A/N: I am updating two fics a day every day this week because next week is my spring break and I won't be able to update at all.
Chapter Three
Once Upon a December
(A/N: This chapter takes place about three weeks after the last one.)
Dancing bears
Ginny Weasley stood amid the wreckage and bit back tears. The ruins around were the remains of the ball room of Malfoy Manor.
Painted wings
She gave a little twirl, her loose dress billowing about her. Memories surrounded her, thretening to overwhelm her.
The was was finally over. They had won, but not before her love was claimed by death.
Things I almost remember.
A memory from the night they announced their engagement rose up.
And a song someone sings.
She turned, clad in the phantom of the dress she had worn that night. The ghost of her love stood before her. A memory she knew would disappear when the light of dawn came.
Once upon a December
She smiled, reveling in the joy of that night and took his hand.
Some one holds me safe and warm.
She laughed as he spun her gaily about the room, her memory providing other dancers.
Horses prance through a silver storm
The figures appeared faceless until she got close enough and her mind provided faces. Hermione Granger danced with her brother while her parents waltzed the night away.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory.
Time flew as GInny and her lover danced across the night. Ginny gasped as the sky began to lighten.
Some one holds me safe and warm.
"No," She whispered. Already the others had vanished.
Draco's phantom arms enfolded her in their embrace. He held her for the last time.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
The sun spread its rays, destroying Draco and all her hopes.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my Memory
Suddenly she was surrounded again by figures, but these were dark figures. Death Eaters.
Far away, Long ago
Ginny fought the dark men, but knew there was no hope. Nor did she care as the phantoms passed her around until she was before the one unmasked figure present.
Glowing dim as an ember
Tom Riddle stood before her in his mesmerizing youth. He was handsome and his green eyes were not devoid of emotion. Indeed they sparkled with ill concealed gleeful malice. He still blamed her for his fall.
Things my heart used to know
He reached out to take her hand. She stepped back into the Death Eater, realizing she had no where to go. He smiled cruely and took her hand in his deathly grip.
Things it yearns to remember
He spun her, her dress transforming into black ball gown. Unlike Draco, he kept a firm grip on her hand, unwilling to let his prize go.
Faster and faster they spun. Ginny fought futily against him. He pressed her close. "Come, my love. Join me in Hell. Forget him. And be my queen."
Ginny finally pushed herself from him, falling and screaiming. "No!"
And a song someone sings
She sat there, breathing hard, fighting tears.
A hand, its long pale fingers open and extended to her appeared, in her vision. THe nightmare was gone and she followed the arm up to a pair of beautiful blue grey eyes.
"May I cut in?" Came the all too familiar voice of her fiance, Draco Malfoy.
Once Upon a December.