Chapter 1 - Define Insanity

The woman's screams echoed in the hallway as another curse hit her body, sending her into another wave of bone-crushing agony. The men surrounding her in their red auror robes looked on without pity. The curse was lifted, and she tried to stifle a sob as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

"You don't honestly think I would believe your lies, do you?" a dark-haired man sneered.

"I swear I don't know where they are!" the blonde woman shouted from the floor.

"Of course you do! What mother could live without her only son!"

"To protect him from filth like you, I would give my life," she spat.

"Very well, then. Narcissa Malfoy, you have been found guilty of high treason. Your punishment shall be death by Avada Kedavra. Let this be a warning to anyone who has fraternized with a Death Eater willingly on an intimate level," the man's green eyes blazed with madness. "Any last words?"

"You might want to warn even those closest to you, Potter," Narcissa bit out. "Especially your Weasley girl."

Harry turned away and walked out of the house towards the apparition point. She died protecting her worthless husband and son. There wouldn't be anymore leniency for Death Eater's wives or girlfriends. As he apparated back to the Ministry he couldn't keep Narcissa's last words out of his mind. Especially your Weasley girl. What the hell did Ginny have to do with his warning?

~*~

Ginny was late for breakfast. She was still having trouble sleeping in the castle after the last year. Memories of that time haunted her dreams, and Madam Pomfrey had been out of Dreamless Sleep potions since the first week of school. As she ran through the entrance hall, she hit something that was solid. Both girls hit the ground with a simultaneous 'thud'. As Ginny began apologizing and trying to gather her now scattered books, her companion sat there stunned.

"Ginny," she said, eyes glossing over with unshed tears.

Ginny finally looked up from the floor to see her closest friend, Hermione Granger sitting in front of her.

"Hermione! What are you doing here?" she asked excitedly, before noticing the tears now streaming down her friend's face. "What's wrong, 'Mione?"

"I-I can't tell you here. We need to get to McGonagall right now," Hermione said, standing up and helping Ginny with her books before taking off at a mad dash with Ginny in tow.

They reached McGonagall's office in record time, and out of breath. The headmistress of Hogwarts was sitting at her desk going over papers. She had retained her old office as she didn't feel comfortable being in Albus' room just yet. It was still too soon in her grieving process.

"Miss Granger, Miss Weasley. What has happened?" McGonagall questioned.

"Terrible things...just last evening...gone mad!" Hermione gasped.

"Slow down, Hermione. You're not making any sense," McGonagall said as the two sat in front of her.

"We are in grave danger. You must send for Lucius Malfoy at once. Tell him it is an emergency," Hermione replied, still trying to steady her breathing.

Minerva got up from her desk and walked to a bookcase behind her and pulled out a book. After a few moments, she sat back down.

"Hermione, what's going on and why did you bring me?" Ginny questioned. Even after all these years she was still fearful of Malfoy Sr.

"I only want to say this once, so we have to wait on Mr. Malfoy."

"How do you even know to contact him? Who the hell are you people?" Ginny shouted, rising from her chair.

"I hope I haven't missed anything," a cool voice said behind Ginny.

"Nothing yet, Lucius. Miss Weasley please sit so Hermione can tell us why you are all in danger," the headmistress sternly said.

As soon as everyone sat, Hermione launched into the previous night's events. Everyone in the room was shocked at what had happened. Ginny was in tears, Minerva was looking at Hermione in disbelief, and Lucius' normally controlled mask had slipped for the briefest moment to reveal his grief and anger.

"Are you sure he would come after us?" Ginny quietly asked.

"There's no doubt in my mind. He's gone off his rocker, and I don't think he'd think twice about killing us if he knew," Hermione said, putting an arm around her friend.

"Excuse me, but what do you two have to worry about? You were on his side the whole time," Lucius sneered.

Hermione glared at him, "You know what I have to fear for. Even though nothing had ever happened between us and given Harry's lack of sanity he would come after me. He's already stated that anyone who was close to any Death Eater at any time is up for judgment. Not to mention, Minerva is in danger as well, because of you!"

Lucius rolled his eyes, "I knew about you, but what about Miss Weasley. I thought they were happily in love. Why would he turn against her?"

"B-because he wasn't here last year, and he wasn't my first. I-I was secretly with Blaise. I was angry with them, and Blaise needed a friend. If Harry found out, I'd be as good as dead to him and my family. Which I can now thank your wife for planting that bloody seed in his mind," Ginny finished angrily.

"You must go," Minerva said, coming around her desk.

"Why?" Ginny demanded.

"Harry and some others have just arrived. Take this," she thrust a pen in Hermione's hand. "It's a portkey that will take you to safety. I don't know the location for my own protection, and there's not enough time to send word for your arrival. Hermione, obliviate me. Now!" Minerva frantically told them.

Lucius and Ginny put a finger on the pen and waited for Hermione. She obliviated Minerva, opened the pen, and all three vanished right as the doors opened to Minerva's office.

AN~ Reviews are always nice to have!!