Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. I do however have a metaphorical starving five year old that is no longer starving thanks to you wonderful people!

Okay, this one isn't as long as usual, but considering it's the third update in a week, I think you'll forgive me. I'm really trying to make it up to you guys for not updating in so long. I feel really bad about that! But, on the bright side, because of it, you've gotten three chapters in a week! Which, if I was only updating once a month like usually, it would be a while before you'd gotten this one. What's funny is that if I'd updated before, the chapters might not have been what they are now. I write only when I get inspired too, a.k.a. when writers block lets me go, and then I'm simply writing whatever comes to mind. While I know where I want to go with this story, nothing is ever set in stone until it's written. PUN INTENDED! :D

Anyway, I hope y'all like this new chapter and keep your eyes peeled for the next one. Who knows how soon I'll get that one out though... Come Monday my second semester of collage is starting and I'm trying to update as much as I can before then since I don't know how much I'll be able to during that time. I'll try to keep the updates coming as often as I can though!

Oh, and BJ would like to thank everyone for fattening him up and he sends a request for chocolate cake and a cheeseburger.… I think he's becoming spoiled with all these reviews! He'll be fat before we know it! :D Keep those reviews coming in!

I'm glad all of you love my quick updates and I wanted to thank all of you who reviewed! You hold a special place in my heart!

And to Rocklover91: Thank you so much for calling my story heart-wrenching! I think that's the first time I've gotten that compliment. You have no idea how much that means to me! I'm glad to know my writing can invoke such and emotional response.

So, without further ado:

Chapter 37

Ginny POV

The next few months passed in much the same fashion as that first week. The raids were becoming less frequent as time passed because, according to Draco, Voldemort was trying to make them less predictable. Since I had Draco telling me where and when the raids were going to be once a week, the Order had been able to intercept and win almost every single one. No lives were lost but injuries were becoming more and more prevalent. It's like the Death Eaters were getting more violent with every loss. These attacks were becoming less like raids and more like battles fought between the two sides.

After the second raid that I'd been too, the one on Clovelly, Draco asked me not to go to another one. He said I wasn't experienced enough to be there and I had to agree with him. He'd had to save me yet again that night. He feared for my safety and the fact I was doing battle with Death Eaters, with him, scared him more than he was willing to admit. Of course he was right and I was more than happy to stay out of the way of danger. Mum was thrilled too, glad to have on less family member to worry about.

I still did my part though. I would stay home with Mum during the battles, worrying about my family and the other Order members and, of course, about Draco. But, when the battles finally came to an end and the warriors straggled home, I would help Mum to treat the wounded. I had known quite a bit about healing, but within a month I knew at least triple what I'd known before.

It was in this time, these days that I helped patch up the wounded and heal the sick, that I realized what my purpose in life was. I realized what I wanted to become, if ever this war came to an end. I wanted to become a Healer. I had a way with healing and picked up on the spells and techniques faster than I'd ever had with anything, even Charms.

I shared these thoughts and dreams with Draco the next time we met. Lying in his arms, I told him all about the different people I'd healed and how I'd done it. I told him how it brought me joy to see them heal and feel better. I told him of how humbling it was to watch someone walk away from me like they'd never been hurt.

He listened patiently and I could see the tenderness in his eyes at my eagerness. I could tell it did him good to see me happy. It was strange, feeling happy like that, even with all the bad things that were happening around me. But I couldn't help the happiness I felt. I had my Draco with me, I had found my calling in life, and I was a huge help in fighting the war that consumed our lives.

It was only in the brief moments together that all my worries really seemed to fade away. When I was wrapped in Draco's arms, it was like nothing could hurt me. The cottage became our sanctuary, our happy place. It was there, every Tuesday, that my world seemed right.

Some nights we were together were better than others though. Although it didn't happen often, on occasion Draco would show up late. It was nights like that I dreaded. Whenever he was late, it was because something bad had happened to him. Even though he had become a model Death Eater in the eyes of Voldemort and his followers, Draco's father could never be pleased. He was still tortured, though not as often as before. More than once, though, I had to put my new healing skills to work. Luckily, it was never as bad as the night he'd failed his apparition test.

But, though the times were tough, we stuck together and always made it work. Never once had he not shown up at all. I knew it was hard for Draco to make it to me unnoticed, what with Voldemort's growing suspicion that there was a spy among his ranks. But, no matter what, Draco always found his way back to me. That was, until one night late September.

It had started out as a normal day at the Burrow. There hadn't been a raid that week and the family was finally getting to relax a little bit. I'd helped Mum cook a huge meal and she invited half the Order to dinner. It almost felt like a celebration. And, what with the fact that there seemed to be less and less Death Eater activity, it certainly was good timing for one.

I hadn't been able to stop smiling all evening. There was so much happiness in my home that night. I even got to talk to Neville for the first time in ages. He and his Gran had showed up for dinner too. I was glad Mum thought to invite them. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed my friend.

It was fairly late when the last of the guests finally drifted out the door, smiles on their faces. I sighed and collapsed on the sofa in the living room between Fred and George. The rest of the family was in here too just relaxing. "What a night!" I said as I lay my head back on the sofa.

Just then, Amour took the opportunity to jump into my lap. I smiled down at the cat that had become almost like a child to me. I stroked her head absently as I relaxed. She was there for me when Draco couldn't be. She was a living reminder of him. I realized the week I'd come home that that was why he'd got her for me, for times like this when we were apart.

The clock chimed eleven and I let out a sigh. I was exhausted. "I think I'm going to go to bed you guys," I said to my family as I scooped Amour up in my arms and stood up. As I walked up to my room I hoped that my going to my room was a queue for others to go to bed too. I didn't want to be late in meeting Draco tonight. I'd never been late yet.

Just before I shut my bedroom door I heard several sets to feet on the stairs. I smiled inwardly, it worked. As the household settled down for the night, I locked my door and started getting ready. I sat Amour down on my bed where she curled up and fell asleep within seconds. I smiled down at my cat before turning to my dresser. I pulled on a warm sweater, it was getting chilly at nights now, and put my shoes on.

I then grabbed a few vials of healing potion that Mum and I had brewed that weekend. I'd filled a few vials for myself and set them aside without Mum noticing. I also packed some bandages, just in case.

It was nearly midnight when the last of the lights went off. I grabbed my cloak and quickly made my way down the stairs and to the kitchen. I grabbed a loaf of bread, made fresh that morning, and some of the cookies left over from dinner. I knew Draco would love them. Little did anyone know, but he loved chocolate chip cookies. I smiled when I thought about what his reaction would be.

As I walked outside, I glanced back at the house to make sure no lights were on. Once assured that everyone was asleep, I made my way out past the chicken coup and out into the field that my brothers and I would play Quidditch in. It was out of sight from the house and far enough away to not be heard. After the first night I had to come here. I think Dad heard me apparate the fist night.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I wrapped my cloak more tightly around myself and got a good grip on my bag. Thinking only of the cottage in the woods, I raised my wand and turned on the spot. I would never get used to the feeling of apparition. As I stood in front of the cottage deep in the woods, I tried to shake the feeling that always came with apparition. But, at least it was a quick means of transportation.

I walked inside the cottage and quickly got a fire going. It was pretty chilly that night for September. Once the fire was roaring, I took the bag into the kitchen and put the food on the table. After that I put the first aid things in the bathroom cabinet and sat down on the bed. Kicking my shoes off and levitating my cloak to the hook by the door, I lay down to wait for Draco.

When the clock struck midnight I started to worry. When it struck one, my stomach was in knots. I knew something had happened that was making him late. I hoped beyond hope that it was just a meeting run way over. Yes, that had to be it, I tried to convince myself. I didn't work and by three I was near panic.

Finally though, I just forced myself to lay back and wait for him. He would come. He always did. So with that thought in mind, I lay back on the fluffy pillows that smelled like him and tried to rest. I didn't work. I wasn't even near sleep when the clock struck four.

My mind was racing as I tried to think of what could have caused him to be so late. Nothing was very positive. I tried to push the images of his broken and bleeding body lying on a cold hard floor somewhere out of my mind, but I couldn't help it. What had happened to Draco? When the clock struck five I was sobbing. I knew I couldn't stay any later that this, I never did. Mum would be up before long and I had to be back in my own bed before she realized I was gone.

I waited ten more minutes before I could drag myself from the bed. Something had happened to Draco. He'd not come back to me. It was with a heavy heart and wet eyes that I walked outside into the woods. With one look back at the cottage, I apparated home, praying that Draco would be okay.

Well, DRAMA! What happened to our poor Draco? Tehehe, only I know! I love cliffhangers, did you guys notice? :D They're fun to write but not so fun to read... Oh well, I'll update before you know it I'm sure! Leave a review and tell me what you think and it might come faster than you expect. I love reviews; they make me want to write!

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please leave a review and tell me what you guys think. I love hearing you're feedback. Some of the greatest complements an author can get are telling me if it made you cry or laugh or sigh happily or even scream madly at your computer or quoting back to me your favorite parts. I love those kind of reviews ;D

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