Days Chapter 26: Moments of Ignorant Happiness, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter 26

"Thanks for coming, Beth. I know how hard it must have been for you to get out, with Derek being the ass he is." Bethany Zabini smiled and rolled her eyes as she sat down across from her best friend.

"Of course, Narcissa. I may be married to the prick, but that doesn't mean he has complete control over me." The two women laughed at the irony of the statement as the waiter set two mugs in front of them, one filled with Green tea for Narcissa and the other with coffee for Bethany. "So what's this about, darling?"

"Well, as I'm sure you know, Lucius has been putting a lot of pressure on Draco to become a Death Eater."

"Yes, so has Derek." Bethany's jaw clenched involuntarily, but she took a deep breath and willed herself to calm down. She, much like Narcissa, hated the monster her husband had become.

"And the only reason our boys are staying is because they know Lucius and Derek will hurt us if they don't. But I have a plan that will make everything work out."

"What are you saying, Narcissa?" Narcissa smiled half-mischievously, half-excitedly and leaned her head closer to Bethany's.

"We're finally going to get out of there, Beth."

Slytherin Boys' Dormitory

"Hi." Draco whirled around to face his window; and there was Ginny, sitting on the window seat cross-legged with her broom leaned up against the wall next to her. The window was open and the breeze was ruffling her hair slightly, making the colors dance in the sun.

"How'd you get there?"

"I flew up." Ginny jerked her thumb at her broom and smiled innocently. "What? I get no hug? No kiss?" Draco chuckled and strode over to her, sitting down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her middle as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly. "How was your day?"

"Fine ... I finally talked to Blaise last night. We're all squared away."

"Oh, that's good. You'd been putting it off for too long anyways." Ginny sighed contentedly as she rested her head under Draco's chin; they sat in comfortable silence for a while before Ginny left to say goodbye to Charlie, as he was going back to Romania later the same day.

Near the Lake

"Charlie's off then." Ginny sighed as she flopped down on the grass next to her brother.

"Hey, Gin, I've got a question," Ron stated.

"And I have a narky response."

"Smartass." Ron rolled his eyes at his sister.

"Thanks, Ron. Now what's you're question?"

"Have you told Mum and Dad about a certain blonde Slytherin yet?" Ron cocked an eyebrow at Ginny, who looked at the ground and started to pick at the grass with a sheepish expression on her face.

"Well ... umm ... no."

"Gin, you need to tell them ... soon."

"I know, Ron. It's just so ... hard. I mean I can't exactly waltz into the house and be like 'oh yeah, Daddy, I'm dating the son of a Voldemort supporter and your arch-enemy'. I highly doubt that would go over well." Ginny sighed and leaned against the tree, running her hands through her fiery locks.

"What's wrong Ginny?"

"Umm, who said that?" Ron asked the air, quite confused, as he and Ginny were the only ones in the area.

"I did." The floating head of Draco appeared a few feet in front of them before disappearing again a few seconds later. "So, what's wrong Gin?"

"Well, if you don't mind, I'd rather talk about it someplace else. The idea of talking to air kind of creeps me out, you know?" Draco's laugh sounded.

"Sure Gin. Astronomy Tower then?"

"Mm-hm. I'll see you at dinner Ron." Ginny gave her brother a kiss on the cheek before getting up and heading to the Astronomy Tower.

"But are you sure it will work, Narcissa? I mean what if Draco and Blaise don't take it well and do something irrational?"

"I imagine they will take it pretty hard, I mean we are their mothers. But, think about it, Beth. We know our boys; they're not going to do anything stupid. And its not like this is going to be for forever. Just until everything gets itself sorted out." Bethany bit her lip, as if calculating everything.

"You're right. This ... this is going to work! We're finally going to do this, aren't we?" Bethany's face lit up and Narcissa shot her a dazzling smile.

"Damn straight we are."

Astronomy Tower

A week later, Ginny found herself once again sitting with Draco in the Astronomy Tower. It was getting close to midnight; he was sitting against the wall and Ginny was sitting in front of him, leaning back on his chest. She smiled as she felt him kiss her forehead.

"We've only got two days left here ... then its home for the summer." Draco could detect more than a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Yeah. You think your Mum will let you go to Diagon Alley to meet me again?"

"You mean after I tell her?" Ginny said with a chuckle.

"Well, yeah, then there's that."

"I dunno. I s'posse I could ask Charlie to take my like last time. But I don't want to do anything that might make Lucius the tiniest bit suspicious. Promise me you'll stay out of his way this summer?" Draco almost protested, but ... he just couldn't bring himself to argue with her. He didn't want her to worry for the entire summer, which he knew was inevitable, but if she at least thought he was doing his best to stay on Lucius' good side, then she wouldn't worry as much.

"Okay, Ginny, I promise."

"Good." Ginny closed her eyes and rested her head on Draco's shoulder. Suddenly a strange thought hit Draco; he had brought Ginny into his world. He had involved her in the Death Eater, Lucius, Voldemort, Unforgivable Curse part of his life ... and he hated himself for it.

I knew that you would come
I know you
Welcome to my kingdom
Some days are cold like ice in here

He didn't want her to get hurt ... Merlin, that was the last thing he wanted. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to her. But, of course, he wouldn't put it past Lucius to try something. His nightmares were starting to get more frequent; he'd dream that Lucius or Voldemort was hurting Ginny because of him ... hitting her with all these Unforgivable Curses, including the Killing Curse. Once in a while, he'd get a sense of foreboding and be so scared to dream that again, that he simply wouldn't go to sleep.

Don't have to sleep at night
You don't have to
You don't have to close your eyes
'cause some days are dark like the nights in here

But what could he do? He'd taken all the precautions to keep Ginny safe, apart from making her leave him and go into hiding. Yet, he knew that she would never, ever agree to that. He was glad, but angry in a way as well. The question that kept running through his mind as he sat there with Ginny was: 'How in the bloody name of Merlin am I going to protect her?'

I get this feeling
I get this feeling every time
I don't know, I don't know what to do? Where to go
Make it right, can you stay for the night?
Days in a maze, full of flames. What to do? Where to go?
I don't know when the clouds fill the sky

But then again, if Ginny ever left him ... if she ever stopped loving him ... Merlin, he didn't think he'd live through that. Of course, his life was full of some pretty bad shit as it was. But nothing could compare to having Ginny leave him. That was definitely not what he wanted to think about right now ... although he couldn't keep his mind off all the pain that Lucius had single-handedly caused.

Keep staring at the sea
Keep staring
There's so much misery
For the tidal waves to wash away

Draco pushed all thoughts of Lucius out of his head and smiled down at Ginny. She had her eyes closed, and to Draco she looked absolutely perfect, some thing so breathtaking and enchanting. She seemed too perfect for this ugly world, so innocent and angelic.

Her fiery red hair was sprawled out on his chest and her smell was intoxicating; he wasn't sure what it was, but it was just faint enough so that you couldn't smell it until you were right next to her. And it smelled really bloody good. Draco closed his eyes and let himself get lost in Ginny's presence.

It's something deeper
It's something to defence.
So let's pretend that the end is not coming yet.
Time is not running get into the shadows
And we can be friends now and forever.

He sighed contentedly; for now, he was happy to just sit here, with Ginny in his arms and block out all thoughts, except those pertaining to snogging Ginny or the like. He didn't know how he was going to work everything out ... but right now, he was content not to care.

("Days" by The Rasmus)

A/N: Phew! You've no idea how hard that chapter was for me to write! I really hope you all like it! I know the time-jump is a little sudden, but that's the way it had to be. If you all hate it really a lot then I'll change it (Hehe, hooked on phonics learned me good!). The song in here was the inspiration for this entire fic, and if you have it, listen to it while reading the chapter. It's good for effect. If not, just read the lyrics, peez! Only one more chapter ... doesn't that make you sad? Well the good new is: I've already sent the first chapter of the sequel to my beta! Please review! The final chapter will be posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 at approx. 10 o'clock.

Beckysue2: Yay! I'm glad you liked it. See, I'm not so much for the loving of Draco and Dan Radcliffe as I am for the loving of Oliver Wood and Sean Biggerstaff! OOO! Who is tied with John Rhys-Meyers (dunno if I spelled that right, but George from Vanity Fair). Nope, nope. Yes, I'm posting the last chapter on Monday night, so you'll find out then. I've been super busy, but I've got spare time today so I'll check out your fics!

Annabeave: The next chapter will be up on Monday night, so you'll know who dies then! Hehe, I'm so evil! Yeah, the Blaise/Zi thing isn't going to come up for a while ... even in the sequel ... it's too hard to explain, so you'll just have to read it! Merci, merci!

Cinnamon Angel: Merci beaucoup! Yes well ... someone will die in the next chapter. Sorry ... had to do it.

Fieryred20: Thanks so much!

Lil Bre: LOL, I'm glad you liked it ... not so much of the happy for the kicking, but hey! That's the way the cookie crumbles (sry, that was random). Merci!

HarryPotterFan670: LOL, don't worry about it. That's the one part I've been sure not to foreshadow so that it's a surprise! I play the clarinet! (Oh yeah, babay! Clarinet players kick ass! Hehe). The deal with I'm Still Here is that my beta and I decided we were going to concentrate on finishing this fic, so the next chapter has been sent to her, but she hasn't beta'd it yet because she just finished beta'ing this fic. Sorry! It will be updated before the end of November, I promise! Gratci!

Paintedsecrets: Hehe, I love how I cause so much anguish and outrage in the hearts of my readers ... mwahahaha! I'm so evil! LOL, yeah, my teachers (most of them) are hilarious! Did I tell you about my English teacher that could seriously play Trelawney and play her well?! Bangles, voice, glasses, clothes and all ... its frightening. OO! Dust! And Rum! Yes! Hehe. You'll find out if you're right in the next chapter, dearie! Yeah, Drakey and Charlie Charles! Hehe, it was mucho fun to write! I'm glad you liked it ... where has Rum gone? Captain Jack drank it ... the smarmy bastard Aww! Now I have no more Rum! tear

Krystal1989: Yay! I'm glad you liked it! Merci!

Dracoluver2009: Hehe, thanks. More is coming soon!

Wockygal: Thanks so much! Final chapter on Monday!

Silverone3: Hehe, you'll find out in the next chapter! Yeah, Draco and Blaise are adorable. But just to clear things up: Blaise did not lie at all when talking to Draco! So he hates Derek just as much as Draco hates Lucius ... I didn't want that to be misconstrued. Gratci!

Karazy-girl: LOL, thanks so much! Yes, I already have a beta reader (hehe, you don't think I catch all the English mistakes my self do you? Ha! Perish the thought!) But I'm so flattered that you offered!

Sandofia: ïƒŸ------ that everyone is my awesomely fantabulisticly wonderful beta! She makes all my crappy chapters better! I'm so flattered by everything you said and my stuff wouldn't be half as good if you didn't interject your own little tid bits. I'm glad I keep you up at night wondering ... mwahaha! I'm so evil! Much love to you! everyone give her a humongous round of applause! Hehe, she deserves it!

Luna Gypsy: No ... Blaise isn't going to die. But you will find out who it is in the next chapter! Yes, I feel so bad when I don't update for a while because it pisses me off when other authors don't update for like a month when I'm reading things. So I try my hardest not to put y'all in that position! Merci, merci!

JazelleSparrow: LOL, no there's only one more chapter and that's completely done and ready (except for the review answers) to be posted. So I'm definitely not going to bail on this fic. I'm so so flattered! You have no idea! I'm really glad you like the plot, although it sometimes tends to get a little lost in the fluff. It's changed a lot from what it was supposed to be at the beginning, but considering the reviews I've been getting, I guess it's better! Thanks again. Draco will be more of the brooding bad-boy type in the sequel (which I really hope you read! ), but for al intensive purposes with this fic, he had to have that marshmallow personality! Hehe.

MasterHarper Menolly: Yay, I'm so glad you liked it! Yeah, the whole decapitation, etc part was one of my favorites out of the entire fic! Thanks a bunch!

Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter! No you don't! Ahh! Stupid voices, okay so I don't own Harry Potter. Happy now?! yes, we are! Damn stupid voices! (Oh and the song was "Days" by The Rasmus!)