Chapter 14: Mudblood
With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Ginny let go of Draco’s hand and ran once they were closer to the Hospital Wing. Upon entering, she saw the cause for concern.
Her mother sat by a bed, crying. Without seeing, she knew who was in the bed. It had to be Ron. But if he was here, he was surely still alive.
“Mum?” Ginny cried and ran to her. “Mum! What’s—” she stopped short when she was close enough to see what exactly was wrong. Ron’s face and body were covered with deep gashes and bruises. His face was so swollen and bloody that his features were barely decipherable.
Ginny’s face crumpled in disgust, anger, and hurt for her brother. She turned quickly and retched. Draco walked up in time to draw her hair away from her face.
Her mum and Draco gave her a minute to recover before she asked, “Where’s Hermione? Where’s Harry?”
Draco dropped her hair from his limp hand, eyes wide. “How could I be so stupid?” Draco cried, backing away from the mother and daughter. “They— He still has Granger, doesn’t he?”
Molly nodded. Draco smacked his hand across his forehead, pacing. “Potter! Does he know what this means?” he asked desperately.
“Draco, I don’t know. They’re all… well, Mr. Weasley, Harry, and the Aurors… they’re all out. I don’t know where they went. They won’t tell anyone anything. They brought Ron to me and I brought him here.”
“It’s a bloodletting. They need Granger’s blood. They’ll kill her, Mrs. Weasley,” Draco said, remaining relatively calm despite his initial reaction. His eyes were wide with fear though, and that made Ginny shiver.
“Oh gods!” Ginny sobbed, covering her mouth to quiet her cries. “And Ron? What about him? Did they leave him for dead?”
“Probably, yes. They didn’t care one way or the other most likely, but they knew Potter would find him regardless. It was her they needed. He’s desperate. It’s his last option. I remember hearing my… my father,” he spat the word, “speak of something like this. It’s got to be what he’s doing.”
Draco took a seat on the bed, placing Ginny and Molly in between his and Ron’s beds.
Ginny continued to cry and gently reached out to stroke her brother’s now deformed hand. After a stretch of quietness, Ginny spoke again, “What can we do Draco? We can’t let this happen. You’re a strong wizard, they’ll need you! They’ll need me too since I’m a good fighter! Mum, where are—”
“I told you, Ginevra! I don’t know! And whatever is going on, it’s going on now and you going there will only make things worse!” her mother snapped.
Ginny recoiled and shrunk to the floor, sobbing loudly.
“Ginny, Ginny, I’m sorry!” her mother whispered, kneeling down beside her. “This is so hard! This is all too hard! We might lose Ron, I don’t know where your father and Harry are or if they are coming back— I can’t lose my little girl too. I just can’t,” she said as she wrapped her arms around Ginny and tried to comfort her. Ginny returned the hug but continued sobbing.
“She’s right, Ginny. You’ve got to stay here,” Draco agreed. “But you were right about one thing: they could use me. How can I find out where to go? Is there anyone who can—”
“I can tell you, Mr. Malfoy,” Minerva McGonagall stated plainly as she stepped out of a dark spot in the room, her presence forgotten amidst the drama. “I’d rather you didn’t go, but the choice is yours.”
Draco nodded and Ginny sprang to her feet, grasping one of his hands in hers. “No! Please don’t! Don’t leave again!” He looked down into her wide brown eyes and sighed.
“Ginny—”
“No, don’t ‘Ginny’ me! You left me once and you won’t do it again.”
Draco saw her firm resolve, but still challenged her. “I won’t, will I?”
“No,” she said sternly. “We need you here. My mum is right— we don’t know where they are—”
At this, Draco began to gesture towards Professor McGonagall and Ginny promptly slapped his hand away. “Like I was saying: going there wouldn’t serve any purpose other than to muck things up. Let’s stay here and help keep the others safe. Let’s help tend to Ron and whoever else comes back injured.”
Draco looked to both the older women in the room for help, but neither would meet his gaze. He had no choice. “Okay Freckles, you have your way then. Prof— Headmistress, I can still tell you what I know, or what I think, is happening.”
The Headmistress nodded and they spent a few minutes trading hushed whispers.
Ginny had turned from them, back to her brother. “Where’s Madam Pomfrey? What is being done for Ron?”
After spending another hour in the Hospital Wing with Ginny spouting orders at him, Draco went down to the Dungeons alone to brew the potions Ginny had researched.
That girl could be a slave driver when she put her mind to it and Draco could see why she was near the top of her class. However, things were not looking good. Ginny had even brought up the idea of taking the Weasel to a Muggle hospital! Draco clucked, remembering how Ginny’s mum had reacted to that!
That night, Draco left Ginny in the Hospital Wing. She wanted to stay with her brother and keep watch. Her mum was with her so Draco left to rest. He headed back to the room he’d been assigned.
By the end of the day it was certain the Weasel was going to live. He might look different than he used to. He’d be scarred for sure. Some of the gashes were so deep that no magic could repair them. The bruising and swelling would subside, but Draco still felt a tad sorry for the poor bloke.
xxx
The next morning, rumors of various incidents— including Ron and what was possibly happening to Hermione— were running rampant around the school. Ginny was excused from her classes and paced the floor of the Hospital Wing, muttering under her breath as she waited for her brother to show signs of consciousness.
She barely slept the previous night. Every time Ron stirred or twitched slightly, Ginny would jump out of the bed next to him and rush to his side. His body might have been moving, but his eyes remained closed. She continually leaned down to his chest to check his breathing. It was always steady.
In the morning, Draco brought her food. Her mum was fast asleep in a bed across the room, a plate of food charmed to stay warm sat on the small table beside her in case she woke up. Draco had brought that as well.
“Have you heard anything?” she whispered to Draco as she ate.
He shook his head in the negative.
“I asked to see the Headmistress, but I was told she’s not here. I think she left yesterday with the information I told her and meant to go wherever Potter was.”
“Do you think she’s okay?” Ginny asked, eyes widening. “Do… do you think it could be over?”
Draco shrugged. “I can’t think one way or the other. I honestly don’t know what to think.”
“Me either,” Ginny sighed and continued her breakfast.
Later, after much urging from her mother, Ginny left for her dorm to change clothes and to clean up, and to get out of the Hospital Wing. She hadn’t left in nearly twenty-four hours and she didn’t plan to be gone long. She had a feeling that Headmistress McGonagall would return soon with news and she didn’t want to miss it.
She hurried down the corridor towards the Hospital Wing. She could hear voices and knew that something had happened. She sprang through the doors and came to a screeching halt.
Nearly every bed in the hospital wing now contained a patient. Aurors were everywhere. She spotted her mum near Ron’s bed with a few other people. She took off towards them ready to pounce because she hadn’t been notified immediately of what was going on. Instead, an arm pulled her to the side before she reached her mum.
“Haven’t you heard?” the familiar voice breathed in her ear. “It’s a celebration. Don’t look so mad!”
She turned to face her captor. “Harry Potter!” she screamed as she flung her arms around his neck. “If you’re here, that means… it must mean…”
“It’s over!” Harry grinned and hugged her tightly once more.
Tears were streaming down Ginny’s face now. “Is anyone… Hermione— is she?”
“She’s there,” he pointed to a bed where Madam Pomfrey was attending to someone. “She lost a lot of blood but they are working on her. She’s never going to want to drink another Blood Replenishing Potion— that’s for sure, but she’s going to be fine.”
“Oh Harry!” she beamed. “How’d you do it? Tell me everything!”
Harry laughed. “Calm down, there’s plenty of time for tales. But, right now, I’m looking for Draco. Did he come in with you? I owe him a huge apology and my gratitude. It was his information that not only led us to the bloodletting, but got us there in literally the nick of time. Another few minutes and Hermione… well—”
“I haven’t seen him since my mum made me get out of here a few hours ago. She said I was driving her nuts!” Ginny laughed. “Do you want me to go and find him? I can’t believe he’s not here,” Ginny said as she looked around for him.
“Yeah, could you? There are so many people here and Madam Pomfrey is still insisting on checking me out although all I have is a few scratches.”
Ginny nodded and began her search of the Hospital Wing. No Draco.
Although she had known him well for almost a year now, she had no idea where he would go. They hadn’t talked about school much. She knew where he was staying in the castle, so she thought she’d try there.
Draco wasn’t in his room. She knocked and knocked, but there was no answer and she didn’t want to just barge in. She thought about doing so, but she had called out to him through the door. Surely he would have answered if he’d known it was her.
She wandered the halls aimlessly for a while before an idea struck her— the Astronomy Tower! Perhaps he had gone to revisit his past.
She sprinted to the other side of the castle, nearly knocking over several students gossiping in the hallways about all the fuss in the hospital wing. She took the stairs two at a time until she reached the top of the tower. She stepped out onto the balcony and sure enough, there sat Draco. His shoulders were shaking and he was talking to himself.
“Draco?” she called to him quietly upon approach.
He turned to look at her, tears streaming down his face. “Oh!” she gasped as she dropped down to her knees and threw her arms around him. “Draco, didn’t you hear? They’re back! Hermione, Harry— everyone’s back and it’s all because of you! Harry is looking for you. What’s wrong?”
It took several minutes for Draco to calm down enough to respond, “I, um, I needed to come back up here. Confront old demons,” he said with a shaky voice. “I was on my way to the Hospital Wing to see if you’d returned when I saw everyone coming in. I can’t explain it. There was just something I needed to do. I needed to be here. I don’t even remember walking up the steps. The next thing I knew, I was just… here.”
“Well, would you like to join the celebration?” Ginny asked softly. “I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
Draco nodded and let out a long, loud sigh as he wiped the last of the tears from his face. “I am ready. Let’s go,” he said taking her hand and pulling her up to stand beside him. He kept hold of her hand throughout the walk to the Hospital wing.
xxx
That evening, the castle was lit up and as abuzz as Draco had ever seen it. The Great Hall was packed with students, parents, Ministry officials— anyone and everyone was there. Draco’s mother had been contacted and was to arrive in the morning.
A loud cheer erupted as Harry Potter and Headmistress McGonagall made their way to the front of the room. Potter was going to give a speech of sorts, to tell the story of his great defeat. Draco felt like rolling his eyes in annoyance, though he too was curious to know the details.
He looked at Ginny who was giggling at something her twin brothers had said or done. They’d been on the school grounds exactly one hour and nothing had blown up, turned into a swamp, or otherwise. Draco figured they had their own manner of celebration and were just waiting for the right moment.
“Good evening,” Potter began as he pointed his wand towards his throat to gain greater volume and be heard throughout the room. Cheering erupted yet again. Weren’t these people tired of all that clapping?
“Thank you. Thank you all. I have a lot to say. First of all, I want to thank Headmistress McGonagall for hosting tonight’s event on such short notice and for being a great mentor.” The Headmistress smiled and fiddled nervously with the hair peeking from under her hat as everyone clapped and cheered for her.
“I also need to thank two people who are still being tended to in the Hospital Wing. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley have been through a lot just being my friend. They have helped me with every challenge I have ever faced. Hermione is always the brains of the operation and Ron, the heart and soul. They’ve been the best of friends to me and they inspire me each and every day and I am so glad we made it through this together.”
Whoops, yells, cheers, and clapping sounded throughout this part of Potter’s speech. “I also need to thank someone who… honestly, I never thought I’d be thanking in a million years. This person’s knowledge came through for us at a critical time. His information saved Hermione Granger’s life.” Draco froze. Potter was talking about him. Ginny squeezed his hand and he tried his best to smile at her.
“When I first came to school, someone told me I needed to learn to sort out the bad wizards from the good ones. I told him I thought I could get by on my own, thanks. I thought he was one of the bad ones. His legacy was to be one of them. But in his own heart, deep down, he knew he was not. He has had his share of struggles but, in the end, he won this for us. He may not have been present at the scene, but without him, we might not be where we are tonight. Draco Malfoy, get your arse up here!”
Everybody began cheering again and Draco knew he was blushing furiously. Potter was still calling him and everyone was cheering so loudly but still, Draco remained seated and frozen. He vaguely heard Potter call out to Ginny and she in turn stood up and tugged on Draco’s hand. From there it was all a blur.
He let Ginny lead him to the front and he turned to face the entire crowd. Potter slapped him playfully on the back and hugged one arm around his shoulders. All the while, Draco felt like he was watching from outside his body. Just two years ago, he had nearly killed a great wizard and now he was being recognized for helping to rid the world of a bad one.
He looked out over the crowd slowly, scanning the faces and seeing their smiles and acceptance. Sure, he’d always be a Malfoy and his loyalty or motives would always be questioned, but perhaps life was going to deal him a good card after all. Ginny was by his side. His mother would be back soon. They could rebuild their home. He could finish school. There were so many possibilities.
“Draco,” Potter said, pulling him from his thoughts. “Would you like to say a word or two?”
Draco looked frantically around and saw Ginny, Snape, McGonagall, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley all nodding their heads, encouraging him.
“Er, hello everyone,” he said then cleared his throat as he preformed a Sonorous. “I, uh. I’m not really one for public speaking but I am glad to have been a part of this. I gave all the information and help I had to give. I… I need to thank Ginny Weasley for believing in me and trusting me and for bringing out the me I never knew I had in me. I have to thank all the Weasleys for that matter, and Potter, and Granger, um, yeah. Thanks.”
Draco flushed and scowled. “Relax,” Ginny whispered. “They love you now. It doesn’t matter what you said. They’ll all be singing your praises. Don’t be embarrassed.”
“I’m not,” he scoffed. “I just… it is bad form not to have a speech prepared. I am not an impromptu kind of person.”
Ginny suppressed a snort and rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Draco.”
xxx
Later that night, Draco managed to get Ginny alone. All the dancing, music, and merriment inside was not conducive to serious talks. He took her hand and led her outside to a small garden off the entryway.
“Ginny,” he began. “I plan on spending next year here at Hogwarts, finishing my schooling. You’ll be here too, I guess, and I plan on spending a lot of time with you.”
“You do, do you?” She grinned. “I guess that’d be alright then.” She leaned into his arms and snuggled into his chest.
“And I… want it to be official. I want you to be my girlfriend. And, I want to promise you now that I have every intention of marrying you. I know we’re young—” Ginny backed away from him, jaw agape. “Ginny?”
“You… you’re…”
“Ginny, I’m sorry! Well, no I’m not.”
“No, don’t be. I’m just shocked. I… I never thought…”
“Well now you know. I, er, uh, I… oh for Merlin’s sake I bloody well love you and I do intend to marry you! If that frightens you, get over it!” he said, losing his cool.
By now, Ginny was now giggling madly.
“Wow! That little outburst was nearly as frightening as when Ron asked Fleur to the Yule Ball his fourth year!”
Draco fumed but knew that at least his profession of love had not frightened her.
“I’d love to be your girlfriend. As for marrying me, you’ve got to get the blessing of the family when we’re a bit older, but I’m all for it!” She smiled sweetly and grabbed his hands in hers.
“Alright, then; that’s settled. Want to head back in?” He gestured inside with a nod of his head.
Ginny shook hers. “No. I want to stay right here. I need a bit of alone time with you.” She tilted her head up towards his and he met her halfway. He kissed her with every ounce of love he felt in him and knew that this, this moment right then, had been worth everything he had had to go through to get to it and if he ever had to, he would do it all over again.
With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Ginny let go of Draco’s hand and ran once they were closer to the Hospital Wing. Upon entering, she saw the cause for concern.
Her mother sat by a bed, crying. Without seeing, she knew who was in the bed. It had to be Ron. But if he was here, he was surely still alive.
“Mum?” Ginny cried and ran to her. “Mum! What’s—” she stopped short when she was close enough to see what exactly was wrong. Ron’s face and body were covered with deep gashes and bruises. His face was so swollen and bloody that his features were barely decipherable.
Ginny’s face crumpled in disgust, anger, and hurt for her brother. She turned quickly and retched. Draco walked up in time to draw her hair away from her face.
Her mum and Draco gave her a minute to recover before she asked, “Where’s Hermione? Where’s Harry?”
Draco dropped her hair from his limp hand, eyes wide. “How could I be so stupid?” Draco cried, backing away from the mother and daughter. “They— He still has Granger, doesn’t he?”
Molly nodded. Draco smacked his hand across his forehead, pacing. “Potter! Does he know what this means?” he asked desperately.
“Draco, I don’t know. They’re all… well, Mr. Weasley, Harry, and the Aurors… they’re all out. I don’t know where they went. They won’t tell anyone anything. They brought Ron to me and I brought him here.”
“It’s a bloodletting. They need Granger’s blood. They’ll kill her, Mrs. Weasley,” Draco said, remaining relatively calm despite his initial reaction. His eyes were wide with fear though, and that made Ginny shiver.
“Oh gods!” Ginny sobbed, covering her mouth to quiet her cries. “And Ron? What about him? Did they leave him for dead?”
“Probably, yes. They didn’t care one way or the other most likely, but they knew Potter would find him regardless. It was her they needed. He’s desperate. It’s his last option. I remember hearing my… my father,” he spat the word, “speak of something like this. It’s got to be what he’s doing.”
Draco took a seat on the bed, placing Ginny and Molly in between his and Ron’s beds.
Ginny continued to cry and gently reached out to stroke her brother’s now deformed hand. After a stretch of quietness, Ginny spoke again, “What can we do Draco? We can’t let this happen. You’re a strong wizard, they’ll need you! They’ll need me too since I’m a good fighter! Mum, where are—”
“I told you, Ginevra! I don’t know! And whatever is going on, it’s going on now and you going there will only make things worse!” her mother snapped.
Ginny recoiled and shrunk to the floor, sobbing loudly.
“Ginny, Ginny, I’m sorry!” her mother whispered, kneeling down beside her. “This is so hard! This is all too hard! We might lose Ron, I don’t know where your father and Harry are or if they are coming back— I can’t lose my little girl too. I just can’t,” she said as she wrapped her arms around Ginny and tried to comfort her. Ginny returned the hug but continued sobbing.
“She’s right, Ginny. You’ve got to stay here,” Draco agreed. “But you were right about one thing: they could use me. How can I find out where to go? Is there anyone who can—”
“I can tell you, Mr. Malfoy,” Minerva McGonagall stated plainly as she stepped out of a dark spot in the room, her presence forgotten amidst the drama. “I’d rather you didn’t go, but the choice is yours.”
Draco nodded and Ginny sprang to her feet, grasping one of his hands in hers. “No! Please don’t! Don’t leave again!” He looked down into her wide brown eyes and sighed.
“Ginny—”
“No, don’t ‘Ginny’ me! You left me once and you won’t do it again.”
Draco saw her firm resolve, but still challenged her. “I won’t, will I?”
“No,” she said sternly. “We need you here. My mum is right— we don’t know where they are—”
At this, Draco began to gesture towards Professor McGonagall and Ginny promptly slapped his hand away. “Like I was saying: going there wouldn’t serve any purpose other than to muck things up. Let’s stay here and help keep the others safe. Let’s help tend to Ron and whoever else comes back injured.”
Draco looked to both the older women in the room for help, but neither would meet his gaze. He had no choice. “Okay Freckles, you have your way then. Prof— Headmistress, I can still tell you what I know, or what I think, is happening.”
The Headmistress nodded and they spent a few minutes trading hushed whispers.
Ginny had turned from them, back to her brother. “Where’s Madam Pomfrey? What is being done for Ron?”
After spending another hour in the Hospital Wing with Ginny spouting orders at him, Draco went down to the Dungeons alone to brew the potions Ginny had researched.
That girl could be a slave driver when she put her mind to it and Draco could see why she was near the top of her class. However, things were not looking good. Ginny had even brought up the idea of taking the Weasel to a Muggle hospital! Draco clucked, remembering how Ginny’s mum had reacted to that!
That night, Draco left Ginny in the Hospital Wing. She wanted to stay with her brother and keep watch. Her mum was with her so Draco left to rest. He headed back to the room he’d been assigned.
By the end of the day it was certain the Weasel was going to live. He might look different than he used to. He’d be scarred for sure. Some of the gashes were so deep that no magic could repair them. The bruising and swelling would subside, but Draco still felt a tad sorry for the poor bloke.
xxx
The next morning, rumors of various incidents— including Ron and what was possibly happening to Hermione— were running rampant around the school. Ginny was excused from her classes and paced the floor of the Hospital Wing, muttering under her breath as she waited for her brother to show signs of consciousness.
She barely slept the previous night. Every time Ron stirred or twitched slightly, Ginny would jump out of the bed next to him and rush to his side. His body might have been moving, but his eyes remained closed. She continually leaned down to his chest to check his breathing. It was always steady.
In the morning, Draco brought her food. Her mum was fast asleep in a bed across the room, a plate of food charmed to stay warm sat on the small table beside her in case she woke up. Draco had brought that as well.
“Have you heard anything?” she whispered to Draco as she ate.
He shook his head in the negative.
“I asked to see the Headmistress, but I was told she’s not here. I think she left yesterday with the information I told her and meant to go wherever Potter was.”
“Do you think she’s okay?” Ginny asked, eyes widening. “Do… do you think it could be over?”
Draco shrugged. “I can’t think one way or the other. I honestly don’t know what to think.”
“Me either,” Ginny sighed and continued her breakfast.
Later, after much urging from her mother, Ginny left for her dorm to change clothes and to clean up, and to get out of the Hospital Wing. She hadn’t left in nearly twenty-four hours and she didn’t plan to be gone long. She had a feeling that Headmistress McGonagall would return soon with news and she didn’t want to miss it.
She hurried down the corridor towards the Hospital Wing. She could hear voices and knew that something had happened. She sprang through the doors and came to a screeching halt.
Nearly every bed in the hospital wing now contained a patient. Aurors were everywhere. She spotted her mum near Ron’s bed with a few other people. She took off towards them ready to pounce because she hadn’t been notified immediately of what was going on. Instead, an arm pulled her to the side before she reached her mum.
“Haven’t you heard?” the familiar voice breathed in her ear. “It’s a celebration. Don’t look so mad!”
She turned to face her captor. “Harry Potter!” she screamed as she flung her arms around his neck. “If you’re here, that means… it must mean…”
“It’s over!” Harry grinned and hugged her tightly once more.
Tears were streaming down Ginny’s face now. “Is anyone… Hermione— is she?”
“She’s there,” he pointed to a bed where Madam Pomfrey was attending to someone. “She lost a lot of blood but they are working on her. She’s never going to want to drink another Blood Replenishing Potion— that’s for sure, but she’s going to be fine.”
“Oh Harry!” she beamed. “How’d you do it? Tell me everything!”
Harry laughed. “Calm down, there’s plenty of time for tales. But, right now, I’m looking for Draco. Did he come in with you? I owe him a huge apology and my gratitude. It was his information that not only led us to the bloodletting, but got us there in literally the nick of time. Another few minutes and Hermione… well—”
“I haven’t seen him since my mum made me get out of here a few hours ago. She said I was driving her nuts!” Ginny laughed. “Do you want me to go and find him? I can’t believe he’s not here,” Ginny said as she looked around for him.
“Yeah, could you? There are so many people here and Madam Pomfrey is still insisting on checking me out although all I have is a few scratches.”
Ginny nodded and began her search of the Hospital Wing. No Draco.
Although she had known him well for almost a year now, she had no idea where he would go. They hadn’t talked about school much. She knew where he was staying in the castle, so she thought she’d try there.
Draco wasn’t in his room. She knocked and knocked, but there was no answer and she didn’t want to just barge in. She thought about doing so, but she had called out to him through the door. Surely he would have answered if he’d known it was her.
She wandered the halls aimlessly for a while before an idea struck her— the Astronomy Tower! Perhaps he had gone to revisit his past.
She sprinted to the other side of the castle, nearly knocking over several students gossiping in the hallways about all the fuss in the hospital wing. She took the stairs two at a time until she reached the top of the tower. She stepped out onto the balcony and sure enough, there sat Draco. His shoulders were shaking and he was talking to himself.
“Draco?” she called to him quietly upon approach.
He turned to look at her, tears streaming down his face. “Oh!” she gasped as she dropped down to her knees and threw her arms around him. “Draco, didn’t you hear? They’re back! Hermione, Harry— everyone’s back and it’s all because of you! Harry is looking for you. What’s wrong?”
It took several minutes for Draco to calm down enough to respond, “I, um, I needed to come back up here. Confront old demons,” he said with a shaky voice. “I was on my way to the Hospital Wing to see if you’d returned when I saw everyone coming in. I can’t explain it. There was just something I needed to do. I needed to be here. I don’t even remember walking up the steps. The next thing I knew, I was just… here.”
“Well, would you like to join the celebration?” Ginny asked softly. “I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
Draco nodded and let out a long, loud sigh as he wiped the last of the tears from his face. “I am ready. Let’s go,” he said taking her hand and pulling her up to stand beside him. He kept hold of her hand throughout the walk to the Hospital wing.
xxx
That evening, the castle was lit up and as abuzz as Draco had ever seen it. The Great Hall was packed with students, parents, Ministry officials— anyone and everyone was there. Draco’s mother had been contacted and was to arrive in the morning.
A loud cheer erupted as Harry Potter and Headmistress McGonagall made their way to the front of the room. Potter was going to give a speech of sorts, to tell the story of his great defeat. Draco felt like rolling his eyes in annoyance, though he too was curious to know the details.
He looked at Ginny who was giggling at something her twin brothers had said or done. They’d been on the school grounds exactly one hour and nothing had blown up, turned into a swamp, or otherwise. Draco figured they had their own manner of celebration and were just waiting for the right moment.
“Good evening,” Potter began as he pointed his wand towards his throat to gain greater volume and be heard throughout the room. Cheering erupted yet again. Weren’t these people tired of all that clapping?
“Thank you. Thank you all. I have a lot to say. First of all, I want to thank Headmistress McGonagall for hosting tonight’s event on such short notice and for being a great mentor.” The Headmistress smiled and fiddled nervously with the hair peeking from under her hat as everyone clapped and cheered for her.
“I also need to thank two people who are still being tended to in the Hospital Wing. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley have been through a lot just being my friend. They have helped me with every challenge I have ever faced. Hermione is always the brains of the operation and Ron, the heart and soul. They’ve been the best of friends to me and they inspire me each and every day and I am so glad we made it through this together.”
Whoops, yells, cheers, and clapping sounded throughout this part of Potter’s speech. “I also need to thank someone who… honestly, I never thought I’d be thanking in a million years. This person’s knowledge came through for us at a critical time. His information saved Hermione Granger’s life.” Draco froze. Potter was talking about him. Ginny squeezed his hand and he tried his best to smile at her.
“When I first came to school, someone told me I needed to learn to sort out the bad wizards from the good ones. I told him I thought I could get by on my own, thanks. I thought he was one of the bad ones. His legacy was to be one of them. But in his own heart, deep down, he knew he was not. He has had his share of struggles but, in the end, he won this for us. He may not have been present at the scene, but without him, we might not be where we are tonight. Draco Malfoy, get your arse up here!”
Everybody began cheering again and Draco knew he was blushing furiously. Potter was still calling him and everyone was cheering so loudly but still, Draco remained seated and frozen. He vaguely heard Potter call out to Ginny and she in turn stood up and tugged on Draco’s hand. From there it was all a blur.
He let Ginny lead him to the front and he turned to face the entire crowd. Potter slapped him playfully on the back and hugged one arm around his shoulders. All the while, Draco felt like he was watching from outside his body. Just two years ago, he had nearly killed a great wizard and now he was being recognized for helping to rid the world of a bad one.
He looked out over the crowd slowly, scanning the faces and seeing their smiles and acceptance. Sure, he’d always be a Malfoy and his loyalty or motives would always be questioned, but perhaps life was going to deal him a good card after all. Ginny was by his side. His mother would be back soon. They could rebuild their home. He could finish school. There were so many possibilities.
“Draco,” Potter said, pulling him from his thoughts. “Would you like to say a word or two?”
Draco looked frantically around and saw Ginny, Snape, McGonagall, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley all nodding their heads, encouraging him.
“Er, hello everyone,” he said then cleared his throat as he preformed a Sonorous. “I, uh. I’m not really one for public speaking but I am glad to have been a part of this. I gave all the information and help I had to give. I… I need to thank Ginny Weasley for believing in me and trusting me and for bringing out the me I never knew I had in me. I have to thank all the Weasleys for that matter, and Potter, and Granger, um, yeah. Thanks.”
Draco flushed and scowled. “Relax,” Ginny whispered. “They love you now. It doesn’t matter what you said. They’ll all be singing your praises. Don’t be embarrassed.”
“I’m not,” he scoffed. “I just… it is bad form not to have a speech prepared. I am not an impromptu kind of person.”
Ginny suppressed a snort and rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Draco.”
xxx
Later that night, Draco managed to get Ginny alone. All the dancing, music, and merriment inside was not conducive to serious talks. He took her hand and led her outside to a small garden off the entryway.
“Ginny,” he began. “I plan on spending next year here at Hogwarts, finishing my schooling. You’ll be here too, I guess, and I plan on spending a lot of time with you.”
“You do, do you?” She grinned. “I guess that’d be alright then.” She leaned into his arms and snuggled into his chest.
“And I… want it to be official. I want you to be my girlfriend. And, I want to promise you now that I have every intention of marrying you. I know we’re young—” Ginny backed away from him, jaw agape. “Ginny?”
“You… you’re…”
“Ginny, I’m sorry! Well, no I’m not.”
“No, don’t be. I’m just shocked. I… I never thought…”
“Well now you know. I, er, uh, I… oh for Merlin’s sake I bloody well love you and I do intend to marry you! If that frightens you, get over it!” he said, losing his cool.
By now, Ginny was now giggling madly.
“Wow! That little outburst was nearly as frightening as when Ron asked Fleur to the Yule Ball his fourth year!”
Draco fumed but knew that at least his profession of love had not frightened her.
“I’d love to be your girlfriend. As for marrying me, you’ve got to get the blessing of the family when we’re a bit older, but I’m all for it!” She smiled sweetly and grabbed his hands in hers.
“Alright, then; that’s settled. Want to head back in?” He gestured inside with a nod of his head.
Ginny shook hers. “No. I want to stay right here. I need a bit of alone time with you.” She tilted her head up towards his and he met her halfway. He kissed her with every ounce of love he felt in him and knew that this, this moment right then, had been worth everything he had had to go through to get to it and if he ever had to, he would do it all over again.
The End.
Maelyn is the author of 4 other stories.
This story is a favorite of 36 members. Members who liked Turning the Tables also liked 1577 other stories.
This story is a favorite of 36 members. Members who liked Turning the Tables also liked 1577 other stories.
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