11a note from me (about the story): Hi everyone! I'm back with this fanfiction with the title "Don't Let Me Fall", inspired by Lenka's song of the same title. I thought that her lyrics depict the picture that I wanted in this story.
This is not a sequel to "If It Kills Me". It's actually the same story but now we are in the position of Draco and Ginny so this will be their story. "If It Kills Me" was Harry and Hermione's story. So for those who clicked on this you may want to read "If It Kills Me" too. For those who have read that story it wil be easier for you to understand some things that will be happening in this one or rather I should day that it will create a sense of familliarity.
Draco and Ginny's story would just be a bit different because in the second chapter, it would start earlier than "If It Kills Me", which started seven years later. This time around I also included a prologue and an epilogue as suggested by a reviewer. I also thought that this would be easier for readers so that they will know what is the starting and ending of this fanfiction.
I think I should stop babbling now and let you all start reading this fiction. Words in italics represents thoughts or a remininsce of the past. I hope you will enjoy reading it and please leave reviews at the end. THANK YOU!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Ginny Weasley lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. Her mind was troubled by only one thing but this one thing occupied and filled her mind to the brim. She should blame herself because she had let this happen. She thought that it was mature enough to not blame him but herself because she had brought this problem on her own. She did not have a good sleep the night before and for that, she blamed him.
They started to become civil towards each other when she had to tutor him Transfiguration. He was relatively a good student, excellent if he had the mind to put an effort in all his work. On the first day, when McGonagall allowed them to use the classroom and materials for practice, he was late. He ran into the room, apologize and he looked like he meant it. But he had to spoil her impression on him when he said that he had been snogging a sixth year in the dungeons and forgotten about the time. When he said he was kidding, Ginny had glared at him with her fierce brown eyes.
When McGonagall told her that she would be tutoring Draco Malfoy, she argued.
"You can't do this Professor! He won't agree to it."
"As a matter of fact Miss Weasley, Mr Malfoy has agreed to be tutored by you if you're willing to tutor him." Professor McGonagall explained.
"Well tell him I'm not willing to then."
"Miss Weasley, I really need your help. You're the best there is."
"Hermione could do it. She's better than I am." Ginny fought.
"Miss Granger is concentrating on her NEWTs and she is already tutoring Mr Longbottom in all subjects." Professor McGonagall paused and looked at her. "Miss Weasley I know that the history between Mr Malfoy and your family had been tensed and I also know that he had apologize so I appreciate if we can all be adults here and work towards harmony between houses. Now, he has taken the first step by accepting my offer to have you tutor him. Why don't we do a trial; once a week for a month? If you feel uncomfortable, just let me know and I get him another tutor."
Ginny sighed feeling defeated. "Miss Weasley, the war is long over and people change. I believe that Mr Malfoy has and I think that if you accept my suggestion, it's a step that we can take, together, to create something that has been forbidden and unspoken of for so many years. Forging friendship at these times is more important now than it was before." Professor McGonagall explained.
Ginny agreed to it and before she left the classroom, Professor McGonagall reminded her to be sincere about it and not make any false claimants if things go as planned.
"I'm sure both of you will do well. I believe that in four weeks you both will foster a friendship." She had said it with confidence and it somehow made Ginny believe it to be true.
She tutored him for four months in preparation for his NEWTs. He caught up pretty quickly, learning all the flicks and swishes of wand movements without any problems. Sometimes at the end of class, he would walk with her back to the door of the Gryffindor Common Room. During these times, she would learn something about Draco. Things like how his steely grey eyes seems to sparkle when he talked about things that he likes to do, the way he puts his left hand in his pocket everytime he walked her back to the room, and his love for his mother never falters and he had promised to take care of her eversince his father was locked in Azkaban.
Once, Ron had caught them walking together and he got mad and accused Draco of having a personal avenge against their family.
"You went too far Ron! He was just being a nice guy."
"How many times have I told you Ginny? You could never let your guard down around him." Ron warned.
"I am not a little girl anymore!" Ginny retorted.
"You're still my little sister."
Ginny was fuming. Ron was being extra protective ever since Harry and her broke up, citing that since there was no one to take care of her, he as her brother should assume responsibility. Ginny dislike it when Ron hovered her like she was a baby. Before she left the Common Room one day to meet Draco for the last lesson, Ron gave her one look that said that he would not want to see her walking with Draco again after lessons.
"It's not like that Malfoy. Your wand movements are all wrong! Haven't you been listening to what I've thought you for the past 15 minutes?"
Draco sniggered. "So it's Malfoy now?"
"It has always been Malfoy, Malfoy." Ginny replied, her cheeks turning slightly red.
"You called me Draco last week and the week before…and that was…nice I guess." Draco said. He executed his wand movements and said the incantation perfectly and managed to turn the pigeon into a vase.
"Good." Ginny commented. "So that's it…good luck for your exams. It's been…well…good luck." Before she could make anymore fool out of herself, Ginny took her bag and walked out of the classroom. She had only taken a few steps when she heard her name being called.
"Hey Ginny!" Draco called. She kept on walking, taking longer strides. "Damn it!" She heard Draco cursed. "Weasley!"
She halted and turned around. "What is it Malfoy?" Her voice tensed. When Draco did not say anything she turned and walked towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Draco's footsteps were urgent and when he was close enough, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into a classroom.
"I'm not going to risk your brother seeing us walking together again so I'm going to ask you this question now."
Ginny's breath almost stopped because he was so close to her, his face just inches away from hers.
"There will be one last Hogsmeade weekend this week before the exams and I was wondering if you would like to go with me."
Ginny was stunned and then she wondered why Draco was not as nervous as she was.
"Ok…you look shocked." Draco nodded his head and let go off his hold on her wrist. "If you agree to go with me meet me at the gates when it opens at 11AM…I'll be there." He left the classroom leaving her to think about his offer.
Still lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling, Ginny still has not made her decision. The weekend was tomorrow and she was tempted to go with Draco. But she had to make sure that Ron would know nothing about it.
It was finally the last week of school, his last week in Hogwarts; his home because the manor does not feel like home anymore.
"There you are! I've been looking all over the castle for you…well just the dungeons actually."
Draco chuckled at his girlfriend's admission and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her lips and smiled when she kissed him back. She sighed and pushed him away politely.
"I have a message from McGonagall. She wants to see you now. So hurry along. I have to find Harry and Hermione too. They are not in the Common Room." She pushed him towards the corridor heading to the headmistress room and headed the other direction.
"Ginny." He called to her.
"Yes?" She turned to face him, her red hair cascading down her right shoulder.
"See you after dinner? The Astronomy Tower." Draco said and turned back to where he was supposed to head.
"Ok…what for?" Ginny asked.
Without turning to face her, Draco smirked upon hearing the anticipation in her voice. "Just meet me there. It's a surprise."
The meeting with McGonagall was short and now Draco had a decision to make. He was pissed when he saw Hermione Granger looking at him with slit eyes when he was offered the scholarship, the same one that Harry Potter and she was offered. He went back to the Dungeons and saw Blaise Zabini sitting cozily with a sixth year. "Hey Draco!" He greeted when he saw Draco walking in. Draco waved at him and made his way to his dorm room to finish up with his packing. He dumped his last two pairs of socks and shut the luggage close.
He had actually made his decision a long time ago. He just needed time to make sure that this was what he really wanted. So half an hour before dinner, he made his way to the headmistress' office.
"Oh Mr Malfoy. Come in." She welcomed.
"I've made my decision to accept the scholarship to the Wizard Education Academy." Malfoy revealed.
"Very well then, I guess the Ministry will just have to find another suitable candidate for their Foreign Affairs representative…may I ask why you chose that Mr Malfoy?"
Draco casted his eyes to the portrait hanging on the left side of the wall. The frame of Severus Snape was empty.
"Professor Snape left to go to his portrait in the Ministry…something urgent he said." McGonagall explained when she saw Draco looking at the frame.
"He…inspired me. I wished I had the chance to apologize. I was…rude to him. He was only protecting me."
"Draco, I'm sure he knows you're sorry."
Draco nodded his head solemnly. McGonagall informed him the details he would need to know after accepting the scholarship. He would have to go through two years of training in the academy before becoming a Professor.
"I'm sure you'll be a great Potions master. I understand from Professor Slughorn that you're quite gifted. I hope to see you again in two years."
Draco looked up at McGonagall, surprised by what she had said. She smiled at him. "Hogwarts would love you as our new Potions master once you graduate Draco. Professor Slughorn is giving signs of retirement."
Draco walked out of the office feeling lighter and realized that this could be the most right decision he had made in his whole life.
That night after dinner, he waited for Ginny on The Astronomy Tower. The Black Lake glistened against the shine of the moon and Draco saw the tentacles of the giant octopus sinking back into the lake. He heard footsteps and turned to see Ginny taking her last step of the staircase which leads to the tower.
"That was quite a climb…you better have something nice planned." Ginny complained.
"Don't be such a spoil Ginny." He teased. She smiled and walked towards him and took his hand that was reaching out to her. The wind blew their hair back and when Draco looked at Ginny, she had her eyes closed and he realized how beautiful she looked.
"It's getting cold."
Draco pulled her to stand in front of him and spread the blanket that was on his shoulder wider and covered them both with it. "Cozy?"
When Ginny rolled her eyes, he chuckled. "You had all these planned didn't you…didn't think I would know?"
"Nah, you're a smart girl. I know you'll figure it out."
Draco rubbed his ribs when Ginny elbowed him. They both laughed and Draco circled his arms around Ginny tighter. They looked at the moon and remained quiet. But Draco had to ask her something.
"Can I ask why you decided to meet me that weekend? Our first date in Hogsmeade." Draco reminded her.
"I thought you'd never ask." Ginny started. "I wanted to trust you and your sincerity. I was intrigued by you."
"Trust?"
"Yes…trust. I believed that you're not as bad as how people depicted you Draco." She turned around to face him and place her hands on the back of his neck. Draco looked down at her, boring his eyes into hers.
"We've been together only three weeks. You don't know me Ginny. Had it ever cross your mind that I might just be pretending; that this was all a charade? That maybe your brother is right about me?"
"It wasn't just three weeks. I've known you for more than four months! We stood one metre away from each other practicing Transfiguration." Ginny said trying to loose the tension. "You're a good guy. You'll never hurt anyone. I trust you."
Draco started to tense up and Ginny massage his neck, running circles with her thumb. He soothed into her touch. "Draco, Harry told me you lowered your wand. You didn't do it because you know you were better than that. You're not a killer." Ginny's voice was hoarse.
She pulled Draco's face towards her and placed her lips on his. Their lips started to move in a rhythmic motion and Draco felt her willingly part her lips when his tongue grazed her lips seeking entrance. She tasted sweet and Draco was starting to feel weak in the knees. His fingers laced through her long hair and he could feel her fingers doing the same thing to his hair. He gently pried his fingers away from her hair and placed his hands on Ginny's cheeks. Their lips parted, both seeking oxygen to rush into their lungs.
Draco took out the box from his coat pocket and opened it. In his hand were a silver bracelet and a pendant that shined almost as brightly as the stars. He took Ginny's right hand and clasped it on her wrist. He could see that Ginny was surprised by his gesture. She took a closer look at the pendant and her eyes became wider when she realized what it was.
"But Draco…I can't. This is too precious." The pendant was a small silver plate with the Malfoy's arms engraved; a serpent wiring itself around the letter 'M' bolded in Slytherin green.
"It's the family's heirloom. I want you to have it…as a gift. It's been passed down from generation to generation. Mother gave it to me. He said that I should keep it and give it to someone special when I meet her…I think I already have." Draco said sheepishly. He met the eyes of his girlfriend and took both of her hands into his.
"I've not told mother about you…yet."
"My parents know nothing about us." Ginny admitted. "I don't know about you but I'm not ready to tell them yet because I know I'll lose you if I tell them."
"I understand. I have not told mother yet because I know I will lose you if I tell her." Draco said echoing what Ginny said just a few seconds ago. "But I guess Granger knows…and she would like me to pass these books to you."
Draco passed two books about France to Ginny. She took it and smiled. "Hermione isn't exactly overjoyed but she supports my decision to be with you."
Draco nodded his head. "Good." He bent his head down and planted a kiss on her forehead. "We should go. I don't want your brother to start a search party for you."
Ginny giggled and took Draco's hand as they walked back to their dormitories and down the corridors of Hogwarts for the last time.