Chapter 18

Ginny covered her sleeping brother with a blanket. George had fallen asleep in a chair next to Katie's bed.

"Is that Katie Bell?" Draco asked from the other side of the bed.

"Yes, she's engaged to George," Ginny told him, absently stroking her brother's hair.

Draco frowned peering closely at Katie's unconscious form.

"What happened to her?"

"She-"

"It doesn't matter," Hermione interrupted as she and Severus entered the infirmary.

Draco glared at her, but refrained from retorting when he saw Snape's warning look.

The blond shrugged and moved to the window on the far wall deciding to just ignore everyone. It wasn't as if anyone wanted to talk to him anyway.

Hermione smiled at Ginny and gave her a quick hug. "Are you ready for this?"

The redhead gave her a tired smile, but nodded resolutely. "I don't want to string this out any longer. I really need to concentrate on getting better and I can't do that until this is over," she said, solemnly.

"And how are you feeling, Mrs. Malfoy?" Severus inquired, politely.

She blinked at him, startled that he had spoken to her.

"I feel fine, Professor Snape."

His eyes narrowed. "Has your memory returned then?"

"Oh, not completely. I remember my family and friends now, but there are still a lot of holes in my memory. Draco says I've improved a great deal just by being here. He says that for the first few days we were married, I'd wake up screaming because I didn't know who he was," she laughed nervously but quickly stopped at the pained expressions the Snape's were giving her.

"Well, I'm sure I will be back to normal soon," she said, dropping her eyes to the floor.

Hermione put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sure you will be," she said, giving Severus a significant look.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. I am as well."

Rachel quietly slipped into the room and went to do a quick check-up on her patient.

"George Weasley!" she exclaimed.

George jumped out of the chair his eyes darting around warily.

"I told you to sleep in the other bed! If you won't do as I ask, I'm not going to let you stay the night in here, understand?" she demanded.

"Yes Mum… I mean…Rachel…"

He looked sleepy and confused.

Ginny giggled.

"He's right Rachel. You did sound like Mum just then."

The medi-witch smiled and finished her exam on Katie.

"No change," she told George gently.

The slightly hopeful expression he had had vanished at her words. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Seeing Ginny, he was able to give her a small smile.

"I'm sorry I haven't been with you much, Gin." He apologized, giving her a hug.

"That's alright. I've had plenty of brothers to pester me. Besides, I know you need to be here with her."

George kissed her forehead and turned to leave. He was in desperate need of a shower. However, a flash of light-blond hair caught his eyes, and it wasn't Rachel's.

"Is that Malfoy? What the hell is he doing here?"

The room went dead silent while everyone looked at Ginny.

"Sit down George," she said. "The others will be here soon, and I'll explain everything."

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Ginny stood placidly in the middle of an emotional hurricane. Fred, George, Ron, and Charlie were on her left while Dumbledore, Severus, Hermione, Rachel and Draco were on her right. Her brothers shouted their protests of her new husband while Hermione and Dumbledore did their best to calmly, but firmly, defend him.

Severus said nothing. His arms were crossed, and he had a slightly bored look on his face. Rachel was still trying to revive Draco, who had been hit by four stunning spells simultaneously. Luckily, Hermione had had the foresight to cast a protection spell on Draco before the Weasley brothers had arrived. When he finally did wake up, he would only be a little groggy.

As Ginny stared at Draco she felt memories begin to surge up in her mind…

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

She was sitting by the lake one sunny afternoon in her 6th year of school. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she tried desperately to push Harry Potter out of her mind. All year she'd been trying to get his attention, but he was so wrapped up in creating his master plan to kill Voldemort that he didn't even notice.

Suddenly a shadow fell over her and she looked up to see Draco staring down at her. He looked different. His trademark sneer was gone, and his eyes were sad. He looked lost.

They stared at each other in silence for a few moments.

"Are you crying over Potter?" he asked. His rough voice telling her that he had been crying recently too.

She shook her head and he arched an eyebrow at her in disbelief. His gaze caught hers and she finally nodded, not wanting to lie to him.

He cursed and plopped down on the ground beside her.

"He doesn't deserve you," he mumbled, plucking a blade of grass and rolling it into a little ball.

Ginny let out a bitter laugh.

"Am I that bad?" she asked.

His head jerked up and his eyes went wide.

"No, that is not what I meant…"

Ginny froze and slowly turned her head toward him.

"What are you up to?" she asked him, warily.

Draco looked offended.

"I have to be up to something? I can't just give you a compliment?"

"No, you hate me. Remember?" she asked slowly.

He gave her a pained expression, and for a moment she thought he might start crying.

Draco cleared his throat.

"I hate Potter. I…I came looking for you, because I need your help. Dumbledore suggested it." He looked away giving her time to process his words.

It had to be some kind of trick. Everyone knew that Draco was set to take the Dark Mark this summer. Why on Earth would Dumbledore send him to her for help? What did he expect her to do?

"You have my attention," she said pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.

He took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

"I don't want to be a Death Eater."

Ginny blinked.

"You want to be on Dumbledore's side?" she asked, suspiciously.

He laughed.

"Not really. But if I have to choose, and believe me when I say I have to, I pick Ha- uh, Dumbledore."

Ginny looked stunned.

"You meant to say Harry?"

He colored and looked away from her again.

"Yes, damn it! I might be a snobby pureblood, but I'm not an idiot. Potter nearly killed the Dark Lord when he was a baby. He's not a baby anymore, and I've seen how powerful he is," he sniffed.

"You are the most selfish bastard I have ever met!" Ginny cried jumping to her feet.

Draco looked up at her, startled.

"You don't care about anything but yourself! The only reason you don't want to be a Death Eater is because you think Voldemort is going to lose," she accused. Draco flinched at the name.

"Harry is more powerful, so you will just side with him. And the worst thing is that Harry will let you! He's noble, and won't allow anyone, not even his worse enemy to suffer!"

Draco stood up and glared at her through narrowed eyes.

"No, he only lets those close to him suffer," he snapped, swiftly brushing a tear off of her cheek.

Ginny stood frozen in silent anguish. Harry broke her heart nearly every day. Draco was right about that; the fact that someone as shallow and arrogant as he could see that when she could not made her angry with him, Harry, and herself.

She fell to her knees, feeling as if all the life had been sucked out of her.

"Weasley, get up. He's not worth your tears," Draco said hauling her back up by her arms.

She fell onto his chest, and her arms came up automatically to hold him close as the dam broke loose.

She vaguely registered his irritated sigh, refusing to let go of the death grip she had on his robes. Finally, he gave up and just let her hold on to him while she cried.

Ginny felt a tentative hand softly pat at her back. The awkwardness made her come to her senses, and she quickly let go of him and stepped away.

"I'm s-sorry," she gasped, wiping at her tears with the sleeve of her jumper.

When her blurry vision cleared she was surprised to see him holding out a silk green handkerchief to her. She took it and stared at the silver snake border that slithered around the edge as if it were alive.

Frowning, she looked up at him.

"I don't want to get it dirty," she said, trying to hand it back to him.

"It doesn't matter, I've got hundreds of them," he said dismissively.

She shook her head and forcefully shoved it back into his hands.

Sighing in irritation, Draco walked right up to her and began gently wiping her face with the silk. Ginny stood still, more out of shock at his actions than cooperation.

When he was finished, he stuffed the handkerchief into his pocket, and gave her a serious look.

"Dumbledore wants me to become a double, like Snape. I know what you think of me and my reasons for doing this, but you should have all the information before you judge. The Dark Lord has made me miserable my whole life. He has been a black shadow that hovers over every conversation and family dinner I've ever had. I have hated him since I learned of him, and seeing my parents so devoted to him destroyed the last ounce of admiration I held for them. I want to be my own person, to make my own decisions! If I join Voldemort, I'll probably die. If I join Potter, I'll probably die. It doesn't matter. All that matters is I get to choose!" His voice had gotten louder the more he spoke.

Ginny shook her head in bewilderment.

"What do you need me for?" she asked softly.

He grabbed one of her hands, pulling her closer to him. Her heart began to beat faster, and her hand was very warm where he touched her.

"I may not die. I may have to live a double-life for a very long time. I don't want to end up like Snape. Dumbledore said I needed a friend. A confidant. Someone I can speak to freely and just be myself," he was looking at her pleadingly.

"Why me?" she asked, her voice sounding strange to her own ears.

He smirked and her stomach flip-flopped.

"You need me too. We can make a deal," he said, raising his chin up arrogantly.

Ginny pulled away from him with a glare.

"What could you possibly do for me?"

His eyes raked her from head to toe, and he slowly sauntered back up to her. He was so close, their noses were almost touching. Part of her wanted to run away, the other part wanted to close that small distance.

Draco's gray eyes were slits as he looked down at her, his hands encircling her wrists.

"I can help you get over Potter," he said.

Ginny barely had time to comprehend what he had said before she found herself in his embrace. His mouth descended onto hers with a vengeance, and Ginny moaned at the feel of him. His entire body was pressed tightly against hers, and she allowed her hands to slide up his chest, and into his silky blond hair. He growled at the feel of her fingers on his scalp and pressed closer, sliding his hands down her back to clutch at her bottom…

MMMMMMMMMMMMM

"Ginny? What are you smiling about? Are you even listening?" Fred demanded angrily.

Ginny blinked and was startled to find everyone staring at her in concern. She blushed and cleared her throat.

"I'm married to Draco Malfoy. It was my decision and I made it. You don't have to like it, but you do have to accept it. Now that you know, it is time I concentrated on getting my memory back. You can help me, or stay away from me. Arguing about my marriage will do more harm than good. The subject is closed."

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"Wow Ginny! I've never seen them all shut up so quickly," Hermione said, impressed.

She and Ginny were having brunch in the Snape's sitting room. The Weasley brothers had adjourned to the Quidditch Pitch to work off some aggression, while Severus locked himself in his office to work on lesson plans. Draco was still sleeping off the stunning spells in the infirmary. When Ginny had suggested a private brunch with Hermione, she had happily complied.

Ginny smirked and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin.

"I'll have to teach you."

Hermione laughed.

They ate for a few minutes in silence.

"So, you don't have any morning sickness?"

Hermione swallowed the last bite of her bagel and nodded.

"I did at first, really bad. Then it just seemed to stop. Now, I'm okay if I sort of nibble on something all day. If I eat a lot at once, or go more than an hour without eating I get sick."

"You poor thing, I can't believe Snape made you test out his potion," Ginny said angrily.

Hermione raised her hand in a placating gesture.

"No, it was nothing like that, Gin. It's the law. If I didn't get pregnant soon, our marriage would have been annulled."

"But you didn't even try without it first. It may not have been necessary," she pointed out.

"It would have been necessary for someone eventually. Take Melanie, for instance, she…" Hermione trailed off and her face turned pale.

"Nevermind… The point is that it would have to be tested eventually, and at least I have Severus nearby if there are any problems. And remember this isn't his potion, he just got the ingredients for it," Hermione rambled on hoping that Ginny wouldn't ask any difficult questions.

"Who is Melanie?"

No such luck.

"Is she someone I knew?" Ginny questioned, worriedly.

Hermione shook her head and sighed.

"No, she is one of my 6th year students who has been subjected to the law."

"Oh, how awful! I hope she didn't have to marry someone horrible," Ginny said, concerned.

"I think she'll be alright. But really Gin, we shouldn't be discussing me and my students. I promised to help you get you memory back," Hermione reminded her.

Ginny nodded and took a breath.

"I wanted to ask you some things away from Draco and my brothers."

Hermione gave her a relieved smile. "Ask away!"

"No one has mentioned Harry. What happened to him?"

Hermione's face fell and Ginny covered her mouth to muffle a sob.

"He's dead?" She asked, distressed.

Hermione stood and quickly walked to Ginny's side, pulling the younger woman into a hug.

"No, Gin. He's not dead. Calm down, please? I'm so sorry…"

Ginny pushed away and quickly wiped at her eyes.

"I feel foolish. I just didn't know and since no one had mentioned him I thought he might be…"

Hermione gave her an encouraging smile.

"I should have handled your question better, Ginny. I just… I knew that you and Harry were close, and I'm not sure how much you're going to like what I have to say," Hermione said, uncertainly.

Ginny frowned.

"I married Draco Malfoy. What could he have possibly done to top that?"

Hermione decided to do it quickly, like taking off a Band-Aid.

"He married Melanie."

Ginny was silent for a moment as she let that sink in.

"He married his student? But, he isn't a pureblood…"

"No, but she is. Harry had a choice, Ginny. You were gone. Dead. He made the best one he could, and while it seemed a bit strange at first, I honestly think he has come to care for her."

"Oh. That's nice," Ginny said, but her eyes glazed over and she went silent as another memory surfaced…

MMMMMMMMMMM

"He is nothing but a selfish bastard, Ginny. How do you know that he won't betray us the first chance that he gets?" Harry demanded angrily as he paced the length of the classroom.

It had taken some convincing to get him to meet her there, but what she had to say couldn't wait any longer.

Ginny sighed.

"He wants to change sides, Harry. He wants away from the Dark Lord. I believe that."

She watched as Harry seemed to deflate at her words.

"But… Why him? I hate him," he muttered, more to himself than her.

Ginny placed a hand on his back.

"You don't hate him, Harry. Not really."

He gave her such an incredulous look that she laughed.

"You don't like him, that's true. But it isn't in your nature to hate, Harry. I know you will give him a chance. You may not be happy about it, but you will," she said, firmly.

He opened his mouth to protest but all that came out was a groan as Ginny's hands found the back of his neck and began to massage his tense muscles.

"You carry the world on your shoulders. It is your destiny. But you don't have to do it alone…"

Harry grabbed one of her hands and turned to face her, cutting off whatever she was going to say next.

"You are right. I'll give him a chance," he said, slowly raising her hand to his lips.

Ginny waited for her stomach to flip-flop. She waited for his lips to scorch her skin and burn a path straight to her heart.

All she felt was the slight warmth of his mouth as he quickly brushed his lips across the back of her hand. All in all, it was an affection gesture that lacked the passion she had been anticipating. He gave her one last tired smile before leaving the room.

Ginny just stood there for a few minutes, trying to grasp on to some feeling or thought that held the passion she had had for him for years. But it wasn't there anymore. What had happened to it?

She got her answer a few seconds later when she felt warm breath on the back of her neck.

"Let me help you forget…" Draco's voice whispered in her ear as his hands went to her hips and pulled her back against him…

MMMMMMMMMM

"Ginny? Can you hear me? You look a little flushed," Hermione said, worried.

Ginny cleared her throat and gave her head a shake.

"I'm fine."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at her.

"Fine? You zoned out for a good five minutes… Hey, you are remembering things, aren't you?"

Ginny flushed scarlet and looked away.

"Oh, you are remembering naughty things! Share!" Hermione teased.

Ginny gave her a pained look and blurted out, "I was just remembering the moment I realized I wasn't in love with Harry anymore."

Hermione blinked in shock.

"Ginny, I was just teasing. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to…"

Ginny shook her head.

"No, I need to tell someone. Better you than Draco…

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"Hello!" Katie called out of the open infirmary door.

No response, again.

She cussed and began pacing. After her discussion with the Bloody Baron the day before, he had left her alone again and no matter how many times she called for him, she got no answer. It was only after he left that she'd realized that while she might be invisible, the ghost was not. He could tell Dumbledore what had happened to her. Dumbledore would know what to do. He just had to.

Quickly growing tired of the pacing, she sat down and glared at the wall. If only she could leave the infirmary and track the ghost down herself. Having hours to experiment, she'd found that she could be no more that ten feet away from her body at all times.

Having nothing better to do at the moment, she thought about what had happened that morning. Ginny and her brothers had had a huge fight about Ginny's husband, Draco Malfoy. Katie remembered Draco from Quidditch, but didn't know much about him. She knew he was rich, and that Harry and the Weasleys hated him.

She turned her gaze to the sleeping man in the bed across from the one her body rested on.

When he'd question Ginny about what had happened to Katie, Hermione had interrupted her. Katie had been surprised and a little grateful. If she ever did get back to normal, it was going to be embarrassing enough that all of her friends and future in-laws knew of her botched suicide attempt. Having an almost complete stranger know made her feel even more uncomfortable.

Katie suddenly jumped to her feet and looked imploringly at the ceiling.

"Okay! I've learned my lesson! Please, let me go back. I swear I'll never try to kill myself again," her voice broke on a sob.

"Stop you're bloody yammering," Draco growled and turned over in his sleep.

Katie's jaw dropped and it was almost a full minute before she got over her shock enough to speak again.

"You can hear me?" she asked, her voice sounding a bit hoarse.

"Of course I can…" Draco sat up and looked intently around the empty infirmary.

"Where are you?" he demanded, pulling the blanket up to his chin.

"I'm right here in front of you," Katie said, frantically waving her arms.

Draco frowned and tilted his head.

"You're getting harder to hear…"

"Who are you talking to?" George demanded as he appeared in the doorway.

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"Professor Weasley? What are you doing here?" Melanie asked Fred who stood on the doorstep.

"I came… I need to talk to Harry. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing your honeymoon, but it is important that I speak with him," Fred said, looking very uncomfortable.

"Of course, Professor. Please come in," Melanie said, stepping back to allow him entry.

She gestured toward a chair and called for a house elf.

"Please attend to Professor Weasley," she told it, then turned to Fred.

"I'll get Harry, please make yourself at home."

She walked quickly up the stairs and down the hall to Harry's office.

"Harry? We have-" she broke off with a yelp as a naked Harry pulled her into the room and pushed her up against the wall.

He claimed her mouth in a deep kiss as his hand went to the front of her robes.

"I know. We haven't made love in almost four hours," he murmured against the skin of her neck.

She laughed and tried to bat his hands away.

"No, Harry. We have company."

He blinked at her a couple of times as her words sank in.

"Who?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

"Fred Weasley," she answered, unable to stop herself from running her hands up his bare chest.

Harry snorted and returned to his task of removing her clothes.

"He can wait," he said pushing her now open robes off of her shoulders to puddle in the floor.

"He said, hmm… he said it was important, oh," she cried out as his hand slipped between her legs.

"So is this," he whispered pulling her down to the floor.

It was almost ten minutes before the very disheveled couple made their way downstairs.

"Fred, sorry mate. We were busy…" Harry trailed off and Melanie flushed.

Fred grinned and winked at her.

"Well, it is nice to see you got over your 'But she's my student' phase."

Melanie arched an eyebrow at that, while Harry quickly changed the subject.

"So what brings you here? Not that it isn't good to see you of course, but I thought Hermione threatened everyone about not coming here during our honeymoon." Harry asked.

Fred's face fell and he looked very distraught.

"Fred, what is it? Is everyone alright?" Harry demanded.

Fred shook his head and looked at Harry solemnly.

"Maybe we should talk in private?" Fred asked, eyeing Melanie nervously.

Melanie was about to walk away, like a good little house witch, but Harry reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Anything you can say to me, you can say to her," he said, stubbornly.

"Fine. But you had better sit down."

Melanie had a very bad feeling as she and Harry sat on the sofa.

Fred was quiet for a long time and then he shrugged.

"I'm really not sure where to start. So many things have happened," he muttered more to himself than the Potters.

"Get on with it, Fred," Harry demanded, getting very worried.

Fred glared at him.

"Well, what would you like to hear about first? How Katie tried to kill herself and ended up in a coma, or how Ginny is alive and married to Draco Malfoy?"

End Chapter 18