Chapter 19 - Trouble brews

Her first mistake was to acknowledge him.

"M-Marcus Flint?"

There was a moment of complete silence as his eyes took in the brunette. He scanned her from head to toe, from her now frizzy hair to her dainty feet. Recognition flashed in his eyes.

"Mudblood Granger?" He called out in disbelief.

Hermione took a few steps backwards. Must get out of here! she told herself frantically.

His bewildered face quickly changed into an evil-looking one. His eyes gleamed. "I heard you have been hanging around my pal," Marcus Flint sneered. "Enjoyed screwing up his life, don't you?" He waved his wand and flames shot out from it and surrounded them. Hermione let out a surprised scream.

"No escape," he promised.

Draco did not know killing people the Muggle way was so satisfying. Strangling need not only skills, but also patience. Unfortunately for Blanda Allen, he had both.

Not too bad, he praised himself as he observed the pale blond girl. He stepped out from the corner of the beach. I could use this method again next time.

Draco surveyed the beach. Chicks galore. The beach was filled with redheads, blondes, brunettes... even Asians. Next time his fingers itch, he could come here.

Draco spotted a flaming bright redhead with perfect glossy hair. Have I seen her before somewhere? Draco mused, mildly confused. The redhead threw back her head and laughed at something her companion said.

Oh. Yes. Who else had freckles like that?

Draco moved over briskly. "Hello, Weasley." His voice held a friendly tone but his eyes said otherwise.

Ginny Weasley jumped back at the sudden voice. She had not expect a Muggle-hater to be here. She flushed embarrassingly. "What are you- " she started.

Her companion interrupted her. He had black hair and hazel eyes and was shockingly not Harry Potter. "You know him?" he asked, sounding a notch too annoyed.

Ginny looked at him, then at Draco. "Erm- "

"Ex-schoolmates," Draco replied smoothly. Ginny's companion's features relaxed and he nodded. "Would you mind if I talk to her for a minute?" he asked, and pulled a reluctant Ginny away.

"You were surprisingly courteous," Ginny commented feebly.

"I was taught to be polite," Draco said forcefully, then arched his eyebrow at her. "Where's Potter?"

Ginny turned unexpectedly red. "He's on a trip- " Draco gave her a skeptical look. "-He knows I'm here," she added hastily. "Why do you care?"

"I shouldn't," Draco agreed. "But he's a friend of Hermione's. And that leaves me no choice but to be... concerned about his... life. If he has one." Draco tilted his head to the direction of Ginny's companion. "What's with both of you?"

"I'm a reporter," Ginny answered hesitantly, as if that explained everything.

Draco raised his right eyebrow at her. "Should I congratulate you or make fun of you?" He actually looked thoughtful for a moment. "I like the idea of making fun of you better."

"No! No..." Ginny trailed off. "I'm, uh, going to interview him."

"And write about what? Your sex life?"

Ginny blushed again (Weasleys, Draco thought disgustedly. Totally predictable.). "No! He's the, uh, Minister of..."

Draco pretended to gasp. "You are making love with the Minister of Lalaland? Not bad, Weasley. I didn't know you had potential."

Ginny suddenly flared up. She reached forward to hit him, just when a strong gust of wind blew past them, almost knocking her off balance. And she saw it. The Dark Mark.

"Y-you're a Deatheater?" Ginny asked, terrified.

Draco rolled his eyes. "No, that's my tattoo." He smirked at Ginny. "Scared?"

"Of course not," she said lamely, taking a few steps back.

Draco was about to give her a horrible scare when a scream rang out, loud and clear. Everyone on the beach should have heard it, but nobody moved. Ginny's eyes did widened though.

Draco's heart gave a terrible lurch. That scream... "Hermione's in trouble!" he exclaimed. Suddenly, he could not think straight. "I need to find her," he muttered under his breath.

To his surprise, Ginny told him to hold on. He watched her walk back to the so-called Minister and then, back to Draco, after exchanging a few words with him. "All right, let's go."

Draco looked at her incredulously. "Let's go?" he repeated.

For a second, Ginny looked unsure of herself but she recollected herself quickly. "Surely you know where Hermione is?"

"Of course!" he said indignantly, stupidly falling into Ginny's trap to question his 'knowledge'. Both of them walked quickly, with Draco in front of Ginny to lead the way. All of a sudden, Draco stopped and Ginny almost crashed into him. "She's not here!" he announced, sounding almost hysterical.

The spot where the Malfoys and Hermione had arrived an hour ago was not at all touched. Or maybe Hermione set up that umbrella and someone came along to mess it up. Draco started to hyperventilate. As a result, he got a sick feeling in his stomach. "Do you think Hermione is kidnapped?" he asked Ginny, breathing like he would die if he stopped.

Ginny looked at him, hard. Draco's face was ghastly white and he was perspiring unnecessary. She had never seen Draco look so worried, so concerned for somebody. He looked as if he would kill himself if anything happened to Hermione.

"I don't think so," Ginny said finally. "Can you use telepathy to get Hermione?"

Draco nodded briefly, and his eyes went out of focus for a minute. "She's at the forest."

"What do you want?" Hermione shouted, perspiration droplets ran down her forehead.

"Your death," Marcus Flint replied coolly. "I want to see you catch fire"

Hermione shuddered, despite the scorching heat from the fire and the sun. "You could die as well!" she screamed. "Why don't we talk over it?" Why did I leave my wand in the Manor? Hermione asked herself silently, getting mad at herself.

Marcus Flint laughed shortly. "I won't die. I will just Apparate myself when it gets too hot." He paused. "Talk about what? How you should die?"

Hermione was about to retort when she sensed another presence - or two - in the forest as well. Marcus Flint must have too, for he turned his head ninety degrees clockwise in the direction of the 'newcomers'. Hermione turned as well and was stunned to see Ginny. Along with Draco, of course. She even had the time to think that Draco changed his mind about her and turned to Ginny.

"Draco, perfect time to come," Marcus Flint said, smiling. The smile was quickly turned into a frown when he spotted Ginny Weasley. "Are you hanging out with her now?"

Draco saw his favourite look, hurt, flash on Hermione's face and immediately shook his head. "Flint, what are you doing? Get out of there at once."

He followed Draco's action and shook his head as well. "You have to choose, Draco. Your four-year housemate or the Mudblood."

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Author's Note

Oh My God. I cringe when I read this chapter. I made Marcus sound so psycho! Oh puke. There's only one or two more chapters to go in this story and then we move on to the sequel. Yippee! I can't wait. I want to thank all of you for reviewing especially LilFlyergirl, lexi wood, SnOwAnGeL. You three practically review for every chapter. Makes me want to cry when I saw that number of reviews today. I was like, ohmygodohmygodohmygod. Even my friends are teasing me. Hehe. Do you think I can expect my next story to hit over 100 reviews?

LonelyGer