Eleven Years Later

Tears spilled over the end of Ginny's nose but she didn't care. Her vision had become blurry but she just had to run. Everything that she had believed in had been a lie. Her children had been conceived in wickedness and hatred. Draco had never loved her; he had used her to get close to Harry. She was a fool.

Why was it her though? Why did she have to be so gullible? Everyone else had questioned Draco's motives. They had all worried that it would end in tears, hers. But she had not wanted to believe that. Even when Harry had told her it was a trap she had thought he was just jealous. Why hadn't she listened to the people that cared about her?

Worse though was the knowledge that she had lost eleven years because of him. Eleven years that she could have spent with her family. Eleven years when she could have created new bonds with Harry, or another wizard. Eleven years of the battle with Voldemort. Why had she let him play her? And Charlie she had practically sent him to the grave. If she hadn't have fallen for Draco Charlie would never have been killed by him.

"Ginny come back!"

No, he could follow her. He had had his chance to find her and now he wanted to talk. No she didn't want to hear. Quickening her pace she ran through a field. The village had to be to her right, which meant Bill's home was to her left. Getting out of the field she found a path and ran along it.

Unsurprisingly she hadn't gone far when Draco caught up with her. He grabbed her from behind causing her to scream. But he didn't let go as he twirled her in his arms. She was facing him before the scream had died on her lips. She could hardly see through her tears but was sure he was still crying himself. His lips moved closer to hers and she was engulfed by his kisses.

They were just as she remembered them and she wanted so much to kiss him back. But she fought against him pulling herself free. Living so long as a muggle she had forgotten to pull out her wand. Instead she pulled her arm back and slapped him as hard as she could across his face.

"Don't you dare touch me."

"Ginny."

He was rubbing his cheek, which was turning a lovely red colour in the shape of a hand.

"Leave me alone."

"Please come back with me. I need to explain –"

"No."

She took off again down the path looking for the brickwork that signalled Bill's house. Draco was still behind her calling her name. But she refused to listen to him. The gate came into view and she pushed it open running into the garden. Draco was still with her but she didn't care.

She hammered on the door as Draco took her arm again.

"I love you."

"How can you? I don't think you even know what the word means."

"Ginny I –"

A flood of light hit them and Ginny pulled her arm free of the man. Bill was stood in the doorway and she managed to get behind him before Draco could say anymore.

"Ginny please I need to talk to you."

"Go away."

"But –"

"You heard my sister. Get out of here now Malfoy before I make you."

Bill slammed the door into his face and Ginny just broke down in tears again. Bill's arms wrapped around her and she let him hold her close. She couldn't take this. She had expected heartache and difficulties when coming back to the wizarding world but nothing like this.

"Shh come on Gin. Don't cry over him."

"He used me Bill. From the word go he was using me."

He just rubbed her back. It was clear that he didn't know what to say to that, how could he? But he was there for her like he had always been. It didn't matter how different they were they were family. That was all that counted.

"I want to go home."

Bill finally released her looking down into her eyes.

"We have international floo connection."

He led her into the kitchen and all she could do was stare. Fleur was sat in a rocking chair with knitting needles going in front of her. She looked like a proper little housewife.

"Ginny would you like dinner?"

"Oh no thank you Fleur. I just want to go home to my children."

She made a face and Bill said something in French. She merely nodded at him going back to her knitting.

"You need to say 'The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole, England' and that's it."

"Really nothing else?"

She laughed gently as she said it causing Bill to smile.

"Tell mum and dad I'll be over in a couple of days."

She simply nodded as she stepped into the fire. Closing her eyes she repeated the address and felt the familiar swirling. It felt like an eternity before she fell forwards out into the Burrow. A small scream pierced the air and she looked up at Alysia and Ralph sat at the table eating an omelette. Her mother was at the sink washing dishes while her father pawed through the paper. He put the paper down looking at her.

"What are you doing back?"

"I missed the kids too much. And aren't you suppose to be in bed?"

Alysia and Ralph shared looks that said they had no idea what she was talking about. She knew her eyes were still red and puffy from the crying and figured her father would be popping his head through the fireplace to speak to Bill shortly.

Her attention though had turned to her children. She led them upstairs and happily put them to bed. They were sharing the room that had once belonged to Fred and George. Ginny thought it might have been better to put them in different rooms but maybe being in a strange environment they were clinging to one another.

"Mum have you been crying?"

"A little Ralph."

"Why?"

"It's emotional meeting up with the family again after all this time."

He yawned widely and she leaned in kissing his forehead. As she did she saw Draco. Her heart skipped a beat and she wondered how long it would be before she'd have to tell them the truth.

"Mother you're crying again."

"What Alysia?"

"I said you're crying."

"Don't be silly I'm tired that's all."

She kissed her daughters forehead and wandered into her own room. On the bedside table was a small photo of her and Draco back when she was eighteen. Ginny slammed it down dropping onto her bed. More tears fell from her eyes and she couldn't help but think that they would never stop.

Hey guys.

Thanks for being so patient. I know that my posting hasn't been as often as it could be. But things are getting a bit better. The funeral still hasn't taken place, its going to be on Monday which is why I haven't posted before now, because well its still on going. Umm… I've also got a lot of university work to do over Christmas, so it looks like there won't be much post until god I don't even know when. My dissertation is due in in May and I've got something like six essays before then. But I promise when I get two minutes I will update again. It's just last year in university is a killer, so much work and so very little time.

Anyway again thanks for being so understanding.

Kris xx