Chapter 11

They say it is never too late to be what you might have been...

"Tomorrow?" asked Draco with a furrowed brow, "what do you mean tomorrow?" Harry sighed.

"Dumbledore just sent the letter…"

"Where?" asked Malfoy distractedly, "when?"

"Hogsmeade, at 5:20 p.m."

"5:20?" the silver haired man asked sternly, Harry shrugged.

"Time of Voldemort's defeat," he replied somberly. There was a long silence between the two, as Harry just watched Malfoy's eyes dart back and forth, as if trying to figure something out.

"But…we're not ready," said Malfoy; apprehension very evident in his voice. The other Commander shrugged his shoulders.

"It is war Malfoy, you should know that whether you are ready or not, it comes."

For a few moments Draco was trying to find his words. Confusion, mixed with a sense of foreboding was striking him dead in his heart. A war…a war…they were going to war.

"No," he said after a few moments, "no."

"No?" came Harry, "sorry Malfoy, but this is one occasion where "no" isn't an option."

"What about the other camps, " Malfoy said. "What are they doing, we the only ones going into war…I…"

Harry cut him off, "all camps have their own designated time to go in."

"Designated time?"

"Yes, the letter said all camps will go in at a certain time, as to not waste men or energy."

Draco then asked, "Where are we stationed?"

"We are stationed by the Shrieking Shack," the two men looked at each other knowingly, both having some relation to that particular house. There was once more an extended silence, as both reflected on the fact that tomorrow could be their last day here on earth, with so much undone, unseen, and unsaid.

"I think," said Harry slowly, breaking the tense silence."We tell our men separately, and then give them the day off. Encourage them to get some sleep, practice, read, pack, whatever they want, but before they could do that, have them write letters."

"Letters?" asked Malfoy, "what for?"

The green eyed man sighed, "I know that if my parents or Sirius had left me a letter, or just something, I know I would have appreciated it." Harry shrugged. "You don't have to."

"I will," replied Draco. He then looked down, and after a few moments, his eyes flew back to Harry's. "We're not ready."

"Yes we are."

"No…" started Malfoy firmly, "we're not."

"Do you really have such little faith in your men?" inquired Harry. "I know Casey, Seamus and Neville aren't your cuppa, but don't you feel that they can handle themselves."

"No," snapped the silver haired man, "I don't think they are ready, none of us are ready for this war. It's too soon there is so much we still haven't taught."

"Yes, but we taught the basics, advance curses, hand-to-hand combat, disguises, everything, we don't need to worry…"

"We have EVERY reason to worry," yelled Draco, "we can't go to war, do you understand me? We just can't! It isn't the time, we are not ready, nor will we ever be ready!" He was breathing heavily, and all Harry could do was shake his head.

"My question is, Malfoy," he started slowly, "are your men not ready…or you?" Draco turned to the window. "I know you miss her…"

"Shut up!" growled Malfoy, "this has nothing to do with her!"

"This has everything to do with her!" challenged Harry, "You think I'm stupid Malfoy, do you think I am bloody blind? Do you think I don't see you staring at your ring when you think no one is looking? Don't you think I notice when you go to breakfast in the morning, eyes puffy? I know all your tells Malfoy, because I have been there before and for the same bloody reason."

"You," said Malfoy with a tremble in his voice, "have no idea what you are talking about," he breathed in heavily. "I have no tells and this is not about her. I am not going to cry because she left me…"

"You're not going to cry, Malfoy," said Harry, "because you've cried enough." A look of stone came over Malfoy as his face and lips went tight. He breathed in heavily and held his head high.

"I will tell my men," and with one last glare, he turned around and walked out of Harry's tent. Knowing that everything he said…was right.

.

.

Ginny sat there with a furrowed brow as Draco walked out of the door. She and all her mates sat in silence after what he had just told them; they were going to war. Slowly, she leaned back onto her pillow and thought. War. She was going to war. Closing here eyes, she thought about the fact that it was time. After years and years of waiting to be an Auror, and after the first two years of Training, and now after seven months of anticipation, of proving herself, it was going to happen. She was going to fulfill her dream, and prove herself to the world. There was only one problem:

She wasn't ready.

The redhead thought for a long time, even after the realization hit the others, and worried chatter began to buzz about the room; Ginny sat there stunned. There were so many thoughts that were going through her head: Draco, her family, Harry, her life, Draco, her dreams, Draco, her friends, Colin, Draco. She couldn't get it all together; it was a jumbled mess of faces, names, sounds, and feelings swirling through her head. However, there was only one thought that kept popping up, and it was Draco.

Ginny realized that going to war meant a thousand different things. It meant that things were going to change; people were going to go into war, but not come out. She then felt an odd amount of guilt. Ginny wanted to go home. She wanted to go and hug her mum, kiss her dad and brothers, and be with Draco…maybe for the last time. She sighed as she looked at Neville who was sitting on the bed next to her. He smiled slightly.

"They are telling us to write letters," he said softly, "something about they may be our last words…" the man shook his head, "it doesn't seem right, does it?"

"No," Ginny said offhandedly, "it doesn't seem right at all."

"It feels like just yesterday, I was in St. Mungos, telling my parents that I was going." Neville's brown eyes went sad, "they kept shaking their heads, that's all, just shaking their heads."

"Do you think it means something?" Neville sighed.

"No, at least…I hope they don't. My parents aren't really… they aren't themselves, so I don't really know what they meant," Ginny smiled sympathetically at him, knowing his situation with his parents.

"Well, I don't like the idea," She told him, "I don't like it at all."

He furrowed his brow, "neither do I, but that's why we are here, we just didn't know it was going to come so soon."

"I don't…" she started slowly, "I don't think I can do this."

"Aw Case, don't get cold feet on us now, mate," he slapped her on the back, "we are gonna need you out there."

"I feel…" she furrowed her brow. "There are things that I have done, and I don't think I can go…without…" she trailed off.

"What do you mean?" Neville asked cautiously, Ginny shrugged.

"Everyone has their secrets, Neville," she told him, "it's just that my secrets, I can't go back, once I go into war, that's it." he smiled reassuringly.

"Well, that's stupid."

Her head snapped to Neville, "what?

"Well, of course you can't go back, but you can go forward. Once you get out of this Case, you will see, whatever you have done, it won't matter, because the people or the person who you wronged will only be glad that you are back," he nodded, "I know it seems stupid, but it's true, don't think you don't have time because you do…you do."

"Neville," Ginny started softly, as she stood up, "if only it were that easy." He stood up as well.

"Then don't make it difficult. You are the only one who can make things happen Case, someone taught me that."

She grinned, "and who was that," he shrugged.

"An old professor," he shook his head, "it was the only time in history in which I wasn't shaking in fear when I saw him," rolling his eyes Neville looked at Ginny.

"I still don't know if I am ready for this…all of this…"

"Well Case, it's not about being ready, it's about doing what you set out to do."

"Hmm…"

"You came out here to fight, and now…here is your chance," Ginny nodded for a moment, and smiled.

"I'll see you later mate," she said softly, he nodded.

"Yeah," and Ginny slowly left her friends to contemplate what was in store for tomorrow.

Ginny was walking amongst the hills of the Northumberland countryside. The wind rustled the grass a bit, as the few trees swayed back and forth. Ginny sighed. She had grown accustom to this unspoiled land and all too soon, it was going to be a distant memory. She knew this war wasn't going to last long and she would be glad of it. The only thing she won't be glad about is when it is time to go home. She would have to face her mum, and dad, her brothers and her friends. They would have to look at her and know that they would have no choice but to snap her wand. Her father had promised he would do so.

Ginny shook her head. She shouldn't be feeling so glum, this was her CHANCE! She was going to be what she had wanted to be for so long. Yet, she couldn't understand this sense of foreboding in her soul, like something was amiss, and she didn't know what. She figured it was due to the numerous amount of lies she had deep with in her, or the fact that she and Draco's bond was now so severed, she couldn't even feel him anymore. Maybe it was a thousand different things, but whatever it was, it wasn't good.

The young woman looked up as the sound of crunching grass came from behind her. Her brown eyes met blue ones, as Colin took a seat next to her on the lush grass. There was an awkward silence. The two didn't say anything for a long time, only watched as the sun slowly began to set over the rolling hills. After a few moments, Colin placed his hand on her shoulder. Ginny looked shyly over to him, and saw nothing but questioning in his eyes. She looked away.

Suddenly, Colin took her chin in his hand and placed his lips softly on hers. Ginny didn't respond, and when his lips began to move a bit harder, she pulled away. Looking into the dirt, the young girl didn't dare meet his eye. The redhead could feel the disappointment and hurt coming from her friend. Mustering up all her courage, Ginny looked at Colin and said.

"I can only hurt you, Colin…"

"Ginny…"

"Because I only love Draco," there was a long silence that ensued, and after a few moments of his penetrating gaze, Colin stood up, and walked back to camp.

.

.

There was not a sound made as the fifty men Apparated behind the Shrieking Shack. It was five p.m. and the sun was due to set at any moment. The men rapidly began to hide underneath bushes and around the house, making sure to be blocked from view. The men had come in pairs, according to their skill and ability shown on the courses at camp. Quickly, they took out their wands and waited for a sign.

Ginny breathed heavily as she crouched next to Dominic, the two looked through the brush at the small village before them. She looked over at Draco who was talking quietly with Harry, his brow furrowed. Slowly, the men began to look from one another. Where was the battle? Ginny thought to herself as she looked out past the house. There was no one out there; it was as if it was completely deserted. Dominic grabbed Ginny's shoulder and began to lead her out past the brush with the others.

"What's going on?" inquired Ginny, as Dominic looked over at Neville, he turned to Ginny.

"We are going out to look for civilians," he said in his thick accent, she nodded. "Commander Potter thinks it odd for no one to be out there."

They began to break up into groups of two, with wands at the ready. Ginny's body was rushing with adrenaline; she was so scared she didn't know what to do. She broke off from the main group and began walking down the all too familiar cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade. Her brown eyes were sharp as she looked over the deserted road. There was no sign of any life in this usually bustling village.

As Ginny took a few more steps; she heard the sound of rustling. She stopped; her wand gripped so tight in her hand she felt as if it would snap. The rustling became louder, closer. With her heart racing, she turned around only to see a black robe swirling away, down the alley. Without a moment's hesitation, she took off after it. Looking into the alley, she watched as the robe turned down another alley. Ginny ran faster, turning the corner once more, she was met with the back of Dominic. She sighed.

"Dom," she said softly, "was that you?" he didn't reply. "Don't scare me like that mate, I almost had a heart attack." The girl walked up to him, and placed her arm on his shoulder. When she did so, Dominic fell to the ground, blood leaking out of his mouth.

Ginny stifled a scream as she looked into his blank brown eyes. Ginny bent down, shakily, and felt his pulse; there was none to be found. The girl then realized that they were not alone in this village. Looking at her Muggle wristwatch, she saw that the time read five nineteen, they were already here.

The redhead turned on her heel and raced back to the main streets. They had to be ready, they had to be or more would die. She reached the streets in time to see a group of men, dressed in black Apparate into the center of the village. Ginny looked at them queerly, she hadn't even heard them Apparate in, and she was standing in front of them.

Yet, she had things to do, so stepping back into the alley, she sent four red sparks into the air, signaling the arrival of their foes. Ginny heard the yells of men as the sparks were seen. The young woman closed her eyes and said to herself.

"It's time," and getting her wand out, she ran into her war.

Fatigue. That was the only word she could think of. She was so tired, it had been hours since the fighting had started, and the Death Eaters just kept coming. Not to mention that no one had arrived to help, no other camps. Yet Ginny didn't have too much time to lament. A man was chasing her three times her size and she need to either stop or fight, or keep running. So, with strength from Merlin, she turned around and threw a stunning spell at him. The man fell to the ground, body frozen; Ginny turned and kept running.

Ginny didn't feel anything as she ran, dodging curses and jumping over frozen or dead bodies. The young solider knew just by looking that the Death Eaters were out numbering them. She could see the worry in Neville's face as he stunned another Death Eater and looked over his shoulder to see a dozen more coming. Yet, that wasn't what Ginny was worried about. The young woman hadn't seen Draco since the Shrieking Shack. Her eyes scanned the crowd as she ran though the War, seeking out her blond true love.

When she reached the Shrieking Shack, she found what she was looking for. Her heart almost stopped as she looked at him. He was so tired; she could see it in the way he stood: slightly hunched, which could only be seen by her trained eye, as he and another Death Eater circled one another. Blood was dripping from the side of his head, as gashes ran though out his once perfect robes. With an ever watchful eye, she studied the two, obvious powers of their troops, because words were being shared between the two. Then again, Ginny though, they could be old acquaintances.

It was at that moment, that the Death Eater struck, sending a green light Draco's way. He dodged it with cat like ability, and sent a red light from his own wand. Her brown eyes were brimming with tears; her Draco was in danger. Ginny gripped her wand, and began to slowly make her way toward him.

She watched as a few more spells were sent each other's way, until a green light shot out of Draco's wand, sending the other Death Eater to the ground. Ginny then watched as three other Death Eaters ran from behind the brush and began attacking Draco. The young woman wasted no in time in defending her love and ran to his side.

Ginny hit a man with the Cruciatus Curse, sending him to his knees. When she reached him, the man sent a fist, which collided with Ginny's unsuspecting face. Stumbling back, the girl tried to gain her balance, giving time for the Death Eater to get to his feet. As he approached her, Ginny gave him a stunning spell, and he fell. Ginny wiped the blood off her face and looked to find Draco fist fighting with the last Death Eater. Their wands lay off to the side, as blows were shared. Ginny, a good distance away began to run when something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. The third Death Eater was standing off to the side, his wand held firmly in front of him.

It happened in a blink of an eye. Ginny looked at Draco, who sent a final blow to the other Death Eater, sending him to the ground. Then to the other man clad in black opened his mouth to send a curse at Draco. Ginny only had one option; she raised her wand and screamed:

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

.

Draco turned around as soon as he heard the words spoken. He looked behind him to see a Death Eater not to far from him fall to the ground. He furrowed his brow, where the hell did which come from? Looking to his left, he saw Casey Caché with his wand out and looking at the dead Death Eater. Draco was almost too astonished to speak. Did Casey Caché just save his life?

The silver haired man didn't say anything, only went over and picked up his wand. When he got back up, he looked at Casey who was still in the same position, shaking violently. He sighed, and walked over to him. The look on the soldier's face would have been comical, had it not been for the severity of the situation. His mouth was open, eyes wide, as he if he himself couldn't believe what he had just done. Draco didn't have it in him to insult him, only sighed.

"Thank you," Draco said simply. Caché looked at him, eyes wide and nodded.

"I would do anything for you," was his reply.

The two looked at each other oddly, as if a something different was happening. Draco, as much as he hated to admit it, could feel his hatred for Caché melt away. It was replaced with something new, a sense of gratitude and debt. He was now forever indebted to Casey Caché. Draco took his eyes away from the other soldier for a moment to see three Death Eaters pointing their wands at Caché.

He screamed, an odd high pitched scream, and fell to the ground. Draco's mind went blank as Casey's head hit the cobble stone street with a crack; blood began to flow. His silver eyes then flew up, and held up his wand to the three men. A hard blow was then given to the back of his head, and everything went blank.

…

A/N: updated. I hoped you enjoy, leave a nice note if you enjoyed it.