Despite the reprimands of her family, Ginny was determined to continue writing to Draco. She never was one to do something just because one of her many brothers, let alone her mother, told her to. The letters flowed as often as was possible from France, her own responses as copious as was allowable in the situation:

Ginny,

Winter's coming soon and it's getting cold here. We all started wearing the cold weather gear that Albus sent with us and I think Steve's pretty jealous of the scarf you sent me with your last letter. He keeps giving me dark looks and is humming louder than ever. Thank Hermione for me for teaching you how to knit.

It's going to be Christmas next month and I think we'll be spending it in a city that I'm absoutely not allowed to name but you'll remember me saying earlier how much I like it, if all goes well. Jean - you remember me talking about her? She graduated from Beauxbatons two years ago - she thinks she's figured out how to make Figgy Pud over a fire, so we'll have a right good time of it if the pudding doesn't burn.

I hope you have a wonderful time over Christmas too, Gin. I know you usually have lots of family around and this year's going to be quiet, but keep your head up and things'll be alright.

You know, when it's getting rough and trying over her I think about that night, down on the river. Sitting on that hard-ass bench and throwing rocks was the best time I'd had in over a year. Sometimes at night here, when things are so quiet you could hear a knut drop, I just close my eyes and I can still see your pretty smile and that ridiculous bow you'd tied onto your braid. You're so beautiful Gin.

Love,

Draco

The letter joined the others in her bulging green sack. She could only respond to one out of every three letters he sent her. They didn't use Gale anymore, either, because Draco was worried about her safety flying into France and back, particularly now that they were heading as far in as Lyon.

She was able to send him another letter in the middle of December. It was hard for her to remember a time when he wasn't writing these back and forth with her. It was her solace in a time of such havoc.

Ginny walked up to the owlery that night around 8:00 to write the letter and send it off. She chose a pretty, sleek looking barn owl who hopped down at the treat she offered and waited as she wrote out the letter with her best quill. The blue ink shone up at her from the page as she read it back to herself:

Draco,

I'm glad you'll be having some festivities next week for Christmas. Jean sounds very nice and I hope you're all keeping each other merry. Tell Andrew from me, though, that he had better not steal this package of sweets and pasties like he did the last one. He's very rude and if he does not stop I'll come to France myself and kick his arse. You know I can.

Things are quiet here as the holidays set in. Nobody's going to be at the Burrow for Christmas this year so I opted to stay in the castle for the holidays instead of going home like I mentioned last time.. Charlie's in Romania and Bill's too busy with Dad and the goblins. Fred and George are somewhere in Scotland "to open another shop" they say. Ron's in Egypt, filling in on Bill's curse breaking and Harry's somewhere undisclosed. I'll just stick around here and scare first years by being impressive with my shiny badge. More likely I'll just study for three weeks until classes start again.

Two letters back, you wrote about that night at the bridge. I think about it all the time too. You know, that's the first time I saw you outside of Hogwarts. Of course I read the paper when you turned in your parents, everyone did. I just remembered how your picture in the Prophet kept trying to hide behind Dumbledore, like you were ashamed to be seen or something, very un-Malfoy of you. I still have that picture.

I know you'll have a wonderful holiday. Thank you for the chocolate, that tawny owl was eyeing it covetously before I told him he couldn't have any. I've enclosed the picture you requested. I had Colin take it and I must say that it turned out really nice, better than I usually look in photographs. He has an offer to work for the Daily Prophet once we graduate!

Anyway, back to the homework!

Merry Christmas and my Love,

Ginny

She slid the photo of herself, dressed like she was that night at the river. She was looking shy but happy and kept sitting down on the bench in the picture. They'd actually apparated to London to get the right scenery. Colin had his coveted Tellingdale the Transfigurer chocolate frog card in return along with the promised chocolate malted from the cafe she used to work at.

Ginny tied the letter to the leg of a large barn owl and watched it soar out the window. Be safe, Draco, she thought before heading down to the dungeons. She needed some help on a potion before Snape left for the holidays.

Christmas was a quiet affair in the castle. There were very few students who had stayed, less than usual. Most of them went home to be with their families. They had the typical, splendid repast and crackers. Ginny ended up with a new Exploding Snape deck and a young rat that she put on her shoulder to keep safe from Mrs. Norris, and now wouldn't leave her alone. Maybe one of the girls in her dorm needed a pet.

"Ms. Weasley?"

Ginny looked up at Professor Dumbledore, "Yes, Professor?"

"May I have a word with you?" There was something in his eyes. Not really a twinkle, but more of a softness around the edges where they'd grown weary over the last few years.

"Of course." She rose from her seat and followed him into the side room.

"Ms. Weasley. I am, of course, aware of the relationship you've developed with Mr. Malfoy over the recent months."

Ginny braced herself for the reprimand, but even Dumbledore wasn't going to get her to stop writing to Draco.

"I am so pleased."

She staggered slightly, "What?"

"He's all alone, Ms. Weasley, and your friendship has been an immense comfort to him." Albus smiled warmly at her, "However, I would caution you that he won't be the same young man when he returns from France. You're very young to deal with a man who's been through the things that Mr. Malfoy has. A warning only."

Ginny nodded, "I know, Professor."

"But enough dreariness! I have a package he asked me to give to you while I was in France last week." The Headmaster pulled a package from his robes and handed it to her before turning and leaving Ginny alone in the room, his eyes again twinkling with Holiday mirth. "Think about what I said, Ms. Weasley."

Ginny sat in front of the fire and ripped open the package where she found a note, a blue ribbon, and a picture,

Ginny,

I'm writing this quickly before Dumbledore has to leave. Thank you for the picture! It's a wonderful Christmas present. You look exactly like I remember. So, I'm sending you this ribbon because I think the old one may have worn out by now.

My Love,

Draco

Ginny tied the ribbon around her braid. It was beautiful silk. Tears slid down her cheeks as she kissed the photo of Draco in his auror robes, smiling at her. Please be careful, my Draco.