Draco's Love

After Hermione and Ginny got dressed, they returned to the common room to meet Harry and Ron and go to the Great Hall for Christmas breakfast.

"Have you received any information from Mum and Dad about the Order?" Ginny asked Ron as they walked down the staircase.

"Well, while you were still getting your beauty rest," Ron said, causing Ginny to glare at him, "Mum popped into the fireplace for a visit. I tried to ask a few questions, but you know Mum; she wouldn't give anything away."

"We could try to ask Tonks, but if your mum ever found out that we knew something, she'd be furious," Harry suggested.

"It's worth the risk," Ginny told Harry. "We just have to think like Fred and George. They manage to get away with stuff like that."

"All students, please report to your house dormitories; all teachers, report to the Great Hall," McGonagall's magically projected voice boomed throughout the halls.

"What do you think that's all about?" Harry asked curiously, drawing his wand.

"I dunno," Ron said. "Do you reckon we should take a look?"

Harry, Hermione, and Ginny nodded in agreement as they headed against the sea of students toward the Great Hall.

Harry cracked the door open. All four of them peered inside the Great Hall, where the teachers were already gathered around the staff table, whispering furiously.

"What about Potter?" Snape asked loudly. "Should we get him?"

"I have already sent Minerva to retrieve him," Dumbledore said. "He is our only hope. This is his war, Severus."

"There you are, Potter," McGonagall said from behind the eavesdropping group, causing them to jump. "V-Voldemort and the Death Eaters are heading toward the castle, according to Professor Snape. Professor Dumbledore wants you to fight."

Harry tightened the grip on his wand and nodded. Although this was an unexpected development, Harry knew that he had to defend Hogwarts.

In that same instant, the giant door to the castle exploded, sending pieces of wood flying in every direction. Thirty black hooded figures stood in the doorframe, their wands at the ready.

The door to the Great Hall burst open, and the Hogwarts teachers charged forward.

"Are you ready, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

Ron, Hermione, and Ginny quickly joined in. They were not going to let Harry fight alone.

Before Ginny knew what had happened, she was fighting against Bellatrix Lestrange, but there was only one thing on her mind. Draco.

"Batius Bogus," Ginny yelled, putting the Bat-Bogey Curse on Bellatrix.

"That's for killing Sirius and making Harry hurt so much!" Ginny spat.

She then spotted Hermione across the entry hall, fighting a Death Eater, when Hermione's wand flew out of her hands and landed on the floor across the hall.

Hermione's face was struck with horror as she stared at her wand, then back at the Death Eater.

"Finish her off, Draco!" a Death Eater yelled from across the hall.

Ginny immediately stared at the Death Eater standing in front of Hermione. He slowly lowered his hood, revealing the face of her true love. His face was much paler than usual and his perfect hair was messy from fighting, but he was still Draco.

Draco gazed down upon Hermione, unsure of what to do. Then, as if he could feel her gaze, he looked up at Ginny. He mouthed the words: I love you.

Tears began to well in Ginny's eyes. She knew the worst was yet to come. Her best friend was going to be killed. Ginny could see the pain in his face. He obviously had never planned on having to kill someone.

"Avada Kedavra!" Ginny heard.

Ginny looked up, to see a green light flying toward, not Hermione, but Draco.

The curse had been cast by none other than Harry Potter.

"Harry! No!" Hermione yelled frantically.

"Draco!" Ginny screamed, but it was too late.

Despite the noise of the fighting around her, all Ginny could hear was the sound of Draco's lifeless body falling to the cold stone floor. She couldn't focus on anything else. At that moment, she knew that scene would run through her mind for the rest of her life.

The tears Ginny had tried to hold in fell from her eyes. She tried to move, but couldn't. All she could feel was pain numbing her entire body.

"Ginny, get out of here," Hermione whispered as she approached her. "You shouldn't be here, not now."

Ginny knew Hermione was right, so she ran from the entry hall. She ran as far as she could. She hadn't the slightest clue as to where she was headed. She just wanted to be with Draco, his arms around her. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

Ginny wanted nothing more than to feel Draco's love.