A Life in the Past

Ginny awoke when it was still dark. She was lying on the wet grass; it had rained that night. Draco, who was beside her, was sound asleep, but very much drenched by the rain. Ginny rolled over sideways and groaned. The air was drafty, and Ginny was very thirsty. She tried to stand up, but she was still quite groggy so she received a terrible head rush.

After a few tries, Ginny finally stood up on her feet. She looked around at her surroundings, searching for a source of water. There was definitely water somewhere near; she could hear the crashing of waves against rock. Ginny looked down at the sleeping form of Draco. She wondered for a moment whether she should leave him, but she didn't have to wonder long, because Draco groaned, sitting up and stretching. He stopped when he saw a figure standing before him.

"Ginny?" he whispered.

"Yeah," said Ginny. "I was thirsty."

"Did you get water?" asked Draco.

"No," said Ginny. "I was just about to go."

"Oh. Well, I'll come with you."

"I can hear water running up ahead," said Ginny. "We'll go up that way and then we'll just keep going from there, we'll cover more ground that way."

Draco stood up and together, he and Ginny walked forward. They didn't have too far to walk, after about a quarter of an hour, they found their source of water. The only problem was that the water was a far drop below the grass on which they were standing.

"That's not very good, is it?" said Draco.

Ginny shook her head. "But we're going to have to get across this bridge anyway," she said. "May as well cross it now."

"But we haven't crossed one this high up before," said Draco. "And it doesn't look too safe does it?"

"You aren't going to fake an injury, are you?" asked Ginny. "That's the last thing I need."

"Now, why would I do that?" said Draco innocently.

"Because you're always faking injuries for one thing or another," said Ginny. "Now come on, we've got a bridge to cross."

"You first, then," said Draco.

"Such a coward," muttered Ginny, rolling her eyes.

"Well, as the saying goes, 'ladies first,'" said Draco. "Go on then."

Ginny shook her head. "You test it for me," she said. "Not to be rude, but I think my life is more important in this situation."

"A Weasley more important than a Malfoy?" said Draco in disbelief. "I've never heard a bigger lie. It wouldn't matter if you died, there's six more where you came from. But as for me, the world could do with more Malfoys, there just aren't enough."

"You are so full of yourself!" screamed Ginny, shoving Draco backwards onto the bridge.

"Oy! You could've killed me!" shouted Draco.

"That was my intention!" Ginny yelled back.

"All right! That's the last straw," said Draco, stepping forwards off the bridge. "I'm serious this time; you're on your own. I'll see you around."

"Fine!" said Ginny. "But don't blame me when you die."

"Fine!" said Draco, crossing his arms.

They stood in silence glaring at each other for a few minutes.

"Well, aren't you going to leave?" asked Ginny.

"No," said Draco. "You're supposed to go across the bridge, and then it's supposed to collapse and I'll have to rescue you, once again."

"I don't want you to rescue me," said Ginny.

"Okay," said Draco. "I'll try not to save you when you fall."

"Good," said Ginny.

"Good," said Draco.

"Fine," said Ginny.

"Fine," said Draco.

They glared at each other again, both standing with their arms crossed.

"If you aren't going to cross the bridge, then I will," said Draco. "Just to be away from you."

"Good," said Ginny. "And I hope you fall."

Draco stepped onto the bridge, shooting one last glare at Ginny. He trotted forward, stepping on each plank hard. He pretended he wasn't afraid when the bridge started to sway, and tried not to look down.

Ginny stood where she was, watching Draco. She had never thought he'd actually be brave enough to cross the bridge; her entire opinion of him changed in the first few steps Draco took. She hurried forward.

"Malfoy, wait!" she called.

Draco turned around, flooded with relief. He was worried she would never give in and he'd be forced to make the remainder of the journey alone.

"What do you want?" asked Draco, pretending not to care.

"I... er..." Ginny stammered.

"Changed your mind?" said Draco, trying to make his voice sound amused.

"Er, yeah," said Ginny, finally catching up with him. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Well, I'd rather do this alone, but if you must come along, I suppose I can't stop you," Draco replied.

"You're such a good person," said Ginny. "It's just that I could never find my brother alone."

"Yeah, that's obvious," said Draco. "Weasleys have no sense of direction at all. And you're all as dumb as each other."

"If I was allowed, I would slap you," said Ginny. "But I can play by the rules, so I won't."

"What rules?" asked Draco.

"I'm not supposed to kiss, hug, or slap you," Ginny replied.

"Oh, yeah, that," said Draco. "Yeah."

"Ooh, this bridge is really scary," said Ginny, looking down.

Draco cleared his throat. "Yeah," he said, his voice choked.

Suddenly, Draco and Ginny stepped on a loose plank and it gave way, falling down into the water below. Ginny's foot slipped through the gap, and she uttered a small, strangled scream.

Draco grabbed onto Ginny's shoulder just as the plank skimmed the water making a little splash. He was just about to pull her up when he lost balance himself, his foot falling into the gap also.

Ginny heaved herself up, pulling Draco with her.

"That was a safety hazard," said Draco, all the drawl momentarily gone from his voice.

Ginny nodded, lost for words.

"We can't stand here forever," said Draco, his voice regaining some of its bored tone.

"Right," Ginny whispered, starting forward.

Draco followed Ginny, carefully minding his footsteps. "So, do you think you know where we are yet?" he asked, trying to make polite conversation.

"I don't know," said Ginny. "Judging by the looks of it all, I'd say we've gone too far north. We must be near Scotland. We might be in Sunderland though, I don't know for certain."

"Like I said," said Draco. "Bad sense of direction. I'd say we were in London. Maybe even Surrey, just not Scotland. This is nothing like Scotland."

"All right then," said Ginny. "If you think you know more than I do."

"Well, I do," said Draco.

"Whatever," Ginny muttered.

They crossed the remainder of the bridge in silence; the only sound was the rushing water hundreds of feet below. At long last, they arrived at the other end of the bridge, on solid ground.

"I'm glad that's over," Ginny sighed. "Now we just need to find out where we are."

***

Ron arose early in the morning. He noted that Harry had left the chamber, and thought it best not to wake Hermione, so he made his way down to the kitchen alone. When he arrived in the kitchen, Harry was there with Annabelle.

"Morning," said Harry, extremely alert.

Ron yawned in reply.

"Did you get a good sleep?" asked Harry.

Ron shrugged.

"Tea, Wilfred?" Annabelle offered, holding up the pot of tea.

Ron nodded.

"Lost the ability to talk, have you?" asked Harry good-naturedly.

Ron nodded, rubbing his eyes.

"Well that's too bad," said Harry. "There's no use having a best friend who doesn't talk. Don't want to end up like Malfoy."

Annabelle dropped the tea pot with a loud clatter, spilling the tea all over the table.

"What's gotten into you?" Ron asked, finally speaking. "You're all right, aren't you?"

"Yes, fine," said Annabelle. "Just fine. I shall make more tea, shall I?"

"No, it's all right, I'll get it," said Ron.

"You have only awoken yet, Wilfred," said Annabelle. "Please, sit."

"No, Annabelle, really, you should sit down," said Ron. "And maybe tell us what's wrong," he added as an after-thought.

"It is nothing," said Annabelle.

"Well, take a seat, I'll get the tea," said Ron.

Annabelle obeyed and sat down.

"Do you want to tell us what's up?" Ron asked while pouring water in the tea pot.

"Leave her alone, R- er, Wilfred," said Harry.

"I have a right to know," said Ron. "And wasn't it strange that she decided to drop the tea pot at mention of the name Malfoy?" Ron turned around so quickly that Harry felt as thought he'd gotten whiplash just watching him.

Annabelle looked down. "It really is nothing," she said. "I just hate Malfoy. And you know that."

"Yeah," said Ron. "But still, I can't help thinking it's something more. He hasn't done anything to you has he? Because if he has, I'll ring his neck."

"No, it is nothing," said Annabelle.

"Malfoy?" asked Harry, remembering that neither Draco nor Lucius Malfoy could've been around at this time. "Which Malfoy?"

"No Malfoy has done anything," said Annabelle. "It is naught to worry for."

"But if a Malfoy had done something, which one would it be?" asked Harry. "Which one is it that Wilfred is talking about?"

"Why, Elias, of course," replied Annabelle.

"Oh yeah," said Harry. "That's what I thought."

Ron continued to make tea, while Harry and Annabelle sat in silence. Harry noticed that Annabelle kept glancing at him nervously. He smiled to himself remembering how Ginny would do the same thing a few years ago. But then she'd moved on and gotten over her little crush. After that, she'd treated Harry like anyone else. What had happened to Ginny? She used to be shy, but then suddenly she had changed only to be the center of attention at any party. Ever since the Weasley twins left Hogwarts, Ginny was the crazy Weasley.

"Morning all," said Hermione, who had just entered the kitchen.

Annabelle looked up. "Hermione," she said. "How be you this morn?"

"Very well, thank you," Hermione replied happily. "And I need to speak to you R- er, Wilfred, and you Harry."

"Shall I leave?" asked Annabelle, starting to stand.

"No, no," said Hermione. "We can talk later."

"Tea, Hermione?" Ron offered, holding up the fresh pot of tea. "I just made it."

Hermione nodded and took a seat at the large table. "So, Harry, how was your night?" she asked. "You look dead tired."

"Do I really?" said Harry. "I feel just fine."

"And how much tea have you had this morning?" asked Hermione.

"Just a few cups," said Harry. "No more than Annabelle."

"Tea was really expensive in 1143," said Hermione.

"What do you speak of?" asked Annabelle. "Tis 1143 at this time. And tea is common in Diagon Alley, what make it expensive?"

"Never mind," said Hermione.