* * *
Bill, Charlie and the group of Ministry witches and wizards ushered a startled Fred, George, Ginny and Draco into the vast building.
They all flocked into a big room in which there stood a huge, round table. The Ministry members smoothed their robes, sighed and sank into the many chairs that surrounded the table.
Fred and George looked at each other, shrugged and took two seats beside Bill and Charlie.
Draco and Ginny were too perplexed and uptight to do something as relaxed as sitting.
Ginny glanced at Draco. He was wringing his hands, a skeptical look on his face.
An old wizard who was sitting in an ornately carved chair stood up and began to speak in a voice as rusty and gritty as old sand.
"As most of us know, our world has rarely seen a time when there has not been a threat posed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Of course, we all expected that those days were over when Harry Potter got the better of the Dark Lord."
Ginny saw Draco roll his eyes.
"But," the old wizard continued, "We have come to the conclusion that we are most certainly not free from his darkness, as we have all heard over the past days."
"Brilliant observation," Draco muttered dryly to himself.
Ginny, who was standing next to him, gave him a little kick and turned back to the wizard. The old man looked very tired, wrinkly and weathered, as though someone had taken a piece of sandpaper and wore him away.
Ginny found herself wondering absentmindedly which was older: The wizard. Or the ancient pyramid that she could see out of a window in back of him.
But her thoughts were re-directed as Charlie abruptly stood up and addressed the old wizard.
"We know that already, Albert," Charlie said impatiently, "I think the kids might want to know a little more than that too."
Albert looked at Charlie as though he had suggested that they all strip off their robes and go running around the desert stark naked. Albert glanced at the standing Draco and Ginny, then back at Charlie.
"I do not think," he sputtered, "That these children need to know any more than they already do. Just think how it would haunt them!"
The watching witches and wizards raised their eyebrows and stared at Albert.
"I do believe," said Bill, rising out of his chair as well, "That they have the right to know everything."
"They are far too young to truly understand-" Albert began in a determined voice, but he was cut off as Draco gave a sudden angry yell and pounded his fist on the table.
Everyone's heads snapped towards him, eyes wide and unblinking.
Dracos dazed and confused look was gone. It had been replaced with an angry sneer. His rage was reflected in his eyes, which glittered with inexpressible anger.
"We are not too young to understand," he growled softly, teeth clenched, "As a matter of fact, I think I understand better than any of you. You all talk about the dark days when Voldemort was powerful," he shook his head and sneered as they flinched at the name.
"See?" he continued, "You all fear the name. I was brought up to respect the name, to worship the name," he spat scathingly, "I understand the Dark Arts and everything about them. There is no way you can tell me I'm too young. I know more than you ever will," he finished quietly.
Everyone was silent, still gazing at the blond-haired boy who had just stood up to one of the oldest and most respected members of the Ministy.
Draco glanced around. Then he said, "You all sit here and discuss what you like. I'm not going to be a part of it."
And before anyone could stop him, he gave one last icy glare and swept out of the room, banging noisily through the doors.
There was a tense silence in the room.
Ginny couldn't help but notice that both Bill and Charlie were smirking slightly at the fact that old Albert looked like someone had just slapped him in the face.
"Someone go and get that boy!" Albert cried outraged, quite red in the face.
"Why don't you go Ginny," Bill said softly, trying not to let a grin take over his whole face. Albert had gone even redder and was shaking quite uncontrollably.
"Do you think that is wise?" a witch with a shrill voice piped from her seat, "Should we let them off on their own?"
"Oh, they're only going to be right outside," Charlie replied impatiently.
Ginny sighed. "Very well. Take these for me, Fred." She handed Fred her robes and sweater that she had removed because of the heat. And after a thought, scooped Dracos up from the floor as well, where he had abandoned them when he made his exit.
She gave them to George, who took them as though he was accepting a moldy sandwich.
And Ginny left the room without so much as a backward glance.
* * *
Draco shoved his hands into his pockets and kicked miserably at a nearby stone. Then he gave an exasperated cry and pulled at his collar once again.
"Stupid heat," he muttered darkly, "I'm actually starting to like the idea of those Weasly twins landing us somewhere in Antarctica."
He wandered over to a tall statue that was standing at the entrance to a pyramid on his left. The statue was carved into a beautiful structure of a majestic lion. At the foot of the lion was a carved snake, head raised, fangs bared, ready to strike.
As Draco inspected the statue more closely, he noticed a withered inscription on the stone base. It read:
To all those who dare to wish, it is said this carving will bring forth luck. Rest your hand on the head of the lion and whisper your dream.
Draco snorted. Then he grew thoughtful. Why not? I could do with a bit of luck, he thought.
He rested his palm tentatively on the head of the stone lion. The rock felt smooth and warm under his touch. He closed his eyes.
"I wish to see my father again," he whispered fervently, "And I hope-"
But a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"There you are!"
Draco opened his eyes. Ginny Weasly had appeared next to him.
"What are you doing?" she asked, looking at his hand on top of the lions head.
"Nothing," Draco said quickly, hastily removing his hand and shoving it in his pocket once more.
"You were talking to yourself," Ginny said slowly. Then she spotted the inscription on the statue. She bent down to read it, and then straitened back up and looked Draco in the eyes, her face expressionless.
"You were wishing on the statue," she said.
It wasn't a question. Draco fidgeted, but drew himself up to his full height and faced her.
"And if I was? There's nothing wrong with that is there?" he said fiercely, then he looked away from her inquiring eyes.
All of a sudden, he remembered the time at the beginning of the year when he had mocked her for wishing on a shooting star.
He gasped and looked quickly at her. From the comprehensive look on her face. He could tell that she remembered the incident too.
She looked at him with determination and said in a clear, final sort of voice, "Of course there's nothing wrong with wishing. But I have known that all along."
Draco stared at her in disbelief as she turned her back on him and placed her hand on the statue right where his had been.
Draco heard her whisper something, but couldn't hear what it was. When she had finished, Ginny turned back around and faced Draco.
"They want you to go back to their counsel. Let's go," she said as if nothing had just happened, as if she had just found him standing there.
She began to walk back towards the building. But she had only gone two steps when Draco reached out and grabbed her arm, spinning her around.
"Not so fast," he said, his grip on her arm very tight.
"What?" Ginny cried, bewildered.
As confused as Ginny was however, it was nothing compared to what Draco was feeling.
He couldn't believe what had just happened! She had been given the perfect opportunity to make him feel like an idiot! She had caught him wishing on a statue! If she did indeed remember how much he had made fun of her for doing the same thing on a star, why hadn't she seized the chance to get back at him?
"Why didn't you, I mean how come you didn't let me have it for wishing on that statue?" he stammered quietly, a little embarrassed.
Ginnr grinned suddenly.
"I think you've been hanging around with Slytherins too long," she laughed, "I don't think you're used to decent people."
Draco turned even redder, but before he could reply, Ginny stopped him.
"Enough of this," she said briskly, "We have to get back. And let go of my arm, you're cutting off my circulation."
Draco looked down and noticed that he was still gripping her arm. He dropped it quickly.
"And please, no more angry outbursts," Ginny pleaded as he reluctantly trailed after her.
"I couldn't help it," Draco said shrugging, "That Albert fellow was quite a prat. Didn't know what he was talking about."
Ginny gave a thoughtful "Hmm…"
"And," Draco added with rigid bitterness, "All that rubbish about famous Harry Potter saving us all."
Ginny halted and Draco nearly walked into her.
Ginny whirled around to face Draco, her eyes blazing.
"I can't believe you," she whispered softly, so taken aback she couldn't even shout, "I honestly don't believe that even in the midst of all this, you would have the nerve to complain about Harry."
Draco took a step backward. He had never seen her this mad. Then he frowned. He couldn't let her get the upper hand.
"Well, everyone's always talking about him!" yelled Draco, letting all of his fury loose, "I'm sick of it! There's nothing special about him! If his mother hadn't dies for him, Harry Potter wouldn't even be here!"
Ginny seemed to swell up, like she was about to explode.
"How dare you?" she shrieked, her eyes snapping, "If it weren't for Harry, I wouldn't be here right now! He saved my life don't forget!"
"Oh yes," Draco sneered sarcastically, "Let's not forget about that one. The famous Potter saved the Weasly girls life. I am so grateful for that one."
Ginny didn't speak for a few seconds, she couldn't get any words out. Draco made her so mad!
"If you had half the bravery and kindness Harry had," she said quietly, her voice shaking, "Maybe you would be able to amount to something."
"And that's just what I want, to be like Potter," spat Draco, "No thank you, I'll pass. I'd rather not get my head cut open to have people think I'm something great."
Ginny let out a fierce cry. "I don't know why I even bother! I don't know why we are discussing this either! What is the matter with you Malfoy? Do you just enjoy making me angry?!" she yelled, flinging up her hands.
Draco laughed icily and was about to reply scathingly when a huge rumble, like thunder coming closer and closer began to penetrate the silence of the vast desert.
They both stopped shouting and glanced around fearfully, not knowing what was going on.
Then, to their right, Bill and Charlie and a large group of witches and wizards came running frantically towards them, pushing the twins ahead of them.
"Quick! Into the pyramid!" They shouted, shoving Fred, George, Ginny and Draco into the large opening.
The four children landed in a heap on the floor.
"No time to explain!" Charlie yelled.
"The pyramid is enchanted, you'll be safe in there!" shouted Bill, looking petrified.
And before they could ask any questions, Charlie conjured a stone door that fit into the opening of the pyramid.
Fred, George, Ginny and Draco all pressed their ears to the stone, trying to hear what was going on.
The rumble had turned into a deafening roar as loud as twenty dragons.
They could hear screams and shouts and blasts from wands coming from the outside of the pyramid.
"What do you suppose could be happening?" Fred gasped, shocked.
"Shut up Weasly!" Draco whispered impatiently, shoving him in the ribs.
"Don't!" Ginny cried, pushing Draco, who tumbled to the stone floor.
Fred, George and Ginny all turned and looked at him.
Draco stood up and brushed himself off. His face expressionless, he took one look at them all, and turned and walked in the opposite direction, into the depths and darkness of the ancient pyramid.