Chapter Twenty Four

Come Unto These Halls Again

Draco slipped his hands over Ginny's eyes.

She gasped and spun in his arms, her shock turning to delight. "Draco!" she cried, throwing her arms around him.

He grinned back and hugged her as best he could without wrinkling her pale pink taffeta dress. Fleur tolerated him but she would not forgive him if he ruined a bridesmaid dress, even if the wedding was already over.

"Where were you? I missed you at the wedding."

Draco set Ginny back down and smiled down at her avid little face. "I had to sneak in. Couldn't let your brothers catch me."

She rolled her eyes. "You have an invitation."

"You speak as if they need an excuse to kill me," he stated as he offered his arm. She slipped her arm through his and let him lead her away from the dance floor.

"You know I'd never let them kill you."

Draco chuckled. "Right."

"I wouldn't!" Ginny protested.

"How about Harry? Is he allowed to kill me?"

Ginny made a face and Draco's heart leapt. "He's being an utter idiot. Just because of this war."

Draco's heart sunk again as he read the implications there. Ginny cared for Harry. Whether it was just a sisterly love or she truly loved him, Draco didn't know.

Draco snapped his head around at the crack of an apparation. Ginny's head followed his and several choice words slipped from her lips.

He grabbed her waist, pulling her along with him, away from the Death eaters now swarming. In her dress, Ginny would be an easy target. He also couldn't have his father or another Death Eater recognizing him. Luckily there were enough French blondes there for the wedding that he didn't need to worry too much.

He caught sight of a redhead rushing by. The redhead had startling green eyes and Draco knew in an instant who this was.

"Potter," he whispered.

Harry stopped and grabbed Draco's arm. "Take care of her."

Draco opened his mouth to assure the git that he would but found that Harry wasn't looking at Ginny. Instead his gaze was on a younger woman. Draco recognized her as one of the Bridesmaids. Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle. He looked back at Potter, a question in his eyes.

Potter nodded, a faint blush on his cheeks. Apparently Harry had gotten over his gay episode. Draco felt a bit better though he wondered how Ginny would take it.

Instead, Draco wrapped an arm around Gabrielle, cooing something to her in French. Ginny gave him a surprised look but smiled.

Draco closed his eyes for a second, wishing he could reach his wand to Apparate.

Ginny must have known what he was thinking for she pulled out her wand.

"Can you Apparate?" he asked in surprise.

She grinned. "Just watch me."

Draco grinned back at her. Then with a crack they were gone.

(A/N: Kinda following DH here. I promise it won't end the same way. I always liked the idea of Harry and Gabrielle. Hell., I liked Harry and anyone but Ginny.