All's Fair in Love and War

All's Fair In Love and War

The battle had raged all around her. Demons, Death Eaters, Order Members, Warriors, all of them dueling and fighting.

Ginny herself had been in the midst of a fierce fight with a demon. She looked like a human woman with dark brown hair, dressed very modernly in black, and was hurling blue fireballs nearly faster than Ginny could duck. Nearly. She finally kicked the demon in the gut, effectively knocking her to the ground. She followed the demon down and pinned the demon with her knee. She drew a knife from a holster around her hips and stabbed the demon in the chest.

As the demon turned into dust, Ginny got up, looking around, seeing if anyone needed her help. What saw then turned her insides to ice.

Draco was fighting a demon identical to the one she'd just been fighting (Ginny supposed they were part of a clan) and he was having much more luck with it than she'd been having. Draco had thrown a dagger at the demon, vanquishing it and in that moment a jet of blue light shot towards him. It was a spell Ginny saw. A powerful one. The spell hit Draco before she could even utter a single sound. He had collapsed right were he stood.

~

Ginny shook her head trying to clear it of the horrible memories.

That had been a week ago. She looked down at Draco, lying in his bed. She had no idea how long she'd been sitting by Draco's bed, praying to any and every higher deity for him to wake up. After Draco had been hit, Ginny had Apparated him to the Hogwarts infirmary. Madame Pomfrey could do nothing for him, so they had sent Draco to St. Mungo's. There they had treated him for four days, all of which he'd been in a coma during. Finally, they had sent Draco home a couple of days ago, saying that he could wake up anytime from two hours later to two years later.

Ginny looked up, across the large four poster bed at the window. The sun was setting outside, casting a golden glow on the snow blanketing the fields surrounding the Manor. She'd gotten to Malfoy Manor that morning, and been in Draco's room since then. She looked back at Draco, and bit her lip blinking back tears.

This damn war. When would it be over? She hated it. She hated it with every fiber of her being. And even through this hatred, she knew she owed the war. It had brought her and Draco together, but it could just as easily rip them apart. For Merlin's sake! He could never wake up! All really was fair in love and war. A few tears slipped down her cheek and Ginny angrily wiped them away. She wouldn't cry, she told herself. Crying was weak, but Merlin only knew how weak she felt just then.

She felt like the part of her soul that was the Phoenix had decided to fold its wings and settle down for a nice long nap. Which simply wouldn't do. Ginny needed that part of her soul, it was what made her strong. Without it, she was the eleven year old girl that had been possessed by Voldemort. She knew that she felt so weak because of the state Draco was in. Sometimes the strong connection between the Warrior pairs was a curse. They each needed the other, and couldn't function without their other half. Like yin and yang. She'd thought Draco was being a little too philosophical when he'd told her his theory on just that once, but now she knew that he'd been right. Dragon and Phoenix, yin and yang; there was practically no difference.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the door to Draco's bedroom opening. Ginny quickly wiped away the remaining traces of tears.

"I thought you'd be here," Narcissa Malfoy said softly, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Ginny turned a little in her chair so that she could see the older woman. Narcissa was wearing a pair of sweeping, dark blue robes that were no doubt expensive. Her blond hair was pulled into an elegant French twist, her light blue eyes filled with a sadness that only mothers knew.

She walked up behind Ginny and looked down at her son.

"I'm sorry," Ginny said softly, looking at Draco.

Narcissa shook her head. "It's not your fault, Ginny. You couldn't have done anything to stop it."

"Yes, I could've," Ginny protested. "I could have watched out for him, I could've said something. I could've done something."

The older woman put her hand on Ginny's shoulder. "You've done more than enough for him as it is. Come with me, I'd like to show you something."

Ginny looked back at Draco, hesitating.

"Misty will tell us if he wakes up. Come."

Ginny reluctantly got up from her chair and followed Narcissa out the door. She led her down one of the many corridors on the third floor of Malfoy Manor.

Since the identities of the Warriors had been revealed, Malfoy Manor had, in a way, become Warrior headquarters. Narcissa had not objected, claiming it was nice to be helping the Light in any way she could.

"In here," Narcissa said, opening a door.

Ginny snapped out of her thoughts, and followed the blond woman into the room. At the first sight of the room, her jaw dropped.

It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful bedroom Ginny had ever seen.

It was so light, so contrasting to the rest of the Manor. The walls were painted a light ivory with a large portrait of a beautiful woman over an elegant white fireplace on one wall. The woman in the portrait was no doubt a Malfoy. She was dressed in a dark red Renaissance style dress, embroidered with silver thread. Her dark, nearly black hair was arranged carefully into a neat updo. She looked regal and queen-like, and her charcoal rimmed eyes followed Ginny suspiciously.

The elaborate headboard of an ivory bed stood in the center of the wall opposite the doorway. The light wood, which Ginny couldn't even name, was carved with all sorts of designs and animals. The comforter on the bed was a light golden color with white roses embroidered on it and it looked silky soft. The bed was flanked by two bedside tables, on both of which stood an elegant white lamp. There were two doors opposite the fireplace, which Ginny suspected led off to a closet and a bathroom. On her right stood an antique white vanity table.

"This is my room," Narcissa said, gliding inside.

"It's beautiful," Ginny breathed, still looking around.

"Have a seat," Narcissa offered, motioning to the vanity table's chair.

The redhead sat down awkwardly, catching a glimpse of herself in the elegant mirror. Her reflection certainly didn't fit in with the surroundings. Ginny resisted the urge to grimace.

Her red hair fell around her face and down her back in frizzy waves and curls. Her eyes were dull and she had dark circles underneath. Her skin seemed gaunt and paler than usual, her many freckles standing out in sharp contrast.

She turned around to see Narcissa getting out an elegant black box out of one of the bedside tables.

"Ooh," cooed the portrait. "Well, it's about time. I was beginning to suspect this was the end. Hmm. She looks a bit sick, though."

Narcissa smiled at the younger girl. "This is Loralie, the last girl to be born into the Malfoy family."

Ginny's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really?"

"Mhmm," the older woman nodded. "There has not been a female Malfoy born in over five hundred years."

"Another is far over due," Loralie said haughtily.

Narcissa looked at the portrait an almost saucy smile on her face. "Do you know what else is far over due?"

Loralie shot Narcissa a look. "Very well, I can tell when I am not wanted."

With that, Loralie picked up her skirts and stalked out of the portrait.

Ginny had to repress a snort. That was without a doubt the only portrait in all of Malfoy Manor with a personality.

Narcissa shook her head, chuckling softly. She glided over to the vanity table and set the box down in front of Ginny. Remembering the portrait's first comment, she looked at it suspiciously.

"What is it?" she asked tentatively.

"You'll see," the blond woman answered. "You are the first female Weasley born in several generations, aren't you, Ginevra?"

"Yes, I am," the younger girl answered quietly.

Narcissa lifted the lid of the box, nodding. Lying on a bed of black velvet, was the most beautiful bracelet Ginny had ever seen. It was made of a thin silver chain that looked so dainty, one would think it would break with the slightest movement. Acting as sort of links in the chain were five emerald circles, each about a centimeter in diameter, with a clear gem in the center. Knowing the Malfoy's, said gems were undoubtedly diamonds and the emeralds were probably the finest money could buy.

All in all, it was breath taking.

Narcissa picked up the bracelet. "Ginny, give me your hand."

She gasped. "No! Mrs. Malfoy, I couldn't. I mean, I just can't!"

The blond woman sighed rolling her eyes uncharacteristically. "Really, Ginny. I wish you wouldn't call me that. Narcissa is perfectly fine. Or if you insist on being formal, Miss Narcissa."

"Mrs. M- Miss Narcissa," Ginny pleaded. "I really couldn't, the bracelet..."

She trailed off as the older woman took her left hand and fastened the bracelet around her wrist.

Ginny looked at the silver bracelet winking in the soft light of the room. It really was beautiful...she shook her head. No. She was not accepting it. For Merlin's sake! It probably cost more than her house did.

"Miss Narcissa, I really can't. It's beautiful, but knowing me I'll probably break it. Please, I really just can't accept it."

Narcissa sat down on the bed so that she faced Ginny.

"Ginny, I want you to have it. Really, it just sits there in that box, I'd much rather you wear it. Not to mention that it has an anti-breaking charm on it," she said with a slight smirk.

Ginny folded her hands in her lap, looking down at the bracelet. "It's too much."

"No, it's not. Ginevra, I want you to have it."

The redhead looked up, lips pressed together. She couldn't fathom for the life of her why Narcissa was giving her this expensive, gorgeous bracelet.

"I just have one question."

Narcissa nodded. "Go ahead."

"Why?"

"You have done so much for Draco," Narcissa began, smiling. Ginny opened her mouth to protest, but the Narcissa put up her hand. "Let me finish."

Ginny closed her mouth, still looking dubiously at the other woman.

"You saved my son from himself, for which I could never repay you. And Draco loves you. I can see it in the way he is when you're around. You make him happy, and a mother knows no greater joy than to see her child happy. So, please, Ginny, take the bracelet."

Narcissa's speech had softened Ginny's expression, not to mention her resolve, but not completely.

"It's beautiful, Miss Narcissa, it really is. I just...it looks so valuable."

Narcissa smiled at her. "Ginny, you'll be offending me it you don't take it."

The redhead opened her mouth, then closed it, trying to formulate an argument. Narcissa watched her, an amused smile on her face, reminding Ginny very much of Draco.

Finally, she sighed. "Thank you, then."

Narcissa stood up, smiling broadly. "Alright then."

"Misty," she called.

With a pop, a young house-elf appeared. Her large ears flopped down as she bowed to Narcissa. Her large eyes were brown and her tea cozy was very decorated with different pins and brooches. All in all, for a house-elf, Misty was very well groomed. Ginny wondered distantly how Narcissa had convinced Misty that pins were not in fact clothes.

"Mistress called?" Misty asked, her voice high and squeaky.

Narcissa smiled at her. "Yes. Misty please take Ginevra to the fourth floor guest bedroom and draw her a bath."

Misty nodded and bowed. "Follow Misty, Miss."

Ginny looked at Narcissa uncertainly.

"Go. Take a bath and get some rest, you'll feel better in the morning."

Ginny nodded, thanked Narcissa one last time and followed Misty out of the room.

Although Ginny had spent a great deal of time at Malfoy Manor lately, she'd never actually stayed the night. Truth be told, though, a bath and a warm bed sounded heavenly right about now.

Misty led her back down the hall, past Draco's room (where Ginny'd hesitated), up a flight of stairs and a little further down another corridor. Finally, the house-elf stopped at a door opposite a picture of three regal women dressed in dark green and silver robes, adorned in diamonds and emeralds. They seemed to sense Ginny looking at them, and cast dark looks at her. She scowled at them and followed Misty inside.

The room was gorgeous. Ginny was beginning to expect no less from the Malfoy's. She fingered the bracelet unconsciously.

The walls were painted a powder blue with a light wooden floor. There was a large blue and white flowered rug that looked incredibly soft. On the wall to Ginny's right was a door which opened up to a bathroom with a fireplace a little further down the wall. Along the opposite wall stood a tall, king-sized four poster bed with a puffy comforter the same color of the walls. By the bed was a bedside table made of the same wood that the floor was, as was the wardrobe that stood on the other side of the fireplace.

Ginny saw, with relief that there was not a portrait or a mirror in the room. The last thing she wanted to do right now was engage in conversation. She yawned. All she wanted right now was to take a bath and go to sleep.

She heard water running in the bathroom. She took off her black dragonhide boots and left them by the door. She walked across the room into the bathroom. The carpet was just as soft as she'd predicted.

The bathroom was just like the room. Spacious and blue. Light blue walls and a marble bathtub and washstand. The former of which was filled with steaming hot water and sweet smelling sky blue bubbles.

Ginny inhaled deeply. It smelled, oddly enough, like sugar cookies. She smiled.

"Miss Ginevra like?" Misty asked anxiously, standing by the bathtub.

Ginny smiled at the little house-elf. "Yes, it's wonderful Misty, thank you. But, I think I can take it from here."

Misty bowed and disappeared with a pop. Ginny quickly undressed and slipped into the steaming hot bathtub.

The hot water was soothing to her tired muscles and the sweet smell relaxed her overworked brain. Ginny closed her eyes, soaking in the warmth. This was all really too much. She'd just wanted to see how Draco was, that was all. She hadn't even planned to stay the night. Ginny sighed deeply, remembering just how she'd ended up in Malfoy Manor today.

That morning, she'd been eating breakfast and sulking when her mother, who'd been in the kitchen with her, suggested that she visit Malfoy Manor. For a couple of days. Ginny had been pouring milk on her cornflakes just then, and had been so surprised she kept pouring the milk long after the bowl had overflown.

She smiled at the memory. Her mother really was the kindest person on Earth. She'd taken out her wand and banished the overflown milk and cereal, smiling a little. Dumbstruck, Ginny had stammered something she couldn't even recall, but the words 'huh,' 'why,' and 'what,' had probably been said. Molly Weasley had sat down across from her daughter smiling kindly and said that she knew what love was, and that when a loved one was hurt or sick, it tore your heart in two to be away from them, not knowing if they would be alright.

Ginny had embraced her mother, tears escaping her eyes and thanking her for understanding. She sighed again and sunk lower into the bathtub.

The story between her family and Draco was a complicated one, and not something she wanted to puzzle over just now. She swiped a lock of hair off her face, the bracelet Narcissa had given her sliding down her wrist. Ginny turned her wrist this way and that, the bracelet glinting in the light of the bathroom. She sighed. Narcissa shouldn't have given it to her. It was just too much. She didn't deserve it.

With another heavy sigh, Ginny sunk down into the bathtub.

~

By the time Ginny got out of the bathtub, the bubbles had disappeared, the water was cold and the mirror was fogged up.

She wrapped herself up in a big, fuzzy blue towel and started out of the bathroom. She stopped at the mirror, unable to resist the temptation to write her name on it's fogged up surface. Carefully she wrote her name on the mirror in neat cursive, smiling happily. Satisfied, she made her way into the room.

There was a fire crackling merrily in the fireplace. On the bedside table stood a tray with a mug of hot chocolate and a few shortbread cookies and on the bed lay a silky blue dressing gown with velvet blue bathrobe.

Ginny shook her head, grinning. Narcissa was going to spoil her.

She changed into the dressing gown, drank the hot chocolate and climbed into the bed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

~

Ginny was woken the following morning by a knock on the door. She groaned and pulled one of the pillows over her face. The knocker knocked louder.

"Miss Ginevra, this Misty!" squeaked the elf.

With a sigh, Ginny pulled the pillow off of her face. "Come in, Misty."

The door opened and Misty came in, bowing.

Yawning, Ginny turned on her side so that she faced the little house-elf.

"What is it, Misty?" she asked, trying not to sound agitated.

"Misty very sorry to wake Miss, but Mistress said to wake Miss when Master Draco wakes up."

Ginny sat bolt upright all traces of sleep disappearing.

"Draco's awake?" she asked, dumbfounded.

Misty nodded, her ears flapping. Suddenly she stopped, her eyes going wide.
Ginny saw that the house-elf had set eyes on her bracelet. Ginny had a bad feeling about this.

Misty bowed very deeply.

"Misty very sorry, Misty not know Miss was Mistress!"

"WHAT?" Ginny asked, more than a little startled. She shook her head. "Nevermind that now, Misty. Draco's awake?"

"Yes, Mistress Ginevra," squeaked Misty.

Ginny jumped off of the bed, grabbed the velvet bathrobe and ran barefoot down the cold corridor. She put on the robe as she pounded down the stairs that led from the fourth floor to the third. She ran down the third floor corridor to Draco's room, the portraits on the walls staring at her as she flew by.

She stopped outside of his door, not even winded. She knocked softly, her heart pounding.

"Come in," came Draco's voice from the other side of the door.

Draco was sitting at the window seat opposite the door, looking out at the snow covered fields surrounding the manor. He had one leg drawn up and what Ginny guessed was a sketchpad balanced on his knee, his other leg stretched out in front of him. He was clad in a pair of black jeans and a black t-shirt, making Ginny wonder just how long he'd been awake. The sun filtering through the window glinted on his hair turning it more silver than ever.

"It's me," she said softly, closing the door behind her.

Draco looked over at her.

"Come here," he said, motioning to the window.

Ginny started across the room, wrapping her robe around her. She had to resist the urge to run across the room and launch herself at him. When she got to the window seat, Draco pulled her up onto his lap, smirking. A smirk appeared on Ginny's own face.

"I want a pony, and dolly, and broom..." she said in a little girl's voice, sitting so that her back was to the window, legs slung over Draco's lap and leaning on his chest.

Draco shook his head, grinning. "Do you ever shut up?"

"Never," she answered shaking her head and smiling.

She looked up at him, grinning, and he tilted his head down and kissed her. The kiss was gentle and sweet, almost tentative at first. Draco snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her closer while Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. They broke apart a little later, both breathing heavily.

"I see you've regained your strength," Ginny teased.

"Very much so," Draco said, eyebrows raised. He leaned in to kiss her again, but Ginny stopped him, resting her hand on his chest. He looked at her quizzically.

"Seriously, though. How are you feeling?" she asked, concern etching her features.

"Besides a slightly bruised ego, I'm perfectly fine," he answered. Satisfied with the answer Ginny leaned in again, but pulled back before his lips even touched hers.

"What now?" he asked.

"When did you wake up?"

He sighed heavily, looking at her incredulously. " Two hours ago, why?"

Ginny sat up, mouth open. "WHAT? Two hours ago! Why didn't anybody wake me up till just now?"

"Because," Draco explained, settling back against the wall, his arm still around Ginny's waist. "I asked Mother to let you sleep a bit longer. You do realize it's seven in the morning?"

Ginny opened her mouth, then closed it again, Draco watching her with an amused smirk on his face. She shook her head.

"You know what? Nevermind," she said, settling back into her previous position. She rested her hand on his chest. It seemed Draco had given up on trying to kiss her again.

"When did you get this?" Draco asked suddenly, taking Ginny's hand. He was referring to the bracelet.

"Your mum gave it to me," she said softly.

He gave a very un-Draco-like snort and shook his head. "I should have known."

"What?" Ginny asked suspiciously, although she had a sneaking suspicion she knew what.

"It's a long story."

"I've got time," she said.

"Alright then. Well, about five hundred years ago, the bracelet you're wearing was given to Loralie Malfoy-"

Ginny gasped. "The last female Malfoy to be born?"

Draco's eyebrows shot up. "Yeah. How did you know that?"

"Your mum's got a portrait of her in her bedroom," Ginny explained, starting to piece things together.

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Of course," he drawled.

Ginny poked him in the chest a few times. "Elaborate, please."

"Alright, alright, you don't have to stab me," he scowled. "The bracelet was given to Loralie when she was born and was supposed to be passed down to the next girl to be born into the Malfoy line."

"But there never was," Ginny said.

"Why don't you tell the story then?" Draco asked, testily.

Ginny had to resist the urge to laugh. "Sorry, your Majesty. Continue."

"Thank you," he said with a nod at her. Ginny grinned. He settled back. "Now, where was I? Oh, right. Well, because of that, the bracelet has been passed down to and from the wives of the Malfoy's."

"Why did your mum give me the bracelet then?" Ginny asked, feeling a little confused and shocked. Suddenly she gasped. "Does she think we're..."

Draco chuckled.

"Oh, you find my confusion amusing, do you?"

"Yes, I do," Draco answered coolly. "Don't worry, I don't think she's expecting to hear wedding bells anytime soon though."

Ginny put her head down on his chest. "Alright, well now I really don't understand why she gave the bracelet to me."

"She likes you," Draco said. "Oddly enough."

Ginny slapped his shoulder.

"Ow! Coma, remember?" he asked, rubbing his shoulder.

Ginny scowled up at him. "Sorry.

"Serves you right though," she muttered a moment later.

He chuckled, fingering the bracelet around her wrist. "Might be nice, though. Someday..."

She lifted her head again, looking at Draco suspiciously.

"Are you," she asked. "Proposing?"

Draco grinned. "Believe me, Red, if I were proposing we would certainly not be in my room."

Ginny smiled warmly up at him and pulled his head down towards her, kissing him deeply.

"Say I was proposing," Draco asked, pulling away. "What would you say?"

Ginny smirked. "I dunno..."

"You are evil," he said, with a wicked grin of his own.

"Occasionally," she answered and kissed him again.

Suddenly there was a loud pop, causing Ginny and Draco to spring apart. In the process of which, Draco hit the back of his head on the wall and Ginny banged into the window and knocked Draco's sketchpad to the ground.

"Misty very sorry!" squeaked the house-elf. "Misty just bringing breakfast."

"It's alright Misty," Draco sighed, rubbing the back of his head and wincing.

"Will Master Draco and Mistress Ginevra be eating in here?" Misty asked, bowing.

Draco's eyebrows shot up.

"Misty," Ginny began, sitting up on her heels. "Could you do me a favor?"

"Misty not know."

"Misty, could you possibly call me 'Miss' instead of 'Mistress?'" the redhead asked hopefully.

Draco scoffed beside her.

The elf shook her head. "Misty very sorry, but Misty cannot."

Ginny sighed defeatedly. "Could you call me 'Ginny' then?"

Misty nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Misty can call Mistress Ginevra 'Mistress Ginny!' Misty will get breakfast for Master and Mistress."

And with that she disappeared.

Ginny looked over at Draco who was laughing.

"Well, at least it's something."

Draco laughed. "You really are amazing, you know that?"

She shrugged. "Part of my charm."

Ginny leaned forward and kissed him, relishing being with him.

"What was that for?" Draco asked when they broke apart several minutes later.

"I missed you," she said.

He chuckled. "I was only out for a week."

"But you could've been out for years!" Ginny protested.

He kissed her forehead. "You never answered my question, you know."

"What ques- oh," she said, then scowled and gave him a Look.

"What do you think?" the red haired witch asked sardonically.

"I think you should give me a straight answer," Draco answered cheekily.

She rolled her eyes.

"Well my answer is yes."

Draco grinned widely. Ginny giggled at the happy look on his face. Had she really made him that happy? Her silent question was answered when he leaned and kissed her passionately.

Whoever said that all was fair in love and war was absolutely right, Ginny thought. Darkness had brought her and Draco together, and because of Darkness they drew closer.

Darkness had created their love.

It could also eventually rip them apart, but for the time being the only thing she could do was to treasure each day she had with Draco, and that was exactly what she planned to do.