Chapter 24
Draco sat up and looked around the room as he saw the door open and close again. Either Peeves was pulling a stupid prank, or someone had just entered the Hospital Wing under an Invisibility Cloak. A wand appeared near the door and Draco heard what sounded like a locking charm, but he couldn't be sure. Then it dawned on him.
"Ginny?" Draco's confused expression widened into a smile as none other than Ginerva Weasley appeared near the door of the Hospital Wing, Invisibility Cloak in her hand. She seemed hesitant at first, but seeing his smile, ran to his bed. She stopped at the foot, looking at him worriedly and biting her lip. "Come here," Draco said quietly as he held out his arms. Apparently extremely relieved, Ginny sat down on the bed next to Draco as he enveloped her in a tight hug.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, Draco!"
"Shh, Ginny. It's okay." Draco cupped Ginny's face in his hands as she pulled away, wiping her tears away with his thumb. "I don't care what your brothers do to me, just as long as you still love me ... you do still love me, right?" Ginny laughed quietly.
"Of course I do. I'll never not love you, Draco."
"I love you, too." After a moment of comfortable silence, Draco continued, "How'd you get down here? I would've thought your brothers had you locked up or something equally jackass-like." Ginny smiled and nodded.
"They don't know I'm here. Charlie helped me sneak out; they still think I'm in my dormitory reading. Thank Merlin for Charlie." Ginny rested her head underneath Draco's chin, reveling in the warmth that his arms around her were giving. "How're you feeling?"
"A lot better. The only reason I'm not out of here yet is because McGonagall thinks they'll try something again. I think she's overreacting. I wasn't hurt that badly."
"Well I'm glad she's overreacting then." Ginny glanced at the grandfather clock on the opposite wall of the Hospital Wing. "Oh Bugger! I've got to get back before they notice I'm gone."
"Okay," Draco responded sadly. "I'll see you soon." Despite the fact that Draco seriously doubted the truth of that sentence, he managed to smile reassuringly.
"I hope so." Ginny kissed him sweetly before donning her Invisibility Cloak and leaving the Hospital Wing.
Some Time Later, Gryffindor Common Room
"What if she won't even talk to us?"
"I'll make sure she'll talk to you, Ron. You four just make sure you know what to say." Charlie gave them all a meaningful look before turning and starting up the stairs to the girls' dormitory, his brothers and Harry trailing behind. Charlie knocked on the door and said, "Ginny, it's me." A few seconds later, the door opened to reveal Ginny standing there.
"I'm glad you're here," she said looking at the later group of males. "I need to say this to all of you." She opened the door wider so her brothers, and Harry, could come in. Once inside they found what she meant by 'all of you'. None other than Bill and Percy were standing inside her room; Bill was leaning against the wall near the fireplace and Percy was sitting on the edge of Ginny's bed, neither looking very happy. Judging from the soot on their clothes, they had just flooed in.
"I'm assuming by the looks on your faces, she's told you about Malfoy," Ron observed.
"Draco! Ron, his name is Draco. But yes, I've told them. Sit." No one moved. "I said sit!" she repeated raising her voice, since none of the guys wanted her to start screaming in her infamous manner, they immediately scurried someplace and sat down; Ron and Charlie on Ginny's bed next to Percy, Harry and Bill on Zi's bed, and Fred and George in the pair of armchairs that flanked the doorway.
"What's this about, Gin?"
"Just sit and listen Ron, this doesn't require you to talk or ask questions," Ginny said calmly. "Okay, well here goes ... for almost 16 years now, I've been the baby Weasley. The one that everyone looked out for, made sure they didn't upset, the one who got extra dessert just because. The one who kept Mum sane in a house full of boys, Daddy's little girl, and little one to all of you. And when I was little someone was always there to pick me back up and dust me off when I fell down, wipe away my tears when I cried," Ginny chuckled, shaking her head before continuing, "And to get me out of bad situations." She looked at Harry, a grateful expression on her face.
"In that sense I think I was, or rather am, lucky. Most people only get a Mum and a Dad. Instead I got a Mum, a Dad, a Bill, a Charlie, a Percy, a Fred, a George, a Ron, and a Harry. Despite the fact that a lot of times one of you was the reason I needed to be comforted or picked up off the ground," everyone laughed nervously, "it still meant a lot to me. It still does; you'll never know how much I love you ... all of you. I can't imagine life without you.
"But I'm not that little girl anymore. I'm not the little girl who fell down and scraped her knee, who got herself lost in the Chamber of Secrets. She doesn't exist anymore. I still need you, but not in that way. Now, I can pick myself up and dust myself off. Yet, it seems you all are trying to deny that; maybe it's because you just didn't notice. Or maybe it's because you think you're losing me and you don't know how to deal with it, other than ignoring it all together. Frankly, I think it's the latter.
"But you have to know that you're not losing me. I'm always going to be little one in your eyes and, hey, I'm okay with that. You just can't overlook the fact that I'm a different kind of little one than I was back then. I can and I do make my own decisions. I'll never not need you and your opinions still matter to me. Which is why, although I'm not asking for your approval to see Draco, I am asking for your blessing." Ginny sighed heavily as she looked at the seven men in front of her. Charlie was the first one to do or say anything.
"I'm giving you my approval, although you don't want it ... as well as my blessing." Ginny and Charlie exchanged a smile as he got up and hugged her tightly.
"Thanks, Charlie."
"Well I have to say, Ginny, I never expected to hear that from you. You have, indeed, grown up a lot more than I had realized. So, if you trust Draco and you're asking us to trust him as well ... I can't promise that. But, I do promise to make an attempt. Of course you have my blessing, little one." Everyone was shocked at the compassionate words that had just come from Percy. But Ginny smiled and hugged him nonetheless.
Bill ran a hand through his long hair before standing up and saying, "I suppose if Charlie trusts this guy he's been thoroughly checked out ... then that should be good enough for me." Ginny smiled warmly as Bill shrugged; Bill wasn't a hug person, nor was he a person that showed his emotions very much. But Ginny knew what he really meant and that was sufficient for her. Harry looked like he was fighting an inner battle at this point. Harry ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up even more.
"Ginny, I may not be your brother, but I love you like a sister. Just promise me that if he ever hurts you, ever does anything wrong ... promise you'll come to us."
"I promise Harry," Ginny said somberly. She walked over to Harry and gave him a tight hug, smiling. Four down, three to go, Ginny thought.
The twins stood up and started their 'we share a brain and are going to talk like we are one person', so it was impossible to figure out who was saying what.
"If he ever hurts you,"
"We'll kill him."
"If he ever makes you cry,"
"We'll kill him."
"If he ever pushes you,"
"To do something you don't want to,"
"We'll kill him."
"If he ever cheats on you,"
"We'll kill him."
"If he ever so much as looks,"
"At another girl,"
"We'll kill him."
"If he ever so much as looks,"
"At you the wrong way,"
"We'll kill him."
"If he ever betrays your trust,"
"We'll kill him."
"If he ever lays a hand on you,"
"We'll kill him."
"But if he manages to avoid all of those things,"
"Then I guess we can manage to avoid killing him." The twins smiled as Ginny ran over to them and enveloped both of them in a bone-crushing hug, resembling Mrs. Weasley's hugs. She knew the twins would be the ones most likely to do something to Draco. While Ron would lock Ginny up, the twins wouldn't hesitate to take it out on Draco rather than on Ginny. Everyone looked at Ron, expectantly; he was still staring at the floor, mulling over Ginny's words.
"I second what Harry and the twins, not so eloquently, said. I'm not happy about this, Ginny. But you're telling me that he makes you happy ... and I'd rather have you happy, even if it does mean having to put up with Malfoy." Charlie shot Ron a warning glance, which went unnoticed by Ginny. "I mean Draco. I'm going to try ... but it's going to take me a long time and it sure as hell won't be easy. It would take me a while to get used to the idea of ... Harry dating you, and he's my best mate."
"I know, Ron. I understand."
"But yeah, sure Gin, you've got my blessing." Ginny let out a little squeal of excitement and ran over to her youngest brother, hugging him extremely tightly and nearly pushing him off the bed he was sitting on.
"Gin, air!" Ron choked out.
"Oh! Sorry Ron," Ginny replied as she released Ron and smiled sheepishly. She looked around at the seven men standing in her dormitory, simply unable to contain her happiness. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
Suddenly, they heard two very feminine squeals and the door flew open. Zi and Hermione ran in and enveloped Ginny in a three-person hug.
"Have you two been listening this entire time?!" asked Percy, slightly outraged.
"Well, thanks to the Extendable Ears we nicked off of Fred and George, yes!" Zi said with a smile.
"You nicked our ears!?" Fred and George's indignation went unnoticed.
"Oh, don't be such a dolt, Percy! We would have found out the entire story, word for word, anyways." Percy looked taken aback that Hermione had called him a 'dolt', but dismissed it when he saw Ginny give him a half-happy, half-pleading look. He knew she wanted him to drop it, and considering everything she'd been through in the past hour, she did deserve it, so he did.
"I'm sorry we have to cut this Kodak moment short, but I've got to get back to work. I'm sure Percy needs to as well," Bill said with a smirk.
"Oh Bugger! I've got a report due in fifteen minutes!" With quick hug from Ginny and a curt wave to everyone else, Percy grabbed a pinch of floo powder, stepped into the fireplace, and was gone in a flash of green flames.
"I'll see you all for the summer. Until then, you four," Bill pointed at Fred, George, Ron, and Harry, "Keep an eye on things. And don't hesitate to call, you know where I live." Bill gave Ginny a cheeky smile; she knew he was just being the over protective brother he would always be. She also knew he didn't mean for them to escort her everywhere or anything extreme. He just wanted to make sure she was safe.
"Yeah, yeah, get out of here you git," Ginny said, smirking. Bill kissed her on the forehead before leaving by floo. Ginny was, needless to say, quite surprised by Bill's action. But seeing as he would never have done that if he had been at all upset with her, she was elated as well as surprised.
"Come on, let's go get some dinner." Everyone nodded in agreement with Charlie and started downstairs. When they reached Common Room, Ginny stopped.
"I'd like to go see Draco. I'll meet you all downstairs in 20 minutes okay?"
"Okay, but make sure you get down there. You've barely eaten anything; you're getting too skinny."
"Ron, do you have any idea how much you sounded like Mum?" Ginny laughed at Ron's horrified expression as she bounded out of the Common Room.
Malfoy Manor
"Trust me, woman, I won't hesitate to kill you."
"Oh shove it, Lucius. You and I both know you can't kill me! Draco would run away if you did. And then what? Eh? You'd be left with one very angry Dark Lord and no one to help you. You're lucky you're a clever man, because if it weren't for all the charms you have on this god forsaken house, I'd be long gone," Narcissa spat angrily.
"Don't test me." Lucius' eye twitched as Narcissa laughed maliciously. "We'll see who's laughing when we get a hold of your precious baby boy. He will be a Death Eater. I'll die before I see him turn against the Dark Lord."
"Then I guess you'll have to die, but I doubt anyone will be too distraught about that," Narcissa mumbled, but Lucius was already gone. She needed to get out of this house; if she could get out, then there would be nothing stopping Draco from running away. One way or another, she'd be gone before the end of the summer, she promised herself.
A/N: And here we are, once again, ladies and gentlemen. This chapter was A LOT sooner than I had expected it to be, because I have such a wonderfully awesome spectacular beta! beams Now, I have the next chapter done and ready ... but I'm not going to post it until I have at least 10 reviews for this chapter. So you wanna read the next one? Eh? THEN REVIEW! Please? Aren't the brothers just adorable? And who didn't love Ginny's speech, come on now! My beta and I have come to a conclusion ... Blaise is the most adorable thing since the teddy bear! I'd appreciate any and all comments, so please review! See note at bottom about the death guesses!
HarryPotterFan670: I know! I'm so excited for it because it's going to be even better than "Days"!! I'm so flattered. No, you didn't give me any ideas because I know exactly who is going to die how and nothing can make me change it (even the death threats from my friend who guessed correctly on who is going to die!). How was this chapter?
LunaGypsy: Well, I have to say that I'm impressed. You are the first person to realize that I gave sooo many clues, as to the person that's going to die, in my other bits of knowledge. Congrats! Thanks a bunch and how was this?
Lil Bre: Oh! I'm so flattered ... I mean, all those people! does Miss America bawling thing (that was a touch random, sorry!) Oh, I know! I LOBE Charlie ... that's right, I LOBE him! Merci, Merci! How was this one?
Beckysue2: Mwahaha! I'm sorry ... but that particular character must die. That's all there is to it ... and yes, Ron's a bloody prat. He'll be even more of a prat in the beginning of "In My Life" (the sequel). Gratci! How was this?
Krystal1989: Apparently, my evil plan is working more and more with each review. Because you were supposed to hate the brothers in that chapter ... and love them to pieces in this one (well not quite, but roll with me here). Mwahaha! mutters to minions and henchdudes about furthering the evil plan How did you like this chapter?
LaGau: Yay! I'm so flattered! I hope you liked this chapter as much as you liked 23!
CoolMilena: Hey, you! Yes, I know, it's so sad for Draco. I didn't really go into much detail on his thoughts ... but I mean think how bad he must have been feeling ... aww tear O well, that's all mended now! Yay! How did you like this chapter?
MasterHarper Menolly: I LOBE Charlie ... he's always there for Ginny! I'm so much of the happy that you like him too! Since you don't like the cryptic-y stuff, then just ignore it. I doubt anyone will understand and guess correctly anywho (no one has yet). Everything will be revealed ... eventually! Next chapter in 10 reviews! How was this?
Annabeave: I'm glad you got that all worked out. I know! There's going to be a lot more of the Ginny/Charlie relationship in the sequel and I'm soooooo excited to write it! Sorry ... but I can't tell you! See the note at the bottom, hehe, I know I'm evil. I'm so flattered; how was this chapter?
Wockygal: My goodness! I'm so utterly flattered! I'm really glad you like it! How did you like this chapter?
Paintedsecrets: Haha, I'm so glad! does the happy dance LOL, don't worry about it. I didn't leave any clues and I didn't even figure it out until I wrote the chapter ... shh don't tell anyone though! LOL! I can't tell you who I'm going to kill ... see the note at the bottom. I know! I love it. It's because it's an advanced class, so he doesn't have to follow the same curriculum as the regular classes! Hehe. Yes, Freshmen are students. Okay, for our High School you have 4 years: 1st year Freshman, 2nd year Sophomore, 3rd year Junior, 4th year Senior and then you graduate and go off to college. Hehe ... we kidnapped 3 of them! It was so much fun ... and our teacher was encouraging it! OO a mint! Yay! I'm flattered as always and hoping that you liked this chapter! 10 reviews to chapter 25! And then just 2 more till the end!
REGARDING THE SOON TO BE DEAD PERSON! Alrighty, no one has even come close to guessing so far. I don't want to say anything more because I do want it to be a surprise. But if you do guess, then the prize is still up for grabs!