Dragon's Fire

I came awake with a sudden awareness. I looked down to see Ginny burrowing closer. I held her close with one arm and plated with the tendrils that framed her pale, freckled face. Even now, she was lovely. Again, I wondered at my good fortune. How a thief like me could have ever have won her, I didn't know. Didn't care, really. I smiled to myself: a lovesick face disguised as a cold-hearted jerk. I knew that there would be aspects of our relationship that no one would understand but us, and I was fine with that. I knew, on some basic level, that she and I hadn't been fated to be together, but rather, that I had forced destiny's hand by removing the choice. There were only moments in time when I doubted or regretted my decision. I only had those thoughts because I am a realist and as such, am always doubting the length or veracity of something. Even Ginny didn't believe that we were meant to be, but rather, that we were rebelling against whatever gods were, against nature. But despite my convictions, I believed that my own destiny was determined by me, not some lazy deity that had forgotten to care. I knew that Ginny and I were going to be forever, even if fate disagreed. For one woman's love, I would damn the consequences and pay the piper later. I had already been through my own hell without her, and not much could be worse than that. Except to die and leave her here alone, or if she died and left me here. I'd never be whole again, never be me again. I'd just become an empty shell, vacant of any real emotions or thought.

Ginny began to stir against my chest and I looked down into those cinnamon-chocolate eyes and was immediately overwhelmed by lust. I felt that delicious thrill begin to build. I reveled in it potency, even as I knew that Ginny wasn't in any shape to make anything of it.

"Hello, luv. How are you feeling?"

"Just fine, Draco. What are we doing in the Hospital Wing?"

"What do you remember, luv?" I asked gently.

"Voldemort. He attacked. Oh my God! Is everyone okay?!"

"Ginny, calm down. Everyone is fine. Potter got him." She let out a sigh of relief.

"But then why are we here?"

"You were blasted off the Professors' table and into the one below it. Bellatrix jumped down to finish you and I stopped her," I said, replaying the memory.

"What did you do to her?" Ginny's eyes got huge and filled with concerns and questions.

"I knocked her out. She's on the table where I left her. She can't move or even regain consciousness until I lift the spell."

"Why didn't you..." she trailed off.

"Kill her? Oh, I wanted to, but I realized that if I did, I'd be no better than she is. Aside from that, we need people to send to Azkaban. Voldemort was so cocky to think that he didn't need help taking over Hogwarts. He believed that it was full of half-breeds and squibs and blood-traitors. And, he believed that none of those people can be proficient at magic or hand-to-hand combat," I explained.

"Oh. I thought maybe- maybe since you are related..."

"That I'd cut her a break? Not a chance! She has the evil she's done to pay for. I just wasn't going to be the one to spill her blood. I'd never help someone who committed evil willingly escape justice."

"But I did evil, my first year."

"You were also possessed, yet another gift from my family," I said.

"Draco, it's hardly your fault that you happen to be related to some evil people. I know that's not who you are. I love you." She reached up to grab my chin and turn my face toward hers. Then she kissed me, long and slow. I changed the angle and deepened the kiss. I let her taste my fear of losing her, of losing this. I put my love in that kiss, purging what I'd previously held back. I let her feel how much I'd worried about her; how it had nearly consumed me. Hunger rose, but I struggled to put it on the back burner. I knew Ginny was in no shape to go there. I felt the resulting pain, but stayed determined to not let it distract me. Ginny's kisses started to weaken what little self-control I had around her. I sucked in a breath as she broke away to kiss my neck. I put my hands on her shoulders and gently moved her away from me. She immediately struggled, refusing to separate herself from me.

"Ginny, please," I managed. Her eyes scanned my face as she drew her head up.

"Draco, kiss me." She had uttered those words before and I'd been undone. I tried to stiffen my resolve as her mouth continued its assault on my neck. I swallowed, trying to think of something, anything not sexy. It didn't really work. Everything I thought of could be connected to Ginny and thus, was unnervingly sexy. It seemed strange; that I should feel so deeply for someone after all that had been done to me. I laughed bitterly and Ginny look up at me.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about my past."

"Not exactly the effect I was hoping for," she said impishly.

"I should hope not. And in any case, you do not affect my past. You do, however, affect my present. Very pointedly, if I may say so," I said and grinned.

"I do see your point. Maybe we should test its usefulness," she shot back.

"Perhaps another time, luv." Her face fell.

"There is no time like the present," she returned.

"Under normal circumstances, I'd readily agree with you. But not now." My body begged me to reconsider, even as Ginny snuggled closer, clearly bent on destroying me.

"Why not now?"

"Because you need to heal before we attempt any strenuous activity."

"I feel perfectly fine, Draco. What's the problem? Do you not want to be with me anymore?" I could see tears forming behind her eyes.

"How could you even think that? I want nothing more than to be with you."

"But why won't you hold me?"

"Because I am afraid I might break you," I admitted.

"I'm not so fragile, Draco. I won't break," she said, looking into my eyes.

"But you already have," I said, looking down at her foot.

"My ankle will heal, luv. But I want you to heal my soul." How was I supposed to heal a soul made of light, when my own was covered in darkness? And yet, I could not refuse her.

"I can't help heal your soul, but I can blend yours with mine."

"That's enough for me." She tugged me down to her face, pulling my hair. I should have protested, should have made a move to stop this. But I couldn't. My soul cried out for completion, for light. Only she could provide it. I leaned down and kissed her, melding my lips to hers. I felt something inside me shift. I knew, right at that moment, that something had irrevocably changed me. And strangely, I didn't care I moved my hands to the small of her back and pulled her closer to me. I craved this closeness. I sought her shirt's hem and tugged it over her head. She tore at my shirt, clearly impatient. I made quick work of her skirt and shoes. I caressed her calves as I removed her stockings. My pants were soon lost, leaving only my boxers. When Ginny had been reduced to a black lacy bra and matching panties, I lost my wits. I groaned as her fingers traced my abs and up to my shoulders. I traced her supple curves and nibbled at her throat. I nuzzled her ear. She moaned as I scraped her neck with my teeth.

At the sound of footsteps in the distance, I disentangled myself from Ginny's amorous embrace and stood next to her bed. I retrieved my pants and shirt and tossed Ginny's lost clothes to her. She caught them with a grim expression on her face. I nearly went back to finish what she'd started, but my sense returned to me as I remembered the precocious balance we still lived on. The door swung open as the Weasley twins carried Potter to a bed on the other side of Pomfrey. He looked defeated, I decided. His face spoke of intense exhaustion and even his breathing seemed labored. He had extinguished his magical energy and had tapped into his physical energy. This was how my mother had looked at the end. Finally, one of them spotted me.

"Oy! Malfoy, what are you doing here?"

"I brought your sister here."

"Why?" Fred/George seemed offended.

"She was injured, you idiot. I brought her here to heal her."

"Why? What do you hope to gain?" My life, I answered silently.

"Nothing. I do not want Innocent blood spilled. She has done nothing wrong. Others will pay," I said gruffly.

"I don't think I trust you."

"I do," came a voice from the doorway.

"How can you trust him, 'Mione?"

"Because he hasn't hurt her, and because Ginny looks better."

"Thanks, Hermione," Ginny said.

"Hermione, you're the Medi-witch in training. Check Ginny for curses or anything like that," one of the twins said.

"I'll do nothing of the sort." Hermione's hands moved to her hips in defiance.

"Why the hell not?!"

"I told you; I trust him." Hermione had just become my new best friend. I smiled my thanks to her.

"Well, I don't. Fred, go check her."

"Right-o, George. But what about Harry?"

"Help me set him on the bed," Fred muttered. After depositing Potter on the bed, George moved back to let Fred see to Ginny. Hermione stepped in front of him as he drew closer.

"'Mione, move."

"No. you haven't asked Ginny whether Draco has done anything to her," she said.

"So? How do we know he hasn't confunded her or something?"

"By asking her."

"Right then. Seeing as Hermione won't move out of the way; Ginny, did Malfoy hurt you?"

"No. And I'm slightly insulted that you think I can't defend myself," Ginny replied indignantly. I smiled to myself as I thought of how she had "defended" herself a few minutes before.

"Ginny, I'm not saying that you can't defend yourself. I'm saying that Malfoy is a cold-hearted snake with any number of tricks up his perfectly groomed sleeve."

"Is that an insult or a compliment?" I interjected.

"Draco, please. We need to be calm, rational human beings. Be open-minded," Hermione warned.

"Fred, George, that goes for you two as well," Ginny said in a warning tone. Their faces fell at Ginny's words. Clearly, they had been intending to disregard Hermione's words. They still could, of course, but I doubted they would test Ginny's mood this early in the day.

"Ginny, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked.

"My ankle hurts like a bitch, but I'm okay. Draco took care of me," she replied calmly. It didn't seem like she was trying to hide our relationship.

"Ginny, are you feeling at all confused or disoriented?" This from Fred, who obviously had no faith in Hermione's instincts.

"No, mum. I'm fine. Quit worrying about me." Ginny was annoyed, never a good sign.

"Malfoy, why don't you just leave?" George chimed in.

"Yes, Draco. It may be best that you left," Hermione conceded. I nodded in understanding, much as I wished I didn't. I walked toward the door, and I swear I could feel the collective room let out a breath at the release of tension. I left the room, but stood just outside the door.

"Ginny, what are you doing letting that- that blackguard help you? He's evil, Ginny. He might have helped you, but one good deed is not enough to redeem all the evil he's done to us in the past," Fred/George said. I was confused again because I couldn't see them.

"Exactly, George. Evil that he's done to you. He's never said a bad word to me. I decide who is and isn't worth my time. I choose to be friends with Draco. If you would try to see past his façade, you'd see that he is just like us."

"What has he done to you? Have you become, like, a scarlet woman?"

"Fred, that was completely out of line. You're being a prat," Hermione scolded.

"That's enough out of you, Hermione. Why are you sticking up for him? He called you Mudblood; doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Yes, of course it does. But that doesn't mean that I'm going to hate him forever. He's done his penance." I leaned back against the wall, feeling utterly shocked. I had two people fighting in my corner now.

"What do you mean? He hasn't begun to suffer yet." Now, a Weasley was threatening me. This ought to be good.

"You will not touch him."

"Ginny, have you gone mental? This bastard tried to kill you once!"

"No, his father tried to kill me. I don't recall Draco ever handing me a diary," Ginny said bitterly.

"Very good point, Ginny. Draco has never hurt her specifically. Just us and Ron."

"Hermione, can't you shut up and quit pointing out stupid little facts?" I grinned then, knowing it was over. I heard footsteps drawing closer. Someone else needed Pomfrey. I pulled my hood down over my face as footsteps drew nearer. I saw those Creevey brothers dragging Ron's blissfully unconscious body to the Hospital Wing. I gallantly stepped aside and opened the door. Conversation ceased as Ron was dragged inside. I decided to back to Ginny's dorm and get her some different clothes. I walked unhurriedly to Gryffindor Tower, a place I'd once hated on sight simply because of who it had been named for. I climbed the staircase, deftly avoiding the trick stair. I had sunk to my knees the first time I'd come this way. Ginny had needed to cast a strengthening spell on herself to pull me out. She was by no means a weakling, but I was about twice her size. I made my way toward the Fat Lady's portrait and tried to recall the password. I almost never used her password, so I almost never remembered it. What was it? Fizzing Whisbees? No, that was last week's. Sugarquills? No, that couldn't be it. What was the damned password? Ginny had told me, but I had been concentrating on other things at the time. I grinned at the memory. Focus, idiot! I concentrated on the night in question, trying like hell to remember what Ginny had said rather that what she'd done. Then, in a moment of rare clarity:

"Blarney!" I shouted.

"All right. No need to scream. The other Houses might hear you," the Fat Lady scolded. I made a face as the portrait swung open to reveal the Gryffindor Common Room. It always amazed me how different two rooms that served the exact same purpose could be. It was always cold and damp in the Slytherin Common Room but, in Gryffindor Tower, there was a fire to ward off the chill and nice breeze through open windows on hot summer days and nights. In Slytherin, we usually didn't talk much amongst ourselves, let alone make good friends with each other. Ginny knew just about everyone by their appearance, though she wasn't remembered. All Gryffindors seemed rather chummy with each other, I mused. I made my way up the staircase to Ginny's dorm. She had her own room as well, since she was a Prefect, but usually preferred to sleep in a room with other people. She hated to sleep alone. I finally reached Ginny's door and had to stop and remember her password as well.

"Verboten," I muttered. Forbidden seemed a very appropriate password, considering all the rules I was breaking and my relationship with Ginny. I walked to her chest of drawers and began selecting clothing at random. I made sure to grab her pillow and blanket because comfort is top priority when all you can do is lay in bed and heal. I put all of her things in a bag and shrunk it to pocket-size. I put the bag in my pocket and turned to leave. I closed the door behind me and padded to the stairs. Once at the bottom of the stairs, I checked for people. There was noone in sight, so I continued my trek to the Hospital Wing. I paused at the door, and heard no voices, so I sauntered in. Ginny lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Potter lay still on his cot, breathing still a little ragged, but even. Weasley lay asleep in his bed, blissfully dreaming away. I walked to Ginny and sat at her bedside.

"Hello, luv. Feeling better?" I asked softly. She didn't seem to hear me, so I repeated my question.

"Hm? Oh, yes. I feel fine, Draco," Ginny finally replied.

"Good. I've brought you some things that I think you'll be glad to see." Ginny grinned.

"What did you bring me?"

"This," I said, pulling out the miniature bag and contents.

"A little suitcase? I don't understand," she said.

"Not a little suitcase. A normal one," I said. I repeated the counterspell to resize the suitcase and contents.

"Oh," she said softly. Her gaze met mine and there were fresh tears in her eyes.

"Did I do something wrong? Was I not supposed to go in and find things for you? I'm sorry," I apologized immediately. What had I been thinking?

"No, don't apologize. I'm just so touched that you'd think to do this," she said and tears coursed down her face. I warmed under her praise and her tears touched my heart.

"You're welcome, luv. I'm glad you're happy."

"I am. I love you, Draco."

"I love you, too. Please don't ever scare me like you did last night ever again," I said seriously. Her face sobered and she swiped at her face.

"I can't promise you that I won't fight for what I believe in but, I'll try not to get hurt."

"I would never ask you to compromise your beliefs. I have never forced you to do anything against your will. You know that," I said defensively. Just what was she accusing me of?

"I know you haven't. And you're very sweet because of it. I didn't mean to imply that you'd ever hurt me," she said apologetically. I just looked at her and wondered how I could have ever thought such a thing about Ginny. This was the woman I loved; I should not treat her this way. Something must have shown on my face because Ginny dropped my gaze.

"I'm sorry about what I said. I didn't mean what you thought I meant," she said gingerly.

"You don't need to soothe my ego. I understand what you meant, but I wanted you to know that I'd never ask you to compromise any part of yourself- be it beliefs or otherwise. If I did, it would make me a shitty boyfriend, not to mention a shitty person. And if you gave into my demands, I'd respect you less," I said solemnly.

"I know. I love you.

"I love you, too. Now what say you and I go wash up a bit?" A wicked glint appeared in her eyes.

"As long as I get to wash every delicious inch of you," she said heartily.

"Back off, you saucy wench. We must be clean before I let you molest me."

"You can't rape the willing, Draco dear."

"Yes, that is true. However, I never said I was unwilling. I merely wish to be clean before you attack me again."

"Aw, you're no fun," she whined.

"None at all. I am a rather dull bastard."

"Yes, indeed. I'm not sure why I put up with you."

"I'm good in bed?" I ventured. Her wicked grin widened about a mile.

"Nope."

"I'm wicked sexy and you're powerless to resist?"

"Mmm, you're getting closer."

"I love you so much that I'd die without you?"

"That's the one." Love covered the lust in her eyes, and I could feel my own lust being set aside in favor of a deeper, more intimate feeling. I leaned in to kiss her and our lips met. Every time I kissed her, it still shocked me how much passion blazed between us. I always knew that she and I were the kind of people who loved deeply and passionately until given strong evidence not to. I loved this woman more than I had ever loved anyone or anything else. I loved her more than I had a right to. And even so, I deepened the kiss damning myself, damning us. I moved my hands to tangle in Ginny's hair and tugged her closer. A grunt sounded from the next bed. I wasn't Pomfrey, but Ron. He seemed to be having a nightmare of some sort. As much as I enjoyed the idea of Weasley in pain, I knew it would upset Ginny. So I pulled away and let her comfort him. He finally stopped whimpering and Ginny settled back into my arms and we fell asleep.