I do not own Harry Potter or any of JK Rowling's other amazing creations.  I'm not making a dime off this story.  I just do it for my own amusement and the reviews (hint, hint).

Letters

            Ginny Weasley had always enjoyed receiving mail.  It did not happen often, but when a letter (and a few feathers) unexpectedly fell from above her head and landed in her lap, a feeling of excitement would swell up inside her while her eager fingers broke the letter's seal.  She would immediately devour the text with her eyes and smile to herself at the realization that someone cared enough to write to her, even if it was from one of her many family members, which it always was.  However, the arrival of a letter was no longer an event to celebrate because, during these hectic times, they often carried unwelcome news about the Dark Lord's latest activity.  So, when Ginny discovered she was the recipient of a letter one Thursday morning, her face paled and instant worries popped into her mind.  Her fingers trembled above the seal, while she decided whether or not to read its contents.

            "Can you pass the salt, Ginny?" Ron asked without looking at her.  She swiftly tucked the epistle into the pocket of her robes before complying with Ron's request.  Luckily, but unsurprisingly, no one noticed her actions.  She continued to pick at her scrambled eggs while she considered what could be in the letter.  Her name had been carelessly scribbled across the envelope in her father's unmistakable handwriting.  Thoughts of her father, mother, and brothers sprang into her concerned head.  It was no secret to Ginny that they were working against Voldemort, doing things that she was never allowed to hear about.  Even Ron would not tell her what was happening, claiming she was too young to hear about it.  How could she possible be too young?  She was in her sixth year and a prefect with many responsibilities, but the answer must be that Ron's extra year of knowledge had made him infinitely wiser than her.

            Hermione poked Ginny in the arm with her spare hand, since her other one was being held possessively by Ron.  "You better get going to class, or else you'll be late," Hermione warned with a pleasant smile.  Ginny absent-mindedly picked up her bag and headed off towards Charms, but she soon discovered her feet were not leading her in the proper direction.  Before she knew it, she was standing outside in front of Hogwarts.  She consulted her watch and realized she would never make it to class on time, so she found a comfortable spot hidden by the trees and sat down.  Anyway, it did not really matter if she missed Charms, since Flitwick never cared if one of his best pupils skipped.  She reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter.  She looked at it for one moment before quickly opening it.

Dear Ginny,

            I hope school is going well.  I'm afraid you and Ron will have to stay at Hogwarts over the Easter holidays.  Your father thinks it is for the best, and I happen to agree with him.  It is much safer for you to remain where you are for the time being.  But you may still send your robes home so I can mend them.

            Have you read the Daily Prophet lately?  I am sure you have, but you may not have noticed an article concerning your brothers.  They were not mentioned by name, of course, but it detailed the capture of three Death Eaters by "two valiant brothers" (Fred and George).  They have never made me so proud!  Give my love to Ron, Harry, and Hermione.

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                Mom

            Ginny shook her head and giggled at the idea of her mother being unspeakably proud of the twins.  How many times had she yelled at them, telling them to do something meaningful with their lives?  She vaguely recalled the article and decided to ask Hermione, who kept every item concerning Death Eaters and the like, if she could see that particular copy of the newspaper.  She was not surprised that she and Ron would be stuck up at Hogwarts for another holiday.  In fact, it would seem strange if they actually did get to go home.  Forgetting her mother's words for the moment, she looked down at the discarded envelope lying on the ground and wondered why her father had written her name.  She picked it up and dug around for another piece of parchment but found nothing.  "Hmm," she murmured in wonderment.  Then a curious idea occurred to her, and she very carefully unfolded the envelope, discovering more of her father's handwriting on the inside of the paper.  Her inquisitive eyes instantly began reading this second letter.

Dear Pumpkin,

            How are you doing dear?  Perhaps you noticed that I addressed the envelope, and there is a definite reason for that.  Your mother asked me to mail your letter from the ministry, and I took this chance to let you in on some information I should have told you a long time ago.  Just don't tell your mother about it.  She seems to still think of you as a little girl who won't be able to handle this.  She is being quite silly if you ask me, since she told Ron.

            You know that Charlie has been working secretly for our side in Romania for some time, but I must admit he has been doing far more dangerous things than taming dragons.  It has been nearly four months since we last heard from him, and we fear the worst.  Please do not get too worried Ginny darling.  Dumbledore has many people looking for him, and there is a strong possibility he will be found.

            Keep getting those terrific marks and making your mother and me proud!

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                Dad

            Shock was the first emotion that surged through Ginny's petite body.  She continued to stare at the letter in her hand, while its meaning registered in her brain.  For a few long moments she did not move because she was paralyzed by sadness and fear.  Suddenly, she erupted with violent sobs, dropping the letter on the ground next to the one from her mother.  How could something like this happen?  It was never supposed to be her family members dying mysteriously.  That happened to other people, not her.  She kept crying until she almost could not breathe.  Regaining some semblance of composure, she looked around for her letters, only to discover that they were no where in sight.  Oh no!  If they had blown away, then she would have to go searching for them, and she felt far too weak to do that kind of activity.  She frantically began searching the ground around her, until her puffy eyes landed on a tall someone standing behind her with her two letters in his hands.  "Are you afraid that you lost your precious letters, Weasel?" Draco Malfoy drawled while he coolly waved the two pieces of parchment in front of himself.

            "Give those back!" Ginny demanded in a hoarse voice.  She attempted to stand so she could try to grab the letters from his grasp, but her legs refused to support her.  She let out a frustrated groan, while Draco chuckled.  Of all the people to find her, why did it have to be him?  The urge to cry overcame her again, but she bit her lip and forced herself to glare at Draco in the most menacingly way she could.

            To Ginny's great surprise, Draco sat down on the ground next to her.  "Here, read this.  Then maybe you won't feel so sorry for yourself anymore."  She wiped her watery eyes and looked at the piece of parchment he had handed her.  It was a letter, but not one addressed to her.

Dear Draco,

            Your last letter must surely have been a joke, but neither your father nor I can understand your attempt at humor.  Being a Malfoy, you must follow what your family dictates your destiny to be.  Your father, who is too infuriated at the moment to even speak of you in a logical manner, has intended you to be a Death Eater from the moment you were born.  We have given you everything you ever wanted, and now it is your turn to repay us.  This is not something you can argue your way out of, and why you would ever want to join the wrong side is beyond me.  Everything is arranged, and you will not stop it.  You would not wish to make an enemy of your own family.  Your father and I await your reply.

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                Mother

            The cold formality of Mrs. Malfoy's manner was what struck Ginny first.  She instantly compared it to her own mother's letter and wondered why Mrs. Malfoy had bothered to write "Love" at the end.  Next, the meaning of those icy words sunk into her brain, and she let her eyes fall on Draco.  He was staring at nothing in particular, deep in thought.  Ginny cleared her throat, and he looked at her.  She tried to read something into his expression, but it was just as controlled and unfeeling as ever.  "I'm sorry," Ginny mumbled as she handed him back his letter.

            "Don't be sorry," he sneered.  He tossed her letters at her, which she quickly gathered and stuffed in her pockets.  "You looked pretty pathetic sitting out here sobbing, Weasley.  I thought you were upset because you finally realized that Potter is never going to notice you."

            Ginny chuckled as much as her emotional state would allow, which caused Draco to give her a questioning look.  "I realized that a few years ago, Malfoy.  Not everyone is as hung up on him as you are," she replied with a small smile.  But before Draco could retort, Ginny continued in a more serious strain.  "So, you want to join our side, huh?  Even after that letter?"

            Draco did not bat an eye and answered, "Of course I do."  He went back to staring at nothing while he lost himself in his thoughts.  Ginny stopped to consider his past behavior for a moment.  True, he had been a complete asshole to her family and friends, but recently he had ignored, rather than insulted and berated, them.  He had been under the influence of his family for so long; perhaps he was finally seeing the light, so to speak.  She wondered how Ron or Harry would react if Draco had confessed his true allegiance to them.  "When did you start skipping class?" Draco suddenly asked without glancing towards her.

            "When did you?" she retorted.  She merely received a grunt as a reply.  "Draco?"  The use of his Christian name instantly caused his eyes to be drawn to her.  "Why?"  She was no longer talking about skipping class, and they both knew it.

            He stretched and stood up.  "Perhaps I'll tell you some other time," he paused, "Ginny."  He extended his hand towards her, and she took it so he could help her rise.  They walked back to the castle in silence, while Draco still held her hand tightly in his.

*****

A/N: Well, that story just poured out of me in one night.  I suppose it was a rare moment of creativity.  Sorry that it was not too romantic.  But since it's only a hinted at G/D, shippers and non-shippers alike can enjoy it.  Tell me what you think people.  Please review.