Advice

Morning was too far away for Ginny. There were so many things she wanted to do, and so little time to do it in… but first, she needed a few good hours of sleep. She popped back home and tip-toed to her room, and before she could even think of Draco, she was dreaming of him.

The next morning, Ginny woke up at 8:30. She laid in her bed, thinking about Draco and the night that they had shared. It was almost magical. The way they had met, they way he had wooed her, the way they just sort of clicked and fit together so perfectly. Magic.

Ginny laughed quietly and rolled onto her side. Magic was running in her veins, in his, in her family's and his. She longed to be so unmagical that it was almost disgusting. Ginny shook her head and sat up. It was a sunny day again, and she wanted to see only one person; the person who could help calm her anxieties about Draco.

Dumbledore.

In a flash, Ginny was up and out of the house. She wore the same thing she had last night, and all she had to do was slip on her shoes and she was gone. Her parents weren't even around to notice she was gone, and frankly, she didn't care. As long as they didn't hinder her, she was fine with it.

A soft pop was the smallest of noises in the busy streets in Hogsmead. Ginny was very small and insignificant compared to the rest of the busy city, but she knew where she was going. The gargoyle fountain, take a left. Walk for three blocks, take a right. Walk for three blocks, through the small garden, up the small steps, into the fenced area, take two lefts and a right. The door was black and unmarked, and you wouldn't have any idea of who resided within unless he had expressly told you. And Ginny knew very well who lived here.

"Come in," the merry old voice called from the inside.

"Professor!" Ginny called as she opened the door slowly.

"Ginny." Dumbledore rose to greet his young visitor. "How did you know I would be here?"

"I didn't. I just guessed."

"Well, you guessed right. I've been tending my gardens for the last few days."

"Oh, I love your gardens!" Ginny sat next to the Headmaster in an armchair.

"I do too," Dumbledore sighed as he sat down. "Now, tell me. What brings you to me so early in the morning? You obviously haven't had much sleep – you look very tired. Oh no." Dumbledore's eyes widened. "Have you been out with that Dean fellow all night? You were completely lost over him the last time you came to see me. You haven't have you?"

"No, no!" Ginny laughed as she shook her hair around her face. "I have completely forgotten about him. He is a wanker, sorry professor, but it's true, and he no longer is the apple of my eye." Ginny sighed and laid back against the chair.

"So where were you last night that kept you out so late?"

Ginny stared at the only man who had actually listened to her since her father had gotten his new job and acquired the large amount of wealth. What could she say to him that would really explain what she was going through. She smiled and rubbed her hands together, a sudden stirring sending her to think of how she could say her true heart.

" 'I have been feasting with mine enemy, where on a sudden one did wound me that's by me wounded. Both our remedies within your help and ability lies. I bear no hatred, sir, oh no, for my request likewise steadies my foe.' "

"Speak not in riddles that even I cannot understand," Dumbledore gasped once she was done with her cryptic message. "Tell me in a more simple language, what where you doing last night that kept you out so long?"

"I was falling in love, professor," Ginny said excitedly as she rose out of her chair and began pacing around the room. She twirled and faced the old man. "I was at the Malfoy ball last night, and I met the most wonderful young man… " She broke off and sat on the couch.

"Who is it?" Dumbledore's confusion had turned into amusement.

"Oh, you would never believe me, even if I told you. You would laugh."

"No I won't. Now, tell me, who is it?"

"The fair Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius, and enemy of my family."

Dumbledore shook his head slowly. This girl was still so young. She knew nothing of love. "Not but a few days ago you were in love with Dean, what happened to him? Does love really fall away as quickly as this?"

"Professor, you told me but a few days ago it was silly for me to go chasing after boys. So I didn't. In fact, I ran away from Draco, and he chased me. After that, I can't explain what happened. It was so… magical."

Dumbledore frumped his eyebrows close together and shook his head. "So you have rid yourself of all feelings of Dean then? You aren't confusing the emotions you felt toward him with Draco?"

"Heavens no!" Ginny gasped. "The only thing I can feel for that contemptible pig is loathing! Did you not hear that I was the flavor of the week?" The professor shook his head. "That is all I can feel toward him."

"So that is that then, is it?" The old man rose and walked to the bay windows that overlooked the gardens below. "Does he love you back?"

"Yes, he does. It is the strongest feeling I have ever had, and it is all I ever want to feel. In fact, that is why I came: To ask for your help."

"What do you need?" He turned to face Ginny, who was staring out the window too.

"He is to be married Saturday to a woman he has never even met. If you could marry us, today, then he would be bound to me and I to him. I want to leave with him, forever, professor!" Ginny had risen to her knees and was staring at the Headmaster's face.

"Well, I… "

"Please!" Ginny shouted as her eyes fell to the floor.

"Are you serious about Draco?"

Her gaze rose to his face and she said ominously, "I have never been anymore serious in my life."

"That is all I need to know. I will do it, this afternoon, at four. Bring him here and all will be well."

Ginny nearly fell off the couch with excitement. This was the most exciting thing that could ever happen to her, ever. "You are the best!" She jumped off the couch with excitement and hugged the creaky old body.

"Yes, yes," he choked hugged her back. "Now," he breathed once he had pushed her away. "I have some things yet to tend to. Come back tonight."

"Thank you, professor," Ginny said hastily and excitedly as she made her way to the door.

"Your welcome. Just remember," he warned. "Act wisely and slowly. Are they who stumble that run fast." But his words fell to a closed door.

"Where the bloody hell is she?" Harry asked as they walked the streets of Hogwarts slowly. He had Hermione under one arm and her shopping bag in another.

"I don't know. Did she even go home last night?" Hermione squeezed Harry tight and he gulped.

"No, not according to Arthur. He said the house alarms weren't tripped or anything, and that when he came in to check on her this morning, she wasn't home. Her bed didn't even look touched, he said." Harry sighed and strained his eyes in search of the red-headed girl. She was no where to be found.

"You work yourself too hard," Hermione purred as she steered him toward a door. "Let's get a drink and rest for a bit. We've been searching all morning." Harry sighed and nodded. A drink sounded fabulous.

The couple stepped into the cool shade of the Hog's Head and stepped into their favorite booth. It was relaxing to sit in the dark and drink the cold butterbeer that the usual waiter brought them. They stared at each other from across the table and flirted silently, but Harry was still thinking about where Ginny could be. Arthur had pressed him so to find her and bring her home, that it was all he could think about.

"You're thinking about Ginny again," Hermione teased as she watched Harry's face screw up in defense. "But that's all right, I was thinking about her too. I'm just not as obvious as you are."

"All right then," Harry huffed as he accepted his defeat. "What were you thinking about. No, I insist, you first."

"Well, I was wondering about Ginny. You know. She seemed very upset last night, and I hope she didn't do anything, you know. Stupid."

"Oh, I understand what you are talking about. She seemed to be very upset over Dean." Harry gazed at his lovely wife-to-be and sighed to himself. He was the luckiest guy in the world. Hermione only laughed at Harry.

"You think she is upset over Dean?" She laughed a little more. "She met someone at the party last night, and I think they broke her heart." She laughed again. Harry was so cute, but he didn't understand a lot of the time what was going on.

"Oh." Harry's head fell again as he was defeated… again. He decided to change the subject to one where he knew he wouldn't be defeated. "So… did you hear?"

"Hear what?" Hermione was drinking from the tall glass.

"Crabbe. He sent a nasty owl to Ginny about something concerning the party last night."

Hermione put her glass down slowly. Could he be the mystery man? No. "What was it about?"

"I think it was a challenge to duel, personally. I mean, I heard him talking to someone about her. He sounded really angry, like he could kill her right there. And I know death threats." Hermione perked at this. This was her job, making sure wizards weren't killed.

"Why would he do such a thing? She was only at a party."

"Hermione, love," Harry leaned forward and took Hermione's face in a hand. "You can't fool me. I know it was the Malfoy party. It was very obvious." Hermione fidgeted a little.

"What do you think will happen if Ginny responds to this 'threat?' "

"I don't know. Crabbe; he's a shady character."

"Oh, I know. He is a real fighter, that one. I have his record at the Ministry. It's a mile high. He has gotten in so much trouble for fighting… meaningless fights mind you. Fights about women, money, who gets the last piece of cheese… " Harry burst out laughing at this. "I'm serious. He is just stupid, is all. Very slow."

"I don't think I would get in a fight over the last piece of cheese," Harry said thoughtfully. He was still stuck on the cheese.

"Oh, shut up!" Hermione laughed and shoved his hand away. They were still giggling when the door opened and let a figure in. "Who's that?" Hermione asked as she watched the darkly-clad figure slink over toward the empty fireplace.

"I don't know," Harry admitted as he tried to catch a glimpse of the figure's face. A bunch of red hair flew out from the cloak and Harry sprang to his feet. He knew it was Ginny. "Ginny!" He shouted, and the girl whirled around.

"What?" she hissed as she rushed toward him. "Do you have to be so loud?"

"What's… " Hermione was taking in the situation. "Going on?"

"I am meeting someone here, and you are going to give me away." Ginny glanced around and drew her hood around her face as she sat down next to Hermione.

"It has to be 80 degrees outside, what are you wearing a cloak for?" Harry went to take it off of her, but she gave him a mean look. "Sorry, didn't mean it," he said quickly as he pulled his hands back. She wasn't in the mood to be played with, but he couldn't stop at that. "Where were you last night?"

"Didn't you guess? I was out." She looked around the room, but the shadows were dark and deep.

"Really." Hermione couldn't resist but pipe in. Ginny was funny when she was busy.

"Yes, now, if you'll leave me alone, I have an appointment at 11. I'd like to chat, but business is business, you know?" Her face still looked out at the other booths.

"I thought some business was business while the others were slackers?" Hermione couldn't conceal her smile. But her jests unleashed the beast in Ginny.

Without turning around, Ginny began her attack. "No!" Ginny hissed. "This is important, more important than small talk and chit chat. This will make or break the rest of my life, if you so happen to want to know."

"Oh-ho-ho!" Harry chuckled as he turned to Hermione. "She's got you there love."

"Well, I don't have a stick up my arse at least." Hermione told to the back of Ginny's head. This was when Ginny turned around with a snarl on her lips.

"Better to have it up my arse than smacked across my face."

"Oh." Now Hermione was pissed. "It may have been smacked across my face, but you own it." Harry sat back, knowing that this was going to last a while.

"How dare you!" Ginny screeched. "I just came in here for a meeting and I get attacked!" Harry laughed, but it was his third undoing. "You!" She was seething. "You were the one who put me on this war path." Harry flinched. In a very short, crisp voice, Ginny said, "I'm sorry Hermione, it was Harry here who made me mad."

"But I… " But he couldn't speak, because Ginny had a vice grip on him with her verbal attack.

"Some will fight and fly away to fight the fight another day." She had a sing-song, angry way of speaking. "Is that right? Do you even care, really?"

"I… I… " Harry was at a loss for words. He didn't understand why she was suddenly lashing out. It was like she was a wounded animal. "I do care, that's why I came looking for you."

"Sent by my father, no less?" Ginny hissed. Harry nodded. "I thought as much. He wants me to stay home so I can be the last child, but I was lost a long time ago." Ginny rose and left the table. Harry stood and followed, and Hermione shrugged and followed him. If they were going to fight, it was worth watching.

"Ginny, you have to understand, your parents love you very much."

"I'm sure they do."

"I thought you knew what love was! Aren't you affixed with Dean?"

Big mistake.

"Dean? Harry, you were the one who told me he was scum! I never loved him. Oh, don't you know anything?" She was so exasperated she was about to leave, but the door opened under her fingers. She backed away as a man entered, shrouded in black and heat. Harry and Hermione stood right behind Ginny, ready to protect their young and naive friend. Ginny was about to say something, her mouth had even formed the words, but he spoke faster than she could from his bent head.

"I seek the young and fair Ginny Weasley. Have you seen her?" The man lifted his hooded face, and all three people beheld the countenance of Severus Snape. He was about to speak, but he stopped. "Hello Potter. Granger."

"Actually," Harry butted in. "That's soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Potter."

"Well, hello at any rate." He shook his cloak off and held it in his hands. "I need to speak with you, Ginny." Ginny nodded and made to go to a booth, but Harry shot out a hand and held her there.

"This is the talk of your future? What, are you going to become a neo Death Eater or something?"

"I beg your pardon," Snape said politely. "I come on behalf of someone else."

"Sure you do," Hermione said as she stepped toward him. "I know who you work for. You are to go no closer to her."

"You have no idea who he works for," Ginny said from behind Harry. "If you would let us talk, he would be gone faster than you could curse him."

"I do too know who he works for," Hermione snapped brutally. "He works for Lucius Malfoy, the only excused Death Eater in the world."

"You are just as Snivelly as you ever were," Harry spat. This was when Snape grew angry. About that same time, so did Ginny. However, Ginny was a lot faster to react on her anger. She pushed past Harry and Hermione and turned to face them, Snape behind her.

"Why does no one listen to what I say? You two will be the death of me, I swear! You insist that what my father says or what the Ministry says is the truth. Well it's not, and I know that."

There was a great, fat pause. "Maybe… maybe she's right," Hermione said quietly, shocked by Ginny's serious reaction. Whatever had happened to her during the night must have been life altering.

"Yeah. Whatever." Harry stuck his hand in his pocket and tossed a coin at the bartender. "Will you at least check in with your parents?" He stared at the vixen and hoped she would at least say something.

"Sure." She frowned and glared at Harry. "Whatever, right?"

"Yeah. Let's go," Harry said to Hermione, and without another word, they left.

"Thanks," Snape said as soon as the door closed. He walked to the darkest, quietest booth and sat down. Luckily, there was no one else there besides the bartender, and he knew not to talk about fights and what not.

"You're welcome," Ginny snapped quietly. "I'm sorry, but they just make me so angry… "

"I know. But I have word from Draco." Ginny's heart flip-flopped and she was no longer angry.

"What did he say?" she asked, suddenly misty eyed.

"He said to tell you that he has arranged a flat in Paris, and all you have to do is talk to the owner tomorrow." Snape stared at the girl and sighed. She had aged years overnight.

"That is good." Ginny sat back against the seat and relaxed, enjoying the cool shade of the dark tavern. "Tell him to meet me at the gargoyle fountain in the middle of the square this afternoon at four."

"Why is this?" Snape asked as he stretched his back.

"Because from there, we are going to get married."

Snape stopped stretching and gazed intently into Ginny's eyes. "You are both brave to defy the will of your parents."

"We are brave to love each other," she replied softly.

"Aye," Snape replied. He sat back and popped his neck.

"Will that be all?" Ginny asked as she rose from the seat.

"Yes, that is all."

"Tell Draco… " Ginny's voice fell off as it occurred to her how strange it would be to hear Snape telling Draco that she loved him. "Tell him that my love is waiting."

"Aye, I will."

And with that, Ginny left to wander the streets till four.