Ginny's Secret
Summary: Ginny Weasley is an average eighteen year old girl with a happy and hopeful future... until disaster strikes and she is left devastated. Will Ginny ever reveal her secret, or will she keep it hidden from the man she loves forever?
Disclaimer: The characters are copyright of J. K. Rowling, and if this fic bears any resemblance to anyone else's I am truly sorry. It was my own idea but there are so many different stories out there that it's impossible to know for sure whether it is original or not.
Authors Note: Hello people! I decided to go for a change from my usual Hermione/Draco (for those out there who adore that couple, there'll be future fanfics from me with them as the stars), and when I thought of the idea for this, I realised Ginny was just perfect for the part. Please stick with it and read this fanfiction because I think some of you will really enjoy it, and it's quite an original idea (you'll find out in later chapters...)
Chapter 1- Waving Goodbye
"Whatever happens, I hope you have a brilliant time," Ginny Weasley said sincerely, clasping her mother's hand. "And don't forget to Owl me from Egypt and tell me how it's going!"
"Of course we will, dear," said Mrs Weasley, dabbing at her eyes with her spare hand, which was clutching a handkerchief. "We'll write everyday and you just HAVE to keep us updated on how everything is going."
Ginny smiled and relaxed on the sofa, sipping at the hot mug of tea her mother had made her a few minutes earlier. The Burrow seemed strangely empty without all her brothers, who had all moved out by now, but then again, maybe it seemed so because she had moved out herself. Ginny was eighteen years old and lived in a small flat a fair few miles away from her parent's house, and had dropped in to see them before they went away on holiday to visit Ginny's older brother, Bill.
"It's supposed to be really good this time of year," Mr Weasley enthused. "It should be absolutely fascinating to try and communicate with some Egyptian Muggles again! I remember from the last time we visited," he sighed, going misty eyed at the memory.
"Yes well, hopefully it won't be a repeat of last time, Arthur," Mrs Weasley said, her voice hardening. "I remember those Muggles phoned the Please-men, or whatever you call them. Apparently they thought you were trying to rob them."
"I wasn't," Mr Weasley protested. "I was just seeing how those fellytone thingies work- I wasn't trying to steal it!"
Ginny grinned to herself at her parent's bickering, but her heart was heavy- how badly did she want to go to Egypt? She'd been training at her wizarding holiday firm job for almost a year now, ever since she'd left Hogwarts, but they hadn't let her actually fly anywhere yet. All she got to do was sit at an office, typing away all day.
"You're rather quiet dear," her mother said anxiously, feeling her only daughter's head anxiously. "You're not still having those- dizzy turns- are you?"
Ginny bit her lip at the memory. It had only happened a couple of times, but the thought of them worried her deeply- what if it was something serious? It had only occurred when she'd been extremely energetic- the last time it had happened she had been dancing at a party- and they were always the same. She'd fall to the floor, a sharp pain in her chest, and her vision would become blurred. They lasted for a few seconds, but the aftereffects took hours to disappear. Pushing it to the back of her mind, she laughed, sounding much more cheerful than she felt.
"Oh, those stupid things? Nah, I haven't had one for ages," she assured them, her face not revealing the truth. "They were nothing- I probably missed breakfast the day I had them or something."
"Hmm," Mrs Weasley said, still not sure. "You check in at St Mungos if anything happens again, alright? Or ask Dumbledore, he's such a clever man, he'll probably know what it is." Dumbledore had become an especially close friend of the family ever since Harry Potter had defeated Lord Voldemort nearly two years ago, and Ron Weasley, Ginny's big brother, had assisted Harry in the attack.
Ron had been over at the Burrow earlier that day to say his goodbyes to his parents, who they wouldn't be seeing for a couple of months, but it seemed he was eager to get back to his wife and Ginny's best friend in the entire world, Hermione Granger. Ginny loved her big brother and was very affectionate towards his spouse, so she was overjoyed when they had got together- they were two of Ginny's favourite people in the world, and truly deserved each other. Their happiness was complete when Hermione had announced a few weeks ago that she was pregnant, and it had sent Mrs Weasley into such a state of ecstasy that they probably privately wished they'd kept it a secret.
"It's good we'll be back in time to see the baby arrive though, isn't it," Mr Weasley said, voicing Ginny's thoughts.
"I know! I'm so happy for Ronniekins," Mrs Weasley beamed. "And our Hermione. I wonder if it's a boy or girl?"
"Well you've got a while to find out," Ginny laughed. "She's only three months gone!"
"Yes, you should find yourself a nice husband and have a baby too," Mrs Weasley said. "You're such a pretty girl, so it can't be hard."
Ginny rolled her eyes at her mother's rather old fashioned idea of what was important to a woman, but she would like to find a boyfriend, or someone she could confide in. She hated keeping her worries about her dizzy faints to herself, but didn't want to trouble her parents or ruin their holiday- and she especially didn't want to spoil Hermione and Ron's marital bliss. As for Harry, he was abroad on holiday with his girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, who had turned out to be a rather good-looking and kind, if eccentric, woman.
Ginny would never call herself beautiful, but she was quite happy with her looks on the whole. She had shoulder length dark red hair, large chocolate brown eyes [A/N: I am not actually sure whether J.K.R has specified a colour for her eyes. If so, and it isn't brown, please inform me and I'll change it asap], and pale creamy skin dotted with a few freckles across her snub nose. Her figure was petite and curvaceous, though not as thin as Ginny would like it to be- she longed for the slender body of Hermione, whose angular frame was only broken by her slightly swelling stomach.
"I'd better be going now," she announced, putting her mug of tea on the table and getting to her feet. Pulling her green coat on, she headed for the door, her parents following her. "Have a good time," she reminded them, pecking them on the cheek.
"We will, we will," Mr Weasley said heartily, bursting with enthusiasm. "I can't wait to visit those Muggle salespeople again! And I'll miss you, daughter. Don't forget to wind Ron up for me!"
"Oh I'm sure Hermione does that all by herself," Ginny laughed, as she was embraced warmly by her mother.
"And remember to visit St Mungos at any return of the dizzy spells. Keep us posted- if you have one again, we'll come straight home for you!" Mrs Weasley fussed over her precious daughter, reluctant to let her go.
"I will," Ginny promised, finally managing to tug free of her mother's fast hold. "See you soon, and I'll be waiting for your Owl!" Waving goodbye, she headed up out of the garden and ambled down the country lane, preparing for the long walk to work. She loved walking down this path, which she'd treaded many times, and found it to be calming and peaceful. So it was with shock and disgust that she saw someone riding a broom a few feet above her- she had always thought of it as her path, in a sense.
"Who are you?" she demanded rudely, feeling disappointed her walk had been disturbed.
"Well if it isn't a Weasley!" Ginny could recognise that drawling voice anymore, and felt her stomach lurch unpleasantly as the broom lowered so he was inches away from her. Stopping her stride, she turned to face him.
Draco Malfoy was her brother Ron's worst enemy, and in Ginny's opinion, the worst sort of wizard imaginable. At Hogwarts he had lorded over everyone and more than once she had been a victim of his acid tongue. But how he had changed! She hadn't seen him ever since he had left school, which was two years ago now, and his white-blond hair now hung in curtains, a drastic change from its previous oily, slicked look. Mischievous gray eyes twinkled out from a pale, pointed face with sculpted cheekbones and a wide, masculine mouth- and not only that but he had got taller, and broader with it. Ginny gulped, making sure her face was as cold and mask like as possible.
"And if it isn't a Malfoy," she answered, continuing to walk up the path. "What are you doing in this area? Isn't it a bit low for your standards?"
"I'm making my way into Diagon Alley, Weasley," he answered lazily, his broom whizzing along beside her. "And how about you?"
"I'm going to work," she said dismissively. "I don't see why you couldn't Apparate there, or travel by Floo powder- I only walk this way because I enjoy the scenery. What's your excuse?"
"I like riding this thing," he smirked, pointing to the beautifully crafted broomstick he sat on. "Firebolt 3000- what do you think?"
Ginny didn't answer, but the impressed look on her face gave away her feelings. Ginny adored Quidditch and broomsticks of any kind, though her model was the oldest Firebolt out, and one her friend Harry had given her when he bought a newer version. "So you like to show off," she said. "Wow. Please fly off and leave me to enjoy my walk in peace."
"Nah, I can see it in your face," he laughed. "You're dying to have a go of this thing, aren't you? Your family obviously couldn't afford anything as fantastic."
"No," she snapped. "Don't be ridiculous. I wouldn't get on that broomstick if my life depended on it."
"I can tell you want to," he said slyly, aggravating her further.
"Haven't you got someone to visit? Like your father?" Ever since Voldemort had been vanquished, Lucius Malfoy had remained in Azkaban prison, serving a life sentence, and the mention of him made Malfoy pause in his tracks.
"You-Know-Who's gone," he said quietly. "Father's paying his sentence- can't you see I'm not like him? He's out of my life forever now." His voice was bitter, and all his teasing gone. "And anyway, your arrogant Potty friend made sure he's never coming out of there sane, is he? The Dementors Kiss kind of wrecks your chances of a normal life."
"It wasn't Harry's fault the Dementors did that," Ginny said, in a slightly softer tone. As much as she hated Malfoy, she couldn't help but pity him- he may scorn her lack of wealth, but the amount of love she had from her family more than made up for it. "It had been ordered from the Ministry Of Magic."
"Yeah well, that's all in the past now," Malfoy said, his face once again becoming light and mocking. "Tell me Weasley, where is it you're working?"
"A foreign holiday firm," she replied, unable to take her eyes off his broomstick. Malfoy was still only a few feet away from her as he levitated a couple of feet from the ground and travelled at a leisurely pace.
"Let's hope it pays well- judging by the state of your robes, I'd say not," he laughed, making Ginny stiffen.
"I told you to fuck off."
"Okay okay- no mention of my dearest father and we won't mention your- erm- pitiful finances. Agreed?"
"Whatever," she answered. "Why are you still here?"
"No idea... let's just say your society amuses me."
"I'd really love to chat but if I don't hurry up I'm going to be late for work," Ginny said, reluctantly pulling her eyes away from the stunning Firebolt and quickening her pace.
"I tell you what, Miss Weasley," Malfoy said thoughtfully. "Why not kill two birds with one stone? You can satisfy your desire to take a turn on the Firebolt 3000 and arrive to work on time, and entertain me with your presence longer. Jump on the back, and I'll give you a ride."
"No way," she snorted, though inside her mind was pondering. Why not....?
"Don't worry, this broomstick can hold even fat people easily," he said in a tone of mock cheeriness. "This Firebolt is long enough to hold two people."
"I wouldn't ride on your stupid pathetic broom for all the galleons in Gringotts."
"I'm not here to mess around Weasley. Just get on the back now, or I may be forced to smack you with the end of it."
"FINE. I'll get on it... now just shut the hell up, okay? I'm only doing it to keep you quiet." Secretly feeling gleeful, Ginny clambered behind Malfoy and positioned herself so she was safe, feeling a thrill of delight. The broomstick whizzed through the air effortlessly, causing thrills of joy up Ginny's spine. Without thinking, she placed her arms around Malfoy's waist in the joy of the moment, before realising what she was doing and snapping back, as though she had been burned.
Although she was sitting on a broomstick with her brother's worst enemy, to her it felt completely natural- if it was up to her, she could fly all day. Passing through the countryside lanes, they finally ended up at the corner of Diagon Alley.
It was all too soon for Ginny when Malfoy arrived outside the firm, after following her careful instructions. She slid down easily and turned to say farewell.
"Uh... thanks," she mumbled, blushing. What the hell had she just done? Was she crazy?
"No problem," he laughed. There was an awkward silence. "By the way, you look like a beetroot."
And with that Malfoy sped off, laughing heartily to himself.
How was it? I'm quite pleased with how it turned out actually- hopefully Draco wasn't too out of character. In this fanfiction he isn't going to be so much of a baddie as he was in the others, but he isn't going to turn into a goodie goodie either. I love writing this fanfiction and hopefully someone might consider reading future chapters? Let me know what you think.