Chapter Thirteen: Reluctance
"You're stepping on my foot!"
"You stepped on mine first!"
"Will you two shut your sodding faces?" Draco hissed over his shoulder.
It was a little over an hour before the three set out to Little Hangleton, and silence was not one of Ron's strong suits. Draco had been subject to listening to Ron's griping since they left Hogwarts, and he was rather surprised at how well he was handling it. He honestly didn't think he had that much patience.
A huffing noise could be heard from somewhere to his right, and Ron grumbled, "I don't see why we have to wear this sodding Cloak."
"Aside from the fact that your life depends on it?" quipped Draco, his patience fading.
"Yeah, but now? We've barely made it to Little Hangleton!"
"We can't risk it, Ron," came Harry's voice, hovering somewhere behind Draco's left shoulder. Scuffing noises could be heard as Ron neglected to pick up his feet.
"Where is this place anyway?" he asked, obviously pouting from the tone of his voice.
Harry began to answer, but Draco had tuned them out. He had been pondering over the reason for Ginny's capture for over an hour now, and he still has no clue. The only logical thing he could think of was Ginny being used as bait for Harry. Blaise was undoubtedly very ticked off about Harry's defeat of the Dark Lord, seeing as how her family had taken the biggest blow. Both her parents were put into Azkaban, leaving Blaise with little to no money.
But if that was true, why did she write to Draco? Was it possible that she had wanted to lure him instead of Harry? But it was ridiculous. She could've gotten Draco as easily as she entered his flat. She didn't need to bring Ginny into anything.
And if that was her plan, how did she know to use Ginny against him? Had she been watching them when they were in Knockturn Alley?
He fumbled with the letter he held in his hands. It certainly raised more questions than answered them.
" — fuck!"
Harry's sudden use of obscenity brought Draco back to the present. He stopped and turned to face the two — which proved to be difficult as they were invisible.
"What now, Potter?" Draco drawled, raising a bored brow towards a tree to his left.
"The Cloak's torn," said Harry sadly, his voice coming from Draco's right. Slowly, Harry pulled the Cloak off of his hands to show the lengthy slit, which was probably torn from one of the rocks on the road. Harry's floating fingers lovingly caressed the tear, and Draco's mind was suddenly pulled into an old memory.
It was late in October of his seventh year when he was told to go to the Headmaster's office. He had been there for nearly an hour, and he found no sign of Harry's arrival anytime soon. Feeling extremely bored and frustrated, he engrossed himself in watching Dumbledore's phoenix, which was busy preening it's fiery feathers. He had learned about phoenixes from his father's books. He knew of their healing powers, and their gift of rebirth. Though some would argue that they are immortal, Draco knew better. Phoenixes do die. When they are reborn, their memories and spirit are transferred into the new bird, who in turn use them to prosper into a new and better bird.
Fawkes was finished with his grooming, and was now fixing a steady stare on Draco. His large yellow eyes watched Draco intently, not once blinking.
Slowly, Draco extended his left arm, hovering it slightly in the air in front of the phoenix, who watched it cautiously. After giving it an examining sniff, Fawkes relaxed, allowing Draco to gently stroke the back of his head.
A calm smile appeared on Draco's lips as he watched Fawkes' eyes droop in serenity. His fingers tingled at the heat radiating from the phoenix's feathers.
Quite suddenly, Fawkes' eyes snapped open and he craned his neck to look around the office. Draco withdrew his hand and glanced around as well, though there was nothing there beside the open door.
"There's nothing there," he told the phoenix, but Fawkes couldn't be corrected. Lowering his head slightly, Fawkes fixed an icy glare at the corner of Dumbledore's desk.
Draco followed his gaze and was surprised to see Harry sitting on it. He had definitely not been there before.
"Potter, what — " Draco began, then his eyes dropped to the silver lump in Harry's hands and he stopped.
"An Invisibility Cloak," said Draco, slightly impressed. They were very rare.
Harry nodded curtly. He unraveled the liquid-like material, and, as if to prove it's authencity, threw it over himself, immediately blending in to his surroundings.
"Spiffy," replied Draco, sounding very bored.
Harry grunted and pulled the Cloak off of himself. With a glare worse than Fawkes, Harry threw the Cloak on Draco's lap, where Draco looked at it curiously.
"What? For me?" asked Draco in mock awe.
Harry snorted and folded his arms across his chest.
"Dumbledore said it could help you," he explained, looking very much against his having to lend Draco his Cloak.
"I doubt it would fool Father," said Draco slowly. He held the material in his hands, feeling it slip through as if it were water or oil. "He's got a bunch of counter spells against these kind of things. Not a big fan of surprises, you see."
Harry pulled a face.
"Just don't ruin it," he said through gritted teeth.
Draco gave him a raised brow, and held the Cloak tauntingly over one of the lit candles on Dumbledore's desk. Murder was clear in his bright green eyes as Harry dashed to Draco's side, practically foaming at the mouth.
"DON'T," snarled Harry, giving Draco a malicious look.
Surprised, Draco recoiled his hands, and held the Cloak protectively against his chest.
"Geez, what's eating you?"
Harry turned to stare at Fawkes and didn't answer. His lack of reply sparked an intrest in Draco, and he grinned.
"Don't want to talk about it, do you?" he egged, hoping to strike a nerve.
When Harry didn't answer again, Draco's grin grew.
"Must be very special to you," he continued, examining the Cloak. "Wouldn't want to ruin it or anything. Though accidents DO happen."
Harry shot him a look, raising the hair behind Draco's neck.
"Interesting," said Draco slowly. He was thinking up a good taunt when Harry finally spoke.
"It's my dad's," he said, eyes not leaving Fawkes'.
Intrigued, Draco waited for him to continue.
Surprisingly, he did.
"Practically the only thing I have from him," explained Harry. The cold look had immediately vanished from his face, instead looking distant. He suddenly turned to Draco, his green eyes set.
"I know you couldn't care less about this," he said, surprising Draco. "But it means a lot to me."
There was a long silence, in which Draco fought very hard to keep his face blank.
"You don't have to worry about your precious Cloak, Potter," Draco said finally.
Nodding slightly, Harry turned back to Fawkes, looking far off once again. Draco looked down at the cherished Cloak he held in his hands, and resisted the urge to tighten his grip around it.
The only thing he ever really got from his father was his looks.
Ron's voice echoed in Draco's head, knocking him out of his daze.
"Don't worry, Harry," comforted Ron, "I'm sure Hermione can fix it."
"Yeah," came Harry's voice, though low and dismal. Draco heard what was unmistakenably a stiffled sniffle.
"It's just a Cloak — get over it," said Draco, though his tone was not as harsh as he intented it to be. Very quickly, he turned and continued down the path, eventually hearing the soft crunch of the two men's feet against the gravel following after him.
* * *
Ginny's eyes, though beginning to sting from the Jasmine fragrance floating around in the air, never left the woman, who had been examining her nails for what felt like half an hour. Just as she felt she could bear the silence no more, the woman spoke, her voice sounding very friendly.
"Are you a virgin?" she asked, innocently leaning forward in wait of Ginny's answer.
Ginny nearly choked. It had been a long while since the woman had removed the scarf around her mouth, and Ginny was suddenly wishing she was gagged again.
"W-What?" Ginny sputtered, eyes wide from shock.
"A virgin," said the woman. "You know, someone who hasn't — "
"I know what a virgin is!" said Ginny quickly, not wishing to hear the woman's version.
"Well, are you?"
Ginny couldn't believe it. This woman kidnapped her, and now had the nerve to butt into her personal life? If her hands were untied, she'd've already slapped the woman twice.
Ginny's lack of response urged the woman to heave a heavy sigh and lean back against her armchair (which she had conjured a few minutes before).
"Fine," said the woman, surrendering. "I can see you're going to be difficult about this."
Tossing her red hair to the side, she held out a lavishly beaded hand towards Ginny.
"I'm Blaise Zabini."
Ginny gave Blaise a dry look. Blaise blinked, and only then realized that Ginny's hands were still tied. Giggling in her embarrassment, Blaise magicked the ropes away, though Ginny still didn't take her hand.
"Alright," said Blaise, withdrawing her hand slowly. "Seeing as how you know me now, you can answer my question."
Ginny's mouth didn't even twitch. Looking irritated, Blaise pointed her want at the girl threateningly.
"Answer me," she ordered, her friendliness suddenly gone.
Then Ginny did something she hadn't done since she was very young, and blew a raspberry. Blaise's violet eyes widened with fury, and she thrust her wand towards an unsuspecting spider that was crawling up the wall behind Ginny.
"Crucio!" Blaise shrieked, and the spider fell unto Ginny's lap and began to jerk in pain. Ginny watched, horror-struck, as it's eight legs began to twist and turn unnaturally.
"Stop!" Ginny pleaded, unable to bear it anymore. "Yes!" Ginny shouted, defeated. "I'm a virgin!"
Blaise withdrew her wand smugly.
"Lovely," said Blaise, leaning back against her chair. "I expected as much."
Ginny slumped against the bed's headboard, suddenly feeling very tired. She wanted it all to stop. But Blaise had different plans.
"If you were to have sex with someone, who would you want it to be?" she said in the same casual air as someone would with asking the time.
Ginny gaped at the woman.
"W-What?!"
"Hypothetically," said Blaise, waving a manicured hand in the air, "if you could choose. Who would you lose your virginity to?"
Ginny stuttered, shocked and disturbed by the woman's bluntness.
"I'll make it easier for you," said Blaise impatiently. "Draco or Potter?"
Now Ginny was even more bothered.
"Wha — I — never — "
"You'd better have an intelligible answer soon," drawled Blaise, waving her wand threateningly.
Ginny bit her lip. How was she supposed to answer that?
"I guess...," she struggled, "Harry?"
Blaise's penciled eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yes," said Ginny, though her answer was troubling her.
"Well," said Blaise, looking highly amused, "that's very interesting."
Ginny gave her a brief wry smile, then went back to scowling at the bedspread. Something about her answer was bothering her, yet she had yet to know why. But before she could think any more on it, Blaise was back to her nosy self.
"What about with children? Whose children would you want to have?"
Ginny glared at Blaise, but she could not be dissuaded. Knowing very well that Blaise would not let her alone, Ginny answered.
"Draco's," she said, and immediately blinked. That wasn't who she meant to say... Or was it?
Blaise began to titter, reminding Ginny of nails against a chalkboard.
"Very interesting!" she giggled, making Ginny's eye twitch irritably.
"What do you want with me?" Ginny asked, feeling like she'd had enough.
Blaise's laughter immediately stopped, and her face held nothing but seriousness.
"Uh uh, little girl," said Blaise, waving a forefinger at Ginny like she was 5 years old. "I ask the questions around here."
Ginny gritted her teeth, wishing she was just a bit stronger so she could strangle the woman. Suddenly the door burst open, flooding the dim room with such bright light that Ginny had to turn away.
A large man, just big enough to squeeze through, dashed to Blaise's side and whispered something in her ear.
"He's here?" Blaise said in surprise. The large man nodded.
"Perfect," said Blaise, mad glee all over her face. She sent Ginny an appraising look before turning back to the man.
"Have Rosa keep an eye on her," she ordered, jerking her head towards Ginny.
The man nodded and left the room in a run, inadvertently causing the floor to shake. Blaise took a few steps towards Ginny, her face split into a devilish grin.
"He's actually come for you," said Blaise, sounding impressed. "Stupid git must care a lot about you."
With that, she turned her heel and left, her long red hair trailing after her. Ginny's brows knitted together in confusion as she weighed the woman's words. When she spoke, shock and disbelief were clear in her tone.
"Draco?"
* * *
"We're here."
The Riddle House was nothing like Draco had imagined. His father spoke very highly of the mansion, and Draco always pictured it to look a big as Hogwarts. But what he saw in front of him was not a Hogwarts. It was barely a Malfoy Manor.
It was unarguably the largest mansion for miles around, though glancing at it, you'd never think it so. Most of the windows were boarded, tiles were missing from its roof, paint was peeling from it's walls, and plant life was rapidly swallowing it whole.
"That's Voldemort's house?" said Ron, still under the Cloak and no longer afraid of saying the Dark Lord's name. He made a low whistling sound.
"No wonder he turned out crappy."
"That's funny, coming from you," quipped Draco, unable to control himself.
There was a scuffle of movement around him, and he moved to dodge the upcoming attack. This proved to be pointless, however, as Draco could not see them, and he soon enough felt the quick, sharp pain of Ron's boot meeting with his shin.
"Ow! Sodding piece of...!" he yelped, hopping up and down on one foot while grasping his other.
"That's enough," Harry whispered harshly, and Draco heard the slight "oof!" from Ron as Harry undoubtedly elbowed him.
"From now on — total silence."
"Good idea, for once," said Draco griped, and began to limp towards the rotting mansion.
Harry and Ron followed suit, knowing with full confidence that they could not be detected.
* * *
In one of the house's rooms, Blaise grinned.
"Wonderful," she said, a mad glint in her eyes. She stood alone in front of a large oval mirror that hung front the wall. The glow from the mirror illuminated the candle-less room, adding shimmer to Blaise's fiery hair. She watched, almost eagerly, as Draco's image was reflected in the mirror, showing him as he was, about to knock on the house's door. What she was looking at, however, was not Draco, but the two men 'hidden' under an Invisibility Cloak behind him.
Already savoring the sweet taste of victory, she grinned, and narrowed her glare at the mobile bodies of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.
"Master will be pleased..."
-----------------------------------------
Reviewers rock; they just do.
Joya,Robin, Wolviesrogue, and Beth.
I hope this chapter was okay. ^^;;;
Chapter Fourteen; Rosa, bugs, and Gregory Goyle.
"You're stepping on my foot!"
"You stepped on mine first!"
"Will you two shut your sodding faces?" Draco hissed over his shoulder.
It was a little over an hour before the three set out to Little Hangleton, and silence was not one of Ron's strong suits. Draco had been subject to listening to Ron's griping since they left Hogwarts, and he was rather surprised at how well he was handling it. He honestly didn't think he had that much patience.
A huffing noise could be heard from somewhere to his right, and Ron grumbled, "I don't see why we have to wear this sodding Cloak."
"Aside from the fact that your life depends on it?" quipped Draco, his patience fading.
"Yeah, but now? We've barely made it to Little Hangleton!"
"We can't risk it, Ron," came Harry's voice, hovering somewhere behind Draco's left shoulder. Scuffing noises could be heard as Ron neglected to pick up his feet.
"Where is this place anyway?" he asked, obviously pouting from the tone of his voice.
Harry began to answer, but Draco had tuned them out. He had been pondering over the reason for Ginny's capture for over an hour now, and he still has no clue. The only logical thing he could think of was Ginny being used as bait for Harry. Blaise was undoubtedly very ticked off about Harry's defeat of the Dark Lord, seeing as how her family had taken the biggest blow. Both her parents were put into Azkaban, leaving Blaise with little to no money.
But if that was true, why did she write to Draco? Was it possible that she had wanted to lure him instead of Harry? But it was ridiculous. She could've gotten Draco as easily as she entered his flat. She didn't need to bring Ginny into anything.
And if that was her plan, how did she know to use Ginny against him? Had she been watching them when they were in Knockturn Alley?
He fumbled with the letter he held in his hands. It certainly raised more questions than answered them.
" — fuck!"
Harry's sudden use of obscenity brought Draco back to the present. He stopped and turned to face the two — which proved to be difficult as they were invisible.
"What now, Potter?" Draco drawled, raising a bored brow towards a tree to his left.
"The Cloak's torn," said Harry sadly, his voice coming from Draco's right. Slowly, Harry pulled the Cloak off of his hands to show the lengthy slit, which was probably torn from one of the rocks on the road. Harry's floating fingers lovingly caressed the tear, and Draco's mind was suddenly pulled into an old memory.
It was late in October of his seventh year when he was told to go to the Headmaster's office. He had been there for nearly an hour, and he found no sign of Harry's arrival anytime soon. Feeling extremely bored and frustrated, he engrossed himself in watching Dumbledore's phoenix, which was busy preening it's fiery feathers. He had learned about phoenixes from his father's books. He knew of their healing powers, and their gift of rebirth. Though some would argue that they are immortal, Draco knew better. Phoenixes do die. When they are reborn, their memories and spirit are transferred into the new bird, who in turn use them to prosper into a new and better bird.
Fawkes was finished with his grooming, and was now fixing a steady stare on Draco. His large yellow eyes watched Draco intently, not once blinking.
Slowly, Draco extended his left arm, hovering it slightly in the air in front of the phoenix, who watched it cautiously. After giving it an examining sniff, Fawkes relaxed, allowing Draco to gently stroke the back of his head.
A calm smile appeared on Draco's lips as he watched Fawkes' eyes droop in serenity. His fingers tingled at the heat radiating from the phoenix's feathers.
Quite suddenly, Fawkes' eyes snapped open and he craned his neck to look around the office. Draco withdrew his hand and glanced around as well, though there was nothing there beside the open door.
"There's nothing there," he told the phoenix, but Fawkes couldn't be corrected. Lowering his head slightly, Fawkes fixed an icy glare at the corner of Dumbledore's desk.
Draco followed his gaze and was surprised to see Harry sitting on it. He had definitely not been there before.
"Potter, what — " Draco began, then his eyes dropped to the silver lump in Harry's hands and he stopped.
"An Invisibility Cloak," said Draco, slightly impressed. They were very rare.
Harry nodded curtly. He unraveled the liquid-like material, and, as if to prove it's authencity, threw it over himself, immediately blending in to his surroundings.
"Spiffy," replied Draco, sounding very bored.
Harry grunted and pulled the Cloak off of himself. With a glare worse than Fawkes, Harry threw the Cloak on Draco's lap, where Draco looked at it curiously.
"What? For me?" asked Draco in mock awe.
Harry snorted and folded his arms across his chest.
"Dumbledore said it could help you," he explained, looking very much against his having to lend Draco his Cloak.
"I doubt it would fool Father," said Draco slowly. He held the material in his hands, feeling it slip through as if it were water or oil. "He's got a bunch of counter spells against these kind of things. Not a big fan of surprises, you see."
Harry pulled a face.
"Just don't ruin it," he said through gritted teeth.
Draco gave him a raised brow, and held the Cloak tauntingly over one of the lit candles on Dumbledore's desk. Murder was clear in his bright green eyes as Harry dashed to Draco's side, practically foaming at the mouth.
"DON'T," snarled Harry, giving Draco a malicious look.
Surprised, Draco recoiled his hands, and held the Cloak protectively against his chest.
"Geez, what's eating you?"
Harry turned to stare at Fawkes and didn't answer. His lack of reply sparked an intrest in Draco, and he grinned.
"Don't want to talk about it, do you?" he egged, hoping to strike a nerve.
When Harry didn't answer again, Draco's grin grew.
"Must be very special to you," he continued, examining the Cloak. "Wouldn't want to ruin it or anything. Though accidents DO happen."
Harry shot him a look, raising the hair behind Draco's neck.
"Interesting," said Draco slowly. He was thinking up a good taunt when Harry finally spoke.
"It's my dad's," he said, eyes not leaving Fawkes'.
Intrigued, Draco waited for him to continue.
Surprisingly, he did.
"Practically the only thing I have from him," explained Harry. The cold look had immediately vanished from his face, instead looking distant. He suddenly turned to Draco, his green eyes set.
"I know you couldn't care less about this," he said, surprising Draco. "But it means a lot to me."
There was a long silence, in which Draco fought very hard to keep his face blank.
"You don't have to worry about your precious Cloak, Potter," Draco said finally.
Nodding slightly, Harry turned back to Fawkes, looking far off once again. Draco looked down at the cherished Cloak he held in his hands, and resisted the urge to tighten his grip around it.
The only thing he ever really got from his father was his looks.
Ron's voice echoed in Draco's head, knocking him out of his daze.
"Don't worry, Harry," comforted Ron, "I'm sure Hermione can fix it."
"Yeah," came Harry's voice, though low and dismal. Draco heard what was unmistakenably a stiffled sniffle.
"It's just a Cloak — get over it," said Draco, though his tone was not as harsh as he intented it to be. Very quickly, he turned and continued down the path, eventually hearing the soft crunch of the two men's feet against the gravel following after him.
Ginny's eyes, though beginning to sting from the Jasmine fragrance floating around in the air, never left the woman, who had been examining her nails for what felt like half an hour. Just as she felt she could bear the silence no more, the woman spoke, her voice sounding very friendly.
"Are you a virgin?" she asked, innocently leaning forward in wait of Ginny's answer.
Ginny nearly choked. It had been a long while since the woman had removed the scarf around her mouth, and Ginny was suddenly wishing she was gagged again.
"W-What?" Ginny sputtered, eyes wide from shock.
"A virgin," said the woman. "You know, someone who hasn't — "
"I know what a virgin is!" said Ginny quickly, not wishing to hear the woman's version.
"Well, are you?"
Ginny couldn't believe it. This woman kidnapped her, and now had the nerve to butt into her personal life? If her hands were untied, she'd've already slapped the woman twice.
Ginny's lack of response urged the woman to heave a heavy sigh and lean back against her armchair (which she had conjured a few minutes before).
"Fine," said the woman, surrendering. "I can see you're going to be difficult about this."
Tossing her red hair to the side, she held out a lavishly beaded hand towards Ginny.
"I'm Blaise Zabini."
Ginny gave Blaise a dry look. Blaise blinked, and only then realized that Ginny's hands were still tied. Giggling in her embarrassment, Blaise magicked the ropes away, though Ginny still didn't take her hand.
"Alright," said Blaise, withdrawing her hand slowly. "Seeing as how you know me now, you can answer my question."
Ginny's mouth didn't even twitch. Looking irritated, Blaise pointed her want at the girl threateningly.
"Answer me," she ordered, her friendliness suddenly gone.
Then Ginny did something she hadn't done since she was very young, and blew a raspberry. Blaise's violet eyes widened with fury, and she thrust her wand towards an unsuspecting spider that was crawling up the wall behind Ginny.
"Crucio!" Blaise shrieked, and the spider fell unto Ginny's lap and began to jerk in pain. Ginny watched, horror-struck, as it's eight legs began to twist and turn unnaturally.
"Stop!" Ginny pleaded, unable to bear it anymore. "Yes!" Ginny shouted, defeated. "I'm a virgin!"
Blaise withdrew her wand smugly.
"Lovely," said Blaise, leaning back against her chair. "I expected as much."
Ginny slumped against the bed's headboard, suddenly feeling very tired. She wanted it all to stop. But Blaise had different plans.
"If you were to have sex with someone, who would you want it to be?" she said in the same casual air as someone would with asking the time.
Ginny gaped at the woman.
"W-What?!"
"Hypothetically," said Blaise, waving a manicured hand in the air, "if you could choose. Who would you lose your virginity to?"
Ginny stuttered, shocked and disturbed by the woman's bluntness.
"I'll make it easier for you," said Blaise impatiently. "Draco or Potter?"
Now Ginny was even more bothered.
"Wha — I — never — "
"You'd better have an intelligible answer soon," drawled Blaise, waving her wand threateningly.
Ginny bit her lip. How was she supposed to answer that?
"I guess...," she struggled, "Harry?"
Blaise's penciled eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yes," said Ginny, though her answer was troubling her.
"Well," said Blaise, looking highly amused, "that's very interesting."
Ginny gave her a brief wry smile, then went back to scowling at the bedspread. Something about her answer was bothering her, yet she had yet to know why. But before she could think any more on it, Blaise was back to her nosy self.
"What about with children? Whose children would you want to have?"
Ginny glared at Blaise, but she could not be dissuaded. Knowing very well that Blaise would not let her alone, Ginny answered.
"Draco's," she said, and immediately blinked. That wasn't who she meant to say... Or was it?
Blaise began to titter, reminding Ginny of nails against a chalkboard.
"Very interesting!" she giggled, making Ginny's eye twitch irritably.
"What do you want with me?" Ginny asked, feeling like she'd had enough.
Blaise's laughter immediately stopped, and her face held nothing but seriousness.
"Uh uh, little girl," said Blaise, waving a forefinger at Ginny like she was 5 years old. "I ask the questions around here."
Ginny gritted her teeth, wishing she was just a bit stronger so she could strangle the woman. Suddenly the door burst open, flooding the dim room with such bright light that Ginny had to turn away.
A large man, just big enough to squeeze through, dashed to Blaise's side and whispered something in her ear.
"He's here?" Blaise said in surprise. The large man nodded.
"Perfect," said Blaise, mad glee all over her face. She sent Ginny an appraising look before turning back to the man.
"Have Rosa keep an eye on her," she ordered, jerking her head towards Ginny.
The man nodded and left the room in a run, inadvertently causing the floor to shake. Blaise took a few steps towards Ginny, her face split into a devilish grin.
"He's actually come for you," said Blaise, sounding impressed. "Stupid git must care a lot about you."
With that, she turned her heel and left, her long red hair trailing after her. Ginny's brows knitted together in confusion as she weighed the woman's words. When she spoke, shock and disbelief were clear in her tone.
"Draco?"
"We're here."
The Riddle House was nothing like Draco had imagined. His father spoke very highly of the mansion, and Draco always pictured it to look a big as Hogwarts. But what he saw in front of him was not a Hogwarts. It was barely a Malfoy Manor.
It was unarguably the largest mansion for miles around, though glancing at it, you'd never think it so. Most of the windows were boarded, tiles were missing from its roof, paint was peeling from it's walls, and plant life was rapidly swallowing it whole.
"That's Voldemort's house?" said Ron, still under the Cloak and no longer afraid of saying the Dark Lord's name. He made a low whistling sound.
"No wonder he turned out crappy."
"That's funny, coming from you," quipped Draco, unable to control himself.
There was a scuffle of movement around him, and he moved to dodge the upcoming attack. This proved to be pointless, however, as Draco could not see them, and he soon enough felt the quick, sharp pain of Ron's boot meeting with his shin.
"Ow! Sodding piece of...!" he yelped, hopping up and down on one foot while grasping his other.
"That's enough," Harry whispered harshly, and Draco heard the slight "oof!" from Ron as Harry undoubtedly elbowed him.
"From now on — total silence."
"Good idea, for once," said Draco griped, and began to limp towards the rotting mansion.
Harry and Ron followed suit, knowing with full confidence that they could not be detected.
In one of the house's rooms, Blaise grinned.
"Wonderful," she said, a mad glint in her eyes. She stood alone in front of a large oval mirror that hung front the wall. The glow from the mirror illuminated the candle-less room, adding shimmer to Blaise's fiery hair. She watched, almost eagerly, as Draco's image was reflected in the mirror, showing him as he was, about to knock on the house's door. What she was looking at, however, was not Draco, but the two men 'hidden' under an Invisibility Cloak behind him.
Already savoring the sweet taste of victory, she grinned, and narrowed her glare at the mobile bodies of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.
"Master will be pleased..."
-----------------------------------------
Reviewers rock; they just do.
Joya,Robin, Wolviesrogue, and Beth.
I hope this chapter was okay. ^^;;;
Chapter Fourteen; Rosa, bugs, and Gregory Goyle.