EPILOGUE

Ginny and Draco had been inseparable most of the day. Ginny couldn't help still feeling a little giddy every time she took Draco's hand, and didn't want to ruin it by thoughts of Harry, stalking somewhere in the shadows. She felt like skipping, doing cartwheels (which she had never managed to do, anyway), and jumping up an down like a lunatic. She felt, almost a physical weight, lift off of her, every time she was near Draco.

Draco seemed different, too. Not as careworn, or worried. In fact, she had almost seen him crack a smile on more than one occasion. They occasionally had to leave each other's touch (every time Professor McGonagall walked by) but it seemed like magnetism; they couldn't be apart for long. The whole day seemed to pass in this fashion; a boring class period, followed by a few, amazing moments together, and then the next class.

At lunch, the Great Hall had just seemed too utterly crowded, too many voices, too many accusing stares. So Draco took Ginny outside, just to escape.

"Draco…"

"Mm?"

"What.. What will we do now? It's nearly the end of the year.. I can't leave Hogwarts. My parents would never let me leave… especially for you. And you'll be long gone by the time I graduate, probably thronged by witches, all wishing for just one night with you."

Draco laughed for a moment. It wasn't a cold laugh, but it was clear, and still held a bit of Malfoy in it. He had a right to, after all, his whole life, he had been faced with..

"That is one of the most annoying qualities about you, Ginny."

"WHAT?!"

"You worry too much. Please, don't. It gives me a headache."

"Oh, alright, King of Evil, I'll leave you to your pitchfork."

"The last time I checked, Miss Weasley, you were shackled and bound to me."

"Really. And when was the last time you checked, Mr. Evil King? The last time you decided to chain me to a bed and attempt to kill me?"

"That sounds about right."

Chained.. to a bed.. Oh no, not Harry again.. Draco noticed something immediately. It was as apparent as if a cloud had just moved over Ginny's face, hiding it from him. She frowned, holding out her hand to Draco.

"I need to go inside.. Professor Dumbledore and I have something to discuss."

"Dumbledore? .. This isn't about Harry, is it?" Ginny nodded her head mutely, still holding out her hand.

"Draco, please.. I need to talk to him." Now Draco was worried; and even a bit angry. Ginny, realizing this, took off towards the castle, before Draco could stop her.

She had almost reached the doors when a pandemonium broke loose. There were screams from the doors, as students rushed backwards, sprawling over each other. A dark, bedraggled figure rushed out in front of Ginny, and time seemed to pause.

Harry was standing, like a drunken man, out in the pale afternoon sunlight. He took one, long look at Ginny, then darted to her side, grabbing her around the waist and running off, dodging misaimed spells. Draco mouthed curses wordlessly, following Harry as quickly as he could.

Silence. Harry had found a time turner. With his arm still clamped tightly around Ginny's waist, he waited silently in the Forbidden Forest, watching the pandemonium as Ginny ran towards the castle. When he was sure the coast was clear, he conjured his broomstick, and heaving Ginny upon it, disappeared into the skyline.

Sorry it took me so long to write.

Review, if you'd like.

This is the last chapter in Covert Attentions.