Hmmm… okay, so this chapter has always been a bit rough in my opinion. The juicy stuff comes later on ;)
Chapter 6
"Now!"
"No! She'll see!"
"No she won't! Her back's turned!"
"Not for long…"
"Go, will you?!"
"No. Ha. See? She's facing us now."
"Well now she is, if you had—,"
"Bloody hell, have patience, will you?!"
"Now! Go!"
"Not yet…"
"Harry, you prat."
Ron and Harry were intently watching Luna through the inside window that the kitchen was visible through, waiting until she turned her back so they could summon the bowl of dessert into the living room. I rolled my eyes, and walked towards the fireplace, where a familiar framed Daily Prophet article caught my eye. It was slightly faded, crinkled and torn from its many readings before it had been framed, but legible all the same.
Malfoy Murder
Late last night, Lucius Malfoy was removed from his manor under charge of his wife's, Narcissia Malfoy (43), brutal slaughter, and attempted murder of his son, Draco Malfoy (18). A house-elf, upon hearing a commotion, alerted a close friend of the Malfoys, Severus Snape (47, Potions Teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), who subdued the raging Lucius, and summoned Ministry and St. Mungo officials.
Draco Malfoy, bound and gagged, under survetum spell, was forced to watch his own mother murdered. Malfoy Sr. then advanced on his son, for further torture, when help arrived minutes later.
Ministry officials report that Narcissia seemed to have been murdered by knife as opposed to wand. Several gashes prior to the slit through her windpipe suggest torture, and possibly rape. Draco also suffered several knife-wounds, none fatal. He is in treatment for loss of blood, oxygen, and will be moved shortly to the trauma ward.
Narcissia is to be buried at the Malfoy Manor, a privet funeral for close friends of the family.
Early this morning, Lucius Malfoy has been put forward for mental consideration, which could delay his trial for up to seven weeks, and give him the alternative of an institute over prison. A shadow of doubt has been cast by many Ministry workers, in particular Percy Weasley (Assistant to the Minister of Magic).
'Lucius Malfoy has always been in with the dark arts, and was right in with Voldemort. While there is no doubt in my mind that the choices he made were exceptionally debatable, he is an intelligent and perfectly sane wizard. His plea for psychological help is merely a weak attempt to escape Azkaban, and while he won't be overlooked, he will be tested thoroughly before he gets off.' Weasley responded when questioned.
When released from St. Mungo's Draco Malfoy will attend the trial, to give his account of what happened. We area waiting further information.
Boris Beday
The Daily Prophet
I felt my eyes smart, an angry fire fuelling me. The way the article was written. So proper; so lackadaisical. I knew it had been rushed, to get published the following morning, but it still seemed so cold-hearted. It had headed the front page of different papers for weeks, building up to the infamous trial. I had even seen it in a muggle paper on occasion. After that it had all been hush-hush. Lucius Malfoy had a life sentence in Azkaban, and Draco had all but disappeared…or so I thought.
An arm draped casually around my shoulders, and I turned to see Ron's eyes scanning the article as well, a look of gruesome triumph on his face. He did not appear to be the least bit phased. Slowly, his attention turned back to me, and I saw the slightly startled look on his face as he gazed into the fire that was blazing in my own eyes.
Perhaps he was remembering the first time I had read the article, because he took a tentative step back. I took one foreword.
"How could you?! How could you have that framed?! I can't believe you, you heartless s--" A familiar stubborn passion was building, one I had not felt for years. It was invigorating. Ron gulped; Harry turned to face us, and he slowly lowered his wand, with which he had been aiming carefully at the dessert. Hermione bit her lip, looking incredibly uncomfortable.
"Gin…C'mon, it's Malfoy…"
"I am perfectly aware of who it is, Ron. What I don't understand is how you could find something like that amusing." I had not shouted, but my tone was icier that it had ever been.
"His family's been in the dark arts for years, they deserve it."
"How can you think anyone deserves that?!" I couldn't believe someone could be so heartless. I wouldn't even expect it from Draco… the old Draco.
"Because it's Malfoy, he's a--," Ron began. I could feel sparks practically flying from my eyes. If my wand had not been hanging in my coat pocket in the entry closet, I'm not sure I could have any control of what would happen to my dear brother. Thankfully, Harry, who had been watching us uncomfortably, dived in. He gave me a quick, nervous look, and led Ron away by the arm. I knew that his only motive to stop us was so the night wouldn't be ruined, and so Ron would stay in one piece. I'm sure he agreed with Ron entirely on the subject of Malfoy.
Still fuming, I threw myself onto the couch, arms folded, and feeling much like a toddler in the midst of a temper tantrum. I was sorely tempted to pry that damned frame, containing the aged article, from it's place, and smash it into a million pieces in the blazing brick fireplace.
"Gin?" Hermione started quietly.
"They don't understand," A lump was gathering in my throat. I quickly swallowed it.
"I know. I know," Her voice was soft, and soothing, but filled with doubt all the same. I couldn't take this. In a swift motion, I stood up, and walked into the kitchen, not caring that I had left Hermione startled, and slightly hurt.
He was my friend; in a short time he and I had become almost as close as Hermione and I were. For years he had insulted and ridiculed Hermione. Wasn't that part of the reason Ron and Harry hated him so much? Where did it say that it was fair for them to defend their friend, but wrong for me to defend mine? But they don't know he's your friend. An annoying voice that bore close resemblance to Hermione's nagged. Honestly, who could blame me for not telling them? If they hated him to the extent where they reveled in the loss and trauma of him watching his mother's rape and murder, who knows what their reaction would be?
"Please pass the salt." My tone was rather stiffer than usual, directed at Ron. I could tell he was hurt by the tone I had been using with him all night, but I took little sympathy. Quieter than usual, and rather gloomy, he passed it over to me. I snatched it from him rougher that I probably should have, but, at the moment, I couldn't control my short temper with him. To add further insult, I then turned to Harry. "Harry, would you pass the butter please? Thank you." I gave him a friendly smile that went with my warm tone. Harry looked hesitantly at Ron, whose eyes were on his plate. We ate in silence, for a moment. Suddenly Ron's fork fell to his plate with a clatter.
"Ginny, I really think you're being a bit melodramatic about this." My eyes flickered onto his.
"No, Ron, I really don't think I am." He started to speak again, but I cut him off. "I don't care if it's Malfoy!" I always was a good liar. "Okay? I just don't see how you can find something that horrible amusing,"
"I don't find it amusing, I just—,"
"What if it had been you? Not so funny anymore, is it?!"
"Ginny, I hardly think dad would ever--,"
"That's not the point Ron. Besides, you never know. People can change." Hermione gave me a warning look, and I decided to leave it at that. I did, however, find it in my heart to forgive Ron to some extent.
Apart, from the rocky start, dinner went quite well. The food was surprisingly good; and when I told Luna this, her face shined with pleasure. She was okay, really. And, as I discovered after our meal, her and Harry together didn't have the same effect on me as before. Harry leaned back on the couch, looking like he could doze off at any moment. Luna's head rest on his shoulder. As I watched, he kissed her forehead lightly, gracing her features with a beam. Ron and Hermione were in a similar position, which left me feeling quite alone. I think Luna may have noticed because she voiced lightly, breaking up the silence,
"So Ginny, any new boyfriends?" A sly smile dawned on her lips. An identical grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. Harry raised his eyebrows, and Ron sat up straighter. Luna giggled, and Hermione was silent. I felt, if possible, more uncomfortable then before, when they were in their lovey-dovey positions. All their eyes were upon me.
"Not really," I began slowly, choosing my words carefully, "More a good friend…I mean, I've only really known him for a few days. Well not technically…but," I cleared my throat, suddenly wondering where the smooth talking I had picked up from the twins had gone to. "It's not really anything…" Words were not coming to me. A sudden random image of Draco leaning coolly on the couch of my apartment, laughing after spluttering on the horrendous coffee I had made (Coffee was not my specialty) wasn't helping. I forced my thoughts sharply back to the present, to find four sets of eyes still watching me intently.
"And his name?" Ron had switched into over-protective brother mode. I smirked, and shook my head.
"I don't want to make a big deal of it. Yet…"
A/N: What did I tell you… it's crap. Ah… well… read, review, I'd be much obliged. It DOES get better, you have my word.
