A/N: Somehow my documents all rearranged their names and my chapters got messed up. Thanks to MilasDrac for noticing!! I hope you all enjoy this chapter...
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Sighing Ginny pulled farther up in the air, trying to keep an eye on Neville who was attempting a goal. He had tried three times before now, and each time he had failed miserably. The wind pulled at Ginny's hair and practice robes, but she ignored it, letting her long bangs flop into her eyes. Below her Neville plunged towards the goal posts, missed the goal and miraculously managed to stay on his broom after doing a few strange twists.
She was surprised that they had still been allowed to play Quidditch. There weren't any inter-house matches, but they were allowed to scrimmage within their own houses. That's what brought Ginny to the Quidditch pitch every Sunday at 5:30. The remaining members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and other students from their house, would take pleasure in a few evening matches against one another. Ginny giggled as Neville did a strange loop in the air and landed unevenly on the ground before stumbling and falling.
"See!" Neville yelled, "I've almost got it. It would be such a neat landing!"
"Sure Neville," Ginny said, unconvinced. Turning to face the other members across the field she yelled, "Guys, we should probably head in. It's starting to get dark."
The students grumbled, but started heading towards the locker rooms, pulling off their practice jerseys. Ginny swooped down and landed smoothly in front of the bleachers. She packed the balls into the crate and lugged them towards the broom shed on the opposite side of the field. Cursing, she dropped the crate and grabbed her finger which had somehow been mangled against the crate.
"Shit," she mumbled, kicking the crate and plopping down on the bleachers to inspect her finger. After she assured herself that it would be ok, she put her head in her hands and sighed. She had only been back in school for six weeks, but she was exhausted. At least half her evenings were spent in detention with Snape and, since most of her other evenings were spent on homework, she hadn't seen Draco very often that term. It seemed that whenever they managed to get a moment together, they were interrupted or had to hurry to class.
The fact that she hadn't heard from Harry irritated her, but only because she was worried about him, Hermione and Ron. She wasn't hurt that he hadn't written; she wasn't even angry. The absence of letters gave her a chance to live her own life. Her time wasn't spent worrying about her relationship or if her brother would butt in. She could go to classes, play Quidditch, and meet Draco without worrying about the Golden Trio.
Expensive, name-brand black shoes interrupted her thoughts, making her sigh and say, "I was just thinking about you."
"Oh, really?" he said quietly, "How did you know it was me?"
Looking up into Draco's blue eyes Ginny said, "Who else do I know that owns shoes like yours?"
"My father?" he suggested, sitting down next to her.
"I don't know him personally," she said.
"Luckily," he said, smiling softly. Quickly changing subject he asked, "Can I help you carry the crate?"
"Sure," Ginny said, following suite as he stood up. They meandered slowly towards the broom shed in silence. Ginny opened the door for him and he pushed the crate up onto one of the shelves.
He brushed his hands off and asked, "How's your finger?"
"It'll be fine," Ginny said, holding up her finger, "It's just a scrape." He walked out and she locked the door behind him saying, "I've cut my finger on that crate more times than I can count." Once again they walked in silence towards the school. As they passed the bleachers Ginny tried to pull her bag over her shoulder, but Draco grabbed it from her hand and threw it over his shoulder instead. Blushing Ginny mumbled, "Thanks."
"What are you going to do this evening?" he asked quietly.
"Homework," she sighed, "I've never had this much homework in my life, even before my OWL's."
"I heard you've also been spending a lot of time in detention," he said, smirking.
"Yeah," she rolled her eyes, "I'm sure Snape is planning on boring me to death."
"No, he likes you," Draco said, glancing up towards the castle, "He hasn't said it in so many words, but I think he admires your stubbornness."
"I'm speechless," Ginny said. She pulled her Quidditch robes off, leaving her in her exercise trousers and a t-shirt.
"Don't tell him I told you," Draco said, smirking at her, "He likes to think he can scare you."
Rolling her eyes Ginny pushed open the doors to the Entrance Hall and muttered, "Stupid git."
Draco stopped her and touched her necklace gently, "You still wear it?"
"Every day," Ginny said, picking up the necklace he had given her, "I don't know what it is about it, but it makes me feel safe.
Draco smiled, but fell silent. They walked through the halls, not sure of where they were going, talking and laughing. After they reached the seventh floor corridor Ginny perched herself on a window ledge and said, "It started raining." Draco glanced out the window, but didn't say anything, giving Ginny the freedom to continue. "I've always liked the rain. It just makes everything feel so clean. You know?" she looked up at Draco, "It's like all the bad things that have happened here, all the things that people regret, they're all just washed away."
"Do you remember the day we met in the rain?" Draco asked, leaning against the window frame behind her.
"Of course," Ginny said, leaning against him. She let her head fall back against his chest and she looked up at him. He wasn't looking down at her; he was looking out at the rain. The window seemed to reflect in his eyes, as well as the splattering rain. Slowly he seemed to let his guard down and emotion joined the rain glimmering in his eyes. After a moment of staring at him she asked, "What are you thinking about?"
He looked down at her and to her surprise he didn't put his guard back up. He let her look into his soul as he said, "I'm thinking about everything."
She turned to face him and wrapped an arm around his waist. He let her pull him close to her and wrapped his arms around her as she hugged him. Only the urge to kiss him made her pull out of his grasp and immediately press her lips to his.
He kissed her back. All the rumors about him were true, he was an amazing kisser. Just like the times before, his lips made her dizzy. Pulling away from her he stared into her eyes and said, "Do you ever wish you could just stay like this and never have to go back to real life?"
"All the time," she said smiling sadly.
"It's getting late," he said, glancing at his watch, "Let me walk you back to your common room."
Due to the dark hallways and late hour they were able to walk uninterrupted to the Gryffindor portrait where he kissed her lightly and said, "Sleep well."
"Good night," Ginny kissed him quickly and slipped into the portrait hole.
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The weeks that past by Ginny seemed to get worse and worse. Neville joined her in regular detention as well as Luna, but if anything, it made things worse. They were forced to torture each other for detention and at times Draco was the only thing that kept Ginny from giving up. Every night after her detentions he would meet her just a few classrooms away, ready and willing to hold her and let her sob into his shoulder.
By time Christmas rolled around Ginny had lost a considerable amount of weight and strength. She was scared when she wasn't with Draco. Luna was taken and Neville spent more time in detention than out, so most of her time was with Draco. He made her feel safe. Amycus Carrow had taken a special interest in Ginny. So far he had only cursed her and tortured her, but sometimes the look on his face made her think he had more in mind.
Draco never changed around her, but there were times when he was oddly silent. These were the times that they would just sit in an empty classroom and enjoy the silent company. The war was taking a toll on both of them, but neither wanted to talk about it.
Even though it was one of the hardest times in Ginny's life she still enjoyed every minute of it. Her time with Draco was always special, even if they were just playing poker late into the night.
For the Easter holiday Ginny went home to the Burrow and had a huge fight with her parents when they refused to send her back to Hogwarts. For the time being her relationship with Draco was put on hold. Yes, they could still mail back and forth. Ginny told her parents she was mailing Neville, but a long distance relationship with Draco was hard. His presence had such an effect on her that his weekly letters didn't feed her longing for him.
Late one evening Ginny sat with Fred and George in their small apartment above the shop. She took a sip of the tea they had given her and said, "I just don't get it guys, Harry was supposed to care about me, but I haven't heard a word from him."
"He's probably just busy," Fred said.
"Yeah, busy saving the world," George said tartly.
"It really is a guy thing," Lee Jordan said shrugging.
Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but a soft heat spread through her pocket. Gasping she pulled the fake galleon out and said, "Come on guys, we're needed at Hogwarts."
Without hesitation Fred and George gathered some of their things and apparated with her to the Hogs Head. The four of them squeezed through the hole and to the room of requirement where they were met by a large group of people including Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Ginny smiled softly at Harry, and resisted the urge to roll her eyes as his stare followed her around the room. She plopped down in a chair and Luna perched next to her. They started talking quietly, ignoring the rest of the students who were arguing about how to take back the castle. Cho finally offered herself up to take Harry to the Ravenclaw common room. Ginny, who never had a liking for Cho said quickly, "No, Luna will take Harry, won't you, Luna?"
Luna happily agreed, while Cho threw Ginny a look of distaste. The pair soon left and Ginny found herself arguing with Ron and Hermione about helping. Before she knew what was happening, Ginny was arguing with her parents as well. Bill started to butt in and Ginny yelled "I can't go home!" She tried to keep the tears from spilling down her cheeks, but they burned in her eyes. "My whole familiy's here, I can't stand waiting there alone and not knowing and—," she almost started blabbing about having to see Draco when her eyes met Harry's. He shook his head at her and she resisted the urge to scream. "Fine," she said snottily, "I'll say good-bye now, then, and –," she was interrupted by Percy.
With all the excitement of reconciliation Ginny tried to sneak up stairs with Fred and George but her mother shrieked, "Ginny!"
Ginny sighed and was about to yell back when Lupin said, "Molly, how about this. Why doesn't Ginny stay here, then at least she'll be on the scene and know what's going on, but she won't be in the middle of the fighting."
Ginny wasn't completely happy with the agreement, but nodded and plopped down on the couch. Harry tried to spark a conversation with her, but she was too upset to give more than one word answers.
He left and she was alone. Luckily she was only bored for a few minutes until Tonks and Neville's grandmother came through the hole accompanied by Aberforth.
Ginny did her best to update the three adults, but Aberforth soon left, leaving the women alone. Her reassurances were obviously not helping much so she was relieved when Harry burst back into the room assuring them that everyone was fine. Soon Tonks and Neville's grandmother took off, leaving Ginny alone with Ron, Harry and Hermione.
Harry turned to Ginny and said, "I'm sorry, but we need you to leave too, just for a bit. Then you can come back in."
Ginny left quickly, hoping to get away before they said anything. Once she got into the hall she joined Tonks at the window, sending curses outside. A few minutes later Tonks turned to Ginny and said, "I have to go find Remus. Stay here."
"Fine," Ginny said begrudgingly. She slumped against the wall and waited until she heard Harry, Ron and Hermione emerge from the Room of Requirement. Thinking quickly Ginny squished herself into a corner, out of sight until the trio ran off to help fight. Sighing she crawled towards the room of requirement and almost screamed in delight when she found Draco and Goyle laying in a heap on the floor. "Oh, Draco," Ginny flung her arms around him, startling him, but making him smile.
"Aren't you supposed to be hiding in the Room of Requirement?" he croaked. He was covered head to toe in ashes. Goyle was passed out on the floor.
"Are you ok?" Ginny asked, ignoring his question.
"Yes, I'm ok," Draco coughed and tried to rub some of the black soot off his face. She smiled and kissed him deeply, not caring if anyone saw. He kissed her back, easily pinning her to the floor.
"God, I missed you so much," Ginny said, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I've been so worried about you."
"Come on," Draco pulled her up and said, "We have to see what's going on."
Ginny let him lead her through the halls. He picked halls that looked empty, but as soon as they reached the top of the stairs in the entrance hall a Death Eater blocked their path and said, "What do we have here."
"Run Ginny," Draco shoved her away from him, "Get out of here."
She did as she was told, hearing Draco yell, "I'm Draco Malfoy, I'm Draco, I'm on your side!"
"Then what are you doing with that pretty little Weasley?" the Death Eater asked, advancing on Draco.
Ginny who was hiding crouched in a corner could see Draco start to pull his wand out when the Death Eater dropped to the ground, stunned. A minute later Draco doubled over on top of the Death Eater and Ginny heard Ron yell, "And that's the second time we've saved your life tonight, you two-faced bastard!"
Without hesitating Ginny ran over to Draco and knelt in front of him, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Draco touched his bloody lip, winced and said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but your brother is a git."
"I know," Ginny grabbed his hand and pulled him up. The two ran outside where groups of people were fighting. Wands weren't the only weapons; Ginny saw fists flying between some of the students. Turning to face Draco, Ginny kissed him deeply, not caring if anyone saw them. When she pulled away she asked, "I'll see you later?"
Understanding her question he answered, "I'll try not to die."
"Good," Ginny squeezed his hand and plunged into the crowd. She sent a few curses towards the Death Eaters, but her main goal was to find the injured and help them to safety. She knew she didn't have the knowledge to fight a full duel. Stooping down she looked a small girl in the eye. The girl was muttering for her mother but Ginny said, "It's all right. It's okay. We're going to get you inside."
"But I want to go home," the little girl whispered, "I don't want to fight anymore!"
"I know," Ginny tried to keep her voice under control, "It's going to be all right."
Ginny looked up and skimmed the fighting for Draco. The girl was hurt and she didn't know sufficient magic to help her. She took the girl's hand in her own and kept scanning for Draco. He wasn't there anymore.
Soon Madam Pomfrey joined Ginny kneeling next to the girl and said, "Ms. Weasley, you should go fight. Your whole family is fighting; don't you think you should be with them?"
"Of course," Ginny gave the girl an encouraging smile and headed out into the fighting.
It seemed like she was fighting forever, but it must have been only an hour until Voldemort brought Harry's body. Ginny barely heard what Voldemort was saying. She could only focus on Harry's body. Harry was dead. Suddenly a giant and a heard of centaurs paraded into the fighting and once again the two groups started sending curses at each other.
Bellatrix Lestrange seemed to pounce towards Ginny, Hermione and Luna and, for the first time, Ginny found herself in a duel for her life. The killing curse seemed to come towards her in slow motion and she was able to dodge it, barely, but Molly Weasley had a fit and pushed Ginny aside to take on Bellatrix herself.
The next few minutes took Ginny by storm and in the future she would barely remember what happened. Shock flooded through her body as Harry appeared again. He was alive. Anger quickly followed the shock through her veins and, though she was happy to watch him defeat Voldemort, she sat with her mother instead of trying to speak with him.
Her mother hugged her tightly and all Ginny could think was, 'the war is over.'
She could see Draco sitting with his family at the other side of the hall, but she didn't make a move towards him. For the time being she was ok staying in her mother's arms.
When she was able to shake off the shock of Fred, Tonks, and Lupin's deaths Ginny pulled herself up and said, "Come on mum, we should start getting everyone cleaned up."
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