My Hero, My Friend, My Love
Thanks to Branmuffinpower for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. It's going to take a while to pan out, so be patient!
A/N- This story has character death! Don't say I didn't warn you...
Chapter Two: Tragedy and Aftermath
Before Ginny knew it, she'd been at school for a month. She and Draco had been seeing a lot of each other. And it hadn't gone unnoticed by Ron. However, his opinion of the fair-haired boy had dramatically changed since the war. Ironically, when Draco wasn't with Ginny, he was often found with Ron and Harry, of all people. The three had become quite good friends, much to the relief of the staff, having had endured six years of fighting, dueling and arguing among the boys.
The five friends, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Draco were lounging around the lake one afternoon when two very grim-looking professors walked towards them.
"Uh-oh," said Hermione. "Who did what this time?"
All at once, the three boys said, "It wasn't me!"
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley come with me please," said Professor McGonagall.
The four students stood and began to follow her back to the castle while exchanging nervous glances. Ginny turned back and looked at Draco and tried not to look scared. Draco smiled at her to reassure her.
Professor Snape noticed the exchange between the two and spoke up. "Perhaps Mr. Malfoy should accompany his friends for...moral support." He said the last part rather quietly. Draco stepped up and took Ginny's hand in his.
"Come along then, Mr. Malfoy." Professor McGonagall led the group through the castle to the Headmaster's office.
She spoke to the gargoyle, "Snickerdoodle." At once, the statue began to turn and the group was ushered into Dumbledore's office.
"Hello, my friends. Please sit down." Dumbledore's normally cheerful eyes were heavy and his voice lacked the spirit it usually held.
The five students looked at him nervously and waited for him to speak. But it was Snape who began to speak.
"As you all know, all but two Death Eaters have been captured and sent to Azkaban." The students nodded, and Snape continued. "It seems as though Nott and Avery had led us to believe they were tracking through Wales. However, this was not the case." He paused. "There was an...attack...an assassination."
Ginny looked at her friends and looked back up at Snape. "What do you mean, an assassination?" Deep in her heart, she knew. She gripped Draco's hand, while her other hand made its way into her brother's.
Hermione began to sob softly into Harry's shoulder.
"Ron, Ginny, I'm sorry." No one even bothered to take notice that the Potions Master had just referred to the students by their first names. "The Burrow was attacked. Your parents...they're gone."
The girls began to cry hysterically. Snape gripped Ron's shoulder in an almost fatherly way. Dumbledore and McGonagall looked away, attempting to hide their own tears.
Finally, it was Ron who spoke. "What do we do? Where will we go? We need to get home...see our brothers."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and spoke with a strained voice. "Ron, your home was destroyed. Everything is gone. "
Ron and Ginny looked at him, and the though struck them at the same time. They were homeless. Ginny cried even harder, and Ron looked at his three professors helplessly. Sensing this, Dumbledore continued. "Not to worry Ron. I realize that living in Egypt with Bill is out of the question, while you're still in school. However, I've spoken to Sirius and for now, until you both finish school, Number 12 Grimmauld Place will be your home. Of course, you may stay at Hogwarts over Christmas if you would like, but during the summer, you may stay with Sirius and Harry." He paused.
"I have no words to express my deepest sorrows and sympathies right now. In time, the burden will become lighter, but right now, I can do nothing for your pain. I wish to Merlin I could. Professor McGonagall will take you back to your rooms and wait while you pack some things for a few days. When you return here, we will all travel to London. There is of course, the service to see to, but other matters will need to be handled as well."
Amid the sniffs and soft sobs, the students said, "Thank you Professor."
Draco, who had been holding Ginny close to him, turned to the Headmaster and said, "Sir, with your permission, I would like to accompany Ginny, and of course, pay my respects to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "Of course Draco, of course."
One hour later, the group of students and professors boarded the train to London. Snape had prepared several potions to calm the students, but none took any. Their nerves were too numb to accept the pain yet.
After crossing through the platform barrier, the group was met by Sirius, Fred and George. All wore solemn expressions and no one said anything as they left King's Cross Station for Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
That night, Ginny lay in bed, crying softly and waiting for Snape's sleeping potion to take effect. She didn't want to feel anything yet, much less dream. Soon, an overwhelming tiredness took her over and she slept peacefully.
"I don't see why we can't stay with Fred and George during the summer," Ginny said in a rather frustrated tone as she flopped onto the sofa in the sitting room. "Why do we have to stay here?"
Sirius looked at her and Ron before answering. "Well, for one thing, you need an adult to be your guardian for now. I know that Fred and George are of age, but everyone- Bill, Dumbledore, McGonagall, even Snape- agrees that you need someone older, more mature to look after you until you're both out on your own. Plus, it's not like I haven't got the room here, unlike your brothers' flat." He paused to let that sink in. "But there's another reason. A few years ago, when the Order was reforming, Remus and I made a promise to your parents that if anything happened to them, we would look after you. And I intend to live up to that promise. So does Remus, but seeing as how he's got this big important job now, he'll be in a more limited capacity."
"You...you promised to look after us?" Ginny questioned.
Sirius got up from his chair and sat next to her on the sofa. He looked into her eyes. "Yes, of course. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you or Ron." Ginny began to cry and Sirius wrapped her into a hug and let her cry into his shoulder.
Ron cleared his throat. "Sirius, mate, thanks. You have no idea what this means to us. Thanks."
Remus, who was standing behind Ron, clapped him on the shoulder in a reassuring manner. When he spoke, it was with a choked voice. "You are like family to all of us. We're here for you both, whenever you need us, for whatever you need us."
Ginny looked up from Sirius' shoulder at Remus. She smiled weakly. Once again, it seemed, he was saving her life.
"Sirius, we just need your signature here. Bill, you'll sign underneath." Dumbledore spoke to the two men while pointing where they needed to sign.
After both were finished, he spoke again, "Well, Sirius, you are now the legal guardian for Ron and Ginny Weasley by proxy from William Weasley."
"Thanks, Albus. You too, Bill. I know it must be stressful for you, dealing with this and also having an expectant wife at home. Please give Fleur my best."
"Of course Sirius. And thanks to you as well. I'm glad you'll be here to look after Ron and Ginny. With all the reconstruction and reformation going on since the war, and also Fleur, there's just no way I can move back to England right now. Believe me, I wish I could. But at least I know they're in good hands."
"I promise I'll take good care of them. You have my word," Sirius said as he put out his hand. Bill shook it firmly, then turned to Dumbledore.
"Albus, I'm sorry, but I must go." With that he left the room to find his brothers and sister to share a sad good-bye.
As Bill said good-bye to his siblings, Remus Lupin watched from the doorway. He felt his throat choke up just watching how much the family loved each other. He wished for that, but deep down he knew he would never have it.
Ginny pulled away from the group, and in doing so, she caught Remus' eye. He hadn't seen her since she'd saved his life during the final battle. He'd watched her the last few days and had been amazed at what a beautiful young woman she was becoming. She looked so young, so full of life, even in her sadness. Yet her eyes made her seem older. She'd been through so much in her brief sixteen years, and Remus had a sudden urge to grab her and hold her. He wished he could make everything right for her again.
The hairs on Ginny's neck stood up as she felt like she was being watched. She turned, expecting to see Draco, but instead found herself looking into Remus' hazel eyes. She gave him a half smile, and he smiled back at her before turning and leaving the room.
She didn't see him after that. He had returned home that night, needing to go to work the next day, and three days after that, she and her brother and friends were returning to school. Ginny slept on the train, nestled in Draco's arms, and he gently rubbed her back. She was so glad he was there, but she also knew that there was something missing from their relationship. However, she tried to ignore that feeling, thinking that it was just her grief talking.
Ginny was grateful to return to her classes. She was also glad that she had a lot of schoolwork to catch up on. She didn't want to have time to dwell on the death of her parents, especially her mother's. She and her mother had been very close, very rarely having the typical teenage daughter vs. mother arguments. They were close out of necessity, yes, being the only women in a house of six men, but they were also close emotionally. Her mother was her friend, her confidante. She was the only person who really knew Ginny, and she missed that immensely.
"Ginny?" She looked up from her Charms homework at the sound of her name.
"Oh, hi Hermione," she replied.
"Ron and Harry and I were just about to go down to dinner. Also, Draco's waiting for us outside the common room. Are you coming?" the older girl asked her friend.
"Oh, is it time for dinner already? I was so busy I didn't notice. I'll be right there. Let me put this in my room."
Ginny sighed heavily as she trudged up the stairs to her dorm. She went to put her work in her book bag, and in doing so, she bumped her dresser, causing a picture of her family to fall to the floor and break.
"Oh, no!" she cried. She pickup up the frame and turned it over slowly in her hands. The glass had broken, and in the process, had scratched the photo. Ginny felt a sudden rage rise in her chest, and in frustration, heaved the photo, broken frame and all, at the wall. It shattered the rest of the way.
Hermione, heard something break in the dorm, and quickly ran upstairs to find Ginny on the floor weeping.
"Shhh, shh. I know it hurts. I know..." she said soothingly as she held her friend in her arms.
A few moments later, Ginny sat up. "I'm alright, Hermione. Really, I am. I just got upset."
"Are you sure, Gin? You know you don't have to go down to dinner if you don't want to."
Before she could answer, Ginny's stomach gave a loud rumble. Both girls laughed. Hermione smiled and said, "On second thought, why don't you splash some water on your face and let's get going!"
They met the boys outside and Draco greeted Ginny with a small kiss on the lips. As he pulled away, she heard the little voice in her head. "It still doesn't seem right with him. You need to tell him...soon." Quickly, she pushed the thought aside. Draco practically loved her. He treated her like a goddess and would always take care of her. He was safe. She should be with him...or at least that's what she tried to convince herself.
After dinner one night several weeks later, she and Draco were in the library to do their homework. As much as he liked Hermione now, he still wanted to top her when they took their N.E.W.T.S. later that year. So studying was a top priority for him. As he worked on a very complicated Transfiguration spell, she stole a glance at him. He was breathtakingly handsome. He had perfect features, and his cool, calm demeanor screamed aristocracy. He could still be a snobbish prat when he didn't always get his way, but mostly he was a kind, decent person. He warmed her heart in a way that no one else could right now, but still he didn't give her the butterflies in her stomach that her mother had told her she would have when she was in love. At this thought, she sighed and went back to her Potions notes.
"Everything all right, love?" Draco asked.
She looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, of course." He returned her smile and they both went back to their studying.
An hour later, he was walking her back to her common room. Outside the portrait he stopped and looked down at their intertwined fingers. "Ginny?" he asked.
"Yes, Draco." She looked at his curiously, since he appeared to be quite nervous.
"I was wondering...with the Christmas holidays coming up, will you stay here or will you go...?" He trailed off at the end of his question. He hated to bring up the fact that she wouldn't be spending Christmas with her family at the Burrow.
"Um, well, I know Harry asked Ron and Hermione to go to home with him. He's asked me as well. But I haven't made a decision yet," was her quiet reply.
"Oh," said Draco. "Well, I'm going home to be with my mother since my father's...well, I wanted to ask you to come with me. My mother's quite anxious to meet you."
"She is?" Ginny was suddenly nervous, knowing that Draco and his mother had discussed her.
"Yes, she's very anxious to meet the girl...the girl I'm in love with," Draco said and he immediately blushed.
Ginny was speechless. She thought he might be in love with her, but she wasn't ever sure. Sensing her shock, Draco spoke again.
"Besides, your present is already at my house, and there's something of great importance I wanted to ask you...er...over the break."
Suddenly, it occurred to her what he might want to ask...especially with a present that was at his house...with his mother. She thought quickly and spoke.
"Draco, I don't know. Can I think about it?"
"Yes, of course. It was just a thought." Draco hoped his face didn't show the disappointment he felt. "It's late. I need to get to bed. I'll see you in the morning." He leaned down to kiss her before going to his own dorm.
Ginny walked into the common room and was immediately met by Hermione. The older girl saw the look on Ginny's face and asked, "Is everything okay?"
Ginny sighed before replying. "Hermione, are you in love?"
Hermione blushed. "Um, well, I think so. Why do you ask?"
"Well, how do you know?"
"Gin, if you're asking me that question, it's pretty obvious that you're not."
Ginny looked down at her hands in her lap. She nodded.
"Have you told Draco?" Hermione pressed gently.
"Not yet. I think I could love him, you know? Just not right now." Ginny sighed. "I think I'm going to head up to bed now. Good night Hermione."
"'Night, Gin." her friend replied.
Ginny was halfway up the stairs when she stopped.
"Um, Hermione, who are you in love with?"
"Well, you see, before the war, I'd started seeing someone, and ah, we hadn't told his family yet, and then after the war was over, we just never said anything, and still no one knows, so I don't know if I should say anything without talking to him first," Hermione stammered. Ginny looked at her knowingly.
"Fred or George?" she asked wryly.
Hermione's head snapped up and she looked her friend directly in the eyes.
"Fred. But however did you know?" she asked.
"Process of elimination really. I knew it wasn't Harry or Ron. And the only other men you're ever around are my brothers, Remus, Sirius and Snape. Remus, maybe. Sirius, definitely possibly. Snape, let's not even go there. So that left Fred and George. Plus, I knew I saw you snogging one of them before we left for school this summer." Ginny explained with a smile.
Hermione's eyes were wide. "But you never said anything."
"It wasn't my place," Ginny shrugged. "Besides, you're both really happy. That's all that matters. Good night, Hermione."
A week passed and Ginny still hadn't told Draco about Christmas. She wanted to completely avoid the situation that could possibly occur with him, so she made a decision. Early one morning, she took some parchment and a quill up to the Owlry. She hastily wrote a note and attached it to the leg of her brother's owl, Pig.
Dear Sirius,
I know that Harry has invited Ron and Hermione to your house for Christmas. He's invited me as well, but I just wanted to make sure it was okay if I came. If you don't have the room, it's okay. I just didn't feel right about showing up without asking first.
Please let me know as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Ginny WeasleyShe watched Pig fly off into the distance and hoped that Sirius would say yes.
Two mornings later at breakfast, she got her answer when Pig dropped a letter into her lap. She ripped it open and read it quickly.
Ginny,
Of course you can come home for Christmas! You don't even have to ask. This is your home now as well, and you are always welcome here.
I'm glad you are coming. The rest of your brothers, save for Bill, are coming too. And so is Remus. We are all looking forward to seeing you.
Ginny, I know we've never been close. I hope we can remedy that while you're here for the holidays. I hope that you won't consider this a temporary place of residence until you finish school. I want you to know that you'll always have a home here and that I'll always be here for you.
See you soon,
Sirius
Ginny blinked back the tears that had formed in her eyes. She'd always known that Sirius was a good man, but she never realized how kind he was until that moment. Suddenly, she was looking forward to seeing him and all her brothers at Christmas...and Remus too.
She saw Draco get up to leave the Hall for class, and she knew that she needed to tell him her decision. She met him in the Entrance Hall and greeted him with a kiss.
"Draco, I've made a decision about Christmas," she said.
"And?" he asked.
"Well, I just got a letter from Sirius, and he said all my brothers are coming for Christmas, and I feel like I need to be with them," she answered. She immediately saw the look of disappointment in his eyes. She hoped he wouldn't be upset with her.
He wanted to be upset, but instead he said, "No, of course. You need to be with your family. I understand." He paused. "About your gift, can I give it to you when we return? After all, it's at my house."
"Yes, of course. I don't have yours yet. I still have some shopping to do."
"Ginny, you don't have to get me anything. All I ever want is for you to be happy," Draco said. He kissed her quickly. "I'm sorry. I have to get to class. I'll find you after dinner."
She smiled at him. "Okay, bye." Then she turned in the other direction and went to her own class.