In the Shadows: A Tale of Silver and Gold

by ugahill

A DracoGinny ficlet, with a thin line between love and hate...

4. Comings and Goings

In the Shadows: A Tale of Silver and Gold (in seven parts!!!)

Chapter 4: Comings and Goings




Draco sat curled in the armchair near the fireplace, watching the flames dance beneath the stoneware mantelpiece.
He could no longer hear Ginny's screams, but that didn't mean his aunt had stopped. The Dungeons in the Manor were far below the ground, where Ministry officials would never find them. They could be apparated to, however, and thanks to his father and mother, all of the Death Eaters were well aware of their location.
His mother had instructed him to return to Hogwarts as soon as he felt up to it; the problem was, he didn't feel like going back.
Not only would he have to explain his absence to the Slytherins, he'd have to face the Gryffindors. Potter, Granger—to whom he'd sent that miserable note—and worst of all…
Weasley.
He'd never seen a Gryffindor perform an illegal curse—he didn't think they were capable of them. In fact, his aunt often laughingly told the story of how Potter had tried so desperately and failed. But somehow, Draco didn't think Weasley would have a problem with it when he found out what had happened to his sister.
And that was the biggest rub. Above all other things, even having to explain what had happened to Dumbledore or Snape, he didn't want to abandon Ginny. It was that thought, more than anything else, that ate at him, and prevented him from returning to the comfort of Slytherin.
His mother had been in to check on him twice, and ask why he "hadn't left for school yet."
He'd only told her he didn't feel quite up to it yet, at which point she eyed him strangely, but left him alone. If she had any suspicions about his worrying on Ginny, she didn't let on.
He wanted to go and find her. The location of the Dungeons weren't a problem…but his aunt was. Should she discover that he'd set out to free Ginny, she'd kill her off for certain, if she hadn't killed her already. And chances were she had Kreacher, or some other loyal Dark Lord loving House Elf, keeping an eye on him or his rooms in case he decided to leave them.
Ginny's face, contorted and screaming, flashed through his mind. His stomach twisted.
Bellatrix Lestrange wouldn't be above killing a Weasley. But she enjoyed other things beyond a swift death. The stories of Neville Longbottom's parents hadn't been told directly to him—his mother wouldn't allow it—but in the shadows below the House, when his parents had their secret meetings—he'd heard the praises, the laughter…
Her use of the Cruciatus Curse had driven them mad. He knew that from Longbottom himself.
The patter of tiny footsteps interrupted him; he peered around the high back of the chair as Tenny approached him cautiously.
She hadn't appeared in the usual manner, the House Elf's form of apparation. He watched her in puzzlement.
"Master…Master Draco sir?"
"Why did you come like this, Tenny? I am in no mood to deal with House Elves right now."
"Yes…yes, sir…but Tenny is coming to see the young master about the young miss, sir."
Draco rose swiftly, towering over her. "What do you know about the young miss?"
"She is being all right, now, Master Draco. She is being holding in the lowermost room of the Malfoy's Dungeons."
"She's all right?" a wave of relief swept through Draco. "How did you find this out?"
Tenny looked at him kindly. "Master Draco, sir…if Tenny may say so…House Elves are being silent, but are not unawares of things. Tenny is a good House Elf, sir, but Tenny is also being here a long time, sir, and is knowing things about Malfoy Manor not even the Master and Mistress is knowing, sir."
He looked on her in amazement. "Tenny…"
"Tenny will iron her hands, sir," the House Elf replied quickly, "Tenny speaks too much out of turn."
"No…Tenny, do you know how to find the Young Miss without letting the Mistress or her…guest…know?"
"If young Master comes with Tenny, Tenny takes him to the Young Miss." She stretched out a withered hand. Draco placed his in hers; it felt soft, and worn, like old leather.
He heard a great crash, and the room around him went dark.




Ginny heard a sharp crack as a flash of light lit up the area around her.
She turned her head, trying to shield her eyes. Her body quivered in pain; Bellatrix Lestrange hadn't been kind. But the only relief to the Cruciatus Curse was that it wasn't a killing curse…yet.
Bellatrix must need her for something…probably something to do with Harry, or Hogwarts…but she needed her all the same, because her use of the spell could have been much worse, as Ginny knew firsthand. Neville had only shared a bit of what his parents had gone through, but it was enough to know that the Lestranges were completely merciless.
On top of that, the potion the House Elf had given her had lessened the memory of it a bit; despite the ferocity of Bellatrix's attacks, Ginny was so groggy she could hardly remember how many there had been…and she thanked Tenny for that.
The light subsided; Ginny could see nothing around her. The Malfoy Dungeons were completely pitch black, save a few torches which lit the way down from the upper levels. She hadn't been chained to the wall, but there wasn't need. Except for one small iron-worked door, the rest of the dungeon was completely enclosed in stone.
She wouldn't have the strength to move, anyway.
"Ginny?"
The door swung open.
"Lumos"
A small light filled the air, and Draco Malfoy's face swam into view. Almost immediately he moved over to her, touching her face lightly with his fingers.
"Ginny?"
She stirred, hardly able to move her head. "I'm…I'm not hurt…"
He looked at her doubtfully, unconvinced. "I'm going to get you out of here…can you lift your arms?"
"Yes…" she shifted, and grimaced. Her arms felt like lead and her body screamed as she moved it. She collapsed back against the wall.
"No," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady, but it came out as more of a whimper. She hoped she wouldn't begin crying in front of him.
"Just hold on." He bent and lifted her up in his arms as though she weighed nothing; surprising, considering their almost equal size.
"Tenny?"
Ginny finally noticed the small House Elf as she moved into the light. She was staring up at her in concern. "I will returning young Master to his Father's chambers. They are being unopened since the Master is being away."
"No…" Ginny whispered.
"It'll be all right," he said softly. "Let's go, Tenny."
She latched onto his wrist, her other hand laying on Ginny's foot. There was another flash, and a sharp *pop!*, and they were out of the Dungeons, though not in a room much brighter. Tenny moved over to the fireplace, lighting it quickly with a bit more of her magic.
"Please to be hurrying, Master Draco sir."
The room lit under the dim shadow of the flames, and Ginny could just make out a large chamber, draped everywhere in black crepe. Atop the mantle to the fireplace stood a strange wooden hourglass, with something that sparkled like diamonds flowing through the bulbs. The walls bore strange crests all around, most embroidered in silver and green, and there was a relief running across the top of the large doorway—a battle scene of some kind, with wizards pointing wands—and muggles bent over, gruesomely contorted.
But it was the portraits that caught her attention almost immediately. One hung along the side wall, a large, oil canvas of Salazar Slytherin. To it's left, a shrouded figure, cloaked in black, face not visible, but red eyes peering out beneath its hood and cowl. Both portraits shifted and glared hatefully at her, as though they knew she was a Weasley.
But it was the third figure—the one that rested between them—that sent Ginny into tremors. The portrait of a young man, handsome, with coal black eyes and a half-smile on his face. He wore Hogwarts robes, with the Slytherin patch and a prefect's badge…and a medal for service on the lapel. He grinned as he saw her, a faint recognition flashing in his eyes, and his mouth formed her name, one long finger stretching towards her.
Tom Riddle.
Draco looked at her. "What's wrong?"
She turned her face away from the pictures. "Let's just leave here…please."
"Tenny has found it, Master Draco," she heard the House Elf say. Draco reached for a black, velvet encased bag—the Floo Powder that serviced this room. "We're almost at Hogwarts…don't worry."
Ginny closed her eyes. Gryffindor…Ron…
And she knew something was wrong.
"Wait."
Tenny was putting out the fire. Draco stared at her in the receding light. "What is it?"
"My wand."
Bellatrix had taken it from her.
Draco paused for a moment, thinking. "Did the wand choose you?"
"What?"
"Did you buy yours from Ollivander's…or was it a hand-me-down?"
"From Ollivander's," she murmured. The question had been purely inquisitive—nothing insulting. "My parents had to work something out, but they managed to buy me a wand from Ollivander's shop in my first year."
"Then your wand chose you." He grimaced, and set her down gently on the floor, next to the wall. "I'm going to get it."
"What?"
"M-Master Draco…you mustn't be doing such a thing! You are getting caught and Tenny is not able to help you!"
"I have no choice. There are spells that can be performed on people's wands that can hurt its owner, if the wand has chosen the wand bearer. I have to get it out of Bella's hands or it might cause the Young miss more pain."
"Buts…buts the House Elf Kreacher is watching Young Master's rooms. He will report to the…guest…that Master Draco is wandering the halls."
"Do you know where the "guest" put the wand, Tenny?"
"No but…but Tenny is able to find out, Master Draco."
"Not if its going to cause Tenny to get hurt," said Ginny.
Draco looked slightly annoyed at this, but sighed instead of arguing. "Can you do it without risk to yourself, Tenny?"
The House Elf grinned, her withered face lighting. "Yes, Master Draco. Tenny will ask the other House Elves to help her. Mistress is paying no attention to House Elves and their comings and goings. Mistress is thinking nothing of House Elves popping in to keep the Manor clean."
"Very well, then go. And don't tell anyone where we are…only you are allowed to bring me the wand back."
"Yes, sir." She snapped her fingers just as Draco raised a hand.
"Wait…Tenny…!"
But she was gone.
"…the fire…" he trailed off.
"Just use your wand," whispered Ginny. "It'll be better anyway, to have only a little light."
He pulled out his wand once more, and lit the tip. The furniture in the room was shadowed by the small glow, but, thankfully, Ginny couldn't see the portraits.
"Do you want to sit on a chair…or lay down?" he asked, turning to the massive bed, draped in black and blood red velvet.
"NO!" she cried, perhaps more swiftly than she should. "I'll just…stay here." She patted the stone floor.
"You can't be serious. This is terribly uncomfortable. It's stone!"
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
She turned to him, annoyed. "I'm…"
He was staring at her in concern.
"I promise…I'm fine. Better." The pain was receding, if only slightly. At least she could move her arms and legs now.
There was silence between them. He moved over to her side, sitting next to her on the floor.
"Did she hurt you…very much?"
There was something in the quiet way he said it that make her heart beat a little faster. "Not as much as she could have, I suppose. But I was scared."
He turned away from her, slumping down against the wall. "I'm sorry."
"For what? It wasn't your fault."
His head snapped around. "What?"
"It wasn't your fault. You had no way of knowing Bellatrix Lestrange would be here."
"But I thought…I thought that's what you were afraid of…that's why you didn't want to come in the first place!"
"Well, of course I would be afraid of it if I didn't trust you! But you…you gave me this…"
She held open her left hand, uncurling her fingers for the first time since Bellatrix had left her in the dungeon. His prefects badge was lying on her palm, which was bruised and bleeding. The Slytherin snake, along with the Prefect's symbolic "P," had been cut into the skin.
She stared at it in surprise. She hadn't even realized it had hurt her.
"You…you were holding onto this the entire time?" He was gazing at the mark in dismay.
"If I had dropped it, Bellatrix would have seen it," she answered honestly. "And she would have known you owed something to me. More than just my having followed you here."
"Ginny…" He lifted her hand, tracing the etch of the snake lightly, then pulling off his tie. He wrapped it gently around the wound. "I'm so sorry…about all of this. You were right in the beginning. We should have gone to your house. I know that your family would never have put me through what mine has done to you."
Ginny half smiled. "I'm not so sure about that. You've don't know my Mum."
He looked at her in surprise, then suddenly, laughed. Tilted his head to the side, silver-blond hair falling softly across his face, and laughed. It was the first time she'd heard anything like it from someone in Slytherin House.
A loud crack signaled Tenny's return to Lucius's bedroom.
"Master Draco," she said, eyeing them in surprise for a moment, a subtle grin on her face. The smile washed from his, and he released Ginny's hand.
"Yes?"
"Master Draco, the guest is having the wand in her bedroom, on the second level of the Manor sir. But…the House Elves cannot be taking it, Master Draco, because she is in the room discussing with the Mistress."
"That's fine, Tenny." He rose.
"Where are you going?"
"To get your wand."
"But you'll get caught!"
"I'll wait until Mother and Aunt Bella leave. I'll sneak into the room after that."
"Please to let Tenny be getting the wand for you, sir. She can apparate into the rooms without causing problems for the Master."
"No, Tenny. This is far too dangerous for any of you. Mother will have you stripped, or your children given clothes, or worse, if she finds you. If I get caught, Mother will take care of me."
Ginny watched him worriedly. "Are you sure?"
He half-smiled at her. "You don't know my Mum either."




His aunt had to be in the Northeastern turret. That particular part of the house had a repelling charm on it, so that on first glance, no other wizard could enter it. They would be circling around the Northwestern turret twice, thinking they'd covered all areas of the Manor.
But Draco knew exactly how to get through the charm. A simple incantation, and he was making his way down the silver and green draped halls, every nook and crevice a testament to the workings of pure-blood wizards since Salazar Slytherin had first decided they were the only ones worthy of wands.
His aunt's room was near the top, overlooking the lakes.
There were raised voices floating through the heavy wooden door; apparently, the enchantments which sealed off this particular wing did not seal the rooms. He slid up alongside the thick oak, listening.
"This appears rather rash, Bella. Are you certain of the Dark Lord's plan?"
"You question the Dark Lord?"
"Of course not! But still…this seems a bit…"
"My darling Cissy," mocked Bellatrix, "the visions of the Dark Lord are not understood by those of us who are lesser beings. We must trust in him."
"But Hogwarts…why would he wish to take on Dumbledore inside the school? It seems foolhardy, at best, and is certainly not the easiest way to get rid of the Potter boy."
Draco's heart started to pound. Hogwarts?
"The Dark Lord will see them all destroyed…Potter and all those who defied him. Like that girl. Whom we'll take care of shortly, as soon as they've seen we have her."
"But what about the Slytherins? Many of his followers have children in those halls. If you release an army of Dementors—or the Shrouds—into them, they will make no judgment as to who is worthy and who is not. All will be at risk."
"Then warn those Death Eaters about their children. Keep Draco here with you, if you fear for him, traitor though he may be."
There was a bitter silence for a moment. When his mother spoke again, it was with a voice colder than her sister's had been. And far more malicious than he was used to hearing.
"I've warned you before about threatening Draco. If you endanger him in any way, I promise you shall pay for it. Or have you forgotten our little childhood games?"
"No." Bellatrix returned in a quieter, more subdued voice. All hint of amusement was completely gone. "Of course not."
"Good."
"The plan is set, then" Bellatrix continued after a few awkward moments. "The army will be ready tomorrow night. Your connections have ensured me that the repelling charms will be reversed to prevent any interference from wizards outside the school. And all communications and parts of the Floo network shall be cut off—"
"Save the one in Slytherin House."
"Very well—save the Slytherins. I shall leave that for you to arrange."
"And the school itself?"
"It shall be destroyed, of course."
"Is that the wish of the Dark Lord as well? It was, after all, his school too. I had believed he meant simply to conquer it, not wipe it out of existence."
"He cares nothing for Hogwarts."
"And what of the Dark Lord himself? Where shall he be?"
Bellatrix was silent for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was next to Draco's ear. He scrambled into the closest nook, sliding behind a long, green woven tapestry.
"The Dark Lord expects his followers to do his bidding without his help. We shall take care of this on our own."
"Take care of Potter on our own?" His mother emerged from the room first, doubt etched into her pretty face. "The Dark Lord instructs us to get rid of Potter for him?"
"With the Prophecy destroyed," Bellatrix replied, following her, "there is no need for him to go after Potter."
"But he's Potter. The Resurrection spell. The Priori Incantatem…even the Protection…"
His aunt's face contorted for a moment. "This is the Dark Lord's order! I have told you before about questioning it! Go and confront the Dark Lord yourself if you have doubt!"
Narcissa eyed her squarely, crossing her arms. "So I shall, then."
Bellatrix laughed. "Very well. Just remember, he does not like to be bothered by those who have not sworn allegiance. You remain a common pure-blood, Cissy, not a Death Eater."
"My husband has given everything in service of the Dark Lord. And my son is one of those promised to him. He will not question my allegiance."
"The choice is yours. But remember what that promise means, and the importance your son holds for the Death Eaters as well as for the Dark Lord. Without him, the line of Black is lost. And with Lucius gone, there is no one left to teach him. Except you, of course." She moved swiftly past her sister, her voice echoing down the hall.
"What does that mean?"
"The Dark Lord is merciless to those who question his motivations. It would be a shame for Draco to lose two parents so closely together."
Narcissa was pensive for a moment, then followed her sister down the hall, her neat robes a delicate contrast to the long, loose ones her sister wore. Draco watched them leave, his heart pounding.
She's going to attack Hogwarts…
His aunt intended to destroy the school, and everyone in it. Potter, Dumbledore, Granger, everyone…
But the Slytherins would be safe. His mother would make sure of that. And they would warn Professor Snape.
But the school…could she actually be planning on doing something like that? It seemed impossible. Hogwarts was impenetrable.
As puzzled as he was, he didn't have time to think on it. Whatever might happen to the school, Ginny was his immediate concern. He glanced down the hallway once, assuring himself Bella wasn't there, before walking quietly into her chambers. On the desk in the study, there was a wand. There were no markings on it, but he was fairly certain it was Ginny's. However…
"Prior Incantato." The spell was a difficult one to master, and Draco could just barely get the wand to shudder out its last attempts at a spell. But a thin, smoky shadow echoed from the wand tip…the shadow of a table, levitating.
He smiled a moment, recalling the ferocity with which she'd flung that table at the manticore. The Levitation Spell had been the last charm Ginny performed. This was indeed her wand.
He shut the doors to the chambers, and swiftly moved down the hallway to the back staircases. The words of his aunt echoed through his mind, and his smile faded. Hogwarts was going to be attacked. And she'd set off to kill Ginny.
He did not catch the dull yellow eyes watching him from the shadows.




Draco returned a few moments later, Ginny's wand in hand. "This is it, correct?"
She grabbed it eagerly. "Thank you."
"Then let's go. To your house. Your family hasn't sealed up the Floo, have they?"
"My house?" Ginny grasped his outstretched hand, pulling slowly to her feet. The pains in her body had begun to diminish, and the strength was returning to her legs. "Why do you want to go to the Burrow?"
"I think it would be better if you stayed there a bit. Regain your strength."
"I told you before, I'm fine. Or I will be, after one of Madam Pomfrey's medicines."
"You'll be better treated at your house."
"I will not!" she said, amused. "Not only will Mum scold me for being out of school, she'll scold me for being injured, and she'll scold me for not being more careful, and she'll scold me for having to worry Ron…"
"Weasley, please!" Malfoy cried, his face flushing. "Stop chattering and just go home!"
"No." she replied sternly, staring at him in confusion. "I would prefer to go back to Hogwarts. For one thing, it won't get me in trouble, and for a second, Madam Pomfrey can cure anything. Which, I think, you will need as well," she gestured to the blood on his still unchanged shirt. "Why are you arguing with me?"
"I'm not," he spat. "I will be fine. I don't need Madam Pomfrey. And I don't need you to worry about me."
"What?" Ginny said, yanking her hand out from his. Somehow, in the time he'd been away from her, he'd completely reverted back to old Malfoy form. "What's wrong with you?"
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong."
"Did you get caught?"
"Of course not!"
"Then what…" she bit her tongue. "I'm going back to Hogwarts. If I go to the Burrow, Mum will get very curious, and this entire thing, from Grawp to the Manor, will be discovered."
"And so what if she does? She'll not be able to do anything about it."
Ginny glared at him in fury.
"Go on, then," he sneered, crossing his arms. "Run home to your Mum."
"I don't think so, Malfoy." She limped her way to the fireplace. Tenny was staring at them both, confused. She snatched the velvet bag out of the House Elf's hands. "Which Floo is it? To Hogwarts?"
"You'll have to guess, I suppose."
"Which means it's Slytherin, of course."
He glanced at her in surprise, but quickly recovered. "That's right, and you'll end up right in the heart of the Slytherin common room. Right after supper, when ALL of them are there."
"Well, isn't that just a cup of tea?" she snorted, then grasped a handful of powder. "They can't possibly be worse than the Malfoy Dungeons or your aunt. Guess I'll have to do a bit of spring cleaning in Slytherin House." She marched over the fireplace and stepped inside as he watched her, open-mouthed.
"Ginny…Ginny!"
"Hogwarts, Slythe…" she doubled over, wincing in pain.
"Ginny…" he rushed towards her, hands outstretched. "Wait…"
"Hogwarts, Slytherin House!" she cried, and tossed the Floo Powder into the ashes. With a flash, Lucius Malfoy's eerie bedroom faded into the dusk.




"Ginny!" Draco cried as she disappeared in a flash of green fire. "Bloody HELL!"
"Master…Master Draco, sir…what is you doing?" Tenny asked tentively. "Does you not like…why would you be telling young Miss not to return to Hogwarts, sir?"
"Don't ask me foolish questions!" he snapped, reaching for the Floo Powder. If she goes to Slytherin… He didn't even want to think of the consequences. On top of that, she was back at Hogwarts…
"Tenny, tell my mother I've returned to Hogwarts. And that I know about tomorrow night." He marched into the fireplace. "Hogwarts, Slytherin House!"
In a blaze of green he was gone.




Ginny whirled into the big stone fireplace, tumbling out of the hearth with a yelp. She'd overdone the Floo Powder, she'd been so mad at Malfoy.
She pushed herself up off the thickly woven carpet, coughing, and surveyed the scene through the haze of ash and smoke.
A long, low room surrounded the hearth, lit by silver etched candelabras. An enormous silver and green banner was draped across one of descending staircases. In front of the elaborate mantelpiece stood several high-backed chairs, upholstered in lush greens and silvers.
The room was very rich and delicate, in contrast to the comforts of Gryffindor, and might have made an elegant picture had it not been for the thirty or so faces disrupting its with their open-mouthed stares.
Pansy Parkinson was the first to move; she walked slowly to Ginny, fanning away the haze with one hand. Her other clutched her wand, already in attack position.
"Weasley?" she stuttered.
"Hullo, Pansy," Ginny said, lifting her chin. "Fancy meeting you here."
"What is she doing?" cried a squeaky voiced First Year, pointing a thin finger at her.
The majority of the Slytherins remained silent, still staring at her in shock. Except for Millicent Bulstrode, who marched towards the pair of them determinedly, a scraggly looking black-gray cat clutched in her arms.
"What are you doing in here, Weasley? How did you manage to open a Floo?"
"That's really none of your concern. As it is, I think its time I left."
Millicent dropped her cat. "I think we'll be the ones to decide who leaves our common room. And when."
A great blaze of green fire burst forth from the fireplace, and Draco Malfoy tumbled out, landing on top of her unceremoniously and showering Pansy, Millicent and a nearby round of third years in ash and smoke.
Draco scrambled off of her, coughing, and reached down to pull her to her feet. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," came the response from behind the cloud of smoke. Pansy moved in closer to Draco. "How about you?"
Draco dropped Ginny's hand. "Fine."
He glanced over at Ginny worriedly; she crossed her arms and glared at him (as best she could, anyway, given the smoke.)
"Honestly, " sighed a nearby voice. "Evanesca. "
In a flash, the haze of smoke and dust dissipated. Blaise Zabini lowered her wand, looking rather pleased with herself.
"Draco!" Pansy cried, throwing herself on top of him. "We were so worried! Everyone's been wondering, even Professor Snape, he almost came down to check on you himself!"
Ginny gritted her teeth and turned away from them. Pansy's such a…a twit!
Draco managed to wrestle out of her grasp, wincing. "I'm fine. I ran into a bit of trouble at the Ministry, is all."
"They knew?" Ginny whirled around. "They knew about this whole thing along?"
Draco's eyes widened at her. "Of course they knew…er…WEASLEY. What…you think the Slytherins could care about that half-wit of a half-giant or his pets? "
Half of the common room laughed lightly; the other half continued to stare at the two of them in confusion.
"What happened, Draco?" asked Theodore Nott. "How did you end up with her?"
He crossed his arms, looking rather put-off. "She actually followed me into the Floo."
"WHAT?" Pansy said. "We knew she had been missing, but the Gryffindors never let on that she'd left school."
"Does she know about the forest?"
"What, about…"
Draco seized her rather roughly by the shoulder. "Of course she knows about the creatures. She's friends with Potter, isn't she?"
"Let GO of me!" Ginny cried, shaking loose from his grasp and backhanding him in the chest.
He doubled over.
"Draco!" Pansy pushed her aside as she grabbed him again, knocking her into Millicent Bulstrode. "Look at you! You've been hurt—badly!"
"Odd," the troll-like girl said, ignoring Pansy and seizing Ginny roughly instead, "that your brother wouldn't let Dumbledore know you'd been gone."
Ginny struggled lightly, but she was still weak, and ached from the Cruciatus Curse. "Odd, indeed. But as he will be looking for me, I suggest you let me go. "
"I can't believe you! You're horrid!" Pansy turned to her, her pug face red. "You did this to Draco, didn't you?"
Millicent tightened her grasp; Ginny gritted her teeth and tried to ignore the pains shooting through her body.
"Let her go, Milly," Draco gasped, pushing out of Pansy's arms. "This is for me to deal with."
She raised an eyebrow. He stood, raising his chin, and stared at her imperiously. After a moment, she released Ginny.
Avery came over to them. "This would be much easier to explain, Draco, if we helped. At least we could prevent your getting into trouble."
"No. They'll be missing her. Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't forget the Slytherins. Or rather, that she forgets them completely." He twirled his wand lightly through his thin fingers.
"Come on, Weasley," he spat, grabbing Ginny, and shoving her up the few stone steps leading to a brick wall. Draco tapped on it with his wand, and the wall slid aside.
She had one final glance at the Slytherins, staring at her hatefully, before he shoved her roughly out the door.




Harry shut his Potions book, and lay his quill aside. Hermione's homework lay untouched; her large pile of books, usually spread all over the Gryffindor tables, were in a neat stack by her satchel. She had one hand on her chin, and tapped her quill lightly over a clean piece of parchment.
Ron was buried in Quidditch Through the Ages; it was the only thing that could distract him from Ginny long enough for any of them to have some peace and quiet.
Professor Lupin had sent them another owl; it was late in the evening, quite a few hours after they'd received Malfoy's owl, and most of the other Gryffindors had gone to bed.
"Have you found her? " he had inquired. "If not, I'm speaking with Arthur tomorrow. This isn't something they should be kept out of."
Ron had looked rather petrified at the idea of his parents knowing—Dumbledore was one thing, Molly Weasley, quite something else—but in the end, agreed with Lupin. His parents would have to know.
They responded that they would tell the Weasley's in the morning. Which meant they would probably be at Hogwarts by lunchtime.
Hermione sighed, and placed her quill on the table. "I can't do this anymore. I'm going to take a turn about the halls…check for unruly students."
"I'll go with you." Ron said quickly. "If I re-read the history of the golden snidget one more time, I'll run mad."
"Harry?" Hermione said, turning to him. He started to shake his head, but both looked at him rather anxiously.
"All right," he said. The exited the portrait hole, and turned down the main hallway, to the stairs.
"Technically," said Harry, "I'm not supposed to be doing this. I suppose it'll be alright, with two prefects, but you two should really be alone."
Ron turned his head away, coughing, and, though Harry couldn't be sure, thought he saw Hermione blush. He glanced between them confusedly.
"We'll cover for you, mate, don't worry. Its just…better when we're all together."
"Right. As it keeps Ron in check."
"And makes Hermione less bossy…"
"And Ron less of a knit…"
"And…"
"Let's go down the main staircase," said Harry, interrupting them. "That way it'll look like we're coming from the library, or something."
They both turned to him, surprised, as though they'd forgotten he was there.
Harry rolled his eyes. They were his best friends, and both prefects, but there were times when even Hermione seemed to take leave of her senses.
They wandered through the halls, stopping into the Great Hall for a moment, then the library, and turned back to the entrance, in front of the doors.
"I just wish I knew something," Ron muttered after they had started up the main staircase. "She might be annoying at times, but…"
"We know, Ron," said Hermione, her tone a bit thick. "Ginny will be fine, I'm sure. She can take care of herself, you know…"
"I know, but…"
"WAIT A MOMENT!"
"Get OFF! "
Harry whirled around, staring down at the left hand corner of the stairs, where a very familiar voice was echoing just beyond the pools of light provided by the torches. Ron's eyes widened.
"I've told you before, you don't understand. Let me explain!"
"I said, get off!" Ginny Weasley turned the corner, struggling with someone in the shadows.
Before Harry or Hermione could do anything, Ron was racing down the steps, pulling out his wand..
"Let her go…MALFOY!"
Draco Malfoy's face swam into view, turning in surprise at the blur of red and gold racing towards him.
" STUPEFY!"




Ginny limped up the Dungeon stairs as Malfoy watched the wall slide closed behind him. The moment it had, he rushed forward to catch her.
"Have you gone mad? Why would you decide to throw yourself into the middle of Slytherin House in the condition you're in?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Worried were we?" she mocked. "Well, you didn't need me to worry about you, and I don't need you to worry about me."
He stared at her for a moment. All trace of his attitude earlier was gone. "I…"
"What?"
"You really should see Madam Pomfrey."
"Oh, really? I wasn't really feeling that badly after being hit by the Cruciatus Curse MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER! I thought I'd go to bed with a glass of milk. That should fix everything!"
He looked startled, and took a step back. "I've already apologized for that. What more can I say?"
"SAY? You "SAY" nothing! Its what you can do…or rather, what you should have done. "
He looked at her quizzically. "Done?"
She stopped, her fists clenched, and turned to face him. "You should have come with me into Slytherin in the first place, instead of making me go there on my own because you didn't want to be associated with me. You should have defended me when Pansy and Millicent Bulstrode and everyone else looked like they wanted to put my head on a pike. You should have told them I'd been subjected to an Illegal Curse while at your house and you should have told them not to push me around so roughly. And you shouldn't have tossed me about as though I was some…some poor, beaten down House Elf who would fear you because you're a Slytherin!" She put a hand to her face—tears were coursing down her cheeks, though she hadn't realized it.
"Ginny, most of that was an act. There is no way any of this would make sense to the Slytherins, particularly to those we saw just now. Most of their parents are Death Eaters…they'd be proud of what Bella did. And besides," he said, crossing his arms. "I didn't want you to go to your house because I didn't want to be associated with you. It's…"
"Oh, no?" she spat suddenly, interrupting him. "What about… 'I'll make sure she forgets all about the Slytherins'." She raised her wand, mimicking his wand twirl, then limped up the steps, leaving him behind.
"Wait a minute! There is more to this! You don't understand!"
"Maybe not, but I really don't care, either!" she hissed.
"WAIT A MOMENT!"
He marched up behind her, grabbing her gently. She twisted around, trying to wrench out of his grasp, but his long fingers had closed about tightly about her wrist, and her arms were still weak.
"Get OFF. "
"I've told you before—you don't understand everything," he cried in a frustrated tone. "Let me explain."
"I said, get off! " Ginny yelled, trying to pull away from him. They'd made their way into the Entrance Hall, and as she turned the corner, a red blur rushed past her, yanking her arm out of Malfoy's grasp.
"Let her go…MALFOY! STUPEFY! "
The stunner slammed into Draco, throwing him back against the stone tiles. Thankfully Ron wasn't powerful enough to do any real damage, but that didn't make the situation any better, for as soon as Ron saw Malfoy move, he bolted for him.
Ginny backed away in shock as Harry and Hermione tore around the corner, each wearing a look of utter surprise. Harry was the first to react, racing to reach them as Ron's hands closed about Draco's neck. Hermione was right behind him, and the two managed to pull him off long enough for Draco to slip free of his grasp, cowering on the floor beneath them, one hand massaging his neck.
Ron continued to struggled with them as Ginny walked over to Malfoy, stretching out her hand. He refused it, and staggered to his feet, wiping the blood away from his nose and mouth, and glaring hatefully at Ron.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SISTER!! " Ron yelled, his face a strange shade of purple. Harry and Hermione were struggling to keep him in check.
"He didn't do anything to me," Ginny replied. "He's been hurt too." She motioned to Malfoy's shirt. "He was attacked by a manticore."
"A manticore?" Hermione said, dropping Ron's arm in surprise. She promptly seized it again as he lunged at Malfoy, knocking Harry's glasses off his nose.
"I don't need you to defend me!" Malfoy spat, his eyes narrowed, though he did step back. "Let him come."
"Shut UP! You've done enough damage for one day!" Ginny cried, seizing his hand and shoving the Prefect Pin back into it.
Malfoy's stared down at the pin for a moment. When he looked at her again, his face had grown dark, and hateful. "If something does happen to you, then its on your head."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowed. Ron had stopped struggling and was staring at the pin in Malfoy's hand. "What's supposed to happen, Malfoy?"
"Is there any particular reason for this racket, Potter, or are you attempting to go down in Hogwarts history as having lost the most House points in a seven-year term?"
They turned to the other side of the staircase. Professor Snape, a dark robe wrapped around him, was holding up a his lit wand and staring at them distastefully. Coming up behind him was Argus Filch, who was grinning in delight, Mrs. Norris in hand.
"'s been a long time since I got four prefects AND a Potter all in one night."




"Utterly ridiculous," huffed Professor McGonagall, dressed in her tartan robe and slippers. She looked careworn and tired, which was customary these days. "Three Prefects. Prefects! And you, Mister Potter," she pointed a spindly finger at Harry, who was seated and pensive. "You certainly know better than this."
"Yes Professor," he said absently.
She pursed her lips at him, looking annoyed, but instead turned to Ginny. "Miss Weasley, would you mind explaining where you received those wounds?"
Ginny's hand flew up to her neck. "Quidditch Practice."
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Is that what had you out of classes for today?"
"No…I…wasn't feeling quite well, Professor. This didn't help, of course."
"Hmm…" replied the teacher, looking shrewdly at Ginny. "Well, go on then and see Madam Pomfrey.
"As for the rest of you, Gryffindor will lose 20 points a piece for your little after-hours excursions. Thank heavens we're ahead again this year! But you will have to serve detention, Mister Weasley, for engaging in a duel in the halls. This is certainly not the kind of behavior Professor Dumbledore or myself wish to see displayed by those who are to be examples for others."
They nodded in unison.
"Your detention will be tomorrow night, Mister Weasley. Come and see me after your last class."
"Yes, Professor," Ron said, bowing his head under her beady-eyed stare.
"Now go on and escort your sister to the Hospital Wing. The rest of you can return to the Common Room. Oh, and no more "rounds" without letting someone—namely myself—know about it, is that clear?"
"Yes, Professor," repeated Hermione, Ron and Ginny.
They separated from Hermione and Harry at the Second Floor main corridor, Ron and Ginny heading to the Hospital Wing, Hermione waving a quick goodbye and walking with Harry, who still looked lost in thought, down the hall towards Gryffindor Tower.
Her limp was gone, and she felt much better than before. But she took her time in the halls. Ron walked beside her in silence, though she caught him staring her up and down a few times.
"I'm fine, Ron."
He shoved his hands in his pockets and muttered, "You don't look fine."
"Nothing happened to me." She felt slightly guilty for lying to him, but if he ever found out what had really happened, he was liable to kill Malfoy before breakfast.
"We were worried, Ginny. We didn't know where you'd gone, Harry wanted to go to Professor Dumbledore…"
"Harry wanted to go?"
Ron looked confused. "Of course he wanted to go…eventually. We all did."
"I just thought…Harry's always so…what stopped him?"
"Hermione…and Grawp."
"Grawp? "
"Well, it was Hermione's not wanting anyone to find out about Grawp. She thought it would be best to 'let you handle it' if you could. She was worried about you, of course. Then there was the note from…from…" He looked completely disgusted. "From HIM."
Ginny stopped mid-stride. "Him? You mean Malfoy? He sent a note?"
Ron turned to look at her. "Yeah."
"What did it say?"
"It said you were alright." His face twisted. "Him. Assuring us. That was probably the worst part of this whole thing."
"When did this note come?"
"Earlier today…I don't remember exactly when…around Dinnertime, I think. He sent it to Hermione."
Ginny's mouth dropped open. "To Hermione? "
"Yeah. No…that wasn't the worst part. The worst part was her telling us that we could trust him." He was wearing the same expression he always did when, for some reason, he started throwing things at his Victor Krum poster. "Hermione. Defending Malfoy. "
He turned to her. "But she seemed to think that something happened between the two of you in the woods. Is that true, Ginny?"
Ginny felt her face heating, and she briskly strode by him. "Other than my bringing him to his knees in humiliation, no."
"But Hermione said that you thought there was something…and that pin…your hand…"
She glanced down. Malfoy's tie was still wrapped around her injured hand, the Slytherin crest just visible beneath her fingers. She clenched at it, and a small wave of pain shot up her arm from the wound in her palm.
"I was wrong. I have hope for everyone, Ron…just like she does. But this time, I think I was very much mistaken. The pin…and this…they mean nothing." She unwrapped her hand, shoving the tie into her pocket. And clenched her fist, ignoring the burning pain in her palm, so Ron couldn't make out the snake etched there.
He didn't reply, but he looked slightly better. At least, his color had returned to normal.
Madam Pomfrey was standing outside the Hospital Wing door in her night robes, looking somewhat tired and slightly frazzled. "Twice in two evenings, Miss Weasley? Well, then, come along! Figures that halfway through a good night's sleep there would be something going on! Its not like I haven't seen it before. Come on in…as soon as I've examined her you can leave, Mister Weasley. It will only take a few moments…Professor McGonagall wanted you back in Gryffindor the moment you found out she's alright."




"I am rather surprised that you would take such a foolhardy risk, given you class standing as of late, Draco."
Draco was slumped in one of Professor's Snape's chairs, watching the teacher, who had lain his hands lightly atop his desk. He'd been very patient, allowing Draco quite a few moments of silence before he had asked him to explain. Which, about the Dark Forest, anyhow—minus actually finding Grawp—he had.
"I'm sorry, Professor."
"Beyond your attempt to incriminate Hagrid, Potter and Granger, what were you doing in the halls this late at night? And with Potter and his friends? This wasn't another foolish attempt at dueling, was it? I had believed you had given that up in your second year."
"No, Professor…I…its quite a long story, sir."
The Potions Master eyed him shrewdly. "I see."
"I…"
"Yes?"
"I think I should really go to the Hospital Wing, Professor."
Professor Snape sighed, but nodded. "Very well, Draco. We can discuss your nighttime outings later, along with the prudence of believing everything Potter lets you overhear. There will be thirty points deducted from Slytherin House. And please, no more excursions into the Dark Forest. Unless you actually catch them doing something."
"Yes, sir." Draco felt guilty, lying to the Professor about the giant and the events in the Ministry. But neither Grawp, nor a manticore, were as important as what was coming.
He rose, moving slowly towards the door, thinking. "Professor?"
Professor Snape, who'd been gathering his things, turned to him. "Yes, Draco?"
"What if I'd found something out…something that might be harmful to Dumbledore and some of the students? I don't know if its true or not…but it might be."
"Professor Dumbledore," corrected Snape, one eyebrow raised. "What have you learned of that might involve the Headmaster? Something hidden in the Dark Forest?"
"Not…exactly."
Professor Snape rose, and moved over to Draco. "We've spoken of the necessity to rectify certain practices at this school. But that does not mean the school itself is useless or that its students have no value. There is an obligation to this school that all professors take, and that is that it must be protected. Even your father, whatever his opinion on Dumbledore's enrollment policy, believed that."
"Yes professor," Draco replied, lowering his head to avoid the Snape's gaze. "If…if I learn of anything, I'll be sure to let you know."
He could feel Snape watching him as he moved from the door, but the Potions Master said nothing else to him.
He wasn't sure what to do. His aunt was completely mad; she might just have been talking, back at the Manor. And yet, his mother had believed her.
But he'd not received word from her yet. He was surprised she hadn't sent an owl already—Tenny would have told her he was gone almost immediately. If there was any chance of harm, his mother would have sent word for him to come home. Or to warn him. Especially seeing he was aware of what might occur.
If he told Snape now, and Hogwarts really was attacked, they would be better prepared. The Floo in Slytherin would probably remain open. They could get the students out.
If they didn't know, and Bellatrix attacked, it would be the Professors, on their own, with no one to assist them in defending the school.
But if it was a hoax…he would be in serious trouble. They'd know about his traveling out of Hogwarts, about the Floo—about Ginny…
He shook his head. Impossible, that Dumbledore wouldn't know of an army of Dementors being amassed for an attack on the castle. He's not that much of a fool. The whole thing was contrived by my aunt…probably to worry Mother. She likes to do that.
Yet she'd instructed Narcissa to warn the Slytherins and the other Death Eaters. Bellatrix wouldn't upset the other followers of the Dark Lord just to pull a prank.
Maybe the students really were in danger.
Ginny Weasley's face flashed before him.
"I don't care!" he growled. Ginny Weasley, nor her brother or her friends, were of any concern to him. Let them be attacked.
Have you murdered anybody, then? You are not your father. Not yet.
"SHUT UP!"
"I'm terribly sorry. Had I realized my thoughts were this loud, I would never have begun to think them."
Draco jumped. Professor Dumbledore was coming down the steps from the Hospital Wing, a large parchment in hand.
"Professor…I'm sorry, sir."
"No need to apologize, Mister Malfoy. You are as entitled to your opinion of my thoughts as anyone else."
Draco maintained a straight face. Dumbledore was really off his rocker, but he was the Headmaster, after all.
"Are you going to the Hospital Wing, Mister Malfoy? Those wounds look as though they need to be tended."
"Yes sir."
"Miss Weasley, I understand, has already been this evening as well. That is four rather serious injuries in two evenings. A strange occurrence, even with certain other more adventuresome students in the school."
Draco paused on the steps as Dumbledore watched him beneath the rim of his half-moon glasses.
"Headmaster?"
"Yes?"
Draco remained silent for a moment.
"Is there something you want to tell me, Mister Malfoy?"
He raised his eyes to the Professor. Despite his rather jovial appearance, there had always been something somewhat cold in those blue eyes. Something old, and wise, and shrewd. Like he was waiting for Draco to make just the right move. Or the wrong one.
"No sir."
Dumbledore continued to watch him, one eyebrow raised. "Very well, then. Madam Pomfrey is expecting you, I believe.
"Take care, Mister Malfoy," he called behind him as he continued down the steps. "Those wounds may come a little closer to your heart the next time around."
Draco shook his head, and wondered how someone like that could have become the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
The hospital wing was rather silent when he arrived, as he expected it to be, this time of night. Madam Pomfrey was in the far corner, tending to someone in the last bed.
"Just drink this, and you'll be able to sleep a little better."
"I'm really quite all right…"
Draco froze, recognizing the voice immediately.
I thought she'd be gone by now!
"Now, now, Miss Weasley. As you won't explain to me everything that happened, I can't make a proper diagnosis, but I can tell you that I've seen just about everything in these halls that could possibly happen to a person, wizard or muggle, and I have gotten fairly good at making diagnosis. Now DRINK."
Ginny sat up, and sipped the cup Madam Pomfrey handed her, wrinkling her nose at the smell. He started to back away, but both turned towards him.
"Hello, Mister Malfoy, I've been told to expect you as well…again? "
"I…uh…"
Ginny narrowed her eyes, but touched Madam Pomfrey's arm lightly, handing her back the cup. "He's hurt too, Madam Pomfrey. He had a run in with one of Hagrid's pets."
Madam Pomfrey tutted, and came towards him. "It'll be fairly serious, I expect. Or, is it? What was it this time, Mister Malfoy…a flobberworm? Dugbog?" She looked slightly amused, and Draco blushed, remembering the fuss he'd made over Buckbeak.
"Manticore," Ginny piped seriously, then flopped over on her side.
"A MANTICORE!" Madam Pomfrey grabbed Draco's arm, ushering him to a bed. "Honestly! I had no idea he had something so dangerous roaming about! Next thing you know he'll have a Nundu stalking about the premises like Mrs. Norris!"
She pulled open his shirt, eyes widening at the inflamed claw marks across his chest. "Good heavens! I'm going to have a talk with Hagrid about this first thing tomorrow."
"Er…that's not necessary," Draco mumbled. "It's already gone. I think he only had it for class."
She was rummaging through one of her cabinets, pulling out bandages and vials. "Of course…at least that's what he says. After all, Hagrid is Hagrid."
"No, Madam Pomfrey, Malfoy's right. Hagrid took it back to the Ministry of Magic this morning after class," said Ginny from across the room.
Madam Pomfrey glanced back and forth between the two beds, sighed, and bent to treat Draco's wounds with a yellow colored salve. It smelled like saltwater, and felt remarkably refreshing.
"Someone's already treated these wounds—thank goodness for that, or they might be much more serious than they already are. Just let the salve work overnight," she continued, wrapping his chest in bandages. "They should be healed by tomorrow morning, although there will be just a little bit of scarring…but that too should heal with time."
He re-buttoned his shirt, looking back towards the covered lump in the last bed.
"Well, you can return to your dormitory, Mister Malfoy. Miss Weasley, I'll be back to check on you in a few hours. And keep that bandage on your hand, or you'll be permanently scarred."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey," they said in unison. Draco flushed; the mound that was Ginny shifted uncomfortably, pulling the covers up to her ears.
The nurse left the main room and retreated to her chambers alongside, closing the door tightly. Draco stood, glancing over at Ginny for a moment, before turning for the door.
"I don't understand this," came a muffled voice from beneath the sheets. "Just a few hours ago things were so different. "
Draco raised a hand, rubbing his eyes. There was no use pretending he didn't know what she meant. "That was because things are different—outside of school. But now we've returned, and everything has to be normal again."
"Being horrid, and cruel? That is normal for you? To be awful and unfeeling and mean? Why?" Ginny sat up, tossing the covers aside. "You really want to be this way?"
Draco walked over to the end of her bed. "Do you really believe that I'm horrid and awful and cruel to everyone? Do you think the people in my House really believe that?"
She opened her mouth, then shut it again, looking bewildered. "It never occurred to you that perhaps I'm only horrid and awful and cruel to people like Potter and Weasley. Because they're not exactly the knights in shining armor everyone makes them out to be. They've insulted my mother, my family, my House…even my name…over and over again. They've attacked me, and other members of Slytherin. And they go about breaking rules and completely disrespecting what this school stands for. But they are glorified, or rather, Potter is—simply because he's famous. "
"He's not glorified because he's famous. He—and Hermione and everyone else—they're glorified because they care. The people in Slytherin might have been attacked, but they've attacked in turn. The Slytherins might care about each other, but they don't care about anyone else. Harry and the rest do. Do you think that if this school was threatened, they wouldn't do what they could to protect all the students? They'd save the Slytherins, even if they didn't want to, because they believe that it's the life, not the lineage, that's important."
A wave of electricity washed through him as she spoke. Tomorrow…
"Wha—what makes you say that?"
"I'm trying to prove a point, Malfoy. To show you the difference between you and Harry."
"I know what the difference between myself and Potter is," he snapped, perhaps more forcefully than he should.
"Of course. He's not a pure-blood, at least not in terms of what you think it means. Well, that's fine, Malfoy. Then, what about me?"
"What about you?"
"I'm a pure-blood. I've been a witch my entire life. What are the differences between us?"
Draco searched her face. "That should be obvious. You love muggle borns. And you hate the Slytherins."
"I don't hate the Slytherins. I've never really been given a reason to. Just like I've never really been given a reason to hate you."
He remembered her face in the forest, glaring at him. "You have, though. You've hated me."
"I haven't. You might be horrid at times, Draco Malfoy, but I've never hated you. Voldemort, your aunt—yes. Because they hurt people. They kill people. Your father, because of what he did to me. But never you."
Something inside his chest loosened. "Ginny…"
"Before you say anything else, there's something I want to know. Something I've always wanted to know. Why do you hate—I mean, really hate—the muggle-borns so much? Other than that you've been taught to hate them. What's the reason? "
He turned aside, dropping his shoulders. The reason…
His parents, painstakingly introducing him to the history of wizards. His mother, teaching him their stories out of the books in her study. His father, pointing out the great accomplishments of the wizarding world with pride. And then…having to hide, when he was five, from a stray band of muggles who'd wandered too close to the Manor. Being teased by muggles when he went out in public, because of his robes, and not understanding why. Never been allowed to soar above the treetops on his brooms, because he might be seen.
"Because they're destroying us."
"Destroying us?"
"Muggles have sent us into hiding. Their children come into our world, trying to change it because its different from what they were taught. And wizards now, even pure-blood wizards, believe traditions should be upended because they are out of date and unfair to muggles. Our world is disappearing, buried beneath muggle rules and muggle protections. And those that are making it so are celebrated and applauded!"
"But…that's not death…that's change. Its happened for centuries. We went into hiding because we wanted to—to prevent deaths on both side. Most of us have accepted that—embraced it. The forms might change, and some of the traditions—but our world has never disappeared. And it never will. We wouldn't let it." "Of course you would believe that, because your parents believe that. But have you ever had to hide from the muggles? Have you ever had to run for fear they might discover you? Or what you were?"
She remained silent.
"That's what I hate about them. We're superior to them, yet they control us. "
"So then…its better to see them all die? To see all of us die?"
"Die?"
"What do you think Voldemort is going to do? Kill Harry and be done with it all? He's going to destroy people—a lot of people. Muggles and wizards, muggle-borns and pure-bloods, like me…he's going to destroy us all. And the blood that is shed will not only be on the hands of people who did the slaying, but on those who didn't try and stop it."
"Then maybe that's what needs to be."
"WHAT?!" Ginny leaped out of her bed, coming to him. "You don't believe that!"
"Says who?" He frowned, his eyes narrowing. "I've always believed that. wizards—pure-blood wizards—are superior to everyone. They should survive, even if the others die. Its what my father believes, what my family has believed for generations. What the Dark Lord is doing is acting on what should have been done a long time ago. So that it didn't have to come to this."
"No—you don't believe that. Not really," she whispered.
"But I do. You see? You were wrong about me. I am my father. I was my father a long time ago. I can't change how I feel. It's too late to change anything now."
Her eyes filled with tears. He expected her to back away, but instead she drew close to him, wrapping her arms about him. "No. The boy who saved me today, he is notLucius Malfoy. Lucius would not have stayed behind, facing a manticore, to make sure a common, muggle-loving, poor girl would be all right. He wouldn't have tumbled down a cliff to make sure no harm to came to her. And he wouldn't have risked his life, his honor, and his family pride to make sure she escaped from harm.
"He would have let me die, Draco. But you did not. "
His hands hovered above her, and finally settled on her shoulders, pushing her away. "The boy who saved you today does not exist. He was an illusion. A flaw. Someone who forgot who he really was. And what he really was."
Her lips were trembling, but her tone was steady and controlled, as though she didn't realize she was crying. "No. You found who you really want to be. You have changed. Even if you don't love the muggles, even if you still think you and the Slytherins are superior, you have changed. Malfoy is who you were. Today, you got to be Draco. That is who you are."
He released her, and grabbed her hand, tracing the shape of the snake buried beneath the bandages. "This is who I am. Tonight, I go back to Slytherin, and everyone who knows me will remind me of that. And everything I've believed will come back to me, and I'll remember why I am what I am. Tomorrow, you'll be back in Gryffindor, with your Malfoy-detesting brother. He, and Potter, and Granger, will make you believe that your world is what's right. And you'll understand the difference between us. We'll both wake up and I'll hate them, and they'll hate me, and everything will be as it was. We can't change that, no matter what happened today."
"You're right, we can't. We can't change what's been, or even some of what is. But, Draco," she said softly, moving next to him. "We can change enough."
Her face was only inches from his. He felt strange; his heart was racing, and he couldn't breathe. Her words echoed in his ears. All he wanted to do was leave, to return to the comfort of Slytherin. "Good night, Ginny."
He left her standing by her bedside, her arms wrapped around her, tears streaming down her face.




By the time Draco returned to the Slytherin Common room, everyone had gone to bed for the night, save Pansy, Milly, Crabbe, Goyle and Nott. They turned as he walked slowly in, Nott raising a hand in greeting, Pansy rushing over to him.
"Are you better, Draco?"
He turned his head away from her outstretched hand. "Leave me alone, Pansy. I'm fine."
He wasn't, though. Ginny's voice still rang in his ears, her face flashed through his mind. He could still feel her against him, leaning her head softly against his chin, her hair sparkling in the dim light.
He had no idea how to resolve this. He was utterly confused. Everything he was belonged here—he belonged here. He'd wanted nothing more than to be a Slytherin for the whole of his life. There was comfort, in this room, and in the faces of his friends, which were now staring at him in concern.
But were the ideals wrong? Had she been right?
He threw himself into an armchair.
"What's wrong, Draco? Did Snape punish you?" asked Crabbe.
"No. We lost thirty points."
Milly's face twisted slightly at this—she hated to lose, particularly when Gryffindor was in the lead.
Pansy was seated on the ottoman closest to him. "What about Weasley…she didn't get you in trouble, did she?"
"No," he said as casually as he could, rubbing his forehead. "She's been taken care of."
"Good. For a moment, we were worried."
Draco glanced at him in alarm. "About what?"
"Well, you know how close she is to Potter! She could have twisted that whole thing around and gotten you in serious trouble." She inched closer to him. "My poor Draco…trapped with her that whole time."
"What exactly happened?" asked Milly. "Why didn't you get to the Ministry?"
"We got caught up in the Floo. We ended up…we got lost, and had to go to the Manor."
"The Manor!" said Milly, her face lighting with glee. "I bet she loved that. Did your mother get to meet her? I'm amazed the brat survived."
Draco stared at her, surprised by the wicked smile that lit up her face. Had she always looked like that?
"She doesn't know about our parents, does she?" asked Pansy in consternation. "You know…what goes on there?"
"No. She only got to see my room. And…"
Pansy stared at him "YOUR ROOM?"
"And the Dungeons," he added, though he felt guilty for doing so.
Pansy looked slightly mollified, although at this point he really didn't care what she thought.
"Speaking of the Manor," said Goyle. "Your mother sent an owl earlier." He reached behind him, and handed Draco a letter. "Is anything the matter?"
Draco shrugged, and tore it open:

Return to the Manor IMMEDIATELY. I do not know how you found out, but I assure you your aunt will show you no mercy if she discovers you know of her plot. She is already angry about the girl.
Tell the other Slytherins; their parents will be trying to contact them, but might encounter difficulty with the repelling spells. The Floo will be open starting tomorrow at noon—I want you to be the first one to use it. The others can make due for themselves.

Mother


Draco stared at the note. It was going to pass. Hogwarts was going to be attacked, and destroyed, tomorrow night. And Ginny, and everyone else, would be at the mercy of his aunt and her army of Dementors, without any warning.
The other Slytherins were watching him in confusion.
"Draco?" said Milly.
He crumpled the note in his fist. "I'm off to bed."
He rose, and started up the stairs, leaving the others behind. If Hogwarts was going to be destroyed, they would be saved together—all of them—or destroyed with it.



Harry, Ron and Hermione went to see to Ginny the next morning. She was doing much better, according to Madam Pomfrey, and could be released in time for classes. Ron questioned this, of course, as she still rather pale, and her eyes were red-rimmed, but Madam Pomfrey assure them (with pursed lips) that she was quite well.
They arrived at the Great Hall in time for breakfast, and Ginny came in a little while later, glancing around the hall before sitting down.
"Fuhliln B'er?" Ron asked through a mouthful of porridge and biscuit. Ginny nodded, helping herself to some toast and marmalade.
Hermione was slowly spreading butter on her toast, glancing up at the high windows in the Great Hall periodically.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Odd…the owl that delivers the Daily Prophet should have been here by now."
Harry glanced up. The Hall, which normally buzzed with morning mail deliveries, was strangely empty of owl traffic.
"Because the repelling charms have been reversed," said Luna Lovegood, coming up behind them. She eyed Ron as he continued to shovel porridge into his mouth. "Porridge and biscuits are quite good."
He nodded, smiling at her through cheeks full of food.
"Impossible" huffed Hermione, glaring at Ron for no particular reason. "There are hundreds of repelling charms that surround Hogwarts. As mentioned in…"
"Hogwarts, a History," said Harry, Ginny, and Neville in unison.
Hermione frowned, but returned her attention to Luna "Anyways…as it says in Hogwarts, A History, there are hundreds of spells that protect the castle. For anyone to do such a thing, they'd would have to know the school completely."
"People at the Ministry know Hogwarts completely," returned Luna, staring at her with a vacant expression.
"And, of course, people at the Ministry have just suddenly decided that Hogwarts needs to be seen and unprotected."
"Some might," Luna said lightly, her eyes trailing from Neville's Potions notes to Ginny's palm. "How else could they go about kidnapping the teachers and replacing them with trained kelpies?"
Ron snorted into his porridge, spraying everyone around him with half chewed food. Harry rolled his eyes at Hermione, who's vexed expression had disappeared—or at least seemed so, as she had covered her face with her napkin to hide the odd, strangled noises she was making..
"It's already happened with Professor Vector. He was looking rather green yesterday afternoon. Its supposed to be Professor Snape, next, after Professor Sprout, of course. You have a snake," she motioned to Ginny.
"Professor Vector is fine," said Hermione, her napkin still at her mouth. "And I'm sure Professor Sprout will be able to defend herself."
"Eric Jordan—he's a First year, Ravenclaw—swears he saw her heading to the lake yesterday afternoon. But I think…"
"Cho is waving at you, Luna," said Ginny, motioning with her head. Her left hand was under the table.
Cho Chang was indeed trying to catch Luna's attention, although she was careful not to look in Harry's direction.
Harry frowned and turned away until Luna had walked off. He really felt nothing for Cho, now, but was still vexed that she treated him as though he was no better than a twig at the end of her Quidditch broom. She had kissed him, after all. Hermione finally lowered her napkin, her grin fading only after seeing the cross look on Harry's face. She frowned at him, but said nothing.
"I see Malfoy's back…and looking more evil than ever," said Ron.
They turned to the Slytherin table. Pansy Parkinson had one arm slung through Malfoy's, helping him to his seat, though he was shrugging at her periodically as though trying to brush her off. Despite his being hurt, he wasn't making a big deal about it, like her normally did. Crabbe and Goyle greeted him enthusiastically, making room for him on the benches. Pansy sat down beside him, one hand on his shoulder, reaching for a biscuit and trying to feed it to him.
"I'm going to study in the library," Ginny cried suddenly, standing up, a half-eaten piece of toast still in her hand. Her voice was high and strangled. "I missed a bit, yesterday and all." She dashed from the room, half her books gathered in her hand, the others bouncing about her half-open satchel.
"'S wong wiff 'er?" Ron asked, shoving another biscuit in his mouth.
"I don't know," Hermione replied with a frown, watching as Ginny disappeared through the main doors. "She's so quiet."
"Wouldn't you be, if you were stuck with Malfoy for almost two days?" Harry said, lowering his voice and glancing at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was staring in the direction of the doors, a strange, almost sorrowful expression on his face.
That's odd…
"So…did you send off an owl to Fred and George…or Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "Ron sent off Pig to Fred and George…and I sent Hedwig to tell the Professor. Come to think on it, he probably should have sent an acknowledgment by now."
Hermione glanced at the ceiling again, which hadn't yet seen a single owl. "This really is odd. Perhaps we should say something to Professor McGonagall about it. Luna might actually have been right on, this time…"
"I'm sure they know, Hermione. They'll find out the cause, and fix it."
"Besides," Ron said, swallowing the last bit of his porridge. "It'll save us one day of being subjected to another of Neville's Grandmother's Howlers."
"Yeah," Neville laughed shakily. "Especially after she finds out how I did on my last Care of Magical Creatures exam."
On the other side of the hall, the Slytherins began to gather their things; Pansy leaned over to help Malfoy with his books, but he pushed her hands aside and shoveled them into his satchel. He breezed out of the Great Hall before any of the rest of them could pack up theirs.
"Come on," said Harry, watching Malfoy as he walked swiftly through the doors. "Potions."
Ron rolled his eyes, reached for another biscuit, and followed the rest of the group into the bustling halls.




Potions was miserable, as usual, but not so much as it used to be, considering they had all been qualified to take it.
Harry's potions never turned out as well as Hermione's, but he felt a little more confident, having gotten into Advanced Potions in the first place. This time, his Complex Sleeping Draught had looked nearly as smooth as hers, and had only bubbled a little when the final tests were was completed.
Surprisingly, it was Malfoy who'd taken a wrong step; his Draught exploded halfway through the final burn, showering the Slytherin side of the room with a green tinted ooze that caused half of them to drop to the floor in a dead faint. It took three different vials of Awakening Serum for Professor Snape to get them conscious, and another two of Strengthening Potion to allow them to make it to the Hospital Wing.
"Class dismissed," Snape snapped, as he helped Pansy Parkinson wobble to her feet. "But do not presume this little fiasco lessens the amount of analysis I want spent on all forms of Sleeping Drafts. I expect essays handed in by the beginning of next class—with working examples."
"Thank goodness we only have Potions twice a week!" Ron snarled, scrubbing the bottom of his cauldron, where his potion, a ghastly yellow, had adhered to the bottom. "Why I decided Advanced Potions would be worth it I'll never know."
"At least it wasn't us, this time," said Hermione, carefully scooping her perfect potion into little glass vials. "Who would have thought Malfoy, of all people, would end up having class cancelled early?"
"Odd indeed," returned Harry, who was watching as Malfoy scrubbed the areas around his work table. He'd been lucky enough to avoid his own potion, but looked as though he didn't care he completely humiliated himself in front of the entire class. He hadn't even glanced their way.
Hermione must have noticed Harry's expression, because a few moments later, when Ron had moved to the stone basins at the other end of the room, she leaned in, nodded towards Malfoy, and whispered, "Ginny."
Harry nodded. Malfoy's behavior had to have something to do with Ginny, though he couldn't be sure what. Ginny'd been acting strangely, too. Hermione had been right in suspecting something had happened between them. No need to alarm Ron, however. He'd had enough to worry him in the past few days.
"Let's go," Ron said, returning to them. "I've had enough of the bad smell in here to last me for days."
"Wait, the ingredients," said Hermione.
"I'll take care of them," Harry replied. "You go on to the Common Room."
Hermione nodded, glancing sideways at Ron, who was staring at Malfoy with narrowed eyes. "Right, then. We'll see you up there, Harry. Ron?"
He didn't reply, just continued to watch Malfoy, who was on his knees, scrubbing the floor. Hermione put two hands on his shoulders and shoved him out of the room.
Harry gathered the ingredients onto his tray; he returned from the Ingredients storeroom a few moments later, collected his books, and headed for the door.
"Potter."
Harry turned; Malfoy had finished and was wiping his hands, staring at him hatefully.
Harry sighed. "Whatever threat it is this time, Malfoy, I don't have time today. Catch me next Tuesday."
"If you would shut that fat mouth for a moment, and listen, you might be interested in what I have to say."
"Nothing you have to say would interest me."
"Not even if it would save Granger's life? And everyone else's?"
Harry paused. "What do you mean?"
"There's being an attack planned."
"W-what? When?"
"Do you have eyes, Potter? Or are those glasses just for show? Didn't you see that there were no owls this morning? When do you think?"
"You mean…that was planned? " Harry said in shock. "The repelling spells really have been reversed?"
"And the Floo, and the field of apparation…it's all been changed. No wizards will be able to come within 50 miles of this place by this evening."
"Tonight?"
Malfoy sneered at him. "Yes, tonight. The attack will occur this evening after sunset. Go and warn that fool Dumbledore and his little "Order". The only working Floo will be in the Slytherin Common Room if he wants to get anyone out."
"Wait a moment," Harry said, moving a step towards him. "Who's attacking? Voldemort? The Death Eaters? And with what?"
"What does it matter? You know about it, now go and tattle to your Headmaster and let him deal with it."
"It matters," Harry returned harshly. "It matters because we might have to help him. There are over a thousands students at this school."
"Of course. Hero-happy Potter and his little band of DA. Going to save the world, again? Not this time. You had best leave, because even your skills won't be strong enough to match this army."
Harry straightened, a chill running down his spine. It was something about the way Malfoy had spoken that clued him, beyond a shadow of a doubt, into what was coming. "Its not the Death Eaters. It's the Dementors."
"Probably. And maybe some Living Shrouds. Things you would have no chance facing."
Harry narrowed his eyes, but smiled darkly. "You might be surprised, Malfoy. Facing Lord Voldemort a few times changes your perspective on a lot of things. If they want me, they're going to have to fight for it."
"You idiot," Malfoy spat, tossing his rag into his cauldron. "This has nothing to do with the Dark Lord. At least not directly. They're not coming after you, you egoistic half-blood scarhead! They're coming to destroy Hogwarts!"
"Hogwarts?" Harry repeated, confused. "Why?"
"Because…because she's crazy, that's why. Bellatrix Lestrange doesn't care about who lives or dies, so long as you, Dumbledore and the school is completely and utterly annihilated."
"HER? " Harry cried, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "She's the one planning this! Your AUNT!"
He bolted for Malfoy, who whipped out his wand, pointing it straight at Harry's face. "I've had enough battering at the hands of you and your friends in the last two days. Go on and tempt me, Potter. The Cruciatus curse I used on that manticore turned out to be quite effective, and I'd love to test it again."
Harry skidded to a stop, his eyes fixed on Malfoy. "Bellatrix is going to attack Hogwarts…on Voldemort's orders?"
Malfoy shrugged, his wand not moving. "It wasn't clear. I only overheard a little of the conversation between her and my mother. It sounded as though she was, but my 'aunt' tends to be a bit overzealous at times," he smiled cruelly, "as you are well aware."
Harry clenched his teeth, tears of anger blurring his vision. "And what are you planning, Malfoy? Why are you telling me this? Working with her, perhaps, to set up the Gryffindors in the Slytherin Common Room, where it'll be easiest to destroy them?"
The grin washed from Malfoy's face, and, to Harry's surprise, he lowered his wand. "Of course not. If I'd wanted the Gryffindors to die, I wouldn't have said anything, you prat."
"Then why…why are you telling me this, Malfoy? Are you getting a thrill, watching us run about while you'll be safe and tucked away at home?"
"I get no thrill from the idea of destroying Hogwarts. Whatever—or whoever—Dumbledore might let into the school, it is still my school. Not even the Slytherins know—yet. You're the first I've told." Malfoy lowered his eyes for a moment and his entire body seemed to lose its strength. "And I'm not going to run, for the same reason I've told you first. I have to make sure that Ginny Weasley is safe. I owe her that much."
Harry's books, parchment and vials of potion tumbled from his hand, shattering on the floor. He opened and shut his mouth a few times, but no words came out.
Malfoy's pursed his lips, his face going red. "What? She saved me, now I'm returning the favor. There's nothing more to it than that."
"Except that…you're saving the rest of us in the process," Harry said quietly. "You actually care enough about Ginny to protect the rest of us—Hermione and everyone else you despise?"
"Of course not," Malfoy asserted, turning away from him to gather his own books. His face was as red as Ron's had been the night before. "I care nothing for Ginny. But I owe her a wizard's debt. And that must be repaid, no matter to whom it is due. Or who her friends might be."
Harry studied him careful. Beneath the cool demeanor, which bore the same self-assured attitude it always did, there was a hint of something. A doubt, an uncertainty…
A fear…
Hermione's voice echoed in his head. "He's…different, somehow…" Malfoy turned, and Harry bent down to gather his books, his mind racing. Ginny had done something to Malfoy—he couldn't be absolutely certain, but Malfoy had changed. When he rose, Malfoy was walking past him, to the door.
"I'll tell Ginny it was you that warned us," he called to the Slytherin's retreating form, "and I'm sure she'll acknowledge it as a debt repaid. But if there is more to this than you're letting on, Malfoy, I want you to understand something."
Malfoy paused in the doorway.
"If this school has to be defended tonight, I guarantee you that we will be the ones defending it. Not because we all want to be heroes, but because it's our school, and it, and especially its students, are worth saving. And no matter what Ron, I, or anyone else says or does, even if we were to run away and leave the school behind, Ginny won't. She's the kind of person who will be right there, wand ready, facing the Dementors, the Living Shrouds—facing Bellatrix. She will fight for the school…and for the students. She'll die for them. If you feared for her, you've not ensured her protection. You've placed her in greater danger."
He pushed roughly past him, heading down the hall, to Dumbledore's office. Malfoy remained by the doorway, satchel drooping by his side.



***Even if this is a D/G fic, I just luv Harry and want to squish him! Isn't he so right! WOOHOOO! This chapter took SOOO long to write! All this filler stuff, and making sure the repercussions of their adventures together resonated with both Ginny and Draco—but also making sure that they realize they are different people once they return to Hogwarts. But now…the battle for Hogwarts is about to begin!!! Didja like my bombshell? Evil Bellatrix! Expect more of her, more darkness, worry…danger and…mortal peril!

And for those of you to whom I told a bit of a fib…*hee, hee, SWEATDROP*…In the Shadows will NO LONGER BE JUST SIX CHAPTERS! There is no way I can fit what I want to fit in six tellings. So, in keeping along the lines of HP, I'm extending it to seven. WOOHOO! More story, more cliffhangers!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I SO much appreciate it. Please, keep them coming! ;)***