It was snowing.
The cold November air whipped at any exposed skin and the skies above were dark with cloud cover. Though the temperatures had continued to drop these last few days, they had not expected snow so suddenly. Ginny had wondered the day before if they would see it before December, which was still over a week away. But, it took only a few hours before the ground was covered in white and the cold was nearly unbearable.
And so, that was why she and Draco found themselves at the mercy of a cabin in the woods.
She had lit a fire in the fireplace while he strung up a few protective spells- ones which would leave them invisible to the naked eye. Ones that would protect them, at least overnight. "We're lucky this place was here," Draco said as he came in, stamping the snow off his boots in the doorway. "I wonder who it belongs to." The cabin seemed oddly taken care of, as if it had only just been occupied. Well, no matter, as long as it remained that way for just one night they would be safe.
"I think it's a hunting cabin," Ginny observed as she shivered from her cloak, sopping wet with the melting snow. Draping it over the nearest chair, she waved her wand, conjuring a hefty stack of wood that she left next to the fireplace. "Hermione told me about them once." She recalled a conversation from many years ago, when the brunette had told her all about the way Muggles had once primarily gotten food for their families. She felt the familiar pang of homesickness, of the pain of missing her family and friends. But, they were doing something that needed to be done.
They had of course resumed their tracking of Greyback and the others, though Greyback was their primary focus. Ginny had dove into her mission headfirst, her personal vendetta against the werewolf her driving force. "You think there's anything to eat?" Draco asked, to which Ginny shrugged, leading him towards the small kitchen area of the cabin. The whole place was beginning to warm up now that the fire was roaring and so Draco shed his own wet cloak in the kitchen, leaving it over the back of a chair. They both began to search the cabinets, the refrigerator, the panty- anywhere there might have been something edible. After a few minutes, they had managed to scrounge up enough to pull together a vegetable soup, which Ginny set to work on almost at once.
"What's our next move?" Ginny asked as she set the still fresh vegatables from the fridge up to begin chopping themselves. "The weather..." She turned her eyes to the window, watching as the snow fell, piling up on the windowsil outside. If it remained this bad, then even Greyback would pause in his relentless trek. They had followed him from London to an Asian town and then back to London, where the werewolf had made his way through the city and then out into the country. He was searching for something, one of Voldemort's items, for it seemed one had been stolen. Voldemort had him searching for it all across the country, whatever it was.
"We'll stay here until the weather clears up. We'll never find him now, anyways. We'll circle back to the Burrow and see what Remus thinks." Draco said as he dropped into a kitchen chair, tired after what seemed like endless hours on his feet. Ginny looked as tired as he felt, and he knew they both desereved this small break. They had been on mission after mission for weeks now. There had been two more fights with Death Eaters, none with any losses on their side, luckily. There had been a scare at Hogwarts where a first year had vanished, a Muggleborn student, but had reappeared after dinner two weeks later. Greyback had killed another three people since Arthur's funeral, as well as turning two twin boys the night of the last full moon.
"It'll be nice to sleep in a real bed, I guess," Ginny said with a chuckle as she dropped a fistful of vegetables into her already simmering broth. "And eat real food." She reached into another of the cabinets, finding bowls, and pulled them down onto the counter. "You know... I never really thanked you, for everything you've done." She sighed softly, turning around to lean agains the counter, her brown eyes finding his gray ones. "You don't have to come with me like this, it's dangerous for you..."
Draco crossed the kitchen, taking her face between his palms, hushing her with a swift kiss to her lips. "There's no where I'd rather be," he said softly and the smile that blossomed across her features was thank you enough. She gave a single little nod and then turned back around to face the stove, all of her attention on making the first real meal they'd had in days.
[ x x x ]
Hours later and Ginny had long since gone off to bed- the master bedroom door had been left ajar when she had slipped inside. Draco sat on the edge of the couch, staring into the dying flames of the fire, wondering just when the final battle would take place. He had been included on a few of the conversations with the Golden Trio before their own departure from the Burrow, and knew Harry thought it would come sooner rather than later. Whatever it was they were doing seemed to be working- the Death Eaters were out more, Voldemort himself seemed to be making rash decisions at times.
Draco just hoped it would all be over soon.
Rising from the couch, he doused the last of the flames with his wand and then made to head to the other bedroom. But, as he went by the master bedroom, he could not help but to pause, peering into the room through the darkness. Ginny lay asleep in the bed, turned onto her side facing him in the doorway, one of her arms tucked up beneath her head. Unable to help himself, he slipped into the room to sit down on the edge of her bed, carefully reaching out a hand to touch a stray lock of her hair. Her eyes fluttered open and he grinned apologetically down at her, drawing his hand back. "I didn't mean to wake you," he said with a chuckle, making to rise up from the bed. But her hand caught his, holding him there in place as she sat up to face him.
Ginny felt a flame like heat rushing through her veins as Draco reached out again, the pads of his fingers tracing the curve of her cheek. Without a word, and without really thinking about it, Ginny leaned forward to kiss him. She kissed him as she had never kissed him before, a kiss strongly reminiscent of the night in her room the night of her father's funeral. Her tongue slid tantalizingly along his lower lip, her hands wrapped up around the back of his head, fingers tangling in his hair. His own hands were on the move, one sliding into her hair, the other at her lower back, her skin warm against his palm. "Draco..." She murmured his name as she kissed the corner of his mouth, one of her hands sliding down his spine.
He drew her closer, as if that was even possible, and held on for dear life- his mouth found hers again, the kiss as fiery as her hair. Draco moved his hand beneath her shirt, his fingertips tracing along her spine as hers had just done to him moments before. "I love you," he whispered into the shell of her ear, unable to stop the words from falling from his lips. Ginny drew back then, blinking in surprise, but then her smile returned and he heard her whisper the words against his skin. Her hands were on her own body then, tugging her shirt over her head and discarding it over the edge of the bed without even a word. Draco felt his breath catch in his throat at the sight of her before him and he reached for her again. He carefully navigated her onto her back, his palm enclosing around her breast, his thumb rubbing the smallest of circles against her skin. Draco could feel her hands moving yet again, this time down to the waistband of his jeans, her palm brushing against the length of him pulsing beneath the cloth.
Everything in all her life felt like it was leading up to this moment; nothing in all of her life had felt this way, not even with Harry. Not with Dean. Not with anyone before him. It was as if Draco was her first taste of life, of love... His hands knew every inch of her body, his lips knew every inch of exposed skin to taste. His heart beat in perfect time with her own, their pulses thudding along in perfect harmony. Draco was moving then, his kisses trailing the length of her body, while her own hands unbuckled his belt and threw it aside. With nimble fingers, she had his jeans unbuttoned and Draco shimmied from them, letting those fall to the floor with all the other clothes. She slid her hand into his boxers, taking hold of the length of him, which earned her a groan from his lips. While his lips closed around her breast, Ginny could feel him tugging her underwear down, the only clothing left on her body. He threw them aside moments later and Ginny felt his hands as they moved, fingers exploring her as she arched her back against him. "Draco!" She gasped, her head thrown back, her body yielding to his every touch.
Draco knew he couldn't wait much longer. Her little cries were enough to send him over the edge and so he pulled back, adjusting his body to hover just over hers, holding himself up with one hand to the side of her head. His other hand adjusted himself, poised perfectly between her legs. Looking down at her, they met eyes for only a moment, a silent moment passing between the two of them. And then Draco was pushing into her, the gasp that left her lips nearly enough to end things right there. But he pushed through, thrusting into her, feeling her nails as they clawed their way down his back. His name was on her lips as she threw her head back, grinding her hips against his, the feel of him inside her beyond anything she had ever felt before.
When he knew he couldn't last a moment longer, Draco burst inside of her, drawing himself out a moment later, falling down onto the bed beside her. He drew her naked body towards him, wrapping her in his arms, inhaling her sweet floral scent. "I meant it," he whispered as she settled against him, her head in its standard place in the crook of his shoulder. He would never not be amazed at how perfectly she fit against him, as if she'd been made to fit alongside him. "I love you, Ginny."
Hearing his words, Ginny tilted her head back to look him in the eye a little bit better, her heart skipping a beat in her chest. Those few simple words... They meant everything to her. "I love you, too," she murmured, burying her face into his neck, her hand finding his beneath the blankets. For a single moment, she could see the future- they together, in a world that was safe and free from violence. They would see the end of this war, they had to, and then they could be together without fear. She closed her eyes and lay there awake long after Draco had drifted off, simply listening to the soft sounds of his breathing. A year ago, if someone had asked her if she'd ever had so much as looked Draco Malfoy in the eye, she would have laughed at them. Now, there she was, laying in bed wrapped up in his arms. It was strange where life took you, she supposed.
Breathing out, she let sleep take hold of her, already looking forward to waking up with Draco in her bed.
[ x x x ]
"Look out!"
She spun as the curse whizzed past her face, laughter erupting from its caster as he flung another curse her way. Blocking with ease, Ginny threw herself down onto the ground and came up closer to Greyback, who in the snow failed to see her quick movements. "Alarte Ascendare!" She cried, her wand jabbing him right in the stomach; the force of her spell sent Greyback flying high into the sky, only to come crashing back down several feet away. By the time she was back on her feet and at Draco's side, Greyback was rolling over onto his stomach, half-laughing, half-groaning.
"Are you okay?" She asked Draco, helping him to his feet; he had been knocked down by one of Greyback's first curses and it was only now she could reach him. Speaking the incantation that gave him the use back of his legs, she helped him onto his feet just as Greyback struggled up himself. "Aren't you tired of this?" Ginny called out to the werewolf, who's claw-like hands gripped tight to his wand, his lips curled with a snarl. She and Draco had tracked his movements back to Hogsmede, on this the day of a trip for the older students of Hogwarts. No one but sixth and seventh years could go out and it was for but a few hours, but even in that short span of time Greyback had a plan.
They had almost been too late- but they had found him down at the old Shrieking Shack, cornering two sixth years with murder in his eyes. Tonight was the night of the full moon, so his bloodlust was near uncontrollable, even in the daylight. Those very same students had run off, to find help she supposed, but help would be far from them on this day. Ginny knew Remus and Bill were at the Minsitry and Tonks would be asleep... Perhaps some of the teachers from the school would be there to help them, but even that seemed like a long shot. And in truth, Ginny was ready to settle things once and for all with Greyback.
The werewolf charged at them and they sprang apart, both of them raising their wands in preparation of attacking- but Greyback was quick. He hit her with a curse she didn't know, one which left her to crumple onto the ground, writhing in pain. It was quite unlike the Cruciatus Curse, one which she knew the pain caused was all in the mind. This pain though... This pain was quite real. "Ginny!" Draco called out, his attention momentarily diverted by the redhead as she hit the ground.
That was a mistake.
He heard a second voice call out and the Cruciatus Curse hit him like a ton of bricks; he hit the ground, rolling onto his side to avoid smashing his face into the ground. He felt the curse hit him a second time, a third, and he knew the caster without even seeing their face. It was his father. "Get up girl," he heard Greyback's guttural tones and he opened an eye, watching as the werewolf grabbed Ginny by a fistful of hair, yanking her upright. "I should kill you with my own hands," he hissed, his face inches from hers, his breath foul in her nose. "But the Dark Lord says otherwise... But he didn't say I couldn't do this." He reared back and Draco watched as his fist connected with her abdomen, the shock of the blow knocking all the breath from her body. He had to reach her.
Her whole body felt the pain as Greyback dropped her back into the snow, his boot pressing her face into the ground. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth as she felt her lower lip split open with the force of it against the dirt. Her wand had spun away from her reach and she felt a chill to her heart- this was bad. "Easy, Greyback," Lucius Malfoy's tenor tones filtered along the howling of the wind, and more laughter sounded in the background. Greyback pulled his foot off her head and she immediately pushed herself up into a sitting position, though her body screamed in protest. Beside her, Draco struggled up as well, his face already bruised along the left side. "We mustn't damage the goods," Malfoy continued as he approached, his cloak sweeping along the ground behind him. It was then that both Ginny and Draco saw the approaching bodies- four more Death Eaters gathered behind his father and Greyback. They were outnumbered, severely.
Draco edged closer to her, scooting just close enough that in the dark he could reach out to touch her hand. She glanced his way and met his gaze, her lips curving in the slightest of smiles, as if she wasn't worried about their situation at all. "You'll both be coming with us," Lucius continued, snapping his fingers. "Bring them." Draco squeezed her hand as two Death Eaters approached them, their wands out. There wasn't much that they could do, being so outnumbered... He let out a breath and felt Ginny pull her hand away from his, almost as if...
"Petrificus Totalus!" Ginny's cry went up without warning, hitting the closest Death Eater; he went down with a loud thud, and at once Draco was scrambling to his feet all the while wondering when she'd gotten her wand back. "Expelliarmus!" She disarmed the next one, giving Draco time to take down a third man moving in on them. "We're not giving in so easily, Malfoy!" Ginny sneered as she turned to face Malfoy, who's gray eyes were full of anger. "Draco, move!" She cried out, spotting Dolohov moving a moment before he could attack. Draco blocked the attack and at once, spells were flinging everywhere, but still yet they did not fall. Ginny managed to disarm yet another of the Death Eaters and Draco hexed another into unconsciousness.
"Enough!" Malfoy screamed, his usually calm composure shattered; his eyes were wild as he stared at the two of them, the fallen bodies of his comrades around him. There had been six of them to their two, how could this be...? Had it been anyone else, he might have offered his compliments to the girl, he had never realized just how powerful of a witch she was. Now he understood a bit more why Voldemort wanted her out of the way. And his son... Even his skills were impressive. And together they made a well balanced team, as if they could read one another's thoughts. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking and it proved beneficial when it came to battle. "I grow weary of this back and forth with you. It's over."
Ginny flipped her long hair over her shoulder as a laugh escaped her blood-stained lips, her brown eyes flashing in the moonlight. "It's only over when you run away with your tail between your legs," she raised her wand, pointing it directly at Greyback. "And when you run back to The Dark Lord, let him know I said hey." Her smile was mischievious, though her heart was pounding hard against her rib cage. Malfoy flicked a curse at her and she dodged, giving into battle yet again, her focus entirely on Greyback. She could let Draco handle his father, after all.
Stamina was growing weak, for all of them really, and Ginny knew they needed to make a decisive final move. She glanced at Draco, still locked in a duel with his father, sporting what looked like a nasty cut to his arm, and knew that if they wanted to get out of there alive, they needed to do something. But what... She swiveled back to Greyback, who was nursing a wound to his wand hand, his eyes dark as they fell upon her face. Like her, she was certain they would be plotting the best way to take them out. That only meant she had to act smarter and faster than they could. They could do this... They could make it out of this alive. Even if they had a moment, they could Apparate away, somewhere safe. And she could not forget that this was the man that had taken her father from her... This was her father's murder. She would never lose to him. Not again.
Greyback was on the move then, coming at her like a wild animal, magic momentarily forgotten as he raised his hands to take her around the throat. Backing up, she slipped in the snow and hit the ground hard, but she managed to tuck and roll, coming back up behind Greyback instead. "Stupefy!" She screamed, the jet of red light hitting Greyback in the center of his back, sending him to the ground completely unconscious.. Panting, she spun around, standing side by side with Draco now, both of their wands pointed at his father. "Give up, Malfoy," Ginny said quietly, the wind howling around them as snow began to softly fall.
If Lucius Malfoy was worried about being outnumbered, he certainly didn't show it; instead, anger radiated from him, his hand clenched tightly around his wand. "Never," he muttered, giving his silver-haired head a shake, as if to clear his thoughts. The Dark Lord had his orders and those were to bring the Weasley girl back with him. And so that he would do. "Crucio!" He yelled, but his curse missed both, and Lucius felt his stomach clench. "Crucio!" He tried again but he was inaccurate in the shot, missing wildly.
"It's over," Draco said, his soft tone still enough to reach his manic looking father, who looked up at the words. But, the last thing Lucius Malfoy would do would be give up. He glanced at Greyback and Dolohov, both on the ground at his feet, as well as the other nameless Death Eater's he'd brought with him. He had a choice to make and now was the time. Letting out a string of curses, Lucius dropped down to reach for Greyback, before the two of them vanished with a small pop.
Falling to her own knees, Ginny felt all of the fight rush out of her, and the pain was engulfing her whole being. She felt a touch to the top of her head and she tilted back, looking up into Draco's stormy eyes as she reached for his hand. "What do we do with them?" He asked her, gesturing with his other hand at the five fallen bodies. Ginny struggled back to her feet, clutching to him with one hand, while the other held her wand high into the sky.
"We send them back to where they belong."