A/n: Sorry this chapter took forever to come out. I'm just a busy woman and I'm sure Hermisia will have the next chapter out in the next week. She is much better at this then I am. Hope you guys enjoy it. Warning to all you Hermione/Snape lovers: this is a Ginny/Draco chapter. After all, it was explained in the first chapter that it would be a story containing both love stories. If you don't' like it, don't read it.

Chapter 20

I feel as if I'm running in circles

Ginny rolled her aching shoulders. She had been researching for hours for an answer on how to cure Hermione. Everything seemed like a dead end. She could sure use Hermione on this one, she thought, smirking at the irony of the situation. Whatever curse hit Hermione was a nasty one and Ginny wasn't getting anywhere. With a sigh, she pushed the few strands of hair that has slipped from her ponytail out her face.

What if Draco was part of the attack?

She quickly pushed that thought from her mind. She couldn't dwell on Draco right now. She had bigger things to think about. She stared down at the book. The words blended together, her eyes blurred, and there, before her, no longer was the page but Draco's eyes staring back at her.

"Stop Ginny," she ordered herself. "You'll make yourself go crazy." Trying to ignore the fact that she may already be crazy, considering she was talking to herself, she concentrated harder on the page before her.

What if he was the one who threw the curse?

With a groan Ginny pushed that thought from her head as well. She couldn't do that to herself. She couldn't start playing "the what if" game. It always got her in trouble. Glancing at her watch, she noticed it was damn near two am. Bed was looking great right now. She would continue looking tomorrow, she decided, marking the page she was on before closing her book.

She made her way to Hermione and was slightly amazed to see that Snape was still there. He had fallen asleep with his head on the bed and her hand in his. Ginny studied the tender moment with a bittersweet taste in her mouth. Padding over quietly, she shook her old potion professor's shoulder, trying to wake him gently.

"What?" Snape asked in a slight daze.

"Its late, Sir," Ginny said softly. "Did you wish to stay here for the night?"

He studied her for a second as if pondering her words. Ginny could see the debate playing out in his mind through his dark eyes. Shaking his head, he stood up. "I'll just be leaving. Thank you for waking me."

Pushing past her, he made his way to the door. Ginny watched him curiously as he paused.

"Make her better," he whispered so softly she questioned if she had imagined it. She watched his retreating back, wondering if maybe he cared more then he let on.

Ginny quickly checked on Hermione before making her way to the room they had once shared. A large black owl sat on her windowsill, waiting on her. Her breath caught in her throat. She knew that owl. It had been a year since she had seen it. It flew gracefully into the room, landing on her bed with its long foot extended, drawing her attention to the rolled parchment attached to it. Ginny moved slowly to the bird, scared it was still just her imagination. The owl hooted softly encouraging her to takes its delivery. Her hands shot out and she removed the roll. The owl flew out the room as gracefully as it had come. Who ever the sender was, didn't want a reply.

His scent filled her nose as she unrolled the parchment softly. Tears welled up in her eyes as it surrounded her. The vision of his murderous face filled her thoughts. The cold look in his eyes forever imprinted on her brain.

"Oh Draco," she whispered. "What have you become?"

Her eyes were too filled with tears to understand the curvy script. It wasn't until she woke in the morning that she read what was written.

Soon.

-D. M

Chasing my once prominent dreams

Once, the Manor had been the most beautiful place in the world to him. Now, too many evil deeds had stained the walls. No one could see them but Draco knew they were there. The events of it's past had left everything tainted. Draco could almost smell the scent of all the innocent blood that was spilt here. The first thing he planed to do when he got rid of his father was to burn this place to the ground.

He sighed as he stared at the maghony door. Today he was leaving to go to the Order. This was his first official day as a double agent. Not that he was worried. Matter of fact, he hadn't really put that much thought into it. Perhaps it was because he could feel his freedom coming up closer, the day when he crushed his father and could finally walk away from all this a free man. But that was another day. Today, he would tell Lucius his plans to meet the Order later.

Lucius had holed himself in his office for the past two days. Draco didn't really come and inquire why. To be completely honest, if he wasn't meeting the Order today, he probably would have never even bothered to come and see the old man. The many wars had had its effect on his father. Draco found he was noticing more and more lines on his father's face. The older man's mouth always seem to be set in a line and his eyes seemed so dull. He looked like a man who had seen death too many times. There were times, Draco wondered, if that was what he was destined to beome, a cold old man who's lust for blood had far surpassed his lust for life.

He pushed the door open and was greeted by his father. Draco's father had his head bowed. It was almost like he was praying but Draco knew that wasn't true. The only thing his father believed in was himself.

"Snape will be introducing me as a double agent to the Order tonight," Draco said, studing the silver hair on his father's head.

"Very good," Lucuis whispered, his voice hoarse. "Will you be staying there or here?"

"Most likely I will come in between the two, like Snape did in the past," Draco replied, studing the floor and wanting nothing more then to back out of the room.

Lucius nodded his head which Draco took as a sign to leave. He bolted out of the room. He hated it here and couldn't wait to go to the Order's headquarters.

I have lost myself in life

"Where Mummy?" Sevilin asked, looking over his breakfast.

Lily paused, the spoon frozen in the air before the little boy's mouth who was staring up at her with his large brown eyes. "She is still sleeping," Ethan said, glancing over his newspaper. "Lily, feed the boy," he said when he noticed the little boy had his mouth open, patiently waiting the spoon she had suspended before him.

Shaking her head she plopped the spoon into the child's month. She hoped Hermione would wake up soon. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she felt her husband's hand softly massage the back of her neck.

"She'll wake up soon, Lil, don't worry," he whispered as he rested his forehead to the side of hers.

Lily felt something wet rest on her arm. Looking down, she noticed Sevilen had mimiced Ethan and rested his little forehead on her arm. His cereal from around his mouth was now slowly moving down her hand. Chuckling, she kissed both of their foreheads.

Ginny watched the scene in the kitchen play out before her. A soft smile played at her lips as she watched the tender moment between Lily and Ethan. She felt as if she was evading their privacy. She walked away from the scene with a sigh. It seemed everyone had someone. Hermione had Sevilen and, even if she didn't know it, she had Snape. Lily had Ethan. Both Ron and Harry had amazing women. All she had was a ring. She wrapped her fingers around the warm metal that rested gently at the base of her neck. After the first body was found she stopped wearing it on her finger. It reminded too many people of the man who put dead bodies before them. She was tired of hearing Ron moan about how evil Draco was or watching her father's eyes darken at the mention of his name. They didn't see that the ring gave her comfort. They only saw what their closed minds let them see. They never saw that it reminded her of the love she was forced to be apart from.

And forgotten how it felt to leave

"You ready for this?" Snape asked, studing the man before him.

Draco nodded. He knew it wouldn't be easy but he also knew that things are never easy when it came to him. "Who knows?" Draco asked Snape. He mostly wondered if Ginny knew. He hoped that maybe she would know.

"Just Authur," Snape replied. "He felt it would be best not to really mention it until you showed up."

"Doesn't really sound inviting," Draco mumbled under his breath as he followed Snape out of the door.

He watched as Snape grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the fire place. "The Headquarters." Draco followed and found himself stepping out of the ashy fire place. He dusted the snoot from his fine robes. With a quick shake of his head, he tossed back the few strands of hair that had fallen out of place from his face.

His first sight was her, staring up at him with her wide chocolate eyes. She had changed. Her face was thinner, accenting her cheek bones and giving her a more mature look. Her hair had grown and was pulled back in a ponytail that hung over her shoulder. But she was still beautiful. She was still the angel he remembered her to be.

"Ginny." He whispered her name and it sounded like a prayert to his ears. He moved toward her. He didn't see the wands drawn or hear the shouts coming from the men in the room. He only saw her. His eyes landed on the ring around her neck, the ring he had given her in a happier time.

I need you to make me whole again

Ginny thought it was odd when her father shouted for everyone to meet him in the living room. Even odder when Snape stepped out of the dusty fireplace. But nothing prepared her for what was to happen next. There, before her and dusting off his fine robes, was none other then Draco Malfoy himself. Her breath caught as she watched him shake the few strands of loose hair from his face. He looked harder, older. His hair seem lighter, almost close to silver. His body was leaner and even with his robes she could tell he had gained a few muscles. His eyes caught her's and there, before in those haunting grey eyes of his, did she see her Draco.

"Ginny."

He spoke her name softly, almost as it was his savor in dark times, as he moved slowly to her. She saw his eyes drop to her neck and she sensed the recongition in them when he spied the ring. She felt her body move to him. She ignored the shouts from her brother's and Harry, ignored the sad look in her father's eyes. All she saw was him.

Draco cupped her face with his hands, placing a soft kiss on her sweet lips. A moan escaped her and she threw her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss. He ran his hands down her sides resting them on her hips. How he missed holding her, feeling her soft body pressed against his. Pulling away from her slowly, he kissed her forehead. He removed the necklace from around her neck and pulled the ring off the chain.

"I know I never got a chance to ask you," he whispered, his forehead resting against hers as he slid the ring onto her finger.

Ginny just nodded. He didn't have to finish his statement because they both knew the answer.

"Eghm," a voice said behind them.

They both looked up at Ginny's father who was the source of the voice. "Mind explaining?" he asked, his arms folded across his chest.

But I don't know where I dropped all the pieces

A few hours later, everyone's questions were answered and it was explained what Draco was doing there. Ginny and Draco escaped to get a little alone time. She had taken him to the attic. It was the only place she knew that she wouldn't be bothered. Draco watched in silence as she moved around him, locking the door and quickly placing a silencing charm on it. She cleared some of the dust from the floor, not really sure what he would think of her safe haven.

She wrung her fingers nervously, studying the dusty floor. "Ginny?" Draco asked softly, lifting her face with a finger under her chin. A tear slipped from her eye and slid down her flushed cheek. He kissed the tear drop and then he placed a kiss on each of her eyelids.

"Your more beautiful then I remembered," he whispered into her hair. He wrapped his long arms around her. "Do you still love me?" he asked, his voice caught softly as if afraid of what she would say.

"I…" Ginny paused, shifting her eyes from his face. She studied the view out the window. "I've never stopped," she whispered, turning her face into his chest. "But…."

Draco paused. "But?"

"Nothing," she whispered, her face still in his chest. She had paused again. "Can I show you something?"

Pulling away from him, she moved across the room and grabbed something out of the little cabinet hidden by the shadows. He eyed the small vials in her hand suspiciously as he watched her grab the pensive.

"What is it?" he asked, his curiousity getting the better of him.

She didn't answer but proceeded to pour the first vial's misty contents into the bowl. She gestured for him to take a look and he moved to the bowl slowly, not sure if he should trust her.

Ginny watched his slow progression of the bowl. "You lived with darkness too long," she said, noticing the distrust in his eyes.

Draco slowly lowered his head into the mist, wondering what she wanted to show him.

As the soft swirls of mist cleared, he found himself staring at Ginny hunched over a dead body.

"Do you know how he was killed?" a voice asked, but Draco couldn't really make out his face.

"I'm not sure," Ginny replied, as she wiped the caked dried blood from the man's face. "Give me a some time. I'll let you know when I figure it out."

Draco heard the door slam. Ginny let out a sigh and tied her hair up. She used a quick spell on her wands to protect them as she examined the body. He watched as she cut the remaining clothing off the man's body with a knife. He watched her stone face as she studied the man's wounds. She seemed to be doing it the muggle way because she hadn't used her wand on the man's body yet. As he watched her, the only think he could think was that she looked so beautiful cold.

He watched her split the man's ribs and examine his heart. Her hands were covered in the mans rotten blood and fluids yet she didn't seem to notice. She seemed so deep in thought he wondered what she was thinking. She worked in silence, only speaking when to note something she thought would be useful for the aurors to know.

Did she show them this memory also? He wondered.

He heard her gasp, moving quickly, he stood behind her. She was studying the man's legs and there it was, his craved message. Forgive Me. D.M.

He felt himself being pulled from the pensive as he thought over what he just saw.

Ginny's soft brown eyes met his when he stood up. She quickly twirled the mist back into the small vial and poured the other one out. Draco lowered his head again, wondering if he was going to see her examine another body.

Ginny watched him. When he had watched the memory of her examining the body he stood still, his body calm. Would it be the same when he watched himself kill a man? She watched as his hand grasped the bowl harder. His knuckles were white and his body was tense. It was almost like he was fighting to get out of the memory. Ginny knew the memory would be ending soon. She rubbed his back gently and his body seemed to calm slightly.

Draco jerked from the pensive, his eyes cloudy. He stared down at the streamy mist with disdain. Ginny touched his arm gently. "Draco?"

He stanched his arm away from her, "How long have you had this," his voice was barely a whisper but Ginny could hear the strain in them.

"Over a month."

"I should go." He moved silently to the door, his movement jerky.

"Draco, wait." Ginny rushed to him. She yanked his arm so that he was facing her. His cold eyes stared down at her, making her falter for only a second. She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled his head down to her's, pressing her lips to his, begging in her mind for him to respond. She nibbled his bottom lip, running her tongue along it.

"Draco," she whispered in between kisses.

A wash of relief washed over her when his arms wrapped around her. She felt him thrust his tongue into her warm mouth. He kissed like a man would had he been trapped in the desert with no water and had finally found an oasis.

"Do you still love me?" she asked. Pulling her head back, she looked him deep in the eyes. She saw the grief and remorse in them.

"I'm different now Ginny," he hissed out. "I'm a murderer…a monster." He stepped away from her, digusted with himself. How dare he think he was good enough to touch her. "I've killed too many innocent people. I'm black to the core."

She grabbed his shoulders and turned him to face her. "I know of the things you have done. I have seen them with my own eyes. The bodies, the writings, I was even able to pull a memory from one of the unlucky bastards." She shuddered, remembering the memory. Her motion didn't go undetected by Draco. "But that is not what I asked," she whispered calmly. "Do you still love me?"

"I should go." He started to move toward the door. "I'm not good enough for you."

"Your wrong," Ginny said, grabbing his hand and stopping him. "I love you for who you are not what you have done, Draco, but do you still love me?"

Ginny could feel the coldness pouring off of him, slowly wrapping its ice fingers around her heart. Tears that she had been holding back threatened to spill and her strength was slowly slipping away. How could he go from so loving to so cold so quickly.

He stared down at her, pleading with his eyes for what she was saying to be true. "Tell me, how does it feel to know the man you could be very well spending the rest of your life with is a murderer?"

"I've passed that bump already." Ginny lifted onto her toes and placed a kiss on his chin. "You are all I need now."

"I've have never stopped loving you Ginny." He pulled her close to him and let her cry.

Is this puzzle to big for us

"When did this happen?" Draco asked, staring down at Hermione's sleeping body.

"The day after Christmas. She had a meeting with Snape. I'm still not quite sure what it was about now that I think about it," Ginny replied.

Draco studied the sleeping girl for a few more moments. He was pretty sure what curse had hit her but he had to be certain. "I have to leave, Ginny."

She nodded and silently led him from the room and to the fireplace. "Be safe," she whispered.

"I always am," he whispered back, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

Ginny watched as he disappeared and part of her wanted to scream for him to come back. She wrapped her arms around her shaking body. She felt as if she had lost him again.

"Ginny?"

Ginny jumped and turned to the source of the voice. "Oh, Harry, where did you come from?"

She studied his sprawled out position on the couch, wondering how she missed him coming in and sitting down. He and Ron had a habit of flopping down on the furniture which usually made some noise.

Harry smiled softly at her. "I was sitting here when you guys came in."

Ginny nodded and stared down at him, not really sure what to say. "Well, it's late. I guess I'll just go to bed."

"Ginny, wait," he said, standing and moving toward her.

"Yes?" she asked after a few seconds.

"Why?"

"Why what, Harry?" Ginny crossed her arms across her chest, already knowing what he was talking about.

"Why Malfoy?" Harry asked, studying his feet.

Ginny looked at him for a second, his green eyes clashing with her warm brown. "You know the answer to that question already." She moved past him and left him to his thoughts.

Our can we finally overcome our woes

"How did it go?"

Draco stepped out the fireplace slowly. His father was sitting in a black chair facing the fireplace. He had his snake charmer robes on and a glass of fire whiskey in his hand. Draco would have to kill someone tonight and, knowing his father, it was probably someone from the Order he just joined.

"Well?" Lucius asked. His eyebrow rose as he took a sip from his glass.

"As well as expected. Potter and Weasley were against it but they will get over it," Draco shrugged. He wasn't about to tell his father the truth. He made sure to keep the walls up in his mind just in case his father tried to penetrate it. "Is there a reason you are up so late?" Draco asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"As a matter of fact, there is." Lucius quickly drained his glass and stood up. "I have a present for you. Meet me in the dungeon. But first, change into your robes."

Draco watched the retreating back of his father. Gritting his teeth, he stomped off to his room to change.

To make this puzzle of life whole again

She was tied up by her arms. Her body was naked and her legs tied spread open. Draco could tell she had been raped before he had gotten there. The show had already started. He was there was to finish it… the grand finale. The faint smell of urine assaulted his nose as he got closer to her quivering body.

"Clean her up," he ordered, placing his mask on his face.

He heard the house elves move quickly around the girl, cleaning up the mess she made. From the muffled protest from the girl, he could tell they were cleaning her as well. He pulled his black gloves on slowly. He didn't plan on taking long tonight. Walking over to her, he circled her slowly, taking in her body. He listened as the snake charmers shouted things they wanted him to do to her. He sensed her fear… it dripped off of her. It played at him and he found that it enticed him.

He pulled the gag from her mouth, tossing it across the room. He hoped her screams would drown out the sound of their jeers. Running his finger softly down the curve of her young firm breast, he leaned in closer to her. She yanked her body away from him in fear but he wrapped his other arm around her waist, pressing her slim body to his. Her skin was soft despite her goose bumps. He rubbed his chest against hers to appear as if he was savoring the feeling of her tight nipples on his chest though his shirt.

He noticed his father's curious glance out the corner of his eye. Draco has never openly showed any sort of sexual attention to any woman. Why the sudden interest in a tied up muggle? Draco realized that it was only a Muggle and not someone from the Order. He silently breathed a sigh of relief. Draco smirked to himself. If his father only knew this was just a show. He was only doing this so his father did not suspect he would do anything to keep Ginny safe. He pushed the thought of her from his mind.

"Forgive me for what I am about to do for like you, I am also a victim of this war," he whispered softly into the girl's ear.

The girl whimpered softly. "Please," she begged. "Please let me go."

Draco placed a soft kiss on her lips, tweaking her nipples slightly. "I can't do that. You see, the snake charmers want a show and a show we will give them."

The Snake Charmers hooted when he cupped her breast with both hands, bringing his mouth down on her tender nipples. The girl squeaked and tried to pull away from him but it was in vain. Her tears soaked her face and cheeks.

"Please," she begged again, shaking as Draco slapped her breasts, making them swing side to side.

"If I had known you had a bondage fetish," Lucius drawled from his seat, staring down at his son, "I would have arranged for this to happen sooner."

Draco ignored the jab. He knew what his father was doing. The crowd laughed at the joke as he called for his knives. Moving away from her, he grabbed one in a leather case. He ran the incased knife up the inside of her legs. The girl whimpered when the soft leather made contact with the flesh of her sex.

He pulled of the knife out of the case, the sound of the blade's release echoed though dungeon. He pressed the knife into the flesh of her belly. The knife sunk in as if cutting butter. He pressed it so just the tip was just an inch in and slowly dragged the knife across. The girl screamed in pain and jerked her body. He watched the blood flow down her pale skin. Pushing all morals from his mind, he continued his tasked quickly.

Without any missing pieces

Draco stared back at his reflection in the mirror. The reflection's eyes were full of pain and hatred. His face was hard and his mouth was in a tight line. This was the face of a killer. Smashing the mirror with his fist, he apparated away, going to the only place he felt free.

He stared down at her sleeping form. He was furious that he had been able to apparate directly into the headquarters. Did they not believe in wards? She was so beautiful when she slept. Her auburn hair spread around her head on her pillow, how he wanted to run his hands though her soft locks. She shifted in her sleep, moaning softly. He made to leave but something stopped him. She whispered his name.

"Draco, no," she cried. She was having a nightmare, he realized. How long had it been since Tom was replaced by him, he wondered. Her body jerked and she sat up, looking around frantically as if reliving the nightmare she was just dreaming. Their eyes locked and she gasped. "Draco?"

Her confusion was evident. She took him in, standing before her in his black robes with blood dripping from one of his clenched fists. His eyes racked over her body, taking in her silky nightgown. She could feel hatred flowing off of him. A tremble ran over Ginny's body but she didn't know it was out of lust or fear. His breath hitched as he watched her shake. It had been too long since he had her. He didn't say a word. He just walked toward her, pulling her body up roughly against his. Ginny struggled to release herself from his tight grip but he only held on tighter. She let out a cry of distress as his lips came crashing down on hers.

But I feel as if we are to different people

Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her closer. Biting her bottom lip, she gasped and he quickly forced his tongue into her warm mouth. Desire ran through him as he ran his hands up her slender sides and cupping her breasts. Ginny made a sound of protest, pushing at his hands. She tried in vain to be released from his grasp. Draco pushed her off him, quickly casting silencing spells before she had a chance to scream. He forced her body on to the bed and pushed her nightgown over her head. Ginny tried to push him away, begging for him to stop. He was too strong for her. Tears ran down her face as he secured her hands over her head with her nightgown.

"Draco, stop," she gasped when he took one of her nipples into his mouth.

He ignored her and moved to her other nipple, swirling his tongue around the taunt bud. "I need you, Ginny," he whispered, stretching his body over hers. He kissed the tears on her face.

"Draco, please stop," Ginny begged, hoping his tenderness would mean the end to this madness.

He lifted himself so he was staring down at her. Taking in her tears and cries of distress, guilt washed over him. He slowly ran his fingers over her belly. Her skin was so soft, so tender. Images of the muggle girl came back to him; the color of her blood flowing down her pale skin bombarded him. He wanted to erase them and replace them with a new memory. Replace them with Ginny.

"I can't," he whispered as he ripped off her panties.

Ginny let out a sob of dismay has she felt his sex pressing against her inner thigh. "Draco," she begged, pleading with him yet again. He leaned his forehead on hers. "Ginny, I need you. Please don't' fight me." He kissed her again, tenderly. He was surprised to find she was kissing him back. There were still tears in her eyes but she kissed him back.

He traced soft kisses along her jaw and down her neck. Ginny moaned slightly. He wondered if she really wanted him. Fingering her sex, he found she was ready for him. "Do you want this?" he asked, dreading the answer.

Ginny let out a small cry. "Draco, I don't know what I want any more."

Draco nodded. Rubbing her sex, teasing her entrance with his sex, she let out a moan. He closing his eyes as he pressed into her, slowly letting her body stretch around him. She was so tight that it took everything in him not to spill his seed the instant he was in her. Ginny mewed softly under him, her face distorted as she got used to him being in her, tears still flowing down her pale cheeks. He rested his head in the nook between her shoulder and neck, letting his weight rest on top of her.

"Ready?" he asked softly. Taking her whimper as the answer, he started thrusting into her. His hips moved faster and faster. He needed more of her. Ginny gasped, the pressure was building in her and she felt like she was going to explode. She had forgotten how sex was with him. He pounded frantically into her yielding body. A shudder of pleasure ran through her body as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She wished her hands were free so she could hold him closer. As if reading her thoughts, he released her hands from their binds. She quickly ran her hand through his hair, pulling his body closer to hers.

"Draco," she moaned, as the pressure exploded in her. Her whole body shook as she rode out her orgasm. Draco let out a groan, quickly following her into his own release. Their bodies were sweaty and tired. He rolled off her and pulled her into his arms.

"Ginny?" he asked softly.

Ginny didn't say a word. She didn't know if she knew the man laying next to her anymore. Draco laid in silence for a few more minutes, listening to her soft sobs. He waited for her to drift off to sleep before leaving.


Trying to force ourselves back together

Ginny sat at the kitchen table, her cup of tea sat forgotten in front of her. She idly played with the hem of her shirt. Thoughts of Draco ran through her mind. Who was the man in her room last night? Her cheeks redden slightly. She shook the image of his cold eyes staring down at her begging her for forgiveness out of her mind. Could she forgive him for this? How much more could she compromise herself for him before losing what was left of herself?

"Ginny?" her mum said softly, startled to find her daughter out of bed so early. "You're up early, love."

Molly took in her daughter's appearance. Her hair was pushed back in to a loose ponytail, one that looked like it was made out of frustration rather then laziness. She had on a pair of hand me down robes that were too big for her slim frame causing it to brunch up around her waist.

"Is everything alright dear?" Molly asked gently.

"What?" Ginny said as if breaking out of a daze. "Oh um…. yes, everything is alright. I guess I was just thinking about Hermione, that's all." Ginny kept her eyes down, hoping her mum would by her small lie. True, Hermione did play at her mind but it wasn't her current obsession.

Molly studied her daughter. "I see, and it also wouldn't have to do with a certain young man who made a startling appearance yesterday would it now?" Molly raised an eyebrow as she watched her daughter grow a sudden interest in her long time forgotten teacup.

"No, Mum," Ginny said quickly getting up. "I better get back to researching." She pecked her mother on the cheek and headed back to her room, pushing back the guilt of lying to her mother.

But the our pieces have changed

"Ginny?"

Her shoulders stiffened. She wasn't ready to face him, not yet. She heard him step closer and she leaned closer to the book she was reading. Please, just go away, she begged silently. She muffled a cry when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Ginny, look at me," Draco begged, dropping to his knees so his eyes were on the same level as her.

"Go away," she whispered, never looking up from her book.

"I can't do that," he replied, nudging her chin with his finger. She turned her face away from him. "Please, Ginny," he begged softly.

"Draco, I don't even know who you are any more," Ginny cried, never once looking at him because she was afraid if she looked in to his grey eyes she would once again crumble.

"I'm the same Draco you fell in love with. Look at me, Ginny." Draco cupped her face, turning it to face him.

"The Draco I fell in love with wouldn't have done what you did last night," Ginny said glancing in to his eyes for the first time. She could see the anguish in them. He was pleading with her again. Damn his eyes.

"I can't explain last night," Draco said softly. "I wasn't myself."

"If I forgive you this time how do I know you won't do it again? How do I know if I can trust you again?" she asked, searching his eyes.

"You don't," he whispered. He kissed her shoulder lightly, trying to ignore how she stiffened at his touch. "Ginny, please."

Ginny nodded and closed her eyes. "Draco I," she paused as if not sure what to say. "I'm not sure. Please, just go, Draco." She didn't open her eyes again until she heard the door shut behind her.

I will cut away from mine to fit into your again

Draco sat back on the slightly worn couch that adorned the Order's living room. It was too soon for him to return to the manor and he certainly didn't have anywhere else to go. Sighing, he rested his head in his hands. He sorely messed things up with Ginny. Mentally kicking himself in the arse, he wondered on the best approach to fix it.

"Hi."

Draco looked around quickly for the source of the little voice. He spied a small boy, no more then two, standing by the edge of the sofa staring up at him. "Hi," he replied back, staring at the child and wondering where he came from. He wondered why the child looked like a miniature version of Snape.

He watched in a mixture of shock and amusement as the little boy clambered up onto his lap. "What you name?" the little boy asked when he had situated himself quite comfortably on Draco's lap.

Draco stared down at the little boy's head. "Draco, what's your name?"

"Seviwen."

"That's quite a name," Draco mumbled, more to himself then to the little boy. He contemplated why his name was so close to Severus. "Where's your mum?" he asked, hoping to hand the child off soon.

"She seeping," Sevilen said with what looked like a shrug, but Draco couldn't be too sure.

Some mother, Draco thought, glancing at the watch on the wall. He noticed it was well past noon. "Who's watching you?" he asked. Surely they didn't just let a baby walk around on his own?

"Ginny."

Great, just great, Draco thought with a roll of his eyes. "And where is Ginny?" he asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Hiding."

"And why is she hiding?"

"I don't know." Sevilen shrugged his tiny shoulders.

"Oh, Sevi, there you are," Ginny said, rushing into the room. "How dare you run away from me young man. You gave me…" She froze in shock when she saw whose lap the child was sitting on.

"Draco." She eyed him and the child warily. "What are you still doing here?"

Draco caught the nervous look she was giving him and the child and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Contrary to popular belief, Ginny, I don't hurt small children."

Ginny scoffed as she pulled Sevilen off his lap. "I never thought you did."

"Your eye's said otherwise," he replied, scowling at her. "Whose child is that?"

"Hermione's, why?"

"That's Granger's child?" he asked in shock.

"Yeah, why?" Ginny asked again, her eyebrows knitting together.

"Because that child looks exactly like Snape did when he was a baby."

Ginny sucked in her breath. Leave it to Draco to notice the one thing everyone else, including the child's father, over looked.

Draco didn't miss her reaction. He studied the child's dark hair. "It is Snape's. Isn't it?"

Ginny didn't want to betray Hermione by telling her biggest secret. Draco could see the conflict in her eyes.

"Does Snape know?" he asked before she could confirm it.

"No."

Ginny realized her error when it was too late. She winced inwardly at the smirk forming on Draco's lips. "You will not tell him either." She poked him in the chest with her finger, making sure he got the point.

Draco stared down at the finger currently poking him in the chest. She was touching him. He gulped down the groan forcing its way out. The last thing he needed was for her to think that her poking him was turning him on. Not to mention it sounded completely wrong. He watched as she switched the child from one hip to another. She looked so beautiful with a child in her arms. For a second he imagined it was their baby and they were a happy little family. But only for a second, he quickly threw that thought from his head. It was bad enough he was risking Ginny's life by being with her. He couldn't add a child to that mix.

"Draco?" Ginny asked, shaking her hand in front of his face. He had just been staring off into space, which was something completely out of character for him. But then again, she wasn't really sure she knew his character anymore.

He blinked, shaking his head. "Sorry," he mumbled. A sharp pain shot through his side. "I have to go," he gritted through his teeth. Ginny looked confused. "Duty calls," he said hoping she would get it. Taking a chance, he stepped closer to her and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Yuck!" Sevilen said.

Draco chuckled as he went through the fireplace.

Will you do the same?

"Did you find out anything interesting?" Lucius asked his son.

Draco sat in a chair by the fire, nursing a glass of fire whiskey. He rolled the glass between his hands and stared into the fire. It wasn't until Lucuis' annoyed grunt did he answer.

"I'm still building their trust. Something is about to happen but they haven't felt the need to indulge me with that information yet," Draco mused, taking a sip from his glass. "Potter seems to find it hard to let go of old grudges."

"He was always an idiot," Lucius said, pouring himself a glass of fire whiskey. "You will have to get one of the girls to fall in love with you."

"Come again?" Draco asked, drawing his eyes from the fire and studying his father's face.

"That's the best way to do it," Lucius mused, sipping from his glass. "Make either the mudblood or the youngest Weasley, that one is a girl right?" He paused, glancing at Draco to confirm which he did with a tight nod. "Get one of them to fall in love with you. It's a good way to get information, not to mention when some one questions your loyalty she would be there stand up for you. Those loyal Gryffindors are good for something."

"Now that I think about it, you should probably go for the Weasley. The idea of you being with either of them makes me sick in the stomach but the thought of you being with the mudblood… well, let's just not think about that now," Lucius said, draining his cup. "You understand, boy?"

Draco nodded his head, staring back at the fire. "It would be hard to woo the mudblood as she is currently incapacitated. Father, who was at the attack at Hogwarts anyway?"

Or will you leave us incomplete

Ginny sat down at the kitchen table, placing her cup of tea before her. She had been up late researching a cure for Hermione. She felt as if all she was hitting was dead ends. She ran her hands through her curls and sighed. If only she knew what curse hit Hermione.

"Ginny?"

Glancing up, she saw Draco standing at the kitchen door staring at her. The concern in his eyes was evident. She motioned for him to take a seat, which he did silently. They stared at each other for a few seconds until the silence was too much for her.

"You're here early today," she stated more to fill the silence then anything else.

She stiffened slightly when he covered her hand with his. He pulled his hand back quickly upon her reaction. She grabbed his hand and placed it over her heart.

"We are stronger then this." She kissed his palm and cupped his cheek. "You may not be prince charming and I'm no princess, but together we are right."

Draco nodded, not trusting his voice. Lowering his head, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. She was too good for him but he would be a fool to mess this up. He took in her smile and the light in her eyes. She was so beautiful.

"What?" Ginny asked, bringing her hands to her face. "Is there something on my face?"

"No, you're beautiful," he replied, enjoying the smile that spread across her face.

"Tease," she joked as she swatted his arm, "So, tell what brings you here so early?"

"I know what curse hit Hermione."

a/n: Hope you guys liked it. Please review and let us know what you think. Thank you.