Chapter 20

"Ginny," Mrs. Weasley said as she laid out breakfast on the kitchen table, "I do wish you would stay home."

"Mum, I want to go back. All my friends are there." she told her.

"But it's not safe there anymore! And after what happened, how can I let you go back there?" her mother asked in a high voice.

"Mum, that was my fault. I went into Snape's office to try and get the sword. And I already promised you that I wouldn't do it again."

"But-"

"Mum, you said I could go back. I've already packed all my stuff away. I won't change my mind now."

Mrs. Weasley huffed indignantly and turned away. Ginny sat at the table, shaking her head, as she helped herself to some breakfast.

"Neville!" Ginny called out when she spotted her friend on the platform. Neville stopped and turned to look for her in the crowd. She and Colin, who had found her almost as soon as she walked through the gate, ran over to him.

"Oh, hey Gin. Hey Colin." Neville said. "Already loaded your trunks, have you?"

"Yeah," Colin answered, "Just a moment ago."

"Come on Neville. We'll show you were we put them." Ginny added.

Neville nodded but didn't move. Ginny looked at him quizzically. "What's wrong Neville?"

"It's just, I haven't seen Luna yet." he told them. "Have you?"

They both shook their heads.

"You know how Luna is." Colin said suddenly. "She's probably just passing out Quibblers on the train."

Ginny nodded. "Right. She does it all the time."

Neville seemed to have calmed with this explanation. He nodded and they led him to their compartment on the train.

Soon, though, they all grew worried that Luna wasn't passing out Quibblers. The train was moving now and she hadn't come to the compartment yet.

Neville kept moving uneasily, making Ginny so nervous that she finally stood. "I'm going to have a look around the train, alright?"

The boys nodded and she pushed open the door, walking out into the corridor. She made her way to the end, stopping to look into each compartment. Occasionally she would stop to ask if anyone had seen Luna. The answer was always the same. No, they had not.

Maybe she's in another section. Ginny thought.

She came to an empty compartment and fell onto the seat. What if something's happened to her?

A shadow appeared in the compartment and she looked up to see Draco standing in the door frame. He looked over his shoulder before moving into the compartment and sliding the door closed behind him. He waved his wand and the blinds closed over all the windows.

Ginny launched herself into his arms, catching him by surprise. His arms came around her and he stood there, holding her. His hand rubbed her head gently. "Ginevra? What's wrong?" he asked.

"Luna's gone." she whispered. "She's gone."

"She's probably just giving out copies of the weird paper of hers. What's it called? The Quabblit?"

"The Quibbler. And no, she's not. I've looked for her. I can't find her anywhere and nobody's seen her." Ginny said. "What if something's happened, Draco?"

Draco put her from him. "Ginevra. I'm sure she's fine. She's strong, isn't she?"

Ginny nodded.

"Well, then. There you have it. She can take care of herself. So stop worrying. Her father probably just doesn't want her here anymore. You'll probably get a letter from her in no time telling you that's exactly it."

Ginny calmed down and got control of herself. "You're right." she said, smiling. "She's probably just sitting at home."

"Exactly." Draco said, then noticed the small silver barrette in her hair. His hand reached out and touched it. "You like it then?"

Her hand reached up to feel it and brushed his. "I love them. They're beautiful, Draco."

"They are quite unique. But not even emeralds can compare to you, Ginevra."

"Well, not these, maybe. But surely you wouldn't say the same about real emeralds."

Draco looked confused for a moment. "These are real emeralds." he told her.

Ginny quickly removed the clip from her hair, looking at it. "But then," she said, her eyes widened and she pushed the clip into his hands. "here."

"What's wrong? You don't like emeralds?"

"No- I mean, it's not that. It's just, if they're real, they must have cost a fortune. I can't accept them."

Draco took a step closer to her and slowly, he fastened the barrette back into her hair. "I got them for you Ginevra. Not to show you how much I can spend but because I saw them and thought of you."

"But-" Draco cut her off, bringing his mouth down to hers.

"Now," he said, "Don't try to give them back again."

Ginny nodded. Then in a sudden burst, she moved, reaching into her pocket. She pulled a box out of her inner pocket and handed it to him. "It's not much," she said, "But I wanted you to have it."

Draco opened the box. Inside was a small pin. He pulled it out and examined it. It was a small bird, like the one he had last year. Draco looked at her.

"Tap it with your wand." Ginny told him.

Draco took out his wand and tapped the small pin in his hand. Sound began playing from the little bird and he recognized it immediately. It was her voice. Singing the same song he heard her singing with the little bird.

He tapped it again and the sound stopped. Draco looked back at to her. He didn't speak. Instead, he slipped his wand and the pin into his pockets and stepped closer to her. His arms went around her and he pulled her close to him. He didn't kiss her this time, he only held her.

"Thank you." Draco whispered to her.

He let her go and reached into his pocket, pulling out the pin. He pulled his robe open and pinned the bird to the suit he was wearing, hidden sleekly under the lapel. Ginny smiled and Draco pulled her to him, this time kissing her.

"So," she said when he let her go. "You like it?"

"Didn't I make it clear with that snog?" he asked with a wicked grin. "Or do I need to be more clear?"

Ginny laughed. "Maybe a little more clear." she answered. "You know, just to be sure I'm not confused."

Draco growled and brought his mouth back to hers.