Draco stood in the corner, his back against the wall

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for this chapter to get up. I hope you all enjoy it. Please, read and respond. As soon as you do, my friend will post the next chapter (which she's almost done.). Sometimes, I can't stand that about her. Just kidding.

Chapter Ten

Tut, I Have Lost Myself

Tut, I have lost myself; I am not here;
This is not Draco, he's some other where.

Draco stood in the corner, his back against the wall. God he wished he were in his bed right now. Then again, he wished he had a bottle of whiskey. The bed only led to sleep and sleep led to dreams. Dreams… memories of the past that were reawakened by the potion. Memories of his past that he wanted nothing more then to forget. He moved further back into the corner, letting the darkness surround him His long blonde hair loose and around his face and falling past his shoulders. Almost the same length of his father's before he was imprisoned.

He cursed Granger for finding a reason for him to come to this stupid ball. True, Snape had told him he had to go but blaming the Gryffindor felt better. His eyes spied a red head across the room and a small pang of hope hit him. Could it be Ginny? The mystery girl turned around and the hope was lost. Her hair was too dark. How he wished he could bury himself in Ginny.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

"Go away, Zabini."

"Now, Draco, one might think you didn't want to see me," the dark skinned boy said as he leaned against the wall next to Draco.

"Then one should think some more." Draco rolled his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for Zabini right now.

"What has caused you to crawl out from the rock you have been hiding under?" Blaise asked nonchalantly as he slapped the ass of girl walking by.

"Had to come. Head boy duty," Draco huffed.

"Your looking tense man," Blaise said studying Draco over. "Well, nothing a good fuck wouldn't solve."

"Is that all you think about?"

"Yes"

"Go away, Zabini." Draco shook his head as he watched the other boy walk away. He really needed to find some new friends. Letting out a wistful sigh, he didn't notice the girl approaching him with two cups in her hand.

My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy

Ginny studied Draco as he talked to the tall good-looking Slytherin, Blaise Zabini. He had lost weight as his dress robes hung loosely over his body and his usually pale skin seem to have become almost translucent. Dark circles were under his silver eyes, almost as if sleep was evading him. Or was he evading sleep? She could only imagine the nightmares that must haunt him. Her own dreams were haunted with memories she had long forgotten. Ever since that night with the potion, everything had changed. Tom's laugh, even now, echoed through her head. Though her memories weren't charmed to be painful to extract like his had been, her memories were just painful to relive.

She wanted to be close to him, just once. Then they could go back to not talking and staying away from each other. Drawing upon her Gryffindor courage, she grabbed two cups and made her way over to him. Tonight, she would be with Draco Malfoy…. even if she had to seduce him.

Is she a Weasley?
O dear account! My life is my foe's debt

"You look like you could use a drink."

Draco stared at the drink in front of his face. "Looks can be deceiving."

"So can people," she replied, thrusting the drink into his hand forcefully.

"What do you want?" he asked as he studied the woman before him. She was the same girl with the dark auburn hair he had seen across the room.

"You," she said as lust filled her chocolate brown eyes.

"That's too bad. I'm fresh out of me, but I heard Potter is available. Go bother him," Draco said making a shooing motion with his hand.

"Why, when I much rather bother you,"

"Really, is there a sign on my forehead?" Draco asked slapping his forehead. "Does it say 'Please bother me'? Really, all I want is to be left alone."

"Drink your punch. You're getting all worked up," Ginny replied, taking a sip of hers.

Draco eyed her suspiciously. "Is this a lust potion?"

Ginny scoffed. "Really, give me some credit. If I'm going to fuck you, it will be if we both agree in our right minds." She looked at him out the corner of her eye. " Well, since we are on the subject…wanna fuck?"

Draco choked on the punch he had just swallowed. He looked the girl over. She was certainly desirable, any man in his right man would have her in his bedroom with no second questions. Her auburn hair was just a few shades darker then Ginny's and she was slightly paler. His eyes traveled down her lush body, lingering on her generous bust. She had the perfect waist, nice and narrow that led to the curve of her hips. Those legs were long enough to wrap around him, but short enough to keep her at his shoulder. He had always like short woman. Taking in her scent of lilies, he paused. She was too much like Ginny for her own good. Well, if he couldn't have Ginny, she would certainly be a good substitute.

Ginny glanced around the room to see if they were being watched. Satisfied that no one would interrupt them, she stepped forward and ran her hand down to his crotch. She had not missed the look of lust in his eyes and decided to bring it out to its fullest extent. Desire flooded his veins. It had been a while since he had woman in his bed for more than just sleeping. He watched her carefully as she stepped closer to him placing a small kiss under his jaw. She took the drink from his hand and placed it on a table near by. His eyes clouded over when she ran her hands down his chest. Her nails scratching him lightly through the thin fabric of his shirt, caused him to groan softly. Leaning back, he let the wall support his weight while taking large gulps of air. The finally straw was when she wrapped her small hand around his erection through his pants. His lips crashed onto hers in a passionate kiss.

Draco, Draco why art thou Draco?

Ginny didn't know where she got the courage from but damn did it feel good. Draco Malfoy was a ticking bomb waiting to blow and, gods, did he hope he blew in her. He kissed her like a dying a man. A moan escaped her lips when he cupped her breast.

"I want you."

Draco's breathe caught. Damn, if that didn't turn him on more.

"Let's go to my room," he whispered into the girl ear.

Ginny moaned in agreement and let him lead her out of the hall to his room. The minute they stepped out into the hall, Draco pushed her against the wall, kissing her fiercely. He nipped her bottom lip and plunged his tongue into her mouth. Ginny rubbed her hips against him, matching the tempo his tongue had set up in her mouth.

"Not here," Draco hissed more to himself then her. It was taking everything in him not to bury in her right there. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her along the hall at an alarming speed. Ginny, not prepared for the sudden rush, tripped on her feet and fell forward on her face, throwing her skirt over her head and exposing her satin green panties.

Draco jerked as if he had been hit and ran his hand over her lush behind. Ginny got on all fours, looking provocatively over her shoulder at him. His hand brushed her sex thorugh her soaked panties. Standing up straight, he lifted her up and continued his haste to his room.

He quickly whispered the password when he got to his door and carried her into the room. Ginny wrapped her legs around his waist moaning when he nipped her neck. She ran her fingers through his hair, scraping his scalp. Draco placed little kisses on Ginny's neck and she tilted her head back to give him better access.

"Please."

"Please, what?"

"Please, fuck me."

Draco smirked he tossed the unsuspecting girl onto his bed. Laughing at her surprised face, he took in the woman before him. Her pale skin complimented his black sheets and her silver dress gave her a virginal appeal. Her chest heaved and her eyes filled with lust. He licked her quivering lip which she quickly turned into a passionate kiss.

He watched her as she unbuttoned his shirt slowly with her mouth. He could think of other places he could put her little mouth. His breath caught when she used the same method to take off his pants as he did her shirt. She smirked as she took his huge manhood in her hand.

Ginny's pleasure with herself for undressing him using no more then her tongue and teeth was short lived when she saw how big he was. He would never fit. With large gulps of air to calm her nerves, she slowly ran her hand up and down his member. She licked up the under side of his erection, blowing softly up the trail she made with her tongue. Draco trembled, desire coursed through him. He pressed at her mouth clearly saying what he wanted her to do with his actions.

Ginny wrapped her small lips around his tip and swirled her tongue around him. She grasped his lean hips, taking him deeper into her mouth until she reached his base. Slowly she moved her mouth over him, releasing him with a pop. She licked from the base of his thick manhood to the throbbing head, cupping his balls. She smiled when she heard his strained groan.

Standing up, she lowered her dress, exposing her breasts. Draco's breath caught in his throat at the sight. He leaned over and kissed the heart shaped birthmark over her right nipple. He felt as if he had seen that birthmark before but he couldn't place where.

Lifting up her dress, he tore off her underwear and pushed a finger into her. She was so tight and soaked. He lifted his finger for her to see her wetness dripping off of him. Rubbing her bottom lip with his finger, he groaned when she took it in her mouth. Circling her tongue around it like she did his dick. He cupped her lush bottom, pressing his arousal against her.

Ginny gasped when he got down on his knees and pushed her farther back on the bed. A soft moan of pleasure escaped her lips when she felt him lick her core. He circled her clit with his tongue, teasing her entrance until she was begging for more. Placing a kiss on the inside of each thigh, he moved his body over hers. He took one nipple into his mouth as he played with the other. Ginny withered beneath him.

Ginny rubbed against the head of his manhood that was positioned by her opening. Draco arched an eyebrow. He leaned in and kissed her. He plunged into her with a groan, stopping when he broke through her innocence. Ginny cried out in pain. Draco stared down at her with a face of horror.

"A virgin?" he gasped. He ripped off her mask and blinked, unbelievingly at her. "You."

There, laying beneath him, was Ginny Weasley. He made a motion to pull out only to be locked in by her legs. "Don't even think about it," she gasped, still trying to get used to the pain.

Draco slowly felt the shock ease away. Anger crept in, chilling his heated blood. How dare she not tell him it was her? Did she really think she had to trick her way into his bed? He silenced the voice in the back of his mind, reminding him that he had never bothered to ask her her name. Still, she could have given him the benefit the doubt.

He growled down at her and shifted his hips slightly preparing to pull out. Well, at least he thought of pulling out. The instant he shifted, her tight walls contracted around him. A shudder went through his body, awaking every lustful desire he had for her. He could stay buried in her hot sleek cave forever. Well, if she wanted him, then she was going to get all of him… every inch of him. He pulled out slowly until he was brushing her entrance with his tip.

Ginny watched as an evil smile spread across Draco's beautiful face. Her heart was racing, with either fear or passion, she herself couldn't decide. She screamed when he slammed into her, burying himself to the hilt and ripping her apart.

She gritted her teeth and covered her face with her hands not wanting him to see her tears. A small sob escaped her lips when he pulled her hands over her head and held them there.

"Look at me when I fuck you," he growled.

Draco enjoyed the view before him. Ginny's body was true perfection. He loved the small birthmark above her breast and her slim waist. Running his hands up her legs, he commented on her perfection. She blushed bright red. He lifted her legs over his shoulders and leaned his weight onto her. Ginny gasped for air. Draco thrust into her once more, kissing her passionately. His hips moved at a rapid pace. Ginny begged for him to slow down, withering under him.

Ginny felt a scream leave her lips but she didn't hear it as her body tensed. Draco pounded into her, forgetting her virginal tenderness. Sweat drew across his brow. She was so wet and tight. He loved the way she tightened around him with each stroke. Feeling himself grow close to finishing, he flicked her clit with his thumb. Gently, he rubbed her sex as he increased his rough thrusting.

The pressure in Ginny's body increased with each stroke of his thumb. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she arched her back. She screamed his name, her whole body trembling. Her orgasm ripped through her.

Draco felt his body give as he rode out her orgasm. Her walls convulsed around him. He let out a grunt as he empty his seed into her warm body. Collapsing next to her, he nuzzled her neck.

"Wow," he said breathlessly.

"That was amazing."

"Best I ever had."

"Really?" she asked. Ginny waited for his reply only to be answered by his snores. Not a bad idea, she thought as she slowly succumbed to sleeps embrace.

-Ah, Ginny, if the measure of thy joy
Be heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more
To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath
This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue
Unfold the imagined happiness that both
Receive in either by this dear encounter.-

Ginny felt warm all over. Water stroked her soft skin. Ginny lifted her hands to pull her hair out of her face, causing the water to ripple around her. Ginny paused as her heart skipped a beat. She certainly didn't remember coming into this bath. She looked around; it was like the whole room was dedicated to the Slytherins.

Dear God, I hope I am not in the Slytherins' common bathroom, she thought. Panic set in as she looked frantically for an escape. Her eyes spied Draco sitting not far from her, asleep. His head drooped and his mouth was slightly open. Ginny tried to recall any other time she had ever seen him so relaxed. She concluded that she must be in the Head boy bathroom and Draco must have carried her here in her sleep. Not that she was complaining as her body was tired from their lovemaking and her sore muscles had relaxed immensely. Draco shifted slightly in his sleep causing water to splash him. His toned pale chest glistened in the light of the room and Ginny felt her desire wake.

She glided silently over to where he was dozing. Straddling his lap, she ran her hands down his chest, savoring every ripple of muscle. Kissing the base of his neck softly, she began rubbing little circles up and down his neck gently with her fingertips. Draco moaned in his sleep and she smiled… gently kissing his strong jaw. She nuzzled her nose in his morning shadow taking in his deep musky scent.

He looked good a little scruffy. Bringing her palms to his shoulders, she kneaded gently, enjoying the feel of his muscles relaxing under her hands. Closing her eyes, she ran her fingers down his long arms. Dipping into the warm water to squeeze his hands she let her fingers be her eyes as she explored the rest of his body. When she got to his pride and glory she hesitated. What if he woke up and she had her hand on his manhood? Deciding it was worth it, she grabbed him and could feel his heat even in the water as she stroked him softly.

He moaned in his sleep and she paused. Wanting nothing more to kiss him she lend forward and placed passionate kisses on his lips. She nibbled his bottom lip taking her hand from around him and wrapping them around his neck. Squeezing his head into her blossoms she shifted her hips. "Oh," she gasped, his hard erection rubbed against her clit. She started to rub herself against him enjoying the sweet friction. Kissing his lips, she groaned.

Draco woke to a soft groan and soft lips pressed against his. He deepened the kiss, holding the back of her neck, as he ran his tongue around her mouth. Breaking the kiss but not willing to open his eyes just yet, he ran his hands down the sides of his water nymph. He felt her shudder under his touch; he shifted his hips, brushing against her sex. She moaned and pressed her breasts on to him. Opening his eyes, he watched in amazement as she threw her head back in ecstasy. He trailed kisses down her exposed neck. Cupping her lush breasts, he kissed each nipple.

"Please," she begged.

He smirked as he flicked his tongue on the underside of one breast. Noticing the heart shaped birthmark over her breast, he leaned over and kissed it. "Ginny," he whispered into her breast. He groaned as she ran her hands through his hair.

"Do you know what you are doing to me?" she whispered out of breath. "I can't get you out of my head. When I dream you are there. When I close my eyes your face is there. Why can't you go away?"

"Do you really want me to?"

"No."

"If it is any consolation, you have not left my mind either."

Draco wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer to him. She fell on him, burying her head into his neck. He gently ran his hands through her damp hair. Gently, with his finger under her chin, he lifted her face up and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

He positioned her body over him. With one stroke he buried into her, swallowing her scream with a kiss. He placed small kisses over her face and neck giving her time to adjust to him. Placing his forehead against hers, he waited for her ok. Ginny shifted her hips trying to accommodate for his size, not ready for the sensation it would cause. Pleasure flowed through her. She shifted her hips again, moaning into his neck.

Draco cupped her bottom and slowly pumped into her. Ginny kept her face buried in his neck, mewing with each stroke. The sensual stroking of his hand along her back and neck, rivaled the lapsing of water on her center. Draco sped up as passion took its course through him. He felt her orgasm and rode it out with her. Throwing his head back as he came a few seconds later.

He had never felt so at peace in his life. She rested her head on his chest, tired from their lovemaking. Stoking her head softly, he smiled to himself. So what if his father had escaped. He could never take this away from him now. For the first time since the potion, he slept with dreams not nightmares.

-Come, night; come, Draco; come, thou day in night;
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night
Whiter than new snow on a raven's back.
Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night,
Give me my Draco -

"Let me go."

"Never, you belong to me."

"I belong to no one."

"Who will save you?"

"Draco."

Tom threw his head back and laughed. His eyes carried an evil glint. He flashed her a grin.

"He is weak. He will never know you the way I know you."

Ginny shuddered as he placed soft kisses along her length. She gasped when he nipped her ear.

"Stop," she pleaded, though she knew it was useless.

His hollow laugh filled the room. "Do you really want me to stop?"

"Yes," she whispered tears running down her face. She tried to pull away but he was too strong. He wrapped his hand around her thin neck. Ginny gasped for air, she couldn't breathe. She tried to say his name but her voice disappeared. He pushed a finger into her, sneering, his face distorted with hate.

"You want this you little whore," he growled in her ear.

He removed his finger and plunged his manhood into her.

"NOOOOO."

Draco jerked from his sleep from her scream. He shook her awake and held her while she sobbed. "Shh, you're ok," he whispered in her ear.

"Draco," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I got you. No one can harm you," he said as he looked deep into her eyes. "Ginny, I've been meaning to ask you."

"Ask me what?" she asked after he had paused for a few minutes.

He looked at her as if he just remembered she was next to him. A sigh escaped his lips as he rubbed his eyes wearily. "Have you had any side effects from the potion?"

Ginny flinched. She didn't like to think on that night. The lush corners of her mouth turned down in a frown.

"What do you mean by side affects?"

"Nightmares."

"Oh."

"Well?"

"Right, well you see it's hard to explain," she said as she shifted, not sure if she was ready to talk about it. "Do you have any nightmares?"

"…Yes"

"About what?"

"My father and Voldemort."

"Oh." Ginny moved a strand of hair that has fallen in his face behind his ear. His silver eyes filled with anguish and she suddenly felt guilty for probing him. Draco tried to swallow the large lump in his throat.

"What were your nightmares about?" he finally asked her.

"Tom."

"Oh. Ginny," he whispered brushing away her tears. He placed a soft kiss on each of her eye lids and her lips.

"I should go," Ginny said reluctantly.

Draco nodded and watched as she climbed out of the bath. She transfigured her dress into some sweats and made her way out the door. He followed her with his eyes, taking everything about her into memory. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "If only you knew."

-Father, the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting: villain am I none;
Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me not.-

Draco threw his robes on loosely over his body. His long wet hair fell around his face, sticking to his cheeks. He shifted his head in annoyance. With a sigh he plopped down in a chair by the window. A look of confusion passed over his face when he saw a large black eagle owl approaching his window. The owl looked oddly familiar. It landed on his windowsill, hooting with its leg stretched out. Draco took the letter from its leg and threw a treat at it, which the owl caught in its beak before taking off.

Draco turned the letter over in his hand taking in the seal. There, before him, was the Malfoy Crest. He only knew of one arrogant bastard who would still use it. His father. So, it had finally happened. He had wondered when his father would call for him. The man was truly evil but, then again, Draco was no bed of roses him self. He fingered the seal cautiously. Not really wanting to open it.

A knock at the door jarred him from his thoughts. With a wave of his hand he yelled for the person to enter. He stuffed the letter under the cushion of the chair he was sitting on. He would deal with it later. As the door opened, he held his breath, hoping to all that was mighty that it wasn't Snape.

The all mighty didn't hear him, because standing at his door was the potion master himself… his usual black and moody self. Draco sighed. He didn't want to be bothered with his suspicions so early in the morning.

Snape closed the door behind him and walked over to Draco's cabinet and helping himself to a large glass of Firewhiskey. He moved to the chair in front of Draco's and fell into it. Draco's eyebrow rose in question as he watched Snape down the entire cup of whiskey in one gulp. He quickly refilled the glass with a wave of his wand.

Draco cleared his throat and started to speak. Snape held his hand up to silence him. Draco clicked his teeth in annoyance. One doesn't normally take so kindly to being told to be quiet in his own room, not to mention when the other person concerned was quickly going through his supply of liquor.

After Snape finished about three large glasses he looked up at Draco with a stupid expression on his face. "Did I leave the ball last night with anyone?"

Draco's confusion showed on his face. Did the man really think he kept tabs on him? "I wouldn't know. I didn't really see."

"Oh."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, why wouldn't it be?"

"Maybe because it not like you to waltz in here and drink all my liquor for no reason."

"Just ran out of mine, that's all." Snape downed another glass full and looked over at Draco, his dark hair falling over his face. He looked at the bottle in Draco's hand longingly.

Draco watched in amusement as Snape's eyes followed every movement of the bottle. "Would you like some more?"

Snape cleared his throat and was about to decline, but the light caught on the bottle and the fire liquid tempted him. "Yes."

Draco handed him the bottle. "Finish it. But, I'm not telling you where the rest is. Only because with fear that you will finish all my stash."

Snape nodded and expressed his thanks as he headed out the door. Draco couldn't help but laugh as he watched his godfather leave. He wondered what had gotten him so frazzled.

-O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?
Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!
Dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb!
Despised substance of divinest show!
Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st,
A damned saint, an honourable villain!-

Ginny's mind was baffled after talking with Hermione. She just had the best night of her life and poor Hermione seemed to have had the worst. She shook her head, running her hand through her auburn hair. She hoped Draco would have an insight to Snape's feelings because she didn't know what else to do for her friend.

A soft smile spread across her face as she thought of Draco. She didn't think anything could spoil her joy. In her rush to get to Draco's room, she didn't see Professor O'Neill coming towards her. Ginny bumped into the Professor, causing Lily to fall and land on her rear.

"Ms. Weasley, I'm beginning to wonder if you have a obsession with bumping into people," Lily said as she rubbed her behind and getting off the floor.

"I'm so sorry, Professor. I was just in a hurry and I didn't see you," Ginny stuttered out.

Lily didn't have a chance to reply before she was slammed in the back by a very irritated Snape.

"Well, I never," Lily gasped as she went flying into the wall.

Snape stopped to see who he had hit as he lifted the poor woman off the wall and set her down straight, forming an apology in his head. It wasn't until he had set the woman in front of him did he realize who he had just had in his arms. He scurried away from her, glancing back nervously.

"Severus, wait," Lily called to his retreating back. "I wanted to talk to you about something." She watched in dismay as Snape continued his retreat. Turning back around to deal with Ginny, she sighed in disappointment as she saw that Ginny, too, had left.

Ginny didn't wait for Professor O'Neil to finish with Snape. She hurried off towards Draco's room. The last thing she needed was detention. As she neared Draco's door, she saw that he was stepping out. Calling his name, she ran to catch up with him.

"Couldn't get enough," he asked as his eyes filled with lust.

Ginny laughed and hit his arm. She motioned for them to go back into his room. Draco obligated happily. The second they stepped into the room, Draco brought his lips crashing down onto hers. Ginny moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, forgetting about Hermione and Snape. He gripped her hair as he deepened the kiss.

"Ginny," he whispered, breaking the kiss. Draco pressed his forehead against hers and looked down to the floor. He looked puzzled as he stared at her feet. "Ginny, if you needed shoes all you had to do was ask."

"What?" Ginny looked down at her feet and gasped. She must have lost her slipper when she bumped into Professor O'Neil.

She groaned at her own stupidity. Well, at least she had enough sense to run back into the Gryffindor common room to change before she came to see him.

"I have shoes. I just lost one on the way here," she grumbled.

If you say so. Wait here. I think I have a pair of my mother's shoes in my closet," he said. Noting her confused face, he continued. " Don't ask. One of the house elves thought it would be funny, I guess."

Ginny walked over to Draco's mini library while he went in search of the shoes and wondered why Hermione did not have one in her own room. She scanned over a few of the titles snorting when she came to a few that would do a death-eater proud. Picking up a book about flying, she searched through it for anything interesting. When she put it back she spied a book that looked familiar…. a little too familiar. Why would he have that book? She could still hear him rumbling through his closet as tears welled in her eyes.

Ginny pulled the book off the shelf and there, before her, was Tom Riddle's diary. It looked the same except for the bit hole caused by the basilisk fang when Harry stabbed it. She shook her head no as she backed away from it. How could she have been so foolish? Draco was and would always be evil. She turned and ran from the room, wanting to get as far from the book and Draco as possible.

-Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu!-

"Ah-ha I found them," Draco exclaimed standing up straight fixing his hair before turning around. "Ginny?"

He looked around the room and frowned. He didn't even hear her go. Why did she go? Draco walked over to his semi open door and stuck his head out to see if he had just missed her. Probably late for class today, he mused. Wait, did they even have class today? And why did she not say goodbye? He walked over to his small library where he had noticed her studying from the corner of his eye when he was searching for the slippers.

Draco felt as if his heart had fallen out of his chest. He picked up Tom Riddle's diary slowly as if it was made of poison. He felt a lump form in the back of his throat. How could he be so stupid? He had forgotten his father had given that diary to him as a gift in his third year. Some gift. The book slipped through his limp fingers as he buried his face in his hands. As fast as happiness had found him it had been lost.

Gritting his teeth, he threw all the books off the shelves of the little library and a roar escaped his lips. Even now his father was ruining his life. No. He wouldn't let her go. Draco made up his mind. He had to find her. He had to make it right. Draco tore out of his room and ran down the hall looking for any flash of red he could find.

-Come weep with me; past hope, past cure, past help!-

Ginny lay curled on her bed. Tears flowed from her red eyes and her body shook with silent sobs. Draco hurt her in more then one way and she could not understand why. She didn't love him. Did she? No, she could not after all this but deep inside she knew she was lying to herself. A sob escaped Ginny's lips. Why did it have to be so hard? She thought she was past all this when she ended her relationship with Harry. She pulled her covers over her head. Maybe if she stayed there long enough all of this would go away. Her heart wouldn't feel the pain it felt now.

After what felt like hours of crying, Ginny slowly stood up from her bed. She pulled a loose robe onto her body. Her auburn hair fell in wild curls down her back. Slowly, she made her way out of the common room, ignoring the calls from her brother and Harry. She needed to be alone right now but she couldn't stand to be in her room for one more minute.

Ginny walked till she came to the lake. A sigh passed her pale lips as she slowly slid down and rested against a tree. She curled her bare toes in the earth. This was her place, a place where all her troubles seemed to disappear. The wind blew her curls around her face, drying the tears that had yet to fall. Eventually she left, but only after her feelings had numbed

Everyday Ginny returned to the tree, seeking her peace. The wind howled over the lake. It echoed in her hollow heart. There was nothing left to give. She smiled and laughed with her friends. She even flirted with some of the boys. But inside, she was hollow.

That's where he found her, hunched against a tree with her toes curled into the earth. Her head rested on her knees and her auburn hair flew around her. She looked like a lost wood nymph whose haunting eyes would lead even the most faithful man astray.

"Ginny."

"Go away," she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying.

"Please."

She turned and looked at him. No, not at him through him. Turning her eyes back to the lake, she stretched out her thin legs and rested her head back against the tree.

Draco threw the diary at her feet. She recoiled away from it. Fear etched on her face. "Destroy it."

"I can't," she whispered as a sob escaped from her.

"You can." He knelt before her, softly tucking her hair behind her ears. "I know you can. It will help your nightmares."

Ginny sobbed as she pulled out her wand and set the book on fire. She watched it burn. It was almost like the flames were freeing her. She killed him. Tom could no longer harm her.

"You did it, Gin."

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately.

A/N: Thanks for waiting. Hopefully my friend won't wait as long. LOL Again, please read and review (or respond).