Summary: War brings them together and tears them apart. Years later, Draco rises to fame and Ginny is drawn back to the man who has forgotten her. Not quite a songfic but there is a definite soundtrack. This chapter and the last have been sort of lacking in songs, but bear with me. The last couple chapters are loaded.
Disclaimer: The plot is mine, but the characters and background are the property of JKR. All of the lyrics are borrowed from artists, though I've changed a few words here and there to make them fit.
A/N: All the characters might seem a little OOC, especially Draco, given that he's never really indicated that a career as a singer is in the books, but the plot bunnies attacked and I couldn't help it. Please R&R!
Chapter 4: Over tea and in confidence
She knocked on the door, and Molly Weasley answered sleepily. Daphne winced, having forgotten that it was the wee hours of the morning.
"Can I help you?" asked Molly slightly irritably.
"Is Ginny in?"
"Are you a reporter?"
"No. I went to Hogwarts with her, and I have something important to tell her."
"Can't you owl her?" Clearly the youngest Weasley loathed publicity, because her mother was incredibly suspicious.
"I need to see her. Please? I'll make an Unbreakable Vow to never publish anything I find out tonight or otherwise from or about her if you want."
The Weasley matriarch seemed satisfied with this. "No, no dear that's alright. She doesn't live here anymore - she's got a little flat in Diagon Alley in one of those new condos."
Daphne whistled softly. "Wow. Expensive."
Molly shrugged and handed her the address. "Here it is. Make sure you knock first, or she'll probably curse you."
The young woman flinched, remembering Bat Bogeys, and thanked Molly before Apparating to Diagon Alley. She climbed the stairs to Ginny's flat and knocked on the elegantly polished door.
Unsurprisingly, Ginny looked shocked and slightly scared but opened the door. "Daphne Greengrass," she said softly, "Please come in. Can I get you some tea?"
Daphne was momentarily sidetracked by this pureblood tradition of tea before a good chat. "Yes, please. Do you have decaf?"
"I have herbal - do you like peppermint?"
"Yes, thank you."
Ginny prepared the tea with a few flicks of her wand, and Daphne admired the main room of her flat. It was expensive, but tastefully modest, and there were flowers everywhere. On the wall hung posters of all of the main Quidditch teams. In the one to the left, Harry Potter led his team, arm outstretched for the snitch. In the centre one, Ron Weasley and Ginny's hair clashed horribly with the orange robes as they did fabulous stunts.
"So," said Daphne as Ginny sat down with the tea, "I saw you tonight. And every other night since we've been on the continent."
Ginny looked at her hands, and then she pulled a chain out from under her robes. On the chain hung a heavy silver ring that Daphne knew without needing to see the snake curling around the M.
"He asked me to wait for him," replied Ginny, looking Daphne dead in the face, "And Lucius overheard. He told Draco that he'd have to choose. Either I would die, or Draco would have to forget me. He chose to save me, and gave me a chance to get away. But he doesn't remember."
Ginny let out a hopeless little sob, and Daphne was touched by the other girl's love. It had been when she was sixteen, but Daphne knew that at sixteen, both Ginny and Draco had been adults, prematurely aged by war. Now, she carried his ring and watched him at his happiest, but never came closer.
"So you come watch us play."
"If I have to be just another invisible fangirl in the crowd, so be it. I can't make myself stay away, even though it kills me to go. I sit there and pretend that his words are for me, even though I know its' impossible."
Daphne moved to sit beside Ginny to comfort the younger girl. "Ginny, I don't think it is. Its a long shot, but when he saw you tonight, he said that he'd seen you somewhere before. And he's certainly not writing about anyone else. If you ask him, he says this girl in his dreams. Who knows - it may be you. But it's up to you. We'll make sure he stays away from you and forgets if you want. If you want him to remember you, keep coming to our concerts. Next week will be the perfect chance. Stand in the front row, right where he can't miss you. You'll never fade in with that hair, so give it a chance. After the show, come for dinner with us. I'll introduce you as having gone to Hogwarts with us."
Ginny looked desperately into the other witch's eyes. "Please, Daphne. Please do that for me if there's any chance."
When she left later that evening, the plan was set. Daphne was proud of herself. She'd always supported the relationship, and the sudden end had disconcerted her beyond belief. She'd now gotten answers and a possible solution, so she went home happily and owled Blaise and Theo to fill them in.
Behind her, she left Ginny distraught. The younger witch promptly Flooed Luna. When the blonde girl came to the fireplace, she looked sleepy and worried, and behind her came someone that Ginny faintly recognized as Rolf Scamander.
"Luna," she said desperately, despite the situation, "Luna please come."
Luna obliged, and within an hour, Ginny was drinking her third cup of tea and was thoroughly calm.
"Alright, enough about me," said the redhead firmly, "Why was Rolf Scamander in your flat?"
Luna had the grace to blush dreamily. "I think it may have been the nargles," she confided quietly, "We ran into each other today, and he asked me for coffee, and then one thing turned into another, and... well, you know."