Chapter 20: Revelations Everywhere
Ginny and Draco entered the warm office of Albus Dumbledore to find several people already there. It was almost as if they were waiting for them, and they were. They just didn't know it yet.
They saw Professor Snape sitting, in the corner, looking very weary and defeated. The others sitting in the room included Professor McGonagall; Remus Lupin, a former Defense against the Dark Arts (DADA) teacher; a black shaggy dog; Narcissa Malfoy; and Molly and Arthur Weasley.
"Please have a seat. We have much to discuss and many decisions to make." Dumbledore said.
Draco and Ginny sat down in an ancient, brown leather loveseat.
"Why did you need to see me this evening?" Dumbledore inquired.
"I was just accosted in the hallway by someone claiming to be a messenger for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"What?" Molly Weasley screeched. Arthur grabbed her by the arm and firmly shook his head.
"Let her continue, Molly."
"Did you recognize him?" This question came from Professor Snape. It was quietly asked, but held an urgent undertone.
"That was what was so odd about the entire episode. He grabbed me from behind, and asked me if I was scared. I shook my head in affirmation, because he had placed a silencing spell on me. Then, he told me that I should not be scared *yet*, to be ready because the Dark lord would be sending for me to finish what we started. The voice was somewhat familiar, but it seemed garbled."
"But the reality is that you have no idea who it was. Correct, Miss Weasley?" Snape asked.
"Correct. It was so garbled I'm not sure how I even understood it in the first place."
"Was it English?"
"Of course, I only speak English."
"Are you sure?"
"I think I would know if I spoke another language." Ginny retorted with just a touch of sarcasm.
"Severus, I do believe if Miss Weasley heard or spoke another language she would tell us." Dumbledore assured Severus and the rest of the room. "However, we may be dealing with something just a bit different here."
"Such as…?" Severus asked.
"Ginny, what did you and Tom start while you were in the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Whoa! Ginny! You are the Heir of Slytherin?" Draco asked in shock.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy it seems you have had several shocks today, no? First, you find out you are Head Boy, then you learn your supposedly sixth year fiancée is the new Head Girl, then she is accosted by a supposed Death Eater and now you learn she was the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets in your second year. Does that about cover your day? Dumbledore asked with a very amused twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes, that does about cover it. Although, I think Ginny and I should probably talk about some of these issues later when we are alone."
"Right, you are. Until then, Ginny, why don't we continue with the Death Eater and Tom Riddle issue, alright?"
"All right."
"What did you start with Tom in the Chamber of Secrets?"
"As you know, I was simply a venue through which Tom could do his worst. He, Draco not me, is the Heir of Slytherin. As I told you then, all I knew about was the Basilisk. I know of no other plan."
"Is it possible she has repressed those memories?" Lupin asked.
"Possibly, but I think she may know with a little bit of concentration. Am I right, Ginny?"
At that, the black shaggy dog stood and transformed into a man, Sirius Black.
Draco, Ginny and Narcissa Malfoy all gasped in terror, fumbling for their wands.
"Really Sirius, one would think you love shocking people that way." Professor McGonagall said with censure in her voice.
"And I would think that by now, Minerva, you would know that was the case." Sirius retorted with a grin on his face, followed with a wink.
"Ahem, Sirius did you have something you wanted to add to the conversation?" Dumbledore asked trying to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"You…You are Sirius Black, an escaped felon." Ginny whispered.
"Yes, I am. I am also innocent. Ask your brother, Hermione or Harry, they know it to be true."
"As do the rest of us in this room…" said Dumbledore.
"For that maybe, but not for other issues," retorted Snape.
"Well, some people didn't and don't…" Sirius started to respond, but Dumbledore cut him off.
"Enough. We will get back to the matter at hand. Sirius what did you want to add?"
"I was going to say that on one of my recent missions, I overheard some identified Death Eaters discussing the next plan from Voldemort. That was why I insisted I must return to Hogwarts, Headmaster. They didn't get very specific, but did say that it was impossible for Voldemort to continue until he got his red-headed witch back through his messenger."
At that, everyone turned to stare at Ginny.
"Ginny?" Dumbledore asked trying to gauge her reaction.
Ginny's eyes slightly widened in comprehension, then disgust and finally in self-loathing. Very quietly, almost inaudibly, she said, "Oh gods! Yes, I do know."
Everyone, especially Molly and Arthur Weasley, turned to Ginny in surprise. As they did, Narcissa Malfoy stood and raised her wand to Albus Dumbledore. However, before she could utter those unforgivable words, Ginny stood and waved her hand in Narcissa's direction.
Narcissa Malfoy flew across the room and landed in the office fireplace. Ginny raised both hands and forcefully opened them in an outward motion. As Ginny did this, she yelled, "Incatatem Finite"
Narcissa Malfoy disappeared in a green haze of smoke. However, she was replaced with Lucius Malfoy.
While Lucius was shaking his head in an effort to remove the haze caused by the sudden ending of the Persona Charm; Dumbledore stood, pointed his wand at him and placed him in a full-body bind. Lucius dropped to the floor with a deafening thump. He was then levitated to reside by Dumbledore's desk, so that Dumbledore could keep a close watch on him.
It was several minutes before anyone could utter anything. Once most of the room had regained their bearings, they all slowly stared at Ginny.
"Umm- Nice job, Ginny, I don't –umm- suppose you would mind telling us how you knew to stop Narcissa Malfoy, I mean –umm- Lucius Malfoy, and –umm- without a wand at that?" Remus Lupin got out shakily.
Ginny dropped back into her seat by Draco and hung her head in her hands. She sobbed uncontrollably.
Draco rubbed her back and muttered incomprehensible, soothing words to her. He continued until all sobs and hiccups had ceased.
Ginny wiped her hand across her tear drenched eyes and raised her head.
She had everyone's attention. She knew they wanted answers.
She sighed and began talking, "When Tom Riddle took me into the Chamber of Secrets and tried to implant my life force into his, he learned that all changes made to a life force come at a price. He erroneously thought that it would be at only my expense. He was partially correct. Had he succeeded in killing me, then he truly would not have had a personal expense to pay. However, I obviously did not die. With this being the case, Tom Riddle paid for the change in life force by sharing significant portions of his life force with me. While, Harry's absorption of some of Voldemort's power comes from his surviving the killing curse, mine comes from his life force being left in me during the exchange process, quid pro quo, if you will."
At this, Molly Weasley loudly drew in a breath and began crying.
"Yes Mother, you understand. I have retained a significant portion of Tom Riddle's life force. The reason I did not remember, until now, is because he placed an obliviate spell on me. However, since I maintain a portion of him in me; I had the ability to undo his spell if given the right circumstances. Those circumstances were provided to me by the supposed messenger of Voldemort. It caused a "trigger" event, if you will. From his life force, I knew the messenger of Voldemort to be Lucius Malfoy. When I was accosted in the hallway earlier, the obliviate spell was triggered to unravel. That was why I was so fuzzy on recognizing the voice. I did know it. It was Mrs. Malfoy. However, I knew that the *real* messenger of Voldemort was Lucius Malfoy. So, when I said that "I do know," my memories had returned and I knew that there was no way that Mrs. Malfoy was herself."
At this, she turned to Draco and looked at him with sorrow. Draco gazed into her eyes and knew the truth. His mother was dead. Thanks to the man he called Father.
He dropped his eyes from Ginny's and out of his peripheral vision he saw her turn back to the others and continue.
"My memories of Voldemort also reminded me that Mr. Malfoy was made the messenger of Voldemort for one reason, and only one reason. He swore Draco's allegiance to the Dark Lord. With that promise, Voldemort performed an old Egyptian spell on Narcissa while she was pregnant to replicate his powers in the infant. Thus, Draco was born for the sole purpose of taking over the Wizarding World. You, Draco, have the combined abilities of Voldemort and the powerful Malfoy bloodline. However, I took some of Voldemort's powers during our exchange. Therefore, Voldemort needs Draco and me together on his side, or dead."
"Miss Weasley, I believe, maybe, I should take over from here." Dumbledore cut into Ginny's explanation.
"Draco, what this means is that together your powers, refined, will exceed Merlin's. At the height of your power, Voldemort and I together would be no match for your powers. Thankfully, Miss Weasley was able to restore her memory before Narcissa, excuse me- Lucius, was able to commit you completely to the dark side of the war. Furthermore, I believe it also means I owe Miss Weasley a life debt." Dumbledore said with just a hint of amusement in his tone.
Draco sat there in silence, a pensive silence. His head bowed in defeat.
Ginny returned his earlier favor of comfort by wrapping her arms around his shoulders and hugging him to her.
After a few moments, Draco turned to Dumbledore and asked, "My father was evil to the core. How can I not already be the same?"
"Mr. Malfoy, I will tell you the same thing I told Mr. Potter a few years ago…by your choices…by your choices."
"I've already made my choice…Ginny." Draco informed the members of the meeting.
"Draco, there is more to this story, but the end result is that we simply cannot be. Together, we are too powerful. Together, we threaten the Wizarding world and all who live here." Ginny told Draco and everyone else.
Draco looked to Ginny and then to Dumbledore. There was no humor in Dumbledore's eyes. Draco felt his stomach fall. He knew it was the truth.
"No. NO! Ginny is the only good thing in my life. I will not let her go."
"Draco, we have to. Don't you understand? Voldemort is still not quite at full strength, but if he ever got his hands on you or me, it would be trivial for him to return. I have copies of his memories, all of them. I have his most impressive magical powers and you are his heir. You can offer him everything but his memories. We must not join. We must not have children." Ginny said with tears in her eyes.
"No!"
"Draco, please don't make this harder than it has to be. I love you, but we cannot be together. I can see from the look on your face you know it to be true."
"I'm afraid Miss Weasley is correct. To make things a bit easier, I asked Mr. and Mrs. Weasley here to take Ginny home for a few months. During that time, we will begin Draco's training here at Hogwart's. You, Ginny, will receive specialized training too. I will be sending a trainer to the Burrow to make sure you do not get behind in any capacity."
"No!"
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley moved towards the fireplace and beckoned Ginny to them. She rose to go, but Draco grabbed onto her. He pulled her to him and hugged her hard. Their sobs mixed together with tears pouring off both of their faces. All the other occupants in the room averted their eyes from the couple to give them some semblance of privacy.
After a few moments, Mr. Weasley walked to the couple and extracted Ginny from Draco's arms. He quickly moved Ginny to the fireplace where Mrs. Weasley was waiting with a large handful of floo powder.
Draco went to go after her, but Sirius restrained him from behind. Draco fought in vain with Sirius, his canine strength just a bit too much for Draco's well built frame.
"No! Let me go. I will not be separated from her."
It was too late. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had already taken Ginny through the floo network to their home, the Burrow.
As she disappeared in the green flames, Sirius let go of Draco. Draco fell to his knees. He obliviously was muttering "no" over and over.