Chapter Eight

Remus' mood had been very perplexing to Ginny. Why did she get the feeling that if he were in deep conversation with someone else he would stop when she was within earshot? What did he know and wasn't telling her? How was Dumbledore really going to help them? She knew once they were back at Hogwarts that they'd be facing the charges. She sat in front of the fire in Grimmauld Place that night; Draco was sitting in one of the arm chairs and staring tensely into the flames.

"How are you doing? You've barely said a word since we've got settled in."

"It just doesn't seem fair. It's not entirely Blaise's fault that he was how he was. Stuff like that is genetic...so..." Ginny stared at him, his expression was strange. "What?"

"You're not suggesting what I think you are, are you?" He leant forward and gazed at her. "It's extremely risky."

"It won't be so bad." He took to sliding off of the chair and sitting next to her, his fingers going through her hair before he let out a growling breath.

"You're talking about breaking into St. Mungo's to find out about the Zabini's?" Her eyes widened.

"Draco-you never-"

"No, but we don't have to worry about anyone finding out. Dumbledore and Snape are the only ones who know the truth, and I'm telling you because I know you wouldn't say anything," he stared at the doorway behind them and then back at her. "Blaise's parents were put in St. Mungo's because they were tortured by the Dark Lord himself." Worry etched across his face and he pulled her towards him; she curled against his chest and breathed softly.

"Poor Blaise."

"You'd almost feel sorry for him up until the point where his mind changed and he was seduced by more darkness then he could handle." Draco spoke with quiet bitterness and Ginny stroked his arm comfortingly.

"So...what now?" She blinked up at him. His fingers touched her cheek and she leaned in close.

"We go back." His eyes cast a ghostly glow and she swallowed fearfully and clutched him tighter. "There's nothing we can do but that."

The door opened with a creak and she stepped back. He held her fast around the middle and nudged her in with his hip. "It's alright." His breath was soft against her ear. She shuddered deeply and let out an unexpected airy moan before slipping inside. The entrance hall in front of them seemed to stretch on forever. They turned right and headed towards the office. Surely he knew they'd used a Portkey to come back? Just as they had stepped near the staircase someone stepped down it and looked rather grimly at the two students.

"Nice to know you at least have the sense to talk your counterpart into coming back, Draco." Severus quipped lightly as he stared directly at Ginny. "The Headmaster's waiting for you...he sent me to make sure you don't avoid this any longer then necessary." And so they followed him wordlessly. Upon reaching the stone gargoyle, Severus flicked his eyes towrds the nervous couple before muttering the password (Phoenix) and ushered them onto the spiraling staircase. It moved in moments to reveal a wooden door which Professor Snape rapped softly with his knuckles before stepping inside, grabbing Ginny who in turn grabbed Draco, and facing the Headmaster.

"As the both of you know, what you are eventually going to be charged for will not be taken into consideration lightly where the matter of Minister Fudge is concerned," his blue eyes looked at Ginny who shifted uncomfortably on spot. Draco held her hand tightly. "As for the death of Blaise Zabini, it is evident that Mr Malfoy had no prior motive then to save you. As this was a noble act, its result still weighs heavily on an expulsion as well as a lifetime setence in Azkaban." Gray eyes narrowed and he had begun to tremble, his hair fell over his cruel orbs and he gritted his teeth.

"He asked for it. There was no reasoning with him." Draco glared up and his eyes were now rimmed with tears. "I can't leave her, I refuse to. If that makes me a coward then so be it."

"Please, you have no choice," she spoke in a hushed tone and tried to wipe away his tears. "If you refuse it'll only make things worse."

"You must cooperate." Severus said taking a step forward. "She's right. This'll do you no good."

"I won't!" He stepped back towards the door. "I'd rather die then leave her alone." He looked completely savage now as he raised his wand and pointed it towards himself. Four different anguished screams sounded and the air grew cold. No one dared look up; there were only three slow breaths now.

His own escape was through the mortal hell on earth.

Author's Note: My apologies for the slow update and the how this very short chapter ended. I am sad to say that I will be stopping the fic here for many reasons. There are still many loose threads that I will pull together soon.