Stronger for You

Chp. 13 Packing

"There ain't no way you can hold onto something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it." - Because of Winn-Dixie

Chapter Thirteen

Jacky’s P.o.V.

I watch as Ginny packs her trunk quickly. She’s tense and quiet, and I control my flinch as I see the last remaining bruise from the curse. The easy smile that usually graces her face is gone and the light atmosphere in her room has been absent for almost a month.

My attempts to help her pack had fallen on deaf ears. She had thrown me her most powerful withering glare and a curt no before starting. I had quickly backed off. I understood how she felt, though it seemed as if she had forgotten it.

My man was out there too. Except, unlike Harry, Draco was in the center of it and surrounded by the evil at every turn and every waking moment was most likely forced to do unimaginable things to just survive and keep his family safe.

Harry was with friends, true friends, who would keep each other safe like a real family. They were running while Draco was imprisoned.

“Stop giving me that look, Jacky.” She says as she closes her trunk and locking it. I blink and look at her in surprise.

“What look?”

“The ‘she’s fragile and about to break’ look.” Ginny snaps, I sigh and straighten from where I was leaning against the doorframe.

“I’m not giving that look. My look is the ‘she needs to stop feeling sorry for herself and toughen up’ look.” I retort, letting my temper break out as I am fed up with her attitude. She pulls her wand out furiously, but I only raise a brow. She grins sheepishly and puts it away.

“You’re right. It’s just that everything is happening so fast. Harry’s gone, Snape is headmaster, the death eaters are in power, and we could all be killed at any second.” She huffs. I sit on her bed, patting the spot next to me. She leans into my shoulder, relaxing.

“It is happening fast. That means that it will peak more quickly and then it will all be over. It’s like a fever, burning and drying everything up in its path. It seems as if it will last forever but then it spikes. It is gone the next day.” I explain. She laughs.

“That’s a unique way of looking at it.” We fall silent.

“How’s Fred doing?” She asks. I scowl and roll my shoulders in irritation.

“He still won’t look me in the face. I think I’ve broken our friendship.” I somehow manage to keep my voice steady, despite my desire to scream and shout and cry. I refused to let him get to me like that. We had a promise and I’ll be damned if I let it get me down that he didn’t want to keep it.

“He’s being childish and a prat. You guys had a deal and he can’t get his knickers in a twist if you’re the one that wants to follow through.” She supports. I nod blankly.

“I’m glad you at least understand. I can’t believe everyone knew we were fooling around and never said anything.” I huff, my cheeks reddening.

“Well it wasn’t so hard to miss. But we also thought that you deserved some privacy, after this whole year and everything.

“I admit that it was freeing, being able to be with someone without worrying what everyone else will think. I think I hid it because I felt that if it were out in the open, then I would be betraying Draco, you know?” I muse.

“I do, which is another reason why we said nothing. It was up to you both.” I frown.

“And now it’s over.”

“And now it’s over. Quite messily too.” I sigh.

“I just don’t see how he can be upset. I warned him, over and over, to not pursue me. To just let it be done with. I didn’t want him to become attached because I always knew I would move on. And he has the nerve to say no; that he wants to officially be my boyfriend? Is he insane? Or just that thickheaded?” I cave in and rant.

“Both actually. He just wants to keep you safe. He likes you and he knew full-well when he proposed his little deal that he would get attached. He didn’t want you going back to Malfoy because, quite honestly, that is never going to end happily.” She deadpans. I recoil from her bluntness.

“I still have to try, Ginny. Even if I had fallen for Fred, I still would have gone after Draco.” I whisper. She takes my hand, squeezing it tight.

“I know; that’s why I’m on your side. You love him with the same fierce intensity that I love Harry with. Dating Dean and Michael and the others were just to stop the loneliness and to get Harry’s attention.” She admits. I grin at her.

“The poor guys.” She makes a face at me.

“They weren’t complaining.”

“Of course they weren’t. You’re the best girl they’re ever going to get.” I tease. She blushes and we laugh together.

“I can’t believe you’re not going to Hogwarts this year. It will be so strange.” I bite my lip and stare at her.

“About that… I’ve been talking with Charlie and we came up with an idea.” I tell her. She sits up from where she had lain back on the bed to stare at me intensely.

“What is it?”

“I only convinced him by telling him that I could protect you more than any of your family could from home. But I also will be able to protect the other students.”

“Jacky, what is it?” I scooch away from her, out of hitting range.

“I’m going back to Hogwarts.” She slaps me without warning.

“Okay, so I’m not dreaming.”

“How is slapping me proof of that?” I demand, holding my throbbing cheek. She giggles.

“I didn’t want to slap myself. Now how the hell do you plan on getting into the fortress, eh?” I grin wolfishly at her.

“Congrats Ginny, you’re getting a new pet.” Confusion crosses her face while my smile grows larger.

“This is going to be interesting.” She eventually sighs. I nod wryly.

“That it is, Gin, that it is.

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~*Note*~ I have horrible news my loves! School has...begun again. D:

Updates will slow slightly, but I do have some chapters saved, so worry not! I shan't fall behind in writing. I just may...occasionally forget to upload because of torturous strain upon my poor innocent brain.

On the upside, apparently yesterday was Snape's birthday! Which I never saw throughout hte books but okay... So Happy Birthday always to the greasiest...I mean bravest man I ever knew.

Next upload: Sometime next week. :) Hope you all have a magical week, my lovelies!