book," Ginny led him past the backyard and into the tent, where Fleur's relatives were sitting, talking rapidly in French.
"Doing the same, until I leave next week with Snape for Africa," they stopped near the front row and sat down on the white cushioned chairs. "How have your three days out of school been?"
"Busy. They had to alter my dress because I grew two inches," Ginny smiled and Draco nodded. "Just busy with all of this. After tomorrow I get to relax. Ron starts his new job writing for the Prophet and travels to Ireland, which he is excited about."
"What do you plan on doing this summer?" Draco let his hand brush her shoulder and he noticed she moved a bit closer.
"Actually, the DeLacours saw my drawings of my brothers and wanted me to do a few sketches of the wedding party, and are paying me pretty nicely for it, so that's one thing. Then…wait, I don't think I told you this!" Ginny's voice became excited and Draco raised his eyebrows at her.
"You know how my dad likes Muggle things right? Well, of course you do," Ginny saw Draco nod and felt his hand rest on her shoulder. "Anyway, since mum is working they brought in extra money and he got the bright idea that after this wedding to bring in some wizards to conjure up an in ground pool."
"A what? A pool?" Draco was clearly surprised.
"I don't even think he can swim, but he said it would be great for family get togethers, and he knows that I like to swim…I think it must be some midlife crisis thing because I could think of a million other things that I would rather have done. But, it's not my money…," Ginny said, feeling Draco's hand slide to her neck.
Leaning forward she kissed him softly and he responded with the utmost control in place. She smiled against his lips as she caught sight of Gabrielle out of the corner of her eye.
"Hi, Gabrielle, my new little sister," Ginny pulled back and saw her looking at Draco with interest.
"Who are you?" she asked bluntly, with her French accent.
"Draco Malfoy. I saw you when you were much shorter," Draco gave her a smile and she flushed but shook his hand.
"Your mum says she needs you," Gabrielle said quickly, took one more look at Draco and ran down the aisle. Ginny stood up and laughed.
"You have a new fan, I think," Ginny walked down the aisle, careful of her heels and not stepping anywhere she could twist her ankle.
"I can't believe we were that small," Draco said, still having trouble remembering Ginny at that age, let alone himself.
The next few hours were spent getting the bride ready in Ginny's room; the groom in his parent's room and Fred and George began seating the guests. The twins dates had come with them and it wasn't long before Draco, Harry, Kate and Angelina were talking Quidditch and as the tent filled, Ginny saw Fleur's nerves start to show. She would lapse into French, muttering to herself and Ginny tried to calm her down. Finally, Hermione brought in a calming drought and Fleur threw it back without the slightest thought.
"'zank you,'Mione," Fleur said softly. Hermione nodded and as she opened the door to leave, Ginny heard the music start. Mrs. Delacour opened the door and Ginny took one last look at her new sister in law in her white and gold flowing robes, a flower pinned in her hair and thought that Bill just might fall over when she saw how beautiful his new wife looked.
Ginny took up her spot behind Gabrielle and they all walked carefully down the staircase and out towards the tent where the men were already waiting. Fred took Mrs. Delacour to her seat in the front row, next to Ginny's parents. Someone pressed some flowers into Ginny's hands and behind her Ginny could hear a girl named Monique whisper excitedly in French to someone she remembered was named Claire.
Ginny felt Fleur squeeze her hand as walked past her and took her place last in line, behind the girls and out of sight of Bill. Ducking into the tent, the four girls walked slowly down the aisle and Ginny caught sight of Bill standing next to Charlie who was next to Ron…who was an inch taller than the groom and a few more taller than Charlie...she smiled at both of them. They were decked out in the fanciest robes she had ever seen and thought that they might look the most handsome she had ever seen them.
She caught sight of Draco standing behind Hermione and Harry and she gave the three of them a wink and they all smiled at her…and then she walked past them, taking up her spot behind Gabrielle, feeling Monique and Claire fall in behind her. They all turned as the tempo changed to introduce Fleur.
Being part Veela, she carried an aura around her and if the men weren't used to it they would end up staring endlessly at her and generally making a fool of yourself. Ginny could hear Bill take a deep breath as he caught sight of his bride and she didn't blame him. Fleur was beautiful and Ginny thought no one would ever be able to top this bride in her gold and white dress, flowing down to the ground and out behind her; her father on her arm; the unusual flower pinned in her hair.
It was all Ginny could do to pay attention to the wizard conducting the ceremony, blinking back tears as she realized that at the end of the year, three of her brothers will have been married. The sight of Bill kissing Fleur brought her thoughts back to the moment and she tucked her hand into Ron's arm as they walked down the aisle.
"You've grown," Ron said sounding surprised. Ginny smiled and told him about the dress. "Hermione said I'm hitting my growth spurt late."
Slowly they walked out of the tent and hugged and kissed everyone in the wedding party. Feeling the area grow crowded with well wishers, Ginny gently removed her arm from Ron's and stood to the side of the tent, after sharing a hug with Fleur Delacour-Weasley and Bill. She saw Ron smile at his fiancée and take Samantha's hand as she came up to him, complimenting him on his new robes. Ginny backed away from the crowd as people hugged and kissed the new couple and found Katharine standing to the side, a baby in each arm.
"Here, Katharine, let me help," Ginny took Jillian who cooed and smiled at her. "They were so good! I didn't hear them once."
"Samantha and I fed them, that's why!" Katharine explained, looking at her husband and waving to him as he caught her eye. Ginny held up Jillian and kissed her cheek, receiving a wet sucking kiss in return.
"They sure do love you, Ginny," Katharine turned Cassandra so she was leaning back against her mother, kicking her legs while looking around at all the people.
"I love kids…and these are my nieces so they are my favorites!" Ginny nuzzled the top of Jillian's head.
"Whenever you get married, you'll want children then?"
"Oh, sure. I think all of us Weasley's do…except Percy. Have no idea about him," Ginny said and Katharine nodded.
"I met him briefly. You could tell he had no idea what to say to me or how to interact with these girls," Katharine waved to someone as they walked by.
"I'm going to take Jillian for a walk, is that ok?" Ginny bounced the baby in her arms.
"Not at all, just come find me when you think she needs me, or you tire of her," Katharine smiled and Ginny turned around, seeing Draco walking towards her.
"You looked lovely up there, almost crying," he teased her and Ginny stuck her tongue out at him.
"Mature, Aunt Ginny. You're teaching Jillian bad habits you know," Draco touched the top of the babies head and Ginny gave him and appraising look.
"How did you know this was Jillian?"
He gave a shrug, "She looks a bit different than her sister I guess. So, shall we go get some of your mother's food?" Ginny nodded and she propped Jillian on her hip walking next to Draco towards the table and chairs set up in the next tent. They sat at the table reserved for her, Samantha, Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Draco; Ginny sat with Jillian on her lap, letting her gnaw on a spoon while Draco brought back two plates of food. Their friends soon joined them, Jillian eventually made it back to her mother and sister and the students talked, joked and ate well into the evening, barely aware of a band striking up music until Ron said it was time for him and Ginny to dance alongside the bride and groom.
After the required wedding party dance, they all split up and found their partners, dates, and significant others.
As Ginny and Draco moved through the crowd towards the dance floor, Ron was sitting next to Harry…both watching Ginny.
"I never ever would have thought that they would end up together," Harry mused and Ron agreed.
"It scares me sometimes," Ron started then took a sip of his champagne, eyes moving from Samantha, Hermione and Fleur who were talking about something, back to his sister, dancing with Draco. "It's like he looks like Malfoy, sounds like Malfoy, but that's where it ends, you know? It still addles me that my sister is sleeping with the enemy and seems to be so in love with him."
"I know everyone keeps saying that Ginny is smart and all, and I know you are tired of hearing that because you KNOW it's true, but I think that you are having a hard time just because it's Malfoy…as we all are thinking. But, ever since his father died, you have to admit he seems different and even I can't find something about him that annoys me anymore," Harry told Ron.
It was strange watching Ginny and Draco interact.
During the past few months, just watching them together it was like they moved and reacted to each other so fluidly it was almost as if they were one person split into two bodies. Harry had no idea what happened to make him realize that…and he voiced his thoughts to Ron who looked at him strangely.
"I noticed something strange like that, but the way you said it makes sense. It's almost like the way you and Hermione finish each others sentences; they seem to anticipate what the other person is going to do and…it's just," he sighed, "I just can't explain it." Ron settled back in his chair and changed the subject to his new job. Telling Harry he was first traveling to Ireland to write about the Quidditch matches going on there, then onto Italy. Harry and Ron both hoped with his job, he would get tickets to the World Cup the next time it came around. For now, Ron was living at Grimmauld with Fred and George until he got married. Samantha's parents were not letting him move in to her new flat in London until they were married … where she was writing articles for the local paper and working in a clothing store.
"Harry, you'll have to keep me updated on how my sister does next year…you being her teacher and all," Ron said as the girls made their way back to the table.
"I will and I'll keep an eye on her for you too; though she will be fine…unless she fails DADA," Harry laughed and they stood up to go meet their dance partners.
-----------------
"I will try my best to make it to Potter's wedding, but I can't promise I'll be there."
"I know," she laid her head against his chest and felt his strong arms wrap around her and hold her close.
She heard the thumping of his heart beneath her ear; the distant sounds of the wedding party flowed into her…it was late and people were going home. Fleur and Bill had already apparated back to the flat they owned near Hogsmeade, ready to embark on their honeymoon the next day.
"I'll write you; I know you'll be busy so don't feel obligated to write back," Ginny said softly, her emotions taking her by surprise. She thought she would be able to handle him leaving…not seeing him for what could be two full months, but the lump in her throat was betraying her.
"I haven't written many letters in my life, but I will write don't worry."
"It's getting late and you have to be back at Hogwarts…," Ginny let her voice trail off and stepped back a bit and looked up at Draco who was looking in the direction of the tent. Turning his head he looked down at her, his face expressionless. Ginny dropped her arms and stepped out of his embrace.
"You should go before I do something girly, like cry or something," Ginny crossed her arms across her chest and stared at the ground, intent on turning and walking towards the house. Before she could move, Draco reached down and tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. She couldn't see his eyes in the dark but felt him lean in and knew he was going to kiss her. She uncrossed her arms and laid a hand on either side of his neck, savoring the taste of champagne still present on his lips. He kissed her like it was their first time, slowly, gently so lovingly that Ginny didn't realize she was crying until she tasted salty tears, causing her to pull away.
"I'm sorry..," Ginny brought her hands to her cheeks, "I swore I would never cry over a guy, and now look," she brushed the tears away not able to look up at the dark shadow his face was hidden in.
"I'll miss you too," Draco said quietly, waiting for her to get herself under control.
"You need to go; it's late," Ginny took a deep shaky breath and let it out. She felt him take her hand and press a piece of parchment into it, but he didn't let go…it stayed between their hands as he led her to the edge of the orchard, where the voices of her family and closest friends were still emanating through the night. He stopped and turned towards her.
"If I don't see you at Potter's wedding, we can try and get together the weekend before school, ok?" he saw her nod. Still holding her hand he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply, then pulled away seeing fresh tears track down her face.
"I'll be fine…just do whatever you need to do to make the time go by fast," Draco inwardly sighed, not really knowing how to handle a female in tears.
"I'll swim," Ginny said and smiled a bit, still feeling his hand tight against hers.
"And grow too," Draco kidded, noticing how she didn't have to stand so much on her toes anymore to kiss him.
Leaning down he kissed her near her ear and whispered, "Remember our last day at Hogwarts and that I love you."
"I love you, too," Ginny whispered, felt him squeeze her hand then half a second after he let go, he was gone. Shoving the parchment into the top of her dress, she used both hands to wipe her tears away, intent on not looking like a dribbling teenage girl before she said goodnight to her friends. Taking a few moments to compose herself, she took a few deep breaths and walked into the tent to say goodnight to Harry, Hermione, Ron and Samantha who were talking quietly at a table littered with plates and food.
---------------------
Ginny shimmied out of her dress, seeing the piece of parchment float to the floor. Picking it up she placed it on her desk and went through the process of washing up and getting ready for bed. After brushing her teeth and getting all comfortable in her bed she pulled the parchment towards her and noticed it was folded into quarters. No wax seal, nothing fancy and she opened it, seeing a few lines but not being able to make them out do to those pesky tears that kept forming in her eyes. Wiping her eyes on her sheet she looked at it again.
"Dear Ginny,
I had a thought while packing and that thought was your owl trying to make all those flights to and from wherever I will be and I really didn't want to see your owl die of exhaustion, so I charmed this parchment. Whenever I write to you, it should appear on here, under the last "letter". You can write back and whatever you say will appear on an identical piece of parchment that I will have with me, always. Consider this my first letter of the summer to you…I'll miss you and I will try to come to "the wedding of the century" but I am sorry I can't promise you that I WILL be there. I will be thinking about you on that day, rest assured.
Until we meet again, Ginny.
Yours,
Draco"