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Creeping around the curtains, the sun peeked into Ginny Weasley's bedroom. She was laying in her bed, as she had been for two weeks, a tattered sheet of parchment clutched in one hand. She could barely make out the words anymore through the tear stains, but she had memorized every word.

Mr. and Mrs. Angus McDougal invite you to join in the celebration

of the marriage of their daughter, Shona, to Mr. Harry Potter...

It should have been her wedding day--she should have been the one marrying Harry. 'But sometimes dreams, they fade,' she thought bitterly. She picked up a photograph Hermione had taken of her family at the train station, Harry included. Luckily it was a Muggle photo, because Ginny knew she couldn't have watched Harry ignore her, or worse, clap her on the shoulder as if she were a friend.

Friends--not after all they'd been through.

Staring at the photo, seeing Harry's arm wrapped around her, his eyes shining with what she had thought was love, she thought back to happier times.

***

She had been sitting in the Gryffindor common room working on a difficult Arithmancy problem when he walked in. He was breathless as he dropped down beside her, his face flushed.

"Hey, Gin," he said, as airy as you please.

"Hey yourself," she replied, not looking up from her parchment.

"What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious, Harry? I mean, you've been here for almost seven years now--I'd think you would recognize homework when you saw it." She looked at him, and instantly felt remorse. "Sorry, Harry. It's just...this Arithmancy problem isn't working out right, and I'm tired and frustrated. I didn't mean to be cruel."

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I understand, Gin." He put his hand on her arm and added," I bet I can help you ease that frustration."

"I told you, Harry, I'm busy. I don't have time for exploding snap, or chess, or anything else. Really."

"Really?" he pressed.

"Really really," she replied, and went back to concentrating on her homework. Harry reached out and lifted her chin till her eyes were looking into his.

"I didn't mean games, Gin," he said slyly.

"I don't want to go spy on Ron and Hermione either." She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I don't think they'll ever forgive us for that broom closet trick." Harry laughed, clear and bright, like a bell ringing in Ginny's heart. She smiled even as her chest twinged, and made a face.

"No, I don't think so either," he said, still laughing. "Besides, Herm's learned some charm to keep them hidden from everyone else but each other. Ron says it's rather useful."

Ginny raised her hand. "Really, Harry. No more. As much as I love hearing about my brother's sexual exploits, I don't have time."

"Not even for this?" he asked, and pulling out his wand muttered a few unintelligible words. He took Ginny's quill from her hand, pushed aside her homework, and as she opened her mouth to protest, covered it with his own. Her eyes bulged at first from the shock, but she let herself be carried away by it, wrapping her arms about his head to pull him closer. His tongue entered her mouth, searching, and nearly got bitten off when Neville, Dean, and Seamus entered the room. Ginny's face flamed as scarlet as her hair, and she tried to gain some composure. However, the three boys walked right on by, joking and laughing, seeming not to notice a thing.

"I told you Ron said it was useful," Harry murmured in her ear, and she smiled.

"You are a wicked boy," she said, and dove in for a kiss, her Arithmancy homework forgotten.

From that night on, the two were inseparable. They ate together, did their homework together, and even slept together on occasion, with the help of Hermione's charm. Though it was never confirmed, everyone assumed that they were a couple, and they were thrilled. Everyone but Draco Malfoy, that was. It seemed Draco went even more out of his way than usual to make snide comments, and every time Ginny looked at him she was greeted with a dark scowl. He never said anything bad about her, however--he reserved all his comments for Harry. He had long since ceased all rude comments about the Weasleys' financial situation and 'fondness for Muggles' after his father had been sent to Azkaban for his work in aiding Lord Voldemort. In fact, he had stopped deriding Harry as well, but now it seemed that he was back to his old self.

"Can't you just shut up, Malfoy?" she finally said to him one day as he made a rude comment about Harry in the hallway. "Or are you afraid that someone will have a chance to cut you down now that you aren't so high and mighty anymore?"

She waited for a harsh reply, but he gave her a hurt look instead, and said "I'm sorry, Ginny," in a quiet voice before walking away.

"Draco, wait!" she called after him, but it was too late. She turned and walked away, shaking her head. He had almost seemed...sad, somehow...but there was no time to contemplate it further. She had another Arithmancy problem waiting to be solved, and little time to do it before she was to meet Harry in the Astronomy Tower.

Staring at the paper before her, Ginny was sure she had screwed up her solution again. From the results given, she was to believe that someone was playing her falsely, though they believed it to be truth, and that someone else was trying to show her their truth, which made absolutely no sense to her. She saw triumph and joy, but she also saw heartbreak and loss, and none of it really added up when applied to her question.

"I'll have Hermione look at it later," she muttered, rolling up her parchment. "She'll be sure to tell me what I've done wrong." Shoving it away in her room, Ginny started off to meet Harry in the Astronomy Tower. She hummed a tune as she walked along, a Muggle song she had learned from Hermione called 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da'. Muggles were really funny sometimes.

Ginny walked into the room, and came face to face with Draco Malfoy. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "I had no idea you were meeting someone here. I'll go." She turned to walk away, and Draco's smooth, strong hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Don't, Ginny," he said, and it sounded as if his dam of emotions was about to break. His voice was choked, and it sent a chill down Ginny's spine.

"I'm supposed to meet someone here, but we can go somewhere else if you are busy...or going to be," she added quickly.

"No, Ginny, I'm not waiting for anyone. Not now that you're here." Ginny's heart leapt in the air and she forced it back into her chest.

"What are you talking about, Draco?"

"Don't call me that," he said huskily. "Call me Malfoy, fuckwit, horse's ass--anything but Draco. That only makes it harder--" he broke off and swore under his breath. Ginny reached out to touch his shoulder, but he pulled away. "Forget it!" he said suddenly, and ran from her, nearly knocking Harry over as he went.

"Was that Malfoy?" he asked, fixing his glasses.

"Yes," Ginny replied quietly.

"What was he doing here?"

"I've no idea." Looking at him, she smiled. "What are you doing here, Mr. Potter?"

"I fully intend to show you, Miss Weasley," he said, and raised an eyebrow. Laughing, Ginny fell into his arms and kissed him, hard. She clung to him desperately as he pulled her to the floor. However, her mind was on Draco Malfoy. Why had he been waiting for her? It had seemed that he wanted to tell her something, but what was it? Harry pulled away and looked into her eyes, studying her.

"Are you all right, Gin?" he asked, his brows furrowed in concern.

"Fine, Harry. Just thinking about my Arithmancy homework."

"That makes a guy feel special, you know? When he's kissing his girl and she's thinking about schoolwork." he smiled. "Yes, we Potters have a way with women...I suppose." She punched him lightly on the arm.

"I'm sorry, Harry. It's just not working out, and I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

"Well, maybe you should go talk to Hermione, then," he replied. "I'd rather be with you when you're with me."

"Thank you, Harry." She kissed him quickly, and stood to leave. "I'll see you later."

"Wait, Gin. There's a reason I asked you to meet me here tonight. One that doesn't involve making out or sex. Well, at least not at present, but perhaps later. No, definitely later, but--"

"Harry," she interrupted. "You're rambling."

"Right. Well, since I'm already down here..." He rose to one knee and took her hand. "Ginny, I know it will be a while before we can be together, and I know there are hardships we have yet to face, but I don't want to run the risk of never knowing if something happens to me, so here it is. Virginia Weasley, will you marry me?"

Ginny's mouth dropped open. "Harry, do you...are you...is this real?"

"Of course it is, Gin. Have I ever said anything to you that I didn't mean?" She shook her head and smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Yes," she finally said. "Yes, Harry." He stood and embraced her, and gave her a long, lingering kiss.

"I don't have a ring or anything," he said breathlessly, "but I can give you this." He pressed something into her hand, and as she opened it to see, she laughed. "That's my first ever wizard card," he explained. "I got it the day I met your brother and Hermione on the train."

"It's perfect," she said, and kissed him again. "I love you, Harry Potter."

"I love you too, Ginny Weasley."

Back in the Gryffindor common room, Hermione was going over Ginny's work. She had checked and rechecked the parchment, but she could find no mistakes. "I think you've got it right, Ginny. There is no other solution."

"But it doesn't make sense, Hermione. Honestly." She took the parchment from the older girl and sighed. Harry had told her not to tell anyone about their engagement yet, as he wanted to discuss it with Ron and her parents. If she could tell Hermione, maybe she too would see the error. However, her promise to Harry meant more than an incorrect homework assignment. "Never mind. If you say it's right, then I'm sure Professor Vector will think so as well. I'm off to bed then. 'Night, Hermione."

" 'Night, Gin," Hermione said, looking after the younger girl with a puzzled expression. She knew the problem had the correct solution--why couldn't Ginny see that?

In her bed, Ginny placed the wizard card under her pillow, but she couldn't sleep. It wasn't because of Harry's proposal either--her thoughts were on Draco Malfoy. Why had he been in the tower? And how had he known she would be there? Something was going on with him, and she hoped it had nothing to do with her and Harry.

'I'm going to be his wife,' she suddenly thought, and smiled in the darkness. She turned onto her side and imagined their wedding until she fell asleep.

The rest of the term passed quickly, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all graduates of Hogwarts. Her whole family was there to greet them at Platform 9 3/4, including Charlie's wife and daughter. Harry was going to stay with her family for a while until he became settled into his job with the Ministry of Magic. He, Ron, and Hermione were all training to be Aurors, and holding down part-time positions in the Ministry until they had completed their training. Ginny was thrilled because it meant that she could see him every day, and it would almost be like they were already married.

She also expected him to mention their engagement to her parents, but he kept putting it off, saying that he wanted to establish himself before he made any kind of overtures toward them. He didn't want to offend them--after all, they were like his own parents.

"I understand, Harry," she would say, and they would kiss, but Ginny knew it didn't feel the same. Nothing felt the same anymore, and she couldn't understand why.

"I'm moving out, Gin," he said one night as they lay on the roof of the Burrow together.

"What?" She sat up suddenly and nearly slid down the side before Harry grabbed her.

"You knew when I came here it was temporary. I've found a place in London near the Ministry."

"You're moving to London? Harry, that's miles away! When will I ever see you?" Tears began to form in her eyes, and Harry rubbed her shoulder.

"Oh, Gin, don't be so silly. I'll still have time to come and see my girl." He smiled, but she could see falsehood in his eyes. 'Someone is playing you falsely, though they believe it to be truth'. The Arithmancy problem suddenly flashed through her mind, and she felt as if someone were squeezing the breath out of her.

"Right, Harry," she managed weakly, and stood. "I'm going to bed now. I'll see you in the morning." In her bed, tears drenched her cheeks as she cried into the night. She was beginning to understand.

Harry was gone a week later, all his things moved to London. Ron was moving too, to be closer to Hermione, and Ginny would be the last one of the Weasley children left at home. She was incredibly lonely, and even though her mother tried to get Ginny to confide in her, it was to no avail. A few weeks went by with no word from Harry, and finally Hedwig came. Ginny was overcome with joy, but her happiness was soon shattered as she viewed the contents of the envelope.

'Gin, I don't know how to tell you this...'; '...didn't mean for this to happen...'; 'it's for the best, you'll see...'; 'somewhere there's someone better for you than I am...' --it went on and on, eventually ending with 'Yours, Harry Potter'. So cold, so formal. The other sheet was a wedding invitation--he was marrying Shona McDougal, a girl he had met at the Ministry, and Ginny's life was over.

At dinner that evening, her father kept going on and on about Harry and Shona, how perfect they were for each other, not noticing his daughter was only poking her steak and kidney pie about on her plate. Unable to stand anymore, she excused herself to her room. As she walked out of the kitchen, she heard her father say, "Poor thing. She must still have a crush on our Harry." Ginny closed her eyes and felt a stab of pain--he had never told anyone about the two of them, about his intentions to marry her. Now he never would.

In her room, there was another owl waiting for her. It was from Hermione, and was carrying a considerably smaller letter than Hedwig had been,

'Ginny--

I am sorry about what happened between you and Harry. Perhaps now you can see that
your solution was correct.

Love,

Hermione'

Disgusted at Hermione's practicality, she crumpled the note and threw it on the floor. "Go!" she said to the owl. "I have nothing to say to her." The bird flew off into the night, and Ginny climbed into bed, clutching the wedding invitation in one hand, and the wizard card in the other. "Why, Harry? Why?"

She had been there ever since.

***

Another morning was upon her, and she didn't want to move. She knew she should, that she couldn't stay in bed forever, but she wanted to. Oh, how she wanted to. She looked at the photograph again, and began to sing softly:

"When I heard about the coming day,
wished I could wake up from the dream--
in it I see a family photograph,
and there you are, tucked in the scene.
And there's a jealous net inside my chest,
there's a hurt and a sadness there...
Maybe I'd tell you all about it if
I thought you'd care..."

Before she could go on, she head a soft tapping at her window. 'Another owl,' she thought, and pushed the panes out to open it. Instead of the bird she expected, there sat Draco Malfoy on a Nimbus 3000.

"Jesus, Weasley. You look terrible," he said, and flew in past her. She turned and looked at him, her mouth open in surprise. "Close your mouth, girl, you look like an idiot."

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" she asked when she regained use of her voice.

"What do you think, Weasley? I'm here to pick up the pieces. Before I do that, however, what say you go take a shower and put on some clothes that aren't stained with tears and...I hope that's soup." She stood there gaping at him, so he picked up some clothes, placed them in her hands, and gave her a push toward the door. "Go on, now." She nodded and went to the bathroom, her eyes still wide open in disbelief.

Wasting no time in the shower, Ginny hurried back to her room. Draco had opened all of the curtains and windows, and the staleness was being replaced by the scents of fresh air and lilies. Everything had been cleaned up, and her bed was made, hospital corners and all. She looked at him in awe.

"Malfoy, you'd make one hell of a house elf."

He shrugged his shoulders. "You'd be surprised." He sat on the bed and patted next to him. "Come over here and sit down, and let's talk."

"What is there to talk about?" she asked, but sat down beside him anyway. "What did you mean by 'pick up the pieces'? I'm fine."

"Come on, Weasley. Why else would you be lying around in your own filth? Potter dumped you for that bit of Scotch, and didn't even have the decency to face you like a man. He sends you a 'Dear Jane' letter by owl with an invitation to the wedding, and since then you've been lying here crying like it's the end of the world when we both know that's not true."

"How did you know that?" she asked, her brows furrowed.

"Never mind," he said quietly, and started to get up, but she put a hand on his arm.

"No, Malfoy. I want an answer. How did you know that?" He remained silent, and suddenly it came together. "Unless you've been spying on me...have you been spying on me?"

His face went pink, and he swallowed hard. "I wouldn't call it spying--I'm trying to help you."

"Maybe I don't need your help," she said, her eyes full of fire.

"Yes, perhaps. I can see how lying in bed is good for your mental state. 'Yes, yes. I'll just lie in bed and cry all day, that will make the fact that Potter broke my heart disappear'. That's crap and you know it, Weasley. Lying to yourself won't solve anything."

"Well, I guess you'd be the expert on that," she said, and saw him cringe.

"Right." He stood and picked up his broom. "I'm sorry I bothered you." He mounted the broom and flew out the window.

"Draco, wait!" Ginny leapt from her bed to the window and found him hovering just outside.

"What, Weasley? I thought you made everything clear." His jaw was clenched tightly, and she could see that he was struggling to maintain his cool facade.

"I'm sorry. I'm just angry, and hurt...and I can't believe this is real. Any of this--Harry, you...it just feels...like I'm seeing everything through a fog." Draco remained unmoved, silent. "Come back inside." She looked at him tenderly. "Please?" She stepped back and he flew back in. "Now, how are you going to help me?"

He brushed his hair out of his eyes and smiled. "I'm prepared to offer you the best revenge on Potter possible. Me."

"You? How?"

"I'll be your date to the wedding. It'll be perfect, Weasley, trust me. The look on his face when you walk in with me is going to be better than any hex or charm you could ever put on him or his bride." He smiled again, slyly. "Plus you'll have the best looking guy on the place."

You're still pretty full of yourself there, Malfoy," she teased, but secretly her resolve had melted the moment he had brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"The truth is hard to bear sometimes." They both laughed, and Ginny sat back down on her bed.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.

"Positive. Are you? It'll be a big risk, you walking in there with me. You know your family is still not quite over the fact that I'm a Malfoy, no matter how unlike Lucius I am." He looked at her as if he expected her to change her mind.

"I'm sure that you can change that. See you in two weeks then?"

"Definitely." He turned to go again before she stopped him.

"Draco?"

"Yes?" he said, expecting her to thank him.

"Don't wear anything red--it'll clash with my hair." She smiled at him as he shook his head.

"Don't worry, Weasley. I'll look great." He tossed his hair back and flew off. Watching until she could see him no longer, she knew it was true.

***

The two weeks passed quicker than Ginny anticipated, and before she knew it, it was time for the wedding. Her parents had already gone ahead, and she sat waiting for Draco, who was late. When she had almost given up on him, he suddenly stood before her, resplendent in black and silver. Ginny's heart leapt at the sight of him, and she fought to speak.

"Looking good, Malfoy," she finally managed, but not as lightly as she hoped. She could feel her ears turning pink and silently cursed her Weasley genes.

"Same to you, Weasley," he replied as he took her in. She had pulled her scarlet hair up in a twist, and was wearing an off-the-shoulder gown in silvery blue. Her bare shoulders were caressed with sparkles, and she looked like an angel.

"Shall we then?" He held out his arm, and she took it as they walked toward the fireplace. Since Ginny was still in school, she was unable to apparate, so they had to use Floo powder. She took a pinch, threw it into the fire, and as they stepped in called "The Three Broomsticks!". Instantly they were in the tavern Ginny named, and found it unusually deserted. Once outside, they saw that all the buildings and streets were decorated with flower garlands for the wedding, which was being held in an open meadow near the village.

"How sweet," Draco said, his voice mocking, and Ginny smiled. It was a bit overdone to suit her. She had always wanted to get married near her home, in the field where her brothers had practiced Quidditch. Very small, very simple. But she supposed this was what came with being The-Boy-Who-Lived.

"Come on." She took Draco by the hand and dragged him toward the meadow. There were hundreds of people milling about, and Ginny recognized several from Hogwarts, all who seemed shocked by her choice of escorts. She noted this to Draco, who replied, "Just imagine what Harry's face will look like."

They searched and searched, barely managing to avoid Colin Creevey, who still carried that infernal camera around, until finally they saw him, talking to Hagrid.

"Are you ready?" Draco asked, and Ginny nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Let's go." She began walking toward Harry with Draco close behind. He didn't seem to notice at first, but suddenly he did. Expressions of surprise, fear, shock, and anger rolled across his face in mere seconds, and he excused himself from Hagrid's company.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed at Draco as he approached, his green eyes blazing.

"He's here with me, thank you. He's my date."

"Your date? But..." Harry broke off.

"But what, Harry? You didn't think I'd bring anyone? Why shouldn't I? It's not like you're marrying me or anything."

"Ginny, that's not fair. I--"

"What is fair? Is it fair that I loved you and you didn't love me back? Is it fair that you never told anyone about us while I wanted to shout it from the rooftops? Is it fair that some other woman is becoming your wife today when that was promised to me? Tell me, Harry. What is fair?" Several people had turned to look at them, and Harry was getting nervous, but he had no reply.

"That's what I thought," Ginny said, and turned away. Harry looked at Draco, who smiled.

"Hell hath no fury, eh Potter?" he said before he turned to follow Ginny. They walked away from the meadow, and once they were far enough away, Ginny began to cry. Draco held her as she sobbed, caressing her back and murmuring calming words to her.

"There, there, Weasley. Don't cry now. Your makeup is going to run, and I really don't want to be forced to call you Raccoon Girl." She smiled weakly.
"That was horrible, Malfoy." Ginny wiped her eyes. "What do you say we get out of here?"

"Anywhere you want, milady." Draco bowed low.

"Take me home," she said, and put her arm around him. They walked away from the sounds of the wedding, into The Three Broomsticks, and back to The Burrow, where Ginny washed her face and straightened her hair. Draco was sitting on her bed when she entered her room, and she went to sit by him. Looking into his grey eyes, she asked the question that had been in her mind since he had first appeared.

"Why did you want to help me?"

"Isn't it obvious, Weasley?" He smiled.

"Isn't what obvious?"

"You are really thick, you know that?" He sighed. "I helped you because I care about you."

"Since when?" she asked, surprised.

"I'm not sure, really," he said. "For a while, though. Don't you remember the Astronomy Tower? I wanted to tell you then, but I couldn't, especially when I found out Potter was coming. After that, it was too late. I heard him propose to you after I had gone, and I thought I had missed my chance. How lucky I am to get a second chance to tell you that I love you, Ginny Weasley."

"You were spying on me then, too?" she said, and hit him on the arm.

"Ginny, did you hear what I just said? I just told you that I love you."

"I know. I just wanted to see you sweat." She smiled. "Now I understand--'someone else is trying to tell you their truth'."

"What?" he asked, puzzled.

"Never mind, Malfoy. Come here." She pulled him closer and kissed him softly. "You'll understand if I want to take it slowly?" He smiled and wrapped his arms around her.

"Ginny, for you I have all the time in the world."