A/N-Forgive me for the long awaited update! No excuses! I hope you like it.

Chapter 29

Ginny awoke on the morning of the Hogsmeade trip with such a conflicted feeling of emotions. She was nervous and terrified of being outside Hogwarts grounds with the knowledge of being marked for death. She took a long shower and then dressed in jeans and a black sweatshirt. She pulled her hair back in a pony tail and curled the ends into spirals. She gently dabbed her neck and wrists with the perfume that Draco had given her. For the first time ever, she pulled the necklace he had also given her out from under her top to display it proudly. She sighed deeply as feelings of confidence and conviction suddenly replaced her earlier anxiety. This had to be done. Ginny had to face Narcissa Malfoy and it was going to happen before long. Ginny had no clue as to how things were going to turn out. She felt confident that Draco could protect her and yet she still had some doubts as to what events facing his own Mother would reveal. The only thing that brought her peace was the knowledge that she was going to stand with him and fight for what made her happy.

Ginny walked down to the Great Hall alone as she was up rather early. She sat alone with her eyes on her toast as she thought of many different scenarios of how Narcissa may confront her. As she slowly chewed her eggs she reviewed many hexes and counter curses in her head. As the Great Hall quickly filled up, she was joined by the trio. Hermione was snipping at Ron about something as Harry gave Ginny an encouraging smile. Ron looked over at her noticing her preoccupied thoughts. "You look like your studying for an exam or something. Didn't sleep much huh?" Ron said as he shoved bacon in his mouth.

"Actually I slept quite well. I was just thinking about things to come. Are you going to Hogsmeade?" Ginny asked casually.

Ron choked on his bacon and tried to respond but Hermione handed him his pumpkin juice and responded for him. "You're not actually considering it are you Ginny? After what just happened?"

Ginny shook her head. "No I'm not considering it….I'm going to go. And I'm going to go with Draco. He has a few things to pick up and I-" Ron began to cough heavily and finally cleared his throat.

"You have gone mental you have! You're going to put yourself out there as live bait! You should lay low and-" Ron was interrupted by Ginny's hand suddenly covering his mouth.

Ginny spoke in a Molly Weasley sort of way. "That's enough out of you Ron. I'm going with Draco and that's final. You're just going to have to trust us. If Narcissa Malfoy wants to kill me than I will face her. I'm not going to hide or run." Ron removed her hand over his mouth to yell back but Ginny wouldn't allow it and covered it again. "And! You are going to accept it. What ever will be, will be. If you would like to come along, you are all welcome but I refuse to sit back and let fear rule my life. If Draco and I are meant to be together than we will survive Narcissa Malfoy. I'm not going to lose him over this. He's all that matters to me." Ginny finally removed her hand from Ron's mouth as he sat shocked and silent.

Hermione shook her head in disagreement but also stayed silent which was quite a challenge. Harry was the only one who gained up enough courage to speak. "Ginny, I know I said hiding never saved anyone but I didn't mean you should go parading around and rubbing people's faces in it. If you go to Hogsmeade together it will seem as if you're asking for trouble. I know that's not what you are trying to do but perception is everything. Just be careful and stick close to Malfoy. We'll come along and keep an eye on you both." Ron looked over at Harry as if he had lost his mind but then nodded in agreement.

"Is this seat taken?" Draco said confidently as he sat next to Ginny. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and a gentle hug. Draco looked over at Ron and Harry who had froze in their seats. "Thought I'd sit with you this morning seeing how my table is so boring." Ron gave a forced smile and began shoveling food into his mouth. Hermione peered around Draco and noticed his entire table whispering and sneering at him.

Harry quickly turned around as someone had just tapped him on the shoulder. His stomach leapt as Emmery bid him good morning. "May I sit here Harry?" She sat down next to him and began to eat. Hermione looked over at Ron and smiled as they shared a happy moment for Harry. Emmery softly dabbed her mouth with her napkin and rested her chin on her hand as she looked into Harry's eyes. "You're eyes are green! That's my favorite color you know?"

Harry chuckled slightly. "Well that would make sense seeing how you're in Slytherin."

Emmery nodded in agreement than raised an eyebrow. "Maybe those green eyes mean you should have been in Slytherin." Harry shrugged as he smiled but then thought back to the night he was sorted into Gryffindor. Emmery cleared her throat to focus his attention back on her. "I'm going to have my first trip to Hogsmeade today. Are you coming?" Harry nodded. "Oh that's wonderful! You can show me around then?" Emmery said hopefully.

Harry looked over at Ron and Hermione who were beaming at him. "Um well I was going to go with them…" Emmery began to frown which made Harry want to pull her into his arms and shield her from any bad feelings. "But! We can all go together. I'll, I mean we'll take you to the Three Broomsticks and Honeydukes." Harry blushed.

Emmery moved her face closer to his…If that was possible. "It all sounds wonderful Harry." Ron and Hermione gasped and smiled at how forward Emmery was. By the look on Harry's face, he was in a right state to kiss her at that very moment.

Thankfully Draco stood and interrupted the moment. "Shall we go then?" Ginny stood and interlaced her fingers with his. Harry stood and assisted Emmery in standing with a grin from ear to ear.

Ron bit his bottom lip trying to not burst out into laughter as he and Hermione trailed behind them. Hermione looked over at him and smacked him in the head. "Honestly Ron, its sweet how Harry looks at her."

Ron glanced at Hermione and shrugged as they headed out of the castle. "Yeah it's real sweet that Harry turns into mush every time he's near her. I can't imagine anyone having that kind of affect on someone. It's ridiculous how feelings can get in the way of your better judgment you know?"

Hermione shook her head in frustration. "That's exactly how I expected you to view it."

Ron put his arm around Hermione playfully. "And that's why we're such good friends. You get me."

Hermione blushed at his touch and enjoyed the fifteen seconds it lasted. Ron began to feel uncomfortable and removed his arm when Draco looked back at them absentmindedly. They walked through the cold but clear morning with limited conversation. Hermione decided that Ron needed to brush up on his Hogwarts history knowledge as Harry and Emmery simply smiled back and forth at each other.

Draco had his arm around Ginny's waist and kissed her cheek frequently as they walked. Ginny was enjoying the affection he was showing her and was desperately trying to ignore it was happening in front of Ron and Harry. They reached a fork in the road where Hogsmeade began, in which several shops lead either which way. Draco looked around at the group wondering what their plans were. "What do you say Weasley? Meet up at the Three Broomsticks in two hours?"

Ron had no intention of leaving Ginny's side but was easily distracted by Hermione's obvious attempt to divert his attention to her. "Come on Ron! I wanted to get something at Scrivenshaft's Quill shop and I need someone strong enough to carry it." Hermione did a terrible impression of a helpless girl.

Ron looked intrigued as he raised an eyebrow at her. "The only thing they sell there are quills and ink pots. Surely you can carry one yourself Hermione."

Hermione fidgeted and bat her eyes animatedly. "Oh you know me. I'll probably buy a hundred and I really need you to help me carry them. Please Ron?" Hermione said as she slightly brushed his arm with her hand. She was quite disgusted with herself for being so fake, but then became delighted as her performance was victorious.

Ron sighed and extended his arm to her. "I'll see you in two hours. Be careful Ginny. Don't leave her alone for a second Malfoy." Ron said as he and Hermione headed down the road arm in arm.

Harry started kicking rocks on the ground with his hands in his pockets as Emmery swayed back and forth. She shrugged and grabbed his hand. "You were going to show me Honeydukes weren't you?"

Harry smiled and silently bid Draco and Ginny goodbye as Emmery practically dragged him down the road. Alone at last, Draco swept Ginny into a tight hug and kissed her deeply. Ginny kissed him back intensely which caused him to stumble back into Zonko's joke shop. They laughed and continued to kiss while Hogsmeade shoppers walked by. Some wizards and witches immediately recognized Draco and did a double take when they saw he was kissing a Weasley. Some pointed and stared as others simply walked by and whispered.

"Now that's what I call slumming it." A loud voice said close by. Draco whipped around and immediately recognized Goyle's voice. Crabbe and Goyle were walking by, laughing at Draco and Ginny. Draco raised his hands into the air and waived them over. Ginny gasped and tried to whisper to Draco but he just smiled evilly at her.

Crabbe and Goyle stopped quickly and swallowed hard. They exchanged looks at one another as they slowly approached Draco and Ginny. Crabbe was turning pale white and Goyle kept twitching his lips nervously. Draco looked them up and down with such a wicked smile that it even gave Ginny an anxious feeling.

"Excuse me Goyle but I didn't quite catch that? Could you repeat yourself?" Draco said in a commanding voice as he paced in front of them with his hands behind his back.

Goyle shifted back and forth as he glanced over at Crabbe for assistance who simply shrugged. "Well you see I….What I said was….I hope you two are happy together." Goyle said and hung his cowardly head. Crabbe shook his rather large head in disappointment.

Draco noticed and stopped right in front of him. "Do you have something to add Crabbe? Did you have something you wanted to say to me? Or maybe you wanted to say it to Ginny." Draco began to smile again and scoffed. "Exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself Crabbe. Now if you two are finished attempting to show off, then run along as we have some shopping to do."

And that's exactly what they did. Ginny was rather impressed at Crabbe and Goyle's speed considering their size. Draco noticed her expression and was curious. "What's that look for?"

Ginny smiled. "Well, I've just never seen them move so fast…Even for food! You must really be dangerous for them to run at that rate. I am sorry though. It must be really terrible to lose your two closest friends."

Draco gave an appalled look. "I thought you of all people would realize that losing Crabbe and Goyle is really no loss at all. I bet my IQ has increased tremendously due to the lack of interaction with them. Now let's get going." Draco led her to the end of the road and guided her into to Dervish and Banges. "Take a look around. I'm going to have a word with the owner." Draco walked to the back of the shop as Ginny began to gaze upon many intriguing items. She also took a glimpse of the price tags on a few items and gasped out how expensive they were.

Ginny saw Draco wave her over to the register so she walked to the back of the store to see what he had bought. The owner had already retreated to his office and Draco was leaning one arm on the counter with an intense look upon his face. He sighed deeply. "I'm sure you've heard of foe-glass." Ginny nodded. "Good. Well I've got you a pocket mirror that's made with it to keep with you at all times. If anyone that wants to harm you is near, their image will become sharper as they get closer."

For the first time, Ginny viewed Draco as being foolish. What a silly idea! Did he expect her to check the mirror every second of the day? She suddenly remembered he could read her thoughts and shut her mind. "Draco…..Do you really think this is going to be any help? Forgive me but I can't see how this is going to offer any protection."

Draco smiled and swept some of her hair off her shoulder. "I knew you'd think that. Ginny our greatest defense against my family is each other. You're family and friends looking out for you isn't hurting either. I know we'll have to face her but I want to be prepared and know when it's coming. Now don't be alarmed but I need you to look into the mirror to see where it stands right now. Go on."

Ginny's heart began to pound as she now viewed herself as foolish. Why was she getting so nervous all of the sudden? She took a deep breath and opened the pocket mirror. She gasped and fumbled it nervously. Draco placed his hands over hers as they were trembling and were threatening to drop it. Draco took the mirror from her quickly. "What is it? Did you see someone? Was it my mother? Ginny are you alright?"

Ginny caught her breath but placed her hand over her mouth in disbelief. "There were three figures Draco. A man and two women. What does that mean? Who are they?" Ginny's eyes filled with tears as he tried to console her.

Draco walked her out of the shop and found a bench for them to sit on. He offered her his handkerchief and softly stroked her hair. "Ginny. Nothing's changed. Our enemy or enemies are still the same. It's just more of a reality now. I didn't get this for you to add more fear to your life. I was just trying to give you a tool to keep your guard up. If it's too upsetting than let's get rid of it."

Ginny regained her composure as she shook her head. "No Draco. I can handle it. It's actually a very smart idea to know how close they are. I'll look at it as often as I can and if something becomes very clear you'll know."

Draco smiled and kissed her forehead. After a few minutes of hugging and Ginny drying her eyes, they walked down the road and visited various shops. Draco bought Ginny and each member of her family several new robes and a cloak at Gladrags Wizardwear. They seemed to be in that shop forever and had the owner practically dancing in the aisles because of how much money Draco spent. The owner had the packages sent to Ginny's dormitory at Hogwarts for free and even individually wrapped each one. Ginny was completely beside herself but anytime she would object to how much Draco was spending, he would playfully shush her.

They passed by what appeared to be a new Jewelry shop and Draco tried with all his might to drag Ginny in but she frantically protested. "Draco you've already done enough! Stop spoiling me! OOOhhhh! Look at that one!" Ginny said as they passed by. She pointed at a princess cut diamond ring as she yanked Draco away from the shop.

"How do you expect me to know what kind you like if you won't let me take a look?" Draco said trying to pull her back to the jewelry shop.

Ginny used all her force and pushed him into the Three Broomsticks. She was panting heavily as they found a table. "I don't expect you to know because it's not necessary Draco. I don't deserve even half of the things you've given me and I just can't accept anything more. Look at all the trouble I've caused you since the day you saved me. If anything, I should be buying you things…." Ginny pondered at her last comment and felt uncomfortable as she shifted in her seat. Even if she had a little money she couldn't purchase anything worthwhile to show her gratitude for him.

Draco grabbed her chin and kissed her softly. "I don't want you to buy me things Ginny. I just want you to be with me. I'm going to have to apologize right now for all the things I'm going to give you because nothing you say will stop me. It's just one of my many faults."

Ginny blushed and kissed him strongly. "Just don't say I didn't object to all of this rubbish! Where is everyone? Oh wait! I see Ron and Hermione. Oh and Harry and Emmery are with them." Ginny said as she raised her hand in the air to get their attention. They saw her and walked over to the table and sat down. Ron was a scarlet red and Hermione's cheeks were a shade of pink. Ginny had the oddest feeling that something wonderful must have happened but realized it couldn't be true as Ron was frowning. "Ron is everything alright? You look upset."

Ron gritted his teeth and began peeling the label off his butterbeer bottle. "Everything's fine." Ginny scoffed and motioned for him to tell her the truth. Ron cleared his throat and sat up straight. "Alright then, I'll tell you if you want to know. The most wonderful thing just happened! We ran right into Viktor Krum!"

Hermione crossed her arms and began tapping her foot. Ginny and Harry giggled to themselves noticing Ron's obvious jealousy. "Oh and it gets better! He said how much he loved her last letter! He wanted to know why she hadn't responded with her answer of what day she'll be coming out to see him. Which reminds me Hermione….When are you going to give sweet Vicky a visit? Wouldn't want to keep that chap waiting now would you?"

Hermione's cheeks turned maroon as she tapped her foot more furiously and shook her head. "Well Ronald, if you would have let me explain….I have been keeping in touch with Viktor. He's very easy to talk to." Ron pushed hard away from the table.

He looked so hurtfully at Hermione. "I don't need to hear an explanation. Why should I care who you write…Or visit. I need some fresh air. Meet me outside when you guys are ready to go." Ron quickly stomped out leaving the others in an uncomfortable silence. Hermione's eyes began to tear slightly as Harry rubbed her arm.

Hermione took a deep breath. "He's so stupid! Why doesn't he just tell me how he feels?" Hermione whispered to Ginny and Emmery.

Draco looked out the window and stood suddenly. "It looks like he's trying. Come on Potter. We may have to rescue him."

Draco and Harry rushed out of the Three Broomsticks with the girls on their heels. They quickly caught sight of Ron and Viktor Krum standing not even an inch from each other. Ron had his fists clenched as did Viktor. What seemed to be Viktor's friends were two rather large wizards who reminded Ginny of Crabbe and Goyle. They weren't interfering but standing with their hands on their wands. Ron spoke in a deep but even tone. "Don't you ever refer to her that way again."

"Ze ver just hafing a laugh about Herm-own-ninny and me. She's vot you call it? Leading me out?" Viktor said as his friends laughed.

Ron scoffed. "You mean leading you on you Bulgarian Beast! And her name is Hermione! Not Herm-own-ninny! If you actually cared for her you'd learn how to say it properly! But Hermione would never lead anyone on! She's not like that!"

Viktor became very upset at what Ron called him but then chose to entertain Ron's jealousy. "So how vould you know she's not like that? Are you her boyfriend or some sing? Has she come to visit you lately?"

Ron became enraged at Viktor's reference and pushed him harshly. Viktor was in shock at Ron's bravery as were his friends watching. "I said she's not like that and I would never take advantage of her! You don't know how special a girl like Hermione is! If I was ever lucky enough to be her boyfriend I would-" Ron suddenly stopped once he realized they were all watching him. He looked over at Hermione, gave Viktor another harsh push, and stomped up the road towards Hogwarts. Hermione walked up to Viktor and slapped him across the face.

Viktor stroked his cheek in confusion. "But Herm-own-ninny! I'm sorry!" Hermione quickly ran after Ron as the others followed and laughed amongst themselves.

Ron had reduced his speed and Hermione was only a foot behind him. She didn't increase her momentum though, realizing that she was actually speechless. The others stopped running and Harry began to inform Emmery of all the details of Viktor, Ron, and Hermione. Emmery listened intently and seemed to find everything Harry said amusing. Draco and Ginny walked side by side and endured another candid moment together as they walked back to the castle.