Professor Dumbledore eyed Ginny and Draco over the top of his steepled fingers. They had just finished recounting Draco's fight with Lucius. Draco's hand tightly gripped hers. They waited.
Finally, Dumbledore said, "Your story interests me very much and you've both been very brave. Particularly you, Draco. But one thing interests me very much indeed." He held out a hand. "Might I see your wand, Miss Weasley?"
"My wand?" Ginny glanced at Draco and then shrugging, pulled it out of her sleeve and handed it over.
Professor Dumbledore lifted the wand slightly in the air, twisting it this way and that, as if he could get it to reveal its secrets simply by examining it.
"And you say that it worked for you nearly as well as your own wand?" He questioned Draco.
Draco nodded. "Yes, it was surprising. I didn't expect to last long with it, but it was nearly as good as my own. My father was surprised too. I think it gave me an edge, that element of surprise. He hadn't expected me to be as capable as I was with Ginny's wand and it took him off guard."
"It felt comfortable in your hand? Familiar?"
Draco considered. "In a way. Here, let me see." Dumbledore handed him the wand and Draco gripped it firmly, contemplating. He pointed it at the Professor's bowl of lemon drops and whispered a levitation charm under his breath.
"It doesn't feel as good as my own wand," he said slowly. "But it's still a bit like coming home." One corner of his mouth turned up in a smile and he looked at Ginny. "Rather like being with her, actually."
"Ah!" Dumbledore sat back in his chair with a sigh of satisfaction. "I wondered. That's a very good way to describe it, Mr. Malfoy. The best I've ever heard."
"What does it mean, Professor?" Ginny looked at her wand in Draco's hand curiously.
"I've seen this before," Dumbledore answered. "Though not very often, I admit. And there's really no magical term for it; just my own observation, really."
He leaned forward, folding his hands together on the desk. "I've never officially documented it, but I have noticed that between certain couples, there exists a sort of…compatibility, magically-speaking. Those who are particularly well-suited to each other might find it easy to, for example, use each other's wands."
"And that's unusual?" Ginny asked.
Dumbledore smiled at her gently. "Yes. Most wizards can only use their own wand to the best of their ability. I believe it indicates you and Draco are 'made-for-each-other.'"
Ginny flushed; but whether it was from embarrassment or amusement at hearing Professor Dumbledore use such vernacular, she was unsure.
"It's a strength you could certainly use to your advantage; particularly in the coming months."
He didn't say it but the implication was clear; Draco and Ginny were going to have a fight on their hands.
Draco cleared his throat. "Yes, about that. I know what we spoke of last year, but I've changed my mind about some things."
Ginny looked at him in surprise. Changed his mind about what?
"I don't want to go into hiding," Draco continued. "I know know my father isn't going to give up; but I'm not going to tuck my tail between the Order of the Phoenix's legs and hide."
Dumbledore nodded gravely at him. "I understand your reluctance, but Draco, it really might be for the best. You could be in grave danger. Your father…he is going to be very angry. And angry men take drastic measures."
"I know. But I will not hide." Draco reached out and took Ginny's hand. "I'm done hiding."
