Title: Red Bird

Chapter 4: You Were Dead.

A/n: Yes I know. Long time, but I've been really busy and I have been writing. So I have like 3 chapters ready to go all I need to do is type them up. This chapter is a little, Ok a lot darker than the last three. But it'll all be ok. Kiku will make everything all better!

Disclaimer- yeah me no ownie.

Before Ginny knew it the week had flown by and it was Friday. Not once since the incidence on the train platform had the 'Dream Team' said a single word to her. Not that it was due to lack of trying on their part, but for the simple reason that Ginny was never alone. No matter where she was Gin was flanked by at least two other people. Draco seemed to have taken it upon himself to always be near the pretty redhead.

So here she was curled up on the couch in front of a roaring fire reading her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Ginny didn't even bother to look up as the portrait door swung open and her friends entered. Setting her book on the coffee table Ginny greeted Pansy, Greg, Vince, and Draco as each took their regular seats. Pansy curled in the large armchair, Greg and Vince on the couch, and Draco next to Gin on the love seat.

"What took you guys so long?" Draco had left nearly 20 min. before to retrieve his friend from the Slytherin common room, which wasn't nearly that far away.

"Stupid bloody fucking Gryffs got in our way."

Ginny raised one perfectly arched brow at her friends' outburst, then sent Draco a questioning look when Pansy clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oops."

"I'm guessing by Pansy's reaction that it was Ron?" Draco continued to stare at the blond. "What did you do to him?"

"Not Weasley, Potter." Greg offered.

"Fucking hell!" Draco swore. "Are you three so dense that you can't comply with the simple request not to worry Red over this?"

Vince flashed a grin. "Hey, I never said a word, mate."

"You told them not to tell me, Dray? Hmm? What did he say about me?"

"I'm not going to tell you. It will only upset you!" Crossing arms over chest Draco's statement had an air of finality about it. Which of course Gin paid no attention to. "Well if you won't tell me, I'm certain that Vincent would be kind enough to oblige my curiosity."

"No he won't!" Draco snapped.

"Yes he will!"

"No he won't!"

"Will!"

"Won't!"

"Will!"

"Won't!"

Vince raised his hand, "Do I get a say?"

Both glared at their friend, "NO!"

As the two went back to their mini fight, Pansy smoothed her skirts. "So I give them five more days."

"No way!" Greg laughed. "I think they'll get it done in 3."

"Really? Interesting. Vincent what do you think?"

"Tonight or tomorrow morning easy."

"That's optimistic. Pans, what's the pot to?"

"Um…I believe at last count it was 23 galleons 16 sickles and 11 knuts." Unfolding her legs Pansy stood. "Since Vincent is betting on tonight, I suggest we leave them to it." Both boys readily agreed. Swiftly the three exited the dorm before they could be noticed.

"Will!"

"Won't!"

"Will!"

"Won't!"

"Vincent, tell him I'm right!" Green stayed locked with gray. "Vincent?"

Looking around the empty room they both spoke at the same time. "This is your fault!"

"My fault? Hardly." Folding slim arms Ginia turned he nose up a Draco.

"Of course it's your fault! If you hadn't been pestering me about what happened with Pot-head we wouldn't be arguing." He spat before mimicking Ginny's stance.

"All I wanted to know was what lies Potter is spreading about me so I won't be shocked they get back to me." Temper rising she snapped the words out.

"But I don't want you to know what he said." Murmuring, Draco slouched back against the couch.

Shaking copper-red curls a small, bitter smile appeared, "I've heard it all before."

"Exactly." His words were whisper soft. "I don't want you to hear things like that ever again. I want you safe."

"I-" How could she respond when no one had ever cared about her. In awe Ginny stood, "I-I'm gonna…just go to bed. Night, Draco." Turning on heel she ran to her room.

"I don't know what it is about that girl." He grumbled before going to bed.

Exiting his advanced transfiguration class Draco turned towards his dorm. Halfway there he heard a lot of noise coming from an abandoned classroom. Slipping quietly into the room he noticed a large group of boys in the back corner were cheering someone on.

A chugging contest before classes had even ended for the day? Draco shook his head; these boys must be incredibly stupid. Straitening his robes he approached the group. As he neared he made out the distinct sound of crying. Moving more quickly, he pushed through the throng of teenagers. Reaching the center Draco was greeted with a sight that made his heart stop and blood run cold.

There was Red. Body pressed against the cold stone. Robes torn. Bruises purple against her pale skin, blood running down her thighs. Copper curls matted against her angelic face with dirt and blood. Tears of pain ran rivers down deathly pale skin. The face that Draco loved was bruised and bloody; warm, loving green eyes stared vacant and dead. Then he noticed the thing that held Gin against the wall wasn't a thing at all, but in fact was Harry Potter. He was raping her.

Anger exploded. Red was hurt. She was in pain. He had to help her. Draco began to rush forward but was held by invisible bonds leaving him barely an arms length away from her. "RED! Ginny!" The strangled words ripped from his throat, mingling with the resonating encouragement of the males, and never rising above the noise. In horror Draco could do nothing more than watch as Harry finished, pulling away from Virginia's body before punching her in the stomach. Upon impact Ginny doubled over, body sliding to the floor.

"Filth." Potter spat pulling out his wand. "You should have died with your father. But no worries, I'll fix that." Leveling his wand at the defenseless girl, "Aveda Kaveda!!!"

"Ginny!" Sitting bolt upright Draco fought his way through tangled sheets. Heart beating wildly, he scrambled out of his bed, and hit the ground at a dead run.

Less than a second later, Draco burst thru Ginny's door. Stopping only when he reached her bedside. "Red!" Breath coming still in heavy gasps, shaking her shoulder erratically in an attempt to awaken her. Draco became more frantic with each passing second. "Please wake up! Virginia!"

Surfacing slowly from her dreamless revere, green eyes fogged with sleep drifted open. "Draco?" was the only word that passed her lips, before Ginny found herself crushed against Draco's chest.

"I thought you were dead." Not able to speak Virginia ran her hands up and down Draco's back, soothing the man that held her so tightly.

Once his breathing had calmed and heart had slowed to a steady 'thump-thump-thump', Gin eased herself out of the steely vice she was held in. Smiling reassuringly Ginny brushed a few wayward strands of blond hair to the side, "Dray, it was just a nightmare. I'm right here. There's nothing to worry about. It was just a dream."

Taking a few steadying breaths Draco nodded. "A dream? Right. Just a dream." Suddenly, without warning he stood. "I'm sorry for waking you."

In confusion Ginny watched Draco turn towards her door. "Wait!" He looked back bewildered. "Don't leave. I want you to stay."

"…But"

"Please?" Green eyes sparkled in the pale moonlight, she moved over making room for Draco to climb in the bed. "Please? Stay."

Looking away from the beautiful green-eyed angel, firey hair tumbling over her shoulders, pale milky skin glowing under the silvery light of a full moon. Draco shook his head. "Ginny…I can't."

"If you stay you'll know I'm safe." She whispered. "So stay."

"I-I…"She looked so soft and fragile, and standing there in her dark room the most urgent need to protect washed over him, "Alright."Slipping under the warm cotton sheets Draco face Ginny. "Better Red?"

"Much." Snuggling against the hard warm expanse of his chest, she pulled the heavy down comforter over their bodies. "Much, much better."

Later when Ginny had drifted off to sleep within the protective circle of his arms, Draco lay awake. Keeping a silent vigil over his girl. 'My girl?' his mind started at the thought. 'Since when did Red belong to me or anyone else for that matter?' But he already knew the answer to that. 'Since the moment you saw her and your heart started to beat again. Idiot.' Planting a kiss against the waves of amber, Draco gave into dreams filled with full pink lips, green eyes, and long red hair.

A/n: So? What you guys think? Good? Bad? Felt like throwing yourself off of a bride halfway thru? Review! And I'll have a new chap up by Monday! And if anyone has a suggestion do NOT hesitate to let me know.