Disclaimer: I own nada.

Here is chapter two; this is where the story really starts to take off. Again, if you notice and spelling or grammar mistakes, please let me know.

Now on with chapter 1. I made it nice and long for you, so enjoy…

Chapter One

Love Loss

Voldemort was finally and forever vanquished, and for once Harry Potter and his friends could have a normal year at Hogwarts. Harry was dating Hermione and he was on his way to becoming an Auror. Ron, after finally getting over Hermione had started dating Lavender Brown, they have had an on again off again relationship since the year before. Ginny, well she was dating Terry Boot, and they were currently in the empty classroom snogging.

Terry was a great kisser, or so Ginny thought, sadly that was the only reason she was with him. He was actually a bit of an ass, and as such demonstrated so by slowly moving his hand from her knee, to her thigh, and then under her skirt. That's when Ginny pushed him off.

"What?" He huffed, irritated.

"I told you I wasn't interested in going that far."

"Why not?" Terry whined.

"Because I'm not that type of girl."

"Come on Ginny, please." He said reaching for her once again.

Just then the door of the classroom burst open. "What do you two think you're doing?" The couple turned to see Draco Malfoy standing at the door way.

"Draco!" Ginny huffed at the interruption.

"Boot. You weren't trying to force yourself on her where you?"

"No. Just trying to get to second base." He joked. Draco didn't find it funny.

"20 points from Ravenclaw for being a git, and for trying to feel up my best friend."

With a dramatic roll of his eyes Terry stood from the desk the couple was sitting on. "Fine. I'm leaving." Without so much of a good bye to his girlfriend, Terry left, leaving Ginny and Draco alone in the classroom.

"You really need to stop doing that Draco. I can take care of myself." She said hopping off the desk herself.

"I was just doing my duty as Head Boy." He stated rather matter-a-factly.

"Oh, then why didn't you take points from me?" Ginny asked logically, Draco just shrugged.

"Why do you date losers like that anyway?" He asked.

"Because the man I want is engaged to elitist snob."

Draco sighed as he ran his hand through his platinum blond hair. "Ginny, please we have had this conversation before."

"I know. It's an arranged marriage, blah, blah; you have to marry her in order to inherit the Malfoy fortune, blah, blah."

"Ginny." He said taking gently her hand, his grey-blue eyes meeting her brown. "I really wish I could be with you, believe me."

Ginny shook her head softly. "Don't lie to me Draco. It just makes it hurt more."

The Slytherin exhaled deeply as he ran is hands softly down her arms.

"I do care for you Ginny, more then I wish I did."

Their eyes connected, they both smiled softly at each other.

"You know, money's not everything." Ginny spoke breaking the silence.

"No its not." Draco then leaned in and softly kissed Ginny on the lips. It was something he had done a few times over the course of the years. Ginny had treasured every one of them. "Sometimes I wish my family didn't have the prestige and the money, but they do and I can't change that."

Ginny sighed, releasing his hands. "With privilege comes responsibility?"

"Something like that." Draco paused for a moment. "You're a beautiful girl Ginny, you'll find someone."

"I don't want someone. I want you." It was more than words but her very soul that pleaded with the boy her heart so despertly desired.

Draco once again leaned in and softly kissed the woman he truly loved. "I better go before I do something I regret."

"If you want me Draco, all you have to do is ask."

"I can't do that to you."

"I want you to. I'll give it to your Draco. Just ask me."

"No Ginny. I can't".

"Why?"

"Because I am not the love them and leave them type."

"You don't have to leave."

"Yes. I do". Draco Malfoy loved Ginny, he knew that, and in his heart he would never deny that, but they couldn't be together, the animosity between their family alone was enough of a deterrent. So with a final kiss, he left.

Ginny cried herself to sleep that night. She loved that boy so much, and she could tell he cared for her too. She simply didn't understand why they couldn't be together. She had heard his excuses time and time again, most of which she just didn't see the severity of: money and family honor. Her family didn't care for such things and as long and you were happy and loved, that was all that mattered. Apparently such things did not carry enough importance for Draco. He would put his family and their traditions before his own heart and his true feelings.

The next day Ginny headed to Potions class her eyes puffy and swollen. "Ginny, you okay?" One of her best friends, Luna Lovegood, asked her.

"I-I'm fine." Of course she really wasn't. In fact her mind wasn't at all where it should have been. So much so that she accidently added to many newts eyes to her potion ruining it completely.

"Miss Weasley, if you could stay after class please." Professor Snape requested.

"Yes sir." After everyone had exited out of the room she followed professor Snape into his office.

"Miss Weasley. Are you alright?"

Snape was never known for being a kind man, but for some reason, he always was to Ginny, or at least he didn't respond with the same venom he did when most of his students made a mistake. She really didn't understand why but she would have been a fool question it.

"Yes. Just tired."

"Miss Weasley it is obvious you have been crying. Is this about Mr. Boot?"

"No." She said looking down at her hands in her lap.

"Then it is about Mr. Malfoy." She remained silent.

"Ginny." She looked up, surprised by the use of her first name by a professor. "Draco will marry Miss. Parkinson, whether he wants to or not. He feels it is his duty as the only heir to the Malfoy linage to do so."

"I'm a pureblood too." She reasoned.

"Indeed you are, and in many ways you are far more pure then Pansy Parkinson, but Draco will put his family before you. I am sorry, but it is the truth."

"I know. I guess part of me just hoped that one day he would realize our feelings for each other were more important."

"Unfortunately Ginny…often we cannot have the ones we truly love."

"I know. It's just…hard."

"I do understand, more then you could possibly know…If you ever want to talk, I am available."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."

"You are welcome. You should get to your next class." Ginny nodded and left for Transfiguration.

Severus sighed, burying his head in his hands. "You're a fool Severus." He said to himself. "An old fool."

Two weeks past and Ginny ignored Draco at all cost. Unfortunately, as she was searching for a quiet, empty classroom she could study in, the library being to full of people preparing for end of term exams, she opened the door to a normally unused classroom on the second floor to an absolute shock. Draco's half naked body lying on top of that pug Parkinson. She gasped in horror. Draco turned to see the woman he loved, her eyes filled with tears.

"Draco." She said softly then running from the room.

"Damn it." Draco pulled from Pansy and quickly put on his pants.

"Draco, don't go. You haven't finished yet. "

"I'll finish later." He ran out the door and quickly began searched for Ginny. He found her in the another unused classroom further down the corridors. She was sitting on the floor, her knees to her chest her arms wrapped around them, her head resting on her knees as she cried.

"Ginny please don't cry."

"Go away Malfoy. Go finish fucking your fiancé."

"Ginny please." He sat down on the ground besides her, wrapping his arms around small frame. She tried to pull away, he just wrapped them tighter. "I'm sorry Ginny. I didn't intend for you to see that."

"Then maybe you should have locked the fucking door Draco!" She yelled, finally pushing him off.

"Ginny please, she's my fiancée. I have every right to-

"Go away! Just leave me alone." She cried, once again dropping her forehead to her knees.

"I can't leave you hurting like this."

"Unless you leave the slut it's always going to hurt."

"Ginny I-

Ginny looked up, her face filled with heartache and pain and betrayal. "You know even though I knew you weren't a virgin I kept telling myself you were, and that one day you would come to me and we would give ourselves to each other for the first time."

"Ginny you can't possibly expect-

"What!" She said jumping up from the ground, Draco stood as well. "That someone as handsome and charming and wonderful as you to stay a virgin? Of course not, especially when you have someone like Parkinson to give it to. I'm sure she wasn't a virgin when you were together for the first time either. I'm sure you have heard the rumors about how many guys she has slept with, not that you care because she's who your father wants you to marry, and that all that matters. She'll probably cheat on you once you're married too but-

Ginny's rant was cut short by Draco's mouth consuming hers. She wanted to push him off, to tell him to go stuff himself, but she couldn't. Her whole body tingled as he continued to kiss her, his lips moving all over her face and neck.

"You want me." He whispered in her ear.

"Forever."

"How about for tonight?" Draco unbuttoned her cloak as he continued to kiss her, allowing it to fall to the floor.

"Draco."

"Yes." He said as he slowly began unbuttoned her blouse.

"Only if its forever." He stopped undressing her.

"It can't be."

"Then I can't. As much as I long for you, I can't be with you only once it wouldn't be fair."

"We can still be together, just in secret."

"I will not be your mistress Draco Malfoy!" She yelled as she re-buttoned up her shirt. "I will gladly be your girlfriend, your wife, but never your mistress."

"Why?" He said wrapping his arms around her once again.

"I think more of myself then to be the woman on the side." Ginny sneered, pushing him off her body with all her strength. "If you ever grow the balls to leave Parkinson, then write me. Until then, just stay out of my way." She then grabbed her cloak, quickly put it on and left the classroom.

XXX

"I cannot believe you asked her to be your mistress." Severus scolded his godson later that evening as they sat in his quarters having tea.

"What else was I supposed to do?"

"Leave the hussy."

"I can't."

"Then you need to stay away from Miss. Weasley."

"But I love her."

"Obviously, not enough."

Draco sighed and then paused to gather his thoughts before continuing. He had always felt sorry for his godfather. He never married and the one woman he loved unconditionally most likely did not feel the same. He spent his life mourning her, but now…now was his chance to live.

"Severus. I know how you feel about her."

Severus closed his eyes, thought for a moment and then opened them again. "Draco. I can assure you I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I see the way you look at her. It's the same way she looks at me." Draco had noticed, since the beginning of that year, Severus' eyes were often on the young Ravenclaw, and not ever so briefly, either.

"Draco, G-…Miss Weasley is seventeen-years-old and my student, it would be inappropriate for me to harbor feeling for her."

"I just want her to be happy."

"Then marry her instead of Parkinson."

"I can't." His voice rose as he ran his hands through his shoulder length blond hair.

"Draco. I certainly hope that you do not do to your children what your father is doing to you."

"I don't plan to. Look, Ginny's of age and next year is her last. I know how you feel. Just try and show her you can make her happy."

"I cannot promise that."

"Please Severus, for Ginny."

Snape sighed softly, closing his eyes briefly. "I will think about it."

"Thank you."

XXX

The year ended without Ginny saying another word to Draco Malfoy. She did however receive a note from him slipped into her bag as she boarded the Hogwarts Express.

My Dearest Ginny,

I love you. I am sorry I never told you before, but I didn't want to hurt you even more. I am sorry things had to end this way, but I know you will find someone out there better for you than me. Someone who can love you and appreciate you, and who won't neglect you or pass you over for family honor. I hope that one day we can be friends again. You will always be in my heart.

Love,

Draco

A tear fell to Ginny's cheek as she finished the letter. Quickly wiping it away, she folded it up and placed it back in her bag.

"You okay." Hermione asked. As she and Harry sat down next to the youngest Weasley.

"I'm fine. Where's Ron?"

"Off with Lavender somewhere snogging."

Ginny rolled her eyes. She swore besides eating and sleeping, snogging was the only thing those two dim wits ever did. It was like their lips were hexed together.

"You know that's not a bad idea." Harry said wrapping his arm around Harmonies and nuzzling his face in her neck.

"Harry." She giggled.

Ginny rolled her eyes and decided to leave the couple alone. She grabbed her bag and headed to find an empty compartment. To her dismay there were none. There was one however that had only one person in it.

"Professor Snape. What are you going here?"

Severus looked up from his book and gave the young Ravenclaw a small smile. Ginny had never seen the man smile before. She had to admit, it was nice.

"Well, hello Miss Weasley. I have the unfortunate duty of patrolling the train this trip."

"Oh," she said sitting down across from him, "bummer."

"Yes, well. I don't actually patrol. I just read." Ginny glance down at the cover of his book.

"War and Peace. I've never heard of it." She said as she flipped her long red hair behind her left shoulder. Severus couldn't help but it but the gestures reminded him of Lily.

"It's a muggle book."

"Ah. That would explain it. Is it any good?"

"It has its good parts. So, why are you not with your friends?"

"Well Ron is off snogging Lavender and Harry decided to do the same with Hermione. I'd rather not watch."

"I see. Well you are more than welcome to join me."

"Thank you, professor."

Ginny pulled out a book of her own and began to read. She fell asleep shortly after and only awoke to the sound of her potion teacher's voice.

"Ginny, we have arrived."

"Huh, what?" She said slowly opening her eyes.

"We are here."

"Oh." The red-heard slowing rose to a sitting position, wiping some drool off her chin as she did.

"Ginny," Severus said giving her another smile, "I have finished my book if you would like to borrow it."

"Oh yes, Thank you." Severus handed the book to Ginny. The tips of their fingers touched as she took it from him. Again he smiled, and so did she.

"Well I suppose I will see you at the beginning of next term."

"Yes. Have a good summer professor."

"You as well, Miss. Weasley."

XXX

Back at home Ginny felt more alone than ever. She was the only kid left in the house. Ron and Hermione were staying at Grimuald place with Harry and of course all her other siblings had moved out long before. The Golden Trio had also already started working. Ron and Harry as Auror's and Hermione in Magical Law. So Ginny would pass her days much like her mother did, by knitting, cooking and taking walks and reading. She read so often in fact that she finished the book Professor Snape let her borrow in less than a week. She decided to write the professor and thank him again for letting her borrow it.

Professor Snape,

Thank you again for lending me your book. I hope you don't mind but my dad asked me if he could read it. I promise you will get it back by the beginning of text term. I hope you are enjoying your summer holiday.

Ginny M. Weasley

She attached it to the leg of their ancient owl Errol and watched as she flew out the window and into the darkening night sky.

Severus was going about his morning routine when he heard a tapping noise coming from down stairs. He quickly pulled on his pants and headed down stairs. He let the owl in through the kitchen window, and untied the parchment. To his delight it was from Ginny. He quickly headed back up stairs grabbed a book from his library and headed back down. He then wrote a quick note, placed it inside the book and then tied the book to the owl's leg.

Heading downstairs for breakfast Ginny was surprised to see not her mother but Harry, Hermione, and a blond boy she had never met before.

"Hello." Ginny said, eyeing the stranger curiously.

"Ginny," Hermione gave her friend a good morning hug, "I want you to meet my cousin Jacob Pallen."

Jacob walked over to Ginny and extended his hand. "Hello, Ginny. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said in a very obvious accent.

"Hello," Ginny said shaking his hand, "are you from America?"

"Yes. We only moved here a few months ago. My mum married a muggle, Hermione's uncle."

Ginny's face brightened. "Oh, so you're a wizard?"

"Of course."

"We were all going to head to the coast and thought you might want to come." Harry suggested.

"Sure. Just let me go get my purse."

Ginny quickly grabbed her purse and headed back down stairs. It was obvious she was being set up on a date, but what the heck. He was cute and she was bored.

XXX

Severus sat at his kitchen table brewing a pepper-up potion when there was a knock at the door.

"Perfect timing, I can stop stirring." Severus charmed the ladle to stir 7 more times in a clockwise direction. He then went and answered the door.

"Draco. What a surprise."

"Can I come in?" He asked giving a small smile.

"You can, but I am brewing so you will have to follow me into the kitchen." Draco followed Severus, who resumed his stirring.

"Severus. I don't think I can do this anymore."

"Do what?

"Stay married to Pansy."

Severus gave his godson a questioning look. "You have been married less than two weeks and you're already giving up?"

"She drives me nuts. All she wants to do is shag and shop."

"You made your bed Draco now you have to lie in it."

"I should have married Ginny. I should have dumped the nymphomaniac and married Ginny."

"Too late for regrets Draco. You two are bonded for life. You can only leave her if she commits adultery or dies, that's the only way to break the bond.

"Really? I didn't know that."

Severus gave a throaty laugh."There is a lot of things you do not know, Draco."

"It doesn't matter anyway. She promised me on our wedding day that she would stay faithful now that we are married, for whatever that's worth".

Severus shrugged not at all feeling sorry for his godson.

"Have you heard from Ginny by chance?" Draco asked, moving to lean against the kitchen table.

"Yes. I sat with her on the train and we have been corresponding."

"That's nice. So…you are going to try and date her, right?"

"We will see. I have the annual Potions Master conference coming up and I usually take a promising student with me. I may ask her to come."

"Oh that-that's good." Draco's sounded less then enthused at the possibility, his eyes turning down into the concoction Severus was stirring.

"You did tell me to pursue my interest in her did you not?"

Draco sighed before looking back up at his godfather. "Yes. Yes, I did."

XXX

"So," Jacob said, "Hermione said you will be beginning your last year of schooling this fall."

"I will." Ginny replied.

"Me as well."

"Will you be going to Hogwarts?"

"Possibly. My mother said she could arrange a tutor for me, but I think I would prefer to go to Hogwarts. Hermione has told me some wonderful things about the school."

"It is an amazing place," Ginny added.

"Yes. To be able to go to school in a castle and to be sorted into a house based on your personality. I would go just for the opportunity to see what the hat thinks of me."

Ginny laughed, "You sound like a first year." Jacob laughed as well.

"In a way I would be."

"True."

Hermione and Harry looked at each other and smiled. Their matchmaking seemed to be going well. Hermione knew they both had similar interests and personalities and they did seem to be hitting it off well. Even if it didn't work out in the long run, at least it would help Ginny get her mind off of ferret boy.

The four teenagers spent that day at a sea side amusement park. Jacob and Ginny chatted to each other about their interests, families and plans when they finish school.

"My mother wants me to go into healing like her, but I think I would like to work with magical creatures."

"Then you have to meet Hagrid. He's our gamekeeper."

"Oh right, the half giant. Hermione mentioned him. So what are your plans after graduation?"

"I don't know. I think I would like to do something with potions. Maybe even get an apprenticeship so I can work as a licensed potions mistress."

By the end of the afternoon the two seemed rather friendly and it was even hinted at another get together. When Ginny arrived home her mother handed her a book and note that had come with the post.

Miss Weasley,

Thank you for your note. I am glad you enjoyed the book. Your father may keep it as long as he likes. I have attached another muggle book for you to read. It is one of my favorites. Although it is not as long or difficult as War and Peace it had an interesting story line. Enjoy.

-Severus

Ginny picked up the book and read the cover. "Treasure Island."

A/N: Okay, long chapter I know. It was originally two but I decided to combined them. Please let me know what you think.