Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter. I do own the cheap notebook this story was originally written in though. That's a step.
Author's note: Sorry once again for the wait. This time I was sick. Yes, even, I, the fabulous Mercury, do sometimes have to kowtow to illness. And unfortunately it had to happen during one of the worst weeks ever. But I'm feeling much better now. So enjoy.
Chapter 7
A week passed with the quickness of a dream and they were still no closer to figuring out a way to end the war. They couldn't even devise a way to help Harry because the git had never divulged his plan to them. So all they had to go on was the snippets they read in the papers. But even that was proving useless. Gringotts had been robbed but it didn't make any sense to them.
And as sleep was taking its hold over Ginny's mind, she couldn't help her fear. That pounding in her ears that sounded so much like the drums of war, ones that were inching their way ever closer to Hogwarts. She somehow found sleep despite the cacophony of noise that filled her head but her dreams held no peace.
Sirius slid through the stone wall, using this rare opportunity to give her that last piece to the puzzle. He'd been waiting for a week now but the two young lovers never seemed to sleep anymore. He'd seen rabbits that were more discreet.
But Sirius knew what it was like to be young; all hormones and energy. God those had been the days, with no war looming in the future, just another night and another warm woman to keep him entertained. He laughed to himself as he pressed his hand to her head. The images transferred easily into her exhausted mind. He smiled to himself. Things would finally be right. Those he loved would be safe.
She stirred in her sleep and he took it as his cue to leave. He slipped out of the room and into the night with only the memories of youth to keep him company.
* * *
The images skittered across her eyelids like a projector set too high. She had barely time enough to decipher what she was seeing before it disappeared. A dark mark glowing with the dark lord's evil call. Wolves howling in pain, as their flesh was torn and evil was tattooed on it. Giants grimacing as their skin was imprinted with the insignia. His vile army ready to fight, to kill, all for him.
And then in an instant the scenery changed. She was in Draco's bedroom. His arm was exposed his wand held to the flesh. Panic gripped her heart.
"No, don't it'll kill you." She begged. She just knew. He wouldn't survive.
"If it kills them and weakens Voldemort it doesn't matter. I'd rather die doing this then live with the regret." His eyes searched hers and she couldn't help the tears that streamed down her face. She didn't want him to die she didn't want to lose him just to keep the others. It was selfish she knew but she wanted it all. She wanted him and her brother and Lupin and Tonks to live.
"Draco, I love you. . . Please." She sobbed. Her body suddenly weak, she fell to her knees.
"I love you too, Ginny. Never forget that. It was all for you." And then like the spark that ignites a forest fire he thought the vile, unforgivable curse and the green light shot into his arm, seeping into the dark mark.
"Nooooo." She cried as he fell to the ground. Ginny rushed over to his prone body and lifted her fingers to his neck searching for a pulse and—.
Woke up panting in bed. The sheets clung to her body, sticky with sweat. She reached blindly to her side, looking for Draco but came up empty.
"Sorry love I saw the dream too. I know what I have to do." His voice murmured from the far side of the room. Ginny's gaze flew to the corner and there he stood, wand at the ready, poised above the dark mark, his face grim with determination, his eyes wide with fear and love.
"No there's another way. There must be. Please Draco. Don't do this. I can't. . . I won't survive without you." She whispered, near tears now.
"Oh don't say that love. I know you will. You're stronger than even I am. You'll live a long happy life. . . because of me. That thought makes me happier than you'll ever know."
She crawled from the bed, too weak to even stand. "But wouldn't you be happier if you were with me. If you could spend the rest of your life with me." She begged, kneeling at his feet now like some subservient woman, but she didn't care.
"There's nothing I want more. But it can never be. At least I'll have the memory of these past two weeks." He pressed his wand into his arm, ready to say the curse.
"No Draco I love you." She tried one last time.
"I love you too. Good bye." Without a word the spell was said and the green light shot through his arm. The dark mark glowed with evil incarnate, that incandescent green light that meant the killing curse was going to work.
Draco fell back, still. He didn't even flinch when his head hit the stone floor with a loud thunk. Her heart skittered and stopped in her chest. It refused to beat as she crawled over him. His chest didn't even seem to move.
"No you stupid git. I'll kill you I really will. How dare you?" She pounded on his chest and put her fingers to his neck, checking for a pulse. She pressed in and waited. And waited. And waited.
After a minute she knew. He was dead. Her soulmate, her lover, her friend was gone. She felt suddenly empty inside and knew she would never be full again. She would never find another.
She collapsed onto him, her body curled around his, her head pillowed on his chest. Her tears flowed freely now; down her cheeks onto his chest, over his now still heart and onto the floor.
"Please, Draco. Please. I need you. I love you. Come back to me." She pleaded to him and to god and to whoever would listen. Praying with her last bit of faith that he would come back to her.
"I'll save the boy." The voice whispered through her brain and she resisted the urge to scoff at that stupid annoying voice. But she didn't get a chance.
Suddenly Draco was alive beneath her. His heart pumping, his lungs gasping for air. She cried out in joy and launched herself into his arms. She didn't give him a chance to say anything she latched her mouth onto his and took his lips in an aggressive and possessive kiss. Then just as quickly she slipped away and punched him in the chest.
"If you ever do that to me again I swear to God I will bring you back to life just to kill you myself. You self-sacrificing git." Draco only smiled. It was all he could do. He was free now. Free of his burden, of his father, and free to be with the woman he loved forever.
"I'll make a note. Next time I die, I'll make sure it's with you." He leaned down kissed her gently, a brief brushing of his lips to hers. It was the sweetest kiss he'd ever had, it tasted of freedom, of joy, and love.
"Is he gone?" She asked quietly. Speaking of Voldemort. Suddenly falling into the trap of childhood, he-who-must-not-be-named and whatnot.
"No that's up to Harry now. But all of the Deatheaters are. His army is gone. He's just a frail old man struggling to hold onto his power. It won't be long now." Ginny pulled him to her for a quick hug and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
His mouth latched onto her neck, trailing kisses up the smooth contour until he reached her lips. His mouth took hers and she laughed.
"Draco!" She cried out as his hand dove between her legs to find her moist, hot center.
"What? Shouldn't we celebrate?" He murmured, his hot breath tickling her ear. She shivered in want and need. He sucked on her earlobe and she moaned.
"Isn't it a little premature?" She asked as he rained kisses over her face.
"Never. I'm never premature." He laughed and she lifted her hand to punch him in the arm. He caught it and pulled it behind her, rendering her defenseless. His mouth plundered hers with an intensity he'd never shown before. His tongue parted and stroked deep into her mouth. The sensation so strong it made her pussy throb hungrily.
He pushed her to the floor, raising her hands above her head. His mouth left hers and he smirked as their gazes met. Her eyes were occluded with desire and love. He knew without a doubt that she was ready for him but he wanted to make her wait.
He trailed down her body, stopping to admire her breasts. His mouth took each one in and let it free with a pop before moving on. He wanted to taste her again. He wanted to slide his tongue into her sweet, wet pussy and lap up all of her juices.
He nuzzled her curls and she moaned. He spread her thighs and she gripped his head, pushing him down. And then finally he kissed her swollen, juice-covered lips. His tongue searched out her swollen clit and laved it like an ice cream cone. Her fingers fisted in his hair and pulled him tighter to her. God she tasted good, like the sweetest cream all thick and juicy on his tongue.
"Draco please. I need you." She begged her fingers clawing at his head now. He smiled up at her and saw the need and hunger burning in her eyes.
"Your wish is my command my love." He breathed over her curls as he made his way back up her body.
His cock was throbbing painfully with need, swollen and ready. He locked his gaze onto hers, aligned their bodies and an instant later was inside of her.
"Ah fuck your so tight, still." He gasped as her pussy clenched around him. His mind went blank, he wanted to please her, wanted her to come before him but the only thing that he could focus on was the pounding of blood in his cock and his urgent need to come. He thrust hard and deep.
"Oh yessss, Draaaccccooo." She cried as she came. Her body writhing and thrusting against his. Her pussy clenched around him and it was enough. It hit him in the balls and had his come shooting out of him like he was some prepubescent child.
He collapsed onto her; both of them were panting, breathless. Their bodies exhausted from the near-death experience and the grief it had brought. The stone floor was freezing beneath his arms and he knew he should move them. With one last ounce of strength he stood, lifted her and brought them both over to the bed. Where he promptly collapsed with her and fell into sleep.
* * *
Sirius smiled as he maneuvered through the door of Draco's room. The boy had been brave, even in the face of death. And it was that which had saved him. The boy who lived, huh. Different meaning now. He chuckled slightly as he approached the sleeping couple.
He reached down; touched both of their foreheads, and let the images slide into their minds. It was done. The fight was over and for once in his life everyone he cared for lived.
He dissolved into a haze of luminescent light and was whisked away, back into the awaiting arms of James, Lilly, and even his younger brother Regalus. He was at peace now. And so was the world.
* * *
The decrepit old man searched the woods. His followers gone, he had no more lines of defense and the boy was near. He could feel it. It throbbed like a migraine in his mind. He slid into a cave, waiting for him to fall into his trap.
It was too early to gloat. He knew the odds were against him. A shadow flickered across the mouth of the cave and he knew. This was it. He jumped out, but the boy was ready. They both brandished their wands and in unison shouted, "Avada Kedavra."
Their wands connected, they struggled for power. But the boy was stronger. His life was gone, his horcruxes gone. And in an instant he was nothing but dust being spread by the wind.
* * *
They awoke to the sound of bells. The bells of Hogwarts were ringing. The students were celebrating. Cheers seeped down from the floors above. The Slytherin dorms' were awkwardly silent but neither Ginny nor Draco were too surprised. They simply looked at each other, shared a smile and as couples are known to do fell into each other and once again celebrated a new world.
