Ginny spent the rest of the holidays working for Fred and George in their shop, under much persuasion from the twins to get their mum to accept it. They had had to remind her several times that there were always Order members visiting and there were certain ministry officials patrolling the area who were trustworthy. Fred had even mentioned how Kingsley had stopped by once on a surprise visit and that had made mum relax more.

The hours sped by faster than usual when she was in the shop. She liked helping customers choose the products they wanted to give as belated Christmas gifts…or the ones they wanted to use in their personal lives.

A week into the New Year, Draco Malfoy came into the shop, looking tall, paler and visibly skinnier. He froze when he saw Ginny from the front door and his gaze lingered for a few moments. He was walking towards her and then was interrupted by Fred. Fred glared at Malfoy and Ginny paused in explaining to a thirteen year olds' mother how love potions worked, to gaze at Malfoy in wonderment. He had some nerve walking in here.

The mother snapped her fingers at Ginny, who had momentarily forgotten what she was meant to be speaking about. Then she remembered and continued, "Ah yes…so the love potions are generally only sold to those who are sixteen and older. The side effects can be quite a disaster for those who are not of age…"

Ginny managed to catch snippets of what Malfoy was saying to Fred. She heard, "…move out of the way…Weasley. I need to speak to your sister…" Fred pushed a hand out and muttered, "Don't you think about it Malfoy. We don't trust you an inch." The mother had finished asking Ginny what she needed to know and Ginny came and stood beside Fred. She asked coolly, "What's up, Malfoy?"

George was manning the till, so he couldn't come and interrupt, but Ginny knew he would if he could. He kept casting them sideways glances. Malfoy watched Ginny nervously and said, "Can I speak with you please, Ginervra?" He had never used her full name before…and Ginny found it somewhat endearing and daring to use it in front of Fred. She nodded and began pulling him to the back of the shop when Fred protested, "NO! Ginny…you know what mum said…" Ginny glared at him and said swiftly, "Malfoy won't hurt me, Fred. I promise you that."
Although Ginny didn't know if she fully believed these words, she could see Fred succumbing to the pressure. She pulled Malfoy to a back room at the far end of the shop where they kept their extra stock and closed the door behind him.

She turned to Malfoy who cast a Muffiliato charm behind them and he said shakily, "I didn't know y…you'd be here." Ginny frowned and whispered, "I'm bored at the house. What do you need to tell me?" Malfoy stared at her somewhat unseeingly and he then whispered, "Weasley, if you thought last term was bad…this term will be a living hell." Ginny frowned and whispered back, "Mafloy…I'm not scared of the Carr…" Malfoy glared at her and snapped, "It's got nothing to do with those bastards, alright! Just watch your back and don't trust anyone."

Ginny raised her eyebrows and folded her arms at that, "Really? And I should trust you?" Draco sighed and said in frustration, "Weasley, you're not making this any easier for me, are you?" Ginny smirked and replied, "Apparently not. You're being very vague." Malfoy huffed out of frustration and then whispered, "Look…as expected the Dark Lord is not pleased with me…" Ginny rolled her eyes, "The one kiss on the train didn't work?"
Draco glared at her and retorted, "This is not a time for sarcasm Weasley! All I can tell you is that you are in trouble. Try and keep a low profile. Whatever you do, do not backchat the Carrow's. And you need to leave this building right now." At that moment, Fred poked his nose in and said, "Times up, Malfoy!" Ginny stared at Malfoy with complete confusion. He wasn't helping this situation by acting all creeped out. He looked haunted and she knew he probably could tell her what exactly was going to happen at Hogwarts…but he wasn't going to.

Ginny sighed and shook her head, "Thanks for the heads up I guess." Malfoy nodded and sighed, "Weasley it would be in your best interest to go home now!" Fred raised an eyebrow almost sky high and chortled, "Yeah, you're the best person to ask for advice, Malfoy."

Draco turned to Fred and snapped, "Listen Weasley, you need to close up this shop. Right now and go home. Do you think I'd come in here and risk my reputation for a joke?" Fred glared at Draco, arms folded crossly and he said sternly, "I think you should leave, Malfoy." Draco stared at him, then glanced back at Ginny who whispered, "Thanks for the message." Draco nodded and replied, "Don't say I never warned you…" and then turned to leave.

Fred huffed out in relief when he was gone and he turned to Ginny, "Have you seriously been socializing with that git?" She shrugged her shoulders and whispered, "He's helped me out a lot recently, Fred." Fred rolled his eyes and returned to George at the till who muttered, "What did that bastard want?" There was a woman in front of them with a thirteen year old girl and she glared at him for using that word in front of them.

Ginny laughed at her expression as she hurried them out of the store. Fred retorted, "He wanted to give Ginbug here a message." George rolled his eyes in his head, "Hmph. Well I hope he never comes back." Ginny sighed…they were so like Ron in some ways. They could only see what they knew about people.

At that moment, there was a loud crash sound that echoed down the alley. Ginny froze and as did the twins. The next moment, Ginny saw Death Eater's storming their way up the alley. Fred and George turned to stare at each other and then, thankfully since there was no-one else in the shop…they swished the windows closed and the door. Ginny yelled at them, "He was right!"
George shut the till with a spell that couldn't be opened by anyone except them. They heard horrific screams coming from the street and Ginny heard a voice in her head, "They're coming for you. They're coming for you. They're coming for you Ginervra." The voice was loud and clanging in her ears. That's when she felt the twins grasp her by the hands and they apparated.

She felt the swirling sensation that made her feel slightly nauseous. Then here feet thankfully landed on solid ground. She was home. They hurried through the fence and into the garden which was now cast with protective enchantments. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. She was safe, as were Fred and George.

Her mother came hurrying to them and she yelled, "What happened?! The clock turned to "mortal peril" for all three of you!" Ginny hugged her mother who was glaring at the twins behind her back. Fred looked sheepish as Ginny turned around and said, "Well…Draco Malfoy walked into the shop to deliver Ginbug a message."
Their mother stared and them and replied, "And?" Ginny shrugged her shoulders and replied, "He was right. He told us to leave the building. He didn't say why." George sighed and shook his head in amusement, "And then the next thing we know there's a massive crash from the street. We had just enough time to lock everything up."
Molly shook her head in dismay and muttered, "I knew this would happen." Ginny sighed and realized she wouldn't be going back to Diagon Alley except to get her school things…if she was even allowed to do that. They all trudged inside and Ginny murmured, "I'll make some tea." They sat around the table and in silence while Ginny put the kettle on…their moods were solemn. He had come to warn her, and she hadn't listened.

XXX

The news later came in the Daily Prophet of how bad the damage of the attack on Diagon Alley was. Ginny hadn't told her family of the voice in her head: they're coming for you. They're coming for you. They're coming for you Ginervra. She knew who it was. There was no point in denying that. What scared Ginny the most was that this was the most direct connection she'd had with Riddle since the chamber. He'd only ever come to her in her dreams before this.

The day after the attack, her mother was reading the prophet to them:

Death Eaters in Diagon Alley:

It was a real shock to the public yesterday that Death Eater's invaded the famous shopping street. No-one knows what they were truly after or why they were there. Some say it was to visit their Gringott's vaults…but they could have done that without causing a hullabaloo.

Other's say…and this is the most commonly accepted theory it seems…that they were after a young witch by the name of Ginevra Weasley…

Her mother stopped reading and glanced up to stare at Ginny, wide-eyed. She paused in her reading and Ginny rolled her eyes, "Mum I'm a big girl. I can handle it." Her mother sighed and continued:

For those who don't know…Miss Weasley (16) dated the infamous Harry Potter…who is wanted by the ministry for numerous misdemeanors'…including the death of Cedric Diggory and the break-in of Gringotts.

There has been serious speculation that Miss Weasley may have had contact with Mr. Potter and therefore may know of his whereabouts. This, we believe, is the reason for the Death Eaters' visit to Diagon Alley yesterday. Miss Weasley has been currently working at her brothers' famous joke shop: Weasley's Wizzard Weasle's for the remainder of her school holiday.

There is no need for public alarm or stress for those visiting the shopping district anytime soon…for more please turn to page 4

Her mother glanced up and shook her head, "They are posting utter tripe. Why would they want you?" Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes, "Because I'm connected to Harry." Molly stared at her and asked, "You don't really believe this, do you?" She shrugged her shoulders and then glanced up at the clock. Fred and George were staying with them for now…since the attack on the shop. The Death Eater's had somehow broken in and tried to ransack the till once they had found out they had escaped. Luckily, because of Georges' charm…they hadn't managed to get in.

Molly watched Ginny with wary eyes and Ginny sighed, "Mum…this was going to happen. Harry knew it. It's the reason he broke up with me in the first place." Molly shook her head and sighed, "I know…but I didn't think it would actually happen. I thought he was being paranoid…" Ginny shook her head, "Unfortunately not. I'm going to my room."

Once she got there, she collapsed on her bed with a heavy sigh. She thought of Draco's message. What was it he said again? Don't trust anyone? Ginny shook her head in her scatter cushion pillow. Then she heard a "poof" sound and saw none other than Dobby standing before her. She grinned and whispered, "Dobby! Merry Christmas! What are you doing here?" Dobby smiled at her widely and whispered, "Miss Weasley! So good to see you!"

Ginny got up and hugged him from her bed. He smiled at her widely and whispered, "Dobby has something for Miss Weasley." He handed her a letter and Ginny felt her heart racing. She hugged the little elf again and she asked quietly, "How's he been, Dobby?" Dobby shrugged his shoulders and whispered, "He's been better Miss Weasley. He hasn't shaven in days." Ginny found it hard to picture Harry with stubble. He was always very neat in that respect. She whispered, "But they're alright? They're…not injured or anything?"
Dobby shook his head and whispered in his high-pitched voice, "No they is fine miss. Miss Granger is terribly upset but…" Ginny raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Dobby! Why?" Dobby's round eyes grew wider, "I shouldn't have said that!" he said worriedly. She sighed and grabbed his hands before he began torturing himself, "Would you like something to eat?" Dobby shook his head and replied tiredly, "No thanks Miss Weasley. I must be heading back to the kitchen. I'll see you soon!" Ginny smiled at Dobby and gave him one last hug before he whispered, "Mr Potter says he misses you everyday…although I'm not supposed to tell you that either."
Ginny laughed and then as she pulled away from Dobby, she saw him laughing before he disapparated. Ginny hopped back on her bed and tore the letter open. Her heart was pounding and she quickly read it's contents:

Dear Ginny

We heard about the attack on Diagon Alley. I found an abandoned prophet and I saw that they were after you! Are you hurt? I sincerely hope you're ok with every fiber of my being. I feel nauseous not knowing. I barely slept after reading that article. I hope Dobby gets this to you soon.

Everything is fine on our side. I wonder how much longer this journey will be…and if we will ever be able to get back to you. I need you in my life Ginny…no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise. I hope you're well and that you're moving on with your life…no matter how I feel. You deserve happiness-no matter what form it's in.

Missing you always

Harry

A/N: Oh my gosh guys! I have 109 followers! Thank you so much to all who have been reading- those who had been reading for a while now and those who have just started! I truly appreciate it and I hope you guys have a stellar weekend!