Eleoopy– Thanks for telling me about Ginny is an abbreviation of Ginerva. I'll make sure to go back and change that. So you have a bad feeling about Bell do you? You'll just have to wait and see of you're hunch is right. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
BabyPan – 'kiss on the cheek' so 'kiss on the mouth' sounds like a pretty good prediction, but then again I don't know. You'll have to wait and see. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
JoJo– If you're pathetic because you check the site twice a day for my upload, then I'm even more pathetic because I check the site multiple times to see if anyone has reviewed =D. BTW, I tied to email you but they said your hotmail account doesn't exist. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Chelle – no need to be jealous for Ginny over Bell because there are little secrets about her that will soon be revealed and as for Draco not sending Ginny any letter his has his reasons. Ginny's brothers think she's at a school for learning proper ladies manners. I have a more detailed summary on my website because FanFiction.net doesn't give much room. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Feedlesteex – You knew I wouldn't tell you anyways didn't you? I always make my readers wait. I'm so evil =P. I'm glad to know you enjoy my writing and Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Katepotter13 – Draco will find out about Ginny soon, but you'll just have to wait patiently. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
ERmonkey, Burner of Cookies – Ginny in Slytherin? Maybe, maybe not =D. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Choco88 – I loved writing that little kiss scene it's great to know you enjoyed it too. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Ayumi-dono – yes, the chamber if secrets will still happen but with a little twist. It's good to know you're getting less confused, just remember, if you don't get anything just ask me in a review. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Kitkat159 – I know you're dying to know his reaction and I'm dying to write it too but we must fight temptation. I'll try my best to make the story in between just as good. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Nychick8990 - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Kyma – Glad to know you enjoy the story so much. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
VoicesWithin – I'm absolutely thrilled to know you loved all the main points in this chapter and I hope you continue to do so with the rest of the story. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Kneh13 - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
crMeina - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Mg8814 – I'll make sure to check out your story and soon as possible and Thank you for reading and reviewing.
HappiGoLucki616 – Glad to know you enjoyed the flashbacks. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
The EvilMusician - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Beauty Eclipsed - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Rissilynn - Awkward is an understatement to what life will be like when they go to Hogwarts, but you'll have to wait and see what it's really like. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Akarusa30991 - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Kittybro - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Dreamy-crazygirl – hope you continue to enjoy the story. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Samara Morgan-ring – Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Mia - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Jess - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Purus.flere– Thanks for helping me understand and remember that Ginny and Draco are still kids. I don't have siblings that are that young so I'm finding it a bit difficult to write how they think. I also don't remember what it was like to be at that age so it's a bit challenging. The younger years of their lives is mainly a set up for when they are in their later teens but I would still like it to be realistic and in character for kids that age. I hope you do enjoy this story and Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Dracomio - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Sithelfjen - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Mary – I'll try to make them more in character, but it's a little hard since it's an AU. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Firepixie0071 – I'll try to update as fast as I can. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Artemis - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Ashley09 - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Kahnees– I'm happy to hear you think it's sweet. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Smileyface1314 – considering how Ginny isn't very rich I think non material gifts would be her thing. IT has a deeper meaning to them too and I'm glad you like that I idea. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Oobleck – hey, it's good to hear from you again. I generally have the same kind of image of Draco so maybe they will be pretty similar. I hope that isn't too bad of a thing. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Magica – my posting on Portkey is a little bit slower but the story is the same so you're lucky you found it here or else it would be quite a while before I finish posting it over there. Glad to know you're enjoying both my stories and Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Lillian-is-fickle - Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Chapter Five – Understanding
"Speaking"
Thinking
Ginny sat in her Brother, Charlie's house in Romania waiting for dinner to be started. She had arrived a few days ago and was having a wonderful time seeing all the different dragons her brother could work with, but it was the quiet times like these that thoughts of Draco would wonder into her mind.
Ginny missed him terribly while he was at Hogwarts and was looking forward to seeing him again when he was allowed to go home for Christmas break. However her mother had decided to take her to Romania and visit her second eldest brother, so now Ginny wouldn't be able to see him until school ended. That was in a very long time. Lucius had also banned Draco from sending any personal owls to the Manor for Ginny, and he couldn't send owls to her directly because he was never told where she lived. All communication was broken between the two so Ginny had a million questions she wanted to ask him. She's now very disappointed that she wont be able to.
Molly Weasley stood in the door way leading into the dinning room and saw her daughter's sad composure. Ginny had her elbows on the table and her chin propped on her palms. Her eyes were downcast, looking at the grains of the table and her lips were shaped to form a small frown. Ginny was moping.
Molly conjured a small smile on her face before she walked into the dinning room and took a seat next to her daughter. Ginny sensed her mother sitting down and turned so she could look at her mother's face. Ginny smiled a little. Molly could tell that it was forced and placed a hand on Ginny's head before slowly running it down her hair in an affectionate gesture.
"I know you didn't really want to come, Ginny, but you don't get to see Charlie as often as Draco."
Draco's name was whispered and a whole stream of questions formed in Ginny's mind.
"I'm sorry, Mum," Ginny said shamefully. "I do enjoy it here. It's just that I haven't seen him for a long time and I really miss him."
Molly soothed Ginny's hair and smiled a small genuine smile. "I know," she sighed out.
"Mum," Ginny began, "why can't Charlie and everyone else know about Draco?"
This was a question that had plagued Ginny for quite some time now. At first it didn't really matter to her because she thought of it like her little secret and enjoyed having something private. But now, her feelings had changed. When she would suddenly smile and her brother's asked her what was so funny, she wanted to tell them it was something Draco did or said, instead of answering 'nothing' and forced to suppress her smiles. When Ron, Fred and George would tease her, she wanted to yell out that if they didn't stop, Draco would get them back for her, instead of resorting to making her Mum yell at them. When she came home with new paint supplies from Draco, she wanted to tell them all how thoughtful he was instead of always making up excuses like she won it or her friend was letting her look at them for a few days.
Molly and Arthur told everyone Ginny was attending a school for ladies and had taught Ginny how to keep the truth from her brothers and everyone about Draco. All these excuses were perfected from years of practice. Years of hiding how Draco made her feel, whether it was sad or happy, she had to keep it all to herself and hide it from the world. She wanted to know why.
Molly sighed at Ginny's question. "We've been through this before, Ginny, it's very complicated," she said.
"Then uncomplicated it," Ginny pleaded.
Molly just shook her head. "It's not that simple. You're still too young to understand. But I promise, when you get a bit older everything will be clear. So for now, it will have to stay as our little secret. Ok?"
Ginny could only nod sadly. What could possibly be so complicated about my engagement to Draco?
The sound of wings fluttering ceased Ginny's thoughts and a black and brown owl perched itself on the dinning table with a parcel attached to its leg. Ginny looked curiously while her mother took the parcel from the owl's leg and looked at who it was addressed to.
"It's for you, dear," Molly said and placed the parcel on the table before taking the owl away to give it a treat.
Ginny took the parcel in her hand and opened the letter that was attached.
Dear Ginny,
I've arrived home from Hogwarts and was looking forward to seeing you again, but am now very disappointed that you are not here. There is so much I would like to tell you but I won't because I know I wouldn't be able to stop if I began. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy your gift.
Sincerely,
Draco
A smile immediately graced Ginny's lips as she placed the letter down and started to analyze the parcel on the table. It was a rectangular shaped object that was not very big and wrapped in brown paper with a green bow tied around it. Ginny ripped the paper away quickly, eager to see what she got. The object now sitting on the table was a beautiful dark red wood, flat rectangular box that had intricate carvings all around. Ginny knew that her gift was inside the box, but the box itself was so extravagant and beautiful, she didn't want to open it.
Curiosity however got the best of her so she opened the latch and lifted the lid. Inside she found the most complete set of charcoal drawing sticks she had ever seen. Every shade, size and texture was there. It was a true artist's ultimate collection. Ginny looked at them in awe and ran her hand ever them lightly, unable to believe what Draco had given her. Footsteps shook Ginny out of her shock so she quickly shut the box and ran to her room with it.
Draco and Martin walked through the crowd at Kings Station heading for the Hogwarts express. The Christmas holidays were over and Draco had to head back to Hogwarts today. Draco walked through the crowd gracefully and held his head up high, emitting a vibe of confidence and power, however on the inside he was upset because he hadn't seen whom he had come all the way home to see.
Draco's POV
I can't believe I'm going back to school already. Why give us a break if it's so short? Stupid Dumbledore and the short school breaks. I went home for nothing. I should have stayed at school instead. At least then I wouldn't have had to do all that extra work with father. And to make things worse, Ginny wasn't even there.
The more Draco thought about it the grumpier he got. But in the back of his mind he could hear someone calling his name. At first Draco ignored it but then he stopped and really listened. Someone really was calling out his name. Draco turned around and scanned the crowd, and before he knew it a girl with flaming red hair emerged from the crowd. Ginny's face was flushed and she was breathing hard from all that running. But that didn't affect the big grin on her face because she had found Draco before he went on the train.
Draco too had a smile on his face mixed with a look of disbelief, and before he could process anything else, Ginny had her arms wrapped around his neck in a tight hug. It didn't take Draco long to wrap his arms around Ginny and let out a big sigh of content. They were quite far away from the Hogwarts train so no one could see the cold hearted Draco Malfoy hug Ginny with so much affection, but at that time, Draco didn't care if anyone saw him. Sarah and Martin looked on at them with smiles on their own faces.
Draco pulled back so he could look at Ginny. "What are you doing here?" he asked curiously.
"I begged my Mum to let us come home early," Ginny answered proudly. Draco smiled again and hugged Ginny tight.
With her head resting on Draco's shoulder, Ginny turned her head and gave Draco a peck on the cheek. "Did you have a nice Christmas?" she asked
"It was wonderful."
The Hogwarts express hooted once, signaling it's near departure time. Martin waited for Draco and Ginny to say their goodbye's but the couple wouldn't let go of the each other. Martin felt guilty for what he was about to do, but he knew it had to be done.
"It's time to leave, Master Draco."
This indeed ruined the moment and Draco let Ginny loose from his embrace.
"I have to go now," he said while Ginny nodded. They walked together towards the train and once again Ginny stood at the platform and watched Draco disappear onto the train. As the train was leaving the station Ginny's eyebrows creased and she clutched her hand to her heart. Sarah noticed this and was worried that Ginny's heart condition might be playing up.
"Are you alright, Ginny?" Sarah asked worriedly.
Ginny looked at Sarah sadly. "I don't know. It hurts, but the pain is different."
Sarah smiled at Ginny warmly and rubbed her shoulders. "Everything will be alright, Ginny, Draco will come back soon." And with that she led Ginny out of the station back to Malfoy Manor.
On the Hogwarts express, Draco looked out of the compartment window at the landscape whipping by. Hills graced with luscious green grass, beautiful flowers and the occasional tree. It reminded him of their garden back at Malfoy Manor and how much Ginny loved to go out there and just sit on the grass looking up at the sky. With the memory of Ginny, Draco took out his pocket watch and ran his hand over the smooth surface. He had been carrying this pocket watch around with him ever since he could read time and there was always a hidden compartment at the back for a picture to be placed inside. That compartment was always empty, until recently he decided to place a picture of Ginny in there because he was too embarrassed to have a framed photo placed in his dorm where everyone could see.
Blaise and Belle sat across from him in the compartment but were both sleeping. Blaise had his head resting on the window and Belle had her head on his shoulder. Seeing as they were not awake, Draco pressed a switch on the watch and opened the secret compartment. Looking back at him was a picture of Ginny smiling shyly while occasionally brushing strands of hair behind her ear.
Draco remembered taking this picture with the camera he got for his 10th birthday. He went around the house taking pictures of everything and especially annoyed Ginny because she hated having pictures of herself taken so she was running away from him all day. Eventually he had been able to convince her to let him take a photo of her, but she was still very shy about it.
Draco placed his watch back into his pocket and looked out at the scenery again. Only 6 months to go he thought.
End of Chapter Five. Thank you for reading and I hope you review.