Thankyou all for reviewing and sorry the update was so long in coming, this is the last chapter so i hope you enjoy.
Whiskey anyone?
Ginny gave a distressed cry as she was pulled forward, but she wasn't letting go, then a hand reached passed her and grabbed hold of the unconscious Draco's arm, together they heaved him up and over the cliff top. Ginny fell back relief flooding through her, she turned her head to the side to see Daniel crouching over Draco.
"Is he ok?" She panted.
Daniel looked up "He'll be fine."
She was suddenly aware of others crowding around and scrambled to her feet, beginning to shake as the adrenalin wore off.
"That was really stupid Ginny, you were nearly pulled over with him." Daniel scolded.
"What was I supposed to do?" She asked.
Daniel shook his head and took a few deep breaths, refocusing on Ginny again, he took in her visibly shaking form. "Are you ok?"
"Yes just adrenalin." She bent down and stroked Draco's face "We should get him back, that gash needs cleaning."
Steve, the big bear of a man who Ginny had first seen on the beach the day they were found got the honours of carrying Draco over his shoulder. Ginny had protested, until he had growled something about her carrying him, after that she hovered behind, watchful for any sign of draco coming around.
Daniel walked beside her, casting strange looks every now and then until finally he said what was on his mind. "You know you would have gone over."
"Yes." Ginny said.
"Yet you didn't let go?"
"Well spotted Sherlock."
"You would have died?"
"I didn't exactly think about it." Ginny replied snappily.
A look of hurt on Daniels face made ginny feel bad and she softened her voice. "He saved me up there too, the reason he was falling was because he saved me." Ginny retold the story, horror only just beginning to sink in. "How did you know where to find us?"
"Marie and Katie came stumbling into the village, said something to Draco who took off into the jungle, Marie said Matthew had lost it and took off with you and we just followed Draco's trail, got there just in time."
"You did and I am eternally grateful, thank you." Said Ginny.
Daniel waved it away. "He's always been an odd one."
"His entire family were wiped out, although I don't justify nearly killing me and Draco I can sympathise." Ginny said sadly.
Daniel shook his head. "As most of the people who live upon this scrap of land, take Jarvis, his face cursed beyond recognition was also brought in with Matthews family, he also lost a wife and daughter but he never blamed draco for it. When Draco was first brought before the elders, it was plain to see he was no murderer, he cannot atone for his fathers mistakes. I think half of the people on this rock are always thinking what if they had surrendered to the dark lord."
"They would be in Azkaban or dead." Pointed out ginny.
"Maybe so, but truth is their loved ones would be free or alive."
Ginny had no answer to this, how could you argue the truth. the group headed back to the village, ginny grew more worried with every step as draco had not yet come round, and was relieved when he was laid down in their hut. She immediately set out cleaning the gash on his brow as others gathered potions and herbs that would help, not once did the red head leave his side, even when the delicious aroma of food drifted into the hut and her stomach growled menacingly loud. She was grateful when Anne brought her a plate full of the delicious food, the normally cheery Anne watched her gravely.
"When will he wake up?" Ginny asked softly.
"He will wake up in good time." Said the older lady with confidence then paused. "Is it true? Matthew tried to throw you over the cliff?"
Ginny nodded and Anne shook her head, any further comment was cut short when draco stirred, ginny looked on hopefully as his eyes fluttered open, his silvery blue eyes looked up into her relieved brown ones. He frowned and Ginny's heart sputtered at the next words out of his mouth.
"Who are you?"
"Um… its me… ginny."
"Ginny?" He asked frowning.
Ginny gave Anne a worried look, who returned it with a wry smile and a roll of the eyes. "I'll be leaving you two alone then."
Ginny, confused looked back down at draco who was grinning up at her, she gave him an annoyed shove.
"Bastard."
His response was to pull her to him and kiss her, by the time they had pulled apart Anne had disappeared.
"Don't ever do that again." Warned ginny.
"But you looked so cute." He smirked.
Ginny shook her head memories of draco been so close to falling, draco seeming to read her mind.
"What happened? Did you pull me up?" His voice held a hint of disbelief.
Ginny smirked down at him "What, think I couldn't pull you up?"
He raised his eyebrows mockingly "I know you couldn't pull me up."
Ginny rolled her eyes "Ok, Daniel got there just in time and grabbed you, he pulled you up."
Draco's face suddenly turned serious "Did you mean what you said….. About…..?"
Ginny blushed "….yes….. Did you?"
"Of course I did, I love you, I have loved you for a long time." he replied.
Ginny frowned "Really? How long?"
Draco rolled his eyes "Does it matter?"
"Yes."
Draco looked up at her through half lidded eyes, she felt his fingers lazily stroking up and down her ribs and wondered when he had slid his hand beneath her top, she raised an eyebrow at his suggestive smirk.
"Mr Malfoy." She said in a mock scandalised voice. "I believe you are attempting to avoid the question."
"Never." He whispered before lifting his head up and capturing Ginny's lips with his, she almost succumbed to the distraction, laughing lightly she sat up, still straddling him she chuckled at his fake look of hurt.
"Your dirty tricks wont work on me, how long?" She scowled.
Draco sighed in resignation. "Ok, the first day back at school I can remember looking over at your table and thinking wow, you looked amazing, I mean I always thought you were attractive but that day sparked something in me." He reached up and stroked a finger down her cheek. "It ate away at me all year, knowing you were…. Potters, you were out of my league, I knew what you thought of me, I could see it every time you didn't look at me. I couldn't help watching you though."
"Wait, I thought at the party…… you said you were drunk that you only kissed me because you were drunk. And you…. Wanted to?"
Draco was genuinely confused "Of course I wanted to, why would you think otherwise?"
"You said Alcohol makes you say and do things you shouldn't or wouldn't normally do."
Draco stared up at her slightly stunned "yes, that doesn't mean I didn't want to kiss you."
Realisation dawned on ginny "So all along you……" She drifted off into her thoughts.
Draco shook his head in amusement "You know ginny, to say how intellectually smart you are, you sure are lacking in understanding people."
Ginny looked down at draco, a wicked gleam in her eyes "Oh, is that so? I must have misunderstood your motives a few moments ago."
She made to move off him but he held her in place, she gave a triumphant grin.
"How about you? Why did you kiss me?" draco asked.
"I don't know, I knew it was wrong but it felt…. Right."
Draco smiled the way that made her heart flutter and she leant down and kissed him "Thank you for saving me draco."
He pushed her red hair out of her face "And thank you for saving me ginny."
………………………………...............................................
Ginny Weasley stood facing draco, both their hands entwined as they gazed into each others eyes, both seemingly unaware of the man who stood beside them, murmuring the words that binded them together, or the large group of people who surrounded them.
Unbeknown to the pair it was five years to the day since they had arrived at this once godforsaken place, neither of the pair could ever have predicted that they would be stood here, joining their souls in marriage.
Well marriage as best as the situation granted, as no one had a wand to perform the full ritual, instead it was a marriage on the words spoken during the ritual. Yes five whole years had passed, the pair had changed considerably, both had come to accept that the island was home, whether this was because of time passed or their love for one another, neither questioned it. Both, once pale now were tanned, something ginny had thought impossible, draco had filled out from his labouring, while ginny had finally stopped growing and now stood just a few inches shorter than Draco's 6ft 2inch height. Her hair had lightened from the rusty red to a coppery colour, draco loved it, he had told her countless times how much her eyes stood out all the more.
A warm wind blew about the group, stirring up the sand they stood on while the sound of the sea, eternally in motion, cast a calming song to ritual words spoken.
"Mummy I'm bored." Came a child's unintentionally loud voice.
Ginny's face broke into a grin as her best friend Katie tried to shush her three year old boy Jack, Draco shook his head slightly and rolled his eyes as Drew ended up retreating to the back with their son tucked under his arm.
Ginny gave Katie a sympathetic smile, she loved jack to bits but was glad when she could pass him back his mum, Katie was adamant that ginny and draco would make great parents and cute babies, ginny never failed to miss her contraception potion. No she wasn't ready to become a mum and draco wasn't ready for fatherhood.
She looked back to draco, his intense gaze never failed to make her body react, she wanted nothing more than this ritual to be over and them to be in the privacy of their home, a flash of something passed over Draco's face, ginny smirked up at draco, its as if he could read her mind.
Finally they were been asked to raise their arms and a strip of red cloth was tied around their wrists, and Johnson the ritual speaker declared them binded, ginny and draco grinned at each other as the village applauded. They headed through the well wishers with congratulations and I thought you would never do its, back to their humble hut.
"So Mrs Malfoy……" Smirked Draco.
Ginny pulled a face "Not officially."
Draco pulled her to him "Official or unofficial, I think I must be the happiest man alive right now."
Ginny smiled seductively "I reckon I can make you happier."
He smirked back "I don't know……."
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Only Ginny's hunger made her surface back out into the world, draco was fast asleep as she decided she would go grab some left over's from yesterdays celebration, the music and singing had gone on into the early hours of the morning. Barely anyone was up and about, even though it was approaching midday, party must have been a good one mused ginny to herself.
"Good morning there ginny." Called a voice.
Ginny turned to see a smiling Johnson approaching.
"Didn't get a chance to congratulate you yesterday." He said with a conspirational wink.
Ginny blushed slightly "Thank you Johnson, the ritual was beautiful."
Johnson nodded "Not as strong as with a wand… but its what's in the heart that makes the ritual truly work, after all love is the most powerful magic of all."
Ginny smiled fondly "Yes I heard that somewhere once, oh hey Steve." She said to the approaching man.
Ginny thanked him as he also congratulated her, smiling inwardly she decided, to avoid attention she would lock herself away with draco for a week.
A loud crackling sound filled Ginny's ears, automatically she, Steve and Johnson looked up where the noise seemed to be coming from.
"what was that?" ginny gasped, the strange noise had vanished just as suddenly as it appeared.
"Magic." Hissed Johnson, he and Steve shared concerned looks "You should get……"
A familiar crack made her look up, all she saw was a cloaked dark figure before she was pushed behind Steve and Johnson, just as quickly they were both thrown out of the way. She watched in horror as they sailed through the air and landed heavily twenty feet away, before she could utter a cry the cloaked man was running up to her. Her initial reaction was to brace herself and fight, only as the man ran closer his hood fell, revealing a raven mop of hair that didn't quiet hide the lightning scar.
"Harry." Was all she could say, she was frozen, stunned and utterly incoherent.
"Ginny." He said, grabbing her to him she was pulled into a bone crushing hug, her eyes flickered upwards, vaguely noticing the crowd that was gathering, only one person stood out among the rest.
"Don't worry Gin, I'll get you out of here." Gushed Harry.
Draco's face flashed with anger as he took a step forward, ginny pulled back from Harry's embrace.
"Wait ha….." Her sentence was cut off as she felt the nearly forgotten sensation of apparation.
"WHAT THE HELL HARRY?" she screamed "TAKE ME BACK."
Harry for his credit looked confused, ginny immediately lowered her voice.
"Harry we cant leave all those people behind, we have to help them."
"You mean those death eaters?" He asked like she had gone crazy.
"They're not Deatheater's Harry, their good people."
Harry stared at her for a few seconds before finding his voice "The Auror's are on their way as we speak gin, they will… help them."
Ginny frowned "take me back."
"I brought you home ginny."
Ginny stared, a mixture of emotions ran through her as she realised where they were stood, in the distance she could see the burrow, lamps had been lit as darkness was descending, her heart began to thump in her chest. Before she knew what was happening her legs were carrying her towards the childhood home she had once loved despite its rustic and run down appearance, Harry jogged to keep up with her.
"You've got tall gin." He pointed out.
Ginny ignored him, thoughts of her mum and dad filled her thoughts, were they here? were her brothers here? She pushed open the door that led into the kitchen and froze, there was her mum with her back to ginny, scrubbing a cauldron in the sink, her dad looked like he had been reading but had now fallen asleep. As if sensing Ginny's presence, her mum turned and their eyes met, Ginny's first thought was she looked older, grey hair was now prominent among the red, her second as she was flying into her arms were how short she was. She wasn't aware of beginning to cry only wiping away the tears, then she was in her dads arms and wondered when he had woken, another shock when the twins appeared from behind her, and she was hugging and been hugged by them. Then bill, Percy and Charlie arrived followed by more tears and hugs eventually ginny dragged herself away.
"We thought you were dead." sobbed Molly.
"where have you been ginny?" Asked Arthur.
Ginny opened her mouth to explain but Harry beat her to it.
"I got Parkinson to talk, promised her a pardon if she gave me the whereabouts of Ginny, she has been stuck on an island east of Africa with a bunch of Deatheater's."
Molly and Arthur both gasped in horror, ginny bristled.
"Their not Deatheater's Harry."
Harry nodded sympathetically "Ginny has been through a trauma we cannot imagine."
Ginny almost growled and was saved the response when the door burst open and in came Ron, he flew at ginny, wrapping his arms around her, she was glad she had just taken a breath.
Ron's muttering of 'I thought you were gone' over and over brought fresh tears to Ginny's eyes.
"WHAT THE HELL HARRY? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR THE REST OF US, YOU CANT JUST GO CHARGING OFF LIKE THAT." Ron roared over Ginny's head.
"I got her back safe, didn't I?" Came Harry's voice.
Ron let ginny go and advanced on Harry "Your unbelievable." He hissed. "She is my sister, what you did… charging in there, you could have got her killed."
"I didn't though." Said Harry triumphantly "I saved her."
Ron turned red, his hands balled into fists.
"Now now." Warned Arthur "Calm it down."
"Calm down." laughed Ron, he shook his head but visibly relaxed at his fathers warning. "I'm sick of this Harry, always having to be the one to get in their first, I mean what's this about? Saving my sister or gaining the glory?"
Harry's mouth opened and closed a few times "Its about saving your sister."
Ron gave a hollow laugh "Oh really? And why did you take it upon yourself to dash in there and do it all by yourself?"
"Because…… I love her."
Ginny's groan of "Oh god no." Went unheard as the two men continued to argue.
"If you love her then you would have followed the PLAN, the PLAN that our TEAM had PLANNED when we knew Parkinson was going to negotiate."
A light tap on the door drew everyone's attention away from the bickering pair, Ginny's heart leapt as draco stood in the open doorway.
"Excuse the interruption but I would like my wife back please."
The sound of something smashing was the only noise in the burrow.
A smirking Draco entered into the burrows kitchen, followed by a stony faced Lucius, Ginny didn't pause as she went to Draco's side, touching his arm as if to reassure herself of his well being. No one missed the look that passed between the couple, Arthur nodded to himself before turning his attention to everyone else.
"Whiskey anyone?"