Chapter 2 - [ The Beginning of the Past ]

As she lay on the couch she used as her bed, her eyes began to close and her mind began strayed off to the events that happened in her 6th year of Hogwarts. Back to the memories, happiness and heartbreak, her mind almost seemed to make her relive everything. She was experiencing everything that happened once again, even things she didn't remember, or things she didn't even know in the first place, and piece by piece, the story unfolded.
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The rain was pouring on the day students began to come aboard the Hogwarts express at King's Cross. Sure everything was wet, but it wasn't anything a good drying spell could fix. Ginny Weasley was among the 'dream team' when entering the train. It was the same as the last five years, go on the train, sit in an empty compartment, and mind your own business. It was simple for Ginny to just sit and not be noticed, she was practically an expert at it.

However, this train ride seemed to be quite different. The fiery red haired girl walked up and down the compartments, winning many stares from other students. She finally gave up and went to the back luggage compartment at the end of the train. At least no one would think about going in there. She sat on the bare floor leaning against a chest and closing her eyes. By the time they got to Hogwarts she would be well rested to start the school year. In a matter of five minutes, she drifted off into a deep sleep.

It wasn't until five minutes after she fell asleep did the one and only, Draco Malfoy appeared. He stood at the entrance of the compartment, staring at the girl. She was peacefully sleeping and her hair cascaded inches below her shoulders. Great.after all these years of being able to have the time before school by myself, she ruins it. Now my space is being invaded by a.Weasley. At first he looked at her in a disgusted way, then his glance softened, I wonder why she's back here. Shouldn't she be frolicking around with the delusional dream team? Oh well, He took a seat across from her, if she wakes up I'll tell her I didn't see her, she should be used to that already. He smirked and relaxed.

Soon enough, the trip went by without a word or even a stir from the sleeping girl. Draco breathed a sigh of relief when they had finally gotten to the school. He stood up to leave, but as he was about to leave he looked at Ginny once more. He wondered why she wasn't with the dream team once again. Probably Potter's fault, he smirked at the thought. He thought about leaving here there, but then she wouldn't have to go through the torturous and boring sorting ceremony. "Damn." He muttered.

"Hey Weasley!" he yelled. Ginny didn't move or show any sign that she was awake, Draco rolled his eyes, "WEASLEY!" he said even louder. This time Ginny jolted from her sleeping position and looked around. Her expression turned from confused to shock when she saw Malfoy at the doorway.

"W-What.um." she stuttered.

"We're here. You were sleeping, don't want to miss the sorting ceremony, now do we?"

"Oh.well.uh.thanks." She tried to think of what to say.

"Whatever." he turned to leave but stopped when he heard Ginny's voice.

"Malfoy, I owe you one." She stood up from where she sat. Draco gave sort of a grunt and left. Ginny sighed, "Now isn't that a great way to start the new school year?"

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The sorting ceremony was very boring, and long. Finally once it was over Dumbledore made the year announcements and ended with the usual, "Let the feast begin!" That was the cue for all the students to eat like horses and talk to the classmates they hadn't seen since the last year. Ginny though, was practically falling asleep, it seem like the rest she had on the train wasn't enough.

Later when the students had finished eating, Dumbledore stood up once again. "Now, your perfects will escort you back to your common rooms. But, before you leave I would like to see the following students: Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Draco Malfoy, and Ginny Weasley." The other students left with there perfects, one of which was Hermione, and Harry and Ron looked at each other in puzzled looks, but all four of them went up to Dumbledore.

"Well, as you know, we may be going into a war soon enough. With all that has happened the past years, I think this is what its going to have to come down to." The students nodded and he continued, "We're going to need some extra students patrol around and I choose you four because I thought you were the most experienced to do the job. Please consult with your house teachers and they should give you all the information you need, and Mr. Malfoy, I'd like to speak to you separately" They nodded once more and turned to leave, all except Ginny and Malfoy.

"Professor?" she looked at him

"Yes Ginny, is there something you need?"

"Well actually, I was wondering why.I mean.why did you choose me? I'm a year younger then the three and I'm not all that experienced in anything."

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong. Don't worry, Ginny, when the time comes you'll know why you're needed." Dumbledore smiled at her, she looked a bit confused still, but left anyway.

Draco cleared his throat, and Dumbledore looked at him once more, "Ah! Yes, Draco, well as you know with the war coming.you won't be safe here for long." He said mysteriously.

Draco sighed, "Yes I know sir."

"Well, I just thought you might like a little warning for the future."

"I got it."

"Good, that's all for now, you may go back to your dormitory."

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The next day classes started. Students rushed to find the right classrooms and the right books. Ginny was use to it, as was most 6th and 7th year students. It was mostly the 1st years who had trouble; the thought of them brought back haunting memories of her first year. She remembered Tom and the Basilisk.she dreaded the thoughts. The lesson soon began. After going over what they were going to do for that year, and if everyone was prepared, Professor McGonagall had no need for them, so she let them out early.

"Class, you are dismissed. Except for you Miss. Weasley, I am certain you know why," Ginny nodded as the rest of her classmates left.

"I was told by Dumbledore to tell you where you will be watching. Dumbledore sees something in you that I cannot, to be honest. I really don't think you should be out after everything that has happened in the past. But, it is Dumbledore's orders and I shall see to them. Your first week, you will be patrolling the outside ground of Hogwarts near the lake and the forbidden forest. You shall be partnered up with Draco Malfoy."

"Um.excuse me, but did you say Draco Malfoy?" Ginny interrupted

"Well, yes, I believe I did. Is there a problem with that?" she asked.

"No.no.continue." Ginny replied.

"Okay, well you start today after dinner. You'll meet up with your partner there. If there is anything you can't handle, then you know where to find me. If it's an emergency, send up some red sparks. Okay?"

"Yea"

"Then, get to your next class." With that, Ginny left. Great now I'm partnered up with Malfoy.just great.

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"You'll be on patrol with Ginny Weasley." Professor Snape just finished telling Draco the same thing McGonagall finished telling Ginny.

"What?" he asked.

"Ginny Weasley, your patrol partner.there surely no problem with that is there?" he asked

"Uh.no..at least it's not Potter." He muttered. Snape ignored the comment and dismissed him.

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It was noon at Hogwarts. Not many students were in the Great Hall, Harry, seeker and captain, and Ron, who was a beater, had Quidditch practice. Hermione joined them like always. Most of the first years still had trouble following around the place, not to mention being scared out of there wits by ghosts. Ginny sat at the Gryffindor table, looking down at her food. She didn't seem so hungry; she looked up to see Malfoy at his table, looking as tired as anything.

Suddenly, he looked up at her, she quickly looked back down and her face turned red. Damn it, what's wrong with you Ginny? Since when did Draco have that affect with you? Well actually, almost every guy does.but that's beside the point! She looked up to see that Malfoy disappeared from his seat. She felt a hand being placed on her shoulder which made her jump up a bit, and then she heard a low whisper.

"From the way you're staring at me, I assume you already know what's going tonight."

Ginny didn't need to turn around; she knew who it was, "Unfortunately." She replied sarcastically.

"If I were you I would be glad. There are things out there you couldn't imagine."

Ginny kept her calm, "And I suppose you would save me from those things? I highly doubt it."

"I'm not who you think I am. Not the cold heartless bastard everyone thinks I am. Sometimes you just have to look beneath the surface." He took his hand of her shoulder.

"Oh really? Then tell me Draco Malfoy, who are you?" she turned to face him, but he was already gone. She sighed and went back to her food. A few minutes later a crowd of students were coming into the Great hall. Ah great, the quidditch team. Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up to leave, but Harry stopped her.

"Hey Gin." He had a big smile on his face.

"Hi Harry, I was just.leaving."

"Why so soon? Plus, I want to talk about this patrol thing."

Ginny sighed and sat back down, "Sure Harry."

"Great. Well, I heard you got stuck with Malfoy. That must suck doesn't it?"

Ginny laughed, "Yea.I'm actually looking forward to it."

"Oh really? Why would you want something like that?" Harry questioned

"Well, I just think there's more to him then what he lets out."

"Trying to find his connection to Voldermort, huh?"

Ginny mentally frowned at the comment, "Yea.something like that."

"Well, I heard that they would switch each others partners every month. I can't wait till I get to spend my nights with you." Ginny's heart skipped a beat, Harry grinned.

"Yea, that would be great Harry." She stood up, "I got to go now. I have class."

"Alright, I'll see you later." Ginny smiled and left.

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Ginny had finished classes and dinner and was off to find Malfoy. She stood at one of the entrances of the school and looked out to the lake. He was there already, leaning against a tree, gleaming at the water. She walked down to him and leaned against the tree right next to him. The water was beautiful, out in the moonlight. It was something she rarely got to see.

"Hey," Ginny said, he didn't reply. She looked at him to see that his eyes were closed. "You okay?"

"Let's go." He said flatly.

"Where?" Ginny questioned.

"Patrolling, where else? It would be best to walk around rather than just standing in one spot."

"Oh." There was an awkward silence between the two. They could hear the noises of the forest and the cold wind blew in there faces.

After a while, Ginny got tired of the silence, "What did you mean before, when you said to look beneath the surface?"

Draco kept his expression the same and kept walking, "Things aren't everything they appear to be. For example, a simple potion, not very dangerous looking, could kill you."

"Are you saying you're going to kill me?"

Draco grinned, "That's what you expect me to do isn't it? You think that I, Mr. Selfish little prat, would kill you or allow you to be killed and not care. But no, that's not what I'm saying; I'm saying the complete opposite." He quickened his pace. The words startled Ginny; it wasn't what she expected to hear. She expected an insult, but now he gave advice.or something close to that.

"And what's beneath your surface?" she caught up with him. She didn't expect him to reply, but he did.

"There's reasons it's beneath my surface, there are always reasons. Everyone has an agenda. Things aren't that easy as asking and telling."

"Well, you tell me to look beneath the surface, yet, I can't even get past the walls." He stopped and she looked into his gray eyes.

"Tell me. You shouldn't be ashamed of needing someone to talk to, to cry on." She took a step closer to him, but not that close.

She was getting close, she knew it. But, Draco Malfoy is a very stubborn person as most people know, "I don't need anyone. I don't need to cry." He continued to walk away from her.

Ginny sighed; this would be harder that she thought, "Maybe that shows how much you do need someone!"

"You wouldn't understand. No one will." Ginny walked beside him, keeping his hastened speed, then grabbed his shoulder.

"Try me." She narrowed her eyes.

"Fine, Imagine your father was crazy and evil. Imagine that you had to live up to what he is, which is something you don't want to be. Imagine that everyday you go by and people think your one thing, but your really another. Imagine having to act one way, just because you think people wouldn't understand you. Imagine living your life like it was hell." His voice was rising as he looked down at Ginny.

Ginny shook her head and said quietly, "Imagine you had six brothers who are all crazy. That they all act like your father, including there best friend who also acts like hey has the need to protect you. Imagine having to live up to what all six of them have done in there lives. Imagine looking like all you needed was protection every hour, minute, and second of the day. Imagine being in hell, coming back, and just to go straight down again. Imagine all that because I've been living it. You think having 6 brothers and Harry being over protected and having yourself being controlled by a Dark Lord all that easy?" Draco turned away once more and kept walking without a word.

"I thought so," Ginny whispered to herself, "But I think it's time, Draco Malfoy, that I begin to look beneath the surface. I know your going to let me in someday."

A/N - Wow, I got two reviews. Lol, so I thought, what the hell.I might as well continue it. Well, I'm leaving for florida for two days so sorry if you don't get an update in a while.