The Land of Make Believe

Chapter Six: The Show Must Go On.

Ginny and Draco stayed by that tree for a further hour and a half, before Ginny had to leave, knowing that Ron, Harry and Hermione would be growing worried. They shared one last, sweet kiss, and made plans to meet on Sunday night in a disused classroom on the fifth floor. When Ginny rejoined Ron, Harry and Hermione in the Three Broomsticks they were sitting with Seamus and Dean. Ginny grinned on her approach.

"Have you been in here all this time?" she asked, taking a seat next to Seamus who immediately offered to buy her a drink, which she accepted.

Harry and Ron looked at each other. "How long have you been gone?" Ron asked. "I don't even know what time it is. How long have we been here?"

Ginny laughed at her brother, but didn't answer. They spent a further hour in the pub before making their way back to Hogwarts in one big happy group. Ginny was feeling refreshed, almost as if spending time with Draco was actually catching up on hours of missed sleep. We certainly don't do any sleeping, she thought, a slight smile curling her mouth.

She went to bed early that night, at half past nine. She was so tired by then that she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. The common room had been full of talk about the upcoming Halloween feast, but she wasn't interested just then. Ginny curled up under the heavy bed covers and immediately fell asleep, and into a dream.

Ginny stood alone in the middle of an endless expanse of dark earth; so dark it was almost black. There was a biting wind cutting through the black wool robes she wore, and the sky above was a flat, featureless grey. Ginny stared at the ground around her as shapes began to take form, row after row of stone rectangles sticking up from the ground. She stepped closer to the row in front of her. There were words on it.

Harry James Potter.

31-7-1980

~to~

20-1-1998.

Ginny gasped. A gravestone. Harry's gravestone. She looked to the one to the left. Hermione's. Along the row followed all of the seventh year Gryffindors, with different dates. Ginny's breath stuck in her throat as she read name after name, her brother included. She could feel tears brimming behind her eyes when she focussed on the first name that was not a Gryffindor: Draco Malfoy.

"What happened?" she breathed.

"You happened," a young, almost petulant voice said.

Gasping, Ginny span around to see a young boy of around six years of age. He had red hair, curling around his collar, and a pale pointed face. She was breathing quickly as she spoke to the boy. "Who are you? What are you talking about?"

The little boy smiled. "You happened, Mummy. You did this. You and Daddy." The boy glanced at Draco's gravestone.

"But... but..." Ginny backed away from him, her hand on her mouth, tears flowing freely. "I don't understand." She suddenly backed into something solid. A person. Stiffening, she took a step forward and turned around slowly. And wanted to die.

"Tom?" she breathed, looking at the thing that had once been Tom Riddle. She had heard Harry's descriptions of Lord Voldemort. His slanted, red eyes, almost flat face. She stared in horror.

"Virginia, my dear," his voice sounding like a thousand snakes hissing and slithering over her body. "I'm so proud of you."

Ginny couldn't speak; she just felt her feet moving, backwards, away from this monstrosity. Then she stepped back into something else. Biting her fist, she turned again. Another Voldemort stood, what passed for a smile plastered on his face.

"Don't be scared, Virginia. This is where you belong." He gestured across the field with one pale, long fingered hand. "I'm afraid you have served your purpose. I have my heir. It's time to join your friends."

Ginny shook violently as a hole opened up in the ground to her left. "No," she managed to gasp, horror and fear almost immobilising her.

"Yes," Voldemort said, reaching to her. On reflex, Ginny flinched away, trying to get away from those horrible, spidery hands. It was exactly what he had wanted her to do. Legs kicking violently, Ginny fell down into the fresh grave, falling heavily on her back, the breath knocked out of her.

She had time to take one breath before the earth began to pour down on top of her and the breath was wasted on a scream.

Ginny sat up, her hand clutched over her mouth, hoping she hadn't screamed out loud. She shivered, feeling sweat trickle down her back. Her whole body felt bruised and beaten, just like she'd had a fall, about six foot down onto hard earth. She was breathing heavily, trying to pull herself together. The dream had really left her scared. The others had just left her confused, or a bit freaked out, but this had felt like pure, white hot fear flowing through her body and she'd had no control over it. She was still shaking now.

Stifling a whimper at the memory of Voldemort's face, Ginny pulled her hair out of her face and curled up in a ball under her blankets, lying still until her breath returned to normal. Right now she wanted more than anything to be in Draco's arms, but she had no way of contacting him. I am not going creeping around the Slytherin dungeon tonight, she told herself, quashing the mad idea. The face of the boy in her dream swam before her eyes. Mummy. He called me Mummy, Draco's his Daddy. Try as she might, she couldn't remember every word spoken, the words Mummy and Daddy seemed to buzz in her head. She groaned and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. It would be a long time before she got back to sleep.

Down in the Slytherin dungeon, Draco was having his own dream. He lay on top of the covers of his bed, his black silk pyjama bottoms twisted around his legs as he tossed and turned.

Draco took Ginny's hand and smiled at her. "Don't worry, Gin, it'll be fine. They'll love you."

Her face was pale and serious as she looked at him. She spoke gravely. "I don't think they will like me, Draco. I think your parents might kill me."

Draco didn't laugh as they stood on the wide, dark granite front steps of Malfoy Manor. "I'll protect you, Virginia." He saw her body shudder and squeezed her hand tighter. "It will be okay. I promise."

A small, trusting smile lit her face. "I trust you to protect me, Draco," she said. He didn't understand the weight of her words.

They walked forward hand in hand to the front door, which swung open silently. The grand entrance hall was empty, the house silent. Green, glowing words shimmered in the air in front of them.

"Welcome. Please proceed to the south drawing room."

Draco lead the way, still holding Ginny's hand in his, repeating to himself in his head: We'll be fine. It will be fine, again and again. A feeling of dread settled in his stomach as the reached the tall oak doors at the entrance to the south drawing room.

Draco held out his free hand to open the door, but it swung soundlessly open. His mother Narcissa, surrounded by her usual grave air sat on a high backed chair covered in green velvet. She did not acknowledge them when he spoke a greeting. His father Lucius stood by the fireplace, one arm leaning on the mantelpiece, his cane in his other hand. He wore a grim smile on his face. As Draco stepped into the room, the walls began to crumble around them, furniture, ornaments and his parents breaking into pieces, black space replacing them. He still held on to Ginny's hand and she made no sound.

As the air around them settled into place they found themselves in a vast, dark cave, surrounded by dark figures. Death Eaters, he recognised them immediately. Standing at the head of the circle, was a tall, pale... Well, he was no longer a man, but Draco recognised Lord Voldemort as if he'd seen him every day of his life. He pulled Ginny closer to him. Her face was pale and she didn't look at him.

"Draco, my boy," Voldemort said, his voice hissing. "You have done well."

"Draco?" Ginny whispered, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at Voldemort.

"Give the girl to me, Draco," Voldemort said.

Draco opened his mouth, intending to say 'No'. "Yes, my Lord," he heard, realising with horror that it was coming from him.

Ginny's scream ripped through the air as magic pulled her towards Voldemort. "Draco?" she repeated, staring at him as she crumpled at Voldemort's feet. "What did you do?"

Draco woke with a start, Ginny's white, terrified face swimming in front of his eyes. His heart hurt from the look in her eyes, a broken, haunted look as the realised he had betrayed her.

"I'd never betray her," he said firmly, louder than he had intended. "I couldn't."

He didn't want to analyse why he couldn't betray her, why he found himself wanting to protect her from everything in the world that could hurt her. He wanted her in his arms right now, wanted to hold her close and whisper to her that everything was okay, all the time comforting himself too.

Sunday seemed to drag on forever. Ginny groaned and laid her head on top of her Transfiguration book that lay on the table in front of her.

"Work not going well?" Harry asked, looking up from his own homework.

"It's poo," she said, putting no effort into anything.

"C'mon, Gin, lighten up a bit," he said gently, and was then distracted as Hermione draped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hello," she said quietly.

"Hello yourself," Harry said, turning his head to face her. Ginny watched them.

"I'm finished," Hermione said, tracing Harry's cheek with her fingers.

"Are you?" Harry asked, concentrating on her face.

"Which means we can go now," she said, smiling encouragingly.

"Go where?" Ginny asked, her nosiness peaked.

They both looked at her guilty.

"Nowhere," Harry said quickly, scraping his chair back and taking Hermione's hand. "Just elsewhere."

Ginny smiled at the expressions on their faces as they looked at each other and almost ran from the common room, hand in hand and giggling like little kids. She sighed wistfully, wishing Draco and her could do the same. Be together in public. It wasn't possible though, it couldn't happen. There was far too much against them as a couple for them to let other people know about them. Ginny sighed again and pushed herself up off of the table and looked at her book again. The sooner I get on with this, the sooner it'll be finished, and eleven o'clock will be closer.

Ginny left the Gryffindor common room at half past ten, wanting to be there before Draco. Usually, he was there waiting for her. She reached the classroom in just a little more than five minutes. It was empty. She slipped inside and charmed the room too look dark and empty from the outside, and sat down on a desk to wait for him.

She didn't have to wait long. Draco stepped into the classroom still glancing behind him. A look of shock crossed his face when he registered Ginny sitting in front of him.

Closing the door, he replaced shock with a slight smile. "You're early."

"I wanted to be here when you arrived," she said, sliding off of the desk and crossing the room as he walked towards her too. They met in the middle of the room and practically fell onto each other. Ginny shoved Draco backwards onto a desk and started to climb on top of him.

"You are feisty tonight," Draco said, grinning.

Ginny grinned back, her knee firmly planted on the desk between Draco's legs. "That's me," she said, crawling up his body. "I put the grr in Gryffindor."

Draco threw his head back and laughed, a real laugh right from his stomach. He slid one arm slowly up the centre of her back.

Ginny shuddered and smiled. "And you put the sly in Slytherin."

"Hey!" Draco said indignantly, then looked thoughtful. "Or possibly, thank you."

"Take it as a compliment, you're not going to get anymore."

He pouted and ran his fingertips up the backs of her legs.

Ginny shuddered. "Unless you do that again."

Ginny slowly bent her head down to Draco's and kissed him. Usually he kissed her, but tonight she wanted to be in control. All day she'd had a burning need to be near him, it had started from the moment she woke. Being with him didn't sate her, it made her desire worse. She kissed him thoroughly, exploring every part of his mouth from her advantageous position above him. His hands travelled over her body, freely exploring all of her, above her clothes at first, then venturing under them.

Hearing a low moan in the back of Ginny's throat, Draco forgot their position on the desk and grabbed hold of her, rolling so that he was on top. With a loud bang they crashed to the ground. Draco's hand was on the back of Ginny's head and got crushed between it and the floor. They lay in silence, Draco leaning over Ginny, for a moment, before he felt Ginny starting to shake.

"Gin?" he asked, concern in his voice. As he looked at her face he could see tears pouring from the corner of her eyes. "Are you hurt?" Suddenly her mouth opened and a peal of giggles was emitted. She was having hysterics. She opened her eyes and stroked his face lightly, still laughing.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing, dear," Draco said, sounding serious. "But I think you may have broken my hand."

Ginny immediately stopped giggling and sat up quickly, pushing Draco into a sitting potion. He gingerly lifted his hand from the floor. It was already starting to swell and bruise.

"Oh, god, Draco, I'm sorry," Ginny cried, taking his hand in hers and looking closely at it. She stroked the back of his hand gently with her fingers.

"It's okay," he said, the pain in his eyes not showing in his face. "It wasn't your fault."

Ginny began to protest, then changed her mind. "Actually, you're right. It's entirely your fault for not letting me stay on top."

"This is hardly the time, dear," he said firmly.

"True. Right, we have to get you to Madam Pomfrey." Ginny stood up and pulled Draco up by his good arm, still cradling his sore hand.

"We don't," Draco said, looking at Ginny. "I do. You have to get back to bed and deny all knowledge."

Ginny's face fell. "Oh. Of course." She looked at the ground, desperately wanting to go with him.

Draco reached out and cupped her chin in his hand, lifting her face up to look at him. "It's all right, Gin," he said sincerely. "I'm a big boy, I can get myself to the infirmary."

Ginny nodded. "What will you say you did?" she asked.

"I don't know. Maybe I fell out of bed."

Ginny pulled a face. "How dramatic."

"Hey," Draco said, laughing. "I have enough drama in my life right now."

Ginny giggled and stood on her tiptoes, placing a soft, lingering kiss on his lips. "True. I'll see you at breakfast, then."

"You will," Draco said, kissing her back. "Goodnight. Sleep well."

If only, Ginny thought. "You too," she said aloud. With one last kiss, she left the classroom, leaving Draco for the night. It was the last thing she wanted to do. As she snuck along the dark corridors, all she could think was how much she wanted to be taking him to the infirmary. She knew he didn't need her there, she just wanted to be with him. Constantly.

The next morning, Ginny anxiously watched the doorway of the Great Hall for Draco, half-heartedly eating a cold piece of toast. The clamour of the Gryffindor table was lost on her. Harry and Ron were engaged in a heated debate about a recent Quidditch match the Chudley Cannons had played, and Hermione was reading a book, but Ginny hadn't even noticed. Finally, the familiar, tall, slim form of Draco Malfoy appeared in the entrance to the Great Hall. He glanced over at her and flexed his hand at his side so that she could see it was okay. She allowed a brief smile to flicker across her face, acknowledging his action.

Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. No permanent damage, she thought. A short time later she left the Great Hall with Natasha to begin the week's schooling.

The next day, which was the day before Halloween, Ginny was hurriedly making her way through the busy corridors to Transfiguration. She was talking with Natasha as she went, looking at her friend and not where she was going. As they rounded a corner she crashed heavily into someone who was almost running the opposite way. Falling to the ground with a thud, Ginny was not happy. She was even less happy when she looked up and saw Crabbe, who she had walked into, accompanied by Goyle. Malfoy was approaching from behind them.

"Bloody hell!" Ginny shouted with venom. "Why don't you look where you're going you blathering moron?"

Draco had reached Crabbe and Goyle. "I always thought it was only a matter of time before a Weasley got a job as a school cleaner to stay here," he said smoothly, a cruel sneer on his face.

At that moment, anything they had done alone was completely irrelevant. Ginny was fuming. "Didn't you mother ever teach you manners, Malfoy? Or was she too busy shagging the gardener?" she snarled, moving from her position on her bottom to her knees.

Draco's face fell into a deathly dark expression, his eyes narrowing to slits. Suddenly, his wand was in his hand. "How dare scum like you insult my mother? You're not fit to clean her shoes," he hissed, advancing on her.

"I'm sure you have enough house elves to do that. Unless of course, they're busy playing find the wand with you." She smiled sweetly. Ginny was actually quite impressed with herself, however she was still worried. Her wand was on the floor, out of reach. His was still pointed at her, unmoving.

Draco's lips pursed and he began to voice the words of a curse. Suddenly, Ginny's vision was obscured as someone stepped between her and Malfoy.

"Leave her alone, Malfoy," Harry said, his voice low but dangerous.

"Out of the way, Potter. This isn't a fight for moronic scar-heads. This is between me and that bitch."

Ginny hid the smile that threatened to cross her face.

"I said back off," Harry said. "Have you stooped so low now that you'll attack girls?"

"Male. Female. Mudblood and Muggle loving Weasleys are all the same to me, Potter," Malfoy said, holding himself completely still. "But then, I suppose they're all the same to you too. Shag anything won't you?"

"Wouldn't shag you," Harry shot back. Ginny felt so proud of him.

"Your little Mudblood girlfriend would," Draco said in a low voice. "If felt like scraping the barrel."

Harry stepped forwards and started to shout a curse at the same time as Draco. Suddenly there was a shout of "Expelliarmus!" from behind Draco that caused both boys' wands to fly from their hands and neatly into the free hand of the person approaching.

"Potter, Malfoy," came the voice of Professor McGonagall. Ginny stood up quickly, trying to gather her things and avoid being noticed. "My office. Now."

Ginny watched as Harry and Draco followed McGonagall down the corridor and gulped. She'd just caused them both to get into trouble. But somehow... somehow it was as if the Draco she'd been insulting and had been insulted by was not the same Draco she was alone with. They were two entirely different people, and she couldn't stop herself, there and then, from wondering which one was the real Draco Malfoy?