A/N: I thought I should set some things straight. First, the story only follows canon up until the fifth book. Draco is supposed to kill Dumbledore but he doesn't want to so he becomes a spy for the Order doing pretty much the same thing Snape was doing, though not at the same level. Draco was in on the whole Snape killing the headmaster plan. The war ends the summer after Harry's sixth year. Snape's reputation is cleared and they all carry on with their lives. Till now...Is she insane, or is he really back?: )
Her mind was on fire. Her flesh was melting. He was touching her and oh-dear-gods, it was the sweetest touch in the world. Only he could do that to her skin, make it talk, make it tell him what she wanted, what she needed from him. Eyelids covering lustful eyes, shallow breaths and limbs intertwined. He was touching her hair, fire, lava, lust. Her eyes met his and a playful smirk rose to his lips. A smirk she rarely got to see now that he was free to be his silent self but that she inwardly missed. She gave into the sensation and incandescent darkness covered her eyes again.
"Draco..", his name tasted so good. So harsh and tender, just like him. Mysterious and full of tradition. Caught in another time, in another dimension, just their own. There were no dangers, her mind and body were his but this time she didn't mind not belonging to herself. He would never abuse the power. She had the same brand of control over him, she knew it, she felt it.
"Not Draco, Ginevra. We don't like traitors, remember?"
Her eyes opened and didn't see the grey she had prayed for. There was nothing but bitter blue and cheerful laughter that hurt her ears and numbed her body.
"I'm back for you. I promised, didn't I?"
And his touch hurt. His mere fingers on her felt like daggers. Daggers digging for blood.
"So pure..", he said as he watched crimson pearls form on her shoulder, "I've always loved to see you bleed for me, love."
"Ginny..."
No, not Ginny. She would never be Ginny to him. She was Ginevra. Could she ever be Ginny again?
"Come on Gin, wake up."
Of course... Ron. To Ron she was Ginny. Ron didn't know Ginevra, Ron didn't know what Ginevra could do, how she could watch innocent people die, how she would watch as they were tortured, pure fascination kidnapping her mind. Who was Ginny? A creature born from the perceptions of others. Sweet, smart, pretty Ginny. Ginny was pretty, Ginevra was beautiful. But she wasn't either one. She was just another one, another one being lead into nothingness.
"I'm up."
"Time to get you home."
She nodded weakly and tried to get out of the white sheets. Her head was spinning madly. The calming draught had relaxed all of her muscles and they now refused to function. She had been sleeping for so long she had begun to think she might be dead. And the possibility that even that realm was invaded by Tom made her cling to life desperately.
Her vision cleared, and this time she saw the grey she had craved earlier. Without a word he picked her up and headed towards the fireplaces.
"You could have just levitated her.", she heard Ron's voice from afar.
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Two weeks had passed since "Ginny's incident". Two Tom filled weeks. Weeks during which the pavement seemed to move and the air felt solid, like tar in her lungs.
She was going back to work today. With mechanical movements she walked to the closet. She picked out a random robe, not glancing at its colour like she would have three weeks ago. She dressed herself and glanced at the covered mirror. No make up today. Her pale complexion and the bruises exhaustion had left around her eyes would not be covered. She dreaded the questions. Dealing with concerned gossip and genuine preoccupation would take all her strength and the effort ahead frightened her. But seeing what was reflected in that mirror was a far more terrifying battle.
She couldn't stop thinking. That was her problem. Her mind never rested. Always bothered with the question of insanity, with the possibility of another war. She was so careful to avoid mirrors that she had forgotten that glass also reflected images. Looking at the pouring rain she had the intense feeling she was the one being watched, like the drops of rain had grown eyes and were accusing her, taunting her, humiliating her, like children do on the playground with the ones that don't fit in. But the rain was as much her friend as it always had been. The one staring at her was Riddle. She noticed his eyes on her face, on the face reflected by the mirror. He smiled sweetly and rose a finger to his perfectly shaped lips, hushing her like they were sharing some delicious little secret.
She Disapparated with a tired pop.
-T-
"You're desking me.", it was a statement not a question.
"I'd like to Weasley...But no, I'm not.", Kingsley Shackleboard almost groaned.
She felt a weight being lifted off her chest. Since the Head of the Auror Department started speaking about how stressed she must be, and how seeing action would not be good for her Ginny had begun thinking that he was going to stick her with some overdue paperwork that wouldn't require her entire focus. One that would allow her to follow her thoughts into realms unknown. She fought a shiver, not wanting to exhibit any sign of weakness that might help change his mind.
Oblivious to her inner turmoil Shackleboard carried on.
"We just don't have enough people now. And we need you on the field. Plus, no one else would be able to put up with Malfoy.", he finished with a lame attempt at a joke.
She smiled convincingly.
"I won't let you down, boss."
Ginny walked out of the office and wrapped her cloak around herself more tightly as she heard the door shut behind her. She went to her desk where her brother, Harry and Draco had been waiting. Before making her presence known she took in the sight in front of her. The three men she was closest to. Would her mind ever allow her to enjoy their company again? Ron sat on her chair, his hand in his hair and a concerned look on his face once more. She was beginning to thing that her older brother was the one that needed a break. A pregnant wife at home and a sister in the hospital was a combination that would have made most men crumble.
Harry stood tall with his hands crossed over his chest. His green eyes were shining under his spectacles and his hair was as unbehaved as ever. Her first crush. He had changed so little. The war had changed him so little. He might be hiding it, but Ginny didn't believe that. Harry hadn't been changed by the confrontation with Voldemort. He had known what his fate was all along. Even if the Dark Lord's obsession with killing him hadn't branded the idea into his head, the prophecy had. Too bad the prophecy never said anything about a surprise come-back. It might have made her less insecure about her mental health.
And Draco. Leaning on her desk, silver locks falling over silver eyes. He was as lost in thought as she felt. So taciturn. She secretly thought that their friendship had started one autumn day, near the lake. Sharing silence and cigarettes. But that had been a long time ago, and for years there had been no other contact. Until she walked into the Auror's department and was sentenced to be his partner. The verdict seemed like a favour now. She didn't dare think about their other arrangements. She didn't dare think she might be in love with him. Tom would have a field day(night(mare)) with that one. But it was too late, wasn't it? She had already thought about it. Bracing herself, she went over to them to brief them in on her conversation with the boss.
"Seat you arse back in that chair, Ronnikins. Baby sis is not fired, nor is she desked", she said, air quoting the last word. "Shackleboard cleared me."
Ron seemed flabbergasted. His mouth was struggling to word all the thoughts that had sprung into his head. Ronnikins? Now that was just low. What was Sheackleboard thinking? Gin was clearly fragile. What did she mean, arse? Ladies don't talk like that.
He was spared having to pick one idea by his partner's quick reaction.
"Congratulations, Ginny. But don't you think you need more rest?"
"Harry, if I get more rest, I'll go insane."
And, she reflected, that wasn't even a lie.
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Draco was looking for Ginny. Now, didn't that bring back memories.
He had searched everywhere. She wasn't getting coffee, she wasn't in the bathroom (mirror filled bathrooms) she wasn't at her desk or with her brother and Potter. Feeling that this called for extreme measures he went to the little abandoned garden. And sure enough, there she was, smoking a cigarette like the nicotine was food for the soul.
He hadn't been fooled by her acting. Yeah, she was cracking the jokes and handing sarcasm out like it was candy on Holloween, just like she normally would. But he wasn't buying the act. Her eyes were blank, like she had gone past fear long ago. Her skin was paler than usual. Even her freckles had disappeared under the white mask.
Ginny didn't want people to know she wasn't ok. She didn't want people to ask what was the matter with her. She wanted to pretend. Very well. Two could play that game.
"Hey there. I'm looking for a fiery little redhead. Seen one around?", he said flirtatiously.
Ginny took another long drag out of her cigarette. Her eyes didn't seem to want to meet his. He didn't receive the almost credible smile he had been expecting. She didn't want to play.
"No. I'll let you know if I do.", she replied in an unamused tone.
Draco was taken aback by her attitude. Ginny wasn't acting. She had done her best to convince the entire department that her mind and body were fine. But the pretense was gone. For the first time in weeks, they were alone. And for the first time in weeks she wasn't acting like she wanted the Academy Award. It troubled him that she was comfortable around him. Actually, what troubled him was his reaction to her trust. Relief was flooding his senses. She felt she could confide in him. He felt himself growing vulnerable to her actions and reactions. Just like a love sick school boy. Draco was interpreting every gesture, every word, searching for hidden meanings behind veiled eyes. No matter how accepting he was when it came to the weaknesses that nature had bestowed upon the human race, this particular brand of soft point was bothersome. It had all been triggered by her episode. It made buried feelings surface, made him realise that no matter how well he hid his weaknesses they were there and he was forced to follow their command.
"We're leaving in thirty minutes. An assignment. Seems important."
"How come we didn't know about it 'till now if it's so important?", she agreed to stick to business.
"Apparently the Department is afraid of snitches. The intervention team was informed as late as possible."
"And the intervention team is...?"
"Me, you, Potter, Weasley, Nightwood and Stirges."
Ginny met his eyes for the first time that morning. Hope was radiating from entire body. Adrenaline was already pumping in her veins. Nothing better than a little potentially deadly assignment to keep her mind from going into overdrive.
"Lead the way."
He wrinkled his nose at the cliche but motioned for her to follow him anyway. There was no actual need for his avant garde. They were heading towards the Apparition Hall. Shackleboard had been paranoid enough to put anti-Apparition wards all over the floor, with the exception of a small room that could barely be called a hall. It had gotten the name because of its importance, not its size. The boss considered it to be conspicuous for more than two Aurors to Disapparate from any other place in the Ministry. It would have clued people in on the existence of a mission. Despite his sometimes exaggerated measures, Shackleboard's paranoia had done the Department good, in Draco's opinion.
As he headed towards the Hall with Ginny following his footsteps, excitement started to show its head. He hadn't been on a mission for two weeks. The entire intervention staff had been filling out overdue paperwork and handling boring cases that nearly fell under the jurisdiction of the Magical Law Enforcement Department.
Thinking about the adventure to come, Draco Disapparated with the rest of the team.
-T-
The six took in their surrounding, analysing the situation in order to feel safe enough to draw a plan of action. They found themselves in a deserted part of Muggle London. The location the boss had picked had been carefully reviewed. The team was flanked by two worn down buildings. Their task was to check both constructions and arrest all the people they found. According to the information Shackleboard had provided them, the places were deserted and any occupant would most likely be an enemy.
Minutes later the plan was formed. Sturgis, Draco and Ginny would take the building on their right, while Potter, Weasley and Nightwood inspected the other one.
Moving as silently as they could, and just as cautiously as they had been trained, the first group entered the premises. Following orders, they stayed together, making sure to go through every room. The first two floors were as deserted as they seemed. On the third one, the three could make out voices coming from one of the rooms near the bottom of the hall. Words started to be distinguishable and Draco silently thanked the gods for the stupidity of the criminals. They hadn't even bothered to cast a Muffliato.
"I hear he has a plan."
"Yeah, right. Lot of good that did us the last time. His plans suck. If we'd rely on his plans we'd never get to..."
Before another word could be uttered someone made a shushing noise in the apartment.
Instincts took over. The group realised they had been discovered. They tightened their grips on the wands and prepared for the attack. Thirty seconds later a door opened. A tall, well built man dressed in jeans and a simple muggle shirt made his way out, his wand squeezed tightly by a trembling hand. In a matter of seconds, all hell broke loose. The man let out a growl and his three mates appeared by his side instantly. Soon enough, both parties were shouting curses and beads of colorful light were flying in all directions.
Ginny saw one of the unfriendlies dodge the curses and run down the stairs. There was no time to inform the others. Separating herself from the group, she hurried after the unknown man. She slalomed through the curses and by the time she had reached the stairs herself, her heart was racing and she had enough adrenaline in her blood stream to lift a car.
She cornered the enemy on the first floor. He had reached a dead end. His panic fueled mind had confused the room where the portal had been stored. He cursed his buddies for suggesting that they find a more welcoming apartment. They had left the portal in the room they landed in and now he was stuck.
The redheaded witch in front of him wore a dangerous smile as she closed in on him, her wand raised. In a last attempt to avoid Veritaserum he shouted a curse.
Ginny waited for the bead of light, her reflexes ready. She was prepared to duck, jump or turn around and flee. But she never saw it. The man had cursed himself. He had collapsed on the filthy floor. His wand had been shattered to pieces by the power of the spell. His breathing was erratic. She neared his dying form, disgust and bitter pity molding her features.
A soft cough, accompanied by bright red blood. He smiled at her. A wicked smile, she thought. A knowing smile. Seconds later he had closed his eyes.
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
The entire Department was gathered around the two Weasleys. Their fights were famous among the Aurors.
"You could have been killed!", Ron shouted.
"What am I? Six? I've had the same training you've had Ronald. I know how to take care of myself."
"You just ran off! You didn't even tell your team! That's against fucking regulations!", he carried on, ignoring her response.
"There was no bloody time, you idiot!"
"The guy killed himself anyway! You put yourself in harm's way for nothing!"
"You blind prick! What if he had gotten away, huh? What then?"
"I don't give a shit! What would I have told mum and dad if you'd gotten yourself injured, or worse, killed? Especially since they knew you were still shaken over that..."
"Danger is in the job description!", she interrupted enraged.
"Exactly! Why the fuck did you have to go and become and Auror, Ginevra?"
All the blood in her body rushed from her head. Her skin turned an impossible shade of white. She was almost transparent. All the anger was drained from her in an instant.
"Why did you?", she asked her brother, looking as lifeless as a rock.
Ginny turned around and left the office.
-T-
She was smoking again. And he was once more in the shadows, observing. She looked defeated, exhausted, fragile. Her lips were trembling slightly like she was trying to say something that was stuck in her throat. Deciding Ginny needed her privacy, Draco left his dark corner and went in search of another smoking spot.
Just as he turned his back, Ginny's lips managed to regurgitate one word.
"Ginevra...", she whispered.
Oh, how she wished she could cry.
A/N: I think this is the largest chapter to date. Hope you guys enjoy it. I really appreciate all the favs but, please please please also leave a review. They keep me going, give me confidence, improve my skills, give me ideas. So this is it. Please Review.