(please note that this is an alternate ending to the previous "chapter")

Ending Two

She had not seen Draco since she left him standing in his study. Being a certifiable Death Eater, he was restricted to a hidden and unplottable cell of Azkaban. No visitors. Although the trial was closed to the public, Ginny waited in the hall of the Ministry. She hated the torches on the wall, halfway expecting the orange flames to turn green at any second.

Finally, the prisoner, carefully guarded by Aurors and Untouchables, appeared at the end of the hallway. As they approached, Ginny pulled her necklace out from under her black jumper. The first and only argument she'd had with her mother was over the wedding ring. Molly refused to acknowledge her daughter's marriage. Lacking the energy to fight with her, Ginny slid the ring from her finger, but in the privacy of her room restored it on a chain around her neck.

Draco's heart lifted at the sight of Ginny but then sank again at recognizing the expression on her face as the same stony resignation he had seen in Voldemort's chamber. Their eyes met, and time stood still. Placing the ring on its proper finger, Ginny unhooked the chain. She dropped it into her purse and pulled out her long-unused wand. Touching the base of her finger she spoke a binding charm; faint blue and yellow sparks circled the ring before fading into the air. Her left hand rose and grasped the tip of her wand. Swallowing visibly, Draco acknowledged the significance of her next movement.

The footsteps stopped, and the only sound in the corridor was the resounding crack as Ginny's wand broke in two.

Ron looked at her with a furrowed brow. Taking his hand, she spoke, "Goodbye Ron. You've mourned me once, no need to mourn again."

Nodding at Draco, she turned and walked away.

The waves pounded against the shore as the sun made its gradual descent to the horizon. A heavy breath escaped her lips; it was good to be home. After drawing meaningless lines in the sand, she twisted the ring on her finger. It had been a week since the trial. Having cut herself off from the wizarding world, she did not know the outcome. If Draco had been freed, he would know where to find her. If not…well, this was her home now.

Rushing sand muffled the sound of another figure approaching behind and then sliding to the sand at her side.

Not daring to breathe, she slowly turned her head turned to identify the newcomer. As her glance met the familiar grey eyes made strangely foggy, she wasted no time clinging to her husband with every fiber of her being.

"I thought you were gone," she choked.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be with you," he ran his fingers comfortingly along her spine.

The sun passed beneath the watery line between sea and sky before they moved or spoke again.

"Are you ready to go home?" he finally asked. She nodded against his shoulder, but then sat back,

"You mean here, right?"

He smiled ruefully, "Well, seeing as the Wizengamot broke my wand and suggested I not return if I value breathing, yes, here."

Her face fell slightly at his first words, "You weren't pardoned?"

With a small shake of his head, he squeezed her hand, "No. But I'm just thankful to be alive."

"I wish they didn't have to break your wand." It was one thing to discard magic of your own accord; it was quite another to have it taken from you without choice.

"What would I do with a wand," he kissed the back of her hand as they began the gradual ascent toward their home, "when the most important person in my life doesn't use one. They just saved me the trouble of causing a fuss, like you did."

"Oh, Ray," Jen smiled.

The rediscovered pain behind her eyes would not soon fade; the nightmares would return. This time, however, she knew what happened in the end. Someone would be there as she tossed restlessly in her sleep, and his soothing voice would return her to calmer dreams.

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The End(s).

Neither is quite perfect. I think it more likely that Draco would have been convicted, but I like their return in this ending better than her with the tree. Hopefully the characters are fairly consistent throughout. I hope you enjoyed and were entertained. At any rate I had fun writing it :)

Let me know which ending you liked better. Thanks for reading and reviewing!!