A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I was asked why Cornelia's nickname is Nena. The answer is quite simple, because my aunt goes by Nena. I don't know how they got Nena out of Cornelia but that is what she is known by so that's why the Cornelia in this story goes by Nena as well. So without further ado here is the next installment of Summer of Secrets.
Warnings For This Chapter: cutting
Disclaimer: I still own nothing.
Chapter Twenty-Five
After Remus bound Ginny's broken leg, Harry carefully lifted her into his arms before he started up the path to Hogwarts. Draco hurried along at Harry's side.
"Ginny, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you," Draco apologized profusely.
"What are you talking about?" Ginny asked. She winced in pain when her leg moved. "You saved my life."
Harry glanced at him. "She's right, Draco. Your father would've killed her if you hadn't tackled him."
"That's the point. My father almost killed you, Ginny. It's my fault. If I had never run away-"
"He still would've shown up in Hogsmeade." Harry cut him off. "There's nothing you can do about it. You proved today you are nothing like your father. I know he would never do what you did for Ginny for any of his Death Eater pals."
Draco sighed. "You're right. I just wish I could've saved Ginny and not broken her leg."
"I'd rather be alive with a broken leg than buried 6 feet under." Ginny moaned as Harry began walking up the stairs into the castle, accidentally jostling her leg.
"Sorry, love." Harry kissed the top of her head.
"It's all right. You didn't mean to." Ginny assured him.
Draco held open the doors to the Hospital Wing so Harry could carefully maneuver Ginny over the threshold. Madam Pomfrey was bent over one of the beds, tending to a patient. Draco gasped when he caught a glimpse of the girl lying on the bed. It was Nena Harkiss. Madam Pomfrey turned around and hurried across the room.
"Lay her in the bed across from Miss Harkiss, Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey instructed.
Obediently, Harry gently laid Ginny on the bed. He kissed her softly and sat down on the chair beside Ginny's bed. Draco stood silently on Ginny's other side.
"Go talk to her, Draco," Ginny told him.
"She wouldn't want to talk to me," Draco replied, looking down at his shoes.
"Maybe you'll be surprised. You'll never know until you try." Harry tried to persuade him.
"I don't need to try, I know she hates me." Draco slumped against the wall.
"Fine," Ginny said firmly. "Either go talk to her or I'll hex you into next week."
Draco gaped at her. Ginny was normally so sweet, her outburst was completely unexpected.
"I'd listen, Draco. She has a mean Bat-Bogey Hex." Harry chuckled.
Draco sighed. "Fine. I'll go but I'm not happy about it."
"Duly noted." Ginny smirked.
Draco walked over to Nena's bedside while Madam Pomfrey started to tend to Ginny. He shuffled his feet awkwardly.
"Hi," he mumbled.
"Hi." Nena looked up at him curiously.
"Are you all right?" Draco asked.
"Yeah, just a few minor spell burns. Madam Pomfrey wants me to stay overnight for observation," Nena replied. "Why don't you sit down?"
Draco looked at her in surprise, but took the seat next to her bed. They sat in silence for a few minutes.
"I saw what you did for Ginny Weasley. You were really brave, standing up to your father that way," Nena complimented.
"I did what I would've done for any of my friends." Draco blushed.
"Still, you didn't have to, but you did anyway. I know Blaise wouldn't do that for me." Nena turned slightly to face him.
"I'm sure he would. He is your boyfriend, after all." Draco disagreed.
"Not anymore. Turns out he fancies Daphne." Nena shook her head.
"Wait, he broke up with you for your best friend?" Draco asked.
"Right before the attack." Nena nodded. "It's all right though. I wasn't really into him. And Daphne really likes him," Nena explained. "I want her to be happy."
"Wow. You're a really good friend."
Nena smiled. "So are you."
Draco looked down at his lap. "Thank you."
"I'm sorry for how I've treated you in the past. Today you proved you've really changed." Nena paused. "And if it's okay with you, I'd really like to get to know you better."
"I'd like that too." Draco grinned.
H/G
Across the room, Harry and Ginny were both watching the exchange between Draco and Nena.
"It seems to be going well," Ginny commented.
"Yeah." Harry nodded. "I really hope she gives him a chance. Draco needs someone like her in his life."
Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when Madam Pomfrey approached her again, carrying a set of crutches. She examined Ginny's leg and nodded.
"Well, it's no longer broken, but you can't put any weight on it for the next few days," Madam Pomfrey told her.
"Does that mean I have to stay here?" Ginny frowned.
"No, you may go. But you'll have to use crutches for a few days." Madam Pomfrey gestured to the crutches.
"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey." Ginny began to climb out of bed. She put her good leg on the ground and reached for the crutches. Harry put his hand on her lower back to steady her as she stood up, supporting her weight on the crutches.
"Should we go tell him we're leaving?" Harry asked.
Ginny looked over at the two Slytherins. They were still talking.
"No, we'll talk to him tomorrow." Ginny shook her head.
Harry nodded. He held open the doors so Ginny could exit into the corridor. They slowly made their way to the Grand Staircase. After watching Ginny struggle to climb the first set of stairs, Harry ignored her protests and carried her up the stairs. It was only when Ginny threatened him that he agreed to at least let her walk when they weren't having to climb.
Once in the Gryffindor common room, Harry sat Ginny down in his lap. Ron and Hermione hurried over to them.
"How do you feel, Ginny?" Hermione sat down next to them, careful not to disturb Ginny's legs.
"I'm fine. Madam Pomfrey fixed my leg but I have to use crutches for a few days." Ginny rested her head against Harry's chest.
"We were so worried, Gin." Ron sat down on Ginny's other side.
"I'm fine, Ron," Ginny repeated. "Just tired."
"Do you want to go up to your dormitory?" Harry asked.
"Yeah." Ginny began to stand up.
"There's no way you could make it up that spiral staircase with crutches. Let me carry you." Harry picked Ginny up before she could protest.
"But the stairs will turn into a slide." Ginny pointed out.
"Not if you do this." Hermione walked over and tapped her wand on the banister. "There, now the floor will stay solid."
"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said appreciatively.
"No problem, Harry." Hermione smiled.
Harry set Ginny down, once they were inside her dormitory. Using her crutches, Ginny slowly walked to her bed. She sat down and sighed.
"Do you need anything else?" Harry asked.
"I think I'll be fine. But could you ask Hermione to come here? I'll need help getting a bath." Ginny propped her crutches up against the wall.
"Of course. I'll send Hedwig to you in case you need anything else." Harry kissed her chastely.
"I don't need Hedwig. I'll be fine. I have my roommates." Ginny protested.
"I want to know that you can reach me if you need me," Harry told her. "I'll go get Hermione and head to the Owlery."
"Fine." Ginny gave in.
"I love you." Harry kissed her once more.
"I love you too," Ginny replied.
H/G
Marchpassedinto April without any more attacks. Ginny had only used the crutches for three days before she could walk on her leg again. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had been very busy with schoolwork as exams grew closer.
The day after the attack, Ron had shocked everyone by apologizing to Draco. When Draco saved Ginny, it made Ron realize that Draco was legit. It turned out Ron and Draco had a lot in common. They were both avid fans of the Chudley Cannons and loved wizard's chess.
A week later, Draco had mustered up the courage and asked Nena out. She accepted immediately. The couple had been together for a month now, and they were very happy.
Over all, everyone seemed to be happy. Tonks had finally persuaded Remus to give her a chance. Reluctantly, Remus gave in, tired of fighting her. The couple had wasted no time and had moved in together within the week. Tonks was already talking about marriage, but Remus was still dragging his feet. Harry hoped he would give in quicker than he had when it came to dating her.
Bill and Fleur had recently moved into a small house not far from the Burrow. The flat they had previously occupied was too small for four people to live in. They had wanted to be situated before the twins arrived in September. They had gotten a great deal on the house, as the owner also owned the one next door. Charlie and Anneliese bought the one next to Bill and Fleur's. They were busy with wedding preparations and waiting for the arrival of their baby. They had recently found out they were expecting a boy. He was to be named Declan Charles Weasley.
Fred and George's business was proving very successful. Angelina Johnson helped run the Diagon Alley location of Weasley Wizard's Wheezes with Fred while Katie Bell worked with George at the Hogsmeade store. On Hogsmeade weekends, Lee Jordan could be found helping out with his longtime girlfriend, Madison Williams.
There was still no word from Percy, but Arthur frequently saw him at the Ministry. He had learned from word of mouth that Percy had married Penelope Clearwater the year before. Molly had been very upset. To take her mind off of it, Anneliese and Charlie had asked her to help them plan their wedding.
After dinner that night, Harry and Ginny were studying in the common room. Ginny was feeling very overwhelmed with all of her assignments. She was very emotional lately.
"I can't do this anymore. I'm going to bed." Ginny kissed Harry and went up to her dormitory.
Ginny grabbed a pair of pajamas and went to the washroom. She turned the tap on the shower and stepped into the warm water. The room was filled with steam as Ginny massaged her homemade shampoo into her hair. As she rinsed out her hair, she began to cry. Ginny buried her head in her hands, her small body wracked with tears. Looking around, Ginny grabbed her razor and pressed it against the flesh of her wrist. The blood was washed away by the stream of water and swept down the drain. Still crying, Ginny slumped against the wall and slid down to the shower floor.
When she had finally stopped crying, Ginny stood up and dried her eyes. She quickly finished her shower before she turned off the water and wrapped a towel around her body. Ginny cast a drying spell on herself before she slipped into her pajamas. She was alarmed to see all the movement had caused her wound to start bleeding again. Ginny pressed a washcloth to her arm and hurried up to Harry's dorm.
Harry was sitting on his bed, penning a letter to Remus. He looked up when he heard the door close behind Ginny. One look at her red eyes and Harry was across the room. He pulled Ginny into his arms and whispered into her ear, "What happened?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm just overwhelmed. I can't deal with all this stress," Ginny muttered against Harry's chest.
"Come on. Let's get you fixed up." Harry led her over to his bed. He bandaged her wrist in silence.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm trying to stop. I really am," Ginny spoke softly.
"I know. I know you are." Harry pulled her against his side.
"Can I stay here?" Ginny asked.
"Of course." Harry kissed her. He pulled back the covers and settled down beside her. Ginny snuggled up to him and laid her head on his chest.
Harry kissed the top of her head. "Things'll get better. You'll see."