A Twisted Christmas
By Shadow Rise

This Past of Yours

"Draco Malfoy..." a small voice called, "Draco... Malfoy... "

The man in question jumped up in his bed once more just as the clock struck one.

"Who are you?"

A small girl of about eight came into his sights and he furrowed his brow in confusion. Her hair was short and curling, a lovely shade of honey-blonde and her eyes were wide, emerald-green. She wore a robe of white silk that was a size too big on her small figure.

"I am the ghost of Christmas past... Your past."

"What do you show me?"

She reached out her hand and Draco, without realising, stood and took her hand in his, letting her lead him to the bay window of his room. She threw open the windows and smiled up at him.

"I'll show you things from long ago. Come quickly!"

The spirit began to pull him out the window, before he halted her. "No! I'll fall!"

She gave him a patient smile. "Not as long as you hold my hand, Draco."

"Oh."

As they landed softly on the ground, she looked up at him. "Do you know this place?" she inquired.

"Why, this is the old park where Aunt Lucy used to take Tracey and I to play."

A woman with flowing golden locks came into view, holding hands with a small blonde boy and another boy with dark hair. She smiled, whispering to them both before putting her hands over her face and beginning to count. The children ran off to hide and the memory brought a small smile to Draco's face.

"She was a delicate creature, though her breath came harshly at times she never let it embitter her." the spirit commented.

"Yes."

"She died a loving woman and even had another child."

"Yes, one."

"Your other cousin Valencia."

Draco scowled. "Yes. Her."

"Why do you resent them so? Is it because Tracey did not side with you after Lucinda died?"

"Silence."

"Fine." she snapped.

The happy scene faded away and another appeared, that of a bar filled with happy faces and good friends.

"What about here?"

"Madame Rosemerta's pub..."

Draco sat in the far corner of the bar, searching for his lovely redheaded vixen. He grinned as he felt her slide into the seat next to him.

"Clever, Red." he said, "Where'd you get the cloak?"

Ginny smiled as she removed Harry's invisiblity cloak and tucked it under the table. "A friend."

He leaned down and pressed his mouth over hers, putting all his emotions toward her into the kiss. She kissed him back with all the passion he gave her. As they pulled away, Draco slipped a chain about her neck with his family ring upon it.

"This is a symbol of my love for you, Ginevra," he whispered, "Though, it is secret, it is true. I will always, always love you."

Draco looked away from the two as they kissed once more.

"Why do you taunt me so?"

The girl simply rolled her eyes at him.

Another scene appeared, that of Ginny and Draco sitting in a large tree near the lake at Hogwarts.

"You desire the world too much, Draco. There was a time when you loved me with a fiery passion. But you do not anymore."

"I still love you that way, Ginny."

"No, you love your money and power more that me."

"But-"

"Our love is an old one, Draco, made when we loved eachother and were content to do only that for the rest of our lives. You are changed; you are another man."

"I was a boy." he said proudly.

"That which promised happiness is frought with misery." she whispered, grieved, "How often have I seen our futer dashed against a stone wall by the sight of a greedy spirit creeping into your heart and manifesting in your actions... You must have a release to marry your gods."

"Have I ever sought release?" he asked cockily, his hands outstretched and open.

"In words? No, never."

"In what then?"

"In a changed nature, in everything that made my love of any worth or value in your sight. If this had never been between us, tell me, would you seek me out and try to win me now? Ah, no!"

"That's what you think."

"I would gladly think otherwise if I could. If you were free today, would you choose a poor girl?" Draco dropped his eyes to the ground. "I thought not... I release you. With a full heart for the love of him you once were. May you be happy with the life you've chosen."

"Stop it-enough."

"Do these images trouble you?"

"Please, stop."

"You two did love each other so... How sad that you are no more."

"Shut up!" he screamed.

Draco looked around and froze at realising he was in his room once more and the spirit was gone. He crawled into his bed and fell once more into sleep.

"Sleep on, Draco Malfoy." a small, ghostly voice whispered.

S.R.: R/R Please!!