Frogs Rok: I've been neglecting you!? I AM SO SORRY! I must have made a mistake! I hope your not mad at me! So see? You are the first I shall reply to today!!! There ya go!

Lol, later! And thank you for the review!

Loyal Rose: Layb is getting better by the day! He is even walking now! The Vet sais he will be able to safely see his pack again by Christmas! Oh, how I love that silly wolf! He damn neer almost gave me a heart attack, almost dying and all! But he is going to get better, and everything will be all right! Also, I have great news! I wrote a poem for English class a few months ago. My teacher thought it was so good that she sent it in to a publisher, and guess what?!?! It is getting published in a book of poems called 'From A Mountain Top!' My dream of becoming an Author is finally coming true!!! Also, about six months ago, I started writing a book. I finished that about two days ago. So, my Mom is just going to read it over for a second time, and then that too will be sent to a Publisher! You have no idea how excited I am, my heart is beating like a jack rabbit! I told Layb, and you should have seen him! I think he actually understood, as he some times does. We are both very excited, and I just wanted to share that with you!!! I hope you are happy for me!!

May the stars be with you always,

Ashen

DarkFaerieyMagick: You've had a bad week? Yeah, me too! But that doesn't matter much cuz Christmas break starts on Saturday! And yes, Layb is doing awesome! He is even walking now! Thank you for all your support!

beckysue2: Lol, can I put in a vote for the new baby to be named 'Draco?' Lol! Your kids sound terrific! I love the name Zach. I always have, I used to have an imaginary dragon named Zach, believe it or not! Lol, So, when ois the new baby due?

Huggs

Ashen

chibi-sad: Thanks for the review!

Violets-in-Spring: Lol, your great! Thanks for the review!

pamie884: lol, yes, Layb is doing awesome! I was thinking of putting the present opening off for another chapter, but I'm not sure, we will have to wait and find out! I'm not even sure what is going to happen!

MissyNoGrace: Lol, I am so happy that you sent such a long review! But I hope you don't mind if a make a tiny correction! Layb is not a dog, he is a wolf. An actual wold animal that you defiantly DON'T wanna mess with! Lol, he is doing much better! I told him all about your review, and I don't know if this is coincidence, but the very next day, he got up and walked for the first time since he got sick! Thank you so much for your support! And Layb thanks you too!

Snowflakeljs: WOW! I'm on someone's favourite author's list? You just brightened up my day!

Princess: lol, thanks for that wonderfully encouraging review! It made me smile! I could use more reviewers that write more than a sentence to me! Lol, thanks a lot!

Ashen

Ami-ImaTomLOVER: lol, here is your update! Fresh from the oven!

Blondechickey: I'm updating! Lol yes, you should see Layb! He is looking great! He can even walk now! Thanks for the great review! I hope you enjoy this next chapter! I have a great idea that I want to put down!

Articthunder: lol, that was the whole point Rina! Lol! Ok, I have news! I got a poem published! If you don't call me…I'll BE MAD ATYOU!!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Lol, kidding! Seriously! Call me! I need someone to spaz to!

An Emerald Ring

Chapter 16: A Dream

Ginny walked back into the house, bits of ice stuck to her bare legs, she melted it off with her wand, then froze. Something was in her family room. She held her breath and crept forwards. Who would break into their house? They had nothing good to take! Fear clawed at her heart as she crept closer. She peered our from behind the door and watched. a house elf was rummaging through the presents under their scrawny, though cheerful, Christmas tree. She frowned and stepped into the living room.

"What are you doing?" She asked. The house elf jumped as if Ginny had burned it.

"What is Button doing?" It spun around and watched her with tennis-ball shaped eyes, a nervous pout on its lips. "Button is not doing anything! Nope! Button will just run along now! She is done putting the-" The house elf stopped cold. She ran for the fire place before Ginny could speak, let alone grab her. The elf then whipped in a handful of floo powder and whimpered the name of the house it lived in. Ginny strained her ears to hear, but all she could hear was the roaring of the emerald green flames. Ginny scowled at the now dark, empty fireplace and checked under the tree. Nothing seemed to be missing, so she went upstairs and fell into bed. Frozen with the cold and exhausted to the bone. She would worry about the house elf later, now she just wanted to…sleep.


Draco seized the house elf as soon as she came back out of the fire.

"What happened? You were gone so long? What took you? Did anybody see you?" He spit fired these questions at the poor terrified elf, who was sobbing quietly, dangling from the tea cosy he was holding her by.

"Button is such a bad house elf!" She cried, she hung her head in shame.

"What happened?" Draco hissed, "Did Lucius find you?" Draco's nerves were jumping. If his Father had hurt Ginny, he would personally end his life.

"No! Button is so so so sorry! The girl! The girl! She caught me!"

Draco almost passed out with relief. "Is that all?" He chuckled, "What did she say?" Button looked surprised from the lack of anger, and peered up suspiciously at her master.

"She asked Button what Button was doing sir. Button told her nothing was happening, and then Button got out of there, she did! That young Weasely is a Lioness when she is angry! Button was afraid of her, she was!" Draco smirked.

"Yes, she does have a lovely temper, doesn't she?" Draco chuckled again, thinking of his Kitten when she was angry. She was beautiful, and very arousing. Yes, the little spit fire was fascinating.

After button had left, Draco went to bed, he fell asleep almost immediately, and the dream he had, was to be forgotten in the morning.

The wind rustled the beautiful green leaves of the towering oak. The crystalline lake rippled along, making music with the branches. Draco sat contently, watching Ginny as she played in the water. Clear drops of water splashing around her, sparkling in her hair. She turned to him, and smiled. His heart warmed up at the sight of her beautiful smile. His heart warmed even more as she glided gracefully towards him, and joined him on the grassy bank.

"Strange meeting you here." He said, putting his arms around her shoulders.

"Weren't you expecting me?" She asked, she leaned her head, which seemed to have magically been dried by his imagination, on his shoulder.

"No, I thought you went home for the Holidays." He said into her hair, softly. She smiled, and cuddled closer.

"I did." He could feel his Kitten's breathing, slow and peaceful against him. "It worries me you know." She confided in him.

"What worries you?"

"The darkness. Harry, you, me. We are all caught in it."

"No were not." He assured her.

"Are you sure?" She seemed like she already knew the answer to the question.

"Yes." He watched, as she pulled out his ring, golden with an oval emerald set in the band. He recognised it as his ring, but somehow, it didn't seem like it was only his any more. She put it in his hand gently.

"It is the answer to all of your troubles. The answer, to me…" He looked into her pretty face, the flowers sparkling behind her.

"But be careful…it may not be real..."

Draco shot up in bed, cold sweat dampening his face. His breathing was hard, and his heart was pounding. Although, he could not remember what had startled him. He glared at the sun peaking in through the cracks of his black out shade. It was the day of Christmas Eve. Soon, he would be able to go back to school. And see Ginny again.


Ginny woke up to the tiny whispering calls of Minilla. She groaned and rolled over. She wasn't exactly a morning person.

"Ginny! Harry, and Hermione are here!" Minilla called again, her tiny wings buzzing in frustration. "Stupid Tulip, putting me on wake up duty!" She muttered under her breath. Waking Ginny up was no easy task. "Oh come now Ginevra! Take your potion and smile nicely for your guests. I told you not to go running around at all house of the night!"

Ginny growled and got up miserably.

"fine!" She snarled at the little purple fairy and downed the energy potion in one great gulp. She instantly woke up, and her heart was warmed with a calm happiness. It felt like she had had a wonderful night's sleep with pleasant dreams. She smiled good-naturedly at Minilla.

"That's better!" She beamed. She pulled on a pair of worn grey pants that had once belonged to Percy. Her mother had altered them so they fit tightly around her thighs and flared out from below the knee. She then pulled a big red sweater over her head and thumped down the narrow staircase, brushing her hair on the way. She got down the stairs just in time to see Harry and Hermione walk through the door.

"Happy Christmas!" Ginny beamed. Harry grinned at Hermione laughed.

"Yes, a Happy Christmas it is Gin! I'm so excited! I hope I get to see Santa this year!" Ever since Hermione had discovered she was a witch, she had stayed up every Christmas Eve to meet Santa, who was very real. He was in fact a wizard. How do you think he got his reindeer to fly? But, Hermione had yet to see the jolly man himself. Ginny herself had caught a glimpse of him once when she was very small, but she had suddenly come over with a powerful need to sleep, and had crawled back up the stairs and collapsed into bed. Ginny giggled and hugged her friend tight. She grinned at Harry and hugged him to. He smiled at her, and then went up stairs to dump his bag in Ron's room. Ginny led Hermione to her own room, even though she knew the way by now. Hermione put her bag on Ginny's bed and scanned her walls, no doubt looking for Fidelius, her favourite fairy. The little red fairy fluttered down on sparkling wings to greet Hermione and they spoke for a while catching up. Ginny and Minilla rolled their eyes at each other, in no way being mean about it. Minilla loved Hermione as much and Ginny did. Ginny Grinned and sat down next to Herm's bag.

"So, how was Grimmauld Place? She asked. That was where Hermione and Harry had been before they stopped at the Burrow. They had wanted to say hi to Lupin.

Hermione shrugged, "So, so. The place still gives me the creeps. Ginny considered telling Hermione about the house elf, then decided there was no harm in doing so.

"I ran into a House Elf last night." Ginny said. Hermione looked surprised, so Ginny told her the story.

"It is possible that it just got lost. House elves are used to popping themselves to their destination. When they floo, sometimes they get lost." Hermione explained. She read a lot about house elves, mostly for S.P.E.W, but partly because the little critters fascinated her. Ginny shrugged. She wasn't really convinced, but they had no time to discus it further, and her mother had just called them down for dinner.

A/N Well, that chapter was a fairly good length! The next chapter shall be Christmas morning! And we will know what Daco and Ginny got each other!!! YAY! Also, everyone, LAYB IS WALKING AGAIN!!!! YIPEEE! Lol, so, leave me a pretty review? It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!!! So, review, and you will get the next chapter!!!

Ashen