Meetings
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my computer and my imagination.
Chapter Two - Association
Ginny had been stuck in the house now for a week. A part of her wished that she was back in Romania with Charlie, but then again, she had no friends there. At her current hiding place, her friends were always coming and going. It was good to be among familiar faces again. In Romania she seldom saw anyone and even if she did, she never saw the same person twice except for Charlie and few others. Yes, she liked being here along side the Order once again.
It was almost dark out. Ginny lounged in a chair next to the large fireplace in the study, reading. Tonks was sitting at a desk, Remus next to her. They were whispering softly with each other, shuffling papers and pointing at things. It had been a quite day like normal. Draco had shut himself up in his room, like usual, after breakfast. Ginny rarely saw him.
The fire was burning low, and Remus got up and threw another log onto it. He turned to Ginny and smiled. She was about to smile back when suddenly there was a loud banging noise. Ginny stood up and looked at the door of the room. Remus and Tonks pulled out their wands, aiming them and slowly walked forward, Ginny softly trailing them. Then they heard the front door open and slam shut. Footsteps could be heard running down the hall towards them.
"Remus!? Tonks!?" Tonks and Remus dropped their arms, and Ginny let out a shaky breath as Hermione and Ron ran into the room.
Remus rushed forward, "What is it? What's wrong?"
Hermione tried to catch her breath to answer, but Ron beat her to it.
"We've gotten word that there is going to be an raid by the deatheaters. A large one. We're trying to gather everyone to help fight."
They all rushed out of the room and towards the door before Ron even stopped talking. Ginny knew they were going to a battle, and she wished more than anything that she could go.
"Where?" Tonks swirled her cloak around her shoulders.
Hermione quickly handed her a small piece of paper. Remus and Tonks looked at it carefully before handing it back. Hermione muttered a few words and the parchment went up in smoke. They all rushed out of the house with out another word, except Ron who quickly went over to Ginny and gave her a quick hug.
"We're probably all going to be gone for a few days. Don't worry about anything. We'll be fine." Ginny nodded mutely.
He turned and opened the door, then added, "Remember, if he gives you any trouble, turn him into a ferret." Ginny wanted to laugh but found she couldn't. He took a step out, and whispered in a low voice, "Don't let him leave."
The door closed and he was gone. The house was suddenly very quite. It felt big and cold. Ginny stood there in the hall not really knowing what to do. She glanced at the stairs and stopped. Malfoy was standing there, on the fifth step, watching her.
"There is going to be an attack," she said it softly, not knowing what else to say.
"I do possess ears of my own Weasley."
Ginny glared, then walked away towards the kitchen, leaving him standing there.
She put some water on to boil, then reached into a cupboard and brought out a hot cocoa mix and a mug. Mixing it all together, she hopped up onto the counter, leaning against the cupboard, and took a sip of the hot drink.
The door swung open and Malfoy stepped in. He said nothing but looked at her drink.
"The water's still hot if you want some."
He looked back up at her when she spoke, then went and got himself a mug.
After he had finished making some hot chocolate for himself, he sat down at the table. No one spoke for a while. Ginny was surprised that it was he who started up a conversation.
"So it is just going to be you and me for a while."
Ginny gave no acknowledgement and took another sip.
"So why were you in Romania?" Ginny was surprised at this question. It actually sounded like he wanted to know.
She looked at him in silence before deciding to answer.
"I was in hiding."
It was his turn to look surprised.
"What for?"
"My whole family thought it best for me. To keep me safe."
Ginny expected to hear a snide remark at her explanation.
"That must be nice." His voice was soft. He was looking down at his drink.
"What?"
"To have your family care so much about you."
Ginny was shocked. She had no idea how to reply.
He cleared his throat, "So how long were you in hiding?"
"Um... well I was in Romania for about a month or so. I was in France for about two soon after school shut down."
"Do you have family there as well?"
"My other brother, Bill."
"Oh... isn't he the one that became a wer--" He stopped when he saw her reaction. Her face showed anger.
Ginny hopped off the counter quickly, slamming her mug on the counter.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Then with a swish of her hair she left the room.
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Ginny retreated to her room. She mentally kicked herself for overreacting. It had been over a year since the night that Bill had been attacked during the battle at Hogwarts. It had been hard on all her family. Remus had helped Bill as much as he could, but he still became a werewolf every full moon. He lived in France now with Fluer. They had gotten married in secret with a small ceremony. Fluer got a job teaching Charms at the wizard school there.
She threw herself on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She heard Malfoy climbing the stairs and pause outside her door. A soft knock sounded. Ginny laid there, debating whither to open it or not.
He spoke, his voice muffled through the door, "I just wanted to say that I was --" he paused. Ginny got up and opened the door. He took a step back and looked at her.
She raised her chin slightly, waiting for him to continue.
"I just wanted to say that I was sorry," He looked around the hall and scratched his neck, "I shouldn't have brought it up. It wasn't right of me."
Ginny was baffled. This was definitely not the Draco Malfoy that she knew from her years at Hogwarts.
He cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable as Ginny eyed him suspiciously.
She finally leaned up against her doorframe, crossing her arms.
"You're different."
Their eyes met. Again Ginny had the urge to shrink back under his gaze, but she held it.
"Yeah? Well people change." His voice turned icy. With that he turned and stalked to his room which was three doors down and going in, he slammed the door behind him.
Ginny stayed where she was. It's true, people do change. But she had never thought that Draco Malfoy would change. She shook her head at nothing before turning back into her room.
---------------------------------------------------
The next day Ginny was sitting at the table, a book open in front of her. She muttered things here or there that she read before turning the page and reading more. The kitchen door swung open but she didn't look up. She knew it was Malfoy as they hadn't heard from any of the other members yet. She heard him grab a box of cereal and poor it into a bowl before concentrating on her book again.
"What are you doing?" His voice interrupted her thoughts and made her jump slightly. She glanced at him momentarily before turning her eyes back to the book.
"Studying."
"I figured that much out myself Weasley."
She threw him an annoyed look.
"Do you really expect me to answer you when you talk to me like I'm not equal to you?" She asked testily.
"I am not talking to you like you're not an equal." His voice was hard.
"You can't even call me by my first name!"
"I didn't know you wanted me to!"
"It's not that I do or don't want you to, but you just assume that I don't care!"
Their voices had grown loud and they were practically yelling at each other.
"I didn't presume anything! And might I point out that you have never called me by my first name either!"
They glared at each other in silence. He spoke again, but his voice was back to a normal volume, though he still sounded irritated.
"And just for the record, Ginny," He put emphasis on her name, smirking, "I do count you as an equal."
Ginny's mouth dropped slightly open at this statement, but said nothing. Again he smirked and took a bite of his, now, somewhat mushy breakfast.
She watched him, shocked, before she finally shook her head clear of the questions that clouded her thoughts and turned back towards her book.
"So what are you studying?" He acted like they hadn't just been yelling at each other.
She didn't look up.
"I'm learning how to Apperate. I have a test in two weeks."
"Oh."
Silence again filled the room.
"I can help if you'd like."
Ginny looked at him, "What?" Not quite sure she had heard him right.
"With your studying. I can help you."
"Oh." She narrowed her eyes at him, "Why would you want to do that?"
He let out an exasperated sigh, "Because I have changed from my ways of evil, and now my goal in life is to help little old ladies cross the street."
Ginny raised an eyebrow at him.
He smirked, "Isn't that what you wanted to hear?"
Ginny bit back a laugh and cocked her head to the side, looking at him.
"Alright!" He threw up his arms slightly, and leaned back in his chair, "I'm bored out of my mind in this prison! I have nothing to do here and helping you would help the time pass by before they," He waved his hand at the direction of the door, "start to trust me."
Ginny peered closely at him before answering. "Alright, you can help me."
The look on his face at this told her that he didn't actually expect her to agree.
"Really?"
"I thought you said you had some ears."
It was his turn to look at her closely. His grey eyes bore into her, but when he said nothing, Ginny turned her attention back to the page, not catching a look pass across his face.
Chapter Two complete. I really need reviews on this story people!! Feedback is important for every writer. Thank you to the three people that reviewed for the last chapter.
I really hope you guys enjoyed it.
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Until next time, Cheers!