The Story of Virginia Weasley

Chapter 9

It had been nearly a month since the downfall of Lord Voldemort. The sense of triumph and victory hanging in the air was dying away, as most of the students in Hogwarts concentrated on preparing for their final examinations. Everyone was tired and weary, and even the Slytherins kept their scathing remarks to themselves. No longer were the Slytherins strongly opposed to the other students. Some of them even formed friendships with students from the other houses. Draco Malfoy, however, remained an outcast in his house. He kept to himself, and refused to speak unless spoken to by a teacher.

Draco was on the way to the library when he bumped into Ginny Weasley. He had no intention of speaking to her, but when he caught sight of Ginny's pale face, he changed his mind. Her eyes, wide with fear, worried him.

'What's wrong? Why are you so pale?'

Ginny stared at him, and with a shaky but defiant voice, replied, 'What do you care? It's none of your business!'

She turned to walk away from him, but Draco reached out and grabbed her wrist. It was cold, despite the fact that summer was approaching. Ginny turned around angrily; ready to fight from his grasp, but something made her stop. His gray eyes, usually so dark and intense, pled her to stay.

'Tell me.'

She was sure she was making a mistake. If she confided in him now, she might never break the invisible bond between them - the bond that formed the night he saved her. She did not want to give him the opportunity to have a hold over her. She did not want to be manipulated again. It would only bring once more the pain Tom Riddle had caused. Yet... there was something honest and sincere in Draco's eyes that perhaps, maybe, she could... No, she could not. She could not... could she? She looked at the boy before her, and realized with a start how much he had changed. He was not the same person she used to detest. He was not even a shadow of his former self. Perhaps she could place her trust in him.

'I... Not here,' she said, lowering her voice to a whisper. 'It's not safe here.'

A sly smile appeared on Draco's face. He knew exactly where to go.

*

Both Harry and Ron felt a sense of relief when Hermione announced that it was time for dinner. The three of them had been in the library for several hours, studying for their final exams. It was their seventh and final year in Hogwarts, and they were about to take the most difficult and important exam of all - N.E.W.Ts, which was adequately named Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. Harry was surprised that he could actually concentrate on studying, especially after what happened only a few weeks before. He never thought that he could muster the energy required. He felt tired constantly, although he had more time to rest now that the War was over. Harry let out a sigh.

'What's wrong, Harry?' asked Hermione, concerned.

Harry gave his friend a weak smile. 'Nothing. I'm just tired, that's all.'

'Maybe you need a rest from all this studying and -'

'What Harry needs is a rest from you, Hermione,' interjected Ron rudely. 'It's enough that we get pressured by McGonagall and all the other professors. We don't need more pressure from you.'

Hermione looked hurt. 'I was just trying to help you. If you don't want it, fine, you can study without me!' With that, she stormed off in the direction of the Great Hall.

'Hermione, I didn't mean it that way! I'm sorry!' wailed Ron in a panicky tone.

He rushed after Hermione, not noticing that Harry was not with him. Harry had turned away from his friends. He was too tired to be witness to one of their silly squabbles. He was walking towards the Gryffindor common room, when he remembered that he had left one of his textbooks in the library. With an annoyed grumble, Harry walked slowly towards the library, only to see Ginny Weasley. He was about to call out to the girl, but decided otherwise when he saw Draco Malfoy talking to her. Not wanting either Draco or Ginny to see him, Harry hid behind a statue along the corridor, not more than fifteen feet away from them.

'... It's none of your business!'

Harry wanted to leap out when he saw Draco grab Ginny's hand, but something held him back. Draco's gaze, so intent on Ginny, surprised him. It was a look of fondness, of affection. He had not expected that. Against his better judgment, Harry watched Draco as he led Ginny away. He knew he should follow after them, to make sure that Ginny was safe, but he did not. He was tired -- tired of always worrying about others, of having to be the hero. For once, he wanted to be an average, normal boy. Not a hero, but a boy.

*

'Um, Malfoy? Why are we going into your dorm?'

Ginny had allowed Draco to lead her away, only to find out where they were headed when they stood before the Slytherin common room. Confused, she followed after him as they stepped into the evidently empty room. However, when he beckoned her to go up the stairs into his dormitory, she stopped Draco, refusing to move unless he gave her an explanation.

'We're not going into the dorm, we're just passing through.' There was a sense of excitement in the boy. His cheeks were flushed pink, and he was impatient as he waited for Ginny to follow him.

Ginny was beginning to doubt her placement of trust in the boy before her. How could she trust him, when she hardly knew him? After all, this was a boy who used to despise her family, a boy whose family was strongly opposed against hers.

'Come on, before anyone see us,' said Draco, interrupting her thoughts.

She moved hastily after the boy as he disappeared up the stairs. She had already came this far. It was too late to turn back now. When Ginny decided to place her trust in Draco, she knew that her fate was sealed. All she could do was to hope for the best and pray that her judgment was not wrong.