A/N: Still very much appreciating your reviews. This is the last chapter of part one. After this, it's back to the future! :-)
Chapter Fourteen
The day of Fred's funeral service was glorious. The world was completely unaware of the traumatic event that was causing so many to mourn. When the first shovelful of dirt hit the casket, Ginny felt the full impact of her anguish. Suddenly it was inescapably real. Before this, she could pretend that somehow Fred would come back to her. But now that he was covered in soil and earth, there was no chance of that.
Ginny glanced around. Hermione was supporting Ron, who was pale and looked as though he were about to throw up. Bill and Arthur were supporting Molly, who was in shambles to say the least. George was half-turned away from the grave; it didn't seem like he wanted anything to do with the service. Percy, Charlie and Fleur were looking solemnly off into space, robbed of appropriate responses to the pain they were feeling.
A hand closed around Ginny's and squeezed comfortingly. She knew it was Harry even before she looked up. The last person she wanted to be with was Harry. It had been three days since Draco's disappearance, and Ginny was beginning to fear the worst. She gave Harry a weak smile, pulled her hand back and left the small congregation of mourners.
Ginny walked through the graveyard and paused at the graves of Remus and Tonks. They had been buried yesterday, side by side. It was equally, if not more, painful as today's funeral. She sank to her knees and lowered her head. Ginny was not a particularly religious person, but she could think of nothing else to do but pray.
Her solitude did not last long, however. She should have known that Harry would follow her. He knelt down beside her, and she could sense that he was trying to think of something comforting to say.
"I'm so sorry," he finally murmured. "About Fred. He was a great guy." Ginny wanted to scream and lash out and tell Harry that it was his fault that her brother was dead. But she kept these irrational urges on the inside.
"Harry, please don't," she whispered.
"Listen, I know this is a really rough time for you right now. But there's something I need to ask you," Harry said. Ginny looked up sharply. She knew exactly where this was going and she didn't like it.
"Actually, Harry, there's something I wanted to talk to you about as well. And I think we're both talking about your letter," Ginny said before he could go any further. Harry fell into guilty silence, and Ginny seized the opportunity to continue.
"Harry, you're right. I am going through a rough time right now, and there are a lot of things that used to make sense to me that don't anymore. My head is a little mixed up these days, and I don't know what I want."
"That's okay, Ginny. We can work it out. I'll help you," Harry offered, taking her hand. Ginny pulled away and shook her head.
"Harry, you're not getting this. I need some time for me to figure out some things. I just need some space." Harry frowned.
"What does that mean? For us?" He asked slowly. Ginny sighed and looked down at the grass.
"It means that we should take some time apart. Maybe see other people until I can figure out what I want," Ginny explained quickly, hoping that somehow if she said the words fast enough, Harry would be more likely to accept them. This did not turn out to be the case.
"See other people? Ginny, you're the only person I want to see!" Harry protested.
"If that is true, then you won't mind waiting for awhile to see me," Ginny pointed out. "If it's meant to be, it will be, Harry." Harry was silent for several minutes as he mulled over the consequences of agreeing to this break. He had expected to come back from the war to be greeted by Ginny's open arms. But she seemed to be pushing him away, even before this request for separation.
"Something is different about you, Ginny. I know it was hard being my girlfriend during the war-"
"Wait, what?" Ginny interrupted him. "I was not your girlfriend. You didn't want to make things official before you left. And if, through some horrible miscommunication, we were dating, then you were a terrible boyfriend! You didn't write to me like you promised. All I got was one measly little letter out of the eight or nine months that you were gone! Is that fair? Is it fair that I had to wait and wonder if you were still alive? Did you think about me at all while you were off saving humanity?" When Ginny finished her speech, she almost immediately wanted to take it back. She hadn't meant to explode like that, but her nerves had been driven to the breaking point.
Between losing Fred, Colin, Remus, Tonks, and possibly Draco, Ginny could barely form rational thoughts, let alone control the irrational ones. Harry blinked in surprise, his mouth slightly agape. Ginny shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have-"
"No, Ginny, you're right. You're absolutely right about everything," Harry said sadly. "I didn't treat you right while I was gone. You have every reason to be upset with me." Ginny sighed. Now that he was being sympathetic, it was even harder to consider the possibility of telling him about Draco.
"Gin!" Bill called from Fred's gravesite. "Ginny, come on. We're leaving." Harry got to his feet and held out his hand to her. Ginny hesitated for a moment before accepting the assistance. This time, Harry let go of her hand when she was standing upright. Ginny sighed, knowing that she had hurt him. She felt bad about it, but after the turmoil he had put her through, she couldn't even dream of taking it all back.
--
"Ginny! Come inside, Ginny! Your father wants to talk to you!" Molly called from the kitchen window. Ginny, who had been flying in lazy figure eights above the backyard, guided her broom down to the ground and dismounted. She walked in the back door and leaned her broom up against the wall.
"Ginny, what have I told you about leaving your broomstick against the-" Molly began, but she was cut off by Bill.
"Mum, let it go," he murmured sternly. Both mother and son observed Ginny as she released her unruly hair from its ponytail. She didn't look well. It had been a week since the end of the war, and Ginny had essentially stopped eating. Her face was gaunt and pale, accentuating the dark circles beneath her eyes. It was clear that she hadn't slept in days. The only one faring worse than Ginny was George. He hadn't said a word to anyone since Fred's funeral.
"He's in the sitting room, Ginny," Molly said quietly. Ginny nodded and wandered over to her father, who was sitting on the couch. His smile seemed strained, and his eyes looked tired. He was holding a piece of official-looking parchment in his hands.
"What's that?" Ginny asked. Arthur sighed and patted the cushion beside him. Ginny sat down.
"It's Remus Lupin's will," he answered. "There are a few things in here that apply to you, and I want to talk to you about them." Ginny's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Me?"
"He was very grateful for your help with Teddy. And Remus didn't have many family members to inherit his possessions."
"What did he say?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Well, first of all," Arthur began, putting on his glasses. "Both Remus and Tonks have requested that you be Ted's godmother. Would you have any objections to that?" Ginny gasped in shock.
"No, of course not!" She exclaimed, still floored by such a great honor. Arthur's smile became a little more genuine.
"I don't think they could have chosen a better person for the position," he said, putting his hand on her knee. Ginny smiled for the first time in awhile.
"Thanks, Dad."
"The next thing is this," Arthur continued reading. "Apparently, he wants you to go into his desk in his bedroom where he has left you a letter. It'll only open for you." Ginny frowned in confusion. She had no idea what that meant. Arthur was looking at her, hoping to get some indication of recognition. But Ginny was equally clueless.
"That's strange," she said softly.
"The last thing," Arthur pressed on, "is about the house. He wants Tonks' mother to take what she wants of their possessions, and then the house is yours." Ginny's mouth fell open.
"What?"
"It's right here if you want to read it for yourself. Remus wants you to have the house," Arthur repeated. Ginny couldn't speak. She couldn't believe that Remus had left her such a generous gift. If she could, she would refuse the offer. But apparently, this was something Remus really wanted her to have. She couldn't refuse one of his last wishes.
"I don't even know what to say," she whispered. Arthur shook his head.
"I don't either, Ginny. It's wonderful that he thought so highly of you as to leave you his house, but it really is such an extravagant gift."
"I agree," Ginny said, still in awe. "What should I do?"
"It's up to you, sweet heart. You can live there. You can sell it. You can rent it. It's your house."
"Does Mum know?" Ginny asked softly. Arthur frowned.
"No. I have a feeling what she's going to say about it, though."
"So what do you suggest, Dad?"
"If you want to live there, then I suggest you make the arrangements to do so before we talk to your mother. It will give her less of an opportunity to object."
"What if…" Ginny trailed off, still trying to formulate a plan. Finally she came up with an idea. "What if I asked Hermione to live with me? She doesn't have anywhere to live since she sent her parents away. And she'll be closer to Ron."
"It's a thought," Arthur mused. "Like I said, make your arrangements soon, if that's what you want to do."
"Thanks, Dad," Ginny said, throwing her arms around her father's neck. "I love you."
"I love you too, Ginny." Ginny rose from the couch and immediately began searching for Hermione. She found the spare bedroom where Hermione normally stayed to be empty. This being the case, she knew exactly where to find the older girl. Ginny reached Ron's bedroom and knocked loudly on the door. She heard frantic scuffling and mutters coming from inside, and she knew just what she had interrupted.
"Who is it?" Ron demanded irritably from inside the room.
"It's Ginny. I need to talk to Hermione."
"Can't it wait?" Ron snapped.
"No," Ginny replied rudely. "It's important."
"Ron, I'll just go," Ginny heard Hermione say softly. Ron was clearly not very happy about it, but in a few moments, the door opened and Hermione stepped out.
"Hey, Ginny. What's wrong?"
"Can I talk to you outside?" Ginny asked, casting a suspicious glance at Ron, who was obviously eavesdropping. Hermione nodded and the two girls made their way outside into the backyard. It was a beautiful May afternoon with bright sunshine and a cool breeze. Ginny didn't stop walking until they were a generous distance from the kitchen. She didn't want her mother to accidentally overhear.
"Is something wrong, Ginny?" Hermione asked with concern. Ginny shook her head.
"No, I just have a proposition for you," Ginny replied.
"What kind of proposition?"
"Living arrangements," Ginny elaborated. Hermione raised her eyebrows and folded her arms across her chest.
"I'm listening," Hermione said with interest.
"My dad just read me Remus' will. He left me his house," Ginny blurted out. Hermione's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Ginny knew she must have had a similar reaction when her father had told her the news.
"Really? That's incredible!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know. I wanted to ask you if you'd like to come live there with me. I just need to get away from this place…you know?"
"I understand that."
"And my mum might be slightly more inclined to let me go if she knew you were coming with me."
"Ginny, I don't know what to say. This sounds perfect."
"Great. You'll be closer to Ron, and I'll be close to home incase Mum needs me for anything."
"This seems almost too good to be true," Hermione breathed. Ginny smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"It does, doesn't it?"
"When are we going to move in?" Hermione asked.
"I was thinking sometime next week? We should probably get settled in this summer before I go back to Hogwarts."
"You're going to finish?"
"I want to," Ginny replied earnestly. "It's important to me."
"Good for you, Ginny," Hermione nodded. "I think it's a bit superfluous in my personal opinion. You're a very smart witch, Ginny."
"Thanks, Hermione. But I think you're confusing me with you," Ginny said with a grin. Hermione laughed and shook her head. The girls were silent for a few minutes. Hermione looked like she wanted to say something, but didn't know how. Finally she spoke.
"Harry's been asking about you, Ginny," she said softly. "He wants to make sure you're all right." Ginny looked away.
"Why won't he ask me himself?"
"He's trying to give you your space, like you asked," Hermione pointed out. "He's just worried about you. We all are."
"I'm just having some trouble handling my grief," Ginny replied simply. "It'll pass eventually."
"But Ginny, you haven't been eating. You're going to get very sick if you don't start," Hermione said gently. Ginny sighed and shook her head.
"I never feel hungry," she said. "Hermione, don't you think I would be eating and sleeping if I could? I just can't right now." Hermione looked sad and sympathetic, but she didn't say another word about the subject. Instead, she excused herself and left to help Molly prepare lunch. Ginny remained outside on her own. She sat down in the grass and laid back to look up at the sky. She half-expected to look over and see Draco lying beside her. Tears sprang to her eyes when she realized that it was impossible.
Draco had been gone for a week. He hadn't written to her, or sent anything to indicate that he was still alive. She had a gut feeling that he wasn't dead, even though she doubted that on occasion. Ginny had yet to give up hope that one day Draco would come back to her like he had promised. And like she had promised, she would wait for him. No matter how long it took.
--
Ginny left Hermione to examine the rest of the house and entered Remus and Tonks' bedroom. She moved across the room to Remus' desk. She didn't know quite where to look for the letter, so she started in the middle. It was filled with paperwork from his teaching days at Hogwarts. There was no sign of her letter. She moved on to the next drawer. Under a stack of important correspondence was a large manila envelope. Ginny's name was scrawled across the front.
She lifted the envelope from the drawer and went to sit down on the bed to open it. For some reason, her heart was pounding anxiously. Ginny opened the document and pulled out two sheets of paper. The first was addressed to Ginny.
Dear Ginny,
If you are reading this letter, then I have unfortunately perished in battle. I hope you don't feel too much sadness for my untimely death. I gave my life to make the world a better place for you, for Teddy, and for everyone else of your generation. But onto business.
I have included in this envelope another letter addressed to no one in particular. It explains everything about the spy arrangement with Draco Malfoy and your position in the Order. I have signed it and Tonks has signed it. If you ever need to convince someone in the future of the service you both provided to the wizarding world, all you would need to do is show them this letter. They'll have no choice but to believe my word.
Of course, it is up to you to decide how to handle things. You may never need to tell anyone what you and Draco have done. I just know how difficult it will be to make people believe this story, which even I think sounds far-fetched. So keep this letter safe incase you decide to use it in the future.
I also imagine that you are wondering why I left you my house. In short, you are the most deserving person I know. You have been a great help to myself and Tonks, and even this gesture doesn't seem grand enough to repay you fully. I hope the rest of your life is filled with love and happiness, as mine certainly was.
Best Wishes,
Remus J. Lupin
Ginny wiped a stray tear from her cheek. Her heart ached for Remus. She wished he was still alive with every fiber of her being. He was a good man. He didn't deserve to die. Hermione appeared at the door.
"Ginny, this place is amazing!" She exclaimed. Then she paused. "Are you all right?" Ginny sniffled and shoved the letters back into the envelope.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry. I'm just so sad that they're gone, you know?" Ginny said shakily. Hermione nodded sadly.
"I know, Ginny. It's heartbreaking."
"I suppose I'll take my old room," Ginny said, not wanting to talk about death any more. Hermione nodded.
"I'll take the room across the hall from you." Ginny tried not to show any emotion. That room had been Draco's. She had cleared out what few possessions he kept there before Hermione had arrived.
"Sounds good," Ginny said with a forced smile.
"Do you want to order Chinese for dinner? I'm in the mood for chow mein."
"Fine," Ginny agreed. "I'm just going to put some things away in my room." Hermione nodded and went into the kitchen. Ginny shut her door and looked around. It felt wonderful to have her own space. The house was a small ranch style building with plenty of room for two young girls. Ginny was determined to keep Tonks' garden alive out of respect to her.
Ginny opened her bottom right desk drawer to put the letters from Remus away. Suddenly, she caught sight of a new letter. A letter she hadn't seen in weeks. A letter from Draco.
She couldn't help remembering the night she had asked him to write that letter. He was helping her study for Charms. They were sitting in her bed. He had stolen the letter she had written him, and as her revenge, Ginny requested that he write her a letter too. A final letter, incase he never returned to her. She hadn't encountered an opportunity to read it, since Draco had always come back. Ginny didn't want to admit to herself that he wasn't coming back, but at the same time, she was longing for a taste of him. She took a deep breath and began to read.
Dear Ginny,
At first I didn't understand why you wanted me to write you this letter. It seemed like a strange way to get back at me for invading your privacy. So when you asked me to write you a letter, I was a little taken aback. But then I got to thinking. And I realized that you care about me enough to want something of mine if I never come back. Whether you want to believe it or not, Ginny Weasley, you are falling for the incredible and irresistible charm of Draco Malfoy.
Since this is hypothetically my last opportunity to tell you how I feel, then I guess there is no reason for me to mask anything. I'm falling in love with you, Ginny. Every day, just a little bit more. I can only hope that you're feeling the same way, and I really hope that we get to spend more time together before you're forced to read this letter. With any luck, I'll be able to tell you how much I care about you in person.
You've fallen asleep against my shoulder now, and I don't want to risk waking you up by moving my arm too much, so I think I'll wrap things up. I just want you to know that you deserve all of the very best things in this world, and if you want me, then I will do everything in my power to make sure you get them. I know I said at some point that you are more trouble than you're worth. But I was so wrong. You are worth it, Ginny Weasley. You are worth everything. And I will always come back to you.
Fondly,
Draco Malfoy