The favor
Ginny watched as Malfoy stalked back and forth in the room of requirement. She felt nervous of his reaction since the moment she told him of Voldemort's plan. Harry stood beside her, tenser than she had ever seen him before.
Harry said irritably, "So, what are we going to do? We can't very well leave Ginny in this mess!"
Malfoy glared at Harry, "Forgive me, Potter, but your girlfriend is not of my concern."
Ginny interrupted then, "It will be, Draco. Harry has seen that it will be."
Now Malfoy stopped pacing. He glared at her and spat, "I'm Malfoy to you, blood traitor. And what does Potter now have some psychic powers where he can read the Dark Lord's mind or something?"
Harry glared at Malfoy and rightfully so. He said, "I've seen what the Dark Lord wants you to do, Malfoy. It ain't pretty. You better protect her with all of your power."
Draco stared at the pair of them and whispered, "And you really think you can defeat him?"
Harry stared at Draco in disbelief, "If anyone can, it's me. That's all I can tell you."
Draco nodded, "So what do you want me to do with her?"
Ginny interrupted and glared at him, "Firstly, I'm right here, so you can acknowledge me to my face and personally while you're at it. Secondly, I do not like this proposition any more than you do. Let's just be clear on that."
Draco rolled his grey his irritably, "Yes, yes, Weaslette. What would you like me to do?"
Harry swallowed now and said, "I've seen that Voldemort will try and use Ginny to get to me. I'm not coming back to Hogwarts next year. Neither is Ron or Hermione. So, we cannot protect her. We needed someone the inside who can."
Draco scoffed and laughed, but also had flinched at the name. He stared at them and asked, "I'm still not following."
Harry sighed and said steadily, "I want you to wipe the fact that we have been dating from your chums' memories."
Malfoy chuckled and rolled his eyes. What a simple solution. Only Potter and his girlfriend could come up with something quite so simple.
Ginny growled irritably, "Harry, I knew we shouldn't trust him. You said so yourself he's a Death Eater. Why would he do us any favors?"
Malfoy glared at the pair at the use of the words "Death Eater." He snapped and said, "I'll do it. I just don't see how it will make much difference."
Harry held on to Ginny's hand tightly. He had orchestrated this. He needed to go through with the plan of its execution. He despised the idea of having to ask Malfoy for assistance more than anyone. He continued, "And it would be even more helpful if you and Ginny could befriend each other."
Malfoy's face snapped up from his patrolling around the room with disgust when he heard the last part. He glared at the two of them, "Are you INSANE? What benefit would I receive from having the Weaselette as my friend?"
Harry growled and said irritably, "She's my girlfriend. Don't you dare talk about her that way." Malfoy crossed is arms angrily, "I'll talk about the Blood Traitor how I want to, Potter. She means nothing to me and neither do you. So, I don't see why I should help. There's nothing in it for me."
Ginny whispered softly, "Only that Voldemort will want to meet with me when he chooses to. It would look good that you swapped me over to your side. He also knows I had a crush on Harry for all of these years. It would look mightily impressive to have coveted me to you."
Draco stiffened in his pace. He clearly had not thought of this. Typical. Ginny knew he hardly thought of anyone but himself. He rolled his eyes, "Well, that seems like a small win in comparison to all the favors I will be carrying out for you. I suppose there is more to the pile?"
Harry nodded and stepped closer to Draco, "If we win the war, I will guarantee your and your families' personal safety and exemption from all wrong doings. Whatever they may be." Draco raised an eyebrow so high that he could barely hide his surprise. He asked suspiciously, "And why would you do this for me, Potter?"
Harry sighed and pulled out a contract he had prepare d during the week for this meeting, "Because, unlike others and even though we are enemies, I don't believe you are evil deep down, Malfoy. Lost, yes. But not evil."
Ginny smiled at Harry in a way that was blinding. Draco stared at the pair of them in a mixture of revulsion and admiration. He couldn't believe that Potter was doing all of this to keep the girl safe. He must really love her.
Draco grimaced and retorted, "Before you force me to sign that infernal contract, Potter, give me a day to think about it, right?"
Harry grimaced and shrugged, "Fine." He made to take Ginny's hand but Ginny hesitated, "You go along. I'll be with you in a minute."
Harry nearly protested but then head out of the room, leaving Ginny alone with Draco. Ginny got straight to her point, "I swear, Draco, if you double cross us in anyway on this you shall pay. Harry may be forgiving of you, but I won't necessarily be." Draco raised an eyebrow sky high, "Is that a threat, Weaselette? I don't think you're in much of a position to be making those, do you?'
Ginny glared at him and stalked closer, "It is a threat, because if you hadn't noticed, if Harry doesn't come after you, I have six older brothers who would happily do so instead. Think of that." She had the audacity to wink at him then continued, "And by the way, you kind of owe me a long overdue favor." Draco scowled back at her and spat, "I owe you nothing of the sort, Weasley," he mustered with some derision.
Ginny was close to Draco's face now as she whispered, "Yes, you do. Your family owes me the time that I was under the influence of that diary. Time that I will never get back and almost died from. Think on that too." She smirked as she watched him seethe, and then she slipped out of the door to join her boyfriend who was waiting outside.
Draco cursed the redhead for he knew she was right.,
