Payback

Chapter 21- Hiding

Ginny was awakened the next morning by the sound of pounding on Draco's door. She sat up, momentarily forgetting where she was. Draco gently pushed her back into the bed and put a finger to his lips to let her know to be quiet.

"I already know about Miss Weasley, Mr. Malfoy. Let me enter." The voice on the other side of the door was the last one Ginny wanted to hear that morning. Draco walked to the door and opened it to reveal none other than Professor Snape. He took a quick look at Ginny before fixing his eyes on Draco. "Get out," he demanded of her.

Ginny didn't have to be told twice. She leapt from bed and retrieved her shoes from where she'd kicked them in a corner. Her pajamas were wrinkled and her hair was a mess but she was focused on escaping before she lost more points for Gryffindor than she already had that term.

Once Ginny disappeared, Snape slammed the door and rounded on Draco. "Give me your wand," he demanded.

"Why should I?" Draco stood up straighter, determined to let Severus know he could hold his own. He had always been skeptical of Severus. No one knew for sure if the man was loyal or a double agent, but the Dark Lord trusted him. Before now, being a double agent seemed the worst possible way of life to Draco, but now he felt like he was playing both sides.

"I can erase your last spell and I'm pretty sure of what I will find. You need to make certain no one else finds out what you did last night! I removed the mark before anyone else could see it, luckily for you."

Reluctantly, Draco handed over his wand and let the elder wizard clear the suspicious spell from its memory.

"You're a fool, Draco! Casting that where everyone could see it and not coming to me to clear your wand? What has been on your mind lately?"

"I have to do what he says," Draco spat back, not liking how Severus was speaking to him. "He told me to let him know when it was done."

"Yes, we all know now." Severus pulled up his left sleeve to reveal the slithering mark on his arm. It matched the one that Draco had launched over the castle the night before.

"I'm also aware of another task you have to complete:" Severus continued. "One which will be much harder without my help."

"I don't need your help," Draco spat back. "I can do it." I have to, he thought to himself.

"Don't be naïve, Draco. I've been watching you lately. I know what's been going on between you and Miss Weasley. I myself have been caught between sides before and I know that you love the enemy."

Severus' face relaxed for a moment, lost in a memory from long ago. Draco thought he detected sadness for a second before Snape's stony façade was back in place.

Draco was trying hard to keep his face cleared of emotion as well. Severus did not need to know what had happened between himself and Ginny the night before. Draco was still trying to sort out how he felt about Ginny. The only thing he was sure of was that he had to keep her safe. He wasn't sure if he would call it love, maybe lust or even friendship. Love was a strong word and there was no room among Death Eaters for love.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Draco maintained an even glare at Snape. "And I don't think it wise to tell me about your past disloyalties, especially when the Dark Lord is involved. Those are best kept to yourself."

Severus moved in closer to Draco. "Do not take me for a fool, Draco. I know what you're doing. You are moving into dangerous territory. Make sure she does not know too much or else we are both at risk. You have to maintain the Dark Lord's trust to keep her safe. Even that might not be enough. You are risking your very life for this girl, Draco. Consider the ramifications of your actions before you decide where your loyalties will lie."

With a flourish of his robes, Severus turned and left Draco alone in his dormitory. For a moment, Draco could only stand and consider Severus's words. Draco knew Severus had just risked his life by revealing himself as a double agent. He also cursed himself for outwardly showing he cared for Ginny so much that his Potions professor was able to detect it. Hopefully Severus was the only one and he could tell because he had been in a similar situation.

Draco knew what Severus said was true; He needed to continue to convince the Dark Lord of his loyalty so there would be no suspicion of his alternative motives. Snape didn't have to tell Draco he was risking his own life for Ginny: he already knew that.

When the two met in the library later that day, Ginny could tell it would be best not to ask about the conversation with Severus. Draco's caring exterior from the night before had retreated inwards. She could tell he still meant to keep her safe, but he had mastered his emotions and wore a stone cold exterior.

Ginny had been spending all her free time with Draco and since it was the Christmas holiday, she had a lot of free time. They spent their days in the library, casually working on homework as they were in no rush to finish. Ginny was already looking through O.W.L. material and feeling like Hermione more than ever before. Though they spent so much time together, the two barely talked. Ginny was afraid to breach the subject of Voldemort again and Draco was still unsure of what exactly would happen and didn't want to tell Ginny too much. The mutual silence was not uncomfortable but it was not ideal.

After Draco had revealed his true intentions, Ginny had begun to think about her friends and family again. Her mother had only wanted to protect Harry, the same way Draco wanted to protect Ginny now. Her brother really did have the best of intentions, but had the worst way of showing it. Hermione was trying to be a good friend when it was hard to do so and Ginny had only made it harder. Harry, however, was hard to forgive. Ginny knew she would have to because, as she had promised, she would be on his side during the coming war.

With forgiveness came guilt. Ginny felt guilty that she had not been a better daughter, sister and friend and began to worry about prepare Christmas presents for her loved ones. She finished just in time for the holiday and had her gifts owled the night before and ready to arrive when everyone woke up in the morning.

Ginny found herself alone in her dormitory on Christmas morning with a pile of presents at the foot of her bed. She was glad she had taken the time to send presents out and had avoided the guilt this morning could have brought. She had a sweater from her mom, a book of famous witches from Hermione, a Holyhead Harpies poster from Ron, a new pair of gloves from Colin, and a box of Chocolate Frogs from Harry with an apology note attached. Ginny hoped her own gift of Chocolate Frogs to Harry would be enough to let him know she was considering forgiveness.

After opening all her presents, Ginny found one more box. It was a small green box with a black bow and Ginny instantly knew it was from Draco. There was a note attached that read, Do not open. Meet me for breakfast.

Ginny was getting used to Draco's brusque manor and smiled. She dressed quickly and got ready to head to the Great Hall. There were very few students remaining at Hogwarts and the house elves had only set one table for everyone to sit at. Draco's bleach blonde hair was easy to pick out of the greens and deep reds around the hall. As she walked over, she noticed a black and green scarf around Draco's neck that looked home made.

"Is that from my Mum?" Ginny asked in surprise.

"Yes, it was in my room this morning. The only present I had, actually. I must say she does know how to pick out colors."

Ginny spotted a large white 'D' on one end of the scarf and couldn't help but smile. Her mother had always been one to use knitting as a way of welcoming everyone into their family.

"I have one more for you." Ginny pulled a small package from the folds of her robes and handed it to Draco. "Merry Christmas." She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss before sitting down to watch him open it.

Draco opened the small white box to find a tiny glass rose. The petals were the deep red color of Ginny's hair and the stem was as white as Draco's fine locks.

"It will never break," she explained, "even if it's dropped or hexed. It's safe from anything that may try to harm it."

Draco understood the symbolism of her gift and allowed himself a quick smile before checking his emotions. "Thank you." It was the most sincere thing he had ever said to her. Ginny squeezed his arm.

"So can I open this now?" she asked, removing the green box from her pocket. "I'm dying to know what it is."

Draco nodded and Ginny opened the box. Inside was a thin golden necklace with a green dragon charm. Ginny had never owned any fine jewelry before and was momentarily lost for words.

"Oh, Draco! It's wonderful," she finally said. "I love it. Thank you." She was still staring at the chain, unmoving, when Draco moved to put the necklace around her neck.

Once on, he was impressed at how the gold chain picked up the specks in her eyes and his face relaxed into something that could be considered to be a genuine smile. "So you know your dragon is always with you, no matter where he ends up." This time it was Draco's turn to squeeze Ginny's arm.

Ginny had never had a better Christmas. She and Draco spent the day in the Great Hall, eating Chocolate Frogs telling stories about their classmates. They knew that this world would be shattered all too soon, but for now they were going to enjoy it.

The night before everyone returned to Hogwarts, Ginny and Draco were in the library. He needed to warn her that the attack would come soon but he didn't want to be overheard. Even though he thought they were alone in the library, he could never be too sure. He stood as if to leave and offered Ginny his hand. She took it and they gathered their things. Draco guided Ginny by her elbow to the Slytherin common room. His dormitory was the one place he felt safe to tell her about what was coming.

"It will be soon," he told her when they were alone. "He said in January sometime. He is impatient so the move will come early." Ginny was silent. She didn't know how to replay and only nodded. "When it happens, don't come looking for me," he continued. "You need to hide somewhere no one would look for you. You need to promise me that you won't try to find me."

She hesitated for only a second before replying. "I promise." It was against Ginny's natural instinct to hide; she always looked for adventure. If it came down to her life, Ginny thought she could override her instinct to keep herself safe.

"Just stay away from him," Draco warned. "This war is coming and we can't avoid it. You have to stay where he can't find you. Don't come back to school next year. Don't tell anyone where you are hiding. You'll compromise your own safety and mine. It's not worth it."

"No."

Ginny's words were so quiet Draco wasn't sure she had said anything at first. She emphasized her point by shaking her head. "No," she repeated.

Draco wasn't used to people not doing as he said. "I beg your pardon?"

"I won't sit at home while my family dies. I can't do it." She was on her feet now, pacing.

"Ginny, he'll use you to get to them all: Harry, your parents, Hermione, Colin, your brothers, and me. You have to hide."

Ginny shook her head. "I won't do it. When the time comes, I'll be there fighting. I promised Harry I would."

Draco's face was hard as stone. He should have known she wouldn't be one to stand by and watch a war happen. "Then promise me you will wait until the end. Promise me you won't come out until the final battle."

Ginny took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll be there at the end. I promise."

The two were silent for a minute, each involved in their own thoughts. "I'm scared," Ginny finally said.

Without revealing anything in his face, Draco nodded. "Me too."

Ginny had decided that she would spend more time with her friends after the holiday. The scene she had created in the Great Hall before the break was enough to convince even the biggest skeptic that she and Draco were together. The two didn't need to sit in the library for hours on end to make people think they were together. So it happened that Ginny was sitting in the Gryffindor common room talking to Hermione when Draco was sitting alone in the Great Hall for lunch. It wasn't time for the usual post, but his owl swooped in to drop a letter on the plate in front of him. Draco looked around to see if anyone else had received late mail and caught Severus's eye. From the look he received, Draco knew what the contents of the letter would be.

Draco abandoned his breakfast and headed for the bathroom on the second floor. He opened the letter and his fears were confirmed in a handwriting he didn't recognize. Severus must have felt his Dark Mark move in anticipation. There was only one word written on the piece of paper

Tonight.

Ginny was in the library with Colin after dinner. They were working together on practicing some Charms Flitwick had assigned before going to bed. Neither of them was yet in the mood for school after a relaxing break, but they had decided it was best to get a quick start with their O.W.L.s coming up in the spring. That was when they heard it.

It began as a cackle. There was no other way to describe the evil sound that came from the lower floors. With the cackling came screaming and the faint sounds of male voices casting spells. Ginny sat up straight and looked at Colin's shocked face.

"It's here," she whispered.

Ginny left everything on the table and ran for the door. Colin followed behind, calling for her. Ginny was halfway down the corridor before Colin caught her wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"To hide. I have to hide!" Ginny was frantic, trying to think of somewhere no one would look for her. Her thoughts turned to Draco and what he had told her.

Don't come looking for me.

As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn't. There had to be at least one place in the castle that she wouldn't be found.

That's it! she thought to herself. If there's nowhere in the castle, I'll leave. The passage to Hogsmeade is close by.

Ginny ripped free of Colin's grasp and ran toward the one-eyed witch statue as fast as she could. She wasn't even halfway there when a darkly-clad figure stepped in front of Ginny, stopping her cold.

"Well, aren't you lovely?" Bellatrix Lestrange looked exactly like her photo, right down to the evil smile. She was just coming up the stairs from the main hall with a group of Death Eaters in masks following her. Among them was one unmasked figure: Draco. Ginny saw the flash of fear in his eyes before his expression was again emotionless.

Bellatrix pointed her wand at Ginny, making the girl freeze in fright. "Grab her," she commanded to the figures behind her. "I have a plan." One of the hooded men grabbed Ginny's wrists firmly behind her back and led her down the hall behind Bellatrix. They reached a statue of a large gargoyle, which Bellatrix blasted aside with a simple Reducto spell. The group ascended the stairs behind the obliterated statue and arrived in what Ginny could only assume was Dumbledore's office. The Headmaster was seated behind his desk, as if waiting for them to arrive.

"Bellatrix," he addressed the mad witch with much more calm than she deserved, "you have me. Please stop the assault on the students. Your business is with me tonight."

Bellatrix sneered. "No, it is not my business." She turned to the crowd behind her. "Draco! Come do the task the Dark Lord bids you!"

Ginny was shocked as Draco walked forward, wand raised and pointed at Dumbledore. He tried to speak, but no sound would come out.

"Do it!" Bellatrix hissed in his ear. "Kill him!"

"No!" The words were out of Ginny's mouth before she could think. Bellatrix looked over and an evil smile crossed her face.

"I'd almost forgotten you were here." Bellatrix walked over to Ginny and extended her wand toward Ginny's chest. "You care for this little blood traitor, don't you Draco?"

Draco was silent, his wand pointed at Dumbledore, but his gaze locked on Bellatrix.

"Do it, Draco, or she dies."

Draco's eyes conveyed more fear than Ginny had ever thought possible. They flashed from Ginny to Dumbledore to Bellatrix. He took a deep breath and faced Dumbledore with renewed determination.

"It's ok, Draco," Dumbledore said in a soft voice. "It's better for Miss Weasley to live than myself."

Draco looked around the room again, his eyes darting from his headmaster to his aunt to Ginny. His eyes stayed on her for a moment before turning to the old wizard in front of him again. He took a breath to stead himself and did what he had to do.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Green light shot from the end of Draco's wand and hit Dumbledore square in the chest. The old wizard was pushed back against his chair with the force of the blow and then slumped down as the life left him.

Ginny's eyes filled. She heard Bellatrix's shrill cries of laughter and was only faintly aware that there was no longer a wand pointed at her chest. Ginny began to feel weak, overcome by sadness and unaware of the Death Eater's retreat. Draco ran to the weeping red-head and caught her in his arms as she collapsed in tears. His words were incomprehensible over her cries at first, but after a moment she realized what he was saying to her.

"Run! Run and hide! Don't come back here. I will find you!"

Ginny understood that this was the moment. This was the moment when she had to disappear: the moment when she left Hogwarts and didn't look back. She looked up into Draco's face to see his expression full of emotion that, for the first time ever, he wasn't try to hide. He was scared, he was worried and above all he was frantic. She understood and nodded.

"I'll wait for you," she whispered.

Draco squeezed her hand before running down the stairs after Bellatrix and her group, leaving Ginny on the floor alone. She went to the Headmaster's fireplace and found a bag of floo powder. A second later she was safely in the Burrow and far away from her Dragon. She collapsed in tears again, this time from a breaking heart.

A/N- So? What did you think? This is what I've been building to for a while now and I'm super curious to know what you all think! As promised, there is one more chapter. It's already written, just awaiting some editing before it goes up. I got an unbelievable 7% response rate from you all this time! Thank you so much for your feedback! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter as there's only one more chance for reviewer response! Speaking of, I'd like to acknowledge your comments:

Never-ending Magic- I'm glad you asked why the Dark Mark was in the sky. I think I answered it in this chapter. It was meant to be a sign to Voldemort that Draco had moved the cabinet so he could alert the Death Eaters. It was never confirmed in the books that Draco has the Dark Mark, so I didn't want to use that way of alerting. Plus, it served as an reason for Ginny to confront him about his darker side.

Wili .lia- I would never say that it seemed boring, just that there was a lot of opportunity for JKR to add more back story. So in a way, I do feel there could have been something more there. At points the plot was a bit predictable, but maybe that's just her wonderful foreshadowing. Though I have to say her Harry/Ginny pairing was too predictable to make it almost boring.

Homerunhitter- I always take the time to mention anyone who takes the time to review my story. It makes for long authors notes, but I feel you deserve it for taking the time to look at what I write.

Denise- Thank you for sucha positive review! I figured that if I was going to change the plot for Draco and Ginny to get together, I needed to explain how the rest of the story would play out! I hope you enjoy the end.

dreams are beautiful, bigreader, stromsten, wickedlover87, Abby, Al-Orange Ninja, Random Potterhead, hanakoxx, PeaceLoveHappinness2000, BrindleRo16, and anon- Thank you all SO MUCH for your feedback! I can't remember receiving such positive feedback before. It makes me so happy that you enjoy what I write!

Lucy X-teen, mysteriouslife, Treebrooke, HarryPotter fan2311, morgymoo1995, and VioletWolfe- Thanks for adding me to your favorite stories or story alerts. Let me know how you feel in a review? Thanks!