First, I want to start out by thanking my beautiful and talented beta, Key, without whom, I'd have no storyline, horrible grammar, and really, no fic at all.
Second, I'd like to thank a special select few who've given me information or just plain inspiration along the way: Rose (pretty much the HP almanac herself), the HP Lexicon, and my two writing heroes, Cassandra Claire and Glass Mermaid. There's more, but if I went on, we'd never get to the fic!
And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank each and every one of you who will read this, even if you only read the first chapter, as well as to those of you who will actually review it. Constructive criticism will only help better this, so please - your input means so much!
Thank you all SO much for your help, input, and inspiration. It means a lot. :)
Now, onto chapter one of You Must Love Me!
♥, Amy (s p l a s h d o w n)
Chapter 1 - Mysterious Dreams
She's running, her ginger hair on fire with the afternoon sunlight streaming down between treetops, her legs pumping harder than they ever have in all her years back home at the Burrow. But she's not at the Burrow anymore. And deeper and deeper into the forest she sprints, trees blurring past her as she goes. Green turns to red turns to brown turns to black. All black, every way she turns. The sun has stopped shining down through the branches of the trees, and darkness surrounds her.
And just as suddenly as she began running, she stops. Clutching her sides with both hands, the small girl heaves for air as she lets her eyes adjust to the enveloping blackness. CRUNCH. A fallen branch breaks in two on the forest floor. Wand in hand, she turns to face the sound, knowing what (and who) it is before she even begins to move. Her heartbeat quickens, and goosebumps appear all over her pale, freckled skin, as a cold chill descends upon her. She lets out a tiny gasp just as two silver eyes appear in front of her face out of the darkness...
Ginny Weasley woke with a start. Breathing hard, she gripped her chest forcefully and struggled to calm herself.
There's something about those eyes, she thought as she pushed herself out of bed and headed toward the kitchen of the flat she shared with longtime friend Hermione Granger. Nonsense, she scolded herself quickly. It was just a dream, Ginny. A dream, and that is all.
Ginny flicked her right hand as she entered the kitchen, and the lights rose from darkness, encasing the pale blue room in brightness. Without thinking, she crossed the kitchen swiftly, opened a high cupboard, and pulled out a clear glass. Just as she finished filling the glass full of water from the sink, a disgruntled-looking Hermione walked in.
"Can you make that two, please?" Hermione asked, bringing a hand up to her mouth as she tried to unsuccessfully stifle the yawn yearning to break loose.
Ginny smiled as she reached back into the cupboard for an identical glass and filled it up.
"Mmmmm," Hermione mumbled, thanking Ginny and grabbing the glass from Ginny's outstretched hand, ignoring (or not noticing at all) the amused gleam coming from the other girl's dark brown eyes.
Ginny loved living with Hermione. Even though she'd moved in barely a month ago after graduating from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she couldn't imagine life any differently. Ever since her first year at Hogwarts, she and Hermione had had a special friendship, albeit a little rocky at the start. It seemed only fitting that they now shared a flat on Magic Alley (right next to Diagon Alley in Magical London).
Ginny especially loved mornings with Hermione. Despite the abnormality of the dream she'd just had, Ginny usually woke very early and very easily. Hermione, on the other hand, did not. Ginny was constantly amused each morning as she greeted the sun with open arms while Hermione would much rather greet the sun during the afternoon after a long lie-in, a trait which, Ginny suspected, Hermione picked up from her older brother and Hermione's boyfriend, Ron.
"How is it that you are always so," Hermione paused, a disgusted look upon her face, "awake." She placed her now empty glass upon the table.
Ginny laughed. "You sound more and more like Ron everyday. Watch out, Hermione, you might start sprouting ginger hair. In fact, I think I see one..." she finished with a smirk and pointed right above Hermione's left ear.
Hermione blushed lightly as she brought her hand up to her head, and Ginny's smirk widened. She walked to the window above the table and opened the white floral curtains that Hermione's mother had recently bought for them and let the sunlight pour in, illuminating the kitchen even more. As she opened the window and let the breeze ruffle through her hair, she sighed. It was clearly going to be a beautiful day, as there were already hardly any clouds in the bright blue sky. Ginny smiled at the possibility of having a picnic in the park and spending the evening curled up tight with her own boyfriend, Harry Potter. Just as soon as that thought popped into her head, another one burst through. The dream. Ginny shut her eyes and breathed deeply. Why did she have such a silly dream? She hadn't thought about the boy those silver eyes belonged to in months and certainly hadn't seen him for longer than that. Ginny shook her head and cleared it of all thoughts, opened her eyes, and turned back to her roommate, taking a seat opposite her at the table.
"What do you have planned for the day?" she asked Hermione, who was clearly grateful it was the weekend and that she didn't have to go into the Ministry at all.
Hermione was interning under Ginny's father in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office at the Ministry of Magic. While her job wasn't as demanding as most, she certainly used up a lot of energy trailing after Arthur Weasley, despite her love for him, and the thought of spending one more consecutive day pent up in a rather small office with flying memos buzzing about her head was simply too much. Even though Hermione loved her sleep, she would give it up to have a day off, especially on a day like this.
No answer.
Ginny's eyebrows came together as she struggled to obtain Hermione's attention. "Hermione? OY, HERMIONE!" Ginny shouted, kicking her friend under the table.
This time Hermione's eyebrows raised as she finally glanced away from the window.
"Ouch," she said, extending a long, sun-tanned arm down under the table to rub her shin where, moments before, Ginny had gracefully given her a new bruise. "What'd you do that for?"
"I've only been trying to ask you your plans for the day for the past five minutes," Ginny replied, amused. Noticing the rose tinge that appeared on Hermione's cheeks, she quickly added, "so what's up?" while her eyes searched Hermione's, genuinely concerned.
Hermione slightly nodded and began to rise from the table. Ginny knew exactly where she was heading and stood up to follow her. They both made their way into the sitting room.
There were many things that went unsaid between the two girls. Whenever they had a feeling or just wanted to speak to each other alone, they shared a meaningful glance, and both quickly and quietly excused themselves in order to talk in private. When they were in the privacy of their own flat, they always headed to the sitting room, letting themselves dissolve into the dark green sofa cushions.
"What's up?" Ginny repeated, once both girls were very comfortably settled under matching off-white blankets which Ginny's mother had graciously knitted upon hearing Ginny's news of sharing a flat with Hermione.
Hermione's unsteady brown eyes slowly reached Ginny's patient gaze, which was both very usual and unusual all at once. Ginny was especially known for her impatience with most people, but for those she knew and loved dearly, she gladly gave her time, knowing that what they had to do and say were of more importance.
They stared at one another for a quick moment, letting unsaid words pass between them. Finally, Hermione spoke.
"Last night, you may or may not have noticed that I had more than enough to drink," she said, slightly flushing once more.
Ginny nodded. She quite clearly remembered Hermione's actions from the previous night's festivities. It was very unlike the girl she knew, but she chalked it up to the fact that it was a special occasion - Harry's 19th birthday. She willed Hermione to go on.
"Well," Hermione paused. "Did you notice who made a special appearance?" she asked vehemently, rolling her eyes to show that it was someone of which she didn't exactly approve.
Ginny's mind searched. She tried remembering who she'd talked to or had spotted around, but no one out of the ordinary caught her attention. There was George and Fred, Angelina, her parents, old friends from Hogwarts, Dumbledore... nothing came up. But then again, her night mostly consisted of Harry. She smiled to herself, unaware of the watchful eye of her roommate until Hermione gave her an odd look, and Ginny's mind came back to the present.
"I honestly can't remember, Hermione," she admitted, as Hermione tutted and took a deep breath to continue.
"Fleur Delacour," she replied flatly, her eyes dull but her cheeks still colored.
Ginny's eyebrows shot up. She suddenly recollected watching her brother, Ron, talking with Fleur for hours in the corner chairs of the flat he and Harry shared.
Hah, it's no wonder Hermione drank so much, then, Ginny thought. Once again, she had to forcefully bring her mind back to the present and smiled reassuringly.
"Hermiiiiiiiiiione," she drawled, making her roommate laugh slightly. "You have nothing to worry about. Believe me," she added, the many overheard conversations between her brother and her friend returning to her mind. It was Ginny's turn to faintly flush.
Hermione still looked put out, but brightened a bit at Ginny's words. "I know," she said reluctantly, "but I'm just a little embarassed about my so-called jealous rage and how I acted. Ron must be furious." She pulled the covers up over her head and sighed outloud.
Ginny laughed again. "Hermione Jane Granger, you are an idiot." Hermione shrugged the blanket from atop her head and glared at Ginny.
"What!" she yelled, tossing a green pillow at her roommate, her eyes glowing from half-amusement, half-shock.
Ginny shrieked in laughter once more and continued. "You have known Ron for years, and you still think that he would be furious?" She paused to laugh a bit more, watching Hermione's face visibly relax. "He probably thought it was the funniest thing ever and is out making you a sweater that says, 'I get pissed in jealous rages' on it right now. Or," she added, "he's still sleeping but is dreaming about it."
Hermione smiled. "I still feel a bit ridiculous."
Ginny smacked her with a pillow. "Get over it," she replied, grinning. "Besides, what's Fleur got that you haven't? Other than blonde hair?"
Ginny's mind reeled, just as Hermione slugged her again with another pillow. Blonde hair, she thought, feeling a bit of the color drain from her face. STOP IT, GINNY.
She quickly stood and announced that she was going to the loo to clean up for the day. Hermione, thankful for being consoled as well as for having a flat with two loos, stood and hugged her friend.
"Thanks, Gin," she said quietly, tugging a stray strand of curly, brown hair behind her ear.
Ginny smiled back in response, and the two parted ways as they each headed to their bedrooms, which were on opposite sides of the flat.
As Ginny reached the comfort of her own room, she closed the door and leaned her back against it, sighing and willing her mind to stay away from the subject of her dream.
It was going to be a long day.
-------
"Ginny, just get out of here! Now!" a sudden voice booms, sending chills down her spine.
"What?" she asks increduously. "No! Not until you tell me what's going on!" Footsteps. Closer and closer. Somebody's coming. But who? A tall, slender boy with white hair and handsome features strides towards her and takes her face in his hands. "Listen to me, Weasley. We don't have time to play these silly little games. I don't have time for this. It's over, is that what you wanted to hear? Now GET OUT!" he shouts at her, pointing his long finger in the direction of the fireplace. More footsteps. Louder and louder and louder until they're right outside the door. BANG BANG BANG. They're knocking, demanding to be let in. Shouts and screams and yells. Pounding down the door. They're going to break it down. "Go!" he hisses at her, his silver eyes shining in the light of the fire. The girl grabs a handful of shimmering powder, launches herself into the fireplace, and vanishes. The last thing she sees is a pair of silver eyes boring right into her very own.
"Ginny," he called softly. "Wake up, Gin."
"Mmmm," she mumbled, turning over onto her side. "What time is it?"
He laughed. "Lunch time. Aren't you hungry?"
"How long have I been asleep?" Ginny asked, rubbing her eyes and finally sitting up. That's funny, she thought. I don't even remember falling back asleep.
"Well, from the look of things, you've just gotten out of the shower," the boy casually replied, smirking and pushing his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose.
Ginny finally turned her gaze upon the owner of the deep voice and stared into his bright green eyes, a smile playing at her lips.
"Hi," she said, grinning, her brown eyes crinkling around the corners.
"Hi back," Harry replied, pushing a strand of still-wet ginger hair behind her ear. He loved her hair. It reminded him of Christmas and warm apple pie and Gryffindor and Ron and cinnamon and the Burrow and peace. But mostly it reminded him of happiness. Utter blissful happiness. The kind that covers you like rain after a long drought. Relieving. Inspiring.
But most importantly, he loved her. He was sure of it.
She grabbed his hand in both of hers and finally tore her gaze away from his eyes. Looking down at herself, she muttered an "Oh!" in realization of what she was wearing. A towel covered her body, and nothing else.
"Goodness," she squeaked, giggling at herself. "I must've crawled back into bed after I showered. How Hermione of me." She smirked and wished her brother could've heard that one; Ron would have whooped in agreement.
Harry laughed and kissed her on the mouth. Ginny let his warmth fill her and sighed. He pulled away and smiled at her.
"I'll let you get dressed then," he said slowly.
"Harry Potter!" Ginny exclaimed, highly amused as she noticed the reluctance in his voice. "I am utterly scandalized!"
"You sound like your mother," he said out of the corner of his mouth, wincing as she swatted his arm playfully.
Laughing, Ginny shouted, "OUT!" and Harry obeyed, but not before taking one last glimpse of the girl he loved just as the door closed shut.
Ginny continued laughing. She loved laughing, and even more so with Harry. It felt good to share things with him, especially secrets, which she'd been kept out in the dark on for far too long. I deserve this, she thought, bringing her hands up to her face and running her fingers along her lips. Mmmm, still warm, she smiled to herself.
As her fingers drifted over to her cheeks, she stopped dead in her tracks. She suddenly remembered something.
Oh no. The dream. Another one. What is happening to me? Ginny looked around her bedroom, taking in the unmade bed and the clothes littering the floor. Calm down, Ginny. Get dressed. Harry's waiting for you. Harry. You can worry about the rest later.
After rummaging about her room for something decent (and clean) to wear, Ginny decided on a tight green t-shirt and a new jean skirt Hermione had given her just a few days ago. She slipped on her shoes, dabbed on a bit of light make-up, sprayed on a few splashes of Harry's favorite perfume, pulled her hair up, and opened the door. Harry was sitting on the sofa, looking around the flat as she entered. His eyes fell on her and brightened further.
"You look great," he said softly, putting his arms around her waist and breathing in the familiar scent that was just plain Ginny.
"Thanks," she replied lightly, letting herself fall into him and nuzzling her nose into his neck. "Whub Hubmibe?" she mumbled into his shirt.
Harry laughed. "Care you repeat that?"
Ginny dislodged herself and asked again. "Where's Hermione?"
"Oh," he replied. "She left with Ron just as I got here."
"Did she look okay?" Ginny questioned, remembering the conversation they'd had earlier that morning.
Harry looked at her blankly, as if trying to recall something from ten years ago. "She looked the same as usual. Ron, however, was in a fit of hysterics; I thought he'd gone mad or something. But I don't blame him, really. Not after the show Hermione put on last night," he added, smirking. "Brilliant."
Ginny laughed and felt relieved until her stomach rumbled, and she suddenly felt hunger set in.
"Somebody's hungry," Harry remarked, taking his wand out of his belt loop. "I'll meet you at the joke shop, okay?" He kissed her cheek and smiled at her before Disapparating.
Ginny stood and stared at the spot where Harry had just been, smiling to herself. Today is going to be a good day after all, she thought, abandoning all prior thoughts.
She grabbed her wand and Disapparated after her boyfriend.
She loved Harry. And she knew that no matter what, as long as she and Harry were together, nothing could ever separate them. Of this, she was sure.
-------
Ginny loved spending quality one-on-one time with Harry. Since he defeated Voldemort a little over a year ago, he'd been a completely different person, it seemed. He was more carefree and, although he still guarded himself, wasn't always on high alert like he was throughout his Hogwarts days. It always warmed her heart when she saw him laughing and opening up to people - including herself - so she found herself observing him as much as she could.
That night, she watched as he picked at his food and continually glanced around the tavern. She watched as he smiled and greeted old friends and strangers alike. She even watched him try to steal glances at her.
Finally, after another unsuccessful stolen glance, Harry cleared his throat. Ginny looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to speak, his cough indicating to her that something important was on his mind.
He noticed her watchful eye - he always did - and it usually didn't bother him. Tonight, however, he'd been planning for some time, so her constant looks were making him slightly nervous.
"Er, Ginny," he began, searching for the three little words he'd waited to say for months, possibly even years. He wasn't sure when he began loving Ginny, but he knew for sure that he never wanted to stop. It was time to tell her how he felt, after putting it off for entirely too long. Yet, he realized he couldn't quite say it yet, watching her as she diligently watching him back.
"Yes, Harry?" she questioned, encouraging him to continue.
"Er... d'you fancy a walk with me?" he asked her, barely stumbling through, feeling a bit disappointed with himself.
"Sure," Ginny replied, scooting off her chair and sliding it back to it's place with a flick of her wand. She smiled back at him as he watched her closely, looking for any signs of annoyance. When he found none, he followed her lead and put his own chair back into place.
The two exited the tavern and began strolling down the lane. This was Ginny's favorite time of day, dusk; neither daylight nor nightfall. Everything was enveloped in twilight, giving off a bright, mysterious glow that Ginny reckoned was the most beautiful thing in the world, next to Harry's eyes, of course.
He grabbed her hand, and she smiled at his nervousness, something that was a bit unusual, but Ginny enjoyed that she was still able to make him feel that way, especially after all those years of him making her feel like that. She wondered what was up, but didn't want to prod. He would tell her when the time was right, this she knew. He always did.
They continued walking, greeting friends along the way until they arrived at a tiny park in the middle of Magical London. They sat down on a bench near a fountain and watched the passersby, some staring at Harry, trying to catch a glimpse at the famous lightning bolt scar that was plastered on his forehead, others oblivious to all of the world around them. They watched small children playing in the fountain and laughed, both wondering if that, in turn, would be their own children someday. The couple watched the sunset and the rising stars that followed, all the while keeping their fingers intertwined, both unconsciously afraid that if they let go of one another, the world would spin out of control, and they'd be alone.
Harry, mustering up all of his Gryffindor courage, turned, once again, to Ginny. "Ginny, there's something I've, er, been meaning to tell you." He stared into her dark brown eyes and hoped beyond hope that she felt the same way; that what he was about to say was the right thing. He was never very suave with women, and even though he felt more comfortable with Ginny than he had with any other girl, he was still slightly embarrassed at what was about to come out of his mouth.
"What is it, Harry?" she asked, concern flooding her eyes.
"Oh, nothing bad, don't worry," he quickly replied, feeling dreadful that he'd made her even the tiniest bit worried. "It's just, well. I, er... Iloveyou, Ginny," he finished in a slur. Feeling sudden dread creeping into his stomach, he became very interested in his fingers laced with hers, all the while hoping that she didn't think he was a complete git.
But Ginny didn't hear him. "What?" she asked, more to herself than to Harry. Harry blanched, and, Ginny, once again, was oblivious.
In the split second it had taken Harry to continue talking and spit out what he was trying to say, Ginny had looked away over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of something more terrifying and more exhilerating than anything she'd felt in a long time: perfect blond hair, a tall, slender frame, a handsome face, and those burning silver eyes.
Draco Malfoy was back in London.