The stillness of the night cruelly taunting. Dark. Quiet. But an unseen war still raged on beyond the borders of the Forbidden Forest. The atmosphere was fitting. After the Boy Who Lived was slain by the Dark Lord, all efforts seemed fruitless, all efforts of fighting back fruitless. But tragedy was no stranger to the girl with the scarlet hair. Inside, her own war was waging.

Were her signs not enough? Were her words not heard? Were her actions misinterpreted? No. Perhaps He was just frightened. It had been many years...enough time for fear to cultivate. At least, that is what she would have liked to think. However, after ten, long, lifeless years she was doubtful...hopeless. What had happened? In her heart, she knew that everything that her hopes for the future died alongside the man with the lightning bolt scar. Love was an idle fantasy, and trust a foolish act of naivety. No matter how hard she prayed, she would never be able to hold him again, hear his calm, even voice, to gaze into his awe inspiring, features. She didn't even know if he was still drawing breath. The thought made her shudder deeply within. Why did he go? Why did he leave her behind? Her mind whirled with puzzlement, fear, heartbreak – what happened?

Her pale, delicate fingers laced around the polished marble rails that now surrounded the astronomy tower. Ever since the Dark Lord took power, everything had changed...absolutely everything. The castle was dim and dreary. It was rare to witness a smiling child or hear a laugh ringing in the halls. And, since the Deatheater she had inexplicably came to love was gone, it had become worse. No knowing if the world would change as she woke in bed one morning. No knowing if she would wind up dead the next night. No knowing if she would have the will to wake up at all. But death was something she had become accustomed to.

The wind swam through her hair as she leant forward into the night sky, and she gripped the railing even tighter, her knuckles going stark white. Her hand moved forward into the heavens, as if reaching out to grab a star. Was he up there now? In all His efforts of following in Snape's footsteps and infiltrating the Dark Lord's ranks, had fate betrayed him? She drew back, petrified of her own mourning of what she dare not dwell on. However much it had diminished over the years, faith was still something she struggled to hold on to.

A chill ran down her spine and she wrapped her cloak tighter around her body, imagining a pair of arms – His arms around her, His breath on her neck. Not even her fantasies could temporarily free her from torment...she knew he would not be there as she had imagined so many nights before. She could not allow herself to wish so carelessly. It would be the same tomorrow, as always. She would teach her precious students how to defend themselves from the terror that still ensued in their world. That was all she could do. Day after day that is what she did. Waiting for a day when she could have a student without worrying for their lives to be spared through the holidays. But nothing is that simple.

An aching in her chest tore her from her thoughts. Her heart felt as if it might burst. For a short moment, she wished it would. Then, perhaps she wouldn't have to fight the madness that threatened to take over. Another gust calmed her thoughts and put her at ease for but a few seconds. Acceptance of loss did not come easy, but she had finally chosen it. Not with all the magic in the world could she bring Him back to her. She paused, letting the breeze sweep across her face, her eyes closed. Perhaps death would finally bring her peace...and bring her to Him. This would be her last breath...she would make it worthwhile.

Slowly, she lifted a leg over the railing, followed carefully by the other, her back leaning on the rail. This was it...no more waiting. No more pain. Her heart panged roughly and she stopped, letting herself rest on death's edge. She looked down into the misty earth, her mind racing. Could she really do this? Could she urge herself to leave everything behind? She had faith, yes...but was there enough to keep enduring this life without Him? Tears rushed to her eyes. She had suffered so much...why would he do this to her? Did he realize where his actions would lead him? Did he realize how much remorse he had place upon her shoulders? Her sobs became powered with rage and she screamed out into the night, her tears raining onto the castle grounds like an angry storm.

"I'm sorry."

"Shut up! I hate you! I hate you for doing this to me!"

"I'm so sorry, Ginny."

No. The torment would be kept at bay. This was nothing more but another illusion...another haunting memory. Why did he taunt her so? Why did his image forever remain in her mind? This torture was a miasma she could not escape.

"Get away!" she shrieked into the darkness.

"Ginny. . ."

No...this couldn't be possible. This was another cruel dream...it had to be.

"No...you're not real. Stay away from me." As her words escaped her she whimpered in pain, for she knew she was lying to herself and it was unbearable. Time had passed like wet sand through an hour glass, but after ten years...after the suffering and the agonizing waiting...he was back. She couldn't be sure if she preferred death to facing him again. Why? Why now?

"I'm here, Ginny. I'm right here."

In a struggle for breath, her heart nearly stopped as she felt his arms wrap around her, embracing her tightly as he lifted her carefully back over the railing. Looking at him seemed too easy. If this was a dream, he would disappear and she would be left alone once again. Fear kept her eyes low. A part of her loathed him more than anything for making her suffer. He placed her back on her feet, his hands clasping hers. It wasn't until he gently took hold of her chin, that she was forced to look into those painfully familiar eyes.

"It's over. My role in this damned war is done. I swear, I'll never leave you again."

She couldn't remove her gaze from his handsome face. This had to be a dream. This all seemed too good to be real. He couldn't be back. In her mind he was long dead in an unmarked grave. She would never see him again. After he set out as a turncoat for the Order, no word of his whereabouts reached her ears for nearly ten years. And now, as simple as that, here he was, standing inches away from her, alive, well...and real.

"Why? Why are you here?"

"I was getting too close. I've done all I can for the Order. I –" he swallowed hard, his eyes flickering momentarily. "I had to kill him – my father. He left me no choice." His callused hands meticulously moved up her arms and gently gripped her shoulders as if she were made of glass. "You're all I have left now. I promised you I would come back. I promised I'd never truly leave you. And even after all these years, I bloody well intend to keep that promise."

Heavy tears continued to flow freely from her eyes, dripping off her chin and onto the ground. This was too much to take. How could it be so simple? It almost seemed unfair to her...that he could return to her so freely and she could not
even know of his location, could not hear his voice.

"I don't understand...how can this seem so easy? Do you have any idea what I've been through? You can't begin to understand how hard it's been, how every other breath was spent wondering if you would ever come back."

"Yes I can. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't stop thinking of you. And it was the thought of somehow making this world a better place to live in that kept me going day after day. The thought of making you proud, giving you a future you deserve. I'm not letting you leave me, Ginny. I'm not as strong as you are."

Ginny slowly closed the space between them and wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly, taking in his scent. And for the first time in ten years she smiled, lighting up the darkness around her. This was real...she was sure of it now. He looked down upon her and returned her embrace lovingly, never wanting to let go, and kissed her forehead, tears filling his crystal eyes.

"Marry me, Ginny."

Trembling, the scarlet haired woman sighed into his chest. "It's been a long time coming, Draco."

His strength renewed, Draco raised both hands to cup and beckon her face closer, urgently pressing his lips to hers.