Thank you to all reviewers! I am quite sorry that my update took this long. I have been really busy this term with school work. This chapter is dedicated to George.

Charmed

Chapter 8

By Terra Rose

The words were written the in most beautiful script he had ever seen…but perhaps it was what was written that made the lettering extraordinary:

Ginevra Weasley

Trembling, he tenderly traced her elegant name with his slender fingers, whispering her name aloud longingly. He had always known in his heart, or at least suspected that it was Ginny's words that had captured his heart. It was her own Gryffindor nature to be so selfless, something that made Draco hate her. Or at least he thought he had hated her all these years. It was unfair that he was cursed to care so dearly for her when she had only noticed his sneers and snide remarks from the beginning. But what else had he given her? Certainly not his love. That was something he gave to her only anonymously through a mysterious correspondence. She was too good to be true; a mirage that would surely disappear if he ever got close enough. She stood with her heart on her sleeve, unaware of how each smile that she graced him with was a jewel he kept with him all day. She was oblivious to the fact that her sweet laughter ran in his head whenever he felt down. He regarded himself as rubbish compared to her incessant beauty and courage. He couldn't even summon the courage to confess his feelings for her.

Draco got up out of his four poster bed to peer out of the minuscule window by his divan. The moon was a small morsel hanging solitary in the evening sky. That was how Draco felt; alone. He had the strong urge to beat himself to a bloody pulp for keeping his love for her a secret. Now it was too late; she was in love with someone else. He didn't stand a chance against Saint Potter. A single tear fell from his deep gray eyes and spilt onto Ginny's magically written name.

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Ginny tossed and turned most of the night, battling with dreams that began wonderfully but changed into nightmares she hadn't experienced since she was younger. Mostly, she dreamt of Charlie. His last words echoed in her head over and over again until she awoke shuddering with sobs. When morning came, she was un-rested and quite temperamental. She looked like she was a ghost as she hobbled down to the great hall for breakfast. Her eyes scanned the Slytherin table for Draco, but didn't see him. Disappointed, she seated herself in her usual place and ate a scone hurriedly. Hermione chatted with her a few moments about N.E.W.T.S. before turning her attention to Ron, her newfound boyfriend. Normally, Ginny would have found their romance sweet but she discovered the ugly green monster of jealousy was stirring when they began exchanging pet names.

Classes were all tiring that day, with loads of homework to entail them. Ginny found that the only thing that got her through Double potions was the thought of seeing Draco's handsome face later that day. When she noticed that he wasn't at Lunch or Dinner, she decided he must have a lot studying to do. A few moments before she was to meet with him, she ran to her room for a minute to freshen her lipstick , fix her hair, and perhaps borrow a better pair of shoes from her roommates. While rummaging in Bethany's armoire for the cute toe shoes she was wearing a few days ago, Ginny heard an odd knocking on the door.

"Come in!" She called to the visitor prior to resuming her search for the footwear. The squeak of the door opening was heard as well as the sound of someone tiptoeing into the dorm room.

"Ms. Weasley?" came the soft and petite voice of a house elf.

"Yes?" Ginny answered, peaking her head out of the closet door to see who was inquiring. The little house elf stood by the open door dressed in a small frock patched with corduroy, a piece of parchment clutch in it's trembling hands. Ginny gave the elf a friendly smile and stood up from the floor, dusting off her knees.

"I'm…I'm a' terribly sorry to have disturbed you, Miss. I a' have a letter for you." He stretched his short arm out and Ginny accepted the letter. Before Ginny could thank him, he scurried away as though he was afraid of something in the room. She opened the note quickly and read:

I'm busy tonight. I am afraid I won't be there to mentor you.

Malfoy

"He must have a lot of homework. I...I suppose I do too." Ginny said to herself softly as she pulled her rucksack over to her bed to begin her gobs of homework. Moments before she feel asleep, she assured herself that it was nothing, but there was something about Draco's absence that upset her.

"It's ok to be upset, Ginny. You have suffered so much." Draco's voice was soft, like the purr of a kitten and she was immediately drawn to it. He advanced towards her but his face was different. There was a glint in his dark eyes that she feared when he called her name quietly. She smiled nervously when he seated himself next to her, noticing that his hair was darker than usual. There was a strong scent of gardenias in the air that gave Ginny a dizzy spell, but she willed her eyes to stay open. He laughed at her expression, brushing a stray hair from her forehead.

"I want you to tell me everything." He coaxed, gently caressing her cheek with his hand.

"I feel like it is my fault that Charlie died." She whispered when his face was inches from her own. She could feel his soft breath on her face and hear his heart beating quickly.

"Of course it's your fault, darling." He answered before pressing his lips to hers. For a moment she was lost in the kiss then she comprehended what he had just spoken. She pulled away from him and saw his face. He wasn't her love, Draco any longer, but a man she had feared above anything else: Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Ginny irrupted from her nightmare screaming; tears flying every which way. Bethany pulled the curtains open briskly and immediately embraced Ginny.

"Ginny, Love. What's the matter?" Bethany asked in her thick Liverpool accent. Ginny began weeping on Beth's shoulder, tears wetting her nightgown.

"Charlie…he died…and it was all my…all my fault!" Ginny managed to get out, gasping with each sob. All of her mates knew there wasn't going to be anymore sleep for her that night.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It was quite obvious that he was avoiding her; he knew it was immature, but he felt compelled to leave her be. All he wanted was for Ginny to be happy even if that meant her marrying that prat and having a whole lot of little Potters. Although the thought made him nauseous, it was the right thing to do. When his growling stomach awoke him the next morning, he knew he would have to eat something besides cauldron cakes and licorice wands to avoid passing out in Divination and Double Transfiguration. So he went down to the great hall for a tick, hoping for a spot of tea and some eggs. He got there quite early, hoping to miss Ginny for she was normally late for breaky. Most of the time she was fanning her freshly painted nails or braiding her hair as she entered the great hall in a rush. But on that morning, she came into the hall a few moments after he did accompanied by another Gryffindor. Brittany or Beth, he forgot her name. Ginny tottered over to her spot, her arm linked with the other girl's. It was unusual to see her with her shoulders slumped and her glossy hair so limp. When she sat down, he could see that her creamy face was extremely pale. He was tempted to rush over to her and find out what was wrong, but he chided himself when Potter seated himself next to her. He found himself scoffing when the prat started consoling her with smiles and tickles. That should be me.

He buttered a piece of toast violently, stabbed his knife in the jam, and gobbled it in a few bites. He was in a foul mood and it wasn't even half past eight yet; Divination. He gathered his books quickly and departed from the Great hall with a piece of bacon. When he had almost reached the Library, he felt someone grab him roughly on the shoulder causing him to drop his books. He swung around to face to perpetrator, only to be face to face with Potter.

"What did you do to her?" Harry inquired sourly, narrowing his eyes like a hawk on the prowl. Draco sneered at him as he began to pick up his things. Harry stood for a moment, waiting for a response.

"What are you talking about, Potter?" Draco asked in an indignant voice, trying not to be spiteful for Ginny's sake.

"Oh Gee, let me think. What did you do to Ginny?" Harry spat, backing away as though he thought nothing of Draco whatsoever.

"I didn't do anything to her. I haven't the foggiest what is going on." Draco answered in a quiet voice.

"Malfoy… You had best be careful when it concerns Ginny. If she tells me that you have done anything unrespectable, you will be sorry." Harry stated through gritted teeth as Ginny approached them.

"What is going on?" Ginny asked in a soft yet concerned voice. Draco glanced up to see who it was but looked away quickly.

"Oh, we were just discussing the Quidditch game next Saturday." Harry answered in a voice altogether different from his tone moments before. Ginny smiled at his politeness and glanced around to discover that Draco slipped away unnoticed from the pair of them. Draco darted swiftly through the corridor and bounded up the steep ladder to the Divination room a few minutes early. The room was extravagantly decorated like a gypsy resided in the vicinity; colored scarves were draped around all the furniture and the aroma of sandalwood incense burned strongly. Draco seated himself in his usual spot in the back on the cloudy room, noticing that Professor Trewlaney was digging around the supply closet.

"Maybe she'll lock herself in there and then the class will be canceled." Draco whispered to himself as he began sorting through his bag for his essay on the phoniness of Muggle crystal balls. A few minutes later, Trewlaney came out of the closet with a strange brass machine in her hands. It looked very similar to a muggle popcorn machine, yet instead of popcorn the contents were small metallic orbs. Trewlaney clucked strangely when Draco scoffed at the machine.

"Dubious, Draco? Oh, I am sure you will especially like today's lesson." She stated in a raspy voice as she set the contraption down on a stool in the center of the room. She smiled to herself about some secret thought and commenced to light candles with a flick of her wand. Draco jotted down a few last minutes touches to his homework when students began to shuffle into the classroom.

"Students, turn in your homework and get ready for today's lesson"

Draco set his expensive peacock feathered quill down gently and ambled over to Trawlaney's desk to turn in his paper. She saw him approaching her desk and grinned strangely. He set his parchment down when she called his name softly.

"Yes, Professor?" He answered quietly in return, observing that her magenta robe had little moons and stars printed on the material.

"I want you to help me demonstrate the Quazar. It gives fortunes to those who can activate it precisely and I hear that your wand work is far superior." She replied in a misty voice as though she were reciting an ancient prophecy . She chortled when Draco looked at her like she was a loon escaped from St. Mungo's.

"Dear, Draco. I am referring to that." She pointed at the popcorn machine in a matter-of-factly manner. "Now if you would, take out your wand and assist me in activating it."

For quite some time, Draco stood next to his professor in the front of the room with his wand clutched in his left hand. She babble on and on about what the machine was and what it did, but Draco didn't bother to listen . So what she called his name in a very shrill tone, he hadn't a clue what to do. All of the students were starring at them, especially hufflepuff girls. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"Draco, Point your wand at the Quazar. Then when it is activated, you are going to open the door and pull out a ramkles." Trawlaney ordered, stepping back a few feet. Draco did as he was instructed, flitting his wand carefully. Suddenly, the whole contrivance lit up, causing the students to gasp and Trawlaney to shriek excitedly.

"Have I br-roken itt…" Draco stuttered, receding away from the machine with a horrified look.

"Heavens!! Take one of the ramkles out before it deactivates!!" She yelped whilst shoving Draco towards the device. He cautiously opened the door and scooped one of the minuscule trinkets out of the lot. It was cool against his hand and he was enchanted by the metallic coloring it gave his reflection. Suddenly, the talisman burst into pieces and a infinitesimal bit of parchment lay rolled up on the palm of his hand.

"Read it, Draco." Trawlaney urged in a whisper when Draco seemed too timid to do anything but gawk. He carefully uncurled the paper and read his fortune:

The sun shines brightly for you, with auburn hair you need not woo

Your love will bloom like a rose, overcoming all the winter snows

But beware the morning dew, when your true love is taken from you.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dearest Diary,

I cannot lie to you a minute longer. I haven't been honest with you at all!! And I feel that honesty is something you must always strive to be. I think I am in love…No, I know that I am in love. I dare not write his name down though. I fear that he would discover my affections and become repulsed by my very presence.

The frosty courtyard adjacent to the library was the quite sanctuary Ginny sought in order to write in her diary that chilly morning. Her class, Herbology, had been canceled on account of the unexpected winter frost the previous night. So after being dismissed for the morning, Ginny secretly slipped away from her group of friends to discover one of her favorite spots to be alone was vacant.

Sighing from arduous thoughts pressing against her temples, she stopped to admire the crystal clear blue skies and virgin snowfall on the cobbled pathway to the gardens. From time to time, an owl soaring swiftly to and from the owlery with a parcel could be seen in route. She giggled when she spotted Pigwidgeon flapping with all his might due to an exceptionally blusterous package attached to his talons. Ginny was certain her Mum had sent sweaters and matching scarves for Ron and herself after receiving Ginny's owl last night about the cold front that was die to strike.

Ginny took out Draco's handkerchief and etched his initials with her finger gently. She would have to return it next time they met, but she felt a reluctance to part with an object that had become so sentimental. She placed the handkerchief behind the page she had been writing on, and proceeded to trace his initials into her diary when she was interrupted.

"Ginny, what are you up to? Doing some homework, no doubt. I am just on my way to the gardens to lend Professor Sprout some aid in thawing the plants." Hermione's shrill voice sounded, as she precisely rearranged her cobalt blue scarf and a loose strand of hair. Ginny slammed the diary shut, causing the handkerchief to fall out of the book on the frosted ground.

"Oh, yes. Homework will pile up on you if you don't do it right away." Ginny chirped, giggling nervously and fanning herself with her quill. Hermione's eyes narrowed instantly onto the handkerchief, and she scooped it up before Ginny could react.

"What is this?" Hermione inquired while inspecting the cloth as though it were a scientific experiment. She made a small squeak when she read the embroidered initials in black silk thread and dropped it as quickly as she had picked it up.

"Draco? Why do you have Draco's handkerchief?" Hermione's left eyebrow arched quite tall when her curiosity got the better of her and her deep chestnut brown eyes pierced for answers.

"Oh, He forgot it in my last class. I found it and am going to return it next time I see him." She answered quietly, snatching the precious article from Hermione quickly and stuffing it into her cloak pocket.

"Didn't you have Herbology this morning? And it was excused so you probably didn't even go to the greenhouse. Plus, I know for a fact that Draco doesn't have Herbology until Wednesday, because he has it with the Gryffindors. So he hasn't been in the gardens any this week. And if you did find it in Herbology, why didn't you just give it to Professor Sprout?" Hermione questioned in one breath, keeping tally of the novice investigation in her head. Ginny sputtered out a simple answer sounding somewhat like 'found in Potions..' and gathered her rucksack to depart from the courtyard in search of another crook she could resume her writing. Once Ginny reached the owlery, she sighed from relief that Hermione had not followed her with another batch of questions that were none of her business. If she wasn't a bit more cautious, someone was going figure out her feelings for Draco. Ginny gingerly tore a page of her diary out, scratched a note to Draco on it with one of her calligraphy quills. She took out of cauldron cake and gave it to one her favorite barn owls

"I would really be grateful if you would wait for a response." She cooed gently to the bird while tying the parcel on. He hooted affirmatively and took off in a huff of feathers to deliver the mail.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When an immense brown owl flew into the Transfiguration hall later that day and dropped a letter on Draco's head, he snatched it greedily. Professor McGonagall gave him one of her beady-eyed glares when she noticed the owl was waiting for a response, hovering the classroom in search of snack. Then he cradled the small letter from her as though he had just received a large sum of money. He opened it after a few moments to read what she had written:

Malfoy,

I would appreciate it if you would inform me as to whether or not we will be meeting tonight.

Ginny

Draco scoffed inadvertently at her letter, wondering why she might inquire such a thing. Perhaps she was going to make plans with Potter. Draco looked up from the letter and saw Potter sitting in the front row with a stupid Defense Against the Dark Arts book. He seethed from the thought of him in his dorm room trying to deal with a broken heart while the pair of them might be out on a broom ride or snogging in the Astronomy Tower. He took a sheet of parchment out of his satchel violently and scribbled a retort back. He tossed the letter into the air and the owl grabbed it clumsily, almost losing his balance in the air.

"Mr. Malfoy. From now on, I would suggest you have your mail sent to your dorm." McGonagall scolded softly before going back to her issue of Witches' Weekly that she was reading secretly behind a Transfiguration textbook. The classroom was quiet for moderate period of time until Draco noticed Granger attempting to pass a note to Weasley. She chucked the parchment towards Weasley, but it bounced off of Seamus's head and landed on Draco's desk. Hermione squealed as loudly as she could without attracting the attention of McGonagall but Draco ignored her. He opened the correspondence and read the letter:

Ron,

I must tell you something that I discovered during the morning period. I was on my way to the gardens and I saw Ginny in the courtyard next the Greenhouse. She had this handkerchief and she was acting so strange. She held it like it was some sort of precious gem. I asked her about it and she got really defensive. The initials on it were DM as in Draco Malfoy. She said he forgot it in his last class but her story made no sense. Ron, I think that Ginny might like Draco.

Hermione

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Ginny was so exhausted after Care of Magical Creature that her feet carried her up to her dorm miraculously. She planned to changed her robe that had gotten dirty while outside in the snow before going to dinner. Perhaps Draco would meet with her afterwards and they could talk. Thoughts of what they would talk about on their next meeting was what filled Ginny's head all day. She pushed the door open and noticed a small piece of parchment crumpled on her bed. She picked it up and smoothed it out before reading:

Weasley

As far as I am concerned, our meetings are over. I don't want to waste my time with the likes of you. But here's an idea: Potter is drooling all over you, waiting for a chance to 'mentor' you. And I hear the Astronomy Tower is open at night.

Malfoy

Blinded by her tears, she groped about the closet for her cloak and after finding it, tumbled out of the Gryffindor Tower. She was certain that Draco was in the library because he was avoiding her, like he had for some time. She was going to give him his letter back and end their "relationship" once and for all. She heard her mother's voice in her head saying ' All the Malfoy are a bad lot. Never trust any of them, Ginny.' But there was something in her heart that pleaded with her not to ever give up on Draco.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

He sat in the back of the library with his head in his hands. He was the most moronic, stupid, dimwitted person that ever existed. He had discovered there was a possibility after all that Ginny might like him and he had let his temper ruin any chance he might have had. He was certain that she would never speak to him again and he had not even gotten the opportunity to confess to her his feelings. The letter that he had written her was so stupid; he was jealous and angry. He didn't want to hurt her because he couldn't live without her.

His temper flared when he heard footsteps coming towards him. It didn't matter who it was; he was going to let them have it. He gasped when saw that it was Ginny, tears streaming down her perfect face.

"Malfoy…how dare you send me this rubbage!" Ginny cried, throwing the parchment at Draco, " I never ever want to speak to you again. If you so much as look in my direction, you will be sorry." Her absolute despair and sorrow instantly transformed into a rage she couldn't not holdback, her brown eyes becoming fiery and cold. Draco looked away from her, ashamed that he had caused this with his own shortcomings.

"I'm sorry, Ginny." He whispered softly.

"What?! You're sorry!? You mean for calling me a trollop in so many words!!? Or perhaps for avoiding me when I needed you? Is that why you are sorry??" She asked fiercely, a few tears escaping from her eyes.

"I am sorry that I hurt you. It was an accident." He answered quietly, daring to look at her. She was a sight that broke his heart. She looked so confused and pained, tears spilling from her beautiful eyes. Why oh why had he sent that reply to her?

"An accident? Malfoy, you are a liar!" She yelled at him in a shrill voice, her infamous temper rising quickly.

"Ginny, I'm not lying!" He shouted, getting up from his chair. She backed away from him, her anger turning back in pain and fear of him.

"Then why did you send that awful letter to me?! Why have you been avoiding me?! I must really have been awful company all this time." She whimpered as she tried desperately to wipe her rogue tears away, "I try so hard to be something more that just a Weasley..I want to be seen as me…but you have never even taken the time to look." He inched towards her and handed her one of his handkerchiefs. She looked at it and started weeping into her hands silently. Draco opened his mouth with the words of his absolute adoration of her on the tip of his tongue.

"Just tell me one thing and I will leave you alone forever.. Why did you write that letter when I thought we were friends?" She asked in a faint voice, brushing a few scarlet curls out of her face.

"Because I was jealous." He stated, causing her to look up at him with a very serious expression.

"What? Jealous of who…me?" He shook his head slowly and stepped forward to take her hand.

"I was jealous of Potter." She started to interrupt him but he held up his hand so she would let him finish.

"Ginny….I have been keeping a secret from you. And I have wanted to tell you for the longest time……….I love you. You couldn't possibly know how much I love you. I was the one who sent you the anonymous letter and that stupid bracelet. And when I got that note from you saying that you cared about someone else…oh god…" He paused for a moment, covering his eyes. "I died. I thought for certain that you fancied Potter. And I became jealous. I am so sorry that I sent you such a horrible letter. I hope that you can forgive me someday, Ginny…Because I will never forgive myself."

And with that, he departed before Ginny could react. She stood for a moment absorbing everything he had just expressed. He had loved her all this time, when she thought he didn't even think of her as a friend. He was the one who had sent that love letter, and all this time she thought it was Harry. Without a minute hesitation she dashed after him, running as fast as her feet would carry her. She spotted him walking slowly down the History of Magic aisle.

"Draco!!" She called out, desperate to catch him. He spun around at the sound of her voice, a voice that he would never forget even when all other memories had slipped away.

"Ginny..."

After running at top speed, she closed the distance between them by leaning up and softly kissing his lips.

"I love you too." She whispered into his ear and he gently kissed her tears away.