It was silent; Draco observed as he took a drag on his thin cigar, the calmness of the castle was unsettling for someone who had gotten use to the sounds of battle and the groans of pain that came in the aftermath. Settling more comfortably against the stone wall he was leaning on Draco looked out at the still courtyard of his Uncle's ancestral home. The once regal stone yard was gutted of anything that could be considered useful or was able to burn, its stones ripped up in places as the testament to spells that had gotten across barriers. The rain water had washed away the blood and gore from a battle only fought hours ago. Draco took a last puff of the cigar, pinching the smoldering end off, he tucked the small stub into his almost empty cigarette case before pulling the collar of his coat tighter around his neck and taking the worn stairs on the side of the wall to the battlements. Rubbing his hands together to ward off the cold he gave the man he came to relieve a pat on the shoulder and assumed his spot. The older man grunted to Draco as he walked by him intent on getting inside out of the cold as soon as possible. Draco watched him go with a sneer, it wasn't his fault that the Dark Lord and his commanders had decided that it wasn't beneficial for the night watch to put up warming charms and the like when on duty. It wasn't like Draco was allowed to use even the smallest of charms either, and he was the second in command's son.

Pulling his gloves out of his pockets, Draco shoved them on as the fog rolled in. Cursing under his breath he pulled a knit hat on over his ears, wishing the entire time that he was anywhere else but here.

Ginny stumbled back from the hit, her feet sliding out from under her on the slick mud of the forest floor. Catching herself against a tree she wiped at her lip, not surprised to see blood on her fingers when she glanced down. The coppery taste in her mouth was a welcome familiarity to the situation, even if her opponent did sometimes change there was always the pain.

"Ginny are you okay," Ginny waved off the concerned hands, she needed this and she was tired of everyone assuming what was good for her.

Standing up she resumed her position, fists held loose and at the ready to block the attacks, "Again."

Familiar blue eyes locked on hers as her opponent took his position opposite her, Charlie gave her time to catch her breath and then he was on her. Brawny from his years as a dragon tamer the second eldest Weasley swung at his sister, not pulling his punches one iota. Charlie and Ginny both were covered in a fine layer of sweat that kept the chill of the night at bay as they sparred. Fists and legs doggedly lashing out at one another in a circle of siblings that were as silent as the woods around them, the two opponents circled each other as they exchanged blows. Ginny's smaller, quicker frame helped to keep her on her feet against Charlie's massive wall of muscled, and aside from a few glancing blows the elder Weasley hadn't been able to land a hit that would squarely knock his baby sister out.

Ginny ducked under his arm and landed a hit to her brother's exposed ribs, Charlie grunted but kept his guard up and was quickly out of her reach. He glanced at her as if making sure that she was in alright condition before he continued, his hands quick as he jabbed at her distracting her as his leg lashed out to knock her legs out form under her. Ginny landed winded on her back, laying there for a moment she let herself take a breath before trying to get to her feet. Pain sliced through her rib cage as struggled to her feet, hands were on her in a second helping her. Ginny bit her lip in pain as they braced her on her feet, something she doubted she could have done without he brothers help.

Charlie was holding her up against him as Fred ran a sure wand over her ribcage, he looked up at her a smile quirking his lips, "Just a couple of bruised ribs, wrap them tight and you should be good as new in a couple of days. Provided Mum doesn't find out about this."

"And which one of you would be foolish enough to tell her," Ginny wheezed leaning on Charlie as the group began walking back through the dark woods towards the Burrow.

"Ron," George and Percy said together, earning a disgruntled look from the youngest brother. George grinned, "What?"

"I wasn't the one that gave out the news about Percy and Colin," Ron pointed out earning a snicker from all but George and Percy, the latter blushing the roots of his bright hair as he ducked his head in embarrassment.

Charlie grasped Ginny tighter as she stumbled, looking down at her his kind eyes almost unreadable in the dark, "You okay little sister?"

"I'm fine," Ginny bit her lip hard enough to taste blood to keep from crying out in pain as her ribs were jarred, "Was Fleur going to stay with her parents for Christmas?"

Bill paused from his position at the front of the group, turning he looked at his sister, "No point in her coming back, she filed for divorce."

The stunned silence of the group was deafening as they turned to look at their brother as one. Bill gave them a cold look, "She couldn't take this anymore, and can you really blame her? I mean look at what we have become, we are fighting a war that should have ended the moment that Dumbledore died…What hope do we have of winning? Harry is barely alive as it is, and-."

"Enough," Ron grabbed his brother by arm, the two men on equal height. Ginny almost asked when had Ron grown up, but his angry mottled face was in their eldest brother's face before she could try to make light of the situation, "Harry is killing himself trying to end this. And instead of trying to put everything on his shoulders why don't you try and help for once instead of moping around because your wife found someone new to fuck."

Bill growled, George and Fred moved to intercept him should he decide to try to kill their brother. Bill waved them off, shoving himself away from Ron, his scarred face was garish in the moonlight as he stalked away.

Ron gave them an apologetic look before he too left the dwindling group in darkness, his steps taking him away from the Burrow and into the meadow where they use to play Quidditch. Charlie shifted his hold on Ginny before motioning the others to start back towards the house. The small group was quiet as they walked into the once cheerful home.

Draco gave the homemade brew that his one of his former housemates had concocted a critical look before sipping cautiously from the chipped mug. It was harsh and instantly warmed the cold Slytherin from his stint on watch, the hint of apples and berries in the amber liquid was surprisingly delicious as he gasped for air when it burned down his throat. Coughing he gave the older man a salute before wandering over to the fireplace large enough to roast to full grown boars on it with room to spare. His hands wrapped around the mug Draco watched the small goat that was currently on the spit turn by the work of a scrawny looking elf. It was rather gamey looking meet but Draco stomach groaned in want of the roasting meat. The elf as if sensing his hunger quickly moved to carve out a goodly portion and set it on a dented pewter plate with bits of cheese and ham. Draco gave the elf a cursory nod of his head before stumbling to a large table to eat. Sinking down he was halfway through the soft bread and creamy cheese before his dinner was disturbed.

"I am sending a group of Death Eaters to go round up some resisters in the highlands tomorrow," Draco took a bite of the goat, savoring the hot meat and the smoky taste instead of answering the man standing across from him. The man gave a low sound of annoyance that had Draco looking up, Marcus Flint, former Quidditch captain of Draco's team and housemate was standing in front of Draco with an air of confidence that came only when bossing around others. As Draco's commander the former Chaser gave Draco a sneer, "I want you to go with them, Nott is going to be in command."

Draco turned his attention back to his food, wanting to finish up as quickly as possible and get a couple hours sleep on his lumpy mattress before he was forced to move again. Marcus's hand reached over and took a choice piece of meat from the platter, Draco gripped his knife hard to keep from giving in to the urge to stab the man's beefy hand. Marcus chewed on the meat, either not recognizing or choosing not to the look that Draco was sending him, "They leave in an hour. Be ready."

Draco closed his eyes as he looked down at his plate, "Yes sir."

"I wonder sometimes why your Father doesn't have you promoted," Marcus looked around at the kitchen, the few underlings who were lounging around drinking brew and then the elves hard at work trying to avoid the kicks and gain the smiles of the men that were around them, "But it doesn't surprise me, you always were a sniveling little shit."

Draco glared at Marcus's back as the older man walked away, raising the mug of brew to his lips he downed the last of the strange concoction before pushing away from the table to go and get ready. His hand snaking out to grab the last piece of bread before he left the kitchen in search of his room.

Ginny smiled at Bill, the two of them stepping out of the wood into the clearing around the small house. They had lucked out at breakfast being given the job of checking on a married couple living in a small cottage in the mountains. One of Charlie's coats wrapped around her Ginny waved to the old woman waiting at the door for them, the basket of good stuffs and other things in her arm making her progress somewhat cumbersome but Ginny refused to transfer the load to Bill.

"Gerald," the old woman called into the house smiling at the approaching siblings, "Gerald, we have visitors."

Ginny laughed as the gnarled hands of the woman pulled her into a tight embrace, she let herself be surrounded by the smell of laundry and fresh baking bread for a moment before pulling back, "I missed you too Madele."

"Well look at what we have here," Madele gave Ginny's brother a thorough once over, "This must be the eldest, Bill isn't it?"

"Yes," Bill reached out to shake the woman's hand smiling politely he was jerked forward and embraced roughly by the petite stout woman.

"Call me Madele, my man use to look like you. Tall and strong, never did have long hair but he was an eye catcher," Madele observed as she let him go, Bill blushed at the frank observation, "Come inside, I have just made fresh monkey bread and it is still barely cooled."

Ginny grinned as her arm was enveloped in Madele's the basket tossed back to Bill as the woman led them inside. Bill had to duck his head when he walked in the small stone building, not at all surprised that the outside was deceptive to the reality of the inside. Standing in a foyer stacked with clutter that could have easily been the size of the Burrow if it wasn't packed so tightly with junk that looked like it had been collected over several life sizes. Following the duo Bill smiled as he watched the portraits lining the walls whisper and move about as they walked into the short hallway to the kitchen. A burly looking troll was snoring softly in a patched chair before the cheerful fire.

Setting the basket down Bill sniffed the air cautiously; ever since Fenrir attacked him at Hogwarts five years ago he had used his keener senses to his advantage. Right now the strong smell of cinnamon was making his stomach growl and his mouth water.

"Gerald, get your lazy arse up," Madele walked over to poke the small mountain, "This is my man Gerald."

Gerald snorted, wiping at his mouth with the back of a meaty hand he opened his eyes slowly, "Ginny-girl, I was just wondering when I would see you again."

"Always a pleasure Gerald," Ginny walked over to be engulfed in a hug that lifted her off her feet. Ginny was lost for a few moments in the mass that was Gerald, when he dropped her to her feet she was a flushed from the lack of oxygen that resulted from his embrace, "You need to eat more girl, there is nothing to you but skin and bones."

"I will try, but no one can cook like Madele," Ginny assured him confidently, "We brought some food stuffs, and medical supplies for you."

"Gerald make your self useful and get that basket put away," Madele ordered as she took a large mass of bread like substance from the cooling rack.

Gerald rolled his eyes at the two Weasley's moving with a grace and quickness that surprised Bill the seven foot tall man had the basket empty in a moment and was back in his chair looking over a paper that had been placed in its depths. Bill was surprised when he was being pushed down in a seat across from Ginny at the long table that could easily fit twelve, a lump of the bread in front of him and a cold glass of milk in his hand.

"Tell us all the news," Madele ordered as she placed a similar plate in front of Ginny, Gerald's already at his side, "Our last visitors only stayed for a night."

"Luna is doing better thanks to that potion," Ginny said around bites of her bread, "I tried to replicate it in case someone else was to get ill but I couldn't. Do you think that you could give me the recipe."

Madele chuckled, "Of course."

"Some one is here," Gerald said as he looked up from his paper, looking at a small carving of a bird on the fireplace that was chirping noiselessly, "Seven of them from the sound of things."

"Death Eaters?" Madele asked as both Ginny and Bill got there wands out and at the ready. Madele moved quickly leading them back towards the front of the house, "Ginny you cover the side door, Bill take the back it is down that hallway and to your left. Gerald and I will have the front."

Ginny gave a nod before disappearing from view, Bill stiffened as he almost called out to her to come back and hide till the fight was over. Bill knew she was capable of taking care of herself, but he regretted everyday that she had to. Taking his position Bill looked out at the garden behind the house, the sun was high in the sky and visibility was at its best. Bill shook his head at the foolishness of Death eaters to attempt an attack in broad daylight, a fluttering of red in the corner of the garden. A small red bird flew up into the trees it's sudden movement reminding him of the carving on the fireplace. Bill felt a sick sense of dread feel him at a sudden loud stream of curses and the reverberations from spells hitting stone. His feet began carrying him back towards the front of the house, but a crash had him veering off towards where Ginny had gone. His wand was out at the read when he felt the room tilt, "Ginny?!"

"Bill!" Ginny yelled, "They are coming through."

Bill ran into the hall where Ginny was holding the door closed as the Death Eaters fired spell after spell against the wood. Snatching her back as the door exploded from the force powerful blasting spell Bill tucked Ginny around as he raised his wand to stun the intruder. A body hit the ground hard but another ducked in before Bill could stop him, Ginny ducked under his arm and raised her wand to cast. Her repelling spell hit the man in the chest ssending him flying backwards into the wall.

"I would drop it if I were you Weasley," Bill turned to look at Madele being dangled above the floor by a Death Eater, "Wouldn't want me to drop the best Healer the Order has."

Ginny whimpered as she looked at the glassy eyed look in Madele's eyes, "Put her down."

Bill squeezed Ginny's arm to get her to keep quiet, but her words proved distraction enough to both the Death Eater and himself and neither noticed as a figure approached from behind. Gerald cuffed the Death Eater on head, knocking the smaller man to the ground. Madele fell to the ground in a heap of floral print dress and limbs, Ginny shoved past Bill and knelt down to check the woman's vitals.

"She's alright, just unconscious," Ginny whispered more to herself than to the others. Gerald bent down to pick her up, pushing Ginny's hands aside gently, "Be-careful."

"You two need to get back to the Order and tell them about this," Gerald set Madele on the couch, "Take the book back with you, it is our work."

Ginny nodded going to the small leather bound book tucked away among recipe books in the kitchen, returning to the room where Madele was slowly coming to, "I have it. Bill let's go."

Bill nodded, securing the Death Eaters, "Gerald, I'll have reinforcements here within twenty. Can you hold them off till then?"

"Looks to just be some fledglings," Gerald muttered, "I will be alright till you can come back. Just get the book to McGonagall and the others."

Ginny nodded already heading out the door with Bill on her heels, the two siblings checked the still bright yard, the dark line of the trees beckoning. Ginny gave Bill a smile before running full tilt to the tree line, she needed to make it past the apparition barrier before she could apparate back to the relative safety of Hogsmeade to get to Hogwarts. Running through the foliage Ginny was only half aware of her brother behind her, his breathing harsh in the stillness of the woods. Making her way past the oak that marked the end of the barrier Ginny smiled as she brought her wand at the ready. Bill was just behind her, turning she smiled at her brother. Eyes locking on the dark figure behind him, "Bill look out!"

Draco had been regulated to the position of rear guard, Theo had laughed when he told the blonde that he felt with his record in battle that a position with little to no actual contact with the fighting would prove the best. So he was crouched in the woods, his thighs burning from maintaining his position as he watched Theo and his little band of men circle the house and go in. Draco cursed as they blundered a bit, his eyes catching the small ripple of silver that signified a ward being tripped. The fools had alerted their quarry of their presence, Draco ground his teeth in frustration. Damned if he was going to join in the fight and be blamed for their incompetence. Shouting and blasts sounded to him, and Draco moved silently so that he could watch as two barely of age recruits fired spells at the door. Soon enough they were through, but it was sloppy work in Draco's opinion, they should have gone through the second floor window as well, give the Order fellows a good surprise if nothing else. It wasn't too long that he sounds of battle stopped and Draco was back to the silence of the forest. Waiting had never been one of his strong suits, tapping his wand against his leg Draco counted the seconds until he had movement. A flash of red had him leaning forward to follow the progress of a face he had only seen in the papers since he had fled Hogwarts. Ginny Weasley was standing next to a tall red head, her brother more than likely. Draco cocked an eyebrow as the redhead gave her brother a smile before darting towards the trees. Not thinking Draco matched there progress, creeping through the underbrush as quickly as he could. He didn't have as far to go as they did, but the stealth he was forced to use made his already tired muscles ache. He swept around so that he could come up behind the duo, creeping along the soft forest floor with a quietness he hadn't had to use since he was in school avoiding prying eyes. His wand out he didn't pause as he walked up behind the male Weasley, the stunning hex on his lips as the girl turned towards her brother.

"Bill look out!" She yelled but it was to late, her brother was on the ground before she had the warning out. His wand turning to her he watched as her eyes widened in recognition, "Malfoy?"

Draco knew he hadn't changed all that much since school, grown a bit in the shoulders perhaps and the small growth of whiskers on his cheeks marked him as reaching adulthood but her genuine surprise and disbelief made his hackles rise. Glaring at her he shot the stunning hex before she could confirm her question, watching dispassionately as she crumpled to the ground. Crouching down beside her prone form, Draco shoved her onto her back so that he could see her face. She was the same as the last time he saw, hair long and wavy pulled back in a braid, freckles painted garishly across her nose and cheeks, lips a little to plump and cheeks a little to round. Her oval face was paler than it should have been, and Draco smirked at the customary shabbiness of her clothes. It seems even war couldn't bring the Weasley's enough money to cloth themselves properly.

Shaking his head he flicked his wrist and securely wrapped the two in rope, his eyes turning to look at the house just on the other side of the trees, where no doubt his leader was unconscious or blubbering like a fool. Groaning he made his way towards the house, his feet soft and sure in the foliage as he left the two behind. A quick survey of the house had him walking along the shadows provide by the trees till he reached a blind spot between the windows near the breached entrance and the garden. Giving a muttered curse to Merlin he ran low and quick to the house, throwing himself up the lattice work on the side of the house. Hands scraping the stone and struggling to maintain his position Draco climbed up the vine encrusted wood, reaching the roof in little time. Breathing hard Draco peered over the edge of the roof to make sure that he was unnoticed. Trying his best not to slip and fall the former seeker crept along the roof line and to the small peak where he had seen the window. Prying open the latch with his hands instead of using his wand was safer than having some unknown ward sound announcing himself, even though Draco doubted that they didn't know he was there given the noise he had made scaling the damn wall. Falling into the dusty attic Draco stifled a sneeze as he crept to the door, his wand slipping from his pocket into his sweaty palm with hesitation he didn't want to acknowledge. Taking a deep breath he eased the door open, thankful that it didn't squeal in protest, peaking his head out he almost smiled at seeing the empty hallway stuffed to the brim with things that provided him coverage of movement he could have only wished for.

Creeping down the stairs, Draco paused every step to make sure the stair would hold his weight with out protest. Happily he landed at the bottom without the slightest hint of noise, hiding behind a stack of old magazines Draco listened as a man and what was undoubtedly his wife argued in a room further down. His eyes momentarily held fear as he watched the portraits moving about, one word of warning from them and his little plan was out the window.

"Visio Nex," Draco whispered, watching as a green mist encompassed the portraits, creeping from portrait to portrait and freezing the occupants in place. Quickly he moved, his muscles tensing as he got closer to the door of the room. The cozy looking living room reminded him of the one time he had seen the Gryffindor Common room, and every fiber in his being stiffened in repulsion. A small part of him wanted nothing more than to sink into the patched looking sofa closest to the fire and sleep the bloody war out. A mountain of a main was standing next to Draco's restrained fellow Death Eaters, the woman he had heard was sitting comfortably on a chaise as she watched her husband rifle through the young men's pockets. The woman was holding a cold compress to her head, so Draco guessed her to have been injured and there fore less of a threat than her giant of a husband. Clenching his wand he cast a binding spell on the man, catching him in the back was better than facing him in a fight.

The woman screamed, jumping up as her husband tottered backwards. His large frame destroying a coffee table and several knickknacks that looked better in pieces than they had on display.

Her wand finding her hand she turned to face Draco, who was prepared, "I would drop it madam, unless you want me to kill your man instead of just stunning him."

She seemed to be weighing her options, the process taking longer than Draco thought considering he was talking about her husband. Reluctantly she dropped her wand to the ground, stepping back towards the prone form behind her. Draco nodded, summoning both wands he cast a cutting spell to loosen his comrades. The spell being a little to vigorous in Theo's case and ending up slicing his cheek.

"The Order is on their way," the old woman said as she knelt down to take her husbands head in her lap, reassuring herself of his health, "If you boys want to live I advise you turn yourselves over now and take your chances in prison than with those monsters-."

"Shut up you old hag," Theo snapped, his hand coming down to hit her across the cheek.

Draco caught his hand firmly, "That isn't necessary Theo."

Theo glared at him, snatching his arm back he turned to the other two men, "Come on let's torch the place before the Order get's here. I trust you can handle this Draco."

Draco watched him go, turning he looked down at the woman who was protectively holding her husband. Hope flared in her eyes, Draco sighed, "The Order isn't coming, your friends never made it out of the woods."

Draco remembered a time when he enjoyed watching the joy fade from someone's eyes. A time when it was fun to trample on someone else so that he could get a good laugh, now though he was just tired and fed up with this entire damn thing. Raising his wand he was swift and methodical as he cast the Killing Curse, watching as the light was extinguished out of the kind eyes permanently. Turning on his heel he joined Theo and the others out of the quickly burning house.

"Come on, the Order is going to be-," Theo began walking towards the forest to apparate away from the wreckage.

Draco cleared his throat, staring at the Dark Mark floating lazily in the sky above the burning cottage, "The Order isn't coming…yet. I caught the two Weasley's before they could apparate."

Theo glared him, his pinched eager face flushing angrily as he stalked over to Draco, "You what?"

"Knocked them out, and left them tied right over there," Draco pointed to the spot, shifting he pushed past the shorter man and walked into the woods. Standing over the still unconscious bodies tied securely and wandless on the forest floor, "Ginny Weasley and one of her brothers, might be worth something don't you think?"

Theo looked at the two siblings, his hatred for the blonde doubling as he realized how this whole debacle would affect his standing with the commanders and Lord Voldemort, "It will more than likely get you a promotion."

"More than likely," one of the other Death Eaters mumbled, looking at Draco with new found respect as if seeing for the first time that he was in fact the only son of Lord Voldemort's right hand, "Good job Draco."

Draco frowned, "Let's get back then before that smoke is spotted."

The two lumbering lackeys stepped forward to scoop the captives up, flinging them across their shoulders simultaneously. Theo grunted as he watched, pulling his wand out he apparated away the other two following.

Draco glanced back at the cottage, shaking his head he pulled his wand out to apparate. Stepping forward his foot landed on something firmer than soil, looking down he raised an eyebrow at the small leather bound book resting inconspicuously on the ground. Bending down he scooped the book up and shoved it deep in his coat pocket for perusal later, a last look at the flames dancing garishly against the sky and Draco was gone with a pop. Never seeing the small glint of metal from Bill Weasley's abandoned wedding ring lying among the leaf litter.

Auror's were swarming the ruins of Madele and Gerald Aberdeen's home. Arthur Weasley stood to the side his coat covered in ashes from where he had dragged away timbers and stones trying to find any sign of his children. Looking up he wiped angrily at the tears that were spilling from his eyes as the Auror talking to him told him the likely hood of Bill and Ginny's survival was less than five percent.

"Leave our father alone," Charlie snapped shoving the Auror away with enough force to make him land on his back side, the fury emanating off the former dragon tamer was enough to send the other Auror's scampering away. Turning to his father Charlie and his brothers closed ranks around the grieving man, "Da?"

Arthur looked up at his second eldest, "You haven't called me that since you went to Hogwarts."

Charlie gave him a sheepish smile, turning to Percy for help. The book worm of the family stepped forward to usher their father away, ever since his rejoining of the family the smallest of the Weasley boys had taken a softer approach to things which was now appreciated a lot more than it had been in the past. The four remaining brothers watched as their father was led towards the small flower beds on the far side of the half damaged garden. All were tired and covered in soot and dirt, but a determined look was mirrored in each of their eyes that spoke volumes of the pain that they each share.

"Ron," As one they turned to look at the approaching man, Harry gave a wheezy breath as he trudged up to them, "I found Bill's ring."

Ron took the small round piece of jewelry from his friend, throat closing up as he looked back from the ring to his father, "I can't tell him."

"Tell him?" Harry looked at their pale faces, realization dawning quickly in the dark haired wizard's mind, "No-you don't understand. I found the ring in the woods. Just past the apparition barrier."

Fred took the ring from Ron looking at it like it was manna from the gods, "Then that means that they were leaving?"

"From the looks of the footsteps and such around there I think they were jumped and taken," Harry conceded, "But they are alive."

A.N: So what do you think? I was thinking that since some of my counter parts are so keen on writing Anime that I would change things up a bit. I hope that this goes over well. And as you can see we are really different people and different writing styles. Hehehe, I love cliff hangers by the way