13
Draco took all of the sleeping draught as Snape had requested him to do. It was the last thing he remembered before crashing onto his bed. He was awakened the next morning by unceasing pecking. Opening his eyes reluctantly, he saw one of the school owls biting his fingers. "Ouch," he muttered, moving his hand to relieve the owl of his burden. Once the letter had been untied, the owl swiftly took off out of the window. Messaging his fingers, Draco opened the letter that was addressed in him in handwriting he didn't recognize.
Mr. Malfoy,
Retrieve Miss Weasley and immediately come to the Room of Requirement. We have wonderful news.
Jumping out of bed, Draco threw on some clothes and robes and rushed from the room. Only then did he realize that he had no idea where Ginny was. Running to the Great Hall, he didn't see her eating breakfast, but did see Potter, Weasley, and Granger eating breakfast. Seeing Hermione prepare to leave, he waited in the entrance hall to make sure she came out alone. Sure enough, she walked out a few moments later, unaccompanied. Quickly, making sure that Weasley and Potter hadn't followed her, he reached out and touched her shoulder.
Hermione turned around, surprised to see Malfoy standing behind her, "What do you want?" she asked, quickly looking around.
"First, I want to thank you for keeping our secret, which, seeing as how Harry and Ron haven't tried to kill me yet, I assume you have. Second, I need to know where Ginny is. It's very important. Please," he requested.
Hermione sighed, "Follow me, hurry up, before Ron or Harry see us. As far as I know, Ginny's still in bed," she said, leading him to Gryffindor tower, "for what it's worth, Malfoy, I believe that you love Ginny, but don't expect us to become friends because of it. I still have problems trusting you."
"I would have expected nothing less, but thank you for believing that I do love her, because I do," he said.
Hermione paused outside the fat lady's portrait, "just don't hurt her," she said.
"Don't worry, I don't want to," he said.
Hermione nodded, "Wait here," she said, whispered the password to the portrait and disappeared inside. Hermione wandered up the stairs, wondering what could be so important that Malfoy had asked for her help. Going into Ginny's dormitory, she walked over to Ginny's bed.
"Ginny," she said, shaking her, "wake up."
Ginny knew someone was shaking her, but didn't want to get up. "Go 'way," she mumbled, flipping over.
Hermione scowled, "No, Ginny, you have to get up. It's important," she said, shaking Ginny more.
Sighing, Ginny sat up in bed, "What is it?" she asked, groggily, yawning.
"Malfoy's outside. He said it was important," Hermione said.
Ginny was wide awake in a flash. How could she have forgotten? Today was the day they found out about Katherine. She jumped out of bed. "Thanks, Hermione," she said, throwing on some clothes and her robes. Throwing her hair into a ponytail, she ran from the room. Hermione watched her go, wondering how Malfoy could have that effect on a person.
Ginny ran down to the common room and outside, where Draco was waiting. She ran to him, "Is it good news?" she asked, noticing he was smiling.
He showed her the letter, and Ginny felt herself smiling. "Oh, Draco," she said, throwing her arms around his neck, "Maybe she woke up."
He grinned, "Let's go find out," he said, taking her hand. Together, they walked toward the Room of Requirement. Upon entering the room, they saw that they were the last to arrive. Adam and Snape were sitting beside Katherine's bed, talking to her. And Katherine herself was sitting up in bed, looking weary, but fine just the same. Draco ran to her, "Kit, you're awake. Thank Goodness," he said, kissing her forehead.
"Draco," Katherine said, grasping his hand in hers, "how are you?"
"I'm fine, Kit, just fine," he answered, "how are you?"
"Well, I feel a lot better, just tired and weak. Professor Dumbledore thinks it wise that I stay in bed until after Christmas, though. I'll start school next term," she said.
Draco nodded, and motioned for Ginny to join them. Taking her hand, he turned to Katherine, "Kit, this is Ginny Weasley," he said.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Katherine," Ginny said, smiling.
Katherine smiled back at her, "Please, call me Kit, Ginny. And thank you, Adam tells me that you saved my life. Thank you for that," she said.
"You're welcome," Ginny said.
Professor Dumbledore had been watching this exchange silently, and now spoke up. "Ok, now, Miss Katherine needs sleep. Mr. Malfoy, I'm afraid I need a word," he said, motioning Draco out the door.
"I guess Professor Dumbledore's right, Kit. I'll be back later, I promise," Adam said, kissed Katherine, and walked out the door.
"I guess I'll be going, too. It was very nice to meet you, Kit, and I hope to get to know you better," Ginny said.
"Me, too, Ginny," Katherine said, laying back against the pillows.
Ginny headed towards the door. "Miss Weasley, perhaps you should wait a moment," Snape said, carefully. For the first time, Ginny looked fully at him. While she did see some happiness and relief on his face, she was shocked to see that he looked apprehensive and nervous also. Kissing Kit on the forehead, he lead Ginny out of the room. Ginny noticed Professor Dumbledore and Draco talking at the end of the hall, but couldn't hear what they were saying. Snape followed her eyes, "As we speak, Miss Weasley, Professor Dumbledore is giving Mr. Malfoy a bit of bad news," Snape said, "It seems that Katherine remembers her attacker, and she recalls Lucius Malfoy."
Ginny gasped, "Oh, no," she said, fearing how Draco would take this news. Just as she said that, Ginny noticed Draco slump against a wall where he and Dumbledore were talking. Dumbledore walked over to them. Looking at Ginny, he nodded, "Go."
Ginny didn't need to be told twice. She quickly walked to where Draco sat against the wall. He wasn't crying, just staring off into space. "Draco," she said, timidly.
He looked at her, and she was scared at the emptiness in his eyes, "I can't believe he did this. How am I supposed to face her, knowing that my father did this to her? How can I expect her to look at me the same way?" he said.
Ginny sat down beside him. "Draco," she began, "Kit doesn't blame you. She knows that it isn't your fault. If you keep blaming yourself, it isn't going to do anyone any good. Don't do this to yourself, or to her, ok," she said.
"I know you're right. It'll take some time, but I'll be ok. Dumbledore's already told Fudge. Even though Katherine lives as a muggle, she still has the rights of a witch. He'll be arrested, and there will be a hearing. I hope they throw him in Azkaban and throw away the key. He's ruined enough lives," he said.
Ginny didn't say anything, just hugged him close. He clung to her, "Dumbledore says that we will all have to testify. Kit because she remembers. Me because I lived with him. I get to talk about my childhood. No more living falsely. That'll be good at least," he said, pausing. "And you'll have to testify to all of Kit's medical injuries when you went to heal her," he continued, worried at her reaction.
"Of course I will, Draco," she said, "when's the hearing going to be?"
"I don't know, probably late March or early April," he said.
"It'll be okay," she said.
"I hope so," he said, turning to her, "Are you going home for holiday?"
She nodded, "Professor Snape told me to tell one of my family members. I'm going to tell Bill. I have to go home for that," she said.
He nodded, "be careful. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you," she said, pulling her close.
She hugged him tightly, then stood up. "Come on, Draco. Let's find Adam and take him for his first ride on a broomstick," she said, grinning.
"Oh, that'll be fun," he said, grinning wickedly.
