Chapter 10- Unexpected Visitors

A/N: Hi everyone, in this chapter Ginny is sent home, Draco also goes home, and someone shows up at Ginny's house. The trio (Harry, Ron, Hermione) discusses something you should pay attention to. And, REVIEW! Encouragement keeps the story going, and criticism makes the story better! J

Dear Ginny,

It's Mom. Recently, your brother Ron has sent me a letter. It was most peculiar letter, regarding you, a relationship with a Slytherin, and a robe. He said that you were dating Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy. Now, you know how your father dislikes him, and I am hoping that Ron intended it as a joke. If so, please owl me back. Ron also informed me that he learned from Hermione you and Malfoy were together a few days ago in the Charms classroom, and your robe was found to prove it. Dumbledore has talked to you about it, I presume, but the details I do not know.

I am a bit disappointed in you, Ginny. I have always thought, that with your beautiful hair and good grades, you would get a good boyfriend. However, you went for a Slytherin, and son of the man your father hates. It is a bit confusing, Ginny, of why you would pick him, or see anything in him. I have never met this Draco, but I already know he is not suited for you, seeing that you got your first detention when you were with him.

I have talked this over with your father, he instantly agreed that Malfoy is not good for you and to my suggestion. I want you to break up with him, Ginny, you must know that he is not a good person. Why you would choose to love him I cannot understand. Also, we have decided to bring you home for Spring Break. Maybe some time away from him will teach you to forget him.

Lovingly,

Mom

Ginny reread the letter three times, before closing her fingers around it and crumpling it up. It was unfair! She loved Draco. She didn't want to leave; hardly anyone did during Spring Break. The twins, Ron, and everyone else in her family never did. Why did she have to? She felt a sudden anger at Ron. And who was he to go around telling people? Ginny started to turn around to face Ron, who was eating next to her, but found that the seat was empty. She looked around the room. Most of the students had already left from breakfast, heading to their classes. Ginny sighed and started to get up.

"That's too bad," said a familiar voice.

Ginny whirled around. "Draco!" she exclaimed. "What's too bad?"

"That you're going home for Spring Break," he said.

"I know--hey, how'd you know?" Ginny glanced at the crumpled letter. Draco didn't say anything. "Were you reading over my shoulder?"

"Malfoy's not good for you, Ginny," said Draco seriously.

"Draco…don't say that!" she threw the letter into her empty glass, squishing it in tight so no one could get at it. "You might be mean, and obnoxious at times--"

"Thanks a lot," said Draco with heavy sarcasm.

"--but my mom's wrong. Even if I go home, I'm not going to forget you."

Draco shrugged. "I might just go home for a while, too. With you gone and those two goons, Crabbe and Goyle giving me the evil eye all the time, there's nothing much to do. Looks like those two finally turned up a notch on their IQ."

"Are you sure?" Ginny looked away. "I mean, I wouldn't want to make you go home because I am."

"Home'll be more exciting than here, I'll bet. Maybe I could visit you or something."

Ginny was silent for a moment, and turned around to look at him.

But he was gone.

***

"GINNY!" Mrs. Weasley gave Ginny a bone-crushing hug as soon as she stepped off the train.

"Mom!" said Ginny, looking at the people staring. "This is embarrassing."

Mrs. Weasley gave her a stern look. "Not more embarrassing than what your father and I have been through, Virginia Weasley."

"Dad? Is he home?"

She shook her head. "But you are going to get a long lecture about this from us, young lady. Fooling around with the Malfoy boy."

"I wasn't fooling around! I love him." Ginny insisted.

Mrs. Weasley clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "I see you still don't know your mistake." She sighed. "He will give you nothing but trouble, Ginny."

"He's given me love." Ginny argued.

Her mother lead her to a Portkey, which was an empty soda can. "He's brainwashed you. But never mind, we'll talk of that later. Although I need to know something: Have you slept with him?"

"Mom! Of course I haven't!"

Mrs. Weasley gave her a weak smile. "Good girl. In my day, Lucius Malfoy was famous for getting girls into his bed, from all different houses. I wouldn't be surprised if Draco inherited it. But you're safe now, my dear." She placed her hand of the Portkey, and Ginny followed.

Ginny thought of the times that Draco kissed her. It was true; he did have that girls were attracted to. That was probably why Amorette always talked of how sexy he was, she thought with disgust.

In a flash, the two were back at the Burrow. They headed in.

"Now, dear, put your stuff in your room. I suppose you can rest for the rest of the day, I'll be gone with some errands. Tomorrow I might take you shopping or something. Mind your father if he comes home early, and tell him where I've gone." She left.

Ginny unpacked, and took out her stationary, trying to compose a letter to Draco.

Dear Draco,

Hi, I just arrived at my house, the Burrow. Mom kept on telling me about how bad you were, but I didn't listen to a thing. Anyway, tomorrow Mom's taking me shopping, I suppose…

Ginny tore it up. It was stupid. She started again.

Hey Draco,

How are you doing? I just got here, my home sweet home, starting to settle for a promising week. Mom's gone with some errands, and my parents are going to give me a short lecture about you and me. Tomorrow Mom's taking me shopping, that'll be a real blast…

Ginny tore it again. It sounded like she was having fun, which she wasn't. And she didn't want to send Errol to Draco; there might be a chance Draco did go home, which wouldn't be good. She sighed and fell asleep on her bed.

***

Two days later, Ginny woke up to silence in the house. The previous two mornings she had waken up to sounds of the kitchen, and her parents talking. Yesterday her mom took her shopping; they had bought a numerous amount of new clothes. Her parents also gave her a long lecture about Draco, about how bad he was, and she was convinced that she should stop seeing him until she touched her lips and remembered his kisses and how good he made her feel.

Slowly she trudged down the stairs to the kitchen, to find something to eat. As she passed the living room, she thought she saw Draco Malfoy sprawled on her dad's favorite chair, Muggle remote in hand, clicking at the Muggle television set her dad had rigged up. She shook her head and smiled. She was so attached to him, she starting to see things. But just to make sure, she looked back.

Draco was there.

"Oh, hi, Weasley," he said, spotting her. She joined him, not quite believing it, sitting on the armrest of the chair. "I'm watching this fascinating show about witches who don't use wands and animals talk and there's an Other Realm."

She glanced at the TV. "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."

"Yeah, they got it all wrong, though. We-"

Ginny interrupted. "What are you doing here? Where's my parents?"

"Well, I did say I might visit you, didn't I? So here I am. As for your parents, your dad left early for a meeting, your mom's gone shopping, from the note on the fridge." He nodded towards the kitchen.

"How'd you know all of that? Where I lived?" Ginny demanded.

Draco smirked. "I have connections."

Ginny glared at him, and went into the kitchen to read the note:

Ginny,

I've gone to Hogsmeade for some grocery shopping. I'm also meeting a friend for lunch, and have some business to attend to. Won't be home till evening. Be good, and there's a sandwich in the fridge.

Mom

"So what do you want to do? Where do you want to go?" she heard a voice behind her.

"Go?" Ginny repeated.

Draco shrugged. "Well, why else would I have come here? I have no pleasure being in this…house."

Ginny cursed him silently for being so like his father.

"What about London? We could go look at some of the Muggle stuff. I have a Portkey." He held up a car key.

Ginny nodded slowly. Turning the note over, she scribbled something on. Then she grabbed her coat and followed him out the door.

***

"Look at this," Ron flipped open a book and set it on the table.

Hermione scanned it. "For Ginny--?"

Ron nodded. "Harry, what do you think?"

Harry looked at it, seeming doubtful. "I don't know…"

"Don't you think you should let your mom take care of it?" asked Hermione. "This looks complicated, where are we going to get Goat's Rue? And if anyone finds out, we're in deep trouble. It's against the rules."

Ron shook his head. "We won't get caught. It'll just be like the Polyjuice Potion…"

Harry scratched his head. "This is different."

"Why?" Ron demanded. "We're helping Ginny, aren't we? You both agreed with what I said earlier. So why won't you help me?"

"We never said we won't help you," said Hermione softly. "But I don't think we should use magic for every problem. We've got to work it out."

Ron sighed. "Dumbledore talked to her, it didn't work. We talked to her, it didn't work, and I'll bet Mom won't have an effect on her either. She's probably snogging with Draco right now."

"Sometimes magic won't help either." Harry pointed out.

"We can try it, can't we? What have we got to loose?"

Harry didn't say anything. "Look, I've got homework, I should get started on it…" He headed up the dormitory stairs.

"Harry! You'll help, won't you?" Ron called.

Harry looked back. "Yeah, I guess so." He disappeared.

"Hermione," Ron turned to her. "You'll help, won't you?"

"I can't say I like it, but--"

Ron heaved a big sigh. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I hope you don't hate me."

Hermione grabbed his hand. "I don't hate you, it's just that, well, I don't know if it's right. But…but…I'm willing to do it."

Ron smiled. "Thanks, Herm." His smile faded, as he looked at Hermione's anxious expression. "Oh, Hermione, you don't have to do it if you don't want to, I couldn't stand it if you hated me."

She was silent. This was something she'd never heard Ron say.

He went on, babbling. "I've always really liked you, Herm. You're not like any other girl I've met. Remember in our fourth year, when you went with Krum? I was so jealous, and I got really mad. I guess I'm not good enough for you…"

Hermione didn't say anything.

Ron ran a hand through his red hair, and his face turned red. "Hermione, I made a real rat out of myself, didn't I? I--"

He didn't finish. Hermione pulled him down to her and suddenly, they were kissing. Ron was real surprised at first, and was awkward, but it was so familiar to Hermione, kissing him, she didn't let go, and soon he relaxed. Ron wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her with all his heart, glad that the long wait was over, that she loved him as much as he loved her. He rained his kisses on her, and Hermione was surprised. She never knew Ron was so sweet and kissed so well.

They broke apart. Ron was breathy as he spoke. "Herm…do you really love me?"

"Of course I do," she replied, and his mouth met hers again.

A/N: Okay, I was going to add the part when Draco goes to London with Ginny here, but decided against it, cuz I wanted to post this chapter up. So next chapter they go to London, and Spring Break is over. R/R, everyone, and Happy New Year! J