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Note: In this chapter - Ginny and Harry make up, Draco meets up with his own Trio and housemates.

Chapter 10: Leaving and Reconciliation

The rest of the break passed without any more excitement, though Ginny and Draco saw each other a great deal, and relished in the experience. They weren't perfectly matched in the sense that Ginny and Harry were - the Gryffindor princess and the Boy Who Lived - but they seemed to have a deeper connection, almost as if the other had found the places where the one was broken, and they had matched jagged edges to form a perfect fit.

Despite the happiness, there was an underlying worry. Dumbledore had (in a fit of kindness, perhaps) sent a letter to Lucius proclaiming that Draco and Narcissa were save in a location of his choosing, and that Draco would be returning to school. This letter had not been dignified by any sort of reply, but both Malfoys were sure that Lucius would be furious.

Back at Hogwarts, Draco would no longer be able to reside in Slytherin house. Dumbledore had owled to say that the castle had sprouted a new room conveniently close to Gryffindor which was outfitted as a second Slytherin house. Draco would take up residence immediately, and the Slytherin table would be divided down the middle. Such an act had never been done at Hogwarts, but since the safety of students was at stake, it was done.

Daphne and Astoria Greengrass as well as Blaise Zabini would be following as well. They had all been under pressure from the students who followed in the footsteps of Death Eater parents, and it was felt that they would be safer with Draco. Two first years, a second year, four third years, two fourth years and three fifth years would be joining them in the new Slytherin for their own safeties, and Draco planned to begin recruiting under the philosophy that Slytherin does not necessarily equate with evil.

The new Slytherins would have classes as if they were still Slytherins unless they were overtly threatened during lessons, in which case they would move to the lessons of another House, or if it was a shared lesson, simply move to the other side of the room. Dobby had also volunteered his and Winky's services in the event that students were attacked - he could rally house elves to take students to a safer place.

Several of the students being moved had already owled Draco, who would be prefect of the new Slytherin, along with Daphne Greengrass, to thank him for helping them out of the bind they were in and to ask for details about the new situation.

Ginny was proud to see the role he was taking in leading the new students, and she hoped that he could be someone that the younger students could look up to instead of simply fearing.

For herself, she was slightly more fearful. She had spent the better part of the first term in the Hospital Wing, and while all of her professors had tested her and found her to be keeping up with the class, Ginny was worried that she would have neither the stability nor the stamina to keep up.

Draco thought that all of these concerns were laughable, and offered to tutor her personally. He even went so far as to offer to walk her to class if she needed help.

The last day of the break came too early for either Ginny or Draco. She had been growing steadily stronger and was able to move around by herself again, and Draco had been developing an odd sort of friendship with Harry and Hermione, and though Ron still made a great show of detesting him, Ginny was sure that the jibes and the sneers had become less sincere.

The Weasleys and all of their guests were dressed and packed early the next morning for the first time ever. This was probably due to the fact that Draco was always extraordinarily punctual, and he and Hermione had managed to convince Ginny to pack early, so only Harry and Ron woke with their things in a mess. Narcissa gave her son a fierce hug and shook everyone else's hand. Much to Ginny's surprise, however, the elegant woman took her face between her hands and kissed her forehead.

"I wish you all the best dreams, Ginevra," she said, touching Ginny's hair, "And promise to write."

Molly was quite overwrought already, but these words brought tears to her eyes. "My babies are going to the train without me!" she cried emotionally, crushing them all into her arms. Draco looked positively appalled, but he bore it with good grace as Molly kissed his cheek and ruffled his immaculately styled hair. Narcissa was unable to go to the train, and so for the first time, Molly would have to bid her children farewell at the Burrow. This, in Ginny's mind, was no excuse for tears and repeated bear hugs, but she supposed that she had never really understood her mother's mood swings about the children leaving.

Soon enough they were off. The ministry sent cars for them and a guard for Harry and Draco came from the Order, so when they arrived at the platform, it was in an imposing group. The guards, much to Draco's everlasting embarrassment, escorted them right to their seats before taking their leave.

"Dear god," he sighed, collapsing into his seat, "That was awful. I felt like a child."

Harry snorted. "Yeah, well that should be nothing new. But seriously, get used to it. I've had a guard pretty much since fourth year, and I'll bet that you won't escape one with your father after you."

Draco ignored the jibe and sighed. "And now I have to go to the prefect compartment, just brilliant."

"Stop complaining, Malfoy," said Ron, getting up in what he obviously considered a dignified manner, which was ruined completely when he tripped and showed Draco an extremely rude hand gesture when the other boy laughed.

Harry and Ginny were left alone as Draco, Ron and Hermione left, and an uncomfortable silence fell. She hadn't really been alone with Harry since she had broken up with him, and she knew he was wracked with guilt about what had happened to her after. He fidgeted with his wand nervously, and Ginny began anxiously twirling a finger in her hair. She had no idea what to say to him.

After another few tense moments, Harry finally broke the silence. "Look, Ginny, I'm so sorry about --".

Ginny cut him off - she'd heard apologies enough, they weren't making things less awkward. "It's fine. Really. I'm better now, and it was never really your fault in the first place. I shouldn't have said yes knowing that I didn't really want to be with you like that. But it's in the past, and can we please just forget about it?"

"Er, I guess so," replied Harry looking incredibly relieved, "So you're feeling better then?"

"Yeah. No more nightmares."

"Good."

Silence fell again. Damn. She had to find something that they could talk about. Anything.

"So d'you think that Snape'll let me off easy just because I've been sick?" she asked.

Harry snorted loudly. "Yeah and Hagrid is the next Merlin. He'll probably be even worse."

They launched into a tirade, comparing their worst Snape stories, and soon the tension was completely eased.

"We ought to have given him a bottle of shampoo when he came round at Christmas," said Ginny, lying back on the seat.

"Greasy-haired git," said Harry jovially. Then he frowned. "Speaking of which, why was he there at all? I know McGonagall and Dumbledore came, but its not like he likes us so much in the first place."

"Well he's Draco's godfather, isn't he? He must have wanted to be around Draco on Christmas. This is Draco's first Christmas that didn't end horribly, you know."

Harry sighed. "I didn't really ever realize how bad he must have had it with a father like that. He always looked so much like a spoiled prat that he reminded me of Dudley. But when you think about it, he pretty much had the worst of what Dudley and I each got."

She reached over to pat Harry on the shoulder gently. "It's over for both of you now though," she said softly, and Harry just nodded, looking out the window and lost to his thoughts.

Just then, Draco, Ron and Hermione came back in, trailed by Blaise and Daphne. The compartment was only meant for six, but they all crammed in anyways.

"How was the meeting?" asked Ginny cheerfully, trying to give Harry some space.

"The usual," grunted Ron, flopping down beside Harry. "I wonder where the trolley is?"

Draco had been disappointed to have to leave Ginny's side, but he grinned when he saw Daphne. "Hey, Daphne," he said, sitting down next to her. Ron and Hermione sat down on the other side of the compartment.

"Hi, Draco. Have you seen Blaise? I'm getting a little worried that he might not be on the train. He was supposed to meet me earlier."

He raised his eyebrows. "No, I haven't seen him. I'll get the Gryffindors and we'll go check the Slytherin compartment after. They might have got him. I don't think any of them know that he's with us yet."

She merely looked worried as the meeting started. As usual, it was long and boring, and Draco was appalled to see that his replacement as Slytherin prefect had been Goyle. The boy was a gorilla. A particularly dumb and mean one.

After the meeting, Ron and Hermione joined them to raid the Slytherin compartment. They were about halfway down the train towards it when Blaise sauntered out. His nonchalant look lasted just until he was out of their sight, and then he ran up to Draco and Daphne.

"Thank god. Bulstrode and Crabbe cornered me. I didn't give anything away, but they want to know where you are, Draco," said Blaise anxiously. He turned more serious. "Mate, I think you've gone and painted a target on all of our backs. I hope you can back it up."

Draco nodded gravely. "I can. I won't tell you how, since you won't want to know, but you will be protected."

Blaise looked relieved, and then his usual grin resurfaced on his face. He was loud and exuberant much of the time, and it was for this reason that Draco liked him. They all went back to the compartment where Ginny and Harry were waiting together.

As they entered, he noticed that Potter looked oddly sad and thoughtful, so he prepared himself to change the subject. Ginny handily made that unnecessary.

"How was the meeting?" she asked a little too quickly.

"The usual," replied Ronald, flopping himself ungracefully onto a seat, "I wonder where the trolley is?"

He caught the look that Hermione and Ginny shared and almost laughed. Instead, he pulled Ginny onto his lap to create more space.

"MALFOY!" hollered Ron, "I'VE WARNED YOU!"

Hermione began banging her head gently on the door. He noticed idly that she did that a lot when Ronald was being stupid. Ginny replied by giving Ron the finger and threatening to curse him into next year if he wouldn't shut up.

The red-head was afraid of his sister's curses, so he complied, but not before glaring at Draco. Draco merely smiled angelically back. This was exactly why he like Ginny so much.

He introduced Daphne and Blaise, and Daphne hit it off right away with Ginny. Things were going brilliantly until the compartment door was pulled open. A girl stood in the doorway tearfully. Her blonde hair was messy and her robes were askew, and she ran to Daphne.

"Astoria, what happened?" cried the older girl.

"Pansy happened," said Neville for her as he and Luna opened the door. They were escorting the first and second year students who would be joining the new Slytherin. "She had Goyle drag them into the compartment and was terrorizing them when Luna and I walked in and hexed them both.

"Theodore Nott pointed us in the right direction, actually," said Luna in her singsong voice, "I'm not sure why. Maybe the wrackspurts got in his ears."

None of the Gryffindors batted an eye at this, but Daphne and Draco looked appalled. The younger students felt it wise to nod in agreement at this. They were obviously unsure whether or not wrackspurts really existed, but they were too frightened at the moment to risk any sort of disagreement with their saviors.

Blaise exploded into laughter. "Loony Lovegood!" he exclaimed, "You are absolutely brilliant!"

Draco rolled his eyes and glanced at the first years. "Ignore them, there's no such thing as wrackspurts."

"Yes there is," interjected Luna dreamily.

He ignored her, having neither the patience nor the inclination to deal with crazy at the moment. "We need to split up, though. No matter what we do, we can't all fit in one compartment."

Harry stood suddenly, breaking out of his reverie. "You and Daphne should let them know how things are going to be and get to know everyone better," he said firmly, "So everyone not in the new Slytherin will leave, and we'll meet you at Hogwarts."

Everyone did as he said, making room for the boy and two girls who were the first and second years. Even Ginny stood, and Draco was disappointed. She kissed him, however, and touched his cheek softly. "You promised to walk me from the train, so I'll be waiting on the platform."

They all took their leave, and only a few minutes later did he realize that the other Slytherins were waiting for him to speak and he was staring out the window with a stupid smile on his face. Draco wiped the smile off right away, cursing under his breath as Blaise roared with laughter again.

After Draco glared Blaise into silence, they got down to the real business of helping the younger students adjust.

Note: Two in one night... everyone had better read and review! Next chapter: Draco does something sweet and then doesn't know how to deal with it, Ginny gets jumped in the girls' dorm. Also check out the two oneshots that I wrote while procrastinating studying for a history exam - And As They Kiss, Consume, and Sketches. They're both just random little things that popped into my mind and have nothing to do with each other or this story, but check them out.