Chapter 16

By Crystal

Author's Notes: Okay, I lied about not updating for 2-3 days...  Seeing it to be Lucia Dreams' birthday today, I kind of rushed this a bit so I can update it on her birthday...  So I'm sorry if it's not perfect ^^  Happy Birthday, Lucia!  Hope you have a great day!  Everyone have a great day, even if it's not your birthday, of course ^^

*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*

~*~ Ginny ~*~

I opened my eyes and shut them tightly immediately.  Darn sun.  I squinted my eyes hoping to see who was in the room again.  None other than the 'Dream Team' and Draco...  I must've fainted again.

It's been a problem for me...  I've been fainting a lot since that last day and I can barely walk to class.  Everyone finally noticed, of course.  I was late to most of my classes, but no points taken off or detention for me.  The professors must've known what was happening.

Professor McGonagall looked at me with pity every time Draco came with me to class.  Professor Snape was acting differently towards me, he was almost kind to me.  Hagrid was also nice, but he was from the very beginning, though he would look at me with sad eyes...  Professor Dumbledore...  He was very helpful, of course.  Though he did look at me sadly sometimes when I felt so weak I could barely support my own body.  Madam Pomfrey tried her best, but no such luck.

I looked at the sun, my eyes was now adapted to the sun's light.  Life was very short...  Soon enough, I'd be leaving my family...  My husband.  I looked at my husband and played with the soft pale blond hair that was hanging in front of his eyes.

I closed my eyes softly again, wonder how long I had lost conscious this time.  At first, it was only a day...  Sometimes now, it would end up to be a few days.  Life sucked...  That was reality for you.

I patted Rory on the head, who was sleeping on my legs again.  With my fingers, I traced the necklace once again...  The necklace Draco gave me for Christmas...  Four months ago...

I remembered how we first met...  How he passed me the note and how we first met at the piano room...  We haven't been there...  since the first time I've fainted.  I remembered the first kiss under the mistletoe...  Then there was the wonderful ball and the snowball fight.  How he had told me of his past...  Everything.  Then there was how he proposed and our marriage...  My parents, everyone.

My parents are at the Burrow...  I told them to go home, I didn't want to keep them to myself.  All my other five brothers are gone and now, I know I won't see them again.  I'm thankful I gave them all a hug and a kiss on the cheek and told them I loved them...  I'm thankful I did that to all of them, even Fred and George.

Seems like I'll be bidding farewell to Draco, Ron, Hermione and Harry sooner than I'd thought...  I blinked rapidly, hoping the tear that was held prisoner in my eyes wouldn't come out.  No such luck.  I wiped it away as it rolled down my cheek.

Funny how you never appreciate life until you're dying...  I would do anything right now to not die and stay here...  Was this what Erica was thinking the day she died?  What was she thinking?  Perhaps I should ask her when I get to heaven...  or hell.  When I was young, I always wanted to go to heaven, but now, it doesn't even bother me the slightest.  The only place I want to go...  is where Draco will be going.

I wanted to say farewell to everyone, but unfortunately, I couldn't.  But the good thing was, I had written everyone a letter...  Hopefully, they'll check it, or I can tell Draco later...  Everyone...  From every Professor to almost most Gryffindors...  It took me a while, I can assure you that, but it was well worth it.

I slapped my hand to my mouth abruptly, another coughing fit.  I tried coughing as silently as possible, hoping I wouldn't wake them up.  Luck wasn't on my side for a while...  I felt Draco stir, "Virginia?"

"Morning..."  I said quietly, my voice dry.

"Are you okay?"  He asked, worriedly.

I nodded quietly, watching the other three stir awake slowly, then I smiled at him, "Want to go to the piano room?  Then the lake?"  He frowned a bit, "Please Draco?  Last time, I promise..."  I said quietly.

After a bit of persuasion, he nodded.  I went to the washroom and changed into my crimson turtleneck.  Yeah, it was getting pretty hot, but I didn't want to get too cold.  Besides, the piano room wasn't exactly the warmest place, at least not the last time I checked.  I wore my jeans while using the wall for support, I was weak...  I hated being weak.

When I looked up at the mirror, I smile.  I had been looking better than I had for a long time...  Sure, my hair was a bit...  knotty, but brushing it would help.  I brushed my hair and then went out.  When I did, I notice that the other three were already awake.  I smiled up at them and let Draco explain where we were going.

Ron didn't say anything...  It was not surprising, he hadn't been too talkative about Draco and I anymore.  Not after the last time I got mad at him.  Suddenly, I pulled him in a hug and kissed his cheek, I felt him stiffen then I whispered an 'I love you' in his ear.  I felt him return the embrace awkwardly.

Then there was Harry, who I had done the exact same thing as Ron.  He was one of my brothers now, and we had settled that around a day or two after my first fainting.  They were making my life easier, of course.  When Draco wasn't there, one of the three would be.  I was finally getting friends and I was happy.  I guess dying wouldn't be that bad.

Last but not least, there was Hermione, who stood there, teary eyed.  I think she knew that I felt my time was near.  As I embraced her, once again, a tear fell out of my eye...  "You've been a real friend, Hermione..."  I said slowly.

She sniffled, "Yeah right,"  she whispered back, "I wasn't there when you needed me."

"Maybe," I replied back, "But you're here with me now, that's all that counts.  I love you..."  I said quietly.

"Right back at you..."  She choked a sob.  I smiled sadly, I knew it was the last time seeing the three of them.  My eyes lingered on the three figures for a few minutes, then along with Draco and Rory, walked out of the room.

"See you later," I added cheerfully, then once again, turned around and waved painfully.  I was getting too sentimental for my liking, but you couldn't blame me...

Seeing the piano room and playing the piano made all the memories come back.  We played Für Elise one last time, then the duet again...  We didn't spend too much time in there...  My time was short...  Getting shorter and shorter every second.  Instead of walking the usual way by Draco supporting me, he carried me all the way over to the lake.

Students in the hall were looking at us as if we were insane.  We passed by Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall who were smiling at Draco and I for some strange reason.  I said a soft 'Good-bye' before Draco carried me away from their sights.

When we finally arrived, I sighed.  "Thanks Draco."  He smirked again, that darn smirk that I love so much...  He wrapped his arms around me as I rested my head on his chest and snuggled up to him again.  "I love you, you know that?"  I said quietly.

"Yes, yes I do, Virginia.  You've told me everyday for the past...  Let's see...  Since...Let's say, when we got married, which is March 30th till now.  And it's May 25th now."  I grinned and hugged him weakly.  He held me closer all of a sudden and my eyes widen in surprise.

"Draco?"

His head was at the crook of my neck and I heard him breath unsteadily, then without warning, he said, "You won't leave me, right Virginia?"

"Draco...?  What do you mean?"  I asked innocently.

"You know what I mean..."  He said, still breathing unsteadily.  "I saw you saying good bye to Potter and the others..."

I ran my hand through his pale hair several times, "I'm sorry..."  I said quietly.  "I'm really sorry..."  Suddenly, everything became blurry for me.  The sky, the sun, the grass, the school, the lake, the trees...  And Draco.  It took me a while to be aware that I was crying.  I was sobbing on his shoulder and then I pulled back abruptly all of a sudden again, shocking him for a second before he understood that I had another coughing fit.

After several minutes of coughing painfully, leaving my body weak and my whole soul tired, I fell back in his embrace lifelessly.  "I love you, Virginia Anne Weasley...  Remember, the first day snow falls this coming Winter..."  He said softly.  I saw a tear roll down and I wiped it away with my finger.

In return, he wiped away the drop of blood that came out of my mouth.  "I love you too, Draconis Lucius Malfoy...  We'll be together...  forever."  I traced the necklace on my neck again, "Take care... and check the box under my bed"  I added quietly.  "I love you,"

"Love you too...  Remember...  First day the snow falls."  Draco reminded and kissed me gently on my lips, then pulled away. 

I smiled sadly then closed my eyes one last time...  Pale blond hair and intense grey eyes that held plenty of emotions...  The picture of my love in my head...  And then, I felt my own tears roll down my cheek one last time...  Then a drop of tear on my forehead.  And...

Darkness...

~*~ Draco ~*~

"VIRGINIA!"  I screamed again and again until my throat felt raw and burned and I tasted blood.  I hated life...  I really did.

In the end...  Miracles do not happen.  They never did...  Not even to sweet Virginia...  I thought miracles only never worked for evil people like Malfoys, but that wasn't true.  Miracles never happened, they never did.  Now I know.

I saw her peaceful face with trail of tears and I see my own tear fall on her forehead.  My own tear...  I smiled sadly at Virginia.  She was gone...  finally gone...  No more suffering for her, but it was unfair.  I deserved to die, she didn't.  She never did.  She never will either.

She was sweet and innocent.  Cute and adorable.  Everything good...  And yet, she had to die of something so terrible.  I lifted her beautiful body up without any trouble and carried her back inside.  Most students looked at her as if she was asleep.  Thank god they didn't notice my tears...

I carried her back into the Hospital Wing and surprisingly, the three of them was still there, talking.  Granger saw me come in with Virginia's body and she gasped.  Obviously, she had seen my tears and my bloodshot eyes and the limp and lifeless body of Virginia...

I set her down softly, then gave her another peck on the lips.  Weasley and Potter looked at her body unbelievably.  I sat down on the chair I was in this morning and looked at her body and held her hand which was slowly growing cold.

I instantly thought about Rory...  her body lifeless and her eyes in pain.  Except, Virginia was no longer in pain.  She was free of it...  She wasn't alive...  She was dead.  Damn it all to hell.  I heard Granger collapse on the floor, but I paid no attention...  All I did was pay attention to my wife...  My love...  The only thing in my life that was worth living for.

I don't know how long we were there.  I was still holding onto Virginia's now freezing hand, my face stained with tears.  Granger was crying on the floor.  Potter was still standing there looking at her body and Weasley was comforting Granger.

Suddenly, an owl flew in the window and I noticed it was Lucius' owl.  I opened the letter slowly.  I didn't want to, but I might as well.

Draco,

You should be thankful you could spend a few more weeks with that muggle-lover.  Thank the Dark Lord that.  See me succeed.

Lucius

I crumbled up the letter...  Lucius didn't even get to try...  I smiled, but my heart ached.  It was then that Madam Pomfrey showed up, looking at us...  Our face all stained with tears.  She called in Snape, Dumbledore and McGonagall...

Finally, I stood up and telling them not to touch the body, I went up to the Gryffindor tower to check the box under her bed she told me about before she died...  I also needed to tell her family.

* * * * *

November 18

I smiled up sadly at Hermione, Ron and Harry.  The war had just begun a while ago...  After we graduated, and I'm on the light side.  I think Virginia will be proud of me.  At least, I know that the 'Dream Team' is proud of me.

Once again, Hermione is crying like last time, her eyes wet.  Even Ron was looking up proudly at me.  And the Boy Who Lived.  I looked out the window.  Virginia, you know how much I miss you?  It's been half an year...

After you died, I joined the light and got disowned by Lucius, you know I don't care...  Then I became friends with Hermione, Ron and Harry.  They weren't that bad at all and I liked them as friends...  But the main reason, or the ex-reason I became friends with them was because they were your friends.  I wanted to be even closer than you.  I love you, Virginia.

Did you know how much I cried on your funeral?  Your family finally accepted me and they're all here in this room right now.  I'm dying...  Same as you.  No, I didn't get hit by any spells from the Dark Side...  I'm dying, same reason as you.  Tuberculosis.

Oh right, after you died, I checked the box under your bed.  There was a whole box of letter for everyone...  Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid, Dumbledore, your whole family including your six brothers, Hermione, Harry, Gryffindors that rarely paid attention to you...  And me.  Mine was the longest, I checked.

I wonder how it feels to die...  I guess I'll find that out soon, won't I?  I mean, I'm dying, aren't I.  I have to tell you, those six months without you by my side was hell.  Did I tell you, I killed Lucius a while ago during one attack?  Yeah, I did that.  He was a retard anyways.

He attacked Hogsmeade with a bunch of Death Eaters, I took killed him with Avada Kedavra.  Then mother got killed by someone else.  We've stopped putting them in Azkaban, there's just too many Death Eaters and it's a risk.

I look up again at the eight red heads, a black head and a brown head.  I smile again, "Hey, don't look so sad.  It's not that big of a deal, you know."

"Draco..."

"Hermione, don't cry for me.  I don't deserve it."

I felt Harry pat my shoulder and I look up, "You deserve a lot better than this."

I faked a grin, but I knew they saw through my façade.  I couldn't keep my mask up any longer...  Not after she died.  I sighed, "Maybe it's better this way."  I look out the window again and then, I see a flake of snow fall down and smile brightly.

Hermione saw my smile, "What's wrong, Draco?!"

I smiled again, the snow comforting me, "Win this war for me...  Promise me that."  I saw them nod.  "I promised Virginia I'd meet him the first day snow falls..."

"Draco...  You're not..."  Mrs Weasley said.

I closed my eyes, suddenly feeling so much more comfortable and relaxed...  So much better than the last few months...  It was weird, how I felt my life drain away all of a sudden.  My Tuberculosis really wasn't that bad...  But my life was draining away and I felt... contented.  Life for me was nothing.  And now, I got my wish.  I was leaving...  And seeing the woman I love.  Then I whispered one last sentence, "I'm sorry everyone...  But promise me, win this war...  For Virginia...  and for me.  And one last thing...  Take care of Rory for me...  Rory, our puppy..."

Then I smiled sadly, feeling my soul pull away from my body and hearing Hermione sob out loud and Mrs Weasley call my name along with everyone else.  Dying wasn't that bad, I decided.  Dying really wasn't bad...

And then, darkness swallowed me up.

In the End – Linkin Park

It starts with one thing

I don't know why

It doesn't even matter how hard you try keep that in mind

I designed this rhyme

To explain in due time

All I know

Time is a valuable thing

Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings

Watch it count down to the end of the day

The clock ticks life away

It's so unreal

Didn't look out below

Watch the time go right out the window

Trying to hold on, but didn't even know

Wasted it all just to watch you go

I kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart

What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when

I tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

To lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

One thing, I don't know why

It doesn't even matter how hard you try, keep that in mind

I designed this rhyme, to explain in due time

I tried so hard

In spite of the way you were mocking me

Acting like I was part of your property

Remembering all the times you fought with me

I'm surprised it got so (far)

Things aren't the way they were before

You wouldn't even recognize me anymore

Not that you knew me back then

But it all comes back to me (in the end)

You kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart

What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I

I tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

To lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I've put my trust in you

Pushed as far as I can go

And for all this

There's only one thing you should know

There's only one thing you should know

I tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

To lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

Author's Notes: God damn it, this is not funny.  I'm almost crying when I'm writing this darn story!  I might've rushed it a bit...  But this chapter is longer than most and I'm finally done!  Epilogue up in 2-3 days, then the alternate ending and the alternate epilogue!  I'm am not going to lie this time, I need a break and I need a break right now.  And don't ask me why I posted 'In the End'.  I just thought it kind of fit what Draco was thinking at the time.

One last time, 'Winter Dreams' coming up after this is done, so get reading!  Once again, Tom Felton is darn cute and hot, along with Orlando Bloom!  I'm officially insane.

Right, before any of you argue that this is not a sad/happy ending, don't.  You'll need to see the epilogue.  So check it out when it does come out!

Evil*Fairy – There's going to be a happy ending after this.  Promise.

some dude – Lucius is always a jackass, lol.  Who doesn't love Draco is idiotic =p  Woops...

Tiger Lily – I still have to figure out all the scenes for the alternative.  Lol.  Thanks!

Eclipse2003 – Thanks for all those lovely review.  Hopefully, you'll love the whole story ^^

Teri – Yeah...  They are finally nice in that chapter.

Lucia Dreams – This chapter is just for your birthday!  Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Lucia...  Happy Birthday to you!  Hope you enjoy you 'Birthday present' lol.

KeeperOfTheMoon – At least I'm not planning on doing it on anything...  *grins*  You are intelligent ^^

Veela-Valoom – Epilogue coming up and that's for the compliment!

GoldenRed Phoenixia – Complaints?  Aww...  Hopefully, you won't have any on this one.  Your complaint is probably about Rory?  Lol.

(No name) – lol, hell ya!  Tom Felton is super hot *grins*  Harry Potter the actually movie/book doesn't suck, but I don't like Harry Potter (the character) the actor is okay ^^  Thanks!

Pseudonym Sylphmuse – At least right now, *grins*  See if you find this cute? =p

Ernie Prang – Well, I was thinking to, but I thought it would be sadder and at the same time, more romantic, but it's my thought.  Eagerly?  Everyone's waiting eagerly for her death scene.

karen – I haven't thought about the dream much, it was really one of my fic ideas, but I threw it out cause it was too overused.  I guess I explained it to too many people and I was getting bored of writing those scenes.  I wanted her to cough blood out in front of her parents cause then, they'll see how much Draco really cares for Ginny ^^

some dude – I spent around an hour doing my god damn math.  My vacation...  I spent most of it reading LOTR or pondering about it, even watching the movie and also writing this fic, which I had tremendous fun with.  Lol...  Damn AP is right ^^