Days passed and it was the day before the spring holiday and, more importantly, the night of the ball. Ginny had spent weeks with Pansy finding a dress that would fit and getting the necessary makeup and hair care products she would need.

The day had passed quickly for her and she was glad that her teachers were lenient with homework. Lucky for the girls, Snape got so angry at Neville that he let everyone go early. Ginny went with Pansy and started the 'beautification' process. She had been growing rounder with each passing day and she couldn't admit to liking it much. She was already into her fourth month and most women didn't show this much until their 5th or 6th. With Ginny, she felt her clothes tightening more and more painfully with each day but was too afraid to ask Draco to take her shopping or buy new clothes herself.

Pansy brushed out her reddish hair and put curlers in. "You're going to blow them away Ginny and with the empire waist on this dress, no one will be any the wiser."

Ginny smiled. "You know you don't have to do this… right? I mean, I'm glad we're not bitter enemies anymore but you don't have to put up with me if you don't want to." She said as Pansy began searching through her jewelry box for some earrings that would match Ginny's beautiful ball gown.

Pansy stopped and turned around. "Come on… would I do this if I didn't want to? I know how you feel and I don't care what anyone thinks." She said with a dire conviction ringing in her voice.

"You know how I feel—" she repeated. "—you care to elaborate on that?" she asked, suddenly thinking this was some setup.

Pansy sat down on her bed. "Its complicated Ginny… he was just so nice to me and I was weak. He isn't the brightest boy in the school but he's not as dumb as he lets everyone believe. I saw you at the lake and I was so jealous! I just want that with him." She said and looked away.

"You can't have my husband Pansy…" she said angrily, her hormones were in full swing.

Pansy turned disgustedly. "Draco? I'm not talking about Draco! Ugh, that's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard… me and Draco?" she shuddered. "I was talking about Goyle!"

Ginny suddenly felt very stupid. "Oh, Pansy I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say that… it was just hormones."

Pansy stood up. "It's alright Ginny… I guess I was a little vague about the man in my life. You know Goyle is pretty smart and he's really nice despite that brutish façade he puts up." She took a deep shaky breath, "It was last year that I gave my virginity to him and I got pregnant; my daddy made he get one of those muggle abortions. Oh Ginny it was horrible…" she burst into tears and turned away from her.

Ginny stood and pulled Pansy into an awkward hug. "Its okay Pansy… it's going to be okay." She crooned as she held onto the girl. She couldn't imagine having her babies taken out of her… it made her want to cry as well.

Pansy gripped her. "I know it's stupid to wish that I could go back and change things…it's pointless." She sniffled and pulled back with a laugh. "We're so silly, crying over the past when we should be thinking about the future."

Ginny dabbed at her eyes that were wetted with tears. "I'm here if you need to talk about anything… are you still involved with Goyle? Did he know about the baby?"

Pansy sighed heavily. "I love him Ginny… I can't explain why or how but I do. He never knew about the child and I couldn't tell him after what my father forced me to do." Her voice was thick with emotion as she fought the tears back. She laughed to cover a sob. "That's enough; we're going to have red eyes for the dance."

Ginny said nothing as Pansy started dabbing her face with the cool makeup and tussling her hair. She sat perfectly still and closed her eyes as eyeliner and eyeshadow were applied with care. She felt Pansy step back and she opened her eyes. "Wow…" she managed to utter. Her skin was aglow with warm colors and a cool, emerald eyeshadow that would match the dress that Pansy had charmed to fit her.

Pansy smiled. "Now go get dressed and I'll see you in the Great Hall… don't worry. You look great." She reassured her and sent her off into a back room.

Ginny pulled off her robe and inspected her body in the mirror before pulling the dress from the closet. The bump in her belly wouldn't be very noticeable to anyone but her and her dance partner who would inevitably be Draco, so she had no fear. She carefully pulled the large, crushed velvet dress over her head and fixed her hair as soon as she got into it. The dress itself was an emerald color that brought out her eyes and her pale skin. It laced up in a criss-cross in front and a low bodice that exposed her already swollen breasts. A gold trim laced the bottom that brushed past her ankles and the long sleeves.

Pansy turned and smiled as Ginny walked out. "Bloody hell! You're going to knock them all dead." She brushed out her peroxide blonde hair and let it fan her shoulders that were uncovered. She wore a midnight blue dress that fell to her ankles and was simple yet elegant. She wore a small silver chain around her neck. "Come on…I want to show you something." She reached out and grabbed Ginny's hand as she dragged her to her armoire and carefully knelt before pulling out a nicely finished wooden box with a lock on it.

Ginny looked down at it curiously, "What is it Pansy?" she asked carefully. Her red curls fell into her face as she leaned forward.

Pansy opened it and pulled out a piece of deep green ribbon; attached was a large, sparkling emerald. She walked behind Ginny and put it on her. "Green looks terrible on me." She said and smiled.

Ginny gasped. "No, Pansy I can't take this…" she said as she touched the smooth silk ribbon that fit perfectly on her neck.

"Well I'll want it back Ginny… but it matches perfectly and I want this to be special for you." She said and looked up at the large clock, "Come on! We'll be late!" she exclaimed.

Quarter after 7… the dance didn't start until half past but Ginny didn't protest. She just wanted to see Draco before they'd leave for spring holidays. She stopped in front of the Slytherin common rooms and sat to wait for her husband.

Draco was positively shaking as he adjusted the neck of his black dress robes. Sure, everyone knew that Ginny and Draco were married and a good portion of the school knew she was pregnant but this was unreal to him; a real date with his own wife. He shared his life, his bed and, now, his heart, with her… but a date? That was…really weird.

Blaise Zabini walked in coolly with a set of black dress robes already perfect and his hair slicked back. "Hey do you have that book of contraceptive charms? I think I'm going to get some action tonight." He said with a sly smile.

"Not like I need it anymore…" Draco muttered as he pulled the book from his drawer and chucked it at Blaise. "Now how do I look?"

Blaise caught the book with ease and laughed. "You're not my type but your wife will be positively orgasmic as soon as she sees you."

Draco rolled his eyes; "You're a sick bastard Zabini…" he said and walked to the bed where he fastened his long dark cape on. He gazed at himself in the mirror, "Who're you taking tonight?"

Blaise smirked. "You'll never guess…"

Draco looked disinterested, "Its Millicent Bulstrode isn't it?"

Blaise's smile faded. "How did you know?" he asked and padded after Draco as he moved out of the room.

Draco went down the stairs and nearly passed out as he saw Ginny. He stared for a moment, unable to move or breathe. "Wow…" was all he uttered.

When Draco finally regained composure, Pansy and Blaise had both cleared out and he was left with a bewildered Ginny staring at him. "You look—so beautiful." He said and touched her face gently.

Ginny felt her cheeks flame. "You don't look so bad yourself." She said as she turned toward the door, "Come on, we'll be late." She felt butterflies flitting around in her stomach as they walked the corridors silently and came upon the great hall.

The place was lavishly decorated in yellow, blue and white to signify the season. The room was aglow with a thousand candles and no detail seemed to be overlooked. The music hadn't begun yet so couples were milling around, eating and socializing. The talking seemed to stop as Draco and Ginny entered.

Draco could feel the fear radiating off her. He bent down and kissed her cheek. "You're the most beautiful woman here." He said and placed his arm around her waist as they walked over to the food table.

Ginny looked over at Pansy who was talking with Goyle quietly. She gave a small smile of encouragement. "So, our first, official date…" she said as she popped a cracker into her mouth.

Draco smirked and took a glass of punch. He took a long drink and sighed. "It's a lovely night." He felt the nerves kick in as well… here was his wife, pregnant with his children, shared his bed and yet he felt nervous around her.

Ginny nodded and ate another cracker. She couldn't imagine how he must be feeling… she was ecstatic when the band picked up and started to play an upbeat rock song by some band that Ginny didn't recognize. She smiled up at him. "You want to dance?"

Draco was glad she broke the silence. "Yes." He took her small hand and pulled her close to him as they rocked to the beat.

Time seemed to stop dead as the music swirled around them. Nothing fazed the young lovers… not even the banging of the castle door. A freezing wind blew around the castle hall but still it didn't deter them… Draco held Ginny tighter to keep out the chill. But no one could ever ignore what happened next, Dumbledore's booming voice rose above the music, "All students back to your respective houses now for a mandatory head count!" he yelled as the music died out.

Ginny felt her blood run cold; she looked up at Draco who seemed to share her sentiment. Some students ran blindly to their dorms, others bravely gripped their wands and refused to move… even more were too petrified to think and were either caught up in running or sobbed helplessly as they were pulled by their respective dates or friends. Seconds ago everything had been fine… and now…

Dumbledore hurried the rest of the students back to their rooms, but stopped Draco and Ginny. "You two, in my office immediately! The password is Gummi Worm." His face was pale even in the darkened Great Hall and neither had the mind to argue with him.

Draco navigated to the gargantuan gargoyle that protected Dumbledore's office. "Gummi Worm." He said calmly, and the statuette sprang aside immediately. Looking down at Ginny he wondered what was going through her mind… she had to be frightened, hell even he felt a gnawing of fear in his gut.

Ginny bit her lip, she was grateful when Draco reached out and put him arm around her. Dumbledore's office was no different than she remembered… she was the one who was different. Fawkes the phoenix made a soft gurgling noise that reminded Ginny of an irritable baby; at the very thought of a baby her hand went to her swelling abdomen.

"Is everything okay, Ginny?" he asked almost frenetically as he saw her grasp her abdomen. His heart was in his throat, she looked fine but he couldn't be sure. He'd never really been around any pregnant women… the closest he had come was seeing some woman on the street. Thinking back he had frowned upon them for being an inferior sex; the error of his ways was so astounding that he nearly shuddered.

"I'm just worried." She replied curtly; she didn't intend to be rude but she didn't want to know what Dumbledore had to say. After a few moments there was a bang as Dumbledore entered his study.

"Excuse me for keeping you both waiting." He said, standing stoically behind his desk and motioning for them both to sit. "I've gotten some very saddening news today. Ginny, there's been an attack." He said, tears almost filling his warm eyes.

Her stomach heaved. "Oh gods…" she whispered, tears already spilling down her pale cheeks. " Who was it? Please, just tell me." She gripped onto Draco's hand as if it were her lifeline; her heart was painful inside her chest.

Albus sighed heavily, "It's your brother Bill and his wife Angela… I'm so sorry Ginny." He said gravely and turned his back.

Ginny stared at him numbly… it hadn't hit her yet. "No… no I saw Bill at my wedding. No… he's not dead, you're lying." She laughed manically. "Is this some kind of joke?"

Draco stood stunned by the death and by her. "Ginny, this is Albus Dumbledore… he wouldn't lie to you about this." He said, stroking her hand gently… he expected tears, he expected denial… but he didn't expect her to hit him.

"Why do the gods hate me?" she screamed, knocking her chair over and storming from the room, leaving both men in a stupor. Albus looked over at Draco and shook his head; clearly telling him to give her some time. Draco nodded in agreement, his face stung from where she had slapped him across the face and he was afraid he'd strangle her if she tried again.

Ginny ran blindly, tears falling down her face rapidly. Soon she found herself wrapped in the arms of darkness… the Astronomy tower was not just a place to snog; it was a safe haven for her. Many times she would come here to escape prying eyes after she opened the chamber, she didn't have talk to anyone, she could just be… she could just be Ginerva Molly Malfoy. That thought made her sob again.

Draco spent the next several hours pacing madly in their room… his heart pounding in his throat. At the beginning of their relationship he held no care for her, and now his entire existence revolved around her. He had been told that he could fall in love with a woman he was forced to marry… but he never believed it; in fact, he didn't truly believe it now. "Do I love her?" he asked aloud to the darkness.

Somewhere up in the North tower, a clock chimed midnight. It was a hazy night, and spring was warming the air. Ginny sat on a chair rubbing little circles on her extended abdomen… she relished in the sound of silence. Thoughts swirled around in her head… thoughts of Draco and the tender way that he cared for her, thoughts of her babies and what they would come to achieve, thoughts of Tom… and what he could do to her. Her final thoughts were of Bill and Angelina, so happy in their simple life in Egypt. Those ancient ruins were their home and now they had nothing. Before Ginny knew what was happening, the intoxicating night had lulled her into a deep sleep.

Draco had heard the tolling of the midnight bell… still no sounds. He wished there was something even if it were some Slytherin retching after drinking too much fire whiskey. But it was silent, and it gave him shivers up and down his spine. At quarter after he gave up… he couldn't sit and wait for her. He didn't even care if Filch caught him; he was looking for a good fight anyway.

A whole hour had passed and Draco had searched high and low, from the North Towers to the Great Hall, even down in Snape's dungeons. The last place was the Astronomy Tower… and he prayed to any deity that would listen to help him. Looking around, he saw nothing at first, but as he turned to go, he heard a deep sigh. He walked over to a chair facing out into the abyss; there she was… sleeping like a perfect angel with her hand wrapped protectively around her abdomen. He saw tear streaks down her cheeks and her robes and his heart wrenched for her. The girl had been through enough.

Ginny did not stir as Draco picked her up as if she were as light as a feather. He carried her carefully down to the room and with infinite care, changed her into one of her cotton nightgowns. Beneath the thin material he saw her perfectly round little belly that had been developing for months. It made him protective on a feral level; she was his now and forever. It was then that he vowed to himself and anyone else that would listen, no one would ever hurt her… especially not Lucius Malfoy or Tom Riddle.

A/N: I know…sort of depressingly lemony… in the next chapter the you-know-what hits the fan. And coming up soon: A HUGE secret is revealed that will change the outcome of Draco's life forever.