Chapter 25

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to all my wonderful reviewers. Without you I would never have been able to finish writing this story. I hope you're not disappointed.

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One week later….

"So, I climbed up on his back-"

"With my help of course," Ginny reminded him.

Draco nodded in acknowledgement. "Right. So we climbed up on his back, and with a huge running leap, he took off into the air."

Draco and Ginny both grinned at the awed whisper that ran around the group of kids gathered around them. Ever since they'd gotten back to Hogwarts and Draco had been in the hospital wing recovering, students had poured in in large groups, all wanting to hear the amazing story for themselves. With nothing else to do, Draco had been eager to share the story, exaggerating here and there to "add a bit of spice" to it, as he said, making the fellow students love it all the more. Several of the youngest came back two or three times, just to hear it again, and to be able to sit by the only two people in the world who'd ever flown on the back of a dragon. Not even people like Charlie, who had worked with dragons almost his entire life, had been allowed that honor. But Ginny and Draco had.

"So anyway, there we went, way up in the air. It was incredible," Draco continued, "Even more comfortable than flying on a broomstick-"

"How would you know," Ginny interrupted, "you passed out almost as soon as we were in the air because of pain from your injuries."

Draco glared at her, but didn't stop speaking. "Anyway, it was very comfortable, and the view was amazing. We flew right off into the sunset, all the way back to the village where we'd stayed the night with Professor McGonagall. Luckily, she and the remaining students were waiting there, while search parties searched the area for us…" Draco went on, telling how they had bid the dragon goodbye, their reunion with the other students and Professor McGonagall, and then their return trip here.

Ginny felt as enraptured by the tale as the other students, but maybe it was just who was telling the story. Smiling, she watched Draco's mouth move and listened to his voice. The sound lifted her spirits and Ginny felt closer to Draco than she ever had before. She wished she could sit here and listen to his voice forever.

They had been through so much together, how could she not love him by now? She knew his faults and his weaknesses, but she also knew his strength, and his courage. He had given his life for her back there in that village, and Ginny would never, ever forget it. There was only one thing she still wanted to hear him say…

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Madame Pomfrey entered the room as the story came to an end.

"Alright, alright, you've heard your story, now out, all of you. Except you two," she added as Draco made like he was going to get up out of bed. "You," pointed to Draco, "Get one more dose of Pepper Up Potion before you leave."

"Not again," Draco groaned irritably, hearing Ginny laugh. He glared at her, but swallowed the potion obediently when it was given to him.

"Can I go now?" he asked hopefully. He'd already spent a week in that stupid hospital bed, he was ready to get out!

Madame Pomfrey grinned good-naturedly. "Yes, you can go."

Draco practically jumped from the bed, making a huge show of bowing to the nurse. "Thank you, your most gracious," he said over-sweetly.

Ginny rolled her eyes, but grinned just the same. "It's about time you got up off your arse, I was getting tired of coming in here to see you. And of hearing those stories," she lied.

"Yeah right," Draco retorted self-assuredly. "You liked hearing those stories and you know it."

"Actually, I'm quite surprised at you Draco. All the valuable hours you've spent telling our story again and again just to delight those children is amazing. I would never have thought you capable of such a generous act."

Draco grinned smugly. "Generous? Me? Never." He raised his hand, pointing towards the hospital door. "Can't you read, Weasle?"

Curious, Ginny opened the door and glanced at the other side. A large sign hung there.

Hear the Dragon Story

Story times are 10 AM, 1PM, and 3PM

Admission is 1 knut per person

Shocked, Ginny turned back to Draco, who's smile widened.

"Draco Malfoy," she reprimanded, "how dare you!"

"How dare I indeed," he replied gleefully, closing the door again so that they were alone. Hands on her waist, he pulled her towards him, and held her to him. He felt her breath catch in her throat, and knew her heart was racing as fast as his was.

He bent his head down to whisper in her ear, and Ginny's pulse thrummed wildly. Was he finally going to say the three magic words?

"I'll split the money with you if you want," was what came out.

"W-What?" Ginny stammered, half-laughing, half crying. Was that all he had to say?

Draco just grinned. "Gotcha, didn't I?"

Angry now, Ginny pulled away, fully planning on stalking out the door. The nerve-

Draco drew her back. "Did I make you angry? I'm sorry."

He didn't sound very sorry.

"I just wanted to draw it out a bit longer, that's all," he continued, his voice soft and low now. Ginny felt his breath on her cheek like a soft caress.

Her heart jumped into her throat again, and her mouth went dry. "Draw what out?" she asked cautiously.

This time, he didn't beat around the bush. "I love you, Ginny Weasley." He let out a long breath. "I think I always have."

Ginny closed her eyes, digesting the words. They echoed in her head, and Ginny thought she had never been so happy. "I love you too." The words came out as a half sob, and Draco looked at her anxiously.

"What's wrong?"

"She blinked away her tears, smiling now. "Nothing. It's just- I've waited a long time for you to say that."

His own grin came back. "Well now you'll never have to wait again," he assured her.

His hand cupped her cheek tenderly, and he leaned down, kissing her gently at first, then becoming more possessive. The kiss deepened, and Ginny thought she would die with pleasure. This was what she'd been waiting for her entire life-

Suddenly the door opened, and Draco and Ginny pulled apart abruptly, startled at the interruption.

Three familiar faces stood gaping at them. A boy about Draco's height, with scraggly black hair, brilliant green eyes, and glasses; a shorter girl, with brown eyes and chestnut colored hair; and another boy, taller even than Draco, whose expression changed to fury in an instant and whose pale face went instantly as red as his hair.

"Oh no," Ginny mumbled under her breath. Looked like they were going to have some explaining to do.

The End

A/N: Yes, that's it. In a way, it's a relief, but it's kind of sad too. The ending of an era or something. Oh, I've got announcement to make too. I'm working on a new story, but this one is R/Hr. It's sort of a chaptered songfic, and I think it's looking really good so far. It's going to be called I Can't Fight This Feeling, so be sure to keep an eye out for it!

Thanks to those of you who have stuck by me through everything, I appreciate the encouragement you've given me.

Here are a few last notes to those of you who reviewed the last chapter (at least those of you who reviewed before I posted this last chapter):

dragonsprincess: Hi again! Yes, you did make a difference, so go for that raise! Lol. Yeah, I think my Ginny will be following in Ginny's footsteps before long…not in this story though of course. I'd love to read one of your stories. I checked out your author page, and it showed you had two, so which one would you rather me read? They both sounded interesting.

SkysTheLimit: Hmm, do I feel a war coming on here or what? How many times do I have to tell you people, Draco is mine? Or, at least, this version of him is *grins* Thank you for all your wonderful reviews.

Turtlerabbit: I'm getting the feeling you just like feeling sorry for people. No, JK, it is a pretty bad position. Thanks for reviewing my work.

Allie*: Thanks again. You're excitement is contagious. And yes, in my world, Dragon communication has to be mind-speak, because I really don't see any other way to do it. Besides, it's a lot cooler than anything else I could think of. Let me know more about that story idea when you get the chance. And yes, you told me about the exam. I'll be thinking of you this Sunday, wishing you luck!

Draco~Gin*gurl: Thank you so much. I hope this chapter didn't disappoint. Dragons are just too cool, aren't they? That one scene in the last chapter was like my whole reason for writing this entire story!