It was a shame that one couldn't cast the killing curse on oneself, Ginny thought as she sat through lectures that droned in her ears. It would be simpler that way, but it wasn't the only way. She only had to wait until tonight, then she'd be free. There were no bruises or marks on her from the night before, only memories that made her flinch as they touched her thoughts.
The Room of Requirements wouldn't reveal itself to her so she returned to Moaning Myrtle's sanctuary and scared her off with a glare that sent the ghost crying into the stall. Her mother had taught her better. Her heart ached at the thought of her family. Were they safe?
Once she was sure Myrtle was gone, Ginny slumped against the sinks. Memories taunted her of years past, but tonight they didn't seem to hold much weight. It wasn't the world outside that scared her anymore, it was what was inside of her.
Ginny slipped the baslik tooth from her robes. Had it only been this morning when she had snuck into Dumbledore's old office to procure it? Neville had helped her. Neville always helped her. He was a true Gryffindor, a true force of good in this world. What would he think of her if he knew what she was hiding? What would Harry think? Her family?
Ginny grasped the locket at her throat, fumbling to open it. The picture was chaos for a moment, the twins trying to knock one another over, Percy glaring at them while Ron watched jealously, her father spoke animatedly with his hands to Bill and Charlie while her mother tried to get everyone to stand still. Ginny was beside Ron, smiling fondly at her brothers with a lightness that she wondered if she'd ever feel again. She closed the locket just as everyone settled into smiles.
Two days had passed since Ginny's last dream and Ginny had not slept at all. But tonight, she knew, that if she wouldn't be able to stay awake any longer. She had rifled through the remainder of Dumbledore's old things and asked questions where she could but found no answers.
How much time did she have? She worried that Harry might defeat the Dark Lord only to discover him still living inside of Ginny. What if Tom gained control of her body and used her against Harry? Her tired, fearful mind reeled with possibilities.
"What are you doing, Weasley?" Malfoy's snide voice snapping her from her reverie.
Ginny froze, feeling the smooth baslik tooth in her hand, she couldn't quite think of a response. She lifted her gaze to Malfoy's and saw dark circles that matched her own.
"What keeps you awake at night, Malfoy?" She asked tiredly, slipping the baslik tooth into her robes though she knew he had seen it. She looked up at him and tried to decipher his expression. What could she give him tonight?
Again, his gaze slipped to her mouth, to the buttons she'd undone on her shirt, then back to her eyes.
Was it so easy with him? Perhaps it was boys in general. Ginny didn't care anymore. Her body felt leaden as she pressed herself to her feet and approached Malfoy. His eyes widened, but he didn't try to stop her as she grabbed the front of his robes again and kissed him roughly on the mouth.
Still awkward, Ginny thought as she pressed her tongue between his lips. Again, his tongue tentatively brushed hers before Ginny began to pull away. The kiss became much less awkward when he grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward him, cupping her cheek with his other hand as he kissed her just as roughly as she had kissed him. Startled, it took Ginny a moment to return the kiss. Her heart began to pound, blood moving into her limbs and making her feel lighter than she had all day.
She slipped her hands up his chest and into his hair, curious what it felt like. He pressed his body closer, dragging his teeth against her lips before kissing her deeply. Ginny's head spun as her body began to awaken. She pressed him back toward the sink, crushing her body against his. His legs hit the sink, he lifted her against him, then turned and deposited her on the sink's edge. She wound her legs around him and his hands began moving through her hair.
Nearly out of breath, Ginny pulled away for a moment and met Draco's silvery gray eyes. It was an odd understanding that flashed between them. It was uncomfortable because it was Draco, but it was comforting because it was someone.
Lingering after he left, Ginny leaned back against the mirror, ignoring Myrtle's giggling as she plunged from a stall nearby. She touched her bruised lips for a moment before slipping her hand into her robe to touch the baslik tooth. Only her pocket was empty.
Ginny frantically searched her robes before darting into the hallway. Draco was nowhere in sight. Ginny's stomach plummeted as she realized that he had been sent to stop her from destroying a piece of the Dark Lord.