Past, Present

Past, Present

Chapter 1: The Malfoy Who Wasn't

There was a golden shimmer beneath her pale yellow cloak. Her curly red hair tumbled over her shoulders and majestically floated in the wind. It was a chilly day, not much unlike any other in mid-January. The snow-covered ground seemed soft beneath her booted feet. It had been a long school year so far for sure.

Not much had been happening at Hogwarts as of late, probably because everyone seemed to be bored. Virginia always enjoyed her walks around the vast premises; seeing her own footsteps in the snow comforted the withdrawn Weasley. She also liked to skirt the lake, which was always beautiful year-round. The icebound lake was reflecting sunlight into her eyes as it glittered majestically just a few feet away. Everything inside the lake was suspended in a way only the lake could.

For the longest time she was planning, she spent hours nightly scheming; every day she ran the plots through her mind over and over again. She never told anyone about it. She was so secretive about where she'd been, and where she was going. Ginny was beginning to think her friends were suspecting something.

"What are you doing here, Virginia?" Drawled a voice from behind a nearby tree. He walked out, forcing Ginny to lose her train of thought.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm waiting for someone to jump out at me from behind a tree," she replied satirically. Her bright blue orbs were reflecting the pale winter sun perfectly. "Not that I should tell you, Malfoy. What the hell are you thinking, jumping out at me like that? Who do you think you are?" She snapped at him, her eyes ablaze.

Draco's expression flickered momentarily, and for a split second, he almost looked detached. "I should not need to explain myself to you, of all people." He was out at the lake every day. He went there to think a lot. He was cut off, alone, and desolate. He had no one to confide in; at least no one he could trust to understand him. His pain; this was Draco's life; he did not have anyone that knew him for who he was, and not someone who he was good at pretending to be.

Ginny stuck her tongue out at him, blew an atrocious raspberry at him, and stalked off. She was pissed. The red-head raced behind a bush she had set up nearby. It had everything she'd need. This was what she'd been planning since September. Everything was stuffed in the bush, stored there for her won sake; at least it was better than keeping it in her pockets. She shoved everything into her robes.

She took in a deep breath and then sighed heavily as she grasped the gold chain around her neck, leading her fingers to the hourglass pendant. She closed her eyes and turned the hourglass again and again. Her world began to spin around her. It seemed like Ginny hit the ground hard somehow, her canary robes flew up over her face and the wind picked up, blowing her skirt up as well.

Virginia Weasley stood and surveyed her new, yet old, surroundings. To her severe shock, there was already a figure beside her, staring down at her curiously. It was a tall, muscular, blonde, grey eyed figure.

"Do you need help up?" he inquired, his eyes wide with curiosity. He offered her his hand. Ginny took it gratefully. "My, it just occurred to me that I do not seem to know you, miss." She brushed herself off and smiled in gratitude toward him. "I'm Malfoy. Atticus Malfoy." They shook hands.

"I'm Virginia Weasley. It is very nice to meet your acquaintance, kind sir." She bit her lip as she spoke. Is he really a Malfoy? Sure, he looks like one, but he does not seem to act the part too well. She was observing him again. "I seem to have bumped my head," she commented, "would you mind telling me what year it is?"