Ruminations

Ginny woke, confusedly, to screaming. Who was screaming? Did she know them?

These had always been the first thoughts in the dark days, days of terror. Of pain. The selfish aspect of them never ceased to amaze her, but it was humankind's nature - first feelings in relation to how it could affect them.

As the world slowly became into focus she became aware of a small body struggling against her chest and making the most deafening racket. She looked down into eyes that vividly reminded her of the young man outside the hut at this very moment. It was strange thinking of him as still young, but in all technicalities he still was. But theirs was a generation born before their time and aged before it too.

The last face she'd seen before she'd cracked had been that of her eldest brother, Bill, being led away. He had been laughing hysterically, the torture had finally broken his resolve, the dictatorship they were under making him careless. Lucius Malfoy had watched him go wordlessly before fixing his steely gaze on Ginny. She knew that look. She was next...

Draco entering to stand in front of her shook Ginny back to the present. His gaze was easy enough to understand, the baby was still crying as loudly as was possible, he wanted to her quieten it. Last time she'd been with child she'd had the support of as many female relatives and friends as could fit in the delicate walls of Godric's Hollow, now she was completely on her own. But she remembered, oh, how she remembered.

Hesitantly she undid her top, pulling it back from her breasts slowly. She noted that Draco turned sharply away, busying himself with a pot over the fire; she could tell he was watching her still though, out of the very corner of his eyes.

Her baby suckled feverishly at her nipple, creating the strangest sensation in her chest. As Arthur took his fill, his fringed lashes closed onto the porcelain cheeks, he was wrapped in a pale blue cotton cloak that Ginny had brought with her when she had run which gave him the angelic look that only babies can exhibit. Pure innocence.

"You should eat something."

Draco's voice cut through her reverie of watching her baby and drew her eyes to his. They bore into hers with an elapsed intensity. Ginny sucked in a breath. Draco hadn't said a word to her since the birth, almost as if he was trying to make up for his talking of the past, but the familiarity with which he spoke now showed that maybe this would be a common occurrence between them.

"What is there?" she inquired.

As usual there was only left over fall apples and potatoes that had been stored in the makeshift fridge, but they were enough for a big enough meal that satiated Ginny comfortably.

The meal had a considerably different feel than that of any before. The conversation started timidly, like they were testing the surfaces of one another, testing the breakability. But soon it blossomed, easier than either one thought it would, soon it flowed, bantering lightly about anything. Well everything except the future. That was an unspoken taboo between them.

As the evening drew in, they worked in comfortable silence to build Arthur a small cot in the corner using wind fallen branched and old robes and blankets. When it was finished he laid in it peacefully, drifting almost immediately into sleep, content in the warmth and crackling fire.

Ginny and Draco sat near the fire; both interested to see what the other would do next. In the end it was Ginny who broke the silence.

"How did you know I would be here?"

He sat silently for a moment, as though considering what to say.

Finally: "What better way to get away from magic than to go into the heart of it?"

Ginny rationalised this. "This isn't the centre of magic, it's only Green Magic around here."

He laughed. "And what do you think Green Magic is?" When she said nothing in return, he continued, "Green Magic is where it all began, the beginning and the end of everything!"

Ginny darted her eyes towards Arthur and Draco caught the movement.

"You know you will have to tell him. About magic I mean."

The redhead shook her head vehemently. "No. He will not be tainted by the evil that we've had to experience."

Her tone was one that brooked no argument, one that made her a wonderful mother, one that made her a force to be reckoned with. He noted, but disregarded it, for the time being.

"He already is," he said, softly.

She brought her eyes sharply to his, the forgotten fire blazing and sparking in them.

"Not if I can help it," she snapped passionately.

The fire glinted of her hair and danced in her eyes, making her more beautiful, and deadly, than Draco had ever remembered. And finally, after years of winter, the ice around his heart cracked sending heat flooding through his body, mind and soul.

Later, he watched the first stars twinkle from behind a cloud. The first of the new morning, the first of the New Year. Draco watched them, feeling the change in the air, things were shifting, he knew then that great deeds were still afoot and a new horizon was on the way.

Responses

(Can I just say, I'm sorry this took so long!)

Skygazing - thank you as ever! Yes there is much yet to come on the Holly front.

Victoria27 - it is a little disturbing isn't it? I hope you enjoy this chapter as well (even though it took so long coming).

Poky - well here is the sixth chapter! Confuzzling words eh? Lol

Ginny2442 - the writer's block has gone, you'll be pleased to know, so the next chapter of As Thunder Rolls will hopefully be up soon :)

Aliesha - ah, you will have to see about the Arthur thing, and also the green magic thing... it will all become clearer in time!

Mo the Deatheater - yes, Arthur is definitely Draco's son, no mix-ups this time!

The war is over and both sides have taken losses. Ginny is alone and with child, but not for long. The future is filled with uncertainty, and the past with grief, and a reason is desperately needed to carry on...