Authors Note: YES! This is it! It's my last chapter. Stops typing for a minute and wails over the keyboard But the epilogue will be coming up which also has a nice little twist in it. ;) My reviewers thank you soo much.
Professor Jaida: I am also a major Ginny and Draco fan. But I am also getting into Blaise Zabini watch out for him as well.
Writer of Dragons: Trust me there's gonna be a lot of physical contact in this chapter grins
Siriusndharryluvrr: I'm thinking of another plotline but I will not reveal it yet!
Blackfox360: Yes I know I re-read my whole story (yes I am sad that way) and I did find a lottt of mistakes and some paragraphs didn't make sense at all. I shall keep it in mind to spell check a lot!
Well now let's get on with Chapter 13 then
The morning after
Albus Dumbledore sat in the middle of the staff at breakfast and looked down at his students. Two of them in particular. On the Slytherin table the young Malfoy seemed to be glancing at the youngest Weasley. Interesting. And Miss Weasley seemed to smile back. His eyes switched to their accomplices. The young Miss McDonald was enjoying the scene herself and kept switching back to her conversation to Mr Creevey and Mr Zabini seemed to be sniggering in his porridge. He also found the scene hilarious apparently. Dumbledore chuckled to himself and thought 'Things are finally looking up. This could just be a beginning of ending the rivalries' He made a mental note to himself to confirm one of his suspicions and went back humming to himself while staring at the ceiling.
Once the bell for the first lesson was given, Ginny slowed her movements deliberately so that she could get a chance to speak to Malfoy now that she knew the amulet belonged to him.
'I don't care even if kept it in my bag on purpose. After last night I seem to know Malfoy more, as if I bonded with him at some level. The visions last night were his memories, a part of him that he probably wouldn't unleash to anyone easily. But I saw what he saw; felt what he felt and now sympathy is like the last feeling for him. It's like I want to be by side whatever he goes through. Lucius Malfoy might have accepted him just to keep his pride and honour in the family but his unloved expressions clearly showed his feelings. I know now why he is the way he is. His attitude is not in his nature its only to please his father … well so-called father to prove him that he's truly a Malfoy. But a part of me is also glad that he refused to be Death Eater. I have to return his amulet to him and speak to him about this. Probably confess my feelings as well, I hope he understands. That's all I hope for.'
She heaved her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the Great Hall but Draco was nowhere to be seen. She went through most of the corridors to get to her lessons but still couldn't find him. Disappointed she entered History of Magic, hoping she would catch a glimpse of him though the day, but still no Malfoy. It was as if he had disappeared from the castle. Well at least there was the detention and would be more comfortable with him them.
So that evening she left for Herbology to find Professor Sprout but was surprised to find Professor McGonagall accompanying her.
"Miss Weasley, you'll be glad to hear that you will not have to carry out the week's detention" Ginny opened her mouth to say something but the Professor raised her hand to silence her. Apparently she had not finished.
"I shall not answer as to why or so but I'll only say that I'm being fair. Please return to your Common Room and carry on with your daily tasks please."
Confused Ginny left the greenhouses and reached the Gryffindor Common Room. When she had said the password and stepped inside, Natalie was rushing towards her quickly.
"Ginny! Come over here! It's really urgent!" she shouted. Then she raised her hand to her face and mouthed "It's about Malfoy"
Ginny quickly strided over to her and pulled her towards a corner of the room. Making sure the gossiping cats aka Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown weren't about they talked quietly.
"What is it?" Ginny asked desperately
"I heard that Zabini guy tell Parkinson when I was coming up here. Malfoy left Hogwarts this morning after breakfast" she said quickly but was carefully looking at Ginny's expression expecting a reaction. But Ginny just sat there looking back at Natalie thinking over what she had just told her as if persuading her mind to register it.
'I don't believe it. He's gone'
She quickly stood up and asked Natalie, "Where did you see Zabini and Parkinson when you heard this?"
"By the potions dungeons, that's what I had last… hey Gin! Where are you going?"
"Where do you think!" Ginny shouted back as she pushed past two first years and ran to the potions dungeons. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't see where she was going and was bought back to reality when she collided with someone's chest. She looked up into the electric blue eyes of Zabini Blaise peering down at her. Without thinking she asked "Where's Malfoy Blaise?"
Blaise just stared at her hard and asked. "How is it any of your concern Weasley?"
Ginny burst out without realising that this guy who was more nearly as tall as her but more dominant could shut her up easily but she shouted back glaring at him.
"IT IS every damn concern of mine! Do you get that Zabini! He can't just walk away from me and… and I have to speak to him… He's got no idea of what he's done and where he's left me. It's every damn concern of mine and I'm not gonna move an inch or let you move either until you tell me where he is! Do you understand!"
Ginny did not realise that she had started crying, making Blaise's robes drenched with her tears. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand and looked up at him hopefully.
"I am sorry Weasley. But he's gone back to Malfoy Manor for some reason and I can assure you that there's a slim chance of him coming back. He said so himself."
"But …all of a sudden"
"I don't know why. No point in asking me. I suggest that whatever happened between the two of you keep it to yourself"
With that he brushed past her heading towards his own dorm. 'He doesn't care', Ginny thought to herself 'He didn't even bother telling me?'
As if on cue Blaise turned back and said, "Weasley don't think he doesn't care. Even if he doesn't say it, I know him well. He will see you once again but when I can't say." This time Blaise's face and voice had both softened; turning back to his destination he left Ginny in the dungeons alone.
"How can these Slytherins have a dual personality is beyond me" Ginny said to herself shaking her head.
It had been three weeks after Malfoy had left Hogwarts. Ginny had been in her dorm most of the time. She didn't feel like doing much activity, even Quidditch seemed less entertaining to her now! Her daily itenary had turned into Dorm-Common Room- Breakfast- Lessons- Dinner- Common Room – Dorm. This seemed to be worrying Ron and her friends. His attitude was more brotherly to her now and he didn't even ask what was wrong, he had left the job to Natalie to cheer her up and that seemed to be on top of her agenda everyday.
"Ginny! C'mon! Get up!" Natalie pleaded with her on the bed
"Come on! I thought you hated Malfoy! How come there's a change in you attitude now, huh?"
"Ithouhgcknoloo!" a muffled voice replied back
"Ginny get off the bed!"
Ginny lifted her head off her pillow and repeated herself, "I said I thought so too but I guess I was wrong"
"Listen Gin, just because he's gone doesn't been you become over dramatic and lock yourself up away from everyone else. I'm pretty sure Malfoy would have found it pathetic" she said amused
"Nat! I don't care what he thinks! I still haven't forgiven him for going away like that like a prat."
"Gin, it's high time you now clear your head from Malfoy and start thinking about the Weird sister's concert! And you promised we'd go shopping together. Come on, please?" Natalie pouted her lips and made a puppy dog face
Ginny laughed out and said, "Alright! You know I always give in to that face Nat. We'll go to the Hogsmeade morning trip and them come back and get ready for the evening .OK?"
"YAY! Okay you get ready fast. Colin will be joining us as well."
By noon Ginny was into Hogsmeade and she was being dragged into every shop possible. They stopped by the Madam Malkins Extra shop. Natalie dragged Ginny in there too deciding that this was the best place to buy clothes, while Colin decided to go to Zonkos. After 2 hours both of them emerged out of the shop carrying a large bag in each hand. They stepped inside Zonkos which was crowded as usual and spotted Colin. He waved to them and came over giving them a crazed look.
"Did you buy the whole shop or something?" he asked playfully
"Shut up Colin" the girls said unison.
And finally the evening arrived; Natalie had told Ginny that she would meet her in the Common Room. Ginny nodded and headed to her dorm hoping that the shower would be empty so that she could freshen up and take her time getting ready. After her shower quickly changed into her new clothes which she had bought with her money she had received from the twins for her birthday. Ginny had bought a pair of hipster jeans which were faded blue in colour. Along with those she also bought a dark green sleeveless top which was turtle necked and exposed her midriff. She decided to carry her denim jacket as well as she thought it could get chilly and it went well with her jeans anyway.
Facing the mirror she thought what she could do with her hair. It had been down for too long, so she pulled all her hair away from her face and tied it back to a high ponytail at the back of her head. A few tendrils were sticking out but she didn't give it great attention, it hadn't changed her appearance much. She wanted to look just as casual and be as comfortable as possible. She gave herself one more check in mirror but wasn't satisfied, she felt something was amiss. She walked over to her bed and opened her bedside drawer pulling out Draco's amulet and put it around her neck. Glancing back at the mirror she thought to herself, 'Yes. This is much better'
Natalie as promised was waiting in the Common Room. "Ginny! You look awesome! Oh and I love that pendant, you get that from Hogsmeade?"
"Oh thanks and no a friend gave it to me" she replied
Natalie was also looking completely different. Her dark shoulder length was now straight framing her face. She had decided to go for a mango coloured halter neck so that it enhanced he olive skin and was wearing a denim skirt which went just above her knees with black snow boots.
"I wish I had more of such friends. It really suits you."
They climbed out of the portrait hole together and climbed down the staircase where they met a gawking Colin and he wasn't the only one. Every boy attached to detached were giving them positive looks. Some even came up to them to ask if they had dates! But most surprising of all some Slytherins were also moving to get a better look.
"Ladies you look lovely as ever, oh and I said Jennifer could join us hope you don't mind" Colin said grinning.
"Course not"
It had been decided that the students would reach Hogsmeade by the Hogwarts train. Ginny, Colin, Natalie, Jennifer, Seamus and Dean and some other friends had joined in to a compartment for themselves. Ginny who usually would have loved to join into the conversation of Weird Sisters history and Quidditch just leaned out of the window looking outside. After a while she excused herself saying that she had to go to the loo left their cabin and reached the end of the compartment to find a cabin for herself. She quickly found one and locking the door; she sat by the window seat looking out. She could see the castle quite a far way behind while the dark streams and mountains took over. She looked up at the stars again; they always gave her a peaceful moment. But she didn't hear that faint pop of someone apparating behind her, she didn't hear when that same being sat right behind her. But she didn't smell that same cologne, she did feel the same warm breath on her neck and she did recognise that same voice.
"Enjoying the scenery hun?" Ginny spun around so quickly that she hit Draco in his ribs knocking him aside.
"OW! Didn't know you could fight dirty like your brothers as well"
Ginny mumbled an apology to him and helped him sit up on his seat again. Then she turned around and said, "It was an accident, besides you deserved it"
"Oh did I?" he asked sarcastically
"Yes. You left without saying anything!" Ginny shouted as she grabbed his shirt's collar threatening him.
"I wasn't aware I needed your permission to quit" Draco replied in a cool voice.
Ginny let go of him and became quieter taking in his appearance more carefully. He was wearing denim jeans with a half sleeved black shirt which showed his trained arms very clearly. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone and Ginny thought to herself that he did look… sexy. Trying to get her head clear of question asked him quietly.
"Why did you leave?"
"Umm I had… some family problems" he said hesitantly
"Your Dad" It wasn't a question it was a statement that Ginny had passed.
Draco turned his head to face her, trying not to show his shock. "Who… I mean how did you find out?"
Ginny just smiled and recited the whole story. She knew Draco was listening to every word of hers carefully but kept his head down all the time, he didn't want to show his face, to let her know that he was hurt about his past.
"Last thing I remember is someone stunning your father even though I don't know who it was"
"It was my mother." Draco said slowly after pause. "If she hadn't turned up there and then, that night would probably have been my last. I think dad... I mean Lucius would have beaten me to death. Me and my mom immediately left Malfoy Manor that night and went into hiding. We have a certain secret keeper but I can't let you into that right now. I left Hogwarts because I was taking mom back to France to her family. Everything is now settled and I think I will be going to Durmstrang now and finish my school there. But I'll be honest… yes Ginny I am being honest for once" he said as he saw Ginny raise her eyebrows, "You weren't the only one with these visions"
Time passed by as Draco started explaining how he found the pendant and how accidentally they had got changed and his own part of the story of his visions. They were now passing some houses, so they probably will be reaching Hogsmeade soon.
"There's one thing I don't understand" Ginny said once Draco had finished his story. "These pendants or amulets or whatever they are. I mean they aren't exactly holding special powers and they aren't like a Pensieve either. It different and rare, its too much of irony to think that both of ended up with this."
"I don't" Draco smiled "These necklaces might have bought us closer emotionally but maybe it just doesn't end there." He grinned and asked Ginny suddenly, "You still haven't answered my question Weasel"
"What?" she said trying to remember what he had asked "Oh yes I just love looking up there at the stars. It's a lovely night and I was enjoying the scenery befre you came up behind me…."
Draco looked away hopelessly "Thick headed girl" he muttered to himself shaking his head. He reached for his wand inside his pocket and perfomed a non verbal spell so that the shutters of the cabin were closed and no one could peer inside. He turned Ginny around to himself who was now looking annoyed.
"What now!"
Draco moved in closer and took her chin between his forefinger and thumb. Gently he brushed his lips across hers making her stiffen slightly.
"I meant that there is definitely some attraction between us besides the emotional relationship." He spoke in a whisper as he backed away and looked into her brown eyes. "This time there's no excuse for you to go away without an answer"
Ginny looked at her knees for a moment and smiled devilishly. She raised her head and turned around to look him. Swiftly she reached for his shirt's collar and pulling a surprised Draco towards her she kissed him on his mouth passionately. She placed one of her hands on his shoulder while the other ran through his soft hair. Draco was taken aback completely but he let her carry on. His hand slid across her slim waist and he pulled her on his lap. He wasn't going to let her take control of him so easily. Draco pulled back from her soft lips and started placing kisses from her face to her throat. A shocked gasp escaped Ginny's lips when he bit her and pulled her mouth back to his. This was definitely going to be one long train to Hogsmeade.
Back at Hogwarts in Dumbledore's Office
"I knew you should have been the reason behind of this" Dumbledore said amusingly
Annette Malfoy, Lucius's mother and Draco's grandmother was smiling back. "So you found out"
"Yes and no. I knew you had an unexplainable talent at charms but I do not know what charm you have performed on my two students, one of them being your grandson."
"Well I didn't perform a charm on them. It was on objects actually, the two amulets that had been created in memory of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. I knew you of all people would figure out sooner or later. Oh very clever indeed! Well I explain the whole thing briefly then. I knew Narcissa made a mistake when she got pregnant with Draco. I liked her more than my son because he was more after his father's trait and Narcissa was the only one who could stabilise him. I also knew Lucius would never accept a child that wasn't his own when he would find out. So at a fairly early age I gave Draco the one of the amulets. You correctly guessed it; I did place a charm on it in which his worst memories and feelings could be stored. The exact charm was put on the other amulet and I gave it to another interesting girl who got my eye. I found out a few details about her from here and there, Lucius told me of her involvement in the Chamber of Secrets and I knew that she needed this amulet. I hoped that her memories and feelings could match Draco's, so I disguised myself and sold it to her. The plan went exactly as I wanted the pendants did get exchanged and the two of them have emotionally bonded. But I am guessing that before the exchange there might have been something else between them"
"How can you be so sure of that?"
"Albus, do you think I agreed to see you so easily because I wanted to explain all of this. My grandson told me that he wanted to come back to England as well too… err sort things out as he put it"
"Ahh. Youth is indeed a wonderful time in our lives" he chuckled as she offered Annette Malfoy a sherbet lemon.
Meanwhile in the Hogwarts train.
Neither Draco nor Ginny had realised how long they were entangled until the train came to an abrupt stop. By now Ginny was on top of Draco who has fallen off his seat and was lying on the floor. His hands were caressing her back, waist and hips and he had his shirt completely unbuttoned. Ginny stopped and took a while to digest the whole scene in front of her. Sheepishly she sat back on her seat and started arranging herself properly. Draco then got up and sat next to her, reaching for his shirt when Ginny slapped his hand away and started buttoning up his shirt as if she felt she had bought him to such a state so she might as well dress him up properly.
Slowly she spoke, "Well I don't think I needed to say anything. My answer should be pretty clear by now" She started grinning while paying full attention to Draco's shirt.
Snickering Draco replied back "Yea... Your actions definitely said more than any words"
Rolling her eyes she finished buttoning Draco's shirt, got up and raised her wand pointing at the door. "Alohomora" Once at the door she turned back and said. "Aren't you coming?"
"No. I can't let the other Slytherins see me. They'll inform my dad immediately"
"Well, when will you come back!" she asked stepping away from the door. Somehow the concert seemed to be erasing from her mind.
"I don't know. I probably wont for some years." He said looking guilty. He hated hurting Ginny.
"Oh right. So I guess this is it? The end of Ginny Weasley's scandalous time with Draco Malfoy"
"Na uh" Draco said shaking his head while staring at her. "I already told you its not the end" He stood up and pulled her towards him, she placed her head on his cheat and listened to his heartbeat.
"Will you owl me?" Ginny asked suddenly
"Like you need to ask. Besides we have our souvenirs to remember this" Ginny looked up to see him tapping her red pendant around his neck. How did she not notice that? "So you got a concert to go to right?" he asked suddenly. Ginny paused for a while and locked the door again behind her. Pushing Draco back to his seat again, she sat on top of him again and grinned cheekily.
"Somehow that doesn't seem important anymore" she said huskily and captured his lips to her own. Draco smiled to himself and thought, this was a side of Ginny Weasley he looked forward to in the future.
Authors Note: YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Finished! I have also finished writing the epilogue! You guys out there thanks for reading. And Keeep Reviewing!