Chapter 17
"Oh my god." Ginny was at his side in a second. She knelt down beside his bed and took his hand in hers. His lip was cut and he had a bandage wrapped around his head, covering most of his forehead. His neck and arms were bruised in several places. Ginny didn't realize she was crying until a few tears appeared on the sheet below her head.
"Here you go dear." Madame Pomfrey tapped Ginny's shoulder and motioned to the chair she had dragged over. Ginny nodded gratefully and sat down in it after pulling it closer to Draco's bed.
"Miss Wealsey?" Ginny looked up to see Professor Dumbledore standing at the foot of the bed. "I will allow you to stay with Draco, on three conditions. Firstly, you will tell everyone that you are helping Professor McGonagall with a project. I don't think this will be a problem, as I don't anticipate you seeing that many people. Secondly, you will keep up on all of your schoolwork. Thirdly, you will eat three meals a day and get at least 8 hours of sleep. Your food will be sent up here and Madame Pomfrey will make up the other bed for you. Your homework will be sent up as well."
"Of course Professor, thank you. But why are you allowing me to stay with him?" It wasn't very common for a student to be excused from their classes.
"Because Madame Pomfrey cannot be in here to watch him regularly. And I know it would be worse if you were only allowed to see him once every other day. Be sure to heed the conditions, Miss Weasley." Ginny nodded as Professor Dumbledore tipped his head and left the Hospital Wing. She turned back to Draco and sniffed back tears as she looked at his bruised neck. She leaned over and placed a small, gentle kiss on his cheek.
Two Days Later
Ginny glanced up from her Charms essay to see Professor Dumbledore come into the hidden part of the Hospital Wing. He smiled at Ginny and she returned it weakly. She was unsure what he was doing there; he had already made his daily visit to check on Draco and give Ginny her homework.
"I wanted you to know that Lucius has been taken into custody. He will not be charged, but will begin counseling. He has yet to be told the whereabouts of his son. Oh, and I believe your brother would like to see you." Ginny gave Dumbledore a confused look; her heart sank. Did Ron know?
She was so very relieved when none other than Charlie stepped through the door. She threw her books aside and ran to him. Dumbledore tipped his head and let himself out as Ginny started to cry into Charlie's shoulder.
"Hey, come on little one. Don't cry." Charlie led her over to the chair and she sat down. He dragged another chair closer and sat down next to her.
"How come you're here?"
"Zi told me. I asked Dumbledore if I could come, I figured you'd be a wreck." Charlie chuckled as Ginny sniffed indignantly. "Frankly, you're doing a lot better than I would have expected." Ginny forced a smile and wiped her cheeks.
"It's just hard is all. He told me about it ... but I didn't try and help or anything."
"Ginny, don't you dare try and blame yourself for this. There would have been nothing you could do anyways. You and I both know Draco wouldn't have let you get involved." Ginny nodded and turned to look at Draco; he looked so pale, even more so than usual.
"Are they really not going to charge that bastard?" Charlie looked at her with a somber expression.
"No, they're not. He pulled some bullshit out of his ass that he was drunk and it was just a family fight that got out of hand. Narcissa, understandably, won't come forward to testify against him. Voldemort would probably kill her if she did. You can't let him testify, okay Ginny?"
"Charles?! You aren't honestly asking me to let that bastard get off scott-free are you?!" Charlie put a hand on Ginny's arm; the last thing she needed right now as a temper-induced migraine.
"Yes, I am. Draco, and you, will be in far too much danger if he agrees to testify. But it doesn't matter. The Ministry's already decided what they're going to do with the bastard. He's got sodding counseling! He nearly murders his own wife and son and they put him in ruddy counseling!" Charlie sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Sorry, Gin."
"Sorry? Sodding hell, Charlie, I'm right there with you. Can't Dad do anything about this?" Charlie shook his head and sighed. "Charlie?" Ginny's voice was much smaller now and she had turned back to Draco once again.
"What's wrong little one?"
"Is he going ... is he going to be okay?"
"I don't know." Ginny burst into tears again as Charlie gathered her up in his arms. He just let her cry for who knows how long. She hadn't been able to talk to anyone or let her emotions out of check for a while. Being cooped up in the Hospital Wing hadn't done anything good for her, but she refused to leave him. She had this irrational fear that he would wake up when no one was there and panic.
"I'm sorry ... I just needed to cry I guess." Charlie smiled worriedly as Ginny pulled away and wiped her eyes.
"Don't worry about it." They sat in comfortable silence for a while. When Charlie finally did break the silence, neither had noticed that it was almost midnight. "I'm really sorry, Gin. But I've got to go. You'll be okay?"
"Of course I will, Charlie. Be careful okay? I'll owl you in a few days." Charlie nodded and smiled at the worried look Ginny was giving him. Between her and Mrs. Weasley he never heard the end of how dangerous his work was. He kissed her lightly on the cheek before leaving the Hospital Wing.
"This is all your fault, boy! If you hadn't denied me, our plan would be well underway by now! You're destroying our only hopes of killing that god damned Potter! Crucio!" Lucius sneered as Draco fell to his knees. Narcissa screamed from somewhere behind him, but he ignored it.
"Lucius, make sure you don't kill him. We'll be needing him later." Voldemort smirked as Lucius released Draco from the curse and bowed low. "Narcissa, dear, if you would be so kind as to fetch me some tea?"
"No you bastard! Leave my son alone!"
"Tut tut tut, I won't have you insulting me like that my dear. Crucio!" Narcissa screamed and crumpled to the ground. "I'll do what I please with my heir, understand me woman?" Voldemort sniffed in disgust and walked quickly out of the room, releasing Narcissa.
"Leave her alone!"
"Shut up boy! Crucio!" Lucius followed the Crutaceous Curse with many others; he only stopped when his Dark Mark began to burn. A few moments later Voldemort re-entered the room.
"I told you not to kill him you insolent little piece of filth!"
"I'm sorry, my lord. I'm so sorry!" Lucius fell to his knees and kissed the edge of Voldemort's robes.
"We have matters to attend to, get off your knees."
A/N: I know, I know, it's super short, but it seemed like the perfect place to end it. EEP! I'm so excited that I'm at 80 reviews! You have no idea how happy that makes me! I'm hoping for 100 by chapter 20! Thank you all so much! There's a little note for all you loyal reviewers in my bio! How did you like this chapter? I know it was really cottony, but hey, life's not life without some cotton! Anywho, on to the reviewer notes:
LilBre: OMG, I almost keeling over laughing when I read that: "Poor Draco ... ¾ dead at Hogwarts in secret ... Oh well he'll live"!!! That is the best! But yeah, he can't very well go to Gringots! Thanks a bunch, how was this one?
Sandofia: LOL, yeah, I got it. Draco dying ... that would be an interesting twist ... hmm, jk jk. Anywho, sodding hell, I'm ecstatic that you are being selfish! I love it when people demand updates ... it makes me feel so loved. But yes, I am really busy, so they will come as soon as I have time. 10 hours?!? That sucks ass! Haha, the sequel is well on its way dahling! LOL, the next chapter is coming soon as well! How was this one?
HarryPotterFan670: Hehe, Draco is ... alive. That's all you need to know, LOL. Gratci, gratci! How was this one?
Paintedsecrets: LOL, I'm sorry. I never said you had to stop moaning about Drakeypoo and Charlie Charles, I'm just not going to explain it in ever A/N. So feel free to moan all you want, LOL. Yes, Lucius is a horrible person ... I really hate him and want to kill him off, but he serves a purpose. Actually Ginny didn't get the cloak from any of those, keep guessing! I'm going to be so happy when I'm in the UK for college (if I get accepted of course) because I absolutely adore rain! Merci, Merci! How was this chappie?
MasterHarperMenolly: Haha, don't be embarrassed. I would only take the time to write a note to a reviewer if I really valued their opinion. But its gone, nonetheless. I can tell you that he's not Voldemort, but nothing more. Thanks a bunch, how was this chapter?
DarkRose: LOL, yes that line was the product of too much sleep and too little caffeine! Kudo points to you for finally reading! How was this one?