XXXXXXX

Chapter Fourteen: Decisions

XXXXXXX

Ginny watched in horror as the three Aurors Summoned Draco's wand and snapped it in half before putting him in a Total Body Bind and levitating him out of the ballroom. Tears prickled her eyes and she clenched her jaw to try and force herself not to cry in front of Harry and her brother.

'Gin,' said Ron, almost tentatively, taking a few steps towards her with his hand out as if to comfort her.

She slapped his hand away. 'Don't touch me!' she yelled. Sudden, intoxicating madness filled her and she turned on Harry. 'Do something!'

'Me? Are you serious?'

'You're the bloody Boy Who Lived! You killed Voldemort! They'll listen to you! Tell them he's innocent – tell them he's not a Death Eater.'

'He has the Dark Mark, Ginny!'

'So? He sent you the Horcrux – he helped end the war! Please, Harry, you have to help him!'

Harry looked angry and he crossed his arms over his chest. 'I have to help him?'

'Don't do this,' pleaded Ginny, 'don't make this about you and me. He's innocent here and you know it. You're going to let him rot in Azkaban out of spite? Sirius was innocent as well, remember?'

'Malfoy was a Death Eater,' said Ron.

'Was – not is.' Ginny looked up at Ron; his blue eyes bore into her. 'You don't know him like I do.'

'I don't think anyone knows him like you do.'

'Ron, don't,' said Harry.

Ron turned, his eyes narrowing dangerously. 'Don't?'

'Leave her alone.'

'This is ridiculous!' cried Ron. 'I'm getting out of here.' Ron closed his eyes and looked as though he was concentrating very hard. 'Fuck! Who's heard of a house where you can't Disapparate from?' With a loud huff, he stomped from the ballroom.

'Thank you,' said Ginny. 'You didn't have—'

'I don't want to hear it,' said Harry.

'But—'

'But what, Gin? Nothing you can say will make the situation any better."

'Why did you tell Ron?'

Harry swallowed. 'It wasn't planned. It slipped out and once it was out ... I'm sorry.'

'Are you? Are you actually sorry?'

Harry looked at her for almost a minute before answering. 'No.'

'I didn't think so.'

'I didn't mean to say it, but I think I needed to say it. I'm trying not to be angry or hurt, but I feel disgusted. We need to go home. Your mum's going to worry.'

'I can't Apparate.'

Harry looked at her for a few moments before nodding. 'We'll do Side-Along. Come on.'

XXXXXXX

They Apparated back to The Burrow. Ginny had to ready herself before entering the house. She stayed outside for nearly ten minutes before she walked into the kitchen, mentally preparing herself for a long discussion about the fight between Ron and her.

'Hi,' said Ginny, looking up at her mother. 'I didn't mean to just ... leave. I was always planning on coming back. You didn't need to send anyone to get me.'

'Where'd they find you?' asked Mrs Weasley.

'The first place we looked,' mumbled Ron.

Ginny looked over at the kitchen table. Ron was seated next to Hermione; Harry was across from them. Her father was at the end, holding a glass of pumpkin juice, studying it as though it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

'I was at Draco's,' said Ginny.

'I don't want to hear that name!' cried Mrs Weasley. 'How can you say his name at a time like this?'

'I'm sorry,' Ginny began, but her mum interrupted her.

'How could you? With a Malfoy? Ginevra Weasley, you were raised better than that!'

'Better than what?' Ginny challenged. 'Better than giving someone a second chance? Better than giving someone the benefit of the doubt? Better than forgiving someone for their bad deeds when all they've done for you are good ones? Better than what, Mum?'

Mrs Weasley looked incensed. Her face turned the colour of a tomato and her hands formed tightly-clenched fists. 'We certainly did not teach our daughter to go off' – she lowered her voice severely – 'having sex with Death Eaters.'

'He's not a Death Eater. He stopped being a Death Eater as soon as he was face-to-face with Dumbledore. Draco didn't have it in him to kill someone.'

'But he let the Death Eaters into the school!' said Ron. 'If that hadn't happened then Dumbledore wouldn't be dead!'

Hermione reached over and placed a hand on Ron's forearm, trying to calm him down. His eyes glanced down at her hand and she shut up, but he didn't look any less upset.

'You don't know anything about it!' shouted Ginny. 'So keep your nose out of my business!'

'What were you thinking?' demanded Mrs Weasley.

'I don't know,' said Ginny. 'He's different!'

'Let's be thankful,' said Mr Weasley, 'that Malfoy took care of Ginny and didn't let any harm come to her. It must have been fascinating living among Muggles, then, Gin?'

'Don't change the subject, Arthur!' Mrs Weasley said in a very dangerous tone. Her husband's cheeks turned red but he didn't say anything.

'Dad has a point, Mum,' said Ginny. 'He did take care of me. I was so sick. Have you seen what happened to me?' Ginny lifted up her shirt to reveal the scar to her mother. Mrs Weasley gasped at the crudely-healed wound, the round, raised line, thick and sickening. 'I cannot even describe how much it hurt. I could hardly walk ... Draco made sure I had food and clothes and a place to stay. He was so very careful not to push me to do things that would hurt me. He was kind, in his own way. Of course he's still an arrogant prig, but he loves me.'

Mrs Weasley burst into tears.

'Mum!' cried Ginny, feeling wretched. 'What's wrong?'

'You know what's wrong,' snapped Ron.

'Shh!' admonished Hermione, tightening her grip on Ron's arm.

'My babies are Lost!' she wailed. 'I'll never see them again. I was always too hard on Fred! He was a brilliant businessman. And Percy!' She sobbed into the palms of her hands. 'I hope he knows I forgave him! Charlie ... oh, Charlie!' Mrs Weasley rubbed her nose and looked at Ginny through teary, bloodshot eyes. 'And you. I never thought I was going to see you again!'

'But I'm here, Mum. I'm not going anywhere.'

'And once Malfoy gets out of Azkaban? You're not going back to him?'

'I'm staying here,' said Ginny firmly, 'in England with my family. I'm not going back to Sicily.'

It wasn't until that moment that Ginny had made her mind completely up. She told Draco she couldn't follow him back, not yet anyway, but it wasn't until now that she knew this to be absolutely true.

Mrs Weasley picked up a dishtowel next to the sink and blew her nose. 'I hope no one finds out about this. My baby's reputation will be ruined!'

'Mum,' groaned Ginny. 'My reputation won't be ruined. You think everyone else got married or died a virgin? This is ridiculous. Ron's the only one I know of in our family who hasn't had sex.'

'Shut up,' Ron said.

'No, you shut up. Look, there's no point in getting upset with me. I don't know what I can do to convince you that I was hurt and Draco took care of me. He loves me and there's nothing you can do to change it. Getting upset isn't going to solve anything! And I'm sorry if I tarnished the good Weasley name. Not only are we poor and blood traitors, but we're sluts as well.'

Mrs Weasley gasped. 'Ginevra—'

'No, Mum, I don't want to hear it. I can't hear it. I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment, I really am. I love you all. I'm not going back to Sicily because I want to be with all of you. I need you and I missed you so much when I was gone. I kept thinking about you and I was more homesick than I was when I was a first-year. But I didn't do any of this on purpose. Please forgive me for worrying you lot; I didn't mean to. If you're going to be disappointed in me, let it be for not doing more to contact you, to let you know that I'm all right ... but not for doing what every other member of this family has done.'

Mrs Weasley shook her head. 'Ginny, it's not—'

'You and Dad took midnight walks around the castle ... Bill and Fleur let a flat in London together before they were married ... Penny stayed all night in Percy's room a few times when he was Head Boy – don't think that the twins and I didn't use that piece of information to our advantage. He was right upset that we found Mr Perfect Prefect was breaking the rules. Charlie lived with one of the dragon tamers in Romania for two years in the same tent. I'm no different than any of your other kids.'

'Ohh, Ginny,' said Mrs Weasley softly, 'I didn't mean – of course I'm not disappointed in you as my daughter. We love you. We always assumed you and Harry would end up together and ...'

Ginny snuck a glance at Harry; his face was flushed.

'... but obviously that ship has sailed.'

'Obviously.'

'If it was anyone but a Malfoy. A Malfoy. Ginny, after everything Lucius did to your father! And Draco to you and Ron and Harry and Hermione!'

'I know, Mum, but he's different now.'

'We're not discussing this any further,' said Mrs Weasley firmly. 'I'm glad you're home, but this is no longer an open topic for this family.'

'You can't pretend it doesn't exist.'

'I'm volunteering tonight at St Mungo's to help out some of the Healers. The hospital is overrun with patients, have been for months. I need to rest a bit before I Apparate over. I trust you can prepare your own supper?' Mrs Weasley didn't wait for an answer before she went up the stairs.

Ginny turned around and looked at her father. He had got up from the table, looking tired and worn, the top of his head almost completely bald now.

'Dad,' she began, but he shook his head, stopping her from continuing.

'It's late for me to still be awake,' said Mr Weasley, looking at his wristwatch. 'I'm going to turn in.'

'Dad! Wait!'

Mr Weasley walked up the stairs.

'You're a selfish brat,' said Ron.

Ginny took in a deep breath and steadied herself. 'What?'

'They don't want to deal with you and Malfoy. They have more important things to focus on.'

'Your brothers' deaths have taken a hard toll on them,' said Hermione. 'Your father hasn't really dealt with it yet. I'm sure they're happy you're home, though.'

'I didn't mean to make it about me. I didn't bring it up—'

'Stop, Gin. I know at Hogwarts you were the most popular girl in your year. Hell, probably our year too, but it's not always about you.'

'You lot are all mad! I'm not trying to make this about me!'

'Then why didn't you ask how Mum and Dad were doing?' demanded Ron. 'How they were feeling after three of their sons died?'

'I—'

'You were more interested in bickering about having sex!'

Ginny felt infuriated and ganged up on. She stalked out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind her.

XXXXXXX

It was growing increasingly dark outside. Ginny sat on the grass in the back garden, looking at nothing, her mind reeling with everything that had happened. Her dad didn't seem to be speaking with her, her mum was incensed, Ron was acting like an arse, and Draco was arrested.

'May I sit?'

Ginny tilted her head up. Hermione stood in front of her, tying the belt of her dressing gown. Ginny nodded and the older girl sat cross-legged facing her.

'I'm sorry everyone seems so miffed at you. If it's any consolation, I'm not angry. The past few days have been hard to digest. Harry hasn't really cried, but then, Harry's not completely in tune with all his emotions, is he? Ron's up in his room now pushing back tears.' Hermione rolled her eyes. 'I've seen him cry several times already. You'd think he'd stop caring what I think.'

'He'll never stop caring,' said Ginny.

Hermione shrugged. 'Are you really planning on staying?'

'I was going to, but now ...'

'They'll be crushed if you go back to Malfoy. If he doesn't get sent to Azkaban, that is.'

'I don't know what to do,' confessed Ginny. 'Everything is so fucked-up. It wasn't meant to be like this.'

'Have you given any thought to going back to Hogwarts? They're reopening and it is your seventh year.'

'I hadn't considered it.'

'You're one of my best friends and I want to see you happy, but I don't know if it's going to happen here. Ron holds on to grudges. He still cannot stand for anyone to mention Viktor's name in front of him. Honestly, I don't think he'll ever grow up.'

'So you think Ron's going to stay angry with me for a while?'

Hermione shrugged. 'I've been trying to talk to him, but he doesn't want to deal with you. I think once the funerals happen and things start to go back to normal he'll come around. So will Harry.'

'I didn't mean to hurt Harry. I would never hurt Harry. I do love him, but I'm not in love with him.' Ginny covered her face with her hands. 'I didn't mean to be selfish and make it all about me.'

'Ron was just babbling. It's all right. Don't worry. He still loves you.'

'Maybe I will go back to Hogwarts,' said Ginny. 'It would be easier than staying here. By the time Christmas comes, life at The Burrow will have some semblance of normalcy, yeah?'

'As normal as it gets around here.'

'I don't know if I can deal with any of this going on. It's too much for me. Besides, Gryffindor is going to need a new Quidditch Captain.'

'Ohh? And you think McGonagall will appoint you?'

'I've been on the team longest,' said Ginny. 'I hope.'

Hermione smiled. 'Good. Look, if you ever need to talk, you know where I am.'

'Thanks.'

'I won't tell Ron we talked, all right?'

'Thanks,' Ginny repeated.

'Whatever you decide, go to Sicily, stay at The Burrow, or go to Hogwarts, do it because you want to do it.'

'I will.'

'And come find me if you want to talk about this some more.'

'I will.'

XXXXXXX

Ginny was wired. She tried to read, but couldn't concentrate. It would be completely futile to even try sleeping. Ginny hoped Hermione was still awake and she got up from the settee in the living room and walked up the stairs. She passed by her room and continued up towards Ron's, hoping that he and Hermione were talking and not otherwise engaged.

Unfortunately it was the latter as Ginny heard giggles coming from inside her brother's room.

'You looked brilliant today in that shirt. It was so bloody tight.'

'I was under the impression that you hadn't noticed.'

'Oh, I noticed. I always notice. Was that the point?'

'Uh huh.'

'Try to make me notice more often, okay?'

'Ron! What are you doing? Your parents are—'

'Dad sleeps like the dead and Mum's at St Mungo's until late.'

'Mmm, Ron ...'

'You know I love you, yeah?'

'Yes, of course. I love you as well.'

'So ... let's do this. Come here.'

Ginny felt fresh tears prickle her eyes and she turned around, practically running to her bedroom. Slamming the door shut, she flung herself on her bed and cried into her pillow. Of course she was happy Ron and Hermione were finally going to progress in their relationship, but knowing they were happy made her own misery all that more apparent. Deciding she needed a fresh face to look at, Ginny shoved her feet into her new trainers and closed her eyes to calm herself. She went outside and caught the Knight Bus for the second time in the same day.

Diagon Alley was empty at this time of night, but the light in the flat above the joke shop was on. Good. Ginny wanted to see George. She used her wand to conjure a few pebbles and she threw them. They made a tapping noise when they hit the glass and it didn't take long before George undid the latch and looked down at the street.

'Ginny?'

'Hi, George.'

'What're you doing here?'

'So I suppose someone told you I came home?'

'Yeah, Pig dropped a note from Mum about it.'

'So ... can I come up?'

'Er, hold on.' George disappeared for a moment. When he came back he had his wand in his hand. He aimed it at the door. 'It's unlocked.'

Ginny nodded and went up to the front entrance of the store. She turned the knob and went inside. The shop looked much different in the nighttime, with everything in shadow. She went up the stairs to the first floor where the twins had shared a flat together. It was exciting in a way; she'd never seen their place before. Their place? It's George's place now.

The door to the flat was open and Ginny walked through it and found herself standing in a brightly-decorated living room. The colours of the chairs and settee were loud and bold – electric blue, deep crimson, and shocking lime. The rugs were made of thick carpet and Ginny's shoes sunk into them. Surprisingly, the paintings on the walls seemed to be Muggle as none of them moved or talked.

'How are you?' asked Ginny.

'D'you want something to drink?' asked George, avoiding the question.

'Er, water?'

George turned around and looked at his little sister. His eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. 'I meant something real. Like Firewhisky or a Chimaera Butter Bomb.'

'Oh.' Ginny thought for a moment. Most people would say they needed a drink at a time like this – with her brothers dead and her boyfriend arrested and the rest of her family furious at her. 'I'll try a Chimaera Butter Bomb.'

George nodded and motioned for Ginny to follow him into the kitchen. He got out two Butterbeers from the icebox and a bottle of Firewhisky from a cabinet full of liquor bottles – some wizard brands and some Muggle. After he placed the bottles on the kitchen table he got two beer steins with the Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes logo etched on them and two shot glasses with similar emblems.

'Who's the girl?' asked Ginny, noticing a Muggle picture of George and a girl with long blonde hair and a very white smile taped to the wall with Spellotape.

'Elspeth.'

'I've never heard of her before.'

'She's a Muggle,' said George looking at the picture. 'I used to do magic for her and pretend they were Muggle magic tricks. She's from Ottery St Catchpole but moved to London to go to university.'

'Is she your girlfriend?'

George shrugged.

Ginny grinned. 'I think that's a yes. Does Dad know about her? He'd be ecstatic to meet a Muggle.'

'She's not ready to meet Dad. He knows about her, though. She only found out that I do real magic a few months ago. Fred ...' George swallowed. 'Fred slipped up and accidentally gave her a Nosebleed Nougat ... Needless to say she figured out I was a real wizard.' George sat down at the kitchen table and opened one of the bottles of Butterbeer. He divided it out into the two steins and pushed one of them towards Ginny.

'She's really pretty,' said Ginny, sitting down at the table.

George shrugged. 'Yeah.'

'Does she know about Fred?'

'Yes.'

'Where is she now?'

'She has a flat with two girls from her school. I got Dad to set up the fireplace in her bedroom to the Floo Network so she's been in and out. No other way for her to come into Diagon Alley, y'know? She can never remember what bricks to tap. The whole magical bit is a tad beyond her.' George took a deep breath and filled the two shot glasses with Firewhisky. 'Here.' He set the shot glass in front of Ginny. 'You drop it into your Butterbeer and then chug the entire thing. Got it?'

'I know what a Chimaera Butter Bomb is,' said Ginny. 'I've seen you and Fred do them all the time.'

'Right.' George dropped his shot glass in his beer stein and brought it up to his lips.

Ginny followed suit; the mixed liquid burned as it dripped down her throat, but she managed to drink the entire thing. Her eyes watered and she felt her sinuses clear. 'Wow,' she breathed, 'that's hard stuff.'

'Yeah.'

'Why do they call it a Chimaera Butter Bomb?'

'Haven't the faintest.'

'Have you been drinking all this time?'

'All this time? It's only been a few days, Gin.'

'I know. Have you been to see Bill?'

George nodded. 'Once, the other night.'

'Mum said—'

'I don't care what Mum said. Or Dad. Or Ron, Hermione, or Neville. I don't want to see any of them.'

'No one really told me what happened ...'

George held the bottle of Firewhisky in his hands, studying the torn label. 'We were fighting a couple of Death Eaters, a witch named Alecto and some bloke called Jugson. Harry said You-Know-Who didn't know all the Horcruxes were destroyed so he was rather cocky-like. Told all his Death Eaters to "do their worst". I was battling with Alecto when Jugson sent a curse at me and I wasn't expecting it. Fred, uh, tackled me to the ground, but the – the curse hit him and ... well you know the rest.'

'The Killing Curse?'

'No,' said George, his eyes moving from the bottle to Ginny's face. 'It was Creare-incruentatum.'

'I've never heard of that.'

George shook his head. 'Neither had I. The Healers at St Mungo's told Bill that all of Fred's blood had disappeared from his body. I thought I heard Jugson say Creer-incrucium, but the Healers said there wasn't a spell like that, so I must have heard the other thing.'

'They Vanished all his blood?'

George nodded and set the bottle down on the table. 'That's actually what it's called: the Vanishing Blood Curse. I don't suppose it's used very often. The Killing Curse is instant; you don't know that it's hit you, but with this blood curse, you sort-of realise ...' He rubbed his eyes, making them even redder. 'The curse was supposed to be for me, but Fred had to be bloody noble.'

'Don't blame yourself,' said Ginny gently. 'I miss him as well. I think that if maybe I had come home and fought I could have helped prevent Charlie or Fred or ... Percy.'

'Why didn't you come home? Malfoy keep you hostage? I'll kill him.'

'No, no,' said Ginny. 'There's already been several fights at home about him. He didn't kidnap me or keep me hostage. I was hurt and almost died. Did they tell you that?'

George shrugged. 'Maybe. Part of it.'

'Well, I wasn't quite strong enough to fight. I don't know if that's true,' said Ginny looking down at her hands. 'I mean, I still have these really bad pains in my stomach, but I can't help but think that I might have been able to fight despite them.'

'Unless you're in the middle of a battle and get a pain and lose your concentration. Then you'd be another Weasley to be buried next week.'

'Is that when the funerals are?'

'All of them,' said George. 'There's a large memorial service at the graveyard at Hogwarts. Normally only professors and headmasters and mistresses are buried there, but Dad owled me to say that they're burying everyone who died in the last battle there ... as homage to them ... so none of the students will ever forget.'

'No one's told me.'

George shrugged. 'Did you want to fight?'

'Yes,' whispered Ginny, reaching for the Firewhisky. 'Part of me knows that I probably couldn't, that I probably would have been killed, but another part of me wishes that I had at least tried.'

'It's better that you didn't,' said George, shutting his eyes. 'I don't think I could handle my only sister and my twin both being dead.' He shook his head. 'Never mind. Are you going to drink that?'

Ginny poured herself a shot. 'This is probably not the way to deal with our pain.'

'What's your pain?'

'They were my brothers, too!' cried Ginny. 'And my boyfriend was arrested today. Not to mention I slapped Ron in front of Mum and she and Dad aren't really speaking to me.'

'Your boyfriend?'

'Draco.'

George was silent for a moment. 'I think I'm going to need that bottle back.'

'I was living with him in Sicily.'

'For Merlin's sake! Everyone was worried sick about you! And you were off having a grand time in bloody Sicily?'

'It's not like that!' cried Ginny. 'I came here – I thought you'd be rational – you're just like Ron—'

'Sit down,' said George as Ginny started to stand up. 'I'm serious: Sit back down. So everyone's angry with you not because you were off with Malfoy, but because you were with Malfoy ...'

'Something like that.'

'Bloody hell.'

'I didn't come here to talk about me,' said Ginny. 'I came here because I needed someone rational to talk with in general. Plus, I didn't know when I was going to get to see you.'

'I haven't felt much like going out.'

Ginny breathed in deeply and lifted the shot glass to her lips. After she made sure the Firewhisky was staying down in her stomach, she looked back up at George. 'Does Mum care that you're dating a Muggle?'

'No. Should she?'

'No. But if she's going to be accepting of your relationship, she should be accepting of mine.'

'I think it's completely difference.'

'I think it's exactly the same.'

'How?'

'Both our relationships are unconventional. None of us have ever dated anyone who wasn't a witch or wizard, yeah? Now you're the first one dating a Muggle and I'm the first one dating a Malfoy.'

'It's not the same,' said George. 'We all thought you were going to end up with Harry.'

'I know.'

'Fred and I used to talk about who was going to get married first – you and Harry or Ron and Hermione.'

'Ron and Hermione,' said Ginny dryly.

'That's what Fred always said.' George opened the second bottle of Butterbeer and divided it out between the two beer steins. 'Ready for another?' he asked as he poured two shots of Firewhisky.

'My head already feels fuzzy.'

'That's what's supposed to happen, y'know.'

'Drinking isn't going to bring Fred back.'

'Drinking isn't going to keep Malfoy from being sent to Azkaban either.'

Ginny dropped the shot into the half-filled mug. 'Cheers.'

'I miss him,' said George. 'I've never been alone before. I mean, sure he had his various dates with Angelina when we were sixth- and seventh-years where I wasn't there, but I had Lee and Alicia to cavort with. The past year and a half or so, I've been seeing a lot of Elspeth, but Fred never mentioned it. I'd still come back here to our flat most nights. No matter how hard I pounded on the wall that separated our bedrooms, I could still hear him snoring. I didn't like to charm my room so I could get some sleep because somehow it always ended up silencing everything, including my alarm.'

Ginny smiled. 'You and Fred were brilliant together. Your shop is successful and everybody loved you two. Always the life of the party.'

George nodded. 'That's us. But I think Fred was the funnier one.'

'You were always more contemplative. A thinker.'

'We both came up with the joke ideas, but I was better at making them whereas Fred invented the ideas. He helped of course ... People think we were exactly the same.'

'You weren't,' said Ginny. 'I noticed the differences over the years. When Hermione refused to let you try out your tricks on the first-years, you were both pretty hacked off, but you weren't as upset as Fred was. I think you fancied her. You always liked the brainy girls. Fred always liked the athletic, brilliant-looking ones.'

'Fancied Hermione? You're off your rocker, little sis.'

'Am I? Were you or weren't you considering asking her to the Yule Ball?'

George shrugged. 'She's cute and clever, but I did not fancy her. Fred would've taken the mickey out of me if I had.'

'I'm sure he would have.'

'I used to taunt him terribly when he fancied Angelina. The sodding idiot practically drooled over her,' said George with a weak laugh. 'But when he realised I liked Elspeth, he didn't utter a word about it. They got on well themselves.'

'That's good, though, isn't it?'

George nodded. 'She was right upset herself when she found out the news. Cried for a bit. Fred wasn't – he wasn't just a brother, he was my best friend. It's as though that Death Eater took away my left arm or something. It's like I can't function properly.'

'It'll be all right. Everyone's going through a rough time. Mum practically flooded the kitchen today she cried so much ... about Charlie and Fred and Percy, and then she cried about me, and then she cried because she hasn't seen you at all. Dad didn't cry. I don't think he's dealing with any of it.'

'Really? Dad's always been the grounded one. Sure, he's flighty about Muggle paraphernalia, but overall, he's more down-to-earth than Mum.'

'Dad's not dealing very well,' said Ginny. 'He told me he missed me and was glad I was back, but ...' She shrugged. 'The news is still new. I've already cried enough for two lifetimes, I think.'

'That's why I don't want to go home,' said George. 'Even more memories to deal with and I don't want anyone to see me cry.'

'Crying's all right, though,' said Ginny.

'When I look in the mirror, I see him.'

'George – you have the same face!'

'It's different now.'

'Come home,' said Ginny. 'At least for a little bit. Mum really wants to see you.'

A noise from the other room interrupted their conversation. George got up and went into the living room. Ginny followed, but hung back when she noticed a head floating in the middle of the fireplace, surrounded by green flames.

'Do you want me to come over?' a soft, feminine voice asked.

'Please,' said George. 'How about in twenty minutes?'

'All right. I'll see you then.'

'Was that Elspeth?' asked Ginny when the head disappeared.

'Yeah.'

'I'll go ahead and go.'

'You don't—'

'No, I will. Thanks for talking to me. I just needed conversation,' said Ginny. 'Everything is so confusing with Charlie, Percy, and Fred, and everything else. I feel overwhelmed. But those Chimaera Butter Bombs helped.'

Ginny crossed the room and hugged her older brother.

'G'night,' he said and Ginny Floo'ed home.

XXXXXXX

Someone at Hogwarts must have known Ginny was thinking of returning because the next day she got an owl containing her seventh-year booklist and new rules and policies. A second owl came around lunchtime from her father. In his sloppy scrawl was written the time and date of Draco's trial. Although, from the sounds of the note, it didn't sound as though there was going to be much of a trial.

Two days later, a Friday, Ginny had her trunk packed to go back to school. She and her mother were getting on well, but they hadn't broached the subject of Draco at all. Her relationship with Ron was strained, but at least they hadn't fought. Harry, on the other hand, had been avoiding her as though she had Exploding Dragon Boils or something.

Sunday seemed very far away, even though it was only two days away. Ginny knew going back to Hogwarts was the best idea for her, but leaving everything behind seemed so much more powerful this time. Not only was she going somewhere without her family, she was going somewhere without Draco. It would be a good time for her to re-evaluate the things in her life, to decide what was most important to her, and to get enough NEWTs to get a good job after school.

After breakfast, Ginny got dressed and prepared to grab the Knight Bus into London. She wanted to see if she couldn't testify for Draco during his trial. Unfortunately, when she got to the ninth level of the Ministry, she was told that all trials concerning Death Eaters were closed and she was asked to leave. The only reason she ended up being able to wait outside the courtroom was because she was the daughter of a Ministry worker.

The courtroom doors remained closed for over three hours, but Ginny refused to leave. Finally, the doors opened and the members of the Wizengamot stepped out. Ginny had to wait for all of them to pass before she saw Draco.

'Wait, stop!' Ginny cried. She watched as the two Aurors escorting Draco, hands bound behind his back, stopped and turned their heads towards her. 'Can I – can I have a minute with him?'

'No,' said the female Auror, tossing her head back so her hair moved out of her eyes.

'McLarty,' a voice boomed from behind Ginny. She turned around; Kingsley Shacklebolt stood by the door to the courtroom. 'Malfoy's bound, he won't escape. You have two minutes, Ginny.'

'Thanks.'

The two Aurors on either side of Draco let go of his arms and walked down the corridor. They were out of earshot, but they kept their eyes on him.

'How long—'

'Three months,' he said.

'That's not so bad,' said Ginny, trying to lighten the mood. 'I'll wait for you—'

'You don't have to.'

'Well, I'm going back to Hogwarts next week for my last year. But once I'm out of school—'

'No,' said Draco, looking down the corridor towards the Aurors. 'That's almost a year away. Let's not make this a big deal, all right? You belong with Potter and I belong ... anywhere but here.'

'I don't want Harry. I want you.'

Draco shrugged. 'Don't make a scene. You can hang on to your memories, or whatever it is you girls do in these situations. And we'll both move on.'

'What about your dream of us dancing in the ballroom at your house?'

'Dreams are for titchy first-years, Ginny! No one ever gets what they want. Miracles don't happen and dreams are broken. So grow up and stop acting like such a child, thinking everything will be all right as long as we love each other, because you loving me has only caused you trouble. Just – go home, go to Hogwarts, get a job at the Ministry, marry Potter, have ten ruddy children, and forget about me. It'll make both our lives easier in the end.'

'No—'

'I've got to go. I'm a criminal now, remember? Not only am I a Malfoy, but I'm a convict. If there was ever a reason not to wait for me, there are two good ones right there. Now, I've got to go.'

Draco walked down the corridor, arms bound at the wrist behind his back. The Aurors returned to their positions on either side of him as they rounded the corner and went out of sight. Ginny didn't understand why Draco wouldn't let her wait for him. Didn't he still love her? Ginny pushed back her tears and held her head high as she left the Ministry.

XXXXXXX

'You can drive?' asked Ginny, surprised.

Harry shrugged. 'Last summer when I was at the Dursleys they made me their errand boy. They didn't actually entrust me with their car, but Figgy lent me hers and they had me going to the market and all sorts of things. You're not scared to drive me with me, are you?'

'No. Not really. I'd rather go to King's Cross with you than my parents. We're still on thin ice.'

Harry got into the car and unlocked the passenger's side door. He started up the car and drove down the lane that ran near The Burrow.

'Are we going to get there in time?'

'It's a Ministry car,' said Harry. 'It'll drive faster. I drove this one over the summer – with Aurors accompanying me of course.'

'I'm glad you're taking me. I thought you were avoiding me the past few days.'

'I was.'

'Ohh.'

'But your mum signed up to help at St Mungo's before she realised you were going to be going back to Hogwarts and your father—'

'Dad's still acting weird around me. He told me about Draco's trial, but we haven't really spoken to one another.'

Harry shrugged. 'Give him time.'

'I'm surprised he told me about the court date, though.'

'Are you really? That seems like something he'd do. He probably hates the idea of you and Malfoy together, but if Malfoy's really as nice as you say he is ...'

'"Nice" isn't a word I'd use. But, yes, I see your point. I love Dad dearly. I wish he wasn't angry at me.'

'Like I said, give him time.'

'I think you've been talking to Hermione.'

Harry nodded. 'It was her idea for me to drive you. She said it might give us time to talk and smooth things out.'

'Smart one, Hermione.'

'I agree.'

Ginny sniffled. 'I'm sorry. Everything is so fucked-up. I'm going to miss everyone, but I want to go back too.'

'It's all right. You'll see your parents and everyone on Wednesday when they come for the funerals.'

'That's right. I almost forgot about that. Will you be there?'

'Uh huh.'

'Harry? How come you look so ... happy? I honestly thought you'd be brooding once the war was over. I mean, you didn't look happy about the Draco stuff, but other than that ...'

'Brooding? Are you mad? I killed Voldemort. No one's trying to kill me anymore. The three most important people to me are all alive and everyone's concerned that I'm happy. I don't see any reason for me to be anything but ecstatic.'

Ginny smiled. 'I'm glad you're happy.'

'Thanks.'

'Are you still planning on being an Auror?'

'Eventually. I'm tired of fighting Dark wizards. I think I'll play Quidditch for a bit. I've had a couple offers from Puddlemere and Chudley.'

'The Cannons! Shite! Does Ron know?'

'He was offered a position as Reserve Keeper for them, but I think he's going to go ahead and be an Auror.'

'Really? I can't imagine Ron passing up a chance to play Quidditch.'

'I think it's Hermione's doing.'

'I don't think Hermione would tell Ron not to play.'

'No, but he knows she doesn't think Quidditch can be a lifelong career.'

'Well, it can't.'

'I know,' said Harry. 'Ron's already been accepted into the Auror program. Hermione's going to work for the Department of Magical Creatures. She's going back to live with her parents for a bit, then she said she's going to try and find a couple of flatmates.'

'Why doesn't she move in with you and Ron?'

Harry laughed. 'I don't think your mum could handle that. No, I don't want to live with Hermione. Although I bet she could make Ron pick up his dirty socks off the floor, though.'

Ginny giggled. 'I bet she could, too.'

Harry glanced over at her. 'For what it's worth, I'd rather you be happy with someone I hate than miserable with me.'

'I could never be miserable with you.'

'No?'

Ginny shook her head. 'No.'

'What happened at the Ministry?' asked Harry.

It was a question Ginny had been avoiding since Friday. Unfortunately, in a small car with Harry, she couldn't ignore it.

'Draco didn't want me to wait for him. He wants us to both move on with our lives.'

'I'm sorry.'

'It's all right.'

'That's what I plan on doing – moving on with my life.'

'Good for you, Harry.'

'Not that I don't still ... y'know ...'

Ginny nodded. 'Yeah, I know. Maybe we can see what happens once the school year's over,' she said, 'but I'm going to live my life and you live yours. Don't waste ten months on me, okay?'

'I won't.'

'And I won't waste ten months, either.'

'You are still the perfect first girlfriend.'

'Thank you. You were the perfect third boyfriend.'

'If you want me to kill Draco for breaking your heart—'

'It's not broken,' said Ginny, 'only bruised. I'll heal.'

They drove the rest of the way to King's Cross in silence. Once they were on the platform, Ginny hugged Harry, and he hugged her back, his arms tight around her waist.

'Thanks for not being too angry with me about Draco.'

Harry shrugged.

'You don't understand how much it means to me that we can still be friends. Owl me?'

'Sure.'

'And try to convince Ron there's no reason for him to be angry with me either.'

'All right.'

'Bye, Harry.'

Ginny picked up her trunk and went to the train. She waved good-bye to Harry before boarding. She found an empty compartment and sat down. When she looked out the window, Harry had already left the platform. With a great sigh, Ginny settled down in her seat and closed her eyes.

'Can I sit in here?'

Ginny opened her eyes. 'Colin! Hi! Of course.'

Colin Creevey closed the compartment door behind him and sat down. 'Luna's out there wandering around looking for compartments too. Where the heck have you been?'

Ginny smiled. 'Oh, Colin, that's a very long story.'

XXXXXXX

To Be Continued ...

XXXXXXX