Chapter Ten:
Waiting
Draco clung to Ginny's hand tightly. She sensed his anxiety and gave him a reassuring smile. He tried to return it, but it was feeble and insincere. Molly was prattling on happily about her boys coming home. It was Valentine's Day. Convinced that Voldemort wouldn't dare to attack on Valentine's Day, members of the Order had been given somewhat of a vacation. Molly had decided to throw a party for the Order in celebration of their day off and St. Valentine.
"Are you sure I'm not intruding?" Draco asked again. Molly stopped in mid-sentence to turn and address him.
"Draco! I have seven children, plus Harry. There is no such thing as an intrusion," she insisted. Draco grinned and Ginny laughed.
"He's worried about what the boys might do to him," Ginny elaborated. Arthur sighed and shook his head.
"Well, I'm not going to pretend that things will be just fine, Draco. It took me a few weeks to get used to the idea. Once they see how much you've changed, they'll accept you." Draco was still unconvinced, but he nodded.
Arthur would never admit it aloud, but he was still wary of Draco. He could see how in love he was with Ginny, but it could not erase the worries in the back of his mind. He was on the watch for suspicious behavior incase Draco was reporting back to his father about the Order. He carefully hid any correspondence, and he immediately stopped speaking about the war whenever Draco entered the room.
Draco noticed this. He wasn't completely oblivious. He knew that he would have to prove himself somehow. If he could get his hands on a newspaper or a news bulletin about the proposed whereabouts of Voldemort, he could easily point the Order in the right direction. His father had taught him at a young age how to decipher the clues that the Dark Lord left for his followers. Still, the news updates he received were greatly filtered by Arthur Weasley, which he resented but understood at the same time.
"Here they come!" Molly exclaimed excitedly as the fireplace turned bright red. Draco swallowed hard.
"Maybe I should wait outside again-"
"Draco, don't be ridiculous. Mum has given them a heads-up." Bill stepped out of the fireplace first, with Fleur attached to his right hand. Ginny wrinkled her nose in distaste. Draco noticed Molly's enthusiasm falter for only a moment when she saw Fleur. Still, the pair were showered with hugs and kisses. As they were greeted, Charlie and Percy came through next. Draco hung back as Ginny rushed into the chaos to hug her brothers. He waited uncomfortably in the corner, unnoticed, as the remaining Weasleys popped out of the fire. It was awhile before any of them glanced in his direction. It was Harry who spotted him first. He elbowed Ron, and suddenly the two of them were glaring in Draco's direction. Ginny saw this unfriendly eye contact and made her way across the room to Draco.
"I've never been so uncomfortable in my entire life," Draco whispered to her. Ginny sighed and linked her arm through his.
"It's going to be all right. Come on, I'll introduce you to Bill and Charlie. They'll be nice," Ginny said, dragging him into the crowd. She tapped Charlie on the shoulder. He turned around and looked at Ginny, then at Draco.
"This is him, then?" Charlie asked. His tone held no judgment; just caution. Ginny nodded and smiled.
"This is Draco. Be nice to him, Charlie. And don't tell him anything embarrassing about me," Ginny added with a warning stare. Charlie grinned and extended his hand to shake Draco's.
"She must really like you, mate. She's never asked me to refrain from embarrassing her before."
"I didn't know she had any embarrassing stories to offer," Draco replied, glancing at Ginny. She rolled her eyes.
"I don't. Right, Charlie?"
"Of course not. Especially if you don't count the time when that garden gnome bit your bum and wouldn't let go, and Mum had to call the Healers to come to the house to pluck the bugger off."
"Charlie!" Ginny shrieked. Draco and Charlie burst out laughing. "Fine. Bill is my new favorite brother!" Charlie shook his head.
"I'll always be your favorite brother." He tapped his wand on her forehead and butterflies fluttered out of her ears.
"I hate it when you do that!" Ginny exclaimed, laughing.
"Ah, it's good to be home," Charlie said before wandering over to the living room. Draco couldn't hide his amused grin as Ginny shook the last butterfly from her ear. She rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling.
"And you wonder how I got to be so good at the Bat Bogey Hex."
"Now I know," Draco replied.
They made the rounds, greeting Bill, Percy Fred and George. Fred and George were less friendly than Bill and Charlie, but they made cordial conversation. Especially after Ginny pulled them aside and threatened to tell Molly what they were planning for the fireworks show if they weren't nice to Draco. When they got to Ron and Harry, the two of them seemed firmly set in their resolve to hate Draco.
"You know what, Draco? I think my Mum needs a little help with the dinner," Ginny said as awkward silence encompassed the four. Draco picked up on her hint and left.
"I can't believe you're seeing him," Ron muttered.
"He's different, Ron. Do you really think I would be stupid enough to date the old Draco Malfoy?" Ginny snapped. Ron folded his arms over his chest.
"He's just using you to get closer to the Order."
"How dare you!" Ginny exclaimed. "I don't want to hear any more about that! Draco ran away from his abusive family to be with me!"
"It was a set-up, Gin!" Ron retorted. "They planned it out together, father and son. He's played you for a fool." Ginny slapped him across the face sharply.
"I don't want to hear another word about that. You had better get used to the idea of Draco being around, because he's not going anywhere. And if I hear that you've been making trouble for him, you'll have Mum to answer to." Ron was speechless, holding his face where Ginny had hit him. Harry was wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
"And you," Ginny added, rounding on Harry. "Watch Draco and learn what it means to actually love someone." With that, Ginny turned on her heel and walked away. Harry and Ron glanced at each other.
"She's bloody mad," Ron whispered in disbelief.
"What does she possibly see in him?" Harry growled murderously. The two watched as she walked up to Draco and kissed him on the check. Draco placed his hand on the small of her back and started telling her something that made her laugh. Ron shuddered.
"There's something wrong with that picture, mate. You should be in his position." Harry rolled his eyes.
"I know, Ron. I don't understand where I went wrong."
Suddenly the fireplace turned red again. Out of the flames stepped Hermione Granger. Ginny shrieked and ran towards her.
"Hermione!" She gasped, throwing herself into Hermione's arms.
"Ginny! I haven't seen you in ages!" Hermione exclaimed. "How have you been? I heard you were working for the Malfoys! It must have been awful!" The smile disappeared from Ginny's face and she bit her lip awkwardly.
"Well, actually, Hermione-"
"Granger," Draco interrupted, sticking out his hand. Hermione stared at him as though she didn't quite believe he was there.
"Malfoy?" She replied, making no movement to accept his handshake.
"Draco's been staying here with me and Mum," Ginny started to explain. "He ran away from home, and he's a completely different person than he used to be, Hermione. You have to trust me." Hermione glanced at Draco, then at Harry and Ron. They were shaking their heads angrily in the corner. Hermione looked at Draco uneasily, and he withdrew his hand with a nod.
"All right then. I'll just go help your Mum some more," he said to Ginny. Ginny gave him a comforting smile and squeezed his hand. When he had gone, she stared at Hermione coldly.
"So that's how it's going to be, is it?"
"Ginny, I can't believe-"
"You're going to side with them, aren't you?" Ginny demanded, jabbing a finger in Harry and Ron's direction. Hermione sighed.
"Look, Ginny. I've known Malfoy longer than you have. I know what kind of a person he is-"
"He's different," Ginny insisted through gritted teeth. "And if you don't want to believe me, then fine. But if that's how it's going to be, then my loyalties lie with him now. Not you." Ginny waited for Hermione to apologize and refute her earlier judgment, but she was silent. Ginny nodded in disappointment and anger before joining Draco at the kitchen table.
"Didn't go well, I presume?" Draco asked when she sat down.
"Nope," she spat, picking up a knife to chop the lettuce for the salad. Draco pried it gently from her fingers.
"I don't think you should be chopping lettuce right now. How about peeling potatoes?" He suggested, giving her his task. Ginny sighed and started peeling.
"Why do I feel like this was harder for me than for you?"
"Because you had so much faith in your family and friends. That they would just accept me into their lives because you accepted me into yours. I didn't except a warm welcome from any of them, and I was pleasantly surprised. Bill and Charlie were rather nice." Ginny sighed.
"Ron's right. I do have too much faith in people."
"Hey," Draco murmured, putting his arm around her shoulders and squeezing her gently. "It'll be all right. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere." He kissed her cheek tenderly, and Ginny nodded.
"At least I know I can count on you," she said quietly. She glanced around at the busy kitchen and then at Draco.
"Uh oh. I know that look," he grinned.
"Come on, no one will even notice we're gone. Just for a few minutes," she pleaded, reaching under the table to touch his inner thigh. Draco groaned and let her against his better judgment.
"All right, but we'll have to make it quick." Ginny grinned and dragged him upstairs. She opened her bedroom door and let Draco in. She checked to make sure no one had seen before closing and locking the door. Immediately, Draco caught her in a kiss and pushed her back against the wall. Ginny ran her fingers through his soft hair as he trailed kisses down her jawbone and to her neck. They stumbled backwards until they hit the bed. Draco ripped Ginny's shirt off over her head and threw it to the side. She undid his belt and dropped his trousers quickly.
"Did you wear a skirt just for this?" Draco whispered breathlessly. Ginny grinned guiltily. He shook his head, smiling back. "I love you."
In the living room, Harry and Ron were sulking and drinking butterbeer. Hermione rolled her eyes at the two of them.
"Is this what you're going to do all night?" She complained.
"Probably," Ron muttered.
"Get a grip, Ron. You too, Harry! We all know that Ginny is going to do what she wants. We can't stop her. Once she figures out that Malfoy is no good for her, she'll come back to earth. We just need to be patient," Hermione instructed.
"I should have seen the signs," Ron rambled drunkenly.
"No, mate. It's my fault. I should have claimed her awhile ago," Harry countered. Hermione groaned and took away their glasses. She took a sip of Ron's and spit it back out.
"Firewhiskey, Ron? You spiked your butterbeer with Firewhiskey?" She demanded.
"I thought the occasion called for it," Ron replied glumly. Hermione shook her head in despair.
"Now I'm going to have to baby-sit the two of you to make sure you don't bloody murder him."
"I'm not going to murder him," Ron slurred. "Just maim him and make him wish he were dead. Where is the bastard anyway?" At that moment, Ginny came down the stairs looking flushed. Her skin was glowing and her eyes were sparkling. The trio watched her suspiciously.
"What's she so happy about?" Harry wondered aloud. A few moments later, Draco came down the stairs. His hair was tussled and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone. He glanced at Ginny, who grinned at him and licked her lips suggestively. He smiled and winked back at her.
"I changed my mind. I'm gonna kill him," Ron growled, standing up. Hermione pushed him back down.
"Sit down, Ron!"
"He just fucked my baby sister! I'm gonna kill him!" Ron shouted.
"Shut up!" Hermione insisted, sitting on his lap to prevent him from standing.
"Yeah, take it easy, mate. We'll figure out a way to get him," Harry said stoically. Ron was grumbling to himself, but was no longer making death threats. Across the room, Ginny and Draco were whispering to each other and laughing softly. Molly sighed and touched Arthur's hand.
"Look at them, Arthur," she said wistfully. "Isn't it beautiful?" Arthur followed his wife's gaze to his daughter and Draco. He couldn't deny it any longer. They were so in love. It was more than making each other smile and having a good time together.
"Just like you, love," he replied, kissing Molly on the cheek. Molly felt tears coming to her eyes. It was times like these that made her truly grateful for all the love she had in her life. And looking at Ginny with Draco reassured her that her daughter was having these moments every day.
Suddenly, a loud crack interrupted the festivities. Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt had appeared in the kitchen. Everyone stopped speaking and stared at the two men. Arthur rose from his seat and went to greet them.
"Arthur," Lupin said, clutching his colleague's hand. "I'm so sorry to intrude like this."
"No, no. It's all right," Arthur replied, shaking Kingsley's hand. "Is something the matter?" Lupin glanced around the room. The Weasley boys had risen and were waiting eagerly to hear what news he had to share.
"Since we're all in the Order, I suppose it's all right to-"
"Not all of us," Ron interrupted, gesturing to where Draco sat with Ginny. Lupin stared at the unexpected guest and looked to Arthur for direction. Draco frowned.
"It's not like that anymore," he spoke up. "As a matter of fact, I think I could probably help you." Every eye was on him.
"That's nice of you to offer, Draco, but I think it's best-" Arthur began, but he was cut off by his daughter.
"Trust him, Dad! I do, and that should be enough for you," Ginny stated clearly. Arthur looked at his daughter carefully. She was determined and so headstrong. He knew she might never forgive him if he did not give Draco a chance to prove himself. Reluctantly, Arthur nodded.
"All right, Ginny. Draco, come over here." Draco whispered a thank you to Ginny before rising and joining the group of men around the kitchen table. Ginny hurried to her mother, who looked suddenly faint. They all knew that Lupin did not bring good news.
"Austen and Torres have been kidnapped," Lupin began quietly. "Death Eaters got them on the outskirts of Wiltshire."
"Dear God," Arthur whispered in disbelief. "Did they get the horcrux?"
"Austen had been instructed to hide it, and they're holding that information over them. As far as I know, nothing has been negotiated for their release. We received correspondence from Torres just a moment ago. He says the Death Eaters are going to kill them at midnight if they do not offer their information."
"Tell them where the decoy is," Bill said. "Why doesn't he just do that?"
"We can't have them be suspicious about the credibility of the location. They have to stick it out for awhile to make it seem like they're reluctant to give in," Lupin explained. Draco shook his head.
"That won't work. They know where it is," he said. Everyone stared at him.
"What do you mean?" Lupin asked carefully.
"Voldemort, he knows where it is. He's going to attack. Tonight."
"Draco, how could you possibly know this?" Arthur demanded. "From what little you heard, how could you know so much?"
"You all know my father. He taught me at a young age how to read current events for clues about the Dark Lord. He wants you to believe that he has no idea where the last horcrux is. He's gone so far as to kidnap two members of the Order and blackmail them for its location. He already knows."
"But why would he attack?" Harry snapped. "That doesn't make sense."
"I thought that part was obvious," Draco replied curtly. "It's a holiday. Everyone is out celebrating. It's in Hogsmeade, isn't it?" Arthur, Lupin and Kingsley looked shocked.
"How did you-" Lupin gaped. "Is it really that obvious to Voldemort?" Draco shrugged easily.
"Yes, but what he doesn't know is that you know. We have time to stop him."
"Hold on," Harry said loudly. "Why should we trust you? You could be leading us right into a trap!" Everyone looked uneasily at Draco, who sighed.
"All right, Potter. You can believe that if you want. You all can believe that. But I beg you to at least hear me out. What would be better for Voldemort than capturing the last horcrux and massacring thousands of people to secure his reign?"
"Where is he going to find all these people?" Ron demanded.
"The Three Broomsticks. It throws a ridiculous Valentine's Day party."
"It makes sense," Ginny pointed out.
"You're just saying that because he shags you," Ron spat.
"Ronald Weasley!" Molly screeched. "I never want to hear you say anything like that ever again!"
"Molly, dear. Later," Arthur said softly. "What should we do?" He asked Lupin and Kingsley.
"If what Draco says is true, we can't risk losing the horcrux. Nor can we risk thousands of innocent lives," Kingsley admitted. Lupin nodded in agreement.
"Molly, I hate to do this to you, but we need all the help we can get," Lupin said apologetically. Molly blinked away tears and nodded.
"Of course, Remus. Boys, have a quick bite to eat before you go. I'll get your winter cloaks."
"I'll alert the rest of the Order," Lupin offered.
"I'll arrange a portkey," Kingsley added. Arthur nodded as he bustled about the kitchen, getting himself together.
"Good. The boys and I will be along in a minute," Arthur paused and looked at Draco. "Do you want to come along, Draco?" Draco looked at Ginny. She had never considered losing him until that moment. If his father saw him fighting on the opposite side, along with blood traitors and mudbloods, he was sure to kill Draco. Still, she saw the look in his eyes. He wanted to prove himself trustworthy to her father and her brothers. It was for her.
"Go, Draco," she finally said with a weak smile. Arthur sensed that they needed a moment alone and he shuffled away. Ginny threw herself into Draco's waiting arms.
"I didn't intend for it to be like this," he whispered.
"It's all right, Draco. I know how important it is for you to feel like my family trusts you."
"It's not just that, Ginny. You know it's not," Draco said quietly, looking down into her soft brown eyes. He brushed away a tear that had trickled down her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
"I want to come," she said suddenly.
"No, Ginny," Draco replied firmly.
"Come on, I can fight! I want to help!" Ginny cried frantically. "I want to come with you! Please, don't leave me here."
"Ginny," Draco murmured, pulling her into another hug. She collapsed against him and sobbed. He stroked her hair gently and whispered words of comfort. "I won't be gone long. And I'll come back to you, I promise." Ginny shook her head and buried her face in his chest.
"Look at me, Ginny," Draco said. She slowly lifted her head to look into his blue gray eyes. "I will come back to you. I promise."
"I know you will," Ginny replied softly.
"Draco! Ready to go?" Bill shouted from across the room.
"I'm coming!" Draco called back. He kissed Ginny fervently one last time. He pressed his lips to her forehead briefly before joining the Weasley boys at the portkey. Ginny watched her parents hugging in the corner of the room.
"Arthur!" Lupin called. Arthur gave Molly one last kiss before leaving her behind. Ginny crossed the room and hugged her mother, who was now sobbing. The group disappeared simultaneously, leaving the once lively kitchen suddenly vacant.
"What do we do now?" Ginny asked in a shaky voice.
"We wait," Molly answered, sitting down. Ginny frowned and looked around for something else to occupy her. She found that nothing compelled her attention, and finally she joined her mother at the kitchen table. They sat in silence.