Chapter 11
"I'm going to sneak away for a moment to see Ron and Harry." Hermione said. "Cover for me if your mum comes back, will you?"
"Sure," Ginny said.
Hermione left quickly and Ginny fell back onto her bed. This is crazy. She thought. I can't wait until this stupid wedding is over. She got up and walked to the window. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the weather was beautiful. So why don't I feel great about any of this?
She sighed and sat on her window seat. Oh Harry. Why can't you trust me? Ginny sighed.
'It's because he thinks you can't handle it.' Her inner voice reasoned.
But I can. I can handle it!
'Yeah right. You let yourself be possessed by a diary.' The voice argued back.
Yeah, Voldemort's diary!
'It almost killed you, you silly girl!'
But Harry saved me. He'll always save me.
'And what if it costs him his life next time?'
Ginny shivered. It never struck her how very real that possibility was. But it was true. How could she put that responsibility on Harry?
Draco Malfoy sat at his desk, a book opened in front of him. He stared down at the pages of the book, reading, taking in all the information he could get. The book was about the oldest wizarding families. He read the page over and over, always coming back to her name.
Ginevra Molly Weasley
Born August 11, 1981 -
Daughter of Arthur and Molly Weasley
Youngest of seven children, succeed by William,
Charles, Percy, Fred, George, and Ronald Weasley
Currently a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
There was nothing exceptionally long or special about her entry in the Weasley family history section but he couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from it. What is she doing now? He thought.
Probably daydreaming about Potter. Stupid Potter. Couldn't be just be happy with everything he has and walk away? Does he really need the glory of killing him as well?
Draco cursed Potter silently.
There was a knock on his door and Draco quickly flipped the page in the door. Standing, he walked to the door and opened it. His father stood on the other side.
"Father." Draco said, bowing slightly.
"What are you doing shut up in your room all day, boy?" His father asked, pushing Draco aside to enter.
"Reading, Father." he said, waving his hand indicate the open book on his desk. "I wished to learn more of our family's history."
"Ah, yes. The noble blood of the House of Malfoy goes back many a century." Lucius Malfoy said approvingly. "In any case, Draco, I have come to inform you that I shall be leaving in a few days time. "The ministry has nearly fallen and I shall join the others in the search for Potter."
"He has not yet been found then, Father?"
"No..." Lucius drawled. "But he will be. And I shall be the one to do it. I will restore our Lord's faith in our family once more."
"Yes, Father," Draco agreed. "Is there anything I am needed to do?"
"No. Watch over your Mother while I am away. I don't trust some of the scum that walks through our door these days." his father said.
Draco nodded.
"Oh, yes, and Draco," Lucius paused at the door, "You shall be returning to Hogwarts this year. Be sure to gather your supplies before then."
The door closed behind him. Hogwarts? He had forgotten. He would be going back to a place he never thought he would see again. Will she be there? Will her family allow her to return?
Ginny opened her door as Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way up the steps. "Harry, can I see you a moment?"
Ron stopped abruptly but Hermione, thankfully, pulled him away. "Uh, sure, Gin." He said and followed her into her bedroom.
"Happy birthday Harry." She said, looking up at him. "I, uh, I wasn't sure what to get you."
"You didn't have to-,"he started to say.
"I knew you couldn't take anything too big with you when you leave to do, whatever it is you're going to do." she said, stepping closer. "But then, I thought, I could give you something to remember me by. For when you're gone, in case you meet someone."
"I don't think dating is going to be much of an option, Gin." he said nervously and she could hear the tremble in his voice.
Ginny smiled. "I guess that's the silver lining I've been looking for, huh?" She took a step closer, closing the space between them and pressing her lips to his. She put everything into this kiss. All of the love she felt for him, the pain at his leaving, the longing for something more. Harry's hands slid around her, pulling her closer.
Then suddenly, her bedroom door banged open. "Oh." said Ron. "Sorry."
And all of a sudden, she felt very cold and alone. She turned away from them, afraid to let them see her. Her eyes grew moist with tears and it was all she could do to stop their falling. Ginny stood, rigid and alone, until she heard her bedroom door close.
She walked over and sat on her bed. You can do this, Ginny. She thought. Only two more days and they'll be gone. You can handle two more days. But a small part of her wasn't so sure. Harry was the only boy she'd ever loved. How could she let him go knowing that he might not come back?
Ginny spent as much of the time leading up to the wedding as she could avoiding Harry. She could hardly bare to see him without remembering their kiss. It pained her to see him at all as it brought back the rush of emotions she felt.
When it was nearly time for the wedding, she watched as Harry drank down a vial of polyjuice potion and transformed into an unfamiliar red-haired boy. To her surprise, it made things easier. As long as he didn't look like Harry, she could almost forget that he was in the room. Thankfully, though, there was so much going on as guests arrived that she didn't have much time to think about Harry. She helped her mom seat people and organize last minute preparations. She barely had time to get ready for the wedding before the ceremony began.
Soon she was lined up for the procession and walked down the isle behind Fleur's younger sister Gabrielle. Their dresses were beautiful and golden and Ginny could hear people gasp as she walked down the isle. She turned at the end and took her place beside Gabrielle. Her gaze met Harry's briefly and she winked at the look of utter praise on his face.
Then it was Fleur's turn to walk down the isle. The music changed and all attention turned to the bride. Even she couldn't deny that her soon to be sister-in-law was exceptionally beautiful in her wedding dress. And Aunt Muriel's tiara never looked more stunning. The ceremony went off without a hitch and tables and chairs were set up as guests congratulated the newly wed couples.
After the tables were in place, Ginny moved to her brother and hugged him. "Congratulations Bill! I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks Gin." Bill said, hugging her back.
Ginny turned to Fleur. "Welcome to the family, Fleur. I hope you know what you've gotten into." she said, smiling. To her amazement, Fleur hugged her.
"Zat ess very nice of you, Ginny!" She said, laughing.
Bill smiled and hugged them both.
Ginny moved away, joining the party. Overall, the evening was great. She laughed with her cousins and even danced with the twin's friend, Lee Jordan.
There was a sudden commotion and Ginny rushed to the gathering crowd. She arrived at the same moment a silver lynx landed gracefully on the ground.
The ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming.
With that, the lynx faded and panic erupted.
