Title: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
One Shot, Ginny/Draco, Post HBP
She looked out the window. Her dark, blood soaked hair feel in ragged clumps, scattering crimson drops every time she moved. The blood was drying, darkening into a heavy maroon helmet, but she didn't care. The blood was not her own.
A cut wept blood from her forehead. The blood had flowed freely down her cheek and neck and into the unbuttoned collar of her school shirt. She had come straight from her Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
That was when everything had changed.
Class had been going fine. They had been practicing their unspoken shield spells. She had been at the top of her class and still was, to the best of her knowledge. She had been preparing to take her turn against the teacher, when it grew dark outside.
Everything had stopped. Neville Longbottom had burst into the room, hair askew, announcing there that Voldemort was just outside.
The teacher had jumped up and shouted commands, but the class already knew what to do. They exited the room in an orderly fashion. In the hall they were joined by the rest of the sixth years and all of the seventh and fifth years. As a one, they marched to protect Hogwarts.
They left the castle... and the war began.
Though pathetically under talented, the children of Hogwarts fought.
It was long, it was gruesome, and it was hell.
She didn't know how many men she cut down, or with what spells. Occasionally she stepped in just in time to save friends or other students. Soon she was numb.
Which was probably why she didn't notice the man with the knife until too late.
It all happened in less than thirty seconds. A man lunged at her, knife extended, aimed for her throat. Someone pushed between them and took the blow meant for her. He fell against her, his blood splattering her face. The man leapt at them again, but her wand was ready, and he fell covered in curses. She looked down at the young man who had saved her life.
Draco Malfoy.
Three weeks had now passed. The cut above her eye had almost healed. She was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt. Harry was waiting outside the door, ready to take her home.
She stared out the window onto the grass of the castle grounds. The war was over. Many had died and more were wounded. Most had recovered in the three weeks.
She ran a hand through her hair. The blood would never come out.
She let Harry lead her down the stairs and through the grounds. A flash of white caught her eye and she looked over at the row of head stones lined neatly before the white tomb. Seven in all.
She looked at the one closest to Dumbledore's tomb. It belonged to Draco Malfoy.
She remembered hearing they wanted to send him home to be buried. She had been furious. She had stormed into the Headmaster's compartments, a wounded Hermione following and protesting all the way. She had been outraged and threatened violence if Draco was not honored with the rest. He had died for Hogwarts and they were willing to let him be sent off.
Finally she won and they placed Draco's coffin closest to the prior headmaster.
Now she paused to read the inscription.
Here lies Draco Kellon Malfoy.
He died so others may live.
She brushed a leaf from the top of the stone. He gave her life and salvation.
"No good deed goes unpunished." She whispered.
(A/N: SOooooo, what cha think? I may be inclined to writing a sequel, maybe even bringing Draco back. I haven't decided. If you want to write a sequel, knock yourself out. Just send me a link.)