"As I walk this path of broken dreams Valued Gateway Client Normal Valued Gateway Client 3 88 2001-10-20T01:40:00Z 2001-10-21T22:21:00Z 3 1255 7155 59 14 8786 9.3821 75 "As I walk this path of broken dreams

I have a vision of a many thing

Happiness is just an illusion

Filled with sadness and confusion…"

         -What Becomes of the Broken Hearted

Chapter Six

"You know you never answered my question." I asked Draco when he walked through his bedroom door about an hour later.  I was curious as to what business he had with Professor Snape at this late hour of the night, but I wasn't going to be nosey and ask him.  He was being so polite and I didn't want to spoil the mood.

         "I don't know why I'm helping you, I truly don't.  Maybe it's because I can't stand to see you suffer, maybe I'm trying to make amends for all the hell I've caused everyone all my life.  Maybe I'm just going crazy.  But there is one reason why I'm doing this, why I'm acting 'out of character' by helping my enemy's sister; I understand you.  I know what you're going through and I know that no one else in this stupid place will ever understand what horrors our lives have seen.  Think we're all that different?  No, no we're not.  Maybe in some aspects we are, but we are too alike, we know too much about life, real life."

         I was silent for a few minutes, digesting the information that he just gave me.  He was right, as always, we were alike.  We were alike as much as we were different; kindred spirits on a path to find their places in life.  Maybe we could help each other after all?

         "Draco?  Do you think things will ever get easier for us?  After school and the final battle with Voldemort, do you think we'll ever live normal lives?"

         "No, maybe for you things will get better for you have the potential.  You may think you're a failure Ginny, but you're not.  You're destined for great things in life; I can sense it.  Grow, live, and be happy, you deserve that much.  Me, well I'll always live in my fathers shadow, I can't change that.  I am his only heir and when I graduate here I will be initiated into Voldemort's elite circle as a Death Eater.  My father already has the date and arrangements set up for this June.  No, things will never get easier for me."

         He looked so forlorn that I couldn't hold back the two tears that slipped down my cheeks.  Why was life never fair!  Why did they torture the innocents while the ones who deserved to be punished got away clean!  Why can't everything just be perfect!

         "I don't think I'll ever live a normal life Draco.  I'm not destined for great things, there's nothing good I can do."

         "Ginny look at me." He prodded as I raised my own eyes to meet his silvery ones.  I loved his eyes, the thought scared me for a moment but I buried it deep within.  He was helping me sort my emotions, nothing more.

         "Ginny, you are smart and incredibly talented and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.  You may not be as book smart as your brothers, and your schoolwork may not always be as great as some of the other students but you exceed in areas where most students don't.  I've seen you reading those Muggle books; I know you enjoy them, and Snape's commented to me before how good you are in potions.  Use your talents Ginny; use them for your own benefit and for mankind's."

         "Snape's commented on my potion grade?  But why?  And why you?"

         "There are some things you don't understand about Professor Snape, and it's not my place to tell you them, I'm sorry.  But know this, he's not the enemy Ginny; he's a good man deep down.  He recognizes your talents and praises them, or as much as someone like Snape can praise, to me.  You have such potential, use it." He commented as he walked over to his dresser and pulled out a small green crystal charm and a small black one from the top drawer.

         "These two crystals were given to me by Snape a year ago when things at home started to get real bad.  They're a two-way detector charm, if you're ever in need just squeeze the crystal in your palm and I will sense through my black one if you're ever in trouble.  It might be wise to put the crystal on a bracelet or necklace or something so that you won't loose it."

         I took the small green crystal from him and conjured up a hemp necklace with my wand.  After placing the crystal between the threads of hemp, Draco secured the necklace around my neck. 

         "Thank you, I appreciate the gift Draco.  I really should be going back to my dorm though, someone might do rounds and notice I'm not there."

         He nodded in agreement and we snuck our way past the Slytherin common room and to a corridor down from the Potion's room. 

         "Tap the statue three times and a door will open up.  It should take you to a hallway near the Gryffindor entrance.  You'll still have to be careful of Filch and Mrs. Norris but by now they should be doing rounds near Ravenclaw so you should be safe.  Goodnight Ginny."

         His next action shocked me, he grabbed my hand and lifted it to his lips in a gentle kiss.  My heart continued to beat rapidly even after I crawled back into my own bed. 

         'Why the sudden change in demeanor?  What was he gaining in befriending me?  And why did he have such a strange distant look in his eyes after he kissed my hand and bid goodnight?'

         My thoughts affected my dreams that night.  I wanted to curse him for making me think such lustful thoughts.  I promised myself two years ago I would never let another guy have such an effect on me.  I promised and it was working so well, until now.  He made me want to believe again, believe in love…

         Curse the boy!  Curse his deep silky voice and his incredible silver eyes.  Curse his kindness!  Curse the way he makes me melt inside…

         No!  I can't let myself be vulnerable again; my heart cannot bare such pain again.  My soul has already been ripped apart from my body and beaten to the point of despair.  I would not think such childish, naïve, thoughts about Draco Malfoy.  He was a friend now, and nothing more.  He would never become anything more…

         My dream was filled with blue skies, white clouds, and a castle looking over a distant horizon.  Everything was peaceful; everything was perfect. 

And Draco Malfoy stood before me at the edge of the cliffs and pulled me into his arms.

And we kissed…

         Sunlight filtered through the curtains of my bed and suddenly I realized that I had classes to attend to this morning.  After glancing over at my clock, I noticed I had twenty minutes to get dressed and go to Transfiguration.  Last night's memories flooded back to me rapidly but I pushed them aside; such inconsequential matters would have to wait until later.  The twins no doubt were still at breakfast, then off to their next class.  A loud thunderous tapping sound came from the window to the right of my bed.  A large dark colored owl swooped in and dropped a small green box onto my bed.  The creature didn't wait for any kind of reward and took off as quickly as he dropped in.

         The box bore the mark of Slytherin and a small parchment was attached on top of the green foil. 

         Ginny,

        

Noticed you weren't at breakfast, I figured you'd have slept in after being up late last night.  Meet me on the Astronomy deck tonight around eleven.

        

         D.M.

         Quick and to the point, that was Draco Malfoy.  Curiosity over the box's contents had tearing the green foil a moment later.  Wrapped in delicate napkins were an assortment of pastries and a small container of juice.  I smiled at the thoughtfulness of the gift.  He wouldn't admit it, at least not any time soon, but the once cold distant Draco was slowly melting away. 

         I dressed and hurried off to my classes a few minutes later.  I passed Draco in the hallway after Transfiguration and gave him a slight nod to acknowledge that I have indeed received his gift and that I would meet him later tonight.  He smirked back in reply and suddenly my thoughts kept drifting back to last nights dream and silently cursed my mind over again for being so weak.

         I was still cursing during Muggle Studies and later into Herbology.  I wasn't paying much attention to what Professor Sprout was babbling on about and so I wasn't all too surprised when she took ten points from Gryffindor for my not knowing the answer to a question she asked.

         And still I was cursing at my childish notions when the houses all met for lunch and dinner.  During both meals I swear I could feel his silvery gaze bore straight into my soul.  I didn't dare look up and acknowledge his presence; it was too risky.  If anyone was to find out our secrets Draco would surely be killed by his father, and I'd be locked up at home or sent to my older brothers homes in Egypt or Romania.

         And I was still cursing my dreams as I walked up to the Astronomy deck at ten minutes to eleven that night…