"Don't be afraid to be weak, don't be too proud to be strong Valued Gateway Client Normal Valued Gateway Client 3 139 2001-10-21T22:22:00Z 2001-10-25T02:14:00Z 3 1517 8652 72 17 10625 9.3821 75 "Don't be afraid to be weak, don't be too proud to be strong Just look into your heart my friend, and that will be the return to yourself

The return to innocence…

Just believe in destiny, don't care what people say

Just follow your own way.."

         -Enigma

Chapter Seven

         "You're five minutes late."

         "I got…distracted." I replied to the shadowy figure as he emerged from the shadows of the night.

         "Distracted?  How so?" A small smile was playing on his lips and I wouldn't let him see how it was affecting me, I wouldn't give him that blasted satisfaction.

         "So what did you want to meet me here for?" I said, desperately trying to change the subject. 

         "Oh I'll tell you in due time.  I'm still curious about this distraction business."

         "I thought I heard Filch coming." I told him while tilting my face up stubbornly to meet his gaze.

         "You're a horrible liar Ginny Weasley.  I don't particularly like being lied to either."

         My first instinct was fear, for I wasn't sure what kind of power he truly possessed.  If he didn't like people lying to him, he'd hurt them right?  Wouldn't he?

         "I was thinking; that's why I was late.  It was only a couple minutes, nothing real drastic." 

         "What were you thinking about?"

         "You.  You distract my thoughts Draco Malfoy.  You help me, willingly, and you make me forget things.  I don't want to forget, I don't like to repeat mistakes."

         I could tell I confused him for a moment or two because a quizzical look passed through his eyes.  But after a bit of time he seemed to understand, or faked it anyway.

         "You know why I'm helping you, why I'm being 'nice'.  As for the distraction of thoughts, well I can't really help that, can I?  I've been told I tend to do that to people on occasion."

         'How arrogant!' My mind screamed in warning.  The fool thought himself some sort of idol, some kind of god or something.

         "As for the forgetting past occurrences, well that's all the part of healing really.  I can't make you forget whatever's happened to you in the past.  I don't intend to make you forget for it's not something I can do.  Your past is what made you who you are today, a strong-willed, stubborn, and talented young woman.  You may not think so of yourself, but if you were as weak as you claim to be, then you wouldn't be here right now, with me.  You would have killed yourself long ago and you know it too.  You may have tried but you never would have followed through, something was always holding you back wasn't it Ginny?  Maybe you do belong in Gryffindor after all, for you do have a courageous streak in you whether you acknowledge that truth or not.  No, I won't ever try to make you forget what has happened in your past, but I won't let you repeat those mistakes Ginny.  You were weak then, you are strong now, and damnit I swear I won't ever let you go back to who you used to be!  Do you understand me Ginny?  I won't let you become a victim again I swear to you."

         He looked like an avenging angel; he sure resembled one in appearance.  I couldn't hold back the smile that formed on my lips at that moment.  He truly cared for me, aside from Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair no one has ever tried to help me before, no ones ever really wanted to.

         "What are you smiling about?"

         'Damn I'm caught.' I thought to myself.  I wasn't going to lie to him though; he deserved the truth.

         "You remind me of an avenging angel, but that's not all of it.  You care, and I have very few people who care for me in my life.  Aside from Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, you're the only one who's wanted to help me."

         "Who are Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair?"

         "They own a Muggle bookshop in London.  I've convinced my father to add their fireplace to the Floo network and I try to visit them as much as I can.  I care about them so much and I'm not ashamed to admit that I love them more than my own parents."

         He nodded in understanding.

         "I can understand that.  I don't particularly care for Muggles, but I don't agree with my father's teachings on how we should rid the world of them.  They have as much right to this planet as we do."

         "You must come with me to meet them Draco, they're great people.  They know all about our world, partly from me and partly because they are friends with some wizards in London.  They're truly great people."

         He seemed repulsed at the idea of meeting my two Muggle friends, but I wasn't too offended.  I had to remember that he was taught to despise Muggles and Mudbloods since he was born.  Nonetheless the look on his face still irritated me.

         We talked for a good hour about nothing and yet everything.  I told him about the Muggle books I've read and after some prodding, he admitted he's read one or two novels before.  We talked about school and some lighter memories from our pasts.

         "Draco?"

         "Yeh?"

         "I know you said your father has plans for you when you finish school and all.  But what if you had a choice in the matter, what would you do with your life if you could do anything you wanted to?"

         He looked shocked as if he never really thought of that possibility before.

         "I don't really know.  I suppose I'd be like your brother Charlie and go chasing dragons somewhere.  Dragons have always fascinated me, probably because of my name and all, and I've always wanted to travel.  See the world and all before I die I suppose." He looked away then as if admitting some kind of terrible sin.  I guess in a way you could say he was for his father would surely punish him if he found out his son's true aspirations.

         "What about you?  You at least have a say in the matter of your future, what are you going to do?"

         "I've never really told anyone this, but I think I want to work at a potion's research lab.  But that means staying in the Wizard world and there's been too many times where I keep thinking I might want to join the Muggle world.  It fascinates me, I can't explain why but it does.  I really enjoy what they call chemistry, which is our equivalent to potions.  They have doctors who research cures for illnesses and all different things in labs.  I can't help thinking what it would be like to just forget this whole life here, and start over.  No one would know me by my brothers' many successes and I could make a real name for myself.  I've talked to my friends the Sinclairs about my ideas too.  One time when I was fourteen I begged them to adopt me so I could have their name and then I wouldn't have to carry the burden of being a Weasley.  I'd be Ginny Sinclair and I'd make sure the world knew me for my accomplishments!  But that was just some foolish child's dream.  I still want their name; I refuse to stay a Weasley when I leave Hogwarts.  I think…I think I might move to the States.  They have some wizards and witches, but not enough to bother with.  I've read that for the entire population of the United States they only have two wizard schools, one on each coast.  I think I'll join a science research facility and between my magical knowledge and muggle technology, I think I can help them with their Muggle illnesses and cancers and the lot.  But I don't think that will happen, my parents would disown me for betraying my family.  I don't know how much more of their abuse I can take.  I want to runaway, runaway and never look back on this life.  I want to forget and move on, and damn the consequences.  I refuse to live in my family's shadow.  I refuse to be their pawn."

         It was eerily silent as we both contemplated the words we've just said to one another.  I was digesting the truth of his situation, the unfairness of his life, and he no doubt was doing the same about me.  We were a sorry pair to say the least. 

         "Ginny, I didn't lie to you when I said you were destined for great things.  I can understand why you would want to leave England and make yourself known some place where your families many accomplishments weren't weighed on you.  If I could leave I'm sure I would, but he'd find me anywhere.  He always manages to find me in the end.  But you could do it, you could leave and maybe your family would disown you.  But at least you'd be able to tell others that you followed your dream, that you made yourself known for who you were not who your family is.  I suppose I should be repulsed by the idea that you'd give up most of your magic to live among Muggles, but you know what?  I think if I had the choice, and was in your position, I think I'd do it too.  I'd give up my money, power, title, and magic just to be normal, just to be human.  Just to be mortal…"

         "Draco.  Would your father punish you if he found out you were conversing with me?"  A pained expression crossed his face and I knew then that it wasn't only the other Death Eaters that tried to come after him.  His very father did too.

         "What goes on in my life is none of your concern.  Whatever consequences come from displeasing my father I will have earned and I will accept the penance."

         "You didn't answer my question though.  Will he punish you if he found out you are here with me?"

         "My father dislikes your family for numerous reasons.  He would no doubt bestow some sort of punishment for dishonoring the family name by betraying my father's wishes.  But I won't leave you, I'll take whatever form of discipline he sets upon me, but I'll still see you…still help you.  You have my word Ginny."

         "Draco?"

         "Yes Ginny?"

         "Things aren't ever going to be easy are they?"

         He didn't answer.  He didn't have to.  His silence was answer enough for the both of us.  Our families and others would never accept our friendship, but that made things even more special between us.  We were two lost souls in the world searching for our place in life, together.  I let his words repeat over and over in my head.  He was willing to go through torture to stay together, to help me.  No amount of punishment from his father could tear him away from me and I wanted to weep at the miracle that has been brought into my life.  Draco was my miracle; he was my avenging angel.  We were two different people with one thing in common; our past.  No one would ever understand us, very few would probably accept us, but nothing mattered anymore.  I wasn't worried for my future and I rarely thought about my past when he was beside me.  He made me forget the pain and the loneliness by sharing his pain and loneliness with me.  Separate we were two lost souls, but together we were two people with a common goal in life.     

         Our goal was survival…