Chapter Seven

You didn't mean to hurt him, did you? You just wanted him to let Draco go. You're rather lucky not to be facing a murder charge. Could you have murdered him instead of putting intense pain on his entire body? He's a cruel heartless, vicious man who needs to be punished from time to time. But for what it was worth...Would you do it again?

She stood against the wall, her eyes shut tightly as she was silently crying. He stepped lightly towards her and touched her shoulder. She didn't even bother to flinch. "Come on Ginny, Dumbledore says we need to get out of here. He's going to help us out, it'll be alright." She shook her head miserably as the Draco, looking paler then normal, ushered her out of the office and into the hall in which she promptly broke down in. She had begun screaming and blasting anything she could see with her wand. Her knees hit the granite floor and she wrapped her arms around herself, her wand lay amongst the debris. Draco looked astonished at what she had done, no matter how angry she was, it would not compare to the anger of Albus Dumbledore. A loud cluttering and a skid made Draco look up; swallow-faced Professor Snape hunched over slightly with his eyes wide.

"What have you done to this school?" He took a step forward before realizing how torn she really was over her choice. Her face was chalk-white and her eyes were nervously flickering underneath her closed lids. Would you do it again? This is your fault, if that man goes insane...You've taken a life and you think by crying you'll get away with it? You really are very thick.

"You don't understand," she whispered. "You'll never see how much I'd do for him. I thought of sacrificing myself for him, because that would be better if I could only see him safe...and happy."

"I wouldn't be," he whispered as he tried to pry her hands away from her body to hold them. "If you left me, I'd probably go in-It's going to be okay, Dumbledore'll sort this out."

"We need to get this cleaned up," Snape said gesturing to the mess, "and to get you both away from Hogwarts for the time being."

"Where can we go?" Draco asked anxiously for he did not truly see a way out of all this. Not now, they were in too deep.

"She knows." Snape nodded reassuringly.

"Professor lupin-Remus-he can help us. We need to go to him." Ginny breathed softly as she had heard every word.

"Lupin? How can he help us?" Malfoy asked as he held her tighter.

"He can keep you safe in The Order's Headquarters. It's unplottable, you see. But you must go now, time is running short." He produced from his pocket a watch on a goden chain-a portkey. They touched it and a familiar sensation swept through them both.

They dropped into the dusty living room win Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Footsteps hurried to help them both up. "Ginny, nice to see you. And-Draco, too." His voice was hoarse and rather cold towards Draco. It looked as dusty and he looked as shabby as ever in his robes. Remus smiled kindly but she noticed his lip twitch steadily as he eyed Malfoy. Remus and Sirius had a strong dislike for any and all who associated themselves with the Dark Lord. Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, had done just that and he had paid for it by being thrown in Azkaban during Draco's fifth year at Hogwarts.

"Hullo, Remus. How have you been?" Ginny smiled somberly as she sat down with Malfoy on one of the chairs.

"As well as can be expected. I hear you two've gotten into a load of trouble. Dumbledore thinks you'll do best to stay low until he's fixed this mess."

"But-" Draco started but recieved a most unwelcoming look from his former Professor. He looked pleadingly at Ginny who shook her head and shrugged.

"I've just made some tea. Would either of you care for any?" He seemed considerably warmer towards Draco as the day carried itself into night. They had talked mildly as both sat with Ginny in the living room. What would they do now? How would Dumbledore explain this to anyone? Who would he tell it to? Normally it would have been Fudge but now...Her skin crawled at that thought and she shut her eyes.

"Gin, it's gonna be okay. Dumbledore promised me." Draco whispered softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her. Remus looked disconcerned at this and found it hard to repress a smile. Perhaps this boy really did have the power of redemption?

"No, it won't. Who can he explain this to? Normally if something happens it's for Fudge to decide what the overall outome is. But he's gone and I'm responsible if he's found to go mad over what I have done!"

"Did you go outside to the grounds with intent on murdering?" Remus asked quietly. Draco glared at him.

"Of course not! But maybe I should of."

"The fact that you did do it is going to be in high regard with the Ministry. They won't care if you've been friends with that bloke forever. Murder is a serious offense. You better pray that others like you, boy, or you'll be staring at the inside of a cell for a long time."

"I didn't mean it. What was I to do? He would have raped her if I hadn't shown up and god knows what else."

"You're sure that was his intention?"

"Blaise was sick, Rem," Ginny started. She told him when Draco had said and it took only a few minutes but seemed like a lifetime. Through it all the only sound was each's labored breathing and the ticking of the clock.

"I see." was all he said before he stood and said goodnight. Why was he acting so unRemus-like?

"Why can we do for them, Albus?" Severus asked as he paced the Headmaster's office. Professor Dumbledore behind his desk and surveyed everything; thingswere toppled onto the floor and Minister Fudge was lying in the corner. They weren't too sure what to do with him.

"We have no choice, Severus," he said sadly. "We must turn our students in."