Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for me to post this chapter, couldn't figure what to write. -_- But I made this chapter extra long as compensation.
Chapter 8 Happy Halloween
Azkaban stood silent and empty except for a single wizard guard, Abernathy Tchaen, sitting at the entrance, his head gently nodding in sleep. A faint pop in the still air went unnoticed followed by several more pops and then countless of faint pops; all around Lucius Malfoy were a couple hundred darkly- cloaked Death Eaters apparating, their very presence chilling the air.
"Lumos," Lucius breathed and a green light appeared over his wand, casting an eerie look on the Dark Wizard's face. "Come," he hissed at his followers. He looked at Azkaban, "Here lies the Ministry prisoners. But tonight they will be free, tonight they will be mine." The mass of Dark Wizards approached the prison, their footsteps pattering loudly in the dead silence. Lucius frowned suspiciously. Where were the screams of the insane prisoners? Where was that sudden coldness of a dementor's presence?
Perhaps he felt the Death Eaters' presence, or perhaps for some other reason, but with a sudden jerk, the Abernathy woke up with a start. Wide-eyed with shock and horror, the guard stared at the hundreds of Death Eaters approaching him.
Clutching his wand, Abernathy waited as Lucius walked up. "Stop! Who are you?" the guard commanded.
Malfoy's silver eyes gleamed dangerously. "Fool," Lucius spat. "Dare you order me what to do! Where are the prisoners? Where are the dementors?" He stalked towards the guard, magic building within him. "Tell me, quick! While you still have the chance!"
Years of training as an auror took over and Abernathy reacted automatically. "Expelliamarus!" he cried.
Caught of guard, Lucius didn't react fast enough and his wand flew out of his hand. Abernaty caught it triumphantly. Immediately, Death Eaters swarmed up to the defiant Abernaty, wands pointed menacingly. But Lucius held up a hand, the fluid movement commanding his followers to fall back.
"So," Lucius hissed. "The little wizard wants to fight hmm? Challenging me to a duel? Think I'm powerless without my wand?" Lucius shot out his hands and hissed out foreign words. Raw magic gathered in his hands; then suddenly, through some complicated movements and unrecognizable chants, Abernathy was sent flying straight up into the air. Lucius barked out new spells and with terrifying speed and force, Abernathy was sent smacking down to the ground. Like a broken doll, Abernathy lay, the wands limp in his hands, bones broken in a million places. The fire-hot pain burning all over his body told Abernathy he wasn't dead, yet.
Through bleary, painful eyes, Abernathy saw his coffee mug, his emergency portkey, if ever he needed it, which would transport him to his best friend, Hagrid's, house. Lucius once again hissed out a new spell, but Abernathy reacted just in time. With a cry of pain, desperation, and determination, Abernathy reached out his arms, just enough so that the very tips of his fingers brushed the coffee mug. Enraged, Lucius watched, too late, as the wizard disappeared before his eyes, transported by the portkey.
All around, Death Eaters rushed to where Abernathy once was, as if hoping to stop him. "Never mind," Lucius said, a cruel light in his eyes. "He won't live long. If he's not dead yet, a travel by portkey will finish him off. Fool." Lucius swept back his cloak and marched up to the Azkaban entrance. Hesitantly, his Death Eaters followed after. The empty prison echoed with the clattering of footsteps. Not a single prisoner was behind the walls; not one dementor patrolled the halls. The Ministry has outsmarted me, Lucius realized, staring furiously at the empty cells.
"AAHHHHARRRGGG!" Lucius crashed his hand against the wall. "Aboleoere!" He cried, unleashing his magical energy and sending it out into the walls to tear down the stones and rip apart the ancient protective spells holding the prison together. Let this place crumble,' Lucius thought spitefully. Let nothing stand but pebbles, let the whole world know that I, Lucius Malfoy, am unstoppable! Lucius's Death Eaters stared in terror and awe, feeling the incredible magical energy being released, and then, realizing what was happening, everyone made a mad dash to get out of the collapsing prison. The old stones of Azkaban began to creak as one by one, powerful protective spells were gnawed away. And then, in a sudden burst, Azkaban collapsed as crash after crash, the walls crumbled. When the dust had cleared away, there stood Lucius Malfoy, amidst the destruction. As his followers stared, Lucius suddenly broke into a loud, cackling laugh. "You cannot keep away from me those bound to Dark Magic," Lucius cried. His silver eyes burned an unnatural brightness. "They will come to me, when their master calls!
:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:
Hagrid was humming cheerfully, carving an enormous pumpkin for the Halloween Party at Hogwarts, when he heard a large crash inside his house.
"Fang," Hagrid growled, shaking his head. "Must've sniffed the pumpkin pudding Madime Maxime gave me." Sighing, Hagrid got up and stomped into his hut to see what mischief Fang had gotten into. To his utter surprise, Fang was in the corner, crying. And there, sprawled on his floor was…
"Ab'nathy," Hagrid exclaimed, rushing to where his friend lay limply. "What 'appened to you? You alright? Wait a moment, I'll get Madame Pomfrey right away!"
Abernathy winced painfully and opened his mouth, but all that emerged was a croak.
"Eh, what's that s'pose ter mean?" Hagrid frowned and bent closer.
Abernathy tried to swallow. "L-lucius," he gasped.
Hagrid frowned, fear flickering in his eyes. "Yeh don't look to good right now, Ab'nathy. Why don't I take yeh to Madame Pomfrey?"
His face contorted in pain, Abernathy strove to speak once more. "Listen! It's Lucius," he choked. "New Dark Lord….Lucius!"
"Lucius?" Hagrid cried, his eyes wide. "Wait a moment, I'll go get Dumbledore!"
Abernathy closed his eyes, his body on fire in pain. The next moment, he drifted into unconsciousness.
:::.::
Ginny stared critically at herself in the mirror. The simple but elegant dress robe fit against her form and revealed rather than hid her admirable figure. The dress robe's low neckline only accented the dragon pendant curled at her throat, breathing heavily in its sleep with an occasional puff of smoke. Lip gloss glimmered on her lips and a faint layer of mascara complemented her lashes. Ginny's beautiful complexion didn't need any cream or powder and the faint freckles on her face were actually attractive on Ginny. Her mass of golden red curls were stylishly pinned up in a knot with a few curly tendrils to frame her face. Ginny had picked her silver slippers for comfort rather that fashion, but the shoes matched nicely with the rest of her gown. A light spray of jasmine perfume provided the finishing touches before Ginny deemed herself ready.
Draco was in the kitchen, idly flipping through the wizarding newspaper when he heard Ginny's footsteps descending down the stairs.
"About time," he drawled without turning around. "I was ready hours ago, without the help of my wand or any house elv—" Turning, Draco saw Ginny and broke of abruptly. She looked stunning.
Ginny smiled, inanely pleased with Draco's reaction. "You were saying?" she prodded.
For the first time in his life, Draco was speechless. "I—n-nothing, never mind," Draco replied, desperately trying to regain his cool composure. "If you're ready, let's go." Like a perfect gentleman, he held out a Ginny's cloak for her to put on. Delighted and feeling a bit like royalty, Ginny accepted Draco's help. But as she slipped into the cloak, the ever-mischievous Draco tried to creep his hand up her hip suggestively.
Familiar with his game now, Ginny caught it. "Don't even think about it, Draco," she warned, but there was a playful smile on her face. "No more engagement nonsense. If Ron hears about it," she paused. "It won't be pretty. And remember, starting now, you're Darren Englebert."
~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~
The Halloween Party was held at Mystics Wizarding Hotel. Witches in colorful and wizards expensively tailored dress robes arrived, some in horse- drawn carriages, some in cruise boats that were designed to be steered in air instead of water, and some, like Ginny and Draco, simply apparated. Although it was the middle of autumn, enchanted roses spiraled around pilars, enchanted to bloom every hour. Two moving marble gargoyles stood by the entrance.
"Welcome to Mystics wizarding Hotel," the gargoyles greeted in monotone voices as Ginny passed by. "Welcome to Mystics Wizarding Hotel," the gargoyles told Draco. "Welcome to Mys—"
The gargoyles voices were cut off when the doors closed behind as Ginny and Draco stepped into the hotel. Inside the lobby were many brightly colored wizards and witches, the majority of them wearing Ministry badges and heading down a hallway to the hotel's enormous ballroom. Cheerful waving portraits hung on the walls and little three-feet elves scurried back and forth, some carrying luggages, some giving directions, some running around behind the piles of coats and cloaks they were carrying.
"Sir, Miss, may I take your cloaks?" Ginny looked down to see a prim-looking elf dressed smartly in the hotel's dark maroon colors with a row of gold buttons down his suit. Draco handed the elf his own cloak and Ginny was just about to shrug out of her claok when she found Draco's hands by her own, helping her.
Ginny looked up curiously. "You're certainly being a gentleman tonight, Drac—Darren." But there was a small, self-conscious, but pleased smile on her face.
Draco smirked inwardly. "I wouldn't be doing my job as your date if I couldn't even help you with your cloak. It's called etiquette. Have you never gone on a date before or were your previous boyfriends that bad?"
Ginny frowned, "I've gone to dances before," she flushed, "with Neville. But that was just as friends," she added hastily. "Not a big deal."
"Longbottom?" Draco sneered distastefully. "Then you really haven't gone on dates before. You poor child."
Ginny laughed. "You forget I'm your superior." Swishing her wand pointedly, to remind Draco that he had none, Ginny added, "And hardly helpless."
"No?" Draco raised an eyebrow. "Look at me," he tuanted, putting cool fingers to her chin. Ginny found herself looking into Draco's intense grey eyes.
"What are you getting at?" She asked, disconcerted by Draco's gaze and averting her eyes.
Draco grinned, "I think you're afraid to look at me."
I think I'm afraid of how you make me feel when I look at you, Ginny thought to herself. Out loud she told Draco, a little too heatedly, "I think not." Turning away from Draco, she made her way to the hotel's ballroom. "Let's go," she called back behind her shoulder to Draco.
* * * * *
Despite the sheer splendor and enormity of the Mystics ballroom, the room was still crowded from the thousands of Ministry employees attending the party. Hundreds of tables were set, and already more than half the seats were being filled up with Ministry workers. The only single empty space was the huge dance floor in front of the stage where the talented music group Melting Ice sang softly as background music.
"Oh look," Ginny exclaimed, dragging at Draco towards one of the hundreds of tables around the ballroom. "There's Miranda and her date Denathor with Alice and Harold. Let's sit with them." Draco glanced over to where Ginny pointed at a table of eight, only half-filled, and wasn't surprised to find out he didn't recognize anyone of the people sitting there.
"Hi," Ginny smiled, walking to her co-workers and friends. "Can we sit here?" She gestured politely at two of the four empty seats at the table.
"Oh, hi Ginny," the two girls greeted enthusiastically, their dates mumbling a polite hello. "Of course, you can sit with us." Miranda glanced at Draco and her eyes widened appreciatively. She looked expectantly at Ginny.
"Oh, everyone, this is Darren Englebert," Ginny introduced. "Darren, meet my friends, Miranda, Denathor, Alice, and Harold."
To Ginny's immense relief, Draco behaved perfectly, and was soon engaged in a polite conversation with Denathor about cauldrons.
"Ginny," Alice leaned over to hiss in Ginny's ear. Her eyes flickered back to Draco, "where on earth did you catch such a fine looking man?" Alice giggled flirtatiously. "I'm positively green with envy!"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You don't know Darren. He might look very nice on the outside, but he's…not what he first appears to be. And he can be annoying like heck. Trust me, I know."
Alice shrugged, "I'd trade with you anytime!"
Ginny didn't respond. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a bright flash of red. Turning her head, she saw it was Matilda, dressed in a bright red dress robe with gaudy sequins sown in decorative designs all over her bodice and skirt. One of Matilda's talon-like fingers was gripping her partner, but her eyes were on Draco, like a predator seeing her prey.
"Darren," Ginny hissed at Draco. As if annoyed to be interrupted from a fascinating conversation of cauldrons, Draco looked up and frowned. Ginny jerked a finger behind him. Turning around, Draco saw Matilda and blanched. He frantically looked around, as if hoping to find a way of escape, but it was too late.
"Mr. Englebert!" A sugary gushed from behind Ginny. "What a fancy seeing you here." Without bothering to ask, Matilda seated herself in one of the remaining empty chairs, and dragged her date in the other empty seat beside her. "How have you been?"
Author's Note: Seated in order around the table: Miranda, Denathor, Harold, Alice, Ginny, Draco, Miranda, Miranda's date Otto
"Quite well," Draco replied coolly. "As I hope you've been too." Then pointedly ignoring Matilda, Draco turned and resumed his conversation with Denathor about cauldrons. Matilda looked distinctly displeased.
Both Miranda and Alice were looking at Matilda with open distaste. Like Ginny, neither could stand her. "What on earth is she doing here?" Alice whispered to Ginny, shooting Matilda a venomous look, which was promptly returned.
"I haven't a clue," Ginny replied. "Thought I bet it's because of Darren. She met him with me outside Gringrott's last week."
"Of course," Alice nodded. "The little whore. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on your Darren."
Meanwhile, Matilda was desperately trying to recapture Draco's attention. "Mr. Englebert—," Matilda began.
"You were saying about bottomless cauldrons," Miranda cut in, looking at Draco.
"Oh yes," Draco said, answering Miranda, and once again ignoring Matilda. "I'm no expert of course, but it's my opinion…"
Ginny stifled a giggle at Matilda's expression. She clearly was not use to being ignored. But neither was she one to give up easily.
"What do you think of my dress robe?" She purred again, looking expectantly at Draco.
"I think it's very nice," Otto, her date told Matilda with adoring eyes. All around the table, everyone sniggered, except Draco who gave Matilda a look of such pure disgust that she actually turned red with embarrassment.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Dinner was an enjoyable affair for everyone except Draco. Ordering food was simple, whatever you wanted, you just told your plate, and then the food would appear.
"Tomato soup, please," Ginny said clearly to her plate, and a hot bowl of steaming soup appeared magically on her plate.
However, for Draco, whatever he ordered, Matilda ordered also. "Steak, cooked well-done, with fresh onions," Draco ordered.
Matilda quickly followed suit, "Steak, cooked well-done, with fresh onions."
It wasn't long before Draco was thoroughly disgusted with Matilda.
Trying the most disgusting food he could think of, Draco told his plate "Raw liver with a bit of mustard and a sprig of mint."
"Raw liver with mustard and some mint," Matilda parroted to her plate immediately.
All around the table, everyone stared in amusement, snickering secretly at Matilda and sympathizing with Draco.
"Do you enjoy liver much?" Matilda asked Draco, sampling her food and struggling not to gag.
"Oh yes, it's my favorite food," Draco replied, though he didn't even try to eat any of his liver.
"Mine too," Matilda smiled, eating another bite with renewed vigor. After three more bites, Matilda looked ill, turning an unattractive shade of green. "Excuse me," she muttered getting up and hastily made her way to the bathroom. "My stomach doesn't feel too well." When Matilda returned, she found that Draco had taken advantage of her absence and gone was the heaping pile of liver replaced with the delicious smell of pork chops. Looking at her own plate, she found what Draco had done with his own mustard-covered liver; she now had two helpings of the atrocious-tasting raw liver. Meanwhile, everyone had long finished their own meals and were sitting back, enjoying a glass of fine wine and their generous slice of rich crème pie.
Some Ministry members who had already finished their desserts, were getting up to dance as Melting Ice sang out a new slow-dance song. Ginny leaned comfortably against her chair, draining her glass of wine and enjoying the music. Stifling a grin, she watched as an awkward Ron led Hermione to the dance floor. Not far away, was Harry and Cho, their bodies gently swaying to the song.
"Care to dance?" a low voice said beside Ginny's ear. Pleasant chills ran down Ginny's back as she turned to see Draco. Feeling speechless, Ginny nodded mutely and allowed Draco to guide her to the dance floor. Looking back, Ginny saw Alice and Miranda's encouraging grins and Matilda's own furious glare.
On the dance floor, Ginny self-consciously laid her hands around Draco's neck while his hands rested comfortably around her waist.
Draco could feel Ginny's tenseness. She stood stiffly against him, hardly moving to the music's beat. "Relax," he murmured into her ear. "Loosen up, we're just dancing." Ginny glared in annoyance but did loosen her rigid arms. It wasn't long before she was soon moving with a natural grace that flowed with the music. The two of them danced through three slow dances and two fast ones before Ginny protested she was too tired to dance anymore. "Let's go outside," Ginny suggested. "It's so warm in here."
"Are you thirsty?" Draco asked, inclining his head towards the refreshment table.
Ginny shook her head, "I've had enough wine for the night. I have low tolerance for alcohol." Draco raised his brows at the interesting bit of information but said nothing and followed Ginny out the ballroom.
The outside air was pleasantly cool as Ginny and Draco stood by a crystal fountain. Rose bushes of all colors and fragrances defied the autumn season, clustering along the pathway and twining over the gazebos placed strategically in private corners for lover's to exchange a private moment. The two stood quietly, enjoying the garden's beauty.
Draco observed Ginny discreetly, and not for the first time noticed how beautiful Ginny was inside and out. She was strong and yet deliciously vulnerable, clever and witty and yet innocent and naïve. And the dark green dress robe brought the appealing physical characteristics in Ginny that Draco had not really noticed before. Once again, Draco's hand was drawn to the Dragonheart ring hidden safely inside his dress robe pocket. I don't know why the heck I brought this along Draco thought cynically, fingering the box holding the ring. So that I could give it to Ginny? Profess my love for her? Draco's lip automatically curled up into a scornful sneer at himself. Shoving the ring box further down his pocket, Draco tried to push away his thoughts. But then he made the mistake of turning to face Ginny. There was no sudden jolt of the heart or lustful desire, but a simple, undeniable realization that he, Draco, had learned to care for Ginny. Unconsciously, Draco's fingers curled tightly around the ring in his pocket. But before he could do or say anything, voices broke through the garden's silence.
"Mr. Englebert?" a saccharinely sweet voice called. "Mr. Englebert?"
Draco winced; it was Matilda. Phoenixes, couldn't that girl take a hint?
A mischievous smile broke out on Ginny's face. "Looks like someone wants you Draco," she whispered.
Draco returned the devilish grin. "And I think I've got an idea." Guiding Ginny to one of the gazebos in the garden, Draco lowered his lips on Ginny's just as Matilda stepped into the clearing.
Hidden in the gazebo shadows, Matilda didn't recognize them except as two lovers exchanging a moment together. Fortunately, the witch had the decency and shame to be embarrassed and hurried away, looking elsewhere for her desired "Mr. Englebert."
Draco's lips were warm and sweet and intimate; Ginny was surprised by the passion she felt and returned the kiss with equal fervor. The two broke away breathless and gasping. Ginny saw excitement in Draco's eyes and could feel her own rush of adrenaline. Yet at the same time, Ginny was scared. This is Draco Malfoy, Ginny reminded herself. A Death Eater.
But then Draco bent his head down again and Ginny automatically tilted her head.
And all reason fled.
Author's Note: -_- yeah, yeah, I know Draco and Ginny are moving along a bit fast, but keep in mind, they've been living together for weeks maybe even months now, and it's already the eighth chapter, so I figure it's about time they fall in love. Not the best chapter…but I hate writing love scenes… it's not very…marigoldish…. ^_^ Anyways, please review! Even if you don't like it…just have the decency to use constructed criticism XD.