The Way We Were

Hermione didn't take long to notice the color of Draco's face had gotten paler overnight. Normally she didn't get up as early but since it was the weekend, it was not that big of a deal.

"Good morning," she greeted him as he walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. "I'm making breakfast. Have a seat."

Draco took a seat at the counter letting out a sigh. He hadn't slept much because he couldn't stop thinking of the man on the street. He smiled faintly.

"Something on your mind," Hermione asked as she prepared an omelet.

Draco shook his head. "No, I just couldn't sleep," he replied.

"Bad dreams?"

"Something like that…" he yawned and shook his head.

"You miss her. I know you do," her statement surprised him. He wasn't thinking of it but now that she mentioned it…

He was about to say something when the doorbell went off. He couldn't understand why they lived like muggles in the wizarding world. As he pondered this, Hermione went to answer the door. Harry had prevented anyone from just popping in by placing a charm on the house.

She came back with Ginny right behind her. They exchanged a short glance before Ginny took a seat beside him. She looked rather troubled in Draco's opinion.

"Are you alright," Draco asked when Hermione turned back to cooking.

She seemed to be contemplating whether to give him a straight answer. She turned to him. By one look, he knew she wasn't okay at all. Slowly, he took hold of her hand. He couldn't tell her he was there for her but he hoped this gesture would let her know.

He watched as tears began to form in her eyes. He frowned questioningly. Why was she crying? Had something happened that he didn't know about? Had things ended badly for her and Harrison?

"What's wrong," he whispered. She couldn't seem to speak. "Ginny, what's the matter?"

Suddenly she got up and hugged him, burying her face in his neck. Draco embraced her as her hot tears streamed down his neck. He gave Hermione apologetic looks once she turned to hive him breakfast. She nodded understandingly and left to check up on Harry.

Draco carried Ginny to the living room where he sat her down on the sofa. He knelt down before her, his hands on hers. He looked up at her.

"Ginny, what's the matter?" he asked softly tucking some of her hair behind her ears. He lovingly wiped her tears away. "Please stop… Don't cry…"

"I—I—" she couldn't stop. Draco moved closer, he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I miss you so much," she burst out throwing herself on him.

"But… I'm right here…" Draco replied confused. "How can—"

"I mean I miss us."

"I… I don't—"

"I miss how things were," she sobbed. "I miss the way we were before you had to leave me."

"Ginny…"

"I want to be with you but I can't just leave Harrison like that."

Draco gently pried her off him. He smiled as best as he could. He knew exactly how she felt because he missed her too, even when she was there… like right now. He sighed.

"I miss the way things used to be too, but there isn't anything we can do." He spoke softly, slowly. He held her, trying to comfort her.

"Why didn't you just take me with you…"

Draco found himself asking that question too. Why didn't he just risk it and take her with him? At least they wouldn't be in this hard predicament. After crying for a while, Ginny finally stopped. She wiped her tears and smiled at Draco to let him know she was okay. They were even closer now than they were before. They really did truly have something special.

They walked back to the kitchen together, Ginny's arm linked with his. She took a seat on a chair. She and Draco exchanged a smile before eating breakfast.

Ginny watched him from the corner of her eye. He took hold of her hand as he used the other to eat. Just for that one moment, Ginny actually felt like things would be just fine.