Chapter Four

A/N: This is has not been corrected. Idiot that I am, I lost the email address of the person beta reading for me. If she reads this, could you please email me???

Thanks: Queenie ( I did write this a while back, but I was trying to reach my beta. Did you hear that Ginny? Gotta give Draco back in the end!!!) Rei.K (Thanks. * sigh * I agree with you. Finally an actor I can like close to my age!!!!), Draco's gal (Oh, now I'm embarrassed... and flattered! Thanks!), Imp (thanks for staying with the story)




Draco did not mind spending a lot of time with Ginny. It was like it didn't even matter any more. All old rivalries and silly fights were as if they never existed. He didn't live with his parents anymore so he did not have to hate the Weasley family. He didn't even have many friends in the Slytherin House anymore. Starting over felt so amazing.


Dumbledore had mentioned some of their efforts against evil. He hadn't gone into detail, all he had said was that they had shown tremendous courage and love in the face of evil. He had awarded Gryffindor and Slytherin each fifty points. Both houses seemed to be in complete shock, Professor McGonagall's face reflected everyone's feelings. Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin were always enemies and their students followed after them. The thought of a Slytherin joining with a Gryffindor was shocking to all.


Draco especially enjoyed the reactions from Potter and friends. They had cornered him and Ginny right after Dumbledore finished speaking.


"What happened between you?" Hermione had asked more interested than upset. She smiled to show that she meant nothing against them.


"What went on last night?" Ginny's brother was more demanding and a lot less friendly. He paced in front of them waiting for an answer.


Their eyes met and they made a wordless agreement on how much to tell right now. "There was a dark wizard in the castle last night," Draco finally said softly.


At this Harry Potter finally spoke up. He sounded alarmed. "What happened? What kind of trouble did you start?"


"He didn't start trouble," Ginny snapped annoyed at the accusation, she smiled and continued "we came across it and we defeated it."


"Wow," Hermione tried her hardest to remain friendly, but the use of the word 'we' disturbed her slightly. "That sounds scary. We're so glad you are all right. Aren't we Ron?" She looked at Ron meaningfully.


"Yes," he replied to Hermione quickly.


"Why don't you thank him?" Draco was surprised when Ginny spoke up and pointed to him. She continued "I'd be dead if he didn't save my life."


"Is that true?" Hermione looked from Ginny to Draco. For the first time in his life Draco felt embarrassed and blushed slightly. He could feel himself turning bright red.


"Yes," said Ginny answering for him proudly "He saved my life last night." No one could believe what happened next. Ginny moved a little closer to him and threw her arms around him.


Ron's mouth hung open and Harry looked away. Hermione got the picture and it didn't bother her as much as it could have. "Oh, I see now," she said with a nervous smile.


"That's right," Ginny smiled sarcastically. "I hope you don't have a problem with that... of course, if you did it wouldn't matter anyway."


They all looked shocked. Draco was so proud of Ginny at that moment. However did she get the courage to say it before he did?


Afterward they both went to the lake again. "I don't think you need to learn how to stand up for yourself anymore," Draco finally said smiling.


"I do still need to learn," she replied quietly "I just feel bolder when I'm with you. You change the way I act."


"You know... I just.... I" Draco tried to find the words he wanted to say, but they failed him.


"You love me?" she teased.


"Yes," he laughed "That's what I wanted to say." He suddenly realized that he was very happy. He never, in his entire life, had felt something like this... he felt like nothing could hurt him ever. He felt like the need he always had was gone.


"I want to know how to speak up for what I want," she demanded, looking into his eyes pleadingly "I want to be like you in every way! I love you too..."


"You know how to do it," he replied. "Just remember, no one will listen to you if you decide not to tell them how you feel. You should never feel like you are not getting a say in things, especially things that involve you.


"I'll remember that."


"Have people always bossed you around?" he asked thoughtfully even though he knew the answer.


"Yes," she sighed thinking about the numerous times "I have six older brothers and two overprotective parents. I'm sort of used to being told what to do, never asked. Even when Ron first entered Hogwarts, he was treated more like an adult that I am now!"


"Oh," he thought about what a good reply would be "That's terrible. It's only because you are youngest. Still, it seems nice, having a big family like that. If you could pick who was in it of course!"


"Don't start offending my family right now," she warned "They are good people,despite what they do. You just don't know my family."


"Listen," he started feeling a guilt rising inside of him "About all of the things I said before to you, about your family and such. I ... I ... didn't mean them."


"Yes you did," she replied " But now, you know better. You've changed since I met you."


"How do you know I changed?" He questioned her in a sarcastic manner. As wonderful as she was, she couldn't say she knew how he felt inside. He hadn't even known that until moments ago.


"It's all about the way you look at people," she said "No one is truly evil, it's all about our emotions and what we know."


"You are going to have to teach me something Ginny," he said "Teach me how to say things like that."


"Like what?"


"Smart things, kind things." He had to smile at himself. He was in love and it was changing who he was. He didn't mind the change in him either.


Over the days Snape did not lose interest in the newly formed team of Draco and Ginny. He didn't like seeing them together at all. He had taken up the duty of watching over Draco at Dumbledore's request. Even if the Headmaster hadn't instructed him to do so, he still would have taken the job.


He wanted to know what The Dark Lord planned. The powers Lucius had used in the astronomy tower were far beyond anything he'd ever seen. How had they gotten to Lucius? In the old days he had some amazing abilities, but nothing like this.


What were the plans Lord Voldemort had for Draco Malfoy? Obviously, they wanted him to join their legions, but why him in particular? No matter the reason, Snape firmly decided he wasn't going to let that happen. A young teenaged boy joining the army of the most powerful dark wizard of all time? The story was too familiar.


There was another thing he had decided about Draco. His relationship with the Weasley girl was not a good thing. If the hints about Voldemort wanting Draco that badly were true, than he was in danger. With the Weasley around him, he was endangering her life too.


Snape would not have cared so much for the young girls safety if it hadn't been for a time long ago. He had loved a girl as much as Draco loved Ginny Weasley. She was the most amazing girl he had ever known. Her name was Rebecca Robinson. She was extremely intelligent, being in the Ravenclaw house. Why she fell in love with him was still a thing he would never figure out.


He loved her, but he'd all ready pledged his life to one thing. That thing was the cause of the Dark Lord.


Like Lucius wanted to kill his son's love, a high ranking supporter had seen him with Rebecca one evening and told Lord Voldemort all about it.


Naturally, he was against love, and the idea of his follower being in love with anything, but his cause was terrible to him. He ordered the man to kill Rebecca in front of her boyfriend.


Severus Snape was warned first though. The night before they were to kill her Lucius Malfoy had come to him and said "They are going to kill her. I told you that you could not love the girl... now it's too late."


Fearing for the young witch, he canceled the meeting they had planned and watched over her home. Sure enough, it was attacked. He had tried his best to help her get out alive. He knew he'd probably die for it, but he protected her.


They hid in a closet then she had asked him "Are you one of them?" She was so smart, she had instantly figured out his one secret kept from her.


He told her the truth and she seemed devestated. It wasn't her anger that hurt him, but her disappointment. He hated having her disappointed with him! What he didn't know was that in moments, her anger with him would be there forever.


When he thought Rebecca was safe, the house was attacked again. He was held off by the Death Eaters assigned to kill her. They didn't mind their brutal orders. It was the same as any kill, her father was a muggle anyway, she was no loss to these men.


What surprised him was that Lucius, the one Death Eater he'd ever grown close to, was in charge of this mission. While Lucius took the job of holding him off. He tried with all his will to fight off the much stronger man, but he failed. The others murdered his only love, one simple killing spell and his efforts to protect her were useless.


After that he had not gotten off easily. Grieving terribly for the death he caused, he was an easy target to all attackers, especially Lord Voldemort himself. He would have died, except no one would kill him, he was too fun to watch... and he couldn't kill himself, he didn't feel he deserved it.


The only reason Lucius made such a show of his talk earlier, was to bring up the old memories. He had tried so hard, to bring memories of the days back. He had succeeded in doing that much, but this time love won over the battle.


Strong doubts told him that it could not always win. A target for deadly wizards, it was a fact that Draco Malfoy should not be near the girl, if he knew what was good for him.


~*~*~*~*~*~


"Can I see you after class Malfoy?" Snape asked before a double potions lesson.


"Yes sir," Draco said nervously. What would Professor Snape want with him? It surely couldn't be a good thing. What if it was about his father?


The lesson went agonizingly slow for both the teacher and the student. Both wanted to get the meeting over with. After the hour and a half ended Draco approached the desk.


"I think we need to talk." Snape said grimly "I am rather concerned about something."


"What is it?" Draco asked as the class emptied.


"You care for the Weasley girl a lot." Snape first stated the fact. "It is obvious to me that the feelings are mutual between you two . Yet, I have to ask you, stay away from her."


Draco could not think of a good reply to the shocking words. Finally he choked out a quiet, "Why Professor?"


"Because," Snape said not looking directly at Draco " You are in great danger. The Dark Lord has made his followers so much more powerful than they've ever been... you're own father showed an example of it. Do you really think she is safe, if they were to come after you? Albus has put up a lot of extra security to protect you, but they could go after you, using your care for her as a weapon. They've done underhanded things like that before, they'd do it again."


"What are you asking me to do?" Draco asked his voice shaking in fear of the answer.


"End the relationship with her," he suggested firmly "If she isn't in love with you anymore, she is not at risk."


"But... but, I love her too much!" His voice shook slightly and once again Snape made himself look away. If, back when he was seventeen, someone had told him to leave Rebecca, he never would have listened. He hated to be saying these things. The hurt in the young boy's eyes was too much to stand. The pain made him realize how horrible he must sound.


"I understand," he said quietly "Trust me, I understand and I'm not going to tell you what to do, but think about it."


Draco left with a terrible feeling inside him. Hadn't they decided too try and survive together? Yet, it was true, Ginny was in danger. If he cause her death, he'd never be able to forgive himself. Did he have to leave her to save her? Yes, she'd never leave him unless she believed he didn't love her.


"How do I tell her I don't care?" he asked aloud. After all they went through in a few weeks, how could he lie to her? She was too smart. She'd never believe a verbal lie coming from him, but what about a visual one? That would work, but did he want it to?


He spent the entire night thinking about it. He weighed both options in his mind. If he stayed with Ginny, both of them would remain happy. If the Death Eaters decided that they still wanted to recruit him then they could try to break him through hurting Ginny. They even could try to kill her.


If he went along with Snape's severe words then he would be miserable and probably break Ginny's heart. They'd be lonely and he'd miss her. Yet, she'd be safe... no one would attempt anything against Ginny or her family.


"He's right..." Draco whispered. For a moment, he felt lost. He had always thought he could only be vicious and hurt people. Some of that belief came from his father's teachings. Then, in an instant, it was all changed by a girl. His entire outlook on life was renewed. Now, the only thing he could use his love for, was to hurt himself to save the girl he loved. It's not fair he thought.


He knew the only way Ginny would go away was if she thought he didn't love her. Two days later he approached a girl he was familiar with from Slytherin. Her name was Amelia Parker and she was Pansy Parkinson's new best friend.


He could flirt and have any girl he wanted. He knew he could, he just never wanted to. He didn't want to do this. The thought of hurting Ginny made him sick with himself. Over and over he had to keep saying to himself, "I'm doing this to protect her. I love her. I'm gonna keep her safe."


He'd always had to sacrifice to get what was important. He was not a stranger to loss. He had to give it up, Professor Snape was right.


"Hey," he said to the Slytherin girl, who was standing in front of Transfiguration moments before their lesson.


"Hi," she said looking at him. Finally she said "Malfoy right? I think Pansy said something about you."


"Yes," he smiled falsely, but it was good enough. They got to talking. He pretended to listen to the girl as she talked endlessly about herself. He kept looking at her, but his heart was thinking of Ginny.


He forced himself to get a little more flirty with her "So, what did Pansy tell you about me Amelia?"


"She said you were her first boyfriend," the girl said honestly smiling "She said you were a jerk, apparently she was wrong."


"No," he said "She was right... I am a jerk." You don't know how true that is, he thought angrily.


The bell rang and they went to the class. It was boring as always. After class Draco made the decisive move. "Do you have a boyfriend Amelia?" His classic mixture of slyness with sweetness made her smile. Draco knew that he'd done it, he was protecting Ginny and there was no turning back.


"Yes," she said evilly "but I'll break up with him if someone else would go out with me..."


"Better leave him now." Draco laughed giving her an evil grin to match her own. How could he be doing this? This felt so wrong, this was something the person he use to be would do. He walked up to the common room with his new girlfriend. That was too easy, it reminded him why he'd chosen to be bad. Everything was so much simpler.


It took a day before Ginny saw Draco and Amelia together. It was the next evening at Dinner. She sat at the Gryffindor table and hurried to eat so she could get to Draco. Being in different houses isn't easy she thought slightly annoyed. When she was finished she walked past the Slytherin table looking anxiously. What she saw took several moments of staring to sink in. Once she realized it, she ducked underneath a corner. She looked around once more.


She felt her heart rate quicken. Draco was sitting across the table from a tall girl with long black hair. The way she acted around him told Ginny that she wasn't just his friend. She moved a little closer and she could hear them. Another girl spoke to Draco and the pretty girl.


"Is it true?" the girl who had approached them asked.


"You mean about us?" the black haired girl answered "Yes, it is. He asked me out after Transfiguration yesterday."


"Draco?" the other questioned again "You're going out with Amy? What about that Gryffindor girl you were all over? I thought you turned to their side."


"Come on Pansy..." he drawled out smiling "That was just a thing. She was just another Gryffindor. I'm still me." Then he kissed the girl Pansy had called Amy. Ginny ran down the corridor.


She couldn't stop running until she reached Gryffindor tower, and then her dormitory. Once she was at her bed, she sat down on it and closed the curtains. She couldn't believe what she'd seen. It couldn't be true, Draco had been playing with her the whole time.


She could feel tears in the corners of her eyes. Then she cried. She couldn't help herself. She had never felt so helpless in her life. It didn't make sense! All that talk they shared was just an act? He made her feel so good and then he dumped her for a cheap Slytherin?


Wasn't the Amortias charm supposed to be the one that came from pure love? If he didn't love her, then why did that charm come from them together? It didn't make sense. She threw herself down on the bed, she couldn't cry anymore, she was too confused.


Ginny woke up the next morning. Her face was red and stained with tears, she knew she hadn't dreamed it. She didn't know what to do, the thought of the scene yesterday made her feel terrible. She felt physically unable to get up.


She forced herself out of bed and got dressed. She tried hard not to think and not to care about Draco Malfoy. She crawled down into the Common Room hoping everyone was all ready down at Breakfast. The room was almost empty except for Hermione who looked up and said "Ginny what's wrong?"


"Nothing," Ginny replied shortly. She turned away realizing she looked like someone who'd spent the night crying.


"Come on," Hermione said "Why have you been crying? That one girl in your year, your friend Melissa told me that you were crying last night. I waited for you."


"Why... why would you do that Hermione?" she asked softly "It's none of your business, I can deal with it alone."


"I can guess what it is though," Hermione answered.


"So what?" Ginny snapped losing herself for a moment. "Ron was right, you were right. I was, once again, wrong. He wasn't the person I thought he was Hermione. I was in love... now I see he has himself a new girlfriend. Slytherin, and just like him!"


"Oh Ginny," Hermione said shocked "I didn't know... I'm sorry, that must be terrible."


"I just... had reason to believe," she admitted softly. Hermione's inviting sympathy forced the words out of her.


"It's all right Ginny," Hermione responded "You deserve better than Malfoy anyway."


"But there's a reason he has to love me!" she yelled. Then she was embarrassed, she didn't want to tell Hermione about the Amortias charm, but feared it was coming out.


"Do you want to tell me?" Hermione asked "I'm not trying to act like a parent or anything, all right. I'm just a friend if you need one."


"Fine Hermione. If you promise not to tell anyone, then I'll tell you." With that, Ginny told Hermione the whole story. She started with the first day at the train station, she went on and ended with the mysterious "Amy" in Draco's life.


A part Ginny emphasized greatly was the Amortias charm. Hermione had to think about it " Magical Mythology!" she yelled "That's the book with the Amortias charm in it. I'll go to the library and look it up, then you can know for sure. I think you should... confront him if you can. Can you?"


"Hermione," Ginny said feeling stronger "Even if he is a cheating idiot, he taught me one good lesson, he said if I ever feel I'm not getting a say in something, then I need to speak up."


Hermione watched her leave in amazement. She had read about the Amortias charm in her third year. It was supposed to be a myth, but if Ginny and Draco had done it together, then they had to be in love. Or did they? She had to get to the library.


Ginny felt powerful when she found Draco. He had really done his part in teaching her confidence. She saw him alone, his girl was nowhere around.


She stood in front of him, a look of hurt and anger mixed in her eyes.


"What?" he asked breathing heavily. Surely, she knew about Amelia by now. What was she going to say.


"Why?" she asked "Why did you make me love you? I want to know."


"Forget it," he said trying to avoid this. Go away, he thought, This is killing me. Can't you just forget it?


"Forget my first true love?" she asked fury shaking her voice "Why did you leave me? All you said, didn't that mean anything?"


"Not that I can see," he said coldly. Watching the anguished look on her face hurt him more than any curse his father had ever laid on him. He wanted to reach out and hold her.


She looked on the verge of tears, but she held herself up, like she would not cry. "I love you," she said softly.


While he screamed inside that he loved her too, his word were very different "That's your fault Weasley."


She turned and walked away. He shook his head and reminded himself that he was protecting her from evil.


~*~*~*~


Meanwhile, Hermione was sitting in the library reading the book Magical Mythology. "Here it is!" she yelled. She read:


The Amortias charm is considered a mythical charm because it cannot be proven real. When two love each other, the feelings can be strong enough to great a magic. Many witches and wizards claim to have done the charm, but it cannot be proven that they are truthful. It is said that it comes out of the wands in the form of bright silver colored light. If it is real, only the purest of loves can invoke that power.


"Malfoy loves Ginny," she said to herself "I honestly didn't think he could love, but her description fits this charm perfectly."


She ran toward the common room to find Ginny. She would be so relieved to hear this.

~*~*~*~


Ginny turned a corner. So he didn't love her after all... It didn't matter, he hadn't gotten to her. Stupid charm, what a lie.


She was blinded by her anger and ran into something solid. She blinked and looked up. She had ran straight into a hooded man. After she got over the shock, she realized that he was a Death Eater. She tried to run, but he had hold of her. Where was anyone? Why was this corridor empty? Oh no, she thought. Classes had just started. She tried to scream, but was unable to do it.


*~*~*~*~


"Have you seen Ginny?" Hermione asked Ginny's friend Melissa.


"No, sorry..." replied Melissa "Haven't seen her all day. Not even in classes, is she sick Hermione?"


"No," Hermione said suspiciously. Where are you Ginny? She thought worried. She hoped Ginny had not spoken to Draco and got upset. He does love you... the spell worked for you. He is lying to you for some reason.


Hermione really hoped Ginny wasn't somewhere feeling bad.

~*~*~*~*~


A/N: Sorry, I know that wasn't too happy. I was depressed writing it myself. I had to cut it off here.