Chapter Two

Ginny sat at home, idly turning a pin cushion into a hedgehog and back again. She was utterly bored. She wasn't allowed to participate in the war effort. Molly made sure of that. The mission to bring Harry to the Burrow was set into motion by now, and she was dying to know if it had worked or not.

"Ginny, dear!" Molly called up the stairs. "Come set the table, please!" Ginny sighed and rolled off her bed. She ambled downstairs and into the kitchen.

"When are they supposed to be here?"

"Any moment now. I want to have dinner ready incase they're hungry."

"Mum, please calm down."

"I'm fine, Ginny."

"No, you're not. You always cook when you're anxious," Ginny pointed out. Molly sighed heavily and finished loading the long table with a plethora of dishes.

"I just thought they might be hungry-"

"Mum…" Ginny tried again gently. Molly finally gave in and threw her arms around her daughter.

"I'm just so worried that they're not all going to come back!" She sobbed.

"They will, Mum. Everyone will be fine," Ginny said reassuringly, but her words sounded false to her own ears. Almost as if on cue, a few popping noises filled the room.

"Harry!" Ginny yelped in relief.

"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed, sweeping her off her feet and into his arms. "How are you? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Hello, Hagrid," Ginny greeted the giant who had also appeared.

"Harry, dear, I'm so glad you're all right!" Mrs. Weasley said with tears in her eyes.

"Where's everyone else?" Harry asked cautiously, looking around the empty house. Molly and Ginny hesitated.

"You're the first to arrive," Ginny finally answered quietly. Harry glanced nervously at Hagrid.

"Something must have happened to them. They should have been here by now."

"Don't overreact, Harry," Hagrid said in a strained calm. "I'm sure they'll be along any moment now."

They didn't have to wait long. Remus Lupin and George appeared next. Ginny caught sight of her brother and screamed.

"George! What happened to your ear?" She cried, unable to look at the bloody patch on the side of his head.

"That bastard Snape took a chunk out of me. I'm glad I gave him hell while I was at Hogwarts," George muttered bitterly. Molly was crying now and fussing over her son. Remus looked weary, but for the most part he was all right. Harry immediately began asking Remus all sorts of questions about what had happened.

In the middle of all the commotion, Hermione and Kingsley arrived, followed by Arthur Weasley and Fred, Ron and Tonks, and Bill and Fleur. Ginny could barely keep track of everything that was happening. Each pair had their own horrifying stories about how they had nearly been murdered by the Death Eaters. Accusations flew as they all tried to decipher who could have betrayed them like this. And eventually through all of the uproar, it was discovered that Mad Eye Moody had not made it out alive.

After George was bandaged up and everyone had made a shaky recovery, they all sat down to the massive feast Molly had prepared as a side effect of her anxiety. Ginny sat between Bill and Hermione at dinner, purposely distancing herself from those who were most likely to treat her like a child.

"How's work at the hospital, Hermione?" Ginny asked, serving herself a generous portion of mashed potatoes.

"It's great," Hermione replied. "It's only part time volunteer work for when I'm not with the Order. But still, it's a great opportunity for me to expand my horizons and open up some career options."

"I'd be so afraid to work there," Ginny said, shuddering. "Especially with the war going on. I'd be so afraid that someone I knew would come in on a slab."

"I've been pretty fortunate in that regard," Hermione commented. "Although, you'll never guess who's in the intensive care unit." Ginny raised her eyebrows.

"Who?"

"Draco Malfoy."

Ginny choked on her pumpkin juice and coughed. Bill thwacked her on the back several times.

"Thanks, Bill," Ginny gasped out.

"Are you all right, Ginny?" Hermione asked with concern.

"I'm fine," Ginny said, waving her hand dismissively. "So, Draco Malfoy? What happened to him?" Hermione sighed.

"We're not completely sure. But we do know that he was a victim of some incredibly dark and nasty magic." Ginny's throat tightened.

"Will he be all right?" She asked quietly. Hermione looked grave.

"I'm not sure. The Healers are divided. He was hurt pretty badly. He's been in intensive care since a few days after Dumbledore died." Ginny was horrified. He had asked for her help to save him from this fate, and she had turned him away. Now he was lying on his deathbed in St. Mungo's, and she couldn't help feeling like it was her fault.

"Ginny?" Ron bellowed.

"What?"

"I've been asking you to pass the potatoes for the past thirty seconds. Hand them over, will you?" Ron demanded rudely. Ginny passed the bowl and returned to her trance-like condition. She had to do something. She could never live with herself if Draco died.

"Are you working tomorrow?" Ginny asked Hermione.

"No," she replied. "I'm needed at headquarters tomorrow." Ginny nodded and promised herself that she would pay a visit to St. Mungo's the following day.

--

"Where are you going, Ginny?" Molly asked, catching her daughter with her hand in the Floo powder jar.

"Diagon Alley," Ginny lied.

"I don't like you going out alone in these times, Ginny," Molly reprimanded. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I'm not a child, Mum," Ginny insisted. "Besides, I'm meeting Luna there, so I won't be alone." Molly was silent for a moment, trying to think of another reason to detain her child. However, she came up with nothing.

"All right…" She reluctantly agreed. Ginny kissed her mother on the cheek. "Be back before dark," Molly reminded.

"I will." She waited until her mother had left the room before tossing in a handful of Floo powder, stepping into the flames and whispering, "St. Mungo's."

She stepped out of the lobby fireplace and headed purposefully towards the front desk. The receptionist was clearly miffed by Ginny's presence, and she eyed her with pursed lips.

"Which way to the ICU?" Ginny asked the receptionist politely.

"The ICU does not permit visitors," the woman replied mechanically.

"I'm not here to visit," Ginny lied. "My friend, Hermione Granger, volunteers here part time and she left her lap top in the ICU office."

"I'll call someone to fetch it for you," the woman said.

"You can't!" Ginny replied quickly. The woman eyed her suspiciously, so Ginny continued in a rush. "She has a lock on it, and she didn't want me to give anyone else the combination." She and the secretary stared each other down for several moments before the woman handed Ginny a card.

"This will give you access to the ICU. Don't be long." Ginny took the card.

"Thank you," she replied coolly. She obtained directions and walked towards the ICU wing of the hospital. Once inside, she immediately began checking charts for the name she was looking for. When she found it, she took a deep breath before knocking on the door. She was met with silence, so she let herself in. Her stomach turned unpleasantly when she saw Draco lying in the hospital bed. His face was badly bruised and an IV was threaded through his arm. She tried to swallow, but a lump had formed in the back of her throat.

"Oh, god. This is worse than I thought," she whispered aloud.

"You're telling me," Draco responded unexpectedly in a weak voice. Ginny jumped.

"You're awake?"

"For now…I go in and out," Draco replied, sounding as though each word caused him excruciating pain. "Never thought I'd wake up and see you here."

"You must know why I've come."

"You're feeling guilty," Draco replied knowingly.

"Extremely guilty. Are you going to get better?"

"I have my final surgery today. If it goes well, I'll recover. If not…" he trailed off and lifted a shoulder. He winced promptly. Ginny's heart plunged into her stomach.

"God, Malfoy. I'm so sorry," Ginny whispered. "You're going to be all right, though. I just know it."

"No need to waste your breath consoling me, Weasley. I don't need it. I know my chances. And quite frankly, I'd rather die than return to the life that I'm being forced to live." Ginny felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

"Don't say that."

"You have no idea what my life is like," Draco hissed.

"What if…" Ginny trailed off, making sure she wanted to go through with the offer. Finally, she decided to continue. "What if I could you start a new life?"

"Reconsidering my proposition, eh? Of course, you had to wait until I got the living shit kicked out of me. How convenient."

"Do you really want to die, Malfoy? You have a chance to be a hero and help defeat the people who put you here. I can help you."

"I thought you didn't trust me."

"I don't. Do you trust me?"

"No."

"So are you accepting the offer or not?" Ginny asked, fixing Draco with a hard stare. He looked back with equal determinedness.

"If I live through my surgery, I will sell my soul to your Order."

"Good," Ginny said, slightly relieved. "I'll wait to hear about your surgery."

"Maybe I'll see you later, then."

"You will see me later, Malfoy," Ginny insisted. Draco smirked and closed his eyes.

"Whatever you say, freckles."

--

Ginny arrived at the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix with a plan. She knew what she wanted to say and who she wanted to say it to. The tricky part would be requesting an audience with this person in private without arousing the suspicion of everyone else. The even more difficult part would be convincing this person that her idea was a good one. And possibly the most stressful part of all would be answering the questions that Harry, Ron and Hermione were certain to ask later. Bracing herself against all of these negative thoughts, Ginny knocked on the dining room door. She heard the chatter cease immediately, and a chair scraped against the floor as someone got up to answer it.

"Ginny?" Harry exclaimed in confusion.

"Ginny's here?" Arthur Weasley could be heard from inside the room.

"Ginny, what are you doing here?" Harry asked, his voice a mixture of shock and frustration. Ginny gave him a sharp look to let him know that he had no say in whether or not she showed up randomly at headquarters.

"I need to speak with Professor Lupin," she said clearly. The room was silent. Everyone was staring at her. Finally, Lupin rose from his seat and made his way towards her.

"Of course, Ginny. What seems to be the matter?" Lupin asked in concern. Ginny glanced around the room nervously.

"Could we discuss it in private?" She asked quietly.

"Certainly," Lupin replied and motioned to the rest of the Order that business should continue while he was gone. Then he followed Ginny down the hall into the study.

"Now, what's this all about, Ginny?"

"Professor-"

"Ginny, I'm no longer your teacher. You may call me Remus," he corrected her with a gentle smile. Ginny relaxed about an inch.

"All right. I have a proposition for the Order," Ginny began vaguely.

"What's that?"

"I know someone who is willing to become a spy for the Order, and is able to provide loads of information about the Death Eaters. Where they meet and where they're planning to strike. A person like this in the employ of the Order would be an extremely powerful weapon, and an advantage that Voldemort doesn't have." Ginny was impressed at how appealing she made the plan sound. But she knew it was about to take a dive in popularity.

"I see…" Lupin replied, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Who is this person, who is so willing to put their own life in danger to provide us with such information?"

Ginny took a deep breath. Draco's life depended on her right now. Or at least what was left of it. She could condemn him to life or death in this very moment. She was almost frightened to continue, but she knew it had to be done.

"Draco Malfoy."

Remus blinked as though she had moved her lips, but nothing had come out. When he realized that she was serious in her recommendation, he sat back in his armchair. Ginny's heart was racing madly. She tried to read his expression. Tried to guess his thought process as he sat before her, considering the offer from all angles.

"I suppose you realize the incredible shock you just put me through," Remus commented lightly.

"Remus, with all due respect, this decision needs to be made quickly."

"Draco Malfoy? Ginny, are you sure?"

"It's not what it seems," Ginny replied quietly. Then, she explained the events that had transpired in the prefect's bathroom and what Draco had said just moments ago in the hospital. Remus listened to every word, his brow furrowed. Ginny respected that it was a huge decision that he would now have to make on his own. The fewer people who knew about a spy, the better.

"I want to meet with him," Remus finally stated. Ginny blinked.

"He's going in for surgery today. He might-" She trailed off, not wanting to consider that horrible possibility.

"He'll be fine. And once he is able, I will go speak to him myself. I appreciate you coming to me with this, Ginny. I will let you know what happens after I have seen him." Remus rose to his feet, implying that the conversation was over and his decision was made for now. Ginny nodded and followed him back down the hall.

"Thank you for listening, Remus. I'm grateful that you had such an open mind." Remus smiled warmly and put a hand on Ginny's shoulder.

"He will be fine, Ginny," he insisted. Ginny nodded. "Are you going back to the hospital now?"

"Yeah. I want to know how it went as soon as it's over."

"Good. Let me know by owl."

"I will."

"Oh, and Ginny," Remus said with a sparkle in his eyes. "Have some chocolate. It'll make you feel better." He handed her a chocolate bar and disappeared back into the dining room. Ginny grinned and left Grimmauld Place.

She returned to the hospital and spoke with the Healers who were to perform the surgery. She made up some far-fetched story that the Healers only seemed to partially believe. Still, they told her that she would be the first to hear about how the surgery went.

Ginny waited impatiently, pacing back and forth, much like she had done that night in the prefect's bathroom. She kept imagining that the Healers would come back and inform her that Draco hadn't made it through the operation. That he was dead. And it would be her fault. As much as she didn't trust him and as much as she hated him, she didn't think she would be able to live with his blood on her hands. Even though she knew she had made the right choice to protect the Order, she couldn't help wondering if there was something else she could have done to prevent this.

She had seen a side of Draco Malfoy that night that she hadn't known existed. She didn't think it was possible that Malfoy could ever express emotions like fear and vulnerability. It hinted at a near-human aspect of his character. Something she had always assumed to be absent by his cold and harsh demeanor. Ginny was far from wanting to be his friend, or anything ridiculous like that. She just had new faith that perhaps Draco Malfoy wasn't everything he pretended to be.

"Ginevra Weasley?" A voice interrupted her thoughts. Ginny whirled around and saw the Healers approaching her. They both looked stoic, and Ginny couldn't begin to tell if they were delivering good news or bad.

"That's me," she replied hoarsely. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

"You had asked about Draco Malfoy."

"Yes. Is he all right? Will he be okay?" Ginny asked rapidly.

"He's going to be all right," one of the Healers replied gently. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief and felt slightly dizzy.

"Did you want to see him?" The other Healer asked. Ginny took a moment to enjoy unrestricted air flowing into her lungs. Then she nodded vigorously.

"Yes! Please, that would be wonderful," she answered enthusiastically. The Healers led the way down the corridor and showed her the room. Both of them left to give Ginny some privacy and she shut the door.

"Aren't you just the luckiest little redhead in the world?" Draco drawled from his cot. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I see you'll be taking advantage of my guilt like the inconsiderate prat you are."

"Considering you essentially condemned me to death, I think I'm allowed to poke some fun at you," Draco replied silkily, downing a glass of water in almost one gulp.

"Considering I'm about to make you an offer that could save your life, I think I've just about redeemed myself."

"You spoke to someone?"

"Yes," Ginny replied, sitting down in the chair beside his bed. "Remus Lupin wants to meet with you. I'll write him an owl to come now."

"Lupin? The old Dark Arts professor?"

"He's highest up in the Order since Dumbledore-" Ginny trailed off noticing the turmoil in Draco's eyes. "Anyway, he wants to meet with you. I really went out on a limb for you, Malfoy."

"Then your debt is repaid. Although, I daresay I could use another glass of water." Ginny fixed him with a stern glare.

"You've got to be kidding."

"The Healers have instructed me not to lift a finger for at least twenty-four hours while I'm recovering."

"You're full of it," Ginny muttered.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, you know," Draco reminded her coolly. Ginny gasped.

"How dare you say something like that!"

"Oh, just get me the damn water, Weasley. I can't stand to hear you whine about your guilt for another second," Draco complained, clutching his pillow to his ears. Ginny rolled her eyes but waved her wand so that Draco's glass of water refilled itself.

"Happy?"

"Very."

A soft knock came on the door. Ginny opened it cautiously, hoping that it wasn't going to be anyone she didn't want to see. Fortunately, Lupin had arrived and quietly entered the room.

"Ginny, could you give us some privacy?" Lupin requested kindly. Ginny hesitated. She wanted to stay and hear Draco plead his case. She was interested to see if Lupin would be swayed by his story or if he would see lies instead.

"It's almost supper time. Your mother will wonder where you have been, and you don't need another family member pressing you with questions. I tried to smooth things over for the most part, but I imagine your brother and Harry will have more to say about it." Ginny stifled a groan.

"I'll speak with you later," Lupin added. Ginny surrendered after this comment, which meant that she would be informed of the discussion to follow at some point.

"All right. Good-bye, Malfoy," Ginny said uncomfortably, unsure of how to address him. He nodded in her direction. She took one last look at the two men before apparating home to the Burrow.

--

Ginny was chopping vegetables in the kitchen with Molly washing dishes nearby. She was purposely clinging to her mother, because she knew Harry and Ron would never interrogate her in Molly's presence. She had left St. Mungo's hours ago, and she was beginning to get antsy.

"Ginny, dear, are you all right?" Molly asked carefully.

"Mmm? Oh, yeah. Fine."

"You've been cutting the same tomato for about ten minutes now," Molly pointed out, gesturing to the pile of tomato mush Ginny had created.

"Oh, sorry, Mum. I guess I just…got lost in a daydream." Before her mother could pry any further, Harry and Ron entered the kitchen, talking quietly to each other.

"Boys, would you care to set the table?" A soft pop was heard, and almost immediately after, Remus Lupin appeared in the kitchen.

"Remus!" Molly exclaimed in surprise. "What brings you to the Burrow?"

"I do hope I'm not intruding."

"You're always welcome here, Remus. Ronald, set a plate for him."

"You're too gracious, Molly."

"Nonsense. Have a seat. Dinner will be ready in a moment. The only thing I ask is that any Order business will be discussed later."

"Absolutely," Remus agreed, his eyes flicking towards Ginny. She caught the subtle gesture and felt a rush of excitement. After months of longing to be a part of the war effort, she had finally found a way to help. Granted, Draco sort of found her, but she was the one taking a chance on him.

"Remus! Long time, no see," Arthur Weasley commented, coming down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by. See how Molly is doing."

"I'm surviving, Remus. I just can't help worrying about my boys. They're all out there, risking their lives every day. I'm very proud, but sometimes I wish they wouldn't get involved in such things. Like Ginny," Molly added, brushing through her daughter's hair with her fingers. Ginny smiled uncomfortably and met Remus' eyes. His were sparkling at the irony.

"Not for lacking of trying, my dear," Arthur pointed out gently. Molly gave her husband a warning look.

"Don't start with this, Arthur. She is too young." Arthur shrugged and gave Ginny an apologetic look. Ginny greatly appreciated that her father tried to get her involved, but she knew that her mother would always have the final say.

"Dinner smells delicious, Molly," Remus commented, changing the subject.

"Thank you, Remus. It's just about ready. Everyone sit down." Ginny ended up between Harry and Remus. She was suddenly aware of how she interacted with Remus, and she felt as though Harry was watching her every move. Harry had indeed become immediately suspicious when Remus showed up, and he was watching Ginny's interaction like a hawk.

"What classes are you taking this year, Ginny?" Remus asked conversationally.

"Flitwick recommended that I take advanced placement Charms," Ginny replied, blushing slightly.

"Really?" Remus said with raised eyebrows. "That's very impressive. I'm sure you'll do well."

"It will be strange not going back to Hogwarts this year," Harry commented.

"I still think you boys should stay in school," Molly piped up.

"Mum, there's no point. If we're going to stop You-Know-Who, we can't be worrying about Potions exams," Ron argued. Molly held up her hands in defeat. They had had this conversation many times before.

"At least one of my children will have a proper education. In advanced placement courses too!" Molly said proudly.

"Just one, Mum," Ginny corrected softly. She didn't like the way her mother placed her on a pedestal and used her as an example for proper behavior.

"The soup is delightful, darling," Arthur said, smoothly changing the course of the conversation. At this, everyone seemed to drop all topics and the sound of clinking China replaced the chatter.

The silence didn't last for long, however. A few moments later, Hermione had stepped out of the fireplace, looking weary.

"Hermione! How good to see you, dear!" Molly exclaimed, conjuring up another place at the table.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

"Did you work at the hospital today?" Molly asked.

"No," Hermione replied, shaking her head. "But I stopped by tonight to help the Healers fill out some paperwork. It was a busy night." Ginny was hanging on to every word that Hermione was saying. Did she find out that Ginny had visited the ICU? Did she know why?

"Did something happen?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Nothing catastrophic. Although something rather peculiar occurred in the ICU." Ginny's throat went dry. It couldn't be. She had seen him alive. The Healers had told her that he was going to be fine.

"Peculiar?" Arthur asked the question that everyone else had been too afraid to ask, but the very question that everyone wanted answered.

"Yes. Draco Malfoy had been brought in with incredibly serious injuries. The Healers were scheduled to operate on him today, but he disappeared. He's just gone. No one knows what happened to him," Hermione said quietly. Ginny's stomach clenched, and she suddenly felt nauseous. She glanced up at Remus, who was watching her with a placid expression.

"Good riddance," Ron muttered.

"Ronald!" Molly exclaimed. "There's no need to be disrespectful!"

"He was never respectful to anyone when he was around! Why should I pretend that I'm sorry that he's disappeared?" As the argument between mother and son raged on, Ginny excused herself and slipped away. She hurried upstairs and into her room, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes. How was this possible? He was fine when she saw him. What had happened? Where had he gone? He was too weak to conjure a glass of water. How could he have gone anywhere? Had he been kidnapped? Or worse?

"Ginny?" A soft voice came from the doorway. Ginny whirled around, swiping at the tears that had escaped down her cheeks.

"Remus? What's happening? Why did Hermione say that Malfoy was gone?" Ginny demanded in a shaky voice. Remus entered the room and shut the door. He locked it and muttered several charms, including a silencing charm.

"Because he is gone."

"What?" Ginny whispered in despair.

"He's at home with Tonks," Remus elaborated.

"I don't understand," Ginny replied in confusion.

"The fewer people who know about this plan, the better. I have agreed to employ Draco in the name of the Order. However, it will be much easier for all of us, and especially for him, if he no longer exists to the majority of people who knew him," Remus explained.

"You arranged his disappearance," Ginny murmured as more of an awed statement than a question.

"Yes."

"How will he be able to spy for us?"

"He's playing double agent. Very much like Severus Snape used to do. Except Draco has much more access to the secrets that Lucius Malfoy is keeping. Lucius never trusted Snape. I am certain there is more information we can learn from that man that Snape had not found out. Besides, after what happened at Hogwarts, Snape won't be very useful in the way of spying anymore."

"Won't Voldemort kill Malfoy when he returns? Or at least try to?"

"Draco is under the protection of the Order now. There is an enchantment upon him that will lessen the pain of anything that Voldemort will do to him. Draco knows it's not going to be easy, but he also knows that he stands a better chance of living if he allies himself with us."

"Why is he with Tonks?"

"Tonks is training him to be an Auror over the summer. She is the only other person who knows that he is to become a spy." Remus' expression hardened and he became suddenly serious. "Ginny, by knowing this kind of information, you are putting yourself in grave danger. I'd be willing to clear your memory of these events if that is your wish."

"Remus, you've seen how my mother treats me. I've wanted to help the Order for months now, and I have always been denied. Now I have a chance to help, and I am not going to back down."

"I thought you might say that," Remus said with a small smile. "With that said, there's something else I need your help with."