Part II, Chapter Nine: Sever Ties

He woke up, the room was bare
He didn't see her anywhere
He told himself he didn't care
Pushed the window open wide,
Felt an emptiness inside
To which he just could not relate
Brought on by a simple twist of fate.

- Bob Dylan (Simple Twist of Fate)

Quick Author's Note: I've become obsessed with fanfic trailers. If anyone has any good ones, send the url to me!

Ginny fixed her dress and sighed, stepping back and looking at herself in the mirror. The dress was beautiful, she couldn't deny it - it was one of Fayebris' beautiful dresses, made probably for an occasion such as this. It was blue with floral lace and a ruffle trim neckline, cap-sleeves, and four buttons on the front. It tied loosely in the back. Her hair was alright - it was wavy and hung around her face, tied up slightly in the back. Her makeup was light with just some blush, eyeshadow, and mascara. She didn't look ugly... so why did she feel like anything she wore would like trash compared to Sera?

She reached out to grab her bag, but an envelope caught her eye. 'Miss Ginevra Weasley,' it read - but who it was from was a mystery. Supposing it was from Draco, she simply placed the letter in her bag, took her cloak, and walked downstairs to meet Draco at the door.

To Draco, seeing Ginny walk down the steps was like a scene from a movie. She walked down slowly, each agonizing step taking forever. She kept her head down, as if studying her dress, and she refused to meet his eyes. He could tell by the way she presented herself that she thought she was extremely ugly. If he had a death wish, he would tell her how beautiful she truly was.

"Er... I'm ready to go now."

Draco shook himself out of it. "Okay, sure... I'll take you to the carriage."

They walked in silence until finally reaching the green-and-silver carriage. Ginny smirked at the color choice as Draco began talking to the driver in somewhat-hushed voices. After a few moments, he walked back over to Ginny and grabbed her hand, helping her into the carriage. When she was in, he sat down inside of it and the driver began riding away.

Draco turned to Ginny. "You'll probably be back in an hour, so don't worry. Her house is big - try not to stare at it or you'll get the history of when/how/where/why it was built. Compliment the house, but don't get too descriptive with what, exactly, you're complimenting, or you'll get the history of that, too. She will poke fun at you, so be forewarned. And by the way - she can smell fear."

Ginny laughed slightly, but couldn't help the odd feeling she got in her gut. "You certainly know a lot about her, don't you?"

"Well... we did grow up together, you know. And - you know - that." He was stuttering. Damnation!

"That?"

"- That means I would know a lot about her."

Ginny rose an eyebrow. "So you guys were only friends?"

"N-" He shut his mouth, and after a second, shrugged. "Yes. Just friends and nothing more."

Ginny opened her mouth to say something else, but her view out the window made her forget all words. They were getting closer, closer, closer to what seemed like a palace. On the ground there was a small stone sign that read 'The Porters.'

"That's..." Ginny trailed off.

"Welcome to the Porters' mansion."

MANSION? That wasn't a mansion, that was a bloody COUNTRY! The carriage slowed to a stop and the driver got out, opening the door cordially. Ginny stepped out, staring open-mouthed at the large 'mansion' in front of her. Draco got out behind her, an amused expression on his face as he stepped in front of her.

"It isn't nice to stare," he said with a light chuckle as he closed her mouth with one finger. He looked at her closely in the eye and was about to say something before an extremely rude Scottish voice rang out from the doorway, a few feet ahead.

"If you two are bloody well done, I'd like for Ginny to come in and have some tea."

The pair turned around and looked at Sera, who was tapping her foot, arms crossed.

Ginny looked over at Draco, but he was already half-way to the carriage, keeping his eyes in front of him and not daring to look back.

"Where do you think you're going, Young Master Malfot? Aren't you going to kiss your darling goodbye?" Sera spat, earning giggles from behind her. She turned around and told the voices to shut up, but couldn't deny the look of amusement on her face as she turned back around to eye Ginny's awkward expression.

Draco visibly froze, and Ginny saw his spine straighten. He walked over to Ginny and stood in front of her, looking at the ground. He was about to lean in for a quick kiss...

"Not her, you dimwit."

Ginny's face grew red. How is Sera his 'darlingShe thought to herself, wondering why she felt so jealous. I mean, she's married. We're married. A little kiss won't hurt anyone, and she's just doing it to put me in my place and make me angry.

He sighed, walked up the stairs, and stood in front of Ginny's view. She could only see his back as he whispered something in her ear and she could hear the loud, shrill, flirtatious giggle from Sera.Ginny took a deep breath and watched Draco lean in and kiss her, then saw Sera's arms go around his neck.

She just wants to make me angry.

They broke apart and Draco started walking back into the carriage, face red. He didn't look at Ginny, only stepped into the carriage and told the driver to ride on. Sera smiled viciously.

It's not going to work, she thought, glaring at Sera. You won't win.

Sera glanced at the women behind her back and stepped inside, all the girls following her - except one; Corrine. She smiled lightly at Ginny before being called into the room. Ginny sighed; it was going to be a long evening.

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"So, Jenny, how are you?" Sera asked over tea. They had finally gotten to the act of drinking, after a lot of house history, given mostly by Margie. Sera had called Ginny 'Jenny' a total of 57 times, Margie had called her 'Genie' 67 times, and Corrine had simply not talked to her at all.

"Uh - " Don't stutter, moron! "- Er. Fine." ...Nice save.

Sera smirked at her friends.

"And how is Young Master Malfot? You know, I've known him for many years. We have quite a... colorful... past."

Margie snorted into her teacup; Ginny rose an eyebrow.

"Yes, I heard you two were very good friends."

The snort became more distinct now. Sera threw a look towards Margie and shook her head, then glanced back Ginny.

"Oh, dear," she started, patronizingly placing her hand over Ginny's, "Has he not told you?"

Ginny looked around. Corrine had a sad look on her face, Margie looked as though she was torn between laughing and feeling sorry, and Sera was frowning. But it was fake - all of it. None of these women felt any remorse for acting rude to her - none at all.

Ginny didn't know what to say. If she asked what, she might hear a big fat lie - or a truth that would make her skin crawl. If she just smiled, she would seem rude.

"Told me what?" she asked with a sigh.

Sera glanced at Margie, then at Ginny. She stood up, retrieved a book from a far bookcase, then returned with it in hand. Ginny glanced at it; it seemed to be a photo album of some sort. Sera flipped madly, then smiled to herself and handed the book to Ginny.

It was a page decorated in black and red frill. A young Draco Malfoy and a blonde woman were standing arm-in-arm. There was a flash, and Sera and Draco leaned in to kiss, the woman smiling widely.

'Just friends and nothing more.'

"That's Draco and I a few days before the wedding was supposed to be."

Not true. None of it. No.

"We were so young, only about fifteen at the time. How silly it was. We were betrothed, even though his mother didn't want us to be. After Lucius was put in Azkaban, our parents decided to call of the marriage. We were simply torn up," she was continuing, sighing.

You were simply torn up. Not him. He didn't love you.

"We were still dating through last year, but I moved away and decided it would be best to sever ties. Draco was quite distraught. But I suppose he's gotten over me rather nicely, hasn't he, girls?"

Margie shook her head and looked Ginny in the eye. "He will never be over Sera. Draco may pretend... but the love they had was too strong for him to ignore. I suppose one day, after you're long gone, they will get back together."

Sera gasped and lightly slapped Margie on the hand. "That isn't a polite thing to say."

Margie shrugged. "It's true. He'll never love her as much as you, Sera. It's not like she's overly pretty or anything. She's average. She's alright looking, she doesn't seem stupid, and I'm sure she's pretty okay with spells. Not like you, Sera. You're gorgeous, you're brilliant, and you're a wonderful witch."

Ginny looked down and blushed. It's not going to work.

Sera smiled. "Well, I am sure Jenny and Master Malfot will be together a very long time. Besides, I'm already married."

And the cooing over her ring, her wedding, her husband started. Ginny politely smiled, though her mind was reeling with questions. She absent mindedly took the scone that Corrine was offering her and bit into it, keeping her eyes on the ground.

"Genie? ...Genie?"

Ginny snapped her head up. "Huh? - Sorry, I mean..." She sighed. "Excuse me?"

Margie shook her head. "I was saying, what are you doing for his birthday?"

Ginny rose an eyebrow. "For who's birthday?"

"Draco's of course! Honestly!"

His birthday? He didn't tell me about his birthday... She shook her head. He didn't tell me about Sera either.

"Why are you shaking your head? Are you not doing anything? Well, if you're not, why don't we have a party here?" Sera squealed.

Ginny opened her mouth. "We - His - We're -"

Margie rolled her eyes. "Spit it out, dearie."

Ginny bit down on her lip, clenched her fists, and willed her temper to cease. As her family always told her, she was a force to be reckoned with when pissed off. She distinctly remembered the bat bogey hex put on Draco... ...And, of course, the memory of Draco just got her even angrier.

Calm down. Please. Don't embarrass yourself.

"No. We're doing something with my family and... stuff," she managed to get out.

Sera frowned. "I do hope we're invited."

NO!

Ginny smirked. "If Draco wants you there." She got up and grabbed her coat. "It has been lovely, really lovely, but I really should be going. Thanks for the tea."

She stormed out, walking in the cold. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she really care. She just needed to walk. When she got home, she'd tell Draco to write a letter to his mother about the curse. She wouldn't mention anything about Sera or the things she said. She wouldn't mention his birthday. She would forget this afternoon had ever happened.

---------

Ginny returned to Malfoy Manor a half-hour later, cold and tired. She put her jacket on the coat rack and stepped fully inside, looking around. Usually Draco was in the sitting room, reading something or other... but he wasn't there. Normally she would have shrugged and gone up to her room, but today she needed that letter written. She wanted to move forward rather than think about the afternoon.

She began walking up the stairs to Draco's room. She apparently couldn't block thoughts and walk up the stairs at the same time, so as she walked, everything that Margie had said began rushing through her mind. She was right... Ginny wasn't as pretty, or as smart, or as good with magic. Draco had loved Sera once, and it seemed obvious that it could happen again. Draco had never loved Ginny, and probably never would.

She sniffled, feeling utterly sorry for herself, as she reached Draco's room and knocked on his door. She stopped and listened... she could hear noises inside, so obviously he was home... so why wasn't he answering? She knocked again... and again. Finally fed up with waiting, she threw the door open and gasped.

Sera.

In Draco's room.

Not just 'in Draco's room,' but in his bed. And Draco didn't seem to mind. Actually, he didn't seem to mind at all, considering he was there with her.

He doesn't love you. He's never loved you.

"Draco..." Ginny whispered, shaking her head. "How could you...?"

Draco began to stand up, to explain, but Sera laughed. "How could he not?"

"He will never be over Sera. Draco may pretend... but the love they had was too strong for him to ignore. I suppose one day, after you're long gone, they will get back together."

Without hearing another thing, Ginny was out of there. She ran to her room and began to grab her things quickly, making sure she had the necessities. She picked up her bag, threw it over her shoulder, and turned to exit. She saw Draco was in the doorway, blocking it.

"Ginny..."

"It's true. He'll never love her as much as you, Sera. It's not like she's overly pretty or anything. She's average. She's alright looking, she doesn't seem stupid, and I'm sure she's pretty okay with spells."

Ginny shook her head. "Get out of my room."

He lightly touched her hand, but she backed away from it as if it was fire.

"Not like you, Sera. You're gorgeous, you're brilliant, and you're a wonderful witch."

"Don't touch me or I'll scream bloody murder. If you don't move I'll hex your bloody head off."

Draco opened his mouth to say something, yet he didn't really know what. He looked down sadly and moved away from the doorway. Ginny began walking out, and as Draco watched after her, he sighed.

---------

The sound of someone apparating shook Molly Weasley out of her daydream and looked up. "Who's there?"

Ginny appeared in the kitchen doorway. "M-Mum?"

The look on Ginny's face let Molly know everything she needed to. She didn't ask questions, she didn't try to figure out what happened. Her daughter was crying, and she needed to come home to mommy.

"Darling," she whispered, putting her arms around her only daughter. She took her bags, set them down on the floor, and hugged her daughter again, charming the kitchen utensils to whip Ginny up a nice glass of hot chocolate.

Ginny had spent the whole day in her room, reading; Molly informed her that Arthur plus the boys were out until tomorrow, having a day of boyish fun, so it was rather quiet. Later that night, she shyly asked her mother to stay in the room with her as she fell asleep... and her mother quickly agreed.

That night, Ginny dreamt of nothing and everything. Of babies and parents... Of kisses and scones. And as Ginny slept, tears fell from her half-closed eyes... tears that didn't go unnoticed by her mother.

--------

Draco shot up in bed, gasping. His sheets were sweaty, as was his shirt (which was soaked to the point that it looked like his own skin). He took a deep breath and put his hands on his head as memories from that day came rushing in his head.

Sera was standing in his doorway. How she had gotten in, he didn't know, but somehow she had. She put her hands on his chest and pushed him down on the bed, whispering, 'I know you love me better' in his ear. After she had gotten her clothes off, she began on his. Draco said nothing, didn't know what to say, didn't know where to start. He just laid there, confused. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was seeing Ginny's face, so disapointed and confused if she ever found out.

As if knowing what he was thinking, she whispered, 'she doesn't have to know.'

Seconds later the door was open, Ginny's big, round eyes looking hurt as she turned and ran.

'How could you?' she had asked. And Draco, to this moment, didn't know how.

He shouldn't care. She wasn't like him, would never be up to his level. She would always be from a poor family, and he would always be covered in wealth. She would always be proud and noble... he would always be sly and sneaky. She was fire... he was ice. He was not Daniel. He could never be Daniel.

He got up and opened the window, letting the cold winter air flood in the room. He looked down, watching the street. It was late, but a lone couple was standing in the street, laughing and joking. The girl had on a colorful striped hat, and poking out from underneath it was floppy red hair. The man had light, almost silver hair that reflected in the moonlight. The girl ran a bit ahead, her matching striped scarf flying out behind her. The man grabbed the scarf and pulled it forward, pulling the girl with her. She hit into his chest and looked up at him just before meeting his lips with hers.

Draco, disgusted, closed the window and wandered the hallways. It wasn't like he saw Ginny during the night... but it was just so obvious she wasn't in the house. Tonight... the house felt empty.

Without knowing what he was doing, he was grabbing a quill and a piece of parchment.

--------

An owl was hitting Sera's window, and she grudgingly got up and opened the window. The owl flew in and she saw it had a letter. Yawning, she opened it and read.

Sera,

I'm sorry to write this letter to you, but I have to. You need to let me go. What we had was amazing... while it lasted. But now, you have a husband. I have a soon to be wife. And although I'm sure you don't love your husband (you aren't one to marry for that. Money, maybe, but not love), I love Ginny. So much that this afternoon, after she left, I haven't been the same. I feel things I've never felt before. I feel empty, as if life without her won't be the same.

I have to make things better. I have to. I'm going to try and get her back. I'm asking - begging, actually, though you know a Malfoy never begs - you to leave us alone. Please don't hurt her. Please don't visit me. Pretend we've never met. I want you to forget our past, Sera. I did love you - I really did, but that's just it. I did. But I don't now. I'm sorry.

Sincerely,

Draco Malfoy


a.k.a. Young Master Malfot.

How dare he act like that? How dare he speak to her that way? He didn't love her! He wasn't capable of love!

Sera's husband lifted his head up from the bed. "What's that, Ser?"

Sera looked at the ground, tears filling her eyes. "Nothing. A letter from an old friend."

"What's it say?"

"He's fallen in love with a girl I dislike," she said quietly. "He thinks its best if we don't talk for a while."

Her husband frowned. "Are you okay?"

Sera's eyes met his. "I'm fine, baby." She nearly gasped at her use of a word such as that. "Let's go back to bed."

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Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long for this chapter. I've written it 3 times, and each time it deleted everything I wrote. How sad! And then, to add on to the fact that it kept deleting, I've been reviewing for midterms (in like 2 weeks) and I've been having a lot of exams and everything. Ahh, the joys of going to a private high school. So... this chapter is completely different from what I thought it was going to be, lol. Please send feedback, as always.

To superspunky - THAT WAS THE BEST REVIEW I'VE EVER GOTTEN. Thank you so much for writing something so meaningful. Hope you enjoy this chapter.