Title: More than Mrs. Potter
Author: Joy
A/N: Once again thanks for the reviews. I appreciate the effort on the readers' parts to comment. Oh, can someone explain to me about C2 groups? I just don't get them.
14. Draco and the new dark mark
Dumbledore was very proud of his little trio and their accomplishment. He went over the spells with Snape and McGonagall very carefully the group had identified as being involved before pronouncing it a success. Dumbledore knew since Ginny's assault and her comment about hearing Voldemort in her head that the bond was not entirely broken and could be manipulated. Unbeknownst to any, Albus felt sure that Tom Riddle was actually touching Gin's mind during the attack. How that would play out in the future was of great concern.
Ginny ended up taking extra lessons from Dumbledore with Harry to walk that fine line between light and dark. Dumbledore focused more light spells with Harry and darker spells with Ginny. After about a month Dumbledore believed that Ginny was ready to attempt the spell to create the dark mark on Draco without using up her magical reserves.
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On a cloudy Friday afternoon Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Madame Pomfry (who actually did know about muggle medicine), and Harry (who insisted on being present) all watched nervously as Ginny of all people cast the Dark Mark spell on Draco. The general belief was since Tom Riddle had possessed Ginny hopefully enough of a remnant of him was left that she would carry the power necessary to do the spell. Draco had absolute confidence and trust in his best friend as he prepared to 'die'.
The dying part was the part Ginny was scared about. Madame Pomfry would attach an IV to Draco then give him a muggle medicine to stop his beating heart. In theory, that should allow the mark to lose its hold. Once the mark was completely gone Poppy would inject Draco with epinephrine to start his heart again. If that didn't work there was always the resurrection spell...but that was a last resort.
Harry stood worried about everything that was about to transpire. Ginny was about to attempt a spell that most grown wizards couldn't perform...hadn't preformed in generations. He knew it would cost her physically and emotionally. Draco would suffer the same fate. That was Harry's real fear. The one thing he always had over Draco was the bond he and Ginny shared forged in the Chamber of Secrets. It was a mystical bond... and now Ginny was about to form a magical bond between herself and Draco. Harry could only hope that when the day was done, things wouldn't have changed. It was stupid really but he hadn't wanted Gin to know how insecure Draco's 'prank' had really made him.
"Miss Weasley, Mr. Malfoy...take your positions," Dumbledore stated quietly.
"You don't have to do this Mr. Malfoy," Poppy stated obviously still concerned.
"Am I going to die if I don't get the mark?" Draco asked. No one said anything. "That's what I thought... Let's get this done.
Ginny faced Draco and gave him a nodded. "Not gonna bat bogey curse me again are you Gin?" Draco teased to lighten the mood.
"I might if you don't shut your trap and let me concentrate," she teased back.
Ginny breathed deeply several times and lowered her head. Harry had seen her practice drawing on the power left inside her before but it never got easier to watch. She snapped her head up and stared deeply at Draco with bright yellow eyes before speaking the ancient words. The spell was cast and the bond was formed. Both Ginny and Draco gasped deeply.
"Gin!" Harry called as she fell back. He was there in time to catch her.
Ginny's eyes were back to their normal chocolate color but the magic was too intense. Her nose was bleeding, as was one of her ears. "O...K...check...Draco," she panted.
"Poppy's there. You are my concern," he soothed as he wiped the blood away and looked to Dumbledore who bore an uneasy look on his face, as did Snape. Harry looked to his girlfriend again to see she had passed out briefly in his arms.
"That shouldn't have happened," Snape said quietly. "Has it happened before?"
Dumbledore shook his head, "She tapped something uncharted."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Her eyes Harry...that hasn't happened before," Dumbledore noted.
Harry stared at his headmaster, "She owned her magic. She became it...just like she was supposed to. Why does this worry you?"
"Potter, it appeared to me that she actually tapped into Voldemort," Snape noted.
"I would imagine so...its what she has been striving for all along," Harry contended.
"She was to tap her own magic that he touched...not touch him," Dumbledore explained. "I am afraid he might learn of what we are doing."
Harry shook his head, "He will be arrogant enough to believe she is missing him if anything." The older men looked unconvinced.
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McGonagall and Madame Pomfry were focused on Draco as Ginny woke snuggling in Harry's arms. Harry got Ginny situated in a chair and went to check on his former nemesis. Low and behold the Slytherin Prince bore the Dark Mark, which was ironic because he was grinning like an idiot.
"Malfoy...Draco...you still with us mate?" Harry inquired.
"Yeah...Merlin...Can I keep this?" the white haired boy asked.
"Why?" Snape sneered.
"Because if this is the way she feels everyday, then I don't want to give up the connection."
Harry chuckled, "Voldie is going to recognize this as not his magic, D." He attempted to help Malfoy stand only to have the other boy get weird on him.
"Hey get away from me..." Draco pushed off.
"What'd I do?" Harry questioned.
"Nothing," he said uncomfortably as Harry stared at him. "I just don't like feeling her feelings for you...it's a bit creepy."
Harry jumped back as Ginny giggled.
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Dumbledore and the other teachers checked the mark over, tested its bonds, and pronounced it a success. "Now how is this supposed to work once I get the real thing?" Draco asked.
"Well as you know Mr. Malfoy, Voldemort took the spell used on you and modified it. Since it is a modernization if you will of the other spell we believe the older magic will get under the bonds," Dumbledore explained.
"I'm confused again," Draco admitted.
"Do you understand what a tattoo is in theory?" Harry asked. The blond boy nodded. "Think of the mark Voldemort gives you as a tattoo...something embedded in the skin itself. The mark Ginny will give you is like something actually placed under the skin. It doesn't really matter what is done to the skin itself because there is something underneath...something deep to block its effects."
"See there was a point to you living with those muggle wankers after all, mate," Draco said jovially.
"Okay, get that thing off him...he's beginning to scare me with his happiness," Harry instructed as Ginny once again laughed.
"No more than it scares me, Potter. I don't like feeling like the sun and the moon show in your eyes."
Harry smirked at Ginny, "Sun and the moon?"
"Hey, he's the cocky one. Not you," Gin corrected her boyfriend who came over and kissed her forehead.
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"Come now Mister Malfoy. Are you ready to try to remove it?" Madame Pomfry asked.
Draco sighed, "Yeah." He hopped up onto the bed made for him. Gin sat next to him and held his hand as IV was attached. "Ow...that hurt."
"It's a needle Draco...Small piece of pointed metal that is hollow in the center," Harry explained.
"Muggles are still in the Dark Ages, I swear," Draco fussed.
Poppy looked at him sympathetically, "What's going to happen now is medicine from this vile is going to feed into this tube. The medicine will slow down your heart until it stops. These syringes over here are full of a medicine that will start your heart again. We always have the resurrection spell ready if necessary."
"Do it."
Draco gripped Ginny's hand as the medicine permeated his body. His eyes began to lose focus but he just kept looking a Ginny. "Thank you," he whispered then shut his eyes.
In fascination the occupant of the room watched each line of the image on his arm disappear until there was nothing left.
Draco was still. His body emitted no breath. It was then that Poppy pumped his chest and administered epinephrine to revive him.
Draco sucked in a giant breath and coughed deeply and repeatedly.
Ginny was by his side in a second, petting his head. "D...It's Gin. You're okay. I got ya."
"Don't let me fall," he croaked.
"Never."
The audience didn't get it. "Inside joke," Ginny said off hand.
TBC...
Next chapter: Draco and Harry have a heart to heart. Very weird I know.
Now be sweet and REVIEW for me. PLEASE!