After Hogwarts

Chapter Fourteen:

The Leaky Cauldron:

The next week flew by for Ginny. She was pleasantly surprised how much she was enjoying working with Draco. He had a great sense of humor and they had a lot of fun while they trailed Narcissa.

Ginny also found that Draco was quite efficient. On his on initiative Draco compiled a list of names of everyone he could find that Narcissa had been in contact with over recent months. He also searched his home for any receipts on recent purchases made by his mother. He was hoping that he might find a lead on the Cursed Serpent that produced the muggle artifacts or even a lead to the old man that ran the abandoned pawnshop where Ginny was attacked. Draco was still hopeful that his mother was somehow being used and was ignorant of the wrong doings happening that seemed to be caused by her.

"It's actually rather exciting," Draco told Ginny one afternoon when he was telling her about how he had been searching his house.

"Is there anywhere in your house that you haven't looked?" Ginny's question made Draco look uncomfortable.

"Well... actually there is..." Draco was slow to answer her.

"Where?" Ginny asked.

"This is where I get to remind you that everything between us is confidential," Draco pressed.

"I know, I know," Ginny reassured him.

"Well, my father had a secret room full of dark artifacts from back in the day of You-Know-Who. I don't think there is anything terribly dangerous or illegal there anymore, but I'd still prefer if no one knows about the room," Draco said.

"I won't tell, I promise," Ginny answered very solemnly.

"I want to go down to the room, but some servant and even my mother on occasion has shown up every time I try. It's quite frustrating," Draco said.

"Do you think she knows you're up to something?" Ginny was worried.

"No," Draco reassured her. "I think it's just bad timing on my part. I need to do it when she's out of the house and there are no servants around."

"We'll come up with something, don't worry," Ginny reassured him. Ginny was impressed by Draco's hard work. She gave most of the information Draco gathered to Miranda and Percy to see if they could come up with anything. She just didn't share certain information like the secret room in Draco's house because she couldn't justify how she got that information. She figured that there would be time to tell Percy and Miranda if any concrete leads came from it.

Miranda sent an owl post to Ginny earlier that week to tell her the latest information that Percy had come up with. He was certain that a coven of wizards were responsible for the artifacts being created and distributed. That made locating the coven of wizards and finding the Cursed Serpent their number one goal. The Ministers of Magic, Snape and Black, had put together a special task force that consisted of experts of muggle artifacts and Aurors, who normally specialized in tracking down wizards who broke the law, but were going to help track down the Cursed Serpent and as well as find the coven.

Percy also had a theory that there was a hierarchy concerning the muggles who had muggle artifacts. Percy felt that the mysterious old man that the muggles who attacked Ginny referenced was at the top of the muggle hierarchy. It seemed that he had influence over the other muggles with artifacts. Percy theorized that the mysterious old man was the same old man from the pawnshop. After Percy had found out about Ginny's attack, he had Miranda and a sketch artist from the paper meet with Ginny so that Ginny could give a description of the old man to the artist. From the details Ginny gave him, the artist created a composite that looked very much like the old man. Percy gave copies of it to the Aurors so they could use the picture to help aid them in capturing the old man.

Percy was fairly certain that the muggles with artifacts whom old man advised were recruiting regular muggles. Percy was unclear as to how much the muggles without artifacts really saw or were aware of, but he was certain that in large numbers that these aware muggles and their friends were dangerous. Luckily so far the Ministry's scout and rabbit retrieving teams had been locating many of these muggles with artifacts and collecting them. Up to this point, the situation was under control, but they needed to solve this soon or there would be serious repercussions.

Miranda had been able to keep the paper from printing any articles that would reveal what was going on. The few articles that were written were treated as separate events. There were rumors passing among the wizarding society concerning the recent strange events, but nothing was confirmed nor were the rumors as dire as the real situation was.

So far Percy was pleased with what Ginny had uncovered. He was confident that she was on to something important. Ginny had real talent as a scout. Percy even appointed Willow an official Ministry Rabbit Retriever, which was a title given to the rabbits that were trained to work with the scouts.

Ginny felt pride for her pet as she tugged on Willow's leash when they had finished up that day. By the end of the day, Willow was always a bit tired.

"So you up for a pint and a bit of fun?" Draco asked Ginny. He had begun to tease her a bit more over the week for always being so serious. Ginny shook her head and rolled her eyes at Draco because he had asked her if she wanted to go out after work every day that week and her answer was always the same.

"My answer is the same as it was yesterday and the day before that and the day before that," Ginny laughed.

"Ginny," Draco sincerely said. "You have got to have more in your life than just work. A little bit of fun never killed anyone."

"I can't. I have work to do and besides poor Willow is exhausted," Ginny lifted her pet as she answered.

"All your going to do is mull over what we saw today, which wasn't much unless you find grocery shopping interesting. Sometimes you need to distract yourself and have a bit of fun," Ginny looked doubtful as Draco spoke. "It can even make you better at your job."

"I don't think so," Ginny laughed at how much Draco over emphasized the word better. She knew he was trying to goad her.

"And I don't think Willow would mind if you dropped her off and then went out with me for a pint," Draco then put his face really close to Willow's and wiggled his nose. "Do you mind Willow? Do you?" Willow began to flop her ears around as Ginny held her. Ginny quickly moved so Willow so she could no longer see Draco.

"Don't you turn my rabbit against me," Ginny teased.

"Even Willow agrees with me," Draco grinned.

"I don't know," Ginny was hesitant.

"You can't wear the weight of the world on your shoulders Ginny," Draco bluntly said. "You are allowed to have a life." Ginny thought about what Draco was saying. Am I too serious, she wondered, thinking that the only time she had fun recently was after Draco rescued her and there's something convoluted about that. Did she have to be attacked before she'd let herself relax a bit? It was just that she wasn't used to having fun or having anyone to play with. During her years at Hogwarts she spent so much time studying and getting good grades, after all, she had six brothers that had done so well before her. She felt a lot of pressure to live up to them. And on the rare occasion when she wasn't studying, she was trying to somehow get Harry to notice her, not that anything she ever did made him see her other than Ron's little sister. Harry...the thought of him brought a rush to her heart. She wondered how he was doing at Hogwarts. Was he happy? Was he sad? She wished that just once he would look at her with those brilliant green eyes and see her the way she wanted him to see her...

"Ginny are you going to answer me?" Draco sounded impatient. Ginny shook her head very fast trying to clear her thoughts from a certain someone.

"Sorry?" Ginny genuinely asked.

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" Draco already knew the answer and Ginny's blushing confirmed his suspicions.

"It's not that..." Ginny was at a loss for words. The crooked smile on Draco's face let Ginny know he wasn't offended.

"See, point proven! You need a break," Draco once again teased. Oh why not, Ginny resolved.

"Fine," Ginny conceded. "I'll drop Willow off and we'll go for a pint."

"She finally gave in!" Draco kissed Willow on the head.

"Don't push it," Ginny wagged her finger at him.

"I believe I was having a conversation with Willow," Draco chuckled.

"Don't make me change my mind," Ginny threatened

"Okay, okay," Draco mockingly backed down and bowed. "So why don't we meet at The Leaky Cauldron in an hour or so."

"I'll see you there," Ginny said before she took Willow home.

As soon as Ginny and Willow got home Willow hopped right to Ginny's room and stretched out on the bed. Ginny promptly went into the kitchen and got some fresh veggies and water for the tired bunny.

Fred and George were still at their shop, so the apartment was unusually quiet. After Ginny fed Willow she decided to hurry and get dressed. She wanted to be gone before her brothers got home or she knew she'd be answering the Weasley inquisition as to where she was going and with whom. Both Fred and George were very protective of her and she knew that they would not approve of her friendship with Draco.

She rummaged through her closest trying to find something to wear. She finally decided on a satin green robe with cream lace, it was a great color for Ginny because it highlighted her warm brown eyes and flaming red hair. This particular robe fit her more like a dress, but she didn't mind. She had actually strangely become fond of muggle clothing.

Before she got dressed, she sat in front of her vanity and ran her fingers through her hair. It had begun to grow back in since she cut it 8 months ago; it was now a few inches below her shoulders. Ginny didn't like her hair longer; it made her feel like she was still a student at Hogwarts. She opened the drawer to her vanity and pulled out her scissors and begun to chop away at her hair. When she was finished, she shook her head and she smiled because she was pleased with her reflection in the mirror. Her hair really did look better an inch or two above her shoulders. She felt empowered. Ginny then decided to put on a little bit of lipstick and eye shadow, which she never did.

"Clock, what time is it?" Ginny asked.

"It is 8:00 PM, Madam," Clock answered.

"Great, I still have plenty of time," Ginny said as she grabbed a coat and left her room. As Ginny walked to the front door, she saw it open and in came her brothers, Fred and George.

"Where are you going all dressed up?" George asked his sister.

"I'm meeting a friend," Ginny answered.

"Miranda?" Both men excitedly asked. As Ginny shook her head and both men looked disappointed.

"Then who?" Fred asked. Ginny did not want to tell her brothers because she knew they would get over protective and would not understand.

"It's no one either of you know," Ginny lied.

"As long as it's not that Draco Malfoy," Fred said as he walked in the kitchen and grabbed two apples.

"Yeah," George agreed as Fred threw him over one of the apples. "That Draco is and always has been nothing but trouble."

"Stay away from that one Ginny," Fred warned as he bite into his apple. Ginny kissed each brother on his cheek.

"You both worry too much," Ginny warmly said.

"We just don't want you with the wrong sort," George said.

"I already have told you Draco and I are just friends," Ginny reminded them.

"Yeah, well keep it a casual friendship only," said Fred. "You can do better than Draco."

"Besides, don't you still have a thing for Harry?" Ginny wanted to kick George for asking her that. It wasn't that her family wasn't aware of how she felt, but that didn't mean it was open for discussion.

"First of all, my love life had NOTHING to do with either of you," Ginny warned.

"Yeah but..."Fred started.

"Yeah but nothing," Ginny interrupted him. "I think you both would be a little more concerned with your own love life or lack of one."

"Hey, that's not nice," George looked hurt.

"Our love lives are none of your business," Fred pointed out.

"Exactly," Ginny smiled. "Now I'll see you both later."

Ginny quickly left before Fred and George started giving her a really hard time. It was a beautiful evening as she walked to The Leaky Cauldron. The sky was clear and the stars were bright. When Ginny looked at the crescent moon, it reminded her that she had three weeks until the next full moon. She was certain that during the full moon, Narcissa would reveal something. It had to be more than coincidence that on two consecutive full moons something strange happened concerning the muggle artifacts. The first time was when she saw Narcissa giving the muggle woman the artifact and the second time was when she found the pawnshop and the chest of artifacts. Before she knew it she was outside The Leaky Cauldron.

Ginny stood outside for several minutes just staring at the doorway. She felt nervous. When Ginny was working she was very confident because she was in her element, but when she was out socially she felt very insecure and out of place. She decided she was acting ridiculous; after all, she was just meeting a friend for a pint. She took a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back as she walked inside.

It took her a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Once they did adjust, she quickly looked around and saw that Draco hadn't arrived yet. She decided to go to the bar and order herself a butterbeer. The usual bartender, Tom, wasn't working that night; instead there was a short little woman who tending bar.

"Whatcha like luv?" the bartender asked.

"A butterbeer please," Ginny replied.

"Aye, that's a good choice," the bartender was quick to get Ginny her drink. "Luv, that'll be 3 Knuts." Ginny handed the bartender 5 Knuts and told her to keep the change. The bartender smiled, grateful for the generous tip.

Ginny took a sip of her Butter Beer and felt it slowly warm her insides. She was beginning to relax and was starting to question why she was so nervous in the first place. Ginny had been sitting at the bar for about 10 minutes when she felt someone tap her shoulder. She was glad that Draco had finally gotten there.

"About time you got here," Ginny teased as she turned her head around, "I've been..." Ginny started to say, but didn't finish because once she turned around, it wasn't Draco she was looking at. It was someone she hadn't seen in awhile, but she'd know those green eyes anywhere.

"I don't think I am who you were expecting," a familiar voice said. Ginny said nothing as she looked at Harry Potter. She felt butterflies dancing around in her stomach. He was still as good looking as always.

"Hi Harry," Ginny forced herself to speak. "What are you doing here?"

"It is spring break and since many of the students opted to go home, Dumbledore gave some of the professors a little time off," Harry explained.

"I'm meeting a friend, but would you like to sit and keep me company while I wait?" Ginny gestured to the empty barstool next to her.

"Actually I'm also meeting someone here," Harry paused to look around, "but they don't seem to be here yet either, but better yet, why don't we grab a table?" Harry then ordered a snifter of sherry from the bartender.

"Okay," Ginny timidly said after Harry got his snifter. She was still in such awe of Harry. She got lost every time she looked at him. Tonight he was dressed in a black robe and that matched his black hair, even if it was a bit too long. He still looked so beautiful. Ginny felt weak in the knees as she stood up and had to concentrate really hard to keep her balance.

"Well, well," Harry took a step back as he looked at Ginny. "Haven't you grown up? I really like what you've done with your hair."

"Really?" Ginny ran her fingers through it. She was amazed that Harry was noticing something about her. She felt the excitement pumping through her blood like wildfire.

"Really," Harry confirmed. "It suits you."

"Well thanks," Ginny said, smiling from ear to ear as they walked over to a little table and sat down.

"Little Ginny has not only grown up, but has grown up into a beautiful woman," Harry said and then leaned over and kissed Ginny lightly on her cheek. Ginny wanted to stop time so she could memorize every sensation she was feeling as Harry's lips touched her cheek. She was just floating on air. Was Harry finally seeing her as a woman, not merely as Ron's little sister? She hoped so. She had been waiting for this moment as long as she could remember.

"Harry stop it, you're embarrassing me," Ginny said but didn't mean as she took a sip of her butterbeer. She didn't want this magical moment to ever end.

"Honestly Ginny, don't you know that you're going to have the men fighting over you? And if they don't treat you right, you let me know," Harry emphasized, "Because you're like a little sister to me." Ginny felt her heart drop and smash into a million pieces. She wanted the floor to open up and suck her up and then spit her out anywhere other than where she was. He couldn't have hurt worse if he had punched her in the face, or so she thought.

"There she is," Harry's attention diverted away as he gestured to a beautiful woman walking toward them. This woman looked a lot like the Veela poster that George had hanging in his room. She was beautiful and exotic and had the same silvery blond hair as George's poster. She looked like she was gliding across the floor rather than walking.

When she got to the table Harry stood up to greet her and then kissed the beautiful woman firmly on her mouth before she sat down next to Harry.

"Ginny this is Fleur Delacour," Harry introduced his friend. "She is also a professor at Hogwarts and we've become...close." Fleur giggled as Harry spoke. Harry looked at Fleur so lovingly, it made Ginny want to scream and yell and run from the table, but she couldn't. Ginny thought she was going to be sick.

"I sink I met you many years ago during za tri wizaird tournament, yes?" as Fleur spoke, Ginny remembered Fleur was one of the contestants from the tournament many years ago.

"Nice to see you again," Ginny forced herself to keep smiling as she spoke when all Ginny really wanted was to pull out every silvery blonde strand of her hair from her perfect head.

"Fleur and I decided to use our time off and take a little holiday together in London," Harry explained and then turned to Fleur, "I was beginning to worry about you."

"Sorree Haurey, ze students took longer zan usual to leave for spring break," she leaned over to kiss Harry. "I did not mean to make you worree cherie." Ginny thought she felt pain before, but never like she felt it at that moment. Ginny stood up to leave, she knew she had to leave and she needed to leave now.

"I have to be going now," Ginny forced herself to calmly to say instead of bursting into tears.

"C'mon Ginny, stay and have a drink with us. I'd love for you to stay and get to know Fleur better why you are waiting for your friend," Harry sincerely said.

"Yes, stay and have a drink wis us," Fleur looked so angelic as she spoke; it made Ginny hate her more. Ginny started wringing her hands while her mind raced for a good excuse; but neither Harry nor Fleur noticed her discomfort.

Ginny felt two hands on her shoulders and gently turn her around. It was Draco. Thank Heavens Draco is here, Ginny thought feeling such a sense of relief. Before Ginny could speak Draco pulled her close to him and kissed her on the mouth, firmly.

"Draco..." Ginny finally after he finished kissing her. She was stunned and didn't know what to say.

"Sorry I'm late. I didn't mean to keep you waiting alone all this time," Draco apologized. Ginny didn't know what Draco was up to, but when she turned around and saw Harry's eyes squint and narrow as he looked at Draco, she realized she didn't care.

"She wasn't alone, she had company," Harry spat like venom to Draco, whom Harry despised more than anyone.

"Oh it's you," Draco looked like he just eaten rotten eggs when he looked at Harry, then nodding his head once as he uttered, "Potter."

"Malfoy," Harry also nodded his head once as he repugnantly acknowledged Draco.

"Haurey?" All eyes turned to Fleur while she gently put her hand on Harry's arm and softly spoke Harry's name. Harry's face immediately softened when he turned to Fleur. Ginny then looked to Draco to see if this Veela woman had the same effect on Draco. Draco's blue eyes were made of cold, hard stone, as he remained completely focused on Harry. He seemed totally unaffected by Fleur. Ginny didn't know why, but that actually made her feel a little better.

"Sorry Fleur," Harry held her hand. "This is Draco Malfoy. We attended Hogwarts together," Harry then turned his face back towards Draco, "and this is my girlfriend, Fleur Delacour." Ginny felt her knees give out, but before she had a chance to stumble, Draco put his arm tightly around her waist without breaking eye contact with Harry.

"I suppose I don't have to introduce you to my girlfriend," Draco deviously smirked. "Do I?"

"Draco..." Ginny looked at him wide eyed as she whispered. She was at such a loss. Everything was happening too quickly.

"We can't keep it a secret forever," Draco softly said, but before Ginny could respond Harry stood up from the table, but still was holding Fleur's hand.

"Keep what a secret?" Harry demanded.

"Me and Ginny," Draco got a lot of pleasure from watching Harry's face contort with rage. Fleur then tugged on Harry's hand gesturing him to sit, which he did.

"You and Ginny?" Harry's voice grew louder.

"Yes me and Ginny," Draco tightened his grip around Ginny's waist as he spoke. "We've been together longer than anyone thinks and understand each other in ways that no one else can. I don't care who knows it."

"She's just a child!" Harry implored.

"No she's not Potter," Draco snarled as he said Harry's name. "The whole world may think you are this brilliant hero, but you really are quite stupid."

"Stupid?" Harry's face was red with rage.

"Yes stupid if you're telling me that you look at Ginny and all you see is a child," Draco spat.

"You still are an arrogant weasel. You're a devious twit. You..."Harry found himself lost for words, especially when Draco refused to respond to his insults.

"Ginny, I know he's your friend, but I'd really like to go," Draco gently turned to Ginny. Ginny didn't know why Draco was acting this way, but she was grateful. She wanted to hate Harry Potter! All these years she had loved him and still all he thought of her as a child. She felt such the fool sitting her earlier actually thinking Harry could return her feelings when he was obviously in love with some one else! Thanks heavens Draco showed up when he did, once again saving her.

"It's been great seeing you Harry, but you obviously aren't able to put aside your past differences and treat Draco with respect, so I'm afraid it's best we leave," Ginny held her head high and forced herself to smile then turning to Draco. "Let's go my love."

"With pleasure," Draco looked over to Harry and smirked. "I don't care for the riff raff in her tonight anyway."

Ginny might have been feeling like the biggest fool in the world, but she was determined to leave with dignity. She forced herself to look at Fleur and as sweetly as she could muster she said, "It's been nice meeting you."

"Likewise," Fleur said, but she didn't sound convincing.

"See you around Harry," Ginny said as she and Draco turned around to leave.

"Ready love?" Draco said offering Ginny his arm. When Ginny slid her arm through Draco's arm, he took that as a yes and they walked toward the door.

Once they were outside they didn't speak, they just continued to walk arm and arm for several blocks towards The Commons. Ginny felt her eyes burn as they filled with water and tears rolled down her face, but she refused to give in and fall apart. She forced herself to walk with her shoulders back and her head held high.

Luckily The Commons was relatively quiet when they got there. A few people were walking around and the pubs and restaurants looked full. Draco and Ginny walked over to a bench and sat down. Ginny was still feeling too numb to speak.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked Ginny as he wiped the tears from her face. As soon as she heard his voice, she snapped back into reality and became very aware again. Emotions started flooding her. When she went to stand up, she realized her arm was still entwined with Draco's and she began to fill with rage.

"Why did you do that? Why did you kiss me?" Ginny stood up and put her hands on her hips, finally finding her voice. Her face turned bright red. She was hurt, angry and humiliated. It didn't matter that she was angry with someone else. It was immaterial that a part of her was grateful that Draco who had come to her aid; she couldn't express that to him. All she wanted to do was scream and scream loudly.

"It seemed like you needed rescuing," Draco calmly said even though he was still furious with Potter. "Kissing you was just a fringe benefit."

"What do you mean rescuing?" Ginny stamped her foot. How dare Draco decide that she need rescuing, did the whole world see her as a child that needed saving? "And kissing me was a...fringe benefit? Are you insane?"

"I'm not blind, even if Potter is," Draco almost snarled as he uttered Harry's name. He regretted it as soon as he saw the hurt expression on Ginny's face.

"Don't you talk to me about Harry," Ginny's voice cracked, but she refused to cry again. Ginny couldn't admit it, but it was far easier for her to be angry with Draco than it was to even think about Harry.

"Fine, I'm sorry," Draco apologized even though he knew he had nothing to apologize for, he knew she was really upset and was willing to cut her some slack.

"You had no right to treat me like that, to kiss me like that," Ginny complained. "Your girlfriend? Really Draco!"

"You kissed me back," he pointed out.

"That's not the point," she argued. "That's not what we are talking about!"

"My mistake," he was trying very hard not to get angry, but he knew that he could eat only so much humble pie.

"What was that about?" her voice cracked.

"Look I was just trying to help," he calmly said, he didn't want to see her cry again.

"Oh really?" Ginny was skeptical. "I don't think that was purely altruistic. Do you honestly expect me to believe that you didn't enjoy sticking it to Harry just a little bit? How could you use me like that?"

"I was not using you. I would never use you," Draco stood up, his face got dark and his voice lowered, quaking with anger. "That Potter is an idiot! I will spite him every chance I get. I loathe him. But in this case I was just trying to help you and spiting Potter was a perk. You waste your affection on such a fool."

"You know nothing about my affections!" Ginny was livid.

"Maybe I don't!" Draco argued. "But it seemed to me that I was helping you out and it just so happened that I got to stick it to that Potter as well. I say that's a job well done!"

"A job well done?" Ginny yelled. "Is that all I am to you...a job?"

"That's right, I am just a mean, mean man!" Draco couldn't take it anymore. Draco was not a patient man to begin with and Ginny was beginning to really push his buttons.

"Of all the arrogant, selfish, rotten things..." Ginny started to pace back and forth as she rambled on about how horrible Draco was.

"Ginny, stop it," Draco warned.

"Oh and what are you going to do?" Ginny retorted.

"Don't make me stop you," Draco warned again.

"I'll say what I want," Ginny continued on. "I thought you were my friend, how could you embarrass me like that? You really have a lot of nerve. My life is none of your business. I should have never agreed to meet you..."

Draco had enough. He stood up, grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her close to him. Both their eyes were furiously, angrily blazing as they looked at each other for just a second before he then pulled her towards him and once again kissed her firmly on the mouth. At first she was appalled, but then slowly wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.

"But, but, but..." Ginny eventually pulled away, flabbergasted. She stood there transfixed in the same spot, unable to speak, but no longer angry with him.

"I told you I'd make you stop," Draco smirked, feeling validated that she kissed him back. "Now go home, calm down and I'll see you tomorrow." Ginny watched Draco walk away, not looking back at her once, not once.

Ginny eventually slumped back down on the bench and cried. She covered her face with her hands and the tears flowed until there were no tears left. So many things were racing through her mind. Harry didn't love her, nor would he ever love her the way that she wanted. She always knew that this was the case, but a secret part of her kept holding on the dream that he would love her one-day. She now knew that would never happen and her heart felt like it had been cut into a million pieces.

Then there was Draco... She knew that he hadn't really done anything wrong, in fact he said some things to Harry she would have loved to say. If anything, he saved her once again, but for some reason all she could do was yell horrible things at him. She knew why he kissed her the first time, it was to help her and get at Harry at the same time. As much as she didn't like it, she couldn't blame Draco for wanting to get at Harry. Draco and Harry never had gotten along. What really had Ginny perplexed was why Draco kissed her the second time and why she had let him.

Finally Ginny noticed that her hands were shaking and when she looked down, she noticed that they were blue. She wasn't sure how long she had been outside, but when she took a look around she saw the restaurants and pubs had closed and that The Commons was virtually empty. She got up from the bench and wiped her face before she walked home.

Fred and George were still up and playing a game of chess when Ginny got home. Fred was busy fighting with his knight who didn't like where Fred was telling him to move.

"How was your night?" George looked up from the game and asked Ginny.

"Interesting," Ginny answered, but it sounded forced. "But I'm really tired and I think I'm going to go to bed." She was expecting an argument, a lecture or at least some teasing, but neither brother said a word. Ginny then went to her room and changed for bed. After a few minutes she heard a knocking on her door.

"It's open," she called out. George poked his head inside the doorway.

"Are you sure you are okay?" George noticed that Ginny's eyes were red and it looked like she had been crying.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Ginny lied.

"Well if you ever need someone to talk to, remember I'm here," George warmly said. He knew she was upset, but didn't know why or what to do.

"Thanks George," Ginny said as she got into bed and snuggled under her covers. George walked over to Willow, who was chewing on some wood in the corner and lifted her up, then bringing her over to Ginny on the bed. He then bent down and kissed Ginny on the forehead. If Ginny had any tears left, she would have burst out crying, but there was nothing left.

"Love you little sister," George said and then turned off the light as he left her room and shut the door. Ginny cuddled her pet bunny as she tried to clear her head of that evening. The last thing she remembered thinking about while she tossed and turned was Draco's second kiss, but eventually sleep found her.