When the Adventure Only Begins
By: FireSprite
The Burden of Desire and Fate: V
A/N: Ok, first off, I would like to apologise for the delay, I didn't expect that summer would be this hectic, but luckily for me, it's been quite a blast thus far. So, uh, let's see Last chapter: Ginny and Draco went to Dumbledore; found out some interesting information about his niece and then Draco found Ginny unconscious outside in the hall.
Personally, I think there are WAY too many flashbacks for this chapter own good, but I'm afraid it had to be done. Basically, this whole chapter is flashback scenes so I hope you don't mind!
So yeah DO ENJOY
Disclaimer: I own nothing. It's true. I really don't. *Sob*
~
Draco fell to the ground, beside Ginny. His concerned eyes looked to see if she was still breathing and was quite relieved when he saw the steady rise and fall of her chest. He smoothed out her hair and looked down at the small figure.
'Oh, Ginny,' He whispered, as he pushed her hand off her stomach carefully, 'What happened to you?' Looking down at her glowing stomach, he hesitated for only a minute, before placing his hand on it. 'Ouch! Bloody Hell!' He looked down at his hand; it had been burned and pretty bad too. There were blisters already starting to appear everywhere on his reddened skin. The pain was unbearable, and he stared at it for a moment, thinking. Dark magic this is. He tried to think of any incantations that would result in this; the one he remembered was one his father had taught him. Taught him right before he ended up in Azkaban; it had been the turning point for Draco, the one incident that changed him. Forever.
~
'Sepultura,' His father whispered, as if saying it out loud would result in immediate death. Yet, his father said it almost gleefully, as if he enjoyed the sound of the words on his cold, dead lips. He smiled. 'Say it boy' He demanded, still in the same silent, harsh tone. Draco looked up at his father, his eyes carefully watching Lucius.
It was the summer after Draco's sixth year, and Draco felt he would be very glad if he never saw the light of day again; to finally be at rest. All summer they had worked on spells; potions; charms that could kill, torture, cause "legal", undeniable pain. It was horrible what Draco had seen, but he reasoned, he would need this "experience" to become one of the best Death Eaters ever serving in the ranks of Lord Voldemort, and one day, for his father, he would destroy the Dark Lord; becoming the most feared and the most powerful man ever. More so than Lord Voldemort could ever dream of. More so than anyone could ever dream of.
It was his father's dream, and Draco wanted very much to please his father. This was the very reason why Draco was in pain tonight, both his arms aching dully, from last night's "lesson"; the fact that he couldn't put all his weight on his left foot because his bones were still not done healing; and his head felt a bit light headed because he had tasted a bad batch of "abomino potion" (a potion used to make the receiver of the potion feel hate emanating from everyone he knows, causing them to become suicidal).
'SAY IT!' His father bellowed, the panes of the vast room shaking as though they too were afraid, they too were trembling with fear. He reached out and grabbed his wand from the desk and placed it in Draco's hand. He looked at his son, his empty grey eyes penetrating right into Draco's. Draco looked down at his wand in his hand and looked back at his father.
'And with what shall I say it on?' He drawled, not caring if he would be hit for that remark. He hardly cared now; this was some stupid dream of his father's, why would he want to become a Death Eater, so you could serve someone for the rest of your life? No, thanks.
Lucius clapped his hands together and immediately one of the house elves came walking in, trembling. He knew, as they did, why he was here. The west wing was only ever used for practising Dark Magic.
'You is calling, Sir?' The house elf squeaked, twisting his long ear around his finger.
'Stand over there,' Lucius said coldly, 'And please don't speak.' He watched impatiently as the house elf scurried over to the spot Lucius had pointed to. 'All right, Draco. Now, I'm getting mad.'
Draco raised his wand, noticing that his hand shook slightly. For some reason, he supposed it was the way Lucius had said the spell, he knew that this was indeed very Dark Magic, and he couldn't help but wonder how he could get out of this. But he couldn't, there was no possible way.
'Sepultura!' He cried, and watched in horror as a black light shot out of his wand and hit the small house elf. It shrieked in pain, and collapsed on the floor, withering and screaming out: 'A house elf is good, a house elf is good, I is taking the pain, I is good'
And then, slowly, flames started licking the house elf's body. They started, it seemed to Draco, from the inside, burning out. His arm. His leg. His large, overyfloppy ear. All burned with so much agony, all taking forever until there was nothing left but smouldering ashes.
'You see boy,' Lucius whispered, 'We need not illegal spells sometimes, all we need is a little research. It is time for bed now. Go.'
And with that, Draco was sent to bed, knowing that he had just killed. As much as Draco hated house elves, he could not help to stem the tears that came, as he lay all alone in the high north tower that was his room.
He cried all night.
~
Quickly, hoping to push away those awful memories forever, Draco shook himself back to the present, and looked down at his hand again, forcing himself to focus on the present situation. If it did this to my hand, what is it doing to her body? he asked himself, wondering what the hell to do.
Gingerly, he picked up Ginny, not wanting to further damage her in any way and shifted her body so that her glowing stomach was hidden. Turning, he walked in the direction of the Gryffindor common room, hoping someone would let him inside so he get her in her bed. No one needs to see the evil, he told himself as he walked silently down the corridor. No one.
~
Ginny slowly opened her eyes; it seemed that they were very heavy today, not wanting her to see what was happening. Stubbornly she rubbed at them until she could see properly. Looking around, she saw that she was in her dorm room. The sun streamed in, lighting up the room; her magical clock besides her table read 1:20pm; she saw Draco sitting in a chair besides the table, his head resting in his palms, his eyes closed, a pained expression flitting across his face for a moment.
'Draco?' She whispered, huskily, her throat aching. Draco looked up at her, his face breaking into a genuine smile.
'Luciole,' He breathed, using his nickname for her, causing her to smile slightly. 'You're awake. How are you?' He asked, tenderly, taking her small hand in his and stroking it soothingly.
'I'm fine,' She said, casting a glance around the room. Then she realised it was a Monday; what was she doing in her room at one o'clock? 'Draco, why am I here?' She asked, her brows furrowing in puzzlement, looking around the room as if the answers would be there in front of her.
Draco stilled for a moment, looking at her. Finally, he opened his mouth and said: 'You mean You don't remember?' Ginny shook her head, her fiery red hair cascading down around her. 'I Uh I found you on the floor. You must have fainted or something Your stomach was glowing' He looked at her to see if she was all right.
Suddenly, the memories rushed back, as if someone had simply turned on a light.
~
Ginny stepped down from the stairs, hearing Dumbledore begin to speak to Draco about something. But the words were all blurred, they sounded fuzzy to her; she didn't understand why; was something wrong with her? Indecision questioned her, she wasn't sure exactly what was happening, so she stepped into the hallway, hoping that once she was out there the normal feelings she craved would return to her.
Quickly, she looked down the corridor to her left. It was dark, and hollow, an eerie colour of yellow, probably from the sun, shinning in; it looked unnatural though, as if someone had created it to lure her into a false sense of security. As much as Ginny hated to admit it, she felt scared. Carefully, she turned her head to the right, and watched the shadows change every so often, this corridor looked as if no magic had been tapped into it, and frankly, she felt more panic rising within from looking down that corridor than anything else. She swallowed, dangerously aware of her breathing and eye movements as they quickly scanned the whole hallway.
Then, she heard something echo in the back of her head.
'You're mine,' The voice sounded evil; so cold it sent shivers down her spine, and so very real, it seemed that whatever had said it was standing right behind her, whispering it right into her ear. She could hear the amoral smirk in the voice and knew without a doubt that this was the man formally known as Tom Riddle. Ginny felt herself apt to believe it, no matter how much she told herself this was Lord Voldemort; she had to close her eyes, to fight off this invisible force.
'No,' She hissed, as if it were causing her pain to say this, 'No I don't.'
That's when the pain began, the searing agony. She grabbed her stomach, trying somehow to stop the burning. And then that last thing she remembered That awful glowing green, so very bright in her eyes, before she fell into the peaceful darkness.
~
'Gin?! Ginny?' Came Draco's voice, cutting through her memories. Ginny looked up at him, wiping a hand across her forehead, and smiled, a small smile.
'I remember Draco,' She said quietly, 'But I'm scared. I mean We don't even know what's happening.' She said, suppressing a shiver for some reason. The room seemed darker for some reason. It got colder; she did shiver this time, not at all liking what was happening. 'What are we supposed to do?' She asked Draco, looking up at him with her brown eyes.
Draco stalled for a minute. He bit his lip in concentration, and held onto Ginny's hand tighter. Finally he sighed, 'I don't know Ginny. I supposed Dumbledore has something worked out for us But we'll beat it, remember all we've been through? The taunting? The teasing? Everything? Because a bloody Slytherin and a Gryffindor decided they wanted each other!' Draco spoke with hardness; bitterness in his voice. He spoke the truth, it had taken well over a few months for the school to accept the fact that a Serpent and a Lion would want to be together, the school either forgetting about it, or deciding to ignore it. He sat in thought for a while remembering those days.
~
'Draco!' Ginny spoke harshly, 'I'm tired of running around, I'm tired of having to sneak out every night just so I can talk to you; see you. I can't stand lying to my friends and my family anymore.' She tried to turn away from him them, as if looking at him repulsed her.
They were in the dungeon, a late Friday night. It was three months after they had begun to go out, three months after they first met, and Ginny had told him to meet her down here, to 'discuss something important' as her note had read. So far, the night was not going good for Draco.
'Ginny!' Draco said, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him, 'Don't you understand? If they find out, if the Slytherins find out, my father will find out! I can't let that happen, don't you understand?'
Ginny, who had been trying to wrench herself out of his grasp, whirled around to face him. 'Draco! You're father is this close,' She said, her fingers measuring a millimetre apart, 'THIS CLOSE, to being put away! They're onto him now Draco; don't you get it? By the time he finds out, he'll be in Azkaban!'
Draco watched her, not saying anything. His little firefly; her cheeks were flushed from fighting with him; her eyes sparkled, alive; and her lips looked so tempting, pouting that perfect little pout that drove him wild.
'I know,' He said, his tone even; controlled, 'You know I hate that man with my whole heart, nothing would please me more than seeing him receive the Kiss. But my father,' He said, emphasising the word, 'has connections, Virginia. He knows what's happening within the ministry; he's not a bloody fool! He'll have others look after me, if he's gone; if he's taken away. They won't just leave me hanging. And those are the people I fear the most, they would kill me if they found out!' He spoke; a desperate man. 'My father has at least some small amount of compassion for his only son!'
'Draco, I can't go on like this. I'm sorry, if you decide that you rather live in fear of men, whom I'm sure don't exist Well then, I'm done. I'm not sneaking around anymore, I'm tired of being afraid, of wondering whose going to find us this time. I'm done.' And she left, walking down the hall, slowly, her head staring straight ahead; a woman not to be knocked down
He had to choose that night.
He had chosen that night. He wanted to keep his firefly.
~
'Hey Malfoy!' Someone called from down the hall that stood right outside the Great Hall. The lone man looked over his shoulder, seeing a group of Slytherin boys, a year older than him all standing around one man, Devin. He was the ringleader. 'How's the little Weasley Whore?' He called, the name reverberating off the walls, and anyone who was sitting in the Great Hall, heard. 'Is she really that great in bed as I've heard?' The whole group snickered and chuckled.
Draco saw him; Devin, standing upright, enjoying the pain that crossed his own face. He smiled, a mirthless smile, enjoying the fact that people were looking up to him, for causing the anger, the agony; the suffering Draco and Ginny had gone through. It wasn't fair!! He got praise and admiration for making fun of others? He enjoyed watching Draco seethe and bubble! What if he had touched Ginny? The thought shot him straight in the heart. She would have never said anything; she would have kept in inside, somehow blaming herself for anything his vulgar hands did to her. But she never said anything; she hadn't been acting differently. Yet, Draco couldn't seem to stop imagining what horrible things Devin could do to Ginny. What ever gave him the right to touch anything as sweet and as gentle as his Ginny? Or any other girl for that matter?
Draco couldn't see anything but red, his anger built up to a breaking point. Ginny had told him to ignore them, that they weren't worth it. He could stand it when they accused him of dishonouring the family name, of shaming the Slytherin pride. But when they attacked Ginny Well he grabbed his wand and pointed it at Devin, point blank in the chest. Draco was heaving, as though he just out-chased a Griffin, from trying to control his anger. 'Say that again Devin, and you'll wish you never were born!' he hissed.
Devin looked at Draco, not in the least surprise as his fellow peers that Draco had reacted that way. He smirked maliciously. 'I asked,' He said, slowly; loudly, making sure Draco and everyone else in the hallway and the Great Hall heard him, 'How was the little Weasley Whore? I heard she was pretty good for a mudblood lover.'
Before Draco realised what he was doing, he began to cry out: 'Sept-'
'Mr. Ewin! I am shocked at your behaviour! ' Came the voice of Professor McGonagall. She came hurrying up to the little circle that had formed around Draco and Devin and quickly tried to disperse everyone.
Just then Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny came out of the Great Hall. Ginny looked upset, but she simply shook her head at Draco, silently telling him to put down his wand. Looking back at the smirking face of Devin, Draco lowered his wand.
'You're not worth it.' He spat at Devin, and turned around.
'Is it me who isn't worth it, or little Weasley Whore over there who isn't worth the two knuts you paid her?' He said, as Professor McGonagall grabbed him roughly, and marched him down the corridor towards the Headmaster's office.
Draco turned around and was about to run down Devin when a small hand was put on his arm.
'Don't do it, Draco,' Ginny said, looking up at him, 'just leave him alone. Ignore it.'
'But Ginny!' Draco said, 'How am I supposed to-'
'Ignore it, Draco. You and I both know he isn't worth it.' She said; a voice of reason, 'He isn't worth it.'
~
Draco shook his head again, trying to clear his mind. 'Remember how we met?' He asked this, trying to take Ginny's mind off the current situation. Ginny smiled as she thought back, to the day they met, a little over a year ago, a day she hoped she would never forget...
~
It had been a dreary Wednesday morning as Ginny and her group of friends sat down at the breakfast table. Looking up at the enchanted ceiling, Ginny all but sighed; the ceiling looked so bored, so sad; so grey. Thunderclouds rumbled overhead, not emptying themselves, but just glowering, threatening, daring anyone to stand up and counters their prowess. Ginny smiled wryly to herself as she lowered her gaze and grabbed at the porridge.
'Did you do that Charms assignment?' Becky, Ginny's best friend asked, quickly, trying to grabbing as much food as possible. No matter how much Becky ate, which was usually a ton of food, she always stayed thin, something Ginny and her friends envied about Becky.
'Oh!' Ginny said, 'Was that due today?' Becky just nodded her head, afraid she'd spit some food out if she answered out-loud, after all, she had just shovelled a huge mound of hot cereal in her mouth. 'I can't believe I forgot about that!' Ginny moaned.
'It's ok,' Raven, another one of Ginny's friend said, 'I didn't do it either!! We can be the Homework-less Twins!' She added, bubbling over with excitement. Despite Raven's name and black haired; black eyes look, Raven was anything but raven-like. She was constantly happy, a very 'go with the flow' type of person; very mellow, yet so lively at the same time.
'Sounds like a plan to me!' Ginny said, grinning, 'Won't this be a fun charms class?' Becky nodded, and finally opened her empty mouth to say something, when the whole Hall quieted. Looking up from their little gab fest, Ginny saw that Dumbledore had risen from the table. He looked very happy, indeed, like he was about to burst with good news.
'Good morning students!' He cried out, happily, 'I have some wonderful news for you all!' He said, with a magical wave of his hand, 'It seems that the teachers and Prefects have decided it high time for a celebration of sorts! We believe that in the era of the Order of the Phoenix, it's time like these that we share and create good memories that will last us a life-time! Therefore, we have decided to hold another ball! Seeing as winter is almost upon us we shall be calling this ball the,' He paused for dramatic affect, and Ginny was sure everyone was leaning forwards on their seat to hear the Headmaster better, 'We shall call it: The Snowflake Ball!' He cried, dramatically.
Silence filled the room. Then, at almost the same moment, every single person bursts into gales of laughter. The Great Hall filled with laughter; it seemed everyone had been expecting such a different name from the way the Professor had introduced it. The laughter died down and everyone looked up again at the Headmaster, to see what else he had to say.
'Well,' He said, amusement apparent in his voice, 'I will admit that I, myself, did not chose the name, but I suppose I won't admit who did for their safety.' Professor Dumbledore seemed the only one unaware that Professor MacGonnagall turned very red indeed and seemed to find her toast so much more interesting that one would imagined a warmed piece of bread could be.
Whispers circled the hall; whispers about whom were going to go with whom, why the Transfiguration teacher was so very red and what on earth would the girls wear?
'Don't bother with dates' Dumbledore said all of a sudden, causing the whole Hall to go silent. The girls and boys equally looked up at the professor with shock. No dates? What? 'This is a real masquerade ball, you'll never be able to tell who your date is.' He chuckled appreciably, glad at the reaction that caused. Some people, like Ginny, were relieved. Maybe Neville wouldn't ask her then. Not that he wasn't nice; it was just that... he wasn't her type. She quickly looked away from Neville, who had been trying to catch her eye. Perhaps now no one would treat her like a little baby. She was tired of the 'little sister' role she was supposed to play. She would really have to break out the magic for this ball!
~
It had taken Ginny only a week to decide what she would go as. She had chosen to go as Princess TigerLily, a character in a wizarding fairy tale. Ginny could remember when her Father had first read the story to her; she had been only five then, and it had been her favourite story ever since, all throughout her childhood. She would beg her Mum or Dad to read it to her every night, and she'd listen with childhood rapture as her parent's soothing voice's carried the story through the night's breeze into her small ears. She would usually fall asleep before the ending came, when the prince saved the princess.
As the story went, Princess TigerLily was a very beautiful princess, her long brown hair, flowing; her eyes a beautiful toffee colour, sparkling and kind; she had performed many good deeds over the years. Then one day, and evil sorcerer, who was jealous of how many friends the young princess had, came and hexed her, so that she couldn't ever see her friends and family again. She was magically locked in a tower, her wand stolen from her, her life destined to stop, for she wasn't ever allowed out unless somehow, somewhere, someone found the secret spell that would set her free.
This was about the time Ginny fell asleep, her dreams always carrying the answers. The prince, debonair, handsome, and above all, cunning would come after her. He and the evil sorcerer would battle, until broken and bound, the sorcerer would reveal the secret spell. The prince would rush in, having risked his life to save her, and in the end, they'd end up happily married.
Ginny spent many hours, sewing, stitching; creating her dress. Although she didn't have any money to buy a costume like the other girls, she still enjoyed making it, and felt, when it was all done, that it looked prettier than some of the other dresses she had seen purchased in Hogsmeade.
She ended up with a cream silk dress, flowing all the way to the ground; a crown of flowers in her long, wavy, dark red hair. She had long white gloves that fit her perfectly, and she had a blue shawl that contrasted the cream quite perfectly.
It was the perfect thing, she decided, as she looked at herself in the mirror, to go to a masquerade ball in.
Ginny entered walked down the elegant staircase with some of her friends, slowing, trying hard not to rip the dress she had worked so hard on. They were all excited as was she, this would be the first dance where there was no pressure. No pressure to have dates, to not have dates, no judgement, no taunting. They laughed and joked as they reached the hall, each teasing the other on the dress or costume they had chosen.
'Hey Gin!' Becky said, 'Hoping your prince charming will sweep you off your feet?' She laughed, as did Ginny. They were too close to know that that was a joke.
'Oh yeah?' Ginny retorted, looking at Becky's costume. She was dressed like Little Bo Peep, 'Hoping to find some sheep? Baaa!' She called, as the rest of the group burst into giggles.
'Oh yes,' Becky said, 'Some very baaaad sheep!'
'Oh you guys,' Raven said, wiping at the tears that had formed from laughing so hard 'What would I do without you?' Raven looked stunning, deciding to go as a skimpy Mrs. Claus. "Ho ho ho" She had said, as she had stepped from the bathroom, after changing into her costume. "So what do you guys think?" She asked. "Looks more like hoe hoe hoe." Becky had replied, giggling.
That's when they stepped into view of the Great Hall. They all gasped; Dumbledore had certainly outdone himself this time. The tables had been cleared to one side, they were now hosting a huge feast of pie, cakes, goblets full of juices, a Muggle drink called "soda" and so many other delicacies, Ginny could hardly look at it all without feeling hungry. With the tables cleared it was a huge room, decorated to the max; with glass icicles and snow (which was enchanted to fall gently from the ceiling and never melt, just disappear), it was so very wonderful.
And there was a disgruntled looking Professor McGonagall was at the entrance performing the "Masquerade Charm" on everyone who entered. It looked as though she still hadn't lived down the name for the ball yet, students kept calling it out in class, just saying "Snowflake" would get people remembering the time in the Great Hall, and they would burst into giggles. Coincidentally, the number of detentions skyrocketed for no apparent reason, the trophy room itself getting polished at least three times a night by various students.
'Impaservio' she chanted to each student who walked by. A quick flick of the wand and she was ready to move onto the nest group of people. Now even her best friend wouldn't recognise her. The charm worked so that you could see peoples faces but somehow the brain would not make a connection and you couldn't figure out who it was. She said good-bye to her friend prior to receiving the spell, and walked in, her face tingling at first.
When she first entered to Great Hall, she wasn't sure what to do. She felt suddenly alone, as she was no longer with her friend, nor did she have a date. But looking around, she realised she was not alone in the predicament. Everyone seemed to be drifting around on their own. A few people had obviously thought that they would find each other and they were walking around, calling out names of their friends or boy/girlfriend, looking as lost as she felt.
Sighing, she went to the table of food. At least she could have some good food, and perhaps meet up with someone, hopefully recognising them, as she stood there, unsure of what to do next. She turned around to find a table to sit at, when she bumped into someone.
'Oh, I'm sorry!' She said, looking up to see the man she had bumped into. It was definitely a man she had bumped into, as he was dressed as the Phantom, from the Phantom of the Opera, a Muggle musical.
'No, no,' The man said, his low voice quite sweet, 'it was my fault I bumped into you. You see, I was looking at such a beautiful woman, I couldn't help but to try talk to her. Just my luck, as I am finding myself face to face with her right now.' Ginny looked around, before she realised he had just complimented her. She laughed, quite glad that he seemed taken with her.
'Thank you,' she said, blushing. 'Muggle plays?' she asked, sweetly, referring to his choice of costume. The man shrugged.
'Usually I'm not completely Muggle-pro, but something about their plays captivates me, it's amazing what they can do without magic. Yet, the arts in itself, is magic. I suppose, the Phantom from the Phantom of the Opera always reminded me of myself. All alone sometimes; always hiding.' Realising just what he said, the man blushed, and coughed awkwardly.
'No, I totally get what you're saying.' Ginny replied, 'Some of those plays I just sit back and think: Wow.'
The Phantom smiled, 'You look stunning.' He said, motioning with his hand towards her dress. 'Mind if I ask you to dance?'
'No, not at all.' She smiled, glad that she had already found someone to talk and dance with. She didn't care who this turned out to be, because she already felt a connection with him.
They ended up dancing all night long, as well as talking. Ginny could never remembered what they talked about, as if it was too sacred to remember, yet she remembered laughing most of the night. She felt as though they clicked, on a very personal level, and that she had found, if not a wonderful boyfriend material, at least a friend she knew she would hold close to her heart for the rest of her life.
'Princess?' The Phantom asked, using the name he had dubbed her, 'mind if we go for a walk?'
'Of course not.' She answered, feeling, although she was enjoying the dance, it was getting too stuffy. He casually linked his hand with hers and they walked out into the garden and down one of it's many paths. The flowers were out, tonight, for some reason, even though it was already pitch black, the only light provided was the moon, and the fading lights of the dance. They finally found an empty bench, and they sat down under the many stars. They talked for a bit more, Ginny, all the while, trying to decide if he liked her like she realised she liked him. They talked until there was a lull in the conversation; Ginny looked down at her hands, at a lost for words for once.
'May I kiss you?' Came the Phantom's voice in her ear. She looked at him and smiled. He looked so handsome, yet so vulnerable to reject, she giggled.
'I would love it if you would.' She replied, turning towards him more. She felt his lips descend upon her; awkward at first, then slowly, they got in tune with the other. They kissed again and when they did it was like they were on fire. They were melting into each other, burning as one. The music could be heard distantly in the background along with the chatter but neither heard a thing, for all they could hear was the other's breathing and all they could see were each others souls. All they felt were the mind-shattering chills that coursed through each others back. When they broke apart they know from the blinding sensation that they were meant to be together; forever.
They looked at each other for the longest time, neither saying a word. Slowly, Ginny blinked, not quite sure what to say. Finally she muttered: 'Um Wow'
'Yeah,' The Phantom said, running his hand through his hair. 'Uh, Princess do you think you could... um...?'
'Take the mask off?' The Phantom nodded, 'Okay but only if you do it too!' The Phantom nodded again, he seemed to be at a lost for words right now, 'On the count of three. 1... 2... 3...'
Both waved their hands in front of their face and muttered 'Finite Incantatem' Ginny looked up and gasped, for standing right in front of her was Draco Malfoy, her brother's mortal enemy.
'Malfoy?!'
'Weasley?!'
They both stared at each other with a mixture of horror and irony. Ginny realised her mouth was hanging open, and she closed it. Then she smiled, and Draco smiled too. It was all too ironic for them and they both began to laugh.
And with that, he pulled her in tighter and kissed her, both of them standing out in the garden under the moon.
~
'Ginny?' Draco's voice brought her out of her trance.
'Yeah?' She asked, stretching luxuriously on her bed, and yawning quite deeply.
'I think it's getting pretty late,' He said, standing up to brush off his robes, and run a hand through his hair. 'You're not hungry, are you?'
'No Thanks Draco,' She whispered, 'Thanks for being there for me'
'You know you would have done the same thing,' He whispered back, stroking her cheek, 'I'm going to stop in with Madam Pomfrey on the way back, all right? I trust you'll be in good hands when you're friends come in?'
'Yes I will.' She said, giving him a kiss before he left, 'Bye,' She said, waving slightly before he was gone.
She turned over on her side and was suddenly rushing towards darkness.
~
It was pitch black, and Ginny couldn't see a thing. Where am I? She wondered, to herself, as she tried to see something, anything.
'Ah, Virginia, you've finally made it,' Came a cold, high voice; it echoed around her, sending freezing shivers around her. She spun around; desperately seeking the owner of the voice, knowing it was coming again from Lord Voldemort. 'I was beginning to wonder if you receive my "present" earlier.' He said, referring to the incident that happened in the hall.
'What do you want with me?' She spat out, contempt evident in her wavering voice.
'Why, my dear, I would have thought it would have been quite obvious now,' He said, then lowered his voice dangerously, so it was almost a hiss, 'I want my heir. I want you; your powers.'
'My powers?' Ginny asked, bewildered by now, 'I don't have any powers!' she screamed into the darkness.
'Of course you do, I wouldn't be mistaken. Lord Voldemort is never mistaken.' He said, 'That fool Dumbledore just doesn't think you're old enough to handle them.' He said, knowing it hit an old wound. Ginny winced, feeling a stab of pain in her heart where she kept her most inner thoughts and secrets. 'But, my dear, I can show you what they are, how to control them, how to use them. If you'll let me.'
'Never.' Ginny said, her voice low, sounding much more threatening than she felt.
'We'll see, shall we? Next time we meet, you'll understand much more, won't you?'
Ginny remained silent, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing that she was scared, and she felt so very small. She shrank to the ground, wrapping her arms around herself. She was silent.
'I want you to know,' The voice continued, it sounded much closer to Ginny, as though he was hissing it right in front of her, 'That Dumbledore can do nothing without killing you. I've made sure of that.'
'That's not true!' Ginny whispered, still in the same position, 'Dumbledore will find a way, he always will.'
'Ah, but will he risk your life?' He asked, 'I'm sure he took the death of Elisabella very hard, is he willing to chance your life on some half-thought scheme or potion?' Ginny again remained silent, biting her lip. Was he telling the truth? Could Dumbledore very well not have the answers she craved? 'You were so gullible, it was quite easy. Just like Elisabella'
'No!! I won't let you do this!! NO!'
~
But by now, Ginny was awake again, and she was screaming at her empty dorm; her friends probably still downstairs, in the common room, having fun. Ginny pulled the blanket up around her neck and closed her eyes, willing herself to drift off into a dreamless sleep. After a very long time, she fell into sleep. But her dreams were anything but dreamless.
A/N: And the end of Part Five Next time Ginny actually encounters Lord Voldemort I do believe that he's rather taken with her I seem to remember the line "Ah, a she-devil." ::shudders:: Well We'll have to see what happens, wont' we? Ok, so:
Shout Outs:
Erica (Thank you! I'm glad you like it so much) Green Eyes (Well I for one am NOT complaining about your sugar high!) Avelera (Thanks) Hazel Harman (Sorry!! I know most of you haven't read the original so you don't know what happens But Ginny will stay with Draco, that is a fact! I myself enjoy G/H as well as G/D so I salute you, Oh Captain of the G/H ship!) Angel Eyez (Elisabella was very brave, but she was not famous because Dumbledore decided to keep her death and the cause a secret as it would alarm most witches and wizards as to who and what Tom Riddle was trying to do and trying to become!) Sweet Pie (More of Harry, hunh? Well I'll see what I can do next chapter!) Arime Setta (Don't worry!! It'll all turn out GREAT in the end I think Maybe oh no Did I reveal too much? ::Sweats:: Well you'll just have to see won't you? ::Evil laugh::) Draco's Gurl (You're welcome I do try hard to make my ideas original!) BoyFlea (First off: I'm soo soo sorry I haven't been reading/reviewing your story "Long Hot Summer" I've been so busy with summer I simply haven't had time! Thank you for your unwavering support, it means so much for me!) taiyohishou (Did I spell that right? I hope so! Thank you! I love clapping, it makes me so happy! ::Giggles::) Ella (Thank you!!) Tabbycat2000 (I will, freaky indeed!) morgan (What IS with girls whose names end in Bella? I don't get it! Oh well I was just thinking of my friend Elizabeth and Bella so yeah!) Princess Luna (Yes, her niece!! Thanks! Well have to see if Ginny has this baby now won't we?) Mary Malfoy (Thank you, I really am trying to make this story better!) Lady Grizabella(Yes, know I love Tom too!! Why is it always the bad boys we fall for? ::Swoons::) Andrea (A similar story? I'm shocked!!! Yet not. Originality disappeared with the dinosaurs I'm afraid! So I want to see this one when it's ready!) Last but not least! ;) w&m_law (Three point five seconds? Fast typeset or what? I'm gonna time myself hold on I really like it I'd say four seconds? Yeahbout that!)
Well I'm shocked at how long I can ramble So I think I'll let you get to the good stuff: Reviewing!! YAY!!