He didn't have to leave until that later evening, but Draco Malfoy was already at the arrival point, hidden inside a long, dark green jacket, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Open Late flashed from a café across the street in the middle of Muggle London. Draco crossed against the light and walked through the door into the little diner. He slid onto one of the red plastic booths, throwing his bag onto the seat across from him.
"What'll it be?" The waitress asked, looking down at the pad in her hand.
"Cup of coffee. Black." He wasn't looking at the girl, he was staring out the window at the corner across the street. He didn't want to chat with some Muggle. He just wanted to be alone for a little while.
"Draco?"
He looked up at the sound of his own name, noting the pretty little redhead, a blue bow tied around the end of her long braid, "Hey, Weasley." He said lazily. He hadn't seen her since his graduation this year. He hadn't seen anyone since then.
She smiled, "Haven't seen you in a long time. What're you doing here?"
Draco pointed to the duffel bag, "Dumbledore's sending me to France." He grimaced.
She nodded, knowing exactly what he meant, "Some birthday present, huh?"
Draco sneered at her, "How do you know my birthday, little Weasley? Been stalking me? Couldn't stand my not being in Hogwarts any longer?"
She shook her head, "I remember the parties before school let out, prat."
He smirked, "It's good to see you again, you know? Hell, it's good to see anyone again." At her nod, he pressed the issue, "Sit for a little while?" He pulled a face, "Not exactly dancing on the tables about leaving and it'd sure nice to have someone to talk to before I have to go, even if it is a Weasly."
That was probably as close at he was going to get to saying that he'd been lonely. Ginny could see that Draco was feeling depressed about Dumbledore's decision. She glanced over her shoulder, "I get off in an hour. If you don't mind waiting I know where we could go sit," She grinned, "and I suppose I could put up with you for a bit, even if you are a Malfoy."
He nodded and looked back out the window, ignoring the sarcasm, "Whatever."
She brought his coffee and he sat there for an hour, mostly watching that corner, but from time to time distracted by the customers and cleaning crew. This wasn't the way he'd seen it working out. He'd done what he'd done out of desperation, for God's sake, he wasn't Potter, driven by the need to do good deeds and fight the good fight. The cup of coffee stood untouched, growing cold as the night pressed on.
Ginny walked up to him, back in her jeans and a dark blue sweater with a yellow G on the chest. Draco figured her mom had made it for her. He remembered the ones that Potter and the Weasley boys used to wear.
"Ready?"
Draco nodded and grabbing the duffel bag headed out into the evening air ahead of her, "Cold for June."
Ginny jogged to catch up, "Yeah." She lead him over to the river and down by one of the bridges. There was a wooden bench where they could sit and throw rocks into the water, "Here?"
He nodded, "Sure."
She sat on the bench, not looking at him. They sat that way for almost five minutes before it finally got to her. She had to breach the subject or there was no point in coming, right? "I know what you did, you know. About your parents..." she trailed off, hoping he'd pick up from there.
Draco grimaced, "Yeah, everyone knows, our side and theirs. I didn't do myself any favours, turning them in like that."
She nodded, taking a stone and chucking it into the middle of the river. He wasn't completely happy with the decision and telling a Malfoy that he'd done something incredibly brave probably wasn't going to fly. After all, Draco was no Gryffindor.
They watched the stone as it was swallowed by the current. It was a long time before Draco spoke again, "Listen, Weasley, I know you probably have a boyfriend or something here, but I don't really care." He didn't look at her. He threw a rock of his own into the water, "Dumbledore's sending me into the non-apparition zone and it's a pretty good chance I won't be coming back for a while. I don't have anyone to write to while I'm in France." Draco laughed darkly, "and I don't think Dad'd appreciate an owl sent to his cell in Azkaban." His voice sounded harsh and bitter.
Ginny looked at him, finally. She could see the lines on his young face. She had to remind herself that he was just two days past eighteen. He looked ages older, the cares of the war pressing down on him. Or, perhaps it was just eighteen years of being a prat finally showing through.
Draco continued to look out at the river, "Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?"
Ginny nodded, still looking at him. Draco was lonely and she was more surprised than anything that he'd even suggested the plan. Knowing him, asking her if he could write had probably been harder than turning in both his parents, "I think I'd like that."
They sat in silence for twenty more minutes. Every now and then they'd throw a rock into the water and watch the river run away with it.
Finally, Draco stood, shouldering the duffel bag again, "I need to go. Dumbledore wanted me to catch the Knight Bus from that corner at 11:30."
Ginny got to her feet and smoothed down the sweater, "I'll see you off."
They stood at the corner and Draco extended his right hand. With much more ruckus than it deserved, the violently purple bus came into being near them.
Dumbledore stepped off, "Ahh, Mr. Malfoy. You made it." He smiled that happy smile, but Ginny could see the work it was taking to make his eyes twinkle, "Ms. Weasley." He smiled at her as Draco passed him the duffle bag.
Ginny placed a hand on his shoulder and, when Draco turned to her, she leaned in and hugged him, "I'll wait for your letter." She smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek, "Good luck."
Draco was startled by the show of affection and a cold mask slid over his features, "Thanks." He stepped onto the bus and turned his back to the girl who was possibly the only person who'd even realize he was gone. But then, that was only because they'd sat by the river for a little while.
Ginny waved anyway, not quite sure why she felt sad. This was a Malfoy, for goodness sake. But it was a Malfoy who gave everything for their cause. That made him worthy of her friendship, even if he didn't want it.