Disclaimer: I don't own anything; all characters are J.K Rowling's, except
a few of my own!
Note: I decided to finally re-write it. There is some stuff that I might be adding in, I'm not sure yet, that I forgot to put in first time around. And I took out all those annoying A/N comments (I was young and childish). But if this story is new to you, I hope you enjoy!
Prologue - Deatheaters Visit
Two years previously:
Harry was out of bed early today. His alarm clock on the small, bedside table was flashing half past nine in the morning - it was supposed to be his weekend off. The first holiday in weeks and the first morning in months where he'd woken up from a nightmare, jolting up, almost falling out of his bed.
At the moment, he was looking out of the window, letting his eyes scan over the houses and shops in front of him. There was the noise of muffled traffic and the far off hum of the city before he closed his window quietly so he did wake the others.
Ron's snoring came filtering through the walls a few seconds after the window was shut. Harry smiled. He was used to the constant sound having spent six years sleeping in the same dormitory as Ron at Hogwarts. But Hermione, who had the room furthest away from Ron's, still wasn't used to it. She didn't want to hurt his feelings so put a Muffling Charm around her room.
Harry was sworn to secrecy not to tell Ron by her.
He yawned absent-mindedly, stretched and grabbed a shirt, trousers and some socks on his way to the bathroom for a shower. Despite Ron and Hermione always yelling at him for moaning about work, he thought he might go in for a couple of hours today. There was nothing else to do. If he stayed, Hermione might drag him into doing some gardening in the afternoon.
*
After his shower he sorted out his eyes, he had to put a temporary charm on them to sort out his sight, and got changed. He was just doing paper work to day so he didn't bother with uniform. He pulled on his light brown trousers and did the buttons up on his blue shirt, apart from the top two. He chucked the shirt he had slept in the laundry basket and ran down stairs.
He made himself some toast and switched the television on flicking around to see if there was anything else but children's programmes on. There were some advantages of living in the Muggle world - toasters and biro pens for one.
Harry wrote Ron and Hermione a note like he always did while he ate his toast getting crumbs all over the page. He frowned and wiped the letter, which only got buttery stains all over the note. Harry was just about to write another when he noticed the time; he was supposed to be in half an hour ago.
"Shit," he swore to himself. Then apparated leaving the pen in mid air before it dropped onto the wooden floor.
*
Harry arrived at the office before his superior arrived, only just though. He walked past his secretary who passed him his work, and some owls from the Ministry. She quietly informed him that someone was waiting in his office for him.
Harry muttered darkly to himself as he opened his door. He couldn't see who was there; the papers were piled up so high they blocked his vision. He dumped the papers on his desk in the 'IN' box. Harry glanced at the 'OUT' box- it was a bit empty.
He turned round and smiled at whoever was standing at the other side of the office.
It was Ginny Weasley. Harry was used to popping in on her way back from work but she looked different. She never came in the mornings - Harry doubted if she was ever up on Saturday mornings all. Her face was pale and her arms were straight and rigid, and her hands were clutching each other tightly.
"What's up Gin," he asked gently as he shut the door behind. Ginny looked like she was going was going to cry and she was blinking a lot. Harry passed her a coffee,
"Here," he said offering it to her "Black. Two sugars. Just the way you like it. Have a seat."
Ginny gave a feeble smile of thanks. She cupped the mug in her hands and sat down slowly. Harry sat on the chair next to hers. She wasn't saying anything just staring into space and sipping her coffee every so often. Harry knew something really bad had happened, maybe someone had died or was very ill or.
"Harry," Ginny's little voice interrupted his train of thoughts, Harry looked into her frightened eyes, "They're after me,"
Harry frowned, somewhere in the back of is mind he had figured it out but the rest hadn't.
"Who are?" he asked softly. Ginny looked down at the bubbles in her coffee pop and after a minute she whispered in a barely audible voice,
"Malfoy. the Deatheaters.Voldermort,"
All the blood in his body froze; it was impossible. Ginny was living in the Muggle world in a flat in the middle of London. How did Malfoy know?
Ginny seeing Harry's face continued, a little louder this time,
"I was tidying up the flat and the buzzer went on the intercom thing," her breathing was shallow now but Harry knew she would feel better when she got it out,
"I answered it and it was Draco's face on the screen, I was too shocked to hang up. He said 'We've come to pay you a little visit Weasley' and then I looked round and saw the other Deatheaters appear, I screamed and the last thing I heard was Malfoy laughing and then they grabbed me."
She looked fraught and looked at Harry who smiled kindly, not knowing what else to do. There was nothing else he could do. If he old her what he really thought so far (You're buggered), it would have helped.
"Go on," he prompted. Ginny took a deep breath to steady her self before she carried on,
"I started kicking and I think I bit one them," she smiled briefly "Then Draco appeared in front of me grinning. He started talking to me." She stopped again and looked up from her drink, "They wanted to use me to get at you."
Harry shifted on his chair; it was pretty common knowledge that Harry was a close friend to Ginny Weasley
"I couldn't stand it anymore, I told him the whole place was covered with cameras and he just laughed and aimed his wand at one and blew it up. I was desperate now so I wiggled free and slapped him right in his ferret face," she took a moment to calm down, Harry waited patiently for her to continue.
"He took hold of me and whispered in my ear 'I'm sure Potter wouldn't notice if you where hurt a little' that was when I punched him and ran outside and apparated. Then I came here straight away, I had no where to else to go." She finished miserably.
Harry rubbed his temples; this was exactly why he had become an Auror: to protect the people he cared about. Fat lot of good that did them. Ginny started to cry. Harry hugged her. She stopped after a minute and wiped her tears.
"Sorry," she mumbled, "I'm overreacting again."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"No your not," he said warmly. Ginny smiled and took her hair out and let her dark ginger hair fall past her shoulders.
"I have to escape Harry," she said looking at him intently. "I have an idea but you're not going to like it."
Harry heard it and he didn't like it.
*
Draco Malfoy sat in a chair staring into the fire nursing his injures. It wasn't just his jaw that was bruised. The fact she had got away was bad enough. Planning ahead wasn't a virtue that he possessed. He hadn't counted on her fighting - he didn't realise that Ginny Potter was so feisty; she obviously had found some confidence since he last saw her.
He snatched the ice pack off a house elf that had just brought to him. He placed it on his jawbone taking a sharp intake of breath when it touched his skin. It was going to hurt in the morning. If only he knew some healing charms - as far as he knew, only his mother knew them and he wasn't going to ask her for anything.
He wondered where she was now, probably with Potter; she had nowhere else to go. He had personally killed her parents and her older brother Percy. Also, he had it on good authority that her brothers weren't talking much to her. She had no friends at Hogwarts that were still alive; they were foolish enough to annoy him. Not even Creevy was spared.
He smirked. It was only a matter of time before she cracked.
Then it faded slightly; what if she didn't? What if she moved in with Potter? He groaned. He should have stayed in the flat; she would have to come back eventually. If it was only for clean clothes.
Draco stood up and yelled for a house elf. One came almost at once running to keep up with him as he headed towards the door.
"Don't bother making dinner, I might be out all night," he ordered as he strode a little faster.
"Yes sir," it squeaked "We is not making any food for you tonight." Draco stopped and looked down on him.
"Tell all visitors to come back tomorrow and save all owls," He scowled down at it "Got that?"
The house elf nodded fiercely,
"Yes sir," Draco grinned
"Good," his grin gone now "Don't wait up," he said just before he apparated.
*
Harry was pacing up and down the room and Ginny was watching him with a worried expression on her face. She had now had finished her coffee and Harry had got though five. His cups littered the table and packets of sugar were strewn across the room.
"Okay, let me get this straight," he started "You want me to pretend you killed yourself while you bugger of to Manchester to start a new life, new name and every thing!"
Ginny nodded smiling obviously thinking Harry thought it was good idea. Harry collapsed onto the chair next to Ginny and ran his fingers through his hair. He wouldn't have though it possible but he was more stressed now than when he was when he took his O.W.L.'s.
Ginny saw his exasperated face,
"Harry look at me,"
Harry looked at her unwillingly but he couldn't break eye contact with her when he saw her. It was something to do with those eyes, so intense and caring at the same time. Ginny held his hand and spoke to him,
"Harry, I have to," she looked deeper into his eyes "Can you think of another way? Please do it, do it for me."
Harry was powerless to say no.
"Alright then," then quickly, just in case his secretary was listening, he whispered in her ear, "Go to my place, Ron or Hermione won't be up, go into my bedroom and go on the internet," Ginny nodded she was surprised that Harry said 'yes'
"Search for jobs and houses in Manchester - you'll need somewhere Muggle," Harry stood up and continued, "I'll go to your place and get some of your things."
Ginny stood up wondering whether to laugh or cry so she just hugged Harry, Harry gingerly hugged her back. She kissed him on the cheek,
"Thank-you," she whispered in his ear before she disapparated. Harry sighed and apparated to Ginny's flat two miles away.
*
Harry arrived in the flat; it was dark. The curtains had been drawn and none of the lights were on. Harry picked up a chair that was on the floor and switched the light on.
On a chair opposite Harry sat Draco Malfoy, his wand pointed right at him.
"Where's Weasley you Muggle filth," he spat. Harry smiled, Malfoy didn't know who he was and he thought he was a Muggle because he had come through the front door.
Harry grinned and apparated right next to him snatched his wand and threw it across the room.
"Don't you recognise a old school chum Ferret?" He whispered.
Draco froze and narrowed his eyes and looked up at Harry,
"Potter?" Harry grinned evilly down at him, "Where's Weasley?"
Harry sat down on the chair opposite and aimed his wand at his old school enemy,
"Funny you should ask that," he said, 'Ah well' he thought 'might as well start with Malfoy'
"She's killed herself," he continued pretending to look angry and grieving. Malfoy scowled, now he had no way of getting Potter.
"Excuse me I've got to collect her things,"
Then Harry stunned him. He wasn't worth an Askanban jail cell but he couldn't arrest him, he didn't have his license on him. Many cases had been lost against Deatheater because the Aurors were supposed to be on duty.
Ten minutes later Harry had clothes, make-up, photos, books, soap and other things he thought she could use.
He stepped over Malfoy and placed a charm on him so that would make him wake up in a few minutes.
Harry smiled as he wrote a note on a bit of scrap parchment,
Send the Deatheaters my love
*
Six weeks later Ginny couldn't believe she had got away with it, no one questioned Harry and no Deatheaters had been her way.
She was now Paige Raven, dark brown haired, confident, sophisticated and very popular at work. Ginny smiled, no one would recognise her now, she had brought some glasses that had no strength and brought contacts to change her eye colour.
She had broken every tie with her past life. She lived completely as a Muggle but carried a wand around with her just in case she needed it. She had only used it once when she was robbed and all that should be said is that the culprits woke up with a bad headache in their cells.
Only one thing kept her tied her back to the wizarding world, apart from the wand I mean, it was the picture of Harry she kept. It was taken in Paris; Harry had taken her there when he heard she got the second highest number of O.W.L.'s (after Hermione of course).
Ginny sighed and looked out of her window. She was in her apartment that used to be a cotton mill; she loved it up here. It was the highest building around and she was on the top floor. She looked out of the window and gazed at the blocks of flats, shops, schools and the odd church.
She sighed happily, this felt like home.
*
Harry had moved out after Ginny had left, he didn't want Ron and Hermione getting hurt as well. He was a coward really; he packed his bags and left a note instead of telling them face to face - they were his speciality after- all. That and running.
He now lived in a small two bed roomed apartment that used to be a small mansion before in was converted into lots of apartments or offices, and he had the top one. He was now in the West end, a two-hour drive from the suburbs where he used to live.
He sighed as he looked out of his window. He sipped his coffee, black, two sugars, and wondered where Ginny was and what her name was.
Present Day:
That was a long time ago now and Harry only thought of her when he had a moment to himself, before he was just about to fall asleep or when he was in the shower. He wondered what kind of job she had, what colour her hair was and what her name was.
It was December 22nd and it was seven o'clock and pitch black outside. Harry was getting ready to go and do some Christmas shopping after dinner. He put the cheese and bread under the grill; this was going to take FOREVER. It was a crapy electric one he found installed here and he hadn't got the money for a new one.
He sat on the window gazing out into the darkness and watching the moon sliding out of a cloud and wondered if Ginny could see it.
Little did he know that a girl with dark brown hair and glasses was leaning against a hedge watching Harry. She threw her cigarette on the ground and walked across to Harry's door.
A/N: Soz that dragged on a bit but I had to get it all in one chapter.
PLEASE REVIEW!
Note: I decided to finally re-write it. There is some stuff that I might be adding in, I'm not sure yet, that I forgot to put in first time around. And I took out all those annoying A/N comments (I was young and childish). But if this story is new to you, I hope you enjoy!
Prologue - Deatheaters Visit
Two years previously:
Harry was out of bed early today. His alarm clock on the small, bedside table was flashing half past nine in the morning - it was supposed to be his weekend off. The first holiday in weeks and the first morning in months where he'd woken up from a nightmare, jolting up, almost falling out of his bed.
At the moment, he was looking out of the window, letting his eyes scan over the houses and shops in front of him. There was the noise of muffled traffic and the far off hum of the city before he closed his window quietly so he did wake the others.
Ron's snoring came filtering through the walls a few seconds after the window was shut. Harry smiled. He was used to the constant sound having spent six years sleeping in the same dormitory as Ron at Hogwarts. But Hermione, who had the room furthest away from Ron's, still wasn't used to it. She didn't want to hurt his feelings so put a Muffling Charm around her room.
Harry was sworn to secrecy not to tell Ron by her.
He yawned absent-mindedly, stretched and grabbed a shirt, trousers and some socks on his way to the bathroom for a shower. Despite Ron and Hermione always yelling at him for moaning about work, he thought he might go in for a couple of hours today. There was nothing else to do. If he stayed, Hermione might drag him into doing some gardening in the afternoon.
*
After his shower he sorted out his eyes, he had to put a temporary charm on them to sort out his sight, and got changed. He was just doing paper work to day so he didn't bother with uniform. He pulled on his light brown trousers and did the buttons up on his blue shirt, apart from the top two. He chucked the shirt he had slept in the laundry basket and ran down stairs.
He made himself some toast and switched the television on flicking around to see if there was anything else but children's programmes on. There were some advantages of living in the Muggle world - toasters and biro pens for one.
Harry wrote Ron and Hermione a note like he always did while he ate his toast getting crumbs all over the page. He frowned and wiped the letter, which only got buttery stains all over the note. Harry was just about to write another when he noticed the time; he was supposed to be in half an hour ago.
"Shit," he swore to himself. Then apparated leaving the pen in mid air before it dropped onto the wooden floor.
*
Harry arrived at the office before his superior arrived, only just though. He walked past his secretary who passed him his work, and some owls from the Ministry. She quietly informed him that someone was waiting in his office for him.
Harry muttered darkly to himself as he opened his door. He couldn't see who was there; the papers were piled up so high they blocked his vision. He dumped the papers on his desk in the 'IN' box. Harry glanced at the 'OUT' box- it was a bit empty.
He turned round and smiled at whoever was standing at the other side of the office.
It was Ginny Weasley. Harry was used to popping in on her way back from work but she looked different. She never came in the mornings - Harry doubted if she was ever up on Saturday mornings all. Her face was pale and her arms were straight and rigid, and her hands were clutching each other tightly.
"What's up Gin," he asked gently as he shut the door behind. Ginny looked like she was going was going to cry and she was blinking a lot. Harry passed her a coffee,
"Here," he said offering it to her "Black. Two sugars. Just the way you like it. Have a seat."
Ginny gave a feeble smile of thanks. She cupped the mug in her hands and sat down slowly. Harry sat on the chair next to hers. She wasn't saying anything just staring into space and sipping her coffee every so often. Harry knew something really bad had happened, maybe someone had died or was very ill or.
"Harry," Ginny's little voice interrupted his train of thoughts, Harry looked into her frightened eyes, "They're after me,"
Harry frowned, somewhere in the back of is mind he had figured it out but the rest hadn't.
"Who are?" he asked softly. Ginny looked down at the bubbles in her coffee pop and after a minute she whispered in a barely audible voice,
"Malfoy. the Deatheaters.Voldermort,"
All the blood in his body froze; it was impossible. Ginny was living in the Muggle world in a flat in the middle of London. How did Malfoy know?
Ginny seeing Harry's face continued, a little louder this time,
"I was tidying up the flat and the buzzer went on the intercom thing," her breathing was shallow now but Harry knew she would feel better when she got it out,
"I answered it and it was Draco's face on the screen, I was too shocked to hang up. He said 'We've come to pay you a little visit Weasley' and then I looked round and saw the other Deatheaters appear, I screamed and the last thing I heard was Malfoy laughing and then they grabbed me."
She looked fraught and looked at Harry who smiled kindly, not knowing what else to do. There was nothing else he could do. If he old her what he really thought so far (You're buggered), it would have helped.
"Go on," he prompted. Ginny took a deep breath to steady her self before she carried on,
"I started kicking and I think I bit one them," she smiled briefly "Then Draco appeared in front of me grinning. He started talking to me." She stopped again and looked up from her drink, "They wanted to use me to get at you."
Harry shifted on his chair; it was pretty common knowledge that Harry was a close friend to Ginny Weasley
"I couldn't stand it anymore, I told him the whole place was covered with cameras and he just laughed and aimed his wand at one and blew it up. I was desperate now so I wiggled free and slapped him right in his ferret face," she took a moment to calm down, Harry waited patiently for her to continue.
"He took hold of me and whispered in my ear 'I'm sure Potter wouldn't notice if you where hurt a little' that was when I punched him and ran outside and apparated. Then I came here straight away, I had no where to else to go." She finished miserably.
Harry rubbed his temples; this was exactly why he had become an Auror: to protect the people he cared about. Fat lot of good that did them. Ginny started to cry. Harry hugged her. She stopped after a minute and wiped her tears.
"Sorry," she mumbled, "I'm overreacting again."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"No your not," he said warmly. Ginny smiled and took her hair out and let her dark ginger hair fall past her shoulders.
"I have to escape Harry," she said looking at him intently. "I have an idea but you're not going to like it."
Harry heard it and he didn't like it.
*
Draco Malfoy sat in a chair staring into the fire nursing his injures. It wasn't just his jaw that was bruised. The fact she had got away was bad enough. Planning ahead wasn't a virtue that he possessed. He hadn't counted on her fighting - he didn't realise that Ginny Potter was so feisty; she obviously had found some confidence since he last saw her.
He snatched the ice pack off a house elf that had just brought to him. He placed it on his jawbone taking a sharp intake of breath when it touched his skin. It was going to hurt in the morning. If only he knew some healing charms - as far as he knew, only his mother knew them and he wasn't going to ask her for anything.
He wondered where she was now, probably with Potter; she had nowhere else to go. He had personally killed her parents and her older brother Percy. Also, he had it on good authority that her brothers weren't talking much to her. She had no friends at Hogwarts that were still alive; they were foolish enough to annoy him. Not even Creevy was spared.
He smirked. It was only a matter of time before she cracked.
Then it faded slightly; what if she didn't? What if she moved in with Potter? He groaned. He should have stayed in the flat; she would have to come back eventually. If it was only for clean clothes.
Draco stood up and yelled for a house elf. One came almost at once running to keep up with him as he headed towards the door.
"Don't bother making dinner, I might be out all night," he ordered as he strode a little faster.
"Yes sir," it squeaked "We is not making any food for you tonight." Draco stopped and looked down on him.
"Tell all visitors to come back tomorrow and save all owls," He scowled down at it "Got that?"
The house elf nodded fiercely,
"Yes sir," Draco grinned
"Good," his grin gone now "Don't wait up," he said just before he apparated.
*
Harry was pacing up and down the room and Ginny was watching him with a worried expression on her face. She had now had finished her coffee and Harry had got though five. His cups littered the table and packets of sugar were strewn across the room.
"Okay, let me get this straight," he started "You want me to pretend you killed yourself while you bugger of to Manchester to start a new life, new name and every thing!"
Ginny nodded smiling obviously thinking Harry thought it was good idea. Harry collapsed onto the chair next to Ginny and ran his fingers through his hair. He wouldn't have though it possible but he was more stressed now than when he was when he took his O.W.L.'s.
Ginny saw his exasperated face,
"Harry look at me,"
Harry looked at her unwillingly but he couldn't break eye contact with her when he saw her. It was something to do with those eyes, so intense and caring at the same time. Ginny held his hand and spoke to him,
"Harry, I have to," she looked deeper into his eyes "Can you think of another way? Please do it, do it for me."
Harry was powerless to say no.
"Alright then," then quickly, just in case his secretary was listening, he whispered in her ear, "Go to my place, Ron or Hermione won't be up, go into my bedroom and go on the internet," Ginny nodded she was surprised that Harry said 'yes'
"Search for jobs and houses in Manchester - you'll need somewhere Muggle," Harry stood up and continued, "I'll go to your place and get some of your things."
Ginny stood up wondering whether to laugh or cry so she just hugged Harry, Harry gingerly hugged her back. She kissed him on the cheek,
"Thank-you," she whispered in his ear before she disapparated. Harry sighed and apparated to Ginny's flat two miles away.
*
Harry arrived in the flat; it was dark. The curtains had been drawn and none of the lights were on. Harry picked up a chair that was on the floor and switched the light on.
On a chair opposite Harry sat Draco Malfoy, his wand pointed right at him.
"Where's Weasley you Muggle filth," he spat. Harry smiled, Malfoy didn't know who he was and he thought he was a Muggle because he had come through the front door.
Harry grinned and apparated right next to him snatched his wand and threw it across the room.
"Don't you recognise a old school chum Ferret?" He whispered.
Draco froze and narrowed his eyes and looked up at Harry,
"Potter?" Harry grinned evilly down at him, "Where's Weasley?"
Harry sat down on the chair opposite and aimed his wand at his old school enemy,
"Funny you should ask that," he said, 'Ah well' he thought 'might as well start with Malfoy'
"She's killed herself," he continued pretending to look angry and grieving. Malfoy scowled, now he had no way of getting Potter.
"Excuse me I've got to collect her things,"
Then Harry stunned him. He wasn't worth an Askanban jail cell but he couldn't arrest him, he didn't have his license on him. Many cases had been lost against Deatheater because the Aurors were supposed to be on duty.
Ten minutes later Harry had clothes, make-up, photos, books, soap and other things he thought she could use.
He stepped over Malfoy and placed a charm on him so that would make him wake up in a few minutes.
Harry smiled as he wrote a note on a bit of scrap parchment,
Send the Deatheaters my love
*
Six weeks later Ginny couldn't believe she had got away with it, no one questioned Harry and no Deatheaters had been her way.
She was now Paige Raven, dark brown haired, confident, sophisticated and very popular at work. Ginny smiled, no one would recognise her now, she had brought some glasses that had no strength and brought contacts to change her eye colour.
She had broken every tie with her past life. She lived completely as a Muggle but carried a wand around with her just in case she needed it. She had only used it once when she was robbed and all that should be said is that the culprits woke up with a bad headache in their cells.
Only one thing kept her tied her back to the wizarding world, apart from the wand I mean, it was the picture of Harry she kept. It was taken in Paris; Harry had taken her there when he heard she got the second highest number of O.W.L.'s (after Hermione of course).
Ginny sighed and looked out of her window. She was in her apartment that used to be a cotton mill; she loved it up here. It was the highest building around and she was on the top floor. She looked out of the window and gazed at the blocks of flats, shops, schools and the odd church.
She sighed happily, this felt like home.
*
Harry had moved out after Ginny had left, he didn't want Ron and Hermione getting hurt as well. He was a coward really; he packed his bags and left a note instead of telling them face to face - they were his speciality after- all. That and running.
He now lived in a small two bed roomed apartment that used to be a small mansion before in was converted into lots of apartments or offices, and he had the top one. He was now in the West end, a two-hour drive from the suburbs where he used to live.
He sighed as he looked out of his window. He sipped his coffee, black, two sugars, and wondered where Ginny was and what her name was.
Present Day:
That was a long time ago now and Harry only thought of her when he had a moment to himself, before he was just about to fall asleep or when he was in the shower. He wondered what kind of job she had, what colour her hair was and what her name was.
It was December 22nd and it was seven o'clock and pitch black outside. Harry was getting ready to go and do some Christmas shopping after dinner. He put the cheese and bread under the grill; this was going to take FOREVER. It was a crapy electric one he found installed here and he hadn't got the money for a new one.
He sat on the window gazing out into the darkness and watching the moon sliding out of a cloud and wondered if Ginny could see it.
Little did he know that a girl with dark brown hair and glasses was leaning against a hedge watching Harry. She threw her cigarette on the ground and walked across to Harry's door.
A/N: Soz that dragged on a bit but I had to get it all in one chapter.
PLEASE REVIEW!