Moonlight on Malfoy Manor

Chapter 4 - more musings; Gareth asks; Hermione threatens; Draco rejected?!; an orb; FIRE!

"The Giant Wars began..." Ginny looked uncomprehendingly at Professor Binns as his voice stopped making any coherent sense after the first ten minutes of the class. She had never understood why the first class of the first day of the week had to be double History of Magic. She guessed it was to allow students to catch up on some more sleep. She looked around the class at her classmates; some were sleeping; some were pretending to listen; and some like Ashley and Colin were holding hands under the table and grinning as though Christmas had come early.

Ginny sighed - a long, deep, frustrated sigh and went back to contemplating the tiny ripples on the surface of the lake. Her life, as she knew it, was a colossal mess, all because of a bleached slimy toad of a boy. Ginny fumed inwardly as she remembered the look Draco had bestowed on Blaise in the Great Hall at breakfast. The other girl had positively glowed. 'Did their relationship have to be so darned public?' she thought angrily as memories of the numerous occasions she had seen Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini together filtered through to her consciousness. People had no business flaunting their illicit passions in other people's faces!

'You are jealous, Virginia Weasley!' a tiny voice in her head spoke.

'I am no such thing. I thought I told you to get lost and stop interfering in my life.'

'Hey! That's my life too that we're talking about here,' the voice protested.

'Whatever!' Ginny snapped irritated at the conversation she was having with herself. The tiny voice in her head retired, it's feelings apparently hurt. Ginny thought that just as well - she was in no mood to talk to anyone, least of all herself. But something the voice had said had stayed with her despite the silence. Jealous? Was she jealous? she wondered meditatingly. Angry, yes - Draco Malfoy had no business playing games with her, Virginia Weasley when he had Blaise Zabini to entertain him. But jealous?

'But what about the homework, the looks and the kisses?' the tiny voice, having recovered, asked.

'He was just playing games. He's a Slytherin. He doesn't need a motive to torment someone,' she thought uncharitably.

'But...' the tiny voice protested.

'Will you stop saying 'but' and listen to what I am saying for once? How can you even think of giving Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, slime in human form the benefit of the doubt? Can't you see he's just toying with you? Do you think you could ever replace Blaise Zabini in Malfoy's affections? Does it even look like he wants you to replace her? Who does he go back to after he's snogged you senseless in all the god-forsaken places there are? Who does he kiss, hug, and spend time with for all to see when he's not indulging in clandestine goings on with you? WHO?'

'Blaise -' the tiny voice replied. 'Blaise, Blaise, Blaise...'

'And you still want to give Malfoy the benefit of the doubt?"

'NO!' the tiny voice screamed.

Ginny shivered at the violence of her own thoughts. She looked around the classroom and met Gareth's eyes. He smiled at her. Ginny smiled back and then went back to looking outside.

Gareth. The unbidden image of hazel eyes brimming with laughter came to her mind as she thought of the times she had spent with him. She smiled inwardly at the memory of a prank Colin and Ashley had played on her in their fourth year. Embarrassed and angry, Ginny had fled from the common room and sought refuge in an empty classroom. Only to be found minutes later by Gareth. He had sat with her and comforted her and gentle comforting had turned into something more. It had been sweet - their nervous lips tracing each other's slowly, hesitantly till nervous fumbling changed into soft melding of lips and Ginny's first kiss. There had been awkwardness later on but they had both gone past that. Ginny had lost of the number of times Gareth had been there for her, his calm, unassuming presence settling the storms that raged through her life. In that moment Ginny reached a decision, hoping that she would have enough faith and conviction to see it through. She smiled, as she turned her attention back to Professor Binns and his lecture on 'Udolpho, the Terrible'.

Later that day in the common room, Gareth looked up from the parchment that was supposed to be his charms homework, his brown hair a mess and his hazel eyes searching. His eyes swept the room looking for the one face that could simply smile away the worst day of his life and having found it, he settled down comfortably in his chair for a look, giving up for the umpteenth time on his homework in the process. Somewhere between his thirteenth and fourteenth birthdays Gareth Rimbower had entered the impossible-to-understand world of adolescence and had fallen in love with one Virginia Weasley. At that stage it hadn't helped that the said Virginia was in love with The Great Harry Potter. But time and perspective had cured her of that obsession. Unfortunately they had had no effect on him. Virginia Weasley still ruled supreme in the region of his heart along with his lungs, kidney, stomach, brain...

Years of silence and one hesitant, unforgettable kiss followed by a lot of forgettable awkwardness had made him adept at hiding his feelings from her - but what is hidden shall be discovered. The previous year he had let it slip out in an unguarded moment, under the influence of four butterbeers, to Colin Creevey that he liked Ginny. Ever since then Colin had been pestering him to ask her out, till he finally had and amazingly enough she had accepted. That had been in the beginning of term, and having since gone out on a couple of double dates with Ashley and Colin, he was now ready to go on a date with Ginny - a real date... alone. He knew exactly where he wanted to take her, what he'd say, what he'd wear - he had planned everything to the last detail. There was just one minor hitch - he still hadn't asked her. Now if he could manage that little bit of courage it took to ask a girl, you've known for half your life, out, then things would be perfect.

Gareth watched Ginny from where he sat and wondered if she'd be willing to go on a date with him - just him and no excess baggage. He nervously cracked his knuckles as he looked towards Colin for encouragement. Colin gave Gareth the thumbs-up sign and an encouraging nod.

"Go on!" he mouthed.

"Yeah easy for you to say," Gareth retorted mutinously. 'All you had to do was grab and kiss Ashley and become her slave for life,' he thought to himself. He wondered if 'Grab-and-Kiss' would work on Ginny. Probably not, she would be likely to hex him to the other side of infinity if he tried.

"Oh sweet Sisyphus! Ginny, he's coming here. He just stood up and he's started walking," Ashley hissed as Ginny blushed furiously.

"Keep it down Ash," Elizabeth warned. "We do not want him to know we've been talking about him."

For the last half hour Ashley and Elizabeth had been discussing Gareth and the potential he had as Ginny's boyfriend while Ginny had been half-heartedly listening, Hermione's words ringing loud and clear in her head. She knew that Gareth wanted to ask her out for a date on the coming Hogsmeade weekend: Ashley had told Ginny, having found out from Colin who had been told as much by Gareth. But she didn't know if she wanted to go or not. Being on a double date with friends was one thing, going on a date alone was quite another.

"Ginny," Ashley shook her, "he's almost here. What are you going to say to him?"

"I don't know," Ginny said as a picture of Draco rose in her mind. The vision smirked at her as it extended a hand to a red-haired girl with smoldering green eyes and pulled her close for a kiss. Ginny closed her eyes as a sharp twinge of jealousy coupled with anger ran through her and the vision disappeared.

"Hi! Ginny." Gareth's deep honey-touched voice sounded next to her. She opened her eyes and looked up to where he stood a little away from them - her gaze traveling over all six feet of him. His hair looked slightly messy from his running his fingers through it incessantly, nervously, needlessly. Her brown eyes met his hazel ones and she smiled.

"Hi! Gareth," she replied. Gareth couldn't help but notice the way Ginny's whole face lit up when she smiled. He gulped and then said,

"Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?" he added uncomfortably looking at Ashley and Elizabeth.

"Okay." Ginny got up and walked with him to an unoccupied corner of the common room.

"Hmmm-mm," Gareth cleared his throat, as Ginny looked up at him expectantly. Even as he tried to find words to ask her out, Ginny knew looking at him that she would not say 'no', that she could not say 'no'. Something greater than herself was at work here, and in the calm that seemed to emanate from Gareth, she found herself relaxing - really relaxing in a way she hadn't since she had met Draco in the owlery.

"Yes, Gareth," she said simply. Gareth looked at her, bemused and surprised.

"What?"

"I'd like, to go with you" she replied and then continued by way of explanation as his features twisted in confusion, "Colin told Ashley, who told me that you were going to ask me out for the next Hogsmeade weekend."

Gareth opened and closed his mouth soundlessly like a fish out of water and then finally said, "I am going to hex that rat to the other side of infinity! Sneaking behind my back and spilling his guts to a girl."

"She is his girlfriend," Ginny interrupted amusedly. "Its okay. No harm done. So where are you taking me on Saturday?" she asked. Gareth smiled at her,

"It's a surprise," he said, and then taking a step toward her he added, "I promise you won't regret it Ginny." And Ginny found herself believing him as Charlie's pendant, now on a silver chain around her neck grew warm against her breasts. Gareth took hold of her right hand in his and raised to his lips, he smiled as his lips brushed lightly over her knuckles, his hazel eyes twinkling.

"Bye Ginny."

Ginny walked back to where Ashley and Elizabeth were sitting slightly dazed.

"Well? What happened? Where is he taking you?" they both asked at once.

"He said it's a surprise," Ginny replied clutching at her pendant as if to make sure the warmth was real or not.

It was real.

****************************************

Draco ran his fingers through his hair tiredly. His head was pounding; a fact which in itself was nothing new. But Draco was fast realizing that Ancient Runes and headaches did not mix. He gazed out of the library window at the darkening evening. It looked like it was going to be a long night. He returned his attention back to his homework, trying to ignore his head. He did not notice Hermione enter the library and head towards her usual table; he did not see her look at him and hesitate. He did not notice her until she softly thumped her books on the table and sat down opposite to him. Draco looked up in surprise; he had purposely chosen a corner table so as not to be disturbed. Hermione sat back in her chair; legs crossed and arms folded across her chest, looking at him through narrowed eyes. Draco noticed the defensive attitude and smiled at her politely.

"And what may I do for you today, Ms Granger," he asked softly. Hermione watched him carefully; if he was surprised he didn't show it.

"We need to talk," she responded curtly. Draco laid down his quill and interlocked his fingers, leaning on his forearms.

"Ah, another one of our friendly little chats. I do so enjoy them."

"There is nothing friendly about you, Malfoy." Draco laid a hand on his chest in mock pain, wearing the face of an injured innocent.

"You wound me Ms. Granger. Whatever your sentiments towards me, mine have always been perfectly cordial," he smirked. Hermione restrained herself from snorting at this blatant lie.

"I'm here to talk about Ginny." Quick as lightening his expression changed to one of angry concern.

"Has something happened to Virginia?" his voice was sharp as a knife's edge.

"Yes," Hermione replied softly, "you." Comprehension dawned immediately despite the cryptic reply. Draco mentally slapped himself, 'Girls talk! Ignoramus!'

"She told you," he stated tiredly. Hermione refused to reply to this obvious fact, instead she softly asked.

"What the hell do you think your playing at Malfoy?"

"I'm not playing at anything," he sounded almost angry.

"Then what are you doing?"

"I assure you Ms. Granger, the second I realize that, you will be the first person I owl."

"Not good enough," Hermione snapped. "I want to know Malfoy and I want to know now. Is this some perverted way to get at Harry, Ron and me?"

"Harry, Ron and I." Draco corrected her pompously, "and no it is not. Contrary to popular opinion, everything I do does not involve the Golden Trio."

"I don't believe you."

"Are you implying that I am lying?" narrowed silver eyes glittered menacingly.

"Why not? Merlin knows you are capable of it," Hermione ground out.

"I may be a lot of things, Hermione. But I am not a liar." His voice was low and deadly as his eyes bore into hers. She noted the use of her given name and began to wonder whether Malfoy was as clueless as Ginny had been. She lowered her eyes to the table, brows knitted in thought.

"Could this be the effect of a spell?" she wondered, not realizing she had spoken out loud.

"At this point anything is possible," Draco stated pinching the bridge of his nose. "So tell me Granger, is this some perverted way to get at me, hmmm? Has Weasley sunk so low as to use his own sister?" Hermione looked up and recognized the malicious glint in his eyes.

"Ron, would never do anything like this," she said flatly.

"I believe you, he doesn't have the imagination or the spine," Draco sneered. Hermione refused to rise to the bait.

"What about one of your Slytherin cohorts? An angry girlfriend perhaps?"

"Never," Draco replied theatrically, "I am too beloved by the masses, they would never harm me, no matter what I did," he finished airily, lounging back in his chair and examining his fingernails.

"Besides which this does not 'feel' like a spell."

"You mean you actually 'feel'!" Hermione raised her eyebrows in mock shock.

"It is a rare occurrence, I grant you, but it happens, it happens," Draco replied matter-of-factly.

"So are you saying that you 'feel' something for Ginny besides lust?" Draco looked her for a long moment before replying carefully.

"Virginia is a very unusual person."

"You didn't answer my question."

"And I won't Granger." Draco would have never admitted to Hermione that he did not know how he felt about Ginny. Hermione rose and leaned towards him, her hands flat on the table.

"If I find out you are using her Draco Malfoy, I will hex you into Floo Powder and scatter you over the lake."

"Which would be a total waste of perfectly good Floo Powder," he replied in mock seriousness.

"I mean it Malfoy," Hermione bit out through clenched teeth. "You hurt her and I will kill you."

"That makes two of us," he replied looking straight into her eyes. Hermione saw that he wasn't joking. He lowered his head and picked up his quill.

"This conversation is over, Granger," he stated firmly as he bent his head over his parchment. For a moment Hermione looked at his silver blond hair, still trying to understand his last statement. But she realized she would get no explanations from him, so she gathered up her books and returned to her usual table still pondering his last words. They studiously ignored each other for the rest of the evening.

****************************************

Draco stood on the front steps of Hogwarts Castle and breathed in the crisp November air. It was a beautiful winter afternoon nearly a week since his conversation with Hermione in the library. Initially Draco had been annoyed that Ginny had told anyone about them, but now he was glad Hermione knew. Their conversation had made the situation with Ginny seem real and not a figment of his overworked imagination. Draco was feeling almost cheerful, he had managed to get through a week of classes without any major mishaps, diligently stuck to his schedule and got his homework done on time, even gotten a good night's sleep, all in all life was defiantly looking up. He had decided to go for a walk after putting the final touches to his Ancient Runes essay. He would have enjoyed some company but none had been available. Blaise had developed a crush on a Hufflepuff and was currently too preoccupied to even walk straight, Goyle was off snogging Pansy and Crabbe was snoring in front of the fire after ingesting a humanly impossible lunch. Draco was surprised his stomach hadn't ruptured. He quirked a smile at the thought. A stiff breeze flapped his cloak and Draco inhaled the intoxicating aroma of approaching winter. He closed his eyes and smiled for no particular reason.

Ginny was slowly making her way to Hagrid's cabin in search of Hermione and some sound wardrobe advice for her up and coming date with Gareth. So preoccupied in mentally reviewing her clothes was she, that she had crossed the threshold of the Great Doors before she realized she was no longer alone and by then it was too late to turn back. She looked up to be greeted by smiling silver eyes.

"Hello, Virginia. Out to enjoy the splendid afternoon?"

"I was on my way to meet someone actually." Draco felt his smile fade of its own volition.

"Anyone I know?" he asked with the disinterested air of someone forced to make polite conversation.

"Maybe." Ginny shrugged. She was in no mood to talk to Draco; her life was a mess already. She just wanted to get away and talk to-

"Hermione," she admitted with a sigh." Draco's smile crept back.

"Ah yes, quite the conversationalist, Ms. Granger. We had a little chat in the library the other day."

"You talked to Hermione?" Ginny asked in disbelief.

"More like she talked to me, or at me."

"Which means?"

"Well, there I was in the library minding my own business and trying to wade through some homework when Granger stomped up to me, slammed her books on my table and demanded to know just what my intentions were toward one Virginia Weasley in a very loud and carrying voice." Ginny smiled despite herself at this description.

"And what did you say?" Draco gave a predatory smile and slowly climbed the steps towards her. Ginny gulped but held her ground.

"I said they were completely dishonorable, that I was biding my time, just waiting for an opportunity to jump you. That my only interest was your body." He was very close, Ginny could see the glint in his eyes, and he was laughing at her.

"Is that true?" she asked softly.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing. Is that true?"

So far Ginny had stood her ground but she as fast realizing that he was getting way too close for comfort. She swallowed her pride and backed away from him. Draco was surprised and disappointed; Ginny had never backed away from him before. Sneered at him, tried to hit him, yes, but never backed away from him. He stopped, something wasn't right.

"I really need to go," Ginny stated firmly and brushed past him on her way down the stairs.

"Wait." Instinctively Draco grabbed her arm as she passed. Ginny whirled around snatching her hand away and stepping back to put as much distance between them as possible.

"What is wrong Ginny?" he asked half concerned, half angry.

There were a lot of ways to answer that question, Ginny could have yelled and screamed and told him that he was making her life hell. Or she could have relented and let him kiss her as usual. But she was too tired to do either, she just wanted to get away and get to Hermione.

"I don't want to talk to you, Malfoy."

"Is that all? I'm sure we can find other things to do," he drawled. Ginny closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"No Malfoy, I don't want to do anything with or to you. I don't even want to be near you. Just leave me alone, please." Draco was not used to rejection and he did not take it well. He stiffened and all the color faded from his face leaving his eyes even more prominent and glittering.

"I'm sorry I bothered you. Rest assured it will not happen again," he said calmly, softly, before he turned and walked back into the castle, all thoughts of a walk forgotten. It didn't matter, his day and probably his week was ruined anyway. Ginny buried her face in her hands. She felt terrible for she had seen the flash of hurt in his eyes. She couldn't seem to do anything right anymore. She let her hands drop and took a deep steadying breath.

"Ginny!" She looked up as he brother came bounding up the steps with Harry and Hermione close behind, concern on every line of his freckled face. "Are you alright? We saw Malfoy, did he say something to you?"

"I'm fine. Malfoy was just going in."

"Relax Ron! Ginny can handle Malfoy, she's proved that already on the train remember." Ron nodded but still looked concerned.

"Did he say anything? Malfoy, I mean." Harry asked.

"Not really," Ginny lied.

"Weird," Harry said with knitted brows.

"What's weird?" Ginny asked cautiously, worried that they might have seen too much from Hagrid's cabin.

"Malfoy. He's acting weird."

"Oh Harry not this again," Ron wailed.

"Well, he is," Harry, replied hotly.

"What do you mean by weird?" Ginny asked.

"Well, he's been coming late for classes, looks half asleep even in Potions. Snape had to call his name thrice before he snapped out of it."

"Maybe he just wasn't feeling well," Ginny ventured casually.

"That's what I thought," Hermione chimed in, "but now I'm not so sure."

"Why not?" Harry asked almost eagerly.

"Well, Hannah Abbott told Lavender that she saw Malfoy take down a book for a Ravenclaw fourth year. It was on an upper shelf and she couldn't reach it."

"Don't believe a word of it," Ron snorted, "he probably took it down for himself. Hannah got it wrong."

"Maybe," Hermione said, sounding unconvinced.

"Don't tell me you think Malfoy's turning Nice," Ron choked in disbelief.

"People do change Ron," Hermione snapped.

"Yeah, people. This is Malfoy. As in only son of Lucius 'Death-Eater' Malfoy." Hermione shook her head and turned to Ginny.

"What are you doing out here alone anyway?"

"I was looking for you actually. I need you to help me pick out what to wear next Hogsmeade weekend."

"You have a date." Hermione was about to ask whom Ginny was going with but the sudden thought that the answer might be Draco Malfoy struck her dumb.

"Yes, with Gareth." Hermione's face broke into a truly delighted smile. Ron stared at Hermione enraptured.

"Ginny that's wonderful. Gareth is really cute and so funny. You know he said the other day..." Hermione led Ginny back into the castle chattering and giggling, leaving a dreamy Ron and smiling Harry in their wake.

"She's so beautiful," Ron sighed dreamily.

"You should tell her."

"I would, but every time I try my mouth feels like it's stuffed with cotton wool," Ron grimaced, disgusted with himself. Harry rolled his eyes.

"For Merlin's sake Ron, she's already going steady with you what are you afraid of? Just tell her. Look at it this way, she's already seen you vomiting slugs and she still likes you." Ron brightened.

"You're right. I'll tell her as soon as I see her," he squared his shoulders with determination.

"Well, that won't be for a while. They're discussing clothes remember," Harry stated dryly.

"Oh right, who did Ginny say she was going with?"

"Gareth."

"He's a nice bloke. He's a Gryffindor."

"Yeah, so he has to be a nice bloke," Harry agreed with stalwart house pride.

"It'll also be a lot easier to find him and beat him senseless if he tries anything," Ron grinned.

"I really don't think that would necessary Ron. First off, Ginny would beat you to it and so would Hermione. I don't think there would be much left of him after that."

"You're so right." Ron agreed fervently as they reached the Gryffindor portrait hole.

****************************************

It was Saturday morning - Hogsmeade weekend - and Ginny waited patiently for Gareth outside the Great Door. Her day so far had gone exceptionally well. She had woken up to find a single white rose lying on her bedside table with a note attached to it, 'Meet me outside the castle after breakfast. Gareth.' How he had managed to get the rose to her bedside table was a mystery, but it had made Ginny feel exceptionally special. She had taken extra care with the soft peach dress she wore that day for her date. Her hair was tied back in a loose French braid with soft tendrils framing her face, the white rose tucked into the top of the braid, her lips had been magically glossed and would stay that way till the charm was removed. Ashley and Elizabeth had looked in open admiration as had lin. Breakfast had been an uninterrupted meal - Draco Malfoy had not shown up and neither had his 'girlfriend'. But then neither had Gareth. Ginny wondered what the surprise was going to be as she mechanically went through the motions of eating. Having finished, Ginny said 'bye' to the others and went outside the castle to wait for Gareth. The crisp morning air of mid November greeted her, as she stepped outside. It was pleasant, though slightly chilly - a mark that winter was not far away. Ginny had been out for only a couple of minutes when Gareth came up from behind and closed her eyes with his hands.

"Ready for your surprise Ginny?" he asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"Do you trust me?"

Ginny thought this a strange question to ask, but replied nevertheless, "Implicitly."

"Then promise me that you'll keep your eyes closed till I tell you to open them and follow my lead."

"I promise," Ginny said, her curiosity now peaked.

Gareth then moved in front of her and taking her hand in his he started walking. They had been walking for almost ten minutes when Ginny felt the grassy undergrowth beneath her feet. 'The Forbidden Forest' the thought came unbidden to her mind even as she said, "Gareth?"

"Shhh. Trust me," he said, still holding her hand in his. They walked for a short while longer when Ginny felt the soft grass underfoot give way to hard rock.

"Open your eyes Ginny," Gareth whispered in her ear gently.

Ginny opened her eyes and gasped. The sight, which met her eyes, left her breathless with wonder. They were in a cavern in the heart of the Forbidden Forest. The cavern was swathed in golden light, which came from nowhere, and yet was everywhere. At the back of the cavern, Ginny saw a small pond that glittered in the golden light. She walked towards it making her way through the myriad flowering plants on the floor of the cavern, Gareth following her. Ginny knelt next to the lake and looked down at her reflection in the glittering surface. Her reflection smiled back at her and then disappeared. Surprised, Ginny looked up at Garth and asked, "What is this place, Gareth?"

He smiled down at her and said, "Look again."

This time when Ginny looked, she saw a beautiful young man with golden hair and a crown of lilies looking at her through the water. Startled, Ginny watched as the man came out of the lake and sat on the waters.

"I am the guardian of the Lake," his soft musical voice floated across the distance.

"Who are you?"

"I am Ginny Weasley, and this is - "

"Gareth Rimbower. I know - we have met before." At this he looked at Gareth and smiled, Gareth smiled back and Ginny watched this exchange confusedly.

"What is this place?" Ginny queried.

"This is the Cavern of the Lake and I am its Guardian. My name is Andor." Andor looked at Gareth and said, "Why do you bring her here Gareth? Have you forgotten what I told you?"

"I trust her Andor. Your secret is as safe with her as it is with me."

"Who else knows about this place?" Ginny asked.

"Only a man called Hagrid and he is sworn to secrecy," Andor replied.

"Hagrid is my friend," Ginny smiled and then asked Andor, "What does the Lake do, Andor? If you are its Guardian, it must be something very special."

Andor looked at Ginny for a while and then replied, "The waters of the Lake are very special, but I can tell you only if you promise not to tell anyone else about it."

"I promise," Ginny replied without hesitation.

"With you hand dipped in the waters, you may ask for one thing that you need and it shall be granted. But it must be something that you need not want."

"Would you like to try Ginny?" Gareth asked gently. Ginny leaned forward and dipped her right hand in the lake.

"Hope," she whispered as she closed her eyes to banish the image of Draco that her floated across her mind. She felt the waters swirl around her fingers, and then stop. When Ginny withdrew her hand, she saw it held a small silvery orb. Ginny looked at Andor in surprise.

"Take it. It is meant for you. The Lake never gives without reason," he said. Andor then looked at Gareth and asked, "Is there anything you need?"

Gareth looked at Ginny smiled and said, "No. I have everything I need."

"Goodbye Ginny. Use well what you have received this day. Goodbye Gareth." And with that parting thought he disappeared into he depths he had come from.

"Let's go Ginny." Gareth helped her up from where she sat. Ginny stood up still a little dazed by her encounter with Andor. Gareth looked at her, taking in the golden highlights in her rich red hair, the soft glow on her skin and said, "You look very beautiful Ginny."

Ginny blushed.

"Thank you Gareth, for everything," she took his hand as they walked out of the cavern and made their way through the Forbidden Forest. Ginny was looking forward to the rest of her date with Gareth. As they walked into Hogsmeade, bumping into friends at sundry places, Ginny asked Gareth how he knew about the cavern. He told her how when he was in his third year at Hogwarts, he had come to the forest with Colin and couple of his friends looking for 'adventure'. Ginny laughed, but her laughter died down when he told her that he had gotten lost in the forest. After walking in circles for a long time he had stumbled into the cavern and met Andor. They had talked for a while before he told him about the lake, and Gareth had promptly wished to be able to return to the castle. Andor had smiled as his hand had withdrawn a silver compass from the lake and told him that the castle was northwest from the cavern. Gareth had bounded out of the cavern and made his way safely back to the castle, vowing never to go anywhere without his compass.

"Do you really carry it everywhere?" Ginny asked curiously. In reply, Gareth tugged a thin silver chain from under his navy blue shirt; a small and beautifully wrought compass glittered at the end of it. Ginny stopped and turned toward Gareth taking the compass in her hand.

"It's lovely," she breathed. Gareth was looking at her - her face flushed with gentle color, eyes shinning with intent.

"Yes," he replied simply. He wasn't talking about the compass. Ginny glanced up at him, caught his ardent gaze and blushed shyly.

"How about a drink?" she broke eye contact and turned towards The Three Broomsticks.

"Thirsty? Or are you afraid to be alone with me?" Gareth asked with a smile.

"Gee, I don't know Gareth, what do you think?" Ginny smiled back as she took his arm.

"I think if you keep smiling at me like that I'll sign over my entire family fortune without a murmur." Ginny laughed as they entered the pub.

Draco Malfoy sat in the center of the crowded pub with Blaise on his right; her arm looped though his, and Malcolm Baddock on his left. Draco did not like Malcolm, but Blaise had developed a sisterly fondness for him and Draco endured him as best he could. At the moment both Blaise and Malcolm were prattling on about the latest Ravenclaw scandal. Draco had long since ceased to pay attention and had been watching people going in and out of the pub. He raised his butterbeer as the door opened and he froze, bottle in mid-air. A smiling Ginny Weasley and a grinning Gareth Rimbower entered arm-in-arm. Draco's mouth set into a hard thin line as he lowered the bottle slowly. Ginny looked up - glittering silver met laughing brown. Her smile faded and she felt horribly horribly guilty. Looking into Draco's eyes she could clearly see the barely contained anger and the hurt. But then she noticed the arm looped through his and the smiling, lovely face of Blaise as she chattered happily with Malcolm Baddock. Ginny's face flushed with anger as she resolutely looked away from Draco and back to Gareth. Gareth, unaware of the brief tussle of wills, steered her to a corner table. Ginny deliberately sat with her back to Draco, resolutely focusing her attention on Gareth.

Draco watched feeling maddeningly helpless. He clutched his butterbeer bottle, threatening to snap its slender neck, wishing it were Gareth's.

'So this is why little Miss Weasley won't have anything to do with Me.' he thought angrily. 'So she can go and play with the Knight Errant.'

"Draco?" Blaise asked worriedly, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing whatsoever, darling. Would you like to take a walk down to the lane to the Shrieking Shack?"

"I'd love to," Blaise replied as she stood up and took Draco's proffered arm. Draco turned to look at Gareth and Ginny, mentally cursing them both, before he and Blaise walked out of the Three Broomsticks.

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Draco sat at the head of the Slytherin table, at dinner that night with Blaise at her usual place on his right. She was talking about something - he did not know what despite the fact that he had been 'listening' to her for almost fifteen minutes now. Draco couldn't care less. As Blaise droned on and on, Draco closed his eyes anded her out, along with the rest of the hall. He had become adept at doing that. He needed peace and quiet - craved silence like a dying man craved water. Since it was denied to him outside of himself, he looked for it within him - and on rare occasions found it, like now. As the milling voices of Blaise and the other people of the hall faded away from his consciousness, Draco felt himself relax. He could almost feel the tension seep out of his body. It was warm in the hall, despite the fact that it was snowing outside. Draco felt the warmth of the Great Hall sweep over his exhausted body, and experienced his first moment of real peace in a long time.

Draco felt the temperature in the Great Hall rise. From being warm, the hall become very hot as though it was on fire. As he pushed away the ridiculous thought, the acrid stench of burning flesh engulfed his senses. An ear-splitting scream brought him back from his reverie. He looked around to see angry flames leap at the tapestries and walls of the hall. And even before it started, Draco knew the fire would consume more than just the edifice of Hogwarts - it would take everything. Draco sat powerless in his chair as he watched the carnage, as he saw the flames feast on all that was familiar to him, but would no longer be. He watched helplessly as the fire consumed body after body, life after life, till nothing remained but ashes. Blaise, Malcolm, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, Snape, Dumbledore, Hagrid - everyone, friend and foe was lost to the insatiable appetite of the fire, as maniacal laughter rang throughout the smoke filled air. Even though he closed his eyes tight to shut out the scene, the images played across his mind like a film, the laughter rang in his ears. The expression of horror on the laughing faces imprinted itself on his mind forever. Draco opened his eyes and saw the flames leap towards where he was sitting. He tried to stand up to speak, to shout, run away, but was powerless to move. And then just as suddenly as they had leapt at him, the flames retreated from him. Draco finally understood. He was there to see - to see and do nothing. He was the audience, the spectator, the witness to this carnival of flames. He powerlessly watched as the fire devoured everything and everyone around him till he was left alone amidst the charred remains of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As he looked around and took in the crumbling monument, and the burnt remains of friends and foe, a feeling of rage overwhelmed Draco - rage against the powers that destroyed everything dear to him, everything familiar. A mindless scream of pure anger seared the calm that had settled on the air. Draco looked up towards the dark sky, lit a magnificent orange by the flames around him.

"Why?" he screamed into the silent night. "What have I done to deserve this? What had they done to deserve this?" he demanded of the twinkling, silent stars.

"Must you deny me all that is familiar to me?" he asked as an image of Narcissa floated into his mind. Draco crumbled to his knees, his hand unconsciously clenched fistfuls of ash as he wept bitter tears of overwhelming anger and defeat.

"This is what I have been reduced to," he whispered as he unclenched his hand and allowed the ashes to sift through his fingers. "After all this is what we must all return to in the end. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

He looked up the night sky and to his battered mind it seemed to mock him with its silence, laugh at his helplessness. Slowly Draco rose to his feet, his face turned to the sky. The iron had entered his soul.

"It is not over yet. This is not how it will end. I will not let you destroy me. I will survive despite you. If you destroy my world than I shall rebuild it again, from the ashes if I have to. Do you hear me?" his voice rose to a yell.

"I shall not be broken. I shall not be bowed down. Do your worst to me, but I will not lose. On my mother's grave I swear, I will not lose." With that he flung a fistful of ash at the sky, flung his head back and laughed in defiance, as the flames around him died down, as if cowering to his will.

"Draco?" he heard a voice urgently calling his name, blown faintly on the breeze.

"Draco?" the same voice, more urgent this time. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Blaise looking at him, concern etched over her face.

"What happened?" he asked tiredly

"What do you mean 'what happened'? You were smiling and muttering something with your eyes cloed. Are you alright?"

Draco looked around and saw the hall as it had been, full of laughing, talking faces. He turned his gaze back to Blaise and smiled gently at her, "I'm fine, just a little tired. I think I'll turn in early." He kissed her lightly on the cheek, rose and left the hall.

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"I want your essays handed in by next Friday. Late assignments shall not be marked. And Mr. Rimbower," Gareth looked up from his table at Professor McGonagall, "I would appreciate it if you at least pretended to pay attention in class next time. Class dismissed." With a sweep of her robes Professor McGonagall walked out of class followed by the sixth year Gryffindors.

Ginny halted midway in her tracks out of the classroom at hearing her name being called out. She had been avoiding this conversation for days now, but today seemed destined to be the day of reckoning. She turned around to face Gareth.

"Hi!"

"Hi! Ginny I was wondering if you'd given any thought to what I asked you on Saturday?" Ginny looked at him, his hazel eyes nervous as he waited for her answer.

"Gareth, I ..." She never got a chance to finish what she was going to say, as Ashley and Elizabeth swooped in on them.

"GINNY! Oh! Hi Gareth. Ginny you have to come with us. We want to show you the most amazing..." Gareth couldn't hear the rest of the sentence as he watched Ashley and Elizabeth steer Ginny away toward the tower.

"Give her some time, mate," Colin said, as he draped a companionable arm around Gareth's shoulders. "These are women we're dealing with. They even need time to decide how they're going to brush their teeth in the morning. Just hang in there and everything will be fine," Colin said as they headed towards the tower.

Ashley and Elizabeth grinned at Ginny, "We thought you looked like you needed to be rescued from your knight in shining armour." Ginny smiled as they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Hot chocolate fudge."

"My pleasure, dear," the portrait said as it swung forward. The girls entered to find the Gryffindor Common Room in uproar.

"Oh Gods! Ginny..." a fifth year squealed as she bounded up to where Ginny, Ashley and Elizabeth stood. "You guys are so lucky. There's going to be a Christmas Ball on the last Saturday of term and it's only for the sixth and seventh years. I am so jealous. It's not fair. Why do you guys get to have all the fun?" Ginny and her friends made way to the notice board to read the latest notice on it.

"So that's why we were asked to bring Muggle formals to school in our booklists. I knew it would be for a fancy dress ball or party, but to have it right before Christmas - WOW!" Ashley and Elizabeth chorused as they the three girls made their way to their dorm. Once in their room Ginny slumped down on her bed, a desolate look on her face.

"Ginny? What's wrong?" Ashley asked softly as she and Elizabeth sat down on either side of her.

"I don't know," Ginny replied sadly.

"Have you given any thought to Gareth's question? Do you want to go steady with him?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know. I like him - a lot, but I just don't know if I want to go steady with him just yet. Everything becomes so serious when you start going steady," Ginny said, firmly pushing the image of a smirking Draco from her mind.

"I know he's good-looking and all that, and he's so much fun to be with... but..."

"You're not sure if he's the right guy," Elizabeth finished for Ginny.

"Gareth is a really nice guy, and he's very special," Ginny said as she remembered the Cavern and her date with Gareth. Everything had been fine until he'd asked her to go steady with him. Ginny had looked at him in surprise as he'd said that he knew they hadn't been dating seriously as a couple, and double dating with Ashley and Colin did not amount to a real date, but he also knew that he liked her a lot, had since they were fourteen and now he wanted to give a shot at a meaningful relationship. He had gone on to tell her all the things he liked about her as Ginny had stared at him dumbstruck, her mind in a whirl. She had told Gareth she needed time to think about it, and he had only been too happy to agree. Since then she had studiously avoided being alone with him. She just wished she knew what to do. Every time she thought of Gareth and imagined herself with him he seemed to metamorphose into an arrogant boy with silver-blond hair and grey eyes, a taunting smile and the most heavenly kisses she had ever known. Ginny sighed as she looked at Ashley and Elizabeth.

"I am so confused," she said mournfully.

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