Disclaimer: Thanks to my friend Stacy (mysterywriter) I got this idea. So,
hopefully, it isn't too hard to follow. It all belongs to J. K. Rowling,
except the part me and Stacy thought up.
************************************************************************
Chapter 9: The Definition of Love
Ginny stayed up most of that night, wondering how she was going to lead the Death Eaters to victory. How was she going to fight against the only people she'd ever trusted? And now, she had to trust and depend on all of the people she had feared her whole life. Ginny didn't know what to do, and decided to ask the only person who she felt she could trust at the time.
"Hey, Draco?" Ginny asked him the next day as they were walking through the garden.
"Yea?" Draco answered, glancing up at Ginny before he focused back at the ground in front of him.
"I was just wondering..." Ginny started, trying to find the right words that wouldn't be offensive. "Who... who do you trust?"
Draco paused for a few moments, and Ginny felt her stomach tighten.
"Well, no one, I guess." He said. Ginny glanced up at him with a curious look on her face. Draco sighed and ran his fingers through his blonde hair. "When you're a Malfoy, there's no such thing as trust."
"But, I mean, if you had the choice of which side you'd give your life for, which would it be?" Ginny asked.
"Neither." Draco said firmly. Ginny sighed in annoyance.
"You know, you're not making this any easier for me." She said, glaring at Draco.
"Why do you want to know anyways?" He asked.
"It's just... I'm going to be leading this army into battle, and I don't even know if I can trust that they'll obey my orders." Ginny sighed. A wave of embarrassment swept over her when she found that tears were stinging the corners of her eyes. She quickly pulled herself together.
"Well, that's the thing about dark wizards." Draco began, not noticing that Ginny was fighting back her emotions. "Once they cross over onto the dark side, killing people is like a daily ordeal. You don't give it a second thought. So every feeling of love and compassion is gone."
"So there's no guarantee that they'll follow our orders?" Ginny asked, defeat becoming very clear in her future.
"Not unless they're absolutely terrified of you." Draco answered.
"And how would I do that?"
"Kill someone." Draco said simply. "In front of all of the Death Eaters."
Ginny remained silent, not believing that this was happening to her. She could never kill someone. No matter how much of Voldemort's blood was in her, she would never be like him.
Draco and Ginny settled under a large willow tree. Draco rested his back against the trunk of the tree, and Ginny sat in between his legs, both watching the sun go down.
"How am I suppose to start a battle for something I don't even care about?" Ginny asked, breaking the semi-comfortable silence.
"I'll be there with you the whole time." Draco whispered into her ear, wrapping his arms around her stomach. Ginny smiled as he rested his chin on her shoulder. She turned her head to look at him, and he caught her lips.
It was the most amazing thing Ginny had ever experienced. Much better then the first, because she didn't have the butterflies in her stomach. There seemed to be an electricity that generated from his lips, and went into hers. Her arms fit perfectly around his neck, and his body was like the missing puzzle piece to hers.
When Draco finally broke the kiss, both were breathing heavily. Ginny tilted her head so that their foreheads were touching, and she couldn't seem to stop smiling.
"I love you." Draco whispered. Ginny was suddenly felt like she was being pushed into the cold December waters of reality. She immediately moved her head away from his, and bent back as far as his arms would let her; he still had his arms wrapped around her waist. Ginny focused on the ground, but that didn't stop Draco from noticing that she looked rather nervous and still hadn't given a verbal response to his confession.
"What's... what's wrong?" Draco asked, looking both confused and frustrated.
"Ummm... it's just...." Ginny stuttered, staring at the grass as if afraid that her guilt would show through her eyes.
"Do... do you love me?" Draco asked quietly. Ginny's head snapped up to face his.
"Yes." She said quickly, then reconsidered. "Well... I... I donno."
"How can you not know Ginny?" Draco asked angrily, standing up so that she was off of his lap, making her fall to the ground. "It's a yes or no question."
"It's harder then that." Ginny said defensively, picking herself off of the ground and standing up. "How can you say that you love me after only a few months?"
"Because love is either there or it's not. If it's love, then there's a spark in the beginning that grows with time. From the moment I talked to you, and I mean *really* talked to you, I knew."
"How do you know what love is?" Ginny asked stubbornly.
"No one knows what love is or what it feels like until you've experienced it. It's a feeling you don't get with other people." Draco explained, a sign of annoyance in his voice.
"I don't even know if love exists." Ginny muttered.
"How dense can you be?" Draco asked harshly. Ginny opened her mouth to retort, but he cut her off. "Love is everywhere, Ginny. Maybe if you stopped being so self-obsessed, you'd notice it."
Ginny looked as if Draco had just slapped her across the face. Her mouth was hanging open and she had a look of great disgust and surprise on her face.
"Maybe if you listened to why I don't believe in love, you'd understand." Ginny said, her wet eyes shining in the moonlight. Draco stayed silent, so she continued. "Voldemort, who claims to care about me, takes away the only source of love I have, and forces me to do things for people I've feared my whole life." She hung her head for a few moments. "I can't tell you that I love you because I'm afraid of love."
Draco's anger seemed to have lessened a little, and he took a few steps closer to Ginny.
"I'm afraid that if I tell you how I really feel, then someone will take you away too." Ginny whispered. "And that would just hurt too much." She finally looked up into Draco's eyes, and he could see a few tears shining on her face. "If I tell you that I love you, then that would make it true. And once I've said it, if you left, it would just make the blow that much worse. And I don't think I'm strong enough to take it." Ginny said, her voice cracking as it became harder and harder to control her emotions. Draco wrapped her into a hug and she cried into his shoulder.
"I'm not going anywhere." Draco whispered into her hair. His sincerity just made her cry even harder.
~*~*~*~
Okay, time for thank yous! But before that, I just wanna say sorry for the short chapter! I tried my best to make it long, but that was a loosing battle.
O! and also, if your name is american x dreamer; you asked me to e-mail you when I updated, but the e-mail address you gave me must not be working because it keeps being sent back to me. So, if you read this, please give me your new one, cause scorpio824@aol.com doesn't work. Thanks!
~kneh13- you got your wish! They kissed! And I mean *really* kissed. I hope you liked it!... lol, no there wont be a honeymoon. Although the pits of hell does sound like a lovely place to vacation! Especially for any off spring of Voldemorts. But Draco and Ginny don't have time for honeymoons, they have to start taking over the world (as cliché as that sounds.)
~Stompy-Sanji- haha, thank you so much! I love the energy you put in the review. Yea, it is sad, but I promise a happy ending... kinda. No, the real Ginny didn't come to life. It was just a horrible nightmare.
~arcticshewolf- I can't tell you! I'm sorry. you'll just have to wait and see. Sorry!
~Tsering- Yea, it does suck that Voldie's such a mean person. I wanted to make him all happy and stuff, you know, picking dandelions and putting them in his hair as he skipped merrily along. But I figured that'd be a little out of character.
~sweetstar3- My guess is that Ginny wouldn't tell Voldemort about Lucius threatening her because he would probably just laugh or something. I don't know how his evil brain works. But she probably should mention that Lucius wants the power, and will probably do anything to get it... you'll just have to wait and find out what he does...
~SkysTheLimit- Thank you so much!... I didn't know the egg thing was in Runaway Bride too, that's so cool! I haven't seen that movie in a long time. I think I'm gonna rent it now...
~Herbie- I think I've had that dream too! Except I wasn't kissing someone hunky like Draco... yea, I don't think the 'I love you' Draco added did much for Ginny's worries, as you've read in this chapter. But at least, now, it's all out in the open. Less confusion.
~Straycat1- Omg, I know the sign you're talking about (your tattoo). I have two necklaces with that sign on it! I draw it all over my folders, and, if I ever found the nerve to get a tattoo, it would be that on the left side of my back (really small). I don't watch Charmed very much, but my sister does. She's obsessed. She's very much into the witchy stuff, but, somehow, she doesn't like Harry Potter! I know, hard to believe. Anyways, your tattoo sounds so beautiful, and thanks for reviewing :)
~mallory- That's how you pictured the wedding? Depressing and dark. Yea, I figured it couldn't be the traditional and happy kind when Death Eaters and the Dark Lord are involved. Poor Ginny, tho. Like most girls, she'd been planning her wedding since she was five, and she never got it.
~cashew- I'm not sappy and sentimental either, and I still had the stomach to write this chapter. I know this one is sappy, but I hope you liked it all the same. I promise that you will see the Weasleys in the next chapter.
~Lacy1- lol, no not exactly. I bet someone like-oh, I donno-Pansy would like that wedding. I mean, it had Draco in it, right? And I guess Draco was the only part of the wedding she actually liked.
~perfectchild- I can't guarantee that I'll have more Narcissa, but I'll try. Ginny really seems to be comforted by her, and she'll need that later on. I'm glad you like it so far!
~GirlOfTheBlueFiresOfNever- Thank you! I liked the part where Ginny wonders how many people she'll kill too, but in kind of a sad way. I mean, she's being forced to do it all and everything. I've said this, like, a zillion times, but; poor Ginny!
~ayumi-dono- *glares back* *stops glaring and breaks down in giggles* heehee, glaring contests are fun! I liked you're idea about Draco's POV, but I couldn't fit it in! I'm so sorry. To tell you the truth, I have most of the story all ready written. I just have to fix it up a bit.
~TokyoGal90- Thank you so much! I know, don't you love the Ginny/Draco wedding kiss. The one in this chapter's better I think, though.
~rebekah1- I've always worried about my fluff distribution ability. I mean, sometimes I got way overboard on the 'I love you's and kissing. So thank you so much for saying that I know just when to put the fluff in :) oh! And, about your question about when Ginny will tell Draco she loves him, I donno. Might be never. Sorry!
~Wizzabee- I know, black roses! Roses are pretty in every color except for black. Stupid decorating impaired Death Eaters! I would have thrown a hissy fit as well. Except Voldie would probably hex me till next Thursday, but it'd be worth it!
~Crystal Snowflakes- Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it. I promise to update every week and e-mail you when I do.
~Mac12- They changed your name too?! They changed mine from Nicole to Nicole11. I e-mailed them and they haven't e-mailed back yet, the bastards.- umm, I mean, they're wonderful and pretty and so nice to let me post my stories *smiles widely*
~Bob kitten- OMG, thank you so much! I've never had so many compliments in one review :) You're so nice! I wish I could tell you that neither Draco or Ginny die... but... well... you'll just have to read... and wait... sorry!
~Anyanka2- that is such a good question. I have no idea why I keep having people call Ginny the Dark Lord. Lord is a masculine term. You're so smart! I think it would be Lady. God, look at me, calling myself an educated private school girl. I know nothing! I think I'll go yell at my teachers for not teaching me the feminine form of Lord. Thank you so much!
~cute-crazy-chick1- Thank you! I hope this one was equally cute, if not cuter. But the next one will be anything but cute, just to warn you.
~HPfreak8- "cool.' Thanks...er...again.
~Foags- You're back! Yay! And now we can both wait quietly while Tom gathers some sense and realizes that he must go and search out his true loves. Enter us. Cause, you're right, how can you not love Tom/Draco (seriously, what's the difference)?
~killtheposeurs- If Fishing With Tom Felton was a TV show, I would watch it, tape it, and then watch it again. God, that'd be amazing. Tom, sitting out in the water with his rod-okay, now it's getting dirty. Anyways, thank you. I hope that the twist continues to twist till it looks like a Chinese pretzel on Harbor day... I really need to get some sleep...
~Pink4liz- Thank you! I love the story too. I've named it Quentin and we're going to get married next week. As for the twist; her name is Sally and, although I as well find her rather interesting, I'm afraid she's just not my type... damn it, someone throw me a pillow. Getting up at four in the morning and writing till midnight is not agreeing with my people skills. I'm scaring the reviewers.
~oodles of poodles!- Thanks thanks. Omg, I have to tell you that I love your name. It reminds me of a Gilmore Girls episode (another obsession) where Lorelai says, "Oi with the poodles already." Heehee, I love it.
~jack4- suspense, really? That is so cool, I've never written a story that left people in suspense. I'm definitely adding that one to the résumé.
I appolagize for my insanity in the last couple of thank yous. It's late and my butt really hurts from sitting for so long. ANYWAYS, thanks to everyone who's reviewed this story so far, I am ECSTATIC that I have so many reviews!
And, just to let you guys know, I am going to post the next chapter sooner then usual because this one wasn't very much for the actual drama of the story.
************************************************************************
If you want me to e-mail you when I update, just leave your e-mail address in your review. I'd be happy to do it.
************************************************************************
Chapter 9: The Definition of Love
Ginny stayed up most of that night, wondering how she was going to lead the Death Eaters to victory. How was she going to fight against the only people she'd ever trusted? And now, she had to trust and depend on all of the people she had feared her whole life. Ginny didn't know what to do, and decided to ask the only person who she felt she could trust at the time.
"Hey, Draco?" Ginny asked him the next day as they were walking through the garden.
"Yea?" Draco answered, glancing up at Ginny before he focused back at the ground in front of him.
"I was just wondering..." Ginny started, trying to find the right words that wouldn't be offensive. "Who... who do you trust?"
Draco paused for a few moments, and Ginny felt her stomach tighten.
"Well, no one, I guess." He said. Ginny glanced up at him with a curious look on her face. Draco sighed and ran his fingers through his blonde hair. "When you're a Malfoy, there's no such thing as trust."
"But, I mean, if you had the choice of which side you'd give your life for, which would it be?" Ginny asked.
"Neither." Draco said firmly. Ginny sighed in annoyance.
"You know, you're not making this any easier for me." She said, glaring at Draco.
"Why do you want to know anyways?" He asked.
"It's just... I'm going to be leading this army into battle, and I don't even know if I can trust that they'll obey my orders." Ginny sighed. A wave of embarrassment swept over her when she found that tears were stinging the corners of her eyes. She quickly pulled herself together.
"Well, that's the thing about dark wizards." Draco began, not noticing that Ginny was fighting back her emotions. "Once they cross over onto the dark side, killing people is like a daily ordeal. You don't give it a second thought. So every feeling of love and compassion is gone."
"So there's no guarantee that they'll follow our orders?" Ginny asked, defeat becoming very clear in her future.
"Not unless they're absolutely terrified of you." Draco answered.
"And how would I do that?"
"Kill someone." Draco said simply. "In front of all of the Death Eaters."
Ginny remained silent, not believing that this was happening to her. She could never kill someone. No matter how much of Voldemort's blood was in her, she would never be like him.
Draco and Ginny settled under a large willow tree. Draco rested his back against the trunk of the tree, and Ginny sat in between his legs, both watching the sun go down.
"How am I suppose to start a battle for something I don't even care about?" Ginny asked, breaking the semi-comfortable silence.
"I'll be there with you the whole time." Draco whispered into her ear, wrapping his arms around her stomach. Ginny smiled as he rested his chin on her shoulder. She turned her head to look at him, and he caught her lips.
It was the most amazing thing Ginny had ever experienced. Much better then the first, because she didn't have the butterflies in her stomach. There seemed to be an electricity that generated from his lips, and went into hers. Her arms fit perfectly around his neck, and his body was like the missing puzzle piece to hers.
When Draco finally broke the kiss, both were breathing heavily. Ginny tilted her head so that their foreheads were touching, and she couldn't seem to stop smiling.
"I love you." Draco whispered. Ginny was suddenly felt like she was being pushed into the cold December waters of reality. She immediately moved her head away from his, and bent back as far as his arms would let her; he still had his arms wrapped around her waist. Ginny focused on the ground, but that didn't stop Draco from noticing that she looked rather nervous and still hadn't given a verbal response to his confession.
"What's... what's wrong?" Draco asked, looking both confused and frustrated.
"Ummm... it's just...." Ginny stuttered, staring at the grass as if afraid that her guilt would show through her eyes.
"Do... do you love me?" Draco asked quietly. Ginny's head snapped up to face his.
"Yes." She said quickly, then reconsidered. "Well... I... I donno."
"How can you not know Ginny?" Draco asked angrily, standing up so that she was off of his lap, making her fall to the ground. "It's a yes or no question."
"It's harder then that." Ginny said defensively, picking herself off of the ground and standing up. "How can you say that you love me after only a few months?"
"Because love is either there or it's not. If it's love, then there's a spark in the beginning that grows with time. From the moment I talked to you, and I mean *really* talked to you, I knew."
"How do you know what love is?" Ginny asked stubbornly.
"No one knows what love is or what it feels like until you've experienced it. It's a feeling you don't get with other people." Draco explained, a sign of annoyance in his voice.
"I don't even know if love exists." Ginny muttered.
"How dense can you be?" Draco asked harshly. Ginny opened her mouth to retort, but he cut her off. "Love is everywhere, Ginny. Maybe if you stopped being so self-obsessed, you'd notice it."
Ginny looked as if Draco had just slapped her across the face. Her mouth was hanging open and she had a look of great disgust and surprise on her face.
"Maybe if you listened to why I don't believe in love, you'd understand." Ginny said, her wet eyes shining in the moonlight. Draco stayed silent, so she continued. "Voldemort, who claims to care about me, takes away the only source of love I have, and forces me to do things for people I've feared my whole life." She hung her head for a few moments. "I can't tell you that I love you because I'm afraid of love."
Draco's anger seemed to have lessened a little, and he took a few steps closer to Ginny.
"I'm afraid that if I tell you how I really feel, then someone will take you away too." Ginny whispered. "And that would just hurt too much." She finally looked up into Draco's eyes, and he could see a few tears shining on her face. "If I tell you that I love you, then that would make it true. And once I've said it, if you left, it would just make the blow that much worse. And I don't think I'm strong enough to take it." Ginny said, her voice cracking as it became harder and harder to control her emotions. Draco wrapped her into a hug and she cried into his shoulder.
"I'm not going anywhere." Draco whispered into her hair. His sincerity just made her cry even harder.
~*~*~*~
Okay, time for thank yous! But before that, I just wanna say sorry for the short chapter! I tried my best to make it long, but that was a loosing battle.
O! and also, if your name is american x dreamer; you asked me to e-mail you when I updated, but the e-mail address you gave me must not be working because it keeps being sent back to me. So, if you read this, please give me your new one, cause scorpio824@aol.com doesn't work. Thanks!
~kneh13- you got your wish! They kissed! And I mean *really* kissed. I hope you liked it!... lol, no there wont be a honeymoon. Although the pits of hell does sound like a lovely place to vacation! Especially for any off spring of Voldemorts. But Draco and Ginny don't have time for honeymoons, they have to start taking over the world (as cliché as that sounds.)
~Stompy-Sanji- haha, thank you so much! I love the energy you put in the review. Yea, it is sad, but I promise a happy ending... kinda. No, the real Ginny didn't come to life. It was just a horrible nightmare.
~arcticshewolf- I can't tell you! I'm sorry. you'll just have to wait and see. Sorry!
~Tsering- Yea, it does suck that Voldie's such a mean person. I wanted to make him all happy and stuff, you know, picking dandelions and putting them in his hair as he skipped merrily along. But I figured that'd be a little out of character.
~sweetstar3- My guess is that Ginny wouldn't tell Voldemort about Lucius threatening her because he would probably just laugh or something. I don't know how his evil brain works. But she probably should mention that Lucius wants the power, and will probably do anything to get it... you'll just have to wait and find out what he does...
~SkysTheLimit- Thank you so much!... I didn't know the egg thing was in Runaway Bride too, that's so cool! I haven't seen that movie in a long time. I think I'm gonna rent it now...
~Herbie- I think I've had that dream too! Except I wasn't kissing someone hunky like Draco... yea, I don't think the 'I love you' Draco added did much for Ginny's worries, as you've read in this chapter. But at least, now, it's all out in the open. Less confusion.
~Straycat1- Omg, I know the sign you're talking about (your tattoo). I have two necklaces with that sign on it! I draw it all over my folders, and, if I ever found the nerve to get a tattoo, it would be that on the left side of my back (really small). I don't watch Charmed very much, but my sister does. She's obsessed. She's very much into the witchy stuff, but, somehow, she doesn't like Harry Potter! I know, hard to believe. Anyways, your tattoo sounds so beautiful, and thanks for reviewing :)
~mallory- That's how you pictured the wedding? Depressing and dark. Yea, I figured it couldn't be the traditional and happy kind when Death Eaters and the Dark Lord are involved. Poor Ginny, tho. Like most girls, she'd been planning her wedding since she was five, and she never got it.
~cashew- I'm not sappy and sentimental either, and I still had the stomach to write this chapter. I know this one is sappy, but I hope you liked it all the same. I promise that you will see the Weasleys in the next chapter.
~Lacy1- lol, no not exactly. I bet someone like-oh, I donno-Pansy would like that wedding. I mean, it had Draco in it, right? And I guess Draco was the only part of the wedding she actually liked.
~perfectchild- I can't guarantee that I'll have more Narcissa, but I'll try. Ginny really seems to be comforted by her, and she'll need that later on. I'm glad you like it so far!
~GirlOfTheBlueFiresOfNever- Thank you! I liked the part where Ginny wonders how many people she'll kill too, but in kind of a sad way. I mean, she's being forced to do it all and everything. I've said this, like, a zillion times, but; poor Ginny!
~ayumi-dono- *glares back* *stops glaring and breaks down in giggles* heehee, glaring contests are fun! I liked you're idea about Draco's POV, but I couldn't fit it in! I'm so sorry. To tell you the truth, I have most of the story all ready written. I just have to fix it up a bit.
~TokyoGal90- Thank you so much! I know, don't you love the Ginny/Draco wedding kiss. The one in this chapter's better I think, though.
~rebekah1- I've always worried about my fluff distribution ability. I mean, sometimes I got way overboard on the 'I love you's and kissing. So thank you so much for saying that I know just when to put the fluff in :) oh! And, about your question about when Ginny will tell Draco she loves him, I donno. Might be never. Sorry!
~Wizzabee- I know, black roses! Roses are pretty in every color except for black. Stupid decorating impaired Death Eaters! I would have thrown a hissy fit as well. Except Voldie would probably hex me till next Thursday, but it'd be worth it!
~Crystal Snowflakes- Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it. I promise to update every week and e-mail you when I do.
~Mac12- They changed your name too?! They changed mine from Nicole to Nicole11. I e-mailed them and they haven't e-mailed back yet, the bastards.- umm, I mean, they're wonderful and pretty and so nice to let me post my stories *smiles widely*
~Bob kitten- OMG, thank you so much! I've never had so many compliments in one review :) You're so nice! I wish I could tell you that neither Draco or Ginny die... but... well... you'll just have to read... and wait... sorry!
~Anyanka2- that is such a good question. I have no idea why I keep having people call Ginny the Dark Lord. Lord is a masculine term. You're so smart! I think it would be Lady. God, look at me, calling myself an educated private school girl. I know nothing! I think I'll go yell at my teachers for not teaching me the feminine form of Lord. Thank you so much!
~cute-crazy-chick1- Thank you! I hope this one was equally cute, if not cuter. But the next one will be anything but cute, just to warn you.
~HPfreak8- "cool.' Thanks...er...again.
~Foags- You're back! Yay! And now we can both wait quietly while Tom gathers some sense and realizes that he must go and search out his true loves. Enter us. Cause, you're right, how can you not love Tom/Draco (seriously, what's the difference)?
~killtheposeurs- If Fishing With Tom Felton was a TV show, I would watch it, tape it, and then watch it again. God, that'd be amazing. Tom, sitting out in the water with his rod-okay, now it's getting dirty. Anyways, thank you. I hope that the twist continues to twist till it looks like a Chinese pretzel on Harbor day... I really need to get some sleep...
~Pink4liz- Thank you! I love the story too. I've named it Quentin and we're going to get married next week. As for the twist; her name is Sally and, although I as well find her rather interesting, I'm afraid she's just not my type... damn it, someone throw me a pillow. Getting up at four in the morning and writing till midnight is not agreeing with my people skills. I'm scaring the reviewers.
~oodles of poodles!- Thanks thanks. Omg, I have to tell you that I love your name. It reminds me of a Gilmore Girls episode (another obsession) where Lorelai says, "Oi with the poodles already." Heehee, I love it.
~jack4- suspense, really? That is so cool, I've never written a story that left people in suspense. I'm definitely adding that one to the résumé.
I appolagize for my insanity in the last couple of thank yous. It's late and my butt really hurts from sitting for so long. ANYWAYS, thanks to everyone who's reviewed this story so far, I am ECSTATIC that I have so many reviews!
And, just to let you guys know, I am going to post the next chapter sooner then usual because this one wasn't very much for the actual drama of the story.
************************************************************************
If you want me to e-mail you when I update, just leave your e-mail address in your review. I'd be happy to do it.