Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. I do however finally have a boyfriend! *high pitched girly scream* Bout time too, haven't had one for nearly a year. Being single has its perks, but I prefer having a boyfriend to cuddle up and watch a movie with. Someone who laughs me when I jump during scary movies. Someone who holds my hand while we walk through the halls… *dreamy sigh* Anyways, I'm rambling aren't I?

This is the long awaited chapter! Not really, but there is a bit of… well you know what, I'm just going to let you read and find out for yourselves! HA!

Thank you for everyone who had read thus far into my story and even more for those who review. Your reviews are like the breath and blood of my fanfic. Without you, it would die. Seriously it would, without reviews I don't want to write. It is your reviews that motivate me, even when they only say, "I love it!" with a fangirl scream at the end. *happy sigh*

Anyway, I've been rambling again… So without further ado!

Chapter 20

Ginny POV

"But Mum, I have to go back!" I screamed, my voice cracking from not being used, towards Mum from the top of the first flight of stairs. It was the first time I had spoken since the day of the wedding. I had curled in on myself and only when Mum and Dad said I wasn't going back to Hogwarts, could I find the will to speak, to scream. "I have to!"

Mum sighed and looked over at Dad as I stormed down the stairs, in a full fury. "Ginny dear, it just isn't safe," Mum pleaded with me to see reason as I stood fuming by the doorway to the kitchen. Dad nodded in agreement.

"You don't understand. I have to! I will not spend the rest of my life cooped up in this house, I can't! I need to breath, to live. What would I do if I never finished my education? Nothing, I would have nothing!" I was now truly on a rampage as I stormed about the living room, screaming. "I need to go back to Hogwarts! It still has the protective charms. There are still the teachers. It's still safe! Please, just let me go!"

I saw a tear slid down Mum's face as she looked up at me. "Ginny, we don't want to take the chance. It would make both of us sleep easier if we knew you were safe," she said pleadingly again. But there was defeat in her eyes.

"I will be safe! Please Mum, if by the time I come back for the holidays it's bad, I'll stay home. The teachers wouldn't let anything happen to us. Most of them are in the Order so you know they wouldn't. Please Mum, Dad?" I said, calming down and now pleading gently.

"Oh Ginny," Mum cried as she stood and pulled me to her. "You have to promise to be safe. No going to Hogsmeade and don't wander the grounds after dark. If anything happens you must write us immediately." She pulled back and looked at me. "If we feel the need, we will bring you home."

She ran her finger across my cheek, catching a tear. I hadn't realized I was crying. I quickly wiped my eyes. "Oh thank you, thank you! I'll go owl Fred and George!" I cried happily, throwing my arms around both of them and then dashing up the stairs, getting my Hogwarts letter of my bed. I had only gotten it this morning. That was when Mum and Dad told me I wouldn't be going.

I sat it on my desk and knelt on the floor, searching under my bed for my bag. It had all my parchment and ink in it. I hadn't really felt like using them during the summer. "There you are you little bugger," I sighed as I pulled the bag out from under the bed. I rummaged trough it for some spare parchment. I needed more. Once found, I grabbed it and my ink and sat down on my desk.

Dear F&G

After fighting with Mum and Dad about it, they agreed to let me go back to Hogwarts this year. Mum, as you know, doest want to go out to Diagon Alley. Can you go up and down the street and get my things for me and owl them? Or you could get them and drop by and visit. Mum misses you guys already, even though it's only been a few weeks since the wedding. I would write more but I need to wash my robes for school. I'll enclose a list of my supplies. Thanks so much guys.

Love your sister,

Ginny

I quickly pulled out another piece of parchment and copied the list of supplies down. Once done I sealed the letter I went in search for out owl. I found him on the second story bathroom windowsill. Sighing, I tied the letter to his leg and told him, "It's for Fred and George. Please do make it quickly, I need my supplies." He hooted softly and flew out of the window.

I watched him fly off before going back up to my room. Only now did I let myself sink into thoughts I had been repressing since I got my letter. I knew in my heart the reason I was so determined to go back to Hogwarts wasn't because of my education, it was because I needed so badly to see Draco again, even if he hated me. I sank down onto my bed and cried. Why did I have to love him?

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The morning of September 1st was depressingly quiet. I walked over to the bathroom after I got up and was almost saddened not to be waiting on one of my brothers to hurry up and be done in the bathroom. Breakfast was a very quiet affair with only Mum, Dad, and I. It had been just us almost the entire summer since the wedding except the almost weekly visitors. But this day had always proved to be hectic, loud, and stressful for as long back as I could remember. For it to be quiet like this was unsettling.

We flooed strait to the platform and I was startled. Usually it was full of children screaming, people saying goodbye to their parents, and the noise of the many animals. But it was startlingly emptier than usual. I knew from my parents' reaction that several students wouldn't be coming back, but I hadn't expected a fourth of the student population being gone.

I bid my parents goodbye and levitated my trunk onto the train. I looked quickly for an empty compartment. It wasn't hard to find one and I put my trunk on the top rack and settled into my seat. I sighed as I watched my Mum and Dad floo home. A few more families were arriving, but not all of them I had expected. Just then the compartment door opened and I looked over, expecting to see Luna, Colin, or Neville. It was none of them.

"Oh it seems this compartment is infested with filth," a high pitched, nasally voice drawled. "Come on Draco, let's find a good compartment before you have to go to the Heads compartment." I ignored Pansy Parkinson, my eyes drawn to the person standing behind her. Draco's cold gray eyes locked with mine. For a second I saw an emotion flicker in them. But he covered it too quickly to let me figure out what it was. His eyes bored into mine.

I was unable to look away from those familiar eyes. His face was unreadable as he stood there for what felt like hours. Finally though he turned and strode quickly down the train, a confused Pansy trying to catch up. I sighed and slumped back in my seat confused. What had just happened? Before I could fully collect my thoughts though, the door opened again and in walked a very perky Luna.

"Why hello Ginny. I expect your summer was as dreadful as I expect. Mine was also. Father was so close to catching a Nargel but it seemed to scamper away just in time. He was so close." She continued to jabber on in her soft, dreamy voice. I had to smile, typical Luna. The world could be sunk into the most horrible war it had ever seen but that didn't matter to her. What made the summer bad was when the Nargel got away.

Soon after she arrived, so did Neville and Collin. They greeted us and settled in. When the train pulled away, I picked up my new Defense Against the Dark Arts book. I flipped trough the pages aimlessly. I couldn't read romance novels anymore because it hurt too much to read about love. The train ride was dreadfully slow.

As I the countryside flew by I let my thoughts wander. I wonder who the Head Girl will be? It would have been Hermione, no doubt. It doesn't surprise be Draco is Head Boy. He is really smart, though not a good role model at first glance. I stopped my thoughts there before I started listing off his good traits in my head. Those were all lies, like our relationship had been. Not a good role model at all! He's a Death Eater. Wait, why did they let a know Death Eater back in Hogwarts? He fled with them; he is one of them. Why is he here? It's his fault Dumbledore is dead!

I sighed and closed my forgotten book. I put it up and stared out the window. Nothing made sense anymore. Maybe once everything fell back into place at Hogwarts it will be better. What I needed now was just to be able to think, clear my mind of everything and do work. I needed school. I almost laughed at the thought.

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When we walked into the great hall I realized why Draco was allowed back. Snape stood at the head of the teacher table in front of the high-backed headmaster's chair with Alecto Carrow and Amycus Carrow on either side of him. Maybe Mum and Dad had been right not to want me here.

It was short, I know. Yadda, yadda, yadda… Please review. Yadda, yadda, yadda…

Did you like it though? It had a brief, very brief, Draco/Ginny moment at least. Trust me when I say I have it all planed out for when… Never mind, I will spoil nothing. Keep reading to find out what will happen!!!

A happy author writes better and faster! So review and make me happy!!! And ideas are always welcome if you wish to share them.