Neville shook his head in frustration. "You're telling me you have no recollection of Ginny Weasley. None at all?" If he was going to help Draco Malfoy, he needed more than the blank expression the blond man was providing him. This couldn't be the same Malfoy who had an answer for everything at Hogwarts. Right now he'd even welcome a smart ass answer. 

 "Not quite." Draco sighed his face still hidden in his hands. Slowly he raised his head to face Neville. "What I remember isn't going to help me."  Draco wasn't about to tell Longbottom anything. What he remembered would send him straight to his death. Looking away from Neville, his eyes followed the path of a small mouse. Scurrying along the wall it disappeared to freedom. Freedom - wasn't that what he wanted? 

"Why don't you Aurors perform tests on my wand? Surely that's enough to clear my name to your friends at the Minsitry." Draco said matter of factly wondering why the idiots hadn't thought to do it the first time.

"Well, Malfoy if we had a wand to test that would be the first thing the Ministry would have done. Seeing that we only found burnt fragments of your and Ginny Weasley's wands in the fireplace, that has ceased to be a viable option. Now try and tell me what you do remember." Neville waited for his response. Only the sounds of silence greeted his ears and Neville was not pleased. He should be home with Luna and the kids. Yet here he was offering his valuable time to a man who didn't want his help but who desperately needed it. Picking up his quills and books he rose to leave, "Malfoy if you ever reconsider you can always ask the guard to contact me."

Neville had his ways of getting information. His techniques would never become physical, which was more popular among the other Aurors. That had never been his way.  His specialty had always been  to make the seemingly uncaring feel again. Malfoy, although he tried his best not to show it, was full of  emotion. He would cooperate. "Your mother was here this morning, was she not?"

Draco's expression tightened as Neville continued, "It's too bad she'll have to make another trip. When should I tell your mother to arrive for the hanging? How's tomorrow? Noonish perhaps?"

"You'll do no such thing Longbottom." Draco snatched the quill and notebook from Neville and started writing furiously. After a few minutes he shoved the notebook back into the Auror's hands.

"Didn't have a clue you were an artist Malfoy."  For a long time, Neville studied the notebook.  A smiling young woman in Gryffindor robes was leaning against what Neville recognized as the Astronomy Tower balcony. Ginny's smile was flirtatious and her eyes held a glint of mischief. In spite of the dire situation Malfoy was in, Neville had to chuckle to himself. Ginny had always been a sneaky girl, thanks in part to lessons learned from her brothers. It amazed him that she had kept Malfoy a secret for so long. Now it was  Ginny's death which  would bring her relationship with Malfoy out into the open. It was a damn shame.

Draco couldn't believe of all people, it was Neville Longbottom whom he would have to depend on if he was to live. Was this  the same Longbottom who was known for his many mistakes in Snape's classroom? 

 "Truth is Longbottom, the only memories I have of Ginny Weasley are passing her in the hallways at Hogwarts,  a bit of teasing here and there…."  Neville raised his eyebrows at the bit of teasing part as Draco continued, "There's nothing else… nothing at all."

Draco sighed leaning heavily against the wall, "Sometimes I have images of ….."  He seemed quite embarrassed to say it but was urged forward by Neville who reminded him that they were both adults. "I-I have images of being with her but I can't remember how or why. I don't even know why I pictured her in the Astronomy Tower."

 Suddenly he envisioned himself nuzzling his nose against her neck. He knew exactly where her sensitive spots were. "Stop it Draco."  The redhaired girl said breathlessly, although her body language begged to differ as she grabbed his hair and urged him on.  A small laugh had escaped Ginny as Draco planted kisses at her pulse point. Funny how he could recall the all the places she was ticklish but couldn't remember how he had even came to be with her. 

Neville raised his eyebrows, "I can guess exactly the reasoning for taking Miss Weasley to such a sacred spot. At Hogwarts I may have seemed dateless but even I used the Astronomy Tower from time to time."

Draco groaned, "I did not need to hear that Longbottom. Do you want me to have nightmares tonight?" Sweet Merlin! As if he didn't have enough to deal with. His mind did not want to picture Neville snogging. 

Neville handed the notebook back to Draco as well as colored ink and quills. "Whatever you remember Malfoy, no matter what it is - I want you to draw it for me."

It was as if a movie was on fast forward. Images flashed through Draco's mind. He was in his own world now - a  world occupied with Ginny Weasley, a woman only his heart could remember.

Neville had planned on questioning him more. The dark mark he had asked him. Why? But Draco had not listened or had he not heard?  It seemed as if the grey eyed man was in a trance. Perhaps it was better this way. That question could be answered later.  Right now, this was much more important. Draco's hands scribbled maddeningly on one page, then two, which soon became three. Neville sat there silently until the wee hours of the morning, slightly nodding off. Every now and then he would awaken to more sheets of paper filled with nothing but Ginny. The whole book was filled and Malfoy asked for yet another one, and then another. 

"You've filled all my books Malfoy.  Luna will be sick with worry, Home is where I ought to be heading. I'll owl you a few more books and quills. In the meantime, I'll have the guard bring you some breakfast."  Gathering his things he bid his goodbye to Malfoy.

"Can I at least keep a picture?" He was grateful for Neville's belief that he was innocent. Draco felt even more so for his presence, although he wouldn't admit that fact to Neville. It didn't stop him from becoming ticked off at the Auror for putting all his memories in that briefcase of his.

Neville inhaled deeply as he considered the request. "You win this one Malfoy." He reached into his briefcase taking out the first picture of Ginny that Draco had drawn. "Just keep it out of sight. If Ron or Harry see this, it might complicate matters for you."

Draco accepted the picture and immediately tucked it underneath his pillow. Later he would study it and try to remember the feelings it brought to the surface. He rested his head watching Neville exit his cell. "Th-thank you Longbottom." Draco managed to say. 

Neville didn't respond, only nodded . A silent understanding passed between the two very different men.  One man would try to make things right once again, if not for the beaten man in the cell, then for the woman and child that would soon be buried. The other man wouldn't have to face his memories alone.

***

Had it been an hour? His breakfast was left half eaten as his eyes took in the pretty redhead he had drawn. Draco cursed himself for not remembering why Ginny Weasley of all people stirred such strong emotions within. "I'm supposed to hate you!" he spat as he balled the picture and threw it to the other side of the room.

Flinging his tray to the opposite side of the cell, he ignored the guards protest that he would have to eat every last morsel on the ground. Picking up the drawing he lay back on his cot studying the picture intently. A mixture of happiness sadness and regret coursed through him. Sleep tugged at his eyes as he tried to look for clues in the pictures. He hadn't noticed before….she was wearing  his prefect's badge. How long had he been involved with her? Yawning he finally drifted into a land where a woman posessing hair the color of flames awaited.

To be continued

Upcoming – a flashback scene where Ginny finally makes an appearance