Disclaimer: I do not the characters of his story this semblance of a plot is all mine.
AN: Sorry this chapter is a bit shorter than I typically try to put out - but it was at the perfect stopping point. Consequently I have already started the next chapter - my pathetic attempt to placate : )
Chapter 12 - In the Middle of the Night
The night air was crisp and cool, rushing through his hair. Draco rode his broom with precision and speed. Occasionally he looked down to check a compass he held in one hand.
What was it about Ginny Weasley that constantly put him in the sky
Draco again checked that he was following the needle on the compass which was pointed toward the "Burrow."
Placing the compass back in the inside pocket of his robes he felt again to make sure the letter he had received was still there.
(Flashback)
Draco was sitting in his study going over his advanced arithmancy book. With nothing else to do he was forced into studying. He was just about to give it all up and head for bed when his eagle owl landed softly on the desk in front of him.
Draco was a bit surprised he hadn't expected a reply quite so soon.
He pulled the parchment off his owl's leg to find that it was merely a torn-off bit from the letter he had sent to Ginny. He noted the distinctive green and silver border that remained.
Draco - I need you
That was all it said, no name, nothing. Draco, of course, knew who it was from. He stared at the scrap almost afraid to think about the words on the paper.
His immediate reaction was to grab his broom and go to her. Very rarely in his life had anybody 'needed' him. Something about her request went straight to his heart - that part of him which he had worked so long to close off. He knew how much those words must have cost her, she avoided all manifest signs of dependency that she could, much like him. In such a case his instincts told him to help her. He couldn't leave her when she needed him; he wouldn't do that to anyone ever again.
But his conscious was warring with the part of his personality that had been beaten into him for years, the Malfoy. He couldn't go the Burrow - Merlin was she joking! Under no circumstances did he desire to enter the nest of the Weasley's. In addition he was sure that his reception would not be warmly met by Ginny's brothers or her parents. He knew that his father was responsible for Percy's death (at least that is what the papers said) and he doubted that the son of Percy's killer would be welcome.
The Malfoy in him also warned him against feeling too much for Ginny. Keep it all on an impersonal level. You are a Malfoy - you do not get close to anyone, especially emotionally. Attachments make you weak. When you head back to school it will not be easy, many will want to take you down. You musn't be weak!
Despite the best efforts of the Malfoy in him, his instincts prevailed and had him grab a robe and his broom and take off for the burrow.
(end flashback)
It was the middle of the night by the time he reached Ottery St.Catchpole and came across the ramshackle home known as the Burrow.
Draco's lip curled up in disgust. Merlin how could anyone live in a home like this? Gnomes ran gleefully across the uneven lawn. Forgotten laundry hung in the backyard. Various muggle contraptions littered the yard.
Draco questioned his sanity - what was I thinking.
He silently flew alongside the windows of the home, hoping to catch a glimpse of a female room. The last thing he wanted was to wind up in Ron's room. Draco shuddered at the thought. He could do without seeing Weasel curled up in his grubby bed.
Finally on the third floor he caught sight of a room containing yellow walls and flowery curtains. Although he wouldn't put it past Ron to have such a room he crossed his fingers and prayed that it was Ginny's room.
The window was easy to open, it lay unlocked - something that would never happen at his home. He dismounted and swung one leg over the sill. It landed quickly on a desk. Draco readjusted and brought his other leg in, now sitting on the desk. His broom, by command floated to the ground.
The room was dark, the moonlight illuminating just enough for him to make out the furniture. He sat upon a desk; to his right was a dresser. The top of which was covered in trinkets and pictures. There were some posters on the wall, but he couldn't make out what they advertised in the dim light. Across from him was a small bed. It had to be less than half the size of his bed at home.
Poor girl - he thought with a smile - how did one sleep in such a small space.
There was a small lump in the covers curled near the wall. He remembered how he always found her curled into a ball as she slept. He also remembered that typically when he had found her such it was at the beginning or in the midst of a nightmare.
He inched closer to the bed sidestepping a jumper that had been carelessly tossed on the ground.
At the moment she looked peaceful, but he knew that it wouldn't last.
A small voice in his head told him this was not a good situation. If her nightmare escalated, it would surely call in half of her family. As much of the thought of being in the company of 7 Weasley's made Draco's night; he rather thought that situation should be avoided.
Draco sat on the edge of the bed, trying to ignore the horrid comforter that he was resting on.
Her back was to the wall, and she was curled on her side. Her red hair was pillowed behind her spread across the pillow. She looked especially pale in the moonlight, the dash of freckles across her nose stood out a bit more.
Draco found himself simply looking at her; he didn't move he just watched her slow breathing. Her lashes caressed her pale cheek, slightly fluttering with her dreams. She looked so small curled into a tight ball. She resembled a small animal hiding her vulnerabilities from attack. Draco knew she abhorred weakness and helplessness, but as she lay there sleeping she exemplified all those characteristics. He supposed her subconscious let out those feelings the only time it had opportunity.
Draco was torn from his silent reverie by the sound of increased breathing. Her dream was escalating, he could tell from experience.
He placed a hand on her shoulder prepared to hold her if she began to struggle against her dream. He knew he had to act; he had to keep her from crying out.
"Ginny?" He whispered in her ear, his breath stirring the small curls that lay near her ear.
She remained trapped in her dream world. Her lips began to move releasing small bits of sound.
"Shhh… Gin" Draco was getting nervous. Mind you, he wasn't scared of the Weasley's he just valued his face the way it was.
As she continued to ignore his attempts to wake her, Draco decided to resort to desperate measures.
"Bloody Weasley. I rode halfway across England on a broom because you send me an owl. Now you won't even wake up." Draco muttered as he bent down to pull Ginny up.
He hitched his hands under her arms and lifted her up. Ginny began to murmur in protest. He gathered her limp body into his arms. Assuming the role of comforter that he had held during her time at his home, Draco soothed her back and tried to still her dream.
Tonight though, Ginny was too deep in her memories to respond to his ministrations. Her murmurs became louder, soon taking the form of full words.
"Where's Herm… No… Tom...Don't touch…" Ginny bit out snippets of memory.
It seemed as though what Draco knew about comforting wasn't going to be enough tonight. He could do nothing but watch her fight her demons. He hated having to watch her struggle helplessly. He hated caring about her, but he had reconciled that it was not something he could negotiate. Ginny had worked his way into whatever of a heart he possessed, as much as it galled him to admit.
Before Draco could do anything to stop it, Ginny let loose with a scream the likes of which he hadn't heard her make before. It sent a chill down his spine. What in Merlin caused that reaction - did he actually want to know?
After the sound was wrentched from her soul, she seemed to come to.
"Dra… Draco… is that you?" Ginny's eyes fluttered open as she lay with her face pressed against his chest.
"Shhh... yes Ginny. Did you think I wouldn't come?" Draco answered her sleepy question. "Boy do you owe me though, look at this place!"
Ginny's lips curved into a slight smile at his typical response. His teasing remarked pushed aside any insecurity that his first remark had brought up. She had questioned whether he would come. She was asking a lot especially from a boy like Malfoy who conceded nothing to anyone.
"I'm shocked I didn't think that it was physically possible for a Malfoy to enter the Burrow - I'll have to tell Fred that his insufferable prat wards didn't work!"
Draco smirked; she really was rather good at this. "As much as I would love to sit and chat with you, especially clad as you are..." Ginny smacked his arm, "I believe that we will have MANY bigger problems in a moment." Ginny looked back at him confused.
Her confusion was quickly cleared up as footsteps could be heard outside her door.
"You screamed awfully loud at the end there. Any suggestions?" Draco whispered.
Before they could even discuss a plan of action Ginny's bedroom door flew open and the worried face of Ron entered the room.
"Gin, Ginny are you okay? I heard you scream" Ron let loose with a litany of concern before he even had time to register the room's second occupant.
Ron had been up most of the night thinking about what he had said to his younger sister. He regretted his rash reaction. He as always had let his temper get the best of him. Maybe he shouldn't have accused her quite so quickly. As the night wore on he had finally decided to talk to her again in the morning and apologize for his actions. Her scream had jarred him from the first bit of sleep that he had been able to find. Its depth was chilling, it sounded worse than physical pain.
Ron had taken off from his room down the hall at a dead run. He threw the door open ready to slay a dragon.
What he didn't expect to see was his sister held by Draco Malfoy. He was struck speechless for a moment.
At first he wondered if Draco was hurting his sister - she had screamed. But then he noted the way her cheek laid quietly on his chest and the way his hand was nestled in her hair - everything he had accused her of earlier seemed entirely too accurate. Well he thought wryly - no need to apologize in the morning.
Something inside of Ron died that moment. He had wanted to believe, as his mother did, that everything was the same and that everything would be the same but deep down he knew it would never be again.
Draco sat completely still, he watched Ron his eyes trained on him like a predator. He could see the anger building in Ron, evident in the blush that was spreading up his neck.
Ginny could feel Draco's muscles tense as they waited for Ron's reaction. For once in her life she thought it would be prudent if she waited before jumping in. She understood what was running through Ron's mind at the moment. Everything he had accused her off appeared to be completely accurate. She was sitting in Draco's lap. A small blush tinted her cheeks. She hadn't thought how this would look to an outsider - especially one that didn't know of her nightmares.
Ron didn't want to open his mouth; it would bring everything into reality if he spoke. There would be no more pretending, no going back.
"Are you okay?"
The question was asked with no emotion, it was merely a compulsory. Ginny's head dropped she had lost her brother. She knew it.
Her head hung low Ginny nodded briefly.
"I suggest you get him out of here before mum and dad come to check on you. I don't think you want killing our mother on your soul either... do you?"
Ginny raised her head and stared at him in abject horror.
"Oh wait... maybe you don't. Maybe that was your exact plan. It's a perfect, play the injured daughter and then finish off the biddings of your lover and his dark lord."
Ginny's mouth dropped open.
"Stop."
"Why should I Ginny... why should I? Look at you sitting there with... with... him" Ron had never felt so much anger running through his system - not when he had been fighting for his life, not when he had found out about Percy, it was all cumulated here and now as he watched his sister betray them all.
"Goodbye Ginny." Ron had had enough. He didn't know what to say to her.
"Ron... no you don't understand."
"Ginny I don't think I want to understand to be quite honest. I understand that I was wrong about you. You have chosen your course I don't agree, but it's not my life. But Ginny, so help me god if you hurt anyone in this family..." Ron's hands tightened in a fist. He needed to get out of here. His anger was too great he couldn't even think.
He turned to leave.
"Wait Ron... please don't leave like this... I know that this looks bad but it's really not. Draco, he's not what you think." Ginny began to frantically respond. Tears were falling down her cheeks.
A roar of rage came from Ron's mouth. "Don't. Say. Anything to me. About. Him. Save your tears for somebody who cares." Ron pointed at Draco who remained seated on the bed. Ginny had rose shakily to her feet and was advancing toward the door.
"He is a deatheater, he hates everything that good stands for, he and his father are responsible for Percy's death and you don't care." Ron was yelling now.
"No. No he's not any of those things. If you would just stop and let me explain." Ginny was desperate, she couldn't lose her brother. She ran forward to him to touch him, make him understand that she was his sister; to make him listen and understand that all he thought wasn't true.
Ron pulled back dramatically from her touch. He couldn't stand to see his own flesh and blood defend someone who had hurt everyone he knew and loved, "don't. touch. me....whore." The last part of his statement was uttered softly, but still heard.
Ginny gasped her hand flew to her mouth. She stumbled backwards, not quite able to believe he had said that.
Draco, who had sat silently throughout the whole conversation, stood up. He had let the comments about him slide, it was to be expected. But, he couldn't let something so utterly hurtful be said to an innocent. Draco felt he deserved every comment that was thrown his way; he had worked for years to gain the hatred of Ron Weasley. But Ginny... she had done nothing, she did not deserve it. As little as Draco cared for people, when he did there was little he wouldn't do to protect that person.
Draco stepped in front of Ginny. He turned and placed his hands on her shoulders. He led her shocked form to the bed and gently sat her down. She was silent, unable to speak at the moment.
Draco advanced on the tall red head. They were similar in stature, what Draco lacked in height he made up for in musculature. Ron glared at the blonde. Before he could open his mouth, Draco let loose with a punch to Ron's left cheek.
Ron stumbled back in surprise. He grasped his injured cheek and stared back at Draco.
"Apologize!' Draco advanced on him, with fists raised. Ron retaliated with a swing at Draco, glancing across his temple as Draco attempted to dodge the throw.
Draco advanced again, he had the advantage of a cooler head but rage still ran through his system. He threw another punch that caught Ron's lip, splitting it. "I said apologize to her." Ron shot back again catching Draco heavily in the nose.
Ginny had come out her shock and ran toward the two fighting boys.
"Stop!" She attempted to grab Draco's arm to stop him from going after Ron again. Her attempts instead resulted in Ron landing another punch, this time an uppercut to Draco's abdomen. It momentarily knocked the breath from Draco's lungs.
Ginny glared at Ron who was breathing heavily. The two were sprawled in the hallway and as Ginny looked up she found four more pairs of eyes staring at the trio in shock. Ginny released Draco's arm sorry that her actions had resulted in his pain.
Draco was bent over trying to regain his wind. Ginny soothed a hand over his back trying to help him.
She heard Ron's yell of rage before she saw him coming. Apparently her attention toward Draco had only served to set Ron off again. Draco saw the attack coming and fell to the side; his hand flying up trying to pull Ginny along with him.
Everything seemed to happen instantaneously. Ron flew through the air and bowled into Ginny. The shrill voice of Molly Weasley could be heard making her way through Ginny's brothers "what is going on, for Merlin's sake it is the middle of the night". Finally a loud pop was heard and their father's voice announced the surprising presence of professor Dumbledore.
Ginny hit her dresser with a loud thunk, Ron landed on top of her depriving her of all air.
"Ginny!" Draco scrambled from his spot on the ground and headed toward the dresser.
He pulled Ron, who was nursing his head where it had connected with the edge of the dresser, off of Ginny. She was clutching her midsection and trying to find her footing. Ron groaned and rolled to the side.
Molly entered the doorway and gasped. She saw: her son, bleeding from his lip and a gash on his forehead; her daughter gasping for breath; and Draco Malfoy wrapping an arm around Ginny's shoulders and leading her toward the bed.
"Well what have we here" Professor Dumbledore's calming voice washed over the occupants of the room.
Draco's head shot up. He didn't know why he was surprised that Professor Dumbledore was standing before him, the man always knew when something was happening.
"Ron...Ginny.... what is going on here" Arthur walked up behind his wife who remained leaning against the doorjamb.
Ron glared indignantly at Draco and Ginny. "Nothing Mum, I was just taking care of some... trash."
"Ronald Weasley!" Molly shouted. She turned toward her daughter who was recovering from the blow she had just received. "Ginny why is he here? What is going on?"
Albus interjected saving Ginny from having to answer. "Molly, why don't we all go downstairs and I'll explain. Let them clean up and they can join us."
Molly and Arthur as well as the rest of the Weasley's followed the professor down the stairs.
Ron immediately picked himself up off the ground and left the room, muttering about underage wizarding laws and having to find bandages now.
Draco turned to Ginny after Ron had left the room. "Are you okay?" This version of the question was heartfelt.
"I'm better, he just knocked the wind out of me." She gently rubbed her sides, easing the sting away. "my ribs are still a bit sore, that's all" she responded to Draco's concerned look.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently touching his cheek which sported a bruise already. His nose had stopped bleeding but still ached fiercely.
"I'll be fine, it's not the first time I've fought and I'm sure it won't be the last." Draco was a bit angry with himself. He hated having to resort to common fighting. He felt it was beneath him to argue with his fists. Draco had always prided himself on his ability to resolve most arguments with his wit and intelligence, fighting was such a plebian act in his eyes. "I'm sorry that it had to result to that."
"It's okay. I understand. To be honest if felt kind of nice to have someone defend me - it hasn't happened very often lately."
Draco threw caution to the wind and pulled Ginny into a hug. Somehow the shock she momentarily thought she should be feeling at the thought of Draco Malfoy embracing her never came. Instead she breathed his scent in deeply, allowing it to calm her. He ignored all the warning bells that echoed through his mind and found to his surprise that it felt good to hold someone and to know that this simple act soothed them.
"How did you come from a family of such insufferable prats... Merlin!" Draco mused and Ginny chuckled in his arms. "And need I begin with this room - flowers on the curtains, really now!"
Ginny laughed for a few minutes but she quickly sobered.
"What's going to happen to now?" She raised her large topaz eyes to his and locked gazes.
"I don't know... Gin... I don't know" Draco sighed. He really didn't know and he hated it. He hated walking blindly, not knowing the next step to take and now he felt responsible for the situation Ginny found herself in. He did know that despite his uncertainty that he was strong enough to deal with the consequences of his actions.
He cleaned the blood off his nose, grabbed the hand of the small redhead and headed downstairs.
****************************************************************************
Preview (although I make no guarantees that all will make it into one chapter): - Reality hits the Weasley's and Draco - Don't worry the nightmare has not been forgotten - A trip to Diagon Alley - Harry enters the fray - A confused Ginny
A little thank you to the Reviewers
Ezmerelda: I swear you read my mind - it's starting to freak me out : ) As you can see I did throw Dumbledore in and he will play a much greater role in the next chapter. Thank you for your consistent reviewing!
Kirixchi: Thanks for the comments on the letters - I was hoping they sounded like Draco and Ginny but it was my first attempt at trying to convey their actions through letter. Believe me figuring out the Percy connection was hard - especially after OotP, but I needed someone to die and I like the twins too much to kill one of them and I've read too many stories where Ginny and Bill/Charlie have a special bond. It was time to mix things up! Hope you liked this chapter!
sexytexy: Oh yes don't you worry these kids are going back to good ol' Hogwarts. In fact that is where everything will get really good (I already have part of that written)!!!! I should have them on the Hogwarts express in the next two or three chapters. I must plead the fifth on what will happen in the love lives of Ron, Harry, and Hermione - But I do guarantee that there will be no question of Draco and Ginny.
Freak27thatsme: Thanks for the review! I'm glad that the characters have come across like I intended. The story is slow - but I have read so many D/G's where in two chapters they are humping like rabbits and while those have their place... for the characters and plot that reside in my mind it just couldn't evolve like that. I am also just long-winded by nature : ) I guess sorry for any spelling problems - I've only noticed one or two - didn't think it was a problem (spellcheck, my best friend, catches most of it). I refuse to comment on grammer becasue I have read so many worse stories and I am convinced that grammer is the bane of my existance (I got into law school - it must not be that bad!). Also thinking about it just puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the day!
and thank you to all the rest who reviewed, the first timers, and those that didn't leave a name. I appreciate the reviews immensely!!!!!