More Than This

‘I’m on the outside, I’m looking in,

I can see through you, see your true colors,

Cause inside, you’re ugly, ugly like me,

I can see through you, see to the real you . . .’

-Staind-

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Draco asked.

She nodded. Simultaneously, they slipped on the rings. Red, green, gold, and silver met, pooling around them. Ginny felt dizzy. She felt Draco take her hand the instant before she fell into the darkness.

 

                                                                        *

Draco heard a distant voice saying, “Welcome to my nightmare.” Then he felt the memory absorb him.

The air was hot and humid. He glanced around him. Where is she? Just then, he heart the soft tap of approaching footsteps. He turned to see Ginny and her brother walking toward him. They were talking and laughing. She looks beautiful. Her red hair was floating behind her, and in the sunlight he could see the many colors dancing through it. She was smiling brightly, her eyes sparkling. And she was walking right past him. He walked faster, striding beside them.

“So, when did you say Harry was coming?” she asked. He fought down the wave of jealousy rising within him. You’re here for her. Focus.

“Gin, for the millionth time, he’ll be here next week,” Ron answered, laughing.

“I was only asking! How much further til we’re home?” She sounded wistful, happy.

“Not long, Gin.”

A few minutes later, he knew that they were almost to her house. He felt fear grip him, gnawing at him. Why am I afraid? He wondered. The answer came quickly. Because she is afraid. She had stopped walking.

“Ron, I don’t want to go,” she whispered. The apprehension in her voice hit him hard. But Ron did not hear it.

“Ginny, don’t be daft. Mum will kill us if we don’t get home soon.”

Ron pulled her arm, making her move. He walked beside her. His dread grew with every step.

Finally, they were home. The house seemed very familiar to him, as if he had lived there. But something about it was not right. It felt dark. Then he saw it. It hung, suspended, in the air, casting its eerie glow. A skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth. He felt the numbing shock settle over him. He looked at Ron, who’s face was paper white. He was shaking his head as if trying to deny what he had seen. Slowly, he turned his gaze to Ginny. Immediately, he realized that the shock he felt was hers. Her eyes were wide and blank, her face ashen. Wordlessly, she moved closer to the house. Ron put an arm out to stop her, but she pushed him out of her way. Draco felt pulled along with her. By her side, he entered the front door. Silence met his ears. It was deafening. He followed as she searched the rooms. When they reached the kitchen, she hesitated before opening the door. He could see her hands shake as she placed them on the oak surface and pushed it open. The next thing he knew, he was sinking to his knees. In front of him were two lifeless bodies. Their features were blank, their red hair framing their faces . The shock fled from him, replaced by sheer agony. He felt himself convulse into sobs. It felt as though his soul was slipping out with the tears. All that was left of him was a body, as cold and empty as the corpses that lay before him.

                                                                        *

            Ginny opened her eyes, struggling to catch her breath. Her face was streaked with hot tears and cold sweat. Her hand was still linked with Draco’s. She looked over at him and their eyes locked. She could see that he had been crying as well. She instinctively slid closer to him, her eyes never leaving his. They stayed that way for at least an hour, not saying a word. Finally, he broke the silence.

“Ginny, why did you show me that?”

“What do you mean? You asked to see it.”

“I know that. But why did you let me? Why not Potter or your brother or even Granger?”

“I don’t know.”

“I think you do.”

She glared at him. “Malfoy, cut the games. You know what I was thinking that night in the library. I know you are using your powers of deductive reasoning. You think that I want to be with you.”

“Do you?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Why not?”

“Because I see you in the halls. I refuse to be the flavor of the week.” She sat up, obviously preparing to walk away. She was on her feet when he caught her arm. She looked down at him, frowning.

“That meant nothing, Ginny. They were nothing to me.”

“You told me I was, too. Or don’t you remember?” she hissed, jerking her arm free of his grasp.

“I do remember. But I was lying. I didn’t mean any of it. And when I tried to explain you told me off. You said you loved Potter.”

“How can I know you’re not lying now?”

“Because. I think I love you, Ginny.” He stood up so his eyes were level with hers.

She bit her lip and looked down at her black boots. Her mind was whirling. How could he love her? Did she love him? She wasn’t sure if she was capable of love anymore. Then again, she hadn’t thought she was capable of ever sharing her pain with anyone. And she had. With him.

“Can you please say something?” he whispered.

She shook her head and his face fell. But then he saw her step closer to him. He hesitated, then brought his hand to her face. She met his gaze. Her brandy colored eyes burned into his. Their faces inched closer.

“If you are lying about this, I will make your life a living hell,” she said softly.

He laughed softly. “Ooh, Weasley has gotten sassy,” he said playfully. He smirked at her. “I like that in a woman.”

She smiled at him, a genuine smile. And as their lips met, she realized it would be the first of many.