A Simple Gold Band
Chapter 8
Twelve hours after portkeying into Hogsmeade, Blaise and his men finally managed to break through the ranks of Death Eaters and made their way to Hogwarts. With their help, Ron and his men, the teachers and a few older students pushed the Death Eaters back into a retreat. The Death Eaters fell back to regroup and organise before attacking the school again. Ron and the teachers used that time to collect the injured and the dead back into the school. While the Head boy and girl made sure that all the other students were in the Great Hall, Ron and Blaise gathered in the Headmaster Dumbledore's office to discuss the next plan of action against the Death Eater attack. The rest of their men either were in the infirmary for treatment or patrolling the castle.
Both Ron and Blaise sat opposite the headmaster, waiting for him to say something. After waiting for ten minutes and not a peep from Dumbledore, Ron decided to take the lead.
"Headmaster, we need more back up. Even though the teachers and the older students held most of the Death Eaters at bay before we came but we don't know what they're planning now," Ron said.
"I know Ron but you know as well as I do the Ministry troops and the Order members are stretched thin especially after Voldermort launched the three-prong attack," Dumbledore said gravely, sounding and looking every bit of his 200 years.
"But it's just that…." Blaise started but couldn't vocalise what he was thinking.
"I understand that you don't want to see the school fall into enemy hands Blaise but the school can be rebuilt. It's the students' safety that's important."
"I understand sir."
"Good. Now, I think both of you should go down to the infirmary and get your wounds checked out," Dumbledore said, standing up from his chair.
Seeing the puzzled looks on their faces, he waved casually at their torn, slashed uniforms that were stiff with blood. They had gone straight from carrying the injured and dead into the castle to Dumbledore's office. Both men looked down at their uniforms and identical looks of comprehension dawned on their faces. It was only then did they realise the various aches and pains all over their body since the after effects of an adrenaline rush had worn off. They nodded to the Headmaster and were about to leave when the door opened suddenly and a very nervous and worried looking Professor McGonagall rushed in carrying a crumpled piece of parchment.
"Headmaster, we have a problem. The student head count came up with one student short. We've search everywhere for her but to no avail. We were about to do another search when this came in," she said, passing the parchment to Dumbledore.
Blaise and Ron watched with apprehension as angry waves of power rolled off the Headmaster. Both men stepped back when Dumbledore looked up. Slamming the parchment onto the table, he walked towards the window muttering, "He's gone too far."
Blaise picked up the note and swore a blue streak when he read it:
Dumbledore,
I'm sure by now you would realise that Miss Persephone Parkinson is missing. Poor Dumbledore, can't keep his students safe. If you want to see her in relative good health, get the Potter boy to meet me in a duel tomorrow evening. I'm sure his wife wouldn't be too happy with him if her little sister suffers a fate worse than death. So, hurry up old man because my Death Eaters are itching for some fun.
The note wasn't signed except for the image of the Dark Mark burnt at the bottom.
"Pansy's not going to be happy when she finds out that Voldie's got Fanny," Blaise said, handing the note to Ron so that he could read it.
"We need to tell Harry about this now. I think he's still at St Mungo's," Ron said, looking at the Headmaster.
"I will inform Harry as soon as possible. Both of you head down to the infirmary and get Poppy to patch you up," the Headmaster replied.
"Yes sir," said both men before leaving, accompanied by McGonagall.
Once he was alone, Dumbledore walked to the fireplace, threw in a handful of floo powder, and shouted, "St. Mungo's Hospital!"
Draco awoke from his slumber slowly. He saw that Ginny had her arms around his waist as she snuggled closer to his chest. He couldn't help but smile at the death grip she had of his waist, knowing full well that she missed him as much as he did her. He gently brushed her hair away from her face so that he could kiss her. Ginny stirred as Draco brushed his lips gently against her cheek. She blinked a few times to clear the sleep from her eyes and smiled when she saw her husband staring intently at her.
Tracing her finger along his jaw, she said, "Good morning my love."
"Good morning," he answered with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I ever had since you went missing."
"Ginny., I…."
Ginny's fingers on his lips halted his words. She shook her head and said, "All that is important to me is that you're here now, with me. With us."
"I love you Ginny," his voice cracked with emotion.
"I love you too Draco."
Draco kissed her lips gently and rested his forehead against hers. Just as Ginny was about to say something, the door cracked open and Harry popped his head in.
"Sorry to interrupt," Harry said. "Malfoy, can I talk to you a moment? Something just came up."
"Can this wait? Can't you see that I'm trying to spend some time with my wife?" Draco snapped.
"I don't think so. It's rather urgent." Harry gave Ginny an apologetic smile before closing the door. Draco shook his head in disgust and got out of bed. He put on his shoes and kissed his wife soundly before stepping out the door.
Ginny lay in bed waiting for Draco to come back but after waiting for twenty minutes and he still wasn't back, Ginny started to worry so she decided to wash up while she waited. It was only when one of the nurses brought Nadira to her did she found something else to occupy her mind off Draco's absence. Having some time alone with her daughter, Ginny counted all her fingers and toes, kissed her fuzzy hair and caressing her cheeks. Ginny was happily nursing her daughter when Draco stormed into the room and started pacing at the foot of her bed, muttering, "Damn Potter! Damn Dumbledore! Can't keep his students safe."
"Draco? Is everything alright?"
Draco stopped his pacing and rubbed his forehead wearily. He sat down beside is wife and brushed his fingers gently alog his daughters face. Ginny's brows furrowed with worry etched on her face.
"Ginny-love, I have to leave," he said softly.
"What? Why? You just came back! Why do you have to leave again?" Ginny asked, her eyes welling with tears.
"I wish I didn't have to go. I wish I could stay here with you and Nadira but Hogwarts need back up and Potter. I have to go Ginny."
"What's going on Draco?"
"Voldermort's got Pansy's sister Fanny and he threatened to torture her if Potter doesn't meet him in a duel this evening."
Ginny gasped in horror at the news. She knew how close Pansy and her sister were, especially after their parents murder at the command of Voldermort when Pansy refused to take the mark in 7th year.
"How did Pansy take the news?"
"She went limp and Potter had to carry her back to the Burrow."
Draco watched his wife and daughter together and felt his heart clench. I must have done something right to be blessed with a beautiful wife who loves me as much as I love her and a perfect little girl created out of that love, he thought. He leaned over and kissed Ginny lightly on the lips, causing her to smile and blush slightly. Draco returned her smile but Ginny saw that his smile didn't really reach his eyes. She also saw the worry in those wonderful pools of silver that she loved so much. As she was about to say something, the same nurse who brought Nadira to her, came in with her discharge papers for her to sign.
Within forty-five minutes, the Malfoy family were at the Burrow. While Molly fussed over the new addition, Draco led his wife up to her bedroom and tucked her in to bed so that she could rest. Bringing the blanket up to her waist, Ginny pulled Draco down beside her. She rested her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. They sat there in silence with their arms around each other, savouring the moment. A few minutes later, Molly came up to pass the sleeping baby to her parents. Draco took his daughter into his arms and sat back down beside Ginny. Rubbing his cheek against Nadira's hair, he smiled at Ginny and saw the tears glistening in her eyes.
"Ginny, Ginny please don't cry."
"I'm sorry, I can't help it. You're going off to battle and I may never see you again," she cried, her tears spilling down her cheeks.
Draco quickly placed Nadira in her crib and sat back down. He gathered Ginny into his arms and stroked her back to help her calm down.
"Ginny-love, I promised you the last time that I'll come back to you and I did. I'm making you the same promise now. I WILL come back. Trust me?"
Ginny nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She pulled out a chain around her neck and two matching gold bands dangled in between her chest. Ginny took off the chain and fastened it around Draco's neck.
"Ginny aren't these our –"
"Yes they are. I've been wearing your ring along with mine on that chain since Harry brought it back. I want you to wear this as a good luck charm. It'll keep you safe so that you'll come back to us."
Draco looked down at the matching set of rings and gripped it in his right hand while his left held onto Ginny's. He leaned forward and kissed her lips gently. A knock on the door caused both of them to turn. The door opened slightly and Harry popped his head in, looking grave and serious.
"Malfoy, it's time to go."
"Ok, give me a minute and I'll meet you downstairs."
After Harry left, Draco turned back towards Ginny. He cupped her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. Kissing her forehead, Draco whispered, "I love you Ginny."
"I love you too Draco."
Kissing her one last time, Draco got up and went out of the room without looking back. Ginny sat on her bed and looked out the window, not turning to see Draco leave. She heard him go downstairs and heard him talk to Harry before it all went silent. He's taken the portkey, she thought. Still staring out the window, she allowed her tears to fall.