Merlin! A Malfoy and A Weasley, how did that happen?
Ginny lost herself for the second time that day and began to think about that day, back in May 1998, when she first saw him after the battle finished. She wrapped her arms around herself as she let herself think properly about that day for the first time in nineteen years…
Chapter 2: Ginny's Grief
2nd May 1998
The battle was over. Voldemort was dead… so was Fred, Remus, Tonks, Colin. Ginny felt numb, her eyes burned but no tears would fall. She was angry at herself, after their sacrifice she couldn't even bring herself to shed tears for her family and friends… for Fred. She could feel the guilt eating her up, why had she screamed for Harry, yet she couldn't even cry for Fred?
Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked into the Great Hall. Ron and Hermione were hand in hand, Harry looked at her and started towards her. A little niggle in Ginny's mind wished he wouldn't come any closer, she didn't think she could deal with his sorrow and guilt right now as well as her own. She told herself that Harry had just won a war and deserved more than anyone a chance to grieve. Sure, they had all lost a lot in the war, but none so much as Harry. Plus, she supposed she owed him an explanation for kissing him in the middle of the battle.
"Hi," Harry said when he got to her, he looked as though he was aching to grab her hand.
"Hi" Ginny replied, she had no idea what else to say. Harry had broken up with her before he started the Horcrux hunt because of his stupid act of nobility in trying to protect her. Ginny and Harry had kissed twice since their break-up, once when she was still reeling from the break-up and hadn't quite come to terms with it, and a second time after Neville confessed his love for Luna and she thought they were both probably going to die soon. Ginny felt so knackered, wracked with grief and numb that she had no idea how she felt about Harry right now, she was of course happy he was alive, but beyond that, she had no clue.
"Er… Gin." Ginny's eyes snapped back up to Harry and she realised she had been lost in her thoughts and not heard a word of what he had just said.
"Sorry Harry, I didn't catch that."
"I'm the one that should be sorry." Harry looked at her and paused before quickly carrying on "I was just saying that we need to talk, at some point, when you are ready. Letmeknow."
"Okay Harry, we'll talk…later, I need to be with Mum." Ginny looked over at her mum, staring into space, silent tears cascading down her cheeks.
"I understand Ginny, I'm sorry." Harry turned to leave, before stopping and saying "I'm sorry Fred was killed. If only-". Harry finished abruptly at the blazing look in Ginny's eyes.
With conviction and strength, Ginny didn't know she currently possessed, she stopped Harry in his tracks. "Look, you've always been a noble git, and you still are. But bloody hell Harry, stop apologising, everyone who lost their lives did so for all of us and knew the risks and responsibility of their involvement in the war. It's not your fault, so for Merlin's sake, don't make their deaths about you. And you have lost people too, F-F-Fred was like a brother to you, you have a right to remember him with us."
With that, Ginny turned back to her family. She beckoned Harry to join them, and Ron and Hermione followed. Ginny was half expecting her Mum to rush over and start tending to Harry, Ron, and Hermione's injuries. Molly didn't though, she stayed where she was and smiled weakly at them through her tears.
Ginny looked around The Great Hall, it was a sombre atmosphere. Although, they had won the war they had suffered so many losses. Ginny could see people gathered in small groups, whispering, and crying, amongst the rubble. Madam Pomfrey had set up a make-shift hospital unit and was tending to those who were injured. Professor McGonagall must have spoken to the remaining House Elves because at some point mountains of food and goblets of pumpkin juice had appeared. Ginny looked longingly at the food but didn't have the energy or desire to eat yet. She just felt numb and continued to look around The Great Hall.
Ginny saw some of her fellow members of Dumbledore's Army and gave them a small nod as they walked past. Luna wandered over to Ginny and with her familiar dreamy look, she said to Ginny. "It's okay to be sad, I still feel very sad about Mum sometimes, but we've still all got each other. Anyway, it's not as though we'll never see them again"
Ginny surprised Luna and herself at the point, by jumping up and engulfing her friend in a hug. Ginny couldn't find the words to respond to Luna with, but the physical affection was enough to acknowledge her friend's words and understanding. After Ginny sat back down, Luna walked off to find her father. Ginny always had admired Luna's knack for honesty, sometimes an embarrassing honesty. This time though, she appreciated her friend's perceptiveness and ability to just know what she was feeling and needed to hear.
Ginny carried on looking around The Great Hall. This time she noticed something that interested her. Kingsley and some of the remaining members of the Order, including her dad, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Professor McGonagall and Aberforth were gathered at the other end of The Great Hall talking in a circle. Ginny clocked that George wasn't with them and wondered where and how he was.
"Hey, Harry" Ginny called "Do you what Kingsley and the others are talking about? It looks like they are planning something over there?"
Harry looked over and then glanced back to Ginny. He didn't know what was going on and went to go over and find out. Harry had been gone for about 10 minutes; in that time no one had spoken. When Harry came back, he said "They are discussing what's going to happen to the Ministry, someone has to take control now that Pius Thickneese was seen with the Death Eaters. Mr Weasley reckons Kingsley should take over."
This new topic gave them all something to talk about, and enthusiastically Hermione responded with "Kingsley would be the best for the job, he'd have the be named as 'Acting' Minister of Magic at the moment, but the Ministry is weak, and it needs someone strong to take control."
"It's going to be a hard job for the Ministry to find and arrest the Death Eaters again and hold all the trails. We'll need to work out who was acting under the Imperious Curse and who wasn't. Kingsley will need to have a good plan for that and make that his top priority."
Ginny looked around to see where that had come from. She realised it was Percy and felt awful for not realising her brother was sitting behind her.
"Well, everyone will get a fair trial this time. I'll make sure of that" Harry replied, obviously not forgetting how Sirius had been dealt with after the war.
"Hogwarts will need to be rebuilt too; there's no way term can start in September," Ron commented.
Ginny took a deep breath in, held it and she breathed out whispered "There's so much to do." Hermione reached out to grab Ginny's hand "It's okay," Hermione said, "There's no rush."
They all fell back into a comfortable yet melancholy silence for a few minutes before Kingsley used the sonorous charm to make an announcement.
"I'm going to start this announcement with a message of gratitude. I thank each of you for your bravery and selflessness in the battle today. We have lost many people, all of whom are important to us. There is a time to mourn and grieve those that we have sacrificed their lives for us. We must remember that they have not died in vain, they died for our freedom and those we have lost will live on in all of us for the coming days, weeks, and months. Let us have a moment of silence to remember our loved ones."
Kingsley paused and raised his lit wand in the air. People followed Kingsley's lead and stood, raising their wands, lit, in memory of those they had lost. Silence fell once more across the castle, Ginny realised how beautiful this looked, all of them, standing in solidarity and remembrance with each other. Ginny felt the tears prick behind her eyes, and not for the first time that day did she wish they would fall. However, no tears came, and Kingsley slowly began to lower his wand to signal an end to that moment of remembrance. Kingsley waited until the others had followed suit before continuing.
"We will never forget those whom we have lost today and throughout the wizarding wars. The Ministry will organise a memorial for those we have lost in the coming days. We all need to be aware of each other in this next journey, we need to be kind, understanding and patient for we will all be dealing with our wounds and scars. Our next steps are unclear, however, there is much to be done to rebuild from this war. As many of you will be aware, Voldemort and the Death Eaters had infiltrated the Ministry." The lack of gasp at Voldemort's name did not go unnoticed by Ginny, she supposed the worst was over so there was no fear of the name anymore. She returned her focus to Kingsley. "Pius Thicknesse, The Minister for Magic, has been apprehended for working with the Death Eaters, thus our ministry is currently without a leader. The Ministry and Order have agreed that I should take on the role of Acting Minister for Magic and coordinate our recovery effort. I would be honoured to take on this position. Minerva McGonagall will be responsible for the rebuilding of Hogwarts, and when the castle is ready will take on the position of Headmistress. The common rooms and dormitories have been checked and are mostly undamaged, so beds are available to those of you who wish to stay at Hogwarts tonight. The remaining House Elves are willing to provide food for those of you who are staying. Many of Order members have been arresting the remaining Death Eaters, currently, the dungeons have been transfigured into holding cells. I will be returning to the Ministry of Magic to organise our next steps, make a start on the recovery plans and arrange for the transfer and trial of the alleged Death Eaters. Before I return to the Ministry of Magic, I would like a word with Mr Harry Potter, Ms Hermione Granger and Mr Ronald Weasley." Kingsley looked as though he had more to say but the whole hall and erupted into applause as Harry, Hermione and Ron had stood up, so he took that as the end of his speech.
Kingsley walked up to Harry and offered his hand to shake. Harry had an assured look in his eye and began "Minister, I'm aware you want to hear about our journey, as will so many others. I must insist on the presence of the Weasley family, the Professors, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood as we share our story."
Kingsley nodded and responded "Of course, Harry. I have much to do so will return to the Ministry now. Let's arrange for 11 am tomorrow in McGonagall's office, you can share your experience with us all then. I imagine there is quite a lot that needs to be said and we all need some kip first."
Ginny could feel eyes burning into the side of her head. As she looked around, she saw her brother's Bill and Charlie, along with someone's name she couldn't pinpoint, levitating the apprehended Malfoy family across the Entrance Hall. Bill had the responsibility of Lucius Malfoy, this other person was levitating Narcissa, and Charlie was transferring Draco. Ginny was surprised to see that none of the Malfoy's were struggling, she briefly wondered if Bill and Charlie had them under a spell or if the Malfoy's just knew it was over and there was no point fighting. She could feel Malfoy's eyes starring at her and she couldn't help but stare back. There was no emotion between them, but she felt a little fire boil up in her that she couldn't place as she stared into Malfoy's grey orbs. Their eye contact was broken as Malfoy was moved past the doors to Great Hall, and Ginny presumed, was taken to the dungeons.
"Look after yourselves." Kingsley had turned to address the rest of the Weasley family now. "Make sure you eat and sleep, it has been a long day, there are beds ready for you in the Gryffindor tower along with some food for all you in the common room."
Ginny felt too tired to resist as her mother got to her feet and ushered them all up to the Gryffindor tower. The Weasley family, Hermione and Harry ate in silence before their feet carried them to beds of their own accord. For the first time in almost a year, Ginny was so knackered she was sure she would sleep dreamlessly. But she didn't account for a pair of piercing silver-grey eyes to be stuck in her mind as she drifted off.
Ginny woke with a start the next day. It took her a minute to get her bearings and remind herself that she was in a Gryffindor dormitory, not her own, the war was over, and F-F-Fred was dead. She closed her eyes and tried to steady her breath as she felt grief and anguish rush back to her. When Ginny had controlled her breathing, she looked over at the bed next to her and saw Ron and Hermione both curled up, still wearing yesterday's war-torn clothes. Mum will not be happy about that, she thought. On the other side of her, she saw Harry and realised he had been watching her, this time a pair of emerald, green eyes were fixed on her own. Ginny sighed and looked down.
"You know, you were the last thing I thought of – when I walked into the forest – I saw your eyes and your gorgeous face. I just focused on you and wished I would get to look at you one more time." Ginny's eyes snapped back up at Harry. She didn't hesitate as she stepped out of bed and walked towards Harry. She put her lips against his and kissed him with all she had. She tried to convey all her emotion over the last year into this kiss. Harry's arms snaked around her and pulled her towards him. They broke apart from the kiss and he held her there. Ginny felt safe in Harry's arms and the tears, that she had been holding back for all yesterday began to fall.
"I thought you were dead." She sobbed, into his chest. "I felt lost and distraught when I saw Hagrid carrying you, it felt like my life was over not just yours. Harry, you broke up with me because you thought you would protect me, but bloody hell, I wasn't going to be protected, I was a Weasley, a blood-traitor, this last year was horrific with the Carrows'. I would have felt better if we were still together. Anyway, I don't need anyone to protect me – I can do that myself"
Ginny looked up at Harry, he leaned down to kiss her forehead and then sighed.
"Ginny, I know how strong you are, and I don't think we'll ever see eye-to-eye on this, but I just didn't want to put you at any more risk. I'm sorry last year was so horrible for you. I love you."
Ginny looked up at Harry and said "I love you too. Let's leave it for now, we've been through too much already the last 24 hours." At that moment, Ginny was sure she loved Harry, she had done since she was a girl, and she was sure nothing would change that. Whilst she and Harry lay there, she didn't realise she was subconsciously thinking about a pair of piercing eyes she looked at the day before.
An hour or so later, Ginny and Harry climbed out of bed, shortly followed by Ron and Hermione. Hermione had quickly cast a 'scourgify' charm on them all to make them look a little more presentable and they walked slowly back down to the common room for breakfast before joining the rest of the Weasley family and their friends in the Great Hall.
Ginny looked around and saw George, he'd been ignoring everyone. Ginny knew how lost she felt without Fred, but George, she couldn't imagine his pain. Ginny had always felt closest to George and Fred out of her brothers, except for Ron maybe. Ginny knew she shared the same temperament as the twins and often enjoyed teasing Ron with them.
George looked at Ginny, with a small grin, he choked out "Mischief Managed." Ginny took that as an invitation to sit with George. She grabbed his arm and whispered, "You and Fred always taught me that anything is possible if you've got enough nerve and bloody hell, did Fred have nerve."
"Well, little sis. I hope we trained you well enough. Someone's got to step up to the plate and help me inject some humour into these gits." George winked at her and smiled weakly. Ginny couldn't help herself but giggle at George's comment, it was good to see some humour in him still.
"Anyway sis, are you and Harry back to snogging each other senseless now old Voldy's out the way?" Before Ginny could respond, she had spotted Angelina Johnson walking over. Angelina had a haunted look in her eyes and appeared distraught. Ginny knew they were friends at Hogwarts, as they played Quidditch together, so she supposed it's only right the girl was upset about Fred's passing.
Angelina hadn't stopped and Ginny took that as her cue to leave, she was sure George nor Angelina would want her here at this moment. As she moved to walk away, she noticed George hadn't even noticed, he was so focused on Angelina. She clocked the time and realised soon Harry, Ron and Hermione would be sharing their story.
About 45 minutes later, they were all gathered in Professor McGonagall's office waiting. Not her new office as Headmistress, but her familiar office as Transfiguration Professor. Kingsley and her father were muttering quietly with Percy, obviously Ministry business, but they fell silent as soon as Harry walked in. Harry walked over to Ginny and grabbed her hand, she suddenly felt confused, and a bit put out that she was now the centre of attention. Yet she squeezed Harry's handed and gave him a soft smile in encouragement. He looked at her briefly before turning away and facing everyone.
"I know you are all eager to hear what we have been doing over the last year. The story is quite long, and I ask that you keep any questions until the end. Before I start, I want to thank you all for your efforts, sacrifice, and support. It would have been impossible for Ron, Hermione, and I to have completed our task if we had not had the support and loyalty for all of you, so thank you. As I said it is quite a long journey, so this will take some time, but I have tried to shrink it down a bit to focus on the important parts, so I don't keep you all for too long. The easiest way to explain all of this will be using a Pensieve which is projected so you can all see. Please do sit." With that Harry, extracted the long silvery memory from his head and places it in the Pensieve.
It took two hours and watched everything that the three of them had been through. Harry's memory started at the beginning, and he saw his parents' deaths, his time at Hogwarts, the hunting of the Horcruxes, the Forbidden Forest and ultimately the end of the battle. When Harry's memories finished, the room fell silent, until Mrs Weasley muttered "But…how…how did you survive?" Harry began to explain.
"I was the Horcrux Voldemort never meant to create. After he killed my parents that night in Godric's Hollow, the spell backfired when he tried to kill me because of my mother's sacrifice. Part of Voldemort's soul latched on to me that night and gave me the scar, the connection, Parseltongue. It was the reason I could see into Voldemort's mind, and he into mine. When I walked into the Forbidden Forest, not only did I have all three of the Deathly Hallows, but I was a Horcrux. So, when Voldemort tried to kill me, he only killed the part of him that lived in me. He removed the Horcrux in me and made himself almost mortal. Narcissa Malfoy was the one to check if I was truly dead, when she realised, I was alive, she checked if Draco was and then pronounced me dead. To be certain, she put a spell on me, so I appeared dead even though I was still alive. Mrs Malfoy changed the tide of the war with her actions." Harry had turned to Kingsley now. "Please keep that in mind when she is on trial."
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and said with a bit of humour "Why is always you three?"
Ron laughed and responded, "Believe me, Professor, I've been asking myself the same question for years."
Professor McGonagall continued "In all seriousness though, Potter, Weasley, Granger. I'm very proud of what you three have accomplished over the last year. That would not have been an easy journey for any of you, but your actions have been imperative in bringing an end to Voldemort's power. I do hope you will consider returning to Hogwarts to complete your NEWTs, especially if Mr Potter and Mr Weasley, it is still your ambition to become Aurors. Mr Longbottom, Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood - you three are also encouraged to return for your seventh year, should you wish to repeat your sixth year you would be accommodated."
Ginny looked at Luna and Neville, like them, she hadn't considered the possibility of returning to Hogwarts. It was too much of a decision to make right away. Ginny had to deal with the loss of Fred and her friends first. She was in no state to consider her education.
"Of course." Professor McGonagall continued. "There is no need to make a decision right away. We all have a lot to consider at this moment in time. Now if there is nothing else, would you excuse me I have to continue planning this rebuilding, it is rather more complicated than I imagined."
Kingsley nodded and responded "Yes, well thank you Harry, Hermione and Ron for your role and sharing your journey. It is rather remarkable how you have achieved all of this and you, amongst others, of course, will be receiving an Order of Merlin First Class to reflect your efforts and role in this war. I need to return to Ministry now to oversee everything, I'm afraid we will need your testimonies as evidence in the trials, but I will send an Owl with all those details when there are arranged. I will be in touch soon Minerva, Molly, Arthur."
"Well, we should probably return home. Being at Muriel's we haven't been back to The Burrow in a while, we don't know…" Molly tailed off quickly. Ginny could tell her mother didn't know what to do or expect but was trying to carry on as she normally would.
Arthur put his hand on his wife's shoulder and agreed "Molly, that would be a good idea, lets gather our stuff and go home."
Harry and Hermione hesitated, unsure if they were welcome or if the Weasley's needed their own time to grieve. Mrs Weasley noticed this and for a moment her motherly instincts returned "Oh don't be silly, dears, you two should know by now that The Burrow is home for you as well. Come on, let's get sorted and then I can make a start on lunch."
Harry smiled but hesitated again. It was Mr Weasley that stepped in this time. "Harry, you have done enough, let the grown-ups take it from here."
Ginny felt her heart wrench at the turn of phrase her father used, it had been one of Sirius's last words back in the Department of Mysteries all those years ago. She chanced a glance at Harry who although looked defeated, nodded in agreement.
"Arthur -" Mrs Weasley started; they had a silent conversation. Before Mr Weasley continued with "I'll head back to The Burrow now, Bill, Charlie would you accompany me." The three of them left at once, using the Floo in McGonagall's office.
As they left McGonagall's office, Harry whispered "What was that about?" Ron went to reply but Ginny got there first.
"After you guys were caught by the Snatchers and recognised at Malfoy Manor, we had to abandon The Burrow in case the Death Eater's came knocking. We haven't been back since, so we don't know if it's been cursed, destroyed or what state it is in."
Harry nodded and became aware very quickly of the position and risk he had put his best friend's family under. He hoped The Burrow had been unharmed, having remembered their distraught in his sixth year are Bellatrix and Greyback had set fire to it.
The remaining Weasley's collected their belongings and headed back down to The Great Hall. Ginny still felt numb but this time she was able to at least put on a face and make small talk with some of her friends. She mused that they had all had been through this shit together.
Once they received Mr Weasley's Patronus, they walked to the castle gates before apparating away to The Burrow. Harry, Hermione, and Ron side-along apparated together, as they had been doing all year Ginny presumed. Ginny held onto George's arm to side-along apparate as well.
Once she had steadied her feet and calmed the queasy feeling in her stomach. She chanced a look at The Burrow and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding when she saw it was all intact and luckily had either been unharmed or repaired very quickly by her father, Bill, and Charlie.
Present Day
Ginny opened her eyes, she had tears streaming down her face. It was hard remembering that day, the pain still felt so raw when she dwelled on it. She looked up to see her husband walking towards her in the Owlery. He had a look of concern on his face, she barely cried.
"Gin, sweetheart, what are you doing out here? Why are you crying?" Ginny passed Draco Orion's letter. He quickly skimmed it, worried there was something wrong and then looked at her.
"It reminded me of the first time I saw you, after the war, you were being levitated to the dungeons and were staring at me. It reminded me of Fred and all that pain, and I just couldn't help myself."
She looked up at him and recognised the haunted look of someone reliving their horrors. Nineteen years later and their scars had mostly healed, but they ran deep. Ginny instinctively wrapped her hand around Draco's left arm, clutching at the faded scar of the symbol that had terrorised both of their youth. Draco looked down at her, and pressed his lips against hers. They lost themselves in each other, as they had many times over the last nineteen years.