When Draco and the Spirit landed on the ground again, they were in front of an old building.
"This looks familiar to me, Spirit," said Draco. "Should it?"
"It should indeed," the Spirit answered.
The doors opened, and a tall man with greasy black hair, a pale face, and a pointed nose emerged. "Ah, look," the older man said, "dusk has fallen! It is Christmas Eve! Time to close up for the night!" He closed the door.
"That's old Snape himself!" exclaimed Draco. "Oh the dear man did love me."
"Egomaniac!" Fred coughed.
Draco only smirked and stepped through the wall.
"Okay lads, move the desks aside!" Snape called.
"Oh my lord!" Draco exclaimed. "It's the Snapes' annual Christmas party!"
"The what?" Fred asked.
A woman a little younger than Snape walked down the stairs and said, "The band is here, my dear."
"Wonderful, we should have our first dance," he said, took his wife's hand, and led her into a dance. Everyone around them joined in.
"It was true," George continued with his story telling. "It was the Snapes' Christmas party. Everyone was there..."
"Wait, you mean to tell me that Snape's married?" Fred asked.
Draco nodded his head and held up three fingers. "And three kids. Two girls, one boy."
"Who'd a... wait a moment. Hey, George!" There was no reply from his brother. "I mean Charlie."
"Yeah?"
"Doesn't that woman look strangely familiar to you?"
"Yes, it's Mrs. Snape," George said.
"No, it's not! It's McGonagall! She married Snape? Eww!"
George sighed and said, "Fred, stop it, you are really and truly going to ruin my story!" He stomped his foot.
"Oh, sorry. Well, I am off to get some food."
Draco and George sat down on a nearby bench, and George continued his story. "Draco watched in amazement as he watched his sixteen-year-old self dance around the room. He could not contain himself. Draco Malfoy was alive and happy, more happy then he ever remembered."
Draco's feet automatically started to dance around to the music. Suddenly the music stopped.
Draco looked around the room and saw someone he recognized. "Hey, there's Blaise Zabini, my partner! Well, will be my partner or was or..." Draco sighed in frustration. "Being in the past is very confusing."
"Draco continued to look around to see faces that he remembered from long, long ago, when finally he saw the crowds part and spotted her across the room. Her, the same girl who his heart would not let him forget, the same girl who had haunted his dreams for four long years, the same girl who..."
"That's getting a little annoying," Draco said to George.
"Sorry mate, it's my job."
It appeared that as Draco's older self spotted the girl, his younger self did too.
Young Draco did not know how to approach the girl, but then suddenly he saw another boy approaching her. That's when he realized that she was standing under the mistletoe.
Without even thinking, he ran to her and gave her a peck on the lips.
She turned towards him and slapped him. "Sir, you have no right!"
"No right, my lady? I do apologize, but I only meant to save you."
"Save me, sir? Pray tell, from whom where you saving me from?" she said angrily.
"From the other men, my lady," he said as he looked up.
She followed his eyes and noticed that she was standing under the mistletoe. She gasped and blushed. "Well, what made you think that you were the one to save me, sir?" she asked, blushing and smiling.
Draco leaned down a little closer and whispered, "Because I promised I would."
Ginny let out a tiny gasp and said, "Excuse me?"
Draco opened his mouth to say something when he was interrupted by someone saying, "There you two are." It was Snape.
"Oh, Mr. Snape, my father feels awful that he could not attend the party tonight," said the girl.
"That is quite all right, my dear, I clearly understand." He looked to Draco, back to the girl, and said, "Well, it looks like an introduction is in order."
"Actually, no sir, it's not. I already had the pleasure of knowing Miss Virginia."
Ginny gasped. How did he know her? As he bowed in front of her and kissed her hand, his piercing gray eyes never left hers. She had never seen such piercing gray eyes before in all her life except for one boy.
She put a hand over her mouth and gasped, "Draco?"
He smiled brightly. "So you do remember me!"
Ginny screamed with joy and wrapped her arms around his neck. He returned her hug and spun her around. With this Snape decided that he should leave the two alone.
"Look at you!" Ginny said looking up at him.
"Me? Look at you! You shrunk!" Draco laughed.
"No, you finally grew!" Both Ginny and Draco laughed at that.
"You look beautiful." Draco said softly. Ginny blushed and looked at her feet. "So, tell me, what have you been up to?" Draco asked as they made their way to the buffet table.
"She was so beautiful," Draco said to himself.
"She still is, isn't she?" the Spirit asked.
"Yes," Draco said, "But what does it matter? It's all in the past now, and you can't change the past."
"No, you can't, but it's never too late to correct a wrong."
Draco sighed and said, "Well, Spirit, can we go home now?"
"No, there are still things that need to be seen." The Spirit took Draco by the arm and led him away from the scene that he longed to be a part of again.
They came across another wintry scene. This time they came across Ginny and Draco, who were holding hands and walking through a snowy park.
"Thanks for coming with me, Ginny," said the younger Draco.
"It was my pleasure, Draco. I like spending time with you," she said as she snuggled closer to him. "And I love weddings. Your sister looked beautiful up there."
"Yeah she did. So you really like spending time with me?" he asked, smiling.
"Yeah, I really do," Ginny said and kissed his cheek.
"Draco, what's going on here?" Fred asked before the Spirit could.
Draco smiled and said, "It's February, my sister just got married, and I'm walking Ginny home."
Draco watched as his younger self stood in shock from Ginny kissing him. The two had seen a lot of each other in the past two months, but he never tried to kiss her again.
"Oh Draco!" Draco heard Ginny call to him. He then suddenly felt something hard and wet hit his chest. It was a snowball! He laughed, gathered some snow into his own hands, and threw it at her. Soon the two broke out in a full-fledged snowball fight.
"Mate, this is bloody sickening," Fred said.
"I was in love," Draco stated.
"It still looks like you are," George stated the obvious.
"Shut up and narrate."
"Sorry, but right now everything's self explanatory."
Draco continued to watch the scene and saw Ginny slip on the ice and fall down. He watched as he saw himself run to her.
"Are you all right?" his younger self asked, standing over her.
"Fine. Help me up?" she said sweetly.
Draco grabbed her hand and felt himself being pulled down. He fell beside her and heard Ginny laugh. Draco turned to his side and looked at her face. When Ginny opened her eyes, she saw how serious he was and stopped laughing. "Is everything okay?"
"Ginny, what would you say if... if I have strong feelings for you?"
"Are you saying that you do?" Ginny asked him. Draco could only nod his head. "Well, then I would demand to know what those feelings are."
"Well," he swallowed and said, "What would you say if I said that I... that I love you."
Ginny smiled brightly and said, "I'd probably say the same thing."
Draco stood up and helped Ginny up. He then got down on one knee and said, "I know we have only been together for a few months, but I feel like I've known you for my whole life. Virginia Weasley, I would be honored if you would be my wife." He took a ring out of his pocket and held it out to her. "I love you and cannot imagine living another day without you." He noticed that she wasn't saying anything and just stared at him. "I know it's not much of a ring, but I... I can get you a big..." She sat down on his knee and kissed him.
"I don't need a bigger one. I only need you." She kissed him again.
"So, I take it that is a yes?" he smiled
Ginny smiled and laughed, "Yes! A million times yes!" The two lovers kissed again.
"Come, Draco, there is still one more Christmas left to see," said the Spirit.
Draco's head popped up, and his eyes went wide. "No, please!"
"Come, Draco, we must go."
"No, Spirit, I just want to go home," Draco pleaded.
The Spirit just shook his head and grabbed a hold of Draco; they were transported to another time.
When they landed yet again, it was about four years into the future. Ginny and Draco were sitting on a bench in the park.
"Yet another year goes by and you have not yet fulfilled your promise," said Ginny.
"Ginny, there isn't even enough money for a decent house," said the younger Draco.
"Draco, Mr. Zabini has made you his partner after being with him for only a short time. You are making more than we ever thought you would."
"And still just making ends meet."
"Draco, I don't need money, I don't need anything. I just want to marry you and start our lives together.
Draco sighed, "Ginny, I'm doing this for you. I love you."
"You did, once."
"I still do."
"The years change people, Draco."
"I wish not to watch," the older Draco stated.
"You must," the Spirit replied.
"Our promise to be married is an old one. It was made when we were young and poor and content with what we had. You have changed, Draco. No longer are you the carefree man that you once were."
"I was a boy."
"You have found a new love."
"I love no one but you."
"That may be true, but something has taken my place in your heart." She paused and said, "A golden thing. You care for nothing but money these days."
"That's not true, Ginny."
Ginny sighed slightly and said, "Draco, I have been thinking of this for so many days, and I have decided that it is time to release you from your promise."
"I have asked to be released?"
"Not in words, no," Ginny answered him.
"Then how?"
"By a change of nature. Draco, if the things between us never occurred, would you seek me out now? Would you choose a poor girl like me over a richer person's daughter?"
Draco opened his mouth but nothing came out.
"Say yes! Yes you would! You know you would!" Draco yelled at his younger self.
"I thought not," Ginny answered for him.
"You think not," said the younger Draco.
"I know you would not, my love. There would be no profit in it." Ginny removed her glove and took the ring off of her finger. "I release you with a full heart, for the man you once were." She placed the ring in his hand. "May you be happy in the life that you have chosen for yourself." With that, she stood up and walked away.
"Go after her! Go! Come on! Get up man!" Draco yelled at himself with tears in his eyes.
He watched as his younger self got up and walked in the opposite direction. He was about to tell the Spirit to take him home when he heard someone say his name. He turned towards Ginny and saw that she had turned around. "I will always love you." Draco stood there as he watched Ginny walk away and out of his life.
"Take me home, Spirit!" Draco said with tears trickling from his eyes.
"My dear boy, are you crying?" the Spirit asked him.
"What's it to you?"
"Nothing, but I wish to remind you that it is still all in the past."
"Yes, but it still hurts," Draco said, rubbing his heart as though he was trying to soothe it.
"Ah, yes, the past can hurt. But there are two things that you can do about it." Draco looked up at him. "You can either hide from it, or learn from it."
"Bring me home, Spirit!" Draco yelled at him.
"Remember, Draco--"
"I said, bring me home!"
A second later, Draco sat up quickly in his bed, breathing heavily and sweating. "Only a dream. This is the last time I'm eating supper so late at night!"
He heard the bells toll two.
"Expect the second ghost as the bell tolls two," Draco said.
To be continued...
Thanks everyone for reviewing and thanks Becky for all your help!
2/21/04
"This looks familiar to me, Spirit," said Draco. "Should it?"
"It should indeed," the Spirit answered.
The doors opened, and a tall man with greasy black hair, a pale face, and a pointed nose emerged. "Ah, look," the older man said, "dusk has fallen! It is Christmas Eve! Time to close up for the night!" He closed the door.
"That's old Snape himself!" exclaimed Draco. "Oh the dear man did love me."
"Egomaniac!" Fred coughed.
Draco only smirked and stepped through the wall.
"Okay lads, move the desks aside!" Snape called.
"Oh my lord!" Draco exclaimed. "It's the Snapes' annual Christmas party!"
"The what?" Fred asked.
A woman a little younger than Snape walked down the stairs and said, "The band is here, my dear."
"Wonderful, we should have our first dance," he said, took his wife's hand, and led her into a dance. Everyone around them joined in.
"It was true," George continued with his story telling. "It was the Snapes' Christmas party. Everyone was there..."
"Wait, you mean to tell me that Snape's married?" Fred asked.
Draco nodded his head and held up three fingers. "And three kids. Two girls, one boy."
"Who'd a... wait a moment. Hey, George!" There was no reply from his brother. "I mean Charlie."
"Yeah?"
"Doesn't that woman look strangely familiar to you?"
"Yes, it's Mrs. Snape," George said.
"No, it's not! It's McGonagall! She married Snape? Eww!"
George sighed and said, "Fred, stop it, you are really and truly going to ruin my story!" He stomped his foot.
"Oh, sorry. Well, I am off to get some food."
Draco and George sat down on a nearby bench, and George continued his story. "Draco watched in amazement as he watched his sixteen-year-old self dance around the room. He could not contain himself. Draco Malfoy was alive and happy, more happy then he ever remembered."
Draco's feet automatically started to dance around to the music. Suddenly the music stopped.
Draco looked around the room and saw someone he recognized. "Hey, there's Blaise Zabini, my partner! Well, will be my partner or was or..." Draco sighed in frustration. "Being in the past is very confusing."
"Draco continued to look around to see faces that he remembered from long, long ago, when finally he saw the crowds part and spotted her across the room. Her, the same girl who his heart would not let him forget, the same girl who had haunted his dreams for four long years, the same girl who..."
"That's getting a little annoying," Draco said to George.
"Sorry mate, it's my job."
It appeared that as Draco's older self spotted the girl, his younger self did too.
Young Draco did not know how to approach the girl, but then suddenly he saw another boy approaching her. That's when he realized that she was standing under the mistletoe.
Without even thinking, he ran to her and gave her a peck on the lips.
She turned towards him and slapped him. "Sir, you have no right!"
"No right, my lady? I do apologize, but I only meant to save you."
"Save me, sir? Pray tell, from whom where you saving me from?" she said angrily.
"From the other men, my lady," he said as he looked up.
She followed his eyes and noticed that she was standing under the mistletoe. She gasped and blushed. "Well, what made you think that you were the one to save me, sir?" she asked, blushing and smiling.
Draco leaned down a little closer and whispered, "Because I promised I would."
Ginny let out a tiny gasp and said, "Excuse me?"
Draco opened his mouth to say something when he was interrupted by someone saying, "There you two are." It was Snape.
"Oh, Mr. Snape, my father feels awful that he could not attend the party tonight," said the girl.
"That is quite all right, my dear, I clearly understand." He looked to Draco, back to the girl, and said, "Well, it looks like an introduction is in order."
"Actually, no sir, it's not. I already had the pleasure of knowing Miss Virginia."
Ginny gasped. How did he know her? As he bowed in front of her and kissed her hand, his piercing gray eyes never left hers. She had never seen such piercing gray eyes before in all her life except for one boy.
She put a hand over her mouth and gasped, "Draco?"
He smiled brightly. "So you do remember me!"
Ginny screamed with joy and wrapped her arms around his neck. He returned her hug and spun her around. With this Snape decided that he should leave the two alone.
"Look at you!" Ginny said looking up at him.
"Me? Look at you! You shrunk!" Draco laughed.
"No, you finally grew!" Both Ginny and Draco laughed at that.
"You look beautiful." Draco said softly. Ginny blushed and looked at her feet. "So, tell me, what have you been up to?" Draco asked as they made their way to the buffet table.
"She was so beautiful," Draco said to himself.
"She still is, isn't she?" the Spirit asked.
"Yes," Draco said, "But what does it matter? It's all in the past now, and you can't change the past."
"No, you can't, but it's never too late to correct a wrong."
Draco sighed and said, "Well, Spirit, can we go home now?"
"No, there are still things that need to be seen." The Spirit took Draco by the arm and led him away from the scene that he longed to be a part of again.
They came across another wintry scene. This time they came across Ginny and Draco, who were holding hands and walking through a snowy park.
"Thanks for coming with me, Ginny," said the younger Draco.
"It was my pleasure, Draco. I like spending time with you," she said as she snuggled closer to him. "And I love weddings. Your sister looked beautiful up there."
"Yeah she did. So you really like spending time with me?" he asked, smiling.
"Yeah, I really do," Ginny said and kissed his cheek.
"Draco, what's going on here?" Fred asked before the Spirit could.
Draco smiled and said, "It's February, my sister just got married, and I'm walking Ginny home."
Draco watched as his younger self stood in shock from Ginny kissing him. The two had seen a lot of each other in the past two months, but he never tried to kiss her again.
"Oh Draco!" Draco heard Ginny call to him. He then suddenly felt something hard and wet hit his chest. It was a snowball! He laughed, gathered some snow into his own hands, and threw it at her. Soon the two broke out in a full-fledged snowball fight.
"Mate, this is bloody sickening," Fred said.
"I was in love," Draco stated.
"It still looks like you are," George stated the obvious.
"Shut up and narrate."
"Sorry, but right now everything's self explanatory."
Draco continued to watch the scene and saw Ginny slip on the ice and fall down. He watched as he saw himself run to her.
"Are you all right?" his younger self asked, standing over her.
"Fine. Help me up?" she said sweetly.
Draco grabbed her hand and felt himself being pulled down. He fell beside her and heard Ginny laugh. Draco turned to his side and looked at her face. When Ginny opened her eyes, she saw how serious he was and stopped laughing. "Is everything okay?"
"Ginny, what would you say if... if I have strong feelings for you?"
"Are you saying that you do?" Ginny asked him. Draco could only nod his head. "Well, then I would demand to know what those feelings are."
"Well," he swallowed and said, "What would you say if I said that I... that I love you."
Ginny smiled brightly and said, "I'd probably say the same thing."
Draco stood up and helped Ginny up. He then got down on one knee and said, "I know we have only been together for a few months, but I feel like I've known you for my whole life. Virginia Weasley, I would be honored if you would be my wife." He took a ring out of his pocket and held it out to her. "I love you and cannot imagine living another day without you." He noticed that she wasn't saying anything and just stared at him. "I know it's not much of a ring, but I... I can get you a big..." She sat down on his knee and kissed him.
"I don't need a bigger one. I only need you." She kissed him again.
"So, I take it that is a yes?" he smiled
Ginny smiled and laughed, "Yes! A million times yes!" The two lovers kissed again.
"Come, Draco, there is still one more Christmas left to see," said the Spirit.
Draco's head popped up, and his eyes went wide. "No, please!"
"Come, Draco, we must go."
"No, Spirit, I just want to go home," Draco pleaded.
The Spirit just shook his head and grabbed a hold of Draco; they were transported to another time.
When they landed yet again, it was about four years into the future. Ginny and Draco were sitting on a bench in the park.
"Yet another year goes by and you have not yet fulfilled your promise," said Ginny.
"Ginny, there isn't even enough money for a decent house," said the younger Draco.
"Draco, Mr. Zabini has made you his partner after being with him for only a short time. You are making more than we ever thought you would."
"And still just making ends meet."
"Draco, I don't need money, I don't need anything. I just want to marry you and start our lives together.
Draco sighed, "Ginny, I'm doing this for you. I love you."
"You did, once."
"I still do."
"The years change people, Draco."
"I wish not to watch," the older Draco stated.
"You must," the Spirit replied.
"Our promise to be married is an old one. It was made when we were young and poor and content with what we had. You have changed, Draco. No longer are you the carefree man that you once were."
"I was a boy."
"You have found a new love."
"I love no one but you."
"That may be true, but something has taken my place in your heart." She paused and said, "A golden thing. You care for nothing but money these days."
"That's not true, Ginny."
Ginny sighed slightly and said, "Draco, I have been thinking of this for so many days, and I have decided that it is time to release you from your promise."
"I have asked to be released?"
"Not in words, no," Ginny answered him.
"Then how?"
"By a change of nature. Draco, if the things between us never occurred, would you seek me out now? Would you choose a poor girl like me over a richer person's daughter?"
Draco opened his mouth but nothing came out.
"Say yes! Yes you would! You know you would!" Draco yelled at his younger self.
"I thought not," Ginny answered for him.
"You think not," said the younger Draco.
"I know you would not, my love. There would be no profit in it." Ginny removed her glove and took the ring off of her finger. "I release you with a full heart, for the man you once were." She placed the ring in his hand. "May you be happy in the life that you have chosen for yourself." With that, she stood up and walked away.
"Go after her! Go! Come on! Get up man!" Draco yelled at himself with tears in his eyes.
He watched as his younger self got up and walked in the opposite direction. He was about to tell the Spirit to take him home when he heard someone say his name. He turned towards Ginny and saw that she had turned around. "I will always love you." Draco stood there as he watched Ginny walk away and out of his life.
"Take me home, Spirit!" Draco said with tears trickling from his eyes.
"My dear boy, are you crying?" the Spirit asked him.
"What's it to you?"
"Nothing, but I wish to remind you that it is still all in the past."
"Yes, but it still hurts," Draco said, rubbing his heart as though he was trying to soothe it.
"Ah, yes, the past can hurt. But there are two things that you can do about it." Draco looked up at him. "You can either hide from it, or learn from it."
"Bring me home, Spirit!" Draco yelled at him.
"Remember, Draco--"
"I said, bring me home!"
A second later, Draco sat up quickly in his bed, breathing heavily and sweating. "Only a dream. This is the last time I'm eating supper so late at night!"
He heard the bells toll two.
"Expect the second ghost as the bell tolls two," Draco said.
To be continued...
Thanks everyone for reviewing and thanks Becky for all your help!
2/21/04
