Irreplaceable

"Love is like a glass rose, beautiful and delicate. But on top of that, it is also very fragile, and if not handled with care, it will break. Even if it is easily repaired, there will always be a thin line marring its perfection, and when there is another disagreement, it might not be fixed so easily. So instead of trying to mend an old love, move on, treat him as no more than a distant memory, and find a new love..."

Ginny put down her quill and reread what she had just written. She laughed in spite of herself. Distant memory her ass, as if she could ever forget. That scene in the Great Hall kept on replaying itself over and over again in her head... Even though it had happened two years ago, Ginny remembered it like it had happened just yesterday. If only she hadn´t loved his so much. So much that it hurt...

Shaking her head, Ginny tried not to think too much about it. It was over now, and even more importantly, she had work to do.

Sighing, the redhead turned back to the pile of letters that she had received. When it came down to it, having her own advice column in Young Witch´s Weekly wasn´t all that glamorous, despite what everyone else thought.

~~~

It was well after midnight when she finally got back to her dorm. Her friends were all asleep, and Ginny crept quietly to her bed and sat down, trying not to make too much noise.

"Gin!" She jumped as someone hissed her name.

"Adele! What are you doing up this late?" Ginny hissed back quietly at her blond friend, not wanting to wake the other girls.

"I just thought that I´d stay up and wait for you," Adele whispered, while twirling her wand in her hand.

Ginny sighed exasperatedly. Ever since she had gotten her own advice column, her friends had started coming to her for all of their problems. It was getting tiring... Nevertheless, stifling a yawn, Ginny grabbed Adele´s hand and led her into the common room. "What is it this time?"

~~~

"Miss Weasley!"

Ginny´s head snapped up at Snape´s stern voice. She´d been nodding off. Her serious lack of sleep, no thanks to Adele, was starting to get to her.

"Uh, uh yes, Professor?" Ginny asked innocently, scrunching up her eyes and trying to read what was written on the blackboard while attempting to convince Snape that she had actually been listening.

"What´s the use of Polyjuice Potion and one of its key ingredients?" Snape barked, making Ginny jump up from her seat.

"Uh...well." Ginny racked her brains, vaguely remembering Hermione telling her about the potion in her first year. "The potion is used...to...to turn you into someone else. And...one of its ingredients... lacewing."

Snape didn´t look very happy at the prospect of not being able to take points from Gryffindor, but he merely waved a hand at Ginny and told her to sit down.

She obeyed quickly and tried to pay attention; it was after all, the year she had her NEWTs, and she obviously didn´t want to fail. But, for some reason, her mind kept wondering back to her brother, Hermione and Harry. And of course, Draco.

~~~

Groaning as she dumped her bag on the floor, Ginny rubbed at a sore spot on her shoulders. The teachers were putting a heavier and heavier workload on them as the NEWTs stealthily approached. After finishing her work, Ginny had to go up to her office to answer some more mail.

Juggling schoolwork with real work was definitely not fun; Ginny decided as she spread out the homework her professors had left her on the table.

Looking at the symbols on the page set out before her, Ginny dipped her quill in ink and was about to start translating before a tap on the shoulder startled her and nearly made her drop her quill.

"What?" she snapped, turning around to find Kristopher Klann standing behind her holding up a piece of parchment. "I think it´s yours," he said.

Ginny took the parchment from her friend and tucked it away in her bag. Muttering her thanks, she went back to translating her runes. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and turned her head to find Kristopher looking at her runes homework. "Take it easy," he said kindly. "You´ll survive."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure, I´ll survive. I just won´t pass."

Kristopher laughed and sat down beside her. "Of course you will," he said reassuringly. "Try not to worry about it too much. It´s not that big of a deal."

"Not that big of a deal? Kris, your whole future depends on these exams..."

"But they´re easy enough..."

"Sure they are, and that´s why around forty percent of the students in year seven don´t pass. Kris, you don´t worry about this because you, my dear, are at the top of the class." With that, Ginny turned back to her book, busying herself with her work.

The portrait door opened and she heard someone climb through the hole.

Ginny felt Kristopher tense beside her and heard him snarl, "What are you doing in here?"

Ginny looked up and dropped her quill in shock.

Standing in front of the portrait hole, cloaked in pure, black robes, was Draco Malfoy.

~~~

Draco knocked on the door of Dumbledore´s office and waited for the old man to answer. The headmaster opened the door, and, at seeing who was outside, smiled and invited Draco inside.

Indicating for Draco to take a seat, Dumbledore sat back on his red chair and studied him carefully as the former student looked around his office.

His appearance hadn´t changed so much in the last year since he had graduated. His hair was still silver blond, and he was still very tall and lanky, though his shoulders had become broader.

Even though Draco looked the same, something about him was different. There was an aura around him that demanded respect, an aura that said, `Don´t mess with me because you´re really better off on my good side.´ His posture had also somehow changed to become more demanding. This was reflected in the way he moved with grace, and the way he took in everything without actually looking around. Yes, Draco Malfoy has indeed changed much, Dumbledore mused, tapping his fingers on his nose.

Clearing his throat, Dumbledore smiled as Draco snapped his attention from Fawkes back to him. "So what is it that you have come to talk to me about, Mister Malfoy?"

"I was sent from the MIU to warn you about..."

"Voldemort is it?

Draco nodded. "All students must evacuate the school immediately. Voldemort has with him his dark creatures and he will destroy everything he sees. The students and staff are in danger..."

"How long do we have?"

"Voldemort has reached Edinburgh, and is expected to arrive within 36 hours."

Dumbledore nodded gravely, the twinkle gone from his eyes. "I will notify the staff immediately. While you are here, Mister Malfoy, would you like to help?"

"It will be my pleasure, headmaster."

"Right. Now why don´t you start with the Gryffindors. Their common room is the closest one, I believe."

~~~

"YOU?! What are YOU doing here? YOU are not supposed to be here." Ginny stood up abruptly, her body shaking. Whether from anger, surprise or nervousness, she wasn´t sure. Probably some of it all.

Draco just glanced at her with his cold, grey eyes. "I have a name you know," he said slowly, articulating every word loud and clearly. "If I´m not mistaken, it´s quite unique, and I´d prefer if you wouldn´t call me `YOU.´ It rather hurts my feelings."

Kristopher´s eyes narrowed with malice. "Malfoy," he spat, "what´s your business here?"

Draco eyed Kristopher insolently. "Klann, is it? I remember you. You were the one who had a huge crush on Gin-"

Ginny cut in sharply. "Just tell us what you´re doing here and leave. You´re not welcome, Malfoy."

A look of hurt flickered across the pair of grey eyes, but it was gone as soon as it came and instead replaced with a look of intense dislike. "For your information, Weasley," Draco drawled, "I came to warn you. But since you want to die with your little friend here, I´ll leave you to it."

Turning around, Draco was about to climb out the portrait hole when someone grabbed his arm from behind. Ginny, he thought. He would know her touch anywhere, even if the intention were to stop him and maybe rip off a limb.

"What is it, Weasley? Sorry you were so rude to the messenger? Want to apologise?" Draco said without turning around.

Blinking and surprised that he knew it was her, Ginny asked, "What is it that you´ve come to warn us about?"

"Voldemort." Draco said calmly as he turned around to face Ginny.

"Voldemort?" Ginny echoed, shocked. "But I thought that Harry destroyed him in year six..."

"That may be so, but do you realise that Voldemort is just a name? It could be any one of his minions taking the title of his former lord..."

"Who is it then?" Ginny asked, almost expecting the answer.

Not looking into her eyes, Draco responded quietly, "Lucius Malfoy, my father."

~~~

While making his way down the corridor into the Great Hall, Draco jerked as they turned a corner. "Don´t do that," he ordered sharply to Ginny.

Startled, she looked around them. "Don´t do what?" she asked Draco, completely bewildered.

"Don´t look at me like that and don´t feel sorry for me. I don´t need sympathy, especially not from you."

Feeling a surge of anger, Ginny caught up with Draco and blocked his way. Jabbing her finger at his chest, she practically shouted, "What is your problem, Malfoy? What is your problem with the world? Don´t act like you don´t care, I know you do!"

"And how would you know that, Weasley? How would you know how I feel?" Pushing Ginny´s hand away, Draco started shouting back. "Do you know what it´s like? Living everyday in guilt because your own father has murdered so many people, so many people that you used to care about? No, of course you wouldn´t, would you? Because you´re so treasured by your family, because everyone does their best to protect you from harm, because your father wouldn´t separate you and the person you love just because he liked causing you pain!"

Feeling that he had said too much, Draco stopped abruptly and walked past Ginny, his mouth pressed in a thin line. "I have to get the Hufflepuffs now. You and Klann get to the Great Hall quickly." And with a turn of the corridor and a swish of his cloak, he was gone.

Ginny stood there, stunned. Did Draco just say that? From the look on Kristopher´s face, Draco had no doubt, said those exact words she had just heard. I never knew...he never told me...

From his position a few feet away, Kristopher went up to Ginny and put his arm around her shoulders. "Lets go," he said quietly.

Ginny merely nodded, and they made their way to the Great Hall.

~~~

The news that Voldemort was about to attack Hogwarts had reached the parents, and flocks of students boarded the Hogwarts Express to go home. Draco had agreed to supervise the safety of the students, and as he wandered from carriage to carriage, he couldn´t help thinking about his outburst to Ginny. He regretted saying those things. He regretted the hurt he had caused her that was evident in her eyes. He just couldn´t help himself. It´s the eyes, he decided. He could never ignore those eyes, nor could he ever lie to them. He still loved her, even after two years. He´d had girlfriends in the two years without Ginny, but he knew that Ginny was the only one. Irreplaceable... a little smile played at his lips at he remembered his fifth year with Ginny.

~Flashback~

"What´s this... oh my god! Draco, she´s adorable! Where did you get her?"

"Pet shop... and it´s a he."

"That´s right, a he, and what a perfect replacement for Draco Malfoy."

"Aw, you´re leaving me for a baby owl? I´m hurt."

"I have to give him a name... how about... Draco?"

"In my honour? I´m touched..."

"And so you should be. Next time you get an owl, you´ll have to name it Ginny so it´ll always remind you of me."

"I´d never do that."

"Why? Because you don´t want to be reminded of me?"

"Because you´re irreplaceable."

"Irreplaceable?"

"Absolutely. Irreplaceable."

~Flashback end~

Pushing back a lock of hair from his face, Draco sighed and continued walking. As he passed a blond girl, he was reminded of Lavender and the incident in the flower garden. It wasn´t his fault. He had asked Lavender to meet him, but there was no meaning to it. Ginny was, after all, the only one for him.

~Flashback~

"Lavender, could you meet me in the flower garden at five this afternoon? I have something to ask you."

"Uh, sure Draco..."

---

"So what is it you wanted me for?"

"Ginny. Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks and I want to find her the perfect gift. I need some advise."

"Why didn´t you ask Hermione?"

"I was going to, but it´s supposed to be a surprise and Hermione just can´t keep secrets. If anyone asks her, she´ll go red and do this stuttering thing... quite funny, actually."

"What are those... are those roses for Ginny?"

"Yes, I´m meeting her here later."

"Can I see them?"

"Uh, of course... be careful! Branches!"

*Thump*

"Ouch, ouch, Lavender, do you have to be such a... ouch, Lavender, let go of my neck- ouch, that hurt... oof... gerroff me... ouch..."

"Draco! Lavender!"

"Ginny! Ouch, gerroff me Lavender... Gin! I can explain! Ginny!"

~End flashback~

Draco sighed and let his legs carry him on. If it wasn´t for that damned tree branch in the way...

Opening the carriage door in front of him, Draco winced as he saw Ginny´s red hair standing out from the crowd. "Not her... not now..." Draco muttered and quickened his pace. He didn´t want to face Ginny, not yet.

"Mal... Draco!"

Draco froze at the sound of his name. Did she just call me by my name, he wondered, or was that just my imagination?

"Draco, we need to talk. Now."

~~~

"I´m sorry about what I said before, Draco. I didn´t mean it, and I am really, very sorry about your father..."

"Don´t," Draco said, looking out the window of the empty compartment. "Don´t say that. You saw it coming. I saw it coming. It was obvious. The signs were there."

The two sat in silence for a while, not looking at each other.

"I hate him," Draco said quietly. So quietly, that Ginny had nearly missed it.

"So do I." Ginny twirled her wand around in her hand. "Draco?"

"Hmm?"

"Are we... I mean...can we..."

Draco smiled. "We can, if you want to."

Ginny nodded firmly. "I do."

"I have to explain the uh, Laven-"

He was cut off by Ginny as she put her fingers on his lips, silencing him. "Don´t say anything. It wasn´t your fault."

Draco smiled as he looked into Ginny´s bright blue eyes. There he found himself and knew that he could never do without her. Draco lowered his head as he felt his eyes moistening. Family habit, he smiled as he remembered the Malfoy Family Rulebook page 74, rule 637: Malfoys don´t cry; yes Victoria, even when your rattle gets stolen by ghosts.

"Do you remember what you said in fifth year? When you gave me `Draco´?"

Draco nodded and raised his head so that he was looking Ginny straight in the eye. "I said that you were irreplaceable."

Ginny looked down at their intertwined hands. "Am I still?"

Draco sighed. Letting go of her hand, he cupped her face in his hands. "Of course you are, silly. There has never been anyone else, and there never will be. I promise. You´ll always be irreplaceable." And with that, Draco lowered his head and planted a long, lingering kiss on Ginny´s lips.

Feeling wetness on his cheek, Draco realised that Ginny was crying. He gently wiped away the tears and kissed her on the forehead. This was the first time in two years Ginny had felt truly happy. "Irreplaceable," she repeated softly, as she laid her head on Draco´s shoulder and felt her tears once again warming her face.

~~~

Everybody's got something they had to leave behind

One regret from yesterday that just seems to grow with time

There's no use looking back or wondering

How it could be now or might have been

Oh this I know but still I can't find ways to let you know

I've never had a dream come true

Till the day that I found you

Even though I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where life takes me to

A part of me will always be with you

Somewhere in my memory

I've lost all sense of time

And so my road can never be cos yesterday is all that fills my mind

There's no use looking back or wondering

How it could be now or might have been

Oh this I know but still I can't find ways to let you go

I've never had a dream come true

Till the day that I found you

Even though I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where life takes me to

A part of me will always be

You'll always be the dream that fills my head

Yes you will, say you will, you know you will

Oh baby, you'll always be the one I know I'll never forget

There's no use looking back or wondering

Because love is a strange and funny thing

No matter how I try and try I just can't say goodbye

No no no no

I've never had a dream come true

Till the day that I found you

Even though I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where life takes me to

A part of me will always be

A part of me will always be with you

~End