Quick A/N: Well. Right. Let's just pretend it's not like, a month after Valentine's day.

Part II, Chapter Thirteen: Battles

She falls asleep and all she thinks about is you
She falls asleep and all dreams about is you
When she's asleep the air she's breathing is for you
Are why she wants to live

She's not got that much more to give

Please save me

I've been waiting,

Been aching for too long

- McFly, (She Falls Asleep Part 2)

Ginny looked down at her wrists, which were bleeding profusely due to the tight handcuffs. She arched her back in a weak attempt to stretch, but it was no use; she was too close to the wall to stretch. She tried thinking of something other than the pain she was in - emotionally and physically - but it wasn't working. All she could see in her head was Draco... Draco, who had gone into her mind to save her. Draco, who loved her. Draco...

"Who shagged his ex-girlfriend while you weren't looking," a male voice echoed in her mind. She rose an eyebrow; the voice was unfamiliar. That could only mean one thing...

Someone else was in her mind. This couldn't be good for Draco...

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"BLOODY HELL!" Draco yelled out loud as he, once again, tripped over his own feet. "Bloody rocks! Bloody hill! Bloody trees, bloody darkness, bloody wind, bloody..."

"...Nose, if you don't shut up soon," a small voice said from behind him.

Draco gripped his wand and spun around. "Who's there?" he whispered, though he could see no one.

"You don't expect to see me in pitch darkness, do you? Hello, lumos?"

Draco grumbled. "Lumos." The person who he saw when the light filled the area, however, was not who he expected. He was thinking of some sort of scary monster who would try to, I don't know, murder him. But what he saw instead was a twenty-or-so year old woman with long red hair and silver eyes. For a moment, he thought he was seeing Ginny... but no.

"Who the fuck are you?" he spat.

She cringed. "Language..."

"Tell me who you are or I will curse you into oblivion!" yelled Draco.

She extended her hand. "Elye Slytherin, nice to meet you."

Draco was too stunned to speak.

"Alright, not going to shake then, I understand," she said stiffly as she put down her hand. "There's no time for polite banter anyway. We've a girl to save."

Suddenly Draco found his voice. "Not a girl," he added, a bit protectively. "My girl."

Elye rolled her eyes. "Right. Anyway, right now Salazar has her. Which, obviously, is not the greatest thing to ever happen."

Draco shifted on his feet. "And why's that?"

"Don't you know anything?" she yelled. She took a deep breath. "We're going to have to talk while we walk, okay? Time is quick and it's flying away."

They walked in silence for a bit, the only sound being the occasional brush away of a branch. Then, Elye started to talk.

"Salazar and Godric were always arguing. That's what I've heard, at least; I've never met them. Anyway, Salazar and Godric both want their relative to end up 'winning.' Which... well, means surviving. Salazar's going to be trying as hard as he can to make things difficult for Ginevra so you can survive. I'm sure he's been messing with her since you both arrived in France.

Then, Godric's going to be messing with you, also. He wants you to become distanced from Ginny. They were both doing this - their little mind games - in hope that one of you would give up, not get married, and die. But you both had to go and fall in love, which changed things up a bit. Suddenly neither of you had any thoughts of giving up, or leaving. I daresay, I think both of you were looking forward to getting married.

But, Godric and Salazar couldn't have that, could they? I mean, who wants to tie when you can win? Although I'm not sure how, Salazar made Miss... Porter want to gossip with her friends in the exact spot where Ginevra was standing. You didn't think that was coincidental I hope. The world isn't that small, after all. Anyway, something was planted in her mind. Something that, upon looking at you, made her want to get you. No offense or anything, but Miss Porter was pretty... alright with her marriage. Though she wasn't the most trustworthy person, she didn't cheat. Until she saw you, however.

Godric tried - he really did - to make things work out for Ginevra. But he just wasn't quick enough. Salazar had already planted the seed in Miss Porter's mind. And that's when -"

"I think we know that part of the story," Draco interjected, not willing to hear more about the big, stupid mistake he was in the middle of making with Sera when Ginny walked in.

"Alright then," she continued. "What else do you want to know?"

Draco thought for a moment. "Were you the baby crying?"

Elye smiled sadly. "I've been trying to get you two together..." She trailed off. "But that's not the point right now. We can't bother talking about what I did. We need to worry about Ginevra. She's the one we're here for. Once we get to her, all you have to do is touch her... and you'll be out."

"Yeah, okay..." Draco said slowly, heart suddenly very heavy. "She's the one..."

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"Are we there yet?"

Elye looked at Draco. "Are you really asking that?"

"Yes! I need to get to her before tomorrow, or -"

She shook her head. "I know the story, Mr Malfoy."

Draco blushed. "Oh. Right."

There was a rustling in the distance, and the sky grew noticeably darker. "Listen, Mr Malfoy. This isn't a good sign. I think something's going to happen -"

Elye's face darkened ominously, and Draco tightened his grip on his wand.

"You've got that right," a man said, smiling viciously.

Elye stepped slightly in front of Draco, protectively. "Godric," she breathed.

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Fred wandered the halls and called out, "George? Have you found any ice packs? I can't find any, and I'm getting bloody..." He trailed off as he saw his twin standing in the doorway of Ginny's room, staring open-mouthed. Within a moment, Fred was wearing the same expression.

"Whaddya think he's doing, then?" Fred muttered, watching as Draco paced the room, one hand on Ginny's shoulder, the other on his wand. Every now and then his wand would glow.

"Um..." seemed to be the best response George could think of.

Charlie wandered in the room. "What the hell are you two doing, standing about? We have to... Hey... what's he doing?"

"Good question," Fred said slowly, eyes following Draco around the room.

Suddenly, Draco screamed out a spell, flicked his wand, and Ginny's Weird Sisters poster burst into flames.

"Bloody hell!" George yelled. "Oi! Bill, Ron, look at this!"

The brothers came over, looking confused.

"Get ready for a show," Fred said with a smile. "Anyone care to bet for what he sets on fire next?"

"Ha-ha-ha," Bill said dryly. "Very funny. Now, would anyone care to explain to me why Draco Malfoy is running around the room, touching Ginny on the shoulder, cursing posters into oblivion?"

Silence.

"Well, at least we know what's going on." Ron sighed.

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The battle seemed to begin immediately. Usually in movies and books, the villain had a few taunting things to say, a monologue. But with Godric, there was none - just a quick spell sent towards Draco, knocking him off his feet. Elye could hardly react in time before Draco was being cursed by 'crucio.'

"Stop!" she yelled. "Stop it!"

He reluctantly stopped. "Hello, granddaughter. We meet at last."

She shook her head. "Don't punish him."

"And why shouldn't I? He is, after all, of disgusting blood."

"So am I," she whispered. "Punish me for him."

He laughed dryly. "That's not going to work, sweetheart. It's not the same - at all."

Elye crossed her arms. "This silly fight has got to stop. Can't you see you're ruining two beautiful lives? Why don't you just get rid of me instead?"

"Stop, Elye - what are you doing?" Draco yelled out.

Elye threw a look at Draco that spoke more eloquently then any words she could have said. Draco immediately shut up.

"Well," Godric said, continuing as if Draco hadn't said a thing, "That would be a bit hard, considering you're already dead, don't you think?"

"Grandpa, haven't you noticed? We're in someone's mind - anything is impossible. Here, it's very easy to be killed."

Draco gulped. He hadn't heard about that.

Elye continued. "So just take me in exchange for Draco."

Godric shrugged. "Avada Kedavra." And Elye fell to the ground in a tumble. Godric grinned. "Now, your turn."

Draco looked at Elye's fallen body sadly. That was the last straw. He gripped his wand, pointed it at Godric, and smiled back.

"Scared, Slytherin?"

He grinned. "You wish."

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Salazar's cauldron bubbled incessantly, then stopped. Salazar grinned, holding up a small vial of some sort of potion.

"Remember that question I asked you earlier? When I first met you here?" Ginny didn't answer, so he continued. "Are you ready to die? Well, I'm asking again. Are you?"

Ginny opened her mouth to yell something disgusting and mean at him, but a scream echoed the room - the most pain-filled scream of agony. The silence that followed was too much to take, and she shuddered. Draco? she thought desperately, but received no answer. Her eyes filled with tears. She found it hard to catch her breath, and her heart felt as if it were shattering. The oddest hot gust burst through the room and Ginny's small body, which only seemed to will more tears. She took a breath, bit her lower lip, and looked up at the ceiling.

Draco, please, answer me! she begged. Please, don't be dead, please!

Salazar smirked. "It doesn't matter if he's dead (which he probably is.) You're going to die now, too, so I guess that just breaks Gryffindor's bet."

She opened her mouth to say something once more, but no words could come out; only the saddest sob.

Godric killed Draco. Ginny's mind kept replaying the words in her head: Godric killed Draco. Godric killed Draco. Godric killed Draco. The words spun in her head so fast until it sounded like Godrickilleddracokilledgodrickilleddracokilledgodric. Her mind's eye flashed back to the moments between she and Draco...

He opened his door to go and get Ginny and say thank-you, but found she was already in his doorway, poised to knock. It was silent as they looked at each other, saying nothing. Ginny looked down, and Draco took the opportunity to surprise her with a small, gentle kiss. As they broke away, Draco couldn't help but smile as she blushed heavily.

They got closer, closer, closer, before their lips were touching. Ginny felt as she were flying, someplace else. Was she having an out-of-body experience, or was this just kissing Draco? Although many questions buzzed through her mind - how did he know about Daniel and Gemma, how dare he read my book, why aren't I angrier - she couldn't focus on one. She couldn't think about anything other than the way his lips on hers made her feel.

Somehow they had found themselves outside on the balcony of L'Opera. She was leaning against the cold, solid wall, and their breathing was shallow, quick, and yet so delayed. She had been kissed before, she had kissed him before. But this... this was mind-blowing. It felt as if she were having an asthma attack, and she broke away, breathing heavily.

She turned to glare at him, and immediately he grabbed her wrists and brought her closer.

"Come home."

"Why are you always telling me what to do?" she hissed, trying to get out of his grip. "Why do you think you can control me? What makes you think I'm just going to drop everything and go home because you said so?"

"Because I love you!"

"That's easy for you to say!" Tears filled her eyes as she backed away from him. "What makes you think that lying about loving me will fix this?"

"That's just it, Gin." He looked her closely in the eye. "I'm not lying. I love you."

She couldn't live without him. She knew she couldn't, wouldn't.

"Kill me," she whispered. She looked down and let her hair cover her face. "Please."

Salazar smirked and stepped close to her. "All you had to do was ask." He lifted her head with a finger and she kept her eyes screwed shut, breathing heavily. Salazar brought the glass bottle up to her lips and tipped it slightly. He was about to give her the whole bottle when the door was blast open. Salazar turned his head and gasped in shock as he saw Draco - bloody, but very much alive.

He didn't say anything, but jumped out to grab Ginny. Salazar saw what he was trying to do and quickly tipped the bottle just enough for a bit of the potion to touch her lips. Immediately she fell back, unconcious

"Gin!" He yelled, reaching out for her. He knew all he had to do was touch her, and they'd be free... they'd be okay... But Salazar stepped in front of him, smirking.

"Hello, Malfoy."

Draco looked at him and narrowed his eyes, sneering. "What did you do to her?"

"What she asked me to," replied Salazar, the wicked grin never leaving his face. "You just came a bit too late."

Draco shook his head. "You bastard," he spat, stepping forward, wand drawn. "You killed her!"

"She's not dead," Salazar said tiredly. "But only just. Another slip of my bottle and she will be. And then, we don't have to worry about -"

"There is no we! In a minute, there's gonna be a me and her. But there will be no you. We are not partners in this."

Salazar smirked. "That's what you think."

Draco shook his head. "That's what I know."

"Well then," Salazar said with a shrug. "I do hope you're prepared to battle for her."

"I've been waiting all night."

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"Oi! Look, it's getting good!" Fred yelled, pointing. He was seated in a kitchen chair, along with the rest of his brothers, eating popcorn as Draco pounced around the room, blasting up various pieces of Ginny's room. Bill was the only one who seemed to have a problem with this, and was continually flooing to St Mungo's to make sure Draco wasn't having some sort of epileptic fit.

"What d'you think he's doing now?" asked George.

Draco was hiding behind something, then jumped out and yelled in pain. He cringed and fell to the floor.

Suddenly the spectacle wasn't as funny to Ronald.

It was hilarious.

"OH, MERLIN!" Ron laughed, slapping his leg and wiping away tears caused from laughter. "This is better than any comedy show on WW - owww!"

Bill had slapped Ron - hard - in the back of his head.

"Shut up, you bloody git!" Bill yelled. "Can't you see he's in terrible pain? Nothing to laugh at!"

Draco finally stopped twitching. He growled, yelled out, and flicked his wand once again.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" he screamed.

Charlie gasped. "DOWN, EVERYONE!"

The brothers fell to the ground, hiding behind objects and holding their heads for protection. The spell was sent in a cold gust around the room, then mushroom-clouded out through the ceiling. Bits and pieces of plaster and wood fell down with loud, clamorous noises. Dust filled the room, and the brothers coughed to clear their lungs and swiped madly at the air.

"MERLIN'S BEARD!" Mrs Weasley screamed, running upstairs with her husband. "What happened? Who yelled the curse?"

Mr Weasley took in the sight ahead of him. "Bloody hell..."

Suddenly, through the fog and musk, Draco took his first real deep breath. He was now on top of an unconcious Ginny, crying lightly, holding her.

"What happened?" Mrs Weasley yelled once more, upon receiving no answers. She ran up to Draco. "What's wrong with her?"

"Get us to a hospital!" Draco commanded through hardly noticeable tears. "Now!"

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Author's Note: Okay! So! How to explain my long, long, long, long, long absence? Lots of computer problems, school stuff, and... Yeah I don't have a good enough excuse for you all. And I left you with a terrible cliffhanger once more, didn't I? Quite sorry about that. Anyway, thanks to everyone's persistent reviews. Please review on this chapter! I'd like to receive more reviews on this story than my other, Broken. And don't worry... At the latest, another chapter will come by Thursday.

Xoxo, Elizabeth


PS: Next chapter may be the last one, so send LOADS of reviews to make me update faster. (Wink)