"Where did you get that," Ginny choked, she felt as though the breathe had been strangled out of her. Malfoy looked mildly amused for a moment, as though she had just said something extremely stupid.
"Owl post," he replied, losing the amusement instantly. "It's not safe to talk here, follow me."
Ginny hesitated, "Not safe? The house is.." he interrupted her, "I mean for me, with you brother and Potter in the next room. I don't imagine they would fancy me talking to you in the dead of night."
Ginny agreed in an instant, following him silently through the dark halls to the study. She shivered as she closed the door behind her. The room looked much less inviting at night. The coverless windows looked like giant eyes, there was dust and spider webs everywhere. Draco aimed his wand at the hearth, starting a low fire, Ginny huddled by it immediately.
"Do you know who sent this," Malfoy demanded in his cold manner. Ginny shook her head, for a second she considered telling him about Harry's letters, but shook the thought away at once.
"What does it say?" she stood upright, choosing her favorite chair by the fire. Malfoy hesitated, it was obvious he wasn't sure if he should show her. Ginny felt a bit annoyed.
"If you weren't going to show me, why did you drag me out of bed?" she felt her famous Weasley temper flaring a bit, it was rather late after all. To her surprised Malfoy smiled. Well, it wasn't really a smile, more of a smirk, but it was the closest thing to emotion he had showed yet.
"I didn't know who else to tell," Ginny sighed. She felt bad again. She realized she was probably the only person in the house who had said a civil word to him. Not that the others didn't have a reason to be angry and rude. He sighed and handed her the thin parchment, Ginny leaned close to the fire to read. The handwriting was the same loopy scrawl as Harry's letter,
"What's that mean?" she asked, genuinely confused. She knew that Harry would be furious with her, conversing with Malfoy, he would think it disloyal, but if she could figure something out about the letters, maybe she could help him. Malfoy looked intensely uncomfortable with her question. She noticed he kept tugging self consciously at his cloak sleeve.
"Um, nothing," he replied softly refusing to look at her, "I mean, I don't know."
Ginny narrowed her eyes, she had lived with six brothers her entire life, and she knew when she was being lied to.
"Hand it here," Malfoy reached out for the letter. Looking back on it later Ginny knew it was a stupid thing to do, but she had always been a bit rash. On an impulse Ginny grabbed his wrist. She was small but strong, as everyone around her knew. Malfoy winched like she had hurt him. He pulled, but Ginny held fast, she grasped his sleeve and flung it back.
"Oh…my….," she let him go in a flash. Malfoy reeled from her, moving as far away as he could into the corner, desperate pulling at his cloak, and thrusting the letter back into his pocket. Ginny's heart was pounding against her chest.
"What…what did they do to you?" she breathed, finding it hard to speak. She noticed Malfoy's face was red, even in the dim light she could tell. He didn't respond, he still had his head down and remained silent. Ginny's shock had worn off, and now she was beginning to get angry. She stood unsteadily, it was time to stop keeping secrets.
"I said, what did they do to you!" she said much louder than she had intended. Ginny stalked over to the corner. She was more shocked than ever, Malfoy unmistakably had tears running down his cheeks. He seemed to notice the same time she did. He wiped them away furiously, taking a deep breath.
"Nothing," he said firmly. His voice was still low, but he seemed to be regaining his steely composure. Ginny had an overwhelming sense of pity.
"Draco….tell me," his head snapped up like she had slapped him. Ginny was startled.
"What?"
"You've never called me by my first name," he studied her hard, like she was an extremely difficult assignment. Ginny couldn't tell if she had offended him or not.
"What did the letter mean?" she repeated, though she feared she already knew the answer. Ginny picked up his frail wrist. She turned it over with an involuntary shutter. On his arm, badly inflamed, but still recognizable was the dark mark.
"I tried to cut it off," he swallowed, taking his wrist from her hand, "Two days ago, and I didn't tell anyone!"
Ginny bit her lip. This was most certainly distressing. Whoever was watching Harry was watching Draco too, this meant….they were inside Grimmauld place, or they had a connection with someone inside. Someone around them was a traitor!
Harry hadn't really been to sleep yet. He was tired, but his mind lately didn't allow him much rest. He looked at the small clock on the wall, 2:28 a.m., Harry sighed. For hours he had read a Quiddich book, and them he had even tried to start on homework, thinking maybe that would put him to sleep, but no suck luck. As he lay under his thin sheet Harry heard a noise. A loud thump from outside, he uncovered his head to listen. Everything was quiet again, but, wait! He heard something else. Harry skid out of his bed, trying hard to be quiet, even though he knew Ron slept like a brick. He crawled on hands and knees to the door, looking through the key hole. Nothing, the hall was empty. He sighed, probably just a pipe or something. Then he saw Ginny. She was tip toeing down the hall back to her room. Harry smiled, she was probably out for a midnight snack, she had confessed to him she did that some nights. She was wearing a dark red night gown tonight. It looked wonderful with her eyes, Harry observed. He mentally slapped himself. It's just Ginny, he thought. Harry was about to open the door and surprise her when something moved, something white. He pressed his eye against the key hole. Was…was that? His mouth dropped open.
Malfoy stood behind Ginny, whispering something to her so low he couldn't hear. Harry felt as if he'd been stabbed in the chest. She was out at night with Malfoy? It didn't make any sense. Sure enough Ginny whispered back to him, and Harry almost yelled as he saw her place a tender hand on his wrist before she ducked back inside her door. Malfoy turned on his heels and was gone. Harry felt numb, something was going on. He crawled back to bed, not bothering to be quiet. Ginny, his Ginny, um, well….his friend Ginny, was having night meetings with Draco Malfoy? Harry couldn't believe he had ever felt bad for him. He was probably planning to kidnap her, or worse. Harry turned on his side, disgusted. Maybe there was a good explanation, or maybe they had become friends. Ginny had been sneaking around a lot lately, disappearing for hours and not telling anyone where she went. Harry felt sick. He threw his book onto the floor; he knew he wouldn't be sleeping any time soon.
When Harry finally did sleep it was early in the morning, much too soon the brightness of the sun woke him. He rubbed his eyes sleepily. He looked over to find Ron's bed empty. Harry was startled, had he slept that late? He grabbed his glasses and pulled on some rumbled clothes from his trunk. It was quiet…unusually quiet. By this time in the morning there were usually explosions from the twins room. Harry jumped down the stairs. The kitchen was empty. He felt his stomach flip a bit. This was getting weird, no matter what time of day the kitchen was never empty. Harry knocked the door to the living room open, and was attacked from all sides.
"Happy Birthday Harry!" the cheer hurt his ears it was so loud. In a moment everyone was on him, slapping his back (the twins doing it much harder than necessary), and wishing him well. When Harry realized what was going on he grinned like a fool. The entire living room was decorated like a Quiddich pitch. The floor was even covered with green felt, and every chair and couch had a house color draped over them.
"Wow, who did all this,"
"That would be me!" Ron smiled happily as Hermione kicked his shin. "Ow, well, I guess Hermione and Ginny helped a bit."
"Try a lot!" Hermione gave Harry a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "It was Ginny's idea really Harry, but it was a team effort."
Ginny was perched on top of the couch, which was made to look like the Gryffindor house Quiddich box. She smiled and hugged him shyly, "Do you like it?"
"I love it! Ginny! This was brilliant! I couldn't go to the Quiddich pitch, so you just brought it to me!" Ginny blushed unmercifully, she waved him away, saying it was nothing, but he knew she was immensely pleased.
A few minutes later Harry was pushed into a chair and piled with presents. He had really gotten a haul this year. Ron had given him a new book of fold out Cannons posters. Hermione handed him a rather handsome pair of dragon hide gloves. Mr. Weasley gave him an "interesting" muggle toy called a yo-yo; he said it was so simple and fascinating. Harry smiled at him kindly and thanked him. Mrs. Weasley piled him with a new sweater, scarf, and an oddly shaped hat. She said it was suppose to be a cold winter. Lupin, Mooney, and Tonks had given him enough candy to last till his seventh year, and Fred and George had given him a shaking box they called "the sampler." Fred told him proudly it was all new Weasley inventions, Harry thanked him and put the box away quickly. When the commotion had died down a bit and everyone had started eating Ginny grabbed Harry's arm from behind.
"Not so fast Potter!" he laughed and sat back down.
"You haven't opened mine yet," she handed him a small box.
Harry laughed, "Ginny you organized all this, isn't that enough?" she shook her head merrily. "You are sixteen boy, revel in it for a minute!" she hit him playfully and sat on the arm of the chair with him. Harry felt the lump in his throat for a minute as he opened the small box.
"Wow, Ginny where did you get this?" he held up a leather banded wizard watch. It had a silver face and clasp. Inside the watch Harry saw three clocks. One told the time of day, another the moon cycle, and the last the day of the month. Most wonderful of all, was the tiny golden snitch that buzzed inside the watch, whizzing to and fro under the glass.
"Ginny where did you get this?" he gasped.
Ginny smiled mischievously, "That's my secret Potter," she kissed his cheek quickly and Harry felt himself glow.
"Thank you, it's….absolutely amazing!" stared at the timepiece open mouthed. Ginny laughed at his expression, "Turn it over!" she cried impatiently.
Harry looked, and on the back of the watch etched into the leather band was his name. Harry James Potter. He thought his name had never looked so important. This must have cost her a fortune, he thought regretfully.
"Thank you," he told her again, holding her gaze for a moment, he fastened the watch around his wrist and winched suddenly. Until that very moment Harry hadn't thought about the night before. There she sat, looking happy and innocent, but what had happened last night? Harry shrugged the thought from his mind as Mrs. Weasley brought in a vast cake, shaped like a quaffle.
Ginny sat across from Harry watching him smile. She couldn't express how happy she was at this moment. Harry was happy, he loved the party, he loved the gift, and for once he seemed to be just a normal teenager. After cake Ron had ushered Harry off to do "guy things" as he put it. Ginny and Hermione were cleaning the kitchen.
"This party was a great idea Ginny, everyone relaxed for once," Hermione was humming merrily as she washed the dishes.
"Yeah, I'm glad he had a good birthday," she blushed a little, she knew there was more to come.
"Ginny," Hermione lowered her voice suddenly, "can I ask you something?"
Ginny nodded, confused by her odd behavior.
"Do you have any idea what Ron would want for his birthday?"
Ginny laughed, "Well sure, but why are we whispering?"
"I just don't want anyone to overhear," Hermione's cheeks colored a bit.
Ginny nodded and turned to stack the cups. She smiled behind the cabinet door. Hermione and Ron had liked each other for years she couldn't figure out why they didn't just tell each other.
"Well….what kind of thing do you want to get him?" Ginny asked slyly.
"Oh, I don't know, something he would like, a lot," Hermione was still bent over the sink, her hair hiding her face from view.
"Something special?" she giggled quietly. Hermione's head snapped up.
"Ginny Weasley what are you suggesting?" she tapped her foot.
"Nothing, nothing, just asking," Hermione frowned at her and went back to the sink.
Ginny smiled to herself. She thought it was about time that Ron and Hermione admitted their feelings, and if they wouldn't do it on their own, she would just have to hurry things along. As everyone in the Weasley family knew Ginny was a determined girl, and she was coming up with another plan.
Ron shoved Harry roughly into their small bedroom. He stumbled and landed hard on his knee. "Ron, what in bloody hell are you doing?" he rubbed his knee grouchily.
"I need your help," Ron shut the door and locked it.
"It's Hermione, well….she did so well on her O.W.L.s you know, and I thought we should do something for her," Ron stood with grim determination, as though he was daring Harry to laugh. He didn't but he felt as though he could.
"Okay, what?"
Ron scratched his head, "Well, that's what I need your help with, I have no clue. What do girls like?"
"You're asking me?" Harry laughed, he was the last person anyone should ask about girls.
"Well yeah, I mean, you can talk to her, you know, figure something out."
"Why can't you talk to her?"
"Well, because, I….need you too," Ron stood tall, but Harry could see a red tinge on his face. He took pity on the poor chap.
"Alright, I'll talk to her," Ron literally let out a sigh of relief, and smiled.
"Thanks mate," he started for the door.
"Ron wait!" Harry wasn't sure if he should tell Ron that he saw Ginny with Malfoy, he was his best friend, and her brother. Ron was looking at him curiously.
"Yeah,"
"Nothing," Harry mumbled, Ron shrugged and walked out the door. Harry decided that he would find Ginny and talk to her first. She would have given him the same chance. He looked at the silver watch on his wrist, he certainly hoped he was under the wrong impression.
Later that night Harry couldn't find Ginny anywhere. It was getting late, almost eleven, and almost everyone was getting ready for bed. He asked Hermione where she was, but Hermione seemed distracted and mumbled she didn't know. Harry's stomach churned, could she be with Malfoy? He sat alone in the deserted living room, he began to feel his eyes drop. As he slid further down in his chair a hand clamped over his shoulder. He jumped up with a start, Ginny scolded him and told him to be quiet. Harry rubbed his eyes sleepily. The house was quiet, it seemed everyone was asleep.
"What are you doing? I've been looking for you…"
Ginny nodded and held her finger to her lips, "Shush, follow me," she crept over to the hall, opening the stair doors.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked as he followed her down a seldom used hall. He didn't recall ever coming here except to clean with Mrs. Weasley. Ginny waved his question away, it seemed she was trying to remember where to go. They had pasted this part of the hallway three times already. Ginny stumbled suddenly, Harry reached out to steady her. He grazed her cheek with his fingers, he jumped back awkwardly. Ginny stopped in front of a large grey door. He didn't remember ever seeing it before.
She winked at him and pushed it open. Harry walked in, his jaw dropping in disbelief. They were outside….no, they weren't. They were in a large field of grass, but no where like this existed around Grimmauld place.
"Ginny? What is this?" she smiled and walked over to a nearby tree.
"Part of your gift," she pulled his firebolt out from behind the trunk, "Happy Birthday Harry," she handed it to him. He was completely confused.
"What is this place?"
"It's a room of requirement, you mentioned to me one day that you hadn't been flying in a long time, and you missed it, so….here it is," she smiled and he felt like his throat had completely closed.
He looked around the "room" of requirement. It was night here as well, a flat field of grass as far as the eye could see. The sky was filled with stars, and Harry could swear he even felt a breeze.
"How did you know Grimmauld place had a room of requirement?" he asked astounded, surely she was the only one who did.
"Sirius told me," she said quietly, the name pained Harry a bit. "He told me Dumbledore had enchanted it when the first Order of the Phoenix was assembled."
Harry smiled at her. This girl, little Ginny, had made him happier in one day than he had been in a very long time. He didn't know what he should say to her. Thank you didn't seem enough. She had given him his best birthday ever, but more importantly she had made him feel normal, and loved.
"Do you want a ride?" he smiled at her mounting the broom and holding out his hand. Ginny smiled and cocked her head, "I don't want to die thank you!" Harry laughed, "I'll protect you."
Ginny sighed and laughed, but she took his hand eagerly. She settled on the broom in front of him, and Harry put his arms around her to steer. He swallowed hard; he had never been this close to her, and the smell of her hair was intoxicating. "Ready?" he choked out, feeling his voice crack. She nodded tightening her grip on the broom.
Harry kicked off hard, the firebolt was much slower with two people, but it was still much faster than any broom Ginny had ridden. She half laughed half screamed as they shot through the night sky. Harry found her excitement infectious; he swirled and looped around the sky, holding her tight with one hand if they took a sharp turn. After a while Harry touched down again in front of the large grey door. Ginny was still laughing and her eyes twinkled in the starlight. Harry felt a strange sensation, it was as if he was seeing her for the first time. He knew now, he had known before, but now he couldn't deny it, he was in love with her. All these years, he had looked at her with polite indifference, she was nice, but she was just Ginny, nothing unusual. Harry knew that he was wrong, she was special. She was kind, and funny, she had a beautiful personality and a temper to match. She was so full of life, and Harry had never met anyone else like her.
"Harry? Are you alright?" Ginny was talking to him, and he realized he must have been staring at her. He felt panicked, he had to say something fast.
"Yeah, I just….don't know how to thank you," he scratched his head nervously. He felt as though Ginny could see right through him.
"You just did," she laughed at him.
"Well, it's getting late, everyone will be up soon, we better head back," he agreed with her, starting out the door, which disappeared as soon as Ginny shut it. Harry noticed a faint glow outside the window, the sun was just beginning to rise. He stared at her flaming hair in the dim light of the morning. She was so beautiful, he wanted to grab her and never let her go, but he knew he couldn't.
"Well, I hope you had a wonderful birthday Harry," Ginny grinned at him.
"It was the best one I've ever had," he said truthfully, "Thank you, so much Ginny."
Harry pulled her into a hug. She put her small arms around his neck and Harry could feel her breath on his neck. He closed his eyes while he held her. If only he could stay this way, but she had moved on. She had said it herself on the train. Harry kicked himself mentally, stupid, stupid, stupid, he thought. Why hadn't he noticed her before? He was always too wrapped up in himself, he thought grimly.
Harry let Ginny go, though somewhat reluctantly. She smiled at him, but he thought she looked a little uncomfortable. Was he being too forward? Did she know how he felt, and was trying to give him a hint?
"Good night Harry," she brushed a hair off his shirt, and smiled at him before she turned.
"Good night Ginny," he murmured, feeling entirely warm inside.
Harry turned and headed to his bedroom the long way. He wanted a few minutes to think before he got to his room. It had been a wonderful night, one of the best he had ever had. Harry felt like he was glowing inside, nothing could ruin this feeling. He was in love with Ginny, and he felt much better to have admitted it, even though he knew he couldn't do anything about it. His smile faded a bit, if only he had payed attention three years ago. Harry absentmindedly smacked into something in the dark hallway. He was wrenched back to Earth in a flash. The cold eyes of Malfoy stared at him.
Harry didn't know what to do. He felt overcome with thoughts. He had forgotten all about Malfoy's meeting with Ginny and now he felt anger welling inside him. Malfoy however was already walking past him silently. Harry felt even angrier at this.
"You!" he spat at Malfoy's back, he turned around slowly, looking intensely tired. "Why are you messing with Ginny?" he demanded, seeing the briefest flash of amusement in his eyes.
"I'm not," he replied coolly, in a voice empty of emotion.
"Don't lie to me! I saw you with her last night! What are you planning? Kidnapping? Murder? Tell me!"
Malfoy sighed, a long weary sigh of an old man. "Not that I have to explain to you, but she was helping me with a problem."
Harry laughed, "Why would she help you?" he crossed his arms angrily. In truth he felt that Malfoy wasn't fibbing, but for some reason he felt like being nasty.
"For you," Malfoy said in the same empty tone, his eyes level with Harry's. "She wouldn't admit it, but I knew that was the reason." Harry furrowed his brow in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Malfoy sighed and pulled something from his pocket. Harry recognized the blood red seal immediately. He grabbed the letter and read it. "Where did you get this?"
"It was sent to me, Ginny can explain it to you if you like," he pushed the parchment back in his pocket."I figured you would be getting these as well." Harry felt numb, this was getting worse. He didn't reply to Malfoy, he was lost in thought.
"Happy birthday," Malfoy said, Harry snapped his head up. He searched his face for any trace of sarcasm. He found none.
"Thank you," he replied, though in a cold tone. He would never trust Malfoy. He turned back towards his room. He wanted to be away from him.
"You've seen it before," Malfoy said suddenly, making Harry grimace. He turned around slowly.
"What?" he said, he was beginning to get exasperated with Malfoy's cryptic speech.
"The writing, in the letters, you've seen it before," he disappeared around the corner.
A/N- Alright everyone I'm going to put some concerns to rest. This is not, I repeat NOT a Draco/Ginny fanfic, and it NEVER will be, so don't worry. I don't expect you to trust Malfoy, but trust me, it all becomes clear in the end. Next, I know that I am not a grammar wizard, I am not an English major and I never claimed to be. If this bothers you sorry, but that's the truth. Next, pretty soon this fic might turn PG, nothing harsh I assure you, but things get more dramatic, and p.s. I do not have every chapter planned out. I have a vague idea but not the entire thing. Lastly, a cool piece of info. When Harry is spending a sleepless night in bed, the time he sees on his clock is the same time I was up writing this chapter! Ok, now that's over, next chapter- the summer days are growing short, it's time to go back to Hogwarts, but is Hogwarts safe any more? Also, Ginny and Malfoy seem to be spending more time together, and Harry is finding it much harder to hide his feelings.