Disclaimer: Dream on.

Author's Note: I apologize so much for the wait! Thanks to everyone who reviewed and I hope you continue to do so! Also, thanks again to my amazing, amazing beta Jess. She's fantastic and so are all fo you. Enjoy and please review!

XXX

OEDIPUS
Evacuation

"We are not evacuating this house. We don't believe in you and your wrecking crew."
-December by Regina Spektor

XXX

There was an Order meeting that night- just two days after Malfoy regained consciousness- and Ginny was dying of curiosity. It wasn't like she was stupid. She knew what the meeting would be about. Yes, they would discuss the war and You-Know-Who's movements across Britain. They would even discuss what word they had from the Golden Trio, still out on their secret mission. That was highly confidential. But the main topic would be something new.

The main topic would be Draco Malfoy.

Ginny was dying to hear what everyone had to say.

She had already secured herself a place to eavesdrop with the help of Fred. He was actually considered part of the Order, but wasn't about to shut her out like the rest of them. She had always thought things would be different when she got out of Hogwarts- that she would be able to fight as part of the Order, to be something of a help in this war that seemed so hopeless at the moment. That had not been the case.

Ginny had never actually finished her time at Hogwarts. In her sixth year, the wards had been broken down, and the castle was destroyed as she and Neville Longbottom had hidden in a secret passage that Harry had showed her- a place they had often went to snog during her fifth year. She would never understand how the Death Eaters had gotten through, but the charm breakers they had recruited obviously were a part of it, along with the giants. They hardly seemed to be affected by measly wizard wards. Thank Godric that passage lead to Honeyduke's. She and Neville would have never gotten away otherwise.

Hogwarts was gone. Death Eaters unraveled the magic that had held it up for centuries. Every time Ginny thought of it, a lump rose in her throat.

But there were other things to think about now.

That night, Ginny greeted everyone politely as they entered- Kingsley Shacklebolt, Dedalus Diggle, Sturgis Podmore, Professor Flitwick, Mad-Eye Moody, Professor Sinistra, and Professor MeGonagall. Hestia gave her a soft smile as she came into the house, asking after her and then in a whisper about Draco. Ginny replied quietly of his improving health and commented although he was contained to bed, his sharp tongue was certainly making him seem less of a patient and more like a monster. Hestia laughed.

Ginny greeted Tonks with great enthusiasm. It had been ages since the two had seen each other, and Tonks promised they would catch up together once the meeting was over. She didn't have to get back to London tonight, so she figured to she would stay over, and for that Ginny was very glad. Even though Tonks was considerably older than she was, Ginny found in her a true and loyal friend. Tonks was fun. She had a sense of humour. She was not at all like Hermione- all fire and brimstone when it came to Ginny's actions. Tonks understood.

Ginny, however, doubted the two of them would have too much time to chitchat. At Grimmauld Place, the two used to stay up late into the night talking, but now, Ginny understood that Lupin had been rather lonely these past few weeks. It would be a sin if Tonks didn't spend the night with him.

When Hagrid arrived, he enveloped Ginny in a great big hug, glad to see that she was all right. When he started rambling anxiously about Harry, Ron, and Hermione, she had to assure him that they were all fine. Ginny was relieved when Molly rescued her by escorting him to the dining room.

Ginny wished desperately that she was being escorted there as well, not crouching outside the door to get the smallest bit of information. She was sick of not being included.

She wasn't a student anymore. She was a legal adult. In the past few months, she hadn't really questioned her position within the Order, but now she was older and hell, she had been taking care of Malfoy. Maybe, maybe they would let her sit in on the meeting tonight. All the work she had been doing had to count for something.

"Mum?" Ginny asked her mother as she made her way towards the dining room. Everyone expected was there, and the meeting would be starting in just a few minutes.

"Yes, dear?"

Ginny took a deep breath, already anticipating the answer. "Do you think I could sit in on the meeting tonight?"

Molly frowned, staring down solemnly at her daughter. "Ginny, you already know the answer to that question."

"But Mum!" Ginny protested.

"You are too young."

"I'm eighteen!"

"And you think that is old enough to throw your life away to this cause?" Molly said harshly, stopping her movement completely and standing with her hands on her hips.

"Throwing my life away?" Ginny echoed incredulously. "Then what the bloody hell are you doing?"

"I will not have you speak to me that way-"

"Fred and George joined at seventeen! Ron and Harry have been part of it since they were fifteen! It seems they threw their lives away quite early on, doesn't it?"

"That was different."

Ginny was seething. She knew she should not have started anything tonight. She had her spot for eavesdropping- what was the point in causing an issue?

The point was she was sick of being treated like a servant to the Order- running around preparing for them, taking care of them, but never being a part of it. She wanted to help.

She wanted to fight.

"Different? How the fuck was that different? They're boys?"

"Ginevra Weasley, I will not have you speak-"

They were both upset now, breathing harsh as their voices rose. It was not the time or place for fighting, but Ginny couldn't care less. She had been locked in this house too long, doing nothing for too long. She needed confrontation. She craved it.

"That's it, isn't it? It's because I'm a girl. Because I'm your little girl-"

"That is hardly it!"

"Then what, mother! Am I-"

"Because I said so, that's why! I am your mother and I will-"

"I'm a legal adult now! You can't control me!" Ginny barked, cutting her off.

"As long as you live under my roof-"

"This isn't your house!"

"Ginevra Molly Weasley-"

"Stop patronizing me! You're always patronizing me!" Ginny cried, gesturing wildly with hands. Molly did not look at all persuaded.

"Maybe if you stopped acting like a child and starting taking some responsibility-"

"Don't you dare- I have been working my bloody ass off in this godforsaken house!"

"Do not talk to me like that!"

Ginny ignored this. "I haven't seen you hanging at Malfoy's bedside! I've been there day and night; making sure the brat doesn't turn over the wrong way in his sleep and suffocate himself while you flit around the kitchen baking useless shite! We don't need muffins!"

"Stop it, Ginny! I will not hear another word-"

"THEN LET ME JOIN!"

"NO!"

"WHY NOT!"

"I WILL NOT LOOSE ANOTHER ONE OF MY CHILDREN!" Molly roared. It was then that Ginny realized tears were streaming down her mother's face. She was startled- too startled to speak. Her mother's reaction had been unexpected, that was for sure.

Mother and daughter stared at each other in a moment of tension. Both were breathing heavy, trying to catch their breath. The yelling had drawn quite a crowd, as they were just outside the dining room, and through the double doors, most of the Order members were watching the exchange. Ginny realized this too late, it seemed, and though her face was hot from the argument, it flushed ever redder with embarrassment. Molly seemed to feel this way as well.

Clearing her throat, she spoke lowly with finality. "Go see if Malfoy needs anything."

She'd lost. Ginny had lost. And her mother had won.

Ginny wanted to die of humiliation as she turned her back on the Order and started walking away. She didn't even have the heart to eavesdrop after that ordeal. Maybe Fred would tell her what was discussed later- or even Tonks. She didn't really have to listen in. She could get the information easily enough.

With a fury in her feet, Ginny stormed down the hallway. She knew the best thing to do now was go to her room- to lie on her bed, to cool down, but she was fuming. She wanted to scream, she wanted to yell and throw things at the wall. No way could she sit down and let this wave of anger pass. The girl was out for blood.

And then she saw the light under the door at the end of the hall- Malfoy's room.

She'd had no intention of checking in on him after her mother's command. No, she was feeling too rebellious for that at first. But now, the greatest urge to scream and shout was drawing her footsteps towards the end of the hall. Who better than Malfoy to take the anger, the hurt, and the rejection out on?

With no hesitation, Ginny kicked the door open, ready to attack the invalid. She was geared up, psyched up, and she was good to go.

Well, until she heard Malfoy's yelp, and her eyes fell on his rather naked figure.

SHITE.

Ginny gave a high pitched yelp of her own, turning faster than she had ever moved so her widened eyes fell on something a little less scandalous- such as the wall.

"What the fuck, Weasley?" she heard Malfoy demand behind her. "I knew your type had horrible manners, but I thought you'd at least know how to knock."

Ginny felt a sting at the insult. If she wasn't embarrassed enough…

"How was I supposed to know you were up?" she snapped back, unable to think of anything else at the moment.

"Oh, so it's okay to burst in my room if I'm sleeping, is that it?"

"Look, I'm sorry, ok?" If Ginny had felt like an immature, little child after her encounter with Molly, it was nothing like the shame Malfoy managed to evoke in her. "I wasn't aware you were a ponce who liked to frolic around in your birthday suit."

By the rustling of fabric, Ginny could tell her was changing into clothing as quickly as possible. "I just got out of the shower, Weasley. That hardly constitutes as frolicking."

"I didn't know!"

"That was made very apparent by your charming entrance. Salazar, you burst in here like a bloody stampede. Eager to see me?"

Ginny glared at the wall. "Yes, actually."

"Really?" Malfoy said suggestively, before adding in a more casual tone, "You can turn around now."

Ginny sighed and spun around. He was standing by the dresser, fully clothed much to Ginny's relief. He was actually wearing the outfit Ginny had left out for him. She had noticed Bill and Malfoy were very much of the same build and had picked out a pair of dark jeans and a Hobgoblins t-shirt from her brother's old wardrobe. There hadn't really been a lot to choose from, but Ginny found the clothes suited him surprisingly well. She was used to seeing him in his crisp school uniform or in sharp Quidditch robes. He had always been imposing in his form of dress, but now, for the first time she could remember, he looked casual. The t-shirt showed of the length of his torso and the jeans hung loosely around his hips. His hair, in that post-shower state between wet and dry, was mussed carelessly. He looked more like a teenager than he ever had- not like the dark, sinister Death Eater Ginny had always imagined him as.

"What?" Malfoy shot after a moment, and Ginny realized she'd been staring. The blush rose quickly on her cheeks.

"Nothing. You just look different, is all."

Malfoy snorted. "I look poor you mean."

"I was thinking more along the lines of normal as opposed to the regular 'minion of Satan' look you've been harboring the past few years."

"I'm a Malfoy. Malfoy's have never been normal," he sneered.

"Oh, so insanity really does run in your family, does it?"

"Not as strongly as poverty in yours."

Ouch. Ginny frowned, trying to think of something remotely witty to say. Unfortunately, sometimes Malfoy's comments pulled the rug out from under her feet- especially when they were about her family.

"We're feeding you, aren't we?"

"Did you want something?"

"I-"

BANG.

The shot rang through the house, shuddering the foundations. Silence hung horribly in the air. Ginny's mouth shut, and she looked at Malfoy in alarm. He looked just as surprised.

"What was that?" she whispered.

"I don't know."

BANG.

And then, there were voices- none she recognized. Draco, however, knew them all too well…

"Fuck," he hissed, grabbing her hand. "We've got to get out of here."

"What?" But he was already pulling her out of the room. The pounding was getting louder as they ran down the hallway. Then the shouting began. She could hear the roar of spell work and curses being sent as they came nearer to the center of the house.

She was scared. Completely, utterly, and terrifyingly scared.

Ginny could feel the blood rushing through her, pounding painfully in her chest. She knew what was happening, and she didn't want to believe it."

"Where's the Order?" Malfoy demanded over his shoulder and Ginny looked at him in horror.

How could she be so stupid! Here she was, trapped in a house currently under attack, and she was letting herself be dragged off by a Death Eater!

A Death Eater who had no doubt lead the rest of them straight here.

She let out a strangled cry and tried to pull away. He seemed surprised for a moment, but only held her wrist tighter.

"Let me go!" she shouted, pulling harder. She needed to get away from him- far away from him. She reached into her dress pocket, ready to take out her wand, but was alarmed to find it missing. Down the hallway, just six feet behind him, her wand lay carelessly on the ground.

Panic stung in her chest. She pulled again.

"Weasley, stop! We've got to get out of here!"

"Let me go, you bastard! I can't believe my father trusted you-"

Draco stopped tugging her for a moment. "Is that what you think?"

"LET ME GO!"

But he didn't. Instead he grabbed onto her shoulders, looking intently down at her. She could hear the roar of a battle around them, just behind the walls. But for now, they were alone in the corridor. She knew it wouldn't be for long.

"Look, Weasley- Ginny," he said pleadingly. "You've got to believe me. I had nothing to do with this. Nothing. And I can get us out of here if you just trust me."

Why should I! It was the response Ginny was ready to bite out, but when she looked up at his gray eyes (had they always been gray?), she could not help but notice the sheer desperation she saw there. For someone who normally kept himself so carefully guarded, the sight of him the least bit vulnerable was disturbing. There was only truth there- no lies. And helplessly, she found herself nodding to his wishes.

"Where's the Order?" he asked again.

"In the dining room, at the end of the hall."

"Let's go."

"My wand-"

BANG.

The wall beside them blew open, a figure coming through it to be thrown against the opposite wall.

"Dad!" Ginny exclaimed, finally breaking through Draco's grip and rushing to him. Her wand was nowhere in sight. "Dad, are you alright!"

Arthur, it seemed, was too badly hurt to move. A trail of blood dripped from his lips and from his temple. He looked up at his daughter and Draco with urgency. "Ginny, thank Godric-"

"Dad, what's going on!"

"No time! Take this!" he handed Ginny had thick, dirty envelope from his pocket. "You need to get out of here and take this to Neville-"

"But Dad, what about-"

"Out through the servant's passage. No magic- get to London and find Neville. Both of you! Go!"

Draco pulled Ginny off her knees quickly. "Come on, you heard the man! We've got to go!"

Ginny looked down at her father, barely feeling the tears streaming down her face. "But we've got to help-"

"Tsk, tsk, Arthur. No rest for the weary." There was someone coming through the rubble of the wall, and Ginny had a feeling it was no one good.

"Come on!" Draco hissed. "I am not about to sit around here and die!"

"Ginny, go!" Arthur croaked, waving them off.

"Who's that you're talking to Arthur, dear? Another friend of yours? Perhaps you'd introduce us…"

"Daddy, I love you," Ginny choked, clutching the envelope to her chest.

"Go!" he said again. Ginny nodded, gripping Draco's hand tightly. And they were off, running hard down the hallway. This time she was leading the way, heading straight for the servant's panel she knew would lead them out into the garden.

Behind, she swore she heard her father yell after them, though Draco would always deny it later.

"Take care of her, Malfoy!"

XXX