A/N: When you leave reviews, you don't have to tell me you found mistakes. This version is not beta-read so I know there are mistakes. I do hope, though, that you still enjoy the story despite me not being perfect. But please please read and review otherwise! Cheers!

XXXXXXX

Chapter Seven: Plan of Attack

XXXXXXX

The next week Ginny was inundated with so many essays and homework assignments she barely found time to sleep, let alone try and find time for Draco. The more time she spent away from him, the more confused she felt. She thought him good-looking and she was attracted to him physically, but when she thought about the situation more and more, it made her sick. He had tried to kill Dumbledore – poisoned her brother! And she was snogging him.

Draco was so cold about everything, indifferent. Ginny was sick with guilt that she allowed someone who had almost killed her brother to kiss her and touch her. What was wrong with her? At the time she wasn't bothered – no, she was, but not as much as she was now... when she had time to dwell on her actions.

A few owls had passed between them, mostly Draco telling her when to meet him and her demurring because of Quidditch practise or homework. She was worried that he would lose interest if she continued to evade him. She wanted him to remain interested, but she also wasn't sure what to do about him.

He has the Dark Mark.

She needed someone to talk to about this. Unfortunately, no one would understand.

When February faded into March and Ginny had her first Occlumency lesson with Remus Lupin. It was the perfect distraction, she thought, from thinking about Draco. February had been cold so she was mostly stuck inside and the first few days of March had proved to be wet and sticky. The only times she got outside was to run to the greenhouses or partake in Quidditch practise, which had been lessened to only once a week. So when it came time for the first Occlumency lesson, Ginny happily strode to the Room of Requirement and found Lupin already there waiting for her across from the tapestry. He nodded his hello and gave her a half-smile. She returned it, although she knew her smile held no warmth behind it.

The room looked much like Lupin's old office had when he was the Defence professor, only this office was much larger. There was a desk with what looked like a Pensieve on top of it and several cushions about instead of chairs. Lupin began to explain the procedure for Occlumency.

'You have to try and block me out of your head,' he said. 'Clear your mind of everything.'

Ginny nodded. Her old professor looked tired and worn. His robes weren't patched, but they looked as though they might be second-hand. His shoes, though, they were new, or relatively so; they had a few scuff marks on them but were in great shape otherwise. Tonks must be spoiling him. At that last thought, Ginny almost giggled.

'You might have heard stories from Harry,' said Lupin, 'when Snape tried to teach him.'

Ginny nodded again.

'And that Snape saw memories that Harry didn't want him to see.'

'Yes.' Then, Ginny's pulse quickened. What if Lupin saw memories of her and Draco? This was important, though. This was a skill she needed to learn.

'Just block me, all right?'

'Okay.'

'Ready?'

'Yes.'

And then Ginny felt as though someone was pulling things out of her head. She saw herself grabbing George's wand while he was still asleep in bed during the summer holidays and breaking into the shed behind the house and stealing his broom. She was then waking up somewhere cold and damp in the bowels of Hogwarts, looking up into Harry's dirty twelve-year-old face.

Then, Ginny found herself on her knees in the Room of Requirement, panting. She didn't realise how much energy this would take from her.

'That's all right,' said Lupin. 'We'll try again when you're ready.'

'Thanks.' She stood up and dusted off her knees. 'Do you think I can learn this?'

'You have to try every day,' said Lupin. 'I daresay Harry didn't really try. So far it's been all right because You-Know-Who hasn't tried to break into his mind again. It might only be a matter of time.'

Ginny nodded. 'Right.'

'Ready?'

'Yes, sir.' Ginny braced herself and thought with all her might no to another invasion into her mind. It didn't work; she saw herself chasing garden gnomes at the age of three with her four- and six-year-old brothers. Then she was back with the diary again, writing her thoughts in it, waiting for it to talk back to her. Then the diary became a Death Eater, sending a curse at her and breaking her ankle. Finally, she was writing on the wall about the Chamber of Secrets being opened again—NO! She tried to push Lupin out of her head.

She was on the floor again in the Room of Requirement.

'Good,' he said, looking a bit tired himself. 'Once you have learned how to do it with me, I'll have Tonks come and test you. She's more powerful than I am at Legilimency, but she's busy and I'm strong enough to teach you the basics.'

'I appreciate it.'

'I understand your fears with You-Know-Who, but when the time comes for Harry to battle him, he probably won't try to read the mind of Harry's girlfriend.'

'Ex-girlfriend,' said Ginny softly.

Lupin opened his hands as if to say 'that's neither here nor there.' Before Ginny could respond, Lupin was in her mind again, but only for a short time. Ginny successfully pushed him away without even falling to the floor.

'I think you'll be better at this than Harry,' said Lupin.

'You think so?'

'Harry's emotions are usually out in the open. It's hard for him to block himself off. For you, though, it seems to be much easier.'

'Ever since my first year I have always kept my emotions carefully hidden. I try to as much as I can, at least. I do get angry easily.'

'Anger is not one of the more important emotions,' said Lupin. 'Hurt and sadness and want and jealousy are emotions we all keep hidden. Anger is not something we tend to be ashamed of.'

Ginny nodded. Lupin was wise sometimes – perhaps not with his own life but with life in general.

'Ready?' asked Lupin.

Ginny took in a deep breath and nodded again. When Lupin entered her mind this time she had a harder time trying to push him out. He watched her watching Harry from afar, then becoming his girlfriend and finding empty classrooms to get off. But Harry changed to Draco and they were snogging in the classroom, on the mattress, and Draco was telling her that he didn't want to be a Death Eater and Ginny was pleading with him to become a spy—

Lupin pulled away and Ginny found herself on the floor in the Room of Requirement once more. She panted and was afraid to look up at her old professor.

'Ginny...' he said.

When she looked up at him he had a look of concern and worry riddled on his face. He seemed confused, not sure of what to say.

'I'm sorry,' blurted Ginny. 'Oh my God.' She buried her face in her hands. 'Oh my God. Oh my God.'

Then, the significance of what Lupin saw must have hit him as well because he joined in with an, 'Oh my God,' of his own.

Through tear-filled eyes, Ginny looked up at Lupin once more.

'Please don't tell my parents,' she said.

'Is this why you wanted to learn Occlumency?'

Ginny nodded.

'It had nothing to do with Harry, did it?'

Ginny shook her head. 'I was afraid someone would find out and then we'd both be dead – me and Draco. I mean, Malfoy!'

'Draco?' Lupin swallowed and sat down on a chair. 'Draco Malfoy has a lot of problems, Ginny. He comes with baggage. His father, for one. Do you realise what went on in their household when Malfoy wasn't in school? I'm certain that Draco probably witnessed traumatic things. Things terrible enough to give him nightmares.'

'Like what?' asked Ginny, very curious.

'Lucius used to take his work home with him, and that's all I'm going to say on the matter.'

Took his work home with him? Did that mean..? Draco probably witnessed his father torture and kill people. Women? Children? Probably. It was likely another reason Draco didn't want to hurt women.

'I'm not your father, Ginny—'

'Thank Merlin.'

'—but I can tell you that getting involved with Draco Malfoy is probably one of the worst things you could do right now.'

'I know,' said Ginny. 'We haven't got together in a few weeks. I've been busy and he shows no remorse over almost killing Ron and Dumbledore. I don't know if I can be involved with someone who doesn't care that he almost killed two of my favourite people.'

'Do you think he's capable of remorse, Ginny? Do you think he's capable of most emotions?'

'I... Harry said he saw Malfoy crying in the boys' loo once.'

Lupin merely shrugged. 'That still doesn't mean...' Lupin trailed off. He looked uncomfortable, as though he would Disapparate if only Hogwarts allowed that sort of thing.

'Professor,' said Ginny, 'please... don't tell anyone. I know what I'm doing.'

'Ginny—'

'I may only be sixteen, but I know. Draco's been telling me loads of stuff about the Death Eaters and who they are. I think I'm close to convincing him to be a spy.'

'Is that wise? We both know what happened with the last spy we had.'

'I think it is. I don't think Draco would double cross us. Not like...' Ginny had trouble forming the words. 'Not like Snape,' she quickly said. 'Draco's different. He's—'

'He's what?'

'Aren't you a bit like Dumbledore?' challenged Ginny. 'Never wanting to hate anyone else? Always looking for the benefit of the doubt? Wanting to see the good in people?'

Lupin took in a deep breath. He suddenly looked much older and more tired. His hair seemed highlighted with more grey than Ginny remembered and the blue veins in his hands were very pronounced as he rubbed his eyes.

'I shouldn't have this type of information,' said Lupin. 'I don't want it. You've put me in quite the predicament.'

'I'm sorry,' said Ginny truthfully. 'I can't help it. The more I think about it, the less I want to be involved with someone who has done such horrible things. I think he feels bad about it, though, I really do. He just doesn't show it. Anyone can be redeemed, can't they, sir?'

'Ohh, Ginny, I don't know how to answer such a thing. Anyone? I don't know about "anyone". Can You-Know-Who be redeemed? I doubt it.'

'If I bring him, will you test him on his Occlumency? If you can break in, then we'll know he needs practise. Perhaps you'll be able to see if he's really changed. He wants to change sides, I know he does, but that could prove it, couldn't it?'

'Harry said Snape tried to use Legilimency against Malfoy last term and it didn't work. I'm not as powerful as Snape,' said Lupin helplessly.

'He hasn't been practising like he should. He told me as much. And aren't you almost as powerful?'

'When there's not a full moon.'

'Oh,' said Ginny, her spirits dropping slightly.

'I'll do it after the next full moon is over and done with, all right?'

Ginny smiled. 'Thanks, professor.'

XXXXXXX

So, are you in or are you out?

Those words kept echoing inside Draco's brain. Ever since the end of sixth year, the teachers and staff had been keeping a close watch on him. If he was to kill someone they'd surely know it. At least, that's what he told Nott, the great sod. It seemed like a very good argument, though. And part of Draco was sure that the teachers were watching him, although not very hard or someone would have noticed him and Ginny already.

Although, since Draco had said he was in, he was surrounded by Death Eaters and potential Death Eaters all the time. At dinner one evening in March, Draco sat looking at his roasted potatoes, daydreaming about Ginny. He hadn't got to kiss her in over three weeks and the lack of contact was driving him mad.

'I've got Ginny Weasley,' said Nott, stuffing a rather large forkful of potatoes into his mouth.

Draco snapped his head up. 'You what?'

'I said, I've got Ginny Weasley. Y'know, for the mission.'

Draco's eyes narrowed. 'It's been how long and you haven't killed anyone yet? And you choose the baby Weasel?'

'What's wrong with her?'

She's mine, thought Draco. 'Nothing, but I'd ask the Dark Lord before you go trying to kill her. You kill her and Potter will go traipsing off to find the Dark Lord to try and kill him, I guarantee it.'

'Oh,' said Nott with a slight snort. 'She's not going to be killed.'

Draco blinked a few times. She – what? If she wasn't going to be killed then what did Nott want with her? She wasn't Nott's; she was his.

'I thought the mission was to—'

'Yes, kill Mudbloods, half-Muggles, and children of the Order. But the Dark Lord gave me a special mission. He wants Ginny Weasley for himself.'

'To do what with her?'

Nott shrugged. 'It wasn't my place to ask.'

What could the Dark Lord possibly want with Ginny? Unless to entice Potter to go fight him?

'When does he want her?' asked Draco.

'The next Quidditch match.'

'Why?'

'Perfect opportunity to take her,' said Nott. 'She'll be out in the open.'

Draco was sceptical. 'And you're going to take her? What rot.'

'No,' snapped Nott. 'I'm to prepare her to be taken.'

'Prepare? What the fuck have you been drinking, Nott? She's not a turkey. You're not going to bake her. Prepare her for what?'

'She's a Chaser, isn't she? If I can get Potter out of commission so that she has to play Seeker, then charm the Snitch to fly really high, and have some Death Eaters waiting to grab her when she's so far up that no one else can see her.'

It was an idiotic plan in Draco's opinion. Unfortunately, idiotic plans sometimes worked. He had to figure out a way to either keep Potter in the game or Ginny out of it.

'You're going to help me,' said Nott.

'Doing what?'

'Getting Potter out of the way.'

Draco nodded. 'Right. I can do that.' Although, Draco really had no idea how he was supposed to go about doing it and keeping Ginny safe at the same time. He supposed the best way to go about it would be to just come clean with Ginny. After all, she made him promise to be honest with her.

'Good,' said Nott. 'What are you going to do?'

'Er – I don't know. Not yet. I'll have to think about it and find the perfect opportunity.'

'You could jinx his broom for the next Quidditch practise,' suggested Nott.

'That's a rubbish idea,' said Draco. 'I'm positive McGonagall could trace simple jinxes like that. I'll figure something out.'

'The next match is in two weeks. It has to be done by then.'

Draco finished the potatoes on his plate and nodded. He swallowed and picked up his goblet filled with pumpkin juice. His eyes glanced towards the Gryffindor table; Ginny was facing him, but her eyes kept flicking between Neville and Harry – then, she laughed. Her lips curled up into a bright smile and she threw her head back, her chest bouncing up and down. When she stopped laughing, she wiped at her eyes, the smile still on her face. She looked right at him after that. His blood ran hot and his fingers tingled. Somehow, an agreement passed between them and Draco knew he would be meeting her tonight.

XXXXXXX

It was nearly midnight when Draco reached the deserted classroom. When he tried the door handle, it was locked, so he took his wand out of his back pocket and tapped the knob. He went inside and Imperturbed the door as it closed.

Ginny was there in her pyjamas – a red fitted t-shirt with the Weird Sisters logo and a pair of flannel bottoms, pale yellow, the same colour as the writing on her shirt. Her hair was in two plaits tied with red bands, but a few wisps fell around her face. With her hair plaited like that she looked small and innocent. The expression on her face was sad and Draco knew he had to talk to her before he could snog her – although he would prefer to do the talking later.

'How long have you been here?'

'Since nine,' said Ginny.

'You waited that long?'

She shrugged. 'I finished my homework for the week,' she said, pointing to the stack of books and parchment on the desk in front of her.

'Oh.'

'What did you want to talk to me about?'

'I didn't want to talk,' said Draco. 'I haven't seen you in over three weeks.'

'You see me everyday. We eat in the same hall—'

'You know that's not what I meant.'

Ginny nodded.

'What's wrong?'

She shrugged.

'Tell me what's wrong.'

Ginny beckoned him over to her. He went and knelt down in front of her at her eye-level. She took his arm and pulled back the sleeve of his long-sleeved green t-shirt. Pointing at the Dark Mark she said, 'That.'

'You said you could get over that.' Draco snatched his arm out of her grip and stood up.

'I thought I could!' Ginny exclaimed. 'But you have no remorse over anything. You don't act like you feel bad about almost killing my brother!'

'Why are you telling me this now? We had this discussion ages ago.'

'I don't know. I've had time to think about it. You used to be a Death Eater, Draco, and that scares me when I think about what that entails. You tried to kill someone.'

'So what? I'm different now, I think.'

'Are you? You haven't even decided if you're going to switch sides! You still might go through the initiation—'

'The Dark Lord is planning on kidnapping you.'

Ginny paled and gasped. 'What are you talking about?'

'Nott planned a secret meeting for the children of Death Eaters and Death Eaters who are Hogwarts students. I accidentally walked in on it one morning. Nott asked me if I was in or out and I said I was in. They supposedly have some mission to kill as many students here as they can – Mudbloods, half-bloods, and children of the Order.'

'No one's died, though,' said Ginny.

'Yet.'

'Oh. Oh, I see. Yet. And they're going to kill me?'

'No,' said Draco, 'they're going to kidnap you. Nott said the Dark Lord wants you. They're going to take you at the next Quidditch match. You're to play Seeker and when you fly up high, out of sight, that's when they'll take you.'

'But Harry's Seeker.'

'That's my job. To make sure Harry can't play.'

Ginny's eyes turned glassy with tears.

'Oh, shite, don't cry.'

'Shut up, Draco,' snapped Ginny, wiping at her eyes. 'You just told me that someone is planning on kidnapping me. Why are you telling me this?'

'To show you that I can play both sides.'

'Oh, shite, this means I need to learn Occlumency and fast.'

'Haven't you been meeting with the werewolf?'

'Yes. I – he knows, Draco.'

'He knows what?'

'About us. When he used Legilimency on me – I wasn't able to block out those memories and I—'

'Get a Pensieve,' Draco said suddenly.

'What?'

'Find a Pensieve. And use it to extract memories of me, of us. Take all the thoughts out of your head before the Quidditch match, just in case.'

'If Voldemort used Legilimency on me, wouldn't he be able to tell that I fancied you?'

'Him thinking you fancy me is not as bad as him knowing we've kissed.'

Ginny nodded. 'You're right.' She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on top of them. 'You scare me,' she whispered. 'I want you to feel sorry for poisoning Ron and cursing Katie... but you don't. It seems like you don't feel anything. I know you do, though. I know it. I wish you'd show me.'

'Don't I show you?'

'No,' said Ginny, 'you don't. You show me you're randy, that you have a bit of passion, but that's all. Nothing else. You're never happy or sad or angry. You're just always... empty.'

'I'm not empty.'

'What's made you like this? I want to see you feel something. Because right now I'm under the impression that if something happened to me you would be completely indifferent.'

'That's not true.'

'Isn't it, though? You don't care about anything and if you don't care, then you're indifferent.'

'I'm not indifferent.'

Ginny rolled her eyes. 'I can't be with someone who shows no remorse over almost killing someone else. When Harry hit you with that curse and thought he killed you, he was really upset.'

'Right. I forgot about your precious Potter.'

'Stop!' shouted Ginny, dropping her knees, her feet hitting the floor with a muted stomp. 'He's not my precious Potter! He gave me up! He didn't want to be with me – gave me a noble excuse – then kissed me over the summer and flirted with me as though we were going to get back together, then I woke up one morning and he was gone – back to headquarters without so much as a word to me. Whatever we did over the summer was a mistake. He couldn't help himself. He let me go again. He says he's in love with me, but if he wanted me enough he wouldn't care about Voldemort or Death Eaters. I'm a target because I'm his friend. I'm a target because my family is the biggest bunch of blood traitors there is. If he loved me enough he wouldn't have broken up with me. And he certainly wouldn't have had some fling with a Muggle over the Christmas holiday as though I didn't even exist. So he is not my precious Potter. Not anymore.'

Draco looked at her. Her anger had caused her cheeks to flush and her chest to heave up and down slightly from breathing so hard.

'If you love someone you'll do whatever it takes to be with them.'

'Potter's in love with you?'

'That's what he said,' answered Ginny in a very soft voice.

'Interesting.'

'Have you ever been in love?'

Draco shook his head. 'Of course not. Have you?'

'Yes,' said Ginny without hesitation.

'With Potter?'

'Yes.'

'Shite,' said Draco, pressing the palms of his hands over his eyes. 'Shite,' he repeated.

'I know – he's the one boy you hate the most. I'm sorry.'

'I might have felt a little guilty about your brother,' said Draco slowly, removing his hands from his face. 'No, that's not true at all. I felt something, but I don't think it was guilt. I was upset about it, though.'

'Did you cry?'

'Excuse me?'

'Did you cry? I know you used to go into the boys' loo to cry.'

'I was frustrated,' snarled Draco. 'It wasn't as though I was crying like a little girl.'

'At least you were showing some emotion,' said Ginny. 'Now all I see is short bursts of anger, then back to indifference.'

'I have emotions. I've learned it's better to suppress everything that way I don't ever get hurt. Feeling hurt is a useless emotion. D'you understand?' Draco groaned in frustration when Ginny shook her head. 'Look, do you know how to use Legilimency?'

Ginny shook her head.

'Here's how you do it. Wait, come here.' Draco reached his hand out; Ginny took it and he pulled her up from the desk chair. He sat down on the floor and told Ginny to face him. When she sat, he took both her hands in his and entwined their fingers together.

'All right,' he said, 'having physical contact will make it easier. Clear your mind and look in my eyes. Try to reach out with your mind and touch mine. I'll keep it open for you.'

'Why?'

'I'm going to push memories forward – memories so you can see why I am the way I am, so you can see that you have the wrong idea about me.'

Ginny nodded. 'All right.'

'When you're ready say, Legilimens and point your wand at me.'

'But you're holding my hand.'

Draco dropped his left hand, letting Ginny's right go free. Her wand had been tucked into the waistband of her pyjama bottoms and she slipped it out and pointed it at Draco.

'Ready?'

'I think so.'

Draco looked into her chocolate eyes. They looked scared, apprehensive. This wasn't something to be nervous about. He was going to show her things he never showed anyone else. He should be the scared and apprehensive one. Somehow, though, he wasn't. Ginny was good and even though these memories were mostly bad, she would be there when he was done remembering. She would make things better.

'Wait,' said Ginny. She looked right at him before her eyes slipped down to his mouth. She leaned forward and kissed him softly and quickly. 'All right. Now I'm ready.'

XXXXXXX

It took four tries before Ginny found herself floating around inside Draco's head. She was sure this wasn't how actual Legilimency worked because no one was fighting against her invasion. She felt as though she was walking around an empty room, a void of space. Everything was foggy, but she was fully aware that everything around her was Draco.

Then, suddenly, she was watching a scene from Draco's past as though it was projected on a Muggle movie screen.

A small, white-headed boy, maybe three or four years old, ran around a large back garden, up and down hills, splashing in puddles and getting himself all muddy. The sky above him looked a bit grey, but a bright yellow sun was shining down on him, causing him to sweat. He was laughing in a high-pitched, childlike way. Running after him was a house-elf wearing a lacy napkin around her waist that was once probably stark white, but was now brown and stained. For a shirt she had on what looked like two knitted coasters sewn together. The house-elf was panting, trying to keep up with the little boy.

'DRACO!' a feminine voice shouted from far away.

The little boy stopped running and turned around. Ginny could see a large house – well, a mansion, really – and the figure of a woman standing outside. The little Draco ran towards the house, falling once over a small rock and getting the palms of his hands dirty. He picked himself up without so much as a cry and ran all the way to the house.

'Mummy!'

He hugged the silver-haired lady around the knees, getting her robin's-egg blue robes muddy.

'Your father's home,' she said. 'Take Bitty and get cleaned up.'

The house-elf panted behind Draco, gagging for air.

'No need for that,' a thicker, deeper voice said.

Little Draco turned around and looked up at his father – Ginny knew it was Lucius because the man looked exactly the same, only younger. Draco's eyes were wide and filled with fear, as though he had never seen the man in front of him before.

'Why is he covered in mud?'

'He was playing in the—'

'He can play without getting filthy,' snapped Lucius. 'What do you have to say to your father, son?'

Draco looked up at his mother.

'He doesn't know you,' she said. 'You've been gone for seven months. He's no idea who you are.'

'I've had business to attend to. And it hasn't been seven months.'

'For him, it is. You Apparate in every couple weeks after he's gone to bed and Disapparate before he wakes up.'

Lucius pointed his wand at Draco. 'Scourgify!' Once all the mud and dirt was vanished from Draco's body, Lucius said, 'Don't you know any proper manners? Say hello to your father.'

'Hello,' squeaked Draco, moving to hide behind his mother.

'This is disgusting. I'm his father and he's hiding behind you.' Lucius slammed his cane down onto the floor. 'Tell one of the house-elves I want dinner sent up to my study in half an hour. And send that boy to bed. I'm tired of looking at him already.'

That must have been the end of the memory because the next thing Ginny saw was an older Draco, probably around the age of eight, playing on a paved neighbourhood street with two other children – a chubby little boy with dark brown hair and a towheaded girl with skin so pale it was almost translucent.

This older Draco laughed as he ran, being chased by the girl. Ginny thought they must in a Muggle neighbourhood near Wiltshire by the looks of the houses. Were these other children Muggles? It seemed strange that Draco would be playing with people he was supposed to hate.

A loud crack sounded and all the children stopped. Lucius had Apparated onto the sidewalk and looked down at Draco. Lucius looked fierce and mean, his eyes dark and his cheeks red from what was probably heat and fury.

'Your mother said you snuck out of the house.'

Draco nodded.

'Bitty was supposed to watch you, was she not? Bitty!'

From beside Lucius, the house-elf from the first memory appeared. The two children gaped at it.

'What is that?' the little girl asked, approaching the house-elf.

Lucius took his cane and smacked it across the little girl's arm. Ginny heard a distinctive crack and cringed as the girl began to gasp and cry. Draco's father ignored her as though she wasn't even there.

'Bitty, weren't you supposed to be watching Draco?'

'Yeses, Bitty was, sir. But little sirs told Bitty to get him a sandwich from the kitchens, sir.'

'Didn't I tell you not to let Draco out of your sight?'

Bitty pulled on her ears. 'Yeses, sir.'

'Do you know what happens to bad house-elves?'

Bitty nodes. 'But if it pleases, sir, Bitty won't never do it again.'

'It doesn't please me.' Lucius waved his wand and conjured up a short iron rod. 'Hold it,' he told Bitty, who took it in her little hands. Then he conjured up a fire and told Bitty to hold the iron rod over the flames. Ginny could barely watch the little elf as her hands burnt from the hot metal.

'What are you doing?' the chubby boy asked.

Lucius turned and looked at the boy as if seeing him for the first time. 'Who are you?'

'I'm Hugh.'

The expression on Lucius' face made him look as though he just ate a particularly rank piece of cabbage. 'You're a Muggle. Draco, what are you doing playing in the street with trash and vermin?'

'I didn't know they were Muggle,' said Draco lamely.

'You didn't know? How could you not know!'

'I was tired of Mother's lessons. I had enough of reading about the Goblin Rebellion so when I asked for a break, I went on a walk.'

'Your mother told you to go up to your room to nap. She didn't give you permission to leave the house.'

'It was so boring. I fancied a walk. I would have gone for a fly if you hadn't locked up my broom.'

Lucius arched an eyebrow.

'It's true. I was bored. The Goblin Rebellion is dull. And these two were playing a game and I wanted to join.'

'Don't blame him, sir,' said the boy named Hugh. 'We asked him to play with us.' Next to him, the girl was still crying over her arm.

'Do shut up,' snarled Lucius.

'But—'

Lucius pointed his wand at the boy. 'Crucio,' he said in a rather bored voice. As the boy doubled over and screamed in pain, Lucius loomed over Draco, warning him to never play with Muggles again. 'Muggles are trash, filth. They are not your friends. They will only betray you, bring you pain, and destroy you. They don't understand power because they do not have it. We are powerful. They are weak and being caught with them will only bring you trouble. You don't want trouble, do you?'

Draco shook his head.

'You don't want to be at the other end of the Cruciatus Curse, do you?'

'No, sir.'

'Good. Muggles don't understand our ways. They think we're the evil ones, but we know the truth. They would kill us if they had the power to. Do you understand that you can never trust them? I never want to see you associate with Muggles ever again. Do you understand?'

Draco nodded. 'Yes.'

'I'll see you at home. You know the way.'

Lucius Disapparated, lifting the Cruciatus Curse, and Draco turned to look at the two Muggle children, both crying in pain.

The next few memories were significantly shorter. The first was when Draco was eleven. His face had the same pointed features, but his skin looked softer, younger. It was on the Hogwarts Express – Draco asked a wild-haired boy to be his friend and the boy refused, choosing to be friends with someone else, someone poor and meaningless.

The second one was of a twelve-year-old Draco standing outside his father's study, looking through the crack of an open door. Only his mother was visible, blonde and severe-looking. But Ginny heard the voice of Lucius Malfoy. His voice was thick in the air—

'He's staying at school. Two months out of the year is enough. He'll only interfere with my plans if he comes home for Christmas.'

'What plans? Lucius, I want my son home for Christmas. You can put your plans on hold—'

'I will not put anything on hold for Draco. He has yet to prove he deserves to be home.'

'How can he prove anything? You won't give him the chance. You barely talk to him. You don't know who he is. He thinks he hate him—'

The next thing Ginny saw was a large, pale hand reach out and strike Narcissa across the face. She fell to the floor and put a hand to her mouth. When she withdrew it, her fingertips had blood on them.

The next few memories were all of Draco and Daphne. Fourteen-year-old Draco being turned down for the Yule Ball. Then, a series of recollections of harmless to heavy flirting between him and Daphne. The last of those memories was when Daphne told him they had to stop their affair because she wanted to be with Blaise Zabini and only Blaise Zabini.

The very last thing Ginny saw in Draco's head was herself, the very first time they met in the classroom and kissed. She looked different in Draco's head than she did in her own. She looked prettier than she thought she did in real life, but if that's how Draco saw her—

Suddenly Ginny was back in the deserted classroom with a terrible headache. Her vision was a bit blurry and she fell backwards on to the stone floor. Draco leaned over her, on his knees.

'Are you all right?'

'I'm not used to this,' said Ginny. 'When Lupin does it to me I get tired, but he doesn't stay in my head that long. So I only feel tired and that's all. I'm okay.'

Draco sat back on his heels and watched as Ginny propped herself up on her elbows.

'Do you see why I act indifferent so often?'

Ginny nodded. 'Because no one ever wanted you.'

Draco's lips were pressed hard together, making his mouth seem like a very straight line.

'Your father wasn't around – always away on business. When he was around, he was cruel. He tried to teach you to hate others by torturing them in front of you. Daphne didn't want you any more than your father did. It's all made you very cold. But you feel, don't you? You feel when you're with me – that's why you showed me that last memory. And you felt last year when you cried in the boys' loo. I wish you could feel all the time. I understand, now, why you cut yourself off from emotions. You've been hurt.'

Draco didn't agree or disagree; he only stood up and walked to the broken window. Ginny stood as well and walked up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his back.

'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I'm sorry no one ever acted as though they wanted you. Your mother loves you, that much is obvious. Don't think that she's the only one who wants you.' Ginny wet her lips and closed her eyes. 'I want you.'

'No, you're scared of me,' said Draco, still facing the window. 'You don't want to be with someone who poisoned your brother.'

'I'm sorry,' Ginny said again. 'I should have come to you and talked to you about it. You can learn to feel again, Draco. Let me help you.'

Ginny had to loosen her grip around him as Draco turned around to face her. He looked down at her; he was a good head taller than she was.

'I made you two promises, remember?'

Ginny nodded.

'I can't make you any more.'

Ginny nodded again. 'Okay,' she whispered. 'I can still help you, though, can't I? You feel when you're with me, don't you? Your memory showed me that you did.'

Draco barely nodded.

'So I can help you.'

'You try to be too noble. You're so much like Potter.'

'Please don't say his name,' said Ginny. 'It'll only make me feel worse.'

'All right. No mentions of Potter. Except...'

'Except what?'

'I wasn't lying when I told you there's a plan to kidnap you.'

'Oh. Right. I just won't play in the match.'

'You can't just not play. That would be too fishy.'

'I'll go to the hospital wing.'

'With what?' asked Draco. 'It has to be something good or else it'll look suspicious. You'll need to be poisoned or passed out or have a bone broken or something.'

'That's perfect,' said Ginny. 'You can break my arm on Friday night. Madam Pomfrey always makes students stay in the hospital for one full day with broken bones to make sure they've mended properly.'

'I'm not going to break your arm.'

'It's all right. I can take the pain. I've had worse, after all. It'll be all right. Look, it's what we have to do to keep me safe.'

'What about Potter? It's my job to get him to not play in the game so you can play instead.'

Ginny thought for a moment. 'I don't know.'

'If Potter's Seeker then Nott will think that I'm not on his side. I won't be allowed to play spy at all.'

'Fred and George gave me a box of their newest Skiving Snackboxes. I'll slip Harry a tiny piece of Fainting Fancy on Friday at dinner. Madam Pomfrey won't be able to wake him up unless I give him the antidote. I'll give it to him during the match at some point when Madam Pomfrey isn't looking.'

'It's a bit scary that you're willing to do this.'

'I have to do it,' said Ginny. 'Or else be kidnapped. Or else you be killed for being a traitor to Voldemort's cause, yeah?'

Draco nodded. 'Well, it sounds like a plan,' he said. 'So' – he grinned mischievously – 'what do you have under that Weird Sisters' shirt?'

'Nothing.'

Draco's grin widened. 'Can I see?'

XXXXXXX

Ginny spent the next two weeks working on how exactly to implement her plan. Draco told her that Nott was persistent about Harry not being Seeker in the match. In fact, he annoyed Draco so much that he put a paralysis charm on Nott's tongue and let Madam Pomfrey sort him out. Professor Slughorn witnessed it and thought it was a good use of the charm and deducted ten house points for using the charm against another student, but granted Draco five of those points back for using it in a creative way.

The Occlumency lessons with Lupin continued. He came around the school three times a week to help Ginny learn it. He wished Harry would join them, but Harry demurred. He had no interest in having his brain broken in to. Ginny asked Lupin about a Pensieve and he brought her one.

'It looks familiar.'

'Dumbledore left it to me in his will,' said Lupin. 'I don't know why me and not Harry. He always seemed to know things. Perhaps he knew that I'd be able to give it to someone for good use.'

Ginny smiled and accepted it. 'Thank you.'

'Why do you need it?'

Ginny told him. She explained about the match and the possibility of being kidnapped by Death Eaters and not knowing if she would be strong enough to keep Voldemort out of her head. She needed to make sure that he wouldn't see any of her memories with Draco.

'What does it feel like when you take a memory out?'

'You feel a bit empty,' said Lupin. 'You know something happened and you know the parties involved, but the details are gone. If I take the memory of becoming engaged to Tonks out of my head, I would still know that we were together, but I wouldn't know how I asked—'

'You and Tonks are going to get married!'

'Ohh. Yes. I suppose. Now I've not told a soul about your Draco secret, so you can keep that secret of mine,' said Lupin with a wink.

Ginny nodded. 'Oh, yes, of course! How exciting!'

'Calm down.'

Ginny smiled. 'Sorry. All right, well – if I take the memories of Draco out of my head, will Voldemort still know we're together?'

'I don't know. I suppose he would know there is some connection between the two of you, but he might not know the exact involvement. He might not know if it's romantic or hate-induced.' Lupin shrugged. 'Still, I think the less that's in your head about him, the better.'

'Can I shrink the Pensieve and stick it in my pocket?'

'Er—'

'What if I put a charm on it that won't let it break or spill?'

Lupin nodded. 'Yes, of course. But you cannot let anyone else find it on your person.'

'Of course not.'

'Now, tell me more about this plan the Death Eaters have for the last Quidditch match...'

So, Ginny told him the details and while she knew he went and told Professor McGonagall, the match had not been cancelled. Perhaps the Order wanted it to go on so that they could be there to fight the Death Eaters. Ginny wasn't certain.

Ever since Draco allowed Ginny to view some of his most precious memories, they had been closer than ever. There was an unspoken bond between them; they trusted one another and Ginny felt more comfortable with him than she ever had with anyone else before, including Harry. With Harry she found it easy to be herself, but she was always afraid he would find someone else, someone better. She felt as though she was going to lose him the entire time they were together. In the end, she was right. She allowed herself to go farther physically with him than she had with either Michael Corner or Dean Thomas. While they never had sex, they had done other things that would have caused Molly Weasley to send her daughter a dozen Howlers for sure.

But with Draco, Ginny felt at ease. He was more gentle than she ever thought he would be. And she wasn't uncomfortable when she finally let him remove her shirt and bra and see all of her from the waist up. She was small in general – short and thin – so her breasts were not large. Still, Draco didn't seem to care and when he bent his head down to kiss them, it sent shivers down her spine and made her tingly in places that she'd never felt tingly before.

Knowing that Draco trusted her enough to share memories with her made her heart ache for him whenever he wasn't around. It was beginning to ache like it had when she was in love with Harry. The thought blindsided her the evening right before the match, when she noticed she wasn't feeling guilty for having just slipped a Fainting Fancy into Harry's pudding when no one was watching. She was willing to hurt Harry to keep Draco safe. Because she loved him.

Perhaps love was too strong a word, but 'fancy' certainly wasn't strong enough.

I wonder if Draco feels the same?

Harry fell over backwards and hit the floor. Everyone in the Great Hall turned to look at him; several people gasped. McGonagall shooed everyone away and Madam Pomfrey came running down from the staff table.

'Oh, goodness me, what's happened? Ennervate.'

Harry remained unconscious and when Ginny looked over at the Slytherin table, Nott looked most pleased.

XXXXXXX

Draco met Ginny in the classroom after dinner. She still had on her Hogwarts uniform, but her tie was gone and her shirt was untucked.

'Hi,' she said.

'Hi.'

'Let's get this over with.'

'Can't you do it to yourself?'

Ginny shook her head. 'No. I wouldn't be able to say it. Just break my arm and get it over with.'

'Who's going to play Seeker?'

'I don't know. Gryffindor will probably have to forfeit, but I don't care. I'd rather not be kidnapped. I'd rather lose the cup than be killed by Voldemort. Right scum, he is.'

Draco didn't smile or nod. He didn't want to break Ginny's arm, but he couldn't think of anything else to use to send her to the hospital. She explained it well to him. If she gave herself one of Fred and George's snacks that would induce a fever or a puking fit, then she might cave in and give herself the antidote before enough time passed by where she wouldn't be allowed to play in the match.

'Fred and George's fevers are high enough to cause deliria,' she had said.

And Ginny certainly couldn't take anything that might cause her to pass out – else who would give her the antidote? No, Ginny said this was the best way for her to not be able to play in the match and Draco was slowly inclining to agree. He just didn't want to be the one to have to do it to her.

'All right,' he said with a sigh. 'Ready?'

Ginny took in a deep breath and nodded. 'Ready.'

Draco took out his wand and pointed it at Ginny's forearm. 'Confringo osossis,' he said in a low voice. Several distinctive cracks sounded in the room, much like the cracks from his memory of his father breaking the little Muggle girl's arm. Ginny began to cry softly.

'Oh, shite,' said Draco.

'No, no, I wanted you to do it. I just didn't realise – I think there's several breaks.'

Draco looked at Ginny's arm; it was beginning to swell already and looked bumpy, as though the bones not only broke, but moved as well. He felt sick.

'I need – the hospital,' gasped Ginny. 'It hurts so bad.'

'I can't go with you,' said Draco miserably. 'If anyone saw—'

'I know,' said Ginny. 'I can make it, I think.' She smiled weakly, tears staining her cheeks. 'I'm sorry I made you do this.' With her good arm, she reached up and touched Draco's cheek. She used it to bring his head down and kissed him quickly before rushing out the door.

Ohhh, Draco wanted so badly to go and follow her, to make sure she made it to the hospital wing, but he knew he couldn't. Instead, he wandered over to the library and went inside. Sure enough, Granger was there with her poncy boyfriend. Draco picked up a random book from one of the shelves and flipped through it as he made his way towards their table.

'What's happened to your sister, Weasel?' he said in a very bored tone as he passed by. 'Someone finally give her what she deserves?'

Weasley stood up, knocking his chair back. 'What are you talking about, Malfoy?' he demanded.

Draco almost laughed. For all he was worth, Weasley was just not intimidating, even with his wand pointing in his, Draco's, face. Granger, on the other hand... well, she knew how to use a wand well. She made Draco a little nervous.

'Nothing. I just passed her running up to the hospital wing is all. Looked rather upset. I do hope no one's poisoned her or anything.'

When Draco dropped the word 'poison' Weasley turned very red and threw his ink bottle at Draco. Fortunately, Draco was able to duck and the glass bottle hit a shelf and burst.

'Ron!' Granger cried. She quickly took out her wand and fixed the bottle and the Vanished the ink before Madam Pince came running over, screeching about making loud noises in the library.

Draco just walked away into a far corner of the library. He knew that Granger and Weasley would go to the hospital wing to check up on Ginny – if she wasn't able to get there for some reason, they would be able to find her and get her there.

He still felt a bit guilty for breaking her arm, even the next day when he woke and went to breakfast. Neither she nor Potter were there, unsurprisingly, and it felt as though the Great Hall was empty even though it was only missing two people. Draco didn't go to the match. He didn't want to listen to Nott's bitching once he realised that Ginny wasn't going to be playing Seeker. He also didn't want to witness any attacks on the school by Death Eaters. He was sure that no one of them would get inside Hogwarts, but he didn't want to have to fight for one side or the other this early in the game.

No one had returned to Slytherin House for several hours and by two-thirty Draco was getting antsy. He tried doing his Potions homework, but concentration eluded him. Deciding against better judgement that he had to see Ginny, Draco got up from the leather sofa in the common room and went towards the hospital wing. He could always tell Madam Pomfrey he needed more Sleep Draught, which wasn't much of a lie as he was going to be out very soon anyway.

He passed by the Great Hall on his way and heard someone talking – everyone must be back from the match and getting lunch. Whichever team won the Cup was probably getting a congratulatory speech by the Headmistress.

Draco continued on silently, lost in his thoughts until he came to the hospital wing. He opened the door and went inside. Whatever was going on in the Great Hall he must have been wrong about because Professor McGonagall was in the hospital wing with Flitwick and Slughorn.

'What are you doing here, Mr Malfoy?' asked McGonagall, looking especially severe.

'I came to get some more Sleep Draught from Madam Pomfrey,' he said, looking around the hospital. He saw Potter, still unconscious in one bed, but he didn't see Ginny. Oh, God, where was Ginny? 'What's going on?' he asked, his voice wavering.

'Why aren't you in the Great Hall with the other students?'

'I didn't know I needed to be.'

'There was an announcement during the match.'

'I wasn't at the match. What's going on?' he asked again.

'Oh, but don't you know the answer to that already, Mr Malfoy?' said McGonagall.

'I promise I don't.'

'Death Eaters slipped into the school. They've killed Poppy and taken Ginny Weasley.'

Draco felt as though someone just stuck a rather large knife in his gut. Trying to keep his face straight, he said, 'Oh. When?'

'During the match. You should be in the Great Hall. Professors Sprout and Sinistra are giving everyone instructions on how to contact their parents,' said McGonagall, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. 'Hogwarts is now officially closing for good.'

XXXXXXX

To Be Continued...

XXXXXXX