Summary: Ginny returns to Hogwarts for her seventh year and is surprised to find a hollow and broken Draco Malfoy. Ginny is determined to save a lost soul, even if he doesn't want to be saved.
Breaking the SilencePrologueWith a sigh of contentment, Ginny Weasley stepped off the Hogwarts Express and into the familiar, excited throng of returning students. It was a feeling of relief to be back at the school, knowing there were no threats of war or death within the walls of the Castle or in the Wizarding World for that matter. The war was over and Voldemort was gone for good. Harry had made sure of it less than three months ago on the very grounds, which Ginny was about to enter.
With a wide smile spread across her face, Ginny took off toward the carriages, waving at Hagrid as he rounded of the first years. She reveled in the simple pleasures she got from being able to relax and not look over her shoulder for impending danger and possible death. Also, she relished the fact that she did not stay home to wade in the shadows of her former boyfriend, Harry, her egocentric brother and her not-so-best-friend, Hermione. It hadn't taken long for Ginny to tire of the fame and success the 'Golden Trio' had attained from their defeat of Voldemort. The attention was going to their heads and Ginny could hardly stand to be in their presence for more than five minutes. It wasn't more than a month after the war when Ginny and Harry mutually decided to part ways. It was a huge relief off Ginny's shoulders and she was more than excited to leave the Burrow when her Hogwarts letter arrived. She was even more elated when she learned that the saviors of the Wizarding World would not be returning.
Ginny stood in the long line of students, deep in thought for ages and was finally brought from her reverie by a sharp, familiar, yet not quite the same as it used to be voice.
"Oi, Weasley! Are you coming or not?"
Ginny looked up at the hollow frame that used to be Draco Malfoy. With a cock of her brow she got onto the carriage, eyeing him with concern and curiousness. Ginny watched with interest as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked at his feet. She took this time to observe the subtle, yet noticeable differences in his facial features. His cheeks, which had never been more than chiseled perfection, were sunken in slightly. There were dark circles around his eyes and bags below from what appeared to be a severe lack of sleep. Though somehow, he still had that perfect, chiseled to perfection jaw line, which came together in a perfectly and not too pointy chin. Above said chin was a set of perfect, full and very kissable lips.
"Would you like a picture?" The cold voice cut through Ginny's musings like a knife and she felt the crimson blush burn her cheeks as she realized what she had been thinking. "Or are you done being rude?"
Ginny looked up into a pair of cold, desolate, gray eyes behind which she could see a sad and broken soul that yearned for affection.
"Why did you hold the carriage for me?" The question just slipped out before she could think about it thoroughly.
Draco looked up, one brow cocked. "What?"
Ginny shrugged. "I just wondered why you called out to me, when I simply could have taken the next carriage."
Draco shook his head, thoroughly irritated by her musings. "Why does it matter?"
With a furrowed look, Ginny turned away. "I supposed it doesn't."
Now it was Draco's turn to stare. He observed the small redhead curiously for a moment, her question reverberating in his mind. Why had he called to her? What had possessed him to do such a…mannerly thing?
With a slight shake of his head, Draco dismissed the thoughts and looked at his feet once again. The rest of the carriage ride was quiet aside from the chirping of insects and creak of the carriage wheels.