Rated PG13 for Language:D/G Post Hogwarts/PostWar Fic- Harry killed Voldemort but was killed himself during the war. Ginny is left behind and has to struggles physically as well as internally with her love and hate. Draco is a leading darkwizard fated to deal with the greatest betrayal, when he finally realizes how she felt all this time, its too late. There really is only a thin line between love and hate.
Disclaimer: Ok... This thing just takes up room and by now you all should have memorized my short disclaimer: I'm just mucking around...
A/N: Omg, I'm so sorry about the extreme delay... Ack, I guess all I have are excuses? End of the school and all the teachers decided that all that they were supposed to cover and didnt had to be done NOW in the last weeks of school... Hmmm and they say only students procrastinate? It was like one report on another, not to mention projects... Oh and of course I was being the very picture of a girl who was just told she needs to move to a new city...because of some blooming idea that her parents had... Mmhm, enough excuses, well we're moved and the internet was finally installed, so heres this chappy, and the next one will be up tomorrow or on Sunday I promise. ^-^
**Tabby-Here's the update sorry about the wait!!!*Roriemee-and-Reimiki-Not exactly twice but close to it I hope!*Evenstar-thanks, well its updated hope you enjoy!*a- Sorry about the wait, I guess I tired out my excuses up there...Hope you like this chapter!*
What was he doing in here?!
*?*?*
/?/Draco/?/
He watched as the flames danced in the fireplace. He knew she wasn't awake yet... She had fallen and hit her head on the table the day while he was questioning her. Her words came back to him over and over, threatening a headache, and memories he had long since forgotten. Memories he had chosen to forget...
*And to know that he wasn't coming back... Do you KNOW how it feels...*
To know someone who wasn't going to come back... He had known it before...Draco closed his eyes trying to regain control of his mind which was irritatingly remembering things he didn't want. He knew it wasn't of use when the picture appeared before his closed eyes...before his mind's eyes...
/Flashback/
"Draco!!! You're back!!! I'm so glad!!! I love..it when you're around Draco," Chantelle LeFayette screamed and ran ungracefully falling into his arms.
Even he had to smile seeing her so happy. "Of course I am. A Malfoy always keeps his word to a lady."
Chantelle stood back with her lips pursed and hands on her hips, strangely reminding him a bit of Professor McGonagall, the annoying head of Gryffindor. He reddened a little at the way she seemed to look down on him, "'A Mafloy always keeps his word to a lady?'" her lips curled into a smirk. "Draco, you're only eleven, and no matter how hard you try, you don't act like a true Malfoy. So save yourself some trouble and don't try."
"That hurt. That really hurt," he said acting a mock hit to the chest as she giggled. Then he sobered and said a little more quietly, "Chantelle, I've missed you... No one else speaks to me like this, and I'd advise you don't do so, within Mother or Father's hearing. They would be greatly dissatisfied with our behavior, and if word gets out this would ruin my reputation at Hogwarts." Draco said falling into the armchair in her private parlor. Chantelle had a mansion near his, their family's name was just as reknown in the wizarding world.
"I wish we went to the same school... Draco, I haven't seen you in a year! You won't believe how much I've learned at Beaubaxtons...Draco?" she said suddenly acting nervous.
"What is it? Chantelle, just come out and say it, we've known each other long enough not to have secrets, you're like a little sister to me." Draco said but wondered why she seemed sadder at that statement. Now he knew, he had loved her in his own way....
Chantelle looked around her parlor, and whispered some words so that the door locked. Then she took out her wand and did a few flicks and a twist mumbling something, which he vaguely recognized as a room silencing spell so no one outside hears anything but everyday chatter. He waited patiently for her to begin. "Draco...I..."
"Chantelle, you know we don't have all day. We're scheduled for riding in an hour or so. So just bloody say it."he drawled.
"Well...Draco, the truth is...I'm ... scared." she ended up almost whispering and his eyes widened quite taken aback.
"Scared? What in bloody hell for? You know nothing can happen to us, no one would dare do anything for fear of upsetting our dear parents." he snapped.
"That's just it. I don't want to be like them. And I don't want you to either. Draco I learned so much this year that I have to tell you! But one thing I know is, I don't want to be like Mother. Our families have a bad reputation at Beaubaxtons, and they believe I'm a snob. I act dutifully as a LeFayette but... I don't want to Draco! And I heard You-Know-Who's back! I ...I...I...don't think..–" she said starting to cry. Draco stared at her. This was his childhood friend who was acting so different. He didn't know what to do. He felt like he had to do something, but he didn't know what. He walked toward her to console her, but he was suddenly afraid.
Not knowing he would regret it later, he snapped, "Get a hold of yourself Chantelle. You're acting like a bloody Hufflepuff! You're a disgrace, how can you not want to be like our parents? Looked up to, not having to worry about anything?"
Chantelle looked up wiping her tears and whispered, "But Draco, you don't know what I've heard about what our families did in the past... "
"To others of course! And they always deserved it." he suddenly felt angry, for her to bring up a subject like this and start scaring him. "Chantelle, you're... a traitor...a disgrace!" He got up and ran out, snapping "Alohamora!"
---
That night, at dinner, not knowing what the consequences would be...He had told his parents. That was the first time he was punished. That night his parents began his real "training." Seeing the look in his father's eyes when he was being locked in his own family's dungeons, he knew he had made a terrible mistake. That was when he realized he would never see Chantelle again...And he knew...that it was his fault.
/End Flashback/
Draco shook his head. Why am I remembering this? Bloody damn Evans, when is she going to wake up?...
*"How it feels...to know someone in your own family had...betrayed the trust of everyone...?*
Oh he knew alright. But it wasn't just someone in his family...It was his family... His father and mother were never the same after they found out what Chantelle had told him. They didn't even listen to what he had done in reply... He had just began punishing him. They had killed Chantelle as he later found out, when he was let out of the dungeons. They had promised that if he too strayed from the family's path, there would be the same consequence... That was when he had first felt what the pain of the crustacius curse was.
*How it feels...to be the last one...Alive....In this cursed world...From everyone you cared for? Do you even know?*
It was too late he knew, but if he thought about it. Those days when he was free with Chantelle... Free to be himself without worrying about Malfoys' code of conduct... There had only been one person he had truly cared for... Chantelle... Oh he had cared somewhat for his mother and father...But he knew that had been love for what he had thought his parents were.... Not the truth... But Chantelle... she was gone.... And it was because of him...
...this cursed world...this cursed world...No... There is no use thinking of that now. Chantelle...died out of his carelessness. Well his parents were now dead so he needn't feel guilty about it anymore...He smirked remembering how surprised his mother had been when Lucius killed her. He wondered why she had been surprised, after all if he could turn on another member of the family he could turn on all...That's why he had killed Lucius...killed him before Lucius killed him... This world is the survival of the fittest. Darwin, that wizard knew what he was talking about. These wimps who now call themselves wizards and witches of light didn't even qualify to be children in magic. So afraid of what the muggles might do if they found the wizarding world. Bloody cowardly arses.
He saw movement at the corner of his eyes, and heard Evan's mumble something. So she decided to wake up, finally.
"There's no end to your hidden surprises, hmm?"
*?*?*
/?/Ginny/?/
"What are you doing here?" she rasped silently cursing for not realizing automatically she wasn't alone. Ginny winced as the headache came full force, and she felt her head having suspicions that she must have fallen and hit her head on something. So... I guess I hit the desk in front of me didn't I? I guess the shock of a girl falling unconscious had worn off since he didn't even bother to catch me this time. Or did he figure out who I am? Her heart started to pound harder as she tried to keep her composure. Everything had been practice for now. She looked at Draco straight in the eye, or tried to as he stood up. Following him might have been too much of an effort...
"What am I doing here? I'd like to reinform you Evans just incase you have forgotten, this is my manor, and I have free privilege to be anywhere I want in it." he snapped.
Well, if he's calling me Evans, then he didn't guess my cover. Okay, I guess I have a tad bit of backpedaling to do if I am to get my wand back. I've come too far to fail here, and Percy... I have to avenge my brothers... Damn headache! She looked down trying to look humbly embarrassed at her behavior. It wasn't hard, her head was pounding as if that three headed dog Fluffy or whatever it's name was that her brother, Harry, and Hermione had fought in year one was playing fetch in her head. Because of the pain, she had a look which she believed some could take as cross between anger, and shame. "I'm terribly sorry. I ...seem...to be having a small headache so I'm a bit cross.... And..." she bit her lip.
"And?" was the drawl in reply, with no hint of emotion.
"And... I would like to apologize for my behavior yesturday... You have every right to inquire in my history as the owner of the manor..." she said trying to keep her voice steadily cheerful and calm.
"Is this an apology for the outburst and accusations or the thrown dagger?"
THE DAGGER! DAMN...She had forgotten completely about that...Damn it where is my control lately? "I'm so sorry. There was no excuse... My emotions... I'm sorry–" Ginny started, her mouth working while her brain panicked. What am I going to do? Ok... This isn't working... If all fails, I can just go to my muggle apartment for a month, and replan this, now that I know about Percy I can inform Dumbledore too... I guess I failed... "I'll be take my leave now then." She stood up as the world blacked out. Not again, this damn headache!
*?*?*
/?/Draco/?/
He saw her fight to keep standing as she was apologizing. Draco knew what was coming, and without thinking, his body moved. As her eyes fluttered and closed, he caught her. This is becoming a common occurrence... Why this time? Because you're the reason she lost conscience this time... You let her fall, and she hit her head. No! That was her own doing, what is she a child needing to be saved everyday? You pushed her to the brink... Memories... He shook his head trying to get rid of stray thoughts that weren't needed. He left after laying her back down. I'm wasting too much time on memories and unnecessary things.
When he strode into his office, he saw Helen tidying up with her wand. "Helen, I want you to check up on Miss Evans in a few hours. She seems to be having difficulties lately..." Draco saw his maid staring as he sat down, "Is there something I need to be aware of?"
Quickly Helen shook her head and left leaving Malfoy to his confounded thoughts. Why am I feeling guilty all of a sudden? Chantelle was the past. Lucius is dead. What more can she ask of me? She didn't want you to be like Lucius... I'm NOT like Lucius... The dark side.... Is there a dark side? There's only the winning side and the losing side. Right now I'm on the winning side... Damn it! I refuse to think about this now... There's much more important matters at hand....
*?*?*
/?/Ginny/?/
/*/Dream/*/ Hogwarts....
Ginny looked around in confusion. She was in Hermione's room?
Then Hermione entered holding a plate, and Ginny's stomach muscles clenched in fear.
"Ginny! I'm sorry it took me a little bit longer than I thought it would. But here, I was right the cookies are done. Try one," Hermione smiled.
Ginny just looked at Hermione trying to will her mouth to say something clever so she wouldn't have to. Why? Hermione's cooking... She gulped and reached for one reluctantly.
"Ginny! I saw you hesitate. I hope you know my cooking has gotten a lot better lately! Honestly, I don't know why you, Ron, and Harry have to act like my cooking is poisonous or something. Now try it! I wanted you to try some before I gave it to the boys," Hermione snapped.
I guess I can't get out of it...She brought the cookie to her mouth and gagged. What was that smell? Why did a cookie smell so bad–?
/*/End Dream/*/
"Ugh, no. Please, I'll pass on the cookies," Ginny mumbled.
"I'm sorry miss, but cookies? These are smelling salts..." came an amused voice.
Smelling salts? Ginny sat up quickly, sensing something a foot above her head she grabbed it. She had a monstrous headache, but her arm was acting out of pure reflex, as it pulled what it grabbed away and twisted. I let my guard go again didn't I. Wait...SMELLING SALTS? She quickly turned her head as she heard someone stifle a scream. Horror and embarrassment filled Ginny's eyes as she turned slightly red seeing Helen. She dropped Helen's left hand which was holding some smelling salts, as quickly as if it was a burning coal. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry. Um, are you–No that's a stupid question...Oh my god... Are you okay?" Ginny asked wincing.
To her surprise Helen, gave her a rueful smile. "I'm alright Miss Evans. Why would you ask?" she said as she massaged her left hand with her right, her eyes never leaving Ginny's. They bore into her own eyes while flickering from one corner of the room to the other, a few times.
What's this? She was hurt... But why didn't she scream? And why is she looking at me like that? Damn it... I guess they were right, when you have a headache it hurts when you think...She closed her eyes for a second to find a warm mist of what had a scent of lemon underneath her nose.
"Here Miss, this will help you with you're head," Helen was saying, handing her a mug with what Ginny recognized as a headache potion.
"Thank you Helen so much," Ginny said as she drank it and it began to work immediately. Works better than my own mixes... I guess I should have paid more attention during Snape's class. "Um, Helen–?"she began.
"Miss, wouldn't it be better for you're head if you had some fresh air?" Helen interrupted looking pointedly at her.
"Um, you're right. I would like to take a ride out into the country around here... Is that possible?" Ginny asked, a little unsure. She's cueing me into taking a ride with her... But why?....
"With you're present health lady, it would be a tad risky to go out riding alone, even if it were for fresh air..." Helen said, her eyes starting to dance.
Well... There's no way to know but to see where this leads me. I'm sure Malfoy enjoys killing so much he wouldn't have his maid lead me to a trap, when he could have killed me off as I was unconscious.... "Right... Hmm, Helen. Would it be too much to ask you for some of your time to accompany me in a ride?"
"No Miss. I will be out in the Stables within five minutes," Helen said then added, "If you leave this room, turn right, and then go straight down the hall to the stairs. Downstairs near the kitchen door is path to get to the stables."
"Right, thank you," Ginny mumbled as Helen left. Just what was that woman trying to do? Her headache had left, but she still didn't have her wand. After a quick check though, she realized that although she hadn't regained possession of the dagger she threw earlier, she still had three others. I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. She sighed, and left to follow the directions that the maid had given her.
*?*?*
The day was cloudy as Ginny realized when she got to the stables. Helen was there waiting with two horses just as she had said.
"Um, Helen, I forgot earlier, but I think Mr. Malfoy would rather be pleased if I left his premises immediately..." Ginny said as Helen walked toward her with the two horses.
"Actually Miss, he did not mention that. And I have just received his permission to accompany you on a ride. He did however mention that I was to warn you that in your present condition he himself would not recommend a ride... However he wishes you would join him in dinner, for a continuance of an earlier conversation?" Helen replied as she handed the reigns of a gray stallion to Ginny.
"I would be delighted to join him for dinner," Ginny replied getting into the saddle. Great...Continuing the conversation before I lost it again I bet... I wonder, what's he going to do feed me then kill me? Well he can try, I still have a mission, and I will definitely accomplish it before I get home... But... Wait... I need to send word back about Percy... Her thoughts were interrupted as her stallion started fidgeting. Looking up, she saw Helen had already started leading her own stallion toward the countryside. Quickly she got her horse to follow, until they came to an area near a lake on the Malfoy grounds. Never knew this was here...
"Okay, finally we can talk," Helen was saying as she got off her horse. She turned to Ginny and said, "Charis Evans, or shall I say Ginny Weasley?"
~*~*~
A/N: Ok, well this is out. It feels great to have the internet again! Thank god the roadrunner guy finally got his lazy arse out here! ^-^ Well, here it was, twice the last one, but barely... The next one out Wed or Thurs I promise^^!
