HP is not mine…but it would be cool if I did own it.

Thank you to all reviewers!

A Special thanks to Dark Angels who has been an awesome faithful reviewer!!

And A Very Special thanks to Arianna Demarcus, my lovely beta reader!! Ari, you have been a big help!

Charmed

By Terra Rose

Chapter 6

Love is a fire just waiting to spark. And often love chooses to ignite in the strangest of places. Sometimes, love doesn't even give you any choice. She was a brave and beautiful girl with a head full of rubies, but her pain was severe. He was a proud and handsome boy with oceans in his eyes, but his scars were just as deep. Their pain was something that they shared.

The Hospital Wing became Ginny's home for the next few days. She didn't mind staying there were she was away from everyone. Frequently Draco was there to talk with her, often bringing her sweets. She was fearful to converse about Charlie, hoping that if she didn't except it he would come back.

"I just can't let go of him." Her voice was soft, like a lullaby being hummed to quiet an infant. Draco enjoyed listening to her talk, as she described her family with such detail. Her eyes lit up when she spoke of her brothers.

"The brother that was…murdered. What was his name?" He asked tentatively, watching her face for any signs of panic. She sighed sadly but gave him a weak smile, letting him know that she was alright.

"His name was Charlie." She answered quietly.

Charlie…That name sounded familiar but he couldn't place where he had heard it. He had never paid attention to the Daily Prophet when the casualties were listed from the recent Death Eater attacks in Western Europe. He had not been aware that the Weasleys had lost anyone from their enormous clan. Of course he knew of Charlie Weasley. Charlie had visited Hogwarts in his Fourth year to help with the Triwizard Tournament.

"Thank you for listening to me, Malfoy." Her lips trembled as she spoke. He felt awful seeing her so troubled. Ever since he began reading the secret diary, his feelings about things were changing. Actually, the mysterious author of the diary had enchanted Draco, embracing him with her words and taking him into a world that he had never ventured before. He found that reading it helped him get through his hectic days by inspiring him to have more faith in himself and others. Sometimes he wished that he could ask the girl questions about his own life. He desired to discover who she really was, and talk to her for hours. He felt as though he was drawn to her, like a bee is drawn to a colorful blossom. As the weeks went by, he digested the pages full of her personal thoughts. He wondered why she never wrote anything specific about herself, perhaps a clue to her identity. Instead, she wrote very vaguely about herself leaving Draco guessing. He was determined to discover the identity of the girl who had captivated his heart.

"Just give yourself time to heal, Ginny." He whispered when he noticed that she had fallen asleep. Then he realized that he had called her Ginny. He had actually never called her that because Weasley was less personal, less friendly. But he kind of liked the sound of her name coming from his lips. He picked up the diary and began to read once again.

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She was too weak during her stay in the hospital wing to really contemplate the reasoning behind Draco's sudden kindness. All she could really think about was her melancholy and pain. But when she was released out of the hospital wing and had to face him once again, she began to ponder. Exactly why he had carried her all the way back to the castle, fetched her belongings and assignments, and stayed with her during all of his spare time? He was supposed to hate her. She was supposed to hate him. That was just how things were.

Nevertheless, she was very gracious of Draco's compassion towards her. She fancied conversing with him because he wasn't pushy and very careful about what he said to her. He listened to her babble on and on about her brothers, only nodding and smiling thoughtfully. He was absent of any snide remarks or grotesque expressions. It was very strange and quite unnerving to her. She had never known a Malfoy to give a flip about a Weasley. The thing that Ginny most appreciated was that he did not attempt to act like her best friend. He just listened.

Harry never came up to see how she was doing, although he did send her a massive bouquet of Roses. Draco never mentioned what had occurred between himself and Harry. But Pavarti gave her a detailed report. She had been a few booths away from them in The Three Broomsticks during the incident. Ginny couldn't believe that Draco had actually pulled his wand on Harry in her defense. It was just surreal.

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Soon, it was almost October and Draco found that he had read the entire journal. It was a rainy evening when he completed the very last page. He was in the reading room of the Slytherin common room, sitting next to Ginny Weasley. Ginny was engrossed in a potions text, casually popping an every flavor bean into her mouth. Draco sighed absently and closed the book slowly.

"Good Book?" Ginny inquired, not looking up from her own.

"I supposed it was." He whispered as he began to dig through his satchel for a quill. She looked up at him with one of those sincere smiles. He got out a bit of parchment and began to scratch some notes down.

"Weasley? You seem pretty interested in potions. How are you in Charms?" He inquired all of a sudden. She arched her eyebrow questioningly, her brown eyes searching his for meaning.

"I'm fairly good in the subject. I'm in Advanced Charms this year. How come?" She asked, trying to be very cautious. There was something in his voice that sounded untrustworthy.

"Well, I have a certain charm in mind but I'm not sure that I can complete it without someone's help. I've never been very good at Charms." He stated, carefully taking a sip of his tea. He had discovered a specific spell in the library a few days ago; one that he was very interested in performing. It was a Handwriting Charm that would reveal who the writer was. He was anxious to perform the spell on the diary. But he was unsure that he was capable of making the Charm work correctly. He took the text out to show Ginny the spell. She read it over carefully, making a few mental notes.

"A Handwriting Charm?" She questioned, her brown eyes looking at him intensely.

"Oh…I found some old letters in the attic at home. I wanted to know who wrote them." He lied, not wanting to tell her that he had found a diary of someone at school. She would probably refuse to help him if she knew the truth. She nodded, taking her wand out of her cloak pocket.

"This charm is all about the wand work. The incantation is pretty standard." She explained as she practiced the wand movements slowly. He nodded, noticing that her cheeks were flushed. She pulled a piece of folded parchment out of her pocket and scratched something down on the back. Then she set it down on the table for him to see.

Gryffindors are Great…Slytherins really Stink.

He looked up at her and she grinned mischievously. He thought it was actually exceptionally cute when she grinned like that, but he dismissed the thought when she began swishing her wand skillfully.

"Incantanta Verisi L'identité de Handwritting a révélé." Her voice was very smooth as she performed the spell, her wand pointed at the parchment. A flash of silver light came from the tip of her wand and flowed slowly towards the paper. Draco watched the beam as it gracefully scanned the paper much like a lost spirit before it formed into the shape of a name and settled on the parchment. It read:

Ginevra Weasley

"And that is how it is done. Just practice a few times and voila! You'll have your charm." She announced with a proud smile on her lips.

Draco examined the parchment and the elegant script carefully.

"Very interesting. I didn't know your name was Ginevra." He stated taking another sip from his tea. She blushed at the mention of her real name.

"It is so formal. I'm fonder of Ginny."

"Me too." He whispered absently.

There was something tugging on Draco heart, and he was unsure of what to do. He sincerely cared for Ginny. She was a very sweet girl, and he had to admit that she was incredibly beautiful. But it wasn't about her looks. She made him laugh, something no one could ever do before. Often, he found himself thinking about her; even wondering if she was alright. Ever since her incident in Hogsmeade, they had been friends. He realized how terribly she was suffering, and he understood. He knew that her brother would not be the last loved one to be buried at the hands of the deatheaters. And that pain was something that they had in common.

After Ginny left, Draco finished his tea and decided to practice the Charm. He pulled out his dark oak wand and grabbed the piece of parchment that Ginny had used earlier. He noticed that there was writing on the back of the paper. He turned it over and read it:

Ginny,

I absolutely cannot wait until tomorrow! I have been excited ever since I met with you in the library. You are so pretty…I just feel like the luckiest guy ever to even talk to you. See you tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Harry

He crumpled the letter violently and threw it on the ground. He was seriously considering incinerating it with his wand. But after a moment of thought, he picked it up and smoothed it out with Ginny's name facing up.

Why am I upset about the letter? Harry likes Ginny. So what?

It was dated the day before they had visited Hogsmeade. He traced her name with his fingers softly. He didn't understand why he was angry that Ginny had received a love letter from Harry. It wasn't like her cared if Ginny started dating Harry.

Yes you do. You care. You're jealous. Draco's thoughts were jumbled around like a whirlwind had blown through his head. He huffed over to the fireplace and stared into the fire that danced animatedly. The graceful flames reminded him of Ginny's curls which she usually wore down or braided. He thought about her smile, always encouraging and sweet. And her eyes warming his frozen heart. He briefly thought about his father and what Lucius would think of Ginny. He shuddered, remembering how cruel his father had been…how cruel he himself had behaved. He didn't care what his father thought anymore. She was such a caring individual, not deserving of the pain she was enduring. She always made him happy with her sweet smile.

"Alright! I'm bloody jealous of Potter!" Draco shouted very loudly, before taking out a sheet of parchment to write down his emotions. The written word was something that Draco had always turned to when he was upset or hurt. He wrote for a few moments, becoming conscious that he was composing a letter to Ginny. He contemplated the correspondence for a moment, prior to signing the letter anonymously

Draco began to gather his things quickly when he noticed that the reading room was now open to the rest of the Slytherin Common room. He paused for a moment before picking up the parchment with Ginny's name and her alliteration using Gryffindor and Slytherin. He carefully tucked it in his pocket and dashed up to his dorm to owl the letter to Ginevra.

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The evening sky was dusted with stars; stars that Ginny was very fond of gazing at. The stars were orbs that spoke of the past. Ginny was quite partial to Astronomy; the study of the sky.

Ginny sat in her dorm room, the vast window open with her telescope pointed at Leo. She was enjoying the cool breeze after an exceptionally sweltering Indian summer. Her roommates were already asleep so she quietly took out her journal to record her daily thoughts. She also had some cauldron cakes out to munch on.

Ginny began thinking about how things had been recently, preparing to compose a journal entry in her brand new journal. The Quidditch team was doing particularly well that season, winning all but one match. Ginny also had a sneaking suspicion that Ron and Hermione were seeing each other secretly. It was somewhat romantic, but kind of gross when she thought her brother snogging with anyone. Harry hadn't spoken personally to her in almost a month. She was guessing that he was too embarrassed or maybe he was just overly busy with N.E.W.T. classes and Quidditch. That was really no excuse considering that Ginny had her own 6th year N.E.W.T. classes to prepare for along with her own position on the Quidditch team. She still found time to talk to all of her friends.

Just as she was pulling out a violet quill to write down her thoughts, a diminutive black owl sailed gracefully through her opened window surprising her. It circled the room and then landed elegantly on Ginny's foot. She noticed that he had a small letter attached to his claw. She carefully pulled the parchment free and gave the owl a bit of her cauldron cake. He ate the treat swiftly, bowed politely, and departed.

"How strange." Ginny noted to herself aloud before pulling open the letter that was addressed to her in the most elegant handwriting she had ever seen.

Dearest Ginny,

How do I describe my feelings for you? How can I possibly articulate the passion that burns in my heart for only you? I cannot tell you in words what I feel. To be honest, it has been quite difficult for me to understand my feelings for you. It would be easier if I could just forget about how crazy you make me each time that I am graced by your beauty. But the efforts to stifle my adoration of you are futile. You are such an extraordinary person, and I have found myself enthralled with everything that you do. Forgive me for writing this absurd letter, but I had to tell you just how you have charmed my heart.

Yours Forever,

A Secret Admirer

"What????????!!!!!!!!!!" Her voice echoed shrilly throughout the dorm, practically waking her roommates. But Ginny was unaware of anything but the letter clutched in her hands. She took out her wand from her pocket as quickly as she could with trembling hands.

"Incantanta Verisi L'identité de Handwritting a révélé!!" Ginny croaked out the incantation while doing the wand movements swiftly. The silver light that she had demonstrated earlier came out of her wand and traveled over to the love letter. It scanned the paper slowly, but instead of turning into a name it burst into ashes spelling out "name unknown"

"Damn!!!!" Ginny shrieked. She realized that the composer of her love letter had written it with Cloaked Ink. She had seen the ink within many potion stores before but never needed to keep her identity secret in a letter.

Did Harry send this letter to me? She asked herself as she began to dig in her trunk for the letter Harry had sent her during summer break. She found it in her letter box and took it out to compare the two letters. The letter Harry had sent was scratched out in simple writing. Even her name written like he had been in a bit of a rush. But the love letter was so beautiful, with elegant flourishes and embellishments. Penmanship wasn't an easy thing to disguise. Many times she had helped Ron when he had to write sentences for Snape only to receive sentences of her own when he recognized her handwriting: I will neither assist nor facilitate when others receive punishments. She scoffed at the memory but went back to her detective work. Harry could have charmed the letter to disguise the handwriting but it would eventually wear off; that was an improbable suggestion.

So he had someone else write it in cloaked ink or Harry didn't send the letter at all.

But who else would send a letter of that magnitude beside the boy who had claimed Ginny was the love his life?

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Ginny entered the Great Hall later that usual the next morning. Draco sat at his usual spot at the center of the massive Slytherin table waiting to catch a glimpse of her. She looked somewhat frazzled, with her hair nonchalantly pinned into a bun instead of a neat braid. She also appeared very fatigued including many yawns and dark shadows under her eyes.

What is wrong with her? Draco thought to himself as he watched her sit down at the Gryffindor table next Pavarti and Granger. She carefully took a muffin from the plate on the table and began to smear strawberry jam onto it. Draco noticed that she had the letter he had sent her sticking out of her cloak pocket. He wanted so badly to walk over to where she sat and tell her, "I am the one that loves you, Ginny."

But that was too much of a risk for Draco. She would laugh in his face and tell Potter to beat him up. It was easier to love her from afar…safer…no risk of a broken heart.

But you will never know if she does care for you. Draco sighed sadly as he took a sip of his morning tea. It was a daily ritual to have a cup of tea and a scone with strawberry jam.

It was true he wasn't sure what the letter to Ginny would accomplish besides completely confusing the poor girl. It was simply that he had to express what he was feeling for her. He knew that she couldn't possibly care for him the way he cared for her. He had been so awful to her and her family only to make himself feel better about his own problems. His mother and father didn't love him. Parents were supposed to be the people that loved you when no one else would. Instead, his parents loved themselves. He did not have any real friends that would stand by him. The only love he had really ever had was for his grandmother. She had sent him care packages for as long as he could remember full of books, sweets, toys, and homemade cookies. When she died, he lost the only person who loved him.

"Draco?" A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. He recognized the mellifluous tone immediately; Ginny. He looked up to see her standing there in front of him. He was very shocked that she had ventured over to the Slytherin table. His heart melted when he saw her sweet smile. He felt almost unworthy to receive a smile like that. Then he realized that she had called him Draco…His first name. It was silly but he had wanted her to call him Draco very badly.

"What is it?" He asked, his voice cracking. She tilted her head, a strand of her fiery hair falling from the loose bun and curling up immediately.

"I just saw you and was worried. You look very sad." She spoke very softly, almost as if she were afraid the other Slytherin would hear. Her words touched him but he did not know how to express that he appreciated her concern.

"I'm fine. Please… don't worry about me." He whispered quietly. He wondered if she would persist and badger him for information. She nodded, giving him another smile.

"Well, I'm here for you to talk to, as well, when you are ready to share." She stated very thoughtfully. He nodded his thanks briefly catching her eyes. They were very soft and full of compassion.

"Anyways, I also wanted to ask you if I could talk to you about something later. Perhaps during our hour in the reading room?" Ginny inquired, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. He looked at her for a moment before nodding again.

"Sure. We can talk later." He murmured taking another taste of his tea.

"Ok. See you in a bit." She waved at him cheerfully. Just as she was about to leave him, Pansy Parkinson sauntered over to there current place.

"Draaaaaco!" She purred in a syrupy voice, as she situated herself next to him. Irritated, He scooted over so that he was not touching her. Pansy immediately noticed Ginny standing there.

"Draco, what is this piece of filth doing over here? Begging for a scrap?" She inquired before cackling at her own discourtesy. Ginny opened her mouth to retort back to Pansy but Draco spoke before her.

"Shut your mouth or you will regret it." He commanded, his voice calm yet quite forceful.

"That's right Weasley. Keep your mouth closed." Pansy shrieked in Ginny direction, spitting grotesquely. Draco scoffed at her disgustedly.

"I was speaking to you, Pansy." He stated, this time his voice was not so calm. Both Ginny and Pansy were shocked at him.

"Draco…dearest… How can you be so mean to me? She is a WEASLEY! You know, the poor little good for nothing wizard family? We hate the Weasleys!" Pansy yelped like an injured dog.

"I said, shut it!!!" His voice was very resonant, causing Pansy to whimper in fear. She padded away crying, leaving Ginny standing there utterly flabbergasted. Draco sat there for a minute, realizing just how much he had wanted to rip Pansy to pieces for speaking ill of Ginny.

"To answer your question…I could never hate you, Ginny."