Ginny looked out the window of the Great Hall. The snow was almost a foot deep. She sighed. Most everyone around her was thrilled that Christmas break started tomorrow.
But not Ginny.
She was out of her mind with worry. Tom had been silent since the night of the ball at Draco's parent's house. She had called and called...but there was no answer.
"Ginny?" a gentle voice behind her called out.
Ginny shuddered to herself. It was Harry. She was sick of having to pretend to be with him when all she wanted was to be with Draco.
Flashing a fake smile, she said, "Yes?"
Harry put his arms around her. "Are you alright, love?" he asked, sounding concerned.
Ginny nodded. "I'm fine, truly. I'm just tired," she lied.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, stroking her arm.
"Yes," Ginny said, much sharper than she intended.
Harry's arms dropped. "Sorry," he muttered.
Ginny rolled her eyes, grateful Harry couldn't see that. Now she had to act nice. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'm sorry," she whispered in his ear. "I haven't been sleeping well. I didn't mean to snap."
Harry's face lit up. "I don't mean to nag, I'm just worried about you, Gin," he said, his face nuzzled in her neck.
She ruffled his hair. "Well, there will be a lot less to worry about starting tomorrow," she said cheerfully.
"I can't wait to go to the Burrow," Harry grinned. Harry had been allowed by Professor Dumbledore to spend Christmas at the Burrow.
"Me neither," Ginny said in a hollow voice.
----
"Draco...I have to go," Ginny said frantically between kisses.
"You can stay for another five minutes," Draco purred, nibbling on her neck.
"The carriages are leaving soon," Ginny said, sighing as Draco started stroking her breasts over her jumper. "We can't do this now."
"Two weeks without you, Gin. I'm going to go mad," Draco said, still concentrating on her breasts.
"Think of how wonderful it will be to get back," Ginny said, letting her hand drift to his hardness.
"Ginny?" a voice cried out. "Ginny, it's time to go!"
"Shit," Ginny muttered under her breath. She gave Draco one last passionate kiss, and then ran out of the first floor's girl's bathroom.
Hermione was standing there, tapping her foot. "Time to go, silly," she said, as they started walking. "What where you doing? Talking to Myrtle?"
"Something like that," Ginny grinned.
Finally they all arrived on the train. Harry muttered something about finding their own compartment for some privacy. Ginny replied that wouldn't it be great to share one with Ron and Hermione?
The train ride was uneventful. Ron and Harry played chess while Hermione read, and Ginny simply stared out the window, wondering which compartment Draco was in.
When there was only an hour to go, Ginny closed her eyes, and concentrating with every fiber of her being. She called for Tom without uttering a word.
Again, there was no answer.
----
Her parents were waiting for them at Kings Cross Station. Molly Weasley pulled all four of them into a hug. "It's so good to see you all," her mother said, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Mum!" Ron exclaimed, trying to get out of the hug.
Finally Mrs. Weasley let go. She held Ginny back and gave her a long look. "You've become such a beautiful young woman, Ginny," she said softly, making sure she wasn't overheard.
Ginny blushed. Draco told her she was beautiful all the time, but it wasn't something her mother said very often. It was nice to hear.
"I know you and Harry are an item now. I just want you to be careful," Mrs. Weasley warned. "Are you using protection?"
"Mum!" Ginny cried. She then lowered her voice. "Harry and I haven't done that yet. I don't have any plans to do that with him for a while," she whispered.
Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "I'm sorry, dear. I just assumed..."
"It's fine, Mum," Ginny said, not wanting to talk sex with her mother any longer.
-----
"Happy Christmas!" Hermione cried excitedly, which woke Ginny up.
Ginny opened her eyes slowly. There was a small pile of presents at the foot of her bed. "Happy Christmas," she said back to Hermione groggily.
"I'm going to wish Ron happy Christmas," Hermione blushed. "I'll be right back."
Ginny nodded, and sat up, looking at the pile of presents. The big bulky one was a Weasley sweater; she had lived through enough Christmases to know that. There was a tiny box, wrapped in nicer paper than any of her other packages.
She picked it up and read the small card.
Ginny,
Do not open this in front of anyone else. Happy Christmas.
Love,
DracoGinny felt awful. She hadn't gotten anything for Draco. She couldn't believe that he had gotten her a Christmas present. Listening to make sure Hermione wasn't on her way back, Ginny ripped open the beautiful wrapping paper.
There was a small box, which she opened eagerly. Nestled inside some tissue was silver necklace with a small pendant. Smiling broadly, she looked at the pendant. It was a heart in a Celtic design.
Quickly, Ginny put the necklace on. It was easily the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever owned. Ginny changed, putting on the Weasley sweater. She looked at herself in the mirror. Perfect! The collar was high enough that the necklace couldn't be seen.
"Ginny!" Hermione called from a level or two below. "Bring down your presents and we'll open them all together!"
Ginny picked up the rest of her presents, very happy that she had already opened Draco's.
Her whole family was in the living room. All seven children, plus Harry, Hermione and Fleur, who had just become engaged to Bill. As Ginny looked around, she felt a lump in her throat.
One day, very soon, she would be known to the world as a supporter of you-know-who. She was sure that her family would cut off all contact with her when that happened.
Part of her couldn't believe that she was willing to betray her family. First it was for Tom, and now it was for the cause, to be with Draco. She knew though, that when the time came, she wouldn't waiver. Fingering the silver chain around her neck, she knew she was willing to leave everything and everyone behind.
-----
Thankfully, the two weeks passed quickly. Before she knew it, the last day of vacation had arrived.
Harry and Ron were out flying. They had asked Ginny, but she told them she just wasn't in the mood. Ginny sat by herself in her bedroom, knees to her chest, staring out of the window. She couldn't wait to see Draco tomorrow.
Ginerva....
"Tom?" Ginny whispered, scarcely believing he was finally talking to her again.
You have not done what I have asked of you...
Ginny laid her head on her knees. In a braver voice then she felt, she said, "I'm still with Draco, Tom."
That is unimportant, Ginerva. Why haven't you found out information from the Potter boy..."From Harry?" Ginny asked in surprise.
You said you could give me information. You have given me nothing. I don't like to be kept waiting...
"I'm trying, Tom," Ginny said softly.
You're lying...Which was true. Ginny hadn't tried to find out anything. She was too wrapped up in Draco, and to concerned about spending as little possible time with Harry as possible, that she hadn't found out anything else about Harry.
"I'm sorry," Ginny said.
Do not lie to me, Ginerva...Liars will be punished..."I will not fail you," Ginny said confidently.
My patience is at a minimum, Ginerva...Ginny didn't like the tone of his voice at all. "Tom, I will get what you need," Ginny proclaimed, trying not to sound frantic.
See that you do...
She could feel Tom leaving. She hugged herself tighter, trying to go over the words that they had just shared. No matter how many times she replayed the conversation, she could only think of one thing.
Ginny was suddenly scared for her life.