Disclaimer: Everybody should know that I don't own Harry Potter and Company.
A/N: Sorry for the delay. So far this is my longest chapter yet. Thank you so much to Francesca (frananddragon) for betaing. I'm eternally grateful.
Chapter 12: Ron, the Singer
"Well, if it isn't the great Harry Potter," Voldemort said.
"Leave Draco and Neville out of this. Your fight is with me!" Harry yelled.
"That's where you're wrong Mr. Potter, young Malfoy is a traitor," Voldemort said, "He will die, but first he will suffer. I will not give him the satisfaction of getting a quick painless death. Mr. Longbottom fought back, wounded many of my followers and nearly killed one of them. As for you, I don't think I need an explanation."
"What are you going to do to us?"
"I will make your lives miserable; you will help me rise to power."
"I will never help you!"
"You forget; you have already helped me. Without you, I would have never gotten my body back," Voldemort informed Harry, "Why don't you get comfortable and get yourself acquainted with this cell. You will be here for a long time."
"Crucio," Voldemort said.
Harry felt a lot of pain for what seemed like hours. He could hear that Voldemort was laughing.
"Finite incantatum," Voldemort said and he ended the curse, "I do hope you enjoy your stay."
Voldemort turned and opened the door. Harry ran to reach the door but he was too late. Harry was gripping on the cell bars, he watched Voldemort open the door across the room.
Voldemort turned to the Death Eater standing guard.
"Take, the Malfoy boy. Do not hurt him in anyway. If Potter fights back, I give you permission to perform the cruciatus on him, but that is all. I also suggest getting help," Voldemort told the man.
"Yes master," the man said.
Voldemort turned and left. The man walked down the corridor to look for Avery and Nott. He was there in Hogsmeade when they tried to get the three boys. He saw the power that they possessed; he didn't want to end up like Goyle. It was the Longbottom boy that fought Goyle and nearly killed him. If Longbottom possessed the power to do that, what could Potter do? Wasn't he supposed to be one of the greatest wizards alive?
"Avery, Nott. I need help," the man said upon seeing the two.
"What is it Mcnair?" Avery asked.
"I need to get the Malfoy boy. I need help to ward of Potter."
Avery and Nott nodded. They knew what Mcnair was talking about. They were also scared with what they saw in Hogsmeade. How can three boys possess such power? They were amazed. They walked to the dungeon and opened the door. They saw Potter kneeling next to Malfoy.
Harry looked up upon hearing the door squeak open. He saw three hooded figures. He immediately stood up and held out his hand in front of him.
"What do you want?" Harry asked.
The three figures did not say anything; they started walked towards the cell. Harry turned to Neville.
"Neville, can you get up?" Neville nodded.
"Get behind me, your not strong enough to fight back," Harry told him.
Neville scuttled to get next to Draco. The death eaters were advancing. One of them took out their wand and pointed it towards the lock on the cell. He muttered and incantation and the door opened.
"What do you want?" Harry yelled.
"Get out of the way boy," Mcnair ordered.
Although Harry hasn't heard that voice in a long time, he recognized him it as Mcnair the executioner. Harry stood on his ground.
"Crucio!"
Harry fell to his knees. He clenched his fist and bit on his lip. He had to fight the curse. Harry tasted blood on his tongue. His vision was getting foggy. Slowly he raised his hand towards the bed in the corner.
The death eaters were walking towards the boys. Suddenly, Nott saw a bed shooting towards them in the corner of his eye.
"Get out of the way!"
Nott pushed the other two out of the way. The bed hit the cell bars. Harry stood up, because Avery's concentration broke and he was free of the curse Harry held out his hand again. Avery was thrown to the opposite wall adjacent to the door. Mcnair fumbled for his wand, but he was also thrown to the wall. Nott pointed his wand towards Harry.
"Crucio!"
Harry fell to the floor, Nott rushed to Draco and he levitated the boy. Neville rammed into Nott, and Draco fell.
"Crucio!"
Both Avery and Mcnair were standing up wands pointed at Neville and Harry. Nott acted immediately, and levitated Draco. He hurried out of the dungeon not bothering to lock the cell, he just wanted to get out of there, Avery and Mcnair followed. Mcnair quickly said the incantation to lock the dungeon door.
"What do we do to the boy?" Avery asked.
They heard footsteps coming towards them; it was Crabbe.
"We heard a commotion. Master sent me here to see to you three. Did you get the boy?"
"What do you think this is?" Avery said angrily pointing to Draco.
Crabbe saw the tattered figure. He looked at the three men and saw that they had trouble. They all had bruises and Avery was bleeding. Their robes were disheveled.
"Good, bring him to the room, Master wants to see him."
The four men walked up the stairs and along a few corridors. When they reached a big door they entered.
"Put him in the middle of the room," Voldemort told the men upon seeing them. Nott complied and Draco was in the middle of the room. The fireplace, the only light source, was blazing. It was casting a shadow around Draco.
"Heal him Nott," Voldemort ordered.
"Master?"
"Don't question me, heal him! He will die of the blood lost."
"Isn't that what we want Master?" Nott asked.
"Don't ask questions! Just do it!"
"Y-yes M-master," Nott stuttered obviously afraid.
Soon Draco stopped bleeding, but he was still pale. Nott also healed some off his bruises.
"Master, why don't we just kill him?"
"He will not die, not that way."
"Why not just perform the killing curse?" Crabbe asked.
"He is a traitor. Like I told Potter, he will die a painful death."
"Then why didn't we just leave him the way he was?"
"I still need him; there are still many things to do."
"What about Potter and Longbottom. Just kill them to get rid of the problem," Avery suggested.
"The fool Dumbledore performed a spell on Potter. I cannot touch him, but soon, soon we will kill him. I still need Longbottom. This was our mission, to capture that boy. Malfoy and Potter were just bonuses."
_*_*_*_*_*
When Ginny woke up, she found that she was on her bed.
"You're finally awake," Ron said.
Ginny was surprised to hear him; he was beside her bed sitting on a chair.
"Ron, I had the weirdest dream. We were in Hogsmeade and Fred and George bought a pink house. Then the death eaters came."
"Ginny, that was not a dream," Ron informed her.
"What? What happened, the last thing I remembered was Draco yelling at me to leave," Ginny said, "Where is Draco? I want to see Draco."
"Ginny."
"Ron, where is Draco?" Ginny asked getting worried.
"Ginny, the Death Eaters took him. They also took Harry and Neville."
"What! Is anybody doing anything?"
"Dumbledore already informed the Ministry. Everything was chaotic. Nobody knows how the Death Eaters got in Hogsmeade. Many people were injured."
"Is everybody all right? What about Fred and George?"
"They're fine, just a few scratches. Thankfully nobody was fatally wounded. Dumbledore said that they're main objective was to get Harry."
"Harry? Why did they take Draco and Neville?"
"I don't know."
Ginny became silent, she didn't know why but she wasn't worried about Harry. She knew that she had to, but she wasn't. How many times had Harry survived Voldemort's attempts to kill him? Voldemort has tried to kill Harry every year and has failed. She was so caught up in being worried in Draco, that she forgot all about Neville.
"Ginny are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"Ginny…"
"I said I'm fine!" Ginny yelled. She immediately wanted to take it back, Ron looked hurt.
"I'm sorry Ron."
"It's okay. I wish I could say I know how you feel, but I don't."
Ron got up to leave but Ginny got up and hugged him.
"I'm sorry Ron, I didn't mean to snap at you."
Ron hugged her back, "It's all right Gin."
"I just can't help but worry about Draco."
"It's already nine, you missed dinner. Are you hungry?" Ron asked trying to change the subject.
"No."
"Then why don't you go back to sleep. Maybe things will be better tomorrow." Ginny nodded and pulled her blanket up. Ron got up and turned to leave.
"Ron, can you stay with me? Until I fall asleep."
Ron smiled and sat back down on the chair.
"Can you sing for me?"
"Sing?"
"Yes, sing. You used to sing me to sleep all the time when we were little. Why did you stop?"
"I thought that you hated my singing. Besides, Fred and George would make fun of me all the time. I hated that."
"I loved your singing. How can you think otherwise? Don't let Fred and George put you down. They're just jealous."
Ron chuckled at her reply.
"I'm telling the truth. Have you heard those two sing?"
"Unfortunately yes."
"Ron, this is your talent, expose it. I'm sure Hermione would be taken with your voice."
Ron turned red at this, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on Ron, I know how you feel about Hermione. Admit it you like her."
"No, I don't like her."
"Ron, you like her and you know it."
"I don't like Hermione. I love her." Ginny became silent at that. Wow was the only response she could come up with.
"I know. I didn't find out until this summer. I was going to tell her too."
"Why don't you tell her now?"
"What am I supposed to say to her? Hermione, I love you, please go out with me? She'll laugh in my face," Ron informed her.
"How do you know? What if she feels the same way about you? You'll never know unless you tell her," Ginny explained.
"What if she just thinks of me just as a friend. This kind of thing could ruin our friendship."
"Ron, if I gave Draco a chance. Hermione will give you a chance."
"You think so?" Ron asked happily.
"Yes, I'm a girl I know how they think. Besides, you're a nice guy and you look okay…"
"Okay?"
"Well compared to Draco…"
"So now you're comparing me to Malfoy?"
"Well you asked, as I was saying, you have a great personality. You're the best friend of Harry Potter…"
"Hermione is Harry's best friend too," Ron countered.
"Will you please stop interrupting me. You know that's one thing girls hate, to be interrupted when they're talking. What else was I going to say? Now I forgot," Ginny said frowning.
"Do you really think I have a chance with Hermione?" Ron inquired.
Ginny smiled, "Yes, I think you have a big chance. You're only flaw is your temper."
"The Weasley temper. Do you think I should tell Hermione my feelings?"
"Of course, this kind of thing shouldn't wait. Why don't you tell her now, I'm sure she's still awake," Ginny informed him.
"I still need to write a speech. It has to be perfect, I can't just go up to her and tell her," Ron answered, "Enough talking, go to sleep."
"First start singing."
"No."
"Pretty please…" Ginny made a pouting face.
"Fine." Ron started clearing his throat.
"Do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, dooo," Ron said warming up.
Ginny was laughing.
"Hey, I don't hear you singing," Ron said defending himself.
Ginny covered her mouth with a hand to muffle her laughter. Ron glared at her before he started to sing in his low baritone voice. Ginny became quiet, captivated by his voice. Ron was singing a lullaby that they're mother used to sing to them when they were little. Ginny closed her eyes, and continued to listen to Ron. Ginny wondered why Ron never sang in public, he had such a nice voice. Nice wasn't even good enough of a word to describe his singing. Whenever Ginny heard him sing, she would forget all her problems and all the tension would just disappear. Even when he was younger, their father would come home and ask him to sing for him. Arthur would relax upon hearing the sweet, melodious voice of his son. Ron was the only Weasley child that could sing.
Ginny fell asleep quickly after Ron started singing. When Ron heard a light snoring from his sister, he stopped. Ron smiled and he hoped that he helped Ginny somehow. He kissed her on the forehead.
"Night, Ginny."
Ron got up and left her room. He walked down the stairs. Meanwhile in the next room, the door was slightly ajar.
"Good night Ron," Hermione whispered.
-*Dream Sequence*-
"Good morning Lord Henry."
"Good morning Gwenivere."
It was a nice sunny day at the manor. Most of the workers have come to
appreciate the coming of Darien. He has changed so many things; the children especially loved him. While the women and men worked, Darien would play various games with the children. Occasionally he would bring his violin and play joyful songs. He was also loved because many thought that he was kind. About a week after Darien gave Lazarus food the workers found a building built. Darien explained that the building would serve breakfast, lunch and dinner to those who go there.
"Gwenivere, is everything all right?"
"Yes, Lord Henry."
"Is there anything the workers need? Is there anything that you need?"
Gwenivere was starting to feel uncomfortable around the man. Henry was always around her, he was kind, but sometime Gwenivere thought that he was too kind.
"I do not need anything Lord Henry."
"Gwenivere, we need help inside the manor building. I was wondering if you would like to take the job."
"What kind of help milord?"
"Servant help. One of our servants recently died of old age, and Darien is looking for more help."
"Lord Darien?" Gwenivere asked. At first she hated the man, but her feelings started to change. She saw that he cared for the people that worked in the manor and in the fields. Sometimes when she is walking she would see him playing with the children. The man playing with the children looked happy; he was not the same person she first met.
"If you decide to take the job you will live inside the manor. You can always visit your family if you want," Henry informed her, "You will also be paid for your servitude."
"My I talk with my family about this?"
*_*_*_*
"You, work in the manor?" Reynold asked his sister.
"Yes Reynold."
"You cannot work there. Those…those people are dangerous. Especially Lord Darien."
"Reynold, we need the silver. They are willing to pay silver! Think of how this is going to help us. Besides, this is only temporary until Lord Darien finds a permanent replacement."
"Father, say something," Reynold pleaded with Auctor.
"Gwenivere, do you know what you are doing?" Auctor asked his daughter.
"Yes father, I am doing this for us. Like I have said this is only temporary."
"Then I do not have any objections."
"But father."
Auctor raised a hand at Reynold to silence him.
"Let Gwenivere do as she pleases."
Reynold nodded his head. Gwenivere left the house to tell Henry she will accept. Reynold turned to his father.
"This will do her good. If she lives in the same house as those snakes, she will see their true behavior. She was young and did not know what Salazar did to our family; she will see that his nephew is the same as him. If you are worried about her safety, I have watched Lord Henry. I have seen that he cares for Gwenivere, he will make sure no harm comes to her," Auctor told Reynold.
Auctor looked out the window and saw his only daughter talking to Henry. He hoped that his daughter will be safe in the manor and that she will see the evils of the Slytherins.
*_*_*_*_
Henry was walking towards the manor with a smile on his face. Gwenivere has accepted his offer for the job. He hoped that he would be able to win her heart. He walked in the library and saw Darien writing something on a piece of parchment.
"Good afternoon Darien," Henry greeted.
Darien looked up, "Good afternoon, what are you doing here? Is there something you need to tell me?"
"I found someone."
Darien smiled, "All ready? How did you do it so quickly? Who did you get?"
"Gwenivere," Henry answered happily.
Darien's smile turned into a scowl, "What did you say?"
"Gwenivere Williams has accepted my offer to work here."
"Are you insane!" Darien yelled. He was walking towards Henry, "What did you do? You asked a muggle! Did you hear me? A muggle!"
"I do not see what is wrong. You go into the village everyday and play with muggle children. You have even given food to the people."
"Of course I have given food to them, how would people work if they are
starving? She is a muggle. She will be the first to set foot in this
household. If uncle finds out about her he will hurt you and me for allowing her to come!"
"It is not like I have invited her for tea. She will work, a muggle worker is just as good as a squib," Henry countered.
All the servants in the manor were squibs, but there were of magical blood.
"Did you just hear yourself? She does not know about magic. How am I to work trying to hide everything I do from the girl?"
"Give her a chance Darien. Please, I am begging you to let her come here."
"What do you feel for her? Is this the reason you have asked her here?"
"Yes, please Darien. I want to show her that…I…I admit I have feeling for the girl."
"I have warned you Henry how many times. Why do you still ignore me? Stay away from the girl! If you really have feelings for her, fine, let her come. Then you will see that she is not worth losing everything. She is not worth losing everything you have worked for."
Darien gathered up his parchments and left Henry.
"She is worth it. She is worth everything. You will see Darien. You will see."
*_*_*_*_
Gwenivere was led into a room in the lower floor of the manor.
"This is where you will be staying," Henry explained.
Gwenivere stepped into the room and surveyed her surroundings. There was an elegant bed in the left corner. She saw a window across the room; she walked towards it. She was left breathless at the view.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
She was startled at the voice behind her.
"It is Lord Henry," Gwenivere answered.
The view was of the lake behind the manor. The sunset shining on the lake was beautiful.
"When Darien and I were little, we would play in a lake like that. I still remember the first time I went into the lake. I nearly drowned. Darien saved me; apparently he loved swimming, still does. You might find him bathing in the lake, when he does, just close the curtains," Henry informed her.
Henry turned and walked towards the door, "You're clothing will be provided. If you need anymore help, Clarissa is in the room next to this, she will be more than happy to help you. I'm afraid she is not here today; you can also find help in the kitchen. It is down the hall to your left."
Henry left the room leaving Gwenivere alone. Gwenivere sat on the bed. Soon she heard a voice.
"Clarissa, Clarissa where are you?"
Gwenivere recognized that voice, Lord Darien. Gwenivere walked out the door and collided with Darien. Darien caught her so she will not fall.
"You," Darien said. He was not expecting her to come so soon.
Gwenivere thought that he sounded a bit rude, but she chose to ignore it. Darien let go of her.
"I am sorry milord. Clarissa is not here today," Gwenivere informed him.
"Where is she?"
"Lord Henry informed me she is not here today," Gwenivere answered.
"Is that so? Well, what are you staring at?"
"Nothing milord," Gwenivere answered.
Gwenivere was again left alone when Darien walked away from her.
*_*_*_*_
When Gwenivere woke up the next day, she was surprised to find her self inside a blanket. It occurred to her that she was now living in the manor. She got up and dressed in her new clothes. She opened the curtain and opened the window to air the room. Then she turned red, in the lake was Darien swimming. When Gwenivere saw his bare chest; she immediately turned around. Gwenivere could not believe that she just saw Darien almost naked. She closed the curtains of the window and she left her room. Gwenivere walked to the kitchen to see if she had any work. The other servants immediately greeted her.
"Good morning, you must be the new person here. Lord Henry has told us about you. Why don't you eat some breakfast, we are going to serve the lady and lords when Lord Darien returns from his morning bathe."
Gwenivere nodded and sat next to Miranda, one of the servants she met the day before. Together they ate breakfast. Of all the servants, Gwenivere was the youngest. Most of the servants have worked for the Slytherins for ages and have been loyal to them.
"Gwenivere is your name, is it not?" One of the kitchen people asked.
"Yes it is."
"You are going to serve breakfast today," the person informed Gwenivere.
Gwenivere merely nodded. Justina, another servant came into the kitchen to announce that breakfast is going to start. Miranda got up and told Gwenivere to do the same. Gwenivere was given soup to serve. When Gwenivere left the kitchen, every one started to talk.
"Is she the one?" Justina asked.
"Yes, she is the one that will help Lord Darien," another kitchen help answered.
"But she is a muggle."
"Isn't that a sign? She is the first muggle to set foot in this household. There is bound to be changes. She is needed to change Darien. Salazar has corrupted the boy with his views of muggles. I know she is the one to help him, she is our only chance."
The women stopped talking when Gwenivere went back into the kitchen.
Gwenivere's face looked red.
"What is the matter?" Justina asked.
Miranda started laughing.
"It seems that Gwenivere has witnessed Lord Darien's morning ritual," Clarissa answered.
Everybody looked at Gwenivere questionably.
"I am sorry. When I woke in the morning I saw him in the lake. My room's window is over the lake," Gwenivere tried to explain.
At that everybody understood what happened. They knew about Darien's morning swim, they assumed that Gwenivere saw him. Darien must have noticed Gwenivere watching him and he made a comment to her during breakfast.
"What do you think of Darien?" Justina asked, "Is he handsome to you?"
Gwenivere looked like she didn't want to answer. Gwenivere wondered why Justina did not address him properly; Darien made it clear that is what he wants. Justina saw her questioning face.
"I have helped raise Darien since he was a baby," Justina explained, "He does not mind people that he cares for to address him properly. Of course, around guest we have to do so."
"Lord Darien is like a son to all of us. We have helped raise him until he turned ten. Lord Salazar took him when he reached that age," Clarissa added.
"How can you stand someone as rude as him?" Gwenivere asked.
Everyone went quiet at this.
"What do you think of Lord Darien?" Clarissa asked her, "Answer truthfully, no one outside this room will hear what you are about to say."
"At first I thought that he was rude and he was the same as his uncle,"
Gwenivere answered.
"What do you know of Lord Salazar?" Miranda inquired.
"My father does not like the man. Everyone that I know has only bad things to say of him. Lord Darien said things when he first came that made the workers uneasy around him. As the days went by, I saw that he is different from everything my father says."
"Darien is a kind man, he has matured greatly through the years. He cares about all the workers here. Once you get to know him, you will see what he is really like. If you become his friend he will remain loyal to until the end. He is the way he is because he has suffered through many things," Justina explained.
"How has he suffered? These nobles lead a better life than us, the peasants. While they eat rich food and sleep in rooms with fireplaces we have to scourge for sticks just to light a fire. How can someone like him suffer," Gwenivere questioned.
Justina's face turned cold, "There are many things you do not know about the life those people in that room lead."
Justina was referring to Darien, Henry and Hermia. She got the next course for breakfast and left the kitchen.
"Do not mind her. She cares for those people like her own children. They are her only family," Miranda explained.
"I am sorry. It is hard to imagine nobles leading such a hard life," Gwenivere explained.
"Even if it is hard to imagine, it is the truth. Not everyone could escape problems."
*End of Dream Sequence*
Harry was sitting on the floor on the outside of the dungeon cell. He didn't know how long he has been sitting wondering what happened to Draco. He wondered what Voldemort was referring to when he said Draco was a traitor. It didn't occur to Harry that Draco refused the Dark Lords bidding.
Harry was blaming himself for getting Neville involved in all of this. Neville probably wouldn't have been captured if he didn't help him. If something should happen to Neville, Harry didn't know what he would do.
Harry stood up; he heard footsteps coming down the dungeon. The door opened and three hooded figures came in. They threw a body inside and quickly left and locked the door. Harry immediately recognized the body as Draco and rushed to his side. Neville also got up and went to Draco.
"Is he all right?" Neville asked.
"I'm not sure," Harry answered.
Harry didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure if it was safe to move Draco.
"We have to get him off the floor, it's freezing cold on there. If he stays on the floor he could get sick," Neville informed Harry.
"Fine, help me move him. I can still use magic, I'll move him to the bed."
The bed was amazingly still in one piece. Harry concentrated and held his right hand in front of Draco. Soon, Draco was levitating and started moving towards the cell. Once Draco was on the bed, Harry turned to Neville.
"He was healed," Harry replied bluntly.
"What do you mean?"
"He wasn't bleeding."
"That could mean anything. The wound probably stopped bleeding," Neville replied.
"Do you see the blood in that corner?" Harry asked pointing to where he first saw Draco.
"Yes, but… Maybe you-know-who doesn't want him to die yet. You heard him, he is going to make us suffer," Neville was starting to shake.
"But why would he heal Draco?"
*_*_*_*_
The next day Harry was again sitting on the floor in front of the dungeon door. The door opened and a girl walked in. Harry was surprised to see someone his age coming in the dungeon. He got up and held out his hand in front of him.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.
The girl looked at him in the eye. Harry was surprised to see the resemblance between her and Draco. She had the same gray eyes as Draco and pale skin; she could almost pass as his twin. Their only difference is their hair; she had brown hair whilst Draco had blonde hair.
"I am here to bring food," she answered as if it was the most obvious thing to say. She turned around and brought a tray inside.
"Do you think that we're stupid enough to eat anything you Death Eaters give us?" Harry asked.
"I am not one of them."
"Then what are you? What are you doing here?"
"You should eat. Keep your strength up," she said changing the subject.
"I would never touch that stuff, there's probably poison there," Harry pointed out.
"If they wanted to kill you, they wouldn't resort to poison. Poison weakens the nerves and body causing a painless death. If they wanted to kill you they would do it directly. If you want me to prove it, I would eat with you," she told him.
"I don't trust you." Harry replied.
"I'm not asking you to."
"Just eat the food Potter," said a voice.
"You're awake?" Harry asked.
Draco slowly got up. Harry was immediately by his side. Harry put out a hand to help Draco, but Draco pushed his hand away.
"I don't need help to get up. I can to it myself," Draco said arrogantly.
"You and your pride."
"What is for breakfast?" Draco asked.
"What do you think you're doing?" Harry asked, "You're accepting food from someone you barely know, for all we know she's a Death Eater."
"You know, you made the same assumption for me as well. She is not a Death Eater, believe her."
"Hump, I'll believe her when Voldemort wears a pink tutu, sings a song of the Bee gees and declares his love to McGonagall."
"That's a lot of things for Voldie to do. Potter do I have to force you to eat? If you don't eat, you'll eventually die. What would Dumbledore say to me now? Do you know how much hate mail I could receive for letting you die? You would cause Ginny to feel badly or something."
Harry looked at Draco in the eye when he brought up Ginny. What exactly did Malfoy feel for Ginny?
"Draco, please eat, even if your friend doesn't," the girl asked Draco.
Draco got off the bed and walked towards the girl. Neville, who was sitting in the corner, also got up. Harry stared at Draco; did the girl and him know each other? Draco sat down on the floor and the girl sat next to him. What did Malfoy think he was doing? Did he care if he died? Harry's eyes followed Neville's figure walking towards Draco. Neville sat next to Draco when he reached him. Harry stared at the girl. She was not very beautiful; Harry has seen better-looking girls in school. He thought that she looked somewhat like a servant, due to her tattered clothes. Harry wondered if she was a witch. If
she was a witch why isn't she going to Hogwarts? The girl suddenly looked up and caught his eyes. Harry was surprised to see hurt and something else. Harry couldn't figure out what else she was feeling.
The door suddenly opened and everybody got to his or her feet. The figure that walked in was not wearing a hood; it was Mcnair. Mcnair figured that Potter already knew who he was so he didn't bother pulling up the hood. His eyes surveyed the room, when his gaze fell upon the girl he started walking towards her.
"What are you still doing here?" Mcnair yelled.
Draco got in front of the girl to protect her. He held out his hand in front of him.
"Draco, I'll be fine. Do not worry about me," the girl assured Draco. She stepped around him and started walking away. Draco reached to hold her back. The girl looked up at him.
"Draco," the girl said pleading with him to let her go. Draco complied and the girl left the dungeon. Mcnair followed the girl out and locked the door. Draco was standing where he was, staring at the door.
"Who was she Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"So, we're back to last names?'
"Don't change the subject, who was she?"
"Why would you want to know, she's just another Death Eater right?"
Harry was getting annoyed; he started walking towards Draco.
"What are you going to do Potter? Fight me just to get her name? Her name wouldn't really matter now, we probably wouldn't even see her tomorrow."
"What are you talking about?"
"Didn't you see? She's practically a slave to Voldemort. She's a muggle!"
Harry was surprised to hear that news. A muggle?
"What? Surprised? Didn't you know that Death Eaters did this during Voldemort last reign? They would kill muggle families and if they like someone they would use them. Usually it wasn't for servitude. You had no right what so ever to call her a Death Eater. She didn't even do anything to you and you called her one of the people that she hates most. Voldemort must really like her so much to keep her alive this long. She has nobody and you have to come along and add to her problems."
"I didn't think…" Harry started.
"That's right you didn't think. That's one of the Gryffindor traits I hate so much. All you ever do is jump to conclusion and you don't even bother to listen to the other side!"
"Hey you don't have the right to say…"
"It's the truth! All you Gryffindors do that, even Ginny. Gryffindors think that they're all high and mighty. And you…"
"What about me?" Harry interjected.
"You think the whole world revolves around you."
"I do not."
"Hahaha. You think that whenever someone gets hurt it's your fault. When Diggory died you blamed yourself and started acting so gloomy. In the end, you affected everybody over something you had no control over. You push away people thinking you'll hurt them and you're being selfish. You think that all the problems in the world is because of you, reality check Potter, many of these problems occurred before you were even born, including the problem with Voldemort. Whether or not you were involved, he would have risen up anyway."
Harry realized that everything Malfoy said was true. He has blamed himself over many things. He has pushed his friends away claiming that Voldemort would come after them for being close to him. Harry realized that Draco was right, he was being selfish.
"Potter, my whole point is that you have to learn to trust people."
"What about you? From what I've heard you don't even trust Ginny and she's you're girlfriend," Harry retorted.
"The thing between Ginny and me is none of your concern."
"See, you never talk to anybody about yourself. You shouldn't be preaching about trust, when you yourself, don't practice it."
"There are many things that Ginny needn't to know."
"Really?"
"What do you want to know Potter? Huh! What do you want to know?" Draco yelled.
"Why did Voldemort call you a traitor?"
Draco looked at Harry in surprise. How did Potter find out about that. Draco's eyes narrowed at Harry.
"Fine, if you want to know, I'll tell you."
A/N: I'm sorry to leave another cliffy, but this chapter was getting too long. Thank you to all my reviewers for your comments. I forgot to say something, Harry was not the one spying on Draco, nor was he the person that overheard Draco and Hermione talking in the DADA room. I know that the violin wasn't invented in the early 1000's, but I needed Darien to play some sort of instrument. Let's just pretend that it was a wizard instrument, way before the muggles started playing it.
Let's play a game. It's not really a game, but it involves everyone that's reading this story. I need a name for the girl that brought the food to the dungeon. I just want to get readers involved somehow. The girl isn't really a big character in this story, she probably wouldn't even be seen after the gang escapes Voldemort. If you want more background about her, she's a childhood friend of Draco. I just need a first name, nothing to fancy.
Next chapter: Draco tells his story to Harry.