Broken

Ginny woke up and noticed that her bed was empty. Sometime before she had woken up, Will had left. She looked around blearily and saw a note attached to one of her bedposts. Sitting up, she leaned out of her warm bedclothes and grabbed the note.

'Ginny,

Sorry I had to leave. I forgot I had an important meeting early this morning. I'll come by the café after it's over. Thanks for being there last night.

Love,

Will'

Ginny looked at the note and turned it over to see if there were any other words on the other side. Seeing none, Ginny sighed. She had expected an explanation of his behavior. She had hoped for one, at least. Ginny pushed off her bedclothes and hopped out of bed. Today was her day off of school and she had to work all day in the café. She wondered how Will had known she was working today. Perhaps he saw her schedule that she tacked up on the refrigerator. Ginny stepped into her bathroom, shed her clothes and turned on the taps. A warm shower was just what she needed to get last night off her mind.

Minutes later, Ginny was drying herself off. Standing in front of her closet, with a towel wrapped around her, she began picking through her clothes. Finally she settled on a short denim skirt and a pink sweater. She knew pink was supposed to clash horribly with her hair, but she didn't buy into the whole idea of what redheads were suposed to wear. Besides, pink went well with her fair complexion. It gave her a bit of color. Ginny hurried pulled on her clothes and pulled on a pair of tights. Days like this, when she was rushed for time, made her wish she could practice magic again. A swish of her wand and she could have dry hair and clothes on.

Fully dressed, Ginny looked at her clock. She had to be at work in half an hour. Blow drying her hair and styling it would take at least a half hour. Ginny hastily plaited it into two long braids, like she used to wear at school. She then pinned them to the top of her head. Fifteen minutes had now gone by and she grabbed a small container of orange juice before setting off for her job. To be there on time, Ginny had to practically run to the café.

Once she arrived, Veronica took her aside. "Gin, there's some guy that's been waiting to be seated in your section. He insists on being served by you. Do you want me to have the cook kick him out?"

Ginny smiled and shook her head. "Nah. It's just my boyfriend. See?" She turned to point and smile at him, only to see Draco Malfoy lounging on a padded bench, waiting to be seated. The smile dried up on Ginny's face and her heart began racing. What did Draco want? Why was he here? She knew she could not risk having Draco thrown out. He'd use magic and likely hurt someone. The safest option was to humor him and hope he went away. Ginny turned away from Veronica and walked over to Draco.

"Good morning, Draco. Let me get you seated." Ginny pasted a fake smile on her face and grabbed a menu. Draco stood and brushed some imaginary lint from his gray trousers. He was wearing a neatly pressed white button down shirt. Ginny wondered when he had acquired muggle style, but bit her tongue to keep herself from making any sarcastic comments. Ginny gestured for Draco to follow her, which he did.

"Here you go Draco. The menu is pretty self-explanatory. Our specials today are listed inside. I'll be back in a minute to take your order." Ginny smiled again and waited for Draco to dismiss her.

"Not so fast, Weasley. I'm only here in this muggle hovel because you and I need to have a little chat. I think you know why I'm here." Draco smiled smugly. Thoughts raced through Ginny's mind. 'Did he know about Will? Was he angry that she was dating a muggle?'

"No, I'm sure I don't know why you're here. Why don't you tell me?" Ginny looked at Veronica and gestured that she was going to have to deal with this person. Veronica nodded and smiled. Ginny wished she felt that happy.

"Well, Virginia it's about your wand." Draco looked at her and she felt as if he were trying to invade her mind.

"What about my wand? You know it's been snapped. I'm no longer allowed to practice magic anymore." Ginny hated saying this; she hated Draco for making her repeat it.

"That's just it. What if I were to offer you the chance of a lifetime?" He leaned in closer and Ginny could see the fine blonde hairs on his chest. His cologne invaded her senses.

Leaning away from him, she asked, "What do you mean?"

"What if I were the help you regain your wand? What if you were allowed to practice magic again?"

She shook her head. "That's not possible. It's a lifetime decree. Fudge said he'd make sure they never changed their minds." What was Draco talking about?

"Fudge? That asshole? You think I'm referring to Fudge?" Draco let out a hearty laugh and Ginny looked around to see if people were watching them. Suddenly she noticed that Will was sitting across the room, eyeing her strangely. 'Shit! Double shit! I do not need this right now!' Ginny worried that Will would come over and want to meet Draco. Draco would have a fit if he knew she was dating a muggle. There's no telling what he might do. Ginny turned away from Will and looked back at Draco.

"Well then, how do you propose I get my wand back?" She said to Draco through gritted teeth.

"Easy. Help us overthrow Fudge and take over the ministry." Draco leaned back against the booth and stared at Ginny.

"What? Help who overthrow Fudge?" Ginny had to admit, as wrong as that was, getting Fudge out of power would be great. She hated him.

"Death Eaters, of course. Did you think we were going to have a vote of no confidence and have a new election?" Draco laughed at his own joke. Ginny did not like his smiled, it scared her.

"What? You think I would help with that? My father works for the ministry!" Ginny frowned at Draco and wondered when he had gotten so stupid.

"What have they done for you lately, Ginny? Did they take this into account when they were deciding to snap your wand? No, I think not. More likely, they knew how your father supports Dumbledore and snapped your wand because of that. Why would you want to help a man who hates your father?" Draco looked at Ginny. She had to admire his cold beauty. He was a handsome man, in a frosty sort of way. He reminded her of that muggle fairy tale "The Snow Queen". A frozen heart to go with his cold eyes.

Ginny had nothing to say. He was right. She had always suspected that Fudge was so hard on her because of her father's support of Dumbledore. But was that a reason to join the Death Eaters? "Your father hates mine as well. Death Eaters hate the Weasleys. Why would I want to do anything to help you? Who's to say that you won't kill me and mine once you gain power?"

"If we have your loyalty why should we? Voldemort chose you as his helper once. You're awfully powerful, Virginia. If I can be sure you'd stay loyal, I'd have no reason to eliminate your family."

Ginny noticed he was using 'I' an awful lot. "What do you mean I? Are you in control of the Death Eaters? What about your father?"

Draco sighed. "My father isn't what he used to be since his stay in Azkaban. I'm the next in line for power. He'd act as my counselor, giving me advice."

Ginny quirked an eyebrow. "Is this your father's idea or yours?"

"Both of ours. I've been watching you. You're unhappy living as a muggle. Why not seize the opportunity to make your life better?" Draco leaned across the table and placed his fingers under her chin, stroking the sensitive flesh there." Even Draco's fingers were cold. She shivered at his touch. "Perhaps, if you prove yourself worthy, you could rule by my side as my bride." From his pockets he pulled out a wand. Ginny stared at it. "It's rosewood with a unicorn hair as its core. Just like your old wand."

Ginny took it from his hand and felt the power vibrate beneath her fingers. Oh, Draco was the devil. He knew just how to tempt her. She had been wishing for a wand this morning. To have her powers back was one of her deepest desires. "Why are you giving me this?"

"To give you a taste of your power. To tempt you." Draco answered her question simply, deciding not to lie. "Put it away for now. I'll be back soon for your answer."

"I can't use this. As soon as I used it, the ministry would be here. I'd go to Azkaban this time." Ginny stared at the wand, not putting it away as Draco had said.

"Not possible. It's been bound by spells that make the detection of its use impossible. You have nothing to fear." Draco gently took it from her hands and placed it in the large pockets of her apron. "I said to put it away."

He stood up and stretched lazily in front her. She watched as his muscles strained against his shirt. "I'll be back soon. Play with your wand in the meantime." Draco walked away from the table, across the crowded café and left. She watched as he stood outside and then vanished from view. Ginny's heart raced as she felt the wand in her pocket. She stood up from the table and looked around, unsure of what she had just experienced. Had it been a dream? Could she really betray her family's ideals just for a taste of power again? It was only then that she remembered Will. Looking over where he had been sitting, she noticed that he still sat there. He was looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face. Ginny straightened up and walked over to him.

Harry, nticing that Ginny was walking toward him, immediately wound up the flesh colored string that had been sitting on the table. He had been using Fred and George's extendable ears to listen to Draco and Ginny's conversation. His mind was reeling from the incredulity of the conversation. Could she really accept Draco's offer? Suddenly she was in front of him, smiling.

"Good morning, Mr. Black." Harry hardly felt like smiling. He wondered if Ginny was so happy because she had her wand again.

"Good morning." Harry mumbled and stared at his menu.

"What's wrong? You seem angry." Ginny sat down at his table and felt a pain of guilt knowing that Veronica was waiting on tables by herself.

"Who was that guy you were talking to?" Harry decided not to play games. He needed to know what Ginny was thinking.

"That guy? Oh, he was just someone I used to know." Ginny was still confused about Draco's offer and wasn't sure what to do about it. She didn't want to think about it right now.

"Someone you used to know? You seemed very cozy with him. He gave you something. What was it?"

Ginny looked at Harry startled. "It was nothing important. Just something that he thought might belong to me."

"You took it."

"I don't know if it's mine yet. I have to check and see." Ginny wondered what they were talking about. Why was Will getting so upset about what he thought was some stick? She knew it was a wand, but he did not. What was he thinking?

Harry was disgusted with himself, Ginny and Draco. If he hadn't lied he could be talking to her about Draco's offer. He was mad Ginny was even considering the offer. He hated Draco for making the offer. Harry stood up from his chair. "I have to go. I just wanted to see you before work. Can I come by and see you tonight? We could have dinner."

Ginny nodded. "I think that would be nice." Harry leaned down and kissed her on the lips softly.

"I think I might love you Ginny."

Tears sprang to her eyes. "Me too Will." Harry stood back up and walked out of the café.