Sleeping Beauty
Chapter 6: The North Star
A/N: I've included a list at the end of this story to thank all the people who have reviewed my story. I thank them here first; I hope I haven't disappointed you too badly.
Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling, who doesn't mind us playing in her world.
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For a moment Ginny thought she had made a mistake. Draco just stared at her before slowly reaching into his robes for his wand. But he only bound and gagged his father before joining her on the balcony.
"You had better go quickly. If you head north, there is a little town about a day's walk from here. You should be able to get help there. I'll delay as long as possible."
Ginny couldn't believe what she was hearing: couldn't he see that she had come back for him?
"Come with me, Draco," she said softly.
He turned his head slowly to look at her. His pale eyes were empty. "I don't belong there," he said simply.
"You don't belong here."
He shrugged. "I don't belong anywhere."
"You belong with me."
His eyes flickered. Something very like hunger appeared in the gray depths before he controlled it.
"Please, Draco. Don't leave me alone."
Again his eyes flickered. Emotions began spilling across his face, hope, hunger, need, fear. "I've done horrible things."
"You saved my life."
"I can't."
Ginny hung her head, then climbed onto the railing of the balcony in order to reach the branch. She didn't look back at Draco until she had reached the main trunk, and then it was only one last look, all her emotions clearly displayed in her eyes and on her face.
She crept along the outside wall until she reached the side closest to the forest. Arms and shoulders aching she pulled herself up and over, almost screaming when pale hands appeared out of the darkness to catch her. Draco smiled, an expression that rarely appeared on his cold countenance. They didn't speak until they were safely into the woods.
"I don't want to be alone anymore," Draco finally said, glaring at the ground. Ginny squeezed his hand and pointed out the North Star. "You won't be, Draco, not any longer. Neither of us will ever be alone again."
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A/n: The North star leads home, providing a bright and unstinting guide for lost travelers and weary explorers.
Thanks to all the people who reviewed, I've listed them here so I could thank them personally, as it where.
PepperjackCandy: Thank you, I was always a sucker for the Sleeping Beauty story.
*Altra*: Thank you, I hurried as fast as I could.
davesmom: Thank you, I thought it was rather a fun twist.
Red Red Rose: Thank you, delicious is a great word to use, I'll have to remember it.
Amber Lee: Thank you, he didn't kill her, but there were a couple times I was worried.
Shortstuff_31287: Thank you, I kept working on it, in fact I rather obsessed over it.
Mrspriscillapotter: Thank you, I'm usually no fan of D/G either, but they just fit this so well.
W&M_law: Thank you, I enjoyed hearing from you three times.
Reynard Al Fiona: Thank you for your review, it makes me laugh. Merit, huh? I like that. I would also like to throw the evil villain and papa from the train…maybe the next story.
*KittyKat*: Thank you. Your wish is my command
Jace: Thank you. Your wish is my command.
Anya Malfoy: Thank you. Sweet…you're the only one that's called it that!
RisingStar: Thank you. As much as I like being begged, it's not necessary!
*dRaCo'S gIrL: Thank you. Your wish is my command.
Dauphin: Thank you. Yes, it is short; it worked better that way.
Ayla Pascal: Thank you, friend.
Channy Hoppy: Thank you. Waiting makes life all the sweeter, though it is annoying as all get out!