Ch. 3 Fighting With Fate
a/n: I believe I have forgotten to disclaim the majority of these characters. They are not mine, well most of them anyway. Enjoy
…Looking back, I think the only reason I said yes to Carter was because I was trying to piss Draco off. There was only so much I could take before I couldn't be around him anymore. He just couldn't understand why I wanted to do things my way. Why couldn't he have just left well enough alone.
"Ginny, you need to see a doctor and find out." He followed me through the streets of Hogsmeade during the last weekend in November.
"This again? Just drop it Draco, I'm not going to a doctor. I'll figure it out of my own." I pulled my coat tighter around myself getting angry. We had been having the same fight for nearly two weeks.
"Your being so immature. I'm trying to help you do the right thing and you're shoving me away" We had stopped walking and he had turned to face me angrily.
"The right thing? Draco, I'm trying to get on with my life after someone decided not to do the right thing for me. There I nothing wrong with me! I don't need to go to the doctor! Just leave me alone!"
"Fine, I will!" He stormed away. And I was left in the cold all alone.
December was a blur of horrid nightmares and days of pretending I was fine. People constantly gossiped about my sudden change from dating Draco to dating Carter. It was almost funny to listen to the stories they came up with. But in the end, I never told anyone the truth and never answered when people asked what had happened.
A week before the start of the holidays, I saw Draco walking around with Kristen Carver. She was skinny, blonde, and according to Pansy and Azlyn, a total whore. Every time I spotted them together it made me feel sick. I missed him. His friendship had been keeping me sane, but it was gone. And the scars on my arms were overlapping.
Carter and Regan stayed at Hogwarts so I said goodbye before heading to Hogsmeade to catch the train.
"I'll miss you, love" He hugged me and my arms stung under the pressure.
"I'll miss you too" I smiled as best I could at him. Behind him I could see Draco saying goodbye to Kristen. I was almost happy knowing she wouldn't be with him the whole holiday. He was going to where I didn't know. But he was leaving with Logan, Blaise, Pansy, and Azlyn. I had drifted off in thought when I realized he was staring over her head at me. Our eyes met for only a few second, but it was intense. And it was something I would never forget.
I felt tears welling up so I hurried away from Carter, joining the group headed for the train. Once I found an empty compartment, I sunk down into a seat and cried. I didn't even realize I had company until two very familiar arms wrapped around me. I looked up into Draco's eyes unsure of how to react.
"You looked so sad, I couldn't help following you. " His voice centered me. It comforted me. I missed it and him, He was … my best friend. Back then, he was my best friend.
"I'm sorry, I'm such a childish brat. " I sobbed.
He reached up and pushed my hair back. It had grown almost past my shoulders. I was glad, my parents still hadn't seen it.
"It's okay. I shouldn't have pushed you. You look awful Gin. Have you been sleeping?" He ran a thumb across my cheek wiping away stray tears and he stared at the dark circles under my eyes.
"Not really" The train lurched as we pulled away from Hogmeade and I nearly fell out of my seat. Draco steadied me before pulling his long coat off. And handing it to me.
"Sleep, I'll be here. And I'll wake you when we get close to London." He moved to the seat across from me and I slid down so I was lying down. I pulled his coat over me like a blanket and I was asleep instantly.
Far too soon though he was gently shaking me awake.
"Ginny, we're about ten minutes from London." He was sitting on the floor staring into my eyes.
I sat up and stretched. Then hesitantly went to pass him back his coat once he sat back up on one of the seats. He put his hand out to stop me.
"Keep it, you have a piece of me to keep the nightmares away over the holidays. I was glad, because the smell of him on the coat made me feel okay again.
"Thank you, Draco" I managed to fold the coat up and put it in my bookbag.
"I know you don't want to talk about it but …" He stared out the window unsure of how I would react to his next words.
"I have an appointment" I knew where he was going anyway. "Pansy is meeting me in London on Monday."
"That's good. She can tell me how it went." The train was slowing down.
"You can come if you want." As the train stopped we both stood and stretched. "It might make it easier. If you were there."
"Are you sure? I'll come if you want me to but I don't want to make it uncomfortable."
"If anything, Draco, you'll be making it easier." There was an awkward silence before we heard students starting to leave the train. He pulled me into a hug.
"I'll see you on Monday then, have a good holiday." He smiled before waving as he left the compartment and joined the students shuffling away.
I gathered my things and headed out onto the platform wher my parents were waiting with Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"What have you done to your hair?" My mum pulled me into a hug while examining my new hairstyle.
"You should have seen it when she first chopped it mum. It was barely to her chin." Ron laughed and I glared at him.
"Why would you do such a thing?" She asked as we bagan walking out of the train station.
"I wanted a change. You don't like it?" I noticed Draco's group as we walked past Azlyn waved and chuckled hearing my conversation. I rolled my eyes at her and stuck out my toungue . I heard someone else laughing at looked up to see Narcissa Malfoy laughing at our exchange. My mother followed her line of site and looked amused at us as well.
"Hello Cissy" My mum greeted smiling.
"Molly, how have you been?" Mrs. Malfoy responded pleasantly. "Have you met April Kartikofia? " She gestured to the deep skinned woman standing at her right. It was odd how Azlyn had described her mom perfectly.
"I don't believe so, Molly Weasley" My mom reached out and shook hands with the woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you"
"And you as well, we really should all get together over tea sometime. Share stories of motherhood." She spoke with a heavy accent but I couldn't place the country it was from.
"Molly has plenty, Ron and Ginny are her youngest children. She has five older boys as well."
"Really? I have barely managed with just one, You have more patience than I ever could." She laughed.
"Thank you, It's been a long road. We had better be off. The rest of the boys are waiting for us at home"
They all said goodbye and we went our separate ways.
"You know, Cissy and I use to be very close at Hogwarts. Back then, it really didn't matter what house you were in. Everyone got along back then. " She reminisced as we headed home. "Maybe soon it will be that way again."
"Maybe…" I stayed silent staring out the window the entire way home. I wasn't shocked to see five red heads standing outside in the snow waiting. I hadn't seen my brothers since early in the summer and I knew they would probably only be home a day or two before returning to their respective wives and children.
I was met with five identical looks of disbelief as they all took in my hair.
"Ah Gin, your hair is shorter than mine." Bill said wrapping me up in a big hug.
"Does that mean you are going to cut it?" Charlie asked pulling me away.
"Not a chance in hell." He laughed while I was passed amongst them. We walked inside together and all found places I front of the fire.
"So Ginny, I hear you and Malfoy shacked up this year?" Fred laughed causing the whole room to go silent and my parents to turn and stare.
"I thought you were dating Carter Temply?" My father questioned.
"I am, I um, I dated Draco briefly earlier this year." I choked out. I had almost forgotten that Fred and George were still connected to Hogwarts gossip through their joke shop.
"Draco? You must have really liked him?" Charlie added keeping things calm.
"Yea, he was really good to me. We just felt more like friends than boyfriend and girlfriend though." I was surprised by how easy it was to lie about Draco to my family.
"But you haven't spoken to him since you split up. And Sarah told me she spotted you to having an argument at the end of November in Hogsmeade. "I wanted to hit Hermione. Why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut?
"Didn't I tell you? They sat together on the train today. At least that is what Azlyn told me when I went looking for Ginny." Ron replied. "She said something about you and Draco needing to talk and that you were with him."
"How's Carter going to feel about you and Draco on the train?" Harry and Carter were good friends so I knew this wouldn't stay between just my family. And Carter would tell Regan and then the whole school would know.
"Leave your sister alone, boys. It's getting late. Time for bed." My mum interjected and I was grateful.
"We are grown men. And yet our mother is still telling us when to go to bed? " George laughed as we all climbed the stairs to our respective bedrooms.
Monday morning dawned early and bright and I fought back the urge to puke as I slowly went through the motions of getting ready. My whole family was under the impression that I would be spending the day with Luna doing some holiday shopping and luckily I had been able to get Luna to agree to lie for me if asked about it without having to really explain much to here. And for that I was grateful.
I slipped out of my house into the snow and walked all the way to town where I caught the first morning train to London. I tried to nap during the nearly three hour ride but my mind wouldn't let me. I stepped off the train onto the platform and saw Pansy and Draco sitting on a bench each drinking what I assumed was a cup of coffee. Pansy noticed me first and directed Draco's attention towards me. They stood together and walked towards me.
"You look tired." Pansy observed looping her arm in mine and leading me towards the row of taxi's outside the train station.
"Thanks Pansy, such a nice compliment." I rolled my eyes. "It's like a three hour train ride. I've been up since like five."
Draco remained quiet the entire taxi ride to the free clinic, he didn't even greet me. And he stayed silent as I filled out paper work and the nurse drew blood. When I was finally settled into an exam room I had had enough.
"Draco?" He had been looking out the window at the cars going by but he turned when I spoke. "You didn't have to come. You obviously don't want to be here." I fidgeted on the exam table, the paper crinkling below me.
"What? Why would you think that?" He walked over to the table and stood directly in front of me.
"I'm just going to go wait in the waiting room." Pansy excused herself smiling slightly at me before stepping out of the room.
"You haven't said a single word to me all day until now."
"I'm sorry; I've been lost in thought Ginny. Do you think this is easy? Being here watching you go through this? I … this isn't fair. You've done nothing wrong in your life and yet one of the worse possible things that could happen has happened to you. It angers me. So many terrible people have such easy lives and yet here you are in this situation." There was something in his eyes as he spoke and at that moment I couldn't quiet place it. And I had no response for him.
For what seemed like and eternity we stared at each other, until a knock on the door broke us from our thoughts. The doctor walked in and sat down in a chair in front of me.
"So, Ginny, your blood test results are in and you are in fact pregnant." She held a pitying look in her eyes and I understood. I was the knocked up teenager. Another statistic for research. "Do you have any questions? Need a referral? Anything?"
"No I don't thank you though. If that is it can I leave now.? It was taking all I had not to break down into sobs.
"That is all. Good luck Ms. Weasley." She exited the room quickly and the tears spilled out of my eyes.
Draco wrapped his arm around me and held me as I cried. He held me all the way back to the train station and as I waited for my train. He looked reluctant when I finally had to pull away from him to catch my train but I assured him I would be fine and I would see him on the train back to Hogwarts. I spent the entire ride crying but managed to compose myself before joining my family for the rest of the holiday.
I spent every night sleeping with Draco's coat next to me. Unfortunately the effect wore off two nights before the end of the holidays. I had a nightmare so horrific I woke up screaming. Hermione jumped up from where she was sleeping on the floor flipped on the lights and shook me awake. Soon enough my whole family was standing in the doorway and I was shaking feeling sick.
"Ginny?" Hermione asked looking concerned. "Are you okay?"
I was only able to shake my head before bolting for the bathroom shoving my brothers out of the way. After I was sure I wasn't going to puke again, I washed my hands and face feeling gross and opened the door. Charlie was sitting against the wall waiting for me.
"Where is everyone?" I wondered noticing the empty hallway.
"Downstairs, mom's making them tea. I told her I wanted to talk to you." He put an arm around my shoulder and led me back to my bedroom.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"What is going on with you? The Ginny I saw this summer was happy and energetic. This whole time you have been tired and gloomy. And sick, this isn't the first time you've puked your guts out since you've been home."
"I didn't realize anybody was watching me that closely." I stared out the window at the stars unwilling to look him in the eyes.
"Look at me Ginny," I turned to face him. "Bill and I are really worried for you… And please don't take this the wrong way. But…are you…pregnant?"
"No, of course not" maybe if I said it then that would make it true. "It's just a stomach bug. I'm fine , I promise"
"Are you sure?" He looked like he didn't believe me.
"Charlie…" I stared him down.
"Ginny, I'm serious. You know you can trust me with anything."
"I know, but there is nothing going on." I gave him my best nothing is wrong smile. And the conversation was over.
I was glad when the holiday was over and we were finally headed back to Hogwarts. I found and empty compartment and stared out the window wrapped up in Draco's coat and my own thoughts. Soon, I dozed off into a fitful sleep and was starting to get lost in a nightmare when someone gently shook me awake.
"Your tossing and turning" Draco sat down next to me.
"What am I going to do, Draco?" I absentmindedly gestured down to my stomach.
"I wish I knew, Ginny. Maybe it is time you tell people what happened."
"No, I'm just starting to feel like me again. Doing that will just put me back where I started."
"Well either you're going to have to tell Carter what happened or break up with him. If you don't he is going to think you cheated on him."
"Not necessarily. I got pregnant before I started dating him."
"Great, so then people are going to think that I knocked you up."
"I just won't tell anyone, I'm barely fifteen, I don't want a baby. I can give it up for adoption then no one will ever know. I've already done the math, I'm due during the summer. But I'm defiantly going to need help to pull it off."
"Azlyn, Pansy, Logan, and Blaise can help I guess. I'm only doing this because you have no one else. I stick to my original comment. I think you should tell your family. So I am not overly pleased with this whole idea."
"What other choice do I have, Draco? I can't be a mother at fifteen. I can't spend the next seventeen years looking at a child who reminds me constantly of that night. Please Draco. I can't do this without your help. I am begging you."
"Fine"