Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters related to it. JK Rowling has that honor.
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Draco stared at his mother without really seeing her. He had been drifting in and out of reality since Ginny's death. From the date that her mother had told him, only a few days had passed. He had remembered Ginny's mum's cry of anguish when she had found Ginny in her bed and could not awaken her. Draco had been draped in his father's invisibility cloak, standing on the other side of Ginny's bed. He wanted to see her before he was forced to stay away from her. As far as he knew, her family left her in her room until the funeral was arranged.
His heart had nearly broken when Arianna had asked her mother if Ginny was sleeping. Draco had to pinch himself from crying out and exposing himself. Without anybody's knowledge, he stayed by her bed from morning till night. He only left when there were too many people in the room and when he felt like he was going to break down.
He had apparated himself and Ginny to her mum and dad's house from Damius's. He had carefully laid her in her bed and had stood by her bedside all night long and into the day.
"Draco darling," his mother was saying, touching him on the shoulder.
Draco blinked and focused his attention on his mum. He then remembered that he was having lunch with her and that they were at the Manor. "Yes?" he said.
His mum sighed. "Darling, you must pull yourself together. Surely the poor little wench didn't mean that much to you?"
Draco's eyes darkened. "Don't you ever speak about her like that again," he said in a deadly voice.
His mum laughed, tossing a strand of her blond hair behind her shoulder. "You take that silly redhead much too seriously. You must understand, Draco, that we're all doomed to die sooner or later. Virginia's death just came sooner than expected, I suppose. She wasn't of much good use to anybody anyway-"
Draco stood up, furious. "If you ever speak like that again, I swear by Merlin I'll slap you," he said. His cold, stone eyes met with her startled ones. "I'm tired of you putting her down. My God woman, can't you give her a break, even in death?" his voice broke on the word. He took a deep breath before continuing. "I love her, and I will not tolerate your disrespect to her. She may be dead to you, but she's still very much alive to me," he walked out of their dining room, slamming his door as hard as he could when he reached his bedroom. He paced in front of the fireplace until the imprint of his shoe could clearly be seen on the soft carpet.
Ginny's funeral was in a few hours, and he intended to attend it. He wanted to see her one last time before all he had were his memories of her. He had sent flowers to the Weasley home, not putting his name on the cards. So far, none of Ginny's family or friends had come to see him, which he did not care. He knew they were going to come sooner or later. As if to prove his point, a knock sounded on his door a few minutes later.
"Come in," he growled.
Cheak peeked around the door, his eyes wide with fear. "M-Master Malfoy, sir, someone is here to see you, sir."
The elf stepped aside to make way for Harry Potter to come into the room. Harry's eyes scanned the richly furnished room, then came to rest on Draco. "Hello Malfoy."
Draco scowled at him, dismissing Cheak with a wave of his hand. "Get ouf of here, Potter."
Harry, used to Malfoy's rude manner, went and made himself comfortable on one of his armchairs. "I'm glad to see you, too."
Draco went and sat down on his couch. "Just tell me what the hell you want and get out of here. If I look at you any longer I'll puke."
He grinned. "It's nice to know you haven't changed. I came because of- " he hesitated, "because of Ginny."
Draco drew in his breath. "What about her?" he asked harshly. He saw sympathy flicker in Potter's eyes before it disappeared.
"Look Malfoy I know you hate me, and trust me, the feeling's mutual. We have nothing in common, except that we both love Ginny. Her death nearly killed me," he paused, then cleared his throat, and continued. "It was a shock to everyone. Her family's devastated and so are her friends. Every morning when I wake up, I pray that it had been a bad nightmare. But as bad as I feel, you must feel ten times worse, because I know you were the one that loved her the most."
"Don't tell me you came here to comfort me," Draco sneered.
Harry sighed. "As crazy as that sounds, yes I did," he stood up in front of him, with his hands spread out. "All right, do your worse."
Draco looked up at him as if he had lost his mind. "What the hell are you doing, Potter?"
"I know you're mad. So just pretend I'm a punching bag and just let your emotions flow."
"I always thought you were crazy, but now i know. Now get the hell out of here before I do you some serious bodily harm," Draco said. Harry remained in front of him, looking at him intently. "Tell me the real reason you came here, Pothead."
"I know what you did for me during the Final Battle," Harry said quietly. "I never told anyone, out of the little respect I have for you," he gave a brief smile. "Without that spell that you'd cast, I wouldn't be here today. You're not the cold-hearted bastard that you want everybody to believe you are. I know how you're always hiding who you really are inside, Malfoy. I admired how Ginny was the only one who could get you to show any real feelings. After you left her at the end of sixth-year she was heart-broken to say in the least. She loved you very much. She hardly dated anyone and if she did, the relationships barely lasted more than two months. When you came back into her life, I've never seen her so happy. She tried to hide it from me, but I could tell. She was always happiest when she was with you."
Draco's heart ached, but his face did not reveal his inner turmoil. "Too bad I ruined it for her, eh?" he said bitterly.
"What do you mean?"
Draco looked hard at Harry. This idiot had told him something that he needed to hear, as reluctant as he was to admit that Potter had actually said something worth his time. All the guilt that had been building up inside him seemed to flood his very soul as he struggled with his words. "No one knows, but Ginny died because of me. If it hadn't been for me she would still be alive. Her body was so bruised and broken when I found her in Damius's house. You should've seen the look in her eyes- " he drew in a ragged breath. "Twice she took the Cruciatus Curse. Once to save me, and the other for Damius's amusement. She was already in pain, and it just tripled because of the Curse. Her screams, my God, her screams," Draco's voice caught in his throat. "I wanted to help her, but my stupid, weak body wouldn't obey me. I should've been smart and ran behind her so Damius couldn't get her. He got her before I could stop him. The only thing that kept me from killing him was because I wanted him to suffer in Azkaban before he died."
Harry was silent for a time, absorbing everything Draco had just told him. This blond haired man, always acting superior and arrogant to others, was sitting silent and still on the couch, his eyes shadowed and haunted. "Damius and his brother are in Azkaban, sentenced there for life. We all know that they were responsible for Ginny's death, not you. I've ordered the Ministry of Magic to leave you alone."
Draco smirked at him. "Aren't you being a bit too kind, Potter? I don't need no favors from you. They're going to come and question me sooner or later."
Harry gave him a subtle smile. "No they won't. Being the one who defeated Voldemort certainly has its perks."
"Don't you think you're being a bit too cocky, Scarhead?'
"No matter the extent of my cockiness, I'm afraid it will never measure up to yours, you hot-headed wanker."
"I'll drink to that, you ass kisser," Draco downed a glass of Firewhiskey, feeling it burn its way down his throat. He felt a little better. Maybe Potter wasn't useless after all.
Harry grinned. "As sad as I know it'll make you, I have to go."
Draco didn't ask him where he was going, knowing that he was leaving for Ginny's funeral. Draco flipped him off as Harry grinned and left.
~*~*
A figure cloaked in black could be seen standing away from the big crowd of mourners. Silver eyes seemed to be flashing every few seconds, as its owner's mouth twisted. Draco forced himself not to break down. He hated the weather. It was a beautiful day, cloudless and sunny. Why should the rest of the world be happy while he felt so depressed? It seemed like everyone who was from Hogwarts was here. From Professor Dumbledore and, to Draco's surprise, Professor Snape. There was not a dry eye in sight, save for a few.
The priest's voice droned on. The top of the coffin was full of roses, Ginny's favorite flowers. As the priest concluded the funeral, friends and family went and said their last good-bye to Ginny. Draco stayed where he was, in the shadow of a tree. Others spotted him, the same sympathetic look that he received from everyone he talked to in their eyes, but they did not approach him. They gathered in little groups to talk. Tilly saw him and made his way toward him.
She hugged him tightly, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm sorry, Draco."
Draco hugged her back. Tilly was the only one beside Ginny who he let hug him. "Me too, Til."
She pulled back and wiped the tears away. She smiled up at him. "Ginny wouldn't want us to act like this. She'd want us to move on with our lives," she lightly touched Draco's cheek. "I know that seems impossible right now, but just give yourself time to adjust." She gave him another hug and left to talk to Mrs. Weasley.
Draco stayed under the tree until everyone left. He slowly made his way over to the coffin. He ran his hand over its smooth wooden surface. He touched the roses, its silky texture comforting him. Tilly was right, Ginny wouldn't want him moping around. But he couldn't let her go that easily. He didn't think he would ever be able to forget her no matter how hard he tried. He would have to move on, find love again if that were possible. Draco swallowed. Was it possible to love another woman as he had loved Ginny?
He picked up a handful of dirt and tried to swallow the lump in his throat. This was it, this was his last good-bye to her. He threw it on her coffin, watching it scatter. He pressed his hand to his lips and touched the wooden surface again. "Good-bye Ginny," he whispered. "I've always have and always will love you. Until we meet again, love."
He turned and started walking away. He rubbed his eye as they began to prickle. He paused as his eyes began to hurt and to blur his vision. He heard the sound of rustling cloth. Thinking that he was the cause for the noise, he ignored it. Again he heard it, but this time he knew that it wasn't from him. He carefully scanned the cemetery to see if anyone were still there. It was deserted. Again the noise came. He listened closely for the noise. It came from behind him. His heart leapt as he looked at Ginny's coffin.
It couldn't be, he thought wildly. He carefully walked over and heard a groan. This time he knew it came from the coffin. He rushed over as thousands of thoughts flew through his head. He pushed the roses carelessly over the side.
"Ginny?" he said.
He heard a gasp as something started pounding the coffin lid. The sound startled him. He quickly opened it. Ginny was laying there gasping, her eyes wide with the same fear in her eyes that he had seen at Damius's. She looked wildly around, finally stopping on him. Her face was pale. Old bruises were fading from her face.
"D-Draco?" she sounded out of breath.
"Is it really you, Ginny?" he asked, unwilling to believe it. He ran his hand over her face, feeling her warm skin. She remained still as he ran his fingers over her eyes, cheek, and lips. He laid his hand over her heart and felt it beating, though a bit fast.
She covered his hand with hers. "It's me, Draco," her voice quivered. She squeezed it. "What am I doing in here? Draco? I'm so scared, please hold me."
He wrapped his arm around her and lifted her out of the coffin. He held her tight as he felt her tremble. He buried his face in her hair. He heard her sobs as she held him as tight as he was holding her. He planted kisses all over her face.
"Ginny, you're alive, you're really alive. I thought you were dead. Thank God."
He was so relieved that he felt like he was going to faint. They stood holding eachother for a long time. Finally Ginny stopped trembling and pulled back. She searched his face with her eyes.
"What's going on?" She looked around, surprised to find that she was in a cemetery. She glanced back at the open coffin and her eyes widened. "W-was I in there?"
"We thought you were dead. What would've happened if we'd have buried you?"
"Dead? How long have I been... dead?"
"It's been four days since Damius's. Your mum had the doctors check you, and they said that you were dead."
"I've been gone for four days?" she said, startled. "Everything was so dark. It only seems like it's been a couple of hours, or minutes. It feels like I've been taking a short nap."
He looked at her wonderingly, part of him still not able to believe that she was alive. She must've seen the look that crossed his eyes. "It's really me. I think Damius used a curse that put me into a really deep sleep. I'm guessing he wanted me to suffocate to death once I was six feet under."
Draco shivered. "Don't talk like that. This is so unbelievable. I-I can't believe you're a-alive. Saying I'm relieved is an understatement."
"You don't believe I'm alive?" she asked. She reached up and pulled his head down. His lips met hers, sending warmth flooding through his body. He kissed her tentatively at first, then passionately as he reveled in her soft warm lips that he hadn't kissed for over six months. She pulled back and grinned up at him. "Proof enough?"
He groaned. "Maybe we should settle this in bed?"
She shivered. "I can't believe I'm still turned on by you right after I just got out of my coffin, too."
He had learned not to waste time. The recent happenings of the past couple of weeks had taught him a life's lesson the hard way. He didn't care what he had to do. He wasn't losing her ever again.
"Ginny," he said quietly. "I love you." She looked down at the ground, lowering her head. He lifted her chin to make her look at him. "Now would be a good time to say the same thing to me."
"You already know I love you," she said softly. Her eyes seemed to be filled with pain. "But I don't think it's enough to make a marriage work."
"What are you talking about?" he asked gruffly.
"Draco, if I know anything about you, I know that you get bored with things. What makes you think that you won't get bored with me? Just the thought of you taking lovers is enough to make me break again."
He sighed. "You don't get it, do you Weasley? I would never ever get bored with you. I love you. I've loved you since our sixth year at Hogwarts. That's been six years, Ginny, six years. If I haven't stopped loving you in six years, I'm positive I'll love you forever."
She looked at him, startled. "You've loved me since our sixth year?" He nodded. She bit her lip. "I-I'm not sure."
He gently grasped her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. "I know I hurt you, Ginny, and I'm sorry. I know my apology isn't worth it, but if there's anything I can do to prove to you how much I love you and always will, please let me know."
~*~*
Ginny looked into his eyes. How could she believe him? Everything seemed so confusing. He was always calm and controlled. But not when he's with you, a voice told her. Ginny's heart leapt. Of course! He only lost control when he was with her. That must mean I affect him the same way that he affects me. And if that's the case, then he must love me as much as I love him, she thought. All the unhappiness she had felt when she had left him was not worth living with. She wanted him, she needed him. And she was more than willing to give him a second chance.
She grasped his hands with her own. "Just promise me one thing," she said.
"Anything."
"Promise you'll never leave me, no matter what," she looked closely at him, looking into his eyes to see his expression.
There was nothing but truth and total honesty in his eyes. "I swear." She wrapped her legs around his waist as he picked her up and kissed her. She didn't think her body would ever stop reacting to Draco the way it did. "My wife."
She pulled back to look at him. "Your wife? We're not married anymore." He grinned mischievously. "Are we?"
"I never turned in the divorce papers, so legally you're still my wife."
"I would expect something like that from you," she nibbled his ear. "I've missed you so much."
He groaned. "I don't think a cemetery is an ideal place to make love."
"So what are we still doing here?" she asked, a glint in her eyes. He grinned and the next moment they were in Draco's bedroom.
~*~*
"I wonder what everyone's reaction will be when they find out you're alive," Draco said as he laid with Ginny in his bed. He ran his hand over her bare back.
She snuggled closer to him. "I'm guessing they'll be shocked."
He looked down at her. "You know we'll have to go see them today."
She lifted her head to kiss him. "Yeah, let's go right now."
"Aren't you tired?" he asked as she got out of bed. "If I remember correctly you always slept for hours after we made love."
She looked at him over her shoulder and made a face. "I've slept for four days. If you slept for four days, do you think you would be tired?"
He smiled. "You're right."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "There's something you don't hear everyday. Draco Malfoy telling someone that they're right." She picked up the white dress that her family had put on her when she was supposedly dead. "I don't suppose you could burn this, do you?" Draco didn't answer her. She looked at him and blushed hotly when she realized that he was admiring her naked body. She wrapped the dress around her. "Draco," she said.
He looked at her red face. "Sorry, I was busy. What did you say?"
Ginny sighed in exasperation. "I'm going to go take a shower and get dressed," she raised her eyebrows. "Care to join me?" She laughed as he came and swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bathroom.
~*~*
Ginny thought her mum was going to faint when she saw her. Her whole family stared open mouthed at her. Harry took out his wand and pointed it at her.
"Who the hell are you?" he asked warily.
Ginny heard Draco say impatiently, "It's Ginny, you idiot. Put your bloody wand away."
Harry looked at Draco, then did as he was told. "It's really her?"
"I don't get no hugs?" Ginny said.
Her family all rushed at her. Ginny was enfolded in hug after hug. Her father and mother hugging her at least ten times each. She hugged each one of them back, crying with them.
"But how can this be?" her mum said.
Ginny explained to them how Damius had put a curse on her that made her fall into a deep sleep.
"Oh, I've read about that," Hermione said. "It's called the Death Sleep. The person that receives the spell is put into a deep sleep and the spell lasts for days. The number of days depends on how powerful the caster was when they performed the spell. The receiver's heartbeat slows down so much that it cannot be detected. In fact it barely beats. Any doctor who examines the person would think that they were dead," she sighed. "I'm so glad I persuaded them not to take out any of your organs or drain your blood."
The whole room shuddered. Her mum made her sit down and gave her a plate piled with food. "Eat," she commanded. "You haven't ate for four days. You must be starving."
Ginny admitted that she was and began to eat. After she ate until she was too full to take another bite, her family and friends started conversation after conversation with her. Ginny couldn't reply to any of them, because so many people were talking to her at once. She started getting a headache. Draco must've noticed, because he came over and pulled her off the couch.
"I'm sorry," he said politely. "But Ginny must feel exhausted. Perhaps I should take her back home."
"She is home," Ron insisted.
Ginny smiled at him. "Yes I am, but he meant my other home, Malfoy Manor."
"What are you talking about? You're not married to him," Ron said.
"Yes I am. We never divorced. He never turned in the divorce papers," she explained. She bid her family good-bye and promised she'd be back again tomorrow. After half an hour of more hugging and kissing, Draco finally apparated them back to the Manor. Ginny sighed as she fell exhausted onto Draco's bed. "I can't believe I'm tired."
Draco went and laid down beside her, pulling the blankets over them both. "It's been a big day. Anyone would have dropped dead- I mean fell asleep- " he corrected himself quickly, "if they went through what you've been through."
"Hmm," Ginny agreed. She felt her eyelids drooping.
Draco kissed her on the head. "Go to sleep, darling. I'll be here in the morning and every morning after that."
She smiled sleepily and molded her body into his. "I love you, Draco."
"I know," he said as he watched her fall asleep. "I love you, too."
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Stay tuned for the Epilogue or however you spell it and an author's note! It tells about my plans after I'm done writing this fan-fic. Review please! super-sailor-saturn39