Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or In the End, sung by Linkin Park

The Sacrifice

I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
-- In the End, Linkin Park

Someone knocked on the door, and Ginny felt an overwhelming need to throw something at whoever it was. It wouldn't be hard, as she was smashing a photo album against the coffee table.

"Ginny, if you don't open this door, I will bust it open!"

What did it matter? Harry had done it a week ago. She could fix it. What she couldn't fix was her life. The door burst open as it had when Harry had charged in.

"Ginny? Ginny. Tell me, what's wrong?" Hermione said as she rushed in.

"You already know," Ginny said miserably, "or you wouldn't ask."

Hermione smiled sadly. "True enough." She sat on the couch, patting the seat beside her.

"I saw him today." Ginny took a deep breath and hesitantly plopped herself down beside Hermione, dropping the album tiredly. "Oh God, he looked so good."

Hermione groaned. "Ginny, I know you and Draco broke up, " Ginny shut her eyes at this point, but Hermione pressed on. "But I don't know what it was about."

Ginny shook her head. "You wouldn't believe it, " she grumbled, anger rising again. "He bloody lied to me all this time."

Hermione pursed her lips. "About what?"

"About his mother. You remember I told you that she was dying, so he had to find a wife? It was really early on, in October or something. Well, she really isn't dying."

"No way." Hermione sucked in a breath of air. "How did you find out? Did he tell you?" Hermione wasn't getting a good feeling about this.

"No. I was taking those papers you wanted in St. Mungos, and I heard someone talking about it – "

Hermione disbelievingly said, "You eavesdropped on someone in St. Mungos?"

Ginny drew back. "Well, no, not exactly."

"And then you went and accused him of it, am I right?" Her voice was flat.

"I asked him – "

"Ginny, you know better to listen to hospital gossip," Hermione said, flatter than before. "Actually, you shouldn't listen to gossip at all. It has a nasty way of traveling and all of a sudden you get the wrong – "

"I went and asked him if it was true!"

"And what did he say?" challenged Hermione.

"He said that yes, his mother wasn't dying, but he only knew since Christmas. Christmas, Hermione! I would think that six months would be enough time to – "

"Ginny, are you listening to yourself?"

Ginny stood up, her hair swinging around so fast she could feel it hit her cheek as she turned. "I beg your pardon?"

God help me, this day that I'm actually defending Draco Lucius Malfoy. Hermione stood up to face her. Though she was at least half a head shorter than Ginny, she seemed to tower over the younger girl, hands on her hips. "It's not my pardon you have to beg. I do believe it's Draco's."

Draco clenched his teeth as he looked at his mother pruning her garden. It seemed that over half a year of pretending to be dying had made for a lot of pent up energy Narcissa had to release. She had been cleaning the house, dusting the silver, and other such menial tasks often reserved for the house elves.

Without looking up from the camellias she was placing a spell on, she said, "Draco, if you keep your face like that, it'll freeze."

Draco tried to smooth out the lines that were certainly there. "Mother, don't you think you should take some responsibility of what I am currently going through?"

She turned around, wand in one hand and a muggle watering pot in another. "Draco darling, do you think I'm senile already?" There was a bit of a laugh in her voice. "Of course it's my fault."

"And aren't you feeling badly about the fact that your ingenious plan didn't work?" Draco pressed on.

Narcissa shook her head at him. "Not exactly." Draco stared at her. "You see, if it wasn't for me, you probably wouldn't have Ginny at all." She beamed at him. "I think I should take some credit for that."

Draco tried to suppress his hands from ripping out a nearby plant. "That's all very well, but why aren't you doing anything?"

"Because Ginny is your girlfriend, and not mine." Narcissa hummed, walking through the stone archway.

"Yes, but you're the one who had to pretend you were dying. That's certainly what made her break up with me."

"From what you told me, didn't you suggest the concept of breaking up first?" Narcissa said lightly. "Think now."

"But I didn't break up with you."

That's what he had said. What a mistake that had been. Draco jerked his head up. No. NO. He was over that. He wasn't going to feel guilty. He was a grown man and there were plenty women left. Plenty of women who weren't bitchy. Plenty of women who were even more gorgeous. Plenty of women who would sleep with him. Plenty of women who weren't Ginevra, Draco's treacherous mind thought.

He growled, "So what? She's the one who made such a big deal of it."

Narcissa shrugged noncommittally. "You did too."

"You're my mother, remember? Aren't you supposed to support me and only me?"

"Where ever did you think I would ever do that?" Narcissa shrugged. "I never said anything about that, even when you were a child."

"It, um " Draco lifted his head slightly. "It was suggested by your behavior?"

Narcissa shot a calculating look at him. "Come now. Why don't you just admit you did wrong and step off that high horse of yours, huh?"

Draco stood still, the thoughts running through his head, the memories flashing. Ginny. Ginevra. His Ginevra. No. I can show her. I'm not going to crawl back to her like a begging puppy. "What about you mother? You did wrong too."

Narcissa sighed. She knew how stubborn Draco could be, and how prideful he could be. It was his pride that had gotten him into so much trouble sometimes. He had been so cold, and so aloof as a child, and in part, she was to blame. "Come, " she said, taking his arm and leading him to a bench. "Let's talk."

"Mother, I don't really need you to tell me over and over how I did – "

"Just sit, Draco." Once he was seated, she took a deep breath and began to talk. "I know I haven't been the best mother." Draco tried to protest, but Narcissa shook her head. "It's the truth, so don't try to deny it. It's nobody's fault but my own. With your father – " her voice broke, but she pressed on. "With your father, I was never strong enough. When he joined You-Know-Who, I couldn't stop him. And I all I could do was throw a mask on and hid all that I felt. I feared that he would make you just like him. I didn't do anything to stop him. When I shut off all my emotions to save myself, I didn't realize that I was shutting you out too." She looked at her only son, tears in her eyes. "He wasn't always so, you know that right? The man I fell in love with so many years ago was nothing like the one you killed that day on the battlefield."

"Mother, I –"

"Listen to me. I'm making a point here. I know I'm not the best mother. But what I do know is that I can't help you. I'm sorry, and I apologize. I can go to your Ginevra, and beg her to take you back, but that wouldn't help at all." She laid a hand on Draco's cheek and smiled warmly at him. "Don't let her pass you by. You know she's worth it."

Molly bustled around the kitchen, muttering to herself. "Oh dear, what am I to do." She grabbed a kettle and put it on the stove, searching for the cookies she knew were somewhere.

Ginny sat outside at the small dining table. After Hermione had left, she had just sat there, numbed by her words. She hadn't been expecting Hermione to be so angry. Why was it so hard for Hermione to understand that Draco had lied to her? She looked up at her mother, who was coming out of the kitchen with a pot of tea and two cups.

"Here Gin, take a cookie. You look like death." Molly bit her lip, looking at the pallor of her only daughter's skin. It was almost translucent in the dim light of the room.

"Thanks mum." Ginny took a cookie but just held it.

"So I heard that you and Draco broke up, " Molly began hesitantly, watching carefully in case Ginny would burst into tears or something equally unpleasant.

"Yeah." Ginny took a bite to avoid answering any more than that. It was one of her favorites, she realized, but it tasted like sawdust, much like how everything she had eaten that week had tasted.

"The bastard, " Molly said with heat in her voice. "I knew he was going to break your hea – "

Ginny swallowed the cookie. "He is not a bastard, mum."

Molly sat back in her chair. So much for trying to comfort her, she decided. "Then what are you moping around and getting angry for?" she said instead, trying a different angle.

Ginny opened her mouth to argue, but found that she had nothing to say. Why did she keep pushing him away if she loved him? I do not love him. Mum's right. He's a bastard, and I'm better off without him. "You're right. He's a bastard. I'm better off without him." It was like a mantra, revolving around in her head, pushing all other thoughts away.

Molly scrutinized her daughter. She shook her head. "Gin-bug, " she said, using an old childhood nickname of Ginny's. "I know you. You can't lie to save your life."

At this, Ginny buried her face in her hands. "It's just so hard, " she sobbed. "I can't forget him. But I want to. And I don't want to forgive him." She wiped her face, which proved useless, as she began crying again. "It's just so hard, " she said again. "It's like my head and my heart are saying two different things."

Molly looked sadly at her daughter. "Well, " she said gently. "Maybe it's because you're not supposed to leave him."

Draco stormed down the street. Who does she think she is? he thought furiously, trying to get me with that whole 'you know she's worth it, ' crap. He ran a hand through his hair. It was true what she'd said about Lucius, and Draco found himself relenting as he remembered her words, her tearful confession tearing at his heart. Merlin's name, I'm going soft.

He stomped up the stairs. "Blaise, " he called as he reached his best friend's floor. "Let's go for a drink somewhere."

Blaise opened the door, cat in one hand and wand in another. "Draco? What are you doing here?"

"I really need to go somewhere. Come with me?" He looked dubiously at the cat, and Blaise's shirt, which was soaked.

Despite his protests of needing to wash his cat, Blaise found himself accompanying a very irate Draco.

"Explain to me why we're going to a muggle bar?"

"I need alcohol. Muggle alcohol is much stronger than wizard's, you know that. And no one is going to recognize me." He remembered how much trouble the Daily Prophet had caused the last time.

Blaise shrugged. "So is Narcissa okay?"

"Of course she's okay. Preaching to me about not giving Ginevra up." Draco scoffed. "I'll show her."

Blaise wondered which 'her' Draco was talking about, but had the sense not to ask. Besides, he suspected it was Ginny. Draco would never hurt his mother. "Well, you were pretty harsh on her that day. As I remember, you were telling her to – "

Draco growled, "Enough, Blaise. I had enough lecturing from my mother, I don't need it from you."

They entered the crowded pub. The loud, obnoxious, tasteless music pounded in their eardrums, and the bar itself was dirty, while the stools looked as if they might break.

Blaise mumbled, "You know, you could have chosen a better place to get drunk."

Draco ignored him and went to ask for drinks. He wasn't going to get drunk. Blaise looked around for a place to sit. When he finally did, he looked back at the bar where Draco stood, lounging against the bar, looking, in Blaise's eyes, expensive, lean, and dangerous amongst the gloom.

A blonde in a tight red dress approached Draco, leaning so far forward Blaise was sure Draco could have seen right down the scanty top. Her laugh was high pitched, reaching Blaise, who was sitting clear across the room. This was the kind of girl Draco would have gone for before Ginny. There was no way he could want –

Blaise frowned as Draco grinned at the blonde. He watched carefully as Draco turned to the bartender and said something. As the blonde reached in her purse, obviously getting money to pay for her drink, Draco placed his hand on her arm and reached in his pocket. Blaise groaned as the blonde began to look Draco up and down, eying the finely boned cheekbones, the toned chest, and the long legs he had to offer.

She liked what she saw, that was clear enough. The bartender handed Draco three drinks, and Draco took the martini and leaned down to the blonde, giving her the drink and whispering in her ear. A broad smile spread across her face and she nodded, giggling at him. Then she left, turning and walking back to her table. From his seat, Blaise could see how much she exaggerated her walk, swinging her hips.

Draco looked around for Blaise, and headed for the table. He set two glasses on the table with a clunk.

Blaise glared at Draco. "What was that?"

Draco answered, far too innocently, "What was what?"

"Don't think I didn't see you. What are you playing at?"

Draco growled, "None of your business."

"Are you going to just throw it all away? Ginny? You guys were amazing together. I swear, every time I saw you with her – "

"Shut up, Blaise." Draco's voice was hard, each word filled with ice. He took the alcohol and downed it in one gulp.

"Don't do this, Draco. You're not a playboy, " Blaise pleaded.

Draco shook his head slightly, total apathy in his voice. "That's what I was before I met Ginevra. I can easily go back to what I was."

Blaise slammed his fist down. "You weren't a playboy, and you know it. Don't do this."

"If you can't stand it, leave, " Draco snarled, "I don't care anymore."

"That's your problem Draco, you don't care. You would hurt a lot less if you bothered to care more." With that, he left. Merlin's name, everyone's leaving me, Draco thought.

He went to the bar again, and sure enough, there was the blonde. "Let's go, " he whispered in her ear, putting his hand on her ribs, right below her breasts, tracing his lips across her jaw. "Let's go."

Harry clutched the album. Recently, he'd been looking at it more often. Just to look at the red hair angel as she laughed and smiled made his the corners of his lips twitch, smiling at what had been.

For me, she did that with me.

If she would only do it again. She did, he reminded himself. She did, but not for me.

It was ironic, how he'd waited all this time for her to heal, for her to realize that he would always be there for her. And now…

And now it was too late. He had waited too long. He hadn't realized that what she didn't need was time. What she had needed was someone. Could he ever be that someone?

Harry traced her face in the picture. Picture-Ginny grinned at picture-Harry as he kissed her on the forehead. There was so much love. So much love in her eyes, so much love in his.

Another picture, this one of Ginny leaping into his arms. This was during the summer between his sixth year and seventh, before everything started to fall apart, before he had to leave her. Because I love her.

Memories, that's what it all was. Nothing but memories.

He knew what he had to do.

It was his time.

About an hour or two later, he sat down again at the bar. He buried his hands in his hair. He was motionless as he sat there. The world moved on without him. Babies were born, people died. The sun rose and the sun set. It didn't stop for one person.

"Draco?"

Draco looked up, only to find Blaise there. Blaise sat down gingerly beside him, looking suspiciously at the chair as it creaked loudly. He raised an eyebrow at Draco.

Draco groaned. "I couldn't do it."

Blaise grinned. "You mean you finally got a conscience."

"Nope, " Draco shook his head. "I couldn't do it."

Blaise's mouth fell open. He looked around to see if anyone was listening. "You couldn't do it?"

"Couldn't do it."

"You couldn't do it?"

"Nope."

"You couldn't do it?" Blaise gestured with his hand.

"Yes! I think we got that clear. I couldn't get it up!" He clenched his fists. "I think I'm going crazy. I've never had this happen to me before." He motioned to the bartender to get him a drink. "She was just lying there, naked, and I couldn't do it. I'm in my prime years. This can't be happening."

"What'd you tell her?"

Draco shrugged. "Something. I don't remember."

"Serves you right," Blaise sniffed.

"What? Hey! Don't I deserve some sympathy here? I just discovered how infertile I am. This is a definite blow to my masculinity."

"No, you didn't. You just found out how much you want Ginevra Molly Weasley."

Draco scoffed and downed yet another shot of amber liquid. "Sure. How does my inability to have sex with another girl prove that Ginevra is the one?"

Blaise sighed exasperatedly. "Honestly, I don't know how much more idiotic can the both of you get. She jumps to conclusions, you say the wrong things, and both of you can't sacrifice a bit of pride to admit you did something wrong."

"Hey I think I – "

Blaise shook his head in disgust. Really, it was astonishing how shallow Draco could be sometimes. He was usually very intuitive; it was the reason why he had been able to shoot insults at Harry, Hermione, and Ron at Hogwarts.

"Especially you," he cut in. "You're hopeless. That's exactly what I'm talking about. I thought maybe you had come to your senses. It's disgusting. Tell me when you're ready to be sensible. I'm going back home."

Blaise left, slamming the door so hard that the bartender yelled after him. Draco just sat there, drinking glass after glass of the burning liquid, trying to drown his thoughts.

"Malfoy?" At this, Draco turned to see the most unlikely person imaginable – Harry Potter.

Draco was on the defense. "What do you want, Potter?"

"You're a hard man to find, " Harry began, avoiding the question. If Draco had bothered to look closer, he would have noticed that Harry's hands were shaking, or how exhausted he looked, or see the emotion behind the green eyes. Or even the underlying current of danger in his words. But he didn't. He closed his eyes, trying to clear the fog that was invading his thoughts.

He opened his eyes again. Harry was saying, "I had to use a locating spell to find you."

"What was so important, " Draco drawled, "that you absolutely had to find me? I'm sure you had better things to do with your time. Saving the world sound familiar?"

Showing how much more mature he was than Draco at the moment, Harry didn't take the bait and wearily said instead, "No. I just wanted to tell you that there's a ball for the Ministry this weekend."

"And why should I care that Potty has a ball to go to?" Draco sneered.

"I'm planning on taking Ginny to it." Harry mentally braced himself.

If not for the fact that Draco had consumed more alcohol in the last few hours than he did in a month, someone would have had to pin Draco to the floor to prevent him from jumping on Harry and strangling him. As it was, Draco was shooting Harry death glares and his hand unconsciously crept to his coat pocket.

Oh no, Harry thought, not his wand.

Luckily, Draco managed to contain himself. He said coolly, "You haven't asked her yet. Like she'd ever go with you."

"I already have, "Harry responded, managing to put enthusiasm in his words. "She said yes." He sounded like a teenager asking an older girl out on a date – and succeeding. Draco growled low in his throat. Harry continued, adding fire to the flame. "I figured that you wouldn't mind, " he said coolly. "You did dump her, after all."

Draco's gray eyes flashed with malice. "Don't talk about things you don't understand."

Harry raised an eyebrow. His eyes glimmered in the dim lighting, mocking Draco. It was an unspoken challenge: I'm going to get Ginny. Watch me. Harry lifted his head slightly.

Draco acknowledged him with a nod, fixing an unreadable expression on his face. He titled his head to the door. Out.

Harry swung his cloak over him. Draco didn't take his eyes off him for one second as he walked out into the street.

When Harry was gone from sight, Draco turned back to the bar, releasing a breath he hadn't known that he had been holding. He put a hand to his brow.

"Damn it, " he mumbled, taking another sip of whatever was left in his glass.

What have I done?

Author's Notes: Patience, my friends, patience. 2 more chapters, and they will get back together. I'm looking forward to it. I'm so sorry they didn't get together in this chapter. It would have been a great Christmas gift. Read carefully and you might understand more though ;) Anyway, I got the idea of Draco with another girl and not being able (physically) to sleep with her, from MARS, a WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL manga. And I heart Blaise. He's such an awesome character, even though up until July, he was a white Italian who was not a morning person and loves coffee, and now he's a English African? Funny.

Now that we're reaching the end of the story, I would really appreciate it if you could take the time to tell me some things:

What you liked best about the fic:

Who was most realistic:

How was my portrayal of Draco and Blaise:

Which chapter you liked best and why:

What you think I can improve on (for Leaving Paris):

Anything else you want to tell me:

THANK YOU

Chrysanthemum3, I'm terribly sorry that you weren't included, but I didn't see you on the list for chapter 26 reviews!

Darcy18, I do that sometimes to, just read a fic all day. It's a terrific feeling. I really wouldn't make Draco/Ginny too lovey dovey. It's sweet, but sometimes it's just too much for the characters

MoonlightPrincess, what about now? Is Harry still going to make things worse?

soo.weird, I'm sorry that the story didn't appeal to you. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, nevertheless. Who's your friend? I must thank her/him

wingedcinner, YAYAY. I love that you noticed the song lyrics. Yes, Pretty Girl makes it all the more emotional. I thought it really fit the chapter. Draco is an idiot, and still is, and will continue to be.

batsydoodles, yes, Narcissa's plan did backfire, but she's not too worried about it, is she?

Alexandria Malfoy, I specifically saved Narcissa's reaction for this chapter. There is no doubt that she initially felt guilty, and probably still does, a teensy bit, but I thought she would take the whole thing with more grace and acceptance than Blaise would have thought. Draco certainly wasn't going to wallow, even after the shedding of tears, so I thought making him angry/drunk was the way to go. You should write a one shot and I would TOTALLY read it. I'll have to see if the blower's daughter works. Thanks for telling me about it!

Tzy, I went to your profile and I saw that you were only 12. Wow. And you have a girlfriend? Double wow. I'm 15, nearly 16 and I haven't had a boyfriend. And reading romance? Triple wow. You surprise me. That's awesome. Keep on reading. I'm sorry, but as you probably figured out by now, this is my first and (so far) only story. I'll have a new one up as soon as this one is finished. Watch out!

LighteDarkness, I love Harry too. But I write DG, and I find that so much more fun. Harry's the hero, yayay. But that's just not nearly interesting enough. Draco's the bad boy that we want and love. Yeah, and I figured that You're Beautiful wouldn't really be a Draco/Ginny, it would be more angsty. I was going to write a oneshot when I first heard it. :)

Moonyk, yep yep yep. I wouldn't think it was characteristic of Draco or Ginny to cave.

AngelWings86, I love snaps!

Youngwriter56, I hope you didn't get too bored while waiting for this! Thanks for waiting, my loyal reader!

midnight972, thanks, that's so sweet and kind of you to say!

Devil'sSexyAngel, I'm glad you felt the emotions! I was hoping someone did.

louey31, pride is a terrible thing…

PsYcHiC SeLiNa, I loved your crying face. Don't worry! I'm ESTATIC that you noticed Harry talking to the owl. I tried to add some humor in order to combat the sadness. But it seems that I failed, because you were the only one who noticed it. ;)

die Lorely, don't worry about the review, you're reviewing now and will continue to do so, right? I'm just joking. Thank you for sending me an review AND an email about the song. It was really nice of you. I'll check out the song. I really want to listen to it! I promise I won't hurt them a bit. They'll be fine.

Sadistically Insane, haha, you can cry. It was drama-ish chapter. This one is too, but I'm setting the stage for the finale. Oops, you just got a clue!

And many THANKS to:

Xojulesxo LunaCatt Bfly-Ronaldita MiKaYGiRl zachansonsgurl1985 Vie CoolMilena Draco & Ginny Forever! malfoyfan1 Vampirehelsing

A Preview for the Next Chapter:

She whirled around, panting, staring up at him with those dark brown eyes. "Let me go, " she yelled, "Just let me go!" She tried to push him away, but he wrapped an arm around her waist and wouldn't let go.

Draco smirked. "This is the only time I'm going to run after you, Ginevra." She stopped struggling, surprised by his words. "Take advantage of it."

Ginny bit her lip. "You think you're so smart, don't you."

Draco frowned. "Look, Ginevra. You're not the easiest person to be with, you know? You're a Weasley, you yell at me, you have six bloody brothers, you were so insecure when I met you that you drove me crazy!"

-- Chapter 29, My Confession

It should be out very soon. Maybe New Year's if I can finish it by then?

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