Another chapter done, aren't you lucky!

Any mistakes are mine and mine alone. Enjoy!

Chapter 14.

Harry and Ginny's 'marriage' was the talk of the school for weeks. Everywhere you went students would huddle in shadows muttering about it.

One morning, while in the Library before breakfast, Hermione had had enough. After repeatedly telling some girls from Hufflepuff to lower their voices about the papers and if they were ever going to release photogaphs of the event and of Ginny's dress, (Didn't they know important exams were coming up?) she crossly slammed her books onto Gryffindor table making the others jump in their seats. "Is everybody blind? Clearly there's something wrong here."

Ron, who was still mad at his sister, poked at his eggs. "Why didn't they tell me what they were planning? I mean...I'm Harry's best mate, surely-"

"Would you listen to yourself!" Hermione glared at him. "You think he entered this willingly? All year they've bearly spoken to each-other. Harry's been using every excuse to stay as far away from Ginny as possible. And now suddenly they're all lovely-dovey? Something's wrong."

"I think Hermione's right." Jeanie said, loading up a plate. Handing it to her friend she poured herself some juice. "I mean...look at them. Harry's not been the same since they came back. It's Ginny who's in charge. That's not the picture of a perfect, fairy-tale marriage."

The trio glanced to the far end of the Gryffindor table...

"...And then, would you believe, she had the nerve to show up in the exact same outfit as me! Honestly, some people...Harry? Harry, you're not listening to me!"

Harry looked up from his un-eaten food, "I'm sorry, what?"

Ginny frowned, "Pardon, Harry. You say pardon, not what." A sigh, "Your table manners are something we need to work on. Now that we're married we'll be invited to all sorts of high-end events...OH!" She clapped her hands, "I'll need a whole new wardrobe. I'm sure you wouldn't mind..." She smiled sweetly at him.

"Umm..."

"Good morning, Ginny." Came a soft voice in front of them. A female student with dirty blonde hair in Ravenclaw robes, wearing bright pink sunglasses, took a seat opposite them. Ginny glared daggers at the new-comer while Harry smiled warmly at them. "Hello, Harry."

Harry felt a wave of calm wash over him being near his friend."Hiya, Luna. I haven't seen you for weeks. What have you been up to?" Luna smiled and started talking about the new creatures she'd found near the lake, and then her father's magazine.

"Father was quite upset that you didn't want him to cover your wedding, Harry. I thought we were friends."

"Uh...Well..."

"It was a small gathering." Jumped in Ginny, "You know...Parents, people from the Ministry...All very posh, no riff-raff."

"Riff-raff?" Luna's eyes, behind her glasses narrowed, "I'm not sure I understand."

Ginny scoffed, "Well, I hardly call The Quibbler a top end newspaper, would you? That thing's only useful for lining an owl cage with."

"Ginny!" Hissed Harry beside her.

"Lining an owl cage..." Luna swallowed tightly, "I see..." She stood, gathering her bag. "I guess I'll see you around." Ducking her head she headed to the Ravenclaw table.

Harry rounded on his 'wife' , "That was mean, Ginny. Go and apologize."

"Why should I? I don't need friends like that anymore. Now I'm with you I'm moving up in the world..."

"Don't you mean we?"

The red-head waved a hand, "What-ever...Where are you going?!"

Harry turned to face her, "To apologize."

"No! Sit down, right now," grabbing the back of his robes she tugged a little too rough. Harry fell back into his seat, causing the table the shake and his goblet of juice to topple over. "Now look what you've done."

"Me!?" Harry shook out his sodden robes.

Ginny reached into her bag for her wand, after cleaning up the spilled juice and drying off Harry's robes she refilled his goblet, making sure that he had taken a sip before talking again.

"Fine. If it makes you happy, I'll talk to her before the day is out." Harry muttered a soft 'good' before eating his toast. A first year reached for the jug beside her, Ginny glared at him and he shrank back. Keeping the jug close, she made sure to keep Harry's goblet full as he ate, watching as his expression softened and his whole body relax. "Now, Harry..." She leaned closer, "Seeing as I'm doing this tiny favour for you maybe you could do one for me?" Harry's eyes glazed over, slowly he nodded. She smirked, "About this new wardrobe of mine..."

Having finished his breakfast Draco was on the way out when he had seen everything. He was passing the Ravenclaw table when a small hand grabbed his sleeve. Looking down he caught Luna's pale gaze, he raised a brow in question.

"Must be a calming tonic for Harry, but it's very strong. Harry's nearly asleep. Ginny must have gotten something wrong when she made it."

Ignoring the stares he was recieving Malfoy sat near her and whispered, "Are you sure? Harry's never mentioned needing a tonic before. You can only get them from Pomfrey, and you need a note from your Head of House..." His brow furrowed catching the last bit of Luna's sentence. "...Weasley made it herself?"

She nodded, "I thought it was for extra Work-Buddy points for Potions but Ginny never let me help. She'd disappear to the 7th floor for hours on end..." A shrug, "I guess that's where they're living now."

Draco did something he thought he'd never do. He squeezed her shoulder, "Thank-you. You've been a big help."

Another nod, "Please do something. All of us want the old Harry back." She gave him one of her soul-searching looks. "Including you."

Draco nodded. He quickly stood and hurried out the Hall.

He ran up the Grand Staircase, narrowly avoiding groups of the younger years as they hurried to breakfast, to the 7th floor. Into the lion's den, he thought spying the red collars of Gryffindor. With his head held high, taking a deep breath, Draco walked forward along the 7th floor corridor. The Gryffindors stopped and stared as he walked past, hands itching into sleeves for wands. Draco turned a corner and hurried from sight, ducking into an old broom cupboard to wait.

When the morning bell had gone did he dare sneak out again. He walked along the corridor, past the Fat Lady who getting drunk with one of her many friends, down a passageway that seemed to be long forgotten.

Cobwebs, dust and dirt clung to every available surface. The many portaits that lined the walls were now covered and silent. Broken pieces of furniture and suits of armour dotted the stone floor.

The Slytherin stopped by a large masked painting leaning against the wall near a single door. Nibbling his bottom lip Draco glanced back the way he came. Maybe this was a bad idea...

"Hello?"

Draco jumped hearing the voice and span on the spot trying to find it. "H-Hello?" He replied shakily.

The voice came again sounding slightly muffled, "You sound different than the others. There's something about your aura...It woke me up. You know magic?"

Draco rolled his eyes, " We're in a school that teaches magic and I'm a student, so yes, I know magic."

A chuckle, "Ah! This one has fire! No...I mean old magic. Magic worthy of Emrys..."

Draco's eyes widened, "You know Emrys?"

"I know of Emrys..." There came soft rustling, "If you wish to talk more you must be judged. I must see your eyes, the windows of your soul. If you are worthy only then will I speak of Emrys."

Draco leaned forward, the voice appeared to be coming behind the cloth covered painting by the door. Taking the tatty material in his hands he yanked hard. The cloth fell away revealing a painting of a vast cave network.

"Hello?" He said again.

From the darkness of the cave a large shape flew into view at alarming speeds. Draco yelped, losing his footing and landing on his butt. The shape landed on a flat stone table in the middle of the scene and wriggled into a comfortable position, curling its massive wings close to its body.

A dragon, its stone-grey body covered with golden scales from the crest of its head all the way along its back, flanks and tail smiled down at him with bright yellow eyes.

"There you are...I knew there was something different about you. We are the same, young wizard."

The fair haired boy sat there gaping like a fish. "You...You can talk..?"

A nod, "It appears so. Don't dragons talk in this time?"

Draco shook his head sadly, "No. Just a lot of roaring and fire spitting..." His face paled, "You're not gonna spit fire at me are you?"

Looking around the canvas cave the dragon laughed, its massive shoulders shaking. "What gave you that idea? I cannot leave this place. I cannot hurt you if I tried."

A shrug, "I dunno. Maybe it's different magic 'cause you're a dragon?"

The dragon leaned forward on its perch, "So are you." Draco frowned for a moment and then his eyes widened as it dawned on him. His name! His name was Latin for dragon.

At that moment the charm under his shirt warmed against his skin. On instinct he reached for it, but stopped at the last second. His pale blue eyes met those of the dragon as his hand reached for the chain around his neck. As the charm came into view the dragon's eyes sparkled as the sunlight hit the canvas. "You carry the seal of old Cybertron." It whispered, "You are worthy." A warm smile graced its lips. "Now...You wish to speak of Emrys?"

Draco had so many questions rushing around his head he didn't know where to start. It seem that fortune was not on his side, for the moment he opened his mouth to speak, faint voices could be heard from the other end of the corridor. Draco looked around in alarm for a hiding place but found the walk-way to be a dead-end.

He was trapped!

Hey guys and gals.

I hope you've enjoy it so far.

Updates will be a little slower in the coming weeks. With everything that's going on might have less free time to work on projects like this.

Stay safe everyone.