Clouded in Light

Up until now you've thought yourselves as pawns

when really you are the bishops,

walking on both colours of the board.

You are neither black nor white,

but neutral, for fate is undecided.

For a fork in the path marks your two destinies,

though a mist clouds each end.

The fate of Black or White will be determined

by the choice you make.

Love will show the way.

Ginny felt safe. In his arms she let her worries fall away. The dreams, the visions, the prophecies were no longer important. He was her safe hold

She opened her eyes to the dark dungeon and she could feel it again, pressing down on her. She closed them again and shivered.

'Ginny,' he whispered. Something in his voice made her stop. 'Ginny, we need to move.' His voice sounded more urgent this time, but she replied

'I don't think I can.'

'You have to try. Come on.' She winced as he began to move, but forced herself to try. She swayed on her feet as she stood up and he out an arm around her shoulders to steady her. It was an effort to get her legs to work, since she'd been still for so long. Eventually he managed to lead her to a nearby room. He whispered a password and they passed inside. Ginny wasn't really concentrating to notice anything strange about that. Inside she managed a glance about the room and noticed several chairs, some candles and a desk.

He set her down in one of the chairs and he sat down next to her. He let out a deep breath; sleep was very close to him. His arm was still around Ginny's shoulders. He could see her eyes were drooping so he drew her closer so that her head was on his shoulder. In a few minutes he heard her breathing settle. He laid his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. 'We'll talk tomorrow,' he thought. Within minutes his breathing had slowed and his sub-conscious took over.

It was dark. Where am I? There were shadows everywhere. What is this place? It was silent. What's going on?

'You have been chosen.' What? The voice came from nowhere, but echoed in his mind. Who are you?

'It is happening.' What's happening? Where are you?

'You have to make your choice.' What? What choice? What's going on? Suddenly there was a blinding flash. It brought his to consciousness. What the hell was that? he thought. As he looked around the darkened room last nights images surfaced in his mind. He felt something move on his shoulder. His gaze fell on the silent Ginny. However the look on her face suggested something was wrong. She looked agitated and upset. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

'Ginny,' he whispered. She didn't wake. Then he noticed her tear stained cheeks. 'Ginny,' he said a bit louder. Nothing. She must be having a nightmare, he thought. His arm, on which her head was resting, had gone to sleep. He gently moved it and shook it to get the blood flowing again. Then he placed both hands on her shoulders and shook her gently. 'Ginny. Come on Ginny, it's ok,' he said, even louder. 'Ginny, wake up.' He pressed his right hand to hr forehead and her eyes flew open. She stared into his cool grey eyes and he waited until the fear had left her expression. 'Ginny-'

'No wait,' she interrupted. 'Let me ask something.' He waited while she gathered her thoughts. 'Look...um...why did you help me earlier, down in the dungeons?' He faltered. He wasn't expecting this blunt question. Truthfully he didn't actually know. Her eyes never leaving his he felt compelled to answer.

'Um...'

'Tell me honestly,' she said, in a tone hardly above a whisper.

'Well, honestly, I don't know. I saw you there, saw the notes you left and strangely... I understood.' He paused and his expression changed to that of concern. Quietly he said, 'There was another note as well, wasn't there?' He heard her sharp intake of breath. She broke eye contact.

'Yes,' she breathed.

'Ginny, look at me.' She did, tears welling up. 'Ginny I've got it too. That piece of parchment.' He brought his hand up to stroke her cheek. 'You're not alone in this.' At this she just stared at him.

'What,' she finally managed to get out. 'You mean...'

'Yes.'

'But you're...'

'I know I'm Draco Malfoy.' She stared into his eyes. His face was still the same pointed face, but his eyes showed something deeper, something...stronger. She shifted in the chair and brought her hand up to make sure he was real. Her hand stroked his pale skin.

'You've changed.'

'I know,' was all he said.