[HP] Three thousand days of innocence

Ginny walked back to her apartment in a daze, clutching her bag like a lifeline.

She couldn't believe what had just happened in St. James' Park.

Maybe she fell asleep.The whole thing was her dream.She'd been thinking about Draco's case for the past few weeks, and it must have entered her subconscious.

If he had been living the life of a Muggle in London, there was no way he could have been hiding from the Minister for Magic for eight years without using any kind of magic.

The first thing she did when she entered the apartment was go to her desk, which was covered with Draco's files, and she looked at the visits in Italy and France.They saw his picture.They recognized him immediately, and despite what she'd told Romilda a few weeks ago, she knew that Draco's hair wasn't something every day.There was no need to throw out any evidence, as she had feared.

But there was still a gap of years between the day he left Hogwarts and the months when he was seen in Paris, not to mention an even bigger gap between Florence and this evening.Could he have been in London then too?Maybe he was on a long vacation, though Ginny couldn't imagine why he'd be on vacation alone.Besides, he was broke: one of the first things the Malfoys had promised was to have the Ministry check their bank accounts for any unknown transactions, but found nothing.

However, he said Simon was his roommate, which meant he was splitting the rent for the apartment.Ginny jotted it down in her notebook: Muggle jobs, bank accounts, addresses.She had to admire him for how well he went about hiding.He and his mates fit well in dress and language, and he knew how to play Muggle games.He was very comfortable with Muggles, so he had been with them for a long time.Not only that, but they seemed to really like Draco, which, she knew, would make Harry and Ron laugh.

Ginny sighed and leaned back in her chair.When he is detained and can apply for Veritaserum, then worry about these reasons.She planned to have a raiding wizard follow her when they were dating so someone would help her subdue him.Hopefully Draco will choose a quiet place to eat so there's no need for an amnesticist.Ginny wrinkled her nose.She had never liked working with an amnesticist, and Zacharias Smith made it even more unacceptable to her.

And then—Draco.his false name.Cheerful and friendly demeanor.Ginny wrote "Ben Hamilton" in her notebook and circled it.It was an extreme Muggle name - she knew there was no Hamilton in the wizarding world.How did he come up with it?How was he going to explain to his employer, his bank, his friends that he didn't have Muggle identification?Unless he went to the black market and got his birth certificate, passport and driver's license...

Ginny rubbed her eyes wearily.The case was full of loopholes, especially now that she had found him, and nothing seemed to make sense.She thought about amnesia—which sounded ridiculous, since such severe amnesia only happened in novels—and that, as far as she knew, Draco hadn't been hurt during the final battle.Besides, it had been eight years and Ginny had never heard that the memory loss was permanent.

Still, she sketched out a plausible scenario and added it to her notes.Draco didn't like being the loser in a war, perhaps worried about the repercussions of his actions, so he fled the wizarding world, intending to wait out the post-battle hustle and bustle.But, being well protected from a young age and knowing very little about the Muggle world, he had an accident - perhaps a car accident, knowing how dangerous such a horrible thing could be - and he suffered a head injury, and as a result Amnesia.The Muggle hospitals had no record of him, as he was not a British citizen, but his picture would be published in the papers in the hope that someone would recognize him.But no one recognized him, because the wizarding world didn't follow Muggle news.

But would he fail to recognize her?Didn't her red hair, her name, awaken a memory?Didn't he show a little bit of unchecked magic that made him and the others suspicious?

Which means she's back to square one: What the hell is going on here?

She flipped listlessly through Sturgis Podmore's notes again, hoping hopefully to find some inspiration, something new, a unique way of looking at facts that hadn't occurred to her—

The first page of the case file details Nearly Headless Nick's testimony.

Ginny raised her eyebrows.Isn't that the point, Nick's eyewitness statement?He had indeed seen Draco heading towards the Slytherin dungeon that morning - as confirmed by the Malfoys, who said he was going there to pack his suitcase - only to have a change of heart and leave the castle.Something must have happened then.What made him change his mind?

The next morning, Ginny Apparated to Hogsmeade and walked towards Hogwarts, the huge castle that stood silently in the Scottish fog.Coming here during the holidays is a different experience, as there is no one in the conservatory or near Hagrid's hut for classes, no bells for the end of get out of class, and hundreds of students talking about assignments and lessons.Ginny sent her Patronus - a wild horse - galloping to the castle, and waited for a reply.

About 10 minutes later, a familiar figure ran over from the small road leading to the school and waved happily to her. "Ginny!" cried Neville Longbottom, grinning. "Great to meet you! How are you?"

"Very well, Neville," she said with a smile.He unwrapped the magic around the gate and let her in, hugging her tightly.

"What brings you here?" he said, looking at her scarlet uniform.

"The Ministry of Magic, of course," she said, pointing to her badge. "I want to say a few words to Nearly Headless Nick."

"That's something to do with Malfoy." Neville nodded, reaching into his pocket. "I know because Nick keeps saying these days that he's the last one to see him. Still looking for him?"

"I've got some good leads," she said vaguely.Neville shrugged and led her into Hogwarts.

Neville was very different from when he was a student.He grew up a lot in his final year at school, and during the summer, Professor McGonagall made it possible for the Year [-] students to complete their studies and sit their NEWTs on time.He was much taller than Ginny now, his once round face had lost the baby fat it had once been, and his dark brown hair looked dusty and unmanaged, completely out of character for a researcher and diligent herbalist. identity.In fact, he resembled dear Professor Lupine in his scholarly manner and modest attire.

"His case is interesting, isn't it?" said Neville, as they walked. "Malfoy's case. I mean, his parents got away with it after the war, but suddenly he was charged with all the crimes just because he disappeared. All I know is he hit Pepe with a harmless spell. Teal. That's all. Not worth the hunt if you ask me."

"Sorry, I shouldn't be discussing the case," Ginny said.

"It's all right," Neville said with a friendly smile. "I don't expect you to answer. I don't see many people here in the summer—just me and a few other professors who don't have families. It's great to chat with new people."

"You know you're always welcome at the Burrow," Ginny reminded him. "My mother is always worried about you, wondering if you're eating well. I'll ask her to send you some mince pies."

"I like your mother's cooking, thank you." Neville laughed. "Although the house-elves here are fine, they're no match for Molly Weasley."

They came to the double doors leading into the castle and entered the hall.A pearl appeared at the top of the wide staircase to their right—Nearly Headless Nick, adjusting the ruff on his half-broken neck.

"Good morning, Miss Weasley," said Nick solemnly, floating down the stairs. "I overheard you need my help."

"Hi, Nick," she said. "Yes, I want to ask you one more time about Draco Malfoy."

"If you need me, you can find me in my office," said Neville.

"Thank you, Professor Longbottom," Nick said solemnly.Ginny and Neville looked at each other and smiled, and Neville walked away whistling "The Minotaur" in a low voice.

"I'm afraid I've told Mr. Podmore everything I knew that morning after the war," Nick said after Neville had left. "I didn't realize the importance of what I saw at the time, so my memory is not very clear. I saw Mr. Malfoy leave the Great Hall and start walking towards the entrance of the Slytherin dungeon, then inexplicably changed direction and walked outside go."

"Where were you when he was here?" Ginny asked. "What are you doing?"

"I found Creevey Boy's body," Nick said sadly, clasping his transparent hands tightly. "I was looking for someone to take him to the Great Hall with the other casualties. I was there—" Nick pointed to the top of the stairs. "Malfoy left while I was up there."

"Where did he stop?"

Nick floated down the corridor leading to the Slytherin dungeon, just a few steps from the Great Hall door. "He stopped here and stood there for a while. I never address Slytherin by his first name because it's not my house, but I was concerned and I called him. He ignored me completely. I asked him again What's up, he turned and walked towards the door, even though I was right behind him, he didn't even notice me."

Ginny raised her eyebrows.She hadn't heard this part of the story before. "You don't think I can see that memory in the Pensieve, do you?" she said.

Nick shook his shaky head. "I'm a ghost, Miss Weasley," he said. "All spells can penetrate me."

Damn it, she grumbled.Still maintaining a polite expression, Ginny nodded.If only someone else saw Malfoy leave!

She went to Neville's office to say goodbye to him, then passed McGonagall's office, said hello to her, and went back to Hogsmeade, Apparating back to London.She had just entered the apartment when she heard a strange sound.It sounded like the Marseillaise coming from a bag she had thrown on the living room sofa.Her cell phone is ringing.Harry made fun of her former distaste for Fleur all he wanted.

Ginny fumbled in her bag, found the annoying thing, pressed the green button, and raised the phone to her ear. "Uh—how are you?"

"Hello - Ginny? I'm Ben Hamilton, we met - well, about six hours ago..."

Merlin, it's Draco.

"Oh, yes," she said enthusiastically. "I didn't expect you to call."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed. "I just thought - but if you've made arrangements for tonight, I totally understand -"

"No, I'm just a little surprised." Ginny curled up on the sofa, pressing her phone to her ear. "Most men say they'll call you tomorrow, but they'll be fine if they call you in a week."

He laughed. "Hopefully you'll find that I'm not like most men."

Hearing his words, she felt as if her stomach was full of butterflies, and she smiled. "I wish," she said.

"Anyway, I'm calling because my friend and I are going to O'Neill's bar tonight to watch the game on the big screen there and I was wondering if you'd like to come with us."

It took Ginny a moment to understand what he was saying.Merlin, she desperately needed to do some Muggle research if she was going to continue being around him like this. "Whose game is this time?" she asked, hoping she hadn't said the wrong thing.

"Chelsea and West Ham. We'll all be rooting for West Ham, so please keep your Chelsea colors at home."

Ginny laughed. "You won't find a fan who loves West Ham more than I do," she lied.

"My God, woman, I might have to marry you."

There was an awkward silence, and Ginny covered her face with her hands.Did this really happen?she thinks.is this real?

"What I'm trying to say is," Draco continued lightly, "Where can I get you?"