Disclaimer: All people and things belong to JK Rowling,
as you should know.
A/N: All right, people, I still am not satisfied with my reviews, but since I'm such a nice person and the FEW reviews I do get are pretty encouraging, I'll write chapter four. Now, you must understand that I shall not go on without REVIEWS!
The
Visitor
Ginny could not get the huge, silly grin off her face as she helped Draco in through her window. As soon as he straightened, holding his broomstick in one hand, she threw her arms around his neck and placed her lips on his.
It took him a moment to respond, but when he did, he did not disappoint Ginny. She'd almost forgotten how wonderful it was to be pressed against him, to be kissing him as hard as he was kissing her. It made her lose all since of reality, kind of like what she imagined people in fairy tales felt like. When they finally did pull away, she felt a whole lot better knowing that Draco was near her and that she could just grab him and hold him any time she wanted.
"Did
you get my letters?" Ginny asked as Draco set his broom down on the ground.
"Yes, I
got all of them," he replied.
"Why
didn't you write me back?" she said, grabbing his hands and pulling him over to
her bed so they could sit down. They sat, and Draco answered.
"I
thought I'd come in person instead," he replied airily. "When I read your
latest letter I decided it would be fun to come and see this huge slash in your
head. But I am slightly disappointed because I don't see anything."
Ginny
tried to contain a smile. She figured that was Draco's way of saying, I was
worried and I came to see if you were all right. "It's on the back of my
head, underneath my hair," she said.
"So I
came for nothing."
"I don't
think so," Ginny said, moving closer to him. "I'm glad you came."
"I can't
stay long," he said firmly, but put his arm around her shoulders and allowed
her to lean against him. Absently, he twirled her long, silky hair around his
finger. "My mother doesn't know I've left."
Ginny
smiled broadly, and since her head was resting in the nook of his arm, she was
glad he couldn't see her face. She didn't want him to know what she was
thinking – He really does care. He just came to check and see if my head was
okay.
She was
filled with warmth and a sense of calm being close to him, feeling the rise of
his chest beneath her ear. It was so peaceful she never wanted the moment to
end.
Draco
needs me, she thought. No one else understands him the way I do. No one
knows him like I do. I'm the only one who cares.
"I've
got to go," he said, and stood up suddenly. Ginny frowned, and followed him back
to the window.
"You
haven't been here five minutes," she said. "Do you want something to eat? Or
drink?"
Draco
turned to face her, avoiding her eyes. "I've got something for you," he said
before he changed his mind.
"Really?"
Ginny smiled softly.
He
reached into his pocket and pulled out the one of the two locator rings. He
almost cringed at the sight of them. When he'd read Ginny's letter after lunch,
he'd immediately been worried. Of course, she had to have been fine to be in
good enough condition to write to him, but still, he panicked. Without even
thinking he'd retrieved the white-gold rings from his drawer and had flown
straight to the Burrow.
"Wear
it on a chain around your neck," he said, gently taking her hand and placing
one of the rings in it. "So no one will ask about it and you can hide it under
your clothes."
Ginny
stared at the ring for a moment, breathless. "It's beautiful, Draco."
"I
think it's hideous," he said, but he twisted his lips up in a smirk to soften
his words. He almost added, "Wear it always" but knew she would never take it
off.
While
Ginny was still gazing at the ring in her palm, he stuck is broom out the
window first, then jumped on to it.
"Wait –"
Ginny called after him, but he was already flying away.
She
watched him until she couldn't see him anymore, then sighed and shut the
window. The brief visit had somehow made her feel so much better. He'd showed
her that he was concerned about what had happened to her head and then had
given her a ring.
Studying it closer, she realized it must've been very valuable. The green stone was very large, round, and flat. It looked like a real emerald.
She
immediately went to her jewelry box to find a chain. If she wore it on her
finger someone would most definitely notice.
A
minute later, she put a silver chain through the ring and clasped it behind her
neck. Then she tucked it under her shirt and went down to dinner.
Mr.
Weasley was not home for dinner because he had to work late. Everyone was
almost finished eating when his head appeared in the fireplace.
"Molly,"
he said, looking very panicked. "You need to come to the Ministry quick. Right
now."
"Why?"
Mrs. Weasley asked, looking concerned. "What happened?"
"It's
Percy," Ginny's father answered. "He's been hurt badly."
Mrs.
Weasley looked very calm for a moment as her husband's head then disappeared
from the fireplace, then spun around to face her children. "Ron," she said
quickly, breathlessly, "you're in charge."
"Aw,
Mum, what about us? We're older!" Fred protested.
"Not now,
Fred," Mrs. Weasley snapped, then continued with Ron. "I don't know how long I'll
be gone, but just be patient. I'll send word by tomorrow."
And she
Apparated instantly.
Ginny,
of course, was very shaken at the news. Percy wasn't the most exciting person
in the world, but he was her brother. How badly was he hurt, and who had hurt
him?
The
twins were obviously down, too, because they actually offered to do the dishes,
which was about as rare as seeing Harry smile at the mention of Voldemort's
name.
Everyone was in a bad mood. Harry went upstairs for a little while and
Ginny, Hermione, and Ron stayed in the family room, trying to think of
something to do.
"Go get
Harry, will you, Ginny?" Ron asked in a strained voice. "Ask him if he wants to
play Exploding Snap."
Normally, Ginny would've grumbled and said that Ron ask him himself. But
since she was so occupied with thoughts of Percy that she nodded absently and
went upstairs.
The
hallway was dark, but she didn't bother to light it. She knew her house by
heart, and knew exactly where the room Harry was staying in (Bill's room) was.
She
stopped in front of the closed door, light from inside flickering underneath
the door, and raised her hand to knock.
That
was when someone grabbed her from behind.
A large
hand slid over her mouth first, then around her waist. Her attacker pulled her
back against him tightly, and for a moment, Ginny was so stunned she couldn't
move.
Then
fear gripped her and she realized what was happening.
She
thrashed her arms, but somehow, the person managed to pin them against her side
with their one arm. Whoever it was was very strong, and Ginny knew she couldn't
escape.
So she
lifted both feet off the ground and kicked loudly on Harry's door. It pounded noisily,
the door hinges rattling.
"Help!"
she shrieked. Unfortunately, it wasn't any louder than a whisper because the attacker
had his thick, gloved hand clapped firmly over her mouth.
She
kicked on Harry's door again before the person holding her got smart and backed
up, so that she was out of kicking range.
"I'm
coming!" Harry said irritably.
The
person moved their hand from her mouth up to her forehead so fast she couldn't
react and use her voice. The last thing she saw before her attacker jerked her
head back was the door opening and Harry's startled face, and then she saw
nothing at all.
A/N: We're finally getting into the plot! More
stuff will happen in the next chapter, definitely more romance. You don't find
out who Ginny's attacker is until later, so be patient! And REVIEW PLEASE!!!
