A/N: hello everyone! This is my first fanfic … be kind! The idea is a sort of random one, but I'm a real ginny/draco shipper =) even if this is my first fanfic, I've been reading them like a heroin addict since this summer. Really not doing wonders for my schoolwork, but oh well. I'd like to say I'm inspired by my writing goddess Ilana – she turned me on to fanfic and yes … gasp … harry potter in the first place. Check out her stories – she's to whom it may concearn (ID 264889)

Review please! I'm one of those feedback addicted people … I'm not entirely sure it's safe for me to start getting hooked on reviews … *sigh* oh well. I really do want to know what you think – flames and constructive criticism more than welcome! You can email me too, if you're really delighted (or disgusted) – xangelicfirex@yahoo.com

Anyway. Now that I've bored you with a very longwinded note. On to the story!

~angelic fire~

Title: Mutual Healing

Summary: The Weasleys hit hard times and Ginny takes a job with Madame Pomfrey in exchange for tuition at Hogwarts. Things get complicated when Ginny discovers a certain secret Draco Malfoy and Madame Pomfrey share – can they heal eachother?

Rating: R (just in case … I do tend to get quite passionate with my characters *wink* 'specially when draco's involved… *coughs violently*)

Disclaimer: Glory and Praises to JK Rowling!

Chapter 1 – Challenged

"WHAT?!" Ginny gaped in disbelief, staring into her parents impassive faces.

Molly Weasley shifted a howling Thomas to her left hip. "Virginia, I'm sorry, we really had no choice."

Her husband sighed. "Ginny … pumpkin …" Ginny scowled. "Please try to understand. Ever since Lucius murdered Fudge and became Minister …"

"Don't endorse rumors in front of the children, Arthur!" Molly frowned in disapproval.

"Fine. Ever since Fudge had a 'heart attack' alone after an anonymous private meeting, Malfoy has demoted and cut anyone he deems unfit to represent Magical England." Arthur raked nervous hands through his burning red hair. "Love, I'm not making half of what I used to, and what with Luke starting school in two years time and the new baby .."

"You've decided I'm not worth it and should drop my education after five bloody years?"

Molly gasped and gave Ginny a reproachful glare, pointedly covering little Thomas's ears. Ginny rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to protest further.

Mr. Weasley put up his hand to silence her. He sighed deeply. "Ginny, at least we're not pulling you out completely. Professor Dumbledore is being very understanding, he was so kind to make this arrangement. You'll still be able to finish school!"

Ginny scoffed. "Right, just without any friends to speak of and the contempt of every other student at Hogwarts. Great compromise, Dad." She paused, glaring at her father. "And I suppose Ron is just going to continue as usual? Of course, you would never dream of interfering with the life of one of your sons, but your daughter, well, you can afford to let her suffer."

"Virginia Weasley! Take that back right now, young lady!" Molly said sharply, placing a restraining hand on her husband's arm. Arthur's face was quickly approaching the colour of his hair, and he looked to be smoking with rage.

"Virginia…" he began slowly, then closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. "You have no idea how difficult it for me to do this. Not only do I feel inadequate for not being able to provide for my only daughter, my princess …" Ginny rolled her eyes again. "…but I'm also faced with knowing after next year she'll be on her own, and I won't be able to help her into the world at all. Ginny, your mother and I have given you everything we have. This is the smallest of sacrifices – and of course you will still have friends! It's not like you're living in Hogsmeade. You'll still dorm with your friends, and attend your regular classes, you'll just have to juggle a part-time job into that. And Ron …" Arthur paused meaningfully. "Your mother and I didn't think it was appropriate for us to ask him to work in his seventh year."

Ginny stared. "Dad! Hello! I'm in sixth year! I only have two years of Hogwarts left, and you want me to spend them in the hospital wing helping Madame Pomfrey?" Ginny felt daggers pulling at her heart, watching all the dreams she had of her future crumbling to an impoverished heap on the floor.

Molly looked at her daughter with eyes full of tears. "Ginny, you should be grateful! We're letting you stay! Do you have any idea how helpful it would be to have you stay home and find a steady job? And you haven't even noticed that we've carefully considered your love for the healing arts and medicine!"

Ginny let her head fall a bit in shame. She had topped out in Hogwarts' advanced Healing classes last year, she had an insatiable thirst for the subject. She had spent all last year working with Professor Limbaugh (the new healing arts teacher) and Snape doing independent studies and researching antidotes and counter-charms to deadly curses. The thrill of knowing her work would help someone, that her compassion had the power to save lives was a natural high for her. It truly was kind of her parents to bear that in mind when they were deliberating what to do … for Merlin's sake, they could have put her in with Madame Pince in the library or something. Ginny grimaced at the thought.

She looked at her parents again. Their faces seemed creased with lines of worry, and they seemed so old to her all of the sudden. Wisps of gray hair tangled through her mother's fiery mane, and her father's frown lines focused on her with unbearable intensity. Their eyes searching hers for a reaction, pleading with her to understand and to not judge them too harshly. She realized they were doing this for her, for her own good. That horrible realization every child hates to make – her parents were right, and they really did have her best interests in mind. She took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Mum, Dad. I guess … I'm just having trouble resigning myself to two years of fatigue and being an anti-socialite." She sighed again. "But I suppose that's how life is, isn't it?" She smiled weakly."

Molly beamed at her daughter proudly through her tears and enveloped her in a suffocatingly loving embrace. "You'll manage, angel. You always have."

Ginny looked into her father's eyes over her mother's shoulders. His amber depths thanked her, once again begging her to understand.

Working for tuition. She laughed hollowly.

Oh what the hell. She'd put up with worse than this. If there was anything Virginia Weasley could handle, it was a challenge.