Chapter 27

"Gin," Colin called up the stairs. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah!" she called down. "Be right there."

Ginny closed her book Draco had given her. She didn't have time to read what Draco had written. She stuffed the book in her pocket along with her ink and quill. Grabbing her trunk, she headed down to the common room to meet up with Colin and Neville.

"Sorry it took so long guys." Ginny told him, pulling her trunk behind her.

"Gin," Neville said, "We're still in Hogwarts. You can just levitate your trunk down."

"Oh, right." she said, stopping to take out her wand. "Why didn't I think of that. Wingardium Leviosa." She flicked her wand and watched her trunk float up.

The guys pulled out their wands and did the same. The three friends left the common room, levitating their trunks with them. They were the last to leave the castle, Ginny noticed. Once their trunks were with the others, they went to find a carriage.

"It's nice to be heading home again." Neville said. "Gran says it's been hell out there though."

"I bet," said Seamus, who was waiting for a carriage when they arrived. "Come on, last one guys." he said, climbing into the carriage.

The three climbed in behind him and closed the door. When the carriage started moving the four Gryffindors lapsed into conversation.

The carriages reached the platform, and the group went to find their trunks. Seamus, after he found his trunk, went to find the Patil twins and Michael Corner. He must feel so lost without Dean, Ginny thought as she thought back. When she dated Dean Thomas, Seamus was always around. She shook her head sadly.

Ginny followed Neville and Colin onto the train with their trunks. They found an empty compartment and stowed their trunks in the racks above.

"Seems like everyone's going home for the holidays." Colin said as they took their seats.

"Well you can hardly blame them for not wanting to stay, not with the Carrows around." Neville said. "Imagine how bad it would be there, being the focus of their punishment."

Ginny and Colin nodded their agreement.

"Yeah," Ginny added. "And besides, with the war going on, I'm sure that everyone is anxious to get home and see their families."

"I know Dennis is." Colin said. "He's always asking how Mum and Dad are doing. Don't think he really understands that I know about as much as he does."

Ginny patted Colin's hand sympathetically. His younger brother, Dennis, was a handful, she knew. When she and Colin used to spend most days together, Dennis was always there to bother them. She remembered him pestering Colin, asking him they were dating. Colin turned the brightest shade of red, denying any kind of relationship.

They were friends, that was all. But lately, they had drifted apart. The war was taking its told on everyone and it was hard not to notice.

"It'll be fine Col. Once he's home and sees them, he'll be okay." she reassured him.

Colin smiled. "You're right."

Soon, the conversation turned to D.A. meetings and Ginny eased out of the conversation, letting the guys talk. She pulled out her book and opened it, curious to see what Draco had written to her. When they were talking before, she was still packing, half her concentration on making sure she remembered everything.

Draco was already on the train, having had the sense to pack his belongings the night before. He was talking about their last night together, recalling the details of every moment. She read the conversation again, reliving the night through his words. They were nearly at King's Cross by the time she reached the point in the conversation when she had to close the book.

Ginny's eyes followed his words, taking them in as she read them for the first time. But when her eyes traced over one sentence, she had to read it again. She was sure her mind had played tricks on her, showing her something that wasn't there. But as Ginny read the paragraph again, she knew it was no trick.

Ginevra, you make me feel something I have never felt before. You make me want to be a better person. You see past the mistakes I have made. You don't judge me for them. Nobody has ever done that for me. Nobody has ever given me the chance you did. When I'm with you, alone in that room, I feel like nothing can stop me. You don't have to say it back, but sitting here, thinking of how good it feels to feel that way, I realize that I love you Ginevra.

Ginny looked down at the words, glittering in green ink. The words echoed in her head and she could hear them in his voice, I love you. Her heart beat wildly. Her head swirled dizzily. How do I feel? She asked herself. Do I love him? Do I love Malfoy?

Her head argued no, she didn't. That this was just about sex, about freedom. A means of escaping reality.

But her heart told her yes. It may have started as a way to be free. A way to escape reality. But somewhere along the way, amidst the sex and late night talks, Ginny Weasley had fallen in love with a Malfoy.

Ginny closed the book and slipped it into her pocket. "I'll be back in a minute guys." she said, standing up.

The guys, who were still lost in their conversation, look up when she spoke.

"You okay, Gin?" Neville asked.

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm just a little stiff from sitting so long. I'm just going to walk around for a minute."

"Okay then, but we'll be there soon, so don't be too long."

"I won't." she said, heading out into the hall.

Ginny walked down the hall, checking compartments until she found an empty one. She slid into it and closed the door. Staring out the window, Ginny barely registered the door opening. She didn't bother to turn around to see who it was, hoping they would go away if she didn't answer.

When a hand touched her shoulder she sighed and looked back to see who had disturbed her.

It was Draco who stood there, staring down at her. "I've been waiting for you to leave those two for hours." he said.

Ginny turned fully to face him. "You've been watching?"

He smirked, "You should be used to that by now, Ginevra."

She smiled back at him. "I-" she started after a moment, "I just read the book. I couldn't read finish it before because Neville and Colin were waiting for me so we could leave together. But I read it. Just now."

"And that's why you left them?"

Ginny nodded. "I just, I-"

Draco brought his lips to hers. "Don't say it Ginevra." he said softly. "I wasn't trying to make you say it. I only want you to know what you make me feel."

"But-"

Draco shook his head. "Don't. We're about to arrive. I've got to go. And so do you." Draco kissed her one final time before he turned and disappeared from the compartment.