A/N: Oh man. I don't know if I want to do this. Writing the end of the story is always the saddest part of writing for me. It's pretty cool that I'll be posting this for Valentine's Day – quite suiting, in fact. So here we go, to the end!
Ginevra Weasley sat alone in the Three Broomsticks pub waiting for Harry to arrive. She had shown up far earlier than she'd been intending, but had hoped he might have come early as well. Now, sitting alone at a table, she was almost glad he hadn't. She needed this moment alone to brace herself for what was to come – though, she truly had no idea what she was about to face.
At each sounding of the bell hanging above the door of the pub, Ginny turned round to see if Harry had finally arrived. It wasn't until her mind became so wrapped up in thoughts of what she would say when he did arrive that Harry entered the pub. Ginny, deep in thought, did not turn around at the ringing sound of the bell announcing his arrival.
She did nearly jump out of her skin when he sat across from her and nonchalantly said, "Hey, Gin."
"Harry," Ginny gasped as she recognized him. Then as she calmed herself she said more cheerfully, "You're here!"
"Yeah," Harry replied with an easygoing smile. "Here I am. You want a butterbeer? My treat."
"Um…thanks…maybe in a minute…if you still want," Ginny murmured out hesitantly. "I kind of…have something to say before…."
Harry was silent for a moment and became incredibly interested in the grain of the table top. He stared hard at it for a long time before he said at last, "This is about Malfoy, isn't it?" Ginny opened her mouth to respond, but Harry continued before a sound left her lips. "Its okay, Ginny, I know how you feel about him. I have known for a while."
Harry turned his head to stare at the dust-covered windows, as if to look through them. Then he stood up abruptly and said, "I think I will go get those butterbeers – we might need them. I'll be right back, Gin."
"Okay," Ginny replied in a very small tone as Harry hurried away from the table. She sighed heavily and looked down at the table once more, filled with shame. Then she glanced back up to watch Harry's back. He stood steadily enough, and spoke with the barman cheerfully. It was as he was approaching their table that Ginny saw the sign she'd been searching for. There was a dark cloud in Harry's emerald green eyes – more vibrant today than usual, Ginny noticed, and more distant.
He sat and placed a mug before Ginny as he said, "I know what this is, Ginny. It's a pity date and I knew that going into this. You and I…I've known for a while that we weren't going to work out. We're just…not meant to have that kind of relationship." Harry smiled grimly at Ginny and took a sip of his butterbeer.
"Harry…," Ginny sighed, wanting more than anything to be able to tell him he was so very wrong about the premise of their date. Ginny didn't want to lie to Harry anymore, though, so she pressed on and said, "You're right. I just…I see you as a friend now. There was a time when being in a relationship with you was all I wanted, but…things change. People change, you know? But I don't want to lose your friendship, Harry. You've been a great friend to me…and Ron. I don't want this…mess…or whatever this is to strain those relationships."
"Me either," Harry agreed, heavy hearted. "That's why I agreed to meet you here today."
Ginny frowned at that and slowly reminded him, "Um….Harry…you asked me to meet you here today."
"Well…yes," Harry said, a look of guilt overcoming his features. "That's what I meant."
Ginny looked him over a moment and replied, "I don't believe you, Harry. What are you trying to hide from me? You might as well spit it out now; I know there's something."
Harry sighed heavily and was silent a moment before he admitted, "Malfoy suggested that I should ask you for a last chance date…and I know that you're going to meet him after this. We were hoping this would give you a chance to make a clear decision between us…of course, I know you've already chosen."
"Wait, what?" Ginny hissed, outraged. She stopped herself and took a calming swig of her beverage and placed it back down rather more roughly than she'd intended before continuing, "Do you have any idea the sort of drama I've face because of today?"
Harry gazed back at her, his eyes suddenly hard and cruel as he replied, "I'm sure it's nothing compared the drama you've been putting us all through these past months."
Ginny opened her mouth to retort, but couldn't deny the truth of what Harry said. She closed her mouth then, reconsidered her position and continued, "Still! At least I was honest with you and Draco about my feeling. I may not have felt I could tell you everything as it happened, but I told you as much as I could as soon as I could. You, on the other hand, are apparently sneaking around behind my back with Draco to decide the outcome of my love life!"
"That's not-" Harry began to protest, his eyes less dark and clouded.
Ginny stood suddenly, stopping him mid-sentence and said, "I want to know exactly what this is about, and I know you won't say it so it will hurt me, Harry. That's why I have to go now. I'm sorry." Ginny started to walk away but stopped next to Harry and gazed at him earnestly as she added, "for everything."
Then Ginny tore out of the store, heading for Honeydukes in hopes that she'd find Malfoy. Harry was tearing closely behind after her, calling out. Ginny ignored him, though. Her only focus was to find Draco.
She paused at the open window of Honeydukes and stared inside quickly. Seeing no sign of Draco, she turned round and glanced about the street. She was wondering where to look for him when Harry dashed around the corner, saw Ginny, and came to a skidding halt. The two look at each other, both still panting, neither knowing what to say – then Draco suddenly stepped into their midst.
There was a hiatus of silence as the Draco observed them and they stared back at him. Then he smirked at Ginny and drawled to Harry, "Couldn't keep her entertained, I see, Potter. I suppose that's to be expected."
He turned to sneer in Harry's direction. The later opened his mouth to make a retort when Ginny spoke, "Draco, I want to know what all of this is about. Harry has informed me that the two of you are conspiring behind my back."
"I assure you, Ginny," Draco replied with an expression of mock offense, "I would never conspire with that distasteful twit, Potter."
Ginny considered him for a brief moment before realizing aloud, "You planned this all yourself. Why, though – I don't understand."
Draco smiled and said, "I could tell you were unsure about your feelings." He shrugged adding, "I thought if you had a chance to see what each of us could offer you, it would be easier for you to choose between Potter, Blaise and I."
"Oh…" Ginny replied. Then frowned and added, "What do you mean between you, Blaise, and Harry. You and Harry are the only one's who asked me here today."
Draco shrugged and said, "Well I included Blaise. You'll have to ask him why he didn't participate."
Ginny stared hard at Draco and suddenly it occurred to her like getting hit by a powerful stupefy. She smiled at Draco and said, "Is he still up at the school?" Draco nodded and Ginny immediately turned on her heels and ran up to the castle.
Harry was gazing at Draco with much the same expression Ginny had moment before and he said, "I still don't understand. What's all this about, Malfoy?"
"Obviously you don't understand, Potter," Draco spat in reply. He looked haughtily at Harry before adding, "As I have involved you in the scheme already, I suppose it is only polite to inform you of its intentions."
He gave Harry and sidelong glance and continued, "You have, I'm sure, sensed the feelings she has for Blaise."
Harry was silent for a moment before replying in a terse tone, "Yes."
Draco turned away from Harry as he concluded, "Well…let's just say I've sensed similarly inclined feelings in Blaise."
Harry gave Draco that same bemused expression and said, "Well, who knew? Malfoy…you really can be a loyal friend."
Draco glanced at Harry with hard, cold gray eyes and said, "Shut up, Potter." Then he shoved his hands in his pocket and continued on his way. This left Harry standing alone and uncertain in the middle of Hogsmeade.
"Harry?" said a voice from behind him. Harry turned around to find Ginny's friend standing behind him looking just as uncertain as he feeling. She smiled timidly at him and moved closer.
"Hey," Harry replied at last. "You're name is…Emily, right?"
"Yeah," she replied with a reassured grin. "I…um…well." She took a deep breath and barreled on, "I saw you standing here by yourself and I thought…I was wondering…if you'd like to go to the Three Broomsticks for a drink?"
Harry considered her for a moment, then flashed his easy-going grin and said, "Yeah. That sounds great, actually."
18
Blaise was exactly where Ginny knew he would be – in their studio in the room of requirements. Even as she stood outside the nondescript door with no sign that Blaise had so much as passed by, Ginny knew he would be there – just on the other side of the door.
She knew this for the same reason she knew why he hadn't gotten involved in Draco's scheme. He cared about her – enough to remove himself from the playing field to keep from confusing her more. Except; Ginny had never felt more certain about anything than she did about this.
When she reached out at last to turn the handle and peak inside, she wasn't disappointed. Blaise was standing in the middle of the room, the song they had danced to playing softly around him. Ginny slipped inside as he joined in the song, dancing the moves he'd created for the music rather listlessly.
As he turned he spotted her watching him and came to a stumbling halt; gracefully catching himself at the end of it. "Ginny," he said as he composed himself, a look of shock still in his eyes. As he regained his composure, however, his eyes darkened and he seemed to distance himself from her with their shadowed gaze.
"What are you doing here?" he inquired in an entirely different tone – less welcoming, Ginny decided. "Come to tell me you've captured Draco's attention as you planned? I already know."
Ginny felt a twinge of uncertainty at the tone in her voice, but then she thought about the kiss they'd shared and the time they'd spent together. She thought about all the hidden signs he'd been giving her and all the confliction she'd been feeling for him him. Then she felt bold – like she had when she'd first desired Draco. This intensity felt different, though – it felt right. It felt deserved.
"No," she said at last, moving slowly closer to him. "I came here, because I have something entirely different to tell you. It's something I've realized I've been feeling for a while now…" she paused as she came to a halt directly in front of him.
Then Ginny gazed into Blaise's eyes, trying to read them, trying to see if he understood. She saw all she needed – a flicker of hope. It was enough to boost her confidence and cause her to grab the front of his shirt, pull herself up on tip-toes to plant a kiss directly on his stunned lips.
18
Blaise stood stock still as Ginny kissed him – stunned. He felt sure this couldn't be happening. Not after the months of torture, of desire, of wishing for exactly this and knowing he'd never have it.
Then Blaise though, Oh, to hell with it! He suddenly grabbed Ginny up around the waist and pulled her closer to him while deepening the kiss. There was a tidal wave of emotion as he felt his desires finally being quenched – yet he still found himself wanting more.
"Ginny," he murmured her name sweetly against her lips. Then, "Oh, Ginny," he said again; this time pulling away. He gazed at her, his defenses shattered and his heart on sleeve as he added, "What took you?"
A/N: At last; the end. This had been a very long…long, long, long…and difficult road. Thanks to everyone who stuck with it until the end. A special thanks to those who gave me that extra boot in the rear when necessary. I'll be spending a lot of my free time working on my manuscript, but hopefully I'll be able to continue work of Marked By Dark soon! – Rae
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