Tossing the blankets aside Draco groaned. He didn't know what was happening to him lately but frankly it was beginning to drive him insane. She was plaguing his mind constantly and he couldn't help but wonder why exactly that was.
The developing urge to see her worked on his mind causing him to rub his temples in confusion. What would she say to him anyway? He hadn't actually done anything to deserve her welcome.
And as annoying as that was it bothered him. Somewhere deep in his soul he ached to see her. She may have not been one of his favorite people back in the past, but she had proved herself to him as far as he was concerned.
He only hoped she would talk to him, allow him to explain his actions. Ginny knew he loved Hermione, and maybe just maybe they could put this all behind them and call each other friends.
It had to be the only plausible reason he couldn't get her off his mind, he felt guilty. The very idea made him want to laugh. Him feeling guilty over mistreating a Weasley? That defiantly was worth laughing about. Right?
Yeah he decided, the need to see her beat to hard for him to ignore. He only hoped when he got there she wouldn't slam the door in his face. Moving quietly past the room where his daughter and Hermione slept he winced. Why in the world was he sneaking out when all he ever wanted lay behind the door? Truthfully he didn't know…
Ginny sighed as she sat on the couch attempting to finish the supply list for the joke shop she had started last week. The tears blurred her vision and the words appeared to smear under her eyes.
Figuring it was pointless to continue in her state she tried to come up with an explanation why she let Draco get to her so badly when there was a knock on her door.
She wished she could ignore it and just sit there reveling in the fact that she was a failure when it came to love. But whoever it was knocked again.
"Coming" she said, getting off the couch and walking reluctantly toward the door.
She opened it. Oh.no. "Malfoy. What do you want?"
Draco didn't wait for an invitation out of fear of her shutting the door on him. He simply walked past her and right into the room.
"We need to talk," he said.
"There is nothing to talk about Draco," she told him.
He flopped- flopped in a very unmalfoy fashion onto the couch. Ginny was sure Narcissa Malfoy would die from embarrassment that her son didn't wait to be invited before making himself comfortable in a lady's house.
Imagine what it would do to the Malfoy code of proper social habits? Ginny thought sarcastically.
"Make yourself at home" she said with more than a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
"You've been avoiding me," he said to her.
Ginny quickly made a brush at her tears as her back faced the door. "It appears I have. I congratulate you on stating the obvious"
She wiped her face and started gathering up her papers.
"Weasley what's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh jeez. You shouldn't sneak up on people like that." She jumped to her feet, wiped her eyes again and tried to do a circumspect sniff.
"I didn't sneak," he said. "A Malfoy never sneaks. You told me to make myself at home so I did. You were just too preoccupied with your crying to hear me approach"
"I wasn't crying." She said desperate to hide the very fact.
He trailed a finger down her left cheek and held it out for her to inspect. It was obviously damp.
"My eyes were watering," she said. "Allergies, I think"
"What are you allergic to?" he asked, not appearing to believe her.
"Malfoy's" was her answer.
Draco didn't respond to the comment only stared at her. Taking in the sight before him.
Her lips were tight in dislike, while she stood there glaring at him. Her white nightgown slid down her shoulder leaving her skin showing a little more than he should have seen.
Her deep brown eyes showing no mercy as she continued to glare at him.
Draco had to admit the way she eyed him with such contempt and sadness. She never looked so beautiful.
"Really?" Draco asked, "You didn't seem allergic when I did this…"
Ginny knew what he was going to do, just like she knew she should run. But she simply stood there and waited, a shot of anticipation coursing through her body as he pulled her into his arms.
"Not allergies," he whispered softly against her neck. "I wish you'd tell me what's wrong. If it's possible, I'll fix it" that's why he came after all isn't it? He thought
"I don't need you to fix my problems. The only thing I need is a good allergy pill" she sighed trying not to look at him.
"Weasley" that's all he said, just that absurd way he said her name and she found it still grated on her every last nerve. Okay, so maybe it didn't grate too much as it should. Right now, as a matter of fact, it felt good to hear him say her name.
He kissed her softly on the cheek, and needing to put some space between them, she took a step back. The kiss, rather than comforting her, only left her hungry for more.
She tried to fight, god help her she did. But it was no use, her feelings were already out.
He grabbed her arm softly and held her in place, then pulled her gently toward him. She could have pulled away, should have, but she didn't. And he was surprised when it relived him that she stayed.
"Damn, Ginny" he murmured as his lips touched hers.
This kiss didn't have the hunger the first one had. It was soft and spoke of understanding and empathy. It melted the last of Ginny's resistance.
She wanted this man even though she knew it was too soon to believe he felt anything but a superficial attraction. She knew it in her head, but couldn't seem to convince her heart of anything but the fact she wanted him.
Wanted him with a growing passion she didn't know how to extinguish. And as he eased her down on the couch she realized she didn't want to.
"Ginny I want you" he whispered, staring at her- studying her. This time it was far more intense than it ever had been before.
The time had come. She faced the inevitable and said "Then what are you waiting for?"
They spent the next hours lost in each other, neither thinking about the world around them or any problems.
Sighing as he walked down the road Draco couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that threaten to take him over. He went over there to make amends, salvage a friendship. Not to sleep with her. She had become a friend to him and he didn't take that lightly.
But when he looked at her standing there clearly vulnerable and looking beautiful all thoughts of talking left his mind and he wanted nothing more then to have her in his arms naked.
He sighed once again as he continued to walk. Why did he find himself thinking of taking her to the nearest bed every time he came in contact with her? Why did she haunt his nights? And most recently his days.
He was supposed to be in love with Hermione. He was in love with Hermione. All of this just didn't make any sense he finally had his daughter and her mother at the manor and he spends the night making love to Ginny.
He almost felt sick. He truly deserved whatever he got. If Hermione never came back to him he would have nobody to blame but himself. But you would have Ginny a small voice said from somewhere deep in his mind.
Kicking a rock out of frustration, he sat down on the curb rubbing his forehead. This was ridiculous. Being in love with Hermione meant he shouldn't want Ginny. Yet somehow he managed to do just the opposite.
He knew it couldn't happen again, he was going to make sure it didn't. Everything he worked hard for would be lost and he didn't want that. Or did he? He just didn't know anymore.
Ginny sat in the middle of her bed the tears were beginning to lessen as she stared at the empty spot where Draco laid only a while ago.
She knew it was wrong to allow herself to taste him again. He was in love with someone else and yet she seemed to forget that every time she saw him.
He would never want her let alone love her and waking up and finding him gone only confirmed it. Getting mixed up with Draco had only caused her pain.
But she wasn't the only one. Harry and Hermione were the real victims here and as she looked at the phone. She knew the time had come to finish what she started.
Harry groaned opening his eyes. He just couldn't sleep, no mattered how hard he tried to keep from thinking about Hermione it wasn't working.
The beautiful woman with the rich, chestnut hair who had come into his life on a Hogwarts train threaten to take over his thoughts all together. But he held them at bay. He needed to work out his feelings regarding his daughter and Draco.
Then he'd focus all his energy on getting his life back.
Groaning as the telephone rang he snatched up the receiver. "Hello" he said gruffly
Ginny gulped, it was late and he sounded quite grouchy but She knew her actions ruined her friend's marriage. She only wanted to help Draco know his daughter not destroy Harry and Hermione's life and now she had to try and fix it. She only hoped he forgave her in the end, though she didn't feel that lucky.
"Harry" she said weakly.
Harry took a few minutes before he registered it was Ginny on the phone. Trying to sound as polite as possible he sighed, "Look gin I'm trying to sleep right now. Can I call you back later?" he sighed again.
"I'm so sorry Harry for everything," she sobbed causing him to sit up. "Gin are you alright?" he asked confused by her outburst.
"No I'm not," she sobbed "And I never will be. Harry I'm so sorry for everything"
Harry wrinkled his brow in confusion "What on earth are you talking about" he asked her.
Taking a deep breath before she went on "This is all my fault. I never meant to cause you pain. I only did what I thought was right for Ashlynn. Oh, Harry please can you find it your heart to forgive me?"
"Whoa, Whoa. Forgive you for what gin? This has nothing to do with you."
"But it does" she cried into the phone cutting him off.
Sighing he leaned his head back on the chair "Ginny, you did Hermione a favor. It's not like you were sneaking around with Draco" he paused frowning as his own words replayed in his head.
Something made him pale when she didn't respond to his comment. "Gin, you weren't sneaking around with Draco," he repeated.
"I'm so sorry Harry," she sobbed and he felt his stomach tie in knots. No it wasn't true. Hermione let him see Ashlynn they were there. He saw them.
Ginny was there too remember! He was glad he was in a chair cause he would have surely fell to the floor due to the pain in his chest.
"Tell me I didn't throw my wife away over a misunderstanding" he whispered in shock.
"Harry, I only thought I was helping" she whimpered not really understanding what he meant.
Harry couldn't believe it. He knew he was going to be sick. She was sobbing when he hung the phone up slowly. He didn't bother saying a word to her before then.
All he could think of was Hermione and Ashlynn sleeping at an inn cause he assumed the wrong thing. He had to speak to her. But he didn't know exactly what room she was in only where she was staying. Maybe he should just go there. No maybe he should talk to Ron. His mind was too crowded with thoughts to think clearly. Yeah Ron would be the best one to ask.
Quickly picking up the phone he dialed Ron's number. After listening to it ring for a few moments Ron answered. "Hello, Weasley residence" he said.
"Ron what room is Hermione staying in" he barked out a little too hasty.
"Harry, is that you?" Ron asked surprised. "Yes, Ron it's me. Now what room is she in?" Ron pretended to ignore his angry tone and sighed.
"Harry, I really don't think you should go upsetting her any further. She has been through…"
"I'm not going to pick a fight. I just need to talk to her now what room?" Harry said seriously debating whether or not to hang up.
"I was going to see her myself. I'll pop right over and come with you" Ron told him. " Ron you don't think she would refuse to see me do you?" he asked worried.
"Harry you are very important to her. You must know that. After all you are her best friend and her husband" Ron assured him.
He frowned when he thought of how she left. "Yeah, but she may need a little persuasion to remember that. See you in a minute"
He rang off, and then worriedly rubbed his fingers along his jaw. He felt as though he was seeing the truth about a lot of things for the first time. Why hadn't he seen it before? He wondered. Hermione had certainly tried to tell him something the night she left.
His heart ached as he pictured her begging him to listen. Why hadn't he realized she'd only been spelling out the truth?
Hell, whom was he kidding? He'd refused to see the truth. He wasn't a stupid man, he knew that. And it irritated him to think that he'd let his pride-.
He cut off the thought. This was not the time to worry about the past. He'd done too much of that already. He needed to focus on the future. He needed to make plans for the days and weeks and years ahead.
His mind churned with possibilities. What had to be done wasn't going to be easy for him. He shook his head. No this wasn't going to be easy at all.
But he had to do what was right. For Ashlynn, for her mother and himself. However, he didn't feel that the situation would be too hard to solve, it seemed the only hurdle he faced was his own damn male pride.
Harry ran agitated fingers through his already disheveled hair. No, he felt pretty certain that between himself, Ashlynn and Draco, they could work out a reasonable agreement if that's what it took.
It was the situation with Hermione that concerned him the most…. He saw things so clearly…his feelings for this woman. And how unfairly he'd treated her. Hell, he'd really screwed up their relationship royally.
The thing to do was to bare his soul to Hermione, he knew that. But at this point, after all the stupid things he'd said and done, he was left wondering if she still cared enough to listen.
Ron and Harry entered the inn and Harry felt his heart stop. He was scared, scared she would never forgive him and he would truly have lost her for good.
Without saying a word he followed Ron up the battered steps leading to the first floor. He heart raced with anticipation as they stopped in front of a door looking dreadfully close to falling. He had to shut his eyes to keep from witnessing the ruins his girls now called home.
"Mione" Ron called through the door.
No answer came and Ron knocked once more. "She must be sleeping. It is sort of late" he said calling her again.
Harry stiffened, Hermione was a light sleeper. He knew that. No something wasn't right here. She would have answered at the first knock.
A million thoughts ran through his head while Ron continued to knock, unaware of Harry's worries. And none of them were good.
"Hermione it's Harry" he found himself saying as he prayed for her to answer.
"She's not here," He told Ron looking worried.
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course she is. Where else would she be at this hour?" Ron explained.
"I don't know where but it's not here" Harry hissed running his hand through his hair. Okay now was not the time to panic. Maybe she was staying with Lavender and Seamus.
No he would have said something to him.
"Well Luna said she was here the last time she talked to her. So maybe she is just sleeping Harry. I'll knock again" Ron closed his phone and beat on the door a little more forceful.
"Something isn't right Ron" Harry said when they were hit once more with silence
Wrinkling his brow Ron nodded "I think you may be bloody right"
Ron frowned it wasn't like Hermione to not at least answer. Hell she didn't mind telling you off even if she didn't want to see you.
"Maybe she went out for something?" he said hopeful. "At eleven thirty. I doubt it" Harry huffed.
"Let's go downstairs maybe someone knows where she is," Ron said quickly descending the stairs as Harry followed fast behind him.
"Excuse me" Harry shouted causing the old woman behind the counter to jump.
"Goodness, child I'm old but not deaf" she said chuckling as she smiled to the two men.
"Oh, sorry" he said breathlessly. "I was wondering if you could help me," he said gently this time.
The woman smiled softly "Well I will most certainly try" she said wiping the counter.
"And just what does the great Harry Potter need help with?" she asked still keeping herself busy with her work.
"We're looking for a woman," Ron said stepping in front of Harry.
"A woman?" she repeated stacking the cups to her left. "Yes a woman. She has brown hair, travels with a child about two. She has been staying here for the last two days," he explained.
The woman seemed to be thinking hard as she swatted the damp cloth across the counter. "Oh yeah. I remember her. Hermione was her name. Cute little girl she had".
Harry sighed with relief, so she was here then. He could at least breath easier knowing she was safe and not off with some crazy psycho.
"You don't happen to know where she is do you?" Harry asked sounded quite anxious.
"Nope sorry, I haven't seen them since they checked out this evening" she said shrugging.
"Checked out!" He bellowed. "Where was she going?" he demanded. Ron pushed him back slightly seeing the surprise his outburst caused the old lady.
"I don't know where!" she said frowning. "She left with that Malfoy boy. Maybe she's with him." Harry stood speechless. Hermione left with Draco. Where could they have gone?
"Did she have bags?" Ron asked his voice sounded strained.
Nodding her head yes he sighed.
Harry couldn't believe his luck. He turned away from the counter and stared at the steps where her room was supposed to be.
"She left with Malfoy" Ron gasped. "I don't believe this"
Harry narrowed his eyes and headed for the front door. "Harry did you hear what she said?" Ron shouted after him.
"Every word" he called gruffly over his shoulder snatching open the door.
"Then where in the bloody hell are you going?" He asked annoyed that he would walk away.
"To get my wife," Harry said walking out. "Thank god" he thought as he ran after him. Maybe just maybe there was hope for them afterall.
Sorry for the long wait. I was having trouble with my Internet. But all is fixed and I'm ready to go. I know this is a short chapter and I apologize, the next one shall be longer I promise. Hope you liked it and chapter 16 will be out soon.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed and believed in this story. This is all for you guys. Please review and I hope to hear from you all soon.
Bra4goten