Dweeb: Eww! Jesse Mc Carthy? Yuck…sorry, but I'm not really the biggest fan! Lol, I hope I didn't insult you!
DarkFaerieyMagick: lol! I'm so happy your nat grounded any more! Being grounded SO SUCKS!
pheonixvsdragon: lol. I love your penguins-pats one evil looking one affectionately on the head, ignoring him as he tries to rip my fingers off- they are just so cute!
Blondechicky : You like the name? Well, it wasn't me that came up with it…It was flammable tears! She was very helpful! She sent like, a whole list of wicked cool names!
LoyalRose: YAY! –hugs you- Dream Watcher! I missed you bunches! You should have seen the pack! They were insane when we brought Layb back! I don't think I've been attacked with so many wolfish licks in my life! Lol. My mom let me hang out all day, until after it went dark, so we howled, it was cool. I mean, how many people can say they have howled with the wolves? I kind of expected them to be angry with me, for taking away their pack mate, but it was like they understood that I was taking care of him. I'm still amused that my mother let me stay out till it got dark. I figured she would go all paranoid, I mean, she wasn't exactly excited the day I brought Layb home, when he was a puppy. He had hurt his paw, so I took him home to take care of him. His mother was furious with me for taking him, but she forgave me over time. So, it is has been two times now that I have saved Layb's life. He saved me once too…only, I was about to be sprayed by a skunk…the little black and white creature was dead before it even lifted it's tail! I kind of felt sorry for it…well, enjoy the chappie! And send me nice long reviews! I missed you!
Chibi-sad: lol, no, I'm sorry, only one review from you counts! Lol.
Princess: lol, thanks for the review!
King prongs: well, I hope I helped influence you to getting hooked on fanfiction! The people that write here are really great, and there are rarely any flamers! Enjoy this chapter!
ArcticAngelzTx: lol, thanks!
FlammableTears: I got your e-mail! Thanks! I still haven't picked a name for the fox. It is going to be hard…but thanks again! Enjoy this chapter!
Lady Godiva : I'm excited for Ron's reaction, but that is why Harry is now so madly in love with Pansy! So he can hold him down and watch Ginny and Draco run away together! Lol.
MissyNoGrace: Yeah, Layb's full name is Labyrinth. I named him that, as I named his whole pack! Lol, the two leaders at the moment are named Inked Night (Alpha Male) and Lunar Flower (Alpha Female) Lunar Flower killed Shining Coat a while ago in her attempt to win Inked Night from her. I miss Shining Coat, but Lunar Flower is a good leader too. Well, thanks for the review! Lol, here is the next chapter!
darkangel1: lol…yes, I am a slave driver…and proud of it! Lol.
VAB: lol, I am so honoured to be part of you Favourites and Author Alert! It is such a privilege! Note, that I am NOT being sarcastic! Lol.
fieryred20 : Thanks! I am interested in the living thing too. Draco can expect many visits from Zoe and Luna!
Dracosbaby7: lol, I am so proud that I deserve a happy dance! Lol. Thanks a bundle!
HP Geek : lol, thanks, enjoy the chapter!
RandomReaderReadingThisStory: lol, you cracked me right up! Lol, I finally got your review!
A/N Terribly sorry for the wait, but I have a good excuse! I have two projects due, and FOUR FREAKING TESTS to study for! Not exams, just random tests! You would think the teachers would give us a break, but nooooo, we all must suffer! Grr….-stomps of to write-
Chapter
20: The Golden Watch
Ginny flew face first out of the fire face first, skidding across the floor, she faintly heard Celestria's feline yowl of fear and then a hiss, she looked up just in time to see the kitten scamper under one of the plush arm chairs. She whipped soot from her mouth and realised her head was resting on a pair of impossibly shiny black shoes. She knew who they belonged too before she even looked up. She stood up with as much dignity as possible, and looked at the smirking Slytherin.
"Nice entrance, Kitten." He mocked her playfully. The use of the name 'Kitten' told her that she was allowed to be herself, and not pretend that she hated his guts. Now that she was in a better position to observe her surroundings, she realised she was in Dumbledor's office. She had only been here twice before, once in her first year….after Tom…she shuddered at the memory. And a second time in her fourth year when she had heard her father was in the hospital, close to death. She took in Dumbledor's amused figure, Blaise and her trunk in the background, trying to look innocent, along with a little house elf.
"You didn't have a much better one Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledor commented to Draco's taunt. Draco glared at him, for ruining his little jab. Ginny smirked at him triumphantly and suddenly turned serious.
"Professor Dumbledor, if you don't mind me asking, may I ask why I am here?" Dumbledor's wrinkled face suddenly looked very old. He sighed and looked up at Ginny, his usually twinkling blue eyes devoid of shine. He had the look of a mourner at a funeral.
"My dear child." He said, Ginny was surprised at the lack of formality, Dumbledor was not known for being formal, true, but he always addressed students as Miss or Mr. The only person he ever made this exception to was Harry. Ginny suddenly felt frightened, she longed to have Celestria in her arms again, for comfort. "I am so sorry. But you are being hunted. The dark lord wants you…dead." The blood left Ginny's face, this was Tom all over again, her knees felt weak, and she felt like she was going to fall. She grabbed Draco's arm for support. Leaning against him, using his strong body as her anchor.
"Ex-excuse me?" The old professor sighed.
"Perhaps you should sit down," He said, gesturing to one of the arm chairs. "And then you may learn the strategies we have planned for your safety.
Ginny walked into the familiar Head Boy's room, her kitten at her side, and her trunk rolling along behind her. She was terrified. Her heart was beating quickly, but the blood seemed to be avoiding her head. She felt dizzy, and feared she would fall at any minute. Dumbledor had explained in detail why she was wanted, and what they would do to protect her. He had then put a tracking charm on her and dismissed herself and Draco. Blaise and the house elf, which she had learned went by the name Button, had been dismissed before the conference started. Draco came in after her, he took her trunk and put it on his bed. Celestria followed and curled up on one of the pillows, where she promptly fell asleep.
Draco turned to look at Ginny, something was wrong. She was staring out into space, her face chalk white, and her hands limply at her side.
"Kitten?" He whispered, and touched her arm. She jumped, and looked up at him.
"I-I-did I do…something wrong?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Draco was confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Why…why me? Draco…I'm so scared…" And suddenly a whimper chocked from her throat, tears streamed from her eyes, tainting her perfect cheeks. For the first time in his life, Draco felt like he knew what to do for this poor crying girl. He folded his arms around her and held her against him. Rocking her steadily back and fort, whispering non-sense words into her ears. She clutched at him desperately, whimpering into his chest. He held her until she stopped…held her until the fear went away. Held her until her breathing calmed, and she looked up at him, her eyes red and her cheeks marked.
"Thank you." She whispered. And he nodded, then led her to her room.
She sat on the branch of the tree. It's emerald leaves seemed to shine in the sunlight. She kicked her legs carelessly. The sun warm on her face. She looked down, and all the joy left her. He was at the bottom of her tree. For a moment, everything seemed fine, until She noticed the odd stillness of him. The sun lit up his perfect blond hair, turning it silver. She flew down on invisible wings to stand infront of him.
'Didn't you miss me?' She asked. But she would never get an answer, His dead eyes straed back at her. His heart bleeding a silent scarlet pool on the ground. Her scream peirced the fresh summer air.
Ginny woke up suddenly. Her neck was sweaty, as Celestria was curled against it, but it was the two pairs of blue eyes that had awaken her. She let out a gasped sort of scream before she realised who those eyes belonged to.
"Zoe! Luna!" She cried, leaping out of her dark four-poster, which was dressed in Slytherin colours. Her trunk lay by the wardrobe, still unpacked. She hugged her friends tightly before standing back to look at them. Luna was wearing a Ravenclaw-blue dress that fell down to her knees, her blond hair plaited in a braid down her back. Zoe had her black/blue hair falling straight to her shoulders, six tiny braids weaved here and there. She was wearing tight jeans with a rip in each knee, and a form fitting Green t-shirt that said 'I understand…I just don't care.' (Happy bunny! Lol)
"What are you two doing here?" Ginny asked, ecstatic. Suddenly she remembered she was in the Head Boy's room. She looked at Zoe suspiciously, as she would be the one to put Luna up to this.
"Wait a minute, how did you get here?" Ginny asked. Zoe threw back her pretty head and laughed.
"Luna here got a letter, she won't tell me from who," Zoe glared at Luna, and if Ginny didn't know any better, she would say that Luna was blushing. But she dismissed the thought as a trick of the light. Luna never blushed, she had no reason too. She was too comfortable with who she was, it was very difficult to embarrass her. "Well, any ways, the letter said you were going to be hanging out here, so, I threatened Malfoy, and her rather graciously let us in to surprise you." Zoe looked rather proud of herself. She turned around and examined the room.
"Nice place!" She exclaimed and threw herself into a squishy green couch; that lay just under the window. It was a small window, and very close to the ceiling. It had bars on it now though, and a very heavy protective spell. There was a bookshelf, stuffed with fictional novels and hard cover references, two green armchairs set on either side. Hr four-poster was painted black, and had silver hangings, with the softest green sheets she had ever touched. There was also a fluffy green rug on the floor, so here bare-feet were not chilled by the cool black stone. The room was pretty bright and cheery now that it was morning. She remembered the night before, when it hadn't looked nearly as comforting. She flipped her wand and her trunk opened, all of her cloths flew from the trunk, and set themselves neatly in the wardrobe. Then the trunk slid to the end of her bed. Ginny grinned. She could get used to this. She walked over to the hard wood wardrobe and pulled out her knee-long purple skirt that she had made out of a pair of pants she had had when she was about eight. The pants didn't fit any more, but the skirt sure did. She then found a white button up blouse and disappeared into the attacked bathroom to change, leaving Zoe and Luna to explore the room. She gasped when she saw the bathroom. Yes, she could definatly get used to this! The walls were a clean Ivory colour. The showers door was made of clouded class, and the counter of marble. The sink had a golden tap, and the toilet had a golden flusher. There was potpourri stuffed in little attractive glass jars, which were set neatly around the room, giving the bathroom a pleasant strawberry and spice smell. She grinned at her reflection in the wall length mirror, and then went to take a shower.
She came out smelling fresh, and with her neat little out fit, she looked more than respectable. She put her hair up loosely, allowing a few garnet locks to fall around her face, and she came out. Malfoy was now in the room, he was obviously trying to ignore the glare Zoe was giving him. Ginny could almost see the insult trying to break from his throat. She was proud of him for keeping his control, even though Zoe was being incredibly rude. Ginny glared at Zoe as she made her was into the room, Draco's face lit up, but he quickly discarded the expression and gave her a tired smirk. Ginny knew he didn't trust Zoe or Luna enough to be himself around them. Ginny turned to Zoe and Luna.
"Why don't you two go check out the rest of the…err…place, I have something to give Draco." Ginny said, and Zoe scowled.
"I think-" but Luna grabbed her hand and dragged her away.
"Enjoy yourself!" Luna called back, as they disappeared out the door. Ginny turned to Draco, and sat down on the bed next to him. Celestria jumped up too and nestled herself on Draco's lap. Draco stroked her fur gently. The ginger colour reminded him of Ginny.
"I still can't believe you get me a cat." She grinned at her. We get along great, I don't know how to thank you." Draco gave her a half smirk-half smile.
"No need, I wanted to get you something special." He said looking down at the little kitten. She now had here eyes closed and was purring loudly.
Ginny grinned. "Did you now?" She asked mischievously, and Draco realised he had just basically told Ginny that he cared about her. For a brief moment it bugged him, and then he let himself relax. So what if she knew? It was probably better that way…but he still felt uncomfortable with her knowing even a little of what was going on inside him. Draco naturally kept his feelings to himself.
"Well, no matter," Ginny said brightly, getting up and swinging open her trunk.
"I got you something too." She pulled out a little green velvet pouch and handed it to him. Draco took it carefully, and noted the heaviness of it. It was most likely expensive. He pulled out the most magnificent golden watch he had ever seen. There was a little emerald on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the golden cover. The silver and gold chain glinting in the sunlight. He flipped it open and underneath the clear crystal face of the watch, were three hands. One with Draco's face, one with Pansy's face, and one with Blaise's face. All around the watch were things written like, 'Mortal Peril, work, home, Head Boy's dormitories, kitchen, or travel' He wondered vaguely where she had gotten the money for such a gorgeous thing. He looked up at her in awe.
"You got this? For me?" He asked her quietly. Ginny nodded, rather proud. She pulled another little golden thing from the trunk, and handed it to Draco. He examined it. It was a hand with Ginny's face on it.
"You can add that too if you like. I didn't want to in case-"
"Of course I'll add you." He said, cutting her off. He flipped open the crystal face and put Ginny's hand with the other three. It immediately swung around to 'Head Boy's Dormitories.'
'There,' he thought, 'Now I will know where she is at all times.' He looked to see where Pansy and Blaise were. Blaise was in the kitchens, and Pansy was at home…it was the most remarkable thing he had ever seen. And growing up the only heir for Lucius Malfoy, he had seen a lot of things. He didn't know what to say, so he resolved to tuck it safely into his pant pocket. He was about to say thank you when Zoe and Luna came back. Zoe was laughing hysterically, and Luna was scowling. Draco rose and eyebrow at Ginny, but Ginny just shrugged.
"Well, I'll be going," He said gruffly, and left the room. Zoe ignored him and bounded over the soft carpet to Ginny.
"Gin! You'll never guess what Luna said!"
A/N –cringes- DON'T SHOOT THE AUTHOR! I know I ended it at a horrible part…but hey, it makes you want more, right? Well, reviews make me all warm and fuzzy inside. If you have a warm fuzzy author, you get a warm fuzzy chapter!
Ashen
