Okay, again sorry we were so late with this. A big huge thank you to the wonderful Lizz for being beta for this last chapter, as well as a thank you to Twinly for being the best sister & co-author a girl could ask for.
Xx
"I suppose it's time for me to go. . ." Ginny grasped Draco's hand tightly in hers.
"Your family sounded very worried," Draco said softly. They both knew that as much as this night had meant to them both, it couldn't last forever. She looked at him, her eyes full of tears.
"Draco, will. . . will you come with me?" her voice was barely audible, as if she were afraid she were pushing him too far.
"Your family hates me, Ginny." They both knew it was true. She couldn't help but speak again, knowing that.
"No one should be alone on Christmas, Draco."
He didn't respond. Instead they sat together in silence for what seemed an age before Draco slowly stood up. He helped her up and into her robes before putting on his own.
"The Apparition point is clear. I will walk you down." His voice seemed cold and detached. They walked to his door and down the elegant stairs to the back room of his store, and then through the racks holding fine feather quills. He opened the door and let her out.
Outside was beautiful. The rooftops sparkled and the snow laid out a thick layer of white over the dirty alley ground. Knockturn Alley was more beautiful now than she had ever expected it could be.
The Apparition point was enclosed in a pale blue light and reflected in the surrounding snow. She stared at the ground for a moment before looking up at Draco.
"I guess I will see you later," she said, gently squeezing his hand before letting go and Apparating away.
Ginny quietly slipped into the kitchen door of the Burrow, gently rubbing her hands together, as if Draco's hand lingered on her own.
"Ginny, you're here!" Fred exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.
"George, we need to talk. Later though, all right?" she said. She knew that he understood what she was talking about; that it was something he knew was needed as well. It was time that Fred Weasley became himself again.
"Ginny! Where did you get holed up last night? Your father went looking for you at your flat and the paper. No one knew where you were." Her mother barreled into the kitchen, hugging her baby girl tightly.
"Mum, I got stuck in Diagon Alley. The Apparition points were closed down." Molly knew her daughter was keeping something secret. She also knew not to push it. Pushing it was why Percy had left so many years ago.
"Well, hurry up to the tree. The kids are waiting." Molly was short with her daughter, and Ginny felt a wave of guilt crash over her. She walked through the busy kitchen to the room where her brothers and their families waited.
Ron and Hermione sat next to Rose and Hugo near the door, although Ginny noticed Hermione playing with her wedding ring and rubbing her belly in turns. Percy and his wife sat with their daughters Lucy and Molly and next to them were Charlie and Bill. Fleur was sitting prettily with Victoire and Dominque by the window, but Ginny surmised she was pregnant by the way she sat. Harry was sitting hand in hand with his girlfriend Susan, Teddy sitting in his lap. This was her family, she thought as her parents sat down with Fred.
So why did she feel like more than just George was missing?
The presents were opened and dinner had been eaten by the time that Ginny was alone for a moment to think. She missed Draco. Only the day before, she had lived alone and hadn't missed the comfort of a man. But there was something about him that made her heart swell.
"Ginny, come play with us!" Ron said, pulling his sister to a table where all her siblings sat playing poker like Hermione had taught them. It was relaxing and comfortable, but still missing something—someone.
They played for just over an hour when someone knocked. Ginny did not look up, trying to figure out if she should fold. Percy let the person at the door in without a word.
"Ginny, you forgot this this morning." The voice made her jump. She looked up to see Draco standing across the table from her holding her wand. Her hand went right to her holster where she felt Draco's wand warm in her hand.
"Oh, thank you," she whispered. She switched her wand with his and felt her face become hotter by the second. He made to leave, but then turned around at the last moment.
"Would you like to have dinner tomorrow night?" he asked her. Her siblings were silent as the exchange went on.
"I'd like that," she murmured, smiling up at him. He left and Ginny sat down, picking up her cards.
Molly knew all along that her daughter had found someone.
The night before, the clock had told her Ginny was home.