Ginny slid against the cold stone while taking in slow and steady breaths. Piercing pain stabbed at her ribcage and she was confident she had broken a rib or two. She gulped in another breath, shook the pain away and continued forward. Upon reaching the desired blank wall, Ginny strode in front of it three times whispering, "I wish to be hidden" each time. After her third pace, a door appeared into the wall and she quickly slipped through. Warmth instantly met her and relief flooded her features. Now that she was safe, the pain of that day's events hit her instantly and she leaned against the door as she concentrated on breathing evenly.
"Let me help you." Neville moved himself under Ginny and lifted her into his arms gingerly. Luna Lovegood was already busy preparing the makeshift hospital wing for the redhead. Inside the Room of Requirement, most of Hogwarts had taken refuge. Luna, the main occupier of the hideaway as she could not bring herself to attend classes after her kidnapping, took it upon herself to care for her fellow classmates.
Groaning, Ginny was lowered onto the cot and her healing began.
"They're getting closer – Harry, Ron and Hermione." Ginny told Neville as Luna began her assessment. "The Carrows were scared today, like really scared. That must mean You-Know-Who is scared. I think we need to prepare everyone for more Death Eaters coming here."
"You don't think they're going to storm the castle, do you?" Luna asked, "Hold still for a moment." Ginny obeyed and was meet with searing pain in her chest as Luna whispered, 'episky'. "There, that should feel better."
"Hm," Ginny nodded taking a large gulp of air, "Thanks."
"If Malfoy is right about the last Horcrux being here, I think taking over the castle would be my choice of action if I were You-Know-Who." Neville replied.
"The diadem is hidden, right?" Ginny asked her blonde friend.
"Yes," Luna nodded while busying herself around Ginny.
"Right," Ginny took another shaky breath, "Right, when Harry gets here we have to give that to him to destroy immediately. Neville, how are we on Portkeys?"
"The true headboys and girls are ready whenever we give the signal. I think we should send everyone back to their dorms and put lookout crew on standby."
"I think we should alert the Order. I have a bad feeling about this." Ginny looked between her friends with a tone that they had never seen before.
"Ok," Neville nodded as realization hit the trio. "Ok, I'll send it out."
"Here," Luna passed a purple vial to Ginny, "Drink this, it'll take the pain away."
"Thanks," Ginny gulped the potion, "Send me a message when they get here." She hopped off the table and headed to the door.
"Where are you going?" Luna asked her retreating friend.
Ginny grinned back mischievously before replying, "To make sure Seamus brings absolute hell to the Death Eaters."
It was so quiet, and her nerves were running too high. She could feel Seamus and Dean's heavy but silent breathing next to her as they were poised in their watch tower. So far, they hadn't seen signs of anyone yet, but she knew that when they came… well, she was ready for everything. Soft steps broke her out of her trance, and apparently the boys too as they whipped around, their wands at the ready, as they watched Draco Malfoy round the corner of the stairway.
Ginny, breathing a sigh of relief, ran into her boyfriend's open arms. Draco immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her close knowing it might be the last time he might have the chance to do so.
"I'm not sure about you mate," Dean scoffed, "But I'm still willing to hex him."
"Any day of the week," Seamus agreed.
"Fuck off," Ginny shot half-heartedly pulling away from Draco, "And get back to your post."
"Any activity?" Draco asked pulling away and viewing out the tower window.
"Not yet," Ginny responded, "Any word from you lot?"
"The Order reinforcements are gathering in the Room of Requirement. Potter's got the diadem, Luna is helping him destroy it. All the professors with us have been told to retire to their quarters early, so we started the evacuation. All the Death Eaters in the castle – by the way, there are a lot of them-" Seamus scoffed and Ginny nodded, "are on patrol. Make sure you guys stay hidden, things are about to get messy. Best of luck, and may Merlin protect you all." Draco turned to leave.
"Wait," Ginny walked him to the furthest part of the tower she could without leaving their hiding spot. She searched his eyes, the fear of the impending attack fervent on both their faces. At that moment, Ginny realized her words would never be able to convey her love towards Draco, nor the fear she held fearing his death. Instead, she crashed her lips onto his, and pulled him into her. Draco met her with equal vigor, breathing in every amount of Ginny that he could. When they broke apart, he held her gaze steady while holding her face between his hands.
She didn't cry, nor have any indication to, she held her head high, she met fear with fierce determination, and he loved her for it. He loved how powerful she was, how brave, fearless, cunning, brilliant, beautiful…
"I love you." Draco whispered. He knew it didn't even begin to describe how he felt, but he couldn't walk away into war without telling her that one last time.
"I know." Ginny whispered. "Just promise me something before you go."
"Anything, Love."
"Kiss me when this is over." It was a simple request, but it held a weight that Draco had never experienced before.
Words caught in his throat for a moment before he replied with a sly grin, "When this is over, I plan on doing nothing more than kissing you for the rest of my Earthly life, if you allow."
"Deal." Ginny whispered, sealing her promise with a quick kiss. Draco then backed away and began performing protecting and concealing charms on the tower's entrance way. When he finished, he could not see her, but knew she was watching, and threw the tower a quick wink before heading back down the stair case.
Leaving the secured tower, Draco began mentally preparing himself for war. He began feeling himself retreating to his 6th year self, and a menacing smile overtook him. Clutching his wand tightly, he vowed to take down as many Death Eaters as possible.