A Life in the Past

Ginny turned the key in its keyhole. Ginny took a deep breath, knowing that this adventure was about to come to an end.

Behind her, Ron held Hermione's hand tight, and Hermione held her breath.

Harry and Draco were still glaring at each other, standing at opposite ends of the room.

Ginny grasped the trunk lid in her hand, closing her eyes tight before throwing it up.

The cellar was drenched in furious white light, blinding all of its occupiers, including Ginny, whose eyes were already closed. The light shone for a few seconds, before fading away completely. The trunk lid slammed shut on its own.

Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Draco all rubbed their eyes, trying to adjust to the change in light. Harry blinked several times.

When their vision finally returned to normal, they saw that the cellar was different. It was now very dark, and there was not a barred trap door in the ceiling, instead, there was a wooden trap door with a ladder leading up to it.

The five of them stood in silence for a few moments, allowing everything to sink in.

Finally, when the realisation became clear, Draco broke the silence.

"Well, we made it," he said.

Ron grinned broadly. "We're back!" he hollered.

Hermione jumped up and down in glee before kissing Ron.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Well, let's get out of here," he said. "Everyone must be really worried."

"Yeah, famous Potter's been missing for a few days," said Draco. "What's the world to do?"

"Don't you start," Ginny warned.

Harry walked over to the ladder and started up it. Ron and Hermione, who had pulled away from one another, followed Harry. The three of them stepped out into the sunlight of the backyard at the Burrow.

"So here we are," said Draco. "Back in the present, where we're sworn enemies."

"Not necessarily," said Ginny. "We said we'd defy them, and defy them we will."

"We'll take away all of Potter's attention," said Draco. "Draco Malfoy and his Weasley. We'll be the centre of attention, the conversation piece. Who cares what Voldemort's up to when Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley are around?"

"Exactly," said Ginny. "And they'll tell us it'll never work, and we'll show them. The whole lot of them, and they'll be sorry they ever tried to stop us."

"This is where the fantasy ends," said Draco. "You and I both know it isn't possible. We'll be outcasted by our families."

"We can risk it," said Ginny. "We won't give up, not like this."

"What'll become of Potter?" asked Draco.

"He'll find someone," said Ginny.

"D'you really think we should go through with this?" Draco asked.

Ginny nodded. "We'll make it work," she said, kissing him.

***

"Ronald Weasley! How many times have I told you not to go down into the cellar?" Molly Weasley scolded her youngest son.

"Too many times," said Ron. "But it was Ginny's idea."

"And what's this nonsense of being sent into the past?" asked Molly.

"It's true," said Ron. "We went to the Burrow as it was in 1143."

"1143," said Charlie. "That was two years before the Weasley fortune was destroyed. I learned that a couple of years ago in Ireland, some old wizard told me. His name was Clockerton, really wise, he was."

"And we met him!" Ron cried. "He helped us get back here!"

"Ron, I hardly think this is any time to make up fantasy stories!" Molly shouted. "You've hardly been gone a day, and you're making up these fictious adventures. You'd be best to write them down and sell them to a bookshop!"

"But it really happened," said Ron. "Honest!"

"Harry, Hermione, when did the two of you arrive?" Molly asked, ignoring her son.

"Er, earlier today?" Hermione tried.

"Oh, whilst Bill and I were out in Diagon Alley?" Molly asked. "We weren't expecting you here so soon, but it's very well that you're here, I'm happy to see you both. Now where is Ginny?"

"Oh no," said Ron. "She must be in the cellar with Malfoy!"

"Did somebody say Malfoy?" asked Arthur, entering the kitchen with Percy, where his wife and five of his sons along with Harry and Hermione were seated around the table.

"It was Ron," said Molly. "He seems to think he spent the day in 1143."

"Two years before the destruction of the Weasley castle," said Arthur. "All that remained was the cellar. They rebuilt the Burrow the way it is today. Our family also lost a fair amount of money and land."

"Oh right," said Percy. "It was the youngest Weasley who caused it, wasn't it?"

"How do you know all this?" Ron asked.

"It's our family's history," said Arthur. "But what was it you were saying about Malfoy?"

"Don't mind him, dear," said Molly.

"Well, Lucius Malfoy is having problems with the ministry again," said Arthur.

"Ah, what's happened this time?" asked Molly.

"He was in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes the other day," said George. "He had some really good ideas."

"Yeah, suggested chocolates that turn into insects," said Fred. "But honestly, I have no idea why he was there."

"That doesn't sound nice," said Arthur. "Why was he bothering you?"

Fred and George shrugged.

"Didn't he say something about his son?" asked Charlie.

"His son is in our cellar with Ginny!" Ron shouted.

"Honestly, Ron, what were you sniffing down there?" asked George, incredulously.

"I think it's a matter of what he was smoking," said Fred. "We really need to keep an eye on that one."

"Harry! Hermione!" said Ron. "Help me out!"

"Oh, er..." Harry stumbled for words.

"Never mind that right now," said Charlie. "First things first, what's up with Malfoy?"

Hermione quickly covered Ron's mouth with her hand before he had a chance to say anything.

"Cornelius Fudge claims he's been trying to raise the dead," said Arthur. "And for some reason, Lucius came to me for help. He spent the whole day trying to explain to me why Fudge made the accusation."

"What exactly was the accusation?" Bill asked.

"The accusation was that he was trying to bring some Muggles back from the dead," said Arthur. "Honestly, Minister Fudge has some unresolved issues."

"Why would he bring Muggles back from the dead?" asked Fred.

"I haven't a clue," said Arthur. "But that's why he concerned me, said I was better with Muggles than any pureblood he knows."

"But why would he need to deal with Muggles?" George questioned.

"This whole case is very unusual," said Arthur, stifling a yawn. "And I'm exhausted, I can't think straight right now."

"If you ask me," said Percy. "Minister Fudge is throwing out accusations at anybody who claimed they would not vote for him as Minister for Magic. Mundungus Fletcher's been accused of eating children, for crying out loud!"

"That minister," said George. "He really knows how to be subtle, doesn't he?"

Fred was about to add to that, when suddenly the back door opened, admitting Ginny into the kitchen. To everybody but Ron, Harry, and Hermione's surprise, she was followed by none other than Draco Malfoy.

"Hello," Draco drawled, but it was a cheery drawl.

Molly's mouth fell open.

"No, honestly, what is going on?" said Fred. "I think I must have been smoking something strange as well."

"Or sniffing," George added.

"This is Draco," said Ginny.

"Yes, we know that," said Bill. "But what the Hell's he doing here?"

"Erm, it's a really long story," said Ginny. "And I don't feel much like explaining right now."

"I'll explain," said Ron. "If you people will listen!"

"All right, Ron," said Molly. "Tell us what's going on."

And Ron plunged into the entire story of how he and Ginny had travelled back in time, joined by Harry, Hermione, and Draco. Every now and then, Draco would interrupt, to put in his and Ginny's side of the story.

When they were finished explaining, Arthur was clutching his head, his eyes closed. Fred and George raised their eyebrows so high they threatened to disappear beneath their hair lines. Molly sighed, trying to comprehend the entire story.

Nobody spoke for a few minutes, which felt like a few hours. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Draco were awaiting approval of the story, while everybody else was running it over in their minds, trying to make sense out of it.

"Okay," said Arthur, at long last. "It's been a really long day, I think we should all just eat, and then get our rest."

Draco fidgeted uncomfortably, wondering how he was supposed to get home. Floo powder?

"Draco, you can join us for supper," said Molly, kindly. "I think we owe you for rescuing our only daughter. And then we'll have you Floo powder home."

Draco nodded.

"Bill, Charlie, set up the tables outside," said Molly. "I'll prepare supper."

"What became of the house elf?" George asked his father. "Ron said the Weasleys in 1143 had a house elf, what happened to it?"

"The ghoul," Arthur replied. "It's a destroyed house elf, it can't serve our family, but instead, it stays in the attic because it hasn't been released."

"Why don't we release it?" asked Fred.

"Because it would kill us if we tried," said Ginny. "That thing is so scary!"

"Exactly," said Arthur. "Would you two like to release it?"

"We have a business to run," said George. "We're far too important to die."

"Yeah, Perce should do it," said Fred. "He won't be missed."

"I resent that!" Percy snapped.

"Come on let's go outside," said Ron, leading Harry and Hermione outside to where Charlie and Bill were setting up two tables for supper, just as they had done the summer when Harry had stayed at the Burrow before the Quidditch Cup.

"So you're Head Boy, Harry?" asked Charlie.

"Yeah," said Harry.

"It's great," said Bill. "So many privileges. You'll love it."

"Hermione, you're Head Girl?" asked Charlie. "But then again, you don't break as many school rules as Harry, so it's not going to be as rewarding for you."

"That's what they think," Ron said to Hermione.

Hermione smiled.

"So this thing with Ginny and Draco, really makes me wonder," said Bill. "Shows what life's capable of throwin at you, doesn't it?"

"Oh yeah," said Harry. "I never would've expected anything like this in a thousand years."

***

The Weasley family, along with Harry, Hermione, and Draco ate their supper and talked happily.

Draco had never actually thought he could ever be this happy, especially with the Weasley family. He was disappointed when the night was over, and he had to go home. He bid goodbye to all the Weasleys and Floo powdered into the dining room in his own home.

Not long after Draco arrived, Narcissa entered the dining room.

"Draco, where have you been all day?" she asked.

"Er... I've been in a lot of places," said Draco.

"Such as where?" Narcissa questioned.

"The Burrow," Draco replied.

Narcissa arched an eyebrow at her son. "The Weasley place?" she asked.

Draco nodded. "And I made friends with a Weasley," he said.

"Does your father know?" Narcissa asked.

Draco smirked.

"Well?" asked Narcissa.

"Where is he?" asked Draco.

"He's in his study," said Narcissa.

"I'll go tell him right now," said Draco.

"Oh, he really won't like it," said Narcissa.

"I know," Draco replied, happily leaving the room, heading for his father's study.

"Silly boy," said Narcissa, shaking her head as her son left the room. "Takes after his father..."

***

Draco strolled down the corridor to his father's study. When he reached the door to the study, he knocked three times.

"What is it now, Draco?" his father called from inside.

"I've got some news for you," said Draco, happily.

"You're in enough trouble, boy," said Lucius.

"I know," Draco replied. "But I really think you should hear this."

"Out with it," Lucius snapped.

"I've got a new girlfriend," said Draco.

"Ah, so you've gotten over the Parkinson girl?" said Lucius, a hint of pride in his voice. "That one was always no good, ran off with a Longbottom, I'm sorry for her parents, having to put up with such nonsense."

"Oh, you'll really be happy to hear who I've found," said Draco, voice mischievous.

"Get on with it, boy," said Lucius. "Spit it out."

"Ginny Weasley," Draco snorted.

There was a long silence from the other side of the door, in which Draco shook with silent laughter.

"You have ten seconds, boy," Lucius finally said. "And you'd better hope to the lords you live through this one."

Draco grinned and ran down the corridor and up a stair case, running for his life, hoping beyond hope Lucius didn't have his wand with him, which was quite unlikely.

He quickly hid in a secret passage which was behind a tapestry depicting his great grandfather with a dragon, knowing his father was aware of this passage, but not really caring.

He heard his father's thundering footsteps, and tried to slow down his own breathing.

"Draco!" his father shouted. "You can't hide forever!"

"Goodness, Lucius, what is going on?" his mother's voice called. She had probably heard the fuss and hurried over to see if she could stir up some trouble.

"It's your son, Narcissa," Lucius spat.

"My son?" asked Narcissa. "What's he done now?"

"His new girl friend," said Lucius. "Do you know who it is?"

"My Draco has a new girl friend?" asked Narcissa, her voice carrying astonishment. "My little boy is growing up!"

"Weasley!" said Lucius. "A Weasley! Your little Draco has found himself a Weasley!"

Narcissa was silent.

"What do you have to say for your son?" asked Lucius.

"It'll never last," said Narcissa. "The moment he steps into Hogwarts, he'll find someone else."

"He brings shame on the Malfoy name!" Lucius shouted. "I could never live up the shame!"

"It's not nearly as terrible as your own problems," said Narcissa. "Sort out your own life before starting on Draco."

"If you had let him go to Durmstrang, we'd have never had this trouble with the Weasleys!" snapped Lucius. "There are no Mudbloods at Durmstrang!"

"The Weasleys are pure bloods," Narcissa pointed out. "And besides, if by any chance this little charade happens to last, think of the attention our Draco would receive. That'd take the spotlight off the Potter boy."

Draco jumped out from behind the tapestry.

Lucius shot him a sinister look, holding up his wand.

"Lucius," Narcissa scolded. "Leave the boy alone!"

"I won't be buying you a present from Knockturn Alley on Thursday," said Lucius, addressing his son. "That shall be your punishment." Then he left down the corridor, down the stairs, and back to his study.

"He'll buy you something," said Narcissa, placing her hand on her son's shoulder, leading him off down the hall.

It was then that Draco realised this was one of those rare occasions in the Malfoy household when they Malfoy family did something together, even if it was arguing, and this time, it was all thanks to Ginny Weasley...