Disclaimer: As always Harry Potter and all its wonderful cast of characters is the product of JK Rowlings' vivid imagination. I'm just borrowing characters from her wonderful work and use them to play a part in my own little plot bunny idea.
Summary: There's always that one person who will always have your heart; You'll never see them coming 'coz you're blinded from the start...
PhoenixRae's Notes: OK, I guess I'm off to a good start here. Two chapters down and this third one is...well, here it is! :::grins:::
III. Secrets from the Past...
News of Ginny's appointment as Head of Gryffindor House went well as far as everyone was concerned. In fact the whole Gryffindor table nearly blew the roof off the Great Hall with their cheer. She didn't think she'd be warmly welcomed by all, including the other three house heads led by none other than her former Potions Master and now the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Severus Snape. He was finally granted to take over that class when no one else wanted to apply for the job. Professor McGonagall, with the blessing of the former Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, granted Severus Snape's wishes and gave him the position when the last of the infamous class's professor quit five years ago. He now also acted as the school's Deputy Head Minister, a position specifically handed down to him when Professor McGonagall landed the Headmistress position.
It almost felt like an ordeal trying to leave the Great Hall after dinner. Each and every Gryffindor student came up to her, most of them congratulating her for her appointment while the rest, mainly her nieces and nephews who were over the moon when they found out. Her nephews and niece in Ravenclaw also came up to her and congratulated her, wishing they were in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw.
"It's no fair, Aunt Ginny," whined first year Rebecca Weasley, the other half of Charlie's set of twin girls and the sole female Weasley in Ravenclaw. "You're Anne's Head of House; she can come to you whenever she wants to while I'm stuck having to report to Professor Flitwick."
Ginny smiled and patted her niece's cheek. "Don't worry, luv, Professor Flitwick's a good person. He's very approachable too," she reassured her.
"But I want to be able to spend some time with you," Rebecca insisted.
"Yeah," chorused the other Weasleys.
Ginny was overwhelmed by the love her almost estranged nieces and nephews had for her. She understood why they were all starved for her attention. In her twelve years of exile she only visited the Burrow once two years ago, and her visit had been an unexpected one as well. It was summertime and she happened to be within the vicinity of her childhood home. She figured she'd stop by and visit with her mother, catch-up on a few things then be off. She was surprised to find that her mother had some company, namely her siblings and their spouses. She was then introduced to a barrel of nieces and nephews she knew existed but never met until then.
"Hey, you guys have me for the whole year. I'm your Transfiguration professor too, remember? We will still see each other in and outside of class," she told the small crowd gathered around her.
"But it's not the same," pouted Rebecca.
Ginny chuckled and patted her niece's cheek again. "Cheer up, luv. You can always come to me if you need to talk to someone regarding school," she offered them, eyeing the ragtag group of boys and girls gathered around her. She couldn't believe sixteen of her nieces and nephews were already at Hogwarts with four more left at home and would soon be joining this rambunctious group.
"So Aunt Ginny, can we hang out tomorrow?" asked second year Denise Weasley, Bill's eldest child, her eyes brimming with hope and excitement at her answer. Ginny found herself transfixed by her niece's eyes. Something about the shade of her eyes, the steel coolness of it, that made Ginny pause for a second or two. Denise was the only member of the family whose eyes were a rare shade of gray. Most of the Weasley offspring had dark brown, blue or green eyes; she was the only one with gray.
"Aunt Ginny?" another second year, Mary Grace or MG as she preferred to be called, Fred's eldest daughter, nudged her aunt when she spaced out on them. "Aunt Ginny, you still here?"
Ginny gave herself a mental shake, sending her back into the present time. Looking around the sea of faces before her, her smile returned and turned to MG, "Yeah, I'm still here. I guess I'm just tired, that's all," she shrugged.
"Oh, I betcha you are," grinned Eddie, Ron's second-born son in his set of quads and one-half of the set residing in Ravenclaw. "You've been screaming your lungs hoarse all week, and that's thanks to us," he smiled proudly at his cousins and brothers.
"Oh quiet you," first year Sophia, MG's youngest sister and the other half of the set of twins, scolded her cousin. Turning back to her aunt she said, "Well, I guess we best be on our way then. We still have some homework to do if we want to enjoy our weekend with you, Aunt Ginny."
Ginny took her cue from there and agreed. They all needed their rest and she was looking forward to spending some time with her nieces and nephews.
"That's a good idea, Sophia. Off to your dormitories now, children. Tomorrow we'll get to spend time with each other."
A chorus of disappointed groan passed like a wave, mostly from the boys, as they reluctantly bid their aunt good night. As they were leaving Ginny heard one of the boys snarl at his cousin, "Homework? Are you sure you're not my mom's daughter? Only a geek would worry about homework on a Friday night!"
That must be one of Ron and Hermione's quads being a smartass. Ginny chuckled and shook her head as she watched sixteen red heads disappear from view. She remained standing where she was for a moment longer, savouring the joy of finally getting to know her estranged young charges. She knew by now her brothers and in-laws were aware of her presence at Hogwarts.
She received a couple of owls from Bill and Charlie expressing their joy at finally having someone who'd understand and be tolerant at least to their children. Percy's owl made her chuckle. His was filled with a lot of warning and bits of information about each Weasley child attending Hogwarts. She was happy to hear that after the events back in her fourth year, when the Ministry was finally convinced that Voldemort had risen to power, Percy slowly came around and apologized to his family. He took responsibility for his actions and slowly mended fences and bridges with their parents and siblings. Ron was still a bit miffed by that letter he sent him, but Percy apologized profusely, but Ron took his time before he cut his brother some slack. If it hadn't been for Hermione she doubt if Ron would ever end up forgiving Percy.
"So there you are. I thought your merry band of redheads swallowed you whole. I didn't see you in that throng." He came up behind her so quietly, as quiet as a snake slithering up before it strike its prey.
Ginny's back went rigid. She kept her face averted from his and watched the now empty hallway outside the Great Hall.
"What do you want, Professor?"
Draco clucked his tongue and walked around her, making sure she was looking at him when he spoke. "Is that what you're always going to ask me, Professor? Do you always have to assume that I want something from you every time I come near you?"
Ginny kept her gaze fixed on something over his shoulder. She wasn't in the mood to have another face-off with him. Once earlier this evening was enough.
"Why else would you even bother seeking me out if not to ask me for something?"
"True," Draco nodded, "But in this instance I am not here to ask you for something," he quickly added. He sought her out to congratulate her on making Head of Gryffindor. Whether the Headmistress asked for his opinion or not, Draco would've told Minerva McGonagall Ginny Weasley was the right choice.
That got Ginny's attention. She tore her gaze from whatever she was looking at over his shoulder and met his gaze, a steel cold shade of gray that made Ginny catch her breath. When she gazed into the almost identical shade and shape of eyes just moments ago it knocked her breath out, and now again she felt someone just sucker-punched her in the stomach.
"I don't have time for games, Malfoy. If you have something to say, then say it."
Draco's eyebrow shot up to the roof. How easily she could turn from hot to ice cold, especially when he was around. He watched her interact with those children. Her face glowed as she looked at each and every Weasley offspring present
"Why do you always have your guard up when I'm around, Weasley? I told you we're on the same side now," he insisted.
"You may have switched sides, Malfoy, but that's all that's changed. You're still the same Draco Malfoy I went to school with years ago."
Somehow that assumption didn't sit well with Draco. Exactly what would it take to thaw out the Ice Queen Ginny Weasley had become?
"Are you sure I'm still the same boy you went to school with?" His innuendo wasn't lost on Ginny. It triggered a memory from both their past that hadn't been forgotten.
"That was just the one time, Malfoy, one time," she hissed. "I was young and stupid and naive. Heck, you might even say I was needy, but it was just that one time. It'll never happen again. Never."
"Never?" He challenged.
"Never." But to her ears Ginny sounded like she was trying to convince herself more so than sounding convincing.
Draco held the stubborn woman's gaze for the longest time, hoping to catch a glimpse of something that might help him understand her. He understood her hatred towards him twelve years ago; he turned against the side of good after telling her he was fighting alongside Dumbledore and the Order. He hated doing what he did, but it had to be done for the safety of everyone. Dumbledore knew he was playing with fire, but he told the former Headmaster he was useless if he turned out dead. He was better off labeled a traitor, at least he was alive.
"What happened to you, Ginny Weasley?" He asked, his voice dropped to a whisper. His gray eyes searched the small face before him, deciphering how he'd break down her barriers.
"Life happened, Malfoy," she deadpanned, "And I moved on." She didn't wait for his comeback, she shoulder her way past him and walked down the corridor leading to the teachers' quarters.
Draco pondered on her parting words. Life happened, she said. She moved on, she said. If she had moved on, why did Draco feel she was being held back still?
Life... That damn word. It nagged him to find out why she gave such emphasis to that word, or didn't she? Did he just imagine the double meaning hidden behind her parting words to him? Somehow he got the feeling Ginny meant more in that statement; the only problem was he didn't know what it meant.
A shadow hidden behind one of the large pillars moved slightly. The figure watched the two professor argue about an event that happened in the past.
They both looked crestfallen when they parted. The Potions Master watched the redheaded Transfiguration teacher leave the Great Hall, his eyes following the lone figure until she was out of sight before letting out a long, heavy sigh. He turned the other way and headed towards the main doors.
The lone figure hidden in the shadows waited a few seconds before leaving its hiding place.
Denise Weasley covered herself in the Invisibility Cloak she borrowed from Lily and headed back to Gryffindor Tower. She quickened her pace until she reached the portrait entrance, whispering the password the portrait door swung open and let Denise in. Beyond the doorway Lillian Jane Potter, or Lily as she preferred to be called, was waiting for her along with her three cousins.
"Well?" Lily asked expectantly, helping Denise fold the cloak.
"I saw them," she answered, taking her time folding the cloak.
"And?" Her three cousins prodded.
"And what?"
"Denise!" the four girls squealed in frustration.
Denise smirked and decided to keep her cousins and friend in suspense a while longer. She neatly folded her borrowed Invisibility Cloak and handed it back to Lily.
"They look like they're ready to kill each other," she began, "Well, Aunt Ginny looked it anyway. As for Professor Malfoy...he looked at a loss," she explained.
"At a loss?" first year Anne Weasley, Rebecca's twin, echoed.
"What do you mean?" MG frowned.
"What I mean is, he wasn't sure why Aunt Ginny wanted to bite his head off," Denise explained a bit more.
"He's bloody thick if he doesn't know why," Sophia grumbled. "If I was Aunt Ginny and the man of my dreams did what Professor Malfoy did to me, he'd be lucky if I end his life quickly by snapping his head off."
"You mean to say you'd let him die a slow, painful death?" MG regarded her sister curiously.
"Why not? If the git deserved it, sure."
MG rolled her eyes skyward at her sister's answer. Somehow morbidity appeals to her. Revenge, no matter how sweet, wasn't always good. Ignoring her sister and her twisted mind, MG addressed her question to her cousin, "So what are you gonna do?"
"I'm going to do nothing," Denise answered simply.
"Nothing?" Lily and Anne exclaimed in unison. "Denise, you cannot not do anything now that you know," Lily hastily added.
"Yeah, Denise. Now is your chance," prodded Anne.
"And why not?" Denise started for the common room, stopping at the entryway to check for any unwanted housemate lurking nearby. She didn't want rumors to spread like wildfire if ever somebody overhears them. "From what I observed earlier, Aunt Ginny and Professor Malfoy still have that spark glowing. They have the chemistry alright, and it's coming to a boiling point, almost explosive, when they're alone together." She headed for the couch in front of the fireplace and planted herself on it.
Lily and MG followed suit and sat down on either side of her while Sophia and Anne each took an armchair on either side of the sofa. The fivesome stared at the glowing ember from the fireplace in silence, each of them lost in their own private musings.
Denise stared at the fire the hardest, replaying the scene she witnessed at the Great Hall entrance. She doubled back after all the Weasleys left their aunt standing at the doorway. She borrowed Lily's Invisibility Cloak, a prized possession of hers that was handed down to the eldest Potter offspring by the famous Harry Potter, Denise's godfather, and snuck back out to spy on her aunt. She'd been curious about the tension she sensed their first night back after the summer holiday. She happened to glance at the head table and noticed her Potions professor and her new Transfiguration professor in a heated argument. She was entranced by the unspoken spark that emanated between her aunt and Potions professor. Lily just told her what she found out before school started and that night was her first glimpse of the two of them together.
They were meant to be together. She felt it in her bones. She knew it in her gut. But she couldn't meddle. She mustn't meddle. There was a reason why she wasn't told. She didn't know exactly what those reasons were, but she knew they were for her own good hence she was kept in the dark.
A/N: Phew! Well this chapter's done. It answered some of the questions posed in the previous chapter and gave you all some hints on what happened in the past. I know I screwed up some of the info in the first chapter (blame that on my doing a last-minute revision and changed D/G's ages from 22 & 21 to 29 & 28), but the revised chapter 1 is up and running.
PhoenixRae's THANK YOUs: Since there's too many of you to thank, you all know who you are. Thanks for reading & reviewing. Some of the reviewers who asked questions, read on below for the answers. Once again, thank you very much!
Kirstie232 Hopefully it didn't bug you as much. Hints were dropped in this chapter...
x0Malfoy0x "da" could mean dad or daughter, but I think with the hints dropped in this chapter, you already figured out what "da" meant
Pudding Speck I don't read post-Hogwarts stories much nor write one, but this one just made me itch to write it so here it is. :::LoL:::
Plum Blossoms Thanks for pointing that out. I'll watch out for run-ons next time
honey-gurl808 I'm glad you enjoyed the humour in the first chapter. Here are some answers to your questions: 20 Weasley offspring in total; Harry & Luna will be mentioned; Dumbledore is retired; Professor Spinnell will be mentioned again and her departure will be explained
tigereyes320 It's already been revised and posted. Thanks so much for the brainstorming with me and helping me clear out the age-gaps and whatnots.
WashoopiCandi Interesting feeling? I take that as a good sign then?
bigreader Ginny has her reasons which will be revealed slowly in future chapters
Ellie I'm hoping to inject each chappie with as much humour as possible
Draconigena1 McGonagall sounded like Dumbledore? Maybe she was channeling him, hehehehe :::winks::: The kids will be...well, kids :::grins:::
Remus Is Mine Hopefully I didn't keep you hanging for too long...
clevamugglegrl03 Something happened to Ginny 12 years ago that changed her
seekerpeeker I corrected the first chapter already. The last time Draco & Ginny met was 12 years ago not 5 -- that was my bad
sassw14 Yep, that's me. I love the mystery and the cliffies...
THE BITCH FROM HELL AKA KYMM Her reason for missing out 12 years will be explained albeit slowly, but it'll be explained