Author's Notes: Much love to my reviewers. So to please us all…. The next installment! Woo! Enjoy it!
This week, my sista's favorite…. Juicy Fruits!
Disclaimer: Working on it. Failing miserably. Stupid restraining order.
It was now two in the morning and Draco Malfoy was fuming. He couldn't get out of the castle. He had tried several windows and unknown portraits but couldn't find a way outside. He needed to get to Ginny. She was locked outside in the middle of January with no warm clothing. And yes he, Draco Malfoy cared. He had admitted to himself hours ago. He cared about the girl.
He had heard that there where ways out, but Draco himself had no knowledge of them. He was now pacing the seventh floor for the ninth time, poking anything and everything with the tip of his wand. Halfway down the steps he remembered something.
Dashing back up the stairs Draco found himself staring at the wall where he had caught Potter and his friends back in fifth year. The door was gone. Completely puzzled he began to pace again. Outside, I need to get outside. Ginny, outside.
Draco gasped as a doorway appeared. He cautiously approached it. This door was different from Potter's. It was a darker cherry wood and built for one maybe two people at a time. Remembering the reason for his quest Draco threw all doubts aside and opened the door.
---
The door slammed shut behind Draco, throwing him into complete blackness. This startled him and caused him to drop his wand. Muttering a curse out loud Draco got on his knees and felt around on the ground. He gasped. It was not the usual flooring of the castle. He thought Lumos and a few inches away his wand lit against the dirt.
Draco grabbed his wand and stood. He was now standing in a long, narrow dirt tunnel. Not questioning how this tunnel came to be Draco began to run.
---
A little over a half an hour later Draco found himself at another door. This one however, was big enough for Hagrid. He flung it open to find another tunnel. To his right Draco could see darkness but on his left…Moonlight. Without glancing back Draco took the path to his left. Moments later he found himself crawling upwards.
Whack!
Something made contact with Draco's arm. He looked up in time to duck another branch. Draco Malfoy knew of only one tree that would hit back. The Whomping Willow. Taking a deep breath Draco ran for his life.
---
A few cuts and scratches later Draco lay panting on the cold grass. It was a clear night, the scattered stars gleaming down at him. As beautiful as it was Draco could only think of finding Ginny.
This was his entire fault. Really. He shouldn't have kissed her. Her life had been a crapshoot since that day in the library nearly three weeks ago. He shouldn't care about her. Yet here he was, Head Boy, sneaking out of the school, being attacked by the Whomping Willow. For Her.
But his problem was only half solved. True, Draco had succeeded. He was outside of Hogwarts. But where was Ginny?… Draco stood his eyes scanning the grass between the front doors and the Forbidden Forest. The night was still not even the lake rippled. His eyes wandered over the broomshed.
The door was wide open and a few brooms had fallen out. Ginny wouldn't leave the grounds? Would she? Granted she was full of surprises. Then it hit Draco. The Quidditch Pitch. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. But as he scanned the skies he could see no one. Draco's eyes next went to the stands. Ginny was probably somewhere trying to stay warm. Glancing around Draco saw a broom a few feet away. He grabbed it and felt the familiar sense. It was his. What was his broom doing out? Scanning the field again he saw a shape about halfway down. He dropped his broom.
"GINNY!!"
Draco, fearing the worst ran to her, his eyes widened as he drew close. Ginny's body was twisted; her legs slightly turned out. Her right arm was bent the wrong way. He sunk down beside her. She had fallen. She had been riding his broom, and fell.
"Gin, come on Gin. Wake up, girl." Draco whispered. But no sound came out of her blue lips.
Draco pulled his Slytherin cloak off and wrapped it around Ginny, trying to warm her body. "Come on Ginny."
He muttered a warming spell with his wand, a bit of the color returned to her face. But not enough. She needed medical help. Draco gently slid his hands under her fragile body and scooped her up in his arms. Making sure not to worsen her arm Draco slowly began to walk of the pitch.
"Come on girl. Once we get you to Hag-" Draco's heart stopped. Hagrid was gone. He had been called away all week, and Professor Grubby-Plank stayed in the castle. They where stuck outside.
---
The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry woke up refreshed and ready for the new day. The sun was shining and the events of last night where forgotten. The students made their way to the Great Hall for a hearty breakfast before first class.
Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger all sat at the front of the Gryffindor table chatting away. This morning they had all silently agreed to have a nice, calm, wandless talk with Ginny. Harry and Ron assumed that she was still in the 6th year dormitory. Hermione had nodded in agreement.
---
Draco Malfoy woke with an aching back, slightly frozen and a blinding light in his face. He looked up to see the sun rising above the Forbidden Forest. Quickly sitting up Draco found Ginny Weasley in his arms, the color fading from her cheeks.
He had been unable to get back into the castle. So he had leaned up against it as he held Ginny in his arms. Every twenty minutes or so muttering a warming charm until he had dozed off. He looked down at the fallen angel in his arms. Brushing her flaming red hair off her face, he noticed she was even paler than before. She needed help. Draco stiffly stood, Ginny still in his arms and rushed to the front doors.
---
The Great Hall was full of laughter and merriment when the front doors burst open, crashing against the stone wall. A few people turned and gasped as Draco Malfoy carried the unconscious Ginny Weasley into the Great Hall. At the head table Dumbledore stood as the Slytherin carried the Gryffindor up the aisle.
The tables all went silent. Professor McGonagall gasped and ran from the table towards them.
"Good heavens! What happened?"
Draco tried to speak, but no sound came. Moments later Professor Snape and Madame Pomfrey joined McGonagall at Draco's side. Pomfrey gasped as she glanced at Ginny. Everyone in the Great Hall was on their feet, craning their necks to see what was going on. Draco Malfoy was carrying a body. But no one could see who it was. His Slytherin cloak hid her face.
Snape wordlessly conjured up two stretchers. Draco seemed hesitant to let go of the body he held. Snape nodded to him. Draco placed her on the stretcher. Pomfrey and McGonagall began to exit the Great Hall at a fast paced speed, the stretcher floating behind. Snape nudged Draco, who laid himself on the other stretcher and floated, out of the hall.
I know the characters are getting OOC. But tough beans. This is how the story rolls. I wanted this one to be longer, but I wanted to get this part posted. Hope to have part 2 by the fourth. Let me know what you think about part one!