~Ch. 2- The Rumor~
Night had fallen by the time the Hogwarts student entered the Great Hall, and the enchanted ceiling reflected that, the magicked stars beaming down on them all with realistic luminosity.
Draco did not move towards his usual seat in the middle of the Slytherin table, the perfect place to capture all the attention of his peers, but instead picked a seat at the very end. His heart sank as he saw the other Slytherins giving him strange looks, starting to whisper to each other. It was no use. He couldn't just be left alone. He had to keep up appearances.
Fixing his old, sneering smile on his face was almost painful, but he did it, standing up fluidly and reclaiming his normal place, to the relief of Crabbe and Goyle, who had begun to wonder if Draco were angry with them for some reason.
The Sorting ceremony began, and Draco made his usual sarcastic comments and insults towards the first years that weren't chosen to join the table of Salazar Slytherin. And the others around him responded with their usual sniggers. He had never realized how fake they all sounded, so contrived. They had always looked to him out of fear, not real respect. He had just been too full of himself to see it before. The feeling of illness returned. When the feast came, he pushed his food around on his plate, not able to eat anything.
Ginny was feeling rather ill herself. As the first years were sorted, she cheered for those who joined her at the table, but she kept stealing glances back towards the Slytherin table.
Draco was certainly acting his usual self... save for his eating habits. She glanced down at her own plate of food and decided to try and stomach a little. However, concern for Draco was present on her mind, and she almost felt bad about eating, knowing that he was over there, not eating himself.
Putting on a smile as she glanced around the familiar hall of Hogwarts, she decided that she should at least be smiling. If Draco were to look over, she wouldn't want him to know she was so concerned. It might just creep him out.
Hermione paused in her eating to glance over at Ginny. "Hey, are you okay?"
Ginny nodded quickly. "Fine. I'm just not really that hungry, is all... I had a lot to eat on the train." She lied, but it was enough to get Hermione off her case.
Towards the end of the feast, Dumbledore stood up to make his announcements. They were nothing more than new sets of stricter rules for curfews and wandering around school grounds, which only seemed to bring back to them that they still lived in a time of danger, now that Voldemort had been resurrected to his position of former power. The Aurors and the Ministry were working hard to find him, and everyone knew Dumbledore was implementing his own plans, but still it wasn't safe for Witches or Wizards to be out by themselves anymore.
Following the announcements, they sang the Hogwarts school song, silly enough to bring a smile back to most of the kids' faces. But Draco didn't sing, although he had a pleasant enough voice. He was staring at his plate, struggling with himself for the umpteenth time, debating whether he should to go to the authorities and confess all he knew, while his fear rose and fought the urge with intensity.
His fear, and his guilt. The Muggle child… he had done nothing. Nothing, to save her from his father's merciless torture. What could he possibly hope to do now, if he couldn't even save one single little child?
Ginny normally liked singing the school song, despite the fact of it's silly nature, but she frowned and her mood darkened upon seeing Draco. She wanted to talk to him, but she knew not to push him. If she did, then maybe he'd never talk to her.
After the song, they were all excused, and Draco pulled himself out of his chair, his silver-blue eyes turning heavily once more to the Faculty table before turning away again. No, he could do nothing tonight. He felt drained, tired. And yet he dreaded the prospect of sleep.
As he walked out of the room, he ended up walking pat Ginny Weasley momentarily, and his gaze caught and melded with hers. His mouth opened, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. He had no idea what he might have said. He broke his gaze and hurried away, lips now compressed tightly.
Leaving the feast, Ginny scanned through the people lightly and found her eyes resting upon Draco Malfoy. She paused as it appeared as if he would talk to her, but as he pulled his steely blue gaze from her, he moved away, not a word spoken.
Ginny couldn't hide her disappointment. He had come so close! Chewing on her lip, she decided that she'd merely go to bed early that night. She knew she would only think about it if she were awake. So sleep was the best. The separate houses moved to their common rooms, and Ginny could relax. The password, "Hoodwink" was said, and the students made their way in, chattering and moving about the common room.
Ginny herself simply made her way up the stairs, automatically changing into her sleepwear. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. All of the commotion about Draco that she had caused in her head had made her forget the fact that she had just come back from a long trip to Beauxbatons, and that she was incredibly tired.
*
Draco followed the familiar route down to the dungeon, wherein lay the secret entrance to the Slytherin common room. He bespoke the password numbly, and entered, brushing past Crabbe, Goyle, and the others. Pansy Parkinson came up to him, batting her short eyelashes in a rather repulsive manner. "Oh Draco," she breathed in that whiny voice of hers, and he felt is ire rising more with every word. "I missed you over the summer, I hope you-"
"Kindly remove your hand from my sleeve," he told her coldly, his eyes turning to chips of ice as he looked down at her. Whatever she saw in his look, she backed up swiftly. Draco took the spiraling steps to the dorms two at a time. He had his own private room. His father's name and money had ensured him that throughout his terms at Hogwarts. If only he could have his own private classes, private dining hall, private library. That way he'd never have to face another person again. That would be just fine with him.
He angrily slammed the door behind himself, and dragged off his robes. He settled down into his large, four-poster bed, blowing out the last candle, and allowing the darkness to enfold him. Draco's eyes stared up at the ceiling that he could no longer see. If only there were a spell to gift him with a dreamless sleep, just for one night. To grant him peace for a few hours of rest.
At last he closed his eyes. And the nightmares came to claim him.
*
Lucius Malfoy walked towards his son. He shook him awake. "Get up, Draco. It's time."
Draco sat up immediately. He didn't have to ask time for what. He knew.
He put on the dress robes his father handed him, made from special black silk with silver thread embroidery, stitched in patterns of forbidden and secret Dark Arts runes and symbols. And on the back of the robes, was the skull with the snake emerging from the jaw. Voldemort's symbol. The ultimate in forbidden and secret.
He followed his father through the thick woods, than followed the group as more figures joined them, and Lucius Malfoy became indistinguishable. They all wore their robes with the hoods up, the eerie masks hiding their faces from the world. They blended in perfectly with the shadows of midnight, with the dead hours before sunrise. Only Draco was unmasked.
Draco looked around. Fear filled him like cold water. One of the Death Eater's stepped out, towards him. The others formed a circle around them both. The Death Eater pulled out a wand, pointing it at Draco's heart.
"Crucio," Whispered a low, quiet voice.
Pain filled him, pain like he'd never known. It drove him to his knees, ripped scream after scream out of his throat, filled his ears with the sounds of roaring. It seemed impossible to hope that it could ever end.
But it did. The voice spoke to him again.
"You know what you must do. And you know what will happen if you don't."
Trembling, aching in every part of his body, Draco managed to drag himself to a somewhat standing position. His cheeks were wet with tears, tears that had been brought forth by the pain. He couldn't face that again. He wasn't strong enough. He drew out his own wand. This time the tears returned because of his own self-loathing. He was so weak.
"Yes." He answered hoarsely, his throat raw from all the screaming.
The circle opened. A person was dragged in, whimpering and sobbing. Draco didn't look at their face. He couldn't. His arm lifted, and it was like another person was inside his own body, moving it, while he watched horrified, from a distance.
"Crucio," Draco intoned, feeling something deep inside himself shrivel up and die.
The person began writhing in the forest loam, shrieking and screaming from the agony of the curse. Draco's tears continued to fall. But he didn't stop. The person opened their eyes, capturing him suddenly, the green eyes looking towards him with fear, hatred, pleading, and begging, all at once.
And something else.
Compassion.
The wand fell from Draco's fingers, as he dropped to his knees beside her, taking her into his arms. Blood tears streaked her cheeks. Her eyes now stared off at nothing. An agony worse than the Cruciatus Curse seized him. Another scream spilled out of him against his will, but this time it was a name.
"GINNY!"
*
Ginny Weasley's eyes opened that morning quite early. She was certain there was quite a while before classes, but she wanted a fresh start. Climbing out of bed carefully, she went to go wash up and get ready.
Some long time later, with her hair freshly washed and dried and smelling of violets, and her face slightly touched with make-up, Ginny felt ready to tackle the world. Making her way downstairs, she noticed she wasn't the only one up. There were a few Gryffindors up, the earlier risers, curled up in books or playing chess before breakfast.
A small group of Slytherins descended upon Ginny like stooping vultures, as soon as she entered the hall. They ringed her, their faces all filled with sly looks. They all began pelting her with taunting questions and sly comments.
"Sleep well, Ginny?"
"How'd you manage to sneak around Filch? No students allowed out of their beds at night, that's the rule. Maybe we should tell him."
"Maybe you could use a Detention. Might teach you your place."
"Are you tired, Ginny? You look a little… worn out."
"Never knew Draco had a taste for slumming with short little red-headed witches."
"Did you enjoy yourself, too? Is Draco any good?"
"Yeah, we sure know he was enjoying himself. Screamed your name loud enough to wake the dead."
"Woke us up, that's for sure."
"Never knew you were like that Ginny, maybe when Draco's finished with you, we might have some fun together."
The group dissolved into evil chuckling and snickers.
At first, Ginny's expression was one of confusion. But as the questions went onward, she began to realize what they thought she had done, and her face screwed into a mask of horror and revulsion.
"No!" She shrieked. "I didn't... I didn't do anything last night!" The thought of her doing THAT with anyone made her shiver uncomfortably. Much less Malfoy. She couldn't possibly do that with him! And here they were all thinking that she had.
Ginny laughed nervously, but she pushed the nervousness aside. "What even gave you the idea that Draco and I had done anything?" She paused, thinking back to their questions, and then pausing in confusion. "He... screamed my name? In his sleep?"
She shook her head. "Maybe someone played some sort of joke on him and he thought I did it..." She shook her head again. "I just don't see why he would do that... I don't even know the password to the Slytherin quarters... much less how to sneak out at night... why would I even...?" She just trailed off, flopping down at the Gryffindor table.
The group of Slytherins just laughed at her protests, not believing her in the slightest. Most wandered back to their own table. Pansy Parkinson stayed, however, her nose screwed up as if she had a bad smell under her nose as she looked at Ginny. She directed her last malicious comment to Ginny's brother, who had just come in and sat down, as well.
"I'd keep an eye on this one, Ronald Weasley. If Draco would snog someone like her, she must be easy. Wouldn't want your tramp of a sister spoiling your spotless reputation, after all." With a nasty laugh, Pansy flipped her hair over her shoulder and went back to her table before the astonished Ron could have a chance to respond.
Ron turned slowly towards his sister, questions and suspicion in his eyes. Two spots of color were beginning to bloom in his cheeks, a sure sign he was about to blow his top. "Ginny," he said very slowly. "What the HELL is that Parkinson girl talking about?"
This was too much. Ginny bit furiously on her lip, struggling not to cry. "I think Draco spread some rumor about me..." Her gaze fell to the floor in embarrassment. "A rumor that I was sleeping with him... the Slytherins believed him too, because they all heard..." She paused, swallowing hard. "They all heard him call my name last night." She mumbled, embarrassed.
Ginny silently wished she had not made that promise on the way to Hogwarts, to try and help Draco. After she had tried so hard to help him, he had only done one of the worst things imaginable. It was one thing to make fun of her, and another to spread vicious rumors about her.
She continued chewing on her lip as people slowly trailed into the room for breakfast, hoping that Harry would decide to sleep in and skip breakfast. Having Ron know was bad enough, but having to face Harry with something like this made Ginny wonder how long she could hold off tears.
Meanwhile, Ron was working himself into a state of uncontrollable rage. His hands clenched into fists, the famous temper of red-heads rising to the surface. His eyes, normally filled with laughter, now held pure hate. "Draco's gone too far with this one." Ron muttered dangerously.
Suddenly, with no warning, Ron stood up, upsetting his chair in the process. It clattered to the floor, the noise echoing loudly in the still somewhat empty dining hall. But even louder was Ron's shouted proclamation of, "I'll kill the bastard!"
He stormed off towards the Slytherin table, grabbing one of the fourth-years and shaking the flabbergasted boy by the collar of his robes. "Where's Malfoy? Where the hell is he?" By now he'd drawn the attention of every eye in the room.
"I-I-I don't k-know." Stammered the boy. "He d-didn't come into c-commons this morning."
Ginny's eyes widened in horror as Ron moved towards the Slytherin table and grabbed the boy. Scrambling to her feet, she ran towards Ron, grabbing his arm.
"Ron, no! Stop that! First of all, that boy didn't do anything to you. If you insist on doing something, do it to Draco himself... and I would rather you didn't do anything to him at all, Ron. I don't know for sure that he spread the rumor..." She blushed. "Only that he said my name last night."
She frowned. "Besides, this is enough of a mess as it is, Ron. I don't want it to get bigger than it has to be. It'll be more embarrassing. Please, Ron?" Ginny wasn't sure if she'd be able to get through to her brother.
But she already knew the humiliation was going to be impossible to bear. Maybe if she just didn't go to class for the next couple of days, it'd just blow over. Besides, she had spent a whole summer at school in Beauxbatons. She was already far ahead... it wouldn't hurt to miss a few days.
Most of all, she just wanted to avoid Potions. Snape would surely find some way to turn this on her, some way to take points from Gryffindor on the first day. Having those Slytherins break the news to her in such a way made her dread going to Potions.
Besides, she could always just say she wasn't feeling well... but then she'd have to go visit Madam Pomfrey. It wasn't easy to fake a sickness in front of her.
Ron dropped the boy, turning to glare at his sister. "What, you're trying to protect Draco now? What does that say, Ginny?"
But immediately, he abandoned his glare for a more apologetic look. "I'm sorry," He mumbled. "I know you'd never…" he sighed in frustration. "Look, it's obvious he did this just to be cruel. To you, to me, to Harry, whoever. He's a bastard, Gin. A useless, lying prat. And I am going to take a page from Mad-Eye Moody's book, and turn him into a ferret."
So saying, Ron headed for the exit, trying to recall the way into the Slytherin dungeons from his second year when he and Harry and drank Polyjuice potion and snuck in. On his way out, he bumped into none other than Draco himself. Reacting with anger, Ron put his hands in Draco's chest and shoved.
Draco stumbled back then regained his balance, glaring at Ron in confusion and annoyance. "What was that about, Weasley?"
Ron drew his wand on him for an answer, snarling. "Don't play stupid Malfoy, although I know you can't help it. You're spreading rumors about my sister!"
Draco stared at him in disbelief. He looked tired, as if he hadn't gotten much sleep, and there were dark circles under his eyes. He was even paler than usual, too. "Sod off, Weasley." He muttered. "Use common sense, for once. It's barely the first day of school. And I just woke up. Even if I'd wanted to, and I can't imagine why I would, I haven't had time to say a word about your bloody sister."
Ron sneered. "You have said at least one word, apparently. Calling out my sister's name at night. What the hell you trying to pull with that, Malfoy?"
Ginny felt anxious as she saw Ron head off, and she knew that he would probably try to do something stupid. Like, seriously turn Draco into a ferret. Stepping quickly after him, she didn't notice Draco's presence.
"Ron, you can't just go and do something to him... It's not right."
And then she noticed Draco, and her cheeks flushed red, biting on her lip to prevent herself from crying. She knew he'd never let her forget the end of it if he saw her cry. Especially if it was because of him.
There was so much she wanted to say to Malfoy, so much anger she wanted to take out on him, so much frustration... But her promise kept her from all of that. She was going to be nice to Draco, like it or not.
So she gave a slight nod as a greeting, fighting off the blush. "Good morning, Draco."
At the reminder to his nightmare, Draco had frozen, a vision flashing before his eyes, and he saw her as she had been in the last part of the terrifying dream- her eyes wide and dripping blood, staring off into nothing, limp and lifeless in his arms. He shuddered, closing his eyes for a moment.
But at the sound of her voice, his eyes snapped open, fixing on her. She looked alive, eyes sparkling, hair swaying down her back, cheeks flushed. And to his surprise, she greeted him civilly. Not railing as her brother had done, shrieking indignant accusations at him.
Draco glanced between them, brother and sister, realizing that everyone in the room was silent, waiting for his answer. Well, there was no way he was explaining his nightmare to the whole of the school. And he didn't think he could stomach actually taking responsibility, as if he really had wanted to start vicious rumors. So he had only one plausible option left.
Denial.
Draco raised his voice a little, just barely enough so it would be quite clear to everyone. "I don't know what you're talking about. I never called your sister's name." He lifted his eyes, scanning the room as he made his threat. "And anyone who says otherwise will have a private little chat with me outside on the Quidditch field, tonight."
His piece said, he avoided Ginny's gaze, brushing past them both to sit down at the very end of the Slytherin table, picking up a slice of toast and calmly buttering it, as if nothing had happened.
Ginny's eyes watered slightly and she felt as if she were going to cry for a moment. How dare he do this and then just act like nothing happened, like her emotional state was none of his concern?
She stopped biting on her lip, moving away towards the Gryffindor table again, her eyes following Malfoy as she moved to sit down. Once in her chair, she folded her arms on the table, lay her head down on them.
And then she began to cry.
It was silent sobs, not meant for anyone to hear. But Ginny couldn't help but cry. She just felt so alone, so embarrassed and humiliated, like she had never been in her entire life. And Draco just brushed it off like it was a speck of dust, as if she were invisible and didn't matter.
Draco tried to force down a bite of toast, as the sounds of Ginny's stifled sobbing filled the hall. Everyone had settled down, talking in whispers amongst themselves, casting Draco and Ginny knowing glances. It was clear that Draco's calm denial, and Ginny emotional outburst could mean only one thing.
The rumors were true.
Draco swallowed convulsively, forcing the bite of toast down. Personally, he didn't give a damn about what people said about him. And in this case, the false rumors would just serve to boost his reputation as an arrogant prick. Using an innocent girl, casting her aside. Lucius Malfoy would be pleased.
And it was that thought that made his stomach turn over, brought back the memory of the dream once again. He'd already been forced to go over it in his mind a hundred times since he'd woken up with her name on his lips, drenched in cold sweat and quivering from head to toe like a scared mouse.
"Get up, Draco. It's time."
Very carefully, Draco stood up, not meeting anyone's eyes. He walked, calmly, towards the exit, and left, turning towards the Boy's Washroom. And then, once he made sure there was no one else there, he gave up the meager contents of his stomach into the porcelain sink.
Finishing, Draco pressed the back of his hand against his mouth. His other hand was trembling so badly it took two tries to turn on the water. But he finally managed, and splashed cold water on his face. He looked up into his reflection, the droplets running down his skin. His ice-blue eyes looked back at him- wide, anguished, afraid.
I'm not going to make it through the school year.
*
Ginny's sobbing continued quietly, just letting the stress of the whole thing drain out through her eyes. She continued to sob until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Looking up carefully, Ginny was relieved to find Hermione, who looked at her with a concerned look. "Ginny?" Ginny only burst further into tears, and so Hermione simply hugged the girl comfortingly.
Needless to say, Ginny felt a lot better after that.