[HP translation] Hope

She was late, and she knew Malfoy would yell at her.

"Time, Pinch?" she said, slipping her foot into her navy blue heels.

"It's almost five o'clock, Mistress! Hurry up!" Pinch screamed.

Ginny grabbed the clutch that came with her dress - she had already packed her wand in it, just in case - and ran out of breath into the front hall.Malfoy was already there, with his back to her, looking at his watch.

"Here I am," she gasped. "Let's go."

"Quickly..." When he turned around and saw her, his words stopped.Ginny's slightly curly hair was elegantly piled atop her head, adorned with an iridescent dragonfly clip, and her Muggle evening dress of choice was a navy blue floor-length dress with spaghetti straps and a puffed skirt.She kept smoothing her skirts, wondering where all his sour wit had gone.

It was only when she saw his custom tuxedo that she realized that she wasn't the only one wearing it.His vest and tie were of pearl gray satin, which framed his distinctive eyes, and his hair was tied neatly behind him with a leather cord.He looked... Ginny swallowed.wonderful.At Hogwarts, his face had been sharp, and now it suited him better as a man.For the first time since he suggested they go out, she felt a little nervous, and a little excited.

"It's cold outside," he snapped at last, "and I won't give you my coat if you're cold."

Ginny rolled her eyes and took out her wand.He just opened his mouth, and all illusions disappeared.With a flick of the wrist, she summoned the matching shawl, which flew down the stairs to her waiting hands seconds later.

They Apparated from the glass porch to the alley on Bainbridge Island, where Malfoy's chauffeur and limousine were waiting for them.When Ginny settled into her seat, trying not to rumple her skirt, he gave the driver detailed instructions, and the driver nodded and set off.

Malfoy leaned back comfortably in his seat. "We're going to meet the Ketterings at the hotel," he said, "and then go to a show and drink."

Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Oh. I thought it was just the two of us."

He tilted his head. "Yeah?"

"Not at all, Malfoy. It didn't occur to me because I longed for your company."

"Are you sure?" he said, and Ginny frowned and didn't answer.She's really not sure.

When they arrived, Louisa and Justinian Kettering were already seated at their reserved table.The restaurant was dark and intimate, illuminated only by ornate colored lights, and the tables were set in hidden corners, where there was a muffled hum of conversation.Malfoy greeted the Ketterings warmly, even bowed and kissed Mrs. Kettering's hand, and helped Ginny into her seat as he did every day.

"It's beautiful here," said Ginny when they had finished ordering appetizers. "Is this new?"

Malfoy hid his smile, and Mrs Kettering laughed. "Oh, you Brit. No, this place is almost 30 years old, isn't it, Justin? The only reason this place is so new is that everything in the British wizarding world is old."

"This table is under a spell," said Malfoy after Ginny had blinked at Mrs. Kettering's insolence. "I believe it's a curse, sir?"

"Yes," said Mr. Kettering, nodding his gray head. "We've been careful since Harry Potter died. Don't want that evil bastard coming."

Hearing his name so unexpectedly was like being splashed with a bucket of cold water.Dear Merlin, Harry.Ginny trembled so violently that she nearly dropped her glass; Malfoy's quick reflexes saved her skirt.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, trying not to think that Malfoy was touching her hand. "I don't usually—"

"Miss Weasley knew Harry Potter," he explained to the Ketterings. "They..."—the corners of his mouth curled up—"dated once, before his untimely death."

"Oh, you poor little thing," said Mrs. Kettering. "It really saddens me to hear that."

"That was three years ago," said Ginny tensely. "I've let it go, I think so anyway."

"We never forget the dead," said Kettering wisely. "Our boy John went abroad to join the war, and he was killed in the Ministry of Magic massacre."

"And so is my brother Percy," said Ginny.

"It's never going to be easy," he sighed. "It just lurks deeper in the past."

During the dinner that followed, her mood sank even further, and Ginny ate very little.The Ketterings chatted with Draco about everything from the Thane School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to Mrs. Kettering's lobbying in the local state government.Ginny was surprised to hear that Malfoy was active in the Washington state government.

"I didn't realize you were an American citizen now," she told him.He just sat there speechless, looking into her eyes.

"What are you hiding from your cousin?" Mrs. Kettering hissed. "Not officially a US citizen, of course, but Draco only started the process earlier this year. He'll be a real US citizen in six months."

"But - but why?" Ginny stammered, still looking at Malfoy. "No matter what crazy dark wizards do to Britain, it's our home. I'm still a British citizen."

"I have no plans to go back to England," Malfoy said. "Never go back."

"Malfoy Manor—"

"I believe it has become Death Eater headquarters."

"Your property—"

"In several Swiss wizarding banks, also investing in American companies."

"Where's your family? Your mother must—"

"Dead, and I don't want to talk about it here," Malfoy said, cutting hard at his flesh.

This new information made Ginny bite her lip.She didn't know that Narcissa Malfoy was dead.How could she not have heard of it, she thought, and then she deduced that the Daily Prophet must have reported it.The Ketterings took their small quarrel gracefully, and did not continue or bring it up again throughout the evening.

Ginny had never seen a Muggle musician, or a stage show of any kind, and Fred and George had gotten tickets to the Weird Sisters concert in Blackburn, which was about the closest she'd come.However, this is nothing like that.Malfoy had secured a private box with a perfect view, and when the curtains were drawn, Ginny sat down and lost herself in it.

"Stupid Muggles," Kettering said kindly afterwards, as they sat down in a late-night cocktail restaurant, sipping a nightcap. "They felt the Arthurian legend was not true at all."

"Of course they made Morgan le Fay the villain," Mrs. Kettering complained, "just because she's a witch. They forget she's a great healer too."

"I like it," said Ginny stubbornly. "I thought the music was fantastic and the acting was pretty good."

"Oh, you'll like it, you blood traitor," Malfoy said into his brandy glass.He has been in a bad mood since dinner.

Could the Ketterings pretend they hadn't heard him say such a nasty thing?They must know by now that Draco was a nasty idiot!But the Ketterings didn't seem insulted, but laughed at his outburst. "Dear Draco," said Mrs. Kettering, patting his arm. "What you came up with, I can't understand your mind at all." Ginny felt that her eyes were about to fall out.

The Ketterings finally said their goodbyes in the alley behind the restaurant, and invited Malfoy and Ginny to visit them at will.After a final farewell, the couple apparated back to their home.

The drive back to Malfoy's island was quiet and uncomfortable.Ginny kept thinking about Narcissa Malfoy.She had heard Harry rambling about the boy he hated the most, and she knew the blond witch loved her only son for 10 minutes, and she always sent him chocolates and other treats from home when he was at Hogwarts.Judging from his sullen expression all night, Malfoy must have missed her; perhaps he even loved her.Merlin, maybe he does have a heart, Ginny thought.

She spoke as the car was on the ferry to Bainbridge Island. "My mother died too," she said softly.

Malfoy continued to stare out the window.

"It was the last battle in Godric's Hollow, right next to where the Potters lived," she continued.She never told anyone about Molly's death. "She—with Fred, because he's my only living brother, and she's protecting him. She's a very powerful witch, my mother, and she can cast almost unbreakable protective spells. But she's divided Holy crap, Mulciber took the opportunity to attack Fred." Ginny stared, even though Malfoy had now turned to look at her. "Mum screamed and jumped at him, trying to stop him, but McNeil cast a - Killing Curse on her. She died." Ginny looked at Malfoy dry-eyed. "Remember, you're not the only one who lost a parent."

He looked away again, and there was still silence in the sedan as the driver pulled up at the general store.He didn't speak until they Apparated back to the manor and Ginny started walking up the stairs.

"Lucius killed her." His voice was so soft that it almost merged with the wind howling through the woods.She turned and waited for him to continue.Malfoy's face contorted uncomfortably, and he ran his hands through his long hair. "My mom was never involved in any Death Eater business, she pretended to ignore it, and Lucius never let her in. She knew he was risking his life as a Death Eater, but she thought it was His choice. Being black—when Voldemort wanted me to join—" His face was covered with thin sweat, as if it took a lot of physical strength to say the name,"—she insisted. I was her The only son, she didn't intend to risk my life. She tied me up and sent me to this place, which is protected by many spells and cannot be located, and I have been here since then." He waved at the manor. waved. "Lucius found out, and he was pissed, anyway, that's what I heard. He killed her."

Ginny's heart ached with pity, with the helplessness in his voice.She can hate McNeil for killing her mother, but how hard does it take to hate your own father for the same reason?She went to him, happy for the first time that she was a tall witch.His bowed head was almost level with her eyes, so she could cup his face and kiss his forehead without too much effort.

"I'm sorry, Malfoy," she murmured against his burning skin. "I'm very sorry."

"Ginny," he whispered, and when he looked up, they were very close to each other.He took her hands in both, and she trembled as he put them to his lips, keeping her eyes on her.Her heart was pounding in her head like a galloping hippogriff, so loud she thought he could hear it, and her breath was caught somewhere between her mouth and her lungs. place.She suddenly realized that she wanted to kiss him.Not only that, but she wanted him to kiss her back.Gathered deep in her core was desire, and it was a strange feeling to have after almost three years of numbness and daze.

"Malfoy," she said.

"Good night," he said, and he let go of her hand and disappeared into the darkness of the house.

Ginny let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, and gave herself five minutes to calm down.When she got back to normal, she thought, it was a moment of madness.I would never want to kiss Draco Malfoy.

no way.