Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter... Or Ginny... Or Draco (DAMN IT!)
Author Notes: I know it's been forever! I know! I've started this chapter a thousand different ways and I finally settled in this. I am rather happy with this chapter even though it is a bit darker. Don't worry, it will be happier later. And then darker again. Hehe! But you're lucky I updated! I'm supposed to be working on my short story for my honors English class. My bad! See my dedication! This chapter goes out to all my readers! Reviewers, you rock!
THANKS!
Dracoshotty; bigreader; Medicated Drama Queen; entrancer; NeoAddctee; robin777; coldflamez; FireRoseRed; JassXOXO; SwtMidnightDreams; jennyfrmtx; okane-tsuki; blissfulxsin; potts; Jixnce; kittycatw; little-mucnhkin-poo: Draco & Ginny Forever: AnitaBlake/BuffyFan; Damia; Uniquely-Defined; dracosohot; Libby; AngleofFire525; Sue
Draco stepped in from the fireplace, absentmindedly brushing imaginary soot off his immaculate robes. He let out a loud sigh, running a hand though his platinum blonde hair and staring back at the empty fireplace, his mind flooded with thought. Everything that had just been said hadn't fully sunken in yet, he realized uncertainly, letting his hand to his side. He turned back to the room, immediately catching sight of Ginny sprawled on the couch. He smiled and walked silently over, kneeling down beside her sleeping form. A bit of her dark red hair slipped into her face, the rest splayed over the black leather of the sofa. He pushed the strands of hair out of her face with a gentle touch of his fingers, leaning forward to give her an affectionate kiss on the forehead. With a last look at her, he straightened again, catching a glimpse of his bulging book bag and scowling darkly, knowing what he now had to do. Making his way over to the large cherry wood table, he sank in the padded wooden chair with an exasperated sigh. A glance at the fireplace set his thoughts back into a dark mood, a mental wave of information washing over him again. How was he supposed to keep this from her? He could hardly grasp it himself... What was he supposed to do? But as his molten eyes lingered over to the fiery beauty on the couch, he made one promise. I will always watch over you Ginny.
Ginny let out a soft moan as she finally wakened, squinting her eyes against golden light that invaded her eyes. As she slowly adjusted her sight, she noticed a fire, different from the one in her room. She felt the cool leather sofa underneath her and remembered she was in the common room. She immediately looked around for Draco, tensing up upon realizing he wasn't there. Ginny rolled over on her stomach, spotting Draco finally at the table, bent over his homework. She smiled and propped herself on her elbows, watching him closely. His platinum blonde hair fell into his eyes, his molten eyes intense on the tidy parchment in front of him. The sound of the scratching from his quill echoed in the room, the only noise besides the occasional crackle of the fire. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration, he studied his textbook again before throwing down his quill and straightening, running a hand through his hair. He glanced quickly over at Ginny, double-taking, realizing she was awake.
"Hey," he said with a soft smile, getting up from his wooden chair and stretching his arms over his head. This caused his shirt to pull upwards, revealing a set of perfectly maintained six pack abs that made Ginny's head cloud over and her brain to turn to mush. She found herself yearning to run her hands over his chest. She snapped back to reality quickly and covered her rising blush, noticing with relief that he hadn't noticed her gaze. He walked over to the couch, giving Ginny a soft kiss on the lips before sitting down next to her on the couch.
"Hey," she said with a small smile.
"Were you watching me?" He asked with a quirked eyebrow and smirk, nodding at the table. Ginny just put on an innocent look.
"Maybe... Or maybe not," she said, her mock innocence turning into a small smile. Draco leaned forward, a devious look on his face.
"You know you were... You're not the first," he said arrogantly, capturing her lips in a firmer kiss, a kiss so great, Ginny's head began to spin before he pulled away. Ginny's lips tingled, an anxious feeling gathering in the pit of her stomach. She smiled in spite of herself and shook her head slowly. He repositioned himself, leaning back against the arm of the chair, and motioning for Ginny to lean back into him. She happily obliged.
"So what have you been up to?" She asked casually, settling herself comfortably in his arms (A/N: What would you do to be in her position right now???).
"Just catching up on my homework," he answered. He already felt terrible; he wasn't quite lying but he wasn't telling her the whole truth. Well, he thought miserably, let the lies begin. They sat in comfortable silence after that, just listening to the light crackling of the fire and enjoying each other other's company. A large tawny owl took that moment however to make an entrance in the common room, a letter clamped in his beak. Landing on Draco's shoulder, it hooted softly. Draco grabbed it, watching as the owl flew out the room. Ginny sat up, turning around and stared curiously at the letter.
"What's that?" She asked, tucking her legs underneath her. Draco looked it over, shrugging, really not knowing what it was. Tearing it open, he pulled out a small bit of parchment, and noticed the signature at the bottom. Dumbledore. He quickly read the letter over, relieved to see it wasn't anything about the meeting earlier. He mentally scoffed at himself. Was this how he was going to spend his time now? Waiting anxiously for any word? Ginny's voice broke him out of his reverie.
"Well, are you going to tell me what it says or what?" She asked with a smirk. Draco responded with his own smirk.
"Curious aren't we?" He retorted. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Just read it Draco," she said with a light smack on the arm, leaning forward and wrapping her arms around his neck, falling back into him. He smiled and proceeded to read the letter aloud.
Ginny (and Draco as well I presume)
There are some details I left out in our earlier conversation concerning your shared quarters. A house elf will be by around dinner time tonight to collect your belongings and move them to Draco's rooms. I think it best to get the living arrangements out of the way as soon as possible. No one aside from the staff and myself have been informed, so I leave it up to you both to decide whom should know.
I spoke a few words with Madame Pomfrey. She has begrudgingly consented to letting Ginny return to her normal schedule starting tomorrow morning. The rest of the school has been told that Ginny came down with a case of mono, so questions should be no problem.
I know this all must be very traumatic for you both. But I beg you to put it off your minds. Keep it there, but don't do what most do. Don't waste your days in paranoia and anxiety. We assure you, we will do our very best to keep you both safe.
Albus Dumbledore
Draco finished, folding the letter and tossing it into the fire. Ginny let out a deep sigh.
"And here I almost forgot," she said sadly, Draco tightened his grip around her small form, knowing that he had no words of comfort. They lay in thoughtful quiet, both thinking about their current situation. After a minute or two, Draco couldn't stand the depressing silence and changed the subject.
"So you get to move into my rooms tonight huh?" He asked, smirking. Ginny smiled; even without seeing him, she knew he was smirking.
"Yeah I guess so," she said, giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek.
"That's all I get for my offer to shelter you?" He asked, mock-offended. Ginny just smirked.
"That's all you get..." She said with a smile. She looked around the common room absently, before she shot up.
Draco looked curiously at her, sitting up as well.
"Oh Merlin! Madison and Pansy about don't know about ANYTHING!" She moaned. She leaned back, pressing a hand to her forehead. "I have to tell them... I have to tell them about everything... How can I explain this to them?!"
Ginny started breathing heavier and faster. Madame Pomfrey had warned him this could happen. With the after-effects of the potion and her stress level, she could easily go into shock. Draco took a hold of her hand. "Ginny please, calm down. It's alright. I'll get Blaise to do it. Alright? Don't get yourself all stressed out okay?"
"I don't want to tell them," she said, almost automatically, leaning back against Draco.
"I know... You won't have to alright?" He said soothingly. She simply nodded her head, her breathing returned back to normal. Draco stroked her head, running his fingers through her silky red hair. In a few minutes, Ginny was sleeping lightly on his chest. Draco felt the sleep deprivation he had suffered for several weeks take its revenge as his vision blurred and he finally drifted off as well.
Draco woke up at about half past seven, slowly adjusting his eyes to the light. He then noticed Ginny sleeping easily on his chest and smiled. He began to run his hands through her hair again, in a soothing fashion. It was then he noticed a small slip of paper on the table by the couch. He picked it up, reading it over quickly.
Ms. Weasley's belongings have been collected. They are in Mr. Malfoy's rooms.
Dobby
Draco crumpled it up carelessly, throwing it in fire as well. He rechecked his watch. As content as he was laying here with Ginny, they needed to leave. Gently he shook Ginny awake. She stirred slightly before waking up. She yawned and turned her head, resting her chin on Draco's shoulder.
Hey," she said sleepily. Draco smiled. Somewhere inside his mind, a voice whispered. How nice would it be to wake up to that every morning? He shook himself out of his thoughts."Hey," he said, taking a hold of Ginny's hand. "We have to go."
Ginny grabbed Draco's wrist, frowning when she saw the time. "Alright..."
She hoisted herself up, allowing Draco to sit up as well. They were about to get up when they heard the portrait swing open and Blaise, Madison, and Pansy stepped inside.
"Hey you guys," Madison greeted happily, walking over to the couple. Pansy and Blaise followed of course. Ginny and Draco stood up too, Ginny giving hugs to her two best friends.
"Hey," she said with a small smile. She wanted to stay and chat with them, but she knew she had to leave. "You guys, I'm really sorry, but I can't stay..."
Madison and Pansy nodded. "We know... Go and get some sleep. We'll talk tomorrow..."
"Alright..." She said with a grateful smile. "I love you guys..."
Madison and Pansy pulled her into another hug. "We love you too Gin."
Ginny smiled and turned to Draco, who was talking silently with Blaise. She nodded at Draco, who gently grabbed her around the waist.
"Good to see you Gin," Blaise said kindly. Ginny smiled in response as Draco led her out of the common room and down the empty halls. She was lead down around a corner and down a ways until they finally reached Lady Cassandra.
"Donec fideles amor," Draco said softly. The portrait swung open, the beautiful lady beaming as she closed on the two young lovers.
"Fideles amor advenio," the portrait whispered to the empty hall.
Translations:
Donec fideles amor: Until true love
Fideles amor advenio: True love arrived