Twenty-Nine

After a while of pleasant conversation Madam Pomfrey bustled over insisiting that everyone leave for dinner and allow her patient rest before the nurse left to retrieve Ginny's meal tray. Another round of hugs and kisses, as well as getting her hair ruffled by her brothers, and the promise to be good were shared before the older Weasley members walked out leaving Ron, Hermione and Harry. The trio turned their attention from the closing door at the end of the infirmary to the redhead who was absent mindedly fingering the pendant hanging from the fine gold chain around her neck sitting on the hospital bed. "So will one of you tell me what happened?" Ginny said dropping her hand and looked between the three friends standing. "Professor Dumbledore has talked to us and asked us to allow him to talk to you personally," said Harry. Ginny noticed that all three had a very sour expression, especially Ron and Harry. Ginny bristled, "What do you mean you can't tell me," she said glaring between the three of them. "Well. . . err. . ." said Ron. "It's not that he's trying to keep you in the dark, Gin," soothed Hermione. "Then what is it," Ginny said, her eyes narrowing. "Really love," Harry said sitting down at the edge of her bed, "Professor Dumbledore thought it would be easier to tell you all at once rather than you hear several stories," Harry said frowning. "Fine," Ginny huffed crossing her arms in front of her. Harry stroked her legs over her blankets. "Is there anything you can tell me?" hissed Ginny. "Sure," said Ron looking uncomfortable. "How is Colin?" Ginny asked quickly. "He's fine, was let out the very next day," answered Harry. "What. . . what about Tom?" Ginny said in a small voice, losing all her previous fire. The trio visibly tensed, "Gone. . . Bloody bastard is gone," Ron growled. Harry gave Ron a sharp look. "Malfoy?" Ginny spoke softly not wanting to say the name. "We should be getting to dinner," Hermione said hurriedly as Harry and Ron's faces turned dark.

Ginny was about to say more when Madam Pomfrey came back with her meal tray chasing the remaining visitors out. Each of them stepped up giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and the promise to return. "I'm sorry," Harry said into her ear. "It's Dumbledore who asked you not to talk, I won't hold it against you," Ginny said back loud enough for the others to hear. Harry reached up brushing a stray lock of hair over Ginny's shoulder smiling, "I'll see you in a bit."

Ginny had barely finished her mint humbug after dinner treat when more visitors began to arrive. Dean, Seamus and Neville arrived each giving her a pink daisy. They stayed for a while telling their tale of boldly facing Malfoy's brutes and saving Filch from a dusty demise stuck in a utility closet. Ginny laughed enjoying the tale they spun, she gasped in all the right spots and marveled in their bravery. All in all she did a wonderful job of stroking the men's egos with high praise. "My gallant knights," Ginny smiled at them in turn as they sat around her bed reliving their tale again. Seamus scooped her hand up kissing the back of it, "Was nothing M'lady," he said with a rogue-ish grin and wink. Ginny laughed at him being cheeky. Ginny stiffled a yawn with the back of her hand which promted the three men to stand up and announce it was time to leave and let her rest. Ginny frowned and faked a pout, "But I was so enjoying your company," she said. "Aww, don't worry, we'll tell you the tale over and over again when you return to the tower," Dean reassured. "And anyone else that will listen," joked Neville.

The sun had sunk low in the sky when Colin and Ginger entered. "She's asleep," Ginger whispered, "We should leave her alone." Ginny opened her eyes and sat up quickly; "Oh no you don't!" she smiled brightly. They each took a side of her bed and sat down, "Colin!" Ginny exclaimed throwing her arms around him, "I was so worried." she hugged him tight her eyes prickling with tears. "Yes, he's a regular hero now," Ginger teased. Ginny gave Colin a huge kiss on the cheek, "Yes he is my hero," she said swatting Ginger's arm. "Hey now, that's my boyfriend your man-handling," said Ginger winking. Ginny squeezed Colin even tighter. "Mmmfftt...." Colin tried to speak in Ginny's suffocating embrace. Ginny released her bear hug on Colin holding him at arm's length. Colin's cheeks and ears were bright pink with embarrassment, "It was nothing," he said. "Nothing in deed!" Ginny frowned at him, "You came to my rescue and risked bodily harm, that isn't just nothing to me." Colin blushed further. "You keep this up Gin and he'll be as red as a ripe tomato," said Ginger smiling at Colin. Ginny let go of Colin to hug Ginger tight. "Neville told me how you went to get Professor McGonagall, Thank you." said Ginny sitting back against the headboard looking at her two friends. "Anything for you," said Ginger squeezing Ginny's hand. "You should have seen Hermione," said Ginger, "Professor McGonagall and I were rushing to get to Professor Dumbledore when we heard her from the end of the hall cursing up a storm. She even kicked the gargoyle!" Ginger nodding as she spoke. Ginny's eyes grew wide and she laughed putting her hand over her chest, "I will definitely have to ask her about that!"

Harry was able to stop by for a few moments before Madam Pomfrey chased him out with the threat of making it so he was never comfortable riding a broomstick ever again if he didn't leave and let her patient rest. This earned the nurse a very dirty look once her back was turned from Harry; Ginny followed his glare with sticking her tongue out at the nurse's back. "I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning," Harry promised before bending over kissing her. Ginny spent a restless night reliving the horrors over and over again in her mind. Tom appearing from the floating orb. Malfoy's blank face, Colin being hit by the hex. Ron's rage, the look of utter horror on Harry face as she was struck by the powerful curse. Malfoy's eyes as he struggled against Riddle. Tom laughing at her. Ginny rolled over onto her back shivering despite the late spring warmth. She stared at the shadows the moonlight created on the walls. When exhaustion finally claimed her in the wee hours of the morning it was a blessed dreamless sleep.

Bright rays of sunlight woke Ginny the next morning. Madam Pomfrey greeted her with a wonderful smelling breakfast tray and news that she would be dismissed before lunch. Ginny nibbled on her french toast when a third year Hufflepuff arrived with a delivery for her. It was a large ring of wild flowers and a note attached, 'We always keep our promises, Gred and Feorge.' Ginny turned the card over but it was blank. The third year student sat the ring of flowers on her night stand and rushed away blushing. Ginny furrowed her eye brows reaching out to inspect the arrangement. Knowing the twins it was probably jinxed. Turning it around she began to laugh to the point of tears, it was not an ordinary ring to put flowers in, but a toilet seat!

Ginny sipped her tea occasionally giggling when she would glance over at her floral masterpiece, she could hear someone approaching but couldn't see thanks to the fact that Madam Pomfrey had failed to remove the side curtain. Ginny was prepared to see Harry come around the corner but was startled to see Susan Bones smiling at her. "Good morning," Ginny said trying to keep the curiosity out of her voice. "Hi, Ginny, how are you feeling?" Susan said brightly. Flashes of Susan and Harry in the corridor crossed Ginny's mind, "I'm better thanks," Ginny smiled politely. "I'm sure you're curious to why I've stopped by," Susan said sweetly, "Harry always spoke so fondly of you when he was tutoring me in transfigurations. I wanted to stop by and wish you a speedy recovery!" Susan reached into her pocket pulling out a bag of chocolate frogs handing them to Ginny and smiled. In Ginny's mind every bird burst forth in a song of halleluiah. Ginny could have jumped out of the bed and done an irish jig that would have made Seamus proud at that very moment. She was half tempted to leap out of the bed and hug the stuffing out of Susan. Instead she settled on smiling extra bright and thanked Susan for the lovely gesture. "I'm sorry I can't stay long, but I promised I'd meet Ernie for breakfast," Susan said blushing slightly. Ginny's day couldn't have gotten any better.

Shortly after Susan left Harry arrived. Ginny grabbed a hold of his robes giving him the biggest kiss ever happily hugging him in a fit of bubbly giggles. Harry was over come by his girlfriend's excitement, "I don't know what you had for breakfast, but I'm going to make sure you receive it every morning," he said laughing. Ginny showed him her 'floral' arrangement from the twins which caused Harry to crack up with laughter. "Good morning, Miss Weasley, Mr. Potter. I see this morning has found you well," Professor Dumbledore said smiling, his eyes crinkled in the corners as he chuckled in humor seeing her brothers' choice of get well gift. "Once you're changed I would like you to join me in my office Ginny." The headmaster smiled politely. Some of the previous night's irritation resurfaced in Ginny but she was able to contain it nodding in agreement. "The password is vanilla chewy, I shall see you shortly," said Dumbledore gently before turning to leave.

"Here," said Ginny handing Harry the toilet floral ring, "Take this on up to the common room to give everyone a good laugh." Ginny promised to meet him at lunch, if possible, after her meeting with the headmaster. Harry grew very serious before he left as if something was bothering him, when Ginny asked he simply shrugged it off. "It's nothing," he said giving her a reassuring smile. "Bullock! You're a terrible liar Harry Potter," Ginny scolded him. "I beg to differ," Harry argued jokingly. "Well you're a terrible liar to me," she threw back. Ginny swung her legs over the edge of the bed grabbing her bag of toiletries and cloths standing up. Harry stood at the end of her bed with the flower covered toilet ring in his hands watching her. "What, you plan on joining me in my shower?" she teased. Harry made a low growl deep in his throat, "Don't tempt me," he said. Ginny just smiled at him giving him a quick peck on the cheek before walking to the infirmary bath.

Ginny tapped lightly on the door to the headmaster's office. "Come in," she heard a male voice call out. Opening the door Ginny entered walking past the many portraits of past headmasters, several were dozing, and some would politely smile giving her a wave. Professor Dumbledore sat at his desk reading through the many papers piled on his desk, Fawkes sat on top of his perch watching Ginny move across the room taking a chair before the desk. "Ah, Ginny, thank you for coming so early." said Dumbledore giving Ginny a warm friendly smile. "I am sure you are most curious to the events that took place several nights past. I'm also sure you're rather irritated that I requested to speak to you first rather than have you hear the tale spun several times over in several different forms," he said giving Ginny a knowing look. Ginny quirked her brow giving a half cocked grin. "I am most curious to why you felt the need to withhold information from me," she said earnestly. "I've come to learn that even those with the most honorable of intentions tend to become slanted in their views when retelling information at times," Professor Dumbledore said sitting back into his chair, "Most especially those who may feel stronger emotions on certain subjects." Ginny politely waited for Dumbledore to continue. "So rather than have you hear a one sided interpretation of the events I thought I would hear all sides, save yours of course, and fill you in by the view point of a third party witness." Ginny sat back in her chair crossing her legs getting more comfortable, she had a feeling this might take a while.

After an hour of listening calmly to Professor Dumbledore's accounts on everything Ginny's head was reeling, "So Malfoy was merely a pawn in those sick death eaters's game?" Ginny said stunned. "So it appears, the 'gift' of the glass orb before the start of school was a devious move on their part," Dumbledore said pouring two cups of tea from the service that had just appeared on his desk. After accepting a cup and setting back Ginny continued, "Are you telling me, he knew nothing of what was going on?" After taking a sip and setting his cup down Dumbledore studied Ginny closely, "It doesn't appear to be the same sort of possession you experienced," Dumbledore frowned sadly, "Apparently this time Tom wanted Mr. Malfoy to know exactly what was going on, for what ever reasons." Ginny thought for a moment staring at Fawkes, "Professor, I had the strangest experience between being hit by the curse and waking. Perhaps you could help me understand. It was like nothing I'd ever experience before." Professor Dumbledore smiled, "I do believe we have Fawkes here to thank for that," he gestured towards the majestic phoenix. "At the time of my arrival finding you unconscious Fawkes some how felt the need to join me in my journey. It was his tears that saved you my dear," Professor looked fondly at his long time companion who thrilled of a soothing note that gave Ginny the odd feeling that the bird was expression appreciation for the praise. Ginny stood up walking slowly over to the fiery bird as it watched her. "Thank you Fawkes, I'm eternally grateful for the gift you've given me," Ginny's eyes welled up with unshed tears, reaching out she gently stroked his chest. Fawkes released a beautiful low note raising it's beak up higher enjoying the girls attention.

A knock of the door drew Ginny's attention away from the phoenix. Professor Dumbledore walked over to open the door. Draco Malfoy walked in looking unhappy and frowned slightly when his eyes fell upon Ginny standing by Fawkes on his perch. Ginny visibly tensed, she saw a flash of hurt cross over his features before becoming a cool mask. "You asked for me Professor?" Draco said keeping his tone of voice respectful. "Yes I did Mr. Malfoy, please come in," Dumbledore said closing the door stepping only a couple of feet away from it. "I've just informed Miss Weasley here of your account of recent events," Professor Dumbledore said, watching the slytherin closely. Draco nodded looking into the empty fireplace. Several long seconds passed where no one spoke. "Well, if the two of you will excuse me, there is something that I must attend to," said Dumbledore turning to the door, leaving the two of them alone.

Several more minutes passed neither of them making a move to speak. With one last stroke of her fingers on Fawkes' chest Ginny took a few steps towards the door. "I had no control," Draco spoke softly standing a few feet away from her. Ginny stopped turning her head to look at him; he stood there looking down at his upturned palms slowly balling them into fists. "I couldn't do a bloody thing but watch most of the time, no control what so ever," his voice grew firm and resentful. "He enjoyed it too, taunting me." Draco's jaw clenched and unclenched as he looked across the room to one of the tall windows. "How much of it was Tom?" Ginny spoke softly. Draco's head snapped back looking at her. "How much of this year was you and not Tom?" she asked again. Draco stood in place arms by his side staring at her, not speaking.

Sighing Ginny turned to leave, Draco reached out grabbing her wrist preventing her from walking out, "Kitt---, Ginny," Draco said. Ginny looked down at the hand holding her wrist then slowly back up to Draco. He released his hold on her shoving his hands in his pockets. "I. . ." he began before taking his hand out of his pocket racking it through his blond hair looking around the room to find his words. "I . . ." he said again looking frustrated. Ginny watched him struggle with himself. "I'm sorry," he finally said looking at her. She noticed his entire presence was still that of the Malfoy she'd always known; his tall proud stance, his self confidence and ever present arrogance. The one thing lacking was the total malice he typically radiated towards her. In its place she saw deep within his eyes were almost sadness and grief and a touch of hope. Ginny set aside her strong feelings of misgivings toward her tormentor. "I forgive you, for everything," said Ginny, "But for what Tom did, there is no reason for you to ask for forgiveness. He is responsible for what happened, not you." Ginny said firmly. A long silence followed, a few times Ginny though Draco was going to say more, but in the end he chose to walk over to the fireplace to stand, staring down at the empty grate. Ginny quietly walked over to the door opening it slowly, stepping out silently. Just before the door completely latched from within the room she heard him speak in a soft voice, "He doesn't deserve you."