Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. I do however-
Brain: -own a brain that has kept its silence for way too long!
Me: Oh dear, not you again!
Brain: Oh yes, me again.
Me: Why did you have to make a reappearance?
Brain: Why, because you need me! You shouldn't be posting, you should be studying for your finals next week or you'll fail!
Me: *sigh*
Okay, I know I said I'd not post again but I'm avoiding studying even though I know that's not a good idea. I'd like to say that, again, you'll not see another chapter till I'm home for the summer but the fact is I write chapters for this story when I'm stalling homework. That's why you've gotten so many lately. With the end of the year drawing near, my procrastinating grows greater with ever assignment due. A bad habit, I know. Yell at me please! I can't keep doing this!
Okay, so guess what! I've hit a huge milestone with this chapter! Say hello to chapter 50! Can you believe it's gotten this far? I'd like to thank all of you that have read thus far, that takes true devotion. But I'd like to especially thank the few of you that have been with me from the beginning. Somehow, two years and fifty chapters later, you're still with me! I love you guys!
I'd like to thank the few of you for the reviews! I'm sure there would have been more but I didn't want to wait to post this. I'm too eager to hear what you guys think of it! I have a feeling you'll like it ;D
So, without further ado:
(Finally) Chapter 50
Ginny POV
I was woken by the feel of soft kisses. Opening my eyes with a smile, I saw Draco hovering over me in the dim morning light. "Good morning to you too," I said with a sleepy yawn, stretching underneath him. "What time is it?" I couldn't help the silly grin that graced my face. It just felt so right to be waking up next to Draco again.
He kissed me once more before rolling off of me, smiling too. "Almost nine. Your Mum poked her head it about twenty minutes ago to see if you were awake. I guess she decided to let us sleep because she shut the door and walked back downstairs. I don't think she realized the door opening woke me up," he told me, hugging me to him once more before sitting up.
It was then I realized how much of an undressed state he was in. Normally, it was no big deal for him to have no shirt but now he was in a house full of my family. He still hand pants on, but the robes he'd had on were ruined. "You need clothes," I told him with a laugh.
"And a shower," he added with a laugh.
Sitting up, I swung my legs over the side of my bed, running my hand through my bedhead hair. "Ugh, and breakfast," I said after my stomach gave a loud rumble. "We both need breakfast. I thought to bring you food up last night but I figured you'd have rather slept."
He nodded, pushing the covers down and standing up. In the bright morning light, every scar stood out. His chest was covered in them, as were his arms. There were a few bruises left too, the nasty ones needing time to heal. On his back I knew there was another scar, not from what had happened recently but from his father over a year ago.
Walking over to him, I ran a hand down his once perfect chest. "I'm sorry I couldn't get rid of them," I whispered, fingering the scars. "I have something that might diminish them, but nothing will completely rid you of them." Hugging him, I lay my head on his chest. His arms held me close and I could feel the giant scar on his back under my fingers. "Not everything can be healed."
He pulled me back, looking down into my eyes. "Don't worry about it Gin. It'll be okay. The scars are just proof of our love, proof of the pain I endured to keep you safe. I don't mind them," he whispered, kissing my gently.
After pulling back, I lay my head back on his chest with a sigh. It was bonier than before, his ribs more noticeable with the loss of much weight. There were still strong muscles but even they had been diminished with malnutrition. Shifting slightly, I pressed a kiss against his shoulder. "What happened?" I muttered against his skin.
I could hear and feel him sigh at my question. "It's going to be a long story," he said, his arms tightening around me. "A story better for after you have a nice breakfast."
I looked up and met his solemn eyes, a frown on his face. I knew he probably wasn't too fond of the idea of reliving what he went through but I also knew he would, if only to explain to my why it took him so long to come back. "Okay," I said with a nod of my head. "If you want to shower, I can get some spare robes. You're about the same size as Bill. The bathroom is just outside my room."
Pulling back, he kissed me once more. "Thank you Ginny," he murmured against my lips before walking to the door, eager to take a shower. "Where are the towels," he asked, turning back towards me, his hand pausing on the doorknob.
"In the cabinet above the toilet," I told him, leading him out of the room and to the bathroom. Opening the faded wooden door, I poked my head in to make sure that none of my brothers were occupying the room. "Have at it," I said to Draco, motioning him in. "You can come down for breakfast when you're done. Might as well get his over with sooner or later, though I'll try and make sure Ron isn't around first."
"Yes, I'd rather not have to hurt your brother," he said teasingly, standing the doorway of the bathroom.
Raising an eyebrow, I let out a laugh. "Oh, and you think you'll be able to take him? Even in your weakened state?" I retorted, waiting for his response.
"I don't think so, I know so," he responded, humor coloring his voice.
Pushing him into the bathroom, laughing all the while, I pulled the door closed. "Just shower, Stinky!" I called through the door.
Turning from the door to head back to my room, I saw Ron standing in his bedroom doorway, being the only other bedroom on this floor. His glare was cold as ice as he looked at me. Squaring my shoulders against his gaze, I walked back into my room to change clothes for the day. I waited a moment after I changed before walking back out into the hallway, hearing the sounds of the shower running from the bathroom.
I hated having to avoid Ron, but he needed time to cool down and I wasn't sure how much of my interaction with Draco he'd seen. Slowly making my way down the stairs, I stopped at the door to the bedroom I knew Bill and Fleur were staying in, Bill's childhood bedroom. Knocking lightly on the door, I heard Bill call softly for me to come in.
Poking my head in, I saw him lying his daughter down for a nap. "Hey, Ginny," he said when he saw it was me. "How's Draco doing?" he asked, patting Victoire's back as she settled down, not waking as he covered her up and put a charm on her fingernails to keep her from scratching herself.
I plopped down on his bed, wondering idly where Fleur was. "He's doing better. He's in the shower right now. But, you know his robes were destroyed. Do you have some clothes he could have? You're the only one as tall as him that doesn't hate him." Draco could have easily fit Ron's robes but I think it would have been of mutual distaste.
"Oh, yeah," Bill said, going over to his bag that sat at the end of the bed, "sure." He pulled out a set of robes and shirt and pants. "Here. It's good to know that he's up and around. Now just to get a bit of food in him and he'll be fine in no time." he handed me the cloths and, putting the bag back on the floor, kicked it back under the bed.
Clutching the clothes in my arms, I made my way to the door. "Thanks Bill," I said quiet enough not to wake the baby.
Walking back up the stairs, I could hear the shower still running. I felt no qualms about opening the bathroom door while Draco in the shower. Living in his rooms at Hogwarts I'd seen him almost every state of undress, accept fully naked. Even if I did see him naked, it wouldn't be the first male body I'd have seen. I did grow up with six brothers after all. The male anatomy was of no mystery to me.
Opening the door, I slipped into the steamy room. "Here's some clothes," I called over the sound of the shower.
Poking his head out of the shower, his hair dripping wet, he said, "Thanks Gin. You got them from your oldest brother correct? He didn't mind did he?"
I shook my head. "Oh no, not at all. Bill's too kind to leave you to wear Ron's clothes. The twins' clothes would have been too big. Percy and Charlie are both too stalky that their clothes would have been too small. You and Ron are about the same size but I don't think either of you would have been too happy about it. Bill's should fit you fine though," I told him, leaning against the counter.
Before he had a chance to respond, there was a pounding on the door. "Oy! Malfoy, hurry up. You're taking as much time as my sister in that shower!" Ron yelled through the door. I froze, praying he wouldn't realize I was in here. He'd pitch a fit if he knew.
Sharing a look, I pulled my feet up and slid onto the counter, eliminating the chance of a shadow of my feet under the door. Draco gave me a smirk before calling back to Ron, "She doesn't take too long to shower really. I'd know."
Was he trying to get Ron to kill him? I whipped my wand out and put a locking charm on the door just in time, Ron's angry yell echoing in the bathroom as the doorknob jiggled. "What'd you do that for," I whispered incredulously to a smirking Draco.
"Too good to pass up," he responded equally as quiet.
"You open this door and face me like a man not the ferret you are!" Ron yelled, pounding on the door. "I'll kill you for touching my sister!" I wasn't sure if even the locking charm would hold Ron much longer. At this rate, he'd claw the door apart.
If only he knew that Draco and I'd never done more than kiss. I wanted nothing more than to storm out of this bathroom and give my brother a piece of my mind, but that wouldn't have helped. Instead, I added a strong shield charm to the door.
"I'll like to see you try," Draco responded shutting the shower off.
I gave Draco a hard look. "Don't even try it!" I whispered, near panic. Oh, this couldn't be happening. We didn't need an all-out battle in the middle of the bathroom.
Grabbing a towel from beside the tub, Draco disappeared behind the shower curtain only to reappear a moment later, stepping from the tub with the towel wrapped around his hips. "Please, Draco," I said over the sound of Ron's pounding on the door. "Just let it go."
Leaning over to kiss me, he nodded. "I won't hurt your brother," he told me. Turning towards the door, he called out to Ron, "Hurting you will hurt your sister, which is the last thing I want to do. Just let it go, Weasel."
I reached out and slapped his still wet arm, giving him a what-was-that-for look.
"I'm not letting it go till your gone from our lives or dead!" Ron called back.
Just then, the sound of angry footsteps on the stairs could be heard. "Ronald Weasley you leave that poor boy alone!" I heard my mother yelling, relief flooding through my body at the sound.
"But he-" Ron started, only to be cut off by an angry Mum outside the bathroom door.
"It doesn't matter Ronald! You leave him alone. Don't let this irrational anger color your judgment," she stormed. "Now go outside and feed the chickens. Don't forget your cloak. Maybe the cool air will cool your temper." I could almost see Mum in the too familiar stance of her hands on her hips.
"But-" Ron started again, only to be cut off yet again by Mum.
"No buts about it," she said sternly. "Go now, or so help me I'll get your father!"
Nothing could be heard from Ron after that but his retreating footsteps, knowing it was best not to try and go toe to toe with Mum.
"Draco dear," we heard Mum outside the door. "I'm sorry about Ron. He'll come around."
Draco, smirking at the confrontation between Ron and my Mum. Even I had to hold back giggles. "It's okay, Mrs. Weasley," Draco replied through the door, polite as could be.
"Come on downstairs once you're ready," Mum said back, a smile in her voice. "I'll cook you up a big meal, your much to skinny for your own good."
Draco smiled then. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Weasley," he returned. "I'd appreciate that very much."
"It's not a problem," Mum responded before her footsteps could be heard going back down the stairs.
I let out a sigh of relief then, slipping off the counter. "Why did you have to go and provoke him?" I asked my boyfriend in exasperation.
"I'm sorry," Draco replied, cupping my face in his hands and planting a kiss on my lips. "It was an opportunity too good to pass up," he said against my lips. "I'll try to restrain myself next time."
"Good," I said with another kiss. "Now get dressed." Removing the locking and shield charms from the door, I opened it and peaked out to see if the hall was clear. Once I was positive I wouldn't be seen, I slipped from the bathroom and closed the door behind me. Going over to my room, I opened the door and walked over to my dresser, leaving the door open so Draco would know I was in here when he got done dressing.
I picked up my brush and started running it through my hair, pulling it up into a ponytail high on my head. My long hair swung down to about my mid-shoulder. I pulled it through my fingers, debating on if I should ask Mum to give it a trim. It had been a few years since my last haircut.
"What are you thinking about," I heard Draco from the doorway.
Turning to him, I had to smile. That was a site I thought I'd never see: Draco in hand-me-down clothes. Bill's clothes fit him really good; though the shirt hung a little more lose than it should have due to the major amount of weight he'd lost. Mum had been right when she said he was too skinny for his own good.
"My hair," I told him, turning back to the mirror to look at it. "It's getting a bit long don't you think?" I ran my hand through it again.
Coming up behind me, he wrapped his arms around my waist. "I like it," he said, pushing the ponytail over one shoulder and leaning down to kiss my shoulder and neck.
Shivering at the feel of his lips, I leaned back into him and let out a sigh. After a moment, he rested his head on my shoulder and met my eyes through the mirror in front of us. "Are you ready to face the Weasley clan for the best breakfast of your life?" I asked him, putting my hands on his.
"Ready as I'll ever be," he answered, pulling back and taking my hand in his as we walked from my room.
Well, I hate making Ron look bad but even I have to admit that he probably would react like that. And Draco, well, how could he pass that up? Too fun! I think this was the most fun chapter to write in a long while! Tell me what you thought! I love feedback that tells me how I'm doing!
BJ would like to thank you all for the reviews! He's getting happy and healthy with each passing review. We're both very happy with all of you. Keep them coming!
And remember, a happy author writes better and faster! So review and make me happy!
