As Head Boy Draco had to help the teachers prepare for Christmas. Christmas had never been his favourite holiday; at home it was always a rather cold, formal occasion and there was never any sign of love or Christmas cheer. This year would be even worse than the preceding years; he wouldn't even get piles of expensive and showy presents. He would be at HQ, surrounded by people who hated him.
Flitwick had recruited Draco in decorating the huge Christmas tree in the Great Hall. Four of the Christmas trees were to be decorated in house colours and the other two trees would be decorated normally. Draco has been charged with the great task of adorning the Slytherin and Gryffindor trees with small, festive objects. Obviously, the trees he had decorated looked much more elegant than the other trees. The Slytherin tree was hung with charmed glass icicles, snowflakes and stars, draped with pearls and had a beautiful angel on the top of the tree. The Gryffindor tree, which Draco had been loath to decorate, was also stunning with red tinsel, small gold and red baubles and candy canes and a gold star at the apex of the tree. Draco was proud of his trees, he fully admitted it, but he still wasn't looking forward to Christmas. The only decent family member he knew wasn't even going to be there. Tonks and Remus were going away for Christmas and he was going to be on his own.
***
Tonks and Draco were sitting in the DADA room, marking some of the 1st and 2nd year work. The only sound that could be heard was the scratching of quills until Draco looked up, sighed and pointedly cleared his throat.
"Yes Draco?" Tonks asked.
"You're friends with Ginny, right?" Draco hesitantly asked.
"Yes," Tonks replied, barely suppressing her amusement about the direction she presumed this discussion was turning.
"What the hell do I get her for Christmas?"
"Get her something practical but nice, like a scarf."
"Really? Do you think she'd like that? It doesn't seem like much."
"I'm sure she would like it. Ginny wasn't raised to want or expect expensive things that she will never use like you were Draco."
"Good. I couldn't think of anything."
"You really like her, don't you?" Tonks asked, smiling.
Draco looked down. "We better get back to this marking."
"Hey, I don't have a problem with you two being together. I think it's cute."
"Well we aren't technically together."
Tonks looked disbelieving. "Why not? You should be. You do all the things that boyfriends and girlfriends do. Just admit it, she's your girlfriend."
"Well, we haven't actually spoken about it."
"So she's not your girlfriend because you haven't both agreed that you are dating." The look on Tonks' face made it clear exactly how stupid she thought this idea and her next words were thick with sarcasm. "So why don't you just, oh I don't know, ask her out."
"Well because we're friends now and that's more than I ever expected. And her family hates me."
"What does that have to do with anything? Most of the wizarding world hates you right now, deal with it. You can't put your entire life on hold just because someone you don't even c are about doesn't like you. What about Ginny? She likes you."
"Does she? What about Potter?" Draco replied bitterly.
"Harry left her, Draco. He's a good guy but he left her here to face things on her own. She's waited long enough for love; she shouldn't have to wait any longer."
"I don't love her."
"But you could and that's what matters. She deserves a chance and so do you."
***
Ginny was sitting in the Heads' common room doing her Transfiguration homework when a familiar snowy white owl flew into the room. Ginny stood up and took the letter from Hedwig, offering her some feed from a tray of owl treats that she and Draco kept by the window. Tenderly she held the letter in her hands before sitting down to read it.
Dear Ginny,
We are each writing you a letter to reassure you that we are fine. There are also some other letters enclosed that should be sent off to my parents and the Weasleys, we thought sending them all ourselves could be dangerous.
We are all well. We have been searching for four months now and though our accommodation is not always the most comfortable, we have been learning a lot and haven't even fought too much (it has mostly been the boys; you know how they can get). I can't write much but I'll see you soon and tell you everything then.
Until I see you next,
Hermione
To Gin-Bug,
I hope that you are OK. This searching is tough work and Hermione is getting a bit stress. I hope none of the boys have been trying anything with you, write to Fred or George if they do. I've told them that of their pranks may be in order. We don't want anyone but the best for our baby sister.
Remember to send the letter off to mum and dad.
Your favourite brother.
Ginny,
I've missed you. Sometimes the thought of you is the only thing that keeps me going. I can't wait to see you again. I'll be coming to HQ this Christmas; it's the only thing I think about (when I'm not thinking about what we are actually meant to be searching for). I can't wait to eat your mother's amazing food, to sleep in a soft, warm bed and to see everyone. Most of all, I can't wait to hold you again, to kiss your lips. I hope you aren't still upset with me for leaving you. I love you.
Harry
Ginny closed the letter and placed it down onto the sofa next to her to prevent her tears from falling on it. She had been worrying about boys and other ridiculous trifles when her brother and friends were risking their lives. And she had completely forgotten about Harry while he still loved her. What kind of a person was she? She was kissing someone else when Harry still thought she loved him and she would have to face him knowing this. What the hell was she going to do?
