Disclaimer: I don't intend to infringe on any copyright laws, I just want to exercise my freedom of speech.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Ginny thought that it was a lot farther to the castle than she remembered but it gave her time to get used to gliding in the air. All she had to do was will her herself to move one way and she did. She reached up to touch the ankh that she always wore on her throat, but her hand met her neck and her necklace wasn't there. It was odd, she was wearing all the other clothing that she had been when she was dying. They reached the top and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley blasted the mirror out of place to let the baby through. Once everyone had passed, however, the mirror restored itself, looking like it had never been broken.

            Madam Pomphrey was summoned hurriedly through the fireplace (Hermione lit one of her famous blue fires) and she set to work immediately to try and save the baby. Well, immediately after she had gotten over the three bodies on stretchers that lay in a line in the corner of the room. Draco sat, perched on one of the high windows. Through the window the light streamed in, lighting his silver self in a golden glow. His leg hung down as he sat lost in thoughts that she didn't know. She wanted to clear them away and reach him but the thoughts blanketed him and she knew he was comforted. Ginny floated lower.

            "I have quite a few questions to ask you all," Dumbledore began once Madam Pomphrey had started to work, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at her side. "That includes you, Draco." Draco looked up from the window and floated down after Ginny. Watching him, Ginny didn't think he looked all that different – he was naturally pale, after all – except she could see through him. She reached for him, expecting him to feel cold to her because of his silver coloring, and was surprised that he didn't. He felt normal, as if they had never been removed from the mortal world and were still breathing. It was probably because they were in the same world now, one where they couldn't die, and nearly nothing could remove them from the mortal world. It was a bit depressing to think that you would watch everyone you care about die. At least she would see her baby grow. Wickedly, she wondered if she would be able to have sex with Draco, and if they did would they reproduce. Would they have ghost babies?

            "First, I have a few questions about Miss Chang…what made her go after you?"

            "Well, Dumbledore, erm…we were…dating and she didn't appreciate it when I broke up with her and then she found out I broke up with her because of Ginny…she was furious." Ginny took his hand between hers and gave him a gentle squeeze. "When she found out about the baby, Cho decided to strike back at not only me but also Ginny. When she told me…I couldn't help it. I was angry." Draco gripped Ginny's hand harder.

            "I do not blame you, Draco, for Miss Chang's death. She would have been sentenced to worse had you not killed her." Dumbledore sighed slightly, before conituning in a voice so softly, Draco could barely hear him. "I never like it when the young are corrupted."

            "She talked to me, before she died. She said she was sad and she felt very alone. I think she wanted someone to like her for who she was, not because she had a pretty face or was a good f– a good listener. She mentioned Cedric, and Harry." Dumbledore, who had previously been staring at a point on the wall, an expression of responsibility etched into his face, turned to look at Draco with a kind smile that didn't light his eyes.

"I understand. I knew Cedric's death would be hard on her, and Harry was the only one to see him die so naturally she was very confused about Harry. I just underestimated how hard it was." Dumbledore folded his hands, his eyes a bland gray, pausing as if to preserve the moment in remembrance of Cho. "But for every child that makes the wrong choice, there is one who makes a right choice and often the right choice is more difficult to make." He smoothed his robes, standing before them looking gently imperious.

"I am going to make your deaths look like an accident. Not many know about this secret passage, and that it is caved in, and those that do are trustworthy and will not object to my explanation that you all died in the passage. Your mother is safe, Draco. Her death has been staged in the same manner, only this time the body – or rather the Gingerbread Man – is too mangled to be recognized. We–"

            "Professor Dumbledore," Madame Pomphrey interrupted, "This baby is too young to be in a stasis sphere for long and survive without lasting damage. With your permission, I'd like to speed up the natural process. We'll need some Strengthening Solution from Severus and Minerva's time turner."

"I'll get it," Mr. Weasley offered and he took a pinch of Floo Powder before stepping into the fire. Dumbledore nodded before turning to face them once more.

"Now I suppose I have to ask what you want to do now."

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, still holding Draco's hand.

"More specifically I am wondering how much we should tell your father, Draco. Do you want him to know about the baby? Or that you are now a ghost?"

"I…haven't thought about it."

"Your father will no doubt be…distraught that both his son and wife have died." Draco snorted.

"I suppose the question I want to ask is: is there anything I can do for the Order now that I'm a ghost?"

"You mean you still want to be a spy?" Ginny said, half-incredulously, half in awe.

"I want to get rid of the Dark Lord. The sooner he's gone, the sooner everyone can stop worrying about him. I can't think of any way he can harm me now; I can't die again."

"You're right, Draco. There aren't many restraints he can put on you now that you are a ghost. Most likely you will be used to recruit other ghosts, or maybe for spying. You can become invisible; I'll have Sir Nicholas teach you and Ginny how."

"Thank you," Ginny said, moving closer to Draco. He pulled away and returned to his window seat, contemplating what he would like to do. If he didn't try and fight against Voldemort, the war might go longer than he wanted. Or maybe there would be casualties; maybe Blaise or one of the Weasleys would die. Or even Harry. As much as he hated to admit it, he did believe Harry was the key to the Dark Lord's demise. He didn't like giving Harry too much credit. After all, he was already laden with responsibilities.

Still, he didn't know what he would be getting himself into now. Before, he had some idea of what he would do: kill for Voldemort, inform Dumbledore. And most of all he was to be subservient. But would the Dark Lord still have uses for him. Ghosts were not wizards; they didn't have control over much magic. Yes they had special powers, like invisibility, but Draco couldn't cast a spell and until he learned he wouldn't be able to affect objects in the physical world. He couldn't interact with the spiritual world either. He was trapped in the physical world and wouldn't ever leave it. And what did a little time matter anyways? He was going to live forever.

Except he wasn't living. And while people only came into where he was, the physical world was filled with comings and goings. He would risk their lives by not helping. And Voldemort wouldn't be able to control him. Hell, he could walk through walls!

With his mind made up, he glided back down. "I'll do it. I'll become a spy." Dumbledore smiled.

"Good. To further your mother's protection, we will train her to become an Animagus so that she can venture out on occasion. And we will take care of the baby, keeping it at headquarters. Ginny, would you like to haunt there?"

"I think I would, but not immediately, or at least not unless one of the Hogwarts ghosts comes with me. I'd like to learn to use my powers as quickly as possible."

"Very well, I will ask Sir Nicholas if he would not mind leaving the castle for a few months. You'll have to train Draco in the moments he can get away from Voldemort." Ginny smiled. The fire in the corner roared and Mr. Weasley stepped out of it, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape following quickly behind him. Professor McGonagall stopped when she saw Ginny and Draco floating before her. Professor Snape knocked her forward a few steps as he stepped out of the fire, but she didn't chastise him or acknowledge his apology. She was too busy staring.

"What happened?"

"They died," Ron said simply. Hermione glared at him.

"I can see that, but how?" Hairs escaped her severe bun, as if sensing her frustration and running away before they were pulled back into severity.

"To make a long story short, Cho poisoned them. Draco killed Cho accidentally before they died. Ginny was pregnant and Madam Pomphrey's trying to save the baby. Maybe we should focus on that before we tell the story," Blaise explained, struggling not to laugh. Professor McGonagall looked flustered, something she never was. Harry moved closer to the Professor just in case she fainted.

"Yes, yes, of course," she pulled the hairs back and tucked them neatly before striding over help Madam Pomphrey. Her usual composure returned as she helped Madam Pomphrey pour Strengthening Solution into the umbilical cord. Professor Snape leaned against a wall, watching. Draco knew he felt completely out of place – Draco himself had once felt like that – and he slid over to him.

"So you're dead?"

"Yeah." Professor Snape and he had never really had an affinity; Lucius had warned Draco to stay away. Now they were in a similar situation since they were both spies, but the similarities ended there. Snape bore the mark of his master, Draco did not. Draco was pale, Snape had dark hair. Draco was born into a reputable family, Snape was not. Despite this, Draco had only received kindness from Snape, and encouragement. That was probably why Draco had always worked hard in potions class; he liked Snape's character and was treated fairly by him. He wasn't judged by his past, he was judged by his substance, and that was more influential than any showering of gifts could ever be.

            "You're lucky, you won't ever feel the burn of the Dark Mark."

"I suppose. I'm still going to help, though."

"I didn't expect you not to." Draco scrutinized the potions teacher. He had this air of dangerous nonchalance, like he didn't care about anything, except he cared about everything and you didn't know what would set him off. Draco felt like he owed something to the Professor, he just didn't know what. Before he had figured it out, Draco was called over by Madam Pomphrey. Ginny was already there, standing by the floating fetus. Two chains of gold lay around its neck, one was a time turner whose bottom Professor McGonagoll was turning with her wand and the other was the ankh. Madam Pomphrey continued to pour the solution as the baby changed and grew before their eyes.

"STOP!" Madam Pomphrey shouted. Professor McGonagall stopped turning the time turner and Madam Pomphrey had stopped pouring the solution. Unfortunately, Hermione stopped hovering the fetus and it began to fall. Draco watched, almost as if time slowed before his eyes, as it fell and reached forward to catch it. The fetus slipped through his fingers, quite literally and he heard Ginny gasp beside him. Harry, aided by a seekers reflexes, darted through Ginny to catch the baby and succeeded, landing on his back and sliding a meter on the floor. Hermione let out the breath she had been holding.

"Sorry," she apologized, smiling sheepishly. On the floor, Harry began to laugh. Everyone turned to see why. The baby had fallen asleep and drooled on his stomach. Everyone else joined in. A baby was supposed to cry after having just been dropped, not fall asleep. Startled, the baby awoke and did the expected; it began to cry. Blaise dropped to her knees beside Harry and took the baby from his arms to rock it. It soon fell asleep again and began to drool. Draco was a bit repulsed that his child was a drooler but resisted the urge to rush over and coo over how adorable it was.

"It's a boy," Blaise said quietly, still rocking the baby.

"Well, that settles it them," Ginny said, breaking the silence.

"Settles what?" Draco asked.

"Blaise and Harry are the godparents."

"What? Why aren't Hermione and I?" Ron protested.

"Because you're Uncle Ron, and from the way you two have been acting I'm almost sure Hermione will become a legitimate Aunt Hermione." Hermione blushed.

            Harry tore his gaze from the baby to meet Ginny's.

            "Are you sure about this?" Ginny grinned.

            "Positive."

            "But you won't be taking care of him," Mrs. Weasley interpolated sternly. "You two have no idea how to care for a baby. You'd best leave that to Arthur and myself. And of course Narcissa. At least until you're graduated and settled."

            "Shouldn't a baby stay with his family?" Arthur asked.

"But he will be with family," Molly replied, smiling warmly. The smile that grew on Harry's face was enough to make the coldest heart warm.

"We should name him," Draco said, turning to Ginny again.

"Yes, what do you think is a good name?"

"It has to be latin. It's tradition."

"To hell with tradition."

"No, it has to be latin. The Malfoy child must have enough teasing by his name. It's tradition."

"What is there, a 'Malfoy code of conduct'?"

"No, I had to memorize all the codes of conduct."

"Fine, then tell me what names there are so I can choose."

"I can't just tell you. There are too many."

"Then let's go by meaning."

"Um…I don't know. What sort of meaning would you like?"

"Maybe something about surviving, or being protected."

"Felix…" Dumbledore muttered.

"Pardon?"

"Felix," Dumbledore repeated, "it means lucky."

"Felix…I like that! What do you think Draco?"

"I think it's a good name. Felix it is!"

Ricking back and forth, Felix slept on, snuggled in Blaise's warm arms as he drooled on her sleeve. Goodnight, baby Felix.

            "Why were you in the corridor that night?" Draco and Ginny sat in the window where Ginny had been watching him before. Mrs. Weasley had taken the sleeping Felix and hidden him in Professor McGonagall's office where the once stern teacher watched the baby with a warm hint in the severe line of her mouth. Draco wouldn't see Ginny for a long time, he suspected, and he wasn't sure how to say goodbye.

            "I had lost my necklace and I couldn't find it. I guess I thought I would die without it because it protected me from Tom."

            "Well, you are sort of dead, Ginny. And if you hadn't gotten involved with me, you wouldn't have died."

            "Yes but sort of because I wanted to die, I guess. I was wearing the necklace when I died, but I don't think it was working to save me, in the end. It was trying to save the baby. Maybe it didn't protect me from death by not protecting me from you, but I don't want it to protect me from you. I love you, Draco. When you were dying, I was so afraid of losing you I sort of asked to get the chance to save you and I got it. I'm still with you and even through I couldn't bring you back to normal, we'll be with each other forever and I won't lose you ever. I can't lose you." Her pulled her close, folding her into his arms and holding him tightly.

            "You're not the only one who cares in this relationship, you know." She nodded against his shoulder. "I love you too."

            "MY WIFE AND MY SON ARE DEAD!?!" If Mr. Malfoy was angry then ice isn't cold. Mr. Malfoy was spitting-fire, adrenaline-filled, knashing-teeth, furious.

            "I'm still here, father." Draco said, floating towards his father from the corner where he had been hiding. Mr. Malfoy whirled around to face him, he anger not cooled by his son's presence.

            "You're still dead. Come Draco, we have people waiting."

            "As you wish." Mr. Malfoy stalked off, a house elf hovering Draco's trunk before him. Draco had told Dumbledore to remove a few items from the box; they were now hidden in Ginny's trunk. Mr. and Mrs. Zambini followed and Blaise trailed after them, dragging her trunk with her head held high. She didn't so much as wink as she passed Harry and Draco could sense his hurt and understood it. Even if he knew it was pretended, it still hurt to be snubbed by the one you loved.

            As they exited the school, Draco looked back once more. The snow-edged stones held together by magic hid the place where he had found love from view.

~~~~~

I'm not going to respond to any of the reviews this time, but I appreciate all of them. Seriously I do. It makes me happy that you like my story. It seems like I've been writing this chapter forever, but I think I've finally got it. Endings are so hard to write, especially since I've left so many loose ends. I know it's taken me an incredibly long time to update; I've been busy with dance and websites and writing my other stories. Also to anyone who'd like an alternative ending where Ginny and Draco do not die, tough luck. Unlike Dickens, I am not going to rewrite my baby because of opposition. Personally I like Dickens' originally ending of "Great Expectations" better. I hope you don't hate me because of it.

I've named the Blaise/Harry story "In the Eye of the Basilisk". It's going to be a parallel fic but also continue on to be a sequel. I won't get to writing the sequel bit for a while because I have to do all the parallel stuff first (which won't be twelve chapters, I promise) but if you'd like me to e-mail you once I start writing the sequel bit, review and leave me your e-mail and I'll put you on my list. So that's my plug for that. I also have a new Ginny/Draco fic, "Captivating", which I've talked about some. Both of the first chapters for each story are up.

And finally the moment you've all been waiting for: the location of my NC-17. It's in Cat Scratches ( h t t p : / / w w w . a n g e l f i r e . c o m / p o e t r y / c a t s c r a t c h e s / i n d e x . h t m l), my site that houses all my fiction. Remove the spaces. I won't give you a direct link to the chapter because my hit counter's on the main page and in order for me to keep track of all my visitors, you'll have to go to the main page first. Sorry for any inconvenience but it'll be like a test for who's worthy of my smut, lol. Those who want the sex have to work for it, like in life.

Oh, and so many of you have been on my case about the shadows, and I don't think I made it clear in my last chapter: Cho was the one shadow in silent fury.

It's been a long, rocky road and all I can say is: hallelujah!