Yes, it's been like forever. I don't want to hear about it

An Acceptable Risk

Chapter Twenty-Nine Back to Hogwarts

Ginny looked around platform nine and three quarters. She had never seen it as deserted as it was this morning.
"Mum? Where is everybody? Aren't they going back to school early too?"
"Yes they are Ginny, but in light of what happened, Professor Dumbledore has arranged for the Hogwarts Express to run around the clock until everyone has arrived at Hogwarts. You four are the first to go back, for obvious reasons. There is a contingent of Aurors waiting to escort you to the train. Once you are inside, you are to remain in your compartment. Two Aurors will remain outside your compartment at all times."

"Ron, Harry, and Draco locked in one small train compartment for the whole trip, Mum? This is not going to be a fun ride," complained Ginny.
"It doesn't have to be fun, dear, but what it does have to do is keep you safe long enough to get to Hogwarts, and safety." Ginny flushed a dull red as her mother chastised her.
"You're right," she said, her grip tightening on the trolley that held all her school things.
"Owl me as soon as you get back to school, Dear," said Mrs. Weasley "And Ginny? Be safe." Molly Weasley hugged her daughter tightly and watched as she boarded the train that Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had already boarded. She waved as the train pulled out of the station, and continued waving until it disappeared from sight.

Ginny slid the compartment door opened and stepped into the compartment, only to be greeted by scowls on all the boys' faces.

"Well," she said, brightly. "It looks like we're all having a lovely time."

"Very funny, Ginny," said Ron. "It's about time you got in here. What kept you?"

"You are not my keeper, Ron Weasley, and I'll thank you not to act like you are," snapped Ginny.

"Leave her alone, Ron," Hermione said, softly. "None of this can be very easy for her."

"And who asked you?" Ginny snapped. "If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times, 'Mind your own business!'"

"Hey!" shouted Ron. "You've got no business talking to Hermione that way."

"Will you all please just shut up!" roared Draco. "I've got enough problems here without having to listen to the lot of you squabble back and forth like a bunch of babies. I have to go back to Hogwarts and face everybody. They're all going to know about my Father and my Mother. Have any of you thought about that? Do any of you have any idea at all how I feel?"

"Stop feeling so sorry for yourself, Malfoy," Ron snapped. "In case you've forgotten, thanks to the slimy git your father worshipped, Harry knows exactly how you feel!"

"Potter knows how I feel," sneered Draco. "I don't think so. I'm not going to stay in this stupid compartment any longer. I need to get a way from the lot of you." Draco stood up and opened the door, and tried to step out into the passageway of the train. Before he could take a single step, his way was blocked by two adult wizards, who blocked the door to the compartment with their wands.

"I'm sorry," said one of the wizards. "We have instructions to see that you remain in the compartment at all times."

"What?" said Draco. "You can't keep me here." He looked at the wizard who had a wild mop of gray hair, and wore black robes with three red stripes around the hem. "Who do you think you are, ordering me about?"

"I don't think," said the wizard. "I know. I am Phinias Pilquebinder, and I am an aurora. We," he nodded at his companion, "Have been ordered by the Ministry of Magic, to see that you returned to Hogwarts safely. In order to do that, you must remain in the compartment."


"Fine," snapped Draco. He slammed the compartment door and slumped back into his seat. "This is all your fault," he said to Harry.

"What!" exploded Ron. "Why, because he didn't have the good sense to die as a baby when," he took a deep breath and shuddered, "Voldemort tried to kill him?"

"Oh, Ron, why don't you shut up," Ginny said. "This isn't going to solve anything. Yes, Harry faced a terrible loss in his life, but honestly, he's had years to deal with it. Draco's pain is still fresh, can't you leave him alone to deal with it?"

Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked at Ginny, amazed at her callousness.

"Now hang on one minute!" shouted Ron, but the squealing of the trains' brakes drowned his voice out.

The compartment door slid open, and Phinias Pilquebinder stood silhouetted by the sunlight that streamed in from the window.

"Nobody move. I'm going to find out what is happening. Hendricks will be out here. Don't leave the compartment for any reason, unless I tell you to." There was a slight pop, and Phinias apparated from sight.

"I wonder what it is?" asked Ginny.

"Probably nothing," said Draco, but the fear in his eyes belied the calmness in his voice.

"Harry? D' you think it's dementors again?" asked Ron. He looked over at his friend, to see that he already had his wand drawn.

"No, but I think we'd better be ready, no matter what," said Harry. "I don't suppose it's any good telling you two to stay behind us," Harry continued, looking at Ginny and Hermione.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of shouting outside the compartment caused her to shut it quickly.

"Crucio!" they heard a voice call out. The compartment door slid open, and several hooded figures strode into the compartment. Behind them, lay the body of Hendricks, twitching and jerking on the floor.

"Draco Malfoy, you will come with us," intoned one of the hooded figures.

"You'll not take him anywhere!" shouted Ginny.

"Imperius!" the hooded figure called out as it pointed its wand at Draco.

"You will apparate to Malfoy Manor, now!" the figure commanded.

"Malfoy Manor," whispered Draco, and with a pop he gone. Seconds later, the Death Eaters apparated as well, leaving the occupants of the compartment in stunned silence.