Phoenix and the Dragon

By: babykelyse

A/N: I promised it wouldn't be a month until my next update and I'm keeping that promise lol Since I have a week off from school for Thanksgiving break, I decided to go ahead and write this chapter. I was overwhelmed with the positive responses from my last chapter, and I deeply appreciate everyone who's been reading and reviewing, or just reading and not reviewing. So without further ado...here's the next chapter. :)

Author Responses: blissfulxsin- hopefully this update wasn't too long in coming :) you might enjoy this chapter as Draco will be putting Harry and Hermione in their places as well :) happy early Thanksgiving to you as well im no muggle-sorry about the wait for updates. I'm glad you like my story :) Morena Evensong- I guarantee they'll be more than shocked :D this chapter will be the trio's reactions and the meeting of the dark prince :) Lilykins- always your enthusiasm encourages me to write faster :D this chapter will deal with what it will take for Draco to save Ginny and I'm hoping this update was soon enough lol it didn't take a month this time :D coldflamez- thank you! :D Aleurier- thank you :D Samantha- thank you :D Katie- I'm glad you're enjoying it :)

Chapter 13

The Potion

Both Harry and Hermione were unaware of the happenings in Dumbledore's office, and they were surprised to see Ron come in with his head hung down in shame. Both quickly rushed over to him and walked him to the stuffy couches.

"Ron...what's wrong? Why do you look so pale?"

"G-Ginny...she's been kidnapped! And we can't do a bloody damn thing about it."

Harry and Hermione looked over to each other with confused eyes. Ginny was kidnapped? Both talked softly to Ron until he was calm enough to tell of everything that had happened. Both sat quietly as Ron told them of what had happened to Ginny, how Malfoy reacted, and what Dumbledore had told them. After Ron finished, they too felt guilty of their treatment of Ginny, and helpless because now they could do nothing to help her.

"Malfoy has to let us help him. He can't do this by himself."

At this, Ron snorted.

"Not only can he do this by himself, but he can also do it with one arm broken and a missing leg. He doesn't want our help. It's strange though. Its almost as if he...cared about Ginny. But...they hardly know each other right? So why would he help her?"

"We all know that Ginny cares for Malfoy...half the bloody school knows that by now. But when she blurted it out that day in the Great Hall.... he didn't even seem to notice. I mean...'Mione said they snogged and all, but that's all I thought it was."

As Ron, Harry, and Hermione thought about this, suddenly Ron remembered what happened after Ginny had stormed off. He'd seen Malfoy leave out of the Great Hall only a few minutes after Ginny, but thought nothing of it. He'd just figured Ginny and Malfoy were having a snogging session because Ginny was under some spell he'd obviously put her under. He'd gone out to go and have a few more words with Ginny when he'd seen them both hugging and Malfoy stroking her hair tenderly. He'd been so enraged he'd stormed back up to the common room and stayed in his room the rest of the day. Why hadn't it hit him before?

"Bloody hell, they're in love!"

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Ginny had lost all concept of time as she hung in the damp dungeon. Old and new patches of blood covered her now newly bruised skin. They'd used all sorts of whips and chains until she'd let the black abyss claim her. She silently thanked the gods that they hadn't raped her.... yet. She closed her eyes as silent tears leaked out of her eyes. Draco.... she'd thought about him non-stop since she'd been taken here, and it was the only thing that kept her sane. He'll come for her...and soon. She could feel it in the way the wind roared angrily outside. Thankfully the dungeon had a small window in the far corner, so she wasn't completely isolated.

If I get through this I swear, I'll tell Draco how much I love him everyday, she vowed silently. Outside, the wind grew even fiercer as the night wore on. Ginny slightly lifted her head as the door squeaked open. She hung her head in defeat as she saw the same two figures from earlier come in with a set of new weapons.

Please, please Draco find me and save me, was her last thought before the torture began.

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Draco paced outside of Dumbledore's office for what seemed like the umpteenth time as he waited for the old man to prepare the scrolls. He was so intent upon his pacing and glaring at the floor, he missed the familiar dark haired wizard standing in his path. The figure smirked as Draco pulled himself from the floor with a scowl.

"Walking trails Drayk?"

Draco started at the sound of the familiar deep voice. He looked up to see the attractive dark-haired wizard Blaise Zabini smirking at him as he dusted off his robes. Many a witch swooned at a mere glimpse from the olive-skinned young man and many more when he awarded them with a rare smile. Even older witches seemed irresistible to his charms.

"Blaise! What in bloody hell are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you, mate. Heard you had a run-in with the Weaselys."

"I did."

Draco went on to tell his best friend of many years of what had happened between himself, Dumbledore, and the rest of the Weasely clan when Dumbledore had informed them of the incident surrounding Ginny. When he had finished, he could literally feel the anger radiating off of Blaise. In the weeks he'd began seeing Ginny, the first person he'd introduced her to, was Blaise. He hadn't taken to her right off the bat, but after she'd set his robes afire, he was smitten. He was just as, and probably more so, protective of Ginny as Draco. She'd met Pansy next and after a few choice words and more than enough angry sparks, the girls were virtually inseparable. Quite often he'd caught Pansy sneaking off to visit with Ginny in her rooms, and vice versa.

"Those bloody idiots. They never cared for the little one and now they want to help?"

"I reacted the same way, Blaise. I got great pleasure from seeing that bloody Weasel shrink from me in fear after I threw him against the wall."

Blaise laughed at this, and they continued talking until Dumbledore emerged from his office.

"Mister Malfoy? It's time."

Blaise nodded to Draco, sneered at Dumbledore, and then he went around the corner disappearing as fast as he appeared. After Blaise disappeared, Draco stepped quickly into Dumbledore's office and impatiently waited as the old man performed a locking spell on the door, and walked quickly to his desk. A litter of ancient scrolls were spread around his desk and a vial of green liquid sat beside them.

"Right. Now I've concocted this potion that will bring you to your true form. Since you and Miss Weasely have a...special bond, once you drink this potion, she will also change. This is quite dangerous seeing as Lord Vittorio won't be too pleased. So I urge that you take this potion only when you are in close proximity to Miss Weasely."

Dumbledore carefully handed the vial to Draco, and as his fingers brushed it, he felt a rush of power run up his arm. He pocketed the vial and then looked to Dumbledore once more. Dumbledore handed him an ancient scroll that looked strangely like a map. At a closer look, Draco realized that it was a map, and was the same as the Marauder's Map that Pottyhead once had.

"Obviously you know what this map will do. It will show you your way to where Miss Weasely is being held captive and where the guards and Lord Vittorio are residing."

Draco nodded and wordlessly took the map from Dumbledore clutching it tightly in his hand.

"Ah...there is one more thing. You will need this."

At that, he pulled out a silver jewel encrusted sword and handed it to Draco. Once again, as Draco's fingers brushed the hilt of the sword, he felt a rush of power, much greater this time, run throughout his entire body.

"I trust you will bring Miss Weasely and yourself back safely, Mister Malfoy. I have great expectations of you."

Draco looked up and Dumbledore, startled by his words, but said nothing. Now was not a time for petty words. He nodded Dumbledore his thanks, and then walked silently out the door, and then out of Hogwarts. Quickly, he summoned his Valiscamore 3000, the newest and top model broom, and mounted it. He would find Ginny tonight. And this Vittorio...would wish he'd never laid a finger on Ginny.

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A/N: Wow...that took a lot out of me. lol But hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter and want more, more, and more :) I promised it wouldn't be a month until the next update and I'll be damned if I didn't keep my promise :) So I hope I'll be getting quite a few reviews for keeping my promise. HINT HINT ahem...anyway, this next chapter will be out soon hopefully. You know the drill people: read, review, and always enjoy :) ciao