Title: All Hands On Deck
Rating: PG-13 (some coarse language)
Summary: Draco and Ginny's volatile relationship has ended and neither quite knows what to do. So whilst Ginny sulks, Draco plans a solo world trip. Will Ginny be able to realise what she's about to lose? Or will she abandon ship and let Draco sink without her?
Authors Notes: This is my first D/G fic so be kind. Started this many moons ago, just after OotP I think- can't quite remember. Just finished it and so I'm posting it all now :D No waiting for updates for this one- I'm posting it at once because it's easier for me with my schedule.
All hands on deck
Don't abandon the ship
You'll never know what could have been
All hands on deck
My ship is sinking
Don't let me go
Don't let me drown
All Hand On Deck: Waking Ashland
… Come Untie The Knot
It was the sound of her blinds going up and the bright sunlight that streamed in that woke Ginny. She opened her eyes wearily and saw Ron standing in front of her window.
'What the devil?'
'We need to talk.'
'Ron it's-' she fumbled for her alarm clock. '7:30am.'
'I know what time it is,' he said, sitting on the end of the bed. 'Remember that time when Luna and I were fighting and you told me to get over myself and just apologise for being wrong?'
'What are you getting at Ron?'
'Get over yourself and admit you're wrong,' he said sternly. She groaned and buried her head in her pillows.
'Don't give me a lecture,' she said 'I got one already.'
'I'm not giving you a lecture. I'm giving you some facts.'
'Facts?'
'Fact one- Draco Malfoy loves you,' he said, counting on his fingers. 'Fact two- Pansy Parkinson is a devious little cow. Fact three- you love Draco Malfoy. Fact four- if you don't drag your ass out of that bed and down to the International Apparation Office by midday you will lose any chance you ever had of being with Draco. He's leaving at midday sharp and he told me he wants you there, regardless.'
'When did he tell you this?'
'Last night when I was tearing this city apart looking for you. I bumped into him. He said a lot of stuff- including something about fake photos- but it was the fact that he wanted you there that he kept repeating.'
'Wait- he mentioned the photos?' she asked, sitting up.
'I didn't quite understand him at first- but he began blabbing on and on about how he wished he knew who did them. And that he was going to kill Pansy because she had something to do with it,' Ron looked at his sister who was looking like a deer caught in headlights. 'And then he started rattling on about you said you'd never abandon him- you'd keep his ship afloat or something like that. I can't remember. I tuned out.'
'Oh man I've screwed up…' Ginny whispered. 'Was he at the manor?'
'Nope. Leaky Cauldron. Said he was staying there cause the manor was too lonely. And it was easier cause he was planning on walking to the ministry to leave. He'd sent his trunk ahead.'
Ginny jumped out of bed and ran to her closet and began throwing clothes out of it.
'Leave the room now,' she said to Ron. He shrugged his shoulders and left the room. Within seconds she was dressed and running down the stairs. Harry and Hermione were both sitting at the kitchen table, wearily drinking coffee. They watched her run out and were about to go chasing after, when Ron came down the stairs.
'I think she's going to him. I think.'
~*~
Draco was quite cheerful as he paid Tom for his room and walked out into the bright sunshine on the muggle street. It was a nice day and he was glad he had decided to walk the five blocks to the ministry visitors entrance. He was going to be early, but he could pop in and see a few people and say goodbye before he left.
'Draco!' a voice called out, knocking him from his day dreams. He turned around and saw Ginny standing there, her hands on her hips. 'Why was Pansy at the manor that day?'
'Her father had just died. She wanted comfort,' Draco said, feeling like he had explained it a million times to her.
'And why was she running her fingers through your hair?'
'I have no idea Gin- I was trying to push her away.'
'I know,' Ginny whispered. It took Draco a moment to realise what she had said. The muggles on the street around them were brushing past, all in a hurry to get to work. 'She was running her fingers through your hair to get a hair so she could make Polyjuice potion. So she could turn Blaise into you so she could get the photos to break us up.'
'What…'
'Blaise told me everything. I didn't believe him until this morning,' she said, her voice shaking slightly. Draco stared at her in disbelief.
'You mean- you believe me now? Believe that nothing ever happened?'
'I always kinda did… I just didn't believe myself for believing it… if that makes sense…'
'It does,' he said, smiling. Hearing that she believed him was the best thing ever. He forgave her for everything she had yelled at him in that final argument- she believed him.
'All it took was Ron reminding me of our promise.'
'What promise?'
'All hands on deck.'
~*~
It was Draco's last night at Hogwarts. Ginny didn't know how she'd make it through her final year without their secret meetings to look forward too. Not that they were terribly secret now- it was the night of the Quidditch final that she had been caught sneaking out and everyone had found out. There was a major uproar- especially from her friends and family. He was a once suspected Death Eater, his family were as dark as dark could be.
But Ginny knew him better.
They met in the Prefect common room and sat on their favourite lounge, both saying nothing.
'Hell of a way for our last few days here to be,' he said with a laugh. 'I think your brother was desperate to kill me.'
'He'll calm down… one day…' Ginny said, snuggling in closer. 'I don't care what they all think of you- I know what I think of you.'
'And what's that?'
'I think- no wait, I know- that I love you.'
'And I love you too. Come hell or high water,' Ginny giggled.
'All hands on deck, captain Malfoy.'
'Just don't abandon me if I'm sinking.'
'I won't. I promise.'
~*~
'So…' Draco said, stepping closer to her, dying to just grab her and kiss her. 'Where do we go from here?'
Ginny looked up into his eyes.
'Stay. Stay with me.'
His heart soared- she wanted him to stay. It was the word he'd wanted her to say since he'd made his mind up to leave. But suddenly, he had something else in mind.
'I can't,' he said. Her face sank. 'I can't stay. It's all I wanted you to say. But I never really thought it through. I can't stay- I have to leave.'
'But… why… what…' Ginny stammered on the verge of tears.
'I want you to come with me,' he said. 'Come explore the world with me.'
'What?!' she exclaimed in shock.
'Leave with me today. Leave it all behind. Explore the world with me.'
'But I- I don't have anything with me!'
'We can buy new things,' he said with a smile. 'Come on, Gin, what do you say?'
Ginny considered what he was proposing and it was insane. Complete and utter bollocks.
'I don't have the approval to travel- it takes days to come through!'
'Neville will help us. Come on Gin- will you come with me?'
She felt like laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Standing in the middle of a muggle street trying to decide whether or not to leave her home and family and friends behind and travel the world with the man she loved.
'All hands on deck, right?' he said and made her laugh out loud.
'All hands on deck,' she replied, slipping her hand into his. 'I just hope Neville can organise everything.'
'I reckon he can.'