Finding a Reason

Draco's mother had taken the news of her son's marriage fairly well, but that could have been helped along by all the potions she was taking since her stay at St. Mungo's. She had what was considered a nervous breakdown after Lucius was arrested. But Malfoy's did not get nervous, nor did they have breakdowns. Draco was positive that her stay in St. Mungo's had been orchestrated by his father. She had little concept of wizarding law and had nearly allowed Ministry officials to search the manor. During Narcissia's confinement at St. Mungo's, Lucius appointed a Death Eater as temporary guardian of both the manor and Draco. No Death Eater who valued his life would allow a Ministry raid on the manor. Lucius was a clever man. Being in the Dark Lord's favor did not hurt either.

When the term at Hogwarts began, Draco often tried to catch Ginny's gaze in the Great Hall or on the Quidditch pitch, but she seemed to be purposefully ignoring him. Had she forgotten? Had their wedding at the ministry and a few kisses simply blended in with other mundane events of summer? Even his exchanges with Potter and Weasley had become less passionate. The marriage was never mentioned, but it was ever present in his mind. This bothered Draco more than anything else. Why should he keep this a secret? It would wind Weasley and Potter up. Wasn't that what he wanted? He didn't necessarily care what anyone thought of him, having money had always attracted anyone Draco felt was worth attracting. Nonetheless, if he managed to make Ginny -- his wife -- cry for the hundredth time it just wouldn't look good. He had no desire to look common, especially over this.

In preparation for its first annual Harvest Festival, Hogwarts closed for a weeklong vacation. Draco spent the first day of the vacation in Diagon Alley with his mother. Once they arrived, she quickly excused herself to join her friends, eager to assert her 'recovery'. Draco was indifferent. He had his own agenda. First being the purchase of a new dress robes. His mother usually had impeccable taste, but after sending him to a Yule Ball looking very much like a vicar, her opinion on this matter would not be solicited again.

"Oh, Ginny! This is beautiful. Come have a look," Molly Weasley said. Draco stepped behind a display of enchanted top hats. Ginny's profile came into view as she examined the dress her mother held out. The dress was a cream colored swishy material. Draco thought it looked like a wedding robe. Ginny seemed to agree.

"Mum, it looks like a wedding robe!" Ginny protested. "How about this one?"

"Well, it's your birthday present. I suppose you should get what you like. Oh! There's Bernadette Spinnett. I haven't seen her in ages! Go try your dress on. I'll be back," Molly said. She disappeared into the crowd. Draco casually leaned against the wall and waited for Ginny to notice him. She came out of the fitting room and inspected herself in front of an antique mirror. Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders. The bodice of the black robe had delicate silver sequins that caught the light when she walked. A silver clasp with silver and red stones gathered the light silky material. She looked at the price tag and frowned.

"My goodness! You look beautiful!" the mirror said to Ginny.

"I quite agree," Draco said, smirking at her surprised reflection in the mirror. "Is my wife not the most beautiful girl in the room?" Draco asked the mirror, enjoying Ginny's panicked expression.

"Shh! Someone might hear you," she said angrily, turning to face him.

"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?" he asked.

"It was pretty far off the last time I talked to you," Ginny shrugged.

"That's too bad. You might have been able to shake a nice gift out of me. I'm very rich," Draco said.

"So you've mentioned," Ginny said dryly.

"No. I have just always emphasized the fact that you're.....not," Draco said. He was trying to be sarcastic. Trying anything really to continue talking to her, but he regretted this last comment as her cheeks flushed.

"Lovely. I was having a lovely birthday until you showed up. Going to stop by to ruin Christmas as well?" Ginny asked. Suddenly her eyes widened from their glare. "My mum! Hide!" she hissed as she pushed him into the fitting room.

"Oh, Ginny. It's really mature, don't you think," Molly said.

"I guess so," Ginny said. "I'll just wait on it. I don't need dress robes anytime soon."

"It's not the price," Molly said quickly.

"I know. Really. I don't even care for it, the longer I wear it," Ginny said.

"Bernadette invited us to have lunch at her flat with Peggy Patil. Parvati and Padma will be there as well. Would you like to go, dear?" Molly asked.

"Oh, I think I'm going to floo home. I have loads of homework," Ginny said.

"Alright love, don't work to hard," Molly said brightly. Ginny smiled and waved as her mother left with Mrs. Spinnett.

"I thought you did like that robe," Draco remarked.

"I changed my mind," Ginny said, pushing him back into the aisle. He was waiting for her when she emerged from the fitting room. He glanced at the dress and wondered if he should buy it for her. She hastily placed it back on a rack and he dismissed the thought.

"Can we go somewhere?" he asked. He had no idea what he would say if she asked why. There was nothing in particular to discuss. As the months passed, he became acutely aware of the 'divorce'. He had some unfocused feelings with the knowledge that very soon there would be no ties with this girl for the rest of his time on earth. When she wasn't crying about Potter or prison riots, she was fairly likable. She amused him. She challenged him. She made him think about someone other than himself. Of course, that all ended when the rest of the Weasley clan and Potter arrived.

"Alright, Malfoy," Ginny said. Draco was not put off by the defeated tone in her voice.

They settled into a booth at a small, dimly lit café by the entrance of Knockturn Alley. Ginny protested when Draco selected it, but he had argued that it was "out of the way" and they were less likely to be seen there. Although it was barely five o'clock, the winter darkness had fallen and the cold air sliced through their robes. Their table was mercifully close to a small, cheerful fireplace.

"So what else did you get for your birthday? Did Potter get you anything?" Draco asked before he could stop himself.

"I got some very nice gifts, including one from Harry," Ginny said.

"What did he get you?" Draco said, casually buffing his nails on his robe.

"Why should I tell you? So you can find some way to insult him for it, or some way to ruin it for me?" Ginny glared.

"Fine, then don't tell me. I really don't care," Draco snapped. He opened his menu and Ginny followed suit. To her surprise, she couldn't read it. Instead of words, there were random symbols and odd letters. She could make out the format of the menu, noting where the categories and prices should be. She looked at Draco in confusion.

"What is this?" she asked.

"It's charmed. You can't read it if you're a virgin," he said offhandedly. Her face flushed.

"Can you read it?" she asked hesitantly.

"Perfectly," he said casually as he perused the menu.

"Oh," she said, with a bit of surprise.

"I'm kidding, you know," Draco said, smirking. "They're charmed so only wizards with certain connections can read it. It sorts out the others."

"Dark Arts?" Ginny asked.

"Something like that," Draco said, noticing Ginny's eyes scanning his forearm. "My father owns this restaurant. Of course I would be able to read the menu."

"Oh, I was just--"Ginny sputtered.

"Just hoping to catch a glimpse of the Dark Mark? Wondering how soon you could run off to Potter with a piece of information like that?" he finished her sentence. The waitress reappeared and Draco ordered for both of them. He turned back to Ginny. His expression remained neutral. "I'm not a Death Eater. It's a personal choice, not a family tradition. Where do you people get these ideas?" he asked. "My extended family undeniably has some pretty dark wizards, and skeletons in the closet to show for it. But being dark and serving the Dark Lord are two different things."

"Why are you telling me this?" Ginny asked.

"Because I want you to understand it. One day this marriage is not going to be a secret. One day you and I will both be important in our world, for different reasons. I can feel it. I want you to know who I am. I'm not 'good' like you brave little Gryffindors, but I am certainly not evil," Draco said in an unusually low voice.

"Then whose side are you on?" Ginny asked.

"Mine," Draco said. "And I don't want you to fear me," he added.

"I don't fear you," Ginny said.

"Then why have you been avoiding me?" Draco pressed.

"I'm trying to stay out of trouble. I'm watching the clock until February, as is everyone else concerned in this, and you should be too," Ginny said shortly.

"And by 'everyone else', I suppose you mean your brothers and parents. My parents have all but forgotten," Draco said.

"Are you quite sure?" Ginny hissed.

"Why? Did something happen?" Draco asked. Dozens of scenarios of interactions between his father and Mr. Weasley sprang into his imagination. None were good.

"It's only a matter of time! Why do you think Ron hasn't beaten you senseless?"

"My father is under house arrest. He can't just pop by the Burrow," Draco said angrily.

"I will let his record speak for itself," Ginny said.

"Is that why you're ignoring me? You think its best?" Draco questioned, and then his eyes narrowed. "And what does Potter think is best? I suppose he's beside himself with joy at another opportunity to play hero."

"I don't want to argue with you Malfoy. I have few good memories of you as it is," Ginny said tiredly.

"I'm surprised you have any," Draco said bitterly.

"Oh, just the couple of times you saved my life, and the fact that you have forgiven my debt of fifteen gallons," Ginny tried to smile.

"I never said that. But if you promise not to go after me for alimony, I think we can call it a draw," he smirked.

They finished their dinner with detached conversation, both making painfully concerted efforts to avoid further mentions of their marriage. Once outside, Draco took Ginny's hand in his. She did not protest as he had expected she might. She only looked at him in surprise. He led her to the courtyard, where they sat alongside a fountain. The icy water sprayed in sharp lines, sparkling with reflections of fire from the torches.

"So, my father's inn has a continental breakfast," Draco smirked as he gestured to a large black marble building on the other side of the iron fence.

"I'll keep that in mind if I ever holiday in Knockturn Alley," Ginny laughed. She turned back toward him. He had wanted to ask her something. He didn't really care, he convinced himself, but had spent an exorbitant amount of time weighing the evidence in his mind.

"Are you in love with Potter?" Draco asked. Ginny looked at him. He could not tell if her expression reflected surprise or annoyance. Perhaps a little of both.

"I see no reason for me to tell you," she said firmly.

"You are my wife. I should know small details about you. Like your birthday, or how you take your coffee, or your propensity to use killing curses when you're scared, or any lingering infatuation with The Boy Who Lived."

"What I feel for Harry is none of your business. And I'm not scared. Especially not of you, Malfoy," Ginny said. The fire reflected in her eyes. Draco was grateful that Potter could not see how dangerous and beautiful she looked at this moment. Without another word, without another thought, Draco leaned forward and kissed her. The heat from the fire and the blush from her last outburst made her lips extremely warm and soft. He wound his fingers through her hair and for the third time in his life, felt optimism that perhaps there was hope for him yet. Or maybe not. Ginny's hands tensed and he felt her pushing him away.

"You can't do this!" Ginny whispered fiercely. "You think it's a good way to spite Harry, but it won't work!"

"Actaully, I try not to think of Harry Potter when I kiss a girl. It's more than a bit creepy," Draco said irritably.

"You're using me. You're trying to hurt Harry,"

"You're very wrong. On both counts," Draco said. His face had become expressionless.

"Well, isn't this lovely. A lover's quarrel in the moonlight," drawled Lucius Malfoy as he emerged from a shadow. Draco felt Ginny tense next to him.

"Father, what are you doing out? You're under house arrest," Draco asked.

"As the owner of this restaurant, I am technically 'home'," Lucius said innocently. Then his eyes narrowed. "Someone could see you with that girl!" he hissed.

"No one saw us," Ginny said nervously.

"I would not have spared your life if I knew you would make a scandal out of this," Lucius said softly. "Perhaps you would like to spend the rest of your marriage in my dungeon instead of gallivanting around, causing trouble," he smiled, reaching his hand toward her face, as if he meant to brush something away. Draco caught his hand.

"No one knows who she is, father. I will take her home immediately," Draco said irritably.

"Ah yes, to the Burrow with her pink room and cheap white furniture. She can argue with her brother over a broom, and then sit uselessly in the garden and daydream," Lucius said stiffly.

Lucius was a powerful man. He could intimidate by saying very little. But he was keenly observant, and his knowledge of the details of Ginny's home life rattled her more than any coarse insult could have. So he had been to the Burrow? She felt tears spring to her eyes. She jumped off the bench. Draco looked at her in surprise. She heard Lucius laugh behind her as she ran. Draco called after her, warning her not to leave the courtyard alone. She didn't care. Sod them both. She would rather face all of Knockturn Alley than listen to one more second of Lucius Malfoy practically boasting, no threatening, that he could just drop by the Burrow on a whim. She ran through the overgrown courtyard, bumping into a dark figure in her path. She hit the ground. The figure had staggered, but had not fallen in the collision. She looked up at the outline of the tall figure in the darkness, the dark hair, a spectral glow cast on his black robes from the blades of moonlight seeping between the tree branches.

"Ginny?" a soft voice asked.

"No! Get away!" she screamed, struggling to her feet. Inwardly, she cursed herself for running away from the restaurant. The wrought iron fence was high, and entangled with overgrown ivy and nettles. She didn't even have a good guess as to where the gate was.

"Ginny, it's alright," the boy offered his hand. She jerked away from his reach. Her hand flung against a rock and white spark flew from her ring, narrowly missing the boy.

"Please, what more do you want?!" Ginny shrieked.

"Ginny!" She spun her head toward the two figures running toward her.

"Ron! Bill!" Ginny cried, pointing at the other boy. Bill ran over to his sister.

"What is it? What did Malfoy do?" Bill asked.

"It's not Malfoy! It's Tom Riddle!" Ginny shrieked, pointing at the dark haired figure that was now crouched on the ground, fanning his fingers around the grass and stones. Ron handed him something, and the figure looked back up at her. The figure stepped closer, allowing him to be illuminated in the moonlight between two branches. Harry Potter. He put his glasses back on, looking very concerned.

"It's me, Ginny. It's Harry," he said softly. He tentatively walked over to her and Bill, holding out both of his hands, then turning them palm up. She took his hands and allowed him to close the space between them.

"I'm sorry Harry, I thought you were--," she sobbed.

"I know," he said, not letting her finish.

"Well, it's not enough to be the famous Harry Potter, but you've decided to impersonate the Dark Lord for parlor tricks as well," Lucius drawled as he and Draco emerged from behind a tree. Draco watched Ginny with concern. This melted into something quite like bitterness as he noticed her fingers laced in Harry's. So Potter was forgiven? A mistaken identity solved and there he was, back in her good graces. Where was this understanding when she thought Draco meant to harm her? Lucius lowered his voice so that only Draco could hear him. "Take that ring off of her immediately," he hissed. "Take it off before she kills you with it. And you were a fool to use your real name on all of the certificates at the ministry!"

"Would you rather I had used your name? Honestly, don't you think you're a bit old for her?" Draco asked.

"If she's old enough to get married, then she is old enough to become a widow," Lucius snapped.

"A threat. Now there is the father I know and feel relatively indifferent to ninety percent of the time."

"And the other ten percent?" Lucius asked curiously, but without a trace of emotion evident on his face.

"Pure, unrivaled hatred. I don't think I'd be much good at writing Father's Day cards, do you?" Draco asked. "What is it that you want?"

"I want my son, three Weasleys, and Potter locked in a dungeon. What do you think I want?"

"It seems to be the makings of a fine tea party, or an off color joke," Draco drawled. He walked over to Bill. Harry and Ron stood a distance away, whispering to Ginny.

Draco had never gotten along with Ron or Percy. If he and Harry hadn't gotten into a fist fight in their fifth year, he was fairly certain he would have had an ugly altercation with George. But he had never met their older brother Bill before. Perhaps Bill would have more sense. "Believe it or not, this was completely under control about ten minutes ago," Draco said evenly.

"Really? No one likes to be manipulated. And she's had a bad experience with dark magic. Surely you can imagine how all this attention from the Malfoys is stirring that up," Bill said. Draco was a bit startled by this candid insight.

"I shouldn't have brought her here," Draco said flatly.

"No, you shouldn't have. You don't have any brothers or sisters, do you?" Bill asked.

"No," Draco said.

"I have quite a few myself," Bill said. "When something happens to my brothers, it hurts me, too. I get angry. I just want to fix it straight away," Bill sighed. "Then there's Ginny. When she's hurt or disappointed, I feel like I've failed her somehow. I would do anything to protect her to keep that from happening."

"I would too," Draco said, hoping Bill believed him.

"Which one? Hurt or disappointed?" Bill said, looking directly at him.

"Both."

"Are you quite sure you can do that?"

"Come with me, Draco," Lucius said sternly. He had not moved from the spot several yards away where he and Draco had originally stood.

"My father has been to the Burrow," Draco whispered hastily. He glanced toward Ginny. She was still standing with Ron and Harry. Ron was whispering to her, making wild gestures with his hands. She was shaking her head.

"There are three people here who would die to protect her," Bill said nodding to Harry and Ron. "If you can't reach some understanding with your father, we're going to have some body count." Draco stood in silence. His eyes traveling between Lucius advancing toward them, and Harry leading Ginny to the gate, her hand clasped in his.

"Leave," Lucius hissed at the others. He turned to Draco. "It's time we had a father - son chat."

"Four," Draco said, his expression unreadable. He said it so softly only Bill could hear him. Bill gave a small nod to Draco. Lucius waved his wand and the courtyard gate flew open. Draco watched Harry and Ginny walk away, followed by Bill and Ron.

Harry, Ron, Bill, and Ginny walked in silence through Knockturn Alley. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief when they turned onto Diagon Alley.

"I have to stop by Gringott's. I suggest you head straight home," Bill said. He ruffled Ginny's hair once, then turned and walked towards the wizarding bank.

"We'll see you in a second," Harry said to Ron before taking Ginny's arm and apparating them inside the kitchen at the burrow. Ron appeared next to them. None of the other Weasley's were awake.

"How did you know where I was?" Ginny asked. Harry shifted awkwardly.

"We placed a tracking charm on you," Ron said unapologetically.

"Why?" Ginny demanded. She immediately wanted to kick herself for sounding ungrateful.

"Your mum was hoping you could help with dinner," Harry said.

"You're a terrible liar, Harry," Ginny said.

"Angelina owled Fred when she saw Malfoy lead you down Knockturn Alley," Ron said.

"Is it really that newsworthy?" Ginny asked. She glared at both of them. "Angelina must have already known, otherwise she would have come tearing after me on the spot. Exactly how many people know about this?" she demanded.

"Only Dumbledore and Lupin. Angelina overheard Fred and Ron talking. They told her so she would understand how important it was to remain secret," Harry said.

"Did they now?" Ginny asked, glaring at Ron. "Look who's being careless now."

"Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I'm going to bed," Ron yawned. "Don't worry about Malfoy, Ginny." Ron trudged up the stairs. Harry and Ginny stood in silence. Harry's gaze flitted up the stairs as though he was waiting for something. When the sound of Ron's footsteps faded, Harry spoke.

"I know you've had a rough night, and I don't want to add to it, but how did you end up in that courtyard with Malfoy?" Harry asked. She certainly would have to give him credit for being direct. She knew the question would come from someone, but she had not imagined Harry would be the one asking it.

"He invited me to dinner. I shouldn't have gone, but I have managed to avoid him all term and I felt like I owed it to him," Ginny answered Harry honestly. He deserved at least that.

"You don't owe Malfoy anything," Harry said evenly. "Does he think he loves you?"

"He never said that."

"Do you think he loves you?"

"I can't tell," she said, looking at the floor. She was both please and frustrated with Harry. A conversation about her love life was a long time due. The circumstances left much to be desired. He changed the subject to something that had been at the front of Ginny's mind. "You thought that I was Tom," he stated. Ginny nodded. "Was that the first time?" Harry asked. Ginny thought of the summer after Sirius Black died. She remembered how Harry seemed to move throughout Grimulaud Place in slow motion. His translucent skin, forever glistening emerald eyes, and hollowed cheeks had made him look ethereal. As the summer passed, his eyes reddened, and his cheeks became sunken in. He did look like something undead. There were several times when Ginny's heart stopped when he soundlessly appeared when she wasn't expecting to see him.

"Yes, a couple of times this summer," she admitted.

"I see," Harry said, giving a small nod. In all the years she had known Harry, she had never said anything to hurt his feelings. And now she had. Her face flushed with tingling heat and cold and she found that she could not look him in the eye. She turned to the window and rested her head against the glass pane. She felt him stand behind her. Felt the muscles in his chest press into her back. "Look at me, Ginny," he whispered into her hair. She turned and he took her hand and led her to the couch. He took one of her hands in both of his. Her anxiety was the only thing staving off the impulse to grab him by the collar and snog him senseless. He did not move his hands or say a word for a very long time. Ginny closed her eyes and allowed her head to fall against his shoulder.

"The prophecy," Harry said. Ginny's eyes flew open. Nearly falling asleep on Harry, even given the circumstances of the last few months, was every bit as pleasant at she had frequently imagined. Sometimes, when she was falling asleep, she could hear brilliant symphonies in her mind that she was certain she had never heard before. It was happening again, as if being close to Harry triggered every happy moment she had ever lived.

"Your prophecy? Another one?" Ginny asked, focusing on what Harry had said. The symphony was fading away.

"No. I heard it last year. Dumbledore and his Pensieve," Harry waved his hand. Ginny understood and nodded, wanting him to continue. "There's a bit to it, but essentially I have to kill Voldemort. Or be killed by him," Harry said. He shut his eyes and rested his forehead against Ginny's. He brought his hands up to her face. "Ginny?" he asked, opening his eyes back up.

"Are you going to seek him out?" Ginny asked. Harry shrugged.

"I don't know. If I don't, then the people I love will always be in danger. But if I seek him out and kill him, what does that make me? It's barbaric," Harry sighed.

"We would never judge you, Harry," Ginny said softly.

He ran his fingertips down her cheek. "I know that," he said. He shifted so that his legs were stretched across the couch, pulling her next to him. She ran her fingers through his messy hair like she had wanted to do for so many years. His hair was soft and she imagined she could spend the rest of her life just as they were now. If nothing else ever came of her friendship with Harry Potter, laying there on the couch at this moment would sustain her. It would make all the hopes and waiting worthwhile. She didn't care how misguided or pathetic it may seem. All she ever really wanted was to be close to him. For him to see her. He had trusted her enough to share the secret of the prophecy with her. She had gotten all she could expect him from him.

"You have to do what you think is right," she said.

"You would know about that, I suppose," he said, tapping her ring.

"I really thought I could help Percy. It's not real. Maybe none of this is real," she sighed.

"Ginny," he whispered as he leaned his head towards hers. She could feel his breath on her cheek. "Ginny?"

"Yes?"

"Would it be inappropriate if I kissed you?" Harry asked. Leave it to Harry to compromise the moment with propriety. It was endearing, sort of. Where had he been for the better part of the decade? He must be the only person in all of Hogwarts to suspect that he, Harry Potter, would need permission to kiss anyone, let alone Ginny Weasley. She nodded and gave a soft smile that she wasn't even certain he could see given how close they were. He placed his lips on hers and kissed her softly. It was a slow, lazy kiss that seemed to last for hours. Every inch of her body seemed to melt into his. It wasn't a raging lust, but a peaceful perfection. She was in love, as she had always known, with Harry. And she was as close as she had ever been to possibly being loved in return. And even if he didn't love her back, he could kiss her like this any time he wanted.

They slept on the couch entwined in each others arms. There were no more words, which was all the better as far as Ginny was concerned. It was all she could do to not burst out and tell him that she loved him. The emotions that had evaded her earlier were now setting in with astonishing force. Oh, she would tell him, but perhaps right now was not the best time. He might feel overwhelmed, or think her desperate. It occurred to her that she was the only girl to have kissed both Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. In one day, no less. There was a small part of her that was sorry that no one would ever know. It was certainly an interesting footnote in the Gryffindor / Slytherin rivalry.

******

Draco was lying flat on his back, arms folded behind his head. He stared at the vaulted ceiling, layered with hand painted tiles, gilded with gold along the edges. The ceiling over his bed was probably centuries old, and worth more than the Burrow and all the Weasleys put together. Except the one who had married him and was no doubt being courted by that hateful Potter at this very moment. This marriage had been a stupid idea. So far, he had convinced his father that it had been Ginny's idea that he consented to only out of desperation. But that was a lie. Ginny had nearly retched in the Ministry. Her brothers had managed to display even more detestation toward him, if that was possible. Had his mother not been taking a multitude of potions, she would have probably committed suicide from the shame of having a red-haired daughter-in-law. And then there was his father. Ginny's continued existence was only by virtue of the threat of a life term in Azkaban. She was most fortunate Lucius's house arrest would outlast their marriage.

Draco had never, ever been denied anything he wanted; not that he wanted her. It simply vexed him that he could not have something when Potter could. The great Harry Potter was too much of an imbecile to notice her for years and years, but oh, no, the minute she marries Draco, here comes Potter with his stupid scar and fancy little broomstick. Draco should have snapped that broomstick in half when he had the chance. He envisioned himself nicking Dumbledore's Time Turner long enough to travel back to when he and Ginny were in front of the Ministry this summer, snapping the Firebolt in half, then stalking off without another word. He would do just that, if he wasn't dead certain that his summer counterpart wouldn't hex him on the spot. And the summer Ginny might just fall over dead at the sight of two Dracos. Not that that concerned him at the moment.

Had she forgotten that is was Draco who rescued her? It was his quick thinking (and money) that had saved her. She would have been in a right fix without him. He tried to be angry at her, but couldn't. Ginny would not entertain this sham of a marriage, particularly with death threats from Lucius, simply out of gratitude. Such an expectation was as fruitless as it was foolish.

Autumn break ended and Draco found himself on the Hogwarts Express. He tried not to notice Ginny's expression each time Harry opened a door for her, or took her hand, or sodding breathed. He tried to disregard them, but it was a relatively small train, and the love life of The Boy Who Lived was of great interest.

"Well, it's about time," he overheard Angelina Johnson tell Katie Bell. "The way he looked at her all summer at the Burrow. Fred and I just knew something was there. Honestly!"

"I wonder what finally jolted him into action?" Katie asked.

Draco knew. Well, if these little Gryffindor gossip queens were so bloody observant, maybe they would wonder about Ginny's ring. Draco had charmed it when they got married. Only he could remove it from her hand. It was an old wizarding tradition that most grooms did not opt for, but were entitled to do. He had sealed it to her hand because it was valuable and he feared one of her idiot brothers was libel to trade for a sandwich. The ring had been in the Malfoy family for generations. It was handmade and once used for dark magic. Draco had only worn it while his father was in Azkaban. His father had ordered him to wear it, and given him instructions to transfigure it into a Slytherin House ring. Draco did not know how to use the ring. Besides that day in the library, he knew that Ginny did not use dark magic. The ring had emitted a spark when she thought Harry was Riddle, which was of no great concern. What did concern him was the trip to Hogsmeade. He had been sitting outside with Crabbe and Goyle. A group of Hogwarts girls were nearby, prattling on about dress robes. Cho Chang pointed to a dress in a store window. Not just any dress, it was the one that Ginny had tried on in Diagon Alley. He leaned quietly against the bench and watched Ginny. Her eyes followed Cho into the store. Ginny let out a small sigh and then turned her attention to her conversation with Lavender Brown. Cho bounded out of the shop, and her excitement, ran right into Potter. She smiled at him and from Draco could ascertain, was blatantly flirting. He smirked to himself watching Potter shift awkwardly and quickly excuse himself. Draco watched Ginny carefully. She was staring at Cho, who was returning a menacing smile. Just then, a carriage passed, sending a tidal wave of mud onto Cho and the dress. Both were reasonably ruined. Draco was certain there had not been a puddle a moment ago, and from Cho's wail of shock, she was equally surprised. Ginny did not look surprised. She looked horrified. Her hand shook and she quickly retracted it into her sleeve.

His father had continued to demand the return of the Malfoy ring. After nearly two weeks, he decided to talk to her. She was sitting by herself in the library, deep in concentration as she wrote on a long parchment. He stood behind her for several seconds, looking around for any signs of Potter, Weasley, or Granger. "You wouldn't add that much murlap to an antiseptic potion," Draco said as Ginny looked up at him curiously. "Too much would cause temporary immobility."

"I see," Ginny said, allowing him to take her parchment as he sat across from her.

"But this amphibious potion is pretty brilliant. Where did you learn about gillyweed?" he asked.

"A friend of mine once used it," she said simply.

"You can't use rosebane for a shrinking potion. It's been extinct for 50 years. The substitute is carabane," Draco said scanning her homework.

"Carabane is poisonous," Ginny said.

"Not if you boil it out the toxins, then dry it and use the powdered essence." He looked at the book she was using, and then whispered "Accio!" A red leather book flew through the window and into his hands. "Your book is outdated. Use this one."

"Thanks," she said, accepting the book.

"My father is having the divorce proceedings at our home," Draco said suddenly. "He can't leave the manor, and he wants to be present when the divorce is final. So tell your parents not to bother with the Ministry in February."

"They'll never allow me to go to," Ginny said without looking up.

"You don't need to be present," Draco said. Ginny's head snapped up.

"Of course I do. I need to sign the paperwork, to agree to end my own marriage."

"You read too many muggle stories. A husband is free to divorce his wife at any time. I don't need any special permission from you," Draco said a bit importantly.

"That sounds a bit unfair. Are you sure this is Lucius' way of making sure you make the right decisions on my behalf?" Ginny asked sharply, although she was relieved that her presence was not required at the manor. She had never been there, but pictured a cross between Buckingham Palace and the Chamber of Secrets.

"I haven't seen any argument from you so far. You want to end this as quickly and as quietly as possible. He wants the same," Draco said stiffly.

"You make it sound like you want something different," Ginny said lightly.

"Mugwort is highly flammable. Use it in that gilding potion and you'll only manage to blow yourself up," he said as tossed her parchment back on the table. "I didn't come here for a study group, Weasley. I need that ring."

Ginny did not protest. She nodded in surprise and held out her hand. Draco muttered a counter curse and pulled at the ring. It did not move. Ginny retracted her and tried to remove it herself. "Do it again," she said, holding her hand back out to Draco. Once again, he touched his wand to the ring and said the counter curse. Again, the ring would not come off. Ginny looked alarmed.

"What do we do now?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," said Draco. "I'll have to get back to you." A look of horror had flashed in his eyes and Ginny had noticed.

"Should we tell Dumbledore?" she asked.

"Yes, lets. I'm quite certain the Headmaster of the school has nothing better to do than worry about your jewelry," Draco snapped.

"Well, if it's just a simple spell on a house ring, then perhaps Flitwick..." Ginny began. Draco cut her off. He grabbed her wrist.

"You will not tell anyone about this," he hissed.

"I knew it! There's dark magic all over this ring! And now you've cast a spell that you can't control!" Ginny said sharply.

"If you start broadcasting that you can't remove the ring, and my father finds out, I assure you he will find a way to remove it for you. Unless you're planning on having those shoddy gloves tailored, you will keep this to yourself!" Draco said. Before Ginny could respond, Draco was flung out of his chair and into a bookshelf, sending heavy volumes crashing around him. Ginny looked at him in terror. She ran over and stooped next to him.

"I did that, didn't I?" she asked in a small voice. Draco angrily flung a book off of his lap.

"You don't miss a trick, do you Weasley? Maybe when you've cleaned up this mess, you can see if Cho Chang needs help with her laundry!"

"You saw that?" Ginny asked miserably. Before he could elaborate, Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas ran over to them. Seamus pulled Ginny up and glared.

"What did you do, Malfoy?" he demanded.

"Why do you people always think it's me?!" When Seamus just looked confused, Draco continued. "She asked me for help with a defense spell. She has obviously mastered it," he said, kicking a book off of his leg and standing up. He flicked his wand and all of the books returned to the shelves.

"You asked Malfoy for help?" Dean asked, looking at Ginny.

"Yes," Ginny said. "I, uh, Professor Snape said that he was the only student who knew how to cast a proper hurling hex."

"What? Bullocks. That greasy git! He knows Harry can cast them in his sleep," Dean said angrily.

"Yes, Weasley. Do ask your boyfriend the next time you need training," Draco drawled. He gave Seamus and Dean one last contemptuous look before walking away.

When Seamus and Dean left, Ginny returned to her table and placed her head in her hands. What have you done, Malfoy?

****

Draco sat in his private chamber, brooding over the library incident. "Glad to see my donations to this school are spent wisely." Draco spun toward the fire.

"Hello, father," Draco said. Lucius looked around the room in disgust.

"Do you have the ring?"

"Not yet."

"What's taking you so long?!"

"It's not east getting her alone to talk to."

"She's your wife! If you can not control something as simple as a wife, there is little hope for you!" Lucius spat. "Come here." Draco approached the fire and reached toward Lucius outstretched hand. Lucius gave a violent tug and Draco found himself sprawled on the floor of his father's study.

"Father! I could get expelled for that!"

"It's no matter. Drink this," Lucius said, thrusting a phial toward Draco.

"No," Draco said firmly. He knew veritasium when he saw it. He knew what was coming. Suddenly he felt a wand against the back of his neck.

"It was not a question," Lucius said. Draco drank the veritasium. The wand was removed and Draco spun around.

Nott, I see you came running back to be my father's lapdog, Draco slurred slightly. I apologize for my manners; it seems I can only speak the truth at the moment.

"Where is my ring?" Ginny Malfoy is wearing it.

"Don't think of her like that, idiot! Why haven't you taken it back?" I tried. It won't come off.

"Does she know what it is?" She realizes that it's dark magic.

"How? Did she use it?" Lucius asked curiously. Yes. She didn't mean to.

"Can she control it?" No. It's only worked when she felt threatened. She tried to hex Potter when she thought he was Tom Riddle, she hexed a girl who upset her, and she hurled me across the library.

"The only person who could ever use the magic in that ring was the Dark Lord," Nott gasped. "If she can use it, she could -" NO! You can't use her again!

"Now, now Draco. I thought you would be proud that your wife could join our cause," Lucius sneered. "You are utterly incompetent!" I won't help you.

"I don't need your help," Lucius spat and nodded at Nott. Nott picked up Draco by his collar and unceremoniously threw him back through the fire.

Draco was sprawled out on the center of the floor. His hands had rug burn from the thick carpet. The din from the Slytherin common room pounded in his ears. His robes and hair smelled of firewood. His head spun with thoughts of a girl who was in a great deal of danger. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling. He stayed there for a very long time.