Chapter Eight
Draco was sad to leave Ginny the next time he was called away to an assignment. She seemed equally upset, and she had tears in her eyes when she hugged him goodbye. Their relationship had changed dramatically since their kiss on the Astronomy Tower. They communicated more; Draco told her about his missions, and Ginny told him anything he wanted to know about her. It was a refreshing change from cold, stubborn silence.
"It's just for a few days, love," Draco reminded her. "I'll be back before you know it."
"Can't I go with you?" Ginny tried half-heartedly. She knew he would never allow it. Draco sighed and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You'll have your chance, Ginny. I promise."
"I just wish there was something I could do," she muttered bitterly. Draco touched her chin and kissed her forehead.
"Perhaps there is," Draco said. "It's not much, I know, but I'm having trouble figuring out where the Death Eaters are keeping the sword of Gryffindor. I'm almost certain that it is powerful enough to destroy a horcrux. Anyway, that's what I'm leaving to try to figure out. If you know anything about it…if you've heard anything from Potter…just think about it, all right?" Ginny smiled weakly.
"I really appreciate that you're trying to get me involved, Draco. But it's just not the same."
"I have to leave, Ginny. But don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, okay? Just be patient." Ginny nodded reluctantly. Draco pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed the top of her head. In the next moment, he vanished. And Ginny was left alone.
She devoted most of her time to thinking about Gryffindor's sword. It sounded so familiar. She felt like Harry had indeed mentioned it to her before, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She spent her History of Magic class time thinking about it, with nothing to show for it.
It wasn't until dinner time, seated at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, that Ginny gasped in realization. Her sudden epiphany surprised Colin, who dropped his goblet of pumpkin juice.
"Colin!" Romilda shrieked, retrieving her Potions essay from the spill.
"Ginny, are you all right?" Colin asked, ignoring Romilda's angry mutterings. Ginny remembered now. The Chamber of Secrets. Harry had used the sword of Gryffindor to slay the basilisk. Fawkes had brought the Sorting Hat, and the Hat had given him the sword. Fawkes and the Hat were kept in Dumbledore's office. Which meant that the sword must have been kept there too.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Ginny replied distantly. "Guys, I have an idea. Find as many people from Dumbledore's Army as possible and tell them to meet in the Room of Requirements at eight o'clock tonight. Be discreet," Ginny whispered, looking pointedly at Colin. Colin's eyes widened.
"What? Just because that one time I accidentally sent an all-student owl post-"
"What's this all about, Ginny?" Romilda asked, cutting Colin off. Ginny shook her head, glancing surreptitiously at Snape.
"I'll tell you later. Just find DA members and tell them to meet at eight." Romilda nodded solemnly and immediately wandered over to the Ravenclaw table to deliver the message. Ginny bit her lip. She didn't have a plan…yet. But she was definitely going to come up with one. This was her chance to prove herself.
--
Ginny frowned at the small group of students standing in front of her. Colin and Dennis Creevy. Romilda Vane. Michael Corner. Anthony Goldstein. Padma and Parvati Patil. Neville Longbottom. Nine altogether. She had waited until a quarter after, hoping that more people would show up. But since more and more members were getting caught doing pranks, less and less people showed up to the meetings.
"I was hoping more people would come," Ginny began with a sigh. "But I'm glad that you all decided to be here. I really appreciate it."
"Well, just so we know, what the hell are we getting ourselves into?" Michael Corner asked apprehensively.
"Harry is out there somewhere searching for You-Know-Who's horcruxes, because he needs to destroy them in order to kill him for good. There are very few things in this world that are powerful enough to destroy a horcrux. The sword of Godric Gryffindor is one of them." Everyone blinked and continued to stare at her, clearly not sure where she was going with this.
"The sword is here in Hogwarts. We need to…procure it," Ginny explained further, choosing her words carefully.
"Procure it?" Anthony repeated. "You mean steal it?"
"Steal it from whom?" Padma jumped in.
"Snape," Ginny said quietly.
"Are you mad?" Michael exclaimed in shock. "Impossible! He'll flay us alive if we get caught!"
"So, we won't get caught," Ginny said matter-of-factly. Everyone possessed looks of extreme uncertainty. Even Colin and Romilda, who usually went along with anything Ginny had to say.
"Do you have a plan?" Neville spoke up in a squeaky voice. Ginny nodded.
"Yes, I do. I just ask that you all hear me out while I explain it, and then if you want no part in it, you can leave." Everyone seemed to agree with this, and they remained where they were as Ginny explained her carefully constructed plan to steal Godric Gryffindor's sword right out from under Snape's long, hooked nose.
The next day, Ginny spoke to everyone who had attended and eventually agreed to participate. The plan was to be set into motion at dinner time. Neville and Romilda stood guard at the entrance to the Great Hall, keeping a discreet eye on Snape as he sat down to eat his meal. Neville muttered the Alert Charm to let Ginny know that it was safe to proceed.
Ginny was stationed with Colin, Dennis, Anthony and Parvati in the corridor outside the Headmaster's office. Michael and Padma were waiting to intercept anyone in their way. Ginny's wand vibrated in her robe pocket.
"All right, that's Neville. Let's go," she murmured softly to everyone else. "Did you get the password, Dennis?" The youngest Creevy brother nodded proudly and produced a scrap of parchment.
"Finally, his eavesdropping is put to uses other than ruining my life," Colin muttered wryly. Ginny grinned and said the password aloud. The gargoyle leapt aside and revealed the long spiral staircase leading to the office. The five DA members wasted no time in ascending the staircase and bursting into Snape's lair.
"Spread out and find the sword," Ginny ordered. Suddenly, her wand vibrated urgently in her pocket. Her heart stopped. "Find the sword quickly," she corrected. "That was Neville again. Snape is leaving the Great Hall."
"Already?" Parvati exclaimed.
"Something must have gone wrong," Ginny said abruptly. "Don't think about it. Just find the sword. Dennis, I think you should get out of here now." Dennis didn't need to be told twice. He ran.
The atmosphere shifted greatly. Panic was now floating through the air, contagious and disorienting. Ginny hoped that Michael and Padma would be able to detain Snape long enough for them to get out without being seen.
"You guys! I think I found it!" Colin said excitedly. Everyone rushed to his side and peered into a black case with a glass lid. There, sitting on a green cushion, lay Godric Gryffindor's sword. Ginny sighed with relief.
"That's it, Colin."
"Should we take the whole thing?" Anthony wondered aloud.
"Is it too heavy to carry, Col?" Ginny asked. The initial euphoria of finding the sword was diminishing, and the concept of being discovered by Snape was increasing her heart rate once again.
"Ginny!" Neville's voice hissed urgently from the tip of her wand.
"Neville, what's going on?" Ginny replied into the wand.
"Snape knows something is up. I'm watching Michael and Padma trying to cause enough trouble to keep him from his office. But I don't think they can hold out for much longer. You have to get out of there."
"All right, Neville. We have the sword. We'll leave now." Colin struggled under the weight of the case as he lifted it from the ground. Anthony took one end from him, and the two boys started for the door. Parvati rushed ahead of them to open it.
"Be quiet," Neville advised. "Snape is just a few corridors down." Ginny's heart was pounding like war drums in her ears as the group descended the staircase and crept into the hallway.
"We're out," Ginny whispered.
"Good. Snape is still with Michael and Padma. We'll meet you in the Room of Requirements."
"Perfect. See you there, Neville," Ginny replied, feeling a rush of relief flood her body. Then she looked up and felt her heart sink again.
"Well, well," Professor Carrow said nastily. "What do we have here?" Not a moment later, Snape had come up behind them, successfully trapping the group in a Death Eater sandwich. Ginny glanced at Colin, who seemed to read her mind. They both gripped their wands inside their cloaks and waited.
"First, you destroy school property, and now you're stealing it?" Snape said slowly. "How sad."
"We're stealing it back," Ginny replied crisply. "It never belonged to you in the first place. It belongs to Harry."
"How dare you talk to me like that," Snape hissed dangerously.
"What do you have there, boys?" Carrow asked, peering at the black case. Colin stepped to obscure his view, and Anthony threw his cloak over the cover.
"Hand it over, Mr. Creevy," Snape ordered loudly.
"No," Colin growled. Ginny blinked. She had never seen Colin act so defiantly in front of Snape. She had to fight a smirk.
"I will not ask you again," Snape said quietly. "Give me the sword." Ginny and Colin looked at each other, poised and ready.
"GIVE IT TO ME!" Snape bellowed furiously.
"Now, Col!" Ginny shouted. The two friends simultaneously cast a spell that immediately filled the entire hallway with smoke. "Anthony! Parvati! Run!" Ginny commanded, blindly running into the thick smoke. She held her hands out in front of her as she pressed onward, trying desperately to get as far away from Snape and Carrow as she could before they dissolved the smoke. Finally, Ginny burst out of the cloud and glanced around frantically for the rest of the group. A hand closed around hers, and she screamed.
"Ginny, run!" Colin exclaimed, dragging her towards the stairs. Padma and Anthony were now carrying the sword about ten paces ahead of them. A burst of green light sizzled as it hit the ground next to Ginny's feet. Snape and Carrow were closing in on them and firing spells as they approached.
"Get the sword back to headquarters!" Ginny shouted ahead to Anthony and Padma. "We'll buy you time!" She grabbed Colin's arm and slowed him down. "We need to find Peeves."
"Did someone say Peeves?" A mischievous voice asked from behind them.
"Peeves, we need your help," Ginny said breathlessly. Snape and Carrow turned the corner and spotted Ginny and Colin at the end of it. Peeves grinned and sped off towards the two Death Eaters.
"Snivelly, slimy, Snape-ity, Snape!" He crowed, disappearing into a classroom and returning with an armful of potions supplies. "Watch your step!" He cackled, dropping the glass vials on top of the professors.
"PEEVES!" Snape roared. He aimed a spell at the poltergeist, but Peeves dodged it easily.
"You don't have time for this," Carrow said. "Let me handle the bastard. You go stop the children." Snape did not need a further word of encouragement. He started off down the corridor, where Colin and Ginny were still standing.
"Ginny…" Colin whispered fearfully.
"Colin, go. I'll handle it."
"I'm not leaving you, Ginny."
"Neither of you are going anywhere," Snape hissed and flicked his wand. Ginny felt the soles of her shoes adhere to the floor. She saw Colin struggling with the same problem next to her. "I'll be back in a moment to deal with you two." Snape disappeared in a swirl of black cloak. Carrow rushed past them a moment later, followed by Peeves, who was still hurling school supplies at his head.
"Well…if nothing else, we gave them hell," Colin said with a half-hearted smile. Ginny sighed and shook her head.
"This is not going at all like I had planned. Colin, I'm sorry. We're going to get into so much trouble, and it's all my fault." Colin shook his head and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't blame yourself, Ginny. None of us will." Ginny nodded and smiled weakly. Still, she couldn't help feeling like she was responsible for their failure. She could only hope that Anthony and Padma got back to the Room of Requirements before Snape found them. As she was thinking this, Snape appeared on the stairs, levitating the sword in tow. Ginny's heart sank.
"Come with me, Miss Weasley," Snape ordered smugly, releasing the spell that was holding Ginny in place. "And don't try to run again."
"What about Colin?" Ginny asked with more courage than she felt. Snape turned slowly to look at her.
"He can join the others in the dungeons. Professor Carrow will escort him." Ginny glanced at Colin apologetically. He shrugged casually.
"I'll be fine," he insisted. There were many things Ginny wanted to say to her best friend, but Snape had seized hold of her wrist and begun to drag her towards his office. Ginny watched as Snape secured the sword of Gryffindor and slowly moved to sit behind his desk.
"I suspect you're the ringleader of this little band of misfits," Snape began. Ginny lifted her chin in defiance.
"I am not."
"No? Then who is?"
"Albus Dumbledore. Perhaps you've heard of him," she replied coolly. Snape's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Mind your attitude, Miss Weasley. I am not in a forgiving mood."
"That sword belongs to Harry. Dumbledore left it to him in his will. So which one of us is really committing a crime?" Ginny challenged.
"What value is a sword to the great Harry Potter?" Snape spat. "Do you even know why you're stealing it for him?"
"Well, it doesn't matter now. Does it?" Ginny replied, avoiding his question. The corner of Snape's mouth lifted in a cruel sneer.
"I suppose not. It seems as though you haven't quite learned your lesson yet, Miss Weasley. Perhaps you haven't spent enough time in detention."
"Not entirely sure that's the problem," Ginny muttered under her breath. Snape glared at her and made a note as he continued.
"You will join your friends in the dungeon for detention tonight."
"Tonight?" Ginny exclaimed without thinking. Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Do you have some prior engagement? Some other illegal and irresponsible plan to execute?" He inquired wryly. Ginny fought to keep her features placid, even though she was panicking inside. She was supposed to meet Draco tonight at eight thirty. It was almost seven now, and she had no idea what sort of detention Snape had planned.
"You'd better hope not," she replied haughtily. Snape rose from his chair and walked around to the front of his desk.
"Cheeky little witch," Snape muttered testily. "I will break you of that if it is the only thing I accomplish as headmaster."
"Then it seems you will have a very unproductive career," Ginny said crisply. Snape crossed the room in a few long strides and took hold of her arms, pushing Ginny back against the wall.
"You will show me respect, Weasley," Snape hissed. Ginny struggled against him, but to no avail.
"You will take your hands off me, Professor Snape," Ginny replied with equal venom. Snape released her roughly and walked over to the fireplace.
"Floo down to the dungeons. Your detention begins now," Snape growled, throwing a handful of Floo powder into the flames.
Ginny stepped out of the grate into the cold, musky dungeons. As her eyes adjusted to the low lighting, the members of Dumbledore's Army who had volunteered to help her came into view. All of them were scrubbing out cauldrons under the supervision of Professor Carrow.
"Ah, Miss Weasley. So good of you to join us," Carrow said with a smirk. Ginny rolled her eyes and went to sit beside Colin, but Carrow shook his head. "No, no. You're to come with me." Ginny glanced at Colin and Romilda, who both shrugged their shoulders in confusion. She followed Carrow into the next room where Crabbe and Goyle were standing side by side.
"What is this?" Ginny asked nervously.
"Crabbe and Goyle need some work on their Cruciatus Curse. I figured you could help them out," Carrow said slyly. Ginny's brow furrowed.
"You want me to tutor these buffoons?" She asked dubiously. Carrow sneered unpleasantly.
"Not quite," he said softly. Then he turned to Crabbe and Goyle. "No longer than ten minutes, boys. Just give her a taste."
"What the bloody hell-" Ginny began, but stopped when she was suddenly disarmed.
"You won't be needing that," Carrow said as he disappeared through the door. Ginny tried to speak, but her throat was dry. She turned to look at Crabbe and Goyle, who were eyeing her maliciously. It was then that Ginny realized what they were about to do. But now, it was too late to stop them.
--
Draco frowned and took another walk around the perimeter of the grounds. Ginny was no where in sight. He was starting to worry. It was nine o'clock. A full half hour after she was supposed to come and collect him. What could she possibly be doing that was keeping her from him?
Suddenly, the castle door creaked open. Draco, in his Animagus form, froze and waited. A slender female form slipped outside and stumbled down the steps. She appeared unstable; every step was shaky and cautious. Draco squinted through the dark to see her face, to make sure it was Ginny before making his presence known.
The girl whimpered as her knees buckled and she fell to the ground. Draco bolted towards her, convinced that it must be Ginny. She caught sight of him approaching and forced a feeble smile.
"Draco! You're all right," she said weakly. "I'm sorry I'm late." She reached out and stroked his head. Draco transformed quickly back into his human form, no longer caring who saw him.
"Ginny, what happened? What's wrong?" He asked rapidly, touching her face and neck desperately. Her skin was clammy and cold.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here," Ginny apologized again. Draco shook his head.
"Stop fussing about that. I'm more concerned about you. You look dreadful."
"Thanks, Draco," Ginny said with a faint smile. Draco shook his head.
"Do you not want to tell me?"
"I just want to rest for a minute, Draco. Please, just let me rest," Ginny asked feebly. Draco sighed and glanced around.
"It's so cold out here, Ginny. You'll catch pneumonia." He looked around for some shelter. His eyes settled on the greenhouses. Without a word, he took Ginny in his arms and crossed the grounds swiftly. Once they were inside the greenhouse, Draco lay Ginny down on a pile of straw.
"Did your mission go well?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, fairly," Draco replied. He was dying to know what had happened to Ginny, and it was killing him to give her some space.
"Draco?" Ginny said softly. He knelt beside her and took her hand in his.
"What is it?" Ginny reached up with her other hand and cupped the back of his neck. She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him gently on the lips. When the kiss ended, Draco caressed her cheek tenderly.
"What was that for?" He whispered.
"Just cos'," Ginny replied with a smile. Draco smiled back and kissed her again.
"Well, I could get used to that." Ginny's smile faltered for a moment.
"I broke into Snape's office today," she blurted out. Draco blinked.
"You did what?"
"I was trying to get the sword," Ginny elaborated. Draco's expression turned more towards awe than just pure shock.
"You figured out where it was?"
"Yeah. I remembered something Harry told me. It was there, and we almost made it out with the sword. Only…" Ginny trailed off.
"Only what?"
"Only, we didn't," she finished lamely. "Snape and Carrow caught us on our way out. They gave detention to everyone involved, and I got to be Crabbe and Goyle's guinea pig while they practiced their Cruciatus Curse."
"What?" Draco exclaimed, aghast. Ginny sighed and shrugged.
"You heard me. Discipline has gotten a lot rougher since the Death Eaters took over. Although, I guess we should have expected that."
"But they're letting students practice Unforgivables on other students?" Draco exclaimed in horror. Ginny nodded.
"Thank god they only did it to me. I would have felt awful if my friends had gotten tortured on my account."
"Come on, Ginny. Let's get you inside. It's getting late," Draco said, helping her to her feet. Ginny stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek gently.
"I'm so glad you're back," she murmured. Draco watched her leave the greenhouse a few steps ahead of him and wondered how he could possibly be so lucky.
--
"All finished?" Draco asked, noticing that Ginny had stopped fussing around the room. She sighed and nodded.
"I think so. Are you sure you don't want me to talk to Remus for you? I can convince him to give you Christmas off." Draco shook his head.
"This assignment is crucial. I'll be working on it for three weeks, and I really think something huge could come out of it." Ginny sighed again and touched his arm gently.
"I just worry about you, Draco. I know you have to do this. There's no one else who can, or will. But part of me wishes you didn't have to go," Ginny said, her voice quivering slightly. Draco touched her cheek tenderly.
"I'll be all right, Ginny. But I know how you feel."
"Really? Because the last time I checked, I'm the one sitting around on my bum doing nothing while everyone else gets their chance to save the world," Ginny responded wryly. Draco grinned and shook his head.
"So bitter for one so young," he commented, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Besides, you had a bit of fun breaking into Snape's office, didn't you?"
"If you've forgotten, it was completely unsuccessful, and I got tortured by two wanna-be Death Eaters," Ginny muttered. Draco shook his head.
"You can't be successful every time, Ginny. That's one lesson I've learned well since joining up with the Order."
"Well, maybe if I had more opportunities to actually accomplish something-"
"Ginny, listen," Draco began in a serious voice. "You might not be right in the middle of the action, but you are in as much danger as I am. If I am discovered, then you'll be discovered. You could be tortured and killed for the information you know. Know that you are accomplishing something great for the Order, even if it doesn't feel like it now," Draco finished in a slightly exasperated tone. Ginny was silent as she looked up into his eyes, which were now tainted with concern. She smiled and kissed his cheek comfortingly.
"I'll be all right."
"I know," Draco replied. "Because I'm going to be all right too. As long as I'm all right, you'll be safe."
"No pressure," Ginny teased. Draco laughed, but his eyes remained grave.
"I could never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"Nothing will," Ginny insisted, although she knew she couldn't guarantee it. The clock on the wall struck five, and Ginny sighed sadly. It was time for her to leave. Draco pulled her into a fervent embrace, trying to memorize everything about her.
"We shouldn't be getting all emotional," Ginny said with a forced laugh. "It won't be too long before we see each other again." Draco nodded and released her.
"You're right. We're being silly." He leaned down and kissed her on her soft pink lips. "You'll miss the train."
"I'll see you back here in three weeks," she said in a businesslike tone. Draco nodded in affirmation.
"I'll see you then."
"Good bye, Draco."
"Good bye, Ginny." They both looked at each other, wondering if it would be the last time and if they should be saying exactly what they felt in their hearts. But in the interest of keeping hope alive, neither of them said their last farewells.
--
A few hours later, Ginny was lugging her trunk off of the Hogwarts Express at the station. Her father was waiting to assist her, and he immediately caught her in a tight embrace.
"Ginny! I'm so glad to see you! How was the trip?" He asked, smothering her in his heavy winter coat.
"Fine, Dad," Ginny mumbled, struggling to break free.
"Good to hear. Well, let's get back to the house. I think you'll be surprised by who has come home." Ginny glanced up in surprise. Could it be Harry? Did the trio return? More importantly, did she want to see Harry? Would she be able to face him after everything that had transpired between her and Draco in the past few weeks?
They were home before Ginny could blink. Her mother was just as bad as her father, smothering her with hugs and kisses before she could get through the door. Once the initial chaos had died down, Ginny glanced around the kitchen anxiously.
"Dad, what did you mean by someone being home for Christmas?" Arthur and Molly exchanged looks that Ginny could not decipher.
"Ron's upstairs, Ginny," Molly said quietly. "He barely speaks to anyone though. We were hoping he would talk to you." Ginny stared blankly at her parents.
"Just Ron?"
"Yes," Arthur replied.
"What about Harry and Hermione?" Her parents exchanged looks again. It was beginning to frustrate her.
"Just Ron, dear," Molly answered. Ginny, irritated by their secretive mannerisms, headed for the stairs. She reached Ron's room and knocked softly. When there was no response, she opened the door and let herself in.
Ron was sitting on his bed, staring out the window. He seemed to be transfixed by something outside and totally unaware of everything else around him. Ginny approached him cautiously, unsure of how he would react to her presence.
"Ron?" She tried tentatively. He blinked, but did not respond. "Ron, it's me. Ginny." She felt stupid for having to identify herself to her own brother, but he seemed so far away.
"It's so cold," Ron replied in a dead voice. Ginny felt tears coming to her eyes. What had happened to him?
"Ron, talk to me. What happened?" Ginny asked, almost frightened to hear his answer. Ron slowly turned to face her.
"I don't want to talk about, Ginny," he said curtly. Ginny shook her head.
"I don't care if you want to or not. I want to know why you're here, and why you're not with your friends." Ron's eyes flashed.
"They're not my friends. They've been going around behind my back. And Harry has no idea what he's talking about. We were wandering around for months, and I thought we actually had a plan. But we didn't. It was pointless. All of it."
"How can you say that, Ron? You freed those muggle-borns at the ministry! I read about it in the paper! You made a difference in their lives!" Ron snorted and rolled his eyes.
"They don't need me. I'm the stupid one. They wanted to be alone anyway."
"Ron, do you even hear yourself? Harry and Hermione are not going together behind your back! Harry is in love with me!" Ginny exclaimed, her stomach twisting at the notion. Ron glared up at her.
"That's what he wants us to think, Ginny. He's really after Hermione. He knows I like her, and he's trying to take her from me."
"Ron, you're being ridiculous. Harry would never do that to you. I don't know what happened to you while you were gone, but something has messed up your head. And you better get your facts straight soon, because they need you. You need to go back to them."
"Whatever, Ginny," Ron mumbled and returned to staring out the window. Ginny sighed in surrender and left the room. She ambled back downstairs into the kitchen, where her parents were waiting hopefully. She shrugged her shoulders and sat down.
"Something must have happened to him. He's not thinking clearly," she said. Molly looked nervously at her husband, who could say nothing of comfort.
"We can't let him go back, Arthur," Molly said fretfully. Ginny shook her head.
"You have to, Mum. He belongs next to Harry, fighting alongside him. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's how it's supposed to be. He'll figure it out, and he'll go back. You have to let him go."
"She's right, Molly," Arthur agreed quietly. Molly looked wounded that her husband was taking sides with Ginny, but she said nothing more.
"It's going to be an interesting holiday. That's for sure," Arthur commented with a heavy sigh. Ginny felt the emptiness that she hadn't been able to shake since she left Hogwarts grow. The war was taking a horrible toll on her from all angles, and she was sick of it. She prayed that between Draco's and Harry's efforts, it would all be over soon.
--
"Wake up, Ginny! It's Christmas!" Fred was shouting and jumping up and down on her bed. Ginny groaned, but couldn't stop herself from smiling. There was no doubt about it. She missed the twins.
"Come on, Ginny! We have to open presents!" Fred exclaimed, shaking her excitedly.
"I'm up, I'm up!" Ginny insisted, pushing Fred away. He scampered out of her room and Ginny swung her legs over the side of her bed. Her thoughts immediately fell upon Draco. Where was he? Was he all right? Was he thinking about her?
She was unable to ponder these questions for very long before Fred had returned with George, and the two of them dragged her downstairs. Molly was bustling about the kitchen making breakfast. Arthur was talking quietly with Remus in the living room. Fleur was boring Tonks with a discussion about shampoo. Ron was sitting alone at the kitchen table, fiddling aimlessly with the Lazy Susan.
"Happy Christmas, Ginny!" Tonks exclaimed, grateful for an excuse to leave her conversation with Fleur. Momentary chaos ensued as everyone turned to greet Ginny with a hearty 'Happy Christmas,' except for Ron.
"How are you, Tonks?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, I'm doing all right. How about you?" Tonks replied. Her eyes made it clear that she wasn't referring to Ginny's general welfare. She wanted to know about Draco.
"Doing well," Ginny replied carefully. "No problems so far."
"Good, good," Tonks nodded. Suddenly, a loud tapping noise came from the kitchen window. Everyone turned to look, and on the windowsill sat a large black owl with a gigantic package in its talons. Cautiously, Arthur took the package and examined its wrappings.
"No return address," he said. Suddenly he looked up at Ginny. "It's for you, Gin." Everyone stared at her. She took it from her father slowly and examined the handwriting. She instantly knew who it was from. Ginny sent surreptitious glances to Remus and Tonks to let them know what was happening. Fortunately, Remus picked up on her intention.
"Happy Christmas, Ginny. From Tonks and me. We were afraid it wasn't going to get here on time," he lied with a broad grin.
"We're opening presents now?" George exclaimed, taking attention away from his sister. Remus gestured for Ginny to follow him and Tonks into the next room as pandemonium began with Fred and George rushing at the pile of presents. After Remus secured them in the living room, he turned to face Ginny.
"Am I in trouble?" Ginny asked nervously before Remus could say anything.
"Depends on what you mean by trouble," Tonks said with a knowing grin. Remus held up his hand to quiet her.
"Have you had any trouble with the arrangement so far?"
"No. It's worked out fine," Ginny replied.
"I know that both of you had expressed concerns about getting along with each other," Remus continued casually. Ginny shrugged.
"We've learned to communicate better," she said, unable to keep from blushing slightly. Tonks bit her lip to keep from smiling.
"I'm glad to see that you two seem to be getting along," Remus said slowly, indicating the package in her hands. "But I must know…is it more than that?" Ginny blinked, unsure of how to respond.
"I figured it out in a second, Ginny," Tonks said casually. "It's no secret." Ginny sighed and looked at the floor.
"Is it a bad thing? I can put a stop to it if you think it'll hurt the mission."
"I can't control your emotions, Ginny," Remus said shaking his head. "But I can warn you that furthering this type of a relationship with Draco requires extensive emotional investment. You have to be strong enough to let him do what he has to do, and you can't give him any reason to quit.
"And even beyond that, it increases the threat to your own life. Deep affection can cloud your judgment and make you do things that are illogical. You're a smart girl, Ginny, so I wouldn't necessarily be worried about it. All the same, I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting yourself into," Remus finished, looking a little weary. Ginny nodded, soaking up everything he had said.
"I understand," Ginny said softly. "I'll be careful."
"Good," Remus sighed. "Don't let your brothers find out." Ginny laughed and shook her head vigorously.
"Never."
"Now, I suggest you go open that somewhere in private," Tonks suggested. "It might not be something you want your whole family to see." She winked and Ginny blushed.
The three of them returned to the kitchen, and Ginny slunk away to her room. When she was alone, she carefully unwrapped Draco's gift. When the paper fell away, she gasped. In her hands was a Firebolt Lightning Edition. The newest, fastest and most expensive broomstick currently on the market. Ginny felt a little woozy from the shock of receiving such a remarkable gift. A piece of parchment was wrapped around the shaft, and Ginny unrolled it.
Happy Christmas, Ginny.
Love,
D.M.