Thanks so, so much for the reviews! I hope you continue to like this story as much as I enjoy writing it. Don't worry, I have a good idea where the next chapter is headed, so expect another update in the very near future!
Chapter 6: Imaginary
A/N: The following in italics is a little suggestive, but it's meant to be nostalgia...happy times in a way...
"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet..." Ginny recited in what she thought was an empty Astronomy tower.
"Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?" Someone continued, with a certain and very familiar sarcastic tone.
Ginny glared in mild annoyance at Draco who could hardly be seen in the darkness that left creepy shadows in its wake.
"Silly me, I thought I was alone..."
"Virginia, you're never alone in the Astronomy tower, you of all people know that." He gave her a suggestive wink and when he reached her, he took hold of her arm, uttering a whisper, "Shall we continue?"
She smiled back, her fiery hair glowed with the starlit night that entered through the high windows. It was moments like these that Draco could understand why he had such a weakness for red-haired women. Ice melted in the presence of such fire...
"...maybe another night, perhaps?" She answered. Draco knew what that meant.
The Astronomy tower, we hardly knew ye...
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Harry demanded.
"Trying to save your ass, that's what!" Draco remarked sharply, very peeved.
Harry was momentarily shocked at Draco's presence at his side before his demeanor became angry once again. Chris just watched on, waiting.
"Well, don't bother!" He yelled, and stood up waving off Draco's offer of assistance.
An expression of hurt quickly passed over Draco's face, but once he recovered himself all that was left was a cold mask, ready to do what was necessary.
"Deal with it." He spoke quietly, yet at the same time with obstinate force.
Harry stared back at him pretending to be uncomprehending of what he meant.
"The ones who died...they're gone, Harry. Sirius. Hermione. Dumbledore...all of them. They can't come back. Just get past it. It's been years..."
"And you're just so FINE with everything, everyone that has died...suffered...all because of Voldemort. All because they stubbornly stood by me...even when I wasn't a saint..." He responded with heavy sarcasm, but then just sighed, defeated, and looked at his hands as if they held all the secrets of the universe.
"Think about it for a second...do you think they would've wanted you to sulk away the years, not moving on, not even attempting to help the future be a brighter one? They died for what they believed in, they at least deserve to have their efforts actually mean something, and not to let it all waste away for nothing..."
"Take it from me—you shouldn't let an opportunity go to waste like this..." Chris spoke quietly.
Harry took a double take when he finally noticed someone else other than Draco in the room. "Who's he?" He asked abruptly.
"He's a Traveler, I told you about them, remember?"
"I don't bother to remember much anymore, except the things that actually matter. So, how is Ginny?" Harry replied, rudely changing the subject.
Draco went very noticeably pale for a moment before he regained his composure and answered, "Same as always,"
Harry nodded, oddly showing the first signs of remorse and sadness since they had arrived.
Chris knew what this was about; he had been badgered enough by Draco to not know.
"Harry, listen...we don't have much time. I've committed to this and I need to make sure it goes through, okay?" Draco tried to appeal.
In reply, he threw up his hands, and angrily shouted, "You're all blind, I tell you! Look what is going on around you! Changing some stupid event won't better the entire universe! And it won't better the people left behind..."
Draco swallowed nervously at what he was saying. Because he knew Harry was right. But, for some reason, he did it anyway.
Chris broke the pregnant silence by urgently reminding they should get going. Before Draco could call for the Doors, Chris shook his head and put out his hand for Draco to hold on to and then told him to tell Harry to do the same. "It's faster..." He remarked before they all disappeared in a flurry of orbs.
TBC...please review!!!!