Miss You

Nobody ever knew how close Ginny and Draco really were. So he flung a few insults her way; it was only for show. But now he's gone, and this time he's not coming back. She knew why she was thinking about him; today was the anniversary of his death.

"Virginia Weasley." Dumbledore's wispy voice cut through her thoughts and she forced a grin her family's way as she left her seat to receive her diploma. Graduation fever had ended long ago, and the dreadful day was finally here. You'd think she was happy. She was finally leaving the castle she had grown to love. But it also brought along memories; memories of Draco as that.

She hiccupped audibly, and luckily Dumbledore had called someone else's name the instant an easily decipherable sob escaped her. She couldn't help herself. What was she going to do afterward? She had just lost herself and all because of his stupid father...Draco's dense father...

It's been too long and I'm lost without you

What am I gonna do?

Said I be needin' you, wantin' you

I wanna cry sometimes

I miss you

And so she did. His death was still a blur, one bloody knife and an empty dormitory, but each vivid remembrance of Draco brought tears to Ginny's delicate eyes.

Only Ginny knew why he did it, he had told her the day before he went through with the deed, if you want to call it that.

"The stupid feud between us Malfoys and you Weasleys. My father's gone mad trying to prepare the perfect plan to destroy you. I can't imagine why he would try to hurt them by getting to you," he paused and stared at Ginny, then laughed lightly, realising how stupid he sounded.

"What's the plan?" Ginny asked, knowing she sounded as if Draco had said he'd purchased a twelve pack of Butterbeer and was very keen on sharing it.

Draco raised his left eyebrow, something that locked Ginny's knees and made her loose her balance. Then he spoke, in slurs, as if trying to prevent Ginny from hearing what Lucius had up his sleeve. "You're so close, now that we're dating. He acts as if we're still at each other's throats. He just doesn't care. Ginny," Draco sighed, "he's not going to kill you, just torture you. Now that I explain the plan to you, he is going to kill you."

"Well that's a relief. You know, knowing that he's going to torture and kill me," Ginny said, with the air of one commenting on the weather.

Having been in the Charms classroom at the time, he walked over to Flitwick's desk and sat down miserably. Then he made some sort of blowing sound with his mouth.

"D'you want to know, in detail, how he's going to torture you?" he asked, knowing their topic for conversation was now scarce, and the awkward silences filled in between Draco's sentences drove him insane.

Ginny sighed openly and walked over to the desk, standing in front of it, Draco in Flitwick's seat.

"No," she said.

And the two had stopped talking.

"Now I present to you the Class of 1998!" Dumbledore's cheer brought Ginny down, and while the rest of her class threw their wizards hats in the air with joy, she sat there, hoping the day would end. Memories were flooding through her like blood through her veins, and she would give anything to stop them from coming. But since they were allowing themselves in, she let them stay...and let them flourish, knowing it was probably best for her soul.

Unfortunately, Crabbe had found Draco's body and disregarded his suicide note, placed easily at his bedside table.

"Uh...Draco." And he poked at his wrist, which was spouting blood.

"Idiot," Ginny spluttered at the memory, as her class sat down quickly, and Dumbledore engaged the audience another speech.

The note had been passed around to whoever was in the dormitory moments after Crabbe's urgent plea for help. Ginny had managed to get into the dormitory, as Draco had told her the password right after he had seen her...the last time he'd seen her.

Ginny--

It's not you, it's me. One of the top ten cheesiest break-up lines...and I never got to use it. Don't grieve for me...it's not your fault. I know you're cursing yourself and asking why I did this. Why did I do this? You said you didn't want to hear details, remember?--Ginny brought a shaking hand to her mouth and sobbed silently--All I can say is, I think it's better that you don't know why I did this. It'd make you sad...and the last thing I want is for you to be sad. I love you, Ginny Weasley, but somebody else didn't...and thanks to them, I'll never get to tell you that in person. Good-bye, Ginny Weasley, the first girl to show me love...the first girl to kiss me ...to love me back.

We were close friends

Also lovers

Did everything

For one another

Now ur gone and I'm lost without you here now
But I know I gotta live and make it somehow
Come back...to me
Can you...hear me (Callin')
Hear me...callin' (For you)

"Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley scurried over to her, carrying an odd sort of purse and a smile that was way to big for her face.

Fred and George patted her on the back and grinned broadly.

"The first female Weasley to complete term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Fred said, stifling a sob that threatened to escape.

"That sounds really gay coming from you," George commented, taking his turn to pat Ginny on the head, where her wizard hat still lay. "Why are you still wearing this?" He pulled it off.

Ginny grinned weakly. "Thanks, guys."

Percy puffed his chest out importantly and said, "Well, Gin, this is the end of little school pranks. You're about to step out to the real world. Now, tell me you know what you want to do with your life. Have you decided on a job at the Ministry? If so, I'll be willing to help."

Ginny stood rooted to the ground and forced herself to answer, "No, Percy. I haven't decided yet...listen, could I get a few--"

"GINNY!" It was Mr. Weasley. He pushed his way through to them and put his arm around her. "You've done it! You've graduated! Aren't you happy? Why are you so sad, darling?"

This, being discontent, wasn't something Mr. Weasley noticed solely. Ron had been shifting uncomfortably. He knew why she was sad.

***

Ginny slumped into bed and let her head hit the pillow with a soft inaudible thud. To her left, she noticed a framed picture of Draco Malfoy himself, looking quite smug in his Hogwarts Graduate's robes.

...don't miss me...

She knew she had to get through. The day was almost over.

...it's not you, it's me...

She could make it. She would make it.

...do not cry for me...

She was going to make it.

...live your life; I'll always be there...

She lifted the portrait steadily and walked over to her closet. She opened it slowly, as if not to wake anyone, and pulled out a small, but heavily filled, box. She pulled it open and placed the photo, almost warily, inside. She stared as the moving photo brandished a smirk at her, then waved and suddenly became still.

It's been too long and I'm lost without u
What am I gonna do?

She was going to live her life, and live it as Draco told her to.