Cold

Chapter Fourteen

(Ginny Weasley)

I sat there in shock for a few moments. Lily Evans?! THE Lily Evans? HARRY POTTER'S MOTHER?! Snape grunted and tilted his head to the door.

"You should say goodbye to them."

"They were mean to me," I said softly.

"Just do it," Snape said cupping my face in his hand lovingly-it was surprisingly warm, "You never know what could happen. You may never see them again."

I felt my heart break slightly, nodded, and raced from the car, hoping to catch them before they left. I managed to get the front car in record time, just as they left the train. I stuck my head out one of the nearest windows.

"RON, HARRY, HERMIONE!" I yelled.

The turned to look at me as the train began to lurch forward.

"I'LL SEE YOU SOON! I... I LOVE YOU GUYS!" I yelped, feeling my voice crack. My throat hurt.

Ron smiled softly and waved. I couldn't see the others, for the train took off and I had to pull myself back in the window and shut it tightly. I felt more satisfied, but no better than earlier-if that, worse. Slowly, I made my way to Draco's compartment and pulled the door open. He was leaning against the wall, eating a chocolate frog. I shut the door behind me and locked it, just as I had with Snape.

"Hey," I croaked.

"Hey," he replied, smiling at me, "I've been waiting for you. I thought you would sit with your brother and his friends."

"I'd rather sit with you," I said, taking a seat across from him, "But actually... they found me out... and I found some things out..."

"What's that?" Draco asked, face turning grave.

"Harry and Ron were waiting for me when I came in last night," I said softly, "Don't worry-they know nothing about you... but I do."

Draco stared at me curiously. "... Go on."

"Harry had a dream," I said, "He sometimes has these dreams in which he sees what Voldemort sees, and this was one of them. You see, he was... talking to your father." Before he could jump up and yell, I shushed him. "Hold on, I'm not through."

"Wh-what did he say?" Draco asked, interested, but pale.

"He was talking to Voldemort, of course. Here's something to get you-Harry is one of the three who bleed, and he knows YOU are too."

"Wh-what?"

"He also knows that you refused to be a Death Eater... and he also knows... that your father... is going to kill you," my voice withered away with the color in Draco's face.

I was feeling a bit woozy now. I flicked a piece of hair away and ran my hand across my forehead.

"I see," Draco said, softly, "Well, it's not like the bastard hasn't tried... Does he know about you being--"

"No," I muttered, "I had a panic attack and ran from the room. I'm still suffering the repercussions."

"You okay?" Draco asked suddenly, moving to take a seat beside me.

I waved him off, "Just a bit dizzy-that's all..."

"That's all?" Draco asked incredulously, "Ginny, I think you're sick."

"Maybe I am," I said sadly, "I just wanted to spend the holidays with you..."

"Gin, you can spend the holidays with me! Don't pretend you're well. Look, my mum know some healing spells that'll fix you right up. Right now, you should get some sleep."

"Yeah, I think it's from stress," I said, nudging my head up to his shoulder and closing my eyes.

He tensed, then relaxed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder to get more comfortable. It had been a long time since I had felt this relaxed... this safe. It made me happy, and I was almost immediately asleep.

(Draco Malfoy)

I felt my heart slow as she slept on my shoulder. One of my hands trailed up to her forehead. It was warm. I sighed. Why did she go through all that just to spend holidays with me? I felt bad because I didn't know any spells to heal her. I sighed and gazed out the window at the passing scenery. Everything was so different, yet it all seemed the same, much like my life-now that I thought about it.

I had a friend, someone genuine. I had become a better person by not following in my father's footsteps. I was going to spend holidays with my friend and hopefully have a wonderful time, but the thing that seemed the same as always was that paranoia, that freezing feeling, that fear that I wouldn't live to see tomorrow-or worse... that I would no longer see Ginny or Snape or my mother. Why did these thoughts keep coming up?! They were too foreshadowing. I didn't like it.

My eyes trailed to Ginny, who was resting on my shoulder. I bit my lip, seeing her face, pale but flushed. I ran a couple of fingers across her cheek, feeling it's smoothness and the heat that radiated from them. That fiery hair caught between my fingers for a moment and I twirled it slightly, returning it to its curl. It sprung back to its original place. A lump in my throat formed as I stared at her, long black eyelashes fluttered closed, freckles across the bridge of her nose, thick, rosy lips, milky skin-everything on her was perfect and natural. I felt my grip tighten on her as I buried my face in her hair.

"Whatever happens," I thought, "I'll never let them take you from me..."

(Ginny Weasley)

"Hey... Rise and shine," came Draco's whisper, "C'mon."

I opened my eyes and met Draco's face, fair skinned with stormy eyes. He smiled at me and pulled me up out of the seat, wrapping his cloak around me. I returned his smile at the gesture and stumbled after him. We shuffled off the train before anybody saw us. I saw the little bit of luggage that we brought being loaded off at the small station we were at.

"Where are we?" I asked, grabbing my duffle bag and summoning my trunk as Draco swung a backpack over his shoulder.

"It's the station closest to my home," Draco said, "I hope you don't mind walking-it's not too far."

"It's fine-I'm feeling a little better in this cool air," I said truthfully.

"The car was a bit stuffy, wasn't it?" Draco said, gesturing me to follow him.

"Don't you want your cloak back?" I asked, "I have a coat in my duffle bag."

"Nah, I'm fine," Draco said, relaxed, "We'll be in the house soon anyway."

"Um... okay," I said, speeding up to make it to his side.

"Ginny?" he asked as we moved down a long dirt path, away from the road.

"Yeah?" I returned, watching the grey sky, hoping to see flakes come from the clouds.

"Are you scared?"

I halted, and looked at his back, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, are you scared... about what could happen to us?" Draco fumbled over his words.

"More for you than me," I said, tucking a stray hair behind my ear, "I mean... you're the one in real danger here... right?"

"I guess so," Draco replied, not looking at me, "By the way, I hope you didn't bring much clothes, because my mother religiously takes me and my guests Christmas shopping every year."

A grin spread across my face, "That sounds wonderful."

"Yeah," Draco laughed, "For the first few hours-then you get kinda tired."

I giggled and continued down the path. Then, as we went through a large spot of pine trees, we suddenly came across evenly done bushes and up to a gate. Draco halted at the large, swirling black bars.

"Alohamora," he said, pointing his wand at the gates.

They swung open, revealing the most beautiful manor I had ever seen. I gasped in amazement at the large building, surrounded by rose bushes and wildflowers-magic had obviously helped them to live. My mouth hung open at the sight of it.

"You like it?" Draco asked. I could hear the smile in his voice.

"It's... beautiful," I whispered.

"Well, c'mon, then! Wait until you see the inside!" he took off into a run.

"Wait for me!" I yelled, following quite closely.

We raced past large statues of magical creatures and rows and rows of bushes. Narcissa had obviously done everything-Lucius never struck me as one who cared about beauty. Suddenly, Draco's feet scraped the ground in a halt. I stopped in turn and stared at him. I followed his loving gaze to the large, wooden door that creaked open. I saw a flash of blue, a soft blue dress and platinum hair. I gazed at the beautiful woman that raced down the stone steps to her son.

"Draco, dearest!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him.

I almost cried-it was so beautiful. Draco hugged her back softly, smiling into her dress.

"Mum... it's so good to see you..."

"Well now," she replied, pulling away, "Let's have a look at you. I think you've gotten just a little taller, Draco. Oh, you are such a handsome boy."

"Mother," Draco drawled, embarrassed, blushing, but happy, "Not in front of--"

Her gaze left her son to me. I jumped and blushed slightly.

"Oh, Draco!" Narcissa exclaimed, rushing to me, her dress and robes making it look more like she floated, "She's BEAUTIFUL!"

"Oh, I-I'm nothing compared to you," I said, pressing a hand to my face, trying to hide my blush.

"And just absolutely charming!" Narcissa returned, "Well, let's get you all inside, hm? I'd like to get to know... Ginny, right?"

"Yes," I nodded, following the Malfoys up the steps and through the large doors.

Again, I was stunned. Everything was just... magnificent. There was no other word to describe it. Narcissa turned and gazed in my eyes, her own twinkling blue ones. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she examined my face.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Oh yeah! Um, Mother, Ginny has a slight fever."

"Oh, well I can fix that," she said. She tapped her wand on my head, murmuring a spell. I suddenly felt much better and beamed up at her. "Oh, Draco, I absolutely ADORE her! Don't you?"

Draco scratched the back of his neck, blushing slightly, "Heh, yeah."

"Um, it's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy," I said, remembering my manners.

"You don't have to call me that," Narcissa returned, "You can call me whatever you like."

"Well, um, okay," I said, feeling very small.

"Um, Mum," Draco piped up, "Y-you wouldn't happen to have your hot chocolate ready, would you?"

"But of course, Draco! It's in the kitchen," she beamed at me, "Would you like some?"

"Y-yes, please," I said.

"Drop your bag by the door. I'll take it upstairs for you, then Draco can show you around the castle. Do you like dancing, Ginny?"

"Watching it, yes, but I never learned," I replied, "My family never had enough money for lessons..."

"Well, Draco can teach you then. He's a master at waltzing, but don't tell him I told you that," she whispered as he walked through double doors that lead, obviously, to the dining room and kitchen.

I snickered and went after Draco as Narcissa hoisted my duffle bag over her shoulder, long locks hanging by her face. I took a moment to examine her better. She had long, almost white hair that spilled over her back like white ink. Her skin was as fair as Draco's, fairer if that was possible, and she had a beauty mark just under her left eye. Her lips were a soft pink and light blue brought out everything. She was as pretty as Draco had described. She had to be part veela-she had to. I wished, deep down, that I could be as lovely as her. Still, looks weren't as important as they had been before. I knew someone who liked me for who I was, someone lovely...

"Come and get some, Gin! It's delicious!" Draco said, handing me a warm mug.

"You know what, Draco?"

"What?"

"I think... I'm going to love it here..."

"I hope you do," Draco replied sincerely, staring out at the castle, "I really hope you do."