Epilogue
"I love you Draco Malfoy, I want you to come back," Ginny's whisper was loud enough only to be heard by her Soulmate.
Draco stared at his Soulmate. Every word that she said penetrated him entirely. It was not only her words that shook him, but also the way she said it. She was not at all hesitant to kill him. She really meant what she said and it really shook him because he didn't realize that she had the power to do it.
And the she said I love you. It seemed to ring over and over again in his head as he continued to stare at her wordlessly. It sounded so sweet and was filled with the promise of forever.
"Draco, please come back," Ginny wrapped her arms around his waist as she melded her body into his, jarring him of his thoughts. "Don't ever leave me again," her voice broke into a soft cry as she hugged him tighter.
"Oh gods Ginny!" he muttered into her hair as he pulled her closer to him, lifting her feet off the ground as he embraced her. "I'm sorry! I really am! I didn't realize that I was hurting you! I never did! I'm so stupid! Here now? What are those? Tears? You needn't cry now, I'm here. I'm here for you. I'll never leave you again, never!" His chin was resting in top of her head, and he was kissing her hair all the while promising her that he would always be there to protect her. "You needn't be afraid of losing me to the darkness," he brought a finger under his chin and tilted her face up gently. "Oh Ginny, I've made you cry again. I've been making you cry all this time, I'm so sorry," His thumb swept across her cheek as it brushed away a tear just under her eye.
Ginny smiled a soft smile at him. "My tears are both of happiness and pain caused by you, and I guess or I realize that I wouldn't trade those tears for anything else in the world. I don't hate you for hurting me and making me cry. You only make me cry because you don't realize what you're doing,"
"I'm still sorry, Ginny" Draco brushed another tear away from her face. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, if you could ever forgive me for all the pain I've caused you,"
Ginny sighed. "Draco, you needn't ask me to forgive you. I'll always forgive you because we're Soulmates," She fingered his Core Lantern.
"You do know that I love you, don't you?" Draco's voice was soft, as he looked at her which such tenderness that it made her heart contract.
"I thought you'd never tell me that you love me," Ginny broke out into a fresh set of tears.
"Silly, of course I love you. I came for you, didn't I? If I didn't love you, I wouldn't be here, protecting you, holding you and telling you that I love you," Draco smiled at her.
"I'm just so afraid that you'll disappear and it would be all an awful nightmare! And I'll wake up realizing that I'll never have the love that I so dreamed about all the time! But then you're here, like an angel!"
Draco's lips curled up into a wry smile. "An angel, hmm? That certainly is quite different. No one has called me that before."
Ginny's smile grew wider. "So, do you love me?"
Draco rolled his eyes, but drew her face closer as he gave her his answer. He kissed her softly, his hand on the side of her face as he deepened it. "I love you Virginia Weasley," he told her as he pulled away from her briefly.
"As I love you, Draco Malfoy," she answered him as she leaned closer to him for another kiss.
Their lips met in another kiss, sweet and demanding for the promise they knew that would be forever for they knew they were Soulmates.
Soulmates bound forever to love each other for all time.
* * *
The familiar scent of medicine, the clean sheets and the bright light brought her to her senses. She opened her eyes slowly, her vision still a blur as she lay staring up at the immaculately white ceiling.
She was in St. Mungo's.
Oh.
She gripped her blanket in her hands, tears welling in her eyes as her recent memories dawned on her. Draco Malfoy defeated her. It was all over. Her plan, her Deatheaters, Draco…it was all over.
Her heart was breaking. She realized that she had no control over Draco anymore. It hurt more to realize that Draco really loved Ginny Weasley.
She found herself asking why couldn't it be her? But she knew the answer. She had hurt Draco. Ginny had the right to his love and to love him in such a way that she never could. It was all her fault. She had gotten herself into this mess; the only thing to do was to live with it, to wallow in her self-misery and guilt.
Tears streamed down her face as she closed her eyes. She didn't try to stop the tears, because she knew that if she stopped herself, it would all be a lie. She'd be lying to herself.
* * *
Harry Potter was given a party at the Ministry of Magic for the capture of the remaining Deatheaters. All the Deatheaters has been shipped of to Azkaban, all except for their leader, Callysta Veridienne Hope.
He pretended to be happy, plastering a smile on his face and socializing with people he didn't knew. He drank with everyone else just so that the others would be happy.
But Harry wasn't at all happy.
He was happy for Ginny and Malfoy. He finally let go of the fact that he could never have Ginny in that way. She was really meant for Malfoy, even though the idea seemed atrocious.
He still couldn't shake the memory away. The time when Malfoy was hovering above Callysta ready to kill her. She was in so much pain and he didn't know if she still wanted to live…live for what?
Wouldn't it have been better just to die after all that pain and suffering?
He remembered it all.
He called in the Ministry just when Ginny stood up to walk towards Malfoy. The Aurors wasted no time getting to the hideout and rounding all the Deatheaters up. Harry just stood in one side, watching everything happen.
Callysta was taken outside. She was put in a stretcher and was sent off to St. Mungo's. It started to rain at that time. Dark and dreary was the atmosphere. It certainly matched his mood. The rain started to let up a bit and a new thought was beginning to dawn on him.
The clouds had started to clear a little, but the rain was still pouring. In a way, the rain was washing away everything for a new beginning.
A new beginning.
What was there to start? Maybe for Malfoy and Ginny, but what was in it for him? What was in it for Callysta?
He still kept remembering her. Remembering her when she was Valerie Dainne Cloephyst and when she was Callysta Veridienne Hope. There wasn't much of a difference when he really thought about it. Their personalities were almost the same, except that Callysta was more attuned to the evil. But did it make any difference that they were one in the same person?
A part of him kept insisting that Callysta and Valerie were just the same. The other part was very vehement in saying that one was an angel and the other was pure evil. Maybe the first part kept saying so because he harbored such intense feelings towards her, Valerie.
But then, Valerie would have never came to be if Callysta hadn't bred her out of evil. So in truth, Valerie was spawned from Callysta's hatred and dreams of vengeance. But the strange thing was, Valerie was not at all evil. There were times when Valerie would be strange and mysterious, but nothing at all like Callysta.
He didn't understand any of it. He couldn't understand why his thoughts and feelings were so mixed up over one woman who had split personas.
He thought he would be happy once this was all over, but he wasn't. His problems weren't over. He still constantly thought about the relationship that Ginny and Malfoy had. He kept hearing something about Soulmates but he never quite understood it. There was a Realm? What Realm?
Harry didn't exactly blame himself for letting the relationship get out of his hands in a way that he should have been watching more closely. He always took it to himself to always watch over Ginny as a second brother.
He didn't approve of Malfoy when they were still studying; he didn't approve of him either now. But since Malfoy saved his ass and made Ginny happy and gave her the love that he certainly couldn't give her…He was trying to be happy for their sake. Actually, he was happy for Ginny, but he still had a few qualms about Malfoy…Merlin knows that Ron did!
* * *
Ronald Weasley was also part of the team that arrived to capture Deatheaters when Harry gave his signal. He was glorying in all the action, barking out orders and hauling Deatheaters out of the building when he saw his only sister when that git Malfoy.
He couldn't breathe, he felt as if he was being tied to a stake and burning. It was just too much to take in. The person he hated most in the world was with his little sister! How could he have let this happen?
In a way, he was beginning to suspect something happening between Malfoy and his sister, but he never realized that a relationship was the thing! He had thought that it was all business affairs. He couldn't stop blaming himself that he should've known better that Malfoy was planning something like this.
He was sort of angry with Harry for not telling him. Harry had an inkling but never told him because he thought it might make him mad. The hell he was mad! He was furious that he couldn't even think straight. Harry had tried explaining to him about everything that he had witnessed.
In some way hearing that Malfoy really had good intentions for his sister and that he really made her happy and some crazed thing as Soulmates, made him rethink his decisions about the entire thing.
He still wasn't completely happy with the arrangement and the idea of having Malfoy as a possible brother-in-law made his stomach churn.
He was still getting over the shock that the whole Weasley family took the news quite well and they were even encouraging the couple. Ron would've thought that Fred and George would agree with him that the match was completely insane! Actually, the twins took it as a joke at first and they kept laughing their heads off. But when they found out if was real, the still laughed but they were happy for the two.
Fred even made a comment about Ginny being able to change the git's life. Molly Weasley frowned at her son's comment but agreed anyway.
Ron found himself constantly sighing and in sort of a mood nowadays. He just couldn't bring himself to understand how a git like Malfoy could make his sister happy, let alone love her.
He even asked Harry one day at the Ministry "I thought she fancied you!"
Harry just chuckled good-naturedly as he answered his best friend. "I thought she did. I really fancied her as well, but you have got to admit that there are some things that Malfoy has got that I haven't got,"
Ron looked at him sourly. "I don't think that's possible. Alright, enlighten me Mr. Potter, what does the illustrious Mr. Malfoy have that you haven't got?"
Harry pretended to think by looking up at the ceiling and scratching his chin. "Oh, I don't know, sex appeal?"
Ron gave a strangled sound that sounded half gasp and half snort.
"But seriously Ron, I think I'm more the brother type to her. And think of it at this angle, if Malfoy does make Ginny cry or hurt her in any way possible, both of us are the easiest to reach. Your other brothers are too far away. And certainly you wouldn't like the idea of pummeling me, right?"
Ron opened his mouth to protest, but sighed and said instead "You're right. In a way, you're like an additional brother to her. And if you did make Ginny cry, I would never forgive you, though don't think I wouldn't pommel you!" Ron waved a warning finger in Harry's face. He turned back to his papers and muttered under his breath "Sex appeal, indeed!"
* * *
Draco Malfoy stared at the woman beside him in wonder and in awe. It was hard to believe that it was all over. It seemed too much like a dream and he kept remembering those words she said to him not too long ago.
I'm just so afraid that you'll disappear and it would be all an awful nightmare! And I'll wake up realizing that I'll never have the love that I so dreamed about all the time! But then you're here, like an angel
Being called an angel certainly brought a new aspect into his life. It meant he had to give up his hobby and settle down. Settle down? Was he really ready to settle down?
He then looked at the woman beside him again, trailing a finger down her arm and leaned over to kiss her shoulder.
Yes, he was ready.
Besides settling down, being an angel meant protecting her at all costs and making sure that she was happy. He was sure that Potter and Weasley were going to give him hell of a time making sure that he made her happy. He particularly didn't care much for their speech, but he would listen to them just as long as it made Ginny happy.
Yes, life had been hellish for him for the past few years ever since that time when he first started to live a lie. Life was still sort of a hell when Ginny came, but she brought him new things other than pain. Ginny had brought him happiness and awakened something in him that he thought he had buried long ago. She had awakened his need to be loved and to love in return.
Life certainly was going to be peaceful with her in his life.
He stared at the box in his hand and wondered how she was going to take the news.
* * *
Virginia Weasley, otherwise known as Ginny, couldn't believe her luck. Everything she had wished for, or most anyway, has been given to her.
Her family and friends were happy.
But most of all, she had her Soulmate.
Right after the Aurors came in to take away the Deatheaters, Draco accompanied her to St. Mungo's to get treated. The healer, who took charge off her, shook her head at her injuries and scolded Draco for not taking good care of her.
Ginny had to force herself not to laugh because Draco had looked so crestfallen upon being scolded. He took it too seriously. Ginny was sure that Draco would protest when she told him to lighten up.
"You know Draco, I don't really need a healing, I'm already feeling better knowing that you're so worked up over me," she told him seriously.
Draco saw the twinkle in her eyes and shook his head at her, all the while smirking "I'm so touched that you feel that way. All my wounds and injuries! Hah! And you laugh so!"
Ginny laughed. "In any case, we got out of it alive,"
Draco became somber all too quickly. "Barely," he took her hand in is, his thumb caressing hers slowly. "If I wouldn't have come earlier,"
Ginny shook her head at him. "No, you mustn't think that, our Core Lanterns would've brought us together anyway. You know how Apollo can be,"
Draco didn't smile. "No, I was being selfish and stubborn. I let Potter go ahead of me. I was still in denial and I was being stupid in telling myself that I didn't want to get hurt again."
"So why did you come?"
Draco met her eyes, his eyes a startling light blue in the inside and dark blue on the outside. They were filled with warmth and love as he answered her "I realized that if I let you go, I would never forgive myself. I realized that I couldn't change the inevitable that we were Soulmates. And despite the fact that my life has been in shambles, living a lie and living in darkness until you came along-" he stopped when he saw that she was crying again. He reached out to brush away her tears, making her look at him as he continued "I realized that my life in lies and darkness were not for me.
"So what if I not all things go right as they should be? So what if there are things that block us from getting what we want? What matters is that we love each other, right? And then the most important thing I realized is that you would never hurt me,"
"I would never ever hurt you, Draco Malfoy!" Ginny cried as she swiped at her tears with the back of her free hand. "Don't you dare think that I would ever hurt you on purpose. With all that has happened, do you think I would want you to be hurt again? I hate seeing you in pain!"
"As I you," Draco promised her as he took her other hand, bringing both hands to his lips to kiss them softly. "I'll never hurt you, never," he promised her again. He was sitting on her bed when he drew her closer to him to embrace her tightly.
* * *
The healer at the reception hall downstairs directed him to the room that he wished to go to.
Some people gave him stares; others ignored him to be polite.
Him? He couldn't care less what others thought about him. He didn't even care that the healer downstairs thought that he was associating with the leader of the Deatheaters.
He was walking down the corridor; it was silent and the light reflected off the floor. The smell of medicine and the whirring of fans were his welcoming committee as he looked for the room.
He was in the fourth floor, which contained patients for Spell Damage. He stopped in front of a door that was in the very end of the hallway. The door was marked as:
Callysta Veridienne HopeDeatheater Leader
Reductor Curse
He continued to stare at the words before him until they started to blur. He put his fingers to his eyes and rubbed them slowly. Was it right to display the patient to anyone who came by? But then, knowing how these people are, he doubted that anyone wanted to come near this specific room.
The room radiated the steady flow of coldness and dark within. There was a hint of guilt and death in it, but as far as he knew, the patient was not dead yet.
He raised a hand to the doorknob, his fingers nearly touching the knob. What was he waiting for? He poured his will into gripping the knob and twisting it open. The door swung open quietly, granting him access to within.
He stepped inside and saw that everything was immaculately white as the entire building was. The curtains of the windows were pushed aside to let the sunlight in. There were no flowers in the room; only a pitcher of water that was unused was placed on the table beside the bed.
The bed.
The occupant had no idea who was there in the room with her. She wouldn't know that because she was asleep. She was awake a while ago, but not for long because sleep easily overcame her for she was tired both in mind and body.
He now stood just beside her bed, looking down into the face of the woman who thoroughly confused him. She aroused such feelings within him that he could not sort out. Multitudes of emotions swam inside of him and it was difficult to pick one out and define it.
She was deadly pale and still. He knew that she was alive because she was breathing, though her breath came in shallow. Her raven tresses were around her, accentuating her paleness. Her lips were slightly pale and dry for she had not drunk at all since the battle.
She looked like Death had claimed her as one of his wives, she was beautiful, but she wasn't dead. Death would just have to wait for some other time to claim her. Until then, she still had her life. She still had hope.
And there was still one more person hoping for her.
* * *
She opened her eyes slowly. How long she had slept she didn't know. She knew she had awoken a while ago and had literally cried herself to sleep.
Something must be wrong.
Instead of waking to the ceiling above her. She found herself staring into deep emerald seas. The deepest of emeralds that was so familiar to her. She didn't know that she was lifting her hand up to reach for those emeralds. They were so warm and so full of understanding. It brought back so much memories and of hope that she had forgotten so long ago.
Emeralds and jades.
They were almost the same. Except hers had silver specs in them.
The emeralds belonged to Dustin Laurente Hope, her father.
Waking up to be drowning in them sent sensations of confusion, sadness and longing within her.
Father…I miss you so much. I don't know what to hope for anymore. I've always been a survivor. Our name Hope, it seems so ironic now. Father, I miss you so much. Wont you come and take me with you. I don't want to be a grown up anymore. I want you to take me home and take care of me. It's just too hard.
She didn't realize she was crying silently while tears coursed down her face. She wanted so much to be with her father.
Oh Callysta, my sweet Callysta. You don't know how much I miss you and love you. I've realized that I was an awful mistake promising you to the Dark Lord. You would've never experienced this pain if it weren't for me. Callysta, you must have hope. You shame me by giving up. Think of our name. Think of your name. Your name means 'most beautiful hope'. You should continue to live. Be who you were before you became involved in the Dark Lord's affairs. Be the spirited young woman who everybody loved.
You should not condemn yourself to damnation.
You aren't my daughter if you do so.
Move on and be happy. I don't care how much it takes you to be happy, but just move in and continue to hope and dream. It's hope that keeps us alive and going.
Callysta, I love you. Do me proud when you heed my words. I know of someone who cares for you very much. He might love you the way you wish him to love you. Put your faith in him and keep hope with him. If I were alive, I would certainly approve of this young gentleman.
You only need know that I love you with all my heart Callysta…
Callysta had heard her father's voice, speaking to her as if he were alive. But when she came to reality, he was not there. But his words left her with so much meaning. Being in her real self, she found herself once again staring into those emerald orbs.
Father…
She looked closer and realized that she was staring not into her father's eyes but Harry Potter's eyes! Her tears became more real to her as she felt them streaming across her tear strained face.
Her father was gone. She had to face it. But he had left her with something to keep her going. He had left her his love. That was all she needed to have to go on. She had the hope, she always had it, she just never used it for a greater reason. The hope to live on and to maybe love again.
And what was her father saying to her a while ago? He knew of someone who cares for her a lot? Why and how would he know that? It didn't really matter.
He frowned slightly as she started to cry. Was something happening to her?
He was looking down at her, mesmerized by her beauty when she opened her eyes. He could see that for a moment she was lost, but when she transfixed her gaze upon his eyes, she started to cry.
He wanted her to stop, but her tears were so beautiful. Clear, pure and innocent.
Jade eyes with those beautiful silver specs never left his as she continued to cry silently, her gaze containing something deep of remembrance.
And then her eyes seemed to focus afterwards, she was still crying, but he guessed that she might've come to her senses a little. It seemed to register on her face where she was and who he was.
Oh gods! Was she crying because of him? Knowing that he was the one who caused her all this pain? Who took part in taking away all her plans?
He shut his eyes tight, trying to shut out her tears, knowing that he had caused her pain.
She lost the emeralds.
No!
She reached further, her fingertips brushing against his cheek, feeling locks of hair across his face. Her hand touched his face, feeling the warmth.
He felt her warmth as she touched him tenderly. He opened his eyes slowly, to see jade eyes staring up at him intently. He covered her hand with his as he whispered her name "Callysta,"
"Callysta," it was her name she was hearing on his lips.
Harry lowered himself on the bed next to her while never leaving her eyes. "Callysta Veridinne Hope,"
That was her name, most beautiful hope. He was calling her. Now she understood what her father meant. It was alright for her to move on because there was someone to catch her when she falls. There was someone to keep loving and caring for her even though she made mistakes. That was why he was here. That was why Harry Potter was here. To catch her and protect her and most importantly: to love her.
"Hello Harry,"
"Hello Callysta," he replied softly as he continued to hold her hand.
She smiled softly at him in reply. "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble,"
He shook his head. "It's alright, I should be to blame too. I-your Deatheaters got shipped to Azkaban,"
She looked forlorn for a moment. "No, its alright, I've decided to leave my past behind and start a new one." She looked at him shyly, blushing like a schoolgirl. "I was wondering if you could help me start a new one,"
"Of course I would," Harry smoothed back her hair from her forehead. "Just ask anything and I'll get it for you,"
Callysta smiled again. "You remind me so much of my father. He was so kind, caring, loving, patient and understanding. He was very loyal too until the end."
Harry smiled. "I'm very flattered that you think so," Then he became serious. "Callysta, do you know why you weren't shipped off to Azkaban?"
She shook her head no.
"Its because I told the Ministry not to do it. It took a lot of time trying to convince them to let you stay and get treated here,"
"But why did you do it?" She whispered.
Harry sighed. "I guess it's because I'm drawn to you. Somehow, I don't even care about your past or what you've done. You said so yourself that you wanted to start over, and I guess I planned to help you do just that when I asked the Ministry to do this,"
"I-I don't know what to say, you've done so much for me and all I ever did was make trouble!" she wailed. "I don't deserve your friendship!"
Harry put an arm around her shoulder and drew her close to him. "It may sound absurd or crazy, but Callysta, I love you,"
Callysta pulled back from him, staring deep into his eyes to see if he was telling the truth. She was searching for the trickery or the deceit, but all she saw was warmth, kindness and love. It was the truth.
"I don't know what to say," she drew in a shaky breath.
"You don't have to say anything now," Harry drew her close again, consoling her by rubbing his hand in slow small circles across her back.
Callysta all of a sudden felt guilty. What was she doing not responding to his love?
She knew that deep inside she already love him a long time ago, but she just didn't want to admit
It or welcome the idea because she was so scared of being hurt again.
"I love you," she whispered into his chest, near his thundering heart.
Harry tightened his hold on her as he echoed her sentiments. "As I love you,"
* * *
It seems another candidate is ready to be involved in this Realm.
I'm sure they'd make an outstanding pair together.
Oh well, I'll just have to break the news later to the other two later.
* * *
True to Apollo's word, the two started spiraling into a myriad of colors to land in
complete darkness.
Where are we? She asked as she held on tight to him.
I don't know…he replied as he looked around warily.
Hello and welcome to the Soulmate Realm. Yes, you've heard right. The Soulmate
Realm! Now let me just tell you some of the rules that we have here, hmm?
Harry now understood what Malfoy and Ginny were talking about. The whole Soulmate thing was real. He was beginning to suspect that the little bauble that Malfoy owned to show them where Ginny was, was actually given to him by this Voice!
But no matter. He and Callysta were Soulmates. That was all that mattered.
* * *
Ginny awoke to someone kissing her neck teasingly. She sighed contentedly as she tilted her neck slightly to give the person better access.
"Wake up, love," he trailed kisses up her neck and unto her chin.
Ginny sighed again and pretended she was still asleep so that he would keep kissing her.
The kisses stopped.
Her eyes flew open and she saw twinkling blue eyes smiling down at her. "Why did you stop?" she pouted. She grabbed the nearest pillow and whacked him with it.
He chuckled as he answered her. "I know you'd wake up this way. Besides, if I kept right on kissing you, I would've ravished you already,"
Ginny flushed a deep red. "Alright, now I'm up, what do you want, Mr. Draco Malfoy?"
Draco leaned over to kiss his way up her chin and meet her lips. He took her gently at first then it became more demanding and seeking as he cupped her face. He felt her responding by arching her back against him, meeting him levelly and demanding for more. "Does that answer your question?" he pulled away from her slightly, his breath tickling her face.
"So you woke me up just to get a kiss? You do realize that you could've kissed me anytime?" Ginny shook her head at him. "Oh wait, on second thought, that would be a bad idea,"
Draco pulled her up with one hand, holding her to him as he propped some pillows behind her. He then laid her back so that she was sitting up and leaning against the pillows. He brushed a stray lock of hair that had fallen across her face. He was clad only in his dark green bathrobe.
She was beginning to wonder what this was all about. She was borrowing his bathrobe as well and was liking green little by little.
It had been two weeks since the incident and she had started living with Draco in the new manor that she had helped him get.
They were sleeping in the same bed, but Draco had promised her that he wasn't going to do anything to her.
She knew she wouldn't and it was actually nice and comforting to be sleeping beside her Soulmate.
"Ginny," Draco began as he continued to gaze upon her.
She tilted her head to one side. "Yes?"
"You realize that I love you with such passion and longing that I have never felt before. And I have come to realize now that I will never be content in just loving you this way because somehow you're love isn't completely mine,"
Ginny opened her mouth to protest. She wanted to say that this wasn't true. Her love only belonged to him and him alone. But Draco put a finger on her lips to stop her.
"In a way, I'm not content knowing that you just love me. The only way I'm going to be content is," Draco pulled out a little black velvet box and showed it to her.
Ginny's heart started to beat wildly. Was he going to?
"Is if you marry me," He opened the box to reveal the most beautiful ring she's ever seen. It was made of silver and the middle was a blooming diamond rose. The leaves were green around the red petals. "If you'll have me, I know that you're love is completely mine forever. Knowing that we'll be living in the same house, eating the same food and sharing the same bed, is the only way I'll be assured that you're love is mine and mine alone. And this can only come true is if you marry me,"
Ginny continued to stare at the ring before not knowing what to do.
"Marry me, Virginia Weasley. Love me for who I am and I will love you for who you are." Draco whispered his promise.
Ginny nodded slowly, breaking out in tears as Draco took the ring and slipped it unto her finger. She continued to cry as she looked at her ring. It really was the most beautiful thing she saw.
"Love, why are you crying?" he sat beside her and hugged her again, worried that she was feeling sad and that he had somehow caused it.
"Oh Draco, I never thought! We're going to get married!" she was crying harder now. "We're getting wed. What will my family say? I'll have to find a dress and invite people! What will Harry and Ron say?" Then it dawned on her. "My father's going to give me a way and I'll have to change my name…"
Draco saw her initial shock in the last statement. "It isn't going to be so bad being married to me," he teased her. "In fact, I think you'll find it very pleasing,"
Ginny smiled. "I'm sure it will, it's just that my brain is so muddled! I really do want to marry you, because I love you with all my heart!"
"And that's all that matters!" he told her. Then he added with a wry grin "It gives me great honor to know that I'm muddling your mind,"
Ginny whacked him with the pillow again. "Don't get too cocky Mr. Malfoy. Just because I'm marrying you don't mean you can do whatever you want!"
Draco held his hands up in a gesture of surrender.
"Virginia Malfoy," she said slowly all of a sudden. "Ginny Malfoy," she tested again. "It would take some time getting used to,"
Draco laughed. "It would take some getting used to your family as well,"
Ginny whacked him again, only harder. "I resent that!"
Draco jumped out of the bed and pulled the covers off of her. "Let's go! I'm starving. Mother isn't here, so you'll have to make breakfast,"
Ginny followed him and tightened her robe around her. She walked towards him and closed the door behind her.
* * *
A month, two weeks and three and half days later,
Draco kicked open the door to the manor, carrying his bride in his arms. He settled her unto the carpeted floor. He tilted her face up to meet his as he gave her a kiss.
"Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Draco Malfoy,"
"Welcome to your new life, Mr. Virginia Malfoy," she teased him as she turned her face to him for another kiss.
Draco kissed his bride willingly, sweeping her into his arms to carry her upstairs to their room.
* * *
"Man's greatest trial is to learn how to love…
One cannot survive on bread alone
But on others who will continue to nourish
Him with their love…
Man should not be afraid to love for one did say:
'Tis better to have love and lost than to have never
love at all'
These immortal words shall forever be engraved on
Those mortals who have been forever scarred by
Time because of their misery…
Why indeed should a man dare to love?
Just to be hurt in return?
But wait!
Hurt shall not prevail if thou shall persevere
Listen to thy words, one of so little faith
Listen and learn…learn to love and
Forget the hurts and pains of your soul…"
* * *
With that he closed his eyes, the voice fading away into the recesses of his mind, never knowing when he will be able to hear those words…or even that voice…
Why indeed?
Why should he hear those words now? Why not of a time so long ago when his life was better than this? He's lost, hasn't he? Why does he continue to love? Love the very person that hurt him and chose the man who he hated the most? Such cruelty is not possible in this world…or is it? It plunges through the heart and tears the soul, endlessly wondering whether this turmoil would end…
He looked up to the sky, pitched velvety black, with the stars illuminating the dome ever so dimly. It was a long time since he looked at the sky like this, only then there was a shooting star and her to share it with. Only now, the only difference is that there is neither a shooting star nor her…once again, loneliness overwhelms him.
But that was what he used to think until he met his bride.
* * *
Light intermingled with Darkness…
Where light pulled her Dream out of the Darkness and into the light…
Leaving the lie that was once his life…
Living the truth with her for eternity…
Soulmates until eternity, bound to love each other until Time itself ceases to live…