A New Era

Please read and review! There is some sex in this chapter … you've been warned. Don't get toooo excited!

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: It all belongs to JK Rowling, what a lucky gal she is.

"Ah, Miss Weasley, what can we do for you?" Madam Pomfrey was eyeing Ginny like she was a piece of delicious chocolate. The older woman was wondering what spells and charms she could possibly practice on the girl, and could she perhaps implement the newly discovered Tantraculis enchantment. Her fingers were itching to try out the complicated wand-work.

"Erm, nothing big" Ginny answered in a hoarse and rather frightened voice, "just some Pepper-up Potion, I think." The poor girl could barely speak and she began coughing violently after finishing her sentence.

"I believe you're right, dearie." Madam Pomfrey agreed, rather disappointed at the simplicity of the cure. Recently she had been bored with the school's average ailments and sicknesses. She was almost hoping that the Potter boy would get injured again, so she might have something interesting to do.

The fact was, in her old age, Madam Pomfrey was questioning the importance of her employment. She had always been horribly interested in working with Goblins, but her father hadn't thought it a respectable job. Oh, how she wished her life after Hogwarts had gone differently! But, there was nothing she could do now. Perhaps after ministering to the young Weasley, she would go talk to Albus about taking some time off. It could be just what she needed…

After sitting for 5 whole minutes, watching Madam Pomfrey's eyes glaze over and feeling a pulse in her aching head, Ginny was ready to hex everything she'd ever seen.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Ginny rasped as loudly as she could. When nothing came out of her mouth, the girl kicked over a stand of bedpans. Madam Pomfrey jerked out of her reverie and gave a small scream.

"What is the meaning of this young lady?" She asked angrily.

"I just want some Pepper-up … please." Ginny said, sneezing an alarming amount of times and then lying back weakly against the bed she was occupying.

"Yes, yes, hold your horses." Ginny watched as Madam Pomfrey's head bobbed behind some curtains, and re-emerged moments later holding a big bottle of red liquid.

"Open up, now. We'll give you a nice big spoonful for that nasty cough you've got there." Ginny opened obligingly and allowed Madam Pomfrey to empty a liberal amount of potion into her mouth.

Seconds later, her insides burning, Ginny could feel steam pouring out of her ears. Suddenly she was absolutely exhausted.

"That's it, dear. Now just lay back and have a good long rest. It's the true medicine for you now."

Before she knew it, Ginny had closed her eyes and was sound asleep, a smile on her face, and steam still issuing periodically out of her ears.

Hours later, Ginny woke up in the dark infirmary. She rubbed her eyes, amazed at how much better she felt. When she breathed deeply it didn't feel as though a hippogriff was sitting on her chest, and her nose wasn't hopelessly plugged.

As soon as Madam Pomfrey noticed her patient stirring, she bustled over, glad to have at least something to do.

"How do you feel now, Miss Weasley?" She asked, plumping the pillows behind the unruly red hair, and smoothing the bedclothes unnecessarily.

"Wonderful!" Ginny answered, "Can I go now?"

"Well, I suppose you've rested long enough, but you will have to go talk to your teachers. I asked that they not hold you responsible for the work due today, but you will have to make up your assignments for the missed classes."

"Ohhh, Madam Pomfrey, I could kiss you! That's amazing!" Ginny jumped out of bed, anxious to get out of the alarmingly white-walled infirmary. She was jumpy and wanted to go outside and have a good, hard Quidditch practice, and then a good, hard snog with Draco.

"Now, before you go, there are some things I have to tell you." The old nurse was looking at her with an accusatory stare, and Ginny began wondering how she could get out of hearing a lecture.

"I know, I know, make sure I'm getting enough sleep, eat well, and dress warmly in this cold weather. Don't worry Madam Pomfrey; I make it a point to know the important lessons of health. I truly think you are one of the most crucial faculty members at Hogwarts. Without you, who knows how we'd get through the winter!" Ginny put on her most innocent looks, and slowly began edging toward the door.

Madam Pomfrey looked absolutely flabbergasted, and extremely flattered. She didn't know what to say. Did the Weasley girl really mean it when she said being the school nurse was important?

The redhead was nearly out the door now. She gave the older woman a wave and a huge smile before disappearing into the outside corridor, completely oblivious to the pure joy she caused in the aging nurse.

She must have meant it, Madam Pomfrey mused. Well, when she thought about it, nursing was important. Ginny had been telling the absolute truth. Without her, where would the school be? Sick and dying, that's where. Madam Pomfrey smiled to herself, feeling much more cheerful about her choice in career than earlier that morning.

In the hallway, Ginny was smiling to herself as well. Another escape plan well executed! The slim girl began to walk toward the Transfiguration classroom to collect her make-up work. She was not only half way there, however, when who should she meet but Draco's ex-cronies Crabbe and Goyle.

"Hey there girl!" Crabbe yelled out stupidly at her, grabbing her by the hair, "I've got something you might like to see."

He roughly pushed her head toward his crotch.

"Yeah!" Goyle cried out gleefully, "Its in his pants."

"Fuck you." Ginny said calmly. This wasn't the first time Crabbe or Goyle had pulled this on her, and she knew what to do.

Before either boy knew what was happening, Ginny had whipped out her wand. Quickly, she hit Crabbe with a shrinking spell, aimed expertly at his dick. The bully dropped her hair on the spot and grabbed his crotch, face twisted with confusion and horror. Over her shoulder, Ginny hit Goyle with a tremendous Jelly Legs curse.

Let some one else mess with Ginny Weasley. She was ready.

Calmly, she walked away from the two howling boys, continuing her trek for the Transfiguration classroom.

Ginny nearly ran in to Professor McGonagall as she was leaving the class.

"Miss Weasley, do watch where you're going." The professor exclaimed, clutching her chest in surprise.

"Sorry, Professor." Ginny said. "I just came to get my make up work. Madam Pomfrey said to talk to you."

"Quite right." McGonagall told the girl. "Come with me." She led Ginny back into the classroom and handed her a small stack of papers. "This is your homework from Professors Hagrid, Trelawney, and Flitwick's classes. In addition, I expect you to perfect the transfiguration of a cracker to a cockatiel by Tuesday for my class."

Ginny nodded, barely phased by the tall workload. She was in too good a mood to be worried by a bit of homework. Her mind was drifting to the Quidditch field, and she was itching to be on a broom.

"And Miss Weasley," McGonagall was finishing "I expect you to take better care of yourself in the future. We can't have one of our star Gryffindor students falling ill very often."

Ginny gave the professor a huge grin. "Don't worry, I'll be careful," she said, taking the load of parchments and leaving.

Professor McGonagall eyed the redhead with a small smile as she all but bounced out the door. Extraordinary students like Ginny didn't come along very often, but when they did, she, Minerva, was sure to watch them carefully. Miss Weasley was more closely observed then she knew, and it seemed to the older Professor that interesting things were in store for the youngest Weasley.

Fifteen minutes later, Ginny was fully dressed in Quidditch robes and was chasing after the Quaffle intensely. Katie Bell had gained control of the big red ball during their scrimmage, and Ginny would be damned if she was going to let the older girl score.

She zoomed around the left side of Katie, pulling to a complete stop right in front of her, effectively causing the other girl to swerve right, in order to avoid Ginny. In the split second that Katie was concentrating on turning her broom, Ginny snatched the Quaffle away from her, laughing merrily as she snaked off toward the opposite goal post.

"Pass, Weasley!" One of the substitute Chasers was yelling. Harry always gave the subs flying time during scrimmages. He felt the team was generally more cheerful with extras were involved.

Ginny threw the ball to the boy, whose name she thought was Philip. He caught it easily and swiftly flew around the ring-shaped goal before tossing it into the middle one. Ginny cheered and flew to clap the boy on the back.

"Good play!" She yelled encouragingly at him, feeling invigorated by their 8th goal that night. Ah, how she loved endorphins!

Harry's whistle blew, and the whole team swooped down to meet him on the soft grass.

"Good playing, everyone." Harry beamed. "If we can play like that on Saturday, we've got Ravenclaw finished. I like the teamwork that I'm seeing on the field, and your communication is improving. Derrick, work on that new batting technique, and Ron, make sure you keep constant eye contact with the Quaffle."

Ron looked like he was about to say something to Harry, but the dark haired boy interrupted. "No, don't question me Ron, I saw you watching Annabella when she was working on those dives." Ron turned a brilliant shade of red, and the blond sitting next to Ginny developed a very similar blush.

"Ginny, I like what you're doing up there, keep drilling those precision exercises. You're quick, but you could be quicker. Philip, keep up the good work and we'll see if we can play you in the next match. Right, well, good practice. Get some sleep tonight. We have one more practice before Saturday, and I want to see you on your best game." He smiled at them, looking proud.

Everyone got up to hit the showers. Harry was a good captain. He didn't drone on and on about every little detail, but he noticed the things that mattered.

"Glad to see you're feeling better, Gin." Harry said, matching her stride.

"Yup!" Ginny agreed. "Good practice, Harry!" He gave her an appraising look.

"I'm glad you thought so. I worry about your brother sometimes, but our offense is really coming along."

"Definitely. You're doing really well as captain." Harry looked as though he needed to hear those words.

"Thanks." He said. Ginny gave him a discreet look. The poor boy was looking pale. Ginny hadn't really had a long conversation with him in a while. Since Sirius' death last spring, he hadn't been the same; more quiet, and thoughtful. Ginny made herself a mental note to sit down and talk to the boy she used to be in love with. She wanted to reassure herself of his mental stability. After all, old crushes die hard.

Now, however, Ginny just wanted to concentrate on her new love. That was what it was after all. Love. Nothing else could drive her to visit Madam Pomfrey against her will, though it did end up for the best. Nothing else could cause her to enjoy visiting the library with a mountain of books in her arms. Just the idea of his lips touching hers gave her a happy tingly feeling, and Ginny quickened her pace.

"See ya, Harry." She called to him, practically running down the Quidditch pitch.

After a quick shower, Ginny returned to her room and gathered up her books. She only had one paper due the next day, and it was a Charms essay. Ginny was a wiz at Charms. Melinda was sitting on her bed when she arrived.

"Hey girl." The black girl said as Ginny entered. "You look a million times better. Did the old witch accidentally transpose your pretty little nose off?"

"Nope." Ginny answered, rummaging through her trunk for a Charms book. "It went pretty smoothly."

"Good. So, where are you off to tonight, honey?" Mel gave the redhead a sly look; as if she knew the Charms book in her friend's arm would be looked at only briefly that night.

"Library." Ginny said in a casual tone.

"Restricted Section again?"

"What?" Ginny exclaimed, "How did you know about that?" Ginny hadn't told anyone about the details of that first night with Draco.

"Oh, Gin. You know I have my ways." When Ginny glared at her she continued, "Well, sweet-ass, it was written all over your face when you got back. I can read you like a book, honey."

With that, Melinda patted Ginny on the shoulder and left the room, calling over her shoulder, "I'm gonna be with Patrick Swedon tonight, so don't wait up!"

Ginny didn't know how she did it. Sleep with a trillion boys a week and never once get emotionally attached. Well, minus that one 22 year old. He must have been seriously perfect to get Mel hooked. Ginny knew girls who would sleep with her Melinda if they got the chance. Straight girls.

Ginny chuckled at the thought of Pansy Parkinson in bed with Mel as she ran down the stairs, Charms book under her arm. What an awkward image.

Minutes later, Ginny was entering the stale quiet of the library. Madam Pince gave her a frightening stare as she walked past. The librarian hadn't mentioned Ginny and Draco's activities of that night, but she always seemed to pace back and forth between the shelves as the two of them worked every night.

Draco was sitting at their normal table, staring down at a piece of paper with a mildly concentrated look. Quietly, Ginny walked up behind him, and then bent down to kiss the side of his neck.

Draco smiled at the contact. It felt so good just to be in Ginny's presence again. He turned his head and pulled her mouth towards his. He wanted to taste her softness, her flavor of honey and mint toothpaste. He enveloped her mouth in his, unable to contain his need in a careful kiss.

Ginny grinned and broke away. It made her feel good to know how much he wanted her.

"Are you cured?" Draco asked the girl quietly, aware of how close Madam Pince was looming.

"Completely." Ginny answered, "Wanna go somewhere?" The redhead didn't know why, but she was dying to do more than kiss Draco. Maybe it was the sexy way his lips curved into a smile, showing his even white teeth. Or maybe it was the way his long, slender fingers twisted her hair. Or it could have been his blue, blue eyes looking at her in the way that told her she was sexy.

Without answering, Draco stood up. Leaving his parchments on the table, he grabbed her hand. "Lets go." He murmured into her ear, kissing her lightly on the neck before walking quickly out of the library, Ginny in tow.

He led them to an empty classroom and locked the door swiftly. Without delay, Draco turned to her.

"I need you." He said, with such a look of longing in his eyes Ginny couldn't bear to hesitate. She kissed him hard, pushing him against the locked door. He moaned into her mouth, ecstatic at their full body contact. They had only exchanged quiet kisses since that first night, and Draco couldn't stand it any longer.

His hands flew to the buttons on her blouse. With nimble fingers he undid the shirt, tossing it out of the way and pulling Ginny closer to him. She reached to lift his t-shirt over his head, breaking their kiss only long enough to do so.

Feeling his warm, lightly muscled chest against her own gave Ginny a shiver of pleasure down her spine. As if by instinct she began to gently grind her hips against Draco's. He gasped into her mouth and felt himself grow hard immediately. Reaching around her back, his expert fingers undid her bra before tracing back to her hard nipples.

He played with her left nipple for a moment, twisting and pinching it into a tight peak. He began to kiss down the side of her neck to her other breast, leaving a burning trail of sticky kisses.

"Oh, Draco." Ginny murmured, sucking gently at the side of his neck, determined to give him a hickey that would last. She continued to press her hips into his, and could feel his very obvious arousal through his pants.

Slowly, as he massaged her breasts maddeningly, she began to undo his belt. He gasped as her hands touched his boner, and bucked into her hands involuntarily. When his belt was strewn away across the room, Draco quickly undid his pants, and then hers. When her jeans fell away to reveal a lacy, red thong, he couldn't stand it any longer.

Draco lifted her up so he was holding her ass and she was straddling his hips. Through his boxers, Ginny could feel his hardness pressing into her. She was hot, and beads of sweat were beginning to gather at her temples. Everywhere he was touching her burned with desire. She wanted him so badly.

Slowly Draco walked, hands still cupping the curves of Ginny's bottom, over to a table. He set her down gently and let her remove his boxers. Her legs were still around his waist, and he could feel the heat she was radiating. She was every bit as hot as she had been when burning with a fever, but this time it was he who caused her to sweat.

"Draco," Ginny moaned throatily as his lips seared a trail from her breast to her lower stomach, "Draco I need you inside of me." This was too much for the blond. He tore off her soaked thong and placed himself in front of her.

"Are you ready?" He asked shakily, unsure of whether or not she was a virgin, but unable to control the passion he was feeling. Oh, God, he wanted to feel every bit of her.

Ginny nodded and helped him fit inside her. They both paused for a moment and then began rocking back and forth. It was a feeling neither partner had ever felt before. It was great sex, but more so, it was great sex with a true love. The raw intensity of true love is something only very lucky people find, and on that night Ginny Weasley and Draco Malfoy, former enemies, found it.

After a few moments, Draco could feel Ginny's walls tighten around him and he pumped hard into her. She screamed his name as she felt her orgasm, and he came as well at the sound of her voice. He rested his head against her shoulder, kissing the side of her neck, and feeling her heaving chest against his. Both just held still for a second, sensing the aftermath of feelings that amazing sex brings.

Ginny kissed her lover's sweaty forehead. "I love you." She whispered, never once questioning her honesty in uttering the most powerful statement known to mankind.

"I love you too." Draco returned, sealing the unbreakable bond between them, and opening gates to a world the pair had only dreamed of. Together they could change the world for the better, and both of them felt that power as they lay in the classroom, as close as humans can possibly be.

They breathed in the same rhythm, hearing each other's heart beat.

Later that night, in their separate beds, Ginny and Draco were thinking of each other. Nothing in the world could stop Ginny from grinning into the darkness, and after so many years of depressed desperation, Draco felt there was something to really live for.

It was the beginning of a new era of understanding. A time when the impossible would be tested, and the certain questioned. Anything could happen, and it was thanks to the modern-day Romeo and Juliet couple that the wizarding realm would evolve.

What a powerful and beautiful thing, love. Was there anything it couldn't do?

OOFTA. There is your next chapter! It got kind of weird in the end I think, with all the philosophical mumbo jumbo. I'll try to make the next chapter more fun. It's a Quidditch match after all!

Thanks sooo very much for all the awesome reviews. I can't begin to tell you how good I felt after a read them. I was literally glowing. Better than sex, can I tell you. (Not really, haha)

To my reviewers:

Ginnybug61689 - I love nice Draco too! He's so much sweeter this way. I haven't quite decided if/how the rest of Hogwarts will find out. It's too stressful to think about now. Even I'm nervous to see what Ron thinks of it. Tell me what you think should happen!

Writerofdarkness6 – I'm honored that even though you don't like fluff or sappiness you read my fic! Because there is a lot of both in it. Tell me what you'd like to see, to keep you coming back. I'm only here to serve, after all!

Lilblondi – Oh, Draco is soo much nicer to write when he's out of character, isn't he? He's just such an ass in the real books, I couldn't bear to keep him in misery!

Animegirl9001 – I hope this is updated enough for your fleeting sanity. Please don't go crazy on my account!

Shadow legacy – Of course Draco works out! He's in Quidditch, no? And he's sexy, and we all know sexy boys have sexy 6-packs. Am I right, or am I right?

To all you other lovely reviewers, thank you! Keep comin' back! You're awesome and you make me feel like a star!

PEACELOVE

wallawalla