Chapter Fifteen - Fights And Apologies
He could tell by her incoherent mumbling and dirty looks she were giving him that she was furious. He tried to approach her but she kept moving away. It was late in the afternoon when he finally cornered her outside.
"Can you tell me why you're being so-"
"Leave me alone Draco," she snapped and pushed past him. He quickly followed.
"Will you give me a minute to-"
"Explain? Okay, fine! Explain to me why you're leaving!"
Draco couldn't reply. So, she had heard. He sighed.
"I have to," he said miserably.
"Why? Why do you have to?" she demanded. "Is it because you're afraid of finally being able to feel love?"
"What? No! This has nothing to do with that!"
"Oh? Then why?"
"I... I'm being hunted down."
"What? Why?"
"Because Ginny, I was part of Voldemort's group!"
"But... But you didn't- Harry said-"
"I know, but do you think the ministry cares?"
"You can't- You aren't-" she had tears in her eyes. "No!"
"I don't want to, you know- Ginny!" she'd took off running. He followed her into the house only to have her bedroom door slammed in his face. He knocked desperately.
"Ginny! Ginny! Come on! Let me in!" He pleaded. "You know that if I-"
"I hate you," she yelled through the door. "I hate you!"
"Do you think this is easy for me?" He was losing his patience. "It's not as if I chose to be hunted down and-"
"I HATE YOU! I WISH I HADN'T-"
"Don't! Don't say it!" Draco snapped.
"I WISH I HADN'T FALLEN IN LOVE WITH YOU!"
Draco let out a frustrated sigh. He sat down leaning his back against the door. Downstairs, Arthur and Molly were listening closely while Ron talked to Hermione through the fire place.
"Well it doesn't matter what you say," he yelled through the door, "because I'm staying right here! I'm not going any where until you talk to me!"
"They're having quite a row," Ron told Hermione. "I think you should come here and try to sort things out."
"Alright, I'll see what I can do," she replied.
Not a moment later, Hermione was standing in the living room. Ron pointed up the stairs and followed. They found Draco sitting there, his face buried in his hands. He looked up.
"You okay mate," Ron asked as he kneeled down in front of him.
"No," Draco replied sullenly.
Hermione knocked on Ginny's door.
"Gin? It's Hermione," she said softly. "Open up."
"Is he still there," she asked saying the word 'he' like it were something disgusting.
"Yeah," Hermione gave Draco an apologetic look.
Ron helped Draco up and led him to his room. Hermione informed Ginny he'd left and she opened the door. Hermione sat on her bed.
"I know this isn't easy for you, but you have to understand-"
"Why didn't he say something sooner," Ginny's voice was muffled by the pillow she'd been burying her face in. "Why now that I've grown to love him?"
"You'll see him again."
"When I'm old and feeble? Or when I finally kill someone and end up as an outlaw too?"
Hermione sighed. "I know this isn't easy," he said, "but you'll have to let him go. If he stays here, you and your family will be in danger. Don't tell me you don't care, but he does. He wants someone to come back to when this is all over."
"Yeah... Well..."
"You may think being mad will make things easier, but it won't. You'll regret it. Please, he's got two days. Instead of fighting, spend your last days together."
"I can't just pretend I'm okay with it."
"I know, but you both have to do it." Hermione stood. "He needs you now more than ever."
Hermione gave Ginny one last look before leaving. He stopped by Draco's door to see how he was doing. He was trying not to cry. Ron was having a hard time with him.
"Look mate, cheer up, you've got two more days," Ron was trying to comfort him.
"She won't talk to me," Draco choked. "Am I supposed to sit at her door for those two days before I go?"
"Ron, couldn't he and Ginny just-"
"No!" Ron cut in. His eyes flashed with anger. "Absolutely not Hermione. I will not let my sister be put in danger."
Hermione shrugged and said nothing more.
"She'll come around mate, don't worry about it," Ron said.
Draco sighed. "Maybe I should just leave now," he mumbled.
"Are... Are you-"
"Yeah," he stood up, his face expressionless. "I wanna leave-"
"No," Ginny said as she entered the room, "you've got two days."
Ron caught Hermione's eye and they left the room. Ginny sat on the bed beside Draco.
"Take me with you," she said.
"I'd... I want to, but I can't do that," Draco took her hand. "I can't take you away from your family-"
"You can't just-"
"No. Don't worry, we'll see each other again."
She finally let her tears take over. Draco gathered her into his arms and held her close. Ginny clung to him, desperately hoping this was a terrible dream and that he'd never let go.
Author's Note: Well, first of all, I want to apologize for the dumb and stupid chapter. I was starting to run out of ideas in this chapter. So yeah, sorry if it's crappy. One more chapter left! Thanks for taking time out of your busy time to read my story and don't forget to review!
