Everyone soon realized that having Lucius Malfoy live with them was like having a ghost.

Lucius hardly ever made an appearance, coming down for meals well after everyone had. He kept to himself, not making any noise. When he had arrived, Molly had shown him to his room, which was on the third floor, a few doors down from Hermione and Ginny's. Everything at the Burrow had remained the same, no one paying much attention to the new guest. Lucius was surprisingly pleasant.

Ginny was going crazy. Lucius Malfoy, the person who had been the main and re-occurring person in her dreams, was living under the same roof. She couldn't contain her anxiety. She and Hermione were sharing a room, a few doors down from his. Arthur had made it very clear that no one is to interrupt Lucius. Ginny had found a few loopholes, often claiming she didn't feel like going outside, staying on the couch, reading a book, waiting for Lucius to come down for meals. Ginny knew she was acting silly, but she didn't care.

Ginny had to past Lucius' room to go down the stairs. His smell soon became evident when you walked by, a manly, strong scent filling your nostrils. Ginny loved the smell. Hermione noticed Ginny's infatuation, having to pull her aside, and ask exactly how strong her feelings for Lucius were. Ginny didn't directly answer her question, telling her not to worry about it. Hermione let it go, but decided to keep a closer eye on Ginny.

Ginny felt sorry for Lucius - her father had basically flat out told them that Death Eaters killed Narcissa. Ginny hated that Lucius let himself sulk in his bedroom. She knew he missed Draco - even if he was a stubborn, spoiled little brat, Ginny knew that he had a good relationship with his father.

Ginny knew there were three days left until they all had to leave for Hogwarts. She was determined to have at least one conversation with Lucius before she left.

Tonight was different.

Ginny had tossed and turned in her bed, unable to fall asleep. Tomorrow she would leave for Hogwarts. She had yet to meet her objective, driving her absolutely mad. Ginny's small crush had turned into a full blown infatuation, making her heart feel like it was about to explode. She hated the effect he had on her - without even knowing it! Ginny soon found that sleep wouldn't be coming to her easily that night. She looked at the clock. 1:46am. Ginny grumbled, throwing the covers to the side. She stood, her bare feet meeting the cold, wooden floor. Ginny felt goosebumps creep on his arms, feeling a sudden chill. Ginny didn't wear a lot to sleep, only shorts and an oversized t-shirt, reaching mid-thigh, covering the shorts. She had her hair put up into a pony tail, hating it when she had hair in her face when she was sleeping. Ginny decided to go to the kitchen and get a glass of milk - milk always seemed to make her sleep. Ginny walked down the hall, seeing Lucius' door closed. She sighed, continuing downstairs. It was mostly dark, only a few candles lit. Ginny grabbed a candle stick, carrying it to the kitchen.

When she walked in the kitchen, she sat the candle down on the counter, opening the refrigerator, getting out the jug of milk. She opened the cabinet, having to reach up, on her the tip of her toes, to get a glass. Ginny heard someone clear their throat. She whirled around, seeing someone sitting at the dining room table. Ginny soon realized that it was him - Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius had a glass in his hand, and a half empty bottle of Fire Whiskey next to him. Ginny quirked her eyebrows at that, but turned around, pouring her a glass.

Lucius said, "You are up late, Ginevra." Ginny froze. That was the first time he had called her by name. Ginny let herself smile, before turning back around to put the milk away. Ginny composed herself before answering.

Ginny responded coolly, "As are you." Lucius took a swig of whiskey. He sighed, chugging down the rest of his glass. Ginny gave her a few seconds to mull things over, soon coming to a decision. Ginny, not saying anything while doing so, went to sit on the chair opposite of Lucius. He looked at her questioningly.

Lucius asked, pouring himself another glass, "What are you doing?" Ginny turned to look at him. She noticed that he had a growing beard, on his slim cheeks and chin. His hair seemed somewhat kept, but not like it normally looked when she saw him at Diagon Alley and the World Cup. He wore a button-up white shirt, with black business pants. Ginny felt a small blush creep up on her cheeks.

Ginny answered, "I couldn't sleep," she looked down on the floor, not meeting his gaze, "And I thought you might want some company - since you've already spent a half a bottle by yourself." Lucius took another swig of whiskey.

"Alright," Lucius continued, "But don't expect me to let you have any whiskey. Your parents would kill me," he muttered, "That's the last thing I need." Ginny looked up at him.

Ginny quietly said, "I wouldn't." Silence ensued. Ginny took a small sip of her milk, setting the glass on the table. The two didn't say anything else. Ginny thought of her objective - she had accomplished it. If she left right now, she would be fine. But she knew if she did, she would regret it. It was her last night before having to go off to Hogwarts.

Ginny observed him in the silence, watching his throwback another glass. He refilled the glass, taking another shot. Even though he must have been feeling a little buzz in his head, Ginny couldn't tell he was drunk.

Before thinking, Ginny said, "You shouldn't drink that much." Lucius turned to look at her. He smirked, noticing the small blush that crept on her cheeks.

Lucius inquired, "Do tell, when did you start to care about my health?" Lucius turned away, taking another swig of his drink. Ginny mulled over the possible answers, not wanting to sound like a complete fool.

Ginny finally said, "Ever since you started to care about mine." Lucius looked back at her, scanning her eyes. Ginny held his gaze, until turning away. Lucius set his glass on the table, looking back at her.

Lucius said, "Drinking is a habit I have yet to break," he looked back to where he was staring - into space. After a few seconds, he broke his gaze, grabbing the glass off of the table, "But sometimes," he took another swig, "drinking is the answer to your worst problems." Ginny let go of the topic. Ginny put her elbow on the table, holding her head up with her hand. She sighed, looking at the magical clock. 2:13am.

Lucius looked over, observing the youngest Weasley. He remembered when he had first seen her at Diagon Alley. She had short hair, reaching her chin. No, she had long hair, reaching below her shoulders. Her facial features were more formed, her eyelashes longer, her jawline a little more clear, and her eyes a little more brighter. Her height had stayed the same - being about 4'10-4'11. Lucius knew that she had witnessed things that no girl of fourteen should witness. The word 'guilty' wasn't in his vocabulary, but that certainly described what he was feeling like. Not only for what he had done to Ginny during her second year, but for so much more - killing innocent families, torturing people due to their blood. the Weasley had been more than kind to him the past few days - cooking, cleaning, and providing a safe place to stay.

Without thinking, Lucius said, "I'm sorry." Ginny looked up. Lucius was still staring out into space, but slowly moved his gaze to her. Ginny didn't know what he was saying sorry for. She hadn't a clue.

Ginny cautiously asked, "For what?" Lucius took another swig of whiskey. Silence ensued. Lucius mulled over how to reply, a buzz in his head telling him to answer truthfully.

Lucius said finally, "Everything." Ginny thought about that answer. She knew he - along with other Death Eaters, retired or not - had to have felt some guilt in the past for all of what they had done. Ginny didn't want to know what exactly he had done in the past, saving her from a week's worth of nightmares. Although, Ginny did want to know why he was just saying that - and out of everyone he chose to say that to, he said to Ginny.

Ginny asked, "Why did you tell me?" Lucius looked to meet her gaze. His eyes looked glazed over, him being in deep thought.

Lucius answered, "You are my only living guilt." Ginny froze. She was the only person that was living that he felt guilty about?

Ginny quietly replied, "I can't say it's not your fault...since it was. But, I can say that you were doing what you thought what was 'right' at the time. You were looking out for your family. I am not saying what you did was okay - not to the least...but," she sighed, "by doing what you did," she shivered at the memory, "you were thinking of what was best for your family." Lucius scoffed, taking another swig.

Lucius answered, "I know what I did. I'm not proud of it either. I sentenced an eleven year old girl to death. Don't sugarcoat it. I bought my family a few more months to live...my wife..." Lucius didn't finish his sentence. Ginny frowned. She knew how much he had cared for Narcissa. She thought of how he must have felt after Narcissa had died - murdered.

After a long period of time, Ginny said, "For that, I'm sorry." Lucius remained quiet. The silence drew, Ginny taking another sip of milk.

Lucius suddenly got his wand out, mumbling. Out of thin air, a bottle appeared on the bottle. Lucius drank the rest of his whiskey, taking of the cap on the bottle. He poured the liquid from the bottle, into the glass, drinking it at once.

Ginny eyes widened, never reading about a spell that could acio something out of thin air.

Lucius caught her expression, smirking, and said, "It was an advanced spell - one you won't learn anytime soon," she looked at the bottle. He answered, "A potion - for the headache tomorrow." Ginny nodded. Lucius sighed, screwing the cap back on the Fire Whiskey bottle.

Lucius stood, saying, "Thank you for keeping me company," he walked towards the staircase. Before walking further, he turns back around, and says, "Goodnight, Ginevra."

When he left, Ginny went to bed as well.

A/N: Thanks so much for all of the support! A huge thank you to alyssanicole420 for the favorite/follow!